A/N: Longest chapter to date at over 9,000 words. Fair warning, this chapter will attack the feels and most likely waterworks will ensue. I definitely cried when I wrote part of this.

The Regent's Soul

The disorientation faded and Oliver blinked, shaking his head to clear it. It was dark. Well, either that or he had gone blind. Considering how much he relied on his sight as an archer, he was not sure he could deal with his sudden blindness. A warm hand squeezed his reminding him he was not alone. It tugged him forward and he followed. What else could he do?

He opened his eyes again and this time noticed the darkness fading away, almost like it was melting into the surroundings. Oliver's Shadows swirled around him, and this time he could see them as well as feel them. They manifested as dark tendrils that wrapped around his arms and legs like ethereal vines, pulsing and slithering. It would have been horrific had Oliver not recognized them as his own. The vigilante felt safe with his Shadows clinging to him.

"You do learn fast," Shaadi said, breaking Oliver's concentration. Oliver looked at his companion who kept a firm hold of his hand as they walked, but pale brown eyes continued to cast curious glances at the Shadows. Shaadi met Oliver's eyes briefly before focusing on the path ahead. "But I would suggest you hide them for now. We are coming on the Regent's soul room and I have no desire to accidentally affect it."

"Soul room?" Oliver asked as he turned his attention to hiding his Shadows from sight.

"Yes. A soul room is where the soul resides, both Ba and Ka," the Egyptian said. "The room itself is a representation of the shell encasing the soul, the body. The things within the room are representative of thoughts, memories, and dreams among other things. The soul, the unified Ba and Ka, exists within the room usually as a manifestation of some kind; it varies from person to person."

"Does everyone have one?" Oliver asked.

Shaadi nodded. "Yes and each soul room is unique to each soul. There is no soul room like yours in the entire universe or across time and there never will be again."

"What if you were...reincarnated like, I'm assuming Kaiba was?"

Shaadi considered a moment. "The old soul room returns but is built upon, added onto, until a new soul room grows from the old. This new soul room is often independent of but still connected to the old room. The rooms are typically separated by a door with the key hidden somewhere in the new soul room. Should the soul inhabiting the new room ever find the key and unlock the old room, then... Well, usually one of two things happen."

Shaadi paused when the reached a corridor with a large door embedded in the stone wall. He turned to Oliver and held up one finger. "The soul could adapt and the two rooms could merge together forming a hybrid of both." He lifted a second finger. "The soul could prefer the old room and attempt to destroy its new room and inhabit the old." He held up a third finger. "Or the soul can reject the old room entirely and try to close the door, or bury it behind things." Shaadi lowered his hand as sadness left creases by his eyes. "Sadly, the last is the most common. Many have gone insane trying to drown out the influences of the old. Kaiba himself fell into that pattern early on."

"He...Kaiba?" Oliver stared at the closed door with trepidation. It was steel plated with triple redundancy locks and an image of a dragon etched on the upper half. "I'm assuming this is-"

"The door to the Regent's soul room, yes." Shaadi released Oliver's hand and placed his palm on the door. "It is not as warm as I am used to it being." He murmured, stepping back. "What Shadow Game the Regent is playing is taking almost all of his concentration to play."

Shaadi curled his hand over his chest and closed his eyes. There was a faint shimmer then a golden ankh appeared in his hand. The ankh was unadorned save for the tip of the gold rod extending towards the ground under the golden loop and crossbar. There was a series of nicks reminiscent of a key which Shaadi lifted and pushed into the center of the door ignoring the locks. The golden ankh sank through the steel like a knife through warm flesh and when it reached the crossbar, Shaadi turned the ankh ninety degrees to the right. There was a soft snick and the door pushed open.

"What did you do?" Oliver asked, eyeing the mysterious man as Shaadi withdrew the ankh. Green eyes widened as it vanished once more.

"I merely unlocked the door," Shaadi said, stepping forward.

Disgruntled at having his question avoided but understanding the need for urgency, Oliver followed after Shaadi. He had no idea what he had been expecting, but this was much more...just much more than he could ever imagine on his own.

The room itself seemed endless. It was large and extended high into the darkness above. The walls were an interesting mesh of ancient stone and modern steel. A computer said on a sleek, modern glass and steel desk by the wall on the far left. Several files and papers lay on the desk and a the black office chair swiveled and looked quite comfortable and used. A simple picture frame sat on the desk with two people who looked like younger versions of Kaiba and Mokuba playing chess. Behind the desk and chair was a spectacular daylight view of a modern city Oliver did not recognize.

The wall to his right was occupied by a futon nestled in the corner. The blankets were simply in design and a soft mix of purples, blues, and whites. Several pillows had been propped up in the corner creating a nest of sorts. In the middle was a what looked like a stuffed dog of some kind. He did not recognize the breed although it resembled a wolf or a jackal. It could have been a mutt of some kind. An book lay open on the sheets and a paper with a childish scribble of a blue creature with wings was stuck between the open pages.

A trunk sat at the foot of the futon with old parchments piled on top. An inkwell, a quill, a reed, and a brush lay on a bamboo tablet nearby. A Japanese style circular window on the far right wall directly over the futon was open revealing what looked like a lovely traditional Japanese garden. Soft white moonlight filtered through the window onto the futon casting ethereal shadows across the sheets. A low bookshelf filled with books leaned against the wall between the futon and the steel door the guests had just entered through.

The wall directly ahead was a strange yet aesthetically pleasing mesh of modern steel, traditional Japanese, and Ancient Egyptian design. Oliver was certain he would never have put the three drastically different styles together and think it looked good, but for some reason this was. It felt like it had to be this way. The wall was split into two large openings which looked out over an ancient Egyptian city as sunset.

Covering the center of the floor was a glass and tile mosaic of a beautiful woman with long flowing hair. The tiles were painted white for her skin and white glass tiles for her hair with the faintest hint of ice blue glass. Her smile was soft and gentle, like the one a mother gives to her child. Her eyes were the clearest ice blue glass Oliver had ever seen. She was dressed in a simple dress that draped over body in delicate folds from the golden sash wrapped around her waist. Her arms reached out to Oliver welcoming him, drawing him in.

Behind her, as if rising from her, was an elegant mosaic of a white draconic beast. It'e mouth open as if roaring to the heavens. It too had the same, clear blue glass for its eyes. Glass tiles only a shade or so lighter than its eyes filled the area over the bottom part of its semi-folded wings.

"How is this possible?" Oliver gasped in awe. "It's-"

"What has happened here?" Shaadi murmured.

Something in the Advisor's voice caught Oliver's attention. He turned to his companion and was surprised to find Shaadi staring at the room in absolute horror. "Hey," Oliver said. "Shaadi, what's wrong?"

"This...what...who could have the strength to do this?"

"Do what? Shaadi, it looks fine. What's wro..." Oliver gestured out to the room as he spoke, and stilled. Now that he was not staring at the masterpiece like an awestruck child, he began to notice subtle incongruities.

The papers on the glass and steel desk were scattered, several torn or ripped. The picture frame was bent and dented and leaning against the half closed computer. The window looking out over sparkling skyscrapers was cracked and he though he could faintly hear the whistling of high winds leaking through. The sheets and blanket on the futon were tangled and the pillows were tussled and ripped at the seams. The stuffed canine was torn almost in half. Several pages in the book had been ripped. The lock on the trunk at the foot of the futon was broken, the inkwell on the top was spilled, dripping onto the white futon sheets. The open Japanese window was hanging loosely from its hinges and the chime was silent. The Egyptian city from the lookouts on the middle wall was crumbling and sand blew across the abandoned ruins. Even the heartbreakingly beautiful mosaic on the floor was chipped and pieces looked like they had been ripped up.

Something had happened here. It looked like there had been a fight. Perhaps there had been, Oliver though, shifting to a defensive position. His eyes glanced around waiting for someone to jump out and attack them.

"Now what?" Oliver asked. "Is this the Shadow Game?"

Shaadi blinked, recovering his composure. "No, this isn't. This probably happened when the Game was initiated unexpectedly. The Regent was probably caught off guard by Akhenadin's arrival and did not have his defenses up."

The man strode further into the room staring directly ahead. He paused, glancing at the mosaic beneath his feet, then up to the invisible ceiling. He reached out a hand to touch the Egyptian meshed wall, only to yank his hand back with a yelp as sparks danced across a previously unseen surface between the interlopers and the wall.

"What was that?" Oliver cried, racing up to Shaadi, catching him before he lost his footing.

Shaadi gasped, glaring at the barrier. "A spell of concealment." He straightened with Oliver's help. "I thought as much when I did not see the door to his old soul room."

Now that you mention it, Shaadi was right. There was no door in the room except for the one they entered through. Oliver tensed. "Can you break it?" he asked.

Shaadi considered a moment. "If it is indeed a spell I believe it is, then I do not believe I can counter it."

"What do you think it is?"

"Swords of Concealing Light," Shaadi said, eyes hard. "In the game of Duel Monsters, if this Spell card is played, all the opponents monsters currently in play are forced into a face-down Defense mode and held there for two turns."

"And in real Shadow Games?"

"The rules for Spells and Traps and such for real Shadow Games are not all that different from the card game," Shaadi explained. "They usually have a different twist of some kind, but they are essentially the same."

"Okay, then how do we beat it?" Oliver asked, wishing he had his bow and quiver of arrows.

"We have essentially been relegated to face-down defense. We cannot attack it directly. However," Shaadi murmured, "I could cast a counter spell which would destroy this."

"Then do it," Oliver said.

Shaadi hesitated. "I do not know how such a spell could affect the Regent's current soul room."

Oliver paused. "If it causes damage, then what?"

Shaadi's eyes grew pained. "If damage or reorganization is caused, then the Regent could loose himself entirely. His soul would be forced to painstakingly pick up the pieces of the soul room and put the back together." Shaadi met Oliver's eyes with own seriously. "Kaiba survived the first time that happened because he could draw upon his older incarnation for help. With new room mostly merged with the old, he may not have the capability to do so. He is becoming both Seto Kaiba and Seth. Separating them now could mean disaster."

Oliver eyed the otherwise impenetrable barrier for several moments. "Do it," he said softly. "I'll take whatever punishment there is for this, but I'm not going to loose him now."

Shaadi's shoulders drooped, but he folded his hands as if to pay and murmured, "Night Beam."

A brilliant beam of energy burst from Shaadi's folded hands to the barrier which rippled upon impact then burst into sparks. Three dark swords were revealed for an instant before vanishing. Where once was a blank column separating the two overlooks on the Egyptian themed wall there was now an open door. A stylized Eye of Ra decorated the upper hals of the door and carved into the stone directly above the lintel was the familiar sight of the Tormentor God of Obelisk.

Oliver grinned and smacked Shaadi's back, making the man gasp in surprise. "Nice work." Shaadi rubbed his shoulder as the two men made their way across the room towards the open portal. "So you can cast spells in English?" Oliver asked.

Shaadi nodded. "Any language can be used. The Inner Court chooses to use hieratic because it is an old and powerful language which allows more direct access to the Shadows. Not to mention, it is not spoken anymore so their spells and summons remain unknown until they manifest."

"So like guerrilla tactics using magic," Olive said.

"Yes."

They stepped through the door to the next room and were met by a vast courtyard. "Okay, I was expecting a room."

"As was I," Shaadi said. "Unless this is the manifestation of the Shadow Game."

Oliver twitched, desperately wanting his bow and arrows. He blinked when he felt a familiar weight on his back and hesitantly reached back to feel the feathered arrows in his quiver and his bow fastened to his strap. "Um, Shaadi, what's going on?"

Shaadi shook his head. "This is a world of the mind. Wish for something hard enough, and it will likely come to pass." The man turned to face Oliver, now Arrow, fully. "Now, think of the image you saw of the Shadow Game's initiation. Visualize it and wish it to be here, now."

"You mean like Kaiba does when he moves through Shadows?" Oliver asked, closing his eyes to focus on his Shadows.

"Yes," Shaadi said. "Focus on it. When you feel it, drag it here."

Oliver reached out with his Shadows, searching for the monster and Kaiba. He was beginning to feel dizzy when he finally saw it. He grabbed the image with his Shadows and yanked with all his strength. Familiar cries and grunts of pain filled his ears and he opened his eyes to see a great stone tablet carved with an image of the same dragon he saw on the mosaic floor in Kaiba's soul room. The tablet stood erect at the far end of the courtyard behind the familiar monster still trying to crush Kaiba's head between its claws.

Arrow stumbled as more images and thoughts not his own filled his mind, confusing his senses, and temporarily blinding him.

"May I present the newest High Priest chosen by the Millennium Rod, Set."

A young man had dark brown skin and wore a floor length blue robe with a white underskirt. The hem along the arm holes was gold as was a woven ankh directly over the center of the new priest's chest. A blue cap with a stylized golden cobra, hood extended, sat on the young man's head hiding the brown hair from sight except for three long braids dangling down his back.

He lifted his head and gazed directly at the Pharaoh seated on the throne with unwavering, powerful blue eyes. "It is an honor to serve under you, Great Pharaoh," he said in Kaiba's voice.

"Well, now that I've got my weapons back, I can do some damage," Arrow said, blinking away his disorientation and drawing an arrow. "Can you do anything to distract that monster or at least get Kaiba out of my way?"

"I...there is a trap that could work but-"

"What'll it do?" Arrow demanded, shaking his head as another image came.

Set flailed, raising his arms to protect his face from the attacking hawk. When he finally found an opening, he swiped at his feathered tormentor with a furious cry. "Why is it always me!? Why can't you attack someone else for once!"

He swiped again and connected with the bird which lost some of its height in the air before recovering. A shrill whistle distracted the pair long enough for the bird to catch Set's arm with one of its talons before flying back to its master. Set grapsed his bleeding arm, hissing in pain as he watched the hateful avian land oh so innocently on the Pharaoh's extended arm

"Set! I sincerely apologize," the Pharaoh who was and was not Yuugi said. Violet eyes were large and guileless as he ran to his injured priest. "I thought Horus was trained enough to let him fly during the hunt."

"Well obviously he isn't," Set snapped.

"Watch your tone, High Priest Set," a man seated on a horse chastised harshly. "Remember to whom you speak."

The Pharaoh raised his hand, silencing the other man. "Peace. Set is right, Karim. I misjudged and harm was done."

"But Great Pharaoh," Karim insisted.

"Yes, I am Pharaoh. Nowhere have I found where that was synonymous with perfect," the Pharaoh said, rolling his eyes tolerantly. He gasped Set's uninjured arm and leaned forward. "Come, Set. Let me bind it."

Set balked, face flushed with embarrassment. "I can do it myself," he said. "I did so for years before..." He cut himself off, eyes darkening before his shoulders drooped in surrender. "Very well. So long as you do not mother me like Isis."

"Ra forbid!" the Pharaoh gasped in laughter. A small smile tugged at the corners of Set's mouth before he bit his lips to get them back under control.

"Lightforce Sword is a Trap that seals a soul, be it monster or human for several minutes," Shaadi explained hurriedly. "I have cast it before, but never directly on the manifestation of a soul. The potential damage it could do-"

"Will it save him?" Arrow demanded, pulling the arrow back so the feathers brushed his ear.

"It...could buy us some time to save him," Shaadi replied reluctantly.

"Set!" The young priest froze mid-step, cursing his luck. "What in Ra's name are you doing outside when you should be studying?"

Set's eyebrows furrow stubbornly as he turned to face the other man. "I am going to my room to study."

"And why is the scroll room not good enough?" the man with long, straight brown hair tucked under a white headdress asked. A pendent with a pyramid emblazoned with the Eye of Ra in the center of a golden ring dangled from the man's neck.

Set crossed his arms, fingers brushing his rod tucked in his belt. "Mana would not stop using me as the latest target for her...experiments."

The man winced. "I see," he said, sighing gustily. "I assume that's why you're not wearing your headdress as you station demands?"

Set nodded stiffly. "I have to mend it after she set fire to it," he said simply.

"I told her to leave spells of that level be," the man muttered.

Set smirked. "And by telling her 'no,' she had to do it. Don't you know that's how she works by now Mahaad?"

Arrow fired a bolt at the monster crushing Kaiba's head between its claws. The monster screamed and whirled on the newcomers, dragging Kaiba's along with him. The chained stone tablet bearing the image of a dragon snarled.

"Look, I'll free the dragon," Arrow said, drawing another arrow as he felt another memory -for that was what these images were, he realized- took over his senses. "Just cast the damn Trap."

A canine with bounded across the sands, easily keeping pace with the hunters' horses. Set glanced down to make sure his sha was still by his side, smiling when he saw his four legged companion panting just below his foot. His horse was fast, but it seemed Geb wanted to go faster. Grinning, Set kicked his horse's sides and sped up. Geb easily kept pace, yapping excitedly at the sudden change of pace.

The mutt had been an integral part of Set's life since he had first found the pup abandoned by its dead mother by the banks of the Nile. It barely survived puppydom, but had grown over the year and a half to be Set's more trusted companion besides the Pharaoh.

Geb followed him everywhere and obeyed most commands after only hearing them once. Much more obedient than Horus. Set smirked viciously when he thought of the Pharaoh's ornery hawk. He had been so proud the day Geb almost caught the hawk he had burst out laughing to Isis's and Akhenadin's horror. That had been a wonderful day, even if the extra lessons he had been given as punishment had not dampened his mood.

"That Trap could kill him in the state he's in!" Shaadi said

"He'll die anyway if we don't do something while we can!" Arrow counter. "Now cast the Trap," he commanded, knocking another arrow to his bow after the second buried in the monster's other shoulder.

"If you can break the chains holding the dragon sealed within the stone tablet," Shaadi said, "it will help us fight."

"I, Set, High Priest of Egypt and wielder of the Millennium Rod, do hereby swear to serve you as both the Pharaoh and Atem. I swear my undying allegiance, loyalty, and life to you. I am from henceforth yours and only yours to command. May my words be witnessed by the Shadows and bind me forever."

Silence filled the hall for several seconds. The Pharaoh stood hesitantly from his throne, violet eyes stared wide with shock at the young man kneeling all but prostrate before him. When Set had asked to speak with the Pharaoh, he had hoped to do alone. But he supposed human witnesses were just as good as Shadows. Humans could spread the word where Shadows could not.

Still, he could sense the shock radiating from his fellow High Priests and the silence was growing uncomfortably long. The smallest twist of doubt began to niggle at the back of his mind. Had he made a mistake? Would the Pharaoh reject him? Would the first person to ever treat him as a true friend and companion and not the strange commoner turned noble Set knew he was? Would-

Soft hands cupped his face and lifted it so his strange blue eyes, so unusual for an Egyptian, met unearthly violet. The moment their eyes met, Set immediately dropped them to stare respectfully at the Pharaoh's nose. But the Pharaoh insisted with his hands that he meet his eyes.

Set obeyed reluctantly. His body was already coiling with fear and despair. He would be rejected. Why did that thought bother him so? He should have expected this outcome. His peculiar blue eyes, natural brilliance, and queer practices often made him too odd for most people. He took a breath to apologize for his forwardness when-

"I accept."

Set's voice failed him and he suddenly felt limp with joy and relief. "My Pharaoh," he breathed, bowing his head gratefully only for his chin to be lifted once more.

"Not outside of court," the Pharaoh said, a gentle smile on his face. "When we're not in court, call me Atem."

"Atem," Set murmured.

"Whatever you say."

The Trap burst out of Shaadi's folded hands and struck Kaiba in the back. Instantly, the manifestation of the Regent's soul fell limp and slipped to the ground, sealed in a stasis by the Trap.

Arrow grunted against the onslaught of memories and fired at the weakened chain with an exploding arrow, breaking the chain and setting the dragon free.

"Pharaoh!" Curse it all, where was he? Blue eyes cast about the battle field for the distinctive hair of his friend. The attack had been sudden and vicious. Damn those accursed false god-kings.

"Pharaoh!" he screamed once more, trying desperately to be heard over the clash of weaponry. It was not the first time he thanked Ra's almighty blessing for granting him his gift of height. He ducked behind a horse and summoned Duos to fight a group of soldiers who had come too close to his small caravan for comfort.

He was about to call for his friend again when he turned and saw him. The Pharaoh was holding his own excellently, but his position did not allow him to see what Set did. Feeling his heart leap in his chest, Set drew his Millennium Rod from his belt, wielding it like a club and using the jagged knife edges as a makeshift sword breaker. He forced his way through the crush of bodies both alive and dead until he got close enough.

He barely had enough time to jump between his friend and the oncoming blade before it struck him. He felt a tearing pain rip through his side, choking on a cry. Blue eyes glared and Set drew the dagger hidden in the Rod's handle and slit his attacker's throat. His body jolted as he fell to his knees, hand closing over the handle of the knife embedded between his ribs, holding it place. The pain was excruciating but he had to keep the wound plugged to maintain his blood pressure and prevent himself from bleeding out.

He heard Mahaad's voice and finally allowed himself to relax. Atem would be safe now that Mahaad was here. Blue eyes blurred as he eased himself to the ground. Already the sounds of battle were fading away. Or was he fading away?

He blinked and he was on his side. A heavy weight pressed him to the ground crushing his ribs against the blade still in him. He should really bind it but he nothing to bind it with. Something wet and warm and slimy licked his face and whined.

"Geb," he whispered, reaching out to scratch the sha behind the ears. "Good boy."

He blinked again and now he was on his back. Someone was shaking him and calling his name urgently. He knew that voice.

"Atem," he breathed.

"You imbecile!" Atem screamed. "You Ra be damned imbecile! What were you thinking?"

Set smirked.

The dragon emerged shining from the tablet and let loose a roar that shook the foundations of the Regent's soul.

The Shadow Magus stepped back from the crumbled Regent and gasped, "Impossible!"

The dragon snarled and fired a destructive blast directly at the monster from close range, obliterating him.

"Set."

Set looked up from the papyrus in his hand and blinked when he realized how dark it was. He must have lost track of time. His unusual blue eyes looked up to the door to his room and was surprised to see Atem standing there. Geb, resting beside his still recovering master on the bed, lifted its head, damaged ears standing straight up attentively. It snuffed and lowered his head back to its paws when it recognized the young Pharaoh.

"Atem?" Set asked. "What are you doing here?"

Atem hesitated. "May I enter?"

Set's brow furrowed. "Of course. What's wrong? Has something hapoened?" He made to set his papyrus aside and stand when Atem was suddenly there holding him down.

"Do not make me tie you to the bed, Set," the Pharaoh warned. "You know I will."

Reluctantly, Set settled back against the pillows, eyes never leaving Atem's. "Why did you come?"

Atem looked at him strangely. "I'm your friend. Why wouldn't I come?" Violet suddenly became wary. "Do you want me leave?"

"No!" Set said quickly. "Dear Ra, no. You have no idea how boring it is in here. Akhenadin only comes to give me more work, Isis won't stop mothering me, Shada follows Isis around like a lovesick puppy, Mahaad lectures me, and Karim just stands there and stares. It's driving me insane."

Atem laughed. "Well, what did you expect?"

Set's grin became strained and Atem noticed. The Pharaoh sat on the bed and scratched behind Geb's ears. The sha groaned and shuffled closer to the attention.

"He is truly a loyal friend," Atem said, gazing at the sha. "He never left your side. He guided us to you. We may not have found you in time otherwise. A body had fallen on top of you."

Set pet his sha comfortingly. "We've been through a lot together," was all he said.

Atem glanced up at Set cautiously. "Would it bother you if I slept here with you?"

Set blinked. "I don't see why not. I won't be sleep much tonight with the amount of read Akhenadin assigned me."

"Yes, I'll talk to him about that later."

Set just shrugged, then squawked when Atem crawled on his lap, sinking between his legs and resting his head on the uninjured side of his chest. His long, uniform skirt was pulled taunt pinning his legs in place. Well, at least Set had taken care of business earlier because otherwise he would be holding it for a long time.

In the aftermath, Arrow stumbled over to Kaiba with Shaadi's help. The dragon lowered its head and nudged Kaiba's sweaty, shaking body, pleading in her own way for him to live, to keep fighting.

Blue eyes, white hair, white skin. Why was that combination so familiar to him? It was important, he knew it was. But for the life of him, he did not know why. The woman was lovely but Set dared not touch. He had brought her here after finding her huddled on the ground as villagers pelted her with stones. Such an occurrence was something he could identify with having experienced similar incidents when he was younger because of his strange eyes.

Akhenadin said the color of his eyes came from his inborn affinity with the Shadows as did the Pharaoh's unusual appearance. Had the woman not been a foreigner, Set would have thought she had the same affinity. But he had heard her speak and recognized the Greek accent.

The others were hesitant about having a foreigner in the palace but Set refused to let the woman out of his sight. She was weak and given the tense situation between Egypt and Thanagara to the south and west where the god-kings ruled, Set was hesitant about letting her go free. He found her being stoned, who was to say it would not happen again?

Something within him refused to let that happen.

"Ki-sa-ra," he tried again.

The woman shook her head with an indulgent smile on her face. "No, Kisara," she corrected yet again.

Set pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. He had never regretted his heavy accent more than he did now. He could not even pronounce her name correctly. But, he though glancing shyly back up to meet her lovely blue eyes, she could not say his name correctly either.

Seth. She called him Seth. It was adorable to watch her attempt to say Set and fail. She came close, about as close as he came to pronouncing her name correctly. But they both kept failing. It had become a game before they knew it. Set was good at games.

"His breathing is erratic," Shaadi said frantically. "Heartbeat's the same."

"Move," Arrow gasped, still disoriented from the memories constinuously pouring into his head.

Ahkenadin was changing. The man watched Set with a disconcerting gaze that followed him wherever he went. It lingered on him almost hungrily. It was worse for Ki-sa-ra. The way he looked at her made Set's blood boil with both disgust and fear. It was just wrong.

And it had all begun when Shada had announced he had seen a Ka within Ki-sa-ra whose power rivaled the gods. Set doubted that very much. He had seen the three Egyptian gods in action when Atem summoned them to fight again the thrice damned tomb robber's Diabound.

It frightened Set in a way he could not explain.

She was leaning closer. Why was she leaning closer? Why was she still moving?

Set let out an undignified yelp as he tumbled off the bench into a blushing heap on the ground. Ki-sa-ra blinked at him before laughing. Set blushed brilliant red and hurried to reassemble what was left of his wounded pride and sat on the bench. He awkwardly placed his headdress back on his head.

When he lifted his head again, she was right there in front of his face. Set had not time to flinch or dodge before soft lips met his own in a quick kiss. Then she sat back, smiled, and said one word.

"Seth."

Set never blushed so hard in his life.

"Hang in there, bud," Oliver said, encouraging the quickly fading Kaiba. "How long until that Trap of yours deactivates?" he said to Shaadi.

She was beautiful. She was everything to him. She was his and he was hers. He loved her. He loved everything about her. She was perfection personified.

"Seth," she gasped breathlessly.

Set jerked. Even her foreign pronunciation of his name was perfect.

"Ki-sa-ra," he moaned.

Ahkenadin stood over him as horror froze his blood in his veins. "...Father...?"

But that meant... Atem was his cousin. He was next in line for the throne. but, he did not want the throne.

"SETH!"

The hold on his mind weakened just briefly enough for him to break free. He blinked his eyes of his own volition for the first time in an entire day and the first thing he saw was Ki-sa-ra crumbling to the ground with a bloody hole where heart had been.

"Ki...sa-ra...?"

Ahkenadin bled red. It made Set furious. Someone so evil should bleed black not red. Ki-sa-ra bled red. No on with a heart as black and twisted and evil like Ahkenadin's should bleed red. Set twisted the blade, forcing it deeper before ripping it out and slicing through the dying man's throat almost severing his head from his body.

He cursed Ahkenadin name.

"I hereby swear," he said, voice cold, emotionless as he stared down at Akhenadin corpse. "Never again shall I speak the Ahkenadin. May his name be lost to the sands of the desert, buried for eternity. This I swear on my name, Set, as witnessed by the Shadows."

"No more than four minutes," Shaadi muttered in frustration.

"Then we have to keep him awake for four minutes."

"You're leaving."

Set paused before continuing to pack. There was nothing left for him here. It had all been a lie. His place here, Ahkenadin's kind offer to tutor him, Atem's friendship, Ki-sa-ra...

Ki-sa-ra.

Tears slipped down his cheeks as he fought them back.

He heard Atem shift behind him. "I won't stop you. But know that you're always welcome back." A hand rested on his shoulder. "My friend."

Arrow stiffened when he noticed Kaiba's chest had stopped rising and falling. "He's not breathing."

"Spiria!" a shrill woman's voice screamed.

A creature with pale blue skin, long black hair, and wings extending from her head and back extended her arms and projected a circle of energy which took the brunt of the attack. Both the monster and the woman screamed in shared agony before the monster vanished and the woman collapsed.

"Isis!"

The interlopers stared in awe as the one called Set caught the crumbled woman before she struck the ground, cradling her in his arms. His eyes were wide with pained horror. "Isis. Isis, stay with me, please."

There was a roar and bright blue eyes lifted to stare in dawning terror as a blast of glowing energy raced towards him. He braced himself for the impact, covering Isis's body with his own, shielding her from the destruction. But the impact never came. Instead, another echoing roar rang through his ears and he raised his head in time to see a great crimson, serpentine dragon burst into pieces.

"No," he breathed, his body shaking from the shock. "Osiris." He jolted in realization. "Atem!"

He hesitated only moments before easing Isis's body to the ground and standing, eyes frantically scanning the area for his dearest friend and newly anointed cousin. He found him kneeling a dozen or so feet away clutching his chest and groaning in pain. Set raced over to the Pharaoh and wrapped his arms around him protectively, keeping one furious eye on the monstrous shadow still advancing on them.

"Atem," he said. "Atem," he repeated, giving his cousin a shake.

Violet eyes lifted and met electric blue with a relieved smile. "Set," he breathed. "You came back."

Set bowed his head in shame. "I should not have," he replied mournfully. "But I could not leave you here alone to face this." His eyes burned with a fierceness he had thought lost since Ahken -no, the Traitor's and subsequently his own betrayal. "I will not betray you again."

Atem's gaze saddened. "Set, it was not your fault . You could not have-"

"Now is not the time for this," Set said, cutting off his Pharaoh and turning to the monster. "Now we must stop that thing. Do we even know what that is?"

"It is the true form of Zorc Necrophades," Atem said, forcing himself to stand.

Set's chocolate brown skin paled visibly. "That... How can..."

"I do not know." Atem stared at the looming black monster in exhausted determination.

"It defeated Osiris."

Atem placed a hand over his chest in remembered pain. "Yes, and Obelisk."

"Ra?" Set pleaded, desperately hoping the great golden dragon had survived.

But Atem shook his head. "I was going to combine them to call forth Ra-Horakty, but..." The Pharaoh bowed his head. "I was not fast enough."

Set grit his teeth and turned back to face Necrophades. "What do we do?"

Atem's eyes narrowed in concentration, before steeling. "Set," he said, voice almost too quiet to be heard over the dark god's approach, drawing blue eyes back to him. "Whatever happens after this, promise me you will not interfere."

Set spun around to stare at his friend and cousin fully in disbelief. "What?"

"Promise me, Set. I will have your word bound by the Shadows." Atem met blue eyes with his heavily burdened violet. "Swear on your name."

Set flinched back. "Wha... Atem what are you-"

"Set!"

The former high priest flinched back before wilting, nodding reluctantly. "I swear upon my name. Should I break this oath, no longer will I be Set but a nameless wanderer, never to rest or feel peace again."

Atem smiled sadly. "Now, keep it distracted while I cast the spell."

"What spell?" Set demanded, but Atem was already walking away towards the dark god. "Atem, what spell?"

"Remember your oath," was all the Pharaoh called back.

Set felt his heart drop in his chest and lifted his eyes to the heaven's where the dark god was watching them menacingly, amused that such tiny ants thought they could fight it let alone defeat it. Set desperately wanted to follow Atem and drag him back to safety, but his oath held him fast, refusing to let him do anything that could be interpreted as interfering. His shoulders tensed in anticipation.

Atem may have made him swear not to interfere, but he was also ordered to distract the beast. Drawing on his Ba, he raised his left arm, momentarily wishing he had his dia-di-ankh to make the summoning easier, and called forth the one existence he trusted and adored before all but Atem.

"Please forgive me, beloved," he whispered in prayer before raising his voice and calling out his summon. "Ki-sa-ra, come forth and help me defend my Pharaoh!"

He was momentarily blinded by a brilliant blue light that coalesced into a glittering, white armored dragon with shining blue eyes. The dragon met his gaze lovingly and Set felt a tear leak from his eyes as he beheld the bonded Ba and Ka of his lover before him. The great white head nuzzled him before raising and releasing a roar of challenge that shook the foundations of the earth.

"He is losing!" Shaadi said, fear evident in his voice. "The Trap must have been too much for him to handle during a Shadow Game as powerful as this."

Oliver pressed an ear over Kaiba's heart so he could make sure it was still beating to. "Shaadi, breath into his mouth when I say," he commanded Shaadi.

The dark god turned his eyes away from the still limping Pharaoh and focused on the newcomer. A commoner judging by the clothing, but the way this youth held himself spoke of power. So, another petty ant has decided to challenge him. This one at least had a summon ready to engage in battle whereas the pathetic Pharaoh could barely stand let alone fight. The dark god laughed and fired a blast of energy at the dragon and its summoner.

The dragon took flight with its summoner firmly on its back and fired a return blast that did little but sting the dark god. Zorc Necrophades was the god of darkness. How could a puny mortal hope to stop him? Even the Shadow Gods had fallen to him. Osiris burst in pieces scattered across the city, Ra tossed aside like songbird, and Obelisk crushed beneath his feet. That the Pharaoh who knew the Shadow Gods' names could still walk was a tribute to his stubbornness and will if nothing else.

But this dragon summoner... He looked...

Ah.

"So, the traitorous son returns," Zorc said, recognizing the former priest clinging to the dragon's neck. "How long will you remain on the Pharaoh's side this time, I wonder, before you betray him yet again?"

Set did not speak, but grimaced, heart clenching under the heavy guilt. The dragon however, unleashed a furious blast of energy that burned the dark god. Again, it was not enough to do much damage but it was certainly more significant than what the other priests had managed. This draconic summon was something new. Zorc hated new things.

The dark god sent a single blast at the dragon which was barely dodged before a second collided with its chest. Both the dragon and the summoner cried out in pain before tumbling from the sky. The dragon turned itself midair and wrapped around its summoner, taking the impact of the hard landing and protecting the traitor. The dark god laughed.

Then he stopped.

The dragon keened, hurting his ears. "Now."

Shaadi breathed into Kaiba's mouth.

"His heart stopped." Arrow swung a leg over Kaiba's chest and began chest compression. "Now." Shaadi breathed in Kaiba's mouth once more. Still nothing. They started again.

"Come one Kiaba," Oliver chanted. "Stay with me."

Set groaned and untangled himself from Ki-sa-ra's protective embrace. "Ki-sa-ra," he called, feeling the pain his lover felt. The dark god's laughter filled his ears and vibrated his body, drowning his hope in despair.

"Set," a weak voice called from behind him.

He turned in surprise and saw Isis pulling herself along the ground with her arms and one unbroken leg, dragging her other now useless leg behind her. "Isis!"

He ran to her and helped her over to Ki-sa-ra where she would be better protected. Ki-sa-ra lifted a torn wing up to cover the two humans, hiding them as best she could. It was then that Set noticed the eerie silence permeating the air. Blue eyes looked across the sand to where the now glowing form of his Pharaoh stood dwarfed by the immense size and ferocity of Necrophades.

"What is he doing?" Isis whispered her pained voice filled with worry and awe for her Pharaoh.

"I don't..." But he did. Set reached out with his Shadows, brushed Atem's Shadows, and knew. His eyes grew round and he stumbled into a run. He had to stop him. This spell was not meant to be cast. It was forbidden. The price of casting it was too high. He had to stop him before it was to late. He had to sto-

His body seized up abruptly causing him to cry out in pain as his oath, sworn on his name and witnessed by the Shadows refused to let him interfere. Never in his life had he ever wished to retract an oath as he did in that moment. He never would have guessed Atem would go this far to defend his people. He should have known. He should have. This was Atem who had a heart big enough for all and compassionate enough to forgive even him of his crimes.

"Atem!" he yelled, fighting past the oath's block. "Don't do this. Please!" There was no response. But it seemed Necrophades had also figured out what the Pharaoh was planning and unleashed a powerful blast of magic. "Atem!" Set screamed, cast the only spell he could think of at the moment that would protect his dearest friend from destruction. "Attack Guidance Barrier!"

The dark god's attack bounced off the glittering barrier that appeared over Atem and rebounded directly for the only other available target nearby, the caster. Set only had a moment to brace himself before Ki-sa-ra flew in front of him, taking the full blast head-on, busting into sparks. Again, she had protected him at the cost of her life. He heard Ki-sa-ra roar as she was banishedback to the Shadow Realm leaving her lover behind. The remaining shock wave sent Set flying back to land limply on his side, skidding to a stop across the rocky ground.

His body refused to move as his Ba drained out of him. He felt the stinging pain of his broken ribs and likely fractured arm, but it was like a distant fuzzy sensation. His mind had already retreated into a state of shock, experiencing the pain but filing it away in favor of an almost drunken haze. Everything felt surreal except for Pharaoh Atem shining brightly in the darkness.

It was his fault. None of this would have happened if he had not come to the capital and studied magic under the Traitor, he refused to call that monster by name ever again or refer to him as anything even remotely related to family. If he had died in captivity or in the village of his birth, then none of this would have taken place. His already weakened heart clenched with debilitating guilt.

Now, watching Atem cast the forbidden spell, unable to do anything but watch in distant horror, Set felt tears stream down his dirt covered face. First his family, then his friends, then his freedom, then his lover, and now Atem. He had nothing left.

His eyes closed reflexively against the blazing light as the forbidden spell activated. Somewhere in the distance, Set swore he heard Atem scream as his soul was ruthlessly ripped apart.

When he opened his eyes again, the dark god was gone and there was nothing but silence as the dawn approached. The pain was still a faraway awareness for Set until he tried to move, aggravating the wounds. He had to reach Atem. That was the only thought running through his head.

He had to reach Atem.

He pushed himself up with his one working arm, the other cradled close to his chest. His body shook with the exertion and the pain he knew he should be feeling but strangely could not. Somehow, he managed to convince his body to stand and hobble across the rocky expanse to his fallen friend. Grains of sand blowing in the early morning breeze whipped his tattered clothes around him and got caught in his eyes, but he ignored it.

His knees gave out just a few feet short of his goal so he pulled himself the rest of the way. When he reached the fallen Pharaoh, he worked his fingers under the folds of the purple cape and felt for a pulse. He almost missed it, fluttering weakly beneath the pads of his fingers.

"Atem," he called softly, voice hoarse from the abuse earlier. "Atem, please, wake up. Atem." There was no response and Set felt his hope waver, continuing to call his friend until finally, Atem's eyelids quivered and lifted. There was a misty haze over the once clear amethyst that filled Set with fear. He could not lose this last hope left to him.

"Set," Atem mouthed, no sound emanating from too pale lips.

"Yes, yes, it's me," Set answered, smiling despite his despair. "Stay with me, please."

The eyes closed as Atem's head twitched in a weak negative shake. "I'm sorry, my friend," he breathed, dashing Set's lingering hope. "I can't." Weak fingers brushed the golden puzzle dangling from the Pharaoh's neck, the point of the pyramid touching the sand by his side.

"Why?" Set pleaded. "Why did you cast that spell? You know the price for doing that. You know it, so why? Tell me."

Glazed eyes opened once more and met clear blue, a sad smile tugging at bluing lips. "Because...it had to be done."

"No," Set said, shaking his head in adamant defiance. "No, no, there had to be another way. There had to be."

"There wasn't, Set," Atem said in a gentle admonishment.

"But...but you... your soul...At-" Set fell silent as a single finger pressed against his lips with barely any force. He grasped the cool hand with his broken arm and held it against his face, trying to give what warmth and comfort he could to his dying friend.

Atem smiled weakly at the show of affection. "You can't... speak my name... ever again, Set. It...must be forgotten. Set," he pleaded when the former high priest shook his head, all but sobbing in denial. "Set please," Atem begged, tears of his own slipping down his cheeks, draining his rich cocoa skin of its usual healthy flush.

"I can't," Seth sobbed. "I can't. Please, please don't make me. Ate-"

"Set," Atem said, again interrupting his cousin's words. He forced himself to squeeze Set's hand with what little strength he could muster. "For me."

Set wept. "You'll never find rest," he gasped between choked sobs. "You'll wander forever."

"I know," Atem whispered, trying not to show the fear he felt. "But I'll be back. You'll see." Cloudy purple eyes softened. "You can't... get rid of me that... easily."

Despite himself, Set laughed. He smiled amidst his tears, returning the weak squeeze with his own aching hand. "I'll be waiting," he said. "I'll beat you next time, King of Games. I swear."

Atem smiled. "I look forward to it," he breathed.

The light drained from amethyst eyes and the broken body ceased to breathe as the half soul that remained fled into the void, never to rest, forced into an endless cycle of death and rebirth. The guilt and sadness filled Set in a devastating wave, drowning out everything else. He cried into his departed friend's body until he was too worn out to do anything but lay there, too tired to cry, to tired to sleep, too tired to die.

There was nothing left.

Nothing.

Atem was gone and his name would be erased from every record in existence until no evidence of his reign remained. The accursed Millennium Items would be scattered, never to be reunited, and the Puzzle shattered and buried in Atem's tomb. Set felt a vague despair knowing he could not bury Atem's body. There could be no evidence of Atem's existence, none whatsoever.

And it was his job to do it.

An unnatural breeze ruffled his long brown hair and a small, elongated canine head leaned down into his vision so he could stare into a pair of old amber eyes. Geb whimpered sadly to him but Set could not find the motivation to reach out and comfort his sha. A hand placed itself on his shoulder, brushing away his long, bloodied hair and touching his cheek in a motherly manner. Isis, so she still lived. She never spoke for which he was grateful, but he could hear her weeping.

Set did not raise his eyes, too tired to do anything but lay there. His head rested on Atem's too still chest staring blankly at nothing. He could still feel his broken arm and ribs ache and tears falling down his face, but he could not move. He had no desire to move. He had no desire to do anything. He no longer had the motivation to do anything but lay here and wait for death.

When someone finally came to retrieve them, Isis spoke for them. Set listened but spoke not a word. When Isis placed something in his hands, he looked down and saw the royal diadem resting in his lap, the Eye of Ra staring accusingly up at him. He flinched, dropping the item as if it burned him. He refused to wear the same crown that should only have adorned Atem's brow. He was not worthy of it.

When he heard someone ask who was lying on the ground dead by Set's side, Set could not stop the wave of desolation. So the price was already being exacted by the Shadows. People were forgetting Atem. Only he and Isis would likely remember their former Pharaoh.

Oliver slapped Kaiba's face but received no response. He was running out of ideas.

Set watched as Ki-sa-ra blasted away the physical remains of his dearest friend and only family he would ever acknowledge. Then he knelt and carefully gathered the few ashes that remained in a small leather pouch he would forever more wear around his neck. That way, should he ever forget Ate- the Pharaoh as well, he would always have something of him nearby, reminding him of his duty to the people of Egypt and the Shadows.

He shattered the Millennium Puzzle, placing the pieces in a small golden box which he buried in the Pharaoh's tomb himself. To Isis, he assigned the duty of guarding the tomb. Isis and her descendants would be sure to never let anyone disturb the remains of the greatest Pharaoh to ever live.

"Damn it Kaiba, wake up! You can't leave Mokuba!"

Ki-sa-ra was the only comfort he allowed himself. She was a steady presence in his mind, never leaving him for even a second. He only summoned her when the despair became too much and he needed the physical comfort of her draconic body to hold and weep into, preventing him from doing anything drastic.

He soon learned she could summon herself when he very nearly fell from the window ledge in his room. Now if he could just decide if that had been an accident or deliberate. He could never tell anymore.

...Mokuba...

He was a fair ruler, but he never took a wife or sired any children. He would be sure his accursed line ended with him. When his death finally did come, it was a welcome relief. He did not think he would manage to live as long as he had after the death of all he held dear. But now, he surrendered readily, his pain finally gone.

"Kaiba!"

"Ni-sama!"