Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Beyond the Sapphire Blue ❯ Rise of a New Pharaoh ( Chapter 1 )

JG: Okay this is the first chapter and its… kinda long!

Nyoko: (authoress' yami) Yeah but you should read it anyway! It's really good! ^_^

JG: Warning… hinted fluff! Kinda… o.O))

Nyoko: -_- ignore her. Here's chapter one… ENJOY!!

Rise of a New Pharaoh
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It is the seventeenth dynasty in northern Egypt, under the reign of Pharaoh Akunumkanon. The land is dark and quiet at this time, as the throne is soon to be turned over to the King's son, Atem. Akunumkanon's time is coming to an end, as he is dying from an unknown cause. Once given the news, Akunumkanon's younger brother, Akunadin, created the seven Sennen Items to seal the souls of the dead into, in hope for incarnation in the afterlife.

It has been one hundred and twenty sunrises and sunsets since those items were created, and each royal citizen was rewarded one item each. Akunumkanon was rewarded the Sennen Puzzle, soon to be passed on to the young Atem. Akunadin impaled himself with the Sennen Eye, having the power to read other's minds.

The High Priest Set was rewarded the Sennen Rod, given the ability to transfer Ka (1) into ancient stone tablets, and control the minds of others when necessary. Priest Mahado, also a magician, was given the Sennen Ring. A third Priest, Shada, was rewarded with the Sennen Ankh. This gave him the skill to see into people's minds to find the great Ka which revolved in them. The only female Priest, Isis, was awarded the Sennen Tauk; a necklace, which gave her the power to see into the past, and future.

What Akunadin, creator of all seven Sennen Items didn't know, is just how important the role of the Sennen Tauk would be, in the not so far future…

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Agrabah Palace Grounds, Memphis, Egypt, 3042B.C. …

"What are you doing, young master?" The High Priest Set asked, as he watched the tri-haired boy walk through the garden path to the banks of the River Nile. Although Set was the same age as Prince Atem, he was given strict orders by Akunumkanon to call him the young master, as were the other Priests.

"I am going to pray to Isis to have mercy upon my father." Atem replied simply as he hopped into his small cane boat and floated upon the gentle current. He watched the High Priest with shining blackcurrant eyes.

Set stepped down the bank and sat on the grass at the shore of the river where Atem sat in his boat. "Young master-"

"Please," Atem interrupted. "You don't need to call me that when nobody else is around, Set. We have been friends for as long as the Nile has flowed. My name is Atem, so please call me that."

Set nodded and fumbled with the Sennen Rod in his left hand for a moment. "Okay… Atem, but I really don't think even praying to the Gods will help Akunumkanon now. He is very sick…Atem."

The young Prince sighed. "Never give up hope, Set." With that said, he pushed off the side of the bank with his oar and floated down the Nile to the small island which had upon it the Temple of Isis, goddess of magic.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Vatican Citadel, Roma, Italia …

"Your highness! Your highness! I have some news that you will find most enthralling!"

"What is it you want, Fabian? I haven't any time for your nonsense this morning." The smug Roman King, Dante, replied.

Fabian, Dante's most loyal servant, got down upon one knee. "Your majesty, the reign of Pharaoh Akunumkanon is falling! He is dying your majesty, and the Egyptian Kingdom will be turned over to Prince Atem after his death. Word has it that Akunumkanon's brother has created seven mystical items known as the `Sennen Items', which contain magical powers, your highness! These powers could soon become yours!"

Dante, with his greed and arrogance, raised an eyebrow in interest. "Continue,"

"The seven items belong to the Priests of the Agrabah Palace in Memphis, your grace. One item is known to see into the future, another known to read the minds of others, your highness!" Fabian cried.

King Dante, handsome as he was in all his twenty-seven years, ran a hand through his short black hair. "Call upon my wife, Fabian. I must speak with her about this."

"Yes your highness." Fabian quickly exited the throne room and returned a short while later with a beautiful woman in a long white robe. Originally a Norse princess, blonde hair framing her pale white face and clear blue eyes, she went by the name of Queen Celeste, wife of Dante, the King of the Roman Empire.

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Agrabah Palace, Throne Room…

"Where is Prince Atem?" Priest Mahado asked, as he, and the rest of the Priests stood in a circle in the late King's old throne room.

"He went to pray to the Gods in the Temple of Isis." Priest Set said, a little sadly. He knew the young Pharaoh to be would be extremely upset that all his praying was for nothing. King Akunumkanon had finally reached his end.

"We must find him," Priestess Isis mentioned. "He must take possession of the throne, and of the Sennen Puzzle as soon as possible."

"I will find Prince Atem." Set offered.

"And I will ready the plans for the coming celebration of the new reign." Priest Shada, holder of the Sennen Ankh added.

"I will make sure that Anubis, god of the dead, sees to Akunumkanon's mummification process." Isis said.

"Shimon will see to that also, Isis." Mahado commented.

All the Priests nodded before going off to the said destinations. Of them all, Set would have the worst job - telling Prince Atem of the death of his father.
Over the past two years, when Atem and Set were fourteen, they had become fast friends, sharing endless things in common. Akunumkanon, the loving father of Atem, had seen his son's friendship blossom with the young Priest, therefore rewarding Set with the position of the High Priest. Akunumkanon treated Set as his son, even though the dark secret of Set's real father, Akunadin, was hidden. It was not until Set's fifteenth birthday this was revealed. To this day, Set had still always referred to Akunumkanon as his true father.

The young and handsome Priest strolled down to the Nile, and found Atem manning his small boat. Set took a deep breath and walked down to where the young master was idling about. Atem greeted him with a smile that sent a ghostly chill down Set's spine.

"How was your praying?" Set asked feebly.

Suddenly Atem's eyes turned icy cold, and his smile vanished. "Oh sweet Isis… he's gone, isn't he?" The cool north wind blew Atem's rich gold bangs into his eyes. Set pushed them away.

"I'm so sorry Atem… I miss him too…" Set whispered, trying to fight the tears that stood in his eyes from being seen. He took off his headdress.

Atem fell to his knees and let out a long, sorrowful wail. "Father! Come back!" His voice echoed throughout all of Egypt, or so it seemed. "Come back…"

The High Priest Set bent down and wrapped his arms around Atem's shoulders. Atem threw his arms around Set's waist and rested his head on the taller boy's chest. Together they sat in the grass and grieved until nightfall came, and the icy bite of the desert wind came upon them.

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Acropolis, Athens, Greece…

"Chiron, Ajax, the reign of Akunumkanon has fallen. A new era is rising under the name of Pharaoh Atem, of Egypt." Arkantos, hero and Lord of Athens, announced.

"You mean Akunumkanon is… dead?" Ajax, hero and legend of Salamis asked.

Chiron, centaur hero of Thessaly rubbed his chin. "So when is the celebration for the rise of a new reign going to be?"

"Since the Egyptians are our allies," Arkantos began. "We have been invited to attend the celebration at the Agrabah Palace in Memphis. We must man the ships and set sail for Egypt as soon as we can."

"I'll take care of that." Ajax offered.

Arkantos nodded. "I will organize my army, just incase we get any surprise Roman ambushes on the way across the Mediterranean, or when we land in Egypt."

Chiron began to paw the ground with his right front hoof.

"I really wish you would stop doing that, Chiron." Ajax muttered.

Chiron looked down to his front legs. "Oh, sorry. It's a habit." He shrugged and flicked a fly off his backside with his tail.

Arkantos laughed. "Let's organize our armies and set sail for Egypt as soon as possible."

Agrabah Palace, Memphis, Egypt… 4 days later…

"Arkantos and his men have arrived from Greece safely, your majesty." Priestess Isis said as she got down on one knee in front of King Atem in the throne room. Set stood quietly at the new King's side.

"Who in Ra's name are they?" Atem retorted.

"They are the allies of your father, your highness. Arkantos from Athens, Ajax from Salamis and Chiron, the centaur from Thessaly. They are renowned heroes of their land known as Greece." Isis replied.

Atem fiddled with the gold head band and earrings he was wearing which once belonged to Akunumkanon. "Father…" He whispered.

Isis bowed her head before exiting the room lined with sandstone colonnades. Atem leaned back in his stone throne laced with gold, jewels, ivory, leopard skin, velvet and silk and let out a frustrated groan. Set came and stood by him.

"I don't want to be a Pharaoh, Set. In my heart I am still an adolescent Prince. I'm not ready for this sort of thing. My father taught me nothing about leading an Empire. I didn't think this day would ever come…"

The blue eyed brunet knelt down to the young Pharaoh. "As much as I hate to say it, Atem, it has come, and you must put the past behind you. The people of Egypt worship you now… not our father."

Atem nodded. "I want you promise me three things, Set."

The handsome Priest was surprised. "And what might those three things be?"

"One, I never want you to bow down to me. When you are in my presence, never get down on your knees. I want to be treated as I used to be, Set."

"As you wish…" Set replied, getting to his feet.

"The second thing I ask, is to be called Atem at all times by you. I don't want any of the formality nonsense, okay?"

"Alright. And the third?"

"The third thing I ask of, my friend," Atem said as he stood up from his throne. "Is for you to stay by my side for as long as we both live. Would you do that for me?"

Set smiled brightly. "You know I would never even think of leaving you, Atem. My life is here. You are my life."

"Thank you, Set." Atem smiled and brought Set into an embrace. Set made Atem happy, as Atem made Set equally as happy. They would never part. Not for any great price.

Just then, Akunadin came strolling into the throne room. Set sneered mentally at his true blood father. How ugly he looked with that golden eye he had. But he did have to give him some credit for coming up with the brilliant idea of creating the Sennen Items. Akunadin came in and got on his knees in front of the former Prince.

"Your majesty, the celebration will begin immediately. All the citizens of Egypt are awaiting your arrival outside, your grace. Proceed to the upper balcony to look down upon your empire." With that, Akunadin disappeared out of sight.

Atem stood up. "I guess this is it then."

Set nodded. Together they exited the throne room and walked through the Palace and up the steps to the second floor, and onto the balcony which overlooked the mighty city of Memphis. Atem could hardly believe his eyes. So very many people were crowded outside the palace gates, all just to see the new Pharaoh that was to rule their empire now, and in the future.

Along with the Priests stood two men, and one of the strangest creatures Atem and Set had ever seen. He had the golden body of a horse, but in place where the horse's neck would start, was the body of a man. He wore an archery bow around his chest, and he was pawing the ground with his right hoof.

"It is an honour to meet you, King Atem." Arkantos said, and respectfully got down on one knee, along with Ajax. Chiron bowed down on his front legs.

"Likewise. What are your names?" Atem asked.

"I am Arkantos, Lord of Athens."

"I am Ajax, hero of Salamis."

Chiron smirked at the young Pharaoh. "I take you have never before seen a centaur."

Atem merely nodded. "I have seen many strange creatures in my life… but none quite as extraordinary as you."

Suddenly a giant cheering roar was heard from the crowd below. Akunadin was shouting something to them, waving his hands up into the air.

"Hear me, city of Memphis! We have risen to a new era! The reign of the new Pharaoh is upon us!"

More cheers.

Priest Mahado gestured for Atem to walk forward. "Set will place the Sennen Puzzle around your neck now, your majesty." He said quietly.

"Watch now, city of Memphis, as the throne is taken by a new leader of our mighty Egypt!" Akunadin cried.

Priestess Isis handed Set the Sennen Puzzle upon a purple velvet cushion. Set swallowed back his nervousness and placed the cushion on a stool and picked up the glorious Sennen Puzzle. It glowed luminously in the sunlight.

"Are you ready, Atem?" Set whispered.

"Not really." Atem whispered back with a laugh in his voice.

Set smiled. "Here we go…" He placed the Puzzle around Atem's neck and a giant roar of cheering came from the city.

"ALL HAIL THE NEW PHARAOH, KING ATEM!" Akunadin shrieked.

"ALL HAIL THE NEW KING!" The crowd all cried in unison.

~*~

The celebration didn't seem to end. All the Priests, besides Set, had gotten drunk silly on wine and beer that the Greeks had brought with them. People were passed out all over the palace grounds, and the centaur Chiron was stumbling around on his four legs barely able to stand. Atem had always detested the taste of wine and beer. Set didn't mind it, but he would rather spend his night with his best friend sober, than get drunk.

Atem and Set reached the King's chamber (bedroom). The massive four-poster bed was draped with velvet and silk curtains and the blankets were of wool, animal skin, velvet and silk. Atem took off his headdress and put the Sennen Puzzle on the cabinet near the bed. He took a seat on the bed. Set joined him.

"It is late, I should best be leaving you to rest, Atem." Set said.

"No wait," Atem pleaded. "Stay with me for a while… I don't want you to go just yet, Set."

Set's heart began to beat faster. He knew that there had always been something between him and Atem, something a little more than their strong bond, but he also knew that homosexuality was greatly frowned upon. He sighed and removed his headdress and laid his Sennen Rod against the cabinet. Atem helped him take off his purple cotton cloak.

Atem lay down on the soft animal hide cover and curled up. The watery sound of the Nile flowing along on its journey was heard outside, along with the last shouts and laughs which pierced the night sky from those still bothering to celebrate.

"I'm not sure this is a wise idea, Atem." Set spoke.

Atem smirked at the High Priest. "It seems you are forgetting one thing - I am the Pharaoh now, Set. I can do whatever, whenever I want."

True, Set had forgotten that factor. However, if Atem declared homosexuality as being accepted, he may not be a very popular Pharaoh at all. "Atem… maybe we should wait. Tomorrow you will meet with the Memphis committee and declare the new laws. Until then I don't think we should do anything."

Atem's gaze saddened a little, but then he smiled. "Alright," and then yawned. "I'll see you in the morning then, Set." Atem removed his jewellery and sank down under the covers.

"Goodnight Atem." Set gave the young Pharaoh a quick hug before moving off to his own chamber.

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(1) - Ka: Ka is a powerful monster/force inside a person's mind. The Sennen Ankh and Rod have the power to see the Ka in people's minds.

JG: So what did you think? Good? Bad? Terrific? Terrible? Review to tell me whether I should continue! ^________^