Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Catechism ❯ Chapter 2

Wow, I scare myself sometimes! ^^

Disclaimer: Yu-gi-Oh! Belongs to Kazuki Takahashi. I make no profit off this fanfiction, and it belongs to me under international copyright laws. Don't steal and don't sue. Thank you, *Phantomness bows*

Notes: Yes, I know Yami's real name. No one else does, so they call him Yami.

Chapter 2

 

“Mahaado, I'm frightened.”

He tore himself from his studies at the voice. His Pharaoh! He quickly sank to his knees in a smooth bow. “My Pharaoh.”

“Mahaado, please. We are friends!” Yami looked around frightened, as was to be expected. He was only thirteen, and the burden of kingship had been dropped into his lap. Pharaoh Akunumkanon's mourning period would continue for several months, but even so… others might not respect this uneasy peace.

“It is late, my Pharaoh. Could you not sleep?” Mahaado got up to prepare tea, but Yami shook his head.

“That is not it, my friend. I am concerned.”

Mahaado frowned. “Tell me.”

He watched as Yami climbed into bed and drew the covers around his thin frame. Without the heavy jewelry, he looked simply drawn and tired. That would not do. He reached for one of the healing potions, but Yami shook his head.

“Please don't put me to sleep, Mahaado!”

“It was not my intention to do so, my Pharaoh. Yet, is this wise?”

“What do you mean?”

“We are no longer children, my Pharaoh. Sneaking through the halls at night to come visit me… such is not wise, Pharaoh. The rumors will start.”

Yami scowled. “It's not like we're actually doing anything.”

Mahaado shook his head. “What troubles you?”

Yami scowled, and with a sigh, Mahaado climbed into bed with him. The Pharaoh buried his face in the priest's chest and began to cry incoherently. Mahaado frowned. The Prince had been trained well not to show weakness, why was he breaking now?

Wait…

Even if he had lost his magic, he could still recognize it. There was someone controlling his Pharaoh. His anger vibrated through his mind as he mentally visualized the summon…

There was a brief feeling of pain, as he summoned his Ka, but he ignored it, and snapped out the instructions for Spell of Illusion. He must have done it quietly enough, because Yami didn't notice.

Dark magic laced with gold incantations wound up, snapping around Yami's chest, pinning his arms tightly to his sides.

Yami stared at him, before an outraged expression showed on his face. “You dare attack the Pharaoh, Mahaado?”

“I dare.” Mahaado replied, picking up a jug of wine from his table. “Because you are not the Pharaoh.” Without further ado, he dumped the contents over Yami's form.

The Pharaoh choked and sputtered for a few moments, but he felt the spell that had been cast over his ruler vanish, along with his Spell of Illusion.

 

It was not well known, but certain types of date wine worked as an excellent de-spell. Mahaado always kept some at hand, just in case he needed to reverse Mana's spells, though he preferred that she correct her mistakes herself now that he couldn't any more.

Yami shook his head, as Mahaado handed him a towel and he wiped his eyes.

“How did I get here?”

“Do you not remember anything, my Pharaoh?”

“No.” Yami shook his head.

“Someone cast a spell over you, my Pharaoh.”

“Well, it couldn't have been benign if I have no recollection of it.” Yami scowled. “Can you find out who did it?”

“It will take some time, my Pharaoh.”

“Can you not scry?”

Mahaado winced. He could - if he still had his magic. It was another mark of his failure that he couldn't. His mind raced for an excuse, but he decided for simply shaking his head. Yami frowned.

 

“Mahaado…”

“I apologize, my Pharaoh.”

“Mahaado, you are the strongest magician in court. Surely…”

Mahaado lowered his head and waited. Yami did not say any more, but he accepted a cloak and left the room without another word. Disappointment was clear in every line of his body.

This was unacceptable.

Mahaado shook his head as he recalled his Ka monster. Something had to be done. He had been too reliant on his magic.

He checked his shelves for scrying potions, found three bottled, and took the first one down, pouring it into a bowl as he calmed his breathing…

 

The blue liquid swam before his eyes before they focused on one man, laughing as he drank his wine, sure that the scandal he had planted would dethrone the Pharaoh and set up his own distant relation on the throne. Wishful thinking. At least four others would have to be assassinated in that line of succession.

Still…

It was better to eliminate such threats quickly.

 

Mahaado sent for a servant girl and several more jugs of date wine, and got to work. This time, the results were better. He only needed one try before the potion was finished. There was a lot of it, but he would need a generous amount. Now for the more difficult task… getting it to the perpetrators.

With a shrug he began to examine the contents of his room, seeing if there was anything especially shiny and golden he could use to bribe, gift, or kill with.

The Ring whispered to him, but he shook his head, feeling the points dig into his skin in anger.

No, he was not going to be undone so quickly. His magic had to stay sealed. Had to… he felt like yanking the Ring off and throwing it into the brazier, but he shook his head.

This was his burden. He had to keep control of it.

He swabbed the armlets he wore with liquid that dried clear, careful not to get any on him. He poured date wine and mixed in more poison.

The court was going hunting tomorrow.

It was such a dangerous business… surely no one would argue that, if several men fell fighting against the lions, well…

That was to be expected.

He left a small piece of papyrus tacked to his desk, Mana would find it and hopefully run through her lessons by herself tomorrow. It was all theory, in any case.

He offered up a silent prayer to Isis, and then fell into dreamless sleep.

 

End Chapter

Completed 4/4/06

Damned midterms!