Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Pharaoh’s Decision ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter Four:

In a tent far away from the palace, late in the next day Seto began to rouse from his unconscious state. There was pain searing through every nerve in his body. `Is this the afterlife?' Seto wondered. He felt a cold cloth, guided by a gentle hand wipe over his face. He struggled to open his eyes, his vision was blurry and he could only make the shape of the person's hair. "Yami?" Seto questioned in a hoarse voice.

"No. I am Yugi Osorkon." Yugi said. "I am glad that you have finally woke up. How are you feeling?"

"Like I was left in the desert to die." Seto stated matter-of-factly. `Which is exactly what the pharaoh did to me.'

"You aren't dead. My friend Joey Phyemra and I and found you and brought you back to our tent." Yugi said, his voice cheerful.

Seto frowned; he could feel himself getting a headache just listening to this boy's overly cheerful voice. He closed his eyes, hoping his vision would soon clear and the sand didn't damage that it.

"You'll feel better in no time." Yugi said. Yugi poured a glass of water and helped Seto to hold his head up so he could drink it. Seto greedily drank the water before laying his head back down. "What is your name?"

Seto opened his mouth, catching himself before he referred to himself with his former title. "Seto." He answered.

"Why were you in the desert like that?" Yugi asked. He knew that for a person to not use their last name it meant they had done something to disgrace their family.

Seto didn't answer. `Because I was betrayed by the person I love…once loved.' Seto thought to himself.

"Try to get some more sleep now, Seto." Yugi said.

Seto wasn't sure about going to sleep, fearful of what dreams may haunt his slumber. Seto moved to sit up, his vision still blurry. He managed to sit up but instantly dropped back down against the bed, to sore and exhausted to move.

"Just lay down. You are still in no condition to be going anywhere." Yugi said. "Now get some rest."

This time Seto didn't argue he closed his eyes and went back to sleep finding he was indeed haunted by the memory of what Yami had done to him.

` ` ` `

A few hours passed before Seto woke again. When he opened his eyes this time he found his vision was no longer blurry. He looked around the small tent. There were two beds, including the one he was laying on. A chair sat empty beside his bed and a second chair sat by a small table. Several boxes were stacked around the tent.

Seto also noticed that he was alone in the tent. He sat up slowly, his whole body still aching. He flinched when the soles of his burned feet touched the ground. But he ignored all the pain and stood up, quickly becoming aware of the fact that he was naked. With an embarrassed blush, even if there was no one there to see his nakedness, he grabbed the cover and wrapped it around himself. He noticed his tunic, laying freshly washed and neatly folded on top of a nearby box, beside it was a pair of old sandals that looked to be his size. He grabbed his tunic and put it on then slid the sandals on and moved towards the tent flap. When he stepped out he was shocked at what he found, the city of Tepemkau was in ruins, and from the looks of the charred remains it seemed the city had fallen some time ago. `How did this happen without Yami being told…'

"You're awake!" A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Obviously." Seto said. He looked at the blond. "I am assuming that you are Joey."

Joey nodded. "I see you found your tunic and the sandals we got for you."

"Why was…" Seto started to ask but Joey interrupted.

"To put aloe on all your burns." Joey said.

"What happened to the city?" Seto asked. He looked around more at a few scattered tents that sat around the remains of Tepemkau.

"A monster destroyed it. Weeks ago." Joey said sadly. "Most people were killed. Some of the survivors left for other parts and ones like me and Yugi stayed around because we have nowhere else to go. We are waiting for the pharaoh to send help."

"There will be no help coming from the pharaoh." Seto said.

"Why do you say that?" Joey asked.

"Because he only cares about what happens within the palace walls. And even then he only cares about himself." Seto said.

"Slander against the pharaoh could get you punished." Joey said

"That doesn't concern me. Besides I speak only the truth." Seto said.

"It's not the truth. King Yami is a good ruler. Everyone loves him." Yugi said as he came running over, a basket with some fruit in it.

"Then they are all fools. He does not return that love. He only cares for himself." Seto said. "Look around you if you want proof. Tepemkau is in ruins and the pharaoh doesn't care enough to help the survivors. He sits on his throne, enjoying fine meals. While ones like you…" Seto picked up a piece of fruit. "Have to search for what little food is left. Am I right?"

"We do alright here. And Pharaoh Yami will send help any day now." Yugi said.

Seto stared at Yugi. The younger man could easily pass as Yami's brother, the only differences were Yugi's eyes were violet and the face was rounded and he was several inches shorter then Yami. "The gods have certainly cursed you by making your appearance close to that of the pharaoh."

"I don't think it's a curse. I have never seen the pharaoh but I like knowing that I look like such a fine ruler." Yugi said.

"He is not a fine ruler. He is a selfish bastard." Seto said.

"How would you know? You don't exactly look like someone who would know the pharaoh." Joey said.

"I know him all too well. And I will make him pay for what he has done to me." Seto said.

"He was the one that punished you to death in the desert, wasn't he?" Yugi asked.

"He did more then that. He betrayed me and he will pay for it." Seto said.

"What did he do to you?" Joey asked. A part of him agreed with some of what Seto was saying, he had been thinking lately that if help was coming wouldn't it have came already.

"None of your concern." Seto said.

"We saved your life, so that makes it our concern." Yugi said.

"He punished me for a crime he knows I didn't commit and betrayed our… friendship." Seto said.

"I don't believe you are a friend of the pharaoh. Everyone loves King Yami so if you were his friend you'd love him." Yugi said.

Seto chuckled darkly; he had loved the pharaoh and once would agree with everything young Yugi was saying, but not anymore. "I loathe the bastard."

"Then you are not his friend." Yugi said.

"You are right. I am not his friend, not anymore." Seto said. "I am going to make him regret what he has done."

"You will fail. The pharaoh is powerful and he will stop you." Yugi said.

"He will fail and this time. I shall have him kneeling before me." Seto's blue eyes were blazing with anger.

"Me and Joey won't let you do anything against the pharaoh." Yugi said. "We'll put a stop to you, right Joey?"

Joey looked as though he wasn't sure what to say. There was something in the way Seto spoke that made him feel sorry for the man. There was anger in Seto's blue eyes but it was an anger that was edge with pain.

"Joey? You are with me on this aren't you?" Yugi asked.

"I don't think it's any of our concern." Joey said.

"You are right. It is not your concern." Seto said.

"It is our concern because it concerns the good of Egypt." Yugi said. "Obviously if King Yami punished him he had a very good reason."

"You can't stop me from my revenge so just stay out of my way so you don't get hurt." Seto said. He took a bite of the fruit and walked off.

"I think we should follow him. Figure out his plan and then warn King Yami." Yugi said.

"Just let it be, Yugi." Joey said.

"But he's a danger to the pharaoh." Yugi argued.

"I don't know about that. I think there is far more to this then we know. So we should just stay out of it." Joey said.

"If you won't go with me to warn the pharaoh I will go alone." Yugi said.

Joey sighed. "Alright. I will go with you. But, only to protect you." He knew there was no point in arguing with Yugi as the younger man had already made up his mind.

` ` ` `

Seto wandered aimlessly around the ruined city. Wondering how a single monster could create such mass destruction and who had freed the monster. All monsters were trapped within the stone tablets and were supposed to be only summoned during duals. Seto decided to stop thinking of what fate had befallen the city and more of how he was going to get revenge on the pharaoh. He knew that merely returning to the palace would accomplish nothing, except maybe getting himself executed. He wandered for several long minutes before a sudden thought came to the former high priest, Tepemkau was only a few miles from the millennium temple and the millennium ring was still without a holder and he could claim it and use its power to face off against the pharaoh. `I wonder if Yami gave the rod to someone else already. Doesn't matter I can wield the ring the same way that I did the rod.' A small smile on his lips as he thought more about his plan.

With no money, or anything to barter with Seto resorted to merely stealing what he would need to put his plan into motion. Since nobody was paying any attention to him it made the thievery quite easy. He grabbed a light cloak, which was hanging on a line to dry after having been washed, and slipped it on to protect his burned skin. He grabbed a small sack off a table, looking inside he saw a couple pieces of fruit. He moved over to where a few vendor stands were set up, all over charging for what little food and clothing they had. When the one vendor was distracted with another customer he casually slide several more pieces of food into the sack.

"We should report him." Yugi whispered to Joey from where they hid a few feet behind Seto.

"Why?" Joey asked.

"For stealing." Yugi said.

"But, Yugi… we have done the same thing. Desperate time means do desperate things… or whatever it is you say."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures." Yugi said.

"He's just doing the same thing." Joey said.

"Still I think we should turn him in for stealing." Yugi said.

"Then we'll never know what he's up to." Joey pointed out.

"I guess you're right." Yugi said.

"Of course I am right. Aren't I always?" Joey asked with a grin.

"No." Yugi shook his head and head and chuckled.

Seto walked to where there were several camels tied. He walked in front of the camels, patting each one. Stopping before a camel that was such a light tan colour that it was almost white, he smiled slightly at the camel and unhitched it. With a simple hand gesture the camel obeyed Seto's command and knelt down so he could climb on its back. Once Seto found a comfortable position the camel rose again and Seto turned the camel and headed out into the desert towards the millennium temple. Yugi and Joey hurried to where there camel was. Yugi grabbed a few supplies from the tent as Joey readied Horwedja and within moments they were following Seto.

A short distance into the journey Seto had a feeling he was being followed. He stopped the camel and turned around, sure enough there was Yugi and Joey a short distance behind him. He chuckled slightly at their attempts to be `discreet' in following him. In the middle of the desert with nothing more then sand surrounding you it was rather impossible for anyone to follow someone discreetly. Seto just kept moving forward, figuring there was little point in confronting the two young men that were following him.

` ` `

Seto rode for hours, stopping a couple to allow the camel to rest and to have something to eat and drink himself. It was after those hours of riding that the Millennium temple could be seen on the horizon glimmering in the sun like a giant diamond, even though it was still at least another hour of riding.

Joey and Yugi kept their distant from Seto, stopping whenever he stopped and trying to keep the same pace as him, even though they knew he was aware they were following him.

"I think he's heading to the Millennium temple." Joey said.

"I think you're right, Joey." Yugi said. "It's a forbidden place. He has to be going there to seek the millennium powers."

"But not just anyone can use the items. You've head the same stories I have that if you try to take it and the items denies you it can drive you insane and pushing you to a death filled with pain and torture in the afterlife." Joey said.

"I think some of that is all just a story to make people stay away. Just like most curses are." Yugi said.

"I don't know, Yug, I believe in curses." Joey said.

"I do too, but only to a certain extent." Yugi said.

"I really think the ones about the Millennium temple are true. Maybe we should turn back." Joey said.

"We can't turn back. We have to find a way to stop him so he doesn't harm the pharaoh." Yugi said.

"I still say this is none of our business." Joey mumbled.

"What was that, Joey?" Yugi asked.

"Nothing." Joey said.

` ` ` `

It felt like forever but finally Seto reached the Millennium temple. He hitched the camel in the shade and moved to the steps of the temple. He stood at the first step, looking up at the temple. The Millennium temple was one of the most beautiful structures in all of Egypt, all the outside stone had been polished smooth, catching the light of the midday sun and glittering like a diamond. Seto stood there for a long moment before starting up the hundred and one steps of the temple.

Joey and Yugi weren't far behind him, reaching the temple only moments after Seto. They stopped in the shade by Seto's camel and Yugi quickly jumped off.

"Hurry up, Joey. We have to follow him." Yugi said.

"I don't know if that's a good idea." Joey said. He looked at the temple awe-struck by it beauty. "I don't think we should venture into the temple."

"We have to follow him." Yugi insisted.

"This place is cursed." Joey said.

"That is superstition." Yugi said.

"I think we should wait here for him to come back out… if he ever comes back out." Joey said.

"We came this far you can't back out now." Yugi said.

Joey sighed and slowly slid off the back of their camel. "Alright…" He hitched the camel. "But if we get cursed it's all your fault."

Yugi smiled brightly, saying nothing.

Seto reached the top step of the temple, he glanced back down he could see Joey and Yugi at the base of temple steps. `They are persistent, I'll give them that much. However I am not about to give up either.' He looked up at the large golden eye of Ra that was embedded into the stone above the doorway. `Here goes nothing.' He thought before stepping into the temple.

` ` ` `

The temperature inside the temple was at least twenty degrees cooler then outside, and seemed to grow cooler as he moved deeper into the temple. Soon the light from the doorway faded away leaving Seto in darkness. But the darkness didn't last for long, a flame on the wall flickered to life when he stepped past a certain place, when that light fading back to black after once the next flame came on. Between each flame were pictures of various dual monsters, a fire type appearing in the place of each flame. Though Seto paid little attention to the drawings as he made his way deeper into the temple. After all he had been here before and knew exactly what to expect.

Outside, Yugi was quickly racing up the steps, taking two stairs at a time sometimes. While Joey lagged behind, taking the stairs as slowly as he possibly could.

Yugi turned, with a look of impatience, as he reached the top long before his friend. "Hurry up, Joey."

`Hurry…into a cursed place? You have got to be kidding me.' Joey thought to himself, but he did start to move a little quicker up the steps.

"Took you long enough." Yugi said once Joey had reached the top.

Joey shrugged his shoulders in response. When they stepped into the temple Joey shivered at the drastic change in the temperature. "You feel that? I'm telling you, this place is cursed."

"No, it's not. It is colder because there is no direct sun." Yugi said. "Now let's get moving, and hope we haven't lost him. Or get lost ourselves."

"Oh, that is just so encouraging." Joey said.

"You can see the fresh footprints in the dust." Yugi said before rushing forward. "Come on."

"HEY! Wait up!" Joey yelled before running to catch up to Yugi.

As it started to grow dark and the first of the flames sparked to life making Joey jump and scream. "IT'S THE CURSE!!"

"Calm down, Joey." Yugi said. Even though he had been quite scared by the sudden appearance of the flame.

"Calm down?! Calm down?! How am I supposed to calm down when I am in a cursed temple and a flame appears from nowhere?" Joey ranted, waving his arms around.

Yugi chuckled at Joey animated response. "It's just a flame to light our way. And look at the drawing. It is like the creatures the pharaoh uses in the games."

"And one of those creatures is what destroyed Tepemkau." Joey pointed out.

"I guess that is true. But I don't think we have to fear these drawings." Yugi said. "Let's keep going."

"I think we should go back." Joey said. "What if these carvings come to life?" Joey said.

"Only the stone tablets used in the games have monsters that can come to life." Yugi said.

"How can we be so sure? I mean all of that is just a rumour. We have never even seen the games. Common folk like us aren't allowed to participate." Joey said. He leaned in for a closer inspection of a carving of a Curse of Dragon.

"I don't know. I guess there are some exceptions. But…" Yugi was interrupted before he could finish his sentence.

"IT MOVED!" Joey yelled.

"What?" Yugi questioned in surprise.

"IT MOVED! I'M TELLING YOU WE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE!" Joey tried to run for the door but Yugi grabbed his arm and stopped him.

Yugi looked at the same carving see no movement. "It was just the shadows and the flickering flame playing tricks on your eyes." Yugi said.

"No. It moved." Joey said.

"Look at it again, Joey."

Joey looked at the carving again, the only movement he could see was the same shadow moving across it that moved across the rest of the walls. "I guess you're right. "

"Of course I am. Now let's go." Yugi said.

"I still think we should leave this place. Maybe it was a sign that one will come to life."

"You have to come with me." Yugi grabbed Joey's arm and looked at him with big pleading eyes. "Please."

Joey sighed. "Alright." He relented, as there was just no way to resist those eyes.

` ` `

Seto was finding this visit far different then his previous one. Last time he came with the pharaoh and several others to witness the receiving of the millennium items. At the time the carvings on the walls had fascinated him, having to stop and look at each one. The mystical flames that lit the way had intrigued him. It had been a grand event and not a desperate act to soothe the pain of a broken heart. This time, he didn't even look at the carvings, he paid no attention to the flames that lit his way, and he merely walked deeper into the temple. As neared the main chamber of the temple the temperature was at least fifty degrees colder then outside. He pressed one hand against the smooth stone that triggered the opening of the chamber door. The sound of stone grinding against stone replaced the silence as the door slowly slid open. Seto held his breath as he slowly stepped into the chamber. The walls of the chamber were made from polished black stone that was smooth and flawless. There were several flames on the walls lighting the room, making it slightly brighter then the corridors, but there was still many shadows in the large room. The chamber was a large circular room with three steps down, along the entire diameter of the room, to the main floor. In the center of the room was a large golden sarcophagus, with slots to hold each of the seven millennium items. Seto moved down the steps, and was nearing the sarcophagus when a white haired young man stood up from behind the sarcophagus. The stranger was dressed in a dark tunic with tight dark brown leggings. Joey and Yugi had caught up to Seto in and where hiding in the shadows outside the chamber listening to the conversation.

"You must be an insane tomb robber to venture into this place." Seto said.

The tomb robber smirked. "By the same logic you must insane too."

"I have more of a purpose then merely looting a tomb." Seto said.

"There is no purpose greater then money."

"Revenge."

"That is true." The tomb robber grinned. "But since there is only one trinket to loot in this place and I was here first it is mine." He said as he held up the millennium ring, by the cord. There was an eye in the center of ring, just like the eye on all millennium items, and several golden beads dangled from the bottom.

"Do you even know what that is, tomb robber?" Seto asked.

"The name is Bakura Wahibreteni, the greatest tomb robber of all time." Bakura grinned boastfully. "And I have a pretty good idea what this is."

"Perhaps we can make a deal." Seto suggested.

"You don't look to have enough money to possibly be able to purchase this." Bakura said.

"You'd be surprised the kind of money I can get my hands on." Seto said.

"Tempting, but…no. I already have a potential buyer lined up." Bakura said. He slid the cord around his neck. The millennium ring glowed and floated on its own, the beads flapping in the supernatural breeze the ring was creating. Dust was picked up off the floor, spiraling around the young tomb robber like a dust devil. Bakura laughed manically as he felt the power surging through him. After a moment the dust settled and the ring once again became an inanimate object. "Then again I am not giving up this kind of power to anyone."

There was brilliant flash and Bakura was gone with Seto's last hope at revenge against Yami. Seto began cursing every swear word in every language he could speak, pounding one fist against the sarcophagus with each word.

Joey and Yugi both remained motionless, their eyes wide in shock. They had heard many tales of strange things, seen a living monster destroy an entire city but never had they seen a person vanish into the thin air.

"It has to be the curse. That's the only way to explain it." Joey said.

"It is not a curse."

"Wh… " Joey was startled at the sudden sound of Seto's voice. He fell over and landed on his butt, staring up at Seto.

"It is not a curse that allowed that tomb robber to vanish." Seto practically growled.

"Upset that someone else beat you to it?" Yugi asked.

Seto could've sworn that he saw a smirk on Yugi's face. "Doesn't matter. Having the millennium ring may have helped me a little bit, but I will still be able to get revenge on the pharaoh."

"I won't let you." Yugi said.

"This doesn't concern you. Go back to your little tent and keep waiting for the help that will never come." Seto said. He pushed past Yugi and Joey and made his way top exit, never looking back.

"Can we go home now?" Joey asked hopefully. "I mean he didn't get that ring thing so what threat could he be to the pharaoh."

"We can't stop now. We have to make sure that he doesn't get the change to even get near the pharaoh." Yugi said.

` ` ` `

By the time Seto exited the Millennium temple the sun was dipping towards the horizon, brining cooler temperatures to the desert. Seto unhitched the camel and climbed onto its back. Taking a long drink of water he stared at the temple, with the sun being lower on the horizon the temple no longer sparkled. `What crime have I committed to make the gods punish me like this?' Seto sighed lightly. Deciding after a few moments that it didn't matter why the gods were punishing him, and that he would have his revenge even if it damned his soul for all eternity in the afterlife. Seto turned the camel and rode long and hard back towards the palace.