Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Young God ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 4

Seto turned and glared at the guard sternly.
" The Pharaoh does not wish to see anyone today." He said.
" We-we understand," All had learned to fear the young priest. Seto was a symbol of power and mastery. None dared challenge him. " However...there was a robber th-that was caught in one of the tombs-we wish to-to-"

Seto sighed wearily. He already knew the intentions of the guard.
" Why question?" He asked. " Know you not that all robbers of tombs must be severely punished? Fine then. Let me see him and question him and let me decide. But report none of this to the Pharaoh."
" Y-yes, my lord." The guard bowed and hurried to call in the robber.

But Seto already knew who the robber was. The robber was a young child named Banat, or, rather, not that young because he was older than Seto in mortal standards. If Seto was thirteen, then Banat would be fifteen, as old as Belumfel.

But Seto did not know how the robber looked like. When Banat was brought in, Seto was a little surprised. Banat had white hair, white as new fallen snow, and his eyes were gleaming red like the pharaoh's. His features were well defined, very sharp and hard, and he had an aura about him that was malicing.

Obviously Banat did not approve of the High Priest.

Seto studied Banat in silence while thinking to himself. This one is a rascal. He looks like one too. He thinks me too young and naive, and that no one understands him. He stole first out of need and then out of greed. He has magical powers.

Seto stood up and advanced. The robber hissed at him.
" Quite odd, Banat." Seto began, and the robber blinked in surprise at the name. " A magician ought to be someone of decency, not a criminal."

Banat didn't know that Seto was a god and stuttered a little.
" How did you know my name?"
" Easy." Seto waved it off absent mindedly. " If I can't read minds and memories I wouldn't be High Priest. You've had quite a history as a thief, I see. And stole many items." At this Seto chuckled to himself. " And even queerer! I've handled many executions and many whippings myself, but I seem to be reluctant to kill you or do you any harm. Very well. Take him to the dungeons. I'll let the Pharaoh handle this one later. Actually, I'll take that back. Take him to one of the more decent rooms. He is the descendant of another Pharaoh before."

Banat widened his eyes at Seto, and Seto smiled inwardly when he saw the respect and gratitude. It feels good to be human.

" You lose, yet again." Belumfel chuckled. " You should practice if you want to improve."
" Why practice? This is only a stone game." Seto laughed. " And besides, priests are not supposed to defeat pharaohs."
" Ah, but the problem is, I do hope one day you'll be able to win at least one game." Belumfel smiled. " After all, you are the High Priest."
" If the High Priest defeats the Pharaoh, then who is the High Priest?" Seto pointed out. " I'm not very concerned with this game. I just want to go home. That's all I want."

There was a brief moment of silence as the Pharaoh and the priest walked out.
" Have you taken a look at your relative?" Seto asked.
" Are you sure he is?" Belumfel asked, troubled. " He does not have our looks."
" So he doesn't. But the blood still mingles. What did you decide?"
" I did not. I don't know."

Seto smiled kindly. " Do not trouble, sire. There may be a way to settle scores."
" Ah?" Belumfel smiled. " Young one. It makes me feel much better, and it would more, if you weren't so mischievous."
" Me?" Seto blinked innocently.
" You are too smart a boy." Belumfel suddenly frowned. " You haven't gone to the cities yet, have you?"
" No." Seto answered. " Not yet. This palace is a city all by itself. If I couldn't teleport, then perhaps I would be lost."

Belumfel laughed. " Ah, so true." He sat down. The High Priest sat down beside him.

" You know, Banat is not a fool either. He's escaping." Seto said in a matter of fact tone. " Should I summon the guards?"
" Yes." Belumfel answered cautiously. " Do so."

Banat cursed as the shadows of the guards came closer.
" You!" Cried one. " Get him!" Cried another, as the footsteps came closer. Banat panicked and began to run, but tripped and fell. He lifted his face and saw the foot of a small child.
" Now, where are you going?" Asked the familiar voice. Banat looked up to see the High Priest. He paled.
" Halt!" Seto commanded the guards. " I'll handle this. Now you are very naughty Banat." And all of the sudden they were in the Pharaoh's throneroom.

Banat stared around him in amazement.

" Next time you decide to leave, be sure to say goodbye first, and catch a bite to eat." Seto said pleasantly. " Of course, you can receive a small donation." He threw the bag of golden coins to the floor.

Banat growled. " I'm not going to take any of your tainted gold!"
" Oh, but weren't you trying to steal that?" Seto blinked. " As should be expected of a lowly individual of a robber. Why try to heighten your dignity when it's already lost? Of course, it could be gained in other ways, but for now, you're even lower than a slave! So I'm offering this as an act of kindness to an animal. A white haired one too." He chuckled. " Go on. I assure you there's no harm in taking fifty pieces of gold. You'll need it."

" You let him go?"
" Don't worry." Seto waved it off. " He won't be stealing for quite a long time. That thief has a lot of will to gain respect, as disrespectable as his trade may be. It spares you the task of deciding how to deal with him and the rest of the Egyptians the chore of trying to catch him."
" What did you do?"
" I...kind of...scolded him.'
" Scolding thieves won't do us good."
" No, but this time it will. It's a huge blow to his so called ' pride'." Seto beamed. " Don't worry!"
" I can't help but worry!" The pharaoh protested. " You are too naive!"
" Just because I'm young doesn't mean I don't know how to settle problems." Seto looked a little offended. " There's a reason why the gods sent me here and not some other guy like Ashika."
" Ashika?" Belumfel blinked.
" Oh, ah, never mind." Seto suddenly seemed nervous.

The pharaoh sighed. " I don't want to deal with this." He muttered.

Seto frowned, then disappeared, materializing in his own room. The pharaoh started, then sat back down.
" I'll never get use to that." He sighed.

Seto didn't really want to go to the banquet. He never tasted wine, and was afraid that he'll make a fool of himself like he saw the soldiers did. Unfortunately, the Pharaoh was in a bad mood and didn't let him go off that easily.

Of course, that doesn't mean Belumfel was trying to be mean. The pharaoh was not an idiot. He had his own ways. Seto still has to drink the wine, but he certainly won't make a fool of himself, that's for sure. First of all Seto's not the type. Second of all, the pharaoh's there, and whether Seto liked it or not he's going to sit right next to him.

Now another reason Seto didn't want to go was because he really didn't want to meet the Living Isis. It's enough having to deal with Belumfel's abrupt moods. He was almost certain that Anksuna would be just the same. And Anksuna...well, she's proud, as most people had said. Seto never really bothered to use his powers to figure out for himself.

Come to think of it, I haven't used my major powers in a long time. Seto thought to himself. Then he shivered at the accident the other night. Egypt had its first glimpse of snow. That is the first and the last time, hopefully, that it will ever happen.

Snow. Yuck. Snow mixed with sand. Not good.

Anksuna was a tall fair lady that was the wife of Belumfel, who was even taller than she was. Unlike Belumfel, who had black hair with blond bangs, which just refused to darken, she had completely black hair, plaited neatly, a long white neck. In fact, her whole skin was white, although slightly more tanned than Seto's, being a mortal, after all.

Seto observed her silently for a minute. Belumfel noticed and didn't like it, but Seto was a god, after all. So the young immortal observed his wife while the pharaoh sat there trying to amuse himself with the talk and watching the acrobats.

Seto, remembering of his thoughts earlier, decided to peer a little into Anksuna's mind.

Anksuna was a daughter of Ranknat, Pharaoh of Upper Egypt, and Halmose, Princess of Lower Egypt. She was very skilled in politics and economics and most nobles found it hard to deal with her, because she sees right through people and knows what kind of person they are. Which was partly why she doesn't like Seto. Seto is the one person she doesn't know at all and that made her nervous and doubtful.

Seto hid a chuckle. What a fool. Thinking that she can see through everyone. Know she that some people are as hard to see as he was? Some, with dark mysterious pasts, a wisdom beyond their ages. Seto looked at his hands. White as new fallen snow. Not a tinge of darkness. His hands. Pale and smooth as moonbeams.

As if sensing what he was thinking, Belumfel shot Seto a warning glare. Anksuna was not someone to be toyed with.

But Seto was not a bit fazed. What's a little mortal? He knew them well now. A bunch of people who are afraid. People who find their little wisdom precious. People who think of nothing but themselves.

And he smiled. Isn't that what they're made to do? Selfishness. Wisdom. Light and Dark, all rolled into one. Ah, the joy of creation!

But he is one of the creators. And he wants to go home. But there was no god that answered. The sky remained blank. Empty of clouds.

There's going to be a drought this year.

" You're awfully young to be a High Priest." The Living Isis said quietly.

Seto wanted to roll his eyes. Of course he's too young! But he also detected a note of disapproval.
" I have reasons to try." Seto answered. " And it is not my fault I have been accepted."
" No, it isn't." She looked over at Belumfel. " I do wonder what caught his eye. Men are so easily swayed."
" Are they?" Seto answered pleasantly. " It seems to me so far that all humans are easily swayed, men and women alike. Neither more, neither less."
" Ah, but those that can be swayed best not be King." Anksuna countered, waiting for Seto's answer.

Seto took his time, sipping the wine, which tasted horrible.
" True." He nodded. " Very true. Those that can be swayed do not make good pharaohs. If his Majesty is easily swayed, I do not suppose Egypt would have such an economic boom as they had these passing five years. And yet, if he's not easily swayed, I would still be Priest. How odd, because I thought your Highness knew of the competition for the position."

That was an all out right insult and the Pharaoh heard it.

He couldn't keep his mouth shut. The pharaoh thought, distressed. He's still a child. How am I supposed to protect him?

But it turned out Seto needed no protecting. Anksuna really couldn't find any fault in his words, despite being very angry with him.

" Ah, the wine was strong." Seto said absently, but in his mind he was chuckling. The Queen would know.

Isis was a little calmed after hearing that comment. So it was the wine!

Belumfel was a little relieved at the comment. Seto was smarter than he thought!

Seto was chuckling to himself. Anksuna is proud. She is smart. But can she stand up to Seto?

Well, that remains to be seen.