Ahmose Inarus

Ahmose Inarus

Hato chiisai

Shonen-ai

Disclaimer: I own Ahmose. That’s all. Nothing else.

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Chapter 12

The Marik of Anubis

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Yugioh sighed as he sat at Ahmose’s bed side, holding his cold hand. Ahmose stared blankly up at the ceiling, his eyes glassy and unfocused, as he had been for the past two days. Yugioh blinked and looked up when there was a knock on the door.

“Enter.” He said softly, and Jono came in.

“Any change?” He asked the Pharaoh, who shook his head. Jono sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling the blankets down to Ahmose’s knees. He then began a physical examination.

“Jono.... I thought you had healed him.... Why does he still have bruises? And cuts... And......”

“My healing power is only half of the work, Yugi. The victim, my patient, must WANT to be healed.”

“Ahmose wants to be hurt?”

“Well.... No.........” Jono said, slowly, and Yugioh blinked. “Rape victims are difficult to heal. You see, rape doesn’t only affect them physically, but it affects them mentally, as well. But I’m sure you can see that by looking at Ahmose. The victim becomes afraid. And begins to wonder what they did to deserve being..... taken advantage of. They think it’s their fault sometimes. But anyway... They feel..... Tainted. Soiled. Dirty.... They feel worthless. That life is not worth living any longer. And once that mentality sets in.....” Jono sighed and shrugged.

“The fact is, Ahmose is in a mental state that prevents the healing from taking place. And he’s afraid. He has locked himself away into his own mind. He may come out of it in a few minutes, he may never come out of it. But the longer he stays in it, the closer to death he becomes. He must wake himself, or die. There’s nothing any of us can do for him. I’m sorry Pharaoh. It’s up to him now. He is beyond our reach.” And he stood, and left the room. Yugioh stared at Ahmose, then sniffled and laid his head on the sorcerer’s chest. The door opened again, and Ptahshepses walked in.

“Pharaoh Atemu.” He said, and Yugioh looked up. “You cannot sit with Ahmose. You must rule your kingdom. Ahmose would not approve of your neglecting your duties.” Yugioh sighed and nodded, standing and leaving the room, eyes cast down in his depression. Ptahshepses looked back at Ahmose and sighed, before closing the door.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The tall slender man stood in the shadows, facing two men before him. “The sorcerer is wounded and his mind is lost. You will go to the hall where his bedroom, and the Pharaoh’s bedroom is. Wait. When the Pharaoh is heading to bed, he will be alone. Kill him. And then, kill Inarus.” The two men nodded as the slender man opened the door, admitting the assassins into the palace.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yugioh sighed as he walked down the hall, alone. He was tired. It was late. He had worked all day with out help from Ahmose. In fact, Ahmose had hindered him, for with Ahmose in his current state, Yugioh found it all but impossible to concentrate. He was afraid that the man that meant more to him than anyone may die in his absence. But now it was time to sleep. And only in sleep could the young Pharaoh find sanctuary from his worries. A shadow flickered in the corner of his eye, and he turned in time to see a fist, flying at his face. He yelped as he was struck.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ahmose lay silent and unmoving, staring at the ceiling. The scene of his rape played over and over again in his mind as he sought out any other way for him to have rescued his King and have been himself spared of the sexual attack. He searched for anything he may have done that would have convinced the gods to punish him in such a way. The rape WAS punishment.... wasn’t it? Why would his own patron god have abandoned his High Priest to such an assault? What god or goddess had he angered to the point of subjecting him to such torture? What had he done to deserve it......?

“YAAAH!!!!” Ahmose’s body jerked as he heard the scream.

“Yugi......” He gasped, blinking.

“NO!! GET AWAY!!! PLEASE!! AAAH!!!” Ahmose’s body reacted immediately. He leapt from his bed and ran for the door, his eyes burning. He burst out into the corridor and turned, seeing Yugioh on the floor at the end of the hall, staring up at two men, one with a knife. Ahmose’s eyes narrowed, and he charged.

“No one is coming, your body guard is out of commission.....” The assassin was hissing. “And when you’re dead, he’s next!!!” Ahmose flew towards them, bare feet slapping against the stone floor, and with a roar of fury he tackled the man with a knife. Yugioh’s eyes widened. Ahmose and the assassin rolled, and Ahmose snarled as his side was sliced open. He kicked the man off, and the knife went spinning down the hall. Ahmose leapt forwards and slammed the heel of his palm into the man’s nose, and with a wet crunching noise he forced the nasal cavity up into his brain. The man fell, dead. Ahmose faced the other man, who turned and fled.... Right into the arms of Tris, who promptly threw him on the floor and pinned him there.

“Got him, Lord Inarus.” He said, and Ahmose stared down at the man. Chest heaving, he nodded.

“Alive.” He managed to get out.

“What, sir?”

“Keep him alive. Question him. Who is.... hiring these assassins....”

“Yessir, we’ll get answers from him.” Tris said, standing and dragging the man away, guards following. Ahmose finally dropped to his knees, in pain and exhaustion, and he winced as he felt a sting at his backside, and the hot trickly feeling confirmed that he had re-opened an unhealed wound.

“Ahmose.”

“Are you okay, Yugi?”

“You’re awake.” Yugioh gasped. Ahmose blinked, then nodded, bowing his head and staring at the floor.

“I am sorry....”

“No...” Yugioh said, hugging Ahmose. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Ahmose seemed to tense at the hug, and winced. Yugioh looked at him. “I was so worried, Ahmose....” He said, then moved in and kissed him. Ahmose’s eyes flew wide open in shock. Togeses, Ptahshepses, Jono, Sethos and Wosret all ran around the corner with some guards, having heard the commotion, and all skidded to a stop and stared. Sethos’s jaw dropped at seeing the Pharaoh kissing his body guard, but, most appallingly, a High Priest, who was not permitted to indulge in such things. The other High Priests had already agreed that Ahmose’s rape was not something that would remove the young man from his position in the temples, but THIS was completely different.

Ahmose let out a small moaning whimper before slumping into Yugioh’s arms, as if in surrender, and his eyes closed. Yugioh released the older man’s mouth, and watched Ahmose lower his head. He was still shaking.

“Ahmose.... Are you okay?”

“I.... I must...... Think....” Ahmose managed to get out, and slowly stood, staggering a bit. He winced at the slight pain and leaned on the wall a moment before stumbling away, not caring how he looked at the moment, pale, weak, and frightened. Of what, he did not know....

“Yugioh!” Ptahshepses gasped as they ran over th Pharaoh who was still on his knees. “What are you thinking?!”

“I... I didn’t.... Think....” Yugioh confessed. “I was just.... I don’t know! I.... I was afraid he would never snap out of that trance he was in and when I saw him, I just....”

“He is a High Priest!!” Sethos roared, throwing his hands up into the air.

“And he is far below you.” Wosret snarled. “Would you have kissed a slave?! For that is what he is!”

“HE IS NOT A SLAVE!!!” Yugioh screamed, standing. “Ahmose is NOT a SLAVE!! He never was! He never will be! He is my friend! My brother! My bodyguard! MY SUCCESSOR!!! One day, he may be YOUR KING!!!” And the furious Pharaoh shoved Wosret. “Keep talking like you have been, and you will never live to see that day. So hold your tongue! YOU are more of a slave than Ahmose!”

“He is not even Egyptian!” Wosret growled back. Yugioh blinked. He knew this... he could tell by looking at Ahmose.

“What he is does not matter to me.... Nubian, Libyan, Bedouin..... I do not care.”

“He is from the East.” Wosret snarled. “FAR from the East. A group of people were thrown out of their own land and traveled. They settled among the Greeks. His parents were both half breeds! Half Eastern, and half Greek. And that is what he is.” Yugioh frowned.

“I do not care.” He said. “Wherever his ancestors may have been from, he is Egyptian in my eyes. He will always be my brother.”

“Brother is fine.” Sethos snapped. “But make sure he does not become.... More.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After the two days in bed in a deep trance, Ahmose spent another two days, and nights, wandering the palace. Anyone who encountered him scrambled to get away from him. He was thin and his eyes seemed sunken in and were surrounded by dark rings. He looked like a walking corpse and responded to nothing but Yugioh, and even then he avoided him and gave the minimum response. It was three nights after his awakening that something finally snapped. He had retreated to his room and many worried members of the court, Yugioh included, stood in the corridor.

Ahmose stood on his balcony staring out over the city. But the city was not dark this night. He turned and stared. The Temple of Anubis suddenly lit up, as though all the torches and lamps and then some had suddenly been lit all at once. Ahmose blinked, then looked up at the moon. Midnight. It was the Day of Anubis... the anniversary of his own birth. Ahmose closed his eyes and grimaced as a sudden rage flooded through him. He stared at the Temple.

“Damn you.....” He growled in a shaky tone. “DAMN YOU!!!”

Outside of his room, everyone looked up at his sudden scream and blinked at the sudden crashes and commotion. Then the door burst open and Ahmose flew out of the room, purple robes billowing around him. He charged down the hall and everyone blinked, then followed. They quickly lost him, but guards had pointed them in the way the sorcerer had taken. When the raced out of the front doors of the palace, Ahmose burst from the stable on Nakhti, and raced out the front gates.

“What in Thoth’s name?!” Togeses gasped.

“It’s the day of Anubis....” Yugioh said, shakily. “Per... Perhaps he’s gone to the Temple.” Sethos frowned.

“He had better perform the proper cleansing and purification rituals. Especially after his body was tainted with such impurities.” Yugioh glared at Sethos, but said nothing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Nakhti’s hooves thundered along the empty streets, his rider’s eyes focused on the light from the Temple. Once there he reigned his steed to a stop and slid from his back, then stormed towards the Temple, his eyes glaring up at the twin statues of Anubis that guarded the doors. The priests of the Temple were anointing these statues with oils and showering them with offerings of flowers, bread, beer, wine, milk, meat and riches. Ahmose’s eyes narrowed in fury. The Priests saw him coming and glanced at each other, nervously, then bowed to him.

“Ahmose-Anubis, you–AH!!” One priest yelped as Ahmose suddenly pulled his blades, and to the horror of all present, beheaded the reclining jackal statues.

“Get out of the Temple.” Ahmose hissed, turning and glaring at the priests. “If you want to live.” The Priests all began backing away. Ahmose turned and stormed into the Temple. A middle aged man, the Second, Ahmose’s successor, ran up.

“HOW DARE YOU!?” He screamed. “Blasphemy! How dare you destroy the image of our god?!”

“Leave while I let you!” Ahmose snapped, and continued walking towards the inner sanctum.

“I will not!!” The man thundered, and the other priests and priestesses of the temple watched in fear. Ahmose whirled.

“Then DIE!!” He screamed, and in a shower of blood the man fell, his throat slashed open. Ahmose looked around at the other horrified servants of the Temple. “LEAVE!! OR YOU WILL SUFFER THE SAME!!” They all paused, then fled. Ahmose watched them go, then closed his eyes and muttered under his breath. Shrieks were heard from outside of the temple as a wall of black fire sprung to life, encircling the Temple of Anubis.

“Go!” Cried the Third, now Second. “Send a message to Sethos-Amun and Pharaoh Atemu! Quickly!” And a young boy turned and ran.

Inside, Ahmose had slaughtered two women and three men who were not fortunate enough to have fled the Temple. He searched the Temple for the presence of anyone else, and the few that he found suffered the same fate. Then, he flung his blades aside and seized one of the long curtains on the wall. With a scream of fury he ripped it down to the floor, then whirled and smashed a vase with his fist. Then he flung an oil lamp onto the ground, the oil splashing over the floor and catching fire, burning the curtain that had been ripped down. Ahmose stared at the fire, his eyes burning just as hot, then seized a torch from the wall. He turned and ran through the temple, setting fire to anything flammable, more curtains and tapestries, the gardens in the courtyard where the purification pool lay, and into this he flung more oil lamps so that the surface of the water burned.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yugioh sighed and paced the Throne Room while most of the court whispered among themselves. Suddenly, the doors were flung open and a boy rushed in.

“PHARAOH!! PHARAOH ATEMU!!” He screamed, and Yugioh turned. “You must come! NOW!!”

“What? What is it?!”

“Lord Inarus! He’s gone mad, my Lord!”

“Mad?!” Yugioh gasped, eyes widening.

“He’s destroying the Temple of Anubis! Murdering the priests! Cursing the God! He’s lost his mind!” The boy cried, waving his arms wildly. The court was in an immediate uproar.

“HE WILL DIE FOR THIS OUTRAGE!!!” Sethos screamed, and charged for the door, many following him.

“MY HORSE!!! NOW!!” Yugioh thundered, and raced out as well, eyes wild. When they ran outside, all stopped and stared at the cloud of smoke rising from the Temple. Yugioh darted past and seized his horse, flinging on a bridle and leaping to his back, not bothering with a saddle. He kicked the horse, who neighed and charged towards the Temple of Anubis.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ahmose dropped his cloak as it caught fire and left it in the hall to burn. He smashed every statue of Anubis he came across as he stormed towards the inner sanctum. He smashed through the doors and stopped, staring up at the massive figure of his patron god.

“You....” He hissed. “DAMN YOU!!!” He screamed, and swiftly strode across the hall, once again setting fire to curtains and smashing everything in sight. He reached the altar and looked down at it.

“You want a sacrifice, on this, the Day that HONORS YOU?!” He glared at the statue, shaking in rage. “Well?! HAVEN’T I SACRIFICED ENOUGH?!?” He raised his hand which was enveloped in black flames, and brought it crashing down on the middle of the altar. The large stone block shattered under the blow. “WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!” Ahmose screamed. “I LOST MY CHASTITY! MY DIGNITY! MY PRIDE!! MY BODY WAS USED LIKE THAT OF A COMMON WHORE!! DESECRATED AND RUINED!! I SCREAMED!! I BLED!! WAS IT NOT ENOUGH?! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! HOW MUCH BLOOD MUST I SHED!?!” He sobbed and lifted the sacrificial dagger. With furious movements he forced the golden bracelets from his arms and slashed them open, watching the blood fall to the floor. “IS THIS ENOUGH?!” He shouted to the empty room. “OR DO YOU WANT MORE?!” He brought the knife down his upper arms, from the shoulder to his elbow. “HOW ABOUT THIS?!” He slashed his chest. “OR THIS?!” He cut open his left thigh. “OR THIS?! IS IT ENOUGH?!?” He brought the blade of the knife down all over his body, mutilating his flesh until he dropped to his knees. “I HAVE SERVED YOU ALL MY LIFE!! AND THE ONE TIME I CRY OUT FOR YOU, YOU DO NOT ANSWER!! HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?! DO I NOT DESERVE AN ANSWER?! WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME TO THOSE MEN?! YOU COULD HAVE SAVED ME!!! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE IT?!” He stared up at the statue. “ANSWER ME, DAMN YOU!!!” But the statue remained silent. Ahmose was shaking violently, and the rage left his face and was replaced with despair. He dropped the knife, slumped to the floor, and sobbed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yugioh leapt off of his horse and stared at the ring of black fire around the temple. The Priests and priestesses all ran to him, bowing but jabbering.

“Silence!” Yugioh ordered. “Where is the Second?”

“Dead!” A girl sobbed. “Lord Inarus killed him when he tried to stop him!” Yugioh stared grimly at the temple and hardly noticed as many other horses arrived, their riders running over to him, also staring at the Temple.

“How DARE he?!” Sethos was screaming.

“Ahmose is not in his right mind, Sethos.” Yugioh said. “You know he would not do this otherwise.”

“The penalty for a crime of this magnitude is death!” Sethos snapped. Yugioh whirled.

“YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HIM!!” He roared at Sethos. “Anyone who lays a hand on Ahmose Inarus will be put to death!” And he looked around to make sure that he was understood. “Now, how do I get in there?!” He got no answer. A priest of Anubis slowly moved towards the fire. He reached out and stuck his hand in it. With a bloodcurdling scream, the fire consumed his hand. The man leapt back and everyone stared in horror as it continued to burn up his arm, the charred remains blowing away as ashes in the wind. No one dared to even approach the man screaming for help as his entire body was consumed until all that was left was a scorched place on the stone ground.

“Gods....” Tris gasped. “We can’t go through that....” Yugioh frowned and faced the fire.

“Then I will.” He said, and walked towards it.

“Pharaoh! No!” Togeses screamed, and Wosret grabbed the young King’s arm, Ptahshepses hurrying over.

“You cannot throw your life away!” The old man cried. Yugioh glared fiercely, and shoved Wosret away.

“It won’t hurt me!” He declared. “Ahmose would NEVER hurt me!” And with that, he strode into the flames. Everyone cried out in horror as the flames engulfed him, but a moment later they retreated, leaving the Pharaoh alone. Yugioh looked around him, feeling the flames licking his skin. It had a pleasant warm feeling, as thought silk veils were caressing him. He smiled lightly; Ahmose would never hurt him. He turned, then and moved through the fire. He listened as whispers seemed to surround him.

Go...... Stay away........ Get back........... get back.... Go away..... go back....... They got louder and more insistent as he moved along, his face stern and determined. The voices were sounding less like whispering children and more like the pleading sorcerer with every step. Go back..... Go back.... Go back, Yugi...... GO BACK!!! Yugioh frowned.

“Be silent!” He ordered, and the voices were gone. He gave a nod of approval and stepped out of the fire, the Millennium Puzzle glowing. He looked up at the Temple and strode across the yard and up the steps, glancing at the beheaded jackal statues, then back at the crowd that was watching him. He sighed, and turned his back on them, entering the Temple. Inside, he gazed horrified at the utter destruction that the Temple had endured at the hands of its own Priest. Yugioh winced as he stepped over bodies of the Temple Servants. There were at least a dozen. Fire raged as the temple’s treasures and offerings to its god burned. Finally, Yugioh reached the hallways to the inner sanctum. He walked through the smoke and fire until he entered the grand chamber.

“Ahmose....” He gasped. The sorcerer was on the floor before the smashed altar in a pool of blood. The Pharaoh ran across the room and knelt. He was horrified at the young man’s wounds, but they were not as bad as they had seemed. “Ahmose...” He called gently to the weeping sorcerer.

“Yugi....” Ahmose whimpered, and Yugioh helped him sit up. Ahmose hid his face into the Pharaoh’s chest and cried. “Ahmose... What have you done?! Why did you do this?!” He cried. Ahmose shook his head, his shaking getting worse.

“He has forsaken me!” Ahmose sobbed. “He will not answer me! He did not save me from... From......”

“Shhhh.....” Yugioh crooned. “The gods do not always tell us why things happen. Even you have told me that you do not always know why Anubis does the things he does. And perhaps you are not meant to know why it happened. Perhaps it happened simply because you were loyal to me, and willing to take the punishment on my behalf. Ahmose.... No one said that YOU were being punished.... perhaps it was meant to be.... To be MY punishment.... and you merely took it for me.” Ahmose looked up at Yugioh. “Ahmose, you have NEVER done anything wrong. But I am sure that I have angered the gods before. Perhaps one decided to take vengeance. If that were so, Anubis could not have interfered.... And perhaps.... You should not have interfered either...”

“Do NOT say that!” Ahmose gasped, shaking his head.

“Perhaps you were simply a..... a whipping boy of sorts....” Yugioh suggested, and Ahmose stared at him.

“P-Perhaps.....” He whispered, and Yugioh smiled.

“Do not get angry with Anubis, Ahmose. If there is anyone you should be angry with, it is me... It is my fault it happened, not yours. Blame me...”

“I.... I cannot.”

“Fine. But don’t blame yourself. Or Anubis. Fate cannot be changed. Now please.... Come home......” Ahmose stared at Yugioh for a moment, then nodded and lowered his head. Yugioh smiled and stood, pulling Ahmose to his feet. The sorcerer stumbled and leaned heavily on his King. He looked around, ashamed at the mess he had made.

“For this... I do deserve to be punished....”

“Oh, stop that! Perhaps the attack WAS punishment.... Not for anything you HAD done but for what you were GOING to do....” Yugioh said, glaring at Ahmose. The sorcerer blinked, then gave a small laugh and smile. They slowly made their way out of the temple, and across the yard. As they entered the fire, it began to die, and by the time they were through it, it was gone. The court and other people who had gathered stared at the weak and bloody sorcerer, being supported by the Pharaoh.

“Ahmose Anubis Inarus.....” Sethos growled, and Ahmose winced and looked down, ashamed. “What have you DONE?!”

“Be silent, Sethos!” Yugioh commanded sternly.

“I will not! Look what he has done to the Temple! A sacred place! Guards, arrest him!” Sethos ordered, shaking in anger.

“NO!” Yugioh snapped. “He will not be–“

”Yugi....” Ahmose interrupted. “No one is above the law. Not even me. And you cannot change that.”

“Oh no?!” Yugioh growled.

“Shhh.” Ahmose said, moving away from him. “I will see you soon.” And Yugioh simply stood, feeling completely helpless as Ahmose was taken away in chains....

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yugioh sat on his throne, staring down at Ahmose and Sethos. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He was in the courthouse attending to Ahmose’s trial. Ahmose and Sethos were not looking at him, but at the judge.

“Ahmose Inarus, you defaced the Temple of Anubis, destroyed all within, and murdered fourteen priests and priestesses, including your Second. And you admit to your guilt. What reason have you for the most horrific display of blasphemy that this nation has ever witnessed, made even worse by the fact that it was committed by the Temple’s very own High Priest?!” The judge roared.

“A fair question...” Sethos growled, glaring at Ahmose. Ahmose bowed his head.

“I... I do not know....” Ahmose said softly, fidgeting with the bandages that covered his arms. “I can barely remember it.... I can barely remember everything from the past.... Four, five days. I have not been.... Myself.”

“I wish to speak.” Jono said suddenly, standing. The judge looked at him. “I am Jono, the Palace Healer. As some know, six days ago Pharaoh Atemu fell under an attack that Lord Inarus saved him from. In fact, he... took his place.” The judge blinked. Yugioh frowned and stood.

“All unnecessary personnel will leave immediately!” He ordered. Many people grumbled, but left. Ahmose looked up at Yugioh and gave him a look of thanks. “And those who stay, are sworn to silence lest they wish to lose their tongue.” And he narrowed his eyes, glaring around and making it known that he meant business. Ahmose lowered his head again, trying to hold back a smile of amusement.

“You may continue, Healer.” The judge said, as Yugioh sat down. Jono looked at Yugioh, who nodded his permission to continue.

“When Lord Inarus returned to the palace, I saw to him. He had been beaten and... Raped. By at least a dozen men, according to the Pharaoh. After that happened.... Ahmose retreated into his mind. He was in danger of losing his sanity, and did this as a way to preserve it.”

Togeses interrupted.

“Ahmose has never been one to display emotion, but something like that brings up a lot of painful... DESTRUCTIVE emotions, and Ahmose had no idea how to deal with it.” He said, and Jono nodded. “After Ahmose broke out of his own imprisonment, he entered another. He walked the palace for two days and three nights without food, drink, or sleep. And then the emotions became too much. He could not hold them back any longer. They broke free.” Togeses explained.

“They consumed him.” Jono continued. “He had no control. That was when he carried out his assault on the Temple. Ahmose could not.... Stop himself. He was not in control. There were too many things in his mind. Fright, anger, humiliation... Hate...”

“Why would he let that happen?” Ahmose suddenly murmured. “I couldn’t understand why Anubis would let such a thing happen to me. I was.... Confused.”

“Ahmose was not in control of his actions.” Jono concluded. “He neither recognized what he was doing, nor could he have stopped them.” The judge frowned in thought.

“I see.” He said. “The situation is.... Unique. I understand that he was more than likely out of control, but the grave crime he has committed is..... Extreme. And such a crime could only be punished by death.”

“I forbid it!” Yugioh shouted, standing. “Ahmose will NOT be executed, nor will he be removed from his position. That is my word, and my word is law!!!” And he pounded his fist on the stone arm of his throne. He glared around, daring someone to contradict him.

“As you wish, Pharaoh Atemu.” The judge said, nodding. “He will not face the executioner.”

“His crime can NOT go unpunished!” Sethos screamed, spittle flying from his lip.

“And it will not go unpunished.” The judge said. He frowned, thinking. “I will return in five minutes time with the sentencing.” And he turned and left. Ahmose sighed and stared at the floor. Sethos was glaring at the Pharaoh, who glared right back. Then, when no one was looking, Yugioh gave Sethos a smug smirk, and made a face at him, sticking his tongue out. He grinned, amused at seeing Sethos’ complete fury at the Pharaoh making rude faces at him, but even more so at the fact that he wanted to make another right back but it would be VERY undignified for him to do so as the High Priest, and were he to do it anyway, it would not escape notice. Yugioh chuckled to himself, feeling much better after his show of immaturity. Jono and Togeses snickered, their heads together, having witnessed the exchange. A few minutes later, the judge returned.

“Ahmose Anubis Inarus.” He said, and Ahmose raised his head. “Your crime cannot go unpunished. You are a powerful sorcerer. Therefore you shall single handedly restore the Temple.” Ahmose bowed, accepting this.

“THAT’S IT?!” Sethos roared. The judge held up his hand.

“You destroyed the Temple, therefore you shall repair it. An Eye for and Eye. However... You took the lives of fourteen priests and priestesses. And you shall pay for them times three. That is forty two. However, you will also pay for the destruction of the Temple times three, making the number forty five. Therefore, Ahmose Inarus, I sentence you to forty five lashes.” Ahmose winced, but once again bowed in acceptance. However, Yugioh’s eyes widened.

“WHAT?!”

“My Pharaoh, you have saved him from death, but he cannot go unpunished. And with the severity of his crime, I feel that I have let him off easy. Forty five lashes to be carried out immediately following the restoration of the Temple.” And the judge stood and left.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ahmose stared up at the temple, surveying the damage.

“The Judge was right... I am being let off easy.....” He said.

“Forty five lashes is EASY?!” Yugioh cried.

“Yes.” Ahmose replied, looking at his king. “I deserve death for what I have done.” Yugioh shook his head, frantically, and grabbed Ahmose’s shoulders.

“No! You’re too hard on yourself, Ahmose! Please, don’t talk like that!” He cried. Ahmose bowed his head.

“As you wish, my Lord.” He said, softly, and Yugioh hugged him tightly, then, to Ahmose’s shock, kissed him.

“Now get to work.” Yugioh said and turned, hurrying out of the temple. Ahmose stared after him, eyes wide, and slowly raised his fingers to his lips. He blushed bright red, then shook his head and turned, preparing to begin. He walked into the inner sanctum and knelt before the broken altar, stripping his robe from his body.

“My Lord, accept my most humble apologies for the great insult I have given you.” He murmured to the floor, his heart aching in his shame and humiliation. “I should be struck dead and go to Ammut for my trespass. I have done you a great injustice, my Lord Anubis, Master of Souls... Forgive your unworthy servant as I strive to make it up to you, but will find my efforts falling severely short, for no thing I can do is repentance enough for my crime.” And then he stood and looked around before reaching his arms out to the side.

Outside of the temple, the Pharaoh, Court, Priests of the Temple of Anubis, and many other citizens were gathered to see Ahmose’s power at work and on full display for the first time.

First, the wind died down and every thing grew quiet. Then, there was a deep rumbling coming from the heart of the Temple, followed by a shockwave that knocked everyone within a five mile radius to the ground. The very sand and stone beneath the feet of all those within one mile began to shake, and those within fifty yards of the temple could not stand. They stared as fire appeared, but rather than devour, it began to restore.

The stone heads of the twin jackals guarding the entrance returned to the necks upon which they had sat and the break vanished, leaving them whole again. Curtains burned back into existence, and shattered pots and vases sprang back together while all the bounty of the temple returned. The garden returned to its pristine state, and the temple returned to its form glory. But it did not stop.... It grew. The ground cracked at the feet of Yugioh and he stared as great towering Obelisks rose from the ground like great stone trees, towering over him and surrounding the temple.

Great walls rose between them, surrounding the temple which seemed to flourish and grow. Gardens sprouted out of nowhere, and decorative slabs of stone paved the way to the entrance of the temple. The entrance itself became not a simple doorway but a grand gateway with the throned figure of Anubis sitting over it, watching the streets below, and this dark figure was bedecked with gold. Fountains sprung out of the ground, on either side of the gates leading into the temple, and pools bubbled up from the sand, surrounding the temple like a moat. And then, the ground stilled and the wind faded to a light breeze.

The birds began to chirp and the sound of the fountains was all that was heard as proof that what had just been witnessed had really happened. The temple was no longer a humble tribute, but was now a grand Temple Complex that out shone the Temple Complex of Ra on the other side of the city. Great purple curtains reaching from the top of the temple all the way down to the water surrounding it fluttered gently.

Slowly people stood, staring up at the grand transformation in awe, Sethos in indignant fury, but even he was deeply impressed. The Judge’s mouth dropped open as he stared at Ahmose’s work. Yugioh finally found his feet, and ran. He dashed into the temple and through its halls, hardly noticing that the changes within the temple were just as extreme as they were without. He finally reached the inner sanctum and stared across the room. Ahmose was slumped limply over the altar that was no longer stone, but solid gold. Yugioh ran to him.

“Ahmose!” He gasped, and the sorcerer’s fingers twitched. Yugioh knelt and smiled when the golden eyes opened. “This is... It was.... WOW!!!” Ahmose smiled slightly and gave a small laugh.

“Yugi..... I can’t get up.....” He said and Yugioh grinned, helping Ahmose up and supporting the sorcerer.

“Come on... You need rest.” The Pharaoh said as the priests and priestesses of Anubis slowly ventured into the Temple, eyes wide in astonishment. They all stopped as Yugioh and Ahmose passed, bowing low.

Ahmose looked around as they slowly made their way out of the temple, critically examining what he had done.

“It’s beautiful.” Yugioh assured him. They emerged from the dark gateway and out into the sunlight, Ahmose wincing and turning away as he was momentarily blinded. But he stumbled on the steps and fell to the ground at the base of the stairs. He vaguely registered Yugioh calling to him, but the voice and sun faded away as he slipped into a deep recovery hibernation.

Tris smiled and picked up the sorcerer in his arms, and Yugioh turned to the judge.

“Surely after all of this, he has....”

“He has earned a rest.” The Judge said. “But his punishment will continue.”

And sure enough, the punishment did come. A mere hour before the sun set Ahmose emerged from his room announcing that he was ready. The judge was summoned and within half an hour the council and numerous nobles and other citizens were gathered in a square. Wosret stood in the center, and was finding it very hard to contain his glee as he waited, whip in hand, for Ahmose. Pharaoh Atemu sat on his chair on the platform overlooking the square and sat stiffly, his jaw clenched, between Ptahshepses (who didn’t look much better) and the Judge. Guards surrounded the square, Yugioh was not sure why. Finally the judge stood, calling for Ahmose to be brought forth. But he was not brought, he walked forwards alone with his head high, and a pair of guards merely followed him. Wosret glared and Ahmose gazed at him coldly, then removed his robe. A guard took it with a bow, and then Ahmose removed the Key from his neck. He looked down at it for a moment, then turned and walked across the square until he stood before the Pharaoh. He offered up the Key.

“For safe keeping.” He said softly with a small smile. Yugioh gulped, but nodded and stood, taking it. He wanted to tell Ahmose to run, to scream for all of this to stop, but he knew that as Pharaoh he could not show such extreme favoritism... not even to Ahmose. And so he sat in silence. Ahmose bowed, then returned to the center of the yard. Wosret glared, then snorted and pointed at Ahmose, not anywhere specific, just in general. The guards stepped forwards, the one who had taken his robe mumbling ‘our apologies, Lord Inarus....’ and they began to strip his body of the gold jewelry he wore; the bracelets running up his lower arms, the bands on his upper arms, the bands around his neck, and the circlet across his brow. Then, Ahmose looked at one of the guards.

“Can I borrow this?” He asked, pointing to a loose leather tie. The man blinked then nodded, and Ahmose pulled his belt knife and cut it off, before surrendering the weapon to the guards. Then, he swiftly plaited his hair into a tight braid, nimble fingers flying, getting the job done in mere minutes, and he tied it with the leather cord. He closed his eyes and muttered under his breath; it would be impossible to stay conscious for the full forty five lashes, so Ahmose cast a spell that would prevent himself from passing out until the last lash had fallen. Then, in nothing but pants and sash, he faced Wosret. And still he held his head high, showing no fear. Wosret growled and moved forwards, grabbin Ahmose by the back of the neck and forcing him to his knees before the stone pillar, pulling his wrists high above his head and binding them there, tightly enough for the ropes to cut into his skin. Then he moved Ahmose’s braid over his shoulder so that it fell against his chest rather than his back.

“I am going to enjoy this immensely....” The man hissed.

“I do not doubt that.” Ahmose said calmly, but Yugioh and Ptahshepses could see the tension in the muscles of his back. Wosret sneered and pulled a strip of leather out.

“No funny stuff sorcerer. No magic to get yourself out of this.”

“I never even considered it.” Ahmose replied. Wosret glared, then gagged the sorcerer with the leather, giving him something to bite instead of his tongue or lips. Then he stepped away and the judge nodded.

“Begin.” He said. Wosret swung the whip out and cracked it, threateningly, then swung it forwards. The whip came across Ahmose’s back with another crack, and Yugioh winced.

“HNNG!!” Ahmose groaned through clenched teeth, closing his eyes tightly at the pain.

“One....” He heard Wosret snarl.

“HNH!”

“Two.......”

“NNG!!”

“Three..... Four..... Five......” Yugioh was watching, and didn’t realize how pained he himself looked. He winced with every lash, and didn’t realize how badly he was shaking until he felt a hand on his. He blinked and turned to look at Ptahshepses, who was looking pale and ill. Yugioh swallowed thickly.

“NNNH!!”

“Nine.... Ten..... Eleven....... Twelve.....” As it continued, Yugioh bowed to the side and hid his face in Ptahshepses’ shoulder, unable to see his friend in such agony. “Thirteen.... Fourteen..... Fifteen...... Sixteen... Seventeen.... Eighteen......”

Small whines came from Ahmose between his labored breathing. It was taking nearly all of his willpower not to cry out and scream as Wosret was hoping for. His back felt like it was on fire, and he could feel the blood flowing and coating his pale skin. He closed his eyes and groaned slightly, feeling a bit woozy, but within moments his spell had activated and his mind was forced to clear and remain conscious. Wosret wiped sweat from his brow as he got to twenty five. He was over half finished and Ahmose had yet to scream. But Wosret was determined. He swung the whip again, putting all the force he could muster into it and the lash fell, stretching from his high left shoulder to his right hip, cutting into the fabric of his sash. Ahmose’s eyes flew wide open and he threw his head back, unable to hold back a scream of pain.

“HYAAAAAH!!!”

“Heh.... Finally......” Wosret growled, and brought the whip down again.

“AAAAH!!!” Ahmose cried, straining against the ropes around his wrists, and Wosret watched in satisfaction as blood trickled down the sorcerer’s arms. Ahmose’s eye teeth bit through the leather strap in his mouth and cut into his lower lip, causing blood to flow from there as well.

“Twenty seven....” Wosret sneered. And the lashes continued to fall, and Ahmose continued to scream out in his pain. “Twenty eight.... Twenty nine..... Thirty.... Thirty one...... Thirty two..... Thirty three....... Thirty four..... Thirty five......”

“Ten more....” Ptahshepses was whispering to his Pharaoh, who was shaking and crying into his shoulder. “Only ten more.”

“YAAAAH!!! AAH!! EEYAAAAAARH!!!! N-NO!!!” Ahmose suddenly cried as the count reached thirty nine. The leather strip that had gagged him fell to the sand; Ahmose had bitten right through it. “GODS!!! STOP!!!” And Yugioh turned his tear filled eyes back to Ahmose, who was staring at the sky through his own pained tears. “PLEASE!!! NYAAAARH!!!” And then he clenched his eyes shut and bowed his head again, shoulders shaking in dry sobs.

“Only five more...” The judge said, turning to the Pharaoh.

“Stop it now!” Yugioh gasped, shaking his head.

“Only five more.” The judge repeated.

“HYYAAAAAAH!!!” Ahmose screamed.

“Forty one!”

“YAAAAAHHHH!!”

“Forty two!” Wosret continued to call out each strike, sweat pouring down his face.

“GAAAAH!!!!”

“Forty Three!!!”

“AAH!! PLEASE!!!”

“Forty four!!!”

“YAAARH!!”

“Forty Five!”

“Thank the gods....” Yugioh breathed, letting his head fall forwards as the last lash was called.

“GYYAAAH!!!!”

“Forty six!”

“WHAT?!” Yugioh shouted looking up, and the judge leapt to his feet.

“AAARH!”

“Forty seven!”

“Stop!” The judge shouted, but he was not heard over the noise of the crowd that had risen in volume as the final lashes were struck.

“HYAAAH!!”

“Forty eight!!”

“N-NO!! ENOUGH! PLEASE!! HAAA!!!” Ahmose screamed.

“Forty nine!”

“GODS!! NO!! HELP!! ANUBIS, PLEASE–EEEYAAAH!!!”

“Fifty!!”

“SOMEONE DO SOMETHING!!!” Yugioh screamed.

“ENOUGH!!!” A voice thundered, and everything stopped. “HE HAS HAD ENOUGH!!!” A deep voice issued from Ahmose. Everyone stared in silence as a dark mist swirled around his body. He lifted his head and stood, turning slightly. His eyes were solid black. “MY SERVANT HAS SUFFERED ENOUGH. THE MASTER OF MY TEMPLE WILL BE RELEASED. HIS MISDEEDS HAVE BEEN PAID FOR TWICE OVER. HE HAS MY FORGIVENESS AND MY BLESSINGS. AND HE IS TO HAVE YOURS AS WELL. RELEASE HIM.” And just as suddenly as it had come, the entity was gone.

Ahmose’s eyes returned to normal, but they rolled back into his head and he dropped to his knees again with a pained moan. The mist around him swirled faster, then all went for his back. It sunk into many of his wounds, and they closed and vanished, but a few remained. Then the mist swirled onto his back between the shoulder blades and a black fire burned into existence. In moments, it had burned away leaving a black mark on his back; the shape of a jackal’s head within a crescent moon shape, and below it, a small ahnk. Then, all was quiet, and the sorcerer didn’t move. Yugioh was the first to move. He leapt from the platform and ran to Ahmose, dropped to his knees beside him and called to him, frantically.

“Y-Yugi...?” Ahmose moaned, slowly looking up. “I... I passed out....”

“N-No....” Yugioh gasped, shaking his head, eyes wide. “You were.... Possessed.....”

“What?”

“Your back....”

“I.... I can’t feel it....” Ahmose breathed, closing his eyes in exhaustion. “Or my... Arms....” Yugioh blinked.

“R-Release him... RELEASE HIM!!!” He screamed, and a guard ran forward and cut Ahmose loose. The sorcerer immediately slumped into Yugioh’s arms. “AND ARREST WOSRET!!! NOW!!” He did not pay attention to the struggle between Wosret and the guards. “Come on, Ahmose... Jono will heal you....” Ahmose did not answer; he had fallen deep into unconsiousness.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ahmose lay on his stomach in his bed, in a deep, healing sleep. Jono had just finished tending to Ahmose’s back. There were only fourteen slashes left out of the fifty, one for each murder he had committed, and the black mark of Anubis between his shoulder blades. Jono was shaking his head, and Yugioh looked at him.

“The wounds did not heal.” He said, softly, and Jono nodded as he finished bandaging Ahmose’s back.

“I know. He doesn’t want me to heal them... I think he feels he deserves it.”

“He does think that.” Yugioh said. “What about the mark....”

“Anubis. Isn’t it obvious. When Wosret kept going, Ahmose cried out to him.... And he came. He healed Ahmose’s wounds, all but these. I’m no High Priest, Pharaoh Atemu, but I think that Anubis wants these wounds to scar... He wants Ahmose to bear the marks for the lives he had taken. As for the Mark... Only Anubis knows what that means.... But for now, Ahmose only needs rest. I will retire now.”

“Yes. Thank you, Jono.” Yugioh said, and watched him leave. He sighed and looked down at Ahmose’s pale face, and lay beside him.

“Ahmose... You are too hard on yourself....” He whispered. “You did not deserve that.....” And he gently kissed the sleeping sorcerer, then cuddled up to him and drifted to sleep...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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