Legend: Other Half: (Monogatari Zatsuyou Han)

“Atemu.” She choked out, “Get the High Priest, and Saimun.” she rasped out. Atemu flinched but nodded, darting off. He soon returned with said people, both of whom who looked like ghosts, they had gone so white.

The High Priestess finally collapsed onto Ashiako's bedside, tears starting to form.

“Ashiako,” She whispered forcefully, “Is dying.”

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Chapter Three:

“.......You lie.......” The High Priest hissed. The Priestess swung her head around to glare at him venomously.

“Lie? Know your place, Priest, before making such accusations. I do know such things. I only wish the best for the Pharaoh, you of all people should know such a thing.” she hissed back. Seth merely narrowed his cold blue eyes, them flickering over to gaze the the prone figure.

The doors then burst open at that moment, making the people in the room nearly jump out of their own skin.

“For Ra's sake, warn us next time!” Isis roared, not caring who it was she was yelling at. The figure that burst through was panting hard, as if running.

“...Saimun?” she asked questioningly. The elder man gasped out,

“Throne room.......chaos......arguing.....Council...” he managed. Seth widened his eyes and dashed out, Atemu on his heels.

They threw open the doors to the throne room, outraged to see the High Council arguing loudly over something. It looked as if they were going to throw punches any second.

“That is enough!” Atemu roared. They immediately stilled, their eyes swiveling to see the young Prince.

“This is none of your business, Prince!” One snapped. Crimson eyes flashed in anger.

“None of my business?” he hissed in outrage, “I believe it is my business. Or is it not stated in our law that once the current Pharaoh is incapacitated that the next in line were to take their place when convenient?”

They blinked at him stupidly.

“Back to your posts, the lot of you. It seems as if my sister has been too soft on her judgments.” he murmured the last bit.

The High Priest was rooted to his spot, he could not believe that the young Prince had asserted such notions, after being so dependent on the High Priest to take care of his duties. He shuddered. He truly hated to think what would happen once the young boy finally ascended the throne.

Placing himself in the high chair, he glared at the Council who now had the, 'deer in the headlights' expression on their faces.

“Now, if someone would be so kind as to explain to me what the argument was for?” he asked calmly. They all looked at each other rather sheepishly, before one brave soul walked forward, and bowed low.

“My Prince....., it seems as if there is a new evil upon us. The Shadow Realm is out of control. However, an idea was brought out to solve the issue,” he paused, not sure if he should continue, “My Lord, I am not sure, but are you aware of the legendary Millennium items?” he asked, his eyes now gleaming as the boy shook his head.

“ENOUGH!” Seth roared, causing Atemu to jump in his seat.

“We are not condoning ourselves to such lowlife activity as those....those things. While myself, Atemu, and the Pharaoh are in power, there will be no such talk of something that is so forbidden. Black magic, you ask us to make!” he hissed. The Council member flinched.

“No, my Lord..” he stuttered. Seth snorted.

“Atemu may know not of the history, but I do well enough. And I also know that in order to create these items of black magic, you would need to sacrifice something so intelligent, powerful, dominent. In other words, our people.” he spat, “For magic of such strength, we would need to sacrifice a great number of people, most likely the size of a small village.” he finished, hearing the boy next to him gasp.

“Yes, we are well aware of that fact, Priest,” one of the higher members said, stepping forward, “However, we have a solution to that problem as well.” he said grinning, seeing the Priest look at him like he had grown an extra arm,

“Prisoners,” The man stated matter-of-factly, “Thieves, lowlifes that deserve to be killed for their impudence. The village of Kul Elna would be an ideal choice of such.” he finally said. The Prince suddenly shot up from his seat, mists of black shadows seemingly starting to erupt from his small body. Seth backed away slowly, his body in complete shock.

“Leave those people alone,” Atemu said in a voice not his own, “They thieve only to live. They are living, and breathing, just like the rest of us here. Also, the Thief King is present among those people. Do you wish to kill a man who's freedom was justified by a descendant of a god?” he whispered. The man flinched, but didn't back down.

“The fact that the woman freed him makes no difference to us, he is still a thief and one who deserves to be punished!” he cried. His mouth then opened in a scream as the shadows from the young Prince finally took form and launched themselves to the man.

“Do not speak of my sister in such a manner, Priest Ahkunadin. From this day hereforth, you are suspended from your position on my Council, and will be sent to be confined in your bed chambers.” Atemu said angrily. Turning sharply on his heel, he left, the shadows choosing to stay behind in the Throne room.

The High Priest picked up his jaw and ran after him, not caring what happened behind him.

“Atemu!” he called after the young Prince, watching the lavender cloak flow and pick up dust behind him.

“Not now, cousin.” Atemu said softly. Seth sighed.

“What happened?” he finally asked as they came into the healing chambers again. Atemu raked a hand through his spiky hair, sitting down next to his still sister.

“I do not know. I just felt this uncontrollable rage build up inside me....” he trailed off, his gaze shifting to the young Pharaoh.

“....the Kingdom is falling, Sire..” Seth finally said. Atemu growled low in his throat, his scarlet eyes darkening.

“I know, cousin. It would take a miracle of Ra to save the capital.” Atemu whispered, gripping the soft warm hand on the bed.

“Seth.” he said quietly, causing the blue eyed man to raise an eyebrow at him, “I think it's time that I finally take my duties into my own hands.” he finally said, his crimson gaze still on the sleeping figure, ignoring the startled gasp of shock from behind him.

Seth opened and closed his mouth a few times, before swallowing hard.

“It is as you command, my Prince.” he finally said, standing, and taking his leave.

Atemu's eyes narrowed as he saw the pained tears roll down her face.

“Your pain will end soon, my Pharaoh...” he whispered, leaning forward to bury his face into her neck. He sighed softly, feeling the slowed pulse.

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Placing a cool, wet cloth onto her son's forehead and bare chest, he hissed out as the cold penetrated his warmed body.

“What has caused this pain, my child?” she asked quietly, watching his brown eyes glaze and unglaze over in an attempt to focus on reality.

“I....know not.....” The Thief King rasped out weakly. She sighed, re wetting the cloth and placing it back onto his forehead.

“Rest my child, for I shall find the answers you seek.” she finally said, cupping her son's face in her palms, and allowing her mind to enter his weakened one, carefully anchoring herself to the real world.


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Slipping on her royal gown, she pulled the sleeves up her slender arms, and tied the lace around her torso, that left her belly exposed. Clasping on the gold waist band, she took a deep breath, securing the half-shirt she wore that weaved into the ties.

“......My Pharaoh.” The High Priest called quietly.

“Enter, cousin” She said, not looking up from where she was getting dressed. She stiffened and then relaxed slowly as she felt a pair of safe, and secure arms wrap themselves around her waist.

“....I worry.” he finally whispered into her neck. She nodded once, her eyes closing.

“I can still take over your duties for you, Ashiako....if you still need rest.” he whispered again. She leaned into him, before opening her eyes and straightening.

Turning around in his arms, she cupped his face, wiping away a lone tear, and put on a brave smile.

“This I must do, my Priest,” she said softly, “It is my place as Pharaoh, for our family, kingdom..,” she paused again, “And a duty to myself.” she finally said, shifting out of his arms, turning on her heel, and heading out the double doors with her dark purple cloak flowing swiftly behind her.

Seth clenched his fists and bit back his tears, looking at the doors that swung shut. He managed a smirk.

The Kingdom may be falling....but the Pharaoh....truly was a Pharaoh.

End Chapter Three