Yugioh Atem, The Foreign Guard

Chapter 13

The blaring of trumpets and the beat of drums shouted into the air as the grand front gates to the palace creaked open, giving view to the town. Citizens lined the street cheering and celebrating as the litter started to march to the center of the market. Musicians walked ahead first, then soldiers dressed in their best linens and armor in strict formation. Behind them they drug Bakura who looked to have a few more bruises than when Atem had first seen him. On an elaborately decorated palanquin, laid Amani, a sword in one hand and an ankh in the other, the lion skin still on. On Hisan, Atem rode behind her staring straight ahead.

   Behind him was the high-king Priest holding a lit torch muttering out prayers along with other priests. To close off the procession was another flock of guards and musicians. The sky seemed to reflect the events about to happen as orange and red hues painted the space.

   The town center was crowded full of people shouting both cheers and cursings. He could understand why his people were celebrating, but it sat bitterly on his tongue. At the sight of them the crowd parted, geering at Bakura who smiled and laughed back. Guards captured his arms and tied him back to the post at the center. Atem dismounted and walked to where he was, the high-king priest behind him. "O' he who is permanently benign and youthful, Lord of silence I pray to thee and thy great works-" He started his prayers in a soft tone as Bakura laughed over him.

   "I'd be best to save your breath, it looks like you won't have much left. I know that I won't need them with my body here in ashes. But I need not a body for my Ba will never leave the mortal plane! My Ren will be eternal, for it is inscribed in your very hearts and the earth Egypt sits upon! My Sheut will forever rest inside yours Pharaoh." He spit out the word like it was poison. "You can never be rid of me."

   "-Anubis son of Ra and Hesat be guideful in my ministry." The High-King Priest finished his prayer and looked at Bakura with sad eyes. Passing the torch to the guard he turned his back to Bakura mumbling more prayers, it was against his teachings to light the flame. The crowd stilled to a deathly quiet as the guard lit the surrounding wood ablaze, the wood had been soaked in beer to catch quicker. The small fire spread quickly and started inching closer to Bakura. When the first lick touched his feet he didn't make a sound, but by the second one a pained cry strangled from his mouth. The crowd erupted in shouts as Bakura started screaming.

Bakura thrashed in a pained and enraged manner, mouth spewing profanity with crazed eyes. "Where are your followers? Won't they come help you?" A man close to the fire said laughing up at him. "You killed my son you wretch! I hope you die slowly!" A woman said, throwing a stone at his chest. So many others shouted out at him and what his deeds did to them, the true thoughts of his people coming to the surface.

   Heavy clouds of smoke started to rise as the fire picked up, the flames now up to his knees. Atem could see Amani in the corner of his eye standing silent and still as she watched him burn, lost in the moment. "Curse you! Curse you pharaoh and your pet!" Bakura screeched out in agony, at his shins a thin layer of skin could be seen peeling away.

   "May you never be together in this world or the next, may the demons take my flesh as payment and kill all you hold dear! May Set eat you whole, the devourer swallow your black heart!" The fire wrapped around his chest causing his skin to tighten all over his body, his haunting screams rising above the crowd.

   "You hurt thousands of people, they now cry out for your blood! There is no escape Bakura, there never was." Amani shouted beside him. "I would have drunk your blood myself but this sates me just as well. I will drink my blood here and be merry with you screams as my music!" She raised her cup to her lips, never breaking her gaze on the flames. Atem could have mistaken her as more than just a hoax but the real goddess of power and terror.

   Atem looked around the scene. Villagers in a crazed uproar, Priests turned away from the carnage muttering chants, plumes of heavy smoke rising into the air from the searing fire, the agonising screams from it's captor who's hair had burned away and eyes boiling to the liquid that fell on his cheeks. The skin was starting to crack as red showed through, fat melting, stirring the fire on. He had never seen such a horrid sight, not even in the cave after Bakura's capture. Atem was certain he'd never forget the image, not tomorrow and not when he lay on his deathbed. He felt a strong urge to return home or at least to turn away as the priests did.

   But instead he held his ground. He sentenced Bakura to this fate, he would stay till he died. The screams from the man started coming out strangled as though his air started to cut off. The crowd must have noticed as well for they quieted to hear his laboured breathing. Bakura let out a piercing shriek into the sky, shooting Atem to his core as Bakura finally stilled. The crowd burst out into cheers, throwing their fists in the air and hugging loved ones. Atem paid them no mind as he turned away to Hisan and mounted.

"Make sure nothing remains but ash, then have the ashes dumped in the Nile, I want no person to touch the rubble." He spoke to a group of guards who stayed behind as the procession made their way back to the palace, the curtains on Amani's palanquin now closed.

-

Once in the courtyard not a person spoke as people disbanded and servants took horses and  palanquin. Motioning Amani to follow him, he headed to his chambers, along the way he told a servant to bring jugs of wine. Collapsing on a group of pillows in a corner, Atem motioned her to sit beside him and waited in silence till a knock came to the door and wine was brought in. After downing one cup Atem poured himself another and cleared his throat.

"Do you wish to speak of it?" She shook her head and Atem nodded, he honestly didn't wish to either. Something about it sat wrong with him, Bakura's screams echoing through his mind; he took another drink.

"About what you said earlier, about marriage, I wouldn't say no to enter courtship with you." Her eyes disappeared in her cup, reaching for the jug to refill it. "I have thought of it, you're a wonderful man Atem, my Pharaoh. I cannot imagine you with another. I know as a wife-less young ruler the matter is being pressed upon you and the thought of you courting the brainless dolts who flung themselves upon you at the festival leaves a bitter taste in my mouth." She spoke to the wall avoiding his eyes. Atem set down the wine and moved towards her, the action finally drawing her eyes to him.

"I find it endearing you are envious of the noble's daughters, you should know that they pale in comparison to you. Eyes brighter than the sky, skin richer than night." He held a hand to her face and stole a kiss, the taste of wine on her lips. "Be mine Amanishaketo, I promise to give you the world."

She smiled and kissed him again, nodding. "Yes. But I already have the world, it sits in front of me now." Taking hold of her hand he took a ring off his littlest finger and tested it on hers till it fit perfectly on her middle.

"For now, to show you are mine. You can show it to all in the castle and Nobles for it holds my cartouche, you will have access wherever you please. Thank you Amani." She looked at the ring for a moment before looking back at him with light clear in her eyes.

"No need for thanks, I would be a thousand times an idiot to say no." Leaning on his chest, Atem let out a satisfied sigh.

The moment was perfect, the horrific moment that transpired far out of their minds as they thanked the Gods of their fortune. Not a single person stirred save for the rising and falling of bosoms in a rhythmic pattern. As the wine lured them into a heavy sleep, the two grew close on the bed of pillows and rugs and as the chill of night settled in, it was left unnoticed by the new found lovers. Not a care for tomorrow went by them as this moment was all that was needed.