A/N: Ahem! So… New chapter story… Um… (ignores glares from readers since she didn't finished her other stories)…It's placed after Yami decided that Seth should stay as Pharaoh in ancient Egypt (the arc story). So… read to find out more! And please comment on it whether you like it or not. I like good criticism. I am trying to make my writing better. And if you see glaring grammatical errors, please notify me.

NOTICE: Since I was lacking in characters, Shizuka and Katsuya are not brother and sister in this story.

NOTICE2:I don't know in what town was seated Atem and his helpers so I just put this one on random.

Review please!

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~War cannot win, only peace can~

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Chapter one

Sun was high in the sky, casting its warm rays upon citizens of Alexandria. The city itself was semi ruined because of the recent events. But citizens were the brave ones- they stood their ground no matter what came in their way. Destroyed buildings for them meant- new and better ones to be built and after almost World collapsing, little ruined houses seemed like child's game.

And they were encouraged by their Pharaoh. He wasn't a person who socializes too much, but he knows when he needs to give his people moral support, and he is doing that almost every day. People of Alexandria and Egypt were very proud that they were that who they were- proud people of magnificent Egypt.

Said Pharaoh had his hands full right now- the Diplomat that was sent in Roman Empire for trade negotiation sent him a letter where he states that he is worried for well-being of Egypt. Romans knew that Egypt went through difficult period and it seemed that they wanted to take that as opportunity to attack and rob Egypt, which made Pharaoh very angry. When he got that message, his personal assistants couldn't talk to him next few days out of fear of him. He was enraged. And that's where this story begins…

Door were slammed open with such power that nearby vases fell on the floor and shattered into million pieces. Enraged Pharaoh stomped through the chamber, deep frown settled on his face with no sign that it will leave that place any time soon. It was heard repressed growl and few servants that were whipping floor stood up quickly and gathered their things and moved from Pharaohs way.

"Seth, please calm down" said person who entered the chamber soon after the Pharaoh but in very much calmer way. Said Pharaoh turned and glared at that person:

"To calm down? You say to me…" he turned fully now towards the other person in the room "to calm down…" piercing him with death glare "after all that I heard!?"

Man winced at the tone that last words were pronounced. He backed away slowly until his back had hit the door behind him.

"I just want to say that if you are that mad and enraged you cannot do things properly. Only clear mind can bring good resolutions and decisions and that's-"

Man was cut off: "And did I ask for your opinion!? Because I already knew that!"

Green eyes from the other man dared to look up at his Pharaoh, who was pacing up and down in chamber, trying to collect his thoughts. Man sighed mentally as he saw that his lord was calming down… he was still mad, but not to an extent to kill every living being.

Man brought up his hand and scratched back of his head, sighing a bit. That little movement got attention of certain fuming Pharaoh. Green eyes widened and he gulped. Pharaoh crossed his arms and closed his eyes, moving slowly towards the other man in the room:

"So let me get this straight…Otogi…" said Pharaoh barely audibly, which made the other only more nervous "… you think that we should reconnect ties with our long lost friends, the Dark Elves?"

Otogi shifted. That was probably not good idea to suggest to young Pharaoh, but it was the only thing that he could think of. Besides, it was said that power of the Dark Elves were in constant growth, but no one knew why.

"I am only suggesting that. People talk that their magical power increased to such intensity that it is hard to imagine. Just think about all the things that we could learn from them. Not to mention steal…" Otogi smirked. And regretted. Because in next moment there was fist slammed in the door, very dangerously close to his head.

"I will not allow such shameless deed. You dare steal something from them, anything at all, I don't care if you are my cousin-I swear I'll bury you alive." Pharaoh growled out and moved from intimidated green-eyed man. He wondered what could've have happened to him if Seth was serious and really punched him. He would probably fly through closed door.

Otogi returned his attention to the Seth, who was now approaching table in the middle of the room. He watched as other fumbled through scrolls and papyruses. Otogi crossed his arms and leaned fully on the door.

It was frightening- the thing that Roman Empire wanted to do. Well, frightening for Egyptians. To declare war on weakened state is, in Otogi's opinion, act of a coward. A coward that has no guts to attack the country in its full power and shine. There was no doubt that Seth could bring Egypt in that state, moreover, people believed that it would be golden period of Egypt. It seemed that whatever former High Priest did, it ended up profitable for the country. And they were proud to have that kind of Pharaoh.

Otogi sighed and closed his eyes- reconnecting ties with Dark Elves is a very risky stunt. A move of a desperate man. And the people of Egypt were desperate, if they could say that. Otogi would give up anything just not to come in contact with Dark Elves again. They gave off some eerie aura that made his blood freeze and hair on nape of his neck stand up. He shuddered. He was thinking if it was wise to suggest such a risky stunt to Seth, knowing that the other went only for that what he is sure that he can claim and do.

Otogi's attention was returned towards Seth as he heard quill screeching over papyrus. He frowned.

"Call a messenger Otogi."

Otogi's eyes widened: "You are not serious Seth!?"

Blue eyes looked up and glared the other occupant in the room who looked baffled at his words. Seth frowned:
"First you suggest reconnecting ties with them and now you don't want that?" he asked mildly amused. Otogi's mind always amused him to some extent, considering that green-eyed man is very contradictory person.

Otogi sputtered: "But… I thought…"

"What you thought of this and what I think of this is meaningless" Seth said and leaned back in his chair. He entwined fingers under his chin and looked sternly at Otogi: "The only thing that is important now is that we keep this country and these people safe and out of Roman's grasp. And I will go to any length to do that. I will not gamble with lives that Atem left me to take care of and if saving their lives means teaming up again with Dark Elves… so be it."

Otogi sighed and looked at the floor. He then nodded and exited the room.

"Messenger left your Highness. What are your further orders, sir?" man crouched in front of Seth. He sighed:

"Tell to send out few more messengers to the board patrol. We cannot be sure what movements will be pulled against us from any country, not only Roman Empire."

Guard bowed his head again: "Yes, your Highness. Anything else that you need my Pharaoh?" Seth shocked his head and waved with his hand to dismiss the guard, who sprinted off with the message.

Seth turned around and walked down the stone path of the veranda. He crossed his arms as he looked at the slowly setting sun and he leaned on the stone fence. He looked at the pendant in his hand. The golden, little cartouche with few engraved hieroglyphs shone brightly towards Seth. He sneered: "Now you want to mock me, huh Atem?" He huffed and looked at the Sun again: "You saved your petty little ass and left me here to handle your unfinished business." He looked at the cartouche again and frowned: "It is very easy to put responsibilities for someone else to handle them, I know that." He chuckled mockingly and shocked his head: "What am I doing? Arguing with cartouche and losing? Pathetic." He stood straight and stretched. He sighed deeply and entered the palace, not wanting to think about tomorrow, just wanting to get to his bed and get good, relaxing sleep that will calm his nerves. Maybe then he'll understand the move that he just made…

Light hum of the water made him sleepy and no matter how much he strained himself to stay awake, it was totally impossible. Stone divan, covered with silky sheets in colors of red and purple, was seated beside big fountain and had bunch of silky pillows scattered on it and on floor beside it. The stone from which was water falling down in basin, was high about two meters. On each of its curve it had little light-violet crystal whose slight glow was the only thing that was giving light in big, dark stone room. Room was round and on its walls had beautiful vines and from the ceilings hanged thin layers of curtains in dark blue and violet colors.

Person on the divan yawned again and he blinked few times, looking at the fountain a bit dazedly. Natural warm, brown eyes had interesting shade of violet in them as he was staring at the light violet, almost white crystals. He hummed some low and slow melody to himself, which wasn't helping him to actually stay awake. Moreover, it made him fall asleep that much faster. He was thrown out of his dazed state as someone's shoes clicked on stone outside his lounge. His eyes averted from fountain to the person that was standing on the entrance door of the room.

Blue eyes stared at him seriously as her auburn hair matched her long dress that was touching the floor. Her golden sandals glowed faintly from weak light of the crystals. She tapped her foot impatiently and crossed her arms on her chest. "Katsuya, I have been told that you were studying. I don't see that you are studying, though."

Long-haired blonde gave her smile and showed at crystals: "I'm studying them." He chuckled a bit and then sat normally instead of lounging on the divan. His long hair fell over his shoulders and back, covering him almost completely. His red dress was brought up all the way to his knees as the male crossed his legs and leaned back on his hands. He gave cheeky smile to the girl and asked: "And what are you doing Shizuka?"

She sighed and smiled back: "I came to call you up. Mistress is waiting for you. It seems that we have a job" she shrugged and exited the room.

Katsuya stared after girl that he knew from the day he was born. She had five years when he came to the world and she always 'took care' of him. Even now, when he is 17, she still tends to treat him like kid, on which Katsuya could only huff. He stood up and stretched; hair that was in front of his body fell on his back and reached to his waist. He yawned and headed towards the Hall of the Intrigue.

He hated that Hall- no matter how long he lived in Darlaan- Hall of the Intrigue was the creepiest place of all places in the palace or the city. Even Blood Memorial with all those blood-thirsty Maidens didn't creped him out like this Hall. He respected the place because of its unbelievable powers but if he didn't need to be there he wouldn't be there.

He passed by Palace of Shadows and saw Shizuka picking up some stuff and talking to the Matriarchs that were there. His 'guardian' was Shadow Mistress, one of few women that managed to absorb real powers from Ritual Pit. It was quite a feat for her to do something like that since she was pretty laid back sorceress that didn't cared about powers. Her feat was rewarded with necklace that she never takes of- Necklace of the Lion- which gave her unbelievable strength, something that young woman never had. He smiled when he remembered the coronation. He was fourteen back then. It passed three years since then.

He always wondered if he was outside of some building or inside. His town was deep underground in the mountains and all around them were rocks. He looked up at the big crystals that were hanging in the air. They weren't attached to anything and they glowed in all shades of violet, purple and white. He loved his town. It gave him some feeling of security when he was here and not on some boring mission that he must give his life just to do it.

He heard steps behind him and he looked over his shoulder. It was one of his rare friends here, aside from Shizuka.

"I haven't seen you around 'prince'" Katsuya sneered in response: "Well, you know me. People need me." Newcomer snickered and punched lightly blonde's shoulder: "That's the spirit." They both laughed and Katsuya shocked his had at the brunette's antics,

"Anyways, what are you doing here Honda?" blonde asked. Man sighed: "Two words- Hissing Cavern." Katsuya chuckled: "Deep Hydras again huh?" Brunette groaned: "Please don't remind me. I hate them. I don't even know why we need them. What about you?" Blonde gave him significant stare and brunette chuckled: "Hall huh? Bad luck." Blonde rolled his eyes and turned left, separating from brunette: "Tell me about it" he added.

He entered the Entity Corridor and shuddered. He hated this corridor along with Hall of Intrigue since the corridor was leading directly to Hall. He glanced at the statues of women- they had their hands in front of them and on their hands danced weak, purple fire. He sighed and looked in front of himself and groaned as he saw the door of the Hall. He approached them and placed his hand on them. He looked at the ground and closed his eyes, like he was trying to remember something. He looked up and pushed the door open.

As soon as he stepped inside he felt chill crawling up and down his spine. He shuddered and looked around this eerie room- there were thousands of shelves in the room, all of them placed in the circles. All of them were full with books and bottles. There were few steps towards the center of the room where was seated a two-faced mirror. The mirror itself didn't looked like it was something special, but there was the catch about it that Katsuya didn't like- whoever is near it-cannot lie. No matter how many times Katsuya tried to fool the mirror and say some lie, it would just glow and made smashing noise and threw him backwards. Katsuya needed weeks after that to heal his wounds and bruises from all that falling and smashing in the wall.

In the middle of the room was woman, looking herself in the mirror. She had cape over her eyes but Katsuya didn't need to see her face to know who that was. He despised that woman and he was sure that whenever she opens her mouth she says a lie. There was something about the way she was acting that made Katsuya burn with desire to bury her alive or apply her in the Ritual pit.

His eyes widened as he heard small chuckle: "My, Katsuya, I cannot believe that you still don't know to fool this mirror. Such a shame." He frowned and stepped closer. He knew that she sensed vibes of hatred that his body and thoughts let out. He let out a huff: "You called me?" He didn't even bother to hide his annoyance and since he was from royal courts, he didn't need to talk with her formally as others did. Woman sighed and turned around, piercing him with her purple eyes: "My, you are as bratty as the first day I met you. Still no respect for your superiors" she sighed in mock disappointment. Katsuya rolled his eyes: "Please, if someone is superior here, it's me. Now, on to the business." That sentence got him glare with slight flick of red in purple eyes but he didn't change his attitude just because their 'great leader' has chosen to act bitchy today.

"We got message from Egypt." She turned around and looked herself in the mirror again. Katsuya scowled- it was rear for Egyptians to contact them… not after what happened 400 years ago. Katsuya crossed his hands: "What they want?" Women ran her hand up and down on the sides of mirror and said: "They want to bury war axes with us and to set up alliance. They are offering also their magic to be learned as long as we share ours. And they are bringing us the news that the Roman Empire wants to crush not only Egypt but everything on this land as well… including us. That's why are they proposing alliance in first place." She turned to him. "To defend themselves from the raid of the Romans" she said. She looked him in the eyes: "And you are going to go to Egypt yourself and decline their offer with attacking them."

Katsuya's eyes widened. "Are you totally out of your mind?!" he spat out. She glared at him: "Watch it bra-""We are not going to decline!" Katsuya yelled. Her eyes widened and she yelled: "They betrayed us! We are not going to make up alliance with betrayers! I will not allow it." Katsuya glowered: "I don't give a fuck what happened 400 years ago nor do I care what you allow or not! These people need help and I will not allow you to attack them. Nor will I go myself to destroy them!" Woman gasped: "How dare you to oppose me!" Katsuya spat out: "I will as long as you make selfish decisions! Don't you know through what they went few months ago?! They saved not just theirs but our asses as well!"

Hall of Intrigue hollered with their screams. There was such killing intent in Katsuya's eyes that woman never knew that it existed. It seemed that he will put her on fire just with fiery look in his eyes, but that didn't mean that she will allow such foolish move, like making pact with Egypt, to happen.

"Don't make me throw you in jail for your insolence brat! You will listen to me!" She swung her hand and threw white ball at him, making him fly backwards and crush in shelves. He groaned and sat up: "Are you insane!? Why did you attacked me for!?" Woman glared: "As I said you will not oppose me. Now get your stuff and be ready in two hours to head towards Egypt! Now go!" she turned her back to him.

Katsuya now knew something for sure- he despised this woman from bottom of his heart. He stood up and slammed the door open and then slammed them shut. He stalked down hurriedly towards the center of the city and leaned over the edge of stone fence. He groaned- there was army at the exit of the town- from every division at least two thousand. He clenched his fists- he will not allow Maii to do as she planned. He felt that he was smirking and he chuckled a bit- after all, the one that army truly loves and respect is him after all. He turned around and saw Honda setting up his own little black horse. He chuckled and approached him. The other man looked up and gave him shaky smile: "I don't like that look on your face." Katsuya smirked: "Set up more army to come with us. We will need them. I, on the other hand, need to talk with one person before we go." He gave Honda significant look and walked away. Honda knew that look and he didn't know whether to like it or not.

TBC…

A/N: So yeah… we have Seth or Seto as a Pharaoh YAY! Don't ask about Otogi *lolz* or about Mai -.-' I didn't know who else to put. I'll try to update soon… I hope you like it and PLEASE review!