Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. If it was, I'd be as rich as Seto Kaiba himself. (Well, probably not, but you get the idea…) And this fic is beta-read by Pamster. Thanks a lot to her for checking it and her advice.

Author's Note: This chapter is the final one. This was not designed to be a long fanfiction, so it'll be ended once you've read this chapter. Secondly, I don't feel that I have the energy or desire to turn this into a many multi-chaptered fanfiction when a small amount of chapters would do the job just fine. If I pushed it just to make more, it'd turn out bad.

Summary: Final chapter. On the night before Akunadin leaves to make the Sennen Items, he thinks about what he will be leaving behind.

-o-

Chapter 05: Creation

-o-

Five years later, things had taken a turn for the worse.

Attracted by the riches Kemet had on display for all to see, her neighbours had set her eyes on her with greed and jealousy in their minds. These riches had proved too much of a temptation for one of these countries, which had taken advantage of Kemet's various weaknesses. They were now waging war with her, and were intent on taking not only what they wanted but also the capital itself.

Back in Waset, Ain had been looking after Set when her husband had left her to go and attend the court, and she was starting to worry about her husband. Akunadin, as of late, had been working long into the night and he never told her what it was when he came back to their room. Instead, he played with Set for a while, if the boy was up, and then went to bed. It was strange; he was tired, but he always found time to be with their son. Furthermore, he had told her that what he was working on was too important he was forbidden to tell anyone else about, even her.

Ain was curious, of course, but she knew not to press any further on the matter. She had known that Akunadin would be busy dealing with what had happened as of late. This she had tried to explain to their son, who seemed to quietly accept it. Perhaps because of his age he was not fully capable of understanding.

Either way, Ain had an uneasy feeling about what could happen.

-o-

Meanwhile, as he was walking along a corridor located in the lowest floors of the palace, Akunadin recalled the things that his brother had said to him earlier. Not only was the palace occupied by the ever-present threat of the foreign army, his brother was still trying to be the beloved peacemaker. He had differed with his brother over how they would protect the country; he favoured meeting the threat head on, whilst Akunumkanon had rejected the use of violence and war.

Akunadin knew, however, that the foreigners who had their eyes on Kemet would have no such qualms.

Foreigners could not be trusted. That much he did know.

They needed a pre-emptive strike to neutralise the threat!

It is a shame my brother does not see that, Akunadin thought. But I shall not give up. Brother, you are wrong; hate may create hate, but we need war to protect our people and defend our way of life.

Due to what had happened, Akunadin had come to a decision. Since his brother was a representative of the Netjer and their light, then he would become his brother's shadow. It did not matter what he did in order to protect the country, even if he dirtied his hands with the blood of their enemies. As long as his brother, Set, Ain and the country itself could be saved, that was all that mattered.

Sighing as he stopped beside a wooden door, Akunadin frowned. But then he opened it and stepped into the room beyond. Placing the ancient book he had brought with him onto the table, he opened it and began to translate more of its passages. The others who were helping him in this endeavour were currently occupied.

He was so close. Just a little more, and he would have something with which he could protect the country.

-o-

Late at night several weeks later, Akunadin sighed to himself as he turned over to the next page in the spell book. Finally finished, after working on it almost non-stop, he was deep in thought about what information it had contained. There had been, thankfully, a way with which he could save the country. But the price of such a method was...

Akunadin thought about what was needed. People themselves were needed to create that with which he hoped to protect the country. Ninety-nine sacrifices were needed. He knew what this meant; ninety-nine people had to die so that everyone else may live.

Sadly, the prospect of their country being annihilated overtook the sacrifice of innocent life. Not only did he see this, but so did the others who were helping him to translate the book.

Suddenly, something came to Akunadin's mind.

"No, I cannot do that… can I?"

Gazing at where he had left the spell book, Akunadin paused. If he did it, and then returned home, the one to suffer would not only be him but also his family. He did not mind staining himself, but to do so to Set would be unfair and unacceptable. If he went there, then something told him he would not be coming back. At least not as the same man he was now.

Yet, he knew that desperate times called for desperate measures. No one cared for criminals.

"If I do this, then I shall have to inform my brother of my plans," Akunadin said, a thoughtful tone to his voice. He raised his chin to his linked hands and rested it there. "It is not as if I have a choice. The future of the kingdom depends on me creating these treasures. Therefore, Set must..."

"Akunadin?"

Turning around, Akunadin saw that he was being watched.

Seeing that one of the priests he was working on the translations with was standing at the door, Akunadin rose from the table. It was with a sigh that he headed over to the other man. Walking past him, he gave the man a glancing stare.

"It shall be done," Akunadin spoke.

Akunadin gazed at the other priest; seeing the man's eyes widen told him that his words had been understood. He was serious; the Sennen Items had to be created in order for their country, and families, to survive.

"What about the Per A'a?"

Akunadin frowned as he remained still by the door.

"Leave him to me. He does not need to know of the methods by which they shall be created, just that they will save his kingdom," he replied. "The knowledge of such a process will remain amongst ourselves."

The priest Akunadin was holding was soon left behind when Akunadin himself set off down the corridor. Now that he had taken a more detailed look at what he was doing, he could see that there was no other way to save Kemet. In order to save the country, he would have to give up his family and his position as the Per A'a's brother.

My brother will see that there is no choice and permit me to do what needs to be done.

Akunadin walked up a flight of stairs, all the while heading towards his brother's audience chamber. He could not help but feel somewhat bitter, but he put it to the side. He loved his brother. When put up against that, pride and prestige came second place.

I must make sure that he lets me do what I need to do. He is no fool; he shall see that there is no other option.

Looking ahead, seeing sunlight streaming in from the outside, he folded his arms and sighed.

Yet, nothing can change the fate we were born into. I just hope the Netjer favour Set more accordingly.

Arriving before the doors that led to where his brother resided, Akunadin paused. He gave the atrium one last glance before he turned on his heel and headed towards the doors, which were engraved with a myriad number of images.

It is time to do what needs to be done. Goodbye, Set.

Akunadin pushed the doors open and made his way up the hall to where his brother was seated on his throne. The guards that were present respectfully bowed their heads in honour of the Per A'a's younger brother as he passed them. Eventually, he reached Akunumkanon himself, who was seated on his throne and being talked to by Shimon. Those two seemed to be as thick as thieves at times. It was somewhat ironic he would use that expression, considering what he had in mind.

Akunumkanon gazed at his brother for several seconds before he finally spoke.

"Greetings, brother. What is it you wish of me?"

"Per A'a, I may have found a solution to our problem." Akunadin paused as Akunumkanon sat up in his chair. "We need to talk."

-o-

Akunadin pushed his loose hair back under his headdress, after which he gazed across at his brother, who was being silently contemplative over what he had just said. He had told Akunumkanon that himself and his fellow priests had finally translated the Book of Millennium Magic.

That now led him onto the main portion of his speech. Thankfully, his brother had sent the guards away. All that now remained were himself, his brother and Shimon.

"Now that I was finally able to translate the text, a way to save the country has been revealed to us," Akunadin spoke. He paused before continuing. "A part of the book detailed an alchemical process with which seven items can be made. Seven magical items with which we can protect this country."

"I see."

Akunadin gave his brother a look before he continued to speak. Instead of saying what he thought, he merely bowed his head, as most people did when confronted by the Per A'a.

"Yes. If I am successful in making the seven Sennen Items, we can strike at our enemies when they attack us, protect Kemet and bring peace to the kingdom. No one would dare strike at us ever again. However…"

Akunadin fell silent, and Akunumkanon leaned forward in his throne. He got the feeling his brother was hiding something from him. Yet, he soon received his answer.

"A ritual is required in order to facilitate their creation. Be rest assured, I have already made preparations and only await your approval," Akunadin continued.

Once finished with his speech, Akunadin waited for his brother to respond.

An uneasy silence fell upon the great hall. Akunadin continued to watch his brother, whose face showed that he was deep in thought about what he had just heard. Waiting for an answer, he thought about what he would be leaving behind: a wife, a son and his position. He then bowed his head, thinking his own thoughts.

Shimon, meanwhile, merely remained silent.

Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by the sound of movement.

Akunadin's head shot up from where it was bowed and he saw that his brother had arisen from his throne. There was a look of determination on the older brother's face that did not go unnoticed by his sibling.

"Akunadin," Akunumkanon began. "We have no choice; know that I believe in you. I count on you to succeed in your task. The entire future and destiny of Kemet lies upon your shoulders."

"Thank you, Per A'a." Akunadin bowed in response, and when he rose, he gazed into his brother's eyes. There was one more thing that he needed to do. "May I speak to you in private?"

"Of course. Make your preparations, and then come to my room later on this night. I shall be awake."

"Thank you. May I be permitted to leave?"

Seeing that he could answer in no other way, Akunumkanon nodded.

"Be safe, brother."

Akunadin nodded and bowed once more. Turning around, he felt Shimon and Akunumkanon's gaze upon his back as he walked down the stairs, leaving the two men behind him. Soon, upon reaching the doors that stood several long meters away, the black-haired man exited them. They were closed shut soon after by the waiting guards, who remained in place as Akunadin set off to his left.

Heading back towards his room, he did not look behind him. Once there, he opened the door and let himself inside. The first thing he saw was Ain sitting on a stool in the middle of the room. In front of her stood Set, who seemed to be aggrieved at the fact that he was having knots painfully combed out of his hair by his mother.

Before he knew it, Set was struggling and there was a small outburst before Set ran in his direction and hid behind him as Ain muttered something to herself.

"Set, go back to your mother."

Grabbing his son, moving himself so that he could do so, Akunadin hauled his son up by the scruff of his tunic and walked across the room. He deposited Set in front of Ain, who nodded to show her thanks as she began to brush Set's hair once more. This time, however, her son did not challenge her.

"Ain, are you happy here?" Akunadin suddenly asked.

"Yes, of course." Ain looked puzzled as to why she would be asked such a question. "Why do you ask?"

"It does not matter."

Akunadin silently made his way over to the balcony, which was further on past Ain. As he stepped outside, the first thing he thought about was how he would be leaving this entire scene and its people behind.

Gazing back at his son, Akunadin smiled. What he wanted now was to spend as much time as was possible with his family before he left.

In the end, perhaps his sacrifice would stop his son ending up like he had been; a servant, rather thana king.