In The Beginning
"Tadal", the Pharaoh spoke sternly and raised a smooth hand in silence. His deep voice boomed off the high ceilings. "I appreciate that you are my most loyal and trusted advisor, but I do not need a champion".
His head fell in submission, he shouldn't push the Pharaoh too far. His power was infinite, his wisdom was boundless. The young man, his Pharaoh, Atem, was like a son to him, and he couldn't consider himself a loyal servant if he didn't try to protect him in any way he could. Especially since his father was no longer here to guide him… With a deep breath, Tadal continued his protest.
"Pharaoh, please. With your immeasurable power, it's only a matter of time before someone comes for you. You are truly skilled with Shadow Monsters, of this, I have no doubt, but not everyone fights with honour. What if…" he trailed off, he couldn't bring himself to say it. "We've lost Mahad, what if someone else comes, and you are left defenceless?"
The light material of his headdress brushed across his face as he bowed to his ruler, it was a comfort against his cheek. When the silence was too much, he lifted his head.
The Pharaoh looked down at him, the way only a ruler of a great nation could. His face gave away nothing. His lips were pursed shut and his nostrils flared in anger.
Tadal suddenly realised he had overstepped his boundary.
The Pharaoh's lavender eyes narrowed in annoyance at the petulant old man that he was. It had only been a short time since Mahad had been sealed away. Whereas the kingdom was still loyal to their Pharaoh, without Mahad to protect him and with the battles they had recently faced, their inner circle got smaller and smaller. And there was more at stake than just the Pharaoh, something that was more precious to Tadal than life itself. He was not willing to take a chance. Atem's father was his best friend and he was his most trusted advisor, he promised he would care for the boy as if he were his own.
Tadal readied himself, this was his last attempt to plead his case and get an agreement. "Please forgive me for speaking out of turn", he straightened, hoping to look more confident than he sounded, to remind him how he served him, and his father before him with the utmost loyalty. Now, Tadal was looking ever-so-slightly down on him. "Atem, you are my Pharaoh. I flatter myself that I can think of you also as my friend. I took a vow to serve you, with my last breath. I only want what is best for you. If something bad were to happen… Who would protect the people? It is not enough that you have me and the rest of the guardians. It's not enough even to have your royal guards. You need someone close to you, someone to be with you, always."
The Pharaoh turned his back on Tadal and began to walk away. Flaming torches lit the golden corridor and magnificent statues of the ever-watching Gods and Beasts stood proud in the palace.
He watched the tall, slender young man move. His shadow grew longer and longer as he walked past each torch. His spiked hair gave him a startling silhouette.
Tadal hung his head in shame, he had failed to persuade him. He had failed as a father.
Then the Pharaoh spoke over his shoulder, in his deep authoritative tone. "Very well, Tadal. I accept your premise and permit preparations for this tournament to begin".
His head snapped up and a long smile grew across his aging face. "Thank you, my Pharaoh. You won't regret this."
Tadal never heard the Pharaoh mutter under his breath as he walked away.
"I had better not."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone