Chapter Text
'Rise,' the priest announced.
Rise the people did.
Kaiba watched them, a serene look on his scarred face as a deshret was placed onto his head, appointing him as the new pharaoh of the Egyptian pantheon.
He hadn't actually expected to be one. Mikael was supposed to be the pharaoh. He was supposed to the last option. Well, maybe not last, that would probably be Inpu and Magnus.
Still, he just wasn't supposed to be the pharaoh.
Centuries of studies be damned, how could he have even deserved such a title with how cruel he has been?
Meri, Selma, his guards, Ashara, even Etzeli…
Gods, he missed them all so much. He had been such a fool!
Kaiba stared out at the crowd, standing tall in front of his new subjects. So many faces full of adoration. So many more full of apprehension.
Kaiba, son of Bast, Pharaoh of Egypt.
What a title that was…
~
Kaiba nodded wordlessly as another advisor slipped more proposals on his desk, the pile steadily rising. Here he was, dealing with the politics and the peace treaties while Mikael got to adventure and cull any threats. Between the two, he did prefer this, at least it meant his life wasn't actively on the line.
He glanced over at the calendar he stuck onto his wall. Two years already passed since he had left camp and taken on the title and its responsibilities.
It wasn't so bad, or so he told himself.
His advisors were taken from all parts of Egypt, giving him a wide range of opinions on how to rule. Kaiba appreciated their expertise greatly, though he wished they could agree on more policies.
He scanned the proposal he was currently reading, signing it off and putting it into the scant pile of approved papers. If he kept going at his current pace, he could take a day or two off and wander the streets. He wondered what changed since he last did that.
The cat demigod's musings were interrupted by a knock. Kaiba raised an eyebrow; none of the advisors had to knock, he made sure of that. Plus, the sound was much too annoying.
"Come in," he called out, tensing slightly.
To his surprise, a messenger flew in. A very familiar messenger. Kaiba hummed, pushing out of his seat and bowing to her.
"Hello, Nefeli, daughter of Hermes and messenger of the gods." He greeted, "I haven't seen you in some time, what brings you to the Egyptian realm?"
Nefeli bowed back, reaching into her satchel and placing a paper on his desk, "It's been a while, Kaiba. I'm just here to deliver a few marriage p-"
"More? Please, Inpu is already married to Bryan, surely they don't need another marriage to solidify an alliance between our two pantheons."
The daughter of Hermes only shrugged and gave him a small smile, "Well, I guess it never hurts to have more. It was nice seeing you again, Kaiba. I'll be going now."
Kaiba nodded at her, watching as the other zipped out of the room, door somehow not slamming behind her. Must be a Hermes thing.
The pharaoh sighed when he could no longer hear her, sifting through the alleged suitors.
Mors. Hm, seemed more like an apology letter than an actual proposal. At least the other demigod was doing better, or so he heard. Even so, he wasn't going to ever accept such a proposal.
Xylo. Okay, that had to be some sort of prank. That man was a tragedy and a half.
Mitch? Ah, no, that was an invitation to join the council as a table member. Kaiba hummed. He probably should, shouldn't he? He made a mental note to write back as soon as possible.
A few more names appeared, but none he could put a face to. Truly, he couldn't understand why the Greek pantheon would reach out to him. Inpu and Bryan were enough, and their children would be powerful if given the time to hone their skills.
He continued to look through the rest. It seemed that the Greeks weren't the only ones asking for marriage alliances.
All the Japanese pantheon ones went right into the trash. They had Ricarro and Momiji for that. They even had one of their foretold children, and he had the privilege of being there to celebrate such an occasion.
The Polynesian and Norse ones sent proposals too, though again, he didn't recognize any of the names. Also, he heard that the Polynesians had an alliance with the Greeks. It was always either the Greeks or the Egyptians.
He reached the end of the letters, tail drooping slightly. None from the Hindu Pantheon, it seemed. A pity. Perhaps Ashara was busy, knowing the man.
Hm, it did give him an idea, though. Perhaps, just perhaps, if he went to the Atlantis council again, and this time as a table member, and if Ashara was also there, then he could slide the idea forward.
Such a powerful ally would also be good just in general, if he ignored the lack of heirs they could actually produce.
Kaiba stood up and moved down the hallway. Time to call for a meeting.
He got a whopping one month off.
Well, "off."
Kaiba agreed to bring the most important documents with him, all tucked away in a satchel. Would they be waterproof? No. However, he did recall Inpu and Mitch's advisor having books down there, and they didn't seem wet. So…it should be fine.
The pharaoh walked down the streets, carrying a vase of wine, his procession and guards surrounding him as they made their way to his mother's temple. The sun shone brightly. Summer had arrived. It seemed like a good day to leave.
Kaiba and his servants traveled into the temple, the priests moving aside for them. Trees surrounded his mother's statue, traveling high and creating a shady canopy for them all. The servants faltered, letting Kaiba approach the statue on his own.
He knelt, jewelry clinking slightly, and placed his offering in front of the statue.
"Hello, Mother. It is I, your son, Kaiba," The demigod started, voice echoing throughout the place.
"I have been asked to return to Camp Oasis and partake in the Demigod Council once again. Just like before, with your blessing and guidance, I would like to go to the camp and participate. I wish to represent our pantheon and our people. Please, grant me this wish."
Something in the air shifted, and Kaiba felt the sun's rays fading. His ears twitched, and the hum of a portal could be heard nearby.
He opened his eyes to the portal to Atlantis right in his face.
Ah.
How…subtle his mother was in her support.
He murmured a quick thanks, clutched his satchel tightly, and walked through.
Nothing seemed to have changed.
He tried breathing. That was fine too.
He checked his documents. They were dry. Huh, so perhaps that waterproof magic just naturally happened?
All things he should figure out later on, he was sure.
Kaiba briskly walked towards the meeting room.
"We already tried that-"
"Maybe this time-"
"Should we adjorn-"
"I swear-"
Kaiba cleared his throat, all eyes shooting over to him. He smiled and waved almost sheepishly.
"I'm not too late, am I?"