Note: Ojufemi actually means ' Beloved by the Gods ' a female name given in Ancient Egypt.
I was running out of stamina, but no matter how fast I'd ran the serpent kept on chasing me with its white velvet skin and the loud hissing sound it produced.
I looked behind me, but the serpent wasn't there anymore and neither did I hear anything.
Confusion struck me but I couldn't waste my time right now thinking about where it'd go,
the gods must've come to my aid in order for me to get back to the palace in safety.
I kept on running until suddenly, the image of the serpent was right there in front of my eyes.
'' No, stay back. '' I screamed as I panicked and fell on the ground. I tried to get up again but the serpent rolled its tail around my left leg,
preventing me from moving any further.
Anxiety took complete control over me as I knew there was no escaping the situation anymore.
I cried as I covered my head in my arms and closed my eyes, waiting for my death as I felt the snake's tongue slowly sweeping up towards my exposed knee-
'' Princess, Princess wake up! You have to leave right now! '' I heard a familiar voice.
I gasped as my eyes shot wide open. '' the same nightmare again...'' I mumbled softly as I slowly leaned up
and wiped away the sweat drops that were covering my forehead.
'' Princess, please there is no time, we have to hurry and get you into safety. ''
The voice belonged to my servant girl Manet, who had a hysterical look on her face I'd never seen before. '' Manet.. what? '' I spoke, still not fully awakened yet.
'' No time Princess, please stand up! '' She said as she grabbed my arm and pushed me up.
By then I heard many loud noises coming from the palace, many screams and sounds of objects that were being thrown. I looked at Manet in utter shock, but she kept on grabbing some of mine belongings together and threw them in a bag. '' Manet! Those noises...Tell me what is going on right now! '' I shouted.
'' Right now, your brother wants you safe. You have to leave now. '' Manet said as she pressed a finger on her lips for me to be silent and grabbed my hand as we made our way out of my room.
We sneaked our way out of the upper floor using the servants passages as we managed to avoid anyone seeing us.
Manet had covered me in a black robe and held my hand as I was unable to see where we were going.
Each moment that passed made me more nervous as the horrific sounds of what was going on through the palace was too unbearable to listen too.
'' I have a horse prepared for us outside of the banquet hall, we have to try not to get caught while we make our way
through the hordes of fighting guards and soldiers. '' Manet spoke as she turned around and held me by my shoulders, making me stare up at her as she bent down to meet me on eye level. '' Whatever is going to happen right now, you have to run. I was ordered to get you into safety, even if my own life depends on it.
Do not stop running. ''
Manet said as she looked at me with a dead serious expression. '' No.. I won't leave you. ''
'' You have too. '' She said in a determined voice as she pinched me into my shoulders.
I bit on my bottom lip as I tried to hold in the tears and could only nod to what she had to say.
Manet had been my servant ever since I was just a little baby, she wasn't just a servant to me, she was also my precious friend who I'd deeply cherished, How could I leave her if she were to be in danger? What was she asking off me? I thought as my heart skipped a billion beats as we were getting closer towards the banquet hall. Manet made the cape of the robe drop around my head more deeper as she held my hand tight and squeezed it a little, signaling that we were going through the hell that I was hearing loud and clear.
Within a few seconds I felt her pushing me behind her as I could only stare at the ground, seeing the result of the battle covered all over the ground, disgusting images that I'd wish I didn't had to see as I felt instantly sick in my stomach from it. I still tightly held onto Manet's hand and could slowly hear the noises of the room getting softer as I felt we were both going to get out of here safely together.
'' Almost. '' I heard Manet's voice as the heavy weight on my heart was slowly ebbing away when suddenly I heard a scream which I knew better than anyone in the world who'd it belonged to. I instantly turned around and saw my brother hit the wall as he held his hand on his stomach, blood streaming out of his wound as his white royal garment started to stain red.
'' BROTHER '' I screamed and without any thinking, I let go of Manet's hand and stopped walking behind her. '' THE PHARAOH IS INJURNED, PROTECT HIM! '' I heard Priest Seto shout as he and his men tried to get towards The Pharaoh but the enemy's men kept them from reaching him.
'' What are you doing?! We cannot afford to blow up our cover! '' I heard Manet's panicked whisper as she forcefully grab my hand and dragged me behind her.
'' No! Please! My brother...ATEM '' I shouted as I tried to stop Manet who kept pushing me.
'' Ojufemi! '' I heard my brother scream as he stared in my direction.
'' Princess please! '' I heard Manet's voice more panicked as ever as I felt her hand that was holding mine shaking and sweating.
'' What are you doing? Get out of here! that's an order. '' I heard my brother shout as he kept fighting off the thief that injured him.
'' But.. '' I whispered as tears started to sweep down my cheeks. '' DO AS I SAY RIGHT NOW! '' I heard him scream as he managed to stab the thief and gestured with his blood running sword for me to run off. I hesitated but tightly grabbed Manet's hand again as I prayed that the air god Shu would lend us his powers so we could both escape from here fast.
As if by some miracle we managed to get outside of the banquet hall.
A brown horse stood outside, it neighed in a distressed manner when we got closer towards it.
'' Shiba, Easy girl, It's me. '' Manet whispered as she gently petted the horse on her manes.
'' The gods are truly blessing us right now, we are going to get out of here safely. '' Manet said as she lifted herself on Shiba's back
and gave me a hand so I could do the same thing.
'' I wouldn't think so lightly of your current state if I were you. ''
We both gasped and looked around but couldn't see properly through the darkness to which way the voice we heard came from.
'' Who are you and where are you hiding? '' Manet said as she jumped off from Shiba and stood before me in a protective manner while sheltering
me behind her arms. '' That's for me to know.. and for you to find out. '' The voice spoke when suddenly a heavy weight was hearable through the air and before I knew it Manet screamed and fell down on the ground. '' MANET '' I shouted as I turned her on her back and sobbed while pulling my hand on my mouth as I saw multiple arrows had hit her. At that moment Shiba completely panicked from the sudden attack and dashed off.
Manet grabbed me by my arm and shook me hard. '' Run. '' She spoke, her expression telling me that she wouldn't survive this. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment, which felt like it was going in slow-motion. My body was instinctively responding to her command while my own mind was screaming at me not abandon my dearest friend. I panicked and started to run away when out of the corner of my eyes I saw a shadow creeping in on me from the left, but I was too late.
The figure pinned me down on the ground, making me fall on my stomach.
'' You thought I would let you escape Princess? How cute. '' I heard the same voice again.
I shivered as I felt the warm breath around my ear, as I was roughly lifted up from the ground.
'' You better behave or else you'll face the same faith as your little friend over there.'' The voice spoke as I was being pushed to walk forward.
I turned my head around and sobbed as I called out for Manet, hoping she would respond back, hoping she was still alive, but she just laid there, not a single movement came out of her. I slowly turned my head back and kept on weeping until we reached a more crowded area. '' Shut your crying. '' The voice spoke harshly as I heard a whistle. Within a few moments a black horse came galloping our way as we were hidden behind some old piled up barrels.
I felt my robe cape pushed over my head again and I was smoothly lifted on top of the horses back.
I tried to get off and escape but he or she simply jumped on top of the horse behind me and sternly kept me in my place.
I heard a loud kick as the horse neighed and galloped in full speed into the cold dark night.