Hello everyone!

This is my first fanfic ever! I always wanted to contribute to the Ouke no Monshou community, and this story in particular has been in the works for at least 5 years! Can you Believe it? I just never gotten around to doing it!

I also wanted to say a special thanks to my good friend for inspiring me to write this story, and for always supporting me! Thank you A Queen of Witches! Please check out her story!

The first chapter might start off a little rocky I haven't written in so long! Hopefully it's enjoyable! I also hope I don't make the characters too OOC, I did a little spin on my fanfic though... I hope no one hates me for it!

Well enough talking! Let's get on with it!

Please Enjoy!

Chapter 01 The Fallen Girl

Fire.

village was on fire.

The young woman gasped as the flames quickly surrounded her; entrapping her inside the village she once held so dear to her heart.

she was going die a slow and painful death, the flames surely burning her to a crisp. She had to wonder, was she not meant for happiness? The gods must be to punishing her to death.

She quickly covered her airways with the sleeve of her nightgown as the smoke began nestling itself in the air; the air itself was so thick she couldn't see a foot in front of her. Everything was dark, the only light provided to the girl was that of the burning buildings around her, as they slowly broke to pieces onto the cracked ground. The only thing that reminded the girl of what used to be, were the crumpled delicate flowers that laid beneath her bruised feet. They reminded her of tarnished innocence, meant to be forgotten forever.

Is this really how it's going to end? What ever happened to a 'happy ending'? The girl scoffed as she could feel the unwanted tears well up in her orbs as the air burned her eyes, and soon she began weeping helplessly among the inferno. If I'm going to die I might as well go out with a bang

The smoke began attacking her lungs as she lost her breath, suffocating her without remorse. She broke into a fit of painful coughs, her vision becoming more and more cloudy as the smoke became more dense and foggy.

The screams for help made her head spin, overwhelmed she collapsed to her knees clutching her head, attempting to block out the desperate pleas. She bellowed out a scream of frustration. She wasn't ready to die! She had to live! Even if it meant clinging onto to the last bit of hope she had, perhaps she could make it out alive with a few scars? Though she knew that chances were slim.

And it was all because of that damn monster, their face twisted and deformed in her memories, at least if she were to die she would achieve the freedom she so hopelessly craved for.

What a bittersweet tragedy.

She couldn't see anything as her cloudy vision became one of pure darkness. Her heart skipped several beats in anticipation, believing she was actually dead this time. Her eyes shot open, fearing to see the same scene of blistering chaos as before.

Instead, amber orbs met with the dark clay-like ceiling that was her home.

She quickly reached out to touch her face in search for any pain or burn marks, thankfully finding nothing.

Rough dream, huh? Her head pounded mercilessly, as she tried to remember her dream. A normal occurrence for her. It wasn't like she desperately wanted to know, but whatever it was it seemed troubling to her.

She shifted lightly, uncomfortable on small hay bed, turning to face the rest of the small room. She sighs, resting her head in her hands.

The sound of familiar whispers filled her ears. Curious, she turned her head to see who was making such a fuss so early in the morning. Her eyes softened at the sight, tears welling up. There her brothers sat by her bedside, arguing in low whispers about what the girl could possibly be dreaming about. Her oldest brother Amon was first to notice her, he was a tall man with warm tanned skin, dark brown eyes that seemed to pierce through you, and short ebony black hair. Beside him was the second brother Akhu, he had a sandy complexion, hazel eyes, and chestnut brown hair that stopped right above his shoulders in an elegant cut. The silent one of the three was also the youngest. Tito had an olive complexion, soft honey brown eyes, and onyx black hair that gently framed his face.

You're up." Amon smiled wryly. " You were having that dream again." He mentioned, before continuing "You woke us up with all that crying."

She glanced down, feeling guilty that she woke them from their slumber. "I'm sorry."

Akhu hit his brother lightly, silently scolding the man with a harsh glare. Before turning his attention back onto to his sister. "You have nothing to apologize for." He reminded her. "We were just getting up anyway."

She slowly nodded in reply. The room grew tense with every second, as she was unsure of what to say or do. To ease the tension Akhu placed a slender hand on her shoulder. "How are you, Meri?"

"Just peachy." She smiled, wiping the wetness from her eyes. Though she felt bad, she was grateful for her brothers who tended to her without hesitation. "I even let you see me cry, how embarrassing!" She mentally slapped herself silly, they've done so much for her already they didn't have the time to worry about her night terrors next.

"Well since that settles things..." Amon early clapped his hands. "Let's work our asses off as usual!"

"Are you guys going to be okay?" Akhu pulled his cloak over his shoulders, glancing back at them.

"I'm sure we'll manage." She smiles back at him.

"You know the rules, kid. Market then back home, no detours!" Amon butted in. "And don't be bringing home any weeds." Meri rolled her eyes. "They're not weeds!"

"Well whatever they are, don't bring them home!" He finished before crossing his arms. "Got it?"

"No promises." Meri said, grinning. Amon tried to argue but he was shooed away, door slamming in his face.

The hawk flew high in the air above the flourishing Egyptian marketplace; a sacred animal to the Egyptian winged god of the sky Horus. It wasn't long until it became the talk of the marketplace, becoming almost like a debate among the citizens. It appeared to be an omen for the land of Egypt. Whether good or bad, something was going to change history forever... But what? For better or for worse?

Meri spun around cheerfully, her dress flowing behind her. She enjoyed her freedom from the 4 walls of the small prison every chance she got, During the day she was confined to the house, forced to do housework and weave baskets. During the night she was a freelance dancer. Her brothers constantly worried about her safety, convinced she would be taken as a wife by force, or even captured and forced into the slave trade. She was indeed a beautiful woman so she wasn't invincible to such dangers. she was clothed simply in a cream colored loose-fitting shirt with billowy sleeves, and a dark red fringed skirt. Her light brown hair cascaded down her back in waves. She had skin fairer than most Egyptian women, with amber eyes to match. She was a strange girl being in her twenties and still not married. It seemed she would be an old maiden at this point.

The air was hot and humid, she felt as if she was suffocating as sweat ran down her back making the linen shirt she was wearing glue itself to her skin. Still that wouldn't deter her, something was different about today, she just couldn't put her finger on what it might be. She admired the sunrise as she balanced on the balls of her feet, swinging gently along the warm breeze, waiting on her companion of a brother. Her eyes drifting back and forth, searching for whatever might catch her attention first.

Perhaps he was late after all. She quickly bent her head down as a group of merchants pass her by, too absorbed in their own conversation to notice her or pay her any mind. Not that she was expecting them to anyway. A sigh escapes her mouth which turns into a yawn as she stretches her limbs out, her amber eyes scanning the many faces that pass by in search for her brother.

Persistent whispers from afar breaking her out of her trance-like state. "Isn't that Meri, the street dancer?" She perked up as she heard her name, waiting for a follow up but the question was continued with girlish laughs.

"She thinks she's so great. It makes me sick." One of the girl's snickered. "Even though she's just the sister of a craftsman!" More giggles ensue.

"What's she doing here anyway?" One of the girl's questioned, seeing as Meri held a basket snugly to her chest, squeezing it she continued to listen to the girls ramble on.

"Probably prostituting herself out. My parents warned me to stay away from her and her family, as you should too."

She turned her head to face the group of girl's, glaring daggers. If looks could kill, they'd be dead on sight. "Don't you know it's rude to talk about someone behind their back?" Her lips was formed into a bright smile, but her eyes told a different story entirely.

The group of girls scurried away as quickly as they came, and just like that Meri was left to the dwelling thoughts that invaded her mind.

A sudden tug on her skirt made her shiver with anticipation as she began to believe that the girls have returned to pick a fight, she swiftly turned to face the offender of the crime. Raising her arms in defense, she was always willing to kick someone's butt need be! Before quickly halting her actions as she noticed her youngest brother.

"Oh! It's you Tito. Don't scare me like that!" She breathed a sigh of relief, placing a hand over chest to further prove her dramatic antics.

The boy furrowed his brows in a curious manner, not replying as he was mute.

"Are you ready to head home? I got everything we needed." She smiled wryly, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow.

Tito stared at her, a look of concern apparent on his face. He heard the whole altercation from afar. He wished for Meri to be not so hot-headed and act out on a whim, it was surely going to get her into trouble one of these days.

"Don't give me that look. It's fine." She shrugged nonchalantly, however the boy was not convinced.

Before he could persist in the matter, she quickly changed the subject. "Can we take the long way home? I need to gather some plants." She asked, motioning to the basket in her hand.

Tito frowned. He was never one to like messing around in the fields, it was a gamble on whether the soldiers would catch them or not. They always raised hell for them, and frankly he just didn't feel like being interrogated today...But as always he couldn't seem to refuse his companion so he reluctantly nodded, already regretting his decision.

Meri grinned a cheeky smile. "I knew you'd see it my way. Let's get out of here." Hand in hand they walked along the path that led to the overgrown fields.

The ground rumbled as they walked. The sky darkening with steel grey colored clouds threatening to break with a crack of lightning any moment now.

Is it going to rain? Meri pondered deeply as she looked up to the dulling sky, staring off into space. Perhaps the hawk delivered a bad omen after all?

Just as her eyes adjusted to the darkening landscape lightening came, a brilliant blue-white flash that struck the ground with a mighty force before flickering out, returning to utter stillness. Unknowingly to the pair of siblings, in that moment of what they thought was lightning came a silhouette falling to the hard earth at a brisk pace, Falling among the bushes and shrubs. And just like that, the gloomy sky returned to that of warm sunshine.

Meri and Tito exchange a look of utter bewilderment.

"What was that all about?" She asked, not as overly concerned as she probably should have been.

Tito on the other hand, had a very bad feeling. One more step and they would have been goners!

The air automatically felt off as the approached the grassy area.

Tito stood close to the older woman, acting as a barrier to what ever might pop out in front of them. Meri just shrugged his behavior off.

"Alright, check over there." She pointed. "I'll check over here!" She waved him off, crouching down to scour through the greenery, humming a lighthearted tune in her search.

As Tito turned away, he saw something shimmer brightly in the distance. He couldn't deny that fact that he was curious, curiosity killed the cat as they say... But satisfaction brought it back. He slowly stepped closer, pulling back the twigs of the bush only to reveal an unconscious girl with golden hair that laid so delicately upon the ground. Tito gasped in shock, rubbing his eyes to see if he was hallucinating or not. The girl wore a flowing dress of red dyed he presumed, golden flowers embroidered at the ends symbolizing wealth and innocence. Her lips parted slightly as she mumbled things the boy just couldn't understand. A foreign girl? She didn't appear to be a slave with her fancy clothing, perhaps a consort of a royal? Tito hunched over to gain a closer look at the girl, gently caressing her hair with his slim fingers. He had to admit the girl was stunningly beautiful with her milky white skin, and bright golden locks that seemed to reflect the sunshine. If they were to leave her there, she'd surely be killed, and Tito doubted she had any form of identification.

"Alright, Tito!" Meri called out to the boy startling him."It'd be horrible if the soldiers were to find us!" She carefully dusted the dirt of of her skirt, she didn't need Amon scolding her for her recklessness. She knew he hated it when their clothes got soiled. She stopped suddenly, noticing the boys nervousness as he glanced back and forth.

"What's wrong? Did you see something?" She asked intrigued on whatever caught Tito's attention.

She slowly walked towards him, holding her hand out for him to grab. He yanks her closer, intending to show her his discovery. "Ah!"

Quickly pulling back the branches of the bush, showing his sister the strange girl with golden hair. Meri gasped at the sight.

She was in awe, her gaze fixated on the girl. She couldn't pull away even if she tried, there was just too much to take in and she didn't like that. She wanted to advert her gaze elsewhere but how could she?

"The girl is definitely not a slave. She has such delicate skin, it looks like she never worked a day in her life." Meri pursed her lips seeming to be deep in thought. "She must be a foreigner."

Tito stares at her, his eyes unreadable.

"You shouldn't have shown me." She turns away. "We can't help her, if the soldiers were to find her, we would all be killed."

The boy glances down, obviously dejected. She frowned, she knew he didn't like death but whatever happened to the girl, it wasn't on them.

Why so cruel? I guess it doesn't matter to you unless you gain something. The creaky voice called out mocking her. That's so like you, you naughty girl.

She flinched, squeezing her eyes shut. "I'm not..." She barely whispered. the voice continued it's taunts until it sounded more like an incessant hum.

Tito brushed past her, collecting their baskets. "Wait!" She called out to him.

"Let's..." She stumbled on her words. "Let's take her home." Words she would eat.