Chapter 1: Cursed

It was a traditional cool night in Ancient Egypt a few months into Atem's reign as pharaoh. The whole palace was celebrating the recent marriage of Atem and his wife, Hali. Women were dancing and magicians were performing for show.

Atem turned to look at Hali and shared a smile. "Enjoying the celebration, my King?" Hali asked, touching his hand.

"As always, you read my mind. I was going to ask you the same question." Atem stroked her hand lovingly.

Hali laughed, a delighted sound. Before she could respond, there was gasps and cries of surprise from the door. Atem jerked his head in the direction of the festivities and spotted a tall male with blond hair and a wicked smile winding his way through the parting crowd. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" Atem demanded, realizing the man was holding a bow with an arrow notched in place.

"My King." The male gave a mock bow. "I come here to give you a gift. If you do not come with me, I will kill everyone in this room."

Atem waved the priests away, who had approached to defend him. "I will go with you. But you have to promise that everyone will be safe."

"My word is my oath." The male bowed again.

Hali noticed he said nothing about Atem's safety. "My King, do not go. He will kill you." She pleaded.

"I need to keep all of you safe. That is my duty as pharaoh. I will be back." Atem promised, rising from his throne. He followed the male out of the palace and he gestured to the stables. "Should I take my horse?"

"No, we will go on foot." The male led hom out of the city to a road by the cliffs. "To the edge." He gestured with the bow.

Atem backed up until he was near the egde. "You do not have to do this." He pleaded.

"Yes, I do. Remember Kul Elna? Your father did. He slaughtered the entire villageband left me the only survivor." The male hissed, looking mad. "I am Bakura, the thief!I I will steal your life as atonement for the sins of your father."

"I am sorry that my father did this." Atem apologizedm holding up his hands.

"Too late for apologies." Bakura sneered. A thwock sounded and the arrow hit Atem in the chest. Atem staggered back and fell into the darkness below.

Bakura laughed and walked away.

Hali stood in the throne room, waiting for Atem's return. A shout rang out from those near the door. "The Pharaoh! He is back!"

Hali watched as the crowd parted. Atem approached, looking pale. "My King, are you all right?" She called.

"I am all right." He assured her in a hoarse voice.

Hali ran to him and hugged him tightly. He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. She pulled back a little and noticed a tear in his tunic and a scar on his chest. "Were you shot?" She gasped.

Atem looked down at the scar, confused. "I am not sure. He shot me and I fell off a cliff, but I am fine. I am standing in front of you, am I not?"

"Get a doctor." Hali ordered the priests. "I insist that he be examined."

Isis hurried out of the throne room and returned with the palace doctor. "Shall we do the exam im your chamber, my King?"

"That would be fine." Atem nodded. He followed Hali and the doctor to their bed chamber.

"Do you want the Queen in here?" The doctor asked, shutting the door behind them.

"She can stay. She will worry if she is not here." Atem nodded.

"Remove your tunic so I can examine you." The doctor requested.

Hali looked away as Atem undressed. "You can look now." Humor was in his voice as he spoke, making look at him. She gave an intake of breath at the sight of his half naked body. He was only covered by a loincloth and his visible body was breathtaking. The ugly scar over his heart was the only mar on his bronze skin.

The doctor touched the scar, probing. "Does that hurt?" He asked, looking up at Atem, not quite meeting his eye.

"No." Atem responded.

"What caused it?" The doctor continued, examining his pharaoh's body carefully.

"I was shot by an arrow and fell off a cliff." Atem explained calmly, as if talking about thr weather instead of a near death experience.

"Are you in any pain at this moment? Your back, arms, or legs?" The doctor continued his inquiry.

"No, I feel fine. What is going on?" Atem seemed confused.

"I find nothing wrong with you." The doctor stepped back.

"He was shot and fell off a cliff! How could he be fine?" Hali demanded hysterically.

"Calm down, Hali." Atem commanded calmly. Hali gazed at Atem, worry etched on her face. "There is nothing wrong with me, so do not worry. Come here."

Hali went over and let him hug her. "I am just worried. It should have killed you. But I am grateful you are still here."

"I am, too." Atem smiled. Without looking at the doctor, he said, "You can go, doctor."

"Yes, my King." The doctor bowed and backed out of the chamber.

Atem cuppee Hali's cheek, stroking it. "Come to bed with me."

"Yes, my King." Hali nodded. She crawled into bed and Atem joined her.

Years passed and everyone noticed one thing: Atem didn't age. The passage of time was evident around him as Hali looked more and more like his mother and then his grandmother. They had kids, then grandkids.

One evening, Atem knew the end had come. Hali had reached the age of eighty-two, an unusual age for the time. She was on her deathbed and called him to her side.

Atem felt drawn to the bed chamber, despite his despair and sat on the bed, taking her chilly hand. "Hali..." he murmured, kissing it.

"Atem...I have something to...tell you..." Hali whispered so softly that Atem had to strain to hear her.

"What is it?" Atem asked, squeezing her hand gently.

"Move on...when I die...I want you...to find someone...new...and love again..." Hali's breathing was weak.

"I will never love again. You are it for me." Tears welled in his eyes.

"I will see...you again...no matter...how long...it takes..." Hali promised.

"I will look forward to that day." Atem leaned in and carefully kissed her on the lips. "Indo not want to see you suffer."

"Time is...almost gone..." Hali sighed and closed her eyes. Her hand went slack in his and she died.

"Hali, no. No!" Atem howled, sobbing.