Attention: The story I am writing is based off the Ouke no Monshou manga which is a historical fantasy written by Hosokawa Chiekowhich by no means am I claiming any right or credit for the work or any piece of work in any shape or form. Everything I write will either be related to the story line and may shift from time to time depending on my mood or moment of inspiration. My only creation in the story will be the character Cassandra Isato who is by no means related to any piece of work or story.
Without further interruption, please enjoy the story!
Chapter One: Crossing Paths
Growing up I can't honestly say I liked people, mostly because they never liked me to begin with. I never saw much of my parents either since they were always busy with work, and on top of being leaders of a top technology company they figured they could just buy my love to make up for it. I had everything but I never had any friends, on top of that I was very shy so meeting people was just out of the question for me. So the best thing I would do is watch them from afar and simple draw. I was alone for a long time until one day I met a girl who gave me a glint of hope I never thought was possible.
I was six as I watched other kids play among themselves in the field of flowers and sunshine. Lost in their moment no one bothered to notice me so I simply watched from the distance and silently drew. I loved the energy I felt from them and at the same time I wanted to be a part of that. And yet I couldn't bring myself to make the first move.
As turned back to focus on my drawing I feel someone's eyes on me and look up to meet two kind blue eyes of a gold hair girl. She looked slightly younger than me but what shocked me the most was when she made a jester with her hand urging me to come over to her.
"Is she…asking me?" I though as I looked around to make sure there was no one else by me, when I was sure I was alone I looked back to see her coming towards me until she was standing close enough.
"Hi, I'm Carol." The golden hair child smiled and extended her hand to me. "What's yours?"
"…C-Cassandra." I told her my name but I didn't reach for her hand. She kept it out until she realized I wouldn't take it and sort of kick the dirt thinking of what to say next. Finally after some thought she looked up to me with a light back in her eyes and asked me to come play with her and her friends. I looked at her for a moment but in the end I told her it was okay and thanked her for the offer. Despite the rejection she smiled and told I'm welcome anytime I nodded and thanked her again.
It wasn't long before her friends saw she was gone and called for her attention. "We'll I better go, but next time promise you'll come play with us!"
I looked up at her for a moment seeing some hope in those puppy dog eyes. I tried my best to make up an excuse but in the end I ended up caving " Sure…sounds great."
She smiled at me before turning away running toward her friends. I watched her go until finally returning to my drawing pad. I small smile graced my lips as I drew with more enthusiasm than I had before. My day was sunny and then all of a sudden things got bad.
As I looked up I found myself staring at an older figure who was blocking my light. He was an older kid from a higher grade level named Markus who was known to pick on other kids around school and still get away with it. I really hated this guy.
"Hey you're in my seat runt, move it!"
"What?" Came my response just because I couldn't believe this dude had to have this swing out of the whole row which was literally not occupied, despite being a slip of the mouth Markus took it as me being a defiant smart ass and grab me by my shirt.
"Didn't you hear me stupid? I said move!"
With hard force him pulled me off the swing and shoved me into the ground. As I looked up at him I saw him pick up my sketchbook and begin to go through it.
"No, don't touch that! Give it back!"
I tried my best to reach for my sketchbook but Markus being bigger and stronger than me raised it to a height I couldn't reach and shoved me back to the ground with his other hand. As I recovered from the hard impact the sound of ripping paper made me look up as Markus began tearing my precious drawings. I felt the earth fall beneath my feet as all my work laid in shreds before my feet. I wanted to hit him, to hurt him more than he was hurting me. I wanted to make him pay dearly for this, but I couldn't…I was so weak and had no chance of winning. All my pent up feelings I held back turned to frustration that soon fell from my eyes in tears. I sat there crying not knowing what to do.
"What are you crying for stupid, they're just stupid drawings, not that they were any good anyway!" Feeling something begin to take over me I began to feel my last string of resistance about to break until a flash of gold appeared before me. The girl named Carol stared up at Markus despite her size and glared hard at him before she starting telling him off.
"That's enough Markus! Just who do you think you are! First you pick on everyone else just because your older, then you start pushing a girl who did nothing to you and start tearing her things just to make her cry! That's just low!"
"Mind you own damn business runt!"
"When you mess with my friends you make it my business!" I looked up at here in shock and amazement wondering if what I had heard from her was true. "Did she just call me…her friend?"
I looked at her until my attention went back to Markus as he approached her as was towering over her. I started to worry about Carol fearing the asshole would actually hurt her too.
"Really? Then I'll just have to deal with you too." He raised his hand and looked like he was ready to hit her but Carol saw this coming and acted.
"Don't even think about it Markus!" she said looking him right in the eye " I already told the teacher so if you don't want any trouble you better leave now."
Carol's words seemed to cause Markus to flinch, despite being from a wealthy family everyone knew Carol was in good terms with all the teachers so regardless of what Markus would say everyone would still believe Carol.
"Whatever, you runts aren't worth it."
As a last punishment Markus stepped on my drawing of Carol playing with her friends and walked off. Warn out physically and mentally I started salvaging whatever drawings that managed to survive, I felt weak and like total crap like I could have done something more. But my negative thoughts vanished as I saw a pale hand reach for a crumpled drawing as she handed it to me staring at me in worry.
"Are you okay."
I nodded not really trying to talk. In silence we gathered the drawings as she handed the ones in her had to me. We sat in silence until she built enough nerve to talk.
" Do you want to go inside?"
"No…"
I looked away clutching the drawings in my arms. I was so embarrassed and humiliated that I wanted to disappear into the pages. Carol looked at me with worry until she picked up a torn piece of a flower I had drew and looked at it.
" You drawings are very pretty. I really like them."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah…do you think I could have this one?"
"Why? It's all torn up?"
"Even if it's all torn up, it doesn't mean you didn't put in any effort to make it." She took the drawing folding it in her hand and placing it in her pocket. As she dusted her pants off she reached out for me with a smile grazing her lips.
"Come on, let's go get cleaned up"
I stared at her for a long time until I finally grabbed her hand accepting her help. She helped me get cleaned up and introduced me to her friends who later also became my friends. We were exact opposites yet stuck together like glue. We were inseparable, but like everything time eventually pulled us apart. Our parting was hard on both of us, but even so we swore we would meet again someday.
Since then 12 years have passed and I had long forgotten such a childish promise. I wasn't someone to believe in fate or destiny, just the facts. I accepted reality as it was and believe everything happened for a reason. However the sight in front of me made me question that logic as I stared into the eyes of the girl I knew was my long lost friend who happen to bump into me on the way to her seat. She looked at me in question obvious of the fact she didn't recognize me, but who could blame her after all I wasn't that same little girl anymore.
"Oh, I'm sorry" she said with a small blush of embarrassment crossing her face.
"Carol…is that you?" The moment I said her name her eyes slightly widened as her hand came to her mouth unsure of what to say. "Oh, I'm sorry…have we met?"
"You don't remember me do you? " I smiled at her expression seeing as I was making this kind of awkward for her which was funny to me so I didn't mind. I was fun teasing her after all these years. " But it's alright, after all I can't blame you for not remembering something so long ago."
"I'm really sorry." She said as she looked down a little sad. But I shook my head and smiled assuring her I was alright with the situation and wasn't angry. " It's okay, I'll give you a hint." As she watched me I removed my sun glasses I used to cover my silver eyes and pulled my hair band that kept my long light brown hair in a tight bun. My hair flowed gracefully down my back as the look of realization finally struck Carol. I smiled at her reaction until she snapped from stunted to smiley in a second jumping into a bear hug.
"No way! Cassandra! It's been so long!"
I did my best to keep myself breathing in her choke hold of a hug and return the jester until be both released red faced and panting for air "It's good to see you to Carol."
"Wow your different from the last time we saw each other! You've really grown beautiful!"
"Same for you not to mention you've gotten quite short. It's hard for me to believe this is the same girl who use to play my protector in times of trouble."
I saw a pout of annoyance grace her face as which made me snicker a bit "Well time dose change a lot of things, I mean I'm sure you're not the same person you where before?"
" There's still a little of me here but in general I've grown up and I can promise you I'm not that helpless little girl anymore. I'm a trained fighter and a kendo champion on top of that."
"For someone who used to get bullied a lot you've really come a long way."
"No kidding."
As she started speaking the flight attendant interrupted our conversation asking us to take our seats. Thankfully our seats were right next to each other so we literally talked the entire flight from what we've been doing and what we like to do now. She told me she was studying archeology which was not surprise to me since I always knew she had a thing for Egypt. As I listened to her she then started asking about me.
"And what about you? What brings you to Egypt?"
"Nothing really, I finished my degree from home and I wanted to take some time off for myself so I figured Egypt would be a good place. I've been everywhere else after all so I wanted to try something different."
Really? What did you study?
"Criminal Justice, I figured I'd be a cop or detective."
"Well you are a fighter now, so It's only right you become a crime fighter."
" Defend the helpless and protect the weak-damn peanuts." At this point Carol is laughing at me not because of what I said but due to the fact I was struggle with a bag a airplane peanuts and right when she offers to open them I tear the whole bag sending lethal peanuts in every direction hitting heads and faces of innocent bystanders. I sink lower into my seat to avoid detection as Carol attempts to stifle giggles.
"That is not funny." I tell her in whisper signaling the flight attendant for another bag of peanuts.
"Oh, but it is. This reminds me of good times."
I roll my eyes knowing she won't let me live this down later and attempt to change the subject with a new bag of peanuts in my hand " So tell me Carol will I like it here in Egypt?"
" Of course you will, trust me Cassandra you'll love Egypt you may never want to leave!"
" Such enthusiasm…" I thought seeing her eyes literally y light up like a kid on Christmas. "So will there be any hot guys in Egypt?"
"Don't tell me that's the only reason you're going?"
"No…I just figure I'd have something good to look at while sightseeing."
"You're a lot crazier than I remember, what happened to the shy thing I use to know."
"Tainted by a corrupted world my friend."
As Carol talked about the best places to visit in Egypt and a ideal crossed her mind as she lead to my seat. "Hey Cassandra I got an idea why don't you come stay with me and my family in Egypt! We got plenty of room and it would be great catch up. What do you say?"
" I don't know I mean I don't want to intrude."
"You won't my parents will be happy to know I didn't fly here by myself, plus they'll love having you around."
"I don't know…"
" Oh please Cassandra say you will!" The moment I try to turn her down I looked into her eyes and knew my fate was literally sealed.
"Dammit she's using the damn puppy eyes!"
If there's one thing I hated about Carol was those damn puppy eyes of hers. The moment I stare into them I hit a brick wall and cave like a father treating a spoiled child.
"Fine."
She hugged me pleased with my response. Unfortunately I knew this nightmare was just beginning.
XXX
Upon arrival Carol literally dragged me to meet her family who were already waiting for her. Among introductions I met her mom and dad and her brother who didn't resemble Carol in any way but none the less was pretty hot and without a doubt cared for his Carol very much. They were a family people would dream that for a little while made me a little envious of their relationship but I didn't ponder on it too much. I couldn't think that way about the people who took me in and I wouldn't think badly of my friend either. They were good people, and they earned my respect.
While in Egypt Carol introduced me to Jimmy who I could tell had a huge crush on her so for the fun of it I would flirt with Carol just to make him jealous which was funny especially when Carol went along with it without really knowing. We scouted the best locations, went sightseeing, and took a lot of pictures. I really liked Egypt my only complaint was how hot the place was and being albino it was a pain to wear by hoodie in order to keep from roasting under the powerful sun.
" Cassie are you sure you're alright wearing that hoodie? It's really hot and not to mention most of your clothes are all black…you could collapse if you're not careful."
Despite her warning I smiled and shrugged it off " I'm good this is nothing besides I'm walked home in hotter days than this in this hoodie, so I'm immune so long as I drink water every hour or so."
" Alright but if you do fall over I'll make Jimmy carry you."
"Oh come on Carol" Jimmy exclaimed. " Why do I got to carry her!"
" Too hot for you to handle big boy?"
"N-No I just don't really like you that much, if it were up to me I'd leave you there."
" Then I should be glade your such a good little puppy that knows how to follow orders."
"Cassandra!"
" I'm just kidding…don't take it personal kid. I'm just teasing you."
Despite my words I know the kid wanted to tell me something but that's okay it's not like I meant what I said either and Carol could tell from the look she was giving me as we walked back to her home with a crazy smile on my face.
As we entered Carol's brother came to us telling us that his team managed to recovery Pharaoh Memphis's long lost Tomb who by what Carol told me ruled Egypt 3000 years ago. Carol started to get very excited and asked if we could come along, despite being a strict businessman Carl's brother couldn't say no to her and we all went to meet up with Carol's dad. On the way Ryan starts talking about his work and what the discovery would do for the company until he receives a phone call. I was sitting behind him in the jeep as I see his body tense knowing for sure something was wrong. After speaking in a different language that I didn't understand he told everyone to hold on as he increased speed. I clutched the jeep like there was no tomorrow until I got the nerve to ask what had happened. But he wouldn't' say, but when we got there he didn't have to. On the floor was Carol's dad dead with only a sheet covering his body, I held Carol as she cried as Ryan demanded as to what had happened.
The helpers explained that a cobra had bit him but they wouldn't say anything else after that. I could tell from her faces and so could Ryan, something else happened here but everyone was just too scared to say it. As Carol calmed down she looked at me and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes.
" Thanks Cassie I really needed that."
"I'm here when you need me Carol."
"I know."
" Do you want me to get you some water?"
"Y-yeah…I would like some."
I nodded and got up quickly to retrieve her water. As I made my way back I saw an woman and a beautiful one at that talking to Carol. She looked simple yet the way she moved seemed smooth and smooth. As I got close the two stopped talking as I handed Carol her water never taking my eyes off the stranger.
"Here you go Carol."
"Thanks, Cassie."
The woman and I stared at each other for a minute until I finally broke the silence. "So who's your new friend Carol?"
"Oh right Cassie this is Isis, she said she was helping out before father was killed."
" I see, well it was good to know you tried to help. Please call me Cassandra."
"Thank you but I do regret I couldn't do more for him. He was a good man." And a worthless thief that got what he deserved. And soon the others will pay just as he!
As we spoke I starting getting uncomfortable under that woman's stare as she watched us. Despite the pleasant facade I sensed danger beneath the surface. It wasn't until Jimmy came and told us Ryan was ready to leave that we started to gather our things and walk to the Jeep. Isis followed us to the Jeep where I was sure we would lose her…that was until Carol invited Isis to her home. At that moment I just wanted to strangle Carol for that carelessness of hers.
XXX
On our way back Ryan went to break the news to Carol's mother and other brother, while Carol's nanny showed Isis to her quest room for the evening. I watched Isis carefully until she was out of sight which didn't go unnoticed by Carol. As we entered her room I collapsed on her bed while she came around to me until finally asking her question.
"Cassie is something wrong."
"No, why do you say that?"
"Because you've been acting weird since we got home-No since the ride home. Plus you've been watching Isis like your waiting for her to do something."
"I don't know -I mean I don't like her."
"Why?"
"It seems like she's hiding something. I mean have you seen the way she's been looking at you, it's kind of creepy."
"I'm sure she was being nice, besides in Egyptians like blonds so I'm always getting stared at."
"If there's one thing I've learned Carol is that nice people don't always have good intentions. And I'm sure it's more than a beauty obsession. "
I looked at her to see her in deep thought, seeing as her dad died today I felt stupid putting this extra weight on her shoulders and turn to her.
"Look I'm not saying you can make friends with her if you want to but …just promise me you'll watch your back with her. If I didn't have a bad feeling about this I wouldn't tell you anything."
She nodded agreeing to my request "O-Okay I'll try."
That night we went to sleep I kept my eyes open as I felt a sudden uneasiness enter the room. I watched the darkness almost daring it to do something as I grasped my hidden blade beneath my pillow. I scooted closer to Carol to make sure she was still here never taking my eyes off the darkness. For a split second I saw what looked like a pair of eyes flash and disappear as fast as they came. For a moment I thought I was dreaming , but if that were the case I wouldn't be this afraid to close my eyes.
XXX
After I gave Carol that warning I started noticing Isis acting funny, especially around Carol. Not to mention I kept getting a bad vibes around her, but I couldn't put my finger on it. People we're telling me I was exaggerating and Carol would tell me to give her a chance but I was too edgy around her so for a couple of days I stuck around Carol and made sure she was never alone which I could tell sort of annoyed Isis despite trying to play sweet and innocent. I had a bad feeling about that woman the moment I met her.
One day however Carol wanted to go see something for herself which I didn't mind at the time but that was until I realized she was gone too long and started looking for her. Soon Ryan came to me asking if I'd seen Carol but I explained to him I was looking for her too and his face paled at my answer. Soon after I learned Carol had vanished without a trace along with the mysterious woman called Isis. A week after Carol disappeared I felt terrible but more than anything I felt bad for Carol's family, they were good people and didn't deserve the misfortunes that fell upon them. They searched for any traces of Isis or Carol but came up empty. As more days went by even Jimmy wasn't looking too good, and Ryan looked ready to calliopes from the stress. Her family was falling apart and it was all that's woman's fault, I just knew it.
In Carol's room I stared up at the ceiling wondering what more could be done at this point. My eyes traveled to the small picture frames of Carol's family and finally to a picture of me and her which shocked me seeing as the picture held the torn piece of paper that belonged to my sketchbook from so long ago. Tears began to well in my eyes thinking I would never see my friend again.
"Carol where the hell did she take you? Are…you dead?" As I started feeling the sense of dread overcome me I shook my head of those hateful thoughts clenching my fists until my knuckles turned white. "No! I will not believe that! Until I know for sure I won't believe she is dead! I know she's alive! And I'm going to find her!"
At that moment I grabbed my back pack and started loading my things inside. With them I packed some small knives and a dagger that can extend into a sword if need be. But the knives where merely security, my true companions where my two handguns that I smuggled with me everywhere I go. I never told Carol due to the fact she'd probable kill me but I figured I wouldn't need to since I didn't plan on using them, but with how things where now I'm glad I brought them cause if things get bad which I'm sure it will it wouldn't be wise not to have them on me at all.
On the side I also packed my sketchbook and art supplies and anything else the academy hand come to teach me and quietly made my way down stairs hoping not to explain my actions. As I barely got the door open someone from a room stepped out causing me to curse under my breath. I turned to see Jimmy with a concerned look on his face as he eyed me and my pack full of goodies.
"Cassandra? What are you doing?"
"Sigh… Might as well get it over with" I thought as I turned to Jimmy "I'm going to find Carol on my own, I'm tried of just sitting around wasting time. I can't be the one to wait until something bad happens, not if I can do something about it."
He looked down as if thinking of something before looking up at me and stepping closer. "Take me with you!" I smacked my hand against his mouth to glared at him "Keep your voice down Romeo, now is not the time or place to play hero."
He took my hand off his face and whispered enough to get his point across. " I want to find Carol just as much as you do, Let me go with you so we can search together."
I shook my head at him despite his good intentions to help Carol he would only slow me down, on top of that he had people that cared about him and would be heartbroken if something were to happen to him. I'd seen one good family fall apart, I wasn't about to see another one…not if I could help it.
"No can do kid, It's better for you to stay here and look after Carol's family. Besides I don't know how long I'll be gone and the last thing I need is to worry Mr. Brown too."
"What makes you think people won't miss you?"
"Cause not many people care about what I do? But if they do ask Just tell them I was called back home and had to go."
"You know something don't you?"
"I have my suspicions, but I have no guarantee unless I check it out for myself. "
As I looked at Jimmy I saw his pain, and with his pain reflected Carol's family and their pain. The loss of their child, a love, a best friend. Such a pain so hurtful tears more when one can do nothing about it. The feeling of helplessness.
"This…why dose is have to be like this?"
"Sometimes the hardest things to deal with in life are the very things we take for granted. We came to care for Carol too much that we never imagined she would ever be taken, but now that she's gone we're left wondering in a place with no sunshine. "
In my life I've learned to accept that certain things can never be change and with that I learned to survive without sunshine, but something like this was something I wasn't planning to accept. I wanted answers and I was prepared to get them one way or another. As I thought of what I'd do to Isis when I got my hands on her Jimmy's voice pulled me from my train of thought.
"Can you promise me you'll bring her back, not just for me but for her family as well?"
I looked into his eyes and thought carefully before I answered. "I try not to make promises I can't keep, but for Carol I'll do anything. She's done so much for me in the past the least I can do is bring her home. I owe her that much. "
As I turned from Jimmy and grabbed the door knob I stepped outside the door never telling him goodbye. I started walking until Jimmy's voice called me from the distance.
"Cassandra!"
"Yeah?"
"Watch your back."
"Same to you, kid."
As I left Carol's family behind many thoughts were going through my mind. What could have happened, why this would happen, and most of all the reason behind it all. What was the motive for taking Carol? Everything I knew all started at one source, one everyone overlooked. I went back to the place where everything when wrong, the Pharaoh's lost tomb.
XXX
As I stared into the pitch-black crypt I question whether I'd have enough guts to go into it seeing as the crypt was really dark not to mention the wind coming from the crypt made it sound like something was alive down there. With enough courage and a small prayer I grabbed my shake flashlight and made my way into the mouth of the best. If anything being in this place made me feel like one of those stupid kids that end up dying in the horror movies cause they go looking for trouble, heck even the air itself sent chills up my spine as my only source of light illuminated my way down the dark passage way. With careful precision I marked my path in case I get lost and finally made it to the crypt where Carol's dad was bitten. As I looked around I saw the place where e his sarcophagus once was along with the tablet, I searched the empty spaces but found nothing. For a moment I felt like I came here like a dumb-ass for nothing and was fixing to leave until I heard a cry echo softly in the air that made me want to take off in a heartbeat but as I listened …it sounded like someone was crying.
"That's sounds like Carol! " I thought and out of impulse I started yelling for her in hopes she would hear me and give me an idea of where to go. "Carol! Carol tell me where you are!"
As I listened I traveled deeper into the tomb I followed the voice toward the endless corridor, despite the suffocating air I pushed through with worry for Carol until I made it to a what appeared to be a door. I hear the crying voice behind the door and begin banging myself against it.
"Carol hand on! I'm here! I'm going to take you home!"
With one final shove I push through the tomb door that causes me to lose my balance and I slam into the dusty floor. As I look around the darkness I no longer hear Carol's voice but the sound of water. I grab I pull my cellphone out to give me light as I locate my flashlight and turn it on to find myself in some kind of chamber. The place itself looked holy as it had stature of Anubis. At that point I started to get kind of scared a feeling began to strike me at my core as if I wasn't in a very good place. As I looked upon the stature of Anubis I hear a voice call my name causing me to look down into the water, there I see eyes staring back at me as hands bursts out of the water and start to grab me. I try my best to fight them off but I'm soon over powered and pulled into the dark waters.
Panic seeps into my very core as the cold darkness begins to consume me despite my struggles with the unseen force. I felt myself slipping away regretful of not being able to keep my promise to Carol and her family.
" Carol…I'm so sorry. I couldn't keep my promise."
As I sank deeper into the abyss I sore I saw a light beginning to form around me, but before I could determine anything I lose conciseness.
I don't know how long I was out but for a moment I felt like I was floating for a long time. I was in question with myself if I was really dead or not but I felt like shit so it was possible I was still alive. As I opened my eyes I found myself staring at a blue sky.
"How the hell did I get outside? "
As begin to move I realize what I'm floating in is actually water and quickly grab the concrete ledge to steady myself, at this point I was grateful for my backpack since that was the reason I was floating in the first place but as I look around to what appears to me some kind of courtyard. At this point one thing came to mind as my eyes widen like saucers.
"Oh sweet merciful crap."
I was freaking out internally. I mean one moment I'm in a tomb following a voice I believed was Carol's into another tomb of water which soon attacked me and pulled me under. And now I'm outside in a courtyard. In my mind I'm trying to make sense of this situation but sadly I can't put my finger on it and begin questioning my sanity.
"Okay calm down Cassandra, Maybe it's a dream or worst case scenario maybe your dead! Yeah maybe this is what heaven looks like! "
I looked around realizing I Carol would be more comfortable in his setting let alone this heat and began banging my head against the rocks in hopes I wake form this sick dream while thinking.
"Who am I kidding my heaven wouldn't look like this! Dammit!"
As I brooded with myself a crash of what sounded like glass or pottery forced me to look up to see a woman in odd Egyptian clothing frozen in shock. As I looked at her as weird as she looked at me I could only assume this girl was cos-playing as I pulled myself out of the water. I put my things down and started to approach her in hopes she could help me. Boy was that a bad idea.
"Oh sorry if scared you but could you-"
"Aaaahhhhh! "
I was stunned at the screaming woman as she took off like someone set her dress on fire and started yelling in a strange language leaving me stunted and offended. I mean Wow…
"Okay…that was rude." As I looked around I got an idea this place was pretty big and would probably get lost if I'm not careful. "I guess I'll just have to find a way out myself."
As I walk of the steps into the building I silently looking at all the statues, artwork, etc and see a statute holding a sword. Curiosity get the best of me as I feel the tip of t blade which by accident causes it to tip from the statue's grasp and hit the floor in a load bang. My body flinches as I look around to see if anyone saw it and quickly pick the blade up and place it back in the statue's hand and start walking away. Unfortunately I barely make it three steps before I hear multiple footsteps coming my way and soon find myself surrounded by a bunch of guys with pointed sticks.
"Houston we have a problem. " I thought as I stared at the men in white skirts, I swallow hard seeing as they don't do kindly to foreigners let alone look pleased to see me. As I prepare to speak one of the men cut me off and started shouting at me I tilt my head trying to catch what he's saying only to find I couldn't' understand a single thing he just said. I shook my head trying to get him to understand that I didn't know what he was talking about but instead he saw my ignorance as resistance and they begin drawing near ready to stab. At this point it's anyone's game.
"Whoa! Whoa it's not what it looks like! I don't know where I am and I was just trying to ask for directions and dropping the sword wasn't my fault I swear! Please I didn't do anything wrong!" I spoke trying to reason with them. As I approach them one of them has the nerve to make a stab at me but cuts my hand. I pull back on reflex of the pain only to see my blood dripping from the deep cut. I looked at the one who did it and glared hard causing him to flinch under my gaze.
"Do you just stab me!" I yelled clearly ticked off. "Did you really fucking stab me! What the fuck did I do to you!"
At that moment I was pretty pissed which caused those guys to edge close to me forcing me back against the statue, as I looked around I was clear I was unarmed and outnumbered and in the worst situation possible. That is until I laid my eyes on the stature I vandalized by accident and peered at the most beautiful god send the in the world. With a crazy smile on my face I grab the sword and twirl it in my hands enough to cause those guys to back up enough before getting into my stance. The greatest things about getting bullied when I was little is that it gave me the drive to learn all kinds of fighting skills from MMA and boxing to Kendo and fencing. And not that I want to brag or anything but let's just say I was the reason a lot of boys quit after I joined.
With a crazed look in my eyes I stared them down like a wolf ready to fight to the death. And I was ready for anything.
"Look here, I don't know who you guys are but do yourself a favor and let me go or else I'll be forced to defend myself!"
They look and mutter to themselves before finally coming at me, I easily dodge their spear attacks by blocking them with my sword while punching and kicking them with great force knocking a good number of them out in one go. When I managed to somewhat subdue the men in skirts I ran with sword in hand not caring where I go so long as it's an exit. I buzz right past people, windows and all kind of shit until I something catches my eye. In the crowd going inside a room I see a man with long black hair and a woman with gold hair at his side. I look closer and find that it's Carol.
"Holy shit! It's Carol! But what is she doing here!"
As I continue to watch them disappear my train of thought is interrupted by the loud band as the men in white shirts point me out and begins running after me. Not looking to ask for question my only option was to get to Carol by any means necessary and so I took off toward the building where Carol was waiting.
XXX
As Carol watched the people of Egypt celebrate her union with Pharaoh Memphis, Carol's mind couldn't help but drift to the life she was forced to leave behind. She thought about the things she would never be able to do and the people she loved and would never see again. She longed to return to her home but found it impossible after her repeated kidnappings that lead her astray from the Egyptian holy grounds sealing her fate to this time. As time progressed despite the dangers Carol learned to adapt and upon falling in love with the once cruel Pharaoh who had come to soften after their affections had made it difficult to want to leave his side especially after all the things that has happened until now. To the people of Egypt she was their Goddess, and now she stood by Memphis's side as their Queen. And yet even with the affections of many adoring people happy for the union Carol felt uneasy and alone, for there was no one she could really trust.
"Carol is something troubling you?"
Carol's head snapped to Memphis who looked upon her with worry as he allowed his hand to raise her face. Carol looked upon him and smile shaking her head and planting a soft kiss to his hand.
" No I'm fine, I'm just a little tried that's all"
Memphis nodded in agreement seeing as Carol had to endure so much during her time in Egypt, and while this was a time of celebration Memphis knew they couldn't be too careless in a room with both allies and enemies.
"It must be from the heat, you have been out a lot lately. You should take it easy."
Carol gave Memphis a kiss on the cheek causing him to blush a bit as she lightly held his hand.
"Yeah your right."
As Memphis returned the smile and turn to address the crowds that payed their respects Carol couldn't help but notice the eyes of those who wanted to kill her and the one who sought to capture and keep her for themselves. Despite being by Memphis's side once again Carol feared it would only be a matter of time before anyone would try to separate them no matter how hard he tried to keep her safe. But despite the struggles she face Carol kept her composer calm as she faced the crowd as the proud Queen she was expected to be. As Memphis calls forth the entertainment which I would have thought to consists of dancers and musicians turned out to be nothing of the sort. What cam barging through those doors was a woman with very long brown hair and a sword clutched tightly in her hand. She is panting as she stares around until finally looking toward Carol. Memphis sits up wondering who had let such a person into the grounds but then notices Carol's behavior as she rose from her seat with the look of shock and what appeared to be happiness.
Memphis turned from Carol to the girl who wore a similar expression as if there was a bond that no one could destroy. Carol felt tears of joy well into her eyes as she stared upon the face she never thought she would ever be able to see. The one person she could count on to be there when she needed her to most.
Her best friend…
Cassandra Isato.
XXX
As I entered the great doors with a loud bang instantly everyone's eyes turned to my direction. Some women gasped while others stared wide eyes or in question. In the center on top of a great stare case sat the man with long black hair just as shocked as the rest of the nobles, but the woman at his side rose up with a hand to her mouth as she called out my name causing the man next to her to turn to her in question.
I approach about to call out her name despite the eyes that watch me but I'm cut off as a lot of guards storm in with swords and spears. I roll my eyes and twirl my blade losing up my tense hand as I wait for the first one to strike. As they do they start coming at me one my one as I take me out as best I as can without killing them, I hear Carol's call's for me but I'm too occupied to care. I push myself pass many bodies and manage to make it to a part of the room holding a giant curtain the size of a big building. As I guards begin charging at me I by all means had a Zorro moment and firmly grab the rope that held the giant curtain and cut it lose sending me flying up missing the spear tips and the curtain crashing down on the group of guards. I let go at the right time on a beam on the ceiling as I look down to see everyone's eyes looking at me with shock and amazement.
At this point as the guards began cutting themselves out, Carol used the chance to called out to me.
"Cassandra! What are you doing here!"
"Is that the first thing you say to me after all this shit! Do you have any idea what I've been through!"
"Just answer me!"
"I don't know alright! You're asking me how the hell I got here but I'm stuck here trying to find a way out!"
As me and her have are loud verbal conversation I see shadows blocking the sun and see more guards on each side of me with bows and arrows drawn and ready to fire. "Oh this is BULLSHIT!" I yelled staring at those cheaters hard, ready to cuss up a storm before I die.
Carol sees this and turns to Memphis with pleading eyes. "No Memphis, please you've got to stop them! She's not an enemy!"
Memphis looks into Carol's eyes seeing the grave worry in her for that strange woman and stands, but before he can issue an order they guards release their arrows upon Cassandra. Luckily Cassandra leaps from the beam to the next closes curtain and begins tumbling down along with the curtain. The nobles caught in the crossfire leap away in time before me or the curtain crashed onto their plushie pillow seats which thankfully broke my fall. As I stumbled from the fabric I find myself surrounded and screwed as I look around to every pointed object waiting just for me.
My brow twitches at the odds that I managed to piss of this many people in less than 24 hours is beyond me which only fueled my antisocial personality. As I studied them two guards made a move to grab me but I flipped kicking one in the face and twirled around slamming my other foot in the guy's stomach sending me back into the crowd. I bent ready in fighting stance as I felt the blood race through my body. The atmosphere was incredibly tense as I raised the blade which by some miracle I still hand in my grasp ready to kill if I needed to.
"Alright I've had enough of this shit! If you assholes want to die then come at me with everything you got!"
As the guards approached me I waited for any attacks to come at least that was until Carol decided to shoot in front of me forcing the guards to back off and me to ease my weapon down a bit.
"STOP! DON'T HURT HER!" Carol yelled as she trained her normal voice to echo among the great hall. At this point I wanted to smack her upside the head for her foolishness but another part of me wanted to hug her till her head popped off. But in a time like this my motherly nature decided to kick in as I pulled Carol behind me.
"Carol don't jump in the middle of something like this! That's dangerous!"
She squeezed my arm attempting to lower my weapon, but I wouldn't let it.
"Oh like you're someone to talk! Put the weapon down!"
Not unless they do it first!" I stared hard at any potential enemy daring them to move. A lot of them looked tried and frustrated, but knew better by this time I wasn't someone to reckon with. As I held a staring contest with a dozen men, a booming voice decided to finally break the silence. I didn't take my eyes off my enemies to find out who it was from but I had a good idea it was that guy with the dark long hair.
"Carol what are you doing! Get away from her this instant!"
I felt his glare on me but I didn't care at the moment. I'd deal with him later. At this point I felt Carol turn towards him as she begins to drift from my side causing one of the guards to try and pull her away back to my side while cutting her off in the process.
"No you don't understand! She's-"
"Get back Carol these fuckers started their shit again!"
" Cassandra wait! You don't understand!"
As Carol attempted to stop me I saw a guard launch an attack but due to his poor stance it was obvious he would hit Carol even if it was an accident. The man called Memphis saw this too and called out to Carol as she turns leaving her a clear target. People in room gasped and called out to her but none would reach her in time, except for me of course. In reflex I shoved Carol out of the way and twisted my blade enough the trap his wielding arm close enough to elbow him in the face breaking his nose. The crack of his nose breaking echoed in room as he slammed to the floor head first withering in pain. I stood over the hurting man and sneered.
"I don't think so buddy! Now try that shit again and next time I'll do more than busts your face in!"
At this point this was getting really stupid as they idiots clearly just wanted to get back at me until Carol once again put herself in front of me. Only this time she was literally shoving those guys back causing me to raise my eyebrow as I looked to Memphis who looked at me almost the same way.
"No I said stop it! I know her! She's my friend! So please stop…" Carol panted upon straining her voice as she turned to me. Now that I god a good look at her she was wearing their clothes and almost looked like a goddess. I knew this was Carol and yet I didn't know for sure. Silence fills the air until Memphis orders the majority of the palace guard out leaving a close few to monitor the situation in case something goes wrong. I touched Carol on her shoulder causing her to look at me as I look in pure disbelief wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me. I pulled her into an embrace despite the blade in my hand and held her as she returned the jester.
"Carol…is that really you?" I whispered not aware of the eyes currently laid on us.
"She nods as tears begin to form in her eyes " Yes…oh, Cassandra!"
She grip increased in as much force as mine as we held each other almost afraid one of us would vanish again.
"I can believe I finally found you! You have no idea how worried we all were!"
"I'm sorry I tried to find a way home but one thing lead to another things just got complicating! But what about you? How did you get here! Did Isis bring you here!"
Isis? So witch did have something to do with it. I thought as I saw the look of fear cross her eyes at the mention of the name. " No she didn't, but It's-That's kind of hard to explain."
"What do you-"
"Carol! What is the meaning of this! What is your relationship with this woman!" Memphis yelled not liking how close we were as I turned to him glaring.
"Well she's-"
"Hey keep your skirt on and don't talk to her like that either dumbass!"
"Cassandra! You shouldn't' say something like that!"
" Indeed, how dare you speak to me in such a manner! Do you even realize who you're speaking to peasant!"
I rolled my eyes at his arrogance making sure he saw it well. "Yeah a pansy with a stick up his ass! So what?"
"Woman you will-" Before he could finish I cut him off not caring if it was rude seeing as his people tried to kill me already.
" Listen asshole don't think I'm just going to let you push me around cause you're a man and don't think for a minute I won't take you out either! You don't know who the fuck you're messing with!
Everyone in the room started at me in shock like literally I would laugh if I could go back in time to relive that moment. Memphis came towards me looking to strike me where I stood. But Carol got in front of him trying to calm him down.
"Let me go Carol, this woman need to learn some manners!"
" Bring is on pretty boy I'm not afraid of you or your damn guard dogs! Hell I can dance all night!"
"Cassandra!"
"Enough Guards restrain her!
"No Memphis please she's just scared! She's like me! She's not from this world! "
Not of this world! Memphis thought as he stared in shock at Carol who glossy blue eyes stared at him begging him to understand. He looked back at Cassandra who stood in defiance with her weapon drawn.
"If she relinquishes her weapon and bows to me then I will listen."
Carol nodes and looks at me, at that moment I kind of wanted to kill her cause I knew what she was thinking before she even said the words "Cassandra…put it down. It's safe here and nothing will happen."
I shook my head at her answer. "Carol…are you shitting me! If this is your definition of safe then I'd rather sleep in a pit with snakes!"
"That can be arranged." Memphis spoke as he glared hard at my person. I snapped my head at him and glared returning the jester. "I wasn't talking to you pretty boy! So shut the hell up!"
As I prepared to make a step toward him Carol grabbed my hands and looked me in the eyes as tears fell from her face. "Cassandra please just trust me! I'm trying to help you but what you're doing is not helping your case!"
"How many times do I have to tell you Carol I didn't start this crap!"
"I know but you don't understand the situation you're in!" I looked at her as she sigh catching her breath as she continued " Please Cassandra, calm down and relinquish your weapon, that way you can explain yourself and clear up all this mess."
I looked at Carol and to all the people in the Hall who stared at him with fear, amusement, and fascination. I looked to Memphis before feeling Carol's hands squeezed my own until I finally cave and toss my weapon to the other side of the room. The clank of the metal hitting the floor echoed in the air as I prepared for the worse.
"You're lucky I listen to you Carol."
I smirked as I looked down at her as she smiled back at me. However the moment I let my guard down a hard body suddenly tackled me to the ground as I frantically began to struggle under the weight.
"Dammit it hell! I knew it was all bullshit!" I yelled as I managed to get my arm lose and flip the dude giving him a good punch in the face as another pulled me off him. I flipped over sending the guy holding me flying as I ran and leaped onto the oncoming guy and starting bashing his face in with repeated hits like a mad woman.
"No Cassandra!"
"Don't think because I don't have a weapon I can't kick your asses! "
The moment I said that more guards began to come towards me leaving me cornered. "Shit there's too many of them! I can't take them all by myself!"
As I tried to make a dive for a fallen weapon two big guys slammed into me as four others joined in attempting to restrain me. The moment I felt the rope going around my wrist and feet I struggled like my life depended on his kicking an biting if I had to!
"No, Get Back! Get the hell away from me!"
Their grips where hard as I continue to struggle. The heat coming off the men's body's where sickening as they muttered and cursed under their breathes at my attempts giving me that satisfaction that I wasn't making this easy for them.
"No! Get the fuck off me! Let Go of me or so help me god I'll curse you all!"
That itself made a couple of them flinch and back off but a few of the brave ones still held on but by that time I was already tied up like a fly in a spider's web. I knew I was fighting a losing battle but I'd be damned if I didn't go down with some dignity.
"Cassandra stop it! Please stop they won't hurt you!"
"Like hell they will! Get them off me!"
"Is she restrained?" Spoke Memphis as he stared at me with amusement crossing his eyes at my struggling form.
"Yes sir."
Good, now release her and step away" With great hesitance I felt their hands leave me as I stared at him despite all my hair in my face. Carol soon swept to my side and pulled me into her lap giving my head a place to rest in order for me to calm down.
"Cassandra…it's okay. I know there a lot you might want to know but before I tell you anything I better tell you this first so the situation doesn't get any worse."
"What could be worse than this?"
"Well…you see we're not exactly where you think we are?"
"What are you talking about? This isn't Egypt?"
"No, where still in Egypt but just a different time."
"You're not making any sense Carol! Give it to me straight and tell me where the hell we are!"
Carol was silent for a moment unsure if she should tell me or not. She pulled me closer until my head rested on her shoulder as she started to whisper in my ear so no one would hear. "We have been taken 3000 years back in time. This is currently ancient Egypt and the man standing before you is Pharaoh Memphis whose tomb father discovered before he died."
At this moment I froze in place as Carol gently rubbed my back upon feeling my body stiffen. Time stopped and I felt the world drop around me. I couldn't believe where I was let alone think it was impossible! It had to be! I looked around through the hair that covered my face at the faces of guards and other men wearing gold and fine fabrics. I began to shake as I started losing my sense of composer as Carol feeling my displeasure pulled me into a hug telling me it was going to be all right. I watched the man who stood behind Carol as she studied us. He looked with what looked like sympathy before replacing it with a hard look of indifference. I was overwhelmed by all the eyes the tore into my being until my body couldn't take it anymore. I felt myself limp against Carol's form as she called out to me but I didn't care as I let the darkness take me. I was tried and wanted to sleep.
This is my first fan fiction so please be gentle with me cause this did take a while to make from the top of my head. Being a big fan of the Ouke no Monshou manga I decided to create a fan fiction since not many people really tried to do it. I'm not really going to follow the plot to the teeth but I'll try to keep it in the lines since this is a really long serious.
So please by all means rate me and leave your comment!