The Lost Pharaoh

The Lost Pharaoh

Chapter 6: An Unfulfilled Vengeance

Screams echoed throughout the dark empty cellar as if trying to reach out toward any helping hand. No help came, only more darkness. The pain was clear through the wounded cries. The doors to the chamber squeaked open as three cloaked figures walked through surrounding one particular figure, whose cloak was covered in chains of gold and silver. A slave-made crown sat upon his head gleaming almost cruelly, reflecting light off the gems onto the poor, weak lump lying on the dirty dungeon floor.

Slowly, the figures approached the door and dragged the lump out to face the man standing in jewels. A golden cane with the shape of a large, horrendous dragon-like creature on top was in the man's right hand. The man took the cane and forced the bruised and bleeding man to look at him in the eye.

"Do you understand now that you will do as I say?" a cold voiced drawled.

He whimpered while he nodded, the pain still flowing through his body. The man above him smiled sadistically as he pulled the cane back.

"Good, now we have an understanding. You are lucky, some don't learn until they end up like the others around them," he spoke without emotion as the whimpering man shuddered.

"Now that we have an agreement your family won't be touched. You know what do for me, but in case you've forgotten I will tell you again," he stood up so that he towered over the man on his knees. "You will go to Kemet and tell the priests that your family is homeless and you will work at the palace for pay. Once you're inside working get as much information as you can. You will report back to me weekly. Now, any questions?"

The man stumbled to get his lips moving correctly. He hadn't spoken for almost a month. A whole month he had been in that prison. He remembered the day his village was attacked. They had been in peace for 5000 years since the pharaoh had sacrificed his life for all of Egypt and rid the whole country of everyone cruel and heartless, sending them to an eternal darkness in the shadows.

But that day the village had experienced a threat that was either new...or an old threat that had survived. Either way, he had been kidnapped with many others and tortured if they didn't answer questions or didn't give enough to the guards who worked for the cold man standing before him. Most that were kidnapped with him didn't make it because they weren't strong enough or because they decided to rather die than tell them anything. The man himself would've died for his country had he not been worried about his wife, kids and the people. This man was definitely a threat and as far as the man could tell this threat wanted the throne that lay within the palace of Kemet. If he obeyed the man and wasn't caught doing anything suspicious, else he would be tortured and killed, he might have a chance to give signs to the people that danger is coming.

"W-what if they d-don't believe me? What i-if they find out my family's not homeless?" he asked, stuttering a bit.

The man with the cane sneered, "I wouldn't worry about that, because if you fail my request your family will be homeless. And you'll be dead."

Not having any choice the man kneeling bowed his head sadly and nodded. The cloaked man with the cane ordered his guards to clean him up to avoid suspicion and then give him a lift to Kemet.

After one of the guards took the injured man away, the cloaked man with the cane gestured toward the other two guards. They walked down the hall passed several other cells, some still stained with blood, finally getting to the bolted door at the end. The guards took out their weapons as they unlocked the door. The cloaked man waved them back so he could step inside.

The room was sealed with walls, no windows nor any other way out. There was nothing except a chair in the center of the room where, at the moment, a man sat tied down. His white cloaked outfit was a bit crumpled and dirty, and other than the few cuts here and there he wasn't deeply injured. The man sitting in the chair looked up at the room's new occupants calmly without fear. His eyes were a strange blue and seemed to almost overlap his pupils. From a distance it seemed he didn't have any, but on closer inspection one could see that his eyes were just very dark and his pupils small.

The guards stood at the door to make sure he didn't escape as the cloaked man approached his cane gleaming even in the dim light. Finally he stopped in front of the man tied to the chair and stared at him for several seconds.

"Now, has your confinement opened you up any further?" the cloaked man said coldly.

"Not at all," the seated man answered.

The cloaked man laughed, the sound cold and raspy.

"You haven't eaten for almost two weeks now and you have sat here day and night since then with no sleep. Are you telling me I need to move you to the dungeons and force it out of you?"

"You can do as you like," the man replied, still untouched by the threats.

"Hmm...a tough one. Well, I guess that would make sense since you were the top guardian of the village in Kemet. Isn't that right...Shadii?" the cloaked man sneered.

Shadii, who was tied to the chair, only closed his eyes.

"You know nothing about me nor what I stand for. You only wanted me because you thought I would know something about the village. You wish for me to either tell you some rarely traveled trail in which you can ambush the city without being suspected first, or you want me to tell you about the palace."

The cloaked man looked at him intrigued.

"Well, well, I see we have a prophet on our hands," he smirked. "That could be useful too."

"I am not a prophet. I can't help you with predicting the future," Shadii said.

"Do you know about the palace then?"

Shadii shook his head, "You misunderstand. You have captured me thinking I can help you find a weakness of Kemet and the people of Egypt, but I cannot. I myself didn't even live in Kemet, I live...elsewhere. I have been inside the palace ,but I'm sure you all ready know the interior. So therefore I know just as much as you. I do not have the information you seek."

"Hmm...I see, and you just want me to let you go, is that right?"

"I cannot help you," Shadii repeated.

The cloaked man tapped his finger on the cane before turning to the guards.

"Make sure he doesn't move and doesn't eat. If he is no use to me then I have no need for him to keep living. I can't let word out about anything going on here, nor about myself. Keep an eye on him at all times!" he ordered.

The guards nodded and closed and bolted the door once again. Once he was again in the darkness, Shadii closed his eyes tightly, concentrating on his inner being. Out of the darkness a light sprang forth, glowing brilliantly and illuminating the whole room, unnoticed by anyone. A necklace appeared around his neck, the shape of the Ankh coming forth. Once the glow had died down, Shadii opened his eyes. This time his pupils were completely hidden by the aura spreading throughout his body.

"You have no power over me. I told you that you knew nothing about me," Shadii whispered before his body disappeared from the binds of the rope through an unknown power with no trace.

Outside of the dungeons was a large castle. It had been built by slaves and servants many years ago and stood long waiting for the right time. It consisted of mostly workshops where people willing and unwilling worked day and night with little sleep but fed well enough. A part of the castle was where supplies were stored after they were made in the workshops. And every year or so the slave number would grow. It was like a darkness spreading just beneath the surface, there but unseen and waiting for the right moment to break through and destroy what it could, like a curse.

All the people in that castle, which was hidden in an area so deserted with no crops, just bare land and no life outside the castle. Not even animals roamed for if they did they'd be slaughtered and fed to all those working inside the castle, especially the one man that owned it. Somehow there was always food and drink despite no crops or much animals to be killed. Some noticed and wondered, others ignored it but all remained silent and never questioned what went on. The only words spoken were words of obedience and command. It also seemed that the castle, the dark fortress, was growing larger...or possibly it was the aura it gave off.

On the main floor there was a highly guarded room, much bigger than most rooms in the entire fortress. A large, cushioned chair with a high backing stood in the center and that was where the cloaked man with the cane sat usually. This time however, he entered the room and didn't sit down, but instead walked about questioning the guards.

"Have the workers done as they were told?" he demanded.

"Yes sire," one of the guards answered.

"Good. It should be ready by the time I need it. Give them the next project," he ordered.

"The next project?" the guard asked.

"Yes...and this is something they need to work extra hard on, my faithful guards. Come, I will show you."

The cloaked man turned on his heel walking toward the back of the room. On all the walls were paintings of different sorts, mostly of himself, but only one seemed to come off. Behind the painting on the fall west wall there was a crevice where papers and other items were stacked. The cloaked man pulled a long sheet and walked over to the dining table and laid it out.

"This is what I want them to build!" he exclaimed. "I worked for years devising this...it may be a small insignificant room, but it is the key to my success. The last piece of the puzzle."

The most trusted guards gathered around to see the blueprints of the project.

"My liege...this...this...it's impossible to build," one guard stammered.

The cloaked man sneered, "You doubt my abilities and powers?"

"No, it's just that in order to complete we would need several...items that would be extremely hard to nearly impossible to retrieve at all, let alone without getting caught."

The cloaked man just smiled, "Yes, and that is what our kind friend in the dungeons is to do. Once he gets out and into the palace my scheme will begin. It may look impossible, but I promise you there are no flaws. I have worked too long, too hard and have been too patient for this to fail me!"

The guard winced at the threatening tone but didn't reply.

"Yes, but you need more than power."

The guards turned as a man stepped forward. He had much nicer robes on than the other guards. His eyes were just as cold and hungry and he had a small and barely noticeable gold bracelet around both his arms just below his biceps. His cloak hid most of his body.

"Ah, my vizier...my faithful friend," he sneered. "Do come closer. Once all the pieces are in place there's no stopping me. Besides...the first step has all ready been complete. You see, I have wasted no time in going directly for the source. Of course after 5000 years why would a dead pharaoh come back. No, he can't unless he's reincarnated and his body still lies in the tomb, that I'm sure of.

"First, I needed to get rid of the necklace, the source of my downfall. I went to the witch who lives in the caves. I convinced her to send out a curse, a very special and highly dangerous witchcraft, to track down the necklace which no doubt was buried with the pharaoh's body. So even if it wasn't destroyed its powers would be all swept away and scattered, or at least out of reach to anyone who could use the power. Mind you, I had to pay a heavy price for that..."

"And what price was that?" the "vizier" asked coldly.

"Just a place for her when my goal is fulfilled. She wants to become my queen once I rule...however, even witches have their prices. They can do dirty magic, yes, but none have come against me. I will get her out of the way shortly after I take over...However...," the cloaked man paused, his eyes narrowing, "there have been rumors floating around that the pharaoh's tomb has been seen sending off auras from within.

"That would be impossible since the pharaoh can't awaken without five priests and his viziers chanting his reincarnation. There is no other way he could come back! And I have made sure they couldn't get together by creating diversions and setting villages on fire and whatnot to keep them busy enough to stay away from the tomb. So far, as my spies have told, no one has gone near the tomb. And once this room is built I will be safe, for if he does come back I will have a place to put him!"

He laughed coldly as everyone but the "vizier" shuddered.

"Well...it seems you have this all figured out. I suppose you don't need my help."

He stopped laughing, a cold sneer still firmly in place, "Oh, but I always need your help Malik. I need you to go to Kemet as well to make sure that our "helper" is doing his job correctly. And I need you to bring me the pharaoh's body. If I have his body there's no way for him to come back. And I will make sure it can never be restored!"

"Surely you don't expect me to break into the tomb unnoticed?" Malik raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, of course not. I expect you to befriend the palace watchers by pretending to be a poor, helpless boy. You've definitely got the young looks, Malik. And I know you have your ways...which is why I contacted you. I know that for a living you chase down tomb robbers only to steal what they stole, and so far your wealth has proved to me that you are very reliable," he stated.

Malik sneered, "That may be true, but stealing from tomb robbers is different than becoming one. But let's say I do this and bring you the pharaoh's body which will not only ensure your rule but make the people fear you and bow down to you. What will I get in return?"

"A spot next to me on the throne of course. You will be my top adviser and get everything I get, only I will make most decisions. But you will take my place if anything happens to me," the cloaked man answered.

Malik let out a cold laugh, "Now really, you don't think I pay attention to your words? I heard what you're willing to do to the witch. How do I know you won't do the same?"

"Now, Malik, I would never do that to one I trusted as much as you."

Malik's eyes narrowed, "I may not have everything you have, and I may only chase tomb robbers, but I do not tolerate being taken advantage of."

If any of the guards saw the aura rising in his eyes, none voiced. However, the cloaked man didn't seem to notice the uneasy silence and the sentence on the verge of threat floating in the air.

"Of course not. What would you like as payment?"

Malik hesitated as if contemplating, "Actually, I just want that golden relic in your collections room."

The cloaked man raised an eyebrow, "Oh, the long staff made out of gold. It's yours if you do this correctly. That's all you wanted?"

"Yes, besides maybe information on any top notch tomb robber you can find. I haven't been very lucky with tracking them down and I'm looking for ones who are rarely if ever caught."

"That I can do, both are yours. Now, get these plans to the workers!" he ordered, throwing the blueprints to the guards.

The guards nodded and left the room to follow his orders. Malik turned to take his leave.

"Oh, Malik? Just out of curiosity, out of all the gold and jewels I have why just that one?"

Malik didn't turn to face him, but his voice remained calm, "Oh, I just fancy that is all. It reminds me of what my father said, how he wanted something like that to complete his treasury. He died because he was too greedy and selfish and wanted everything...but he never did get that. And to feel I have something he never had is a great satisfaction for me. Besides, finding me a good tomb robber will compensate just fine."

"I see. Well then, my guards should give you an escort right to Kemet. Good luck and I hope you achieve this goal of yours."

Unnoticed by the cloaked man, Malik's sneer widened considerably and his eyes appeared to almost darken from an unknown force. Instead he nodded and walked out without saying another word.

XXXXXX

The herds of students came running out of building safely and unharmed. The teachers were standing at the doors making sure all the students got out all right before the fire trucks came. The sirens were all ready getting closer.

"The fire trucks are coming," Anzu announced.

The group of friends were standing away from the panicking students a distance from the school. They had gotten out safer and faster than most of the other students because of Honda's short cut.

"That was really freaky," Jou said, leaning up against a tree.

Bakura was panting for breath looking about ready to collapse.

"I'll say...that was...too close."

Yami was the one who remained silent and calm until he looked down and around their group.

"Where's Yuugi?"

The rest of them turned to Yami.

"He was right behind us," Anzu said covering her mouth. "Oh no, I hope he's not stuck in the building!"

"I'll save him!" Jou said rolling up his sleeves.

"No! It's too dangerous and you're not fast enough!" Anzu exclaimed.

"Stop panicking everyone, I'm sure he got out safe with the rest of the students," Honda said.

Bakura stood up and nodded, "Yes, I'm sure he's all right. There were teachers in the hallways with the students directing them out."

Jou blinked, "Hey...Yami, you all right?"

Yami had his eyes closed with a look of concentration on his face. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

"I can't sense him!"

"Wha-?" Jou's eyes widened in confusion.

"Yami, what's the matter?" Anzu asked worried.

"He's still inside!"

Before any of them could blink Yami had run faster than was possible to stop him.

"Yami wait!" Anzu shouted. "Please don't do that! Yami, come back!"

Bakura's eyes lit up with worry, "Oh, I hope they'll both be all right."

"STOP!"

They turned to see teachers yelling at Yami as he ran inside the building. Anzu was practically jumping up and down with worry for him and Yuugi while Jou and Honda just looked dumbfounded.

"Geez, I didn't think it was possible to run dat fast," Jou said, still wide-eyed.

Inside the building was just like when he had entered it that morning. The lockers and wall unscathed, rooms untouched and even the floor was still as shiny from when they had been cleaned over the weekend. In fact, nothing appeared to be out of place. Yami stopped near the cafeteria, as Jou and Yuugi had called it. The place where students got their food. It was where the fire had supposedly started when Jou had run to them and told them it was full of smoke.

There's no trace of fire anywhere. The school looks unharmed. Could there have been a mistake?

Yami began running in search of Yuugi or anyone who had gotten trapped, but the place didn't appear to be in any danger. He ran passed the room in which he had been introduced, glancing inside the open door. Just as quickly as he had run inside he stopped suddenly looking as if something cold had just washed over him.

What is this feeling? It's new to me.

Yami could feel something faint that was lying somewhere nearby. He decided to follow it in case it was someone in need of help.

Yuugi's friends must be right. If Yuugi couldn't catch up he could follow the students outside.

Yami looked all around, listening for any cries of help. He couldn't hear or feeling anything that alerted him. Feeling more relieved he began to head back outside to not worry Yuugi's friends. Suddenly he stopped. Something was stopping him from continuing on. He thought he had heard a whisper or a voice.

Could it have been a cry for help?

Not knowing which way to go and seeing only one hallway he hadn't gone down, Yami ran down the hallway.

"Is anyone here?" he called out.

No answer. Yami continued to run down the hallway when his eyes suddenly locked on the door at the end of it. The glass was broken as shards were scattered everywhere and the doors looked like they had been bent a little. Yami approached the doors looking at them and wondering what it was from. He remembered Yuugi telling him there were some bad kids out there that did bad things.

But it couldn't have been done by a student...could it?

Yami reached out to close the door and the moment his hand touched it a shock sent waves of pain through his body. Yami was taken aback and stumbled backward. He didn't fall through the door, but now he was in the center of the double doorways that had been forced open. It was then that he could see inside the doors. A figure lay on the floor in the center of the large wooden room.

Yuugi...?

"Yuugi!" Yami shouted running through the doors toward his side.

Besides the doors that were out of place, nothing else looked scorched. Yami rushed to Yuugi's side.

"Yuugi?!"

Yami barely had time to even reach down and see if he was okay before the whole floor shook violently, causing him to fall off balance. An sound much like an explosion of some sort echoed throughout the room loudly as flames appeared on all sides blocking all the entrances and exits. The floor was still shaking as Yami lifted Yuugi's limp body and ran to find a door that wasn't covered by flames. Before Yami's eyes more flames appeared coming from the ceiling and dripping down toward him. He barely moved in time before he was scorched badly.

There's no way out! I've got to get out and make sure Yuugi's all right.

Yami's eyes narrowed dangerous as his pupils dilated into slits. He held Yuugi firmly with one hand as he touched the necklace around his neck with the other. His eyes narrowed as he directed himself toward the door he had come from. He ran as fast as he could trying to tap into the necklace and use some of its power to guide him.

Please don't let me down!

Yami's eyes glowed with determination as he thrust himself and Yuugi through the flames, feeling his legs and arms scorched by the flames. As fire surrounded him to try and trap him the necklace began to glow as a faint shield was produced around them protecting him from most of the flames. Yami ran past them and out the short cut Yuugi's friends had gone through. He burst through the door he had entered carrying Yuugi in his arms. There were men dressed in red armor it looked like who were entering the building as well. As soon as Yami had come out the students were screaming again, but this time not from fear.

"Yami! Are you okay?"

Yami looked up to see Anzu, Jou, Honda and Bakura running toward him as he fell to his knees from weakness.

"Yami, what happened!?" Anzu exclaimed. "Yuugi! Is he all right?"

"I'm not sure," Yami said, panting for breath.

"Yuugi needs help!" Anzu shouted.

"Everyone, back away!" the principal shouted.

The teachers, including the principal immediately went toward them. They lay Yuugi on the ground and proceeded to check and make sure he was all right.

"There's no pulse!" one teacher exclaimed.

"Someone call an ambulance!"

"NO, YUUGI!" Anzu screamed, tears running down her cheeks.

"Get the students away!" the principal shouted.

All the students watching were forced back, including Yuugi's friends. Anzu was crying as Bakura comforted her. Jou was looking like he was about to break down as well as Honda. Yami on the other hand was being helped by the teachers because he felt too weak to get up. His vision began to blur as he felt his energy escaping him. He barely registered bright lights as white-uniformed people came running toward the group of teachers. His eyes closed as he felt his body giving in.

TO BE CONTINUED...