Fires of Hell...Evil Soldiers take my Soul
Born to Kill...Spread their wings to the wind

(INQUISICION, Song "Army of Darkness")

The heart of evil

=== Near Philae in the desert ===

The small airplane had landed roughly, but no one was hurt. Rick O'connel stood aside, feigning to be busy in checking the lamps. In reality, he observed Imhotep and Evie, who stood some meters away. With nearly childish gloating, Rick had anticipated seeing his old rival throw up after the touch down, at least. But he was been disappointed. The ancient High Priest of Osiris might look pale, but obviously was not that 'kind' to give any sign of weakness. Rick's gaze rested on Evelyn, in a mixture of gentleness and anger. He still loved her, and he still could not forgive her having chosen this 'creature' over him! Imhotep had played tricks with her innocent mind, for sure! To take revenge on Rick for the killing in Hamunaptra! O'Connell wasn't up to end Imhotep's life now; as long as the other man did not attack him! But whatever would happen in the next hours – there might be a situation where his old rival simply was out of reach for any rescue attempt. It might happen he died… And then, Rick promised himself, he would be there for Evie and care for her! He turned away when he saw Imhotep placing his hand on her belly. To care for this unborn child was something Rick could not imagine. Not right now. He sighed.

Seeing him, Gordon Cramer shook his head. "Old man, I know what you were thinking. We have no time for jealous rivalries, as far as I got the picture."

"You know what I think? Since when you do mind-reading?"

"Come on. I'm a police officer with 20 years experience in the field AND I'm your friend. What you are doing does not help. No one. So – are you ready to move on?"

Rick refused to take this other than literally and nodded.

"I had a few words with Imhotep", Cramer continued. "He asserts he could find this temple from here. He says recognizing a certain feature in the rock formation."

"He was here before? Aw, why doesn't this surprise me?!" O'Connell did not wait for an answer, but walked to the pilot instead, rifle swung over his shoulder and flashlight in the hand.

McClellan was about to ease some tension with the help of his second cigarette. Rick gladly took one, too. "Touch down wasn't that bad", McClellan said, with his right hand padding the wing of his plane. "Good old tough lady, she is! Might even be able to start again in the morning, with better light, you know."

A sharp cry sounding from the nightly sky interrupted the pilot. All eyes turned upwards to figure out the source.

"It's my falcon, Horus", Ardeth recognized. "My men must have an urgent message!" The bird landed gracefully on his wrist. The Medjai loosened the little paper folded around the falcon's leg, read and frowned.

"Bad news?" asked Gordon Cramer. With his usual wry humor he added in his thoughts: What else can it be? We already know of 'Armies from the Underworld' and some evil snake-God trying to devour mankind! So, what else can happen?

"What does it say?" Rick pressed, too.

"My men have captured the kidnapper's gang. And… one of my comrades is sure to have recognized the signs of the Second Prophecy in these events."

Everyone stared at Ardeth now. Before Cramer could mouth his question, the Medjai explained: "It is an old teaching, a forbidden one for the Medjai, in fact. It says, Pharaoh Seti was cursed as well, for murdering all the priests of Osiris."

"Yes, how fitting!" Imhotep hissed with narrow eyes. "I already know that the man who has stolen my son has Seti's damned soul. I got a vision from Osiris." He straightened and tried to ignore the growing pain in his side. "I don't need your help, Medjai! I will fight Apepi and his creeping toady Seti, in whatever disguise he might appear. It is said and wanted by the Gods!"

Ardeth's gaze became hard as well. The arrogance of this man obviously had persisted through the ages, immortal or not! However, it was not Ardeth's personal decision whether to help or not! He and his tribe were bound to their duty; they had pledged their life to it.

"The Medjai and me have to confront the ancient evil. It is true, we have believed a long time, it would only manifest itself in the One-who-shall-not-be-named. My forefathers rejected the Second Prophecy. However, it is not too late to learn! So, we will fight. We are trained for this task for centuries", he replied, not without pride.

Trained to interfere with my business, Imhotep could not help to think. His resentments against the Medjai were that old and deeply rooted; he wasn't able to put them aside after only some years of peace with them. He did not trust them and he was too proud to admit he would need any help, especially from the Medjai!

"My son's life is at stake! I don't want YOU to take care of him!"

Ardeth stayed unimpressed by this display of disgust. He looked at Evelyn, who had asked him for help in the first place, and said: "The words of the Second Prophecy state clearly, if the 'wandering soul' seeks her revenge at last, she will raise the darkness, night will fall upon earth, deeper than the night caused by the Bringer of Death. A battle will rage, and the mortal who goes alone, will die."

Imhotep sensed coldness pierce through him, and Evelyn's likewise cold hands clutched around his arm. This could not be! Osiris could not send him to his death!

"So… the Prophecy says you should go with him?" his wife asked, surprised and full of hope the same. Perhaps, this night was predestinated to put the enmity between Imhotep and the Medjai to an end?!

"Unfortunately, the Medjai have not the complete text of the writings. It was a Keeper's tradition, shunned by us. The only thing we know for sure is, that there is a weapon in the heart of the evil itself…"

"The heart of evil ? In the temple… Apepi's temple…" Evelyn presumed. "What kind of weapon?"

"I don't know. It could be an inscription, a magic spell. Similar to the ones from the Book of Amun-Ra, that could destroy the… Bringer of Death."

Imhotep's look was icy fire. But he did not say anything, too occupied with these new twists, and too horrified by the thought his God could betray him. Had he not served him well in the last years, as he had before his damnation with the Hom-Dai? No, no, Osiris could not betray him! This had to be a fraud, a ruse of the Medjai, and he must not fall for it! "I do not trust you", were his only words, then he turned away and marched in the direction he knew from the ancient times, without waiting for the others. Evelyn was at his side as fast as she could. "What do you think you'll do, Imhotep? You don't trust ME either?"

He gave no sign how much these words hurt him. "What will come, is far too dangerous for you, my love, and our child", he answered without looking in her eyes, knowing this would break his determination. "I want you to stay here, with McClellan."

"I should let you go alone? You know I would never do that! I had to let you go twice, and you went through hell! Now I will accompany you, as will the rest of us! Remember, Ardeth said something about inscriptions. So I will be of very much use, while you men are fighting, don't you think?" She managed a smile, which immediately overwhelmed his barriers of stubbornness and pride. Together, they walked further. The rest of the little team followed, guided by Gordon Cramer, armed with lamps and weapons and nasty feelings about all this.

=== In the black temple of Apepi ===

Ani coughed and wiped the dust from his eyes. Slowly, the air around him cleared too, and he could discern his environment. It was a temple, like the ones his father had shown him so far – and yet it was different. Everything here was black, painted or covered with mud from the river. The place did not radiate solemnity and holiness, but torture and eon-old pain, hate and seething hunger for revenge. Ani was frightened. He stumbled through the debris towards the half-ruined staircase of the entrance. Around him, dark incorporeal figures like distorted shadows danced and whispered. The boy tried to push them aside, but they vanished at his touch, only to reappear a second later.

Ani had reached a little platform beneath the hideous sculpture of a half-man-half-snake and looked around. The man who had brought him here was nowhere to see. However, Ani heard the noise of someone crawling out of the wreckage. He had to hurry! He spun around, ran further upwards.

…Why do you run?... The voice sounded from everywhere. …There is no escape. Now you are ours… precious little weapon…

More and more horrified and angry the boy fought against the elusive schemes, not realizing that exactly those emotions made them only stronger. He cried again for help, hoping with the trust of the child he was, that his father would be near and rescue him.

…Forget your father! He is weak! He is nothing! He tricked us once, but not a second time! Because now we have you… you… YOU…

"NO! My Father will come! He won't let me here alone!"

An ugly cracking squeaking sound filled the place, and Ani saw the ground opening and skeletonised figures rose up. The shadows settled down on them and inspirited them with their evil powers. The army of darkness began to form. And the until now lifeless statue of Apepi started to change the same. Its snake scales dazzled and the eyes glowed in an eerie greenish yellow.

Gemar watched the whole scenery like something happening in another life. He stood dust covered on the temple floor, surrounded by the creatures of the living dead and smiled, although he did not want to. He wanted to flee, get as far away as he could. What had he done here? He, a loyal servant of Allah?! What were these demons of the underworld? But he could neither run nor cry. The part of him which was still Gemar the Bedouin leader was firmly enclosed by the vengeful soul of Pharaoh Seti. HE would have his revenge. HE would see Imhotep die, finally, and rule with the help of his own son!

=== Meanwhile nearby in the mountains ===

"You are sure this is the right way?" Gordon Cramer asked again, trying to see something in the light cone of his lamp.

"Yes. I'm sure." Imhotep raised his arm in order to explain the characteristic spikes in the rock formation and the way they had to take, but instead fell back exhausted against the nearest stone. The world was swirling in front of his eyes and he had the feeling it would turn even darker. He blinked, fought for self-control.

"Imhotep? You really should rest for a moment." Evie's voice sounded as if she was miles away.

"No… No time…" He pushed himself away from the rock and stared determined into the night, carefully avoiding the gazes of the others.

"You are in no shape to walk or fight!" Evie got angry in her fear for him.

"But I have to! It is the will of the Gods! They won't let me down!"

"Let me at least check your bandage."

Imhotep wanted to protest, but Evelyn had already opened his shirt.

He grimaced, more out of disgust for displaying weakness than actual pain. Ardeth stepped closer, on top of all!

"Use this", the Medjai said and laid a tiny flacon in Evelyn's hand.

"What? Are you trying to poison me? This is not –"

Something like a little sarcastic smile tugged on Ardeth's lips. This man was a plague – even without his curse! He did not understand how anyone could hold out at his side! "The men of my tribe are formidable warriors", he said. "And our women formidable healers! Many of them guard the secrets of the ancient medicine transmitted from mother to daughter since generations. You were a healer yourself, Imhotep. You should recognize it is no poison."

The former High Priest felt ashamed even more. Indeed, this Medjai had spoken the truth… And the ancient remedy brought immediate relief. It cost Imhotep considerable effort to even imagine thanking a Medjai. When he finally opened his mouth, a yellow glow began spreading over the rocks only some meters away and let him forget what he was about to say.

"The breath of Apepi…" he whispered instead.