Rebecca held up a hand and said a single, sharp word that brought Ardeth's head up…his gaze narrowed at the shimmering image that began to form before the altar. His hand went to the sword at his hip but Rebecca's hand on his arm stayed him. As Imhotep became solid he could see why…his body was banded in golden ropes that shimmered with power. He was solid, but unable to break free of the bonds Rebecca had placed upon him.

"Release me." Imhotep demanded his gaze furious as he stared at her.

"I plan to." Rebecca said smoothly, unflinching as she met his gaze. "You'll be freed from the curse of the Hom Dai."

Imhotep's face, though suspicious and angry, held a touch of hope as he saw the power radiating through her. Ardeth kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, but nodded in respect to Rebecca as he took a step back, allowing her full reign. Alex stood straighter as he felt Imhotep's hold on him ebb…it was not fully gone, but the fight to seize control was lessened. Rick saw his son's renewed strength and he met Evy's gaze, the two of them stepped closer to their son, surrounding him with their support.

"You will not be free from punishment however." Rebecca warned her voice and eyes cold as she stared at him. "Once your soul is freed, you will be facing Ma'at."

Imhotep lowered his gaze to the floor, accepting that his life and his actions would be judged in the afterlife, and odds were his heart would weigh the scales heavily. It was better to bring an end to this, rather than remain trapped in the torment that was the Hom Dai. When he raised his head again Rebecca could see the acceptance in his eyes, and he nodded slightly.She stepped away from the altar, leaving the now-blank book behind. She began to speak and Evy's head snapped up as she heard the words…they were higher than the language of the kings, her past self recognized it as the language of the gods. Rebecca's powers were from the highest indeed because it would take the power of a god to remove the curse of the Hom Dai.

Imhotep's bonds began to glow, the color going from gold to silver as light poured out of them and began to wash over his body. His head went back and his mouth opened as black mist poured out of it, swirling around the room before diving arrow-like into the murky pool of water surrounding the altar. Imhotep dropped to his knees, free of the ropes but unable to move as his body began to age before their eyes….from that of a well-toned man in his prime to that of a shriveled old man, before even that was gone, and all that remained was a pile of bones. Rick stepped forward and nudged the pile with his rifle, smiling in grim satisfaction when they disintegrated into a pile of ash.

Evy turned as Alex stepped forward. His back was straight, and the trademark O'Connell grin was firmly in place as he approached the altar. He reached Rebecca and swept her up in a hug, swinging her around in a circle before setting her down and placing a huge kiss on her mouth.

"Have I mentioned you're my favorite aunt?" He teased turning to gently push her into a waiting Ardeth's arms.

"Just don't tell Amanda." Rebecca warned, sagging gratefully into Ardeth's embrace. Weakness was beginning to invade her body and she knew she'd sleep well that night.

"I heard." Amanda said with a laugh. "Don't worry; next time I bake I'll be his favorite again."

"Charmer." Evy said with a laugh as she ran her hands over Alex's face. He was pale and looked exhausted, but the light was back in his eyes, and she knew her son would be fine. "Just like his father."

"I'll consider that a compliment." Alex said as he spied his father thoroughly stomping the ashes into the ground. He was taking no chances.

"More like a complaint." Jonathan said with a smirk as they headed for the exit. "It would be a compliment if they said you were like me."

The sound of Rick's protest and the group's laughter echoed through the ancient city as they left. No one looked back, and no one saw the blank Book of Thoth begin to glow with light, shining brighter and brighter until it burst like a firework, leaving nothing in its wake but a singed place on the stone.

The End.