Author's Notes: This chapter contains some moderate violence. Sorry in advance for any spelling mistakes.
All Anzu could hear was the sound of her own shaky breath as she slowly walked down corridors, she had no idea which way led where but sooner or later she'd find the way out and maybe come across Atem and with Kaiser's guards scattered between the palace and the village fire she could avoid been seen more easily and if she came across any trouble she had her father's sword by her side.
It felt like a lifetime since she had last seen Atem but it had only been a couple days, far too long she concluded anyway, how she managed to stay away from him and the palace for weeks on end doing diplomatic work she did not know, perhaps she longs for him know more than ever because he makes her feel protected and warm and she hated to admit it but she did feel vulnerable, Kaiser was a tyrant, she didn't want to imagine what pain he might subject her to.
'Atem, I know you will find me, you just have to' she thought before turning another corner.
Back with Atem:
Atem's plan was going more smoothly than he had anticipated, Kaiser had sent guards from a side entrance to the palace to investigate the fire leaving it wide open for his to slip into. He needed to take one of the guards as hostage and interrogate them, he needed to know if Anzu was married to him, as much as the idea of that sickened him, he just had to know and if she wasn't, he needed to find her location.
They would need to take out Kaiser off course, Atem knew enough about him to know that he would never give up until Anzu and Libya was his and he couldn't allow that. He'd send his apology to Nubia and offer them a knew general from his own army in return for peace, he'd have to send an apology to the Hittite's too if they were to form an alliance with the Nubians.
Atem had almost forgotten about the diplomat he had sent to Hittite with everything else that was going on, no doubt Kaiser had kidnapped him, tortured him for information and then killed him, that's just the kind of man he was!
He didn't know what to do about Aknadin when he returned back to Egypt, death felt rather extreme punishment considering he was his uncle perhaps he could be exiled but if the worse would to happen with Anzu then Atem feared he might kill him himself through rage.
With a sigh Atem turned a corner making sure the cost was clear, 'Anzu I know your in here somewhere, please be safe'
In the throne room:
"you have not found the girl yet?" Kaiser shouted at some of his guards, "she is just a girl, never mind ill find her myself, what of the fire in the village?"
The guards bowed in fear, "it looks like it was deliberate my Lord"
Kaiser grunted standing up, "It must be the Egyptians, they know we have Anzu, she did send that messenger bird after all, I must find her at once"
Back with Atem:
Atem had been searching for almost an hour now, he was surely in one of the deepest parts of the palace by now as he pushed open a large door. The room was centuries old, in the middle was a dried up old fountain and on the large wall behind him was a portrait of a beautiful woman. Even though the room was dimly lit he could see that the portrait had a striking resemblance to Anzu, 'how is that possible?' he thought.
"so I finally get to meet the mighty pharaoh at last"
Atem turned reaching for his sword. Standing by the door learning against a pillar was a tall man with dark hair, he was at least in his late thirties, it was defiantly Kaiser from what people had described about him. "Where's Anzu?" he demanded.
Kaiser chuckled devilishly, "straight to the point, I like that but since I'm not an Egyptian subject then I don't have to take orders from you"
"and since Anzu is an Egyptian subject you will hand her over to me" Atem insisted. Kaiser pushed himself from the pillar and took a few steps towards him. Atem kept his hand gripped on his sword ready to strike at any second. "see that's where your wrong your highness, when in fact she is an Libyan subject"
Atem looked at him bemused, "what do you mean?"
kasier chuckled, "its a long story and I'm short on time". Kaiser drew his sword, "now I believe in a fair fight, your a King, I'm a general and it seems you have a good reputation for sword fighting, how about you put your skills to the test, last man standing takes the girl"
Atem grunted, Anzu was not some prize! but if he had to fight to save her then so be it. He drew his sword and waited for Kaiser to strike first.
Back with Anzu:
The palace was like a maze, she knew Atem would of found a way into the palace but finding each other was a challenge and a half. She decided to take a rest, her legs hurt so much and she hadn't had much sleep over the past two days or so. She lent against a wall and closed her eyes for a few seconds but as if closing her eyes increased her sense of hearing she heard the clanging of swords.
She snapped her eyes open and followed the noise, it was coming from the sacred chamber, the one were she first met Amara. She pushed open the door to see a horror of a sight, Kaiser and Atem were sword fighting! Kaiser was obviously much taller than Atem but he was managing to defend himself quite well until he turned hearing the door opening. "Anzu" he gasped staggering, as if time had stood still.
"Atem, watch out" she called as Kaiser threw himself at Atem, his sword pointing to his chest. Atem used his own sword to block his and turned on his legs as Kaiser flew past him and skid onto the floor. Atem turned on his heel and launched back at Kaiser only for Kaiser to block him, dam he was fast! Atem was on top of Kaiser trying to push his sword through his chest but his sword was in the way preventing the blade from piercing his skin.
With all his weight Kaiser pushed Atem off of him and the roles were reversed. Kaiser drew his sword, "now you die"
Atem closed his eyes, 'sorry Anzu, I wasn't strong enough' his final thoughts were. He opened his eyes to take one last look at her but she was no longer by the door. "NOOOOO" she called out stabbing Kaiser through his back, her sword went straight through him piercing his heart, blood poured from his mouth. Atem pushed Kaiser's body away from him and stood up.
"I killed him" she said, tears streaming from her eyes, she had taken a life before but not like this, the tears were from relief, not from pain. Atem came to her and brought her head into his chest shushing her. They were finally back together. Atem pulled away to look into her eyes, "you have a lot of explaining to do" he chuckled looking at the portrait. She wiped her eyes, "yeah I guess I do".
Author's Notes: So Atem and Anzu are finally back together but don't worry there's a little more to this story yet. Next chapter will be up by Friday.
