Chapter Ten: The Angel of Death Descends


Late that night, after the city settled down, Atemu went to see Mana and Akefia.

"Sebiumeker has come to me again. This time, he said, 'take a lamb, and, with its blood, mark the door posts of every Nubian. For tonight, I will pass through the land of Egypt, and I will smite all the first born,'" Atemu said, as he watched the men paint the doorposts blood red.

"'But,'" he continued, "'when I see the blood on your door, I will pass over you, and the Angel of Death will not enter your home.'" Atemu closed the shutters, and took his place next to Yami, gripping his hand.

Silence fell upon Egypt, the desert breeze rustling the trees ever so slightly. Suddenly, the skies parted and the Angel of Death descended to the earth. It stretched its wisp-like hands across Egypt, reaching first for the city of Thebes, and the Slave Village. It stretched block by block, arriving at its first house, ready to strike.

"Mother, what's happening?" a little girl whispered, tugging on her mother's sleeve as their make-shift door rattled.

The mother ignored her daughter, focusing on the door, praying that the Angel of Death wouldn't enter. Seeing the blood on the door, the angel moved on, sparing the woman and her daughter. "Thank God!" the woman whispered, hugging her daughter tightly.

House by house, the angel stalked those who were the first born of their family until it had achieved all it could do in the city. "No, child! Back away from the window! Don't let it see you!" a Nubian woman hissed as her son peeked out the window.

Finally, the Angel of Death set its sights on the palace. "By the Gods! What is that?!" cried one of the guards, as the angel swept up the causeway after them.

After achieving its mission, the Angel of Death ascended, leaving in its wake, a grisly scene.

In the Palace

With a heavy heart, Malik carried the lifeless body of his only son to the Inner Sanctum and placed him gently on the altar before the colossal statue of Ra.

He gently covered Rishid's body with a linen sheet and knelt offering silent prayers, asking the Gods to receive his son's ka into their arms. Atemu entered the Inner Sanctum, his heart breaking for his older brother.

"You, and your people, have my permission to go," Malik said as his voice cracked. Silently, Atemu reached out, placing his hand gently on Malik's shoulder.

"Leave this place!" he hissed, jerking away, as hot tears rolled down his face. Leaving his brother to mourn in peace, Atemu sighed, turned and left the chamber. "My son, my Rishid, don't worry. They will pay for this," Malik growled, his hand on Rishid's still chest, as he watched Atemu leave, anger burning in his veins.

Once outside the palace, Atemu dropped to his knees. His heart broke over and over at the thought of what he had brought to Egypt.

"Why did you have to smite his son? He was just a boy!" Atemu sobbed, looking up to the sky as hot tears rolled down his cheeks. He stood after a while, and slowly made his way through the Slave Village until he arrived at Mana and Akefia's shack.

"Atemu! Thank God! Are you ok?" Yami asked, flinging his arms around his beloved as Atemu reached the doorway.

"I'm fine, Yami. I'm fine," Atemu said sadly, averting his eyes as Mana came outside.

Seeing the despair flicker in his face, Mana gently took Atemu's face in her hands.

"Many nights we prayed,

with no proof anyone could hear.

In our hearts a hope for a song,

we barely understood," Mana sang, her voice echoing through the Slave Village. People cautiously peaked out of their windows, trying to see who it was that was giving them hope.

"Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could," she continued, as she moved through the village. Slowly, people left their homes to follow her, their hearts swelling with hope.

"There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill," she sang. Akefia poked his head out the door, and, when he didn't see any guards, pushed the strap of his bag over his shoulder and followed the crowd.

"Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe," she sang, putting her hand gently on Atemu's shoulder before turning to face the crowd that had gathered behind her.

"In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain

Hope seems like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain," Yami hummed quietly, watching the crowd form from a distance.

"Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say
There can be miracles
When you believe," he hummed, turning when he heard Mana's voice behind him. They returned to the group of slaves, who had gathered their meager belongings. He took Atemu's hand in his, and walked, leading the group away from the Slave Village.

"Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve

When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe," they hummed as they walked through the ruins of what was the mighty city of Thebes. Seeing that they could no longer beat the Nubians into staying put, the guards dropped their spears and shields, joining the ranks of the group who was slowly making their way out of the city.

The group of former slaves reached the gates, their spirits lifting as they walked through them, finally free. The children ran ahead of their families, laughing, screaming and giggling.

Atemu had his staff resting on his shoulders as he walked behind the sheep. He nearly toppled over as two children grabbed onto each end of his staff, swinging and giggling.

Akefia, who had been walking behind his brother, felt a slobbery mouth tug on his hair. Turning to look over his shoulder, he came face to face with a camel.

With every step, the Nubians' spirits grew lighter, knowing that they would never be forced into slavery again. Women danced and played music, men shook each other's hands and the elders wept tears of great joy as Atemu raised his fist in victory.

"You did it, Atemu! You really carried through with your word," whispered Akefia as he patted Atemu on the shoulder. "No, Akefia, we did it," Atemu whispered, smiling.