I'M BACK! I'M SO SORRY ITS BEEN SO LONG, Things were very hard after my family left. One event after another unfolded and needless to say FF did not cross my mind too often. I'm so sorry. But everything is working out now, and so my ability to write had returned! Thank you all for the reviews and pushes to continue on with this story, I promise were are close to finishing this Arc. WOo!

Enjoy loved ones ~

Confessions, Decisions, and Resolutions.

Two days had passed from the Pharaoh's funeral, and Saa hadn't seen the Prince since. She had visited Mana last night and they practiced their magic; she had mentioned to Saa that she had greatly improved since their first practice. Now she was able to dematerialize, and reappear up to five feet away, and was able to produce a number of small elemental spells. With luck, she'd be able to be near Mana's level in the coming weeks. Mana tried to bring up the Prince multiple times, and Saa would sigh - telling her she didn't want to discuss it. Soon Mana would then drop the subject and they continued with their practicing the rest of the night. Mana had managed to let slip that the Prince was holed up in his quarters, not even letting herself or Mahad in. This set some worry in Saa's heart, she imagined the Prince wallowing in sorrow in darkness.

It was nearing mid-afternoon when Nedjem finally woke, Saa waited patiently for her Mistress to wake. This afternoon the brides would be meeting the Prince one final time, then they'd have to wait one full day for the Prince to make up his mind. The day after next would be the announcement, and engagement ceremonies. From there, it would take one month to complete all the necessary arrangements, and then the two would be wed. The Pharaoh would be donned with his title within the next week, and all would be well in the kingdom. Saa swallowed the lump that formed in her throat as she helped Nedjem dress herself, would she be okay? Saa had thought about visiting the Pharaoh, however with the cold way he had treated her - rightfully so - she did not want to disturb him. She felt some hesitation within her own heart as she was not completely sure why she had pulled away to begin with. Saa battled within herself the past few days, turning up empty handed. Shaking off the heavy cloud around her, and once Nedjem was properly dressed, the two began their journey to the throne room one last time. Nedjem wrung her hands as they passed by hall after hall,

"Oh, I'm so nervous Sasa - how do I know that the Pharaoh will choose me?"

Saa raised a brow, ignoring the tightening of her own heart.

"Do you not have faith in your relationship with him? As far as I could see, he seems to be infatuated with you - as you seem to always be by his side." Saa muttered the last part with a hint of bitterness.

Nedjem let a sigh loose, a small smile on her lips,

"You are right, I guess I just cannot help but allow my nerves to overtake me every so often. Thank you Sasa - you are the best! And don't worry, once I'm married to the Pharaoh you'll have so much more to do, and you're status will be increased! Won't that be amazing? You'll even have your own room!" Nedjem grinned, Saa mimicking her Mistress's lips.

"Quite, Nedjem." Saa opened the door to the Throne Room, allowing Nedjem through first.

As they entered, Saa felt her stomach sink into the pits of her abdomen; what is this feeling? She couldn't focus on it for too long once she locked eyes with the Pharaoh. His normally kind plum orbs were steeled, as hard and cold as jewels. Saa immediately averted her gaze, pulling out the chair for Nedjem and standing off to the side.

"You need not stay, servant, as we will be having some private conversations that your ears need not hear." The Pharaoh spoke.

At first, Saa did not know who he was speaking to as she did not look up from the floor. This caused the Pharaoh's anger to spike slightly,

"Girl, do you hear your Pharaoh speaking to you, or have you suddenly become deaf?"

This caught Saa's attention, her eyes wide as she looked into his own. He lips were set in a thin line, and his brow furrowed as he motioned with his hand for her to leave.

"Do you need help to find the door - or will you be able to see yourself out?" He took a step towards her, Saa immediately flinching back.

"N-No, my Pharaoh I shall see myself out at once."

"Good - " The Pharaoh turned to Nedjem, who looked uncomfortable and confused, and took her hand, planting a light kiss on the back.

"Nedjem, my beautiful lotus flower, how are you today?" He asked in a sweet voice.

All confusion or discomfort was wiped off of Nedjem's face, and replaced with a light blush and bashful smile. Saa could handle no more, and quickly turned - running out of the room. Her chest felt like it could explode at any moment, with anger or something else she did not know. Before she knew it, her legs stopped in front of Mana's chambers; without hesitation, Saa lightly rapped her knuckles against the door. Mana opened immediately, and her countenance quickly changed from happiness to concern as she helped Saa in.

"What's wrong?" She asked at once, setting Saa down on the couch.

As Saa explained, Mana's face intensified to rage. Her cheeks tinted an angry rouge, and lips thinned, she stood and walked to the door.

"Where are you going?" Saa squeaked, wiping the stray tears from her face.

"To talk to him." She muttered, and Saa quickly ran over to her to grab her arm.

"Please - don't! I fear it'll only make things worse." Saa hopelessly whispered.

"He can't treat you this way - "

"He can, I'm a servant remember?"

"No, you're my friend, Mahad's friend, his - whatever you two are - "

Saa groaned, falling back on the couch, "What are you talking about Mana?"

"Well, there's no point in hiding it any longer is there? He's going to be married soon, do you want him to be married to another woman?"

"Yes, - no, - I dont know." Saa sighed, running a hand through her hair, "I want him to be happy - but I didn't know I'd have to sacrifice my friendship with him in order to do so."

"You don't, he's just being - well an ass." Mana shrugged.

"He needs to marry into status, and wealth. That was his father's last wish - he has to follow through with it. I will just have to be happy to be near him for the rest of my life - if he even picks Nedjem in the first place. I - I love him, and if he's happy then I will be as well." Saa sighed, feeling her heart slowly tear.

"I just wish he wouldn't treat me this way." She whispered.

Mana slightly smiled at Saa's confession, "Saa, maybe you don't have to sacrifice anything! Maybe you two could - "

"No, Mana let's not talk about this any longer. He needs to do what's right for his kingdom, no?"

"Well, I mean - "

"Mana, is that not the job of Pharaoh, to take care of his Kingdom?"

Mana slowly nodded, her smile disappearing.

With a heavy heart Saa nodded, leaning against her friend as a few tears streaked down her cheeks.

"Then it is settled. Could you stand to let me sit here for a few minutes before I have to retrieve my Mistress?" Saa hiccuped.

Mana nodded once more, "Take as much time as you need, Saa."

….

Saa huffed, resting her head against the cool ledge of the balcony. The cool air that surrounded her was illuminated by the eerie light of the moon, casting shadows across the lands before her. The feeling of heaviness had not left Saa's mind all day. After she had dried her tears and left Mana's room, after going to get Nedjem - only to find out she had been taken to her room already - after running into Ikan on the way to her room - after all that had happened to her today, the weight only seemed to increase as each the world plowed on. The pressure behind her eyes worsened as she though back to the way Atem had looked at her. There was nothing she could do, and she would need to live with watching him be content with women whom he was eligible to marry. Stop being so, dramatic, she chastised herself.

Shaking it off, Saa turned to go back inside and was stopped by the stare of a familiar black jackal. Its head was cocked to the side, and its tongue hang from its mouth as it panted. The nightmare she had flooded her memories as the jackal's red eyes bore into Saa's stormy grey;

All at once, a blinding light consumed the room, everything engulfed in its white rays. When Saa could see, she saw two new figures standing in the middle of the room. Both were dressed in beautiful billowing gowns, the pair seemed to be taller than an average human. One had hair was white as snow, her skin paler than the skin of a babe, the other had the hair the color of a ravens breast, her skin matched Saa's olive colour. The one with darker hair, Saa noticed, had beautiful wings tattooed on the backs of her arms, the white haired one did not have any markings. The two turned to Saa, she could see them both clearly: the pair had eyes as dark as the void, their lips a plush pink, and their gowns were adorned with jewels – the white haired woman was dress in a gown as green as a frog's skin, the other's color was that of the sun. Saa felt a wave of comfort wash over her as she gazed upon the two creatures before her, she noticed a sun disk colored circle on the dark-haired forehead, both of their eyes rimmed in charcoal, with strange black markings swirling down their cheeks and into their necks. They both smiled at Saa, but neither one made a move to say anything. …

The smiles that had once graced their lips had disappeared at the sound of the Bandit King's voice.

"Anpu." The one with dark hair voiced, her vocals sounded mystical to Saa's earlobes.

The jackal near her barked, Saa's eyes looked to the jackal in response – i-is he -. As soon as Saa looked upon the jackal, another light emitted and blinded her. In the place of the jackal stood Anpu himself, his half-man, half jackal body standing proud and tall beside her. Saa sat there, awe-struck by the power that radiated from the God. Saa bowed respectfully, she was in the presence of a powerful God, Anpu – the Guardian of the Dead. That's when it hit her all at once, the white hair, green dress, and the dark hair with wings – Eset and Heget! Saa's heart quickened as she looked to the other two women, they were the Goddesses of life and rebirth! The three of them turned to gaze upon Ikan and the Bandit King, their power filling Saa with warmth she hadn't felt before. They raised their hands, chanting in a language Saa had not heard before, and a blue light emitted from their palms, shooting at the duo by the throne. Saa heard a series of thumps, and she assumed that they had been knocked out. The three looked to one another for a moment, before turning their attention back to Saa. Saa bowed again, not wanted to anger the God/desses.

"A-Anpu, you've returned." Saa whispered, kneeling.

The jackal whimpered slightly; there is terrible news, Saa felt the words whisper at the edges of her mind.

"What is it?" Saa felt her heart quicken.

My Mistress received a premonition, you must prepare.

"What is happening? I have yet to be given any information - "

Soon, they are resting, but shall be here with us soon enough, Saa felt Anpu place the words in her mind.

Feeling slightly relieved, Saa nodded - maybe they will just take care of everything and I won't have to do anything.

"Are you sure you have the right woman - "

Yes, now please rest; I will be here to watch over you for tonight. Within the next four moons, both of them shall arrive - we can only hope it is before it is too late.

Saa nodded, knowing Anpu would divulge no more. Saa padded softly to her cot, laying her head against the sack.

I will say one more thing, Anpu mentioned as he laid at the foot of her bed, be wary of those whom you called friend. And with that, Saa fell asleep.