I slowly made my way over to them; I was expecting the worst. With each step I took I could hear my heart beat faster. I wasn't prepared for what I was about to see, but I had to know for myself how he was. I had to know.

One of the healers saw me and rushed over before I got too close to them. He tried to tell me I shouldn't see him.

"He is my husband and I will see him if I wish."

I moved passed him and walked up to Ahkmenrah as I held my breath. When I saw him I started crying. He was badly beaten and his leg was covered in blood. The healers were just finishing wrapping up his injury. When they were done they moved away so I could see Ahkmenrah.

"Ahkmenrah." I said as I kneeled next to him. "Ahkmenrah, please don't leave me. I need you. Our baby needs you."

I laid my head on his chest as I continued to cry. I wasn't ready to lose him. I don't know what I would do without him. I felt my heart break at just the thought of losing him.

"Don't cry, my love."

I gasped as I looked at Ahkmenrah. "You're alive." I said with surprise.

Ahkmenrah chuckled. "For now."

"Please don't say that. You will survive this."

"Nubia, I've lost a lot of blood."

"No, I won't lose you. I'll have the healers take you to the palace so you can recover. You overcame poison and I know you'll overcome this."

I kissed him then told the healers to take him to the palace. I sighed as I looked around me. It was going to be a long night.

Just then I realized something. I searched around, but I didn't see him. I walked up to one of my soldiers.

"Soldier, where is Kahmunrah?"

"We haven't found him. There is a trail of blood leading into the desert. I'm sure he ran from the battle to hide in the desert."

I looked at the blood that stained the sand. "Then I am sure he will die in the desert."

I turned around to head back to Ava, but my heart stopped at the sight I saw. I slowly walked over and saw Bakura lying on the ground, motionless. I fell beside him as I stared at the wound in his stomach. I looked up at his face. He looked peaceful like he was just sleeping. I put my hand on his heart and I felt my world shatter when there was no heartbeat.

"Bakura, no." I whispered. "You weren't supposed to die yet. Bakura."

It was hard seeing Bakura's dead body so I quickly turned away. My best friend was now dead. I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't ready for any of this.

"My queen, you shouldn't be here."

I didn't respond right away. I continued to stare at the ground, wishing this was all a nightmare. I wanted my best friend back. I wanted to hear his voice again and hear him scold me on things that I shouldn't do.

"My queen."

I took one last look at Bakura then stood up and walked off without even looking at the soldier. I had a feeling that Bakura wouldn't survive this battle, but I was hoping that feeling was wrong. I will miss him, but I will never forget him.

When I got back to the people I quickly wiped my tears and took a deep breath. Right now these people need a strong queen and I can't let them see me cry.

I went up to my soldiers and asked them what was going on in the city. They informed me that they captured Kahmunrah's soldiers and were now being held in the prison cells. Now that I knew it was safe I started telling everyone they could go back to the city. I also told everyone who weren't injured to help the ones that were.

As I was over looking everything Ava stayed by my side. She told me what her parents looked like, but it was still hard to find them. Ava was looking at everyone she passed, though she didn't see her parents either.

I was so worried about Ahkmenrah and I wanted to go see him, but the people needed me first. If I didn't stay and help them they wouldn't know what to do. People kept coming up to me and asking me where they could stay since their house was destroyed.

It was late into the night by the time I got everyone in the right place. I decided that it was time for me to get some sleep. The soldiers told me that they would look after things while I went to rest. I let Ava come with me because she didn't feel safe staying with the other people even though a few of them said they didn't mind having her. I think I just made a new friend.

Ava and I went into the palace and I got her something to eat then led her to a room that she could stay in which was only down the hall from mine. I stayed with her until she fell asleep then went to go see Ahkmenrah.

I walked into the room Ahkmenrah was staying in. He didn't look as beat up as when I first saw him, but he was still in bad shape. I pray to the Gods that he will be all right.

I sat next to him and told him everything that I did today. The healers told me that he wouldn't be able to him me, but that didn't stop me from talking to him. We don't know if he can hear me or not and if he can then maybe that will give him strength to come back.

I didn't know how long I stayed there talking to him and even though I didn't want to leave him I had to get some rest myself or I would be of no use to anyone in the morning.

I went to stand, but I was pulled back. I looked down and saw Ahkmenrah had grabbed my hand. I sat back down with a smile on my face.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like a sword sliced open my leg." He replied weakly.

"Well, you continue to rest and I'll take care of everything."

"What happened to Kahmunrah?"

"We think he went into the desert. There was a trail of blood."

"So he may be alive."

I shook my head. "I don't think so. There was a lot of blood. I do not think he will survive the desert."

"Nubia, Bakura is-"

"I know. I found him when the healers took her back to the palace."

"He died protecting me."

I decided to change the subject. I didn't want him to worry about his brother at the moment and I didn't want to be depressed thinking about Bakura. I told him about Ava and that we were still trying to find her parents. Ahkmenrah said that if we couldn't then she is welcomed to stay at the palace with us.

The next few days were rough. The people started rebuilding the parts of the city that were damaged. A few of the soldiers counted how many casualties there were. In total one hundred and twenty lives were lost including Ata; Odion had survived. Also among the dead were Ava's parents. She was devastated when I told her, but she was happy that she can stay in the palace with me. She was like my shadow.

Ahkmenrah was also doing better. He was still weak, but he was able to be in his own room now much to the healers' protests. At first I was afraid to lay in the same bed with him because I was afraid I would hurt him. Of course Ahkmenrah didn't care.

Ahkmenrah would practice walking every day, but he could only take a couple of steps before he got too weak. He refused anyone who tried to help him, though I would ignore him and help him anyway.

Ava and Ahkmenrah got along just as well as Ava and I did. She would keep him company while I was doing my duties. Sometimes I would come back to the room and find her sleeping on the bed or even in Ahkmenrah's arms. I think he has taken a liking to her.

There was still a lot we still had to do, but in time we will get it done. We had no threats to worry about at the moment, though Ahkmenrah says differently. He is still worried about Kahmunrah because he doesn't know if he is still alive. He had sent soldiers out to see if they could find Kahmunrah. The soldiers went a few miles, but saw no sign of him. I told Ahkmenrah not to worry until we hear about him, though a part of me is worried as well.