Chapter Four
They stood there petrified for several moments until the strange growling came closer. Deathly silence tore through the jungle once more and Ameera knew what they must do.
"Run!" yelled Ameera. Her voice was full of dread and anxiety.
The caravan behind her had no objection to the command, for they ran for their lives. Ameera stood to the side, making sure each person was there. Remy brought up the rear of the group and Ameera noticed two were of them were missing; Jonathan and Adrienne. She didn't have the time to ask the others where their companions were before a horde of little skeletons attacked them from above.
The wife of Ardeth Bay listened to the growling as well and noticed Jonathan's death grasp around her waist.
"Jonathan, dear, I have a husband you know," she said, attempting to pluck his fingers off of her.
"I'm frightened," said Jonathan, as his voice cracked from fear.
Adrienne turned around to face the others, but nobody was there. They were left behind!
"Jonathan, where are the others?" asked Adrienne, clutching Jonathan by the shoulders and spinning him around.
"Brilliant, we're lost in a jungle full of bloody pygmies!" exclaimed Jonathan. "We might as well have "appetizers" written across our foreheads!"
"C'mon, Jonathan," said Adrienne, pulling along her cousin. "It will do us no good to just stand here."
"Didn't your mum ever tell you to stay where you are when you're lost?" jokingly asked Jonathan.
"Shut up Jonathan and move your bloody ass!" yelled Adrienne, running and brushing aside overgrown plant life.
Ardeth was hacking one of the little beasts in half when he noticed his wife wasn't there. He frantically jerked his head around, searching for her. Zharah noticed the apprehensive look on his face and knew something was wrong. She, too, took a glimpse around to find two of them were missing.
"Keep moving!" shouted Ameera as she grabbed her two siblings by the wrist.
"Where is Adrienne!" yelled Ardeth.
Ameera turned around with a frenzied expression on her face.
"Adri is a big girl; she knows how to fight!"
Ardeth had no choice but to go with flow. He ran along with his sisters, constantly thinking about where his wife was.
They continued rushing through the jungle until they came to an abrupt stop; a gorge about 30 feet across blocked their way. The river below seemed like a tiny stream but in reality, it was a merciless, roaring body of water. Ameera looked around for a way across, all the while, listening to the pygmies in pursuit. She looked up to see a thick, strong vine; it was long and sturdy enough to carry a human to the other side of the chasm.
Without second thoughts, Ameera grabbed onto the vine and swung across the gap. She pushed it back to her comrades and watched them, one by one join her on the other side.
Just as the last of them gripped the thick vine, the two missing people came running and shrieking out of the foliage. They ran into Zharah as she prepared for her jump. The three of them ended up swinging together as well as in chorus of screams. The vine snapped from the overwhelming weight, but thankfully, the trio was able to land on sturdy ground.
Half of the group had left towards the pyramid, but Ameera stayed behind. The three, Zharah, Jonathan, and Adrienne, were thrown to the ground in a tangled mess.
Ameera helped them up and led the way through the broad plant life. Before they knew it, they arrived before the shiny, golden pyramid. It began shaking from the turmoil going on inside and from its depths, emerged Remy who was screaming like a lunatic.
"Remy!" said Ameera, grabbing him before he ran off into the jungle. "What is happening?"
"Evelyn and Rick and the others are in grave danger! They need your help!" yelled Remy.
The man attempted to run off again, but Ameera stopped him.
"Do not be foolish, Carnahan," said Ameera, pulling him by the collar. "You come with us."
The young man simply whimpered and hid behind Ameera like a child. They ran inside, only to meet up with Evelyn.
"What happened?" asked Zharah, expecting the worst.
Evy shook her head. "Imhotep has Alexandria. Ardeth, Raia and Rick went inside to rescue her."
"What has happened to the Scorpion King's army?" asked Zharah.
"It has been permanently banished to the underworld. We must not worry about that," said Ardeth. "There are more important things to worry about."
"Ardeth!" said Evelyn. "I thought you went with the other men."
"I will be joining them in a moment. We need all the help we can get," answered Ardeth as he unsheathed his scimitar.
"We need the Sword of Osiris, do we not?" asked Ameera.
"Yes, but the Scorpion King has it. We have to get it from him," said Ardeth, placing a foot in the hallway leading to the Scorpion King.
They small troop followed Ardeth with Ameera closely bringing up the rear. A figure came out of the shadows and pulled her away. It covered her mouth and struggled to control her aggressive movements. She wildly fought to get out of her captor's arms but she failed miserably. Ameera watched her friends go on without her, not even knowing the cheiftainess was missing.
She was finally able to wriggle out of his grip when she elbowed him in the chest. She turned around to face her foe, Beni. Ameera frowned at the sight; he wasn't worthy of being her opponent.
"Stop wasting my time, you snake," said Ameera, turning back towards the Scorpion King's lair.
Beni foolishly positioned his arms as if he were in a boxing match. Ameera rolled her eyes and unsheathed her golden scimitar, making his eyes grow wide with surprise.
"Come here, Beni," said Ameera. "I will not hurt you."
Ameera smiled evilly as Beni tried to escape. His red fez fell from his oily head as he ran for his escape route. But Beni had no such luck and he knew it when Ameera pushed him down on the ground with a swift kick to the behind.
"Please don't hurt me!" yelled Beni, his shaky hands covering his face.
Ameera turned him onto his back with her foot and put the tip of her scimitar to his throat. She forcefully kept him pinned to the ground, his whimpers becoming louder by the second.
"Leave me alone you rotting corpse!" shouted Alexandria as Imhotep pulled her along.
"You shall suffice as my bride," said Imhotep, making the beautiful Ancient Egyptian language evil and vile.
"No!" replied Alexandria, her voice resembled that of a stubborn child.
Imhotep looked back at her with gloomy, intense eyes. His copper skin shined from the orange radiance and his muscular physique was covered by a black linen robe. He forcefully took Alexandria by the waist and pulled her into a kiss. She reacted by shoving him away and spitting into his handsome face. The monster held up a strong hand, intent on sending a blow to her fragile face. Instead, he resisted and continued pulling her towards the Scorpion King's lair.
Ameera kept Beni pinned for minutes yet she had no idea what to do with him. Kill him? Hurt him? Release him? She didn't know which.
Surprisingly, Beni caught a hold of her ankle and pulled her to the ground. Ameera, who was overwhelmed with disbelief, landed with a thud. Beni snatched her scimitar and held now held it to her throat.
"The tables have turned," he said with his appalling, rat-like voice.
Ameera knew better. She kicked him where it hurt and sent his scrawny body to a nearby wall. His last ounce of dignity had been tarnished, as well as something else. He howled with pain but wasn't able to escape before Ameera beat the hell out of him.
"You fight like a man," said Beni, his mouth bleeding from a cut.
"Looks can be deceiving," said Ameera, her teeth clenched together with fury.
Beni spotted her scimitar on the ground and hastily snatched it like the thief he was. Ameera kicked it out of his hand and watched as if flew up into the air and landing in her possession.
The rat found a weapon once again, a dagger, and took advantage of it. He yelled a pathetic battle cry and ran towards Ameera. Before he could hurt her, the female warrior's scimitar plunged into his abdomen.
"Never bother an angry woman," she said, pushing him down with ease.
Meanwhile, Zharah and the rest of them were making their way through the pyramid, which was filled with continuous twists and turns.
"Where is Ameera?" asked Adrienne, a confused look on her face.
Zharah looked among their faces and found that her sister was among them.
"I will search for her. Adrienne, protect them with your life. May Allah protect you. Harum Bara Shad," Zharah commanded, giving the Medjai salute.
"Harum Bara Shad," Adrienne replied, saluting to Zharah.
Jonathan turned to Zharah, his eyes revealing the fear inside him.
"I will be back, I promise." Zharah whispered as she clutched his hand and squeezed it ever so slightly. Jonathan nodded and pulled her in, capturing her lips into a passionate kiss.
Zharah broke it off gently and ran down the hall, looking for her leader. She worked through the giant maze and eventually came upon Ameera just as she spat words at Beni's lifeless body. The warrior looked up at her relieved sister with a small grin.
"Child's play," said Ameera, referring to how easy it was to kill the weasel.
"I praise you; O'Connell will be happy," said Zharah, then nodded towards the way she had come from. "We must go, for Ardienne is the only one protecting them."
"Where are our brothers?" asked Ameera as they ran down the corridor.
"They went off to find the Creature and distract him while we rescue Alexandria," replied Zharah. "Evelyn needs the Book of Amun-Ra to destroy the creature. I presume you have it?"
Ameera nodded and looked down to the large leather pouch she had strapped over her shoulder. The Book of Amun-Ra was safely hidden inside.
Before they knew it, the duo was entering a chamber where gunfire and shouts erupted. Imhotep was standing before another chamber and holding Alexandria hostage. He was yelling at the intruders as Adrienne desperately attempted to keep Remy, Jonathan, and Evelyn from harm. Rick, Ardeth, and Raia were on the opposite end of the room.
"Evelyn!" exclaimed Ameera, pulling the gold book out of her pouch.
Evelyn looked back with a relieved look on her face. The female warrior pitched the book to her, who fortunately, caught it as well as the key which followed. The creature flung Alexandria back towards a stature and began making his assault towards the O' Connell. Evelyn opened the lock, threw the key aside, and flipped to page.
"Kadeesh mal! Kadeesh mal! Pared oos! Pared oos!" yelled Evelyn as a triumphant expression came across her face.
Everyone watched as Imhotep's face fell in utter disappointment; he was mortal and he knew it. This time, there was no ghostly chariot to capture his soul, for Imhotep had no soul. Rick, amused, grinned and motioned for the creature to attack him.
"Come here, Mr. Badass. Come to daddy. You know you want me!" Rick yelled, not noticing the bizarre looks Ardeth and Raia gave him.
"Foreigners," Raia muttered under his breath.
"O'Connell!" howled Ameera. "Behind you!"
The Scorpion King roared in anger as he emerged from the fiery pit below. O' Connell ducked to avoid a gigantic claw coming his way. Meanwhile, Imhotep saw this as an opportunity to seek revenge on his enemy. He grabbed an axe and aimed it towards O'Connell, who was obviously distracted.
Ameera swiftly threw her scimitar at the creature, instantly beheading it. Imhotep's lifeless body and head fell to the ground like forgotten toys.
Jonathan stood shocked as the head of Imhotep rolled up to him and bounced against his foot
"AH! BLOODY HELL!" bellowed Jonathan as he jumped onto Zharah.
Zharah fell back with all the weight of Jonathan and landed on her backside; she groaned as a surge of pain stung her latest injury.
"Oh boy, sorry, love!" said Jonathan while he helped Zharah to her feet.
"I must help them fight," said Zharah, looking back towards the Scorpion King. She gave his a small peck on the lips. "Get everyone out of here."
Jonathan watched his beloved leap onto the Scorpion King's back, avoiding the deadly stinger.
In the meantime, Ameera wearily picked up her blood-covered scimitar and looked about the tall, cavernous room. She glanced at the ceiling to find a piece of gold glinting in the surrounding light. It was the Sword of Osiris lying on a rocky ledge.
The female warrior quickly hung her scimitar on her belt and dashed for the wall.
"Ameera, what are you doing!" yelled Alexandria as Remy helped her up.
"Do not worry about me!" responded Ameera as she grabbed onto hand and footholds. "Everyone must escape!"
"I'm not leaving!" exclaimed Adrienne as she narrowly dodged one of the Scorpion King's claws.
Ardeth looked across the room to see his wife. He gazed at her with pleading eyes and internally begged for her to leave with the others. She sadly nodded and allowed Remy to take lead her by the hand. Everyone but the four siblings and O' Connell safely escaped the chamber and ran for the pyramid exit.
Zharah managed to penetrate though The Scorpion King's armor and cut through his flesh causing him to howl in pain. Zharah rolled of his back and stood next to O'Connell, who was evading the Creature's blows. She looked up and found her sister finally obtaining the Sword of Osiris.
"Ameera, throw it here!" exclaimed Zharah who ran beneath Ameera.
"Only O' Connell can kill him!" yelled Ameera as she threw down the long, gold object.
Zharah caught the item and called out to Rick.
"Rick, the sword!" shrieked Zharah while she let the priceless artifact skid towards O' Connell.
Rick dove and swept it up, throwing in one fluid motion. The sword spun slowly and ultimately entered the beast's armor; it reeled back in pain. Not a second later, the pyramid began to shake furiously, causing Ameera to fall from the vertical wall. Raia, who was at the right place and at the right time, was able to catch his falling sister. She landed in his arms with an "oof!"
"Let's get the hell outta here!" exclaimed O' Connell as he witnessed Raia putting his sister down.
Ardeth, Zharah, O'Connell, and Ameera sped down the corridors, not daring to look back. They eventually the reached the entrance and reunited with their friends.
Then, as if on cue, they heard a voice from above.
"'Ey, need a lift?" called Izzy as threw down a fish net.
They all climbed on while Izzy's dirigible rose up into the air. Ahm Shere was rapidly being sucked in by the same whirlpool that devoured it only weeks before.
"Hang on everyone!" Rick called out as he began to climb up in order to help his son and Amelia to pull up everyone.
"Go! Go! Go!" yelled Ameera as the trees quickly vanished.
The dirigible began going up, making Ameera literally jump for her life. Just as she caught a dangling rope, the pyramid beneath her feet disappeared under the sands.
Meanwhile…
"Jonathan!" gasped Zharah as she climbed over the edge of the barge. She smiled as she looked into his smiling, boyish face.
Jonathan grinned, undid her veil, and passionately kissed her as she ran her fingers through his short hair. As the couple held each other in a loving embrace, Ameera heaved herself up the rope, over the rim of the deck, and collapsed onto the deck. Her face was covered with dirt and sweat as she panted like an Olympic runner. Exhausted, she crawled over to the border of the deck and sat up against the wall. The warrior hiked up her robes and revealed her bleeding right ankle. All the adrenaline blocked out the pain, but soon it would hurt like hell. She tore off a piece of her robe and securely wrapped the wound while the four couples of the troop were occupied with kisses. The children and Remy watched, rolling their eyes in an "Oh please!" manner.
Within minutes, everyone collapsed on the deck like flies when they settled down to rest. Ameera watched as the Zharah and Jonathan tenderly embraced, then glanced at the goofy looking Remington Carnahan. He arrogantly smiled at her, but she returned a disgusted look instead. Remy was not her type for apparent reasons. His face turned a scarlet color and his ego was instantly deflated like a balloon.
Jonathan leaned over to his cousin and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Keep pestering her… it worked for me!" whispered the older Carnahan.
Zharah heard the statement and arched her eyebrows at her new-found love.
"What?" said the man as he held up his hands.
Zharah scooted over to him and poked him in the side, not expecting him to respond. He reacted with yelp and a smile.
"What is this? Is Jonathan… ticklish?" cried Zharah as she sat on his lap and furiously tickled him.
Suddenly, an egg hit Jonathan's face with a loud splat. He wiped the yolk from his eyes and turned towards Adrienne, who was playfully tossing another egg up and down. Zharah exploded in a laughing fit while Jonathan cursed underneath his breath and got up to payback his cousin.
"What the bloody idea?" remarked Jonathan, although his tone was unheated.
"Target practice?" squeaked Adrienne.
Jonathan snatched an egg and cracked it over Adrienne's head. She shrieked in repulsion as the cold, gooey substance poured over her hair. Ardeth gave Jonathan a cold stare before chuckling like a mad man. Everybody, including Ameera, laughed until their faces turned red and their stomachs ached.
The group soon settled down as Izzy's dirigible took them across the Sahara desert. A day later, they reached Ameera's camp at around noon. The flying barge lowered to the sand at the female warrior's request.
"Well, it is good-bye for now, my friend," said Ardeth as he shook hands with O' Connell. He, Raia, Alexandria, and Adrienne would spend the night at Ameera's camp before going back to their own. The others said their good-byes as well.
Jonathan was crestfallen. What was he going to do? He was bound for London while Zharah was to return to the Med-Jai. Zharah looked at her love with sadness and worry; she had to return to her tribe… or did she?
"My lady, I have a request to ask of you," said Zharah as she approached her sister.
Ameera, just as she turned towards the Med-Jai camp, looked at the two distressed lovers.
"Zharah," said Ameera, looking at her younger sister. "You may go with Jonathan. You have my permission."
Zharah beamed as Jonathan picked her up and twirled her around. He put her down and returned to her sister.
"How can I ever thank you?" Zharah asked, a joyful Jonathan standing behind her.
Ameera shook her head and hugged Zharah. "You are always welcome here, sister."
Ardeth and Raia walked over to see what the commotion was about.
"I'm leaving with Jonathan," announced Zharah, her voice filled with boldness. Ardeth was taken aback as Raia's jaw dropped.
"You are always welcome home," said Ardeth, taking her in a hug. "But know this: Ameera and I will be around London to check up on our little sister."
Ardeth let go of Zharah, allowing Raia to hug her.
"I will miss you, sister," he said quietly and he wrapped his arms around her.
"And I too, brother," whispered Zharah, fighting tears.
Raia pulled back and looked down at her glassy eyes.
"No tears!" he said. "We will me again soon!"
"We have to leave," chimed in Jonathan. "Izzy is getting a little irate."
"Time to go!" said O' Connell as Zharah watched some of her friends hurriedly loading a few precious items on the dirigible. She sighed and waved goodbye to her family, friends and her old life.
Ameera watched the dirigible float off into the sky and towards the setting sun. What an adventure they had had. They had fought Imhotep, pygmies, a Scorpion King. Ameera sighed and hugged her brothers, her sister-in-law, and soon-to-be-sister-in-law. She trudged to her tent and lit the torches inside. Soon after, a man, dressed in the black robes of the Med-Jai pulled back the flaps of the tent and looked around for any spectators; he entered.
The torches revealed shadows that danced on the canvas of the tent. Ardeth looked towards the tent to see the shadow of his sister and a man embracing in a passionate kiss.
Ardeth shook his head and sighed, turning to his own wife. He kissed her and watched the stars light up the endless expanse that was the sky. The full moon smiled down upon the Med-Jai as a meteor zoomed across the blanket-like azure. It had been another adventure to remember.
They stood there petrified for several moments until the strange growling came closer. Deathly silence tore through the jungle once more and Ameera knew what they must do.
"Run!" yelled Ameera. Her voice was full of dread and anxiety.
The caravan behind her had no objection to the command, for they ran for their lives. Ameera stood to the side, making sure each person was there. Remy brought up the rear of the group and Ameera noticed two were of them were missing; Jonathan and Adrienne. She didn't have the time to ask the others where their companions were before a horde of little skeletons attacked them from above.
The wife of Ardeth Bay listened to the growling as well and noticed Jonathan's death grasp around her waist.
"Jonathan, dear, I have a husband you know," she said, attempting to pluck his fingers off of her.
"I'm frightened," said Jonathan, as his voice cracked from fear.
Adrienne turned around to face the others, but nobody was there. They were left behind!
"Jonathan, where are the others?" asked Adrienne, clutching Jonathan by the shoulders and spinning him around.
"Brilliant, we're lost in a jungle full of bloody pygmies!" exclaimed Jonathan. "We might as well have "appetizers" written across our foreheads!"
"C'mon, Jonathan," said Adrienne, pulling along her cousin. "It will do us no good to just stand here."
"Didn't your mum ever tell you to stay where you are when you're lost?" jokingly asked Jonathan.
"Shut up Jonathan and move your bloody ass!" yelled Adrienne, running and brushing aside overgrown plant life.
Ardeth was hacking one of the little beasts in half when he noticed his wife wasn't there. He frantically jerked his head around, searching for her. Zharah noticed the apprehensive look on his face and knew something was wrong. She, too, took a glimpse around to find two of them were missing.
"Keep moving!" shouted Ameera as she grabbed her two siblings by the wrist.
"Where is Adrienne!" yelled Ardeth.
Ameera turned around with a frenzied expression on her face.
"Adri is a big girl; she knows how to fight!"
Ardeth had no choice but to go with flow. He ran along with his sisters, constantly thinking about where his wife was.
They continued rushing through the jungle until they came to an abrupt stop; a gorge about 30 feet across blocked their way. The river below seemed like a tiny stream but in reality, it was a merciless, roaring body of water. Ameera looked around for a way across, all the while, listening to the pygmies in pursuit. She looked up to see a thick, strong vine; it was long and sturdy enough to carry a human to the other side of the chasm.
Without second thoughts, Ameera grabbed onto the vine and swung across the gap. She pushed it back to her comrades and watched them, one by one join her on the other side.
Just as the last of them gripped the thick vine, the two missing people came running and shrieking out of the foliage. They ran into Zharah as she prepared for her jump. The three of them ended up swinging together as well as in chorus of screams. The vine snapped from the overwhelming weight, but thankfully, the trio was able to land on sturdy ground.
Half of the group had left towards the pyramid, but Ameera stayed behind. The three, Zharah, Jonathan, and Adrienne, were thrown to the ground in a tangled mess.
Ameera helped them up and led the way through the broad plant life. Before they knew it, they arrived before the shiny, golden pyramid. It began shaking from the turmoil going on inside and from its depths, emerged Remy who was screaming like a lunatic.
"Remy!" said Ameera, grabbing him before he ran off into the jungle. "What is happening?"
"Evelyn and Rick and the others are in grave danger! They need your help!" yelled Remy.
The man attempted to run off again, but Ameera stopped him.
"Do not be foolish, Carnahan," said Ameera, pulling him by the collar. "You come with us."
The young man simply whimpered and hid behind Ameera like a child. They ran inside, only to meet up with Evelyn.
"What happened?" asked Zharah, expecting the worst.
Evy shook her head. "Imhotep has Alexandria. Ardeth, Raia and Rick went inside to rescue her."
"What has happened to the Scorpion King's army?" asked Zharah.
"It has been permanently banished to the underworld. We must not worry about that," said Ardeth. "There are more important things to worry about."
"Ardeth!" said Evelyn. "I thought you went with the other men."
"I will be joining them in a moment. We need all the help we can get," answered Ardeth as he unsheathed his scimitar.
"We need the Sword of Osiris, do we not?" asked Ameera.
"Yes, but the Scorpion King has it. We have to get it from him," said Ardeth, placing a foot in the hallway leading to the Scorpion King.
They small troop followed Ardeth with Ameera closely bringing up the rear. A figure came out of the shadows and pulled her away. It covered her mouth and struggled to control her aggressive movements. She wildly fought to get out of her captor's arms but she failed miserably. Ameera watched her friends go on without her, not even knowing the cheiftainess was missing.
She was finally able to wriggle out of his grip when she elbowed him in the chest. She turned around to face her foe, Beni. Ameera frowned at the sight; he wasn't worthy of being her opponent.
"Stop wasting my time, you snake," said Ameera, turning back towards the Scorpion King's lair.
Beni foolishly positioned his arms as if he were in a boxing match. Ameera rolled her eyes and unsheathed her golden scimitar, making his eyes grow wide with surprise.
"Come here, Beni," said Ameera. "I will not hurt you."
Ameera smiled evilly as Beni tried to escape. His red fez fell from his oily head as he ran for his escape route. But Beni had no such luck and he knew it when Ameera pushed him down on the ground with a swift kick to the behind.
"Please don't hurt me!" yelled Beni, his shaky hands covering his face.
Ameera turned him onto his back with her foot and put the tip of her scimitar to his throat. She forcefully kept him pinned to the ground, his whimpers becoming louder by the second.
"Leave me alone you rotting corpse!" shouted Alexandria as Imhotep pulled her along.
"You shall suffice as my bride," said Imhotep, making the beautiful Ancient Egyptian language evil and vile.
"No!" replied Alexandria, her voice resembled that of a stubborn child.
Imhotep looked back at her with gloomy, intense eyes. His copper skin shined from the orange radiance and his muscular physique was covered by a black linen robe. He forcefully took Alexandria by the waist and pulled her into a kiss. She reacted by shoving him away and spitting into his handsome face. The monster held up a strong hand, intent on sending a blow to her fragile face. Instead, he resisted and continued pulling her towards the Scorpion King's lair.
Ameera kept Beni pinned for minutes yet she had no idea what to do with him. Kill him? Hurt him? Release him? She didn't know which.
Surprisingly, Beni caught a hold of her ankle and pulled her to the ground. Ameera, who was overwhelmed with disbelief, landed with a thud. Beni snatched her scimitar and held now held it to her throat.
"The tables have turned," he said with his appalling, rat-like voice.
Ameera knew better. She kicked him where it hurt and sent his scrawny body to a nearby wall. His last ounce of dignity had been tarnished, as well as something else. He howled with pain but wasn't able to escape before Ameera beat the hell out of him.
"You fight like a man," said Beni, his mouth bleeding from a cut.
"Looks can be deceiving," said Ameera, her teeth clenched together with fury.
Beni spotted her scimitar on the ground and hastily snatched it like the thief he was. Ameera kicked it out of his hand and watched as if flew up into the air and landing in her possession.
The rat found a weapon once again, a dagger, and took advantage of it. He yelled a pathetic battle cry and ran towards Ameera. Before he could hurt her, the female warrior's scimitar plunged into his abdomen.
"Never bother an angry woman," she said, pushing him down with ease.
Meanwhile, Zharah and the rest of them were making their way through the pyramid, which was filled with continuous twists and turns.
"Where is Ameera?" asked Adrienne, a confused look on her face.
Zharah looked among their faces and found that her sister was among them.
"I will search for her. Adrienne, protect them with your life. May Allah protect you. Harum Bara Shad," Zharah commanded, giving the Medjai salute.
"Harum Bara Shad," Adrienne replied, saluting to Zharah.
Jonathan turned to Zharah, his eyes revealing the fear inside him.
"I will be back, I promise." Zharah whispered as she clutched his hand and squeezed it ever so slightly. Jonathan nodded and pulled her in, capturing her lips into a passionate kiss.
Zharah broke it off gently and ran down the hall, looking for her leader. She worked through the giant maze and eventually came upon Ameera just as she spat words at Beni's lifeless body. The warrior looked up at her relieved sister with a small grin.
"Child's play," said Ameera, referring to how easy it was to kill the weasel.
"I praise you; O'Connell will be happy," said Zharah, then nodded towards the way she had come from. "We must go, for Ardienne is the only one protecting them."
"Where are our brothers?" asked Ameera as they ran down the corridor.
"They went off to find the Creature and distract him while we rescue Alexandria," replied Zharah. "Evelyn needs the Book of Amun-Ra to destroy the creature. I presume you have it?"
Ameera nodded and looked down to the large leather pouch she had strapped over her shoulder. The Book of Amun-Ra was safely hidden inside.
Before they knew it, the duo was entering a chamber where gunfire and shouts erupted. Imhotep was standing before another chamber and holding Alexandria hostage. He was yelling at the intruders as Adrienne desperately attempted to keep Remy, Jonathan, and Evelyn from harm. Rick, Ardeth, and Raia were on the opposite end of the room.
"Evelyn!" exclaimed Ameera, pulling the gold book out of her pouch.
Evelyn looked back with a relieved look on her face. The female warrior pitched the book to her, who fortunately, caught it as well as the key which followed. The creature flung Alexandria back towards a stature and began making his assault towards the O' Connell. Evelyn opened the lock, threw the key aside, and flipped to page.
"Kadeesh mal! Kadeesh mal! Pared oos! Pared oos!" yelled Evelyn as a triumphant expression came across her face.
Everyone watched as Imhotep's face fell in utter disappointment; he was mortal and he knew it. This time, there was no ghostly chariot to capture his soul, for Imhotep had no soul. Rick, amused, grinned and motioned for the creature to attack him.
"Come here, Mr. Badass. Come to daddy. You know you want me!" Rick yelled, not noticing the bizarre looks Ardeth and Raia gave him.
"Foreigners," Raia muttered under his breath.
"O'Connell!" howled Ameera. "Behind you!"
The Scorpion King roared in anger as he emerged from the fiery pit below. O' Connell ducked to avoid a gigantic claw coming his way. Meanwhile, Imhotep saw this as an opportunity to seek revenge on his enemy. He grabbed an axe and aimed it towards O'Connell, who was obviously distracted.
Ameera swiftly threw her scimitar at the creature, instantly beheading it. Imhotep's lifeless body and head fell to the ground like forgotten toys.
Jonathan stood shocked as the head of Imhotep rolled up to him and bounced against his foot
"AH! BLOODY HELL!" bellowed Jonathan as he jumped onto Zharah.
Zharah fell back with all the weight of Jonathan and landed on her backside; she groaned as a surge of pain stung her latest injury.
"Oh boy, sorry, love!" said Jonathan while he helped Zharah to her feet.
"I must help them fight," said Zharah, looking back towards the Scorpion King. She gave his a small peck on the lips. "Get everyone out of here."
Jonathan watched his beloved leap onto the Scorpion King's back, avoiding the deadly stinger.
In the meantime, Ameera wearily picked up her blood-covered scimitar and looked about the tall, cavernous room. She glanced at the ceiling to find a piece of gold glinting in the surrounding light. It was the Sword of Osiris lying on a rocky ledge.
The female warrior quickly hung her scimitar on her belt and dashed for the wall.
"Ameera, what are you doing!" yelled Alexandria as Remy helped her up.
"Do not worry about me!" responded Ameera as she grabbed onto hand and footholds. "Everyone must escape!"
"I'm not leaving!" exclaimed Adrienne as she narrowly dodged one of the Scorpion King's claws.
Ardeth looked across the room to see his wife. He gazed at her with pleading eyes and internally begged for her to leave with the others. She sadly nodded and allowed Remy to take lead her by the hand. Everyone but the four siblings and O' Connell safely escaped the chamber and ran for the pyramid exit.
Zharah managed to penetrate though The Scorpion King's armor and cut through his flesh causing him to howl in pain. Zharah rolled of his back and stood next to O'Connell, who was evading the Creature's blows. She looked up and found her sister finally obtaining the Sword of Osiris.
"Ameera, throw it here!" exclaimed Zharah who ran beneath Ameera.
"Only O' Connell can kill him!" yelled Ameera as she threw down the long, gold object.
Zharah caught the item and called out to Rick.
"Rick, the sword!" shrieked Zharah while she let the priceless artifact skid towards O' Connell.
Rick dove and swept it up, throwing in one fluid motion. The sword spun slowly and ultimately entered the beast's armor; it reeled back in pain. Not a second later, the pyramid began to shake furiously, causing Ameera to fall from the vertical wall. Raia, who was at the right place and at the right time, was able to catch his falling sister. She landed in his arms with an "oof!"
"Let's get the hell outta here!" exclaimed O' Connell as he witnessed Raia putting his sister down.
Ardeth, Zharah, O'Connell, and Ameera sped down the corridors, not daring to look back. They eventually the reached the entrance and reunited with their friends.
Then, as if on cue, they heard a voice from above.
"'Ey, need a lift?" called Izzy as threw down a fish net.
They all climbed on while Izzy's dirigible rose up into the air. Ahm Shere was rapidly being sucked in by the same whirlpool that devoured it only weeks before.
"Hang on everyone!" Rick called out as he began to climb up in order to help his son and Amelia to pull up everyone.
"Go! Go! Go!" yelled Ameera as the trees quickly vanished.
The dirigible began going up, making Ameera literally jump for her life. Just as she caught a dangling rope, the pyramid beneath her feet disappeared under the sands.
Meanwhile…
"Jonathan!" gasped Zharah as she climbed over the edge of the barge. She smiled as she looked into his smiling, boyish face.
Jonathan grinned, undid her veil, and passionately kissed her as she ran her fingers through his short hair. As the couple held each other in a loving embrace, Ameera heaved herself up the rope, over the rim of the deck, and collapsed onto the deck. Her face was covered with dirt and sweat as she panted like an Olympic runner. Exhausted, she crawled over to the border of the deck and sat up against the wall. The warrior hiked up her robes and revealed her bleeding right ankle. All the adrenaline blocked out the pain, but soon it would hurt like hell. She tore off a piece of her robe and securely wrapped the wound while the four couples of the troop were occupied with kisses. The children and Remy watched, rolling their eyes in an "Oh please!" manner.
Within minutes, everyone collapsed on the deck like flies when they settled down to rest. Ameera watched as the Zharah and Jonathan tenderly embraced, then glanced at the goofy looking Remington Carnahan. He arrogantly smiled at her, but she returned a disgusted look instead. Remy was not her type for apparent reasons. His face turned a scarlet color and his ego was instantly deflated like a balloon.
Jonathan leaned over to his cousin and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Keep pestering her… it worked for me!" whispered the older Carnahan.
Zharah heard the statement and arched her eyebrows at her new-found love.
"What?" said the man as he held up his hands.
Zharah scooted over to him and poked him in the side, not expecting him to respond. He reacted with yelp and a smile.
"What is this? Is Jonathan… ticklish?" cried Zharah as she sat on his lap and furiously tickled him.
Suddenly, an egg hit Jonathan's face with a loud splat. He wiped the yolk from his eyes and turned towards Adrienne, who was playfully tossing another egg up and down. Zharah exploded in a laughing fit while Jonathan cursed underneath his breath and got up to payback his cousin.
"What the bloody idea?" remarked Jonathan, although his tone was unheated.
"Target practice?" squeaked Adrienne.
Jonathan snatched an egg and cracked it over Adrienne's head. She shrieked in repulsion as the cold, gooey substance poured over her hair. Ardeth gave Jonathan a cold stare before chuckling like a mad man. Everybody, including Ameera, laughed until their faces turned red and their stomachs ached.
The group soon settled down as Izzy's dirigible took them across the Sahara desert. A day later, they reached Ameera's camp at around noon. The flying barge lowered to the sand at the female warrior's request.
"Well, it is good-bye for now, my friend," said Ardeth as he shook hands with O' Connell. He, Raia, Alexandria, and Adrienne would spend the night at Ameera's camp before going back to their own. The others said their good-byes as well.
Jonathan was crestfallen. What was he going to do? He was bound for London while Zharah was to return to the Med-Jai. Zharah looked at her love with sadness and worry; she had to return to her tribe… or did she?
"My lady, I have a request to ask of you," said Zharah as she approached her sister.
Ameera, just as she turned towards the Med-Jai camp, looked at the two distressed lovers.
"Zharah," said Ameera, looking at her younger sister. "You may go with Jonathan. You have my permission."
Zharah beamed as Jonathan picked her up and twirled her around. He put her down and returned to her sister.
"How can I ever thank you?" Zharah asked, a joyful Jonathan standing behind her.
Ameera shook her head and hugged Zharah. "You are always welcome here, sister."
Ardeth and Raia walked over to see what the commotion was about.
"I'm leaving with Jonathan," announced Zharah, her voice filled with boldness. Ardeth was taken aback as Raia's jaw dropped.
"You are always welcome home," said Ardeth, taking her in a hug. "But know this: Ameera and I will be around London to check up on our little sister."
Ardeth let go of Zharah, allowing Raia to hug her.
"I will miss you, sister," he said quietly and he wrapped his arms around her.
"And I too, brother," whispered Zharah, fighting tears.
Raia pulled back and looked down at her glassy eyes.
"No tears!" he said. "We will me again soon!"
"We have to leave," chimed in Jonathan. "Izzy is getting a little irate."
"Time to go!" said O' Connell as Zharah watched some of her friends hurriedly loading a few precious items on the dirigible. She sighed and waved goodbye to her family, friends and her old life.
Ameera watched the dirigible float off into the sky and towards the setting sun. What an adventure they had had. They had fought Imhotep, pygmies, a Scorpion King. Ameera sighed and hugged her brothers, her sister-in-law, and soon-to-be-sister-in-law. She trudged to her tent and lit the torches inside. Soon after, a man, dressed in the black robes of the Med-Jai pulled back the flaps of the tent and looked around for any spectators; he entered.
The torches revealed shadows that danced on the canvas of the tent. Ardeth looked towards the tent to see the shadow of his sister and a man embracing in a passionate kiss.
Ardeth shook his head and sighed, turning to his own wife. He kissed her and watched the stars light up the endless expanse that was the sky. The full moon smiled down upon the Med-Jai as a meteor zoomed across the blanket-like azure. It had been another adventure to remember.