A/N: First of all, I want to once again thank all of you who reviewed. It means A LOT to mean to know what you think. And to all of you who read this but didn't review, thanks for reading. But it would be great if you reviewed this the last chapter. I really want to know what you thought of it so I can improve my writing. So please review. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I sometimes enjoy writing it.
The Beginning of the End
The End Comes
Even though the sorcerer was gone, the Pharaoh's health did not improve. Neither did his trusting abilities. He continuously sent Osun off on missions that were short but left him no time to see Nefretiri. Whenever Anck-su-namun and Imhotep were alone and tried to hug or kiss, the pharaoh came out of nowhere, a cat's grin pasted on his face.
Then Nefretiri and Anck-su-namun seemed to drift apart. It seemed that maybe their pretending to dislike each other when the sorcerer was there wasn't all pretending. Osun and Imhotep had never been friends. Now, it was obvious how much they disliked each other. They even tried to keep Anix and Rela apart.
"He's just a muscle-brained idiot, Rela; just like his father. You shouldn't associate with people like that. They're a bad influence on you," Imhotep would say whenever he saw Rela and Anix together.
"She's probably as snobby and annoying as her dad. He's probably using her to turn you against me. You can make better friends that," Osun was always telling his son.
"It's all I hear! 'Don't hang out with him, Rela' or 'He's not your type, daughter.'" Rela threw a stone into the water. Nefretiri had sent her into town to buy some bread. She had arranged with Anix to meet on the dock.
"If you think your dad's bad you should hear mine! "Son, she's trouble, I tell ya,' 'She's gonna end up getting you killed!' It's stupid!" Anix commented.
"At least Fae and Anu don't try to make us stop being friends; even if they can't get along."
"What about that anyway? I mean, they used to be best friends. Now they barely even talk to each other!"
"It's that sorcerer's fault, you know. They pretended not to be friends and now they aren't. But I still think there's gotta be more to it than that." Rela sighed. "Well I'd better be getting back. See ya." She headed back to the palace.
Meanwhile, Nefretiri had finally found time to talk to Osun.
"Why does my father keep trying to keep us apart?" The irritated Princess said.
"I bet it's the high priest's fault." Osun then told Nefretiri about his agreement with Imhotep and about what he saw Imhotep and Anck-su-namun doing.
"That skank! And she going to be my step-mother soon! How dare she cheat on my father? It's horrible! I can't believe this. You're probably right. I bet it is her and Imhotep's fault that we never get to see each other!"
"I'm still gonna keep my part of the agreement. A Medjai never breaks his word." Osun left the room.
Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, Anck-su-namun and Imhotep were alone at last.
"I don't know why the Pharaoh won't ever let us be alone."
"Maybe he knows," said Imhotep.
"How could he? The only person who knows about us is Rela, and she would never tell."
"Actually, there is one more person who knew." Imhotep then told her about Osun seeing them together and of their agreement. Of course, he also told her about hearing what Osun and Nefretiri had said about their son and also seeing them kiss.
"So Anix is really the princess' son. You know, I bet Rela already knew that. He probably told her. That means she probably told him our secret. For some reason I don't think that kid would tell though."
"Why wouldn't he? He is Osun's son."
"I mean, he knows that the pharaoh would probably get rid of Rela if he found out. I don't think that he wants that to happen." She looked at Imhotep to see if he understood what she meant. He only looked confused. She laughed.
"In any case, I shall not tell the pharaoh about them I am a man of my word. Even if the Medjai is not," said Imhotep.
"And I thought that Medjai had to be."
Everyday the tension grew more unbearable. Everyday suspicious looks and glare were sent between Anck-su-namun and Nefretiri during the Princess' training and between Imhotep and Osun when they passed each other. The training sessions became almost unbearable on Nefretiri, and she wanted to quit. But she kept coming. As the training sessions became harder, it also became harder for Anck-su-namun to see Imhotep. This made them sure that Nefretiri or Osun had told the pharaoh. Still, Nefretiri and Osun thought that it was Imhotep or Anck-su-namun that had told because it became harder for them to see each other as well.
It seemed that the only people that were on friendly terms that got to see each other were Rela and Anix. Their fathers tried to keep them apart while they were in the palace so every morning they met at the dock to talk. Even when the tension at the palace seemed to be at the breaking point, Rela seemed to be able to carry on a conversation about anything. Even Osun finally decided that she wasn't a bad influence on Anix and stopped trying to stop Anix from hanging out with her. Of course, Imhotep still didn't trust Anix. As each day passed, Anix liked Rela more and more. He tried to hide it though.
Another of Rela's talents, besides being able to get along with people, was that she always looked calm, collected and more or less happy. She wasn't though. She was suffering from heartache just like Anix. She worried about her father, Anu, Fae, and Osun. The only thing that actually made her, and everyone else for that matter, feel better was her singing. She inherited her mother's beautiful voice that made everyone stop what they were doing and listen. She could make people stop fighting if the song was a nice happy song. If it was a sad song, everyone looked like they were going to cry. Of course she never sang songs that expressed anger now days because that only made the fighting and tension worse. When Anix told her what her sing was doing, she only smiled and said, "Music hath the power to sooth the savage beast. Or at least that's what my mom always said."
Finally, it came time for Nefretiri to demonstrate what she had learned thus far from her instructor. The Pharaoh arranged for a mini tournament to be held. He said that it would help him decide about who would protect the Bracelet of Anubis. Ever since Osun had brought it back, it's fate was uncertain.
At the tournament, Nefretiri and Anck-su-namun came into the arena. They had their fighting masks on. They faced each other in a fighting stance, waiting for the pharaoh to begin the fight. The pharaoh clapped once, signaling for the competitors to get ready. The two women turned so that they had their backs to each other.
"Begin!" yelled the Pharaoh. At first, it seemed like it was going to be an easy win for Anck-su-namun. She drove the Princess backwards and then forced her to bend over backwards. However, Nefretiri pushed her off and attacked with force. They fought until they were back in the middle of the room. Then Nefretiri caught her adversary off guard. She slashed her mask and caught her under her arm. The princess didn't hold her for long, though. Anck-su-namun kicked the princess, causing her to let go. The Pharaoh smiled as he leaned forward in his chair. Then Anck-su-namun tripped Nefretiri. She fell on her back. The room applauded.
Nefretiri could barely breath with her mask on. She lifted it off her face as Anck-su-namun walked up to her. Anck-su-namun put both of her knives in one had and lifted her mask as well. They glared at each other.
"Put your mask on," said Anck-su-namun. Then she added sarcastically with a smirk, "Let's not scar that pretty face." Nefretiri glared and sprang to her feet. They resumed fighting stance. The onlookers applauded again. Imhotep looked worriedly at Anck-su-namun; afraid that she would get hurt. Suddenly, both girls started attacking and blocking until their knives locked. Nefretiri tried to hit the other girl but missed. This gave Anck-su-namun the chance to knock one of the Princess' knives away. She was now standing behind Nefretiri. When Nefretiri tried to hit her with her other knife, she easily knocked it away by catching her arm. Then she pushed the Princess. The Princess cart wheeled over to a wall on which hung numerous weapons. She then hung on the wall like a fly. She turned her head to look at her opponent. Everyone clapped.
Anck-su-namun threw her knives at two statues hitting them below the belt. Then she back flipped to another wall with weapons on it directly across from Nefretiri. The Princess jumped down off the wall holding a large ax. Anck-su-namun quickly chose a spear. The two women came at each other, blocking what ever the other's attacks. As Anck-su-namun swiped at Nefretiri's legs she jumped, easily dodging the attack. Imhotep looked even more worried. He thought that one of them was going to kill the other one. With all that had happened, he wouldn't have been surprised. The pharaoh on the other hand was still smiling like a cat that just caught a mouse. Then the tables seemed to turn. Anck-su-namun used the wall to jump over Nefretiri, landing doing the splits. Nefretiri tried to hit her but she blocked the ax with the spear. Then Anck-su-namun kicked the ax off the spear. Imhotep looked at the Pharaoh who wasn't smiling as much anymore. He was just leaning back in his chair. Nefretiri was swinging the ax almost haphazardly at her opponent, missing every time.
Finally, Anck-su-namun saw an easy way to win. Dodging under the swing of the ax, she knocked it away from Nefretiri. Everyone clapped. Then she began to swing the spear around in front of her as she walked towards Nefretiri, who watched the movement of the spear. Suddenly she thrust it sideways at the princess. The princess caught it and tried to take it. Instead, Anck-su-namun used the spear to flip Nefretiri over her back and onto the floor. She quickly turned and crouched over the princess, placing the spears point at her throat. Once again, everyone clapped.
Nefretiri looked down at the spear then she glared up at Anck-su-namun. She glared back. Then she said, "You are learning quickly, Nefretiri." Nefretiri was slightly surprised by those words.
Then Anck-su-namun smiled slightly. "I'll have to watch my back."
Nefretiri was still glaring. "Yes¼ ," she said, "and I'll watch mine." Anck-su-namun stopped smiling. They both glanced up as the pharaoh came down the steps. Everyone bowed their heads respectfully as he by.
"Bravo," he said. "Bravo." He clapped as he said this. The girls stood up. Anck-su-namun dropped the spear. "Who better to protect the Bracelet of Anubis-," he paused as everyone watched as Osun walked by carrying the chest that had the Bracelet of Anubis in it. Then the Pharaoh walked up to his daughter and put his arm around her. "-than my lovely daughter Nefretiri." Then he looked at Anck-su-namun. "And who better to protect me than my future wife Anck-su-namun."
Anck-su-namun bowed than grinned at Nefretiri as if to say, "I win." The pharaoh didn't notice. He just hugged his daughter.
"Well done, daughter," he said. Nefretiri smiled. Then she looked at Anck-su-namun. Imhotep walked past Anck-su-namun as he headed slowly towards the door. As he passed, Anck-su-namun's eyes followed him. Imhotep looked at her as well. Then both looked away. Anck-su-namun looked around the room. Then she looked at Nefretiri. They glared at each other challengingly. Then the Pharaoh broke the hug.
"As much as this pains me daughter, I must leave. Tonight, I shall travel to the place where I met that sorcerer. I must continue the journey I never got to finish."
"Well, father," said Nefretiri, "If you must go then good luck. I hope you find what you were searching for,"
"Thank you daughter. Well, I'm should leave as quickly as possible. I'll be gone within the hour." And he left. As he left the room, Rela watched suspiciously. For some reason what he said didn't ring true. Then she looked around the room .
Imy, Anu, Fae and Osun all heard him. This is really weird. If he doesn't trust them, why would he leave? Rela thought. She looked at Anix. He, too had heard what the Pharaoh had said. He nodded. Then he left the room. Rela followed him after congratulating Anu and Fae.
"What's up?" asked Rela when her and Anix were outside of the room.
"I-" a group of people walked by. "Let's go somewhere where no one will hear us."
"Ok," said Rela. They went through one of the empty guest rooms to a balcony.
"I don't like what the pharaoh was saying," said Anix.
"So you don't believe him either?"
"No I-" then they heard some one enter. They each hid on one side of the balcony behind a curtain.
The Pharaoh entered the room with another person. It was the evil sorcerer, Wumanu!
"Now do you believe me?" said the sorcerer.
"Yes, I suppose I must. I did as you instructed. All of them think that I'm leaving tonight."
"Even those two annoying young urchins who are always in my way?" the sorcerer said. Rela smiled. She knew who he was talking a bout. But what the pharaoh said next made her almost burst out laughing.
"Of course they believe me. They know nothing. They do not understand at all. We don't have to worry. They trust me completely."
"Good. I will leave tonight. It will be too suspicious if anyone finds out I'm here. Now, go hide on the balcony next to that of your future wife and diagonal from that of your daughter. They won't be able to see you. And no one will be in this room which is next to your daughter's and across from the one where you shall hide, so you won't have to worry. Something will happen. He will come." Then they left.
"We gotta warn my dad!" said Rela after she was sure the coast was clear.
"Let's get outa here!" said Anix. They dashed out of the room.
"If we split up we'll cover more ground. Try to find and warn Anu. She'll listen to you. Then find your dad and warn him. I'll warn my dad. Then I'll tell your mom what we heard. Meet back here in an hour." They split up. Yet they couldn't find anyone. They came back to the balcony. On Anck-su-namun's balcony, they saw Imhotep.
Meanwhile, the Princess was "talking" to Osun in her room. After a while, he decided to get them something to drink. After he left, the Princess walked out on her balcony. Anix and Rela saw her come out on the balcony so they hid further in the room to avoid being seen. Nefretiri came onto the balcony and looked down at where the Medjai guarded. Then, she saw Imhotep on her future step-mother's balcony.
What's he doing there? Thought the Princess. Then she saw Anck-su-namun come onto the balcony to join him. She stood up straighter. A movement on the balcony across from them caught Rela's attention. She pointed out the form of the Pharaoh to Anix. They saw him get of the balcony and exit the room.
Meanwhile, Nefretiri glared at Anck-su-namun and Imhotep. Then she was shocked to see them kiss. She instinctively looked away. Up until this point she had never fully believed that Anck-su-namun was cheating on her father. Even after Osun had told her, she couldn't believe it. Then when she saw the way they looked at each other, she still didn't believe what was obviously apparent.
Or did I just not want to believe it? thought Nefretiri. In any case she knew the truth now. Suddenly she heard a noise come from behind the two love birds. She looked up.
A door closed behind Anck-su-namun and Imhotep. They heard a voice say "Anck-su-namun!" They were shocked. The Pharaoh wasn't supposed to be there.
"The Pharaoh!" Imhotep said. Anck-su-namun pushed him towards one of the balcony curtains.
"Quick hide!" she said. "If he sees you here, he'll have you killed!" Imhotep quickly hid behind the curtain.
"Anck-su-namun!" the Pharaoh repeated. Anck-su-namun ran to a statue of a cat that was on her balcony and put her arm around it to get a knife hidden there just in case. The Pharaoh came onto the balcony. Anck-su-namun looked down to avoid his angry suspicious gaze. Then she looked back up as Imhotep came up behind the pharaoh.
"Imhotep!" the pharaoh said, sounding surprised even though Rela and Anix knew that he had expected the High Priest to be there. Imhotep stole the Pharaoh's sword. Nefretiri gasped.
"Medjai!" she yelled. The Medjai looked up. She pointed to the balcony where her father was. "My father needs you!" The skilled Medjai ran swiftly inside.
Back on the balcony, Anck-su-namun stabbed the Pharaoh in the arm with her knife. Nefretiri was now very afraid for her father's life. Anck-su-namun looked at the pharaoh who was obviously in great pain, and pulled the knife out of his arm as Imhotep sliced him swiftly and viciously with the sword.
"No!!" Nefretiri yelled. As she moved forward a step, she tripped, causing herself to fall off the balcony. Lucky for her, Osun, who had just re-entered the room, caught her and pulled her back up to safety.
Back on the balcony where Imhotep, Anck-su-namun and the dying pharaoh were, the Medjai banged on the door. Imhotep and Anck-su-namun looked at the door. The were afraid.
"Go save your self!" Anck-su-namun told Imhotep.
"No," said Imhotep. He didn't budge.
"But only you can resurrect me!"
The Medjai burst into the room.
"I won't leave you," said the still unmoving High Priest. Two servant-guards grabbed Imhotep. "Get away from me!" he said as he struggled to free himself. Realizing that it was useless, he looked at Anck-su-namun as he was pulled away. "Anck-su-namun!" he said.
"Imhotep!" she said sadly. Then she looked towards the Medjai who had just come onto the balcony.
"My body is no longer his temple!" she said. Then she raised the knife she had used to kill the pharaoh, and stabbed her self in the stomach.
Rela and Anix had ran outside when Nefretiri had almost fallen off the balcony. They hadn't seen Osun catch her. They saw two servant-guards dragging Imhotep away. He finally broke free and ran past Anix and Rela. They didn't try to stop him. Frankly, neither of them liked the pharaoh and they knew that it was his own fault for trusting an evil sorcerer.
"Hey! Why didn't you stop him?" Yelled Osun. He was on the balcony holding a crying shocked Princess. "Go after him!" That plan never worked because right then, Rela fainted.
"Forget it," said the sobbing Princess. "Anix, bring Rela up here until she recovers. The shock from seeing her father kill someone must have been to much for her. Osun, come with me."
"They went to the room where her father was, he was barely clinging to life.
"Daughter," he said weakly. "You have broke a law by lying to me and have the son of a Medjai. The sorcerer told me. I was stupid enough to listen to him about her-" he gestured toward Anck-su-namun, "-and now I realize it was a trap to kill me. After you find and kill Imhotep, go after Wumanu. Even though I should kill or banish both of you and your son and Imhotep's daughter because I'm sure she probably knew what was going on, I shall spare you," he cringed in pain. "You… are… Pharaoh…. now… Nefretiri…" and he died without even telling hi daughter that he loved her.
Meanwhile, Imhotep ran. He ran until he was out of town then he looked back. He had managed to take two things with him: The Book of The Living and The Book of the Dead. Then he cried as he thought of the poor dead Anck-su-namun and of his daughter who he would never see again. Suddenly he got an idea. Opening the second book, he wrote something in it. We will all meet again…he thought.
Needless to say, the Medjai caught Imhotep. They buried him with a curse that they had never used before because it was so gruesome. They buried him with scarabs that would eat him alive.
However, they never caught the sorcerer. Queen Nefretiri locked the Bracelet of Anubis away in a temple. She hoped that no one would never open it. At least she knew that only she knew the combination to open it.
*!!!THE END!!!*
A/N: Well that's the end of the fic. I bet everyone is saying "That's it?!" and they are probably going to flame this relentlessly. I know that it isn't the best ending but I had to leave some things unanswered for my next fic. Wumanu comes back. That's all I'm saying. I'll try to have the first chapter out by next week. It will be longer than this fic. Well, thank you for reading and if anyone has any advice for my next fic, I'll listen and incorporate it into the fic if I can. And I'll give you credit for your ideas. Now please review or flame. Thanks!!
