**Ahoy there! How are you all again? So far I hope you enjoy this but to each his/her own! So it's the same as always, follow the three R's (Read, Relax and Review) and I need at least three reviews (but more is always welcome) Have fun and enjoy the story! I know this took me a long time to dish out but it's worth it and its pretty long!**
Chapter 6 - The Consequences of a Choice
Scarab raised back his free arm to knock some answers out of Presley and his hand had begun its decent when a crashing noise from above attracted his attention. Scarab's blow stopped in mid-swing and instead rose to cover his head as pieces of glass fell from the ceiling that was as high as a cathedral. He cursed under his breath as one of the pieces sliced through his linen robes that had just gotten wine stains out of. He removed his arm from its position of protecting his face when he heard the impact of a large something or someone's land on the floor. Scarab looked up the see the one thing that he hated to see but also expected to see whenever he tried to capture Prince Rapses; mummies.
Ja-Kal along with his three companions broke through the glass complete with their amour so the shards of glass didn't faze them in the least. When the royal huntsman caught sight of the scene before him it caused his blood to boil. Presley hung limply from Scarab's grip with his head rolled in towards his chest and his brown locks preventing Ja-Kal from seeing his face. Ja-Kal could see the ends of welts that had ended on Presley's legs and tattered clothes that were ripped from the same abuse .Just the thought that someone had tried to hurt Presley, let alone succeed in doing so, caused Ja-Kal to be taken over with rage. He wasn't even sure if Presley was alive and he couldn't even call out to him because anger had rendered his throat useless.
The other three mummies beside him were speechless as well and the two enemies stood facing eachother. Their mutual hatred met in the middle and if any of them would have had hair it would have been standing on end.
Once Scarab got over his initial shock of seeing the mummies break into his pyramid his frustration doubled but he managed to remain calm and grinned at his ancient enemies in hatred. "Well isn't this a pleasant surprise." The old advisor took a step back so that he could gain some room. "Here, let me show you my hospitality!"
Scarab folded his free hand over his chest and in a flash of purple light ripped off his robes to reveal his beetle-like amour. His amour caused him to grow in size but his attire still remained the same deep purple. His arms and feet grew claws and on his back he developed wings that enabled him to fly. Scarab's garb was hard and covered his entire body just as real scarab beetles amour did.
Presley who at first was still touching the ground was now a foot off the floor with his collar cutting into his windpipe reducing the amount of oxygen going to his lungs. Presley didn't know that his friends had come because he was too far lost in the dark ocean of misery and semi-consciousness. He didn't know that they had come out of love and friendship for him and that they would do anything to help their young friend. Scarab's grip on his windbreaker was causing Presley to become lightheaded but to Presley this discomfort, along with the rest of the pain his body was in, seemed far away and distant. He was drowning in his own misery and hopelessness and to him there was no lifeboat to prevent him from submerging into the cold abyss. Presley could only let the currents of sorrow wash over him pushing him deeper and deeper until the light inside him flickered and begun to go out.
Scarab raised his voice so that it seemed to penetrate every room in the entire building. "Come to me my Shapties!" From every entrance that led into the main chamber Shapties poured in and formed ranks behind the purple clad advisor.
There was more than sixty of the stone slaves each armed with staff's that emitted a red energy beam that was powerful enough to knock any one of the guardians into the air. The mummies knew that they were outnumbered but it didn't matter to them in the slightest. All that mattered to them was rescuing Presley and getting him to safety.
Scarab smirked at the mummies and his own advantages. He knew that they wouldn't endanger their prince but little did he know that Presley was no longer their prince but an ordinary boy from the modern world who had some extra-ordinary friends. Scarab thought that he was in control of the situation and that he had the power to get what he wanted. Scarab wanted immortality and he wanted to know why he couldn't get Prince Rapses spirit to come to him.
Scarab spotted Rath in his cobra amour and pointed his staff, of which he now carried, at the motionless figure. "What amateur magic's have you done to prevent my wishes?"
Ja-Kal who was too hot with fury to answer couldn't open his mouth and for the first time since they entered one of the mummies spoke. Rath blinked himself alert and answered Scarab's question with barely contained anger. "I have done nothing Scarab." Rath spat the name with contempt. "You will not get what you desire from the boy. Release him."
Scarab laughed sinisterly and sneered at Rath. "You can't fool me Rath. I'm not stupid like your dumb friend over there." The sorcerer pointed his bearded chin at Armon. "Don't think that I will fall for one of your pitiful tricks."
Armon rose to Scarab's mock and squeezed his hands into even tighter fists. "No Scarab you are wrong. Presley can no longer give you what you want. He no longer has Prince Rapses spirit, he is just Presley." Armon took a menacing step forward. "Let him go."
Nefer-tina shot her large friend an angry glare. `He shouldn't have told Scarab that. Oh well, we can worry about that after we get Presley out of here.' She returned her attention to the scene infront of her.
Scarab was slightly taken back and he showed it; but only for a split second. Inside his twisted head he knew that the large warrior could never lie but he also doubted it as well for the fact that it washed all of his hopes down the river. Then realization struck him. The incantation not working and the youths' arrogant comment, "It's not going to work you know..." It all made sense now. Scarab groaned aloud in his frustration and looked at the boy hanging from his grip. Presley was useless and Scarab was just about to let him go when a voice interrupted his thoughts.
Ja-Kal had finally regained enough composition to save Presley. He had pushed his emotions aside until there weren't any left fighting for control. Ja-Kal had turned to his anger. He raised his great wooden bow and pointed it at Scarab knowing that he couldn't shoot it unless he wanted to hit Presley and in his mind Ja-Kal knew that he would rather kill himself then harm his former young protégé.
He pulled back the horsehair string on his bow until a flaming arrow appeared. "Release him Scarab if you value your life."
Scarab looked at the falcon-garbed guardian infront of him and he heard the tone in Ja-Kal's voice. It chilled him; for as long as he had fought against Ja-Kal he had always had a human component to him. Now it was void of all emotions except for anger and a hatred that burned through Scarab like electricity along a power cable. Then an idea came to Scarab. If the mummies cared enough for Presley to come to rescue him then they would probably give anything up to save him. Scarab laughed silently at his own brilliance.
A voice whispered through the darkness that had engulfed Presley, growing louder and louder until it seemed to sound all around him. It was the voice of hope, it was Ja-Kal. Presley would recognize his voice anywhere no matter where he was or whatever had happened to him. It stirred him awake inside although he had always been semi-conscious in body. A light penetrated the void and grew filling Presley with hope and warmth. `He came for me. They came for me. They still care.' The light beat away the darkness triumphant and glorious as always. He had to see them to confirm with his eyes what his ears and heart told him was there.
Scarab snickered and then smiled at the proud figure infront of him; Ja-Kal wouldn't get the best of him. Scarab the mighty sorcerer was in control and would get what he wanted. He raised Presley even higher and shook him back and forth which caused the four guardians to growl in vexation at their friends' mistreatment.
Scarab ceased Presley's manhandling and sneered. "Of course, I'll let him go." He paused for his own enjoyment on seeing the mummies shift in the discomfort of suspense. "If you give me Prince Rapses."
When Presley came back to reality he felt the pain that was channeling through his body from the lashings that had only taken place moments before. But with an effort he pushed these feelings aside. Presley lifted his head and was greeted by the one thing that brought tears of relief to his eyes. Four figures came into his vision all clad in golden armor. Armon in his fighting stance with his solid gold arm and ram garb. Rath with his snake sword out and dressed, shining in his green and gold array. Nefer-tina with her whip in hand and ready to pounce upon the enemy with her cat claws. Then there was the most proud and majestic figure that had brought Presley back from the gloom; Ja-Kal. The royal hunter's bow was drawn to it's fullest by his clawed hands aimed directly at the pair but not firing because of Presley. Presley wanted to see Ja-Kal's face but it was hidden in shadow by his falcon headdress.
Presley licked his parched lips in an attempt to wet them. "Ja-Kal." His voice had gone hoarse from the crying that he had done earlier so it came out in a forced croak.
Ja-Kal wavered and almost rushed forward in relief when he saw Presley stir but he wasn't sure if it had been simply an act of his imagination showing him something that his heart desired to see. He had almost panicked when Presley had not moved since their arrival but knew if he had he would have been little help to Presley, let alone the team, if he had. Ja-Kal became even more infuriated when Scarab had shaken Presley around as if he were a rag doll and it had taken almost every once of will power to maintain his apparent calm. Ja-Kal had been trying to think of a way to get Presley away without endangering him further when he saw the youth raise his head from his chest. The injured boy looked at them with such hope and faith that Ja-Kal's heart leaped and he had to swallow his emotions once more. But when Presley's emerald eyes switched to stare into Ja-Kal's sapphires he felt all of the anger flow from him like water in a brook. The boy's eyes glistened with relief, joy
and love as a single tear slid down his cheek and he smiled his first genuine smile that he had done in weeks.
Seeing that Presley was alive was enough for all of them. Just knowing that Presley knew that they were there for him was enough to lift their dampened spirits. But when Presley whispered Ja-Kal's name in his hoarse voice that was caused by his torment Ja-Kal felt as if someone had smacked him across the face. It was their fault that their young friend was in this predicament in the first place. Although Ja-Kal knew why Presley had cast the spell originally he felt that if he just would've told Presley how he felt earlier. Then this would never have had to take place. There would be time to talk to eachother after but for now Ja-Kal was overjoyed just to hear Presley voice and the mummy wanted to answer him.
Ja-Kal looked at his former prince elated and smiled not noticing that his eyes also glistened with the same wetness that the boy he was watching had. "Presley." He whispered the name almost afraid to say it too loudly as if Presley would disappear if he said it. Then Ja-Kal straightened up. "Don't worry; it's going to be alright." Ja-Kal turned his gaze back to Scarab, his anger and hatred for the ancient advisor coming back to him immediately.
Scarab waited impatiently as he waited for an answer and smirked when Presley awoke because the mummies seeing that he was conscious would make them even more willing to give Scarab what he required. He noticed Ja-Kal's eyes once again focused on him but it didn't bother him anymore because he felt that he was in control.
The sorcerer laughed mentally and repeated his earlier statement. "So what is it? The boy's guaranteed freedom and safety. In exchange I get the surrender of Prince Rapses." Scarab shrugged his armored shoulders and grinned. "I can't just give him away you know."
Ja-Kal cast a glance over his right shoulder and saw that the other guardians were struggling to come to grips with the answer that they knew they must give. `We cannot give up our prince; we are sworn to protect him no matter what the cost.' He looked at Presley and the boys' pleading expression. `But I cannot abandon Presley either. There has to be some other way.'
Scarab was congratulating himself and regarded the mummies in triumph. However, he stopped patting himself on the back when he began to doubt the mummies decision. `What if they don't choose this boy? What if they refuse my offer?' Then his evil mind came up with the solution and he laughed inwardly again at his own ingenious. `I'll just have to raise the stakes.'
Amenhotep's evil advisor laughed out loud to get the four guardians attention. "Having a hard time I see, how about I make the decision a little easier for you. Either you give the prince to me..." He smiled showing his teeth. "Or this little brat dies."
Presley was exhilarated when he heard Ja-Kal say that he was going to save him bringing tears to the dam of his eyelids. The salty drops were just about to burst over the barrier when he heard what his friends had to do in order to free him so the dam became strong once more and Presley's elated mood plummeted. He saw Ja-Kal and the others wrestling with the proposition but he knew what the outcome would be. Duty came first over personal feelings. They had to choose Rapses no matter the consequences. This was their obligation that they had chosen to take on. They still hadn't answered Scarab when Presley heard the other piece of the puzzle. Give Rapses up or Presley was going to die. `Die?! I don't wanna die! I'm only twelve!' The youth sighed and studied his friends' faces. `But then again if I have to live with the pain that I have the last few days wouldn't death be easier?' Presley paused in his mental monologue. `Well I've been trying to be brave and I guess this is as
good a time as any to prove to myself that I am.' He looked again at his friends and directed a message to them. `Don't worry guys, I understand.' A shiver raked his body. `But I don't think my body understands or is ready.'
Ja-Kal saw his comrades falter when they heard what Scarab had added to his proposition. His fellow guardians were not the only ones to falter because although Ja-Kal didn't bodily flinch his mind cart wheeled. `Die?! Scarab wouldn't actually kill Presley would he?' Ja-Kal dismissed the thought and called himself a fool. `No, Scarab would not risk throwing away his immortality. He is only doing it so that we will surrender and give up Prince Rapses to him. Great Ra, what should I do?' Ja-Kal stopped staring at Scarab and his eyes locked with Presley's. The falcon guardian had half expected to find him to be scared and pleading with his green eyes but what he found was something that he hadn't anticipated for. Presley's gaze held Ja-Kal with a look that couldn't have been broken by even time itself. Emeralds bored into sapphires and Ja-Kal felt Presley's pain. The mummies eyes widened when he received the amount of pain that they boy had been shouldering the past weeks. When
the feeling past Ja-Kal saw in his young charge that he understood what was going on and he was being brave. To anyone else that would have been all that they would have seen but to Ja-Kals he saw past the bravery and understanding. He saw the underlying terror that Presley was trying so desperately to hide but it was to no avail. The fear flickered behind his irises like a candle flame does in a breeze. Presley's eyes also told Ja-Kal that he knew the decision that he had to make and it was as if he could sense Ja-Kal's misgivings because in the same gaze he sought to assure and forgive him simultaneously. However, it didn't assure him. The resolution that he had to make was against all that his heart screamed at him to do.
Presley thought hard as if he was trying to contact them by sheer mental power and it almost seemed as if it worked because at the same moment Ja-Kal looked at him. Presley continued to be brave and he tried to tell Ja-Kal that he understood but he knew that the guardian had seen right past him. Ja-Kal had seen the terrified, miserable state that he was underneath and he had countered that with his own concerned, caring gaze. Ja-Kal was deeply troubled by the decision that he had to make and it was reflected in his eyes. Presley knew that he had to reassure his friend from his insecurities or when he finally made the right decision he would never forgive himself. `Ja-Kal please, I understand! Tell Scarab what you have to.' Presley shouted, pleading in his mind. Then he whispered silently in his head. `I forgive you.' Presley sighed when he finally saw
Ja-Kal's blue eyes set with his resolve.
The four guardians exchanged glances and Nefer-tina, Rath and Armon's messages told Ja-Kal that the answer remained with him as leader. Ja-Kal had chosen an answer and was going to say the words that would hopefully not push Scarab over the edge and send Presley to an early grave. Ja-Kal released the tension on his bowstring so that the magical flaming arrow disappeared. He straightened and let his arms and bow fall to his sides but he didn't discard his widespread, balanced pose.
Ja-Kal burned with hatred and a deep fear of the consequences that he hoped would not come but he squared his shoulders and followed through with his resolution. Ja-Kal's icy blue stare could've frozen the very fires of Duet. "We have your answer." Scarab smiled triumphantly but Ja-Kal never wavered. "You will not get Prince Rapses nor your immortality."
Scarab's smile faded as he heard these words and instead his mouth formed into a snarl. The mummies and their decision infuriated him. He had been positive that they would have chosen their friends rather than their prince. The advisors' anger was enough to push him over the edge and he knew that the guardians would regret their response once he followed through with his previous threat.
Scarab's eyes blazed as he stared at Ja-Kal with an intense loathing. "If that is your answer then you can all say your farewells to your insignificant little friend."
Ja-Kal stared at Scarab from under his headdress calmly watching as the sorcerer's mouth turned into a snarl but the royal huntsmen froze when he saw the half crazed, evil hatred that was seething in Scarab's purple orbs. It was then that he realized that Scarab had been pushed over the edge and Presley was in serious mortal danger. Ja-Kal's mind raced as he tried to find a way to reach Presley without injuring him causing him further pain. As he strived to figure this out his eyes were drawn to Presley and he watched the hope drain away from the boy to be replaced again with pain and despair. Ja-Kal was helpless because Scarab's Shapties stood all around their master and if Ja-Kal made any sudden movements Scarab would send them charging at the mummies before Ja-Kal could take two steps forward. He was running out of time and he needed to act now, not later.
Ja-Kal looked expectantly at the other guardians and saw that none of them noticed the sinister glint in Scarab's eye and so they were awaiting his next usual demand which would bring the Shapties upon them so that they would be forced to give up Prince Rapses. Ja-Kal's azure eyes returned to look at the green pools of Presley's and stared into them not knowing that he was announcing his own worries and other emotions to his young friend. He didn't realize that he was showing his helplessness, confusion and love to Presley. So he was caught by surprise when the youth blinked in comprehension of something that Ja-Kal didn't even know of yet.
Scarab lifted Presley high into the air preparing to strike the seemingly helpless boy that dangled from his grasp. Scarab leaned towards Presley close enough so that the boy could smell his sour breath from the advisor's wine. He laughed wickedly in the boy's face and whispered in his ear. "Broken your heart haven't they." Scarab chuckled when Presley didn't answer. "Don't fret; it will be over soon enough. You and your friends have thwarted me one time too many and since Prince Rapses spirit is no longer inside you then I can destroy you and savour the feeling when the life drains from your body by my own hands. Then, I will go after your friends and laugh at them when I kill them as well." Scarab smiled in sadistic pleasure when he felt Presley stiffen at his last words and then relax again as a supposed depression set back in. The sorcerer quietly laughed sinisterly. "Don't worry I'll make sure that their second deaths are much more painful then the first." He paused.
"Are you ready to die boy?" Presley didn't answer but continued to stare at the floor. Scarab drew his head back to its original position and placed Hekka a foot away from his victims' stomach. Just as Hekka's mouth began to form a glowing fireball the guardians looked on in horror as Presley pulled out his trump card.
Presley whipped up his head, staring Scarab defiantly in the eye and cried. "NO!"
Then before Scarab, or anybody, could react to his explosion Presley pushed off Scarab's amour with one leg then with the other kicked the startled sorcerer in the side of the head. Presley had gathered and used his remaining strength in that kick and put enough force into it that his entire leg was jolted and left tingling from the contact. His left foot that was already swollen had been used to push off Scarab so that he could get the height he needed and each throb that pulsed through his foot brought another misery to Presley's already grieved body.
Scarab staggered from the unexpected blow he however didn't lost his grasp on Presley's windbreaker collar. His jaw pulsated with pain and his mouth begun to taste like blood, a sure sign that at least one of his teeth had been dislodge. Scarab's eyes blazed with an eternal hatred and fury that could not be contained for any longer. He stared at Presley and for the first time in his fifty lifetimes he was absolutely speechless. Scarab's mouth was unable to voice the fury burning higher within him. He wanted to know why this despicable boy had the nerve to attack him, Scarab, the great sorcerer. He no longer cared if the mummies would hunt him down after he disposed of Presley. All that he could see was red and all he could think about was destroying the boy dangling from his potent vice.
Ja-Kal and the other guardians were surprised after witnessing Presley's vocal feat but they were shocked and astounded when they watched Scarab stagger from their young friends' blow. Ja-Kal realized that Presley had preformed that deed for one of two reasons; either to stop Scarab from blasting him in the stomach or to give them, the mummies, more time in which to find an answer. However, as Ja-Kal had to commend Presley on his timing, the idea itself wasn't the brightest. It had just made Scarab angrier. The falcon guardian could see it in the advisors' face as clear as day. Scarab had lost all of his self-control and was raving. Ja-Kal more than ever feared for his precious former protégé's life but he was forced to watch the scene unfold not for a lack of courage but because of a helplessness that he was presently unable to overcome.
"You...You...How dare you!!" Scarab screamed as he once again had the ability to work his voice. He now had shivers running through his body as a testament of his anger. Scarab's lips rose into a sneer and he tightened his hold on Presley's collar until he heard the whistling intake of breath telling him that the boy was having a difficult time breathing. Then it was as if Scarab's arm snapped from the tension because before anyone could blink an eye the sorcerer had flung Presley full force into the wall. Presley gasped loudly but before the youth had time to do anything to stop himself from being hurled, he hit the stone wall and the sickening slap from Presley's body when it collided with the wall echoed throughout the gigantic chamber. Presley bounced slightly off the stone barrier and fell unconscious on to the floor.
Seconds went by in slow motion as Ja-Kal looked on in horror as Presley's body flew through the air only to be flattened against the wall. The look of fear and disbelief was written on Presley's face before his sudden stop and it made the falcon guardians' stomach clench. But when the sickening slap of flesh hitting stone and Presley's unconscious body striking the ground reached Ja-Kal's eyes he stared at his friends' lax face with the refusal to believe that Presley may be more that just unconscious.
Mere seconds went by before any one of the mummies could recover enough from their shock. Finally it was Nefer-tina who spoke.
Her whisper could be clearly heard, severing the silence. "Presley?" Then she raised her voice in anxiety when Presley didn't respond. "Come on, stop joking around...answer me!" The quiet stretched while no one said anything nor moved.
Rath and Armon were struggling to maintain their composition and prevent themselves from rushing to their friend's aid. They realized, along with Nefer-tina, how foolish and dangerous that would be for them and for Presley. So they looked to their always-rational leader for an answer on what they should do. Even Rath could think of no immediate solution to this situation. Yet when they looked at Ja-Kal for their answer, instead of seeing his calm persona what they did see struck them dumbfounded once again.
Ja-Kal had witnessed the scene take place and watched as Presley was harmed yet again. As he stared at his friend all of his self control was broken down and he was overwhelmed by emotions. Inside he was an inferno, not a fire but a raging, scorching inferno. Ja-Kal was a dam about to burst. Then something started in his toes and gathered strength as it grew, rumbling and churning slowly but steadily. Ja-Kal's body was livid with rage and all his muscles were rigid and tensed. Behind his headdress his lips were curled into a silent vicious snarl the likes of which no ordinary mortal would ever wish to see. But it wasn't the snarl or the deadly stance that had shocked the mummies; it was the look in his eyes.
Whereas Scarab's eyes burned Ja-Kal's blazed. The blue fire behind them was leaping and seething, threatening to incinerate anyone who dared to stare into their fiery depths. The only emotions that drove him now were anger and hate. Ja-Kal's blue orbs switched their gaze to stare at Scarab and when the falcon guardian caught sight of Presley's abuser the fire surged forward. From the opposite end of Ja-Kal's stare Scarab involuntarily shuttered realizing that he was a dead man and to make his position even more dire, he could think of no escape from the being before him.
Then it happened.
The rumbling that had been rising within the prince's guardian rose until it reached the dam of Ja-Kal's throat and then, in an instant, it broke through the restraint. The roar burst from Ja-Kal's lips tearing and shattering through the silence like a battering ram, shocking every living thing within hearing. It left the ears of its listeners ringing from its crashing torment. Yet before anyone could recover from the oral onslaught, Ja-Kal had rushed toward Scarab with a savage ferocity.
The enraged falcon guardian threw himself bodily at the temporarily deaf sorcerer knocking both of them to the ground with enough force to drive the air out of a person's lungs. Yet the breath that had been forced from Scarab's chest was the least of his worries for at that moment he was fighting to stay alive with a snarling mummy astride him. Ja-Kal's clawed hands missed Scarab's vital points by mere millimeters and the advisor knew that against this feral madman he couldn't last much longer.
The two bodies rolled across the floor exchanging blows and being observed by three bewildered mummies. The golden armored guardians stared transfixed to the battle waging infront of them until it struck them that their ever vigilant leader was trying to murder his evil adversary. That, along with Ja-Kal's sudden outburst of emotions, confused them to the point that from then on they hardly knew what was going on.
Scarab's head rang from yet another resounding pound to his skull. He needed help, although he would never willingly admit it, from somebody. He could have groaned at his own stupidity and called himself six kinds a fool. `Damn.' He muttered inwardly. `Why didn't I order the Shapties earlier? Maybe I've been hit too many times in the head. But I need to get this lunatic away from me or I'm finished.'
While Ja-Kal raised his arm to repeat its motion Scarab took purchase of the fleeting pause and rounded his head upon his motionless group of slaves. "Shapties! Capture Ja-Kal and destroy him!" With a gravel grinding sound the stone slaves lurched into motion and begun their expressionless advance to do what their master had bid them do.
Except for the grunts and drumming of fists of the two wrestlers on the ground the room had been quiet, until Scarab's command rang out breaking the null. When the order finally broke through to the other mummies they shook their head to come out of their stupors.
Rath blinked his green eyes several times in an attempt to orient himself. "We've go to help Ja-Kal."
Nefer-tina looked at the scribe. "What about Presley? We can't just leave him there."
"Well, what good will we do Presley, let alone the Prince, if we are all destroyed?" Rath snapped at his cat companion.
It was Armon who brought them both back from the beginnings of a feud. "Umm, guys? Right now shouldn't we just worry about the Shapties?" He raised his golden arm and yelled his battle cry. "LET'S KICK TUT!"
The large mummy charged the pack of stone vassals eradicating three of them with a massive body check. A small group of them turned to their newly found opponent and hefted their spears. Armon used his golden appendage and right-hooked another two Shapties to oblivion. The remaining group of slaves that had turned to fight the ram guardian jumped on top of Armon in an attempt to smother him. In Armon's mind destroying the Shapties and flinging them away became a monotonous process but he was maintained by his strong desire to help his friends.
Nefer-tina had to chuckle as her burly friend brought her out of another argument. She turned to her cobra-clad comrade who also had a smirk on his pale face. She poked him in the ribs with her elbow. "So, are we going to let Armon have all the fun?" Suddenly Nefer-tina became serious as she remembered. "We have to remember why we're here. Let's help Ja-Kal so that we can get Presley then get out of here."
Rath nodded his head in agreement, for once, and then smiled mischievously. "Shall we?"
Nefer-tina snapped her whip in reply. "We shall." She turned back to the disarray. "LET'S KICK TUT!" Her whip snaked forward curling around the legs of a Shaptie and she pulled it back bringing the mobile statue crashing to its knees. "Aw you've fallen for me." Nefer-tina smiled. "One down, a lot more to go." Then simultaneously Rath and she ran forward to join in the affray.
Ja-Kal had snapped and he knew that he had. Before him was his ancient enemy and for the first time he wanted to see the evil sorcerer dead, by his own hands. Ja-Kal had been seething before he had finally broken down. He had regarded Presley in disbelief and heartache. `Some friend.' He had thought, `to allow Presley to be hurt.' All of his pain had hardened and flames of anger exploded boiling and frothing uncontrollably. He had laid eyes on Scarab and all that ran through his fury fogged mind was, `he's going to die.' The calm resourceful leader was mad with vengeance for Presley and bloodlust to drain the life from Scarab drove him to the other man's throat as if the advisor was the last glass of water in a desert to a thirsty man.
As Ja-Kal tumbled with Scarab on the floor the fire had not lessened in the slightest but now that fear in the guardians' enemy's eyes was a topping on an already delicious dessert. Ja-Kal didn't notice the battle waging around him involving his three comrades and dozens of Shapties. All his attention was on the body under his bird-like talons. Ja-Kal would avenge the hurt Presley had suffered with Scarab's blood and he was closer to his goal then ever he himself realized. On account of Ja-Kal had been replaced by a rancor-filled madman who could not be stopped.
Three more Shapties fell to the ground in pieces after Rath's razor-sharp sword had sliced them as easily as a warm knife through butter. As the scribe looked around at his surroundings he spotted Nefer-tina and Armon holding their own against their opponents. He continued to search until he found the causes of the battle. Rath watched Ja-Kal and Scarab with growing apprehension. He had to get to Ja-Kal now! The snake guardian tripled his efforts in an attempt to stop the fight. However, even as the number of stone statues was lessening, his attempts were too little too slowly. `That's it; I have to use magic even if it does drain my energy supply.' Rath swung his sword around in a circle to clear his immediate area of enemies then concentrated a portion of his energy into each of his hands. A glowing green sphere appeared in both cupped palms hovering only an inch from their surfaces. His eyes focused on a tight knit group of Shapties running towards him and sent a silent
command to the orb floating above his right hand. The green globe sped out of Rath's hand and hurled itself at the Shaptie in the centre of the charging pack. The unfortunate slave to be hit with the ball collapsed in on itself as the light passed through its middle. The sphere continued on its course destroying another seven Shapties before finally going out. Right after Rath had sent the first globe on its mission he sent its counterpart flying towards more Shapties who continued to fight them headless of their demolished fellows now lying motionless on the ground. It was working. Although it was taking its toll on his energy supply Rath's progress was increasing tremendously.
Nefer-tina was caught in the tedious repetitions of whip, jump, kick, punch, land. "Hii-ya!!" Crash! Her trusted whip had brought two more unlucky Shapties smashing together and their clay pieces littering the floor. Over and over again she removed the stone servants from her path. Yet over and over again when one Shaptie was destroyed another moved forward to take its brother's place. As Rath had noticed, they were still too slow and it was then that a flashing green light caught her eye. Nefer-tina turned her head, while jumping back from a Shapties' spear thrust and watched as Rath's magic got rid of a group of statues in one blow. `Humph! Well he's not going to get all the glory!' The cat mummy turned her head again to spot her ever-avid friend. There! She pitched her voice so that it would be carried over the din. "Armon! Hey Armon!" Nefer-tina sighed exasperated when Armon couldn't find her. "No!...Over HERE!" She smiled when she he finally found her. Still fighting
she continued to yell at him. "We have to move a little faster! We're being too easy on them!" Chuckling to herself Nefer-tina tripled her tries and saw that Armon grinned and did the same.
`Finished.' Armon dusted his large hands wrinkling his nose slightly as the clay particles threatened to make him sneeze. The large mummy looked around to see that both Rath and Nefer-tina were straightening from fighting stances while checking their surrounding warily. Part of the warrior's mind was still on lookout mode although the remains of dozens of Shapties carpeted the stone ground. Ever after a battle his soldier mind refused to stop being cautious until he was certain that all the enemies had either been destroyed, ran away, or surrendered. However, although all of Scarab's lackeys had been dealt with, the sorcerer was still locked in a fight himself and barely holding his own at that. Armon couldn't see Ja-Kal's face from the shadows of the falcon headdress but from his days as a soldier in Pharaoh's army he has seen this type of body language before and he had never wanted to see it again. Ja-Kal was going to kill Scarab if he wasn't stopped, soon.
`Oww-Damn! Doesn't Ja-Kal tire at all? I'm just about spent and I can't use any magic because this maniac won't give me any time to concentrate! Where the hell did Hekka go?! That cowardly snake! When I get out of this...IF I get out of this-I'm going to teach her a lesson!...Ouch! Shit! That one hurt!' Scarab wheezed as Ja-Kal drove his knee into the advisor's stomach and wond up for an eminent punch. Scarab now lay with his back on the ground and was unable to mover further with Ja-Kal straddling him so his only defense was to throw up his arms to protect his face. `Thump!' The taloned fist landed squarely on Scarab's raised forearm. To counter-attack the sorcerer swung a cruelly clawed hand towards Ja-Kal's head. It caught the infuriated mummy on the side of the head. Although the hit had caused Ja-Kal's head to be jarred sideways it didn't faze or slow the guardian in the slightest. `How am I going to beat him?' Scarab thought inwardly while still trying to get Ja-Kal
off of him.
After one particularly hard punch Scarab decided that perhaps if he distracted Ja-Kal then he would have enough time to work up a decent attack spell. The evil advisor grinned internally at the idea that idea that had popped unbidden into his mind. Scarab barely blocked another punch by the lightning fast mummy and struggled to catch his breath so that he could set his plan in motion. The problem was although he had a plan he wasn't quite sure how to execute it. So he started by asking a question that had just begun to pester him.
Scarab's voice came out in a forced whisper hoarse because of all the heavy panting he had been doing. "So Ja-Kal, why do you care so much for that boy, Presley?"
Before the sorcerer knew what had happened his head was reeling from just being smashed against the hard floor below him. The room spun but his vision always remained clear around Ja-Kal's face. The mummy's features had hardened even more and his silent snarl and become a terrifying growl that reverberated in the heart of his throat. Scarab was petrified by the fervid anger burning in Ja-Kal's icy blue orbs. The advisor watched the lips form words and he heard his own death clearly in them. And he watched as the falcon guardians' eyes played Scarab's end as a preview did to a movie.
In a quiet whisper that shook with rage Ja-Kal forced words out of his throat that didn't want to come. From in the fogged depths of Ja-Kal's mind one thought ran alongside the one screaming death for one short moment. `How dare this...this...this disgrace of a man speak Presley's name!!!'
Ja-Kal's lips tightened in anger and he shook the vile thing in his taloned grip hissing venomously. "Never. Never! Speak his name. You have no right." He punctuated every exclamation with another vicious pound to the ground. "Not that you will ever have a chance to say it again." Ja-Kal released Scarab's neck with his right hand and tightened his grasp with his left. The mummy raised his right hand and positioned it above the evil sorcerer's neck preparing to kill him in one fluid stroke, plunging his honed talons through Scarab's throat.
Panic secured itself in Rath's senses. "What...Ja-Kal don't!" Nothing happened. Ja-Kal wasn't listening anymore and he hadn't ever since he had first started battling Scarab. `I can't let him kill Scarab.' Rath thought but in the back of his mind a small voice asked `Why not? Why shouldn't you let him kill Scarab? Doesn't he deserve it?' Although the voice was only a whisper it was loud enough to cause him to question his action, taking more time then he had.
Nefer-tina and Armon watched in horror as their leader prepared to kill the sorcerer. They had not heard what Scarab had said to Ja-Kal to make him even more furious than before but they had seen the results of the particular statement. Cat and ram exchanged troubled messages. They could do nothing. The situation was far out of their control. They could only watch and hope that somehow, someone would call their Ja-Kal back from wherever he was and put an end to this insanity.
An anguished groan destituted the silence and tension, resounding repeatedly in the chamber. It drew the attention of everything in the room to its source. It was Presley. He was alive; though he was still unconscious. Presley didn't stir in any way and the three mummies who were witnessing the two combatants were filled with joy that their friend wasn't as seriously injured as they had feared he had been.
Ja-Kal stopped his wicked thoughts as Presley's moan came and calmed the fires smoldering within him. He turned to look at his friends' fallen form and at that moment the madman that had controlled Ja-Kal until now; fled away as hope spread through his body erasing all of the darkness. A wild kind of elation reached his fury-fogged mind and he just barely retained himself from rushing over to Presley's side but was reminded of the reason that the youth was unconscious in the first place.
Ja-Kal licked his lips attempting to add moisture and his voice trembled with fear and joy as he whispered. "Presley?"
When the body of the former young prince continued to be unresponsive Ja-Kal almost slipped back into the well of darkness that he had just presently come out of and the joy began to be overcome once again by fear and concern.
"Ja-Kal?" Nefer-tina's soft tone caught the leaders attention so he turned to look at his companion and for the first time he realized what had been going on as he had be blind to the world while fighting Scarab. When he was finished scanning the battlefield he stopped when he reached the blue eyes of Nefer-tina. "Ja-Kal, we have to get Presley help, soon." Worried blues regard his and Ja-Kal knew what he had to do.
The falcon guardian's eyes drifted back to his enemy but stopped when he reached Presley's still form. The just recently controlled fury threatened to rise once again to the surface but Ja-Kal squelched it before it had a chance to grow. He wanted so badly to be rid of this abomination but couldn't. `I can't destroy him like this. What would Presley think of me when he knew I was a murderer? What kind of role model would I be if I killed someone? No matter how much I want to, I can't.' He sighed silently. `I can't, for Presley's sake, I can't and won't.' Ja-Kal refocused his attention onto Scarab and regarded him as if the sight of the sorcerer left an awful taste in his mouth.
Scarab sighed with relief and almost relaxed when Ja-Kal stopped in the midst of his final assault. However, that relief was short lived because as Ja-Kal's head swung around to face him Scarab felt what was left of the blood drain from his face. No longer did the mummy's features have the angry insanity that it had earlier possessed. Instead cold, calculating eyes bored into frightened purple ones and Scarab felt whatever hope he had left flee from him like a dog with its tail between its legs. Yet as Ja-Kal spoke the advisors' evil existence didn't seem so lost.
Ja-Kal regarded Scarab with disgust and hardly had time to enjoy the terror that filled his eyes because he had to get out to there, fast. Ja-Kal spoke quietly but he pronounced every word with an unwavering certainty. "I guess you'll live for another day you vile creature. Today isn't the day of your reckoning but-" Ja-Kal leaned forward until his eyes were all that Scarab could see and his voice that dripped hatred was all that the sorcerer could hear. "-if you value you life, which I know you do, you will let us leave without any resistance. Because, my dear enemy, if you try and stop us I won't hesitate to kill you right hear and now." Scarab's senses had come back enough to hear in Ja-Kal's voice the almost taunting tone that dared him to try and stop them. "Although I would enjoy nothing better then to do so right now I have more pressing business to attend to." The mummy pulled his head away so that his whole face could be viewed and grinned coldly. "So if there is
nothing left to say we will take our leave." Ja-Kal released his grip on Scarab's throat. "Oh and by the way I suggest that you don't try anything to soon because who knows how long I hold a grudge."
Ja-Kal stood up towering over Scarab and stared at his face for a moment more as if to make sure that he wasn't going anywhere. Then he turned and walked over to the wall where Presley's still form lay, passing his comrades with not even a glance. He reached his destination, kneeled down on the cold stone floor, and felt all the anger washed away except for a small pulse that remained a testament to why his precious young friend was hurt. Now that Ja-Kal was close he saw a dark spot of blood on the back of Presley's head that bore witness to the collision with the wall. The pulse of anger jumped but relented when the leader's gaze drifted down to the youthful face. Eyelids obscured the vibrant emeralds and Presley's features were relaxed and calm. As Ja-Kal stared he felt a rising lump of pain come to the surface but shoved it violently aside knowing he had to remain composed. Instead he whispered to Presley almost inaudibly as he gathered the limp figure into his arms. "I
`am sorry Presley. It's my fault that this happened. I'm so sorry." He turned to his companions with a control and certainty that he didn't feel inside. "Let's go." They all nodded in unison and they all looked at Presley, concern the emotion most prominent in their eyes.
Turning to the smashed windows that they had entered from the falcon guardian spread his armored wings and flew out in the window into the night air cradling Presley's body to his chest. Ja-Kal felt an involuntary shutter from the boy as they broke out into the crisp fall air, which made him hug the boy even closer. As Ja-Kal flew he circled around to make sure that his friends weren't having any difficulties from Scarab. When he past the modern-day pyramid Ja-Kal saw three figures, still garnished in their amour, descending upon bandage ropes. After knowing that his friends were okay and after feeling another shiver from Presley he spiraled downward toward the growing shape of the Hot-Ra.
Ja-Kal touched down lightly right beside the car but before he could do anything the glass roof was opened and Prince Rapses came into view. The prince first looked at Ja-Kal's cargo then at Ja-Kal himself with relief and understanding. Prince Rapses nodded his head and moved to take the seat in the rear of the Hot-Ra so that his guardians would have all the room they needed.
A tired smile reached Ja-Kal's lips and he declined his head. "Thank you, your highness."
The thanks had been for more than just moving to the back and opening the Hot-Ra but for guiding them to the place so that they could save Presley.
The young prince grinned sadly in return. "No Ja-Kal, don't thank me. Let's just get Presley some help."
Ja-Kal nodded his head in agreement and jumped into the Hot-Ra sitting down with Presley cradled in his lap, the boy's head falling against the mummy's chest. Feet running against pavement caught his attention and for a moment he thought it might be Scarab trying to start the nightmare all over again. But it wasn't Scarab; it was Rath, Nefer-tina and Armon who all jumped into the car without hesitation.
Nefer-tina grabbed the controls and brought the engine purring to life. She turned around glancing at Presley then at Ja-Kal. "Where to?"
`Where to...' The question ran through Ja-Kal's mind as he thought of various places as his eyes lifted to the dark clouds still in the sky. The hospital was the first choice but how would Presley explain his injuries when he woke up. The young boy's home was the next choice but he wouldn't get the proper care. Then there was the Sphinx. Ja-Kal knew that he would have to rest soon but he couldn't bear the thought of just leaving Presley to wait until they had recharged. Ja-Kal sighed knowing that when you had options the decisions just became harder to make. Yet the only thing that was important to Ja-Kal was that Presley got the best care possible and that was at a hospital. They would deal with the other problems later.
Ja-Kal dropped his eyes back to a patiently waiting Nefer-tina. "The hospital."
Nefer-tina nodded curtly and turned around to the wheel gently sliding the Hot-Ra into drive so as not to jolt their cargo. If other things hadn't been on any of the mummies mind they would have laughed at Nefer-tina because now, of all times, she was actually obeying the traffic laws and not speeding.
The world slipped by the car, full of empty streets and streetlights pouring radiance every twenty feet or so. But Ja-Kal didn't notice these things for unlike the others his view was in his arms not out the window. From Ja-Kal's present position he could only see the top of Presley head and part of his face. Ja-Kal reached to move some of the brown mop that had fallen infront of the youthful face. A few of the strands slid across Presley nose causing it to twitch slightly. Ja-Kal smiled sadly as he watched and his gaze walked down the limp body taking in the damaged head, mottled neck, whip welts, bruises and the swollen ankle. Taking it all in and trying to forget that it had been his fault but he couldn't forget and it would be a long time until the memory faded enough to become livable.
A shutter brought Ja-Kal back to Presley's face in an instant and he witnessed as the blinds of the green eyes opened revealing a confused and frightened stare until he realized where he was. Presley looked around, his eyes taking in every detail until he reached Ja-Kal. He stared at Ja-Kal for what seemed like forever but was actually a moment seeing concern in the blue expanses and it was then that Presley realized that the mummies had always cared. Ja-Kal had always cared.
Presley smiled weakly, it was a true smile and it was so bright that it lighted Ja-Kal's heart in seeing it. Yet Ja-Kal almost lost the smile when he heard the soft words coming out of Presley mouth just audible enough for him to hear. "Ja-Kal, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
`Didn't know what?' Ja-Kal stroked back the brown hair whispering to the youth just as quietly. "Don't be sorry Presley. It wasn't your fault."
Presley made a small protest. "But I..."
Ja-Kal made a shushing gesture. "We will always be there for you. You never have to worry about that. I will always be there for you Presley, always."
A small smile came to tired lips as Presley sighed contentedly and closed his eyes in exhaustion once more resting his head against Ja-Kal's broad chest. But before Presley completely gave into the sleep that was calling his body he whispered. "I know. Thanks, Ja-Kal."
"Always." Repeated Ja-Kal making the statement a promise. `And I will always care.' He felt a weight had been lifted off his chest and now that he knew Presley was going to be back to his real self soon.
As Ja-Kal looked out the window a sparkle caught his eye. He glanced up and he watched the clouds open revealing the diamond stars in all their velvet glittering glory.
**What did you think? REVIEW! Please take a minute out of your busy lives to write one, even if it's really short, I don't care a review is a review. I post some more soon (I hope) this semester of school is a lighter homework load so that I don't have to stay up to 2:00am and live off of coffee so don't worry, I'll try. Come back for more!
Your bud Lilianna **
Chapter 6 - The Consequences of a Choice
Scarab raised back his free arm to knock some answers out of Presley and his hand had begun its decent when a crashing noise from above attracted his attention. Scarab's blow stopped in mid-swing and instead rose to cover his head as pieces of glass fell from the ceiling that was as high as a cathedral. He cursed under his breath as one of the pieces sliced through his linen robes that had just gotten wine stains out of. He removed his arm from its position of protecting his face when he heard the impact of a large something or someone's land on the floor. Scarab looked up the see the one thing that he hated to see but also expected to see whenever he tried to capture Prince Rapses; mummies.
Ja-Kal along with his three companions broke through the glass complete with their amour so the shards of glass didn't faze them in the least. When the royal huntsman caught sight of the scene before him it caused his blood to boil. Presley hung limply from Scarab's grip with his head rolled in towards his chest and his brown locks preventing Ja-Kal from seeing his face. Ja-Kal could see the ends of welts that had ended on Presley's legs and tattered clothes that were ripped from the same abuse .Just the thought that someone had tried to hurt Presley, let alone succeed in doing so, caused Ja-Kal to be taken over with rage. He wasn't even sure if Presley was alive and he couldn't even call out to him because anger had rendered his throat useless.
The other three mummies beside him were speechless as well and the two enemies stood facing eachother. Their mutual hatred met in the middle and if any of them would have had hair it would have been standing on end.
Once Scarab got over his initial shock of seeing the mummies break into his pyramid his frustration doubled but he managed to remain calm and grinned at his ancient enemies in hatred. "Well isn't this a pleasant surprise." The old advisor took a step back so that he could gain some room. "Here, let me show you my hospitality!"
Scarab folded his free hand over his chest and in a flash of purple light ripped off his robes to reveal his beetle-like amour. His amour caused him to grow in size but his attire still remained the same deep purple. His arms and feet grew claws and on his back he developed wings that enabled him to fly. Scarab's garb was hard and covered his entire body just as real scarab beetles amour did.
Presley who at first was still touching the ground was now a foot off the floor with his collar cutting into his windpipe reducing the amount of oxygen going to his lungs. Presley didn't know that his friends had come because he was too far lost in the dark ocean of misery and semi-consciousness. He didn't know that they had come out of love and friendship for him and that they would do anything to help their young friend. Scarab's grip on his windbreaker was causing Presley to become lightheaded but to Presley this discomfort, along with the rest of the pain his body was in, seemed far away and distant. He was drowning in his own misery and hopelessness and to him there was no lifeboat to prevent him from submerging into the cold abyss. Presley could only let the currents of sorrow wash over him pushing him deeper and deeper until the light inside him flickered and begun to go out.
Scarab raised his voice so that it seemed to penetrate every room in the entire building. "Come to me my Shapties!" From every entrance that led into the main chamber Shapties poured in and formed ranks behind the purple clad advisor.
There was more than sixty of the stone slaves each armed with staff's that emitted a red energy beam that was powerful enough to knock any one of the guardians into the air. The mummies knew that they were outnumbered but it didn't matter to them in the slightest. All that mattered to them was rescuing Presley and getting him to safety.
Scarab smirked at the mummies and his own advantages. He knew that they wouldn't endanger their prince but little did he know that Presley was no longer their prince but an ordinary boy from the modern world who had some extra-ordinary friends. Scarab thought that he was in control of the situation and that he had the power to get what he wanted. Scarab wanted immortality and he wanted to know why he couldn't get Prince Rapses spirit to come to him.
Scarab spotted Rath in his cobra amour and pointed his staff, of which he now carried, at the motionless figure. "What amateur magic's have you done to prevent my wishes?"
Ja-Kal who was too hot with fury to answer couldn't open his mouth and for the first time since they entered one of the mummies spoke. Rath blinked himself alert and answered Scarab's question with barely contained anger. "I have done nothing Scarab." Rath spat the name with contempt. "You will not get what you desire from the boy. Release him."
Scarab laughed sinisterly and sneered at Rath. "You can't fool me Rath. I'm not stupid like your dumb friend over there." The sorcerer pointed his bearded chin at Armon. "Don't think that I will fall for one of your pitiful tricks."
Armon rose to Scarab's mock and squeezed his hands into even tighter fists. "No Scarab you are wrong. Presley can no longer give you what you want. He no longer has Prince Rapses spirit, he is just Presley." Armon took a menacing step forward. "Let him go."
Nefer-tina shot her large friend an angry glare. `He shouldn't have told Scarab that. Oh well, we can worry about that after we get Presley out of here.' She returned her attention to the scene infront of her.
Scarab was slightly taken back and he showed it; but only for a split second. Inside his twisted head he knew that the large warrior could never lie but he also doubted it as well for the fact that it washed all of his hopes down the river. Then realization struck him. The incantation not working and the youths' arrogant comment, "It's not going to work you know..." It all made sense now. Scarab groaned aloud in his frustration and looked at the boy hanging from his grip. Presley was useless and Scarab was just about to let him go when a voice interrupted his thoughts.
Ja-Kal had finally regained enough composition to save Presley. He had pushed his emotions aside until there weren't any left fighting for control. Ja-Kal had turned to his anger. He raised his great wooden bow and pointed it at Scarab knowing that he couldn't shoot it unless he wanted to hit Presley and in his mind Ja-Kal knew that he would rather kill himself then harm his former young protégé.
He pulled back the horsehair string on his bow until a flaming arrow appeared. "Release him Scarab if you value your life."
Scarab looked at the falcon-garbed guardian infront of him and he heard the tone in Ja-Kal's voice. It chilled him; for as long as he had fought against Ja-Kal he had always had a human component to him. Now it was void of all emotions except for anger and a hatred that burned through Scarab like electricity along a power cable. Then an idea came to Scarab. If the mummies cared enough for Presley to come to rescue him then they would probably give anything up to save him. Scarab laughed silently at his own brilliance.
A voice whispered through the darkness that had engulfed Presley, growing louder and louder until it seemed to sound all around him. It was the voice of hope, it was Ja-Kal. Presley would recognize his voice anywhere no matter where he was or whatever had happened to him. It stirred him awake inside although he had always been semi-conscious in body. A light penetrated the void and grew filling Presley with hope and warmth. `He came for me. They came for me. They still care.' The light beat away the darkness triumphant and glorious as always. He had to see them to confirm with his eyes what his ears and heart told him was there.
Scarab snickered and then smiled at the proud figure infront of him; Ja-Kal wouldn't get the best of him. Scarab the mighty sorcerer was in control and would get what he wanted. He raised Presley even higher and shook him back and forth which caused the four guardians to growl in vexation at their friends' mistreatment.
Scarab ceased Presley's manhandling and sneered. "Of course, I'll let him go." He paused for his own enjoyment on seeing the mummies shift in the discomfort of suspense. "If you give me Prince Rapses."
When Presley came back to reality he felt the pain that was channeling through his body from the lashings that had only taken place moments before. But with an effort he pushed these feelings aside. Presley lifted his head and was greeted by the one thing that brought tears of relief to his eyes. Four figures came into his vision all clad in golden armor. Armon in his fighting stance with his solid gold arm and ram garb. Rath with his snake sword out and dressed, shining in his green and gold array. Nefer-tina with her whip in hand and ready to pounce upon the enemy with her cat claws. Then there was the most proud and majestic figure that had brought Presley back from the gloom; Ja-Kal. The royal hunter's bow was drawn to it's fullest by his clawed hands aimed directly at the pair but not firing because of Presley. Presley wanted to see Ja-Kal's face but it was hidden in shadow by his falcon headdress.
Presley licked his parched lips in an attempt to wet them. "Ja-Kal." His voice had gone hoarse from the crying that he had done earlier so it came out in a forced croak.
Ja-Kal wavered and almost rushed forward in relief when he saw Presley stir but he wasn't sure if it had been simply an act of his imagination showing him something that his heart desired to see. He had almost panicked when Presley had not moved since their arrival but knew if he had he would have been little help to Presley, let alone the team, if he had. Ja-Kal became even more infuriated when Scarab had shaken Presley around as if he were a rag doll and it had taken almost every once of will power to maintain his apparent calm. Ja-Kal had been trying to think of a way to get Presley away without endangering him further when he saw the youth raise his head from his chest. The injured boy looked at them with such hope and faith that Ja-Kal's heart leaped and he had to swallow his emotions once more. But when Presley's emerald eyes switched to stare into Ja-Kal's sapphires he felt all of the anger flow from him like water in a brook. The boy's eyes glistened with relief, joy
and love as a single tear slid down his cheek and he smiled his first genuine smile that he had done in weeks.
Seeing that Presley was alive was enough for all of them. Just knowing that Presley knew that they were there for him was enough to lift their dampened spirits. But when Presley whispered Ja-Kal's name in his hoarse voice that was caused by his torment Ja-Kal felt as if someone had smacked him across the face. It was their fault that their young friend was in this predicament in the first place. Although Ja-Kal knew why Presley had cast the spell originally he felt that if he just would've told Presley how he felt earlier. Then this would never have had to take place. There would be time to talk to eachother after but for now Ja-Kal was overjoyed just to hear Presley voice and the mummy wanted to answer him.
Ja-Kal looked at his former prince elated and smiled not noticing that his eyes also glistened with the same wetness that the boy he was watching had. "Presley." He whispered the name almost afraid to say it too loudly as if Presley would disappear if he said it. Then Ja-Kal straightened up. "Don't worry; it's going to be alright." Ja-Kal turned his gaze back to Scarab, his anger and hatred for the ancient advisor coming back to him immediately.
Scarab waited impatiently as he waited for an answer and smirked when Presley awoke because the mummies seeing that he was conscious would make them even more willing to give Scarab what he required. He noticed Ja-Kal's eyes once again focused on him but it didn't bother him anymore because he felt that he was in control.
The sorcerer laughed mentally and repeated his earlier statement. "So what is it? The boy's guaranteed freedom and safety. In exchange I get the surrender of Prince Rapses." Scarab shrugged his armored shoulders and grinned. "I can't just give him away you know."
Ja-Kal cast a glance over his right shoulder and saw that the other guardians were struggling to come to grips with the answer that they knew they must give. `We cannot give up our prince; we are sworn to protect him no matter what the cost.' He looked at Presley and the boys' pleading expression. `But I cannot abandon Presley either. There has to be some other way.'
Scarab was congratulating himself and regarded the mummies in triumph. However, he stopped patting himself on the back when he began to doubt the mummies decision. `What if they don't choose this boy? What if they refuse my offer?' Then his evil mind came up with the solution and he laughed inwardly again at his own ingenious. `I'll just have to raise the stakes.'
Amenhotep's evil advisor laughed out loud to get the four guardians attention. "Having a hard time I see, how about I make the decision a little easier for you. Either you give the prince to me..." He smiled showing his teeth. "Or this little brat dies."
Presley was exhilarated when he heard Ja-Kal say that he was going to save him bringing tears to the dam of his eyelids. The salty drops were just about to burst over the barrier when he heard what his friends had to do in order to free him so the dam became strong once more and Presley's elated mood plummeted. He saw Ja-Kal and the others wrestling with the proposition but he knew what the outcome would be. Duty came first over personal feelings. They had to choose Rapses no matter the consequences. This was their obligation that they had chosen to take on. They still hadn't answered Scarab when Presley heard the other piece of the puzzle. Give Rapses up or Presley was going to die. `Die?! I don't wanna die! I'm only twelve!' The youth sighed and studied his friends' faces. `But then again if I have to live with the pain that I have the last few days wouldn't death be easier?' Presley paused in his mental monologue. `Well I've been trying to be brave and I guess this is as
good a time as any to prove to myself that I am.' He looked again at his friends and directed a message to them. `Don't worry guys, I understand.' A shiver raked his body. `But I don't think my body understands or is ready.'
Ja-Kal saw his comrades falter when they heard what Scarab had added to his proposition. His fellow guardians were not the only ones to falter because although Ja-Kal didn't bodily flinch his mind cart wheeled. `Die?! Scarab wouldn't actually kill Presley would he?' Ja-Kal dismissed the thought and called himself a fool. `No, Scarab would not risk throwing away his immortality. He is only doing it so that we will surrender and give up Prince Rapses to him. Great Ra, what should I do?' Ja-Kal stopped staring at Scarab and his eyes locked with Presley's. The falcon guardian had half expected to find him to be scared and pleading with his green eyes but what he found was something that he hadn't anticipated for. Presley's gaze held Ja-Kal with a look that couldn't have been broken by even time itself. Emeralds bored into sapphires and Ja-Kal felt Presley's pain. The mummies eyes widened when he received the amount of pain that they boy had been shouldering the past weeks. When
the feeling past Ja-Kal saw in his young charge that he understood what was going on and he was being brave. To anyone else that would have been all that they would have seen but to Ja-Kals he saw past the bravery and understanding. He saw the underlying terror that Presley was trying so desperately to hide but it was to no avail. The fear flickered behind his irises like a candle flame does in a breeze. Presley's eyes also told Ja-Kal that he knew the decision that he had to make and it was as if he could sense Ja-Kal's misgivings because in the same gaze he sought to assure and forgive him simultaneously. However, it didn't assure him. The resolution that he had to make was against all that his heart screamed at him to do.
Presley thought hard as if he was trying to contact them by sheer mental power and it almost seemed as if it worked because at the same moment Ja-Kal looked at him. Presley continued to be brave and he tried to tell Ja-Kal that he understood but he knew that the guardian had seen right past him. Ja-Kal had seen the terrified, miserable state that he was underneath and he had countered that with his own concerned, caring gaze. Ja-Kal was deeply troubled by the decision that he had to make and it was reflected in his eyes. Presley knew that he had to reassure his friend from his insecurities or when he finally made the right decision he would never forgive himself. `Ja-Kal please, I understand! Tell Scarab what you have to.' Presley shouted, pleading in his mind. Then he whispered silently in his head. `I forgive you.' Presley sighed when he finally saw
Ja-Kal's blue eyes set with his resolve.
The four guardians exchanged glances and Nefer-tina, Rath and Armon's messages told Ja-Kal that the answer remained with him as leader. Ja-Kal had chosen an answer and was going to say the words that would hopefully not push Scarab over the edge and send Presley to an early grave. Ja-Kal released the tension on his bowstring so that the magical flaming arrow disappeared. He straightened and let his arms and bow fall to his sides but he didn't discard his widespread, balanced pose.
Ja-Kal burned with hatred and a deep fear of the consequences that he hoped would not come but he squared his shoulders and followed through with his resolution. Ja-Kal's icy blue stare could've frozen the very fires of Duet. "We have your answer." Scarab smiled triumphantly but Ja-Kal never wavered. "You will not get Prince Rapses nor your immortality."
Scarab's smile faded as he heard these words and instead his mouth formed into a snarl. The mummies and their decision infuriated him. He had been positive that they would have chosen their friends rather than their prince. The advisors' anger was enough to push him over the edge and he knew that the guardians would regret their response once he followed through with his previous threat.
Scarab's eyes blazed as he stared at Ja-Kal with an intense loathing. "If that is your answer then you can all say your farewells to your insignificant little friend."
Ja-Kal stared at Scarab from under his headdress calmly watching as the sorcerer's mouth turned into a snarl but the royal huntsmen froze when he saw the half crazed, evil hatred that was seething in Scarab's purple orbs. It was then that he realized that Scarab had been pushed over the edge and Presley was in serious mortal danger. Ja-Kal's mind raced as he tried to find a way to reach Presley without injuring him causing him further pain. As he strived to figure this out his eyes were drawn to Presley and he watched the hope drain away from the boy to be replaced again with pain and despair. Ja-Kal was helpless because Scarab's Shapties stood all around their master and if Ja-Kal made any sudden movements Scarab would send them charging at the mummies before Ja-Kal could take two steps forward. He was running out of time and he needed to act now, not later.
Ja-Kal looked expectantly at the other guardians and saw that none of them noticed the sinister glint in Scarab's eye and so they were awaiting his next usual demand which would bring the Shapties upon them so that they would be forced to give up Prince Rapses. Ja-Kal's azure eyes returned to look at the green pools of Presley's and stared into them not knowing that he was announcing his own worries and other emotions to his young friend. He didn't realize that he was showing his helplessness, confusion and love to Presley. So he was caught by surprise when the youth blinked in comprehension of something that Ja-Kal didn't even know of yet.
Scarab lifted Presley high into the air preparing to strike the seemingly helpless boy that dangled from his grasp. Scarab leaned towards Presley close enough so that the boy could smell his sour breath from the advisor's wine. He laughed wickedly in the boy's face and whispered in his ear. "Broken your heart haven't they." Scarab chuckled when Presley didn't answer. "Don't fret; it will be over soon enough. You and your friends have thwarted me one time too many and since Prince Rapses spirit is no longer inside you then I can destroy you and savour the feeling when the life drains from your body by my own hands. Then, I will go after your friends and laugh at them when I kill them as well." Scarab smiled in sadistic pleasure when he felt Presley stiffen at his last words and then relax again as a supposed depression set back in. The sorcerer quietly laughed sinisterly. "Don't worry I'll make sure that their second deaths are much more painful then the first." He paused.
"Are you ready to die boy?" Presley didn't answer but continued to stare at the floor. Scarab drew his head back to its original position and placed Hekka a foot away from his victims' stomach. Just as Hekka's mouth began to form a glowing fireball the guardians looked on in horror as Presley pulled out his trump card.
Presley whipped up his head, staring Scarab defiantly in the eye and cried. "NO!"
Then before Scarab, or anybody, could react to his explosion Presley pushed off Scarab's amour with one leg then with the other kicked the startled sorcerer in the side of the head. Presley had gathered and used his remaining strength in that kick and put enough force into it that his entire leg was jolted and left tingling from the contact. His left foot that was already swollen had been used to push off Scarab so that he could get the height he needed and each throb that pulsed through his foot brought another misery to Presley's already grieved body.
Scarab staggered from the unexpected blow he however didn't lost his grasp on Presley's windbreaker collar. His jaw pulsated with pain and his mouth begun to taste like blood, a sure sign that at least one of his teeth had been dislodge. Scarab's eyes blazed with an eternal hatred and fury that could not be contained for any longer. He stared at Presley and for the first time in his fifty lifetimes he was absolutely speechless. Scarab's mouth was unable to voice the fury burning higher within him. He wanted to know why this despicable boy had the nerve to attack him, Scarab, the great sorcerer. He no longer cared if the mummies would hunt him down after he disposed of Presley. All that he could see was red and all he could think about was destroying the boy dangling from his potent vice.
Ja-Kal and the other guardians were surprised after witnessing Presley's vocal feat but they were shocked and astounded when they watched Scarab stagger from their young friends' blow. Ja-Kal realized that Presley had preformed that deed for one of two reasons; either to stop Scarab from blasting him in the stomach or to give them, the mummies, more time in which to find an answer. However, as Ja-Kal had to commend Presley on his timing, the idea itself wasn't the brightest. It had just made Scarab angrier. The falcon guardian could see it in the advisors' face as clear as day. Scarab had lost all of his self-control and was raving. Ja-Kal more than ever feared for his precious former protégé's life but he was forced to watch the scene unfold not for a lack of courage but because of a helplessness that he was presently unable to overcome.
"You...You...How dare you!!" Scarab screamed as he once again had the ability to work his voice. He now had shivers running through his body as a testament of his anger. Scarab's lips rose into a sneer and he tightened his hold on Presley's collar until he heard the whistling intake of breath telling him that the boy was having a difficult time breathing. Then it was as if Scarab's arm snapped from the tension because before anyone could blink an eye the sorcerer had flung Presley full force into the wall. Presley gasped loudly but before the youth had time to do anything to stop himself from being hurled, he hit the stone wall and the sickening slap from Presley's body when it collided with the wall echoed throughout the gigantic chamber. Presley bounced slightly off the stone barrier and fell unconscious on to the floor.
Seconds went by in slow motion as Ja-Kal looked on in horror as Presley's body flew through the air only to be flattened against the wall. The look of fear and disbelief was written on Presley's face before his sudden stop and it made the falcon guardians' stomach clench. But when the sickening slap of flesh hitting stone and Presley's unconscious body striking the ground reached Ja-Kal's eyes he stared at his friends' lax face with the refusal to believe that Presley may be more that just unconscious.
Mere seconds went by before any one of the mummies could recover enough from their shock. Finally it was Nefer-tina who spoke.
Her whisper could be clearly heard, severing the silence. "Presley?" Then she raised her voice in anxiety when Presley didn't respond. "Come on, stop joking around...answer me!" The quiet stretched while no one said anything nor moved.
Rath and Armon were struggling to maintain their composition and prevent themselves from rushing to their friend's aid. They realized, along with Nefer-tina, how foolish and dangerous that would be for them and for Presley. So they looked to their always-rational leader for an answer on what they should do. Even Rath could think of no immediate solution to this situation. Yet when they looked at Ja-Kal for their answer, instead of seeing his calm persona what they did see struck them dumbfounded once again.
Ja-Kal had witnessed the scene take place and watched as Presley was harmed yet again. As he stared at his friend all of his self control was broken down and he was overwhelmed by emotions. Inside he was an inferno, not a fire but a raging, scorching inferno. Ja-Kal was a dam about to burst. Then something started in his toes and gathered strength as it grew, rumbling and churning slowly but steadily. Ja-Kal's body was livid with rage and all his muscles were rigid and tensed. Behind his headdress his lips were curled into a silent vicious snarl the likes of which no ordinary mortal would ever wish to see. But it wasn't the snarl or the deadly stance that had shocked the mummies; it was the look in his eyes.
Whereas Scarab's eyes burned Ja-Kal's blazed. The blue fire behind them was leaping and seething, threatening to incinerate anyone who dared to stare into their fiery depths. The only emotions that drove him now were anger and hate. Ja-Kal's blue orbs switched their gaze to stare at Scarab and when the falcon guardian caught sight of Presley's abuser the fire surged forward. From the opposite end of Ja-Kal's stare Scarab involuntarily shuttered realizing that he was a dead man and to make his position even more dire, he could think of no escape from the being before him.
Then it happened.
The rumbling that had been rising within the prince's guardian rose until it reached the dam of Ja-Kal's throat and then, in an instant, it broke through the restraint. The roar burst from Ja-Kal's lips tearing and shattering through the silence like a battering ram, shocking every living thing within hearing. It left the ears of its listeners ringing from its crashing torment. Yet before anyone could recover from the oral onslaught, Ja-Kal had rushed toward Scarab with a savage ferocity.
The enraged falcon guardian threw himself bodily at the temporarily deaf sorcerer knocking both of them to the ground with enough force to drive the air out of a person's lungs. Yet the breath that had been forced from Scarab's chest was the least of his worries for at that moment he was fighting to stay alive with a snarling mummy astride him. Ja-Kal's clawed hands missed Scarab's vital points by mere millimeters and the advisor knew that against this feral madman he couldn't last much longer.
The two bodies rolled across the floor exchanging blows and being observed by three bewildered mummies. The golden armored guardians stared transfixed to the battle waging infront of them until it struck them that their ever vigilant leader was trying to murder his evil adversary. That, along with Ja-Kal's sudden outburst of emotions, confused them to the point that from then on they hardly knew what was going on.
Scarab's head rang from yet another resounding pound to his skull. He needed help, although he would never willingly admit it, from somebody. He could have groaned at his own stupidity and called himself six kinds a fool. `Damn.' He muttered inwardly. `Why didn't I order the Shapties earlier? Maybe I've been hit too many times in the head. But I need to get this lunatic away from me or I'm finished.'
While Ja-Kal raised his arm to repeat its motion Scarab took purchase of the fleeting pause and rounded his head upon his motionless group of slaves. "Shapties! Capture Ja-Kal and destroy him!" With a gravel grinding sound the stone slaves lurched into motion and begun their expressionless advance to do what their master had bid them do.
Except for the grunts and drumming of fists of the two wrestlers on the ground the room had been quiet, until Scarab's command rang out breaking the null. When the order finally broke through to the other mummies they shook their head to come out of their stupors.
Rath blinked his green eyes several times in an attempt to orient himself. "We've go to help Ja-Kal."
Nefer-tina looked at the scribe. "What about Presley? We can't just leave him there."
"Well, what good will we do Presley, let alone the Prince, if we are all destroyed?" Rath snapped at his cat companion.
It was Armon who brought them both back from the beginnings of a feud. "Umm, guys? Right now shouldn't we just worry about the Shapties?" He raised his golden arm and yelled his battle cry. "LET'S KICK TUT!"
The large mummy charged the pack of stone vassals eradicating three of them with a massive body check. A small group of them turned to their newly found opponent and hefted their spears. Armon used his golden appendage and right-hooked another two Shapties to oblivion. The remaining group of slaves that had turned to fight the ram guardian jumped on top of Armon in an attempt to smother him. In Armon's mind destroying the Shapties and flinging them away became a monotonous process but he was maintained by his strong desire to help his friends.
Nefer-tina had to chuckle as her burly friend brought her out of another argument. She turned to her cobra-clad comrade who also had a smirk on his pale face. She poked him in the ribs with her elbow. "So, are we going to let Armon have all the fun?" Suddenly Nefer-tina became serious as she remembered. "We have to remember why we're here. Let's help Ja-Kal so that we can get Presley then get out of here."
Rath nodded his head in agreement, for once, and then smiled mischievously. "Shall we?"
Nefer-tina snapped her whip in reply. "We shall." She turned back to the disarray. "LET'S KICK TUT!" Her whip snaked forward curling around the legs of a Shaptie and she pulled it back bringing the mobile statue crashing to its knees. "Aw you've fallen for me." Nefer-tina smiled. "One down, a lot more to go." Then simultaneously Rath and she ran forward to join in the affray.
Ja-Kal had snapped and he knew that he had. Before him was his ancient enemy and for the first time he wanted to see the evil sorcerer dead, by his own hands. Ja-Kal had been seething before he had finally broken down. He had regarded Presley in disbelief and heartache. `Some friend.' He had thought, `to allow Presley to be hurt.' All of his pain had hardened and flames of anger exploded boiling and frothing uncontrollably. He had laid eyes on Scarab and all that ran through his fury fogged mind was, `he's going to die.' The calm resourceful leader was mad with vengeance for Presley and bloodlust to drain the life from Scarab drove him to the other man's throat as if the advisor was the last glass of water in a desert to a thirsty man.
As Ja-Kal tumbled with Scarab on the floor the fire had not lessened in the slightest but now that fear in the guardians' enemy's eyes was a topping on an already delicious dessert. Ja-Kal didn't notice the battle waging around him involving his three comrades and dozens of Shapties. All his attention was on the body under his bird-like talons. Ja-Kal would avenge the hurt Presley had suffered with Scarab's blood and he was closer to his goal then ever he himself realized. On account of Ja-Kal had been replaced by a rancor-filled madman who could not be stopped.
Three more Shapties fell to the ground in pieces after Rath's razor-sharp sword had sliced them as easily as a warm knife through butter. As the scribe looked around at his surroundings he spotted Nefer-tina and Armon holding their own against their opponents. He continued to search until he found the causes of the battle. Rath watched Ja-Kal and Scarab with growing apprehension. He had to get to Ja-Kal now! The snake guardian tripled his efforts in an attempt to stop the fight. However, even as the number of stone statues was lessening, his attempts were too little too slowly. `That's it; I have to use magic even if it does drain my energy supply.' Rath swung his sword around in a circle to clear his immediate area of enemies then concentrated a portion of his energy into each of his hands. A glowing green sphere appeared in both cupped palms hovering only an inch from their surfaces. His eyes focused on a tight knit group of Shapties running towards him and sent a silent
command to the orb floating above his right hand. The green globe sped out of Rath's hand and hurled itself at the Shaptie in the centre of the charging pack. The unfortunate slave to be hit with the ball collapsed in on itself as the light passed through its middle. The sphere continued on its course destroying another seven Shapties before finally going out. Right after Rath had sent the first globe on its mission he sent its counterpart flying towards more Shapties who continued to fight them headless of their demolished fellows now lying motionless on the ground. It was working. Although it was taking its toll on his energy supply Rath's progress was increasing tremendously.
Nefer-tina was caught in the tedious repetitions of whip, jump, kick, punch, land. "Hii-ya!!" Crash! Her trusted whip had brought two more unlucky Shapties smashing together and their clay pieces littering the floor. Over and over again she removed the stone servants from her path. Yet over and over again when one Shaptie was destroyed another moved forward to take its brother's place. As Rath had noticed, they were still too slow and it was then that a flashing green light caught her eye. Nefer-tina turned her head, while jumping back from a Shapties' spear thrust and watched as Rath's magic got rid of a group of statues in one blow. `Humph! Well he's not going to get all the glory!' The cat mummy turned her head again to spot her ever-avid friend. There! She pitched her voice so that it would be carried over the din. "Armon! Hey Armon!" Nefer-tina sighed exasperated when Armon couldn't find her. "No!...Over HERE!" She smiled when she he finally found her. Still fighting
she continued to yell at him. "We have to move a little faster! We're being too easy on them!" Chuckling to herself Nefer-tina tripled her tries and saw that Armon grinned and did the same.
`Finished.' Armon dusted his large hands wrinkling his nose slightly as the clay particles threatened to make him sneeze. The large mummy looked around to see that both Rath and Nefer-tina were straightening from fighting stances while checking their surrounding warily. Part of the warrior's mind was still on lookout mode although the remains of dozens of Shapties carpeted the stone ground. Ever after a battle his soldier mind refused to stop being cautious until he was certain that all the enemies had either been destroyed, ran away, or surrendered. However, although all of Scarab's lackeys had been dealt with, the sorcerer was still locked in a fight himself and barely holding his own at that. Armon couldn't see Ja-Kal's face from the shadows of the falcon headdress but from his days as a soldier in Pharaoh's army he has seen this type of body language before and he had never wanted to see it again. Ja-Kal was going to kill Scarab if he wasn't stopped, soon.
`Oww-Damn! Doesn't Ja-Kal tire at all? I'm just about spent and I can't use any magic because this maniac won't give me any time to concentrate! Where the hell did Hekka go?! That cowardly snake! When I get out of this...IF I get out of this-I'm going to teach her a lesson!...Ouch! Shit! That one hurt!' Scarab wheezed as Ja-Kal drove his knee into the advisor's stomach and wond up for an eminent punch. Scarab now lay with his back on the ground and was unable to mover further with Ja-Kal straddling him so his only defense was to throw up his arms to protect his face. `Thump!' The taloned fist landed squarely on Scarab's raised forearm. To counter-attack the sorcerer swung a cruelly clawed hand towards Ja-Kal's head. It caught the infuriated mummy on the side of the head. Although the hit had caused Ja-Kal's head to be jarred sideways it didn't faze or slow the guardian in the slightest. `How am I going to beat him?' Scarab thought inwardly while still trying to get Ja-Kal
off of him.
After one particularly hard punch Scarab decided that perhaps if he distracted Ja-Kal then he would have enough time to work up a decent attack spell. The evil advisor grinned internally at the idea that idea that had popped unbidden into his mind. Scarab barely blocked another punch by the lightning fast mummy and struggled to catch his breath so that he could set his plan in motion. The problem was although he had a plan he wasn't quite sure how to execute it. So he started by asking a question that had just begun to pester him.
Scarab's voice came out in a forced whisper hoarse because of all the heavy panting he had been doing. "So Ja-Kal, why do you care so much for that boy, Presley?"
Before the sorcerer knew what had happened his head was reeling from just being smashed against the hard floor below him. The room spun but his vision always remained clear around Ja-Kal's face. The mummy's features had hardened even more and his silent snarl and become a terrifying growl that reverberated in the heart of his throat. Scarab was petrified by the fervid anger burning in Ja-Kal's icy blue orbs. The advisor watched the lips form words and he heard his own death clearly in them. And he watched as the falcon guardians' eyes played Scarab's end as a preview did to a movie.
In a quiet whisper that shook with rage Ja-Kal forced words out of his throat that didn't want to come. From in the fogged depths of Ja-Kal's mind one thought ran alongside the one screaming death for one short moment. `How dare this...this...this disgrace of a man speak Presley's name!!!'
Ja-Kal's lips tightened in anger and he shook the vile thing in his taloned grip hissing venomously. "Never. Never! Speak his name. You have no right." He punctuated every exclamation with another vicious pound to the ground. "Not that you will ever have a chance to say it again." Ja-Kal released Scarab's neck with his right hand and tightened his grasp with his left. The mummy raised his right hand and positioned it above the evil sorcerer's neck preparing to kill him in one fluid stroke, plunging his honed talons through Scarab's throat.
Panic secured itself in Rath's senses. "What...Ja-Kal don't!" Nothing happened. Ja-Kal wasn't listening anymore and he hadn't ever since he had first started battling Scarab. `I can't let him kill Scarab.' Rath thought but in the back of his mind a small voice asked `Why not? Why shouldn't you let him kill Scarab? Doesn't he deserve it?' Although the voice was only a whisper it was loud enough to cause him to question his action, taking more time then he had.
Nefer-tina and Armon watched in horror as their leader prepared to kill the sorcerer. They had not heard what Scarab had said to Ja-Kal to make him even more furious than before but they had seen the results of the particular statement. Cat and ram exchanged troubled messages. They could do nothing. The situation was far out of their control. They could only watch and hope that somehow, someone would call their Ja-Kal back from wherever he was and put an end to this insanity.
An anguished groan destituted the silence and tension, resounding repeatedly in the chamber. It drew the attention of everything in the room to its source. It was Presley. He was alive; though he was still unconscious. Presley didn't stir in any way and the three mummies who were witnessing the two combatants were filled with joy that their friend wasn't as seriously injured as they had feared he had been.
Ja-Kal stopped his wicked thoughts as Presley's moan came and calmed the fires smoldering within him. He turned to look at his friends' fallen form and at that moment the madman that had controlled Ja-Kal until now; fled away as hope spread through his body erasing all of the darkness. A wild kind of elation reached his fury-fogged mind and he just barely retained himself from rushing over to Presley's side but was reminded of the reason that the youth was unconscious in the first place.
Ja-Kal licked his lips attempting to add moisture and his voice trembled with fear and joy as he whispered. "Presley?"
When the body of the former young prince continued to be unresponsive Ja-Kal almost slipped back into the well of darkness that he had just presently come out of and the joy began to be overcome once again by fear and concern.
"Ja-Kal?" Nefer-tina's soft tone caught the leaders attention so he turned to look at his companion and for the first time he realized what had been going on as he had be blind to the world while fighting Scarab. When he was finished scanning the battlefield he stopped when he reached the blue eyes of Nefer-tina. "Ja-Kal, we have to get Presley help, soon." Worried blues regard his and Ja-Kal knew what he had to do.
The falcon guardian's eyes drifted back to his enemy but stopped when he reached Presley's still form. The just recently controlled fury threatened to rise once again to the surface but Ja-Kal squelched it before it had a chance to grow. He wanted so badly to be rid of this abomination but couldn't. `I can't destroy him like this. What would Presley think of me when he knew I was a murderer? What kind of role model would I be if I killed someone? No matter how much I want to, I can't.' He sighed silently. `I can't, for Presley's sake, I can't and won't.' Ja-Kal refocused his attention onto Scarab and regarded him as if the sight of the sorcerer left an awful taste in his mouth.
Scarab sighed with relief and almost relaxed when Ja-Kal stopped in the midst of his final assault. However, that relief was short lived because as Ja-Kal's head swung around to face him Scarab felt what was left of the blood drain from his face. No longer did the mummy's features have the angry insanity that it had earlier possessed. Instead cold, calculating eyes bored into frightened purple ones and Scarab felt whatever hope he had left flee from him like a dog with its tail between its legs. Yet as Ja-Kal spoke the advisors' evil existence didn't seem so lost.
Ja-Kal regarded Scarab with disgust and hardly had time to enjoy the terror that filled his eyes because he had to get out to there, fast. Ja-Kal spoke quietly but he pronounced every word with an unwavering certainty. "I guess you'll live for another day you vile creature. Today isn't the day of your reckoning but-" Ja-Kal leaned forward until his eyes were all that Scarab could see and his voice that dripped hatred was all that the sorcerer could hear. "-if you value you life, which I know you do, you will let us leave without any resistance. Because, my dear enemy, if you try and stop us I won't hesitate to kill you right hear and now." Scarab's senses had come back enough to hear in Ja-Kal's voice the almost taunting tone that dared him to try and stop them. "Although I would enjoy nothing better then to do so right now I have more pressing business to attend to." The mummy pulled his head away so that his whole face could be viewed and grinned coldly. "So if there is
nothing left to say we will take our leave." Ja-Kal released his grip on Scarab's throat. "Oh and by the way I suggest that you don't try anything to soon because who knows how long I hold a grudge."
Ja-Kal stood up towering over Scarab and stared at his face for a moment more as if to make sure that he wasn't going anywhere. Then he turned and walked over to the wall where Presley's still form lay, passing his comrades with not even a glance. He reached his destination, kneeled down on the cold stone floor, and felt all the anger washed away except for a small pulse that remained a testament to why his precious young friend was hurt. Now that Ja-Kal was close he saw a dark spot of blood on the back of Presley's head that bore witness to the collision with the wall. The pulse of anger jumped but relented when the leader's gaze drifted down to the youthful face. Eyelids obscured the vibrant emeralds and Presley's features were relaxed and calm. As Ja-Kal stared he felt a rising lump of pain come to the surface but shoved it violently aside knowing he had to remain composed. Instead he whispered to Presley almost inaudibly as he gathered the limp figure into his arms. "I
`am sorry Presley. It's my fault that this happened. I'm so sorry." He turned to his companions with a control and certainty that he didn't feel inside. "Let's go." They all nodded in unison and they all looked at Presley, concern the emotion most prominent in their eyes.
Turning to the smashed windows that they had entered from the falcon guardian spread his armored wings and flew out in the window into the night air cradling Presley's body to his chest. Ja-Kal felt an involuntary shutter from the boy as they broke out into the crisp fall air, which made him hug the boy even closer. As Ja-Kal flew he circled around to make sure that his friends weren't having any difficulties from Scarab. When he past the modern-day pyramid Ja-Kal saw three figures, still garnished in their amour, descending upon bandage ropes. After knowing that his friends were okay and after feeling another shiver from Presley he spiraled downward toward the growing shape of the Hot-Ra.
Ja-Kal touched down lightly right beside the car but before he could do anything the glass roof was opened and Prince Rapses came into view. The prince first looked at Ja-Kal's cargo then at Ja-Kal himself with relief and understanding. Prince Rapses nodded his head and moved to take the seat in the rear of the Hot-Ra so that his guardians would have all the room they needed.
A tired smile reached Ja-Kal's lips and he declined his head. "Thank you, your highness."
The thanks had been for more than just moving to the back and opening the Hot-Ra but for guiding them to the place so that they could save Presley.
The young prince grinned sadly in return. "No Ja-Kal, don't thank me. Let's just get Presley some help."
Ja-Kal nodded his head in agreement and jumped into the Hot-Ra sitting down with Presley cradled in his lap, the boy's head falling against the mummy's chest. Feet running against pavement caught his attention and for a moment he thought it might be Scarab trying to start the nightmare all over again. But it wasn't Scarab; it was Rath, Nefer-tina and Armon who all jumped into the car without hesitation.
Nefer-tina grabbed the controls and brought the engine purring to life. She turned around glancing at Presley then at Ja-Kal. "Where to?"
`Where to...' The question ran through Ja-Kal's mind as he thought of various places as his eyes lifted to the dark clouds still in the sky. The hospital was the first choice but how would Presley explain his injuries when he woke up. The young boy's home was the next choice but he wouldn't get the proper care. Then there was the Sphinx. Ja-Kal knew that he would have to rest soon but he couldn't bear the thought of just leaving Presley to wait until they had recharged. Ja-Kal sighed knowing that when you had options the decisions just became harder to make. Yet the only thing that was important to Ja-Kal was that Presley got the best care possible and that was at a hospital. They would deal with the other problems later.
Ja-Kal dropped his eyes back to a patiently waiting Nefer-tina. "The hospital."
Nefer-tina nodded curtly and turned around to the wheel gently sliding the Hot-Ra into drive so as not to jolt their cargo. If other things hadn't been on any of the mummies mind they would have laughed at Nefer-tina because now, of all times, she was actually obeying the traffic laws and not speeding.
The world slipped by the car, full of empty streets and streetlights pouring radiance every twenty feet or so. But Ja-Kal didn't notice these things for unlike the others his view was in his arms not out the window. From Ja-Kal's present position he could only see the top of Presley head and part of his face. Ja-Kal reached to move some of the brown mop that had fallen infront of the youthful face. A few of the strands slid across Presley nose causing it to twitch slightly. Ja-Kal smiled sadly as he watched and his gaze walked down the limp body taking in the damaged head, mottled neck, whip welts, bruises and the swollen ankle. Taking it all in and trying to forget that it had been his fault but he couldn't forget and it would be a long time until the memory faded enough to become livable.
A shutter brought Ja-Kal back to Presley's face in an instant and he witnessed as the blinds of the green eyes opened revealing a confused and frightened stare until he realized where he was. Presley looked around, his eyes taking in every detail until he reached Ja-Kal. He stared at Ja-Kal for what seemed like forever but was actually a moment seeing concern in the blue expanses and it was then that Presley realized that the mummies had always cared. Ja-Kal had always cared.
Presley smiled weakly, it was a true smile and it was so bright that it lighted Ja-Kal's heart in seeing it. Yet Ja-Kal almost lost the smile when he heard the soft words coming out of Presley mouth just audible enough for him to hear. "Ja-Kal, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
`Didn't know what?' Ja-Kal stroked back the brown hair whispering to the youth just as quietly. "Don't be sorry Presley. It wasn't your fault."
Presley made a small protest. "But I..."
Ja-Kal made a shushing gesture. "We will always be there for you. You never have to worry about that. I will always be there for you Presley, always."
A small smile came to tired lips as Presley sighed contentedly and closed his eyes in exhaustion once more resting his head against Ja-Kal's broad chest. But before Presley completely gave into the sleep that was calling his body he whispered. "I know. Thanks, Ja-Kal."
"Always." Repeated Ja-Kal making the statement a promise. `And I will always care.' He felt a weight had been lifted off his chest and now that he knew Presley was going to be back to his real self soon.
As Ja-Kal looked out the window a sparkle caught his eye. He glanced up and he watched the clouds open revealing the diamond stars in all their velvet glittering glory.
**What did you think? REVIEW! Please take a minute out of your busy lives to write one, even if it's really short, I don't care a review is a review. I post some more soon (I hope) this semester of school is a lighter homework load so that I don't have to stay up to 2:00am and live off of coffee so don't worry, I'll try. Come back for more!
Your bud Lilianna **