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After nightfall, the guards tentatively moved to Theoris's side. At first, it appeared as if he was still sleeping, though they had watched him consume much food and drink throughout the course of the day.
Theoris's eyes drifted open and locked on the guards. He gave a single nod. "I am ready."
So... which item do your visions of the future say will be called for protection next?
As Theoris pushed himself off the bed, he shook his head. I could not see specific events. All I could see were vague images. Beautiful, yet vague.
Tell me.
It was... it was as if the earth itself had become smooth stone. On the stone stood buildings on top of which men could have stood and reached up to touch the face of Ra. It was beautiful and terrifying, to see that men might some day have that power.
Only a god should have such power.
Theoris stepped into the throne room, his guards over each shoulder, and proceeded to the center of that great hall. Once again, several trusted guards and court mages were waiting there, as well as one court mage bearing a Millennium item.
Theoris and Khensthoth found themselves curious and vaguely disgusted to see that Nebankh was the one who bore the item. Theoris refused to look into Nebankh's eyes and instead stared at the item. It was comprised of an upright ring of gold, with five ornaments that dangled at various points across the lower half. In the center of the ring was a triangle of the same gold, and an Eye of Horus decorated the triangle.
Nebankh gripped the ring tightly with his old, frail hands. "If you truly do mean to protect the Millennium items, then the Millennium Ring is the next. It is able to locate the other items, and if your story is true, it is imperative this one be protected... lest your supposed magicians, by some dark miracle, discover it and seek out the remaining items with it."
That explanation sounds rehearsed.
I would not be surprised if it had been. What I am surprised at is the sight of Nebankh even allowing himself in the same room with two Millennium items, as much as he apparently despises them.
Never mind that, for now. Proceed with your task, but be warned: I do not know what will happen to you. It may be similar, it may be different. For all I know, you will face another trial by this item. Remain strong in spirit.
Theoris nodded once and braced himself before the Millennium Ring.
The shield's Eye shimmered.
So did the Eye of the Ring.
Theoris closed his eyes and began to shudder. No... this is not the same... not the same at all...
...intruder...
What...?
...intruder! You trespass in my soul...!
Theoris felt himself buffeted by wave after wave of ethereal resistance. Whatever this item was possessed of, it was not taking kindly to the ministrations of the shield.
The five ornaments that decorated the lower half of the ring began to glow, and then point directly at him.
The mages and guards began to murmur, and Kenamun took a step forward.
I do not seek to trespass, only to protect...!
Lies! I need no protection from the likes of you! Get out!
Theoris grunted under the strain of maintaining the contact he needed. Not until I finish what I set out to do...
GET OUT!
NO!
Theoris grunted again, and pushed.
The golden aura surrounding the shield bolted across the distance between the two items and surrounded the Millennium Ring.
Theoris groaned and slumped to the floor, the task finished.
He could hear several people murmuring as two guards picked him up and began to carry him out of the throne room.
What happened? What was that?
I do not know... but I sensed great malice and hatred...
Theoris shuddered as he was carried back to his quarters. Let us both hope that I will never need to do that again.
He glanced down at the shield. It was as if there was some sort of spirit inside the ring. But I have no idea where it could have come from.
Do not let your mind linger on the matter too long, Theoris. You still have more tasks ahead, more items to protect. Rest now.
-------
Theoris continued to suffer fever through the night. To him, it was like a constant fire racing through his veins. His shuddering did nothing to abate the burning, but he tried to make himself believe that it was having some sort of effect.
Unlike the previous night, Theoris could find it within himself to go to sleep. The encounter with the ring spirit had been both unexpected and disturbing.
Theoris... please try to get some rest. You are in desperate need of it.
I do not know if I can rest tonight. He sighed; his limbs still quivered, even under the ministrations of the servant girls assigned him.
Nevertheless, you must try. Otherwise your spirit will further weaken when you cast protection on the next item. If you deny yourself your own needs...
I know, Khensthoth. I know. But this knowledge does not help me find the peace I need to help me sleep.
Why are you so disturbed by your encounter with a spirit inside a Millennium item? Khensthoth made a mental chuckle. Are you still not used to it, even now?
Theoris sighed. The irony of the problem was not lost on him. The problem is not that I am uncomfortable with the prospect of meeting a spirit within an item... The problem is that I fear we may encounter other spirits. Spirits that are equally as hateful and spiteful as the ring spirit, and quite possibly dangerous.
Such meditation can only lead to insanity, Theoris. You cannot know whether there will be spirits present within the other items; you will find out, one way or the other, when you cast your protection. And once that is done, you need not worry about it again, for the items will be safe and our task will be finished.
Theoris sighed and closed his eyes. And then I may see my family again.
-------
Nebankh slowly stepped into Theoris's quarters, heavily relying on his gnarled cane. His legs were becoming weaker and weaker as the years passed; he knew that soon, he would need to be carried in order to get most places. He already needed to be carried to reach the outskirts of the city.
His eyes flashed across Theoris's shivering body. I do not know what he expects to accomplish with these displays of amateur magic... does he really feel the need to impress us this badly?
He made his way across the room, towards the bed. He glanced at the two young servant girls attending the former soldier, and could not help but allow a small, crooked grin. To be young again. But then again, I would not need to be...
He shook his head. No. Not now.
"Leave us," he rasped. "I wish to speak to Theoris alone."
The two servants looked up at him, and one shook her head. "I am sorry, High Mage, but we are not to leave Theoris's side."
"By whose order?"
"High Mage Adjedaa."
Nebankh scowled. "I hereby rescind that order. Leave us."
"But... Mage Adjedaa told us..."
Nebankh raised his cane and swept it menacingly over their heads. "Get out of here!"
The two guards standing outside the door stepped into the room. Each had one hand on his weapon.
"High Mage Nebankh," one said, "we are not to leave Theoris's side. That is the order of the council, and it is the order we shall abide by. Only the council may deem it appropriate to reverse their decision... not simply one mage, but the entire council."
Nebankh's scowl deepened. Overridden by the council at every turn! Outrageous!
The servants were by now quite terrified of the enraged mage, and the guards' grips on their weapons had tightened.
Nebankh stepped back and leaned on his cane. His scowl abated, though his anger did not. "Very well... I shall abide by the council's decision."
He stepped toward the exit and looked over his shoulder, tossing one last glance at the sleeping Theoris and the frightened servants. "...for the moment."
He swept past the guards and stood in the doorway for several seconds, as if in inner conflict over whether or not to turn around and press the issue, even after he'd claimed acquiescence.
"Nebankh..."
The mage grimaced and turned around. "What do you want, The--?"
His eyes widened.
The servants shrieked in unison and scrambled away from Theoris's bed.
The guards frowned and reached for their weapons again.
Theoris was now sitting up in his bed, and looking directly at Nebankh. His eyes were blazing with golden fire, and a glowing Eye of Horus was burning on his forehead.
A grim, almost evil smile passed over his features.
"Coward."
Nebankh blinked. The voice clearly belonged to Theoris, but it was warped, and it echoed within itself. It was almost as if he was possessed by some mystical, unseen force.
Then he glowered. Theoris has just issued a direct challenge to the bravery of a high mage.
"How dare you!" he spat. He stepped towards Theoris again.
"Out."
Nebankh shouted and raised a hand in Theoris's direction. He tapped the power that he had been gifted with from birth and lashed out at the former soldier with it, intent on knocking Theoris on his back. This will teach you respect--!
The evil smirk returned to Theoris's face, and he raised the Millennium Shield up in a defensive posture.
Nebankh was sent flying back through the doorway, to land flat on his back. He skidded across the floor and struck the opposite wall.
The last thing the old mage saw before blacking out was Theoris collapsing back to his bed, the glowing Eye of Horus upon his forehead shattering.
-------
The remainder of the night saw many things. It saw Nebankh being carried back to his home by guards, to both recover and remain under house arrest. It saw the entire council of mages pass through Theoris's room and then gather in the throne room to discuss the reported events. It saw a very sudden shift change in guard and servant duty. It saw Adjedaa firmly commanding those servants and guards that had been present not to tell anyone of the events that had taken place.
One thing it didn't see was Theoris awakening. He remained asleep through the night, the morning, and much of the day. Not even Adjedaa could fathom what dreams compelled him to sleep this long, and the servants attending him feared that though his body lived, his soul had already gone to eternal rest.
Time was what told them whether that was true or not.
-------
Theoris groaned and shifted around in the bed. His back felt sore, and the rest of him wasn't feeling particularly outstanding, either.
He heard one of the servants yelp. Why, he didn't know, but a subsequent noise was the sound of feet pattering across the floor and out the door. Presumably, a servant had run to find someone. Perhaps Adjedaa.
His eyes drifted open and his head lolled to the side. Only one servant faced him, looking into his eyes with a hint of apprehension. He sighed and "turned" to Khensthoth. What happened last night? The last I remember, I pulled away from the spirit in the Millennium Ring...
Khensthoth didn't respond.
Khensthoth?
No response.
...Khensthoth? Are you there?
...Yes, Theoris... I am here...
Theoris frowned. Is something wrong?
I do not wish to speak of it... you will loathe me...
Khensthoth?
I do not wish to speak now.
Khensthoth, you are the only companion I have now. You are the only one who understands what I must do. Please tell me... what is troubling you?
I will not.
Theoris sighed. Very well.
Moments later, the servant that had left the room returned, and with company. Adjedaa swept into the room, her robes flowing about her in such a way that Theoris could tell she had been running.
She approached his bedside and leaned over him. She wasted no time. "Theoris... do you remember what happened last night?"
He frowned again. "I remember casting my protection on the..." He glanced at the servants. "...the item... and then I fell... but I do not remember anything beyond that."
"Nothing? Nothing at all?"
"Nothing." His frown deepened. "Why? Has something happened beyond that?"
She nodded, her expression grim. "And it may cost you your Millennium Shield before you can complete your quest."
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How's that for a cliffhanger? Please review!