Sorry I took so long in updating. I just had a massive writer's block.

Okay, review time!

Taske'mus: Thanks for the reviews. Glad you liked my fics. I didn't add in the Book of the Dead or the rituals of kissing the threshold before you entered or anything like that because that would make it a really long chapter. Basically I am just a very lazy person.

(Anonymous reviewer who didn't have a name): I know my characters (especially Atemu) are OOC but that's mainly because this is the time when he was younger and newly crowned. He doesn't have the maturity he possesses in the manga or anime, but there are hints of it.

Jedi Spiderfan: Thanks a lot. You've been with me for ages. hugz

NeferNeferi: You were my first reviewer for Blood of a Pharaoh. Thanks for putting up with me!

Anthy Kilik and Anshi-chan: Anshi you are crazy. I love your fic Whisper by the way. Thanks!

And thanks to all my other reviewers who I can't be bothered naming. And an especially HUGE than you to Cassie, my frat sis. You rock!

--

"I did it Wadjet, I did it!" Atemu cried happily, hugging the snake goddess.

"Yes kit, you did it. And I am very pleased that you accomplished such a difficult task for your first challenge."

Wadjet held Atemu at arm's length and studied his face. "You do know what your next task is, don't you kit?" She said gravely.

"Yes." Atemu said miserably. "I have to kill Ammut, the monster that eats the hearts of those that aren't fit to enter the underworld."

He spoke as though he was repeating words that had been taught to him a longtime ago, drilled into his head incessantly.

"Shush little one," Wadjet said, pulling Atemu close. "There is no need to be frightened of Ammut. I'm sure you can do it."

"It's not that." Atemu said bluntly. "I just wondered; who will eat the hearts after Ammut is dead?"

Wadjet laughed and let him go. "What?" Atemu demanded. "What's so funny?"

"You, kit." Wadjet said between bursts of laughter. "Me? What's funny about me?"

"Everything, little one. Just everything." Wadjet patted Atemu's back reassuringly. "Now it's off to bed with you. Nekhbet will be up to see you soon."

"Fine." Atemu retorted. "But you didn't answer my question. And I'm sure Nekh wouldn't think I'm terribly funny."

Muttering darkly, Atemu stomped loudly up to his room, thumping all the way up the stairs. He wanted to make sure the deities heard him.

Pulling the linen sheets over him, Atemu heard Nekhbet coming up the stairs. It was hard not to, since the jingling of gold jewelry alerted her presence.

"Kit?" Nekhbet called softly as she entered the room. "Are you awake?"

"Yes." Atemu answered. Nekhbet sat on the edge of his bed. "Kit, do you know what you have to do for your next task?"

Atemu sighed. "Wadjet just asked me that. I told her yes. Didn't she tell you? Don't you goddesses have a mind-link thingy?"

Nekhbet laughed. "No kit, we don't. We aren't psychic, though you may think we are. We can no more talk to each other through thoughts than you can."

"But Seto can talk through thoughts. Him and Isis and Mahaado chat to each other all the time. I always reckon they're talking about me, 'cause they always stare at me oddly."

Nekhbet smiled. "Well, he is a priest kit. I doubt anyone else can talk through mind-link."

"I suppose you're right. But it would be cool to read people's thoughts. Then you could know all their secrets."

"I'm sure it would be fun, kit. Now, are you all prepared for your next task?"

"Uh, I don't think so. I don't know how I'm supposed to kill her. Thoth said gods had to be killed by weapons made by gods, but where am I supposed to get one of those?"

"I'm not sure, kit. Perhaps you could look in the old library at the north tower?"

"Really?" Atemu said excitedly. "You mean I get to actually have a look through it? I didn't think I'd be allowed. Thoth made it sound all high and mighty."

Nekhbet nodded. "Indeed, kit. But I believe it will do you good to have a look there, and some background information wouldn't hurt."

"Thank you Nekh!" Atemu hugged the vulture goddess warmly. Nekhbet embraced him, smiling at Atemu's eagerness.

--

'And the forces of nature are represented in the way of vegetables, especially the might of the asparagus...'

Atemu snapped the gardening book shut. "Ra damn it!" He shouted crossly.

"There isn't a single book here that has information on Ammut. It's all about asparagus and corn and barley and – stupid book!"

The book that he had been cursing had opened up and snapped shut on his fingers.

"Ra-damned evil book! Get it off me!" Shaking his hand furiously, Atemu proceeded to whack the book against the wall.

"What's all this noise?" A mildly amused voice said. "There couldn't be anyone in here, could there?" A slim goddess entered the library.

Her long black hair had been twisted into a knot at the back of her neck. An ostrich feather was tucked into it.

A small smile played at her lips as she surveyed the spacious room.

Her eyes lingered on the rows of books, and the towering shelves.

She turned her gaze to Atemu, who was desperately trying to stuff the book behind him.

"Hello there, young one. What brings you to this hall?" The goddess's voice was soft and syrupy, rather like honey.

"Um, nothing. I was trying to find information on Ammut." Atemu said, holding the book behind his back.

"I see." The goddess brought her face close to Atemu's. "I am guessing you cannot find the scroll you are looking for."

She reached around Atemu and took his arm. The goddess pried the book of Atemu's hand and placed it back on the shelf.

Atemu flushed. "I didn't mean to, honest. It just sort of – attacked me."

"I understand, young one. My name is Ma'at, and I offer my most sincere apologies."

"Apologies for what?" Atemu said curiously. "I could attend your judgment. I was – held up."

"Oh. Why did you have to be there anyway?" Atemu asked. "Do you never listen to your teaching?" Ma'at said, shocked.

"The hall you were in was The Hall of Ma'at. I am required to be present at the weighing of hearts."

"I understand now." Atemu said slowly. "But the thing is, I never really listened to anything that was taught to me. It makes my head hurt."

Ma'at chuckled softly. "I see, young one. Come now, I will show you the book you need."

The goddess led Atemu up several ladders. The bookcases had been arranged in alphabetical order.

Flipping through the dusty tomes, Ma'at selected a dark ochre book. She handed it to Atemu.

"Is this the book that will tell me what I need to know?" Atemu asked Ma'at, skimming through the pages.

"Yes, young one. This will give you the knowledge you need to defeat Ma'at."

Atemu stopped at a page showing an odd-looking monster on it.

The creature had the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion and the hind legs of a hippopotamus.

"Ew, you'd think the gods could've come up with a better look for Ammut. She looks like she's made up of all the leftover parts of animals."

Ma'at laughed. "Indeed, young one. She does. But she is a formidable opponent, and you must be wary of her."

"Yeah, yeah, I get you. But how do I kill her? It doesn't say." Atemu thumbed through the pages. "It doesn't say anything about her death in here."

"I suppose you must kill her your own way. But, little one, I have a secret to share with you."

Ma'at leaned close to Atemu and spoke into his ear.

"Ammut has a venom-filled fang in her mouth. If you can get it out and puncture her flesh, I'm sure she will die."

Atemu's eyes lit up. "Really? It would be that simple?"

"It is not a simple task, young one. Ammut is very vicious. You must be very cautious around her."

"I will," Atemu promised, snapping the book shut. "I don't plan on dying again. Wait, is that even possible?"

"Of course it is. Ammut is a goddess, but you have not yet ascended to godhood. Therefore, she can kill you easily."

"But where do I go if she kills me?" Atemu asked.

"She will eat your flesh and your heart, and then your ka will be destined to wander the plains of nothingness."

"Sounds lovely." Atemu said sarcastically. "Anyway, I'd better get back to my room and get some rest. Wadjet said I'll be facing Ammut before Ra climbs into the sky."

"Very well, young one. My blessings are upon you. Good luck, Atemu."

--

A long, curved claw shot out at Atemu. He managed to dodge it, but only just.

Ammut roared in rage and spun around to face him. She had been made angry by Atemu's swiftness, and her inability to catch him.

Atemu kept Ammut moving, twisting and turning to get away from her, darting in and out, always staying just out of reach.

He was slowly tiring the large beast out with his agility; soon she would make a mistake.

Ammut screeched in fury and lunged at him. Atemu's left arm was ripped open, the tattered skin and flesh leaking blood.

The crowd that had gathered to watch was huge. Almost every deity in the underworld had come to see another attempt at Ammut's demise.

Sekhmet was heartily cheering Ammut on, shrieking every time Atemu managed to evade Ammut's attacks. It took Horus, Anubis and Sobek to restrain her.

Isis, Bast, Nekhbet, Ma'at and Wadjet were standing at the ring of the arena, watching silently.

Qetesh was also standing with them, but not so silently. She was tearing her kerchief into shreds with trepidation.

Bast tutted at Atemu's arm. "We'll have to fix that up once he's done." She told Isis.

"So you actually believe he'll defeat her?" Hathor snorted. "Ammut has killed hundreds of the finest warriors around! That boy couldn't touch her."

Isis glared at Hathor. "We never asked you, Hathor. We have our faith in Atemu. He will not let us down."

Hathor opened her mouth to say something, but stopped. Atemu had just let out a yell.

"Ma'at!" He cried. "Which tooth did you say was the one with venom in it?"

"Oh dear." Ma'at said quietly. "I can't quite remember!" She called.

"Can't quite remember!?" He yelled. "Well isn't that wondrous! I'm about to be skinned alive and all you can do is can't quite remember!"

"You know," Wadjet said to Bast. "I heard he overreacted a fair bit, but he'd be exceptionally good in the theatre." Bast nodded in agreement.

"Atemu dear!" Ma'at called. "I believe it is the fang with the green tint to it!"

"In case you hadn't noticed, all her teeth are green! She doesn't clean them!" Atemu shouted back.

He leapt away from Ammut just as she took a snap at him. Her large jaws could crush him in a second.

"How am I supposed to get to her mouth anyway? She won't let me!"

"I doubt she would just voluntarily open her jaws to you!" Ma'at called back to him.

"Oh great." Atemu muttered to himself. He turned quickly to the right, and several drops of blood from his arm splashed into Ammut's eyes.

The monster howled in pain. She thrashed about wildly, spinning around and around.

Surprised, Atemu stood still. Ammut blundered blindly around the arena, paying no attention to him.

'She's blind?' Atemu asked himself. Taking the opportunity, Atemu crept over to where Ammut lay panting.

Her huge jaws lay open, exposing rows of shiny white-green teeth.

One of the front fangs was tipped in a lighter green than the others. The rest of the tooth was shiny white.

Atemu lay on his back and, without making a sound, reached both his arms into Ammut's mouth.

Careful not to touch the gums or her flesh, Atemu placed his right hand around the fang, and pulled.

The tooth came off easily in his hand, dripping purple blood. Atemu managed to pull his right arm out.

With a roar of anguish and fury Ammut clamped her jaws shut on Atemu's left shoulder.

Atemu yelled with pain. Ammut's sharp fangs tore through his flesh easily.

His face white with agony, Atemu gripped the venom-filled fang in his right hand.

Raising the tooth above his head, Atemu plunged it into the flesh between Ammut's eyes.

The creature shrieked in pain but didn't let go of Atemu's arm. Her body racked with convulsions.

Dropping the fang, Atemu fell to the ground in a dead faint.