Hey all. Not much to say, except big shout out to Popcorn Addict, Jadeguy, randomcat23, Cassie & Casie, darkmetaldragonfangs, Pikpik246, Jedi Spiderfan, NeferNeferi and Chuen. And a great big loveable hug to Tange.
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Set smiled cruelly and made his way over to Atemu. The exhausted ex-Pharaoh was on his knees, coughing up frothy blood.
The god laughed harshly. "It seems my young foe is too tired to fight anymore. What a pity."
"I'm...not...tired." Atemu growled. He glared up at Set, his eyes more ruby than amethyst.
"Oh, but I think you are." Set knelt beside Atemu and pulled his head back by a fistful of hair.
"You see," Set said, tracing his finger along Atemu's throat. "I could kill you quite easily. But I won't."
"You...won't?" The teen's eyes were wide with fear, but he kept a straight face.
"No. that would upset things far too much. But that's another matter, one I would prefer not to talk about at the moment."
"Set!" Sekhmet shrieked. "How could you do this? Are you mad? Don't let him live!"
"Silence wench!" Set ordered. He slapped Sekhmet across the cheek. The lioness hissed and stepped back, rubbing her stinging face.
"I will do as I see fit." He turned to Atemu. "As for you, I will heal your wounds for now."
Atemu shrank away from Set and stood up. "Keep away from me. How am I to know you aren't going to kill me?"
Set laughed again. "You aren't. You have no proof but for my word, and I know I haven't the most truthful record."
Atemu scowled at the god. "Why are you doing this? You could kill me right now, but you won't. Why?"
"Because killing you would upset how the nature of things would turn out. However, I will not allow you to remain in this land."
"Why not? If you aren't going to kill me you could at least let me stay here."
"No one will no you're alive. All will think you're dead. Of course, I know the real truth." Set's eyes darkened.
"What about them?" Atemu pointed at Sekhmet, Bebi, and Sobek. "Them?" Set echoed.
"They will no longer reside in this world." There was a flash, a sparkle of black fire and the three deities disappeared.
"What happened to them?" Atemu searched frantically for any sign of the gods, but all that was left was smoky vapor.
"They were transported to the third world." Set smiled secretively, much to Atemu's uneasiness.
"The third world? You mean the world after the underworld? Where souls are doomed to wander aimlessly for the rest of eternity?"
"Ah, yes. That one. You see, they are of no concern to me. But enough of this idle chit-chat, boy. Stand still and let me heal you."
Atemu obeyed, but only just. His instincts told him to run and get help, but the young martyr fought them and stood still.
Set's black magic washed over Atemu's body again, this time soothing and rejuvenating.
When Atemu opened his eyes, there was no sign of any of the injuries inflicted upon him earlier.
"So what do I do now? What are you going to tell the others? And what about them?" Atemu motioned towards the sleeping forms of his teammates.
"So many questions, so little time. I will merely say that you turned upon us and your teammates, and banished my allies to the third world."
"And you think they'll believe that? What if I don't do what you tell me to do?"
"They'll believe that. You see, as soon as you left the first world and came here, we knew you were different."
"Different? From what?" Atemu unconsciously scuffed his foot in the dirt.
"From all the other Pharaohs that have come to this land. You were different from the day you were born."
"Why? Since I've been here, everyone has talked about me being special, but what sort of special?"
"Very special. So special that you have been named the Illusionist Soul."
"The Illusionist Soul? What in Ra's name is that?"
"That, young one, is a secret name given to the one destined to rid our world of evil. The Illusionist Soul has great power and is unpredicatble. If needed, he could wipe out an entire world by just thinking about it."
Set leaned close to Atemu and whispered in the boy's ear. "I will not let that happen."
Atemu backed away from the god. "Let what happen? I don't even know what I'm supposed to do, and now I have to save the world?"
"All in due time, Illusionist Soul. You will learn what you need, and gain the power you seek, but that time is not now."
"Great. I'm supposed to save the world, be some weird freak with an even weirder name, and have great and immendous power. This couldn't get any worse."
"Oh, but I think it will." Set threw his head back and laughed. "You are going to leave this world, whether you like it or not."
"Leave this world?" Atemu echoed. "Are you going to send me to the third world?"
"Oh no, child, of course not. I have something much more interesting in store for you. You're going to the fourth world."
"The fourth world? Why am I going there? The fourth world is a dead, arid place haunted by restless souls. Why there?"
"Because you need to be taught a lesson, and I don't want you coming back to this place and causing trouble."
"Well this is just brilliant." Atemu muttered under his breath. "Why don't you just kill me now and get it over with? I'll probably die anyway."
"Because," Set whispered. "The Illusionist Soul cannot be destroyed, regardless of what I may have said earlier. I can no more kill you than anyone could."
"You mean I'm immortal? Not even a god could kill me?"
"Not even my brother, Osiris. However, you can be destroyed by one person, the Tempest Mage."
"You guys come up with the most original names, don't you?" Atemu said dryly.
A sudden thought occurred to him. "Wait. How do you know all this? No-one's ever mentioned it before."
"I studied the predictions of many prophets, and I discovered that the Illusionist Soul is an immortal being stronger than all the gods combined. He can only be destroyed by the Tempest Mage, and vice-versa."
"But who is the Tempest Mage? Do I know him?"
"I never said they were male. But he is. And yes, you do know him. I will say no more about the matter."
"Fine. So I guess I'm going, then?"
"Yes. You have no time to gather your possessions, and you must survive by your wits and skill alone. That's if you have any."
"Like you'd know. You're just a scared little god who doesn't want to face the truth."
"Silence!" Set roared. "How dare you speak of me like that? You have no right!"
"No need to get offended. I was just stating the obvious." Atemu shrugged at the god, smirking slightly.
"Shut up this instant! I can see how so many people got annoyed of you so quickly!"
"Okay, okay. I get your point. I've accepted the fact that I have to go because you won't let me stay, so just get on with it."
"Fine. Ungrateful little brat." Set muttered under his breath. The god raised his arms above his head and began to chant.
"O greatest of fates hear my plea
And transport this heart as I decree
Send him forth unto thy land
Made with the blood of my arm and hand."
A single bead of blood fell from Set's wrist and dropped onto Atemu's cheek. A silvery portal appeared in front of them.
Atemu dipped his head and turned to wistfully gaze back at his friends. Their breathing was even and deep; a look of peace on their faces.
"Wait." Atemu turned around to face Set, who was still grinning maliciously.
"If you can't kill me, then how can you make me go? I'm immortal."
"That may be true," Set said softly. "But your friends aren't."
In a matter of seconds, a dog monster was standing over each of Atemu's teammates, all growling and fangs bared.
"You wouldn't." Atemu's voice was dangerously quiet. "Oh, I would." Set smirked.
"Now, off with you. No time to lose. Go!" Set waved his hand in the direction of the portal.
Glaring, Atemu placed one foot through the portal. It disappeared into the silvery light.
Turning to look back at his friends, Atemu smiled sadly. "Goodbye, everyone."
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Author's Note:
I am sad to say that this is the last chapter of The Fallen One. However, in this crazed mind of mine I have decided to make a sequel. These 3 stories will be a trilogy jointly named Divine Blood. I don't mind if you guys have gotten sick of my stories and wish to read no more, but if you want, then read the last installment. That's all I have to say, except for sorry about such a pathetic chapter. I don't blame you if you hate me.
(I'm in a very depressed mood. My best friend committed suicide yesterday, the day of her birthday. Life sucks.)