[buahahahahaaa!!! I have returned to provide more joyful torture to you, my pretties!! Weee! Hey, while I was editing this, I was also typing chapter five of the sequel at the same time… You know, Light the Flame, the sequel, right? Riiiight? Well, anyway, IS ASENATH GONNA MAKE IT? O.O]
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Dance the Forbidden Dance
Chapter Fifteen
"He's not only the Prince..."
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Asenath stood slowly, the soul held protectively in her arms. It was a small, floating orb of light, making little noises.
Asenath glanced down and made sure that this was the correct soul. It was.
"Okay, now..." she stared at the docks. She had a long way to go. The palace was at the top of the city, since the city was on the side of a gradual hill. She could see the palace in the distance, the sun shining down on it. The weather had cleared from this morning.
It was dreary, dark and semi-cool this morning, with rain threatening. Now it was sunny.
Was this a sign from the gods?
Not wanting to waste time, Asenath hurriedly ran forwards, the soul still in her hands. She slid in the fine sand, she stubbed her toe on a rock as she ran across the docks. But she paid it no mind.
She hid the soul protectively in her hands, making it look like she had an injury on her side she was holding.
"C'mon, c'mon..." she whispered, running through the narrow streets. More and more people were appearing. Some of the buildings were still damaged from the battle, and people were trying to fix them. Asenath dodged a large group of people, however running into several others.
"Whoa--"
"What the--"
"Was that--"
Asenath could hear the people shouting and wondering what was going on. The entire city was in a state of confusion and panic as she breezed through. The center of the city was approaching. She was near to the palace now.
She ran through the hole in the wall, into the back courtyard. She avoided looking up at the balcony above her. It was Yami's room, and the curtain was still drawn to signify his death. She quickly glanced around, realizing that no one would let her get near to that room.
"Oh, shit-- wait," she said, looking up at the mistukai tree. A few more flowers had opened. Only one was open all the way, the long, white petals dipping off the tree. Asenath reached up and tugged the flower out of the trees grasp, quickly blessing it.
This may be the only way, she thought, letting the soul drift into the flower's center. It was a blessed flower now; the soul could be held inside.
The petals let off a dull glow, signifying that it holds a soul. As quickly as she could, she ran inside the palace, running around the hordes of people inside. She took the stairs two at a time, even though her bare feet were killing her.
"So, now where-- oh," she said, smiling to herself. The chamber was right in front of her.
She blinked. No one was around.
"Wait... what about the guards?" she looked both left and right and, seeing no guards, shrugged it off. She crept up the doorway, pressing her ear against it. She was trying to listen in, to see what they were doing.
She heard the sounds of a knife being sharpened. She could hear the swish of a thick liquid in a jar... Asenath held her breath.
They're almost there, she thought. They're almost at the next stage. I only have a minute... maybe even seconds. With great difficulty, Asenath pulled the door open a tiny bit as quietly as she could. She squinted in. It was dark in the room, since the windows were covered. She could see across the room, where they were washing Yami's body. She sighed in relief.
I made it.
She held the mitsuaki in her palm before her. She took a deep breath, and blew on the flower. The petals all came unattached, floating in an invisible breeze. A real breeze started, coming from behind Asenath. Asenath watched as the petals floated on the breeze toward her brother, gently landing on the table.
"Yes," she whispered, her arms shaking. The petals glowed momentarily, surprising the priests. Then--
Nothing happened. Asenath held her breath, wondering if the she was too late. Had they already removed some of his organs? There were canopic jars around the table.
...Shit... Am I too late? Asenath wondered, worry flitting her chest. The priests looked at one another and pushed the petals to the floor. Yami stayed the same as he had.
"No..." Asenath whispered, letting go of the door. It shut, making her alone in the hallway. She slid to her knees, leaning against the door. "No no no no no no...." What had she done wrong?
She pounded the door, her whole body shaking. It was too late now. It didn't work. His soul was still in the flower. And now, even that would be lost.
"Atem..." she whispered, leaning against the door. Tears fell down her face, and she pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in her skirt.
...He's not coming back....
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Asenath was sitting cross-legged in her room, letting the tears fall. She was bandaging her feet, which were calloused and bloody from all the running she had done. Without her godly protection, her feet wouldn't heal in half the time like they usually would.
She had been so sure... not only that, but now she couldn't get her protection back. She was doomed... Doomed to live a terrible, hard, scary life. Without ever dying. Without ever being relieved of life when it gets too hard or when she was in pain. That luxury had been taken away from her.
"Atem.... Yami..." she said softly, feeling a fresh wave of tears come over her. She hadn't cried like this since she was very small.
When she was done bandaging her feet, she laid back on her bed, her hair spread out around her head. She closed her eyes and sighed.
"I would give anything to go with you," she said softly. She had realized that his baa was still inside his body. His kaa was what she had hidden inside the flower. Now that that was lost, he would never make it to the afterlife.
...Still...
"I'm sorry," she said, opening her eyes and staring at the ceiling. "I am so sorry..."
She had no idea what had truly happened.
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Yami was lying on his bed, curled up into a little ball, the blankets pushed over him. He was sleeping soundly, breathing quietly, his hand clutching the blanket.
He was alive.
No one could explain it.
Shortly after Asenath had left, Yami had begun to cough and woke up. No one could figure out what had happened. They had checked every vital sign they could think up!! He was as good as dead!! The news hadn't left the palace, however. It was still amongst only his family. Hell, neither his sister nor his brother knew!
"I don't believe this!" Ankumanukanon said, shaking his head. He was confused, angry and disoriented, but the smile he had on his face could not be hidden. "It doesn't make sense!!"
"Who cares?" Anna asked, trying to contain her excitement. "He's alive! The gods gave our son back." Ankumanukanon nodded.
"Yes... But why?" Anna shrugged. "Maybe Asenath knows."
"What I want to know is why she didn't say anything!!" Ankumanukanon said angrily. "She could have at least warned us he was going to die in the first place!"
"Umm..." a small voice said. Iani stepped into the room, bowing. "Pharaoh-sama, you called for me?"
"Yes, Iani," Ankumanukanon said. "You know that Prince Atem is alive, correct?" Iani gasped.
"I-it's true? It's not a rumor?" she said, smiling brightly.
"No, it's true, alright," Ankumanukanon said joyously. "I want you to find Asenath and Sekhem, right away. Aklia as well."
"Yes, Pharaoh-sama," she said, bowing and turning. "Do you want them here?"
"Bring them to the Conference Room," Ankumanukanon commanded. "Get your daughters in there as well, and Seto, too. He's the only one Asenath trusts with her dreams." Slightly confused, Iani nodded and left. As she walked down the hall, she went over what Ankumanukanon had said about Seto in her mind several times.
...and Seto, too. He's the only one Asenath trusts with her dreams.
What does that mean?
Iani walked down the long hall, entering a side chamber. Here was where she found Seto, staring out the window.
"Seto-sama," she said, bowing, "The Pharaoh wants you." Seto turned to Iani and sighed.
"Does he need Sekhem as well?" he asked, motioning to the little boy. He was leaning on his elbows, his head in his hands, staring absently out the window. He didn't seem to notice Iani was there.
"Why, yes he does," Iani said, startled. Seto placed his hand on Sekhem's head. "Come on, Sekhem." Sekhem blinked and looked up, his eyes wide.
"Wha? Seto, did-- Iani!" he exclaimed, surprised. "What's going on?" Iani just smiled and bowed.
"Your father wants you in the Conference Room. Now."
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"Finally," Ankumanukanon said, as Asenath entered the room. She stood beside Seto, staring at her hands. She was afraid to look directly at Seto, though. She was afraid that her failure and disappointment would show in her eyes. Not that Seto didn't notice it, anyway. The glowing spark in her dark eyes was something that everyone admired. But it had disappeared, as if a flame had been put out.
"Now, you all know that today..." Ankumanukanon still had trouble saying it. "...the process of mummifying Yami began."
Solemn nods.
"I have something... surprising to tell you all." He looked at all of them, Asenath included, even though she was trying to avoid eye contact.
"Today, just an hour ago... He woke up."
There was silence in the room as this set it. Asenath looked up, surprise ringing in her eyes. Seto stared at Ankumanukanon. Helena, Ala and Mana all gasped. Sekhem blinked. Aklia had a look of disbelief on her face.
"You mean, he's not dead?" Sekhem asked. The innocence he posses seemed to ring through everyone else's speechlessness. Ankumanukanon smiled widely, leaning on his hands on the table before him.
"Yes! Yami is alive!"
"Oh my..." Seto muttered, unable to finish his sentence. Asenath covered her mouth with her hands, a smile spreading across her face. The thoughts in her mind were saying You did it you did it YOU DID IT!!! But Asenath stayed quiet. She didn't want anyone to ask her what she had done. She'd then have to explain herself to everyone else... Seto and her parents were the only ones who knew...
Sekhem cheered. He clapped and smiled brightly, his entire face lighting up. Even if Sekhem was the youngest, he was easily the cutest, and when he smiled, so did everyone else. Aklia was standing beside him, wiping her face with her arms.
My gods... Atem is alive...
"How...?" Seto asked. Asenath kicked him in the shins. He glanced down at her, saw her expression, and shut his mouth.
"Yeah, how? Where is he?" Sekhem asked. He was a bit too hyper now...
"He's in his room, sleeping," Ankumanukanon explained. "But this can't leave the palace, you understand? The rest of the city will know by tomorrow. I don't know how this happened, or why the gods spared him." He looked at them all again. "But it did, and I'm grateful."
"It's incredible," Ala said, looking at all of them. For a servant, she was very educated. Asenath, who was her age, had taught her. "It's as if somehow, someone was able to convince the gods he needed to be with us. He must have never made it to the afterlife if he was sent back."
"It doesn't make sense, but who cares at this point?" Ankumanukanon asked. "I sure don't." Anna smiled in agreement, as did Aklia.
"We should get him down here," Anna suggested. She hadn't seen him yet. "To inform him of tomorrow."
Giddy with the prospect of seeing her son, Anna had to cover her smile and bow her head to stop from giggling.
"Yes, of course. Ala," Ankumanukanon said to the girl, "Go get him. He's in his room."
"Yes, Pharaoh-sama," she said, bowing and running out of the room.
"What's happening tomorrow?" Sekhem, who was very straightforward, asked.
"Tomorrow is when we tell the entire city he's alive," Anna explained. "To prove it, he'll stand beside your father, Sekhem. Oh... Everyone will be in a much better state-of-mind."
"How will we explain it, though?" Iani wondered. "We have to give some explanation."
"We'll think of something," Anna assured her. Right then, Ala came back into the room, followed by a very sleepy-looking Yami. His eyes were half open and his was still pretty pale, except some color had returned to his face. Obviously, he had no idea he had died. He rubbed his head and walked over to his father.
"What's going on?" he asked, his voice hoarse. He blinked and yawned, leaning forwards onto the table. "Why is ever'one here?" Everyone just watched him closely. Aklia walked up to him and grabbed onto his arm, closing her eyes and leaning against him. His body was slightly cool, but warm and comforting at the same time. She could feel his heart beating, and she was glad he was alive.
....However it had happened....
Yami closed his eyes and leaned on her, glad for her warmth and comfort. He couldn't figure out what was going on... In the brief moments that his eyes were closed, Ankumanukanon signaled that they wouldn't tell Yami yet.
Not that Yami cared.
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"What could possibly be good news now?" people were asking each other early the next morning. They had heard that the Pharaoh was announcing good news to the people. They gathered in the large courtyard, Jono and Tiet slipping into the crowd at the last minute. Flowers were blooming around them; spring had flourished. It had flourished a while ago, actually.
Jono remembered back, only a couple of weeks, when a battle had taken place here. It was short, it was small... but it had changed them all.
And then he died.
It seemed like months. It was actually only one. Summer was on the way, the wedding having been cancelled... Spring was almost over.
Jono stared at the flowering blossoms with a forlorn look.
"They were supposed to marry now..." he muttered, trailing his eyes away from the beautiful reminders. He placed his hand on his belt instinctively, his dagger sitting close to his thigh. Tiet stared at Jono and sighed, lowering his head. The crowd around them was growing bigger.
A little ways away from the courtyard where the city was gathered, some people, some still injured from battle, were lounging outside their homes or in their gardens, eagerly waiting for their loved one to bring news of what the Pharaoh had said.
Teana was lying on her stomach, lush grass providing a soft blanket for her to lie on. She rolled onto her back and watched the bright sky. It seemed to be an endless blue opening in the vast heavens. Yami's face swam before her eyes.
"Go away," she muttered, closing her eyes and settling an arm over her face. Maia exited her home and walked onto the grass in front of it, which was where Teana was lying. She knelt beside the girl and pushed her bangs back.
"Teana... Don't you think you should get on to your home?" she asked timidly. She hadn't been working lately. Her master, at first, let it off as tiredness and grief, but then he became annoyed. He even whipped her the other day.
Teana shrugged.
"I don't care," she said simply. "I really don't. They can whip me all they like; I'm not going back there." Maia frowned.
"You know you have to work to keep yourself going, or you'll be cast out..." Maia trailed off. She knew this wasn't the right time to be telling Teana this. Teana shrugged again.
"I really don't care, Maia. I gave up caring." Teana didn't say anything after that. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out and stomped on. She had never felt such pain; not since she was captured... And brought here...
This retched place was destroying her. Her heart pined for Yami... But then she remembered how he had lied and cheated on her. Worse then that, he cheated on his fiancée -- and neither girl knew it!
"Bastard," Teana whispered. Tears started in her eyes. "Fucking bastard, I love you! No-- I don't love you! I can't love a bastard!" She rolled onto her side, her arms shaking as she cried. "And now you're gone, you fucker-- Why did you do this?!"
Maia sighed and lay on the grass beside her.
"Jono should be back with news," Maia said softly. "I wonder what Pharaoh had to tell us?" Teana said nothing. She just continued to cry... Yami had hurt her so much...
Up on the high balcony, Ankumanukanon was busy pushing Yami forwards.
"I really don't wanna--"
"Yami, I know you're confused, but this is essential--"
"--I don't get it!--"
"--Come on--" Yami didn't know why it was so important he go out there. Ankumanukanon, not wanting to tell him, just sighed and pushed his son along. Finally, Yami gave in, walking sullenly behind his father as they approached the balcony. Asenath was leaning against a wall, holding Sekhem's hand. Sekhem was protesting loudly, pulling his hand from hers. She sighed and continued to hold a strong grip on his hand.
"Sekhem, you know the rules..."
"Nefer-Asen..." Right then, Yami and his father walked by. Asenath watched them as they went, wondering how she would tell Yami he had actually died...
Yami turned to her slightly, nodded, smiled, then continued onward as if nothing happened. He had mouthed 'thank-you' on the way.
Asenath faltered, then blinked.
"D-did he-- Did he just-- Thank me?" she whispered. "How could... He have known... It was me?"
Does he know he died? Asenath thought. Does he know I saved him? Or was he saying it subconsciously? Was it his kaa that was thanking me? Does his kaa remember I saved him?
She shook her head. How could he?
Not wanting to question it further, she just shrugged and continued holding onto Sekhem, waiting for the announcement. Ankumanukanon stepped up to the balcony, Yami hovering behind him. Ankumanukanon silence all of Kemet with his hands, bringing them down into the air and curving, silence bouncing back at him.
"...All of you were told, just a few days ago, that... That Prince Atem, my son, the future Pharaoh... Had died."
Murmurs answered this announcement. Ankumanukanon silenced them again.
"...This has changed... By some miraculous turn of events... Somehow... Unbeknownst to me, or others... My son, Atem... is alive."
At first, there was stunned silence. Then murmurs, which turned into a dull roar. The buzz of unanswered questions zoomed around.
"Is this true?"
"Could Atem be alive?"
"Is he crazy?"
Once more, Ankumanukanon silenced the chattering crowds.
"He is here, behind me," he said, breaking into a grand smile. He turned slightly, nodding to Yami.
Slowly, Yami stepped forward, the crown with the embossed eye shining brightly on his forehead. The crowd below let out one single, simultaneous gasp, then calls, cheers and yells echoed throughout the city.
Jono was staring in disbelief. The militia members around him were whooping and shouting with joy, cheering for their friend. Tiet wrapped his arm around Jono's neck, laughing and spinning in a circle with him.
"He's alive! He's alive!" Tiet cried, his arms shaking visibly. His eyes were alight with excitement, and his face was joyous. "Thank the gods, he's alive!!"
"...Yeah..." Jono muttered, smiling. "He is alive!" Ankumanukanon made to shush the crowds once more. Yami cast his eyes over the curious crowd, crossing his arms and staring down at them with a regal manner.
"I've gotta tell Teana!" Jono said, pushing his way to the gate. Tiet laughed and latched onto someone else, forgetting instantly about Jono.
As Jono ran through the city, dodging people and whizzing by houses, people called out and asked what had happened.
"He's alive! He's alive! Atem's alive!" Jono announced, leaping into the air in joy. He landed with thud on his bruised, hard feet, nearly giddy with happiness. His best friend... and now he was alive.
"M-Maia! Maia! Teana!" Jono cried, running onto the green grass before his home. "It's amazing!"
"What's amazing?" Maia asked, turning onto her side. Jono pointed to the palace, breathing hard. His eyes were blazing with a happiness so strong, Maia sat up and smiled playfully.
"Tell me," she said slowly. "What's going on?" Jono laughed and sighed.
"...Atem... Yami... He's... alive!" Jono panted, pointing behind him. Maia's eyes widened.
"Your kidding!" Jono shook his head. Teana sat up, staring hard at Jono.
"It's... It's true?" she whispered. "He's alive?"
"Yes! He's alive!" Jono cried, leaping into the air again. "Oh, gods, I have to go back! Pharaoh wasn't done talking yet!" And with that, he left Maia and Teana in a stunned silence. Teana turned to Maia, her eyes wide and filled with glowing tears.
"...He's... alive?" she whispered, staring at the older woman. Maia smiled gently and nodded.
"Yes, dear. He's alive."
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[Awww... that's so KAWAII... so, what now? Yami's alive, and the whole city is rejoicing... but now what? All that's left now is for the two to come together one more time... Also, Yami doesn't know he died... Or does he? Next chap: Do You Remember Me?]
PS – The sequel will come out the month after this fic ends, which will probably be sometime in July. Which means "Light the Flame" will come out sometime in August. Got it? Good.
Shibby-One