The Lost Pharaoh
Thanks again to my beta-reader Towairaito Zoon
Chapter 13: Midnight Dilemma
The kitchen was practically deserted except for the occasionally vizier cleaning up, or washing dishes. Yuugi walked in, looking around while hoping to get a snack. He had fallen asleep shortly after lunch and hadn't had anything since. Food always distracted him when his grandpa was at work late, unable to come home until past midnight. But Yuugi knew that it was all ready reaching midnight and Yami had just left minutes before, which meant he had hours to wait.
I can't get to sleep…I'm not even tired.
Yuugi felt tears begin to well up in his eyes. He was missing Yami terribly though barely any time had passed. He quickly blinked the tears away before they fell before looking around, searching for a midnight snack. His eyes looked over the large expansion of the kitchen. He hadn't been inside the kitchen before, only seen glimpses of it. There were long, slender counters that held silverware left over from the meals given to those at the meeting that had taken place previously.
The kitchen was spotless, no food in sight. Yuugi was used to seeing a refrigerator, but Yami hadn't completely gotten used to the time periods. The food was still kept in ice boxes to keep fresh, though Yami had told Yuugi during lunch that Isis had ordered for several things to be replaced. His adjustment to the modern times was going extremely well, according to his viziers. Most of his viziers were descendants from his real viziers, like Hadi, except for Fidil, Isis and several others that had been involved with creating the millennium items, so many of them helped Yami and the select few become fully acquainted with the times.
Yuugi's shoulders slumped slightly, his stomach growling with hunger. He knew he could easily find Fidil and ask him for something, but he was afraid to go searching for him. Most of the men that had been there left, along with some viziers including Isis, and guards, except Hadi and his three men that had been the first of the group Yuugi had met when he first arrived.
Although Hadi apparently cared very much for Yami, which Yuugi found out during lunch when Yami explained how dedicated Hadi's family was to helping watch over the lands and be expectant of the pharaoh's return, Yuugi was still frightened of him. He didn't under why, but he knew Hadi still didn't trust him. Did he think Yuugi put on an innocent face in front of the pharaoh? Had someone betrayed Yami before and he reminded Hadi of the person? Yuugi had come to all sorts of conclusions but he wasn't sure of the real reason.
"Master Yuugi?"
He turned around, surprised as he heard his name. A kind woman vizier stood behind him smiling brightly. Yuugi smiled back, feeling some of his fear and anxiety wash away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just come in here without permission," Yuugi began.
She shook her head, "Not at all, you are welcome any time. Pharaoh Yami left us with clear instructions to guard you and make you feel comfortable, and we would even if he hadn't asked. Is there anything I can get you?" she added with another warm smile.
Yuugi smiled sheepishly, "Well…I didn't have any dinner and…"
She nodded with a smile, "Dinner will be served to you. It has been a long day and there is no need for you to stay up any later. You should go to bed and it will be served to you very shortly."
"Thank you," Yuugi smiled serenely, "um…could you possibly send it to Yami's room?"
She laughed softly, "Yes, of course. You prefer his room then? It is luxurious, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's beautiful. My room is beautiful too, I'd just feel more at peace in his room," Yuugi said, blushing cutely with embarrassment. "I'm not really at ease going to bed by myself."
He heard her sigh with compassion and felt her arms around him as he was squeezed into an embrace. She kissed his forehead gently before releasing him.
"You don't worry yourself, master Yuugi, you can sleep anywhere you please. And if you can't sleep you are always welcome to alert any of us and we can give you some soothing drinks, or even a relaxing massage, that helps."
Yuugi smiled gratefully, "Thank you."
She offered him another smile and nodded, "You go on up to bed and your dinner will arrive in just a few minutes."
Yuugi nodded again, smiling as he left the kitchen, relief washing through him. The relief was soon stopped cold as he found Hadi coming toward the kitchen. Hadi stopped no more than ten feet from him, staring at him indifferently.
"Isn't it past your bedtime?" he asked, his tone calm but still holding suspicion.
"I don't have a bedtime," Yuugi said softly, a tad frustrated at him for treating him like a child one minute and a criminal the next, "and I was just going up to bed."
Hadi nodded but didn't move to let him pass. Instead he just stared at him with an intense expression.
"How did you know about the fire?" he asked finally.
Yuugi felt his nerves begin to grow uneasy at the suspicion underlying the question.
"I looked out of the window of my room and saw smoke," Yuugi answered casually.
Hadi seemed to think on it; perhaps picturing the direction Yuugi's window was facing before nodding, mostly to himself. Yuugi walked forward to pass him, the distance between them lessening as he made his way to go by him. He suddenly felt a firm hand on his shoulder as Hadi's dark gaze met his.
"I still don't completely trust you, Yuugi," he said, his voice turning slightly colder. "So far I have no proof, or reason to believe, that you are a danger to the pharaoh. But there are also too many suspicious circumstances taking place around your arrival. If you are associated with these, you can bet that when I find out I will be most pleased to provide a suitable punishment."
Yuugi stared at him firmly, his gaze not wavering even from the underlying threat. His stomach turned with fear, but he remained focusing on him harshly.
"You can threaten me all you want, but I believe Yami would have a problem with you making a guest uncomfortable. I'm sure there are consequences for that too," Yuugi said, moving away from his grasp and Hadi stared at him in surprise. "And since I have nothing to do with any of the circumstances you can watch me all you want," Yuugi said, turning on his heel and walking toward the stairs, not glancing back once at Hadi.
Luckily, Hadi didn't answer as Yuugi made his way up to the second floor, before climbing to the third floor toward Yami's room. The smell of food was all ready reaching his nose, making his stomach quiver in anticipation. He reached the exquisite doors of Yami's bedroom chamber and opened it, feeling the cool breeze of the nighttime summer wind drifting from the open balcony doors.
The soft plush bed sunk beneath him as he crawled under the covers, lying on Yami's pillow. A familiar scent was still left upon the pillow, smelling sweetly of Yami's dusky aroma; the smell of Egypt. Even in the comfortable atmosphere, Yuugi was longing for Yami's return, hoping that he would fall asleep after eating something so that time would seem to move faster. He was also anticipating feeling the sun's rays on him at dawn and watching the sky change colors from a beautiful sunrise. Until then, he was left staring out at the dark vast sky, wishing for night to be over.
I hope that Yami got there in time so no one was hurt. And I hope he's all right…I miss him.
Yuugi felt his nose tingle as tears threatened to fall. He held them back, feeling some sense of strength entering him by just thinking of Yami. He knew that he had offered to help Yami save Egypt from whatever troubles were going on, and he knew deep down that it was going to be difficult to bear. Isis even told him to be prepared for dark times ahead, so he needed to be strong. If he cried over every little thing he'd make it more difficult for himself to be helpful during the big events.
A soft knock on the door caused him to lift his head. He hadn't even needed to utter a word as the door opened and in stepped a couple of women viziers, both smiling kindly. One of them was the same woman that had approached him in the kitchen. Smiling gratefully, Yuugi offered them thanks as they set up the plates at the side of the bed where he could easily reach the food without having to get up. They giggled, both smiling at him and calling him adoring names as they left.
Once they had retreated, Yuugi sighed, his lean frame sulking under the covers. Concern and loneliness etched into his heart, but he didn't let it take over. Morning would come faster if he just fell asleep, hopefully to wake up to Yami standing above him, or resting peacefully next to him, his thick deep red-black locks, highlighted with the blonde tresses that grew throughout his hair reflecting the sunlight coming in through the windows. Yuugi felt so attached to him…to someone he barely knew. He did know that no matter what event took place he would always remain by Yami's side…even if they weren't together.
The soft silk began to lull his breathing, his muscles relaxing as the warmth of the bed against the cool summer night air drifted inside the room. Yuugi was too tired to close the balcony doors, relishing in the view of the beautiful bright stars and moon shining down upon him. His violet eyes were soon covered by his eyelids as a light, yet somewhat restful, slumber took possession of his exhausted body.
XXXXX
The voices were soft whispers, despite the quiet atmosphere. The smell of fresh cooked foods drifted into the room from the kitchen that was nearby. It was nearing midway past midnight, which was a great deal later than he ever stayed inside the palace. Cold, gray eyes turned and rested on the presence of the others in the room. Around the table were his men, the men in red robes that had been with him every step of the way as they prepared for the pharaoh's return. Now that the pharaoh had returned, it had seemed hope rose again…that was until events had occurred.
Hadi's eyes narrowed as his memory drifted back to late spring, before the arrival of the guest, even before they had all come together again. He had been with his men, praying that the pharaoh would return and visiting his tomb sanctuary and begging the pharaoh to return to his people. And then…it had all happened so fast. The symbol upon the pharaoh's coffin within the tomb began to glow, a signal that the sanctuary, or the golden pyramid, had opened, releasing the spirit of the pharaoh.
Their happiness had only lasted a short time, for before the pharaoh showed himself trouble began to occur. Some people disappeared, not in Kemet but outside of Kemet in the neighboring city, and in Cairo. Strange happenings occurred with night riders, which had happened once in Cairo against a museum that had been invaded.
That was why Hadi was incredibly suspicious of the fire that had just been discovered, no less pointed out by the very boy he suspected could be the key to everything. If the fire was like the one in Cairo that meant that the pharaoh was no longer safe. It was a sign that meant someone out there was challenging Yami, but who and for what reasons were left undiscovered. Hadi was worried a rebel group was out there planning something against the pharaoh, striking fear in the people of Kemet, trying to force people to join them. That was what happened five thousand years prior, and he knew Shadi and the others, wanted to make sure history didn't repeat itself.
Perhaps I should go make sure the boy is in his bed like he is supposed to be…
Feeling his instincts agree with his suspicions he rose from the table, alerting the others sitting nearby.
"Hadi, is something wrong?"
Hadi turned, his gaze settling on the five men sitting there, who had stopped discussing things to turn to him. He was debating in his mind whether or not he should voice his concern to them.
"I need to check up on something," he said finally, keeping his tone from giving away any emotion.
The men exchanged glances before the one closest to him stared at him intently, "Are you concerned about master Yuugi?"
Hadi stared at him abruptly, his gaze hardening, "Master Yuugi? As far as I'm concerned, the only one with that title is the pharaoh himself! The foreign boy has barely been here a week and all ready he has won the hearts of almost everyone! Can't you see? It's the perfect set-up! Use an innocent-looking boy to get close to the pharaoh and listen to the plans…"
"Hadi, don't you think you're assuming too much…?" another voiced, giving him a somewhat authoritative look.
Hadi glared at him, "You heard what the boy said, he is older than he looks, which means that his outward attitude could be entirely different from his overall character. He could be the perfect devise against the pharaoh, using his big heart against him. I have told Yami he is too kind sometimes for his own good!"
"You mustn't question the pharaoh's judgment so quickly, Hadi. Though he is the kindest, gentlest soul out of all of us, he is extremely wise beyond his years and is not foolish. And we must trust that he senses something from Yuugi," the first man spoke softly.
Another nodded, "Yes, indeed. And Yuugi found and opened the tomb. No body with a less than pure heart could've done that."
Hadi clenched his teeth, still feeling that something was amiss. Against the wishes of the men in the room, he walked out, heading toward the stairs and not turning as they called out to him. If Yuugi was upstairs sleeping in his bed, then Hadi would have an easier time believing what they told him, but he needed to be sure.
Just as he reached the stairs, he was stopped by an older gentlemen who he had seen cleaning and doing civil duties for the pharaoh. Hadi stopped as the man approached him, bowing slightly and seeming a bit overly nervous.
"G-good day, sir," the man bowed.
Hadi nodded, "Yes. Is the young man sleeping upstairs, do you know?"
The man nodded, "Indeed yes, he was sent there with dinner to the pharaoh's chamber."
"The boy is sleeping in Yami's room?" he asked harshly, causing the man to flinch.
"Yes," he answered hesitantly.
Hadi's eyes narrowed, "If you'll excuse me…"
"Jahi, sir, if you please."
"If you will excuse me, Jahi, I have something to attend to," Hadi said, preparing to climb the stairs.
"If I may, sir," Jahi added, "I have an urgent message for you."
Hadi turned, staring at him and then the piece of paper that was held out. Jahi had his head bowed so that he couldn't see his face, and his hand was shaking slightly. Perhaps it was an urgent message from the pharaoh. Descending the few stairs he had climbed, Hadi took the piece of paper gently and scanned it.
"It says I am needed at the tomb. Has something happened again, Jahi?" Hadi asked, folding the slip of paper.
He didn't raise his head as he answered, "I'm not sure, sir, I was just given this message and told to hand it to you as soon as possible."
Hadi's eyes glanced up the stairs but he finally let go of the railing, "Very well, I shall leave, but if you would do me a favor and make sure that the guest is properly in bed as should be."
Jahi nodded obediently, lifting his head slightly, "Of course…sir," he answered quietly, almost not audible despite the silence.
Hadi nodded and left immediately not noticing the frightened look upon Jahi's face nor his quickened pace as he raced up the stairs toward the bedroom. Hadi nodded toward the guards as he approached the doors and they allowed him to exit.
The streets were deserted, seeing as it was nearing the middle of the night. A cold chill caused him to glance around, wondering if the chilled air was a sign. The tomb was in a semi-hidden location, surrounded by sand and some plant life. Hadi kept his gaze forward, trying to listen for the sounds of the guards, or the pharaoh himself while nearing the tomb. Not hearing anything but the dead silence of the night, Hadi became slightly worried.
A rustle of leaves moved to his right, but he only glanced at it and moved forward. The tomb lay in front of him, standing in the still night shaded by the darkness. The moon was glistening brightly in the sky, shining down upon the secret entrance to the tomb. Upon approaching, Hadi saw that the tomb door appeared to not have been touched, for there were no footsteps amongst the sand that lay on top of the lever that opened the door, which was hidden by grape vines.
He glanced around, finding no sign or presence of the guards, or anyone for that matter. His eyes narrowed slightly, wondering if it had been a trick…perhaps someone knew that he was suspicious of Yuugi and intended to keep him from finding the truth.
Or perhaps Yuugi wasn't sleeping and he heard me talking about him…then when I decided to go check on him, he needed me out of the way. But then…how did he get downstairs to give the message to Jahi, there is no way he could've done that without someone seeing him. Could there be someone else involved or am I really just being too paranoid?
Hadi looked around, examining the tomb without revealing how to open it, in case it was a trap, and then he backed away silently. The tomb seemed in perfect condition. He'd have to ask Jahi who gave him the message; then he'd try to piece together what was going on.
The pharaoh was most likely busy with helping the people near the fire. Turning on his heel, Hadi went the opposite direction, heading back to the palace. His eyes widened as something dark lashed forward, colliding with the side of his head before everything went completely black.
It felt like days had gone by before the feeling in his body began to return. His head was throbbing from the unexpected pain, and he had to dig in his memory to remember what happened.
Someone knocked me out…so it was a set up. But who is against me and why?
Feeling slightly confused and dizzy, Hadi opened his eyes, blinking as regained his focus. He was surprised to find himself in a throne room, somewhat similar to the pharaoh's, only slightly…darker. The walls were cement, like that of a castle, but looked sturdy and practically new. The floors were a polished wood, clashing with the dark intensity of the walls. Around the room, candles were lit to give light to the eerie room.
He tried to move, but found that his arms and legs were unable to. Looking down, he found that he had been tied to a chair firmly. Just as he began contemplating how to get out of his current situation, the door to the room opened smoothly. In stepped figures cloaked in gray, wearing hoods, and they walked toward him without a word. The same amount of space was kept between them, as if they had practiced the routine. They stopped several feet from his chair and stood behind him in silence, never even glancing in his direction.
Hadi opened his mouth to question them, but found his eyes catching sight of the doorway. A smoothly cloaked figure in black emerged, radiating an aura that made goose bumps crawl along his skin. The figure moved as swiftly as the others did, but only stopping in front of him. An object was held in the man's hands resembling a cane, or some treasured item that he kept around. There was an encrusted ruby on the top in a shape of a circle, gleaming even in the dim light.
This man must be rich and powerful. So was he the one who sent the message? Why was I kidnapped and taken here?
Hadi's eyes narrowed threateningly as the man stopped no more than ten feet in front of him, tapping the cane gently with his fingers. No words were spoken, and Hadi was getting tired of sitting there tied up with no explanation.
"Who are you?" Hadi demanded.
The tapping on the cane ceased as the cane gently fell to the man's side. A second later, the man snapped his fingers and one of the other cloaked figures behind him approached the chair and untied him, before standing silently next to Hadi.
"Are you Hadi Ahmose (1)?" questioned the mysterious man standing before him.
"Who wants to know?" Hadi asked gruffly, giving he man a glare.
He heard a soft chuckle and was surprised by the reaction, seeing the man's lips curl upward in amusement.
"I believe you are in no position to be demanding answers. If you cooperate with me I will answer them in time and perhaps we could make a deal," the man spoke softly, his tone somewhat cold though confident.
"I do not make deals with men who are too cowardly to face me," Hadi replied coldly, referring to how he was knocked out.
The man tapped the cane again, his smile widening, "Cowardly…perhaps it was, but you are the only hope for the pharaoh."
That struck a nerve, causing Hadi to flinch from suspicion. Was the man threatening the pharaoh, or trying to help him? Did he suspect Hadi an enemy of the pharaoh? Hadi wasn't sure of anything, but he wouldn't trust the man until he knew more.
"What's your name?" Hadi asked finally. "I cannot trust you until you tell me more."
The man turned, pacing slowly as he spoke, "I cannot give you my name yet…but for a good reason," he added at Hadi's suspicious glare. "In this time there is no one to trust but yourself. A name could be as important as your life. It is strange how different a world can be after thousands of years…"
The man trailed off, stopping as he turned back to Hadi, his face still hidden by the hood of the cloak.
"You will see, Hadi, that it is much better to keep things minimal between us, but I will tell why I brought you here. I need your help," he said, staring at him, though Hadi couldn't see his eyes.
"Help with what?" Hadi asked cautiously.
"I need you to bring me a boy…you may know him…," the man's eyes seemed to bore into his. "Yuugi…"
Hadi's eyes snapped open wider, "Yuugi? Is he somehow involved with what has been going on?"
The man lifted the cane, playing with the ruby on the top, his voice quiet yet firm, "Perhaps…"
"If he is then we must alert the pharaoh immediately! Do you have any proof against him?" Hadi asked quickly.
A light chuckle escaped the man's mouth, sounding colder than a laugh filled with humor.
"Now, now, we mustn't jump to conclusions. Alerting the pharaoh would hardly be appropriate…," the man smiled, approaching closer.
"What are you saying?" Hadi asked, his eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
The man paused, twirling the cane before answering, "I propose we take the boy off of the pharaoh's hands."
"Kidnap the boy?!" Hadi exclaimed, surprised. "You don't think the pharaoh will notice? He trusts the boy!"
"Of course…unless you give him proof that the boy has betrayed him somehow," the man spoke up, his voice calm.
"But…on what grounds?" Hadi asked, feeling his determination dwindle.
"Does it matter? You don't trust the boy, correct? Why not take him away from the pharaoh to ensure his safety."
The words were exactly what he had been waiting for. They were exactly what he wanted to hear…except now something seemed a bit off. The entire circumstance was questioning, bringing even more suspicions to mind.
"What do you say?" the man asked, standing silently while waiting for an answer.
Hadi looked up at him sternly, "No."
He could feel the man raise his eyebrows at the sudden answer, "No? You are so suspicious of this young boy, wanting him out of the pharaoh's palace, yet…you don't want to go through with it? Are you afraid of consequences?"
"No," Hadi said firmly. "I am not afraid of consequences. And although I do not trust the boy, for many reasons all my own, I do not trust you either. How would you know about how I feel toward the boy when I haven't voiced it aloud? But more importantly," Hadi paused, "how would you know about the boy in the first place? He has only been in the palace and if you don't know then how would you know?"
Unexpectedly, the man before him burst into laughter. It wasn't the usual laughter when a joke was being said, but a cruel, cold laughter that sent chills up his spine. When the man stopped his smile had appeared to turn into a smirk as he stepped closer.
"Well, well, you aren't as easy to fool as I thought," the man sneered, his voice cold and hard.
Hadi's eyes hardened, but he didn't respond. The man's character had completely changed now. Had it all been an act?
"What's going on?" Hadi demanded, clenching his fists in frustration.
The man didn't answer, and instead put his fingers back on the cane, "I suppose I'm going to have to do this the more…complex way."
He snapped his fingers and the cloaked figure beside Hadi walked to the door and left without a word, as if he could tell what the man wanted without having been told. Hadi stayed still in his spot, not understanding what was going on.
"It seems you have caught onto me, Hadi. You were indeed suspicious of the boy, as Jahi told me but not nearly enough to let it blind you," the man said casually.
"What…Jahi? He got the message from you?"
"Of course, I forced him into it by threatening his family," the man replied coldly, with a smile.
"You…who are you?! I demand an answer!"
"I will be the one demanding things, Hadi, or else," the man said, pulling down his hood, "there will be consequences."
Hadi jumped back in surprise, his eyes wide with terror, not fully comprehending what he was seeing. He knew it couldn't be true…but his eyes were focused on the never ending pools of blood that sent shivers all through his insides. Had there not been a cruel smirk playing on his face, he would've thought the face an ally, at first glance.
"Who…how…?" he stuttered, his eyes wide with fright and his mouth slightly open.
"It is no concern of yours who I am, or any of the other insignificant questions you hold in your pathetic mind," the man answered coldly. "The only thing that matters is that you capture the young Yuugi that I've heard so much about."
"Capture him?" Hadi's eyes went wide. "Then…then Yuugi really is just an innocent boy?"
The man sneered again, the look terrifying to the man standing paralyzed in his place, despite not having been tied up anymore.
"So I hear. He is not working against the pharaoh, if that is what you're assuming. No…he is the one that brought the pharaoh to life and I want to…thank him," the man's eyes shimmered. "But that is no longer important, and your service is only what matters to me now."
Hadi shook his head firmly, "You can do whatever you want to me, but I will not take part in this! Now that you have told me for certain the boy is innocent I will never harm a hair on his head, nor take him from the pharaoh's sight! I should've trusted my pharaoh…I was foolish, but I will not allow you to harm him, and I will certainly not aid in your help to kidnap an innocent boy for your own pleasures!" he spat out.
"My own pleasures? Is that what you think?" the man sniggered. "That's hardly why I want him. He is the key to getting to the pharaoh."
Hadi's eyes widened, "You…You're the one who has been the source of all the troubles that have happened. You are an enemy of the pharaoh!"
"Yes, I am," the man drawled. "Now that you know, our discussion is over with. All that matters is your return to the palace to get what I want."
"You think that if you set me free and allow me to return to the palace I'll give you the boy in exchange? Never!" he hissed angrily. "If he is pure and guilt-free of any of this mess, and is certainly the one who returned the pharaoh to us then I should be at his service. But I will never in any life kidnap him!"
The man's eyes lit with an unknown emotion, "Are you certain? You shouldn't say what you have little comprehension of. You're going to bring the boy to me, against your own will, and you will not be able to communicate our discussion…," the man's eyes narrowed slightly, creating a more sinister look upon his face.
"You can't force me against my will!" Hadi snapped.
"Oh, I believe there's a way," the man said with a cold smile.
A moment before Hadi could retort the door opened and in stepped the figure that had walked out, followed by yet another cloaked figure, but Hadi could see his face. He wore an indifferent expression in his deep purple eyes, his silver-blonde hair layering around his face. He wore Egyptian pieces of jewelry, the sign of riches, and had a cape around his shoulders partly covering his garment.
"Ah, just on time…Marik, meet our guest Hadi," the man gestured to him.
Marik's eyes bore into him, the emotion in his eyes untraceable.
"Marik? As in Isis' brother?" Hadi asked, wide-eyed. He had heard the tales of all those by the side of the pharaoh thousands of years ago, but being in the present era he had never met many of them, except those that had come back to the palace after being reawakened. He had heard that Marik had disappeared shortly after the pharaoh's sacrifice, and after those with the millennium items fell into a dormant state until the sacred pyramid was discovered five thousand years later…
The cold gleam in Marik's eye gave Hadi no relief as he realized he was surrounded by enemies. He shook his head in denial, unable to utter a word even as the cold man turned his attention to Marik.
"You may use your abilities," the cold man said.
Marik stared back at him, a soft sneer on his face, "Another favor?"
"You may have more riches if you desire," the cold man drawled. "Just force his mind into your will and retrieve this boy for me. I promise your reward will be extremely grand."
Marik's hardened gaze turned onto Hadi, who stood frozen with fear, not understanding what they were doing. Then his eyes traveled to the rod in Marik's hands, realizing just what he was holding. Before he could open his mouth, Marik had raised the millennium rod, a bright gleam coming from the Eye of Horus that sat at the top in the round ball.
In mere seconds Hadi's pupils had completely disappeared, his face adopting a blank expression as his mind was banished far back into the reaches of his inner being while all thoughts and words were erased. Slowly, Marik put the item down, turning back toward the man.
"How will this help me with my goal? We are supposed to be exchanging help, remember?" Marik asked coldly.
"I promise you can have anything Marik, just as long as Hadi retrieves this boy while the pharaoh is gone. If everything works out, you and I will both be where we want," he smirked.
Marik's lips curled as his eyes gleamed a message that not even the man in front of him could read, "Excellent…"
TO BE CONTINUED…