Authors Notes: Hello! This is Chapter 1 of this story. Please write a review, and use constructive criticism. (in other words, if it sucked, tell me WHY it sucked.)
As a side note: all conversations are to be in Arabic in this chapter, unless specifically stated otherwise.
Chapter 1: To Raise Set or not to Raise Set?
I looked up to see another Follower enter the Entry Hall of the Temple. Naeem was irritated, since he knew that something was about to happen tonight, but he knew not what.
"Naeem? Where is Ameena?" Anpu asked. Anpu is one of the newer Warriors. Only a decade old, and acting as if he were second in command. Him asking where "Ameena" was, instead of the High Priestess was insulting, to both the Temple and to the Priestess.
"Patience, Anpu. Set does not raise in a single night." I responded, not realizing exactly how wrong I was. "And how many times must I order you to refer to 'Ameena' as the High Priestess? Will it be before, or after I have your tongue cut out?"
The calm manner in which I delivered my threat confused Anpu, who did not know if I was joking or not. I have disciplined myself over half a millennia to show only the emotions I wish to show. "Very well, Naeem, shall I refer to you as 'The First of Four' then?" he responded, sounding sarcastic.
He will never learn to make the safe decision. I think. I look to the doorway again. The leader of the Followers, a Priest named Rupert, entered. He looked much like Naeem felt, which is to say irritated. It appeared as though not even the priests knew why they were summoned to this Entry Hall.
"Return to your position at the second exit," I ordered to Anpu.
As secure as the Temple was, making an efficient security system of Warriors to make sure this room was safe was difficult. The long Entry Hall was a hall where the High Priestess gives speeches to the masses of Followers, including the mortals and ghouls as well as vampire loyalists. There are many tables, arranged in a circle around the center of the room, where there was a platform and table which the priests, including the High Priestess, sit.
The problem for my security force was that the room was large, and had no good security space at the front entrance, which lead to the main entrance to the Temple. Nor the second entrance have a security point, however it was deemed not necessary, since it leads to the inner hallways, which in turn lead to the various libraries, sleeping quarters, training rooms, ritual chambers, as well as storage rooms for the Temple. In addition to the large rooms, there are many people, any of which could be spies from another Temple, or a Serpent of Light, or worst yet, an Assemite seeking either my blood or Zam's.
I sigh, as I see yet another group of Followers talking quickly and quietly together as they enter from the front entrance. Thinking back, I remember the relevant events leading up to this night.
Victor told me that there is to be a gathering in the Entry Hall a week from today, Logan, Third of Four had told me as we sparred our daily battles. He seems to know something, and he is taking much pleasure in not telling anyone.
Let Followers learn things. We must remain sharp as the blades we fight with, I had responded, intent on defeating him as I do every day. If we remain sharp, none shall attempt to stop the Raising of Set.
The Followers are very excited, Rupert tells me as we converse over an evenings blood ritual, They have found something, I think. Look over at the High Priestess. Why is it that every Blood Ritual for the past year or so, Victor has been at the Position of Honor?
Let the High Priestess choose who has the Position of Honor, I had responded patiently, It is one of her privileges. I care not if the Followers have found something, as long as it does not interfere with the Raising of Set. I assumed that he was unhappy because he was not in the Position of Honor, as he had been for nigh fifty years.
My reveries were interrupted by yet another person's entrance. I would have ignored them, had it not been my instructor, friend, and mentor Zam, who was also the personal guard and sire of the High Priestess, as well as the most experienced Warrior in the group. He was said to be the childe of Ini-Herit himself, who founded the Temple (and named it in his name), and who was one of Set's personal assistants. Zam's appearance, however, was more than an interest as his friend and student, but he was known to guide our Blind Priestess, the High Priestess Ameena.
I gave a few subtle signals for the other 24 Warriors to look sharp, just as the High Priestess entered. She was very young for a High Priestess, being only about 150 years of age, but made up for her youth with her wisdom. All her decisions, though few in number, have aided the Temple's productivity. Everything from the killings of the traitorous Priests back in the late 1800's, to modernizing the Temple's technological status has been recent and important decisions.
High Priestess Ameena, guided by her sire Zam, reached the center platform of the Entry Hall. Zam and the High Priestess had a quiet conversation, of which I could not hear, then the High Priestess addressed the group.
"Why
are you all so quiet? Tonight is a night of celebration!" she
announced. A handful of Followers, including Victor, shouted cheers
of joy, while the remainder of the Followers, as well as the priests
and warriors, appeared confused. I, as normal, kept a blank
face.
Rupert stood. He said, "What is this celebration for,
High Priestess? There have been no new findings concerning Set, nor
have…"
"How wrong you are, Rupert. We have found a relic of Set. Something that puts finding His Sword to a mere trifle compared to this finding." She said, cutting him off. Rupert, as well as one of my Warriors (who has claimed the Sword as his until he can personally return it to Set), started to argue, but were cut off yet again. Which is… uncharacteristic of her.
She continued, "We have found Set's tomb."
A group of Followers beamed at her statement, but the rest of us, including (much to my surprise) Zam, were completely shocked.
Set's tomb has been found. After five centuries of serving Set, looking for His tomb, and I will be present for His awakening!
(Authors Note) Well, well, well. It seems Clan Settite is going to raise their "God". What fun this will be.
(Disclaimer: All work on this is based off of a Live Action Role-Playing Game, run by my cousin, as well as White Wolf's World of Darkness. Any and all material that is contained in this fanfiction belongs to White Wolf, and should be treated accordingly. Any opinions or views (if any) explored in this fanfic is not necessarily those of White Wolf.)