Created: 01/28/2020
Edited: 03/26/2020, 02/22/2021, 08/24/2022
Last Edit: 11/06/2022
Beta Edit Final:
AN: Hi, everyone thanks for sticking with me on this story. Sorry for the long wait for updates over the past two-and-a-half years. I hope you have all been staying safe with COVID-19 still in full swing. I am trying to get all my old and new stories updated or posted by the end of next month, with two new fan-fics published. With the pandemic running ramp, my work as a CNA has been crazy, and I have been taking a year and a half off from school. I plan to return this summer or Fall semester when things calm down. I am also out of work to re-injure my back at the beginning of this year. Finally, I would like to thank my Beta-Reader, Emilie Bay, for all her support, hard work, and friendship. This story would not be here without you; thanks so much! All right, without further ado, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!
A/N update 11/6/2022: Hi guys, sorry this is so short. I wanted to get this chapter out there for you guys as you have been waiting years for an update. I am just letting you know I will be working on this story, and I have not forgotten it. Thank you for sticking with me and encouraging me to continue this story. I hope you like it, and I hope to get the next chapter out before the end of this month. I will work on it between my jobs, college, and doctor's appointments.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. I am not associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 20 - The Man, The Goddess, The Monster
"Uh, Belle, do you want to explain what the hell was back there? " Rick exclaimed as they made their way to the Cairo Museum. After the spectacle at the fort, Belle's transformation stunned them, and they would not let the topic drop any time soon. Belle's frustration over the interrogation on her growing claws mounted as they entered the building, making their way past various artifacts. Finally, the group abruptly stopped as she rounded on them.
"Enough! I could not explain this to you all in a way you would understand since I am unsure about the subject. However, this is not important right now! We have a mummy on the loose, hell-bent on killing us and destroying the entire world." Her angered gaze fell steadily on Rick as he had questioned her the most, giving wary glances her way. "My issue is trivial. We have bigger fish to fry!" With a turn on her heel, they resumed at a hurried pace down the hall, Evy leading the way.
"What's with this guy, huh?!" The Americans continued their questions about a walking corpse hell-bent on killing them.
"There's only one person I know who can possibly give us some answers." Came Evy's reply as they rounded a corner where they heard low voices. In an open doorway, they came upon the Curator; he wasn't alone. "You!" Evy exclaimed. Everyone froze, and the conversation in the room stopped. Next to the museum's Curator stood the warrior leader they met at Hamunaptra. The man's dark eyes slid over the group casting a lingering glance at Belle. O'Connell and the Americans raised guns as the warrior scowled darkly at their hostility. The group's males were wary after their previous encounter with the desert man. The Curator only nodded his head in greeting.
"Miss. Carnahan. Gentlemen." came his calm reply to his librarian's outburst.
"What is he doing here?" Evy's question was directed at the man standing next to him. The two glanced at each other before turning to the group before them.
"Do you truly wish to know? Or would you prefer to just shoot us?" Everyone tensed as they thought over their options. O'Connell was the first to lower his gun, sliding it back into the holster on his shoulder.
"After what I've seen. I'm willing to go on a little faith here." One by one, the Americans also withdrew their guns, willing to find some sense of truth on the matter. With the weapons no longer an issue, introductions were made as everyone assembled in a room that was a tomb display of Pharaoh Seti I. At the center of the room; stood a replica of the Pharaoh in full regalia. He posed upon his chariot, holding his sword. It took up most of the room with other funerary furnishings and necessities for him to have every comfort in the afterlife. The most magnificent artifact was the Pharaoh's golden throne upon which the Curator sat with Ardeth standing to his right. Everyone took up a spot in the room, some standing while others sat. Belle took a seat on a smaller throne that rested between the Curator and Evy. As everyone settled, the truth was revealed.
"We are part of an ancient secret society, the Cult-Of-The-Medjai (Mumia, the Medjai). We have a sacred mission passed down through thirty-nine generations. We have guarded The City of the Dead for over four thousand years. We are sworn at manhood to do all in our power to stop the High Priest Imhotep from being reborn into this world." Then, the Curator began to explain their presence in the city and reasons for protecting Hamunaptra.
"And because of you, we have failed." Ardeth's harsh words directed at Evy sent a pang of regret through Belle's heart. Evy was appalled at the methods the Medjai used to keep the city hidden.
"And you think this justifies the killing of innocent people!?" Her disbelief was evident in her voice.
"To have stopped this creature. Yes!" The Curator and Ardeth's frustration at the lack of understanding mounted as they drove the point home. Thoroughly chastised, Evy settled back into the chair, arms crossed and her lips drawn into a thin line. The Americans were silent in shock at the news. At the same time, Johnathon, seemingly bored with the whole ordeal, passed around the room, looking at the various trinkets. Finally, wanting to know more about what they were dealing with, Rick posed a question to the two men.
"Okay, so why doesn't he like cats?" Belle could feel the brief gaze of those present. She shot O'Connell a scowl as Ardeth looked on in curiosity and confusion; the Curator raised a brow at the exchange before answering.
"According to the ancients, cats are the guardians of the underworld. Imhotep will fear them until he is fully regenerated, and then he will fear nothing." That grabbed the two remaining Americans' attention. At that point, panic had set in, Daniels being the first to break.
"Right! And ya know how he gets fully regenerated?!" His eyes gaze wildly around the room as he jumps to his feet.
"By killing everybody who opened that chest." Henderson intoned, his voice somewhat distant with the realization. Daniels did not understand how to calm his friend as he let the fear take him.
"And sucking us dry! That's how!" He slumped back into his chair with his head in his hands. Everyone thought deeply about a solution as Johnathan toyed with a bow from the chariot. Then, finally, Evy brought the conundrum to their attention.
"Johnathan, stop playing with that. When I saw the creature at Hamunaptra, he called me Anck-su-namun. And then, in Ms. Burns' quarters, h-he tried to kiss me." Her gaze fixed on the two as she recognized the light in their eyes.
"Yes, the creature must first try and regenerate, and then he will attempt to resurrect the one he loves from the dead. It was because of his love for her that he was cursed. You don't suppose that?" The Curator explained, shifting his gaze to the Medjai next to him.
"He is still in love with her even after more than four thousand years," Ardeth replied. Belle's eyes widen that such a love warned such destruction could withstand the test of time.
"That's all romantic, but what does that have to do with me?" Evy, her voice strained with apprehension. Anything that had to say after this had no positive outlook.
"It is because it was you who read from the Book. Therefore, he has chosen you to be his human sacrifice to regenerate and resurrect the body of Anck-su-namun." Ardeth's heavy gaze rested on the woman as her fears were confirmed.
"Bad luck, old mum." Johnathan grimaced with a heavy sigh.
"Perhaps it may buy us enough time to find a way to kill the creature." The Curator exclaimed. Ardeth turned his gaze up at the glass-domed window above them. The sun and the moon shared that sky as it grew darker.
"Tonight is the full moon. The moon of Osiris. It will begin tonight." He slowly moved forward, watching the sky as the moon eclipsed the sun. "We may need all the help we can get; his powers are growing." The light of the room dimmed as the sun entered a total eclipse.
"And he stretched forth his hands towards the heavens, and there was darkness throughout the land of Egypt." Johnathan's words sent a chill down everyone's spine. They were running out of time. Belle silently dreaded the events to follow the warning of the goddesses rang clear as a bell in her mind. Your time is short. The end is coming whether you are ready for it or not.
