A/N: The song for this chapter is "The Other Side" by Shadow Academy. (Lots of other songs with the same title so wanted to clarify!) I also wanted to thank you all for the follows and reviews, it means a lot to me. 3
As always, the only character that I created is Dara. :)
Chapter 11 - The Other Side
November
Marc gave Steven a few days to enjoy being with Dara.
Hell, Steven had finally lost his virginity so Marc thought the kid deserved some time to enjoy it. (Although Marc didn't know if Steven had been aware any time that he and Layla had… Well, Marc tried not to think about it.)
But their strange encounter with Khonshu had left Marc with too many questions, so he decided that it was finally time to give the old bird a call.
"Khonshu," he said simply. The gust of wind came a few seconds later, causing the paper's on Steven's desk to scatter.
"Are you ready to return to my service?" The god's voice was calm but Marc could hear the hint of hope.
"No," Marc said simply.
"Never," Steven chimed in from the mirror they kept on the wall above Steven's desk.
Khonshu did not seem pleased, although Marc doubted he was ever really pleased about anything. "Then why have you summoned me?"
"The other night at the museum. What were you doing there?"
Khonshu scoffed. "That is none of your concern." He seemed like he was about to leave, but Marc stopped him with a sudden outburst,
"Damnit Khonshu, I don't give a flying fuckabout what you're up to," Marc spat. "I just care about Dara. That girl that works at the museum. Just tell me… is she involved? Is she in danger?"
The silence that hung in the air caused Marc more dread than anything the god could have said. "… I am sworn to secrecy. I can only discuss it with a chosen few," Khonshu finally admitted. Marc scoffed.
"Yeah, okay. You're a god, but someone has you scared enough to keep your mouth shut?"
"Do not dare insult my oaths!" Khonshu's voice boomed, the lights in the apartment flickering with his anger. "I have made a promise and I intend to keep it. I am not as fickle in my devotions as you."
Marc balled his fists. "Fine. Who can you tell then? I'll have a chat with them."
"I am sworn to keep the secret between the one I made the oath to, myself, and my Moon Knight."
Marc threw up his hands in exasperation. "Of course, just another ploy to get me to be your pawn again. I should've known. The answer is no."
Khonshu sighed deeply. "Very well. Goodbye, Marc Spector."
And the wind was gone as soon as it came. Marc took a seat and leaned back, letting his head fall so that he was staring at the ceiling.
"…Do you think Dara is in trouble?"Steven asked meekly from the mirror.
Marc forced his eyes closed. "…Yeah. I do."
Ahkmenrah watched the stars dance above him in the planetarium.
He had always been enamored with the night sky, but the beauty of the museum's display could not be overstated. Particularly with all of the stars and constellations coming alive to pursue their nightly endeavors.
Ahk passed several constellations that bowed their heads in respect to him. He did not know if it was because of their respect for the tablet's part in bringing them to life or his connection with the God of the Moon. He suspected it likely had to do with both.
Stars floated idly in the space. Many would wait to be approached before coming to life. He made his way to Sirius, who promptly turned into a canine as he approached. Sirius wagged its tail as greeting. "My friend," Ahk said, "Dara mentioned that she was led to the tablet by Sopdet. May I speak with her?"
Sirius' dog form dispelled into mist. From the cloud, an elegantly-dressed woman with a five-pointed star on her head arose. She regarded Ahk with curiosity.
"Sopdet." Ahk released the breath that he had built up in anticipation. He wasn't sure that she was going to answer his call. "Please… Can you tell me about Dara? Why did you bring her to us?"
The shimmering spirit seemed saddened by the question. She raised a hand to Ahk's face and cupped his cheek lightly. He watched as glowing trails slid down from her eyes, as if she was crying. Her sweet smile was a stark contrast to the glimmering sorrow above.
"She cannot answer," Khonshu explained. Ahk was not surprised by the God's arrival - this was not the first time that Khonshu had visited the planetarium. "Although her spiritual form is present here and in the night sky, her being… her soul, if you will, is trapped."
"Why is she trapped?" Ahk asked as Sopdet released his cheek. She seemed reluctant to let go.
"I can say no more," Khonshu said as he turned his attention toward the rest of the planetarium.
"Except to your Moon Knight," Ahk clarified. The two had spoken the night of the masquerade ball - Ahk had come to the God seeking answers about Dara, but Khonshu had informed the pharaoh that he was bound to speak of it only to his chosen Moon Knight.
"That is correct," Khonshu confirmed.
"… And you would not have me return to your service?" Ahk knew that it was a long shot, but he had to try. For Dara.
"I would not. I have an avatar, and… I find that the role suits them. Your time has passed, little king."
Ahk did not know why it stung to hear those words. It had been Ahk's choice to cease his duty as the Moon Knight, after all. But the idea of another person as the Moon's Chosen… it was hard to imagine. And then he remembered the night of the masquerade. "Khonshu… that man, the one you called Marc Spector… is he your avatar?"
Khonshu fixed him with a discerning gaze. The Moon God had learned to read Ahkmenrah exceptionally well during their time together. And Ahk had learned to read Khonshu, too. He could see the regret in the way Khonshu held his head, and the care he still held for Ahk in the gentle calm of his voice. "… Not currently. But I am hoping to regain his favor."
Ahk nodded. That made sense. The man… Steven, or Marc as Khonshu had called him… had obviously been able to see the Moon God. In all Ahk's days, the pharaoh had been the only one able to see him. Not even Ahk's father had seen Khonshu. "He will want to know anything pertaining to Dara."
Khonshu hummed. "Yes, I'm sure he will." The Moon God turned to Ahk. "What is it that you want, little king?"
Ahkmenrah turned his gaze to Khonshu's towering figure. The Moon God stared right through him. Of course Khonshu had already guessed, but he wanted the pharaoh to say it out loud. Such was their relationship. "I want Dara to be well, mainly. And…"
"And?" Khonshu prompted gently.
"I want to know how she is connected to Takhara. I want… I need to know what happened to Takhara," Ahk admitted softly.
Wind ruffled Ahk's cloak, signaling that Khonshu was satisfied with his response. "I know, little king. I am hopeful that all will be revealed this time." Ahk wanted to question what he meant, but he knew that Khonshu would have said more if he could. Instead the pharaoh began to make his way toward the exit of the planetarium.
"Ahkmenrah," Khonshu commanded and Ahk instinctively halted. It was rare for the God to call him by name.
"Yes?"
"I would have you know that you were one of my favored Chosen. You served the travelers of the night well. You served mewell." All the constellations had stopped to heed his words. "If things had been different… if your heart was less pure, I would have you return to my service."
The pharaoh frowned. "If my heart was less pure… Marc Spector. You think his heart is impure?" Ahk was suddenly tense. He thought someone chosen by Khonshu himself could not possibly harm Dara, but he was less sure now.
But Khonshu just laughed. "I would not go that far. But he is willing to do what must be done." Khonshu leveled a pointed stare at the pharaoh. "Which is where you differ." They both knew what the Moon God was alluding to: Ahkmenrah's brother, Kahmunrah.
The constellations returned to their business as Khonshu released his stare. "Yes," Ahk said. "I suppose we do differ." The pharaoh began walking toward the exit again, but said quietly over his shoulder, "I know that you will do what you can to protect her."
"I will, little king," he heard Khonshu say before the gentle wind at Ahk's back signaled his departure.
Dara stood in front of the tablet and took a deep breath.
Daylight still filtered in from the windows of the museum, but here in the Egyptian exhibit it was dark enough to still feel like night. Dara had asked Reginald if it was alright for her to take a few minutes before sunset to investigate the tablet. Reginald, of course, had been happy to oblige.
But now nerves clawed at Dara's insides. She wasn't sure that she wanted to know more. For now she could just barely convince herself that this was all a coincidence. If she touched the tablet again, that last thread of the illusion might tear apart.
Teddy's words floated around in her head. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," she whispered to herself like a mantra. She steeled herself and reached a tentative hand out to the tablet. "Please… Help me understand," she wished as her fingers made contact.
It was more gentle than before. The life that flowed to her was muted, almost as if she were falling to sleep and into a vivid dream.
And suddenly she was back in Egypt, in what she now knew to be Ahkmenrah's palace. And she was… small. Like, really small. She was standing next to someone and seemed to be just barely at the height of their waist.
Is this… When Takhara was a child? Dara wondered as the person next to her touched her shoulder.
"Takhara," the woman said with a gentleness that calmed Dara's nerves, "Do not be afraid. Just be yourself, and be courteous." As Takhara looked up, Dara got a chance to see the woman's face. She was beautiful. Her skin was the same dark shade as Dara's and her smile was kind. Wise eyes twinkled under her patient expression.
"Yes, mother," Takhara said in response. Dara felt her heart thump longingly. The resemblance was clear: the woman looked like them. Like Takhara. Like Dara. Is that what my biological mother might have looked like?Dara wondered as the pair made their way through an ornate set of double doors. Once they entered, Takhara's mother immediately fell to her knees in a bow and gestured for her daughter to do the same.
"Your majesties," a well-dressed man said from his position near the doors, "I present the new royal tutor, Yaminah, and her daughter, Takhara." Unfortunately Takhara's eyes were fixed squarely on the ground, so Dara wasn't able to see who else was in the room. She guessed that Takhara didn't dare look up until she was told.
"Rise." The command was sharp and came from a deep voice across the spacious chamber. Takhara stood up quickly and Dara was finally able to get a better view of the room and its inhabitants.
Colorful embellishments adorned surfaces everywhere she looked. Fabrics, paints, furnishings - it wasn't anything like what Dara had imagined an ancient Egyptian palace to be. She had always thought of the muted yellows and browns of cheesy historical romance movies, but this space was anything but. It was full of life.
On the raised floor at the other side of the long room, two imposing figures stood with two children on either side. Dara could guess who these people were - Ahk's parents, Shepseheret and Merenkahre, and his brother, Kahmunrah. Dara had read about them in the museum archives. She assumed that the smaller child must be Ahkmenrah. Shepseheret, dressed elegantly in gold, stepped down the stairs and approached Takhara and her mother.
"There is no need for formalities," Shepseheret said. "Yaminah is an old friend." The woman closed the distance between them and grabbed Yaminah's arms fondly. "It is good to see you. I trust that your journey was comfortable?"
Yaminah smiled gracefully. "Yes, my Queen. Thank you for sending us an escort."
Merenkahre's voice boomed from the other side of the room. "Nonsense." Dara could feel Takhara tense up. Dara couldn't blame her - he was intimidating. But as he came down the stairs his demeanor changed, his eyes softened. "No thanks are necessary. It is the least we can do for our boys' new tutor." He turned to face the children on the steps. "Come."
The two children stepped down. Kahmunrah was nearly a foot taller. He walked with the posture of someone that knew they were royalty and expected to be treated as such. Ahk, on the other hand, was more subdued. But his eyes were filled with curiosity as he focused on Takhara.
"Yaminah and Takhara, I would like to introduce you to my sons: Kahmunrah, Champion of the Sun." Kahmunrah bowed his head politely. "And Ahkmenrah, Chosen of the Moon." Ahkmenrah bowed his head as well, but quickly brought it back up to meet Takhara's eyes. "Yaminah will be your tutor," Merenkahre said to the boys. "She has traveled a long way to join us. I expect you to treat her with the same respect that you grant me and your mother."
Kahmunrah remained silent, fixing a judging gaze on Yaminah. He was sizing her up. Ahk, on the other hand, was entirely transfixed with Takhara. It seemed he could no longer contain his curiosity as he suddenly stepped forward to address Takhara directly. "It is not often that I meet someone my age in the palace! Have you traveled far? Where are you from? Would you like to be friends?"
The adults in the room went stiff at his last question. Dara wondered if that was a faux-pas; would Ahk and Takhara be allowed to be friends? She didn't know the rules. Maybe they couldn't. Takhara grasped nervously at her mother's dress. Dara supposed she didn't know either.
But Shepseheret broke the silence with a fond chuckle. "Oh, Ahkmen. Eager as always." Shepseheret crouched to Takhara's level. "I hope that my son has not frightened you. I think that it would be great for you to be friends - your mother has told me of your wit, and I think Ahkmen would be better off with someone as sharp as you by his side." She laughed as she stood. "If he does not scare you off, that is."
Ahk grinned. "So, what do you say?" He asked. "Would you like to be my friend?" He was so genuine, so innocent.
Takhara looked up at her mother. The kind-faced woman smiled sweetly and soothed, "You may speak, Takhara."
So Takhara's shy voice answered, "Yes… I would like that very much." And Dara felt a small smile creep onto the child's face. Ahk was similarly happy.
"Fantastic!" Ahk said as he grabbed her hand. He began to pull her in another direction, away from the adults. "So how did you get here? How long was your trip?"
Takhara met his enthusiasm with her own. "We were on camels! Then we were on a boat! It was wonderful, we saw lots of animals in the water and on the shore and in the sands…"
Dara tried to listen more, but the vision started to fade into a golden haze. Before she could make sense of it, she was somewhere else.
It was a different place, but similarly grand. It looked like the interior of a mansion. And she was holding on to someone's arm.
"Elizabeth," a familiar voice said from her side. She turned and saw Edward Gracey in front of her. Oh, shit!Dara thought as her body leaned in to the man. I can see Elizabeth's life, too?!
"Yes, my love?" Elizabeth's voice was the same as hers, but softer.
Edward closed his eyes when she said his name, as if he was savoring a sweet melody that he had heard for the first or hundredth time. "I simply wanted to hear your voice."
Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, Edward." She leaned in closer, until her lips nearly touched his ear. "I will whisper sweet nothings to you until my dying day, then forevermore." Dara internally rolled her eyes - the sweet talk was definitely not her cup of tea, but it definitely seemed like the two were in love. And it certainly seemed like Edward enjoyed it as he shivered in her grasp.
"Please do not speak of such things. Of your death. I cannot bare to think of it," Edward gasped, bringing her hand to his lips to kiss it desperately.
"My dear Edward, I will be with you until we are old and gray." Elizabeth said it genuinely, which gave Dara pause. Didn't she kill herself? Dara knew that things could change, and she didn't know how long before her death this memory was, but it certainly seemed like she loved him. A lot. Why would she kill herself? And why would Takhara do the same?
But before she could think about it too long, the golden haze returned. She wished that she could stay longer with each memory, but she didn't seem to have any control over it.
She dipped in and out of several memories. There were more lives than Takhara and Elizabeth. By the end she had trouble keeping count. Dania. Teanna. Keiko. Margit. Anna. Iduna. Atototzli. Zhang Min. Christine. Dara saw a small piece of each of their lives. They were all so different - different personalities, different backgrounds, different lifestyles. But they had one thing in common: they all looked exactly like her.
But eventually she found herself back in a familiar place. Back in Ahkmenrah's palace.
An adult Takhara was at one of the palace windows, admiring the night sky. A man she did not recognize turned urgently around the corner and quickly fixed his eyes on her. "Takhara! Thank goodness. I must speak with you urgently."
Takhara turned away from the moonlight. "Isidorus? Is something wrong?"
"I fear so. Ahkmenrah… the Moon God has left him," Isidorus winced on the last words as if it was a terrible secret that he had been forced to expose. Takhara brought her hand to her heart and gasped. Dara could feel her pulse quicken in fear. What did any of this mean?
"Who knows?" Takhara asked as she grabbed Isidorus by the arm and began pulling him to a more discreet hallway.
"Only myself for now. And Ahkmenrah, of course." Isidorus shook his head. "But it will not be long before it is widely known. I am sure of it." Takhara nodded slowly. "… And it will not be long before Kahmunrah finds out." Dara felt a chill run down Takhara's spine. Why was that important?
Silence fell between the pair as they seemed to wordlessly communicate their fears. Takhara was the first to speak. "What can we do? To save him?"
Isidorus met Takhara's eyes with grave solemnity. "…There is one way. The Moon God's tablet… It holds a secret."
Dara was hanging on the man's every word, but just as Takhara was about to respond, the golden haze returned. "No!" Dara shouted. "What was the secret?!"
But she was back in the museum, and the tablet refused to share any more memories with her. She sighed as she let her head fall against the wall. Frustration settled in her fists as she realized how close she was to getting to something. Something important.
"Dara?" Ahk asked from behind. The sun must have set - the museum was alive. "Are you alright?"
Dara cursed herself for letting Ahk see her upset. He certainly had enough to worry about. "Yeah, sorry if I spooked you." She turned to the young king. "I need to start my rounds. Want to come?" Jumping in to work would help her clear her mind and start to process everything she had just seen.
Ahk smiled. "It would be my pleasure."
The two walked out as the lively sounds of exhibits waking up echoed throughout the halls.
Jake Lockley looked out over the roof's edge.
Once he determined that he hadn't been followed and wasn't being watched, he summoned the suit. "Khonshu."
"Yes?" The god asked from his side.
"Tell me about the girl."
