Warning of blood, death, and language!
The Mummy's Curse
"You clearly have no idea what you're up against, so I suggest you call for your men to retreat before anymore casualties occur!"
A chuckle sounded as a man's lips lifted in the corner. "You just stick to what you know, sweetheart, so go back to those dusty scrolls or whatever library you crawled out of."
The tanned woman's hand lashed out, quick like a viper, to prevent Kisara from snapping at him. She was one that was difficult to anger but her temper was beginning to rise with this person's blatant show of disrespect. "I shall remind you that it is by your higher ups' order that I am here in the first place. You have angered my companion thus far already though we have not been here longer than ten minutes," cold azure eyes narrowed, "so I suggest you alter your tone when speaking to us."
"Aw, did I hurt your friend's feelings? Both of you better suck it up and shut up if you want to stick around." His lips, still twitching as if he were holding back laughter, fell into a frown while narrowing his own gaze when neither of the young women made to back down. "That higher up you're talkin' about ain't mine. I don't gotta follow any of his damn orders unless I want."
Slender brows furrowed as their lips parted to retort when a shout came from the neighboring room: "The image is clearing, sir!"
Heavy boots nearby thundered across linoleum as the man hurried from the enclosed space to the doorway. "Need a fucking invitation? Pull it up already!" A figure dressed in militia medals and accomplishments was instantly beside the speaker, eyes narrowing from behind heavily tinted aviators. "Ground forces, hold your position until I give my order." Fingers snapped as he tossed the cup that had been about to cave beneath his firm grip. The small screen was mirrored upon the much larger one that covered the wall beyond where they stood and a collective exclamation rose as the blurred pixels cleared then gained clarity in time for them to witness something that logically shouldn't be possible.
What had been labeled as an impenetrable wall of sand swirling around the risen city they had been attempting to gain imaging on suddenly parted like the Red Sea in biblical times to reveal the gaping jaws of a monster with rows upon rows of serrated teeth too numerous to count. It was easily four times the size of the famous Eiffel Tower. Covered in wart infested skin the color of infectious puss, the monster's large crater sized nostrils flared wildly as six limbs with claws that looked more like scythe blades tore at both air and sand as it worked its way above ground. The biggest cruise liner wouldn't be big enough to compare to its size. Shaking momentarily caused the footage they were receiving to glitch but there was no protecting one's ears from the blood-chilling roar that caused every person to feel their very souls recoil in fear. Even the decorated individual that was leading the efforts felt his resolve and calm exterior waver when the mighty beast's blazing crimson eyes locked on whoever was providing them view as if debating on coming after them instead but it turned its attention back to the city as from its depths appeared what they initially thought to be a small aircraft.
It was much smaller than the giant beast and yet it fearlessly attacked with both beak and talons as from over the howling wind came the shrill calls of a proud eagle intermixed with that of a mighty lion's roar. Upon its back, almost hidden by the pair of flapping wings, sat a figure from whom sources flashes of multicolored lights that were received by the grotesque monster with a bellow or twist of its being.
"We've been tracking the movements of that behemoth for the last two days and found that it was heading straight for it. What perfect opportunity than to storm the place than when its forces are focused upon the much bigger and threatening enemy like that thing?" The decorated man smirked while crossing his arms.
"You can't honestly be so thick headed to believe that your men even stand a chance against that thing!" They chorused.
Various war machines such as airplanes and a few small tanks appeared but they weren't taking aim at the monstrous beast as it attempted to bypass the gryphon and rider to get to the city. Each barrel or weapon was focused upon the darting winged mount who chose to ignore the newcomers for now at its rider's behest. With each flap of its mighty wings they watched as the person riding upon its back transformed from man into something nightmare worthy that was burning is visage into each onlooker's mind as they found themselves transfixed.
Ishizu earned several curious looks as she sprinted to the frontal row of people sitting at computers, her hands fervently signing and clasping together as if she were in prayer, blue gaze locked upon the figure as it dove in then out of sight from the clouds of sand. The words spilling from her trembling lips were lost to nearly all of the room's occupants save for the fair haired woman who quickly took hold of her shoulders from behind. Jumping, as if waking from a dream, the Egyptian woman's wide eyes rose to meet Kisara's understanding gaze and earned a nod. She locked her now blazing gaze upon the man who was in charge. "Get your men out of there now before you end up killing them with your stupidity!"
"Chill, princess, they are more than covered with necessary backup." He placed a headset upon himself with a grunt. "Any sign of the target?"
Crackling filled the air, testimony to a radio searching for signal, then through the static came a voice that made his upper lip rise in a satisfied smirk as a pair of gates with mighty statues on either side came into view from the sand walls swirling like a cyclone. "Gates in sight!"
"Infiltrate at will!"
"You dare enter the sacred city?!" Ishizu fumed, standing and locking furious eyes upon the man. "Order them to retreat at once! They have no business within its perimeters-"
Gunfire cutoff the rest of her sentence, both women donning expressions of horror as through the camera's unstable feed they could see multiple monsters of various sizes and shapes attempt to attack the soldiers who were attempting to force their way inside; tigers, dragons, ox, snakes, a few unidentifiable that managed to take out one military personnel. Eventually the small party made their way inside, leaving a trail of ultimate destruction and mutilation behind them as the paths they took were marked by footprints of crimson blood on sand or stone. Kisara, the young woman who had been born with visionary abilities, was left in mixed awe of the city that was revealed to them along with the seemingly never ending wave of beasts.
Beige was painted rusty red in wake of fangs, sharp teeth, and flying bullets.
The air was filled with the dying breaths or screams from both beasts and man.
Flashes of sunlight glistened off of skin, scale, talon, tooth, and weapons in near blinding ways.
Silence fell heavily as the dust slowly settled to reveal that none were left to stand within the ground forces' way. "Hostiles eliminated," a shaky voice called through the speaker, "what the hell were those just now?"
"That is not your concern, soldier, get back to your mission!" Barked the man in decorated apparel whose fist collided with the metal countertop that was the closest horizontal surface. "Find the target and return to base! You have your orders now march!"
A collective "Yes, sir!" sounded and the holder of their feed moved forward without another vocal complaint or signs of hesitation.
"You have gone mad and risk bringing the wrath of the Gods upon us!" Ishizu's hand lashed out, finger pointing directly at the Head of Command with eyes so icy that all thought a breeze swept through the room that came all the way from the North Pole, the midrange timbre of her voice becoming heavier with each breath she took until it no longer was her own. Black hair was fanning out slightly in a wind they couldn't feel as a ring of red appeared around her pupils and the whites of her eyes darkened until they were nearly black.
Kisara knew a possession when she saw it and quickly moved everyone who was closeby to a safe distance away from the Egyptian woman who rose into the air until several inches were between sandals and the linoleum floor. "No, don't touch or approach her!" She quickly warned when one made to break the protective circle that she'd formed. The visage of the person upon the gryphon's back wavered before their visible skin became decorated with black markings in the forms of twisting and braiding serpents until nearly every inch of their being was covered in black. It was difficult to see but there was no mistaking the agony filled expression that filled their features before the darkness swallowed them fully and forced their face to become slack.
An expression of fury donned Ishizu's features as markings blacker than night appeared across her tanned skin. "Truly foolish of you to enter my hallowed grounds." The voice that was no longer her own caused all to shiver and quake as the fine hairs across their beings rose. Slender brows furrowed as for a moment her facial construction was warped into something neither man or beast-like, too blurry for any to force their eyes to focus upon yet they couldn't find the strength to look away as smoke billowed then swirled around the young woman. "You have no power yet you dare step onto the battlefield of another's war when you have no business there. How pathetic it is for weaklings such as yourselves to hunger for such strength only to wallow in your own self pity and despair." Electricity sparked dangerously from the wall behind her that earned several shrieks of fear. "State your business! Why have you set foot in my domain? Speak now and I may forgive your unwanted presence if your words are spoken with truth."
A chin of stubble rose in defiance. "I don't gotta tell you shit-"
In a flash of light, the suspended woman had moved across the room until her hand collided with his throat and effectively pinned him to the wall beside him, lifting until the heels of his boots no longer touched the ground. Though the man was nearly three times the size of Ishizu, and more built, she was somehow holding him in position with ease as if he were nothing more than a piece of paper that she was posting. Her face hovered near the gasping man's own as his struggled waned in response to the lack of oxygen that her hand allowed. A crater formed beneath the man's weight that was testimony to the amount of force that was being used to force him into submission. "I asked you question, mortal, I suggest you answer it before my patience runs any thinner."
"Go…to…hell…whoever you…are…"
Azure eyes that were steadily growing crimson from the depths of a spider-like mask of black markings that had gathered around their sockets blazed brightly, fingers tightening around the man's throat to earn a choke. "May your journey into the afterlife be as Anubis pleases."
"Wait!"
Bloodlust filled gaze found imperial violet as a new voice filled the air, the expression of fury and excitement becoming one of curiosity when spotting the speaker hesitating near the room's entrance a few feet away. It was an old man dressed in overalls and a bandana within his hair. "Speak, elder, what is it that you wish to say?" Their hold intensified to the point where the man was teetering on the dangerous edge of consciousness. "Why do you voice protest against this mortal?"
Kisara's hand rose to press against her mouth in shock as Solomon stepped forward into the light, awe filling his features as well as caution when coming to a stop when the black swirling wind prevented him from coming any closer. She wanted to reach out and stop him from doing anything to anger the clearly agitated deity yet her voice would not obey her command and was left struggling to breathe as the gray haired man faced the looming force without flinching. May the gods protect you, she prayed inwardly as the deity turned towards the newcomer.
"I cannot say with enough words how much of an honor it is for myself to be within your presence, Nameless Pharaoh, truly an honor." His head bowed lowly as his left foot moved forward; a custom that he'd discovered along his long lifespan as a showcase that he acknowledged the deity's strength.
Both gestures earned a curt nod. "The respect you showcase is appreciated, elder, though it alone will not save any from my wrath." All tension ever so painstakingly slowly faded from their body, black smoke taking the place of their hand against their would-be-victim's throat to keep him there, levitating lower and closer to the ground. "I allow you permission to speak farther if only to show my acceptance of that which you showcase."
Solomon straightened, a sheepish smile lifting his lips despite the heavy pressure hanging within the air. "Your generosity and kindness are of legend, Nameless Pharaoh, and it does me proud to know that my ancestor is one such as yourself." He sighed heavily while taking the nearest vacated chair. "Forgive my old bones, they aren't as sturdy as they used to be so I hope you do not mind if I take a moment to rest."
If Kisara didn't know any better she thought the deity blinked in shock down at the old man before the swirling smoke thinned and bit her lip to hold back a gasp as the haze that surrounded her friend become the outline of a figure with hair standing upright.
They approached the elderly man with slow steps until they were mere inches apart, crimson eyes blazing with building distrust and anger, until they blinked. Suddenly they were filled with recognition as they took a knee before the elder. "What you speak is truth. You resemble the pharaoh before my father, elder, and I do not sense any lie within your blood." A fist rose to rest against the place where their heart was. "Forgive my insolence for not recognizing you sooner and for my display of disrespect."
Solomon chuckled lowly while cracking a smile. "You humor this old man, truly, but I am not he; just a distant descendant of yours that bears a similar resemblance. I appreciate the flattery though!" His expression became serious as from the background came the noises of another battle and locked his gaze with crimson. "You don't need to attack them, Nameless Pharaoh, they will only be there for a short while."
"Yet they dare enter without permission."
"True, it's rude to enter once's residence without proper invitation, but you must forgive this younger generation since they have clearly forgotten their manners." The head of gray shook with a sigh but his gaze didn't waver. "Bloodshed is not necessary today, mighty pharaoh, do not attack them farther and they will remove themselves with time."
Vermillion narrowed. "You have yet to answer my earlier voiced question and I am beginning to suspect that the answer is an unfavorable one. Why have them come?"
"Target sighted!"
All eyes shot to the nearby wall as the gunshots that had filled the air disappeared as the ground forces entered a bookcase lined room that had a hearth blazing with a golden flame. There, resting upon a chaise made of shining satin and stitched with golden thread surrounded by several tomes and ancient texts, sat a figure with knees drawn up to her chest. There was no mistaking it: Anzu Mazaki was alive. "H-hey, what the hell do you think you're doing in here?!" The attire she was dressed in was breathtaking, nearly causing every person to forget their own breath as she rose to stand to dodge a gloved hand reached for her arm. Satin, silk, and chiffon hugged her figure in an embrace that made them envious of such luxurious fabric as the clearly tailored high-low hem outfit allowed the young woman to evade more hands that made to take hold of her. "I don't know who you think you are but you can't-"
Several soldiers appeared in the camera's view, two taking secure hold upon the feisty brunette while others quickly moved to fend off what were recognizable as Anubis guards from lore pooled into the room. "Target acquired! Evacuation in process!"
"You heathens invade my city and dare to lay siege to my palace, my home?!" A roar of unadulterated fury shook the room as the possessed woman's lips parted widely when the image of a young brunette with fear filled cerulean eyes filled the screen. The deity ripped itself from Ishizu with a scream, causing the unconscious woman to fall in a heap on the floor, as it returned to hover before the military official. "As if that were not enough, you dare lay your hands upon she who revived me!"
"You must realize that she does not belong there, Nameless Pharaoh." Ishizu's legs shook as she stood, refusing to flinch when that gaze so full of bloodlust that it made her being want to recoil met her own fro over its shoulder. "Anzu Mazaki belongs with those of her own time and return to the home that awaits her."
"Insolent woman, have you not considered her wants?! It has been made clear to me that she is not content with what awaits her back within her residence. Tell me, would any of you wish to return to the place where such heavy burdens of expectations and heartache willingly await you?" It seethed when the Egyptian woman faltered. "Not only have you disregarded her desires but you have not bothered to question if it is possible for any to leave once they enter! I myself cannot depart from my beloved city and it has been made clear to me that none can! I have attempted to break the barrier upon the hallowed grounds yet even I, the pharaoh, cannot break its holdings! I am aware that she must be returned home despite all this but I have yet to find means to do so!" Ancient language spilled from their lips as more Anubis guards filled the room, each with a visible aura as dark and ominous as their charge was beautiful.
Solomon could taste the fear that was the brunette's as she was jostled from soldier to soldier as if they were attempting to put as much space between her and the guards. Heavy artillery weapons soon clicked with empty magazines as the ethereal humanoid beast guards remained standing while one by one of the vested trained personnel's dropped to the floor to lay in unmoving heaps. The feminine scream that rose from her lips in response to the display of horror was echoed by several onlookers within the room as the deity returned its attention to the man who was wheezing for breath still within its hold. He moved forward as the being's eyes flashed darkly. "No, don't!"
It shot him a sideways glare that would cause any lesser person to want nothing more than curl up in a hole.
"Killing him will not resolve anything, Nameless Pharaoh, surely enough blood has been spilled today!"
Infernos narrowed. "Though it is faint, I cannot lay a hand upon those whose blood is that of this land. Be silent in knowing that those who are present are safe from suffering from my wrath." It's attention returned to the man who feebly attempted to break its hold. "Their blood stains not the hands of my guards but yours, mortal, I will not be so merciful a second time if you decide to repeat today's sins. I have discovered that the dead can freely exit the city so rest assured that you fallen shall be returned to you." Sobbing filled the air as the young woman upon the screen fell to her knees from the corner of the fallen camera's view, large tears spilling from widened eyes that couldn't tear themselves away from the sight that they could scarcely imagine as the Anubis guards hurried to remove the bodies then the camera feed wend dead. The man crumbled in a heaving heap once it released him and met Solomon's gaze. "This is not the first occurrence that ones such as yourselves have attempted to retrieve the young woman, descendant of mine, but heed my warning when I say that all efforts are futile until I can be put back to rest. I do not wish for more lives or innocent blood to be spilled. Ensure than none approach the city until the coming day that the moon overshadows the sun. That will be your sign that my life has come to an end and no threat will become of any who enter."
Solomon gasped. "You're not acting of your free will?" Red gave way to amethyst and ruby as the blazes dwindled, revealing such an emotion filled gaze that it stole the older man's breath away. "Nameless Pharaoh, tell me what it is that forces you to act in such a way."
"I suffered a betrayal at the hands of one I once called 'friend' and was pierced by a poisoned blade that plunged me into death's gaping jaws. Somehow, it did not claim me, so I was left suspended between the two planes until the dagger was pulled from my breast by the young woman." Its head shook, defined masculine features becoming visible as the swirling smoke that was its being became tangible enough to showcase a lean body that radiated with authority and power. With each passing second a young man within his twenties was revealed to their wide eyed gazes until they were looking upon the ancient pharaoh of legend who remained focused upon the elder before him. "I do not know what brought her to this place but the moment she entered the desert's boundaries is the second the purgatory that I had been confined to plunged me back into the world of the living where I somehow was able to watch as she survived against the odds of finding herself surrounded by darkness and bore witness to the young woman's struggles." Ruby pomegranate gaze met imperial violets once more as his chin rose. "Whatever has ensnared me refuses to allow me rest until the blood of he who plunged that dagger into my chest has been repaid. No matter how I struggle against its hold, each day at Ra's Descent I find myself being forced to obey orders that I wish to the Gods I could fight against. I will continue to do my upmost in searching for a solution but for now I recommend that you prevent any from approaching the city if no more deaths are to occur. Perhaps by the mercy of Set or Osiris I will finally be freed of this and be allowed to rest." Weariness filled the distorted voice and gaze as the figure slowly began to dissipate like the smoke that had given it form. "I grow tired of this plane yet I cannot rest my head or close my eyes to find peace…yet when I am with her this wretched existence holds more joy than when I was alive centuries ago…"
Moved by the display of raw emotion, Solomon moved forward until his wrinkled palm met the smoothness of the ruler's left cheek. "You led an empire to be named within the history books of our time," he said softly, "but this one wonders if you ever found the happiness that you searched for among your travels and quests."
He appeared to debate on pulling away then closed his eyes in acceptance. "Wise elder, descendant of mine, you are possibly the sole being who has inquired something of that nature."
"A saying that we have nowadays is 'great minds think alike' and I believe that it applies to ones such as ourselves. I too have traveled the world in search of that which my heart aches for yet I have found nothing but a love for this country." A thumb roughly rubbed the smooth tanned skin of the being nearly about to disappear from sight. "What you have found in that girl is not something you should be ashamed of, pharaoh, love is never a sin that one should be punished for." Sympathy filled him as ruby eyes opened to reveal surprise and hesitation. "Trust this old man when I say you should value every moment you have with her and how sorry I am that it was only until your resurrection that you two met. How I wish that you two could've encountered under vastly different circumstances but unfortunately none have the power over time or space to change that."
"Be that as it may, I am honored to have met Anzu." The smallest of smiles lifted the pharaoh's lips as his eyes drifted closed once more. "Tis not fair of the heartbreak that is looming on the horizon. I only hope that she can one day forgive me…"
And then it was gone.
Ishizu failed to notice the fact that Kisara had moved to support her from behind as tears spilled down her cheeks, the women sharing a look of sadness. They had felt the ancient pharaoh's words of sorrow, every syllable dripping with his want of rest and obvious desire that he too did not wish to end the lives of those who currently lived, and neither could hold back the sobs that took hold of their beings as they inwardly lamented for his restless soul.
Kisara bit her lip as a weathered hand met her shoulder and met Solomon's gaze with a sniffle as he carefully brushed the tears that threatened to stain their cheeks with his offered handkerchief that had been procured from the pocket of his overalls. "What's done is done," he said softly while helping them both to their feet, "it's best that we now focus our efforts upon discovering how the Nameless Pharaoh became enslaved by this curse and how to free him before his heart is torn apart any farther."
Chao for now! See you next time!
