Chapter Explanations:
-Anput: is the female counterpart of the god Anubis as well as his wife.
-Was is the name of a royal sceptre in Ancient Egypt. Originally, it was a stick with a forked lower end, intended to catch snakes to extract their venom.
-Amenti designates the West, and as it is towards the west that the realm of the dead was located, it also designates it. In the Ptolemaic era, the Amenti appeared as the realm of the righteous, of those without sin.
The grey skies were dotted with white clouds in no way preventing the dazzling light of Ra from chasing away the shadows, the darkness having no right over this immaculate town. Extending near the coast, fishing skiffs, merchant ships, and simple feluccas competing for a place on the sapphire-coloured water of the Nile, the small land was standing with all its might between blossoming vegetation and expanses of barren grounds, its citadel with buildings by the thousands facing an immense stoned palace white like chalk while a small temple of Greek architecture invaded the horizon on the banks of the river. Behind the large brick defensive walls, agriculture was enjoying the prosperous days, several plots of crops being traversed by a continuous stream crossing the town directly from the seaboard.
Two impressive crimson obelisks served as an entrance to the port, a staircase bordered by hieroglyphics in shimmering colours, and guarded by two copper statues of jackals giving access to a portico under which flourished a miscellaneous market. And beyond the citadel, surrounded by four pyramids with golden tops, dominated the palace, the opening of which was defended on either side by sculptures of the Gods Anubis and Seth.
The town had nothing to do with Khemet, more arid and sandy. Its alabaster dwellings, its palm trees by the dozen decorating it here and there, the fresh air of the Nile crossing it right through all day long, and its multicoloured ornaments were giving it a more idyllic, more princely air... But behind this wealth hid vice, abundance, and laziness. Just by lightly scratching the surface, the grim truth was revealing itself.
Atem put a foot on the ground, getting off the boat while glancing around him. A warm breeze was blowing over the shore, accompanying with it a smell of fish and silt as some Phoenician merchants bartered out right on their sailing boats. The citadel was in full swing, as noisy and lively as Khemet in the middle of the harvest season, and he smiled with sadness, wondering if all these people were even interested in the war that was striking only a few riding days from here.
They all seemed so… absorbed in their own little lives, always seeking to enrich themselves, always more possess, more precious goods for more power…
He hardly liked what he was seeing, and for the first time since his birth, he had only one desire: to return as quickly as possible to the palace, to his land, where a deadly silence reigned while waiting for the men to finally be back with their families. But he had not crossed all of Upper Egypt to Nubia for nothing, he still had a trump card in his hand before declaring his defeat to the people of Kerma, and he intended to make good use of it.
"Let's go. " he said with determination, turning to the others a moment before climbing the stairs one by one.
Exchanging an uncertain look, Karim and Shada however nodded and followed their sovereign, motioning for the latter's companions and the royal guard to move forward. Their arrival certainly did not go unnoticed, the locals as well as the passing foreigners watching them with astonishment and gossiping without the slightest shame behind their backs. Soon the entire town learned that the king of Egypt had entered the Kush kingdom, and they were allowed to cross the palace gates.
The main hall was swarming with servants holding various victuals and walking among the members of the court remaining up, leaned against the silver marble pillars, or laid down on lapis-lazuli's cotton meridians. Opulence was reigning in a cheerful, almost festive atmosphere, and he headed towards his goal without worrying about decorum, passing the surprised guards and marching with a firm and dignified step.
The outrageous queen was standing there, seated on her several metres high throne, her legs crossed in a carefree attitude. Her face, at first glance soft but hiding a fierce character like that of a hungry lioness, was beautifully painted, white strokes making up her eyelids and the tops of her eyebrows following the curvature of her flattened nose, her carmine red lips raised in a sneering smile. Long sleek, inky-black hair framed the latter, loose at the back, it disappeared into two low puffed bunches in the front behind a thin satin veil hanging to a linen fan-shaped headdress topped with a tiara. She was wearing a plain sepia dress falling to her ankles and whose transparent sides let a glimpse at the fine line of her brown thighs while her deep cleavage was only partially concealed by turquoise jewellery falling just above her chest. A second necklace in the form of a snake biting its tail firmly encircled her shapely neck as large silver bracelets dotted her arms up to her elbows, her delicate fingers with coloured fingernails being adorned with amethysts and emeralds resting on sparkling gold rings.
"The little king has arrived! " she hummed amusingly without even greeting him. "I waited patiently for you. "
"Forgive me, walking through three inner courtyard gardens and two anterooms takes time. "
The female sovereign laughed heartily at his ironic tone, a tinkling sound escaping from her mouth as she covered it with her hand in a futile attempt to restrain herself.
"I do hope, however, that you enjoyed the decor. "
Atem tilted his head slightly to the side while observing her, wondering how a woman with such an angelic physique could be of an attitude so dull and insipid. Yet, something in her eyes was preventing him from pouring out all his disgust towards her; a soft comforting glow seeming to shine in her gaze of a dark auburn almost black colour. Although all she had ever wanted was power, she remained a capable monarch providing to the needs of her people and never letting them starve at the gates of her palace. For that, he still kept an ounce of respect for her.
But he was not without ignoring it. His partner was not only beautiful, but she was also intelligent, even devious, and he would have to show all his acumen in this game without ever underestimating her.
"Even so, I hardly expected to see you in this country. To what do I owe the displeasure of your visit, Atem? Have you come to beg me to withdraw my troops before they decimate your entire army? Are you coming to admit defeat in person? "
"The displeasure is mine, Katimala. " the Egyptian sovereign simply retorted with nonchalance, his eyes narrowed. "Do you plan to make a spectacle of yourself in front of your court for much longer or will we be able to discuss quietly at some point? "
"Forgive me if the music and the songs are not to your liking, Great One. " the adult queen apologised with a falsely contrite smile, replicating his previous irony.
"They are. I just execrate festivities during a summit. "
"A summit? I don't believe I have agreed to any summit with you! " Katimala uttered as she stood up abruptly, finally annoyed. It seemed that this game of appearances they engaged themselves in no longer pleased her at all. "As for your preferences, I don't care. You are here in Nubia and you will comply with the customs of my country under penalty of visiting my gaols! "
As if lightning had struck the very spot where he was standing, a swarm of soldiers suddenly appeared around him, forming a protective circle as their faces displayed an aggressive air and their hands trembled on the pommels of their weapons. He widened his eyes as he realised that their movement had triggered the action of Kerma's mercenaries, the latter pointing their blades at his guards while Shada and Karim were positioning themselves on either side of him, brandishing their own swords to form a second shield.
"Enough! Pull back all! " he exclaimed to his troops, stepping forward to confront his female counterpart, the two sacred guardians cautiously stepping out of his way. "Katimala withdrew your men immediately! "
"Or what?! " the female sovereign challenged him, putting her hands on her hips like an upset child.
"Or it will be a bloodbath from where you will probably come out victorious, but certainly not alive! " hissed the young king contemptuously, his teeth clenched tightly.
Tormented, the Kushite queen took a moment to think before taking a back step with a huff, sitting down again while waving a hand in the air to chase her soldiers away.
Letting, in turn, a sigh escaping him, Atem approached the monarch Kush a little more, and putting one foot on the first step of the long staircase leading to her throne, he declared in a voice softer than what he had wanted:
"Let's talk. I have more to offer you than you will have to give me. Besides, who said I couldn't use my time here to have a little fun? "
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"The North and the West have been lost. And half of the men constituting the Sebek and Ma'at divisions are dead. "
"The Ptah division can no longer hold the South. I suggest we join General Neheb in the East. Let us abandon our position and form only one big army with the rest of our men. "
"Gather what remains of the four divisions? "
"This may well be our last chance. "
Mahad gazed into lieutenant general Ahmes's eyes, weighing the pros and cons mentally. The troops were tired, demoralised, and even the major generals Sefu and Khalid couldn't do much with them. They barely still obeyed the orders given to them.
The heat of the desert was deeply felt on the soldiers busying themselves here and there on the camp during this temporary truce between the two armies, and turning his head towards them, he watched them seeking to shelter themselves as best they could from the sun as they were eating, resting, or were getting on with their chores.
"I agree. Sebek and Ma'at are weak together, but with Thoth and Ptah, we could finally take the advantage. The Kushites won't suspect anything, they are convinced that we'll remain separated to cover more ground and thus prevent a possible invasion of the Egyptian territory. "
Somewhere in the back of his mind, the prophecies of Isis came back to him. He had known from the start of this war that victory would be difficult for them without the millennium items, and although he only respected the Pharaoh all the more for his decision to wage a fair and equal fight, he had doubted that his fair play would make a big difference. This doubt had cost him the confidence of his king and childhood friend, and he knew that restoring that confidence would take a lot of effort and great patience, yet... yet he also knew that he had been right to act that way.
He did not know who of the Nubians or the Egyptians would win this confrontation, but the gift of vision of the high priestess had enabled him to save countless lives... lives which, today, would come to swell their ranks so poor and offer them a greater chance of accomplishing the mission entrusted to them.
Biting his lower lip in concern for a moment, the magician let his shoulders drop with resignation and finally motioned to Seth and Ahmes to agree to their point of view.
"Very well. But if we are to risk our border security, we will have to make sure that no Nubians manage to escape to warn others of our strategy. We will act with discretion, speed, and we will take no prisoners. "
"Blood for blood. " Ahmes nodded, his face expressionless.
"Blood for blood. " repeated the high priest in an equally confident tone.
"I shall tell our troops right away, forgive me. "
"Are you sure? " the sacred guardian at his side suddenly asked once Ahmes was far enough away.
"It won't be the first time, Seth. I know what I'm doing. " indicated the field marshal with a slight smile. "Since when do you worry so much? "
"I simply want to be over with this already. "
"And that's what we are going to do. "
"Right. " huffed Seth, wincing. He had a bad feeling. "Just… don't you dare leave me behind. "
"I won't, my friend. " Mahad declared, placing a hand on the shoulder of the bearer of the millennium rod, a frank smile stretching his lips this time.
The temperature suddenly cooled around them, and a fine particle of dust began to swirl at their feet. Frowning, the two high priests gazed at each other for a second before suddenly turning to their men as strong winds suddenly rose in a deafening uproar, panic beginning to reign among the soldiers as Khalid shouted several times :
"Sandstorm! Sandstorm! "
"What?! " Seth nearly choked, squinting at the horizon and discerning a huge cloud of sand coming their way.
"It's not possible! The sky is clear! "
"Marshal! It is heading straight for our camp, and at full speed! " Sufu exclaimed he rejoined them, a terrified expression distorting the already harsh features of his face.
"Hurry up! " uttered the magician, pushing the sacred guardian towards the camp along with the major general to help the others as he himself rushed in the opposite direction. "Take only what is necessary and head toward Allaqi! Now! "
"Mahad, where are you going?! " Seth yelled as the wind was starting to cover his voice and that of the wearer of the millennium ring as he was stepping away.
"At this rate, it'll hit us before we've even had time to reach the hills! I'll try to slow it down! "
"Have you lost your mind, you fool?! It's a bloody sandstorm! Do you hear me, moron?! There is nothing you can do! Come back! Mahad! " the high priest screamed in vain, anger and worry making his blood boil inside his veins. "Damn it! "
Closer and closer, the storm was growing bigger and higher, taking on a magnitude rarely seen by mankind over the centuries. In a fierce squall, the whole area got suddenly covered. Darkening all around it, the cloud of sand began to lift everything within its reach, as moved by a will of its own.
Covering their faces in any way, the soldiers started with trouble their advance through this thick brown veil, blinded and suffocating under the specks of dust seeping down their throats. The bare, dry ground was making it difficult for them to progress, their already fragile balance being constantly tested by gusts from all directions, pushing them behind their backs, causing them to recoil and stumble incessantly.
Waiting at the top of an unstable dune, his arms raised near his head for protection, Seth was still watching over the sacred guardian standing a few metres away, busy whispering some magical incantations that the man could not have understood the meaning even if he could have heard him clearly. Some members of the divisions still continued to pack their belongings in blankets and clothing of all sorts. Caught in this impressive yellow and red cloud, they were finding themselves unable to move, no longer distinguishing east from west, north from south. And Mahad, relentless fighter, talented magician with his magic alone, prevented a whole wall of sand from collapsing on him and the other latecomers.
Behind his back, the bearer of the millennium rod could hear the orders being thundered through the barrier of the wind over and over again in order for all to understand them.
"TO THE EAST! TO THE EAST! "
"MAHAD! " he called before being seized with an uncontrollable coughing fit.
"IT'S TOO LATE! GO! " the latter replied forcefully, half-turning, hoping to be able to catch a glimpse of the high priest one last time.
"DON'T MESS WITH ME AND COME BACK HERE NOW! " Seth shouted, gritting his teeth.
Ahmes suddenly appeared at his side, clutching his arm in the hope of standing up straight. The wind was blowing harder and harder, threatening to blow them away at any moment. Turning his head to the wearer of the millennium ring, he met his sorry gaze, and understanding immediately, nodded respectfully, saluting him before returning his attention to Seth.
"My lord, we must go! "
"Certainly not! "
"We do not have a choice! You still have to lead the troops to General Neheb! " Ahmes called out, pulling on his superior's sleeve to take him with him.
"Ahmes, I said no! " the sacred guardian exclaimed as he freed himself from his grasp, his eyes still fixed on Mahad.
Sighing, Ahmes rushed over to the rest of the men whose silhouettes were slowly receding into the distance, called out to an elite troop, and pointed at the high priest while muttering a few words.
"My apologies for what I'm about to do, my lord! Medjay! Take him away! "
"What?! What do you think you are doing!? " the bearer of the millennium rod blurted out indignantly as the soldiers grabbed him despite his struggling attempts, forcing him to abandon the magician to his fate. "Let go of me! I order you to let go! MAHAD! MAHAD! "
Abruptly, the storm intensified, shattering the invisible protection that kept it from crashing and collapsed like a giant wave over the still-inhabited camp and the sacred guardian. Mahad collapsed on his knees in the sand, and barely had time to giggle with regret before the destructive cloud engulfed him and his men in deathly silence...
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The temple was plunged into semi-darkness, only partially lit by a dozen torches hanging from the walls and by the whitish light of the full moon seeping through a narrow opening in the roof. The empty throne of Osiris towered in the background, the imposing black silhouette of Anput standing to its right, a Was sceptre in one hand and the Ankh in the other. A heavy and solemn atmosphere governed the place as if the temple itself knew that the doors to the otherworld were about to be opened and that it had already unlocked the locks.
High engraved gilded stelae surrounded an altar standing in the centre of the room, long stains of dried blood flowing from the four corners of the rectangular stone attesting to the many sacrifices it must have served to. Eerie, they joined an amber-coloured pulpit erecting nearby and encircled it in a perfect ring such as seeking to glorify the manuscript of gold pages resting on it.
Bakura approached the latter in both an impatient and worried gait, his stomach twisting in apprehension. It was hardly the first time he participated in a magical ritual, but nothing had ever felt so dangerous as the one he was about to perform. The heartbeat of the boy whose body he occupied began to accelerate as his soul twitched, a sign of his terror. He too could feel the gaze of the funeral goddess on him, judging him severely, almost disapproving of his act. But did he really have a choice? Wasn't it his destiny to be here tonight? Because why would his soul have survived until now if it was not to reinvest his original body? Why would the millennium items had saved him at the expense of all his crimes?
Despite its certain antiquity, the writings seemed recent, allowing him to read them without difficulty. Going through the chapters, he ignored the many mentions of massacres reminding him too much of the horrors committed in Kul Elna, briefly skimmed through the spells allowing the dead to rise in the Afterlife, and got lost in the lines recounting the primordial history before finally finding what he was looking for.
Bargain with Anubis? What kind of bargain is this exactly?!
"Now isn't the time, kid. I don't care what price I've to pay, I'm willing to give anything. "
But not at the cost of my life! Bakura, you swore!
"I know... You should be safe, innocent souls like yours are not left unprotected by the gods. "
Your guarantee is very fragile...
"Hey, don't start doubting the higher powers, I won't be responsible if your lack of faith ends up killing you! "
Fine! But be careful, please.
"Do you say that for yourself or are you really concerned about my fate? "
Of course, I am! Don't be so arrogant as to think no one but you cares about what might happen to you. If a second chance is offered to you, I do hope you will make different choices this time.
"Whatever. I still ought to avenge my people. "
What you ought to do is deliver justice, not revenge. Blood won't bring you peace.
"Who's arrogant now? Such wisdom you think you have! "
I am simply listening to what you refuse to listen to.
"Which is? "
Your heart.
The Thief King preferred to cut the discussion off at those words and began to study the sacred text, taking care to remember every step, every action, and every word that should be spoken. The eternal flames of the torches flickered more and more against the stronger blowing wind, rushing inside the sanctuary in an icy, biting breeze. Clouds gathered in the dark and ominous sky, covering the light of the moon for a moment before abruptly disappearing as he was grabbing the ritualistic dagger hidden within the stone of the pulpit, its silver blade engraved with a winged serpent shining brilliantly under the torchlight.
Raising his face to the firmament, the former servant of Zorc took a deep breath and walked with a determined step towards the altar on which he lay down, lifting his arms above him and pointing the tip of the dagger toward his heart. Then, whispering a phrase unenthusiastically, he watched the dawn rise suddenly before his dazzled eyes, chasing away the stars twinkling like diamonds although the moon continued to reign supreme in the sky, glowing red and bigger than ever. Smiling mischievously, he hesitated no longer, plunging the dagger squarely into his chest in a liberating cry sounding in a deafening echo, a bright light starting to shine with intensity, blinding all around it.
The noise of a shock then resonated, as if the room was on the verge of collapsing, and the sound of a latch unlocking was heard, a large door hoisting itself up the wall under a veil of dust, revealing a world submerged into a twilight dominated by a broad fiery blue sun. Bakura's spirit broke away from his companion, double of the Pharaoh, and set off to discover this mysterious new universe, passing from the Land of the mortals to the Land of the dead while the teenager remained alone on his own...
In an infinite desert, the deceased walked one by one along a path leading to ramparts lost in the middle of a precipice surrounded by cliffs beyond which were built large greige arches, all enveloped in a phantasmagorical green mist. Twelve canine-headed guardians stood on huge limestone blocks on each edge of the long path, spaced by several thousand dunes as representing portals destined to let through only those whose souls were truly deserving.
A mere ghostly presence within this supernatural realm, the Thief King wasted no minute and began to run frantically through the hot sand following the line of countless unconscious bodies moving automatically to their coming judgment, scrutinising each face in the hope of finding his own. Soon enough, he crossed the last barrier and found himself transported far from the defensive walls, into a valley bordered by uninhabited buildings. In front of him arose Amenti, the palace of Osiris, where the river of the Duat was starting and where the deceased embarked on the boat of the God of the dead to reach the Afterlife.
But before that, guarding the entrance like a fierce dog, was Anubis in his hybrid human-jackal form, colossal like the giant golems of Israeli tales, a soot-black skin covered in jewels, and wearing a shendyt of gold and sapphire as well as a golden and amaranth headdress covering his huge pointed ears as he was holding his famous Was sceptre in his left hand, the right hanging above the judged ones an emerald scale from which originated the strange green smoke.
Bakura slowed down, not taking his eyes off the deity. His gaze suddenly found his, and he froze in the centre of the path, halting without realising it right next to his body facing the jackal's feet who opened his maw at once, his hollow voice vibrating in the whole otherworld in an old Egyptian language.
"I was waiting for you, Ryou. "
.
To be continued...
Thank you all for following the second and penultimate part of this fiction. Thank you to everyone who has waited so long for this sequel, I am extremely grateful to all of you. The only thing left for me to do is to wish you all a sincerely beautiful summer and to give you rendezvous for the last part: Resolution (Magic) whose publication date is, as you can imagine, unknown for the moment. In any case, you know that I made a commitment and that I do indeed intend to finish this fiction one day.
A big thank you, see you soon! XOXOXO