While reading: I recommend listening to "Epic Drum Music: Tribal War Council – Doug Maxwell" and "Epic Prince of Persia Soundtrack Mix" on YouTube. This is not my channel/movie nor do I have any rights to song but I love this work and I think it adds a great atmosphere while reading.
Warning: Violence in the chapter
The Heart of the Nile: The Beast Awakened
(Inuhotep's View)
He had never seen his brother so pissed off before. As they were marching towards the South he didn't even bother talking to him. Not that he was afraid of losing his head or anything. He simply knew better than to mess with him, especially when he was in one of his moods. Inuyasha wasn't stupid. That's all. Growing up he was one of his brother's many practice dummies and he had witnessed his brother on the battlefield many times. He wasn't called Sesshomaru, "Killing Perfection" for nothin.
As they continued to march he was temped to hold his nose as they approached the city. The air was suffocating and it reeked of death and disease, making his stomach turn. Like their home it was marked by the plagues of the Wishing Stone bestowed by Hades himself. The people they saw running into the city away from them looked like their flesh was rotting off. Dead animals and bugs lay upon the ground everywhere. It looked like the sky had rained down fire upon it. The olive trees and fruit trees leading into the city were burnt and the walls were covered in black ash.
(*** Epic Drum Music – Tribal War Council ***)
Once they were close enough to the city he saw the enemy begin to come out of the city gates towards them. War drums and horns played in the air. Once allies they were now fighting to the death. He had fought alongside many of these men and knew how they fought. The problem was they did too and being that they were in their home territory there was a lot more of them. He could see the Red flag with a black snake, a staff and sword flying proudly in the wind held up by poles throughout the army as well as along the palace walls.
Then he heard a beautiful song float across the breeze against the war song. He could not figure out the direction it was coming from but continued to listen to it as he followed behind his bother. He looked to his brother and saw he too was listening to the sad song with interest. As the song played he heard his brother say to himself "No! I must get to her." He then picked up the pace and Inuyasha could only assume that somehow that song was tied to Kagome and had spoken directly to him some how.
It was raining and the water drops where bouncing off of his blue helmet making soft tinging sounds. He could also hear the rain bouncing off of the men's armor and the sloshing sound of their feet walking through the mud. Lightning and thunder were rolling about them in the night sky. It was around 8 o'clock now. They had marched all day and were exhausted but they had a battle to win and a Wishing Stone Maiden to save. Then he saw his brother move in front of their men and give his speech. He had never been more proud of his brother encouraging his men like he just did. Their father had done the same many times before and he would have loved to have seen him follow in his footsteps.
(xxx End Drum's xxx)
(*** Play till the end of Chapter: Epic Prince of Persia Soundtrack Mix ***)
As his brother's speech ended they began to rush towards the enemy. He heard the whoosh of their archer's arrows fly over his head ahead of them. The energy in the air was electric. His heart was pumping fast as he road his stallion AhUn alongside his brother into the heat of battle. He pulled his sword Kagome had gifted him from its sheath bringing down the enemy with each sweep of his arm. It tore through the enemy faster than he had ever imagined but there were still too many of them. No matter what he did they just kept coming. All of a sudden he saw a man fly over his head screaming. He looked towards the direction he had come from to see the members of the Band of Seven tearing through their men like wolves amongst sheep.
Looking to Sesshomaru and catching his eye they begin to make their way towards them. The band had not seen them yet and they were almost upon them when a loud horn was sounded. The enemy began to fall back leaving Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and their men to retreat. Looking at the ground where they once were it was a miracle AhUn hadn't broken his legs. The ground was bloody and thick with mud, body parts and broken weapons sticking out all over the place.
It was then he heard his brother say her name against the wind, "Kagome…."
His breath caught in his throat. He looked from his brother's haunted face towards the back of the enemy to see his Uncle on a platform with a kneeling figure sitting in front of him. The figure was small, dressed in burlap and had a bag over its head. Their hands tied together in front of them. It had to be her. He and the men then heard his Uncle and brother banter back and forth until his Uncle took off the bag on her head. He was horrified at the site of her and it filled him with uncontrollable anger.
"Narakututmote you bastard!" he screamed. "What the hell did you do to her?"
"She wouldn't give me her powers or grant my wish so I took them from her," his Uncle said as he finished with a billowing laugh.
She looked of death. She was dirty, pale, had deep cuts, bruises, and dried blood all over her body. It looked as if her face had been punched in. If they didn't get her soon she would surly die. His brother then began to move forward but his Uncle then held a knife to Kagome's throat causing them to halt in their step once more. No one, not even his Uncle expected what was to happen next. He saw her take a dagger from the man standing next to her and reach behind her. With her hands still bound together she stabbing his Uncle in the gut before sending powerful magic into him. Roasting him from the inside out like the pig he was.
He then heard his uncle scream in pain before he then stabbed her in the chest. He was speechless but his brother answered for him with a yell of anguish and anger. They began to move forward once more as the battle reconvened. He and his brother continued to ride their horses as fast as they could towards the platform where Kagome and his Uncle were currently lying on. Before they could reach it, however the men who were standing in front charged towards them blocking their path. Charging forward with unrelenting speed they cut off the tops of their enemies as easily as a scythe cutting down wheat. Arms, heads, and weapons flew in the air behind them as they continued forward. Inuyasha looked towards his brother just as he saw a spear flying towards him. Before he could warn his brother, however Sesshomaru swung his sword grazing the spear midair and breaking it into a million pieces. He did all of this without ever taking his eyes off of Kagome.
The feared "Beast" of the "Killing Perfection" had awakened.
He was like a god of war on the battlefield. His eyes were burning amber and the markings of the guardian glowed in the dark against his lightly tanned skin. His white hair was braided down the back and his blue helmet gleamed in the moonlight. His strong arms, toned back and broad chest showed every ounce of his power as he moved. His blue loincloth that was covering by his golden chest and hip plates shimmered about the battlefield. His valiant steed raced forward with his mouth flared open and mane and tail whipping out behind him like white flames. In his arm was a sword of death and on his belt a sword of life. His movements where like a dance. Everything he did was methodical and smooth, never breaking form. He was fast as lightning and as silent as the wind. They were almost to the platform when Kogatutmote and 2 members the 5 fighting Band of Seven blocked their paths. Sesshomaru saw a slight bump in the terrain and he quickly shifted Entie. Entie hit the bump and flew into the air. He went up and over their heads and continued his way to Kagome. That left Inuysha and his men to continue the fight. At the platform Sesshomaru was greeted by the remaining 3 of the fighting 5 members of the Band of Seven. The sky was beginning to lighten. Sunrise was less than 3 hours away.
(Sesshothumote's View)
Sesshomaru was furious. How dare he touch his bride! He charged forward seeing his brother from the corner of his eye. They fought quick and clean through the enemy blocking their way. He could not waist a single ounce of energy or time. He had to get to her as quickly as possible and nothing was going to slow him down. From the corner of his eye he saw a spear making its way towards him. Bringing his arm across his body he easily brought it down. Its pieces break away in the air behind him. He couldn't take his eyes off of Kagame. She was lying still form on the stage hadn't moved since falling down. The dagger was still sticking out of her chest and her arms were lying limp at her side. He could see his Uncle writhing in pain slowly crawling towards her. He could not seem to get there fast enough. Men began to block his path but that would not stop him. Quickly analyzing his surroundings he pulls the reigns to the left causing Entie to swing right. Kicking his sides Entie runs faster as he hits the top of the small mound of dirt and leaps into the air. He and Entie fly over the men and land on the other side of them as he continues towards the platform. He knows his brother and his men can take care of the men before them and join him once they are finished. He is almost at the platform when he is blocked by the 3 remaining Band of Seven members that are fighting.
(Inuhotep's View)
Standing before him was his cousin Kogatutmote, Jakotsutet the torturer and Kyokotsutet the cannibal. His men begin fighting his cousin as the two Band of Seven brothers gang up on him. Kyokosutet swings his club making Inuyasha roll on the ground to dodge his swing. As he gets up his band brother throws a blade stabbing him in the leg. Inyasha cries out in pain before pulling the dagger out and throwing it to the ground. Jakotsutet just laughs at his agony and says,
"My, My, Prince Inuhotep, I was wondering when I would get my hands on you. It was such torcher for me to stand in the shadows at the palace and not be able to enjoy that delicious body of yours." As he said this he looked Inuyasha up and down licking his lips.
"Shut your mouth Jakotsutet!" Inuyasha yelled as he charged at him. Jakotsutet brought his blade up to block him. Their blades were locked between them when he replied back,
"Only if it's around you dear." As he looked down towards Inuyasha's package before staring back into his enraged amber eyes.
Inuyasha yells as he pushes Jakotsutet back with all of his might. This breaks them apart but not before Jakotsutet brings another small dagger from his side cutting Inuyasha across his arm. Jakotsutet licks the blood from the blade while staring at Inuyasha the whole time with an evil smile. While he and Inuyasha were fighting Kyokosutet killed 5 more men with the swing of his club. Seeing that Inuyasha breaks away from his brother he then swings his club at him again. Inuyasha sees the club coming and again rolls to the ground just in time to dodge the swing. When he gets up he runs under Kyokosutet's legs slicing them. Kyokosutet cries out in pain as he swings his arm around hitting Inuyasha in the gut. Inuyasha flies into the air landing hard on his back.
Getting up with a groan he spits blood from his mouth from biting his tongue and runs back towards the brothers. Jakotsutet swings his sword again locking blades with Inuyasha. What Jakotsutet doesn't see, however is that someone just shot Kyokosutet in the eyes with an arrow and his is running right towards them swinging his club wildly. Inuyasha sees him coming and quickly pulls away from Jakotsutet just as Kyokosutet's club barrels right into him knocking his head clean off of his shoulders. Inuyasha then grabs a spear off of the ground and throws it into the air, impaling the cannibal where he stands. He staggers about on his legs before to crash to the ground. Seeing his men keeping his cousin busy he then turns around and he finds AhUh stuck on some fallen armor. His reigns were all tangled up and couldn't break free. Running towards his distraught horse he quickly untangles him, pulls up onto his saddle and rides off towards the platform to go find his brother and hopefully save Kagome.
(Sesshothumote's View)
Standing in front of him was the leader of the Band of Seven Bankotsutet, his Second in command Renkotsutet, and Ginkotsutet the giant. Still riding in fast on Entie, Sesshomaru sees a spear sticking out of the ground in front of them. As they ride by he picks up the spear and throws it into the air towards the giant. Ginkotsutet sees the spear coming and steps out of the way as it flies past him. As Sesshomaru was throwing the spear Renkotsutet readied an arrow. He let it fly forward hitting Entie in the chest killing him. Entie falls forward bring Sesshomaru down with him. They hit the ground hard causing Sesshomaru to fly off and roll on the ground towards his enemy. He quickly gets up just as Bankotsutet swings his blade missing the spot his head was at a second before. Sesshomaru brings his blade around catching Bankotsutet's. The sound of their intense blade battle rings in the air as they continue to strike at each other. As they are fighting the other two Band Brothers battle some of Sesshomaru's men that continue to try and make their way towards the platform.
Sesshomaru then spins away, brings his foot up and knocks Bankotsutet's blade from his hand. He then kicks him in the gut sending him to the ground. He was about to cut Bankotsutet through when an arrow buzzes by his face almost hitting him. Sesshomaru quickly pulls back and looks up just in time to see Ginkotsutet swing his attached bladed arm with a chain and spiky ball whip towards him. Ginkotsutet continues swinging the spiked ball and chain at him giving his brother Bankotsutet a chance to grab his fallen blade. Dodging the spiked ball and chain he ends up in-between Renkotsutet and Ginkotsutet. Renkotsutet readies an arrow towards Sesshomaru at the same time as Ginkotsutet charges towards him. Sesshomaru falls to the ground just as Ginkotsutet was about to hit him allowing the arrow from Renkotsutet to hit the giant in the heart. Ginkotsutet falls to his knees giving Sesshomaru the time to pick himself up off of the ground and cut his head off.
Renkotsutet was about to let another arrow go when all of a sudden Inuyasha comes ridding in on AhUn and cuts him down from behind. Bankotsutet had his attention turned towards Inuyasha and didn't see Sesshomaru pick up a dagger off of the ground. He throws it into the air and hits him in the side of the head, killing him instantly. With them no longer seeing anymore enemies to take down Inuyasha then yells to Sesshomaru,
"What are you waiting for? Don't just stand there! The sun is almost up!"
They both look to the sky behind them seeing it continue to grow brighter. There was less than 20 minuets left before the sun would peak over the horizon. Sesshomaru turns away from his brother and runs towards the platform to the unresponsive Kagome still laying where she had fallen.