Chapter Sixteen

"It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."

Larry's mildly terrified expression eases, replaced by pain as his arm accidentally shifts. My heart aches just looking at him, a walking reminder of why I need this necklace. Control. Ever since I slipped it over my head I've felt so normal I've nearly been brought to tears several times just from the feeling. I took for granted my ability to think my own thoughts, to control my own actions. Now that I have it back, a huge weight has been thrown from my back. I'm Alex again. Just Alex. I can still feel the power within me, but it seems tamer somehow. I can control it, it doesn't control me. It is for this reason that I've deemed it safe to return to Nicky and Larry. I won't hurt them. I won't.

"Can I look at your arm, please?"

Larry, seeming to sense the change within me, hesitantly extends his arm towards me. The wound doesn't look any less angry than it did when it first happened. The layers of skin that blackened and curled back revealed that painfully bright red skin beneath, enough to give any squeamish person a serious stomachache. I firmly grasp his hand, holding my other hand over his burn. I close my eyes. A warm, tingling feeling spreads through me, and the electricity sparks to life. But this time, it's different. I'm still in control. It's a spectacularly relieving sensation. After feeling so out of control these past days, I'm almost moved to tears again. Seconds later, I release him. Upon opening my eyes, I find that his skin is back to normal. Not even a scar. He looks up at me, all of his fear gone.

"Are you really here?"

That painful question is enough to send me into his arms. His arm tightens around me, his hand stroking my hair in such a loving gesture another urge to cry crashes over my head. Ah, humanity. It makes me want to cry. A lot. Strangely enough, I wouldn't change it for anything.

"Oh, Alex. I've missed you so much." he says, his voice breaking.

"I've missed you, too." I reply.

He finally pulls away and stares into my eyes. When he finds that every part of me is there, he lets out a teary laugh.

"I knew you could do it."

"All you have to thank is the necklace."

He looks down at the necklace, now on a golden chain. It's long enough that the ankh lays just below my chest, glimmering in the light. Upon closer inspection, I found it to be encrusted with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. Pure and barely cut. There are a few hieroglyphs as well, speaking of new life. I couldn't agree more.

Once Nicky has also hugged me, we turn to face the royal family. Ahk is smiling a smile laced with pure love. Merenkahre and Shepseheret look as proud as if I were their own daughter.

"You have done well, Alexandria," Merenkahre says, "I believe it goes without saying that you should keep the necklace on your person at all times. Your control over this power makes you that much more dangerous. Fortunately, however, you are now only a danger to your enemies. We hope it remains that way."

"Same here." Nicky pipes up, elbowing me in the side.

I become tearful once more at the return of Nicky's playful jokes, and him actually being able to touch me. Merenkahre's face falls.

"Why are you crying?"

I manage a teary laugh, "I'm not… I just… I just…"

I finally succumb. A tear drips its way down my face, followed by another one, and then another. A huge sob wracks my chest.

"I just…"

I'm crying too hard to stop. But I don't want to stop it! It's so human to cry… I'm a human. Me! I get to be a human again. My heart is swelling with happiness. Arms close around me, Ahkmenrah's scent filling my senses.

"It's alright." he murmurs in my ear.

"Exactly! That's why I'm… I'm…"

Larry is the first to realize why I'm crying, and he starts to laugh. It's a sound I haven't heard from him in a while. A truly happy laugh. It's enough to send a fresh wave of tears over me. Everything is bringing me to tears! Why can't I stop crying?

"Those aren't sad tears," Larry explains, "those are happy tears. She's happy."

I hear Merenkahre's confused voice, "Why on Earth would she cry if she was happy?"

I can hear the soft smack of Shepseheret's hand against his cloak. Ahk's arms tighten around me.

"Is that right, Alex?"

I go to respond, but only a sob escapes me. Instead, I nod against his chest. I can feel a chuckle reverberate through him as he pulls away.

"You're happy?"

I nod again, starting to laugh.

"Why on Earth are you crying?"

"I'm just… I'm just so happy!"

Laughter works its way through me, warming me. Now I can't stop laughing. Why should I stop? It's hilarious. I cried because I was happy! How silly. What am I turning in to? Oh, right. A human. I'm a human! I almost can't breathe through my laughter, I have to lean against the wall for support. Larry, again, is the first to realize what's happening. His face morphs into one if concern.

"Alex, are you alright?"

I can hardly speak through the laughter, "I'm perfect. Absolutely perfect. This is just so… so funny!"

Everyone has stopped laughing, but I can't seem to turn it off. That's just so funny. I was crying over being happy! What a funny thing to do.

"Alex, look at me. Are you okay?"

"Of course," I have to take a breath through my laughter, "I'm okay. Why wouldn't… I be? This is just… so funny!"

"She's not used to human emotion. It's all coming back at once. She doesn't know how to feel." Shepseheret says softly, eyes regarding me with a look of pity.

I stop laughing abruptly. She looks so sad… How can I be laughing when someone is so sad? That was so horrible of me. How could I have done that? Tears spring to my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to laugh, I just couldn't help it."

"Oh, Alexandria, it's alright-"

I cut the queen off, "No, it's not! Don't you dare pretend that it is!"

A hand on my shoulder sends me spinning to Ahk, his face morphed into a similar expression of pity. Pity? He's pitying me? I didn't ask for that. I'm not some little girl that needs to be pitied. Before I can register what's happening, I raise my hand and slap him as hard as I can. Shepseheret gasps as the sound reverberates through the room. His head snaps to the side, where it stays for a few seconds before he slowly turns to look at me. His jaw is working, and his cheek is flaming red.

"You're angry." I say slowly, my voice wavering again.

I hit him! How could I have done that? I'm a horrible excuse for a human being. I hurt him!

"I'm not angry," he starts, his voice measured, "I'm just… shocked."

"Because I hit you! Oh my God, Ahk, how can you even stand to look at me!"

"Alex, please."

"I shouldn't be a human. I'm no good at it. I just need to go back to being controlled, I clearly can't do it by myself."

In one swift motion I yank the chain from my neck, the links snapping with a pop. I need control. If I'm going to go around slapping people, I need to be controlled. I can't do it. I can't be a human. I clench the ankh so tightly the corners pierce my skin.

The entire royal family simultaneously shouts, "No!"

Larry and Nicky immediately duck and cover, getting as far away from me as they can. Tears prick my eyes again. A sob chokes my throat.

"You're scared of me. You're scared of me! I'm a monster. I can't do this, I can't."

"Alexandria, be rational." Merenkahre pleads.

I shake my head vigorously, "I can't. I can barely control myself, and you all are terrified of me! Why am I even here? I'm not helping anyone. I'm hurting you."

"That's not true. Please, fix the chain and put the necklace back on."

"No, I can't."

"Yes, you can. You're not hurting any of us, we don't want you to leave us."

"You don't?"

"No, of course we don't. Please, put the necklace back on."

I stare down at the necklace in my hand, knuckles white and a few drops of blood dripping to the floor. I force myself to loosen my hold on it. I watch with barely veiled awe as the cuts in my hand seal themselves almost instantly. I glance down at the clasp, willing it to fix itself. It does, and I slowly slide the necklace around my neck again. Larry and Nick peer out from behind the pillar on the opposite side of the room. Seeing it back around my neck, they cautiously approach.

"I'm tired." I announce.

Ahk barely has time to catch me before I drop to the floor, sound asleep.

—

I see you have found the charm. I created it many moons ago, Alexandria. I am glad you have found it before it could hurt you. This will all become easier soon, the parts of you taken over by the magic need to readjust to their new freedom, and you won't be so emotional.

We have not been formally introduced, I believe. My name is Osiris, and I am the god of resurrection, fertility, and the dead, and I am ruler of the underworld. I know who you are, so you don't have to introduce yourself. Not that you could. You're asleep. Next to your love, may I add. Prince Ahkmenrah is a good man, Alexandria. Don't ever take him for granted. I can see now that you two have an eternity together. As the god of fertility, I swear that my services will be available to you. That is, if I survive.

Speaking of, I must tell you why I have come to you. We gods are centuries old, and our feuds go back that far, as well. I know you are familiar with my story, my death, and, for that matter, who killed me. The gods have lived in relative peace for the past several thousand years, but that is about to change. My murderer has risen, Alexandria, and he intends to not only force you into enslavement, but to kill me permanently. He wants control over everything, and he will stop at nothing to get it. But, as of now, I hold the 'trump card', so to speak. You. With your new ability to control yourself, you can become even more powerful than before. Even more powerful than him. Your power is a combination of the best traits of each and every god. If you are trained, you could be more powerful than a true god.

You see, Alexandria, the power was first created by myself and my siblings to bless a deserving mortal with godly powers. This mortal's name was Haremakhet, the High Priest of Amun. His godly power made him an incredible force, and he was an unstoppable man. But, he had a heart of purest gold. My murderer realized Haremakhet's power, and attempted to lure the priest to the darkness. The priest was too strong, and he was able to vanquish my murderer. But, not before he could curse Haremakhet. All those blessed with the power would never be able to control it. My wife was forced to create a weapon that could kill the one the held the power, so when my murderer rose again, he could use the weapon to vanquish the power that he could not have. But, she was able to add an advantage. If the one that possessed the power was in control of the weapon, it would reverse the curse for as long as it was in contact with them. The weapon took many different forms over the years, until it became a charm. An ankh, of course, to beckon my murderer to rise again. And the time has come.

He has been gathering power for many moons, and he intends to use it to its full capability. If we do not stop him, a war will break out between the gods. Alexandria, we cannot allow this to happen. If he is not stopped before he starts a fight, there is a very high possibility that life as we know it on this planet will be wiped out. The Earth will burn, earthquakes will rip open the Earth's surface, and this lush planet will become a wasteland. You are our only hope. You are the only one strong enough to stop him. The only one that can fight and win against my brother, Set.

THE END

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ

hello! yes, you read that correctly. this is the end of history lesson. and no, not because I have given up on it. actually because I have already started the sequel! if I were to start the problem addressed by our dear friend osiris, this story would go on for ages! and it's just a better thing to do as an author to introduce the story's problem, solve it, and then move on to the next book. I, personally, find it annoying when a story is dragged out unnecessarily for the sake of still writing. just start a sequel! so, that's what I did. if you liked this story, you're going to love the sequel. we're going to get to delve into the stories of ancient egyptian gods, and see them all in action in all of their glory! I, personally, am VERY excited for that. I want to see osiris kick some ass. he's a badass when he needs to be, just wait. you'll see. anyways, please give me a follow so you can be notified when I post the new story! it will probably be at least a few weeks before the story is up, I want to write a good couple of chapters to get a feel for the direction of the story so I can still change the plot. but, good news is, I'll be posting a preview of the story right here on history lesson, and I'll also reveal the title of the story then too so you can find it more easily once it's up.

now I have to thank all of you for your INCREDIBLE support. as of the posting of this final chapter, I have 149 amazing followers, 109 beautiful favoriters, and an awesome 16,490 views! oh my goodness! I've been blown away by your sweet reviews, those make my day whenever I get one honestly I read them like twenty times over not exaggerating. so to those of you that have written them, please know that they are VERY appreciated. also, now is a great time for you to leave a review and include some things you would like to see in the sequel. maybe more of nicky? how far do you want ahk and alex to go in their relationship? what should happen to kahmunrah? things like that. nothing is too crazy an idea, hit me with anything and I'll see if I can work it in. any other suggestions you guys have are great, too. I want to make the sequel the best it can be! and luckily, my plan for it is still very loose, so I have some wiggle room in terms of changing plot, etc.

okay back to our regularly scheduled program :D

hello and thank you for reading! this story has been such a journey, and I have had a BLAST writing it! thank you so much to iloveavocados123 (HOLY CRAP my story destroyed you?! your review destroyed me! thank you so much for writing that, you are so sweet! and I LOVE that ship name oh my gosh Ahkdria is our new ship name everyone start using it ok?), BleckBlah5956, shadygrl91, Nerdy Jiyu, All Alone in the Rain (love your name btw), and Acethefool13 (thanks for following me!)! I'm so glad you guys are enjoying this story, sorry you got into it right at the tail end, but I promise you the sequel will be bomb ;)

I intend to do some work on the First (rewrites are going well I just don't have time to do them, I'm thinking I'm just going to delete the story and then repost it because there is so much I want to change haha). After I get a solid plan for the sequel and I incorporate as many reader ideas as I can, I'll start writing it!

I guess this is goodbye for now. this is actually kind of sad. I'm going to miss you guys. now I'm off to go click "completed"!

all of my love,

off2neverland :)