Shadow of Darkness

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter 4 – Say Hello Or Whatever's Cool These Days

Twice in her life Amunet had woken up to find herself asleep. Once the day she died, and then again the day she gave her life to be a spirit. In truth, it was an incredible feeling to look down on her own body, yet knowing somehow that it wasn't a part of her anymore. She was fearful, exhilarated, confused, curious and uncertain all at once.

Each time a messenger had come. A little girl with short ginger hair tied with a red bow, and a round beaming face. She took Amunet's hand and led her away, while her friends played tag between the clouds.

Amunet let the views pass her by, quickly finding they were less impressive the second time seeing them. However when the girl took her on a different route – towards the Pharaoh's palace, she paid attention again. The girl stopped just outside and pointed to a balcony.

"That's the Pharaoh's room." She told Amunet in half-formed children's words. Amunet smiled fondly and nodded. She beamed even more and continued, "Spirits don't eat or sleep. Try meditating. That's what the older spirits do." She giggled. "I just play."

Amunet nodded again. "What's your name, sweetie?"

"Kaide." She replied, releasing Amunet's hand and skipping back up into the sky. Amunet waved absently, mulling over the new information.

The God had mentioned orders were given through dreams...she supposed meditation would be the equivalent.

Sighing happily, Amunet rose up to land on the Pharaoh's balcony, phasing through the closed doors to find an empty room inside. Feeling somewhat disappointed, she settled down on the windowsill. Closing her eyes to try out this 'meditating' thing while she waited for the Pharaoh to come back, Amunet didn't hear the door opening.

"WHAT THE—?!"

Amunet's eyes snapped open sharply and she toppled out the window in surprise.

The Pharaoh gaped at where she'd been in shock. His eyes widened even more when Amunet floated back up again, unharmed and recomposed.

"Hello, Pharaoh. I didn't see you there."

She smiled at him, waiting for his response. After a minute of silence, she peered at him in concern. "Pharaoh?"

The Pharaoh took a deep breath. "Who are you and...how did you do that?" he motioned to the window.

Amunet smiled warmly. "I'm Amunet. I'm a spirit sent by the Gods to help you."

"...Oh. Really?"

He was trying to take it all in, she could tell. Amunet's smile widened slightly. "Really."

"Okay? I'm Pharaoh Atem."

Amunet grinned. "Nice to meet you, Pharaoh. And relax, I'm just a messenger really. I can't hurt you."

Atem smiled back and nodded. "Why were you sent now? Why not before?"

Amunet shrugged. "I'm not really sure. Sorry."

Atem nodded. "Okay." He paused. "I wonder how I'm going to explain this to Seth and Isis and the others..."

The door opened and a servant's head peered in cautiously. "Uhh, Pharaoh, you're needed in the—AHHHHH!!"

The servant scrambled away, screaming something about monster-spirits in the Pharaoh's bedchambers.

Amunet blinked, and then smiled at Atem cheekily. "No time like the present, Pharaoh."

Atem laughed and opened the door. "Come on. They won't believe this unless they see you." Amunet nodded and jumped down off the windowsill. They headed out the door together, scaring many a servant as they walked towards the main room.

Amunet ignored the stares of the High Priests as she walked alongside the Pharaoh. A small, triumphant smile was on her face – she hadn't felt so powerful in, well, ever. It was a nice change from her home with her mother.

Finally, the Pharaoh took his seat, Amunet floating beside it. She surveyed the priests carefully, watching as their expressions set firmly, determined to find out what was going on and, if need be, stop it.

Atem raised a hand for silence but it merely a formality – everyone already waited on baited breath for explanation. Amunet wonder if she would have felt uncomfortable had she been corporal and killable.

"This is Amunet." Atem called, his voice echoing grandly. "She is a spirit sent by the Gods. She will be staying here until further notice, so please welcome her."

Amunet smiled gently and nodded to them all, trying to ignore the nagging feeling that a couple of the priests were glaring at her. "Nice to meet you all." She murmured.

The only response was a studious silence as the priests took in the spirit girl. But Atem seemed satisfied with this, and so there was no problem.

Amunet glanced round the room, taking in their faces. Some were surprised, some amazed, some accepting. One that Amunet actually recognised from her first life, did not look so accepting, watching her with a cold glaring expression.

Atem followed her gaze and motioned to the priest. "That is my cousin, High Priest Seth. Don't mind him." Amunet giggled as Seth heard this and prickled slightly, his glare only worsening on Amunet.

Meanwhile, a woman walked up to Amunet and bowed slightly. "I am High Priestess Isis. Welcome, Amunet." Amunet bowed back, knowing a friend when she saw one.

In between greeting the other priests (each of which Isis introduced for her) Amunet couldn't shake the feeling that someone else was watching her. Finally, she excused herself and went to explore the palace. When the feeling went away almost immediately , she put it down to nerves.

Eventually she found herself back at Atem's room – she called out before entering hesitantly. Finding it empty again, she was surprised at the tinge of disappointment she felt, before pushing the feeling aside and settling on the windowsill again. She rather liked it there, actually.

One leg dangling down towards the ground she could no longer touch, and the other resting on the sill with her arms set on top of the bent knee to support her head, Amunet studied the city streets with interest, before eventually the markets packed up and her gaze moved to the setting sky and all its glory.

The sound of the door opening brought her back to reality. She turned to see Atem watching her, a small smile on his face. She smiled back gently and stood up so he could change.

"Amunet?"

She turned, no on the balcony and about to float off somewhere. "Yes Pharaoh?"

His smile widened a fraction. "I'm glad they sent you."

Amunet brightened, not sure why she was so pleased to hear this from him. "Th-Thank you! I'm glad they sent me too."

I know, I'm sorry, I should have updated earlier. But in my defense I hate my schoolwork. Seriously, I mentally whine about people using that excuse but it ain't half annoying when it's you. Maybe I'll learn *sigh*

I also seemed to have trouble thinking of a title, hence the most insanely random one of all my stories so far. "Say Hello Or Whatever's Cool These Days". Don't even ask. It's better than "Say Hello" or soemthing equally horrible. Oh well. It's up, isn't it?

Good news is that I'm also working on chapter 5, although I can't promise when that update will come.

In the mean time, feedback is hugely appreciated, even if it is just a mass of fangirlism. I'm okay with that - I am fluent in fangirl xD

Most of all I hope everyone's enjoying this story. I will try to keep updates as regular as I can, so please keep checking back here! Thank you,

naioka1992