T.D.K- O.K, this is going to be the shortest chapter so far. Just don't think that makes it unimportant! There's a surprise in this chapter!
I stretch lazily in the early morning light. I attempt to rise, but weight on my lower back stops me. Anzu mumbles in her sleep as she nuzzles the small of my back. I sigh softly, but settle comfortably back down in our nest. I do not wish to disturb my friend's sleep, and I do so feel lazy. I look over my shoulder as I indulge myself. I chuckle at the sight.
Poor Ryou! Anzu is laid over both of us, her upper body on me and lower on Ryou. One of her feet has wiggled its way under his stomache and the other is on his pillow rather close to his nose. A snore from my feet makes me pause. I contort my body to see my feet. I shake my head as I spy Marik propped up on a pillow. The curtain moves aside as Ishizu enters.
"My, don't all of you look so comfortable." She whispers softly with amusement. A mumble and a snore answer her. "I was gone only twenty or so minutes and now the four of you are all jumbled up." I smile as her amused tone deepens. Ishizu settles by my head, the only space large enough for her. Her deft fingers weave their way through my hair. Her longer nails scrape lightly against my scalp. I melt.
"Please do not stop any time soon." I beg.
"Alright, as long as you rest. We shall be in Luxor's harbor by the early afternoon. Just rest, Pharaoh." I cuddle closer to her thigh, trying to include the older Ishtar in our jumbled mess. She begins to sing in modern Arabic, causing my eyes to drop and close.
Akefia stood within the shadows of the Luxor Bazaar. He had been closer to the twin temples, near the avenue of Sphinxes. He was giddy with excitement. His brother was within the boundaries of their once kingdom, and he would be arriving in the bazaar soon. The thief king could smell it in the air. It had been so long since the pair had seen each other.
He had not been surprised Hathor had sought him out to find his errant brother. After all, he and Ra were not only opposites, but brothers in blood. Who better to track the sun god than his brother in blood? Their bond was dampened, something was wrong with it, but it didn't stop him from feeling Ra's presence. The tug began the moment a group of four entered the bazaar not far from his hiding spot.
As they moved through the crowd, he shadowed them. There was a young woman, a blond man, and a younger white haired male. In the center was a mane of wild dark red and gold. Akefia knew that mane anywhere. Brother! The thief's heart screamed as he caught sight of the familiar crimson eyes. He wove faster through the crowd, to meet his long lost brother.
Ra knocked into one of his companions, beginning to walk about wobbly. A hand reached for his head, where wisps of black stabbed him. Akefia sped up, hoping to quickly dispel the slivers of curse magic. He caught the other and lifted him quickly into his arms. He raced away from the trio. The thief king needed to get his brother to the sacred pool in one of the twin temples. The pool would then allow them passage into their realm.
Atem's eyes fluttered open. The last thing he remembered was being surrounded by his friends. A headache, far worse than any he had had back in Japan, had overcome him. He had bumped into Marik as it had started, and someone had caught him before he blacked out. He supposed Marik had carried him all the way back to their hotel. He would need to thank the curator for his care.
The darkness around him shifted in a way that meant it was alive. The darkness around him was the thick coils of a black and gold snake.
My body shakes as the large snake fully uncoils itself. Sleek scales of black and flecks of gold glint wetly in the soft light. I have never seen such a giant creature in my life before. I only know one such being that this snake could be. Apep's human form must have caught my falling form, and proceeded to shelter me as I recovered. I move to bow in respect and gratitude, but am stopped by the gaze of warm brown eyes.
"I know you do not yet remember me, but it is good to see you. I wish our reunion was under better circumstances, my brother." He speaks, before gently butting me with his serpentine head. I rub the scales of Apep's snout warily, but quickly grow comfortable. I feel as if I had done this all the time.
"Brother?" I ask, breathless in wonder. "How am I your brother, my Lord?" I step closer to Apep, who loosely curls his tail around my ankles. I look around us, noticing the soft golden glow comes from water in the nearby pool. It is filled with glowing golden water. It reminds me of the grey water from Anubis' temple complex. However, it does not feel so dead.
"It feels alive."
"As it should. This pool holds the tears of Ra. The tears can break any curse, heal any wound, give immortality to a mortal, and return a god to full power. To remove your curse, you must swim in the water. Go ahead, and you may be surprised by what you gain from your swim." The coil around my ankles pushes me forward.
"Alright." I glance into the water as I kneel before the pool. The reflection there is not me, but it is me. The red and blond of my hair is not as dark as they should be, and glow like a living fire. In fact all of my body glows as if I am the sun given form. Glass beads of reds, yellows, and oranges, along with eagle feathers decorate my hair. I wear jewelry and clothing of the same colors. What does this mean?
I allow myself to slide into the water. I want this curse gone. Everything is fine as I settle in the water. I can see clearly in the water. Pain! Pain! PAIN!
Apep curled near the water as the process started. He was the only divine who could the screams of Atem-Ra as the god was restored to his full glory. Tears slipped from the snake god's eyes. "Forgive me, my brother!"
T.D.K- -sits in Atem's throne- Bet you all thought I wouldn't tie a certain missing god into this! Although, you probably saw this coming. So, what did you all think? Review and let me know! Onto the break down!
Apep- ancient Egyptian god of chaos, depicted as a snake. Akefia the thief king is this god's mortal form
Amun-Ra (Atem-Ra)- ancient Egyptian god of the sun, sacred animal is the eagle. Pharaoh Atem is Ra in mortal form. Referred to as Atem-Ra for the story.
Yugi- -looks at TDK, then length of the chapter- The next one better be longer.
T.D.K- It will be. Also, my mom's doing really great after having her kidney removed. The cancer was only in her right kidney. Thanks for all the thoughts, everyone!