Chapter 25. The trails and an egg.
With a sudden jolt, he was thrown to the ground, landing hard on his knees. The air was thick and stale, and when Jakob looked up, he realized he was in another chamber.
This room was darker, the only light coming from dimly flickering torches mounted on the walls.
The air was cold, and a low humming sound echoed around him.
He pushed himself to his feet, coughing as the dust swirled around him, stirred up from his fall.
He glanced around the room, his eyes quickly settling on the centre where a stone altar stood.
A pair of scales, reminiscent of those from Egyptian mythology, rested on it. One side held a delicate golden feather, while the other side remained empty.
Imposing statues of gods towered around the altar, their silent, stony faces fixed on him as though they were watching his every move.
Then, a voice came, low and hollow, from all around him.
"To move forward, you must speak the truth… or lie. But your heart will decide."
Jakob's heart pounded as he turned, searching for the source of the voice. Then, he saw her in the corner of the room—a figure. A girl, her dark hair hanging over her face, standing in the shadows.
She remained completely still, yet there was something deeply unsettling about her presence—the way she seemed to blend into the room, almost like a statue that had always been there, unnoticed until now.
"What must you sacrifice to survive? Answer with the truth or a lie," the voice commanded again.
Jakob swallowed, feeling a bead of sweat drip down his temple. Was this a test?
He tried to control his breathing as he looked at the unmoving girl in the room's right corner.
"I don't have to sacrifice anything," he answered truthfully.
For a moment, nothing happened. But then, the figure moved. Her body jerked unnaturally as she glided toward him. Before Jakob could react, she was before him, her arm swinging out with terrifying speed. Her cracked nails slashed across his forearm, and Jakob stumbled back in pain as blood dripped from the fresh wound. The girl vanished as quickly as she appeared, leaving him gasping in shock.
He glanced down at his wounded arm, feeling the steady pulse of pain as his eyes shifted back to the scales, which were slowly moving as if waiting for something.
The girl's figure appeared at the edge of the shadows, waiting for the next move. His arm bled from where she had swiped at him moments earlier, but his mind was racing, desperate to find a way out.
"What must you sacrifice to survive? The truth… or the lie?"
The voice echoed coldly around the room. Jakob gritted his teeth, his gaze shifting to the girl. She had started creeping toward him, her body low to the ground, twisting unnaturally.
Her hair hung like a curtain over her face, hiding whatever lay beneath her.
Jakob tightened his grip on his wand, pushing back the fear that threatened to creep in.
She was getting closer, crawling out from the shadows, her movements jerky, almost like something broken and unnatural. A low, guttural croak escaped her throat, like the sound of air being forced through cracked pipes, eerily similar to the unsettling noise in a nightmare.
Every time her body twitched, that rasping sound followed, like nails scraping against stone, the noise growing louder the closer she got. It was a sound that didn't belong in this world, something that made Jakob's skin crawl.
She was close now—too close. Her body was distorted, twisted in a way that didn't seem real, not even possible.
But he wasn't going to let her strike without a fight. He clenched his wand tighter, raising it as she closed in. His voice was shaky but determined as he prepared to cast the spell. He wasn't giving up.
"Stupefy!"
The red jet of light shot from his wand, aimed directly at her. But to his horror, the spell passed through her as though she were nothing but smoke. The girl didn't even slow. Instead, she let out a bone-chilling scream, her mouth opening wide as she leapt at him.
Jakob tried to move, but it was too late. She slammed into him, knocking him to the ground with a force that knocked the wind out of him. Her hands were on him in an instant, claws raking across his chest, arms, and face. The pain was unbearable—deep, tearing gashes that ripped through his flesh like paper.
He could feel the blood pouring from him, each cut sending waves of agony through his body as he writhed under her attack. His vision blurred, darkness creeping at the edges as she swiped at him again and again. His body burned with pain, the wounds piling up, each one feeling like it could be the final blow.
Then, as suddenly as she appeared, she vanished. The weight lifted from his chest, but Jakob could barely move. His limbs felt heavy, blood pooling beneath him. He lay there, gasping for breath, his body screaming in pain. The room spun around him, and for a moment, he thought it might all be over.
"What must you sacrifice to survive? The truth… or the lie?"
The voice echoed again, but this time, it was quieter—distant, almost. Jakob groaned, his body trembling as he tried to pull himself together.
He thought the Philosopher's Stone fragment's magic should have healed him. Why wasn't it working?
His breath came in shallow, ragged gasps as the pain throbbed through every inch of his body. His mind screamed at him to move, but his limbs felt too heavy, his strength slipping away.
Then, in the corner of his eye, he saw her again.
She was creeping toward him, her movements slow and unnatural, her joints bending at odd angles as she crawled closer and closer. Her dark hair hung down, but now he could see her face—twisted and deformed, her mouth unnaturally wide, lips pulled back in a terrifying grin. Her eyes were hollow, staring straight into him, filled with something that made his skin crawl.
Fear. A cold, paralyzing fear gripped Jakob's chest, growing stronger with every inch she drew closer.
"What must you sacrifice to survive? The truth… or the lie?"
The voice echoed in his mind, but it was distant, almost drowned out by the pounding of his own heart. He tried to move, to get away from her, but his body was too weak, his vision fading in and out as the blood loss took its toll. He was trapped, unable to escape, and she was almost upon him now.
Her mouth opened wider, her jagged teeth visible as she loomed over him, her cold breath ghosting across his skin. Jakob's chest tightened, panic building as he realized he was moments away from his end.
But then, something inside him shifted. The voice repeated the question one last time, the riddle clearer now than ever before. Jakob closed his eyes, blocking out the sight of her monstrous face, forcing himself to think.
"Fear."
It wasn't about truth or lies. It had never been. The answer had always been right in front of him.
His eyes snapped open just as the girl reached him, her face inches from his own, ready to devour him. With every last ounce of strength, Jakob yelled, "Fear!"
The girl froze, her twisted grin faltering. Slowly, she began to fade, her form dissolving into the air like smoke. The cold in the room lifted, and Jakob felt a wave of relief wash over him. The pain that had wracked his body moments before was gone, the gashes and blood vanishing as if they had never existed.
He blinked, disoriented for a moment, and looked down at himself. His clothes were whole again, no blood, no wounds. The agony that had gripped him moments earlier had vanished completely.
Jakob slowly stood, his legs steady beneath him once more. He turned toward the altar and saw that something had changed. Where the golden feather still rested on one side of the scale, there was now a small black stone on the other. It was perfectly smooth and polished, with an ancient symbol etched into its surface. Though Jakob didn't fully recognize the symbol, he could guess its meaning: fear.
Just then, a soft grinding noise echoed through the room—the sound of stone shifting against stone. He turned to see part of the wall sliding open, revealing a hidden entrance that led into the next chamber. The passageway was dark, its edges faintly outlined in the dim light of the room.
Jakob tightened his grip on his wand, his heart still steady despite the unknown ahead. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, ready for whatever came next.
Jakob stepped into the long, narrow corridor. He held his wand up, casting Lumos, but with each step forward, the light from his wand dimmed. The further he walked, the weaker the glow became. The corridor stretched on, the dimming light barely illuminating the ancient stone walls that closed in around him.
Then, the light was snuffed out completely. Jakob stood in total darkness. The oppressive silence in the corridor made the air feel thick, as though it were pushing in on him from all sides. He felt his pulse quicken. His eyes strained to see something, anything, but there was nothing—just an empty void.
"i really hope this shit is worth it." he sighed as he continued his walk forward.
Suddenly, soft voices began to whisper all around him. They were faint at first, just a murmur in the darkness, but they grew louder with every step.
"Turn back…"
"You don't belong here…"
"You will die…"
The words crawled into his mind, each whisper more unsettling than the last. Jakob tried to push forward, determined to ignore them, but the darkness seemed to deepen, and with it, the weight of his doubts pressed harder on his chest.
Then, Jakob's breath caught in his throat. His heart pounded as he heard her voice—Pansy's voice—screaming out.
"Jakob!" she screamed. "Jakob, help me!"
Her voice was frantic and filled with terror. Then, a low, deep growl in the distance grew louder with each passing second. The sound was primal and vicious.
Without thinking, Jakob ran. His feet pounded against the stone floor as he bolted forward, desperate to find her, desperate to help. Her screams grew louder, more terrified.
"Jakob! Please! Get it away from me!" Pansy's screams cut through the darkness.
The growling grew into a snarl, followed by the sound of an attack—snapping jaws, violent thrashing, and Pansy's panicked screams. Jakob could hear the sickening sound of flesh being torn, followed by a gurgling noise as her screams grew weaker.
The beast snarled louder, and the sickening sound of something tearing and chewing filled the air, overpowering her cries. All that remained was the horrific noise of something feeding, devouring. Jakob fell to his knees, frozen in shock as the monstrous sounds echoed through the corridor.
The whispers returned, but now they were louder, clearer.
"Just give up."
"Succumb to the darkness."
"Join us… there is nothing left for you."
Tears stung Jakob's eyes as he knelt on the cold stone floor. The weight of the whispers pulled him down, crushing his will to fight. He was on the verge of surrendering to the dark, his mind drowning in regret. He whispered, "I'm sorry, Pansy… I'm so sorry." But this couldn't be real, right? Pansy couldn't be gone... right?
But then, something else cut through the whispers—other voices, voices he couldn't ignore.
It was Pansy's parents crying out in pain, their voices filled with grief and anguish.
"You failed her!" they wailed. "You weren't there when she needed you! Our daughter is gone because of you!"
Jakob's breath hitched, the guilt slicing through him like a knife. He clamped his hands over his ears, but the voices didn't disappear.
But then, in the midst of their pain and accusations, a realization crept in. He couldn't just give up. He couldn't let whatever was testing him win. He had too much left to do, a goal that he couldn't just abandon.
And Pansy—Pansy wouldn't want him to give up.
He clenched his fists, pushing himself up off the floor. His legs wobbled, but he forced himself to stand. The voices still whispered, clawing at his mind, but they couldn't overpower his will. He had made his decision.
Suddenly, a bright light glowed from his right hand.
Jakob blinked in shock, realizing that the Lumos spell was still active, shining brightly from the tip of his wand. The light had never truly gone out—it had been there all along, waiting for him to see it.
Then, as he looked up, he saw it: a hidden door, barely visible in the dark, slowly sliding open. The grinding of stone echoed in the chamber, revealing the path to the next room.
Jakob tightened his grip on his wand and stepped forward, his resolve stronger than ever. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he would face it. He had no choice but to keep moving forward.
Jakob stepped into the new room, his breath catching slightly as the sight of riches unfolded before him.
Gold coins, intricately carved figures, and jewels scattered across the floor, reflecting the warm torchlight illuminating the chamber.
The flickering light made the treasures appear almost magical, the reflections dancing on the walls, creating an ethereal glow. For a moment, Jakob's gaze lingered on the shimmering wealth, but as the heir to the wealthy and ancient House of Quade, riches like these did little to stir him.
Then, his eyes locked onto something far more compelling.
At the centre of the room, resting on an onyx pedestal carved with Egyptian hieroglyphs that depicted an ancient story, hovered a black egg.
It rotated slowly in the air, suspended by an unseen force. The egg was unlike anything he had ever seen—black as midnight, with a surface that seemed to swallow the light around it, refusing to reflect even the faintest glimmer.
Jakob cautiously approached the pedestal, his eyes fixed on the mysterious egg. But before he could get too close, a voice echoed through the chamber.
"Hello, Jakob, heir to the noble and ancient House of Quade."
Startled, Jakob spun around, wand raised, its tip aimed directly at the source of the voice.
Standing in the shadows was a figure—a man, regal and imposing, with an air of authority that could not be ignored. His skin was dark, weathered by time, and his eyes gleamed with a cold, ancient intelligence.
He was draped in richly embroidered linen robes, edged in gold and adorned with symbols of power. Around his neck hung a heavy, jewelled collar of lapis lazuli and gold, and atop his head sat the traditional crown of an Egyptian pharaoh—a golden headdress with a cobra perched at the front. His arms, though gaunt and skeletal, were adorned with thick gold bracelets, and his stance was that of a ruler who once commanded vast armies.
The Pharaoh smirked, his gaze never leaving Jakob. "Congratulations," he said in a smooth, almost amused tone. "You have completed the trials of fear, doubt... and greed."
Jakob frowned, confused momentarily, about to ask what the Pharaoh meant by the trial of greed. But as his eyes swept across the room, taking in the treasures that surrounded him, he chuckled softly to himself. Of course. This room had also been a test, one he had passed without even realizing.
"Why am I being tested?" Jakob asked, his wand still held tightly, his voice steady.
The Pharaoh's smile widened slightly, and he began to move, circling around the teen with a haunting grace. As he moved, Jakob noticed something strange—the Pharaoh left no footprints in the dust and sand that lightly covered the floor.
His movements disturbed nothing as though he were no more than a ghost, a lingering presence of a long-forgotten time.
"When I was alive," the Pharaoh began, his voice echoing in the chamber, "I discovered the egg—my most prized possession. All of my life, all of my efforts, were devoted to making it hatch. I summoned snake-whisperers from across my empire, each more skilled than the last, to try and unlock its secrets."
Jakob's brow furrowed, his curiosity piqued.
"Why would you need snake-whisperers to open the egg?" he asked, his voice sceptical. "Do you even know what lies within it?"
The Pharaoh's smirk deepened, his ancient eyes narrowing as he studied Jakob. "I see who you are, Jakob Quade. Not just because of the blood that flows in your veins, but because of how you have faced these trials. The story of the egg, and what lies within, is written on the pedestal."
The Pharaoh gestured toward the onyx pedestal, and Jakob's eyes followed his hand. He stepped closer, examining the golden hieroglyphs carved into the dark stone, depicting a series of events and symbols that told an ancient tale.
Jakob stepped closer, his eyes catching glimpses of the golden hieroglyphs carved into the dark onyx pedestal.
The symbols were detailed and intricate, a story seemingly unfolding in fragmented pieces.
But he wasn't close enough to fully grasp their meaning. His mind raced, wondering what the images held and what secrets they could reveal, but before he could study them further, the Pharaoh's voice echoed through the chamber.
Had Jakob turned around, he would have seen the triumphant smile on the ancient ruler's lips, the satisfaction of a man who had waited centuries for this moment. After thousands of years, he had finally found the one worthy of unlocking the egg.
"Your final test is about to begin."
Jakob spun around, ready to demand an explanation.
"What do you—?"
The words died in his throat.
The Pharaoh was gone. The spot where he had stood moments ago was now empty, and the air in the room was thick with an uncomfortable stillness. The only sound came from the faint crackling of the torches along the walls.
Jakob stepped closer to the pedestal, his eyes catching fleeting glimpses of the golden hieroglyphs. The carvings told a tale that stirred in his mind, flashing in fragments as though he were reliving an ancient memory.
Ra's boat glided silently through the vast night sky, the stars offering the only flickers of light in the endless expanse. Ra stood tall at the helm, his figure outlined by the faint glow of the sun he guided. His eyes scanned the void, searching for any sign of movement. His old enemy was out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.
In his grasp, Ra tightly held onto his golden staff, its gleaming surface reflecting the wisdom of many years. Time had taken its toll on the leader of the Egyptian gods, a reminder that even they could succumb to the passage of time.
The once-brilliant light he commanded flickered weakly now, his strength not what it had been in the countless battles he had fought. His face, lined with the weight of endless responsibility, remained determined, though there was no denying the weariness in his eyes.
Ra assumed his position as Apep emerged from the depths, his ancient enemy's familiar form emerging from the shadows. A faint smirk appeared on the old god's lips, his eyes narrowing in focus.
Without hesitation, Ra raised his staff and shot a beam of light toward the massive serpent, the energy crackling through the night sky. Apep, ever cunning, veered to the left just in time, the beam missing its mark. The snake's form twisted and writhed as it began to close in on the boat, its eyes fixed on the sun behind it.
Ra roared out, summoning another beam of light, though it flickered, weaker than the last. The weight of countless battles and the relentless years had taken its toll, pressing heavily on his weary shoulders.
The beam struck Apep, but barely more than a flesh wound marked the massive beast. It only enraged the serpent further. Apep's hiss of fury shook the universe, its roar reverberating through the sea of stars as it slithered closer, darkness curling around the boat.
This was it. The boat would be swallowed whole, and the sun would be devoured by the endless void of the serpent's maw.
But just before Apep could strike, a burst of fire erupted at the edge of the boat. Seth, with his spear in hand, had come to his aid. With a mighty roar, he hurled his spear toward the monstrous serpent.
Ra, struggling to lift his hand, called upon the last of his power, and the spear began to glow like a shooting star. It sliced through the night, striking Apep in its side. The serpent let out a deafening cry as its dark blood spilt into the sea of stars, glittering in the empty sky.
Only a single drop of Apep's blood managed to hit the deck of the boat before the serpent retreated, slinking back into the shadows, its form fading into the night.
Seth, panting from the effort, turned to find Ra lying lifeless beside him, the last of his energy spent. Silence filled the sky as Seth knelt down, looking at his fallen comrade. Without a word, he picked up Ra's staff, holding it tightly in his grip, and stepped to the boat's helm, assuming the place Ra had held for so long.
His eyes scanned the sea of stars, the void stretching endlessly before him, but then something caught his attention. Glancing down, he noticed the single drop of blood lying on the deck, dark and still.
The vision blurred as Seth approached the drop of blood. The scene shifted, and suddenly, Jakob found himself witnessing a new moment in time—a glorious, glittering chamber, round in shape, where the thrones of the gods lined the walls. Each throne was occupied, every god in their place, save for one.
In the centre of the chamber, the drop of Apep's blood hovered, pulsing with dark, unnatural energy. The gods weren't in agreement about what to do with it. The air was thick with tension as one god, with the head of a falcon—Horus—stood, his sharp eyes focused on Seth. Horus gestured toward the drop, his expression stern as he spoke, but Jakob couldn't understand what he was saying.
Across the chamber, Anubis stood quietly with his jackal head, his gaze fixed on the blood. His eyes gleamed with something more than concern—want. His head shook slowly as he spoke, his voice deep and firm, but the words were lost to Jakob.
The other gods shifted in their seats, some nodding in agreement with Anubis while others muttered their disapproval.
The debate grew more heated. Horus and his supporters stood their ground while Anubis, with an intense hunger in his eyes, continued to argue. It was clear that the gods were divided. But more stood with Horus than with Anubis.
Then, Seth, still holding Ra's spear, stepped forward. He lifted the spear high before letting it fall to the ground with a loud clang, silencing the voices of the gods. All eyes turned toward him. Seth's command rang out, strong and decisive. Jakob didn't need to know the language to understand—Seth was taking charge and had made his decision.
Anubis stood in place, his eyes narrowing with fury, his fists clenched at his sides. The jackal-headed god was seething, the power he so desired now gone from his reach.
The vision shifted once again, and Jakob found himself standing in a dark chamber. The room was so dim he could barely make out his surroundings, but then, without warning, the wall to his right opened, letting in a narrow beam of light. From that light stepped Anubis, his figure shadowed but unmistakable as he slowly approached the hovering drop of blood, something clutched in his hands.
Jakob watched intently as Anubis reached the drop, his movements deliberate. The god's jackal eyes gleamed with a cold satisfaction as he opened the small chest in his hands and placed it beneath the hovering drop. Slowly, almost reverently, the drop of blood sank into the chest, its dark form vanishing into the container. Anubis smirked, baring his sharp teeth as he closed the lid, his gaze lingering on the chest for a moment longer.
With a final glance at his prize, Anubis turned and walked out of the chamber. As he did, the vision blurred again, shifting into another room.
Jakob clenched his jaw, fighting the growing wave of nausea. The constant shifting was beginning to take its toll, but he refused to let the sickness distract him. The story unfolding before him demanded his full attention.
The scene changed once more, this time to Anubis's private chambers. The air was thick with the smell of death. Jakob could see countless bodies lying on the floor, each holding a bloodied knife in their hands, their throats slit in a clean, deliberate line. Sacrifices.
Anubis stood in the centre of the room, his arms raised above his head, chanting in a language Jakob couldn't understand. The air crackled with ancient power, and in the centre of the ritual, the drop of blood began to change. Slowly but surely, it twisted and reformed into a small, midnight-black snake.
As Anubis completed the ritual, his chest heaving with exertion, he was interrupted. The other gods appeared in the chamber, their expressions furious as they descended upon him. With a growl, the god raised his hand and, with a flick of his wrist, banished the snake before the others could seize it.
With a swift movement, Seth raised his hand and vanished the drop of blood, removing it from the chamber.
The vision faded, and suddenly, Jakob found himself back in the treasury chamber. His eyes locked onto the black egg, and a mixture of shock, awe, and a hint of fear flooded through him.
"Can it really be?" he muttered under his breath.
Without even realizing it, Jakob raised his hand, mesmerized by the egg as he slowly moved closer. His fingertips grazed the smooth surface, and he felt something stir deep inside him. For a second, he smiled, but then the egg seemed to stir back, vibrating under his touch. Panic shot through him, and he yanked his hand away, stumbling back a few steps.
"Shit. Don't touch anything, why don't I ever listen?" Jakob hissed to himself, his voice shaky as he levelled his wand at the egg.
"Shit, if that is what I think it is, I'm dead."
The egg jerked slightly, then went still. It jerked again. Jakob's heart raced as he heard a faint sound—something inside, something alive, wanting to come out. Then it seemed like something had sucked all the air from the room, and a deathly silence followed.
Without warning, the egg exploded, sending black shell fragments flying like bullets. Jakob flinched, raising his arms to shield himself from the sharp pieces.
Lowering his arm, he saw it.
The creature was coiled before him, its red eyes locked on his. He stared back at it, frozen. Then, with lightning speed, it lunged at him, mouth wide open, revealing two long, black fangs aimed directly at him.
Instinctively, Jakob threw himself to the side, the snake missing him by barely an inch.
He hit the dust-covered ground hard and quickly searched where the snake had landed. His eyes darted around the chamber until he saw it, already coiled and ready. He opened his mouth to speak, but the snake moved faster, lunging again.
Jakob rolled to the side, barely avoiding the strike, and quickly got to his feet, wand levelled at the creature.
"I am a speaker, you will obey me!" he hissed, frustration mounting as he tried to keep his fear in check.
"I don't obey food!" the snake hissed back, already preparing to attack again.
Jakob blinked, shocked by the response. He barely had time to process the snake's words before it came at him again. His mind raced, and without thinking, he hissed, "Serpensortia!"
A large king cobra shot from his wand, landing between him and the midnight-black snake.
"Attack!" Jakob commanded, but before the words had fully left his mouth, the black snake was on the cobra. Its fangs pierced the cobra's scales, and Jakob could hear the agonized hisses as the venom took hold, spreading through the larger snake's body like wildfire.
The cobra's movements became sluggish, its muscles twitching as the venom coursed through its veins, slowly overtaking it.
Fascinated and horrified, Jakob watched as the black snake unhinged its jaw and devoured the still-living cobra.
"Still hungry," the snake hissed as it slithered slowly toward Jakob, clearly toying with him now.
"I have something for you," Jakob hissed back, raising his wand and casting the spell he had taught Pansy weeks before. The yellow light shot toward the snake, hitting it square in the head, blinding in its intensity.
But the snake didn't even flinch. "You are too weak, and the weak will always be food for the strong," it hissed, lunging at Jakob once more.
Stunned at how the spell had done nothing, Jakob barely had time to react. He raised his hand in a desperate attempt to shield himself from the attack. Then, he felt it—something stirring inside him. The darkness he had felt before rushed forward, and black smoke shot out from his hand, slamming the snake to the ground before him.
The smoke seemed to encircle the snake, and for a moment, Jakob could have sworn the snake and the darkness were... acknowledging each other, almost as if greeting one another. The snake's tongue flicked out, testing the smoke. But the moment it touched the black tendrils, it jerked back. Slowly, the darkness retracted, retreating back inside Jakob.
The snake looked up at him, its red eyes locked on his. Jakob could almost feel the snake's surprise mirrored in his own.
"You are my kin, speaker?" the snake hissed, its voice softer now.
Jakob blinked. He had no idea what to say. "I... what?"
The snake slithered closer, its movements less aggressive and almost sombre. It coiled around his leg, slowly winding its way up his torso.
"You are my kin. You will be mine," it hissed, its words more like a statement than a question. Jakob stood frozen, the snake now resting on his shoulder, its presence oddly calm.
"Yours? So you will obey me?" Jakob asked, still trying to grasp what was happening.
The snake let out a hiss that almost sounded like a laugh. "You are mine. I am yours. You will obey me as much as I will you."
Jakob paused, his mind racing. He turned his head slightly toward the snake now perched on his shoulder. "I'm Jakob. Do you have a name?"
Just as the snake was about to answer, Jakob noticed the wall shifting. It seemed to move on its own, and when he turned, he saw that a new exit had appeared, standing open before him.
He glanced at the snake on his shoulder, then around the room. The treasures scattered across the chamber held no interest for him. Instead, his eyes fell on a piece of the eggshell. Without hesitation, he walked over and picked it up.
"How did you even get out of this?" Jakob hissed in awe as he turned the black shell over in his hands.
The shell was cold and smooth, but when he tried to break it, it didn't even budge. It was harder than metal, not giving even the slightest crack under his efforts.
"Why do you want my egg? It serves no purpose anymore," the snake hissed lazily from his shoulder as Jakob began gathering more pieces, using the fabric of his white linen shirt to hold them.
"They might serve a purpose one day," Jakob hissed back, carefully collecting each shard.
The snake didn't respond this time, simply resting its head on his shoulder as if uninterested. Jakob straightened, his shirt now full of the black shards, and made his way toward the exit, his new companion silently watching as they left the chamber behind.
Jakob paused, taking in the empty chamber. Flashes of the last time he was here, with Asim, Pansy, and her parents, came to mind. The room had felt full then—of people and the tension in the air—but now it was different. Quiet.
His eyes drifted to a small piece of paper lying on a stone beside an Egyptian-themed pouch.
He stepped closer, picked up the note, and quickly scanned it.
If you see this, Jake, go outside, and we will find you. In the bag is water and bread.
Jakob dropped the note back onto the stone and exhaled. The eggshells he had tucked into his shirt were laid down next to the note as he reached for the pouch. Only as he unscrewed the water bottle did the thirst hit him fully, the first sip quenching a dryness he hadn't even noticed.
He drained the bottle, feeling relief as the water ran down his throat. The bread, though, was cast aside without a second thought. He focused instead on carefully scooping the black egg shells into the pouch.
Jakob stood up straight, letting out a small sigh as a smile tugged at his lips. He raised his wand and whispered, "Lumos."
The light from his wand lit up the narrow corridor ahead, shadows shifting against the walls as the path stretched out in front of him. Jakob's thoughts turned inward as he took in the scene. Well, this pyramid had not disappoint.
As the boy and the snake on his shoulder started their walk down the corridor, Jakob broke the silence. "So, what's your plan when I get you out of here?" he asked, his voice low, echoing slightly in the narrow passage.
The snake shifted slightly on his shoulder. "I will stay with you. I enjoy your darkness, and I will grow with it."
Jakob frowned slightly, unsure what that meant. "Wait, but how will I... What do you eat?"
"Things bigger than me," the snake hissed, "and I prefer them alive."
Jakob raised an eyebrow, trying to make sense of it. Well, that's... specific. He shrugged, continuing down the corridor, the light from his wand leading the way.
"When we exit this pyramid, there will be people looking for me—friends. They can't see you, so you'll need to hide in the bag," Jakob hissed, his voice low but firm.
"Why?" the snake lifted its head, gazing at Jakob with its glowing red eyes, clearly curious.
"Because if they see you, they might think you belong to someone else, which would be a problem for us. Technically, you're the property of this pyramid, so... I'm stealing you."
The snake rested its head on Jakob's shoulder, considering his words.
"I will hide," it hissed, the decision made.
Jakob continued down the passage, the end of the tunnel now visible ahead. The light wasn't as bright as he'd expected, but he pushed onward until he stood by the exit. He looked back at the snake.
"Rest in here," he hissed, nodding toward the bag.
The snake gave him a long look as if deciding whether to obey. Finally, it slowly slid off Jakob's shoulder, dropping into the bag without a sound.
When he stepped outside, the cool night air hit him, and Jakob's eyes were drawn to the sky. The stars were out in full, twinkling above him. He hadn't expected it to be so dark yet. He blinked, surprised.
"That's weird. It shouldn't be this dark yet," Jakob muttered, scanning his surroundings.
He took a few steps forward, wondering how he was supposed to get back. Then, without warning, a loud pop echoed through the stillness, and suddenly, Asim appeared in front of him.
"I told you not to touch anything! Are you hurt? Are you fine?" Asim demanded, his eyes darting over Jakob, clearly worried.
"I'm fine, not injured," Jakob replied calmly, meeting Asim's worried gaze. "It just took me a while to find the exit. I'm ready to head back if that's all right?"
Asim narrowed his eyes in suspicion as he took a step closer, carefully looking Jakob over.
"I will take you back, but first, you'll tell me what happened."
Jakob paused for a moment, his mind quickly spinning a convincing story. "I got separated from the group, wandered around for what felt like hours, trying not to touch anything. I thought I was going in circles for a while until I found some old passages. It was just empty rooms filled with dust and old relics, but nothing that stood out. I was lucky enough to finally stumble upon the exit."
He kept his face calm, watching Asim's reaction. The guide studied him for a moment longer, then nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.
With a sigh of relief, Asim took Jakob's arm firmly. "All right, let's go."
With a pop, they disappeared, all three of them—Jakob, the man, and the hidden snake.
When they returned to the hotel, Jakob saw Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson waiting for them in the lobby. Their expressions softened the moment they saw him. Asim was thanked for his efforts, and after a brief wave, he disappeared into the night.
Jakob, still keeping his composure, repeated the same story he had told Asim. "I'm sorry for causing trouble," he said, adding an apologetic smile to smooth things over.
Mrs Parkinson waved off his apology. "No need to worry, Jakob. We knew you'd turn up. If you hadn't been back by tomorrow, we might have alerted your father, but we had a feeling everything was fine."
Mr Parkinson nodded in agreement. "Glad you're safe, lad."
Jakob gave a small nod, but his eyes scanned the room. "Where's Pansy?" he asked, suddenly realizing her absence.
Amaryllis smiled gently. "She's in her room. I think a little visit from you would make her really happy right now."
Jakob gave a small nod, feeling the weight of everything settle a bit more as he turned toward the hallway.
The Quade heir made his way down the corridor to Pansy's door and knocked.
"Go away. I don't need anything," came Pansy's weak, tear-filled voice from the other side.
Jakob sighed, rolling his eyes a bit. "Well, open up then. I have things to talk about, and I'm starving."
There was a brief silence before he heard her getting up, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps rushing to the door. When it swung open, Jakob was almost surprised the door stayed attached to its hinges with how fast she had yanked it.
Pansy stood in front of him, her eyes red and swollen, her face streaked with tears. Without hesitation, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Where in the bloody shitting hell were you?!" Pansy blurted out, her words coming out in a frantic rush. "You were there one second, then gone! Asim knelt down and started praying to some Allah or whatever, screaming about 'the dark one,' and Mum and Dad—they looked so worried! I didn't know what to do!" Her eyes darted around as she talked, getting more and more worked up, her words tripping over themselves as she got louder.
Jakob, who was holding her close, gently brushed her hair back, trying to keep a straight face. "Pansy, it's alright. I'm here now," he whispered, softly hushing her.
As soon as he spoke, her frantic words stuttered to a stop. She paused for a split second, then broke down completely, burying her face in his shoulder and crying, the weight of it all finally hitting her as she clung to him. He waited for her sobs to calm down a little before speaking.
"Pansy, I know. I'll explain everything, but first, I want you to be the first to meet someone."
Pansy let go of him and stepped back, her face scrunched in confusion. "What? Who have you met?"
Jakob smiled, slowly placing the pouch down on the floor. "You'll see."
"What do you have in your bag?" she asked, her suspicion growing.
Jakob didn't answer. Instead, he looked at the bag's opening and hissed softly, "Come out, but slowly, so you don't scare her."
The snake slowly slithered out of the pouch, its scales so dark they almost blended into the shadows. If it weren't for the subtle glow coming off its body, Pansy might have thought it was just a shadow itself.
As the snake raised its head, those glowing red eyes focused on her, and Pansy instinctively backed away a few steps. "Jakob Quade... what the hell is that?"
"You don't have to be afraid," Jakob answered, trying to keep his voice calm. "It hatched from an egg after I went through some trials. It tried to eat me at first, but my shadow made it change its mind, and now it's decided to follow me—"
"wait. It tried to eat you?" Pansy interrupted, her face a mixture of shock and confusion.
Jakob chuckled, letting out a sigh. "Yeah... it's a long story."
"Hungry," hissed the snake, its red eyes fixed on Jakob.
"What... Jake, what did it say? Does it want to eat me?" Pansy asked, alarm creeping into her voice.
Jakob didn't answer her directly. Instead, he hissed back to the snake, "Do you want me to get you some food?"
Pansy's eyes widened as she watched the exchange, clearly more alarmed by the fact that Jakob wasn't answering her.
"No. I hunt. I smell a lot of food," the snake hissed in return.
"Don't hunt near this building, and make sure you aren't followed. Come back when you're full," Jakob instructed calmly.
"What the bloody hell are you two talking about?" Pansy almost yelled, her patience wearing thin as she demanded an answer.
The snake turned its head toward Pansy, moving with slow intent. Panic flickered across her face as it slithered toward her, and she instinctively backed away. She froze as she watched the creature pass by her feet and disappear through the balcony, vanishing into the night.
The snake turned its head toward Pansy, moving with slow intent. Panic flickered across her face as it slithered toward her, and she instinctively backed away, heart pounding. She watched, tense, as the creature passed by her feet and disappeared through the balcony, vanishing into the night.
Pansy sat cross-legged on the bed, watching Jakob recounting what had happened. He spoke about the strange room with the girl, how she moved like a nightmare, each step creeping closer.
Then came the long, pitch-black corridor, where he had heard Pansy's voice, screaming in the dark, convincing him she was in danger. He described the chamber with the Pharaoh and, finally, the visions that led him to the egg and the snake.
Pansy listened to the whole story, not interrupting once. When Jakob finally finished, she asked the question that had been on her mind the entire time.
"Weren't you scared in there? Seeing that girl... that snake rise up and attack you?" she asked, her voice quiet but full of curiosity.
"Yeah... I was... terrified, in fact," Jakob admitted with a chuckle. "But in the end, I won, and now I'm stronger for it."
Pansy rolled her eyes. "Good to know your self-confidence hasn't left you, even after going through all that."
Jakob shrugged. "Why would it?" He grinned, but Pansy's attention shifted.
"The egg shards you took—can I see them?"
Jakob reached into his bag and carefully pulled out the black shards. Pansy looked at them in awe, turning one over in her hand as it caught the faint light.
"What are you going to do with them?" she asked, her curiosity clear.
"I don't know yet," Jakob admitted. "I took them as a memory of the birth, but who knows? They could have some use. The egg has been in that pyramid for 5000 years so these shells might be the only ones left."
Pansy suddenly laughed, and Jakob looked at her, confused. "What's so funny?"
"You got what you wanted," she said, still giggling. "The knowledge that was lost. You said it at home the day before we left."
Jakob smiled and nodded. "Yeah, not in the way I expected, but I did get two things."
That night, Pansy fell asleep with her head resting on Jakob's arm, her leg draped over him as if she feared he might disappear again.
Jakob, who had been sleeping, was stirred awake by a familiar slithering sensation moving up his arm.
He blinked his eyes open and was met by two glowing red slits staring back at him.
"Good hunt?" he whispered, gently lifting the snake's body and placing it on the nightstand he dragged closer to the bed, all while carefully trying not to wake the sleeping girl beside him.
The snake curled up on the nightstand, its head resting close to Jakob's. "Full," it hissed softly.
Jakob decided not to ask what it had hunted and instead asked something else. "Are you male or female?"
"Female," the snake hissed back.
"Do you have a name? My name is Jakob."
"No name," the snake replied, its voice smooth.
"Would you like one?" Jakob asked, watching the snake curiously.
The snake raised its head slightly, looking at him as if considering the offer. Jakob thought for a moment before hissing, "Saliza?"
"Saliza," the snake repeated, hissing softly as if testing how the name felt. After a few seconds, it lowered its head, seemingly satisfied. "My name is Saliza," it said, sounding both pleased and tired.
Jakob smiled tiredly. "Glad you like it. Goodnight, Saliza."
"Sleep well, Jakob," she hissed softly.
The trip to Egypt was nearing its end. The next morning, over breakfast, the group chatted about the different adventures they had experienced, each sharing their thoughts on which one had been the best. There was laughter, friendly debate, and bittersweet finality as they reflected on their time together.
When the time came, they gathered around the portkey that would take them back to Britain. Jakob held his bag close, where Saliza was safely hidden inside, her presence known only to him and Pansy.