Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Nebus Khet ❯ Nebus Khet ( Chapter 1 )

NOTE: The Prologue is long, so please read patiently. I'll see you at the end. Happy reading!

Destined to be Together: Prologue

Disclaimer: "Yu-Gi-Oh!" belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

Year 25 of Pharaoh: House of Akunumkanon

Anger stirred fierce resolutions within him, but with disciplined deliberateness Elotu Danae kept his fury at bay. He had to. He was in no position to disrupt the harmony he had struggled to cultivate over the past fifteen years. Of course, when learning an ugly truth it always proved difficult. And how much he seethed! The knowledge revolted him beyond all he had ever known.

He understood that because he was not entirely a native to the land, not everyone had come to accept and respect him, especially when he, a mere refugee, successively became a man of high rank. The very high odds of rousing dislike were even higher, and it was certainly no trouble to find when frequenting the Divine Halls of Egypt. But he had learned quickly and he had learned well. All that mattered was loyalty and a peaceful bearing, and the nation had no need to subjugate his allegiance, for out of his own free will he had chosen to follow his new king. He now believed he was the most loyal man of all! Aye. Never would he dare lift one finger against Egypt and her mighty pharaoh. Never!

Striding fervently, Elotu became aware of how rich black the gloom cast from the grand columns was. In fact, in the swallowing darkness of Nut1, under her starless body of night, the Divine Halls had transformed into sinister hideaways for the enemy he had come to condemn, the traitorous rat that now fed greedily after his foul crime. No, he was certain he would find him content and unawares in his burrow of newfound riches, at ease despite the atrocities he had committed against Egypt. The wretched cur… Aggravated by the conjured image, he hastened even more to the chambers before him; incensed dark eyes in the cover of shadow looked forward with dire anticipation. He would speak first to the god and pharaoh Akunumkanon, and obtain his blessed consent to thrash the man who had swindled the country shamelessly. He would strip him from all glorified titles and execute him barehanded. The time for retribution had come!

Before he reached the gilded doors, the night sentries made way upon recognizing the stately scarlet colors he favored. The man scarcely acknowledged them with a nod, and under his furious tread he soon reached the chambers of the royal. Barging into the grandest one of all, he stopped abruptly in remembered composure, dreading the king's reaction to his startling appearance. However, the only one to greet him turned away from the golden throne, and his look of alarm became one of pleasant surprise.

"Elotu?"

The man slowly removed his woolen hood in response, and his steely olive-green eyes roamed the torch-lit chamber carefully. "Where is His Excellency, Shimon?" he asked at last.

"The young prince keeps Pharaoh company, my lord. He will return soon," the old man bowed, and he looked up to see Elotu regarding him guardedly. "Well! Won't you come tell me what pressing matters moved you to see His Excellency at such hour?"

"Surely you are aware of it, Shimon. I have only recently discovered a two-headed evil has risen to strike as he no longer veils his hideous heads. I would have prevented him had his schemes not kept me away…" Cocking eyebrow, he smiled wryly, "He must have blinded you as well, if you are not aware of it yourself, old friend."

The man's large eyes widened in surprise, and after a brief silence, he rendered a contented grin. "First and foremost, let me tell you how relieved I am to see the face of an old ally! You must have ventured great perils and traveled far, Elotu Danae."

"As I am glad to find you well, Shimon Muran, but…" he frowned in direction of the imperial apartments, and his powerful gaze locked eyes with the king's curious attendant, "Concerning matters of state, I fear we may have unleashed the gods' wrath."

"Oh? So grievous is the deed? If you do not know, Master Elotu, we have prevented everything that could have harmed Egypt. We have all endeavored to keep her safe—Pharaoh is safe."

Elotu cocked his head to the side, considering, and he looked up with renewed sobriety. "His very essence is Egypt. When she bleeds, he bleeds. When she weeps, he weeps. When she wilts, he wilts. Yes, Shimon, Akunumkanon and the Golden Land are one. Yet, people cried in vain when they called for him. Why did he not cry out with them also? Why would he hurt himself so?"

Shimon searched the man's solemn face, and quietly he said, "Do you mean to say that the Great House of Egypt purposely harmed his country, Elotu? You, of all people, should know he wished to end war and find peace, for that would have prevented all bloodshed."

"I know, and I understand." Elotu lowered his eyes from the cheerless reality, "It was unforeseen because it was inconceivable, but now we can only face the truth as what it remains, Shimon… The truth is that we were cheated cruelly, because He was deceived by the Cherished One, he who promised to protect Egypt!"

"What stranger is this, Elotu?" Shimon breathed, throwing a worried glance at the doors. "Why do you speak in code? Don't you know that in times of violence and despair, many have pledged to protect the land of Egypt?"

"I do."

"Well, then tell me. Who is the one who turned against us?"

Elotu's eyes hardened when recalling the traitor's face, and he looked up with new ferocity. "I ask you, Shimon, who holds the Grimoire of Millennium Magic2?"

Shimon met the man's glare in shock, and with a labored sigh, he turned to the throne. "Priest Akunadin is the current guardian…"

"Yes. Do you know why? The Grimoire of Millennium Magic is a dark book originally entrusted to me to guard, but under Pharaoh's sacred volition, I entrusted it to his brother. I did not suspect anything at the time so I acquiesced willingly, but with such dangerous magic beyond our understanding, and Akunadin's keen insight in tongues and magic, I prayed that if he ever succeeded to decipher its ancient text he would not resolve to perform its ghastly ordeals. That too was in vain, it seems…"

"But, Elotu! Akunadin told us the book only contained a magic formula of the Alchemy of Darkness. By forging seven mystical treasures we would ensure Egypt's safety and victory."

"At what cost?" Elotu demanded. "Didn't you read the procession? Didn't you read what was required in order to bring forth these seven abominations?"

Shimon nervously glanced at the table beside him. "Well, yes… Akunadin made it clear that sacrifices were needed in order to create the Seven Millennium Items, but assured us that he had already prepared the ritual with the necessary shadow magic…"

"Shadow magic? And what were the sacrifices, Shimon? Tell me!"

"Lives…"

"Of what? Of who?"

The man remained silent.

"Villagers? How many? Ten? Twenty? Thousands?"

Shimon's eyes widened in dismay, "Elotu! Akunadin would never—"

"Akunadin did, I'm afraid! He deceived you! All of you! And I would think the Pharaoh trusted him wholeheartedly never to suspect him. I myself find it hard to believe…"

"People…fell in anguish, in spite of everything?" the old man's voice trembled in horror. "It did come as a surprise that Priest Akunadin had deciphered the magic book…but never would we have…" Covering his face with his sleeves, he began to sob, "Oh, we have failed Egypt! His Majesty!"

"Our king is a man of gentle heart," Elotu admitted softly. "It is shocking when realizing it, but I can understand why the vulture would wish to take advantage of such tender fault—he was given the opportunity, after all."

The tearful priest turned to the somber lord, who now looked at him in quiet worry. "It was for the welfare of the people, Elotu… Now the Nile bleeds!"

Elotu bowed his head respectively. "I will make certain that Akunadin no longer infests our waters. I give you my word under Heru's3 name."

The old man pondered Elotu's assurance in bewilderment, and his trickling eyes widened as he recognized the deadly conviction in his voice. "No! I beg you to calm yourself, Master Elotu! Upon taking the life of Pharaoh's brother, you in turn will be condemned! It is treason!"

"Treason, Shimon?" Elotu chuckled darkly. "Nay. Murdering the snake who betrayed Pharaoh's trust is not treason! It is justice!" Shimon wiped his tears as Elotu wandered to him, and the young man placed a firm hand on his quivering shoulder. "Fear not, my old friend. I will speak with His Majesty first. I must understand his reasoning before giving final judgment…"

"Elotu! Do you not know our king's person? Have you not feasted together? Have you not jousted together? Have you not hunted together? He will be the one to suffer the ultimate consequences, for have you not admitted that he is the Great House of Egypt?" At Elotu's alarmed gaze, he sighed. "He will most likely sacrifice himself as penance for the sins of his brother…"

"But—"

"You must understand that. Are you not Chief Vizier of Egypt? And is he not our king? Yes," the man nodded, looking tearfully once again at the throne, "by what you have delivered, our Pharaoh will sacrifice himself! Egypt is ill, and as he is Egypt, he will suffer… As she has given a limb, so will he offer his own!"

"But Akunadin should be the one to atone!"

"Elotu Danae! Our pharaoh knew that darkness was to be expected, he never knew just how deep it would be…"

Elotu staggered away from him in disbelief. "He knew of the prophecy…?"

Shimon sighed in agitated distress. "He is only aware of the possibilities; darkness could swallow the world once creating these seven treasures, it is something we all understood, and it was a risk he did not wish to take but had to. So he entrusted Egypt's safety to Akunadin…"

"And still that infestation thought it best to undertake the inhumane actions to keep her safe?" Elotu bellowed. "Still he condemned Egypt and her king? By Amun's wrath he shall pay!"

Before Shimon realized what he implied, Elotu turned on his heel and marched to the doors. The old man cried after him anxiously, but Elotu did not answer him, invigorated with anger again. The short stout man promptly followed once snatching the golden item on the table, and he had to run to keep up to Elotu's brisk walk.

"Elotu! What will you do? Think of His Excellency!"

Elotu never hesitated as he walked. He simply quickened step as Shimon attempted to grab his robes, and soon reached the apartments of the royal priests. Catching sight of Akunadin's door, he raised a hand with flat palm faced forward. A golden-green ball of energy took form. It illuminated the darkened halls and Elotu's angry face for a moment, before he tossed it furiously. The door shattered and incinerated under the heavy blast, and the livid man strode into the chamber once the curling white smoke had cleared, followed closely by a troubled Shimon—he was accustomed to seeing Elotu's temper flare every now and again, and knew it was best to keep quiet.

Both men found the middle-aged figure of Priest Akunadin seated in terror. As he recognized the two men standing before him, his fright became nonchalant irritation.

"How dare you! To roam the halls at nigh, Elotu. And you, Shimon! How can—"

Elotu's final thread of patience snapped, and he immediately tramped to him with a roar. Grabbing him by the front of his apron, he lifted him effortlessly. "Explain to me right now! Why did you carry out the evils of the magic book? Answer me! You covetous kheft3!"

"Calm yourself, Elotu…" Akunadin managed to gasp. "What, are you expiring with envy…because I was the one to protect Egypt…? How foolish can you be…?"

Elotu gritted his teeth as the man began to choke with grim laughter. "You wretched son of the three pigs…" He then became aware of the golden item that replaced the priest's left eye, and his ire climaxed into a vision of red blood. Grabbing the man by the neck, he lifted him higher. "You created the Millennium Items! And now you wear the Eye shamelessly! Allow me to congratulate you, you corrupted imbecile!"

Shimon watched helplessly as Akunadin turned red from lack of breath. "Elotu! Desist! Think of the pharaoh!"

Suddenly, three of the new six high priests ran inside. Two, upon seeing Akunadin raised high above Elotu, parted them quickly. Shimon and the other grabbed the Chief Vizier's arm firmly, and the old man averted the alarmed quizzical stares of the other priests. Before either could speak, two women robed in flowing sheer white walked in, and their eyes widened to see Akunadin's wheezing bent form.

"What event has taken here?" the authoritative one demanded.

"Our Chief Vizier has attacked Priest Akunadin, Your Highness," the other woman replied softly, with sad eyes lowered to the floor as her fingers flew to the golden tauk laced around her neck.

Stunned, the queen turned to Elotu. "To attack a man under Pharaoh's protection is to attack the House of Egypt itself!"

Elotu bowed his head low. "I understand the laws that govern this land, Highness." As he straightened, his eyes hardened. "But you must understand that he abused them long before I did. I merely wished to pay him back with the same token."

The priests all cried out in dismay and soon began to question him. Elotu simply ignored them, sickened by the golden items they carried. Pulling himself free from Shimon, he granted him a piercing stare of his own, for he could see by the dim light of a torch that he carried a golden item as well.

The old man sighed, and turned to the imposing woman deferentially. "If I may be so bold to intrude, Your Highness…" The woman's keen eyes turned to him, and he quickly bowed low at waist. "But, you see, I do presume His Divine Majesty awaits our Chief Vizier in our private Council Chamber. We will gain nothing to discuss this matter here without Pharaoh's wise judgment…"

Queen Mayet looked to Elotu to see his reaction. He remained unmoved for the generous suggestion, staring straight ahead with a jaded expression and lips etched back in distaste. The nerve of the man! He continued to be so trying, even in her presence! Yet, she could not help but be amused by it. Elotu indeed remained a frivolous mystery to her, and she enjoyed his company and good spirits as much as her husband did. He had sworn eternal allegiance to Pharaoh, and he had demonstrated it well the past two decades: he helped nurture Egypt through violent junctures, maintained a solemn yet buoyant outlook as Royal Overseer, established several new shrines Pharaoh took delight in visiting, suited the position of `Her Majesty's Noble Herald' when she required it, and even participated in warfare by becoming temporary army commander. She also assumed that through his unusual talents as an excellent magus, he brightened the ambiance of what was usually a quiet and formal home. Yes, he was a good friend and ally as he was loyal and fierce.

His dark-green eyes met her amethyst depths abruptly, and she fervently took the pleasure to study the raging wisdom he harbored. Whatever drove him to attack Akunadin must have had great reason, she realized. Elotu was no foolish man, unlike Akunadin, whom she believed disliked his brother for his crown, and wherever the cagey man happened to come by with such power, she did not know. She did know she could not trust him, and with that apprehensive thought in mind, she sincerely wished Elotu well—though she was one who highly objected to making favorites within the Sacred Court.

Smiling gently, Queen Mayet turned to the quiet woman beside her. "Very well, Priestess Sehka, accompany me to my chambers. We both know I am far from finishing my lord's gift, and my little one waits impatiently in his cradle." The woman inclined her head in agreement, and before the queen turned to the door, she cast one last arch look at Akunadin; the man looked aged beyond his years, and the anger and grief that burdened his face the most remained unchecked. "I bid you all men to rest. The Gods have taken holy interest to warn us that only one battle remains, and all of you must be at ready."

The priests bowed low as she departed, loyal to her kind ruling and they turned to Elotu expectantly, waiting for his command. The Chief Vizier frowned in Akunadin's direction, and slowly he hissed, "Rest assured I will not tell Pharaoh how you truly happened to forge the Seven Millennium Items, son of Sutekh4. In time I will first rid Egypt of the red serpent nestled in her precious nest…"

"Elotu," Shimon warned.

Elotu turned his eyes on the three remaining priests: Sekmenton, Kepura, and Atenza. He knew well by studying with them that they were faithful men, and it was evident from their confusion that they did not know the reason for his callousness to the brother of Pharaoh. How far their knowledge of the items reached he was uncertain, but he was willing to grant them the benefit of the doubt—for now. He looked away as the keeper of the Millennium Ring, Kepura, opened his mouth to speak.

"Heed Her Highness's words, my good priests. As you have now joined the Sacred Court, you must be prepared for the evils lurking within this kingdom," he turned to Akunadin as he spoke, "and within these walls."

"Then, if you truly wish it, with your permission we shall take our leave now, sir," the keeper of the Millennium Rod, Sekmenton, bowed.

"We will rest and pray to meet with you tomorrow," the keeper of the Millennium Scales, Atenza, added, "we have not met before to discuss our work."

Elotu sanctioned their leave with a curt nod, and both he and Shimon turned to Akunadin once they had gone. Although the priest's face was remote, his one eye glittered in solemn defiance.

Elotu's lips spread into a fierce jackal-headed smile, "Let us meet His Divine Majesty, Master Akunadin."

Shimon led the way as they headed back to the council chambers, and Elotu ignored Akunadin as the man maintained a cautious distance between them. Had matters been different, Elotu would lark stories and generate friendly warmth reserved only for his closest allies. In the first of his thirtieth prime, he was a junior to Akunadin by nine years, and they had been good friends, although not always on the same accord, but had learned to value each other's wisdom instead to pass the trials by comfortably. And in remembrance to that camaraderie, Elotu had hope Akunadin had not converted to the dreaded evil inside the book. Elotu and Shimon were the only ones who knew of the family the priest had created outside the palace walls, of the one he must have abandoned, and if he were to bring the ultimate destruction to all Egypt, how would they calm his pharaoh and protect the innocent lives of the woman and child?

Akunadin was such a fool he longed to beat him shrewd!

"Elotu?"

He snapped from his gloomy chain of thoughts to find Shimon and Akunadin staring at him. They had stopped before the pharaoh's audience chamber door and were now waiting for him.

"Yes, Shimon?"

Akunadin spoke before the other could. "Elotu, I only beg you to keep in mind of the things you say. Believe me, although I am truly repentant of my actions, my brother must never know…"

Elotu stared at the man long and hard, recalling Shimon's lament, until reluctantly he conceded. "I shall. I shall keep that in mind—not for you—but for His Divine Majesty. Now, let us proceed."

Shimon beamed in approval to his response, and opening the doors, he showed both men into the chamber. Pharaoh Akunumkanon sat on his golden throne atop the grand dais, and he gazed at all three wearily. Shimon hastened to his left side, and bowed low when reaching him. Successively, Akunadin and Elotu knelt on their left leg and crossed their breast respectively, bowing their head. The pharaoh's quiet voice soon beckoned them to rise, and they stood to face him grimly.

"Elotu, explain the meaning of your actions. Why did you attack my brother in such ire?"

Elotu held the king's severe stare before closing his eyes in peaceful reassurance. "My King, we were arguing over the contents of the Millennium Spell Book," he said, using the book's alternate gentle name.

"Then, you were the first to decipher the book?"

"I do not know, Majesty. I could have misinterpreted the text, but…" briefly glancing at Akunadin's Millennium Eye, he turned back to his king thin-lipped, "I believe Master Akunadin was successful when deciphering the book."

The Pharaoh looked impressed at Elotu's chosen words, for praise was rare of him, and he leant forward in curiosity, bemused by the man's strange behavior. "Tell me, Chief Vizier, are there any perils by having forged these seven mystical treasures? I believe that when one possesses the power and magic to control gods and demons, there must be a price…"

Startled by the pharaoh's response, Elotu looked up in brief terror. How much did he know? "My king…?"

"I also believe you are against the use of Shadow Magic, Elotu Danae," he continued, and not steering his eyes away from him, he addressed his brother. "Akunadin, are these seven millennium items not forged with a formula from the Alchemy of Darkness?"

Like Elotu, Akunadin seemed startled by the question. "Ah, yes, sir. I did use Shadow Magic in the ritual, but you see the sole purpose of the items is for the use of good…"

"Is that true, Elotu?"

Elotu lowered his eyes, masking the pain to deceive one so effortlessly. "Yes, they can be used for good—and can only be used by those chosen by the Millennium Items."

Pharaoh Akunumkanon reached into his robes and placed a golden triangular object onto his lap. Elotu looked up bewildered by the jingle of noise, and his eyes widened when they alighted upon the artifact. The pendant resembled an upside-down pyramid with the eye of udjat on the front. It had a ring on top, allowing the owner to wear it around the neck. And so Pharaoh Akunumkanon was keeper of the Millennium Puzzle…

"You are a mighty god. You are Pharaoh," Elotu bowed low.

"Akunadin forged only seven millennium items, Elotu. Alas, there is no item to choose you."

Elotu cringed inwardly at his sweet ignorance, and smiled weakly instead. "I am touched by your concern, my king, but you need not trouble with modest concerns. I am content to serve you as I am. Please, accept my humble attempts at servitude."

A wide smile broke across Akunumkanon's tired face. "Think nothing of humble. You are a valued friend, Elotu. Now I command that you make peace with my brother, and all shall finally be well in the land of Egypt."

"We have already…overlooked our differences and rejoice as one for you, sir," Akunadin said. "We will bear it never to allow the past to repeat itself again."

At that, Elotu's eyes hardened. He very much wished that were true…

"Very well. Let you be forever united and never conquered." Akunumkanon stood and beckoned the men to do the same. "You have endured many difficulties, Akunadin. I do not wish to see you take ill after our longed-awaited peace. I bid you good rest, my brother."

Akunadin crossed his fragile breast in respect and left the chamber in hasty strides without so much as a backward glance. Only Shimon and Elotu remained and the king turned to them in kind affection.

"Well," Shimon began, "you have realized, my king, that our Chief Vizier certainly traveled fast to reach us, despite all the worries of an innovative father…" At the men's bewildered stares, Shimon cocked eyebrows. "Is your wife not in the birthing chambers, Elotu?"

The man's eyes widened in dismay and he sprang to his feet. "Yes! I must return to her!"

Pharaoh Akunumkanon glanced at the stilted windows high on the alabaster walls, and he looked back into the anxious, handsome face of Elotu. "The night is still fresh; you may yet reach her in time. And in order to quicken your flight, you have my permission to the swiftest chariot and a group of men."

"I thank you, Majesty!"

Pharaoh Akunumkanon smiled. The young man would now become a father, and he wished him the entire prosperity that he had inherited after the Millennium Items.

"May the gods bless you with life, health, and prosperity, Elotu Danae!"

--

House of Elotu Danae

"What is taking to the hours?"

"Elotu, you know that when women are in labor you do not hasten them."

"Yes! But I would like to be there to support her all that is necessary. It is my firstborn!"

"Come, Elotu!" the other laughed, amused by the uncharacteristic nerves of the man. "You know that your wife is strong, perhaps stronger than Egypt's very own regiment."

Elotu let loose a tight laugh. "Yes, you are right. Maara is the perfect woman. I chose a good wife."

"At the very least you did. It is a shame I did not…" his companion sighed grimly.

"Asmor, be grateful that at the very least you have the opportunity to see your son! He is as strong as the Sun Child that Egypt gave birth to a year ago."

"Aye…"

Suddenly, Maara's midwife Hasima ran in. She bowed before Elotu as she gasped for breath.

"Before the cursed afflicts of Kush strike, speak!" Elotu cried.

"My lady has delivered—"

"Yes?"

"—a girl."

"A girl?" Asmor exclaimed. "Blessed be Maara! She smiled from the waters of femininity!"

A laugh erupted from Elotu's dry throat, and as Asmor vented the tribal cry of their clan, he followed Hasima inside the mammisi5. He stopped short at the sight of the fatigued figure of Maara lying on her back, breathing heavily with eyes closed. Old Hasima smiled reassuringly as Elotu turned to her in dread.

"She endured to give you a healthy girl. Now she need only rest, Master Elotu."

"My lord…?"

He looked at his wife to find her awake with head turned to him. Her clear blue eyes, once dull from exhaustion, brightened to see him, and immediately he treaded to kneel beside her. She was young for a mother, roughly a little more than half his age, but she seemed lively despite the excruciating ordeal of giving birth. She extended a slender hand to him, and he clasped it to his chest, smiling into her sweat-coated face.

"I wish to see her…" she breathed.

Elotu gently assisted her into a sitting position once Hasima walked to them with a tiny bundle of linen sheets. Maara extended her arms for the babe, and once holding her nursling, she released a husky chuckle as Elotu attempted to peer into the white of her cradle. She tendered her arms slightly forward, and with heads drawn close, they gazed at their newborn. Tears crowded into his eyes as he stared at the sleeping infant with sulking face and long, wet eyelashes. Soft black hair covered her fragile cranium, and her gentle tan flushed pink from her recent cries.

"She's lovely…" Elotu smiled.

"I believe your daughter inherited your eyes, Master Elotu, although they are a lighter shade!" Hasima said.

"Are they?" he laughed, elated by the thought.

"Yes," Maara agreed, and at her nod Hasima took immediate leave of them. The young mother then looked thoughtful for a moment, turning sober in the way of hers. "I…would like to name her Aida, my lord."

"Aida?" he asked perplexed. The name was foreign to him as granting her the privilege to name their firstborn—family tradition taught him it was the task of the father to name their children properly to protect them from the unseen evils of their world.

Knowing this, a charming smile soon replaced Maara's austere expression. "Yes. My sister wished for a daughter to call by that name, yet she perished a childless woman. In her memory and in sake of my mother's peace, I would like to name her Aida. Could we, my lord?"

"You need not ask any longer, Maara. In honor of your sister and my mother, we will call our first daughter Aida."

Her eyes brightened. "I thank you, my lord…"

His grin soon dissolved into a grim line, "And now I only beg you to cease calling me 'lord'; you make me sound older than what I really am. Call me by my given name Elotu. Are we not husband and wife, woman?"

Maara laughed. "Yes…Elotu."

They turned back to their daughter as she began to stir in her sleep and frown, and Maara stroked the infant's cheek until she ceased her fretful tossing. She traced a gentle finger down the baby's head to her neck in caress, and her eyes widened as it stopped at the fragile base.

Elotu, gazing at them tenderly, quickly became concerned. "Is anything the matter, wife?"

"There seems to be a band laced around our daughter's neck…"

She pulled at the golden string to find a pendant shaped as an obelisk8 at the end of the cord. It was a peculiar pendant, weighing hardly anything at all. A white shard lay frozen at its core while white mist enveloped the inside of the benben stone7.

Maara looked up at her husband confused. "She wears a charm…but it was not at my wish…"

Elotu simply smiled, "But mine."

"Yours, Elotu…?" Maara blinked. Her husband's rule was to wait three days before allowing any infant religious charms, as his faith differed somewhat from Egypt's creed; she never realized their firstborn would be an exception.

"Yes. This pendant means more to me than my dear life…"

Maara's eyes grew in alarm. "Why do say that…Elotu? Cannot you see it pains me to hear you say such sacrilege?"

"You see, this pendant has been locked away for many years; its powers were dormant since its last great battle several millennia ago. And if any good came out of Akunadin's foolishness by forging the Seven Millennium Items, it has been by awakening the spiritual force of this charm."

"And why is it that I know now…?"

"I swore to keep it hidden as others before me have. You must understand, wife. Our daughter's fate will be sealed to this stone and to this stone only, for I am to pass it to the next guardian of my legacy."

"What?" she asked alarmed, holding her daughter closer to her. "What do you mean, Elotu?"

"You mustn't fear for her, Maara. It is a sacred burden I carried nobly, and she must now do the same. Her destiny was written by Chaos's8 very own hand, and now, the only words I must speak before sealing her fate are these: Shequ imla aru sempa alem ptih, arun Pr-Aa telam aru9!"

Suddenly the shard began to glow a bright orange. Both Elotu and Maara stared spellbound at the blinding color as it cascaded into the air. Dispersing across the room, the air was suddenly flamboyant in a golden-yellow mist. A great hum reverberated as the ground quaked, and Elotu pressed himself close to Maara and his daughter protectively. The vicious growl of a beast then thundered inside the chamber, and after that Elotu and Maara knew no more as sleep trounced them.

The heavy mist did not fade as a powerful wind began to slash across everything, and it was then that Asmor, followed by Hasima, entered bravely ready to protect his commander-and-friend. But as he took in everything that occurred, his sword dropped to the floor with a clatter unheard by the deafening roar. He and Hasima, who had taken the wailing girl into her arms, were the only ones to witness the resplendent span of great wings, and from them a great cat revealed itself in time to the feral rumbling. After the mist had gone and the mighty cat shrunk to a mere whimpering kitten, Asmor slumped into a deep slumber crying their god's name.

Prologue Ended

Author's Comments: Yes, I made some major changes to the Prologue. It is longer than it was initially, but now I am content to know that I at least have accurate facts, correct spelling and grammar. (I still do welcome beta readers, if anyone is interested!) Next chapter I'll introduce Aida "formally", with her favorite companions added to the mix of new dilemmas. You wanna see? I'll update when I can... Thank you for reading!

~For the definition of words you may have not understood, you can go click on my Homepage and it'll take you directly to them. If anyone is still at a loss, PM me or review if you'd like.

PS. Yes. I still remember all this from the effin' 6th grade… (.__.||)