#ardeth bay x oc

[angel-0f-verdun]

Master List of Master Lists

Top Gun Fanfiction

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell

Don't Fear the Reaper

My call sign is Reaper, don't ask me how I became the Reaper. My ticket to Top Gun was a surprise to not only myself but everyone around me. My commanding officer believed that a female deserved a chance to prove herself to the many men that had already graduated from the prestigious training school. I've flown with many of them on prior occasions. Although I will make sure to create a legacy for myself this time, I took the chance and will prove to myself and those around me that a woman can have it all: a man, a plane, and prestige. Maverick x OC. Ongoing story

The Mummy Fanfiction

Rick O'Connell Fanfiction

Rick’s Kryptonite [Book 1]

I am the adopted sister of Evelyn and Jonathan Carnahan. I never thought I���d be pulled into such a crazy adventure in the hot Egyptian sun. I had no idea that I’d fall in love and run into some lost friends along the way.

Here We Go Again [Book 3]

Alex O’Connell Fanfiction 

Stained Love (continuation of Rick’s Kryptonite) [Book 4]

Nick Morton Fanfiction (The Mummy 2017)

Liquid Mercury (continuation of Rick’s Kryptonite) [Book 5]

Ardeth Bay Fanfiction

Ardeth’s Weakness - Evy & Ardeth (continuation of Rick’s Kryptonite) [Book 2]

Evelyn and Ardeth’s growing love story.

Desert Umbra

I am the sister of Rick O’Connell. I was thrown into this adventure unwillingly by my brother, to Hamunaptra where I met this beautiful man who is the protector of evil adn in ancient days the pharaoh’s bodyguard. But there is a darkness surrounding us, something sinister that I cannot quite pinpoint. Good for me, the darkness has always been my friend.

[mummy-bi-bi-bi]

Inspired by WineWoman on Tiktok, who posted the same song edit, but I added my own twist to it:

My OC, Sadie O'Connell, whose face claim is Rebecca Ferguson

Ardeth is also Alex's uncle

MASTERLIST

[redahlia-writes]

write poll tag game

tagged by @psychedelic-ink, thank you sweets !! i literally have no titles for almost all of these + there are tons of stories i have just a general idea for. we work with what we have !

rules: make a 24-hour poll with the names of your wips, let it run, then write one sentence for every vote the winner got.

tagging whoever wants to do it (tag me back i'm nosy)

[haveanotherfandomblog]

The Curse of Imhotep Masterlist

Fandom: The Mummy (1999)

Pairing: Ardeth Bay x Fem!OC

Genre: Adventure, Angst, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Fluff

Warnings: TBD

Summary: When Margaret Carnahan was inducted into the secret Society that helped the mysterious Medjai, she had no idea what she was in for. She did her best to live a quiet life, keeping her adventures deep in the shadows, until her hapless older brother and clumsy younger sister insist they’ve found Hamunaptra. Now she’s on a quest to do the very thing she fought against, all to protect her loved ones.

Margaret Carnahan

First Encounters

[popironrye]

A personal favorite of mine.

Ardeth Bay is truly one of my first character loves and this pic brings me so much joy.

Art not by me (obviously) but instead Commissioned piece by the super cool and lovely @destinysquared,

Most of my ocxcanon stuff are separate characters, not a representation of myself, however Eleanor is one of those 'characters in their own right who I also use as a persona' so she counts. <3

You gotta check them out, they're such a talented artist!

Here's some more of my own (admittedly very old XD) fanart.

kinda want to see some positivity on the timeline so 🌸

selfshippers! rb this post with your favorite art of your selfship(s) please!!

whether it was commissioned, gift, your own art, picrew, doodles, OR FAV PART FROM YOUR FIC! anything! i want to see some!! 🧡 show the love!

mine under cut :3 ↓

here's mine :3

by @literally-just-there !! 🧡 its so colorful 🥹

[damn-daemon]

Helen Lewis + Ardeth Bay The Mummy plot bunny

Horses, that was what Helen dealt with. She bred them, trained them, and raced them, all from the comfort of the English countryside, thank you very much. She did not go on adventures in filthy foreign lands or bother with whatever colonial nonsense was happening. However, her father was in charge of a garrison in Egypt, and she was ever the faithful daughter, so there she was, in the sand, hot and miserable and praying for God to whisk her away back home.

And whisked away she was, by a group of bandits who thought the daughter of a British officer would fetch a pretty price. Off into the desert she was stolen, her captors ever so proud of their prize, completely unaware of how much of a nuisance their captive could be. She could speak Arabic after all, and was not fond of what they were saying.

Of course, neither of them were expecting to be set upon by a Medjai, who found their wanderings to be a little too close to his charge for comfort. That was how Helen met Ardeth Bay, and how they both met their match, both as stubborn as the other, and no taboo or bloody cursed mummy was going to get in the way. 

[importantchaosgiver]

Light Of Days...

Summary: After being bound by mystical cuffs, Alana stays in Egypt, learning and protecting.

Warnings: Fighting

Alana POV

I've been here for a few years now and, it wasn't all that bad. Today, there was going to be a spar between Anck-Su-Namun and Nefertiri. I was to attend. Since I was apparently a goddess, I was given the position of Queen of the Medjai. The Pharaoh's personal guards. When I got to the throne room, Anck-Su-Namun and Nefertiri were handed Sai's and golden masks. I was also handed a mask with strands of woven white golden silk for decoration. I put my mask on and stood next to Seti. (P.S: she wore a white version of what Nefertiti was wearing)

I saw Imhotep the other side of him. I didn't trust the High Priest. Not one bit. Anyway, when the Pharaoh clapped, the two began fighting. The clashing of their weapons and their grunts filled the room. I watched intently. Nefertiri was certainly well driven and motivated but, she was a bit impatient and forgets to observe a move before countering it sometimes. Anck-Su-Namun was a heavy offence and was creative. 

After the two lost their Sai's, Seti motioned me to bend down a bit lower. I did and moved my brown hair so he could mutter into my ear. "Join in any time you please. I would value their reactions," he whispered. I nodded and waited. As Anck-Su-Namun grabbed a spear and Nefertiri got an axe, I carefully took out my scimitar without making any noise and teleported between the two, fighting both of them at once. All that filled the room were our weapons clashing, our heavy breathing and the sound of our bare feet hitting the polished floors. Anck-Su-Namun got Nefertiri on the floor, disarmed and pointed the point of the spear at her throat whilst I had the blade of my scimitar near her neck. Either way, I had won this situation. The people in the room clapped at the performance. "You are learning quickly, Nefertiri. I'll have to watch my back," Anck-Su-Namun said with a smirk.

"Yes..... and I'll watch mine," Nefertiri spat back, making her future mother-in-law's smirk drop. "Bravo! Bravo!" the Pharaoh cheered as Anck-Su-Namun dropped the spear and I helped up Nefertiri after lifting my mask. She smiled at me in gratitude. "Who better to protect the Bracelet of Anubis than my lovely daughter, Nefertiri," Seti said, putting an arm around his daughter's shoulders.

"Who better to protect me than my future wife, Anck-Su-Namun," the Pharaoh added, his mistress bowing. "And who better than to protect my daughter and my line than Lampetia, Queen of the Medjai," Seti said. I nodded and bowed also. After that, I left and got changed into a long white dress with a golden sash tied around below my bust and a golden one shoulder strap. "I saw how well you fought," a good friend of mine said. He was a chieftain of a Medjai tribe. My loyal second hand. His name was Amun and he was rather good looking and was also the man who put my cuffs on. Not that I blamed him for the infernal things.

I smiled lightly. "Well, it is all due to experience," I said with a chuckle. I wonder if I'll experience anything new in the future..........

[prismatica-the-strange]

Prisma's F/O list

I've gotten to the point where I'm not really comfortable sharing my romantics, especially my Soulmates and First Primes! (If we do share one, just throw me a tag to block and we should be all good)

BUT I'm comfortable talking and gushing about them with you in an x reader sense, just not really acknowledging your specific ships in asks/conversation. That being said, if something makes me uncomfortable/if I see duplicates I can always blacklist 💜

Not all my soulmates have gifs (I ran out of gif space)

Format: Fictional other - Fandom - Relationship - Self Insert - Self ship tag (♡ = fictional childern listed at bottom)

First Prime

Daryl Dixon - TWD - Husband - Loveday Woodard - The End of the World As We Know It

Hector Escaton - Westworld - Soulmate - Adeline Rooney - Absolute Corruption ♡

Anakin Skywalker - Star Wars - Soulmate - Freida Baltwin - Death By Anyone's Hand But His Would Never Be As Sweet

Athos - BBC's The Musketeers - Lovers - Amélia Clarkòne - All I am Belongs to You | Athos ♡

Homelander - The Boys - Boyfriend - Royal Morewick (Sonic Blast) - Holding the Heart of the Devil

Aleksander Morozova - Shadow and Bone - Husband - Krynn, Daughter of Falros - I'll Forgive Your Sins

Sandor Clegane - Game of Thrones - Husband - Aläea Argon - Soft Cruelty

Lestat De Lioncourt - AMC's Interview with the Vampire - Lovers - Dove Clarke - My Heart is an Open Wound

Soulmates

Beetlejuice - Beetlejuice (1988/2024) - Lovers - Lillian-Rose Stone - Graveyard Flowers

Bumblebee - Transformers (Bayverse) - Sweethearts - Casey Creed - American Honey 🐝💛

Jo March - Little Women (mostly the 1933 ver. but any of the main four work) - Significant Other - Matilda - Art and Life in it's Many Forms

Peter Parker - The Amazing Spider-man - Bestfriend/Boyfriend - Estella Lovette - The Amazing Stella Lovette

King Caspian X - The Chronicles of Narnia - Betrothed - Beretta Maltaire - Black Sheep

Blaine Debeers - iZombie - Fiance- Coriander Moes - Bite Me ♡

Niccolo Paganini - The Devil's Violinist - Husband (?) - Marion Raines - Heart Strings

Prince Eric - The Little Mermaid (2023) - Best Friend/True Love - Princess Mairead - Stronger than the Undertow

Derek Hale - Teen Wolf - Husband - Bradlynn Stilinksi - Derek and Bradey ♡

Laxus Dreyar - Fairy Tail - Significant Other - Ceruli Quint - Laxus and Ceruli

Cleon XIII - Foundation (Apple Tv+) - Soulmates - Kronos - Kronos Rising ♡

Hanzo Urushihara (Lucifer) - The Devil is a Part-Timer! - Soulmates - Meridian Moss - The General's Familiar

Bernard the Elf - The Santa Clause - Soulmate - Charity Sinclaire - Snowfall Sweethearts ☕❄ ♡

Caledon Hockley - Titanic - Significant Other - Miranda Sweet - Sunken Hearts ♡

Felix - Once Upon a Time (season 4+(Ressurection au)) - Soulmate/boyfriend - Evangeline Lorde - Ugly Duckling

Ardeth Bay - The Mummy - Husband - Séamus McGannon - Curse Bound

Dr. Daniel Jackson - Stargate SG-1 - Soulmate - Alberta "Bunny" Dread - Daniel and Dread ♡

Eddie Munson - Stranger Things - Bestfriend/Husband - Mika Carlisle - Forged in Hellfire ♡

Prince Charming - DreamWorks/Shrek - True Love - Styxx - Pixie Styxx

Allanon - Shannara Chronicles - Boyfriend/Soulmate - Regina Jones - Soul Stasis ♡

Wolf - The 10th Kingdom - True Love - Kitra Kane - Kit'n Wolf

Donovan Shrike - Once Upon a Time (OC) - Husband - Lyra Shrike-Kincaid - That's What True Love Is

Prince Nuada - Hellboy 2 - Soulmate - Richter Friedrick - Shadow Stalker

Familial

Stephen Strange - Marvel - Biological Father (familial soulmate) - Celeste Strange - Celestial Mischief ♤

Harold Lee and Kumar Patel - Harold and Kumar - Best Friends/Brothers - Maxine Wesson - Harold and Kumar... and Max

Hannibal Chau - Pacific Rim - Biological Father - Lucinda Chau - Sin and Jeagers

Noah Stilinksi - Teen Wolf - Biological Father - Bradlynn Stilinksi - Derek and Bradey

Lord Milori - Disney Fairies/Descendants - Biological Father - Faera Milori - Faera: the Talentless fairy

Mieczyslaw Stilinksi - Teen Wolf - Biological Brother - Bradlynn Stilinksi - Derek and Bradey

Reul Ghorm (Blue Fairy) - Once Upon a Time - Adoptive Mother - Evangeline "Evan" Cameron - Ugly Duckling

Dustin Henderson - Stranger Things - Biological little brother - Jesse Henderson - The Badass Babysitters Club

Five Hargreaves - TUA - Biological Twin - Margalo Hargreaves - I'll Follow Your Voice

Lewis, Oscar, Margot, and Rowan Rooney - OCs (Westworld) - Adeline Rooney - The Rooney Bunch

Henry Mills - Once Upon a Time - Found Family/Little Brother - Evangeline "Evan" Cameron - Ugly Duckling

The Umbrella Academy - TUA - Found Family - Margalo Hargreaves - I'll Follow Your Voice ♤(Klaus)

Erwin Sikowitz - Victorious - Crazy Uncle (found family) - Carter Mavis - You Broke Character!

Hades - Descendants College!AU - Father - Zyla - How Can I Not Love You?

Hellboy - Hellboy - Found family/Parental - Richter Friedrick - Shadow Stalker

Rick O'Connell - The Mummy - Found Family/Brother - Séamus McGannon - Curse Bound

The Statesman and Kingsman - Kingsman - Found Family - Cobalt Kline - Agent Vermouth ♡(to come)

The Guardians of Childhood - Rise of the Guardians - Found Family - Luck - Lady Luck

The Muppets - The Muppets - Found Family - Dottie - ☆Together Again☆

Romantic

Tom Jenkins - Scrooge (1970) - idk fiance? - TBD - Thank You Very Much

Scary Godmother - Scary Godmother Halloween Spooktacular - Girlfriend - Moanna - Scary isn't it?

Anastasia Tremaine - Cinderella - Sweetheart - Sirina - If the Shoe Fits

Steve Harrington - Stranger Things 2+ - Boyfriend - Jesse Henderson - The Badass Babysitters Club ♡(To Come)

Bucky Barnes - MCU (Prisma's version) - Boyfriend - Celeste Strange - Celestial Mischief

Diaval - Maleficent - Sweethearts - Christiana Vross - Doth quote the raven

Prince Edward - Enchanted - True Love - Cassandra Finn - Just Find Who You Love ♡ (that heart is just for the tag)

Jane - Descendants/Disney Fairies - Soulmates - Faera Milori - Faera: The Talentless Fairy

Cassandra Cillian - The Librarians (Teen Wolf Crossover) - Girlfriend - Bradlynn Stilinksi - The Gift of You

Graverobber - Repo! The Genetic Opera x Pacific Rim - Significant other - Lucinda Chau - Grave Sins

Bellamy Blake - The 100 - Boyfriend - Flora Fawn - Between Earth and Sky

Elsa - Frozen/Once Upon a Time - Wife - Marigold Erikson - Miss Marigold ♡

Charlotte La Bouff - Princess and the Frog - Significant Other - Ruth Callahan - Thief After My Own Heart

Jacob Custos - The Quarry - Best/Boyfriend - Laina Grimsby - What Doesn't Kill You

Shank - Wreck-It Ralph - Girlfriend - Razor - Bleeding Hearts

Crush+

Eddie Moreover (OC) - Sofia the First - Sweetheart - Princess Laurana of Enchancia - Demons of Lore

Dutchess Matilda - Sofia the First - Wife - Priscilla the Witch - The Dutchess and the Not-So-Wicked-Witch

Bruno Madrigal - Encanto - Sweethearts - Violetta Dubois - Circus Freaks

Crush

Sam Winchester - Supernatural - Significant Other - n/a - The Inn

Eleven (11th Doctor) - Doctor Who - Boyfriend - Canary Fern - Space Canary

Matt Murdock - DareDevil - Boyfriend - Lillian "Lily" Oliver - Flowers for the Devil

Secret F/Os

🤫🏡

🤫☕

🤫🃏

Thanks for the Music Red

The artist and the editor

Queerplatonic

Willy Wonka - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Unclear (slightly romantic) - Dr. Cecilia "Curli" Hobbes - Chocolate Curlicue

S.P.A.N.N.E.R. - Pacific Rim - Best Friends/Drift Compatible - Lucinda Chau - Sin and Jaegers

Platonic

Teal'c - Stargate SG-1 - Best Friend/teammate - Alberta Dread - Teal'c and Dread

Adam Warlock - Marvel/GotG - Best Friend? - Celeste Strange - Celestial Mischief

Evie O'Connell - The Mummy - Besties (basically sister-in-law) - Séamus McGannon - Curse Bound

Jack Frost - The Santa Clause - Old Friends - Charity Sinclaire - Ice Knowing You

Amy and Rory Williams - Doctor Who - Best Friends - Canary Fern - Space Canary

My kiddos

Celine - BBC The Musketeers - All I Am Belongs to You | Athos

Vivian, Quincy, & Tobias Munson - Stranger Things - Forged in Hellfire - Snug Bug and Company ♤(Viv only, currently like 4 in my head)

Nicholas and Edith-Marie Jackson - Stargate SG-1 - Daniel and Dread -Eddie and Nick

Rowan Rooney - Westworld - My Sapling

Margaret & Eli Hale - Teen Wolf - Derek and Bradey

Evelyn Hockley - Titanic - Sunken Hearts

Gwendolyn - Frozen - Miss Marigold

Michael and Amelia - iZombie - Bite Me Jr.

Luna and Phoebe Jones - The Shannara Chronicles - Soul Stasis - Children of the Apocalypse

Walker - Foundation - Kronos Rising

Holly & Mae - The Santa Clause -Snowfall Sweethearts ☕❄

Marina - BBC The Musketeers - All I am Belongs to You | Aramis

[saycheesekid]

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 [𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀 + 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀]

Below, I shall list off my canon muses with links to a wiki or any other source of information; This is temporary however, as ALL of my muses are E X T R E M E L Y canon divergent. These are M Y personal portrayals of certain muses, and as such, there will be changes. *ADDITIONALLY* A L L muses below are V E R Y open to crossovers! EVEN MORE SO open to Crossover ships! Seriously. Just ask.

𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗮𝘅

Vincent Sinclair [DBD AU - "The Sculptor"]

Beaugard "Bo" Sinclair [DBD AU - "The Mechanic"]

𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙡𝙢 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩

NOTE - I *explicitly* write from the ORIGINAL NoES franchise with some changes I liked from the remake and vice versa.

Lt. Donald Thompson [DBD AU ; Father of Nancy Thompson.

Fredrick Charles Kruger [DBD Verse friendly; VERY flexible with crossovers!]

𝙎𝘼𝙒

Amanda Everett Young [DBD Verse friendly; V E R Y open to crossovers!]

Doctor Lawrence Gordon [Crossover friendly!]

John Kramer [DBD AU included!]

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙮 [1999]

Rick O'Connell

Ardeth Bay

Jonathan Carnahan

Imhotep [DBD Verse - "The Mummy"]

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

Ace Visconti [SAW AU; Killer AU; Post Fog AU - V E R Y Canon Divergent. Damn near my own OC so yeah. Also I'm PROBABLY not gonna ship him? Dunno. Come back to me on that.]

Minerva A. D'Angelo/Visconti [SAW AU; Killer AU; Post Fog AU - Original Character. Why the "Visconti" surname? SOMETIMES she'll refer to Ace aka my Ace as her husband, obviously she's not shipped to any Ace writer unless they wanna ship. *U S U A L L Y* she'll refer to her husband in a post W I T H him - I do crack posts on occasion.]

Detective Cyndi Sprague [Original Character - VERY big work in progress!]

Jonah Vasquez [V E R Y Canon Divergent. Fuck his main bio, I'm changing him up a bit.]

Plague/Adiris [Survivor AU ; Crossover flexible 100%]

Deathslinger/Caleb Quinn [Survivor AU ; RDR AU ; Crossover friendly! ]

Doctor/Herman Carter [VERY Crossover friendly!]

The Twins/Charlotte and Victor [Crossovers Encouraged; RDR AU]

Clown/Jeffery Hawk [Crossovers encouraged!] [H I G H L Y CANON DIVERGENT.]

𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝗹

Cybil Bennett [DBD Verse Included]

Lisa Garland [DBD Verse Included]

Alessa Gillespie

Harry Mason

Maria

James Sunderland

Heather/Cheryl Mason

Vincent Smith

Walter Sullivan

Henry Townsend

Alex Shepherd

Murphy Pendleton

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗹

Billy Cohen

Albert Wesker

Chris Redfield [MOSTLY RE8 Chris]

Alex Wesker

Annette Birkin

William Birkin

Daniel Fabron

Oswell E. Spencer

Mr. X

Carlos Oliveria

Nicholai Ginovaef

Mikhail Viktor

Luis Sera

Osmond Saddler

Excella Gionne

Ivy Frost [OC - H E A V Y WORK IN PROGRESS.]

Kevin Ryman

Alexia Ashford

Donna Beneviento [Angie included]

Karl Heisenberg

Nemesis

𝗝𝗼𝗝𝗼𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Wammu

Santana

Rubber Soul

Steely Dan

Imposter Captain Tennellie

Hol Horse

Oingo

Boingo

N'Doul

Daniel J. D'Arby

Terence T. D'Arby

Vanilla Ice

Yoshikage Kira [HEAVILY Inspired by American Psycho]

Rohan Kishibe

Keicho Nijimura

Sale

Mario Zucchero

Risotto

Doppio/Diavolo

Megadeath [OC]

Stevie A. Nicks [OC]

Sophie B. Hawkins [OC]

MORE TO BE ADDED

[mirkwoodshewolf]

Guardian of Creatures; AU! Queen x oc female x reader Chap. 13

*Author’s note*

Well been awhile since I did an update for this series but here I am with another update! This time we’re gonna turn back the clock and find out what happened to our gang of mistfits when Serafina left them. So as I told you all before, Oded Fehr plays an allied wizard for John and Serafina, but now we get introduced to a new THREAT to our heroes. So I hope you all enjoy this chapter and until next time :)

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@simonedk

@queen-paladin

@queensdivas

@queendeakyy

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@glitter-at-the-panic

@kinole009x

@geek-and-proud​

@wormzteef​

_________________________________________________________

Chapter 13,

The Ambush

*2nd Person POV. The morning after Serafina leaves*

The next morning you awoke to the desert sun shining in your tent.

“What do you mean she’s gone!?” you hear John’s voice snap with anger.  You peek out of your tent to see the boys all standing around under the desert sun but Serafina was nowhere to be seen.  John stood in front of Freddie, his hands fuming with his purple magic while his sons Seraffel and Thor stood behind their father, the same look of anger across their faces.

“I’m saying what is true. She’s gone on her own path.”

“What is it with you fucking Nagas and your riddle talk!? Where exactly did our mom go!? And I swear to god if you don’t start making any sense I’ll freeze you so bad you won’t start to thaw till the next Ice Age!” Seraffel warned.

“Always barking but never biting. Really Seraffel you’ve threatened me thousands of times since your hatching and you’ve yet to hold up to that threat. No matter how old you were.” Freddie spoke nonchalantly, like he didn’t even care for the ice dragon’s threat.  You walk up to Brian and ask him.

“What’s going on here?”

“It would appear that Serafina has gone off on her own somewhere. John and Serafina have rarely been apart from one another, the longest I’ve seen them be apart is when Roger and I were first sent by Freddie to save them.”

“Freddie please just—just tell us where our mom’s at? She could get captured or-or killed!” Thor pleaded.

“Your mother can handle herself. Right now she needs to go on this path on her own.”

“Fred normally I would agree on with what you say but this is no time for a pissing contest! Grindelwald knew we were in New York, who’s to say that the rest of his family or even his spies could be out here looking for us right now!? What if her power alone is not enough?” Roger said as he paced back and forth with worry.

“For someone who claims to care for her you seriously underestimate her Roger dear.” Roger halted in his spot to stare at the Naga. “Serafina’s path lies on a different path than ours for the moment. This part of her journey will come to pass with what we need for the final phase of ending Grindelwald’s followers once and for all. Now will the four of you get your heads out of your arses and understand Serafina is more than capable of taking care of herself and isn’t some fragile little maiden that always needs protecting!”

Freddie’s eyes glowed a fearsome yellow and his voice grew deeper and more snake like.  

“Now then, we should reach the Medjai coven by the sun’s highest point if we leave now. Burn the tents and get rid of any evidence of our trail here.” Freddie slithered onward.

As the boys went on with Freddie’s orders, you then ask Brian once more.

“Will she be okay?”

“Serafina is unlike any other witch I’ve met before. Elf or otherwise. She has power unlike anything I’ve ever seen. If I had to say who I should be more worried for, I’d say it’s whatever poor unfortunate soul crosses her path.”

Once the site was cleared up of any of your traces, you continued onward to the Medjai covenant.  It felt like an eternity had passed until finally as you all came up over a hill and just down below, several village stood there in the middle of the desert.

“We’ve arrived.” John spoke as he urged his black stallion onward.  You followed behind him, then his sons, Brian and Freddie, while Roger flanked in the rear.

As you all approached the entrance into the village, several men in black garb with most of their faces covered, held up their wands towards you guys ready to strike.

“Waqaf!” one of the guards spoke up.  Your horse whinnied and reared on it’s hind legs.  You held onto the reins as tight as you could as you tried to calm your horse down.

“Whoa, whoa boy whoa easy!” you tell your horse.  John’s horse nickered and anxiously paced forward and back.

“We’re not spies! We’re friends with your covenant leader Ardeth Bay. My name is John Deacon and these creatures are my friends.” The guards looked at one another suspiciously when a stern but warm voice proclaimed.

“Let them pass!” soon riding on top of a camel was an Egyptian man with long black hair, two Arabic tattoos on each cheek and one across his forehead, and chocolate brown eyes.  He sported a mix of a goatee and beard which went well along his strong jawline.

He was a big man on the muscular side, probably standing at around 6ft, maybe a couple inches.  But it was the way he just seem to carry himself that made it seem like he was a true leader, a chieftain maybe.

“This man is under my protection. Anyone who tries to even lay a curse upon him shall face immediate exile, do I make myself clear?” the way his voice commanded these guards, it just made goosebumps come across your arms.  The guards put their wands away and bowed with their left feet forward and their right arms crossed over their chests, hands going right over their hearts.

He then turned to John and soon his camel and John’s stallion stood face to face of each other.

“Welcome back my friend, it’s been a long time.”

“I wish the circumstances could be better Ardeth.”

“Well, it is most definitely an upgrade from being lost in the desert for days on end without water and hardly any food.” John chuckled embarrassingly but then the two men clasped hands with each other in a firm handshake.

Then they taking back their hands, kissing the side of their index fingers and placing it on their foreheads before placing their hand before their lips once again (must be an Arabic greeting).

“You and your friends have had a long journey not only from your last hideout but also across the desert. Come, satisfy your hungry and quench your thirst. And for two of your companions, regain their energy.” Ardeth said the last part as he looked to Roger and Seraffel who both looked practically exhausted.

“Thank you Ardeth. We appreciate you giving us a place to rest and regroup.” John thanked him.  Ardeth bowed his head before urging his camel forward.  You all follow behind the leader of the Medjai sorcerers and as you enter the village, you can see hundreds of Arabic witches, wizards and young children running about going about their day.

Some were selling robes, others had potions and spell books for sale, animals were also being sold at what almost looked like a petting zoo setup but it also had dogs, cats and falcons in their cages.  Horses and camels were also on sale at the shop, each wearing a price board around their necks as they went about either pacing around the fence, drinking their water, or eating the food provided for them.

This entire marketplace was just a buzz with people.  As you passed by, some of the Medjai wizards and witches looked at you and your friends.  Some were in awe, others were skeptical, and the rest held respect as they bowed their heads to you and the others.

Soon you arrived at a large tent.  It seemed a pretty good decent size (maybe about 8ft long and 13ft. wide) for all of you to fit inside.  The front flaps were a stripped pattern of cream and, at least to you, an earthy kinda brownish-red.  The rest of the tent was an earthy tone of dark green and brown stripped pattern.

You all unmounted off your rides and Ardeth walked up to the tent and opened it up for you all.

“Enter my friends, eat and make yourselves at home.” John bent down to take his shoes off before entering inside the tent.  Brian did the same thing and gave Ardeth an Elvish thank you by placing his hand over his heart and bowing his head.  Ardeth did the same motion and Brian entered inside.

Roger, Thor and Seraffel, then Freddie followed behind after Brian.  You undid the last of your laces on your shoes and set them down beside the rest of the shoes that aligned the tent.

“You are the human savior the Naga Freddie has foreseen, aren’t you?” he said to you.

“Well—I don’t think I’d go so far as to say that. I mean yeah I did save John and Serafina’s sons from being imprisoned for all eternity but—other than that I’m not really all that special.”

“I disagree. You have a strong powerful aura within you. You may not yet realize it but it’s in there.” His strong, calloused hand gave your shoulder a gentle squeeze of reassurance.  “Every creature on this earth whether mortal or mythical has that power. It’s only up to those brave enough to seek it out. Not all heroes are of just one image.”

He walked back over to the flap of the tent and opened it up for you to walk inside.  You enter in and soon Ardeth follows right behind you.

Whoa! This tent was bigger on the inside! Various and beautiful kaleidoscope-like patterned quilts hung along the walls of the tent. There was a pool at the center of the tent and that’s where you saw both Seraffel and Roger, half naked, in the pool rehydrating themselves after being under the hot African sun for the past couple of days.

Thor was just drying off his wet hair (probably just getting out of the pool himself) wearing a white Arabic tunic.  Freddie was curled up under the shade fast asleep, while Brian and John were conversing quietly to themselves.

“Hey (n/n) get in the water’s amazing!” Seraffel called out to you.

“It was amazing till you nearly froze it over yah overgrown icicle!” Roger snapped.

“Oh whatever you’re made out of water yourself you’re fine.” Seraffel waved off nonchalantly.  You shook your head at seeing those two argue pettily.

“Maybe later guys.” You gave them an answer.

“I apologize for what happened with my guards out front. We’ve been needing to increase security for our coven.” Ardeth said as he went over to the kitchen to make some drinks for us.

“We understand Ardeth. My grandfather—is resilient.” John spoke lowly.

“He is. Unfortunately, it was not your grandfather or his followers that I was referring to.” At hearing this, most of you all look up at the leader of the Medjai sorcerers confused.

“What—do you mean then?” questioned Thor.

“It would seem Grindelwald has finally convinced an even greater foe to side with him.”

“Who?” you ask.

“The Shadow Sorcerers.” At hearing that name, everyone in the room went frigid with fear.  Even Freddie’s eyes had opened at hearing their name.

“Who are the Shadow Sorcerers?” you ask.

“A separate branch of one of the most powerful and most dangerous wizards and witches. They branched off during the time of Thomas Deacon, they viewed his radical thinking of submitting themselves under the Sorcerer Supreme’s rule unlawful. So they branched off, became their own branch of sorcerers.” Freddie first explained before John joined in.

“Once my grandfather became Sorcerer Supreme, he tried to sway the Shadow wizards not as pawns, but an ally. A secondhand ally you may call it. Some of the Shadow covens agreed and allowed some of their students to transfer into our school. To study our way of magic. But they made for certain that they would never submit themselves under the rule of the Sorcerer Supreme. At least not without something to gain from it.”

“They value their pride more than anything else in the world. But it would seem some of the Shadow covens have decided to go fully under Grindelwald’s thumb. Their source of magic comes from the most ancient and most darkest of all magic. Using their very own shadows as an extension of themselves in order to take down any enemy.” Ardeth said.

“The Shadow coven takes their inspiration of their magic based on the animals that you humans refer to as Nocturnal animals. Even basing each specific family off the Latin name of said animal. I’ve even seen the Shadow Sorcerers even control other beings to their will by using their own shadows against them. A few of my people before the massacre learned that the hard way.” Freddie said.

“How many Shadow sorcerer covens are there?” asked Thor.

“There are 10 main covens of Shadow Sorcerers, and then depending on the Nocturnal animal they are inspired to emulate, the covens get subdivided into classes based off the species. The covens with the most subclass are the Felines, Rodents, and Mammalia clans.” John answered his youngest son.

“So that means we’re screwed.” Seraffel exclaimed angrily.

“Not necessarily my young ice dragon.” Ardeth added.  “I said that some of the covens have joined Grindelwald. You see there are some that have remained either undecisive or wish to remain neutral. But I’m afraid the ones that did join along with Grindelwald, are one of the most strongest Shadow Sorcerers of all.”

“Which coven classes joined alongside him?” Brian asked. Ardeth sighed and said.

“I—truthfully do not know the exact number. But the one that has been skulking around here lately come from the Corvus clan.” You noticed John clenching his hand into a fist and even saw it tremble.

“So what do we do now?” asked Seraffel.

“Right now my friends you rest. And I strictly ask that you do not leave this tent as the sun sets. The shadow wizards tend to do their hunting at night. And whatever you do; Never. Turn on. The lights.” With that, Ardeth left you guys alone to your thoughts.

“Damn. Siding with the Shadow Sorcerers. Grindelwald must be getting desperate if he wanted to ask for their help.” Roger said.

“Does Grindelwald fear the Shadow Sorcerers?”

“To an extent. My grandfather is many things, a coward is definitely not one of them. But he is aware of who is powerful than even him. He must’ve sueded them to a deal that not even they could refuse.” John said. He lowered his head down to his hands and run his fingers through his hair anxiously. “I just hope and pray to Merlin that Serafina’s at least not in Egypt anymore. Or at least nowhere where a Shadow wizard could be.”

“She’ll be fine John. She’s stronger than you realize.” Brian comforted the anxious young wizard.

For the rest of the day, you all rested and pretty much stayed inside the tent because after traveling the desert for 2 days none of you even thought about wanting to go back outside.

When the sky became dark, it was as Ardeth said, no lanterns or lights were coming on in the camp.  Not even lights from the tents or houses nearby were up.

“Man, Ardeth wasn’t kidding. Not a single Medjai has their lights on.” You said as you came back into the tent.

“Then we must do the same.” Brian said. He went up to one of the lanterns and turned off the flame candle inside.  Roger did the same to his side of the room, and on and on until finally the entire tent was nothing but pitch black.

You adjusted yourself on the soft red velvet couch (well it felt more like a bed with how big it was).

“Goodnight everyone.” You say.  They all reply with a goodnight and soon you all fall into a silent sleep.

‘(Y/n).’ a ghostly whisper calls out to you.  You moan and try to go back to sleep but the voice calls out to you again. ‘(Y/n)~’ the soft gentle coo of this man’s voice reminded you a lot of your grandfather.  The grandfather you lost back in the War.

He had moved to a small town of Leuven in Belgium after remarrying a woman named Pamela Janssens.  She was nice and she really helped your grandfather out of his depression when your grandma died of a heart attack.  He enjoyed the Belgium countryside and the people were nice to him even from being from America.

But when the German troops invaded Leuven, you were told by your mother (who was the daughter of your grandfather) that he had been shot and killed by a German soldier and Pamela had been raped before being brutally murdered and then their house was burned to the ground.

Your granddad was like a superhero to you.  Even in his old age, he never let anything bring him down. That’s why he was able to still pick you up even as you became a teenager.  When you received word of his death from Pamela’s sister, it crushed your entire world.

‘(Y/n)~’ the voice called to you again.  No it—it couldn’t be him. There’s no way.

“Granddad?” you whisper as you sit up.

‘It’s me.’ You gasp and quickly hop off the couch. ‘I’m here.’ The voice called out again.  You peek outside of the tent but it’s nothing but pitch black outside.  The crescent shape moon hardly gave off any light but it was then a small blue flame stood before you.  It danced and you swore that it had eyes staring up at you.

A trail of them soon popped out, leading away from the village. Something in your gut didn’t seem right but there was a magical force that was just beckoning you to go forward.

‘Hummingbird. It’s me.’ No way…..it—it was him.  Only one person ever called you hummingbird and that was your grandfather.  You then find yourself walking out of the tent and followed the trail of blue flames, each one of them disappearing as you walked through them.

*3rd Person POV*

Freddie’s eyes snapped open as he looked up in time just to see (Y/n) leaving the tent.

“Roger! Roger!” Freddie hissed quietly.  Roger groaned and turned his back on Freddie, burying himself under his pillow. “Thor! Seraffel!” the dragons only kept snoring softly, well Thor was.  Seraffel was mumbling incoherently in his sleep.

Rolling his eyes, Freddie decided it was up to him to get their human savior back.  He peeked his head out of the tent, his tongue sticking out to taste the air, hoping to get a scent of where they had gone.

He left the tent and soon spotted some fresh footprints leading away from the village.

“Damnit!” he slithered forward following the footprints as fast as he could, hoping it wasn’t too late.

A few feet from the village, he soon heard the sound of wings flapping.  Quickly finding a rocky ledge to hide under, he soon saw 4 figures land down a few yards away from him and soon the figures of 4 men in black robes stood there.

However one of them kept out his black feather wings out and he spoke to the three men.

“With them separated it’ll be easier to take them down. But leave them alive—for now.” The three wizards soon took off on foot now to find (Y/n).  Each going a different direction in hopes of ambushing them.

Freddie kept his eyes on the leader who merely just stood there, scouring the entire desert sand.  There was something off about this Shadow sorcerer just standing there, he had to be plotting something.

Suddenly out of nowhere Freddie felt three steel blades being shot into his back.  He arched himself but as he turned around he was caught by surprise as the figure of the leader fired some type of gas at him, all the awhile saying BOO!

Freddie swatted the air but it was too late.  His vision soon started flashing back to the day his entire race was killed.

“Aww, having trouble?” the leader’s voice (sounding thunderous, haunting, almost demonic).  Freddie saw the leader’s eyes glowing the same haunting blue as Thomas Riddle Deacon’s eyes.  The very same cold blue eyes that stared back at him as he slaughtered each and every Naga. “Watch the stars, have a drink!”

Freddie began thrashing around trying to get rid of this horrifying memory but all he kept seeing was blood spurting, the flash of green light, and the agonizing screams of his family.  He soon felt some sort of liquid being dumped onto him as the Shadow Sorcerer continued to taunt him.

“You look like a snake who takes himself too seriously.” His palm soon sparked out a blue fireball and as Freddie finally went calm for a split second to look up at the wizard, he told Freddie. “You want my opinion? You need to lighten up.” He threw the blue fireball at Freddie and soon he was being burned alive.

The leader soon disappeared into the shadows as Freddie screamed in pure agony.  The blue flames eating away at his coils like a hot grinder slowly and torturously burning away every inch of his skin.  Somehow he managed to send a telepathic cry for help to John who immediately woke up.

“Freddie!” John shot up exclaiming which soon woke everyone up. Brian’s elvish hearing soon heard Freddie’s torturous screaming.

“Come on!” everyone soon left the tent and raced to help the Naga.  Suddenly all the lights in their tent came on and the shadows soon came alive.

Razor sharp teeth and red eyes surrounded them as they now felt themselves being bound by the shadows.  John tried to break free but he soon heard the very same thing happening to the tent next to them.  And the home after that, until the entire Medjai was either screaming in terror or with their last dying breath.

“Hello John, remember me?” soon entering the tent with Ardeth also trapped within his grasp was a lean stature man with short black hair, ice blue eyes, a strong jawline and skin as pale as the moon.  He looked to be about his mid-30’s possibly even 40s. But it was his voice.

His voice that was soft and lulling like a lullaby, but it held an icy, haunting tone to it as well.

“Jonathan Corvus.” He smirked.

“It really has been too long. How’s little Fina been?” John snarled softly but soon let out a groan as he felt himself being squeezed tighter by Johnathan’s magic.  “And you know, it is very surprising to not see her here with you. I mean back at school you guys were—heh stuck together like glue.”

“Dad, you actually know this son of a bitch?” Seraffel asked.

“Now that is quite rude. Didn’t your parents ever teach you manners?” A shadow spear shot out and struck Seraffel in his thigh.  He let out a painful scream.

“Seraffel!” Thor screamed.  Seraffel groaned and growled in pain.

“Dragons always were quite brutish for my taste. But I guess that’s why you and sweet, sweet Fina adopted these monsters. Freaks till the end.” The shadow spear slowly went deeper into Seraffel’s thigh.  The blood now starting to ooze further down his pant leg, he threw back his head trying to hold in his agonizing screams.

“What do you want from us Corvus!?” John demanded.

“Well truthfully we were ordered to take you and your little band of monsters to see your dear old grandfather but it seems we’re one short. So—you’re coming with us till you tell us where Serafina Black is.”

The last thing any of them ever saw was pure darkness as the shadows wrapped around them till they couldn’t breathe.

*2nd Person POV*

You kept following your grandfather’s voice until you came out towards the Nile River.  Whatever light from the moon directed itself into the water, almost giving it a crystal like glow to it.  Panting after running so hard you couldn’t hear your grandfather’s voice anymore.

“Granddad?” you called out. “Granddad!” again nothing but silence.  Suddenly something whooshed behind you.  “G-Granddad?” soon a figure appears out of thin air.  He had a black hooded cloak covering himself from whatever light there was and he just stood there silently for what felt like eternity.  His hands slowly came up and you were frozen with fear at just who was now standing a few feet away from you.

John’s grandfather, Grindelwald Deacon.

You quickly take out John’s wand from your hip and aim it at him.  Even though your hands and legs were trembling with fear you tried to stay strong.

“You stay right there! I know who you are!”

“(Y/n) (L/n). I am not here to hurt you.” His soft whisper of a voice said to you.  Hearing him speak in the flashback was one thing but now that he was actually standing here before you it—it made you feel……cold. “I only want to help.”

“Help me?!” you snapped quietly.

“Yes.” He told you. “You are so very, very far away from home. Far away from everything that you know, far from those that you love.” You thought back to your family.  You hadn’t even really been keeping them updated on everything since you took the job in trying to discover John and Serafina’s secret club.

No, no he’s manipulating you! You’ve seen this before with John the night Serafina’s family was slaughtered don’t. fall. For it!

“I said don’t take another step!” you warned.  But your façade was easily dropping as your hand trembled even worse.  And still, he kept walking closer and closer to you.

“My child, I would never see you harmed. Unlike with what the Naga has told you.” What? What is he talking about. “Dear one, it is not your fault that your very birth was planned to go along with the Naga’s plan for vengeance. It is not your fault that you were forced into this world, if you were siding alongside me I would ensure that you were free to live your life. A world where your very existence is not meant to satisfy someone else’s gain.”

Even though you wanted to strike this man down, no matter how much rage and fear was starting to build up within you…….he was right.

Everyone so far has kept calling you the ‘Human Savior’. You didn’t ask for any of this. And why did it have to be you? Sure you might have gone along with it but now—now it was starting to feel like a game to you.  That your only purpose for even existing was just to satisfy Freddie’s plan.

“I—I……” you loosened your grip on your wand. Grindelwald’s hand slowly comes up and wraps his fingers around John’s wand.

“You are an innocent. So go now. Leave this place, return to the life that you know.” With that he apparated into smoke and disappeared from your view.

You debated and debated long and hard.  Yes you had come this far already but—was it really worth it? Why did it have to be you? Why couldn’t someone else take this job? Clearly John and Serafina have something to gain out of saving all these creatures as well as their entire community, why did you need to be involved?

Suddenly something pierced right through your back. Although no blood spurted out from you, you still felt like something was piercing your very soul.  Your right arm suddenly shot out and twisted itself inward.

What—what was happening to you? You tried to resist but each time you did, you were forced to contort and twist about until you were pulled to your knees.

“What’s…….”

“Thought you would realize just what we were? Guess Muggles really are as stupid as they come.” Soon coming out was a strong-bulky looking man who had shadow-like tentacle arms coming out from behind him, his hands seeping out a black aura (much like John and Serafina’s magical aura).

“Shadow sorcerer.”

“Oh look it does speak.” You narrowed your eyes at the insult but your eyes were forced to go wide-eyed.  “Such manners, nothing but beyond neanderthal anger. Running about like starving goblins.” You soon felt yourself being lifted up into the air, still unable to gain even the slightest ounce of control back.

“What did—you do…..with my…..friends?”

“The same thing I’m about to do to you, muggle.” In a flash, the shadows shot right towards you until you were cocooned in complete blackness.

[angel-0f-verdun]

18 Between Darkness & Light

Previous Chapter

A surge of energy hit me as my perspective immediately changed. I was looking through my own eyes in my body again. I smiled as I heard Ahmanet let out a scream of despair that rang through my brain. I watched Evy’s face contort into confusion as she looked at me, she abruptly brushed off the confusion distracted by the plane in the pale blue sky. It had taken a steep dive as a sand wall took them out of the air. She then took action grabbing Imhotep’s face and pulling him to her in a harsh kiss, she turned his body around to remove his eyeline from the plane. I understood the sentiment and applauded her inwardly for distracting him, hopefully, the plane would be able to recover. I thought through my plan of action, deciding not to give away the fact that I was back in control to Imhotep. It would make things easier in the long run. I watched frozen to where I stood as the plane’s engine sputtered and the cloud of sand dissipated into nothing. The plane disappeared behind a dune, an explosion following, my heart dropped as I realized who might be on that plane. Imhotep pushed forward into the City of the Dead, my legs following without instruction. At that moment I realized I wasn’t completely in control of my actions. Ahmanet still had some sort of control, how much though, I wasn’t sure.

“I loved the whole sand wall trick, it was beautiful… ” Beni uttered trying to please Imhotep, we just continued past him, a guttural growl settling in my throat.

“Bastard.” I heard him say under his breath. We walked through another entrance that we hadn’t previously known about into Hamunaptra. I wasn’t surprised though this area was massive, so much left unexplored. 

“Keep moving,” Beni said as he pushed Evy with his pistol. My anger for him flared up instantly and Ahmanet loosened her control not caring what happened to Imhotep's slave. I seamlessly retrieved my dagger from my boot as I stalked up to him. Grabbing his shoulder to hold him in place, I pushed him against the wall with a strength that cracked the wall behind him. I drug my blade across his throat, warm blood bursting from the wound, landing on my clothes and face. Ahmanet moved my head to look at Imhotep, he shrugged, continuing down the stairs. I could feel Ahmanet reveling in the easy kill. I let go of Beni’s now lifeless body watching as it fell to the ground. Evy was stunned into silence unsure of what to do or say. I went to wipe the blood from my face, but Ahmanet stopped me, smiling at Evy instead causing her eyes to widen in fear. I could tell she was conflicted by this turn of events.

I heard a gunshot and I knew that Rick, Ardeth, and Jonathan were not too far behind us now… Alive.

“O’Connell” Evy breathed out. Imhotep cleared his throat waiting for me to stand beside him. When in position he blew a handful of sand at the hieroglyphics covering the wall. 

“Shatay wapay ku ra eck” He mumbled the spell as I watched as the priests that had been chiseled into the wall started to move and crack their way out of their places. 

“Bembridge scholars never wrote about this.” Evy interrupted my thoughts as she started to back away from the wall, the priests moving to kneel before Imhotep.

“Kill them, and wake the others,” Imhotep said to the now fully-bodied priests that stood before us. They hobbled off immediately to fulfill their master’s wish. 

“Why don’t you go with them Ahmanet? Terrorize the tourists.” Imhotep ordered, I felt my face twist into a wicked smile as she nodded and we walked away from the scene before us leaving Imhotep and Evy alone. I easily traversed the passageways, my eyes adjusting to the darkness surrounding me. Ahmanet used her skills to keep me light on my feet toward my brother and the others. I climbed up to a ledge watching the three traverse through the treasure room, crouching down waiting for the opportune moment to strike as I watched the three shoot the mummies that Imhotep had sent popping out of the sand below them. I followed them down the corridor that my family had retreated through, on the path to the Horus statue.

“Hello, Horus old boy!” Jonathan greeted the statue with reverence. I watched closely, my head cocked to the side curiously as Rick lit a match on Ardeth’s coarse facial hair. 

“Time to close the door,” Rick said as he lit the wick of the dynamite throwing it into the passageway destroying their way into the treasure room. I settled easily at the top of the statue crouching down. I felt the bloodlust creep up suddenly as Ahmanet plotted. I watched as the carnage slowed and wondered why she hadn’t made her attack just yet. 

“Patience and you will be rewarded. It’ll feel better in front of an audience.” Ahmanet spoke to me almost purring with excitement, knowing exactly what I was thinking. 

“Damn, these guys just don’t quit, do they?” Rick said to the other two as he attempted to help Jon get the Book of the Living out from the bottom of the statue.

“Keep digging,” Ardeth told them as he racked the shotgun heading toward the opposite passageway that the groaning was coming from, I watched as he ran out of ammunition after just a few shots, the click of the gun echoing through the small room. 

“The Book of Amun-Ra” Jonathan uttered out as he unwrapped the cloth from the golden book. 

“Save the girl. Kill the creature.” Ardeth ordered them as he ran forward into the passageway that was littered with Imhoteps priests. Rick lit another match on his own face and then another stick of dynamite. “What are you waiting for? Get out! Get out!” Ardeth yelled. I watched as Rick threw the dynamite into the adjacent area next to the tunnel to blast the remnants of the wall onto the mummies that plagued Ardeth’s escape. I watched with bated breath as I tried to push the thoughts of my husband being dead out of my mind. There was still work to be done. Immediately, a wave of contentment washed over me as I was pushed back from my present thoughts back to the window of watching my movements. Ahmanet took over as she heard the emotions running through me, she moved us swiftly through the cracks and hidden passageways back to Imhotep and Evy. 

“I found it Evy, I found it!” Jonathan yelled, distracting Imhotep from stabbing Evy with an ornate-looking knife. This gave me the opportunity to move towards Rick who was stealthily grabbing a sword from a statue. 

“The Book of Amun Ra” Imhotep uttered as I rapidly scaled down to the ground from the ledge where I had been watching the whole scene unfold. 

“Shut up and get me off here Jonathan,” Evy begged him as he started down the stairs toward her. "Open the book, Jonathan. It's the only way to kill him. You have to open the book and find the inscription." She continued to instruct him. "Well, l can't open it! It’s locked or something... We need the key, Evy!" Jonathan realized almost immediately. "It's inside his robes,” Evy said, answering his question as I watched Rick free one of Evy’s wrists from the shackles that bound her to the table near Anck-su-naum. Ahmanet walked me forward with a flick of her wrist, the mummies that were surrounding the table disintegrated into nothing, leaving just her and Rick. I watched as his face switched to confusion, looking towards me.

“Eris?” He asked curiously, seeing the blood that riddled my body. I advanced on him with the dagger of Set in my hand. He blocked efficiently as I made a swift jab toward him. I was proud of him for deflecting the move since swords were not his chosen weapon. 

“There are worse fates than death.” Ahmanet growled out, as my body stalked toward him, my eyes now doubled and golden. I lunge my knife low towards Rick’s abdomen, he blocked it with the hilt of his sword, pressing it against my forearm in an attempt to disarm me. I moved fast, jabbing the knife toward his face, he abruptly defended by swatting my arm out of the way. I bring my unarmed hand up to deflect his swing at my face, switching the knife to my left hand, keeping my eyes on him as I go. His instant reaction was surprise that I had switched hands that fast, I felt his hand grip my right wrist. I twirled backward away from him and stopped mid spin coming back toward him, slashing at his chest with the dagger in my non-dominant hand. He moved away fast, easily deflecting the move as I went in for another downward stab at his face, he blocked with his sword and twirled my dagger out of the way once again, moving the blades downward away from us so as not to cause any real harm. I could feel the anger seething from Ahmanet as she grabbed the hilt of his sword moving to disarm him. I took another downward jab at my brother, only to be surprised by another quick parry, stopping me with his forearm. We locked eyes, my hand moving to his chest, pushing him away from me with a supernatural force toward a wall where he fell, coughing up a bit of blood, attempting to catch his breath. I closed the difference between us easily, as I grabbed ahold of his shoulder holsters, throwing him on the ground and rapidly moving on top of him. 

I reared up holding the dagger, I knew this was the time to fight back. With a great effort, I pushed forward into the forefront of my brain. Ahmanet did not expect the sudden switch as I hastily took over, stronger this time. While I kept her at bay I watched Rick’s eyes filled with distress. It was either me or him and I knew exactly what I would rather the outcome be. Me. As I struggled against Ahmanets hold on me, I felt the jagged edge of the dagger of Set enter my stomach, a gasp leaving my mouth as Ahmanet started to realize what had happened. 

“No! You fool, you have no idea what you have now unleashed.” She spoke in my head, her power and voice fading away into nothing.

“Eris!” Rick yelled out catching my shoulders as I fell toward him. He moved me to the side, slipping out from underneath me. He held my head watching my flickering eyes, I could see the betrayal flashing through him as he debated what to do, looking at the dagger of Set and back to my face. I could tell Rick was fighting with his emotions, knowing he needed to go to Evy. I nodded urging him to go to her instead. He moved away from me slowly, laying me on the sand as he went to Evy releasing her from the table. My breathing slowed as my vision started to blacken at the edges. The darkness was pulling me away and I welcomed it, I yearned for it now, it didn’t matter that I was leaving my brother and husband behind. I knew that it would protect me.

I could sense a being with me, as my family faded from view. I knew exactly who it was this time though, Set. I watched as he materialized in front of me in his jackal form.

“This is not what I expected from you, Eris.” I could hear his voice projecting from the ether.

“Well, I’ve been known to keep the supernatural community on its toes.” I brushed off the awkward comment with an awkward reply. 

“I meant that it was a selfless act that not many people would have made especially with the burden that is Ahmanet.” Set explained. 

“Would you have preferred a different outcome?” I asked suspiciously. 

“No I wouldn’t because I know how much losing your brother would completely destroy you. But I have a proposition for you.” He started as he walked up to me in the dark room. I groaned, not really willing to hear it, but met his eyes anyway asking him to continue. 

“And that is?” I asked him giving him what he wanted, taking the bait he had laid so easily. 

“You let me be a constant in your mind, not controlling like Ahmanet. But a sort of conscience.” I listened to his words that were swirling around in my head. I couldn’t imagine another Ahmanet experience. 

“And who’s to say that you’ll keep your word?”  I asked him skeptically. 

“My brother,” he started before I saw a large falcon appear and land on Set’s shoulder. I could feel my breath leave my lungs. 

“Horus?” I immediately knew my answer as I watched the falcon twitch its head toward me in a nod. 

“It’s no surprise that we have had our troubles in the past…” Set started as the falcon screeched agreeing with him. 

“Since then we have made amends. Horus has always been the lighter side of our brotherly rivalry, if you do not trust me then he would be the one to trust.” I slowly nodded,

“And if I refuse?” I asked curiously, knowing the answer wouldn’t be what I wanted. 

“You will die, and I would hate to see that. You have so much more life to live and without your family and new husband…” He confirmed what I was thinking. It was a difficult decision to make, and I just wanted to die. Sensing that I wasn’t going to agree he let me view what was happening now in the room. "Keep him busy," Evy yelled to Rick as Imhotep threw him away toward a wall. 

"No problem," Rick uttered, his face in the sand, catching his breath. As Rick got up, Imhotep smacked him across the room again, where Rick fell with a grunt. Imhotep strode up to him, closing the distance between them, lifting Rick into the air a hand around his throat. 

“Now it’s your turn,” He says to Rick, his intentions to kill him clear. 

"Hurry, Evy! Hurry!" Jon exclaimed as he watched Rick turn blue from Imhotep choking him. "You're not helping," Evy said in a singsong voice as she flipped the heavy pages of the book of Amun Ra in Jonathan’s hands. "Oh! I’ve got it." Evy yelled out in relief and then proceeded to chant "Kadeesh mal. Kadeesh mal. Pared oos. Pared oos." A transparent blue carriage materialized out of thin air, carrying Imhotep's immortal soul back to the underworld, he released Rick from his grip running after the carriage up the steps as it disappeared. Rick stood back up picking up his sword after rolling over a stone back toward Evy and Jon. "l thought you said it was gonna kill him!" Rick said annoyed as he pointed his sword at Imhotep's stomach. Imhotep advanced on him, running himself through the blade. 

"He's mortal," Evy explained as Imhotep reached down to touch the blood, looking at it curiously. He brought his fingers up to view the crimson liquid, stumbling backward into the pool of skeletal remains holding his wound and muttering as he decomposed in front of their eyes. 

“Death is only the beginning,” Evy translated what Imhotep said for the others. 

“Better make a decision quickly,” Set said to me as if he knew what would be coming next. I huffed as I knew the outcome all too well, I was fucked either way. My brain worked fast as I continued to debate the decision. I knew one thing, I wasn’t ready to die. 

“Alright, fine. Yes, just no possession.” I uttered as I reached my hand toward him in agreement, feeling as if I’d made a deal with the devil. 

“Deal.” He said as he shook my hand, I gasped awake from my position on the ground immediately attracting the attention of Evy, Rick, and Jon. 

“Eris?!” Rick gasped out as he slid up on his knees next to me. I sat up pulling the dagger from my stomach, the ruby turned black disintegrating into dust. I clutched onto the dagger putting it in my pack before looking down at my arms to see the Sumerian-translated Book of the Dead markings that had graced my arms for so long were now gone. My original Set tattoo with the pyramid only remained.

“Yeah… It’s me.” I sighed out in relief as I looked over to Evy and Jon who were astounded that I was alive. I looked back to Rick, our eyes meeting as he watched me carefully. 

“Are you sure?” He asked as I looked at him confused. 

“Yes, why?” I asked. 

“You’re eyes… They’re different colors.” He said slowly, not wanting to alarm me. “One’s brown like normal, the other is green…” He continued. I watched him knowing exactly what that meant but didn’t want to break the news or alarm them in any way just yet. 

“How’re you feeling?” Evy asked as she sat down gingerly next to me, taking the attention off of my eyes. 

“I’m alright, surprisingly…” I said as Jonathan walked closer to me, he was still clutching the Book of the Living as Rick helped me to my feet, not pushing me further for answers for once in his life. 

“Are you okay?” I asked Rick as he looked me over for injuries. I looked at him before he pulled me into a crushing hug. 

“I thought I lost you,” Rick uttered his voice cracking with emotion, I had never seen this version of him before and it was almost unnerving to see now. 

“I’m here, you didn’t,” I reply, my own emotions breaking through. It was as if the floodgate had burst and I was finally feeling everything since the possession besides anger. Immediately my thoughts went to Ardeth.

“Is he??” I asked, before I could get it out Rick squeezed me tight.

“I’m not sure.” He replied softly, pulling away to look at me. I nodded pushing down the raw emotions that were threatening to boil over. 

“Let’s get out of here shall we?” Jon’s voice rang out trying to lighten the mood, I cleared my throat pulling away from Rick as Evy led us through the treasure room. 

“Can we just?” Jon asked softly as he eyed everything in the room glancing to Evy for permission to take a few things. She laughed a bit as she nodded not seeing the need to rush. Jon whooped, as he took some pieces of gold, stuffing them in a saddle bag he had. I threw him my bag to fill as I went to sit on the stairs next to Evy. We sat for a moment in silence as the room was filled with the sound of Jon throwing some artifacts behind him, being careful to only pocket the perfect pieces. 

Once he was satisfied we made our way up the stairs to a corridor, where there was some sort of lever sticking out of the wall. Jon put his bag weighed down with treasure on it. An ominous sound filled the room as it creaked down. 

“What’d you do?!” Rick asked, alarmed as the walls started to move and sand began to seep through the cracks of the city of Hamunaptra. “Time to go!” He yelled as he grabbed the saddlebag off the switch, hoisting it onto his shoulder as we took off in a run through the passageway. I ran behind Jon watching the struggle of him holding onto my bag around his shoulder. I watched the Book of Amun Ra fall out of his grasp and down into a crevasse. Evy stopped and looked down at where the book had gone incredulously. 

“You lost the book! Jonathan, I can’t beli–” She started to say as Rick and Jon grabbed an arm and drug her away from the area and out into the sunlight. I ran behind them as we made it out into the daylight, the pillars around the city collapsing narrowly missing us. We ran until we were out of the vicinity of the chaos. I took a second to breathe as we reached the camels that had herded themselves. My body tensed up immediately as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I reached out immediately and grabbed the person's wrist pulling it with me as I stepped to turn around, my eyes immediately locking with Ardeth’s who was now on the sand instead of on his camel. Evy and Jon jumped from the scare. I heard the familiar click of Rick’s guns being cocked. 

“Thank you, thank you very much,” Jon yelled as Ardeth reached out a hand touching my cheek gingerly. 

“You’re alright,” He breathed out relieved as he quickly closed the distance between us, his lips crashing into my own. I smiled as I kissed him back easily, my fingers finding their way into his hair. He pulled away to address my family,  “You’ve earned the respect and gratitude of my people.” He said to them glancing away from me, meeting Jon, Rick, and Evy’s eyes. 

“Oh well, it was nothing,” Jon said as he clutched his heart. 

“May Allah smile upon you always,” Ardeth said as he kissed his fingers, touching his forehead, and gesturing to them. 

“And yourself,” Jon said as he tried to reciprocate the gesture. I laughed a bit watching the awkward encounter. “Yes anytime.” He continued not knowing where to stop. 

“Let’s go home.” Rick broke the silence that had settled over us as he bent forward to capture Evy’s lips in a kiss. I smiled at the two as Ardeth mounted his camel reaching a hand out toward me to help me up onto it as well. I took his hand, and he easily lifted me onto the animal, settling me in front of him. I watched as Jon mounted his own, my bag securely on his back. Rick and Evy finally pulled away from each other and mounted their own camel, the saddlebag glinting with the treasure Jon had picked out in the sunlight. We started the long trek back toward our home, trotting off over the dunes of sand that covered this area of the world.

Between darkness and light, good or evil whatever human part of her remains she’ll search the world over for a way to break the curse, to find a cure. Yet evil never rests and it will call to her, always… Perhaps sometimes it does take a monster to fight another monster.

[mummy-bi-bi-bi]

Ai generated images of my OC, Sadie O'Connell

MASTERLIST

[redahlia-writes]

my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand | ardeth bay x oc

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28551372/chapters/69966579

When he knew there was no going back, when he realised he had no other choice, he turned to the only person he trusted enough. He ignored the rising panic, the noise, the regret. He looked Ardeth straight in the eye and held his sword firmly. “You take care of her,” those were words worth remembering. Ardeth’s eyes widened, but before he could rationalise the whole thing, O’Connell had basically pushed him down the manhole.

synopsis: terence bey wasn’t known for his good heart, nor for his desire to build a family, but when the news had reached him he hadn’t been able to let go of the little, scared, grieving girl. and he’d raised as best as he could, as if she were his own. It wasn’t an easy life, but they managed.

[wanderinginksplot]

Even just these gifs are making me want to write even more! Oh, noooo!

It's already turning into a fem!OC x Ardeth Bay fic, too.

I just really enjoy writing in different time settings, and a 1920s setting is a new one for me! Plus adventure and magic? Yeah, this fic is probably gonna happen.

Have you ever watched a movie too many times and end up coming up with a spontaneous fic about it? Literally just wanted to watch a comfort movie and now I'm two pages deep in an outline that I may or may not have time to write.

[angel-0f-verdun]

16 Unrelenting Turmoil

Previous Chapter

As we got to the top of the stairs Ardeth set me down on a chair in the library while he went searching for gauze to wrap my hand. I smiled to myself sitting there realizing that this was where the journey had all started. Had I never worked here or Rick never been missing, we wouldn’t be in this situation right now. I found myself feeling grateful that we weren’t adopted as children, who knows how I would have turned out had I grown up a socialite in America. I cringed at the thought of those dresses with corsets I had seen in the papers.

I heard some commotion near the front of the building footsteps quickly rushing through the hall. I spotted the curator come out from his office to meet the group which was most likely my brother and the Carnahans. Dr. Bay greeted them and they talked in hushed voices as Rick’s eyes caught my own noticing me. Ardeth cut off my view of him as he stepped into my line of sight. I smiled at him as he gingerly took my hand wrapping the gauze around multiple times to staunch the bleeding. He then transferred his attention to my thigh where the fabric had ripped. He looked into my eyes asking for permission to rip the fabric more. I nodded as I felt the feeling of eyes on me. He tore it, wrapping the gauze around the wound as the blood-soaked through almost immediately. 

“I thought I told you to watch her, not maim her.” I heard the accusatory voice of my brother as his heavy footsteps approached us. 

“It’s fine Rick we were playing with swords. One way to pass the time while you were off gallivanting with the others.” I said to him waving my left hand around to make a point, annoyed that he suddenly started caring about this.

“What is that?” He asked, ‘fuck’ I mentally cursed myself hoping that we wouldn’t have to have this conversation just yet. 

“It’s nothing,” I said as I placed my hand underneath the leg that Ardeth was wrapping. This caught the attention of Evy and Jon who walked up interrupting Rick’s incoming fury. Evy gave me a look of confusion and intrigue, a smile tugging at her mouth. 

“Let’s see Eris.” She said as she stood next to Rick her fingers grazing his arm. I could tell he relaxed the second she touched him. I was grateful for her presence then. Ardeth looked up at me when he had finished the wrapping. I yanked the gauze out of his grip and started to wrap his shoulder to prevent him from moving. 

“Holy smokes, look at the size of that thing. It’s like a golf ball on your finger.” I heard Jon gasp as he caught sight of the rock on my finger. I watched my husband's face seeing a smile start to form. I could tell he was delighted at the reaction.

“Oh my god, it’s absolutely beautiful, let me see,” Evy said, brushing past Rick’s shoulder and kneeling down as well. I gave her my left hand and saw Rick turn as red as a tomato. Evy noticed the wedding band, I felt her fingers move it a little. 

“You and he?” she asked with a soft smile gracing her face. I nodded unsure how to break this news to my brother. 

“I wasn’t even invited.” I heard Rick slowly put the pieces together. His voice didn’t hold a tone of anger but rather sadness. 

“She is that missing link for me as you have found with Evelyn,” Ardeth uttered, watching me entirely while he said it. I smiled at him, unable to resist him. I leaned forward, capturing his lips in a soft peck. I stood up wincing at the blood rush to my legs walking toward my brother. His eyes met mine and it looked as if he was mulling something over. 

“You never were one to take things slowly. Are you sure about this?” Rick asked me, I nodded. 

“Alright, Ardeth, welcome to the chaos.” He said as he walked over to hug the man. As he did I saw Ardeth wince as his shoulder got the brunt of it. When Rick let go he chuckled a bit, 

“Watch out for her, she’ll annihilate you with swords… But it seems you’ve already figured that out.” He said. 

“Yes, a butcher taught her how to fight, not a swordsman.” He repeated the words he had told me just a few minutes ago.

“Yes, what was his name again Eris? Gary? It was some weird name.” I sighed as he kept the conversation going. I wanted to get off the topic.

“Geralt.” I said shortly, Evy knew what I was talking about as her head spun toward me with wide eyes. She cleared her throat, regaining her composure. 

“Yeah, that was it… I seem to remember--” Rick kept going as I gave Evy a look, she elbowed him in the ribs to get him to stop talking. 

“What was that for?” He grumbled looking down at Evy next to him. 

“We really should get started on finding out where the golden book is.” She said as she spun around and started walking towards the stairwell. 

“Sorry? What gold book?” I asked her as Ardeth and I followed the group up the stairs with the curator leading us toward the room that held the tablet sitting at the top of the steps. 

“Well, according to legend the black book that the Americans found at Hamunaptra is supposed to bring people back from the dead. Until now it was a notion I was unwilling to believe” Evy explained.

“Well believe it sister, that's what brought our buddy back to life,” Rick told her with a scoff in his voice as we made it to the first landing. 

“Yes, and I’m thinking if the black book can bring dead people to life…” Evy started her thought. 

“Then maybe the gold book will kill him.” Rick finished her sentence. 

“That’s the myth. Now, we just have to find out where the gold book is hidden.” Evy explained as we reached the second floor. 

“Imhotep” I could hear the chanting start outside. 

“What’s that?” I asked them unsure what to expect when we left the safety of the museum. Evy turned around away from the tablet to look out the window. 

“Last but not least, my favorite plague, boils and sores.” Jon morbidly breathed out. 

“They have become his slaves. So it has begun, the beginning of the end.” Ardeth said his hand slipping into mine. 

“Not quite yet it hasn’t. Come on.” Evy replied to everyone determined to get us out of this mess. She ran quickly back to the tablet as I eyed the crowd forming outside. I squeezed Ardeth’s hand as I moved quickly back down the stairs ignoring the pain that spread through my leg. 

“Where’re you going?” I heard Rick ask looking down at me over the railing with Ardeth. 

“To get a sword. We won’t be able to shoot our way out of this.” I told him as I continued on my mission. Ardeth nodded at me but I could tell he wasn’t happy to let me go alone. My legs carried me toward the path that Ardeth had led me down to the basement.

The air turned cold as I rushed through the storage area towards where the concrete turned to sand in the training area. I ran to the wooden stand and reached for the sheath strapping it to my back, then grabbing the sword that I had used not long ago to prove my skill to my husband. Just as I was about to sheath it my eyes flickered to Ahmanet hiding in the shadows of the room near the wall. Not wanting to confront the demon standing in front of me I turned on my heel trying to escape from her foreboding presence. Before I could start a run the wind was knocked from my lungs as I felt the cold concrete of the wall on my back. I groaned as I hit the floor, she was pissed and stronger than she was before. 

“You thought you could escape me?” She muttered walking up to my curled-up body on the floor as I coughed blood coming out of my mouth. I knew immediately that I had broken a rib as it hurt to breathe. I spit the blood from my mouth grabbing a handful of sand discreetly. 

“I can always try,” I told her, attempting to get up from the ground. She stopped that movement, putting a hand on my neck and pushing my face further into the grains of sand. I stopped struggling against her, the force too much for my broken body to withstand. 

“ARDETH!!” I yelled out before Ahmanet pulled me up by my neck, the cold wall behind my back again as she silenced my voice. I struggled to breathe as she choked me. 

“He can't hear your screams of peril,” She said menacingly as I tried to pry her hands away from my throat but the attempts I made didn’t matter as I started to see black fog my vision. I remembered the sand I held in my hand and thrust the grain at her face. She scoffed and squeezed tighter. The world fading away. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears slowing down. Just before the black took my entire world away I was dropped back onto the ground a groan emitting from my throat as I lay there for a second catching my breath yet again. 

“Eris, my love.” I heard his words echo through the space unwilling to open my eyes for fear I wasn’t in my body anymore. 

“What the hell happened?” I heard Rick as his feet hit the sand. 

“Open your eyes.” I heard Ahmanet’s now disembodied voice coming from inside my mind. I did as she asked, seeing Ardeth crouched in front of my head. I looked around the room trying to find her again. 

“She’s back, she was here,” I uttered, unsure how else to explain it at first. 

“She’s growing stronger from the catalyst of Imhotep rising. It’s almost as if she’s here with me in the physical world.” Ardeth nodded slowly then touched his forehead to mine. The intimate moment was interrupted by my brother clearing his throat.

“I hate to interrupt such a caring moment but we should really get going.” Evy said, breaking the tense silence that fell over the room. I moved to get up from the floor feeling the aches and pains more prominent this time. I reached for the sword that had dropped from my hand when I had tried to run away. I put it in the sheath behind my back, straightening out my muscles and stretching them. 

“Alright, let’s go.” I followed the group from the basement and out to the front of the building where Jonathan was waiting with the car. Right before Jonathan could punch the gas to get us out of there I heard a voice yell from the steps of the museum. 

“IMHOTEP!! IMHOTEP!!” Beni yelled, getting the mummy’s attention from where we had been standing at the window just a few minutes ago. Imhotep screamed, his jaw unhinging covered with decay that had not been fixed yet. The last person he would need was Daniels who was safely in the car with us. I cringed, not wanting to think about the man’s fate. I felt Ardeth’s arm hook around my shoulder steadying me as the car took off in the direction of the inner city streets. 

“You’re gonna get yours Beni, you hear me? You’re gonna get yours!”Rick yelled from the front seat of the car near Jon. He drove through the streets of houses that covered the block. Jon stopped abruptly, the brakes of the car squealing as we faced a mob of Imhotep’s slaves. After a moment of sitting there, Rick used his foot to push the car forward causing Jon to let out a squeak as the car started to move forward into the mob of people. 

“Hang on,” Rick told the rest of us as people started to hit the windshield of Jon’s car. After being bulldozed they started to climb onto the car. Separating me from Ardeth as we both prepared for a fight. I grabbed the dagger I had hidden in my boot, slashing the wrists of a few that were gripped onto the love of my life. I ducked as I noticed Ardeth about to punch me in the face. I heard the scream of a man behind me who went flying off the car and into some baskets of food that lined the streets. 

“O’Connell, O’Connell!!” I heard Daniels scream as he was being carried off the car by a few of the indentured. I shared a brief look with Ardeth as we let him go, continuing to fight off the others that were still latched onto the car. For a moment it was silent and everyone stopped. The crowd was gone from around us, going after the last American that had opened that chest in Hamunaptra. As soon as I had taken a breath a huge crash sent my body forward through the air. I felt Ardeth grab my shoulders holding me in place where we stood in the back of the car. The mob caught up to us, Ardeth pushed me out of the car to follow Evy, Jon, and the curator standing in front of the market that used to be set up every Sunday to buy fruits and other things that tourists would enjoy. I reached for my sword on my back holding it in front of the crowd that was starting to surround us. Rick was trying to hold them off with the torch he had picked up from the street. 

“It’s the creature, he’s fully regenerated.” Dr. Bay whispered to us pulling me from the nostalgic thought. The crowd made a path for Imhotep to walk through. There was no longer decay on his mouth he was entirely whole now. 

“Come with me, my princess it is time to make you mine for all eternity.” Imhotep walked up to Evy. I felt Ahmanet rise to the surface, once again. My posture changed abruptly as I looked over at Ardeth to find him already watching me. He reached for my hand and Ahmanet quickly pulled it away from him. I watched as his eyes showed a hurt expression watching as my eyes doubled. He knew what was coming.

“For all eternity, idiot.” Evy corrected Beni’s words as he was translating for the rest of us. 

“Fight her Eris.” I heard Ardeth whisper to me, catching the attention of the curator. I did as he asked, trying to push toward the front of my mind and get her out of my body. I felt her start to lose hold. 

“Take my hand and I will spare your friends.” Imhotep said to us. 

“Oh dear… Have you got any bright ideas?” Evy said to Rick as she debated her options. 

“You have nowhere else to go but with him” I heard my voice ring through the air. I pushed Evy forward towards Imhotep. I watched as Rick looked back toward me his eyes widening at the sight of me. He looked to Ardeth briefly sharing a look as one of his hands left the torch for Evy.

“I’m thinking, I’m thinking.” He said to her as I felt Ardeth wrap a chain around my wrists behind me. I felt Ahmanet scream in my head as the silver touched my skin. I crumpled into a sitting position on the ground. 

“You better think of something fast, because if he turns me into a mummy you're the first one I’m coming after.” Evy said to Rick as she started to walk forward revealing me behind her. At the sight of Imhotep Ahmanet easily broke the chain that bound my wrists, the jolt of energy pushing me toward Evy and Imhotep. She shared a look with the fully regenerated mummy.

“No,” Rick grunted out a look of desperation reaching for his pistol. Ardeth quickly reached out and stopped him from shooting. He held him back his own emotions running wild across his face. 

“Don’t, he still has to take me to Hamunaptra to perform the ritual,” Evy told Rick watching as the two men struggled internally with letting us go. My back straightened as I put the sword away watching my husband hold back my brother. 

“The sword skills were a delightful surprise Eris. They will come in handy.” She said to me as she let go of control for just a second. Allowing me to speak.

“I love you,” I whispered, talking to them both unsure if this was where we left each other forever.

“She is right, live today, fight tomorrow.” Ardeth breathed out not wanting to let me out of his sight. Rick put the pistol away begrudgingly knowing that it wouldn’t help the current situation. 

“I’ll be seeing you again.” Rick glared at Imhotep and me. 

“Evelyn,” Rick uttered as we turned away from him and started to walk towards the path that had been cleared for us out of the city. I watched as Ahmanet started to converse with the mummy. I was too bogged down with her to struggle anymore. I needed to refresh my mind to figure out a way out of this. I slowly let the darkness consume me as we traveled back across the desert toward the city that had started this unending nightmare. 

Next Chapter

[angel-0f-verdun]

17 As Above, So Below

Previous Chapter

I looked around concerned, I didn't recognize my surroundings. It was a place I had never been before but it did remind me of the catacombs of Hamunaptra. I looked around and to my right a torch lit, almost as if on cue, immediately pulling my attention toward it. I watched as the light bounced off the limestone walls illuminating the ornate artwork. I stood from my position on the ground hoping to find some answers from the paintings on the wall. When I walked through the room to the North wall I felt eyes on me, something was here with me in the room and I knew I needed to get out as soon as I felt the presence. The hair on my neck stood as I worked quickly to find the answers that I wanted. 

As above, so below. That which has been, will return again. As heaven, so on earth. 

I read from the wall, sighing as I knew it was just a riddle that the Egyptians loved to place in these underground areas. I looked elsewhere to see if I could find another passage to help me figure out where I was. Just as I was about to back away from the North wall and turn to the others, the uncomfortable feeling came back tenfold, and I quickly abandoned my plan to read more. I walked toward the wall again, reaching out to press on it to see if something would give way to get me out of the room. Shadows started bouncing around the room from quick-moving figures that no doubt wanted me out of the room as well. As I was starting to give up and face my fear, the wall opened sideways and torches lit one by one down a long hallway revealing a way out. Before I set my sights on running down it I decided to close the wall pushing it with all my might to keep the shadows away from where I had just escaped. Before it was completely closed I felt a sting run through my arm. Once it was closed I put my back toward the door and slid down to the ground into a sitting position. I sighed looking at my arm seeing a thin razor-like scratch running from my mid forearm to my wrist, the tattoos that had previously graced my body now gone. I watched as the blood beaded off and fell into the sand.

I knew I didn't have much time before something started to come after me in this area of the underground labyrinth. I stood tearing off a piece of cloth from my shirt and wrapping up the wound to staunch the blood flow. I pushed forward, slowly, through the well-lit corridor as it dead-ended, except for the small hole in the wall, I took a deep breath knowing there was no other way around it but I needed to continue or face an unknown death. I looked down the passageway and saw a creature curled up in the back, it resembled a very skeletal cat. I watched as it licked itself cleaning the thin leathery skin that covered its body. It noticed me, its eyes glowing yellow, hissing, it launched itself down the passageway at me. I quickly searched my person for a weapon and found a knife that was attached to my waistband. As the cat attached to my body, I thrust the knife into its body feeling it go limp the moment it touched me.

Cats are the guardians of the underworld. 

I heard Dr. Bey's voice flow through my head reminding me of the reason that cats were significant in Egyptian culture. I looked at the cat that was now at my feet curled up in an awkward position, I bet he'd never foreseen these demonic skeletal cats as protectors. I put the knife away as I started to ready myself to crawl through the very passageway that the cat had just attacked me from. I pondered the quote on the door that had led me here as I crawled through, distracting myself from the intense feeling of claustrophobia that erupted in my chest. As above, so below. I recalled a passage I had read in a book, the phrase was meant to be the key to all magic. It meant that what is within me is also outside of me. As I believe the world to be so it is. As I reached the end of the passage where the cat had been I noticed it started to go vertical, perpendicular to my current positioning. I propped myself into a squatting position as I attempted to shimmy up the passage feeling as if I was continuing to go downward instead of up as my internal compass was starting to diminish. I finally broke through into another room leaving the small hole as I pushed myself over the ledge. I heard scratching coming from behind me, I looked down to see a horde of cats running around below me trying to make their way to me from the vertical climb. It was too steep for them to climb, thank god. I looked around the room finding a wooden board to put over the hole in the floor. Right after it was covered I heard growling fill the corridor. But it wasn't emanating from a cat, rather it sounded like a giant dog. I shivered not wanting to hear what I knew was going to happen next. The tearing of flesh and monstrous hisses from the cats. I willed my emotions to remain clear as I eyed a bookshelf that could keep whatever had killed the cats from getting up here.

I stood on the wooden panel as I tried to topple the bookshelf onto the hole in the floor. When it finally fell a storm of sand and dust clouded my vision. I could feel the pounding on the board as the large dog creature tried to jump up. I felt for the wall feeling my way towards another open area. I leaned up against a column that held the ceiling up, overlooking a pit. I grimaced as I noticed the spikes that filled it just waiting for someone to fall into it. I looked around finding a rope that was tied off to the column that I was leaning on, it seemed someone else had been there before me. I pulled on the rope testing its limits, it didn't fray or break, and I felt confident enough that it would hold my weight for me to get down into the pit.

The bookshelf started shaking, propelling me to move forward quickly. I slid down the rope and into the pit where another hole in the wall opened revealing more cats. I ran towards the opposite wall where there was a door for a human to get through. I quickly moved, noticing that the cats were not after me this time, instead they were heading toward where the bookshelf was. I didn't stay too long to ponder what that was about, I was just happy that they weren't after me. I slammed the door shut behind me looking at a new chiseled limestone door. I quickly dropped to my knees trying to find a clue as I heard the cats getting louder and louder out in the pit. 

Words spoken by He who is in the Embalming Chamber: Pay attention to the decision of the truthfulness and the plummet of the balance according to its stance. For death is the doorway to new life. We live today. We shall live again. In many forms shall we return. 

I shivered as I read it but sweat dripped off my forehead. Was this it? The end of the nightmare that plagued me for so long? I watched as the door unhinged itself, debris once again moving through the area. It was dark as I stared into the room, I could barely see a foot in front of me and I knew something was in there with me before I stepped foot into the room. For an odd reason, I felt a wave of relaxation come over me, safety and ease immediately rolled over my body. I let out a sigh unsure what this feeling was and became mindfully weary of my surroundings. I walked forward into the middle, where I saw a board placed in a vertical position with straps that could hold someone in. I noticed a limp body with its head hanging down still strapped in. The man's heart was missing, more like ripped from his chest, dried blood still on his shirt. To the left of that, there was a scale next to the board. I knew exactly what this was, I was about to have my heart weighed on a scale to decide my sins of this previous world. As above, so below.

I watched horror-stricken as a jackal standing on two legs approached me from the shadows. Its skin much like the cat's, leathery and falling slowly off its skeletal form, this was Anubis. At that moment I realized what this was, this entire labyrinth was built to keep Anubis down here weighing the hearts of those who perished against Maat, the goddess of truth's feather. The muscles beneath his skin were red and decaying, it was an atrocious sight. I shrunk backward trying to fade away as the torches lit the room. Anubis roared, shaking the entire room as he stalked toward me. Before it could reach out to grab me another jackal came out from behind me. This one was not decaying or rotting instead he looked as if he had come from another world. I watched as they stalked each other roaming in a circle before lunging at each other. I stayed frozen where I stood as the two jackals fought teeth clamping on each other's necks. It lasted a while and I couldn't discern the two after so much damage had been done, they both looked the same. Eventually, there was a winner with a roar he threw the other jackal to the corridor I had come from knocking over the scales that lay in the room. Watching me curiously, his ears flicking towards me listening to my breathing. I knew immediately that this was the one who had come from behind me to protect me, at least I hoped. It slowly approached me, making sure not to scare me but because he towered over me I could immediately feel my heartbeat pick up. I was positive it could hear the beating inside my chest as it looked down at me and it lowered itself onto four legs instead of two. It came up to me and nuzzled its snout on my cheek. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, relief washing over me. It backed away from me looking me in the eye.

"I assume you are why I felt safe coming in here?" I asked it, noticing its heterochromia, one eye brown and the other green. My brain was reeling from the fight and I didn't know what to say. 

"Set?" I asked the jackal, his ears flickered as it nodded. I felt the tattoo on my wrist burn as Set's claw touched it. The eyes of the jackal on my wrist now colored the same as the one in front of me. I gasped unsure of what to make of this moment, I knew his history and it scared me. But I knew that the only thing on my mind was getting out of this tomb and being back in my mind and body. He must have sensed my will to leave this place where his prized child Ahmanet had stuck me. He reached his paw out opening it like a chair for me to sit in. I took the opportunity as his claws wrapped around me like a toy doll. And he quickly scaled the vertical chamber out of the pyramid and set me down on the sand. In the daylight, I could fully see the size of the jackal. He was massive, about two times the statue we had seen in Hamunaptra. 

"Thank you," I told him unsure of what else to say in this unreal situation. He showed me his teeth almost as if trying to smile. I nodded and ran out of the cave and into the sunlight which quickly warmed my skin. I realized almost immediately that I was having an out-of-body experience as I watched myself being controlled by Ahmanet who was standing with pride next to Imhotep as he was tossing a plane about in the sky. Evy looked helplessly between me and Imhotep debating her next move. I wasn't sure what to do so I ran with full force toward myself. 

Next Chapter

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Disclaimer: I do not own anything in 'The Pyramid', 'As Above, So Below', or 'The Mummy'. Only my original character within the story.