The King and The Deliverer

Chapter 1

Throughout history, numerous great empires have risen and fallen, but one of the earliest and most renowned was Ancient Egypt. Nestled along the banks of the Nile River in Africa, this remarkable dynasty was characterized by its magnificent statues, monumental architecture, and awe-inspiring pyramids, all dedicated to a rich tapestry of polytheistic beliefs. The Egyptians took immense pride in their vast wealth and noble heritage. However, no empire is without its flaws, and perhaps the most significant blemish on the legacy of Ancient Egypt was its reliance on slavery, as the empire was built on the backs of countless enslaved individuals.

The royal dynasty of Egypt accepted slavery as an integral part of their society. For many decades, Egyptians captured and enslaved two distinct groups of people who inhabited the same continent.

The first group was the Hebrews, who primarily lived in Canaan. They were monotheistic believers, descendants of the great Abraham, and considered God's chosen people. Some Hebrews sought refuge in Egypt to escape harsh conditions in their homeland, while others were forcibly taken against their will. Regardless of how they arrived, their fate was the same: they became slaves of the Egyptians. Despite enduring grueling labor and harsh treatment, they clung to the hope that their God would one day deliver them to freedom.

The second group subjected to enslavement were the Nubians, who hailed from Nubia, an ancient region in Northeastern Africa that, like Egypt, was a powerful empire. This proximity led to prolonged conflict between the two nations. Eventually, Egypt invaded Nubia, and despite the Nubians' fierce resistance, their homeland was ultimately devastated. As Nubia was ravaged, many of its citizens were captured and brought back to Egypt as slaves.

The Hebrews and Nubians were treated with a brutality that reduced them to the status of mere animals. They were forced to labor relentlessly under the scorching sun, deprived of any compensation, and subjected to merciless whippings and lashings from their overseers. Women faced horrific violations, and even the children were not spared from these relentless hardships. Their cries of agony and despair fell on deaf ears, unmoving the hearts of the pharaohs who ruled over them. Among the most vile of these rulers was Pharaoh Precht. He embodied the archetype of a pharaoh—proud, strong, fearsome, and regal—but he was also marked by cruelty, a thirst for power, and a complete lack of remorse. In his eyes, the slaves were not even human; they were mere sub-creatures existing solely to serve him, to worship him, and to recognize him as a god.

To many Egyptians, he was revered as a god or, at the very least, a messenger of the divine. To the Hebrews, he was the embodiment of evil; to the Nubians, a tyrant. Regardless of their opinions, no one in all of Egypt would dare to intentionally displease the pharaoh, for they understood that such an act could very well be their last. Fear paralyzed them, preventing any form of rebellion. Yet, every individual has their breaking point, even slaves, and one day, Precht would push a slave to his limit, setting in motion a chain of events that would alter his destiny forever.

The turning point came on a sweltering day as Precht observed the construction of yet another grand idol dedicated to the Egyptian god Ra. Seeking respite from the oppressive heat, he took a moment to rest in the shade. It was then that his gaze fell upon a Hebrew woman named Levy, who was weaving fabric for her mistress. Despite her status as a slave, she radiated remarkable beauty and grace, possessing a loveliness that eclipsed that of both his queen and his concubines, with whom he had grown increasingly bored. In an instant, he was consumed by lust for her.

"Woman!" he called, his voice echoing with authority. "Come to me."

She paused her work, trembling as she approached him, her heart racing.

"Yes," she replied, her gaze fixed on the ground.

"Look upon your Pharaoh!" he commanded.

Reluctantly, she raised her eyes to meet his. A sickening, lecherous grin spread across his face.