[DISCONTINUED UFN] BENEATH SANDS OF BLOOD ⟶ THE MUMMY 1999/2017

𝐱𝐢𝐯 ⟶𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧

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"You have me now,
my son."

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FORT BRYDON, CAIRO
1926

║ AHMANET ║

THE EERIE ECHO OF CHANTING filled the streets. Shadows danced off the obelisk in the middle of the courtyard, the raised relief of Anubis glaring from his position down at the throng of humans. The chanting grew stronger, flames of the mob's torches leaping higher into the air, as though the words gave them life.

Ahmanet strode beside her brother, red linen swirling around her. "A touch dramatic, don't you think?" She remarked dryly to him, looking over. Golden, but normal, eyes held a hint of amusement.

"They worship me, as they should," he responded. "They know who their king is."

"And their queen." Her tone sharpened. "But come now, let me take a good look at you. You have regenerated well enough. Except for that rather glaring bit of bone peeking through."

Imhotep turned to look at her, raising his eyebrows. "At least I am not wearing flashy robes."

"Has a queen no right to wear clothes befitting her?"

"That gold necklace was a bit much. And your fingertips are still painted. You have not been a priestess for four thousand years."

Ahmanet shrugged lazily, lifting one hand to admire. Sharp nails glinted in the torchlight, scarlet red reaching from the tips of her fingers to the first knuckle. "I wore it for so long I could not get rid of it. I grew rather attached to this look, you know."

Imhotep rolled his eyes. She could practically hear him thinking Showoff. It was good to see that four millennia hadn't changed their bantering. Enough of that, though. Ahmanet's gaze turned back to the window high above them, where figures were gathered. Ah. They were sure to be scrambling for some way to defeat her, she mused, tilting her head just a bit. How hard humans fought their own fate.

The mob banged against the doors of the Ramesseum, breaking it down easily. They flooded inside, while Ahmanet followed her brother inside at a more leisurely pace. She ignored the rabble, making her way to the stairs and climbing them. Her eyes narrowed as she heard a new voice rising above the rest:

"Queen Ahmanet! Imhotep!"

The queen swiftly moved to the window she had just stared up at, eyes flashing as she saw the mortals piling into a yellow car. Imhotep let out a roar beside her, flesh decaying as his jaw unhinged. Sensing his plan, she placed her hand on his chest. "No." She turned to him. "We will get them, but Rick and Evelyn must not be harmed."

Her eyes glowed faintly. There was Set again, whispering into her ear, and she took a deep breath in.

"Not yet, anyway."

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Cairo was a lonesome city. It had been rather intriguing to see what the new capital city of Egypt looked like, though vastly different than what she was used to. The cold, now wet, street felt odd beneath her feet as she walked through the crowd still chanting her brother's name. Ahmanet watched as they cleared before both her and Imhotep, revealing the two people they wanted.

After devouring the last American explorer, he was fully regenerated. That wouldn't stop her from teasing him about what he looked like as a walking corpse, though.

"Come with me, my princess." His voice was low when he spoke, but carried clearly to the woman across from them. Beni translated from behind him. "It is time to make you mine forever."

"For all eternity, idiot," Evie corrected in annoyance.

"You as well, my chosen," Ahmanet murmured, smiling at Rick. "You will become a god. Immortal. All powerful."

"Yeah, no thanks," Rick spat.

"Do you not wish to come rule the world? You will even have your love with you as well," she offered. "Is that not appealing?"

"Ruling the world with walking corpses? Not my idea of fun, lady."

Imhotep spoke again. Beni piped up as well. "Take my hand, and I will spare your friends," he translated.

Ahmanet just watched now. If they had Evelyn, Rick would come willingly to them, so she wasn't so worried about that. She watched as the two had a quiet exchange, only smirking in amusement at Evelyn's threat to come after him if she was mummified.

But she was distracted once more.

"Mother."

Ahmanet turned, heart rising with hope. She had dreamt of this day for what felt like forever, wondered of the things she would say. Would she tear up? Would she exclaim in joy? She found, however, that the only thing she could do was rush forward and pull her son in for a hug.

"Rameses!" She gasped. "My son!"

She prided herself on composure, on neutrality and hiding emotions - but now, she couldn't care less about that as she pulled her son into her arms for the first time in four thousand years. For the first time since he had been an infant, and she had been forced to abandon him. Shriveled arms came up to hold her, and he let out a guttural, rasping laugh. "I have come to join your cause, mother."

"Forget the cause now, my son. I have not seen you in forever," she whispered, pulling back. Ahmanet cradled his face in her hands. His skin was dried and wrinkled, but bright, sharp eyes stared back at her. "I last saw you when you were but a babe, nursing at my breast."

"I tried to make you proud. I was told about you, from your priestesses." Those bright, sharp eyes, had they been able to, would have held tears. "I wish I could have known you then."

"You have me now, my son. I will be the mother I should have been then. We will have the rest of time to spend together, now, I promise you this. I saw all you did. The empire you created. I was always so proud of you."

"I will do whatever you need. Just tell me, and I will make it happen."

She blinked back a few tears. She could not cry, not in front of these mortals. But oh! How her heart sang with joy! Her son, back with her as he always should have been! She would never let him go again. Never let anything else in this world snatch him from her arms again. "You are truly my child."

"That's your son? Definitely has a face only a mother could love," Rick scoffed. Ahmanet turned, still holding Rameses close to her.

"Yes, Setepai. I imagine you know what that is like," she replied, voice amused. "Forgive me if I am a little emotional. Having my son back after so long is truly a wonder."

"Brought him back to fight your battles, huh?"

"Indeed. He will lead my armies to destroy and rebuild your world. You, my dear chosen one, will get a first look at all of it." She went to speak again, but Imhotep pulled Evelyn into his arms and turned to her.

"I have her, Ahmanet. Let us go."

Rick pulled his gun out and aimed it at Imhotep, who merely smirked.

"Don't!" Evelyn hissed out. "He will have to take me to Hamunaptra to perform the ritual."

Ardeth placed his hand on Rick's arm. "She is right. Live today, fight tomorrow."

"Don't worry, you will see your love again soon," Ahmanet said. As though that was a comforting thought for them.

"You bet I will." But despite his clear desperation to save Evelyn, he tucked his gun away, jaw clenching. He could only watch as Imhotep turned and disappeared into the mob with her, soon fading from sight.

Ahmanet guided her son away as well.

For the first time in so long, she felt happy again.