[◈] Curse of the High Priestess

2 ⌋ 16 | Sacrifice

Once the creature woke from his slumber, Hafez felt nothing but pain since his flesh fed the beast. The shock of his sacrifice made him numb to everything but the pain; he held his hand close to him, slowly walking through the catacombs. He looked around for any signs of life, but the hope in his eyes died as he walked in on the fight - the scorpion king, reborn of his flesh, spotted him in the heat of the battle. 

"No," Hafez muttered, trying to walk away. The creature was faster, taking him hostage and dragging him to the roof. Amidst the move, Hafez spotted Imhotep standing idly near a corner. "My lord! Save me! Save me!"

His cries fell upon deaf ears as Imhotep scowled, "Why?" 

The last thing Hafez would see was the disappointment on Imhotep's face as the Scorpion king used his claws to tear him apart. Rick felt disgusted as the blood rained down; he looked over at Imhotep, who shook his head before looking at Rick, "his death will prepare you for yours."

⁛⁛

"You will not end this, will you?" Hasina and Anck-su-namun glared at each other, stalking each other in a circle in tune with the roaring fires in the next room. 

"Not until you are dead," Anck-su-namun ran to her reliving the fight with Princess Nefertiri - only this time, she took the princess's place as Hasina similarly disarmed her. She pushed herself out of Hasina's grasp, falling into one of the statues for support. 

"You are so cold-hearted, Anck-su-namun," Hasina threw the sais away, staring at the mistress. She sighed, "No matter what visions I show you, I will always be your enemy."

"So long as you're alive, your brother will never truly love me," Anck-su-naun's words didn't go unnoticed. "You will control his head, rid me of my place, and claim it for your own." 

Hasina's eyes widened, "is this why you ended my life? In fear that I would take your place?"

Anck-su-namun said nothing, saving her breath for a better task. 

"Imhotep is not my brother, concubine." Anck-su-namun's eyes widened, and Hasina's tone eerily became Nabila's, "Nor do I wish him to remain in my life. I do not want your place, I never have. I loved my husband, my son, my life." Hasina's eyes began to glow, "I didn't want to claim your place, I wanted to save him from your poison." 

⁛⁛

Ardeth searched for Evelyn amidst the chaos, slaying each monster, hoping she'd stand behind them. He wanted to call out for her, but the sand choked him through the battle. He managed to slay the last creature and his sword clashed with Evelyn's. 

"Ardeth!" A pink coloring appeared on her cheeks, "I'm sorry, everything was moving so fast, I thought," her words were drowned by his kiss. 

"I'm glad you're okay," Ardeth pressed his forehead against hers, a sense of serenity flowing through his veins. Both had their eyes closed, taking in the other's presence as the men around them cheered. 

The moment died as they heard a rumble in the distance, where the pyramid stood. He and Evelyn held each other as a dark wave took over the desert - this surge greater than the first. Evelyn removed her arm from his body, readying her sword. He mirrored her actions and looked upon the bodies of the fallen. 

"God, help us." 

⁛⁛

Rick managed to evade the beast after witnessing Hafez's death. If that's what Imhotep had planned, that's not what Rick will allow. The scorpion creature howled, searching for the supposed assassin as Rick his in the shadows, waiting for the right time to attack.