[◈] Curse of the High Priestess

2 | 18 ⌋ The Sun Sets in the West...

Hasina rode in silence on a terrain so foreign yet so familiar. The journey seemed shorter than the first time, but she knew it had to be done. 

After they'd completed the burial ceremonies for the fallen warriors, she'd paid her grievances to the families and gave them the freedom to live, if they wished. Some did, understandably so. Others remained within the camp, wanting to help honor their loved ones. The oath no longer stood, as they'd completed the lifetime task. 

Once the ceremonies ended, Ardeth called a meeting to step down as chieftain, much to the dismay of the elders. Nadia didn't say much once Hasina explained all that occurred, but she respected her brother's decision nonetheless. Ardeth wished to name Malik his successor, but the latter respectfully declined. 

"If you'd asked me before I almost died, I would've said yes," Malik smiled at his brother-in-law, "but the oath is finished. If it's alright with you, I wish to remain within the city, with my family." Nadia held Malik's hand, glancing nervously at Ardeth, who simply nodded. 

"I am no longer chieftain," Ardeth said, "you may do as you wish."

The elders unanimously decided to disband the Medjai for now, only to return when another creature awakens from its grave. Luckily, both the Book of the Dead and the Book of the Living were hidden within the deserts by fate, to ensure it no longer occurs. The camp, however, remained intact as each civilian found a purpose within its bounds. 

⁛⁛

Hasina never spoke of Evelyn's death when they prepared for her friend's ceremonial burial, but the whole situation didn't settle with her. Something was telling her to stop, it wasn't right to allow Evelyn to leave the world this way. 

"Ardeth?" She looked over to where he lay, on her bed, looking at the engagement ring he'd purchased for Evelyn years ago. "Ardeth!"

"Hm?" 

"Does this feel off to you?" Hasina kept her eyes on her brother, but he refused to meet hers. "She wasn't supposed to die," the words came out like a whisper as Hasina played with the lazuli stone around her neck. 

"Lazuli," Ardeth sat up, but never looked away from the ring, "Evelyn is like the sun; she sets on her time with us and rises in the afterlife just like the sun sets in the west." Ardeth sighed, "Her time with us has been spent, and we need to help her move on." 

"No," Hasina stood up, "we need to fight this. There has to be something we-"

"STOP!" Hasina froze at his word, her eyes wide. He finally looked at her, but there was no feeling while she drowned in guilt. "There is nothing you can do, Hasina. The war is over. The books are lost. Evelyn is gone." Hasina tried to argue, but Ardeth didn't want to hear any more of it, exiting her tent. 

⁛⁛

Rick entered Hasina's tent, searching for her. "Hasina, are you in here?" All he heard was the sounds of Medjai passing by, idly chatting about who-knows-what. There was a lump on her bed, and Rick sighed, "Hasina, it's time-"

There was nothing beneath the sheet. 

Rick looked around, calling her name as if she'd appeared within a second. His voice got louder, attracting Nadia and Ardeth's presence. They met Rick as he went to leave Hasina's tent. 

"What happened?" 

"Have either of you seen Hasina?" Rick moved past them, calling his wife, to no avail. Ardeth followed Rick as they searched for their loved one while Nadia looked into her things; her eyes landing on a letter, on it is one word.