The Wraiths Of Alkebulan

CHAPTER 6

THE HAUNTING HOUR
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High Priestess Aset was in her chamber, deep in thoughts. Will I ever leave this place? her words of worry rolled out of her tongue. I need to know what day it is or I'll slowly loose it. I need to take care of myself until I get back to my world.
    Chaos was unleashing in Crown Prince Kiros's chamber and no one seemed to notice. High Priestess Aset decided to go to Crown Prince Kiros and seek an audience. She made up her mind to tell him of her real identity.
   If she needed help, it was better to build trust with the man she first met. High Priestess Aset stood close to her window, she took a look at her reflection through an antique mirror in her palm. She is beautiful, she said as she stared into a face of a woman that was not her.
   Her neck thick with golden jewelry up to her chin. Her long hair tied in a ponytail with a golden band. Her ears dripped in thick golden earrings. She dressed her divine figure in a cheetah print linen dress. Her breasts lifted and sat looking pretty.
    In truth, I enjoy the clothes that are present here, she said to herself, appeasing her vessel. She left her chambers and walked through the halls, heading towards the chamber of Crown Prince Kiros.
    The halls were crafted in designs that were unique and glorious. Outside the Crown Prince chamber's, stood his guards.
     I am here to see the crown prince, she said to the guards. His Highness is with maid Meryt. One of the guards responded.
    Suddenly a loud thud and scream was heard coming from the crown prince's chamber. The guards turned almost immediately and ran inside. She followed behind, curious to see what was happening.
    The soft glow of candles in the crown prince's chamber were glowing. A chilling wind swept the room. Meryt had lunged on the crown prince. Her eyes a gaze of terror. Oh my! The High Priestess gasped in disbelief. The crown prince caught off guard was staggering behind.
    Meryt's voice distorted was chanting ancient words of vengeance. You will know the depths of  darkness! The crown prince pushed her away, but that only fueled the spirit's rage and she held on much stronger. The words echoed, fell a curse upon his body.
   He staggered back. What have you done? He said petrified, his voice laced with panic.
    Meryt still possessed, the spirits power moving through her, You will be blind, till you say my name and my story, said the malevolent spirit.
    The guards ripped Meryt off Crown Prince Kiros's body and held her down. Her strength against five royal guards was admirable, truly. Her evil laugh echoed inside the walls of his chamber. Three days or your eyes will never see light again, she said raising her voice as the guards whisked her further away from the crown prince.
    Prince Amare rushed inside the chamber as word was sent to him by one the maids on what was unraveling. Brother! He called out, sharp with concern as he rushed to his aid. Guards take the maid to the cages of souls. It can hold the malevolent spirit inside her. Prince Amare ordered the guards. The power of Anubis that was used as a protection seal will protect the body.
The guards followed the command and took Meryt out of the chamber. Crown Prince Kiros was stumbling to get out of his chambers. Panic surging through the core of his being. His vision had turned pitch black. What happened? Crown Prince Kiros asked in shock.
  Crown Prince, the maid that was serving you is possessed. We need to find a way to restore you sight, please do not panic, Prince Amare voiced to the stressed crown prince.
Prince Amare, I can't see. I have been cursed, Crown Prince Kiros shared, his voice trembling. He looked defeated and Prince Amare could only stare at him. His face full of pity. He had just arrived away from the royal palace and chaos had already struck the Crown Prince.
High Priestess Aset was looking into the scene before her dumbfounded. The world of curses was unfolding. She could not hold her fear and dropped to the floor. Her hand on her chest as her heart was thudding in fast beats.
Take a deep breath Noor, relax, she whispered to herself. Nehesi appeared in the Crown Prince's chamber and saw The High Priestess, Aset, on the floor. Are you okay? Nehesi said as he helped lift her from the ground.
I will have the maids escort you back to your chamber, Nehesi said his face worried for her well-being. Prince Amare, I had left the Crown Prince briefly to have his meal, Nehesi voiced his concern as he stared into Prince Amare's eyes.
The maid, Meryt, was holding a golden jar before my eyes. A spirit took her body and turned against me, Crown Prince Kiros said aloud in desperation.
Nehesi left High Priestess Aset to the maids, they were to guide her back to her chamber. Crown Prince Kiros was standing with the help of Prince Amare, as he crossed his arm around his shoulders. We need to take him to the temple of Isis, Prince Amare urged.
     Prince Amare, summon my guest for me, she should go with us to the temple of Isis, she is a high priestess, Crown Prince Kiros said vowing hopes through her status.
     Prince Amare stared into his blind brother in surprise. A priestess? They were stripped off their titles more than three thousand years ago. A priestess? Prince Amare asked in disbelief. Nehesi, bring the guest with you to the temple of Isis, he ordered Nehesi.
Yes, Your Highness, Nehesi said in haste, bowed and dashed to follow the high priestess and take her to the temple of Isis. High Priestess Aset was moving quickly to get to her chamber and reflect on what she had witnessed. Her appearance was surprisingly calm for someone who was panicking.
Wait! Nehesi called out behind them. The princes need you. Come with me.
Me? What can I do? High Priestess Aset's mind raced. Will I need to channel any divine powers? But...I can't. her face was covered in worry. She followed Nehesi as he led her deep into the sanctuary.
Minutes felt like hours as High Priestess Aset followed behind the hurried steps made by Nehesi. Her fear of being seen as a fraud, coiled in her gut. The knowledge of any form of rituals was foreign to her mind.
What should I do? Think. My beautiful brain, give us a way out of this. I wish I'd wake up to my reality, she thought as her hands danced on her lips.
Finally, the grand temple of Isis appeared before the high priestess. The view before her made her forget the problem she needed to solve. The temple of Isis was a magnificent view of the essence of enlightenment and depth of spirituality.
Her feet felt blessed as soon as she stepped inside the door of the temple. The walls whispering ancient wisdom. As the priestess walked through, her whole body melted with ease. It felt like she had been here before. The walls of the temple rose in protection to anyone that believed.
A sense of purpose engulfed her. She posed, taking a deep breath, trying to control her racing heart. The walls were exerting energy that felt both foreign and familiar. It was aligned with the nature of the goddess. The air a thick smell of sweet incense and frankincense that wrapped around her like a protective cloak.
As they moved deeper into the temple, she spotted the blind prince, his posture tensed, seated in a sacred opening. His brother, Prince Amare, stood beside him, worry showing on his face.
Your Highnesses, her words slipped through her lips. Just as the words left her mouth, a wave of dizziness washed over her body.
The spirit within stirred, a force that clouded her consciousness faded. She staggered slightly, holding on to herself so she may not fall. But then, as if responding to her struggle, the temple's energy surged around her. It only increased and became more powerful.
The carvings on the wall's shimmered, and she felt an unexpected rush of power through her veins - a connection to the goddess of wisdom and magic. The spirit's grip loosened, and for the first time in what felt like ages, she sensed clarity.
Isis, she whispered, the name flowing through her mouth like a prayer. The walls of the temple brightened. She felt an ancient presence wrap around her like a glove, as if the goddess was embracing her.
Channel it, a voice echoed within her. Let the power of the temple guide you, it said resonating with authority. In that moment, she closed her eyes and focused on the new feeling that burned to be manifested.
Images flickered through her mind - visions of the past, stories of lost souls and unfulfilled destinies. She saw glimpses of the spirit, a woman with deep sorrow, her eyes longing for victory against an evil that disobeyed her.
I can do this, she murmured, her voice now stronger, with the strength of new found confidence. The spirit within her pushed through the resistance, drawing upon the temple's energy.
Gather the relic, the one with the sea dragon symbol, her intuition guided her, its tone commanding. You will need it to contain her. Her figure was facing both the princes and the guard. Have the guards bring Meryt to the temple, she said to Nehesi.
The princes exchanged glances, confused with a mixture of hope. Prince Amare stepped forward, In order for the spirit to leave the body, we need to know it's name and story.
Help me focus, she replied. I must create a circle of protection around the Crown Prince and the body of Meryt. Aset looking into Prince Amare's eyes, Do not worry, I will save the Crown Prince.
As Nehesi hurried to bring Meryt, Aset gathered items from the temple. She searched through for the relic with the sea dragon symbol. Her body seemed to know what to do and where to get the items. All this was new to her but she had no time to process the fact that she just channeled powers into High Priestess Aset's body.
The high priestess sensed the connection to goddess Isis deepen, her strength merging with her own. The blocked sense within her was fading, replaced with determination that resonated with every essence of the temple.
    Nehesi and his guards brought Meryt into the temple of Isis, and forcefully held her against her newly acquired strength. With the relics assembled, the high priestess stood at the center of the circle. Have Meryt sit in the middle, she instructed Nehesi. Prince Amare was standing outside Kiros's circle. Kiros was on his knees, looking defeated.
With the power of Isis, I call out the malevolent spirit, show yourself, she declared to Meryt. Her voice echoing through the hallowed halls.
The air thickened, and a sudden eerie chill filled the temple. The priestess felt the dark spirit stirring, it's presence both familiar and terrifying. But armed with the strength of the goddess and the knowledge that was made know to her, she moved in faith and not in fear.
She stood her ground, ready to confront the darkness that dared to make its way into the sacred Sanctuary of the Black Pharaohs.