The Wraiths Of Alkebulan

CHAPTER 8

                          UNCOVERING MASKS
               ______________•.•_______________

   Vizier Sedaq stood tall infront of his loyal followers; they believed in his motion. He rised above the round table and high chairs. Around him were people dressed in black thick clothes, that covered their entire faces and whole body.
     It was impossible to distinguish between man and woman. Their silhouettes were not visible through their black thick clothes, it was as if it nested to cover them in light contrasting with how they looked.
    I summoned you all here because I have something to tell you, the Vizier Sedaq spoke in his soft sly tone. His presence, a calm aura amidst the chaos he recently sent out.
    The Spirit of Sedna was set free. I failed too quick, Vizier Sedaq hissed out his words in a slow tone. The Crown Prince Kiros and Prince Amare passed the test as I expected.
     The secret chamber was dead silent. The people around the table listening humbly to the words of their leader. As I had thought, The Crown Prince Kiros is hiding something, the vizier continued.
     He started pacing slowly around the table, looking at each person as if he could see their faces. Asserting dominance within the walls of the secret chamber.
      I will now share with you all what I plan to do. I will find out exactly what the Crown Prince Kiros and Prince Amare are hiding, the Vizier Sedaq said.
     When I do, I will tell you exactly what it is, the Vizier Sedaq aired to the people around him and he ended the meeting and dismissed them. They rose, placed both of their hands close to their chests and bowed to the Vizier Sedaq and executed his command.
     The Vizier Sedaq was an old man. Despite his age, his face shone with youthfullness. His grey locks were visible on his head. His face was sculpted perfectly, making his eyebrows sit aligned and shaped to perfection. His grey thick beards covered the lower part of his face.
    His physique emitted a well learned scholar with abundance in knowledge. His musculine body was dressed in a thick grey cloak, that covered his inner grey garment. It was stitched with golden designs at the end. His cloak paired with an inner grey garment, gave him a magnetic aura.
    Still lost in his thoughts, his mind drifted to the cause of his mission. Raising wraiths to possess the body of men across the mystic and powerful land of Egypt. He was determined to achieve his will. Nothing was going to stop him from creating the strongest weapon to end the line of the Pharaohs.
   His eyes created a sense of determination. He swore to live to see the end of it. He moved away from the round table and stood before a big antique mirror mounted on the wall. The mirror's frame was a golden ancient design, with writings in hieroglyphs.
    The princes have come out victorious on this small test rather quickly, he said to the mirror. His eyes were drawn dark in kohl. His face was beautiful unlike his insides. His smirk was sexy and a coldness covered him.
    Mirror mirror mirror, bring forth my true form, the vizier said to the huge mirror. The mirror rumbled slowly and a menacing figure showed itself. Finally, my true form, he said in a slow seductive manner.
    Before the vizier was a sight that was deadly and dangerous. A wraith's form in its dark essence. It's face dark and lost inside its bald head. Its fingers raised above its head, only two on each side. A red color visible on its neck line to signify its thirst for a blood bath.
    Yesss..., the Vizier Sedaq hissed. I will make myself a leader for my kind. Only I have lived to see the human life.
He was trapped in the real world since 3000 years ago. He had managed to slip out of the temple and posses his current body. He has lived that way for years. My essence a lethal foe, I will become the arch wraith. I will exceed all the wraiths. I witnessed the power of the elemental magics within a wraith, and I would like to posses it all, he laughed to himself when a new idea rose.
He was determined to raise all wraiths for his own service and establish a ruling core as an arch wraith. The wraiths will enjoy the will of man and live for many years as their power sustained mortality. He was going to watch above them with the powers he desired.
     My rare self, I needed to charge with your appearance. O! I will unleash brutality, he said to his reflection. I will raise destruction! They will follow in life as they did in death.
    He moved away from the mirror and his form changed back to that of human nature. He had a joyful expression, his face more bright and wise.
     He left the secret chamber to avoid creating suspicions about his whereabouts. He walked inside the palace walls on his way right next to the Pharaoh. The pillars built were gigantic and covered in white painting.    
They raised a tower that showed the clear view of the sky. Right next to each pillar are plants in huge golden pots. The floor of the palace was covered in shiny marble tiles. The clear view outside seen between the pillars shone against the bright sunset reflection. The marble floors showing the beauty of sunset, gave the touch of gold.
    The rooftop was an opening, and the corners drawn in ancient designs, gold painting was visible through the ancient art. A beautiful evening indeed, the vizier whispered under his breath.
     He approached the throne, the palace echoed with the distant murmur of court advisors. He strode confidently past them and bowed before the ruling Pharaoh. Your Majesty, he spoke to the Pharaoh. Today he wore a mask of goodness, his face with an easy smile that covered his darkness within.
His face still facing the floor awaiting to hear the Pharaoh acknowledge him so that he may raise his head. He was a master manipulator and knew how to influence people. His years of living on land had harnessed his way of being patient with the human kind.
He had a way with his words and people of different status. Many believed him and relied upon him.
Ah, my loyal vizier! The Pharaoh's voice spoke majestically as he caught sight of him. Your counsel has always been extremely useful. Come forth, share your wisdom with us.
The vizier, his heart delighted at the Pharaoh's unwavering faith in him. Your Majesty, the vizier said smoothly. It is an honor to serve the ruling Pharaoh best to my ability. I have been considering strategies to ensure your reign remains prosperous and secure.
He noted how the Pharaoh leaned heavily on his advice. The Pharaoh sat on his throne an essence of the gods visible through him. His authority filling the walls of the palace.The trust was evident; it was a bond forged through years of loyalty and cunning manipulation.
Tell me, the Pharaoh continued, gesturing him with his hands to speak up. What do you propose regarding our defenses? I fear there are whispers of unrest beyond the borders.
The vizier leaned forward, his expression earnest. Your Majesty, we must strengthen our alliances and ensure that our enemies know we are vigilant. Perhaps the return of the princes within the palace walls sooner.
He aired his honest opinion. He knew the return of the crown prince will shake across the nation. It will show the blessed ruling over the Pharaoh, weakening the attacks.
Your insight is impressive, the Pharaoh said, nodding in agreement. His willed power by the gods coming through his mighty words. My sons are needed by my side during this turbulent times. I will give thought to your opinion.
They continued to discuss strategies and alliances, the vizier's mind raced with thoughts of the next move. He envisioned how he would easily manipulate the events to serve his ultimate purpose.
The cries of terror will soon be heard in the palace walls. A symphony of chaos that will eleveate him. With each passing moment in the Pharaoh's presence, he felt more invincible.
The trust for his words by the Pharaoh was a weapon he used against the ruler. The Vizer Sedaq used that to web his plots of destruction without raising suspicion. And as he plotted in silence, a sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips - he was not just a vizier; he was the puppeteer pulling at strings unseen, orchestrating a grand downfall of the great Pharaoh and his people from his own point of view.