Rebellion

Part 4

"Prince Atemu, come quickly! The Pharaoh might not last much longer!"

Atemu yawned and sat up in bed. He glared at the women dragging him out of bed. "What's going on! Where are you trying to take me!" he said.

"The Pharaoh is dying. You must hurry Prince."

Atemu's eyes widened and he ran to the royal healing chambers. He burst threw the door and saw his father's body pale and lifeless.

"Father..." he walked over to the bed and was relieved when his father coughed and turned to look at him. He wasn't to late.

"Atemu?" him raspy voice said softly.

"It's me father. I'm here." Atemu grabbed his father's hand tightly. "Your going to be okay, just hang in there."

"I don't think so. *cough cough* it's about time I joined your mother in the heavens. I'm sorry I must leave you in a time of war."

"Father..." Atemu said as tears in his eyes.

"Listen... their are people out there, who seek revenge on the royal family. Be safe." his voice died out at the end and he closed his eyes.

Atemu panicked when his father's hand went limp.

"Father... FATHER WAKE UP!" he said panicking. He shook the lifeless body on the bed. "You can't die! Your to powerful to die! PLEASE!"

he put his head into the pillow and cried. He was far from ready to rule a kingdom yet.

~A couple days later~

"I NOW PRESENT YOU PHARAOH ATEMU!"

Atemu sighed and walked out onto the balcony high above his people. Everyone cheered as one of his priests put the crown on his head. he looked out at the hundreds of people that came to his coronation and sighed.

He jumped when he felt a hand rest on his shoulders. He turned and saw his cousin Seto "Solomon will fill you in on the war and if you need any help just come talk to me."

Atemu nodded and stepped back inside the castle. Right when he walked in he took off his crown and looked at it. It looked so shiny and new especially in the sunlight. Why did he have to be the one to wear it.

"Pharaoh, I need to speak with you about a couple of things."

Atemu looked up and saw Mahad bowing his head down. "You may speak Mahad." Atemu said.

"Well for starters. We are at war with a bunch of escaped slaves that fled from the palace a couple years ago. They have become a big problem and are encouraging more and more slaves to join them."

"Yes, and..." Atemu put the crown on the table right next to his new bed. It was so much bigger than his old one.

"You also must start looking for a bride."

He nearly fainted in shock. "What?!" he shouted.

"Well we need you to start thinking settling down. It is one of your duties as a Pharaoh."

"I've only become Pharaoh for a matter of minutes and they want me to find a bride already?!" he said angry.

"I'm sorry my Pharaoh but the council-"

"The council can wait a couple years for the next queen. I have bigger things to worry about, like -I don't know- maybe the upcoming war!"

"I'll inform the council immediately your highness." Mahad said and quickly left the room. Atemu jumped into the large bed and groaned. He looked up at the large ceilings with carvings of the gods in them.

"My fathers death was a few days ago and they already want me to move on." he grumbled and looked at the walls with the past Pharaohs painted in them.

He walked over and inspected his father's picture. He was standing proud and tall. Like he had nothing to fear in this world. Why couldn't he be more like that?

He put his head on the wall and let a few silent tears slip down his cheeks. "Why... why did you have to go. Why couldn't you be Pharaoh for just a little longer. Enough for me to prepare myself at least." he mumbled to himself.

"How am I going to do this?"