The Pharaoh's Dancer

Finally the Truth

Runihura slapped at hand over his face and groaned at his slip up. He swung his arms and sword around precariously before turning to Amunet with anger and frustrated plastered to his face. 

"How do I know your name?" Runihura almost laughed. "You're really asking me that question?"

"Yes, now answer me," Amunet shouted. She raised her sword and tried to glare as hard as she could. "How do you know my name?"

Runihura gave her a dumbfounded look and gave an exaggerated sigh. 

"They weren't kidding when they warned me you wouldn't remember anything," Runihura said with a sigh.

"Who warned you? What are you talking about?" Amunet persisted wanting nothing more than to punch Runihura in the face then re-dislocate his shoulder. 

"If I told you, they'd kill me," Runihura said sighing again. Amunet felt anger and confusion bubbling up inside her and her knuckles turned white with the force of her grip.

"I'm going to kill you unless you start talking," Amunet said beginning to stalk towards him. Her head felt foggy and clouded and so many questions were rampaging through her thoughts. However, despite her internal turmoil, there was a feeling of nostalgia watching Runihura. Something so familiar but something that Amunet just couldn't place or recall. Something wasn't right, clearly, but Amunet couldn't help but feel like she knew the truth, but it was shrouded in a thick, suffocating fog. Like having an answer on the tip of your tongue.

Runihura stood observing Amunet silently. Her rage fueled around her like a fire and suddenly Runihura's face softened. Most of the blood had dried and crusted, allowing most of his handsome features to reform. He wiped a hand across his face removing much of and allowing for his violet eyes to brighten slightly. The eyes that seemed to shake her slightly.  

"Have you ever heard of the goddess Amunet? She had the same name as you, ironically," Runihura suddenly stated. Amunet gave a dumbfounded look and her rage and confusion faltered only slightly by the distraction. Amunet shook her head in response and felt her grip loosen a little on the sword. Runihura smiled at her reaction and  walked over to the side of the boat to sit on a pile of boxes. "The goddess Amunet was the consort of the god Amun, the most powerful god in the heavens. She was regarded as an extraordinary beauty by everyone who knew her and was also a very powerful individual. She was Amun's equal and ruled beside his side for thousands of years.

"Amun loved her greatly and even rewarded her with a son one day or really a being he created for her in her own image. Amunet was incredibly happy until one day that goddess Mut appeared. Mut swiftly moved her way into Amun's heart and stole him from her. Mut became the prime consort and eventually she replaced Amunet in popularity. The people of Earth slowly began to forget Amunet and her power greatly weakened. She was on the verge of disappearing when Amun stepped in to save her. He gave her a new title and duty to keep her from vanishing entirely. Her new role became to watch over the Pharaoh. To protect and guide him. 

"Amunet successfully carried out this task for another thousand years and Egypt flourished because of her. However, her success caused Mut to grow increasingly jealous. Despite being Amun's loyal and respected wife and the mother of all his children, Mut held a strong desire and hatred for the goddess whose place she'd taken. On one fateful day, Mut managed to trick Amunet into following her down to Earth. There Mut stripped Amunet of her abilities, immortality, and memories before abandoning her on Earth."

Amunet and Runihura stared at each other in silence once he finished talking. A strange pounding pierced Amunet's temples and a hot, feverish sensation coursed through her body. She felt sick and her body was heavy while sweat spilled down the side of her head. 

"Why would you tell me that?" Amunet asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"You wanted the truth, didn't you?" Runihura replied. "Don't you find it ironic that you barely remember anything from you childhood?"

"How did you know that?" Amunet said stepping back a little and feeling herself wobble. Runihura hoisted himself up from the boxes and strolled across to her casually. His face was stern and serious and completely unreadable to Amunet. He stopped directly in front of Amunet who was to stunned to move. Runihura reached a hand up and gently touched Amunet's cheek. Amunet jumped slightly at his touch but didn't shift away from it. Suddenly, tears sprung to Amunet's eyes and a headache began to painfully throb behind her eyes. "Who are you, Runihura?"

Runihura sighed and seemed ready to regret everything he'd just told her. He was withdrawing his hand when Amunet grabbed ahold of his wrist and desperatly looked him directly into those identical eyes of his. 

"Please," she silently whispered.  

Runihura said nothing for awhile before pulling his hand from Amunet's grip. He stepped back from her and Amunet watched, starteled, as his eyes misted over before a gently tear fell down his cheek. 

"I'm your son, Amunet," he said quietly. "A being created by Amun solely as a gift for you."