NEITH [Completed]

CHAPTER TWO: The Father

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.

- Albert Einstein

Adio's POV

The silver moon hung full in the night sky, and the stars sparkled brilliantly, illuminating everything their light touched. The air was gently perfumed with the sweet scent of roses in various shades of red, yellow, and white, casting a soft glow that gave the rose garden a mystical charm.

I had always loved this garden. Something about it brought me peace, and after a two-hour strategy meeting with the Council, it was exactly what I needed to clear my mind. The tension in my head began to ease, and for a moment, I wondered if this place was blessed by the Gods themselves.

I sighed deeply. I needed to head home—Neith was likely still awake, waiting for me. Yet, part of me wanted to linger here a little longer, to fully shake off the burdens weighing on my mind. But my thoughts wandered instead.

The new Pharaoh's coronation was approaching, and with it came a mountain of work. Just thinking about it made my head ache all over again. I groaned in frustration.

I shifted my thoughts to Aahotep, the soon-to-be Pharaoh. He was just a boy—only 15 years old. Still, he had potential. Maybe Egypt wasn’t doomed after all.

He was the son of my best friend. There was no way I’d stand by and let anything happen to him. My chest tightened as memories of Naten flooded my mind.

Akhenaten was a great king. His reforms ushered in a new era for Egypt, replacing the old gods with Aten, the sun god. His temples were open to the public, something unheard of in the past, as worship of the gods had always been an exclusive privilege of the elite. The priests, once powerful figures, were stripped of their authority, which served them right. They had abused their power for too long, considering themselves untouchable.

Akhenaten’s changes benefited the common people, and many hailed him as a great Pharaoh. But not everyone shared that view. The nobles, deprived of their influence and status, were furious. Their anger led to internal unrest that simmered for years. Eventually, even they were forced to accept the new order.

Beyond being a great king, Naten was the best friend I ever had. We grew up together, and I became the general of his army. We fought side by side, and he often called me his brother. The feeling was mutual.

When Akila died, Naten was there for me. It was the darkest time of my life, and he knew how much I loved her. The loss nearly drove me mad. If not for him, I don’t know what would have happened— being dead or insane, no doubt. He even suggested, after some time, that I should meet other women, offering to help me find an eligible match. While I could never consider another woman after Akila, I was grateful for his concern and support.

But I failed him. I failed as both a friend and as a general, unable to protect my king.

The war between Egypt and the Hittites had raged long before I was born, but this time, their attack was swift and deadly.

Damn them! If not for those wretched Hittites, Naten would still be alive. My fists clenched as dark memories resurfaced. We won the war, but his injuries—though not severe—were neglected due to his stubbornness. In time, he fell ill and died. If only I had been more vigilant… If only I had acted sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. Damn it!

In his final moments, Naten asked me to take care of his son. Although the noble-led rebellion had quieted, there were still those who would stop at nothing to stir up trouble. I promised him I’d protect Aahotep from those vipers. But perhaps he didn’t need my protection as much as I thought. He was wise beyond his years, and the way he handled the aftermath of his father’s death was extraordinary. I still smile when I remember the shocked faces of the nobles, put in their place by a mere boy. Aahotep was truly his father’s son.

I sighed again. I missed Akila and Naten deeply. Would the pain ever fade?

I knew the answer all too well. Looking up at the sky, I silently prayed to Aten, asking for protection over those I held dear and the strength to keep the promise I had made.

With that, I left the rose garden and headed home, wondering what my little Neith had prepared for dinner.

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Author's Note:

Hello again, everyone! I’m back with the next chapter, this time from Adio’s (Neith’s father) perspective. I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts—what did you like, and what could be improved?

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Wishing you all an amazing day! Love you all! ❤❤