by Rai Aren
Zhek knew how effective these rumors would be. All of it could easily fit the actual circumstances. Much of the fear and suspicion Zhek preyed on was bolstered by publicly- witnessed events. It was widely known that Princess Zazmaria had not been close to the rest of the Royal Family and at the end was openly hostile towards them. Assan was responsible for taking the King’s daughter away, and Mindara had married the King. These outcomes served Zhek’s aims perfectly. He spread further lies that the King was slowly turning mad with hate and bitterness and that no Kierani citizen or village was safe from his wanton retribution and madness.
An increasingly tense and tenuous situation now grew much worse. Graffiti was found all over the main city calling the Queen a murderer and opportunist and harlot. Threats against the Royal Family were also crudely painted across the sides of homes and retaining walls. Events were spiraling out of control as Zhek’s influence spread from village to village and throughout the main city itself.
People were being worked up into an angry fervor. The setting was now complete. Zhek would strike his match. This time he would not lose. This time, the Royal Family would fall.
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Commander Maraeven had organized his forces to gather information as quickly as possible. He had received reports of increasing hostility amongst the villagers for the past few days. News of an organized rebellion made its way to him. He and the King had quickly prepared for a possible conflict.
The King and Commander met to go over their preparations.
“The fire weakened some of the Palace’s defenses, but we should be able to fend off Zhek’s army,” Commander Maraeven said.
“I still cannot believe it has come to this, that the people would turn on me because of him,” Traeus said. He was riddled with anxiety and frustration. He had not slept in days. His eyes had dark circles around them, and he was growing increasingly agitated. “How can they believe Zhek’s lies?”
The Commander shook his head. “It is hard to comprehend, that is true.” He had to find a way to help his King stay strong and focus his efforts. “But I think it is not as simple as that.”
“What do you mean?” Traeus asked.
“Resentment among some of the people has been growing for years. Our people have never fully recovered from the catastrophe that decimated so much. It is easy for people to blame someone for all of their troubles.” The Commander paused for a moment, weighing the situation. “Zhek tells the people you are at fault, but at the same time he does not offer any solutions to their problems. The people are confused and angry. Zhek is giving them a means to express their frustrations and then leveraging that anger to suit his own aims.”
Traeus considered Commander Maraeven’s words. He was right. This was a long time coming.
Chapter 52
The Pharom, Present-day Egypt
DUSTIMAINE placed Maximilian’s pendant and chain in his shirt pocket and steeled himself for this unwelcome reunion. “Come on Fessel,” he said. He touched his pocket where the pendant was, feeling its warm energy. He took a deep breath.
The two of them emerged from the subterranean chambers beneath the Sphinx. The large granite stela, once concealing the passageway to the secret chambers underneath the Sphinx was moved off into the distance. Lights strung up for the excavation cast an eerie glow over the site.
‘Face to face at long last,’ Dustimaine thought.
Alex wasted no time in expressing her feelings. “You stinking lowlife!” she shouted. She glared at him. “How could you get involved with someone like this? Do you know what you’ve done?”
“You left me no choice! You worked with Dr. Khadesh to have me expelled from the archaeology community!” Professor Dustimaine yelled back at her. “Finding this device should have been my discovery. I would have been known as the greatest archaeologist ever. That honor was denied to me. But not this time.” He glared back at her.
“We could have all shared in the discovery if you had just believed in us and our work,” Mitch fumed. “You steal other people’s hard work, take credit for it and punish those who disagree with you.”
“And you,” Alex said as she turned and pointed at Fessel. “You are nothing but a cowardly loser who can’t get anything unless your father buys it for you.”
“Yeah, what she said,” Jack piped in. “We’d like to pound you into the next century, jerk.”
Bob gave Fessel a dirty look. He wasn’t feeling too much bravado with all of the guns still surrounding them.
“Did you notice what your new boss did to Dr. Khadesh and Khamir?” Jack asked heatedly. “Nice company you keep, you degenerates.”
Fessel and Dustimaine looked at Khamir and Khadesh. They took in their battered appearances, the pain still etched on their faces.
Fessel’s eyes went wide as he visibly paled. He looked at Dustimaine, who regarded them with shock and apprehension.
“Yeah, exactly,” Jack continued, “did you also know your new friends are frickin’ former members of the Stasi?”
“Stasi?” Dustimaine gasped, his face reddening. “As in the East German secret police Stasi?” He looked at Maximilian, who gave him an icy smile.
“Oh my god…” he stammered, starting to shake. His throat went dry.
Fessel thought he was going to be sick. He was swallowed by shame and newfound terror. He looked around at the armed guards surrounding the group. He made eye contact with Bob, who mouthed the words, “I’m going to kill you.” Fessel wanted to run. Anywhere. Just away from here.
“Don’t look so surprised, professor,” Maximilian sniped at him. He clapped his hands, “Well, now that our happy, little family reunion is out the way, we have more important matters to attend to.” He looked at Hans and the guards, who stood at attention. “Shall we all proceed down towards the secret chambers of the Sphinx? Let us see what this device can do.”
Hans and the other men started to shove everyone forward.
“We’re going!” Mitch yelled, stepping out to protect his friends. “Back off!”
Maximilian nodded. They took a step back.
“Professor,” he said, “will you and Fessel kindly lead the way?”
Dustimaine felt his throat constrict. He no longer wanted any part of this. He looked around. He couldn’t see a way out.
“Now, professor,” Maximilian ordered, his voice was low and menacing.
Dustimaine’s blood ran cold.
“We have no choice,” Fessel whispered to him. “They have guns.”
Dustimaine felt the color drain from his face. He hung his head.
The group, now silent, descended into the opening, right below the chest of the Great Sphinx. Dustimaine and Fessel led the way, followed by Maximilian, then Khadesh and Khamir. Hans was right behind them, keeping a steady aim at their backs. Mitch, Alex, Jack, and Bob trailed behind, being watched closely by the three guards, who kept their weapons at the ready. Maximilian’s crew had widened the narrow tunnel, which led to the chambers underneath. They carefully walked down the ancient set of stairs that had been hewn into the rock. LED lights had been strung every couple of feet along the long, sloping tunnel.
Tears of anger flowed down Alex’s cheeks. She watched Khamir and Dr. Khadesh walk ahead of her, both still limping slightly. It sickened her to think of what they had been through. She thought hard about what they could have done differently in all of this, but nothing came to mind. They were here now. She was scared as to how it was all going to play out. There were so many variables. So much unpredictability and only so much they could do. She hated Maximilian.
Maximilian carried the Pharom, examining it as they walked. The heavy obelisk, made from the strange metallic alloy, captivated him. He could see faint swirling depths of color within it and could sense its latent energy. ‘This will bring me so much power,’ he though
t, ‘unlimited power. There will be no barriers to what I can achieve.’
Dustimaine led the group to the end of the tunnel, past a set of thick metallic doors inscribed with Kierani glyphs, then on into a chamber fifty feet wide by sixty feet long. A dozen stainless steel standing outdoor lamps, positioned around the rock floor, illuminated the subterranean chamber.
The expansive walls in the room were painted with colorful Kierani hieroglyphs, including large scenes of royal processions and gatherings. In one, a seated royal couple was depicted surrounded by close to forty other figures. All were painted with golden skin and long, jet-black hair, and were resplendently dressed and adorned with gold and jewels. The colors of the paintings were vividly displayed by the bright artificial lighting.
At the center of the room stood the exquisitely sculpted five-foot limestone obelisk, carved with ancient hieroglyphs. Four large, round limestone columns extending to the vaulted ceiling supported the chamber. The lighting cast wild shadows on the walls that moved as the group walked past.
Maximilian directed the group to the far end of the room where a single bronze-colored metal door had been left open. Beyond the thick, heavy door was a slightly smaller chamber, hewn from the rock. It was also lit by several of the standing outdoor lamps. The walls in this chamber were plain, unadorned. In the center of the room stood a single feature - a three by four foot rectangular structure, constructed with perfect edges. Its front was inscribed with a set of ancient Kierani hieroglyphs. It was the platform designed to house and power the Pharom.
Leaning against a wall, was a goldish bronze-colored disk, approximately four feet in diameter.
Mitch and Alex noticed it immediately.
‘The Sun Disk?’ she mouthed to him.
Mitch nodded.
The guards took up position behind the group, their weapons pointed at them.
Maximilian took a moment as he surveyed the room. It was exactly as it was in his vision. He had the disk brought down and placed against the wall just as he had seen. Everything was perfect. He smiled.
The group waited anxiously for signs of what to do next.
“Professor, since you have been studying these chambers, would you do us the honor?” Maximilian asked, handing the device to Professor Dustimaine. He didn’t want to be the one placing it on the platform in case something went wrong.
Dustimaine carefully took hold of the Pharom, unsure of the strange relic’s powers. His arms gave a little with the unexpected heft of it. He felt a low-grade electrical-like buzz. His heart rate jumped.
“Professor, don’t do it!” Alex shouted.
One of Maximilian’s guards was about to shut her up with the butt end of his gun, but Maximilian raised his hand.
“Abner,” Dr. Khadesh pleaded, “it is too dangerous. You do not know what you are getting yourself into.”
Professor Dustimaine looked back at them briefly. His nerves were shot. He hesitated.
“Professor, do it, or else Hans will have to come over and help you.” Maximilian’s tone was threatening. He stepped closer to Dustimaine.
Professor Dustimaine swallowed hard. He turned back around, and then cautiously stepped towards the platform.
Maximilian stood not far behind him, peering around his shoulder.
Dustimaine slowly placed the device on the platform. His heart was thundering in his chest as he remembered the gruesome death of the worker who had tampered with it. There was a click as it locked in place. A strange humming sound slowly radiated around the room. It grew louder and stronger. Dustimaine quickly backed away, fearful.
Maximilian confidently stood his ground. He recalled the sensation he had from his vision, but this was far, far greater. He felt the device’s power. It was thrilling. He knew this was what he had come for. Soon, this power would be his. He would be unstoppable.
Dr. Khadesh watched Maximilian, noticing his reaction. There was no fear, no surprise, only an almost maniacal look on his face.
Maximilian’s men, unsure of what to expect, concentrated on what was transpiring on the platform. They were transfixed. The Pharom’s colors began to swirl and intensify within it, until the object itself began to glow. It appeared to almost be in a state of quantum flux.
The Pharom’s humming grew louder and more intense. It was all happening so fast. An overwhelming feeling of nausea hit everyone in the chamber. Two of Maximilian’s men lowered their weapons, as they clutched their stomachs, groaning.
Professor Dustimaine and Maximilian, still closest to the device, groggily backed away from it and fell to their knees. Dustimaine’s stomach lurched. He retched. His body temperature spiked.
Maximilian’s head swam. He grabbed his head with both hands, moaning loudly. He tried to focus in on the vision he had, to seek answers to what was happening, a way to overcome the effects, but this was nothing like he had expected. “What is it doing?” he asked, finally growing fearful.
“What it is meant to,” Dr. Khadesh answered, withstanding the effects slightly better than his enemies.
Maximilian wanted to say something, wanted to question him, but he was losing focus. The nausea and dizziness were debilitating. He closed his eyes, but it only made the feeling worse. He was about to pass out.
Mitch and Alex, expecting this, had braced themselves. Seeing their opportunity, they nodded to Jack and Bob. Then, the four Americans attacked their guards. Mitch punched a guard in the face. Alex rushed and kneed a second guard in the groin full force. The man yelled out in pain. Jack and Bob, also more accustomed to the Pharom’s effects, steeled themselves and wrestled with the third guard. The guards, still reeling from the effects of the strange device, were caught with their defenses down.
Khamir, seeing what was happening, catapulted himself into Hans’ midsection, knocking the wind out of the big German. Hans fell down to the ground, dropping his gun. Khamir jumped on top of him, throwing a flurry of punches. He unleashed his rage over what Hans had done to him and Khadesh, giving him no time to do anything but try to protect his face from the relentless assault.
Noticing the guard that Alex kneed trying to get back up, Dr. Khadesh ran forward. Using a judo maneuver, he grabbed hold of the guard’s hand and arm, twisting it behind him. Crying out in pain, the guard dropped his gun. Dr. Khadesh punched him in the side of his head, knocking him out. Alex was astonished at the older man’s strength, speed, and agility.
Bob had the other guard in a rough bear hug. Using the full weight of his portly body as a sling, Bob threw the man into the wall, as Jack jumped aside.
The Pharom’s hum grew stronger and its dizzying effects intensified.
“We have to shut it off!” Mitch shouted as he took a tumble and fell to his knees. Still struggling, Mitch stood up and weaved his way towards the platform.
Seeing Mitch stumble, Khamir got up off of Hans and onto his feet quickly. As he was about to run towards the platform, Hans reached out with his hand, grabbing Khamir’s ankle, tripping him. He fell head first onto the ground. Hans stood up and kicked Khamir in the face. Hans grabbed his pistol from where it had dropped and aimed it straight at Khamir’s head.
Mitch, on his way to the platform, saw that Khamir was in trouble. He quickly dove towards Hans, tackling him from the side, knocking his pistol away. Wrestling with Hans on the ground, Mitch was able to free an arm. He drove his elbow straight into Hans’ nose. The big man yelped with pain. Seeing Hans temporarily stunned, Mitch jumped up and pulled his arm back to hit Hans again. Hans blocked the punch and held onto Mitch’s fist. Being no match for Hans’ strength or skill in hand-to-hand combat training, Mitch’s fist was locked in a pressure hold. Hans tightened his grip. Wincing in pain, Mitch was forced to the ground in a submission hold. Khamir jumped onto Hans from behind and put him in a headlock. Released from the submission hold, Mitch threw a punch upwards
into Hans’ stomach, knocking the wind out of his German foe. Hans doubled over in agony.