Chapter 7

The village was all calm as the rain had slow down around them. Atem couldn't believe this was happening, as he saw Mana being treated gently. The lady, bandaged her up, as she was fixing up her wounds. Crow, then slowly watched into the tent, as he saw Atem focused on her. He was crossing his arms, staring blankly yet, with a serious look. He then, tilted his head a little as he then crossed his arms and scuffled his nose.

"What sick bastards would do something like this." He stated angrily.

"The kinda that wish to die...." Atem said firmly and annoyed as he stared at Mana.

Crow saw that Atem was completely upset and furious about this entire ordeal. As he had every right to be, due to his friends injuries. She seemed like she was beaten, and fighting for her life as she was on her way here. She must've gotten attacked by Phineas men after her. Crow narrowed his eyes and pinched his arms as they were crossed on one another, as he then saw that Atem and walked out the tent.

He followed him as he looked back at Mana once again, before he left and then approached him more. "So what now?"he stated, as he glanced at Atem. "...we fight." He exclaimed as he had narrowed his eyes looking at the village. He then started walking over towards another tent as the girl was with the two children. The kids were quiet as they didn't know what to say after their grandma had died. She then slowly got up in her draped outfit, as she walked over to the guys.

"How are they?" Crow asked with a little concern. "Mm, they're alright. Just a little shaken." She proclaimed as she glanced back at them. "Well, they're grandmother as I stated shall not die, in vain. I promised this." Atem said as he spoke to Crow and her. They both nodded, and then walked out the tent leaving the kids to themselves. "If you wanna train then, I'm down to train." Crow said as he turned back to Atem. "Indeed," the girl added on. "Helen did state, that you had hidden powers.." she added on.

"Yes, she did. But I wouldn't even know where to begin to unlock them." Atem said as he looked at her. The wind started to howl more, and more, as it picked up almost like a sandstorm. They turned around and looked up at the sky, as clouds started coming in as well. At first they didn't know what to do, they all watched as it happened. It was weird that it did however, because the sky was clear before. The girl then looked over at Atem as she stared at him. She then smiled gently towards herself and approached him.

"May I have a word." She stated as she then started walking towards the main tent. Atem looked over at Crow as Crow shrugged not knowing what it was about. However, he then walked away as Atem then nodded towards her. He walked following her into the main tent area as she then turned around and looked at him. "Thank you. I may have something that could help you along your journey." She exclaimed. "Oh?" Atem stated with curiosity. She then walked over to a small ancient box as she then gently walked approaching him.

He then grabbed it from her hands and looked at the ancient text inscribed into the box. "For your power within, unlock what you are seeking. But beware, for this power, could also, be a curse." He read within the box. She stared back at him as he had read the ancient text and she waited for his response. He then looked up at her, as she was confused about what was within the box. "Ancient power? What is within it?" He asked her. "I don't know my lord, our people never looked within that box." She stated towards him.

"However, before mama passed, she told us that the box was for you. When the time was right however. Perhaps she meant now." She stated with a little confusion. He then looked back at the box, as it sounded like small whispers coming from it. His eyes pierced at it, as he looked back towards the girl. "Thank you— umm." He said, not finishing. "Amore.." She stated saying her name. "Amore... hm. Thank you. For giving me this." He completed. She blushed gently towards him voice and how gently he was about it. "Your welcome, my lord." She finished.

"Please— call me Atem." He said, as he then turned around and left the tent. She watched as he left and, she was surprised that he would say his name towards her. It wasn't like a pharaoh at all, but her mama told her that Atem was different. He showed respect towards villagers and his own people, whether than treat them like slaves. She smiled towards herself, being honored knowing his name, in the end. She felt special even, knowing it without Crow knowing it first.

Crow had eventually walked back into the tent where Mana was. The healer than, watched him as he had entered the tent. He was scared a little by his presence, as Crow always had a personality that intimidated others around him. He had a darkness about him, that people question quite often. He watched from the distance at first as him then pierced his eyes at the old man. The man then quickly got up as he bowed towards Crow and then stood there quietly. "How is she." He asked firmly. "She's okay, my lord. Her wounds are healing quite nicely." He stated.

Crow then walked over more, as he then sat down in a chair close to the bed. He stared at her for a moment and saw her features. She was a very attractive individual, as well as she looked young. He then slowly moved her hair from her face, as the healer watched and then spoke. "She's also, naked underneath. So removing her blankets would reveal a lot." He stated. "Hmph. Thanks for the inform" he stated back at the healer. He then turned back towards her, as he then thought towards himself.

It was quiets for more moments longer, and then Crow slowly got up from the chair. "When she is fully healed. You will tell her to report towards me." Crow said towards the man. He then, swallows hard a little and then got hesitant and scared within his voice. "B—but my lord, s—shouldn't we, you know tell The pharaoh first. Be—before..." he said scaredy. Crow then pierced his eyes angrily at the man and then spoke just the same. "What did I just say!? You shall tell her to come to me! Do you understand!?"

The man fell over as he got startled by the sudden anger that was almost soulless from Crow. He then spoke quickly back over and over again. "yes! Yes yes! My lord! Of course!" He said scared for his life. Crow then watched as he reacted that way and rolled his eyes, as he walked out the tent quickly with his cape flying behind him. The shadows on the wall, got lighter inside the tent after he left. As the crows that followed crow himself, left the tent as well leaving the candle back on.

As Crow left the Mana's tent he couldn't help think about her and the outcome she was in. How one person could take down almost an entire elite priest and that was the pharaoh's guard. However he squinted his eyes, as he didn't know whether to believe such a tale. How Mana came inside, she was completely overwhelmed with feelings of dread. She was banged up and even then, she looked like she almost died. Was the kingdom that badly, it was that powerful, considering it was run by one man, and one man alone.

As the night went on the sand had eventually calm down. Giving everyone the time to regroup and calm down their nerves. After Atem's speech, they realized that they could fight against the darkness. Atem had gotten up slowly as he walked towards a forest area that was quiet. He wanted to know what was within the box, as he didn't know what it could be. He pondered to himself, as he also thought about the grandmother. He thought about what she said, and the hidden power that he had. He softly walked across the branches of the trees as he went deeper inside.

He didn't know what was inside thus, he didn't wish to make disaster inside the village. If things get out of hand, he wants to be far from the village so no one becomes in danger. As he did so, he slowly put the box down on a rock, and stare at it long and hard. He squinted his eyes, and narrowed them down, focusing his tone, deep voice in a small grunt of frustration. As time went on, Mana had slowly opened her eyes, as she started to come conscious. She then looked around, softly as she noticed she was laying on a bed.

It wasn't as soft as she had inside the palace, however she was somewhat still comfortable. The man who was treating her, slowly walked back inside with the bucket of water he had. He then widened his eyes realizing she was awake and screamed softly. "Oh! Forgive me! I—how long have you been awake?!" He asked her. She then slowly gotten up from the bed, as she heard the noise of the old man. "H—huh? I—where—where am I?" She asked gently and looking at the man she didn't notice beforehand.

"You are in the Shinigami Village, my lady it's near the palace temple." He continued to tell her. He then slowly went over to grab a wet towel and ring it out. "Do you need, some more rest, your wounds need to still heal my lady." He said bowing towards her. She refused by his comment on her wounds, and felt a sudden pain in her brain, throwing from its pounding. She couldn't believe what was happening, and didn't know why it was happening. She then felt guilty and could feel herself start to tear. She thought about Mahad, and remembered watching him die, his blood, and his body being killed with the sword that pierced him.

"I—" the man studded for a moment, and don't know what to do but bite his lips softly. He felt, completely compelled to even move, or say what he wanted too. "I am terrible sorry m'lady is there anything I can get you? Water? Food? Another blanket?" He said nervously, sweat against his skin, feeling it drip down, with a gulp for her response that he didn't wish to be yelled at. Just as she was looking up with hurtful tears and stain with dry crust from the crying before her. She then heard sounds of footsteps coming closer, as the man did as well, he figured it had to be someone coming to check on her.

Crow had opened the tent, as he narrowed his eyes looking down at the man. He then scuffled seeing her the way she was, along with the man scared half to death. "I told your insignificant ass to tell me when she was awake!" Crow shouted. "Forgive me my lord! I—we! I mean!" He fumbled over his words trying to find the right things to say, but simple felt himself passing out because of it. "Don't bother you fool! I knew you couldn't handle such an easy simple task." He said scuffling once more and crossing his arms, along with his eyes closed. "I—I'm sorry but who are you?" Mana asked, scared a little by this strange man.

She almost felt bad for this man whom seemed so frighten by this person. She didn't like people being bullied or mistreated in ways she didn't like being herself. She wanted to help him, but she also didn't want to be tossed aside either. "Don't worry about that. I'm not that important, but if you must know. I'm someone who's going to help you and your pharaoh take back the palace."he told Mana. From that moment, she figured that he must've been an ally of pharaoh Atem, to know these things. She thought it was just a dream that she ran into Atem, but it wasn't he was really here? At this village? She wanted to see him she missed him more than anything.

"Please take me too him" She said slowly getting up and then collapsing. She held her side, as she then gripped Crow's arms, as he had helped her. She stared inside his dark brown eyes, as he looked down at her and smirked. "Well, you don't think you'll be going somewhere soon would you? You should really be more carefully." He told her sitting her down on the edge of the bed. She then manage to catch herself, blushing with a soft reddish, that she didn't know why. She couldn't have liked him, maybe it was because she was embarrassed by almost tripping in front of two people. Yeah, that's what it was. She thought to herself.

Looking down at herself more, her face got redder and then her eyes widened with a heat. She couldn't believe she was naked and no one said anything, she screamed inside her mind, but squealed with frighting fears as she quickly grab the blanket. "Ah! I didn't know I was naked! Why didn't you say anything!" She said harshly to the both of them. The man was fainted due to Crow's intimidation so he didn't respond, however Crow glanced over at her with sharp eyes looking with a nonchalant attitude. "Please, it's not like you have a lot to reveal." He said looking away.

He then felt a slap to his head as he turned around holding the back of his head surprised. "What the hell!? Who? What was that for!" He said towards her.

"I don't have a lot to look at!? How rude can you be! Watch your mouth as you speak to me! I am a wizard ya know I could turn you into a frog and make you hop around like you lost your damn mind!" She yelled.

"....." Crow face streak with a reddish attire, as he couldn't believe someone stood up to him that way. He didn't know whether to yell back or to be impressed by it. So he simply smiled and smirked, as a sign of understanding.

"Fine, sorry then. Just—- hurry up and get dress. I wanna show you something." He said finally, and started to head out the tent. He then grabbed the healer by his arm, and dragged him out the tent as well, so he couldn't see what she was doing. Mana however was astonished to see that she made Crow shut-up so quickly, and that he didn't say anything smart back. It was almost remarkable, and yet she impressed herself in a way. She then, walked over to grab some clothing, and started to take her bandages off slowly in some of them was too tightly.

Atem far away from the village, isolated inside the forest where the trees and the grass was silent. He had the box sitting on the stump, and he sat down on the grass watching it. Curiously he didn't know what was inside, but it seemed to be great importance for him to have. He narrowed his eyes feeling the wind howling through his ears, the sounds that echoed loudly. He managed to glance up slowly, and the trees blowing endlessly. It felt weird in a way, so much was being felt yet it seemed to be normal around here. He didn't mind it at first, but in some way it felt as if he was being watched. He then turned back to the box and placed his hands on it. It started to glow with a shining beam from it as Atem's eyes widened.

The box then slowly made the ancient eye symbol as it placed it upon Atem's forehead as well. He then slowly heard the box open slightly as he watched it and put his hand on the lid. Opening it slowly he looked inside the box and saw an ancient Egyptian bracelet. 'Is this what I am suppose to have? A bracelet?' He thought to himself. For some reason, he couldn't help but feel like he should've had something more something different. However, it wasn't like this couldn't have been important. He took out the bracelet, golden with ancient symbols on it. A scorpion for the centerpiece, and an eye in the center of the animal. It was fascinating to look at to say the least. It seemed many people would wish to get their hands on such an item anyhow.

He then grabbed it from the box, as it echoed with wording, almost like something was being spoken inside it. A curse perhaps, it didn't know for sure, it was frighten in a way. Dark magic was at work here, but why would they wish to give it towards him, is this the other side of him he needs to learn to control? Perhaps it is, but he wouldn't know for sure anymore considering the grandmother who died had those answers. He then put it to his wrist as the bracelet attached itself without warning as Atem jolted a little with surprised. He then felt it glow more as the wind picked up more, and his puzzle started to shine as well. 'What! What is this incredible power I'm feeling, this sensation of energy!' Atem puzzled.

Getting up from the position he was sitting in the item moved him up and in a direction that was towards an open area. It then started to show him making his eyes the key towards seeing the things he needed to see. His eyes tasering and glowing with white eyes, and it feeling with power he's never had before. Showing him across valleys, desert sands, sands whirlwinds, the salt sea ocean, death of the innocents, and finally his royal palace. The waist-land he saw inside this vision, as the people being slaughtered and watching Mahad die by the hands of Phineas himself. It then moved him further and showed himself in the vision, as he was riding a horse to a keep, a keep high in the mountains past the desert sands. It seemed to be the destination in which he was suppose to go. The item then stop, as Atem had a small nose bleed due to seeing this fortune. His eyes went back normal as he felt to the ground slightly.

He grunted somewhat, and then got back up shaking a little and grabbing the bracelet. He tried to take it off but soon realized he couldn't as he grunted trying too. 'What? Why isn't this thing coming off of me!' He said to himself. Pulling more and more and fell to the ground hard as the dust hit his skin. He coughed a little bit, and then heard noises from around him. "Hello?" He exclaimed. Looking around him, and didn't see anybody, as he couldn't see anyone either. He then heard noises become louder and saw that it was Amore. She was within an ancient Egyptian outfit, but it was more loose than the first elegant attire she had on. It was a hand to hand combat outfit, when she walked over towards Atem. "My lord, you okay?" She asked. " I felt I should've came to see you because, I saw a beam of light in this direction, and sometimes I come out here myself when I need time to think." She added.

"I am fine. Thank you, Amore. However, I've seen things, things I did not wish to see. I need to hurry and get back to my people before everything everyone cares about is destroyed." He said firmly. He then closed his eyes in disappointment, in himself for allowing things to get this bad and not going with his gut at first the moment, he allowed Phineas in his presence. He had killed his best friend Mahad and took his wife, who had became a traitor in the end. It was if this entire world was against him, when he thought on it, Amore slowly approached him more. She stood beside him, and then spoke as she felt he need some reassurance and comfort. "It shall get better Atem I promise, you need to look towards the future for you are the key and the warrior to subside all of this chaos." She told him. He then sighed, as he looked over at her and then understood where she was coming from.

"You are right. I should be strong, I cannot doubt myself. For I and the people will lose everything that way." He told her. He then walked towards the edge of the hill, watching the sun set, as the day was yet again coming to a close. Amore had walked next to Atem and slowly looked over at Atem with this hope feeling, and a feeling of blush with a streak of reddish against her. She couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, how determined his passion was, the drive her father once had for saving her. It brightened her day in a way, and she liked being around Atem's positivity and his heart was pure.