CH.12 The Price of Bravery and The Old Man's Assurance

The nomad and the chronotex, bound together from birth But still, the nomad doesn't know his true worth Is he human or something else entirely? What are his goals, his purpose, his destiny? Only time will tell as the story unfolds And the secrets of the nomad's past are revealed and told.

The Price of Bravery and The Old Man's Assurance

As they left the shop, Jack winced in pain from the deep wound the bandit had inflicted upon him. He could feel the warm blood seeping through his clothing, but he tried his best to hide his discomfort from the old man and Ayman.

The trio weaved their way through the bustling markets and narrow alleyways of ancient Egypt, the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and the bustle of the crowd filling the air. Jack was amazed by the sights and sounds around him, but his mind was clouded with pain and exhaustion.

Ayman walked by his side, supporting him whenever he stumbled or faltered. Despite being just a boy, Ayman's maturity far exceeded his age. Jack was grateful for his help, but he couldn't help feeling guilty for putting him in danger.

When they finally arrived at the old man's house, Jack was relieved to find a safe haven from the chaos of the streets. The old man tended to their wounds, using ancient remedies to stop the bleeding and soothe their pain.

Jack couldn't help but feel ashamed for the trouble he had brought upon the kind old man and Ayman. "I'm sorry for putting you both in danger," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "I promise to protect you both, and I will confront Anubis."

The old man shook his head, "You cannot face Anubis alone, you will surely perish. His power is beyond anything you've ever seen. Anubis and his commanders are feared throughout the land for their ability to wreak havoc and destruction."

He leaned in closer to Jack, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Anubis is said to possess the power of holes of darkness, a force so destructive that it can level entire cities. His commanders are no less terrifying.

Image:

(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1101876105243279463/1101876244963934268/anubis.png?ex=661a9538&is=66082038&hm=23de5db568c2d268b5d5c5b5fc6ff7b69c98bda4a4ac35577b43f8fc4be2bc53&=&format=webp&quality=lossless)

Akhet is said to be able to manipulate time, slowing it down or speeding it up as he sees fit.

 (https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1101876105243279463/1101876245244944474/comander_akhet.png?ex=661a9538&is=66082038&hm=202f5969804bd18600ec42b026d19b834234c457d5e1ed2e7bd180ac704e4f66&=&format=webp&quality=lossless)

Nefru, he can become one with the shadows, moving through darkness with ease and striking his enemies from unexpected angles. They are beings of immense power and skill."

(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1101876105243279463/1101876245538549780/commander_seneb.png?ex=661a9538&is=66082038&hm=215e055a3bd96f4d75136dc16ec9fc66919944f7c7e751d1ea5b66d09838a74f&=&format=webp&quality=lossless)

As the old man finished speaking, the room fell silent, the only sound being the faint crackle of burning incense. Ayman's expression had turned dim and frustrated, and he spoke up with a pained voice, "They are the ones who killed my parents, Anubis and his commanders.

Tears welled up in the old man's eyes as he spoke, his voice filled with a mix of love and sadness. "Yes, they killed my son and his wife," he said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Since that day, I have been taking care of Ayman. He lived with me in this very house, but now he's moved due to him taking training in the royal army. But some days, he also comes by and helps in the shop."

You could see the pain etched on the old man's face as he spoke, his voice choked with grief. "Ayman was just a boy when they took his parents from him," he continued. "I did my best to raise him, but it was hard.

Jack could feel the weight of the old man's words and the pain he must have endured, "I'm sorry for your loss," he said softly, reaching out to place a hand on the old man's shoulder.

The old man gave a weak smile, "Thank you, my boy. It's been many years now, but the pain never really goes away."

There was a moment of silence as the three of them sat together, lost in their own thoughts. Then the old man cleared his throat and spoke up again, "But enough about that. Let's focus on what we can do to keep you safe from Anubis and his commanders."

Jack's anxiety was evident as he addressed the old man, "I am worried that they will find us," his voice low and trembling.

"Don't worry, son. They won't even know who you are," the old man replied, chuckling softly.

Ayman, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, spoke up in agreement, "Yeah, Gramps is right. Don't worry, Jack."

Jack raised an eyebrow in surprise, "How can you all be so sure?"

The old man leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with amusement, "The Anubis and his commanders may think they own this place, but they don't know everything. I've been living here for many years, and I know how to stay hidden from their gaze."

"But how? They know this whole area like the back of their hand. They could find us at any moment," Jack voiced his concerns.

"They won't, trust me. I know what I'm doing," the old man replied with a sly smirk.

Jack nodded slowly, still unsure of how the old man could be so confident. "I hope you're right," he muttered under his breath.

"I appreciate your help, I am indebted to you," Jack said with gratitude.

The old man waved his hand dismissively, "Nonsense. It's my duty to help those in need. You're safe here, Jack. Rest easy."

Jack settled into his seat with a small nod of gratitude, still feeling uneasy but also grateful for the old man's reassuring.

As night fell, they settled in for some much-needed rest. One by one, they drifted off to sleep, exhaustion taking hold after a long and perilous journey. The quiet of the night was only interrupted by the occasional sound of crickets chirping outside. The old man was the first to nod off, his gentle snores filling the room. Ayman followed shortly after, his breathing slow and steady. Jack lay awake for a while, his mind still racing with thoughts of their on Anubis and his commanders. But eventually, even he succumbed to sleep, and the room fell into a peaceful slumber.