Chapter 1: Ancient Times

Trigger Warning: This Chapter contains descriptions of death, violence, cruelty, and torture. Please read on with caution.

Disclaimer Alert!

Some plot to every chapters of story has real events of the past, however, other plots on the story are only fictional, entertainment purpose only, and does not claim to be historically correct.

And some plot to every chapter of the story also has mythology of mentioning the gods and goddesses name and also their strength, power, and their doings is also a fictional and has nothing to do in real original mythology story.

5000 years ago, in ancient Egypt, our ancestors left their memories for us to remember them. They were once powerful rulers of Egypt and died as one, remembered by their people. A king ruled his kingdom with his queen and children, and a queen who could rule the world was brave, strong, and independent in her words. They made history with their lives, and even now, their memories and history are still alive.

Once, there were powerful people among the Egyptians, and they were the ones who served the gods they believed in. They were the richest and most feared by the lower classes. These people had the power to mistreat, be violent, and judge the poor who were beneath them. What was worse was that men during ancient times were cruel, as they forced women to satisfy their needs, beat them, and locked them up, denying their freedom to speak or even leave their homes. At that time, it was so cruel, and no one stood up against it.

A servant of one of the most powerful and strongest gods in Egypt: Set, the god of chaos, war, and storms. He was the patron to all Shesmu, a dark magician who can use the ability to enter someone's dreams and communicate with the d£ad. These dark magicians were among the most powerful and respected people besides the Pharaoh, but ever since the tragedy occurred, dark magic has been banned-forever. However, that is not entirely true. A few have broken this rule and continue to practice while hiding and performing the forbidden crafts.

Not only dark magic, but also hunters who were once the dark magicians' fears and enemies, especially the Supreme Epistates, who was ruthless, cold, and showed no mercy to those who disobeyed the rules made by the Pharaoh, especially the dark magicians.

But there was a story of a hunter and Shesmu who fell in love with each other. They knew that this love was forbidden, but they could not control their hearts. They ran into each other's arms. A story of enemies to lovers, a ruthless forbidden step...

Amen of Memphis and Evthys of Hermopolis. This is their love story of how they fell in love and how it ends...

5000 years ago, somewhere in Ancient Egypt

Clashing of daggers, sweat, b!ood and scream from everyone's voices can be heard. a woman with black cloak covering with b!ood, she stare at the bloody dagger on her hand cover with blood. She sees her reflection, she sees herself a mess and expressionless. Is this really a way? She thought this to herself and she hated it for that. The light from the moon strike down to her dagger and it bounce to her face. She was a young shesmu who fight for their rights and their land, with no choices left, they choose to kill or rather the side choose war.

The young woman heard heavy footsteps; her heart ached knowing who it was. She slowly turned to the person halfway. The man was not surprised, rather hurt to see who was standing in front of him. "You chose them? You chose the wrong side," the man said. The woman bit her trembling lip and looked down at her dagger again. "I told you to leave. I told you before to tell the Pharaoh to bring back everything he took from us and our land," the woman replied in a cold way as she gripped her dagger tightly.

"Even still... you sided with him. I can't blame you; you were following his orders." This time, the woman turned her full body to him. She smiled bitterly. "Our fate is tied, but the destiny for us is unfair. We're enemies; no matter what we felt, we will always be on different sides." The man heard her words like a piece of knife stabbing his heart. He knew she was right.

Their feelings, the share of their love, are gone. And at that moment, they were enemies. One of them would die or survive. The two could hear the screams and tired groans from their opponents, clashing swords, and blood that washes them from the ground till covered them, and right now at that moment, there was no time to talk. They had to end this.

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A long time ago, before the shesmus started. There was a woman, a mysterious woman comes down from the moon. The land was empty, only silent, cold night, alone, with no noise around her and wind of desert. she named herself as Lady Bastet. the name from goddess Bastet, the goddess of protection, pleasure, and the bringer of good health. The daughter of Ra, sister of Sekhmet, wife of Ptah, and the mother of Mihos.

Lady Bastet, looks up at the moon and asks for her task. The moon god, Khonsu told her to raised her children and build a home for them and start their bloodline. Lady Bastet, the daughter of Khonsu, the first shesmu, founder of dark magic, the goddess of death and dream, and the mother of four children. two daughters, Bastet II and Ahhotep and two sons Rameses.

When her children grow older, they helped their mother to built the tribe together and took some few people who are wondering around at the lonely desert, and make the tribe stronger. And so it begins, they gather more people for their tribe and Lady Bastet told them a story about her journey, how she come down from the moon and have four children with her. Lady Bastet teach her people the craft skills from her, the oneiromancer and necromancer. The ability to communicate the dead and the ability to step someone's dream.

Lady Bastet's children are married to each other and was destined to have many children to continue their bloodline and to protect their people and to keep the dark magic alive. The children of Lady Bastet called their tribe as Dynasty of Shesmu Tribe.

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September 20, 1997

The van drove through the miles to travel to the Valley of Kings. Inside are the Egyptologist students looking outside with full of excitement. One of them is Evthys. Evthys decided to follow the path of the British man named Howard Carter, he was the first British archeologist to discover the tomb of one of the Pharaoh in ancient Egypt, Pharaoh Tutankhamun in 1922.

Howard Carter made his own history, and since then, Many archeologist and Egyptologist decided to be in his path, many archeologist and Egyptologist outside the country were here in Egypt to discover the ancient times of Egypt.

Evthys wrote everything she learned from her lessons. Beside her was Dia, yawning. She took a small glance at her and smiled, "Getting bored already?" Dia snickered and replied, "Yeah, I want this to be over soon." Evthys shook her head and smiled at her friend before she looked out the window.

Even though it's still far, I can already feel my excitement inside me. It has been my dream to be just like Howard Carter. Someday, I will be just like him. That was my dream when I heard his story. Looking down at her lap was her notebook. She smiled to herself and placed her hand on the top of her notebook, caressing it. "What's so exciting about this? All we do is stare and write everything we learn."

Dia showed how bored she was with their journey. Evthys looked at her friend, who was checking her nails. "Nothing is more important to you than your nails, Dia." Beside Dia was Ramesses, poking her side in a teasing manner. "Hey! Watch it!" Dia smacked Ramesses's hand, and the young man laughed lightly.

Hearing Ramesses and Dia bickering, Evthys decided to lean her head against the window. She didn't know how long she had been staring out the window; she didn't realize that her eyelids were slowly closing, driving her to sleep.

Evthys Hassan

It was dark, and I was alone.... I felt so scared. "Eva...." There was a voice from someone. "Eva ... Stay with me..." A man's voice. All of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain in my chest; it was as if someone had just stabbed me. I couldn't breathe.

When I opened my eyes, I was already on the ground. Everything was in chaos; men were fighting, and the sound of swords clanking could be heard. The voices echoed through my ears, and I felt myself struggling to breathe. "Eva.... Eva..."

I looked at the unknown man; his eyes showed fear and pain. Who is this man? "A... A.... Amen..." My own mouth suddenly spoke on its own. "Hush, my dear.... don't speak...." The man named Amen quickly put his hand to my chest to press the wound. I looked down to see it was bleeding badly. "My neferut... please... don't close your eyes...." I could hear his fear of losing me. But who is he?

"My... b... beloved... E-... Epistates..." Again, it was my trembling voice. Not knowing what I had just done, I slowly caressed his cheeks. The man put his hand on me and kissed my palm, hot tears streaming from his eyes. He knew that his beloved wouldn't make it, nor would this woman. Or was it me...

My eyes slowly drifted to sleep, and with one last breath, my heart stopped beating.

"Eva!" I gasped for air, my eyes wide open. I felt my wet cheeks and used my hand to wipe them. "Tears?" Was I... crying...? "Eva, what happened to you?" Dia's voice made me look at her in bewilderment. "What happened?" "Eva, you were gasping for air in your sleep. We're all worried something happened to you. Are you alright?"

Ramesses and Dia look at me with worry. I look around and realize that our classmates are now staring at me. "I... I'm fine. It must be some... nightmares," our professor walks to our seat and looks at me with concern. "Ms. Hassan? What's wrong with you?" I look down, seeing my fingers shake and feeling them go. What was that...? It was as if I had died... Who was that man? Who is Amen?

"Children, we're all here. You can go down now. Ms. Hassan? You can stay here if you're not feeling well," said Mrs. Kin, and I smile at her weakly. "It's fine... I can still stand." I slowly get up, trying to get out of my seat, and Dia helps me up.

When we all got down from the van, everyone stared at the Valley of the Kings in awe and excitement. The first thing they did was visit the chamber of Tutankhamun. "Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, was the youngest Pharaoh who ruled Egypt from 1332 to 1323 B.C. He ascended to the throne of Egypt as a child when he was eight or nine years old, and he died at the age of nineteen due to complications from a broken leg exacerbated by malaria. King Tut's death was a significant event because not only was he a mere teenager when he died, but he was also the last heir of one of the strongest and most powerful royal families that had sway over the Egyptian empire."

As Madam Kim explained everything, I took the opportunity to ask by raising my hand. "Madam, what happened to King Tut's wife after he died?" "Good question, Ms. Hassan. Ankhesenamun is believed to have married King Ay, Tutankhamun's successor, after her husband's unexpected death. King Tut's wife may have next married Ay, a powerful advisor who was close to both her and Tut."

Madam Kim kept explaining to us the life of King Tut while I took down some notes to prepare for our upcoming test. Madam Kim let us explore King Tut's tomb. As I was looking at the art on the walls, I noticed that Ramesses and Dia were nowhere to be seen. Where are they? While Madam Kim was still discussing the life of King Tut, I started looking for Ramesses and Dia. While still searching for them, I saw a green sparkle behind the tomb of King Tut. As I got closer, notice a emerald green small diamonds on the golden bracelet.

What a beautiful bracelet! Did someone accidentally drop it? I crouch down and pick up the bracelet, admiring how it looks. I put it on without thinking twice. Wow, it's so beautiful... "Alright, children, let's go to the other tomb of one of the greatest pharaohs," I heard Madam Kim say, and I immediately tried to take off the bracelet. But as soon as I intended to take it off, it didn't budge; instead, it stayed locked to my wrist.

"What in the world?" I tried to take it off again, pulling the bracelet forcefully, but my skin burned from it instead. "Ms. Hassan? Is something the matter?" I stood up and turned around sharply, hiding my other wrist with the bracelet. "N-nothing...! Nothing at all!" Seeing my anxious reaction, she looked at me suspiciously. "Well, alright." Before Madam Kim left, her eyes glanced down at my other hand hiding behind me, and she walked out.

Sighing in relief, I look again at the bracelet. "Damn it, what can I do now?" I look closely at the bracelet. The bracelet looks so old and ancient, but the colors haven't faded, and only a little dirt covers it. "Ms. Hassan? Are you coming?" Hearing Madam Kim's voice, I pull down my sleeves to cover my wrist and hurry along to the others.

A few hours went by

The sun was setting, and it was time to call it a day, but Ramesses and Dia were nowhere to be seen. "Madam Kim? I didn't see Ramesses and Dia. The last time we were together was when we were going down to Tutankhamun's tomb." Hearing my concern, Madam Kim also started to scan the surroundings. There was no sight of Ramesses or Dia in the settlement. "I did see them coming down with us, but I think I noticed them skipping my discussion," Madam Kim said with displeasure. I blinked and sighed.

I knew Dia always wanted to skip when Madam Kim's discussions were boring or when she was not interested. But Ramesses? No, that man has never skipped before. What was weird was that he was going with Dia to skip classes. Where are they? I looked down at my wrist to see the bracelet that was still on my wrist. This bracelet on my wrist still hasn't been removed. I need to find a way to take it off before someone sees it.

"Hm?" I glance behind the tomb to see two people standing there. The sun was setting, so it wasn't hard to see them despite the shadows. I walked slowly and furrowed my eyebrows to look closer. "Wait, Dia and Ramesses?" Confirming it was them, I ran to where they were standing. "Dia! Ramesses! Where the heck were you guys?! I was so worried that something happened to both of you since the two of you went to the temple!" Dia and Ramesses turned their heads at the same time.

I stopped and looked at them more closely; both were looking at me strangely. Their eyes looked so hollow, and a few seconds later, they both smiled widely. What the hell? "Guys? Why are you looking at me strangely? If this is a prank, then it's not funny." I shuddered when they also pointed their fingers at the same time while looking at me with still smiles on their faces. I followed what they were pointing to.

"Huh? A Nile... and a boat?" There was a small boat on the Nile; in fact, I was surprised. I'm pretty sure that there was no Nile behind the tomb... I didn't see the Nile when we got here. I looked back at them, and the look on their faces still had not changed.

I went to the shore, and their heads followed my steps. I reached the Nile and touched the boat, running my fingertips over it. "Is it real?" I looked back to see Dia and Ramesses already beside me, and I flinched. "Ride the boat," Dia said, "and be careful of the ka that is trapped inside the Nile, or you will be on the other side," Ramesses added.

"Okay, guys, you're scaring me. This is not funny anymore. Stop it!" I started to feel less panic and fear. My heart was beating so loudly, and I took a step backward when both Ramesses and Dia started to walk towards me; my back hit the edge of the boat. "Ride the boat, Eva, and we promise you it will be an enjoyable ride," both Dia and Ramesses said the same words as if they were twins.

"Okay," giving up, I turned around and went over to the boat. I could feel my feet in the Nile. I carefully rode the boat. I looked at the sun setting. Fascinated by the sunset, I didn't realize that Dia and Ramesses had pushed the boat out from the shore.

The water is now down to their waists, and just before I can ask them, they push the boat one more time and let go. "Hey, at least I should have a paddle so I can go back to... around..." When I turned my head back to them, they were gone. "Dia?! Ramesses?!" I stand up without thinking, and the boat starts to sway, causing me to fall back down. "Damn it...!" The boat starts to drift away from the shore; all I can hear now is the ripple from the Nile. "Wait... ripple??? I'm sure that was from the boat, right?" I look around, and no one is there.

I should just jump into the Nile. But I might drown; I don't even know how to swim! I decided to stay on the boat for the meantime; however, the shore behind me is no longer there, only the Nile. Oh my God... What?!!! I started to panic. "No... No, no, no! This is impossible!" A firefly landed on my boat, and I looked at it. The firefly hopped closer to me, and I sat back down. "I just have to stay here; God knows what would happen to me if I start to move. The boat might flip me over."

I leaned against the boat and let my fingertips play by swirling in the river. I scooped up a few drops of water, and they disappeared from my hand, going back down to the river. And just then, unexpectedly, everything was silent for just a few seconds...

I was thrown into the river...

"Argh....!!!!!" The boat that I was riding flipped me over, and my body fell into the river. To my shocking surprise, it was so deep. I couldn't swim, and I struggled; I couldn't see due to the water in my eyes. And just like that, I drowned in the Nile.

The Nile was slowly pulling me down deeper. All I could see was a blurry version of my surroundings. I held my breath and tried to swim back up, but instead, it kept pulling me down. This is bad; I'm running out of air.....

I don't know if I'm imagining things, but I saw a figure right next to me. I could tell that it was a woman because of her long hair and dress, and she wasn't moving. Just then, I noticed something: my bracelet suddenly glowed underwater. What's happening? Did it glow when I fell into the Nile?

My body moved on its own, and I didn't realize that I was now swimming up to get some air. I gasped when I came out of the Nile and coughed while wiping the water from my eyes, but just then, something sharp was at my neck, and I froze.

When my eyes were finally clear, I slowly looked around and hissed from the sun against my face. "You, who are you?" A man's voice? Who is this? As my vision became clearer, I saw a man's face. He was pointing a spear right at me, and not just that, his clothing was so strange. "Do not move!" Another spear was at my neck.

Oh my God, where am I???? I'm pretty sure that I didn't see them around! "Speak, young Neferut! Who are you?" They're Egyptian for sure, but their language seems different, or perhaps the dialogue is. And what's even weirder is that I understand them.

"Evthys! Invisible god, what were you thinking!!!" A woman's voice is getting closer; she ran towards me, and behind her are the two men. "Eme..!" The two men who are pointing a spear at me turn their gaze to the woman and the other two men behind her and nod their heads at me. "Do you know this young lady?" The woman walks to the shore, and she is slowly getting closer to the river. I look closely, and my eyes widen. Dia???!!! is that Dia???!!!

And I look at the two young men behind her. Ramesses and Isman???!!! I sharply turn my head back to the two man. Their clothes... they're kind of familiar. "Hunters, please forgive our friend! Eva!" Ramesses spoke to them, and then their eyes landed on me. Hunters???!!! Hunters from Egypt???? I remember my history teacher telling me about them. Hunters are from the pharaoh's squad...! If the hunters are here, that means the epistates is somewhere around here...! Wait...

I look to the shore and see Dia, Ramesses, and Isman's clothing. Oh my god... the clothes, accessories, makeup, and hairstyles are different. This has to be a joke. Maybe it's a costume to prank me??? I clear my throat, and the two hunters look at me, waiting for me to speak.

"I... uhm... where am I? And who are you?" The hunters exchange glances and look at me again. "Young Neferut, are you playing with us? If this is a joke, then it is not good to prank." "We're supposed to be the ones asking you that question. And we already heard your name: Evthys, as I heard." Another hunter appears behind them, and he rests his hand on his hilt, narrowing his eyes at me.

I look around to see more people watching me, others doing their own business, and a few getting distracted from their work. "Look! It's Selena!" The hunters look behind them, and I also move forward and gasp.

"Invisible God! Selena!" the hunter exclaimed, and someone screamed, attracting the attention of the other people. "You, help this young neferut climb into the boat," the first hunter commanded, and the other hunter obeyed. He held out his hand and helped me out of the Nile. When I was already inside the boat, the other hunter jumped into the Nile just to save a body floating in the water while the first hunter rode us back to the shore.

While he was taking us back, I turned around and saw the hunters helping each other drag the woman until I saw her face. Her whole body was cold and white; her face was so pale, and she looked so beautiful. Her hair was messy, and there were some red marks on her neck. Her chest was bleeding... It can't be; she's dead?!

"Eme!" Someone's strong arms pull me into a tight hug and then pull away. His hands grab both of my arms and shake me. "Eme! We're so worried about you, and we couldn't find you anywhere! You weren't in your bed since last night, and now you are here in the Nile!" Isman's eyes are filled with worry and terror, as are his words. "Isman, I—" "What were you thinking, jumping in the Nile? Don't tell me you did it last night?!"

I was stunned by what he was saying. Me, jumping into the Nile? Did I try to kill myself? I push Isman away and break free from his grip. I almost stumble while taking a step back. "Eme!" Isman calls out and tries to reach me, but I stop him. "Stay where you are and don't get close to me!" "Eme?" Isman looks at me, confused.

My eyes widened, and I felt a lump in my throat. My clothes... these are not my clothes...!!!! My modern clothes were replaced by a yellow dress with accessories, and my thighs were showing. I was wearing the same bracelet that I found. I touched my skin on my neck, and there was a necklace and also earrings. No... it can't be; I'm in someone else's body?! I sharply turned around to see the woman I saw earlier; she was already on the shore.

My body was trembling, and with shaking hands, I slid them through my hair. surprised, pulled my hair to see that it was different; my hair was wavy, not curly like in my world. I didn't know what happened, but I look walked slowly to the woman with trembling legs and heavy breathe while other people are concerned about her. "Invisible God! Isn't this woman the lover of the Supreme Epistates?" one of the people said.

"Make way!" a harsh voice pushed the people out of the way. Some who saw him immediately made a path for him to see the commotion. When he saw the dead woman, he was shocked and horrified. "Titian!" one of the hunters noticed him. "Great Ra! How did this happen?! Explain yourself!" He looked at the hunter in shock and anger. The hunter avoided his gaze and looked down. "We also don't know what happened; we just found her floating in the river. Not just that, the young Neferut was also there when we found Selena," the hunter said nervously, looking my way. The crowd also looked at me in puzzlement.

"Isfet! How can I explain this to Amen that his beloved lover is dead?! Didn't Amen tell you to keep an eye on Selena?!" The hunter lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Titian, but she told us that she wanted to go away alone." "Isfet! And you believe her?!!!" The hunter didn't say anything; he knew he was wrong for leaving her alone.

Titian looked at the woman, and his eyes showed sadness. "I pray for her ka's safe travels," he said, and looked at the other hunters. "For now, the epistates is still at Thebes running errands. I will write a letter regarding what happened just now! And you will prepare yourselves for the worst when he gets here."

The hunters looked so scared the moment they heard Titian's cold and harsh tone, especially when he mentioned the epistates' name. "We have to get out of here. Isman, take Eve away before Titian gets her," Ramesses whispered. "I agree with him. Just now, the hunter pointed right at Eva. I think he accused her of murdering Selena since Eva is the only one who was found on the Nile," Dia added, and Isman clenched his fist and gritted his teeth. "They don't have evidence that Evthys killed Selena. No one saw them last night..." Isman said, and I felt him walk closer to me.

I could hear their voices behind me, but my eyes were still focused on Selena. My body was trembling so much; cold sweat covered my body, and even the cold Nile was over the place of my body. My breath was shaking, and I couldn't let out a single word. I was in shock. "Eme..." I felt Isman's soft voice as he gently caressed my back, rested his hands on my shoulders, and gently pulled me away from the crowd.

Dia and Ramesses follow us behind; their voices are now far away, even though they are right next to me. I can hear a ringing sound in my ears; my eyesight is blurred, and soon it is dark.

Author

Without knowing, Eva fainted, and thanks to Isman supporting her, he managed to catch her in time before she fell to the ground. "Eme!?" Isman's shouted voice attracted the crowd, and they turned around to see Isman holding Eva in his arms. "What happened???" Titian also looked at them, his eyes stop right at the woman, Eva. "She's the young neferut you told me was with Selena?" The hunter looked into the distance and nodded. "She is; I'm sure of it. She was the last person I saw with Selena last night."

"What?" Titian look to the hunter with interest and the hunter continue "Last night I saw Selena to the shore and that young woman was there. And I saw them hugging and laughing as well." the hunter's head lower head deeply "What happened next?" Titian ask and the hunter shook his head and said "that's all I know since our comrade calls for me and I left them alone" Titian then look back to the group of youngsters. And his eyes rested to Eva and he said "as far as I know, her name is Evthys. I saw her application on the list. Hmm, now this is interesting, I bit Amen will be also interest in this news"

"Isman! She needs to go to our room, she fainted!" Dia said looking worried to Eva while Isman cupped Eva's cheeks to check on her. "This is bad, I hate to say this but. Eva will get sick if she's not changing her clothes and beside.. her heart is barely beating" Ramesses added checking her pulse while his eyes were serious.

"Isfet! Let's go; I will be the one to examine Eva," Isman said as he carried Eva in his arms and hurriedly walked faster, with Ramesses and Dia following him.

To Be Continue...

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