Book 2, Chapter 9

The opulence of Khnum's palace was a stark contrast to the arid sands of Amunara. Vince and John lounged in a lavish sitting room, sipping fragrant tea from delicate porcelain cups.

Vince turned the ring over in his hand, examining its intricate engravings with a critical eye. "Where did you get that, John?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

John leaned back with a mischievous glint in his eye. "I bought it. Thought it would suit you perfectly, brother."

Vince's frown deepened. He knew his brother well enough to sense an ulterior motive. "And why would you think that?"

Before John could respond, the door opened, and Khnum entered, his presence commanding the room. The merchant was a man of striking features; his dark eyes were sharp and calculating. He was flanked by two of his most trusted advisors, Neferu and Ankhti.

"Ah, the Hawthorne brothers," Khnum greeted, his voice smooth as silk. "I trust you're enjoying my hospitality, yes?"

Vince and John stood, bowing their heads in respect. "Of course, Lord Khnum. We are honored by your generosity," Vince replied.

Khnum settled into a plush armchair, motioning for the others to sit. Neferu and Ankhti, his Warrior servants, took their places on either side of him, their postures alert and attentive.

"I hear the [High Priestess] has a task for you," Khnum said, his gaze piercing.

Vince nodded. "Yes, my lord. We are meant to lead a raid on a bandit stronghold in the Red Dunes. They've been disrupting trade routes and causing trouble for the Order."

Khnum stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A dangerous mission. But I have faith in your abilities."

The [High Priestess] had put them on this mission after they had discovered the location of the Temple of Mut-Ankh. She had been elated with the discovery, which persuaded her to employ them for her next missions. This meant a lot for the brothers' mercenary company.

If they could get the first serving of the Order's missions, they'd soon be extremely rich. Plus, Khnum's reason for hosting them was a testament to how close the [Merchant] was to the Order – he was the main provider for all their needs.

John leaned forward, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "We'll rob the bandits blind," he declared.

"If the Jackal doesn't cut out throats in our sleep," Vince sighed.

The Jackal was the most feared bandit among all the mercenaries in Amunara. He infiltrated them and gained their trust in a lowly position before stabbing everyone in the back as soon as they scored a big treasure.

"If you had found the Book of the Dead, the Jackal might have come after your heads," Khnum nodded.

As the conversation turned to the logistics of the upcoming raid, Vince's mind wandered back to the ring. He couldn't shake the feeling that John was hiding something. His brother's evasiveness only fueled his suspicion.

Neferu, noticing Vince's distraction, spoke up. "Is something troubling you, Vince?"

Vince hesitated, glancing at John before responding, "It's nothing. I'm just thinking about the raid."

John's grin widened. "Don't worry, brother. We've faced worse odds before. Besides, maybe we'll run into that fiery blonde again. What was her name?"

"I don't know," Vince shrugged.

"Oh, and you're all stares from the balcony and taking strolls around the city because you like looking at the horizon and being around people?"

"You're a child, John," Vince quipped.

"Bloody hell, you liked that girl, didn't you?" John smiled widely. "I was just teasing you, but you're getting a bit too riled up."

Vince's jaw tightened. The mention of Lily stirred something within him – a mix of irritation and begrudging respect.

"Whatever," he said, focusing on Khnum and the arrangement for the upcoming raid.

...

As the meeting drew to a close, Khnum rose, his robes swishing around him. "I'll throw you a wonderful banquet when you return. I have matters to attend to now. Neferu and Ankhti, see to our guests' needs. And Vince, do give my regards to Hassan when you see him."

Vince frowned. "Hassan? He's not here?"

Khnum shook his head. "He left early this morning to run a personal errand. Said he'd be back before nightfall."

As Khnum departed, Vince turned to John, his expression serious. "What game are you playing, John? And don't say it's nothing."

John's smile turned enigmatic. "Just trust me, Vince. I've got you."

...

In the praying chamber of the Temple of Ankh-Mut, Hekanakht, the [High Priestess], knelt before the altar, her head bowed in reverence. The air was thick with the scent of incense, the wisps of smoke curling around her like ethereal fingers. Her voice, a melodic chant, filled the room as she invoked the names of the divine forces that governed the balance of life and death.

"Ankh, the breath of life, the sacred father, the spark that ignites the soul," she intoned, her words imbued with power. "Mut, the inevitable end, the revered mother, the shadow that claims us all. In your eternal dance, the world finds its rhythm, and we, your humble servants, find our purpose."

Hekanakht's hands, adorned with rings of gold and lapis lazuli, moved in intricate patterns as she wove her prayers.

"Guide us, Ankh and Mut," she whispered, her eyes closed in concentration. "Show us the path to maintain balance and serve the greater good of Amunara. Grant us the wisdom to lead, the strength to protect, and the compassion to heal."

As Hekanakht's prayers grew louder, the door to the chamber burst open. Sekerhab, flanked by two guards, strode in, his presence a jarring interruption to the sacred moment. Nutitari, her face a mask of defiance, was held firmly in their grasp.

"High Priestess," Sekerhab announced, his voice echoing off the chamber walls. "We have apprehended your daughter."

Hekanakht rose slowly, her robes whispering against the stone floor. She turned to face them, her eyes narrowing as they settled on Nutitari. "Leave us," she commanded, her voice stern.

The guards released Nutitari and bowed, backing out of the room. Sekerhab hesitated for a moment before following suit, closing the door behind him.

"I am not a part of the Order anymore, Mother," Nutitari declared, her chin lifted in defiance.

Hekanakht's lips curved into a mirthless smile. "There is no such thing as leaving the Order, Nutitari. You were born into this sacred duty, and it is a burden you must bear until your last breath."

Nutitari remained silent, her hands clenched at her sides.

"Now," Hekanakht continued, her tone softening, "tell me about the person they found you with. What were you doing with her, Hebet, and The Lioness?"

Nutitari's jaw tightened. She knew her mother would love to witness Lily's healing powers, fueled by her Death Magic. For that very reason, she had to protect Lily, to keep her existence a secret from the Order for now. "It was a private matter," she said, her words measured. "A friend in need."

Hekanakht's eyes glittered with curiosity. "A private matter, you say? Perhaps we should invite your new friend to the temple to thank them for bringing you back to us."

Nutitari's heart raced at the thought. She couldn't let Lily get drawn into the web of the Order, not when she had seen the power the young [Alchemist] possessed.

She needed to let the Lost Class follow its destiny and liberate the world.

...

In a secluded room, far from prying eyes, Sekerhab stood bare-chested, his torso a canvas of snaking tattoos. The air around him hummed with energy – a presence that seemed to fill the very stones of the room.

"Master," Sekerhab whispered, his voice reverent. "I have completed your first request."

A disembodied voice, ancient and powerful, responded, "Well done, my faithful servant. As promised, I shall grant you the first gift."

Sekerhab's eyes widened as he felt the familiar surge of Death Magic, the inky tendrils of power writhing around him. But then, something extraordinary happened. Tendrils of pure, white magic appeared, intertwining with the darkness. Sekerhab gasped as the two forces met – a sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced was coursing through his body.

He watched in awe as a notification appeared before him.

[*Ding!* Skill – Light Magic level 1!]

"I am the first," Sekerhab muttered, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. "The first to wield both Death Magic and Light Magic simultaneously."

The entity's voice echoed in his mind, "This is only the beginning, Sekerhab. You have proven yourself worthy, and your loyalty shall be rewarded."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Sekerhab prostrated himself on the cold stone floor, his forehead touching the ground in a gesture of ultimate submission. "I owe you everything, God Lucas."