The Valley of Kings and a Queen

Chapter 42

Grey pulls into a parallel parking spot that reaches up to the street across from the riverfront. I look off into the distance where ominous clouds have begun to form and dark shadows linger. The wind whirls and acts as a heavy force pushing against us coldly as we start running towards Cleopatra's needle. We start sprinting across the road and towards the monument that overlooks the river front.

I make out Finley's body, he's crouched down low on the ground. His hair and clothes are disheveled as he scrambles to etch marks into the ground as though he has been lost in some ethereal trance.

"Finley," my voice croaks out in panic hoping to stop him from performing the sacrifice the King sentenced him to, "Finley please." My voice breaks out no longer able to keep my own fear trapped beneath. Finley doesn't even look into our direction as Grey and me rush towards him.

I reach out to Finley hoping to stop him, but I reach a protective shield of some sort that sends me backwards flying across the embankment and slamming into the ground.

"No worries, I think I might be able to stop him," a voice purrs as chills run down my spine.

"Nice to finally meet you," Grey responds gruffly to the voice. I glance across the embankment to see Grey has managed to transform into his full avatar form. No longer completely human, the jackal head snarls with a knife stretched out at Set. The god himself towers over Grey, a honed warrior with a head of a Sha – a beast from one of Grey's sketches. Now brought to life before us in hopes of bringing us onto death.

Grey parries with Set dodging blow after blow trying to cut through Set's line of defense. Set sends Grey tumbling backwards face first into asphalt street just as I hear feet rustling in the distance. Henri, Aiden, and Olivier run across the embankment bringing rains of fire, water, and earth's elemental powers onto the god of chaos. They battle onwards using swords and magic. Henri sends daggers straight into Set's chest, but then Set's unleashed wild beasts on him – a serpent with large incisors with muscular bodies of greyhounds with wings protruding from its side lunges towards Henri.

"Henri," I scream, the feral beast turning towards me now hunting me, it's red eyes like laser beams. It's claws reach out and grab hold of the edge of my gown, tearing a large rip down the right side to match the one that was supposed to be on the dress on the left side.

"You have no idea how much this dress cost me," I scream unsheathing a sword from my belt sending it towards the serpent's throat. The creature dodges my blow letting gory slime drip from its fangs and onto the sidewalk – mouthwatering in preparation of tearing through my flesh to gnaw at my bones. I send my sword back at the creature, it clanks with the beast's teeth as its head moves side to side sending my sword sailing through the air. I curse underneath my breath as the creature goes to bite at me now that I am unarmed. Aiden – well Horus now - sends a blast of fire towards the beast in my defense. The creature screeches as its leathery skin is scorched by the flames. Aiden brings his khopesh upon the beast's wings garnet red blood and black gore spewing from its arteries. The beast goes to snap at Aiden as the sword slices through the creature's throat sending its head tumbling down onto the sidewalk with a thud. I catch sight of Grey as Anubis or jackal boy and Henri as Sobek with his crocodile head now fighting with Set. The god of chaos summons lightning sending it ricocheting through the air towards them. Henri unleashes a pack of wild crocodiles after him. Olivier stands there drawing hieroglyphics into the air that then becomes blasts of power aimed straight towards Set.

I manage to stand up and begin rushing towards the battle in motion sending blasts of power towards the god who seems to be unwavering by our relentless efforts. Isis I call her from within me pleading for more of her powers. I feel myself transform completely sending sparklingly light in every direction blinding both Set and my friends. I curse myself for being so reckless. Set stumbles backwards only slightly before sending blasts of darkness into my direction. I grit my teeth as a shock of pain ripples through my body. I shriek in horror knowing that if I did not have my own healing powers, I would be dead by now. Set lets out an even greater ripple wave of dark power sending Grey tumbling into a nearby tree and Henri and his crocodile warriors into the riverfront. Aiden's preoccupied with Set's beasts where he continuously dodges fangs left and right.