Prologue
“When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle.”
-The Art of War
Sun Tzu
Egypt 3000 BC
The earth shock, his rage was justified, annihilation would be swift. The blood of the innocent and guilty alike, saturated the fertile coast. The medallion pulsated and vibrated but he would not hold back, it was too late. For years, The Scorpion King watched as his people sank deeper and deeper into depravity, a far cry from a strength that echoed a people’s virtue. The pain he felt mirrored his anger. Those who planted the seed were gone, the smell of their blood still fresh in his nostrils. But he knew, even now, that same seed took root in the hearts of his people, the priest would’ve made sure of that. Looking at the fortified city he could sense the curse weakening its human foundation. Attaching itself to the heart of every man, woman, and child. It would resound through the centuries, spanning across time, tearing through a powerful race, weakening it, causing its destruction.
But he would stop it.
Feeling a single tear fall down his cheek, Narmer realized all he loved was about to be ripped from him by his own hands. His pain deepened.
“My love,” A voice from behind.
Neithhotep, his Queen and love, stood by his side through War and Peace. More than once she saved his life. A fierce and powerful warrior. She fought and bled with him on the battlefield, drank with him after each victory. After every battle fought and won, their prize was each other. Skilled not only on the field but in the bedroom, Narmer never grew tired of her. Closing his eyes, he saw her firm breast riding high as he took her over and over. Feeling himself grow hard from the memory, he could still feel her tightness wrapping around him taking life and giving it. Those nights would live forever in his mind, but Neithhotep would not. The ache in his heart became almost debilitating.
For as long as Neithhotep could remember, their thoughts were one. They walked and talked as one. Individuals they were but inseparable they lived. The love they shared was only as strong as the power they wield. Both powerful rulers, she knew he was the stronger and in his strength and immense power was the ability to destroy, and he would, sparing no one.
“I have no choice; the Priest saw to that,” Narmer said, agonizingly, “the curse will follow our people until it destroys everything we are. It must stop here!”
“You must not give up on your people, true the curse is a powerful one but so are we, leaders will rise.” Neithhotep protested.
“And they will all fall. The devastation this curse will leave behind will be total.”
“It is not up to you to decide the fate of our race, what has begun must continue.” Touching his bare back, she could feel the power radiating from Narmer. In this state, any other human would be laid low by the force of his power, but not her. Her own powers made her unaffected by his, but could her powers help her do what must be done?
The Primus Consortium knew of the Priest and his hatred of King Narmer. His malignant words and influence, enhanced by a curse that was intended to spread from generation to generation, was not lost on the Powerful Ones. Within them was the power to do what her King, now threatened to do. However, out of hope for redemption they restrained, and sending her was a part of that resolve. Yes, the curse will spread and grow but leaders would arise. They always did. They will rise and fight only to fall and in their wake others would do the same until the one prophesied returned. The one destined to bring an end to the curse. It would be him-her king-that would bring an end to it. Just as he brought an end to the Priest and those who followed him. But first death and then rebirth. Immediately pride was replaced by grief, he would once again be a Unifier of Nations but first he must die. Looking out on the doomed city she continued. “The curse has gone beyond our fertile land. You want to cut out the core of the malignancy but what you will be doing is nothing short of genocide.”
“Enough talk!” Narmer roared. “I will do what I must.”
Facing Narmer she caressed his face. “Would you also kill me, my King?” In his anger and pain his power was heightened. His pain was great, and in that pain death would come. But she would stop him, she had to. The Primus Consortium-in their foreknowledge-gave her the means to protect herself along with the power, if necessary, to kill her King.
“Your death would be the hardest to bare, but a purging it must be.” He gently caressed her full, soft lips. “In the afterlife, our souls will meet and once again we will rule, side by side.” He dipped his head and kissed her mouth.
“Rebirth, yes.” She whispered against his lips. Neithhotep had her answer, he would not relent. She had to stop him. Powers from within surged through her body. As a warrior preparing for battle she armed herself. Neithhotep sensed her husband’s awareness of that fact.
“Neithhotep, you think to challenge me!” King Narmer thundered
“No, my love,” She replied. “I think to kill you.” In a flash, she was out of his reach, high above him she now stood between him and the land they ruled. No longer just the wife of Egypt’s protector and King, Neithhotep was now it’s defender.
Mental barriers in place.
Neithhotep was aware of her husband’s mind controlling ability as well as his ability to drain the powers of others. Sensing him attempting to use those powers to break free from the mental barriers she erected around her, Neithhotep channeled the abilities given to her by the Immortal Ones.
“How dare you contend against me! I am your king!”
Power and will converged. The earth shook with convulsions. Lifting her arms, Neithhotep continued to channel the powers from within. Feeling the familiar stirring of elemental electricity flow from the ground and into her being she directed it at her husband.
“Neithhotep!” Life draining energy surrounded Narmer.
Tears flooded her eyes as she felt life giving power drain from his body but still he fought. Feeling him push through the power barrier. Fear struck her, he was free! Power, like she never known, whipped through and around her. Pieces of molted sand tore at her skin. Screaming in pain, Neithhotep Fell to the earth.
Sand mixed with blood stuck to her robe and skin. Pulling pieces of glass from her chest and arms, she continued to harness the powers needed to kill her husband.
Striding towards her, Narmer sensed her pain. It broke his heart, knowing he caused it, but he had no choice. No one could stand in his way. The land must be purged. “I wish you could understand what need to be done. I have seen the future, what I am doing is merciful.”
Breathing hard against the pain, she whispered, “You deceive yourself, its genocide!” Clutching at the hot sand with blood soaked hands, Neithhotep felt her life force diminishing. Still the powers within her leaped, struggling to break free. Reaching his mind, she searched for hope and redemption, she searched in vain. “My King, please you don’t have to do this.”
“Would that that choice was mine to make.” Extreme sadness laced his voice.
The sadness in his voiced reached her ears and heart. But in his eyes power and flint resolve remained. The man she once knew was no more. Clinging to life, Neithhotep harnessed the power giving to her. Standing on unsteady legs she faced him, the pain in her chest now unbearable. “You must be stopped” She said, between labored breathes.
“Who on this earth could stop me?”
“No one of this earth.” In a blinding light-strong and unrestrained-the powers within stretched forward and surrounded Narmer. Once again rising to the sky, Neithhotep brought forth the abilities given to her by the Immortal Ones.
Glancing down, she saw Narmer fall to his knees. Life was draining from him, life that would be set aside until needed again. Tears blinded her vision, but determination gave her clarity of heart and mind. For the love of a nation she must do this, for the fate of a people, she must succeed.
She was taking life. She was giving life. She felt him, in his last moments she felt him. Deceit. Anger. Hurt. Rage. In her love, Neithhotep reached out to him.
A single tear fell from her eye.
“My love please understand, I love you, but this must come to be. Sleep and arise again.”
“Neithhotep, noooo!” The earth quaked with the power of The Scorpion Kings voice.
In a blinding flash Neithhotep saw his soul depart. And in that moment, she felt him no more.
