by Dan Hunter
“I’ll try and remember,” Manu grinned.
“I am proud of all of you,” the old man said, his face becoming serious again. He turned his white eyes on Akori. “You have won the second Pharaoh Stone.” Reaching out with a trembling hand, he touched the green gem.
Akori smiled as the sunlight lit up the magnificent Stones on his collar. He had only been back for a few hours – most of which had been spent in exhausted sleep – but already the adventure seemed like a distant memory. Out here in the palace courtyard with no trace of thunder in the blue sky above and the sounds of street merchants selling their wares on the other side of the wall, the adventure seemed like a strange, unsettling dream.
“Your Majesty, your meal is prepared,” said a voice from behind him. Akori turned and saw his chief servant, standing respectfully by a stone table, loaded with every kind of mouth-watering food.
Akori breathed in the delicious smell of the freshly baked bread and the spiced meats. Realizing that it had been more than a day since he had last eaten, he got to his feet and raced to the table. “Thank you,” he said eagerly. “Come on, Manu, Ebe, you must be starving.” He laughed as Ebe jumped onto the table, licking her lips at the sight of a huge fish.
Taking a deep drink of icy cold, sweet grape juice, Akori sat down, contented. Since he had first found out that he was the rightful Pharaoh of Egypt he’d had very few moments to relax and enjoy himself, but in the courtyard beneath a warm sun, he felt a sudden rush of happiness. “Come on, Manu, what are you waiting for?” he shouted.
Manu was standing close to the pool in the middle of the courtyard, frowning. “I…I thought I heard something,” he said, slowly.
Akori walked over to the pool. From far below he heard a deep rumbling moan filled with rage and despair. The surface of the water began to writhe and splash as the groaning grew louder. It was the dead.
The High Priest came to join them. “Your quest is not over yet,” the old man said, softly. “The darkness is rising and it seems there is little time for rest.”
“I will be ready,” Akori whispered.
“And me,” said Manu.
Akori heard a mew at his feet. Ebe, too, was ready.
Gratitude swept through Akori. While he had friends like this he could face anything.
Slowly, he raised a hand, his fingertips tracing the three empty spaces on the collar of his armour. Three more times he would have to face Oba’s allies. Three more times he would have to fight the dark Gods. Which Gods even Horus could not tell. Then he would still have to face Oba and Set and their dreadful army.
Briefly, Akori closed his eyes. How dare Oba send Egypt’s dead against the living? How dare he make slaves of all those people whose souls should be at rest? How dare he threaten the peace and happiness of all Egypt with his endless thirst for power?
How dare he?
Akori’s eyes snapped open, blazing with determination. “I will be ready,” he repeated.
Baal stood, cringing in the dim light of the Underworld palace. The God’s hair and beard were gone, burned away by the fire. His skin was blackened and blistered, still smouldering in places.
“Defeated,” screeched Oba, as he circled the cowering figure in front of him. “You, Baal, Prince of Demons, defeated by a farm boy!”
“My Lords, Oba…Set…” said Baal, dropping to his knees. His voice rasped, his throat burned by heat and smoke.
“Shut up,” screamed Oba, lashing out with a foot and sending Baal sprawling onto the floor. “I didn’t give you permission to speak, you miserable failure.”
“Forgive me. I had the boy at my mercy but he…he tricked me.”
“I said shut up,” snarled Oba, standing over the grovelling God. “God of Thunder? More like the God of pathetic excuses.” He paced the floor angrily. “Now Akori has two of the Stones, and it’s all your fault.” A groan escaped Baal’s lips as he struggled back up to his knees. Casually, Set kicked him back down again.
Baal bowed his head. “The boy will not trick me again. Next time I will kill him for certain…” His voice trailed off as Oba began laughing hysterically.
“Next time? Next time?” snarled Set. “You think we’d send a useless weakling like you against Akori again? You’re as stupid as you are feeble.” The monstrous God leered down at Baal. “Fortunately,” he said. “Your failure does not matter. I have a better servant than you. A God who is strong and powerful. A God who is everything you are not. He will crush Akori.”
Suddenly, the huge door to the Underworld throne room was flung open, and a cruel, hungry-sounding snarl echoed through it. The doorway darkened as the creature came closer, blocking the scanty light.
On the floor, Baal scrabbled backwards, eyes full of sudden fear. “No, My Lords,” he choked. “You go too far. You cannot…”
Set ignored him.
Oba hugged himself, shuddering, as he stared at the creature he knew would finish Akori once and for all.
“Oh yes,” Oba grinned. “Akori will never trick his way past you.”
COLLECT EVERY QUEST
ATTACK OF THE SCORPION RIDERS
For his first quest, Akori must risk his life, fighting giant scorpions and a hideous Snake Goddess. Will he be victorious?
CURSE OF THE DEMON DOG
The dead are stalking the living and it’s up to Akori to stop them – but a scary dog-headed hunter is on his trail!
BATTLE OF THE CROCODILE KING
Akori must brave the Nile to battle two evil Gods – the terrifying Crocodile King, and the bloodthirsty Frog Goddess.?
LAIR OF THE WINGED MONSTER
Vicious vultures and deadly beasts lie in wait for Akori as he searches the desert for the Hidden Fortress of Fire.
SHADOW OF THE STORM LORD
Akori must fight Set, the dark Lord of Storms himself, and beat the evil Pharaoh Oba, in his deadliest battle yet.
FIGHT OF THE FALCON GOD
Young Pharaoh Akori ventures into the Underworld to battle the fearsome Falcon God. But can he make it out alive?
RISE OF THE HORNED WARRIOR
Akori must escape from the Underworld labyrinth of bones and overcome the lightning-fast Lord of Thunder.
SCREAM OF THE BABOON KING
Akori journeys to Oba’s Underworld palace, where he confronts his nightmares in the form of the evil Baboon God.
CLASH OF THE DARK SERPENT
The Sun God has been captured by the gigantic serpent of the Underworld. Will Akori be able to defeat the awesome beast?
DESCENT OF THE SOUL DESTROYER
Akori faces the ultimate challenge when he reaches the heart of the Underworld and meets the monstrous Soul Devourer.
THERE’S A WHOLE WORLD OF GODS AND MONSTERS WAITING TO BE EXPLORED AT…
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Download cool guides to the gods, amazing Egyptian make-and-do activities, plus loads more!
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