The Scars of Love

At Night...

Inside the Village of the Shepherds...

Christ, Ironheart, and Akeyana had just finished supper, when the two girls sat in Christ's room chatting. "So Akeyana, were is your family? What about your friends? Do you have a boyfriend? A husband? Or maybe just a lover?" Akeyana didn't know were to start first. So many questions. "Well, when I was little it was me, my four sisters, my mom, and my dad. Our family was beginning to notice some strange things happening to my mother. Like if we were to fall, or if some one was sick, or if a neighbor needed help, she would touch them and they would be healed. One day she went to get water from the Nile and never came back. My father reported this Pharaoh Aknumkanon because he was once one of his Generals. My father and his troops searched every area of the Nile and there was no sign of her. There was one lady, I can't remember what her name was but she claimed that she saw what happened to my mom."

Akeyana paused for a minute and drank a cup of water. Thinking about her mother, father, and her four selfish sisters made her feel uneasy. "Are you alright Akeyana? If you don't want to talk about it I understand." Why stop once you've got the ball rng? ng? Akeyana thought to herself. "Its okay. I'm already into it now so I may as well tell. Its actually a mysterious, sad, and interesting fact of my life. Anyway, the lady said this: "I saw her. A white light appeared, descending upon this heavenly soul, and with the blink of an eye, she was gone. All that was left was the dark shadows." People believed that she was taken to the afterlife by one of the God's. Others say that she was chosen as a God's wife, making her a Goddess. I didn't know what to believe. My father tried to lie and tell me and my sisters that our mother was killed by a thief. I didn't believe it. My sisters did. They sobbed and cried for a whole week. But I only cried one day, not because of my father's lie, but because of the fact that she was gone. Never to return again."

As I and my sisters got older, my father got weaker and he was no longer a General after Pharaoh Akumnkanon died. We went back to being poor and my evil sisters abandoned me and my father. I never liked them anymore after that. My father had a terrible disease giving him only a few years left to live so I had to find a way to make some money so that he may experience the good life he once had before he dies.

As I was walking down the street one day I saw some girls belly dancing for money. I thought why not work a regular job. Even though those jobs weren't paying a lot for me. Especially since I was inexperienced and young. I decided to try belly dancing and I got paid more than enough to provide for me and my father. Since I got all this money me and my father were able to enjoy the good life before he died when I was 15. I still hate my sisters and I will always hate my sisters. I never knew what happened to my mother. Just small rumors that probaarenaren't true. I do have a boyfriend but I prefer not to talk about it." Christ looked at her suspiciously and squinted her eye. "Did he break your heart? Did he leave you for another woman? Or did he just leave without a word?"

"He didn't do any of that. I just..................................needed some space. That's all. I should really get some rest tonight I'm awfully tired and I want to be well rested since I will be heading back to Ashta very soon. I'll be happy to answer any more questions you have tomorrow." Christ nodded and gave Akeyana a hug and after saying good night she left the room and shut the door. "I miss you my Pharaoh." Akeyana said as a small tear ran down her face.

~Next Day~

Everyone was already up but Akeyana was taking her time. She got on her clothes and headed downstairs only to find a plate with lots of food waiting for her. She ate hastily and went outside to see what Ironheart and Christ were doing. Inronheart was feeding the hungry herd of sheep and Christ was sitting on top of the hill looking into the sky. Akeyana slowly walked up to her and sat down on the grass. "Good morning Akeyana, did you sleep well last night?" Akeyana nodded as she picked a flower out of the ground and began picking each petal off one by one. "Yes, I slept great and breakfast was delicious."

"Thank you, I made it myself. I was wondering if you would like me to show you around our lovely and quiet little town?" Akeyana smiled with happiness. "Yes, of course. Lets go!!!" Christ ran over to ask Ironheart if it would be okay and the two girls left the house and headed into the city.

Inside the Village...

This village was a neatly, down to earth, peaceful place to come and rest and forget about everything. There weren't many stores and not many people came outside. Everyone was kind, carefree, and happy. Some waved and said hi to Christ and Akeyana as they walked through the silent streets, and some just stared at this beautiful stranger (Akeyana). There were many shepherds in this village and many animals. Almost like Paradise. Such a pleasant atmosphere and such nice people, much like Ashta.

"Its a lot of elderly people here." All the people sort of stopped and stared at Akeyana for they have not seen a visitor in ten years and were anxious to see who she was. "Well all the old people who had children stayed while they're children grew up and left the village. My mommy died when she gave birth to me and my father left and never returned again kind of like your mother, only my father left with another woman."

"That's terrible Christ. I am so sorry to here that. How do you manage to keep a smile on your face and still be happy. You are so young and too loose your parents like that so early on in your life is heartbreaking."

"Its easy I guess for me. My grandpa has shown me the greater things of life and I eventually got over it. I have been to the Temple of Revival too seek help from the Goddess Sana and she told me to help all of those I encounter in the future and then it started getting dark and as I looked up I could see an image of my father being killed. It didn't bother me really, I actually felt happy. I held my head back down and wiped the tear from my eye and suddenly everything got dark and I completely blacked out. I thought I was dead but, not long after I woke up inside the Temple lying on the ground. I thought it was a dream but, I knew it was real. I left the Temple after that and since then I have been living with my grandfather helping out the elderly people in town. I also learned how to be a shepherd and became close friends with all the large herd of sheep's we have."

Akeyana felt an aura of sadness surround her. This little girl has lost everything at such a young age and yet Akeyana has lived a perfect life up until she met the Pharaoh. "I feel so bad Christ. I always wanted a perfect relationship and a family, and yet you have only your grandfather and you still manage to keep a smile on your face whereas I am always sad or in trouble. You are such a lucky girl.

I've been whipped, stabbed in the back, insulted, degraded, black mailed, accused of being a thief and a demon, and I have had the most precious thing taken away from me, only to have my soul live inside this Millennium Crystal until I am able to be free again. I know your pain, sort of."

"I guess we have all had some burden put upon us that we were able to overcome but some aren't as severe as others and some may never go away. Instead, they stick in our hearts and every time we are angry or sad these tearful memories return to our minds making the pain even worse. I'm glad there is someone here that can relate to my story but it seems that you were much worse off than me Akeyana. I guess I should be thankful for that."

"I know. I've always wondered if there was some actual purpose to all of this happening to me. Does Ra not like me anymore? I haven't done anything wrong except kill a man but, it was either him or me. And besides, he almost killed my friend and threatened the lives of many people. Maybe this is all apart of something good to come but I doubt it. If I am ever able to go to the afterlife, I hope it is not as bad as this. I feel like I am carrying the burdens of everyone in Egypt on my shoulders and forced to deal with them myself. I am not a Goddess nor a Queen and yet I feel responsible for everyone here. Maybe there is something to all this. Maybe someone can help me.............."

Inside the Temple of Ashta....

Teania finally got up and returned to her throne feeling much better. There was still no sign of Akeyana and some people were practically ready to give up but Teania wasn't. Natasha had just arrived in Ashta with the twins hoping that Akeyana would be here. Teania told her the whole story. "At least the Prince is gone but Akeyana...................(sighs). Well I'm not giving up, I will go back out there and find her and I'll make sure she returns safely. I wish there was some way we could reach her and call her back home to us. We need her in the Palace. Things just don't seem right anymore and I know its going to get even worse." Natasha said.

"What do you propose we do Natasha? Our people have looked everywhere and there is no sign of Akeyana nor the prince, not even a clue." Priestess Ana said. Natasha walked back and forth pondering something. "Maybe the Priests in the Palace can help us." Teania wondered. "There too concerned with Bakura to help Akeyana. Its up to us now.

There has just got to be somewhere we haven't looked yet. A city, a town, a village, or even a small campsite." Natasha said pulling her hair. "It feels like we have searched all of Egypt. We still have to rebuild our town." Priestess Ana said. "Well I'm not gg upg up the fight." Marlene and her crew walked into the Temple. "Teania, the Pharaoh will listen to you. Just go to the Palace and do whatever it takes so that someone will help us find Akeyana. From what I've heard, Akeyana did save the life of someone inside the Palace so they have to help us. Its the least they can do." Teania remembered Akeyana saving Mana from Bakura, and she thought the plan might just work after all. "Alright then. I'll do it. Natasha you should come along with me. I need the rest of you to stay here and finish looking after my city."

Marlene hugged Teania and patted her on the back. "Don't worry my Queen, we will have this city looking brand new in no time. If we only had more people......................(sighs). I'll take care of everyone here and if we here anything about Akeyana I'll be sure to tell you." Priestess Ana was worried about the city more and soon a brilliant idea struck her. "I've got an idea." They all looked at her. "Marlene, you say you need more workers right?" Marlene nodded. "Well, I was thinking that Queen Teania could create a flyer and on their way back to the Palace they could post the flyers up at each city they pass by." What an ingenious idea everyone thought. "But what would the flyers say?" Marlene said excitedly. "It would say this: From the Queen of Ashta. Attention, Attention, For those of you who are lookinr a r a good well paying job we are hiring!!! We will pay 2 pieces of gold every 2 hours for all the workers who are willing to volunteer!!! Hurry before its too late!!!"

Everyone applauded this idea and even Queen Teania though it was an excellent plan. "You know I think it just might work. I will make 10 flyers and on our way to the Palace, I will have one of my servants post them up at each village we pass by. I' m sure we will get many more workers. Hopefully." QuTeanTeania sat down and quickly wrote up 10 flyers. She rolled them up and tied a red ribbon around them. "Alright, we're all set. Are you ready Natasha?" Natasha grabbed the twins hands wier ber bag on her shoulder. "I'm ready." Natasha and Queen Teania headed out side to 3 horses that were waiting for Queen Teania, Natasha, and one of Teania's servants. "Farewell everyone. The fight is not over. I will return soon, until then God's speed be with you all."

They rod rode off into the desert waving good bye to their friends. "I hope this works. And I hope the Pharaoh will listen to our plea for help and send someone to help us. If not for Akeyana do it for Queen Teania, if not that do it for his people. Even though Ashta is Queen Teania's city, Egypt belongs to the Pharaoh." Priestess Ana said gazing into the distance.

Inside Akeyana's old house...

Bakura secretly resided in Aeyana's house, almost fully healed from the wounds that the God of Obelisk gave him. He drank wine and food that he stole and waited patiently for the right time to strike again. "Soon, the Pharaoh's reign will come to an end. I will take out each Priest one by one until the Pharaoh has no more defenses to protect his city forcing him to come after me, and allowing me to destroy his city, his people, and his life. Thus collecting all the millennium items and resurrecting the great and all powerful..............................Zork Necrophedious."