Artisune ran across the desert her black dress shinning in the desert moonlight. Her face was covered with a beaded, black mesh cloth to protect her from the sand. Finally she got to where she'd wanted to be. A large stone wall rose above her. She pulled a beautiful golden amulet from her backpack and pressed it into a groove in the wall. As she did the wall began to tremble then opened. As it did she removed her amulet slipped it back into the pack slung over her shoulder. It was tattered but sturdy. She walked through the small passage way and into the cave beyond. She'd never been here before but it was said that it had once been home to Gods. She removed the mesh covering and headed into the tomb. She slowly lit a torch and began to explore. A man down in the market had told her of a tomb which could be opened by her amulet alone for every other attempt had failed. So now here she was slowly making her way through the beautiful tomb, searching for something which she didn't know she was searching for. Hours went by and she searched every room and cavern, pulling locks and triggers, trap doors and levers. Finally her journey lead her to a large room. Statues of the Egyptian God Horus stood on either side of a tomb laid in the center of the great room. The tomb was shaped like the God Anubis, who was decipt as a Jackle. She walked over to the statue circling it once then pausing as she glanced up at the chest of the tomb. There, engraved in the gold, was the shape of her amulet. She smiled and climbed up onto the sarcaphougus and removing her amulet from the pack pressed it into the grove. Right as she did a bright light flashed before her and she was flung from the tomb and into the wall. She shook her head to expell the dizziness and stared at the tomb. She gasped in shock. Three mummies were lifting off the lid! Scorpions immediatly poured from the opened tomb and as the three mummies lifted off the lid and set it aside the stopped moving. She looked over and glanced at her torch. Without thinking she picked it up and held it infront of her. The scorpions scurried away at the fire. She stepped forward. Next a wave a scarabs poured forth. She didn't waver but kept the fire held out before her and pushed on towards the tomb. She didn't feel like herself, but as if something was driving her to get to it. To see what was inside no matter what was sent at her. The scarabs swarmed away as the scorpions had. Now she stood a few feet away from the tomb. Nothing else seemed to be planning on coming out of the tomb and for that she was quite thankful. She walked over to the tomb and gazed inside. There amongst the bones of some deceased creature laid a large black dog. It looked as if it was still alive for there was no sign of any decay! She reached over and touched the black dogs head. Warm as an every day dog as well, but the structure and appearance led her to believe that it was, of course, a Jackle. Suddenly the creature moved! It stared at her and snarled deeply, rising to its feet and leaping at her. She ducked past it and ran to the other side of the tomb, reaching in and snatching out something she'd seen fall away from the jackle as it had stood. It took her a moment to realize that she'd taken the object and held it before her as if it were a shield although using the most caring touch she's ever used. As if not to damage it. She looked at it in surprise. It was nothing that would protect her from a guardian jackle, it was a cocoon! But as she looked at the jackle it had sat down before her and was staring up at her. With confusion she reached over and patted the Jackle on the head. "This is too odd..." She said to herself then walked over to the lid of the tomb. The cocoon was gently placed into her pack but was still in view as if to asure herself of no further attack. She removed her amulet from the lid and slipped it back into her pack as well. Just then the three mummies began to move. She stiffled a gasp then relaxed and carefully helped to lift the lid and set it back a top the tomb. When the tomb was back in place the mummies returned to their own resting place and Artisune headed towards the other side of the tomb. Something told her that her questions would be answered later. She glanced over her shoulder to see the Jackle closely following. As she looked at it, it broke into a faster gate and passed her, leading her out. As she pulled herself from the tomb and took a breath of the fresh moonlight, she felt a new presence within herself. ...continue... Background from Unicorn Universe *Tons of credit to my Cousin, Mav, for being so unbelievably kind and sharing his link scheme with me*