Tari watched helplessly with wide eyes as Apep inched the boy closer and closer to his wide, open mouth, poison dripping from his fangs. The boy gave a short, high-pitched scream, then went limp, fainting away in fright. Quickly Tari got up on shaky legs and looked around, desperate to find something, anything, to save the boy's life.
She suddenly spotted an empty water pitcher on the side table next to the bed, and with a burst of speed, she rushed to the table, picked up the pitcher, and hurled it with as much strength she could at the enlarged snake god's head. The pitcher smashed into the creature's head with a loud thud, creating a fist-sized bruise. "Hey you, fang head! Leave him alone!" she shouted
Apep hissed loudly with annoyance and turned his head, and as though seeing Tari for the first time, he narrowed his slanted eyes and flicked out his forked tongue. "YOU! You will not interfere thissss time!"
So enraged was he, that the giant snake forgot about the boy for the moment, and uncoiled him from his tail, letting him fall in a crumple on the hospital room floor. By this time, several nurses and doctors rushed to the room door, and when they saw the maddened snake, they screamed and rushed away, creating chaos and panic in the hospital.
"Oh yeah? Well...bring it on lizard-breath!" yelled out Tari, balling her hands into fists. The words were barely out of her mouth when the enraged snake attacked. He rushed forward, and just as he was about to reach her, Tari dropped and rolled out of the way, and he smashed right into the wall she was standing in front of. The whole building seemed to shake with the impact, and when Apep pulled away, a huge imprint of his head was on the wall, dust falling from it.
Outside in the hall, more people screamed and yelled in terror and confusion. When the shaking finally stopped, Tari got back up on her feet, she saw with terror that Apep was about to attack again. She turned to see the boy still unconscious on the ground, and her heart sank for him. She couldn't let another innocent child get hurt or die, not because of her! I've got to get out of here! But how?
She looked around, and the only option she saw was the open window at the end of the room that the giant snake burst through when he first attacked, near where the boy was lying. But before she could think more on it, Apep rushed forward again, hissing loudly with hate and frustration. Tari ducked and rolled once again, but this time, she was nearly not quick enough.
As she rolled away, Apep's jaws snapped at her ankle, and his toxic fang just slightly scrapped her skin. But even that was enough to cause her to scream in pain. She landed against the window, and when she looked down, Tari gasped to see that already the skin on her ankle was slightly swollen. She turn to look at the snake god with angry, narrowed eyes. "You disgusting over-sized worm! I'm so gonna turn you into a dozen pairs of snake skin shoes!!"
But Apep paid her no mind as he slowly crept closer, and he seemed to smile with his triumph. "Thissss iss your end, child!" he sneered out.
Once more, Tari turned to look at the boy lying near her, who only now was just beginning to wake. His eyelid fluttered, and when opened them, he gasped and turned to look at Tari in a desperate, pleading way, as though begging her to save his life. She nodded reassuringly at him, and it was then Tari decided..although he was not the boy she was looking for, he didn't deserve this, and she would do all she can to save him.
"No, it's not the end!" Tari growled out. With a strength from deep within her, Tari climbed painfully to her feet and stood in front of the window. She took a quick look out, then gulped when she saw that they were farther up than she thought. She saw the large drain pipe that Apep used to help him crawl up the side of the building. It was horribly bent out of shape. With narrowed eyes, she climbed up the window ledge, then turned back to the advancing Apep. No, this was not the time to be scared. She had to be brave! "Come and get me, lizard breath!" With that, Tari took a deep breath, and launched herself out the window.
Apep roared with rage, and just as the boy quickly crawled away and hid under his bed, the enormous snake rushed passed, and actually smashed his whole body against the window. The sound of smashing glass and stone seemed to vibrate through out the whole neighborhood.
Air rushed up past Tari as she fell, and the ground seemed like it was rushing up to meet her. With a grunt, Tari crossed her arms across her chest, and shouted "Powers of the ancients, I summon thee!" Her body was surrounded by the familiar red light that sprang from her bracelet. Power surged through her, strengthening her, giving her hope and courage. She also felt it healing her, purifying the poison from the tiny scratch Apep gave her. When the red light dimmed slightly, she did a somersault in the air, and she began to slow down. Just before she hit the ground, the ball of light surrounding her stopped, her feet inches above the ground. Then the ball seemed to burst, and Tari landed in a crouch on the balls of her feet. She breathed a sigh of relief, but she didn't have time to celebrate more as she saw a shadow slowly descending down on her.
She looked up with a gasp, and just barely managed to jump out of the way of Apep, falling straight down towards her. Like a Slinky, the giant snake landed heavily on the sidewalk, sending tremors up and down the block. He shook his head for a moment, then turned murderous eyes on Tari as she watched in shock. He opened his mouth, and with a loud hiss, launched himself straight at her.
Quickly Tari concentrated, and her sword appeared like an old friend in her hand, ready to defend. She barely had time to duck and slash down as Apep furiously attacked, snapping his jaws and flicking his tail. People were starting to gather and watch as the two fought, confused and shocked at how such a creature could exist at this day and age.
Finally, with a grunt, Tari jumped high to avoid a swipe by Apep's tail, and backed up against the hospital building. This wasn't good, all these people were going to get hurt if she didn't do anything! She had to think of a plan. But no time was given to her as Apep once more advanced towards her, a predator cornering his prey.
Tari stood panting against the building, trapped. How was she going to get out? A thought came to her then, and she got herself ready. Wait for it... Tari calmly told herself. "Giving up ssso ssssoon?" laughed the snake god. He seemed to grin, and he lept right at her.
At that moment, jumped high....higher than she thought she could, and landed on Apep's head as he bent towards her, ready to snap his jaws around her throat. When she landed, she used his head like a spring board and launched herself off him. She somersaulted twice in the air and landed on one knee.
She got up, turned and blew him a raspberry as she stuck out her tongue. Once more Apep roared in frustration, and he slithered quickly after her. Tari turned and dashed off, running across the street. Cars stopped or swerved to avoid her, but when Apep crawled into the busy street, they all screeched into a halt. Drivers screamed and swerved madly out of the way as Apep went on a rampage, using his head to push cars aside or picking them up with his mouth and throwing them far from him.
When he saw Tari running down the street, he dashed after her, knocking more cars and jeeps out of his way. One car fell to the street, then slid a few feet, sparks from the metal rubbing against the ground trailing after it. Tari ran on until she came to the dead end of the street, where cars were forced to turn to go back into the main street. It was deserted, with only a few buildings around. Panting, Tari stopped and tried to catch her breath. Not even a few seconds went by before Apep caught up, his eyes glowing with indignation.
"Ssssurrender now, and your death might be painlessss," Apep said, flicking his tongue.
But Tari only raised her sword before her defensively, and narrowed her eyes. "In your dreams!" she said, holding her sword tight. The words were barely out of her mouth before Apep struck again, going right for her head. She back flipped out of the way, but Apep learned quick, and just as she landed, he flicked his tail, and knocked her legs out from under her. Tari fell back with a painful grunt.
"It endsss, NOW!" Apep prepared to strike, and just as he was about to, a figure cut across the air in front of his face. When it was gone, a long gash appeared across his snout. Apep threw his head back and roared with pain. As Tari gaped, Horus appeared in a shimmer of air beside her, and helped her to stand.
"Horus!" Tari blinked at him in surprise. "What are you...I mean, I thought you.." Tari smiled appreciatively at him, then hung her head. "I'm sorry, I thought I was so close, and it wasn't him, it wasn't..."
"No talking, fight!" the young god prince said, pointing at Apep. The two broke apart just in time before Apep landed in the spot they were standing in.
For what seemed like forever, the two were locked in a battle with the snake god, jumping, slashing, and kicking with all their might. The two never noticed as the sky suddenly began to darken with clouds....dark, swollen clouds. Finally, just after Tari ducked from another swipe of Apep's tail, Tari narrowed her eyes. "Enough of this!" She raised her arm with the bracelet, and a protective red barrier surrounded her and Horus as Apep was about to clamp his jaws around the young prince's arm.
The creature hissed and roared with pain as the shield shocked him for a few moments. When it ended and the shield dissipated, Apep looked at them venomously for a moment, and seemed to about to attack again, but that was when a long streak of lightning flashed across in the sky, followed by a loud thunder. At that, Apep began to back off, his eyes flicking back and forth between them and the sky.
Horus and Tari looked up curiously into the sky as well, never noticing how dark it suddenly got. Another streak of lightning flashed, this time slightly bigger. The thunder that followed it was almost deafening. "What...what's going on?" Tari said, looking around her in surprise.
Before Horus could answer, another lightning bolt seemed to jump down from the sky itself, and land right in front of them. But instead of burning out, it stayed, and slowly began to take form. When the light dissipated, Set stood before them. His hands on his hips and lips in a sneer. He turned his head towards Apep, and with a nod of his blackened head, said "Well done, my servant."
The snake god bowed his head humbly, then backed away, hissing under his throat.
"What the hell do you want?" Tari asked warily, going into a defensive stance.
Set turned to her, the sneer becoming crueler, and his eyes seemed to bore right into her soul. Tari couldn't help but shudder.
"What do I want?" said Set, narrowing his eyes. He pretended to think about it. "Why, not much. Just to destroy all that the gods hold dear, to destroy every last trace of humanity, and to see your body rot for eternity." He grinned evilly. "That isn't too much to ask, is it? And I usually get what I want...."
"You will not succeed, Set!" Horus said, going in front of Tari defensively. "The gods have been watching you, we know what you're up to!"
"Oh, do you now, sweet little prince? Do you really know what I've been up to?" Set chuckled lightly to himself as he stepped closer to them. At that moment, fat raindrops fells from the sky, Within seconds, it began to rain steady, and lightning continued to streak across the darkened sky, illuminating Set's body for a few seconds.
The sheer fierceness in Set's eyes was enough to make more shivers go down Tari's spine, but she knew she couldn't back down. "Whatever you're planning, you'll fail!" Tari said, raising her sword and pointing it at him. "I'll make sure of it!"
"Ahh, yes, the little mortal girl." Set turned his eyes on Tari, and his eyes glowed slightly as he looked her up and down. "Like I said before, at first, you were an amusement. Now you are a nuisance that I plan to be rid of right now."
Tari blinked her eyes in surprise. "What?"
"But first..." The god flicked a wrist just as another flash of lightning cut through the sky. Tari gasped, and before she could help herself, she felt her body lift off the ground, and head straight to Set. Her sword clattered to the ground, then dissipated in a shower of red sparkles. The sparkles raced towards her and absorbed back into her bracelet.
"Tari!" yelled out Horus, reaching out for her.
The next thing Tari knew, her feet here dangling off the ground, and Set's large, meaty hands were around her throat. She struggled to get free, but Set's hand were like stone...cold and unmovable. "Let...GO!" Tari choked out.
"I think not," grinned Set. "I can feel great pain in you, child, even though you've tried very hard to forget it. No one can hide that from me, because I am pain." He held her up higher, and lifted a finger on his other hand. "I shall make you remember, little one, then I shall have a surprise for you."
Horus prepared to rush forward to help, but just as he was about to, Apep coiled around his body and he squeezed, causing him to cry out in pain.
Set reached forward and touched his finger to Tari's forehead, and within a second, the memory of the day that nearly destroyed her flowed her mind. Her eyes pupils dilated, and her body her body nearly went limp as she was forced to relive that day...the day her world crumbled:
******
Over one year ago:
Brooklyn, New York,
In a lavish apartment building, a party was just ending, signaling the end of school for a group of high school kids. Everyone had a great time, happy that all the final exams, mid-terms and papers were done...at least for now. But the party was done now, and everyone was clearing out. College was far away, and there would be no thoughts of tests and exams until them. For now, it was freedom, and a chance to blow off steam from all that studying.
A few minutes later, the door to a bedroom opened, and two figures walked in. One of them turned on a light and the other looked around in awe.
"Wow, your place is awesome Todd, but your bedroom...it's amazing!" Tari turned and smiled up shyly at him. She couldn't believe it, the school's most handsome, most popular guy invited HER to see his most prized possessions. She had never even known he liked her, as she secretly did. Would this mean he was going to ask her to be his girlfriend? Tari hoped so, but she couldn't help feel just a twinge of uneasiness at his closeness.
"I know," The tall, brown-haired high school graduate smiled down at her, then went to close the door. He quietly locked it when she wasn't looking, then followed her with his eyes as she walked around, completely entranced. She never noticed as calmly walked behind her, his blue eyes getting a glint.
Tari stopped in front of his many football trophies on his dresser. She turned to tell him that she thought it was fantastic that he won them all, but she jumped a little in surprise when she found he was close to her...very close.
The uneasiness grew in her. "Umm...I think we should get going now, my mom's expecting me home now." She gulped and turned away to leave, but he grabbed hold of her arm.
"What's the hurry? Everyone's having a good time, no one will miss you..." He pulled her in close.
Tari's eyes widened slightly in alarm. "But..but you said you only wanted to show me your trophies, that we wouldn't be long." She looked desperately at the door.
"Come on, what better chance to be alone than this?" He leaned his face in, about to kiss her, but Tari pushed him away.
"No! Get away from me!" She ran for the door, tried to open it, but it was locked. She was about to scream, to let someone know she was in here, but all of a sudden, a hand clamped around her mouth, and she was dragged away.
No one heard her, heard her pleas or struggles, and when it was over, she was alone...alone hugging herself on the bathroom floor and shivering uncontrollably, tears rolling down her eyes. How she got there, she didn't know. Everything was such a blur. Pain racked her, mentally and physically, and she only wanted it to stop. Why won't the pain stop? There must be something she could do to make the pain stop. Guilt and shame flowed through her, and it was enough to make her want to be swallowed whole. With a moan, Tari sat up. Then, right next to the faucet on the bathroom sink, she saw something that would help. Something that would take away all the pain, all the awful and sketchy memories. Yes, just one cut, and it'll all be over. She reached up...
Within moments of it, Tari's world began to darken. But before she completely blacked out, she could have sworn she heard the burst open, and someone screaming...someone that sounded like her mother.....
******
Back in the present, Tari's body jerked, and she let out a painful scream before she went limp again, her tears mixing with the rain. Set grinned evilly once more and opened his hand. The dark-skinned girl fell in a crumple on the ground, sobs racking her body.
Just then, several flashes of white light appeared around Set, and with a shimmer, Hathor, Isis, Anubis, and Thoth appeared, their faces angered.
"Aaah, good, looks like I'll have an audience for this!" Set said, smirking.
"Set, you scum of the Underworld!" Isis yelled out, stepping forward. She looked at Tari, sobbing uncontrollably in the rain on her knees, then back at him. "What have you done?"
"Nothing like what I'm about to do now!" With a laugh, Set held out his hands, and the bowl that he used to collect the blood of Apep, Nak, and Sebau appeared, followed by an ancient-looking scroll. There was another flash of lightning, and Nak and Sebau appeared beside him. Apep hissed loudly, and after releasing Horus, joined his master.
The scroll unfurled in front of him, and after one last look at Tari, Set began to read ancient words under his breath as lightning flashed violently across the sky. The bowl still containing the blood collected from his servants glowed brightly.
Hathor's eyes widened in horror. "NO! It's the Banishment Spell! He's trying to banish her into the Nether regions!" The others rushed forward to help, but it was too late.
Set said the last words, and suddenly, a vortex seemed to explode right in front of Tari. High winds slashed all around her, and Tari was nearly lifted up off her feet. She reached out her arms to the others, her eyes wide with terror.
Isis stepped up, her face determined. She shouted an ancient Egyptian phrase, her hands raised, and a powerful beam of light shot straight into the vortex. It suddenly began to change color...from a dark, ashen black, to a more more lighter greenish color. But the winds were still strong, and were dragging Tari in.
"Grab her!" yelled out Thoth. Horus rushed forward, and he almost had her hand, but Nak jumped forward and tackled him out of the way.
With a scream, Tari was sucked into the vortex, her cries echoing throughout the area.
"Tari!!" screamed out Isis, her face filled with shock and disbelief.
The vortex slowly began to close then, and above, lightning continue to race across the now black sky.
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To Be Continued....
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