Dr. Hassan lowered his head regretfully while Sebak laughed. “Ah, I see you intend to turn a blind eye to the situation. How appropriate.” Amon’s grip on the ax tightened. “I suppose it doesn’t matter if you believe me or not. You will fail and I will rise again. I have served my master well and will be rewarded generously for my efforts.”
Angling his head toward the giant monster as if looking directly at him, Amon leaned closer to the frozen creature and said grimly, “Speaking of turning a blind eye, I believe I must return the favor.” With a dangerous smile, Amon raised the ax, leapt onto the crocodile head, and sank the blade into its blinking eye. When he had done the same thing to the other yellow eye, Amon dropped the bloody ax. “I wish for this rising to be finished.”
“Yes,” Dr. Hassan said. “I will be with you momentarily.”
Amon carefully moved to the side and sat down on a pyramid step a few feet from where I was pinned. Propping his elbows on his knees, he lowered his head into his hands, his body shaking.
How horrible this whole experience must have been for him. All I wanted to do was comfort him. Put his head in my lap and stroke his hair. Try to make him forget the pain and the suffering that he had known. If I could have stolen him away from this horrible duty, the terrible responsibility that he insisted upon fulfilling, I would have. But I couldn’t even let him know I was there.
Dr. Hassan lit the body of the inert Sebak on fire and then finished the rite.
We who would see you burn scorch you.
The scream of a thousand deaths filled the air as the giant body of Sebak, the incarnation of Apophis, burned alive.
The sons of Egypt are noble.
The gods of the sun, the moon, and the stars are braced.
The points of the Impossible Triangle are imbued with power.
You cannot defeat us,
For we will not be moved.
Depart Apophis,
Ye cursed crocodile!
After the last phrase, Sebak’s body shook, causing the area surrounding the pyramids to rumble. Rank vapors of black smoke rose from the body and the fire burned brighter and hotter until Sebak’s entire being was consumed in a flash of red.
When his body disappeared, the ashes blowing away in a soft breeze, I stood, testing my limbs, and then heaved a sigh of relief that I was still in one piece. I stepped forward, looking down at the valley, and saw a dissipating red mist, the only sign that there had ever been a tremendous battle between zombies and mummies.
Tiredly, Amon rose from his seated position and said, “Come, Hassan. It is time to end this work.”
“Yes, Master. I will now take you to the top of the temple, and when the ceremony is complete I will recover your bodies.”
Amon said nothing, his face angled away from the pyramid as if he was looking for something in the distance. “Do as you will,” he said quietly.
Dr. Hassan beckoned me to Amon, putting a finger over his lips to make sure I knew to be quiet. When I was standing in front of Amon, Dr. Hassan said, “If you would put your hand on my shoulder, I will lead you.”
Amon stretched out his arm and brushed his hand against the fedora before finding my shoulder. He nodded. “I am ready.”
With a shooing motion, Dr. Hassan waved me forward. I wasn’t sure how long I could keep up the ruse, and I was fairly certain that Amon would notice I wasn’t Dr. Hassan, but he didn’t say a word. He just placidly followed me until we reached the top of the pyramid. I went slowly, careful lest he should fall.
Blood from his torn hand dripped down the front of my jacket. When I saw it, an echoing tear trickled down my cheek. When I stopped, I took his hand, saddened that the thick glove prevented me from feeling his touch one last time, and placed it on the flat stone above.
“Wait here,” Amon said, and took his position, planting both feet solidly on top of the temple.