The villagers ushered us over to where there was a large reed mat drawn across the centre. It stretched from one end to the other and everyone was sat on it eating. 

"Come, girls! You both need some meat on your bones!" An elderly woman said as she ushered us to the mat and I let out a giggle at her words, even more so as we sat next to Maya and Arun, with Demir, Abrax and Emut opposite us. I nearly salivated at the aroma of the food and the different dishes scattered across the mats in front of us. Ayla squeezed in next to me, her wary eyes on Abrax, but he was engrossed in conversation with the boys, not even sparing her a glance.

I held her hand in comfort, but she still looked downcast. In panic, I turned to Maya for her help, but only saw her and Arun fighting over a turkey leg, both pulling before she delivered a swift kick to his ribs and turned to me with a triumphant smile, biting through the turkey leg.

Never mind.

*************************

"No, you must have more! I insist!" The female server ushered a tray in my direction, but I shook my head politely, feeling as though my stomach was about to explode with fullness.

"It tasted delicious, but I'm full." I responded kindly, but she was having none of it, continuing to shove the tray in my face. I looked up to Emut, clearing my throat and he looked to me with a questioning look as I gestured to the female. Emut looked in her direction before realisation dawned on him and he smiled. This only made me glare and he shook his head with a laugh before turning to the woman.

"Ukhta, I think she's had enough pheasant now." His voice was gentle but firm, not holding the mirth or warmth it held when he spoke to me. Nonetheless, it seemed to warm the server who looked to him with a faltering blush and nodded meekly. Emut turned to me then, his smile widening in ways that made me feel hotter.

"She hasn't, however, had enough fish." He continued, a ghost of a smile on his face as she nodded eagerly, reaching for the fish tray. I gaped at his words, narrowing my eyes at him as she turned to shove the new tray in my face. He merely ran a hand through his hair, his gaze amused.

"Well, try some fish!" The server spoke suddenly, making me snap my gaze towards her. I looked around for another form of salvation, letting out a sigh of relief when Ayla complained that the juice jug was empty.

"I'll get the juice this time!" I rushed out eagerly, taking hold of the jug and standing up. Sending an apologetic look to the server, I gave my best smug smile to Emut who merely laughed at my actions. WIth this, I made my way to the kitchen where all the spare food and drinks were. It was the community kitchen where all the cooking was done for the festivals. I had once been here before. but I chose to ignore the memory as I waded towards it.

The hubbub of the feast died down as I walked further away until I reached the kitchen. The atmosphere in the kitchen was notably hotter than outside, seeing this is where they cooked the food in such a small area.

There was a small island in the middle of the kitchen which had different jugs on it and I made my way over to it, placing the empty jug down and looking for the one Ayla had preferred- cranberry juice.

"You know, you make it too easy to get to you."

I turned swiftly at the sudden intrusion of silence, my pattering heart calming slightly when I saw Demir moving in. It only calmed slightly, but the smirk on his face was enough to increase my anxiety and I took a small step back as he approached the kitchen island.

"If I'm too easy then I suggest you find a more challenging opponent." I edged out, my voice sounding meek and Demir raised an eyebrow at my words. He approached around the island and I moved to the opposite side, so he was still away from me. His lips quirked up at this before he shrugged, his eyes glowing an effervescent grey in the darkness of the kitchen.

"Now, who's more entertaining than you, Hanna?" He mused, circling around and I followed suit, circling away from him. We were going in circles around the island now, in a game of cat and mouse, making my heart thump against my chest. In the silence, I was afraid he would hear it and I let out a scoff as we continued circling to cover the sound.

"While I admit I am entertaining, I need someone on my calibre. You, Demir, are as boring as a plank of wood." I taunted, but I was lying. Every individual I encountered in our little group intrigued me to no end- their pasts, their ideology and powers. Demir only smiled at my insult, his hand drumming idly against the solid counter of the island as we circled in a rhythm that was akin to my heartbeat.

"You're running away from a plank of wood then?" He asked curiously, finally picking up on my movements. I stilled slightly at this, but kept moving in fear he would catch up.

"Wood can still be repulsive." I offered only this explanation and Demir smiled, but said nothing. It was silent for a moment as we circled each other before he jumped over the island gracefully, now standing in front of me. I let out a startled noise at the sudden change, stumbling back to which he raised an eyebrow.

"You've made quite a habit of lying, Hanna." He absconded, shaking his head disapprovingly. I opened my mouth to argue, but he moved forward then, making me shut up. His eyes were glinting and his hair was in his eyes, making me blush when his form was within touching distance. I hit against the wall then, having nowhere else to go and I took in a sharp breath as he placed a hand against the wall beside my head. He watched every reaction intently, an amused look in his eyes.

"You look neither bored or repulsed, Hanna." He murmured in mock-confusion, his eyebrows drawing together, but no one could mistake the small ghost of a smile on his face. Again, I opened my mouth to argue, but he retreated away, grabbing the jug from the countertop.

"Proved you wrong yet?" He voiced out, making me glare at him yet he didn't pay heed to this and made his way to the door, not even sparing me a glance.

I watched as his form disappeared, letting out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Moving forward, I rested my hands against the countertop.

I was going to get him back for that.

I looked out the window then, letting out a gasp at the flames that engulfed the statue of Osiris as the structure crumbled to the ground.

Emut had said it was a symbol of his immortality; of the hope even in the midst of darkness. I felt the tenacious fire that built within me as I looked to the burning God. I had felt that hope when we had killed the Baken and, now, I felt hope for the future. That the war would be over eventually and we could live in peace.

If only that were the case.

*******************************

Unknown POV

"Right this way, Sidi." The mousy villager spoke, leading the hooded figure through the dim cellar. All that lit their way was the bleak lantern that the villager held, but even that provided nothing for the way they were headed.

The hooded figure merely grunted in response to the villager's words. In all his time in serving his Queen, he had come to realise that he needed to save his breath and efforts; the small harmless pests were not worth it.

Like Malika Anouke had taught him- to focus on the bigger threats.

Yet try as he might, he felt his hand itch to touch his blade as the villager notably trembled, causing the light from the lantern to bob up and down on the walls. He shook away the feeling when they stopped at another door, focusing more on the water dripping down from the leaking ceiling to calm his bloodthirst.

They were in a basement prison of some sort which descended way past the dunes and liveliness of the surface of Aaru. Here, lay the scum of the world- the prisoners which have long been forgoed from Aaru, treated like dirt.

He smiled to himself as the door opened with a resounding clang. After all, if he were to find allies, what better place to look than those who have been wronged by Aaru.

"We're here, Sidi." The villager trembled out and, right now, he couldn't find himself to blame the poor pathetic sap. He was hooded, yes, but even the villager could see the glint of several weapons that lay under his cloak and the small glimpse of scarred eyes that showed through his veil. He was definitely a sight to see.

"Lead the way." He commanded, his voice gruff and the villager nodded anxiously before hurrying in. His smile widened at the sight of rows and rows of prison cells. These were his men, now and he would use them to his advantage. More so, to his Queen's advantage.

He eyed the muscled, tattered vile men behind the bars who merely lay vacantly staring at the ceiling. A couple of years in isolation can drive a person insane, he of all people knew that.

No matter, he thought, this insanity will only help their cause.

He kept roaming, almost as though he was shopping as he pointed to which men he deemed worthy to be released. The villager complied with little resistance for even he knew resistance was futile. His friend's corpses at the entrance were a sign of that.

At the sound of jangling keys and cells opening, all the prisoners raised their head, rushing up and banging their hands loudly against the cell bars. The sound of shouts and metal clanging echoed across the area, making the hooded figure sneer.

He had heeded and respected Malika Anouke's words but this was too much.

Moving forward leisurely, he pulled his blade out and drove it right into the mouth of a man who was shouting from in his cell. At this, the room fell silent as they watched in horror. The stabbed man began to gargle, the sword protruding from the back of his head and the hooded figure smiled.

Malika Anouke would not have opposed such justice.

Pulling it out, he looked around with his challenging gaze. He knew that he needn't speak for his actions spoke better than words and the prisoners quietened down, sneaking shocked glances at the corpse that was still leaning against the bars, dripping puddles of blood.

He savoured the smell of blood before snapping his finger to the villager who looked like he was about to wet himself. The villager snapped out of his daze, not wanting to anger the hooded figure and continued to move forward. The men that had been released were now being ushered out by a second man, who also wore a hood.

"That is all the men we have." The villager voiced out in worry as though his words would incite the sword of the hooded figure, but the hooded figure just nodded tiredly before making his way back to the entrance. However, he stopped short, causing the villager to bump into him. The villager began to apologise profusely, but the figure zoned it out as he pointed to a hidden cell in the corner.

"Who is that?" He more demanded than asked, gesturing to the crouched figure and the villager shook his head anxiously.

"You would not want him; he is nothing." He explained and, this time, the hooded figure directed his fury on the villager, making his stumble back. Grabbing the keys off the villager, he tightened his grip on the sword.

"And who are you to deny the words of Malika Anouke's soldier?" He edged out slowly and carefully yet this was a rhetorical question and before the villager could answer, the hooded figure had drove the sword through his voice box.

That would teach him to talk back.

After a thorough 10 minutes of cleaning his- now- impure sword, he made his way over to the cell with a smile.

Malika Anouke will definitely love this present.