Chapter 4: A Night of Disaster

• 𓎬 ☼ 𓋹⋅☾𓂀 ☽⋅𓋹 ☼ 𓎬 •

Ahkmenrah XI

2014 - New York City

Present Day of the Hayden Planetarium Grand Opening

Sipping his second glass of wine, Ahkmenrah waited with the rest of the guests for the beginning of the performance. He was surprised that he settled himself between Rebecca and Dr McPhee alongside the rest of the museum staff. He hardly knew any of them by face but were kind enough to flash a small smile to each person as they sat around the round table.

He had to admit that waiting was the most daunting experience he did, smiling and greeting people was what he was taught as a prince - but it didn't mean it was easy for him. Kahmunrah was the people person between the two of them, having it come naturally to talk to anyone and about anything.

For Ahkmenrah - he was afraid to blurt something out of the blue.

Or perhaps it was the winemaking him talk.

Maybe he should have gone off the second glass, but luckily the lights dimmed and everyone began to quieten. The music then began to play, and the orchestral introduction began as he spotted the double doors open.

Entering the front doors was Teddy riding atop of Texas, his head up high. His face showed a mix of confidence and regalness.

Once the music died down, he began to speak; "Since 1869, when I was a mere boy of eleven, this museum has been a shining beacon to our great city. Tonight we'll expand our horizons even further - to the Sun, the Moon, and the stars." The president's voice boomed across the large room. "From our very beginning, mankind has looked to the heavens and given names to what he saw. The constellations. I thought you might like to meet them!"

As his friend gestured towards the ceiling, Ahkmenrah gazed upwards and watched the stars fly up to the dark background. Like the rest of the museum, the stars and the constellations also were brought to life by the magic of the tablet, dancing around and creating patterns and shapes in the air above them.

A wave of audible gasps muttered around him.

He watched them rehearse many times before, but it never stopped him from being at awe at the beauty of the animated lights, glistening in the dark background. He remembered the first time he saw them come to life, immediately moving and flowing at their own groups and even individuals. Rowen and Ahkmenrah would spend the evenings just watching the constellations create a scene from a story of dance to the rhythm of the music whenever the disco/party night came up.

When the constellations finished their performance, there was a round of applause. He took a quick glance across to Rebecca as she caught his eyes and grinned at him. Ahkmenrah shared the same look, biting his lip to contain his excitement.

After that, music began to play once more and a spotlight came up just a few feet away from Teddy and Texas.

Wearing matching clothing as Calliope, the second eldest Muse held her head up high. In her hand, she held her signature emblem of scrolls.

She introduced herself, "Γεια. I am Clio, one of the Seven Greek Muses. Daughter of Zeus and part of the Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations exhibit alongside the Romans and Egyptians." She opened her arm wide and gestured to where her sisters were jotted about the room. "Alongside my sisters, Calliope and Thalia - the museum has broadened the interests worldwide, extending the knowledge from across the Atlantic to the Americas."

The spotlight turned to the left, where Calliope stood with her stylus and tablet.

"The Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Centre would not have happened without the help of our sponsors and patronage, the board of governors led by our chairwoman: Dr Micarah Campbell. And the promotion of the programme from our mayor Mister Ian Winterson." Calliope smiled, gesturing her hand towards who Ahkmenrah discovered to have been the chairwoman.

There was another round of applause, which he followed as well - remembering the modern sign of appreciation to something or someone.

Ahkmenrah darted his eyes to the unfamiliar woman sitting beside Dr McPhee and saw the deep eyes staring outwards to the rest. Her head was held high, neither arrogant nor snooty. There was grace in her movements, similar to the aura which Rowen had sometimes.

He couldn't help but stare back. In the back of his mind, he felt that he knew her somehow.

It was Thalia's turn to speak, who was the most enthusiastic one of the sisters. "Now, the race for knowledge of the stars have now been highlighted by our prestigious shows." She grinned and clapped her hands. "We would like to start the evening with one of our top performers. From our Animal Kingdoms, Dexter the Capuchin!"

Out of all his four-thousand-or-so years of existing, Ahkmenrah never expected to see an animal perform a trapeze dance in front of an audience.

The Capuchin wore his bow tie, pulling himself up on the ribbons clutched around his arms. The intense music made his heart leap until Dexter extended his arms and posed.

There was a round of applause once more and Ahkmenrah glanced over to Rebecca and McPhee, who were both amazed and pleased.

He sighed, 'I wish you were here, Rowen.'

There was another demonstration from the Greek Muses, playing a gentle tune on the harp and lyre before Teddy came afterwards and bowed towards the audience.

"We thank you for your patronage, to all our sponsors and benefactors for giving the museum this opportunity to-"

Teddy froze. And then he jittered his words.

Ahkmenrah furrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head in confusion. What in Ra's name was he doing? He was about to lean towards Rebecca and ask what was happening until he suddenly felt a large pang in the back of his head. A ringing sound roared into his ears as his vision blurred.

He blinked many times to try and regain his sight, though it didn't help as there was then a crash of screams.

Ahkmenrah grasped the edge of the table and gritted his teeth from inhaling his breath. With shaking hands, he tried to grab Rebecca's hand but instead found himself being pulled up.

The curator's voice was so distant to him.

"Ahk?"

He shuddered a breath.

"You okay? Ahk!"

A set of small arms pulled him upwards, and he staggered into Rebecca's arms. From the limited view, he saw Attila running around with his Huns. There was a battle cry alongside the roar of the tigers and lions. He could hear the squealing of Dexter and...was that Sacagawea throwing what seemed to be a spear towards them.

Rebecca shouted, "Get down!"

Instantly, she tugged him down to the ground, and his right arm hit the marble floor with a thud. He felt the pain rip up his side and Ahkmenrah groaned. His scrunched his eyes and tried to roll back up to his feet. Toes curling to hide the agony, he clutched his hand over Rebecca's and tried to cover her from the incoming ceramic pieces.

He hissed as he felt something pierce his arm. It must have been a broken bit of glass, as he scraped the tiny pieces away and saw Rebecca's silhouette hugging the table leg.

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends!"

Ahkmenrah sighed in relief when he now could see partially what was occurring above them. The civil war soldiers alongside the animals and Hun were rampaging, destroying the tables and decoration. Food being chucked across the table.

'This cannot be happening right now!' Ahkmenrah put the two pieces together. 'The tablet is doing this...something is definitely wrong-argh!'

Rebecca screamed as they heard a thud above them. He glanced out from the table and saw the shadows.

From the outline, he recognised immediately that it was Sacagawea.

There was another round of shrieks from around them. Ahkmenrah ushered Rebecca out of the table and she obliged silently. "We've got to get out of here!" She called out to him and yanked him out of his growing unconsciousness.

However, somehow he sensed the arrow that was pointed at them.

When Rebecca and him turned, they saw Sacagawea's unfazed expression at them. Stern dark eyes as drew her bow back.

"Sac, it's us!" Rebecca's voice wavered as she called out.

However, her gaze darkened as he spotted her finger twitch against the string.

Their Native American friend didn't know them at all.

Ahkmenrah knew what was coming and shoved Rebecca out from in front. The arrow barely shot past them, as it missed a few inches from their position. When he looked back to Sacagawea, she only turned to the sound of Teddy's cry and leapt off the table.

He wanted to help them, knock some sense but he knew well enough that his own state won't keep him awake for long. Harder and harder, Ahkmenrah struggled to keep up. He was slipping from reality and death, seeing the dark shadows grow around him.

Out of all the chaos, he still heard Larry shout to them, "Guys stop! Stop it!"

It didn't seem to have any effect, as he waded through the tables and overthrown chairs. His hands tried to find the nearest arm but found Rebecca gone from his grasp. He called out her name but no one responded.

Ahkmenrah felt like he was dying again, feeling the pierce of the blade at his back. At that thought, a sharp sting erupted up his spine - pulling his breath away as he lurched forward and fell straight onto the floor before he could stop himself.

"Ahkmenrah..."

His surroundings changed in a quick blink.

He was standing what seemed to be sand. His fingers curled against the coarse material. Ahkmenrah rushed to sway to his feet, feeling the grains enter the gaps of his shoes. He was in a desert. No: the desert. The Red Land which his tutor always told stories about during their lessons. How the sun burnt your skin in just mere minutes; how your mouth grows dry as you beg for water.

When his head turned upwards to the shadow in front - he bit back a gasp. As standing several feet in front of him - was his sister-in-law.

Hetepheres' white dress flowed around her body, her black hair adorned with golden pins. Her lips red and her eye lined with dark kohl as it matched the crown over her head. She appeared to be just like he once saw her before: a queen.

A smile graced Hetepheres' lips, paired with her kind soft eyes. His mouth parted, uncertain if what he was seeing was actually real or in his head.

"Of course it is in your head, Ahkmen," Hetepheres spoke.

The nickname echoed around him. The name which he'd been called all those years ago which faded away. He preferred his new nickname better when Rowen first called him Ahk at the university. But the name Ahkmen was something which opened an old hall of memories in the back of his head.

Ahkmenrah asked out loud to her, "What is happening?" He pried, "Where...Why am I here?"

"The end has come."

Hetepheres replied; her voice sonorous and eloquent which rung into his ears.

"What do you mean?" Ahkmenrah questioned.

"You must find them..."

In a mix of frustration and confusion, he asked: "Find what?"

Hetepheres' gold eyes glowed, almost burning under the hot sun. She opened her mouth to speak, but it felt to him that the voice was coming from all directions.

"Find him, Ahkmenrah."

The wind began to pick up, and another voice rang in his ears.

"They are coming..."

He squinted his eyes from the sand being picked up. The storm grew and grew until he scrunched his eyes shut and saw Hetepheres disappear among the desert and sand.

"Sir? Are you alright?"

When his vision cleared slightly, he found himself standing behind a pillar at the entrance of the planetarium. A hand place on his shoulder as Ahkmenrah turned to find the voice. He wasn't sure who it was, no matter how he focused his mind to depict. But by the voice, it seemed concerned either way but sounded unfamiliar to him.

"I am fine." He held his hand out to assure her and nodded, "But I must thank you for assisting me...Miss?"

"Names for later, young pharaoh." The words spoken in his native tongue threw him back, and he gaped at her in shock.

"What..."

He slurred his words, a tone of shock between his constant need to find his feet.

However, it was soon enough that he felt another wave of nausea from his body. He felt his body begin to fail and weaken. Legs locking, he hacked up the air as he stumbled down to the floor. Luckily, a pair of arms grabbed his head and shoulders in time.

The person lowered him to the ground, perching his head onto something hard. Their voice murmured into his ear, "I cannot heal you but I may seek your shelter until this passes."

"How..." Ahkmenrah trailed, only seeing the outline of the figure above him.

"Sleep Ahkmenrah." They softly spoke, "We will meet again."

His sight then dwindled into blackness, swirling himself down in the pit of his mind and entering his dreams once more.

• 𓎬 ☼ 𓋹⋅☾𓂀 ☽⋅𓋹 ☼ 𓎬 •

Larry XXVI

2014 - New York City

The moment the night turned into a chaotic mess was the same time Larry got the worse headache ever in his entire life.

It was as if someone was screaming right next to his ear, filling his head with an inhuman screech. Like metal scraping harsh concrete. Layers and layers of voices called out in a language he couldn't understand. Some of the voices were familiar, distorted and yet similar to the ones from his friends.

It only stopped when he felt Dexter pounced right into his face and wrestled him. He yanked the capuchin off and glared at the grinning mammal. But it wasn't long until another force entered the planetarium.

Being thrown back to his surroundings was an understatement when he heard a large roar echo the hall. Larry staggered back, trying to stop Rexy from hurting the last people running out of the planetarium. But before he could do so, the screeching returned. He took his time to compose himself, holding his head in his hands as he hissed in pain.

The screaming only stopped for a bit when he felt a hard structure whack against his abdomen, sending him flying in a silent cry in the air. The air in his lungs was knocked out the moment his spine impacted the table. His scrunched his eyes once more, trying to focus his head again.

A groan escaped his lips as he flexed his fingers. A ray of colourful curse words went through his head as a surge of pain went up to his spine and up to his head. 'Well at least the screams are gone,' He thought.

Flickering his eyes open, Larry took his time to get his breath back again before sitting up. By the time Larry got up, all the exhibits had stopped attacking.

'What the fuck.' Was all he could think.

The whole planetarium was in carnage. However, the first thought that popped into his head was the most important thing.

"Becca? Becca!" He shouted, trying to search for any indication for her.

"Here!"

Larry's eyes immediately flicked to the voice, and he quickly clambered over the broken glass, plates and fallen chairs to the raised hand by the drinks bar. When he got there, he saw a figure pop out from under the long table. There were tipped glasses everywhere, with drinks spilt over. It was going to take ages to mop this all up...

When he saw the familiar face, Larry raced towards her and pulled Rebecca into a tight embrace. Her head nuzzled right onto his chest, knowing she could probably hear his heart pounding against his ribs. Rebecca's breaths slowed down as he smoothened her hair, whispering her that she was fine and that it was over.

"Oh thank god you're okay," Larry muttered.

He sighed in relief, squeezing his eyes shut as he perched his head over her shoulder. He would have never forgiven himself if he found her hurt after what happened. He was stupid enough to not go and find her in the first place, slapping himself mentally for not thinking straight - even if he was experiencing something completely out of the blue as well.

Larry pressed his lips on her forehead, before bringing his nose to hers and leaned forward. After a minute of letting him and Rebecca calm down, she pulled away and sniffed.

"I'm fine, I'm fine..." She told him as she brushed some food off her dress. "Just some scratches and bruises."

Larry stared at her, spotting the red marks grazed over her right cheek. There was already a bruise forming on her arm as well as the mess of her hair. But even so, all he cared that she was alright and didn't appear in pain.

"I thought you left with the others," He wondered and regretted the twinge of frustration in his voice. In one part, Larry was secretly furious that Rebecca hadn't run off with McPhee and the rest of the quests. At least then, he would know she was safe from the rest of the exhibits.

'But no, you chose the woman who would rather save a prize artefact and almost get hurt in the process,' Larry thought to himself. He shouldn't be surprised at all that he picked someone similar to the job he had. 'Well...I don't think I'll have this job any longer with the all the shit that's just happened.'

"I was but Ahk was-" Rebecca froze and then turned around, her voice becoming frantic. "Where's Ahk? Where is he?"

He let go of her, and the two began searching for their Egyptian friend in the mess. Many of the exhibits just stood about, as if it was the first time they woke up and came to life. He ignored the moans and questions being murmured as he flicked the covers off the tables. However, out of all tables: Larry hadn't seen Ahkmenrah at all.

He slapped his forehead and wiped the sweat off. Where the heck was he? Did he get hurt? Hell...did someone take him?

Larry swore, 'Fuck. I hope no one took him!'

"What in Hades...happened?" Thalia cut his thoughts off when she asked loudly.

The Greek Muse looked a little disgruntled. Apart from the messy hair and stained dress - Thalia looked fine as well as Clio who he found leaning against the wall. As for Calliope, he noticed the blonde hair peeking out in the distance, which reminded him of someone.

"Calli, where'd Kai go?" Larry asked the Greek muse, who he saw appear from the 'special effects' box.

One thing's for sure: he only hoped the kid hadn't hurt himself through that shit. If the mayor discovered his son with a hair misplaced, Larry would be running for the hills.

"I don't know." She replied, and her jaw dropped when she looked around. Calliope exclaimed, "Why is it a mess?"

Larry furrowed his eyebrows back at her. Did she not realise what happened at all? Though what seemed to be oddest things, each exhibit appeared delirious and confused about their surroundings. Especially Rexy, who was stood in the middle of the planetarium with his skull head tilted at the side.

At the buffet area, Attila and the Huns were shaking their heads in confusion. A surprise expression littered over their faces as they looked at their weapons and dirty clothes. Even Sacagawea, who was inspecting what she was carrying, wore a face of confusion on her. In her hands were a bow and arrow.

His heart grew cold as Larry swallowed down the bile. He hoped she hadn't shot anyone.

Actually: he hoped she didn't hit anyone - period.

"Is everybody okay?" He shouted, earning several grunts and nods at him. Larry let another tired breath before spotting

"Larry! Over here!"

He spun around and spotted Rebecca crouching by one of the pillars. Before he went over, he saw Teddy approach him - a guilty expression already lingering on his face. Larry's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the feeling when the president had forgotten him.

Teddy's rifle aimed over his chest.

At instinct then, Larry was almost sure he was about to pull the trigger as he rose his hands. That Teddy didn't know him at all and didn't hesitate to shoot him until he dodged the chance - snatching the rifle out of the president's hands and tossing it to the ground.

'Snap out of it, Daley.' He told himself. 'Remember, it wasn't him. He wasn't himself.' But even then, staring at Teddy now reminded him of what he had just done - no matter how Larry removed the thought out of his head.

Instead, Larry ordered him. "Teddy. Get everyone in the front entrance."

The president didn't hesitate, only quietly nodding back to him and began telling the rest of the exhibits to move out of the planetarium and into the main part of the museum. No one protested, simply following the president's orders to move and get everyone together. They filed out of the planetarium, leaving Larry rushing to Rebecca's side.

Once he got there, he bit back a gasp. There were little droplets on the marble floor, and his sleeve stained red. Larry let another curse before slinging the pharaoh's arm around his neck. With the help of Rebecca, the two carried Ahkmenrah towards the direction the exhibits went to.

They arrived at the main entrance and he shouldn't be surprised by the echoes of gasps and shrieks when they saw Ahkmenrah unconscious in their arms.

He lowered the pharaoh down on the bench, Ahkmenrah's head falling straight against the wall. Eyelids closed, Larry pressed two fingers over his neck. He couldn't find a pulse.

Rebecca spoke, "You do know he's dead right?"

"Right." Larry pulled away before shaking his shoulder. "Ahk? Hey, bud..."

A groan came out of Ahkmenrah's mouth. When he opened his eyes, he peered them and adjusted from the light. Larry took a step back, but then immediately stepped forward as the pharaoh tried to stand up from his position.

By the sound of shuffling feet, everyone wanted to ask if Ahkmenrah was alright.

"Don't crowd him," Rebecca told the rest, and asked the exhibits to sit on the staircase and wait.

Larry agreed and spoke. "Rebecca's right, guys."

The Greek Muses, the Huns and the Neanderthals moved away and went over to sit where they were told.

"Ughh my head." Ahkmenrah moaned, rubbing his temples slowly.

Larry inhaled sharply. "Yeah, you hit your head quite badly," He said and looked at Rebecca. The two silently agreed not to tell him where they found his body, knowing it was best not to worry Rowen.

'Oh God...' Larry internally winced. 'When Rowen hears about this...'

"What...what happened?" He murmured, letting another wince as he rolled his shoulders back.

Larry drawled out a whistle before awkwardly answering, "Well if you want the short answer: we kinda bamboozled the whole place."

The pharaoh's head turned to him, his face pale by several shades. Larry didn't say it out loud, but Ahkmenrah looked like he was the one that got wrestled by Dexter.

"Easy there, don't stand up too quickly." Larry supported Ahkmenrah as he pulled him up with Sacagawea. "You'll hurt your head."

Ahkmenrah let out a wince, his hand rushing to hold is head.

"Ahk, are you alright?" She asked, never letting go of the pharaoh's arm.

He turned to her and gave her a reassuring nod. "I am fine, Sac." Ahkmenrah wondered, "But what happened? Why did you and Attila..."

"I am really sorry, Ahk." She closed her eyes, lowering her head in shame. "I-"

"I know, my friend." He told her, pulling her into a hug. "It is not your fault."

"I wasn't myself. I-I didn't know what came over me." Sacagawea said with true honesty. Then she pulled away from Ahkmenrah and gasped. "And I am sorry to you as well, Rebecca. I almost shot you!"

The Native American woman burst into tears as her hands flew over her head - hiding her face.

"It's okay, Sac." He went to take her hands and cupped them with his. Ahkmenrah soothed her, "I'm only glad everyone got out unscathed. Or not..."

"Ahk, your arm."

He answered, "Not to worry, Just some broken glass. I'll be fine once it's wrapped."

Larry nodded stiffly, but both Rebecca and Sacagawea didn't seem convinced on how Ahkmenrah simply brushed it off. He's seen how Ahkmenrah reacted when Rowen got hurt during the Battle of the Smithsonian, and how she would protest that it wasn't that bad until she had no choice but sit in defeat. Stubborn at the fault, the two shared the trait that most would consider being the bain of their life.

It wasn't another nudge that Ahkmenrah finally agreed to be tended. Rebecca told him that he needed to tended so his body wouldn't be too 'mucked up' when Ahkmenrah turns back into a dead corpse (which Larry is still trying to get his head around after eight years that his friend was in fact dead). They found the nearest first aid kit once the Hayden Planetarium shut down in emergency and tended Ahkmenrahas well as Rebecca.

He was even more horrified when Rebecca was hurt, though relieved it wasn't as bad as what Ahkmenrah faced. The moment the adrenaline died down, his panic rose. It was why he was coddling Rebecca, trying to make sure she was safe until she slapped his shoulder to cut him out.

Larry muttered an apology and sighed. Okay, perhaps he was being too much.

Though his frustration and confusion could not match the anger and confusion that radiated from Dr McPhee. The moment the Director entered the room, you could have heard a pin drop.

"So care to tell me what happened?" He tapped his foot impatiently as he queried. "All of you-"

Everyone stayed silent.

However, Larry was the first to speak up. "Dr McPhee-"

Everyone began to speak at the same time, trying to apologise to him.

"Wait. No. Enough." McPhee snapped.

Larry was about to speak, but he felt a sudden tug from his sleeve. In the corner of his eye, Rebecca shook her head and pursed her lips.

"I'm going to send Winterson home with his father before anything else happens," McPhee said irritable and glared at them. His eyes then darted to Rebecca and said, "Rebecca."

He spun around and stalked back to the planetarium. Larry could only assume that it was his indication for Rebecca to follow. He looked over to his fiancee and Rebecca gave him a curt nod.

"I'll be back." She told everyone, placing a quick kiss on his lips before rushing up to try and calm their director down.

Once the two left the room, Larry let a frustrating snarl. He wanted to tug his hair out and scream. Eight years as a night guard and these magic shenanigans decided to actually have an issue on the most important night. Larry couldn't blame them entirely; something was definitely not right. Especially if he was experiencing the same thing.

But he wasn't going to let the exhibits know, it would be another thing they'll be worried about. As much as it might be important, Larry knew that the exhibits came first before him.

"Guys, what was going on out there? Seriously, what were you thinking?" He asked them. "Attila."

The Hun in question lifted his head to him.

"What were you doing to that dolphin, man?" He exclaimed, waving his hands. "It's a dolphin! One of the most peaceful creatures on earth...a-and you're hacking into it like it was the Cove or something!"

Guilt stretched over the Hun's face sent Larry's heart plummeting. Maybe he was being too harsh. 'God, please don't give me the sad puppy eyes.'

"Did you see the look on Regis Philbin's face?" Larry questioned.

Attila's face formed dismay as he whispered, "Reeju?"

"Yeah, Reeju." He repeated and then turned to the man next to him. "And Teddy, what were you doing pointing a gun at me?"

"Forgive me, Lawrence. I don't know what came over me." Teddy admitted guiltily, his eyes trying to look at Larry in the eye but quickly darted away.

He approached the president and asked him quietly, "Do you even remember that?"

"Not at all." Teddy shook his head.

He didn't understand at all. How could they not remember what they did to the planetarium? Ahkmenrah remembered, considering how his eyes were slightly wary when Sacagawea found him unconscious. Out of all the exhibits, no one can compete between the sibling bond Ahkmenrah and Sacagawea had. The two were inseparable when it came to caring for each other. They looked out for each other and confided with one another. That's why Larry could understand how the guilt was eating Sacagawea alive when she saw Ahkmenrah injured.

He was about to speak to the rest of the exhibits until he felt something wet hit his hand. Glancing up, he gritted his teeth at the mammal standing on the bannister.

"Dexter, stop! Do you want diapers again?" Larry snapped.

The capuchin took a step back, whimpering almost after he shouted at him. Larry still had scratches and cuts after Dexter tried to grapple his face and attack him with his claws, fueling the stress into anger. He threw the monkey down onto the ground after Dexter wrestled him for a good half a minute. And he was glad it wasn't for long or else his nose would have broke.

That memory was still fresh in his mind, making his hands curl into a fist as he gave an annoyed look at the capuchin.

"Ease up on the reins there, boss. Can't you see, he feels terrible!" Jedediah cried, "Hell, we all do!"

He paused and glanced back to the group.

Jedediah bemoaned, "We feel awful!"

"Something took hold of us, like an evil spell which bewitched us!" Octavius followed, earning some nods and murmurs.

"Yeah, like we just weren't ourselves," Jedediah said at their defence and there was a rouse of nods and hums of agreement.

With another sigh, Larry rubbed his forehead and tapped his foot. He already knew what he needed to do. Though he knew it wouldn't be fair at all to do what he was about to do. 'She's going to freak out when she finds out.' He gulped. When he stared at everyone, he found his eyes locking to the pharaoh.

Ahkmenrah gave him a look and spoke, "Larry. I think it's time."

The pharaoh stared at him with such piercing eyes that he might've just drilled two holes through his eye sockets. Larry swallowed his protest and instead threw a large hefty sigh in defeat. He then took his phone out and scrolled down to find her contacts.

As he pressed the icon, it took a few seconds until the phone rang.

"Time for what?" Thalia questioned, nudging her sister's shoulder. Both Clio and Thalia began to bicker whilst Calliope let out an exasperated noise and told them to shut up.

Octavius also joined the murmurs and asked, "Shhh, who's he calling?"

"Obviously Gigantress."

"Lady Rowen? But isn't she in London?"

There are several more rings as Larry spoke, "It's the middle of the night, she's not going to pick up-"

"Hello?"

All faces perked up at the familial tone of their friend. Larry spotted a gentle smirk resting on the pharaoh's lips whilst Sacagawea and Teddy gave each other smiles. He shook his head in disbelief and bemusement before responding.

"Hi." Larry began, licking his lips. "Hey Rowen, I didn't wake you up, right?"

There was a shuffling sound through the phone, "No. Not at all."

"Good, good..."

There was another pause before she spoke. "But I did receive a call from Rebecca saying that you would be planning to call me...something about the news."

His head flashed right around to Ahkmenrah, Sacagawea and Teddy. All three gave each other various looks of dread and worry. They turned to him, where his stomach already plummeted and his heart paused. What was he going to say to her?

Larry covered his phone with hand and mouthed to the three. 'What do I say?'

Ahkmenrah raised his eyebrows and nudged his chin, indicating that he should probably tell the truth. The same went with Teddy and Sacagawea, both nodding their heads and eyed the phone in his hand.

With a heavy exhale, he uncovered the phone and slowly said, "Shit, right um...so the tablet."

"What about it? It's okay, right? It hasn't been stolen?" Rowen's tone of panic sent his heart racing.

He shook his head and replied, "No! No, no...It's still here." Larry paused, "But uh-"

Out of nowhere, a hand snatched the phone off him. He gaped back when he found Ahkmenrah holding the phone and began talking through.

The pharaoh answered for him instead, "What Larry is saying is that the tablet is turning green, and affecting us."

Larry gave him a raised brow to which he got another silent gesture from Ahkmenrah that said, 'You were stalling, and you meant it.'

There was another quiet pause.

"Oh, hello. Ahk?" Rowen greeted firstly, her tone slightly surprised and amused.

Larry saw Ahkmenrah's face relax at her voice.

Her voice then turned serious again as she asked, "And Green?... As in?"

Larry went closer to Ahkmenrah, just as Teddy placed a gloved hand over Ahkmenrah's shoulder.

"Corrosion by the looks of the tablet, my dear." The former president questioned Ahkmenrah, "When did it appear to start, my boy?"

"I only saw it tonight, actually," Ahkmenrah said which seemed true by ear. "But the effects began just before the opening of the planetarium."

Rowen said, "Oh right, the opening. Wait, let me turn on the tele..."

There was another few seconds of shuffling and a crackling sound with clicks. Larry darted his eyes over to Ahkmenrah, who was rolling on the heels of his feet. Sacagawea was whispering to Teddy which he couldn't hear though could tell it seemed important to him as Teddy's eyes found Larry's.

Teddy mouthed back, 'Wadjet Key.'

His eyebrows creased into confusion for a second until they lifted in realisation. Larry nodded back to him and was prepared to but in.

However, there was a muffled noise from the background. Rowen said, "Well, you are not wrong about it affecting you all." She asked, "Are you all alright?"

It was then everyone Larry glanced across the group of exhibits. All looking deflated and tired but still listening in carefully. However, it would seem Ahkmenrah appeared the worse for wear. With a cut on his arm and his whole suit a mess - it seemed he got trampled by a stampede.

'Probably don't mention that to Rowen,' He said to himself. 'She's not going to like it when she finds out her boyfriend got almost shot and stood on.'

Larry spoke, "Yeah, just a scare that's all."

"Hmm..."

Ahkmenrah frowned. "Rowen?"

"Hmm? No, I'm just trying to think about the possibilities of what's happening. The magic must be corresponding to the souls I guess." She continued, "So the taint on the tablet must be affecting how the magic is supporting the bodies."

"How about your key?" Larry inputted. "It's not turning green is it?"

"...No. It's the same as before."

Humming, Ahkmenrah then perked up and said, "I think a good way is to speak to my parents. They know the tablet better."

There was a murmur of agreement around the rest of the exhibits. Both Sacagawea and Teddy seemed to be approved by the idea whilst Larry grinned and patted the pharaoh's shoulder gently.

"Good thinking, my boy." Teddy praised.

Rowen answered, "I'll send an enquiry so you'll have access." She told them, "Give me tomorrow to send a formal letter to the board. I'm sure I could slip you in as a conservation project."

Kindly, Larry replied. "Thank you, Ro. We're grateful. I'm sorry we kinda woke you up and-"

"No-no. It's fine." He imagined her shaking her head. Knowing Rowen too well, Larry knew she was half-ass lying. "I-uh wasn't asleep. Work and such..."

Ahkmenrah and he gave each other worried glances. By the tone of her voice, they only assumed the worse on what's been going on. Especially for Ahkmenrah, who was more worried at the voice of his partner than his own wellbeing.

"Well, get some sleep alright?" Larry said sincerely. He then piped in a joke, "Can't be having our immortal curator sleeping to save an ancient artefact."

Another chuckle came from their friend once she said her farewell. "Indeed. I'll contact you in the morning. Bye, everyone."

Hanging up the phone, Ahkmenrah passed the phone back to him and Larry thanked him. He decided that it was best to give the exhibits some time to calm down from being shaken up. He could only think how bad the clean up is going to be. At the end of the night, Larry might as well have sighed throughout the whole deal like a weeping actress from a play.

So once he got told the rest of the exhibits, he made sure Ahkmenrah was fine to walk back with Sacagawea and Teddy whilst he took the Muses to try and sort the planetarium out.

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A/N: Ah I'm so sorry that I haven't been updating! I haven't really had time to sit down and write but I've gave myself some time to sort out some things.

First things first: the covers. I've been really having mixed feelings on what the cover should be. At the end, I went for this one as I really liked the initial Audere Est Facere logo. You could probably tell I previously had a black and white one which I drew out by hand and scanned it in. But they didn't exactly suit the layout I wanted.

Secondly, let's talk about this chapter and why I'm not really pleased about it. I wanted to try and stick to the original movie script but the whole scene was cut so much and it was just a lot of people running and exhibits making a mess that I needed to change it so it could tie in with the future plotline.

Hence why Ahkmenrah get's his first vision after thousands of years of Hetepheres, who we'll be seeing more often in our character's dreams.

As for the tablet and its effects to the exhibits, I wanted Ahkmenrah to experience what's it like to be in and out of phase of death. Right now, the effects are quite the lowest. By the time they get to London, he'll start feeling more of the pain he gained.

Also, the woman who made sure Ahkmenrah was safe had the be the most sketchiest dialogues I've written. I could have done better but perhaps I'll re-do it when this is all done.

Next chapter: Larry and Rebecca try and do something whilst Rowena's trying to gain passage for Ahk to get to London. That means another visit to our dear friend. ;)

Hope you guys enjoyed!

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Written: 03/09/2020

Edited: 12/09/2020