Perhaps you notice how the denial is so often the preface to the justification. -Christopher Hitchens

Warmth engulfed my being as well as a cool current surrounding me gently pushing and pulling me as I slowly came into consciousness, I slowly began to become aware of my senses as my body began to reanimate itself as if awaking from a deep slumber, my hearing began to pick up the gentle lapping of water around me and my skin began to feel the emboldened gaze of the sun resting upon it as well as a familiar embrace around me.

My sense of urgency nowhere in sight as I lay there feeling numb and untethered to reality waiting for this lucid dream to come to an end as time seemed to stretch itself on in a monotonous drag accompanied by the constant splash of waves it was quite relaxing I thought to myself I couldn’t hurt to rest a bit. There are things one should never utter in situations that appear unfamiliar, Jinx is the word that comes to mind in the moments that came to follow, whatever kept my body float decided in that moment to release me as I felt a sudden movement of to objects move from underneath me plunging me into the water I before thought was a dream background instinct took over as my eyes finally flashed open in fright only to close due to the sudden exposure to the water I was submerged in the need to breath came just a soon as my eyes opened my chest burning yet feeling like a heavy weight pressed my chest threatening to cave my chest in.

As I started clawing my way upwards hoping I wasn’t upside down the second my hand breached the surface I swung it down with its cohort in a weird uneven push downwards that propelled my body upwards in a awkward motion but successfully achieved the desired result my head broke thorough the surface as soon as my mouth came above the water I inhaled trying to fill my lungs with some much needed relief only to further increase the pain I felt in my chest and spread the fire I felt in chest. I began to panic and clutch my throat for dear life I could hear my heart beating rapidly as the edges of my vision began to fade replaced with darkness once again a cold realization dawned on me through my panic I was going to die this is how my life was going to end not on a battlefield or in the line of duty but alone afraid and to weak to save myself from drowning as my mind started to find it harder to process my thoughts I felt a slight sliver of something race through my body before my mind went dark. Boom!!! barrage of attacks on my back brought me back and alongside an uncontrollable urge to retch up my entire stomach I coughed and spit up the water that had been in my lungs a hand came into focus as I began to descend back into the water catching me before I can fall back into the what would have been my murky grave.

My senses since returned I moved my feet and found purchase on solid ground of rage and embarrassment could be used as a currency I’d be filthy rich, if I had token stock of my surroundings I would have known internally chastising my self I looked around at my surroundings, we where in a river not to far from the coastline amongst the palm trees and sand, I saw several tents scattered about the camp ground were men, and boats and canoes tied along the beach.

Peering further and getting a decent look around I finally noticed some familiar sights clearly, we were in the dessert somewhere along The Nile River to be exact, so I was still on the Giza plateau probably not to far from Cairo maybe a day or two walking distance to the nearest town I’m guessing whatever happened at the museum was some sort of flash grenade giving my captors the leeway to deal with me and move me here for some reason.

My short respite from the reality of the situation I hadn’t truly contemplated why I was in the Nile river who put me here and worst of all I took a break from my mind trying to analyze this odd ordeal to look at my savior slash possible kidnapper. He was a giant of a man somehow large enough to hold my body easily as if I barely weighed anything I took a quick peek at the small group trying to count how many possible threats awaited me on shore, after 20 or so I gave up and look at the giant of a man.

And then everything went to shit because as always Murphey and his law always find a way

And it came in the form of a giant speaking to me “so boy I see you are alert enough to regain your sense of mind. What of your awakening can you fully feel your sahu(spirit)” the large stranger asked after I finally rested my eyes on him I had no idea how I knew what he was saying it was foreign to my mind but I heard it as if he was speaking my native tongue not sure how to play this out I played it safe and played dumb by replying “sahu” he leveled a glare at me watching my face for a while before he explained “ sahu our connection to the greater realms and connection to the earth mother” ah I thought so I’m dealing with a psycho cult this is not how Imagined I would be dying by ritual sacrifice I sigh internally looking at him out of all my options I’d say fake it till I make it because going toe to toe with Andre the giant here and his merry men not exactly sounding plausible in the slightest.

So, I close my eyes and pretend to concentrate to give the appearance that I’m trying, a happy cultist probably isn’t a killing cultist well… at lest I hope not. While I give the best constipation face I can muster a odd chill runs through my body startling me causing me to let out a yelp big man is pleased by my sudden discomfort given by his need to speak to me once more “ yes boy you’ve felt it now you must harness it then you can break from your shackles with new purpose for our lord!!!” he said while letting me go. He clearly was on a roll as he began speaking of the virtues of serving his lord, so I tuned him out for the moment and tried to see if I could catch site of any roads posted signs or basically anything to indicate where I was exactly along the river. In all fairness with all this going on the near-death experience from drowning and giants roaming about talking about lords a guy could get distracted my stomach no longer felt like being forgotten as it finally protested its neglect by giving out a growling grumble, I couldn’t tell if it was a blessing or a curse feeling slightly embarrassed I look at the man watching his face for any signs of aggression at my stomach interrupting his monologue.

The man seemed to find some amusement from my obvious hunger he began to guide us towards the shore and his camp, as we approached I looked down at my feet moving forward step by step although I was moving my body my limbs felt foreign, raising my left hand to inspect I know knew why my arms felt unfamiliar they weren’t mine. The color of my skin was no longer a dark brown but closer to bronze and they were bare no sign of tattoos, I start to run my hands across my face feeling the shape of my jaw, chin and earlobes searching for any scars or blemishes that seem familiar I look down at my chest once we exit the water and step on dry land at this point I know I’m not myself any more but I hope for my chest to have any of the tattoos laying across my chest.

Ah hello anxiety my old friend I think as it becomes hard to breathe my chest starts to rise and fall increasing in speed, falling to my knees I try to rationalize the Ws of the world who brought me here, why me and was I the only one to get body snatched, when did I get switched how long was I floating there, and what was going on I still felt the sliver of what the giant called sahu it was running trough my body increasing in strength every minute since I first felt it. Closing my eyes I knew where I was and that was the only answer I had and it’s more than enough to help me survive long enough to make an escape until I make it to a town and contact the authorities.while I was losing it the man kept a distance and withheld what ever judgement he may or may not have garnered from my little episode since my awakening, thump-thump!!

Someone was approaching us rather quickly made evident by the sound of feet slapping upon wet sand, I turn my head to view the newcomer he’s wearing little to nothing except a skirt well it was probably a kilt and a thin shirt of terrible quality, he was shorter then the cult- napper but not by much. “Abraxas I see your hem(slave) survived the awakening” the newcomer said to the now named Abraxas “yes he took his time of it while doing so” replied Abraxas closing the distance between him and the newcomer “are we ready to reach our first destination, I would like to get our journey underway it will take 10 years to to reach Thebes I’d rather we make it to back before the final pyramid is complete” Abraxas continued the new comer nodded taking a quick glance my way he spun around and headed to the nearest group yelling to pack up. I was very familiar with this plot seen enough movies and read enough books to know this wasn’t Kansas anymore, walking to the rivers edge I catch my reflection it’s not easy to make out but I could see enough to know I was a child.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

A boy probably between 9 or 10 I could make out my original face with slight tweaks that made me look Egyptian, possibly to match my environment so the cultist may have actually been my saviors. But from what the other man said I’ve been here longer than my little swim. Abraxas looked over shoulder at me while he continued his walk to the camp “ boy do you wish to be food for the residents of the river if not get back to the camp and prepare to leave we have a conclave to organize and I won’t be upheld even by my new apprentice” he snapped, fully aware of the reptile eyes of that were only 50 meters away from where I stand Nile crocodiles I back up slowly and turn around to jog next to Abraxas, cultist or not I knew death was waiting in the water I’d take my chances with the weirdos I can outrun a man there’s no out swimming what you can’t see

. Slowing my jog to match his stride I began to ask questions of my would be master/teacher “where are we heading for.. the conclave” I honestly had no idea what one was so gathering intel was a must knowings half the battle, Abraxas stays quiet for the better part of our walk until he stops at a tent that I’m guessing is mine given how poorly constructed it is Abraxas raises his right hand and snaps his fingers a strong wind picks up blowing sand away from us. I cringe slightly from his display, I look around to see several pieces of linen were strewn about at the mouth of the tent as well as a tablet, all of it previously buried under the sand Abraxas picks up the tablet and hands it to me “ next time be sure to stow your things away wrapping things up just doesn’t cut it,” he scolds taking the tablet and looking down upon it I see a mixture of hieroglyphs and runes “ take care reading this on our journey we will begin your lessons once you complete your task get some rest we leave at mid day” I look up from the tablet towards the sun so high in the sky, I guess taking a nap would be best I’ve been feeling tired and worn out looking around I see some of the men eating and decide a snack is in order before I pass out .

So far I’ve been running on autopilot reacting more then actually making decisions I thought while nibbling on the bread I snagged the foods available were made in a primitive fashion, I’ve been easdropping on conversations and from what I can tell either they are great actors or I’m in ancient Egypt they’ve been speaking about the completion of the final pyramid for pharaoh khafu, being on the Giza plateau meant the pyramids of Giza I wasn’t sure how far back I am but I new technology was a bust in my lifetime, at least there’s some sort of magic or powers I guess I’ll find out when I’m done reading the hieroglyphs, I see Abraxas talking to Adom the man who met us at the river he’s also a magic user saw him mumbling and a fire looted instinct existance for the men to cook with, he was Abraxas right hand man by asking small misleading questions here and there I learned that I’ve been with these people for four years being taught and raised to serve pharaoh khufu which in these times was a great honor I was born a slave so my options were limited.

But being taught magic seemed like a silver lining, I wore no chains the soldiers respected me well put up with me my station as a apprentice was favorable in these times, tossing the last piece of bread into my mouth I stand and make my way to my tent on the outskirts of the camp, which in the beginning seemed odd but made sense I was a slave before I became a apprentice so my place amongst the group had skyrocketed I would be getting better accommodations from here on. Lifting the linen flap I enter my tent looking once more at the shoddy craftsmanship linen every thing so far what I would give for a fantasyland world wear woman wore armor for sex appeal instead of protection, I chuckle instead I get historical accuracy and a sausage fest. Rolling my wardrobe of linen up into a pillow I use the rest to try to barricade the entry from any desert critters scorpions are a definite problem and I’m not sure if those beetles from the mummy are real but I don’t want to find out, curling up to my misshaped pillow I nod off into dreamland.

Swirls I think..circles no…. a cycle staring at the swirling abyss I try to see if I can make out its source only seeing more darkness its truly unnerving it’s just empty, finally looking around the strange landscape streaks that are reminiscent of lightning run through

The sky and pulse in the ground. The last thing I remember was going to sleep in Egypt and now I find my self here a grey world with a familiar feel that i’m certain I’ve never seen, a oasis full of lush vegetation surrounding the pond al except a clear walkway that’s large enough for one to pass through and above that a swirling mass of darkness suspended there like a tear in reality, I’m in a dreamworld and I’m sure I can’t leave until I fulfill a purpose, enough movie and book plots make this situation dreadfully obvious I sigh making my way to the oasis as I pass the opening trail bordered by thick vegetation I can notice the pulsing underfoot turns into hum and I can feel the ground begin to vibrate the streaks in the sky flashing faster like a strobe light, guess I was on the right path continue as both the ground have become chaotic step by step,Crack!! Creak!!

Somethings happening behind me I keep walking Boom!! I hear the sky roar as the streaks become lightning striking in the background, fearing what’s happening to the ground I pick up my pace wanting to be at the pond, once I reach the water the world goes quiet silence reigns for a while. Looking behind me to see what was happening and I see the earth ravaged, looking at my own personal Grand Canyon I see Lightning streaking the apocalyptic hellscape. Standing at the ravines edge I kick a rock into the its maw waiting for it to reach the bottom, minutes go by and still no drop well I guess this truly the point of no return. Returning to the oasis I look into the waters surface, and nothing it’s just water and all I see is my reflection.

Taking a knee I close the distance between me and the waters surface and try to peer beyond it, still I see nothing just my reflection and water, personally I had my issues with bodies of water but

Sitting here for what felt like years was killing me so I reach out

And to disturb the waters Surface, as my fingers brush the surface causing little ripples with no change I decide there’s nothing lurking beneath, oh how wrong was I.

The moment I relaxed a hand broke through the waters clasping on to my wrist, “Christ” I shouted as I tried to scramble back way from the water to no avail, whoever had me was pulling me in and my struggle was in no way hindering them. The moment my feet entered the oasis another hand grabbed my leg pulling me further below the waters depth, using my last hand I put up a pitiful defense, honestly I the I should feel as one of my recurring nightmares played out with me as it’s victim, I should be bawling like a baby with snot hanging from my nose, I was terrified and the worst part was I couldn’t feel the emotions I just knew how I felt in this dream world my mind was my own enemy and it knew this was meant to be.

Nearly fully submerged I take my last look at the sky as my face sinks beneath the surface, bleak I thought the world seemed bleak. A child with his mother she’s given birth to a girl and the fathers nowhere around, the boys life is full of constant strife he’s a slave as is his mother but his baby sister is no longer a slave her father comes and collects his spawn there’s a small joy to be had in that she will know a better life. The boy is five he’s found by a court magi playing tricks on the guards says the boy has potential and takes him away from his mother. Abraxas teaches the boy how to read, write and everything he’s learned on his travels the boy learns fast nothing is beyond his comprehension, Abraxas begins decides its time to truly begin their lessons. The boy grew under his masters constant watch and learned all he could, his skill in the arcane left much to be desired but his eagerness to learn pleased his master but the boy always remembers that his mother was alone and his family never far from thought.

Abraxas tells him it’s time for his ritual awakening into the court, the ritual will take place during their journey to begin the conclave a meeting of foreign magi from lands hidden from their prospective rulers,

Fearing unneeded conflict the magi will discuss a coming event. The boys his chance to escape his master and see his mother one last time, as Abraxas leads the boy to the river he has him vow to forsake his past and give his all to serve the pharaoh and those to come, the boy lies and says his vow the magic takes its toll on his spiritual body vows cannot be uttered without consequence. The boy dies and lays there in the river, Abraxas takes this as a sign of disloyalty and begins to leave the body, as it sinks into the river he hears back to shore disappointment clear on his face years wasted he would have to begin anew only to be stopped by a disturbance in the water, the boy has awakened but his eyes are closed Abraxas rushes to his aid when the boys eyes finally open and I awaken in my tent I was the boy.