A child as young as 5, Feared of being weak. He lost his mother, His dreams, his ambitions in one sweep.

He wants to become stronger, But he can't do it alone. In those who cheered him on, Menes saw the new generation: Soldiers, commanders, Generals, and leaders alike.

What will this new power bring to light?

Lightning⚡ A New Power of The Chronotex

In the palace chambers, the injured were receiving. Jack Sterling, bearing the most severe injuries, was confined to his room.

Gradually, Jack's eyes fluttered open, consciousness returning in sluggish waves. At first, his vision was a hazy blend of orange and red, softly illuminated by candlelight. The faint sound of cloth being dipped in water reached his ears.

As his senses slowly rekindled, Jack propped himself up, his gaze falling upon a familiar figure. Seraphina Aurelia, the woman he had encountered at the queen's gathering, stood before him. Her long, golden tresses cascaded down her back, framing a pair of captivating deep blue eyes, set against a backdrop of fair, radiant skin.

Outside the window, the sky had adopted a dusky blue hue. The window was open, allowing a cool, invigorating breeze to sweep into the room. The curtains swayed gently in response to the whims of the wind.

Meanwhile, Ramon was engrossed in inspecting Jack's collection of books. He stood by the bookshelf, scratching his head in contemplation. Kamil and Kasib were engaged in a game of Senet at a wooden table. With the chairs flipped to face opposite directions, they leaned back against the chair-backs, each absorbed in their own pursuit. Kamil was engrossed in a book, while Kasib carefully weighed his options for the next move in the game.

Jack rose from his bed with a calm demeanour, reassuring those in the room. Ramon, visibly relieved, hurried towards Jack, placing the open book swiftly back on the shelf. "You're finally awake! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Jack replied with a smile, examining his bandaged arms and back. Seraphina, busy with a cloth and a bowl of water, assured him, "You'll be alright by tomorrow."

Jack thanked Seraphina warmly for her care. Kamil chimed in, "You were in good hands, Jack. She's one of the best-educated doctors."

Ramon, curious, asked Seraphina about her specialization. "You usually treat women, not men. So, why did you help Jack?" he inquired, trying to piece together the connection.

Seraphina, unperturbed, picked up her bag and playfully tossed the damp towel at Ramon, replying, "For a doctor, there's no difference in their patients, especially if the patient has saved many lives," she said, her eyes on Jack. She then added, "I have to go pick up my brother from the port," before leaving the room.

As Seraphina exited, Ramon, removing the towel from his face, commented in a slightly weary tone, "I guess she'll never change."

"Hey Ramon, I thought she didn't have any siblings," Jack asked, visibly surprised.

"It's a long story," Ramon mumbled.

"I'll tell you," Kamil chimed in, then went on to explain, "So, Seraphina's father is Egyptian and her mother is from Greece. However, before her mother passed away, she took in a boy named Alphonse. Hence, her brother, Alphonse Aurelia. I must say, he's a very educated man. He finished his studies in Greece and is coming back now."

"I see," Jack mumbled, taking in the information.

"Hey guys, I think we're getting late for the ceremony," Kamil reminded the group.

Ramon, slightly shocked, replied, "Oh yeah, let's go."

"Oh yeah, Khonsu is participating in it, right?" Jack inquired.

"Yes," they all replied. Jack then slowly rose from his bed, grabbing his brown coat, and made his way outside to go to the ceremony hall.

ceremony hall

The group stealthily entered the ceremony hall through one of its secret entrances, not properly attired for a front entrance.

They emerged through a hidden door crafted from wood, blending seamlessly with the ceremony taking place. The hall itself boasted pristine white walls, adorned with specks of gold in every nook and cranny.

The space spanned two floors, and Jack, Kasib, Kamil, and Ramon found themselves on the second level. The hall was a marvel of intricate designs, from candle holders shaped like lions to statues of past pharaohs and divine idols. These were fashioned from some of the most valuable materials: gold, crystals, and more.

"Let's head up front," suggested Ramon, striding confidently toward the viewing section on the second floor, eager to get a clearer view of the proceedings below. The others followed suit.

At the front of the second floor, a series of white railings ensured the safety of those peering over. The group held on tightly, gazing down below. A long, red carpet, lined with gold, ran straight down the centre, flanked by candles. Alongside it stood the nobles, a distinguished assembly.

At the carpet's end sat the queen's throne, a grand seat of red cushions. Just in front, on a silk cushion atop a finely crafted stone pillar, rested the Chronotex.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Let the ceremony commence!" Queen Nefetari commanded, lowering herself onto her regal throne.

The thick metal doors of the ceremony hall groaned open, heralding the entry of the chosen soldiers. They marched in single file towards the Chronotex.

Among the five chosen soldiers, Khonsu stood tall. The first soldier, well-built and clad in formidable armour, exuded strength. The second soldier, equally sturdy but in even heavier armour, carried a sword strapped to his back and wielded a rectangular shield adorned with serpent designs.

The third and fourth soldiers, in contrast, donned traditional clothing, their black thobes of the highest quality.

Khonsu, on the other hand, stuck to his usual attire.

Kamil couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment. "This guy, he always misses the main thing, even the point of them," he muttered.

Jack inquired, "Why?"

"Just look at what he's wearing. He could have at least tried to look good, like those two soldiers in thobes. They made an effort," Kamil explained.

"I think all of them have a lost sense of fashion," Kasib chimed in, casually snacking on some nuts from a waiter's tray.

The nobles couldn't help but gossip among themselves, whispering with disdain about Khonsu.

"Look at that boy, isn't he one of the royal guards?" one woman whispered.

"Uhh, he looks awful. He's like one of my slaves. How was he allowed entry into this ceremony?" they murmured.

"I bet the first soldier will get it." "No, I think it will be the second... and the third," they speculated in hushed tones.

"Go ahead," the queen commanded the first soldier, who began his approach towards the Chronotex.

With each step, the audience held their breath, praying it would be him. The soldier's hand reached out, touching the Chronotex. The audience waited, breathless.

But nothing happened. The soldier respectfully withdrew his hand.

"Next one, you go," the queen commanded.

The second soldier advanced to the stage. The crowd cheered him on, but still, the Chronotex remained unresponsive.

"Please God, just this once," Khonsu whispered in his head. "I am weak, I need to be stronger. I can't let the same things happen again," he repeated, a quiet plea echoing in his mind as he looked up at the group on the second floor, who were joyfully waving back at him.

In that moment, Khonsu's thoughts slipped back to a memory from his childhood.

At five, he sat on his mother's lap, engrossed in play with a wooden toy. His mother's voice, sweet and gentle, called him.

"Yes, Mother?" Khonsu looked up, his eyes bright.

She paused for a moment; her voice full of tenderness. "Go outside and play." Her smile was both warm and pained.

Khonsu got up and replied, "Okay, Mother," heading outside with laughter in his heart.

After a while, the sun began to set, but it wasn't fully night. Khonsu felt his stomach rumble as he rubbed it. "I'm going to go back and eat some Kunafa," he mumbled as he started to run towards his home.

Khonsu's home was secluded from the town where he was playing. It was just a few minutes' walk away. However, he had no neighbours, as his house was the only one outside the town area, where no one regularly travelled.

Khonsu walked inside, his joyful smile and hunger etched on his face. He called out, "Mother, I'm home."

"Kha, kha, kha," Khonsu saw his mother on the floor against the wall, bleeding. Her hair was all messed up, in a state of shock, crying. Her tears poured out of her eyes, disappearing before they even reached her chin as she kept wiping them away.

In front of his vulnerable and harmed mother stood Khonsu's father with a long wooden stick in his hand, which was drenched and soaking in blood.

Khonsu's father lifted the wooden stick for another blow to hit Khonsu's mother. However, before he did, Khonsu ran towards his mother, standing in front of her, spreading his arms, shouting, "Don't do it, or else!" His breath became heavy. His mother lifted her hands and placed them on Khonsu, saying, "It's okay, Khonsu. Go away, or you will get hurt."

Khonsu, driven by a fierce determination to protect his mother, refused to back down, even though he was still weak...

Thump! Khonsu's father struck him with the wooden stick, sending Khonsu hurtling towards the wall, far from his mother. The force of the blow propelled him to the left side of the room.

As Khonsu lay on the floor, weakened and unable to move, he called out for his mother. His eyes slowly began to close from the impact to his head. Just before they shut, he caught a glimpse of the worry in his mother's eyes.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the room into pitch-black darkness. The only illumination came from the pale light of the moon. Silence enveloped the room. Khonsu gradually reopened his eyes. Time had passed. He realized he was lying on something soft. He looked down to see that he was resting on his mother's lap.

Feeling a mix of embarrassment and determination, Khonsu gazed at the window, where the moon's white light filtered through. He spoke to his mother, saying, "I'm sorry, Mother. I couldn't do anything. I was weak. But don't worry. One day, I will be so strong that I'll defend everyone I love, especially you. When I join the army, I'll buy us a house close to the city, near Thebes. Just you and me. We'll have enough money for food and won't have to worry." He explained his ambitions and dreams. "What do you think, Mother?" Khonsu called out, hoping for a reply.

"Mother," he called again, this time rolling his head to the side to look at her. But Khonsu was met with a sight that would forever haunt him: the lifeless, soulless body of his mother, cradling him in her lap. Her skin was growing cold, taking on a bluish tint.

The piercing sound of Khonsu's scream echoed through the room. He staggered away from his mother's lifeless form, his eyes wide with terror. On the opposite end of the room, his father's lifeless body lay in a pool of crimson, his neck gruesomely severed.

Khonsu's breaths came in panicked gasps. The scene before him was a nightmare, a twisted reality he couldn't comprehend. His mother, the one who had always protected him, now lay in a pool of her own blood, a knife cruelly discarded nearby.

"Mother! Mother!" Khonsu's cries filled the room, desperate and filled with anguish.

In those heart-wrenching moments, the world had shattered for Khonsu. At just five years old, he was left alone, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of his parents. He fled from the room, tears streaming down his face, his small voice carrying his pain and fear into the night. He called for his mother, but there was no answer. In the span of a few heartbeats, his entire world had crumbled.

From that moment on, Khonsu carried the weight of that night, haunted by the memory of his own powerlessness. He would forever see himself as a weak man.

Khonsu stepped forward, determination etched in every stride, heading towards the constellation of stars that marked his path to the Chronotex.

"I'll get it this time. Mother, I'll become strong, just like I promised," he whispered to himself, the memory of his mother's encouragement still vivid.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence, echoing through the hall. Khonsu's eyes widened, searching the room, but it was as if time itself had paused. "Khonsu, you can't do it alone," the voice reassured, a hand gently resting on his shoulder.

Then, there she was, his mother, radiant like a golden sunrise. She spoke again, her words a soothing balm to his soul. "Khonsu, you're not weak. You are strong. Don't worry about me; I'll be just fine. You have friends now, good people. Make sure to protect them. Everything will be alright," she said, fading into clusters of light.

"Khonsu! You'll get it!" a powerful voice boomed. It was Alfonse Aurelia, the same man who had arrived to Thebes just today. Khonsu's heart swelled with gratitude. Beside Alfonse stood Seraphina, her eyes shining with pride and support. The rest of the group joined in, their cheers echoing through the hall, a chorus of encouragement.

"Khonsu! Khonsu!" The chant grew stronger, soldiers and civilians alike rallying behind him. The nobles, however, remained aloof, except for Mr. Aurelia, Alfonse's father, who watched with a subtle smile.

Menes stood in the shadows, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. Leaning casually against a pillar, a small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He saw more than just a ceremony; he saw the emergence of a new era, a generation of soldiers and commanders with a different kind of strength.

In that moment, Khonsu understood the true power of unity. He couldn't have come this far without these people, and he couldn't achieve his dreams alone.

With a final surge of determination, Khonsu reached out and touched the Chronotex.

Nothing happened immediately. Just as disappointment began to creep in, a blinding white light burst forth from the Chronotex, accompanied by a rush of wind that sent nobles' hats scattering.

A kaleidoscope of colours spilled forth from the Chronotex, cascading like a vibrant waterfall into the room. It was a mesmerizing display, a vivid testament to the power contained within. The air crackled with energy, and a sudden rush of wind swept through, carrying with it a sense of both anticipation and wonder.

In the midst of this cosmic dance, Khonsu felt a peculiar sensation, as though he was lying down, yet suspended in an ethereal expanse. New knowledge surged through him, like a torrent of revelations about electricity and lightning, concepts he'd never encountered before. It was as though the universe itself was whispering its secrets directly into his soul.

He looked around, but there was nothing to see, only an abyss of unending darkness, devoid of physical form. It was a realm beyond comprehension, where existence seemed to blur and dissolve.

Abruptly, a distant light flickered, growing brighter, drawing Khonsu towards it. With a jolt, he snapped back to reality, clutching the Chronotex tightly.

The queen's voice broke through, curious and expectant. "So, what is your power, Khonsu?

Khonsu's grip on the Chronotex tightened, and he declared with a proud smile, "My power is the essence of lightning, the very electricity that courses through the world."

His gaze met Jack's, a glint of newfound purpose shining in his eyes.