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Merwet eyed the white limestone pillars and the granite floors. Her eyes flicked up towards the nobles drinking pomegranate wine and eating figs, cheese, and cakes sweetened with dates and honey. The chatter from the feast hummed down every corridor leading away from the banquet hall. Merwet stood in the shadows with her arms crossed over her chest. She evaluated the room- where she would dance, how close to the throne, the number of guards surrounding Aknadin. She had one chance, and if she failed, she'd be impaled on a pike and her soul would be damned. Things had to go just so.They announced her to the acting Pharaoh, Aknadin, and she strolled to the center of the hall and walked into the light of the lamps and dropped to the ground. She prostrated herself against the floor and kissed the granite. It was bitter against her lips. That she bowed low to this vile false-king was unforgivable, but she only had one chance to make things right for the entire kingdom, so she swallowed her pride, played the part of the pretty slave girl, and allowed one of the other dancers to blindfold her.They gave her a sword bound in gilded and jeweled ribbons. She'd requested a naked blade, but the priests refused. For her safety, she’d been told, but she knew it was to protect Aknadin from would-be assassins- like herself. No matter, she’d bound the ribbons herself, and a specific pull would free her blade when the time was right.The music filled the air and the noble chatter stilled. Merwet rolled her stomach, poised like a cobra ready to strike. The black wig hiding her honeyed hair was thick and heavy and a burden on her neck, but she kept her spine straight as she started to curve her hips back into a figure eight. She shimmied, twirling the sword around her body. Merwet enjoyed the dance. The sheer control she had of her own body as she shook her shoulders and then rolled from her chest to her belly. She balanced the sword on her head, freeing her hands to move with the rest of the body. She sank to the floor again, not to humiliate herself in front of the mock-Pharaoh, but as a demonstration of her strength and agility. The sword held in place- her balance perfect as she knelt and swayed her arms like copper snakes. The translucent linen draped across her body clung to her from the sweat of her dance, but that was part of the distraction. She didn’t need to remove the blindfold to know that the guards would be staring with slack jaws as she rose back to her feet and gave another roll of her body.She took the sword from her head and twirled it. Merwet leaned back to avoid her own swing then flipped and spun, preparing for the grand finale. She spun, spun, spun on her toes with the sword always twirling, always mesmerizing her audience. Then the music slowed, winding down as the song reached its end. Swiveling her hips, Merwet held the sword in flat palms as if presenting it to the Pharaoh. It was a gesture to honor him, but as the last notes sang through the air, Merwet stepped back, tugging at her lead ribbon and causing the jewels and gold to flutter away from the sword’s sharp edge.She leapt into the air, blind, but that’s why she had memorized the layout before the dance. Mid air, Merwet ripped the blindfold from her face so she could aim right for Aknadin’s heart- she would not leave anything for Annubis to weigh. Everything was just so as she flew towards her mark.However, before the sword could sink into the imposter-pharaoh’s flesh, Merwet stopped. She did not choose to stop, in fact could not have chosen to stop with all her weight and momentum hurdling towards her mark. Nonetheless she froze mid-air, breaths away from her target and unable to reach it.“Thank you, Mahad,” Aknadin said as an oily grin spread across his face.“My Pharaoh.” The magician bowed.Magic, Merwet realized. Her plans, her skills, her only chance to free a kingdom, all destroyed because a single mage could freeze a person mid-air. Merwet ground her teeth. She did not fear death. She did not fear oblivion, but the fact that she had failed in her mission was unbearable. The family she'd lost, the women currently suffering as slaves because of the color of their hair, the future girls stolen from their mother’s arms for the same reason- she had gambled her soul to avenge and save them… and she had failed.“It was a brave attempt.” Aknadin continued to grin. “Yet foolish. The gods protect the just and punish the wicked. Likewise, I have been protected,” the smile widened by the slightest margin, “and you will be impaled at dawn.” He turned to one of the priests standing near his throne. “And great thanks to our loyal sister, Isis, for warning us of this traitor’s foul murder attempt in advance.”The woman, Isis, bowed. “I was only performing my duty to the throne, my pharaoh.”“You I hate more than any of the others.” Merwet spat at the priestess’s feet, unable to do anything else as she hung suspended in the air. “You must know why I’m fighting, and yet you serve a slaver who is not our king!”Shocked gasps filled the room. Everyone knew that Aknadin was only acting as regent. For the young boy’s safety, it’d been said, but Merwet suspected that the true pharaoh would never reach a safe age as long as Aknadin controlled the kingdom.“You will grow to love the king,” Isis spoke with her head bowed and her fingers laced together. She looked up at Merwet with a strange, desperate look in her blue eyes. “This is the prophecy I give you.”“Never.” Merwet spat again, at the priestess and at her prophecy.“Take this blasphemous assassin away from my sight!” Aknadin shouted.He did not like others mentioning the true pharaoh. People disappeared when they spoke too often of him, but Merwet was already damned so she screamed.“You’re a false god! The country suffers each day you rule! If the gods valued any justice they’d send a plague to kill you-”The guards pulled her down and punched in in the jaw. Her head jerked to the side. She tried to fight, but three soldiers restrained her and dragged her across the polished granite floor towards the dungeons.“If she says a single word more, cut out her tongue, but keep her alive until dawn. I want the entire city to see what happens to blasphemers that would dare attack me.” Aknadin gestured for the guards to remove Merwet from the banquet.She clenched her teeth, so hard she felt that they might crack, but she didn’t curse the guards as they dragged her. Even when they pulled her down the stairs and bruised her limbs and hips, she kept silent. She did not want to lose her tongue. She’d hold in every curse and sharp remark until the stake pierced her body, and then she’d wail out a curse on Aknadin with her last breaths. She dragged her feet, and kicked out, and made their job as difficult as she could, but she did not speak.They threw her into a cell and left her in the dark. Merwet growled, clawing at the rough stone floor. She hated the dark. The priestesses at her temple kept her and the other honeyed-haired girls underground in small cellars so the slavers couldn’t find them. The cruelty had saved her from getting driven like cattle to another land to be some foreign king’s bed slave, but even now the darkness felt like hands choking her.She wept bitter, bitter tears as the night stretched on. She couldn’t judge the passing of time in the dark, didn’t know how long she had until morning and her death. The tears burned her face and brought her a fever. If the gods were kind, they’d let the fever take her life before dawn, but Merwet didn’t trust in the kindness of the gods.Torchlight cast eerie orange light against the stones. Merwet smeared the tears away from her cheeks and pushed herself to her feet, vowing to meet her death with rage and hatred instead of fear.Instead of a guard, Merwet saw a figure in a blood-red cloak. She glared at the figure creeping through the dungeon with a torch in hand.“What’s this? These dungeons were empty this morning.” The stranger laughed. “What could you have possibly done to get thrown in here, pretty as you are?”Merwet couldn’t see the entire face below the hood, but the smirk on the stranger’s face irritated her. Nevertheless, she forced herself to stay composed. Merwet thought the stranger might be a way out of the palace.“You’re not a guard or a priest, could you be a thief?”“Not just any thief. I’m the King of Thieves. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” They bowed low, mocking Merwet. “Now, if you excuse me, I have business to attend to.”“Prove it. Prove that you’re that thief and not some imposter. If you were the King of Thieves, you could break me out of this cell with hardly any effort, right?”“True. I could.” His smirked grew. “But why would I? You’d slow me down, and maybe even alert the guards to my presence- you’ve been caught once tonight already.”“The priestess saw my plans in a vision, otherwise I would not be caught,” Merwet snapped. “But look, I’ll make it worth your while.” She started plucking pins from her hair. “Free me and as soon as we’re out of the palace, I’ll give you a kiss.”“Ho ho!” The Thief King laughed. “What a tempting prize! If I were here to steal some baubles or trinkets or even an entire bag of treasure, I wouldn’t be able to resist you. Unfortunately I’m here for something more important.”“And what is that?” Merwet asked, pulling down the wig from her head.“Vengeance. I want Aknadin’s throat- hello, what do we have here?” The thief stopped their speech when they noticed Merwet’s golden hair spilling down her shoulders. “Haven’t seen hair like that since I was a child.”“You know that Kemet is the only land with golden-haired men and women because we are the children of Ra.” Merwet fluffed her hair, noticing the way the thief stared at it. “And you know that Aknadin sells the sun god’s children as slaves because he loves gold more than the sun.” She leaned against the bars, her lotus-colored gaze aimed at the thief. “You want vengeance? So do I. I’m here for pointing a sword at that swine-fucker. The only reason he still breathes is because Isis foretold my assassination attempt and Mahad had a spell ready to stop me.”“Hmmm…” The Thief King stroked his chin. “Very well. I’ll free you. You can hold Aknadin down as I slit his throat, but I’m warning you, if you do anything to compromise my own vengeance, I’ll either leave you for the guards or kill you myself.”“Don’t be so cocky. Isis may have already warned them that you’re here.”“No.” The Thief King smiled again. “Her powers come from the Tauk, and none of the Millennium Items would ever betray me.”“You sound confident. Is there something about you I should know?”“You’re already talking too much. Quiet, or I’ll leave you in this cage after all.”The thief produced two long wires from his sleeve and worked the lock until Merwet heard a click. The door swung backward and she was free.“Thank you,” Merwet said.“Where’s my kiss?” The thief asked.“You’re not done earning it yet, not until I’m out of the palace.”“You’re the type that cheats at sennett, aren’t you?” The thief snorted. “Better put that wig back on. If we are caught again it’s better you die with me like a thief than be sold as a slave.”“Place it on my head,” Merwet ordered.“I’m not your dressing servant.” The thief snorted.“I can’t see if it’s straight or not. Help me so we can hurry up and go.”She expected another argument, but the thief merely snorted again and situated the wig on Merwet’s head, helping her pin it back in place.“There. You’re a dark-haired beauty once again. Can we go? I’d like to lick Aknadin’s blood from my dagger before the sun strikes the palace walls.”“Sounds better than wine. Let’s go.” Merwet led the thief to the stairs.Merwet watched, with great amusement, as the so-called King of Thieves knocked the guard in the back of the head.“What’s the matter?” she whispered as they marched down the hallway. “Too soft to kill the guards?”“I’ve killed my share,” the thief answered, “but I don’t see the point of killing someone from behind unless it’s necessary.”“Quaint.”“Well, I’m sorry if my quaint thief ways don’t hold up to your ruthless assassin’s standards.”“It’s practical,” she hissed. “Each guard we kill along the way is one less to fight later.”“Then suit yourself.” The thief handed her a dagger. “I’ve always had enough stealth not to have to fight when I don’t want to, but you can’t seem to shut up, so you'd better take this and be prepared.”Merwet took the dagger handle. They hid behind a pillar as two more guards walked past. Merwet and the thief stepped behind them. The thief smacked their guard in the back of the head, but Merwet slit her guard’s throat. She spat on the corpse. They’d been two of the bastards that dragged her downstairs, so after killing the first, she crouched down and plunged her dagger in the second guard’s kidneys.“Was that really necessary?” The thief raised an eyebrow.“This is how I pay back those who hurt me.”She held out the underside of her arm. Fingertip-shaped bruises littered the delicate skin along with scrapes and bruises from being dragged. The thief reached out, brushing his own fingers against her skin.“I did not know. We’ll kill every we come across, then.”“Thank you.” Merwet cleaned her blade and stood up.They made their way through the maze of hallways. Merwet glanced out the windows, trying to discern the time and how long she’d been imprisoned. By the stars peeking above the palace walls outside, Merwet figured it was an hour or so before dawn. They needed to hurry.“This way,” the thief whispered and dashed left.Merwet followed, but the distinct sound of Mahad speaking echoed down the hallway. She grabbed the thief’s red cloak.“That’s priest Mahad. He’s too strong, we should hide.” She pulled the thief into the closest room.“I could have handled it without hiding.” The thief frowned.“He’s too strong. I was keeping us out of trouble,” Merwet argued.“I’m not afraid of any of the priests, and you’re supposed to be staying out of my way, remember? Not dragging me around.”“Well excuse me for trying to save your life, you ungrateful bastar-”“Excuse me?” A third voice, soft and meek, called out. “Who’s there?”“Fuck. Look, you pulled us into an occupied room.” The thief groaned. “Now we have to kill them.”They marched into the main bed chapter and gasped in union at what they saw. The bed itself was extravagant, carved from wood instead of stone and covered with embroidered drapes of fine linen. A young man sat at the foot of the bed, a collar around his throat. It was gold, and jade, and lapis lazuli, but it was a collar all the same. The gold chain connecting it to the bed did not make it less degrading.“Pharaoh.” Merwet prostrated herself against the rug.She knew it was the Pharaoh- the real Pharaoh. His hair sprayed from his head like a royal crown, gold, onyx, and ruby- Merwet was a child of Ra, but the Pharaoh was the embodiment of Osiris and it showed in the wild hair and deep royal violet eyes.“Stand the fuck up.” The thief pulled Merwet to her feet. “This is no king. This is a boy that can’t stand up to his uncle.” The thief glared at the boy. “Your people starve as Aknadin gets fat. Your people cry beneath the sounds of Aknadin’s dinner banquets. Your children are sold to foreign lands and murdered so Aknadin can stay rich and powerful.” The thief marched forward. “If you’re a god, why don’t you stop him?”“How?” The boy tugged at the chain around his throat. “Maybe I’m a god, but I was only four when my father died. I’ve been locked up in this room ever since.”“Locked up?” Merwet frowned. It felt too much like her own childhood. “This chamber doesn’t even have a window.”“No. It doesn’t.” The young pharaoh frowned. “I remember sunlight though.” He smiled at Merwet. “You remind me of the sun. I see it pouring from you. Could you be a child of Ra?” He glanced at the thief. “And you’re-”“I don’t care, and it’s none of your business.” The thief growled. “You’re lucky I don’t cut your throat, but I don't want to legitimize Aknadin’s claim to the throne, so be a good boy and don’t call for the guards if you want to live.”“Could I have some water?”“I’m not your servant, get your own water!” The thief spoke far too loudly, but when Merwet shhhed him, he glared at her.The Pharaoh stood up and walked to a table where a golden picture sat on an end table. He reached out, but it was clear that the table full of food, water, and wine was just out of his reach.“Why?” Merwet asked.“My uncle only wants me to eat and drink from his hands. He think it’ll make me grateful to him.” The Pharaoh dropped his hand. “He forgets me some days.”“Set’s huge, floppy balls!” The thief groaned, marching to the table and shoving the pitcher into the Pharaoh’s arms along with a plate of bread and honey.“Thank you. I thought the King of Thieves would be cruel, but you’re kinder than you want people to know.” The Pharaoh went back to his bed and sat down to eat and drink.“First, I’m not kind, I just didn’t want to hear you crying. Second, who told you I was the Thief King?”“I just know.” The Pharaoh smiled. “I hear the servants and guards whispering about a red-cloaked thief that steals whatever he wants and whom my uncle can never catch no matter how many guards he sends out. You’re my favorite gossip.”“I am not gossip, and if you’re a bad pharaoh like your uncle, I’ll be your death like I’m about to be his.”“I don’t know what makes a pharaoh good or bad, but I know slavery is wrong, so I promise if you’re successful tonight I’ll abolish it, and I will never deny anyone water because how can I be Pharaoh if I don’t have at least have the manners of a thief?”Merwet laughed. She suspected that the little Pharaoh was being sardonic.“Shut up, both of you.” The thief turned, red billowing out behind him. “Come on. We didn’t come here to chat. We have blood to spill.”“Please, I know my uncle is cruel, but make his death quick.” The Pharaoh shook his head. “I don’t want him to suffer.”“He should suffer at my hands. I’ve suffered at his.”“So you have. I can see it in your posture. You’re hurt and angry. Both of you.” The Pharaoh stood, bowing low. “I can’t erase our sorrow, but I can pay you this small compensation- Atem.”“Is that… your name?” Merwet asked, shocked. Names held great power, and the name of the Pharaoh could evoke the gods’ themselves. It was not something he should tell them, especially them, a thief and an assassin.“Yes.”“You’re a fool.” The thief walked away.Merwet followed the thief. They didn’t hear voices at the door, nor in the hallway when the cracked the door open. They made it all the way down the hall to what should have been Aknadin’s chambers without seeing anymore guards.“Something’s wrong,” Merwet said.“Yes. I’m aware,” the Thief King said.“There should be guards here, especially after I tried to kill him.”“Yes. I’m aware,” the thief repeated, grabbing the door.“Are you crazy? This is clearly a trap.” Merwet tugged the thief’s crimson sleeve.”“I don’t care!” The thief growled. “I’ve come too far to give up now. Turn back if you want, but for me, this door’s the only path.”“Fine.” Merwet balled her fists and jerked away from the thief. “Get us thrown back into prison, see if I care.”“If you don’t like it- leave.”“I can’t trust a thief to do this job. Foolish or not, I’m stuck with you until either Aknadin’s dead or I am.”“Then let’s see what sort of trap is waiting for us behind this door.” The thief pushed into Aknadin’s chambers.

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“You.” Merwet gnashed her teeth together when she saw Priestess Isis standing in the room and waiting for them.“Yes,” the priestess answered.“Impossible.” The thief balled their fists at their sides. “How did you know!”Isis touched the tauk at her throat.“No. That can't be.” The thief shook his head from side to side. His face still hidden beneath a hood. “The Items would never betray me.”“They haven’t, Bakura. Or should I say Thief King?” “They told you my name?” Bakura scowled. “Why?”“So you would trust me, and I need you to trust me. You're my only chance to save Atem's life and he's the only one that can restore Ma'at to the kingdom. We don't have much time, and what I have to say is important.” She gestured to Bakura’s dagger. “If you would, place your knife against my throat so when the soldiers interrupt us it’ll look like you're trying to kill me.” “Gladly.” Bakura marched up to her, fisted her hair, jerked her head back, and nestled the dagger’s edge against Isis’s smooth, flawless skin. “And if I don't like what you have to say, I’ll cut you open- guards or no.”Merwet smirked at the fear she saw in Isis’s eyes.“I’m not your enemy, but we have a common one- Aknadin.”“Kill her. She’s lying,” Merwet said. “She’s the one who told Aknadin about my assassination attempt. He’d already be dead if it wasn't for her.”“Yes, you would have stabbed his heart, but Mahad would use his magic and the dark powers of the Millennium Ring to bring Aknadin back, but he’d be changed, darkened, unstoppable.” Isis closed her eyes, tears rolled down her cheeks. “Mahad was my friend, and we loved the last Pharaoh, but the evil within the Ring was too much for Mahad and he is not the same.” She opened her eyes, pleading with Bakura. “So you’ll have to kill Mahad before you can kill Aknadin. Please, release him from the darkness binding him. Still, alone, you too would succumb to the darkness of the Ring.” Her eyes shifted to Merwet. “Do you understand my prophecy now? You will grow to love the king.” “You think I’m going to fall in love with the King of Thieves? How pathetic!” Merwet laughed.“I am an acquired taste.” The thief chuckled as well. “Bakura, listen. You think your strength is in your anger, but your real power will be your love for her. You need to fight Aknadin together.” The door slammed opened and dozens of guards poured into the chambers, only pausing because of the knife against Isis’s throat.“Dammit!” Bakura swore. “Your scheme worked, witch, you've stalled long enough for the guard to find us, but we've only been stopped for tonight. I. Will. Return.”Bakura grabbed Merwet's hand and ran towards the window. The thief leapt out into the night, pulling Merwet with him. Bakura caught the ledge, they dangled for a moment.“I’m going to drop us into the pond below!” Bakura shouted. “Don’t! You! Dare!” Merwet screamed before they fell.The water stung when she hit it. Darkness and bubbles surrounded her. Merwet held her breath, waiting a moment for her body to right itself so she knew which way was the surface. She felt hands grabbing her and dragging her upward until they broke out of the water and back into the air. “Not my most graceful escape.” The thief laughed. “But we’re alive!” “You moron! Do you have any idea how much this dress costs? These jewels? The wig?”“Blah, blah, blah, I’ll get you new stuff later. Right now, we need to get over the palace walls and out of the city.” The thief set Merwet on the edge of the bank and pulled herself out of the water.“Wait.” Merwet grabbed the scarlet cloak, clinging to Bakura’s wet body and exposing her chest. “You’re not a thief king.” “I’m not a thief king. I’m the Thief King.” She grinned. “Whatever.” Merwet rolled her eyes, but then a shock of white caught her eye and she gasped. The water had also soaked through Bakura’s hood, causing it to slip back. Not only did it reveal Bakura’s round, grinning face with a scar running down her broad cheek, but a chunk of her bangs as well. Merwet reached out, combing through the bit of white in order to make sure it was real.“You’re a child of Thoth,” She said. “I thought you were all dead.”“Fuck.” Bakura jerked away and fixed her hood. She grabbed Merwet’s hand and dragged her through the gardens. “Come on. If the guards find us, we’ll both be dead.” Merwet didn’t argue. They ran to the closest wall. Bakura leapt up, catching the edge and pulling herself up before reaching down to help Merwet. The morning sun tinted everything pink as it crested above the horizon and struck the rooftops. Once they managed to climb down to the streets below, Bakura gestured for Merwet to keep following her. They navigated the maze of streets and alleys until Bakura stopped. “What are you doing?” Merwet hissed behind her. “Shhhh.” Bakura pressed a finger to Merwet’s lips. “Stay here. I’ll be back in five minutes.”Merwet slapped the thief’s hand away. “Why should I trust you?”“Because you still owe me a kiss.” Bakura winked and vanished down the alley. Merwet groaned and leaned against the mud-brick wall behind her. Her body ached from dancing, being dragged, and running all over the palace, and she still didn’t have Aknadin’s head. Getting back into the palace would be a nightmare. The guards would be doubled, and everyone had seen Merwet’s face during the festival banquet. A clop-clop sound made Merwet turn her head and she saw Bakura straddled atop of a horse as bread-brown as Bakura was. The thief extended her hand. “Come on.”Merwet didn’t see any better option than to go with the thief, so she grabbed Bakura’s hand and allowed herself to be pulled up. She wasn’t used to riding bareback, and found herself holding onto Bakura’s waist a little tighter than she meant to. “Relax, you’re making it hard for me to steer.” Merwet didn’t expect it to be easy to get out of the city, but Bakura took a side gate and the guards let them through without so much as a question. They rode as fast as they could press a single horse with two riders, and didn’t stop until they needed to water her. Merwet sat on a rock near the river bank, waiting for the morning sun to dry her clothes as she thought about what she should do next. “It’s been a long night,” Merwet muttered, furious with herself for failing and getting into her current situation. “Really? This is kinda normal for me. Compared to the tombs, the palace is actually easier to break into.” Bakura teased the tall grasses with her fingers, her other hand pressed against the horse’s side. Her red cloak dipped into the river, like blood that pooled around her body and couldn’t wash away. Merwet stared at her for a moment, now that she could get a better view, but she couldn’t see much beneath the red cloak and flax hood. Except that Bakura was short. Much shorter than what a thief king should be. Merwet smiled at herself, wondering if she should bring that to his majesty’s attention. “It won’t be easy next time. After two assassination attempts in one night, Aknadin will be prepared.” Merwet turned away, deciding Bakura wasn’t worth the time to rile up. “Don’t worry. I already have an idea of how I can lure Mahad out of the palace in order to fight him.”“Mahad? You’re not seriously listening to that priestess, are you?” “She knew my name.” Bakura closed her eyes and sighed. “I haven’t heard it since I was a child. If the spirits wanted her to know it, then…” Bakura shook her head, laughing instead of finishing her last sentence. “Don’t worry. I won’t expect you to fall in love with me any time soon. If you want, I can drop you off at the next village.” “I can’t.” Merwet dug her nails into her palms. “I have to find a way back into the castle.”“It’s too soon. You need to lay low until things calm down.” Bakura led the horse away from the river after she’d drank her fill.“I don’t have anywhere else to go.” Merwet crossed her arms over her chest. “Go home.” Bakura shrugged. “I’ll kill Aknadin, so you don’t have to worry about it.”“Ha! You! You didn’t even want to kill the guards.” Bakura spang towards the rock, half climbing it so she could grab Merwet by the throat. “A guard is one thing. He’s just a man with a wife and kids doing his job, but when it comes to Aknadin, don’t you ever doubt the hatred I have for that filth. I will kill him. I will kill him.”Merwet punched Bakura in the gut. The thief stumbled backward, falling on her ass into the mud. Merwet jumped on top of her, holding the sides of the red robe and snarling in her face. “Do not grab my throat.” “Fine. Get off of me.” Bakura bucked up, and Merwet splashed into the muddy water. “What is with you ruining my dress!”“What do you think would have happened had you killed Aknadin? It’d be covered in blood!”“I killed guards, and there wasn’t any blood on it.”“No one gives a fuck about your dress!” Bakura flung her arms up in the air. “Come back to my hideout and I can give you half a dozen dresses worn by literal queens if you want. Fuck, you’re annoying!” “Fine!” Merwet screamed, pushing herself to her feet and trying to scoop as much mud off of herself as she could. “Take me to your filthy thief’s den and give me those damn dresses. I deserve them for putting up with you.” With a growl, Merwet stripped out of the dress, tossed it on the dry side of the bank, and marched into the river to bathe her body. “Do you have to do that now? There’s an oasis closer to where I stay.”“Yes! I have to do it now!” Merwet snapped. She realized she was going to have to remove her wig in order to properly bathe. “You better stand guard while I clean up! I’m not ending up a slave because you pushed me in the mud!” Merwit tossed the wig at Bakura, who caught it on reflex. “Clean that up while you’re at it.”“Fucking gods, who do you think you are? The gods-damned Pharaoh only asked for a drink of water. It’s been a never ending list with you.” Bakura used the tall grass to scrub as much mud out of the wig as she could manage; however, she mocked Merwet the entire time. “Free me from prison. Kill the guards. Don’t kill Mahad, let’s hide in this room. Don’t listen to the priestess. Don’t save our asses from the guards by dropping us in the water.” She rose her pitch to sound more like a reserved noblewoman. “Oh no! My precious little princess dress! I need that to distract men before I murder them.”“Go fuck yourself, Bakura!” Merwet shouted before dipping her head beneath the water. The current was cool as it swirled around her body, puckering her skin and sending shivers down to the pit of her stomach. Merwet popped up for air, flinging her hair back. She felt much better slicked with chilled river water instead of thick river silt. “Um, assassin-”“Don’t talk to me. I’m sick of your mouth. In fact keep quiet until you give me my dresses and I can go-”“Crocodile.” Bakura pointed in Merwet’s direction. “What?” “Crocodile!”“What are you blathering about?” Merwet turned around, but didn’t see anything. Bakura threw down the wig and jumped into the water. She swam to Merwet, scooped her up, and rushed back to the bank, shouting all the while.“Crocodile! I said Crocodile! Did you hit your head? What the fuck do you think it means when you’re in a fucking river and someone screams crocodile at you! It means there’s a Sobek-damned crocodile in the river!” “Where?” Merwet looked back towards the river the moment Bakura set her down onto her feet. “Gods, really? Can’t you see?” Bakura grabbed a stone and tossed it into the river. As it plunked beneath the surface- a jaw opened and snapped. Merwet jerked on reflex. She hadn’t seen it, but it had been far too close to her. Merwet felt her face flush with a mixture of fury and embarrassment. She bit the inside of her cheek and crossed her arms over her chest. She held her breath for a moment, composing herself enough not to scream all her internal anger out at Bakura. “You… saved me.”“Yeah, again. You’re welcome.”“I, yeah, thank you.”“Eh, it’s no big deal. She was probably easier to see from the bank than actually in the water.” Bakura grinned, scratching the back of her head. “I fucked up your wig again. It’s somewhere in the mud.”“Of course.” “Don’t worry. We’re not going to see any guards where we’re going.”“What about your hood?” Merwet snorted. “You’re still hiding your hair.” “Fine.” Bakura pulled her hood away. Bakura’s silver-white hair only fell down shoulder length, and it framed her face in a wild mess of uneven ends that looked self-cut at random. Merwet realized her eyes were bright silver, just a touch darker than her hair, both looked like moonlight. “You really are a child of Thoth,” Merwet whispered. “Yes, you’re the sun,” Bakura shrugged, “and I’m the moon.” “Then it’s no secret why you want Aknadin dead.”“True, my entire village was razed to the ground, but we weren’t like the others. He didn’t simply kill my people. He…” Bakura shut her eyes, held her breath, he body tensed with rage- a rage that Merwet understood above all other emotions. “He, personally, along with two other mages, melted them down with gold and created the Millennium Items.” “Gods,” Merwet whispered. “That was the night Pharaoh Aknamkanon died. It couldn’t have been an accident.”“Of course not. The Pharaoh dies under mysterious circumstances, and then Aknadin happens to appear with seven magical Items ‘to protect Egypt until the young Pharaoh is ready.’ He’s only keeping Atem alive to keep the people from revolting, but it won’t work forever. We both saw him, he’s all but a man already, and soon it’ll be time for Aknadin to arrange an accident for the boy. Atem, along with the rest of Kemet, is doomed unless we manage to kill that bastard.” “Look.” Merwet dug her toes into the sand. “I still don’t trust that priestess, but… I could help you kill Aknadin. Perhaps we’ll be more successful together. I’m efficient with every weapon from Greece to Nubia. I know poisons as well as medicines, and I hate Aknadin as much as you.” “Okay. Let’s go then.” Bakura jumped onto her horse.“Okay? Just like that? You’re just going to trust me?”“Are you getting on the horse or what?” Bakura asked. “Is it because you believe in the priestess’s prophesy?” Merwet narrowed her eyes. “Haha, oh right. You’re going to be the force that tempers my heart away from hatred and protects me from the evil of the Ring? No, I think the priestess meant well, but misinterpreted whatever vision she saw. That doesn’t change the fact that I’ve seen you cut a throat and I know you’re telling the truth when you say you know your way around a spear as well as a sword, and that’s good enough for me. So come on, partner. The sun’s getting hot and I want to bathe in the oasis- where there aren't crocodiles, and I can relax.” Bakura shrugged out of her cloak, folding it behind her like a saddle blanket so that Merwet had something to sit on while naked. She mounted the horse and they rode out into the desert. Without the cloak, Bakura only wore a shenti, and Merwet’s eyes traced the shape of Bakura's muscles. Short she may have been, but Bakura had the body of a brawler, and Merwet wondered which one of them would win if the two of them fought. Perhaps Bakura would spar with her so they could find out. It took three hours of riding before they reached a stretch of verdant green defying the pale yellow of the desert sand. Merwet caught the glittering surface of water through a line of fig trees, and yearned for the chance to cool her baking skin. They stopped and allowed the horse to graze. Bakura took her cloak and shenti and washed them in the water, spreading them out on stones to dry as she bathed. “You haven’t told me your name.” Bakura scrubbed dried mud off of her brown shoulders. “Hmph, should I tell a thief my name?” Merwet teased as she strolled deeper into the water. “You know mine.” “Yes, and that puts me at an advantage.” “Fine, I’ll call you Kebi.” “My name’s Merwet,” she said. “That’s pretty.” Bakura smiled and spoke in a quiet voice, and Merwet felt somehow disarmed by the thief’s expression and tone. “So’s Bakura.” Merwet shrugged. “Heh, thanks.” The thief’s smile grew a little, and it made Merwet feel giddy. “Hey, Bakura?” Merwet asked as she crept closer to the thief. “Yeah?” Bakura asked, distracted as she rinsed the last of the mud from her skin. Merwet answered by pushing a great splash of water that fanned out and smacked Bakura in the face. She laughed, splashing her a second and third time. Bakura raised up her arms to shield her eyes, shrieking in surprise as the water hit her. Merwet stopped a moment, holding her stomach in laughter at Bakura’s perturbed scowl. “Remember you started this war, so don’t expect-” Bakura wiped the water away from her face, “-me to show you any mercy.” They both grinned at each other, and then at the same time smacked the water, sending waves of glittery droplets at each other’s faces.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Bakura laughed and shrieked as they continued to splash one another. When she grew breathless, and her arms were tired, and she was going to throw herself at the assassin's mercy, Merwet lunged at Bakura, driving them both into the water.Before Bakura could push up for air, Merwet sealed their lips together. They broke the surface of the water at the same time, a white lotus and a blue lotus. Merwet wrapped her arms around Bakura's neck, refusing to break the kiss.Bakura held Merwet's waist. Then she pulled her closer so that their bodies pressed flush together. She rose up onto her toes, leaned in, and put the entirety of herself into the single, lingering moment of the kiss. She only pulled away to pant for air. “So, Thief King, was that the sort of kiss that you wanted when you agreed to free me?” Instead of answering, Bakura tried to lean up for another, but Merwet laughed and swam out of reach.“You haven't earned more than the one. Let's see these dresses you've promised, and if I like them, I might kiss you again to thank you.” Bakura groaned and sank into the water up to her chin. “Pouting is unbecoming of a king!” Merwet shouted from the other end of the pool.“I'm not pouting!” Bakura insisted, but she was quite flustered.As the king of thieves, Bakura knew luxuries that most people only heard stories about. She had plenty of gold, jewels, wine, perfume, and other such niceties, but touch? Touch was a luxury that could kill her. White hair meant death in Aknadin’s Kemet, and any number of starving people would sell Bakura's life for a single loaf of bread. Thus, Bakura always hid behind wigs and hoods, and never took a lover to bed, although plenty of women found her attractive. But Merwet was a child of Ra. Her people suffered perhaps a worse fate- slavery instead of death. She was one of the few people in all of Egypt that Bakura thought might be trustworthy. And the kiss had set fire to Bakura, a spark in a field of dry wheat. She licked her lips, longing for another moment to press against Merwet's body, and then swam to the shore, knowing that it wasn't going to happen unless Merwet had another whim. Bakura stretched her limbs out wide in every direction and allowed the sun to dry her body. She dozed in the sunlight for a few minutes until she felt Merwet lay beside her.“I'm descended from Ra, but I never got to see the sun. They hid me like shame beneath the ground of their temple. I knew it was so the guards couldn't find me, but I still hated them for it. How is living underground different than slavery?”“I can't imagine,” Bakura said. She’d had her share of hardships, but she'd always been free. “Hungry?”“I suppose.” Merwet sighed. “Stay there. Enjoy the sun.” Bakura pushed up and grabbed her shenti, using it like a basket to gather figs. She sat back down besides Merwet and twisted the stem off of a ripe fig, shoving it whole into Merwet’s mouth. Merwet made a protesting sound when the food was crammed into her mouth, and Bakura laughed as she shoved a second one into her own mouth. “Why death?” Merwet sat up so she could swallow her food. “Surely white haired girls would make for pretty bed slaves just like golden haired ones. Well, maybe not you. You’re a scrappy dog, but others surely.” “Yes, definately not me.” Bakura flashed a dark grin at Merwet. “I would show a nobel how to fuck his women and they’d be intimidated. I’d end up dead before my third day. Why not others? Because even our tamest, sweetest girls are dangerous.” “Dangerous?” Merwet snorted. “I don’t know what’s more boastful. The fact that you claim that you could bed an entire harem when you kiss like a virgin, or the fact that you think you’re dangerous.” “You’re such an ill-tempered sow.” Bakura ground her teeth and shoved another fig into Merwet’s mouth to keep her from retorting. She hopped up and waded back into the pool to distance herself from Merwet. “We’re the children of Thoth, Lord of Secrets, Knowledge, and Magic.” Bakura spread out her arms wide, calling her ka into existence. A huge, white creature appeared behind her, gleaming in the sunlight. The serpent tail at the end of the ka coiled around Bakura’s waist in greeting, and she smiled at her companion, the part of her soul that she could bring to life and keep her company even as an orphaned child. “This is Diabound.” “I thought only the bearers of the Millennium Items could summon their souls?” “The only reason the Millennium Items have that power is because they were created out of the flesh and souls of my people. That’s why Aknadin needed children of Thoth for his spell. That’s why Aknadin fears any man, woman, or even child with white hair. That’s why we’re killed instead of enslaved.” Bakura pulled Diabound back into herself. “A lineage from any god allows a person to become a magi, but the children of Thoth don’t need to study magic to learn it. We’re born knowing, and that makes us dangerous.” “You still kiss like a virgin.” Merwet smirked, biting into another fig. “Eat your damn breakfast and let’s go.” Bakura grabbed her red cloak and wrapped it back over her shoulders. She grabbed several figs and hid them in pockets sewn into her cloak and wrapped the shenti around her waist. She told herself she wasn’t sulking as she leaned against a tree and picked at a fig while she waited on Merwet. The assassin laughed, and kept glancing over her shoulder, flashing seductive smiles and sleepy-eyed looks over at Bakura as if to rub in the fact that she knew Bakura wanted her. Bakura turned away and ate too many figs so she could have something to gnaw at. “I suppose we can go now.” Merwet stood and made a show of stretching out her lithe body before wandering close to the horse. “We’re going to ride through the village. Do not scream when you see the ghosts. I honestly don’t know how they’re react to a stranger, but you should be fine if you stay on the horse.” Bakura mounted, thought a moment, sighed, and put her robe back down as a saddle blanket before helping Merwet up onto the back of the horse. “What?” Merwet laughed. “You expect me to believe there are ghosts where you live?”“Whatever spell Aknadin used took my people’s ib, ba, ka, and ren. Now there’s only shuet left- shadows. They scream. They want justice, but the gods don’t listen.” Bakura glanced behind her. “I listen.” They didn’t talk during the ride, which suited Bakura. The wind felt good against her freshly washed skin and she forgot to be angry at Merwet by the time they slowed down to ride through the village. Bakura usually introduced her horses gradually to the village so they could get accustomed to the spirits without fear, but for now she’d just hope her current stolen pony didn’t scare easily, otherwise they’d have to walk. The ghosts rose from the ground like wisps of smoke. They were vaguely human-shaped, but wrong, melted. The horse trotted backwards, nostrils flaring, but Bakura whispered into her ear, and stroked her mane, and kept her calm enough to realize that the ghosts weren’t going to hurt her. They watched a moment in silence, and Bakura urged her horse forward as quick as she could because the silence never lasted. A single wail pierced the afternoon air, and then almost one hundred other wails joined in. Bakura’s horse bolted. Merwet wrapped her arms around Bakura’s torso as they stampeded forward. Bakura held onto the horse’s mane. She didn’t try to slow her down until they put some distance from the shrieks of pain that had spooked her in the first place. “Whoa. Whoa. Calm down. Calm down girl.” Bakura rubbed her horse’s neck. “S’ok, s’ok. They won’t hurt you. We’re away now.”The horse eased to a trot, still eager to move forward, but no longer panicked. It was only a ten minute ride to Bakura’s home where she placed the new horse in the stables with her other two. Merwet whistled when she saw the two storied house.“Perhaps you are a king. This is like a tiny palace.”“Every last brick of granite or golden design you see has been stolen from a pharaoh. If the gods are going to go deaf to the cries of my people, then I will go blind to their laws and take what I want; gold, horses, vengeance. Whatever I want.” “How did you build it?”“Diabound. Kul Elna was once a city of tomb builders. We used our ka to lift the heavy stones and design traps that no thief- besides me, of course- could ever surpass. We used our art and magic to makes the tombs beautiful and weave spells into the architecture so that the pharaohs would always be safe in the afterlife… they did not keep us safe, however.” Bakura marched into the building, lighting flax-oil lamps as she moved. When they reached Bakura’s treasure room, she kicked a chest over. Jewelry tumbled onto the granite floor. Next she kicked over a chest full of sheer-linen dresses, and finally she dumped out a basket full of wigs. “Pick what you’d like. I don’t care. There’s wine, and bread, and cheese if you’re hungry. Take the horse when you want to leave. I’m going to sleep.” Bakura walked towards the stars that lead to her sleeping chamber. “Let’s play a game,” Merwet said. “I don’t think it’s safe to play a game with you. I have met cobras kinder than you.” “Is the Thief King afraid? I thought you yourself were dangerous, and yet you worry that it might not be safe to play an innocent little game with me?” There was a cooing, taunting quality to Merwet’s voice that made Bakura’s blood boil in her veins. She clenched her fists. “What sort of game?”“Dress me in your stolen jewels, thief, and wherever you place a piece of jewelry… you may kiss.” “Why?” Bakura turned to face Merwet. She narrowed her eyes at the honey-haired house guest. “Why would you want to play a game like that?”“Because.” Merwet smiled. “I think it would be fun.” “Maybe I don’t want to play games with my heart.”“I’m not asking you to play with your heart, only your mouth.” Merwet raised an eyebrow. “Unless the two are somehow connected for you?” Bakura gave an angry snort. She snatched a gold bangle from the ground and slid it just below Merwet’s left shoulder. Bakura pressed her lips below the gold and then spat onto the floor. “You taste like venom.” She glared at Merwet. “I didn’t say you kissed badly.” Merwet traced Bakura’s thick lips with the edge of her thumb. “Quite the opposite, in fact, but I could still tell it was your first time.” “Who would I kiss in the desert?” Bakura pulled away from Merwet’s touch and stared at the floor. She eyed all the rings, and bracelets, and pendants scattered over the red granite. She told herself she didn’t want to play, but her mind was already matching the colors of semi precious gems to the tone of Merwet’s skin. “I didn’t say it was bad.” Merwet chuckled. “I was only suggesting that perhaps you shouldn’t brag about being able to take on an entire harem before you’ve had a single lover.” “I’m very greedy.” Bakura grinned. “And if I found myself in a harem, then I reckon I’d have more than enough experience with lovers by dawn.” She pinched her toes around a ring and kicked it up into the air, catching it in her palm. Bakura slid the ring onto the thumb that had traced her lips, and then sucked the very tip of it. Merwet watched with a stoic expression, revealing neither joy, nor boredom, nor satisfaction, nor displeasure, nor even intrigue. Bakura adopted the same air of indifference as she found a matching bangle to slip up Merwet’s other arm. She kissed above the gold, carefully, allowing her lips to linger. If Merwet wanted a game of it, then Bakura figured she might as well have some fun. So she immersed herself into the game. She found jewels to drape across Merwet’s hair and kissed the nape of her neck, and she placed multiple rings on her fingers so she could kiss Merwet’s knuckles. With a pendant, Bakura won the right to kiss down Merwet’s chest and in between her breasts. The more she played, the more she forgot her irritation; instead, she enjoyed the chance to explore Merwet’s body.Bakura knelt down to the ground and connected a gold chain around Merwet’s ankle. She forgot the game as her lips kneaded around Merwet’s anklebone. Bakura closed her eyes, sighing as she worked her way up Merwet’s calf without additional jewelry. It wasn’t until Bakura was flicking her tongue against the delicate skin behind Merwet’s knee that she remembered they were playing a game, and that she was breaking the rules. Her eyes popped open, and she looked up at Merwet. Merwet stared at Bakura, and the intensity of her blue-lotus colored eyes made Bakura feel like crocodiles were swimming in her belly. Bakura reached blindly for another piece of jewelry. She didn’t want to break eye contact with Merwet, just like any other predator, it was dangerous to look away. She grabbed a handful of bracelets and took her time placing them as she kissed the pulse points of Merwet’s wrists. Through it all, Merwet stood like a golden idol, still, calm, observing Bakura but never responding. Of course she didn’t react. She was playing a game, unlike Bakura who, at this point just wished she could pull some sort of noise or look from Merwet that wasn’t neutral. Yet not even lavishing delicate kisses on Merwet’s wrists could move her, so Bakura thought perhaps she should quit. Before she gave in, a flash caught her eye. It was a belly chain fastened with golden, translucent resin transported from some far off land. The color was warm and beautiful, and suited Merwet too well not to give to her. Bakura pulled the chain up from the floor and coiled it around Merwet’s waist. The jewels dangled down, and Bakura couldn’t help kissing Merwet’s hips, following the curve of the jewels downward. Merwet sucked in a sharp breath, her fingers fisted Bakura’s white hair and pulled. The sound of her breath, the feel of her hands tugging at Bakura’s hair, made Bakura tremble inside. She looked up again, but this time, Merwet’s eyes were closed. She opened them, and snorted, and released Bakura’s hair as if none of it had ever happened. But Bakura suspected that maybe Merwet had been enjoying the game after all, and was simply adept at acting indifferent. To test her theory, Bakura went towards the other hip, kissing down against and adding a lick close to Merwet’s pelvis. “Ahh!” Merwet grabbed Bakura’s hair again.Bakura grinned, always studying Merwet’s face. She was making a point of not to look at Bakura any more, but Bakura felt the slight tremble of Merwet’s body. Emboldened, Bakura kissed right at the center arch of Merwet’s hood. “Damn you,” Merwet hissed. Shoving Bakura onto her back, Merwet straddled Bakura’s torso. They exchanged another look. Bakura couldn’t help her chest from heaving in anticipation. Merwet raised up, and lowered herself on top of Bakura’s face. An audible sigh sifted from Bakura's mouth as she leaned upward. She worked her mouth against Merwet's outer lips, kissing them, sucking them, flicking her tongue between them. Merwet squirmed above her. The more Bakura licked, the louder Merwet's breathing grew, until her exhales were soft moans.Bakura used her fingers to part Merwet's flesh so she could grace Merwet with broader, more intentional licks. Her cunt was like wet stones on the back of the Nile, and Bakura slipped her hand down her shenti so she could rub herself as she flicked her tongue against Merwet's clit. Merwet raked her fingers through Bakura's hair again. She gripped the white stands like reins, and rode Bakura's face with far more poise than she'd ridden the horse. Bakura's thighs tensed as she stroked herself harder and swirled her tongue in precise circles. Merwet lost control of her breathing, her moans echoed off the walls as she pressed her body closer and encouraged Bakura to go back to fluttering her tongue instead of licking.“Ngh! Ah! Ahh! Nnnggghhh!” Bakura sucked at the last second. Merwet's wordless cries made Bakura buck as she touched herself, and hiss as her body trembled as they both came. Above her, Merwet gasped for breath as she slid away.But Bakura was far from done. She'd only had a taste and she wanted more. She jumped to her feet, shed the crimson robe from her shoulders, scooped Merwet into her arms, and carried her upstairs. Bakura's bed was a high stack of rugs and cushions. She settled Merwet into a comfortable position and then slid on top of her, pressing their cunts together and rolling her hips down and forward. “Ah-ah-ah!” Merwet huffed as she pressed her pelvis upward to meet Bakura's every thrust.Bakura bent down and kissed along the pendant resting on Merwet’s chest. She realized she didn’t have to follow the rules to the game anymore and wandered over to Merwet’s breast. She sucked until the silt-colored nipple was hard, and Merwet’s fingers were back in Bakura’s hair. Merwet’s hands untangled from her hair and she raked her nails down Bakura’s back. Bakura gripped Merwet’s shoulders and ground their bodies harder together. Merwet grabbed Bakura’s ass and pushed her to go faster.Bakura arched her back, her thrusts grew shallow, and she whimpered as she came a second time. All the strength left her, so she rolled to the side and reached down to tease around Merwet’s clit with her middle finger. Merwet thrashed, and hitched her hips high. Bakura stopped teasing and massaged Merwet’s swollen clit until Merwet held her breath and moaned. Bakura gave her fingers a quick suck, savoring Merwet’s taste and deciding she wanted more of it. She shimmied down until she was between Merwet’s legs, and stuck her tongue into Merwet’s entrance. “Again?” Merwet asked while gasping for breath.“Should I stop?” Bakura popped her head back up.“No.” Merwet grabbed the back of Bakura’s head and shoved her back between Merwet’s legs. “I like you better when you- ah- can’t talk- oh yes!” Bakura paused a moment to laugh before she plunged her tongue back into Merwet. Then she used the entire length of her tongue and dragged it up to Merwet’s clitoris. Merwet squealed and wrapped her thighs around Bakura’s head. Bakura sucked Merwet’s lips again, and kissed wherever she could reach. She waited until Merwet was all but growling until she returned to broad, long licks. Merwet squeezed her thighs and bucked against the tip of Bakura’s tongue. “Fuck!” Merwet cursed before all the tension in her body failed. Bakura grinned, and wiped her chin against her wrist. She crawled up the bed and then glanced over at Merwet. She’d wanted to say something facetious, but forgot all her thoughts when she saw the other woman. Merwet’s hair scattered across her pillow, gleaming and golden in the sunlight filtering through the windows. The gold and gems decorating her body only glimmered half as brightly as her hair. Her lips were plump, and her chest rose in a gentle rhythm. Her eyelashes fluttered, and Bakura realized she was asleep. Bakura smiled and brushed a stray hair out of Merwet’s face. “I really could fall in love with you- if you slept every hour of the day.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Bakura reached her arms over her head and stretched. Her mouth hung open in a wide, lazy yawn, her toes curling against the sheets. She turned to her side, but she was alone. She was used to waking up alone, but still, there was something disappointing in it.Bakura got up and stumbled downstairs to get some beer. She stopped when she saw Merwet sitting near the cooking fire with cheese and almonds. She wore a sheer linen dress from Bakura’s collection, and the jewels and gold still covering her body looked even more beautiful next to the sheer fabric. There was something about the mere hint of nipple poking from beneath the expensive cloth of Merwet’s dress that stirred the passion in Bakura’s belly all over again and much more strongly than when they’d both been naked in the oasis. “I cleaned out a chest for my stuff and placed the dresses I chose inside along with a few other jewels, and necessities, and a wig.” Merwet said after taking a bite of food. “Did you just move into my house while I was asleep?” Bakura raised an eyebrow. “Well, if I’m going to help you kill Aknadin, then I’m not going to sleep in the stable with the horses.” Bakura hummed in acknowledgment, grabbing a jar of beer from a shelf and bread from a storage basket. She sat next to Merwet and stole a piece of cheese to pop into her mouth.“Go get your own.” Merwet frowned as she watched Bakura eat. “It’s more fun to steal.” Bakura winked, sipping on her beer. “It’s a good thing my hatred for Aknadin supersedes my distaste for you or I’d be on horseback and miles away by now.” “Distaste you say? You haven’t really tasted me yet. Your taste, however, is quite to my tastes.”“Word play doesn’t make you clever,” Merwet muttered, but Bakura suspected she was more flustered than she let on. Bakura was starting to understand that about Merwet. She liked to hide, her whole life she was trained that hiding was the only way to be safe and the concept seemed to have seeped straight into her ib. However, Merwet also liked to be chased. Kissing Bakura and then pushing her away at the oasis, coming up with the stupid jewel game to get what she wanted without having to ask for it. Merwet liked hiding, but she wanted someone to pull her out of the shadows, to rescue her. “Why are you smiling?” Merwet asked with a suspicious glare on her face.“I was just thinking about how good I am at finding hidden treasures and stealing them.”“Could you be any more vain?”“I don’t know, but I’m willing to try.” Bakura grinned. “This partnership is going to be a disaster.” “Really? I think it’s going to be as fun as a festival.” “I’m assuming that was an ironic statement.”“Me? Be ironic? Never!” “I already told you that wordplay doesn’t make you clever.” Merwet snorted. “What about foreplay?” Bakura gave her a lidded stare. “Not clever, no.”Bakura rolled her eyes. “You’ve never had fun a day in your life, have you?”“I’ve spent my life focused on vengeance, so you tell me.” Merwet’s eyes hardened at her words. “Speaking of, do you actually have a plan, or are you trusting in the Priestess’ nonsense destiny to guide you when fate decides it’s time?” “Now which one of us is being sarcastic?” Bakura asked. “But as a matter of fact, I know exactly what to do.”“And?” Merwet crossed her arms over her chest.“Okay, let me know what you think of this plan.” Bakura grinned, slamming down the last of her beer before setting the jar down. “I’m going to… steal shit from the Pharaoh’s tombs.”“If this is a joke, it’s not funny.” Merwet’s face dropped into an irritated frown. “We have to kill Mahad first, right? Well, he’s in charge of the protection and maintenance of all the tombs. Now normally I stick to smaller, older tombs. The ones that won’t be checked as often. It’s an affront to Mahad, but it’s nothing to go into a rampage about.” Bakura smiled to herself, popping a chunk of bread into her mouth. “But since I want to get his attention, all I have to do is go after increasingly bigger, more popular, and important Pharaohs. I’ll get him riled up first, and then when I have Mahad’s attention, I’ll go after Aknamkanon himself.” “What will that accomplish?” Merwet shook her head.“When Mahad realizes I’ve fucked with the sacred resting place of his closest friend, he won’t be able to sit back and wait for the guards to find me- he’ll get personally involved.” Bakura shrugged, eating more bread. “He’ll set up a trap to catch me, and that’s when I’ll kill him.” “Using yourself as bait like that is risky.”“Life is risky, what of it? It’ll work.” “I suppose I admire your confidence if nothing else.” Merwet stood up. “So which tomb do we rob first?”“We? Oh no. Assassins are for killing- leave the robbing to the thieves.” “But I agreed to help you.”“You’ll help me fight my way into the palace when the time is right. Time ain’t right yet.” “I refuse to sit and wait while you do all the work. I’m going with you.” “You’re a liability!” Bakura stood up, angry that she had to look up to catch Merwet’s eyes. “I have to worry about traps, guards, and you, if you come with me.”“I can handle myself.”“Not if you set off the wrong trap and kill us both.”“I can handle myself, Thief King. Don’t worry about me.” “Fine, I can tell you won’t stop arguing, but don’t expect me to save your life if you set off a trap.” Bakura walked away. “We’ll leave at dusk!” ***Merwet didn’t know what to do to fill the last hours before dusk. She made herself up with kohl and rouge, rummaged through Bakura’s perfume collection, explored the house, brushed the horses, and paced until her mood grew foul, but there was still at least an hour until they left. She finally found Bakura sitting in the sand and meditating. “What are you doing?”“Training with Diabound.”“It looks like you’re napping.”“No.” Bakura grinned before opening her eyes. “Without a sparring partner, the best place to train is in my mind.” “Sounds like something a madman would say.”“You’ve seen Diabound. Are my hallucinations contagious? Or are you yourself my dream girl?” Bakura winked. “I’d like to think I’d dream up something much nicer than you, so I’m going to assume you’re real.” “Whatever. I’m bored. Entertain me.” “Why should I?”“Because I demand it, that’s why.”“Last I checked, I was the King of Thieves, not the servant of a bratty assassin.” “Fine. Do something to get rid of this wretched boredom, and I’ll let you kiss me again.”“Are we still playing this game?” Bakura scowled. “What? You’re not entitled to anything just because I slept with you once. I simply felt sorry for you.”“No, you had a whim. Pity isn’t in your nature.”“True.” Merwet smiled. “Now I have a whim to be entertained.” “We can play sennett,” Bakura said. “But I won’t kiss you afterwards. I’m tired of being bitten by the snake living in your ib.” “Playing coy won’t make me want you.” Merwet laughed. “You might as well enjoy what I offer.” “Maybe you’re used to people throwing themselves at you because you’re beautiful, but I’m not desperate for your affection. Once Aknadin is dead, there’ll be time for frivolous things. Right now, I’m content with your fighting skills.” “Giving up so soon? I thought you wanted another taste?” Merwet felt insulted, angry. How dare Bakura shrug off her offer when she clearly wanted Merwet.“If you want a kiss, then ask me for a kiss.” Bakura toyed with the pendant hanging between Merwet’s breasts. “Don’t barter.”“It’s not bartering.” Merwet pulled away. “It’s more like a game. It’s more fun this way.”“I like games- like sennett. Let’s play sennett since your majesty was so bored.” Merwet followed Bakura back to the house, fuming at how insulting Bakura was. Ask Bakura for a kiss? Bakura should be on her hands and knees begging to be kissed, not waiting for Merwet to ask. She wasn’t going to ask- how ridiculous! Offering a trade was more than fair. Merwet was so out of humor, that she couldn’t focus and lost two games to Bakura before they rode off with all three horses to one of the greater tombs.Merwet wanted vengeance. Vengeance for Bakura winning both games of sennett, and vengeance for Bakura’s haughty attitude. Bakura thought of themself as a king, well, Merwet decided she was going to make a king beg. Bakura found a secret entrance at the back of the tomb, avoiding the tomb guardians altogether. Inside was dark, too dark, it reminded Merwet of being underground and made her feel like a child hiding from guards all over again. “Is there a torch?” She asked. “Sorry.” A light appeared in Bakura’s hand, a glowing sphere that looked like she held a star. “I forget that other people can’t see in the dark.” “You can?” Merwet asked. “Of course. Thoth knows every dark place. Khonsu was jealous of this, and tried to gamble for the knowledge.” She gestured to the sphere in her hand. “But Thoth won a piece of Khonsu’s power instead.” “Yes, but don’t forget.” Merwet stood a little straighter, reminding Bakura that she was taller. “Thoth serves Ra.” “Watch that tile, it’s a trap.”“Obviously,” Merwet said as she stepped around the tile.“Just thought I’d warn you, sunshine.” They walked until they reached the main burial chamber. Bakura whistled at the amount of riches piled around the sarcophagus. Bakura lit several torches, and the room filled up with orange and yellow light. “Well, time to wreck the place.” Bakura chuckled.“So soon? We just got here, surely we can have some fun first.” “Trashing a tomb is grand fun, trust me.” “I was thinking of a different sort of fun.” Merwet lowered the hood away from Bakura’s shadowed face. Her white hair looked like fire in the torch light. Merwet pushed Bakura against the sarcophagus and teased her lips along Bakura’s jawline, and Bakura tilted her face to give Merwet a better angle. She slipped both hands between the slit in Bakura’s robe and thumbed Bakura’s nipples until they were hard. Bakura arched into Merwet’s touch. Merwet dragged her fingers down Bakura’s stomach and along her hips. “Is there a trick to this?” Bakura panted as Merwet traced just below the waistline of Bakura’s shenti. “No trick. I want to touch you.”Specifically, she wanted to touch Bakura until her little thief King was begging to come, until she was near-sobbing for it. Then, and only then, would Merwet decide if she’d indulge the request or not. Perhaps she’d give Bakura what she wanted if she begged well enough, but perhaps Merwet would pull away to teach the defiant thief a lesson.“Touch me wherever you like.” Bakura lifted herself up to sit on top of the sarcophagus. She spread her legs wide, planting her feet against the golden coffin and giving Merwet a nice view. Instead of slipping her hands between Bakura’s legs, Merwet slid the robe off of Bakura’s shoulders and continued to knead her breasts. Bakura puffed out her chest, tossed her head back, and allowed Merwet to work her body like it was clay. Her legs wrapped around Merwet’s waist and pulled their bodies closer. Merwet smirked, grazing her nails down Bakura’s ribs, but she kept her hands above Bakura’s shenti. Bakura leaned forward and stole a single kiss. Merwet indulged the thief. She told herself it would make Bakura more eager, but when Bakura grabbed the back of Merwet’s head and drew her in for a second kiss, it was Merwet that found herself wanting more. It was the way Bakura didn’t hold back. The thief flung herself completely into each kiss. It was raw, and genuine, and Merwet became swept up in the moment of it. She dug her fingers into Bakura’s shenti as they kissed. Tugging the indigo-dyed cloth off of Bakura’s body, Merwet dropped the shenti onto the ground and climbed up onto the sarcophagus with Bakura. She lay the thief down, until their bodies were stacked with the painted image of the resting pharaoh. She kissed and sucked Bakura’s lips swollen, and pinched her nipples until she whimpered. Bakura ran her hands beneath the linen of Merwet’s dress and up and down her outer thighs. “Take your second taste,” Merwet hissed against Bakura’s throat even as she kissed it. “I’m not asking- I’m telling you to.” “Are you?” Bakura chuckled. “I don’t think I mind when you order me around like this.” She pushed Merwet up and dragged her off of the sarcophagus in order to change their positions. “Climb up on your hands and knees.” “I’m the one telling you what to do, remember?” Merwet raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I’m following your orders.” Bakura bowed before adding, “My queen.” “Ha!” Merwet threw her head back and laughed. “Queen of what? Thieves?”“You haven’t stolen a damn thing yet.” Bakura pinched Merwet’s nipple. “Are you going to get into position? You’re the one that wanted this to be fun, remember?”“Fine.” Merwet sighed before crawling up onto the sarcophagus again. She situated herself on her hands and knees, staring at the wall carvings illuminated by wavy torchlight. She felt Bakura flip up the back of her dress. A shiver ran across Merwet’s skin as Bakura’s lips traces along the curve of her backside. She curled her fingers around the side of the golden sarcophagus with impatience. Before Merwet could complain, she felt a warm jolt stab through her.“Ahh!” Merwet called out. She glanced over her shoulder as Bakura returned to kissing her backside. “That’s not what I had in mind.”“But it sounds like you liked it.” Bakura smirked, giving Merwet’s asshole another lick. Merwet called out again. Bakura was swirling her tongue now, and Merwet moaned. Each lick was fire and chills both at once fighting in her stomach. Bakura rolled her tongue up, then flicked it quickly, before giving another long, slow lick. With her tongue poking at Merwet’s asshole, she slipped a finger into her other hole, easing in and out until Merwet was all but singing in pleasure. Bakura added another finger, keeping both deep and pressing against Merwet’s nerves. “Bakura!” Merwet screamed. Bakura only responded by smacking Merwet’s ass with her free hand and then flicking her tongue faster. Each lick was driving Merwet wild, and Bakura’s fingers had Merwet clenching her thighs and shuddering as the pleasure climbed to a concentrated point. The deeper Bakura pushed, the more Merwet trembled. Merwet clung to the edge of the sarcophagus until her fingers were sore, but couldn’t relax her grip… because….“B-Bakura… Bakura… Bakura!” Merwet held her breath, came, and crashed onto her belly, unable to hold herself upright for even a second longer. “Mmmmm.” Bakura sucked on her fingers. “Delicious.”Merwet sat up and turned around to face Bakura. She stared at the thief. Bakura matched Merwet’s gaze, a grin on her face. Merwet slipped back down to the ground and netted her fingers into Bakura’s hair. She swung them around and shoved Bakura against the sarcophagus. With one hand still tangled in Bakura’s hair, Merwet reached between her legs, smirking. “By the way you feel, you enjoyed that almost as much as I did.” “Of course,” Bakura agreed. “I got to defile a fat old Pharaoh’s eternal rest and worship a sun god both at once.” Merwet’s chest felt tight and she realized she was holding her breath again (this time for an altogether different reason). She exhaled, fingers still exploring between Bakura’s legs, slow up and down caresses that promised greater and greater pleasure the longer she kept moving. The sun. Merwet was of the sun, and was always proud of it, but had to hid herself her entire life. Now here she was, without a wig, without disguise, and Bakura had a way of looking at her as if she were more than her hair. Merwet lifted the thief into the air and set her down onto the sarcophagus. She pushed two fingers into Bakura’s warm body and started to twist her wrist with each slow, deep thrust of her hand. Bakura’s lids lowered; her lips parted as she panted through her mouth. Merwet smoothed her other palm down Bakura’s brown, scared back, resting at her hip and bracing her so she could push into her more deeply. Bakura leaned forward so she could rest her forehead onto Merwet’s shoulder. “A little more, a little more,” she pleaded.Merwet felt that Bakura was close. Her walls squeezed around Merwet’s fingers. Merwet forgot about games as the thief came close to undone. She pressed her lips against the crown of Bakura’s head, and then meandered kisses down the side of her face until she reached Bakura’s ear. “Am I going to make you come?”Bakura whimpered in reply, nodding her head. Merwet smiled, kissing Bakura’s jaw and then speeding up her thrusts until Bakura’s every exhale was a quiet moan. “Oh gods,” Bakura finally whispered, clinging to the straps of Merwet’s dress as she trembled in orgasm. Merwet climbed back onto the sarcophagus and pulled Bakura onto her lap. She rubbed just below Bakura’s hood, making her squeal and squirm. Merwet laughed, and eased up her touch against Bakura’s climax-swollen clit. Bakura fumbled her hand beneath Merwet’s dress until she found Merwet’s clitoris as well. They slipped their fingers back and forth, both of them slick from arousal. Merwet kissed one side of Bakura’s neck, then the other. Bakura’s left hand kneaded Merwet’s breast through the linen. Their fingers moved a little faster, pressed a little harder. They hitched into each other’s touches, both exhaling soft cries, both wanting more. The little hitches of Bakura’s hips became fierce bucks, and Merwet felt her entire body warm and throb with desire as she continued to touch her thief. Then Bakura grabbed both of Merwet’s shoulders, rocked against Merwet’s fingers, and screamed. She gasped for breath afterward, but reached for Merwet’s clit again and didn’t relax until after Merwet called her name. They laid back against the Pharaoh’s image carved into the coffin below them. “Think the Pharaoh would mind if we took a nap on top of him?” Bakura laughed against Merwet’s chest as she rested draped on top of Merwet’s body. “I think our souls are going to be damned for this.” “Lie during your negative confessions. I’m sure everybody does or no one would ever become a star or see the Fields.” “I’m sure you’re right.” Merwet realized she was petting Bakura’s hair as they lay together. She stopped, dropping her hand and feeling bashful about the action for some reason. “All right, let’s get up.” Bakura kissed between Merwet’s breasts right above the pendant she wore before flipping to her feet. “The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can relax.”She tied the shenti back around her waist, and slipped back into her robe. Merwet yawned, and rolled off of the sarcophagus with much less enthusiasm than Bakura. The Thief King handed Merwet a sack and she nodded her head, knowing what to do. They each gathered a bag of treasure, jewels, and perfume, and sandals, and hunting sticks, and jars of kohl and rouge. Anything that was expensive and small enough to carry. Merwet saw a bolt of deep violet cloth. She ran her hands along the cloth, dyed such a dark, true color that it was only ever meant to be worn on royal skin, and she wanted it. “Gods, you’re going to make me carry that, aren’t you?” Bakura snorted, picking up the bolt and setting it near the exit with the rest of their loot. “Wigs are cumbersome. I thought something with a hood like you wear might suit me better.” “It does compliment your eyes.” Bakura winked before turning away and knocking over several items. “I’m usually drunk and in a rage when I do this, but you’ve managed to drive out some of those angry demons with your divine touch. I’ll just have to make do for the sake of sending Mahad a message.”Merwet mulled Bakura’s words in her mind. Rage, more intimate than any lover, tightened every muscle in her jaw and shoulders most days of her life. But Bakura was right, at the moment she was relaxed, a little sleepy. Their tryst had fixed nothing, Merwet could never forgive Aknadin for what he’d done to her people, but for the moment she observed her hatred like one observed a sleeping beast, it was still huge and threatening, but quiet and still- at least for the time being. It frightened Merwet. No lover had ever managed to calm her before. Why should Bakura? As if to protest her own calm, Merwet found a cluster of wine jars and started throwing them at the walls, aiming the for the images of the Pharaoh. The Pharaohs were supposed to watch over them with Osiris, but where were they? Where were they? They’d been abandoned by the gods and pharaohs and left for Aknadin to ravage, and Merwet was screaming and smashing everything she could reach. The world bled into a red, red rage the more she thought of it. Merwet lost herself to it, her previous calm not even a memory as she tore through the burial chamber and destroyed everything she touched. She didn’t think, just cursed and smashed things, against the walls, against the floor, with her fists. She remembered watching them steal her mother, her three sisters, they killed her father. She watched him choke to death on his own blood with a spear in his ribs. Merwet had only been five, but she’d grabbed a knife and managed to stab one of the soldier's calves. She would have fought herself dead, before she allowed them to steal her family, but her mother screamed at her older brother to grab Merwet and run, and he’d done just that. Even after three arrows pierced into his back, he refused to die until after he’d delivered Merwet safely to the temple that had locked her underground to protect her. She screamed, and screamed, was she shouting her memories out loud? Merwet wasn’t sure. She just remembered screaming something as her fists continued to punch an Osiris statue standing in the corner of the burial room. Then she was being held and sang to. She was being held and whispered to. She was being held and petted and she didn’t understand what was going on until, by slow stages, the red started to recede and Merwet remembered Bakura. “I will feed you bread and I will give you beer, I will cook the bread with dates, to make you sweet, my dear.” Bakura sang, rocking their bodies side to side.Merwet blinked. They were sitting on the floor, surrounded by broken things. Staring down, Merwet noticed her hands were ribboned with cuts and bleeding onto the fine linen of her dress. “Why didn’t the gods stop it? Where’s Ma’at? Where’s Horus? Is Isfet the only god left?” “Horus is collared like a pet,” Bakura said. “We’re the Scales now.”“I prayed. I prayed and prayed to Isis every day. Bring my family back. Let them escape. Let them find me. Let the soldiers die of plague so I can go outside and play. She never answered a single damn prayer, so I started to pray to Set and Sekhmet. More than pray, I learned how to kill the guards myself.” “A good and fine thing.” Bakura stroked Merwet’s hair. “How can you be so peaceful when your entire village is dead?”“I’m not at peace, never at peace. I prayed too, you know, I prayed to every god whose name I could remember the night of the fire. I begged Thoth to save his children, his own children. All it would take was rain to put out the fires, or Thoth himself to stop the spell, but I think the gods are cowards. Aknadin’s Shadow Magic was too strong for them so they hid and left us all for dead… or worse. And that’s why I rob tombs, and live how I want, and promise to kill Aknadin myself. Let the gods cower and hide, Merwet. We’ll show them that we’re stronger than they ever were.” “That’s what I was trying to do last night.” Merwet leaned back into Bakura’s chest, sighing. It was reassuring, having someone to fight beside after years of fighting on her own. “Come on. I need to wrap your hands until I can get you home and treat them properly.” Bakura fetched plain linen from an overturned basket and used her dagger to shred the fabric into strips. Merwet allowed herself to be treated. She felt hollow after her fit. She’d poured her anger out over every broken treasure in the room and now there was nothing left inside her. But Bakura’s touch was gentle against her wrists and palms. She kissed the bandages after wrapping up Merwet’s hands. Something struggled in the cavity of Merwet’s chest as Bakura tended to her. Something fought and screamed, wanting to fill the numbness with something silvery and beautiful like moonlight, but Merwet held it back. Whatever it was wouldn’t help her get vengeance for her family, so Merwet didn’t want to feel it. They left, and loaded two of the horses each with a sack of treasure. They shared the third horse. “We need to make sure the guards see us riding off, otherwise it’ll take too long for them to realize they’ve been robbed,” Bakura said.“That’s risky.” Merwet shook her head. “If something happens, I can use Diabound, but guards are often fools and it doesn’t take much to escape them.” They intentionally rode around the tomb and to the front where the guards could see them. The Thief King wore the well known scarlet robe and hood that declared who she was. Bakura laughed. The sound echoed into the desert and started the guards at their posts.“You fools!” Bakura shouted between peals of laughter. “I’ve robbed your king right from under your watchful eyes! I wonder how the old king will rest? Now that I’ve done to him what the king regent has done to my people!” With that, they rode off with the guards shouting behind them.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The guards mounted their horses and chased them. Bakura laughed as they lead the guards on a impossible chase. They lost them in a ravine between two cliffs and then headed back home with the rising sun guiding them.“I always bathe after I rob a tomb. Both to relax, and to wash the death dust off of my body,” Bakura said.“Shouldn’t we hide the treasure first?” Merwet asked. “Those idiot guards won’t find us, and even if an unfortunate patrol stumbles onto the Oasis, Diabound will make sure they never report back to Aknadin.” “Suit yourself then.” Merwet shrugged as if she didn’t care, but honestly, she was sore from her rampage, and the thought of soaking in a cool pool of water sounded delightful. “I’ve managed to ruin yet another dress.”“Yes, you can’t blame me for that one.” “No. It was my own fault. I’ve done it before, but usually when I come to I’m surrounded by dead soldiers instead of broken pottery.” “Makes sense. Sekhmet was also a daughter of Ra.” Bakura slowed the horse as the sand gave way to tall grass and fig trees. Bakura stayed to rub down and care for the horses, but Merwet slipped out of her dress and jewels and waded out to the deeper end of the Oasis. She found a sand bar beneath the water and leaned against the far bank, resting and recovering from her rampage. Merwet heard the soft splashing and figured Bakura was in the water, but she was surprised when she felt calloused hands massaging her shoulders. “I’m fine,” Merwet said. “Your muscles are tense.”“I like them that way. I’m always ready for battle.”“Being tight is not good for battle. Just sit and let me work.” “You’re a huge bother,” Merwet muttered. “Yes, being massaged must be a terrible inconvenience.”Merwet sighed despite herself. She felt a soft, bright current flow into her muscles and spread throughout her body. Her eyes fluttered open, and she realized there was a soft shimmer to her skin.“What… are you doing?”“Using heka to heal you,” Bakura said, as if it should be obvious. “I’ll focus on your hands next.”“Why? Why are you doing this? I cut my hands, let me deal with them.”“We’re partners and we’re lovers, would it hurt to care for each other in between?” “It’ll be easier when we part ways if we don’t get too attached.”“Of course,” Bakura said in a flat voice. She swam to the other side of Merwet, taking her hands.“Did you hear what I said?”“Yeah, I’m not deaf, but you’re not going to be able to fight with cut hands. Healing you is beneficial to our arrangement.” “Fine.” Merwet looked away. She didn’t want to see Bakura’s silver eyes just then, or the way her breasts peeked above the surface of the water and begged to be kissed. Bakura finished massaging Merwet’s hands and then swam off somewhere behind Merwet. Merwet looked down at her hands. She unwound the linen on her left hand first and stared at the smooth, whole skin of her palm. There weren’t even scars from where the deeper cuts sat, only skin. She undid her other hand as well and tossed the bandages onto the bank. Merwet closed her eyes and dozed until she felt Bakura’s hand shake her shoulder. “Oi, oi, we should head back now. The horses are rested and I want something better than figs for breakfast.” Merwet realized her hands were wrinkled from soaking in the water for too long. She wrinkled her nose at the texture of her skin, and swam back to the shore with Bakura. They dressed and rode through the haunted village once again. Both Merwet and the new horse knew what to expect this time, and they managed to rush through the town before the wailing could scare the horses too much.When they returned to Bakura’s house, Merwet tossed her ruined dress into the fire and found a new one to wear. Bakura removed her robe, but kept the shenti around her waist. She roasted leeks and garlic and served them with smoked fish and beer. Merwet’s stomach growled when she smelled the food, and she ate every scrap before searching the pantry herself and finding some honey cakes to eat for dessert. “Want to play another game?”“Yes,” Merwet agreed, and they played three games, Mewet won all three. “I think I’m too tired.” Bakura shrugged. “Heka takes ba.” “You just don’t want to admit I won all three times.”“And I won both of our last games, what of it? We haven’t played nearly enough to see who’s truly better.” “Overall, I’m ahead.”“Sure, Queeny. Whatever you say. I’m going to take a nap.”“What am I supposed to do while you’re asleep?” “Sort the treasure? Go through the old scrolls I’ve stolen? Bake some bread? Go fuck yourself? I don’t care what you do. You’re not my problem,” Bakura snapped before going upstairs. “Fine.” Merwet marched upstairs after her. “Why are you following me?”“You told me to pleasure myself. The bed is the best place, is it not?” “You… can’t be serious. You know that’s not what I meant.” “Well I’m not baking bread like some farmer’s wife. I’d much rather fuck myself.” “Okay. Why not? Have fun.” Bakura plopped into the rugs and cushions and curled up to face away from Merwet’s half of the bed. Merwet dropped her dress to the ground and threw most of her jewels to the ground as if she didn’t care for them. She kept a few pieces, however, the waist belt, the anklet, and the pendant that Bakura always kissed around. She found a comfortable spot on the bed and squeezed her own breasts. Merwet squirmed, intentionally bumping into Bakura’s backside with her knees. She moaned as she smoothed her hand over her stomach and teased her own lips. Despite the squirming, and the sighing, Bakura didn’t move. Merwet spread her legs wider, making sure her foot brushed against Bakura’s back calf, and teased her own entrance. She gasped when she pushed in, far louder than necessary, and moaned as she started slipping her finger in and out of her body. She noticed Bakura’s breath hitch, and Merwet grinned. “Are you going to lay there and pretend like this doesn’t turn you on?” Merwet laughed.“Of course it turns me on.” Bakura glared over her shoulder, but turned away from Merwet as soon as she could. “And?” Merwet asked. “And what?” “Doesn’t it make you want to touch me?”Bakura snorted. “No more than usual.”“Are you saying you want to touch me all the time?” Merwet smiled. “You already know that.” “You can, if you want. I don’t mind when you touch me.” Bakura turned onto her other side so she could watch Merwet finger herself. Merwet waited another moment, making a show of herself for the thief, but when Bakura didn’t touch her she spoke up again. “Unless you’d rather watch.” “Why are you doing this?”“You were nice and healed my cuts. I thought I should be nice in return.” “Still bartering?”“It’s a thank you, not a payment!”Bakura sighed. “Well, if it’s a thank you, I suppose I can accept it.”She teased her fingertips down Merwet’s arm and to her hand. Then she reached lower and Merwet’s breath hitched in earnest as Bakura circled around her entrance. Bakura pulled Merwet’s hand away, and Merwet grunted in protest. Bakura didn’t comment as she rolled on top of Merwet. She held Merwet’s face and looked into her eyes. “What are you doing?” Merwet frowned. “Enjoying this.” Bakura closed her eyes as she leaned down and kissed Merwet. Merwet hitched up into the kiss. She tried to deepen it, but her thief pulled back. She kissed Merwet again, pulling back again when Merwet dabbed her tongue across Bakura's lips.“Bakura,” she growled. “I'm a snake charmer.” Bakura winked.“What's that supposed to mean?” Merwet scowled.“It means I'm going to charm that viper coiled where your heart should be.”“Sounds like a good way to be bitten.” “Is it? Then I should drink some antidote.” Bakura pulled another deliberate, gentle kiss from Merwet's lips.***Until the oasis, Bakura had never thought about Merwet leaving. Bakura felt naive. Of course Merwet would leave the moment Aknadin was dead. The only reason they were partners was for joined vengeance.So she was going to enjoy Merwet while she had her to enjoy. She’d been so eager the first two times, so greedy for touch, so starved for experience, that she’d flung herself into each act, operating on sheer instinct instead of thought. Not this time. Bakura kissed down Merwet’s throat. She circled her thumb along Merwet’s tit, toying with the nipple, tracing the general curve of her breast from side to side and then top to bottom. She kept her lips soft, dabbing her tongue here and there, but never biting, never sucking. This time she was going to explore Merwet entirely. She reached the hollow of Merwet’s throat, flicking her tongue against the skin. She moved along Merwet’s left collarbone, and her thumb meandered to her other breast. Merwet bucked against Bakura. She gasped, but refused to change her pace. Her lips traveled along Merwet’s shoulder and peppered the skin with delicate kisses. She gave an intentional roll of her hips, pulling a low moan from Merwet’s mouth. Merwet’s nails pierced the skin of Bakura’s back, but the sting only made Bakura gasp in delight. With a second roll of her hips, Bakura scooped herself up a little higher so she could steal a quick kiss from Merwet’s lips. “Hurry up, damn you.” Merwet grit her teeth after speaking. “I want to remember this,” Bakura whispered between lavishing kisses across Merwet’s shoulders again and guiding her hips in another calculated circle. “Even when I’m wrinkled and half blind, I want to remember the night I made love to a daughter of Ra.” “I don’t need flattery.” Merwet raked her nails down Bakura’s back as she bucked their bodies together again. “I don’t need poetry! You damn thief! Make me come!” “I need…” Bakura gulped for air. The scratching, the bucking, were both driving her wild and she did want to grind hard and quick against Merwet, but not yet, not yet, she wasn’t done kissing her quite yet. “I need to kiss you more.”Bakura lighted her lips against Merwet’s. Merwet bit Bakura’s bottom lip, so Bakura pinched Merwet’s nipple in retaliation. Merwet kept bucking up, biting Bakura’s throat now and leaving faint pomegranate colored blemishes on Bakura’s brown skin. Bakura’s thoughts became a sandstorm. She teased her bottom lip against Merwet’s, and allowed Merwet’s fierce hitches to carry them both to the edge of orgasim. When Merwet clawed at Bakura’s back again, Bakura fisted Merwet’s golden hair and cried out as she came. She rocked her hips in time with Merwet, waiting until Merwet held her breath in orgasm and then settling back into the mattress of rugs and cushions. Bakura slipped down and kissed Merwet’s breasts. Merwet sighed and nudged up into Bakura’s kisses. She was as intentional as before, kissing crescents below Merwet’s nipples, toying her fingers around Merwet’s navel, and using her knees to spread Merwet’s copper thighs wide despite the fact that Bakura had no intention of pleasuring her again- just yet. She did, however, drop her kisses down Merwet’s flat stomach and below her jeweled belly chain. “Bakura,” Merwet sighed. “Did you want to sleep?” Bakura asked. “I have a feeling you don’t.” “I told you.” Bakura grinned. “I’m enjoying this.” “Well, I never started anything I’m not willing to finish.” Merwet stroked her fingers through Bakura’s hair. “So kiss wherever you’d like. I won’t even make you decorate me with jewels this time.”“You’re too generous.” Bakura glided her tongue where Merwet's thigh met her body, and Merwet moaned. The thief’s fingers swept across Merwets skin, quick, light passes that made Merwet tremble at first. Then she started to hitch into Bakura’s touches, into Bakura’s kisses. Bakura worked her way towards Merwet’s cunt, but before she could taste the honey between Merwet’s legs, she found herself flipped onto the mattress. A smirking, lotus-eyed Merwet stared down at her. “You’ve been tormenting me for quite awhile. I think it’s time I pay you back.” “I- ahhh!” Bakura couldn’t finished the sentence. Merwet tugged at her nipple with her thumb and pointer finger and then bent down to suck at her breast. Bakura sucked in quick, desperate breaths. It didn't take long before her entire body burned with want. She squirmed below Merwet, wanting more, wanting more, she hadn't realized how much she'd been teasing Merwet until the same was done to her.“Please,” Bakura heard herself stutter. “Did the King of Thieves just ask me please?” Merwet smiled as if she'd won another game of senet. “What would you have me do, my king?” Merwet chuckled and then kissed up Bakura's thigh, pushing the shenti up to Bakura's waist so it didn't get in her way. “T-touch me,” Bakura begged.“Hmm… touch you,” Merwet echoed and stroked right above the area Bakura wanted touched.She swallowed. She knew better than to ask again. Merwet enjoyed watching Bakura squirm too much to give Bakura what she wanted. Bakura squeezed the muscles between her legs. She could climax that way, without needing to touch herself, and she clenched a little more tightly as Merwet continued to tease her.Bakura's breathing sped up, so did her heartbeat. She squeezed, and squeezed, and squeezed until she started to tremble.“Don't you dare come until I want you to.” Merwet gave Bakura's cunt a playful, erotic slap that only made Bakura want to come even more.“Then touch me!” Bakura demanded. “But Bakura,” Merwet sang in a sweet, sweet voice. “I realized that I haven't tasted you yet.”With that she bent down and pressed her lips against Bakura's clitoris.“Oh gods!” Bakura screamed, eyes opening wide and mouth forming an O of surprise. Merwet dragged her tongue up the slit of Bakura's cunt and it felt like the way the Nile must have felt when the sunlight kissed the river's surface and made it glitter. “Oh gods! Oh gods! Merwet! Oh Merwet! Blessed gods!” Bakura grabbed the bunched indigo fabric around her waist. She spread her legs a little wider as Merwet's tongue moved in lazy circles. Bakura's eyes slammed shut, her mouth hung wide as she gasped for air and whimpered in ecstasy.Merwet licked three times fast and then ended with a broad, deliberate upturn of her tongue. She repeated the pattern. Again. Again. Again. Quick-quick-quick… and a long, pleasurable drag upward. Quick-quick-quick… and a intentionally slow lick all the way to the top. Quick-quick-quick-and-“I'm coming! I'm coming! I'm coming! I'm coming! Oh gods I'm coming! Merwet don't stop!”***Merwet's heart quickened as Bakura screamed. Bakura settled down, her breath ragged as she recovered. Merwet lifted her head.“Would you like me to do that again?” Merwet face flushed as she asked the question. “Yes.” Bakura's eyes fluttered open and she licked her lips. “But come here first.”Merwet crawled up until she was eye level with the thief. She started into Bakura's silver eyes, wondering what Bakura wanted. Bakura lifted her hands up, cupped Merwet's face, and pulled her closer for a kiss.Merwet's froze and her cheeks burned. Her eyes closed and she leaned into the kiss. When they broke apart, Merwet felt a little dizzy, and she blinked at Bakura a few times, watching her face. “We could switch,” Bakura offered.“Tempting.” Merwet bit her bottom lip. “But I have a better idea.”She spun around so she could ease down on Bakura’s face again, just as she had the first time they were together. However, since she was facing Bakura’s feet this time, Merwet was able to bend down and flick her tongue against Bakura’s clit even as she rode the thief’s mouth. Merwet moaned against Bakura’s cunt. Every dab of Bakura’s tongue had Merwet writhing and secretly begging for more. She swayed her hips as if dancing to the music of Bakura’s muffled breaths. Merwet tried to focus on her tongue and lips, but the more Bakura kissed her, sucked her, licked her, the more Merwet needed more. When Bakura snuck two fingers into Merwet’s cunt she gripped the linen below them and moaned. After that, Merwet couldn’t concentrate on anything but her own pleasure. She rose up on hands and knees, shifting herself against Bakura’s tongue and calling out with each exhale. She burned like the sun inside, and shuddered, and after a few last backwards thrusts of her body to Bakura’s mouth, Merwet choked on a scream as her orgasm made each nerve ring out like the chime of a bell. Then it was her turn to finish Bakura once again, and she lapped at Bakura like someone stranded in the desert laps at their waterskin. Bakura muttered Merwet’s name as if it were the only word she could remember. Each time she said it, Merwet rewarded her with a circling swoop of her tongue. They continued their call and response game, Bakura shouting, and Merwet licking, until Bakura was bucking up, thighs shaking, and nails digging into Merwet’s calves. After they were sated, Merwet curled up beside Bakura. Her fingers found their way into her hair again. She couldn’t seem to sate her need to feel the cool, white down around her fingers. “Going to let me take my nap now?” Bakura teased.“I suppose, but only because I’m ready for one as well.” “Got it. In the future, I should wear you out first before I even try to get some sleep. I’ll keep that in mind.” “And when we wake up, you can make me something for supper,” Merwet teased. Bakura gave a dry snort. “Tomorrow we’ll have to sort the treasure and then fence some of it for food and supplies. My pantries weren’t really stocked for a guest.” “Yeah, and I’ll be here for awhile yet.” Merwet winked. “So you better stock them well.” “Only the best for my queen.” Bakura laughed. “Maybe I’ll take my time luring in Mahad. Then I can keep you to myself for a few extra weeks.” “That’s not the worst plan I’ve ever heard, especially coming from you.” Merwet smiled to herself at the idea, but then her face fell. “I don’t think Atem has more than a season, though.”“You’re right.” Bakura sighed. “Aknadin will kill him before the next festival, I’m sure. He’s getting too old to be a pawn.” “I guess we have a season then,” Merwet said to no one in particular. She said it to the ceiling. “Yeah, we’ll wait a week for the tomb-guards to regain some confidence and then hit the next tomb on my list.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Which one of these rings looks better on my finger, Bakura? I can't decide.”“Whichever.” Bakura shrugged. “That's not a real answer.” “My real answer is we're supposed to be sorting this to make it easier to fence, and all you've done is try things on.” “Well, it was my first time robbing a tomb. I want a momento.” “I'm your momento.” Bakura jokingly shot Merwet with an imaginary bow. “What about that fabric you took? I thought you wanted a hood.”“I forgot all about that.” Merwet snatched a piece of treasure from a pre-sorted pile. “A cloak needs a pin, and this golden scarab will be perfect.” She stowed the pin with her things and then sat beside Bakura, resting her head on the thief’s shoulder. “Are we almost done? I want to go to the market.”“We would be done if you were doing anything to help, but since you have only wasted time we aren't done yet.” “You’re so boring.” “None of that. The market is a full day’s adventure, so I don’t have time to entertain you until tonight.” “Fine.” Merwet leaned forwards and started to separate the jewels from the household items from the other valuables. She was quick, and it only took fifteen minutes before everything was ready to be bagged individually. “We could have left an hour ago had you helped to begin with.”“I wasn’t bored an hour ago.” Merwet stretched. “I’d better put on a wig, I suppose. I’ve grown used to wearing my hair down around you. Will you help me with my kohl?” “Yes.” Bakura bagged everything and loaded the horse while Merwet fussed with her hair, and met her upstairs. She grabbed a jar of kohl and lined Merwet’s eyes and then her own as Merwet added rouge and lip stain to her face. The last thing Bakura did was hide the mess of white beneath their flax-cloth hood. “It’s such a shame. That we have to hide like this.” Merwet clenched her jaw. “But I suppose that will change soon.” “I don’t mind the hood,” Bakura said, “But the wigs are hot and itchy.” “Yes. They. Are.” Merwet snorted, bitter. They took all three horses again, one for each of them and one for their treasure. The late morning sun already burned, and Bakura couldn’t imagine how miserable Merwet was beneath her wig, but she didn’t complain about it. When they reached the city, Bakura travelled to the east, to the slums on the outer edge, and led their horses to a specific shack. “Wait here,” Bakura said.“Oh no I will not,” Merwet argued. “It’s hot out here.” “But it’s dangerous in there, and Pa-neck won’t trust a stranger- he’ll also slobber all over you.”“Jealous? Afraid I might like him better?” “Pa-neck is too ugly for me to be jealous of.” Bakura wrapped the cloak a little closer to to her chest, and pulled her hood down lower.Despite the warnings, Merwet followed Bakura into the building anyway. Bakura narrowed her eyes, but it had been done and Merwet would learn on her own her mistake. The room was dark, lit only by a single flax lamp in the corner. The outside may look like a shack, but pleated tapestries hung from the walls and the scent of expensive myrrh incense clung thickly into the air. Bakura saw Pa-neck slink up behind Merwet, but decided to keep quiet.“What’s this, Thief King? Did you bring me a slave?” He wrapped his arms around Merwet’s waist with one arm and gave her ass a squeeze with his free hand. She spun around and slapped him, and then shoved him away from her. Bakura laughed. “She’s my queen. Keep your hands off her or I’ll turn your finger bones into a necklace for her to wear.” “Your queen?” Pa-neck laughed. “Have you gone and gotten married? Will you populate a kingdom of thieves now?” “Yes, I think we’ll make beautiful sons together. We’ll have no less than eight- maybe a few daughters, too.” Bakura grinned. Merwet shot Bakura a glare, but didn’t say anything out loud. “Well, if she doesn’t bear enough children for you and you ever want to sell her-”“You fucking swine! I’ll cut the tongue out of your mouth if you say one more word.” Merwet pulled a knife hidden in her wig and slipped it below Pa-neck’s jaw.“Oi, Oi! Call her off!” Pa-neck’s eyes were wide when they shot in Bakura’s direction, pleading for help. Bakura only laughed. “If I could control her, I never would have married her! You'd better hurry up and weigh this gold I brought and pay me before you really get her mad.” “Alright… alright.” He glowered until Merwet removed the knife. Rubbing his throat and beard, Pa-neck took the sacks over to a set of scales that Bakura, and measured out the treasure. On the other end of of the scale, Pa-neck placed debans- which Bakura knew were weighted heavier than they should be- and determined the worth of each sack of loot. Then, Pa-neck measured grain of the same weight, handing the heavy sack to Bakura. “I was far too generous,” Pa-neck grumbled. “But what can I say? I have a bleeding heart and you’re going to have a family to take care of soon.” “Pa-neck, you’re lucky I don’t gut you for always cheating me. Luckily for you, I’m King of Thieves, and don’t mind stealing more treasure when it suits me. I’ll take this for now and come back the next time I feel like shopping.” Pa-neck grinned. He was too busy fucking Merwet with his eyes to really pay attention to Bakura’s words. How quick the little snake was to forget about Merwet’s knife, but Bakura knew he’d never learn, so she left the shack with the grain. Merwet marched behind her. “Why are you letting him rip you off like that? Let’s go back in there and kill him.”“Oh Queenie, I haven’t met an honest fence ever in my life. Killing him won’t do any good, another piece of shit will just take his place.Pa-neck knows how much he can skim from me without getting punched in the face. He learned that after getting punched in the face several times.”“I’m not your queen.” Merwet mounted her house. “Nor your wife. I should stab you along with that other fat swine.” “Well I couldn’t exactly tell him you were just hanging around in order to kill the Pharaoh Regent with me. He’d sell us out for a bottle of wine and a goblet to drink it in and we’d be arrested by the Midjay before we bought our first loaf of bread.”Merwet didn’t argue further, so Bakura rode to the stables and rented a hand cart so they could carry the grain to market. Merwet sulked the entire walk, so Bakura bought her a fan painted with blue lotus flowers and a honey cake to cheer her up. The fan, more than anything, seemed to do the trick. The moving air cooled her face and put her in a better mood and they were able to do proper shopping without the awkward silence between them. Bakura bought cucumbers, leeks, garlic, onions, lentils, and yams. She also bought dried, salted fish and cured meat. She never complained when the vendors called her sir. In fact, she grinned at it, and winked at the women when they blushed at her. Merwet wanted fruit, cheese, almond and lavender oil, and bathing oils. She also stocked up on medicinal herbs, though Bakura knew some were for poison instead of medicine. They bought lunch from a stall, roasted goose crusted over with coriander, and after they’d both gathered all the supplies they needed for the week, they went back to the stables and readied their horses for the long ride home. “Why do they scream?” Merwet asked when they passed by the charred remains of Kul Elna. “They’re still burning.” Bakura gripped her horse's mane so hard that she felt her nails pierce her palms even through the coarse hair. “They feel the gold the rest of their soul is trapped in. They want the Items returned to the Tablet they came from, and as soon as Aknadin is dead, I’m going to gather up all seven and take them home.”“Will the spirits rest then?”“I don’t know,” Bakura confessed. “There’s a shrine below ground where the tablet rests. On the walls is a inscription. It says whoever returns the Items can open the Forbidden Door to the other side and get one wish granted… I’m going to wish for them to all becomes stars, even the bad ones. They’ve suffered enough for any sins they committed in life. I think they all deserve the Duat now.” “I’ll help you,” Merwet said, although her voice was quiet and hard to hear over the screaming behind them. “Even after Aknadin dies, I won’t end our partnership until we’ve managed to put your village to rest.”“Merwet.” Bakura couldn’t help staring. Even in the failing light, even with a wig hiding her golden hair and making her look like any other beautiful woman, Bakura could still tell she was of Ra. Gold looked brighter against her skin, her eyes burned like the last of the sunlight dying on the horizon, nothing could steal the divinity away from Merwet- it was too ingrained into who she was. “Don’t think I’m getting sentimental.” Merwet smiled. The expression was tired and bitter, but beautiful because it was Merwet’s face making the expression. “It’s selfish of me really, to help you. I couldn’t save my own family, so I’m helping yours- to atone from my earlier failures.” “We were children.”“You say that, but you know deep down inside you think you failed them as much as I think I failed my family.”“Yes.” Bakura snorted. “It’s true.”“I knew it was. We’re too much alike for you to feel otherwise.” After the horses were groomed, watered, and fed, and their market spoils were properly stored, Bakura fixed them a quick dinner of bread, cheese, and grapes, and waved a bottle of pomegranate wine at Merwet. “Want to eat dinner on the roof? I’m in the mood to get a little drunk and watch the stars.” “That… sounds good.” Merwet no longer wore her wig, and her hair gleamed in the lamp-light as she stared away from Bakura.Bakura handed their food to Merwet and gathered a few light blankets before showing her the way to the roof. They sat on top of one blanket, and wrapped themselves up in the others. The temperature dropped as soon as the sun disappeared, and the stars glittered like a thousand torches in the distance. “I can never get over it- how beautiful the sky is.” Merwet said after they ate. She sighed, staring up at the stars like it was her first time seeing them. Bakura’s heart fluttered in her chest as she watched Merwet watching the stars. She took a generous gulp of wine before passing it on to Merwet. Merwet smiled as she reached for the jar. Their fingers brushed as she took the wine, and Bakura’s face began to burn. “Mmmm.” Merwet moaned as she drank. “Pomegranate is my favorite. I bought a fresh one at the market. If you peel it tomorrow, we can have it for breakfast.”“You don’t want the juice to stain your fingers so you’re trying to sweet talk me into doing it for you.” Bakura took the jar back for her own drink.“You know.” Merwet chuckled. “You’re the only one that’s ever figured me out? Everyone else always jumped when I asked them to do something.” “That’s why you’re spoiled.” Bakura winked. “All those weak lovers and admirers were no good for you.”“Oh? Suggesting you're better?” “Of course I’m better.” Bakura grinned as she took her third drink. “That’s why I’m a king and they were peasants.” “Shut up and pass the wine, my king.” Merwet laughed. Bakura gave her the wine and she closed her eyes as she took a long drink. They passed the jar back and forth until it was gone and Bakura felt warm and cozy in both the blanket and her own thoughts. She nudged behind Merwet and wrapped her arms and legs around Merwet’s body so she could rest her forehead against Merwet’s back. Bakura sucked in a deep breath, enjoyed the mixed smells of perfume and the blanket that they had shared the night before. “What are you doing?” Merwet asked.“Enjoying this,” Bakura answered. She nuzzled her face against the blanket at Merwet’s back and rested her cheek against it. She didn’t expect Merwet’s hand to reach down and hold Bakura’s hands clasped around her waist, but smiled when she felt Merwet’s warm palm against her skin. Merwet relaxed in her embrace, and Bakura sighed. The temptation to kiss Merwet grew too strong, and she peeled the blanket away so she could brush her lips against Merwet’s shoulders. “It’s cold without the blanket,” Merwet said, but Bakura suspected that wasn’t why she was shivering. Bakura took her own blanket and threw it over her head in order to wrap it around Merwet’s shoulders. Hidden in her own personal tent, Bakura continued to kiss up Merwet’s spine through the linen of her dress. Merwet leaned back, and Bakura brushed Merwet’s hair out of the way so she could caress her lips against the nape of Merwet’s neck.
I could love you
Bakura didn’t speak the words, merely mouthed them against Merwet’s copper skin. Nevertheless, she showed Merwet how much she meant the words by the way her lips ghosted over Merwet’s skin. She pulled her hands away from Merwet’s waist so she could dance her fingers up and down Merwet’s arms. Her fingers itched to slip beneath Merwet’s dress and run across her thighs and then between them, but Bakura resisted and continued to tease Merwet with her lips. Merwet still shivered despite the blanket being around her shoulders and Bakura sweating beneath it. Something snapped in Merwet. She, shoved the blanket aside, twisted around, and pulled Bakura down until they both lay on their sides. She held Bakura’s face and kissed her with her tongue. Bakura sighed through her nose. She teased Merwet’s nipple through the fabric of her dress. Merwet returned the gesture, rolling Bakura’s bare breast in her hand before twisting her dark brown nipple. Bakura whimpered, breaking their kiss as she writhed. Her struggling spurred Merwet. She teased Bakura’s stomach, lower… lower… lower… to the edge of Bakura’s shenit.“Please, Queenie,” Bakura begged. “Please Kebi.” Merwet dipped her hand behind Bakura's shenti, and Bakura squealed when Merwet's nimble fingers circled around her clitoris. Bakura ran her hand up and down Merwet's outer thigh, leaning heavily against Merwet and panting against her shoulder. Bakura squirmed, pushing towards Merwet’s fingers. Bakura braced against Merwet’s hips in order to grind into Merwet’s touch, and when Merwet nipped at Bakura’s skin, the thief shouted, ass clenching and legs shuddering. The thief arched and came. Breath rasped in her chest, but Bakura’s hand yanked Merwet's clothing up above her legs so she could knead the outer petals of Merwet’s cunt. Even as Bakura caressed her, Merwet continued to stroke Bakura. She slipped her fingers into Bakura’s cunt to wet them and then ran them back up and down, teasing between Bakura’s entrance to her clitoris. Bakura hooked her top leg over Merwet, greedy for Merwet’s touch. Her own fingers found their way into Merwet’s entrance and she thrust one, two, then three into Merwet’s body and hummed in satisfaction at the sultry cries she coaxed from Merwet as she fucked her. They hitched into their own pleasure as they touched the other and both moaned as they moved. “Are you close?” Merwet whispered, her voice thick with desire. Bakura gave her a grunt, too focused on touching and being touched to speak. “Then come when I do.” Merwet nipped Bakura’s earlobe and won another grunt from the thief. Bakura squeezed her inner muscles, making Merwet’s touch more intense. She listened to Merwet’s moans and noted how fast she hitched in order to gage how close she was. When Merwet began to hike up, and her moans became soft, fast cries, Bakura tightened her own muscles further, pushed faster against Merwet’s touch, and allowed the thought of Merwet coming to drive herself to the edge so she could come at the same moment. Merwet giggled, nuzzling against Bakura’s collarbone as their heartbeats and breathing slowed. “I can’t believe you managed that.” “I love accepting challenges.” Bakura sucked her fingers clean. “I also love how you taste, like honey.”Merwet laughed again, hiding her face against Bakura’s breast. There was only starlight and a single flax oil lamp, but Bakura could tell she was flushed and giddy. She teased her fingers against Merwet’s lips. “Don’t believe me? Taste for yourself.”Merwet looked up at Bakura, her gaze a blue-violet sunrise. She parted her lips and dabbed her tongue across Bakura’s fingertips before sucking her fingers. She used her tongue to part Bakura's fingers like they were legs and fluttered her tongue between them. It was too erotic not to want to feel that tongue against her clit. Bakura pushed Merwet against the blanket and kissed her. A moment later, Bakura pushed the robe off of her shoulders, and spun herself so she could hover just over Merwet’s mouth. Bakura lowered herself down, gasping when Merwet’s tongue whipped out and flicked her orgasm-swollen clitoris. Bending down, she sucked Merwet’s clit, smacking her lips and smothering Merwet’s cunt in sloppy kisses that made her moan between Bakura’s legs. She kissed and kissed until the muscles in Merwet’s thighs grew tight and she knew Merwet wanted to come. Then Bakura rolled in tongue in wide, flat licks of her tongue. She started slow and gradually sped up until she was fluttering her tongue just on the tip and making Merwet scream. Bakura licked her lips, and wiped her face, and helped Merwet to a sitting position. She grabbed Merwet’s hands and situated herself so she could impale herself on two of Merwet’s fingers. Bakura straddled Merwet’s lap and bounced up and down, riding Merwet’s fingers and wrapping her arms around Merwet’s shoulders. Bakura lost control of all her thoughts as she rocked her hips. Merwet pushed in deeper each time Bakura sank down. Bakura rocked their hips quicker, moaning as they climbed close to ecstasy. A light burst above them, like Bakura had summoned the moon in her pleasure, but Bakura couldn’t focus on it. Even hearing Merwet gasp in wonder, Bakura continued rock and call out until her orgasm stormed through her entire body. Only then did she open her eyes and search for the source of the light. Bakura started when she saw Diabound. “Oooops.” She chuckled, feeling sheepish. “Didn’t mean to summon him. I must have gotten really carried away.”“Was it that good?” Merwet lidded her eyes as she stared at Bakura. “Well…” Bakura gestured at her ka. “This has never happened before, so…” “Don’t send him away,” Merwet said. “Let me look at him for a moment.”“I guess it can’t hurt anything.” Bakura shrugged. “Come here.” Merwet pulled Bakura into her arms and lay down against their blankets. “He looks like moonlight.” “Yeah,” Bakura agreed. “Years from now, if you ever died, I think I’d be able to tell,” Merwet said in a quiet voice.“How do you figure?” Bakura asked. “Your soul would make a brighter star than the others. It would be too fiery to belong with any of the others, and even as an old woman, I would remember you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Merwet woke up to the sun warming her face. She moaned, pulling the fresh, clean air into her lungs. The air almost smelled sweet, above ground. Merwet always felt stifled underground as a child, continuously drowning in the dim light and stale air. But not now, not here, the sun was in her face, and the air was in her lungs, and arms were around her chest. Merwet blinked and looked down at Bakura resting on top of her. The thief’s hair was a mess of white and hid most of Bakura’s face. Merwet reached down and teased Bakura’s locks. She smiled when Bakura squeezed a little harder in her sleep and muttered something inaudible. Merwet stayed still in order to let Bakura rest. They’d stayed up late talking, with Diabound and the stars glowing above them, and Merwet realized she didn’t really want to move. The morning sky was bright and pale, but just as beautiful as the night sky had been, and Bakura’s weight felt good against Merwet’s chest. She lay there, petting Bakura’s hair, for another fifteen minutes before Bakura inhaled, then yawned, and raised her eyes as she gave her surroundings a sleepy once-over. “Morning.” Merwet kissed the crown of Bakura’s head. “Mmmnn,” Bakura groaned. She pushed herself up and shivered. Bakura wrapped her robe around her shoulders and stumbled to the hatch back into the house.“Where are you going?” Merwet asked. “Get your pomegranate.” “Bakura.” Merwet felt her cheeks warm from more than the rising sunlight. “Wake up first.”“M’awake,” Bakura muttered as she climbed down the ladder. Merwet rose as well, dropping the blankets into the room before climbing down herself. She rinsed off with jarred water in a basin and found Bakura downstairs de-seeding one of the fat pomegranates from yesterday’s market trip. “Thank you,” Merwet heard herself saying. It was not a word in her usual vocabulary. “I mean, I’m going to eat it too.” Bakura grinned. “So don’t think you’re getting it all to yourself.” “I suppose I could share,” Merwet made herself sound put out, but she wanted to kiss Bakura- morning breath and everything. She wanted to so much that she knelt down beside Bakura and did it. Bakura grinned. “What was that for?”“I don’t know. I felt like it.” Merwet shrugged and fetched beer to go with their pomegranate. “Let's go to the oasis after breakfast. It's going to be too hot for me to meditate today, and I can show you the shrine in the village in the way home.”“Alright.” When Bakura finished, they ate the seeds and drank beer and gathered up some jars to fill with water while they were at the oasis. Merwet wrapped herself in a basic shenti, longer than Bakura's and cream colored. She didn't want to risk one of her good dresses just to swim. They rode two horses out, and when they reached their destination, they made sure to fill the jars first so they wouldn't have to do it later.“Do you want to race?” Bakura asked.“Sounds fun.” Merwet untied her shenti and let it fall to the grass below. “To the end and back?” “Yes. Whenever you say go.”“Okay… go.”They rushed into the water. Merwet shrieked at the cold, but there was no time to adjust. She held her breath and dove deeper, kicking as hard as she could. They reached the far bank, spun around, and rushed back to the shore. Bakura pulled ahead, and Merwet pushed herself to move faster, but Bakura slapped the wet sand half a second before Merwet managed to. “Ha!” Bakura cheered, shaking water from her hair. “You might even beat me next time.”“It is certain that I’ll beat you next time.” Merwet splashed Bakura. “Didn’t you learn last time?” Bakura splashed back. They pushed water back and forth at each other, until Merwet tired of it and ended the water fight by tackling Bakura into the water and kissing her again. When they broke the surface of the water, Merwet held her stomach in laughter.“What?” Bakura snapped. “You still kiss like it’s your first time!” “I don’t even know why I love you!” Bakura shouted. The thief gasped at their own statement, and Merwet’s jaw dropped. A hint of color managed to break through Bakura’s dark complexion. “I meant I love kissing you. I said it wrong.” Before Merwet could reply, Bakura jumped back into the water and swam away. Merwet sighed and watched her go. It was better that she had, because Merwet had denials and sharp jokes resting on her tongue to try and avoid what she’d just heard. Nevertheless, as Merwet watched Bakura swim, she absentmindedly reached up and brushed her fingers over her lips. They swam for an hour, avoiding each other, but Merwet hated the quiet, and she hated feeling lonely even more. She bit her lip, frowning as she thought of an excuse to pester Bakura. A wicked thought came into her head and she glided through the water to where Bakura swam lazy laps back and forth between two boulders, and pinned her against the closest one. “Bakura,” Merwet hummed her name like a spell.“What?” Bakura looked away, cheeks flushing. “Have you washed yourself?” “Yeah.” “Ah, that’s good, but did you wash well?” Merwet teased. “Um, sure?”“And did you wash everywhere?” “Do these weird questions have a point?” Merwet slipped her hands between Bakura’s legs. Bakura groaned and grabbed Merwet’s shoulders. Merwet lifted Bakura out of the water and bent her over the boulder beside them. Flecks of water made Bakura’s dark brown ass glitter in Ra’s light, and Merwet gave her rump a playful slap that made Bakura call out in anticipation. Merwet spread Bakura’s ass cheeks and leaned forward, giving her asshole a sensuous lick. “Yes-yes-yes-please Merwet,” Bakura begged right from the start, and the sound of it sent a jolt through Merwet’s body. She gave Bakura’s asshole another lick, and then another. Each time Bakura called out and hitched back, eager as ever. Merwet stretched her tongue out as far as she could and licked firmly. Bakura sounded delirious in her pleasure, and Merwet realized she could have demanded anything from Bakura at that moment and she would have obeyed without hesitation. That was how mesmerized Bakura was with the soft kisses and licks Merwet gave her. Merwet smiled, dipping her tongue into Bakura’s asshole. She circled, circled, and circled her tongue, and Bakura groaned like the pleasure might kill her. Merwet slapped her ass again, flicking her tongue for a moment and enjoying the way Bakura’s whines grew fierce and high-pitched. She started pressing back faster, desperate for Merwet to lick her. She waited until Bakura clawed at the stone below her and ground against the boulder in desperation before she flipped her. When Merwet slipped two fingers into Bakura’s cunt, she found it wet and ready for her. She pressed in as far as she could, using a third finger to press into Bakura’s asshole- still wet from Merwet’s tongue. Bakura’s cries were wordless. Her eyes were smashed shut, and she grit her teeth. “Do you like this?” Merwet asked.“Yes!”“Do you love this?” She grinned and bit her lower lip as she asked. “Yes!” Bakura screamed without hesitation. If she registered that Merwet was referring to Bakura’s earlier slip-up, then she was too far gone to be embarrassed about it. Merwet sped up her ministrations. She pumped until the muscles in her arm ached, but she didn’t slow down because Bakura was wailing, and clenching, and bucking into Merwet’s touch, moments away from orgasim. Merwet watched the way Bakura’s stomach rose and fell with each hitch of her hips, and the way her nipples stood erect. Bakura screamed, thighs squeezing tightly as she came. She gasped for breath. Merwet listened to the sound, erotic, but also a little too raspy, and Merwet realized that Bakura’s breath always sounded strained after she came. She decided she’d mix some herbs that night to help Bakura’s breathing. She didn’t have time to think of it further. Bakura lunged at Merwet, kissing down her throat and across her breast.Watching Bakura unraveling excited Merwet more than she cared to admit, and when Bakura set Merwet against the boulder and pushed her fingers inside Merwet, she called out and hooked her left leg over Bakura’s shoulder in order to give her more room to thrust. Bakura turned towards Merwet’s up-hiked leg and kissed her ankle, moving to the heel of her foot and then back to the ticklish part of Merwet’s back ankle where the tendon flexed. Merwet moaned, her toes curled, and she shivered in prelude to the inevitable rush of pleasure Bakura’s touch would give her. Bakura nipped at Merwet’s calf. Each nibble made Merwet gasp. Bakura curved her fingers up, striking pure nerves within Merwet’s body, and the gasps transformed into Bakura’s name. Merwet chanted it like a spell, Bakura, Bakura, Bakura. Diabound appeared in the sky again. Bakura started when the huge white shape filled the space above them. “Don’t stop!” Merwet pleaded when Bakura’s hand froze mid-thrust. “Bakura! I’m close! Fuck me!” Bakura looked flustered and irritated at her ka, but she shook her thoughts away and doubled her efforts of slamming her fingers against Merwet’s nerves and making her entire body burn with desire until she couldn’t take it anymore. Merwet moaned, she moaned, she moaned as her toes curled. When she opened her eyes again, Diabound was gone and so was Bakura. Merwet gave herself another half minute to recover, rinsed off in the oasis, and then swam to shore to search for Bakura. She found her laying on her back and drying herself in the sunshine. “Hey,” Merwet said.“Hey.”“You okay?”“Psh, why wouldn't I be?”“I think it's cute that you get so excited that you summon Diabound. I won't tease you for it if that's what you're worried about.”“I don't care if you tease me. If that bothered me I would have shoved your ass off a horse and rode away the first day we met.” “Then what is bothering you?” Merwet lay beside Bakura to dry as well.“Doesn’t matter.” Bakura crossed her arms over her chest. “Won’t be a problem once you leave.” “True…” Merwet felt her throat tighten. “But remember, I promised to stay a little longer after Aknadin dies to help make sure your village finds rest.”“You don’t have to.” Bakura snorted and turned away. “Kul Elna will take care of itself. We’ve always been an independent people.”“No, I don’t have to.” Merwet sat up, resting her hand on Bakura’s battle-scarred shoulder. “But I want to.” Bakura glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes searched Merwet for a moment before she sighed and sat up. “Well, I guess I could put up with you for a little longer. You give an amazing handjob, after all.” And Merwet’s heart fluttered every time Bakura kissed her- especially because Bakura kissed her every time like it was their first time and she couldn’t wait to kiss her again- but Merwet didn’t say it out loud. Instead, they wrapped themselves up in their shentis and mounted their horses. They left the horses far enough from the village that they wouldn’t run when the screaming started. Bakura didn’t say anything, so Merwet stayed quiet as well, not wanting to anger the already tormented spirits. She’d seen them a few times at this point, but it never stopped bothering her, the way they looked like melted people. Their screams stabbed her ears, piercing, mournful, but more than anything filled with unadulterated fury. It was the same way Merwet’s thoughts screamed at her every time she thought of her life- what had happened, and what would happen if the guards ever caught her. Bakura stopped in front of a cellar door. It didn’t look impressive, like any other dug out pit to store beer and onions away from the hot sun. “It’s here.”“Will the light from the hatch be enough or should we light a torch?”“The torches are already lit,” Bakura said in a dreamlike voice as she opened the door and started down the stairs. Merwet frowned, bad enough they stood in a haunted place, but Bakura’s ominous words didn’t help settle the heavy granite feeling in Merwet’s belly. Sweat broke out on the nape of her neck, and she craved the oasis and figs and laying in the sunshine and being anywhere but in front of that cellar door. Holding her breath, Merwet descended into the darkness. She told herself that her foreboding was because of her childhood. She hated the dark and she hated being underground, but while memories from her childhood did prick the back of her mind, that wasn’t the real reason for her dread. She simply felt dread. As she reached the end of the stairs, she gasped. Torches lined the walls, revealing hieroglyphs and pictures of a battle. From what Merwet could see, the battle was between a child of Osiris and a child of Thoth. What worried her, was that the child of Thoth wore a red cloak. There was also a monster behind the red cloaked figure. In the end, both the thief and Pharaoh lay dead in the sand, the Ring and Puzzle floating above their corpses and glowing.“Bakura? Have you ever looked at this? Bakura?” Merwet looked around, but couldn’t see Bakura. She jogged through the room, and stopped when she reached the end. A shrine sat there. A huge stone tablet shaped like a sarcophagus lay in the center of a raise platform. Bakura stood on top, staring at the holes carved into the stone. Each indent was shaped like a different Item. “Bakura?” “It’s my destiny. To return the Items to this Tablet. To open the Door of Darkness and free the Dark Lord.” “Bakura? What are you talking about? I thought you wanted to help your village? What Dark Lord? Apep?”Bakura laughed; it rang throughout the room. “Apep? He’s weak, like the other gods. Did you know that before the Ogdoad an even older god ruled over the darkness? Then the world was created, pushing everything back, but the Dark Lord wants what’s his. He wants everything, and will return it to the darkness that predates existence.” “Bakura, I don’t want to be here anymore. I don’t like this place.” Merwet stared at Bakura. She turned and glanced at Merwet over her shoulder. Merwet stepped back. She didn’t recognize her thief. Bakura’s features were sharper, and no light glimmered in her eyes. She turned and marched towards Merwet. “It doesn’t matter what you like. This is what will be, and if you get in my way, I’ll destroy you with the others.”“Bakura, listen to yourself.” Merwet cupped the Thief’s face. “You’re not yourself. Come on. Let’s go.” “Let go,” Bakura snarled.“No,” Merwet hissed, kissing Bakura on the mouth. She lifted the Thief up and carried her towards the exit. “Set me down, now.” There was a threat in Bakura’s voice, although none in her words, but Merwet didn’t care. Even like this, she didn’t think Bakura would really hurt her. “They stole my family!” Merwet screamed. “They killed my family! I was alone! And I swore, I fucking swore to the gods, that I would never love anyone again until Aknadin was dead. Then I trained, my entire life, every breath was taken to end Aknadin’s breath. I treated people like pegs in a mehen board. I treated lovers like campfires- taking their warmth for a night and then leaving them cold the next morning as I walked away.”The stairs were a struggle with Bakura’s weight, but Merwet grit her teeth and forced her legs to climb one step at a time until they were back in the sunlight. She stumbled, and they both dropped to the ground. Merwet paid no mind to the scrapes on her knees. She across Bakura’s body and held her face so their eyes met. “Bakura, don’t leave me like they did.” Merwet kissed Bakura’s cheeks, up her cheekbone, across her temple, in the center of her forehead. She refused to stop and kissed down the bridge of Bakura’s nose, the corners of her mouth, and along her jawline. “Don’t leave me like they did. Please come back. You’re the only thing I don’t want to walk away from.” “Merwet?” Bakura wrinkled her brow. “Why are you kissing me in the dirt and shouting?”“Are you yourself again?” Merwet combed her fingers through Bakura’s hair. Her heart bucked like an untrained pony. “Who else would I be if not me?” “Do you not remember anything?” Merwet asked, helping Bakura sit up. “I… we looked at the Tablet. Did you read the inscription on the wall in front of it? It said-”“Don’t you have any idea what else is on the walls?”“The… other walls?” Bakura blinked, disoriented. She pressed her fingers against her temples as if her head hurt. “I… yeah, sure I’ve looked at them. They’re… art or something, right?”“Bakura!” Merwet screamed. The spirits were all gathered around them, watching. Merwet’s scream aggravated them and made them wail louder than before, but she shouted over them. She needed Bakura to hear her. “It shows you fighting Atem in battle! It shows you both dying and your souls being trapped in two of the Items!”“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m going to put the Items back into the Tablet and-”“Open the Door to Darkness? That’s what releases the Dark Lord!”“What are you talking about?” Bakura pushed Merwet away, standing up and dusting herself off. “You just misinterpreted what you saw, Merwet. I have to-”“You have to stay away from that shrine!” Merwet grabbed Bakura’s hand and dragged the Thief back to their horses. Bakura fell. Merwet sank back into the sand, holding her.“My head hurts.” Bakura grabbed her head again. “It’s that damn Tablet. It’s cursed, Bakura. You have to stay away from it!”“I can’t.” Bakura grit her teeth. “I don’t care if it’s cursed. Curse me! If it helps my family rest-”“Shhhh.” Merwet pressed her forehead against Bakura’s. “We have to kill Aknadin first, right? We’ll save your family. I promise. Let’s get you home for now.”“I… I don’t feel well, Merwet,” Bakura confessed, clinging to her.“I know. Don’t worry. We’re going home.”She helped Bakura to her feet, arms still sore from carrying her. They stumbled together until they reached the horses. Merwet tied the two equines together so she could ride with Bakura as her horse carried their water. They made it home by sunset. Merwet lay Bakura down on their bed and went back downstairs to care for the horses and store the water. She roasted leeks, onions, and garlic in the fire and heated up smoked fish for their dinner, bringing the mats of food upstairs so Bakura could rest as she ate. “I didn’t know you could cook.” Bakura woke up, staring at the food. “I don’t like to.” Merwet shrugged. “But I’m not helpless when I’m by myself.” “Did I get heat stroke or something? I remember taking you to Kul Elna, but I don’t really remember much else until I realized I was lying in bed.” Bakura scratched the back of her head. “You… don’t even remember after we left the shrine? You seemed okay then.”Bakura groaned, grabbing her head. “It hurts when I try to think about it.”“Bakura.” Merwet pulled Bakura’s hands down so she could hold them. “Can you remember any time you’ve ever been down there?”“Of course, I used to go down there all the time as a child. That’s when I read the inscription near the Tablet.”“What’s on the walls, Bakura?”“I told you.” Bakura frowned. “An inscription-”“Any other wall!”“Merwet.” Bakura winced. “My head hurts.”“I know. It’s the damn shrine.” “The Items-”“Bakura, who’s the Dark Lord?”“What the fuck are you talking about?”“You said you were going to summon the Dark Lord. There’s carvings on the wall showing you and Atem killing each other in battle, a battle you fight with a monster.”“No, there can’t be anything like that. I would remember-”“But you don’t remember! You don’t remember anything from this afternoon, and if you think about it, you’ll realize that you can’t remember anything except that one inscription! Whatever creature is connected to that place is wiping your memory!” “That… can’t be.” Bakura shook her head. Kul Elna is my home, the spirits would never-”“They can’t help it, Bakura! None of you can! Whatever Shadow Magic Aknadin used…” Merwet’s face crumbled when she realized the truth. Aknadin must have let Bakura survive on purpose. He kept her as a vessel to be corrupted by the Dark Lord. That was how he was going to kill Atem. He was going to pit Bakura and Atem against each other and let them both die. Then Atem could die a hero, fighting the darkness, and Egypt would have no choice but to elevate Aknadin from Pharaoh regent- to Pharaoh. Merwet balled her hands into fists, standing up.“Bakura. I have to go.”“Go?” Bakura’s face paled.“I can’t explain, but- I have to go right now.” Merwet ran to the stables, grabbed the first horse, and took off into the night.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Bakura ignored the way her eyes burned. She ignored the sting in her throat. She forced herself to eat the food Merwet had cooked, both portions since Merwet had given no indication that she’d be back. Bakura needed her strength. She had another tomb to rob. She was going to wait a full week to give the guards time to grow complacent again, but who cared about the guards? If they got in Bakura’s way- she’d kill them. Their lives didn’t matter. Nothing mattered… except vengeance, except her village. Bakura wasn’t sure what exactly she did to make Merwet’s complexion pale and her hands shake. She had no idea what she did to make Merwet abandon her before they killed Aknadin, but she decided it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except her vengeance. She took the stronger of the two remaining horses. The one less likely to tire after a long day of riding in the daylight, and set off for the next tomb she wanted to rob. She kept her pace easy for the horse, walked when she needed to, and left the creature to rest at a public well while Bakura walked the last three miles on her own. Someone might steal the horse, but she didn’t care. She could steal another one. She could steal ten more horses. She was the fucking Thief King and she was about to spit in the face of all the gods by ransacking one of their precious Pharaoh’s tombs. There were guards, but she used Diabound to hide in the shadows and slip past them. There were traps, but Bakura was cunning and she figured each one out. In the end, she stood in the treasure room, staring at the sarcophagus. One tear managed to sneak down her cheek as she remembered making love to Merwet on top of a similar sarcophagus. Apparently she wasn't half the snake charmer she thought she was. She had gotten bitten after all and the poison made her heart ache. Bakura snapped out of her thoughts and shoved jewels and gold into the sack she’d brought. “I don’t need you.” Bakura stormed around. What she didn’t shove into the bag, she pushed onto the floor. “You were stubborn, and high maintenance, and demanding, and…” and fun to play games with, and fun to kiss, and fun to talk to beneath the starlight, “-you’re not even half as good at sennett as you think you are!” Bakura’s voice echoed off of the walls, mixed with the sound of cracking relics tossed onto the floor, but no amount of noise could hide the fact that she was alone. “So what!” Bakura screamed into the empty tomb. “So what if the shrine was cursed? You didn’t have to leave!”Bakura dropped the bag, balling her hands into fists and then punching vases and perfume bottles off of their tables. By the end of it all, Bakura was tired, sweating, bleeding at the knuckles, and still upset. She dropped down on her ass. Her hand reached out and she pet the mummified cat sitting next to the Pharaoh’s coffin. Bakura knew it was ridiculous, to pet a dead cat, but she did it anyway, and cackled into the empty tomb as she did so. Once she settled down, Bakura sighed, picked herself up, took her useless bag of treasure, and slunk out of the tomb.The guards would have never guessed her mood. By the time they saw her, she was screaming, and cheering, and bragging about being the greatest thief Kemmet ever knew. She led them on a wild goose chase through the desert, using Diabound to cheat since her horse was miles away. Once she evaded them, she backtracked to the well.She was surprised to see the horse drinking from the bucket of water she’d left for him. The first genuine smile Bakura made that night settled over her face as she watched her horse drink. She patted the horse down, nuzzled against the equine's neck, and made sure he’d drank his fill before mounting him and heading back towards home. ***Merwet rode like a fool. She was lucky she didn’t maim the horse, but she needed answers, and she needed them before the sun rose. She stabled her horse near the gate she and Bakura had escaped through their first night together. A golden ring was more than enough to pay for the care of the horse. Merwet rubbed the naked skin of her pointer finger as she marched through town. Bakura had placed that ring on her finger, and kissed her with a reverence Merwet had never seen before in a lover. She felt the absence of the gold more than she should have, but she’d left without grabbing anything for trading. The palace rose into view, higher and higher the closer she got. Merwet hid in the shadows of the closest buildings, watching the number of guards that passed in front of the palace walls. They were doubled, inconvenient, but not impossible to get into the castle. She was sure Aknadin would be too heavily guarded. Otherwise she’d end it all now- but her priority at the moment wasn’t Aknadin… it was that damn priestess. Merwet saw a chance and she took it. She sprinted to the wall and jumped up. Her grip at the top almost slipped, and Merwet scrambled upward as quickly as she could before the noise of her shoes scraping against the stone was noticed by the guards. She dropped down into the gardens and hid behind an olive tree to catch her breath and regain her bearings. She wasn’t sure how Bakura climbed up the wall, as short as she was. The buzz of locusts filled the garden air. Merwet checked around the trunk of the tree, but didn’t see any guards, except near the entrances. Nevertheless, Merwet crept low, sticking to trees and taller grasses as she neared the pond that she and Bakura had fallen into during their last escape. Grape vines crawled up the castle wall, watered by the pond. Merwet grabbed the branches and prayed to no god in particular as she hoisted herself up to the second story window where Isis slept. A hand reached out before Merwet made it to the window ledge. She blinked for a moment and took it. Isis helped pulled Merwet into her chambers.“I’ve been waiting for you,” said the priestess. “Then you know what I saw in the shrine room?”“Yes.”“Well?” Merwet clenched her hands into fists. “How do I stop that prophecy from happening?” “The more you love Bakura, the less-”“Oh don't give me that crocodile shit about love. I need a real spell. Real magic that will protect Bakura from whatever curse is down there. I need you to tell me how to avoid all this.”“There is no avoiding it. Ever since the day I inherited the powers of the Necklace, I have done everything I could to avoid as many tragedies as possible.” Isis dropped to her knees. Her hands braced the floor below her. Her hair spilled over her shoulders in a black rush, but her eyes were wide and focused on something only she could see. “But it’s impossible to avoid them all. Every future, every possible outcome, everything is suffering. This was the best I could do. It is fate that Zorc Necrophades be called into this world. It is fate that the sole survivor of Kul Elna fight the Pharaoh.” She blinked, as if settling back into her own body. Her gaze flicked up and stayed on Merwet. “Your destiny was to die before any of this happened. You were meant to kill Aknadin and in return be murdered by the guards before Mahad brought the regent back from death. I stopped your plans so that Aknadin would not die, and you’d be dragged to the dungeons instead. I saved your life so you’d meet Bakura.” She shook her head to clear it. “Bakura will get the Ring. This, too, is fate. You’re the deban that decides which way the scale tilts. Succumb to your fear of losing a loved one and Bakura’s soul will be lost, to the darkness. Fight your fears and express your love, and Bakura might break the curse and fight with the light by the battle’s end.” “This is horse shit! I don’t believe you.” Merwet grabbed for Isis to drag her up to her feet and threaten her until she gave a better answer. Instead of her dress, Merwet grabbed the Millennium Necklace around Isis’ throat. The moment her palm touched the gold, the world flashed into fire and smoke. She felt a terror that wasn’t her own but was familiar to her. It was the terror of watching one’s family be destroyed, and being helpless to change it. She choked on the smoke in the air, tasted ash on her tongue. Royal soldiers wounded men, women, and children, dragging them screaming and fighting to the cellar doors and down the stairs. Merwet noted how they wounded each victim, but kept them alive. She followed the last victims down the cellar stairs. The taste of bile stung the back of her tongue. Below, beneath the ground, in the dark pit only lit by fire, villager after villager was forced into a cauldron of molten gold. They were lowered in, not thrown, feet first. The screams… the smell… Merwet struggled to look away, but she couldn’t move. Her mind spun, everything darkened, and when she came back to her senses, she realized she was laying on a rug with Isis cradling her head. “Where…?”“Do you understand the power of the Millennium Necklace now? What you saw, what you experienced was a part of what Bakura experienced as a child.” Merwet rolled away from Isis and struggled to her feet, but she couldn't get the fire out of her mind's eye. “Is there nothing better you can do for Bakura than this? Is there no talisman or spell I can use to protect her?” “Pendants guard against illness. Spells protect crops. The Items were created with Shadow Alchemy and the prophecy you saw in Kul Elna is the plan of a god older and darker than Apep. What would you have me do?”“Set’s fucking balls, I can't believe I wasted my time on you.” Merwet turned to leave.“Wait-”“What now? Are you going to torture me with more visions? Irritate me with vague predictions? Give me another lecture on love?”“I have a gift for you.”“I don’t trust your gifts.”“It’s something very rare and expensive. You won’t be able to resist it.” Isis smiled as she walked towards a small table. She picked up a small, bronze box engraved with the image of lotus flowers and held it out to Merwet. “What is it?” Merwet frowned. “Is there a scorpion in there?”“It’s a music box. You twist this and it plays a song.”“Why are you giving it to me?”“Bakura will like it.”“Of course.” Merwet snorted. “Because if I bribe her with gifts, the power of love will save her from a dark god.” “I suppose I could keep it.” Isis pulled the box closer to her body.“I’m keeping it for myself.” Merwet snatched the box away from the priestess and stole a gossamer scarf to use as a sling so she could tied the box around her while climbing walls and evading guards. “I should get some sort of compensation for wasting my time with you. Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to ride North and take a ship to Greece. I think I’ll avoid the prophecy altogether and spend my nights drinking wine with olive colored men.”“The approaching darkness will swallow Kemmet whole and then spread to every country in the world. You can’t escape your destiny, Merwet.”“You said my destiny was to die. I choose to die drunk in Greece rather than be in love in Egypt.” Merwet swung her legs out the window and climbed- climbed- down rather than jumping recklessly into the pond like a certain thief had. She slipped through the garden again, back over the wall, and through the town until she reached the stable. Once she had her horse, she left the city, but she did not ride North. She rode home, despite all her anger at fate and the gods, she rode home. Not to the temple that harbored her for years. That was never home. She rode to Bakura, and the spirits in Kul Elna screamed, but they did not attack her.But when she entered the house, Bakura was not there. ***The water chilled her, but Bakura didn’t mind. She welcomed the slight numb feeling against her skin as she swam from one side of the oasis to the other. She’d bathed the tomb-dust from her body, and eaten her fill of figs, and now she was clearing her mind. The wise thing to do would be to wait a week, maybe even two or three, and allow the guards to settle into a predictable routine after her second robbery, but Bakura didn’t want to be wise. She wanted to be rash. She’d give her horse enough time to rest and go directly for the tomb of Akhenamkhanen. Rob it in the bold, bold daylight, steal not only his treasure, but his corpse as well. By the time news of her last robbery reached the palace, Bakura would burst into the throne room with the old Pharaoh in tow and challenge the entire court. Bakura grinned. That would get Mahad’s attention. He could have no greater failure as the head of security for the tombs than to have a Pharaoh dragged before him. She’d kill him then and there, but even if the combined power of the court was too much for Diabound, then Bakura was still confident that she could escape and fight Mahad alone. Then, once the magician was out of the way- Aknadin’s head would decorate the palace floor. She reached the shore and waded out of the water. Stretching out in the sunlight, Bakura fell asleep with a grin on her face because she felt that she was finally close to the justice she’d sought after since fire consumed her village. After waking, Bakura hid her treasure and jumped onto her horse. She rode into the Valley of the Kings and found Akhenamkhanen’s tomb. The traps in the tomb thrilled her, each a challenge, each a game for her to win. This wasn’t a minor noble or long forgotten king, Akhenamkhanen had been loved by his people, all his people, and the tomb builders of Kul Elna had taken care in the construction of his tomb, which had begun long before his death. Bakura remembered. She remembered her father showing plans drafted on sheets of papyrus. She’d only been a toddler, but Bakura remembered all the dead ends, false chambers, and unnecessary paths designed to discourage would be thieves from disrupting Akhenamkhanen’s rest. But Akhenamkhanen was murdered, her father murdered, her village murdered, and the other children of Thoth- murdered. Now Bakura was the thief, and if her family couldn’t rest in peace, then she didn’t care if the pharaohs rested or suffered. Before lay a narrow path. A pit lay on each side of the path, and the walkway itself was the width of a single sandal. With one foot instead of the other, Bakura walked. She heard a whizzing sound and ducked to avoid an arrow. She had to jump to dodge the second, and cartwheel to miss the four arrows that fired in succession after that. She caught her breath once she reached the other side, and continued down the corridor to the next challenge. The next challenge was a maze littered with weighted tiles that sprung traps, but Bakura remembered this, too. She’d even had her father draw her her own version of the maze so she could navigate it with stones she’d used like game pieces. Solving the maze in real life, as her own game piece, brought back a sense of nostalgia, and Bakura laughed as she raced through the maze without triggering a single trap. The last obstacle was her favorite, however. It was an entire gauntlet of trip wires, swinging pendulum ax blades, traps that sprayed fire into the air, and a puzzle at the end separating the treasure room from the rest of the tomb. Bakura ran through the traps, exhilarated each time she nearly missed her death. She forgot all about Merwet as the game of getting to the other side consumed her. The puzzle was the tricky part. She’d never solved the toy model her father made as a prototype, but she was grown now and, after over half an hour of struggling, finally arranged all the clay tiles correctly to open the door. Bakura gasped at the treasure inside. Aknadin may have killed his brother, enslaved his son, and stole his throne, but he’d made sure that Akhenamkhanen reached the after life surrounded by the most glorious riches known to Egypt. Bakura filled a sack until it was overflowing, and draped extra treasure over her body before prying open the sarcophagus and strapping the mummy to her back as well. She was too burdened to go back the way she came, so Bakura summoned Diabound and used his ability to slip past the walls. She found her horse and left. There was no need to announce her heist to the guards, Aknadin would know which tomb she had robbed when he saw his brother’s remains at the end of Bakura’s leash. ***Merwet paced from one end of the room to the other. The fire was cold. Bakura had been gone as long as Merwet had, but the thief still wasn’t back, and Merwet realized it was her fault that Bakura had left. She’d walked out on Bakura. She’d abandoned her and left her alone, still disoriented from whatever curse took hold of her in the shrine. She’d been too hasty, too focused on answers. In her anger, Merwet had hurt the very person she’d wanted to protect. She clenched both her fist and her jaw and tried to imagine where Bakura would have gone. Perhaps she rode to a village to find a tavern and drink beer and wine until she was drunk, but Merwet doubted it. She had both beer and wine in the cellar. Perhaps to rob a tomb? It was foolish and far too early, but that’s exactly the sort of thing Bakura would do if she felt abandoned. She might be at the oasis at that very moment. Merwet thought about searching for her there, but feared she’d miss her if Bakura was on her way back.The best thing to do was stay there. Merwet hated it. She hated waiting and felt useless, but she needed to be there when Bakura came home- to show that she hadn’t abandoned her.There was one other option, an option that froze the blood in Merwet’s veins. Bakura could be there, back in the shrine. She hadn’t seen a horse as she rode through, but she’d also ridden through as quickly as her horse could pace in order to avoid the screaming and tormented, melted spirits. Merwet dropped to the floor and sat against the nearest wall for support. Merwet stared at the floor as she hugged her knees to her chest. She realized, to her dismay she realized, that she couldn’t bear the thought of Bakura getting hurt. In a trap, by a guard, bitten by a snake- no, not even bitten by a snake. Merwet could not bear the thought of Bakura getting hurt. But above all her other fears, Merwet prayed, she prayed to the gods she’d forsakened, that Bakura was anywhere else but that cursed cellar near that damned Tablet.

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“What is the meaning of this!” Aknadin screamed as he rose from his throne. His face was the color of wine. The veins in his throat bulged from anger. Bakura laughed, and her echo shimmied off the granite pillars and walls. “This is your reckoning, Aknadin!” Bakura cheered once her laughter died away. “You wear the remains of my dead family.” She dropped the corpse onto the floor, planting her foot right over his empty chest cavity. “So I decided to carry around your dead family!”“Dead… Family…” “That’s right!” Bakura tore the hood away from her hair. Gold chains clinked as they hit the floor, and everyone in the royal court gasped in shock at the mess of white hair framing Bakura’s face. “I’m the sole survivor of that village.” “Guards!” Aknadin screamed again, but his face was no longer red- it was pale with fear. “Kill the thief!” “How rude! Is this how you treat your guests?” Bakura laughed again, and used Diabound to knock the guards to the ground. “Is that my father?” a small voice asked from the side.Bakura looked and saw Atem hiding behind a pillar. His eyes were huge as the full moon, and he, too, was pale, but from being locked up for so many years and not fear. Bakura frowned. He shouldn’t be there, and the fact that he was meant something was off. Bakura became suddenly sure that she evaded Mahad’s trap only to fall into one much more complicated- and more dangerous. Bakura, however, was not one to back down once she got started. “Oh? Did you let your pet out of his room, Aknadin?” Bakura asked, feigning indifference. “I’m surprised. Sorry you had to see this, kid, but it needed to be done.” “Pharaoh!” Aknadin bowed when he saw Atem. “This is the Thief King! The one who’s been ransacking the tombs of your ancestors! And yes, that is your beloved father. See how the Thief King has no heart to weigh? He’s evil!” “It’s true, I have no heart.” Bakura snarled, furious with Aknadin’s kowtowing. “Ammit cannot eat what grief and rage consumed years ago! Come, Aknadin! If you’re offended, then fight me! We’ll let the gods use our ka to decide who should have justice!”She was so focused on Aknadin, so desperate to fight him, that she didn’t see Atem run across the throne room. She didn’t sense him as he neared her until she felt his hand shoving her to the ground. “Get away from my father!” Atem dropped to his knees and cradled the linen-wrapped corpse in his arms. “How could you? How could you? I didn’t want to believe them, when they said you were evil. I was sure you were kind the night we met. I gave you my ren, but Mahad was right. You are evil. You’re vile!” “Atem.” Bakura pushed herself up to her knees. Unease gripped Bakura’s chest. Why was Atem even out of his room? Aknadin was only ever using the boy, and this could not be an exception. He somehow knew Bakura was going to show up. Did he see it through the Eye? Or was it Isis? “Don’t ever utter my name again!” Atem shrieked, clutching his father closer to his chest as tears poured down his delicate cheekbones. “I can’t forgive you for this! Gods damn you! Osiris damn you! Slifer! Come to me, so I can give my father justice!”The moment Atem shouted the name Osiris, his puzzle glowed with harsh, golden light. A long red, ribbon of energy surrounded Atem. It darkened, transforming from a light to crimson scales that gleamed like fresh-spilled blood. “Holy shit!” Bakura jumped to her feet. The kid had actually managed to call forth the Sky Dragon Slifer, the physical avatar of the god Osiris. Diabound’s tail coiled around Bakura a moment before the energy from the red serpent’s blast could disintegrate her. The room trembled, vases shattered from the backlash of the attack and the servants fled screaming. “The legends are true.” Kazim took a step forward, eyes locked on the red dragon. “It has been foretold that before Kemet's darkest time, a chosen Pharaoh will summon the gods to fight a great evil. Atem is the chosen Pharaoh of prophecy.”“Then fight Aknadin!” Bakura growled. “He’s the great evil you should all fear!” “I have protected this land! Especially from the villainy of white-haired demons like this rogue! See? Their powers are too great. Even now this thief fights against the gods themselves. The children of Thoth are a danger to the land. This thief particularly.” “Fuck you! You killed Akhenamkhanen!” Bakura charged Diabound with all the energy she had. “You mean your filthy village of thieves murdered him!” Aknadin shouted the lie right in front of Osiris and it infuriated Bakura that the god didn’t blast Aknadin right then and there for it, but the creature was only an avatar of Osiris’ power, controlled by Atem. It had no will of its own. “They were builders! They were innocents! You melted them!” “I brought justice to the Pharaoh’s murdered soul!” “No, that’s what I’m trying to do by killing you!”“Enough!” Atem roared, and the room shook as Osiris screeched with him. “Karim, use the Scales on the thief. Let’s see if she’s lying or telling the truth.” “Pharaoh.” Karim bowed his head and held the scales up into the air. He gasped as the scales grew wild in his hold. They swung, and the base jerked left to right until Karim lost his grip and the golden relic shot to the other end of the room. The scales scraped against the floor and clanged against the wall.“What… what does that mean?” Atem asked. “I don’t know, Pharaoh.” Karim bowed lower. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”“Isis?” Atem turned to the priestess. “Can you see anything with your Necklace?”“A battle!” Isis sobbed into the skirt of her dress. “A battle between the gods of light and the darkness! A battle that might destroy the world!” “Then it’s true.” Atem’s jaw hardened and his eyes narrowed at Bakura. “You are evil.”“What even is evil? Is it stealing?” Bakura narrowed her eyes at Aknadin. “Or is is manipulating a child?” “Only the darkest heart would defile the dead!” Atem waived his hand to show that the debate was over. “If we’re to battle, then let us battle!”Slifer shot another blast at Bakura and Diabound blocked. Blast after blast struck Bakura’s ka, until she could taste blood in her mouth.“I’m not fighting a brat in his first season of manhood!” Bakura grit her teeth, pivoting towards Mahad even as Diabound counterattacked. “But you! Know this! Ninety nine villagers died, and I demand a soul for a soul! Stop me if you can! Akhenamkhanen’s wife’s tomb is next.” “Bakura, don’t you dare touch my mother!” Atem attacked with Slifer.“Sorry, little king!” Bakura spat blood onto the floor. She felt like each blast was tearing her to shreds and she knew she had to either fight back for real- or escape. “The gods don’t spare mothers in this cruel world. If you’re going to be Pharaoh, you’d better learn that now.” With that, Bakura jumped into Diabound’s arms and disappeared through the walls. ***Merwet had fallen asleep leaning against the wall despite the itchy tear trails drying on her cheeks. She awoke to the sound of a horse riding up to the house. Merwet dashed to the stable, willing it to be Bakura, and it was. Merwet had to catch her thief in her arms and Bakura toppled from the horse’s back. “Bakura! What did you do? Shit!” Merwet carried her upstairs and to their bed.She felt for a heartbeat. It was strong, but Bakura’s breath rasped in her throat and a trail of dried blood stained her chin. Merwet washed Bakrua’s face and left linen anointed with lavender on her forehead before going and tending to the horse.Back inside, Merwet made a tea of various herbs and set it to cool as she checked Bakura’s body for broken bones or signs of greater injury. Bakura seemed fine, battered and weak but not dying. That didn’t stop Merwet from fussing over her all that day, and throughout the night. Merwet herself didn’t sleep again until sunrise when her lids drooped over her eyes without permission and she past out against Bakura’s shoulder. She woke up with a start when she felt a hand rest against her cheek. “Bakura?”“You came back,” Bakura whispered, her eyes filled with awe. “Of course I came back.” Merwet pushed herself to sitting so she could grab Bakura and crush the thief to her chest. “Of course I came back. I was scared shitless when you weren’t here. Where did you go?”“I robbed a couple of tombs.” Bakura shrugged. “Two at once? Bakura, why?” “Why?” Bakura snorted, her voice sounded tight. “Who cares, that’s why! You disappeared but I still had Aknadin to deal with!” “Bakura…” Merwet swallowed. She felt sick. “Bakura, what did you do? Did you manage to kill Mahad?”“No, but I definitely got his attention.” Bakura grinned, but it crashed on her face and became a frown. “Perhaps I was too harsh. I dragged Akhenamkhanen into the throne room. I didn’t expect Atem to see-”“He saw?” Merwet’s mouth dropped. The heavy feeling in her gut dropped lower into her intestines. She didn’t think it could be a coincidence, that the fated king was freed in time to see Bakura’s atrocity. “Yes, and he summoned Osiris’ battle avatar.” She shrugged again. “That’s how I got so roughed up. I fought back a little, but… it’s not Atem I want dead. I wasn’t about to assassinate the true heir to the throne so Aknadin could keep it.”“That’s exactly what he wants.” Merwet slammed her fist against the mattress. “This is a game to him! You and Atem are pieces he’s pitting against each other.”“That was obvious.” Bakura snorted. “I’m not stupid. There was no other reason for Atem to be there except to fight me. What I want to know is what sort of game Isis is playing. Only she could have told him when I'd arrive.”“That’s what I ran off to find out!” Merwet grabbed Bakura’s shoulders. “You should have waited for me to come back! I couldn’t have helped you. We could have-”“I didn’t know you were coming back!” “Why wouldn’t I have came back?” Merwet shouted. Bakura’s face twisted, anger perhaps, or hurt. “You kept talking about how you were going to leave afterward. Fuck, I don’t know? It made me think you just gave up altogether.”“No, I-” Merwet growled, angry at herself this time. “I was worried and I didn’t want to waste time explaining. I was trying to find out more information so we could plan what to do. Not just jump into Aknadin’s fucking game like you did.” “You still could have said something.” Bakura sighed and pursed her lips. “Why did you go to see Isis of all people? I thought you didn’t trust her prophecies.” “I… don’t…” Merwet dropped her head. “Maybe I do. I saw… I touched the Necklace and then I was there. In Kul Elna. I watched them lower everyone into the molten gold through your eyes, your memories, I suppose.”“You… saw?”Fresh tears burned Merwet’s face. Blind, she embraced Bakura again. “I’m sorry you saw it! I’m sorry you had to watch!”“I don’t care,” Bakura snapped, too quickly. “I’m glad I saw it. My hatred stays as hot as that cauldron of gold because I saw.” “I’m not letting that monster have you. I refuse.” “Who? Aknadin? I can kill him easy enough.” “No. Zorc Necrophades.” “Who?”“The dark god that you’re going to summon into the world.” Merwet bit her lip after she spoke. It dawned on her then, that she did believe Isis. The vision of Kul Elna had convinced her. And that meant there was only one way to save Bakura, and Merwet was going to do it. Merwet pushed Bakura into the mattress, hovering over her and kissing her. Bakura’s eyes closed and she moaned into the kiss. She giggled as Merwet brushed her throat with lighter kisses. “Merwet? What are you doing?” “Giving in,” Merwet whispered as she slipped Bakura’s robe off of her shoulders. “I’m not complaining.” Bakura continued to laugh even as she arched upward when Merwet settled on top of her. “But I’m not sure I’ve forgiven you yet for taking off without warning.” “I promise I’m never leaving you again.” Merwet kissed Bakura’s lips again.Bakura snorted and turned away. “At least until Aknadin’s dead, right?”“Bakura.” Merwet braced two fingers against Bakura’s cheek and pushed until Bakura faced her. “I’m never leaving you again. Ever.” “I...don’t…” Bakura’s eyes shimmered like moonlight reflecting in the rippling surface of the Nile. “This is hard for me, but I… I care about you.” It was the best she could do. It'd been too long since she said the other word in earnest and her voice felt like tarnish in her throat. “I want to stay with you.” An overwhelming rush of sincerity swept through Merwet. She pressed her lips against Bakura's forehead and whispered against her skin, “I want to protect you.” “That sounds… heroic of you.” Bakura chuckled, but Merwet could feel the heat of Bakura's flushed face. “No, it's selfish.” Merwet gave a rueful laugh. “I've never been so selfish as I am right now. More than anything I hate the thought of losing anyone I love.” “Me too.” Bakura sniffed as tears flooded over her cheeks. “I'm selfish, too.” “Then let's be selfish together.” Merwet used the hem of her dress to dry Bakura's tears before holding her face and kissing her like the monster had already been summoned, the battle already lost, and fate already sealed. Bakura tangled her fingers in Merwet’s hair. Merwet pulled Bakura up, shifting so she could cradle Bakura into her lap. Her hands grabbed at Bakura, shoulders first, then down her arms, over to her breasts, and then up her thighs. It was like Merwet needed to make sure Bakura was actually in her arms, and only handling her with rough squeezes and grabs could prove she wasn’t an illusion. Bakura grunted between kisses and pulled at Merwets hair to urge her to keep grabbing. Their tongues grew sloppy. They pulled away to wipe their mouths before pressing together for more, and Merwet needed more. Her hands reached higher until she was between Bakura legs and she had Bakura mewling. She kept massaging, her touch light and quick and nimble against Bakura’s clitoris. It only took a few minutes to finish her thief off. After Bakura shuddered and relaxed, they ended up twisted in a knot, grinding against each other and holding tight to each other as they moved. Merwet fought out of her dress and tore the shenti away from Bakura. She didn’t want cloth between them, only the warmth and sweat from their bodies as they wrestled, kissing each other’s shoulders and breasts, and pressing together until they screamed, and relaxed, and kissed until they were ready to rock against each other again with the same ferocity as before. Bakura scrambled on top. She straddled Merwet and grabbed her breasts as she rolled the weight of her hips down against Merwet’s cunt. Merwet watched with lidded eyes, gasping with each swivel of Bakura’s hips. The thief’s hair was plastered to her forehead and her cheeks and her body shined with sweat. The glisten of sweat on her baked-brown body gleamed brighter when Diabound finally appeared above her.“I was wondering when he’d show up.” Merwet smiled at the huge white beast floating above them. “Dammit.” Bakura grit her teeth, her hips stopping. “I was trying to keep him away-”“Bakura.” Merwet grabbed her hips. “Don’t hide him. I want all of you.” She bucked up. “And I love how brightly you glow when we’re together.” “It’s easy for the moon to glow.” Bakura returned to her slow, deep rotations of her hips. “When he’s reflecting the light of the sun.” Merwet hummed. She appreciated the romantic statement, but at the moment her thoughts were a little fuzzy from Bakura’s weight pressing oh so nicely against Merwet’s body. With her hands still on Bakura’s hips, she encouraged Bakura to move faster and then faster still until they panted and bucked against each other. Merwet held her breath when she came a third time, and not long after Bakura roared in ecstasy, hunched over, and then dropped down beside Merwet. Merwet grabbed Bakura and pulled the thief to her chest. Bakura laughed and nuzzled against Merwet’s collarbone. “Merwet?”“Yes?”“Are you… really going to stay?”“Bakura.” Merwet tightened her hold. “When I returned and you weren’t here… well, you’re such a bother. I can’t afford to let you out of my sight. I have no choice but to stay.” “It’s been so long,” Bakura confessed against Merwet’s skin. “Since I’ve had anyone close to me.” “You were right. You really are a snake charmer.” “I know. When I was three, I fell into a viper’s pit. My father found me curled asleep with the snakes encircled around me. I think it’s because Diabound is affiliated with serpents.” Merwet’s whole body shook with laughter.“What?” Bakura flushed. “You mean this whole time you were making snake charmer jokes you were referring to an actually story and not saying it solely for the sake of riling me up?”“Hey, I’m versatile.” Bakura winked. “I can be serious and rile you up at the same time.”“Indeed.” Merwet released Bakura and sat up. “Are you hungry?”“I feel like I could eat my weight in pork.” “Barbaric.” Merwet wrinkled her nose. “How about beer and bread?” “You don’t sound like I have options, so I suppose the Thief King is getting bread for breakfast.” “I’ll be sure to curtsey as I serve it to you.”

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“Drink this.” Merwet shoved a cup at Bakura. She grabbed it and sniffed it. Her face twisted into a scowl, but still she took a sip. Sticking out her tongue, Bakura’s eyes screwed shut. “It’s bitter.”“Drink it anyway, it’s good for you.”“Then what’s bad for me, and does it taste better than this grass-water?”“That tea will help your breathing.”“I’m fine. Don’t shove your gross medicine at me.”“You are not fine, Bakura. You gasp every time we make love. How will you kill Aknadin if you’re wheezing?”“With gusto, that’s how.” “Drink the damn tea.” Bakura rolled her eyes, but held her breath and chugged everything in the cup. Then Merwet filled it a second time. “Oh don’t you dare!” “Drink. It.” “I am the fucking Thief King. I don’t take orders from anyone.” Bakura took a drink from her second cup’s worth of tea. “Except your queen.” Merwet laughed, poking Bakura’s shoulder. Her grin lit up her face. “Yeah, I suppose even a king answers to his queen now and then.” “If he knows what’s good for him he will.” Merwet crossed her arms over her chest. Her smile dropped. “So… when do we leave?”“It’s been a week,” Bakura said as she sipped. “Let’s give Mahad one more night to prepare whatever trap he has in mind for me, and we’ll go and spring it tomorrow evening.” “I should be excited, but…” “Look, Merwet, when the time comes… how about you place the Items in the Tablet and not me?” “I know they’re your people, Bakura.”“Yeah, but if I’m cursed to summon a dark god because of it- well, you’re part of Kul Elna too, now. It’ll be good enough if you do it. I think my people will still find their rest that way.” “It will be my honor.” Merwet pressed their noses together for a moment. “Anyway, what should we do tonight? If it’s our last without worrying about fate crushing us in a great battle, we should do something fun.” “Hmmmm, I think I have an idea.” Merwet smiled. “What? What’s up with that smile?” Bakura returned it with her own grin. “That.” Merwet blew Bakura a kiss. “Is going to be a surprise, but you’ll like it. I promise.” “I do like when I like things.” Bakura shoved her empty cup back at Merwet and sighed in relief when it wasn’t filled again. “Want to play a game of Senet?” “We could.” Merwet licked her lips. “But I thought it might be fun if we went to the oasis today.” “Oh?” Bakura lidded her eyes in a sultry gaze. “Did you have something specific in mind to do there?”“Yes.” Merwet leaned closer, almost pressing their lips together and holding Bakura’s hips. “I thought we could drop our clothes to the sand-”“I like this plan so far. What shall we do after we get naked?”“Mmmm… after that we… spar.”“Wait, if that’s an innuendo I missed it.” “No innuendo. I want to fight you.”“We fight all the time.”“Verbally.” Merwet smirked. “But I want to fight you with a knife in my hand.”“Is this a kink?”“No! I want to see how good you really are. If we’re about to fight Mahad, it’ll help if I know exactly how well you can fight.” “Fine, fine, but if I lose it’s because I’m distracted by your beauty.”“Wouldn’t be the first time I won a fight that way.” Merwet winked. Outside, the weather was perfect for a fight. Dark clouds churned above them and the wind blew their cloaks into the air. Merwet admired the way the scarlet and deep purple fabric of their robes twisted together in the wind. The air around them smelled of the approaching storm, and the scent grew stronger as they approached the oasis. The usually blue and glittering water was dark and gray and choppy. The usual fennec foxes and shrews they sometimes saw foraging in the shade of the fig trees were all hidden. And the swallows cursed Set for the weather in squawks and screeches. Merwet’s skin prickled as she took off her robe. They stored their clothes in a saddle bag so they didn’t blow away in the wind. Merwet faced Bakura. They held two daggers each as they circled each other, trying to guess who’d move first. Bakura, of course, she was ambitious and didn’t want to strategize as much as she wanted to leap into the battle and figure things out as she went along. She was fast, a little storm herself, and Merwet respected that. Merwet found herself dodging more that she liked, and sweat rolled down their bodies after only a few minutes. Merwet didn’t hold back, if Bakura miscalculated she would bleed, and by the way Bakrua roared, and swung, and lunged into each attack before darting away again, Merwet suspected she felt the same way. Merwet dropped to a crouch, Bakura's blade arching over Merwet’s head. She stabbed at Bakura’s calf, but Bakura jumped out of the way. They both growled and lunged for each other at the same time. Their blades scraped together and locked. Merwet kicked Bakura in the stomach and she flew back, ass hitting the tall grass. She flipped up to her feet and dashed towards Merwet. Merwet waited to the last moment and then turned her body sideways so that Bakura missed, her momentum carrying her away from Merwet and leaving her back exposed for an attack. Merwet took her opportunity, but Bakura pivoted, and faced her head on. They both panted, but Bakura’s breath had the faint wheezing quality that orgasm induced in her, but if she struggled with her breath she didn’t show it. Bakura never asked for a break or slowed down, instead her slashes quickened, and the knives in Merwet’s hands felt heavy from all the times she had to raise her hands to block. The fight continued a few more minutes. They parried, feinted, and danced in a way that Merwet had never danced before, but in the end, Bakura managed to sweep her foot behind Merwet’s ankle and knock Merwet onto her back. Bakura dropped and landed on top of Merwet, legs framing Merwet’s body and right arm raised in the air to strike.Their chests heaved from exertion as they stayed still and stared at each other. Bakura dropped her knives and pinned Merwet’s wrists above her head. Their kisses were soft, but Bakura was eager as ever and she kissed like she fought, a never ending volley of precise strikes at her target. Merwet bucked up, and Bakura answered with a dip of her own hips. Merwet had wanted to save love making for that evening, but each time their bodies pressed together, fire sizzled between her legs and Merwet knew they wouldn’t stop. “I won.” Bakura’s grin broke their kiss. “You did,” Merwet agreed. “Are you going to reap the spoils of battle now?” “Of course.” Bakura bit up and down Merwet’s throat.Merwet moaned when Bakura sucked at her skin. She knew she’d be marked from it later, but couldn’t bring herself to tell Bakura to stop when it felt so right. Thunder rumbled above them. Merwet’s eyes fluttered open and she watched how bright Diabound glowed in contrast to the dark sky. Her nails scored down Bakura’s back; she needed to mark Bakura in return. “Well?” Bakura asked, straightening and circling her hips up and down. “Satisfied with my fighting skills?” “You’re amazing.” Merwet managed before her eyes slammed shut and she hiked her hips against Bakura. “I’m coming!” Bakura gasped, and sped up her pace as Merwet held her breath. Bakura grabbed Merwet’s breasts, toying with her climax-hardened nipples and pinching them. Merwet squirmed, distracting Bakura by reaching around her arms and using the pad of her thumb to circle around Bakura’s clitoris. Bakura gasped again, and shuddered beneath Merwet’s touch. “I love watching you.” Merwet smiled as Bakura bucked against Merwet’s thumb. Diabound flew around them in lazy circles. Bakura bowed as the tension left her body. She leaned forward and brushed their lips together. Merwet wanted to indulge her. She wanted to indulge her until lightning and rain forced them to rush back home, but she didn’t want Bakura too sated before that evening. Merwet’s surprised would be more fun for Bakura if Bakura was still wanting, so Merwet scooted out from beneath Bakura and laughed as she sprinted to the water. Bakura chased her, stealing kisses each time she caught her. Merwet always returned the kisses, but swam away the moment they broke apart to catch their breath. “You’re going to make me wait until tonight, aren’t you?” Bakura sighed after Merwet swam away yet again.“You know me too well.” Merwet splashed Bakura.“Alright. I concede. I may be better with daggers, but I know this is a fight I’d lose. Let’s wash and get back home.”They bathed, and allowed the stormy wind to dry them en lieu of the sun. When they returned home, they cared for their horses and Bakura cooked lunch. Merwet forced more tea down Bakura’s throat as they played senet. Bakura asked for her surprise no less than a dozen times, but Merwet only smiled and told her soon each time. She waited until night fell. She’d wanted to go to the roof, but the clouds finally broke and poured rain onto the parched desert. Merwet settled for lighting several flax oil lamps and lighting myrrh to create the appropriate mood. She pulled out the music box Isis had given her and set it on the ground. “I don’t remember us stealing that from a tomb?” Bakura stared at the box. “No, this was a gift from Isis.”“Why did Isis give you a box?”“It’s a music box. She gave it to me so I could seduce you.” “What?” Bakura asked. “Let me show you.” Merwet wound up the box and music began to play. “That’s pretty.” A soft smile crept over Bakura’s face. “Bakura, you are impetuous and greedy.” Merwet tied a blindfold around her eyes and grabbed her sword, pointing it where Bakura sat. “But as long as the music plays you can only watch. No touching until it stops.”***The blindfold and sword confused Bakura until Merwet began to move. She rolled her stomach like a snake with the sword balanced on top of her head and Bakura became entranced with the movements. Her chest tightened in excitement and her loins hitched in anticipation as she watched Merwet glide her hips back and around. She’d seen women dance, but gods, not like this. She’d never seen anything like this before and felt herself get wet at the sight of it. Lightning lit up the room and Merwet’s hair and sword flashed gold in the bright seconds of light before fading to the color of reflected candlelight. She spun with the sword, sometimes attacking and sometimes writhing in dance. Bakura bit her lips, wondering how long the music box played. She was torn between her desire to tackle Merwet to the rugs and cushions beside them, and her desire to watch Merwet move like that forever.
She shimmied, her skirt shaking and the jewels on her body glittering. Merwet dropped to her knees, rolling her stomach and balancing the sword on her head. Her fingers curled as she flourished her wrists like ripples in a flooded river. Merwet dragged her fingers up her body before grabbing the sword and raising up in order to swerve her hips from side to side. Merwet was still spinning and cutting the air with her sword when the music stopped. Bakura lept to her feet, dodging the sword and scooping Merwet up into her arms. “So impatient.” Merwet laughed. “I could dance more if you want.”“Every night,” Bakura purred, “But not right now. You’ve made me wait long enough.” “I have.” Merwet reached up to remove the blindfold. “Leave it. It looks good on you.” Bakura set her down and took her sword. “But this we can set aside.” “What? You don’t want to fight me again?”“No. I want to kiss you.” Bakura bent down and licked the sweat from Merwet’s collarbone. Merwet gasped as Bakura pinched her nipple through the linen of her dress. Bakura took her time undress Merwet, teasing the fabric off a bit at a time as she kissed each new section of revealed skin. Merwet writhed again, but in a completely different way than when she danced. Her control was gone and she was desperate as she arched into each kiss. “Who’s eager now?” Bakura chuckled as she tugged the dress down Merwet’s hips and away from her legs. “Making you wait all day wasn’t easy.” “No, and it won’t be easy for me now as I make you wait.”“Bakura, don’t tease. I want you.” Merwet scowled her painted lips, but Bakura only grinned. “Sorry, love.” Bakura slipped the sandals off of Merwet’s feet and kissed along the blade of each foot. “But it’s custom to give the dancer a small gift if you enjoy the show, right? And I very much enjoyed the performance.” She kissed Merwet feet a few more times, and then began to knead the arch of Merwet’s right foot with her fingers. She made little circles, moving down to Merwet’s heels and then back up towards the toes.“Ah,” Merwet sighed. “Oh Bakura… that feels wonderful.”“Thought you might like it.” Bakura grinned as she continued to massage Merwet’s foot.Once she’d pampered Merwet’s right foot and ankle she switched to her left foot. She began with kissing again, kissing as reverently as she had that first day as she’d placed anklets around Merwet’s ankles and rings on her toes, some of which Merwet still wore. Then she circled her fingers again and made Merwet’s toes curl in ecstasy.“Ah, gods, Bakura. Kiss me between my legs.” “Here?” Bakura asked, kissing Merwet’s left calf. “Or here?” She kissed the right calf. “Or did you mean here?” She kissed just below Merwet’s knee. Merwet fisted the cushions beside her and whimpered each time Bakura kissed her skin. When Bakura finally reached the center, Merwet jerked up to meet Bakura’s mouth. Bakura teased her by circling the tip of her tongue around Merwet’s clitoris. Then she traced Merwet’s lips, and kissed her thighs, moving further and further away from the center. Outside was dark, but their bedchamber was bright as day with Diabound’s light shining off of the walls. They forgot about the rain and lightning as they lost themselves in their own storm. Bakura placed broad kisses directly between Merwet’s inner lips. Her toes curled again and she grabbed Bakura’s hair to hold her in place before the thief could move away again. Bakura laughed, licked her lips, and gently sucked Merwet’s clit. Bakura pulled back enough to suck her pointer and middle finger before pressing them into Merwet’s body. Her fingers thrusted in and out as her tongue fluttered against Merwet’s wet flesh. Merwet rolled her hips upward. Again and again she circled up, squeezing her thighs and the muscles between in order to heighten the pleasure of Bakura’s touch. Merwet quickened her rhythm. Faster, faster, faster, and higher each time. Her grip on Bakura’s hair was merciless, and she only pulled harder as a low moan escaped from her mouth and she came. Bakura grinned, wiped her mouth, and fell backwards. Leaning against a plump cushion, Bakura spread her own legs and used the two fingers still gleaming with Merwet’s lubrication to plunge into her own cunt and start to pleasure herself. “Ahhh,” Bakura sighed. Her left hand pulled up her shenti a little higher and she rubbed her clit with her extra hand even as she fucked herself. Merwet shoved the blindfold away and watched, eyes bright like spring coriander blooms in the lamp light. She rushed over to a shelf full of herbs and extracts and pulled a small bottle from her collection. Merwet annointed her fingers with oil from the bottle and the scent of lavender filled the room. Bakura watched, her own eyes lidded and hazy with self-pleasure. Merwet slipped an oiled finger into Bakura’s asshole, and then added a second one. Bakura moaned low in her throat. Her body clenched and shuddered as the fire burning her nerves grew hotter, less controllable. She rubbed herself faster, knowing she should savor the moment, but feeling too good to slow down. Bakura hovered on the verge of orgasm. She felt herself tighten around her fingers as shudders of pleasure seized her. No matter how many times she shivered and held her breath, on the brink of glorious release, her body always eased up just a moment too soon. She was rubbing herself hard, her swollen clitoris ached with want and her entire cunt was drenched. Merwet pushed in a little deeper, and at the same time squeezed her ass, Bakura feeling herself climb higher than before. Her head pounded, her ears rang, her breath struggled in her chest. Bakura’s face felt consumed by fire, as she gave out a final, rough cry and pumped her hips up and down as the pleasure lingered, lingered, lingered, then her orgasm passed and she dropped her ass back onto the cushions. Merwet kissed up Bakura’s stomach, stopping to lap at each nipple before reaching Bakura’s lips. “I love you,” she whispered. Bakura’s face was already scorched, but she felt as if she flushed at the words. “I’ve never been grateful to the gods before, but I’m going to have to start praying to Ra,” Bakura said. “Why is that?” Merwet smiled. “Because he gave me you.”

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The wind tugged at Bakura’s hood and cloak. The rain had stopped well before morning, but the wind refused to ebb. The tomb wasn’t as grand as Akhenamkhanen’s, but it was kept well maintained and had a pond full of lotuses in the front. Bakura couldn’t help the smile. The former Pharaoh had obviously loved her, and Bakura was sorry for what she was about to do. But she wouldn’t turn back. She crept down the side of the cliff in which she and Merwet stood to get a closer look at the entrance. “No guards. I don’t like it,” Merwet whispered in Bakura’s ear. “Of course no guards. It’s a trap, after all. He wants to lure me inside.”“Then how are we going to lure him outside instead?” Merwet asked.“We’re not. We’re going to snap at the bait like a proper fish would.” “I’m not a fish, and I don’t like the thought of being caught in a fisherman’s net.” “Don’t worry. Nets can’t hold Diabound.” Bakura glanced at Merwet. “You can wait out here if you want.”“No. We do this together.” Bakura nodded and dashed for the entrance. As soon as she and Merwet ran into the torch-lined hallway, an explosion knocked them to the ground. Broken chunks of tomb and rubble crashed down behind them, sealing them inside.“Fuck,” Bakura swore, ears ringing from the noise. “How will Diabound get us out of this?” Merwet glared in the direction of the cave-in. The nearest torches had blown out, but Bakura could still see her outline from torches further down the hall.“He can pass through rocks and stone. This is no problem for us.” “Mmmm, Bakura, have I ever told you told you that your strength, cunning, and resourcefulness makes me want to bend you over and treat you until you're singing out my name?”“No, but once we finish here, please tell me all about it.”“Oh, I intend to.” Bakura grinned as she continued down the hall. They reached a chamber where the path divided into three branches. Bakura took the center path and Merwet followed without questioning or protesting her. They continued through the labyrinth of hallways and false chambers. Most of the traps were in the form of puzzles, which Bakura loved, and between her and Merwet they had no problem solving each one and continuing towards the center of the tomb. They reached a huge, round chamber. A narrow stone walkway bordered a pit that Bakura suspected ended with a spiked floor to ensure any careless thieves that fell- died. In the center of the pit for a island of stone, and in the center of the pillar, Mahad waited. “You won’t find what you’re looking for.” Mahad’s voice echoed through the chamber. “We’ve already transferred her to a safe place. This tomb is now yours.”“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, magician.” Bakura rested a hand on her hip. “On both accounts. I have no intention of this being my final resting place, and I’ve found exactly what I sought after- you.” “Me? I’m flattered.” “Oh, you should be. You have the honor of being slain by the Great Thief King himself!” “Bakura, move,” Merwet backed up into the hallway.Bakura stepped onto the ledge. Mahad didn’t wait for them to attack first, he summoned his ka, a great magus like himself. The creature pointed a staff at Bakura and shot a blast at her heart. Bakura didn’t flinch. She summoned Diabound and the great, white beast blocked the wizard’s attack. As the two ka fought, Merwet sprinted down the hall. She dug her weight against the stone floor before launching herself across the pit. She caught the ledge, slamming into the stone pillar, but Merwet grit her teeth and pulled herself up. Merwet unclasped her robe and allowed it to fall to the ground before pulling her sword from its scabbard. Mahad shot fire towards her, but she spun out of the way. As Diabound and the Magus of Illusion clashed, Merwet continued to dodge blasts. She danced right and then left, but every time she closed the gap between them, Mahad would shoot a long cone of fire from his hand, and Merwet would be forced to jump back to avoid the flames. “Diabound!” Bakura screamed as she jumped into the center of the pit. Diabound used his tail as a bridge, so Bakura could run to the stone pillar in the center of the room. She still controlled her ka as he fought the magician, and with both she and Merwet closing in, Mahad was forced to block attacks with his staff between fire blasts. With a sweeping kick, Merwet managed to knock Mahad onto the ground, but he flipped back up before Bakura could stab him with one of her daggers. A bright light flashed, and both women covered their eyes. At the same time, the magician’s ka struck Diabound and slammed him against the wall. Merwet gnashed her teeth and cried in rage, slamming Mahad in a tackle though she was half blind. The force of them crashing against the stones sent his Millennium Ring skidding across the floor. It reached the edge, two of the tines dangling into the void below, but then came to a rest before toppling down in the dark. Mahad clutched his chest and gasped for breath. His ka vanished, as if unsummoned.“Last words or prayers?” Merwet dug the point of her sword into Mahad’s chest. “Thank you,” he wheezed, still struggling to breath. “For killing you?” Merwet raised an eyebrow. “Yes… the Ring… it was too dark. I couldn’t…” Mahad closed his eyes. “I failed my last king. I let the power of the Ring consume me. Even now…” his eyes rolled upward and he tilted his head back so he could see the Ring behind him. “It’s so close. I want it back… the power…” Mahad groaned, slamming his eyes shut. “Don’t wear it. It’s too strong. Tell Isis I’m sorry.” “Make it quick,” Bakura said, staring at the Ring instead of the mage. Merwet plunged the sword into Mahad’s chest. He gagged, blood poured from his mouth as Merwet twisted the blade. He choked and sputtered and drowned in blood, but after a moment the life faded from his eyes. “Thank you.” Mahad’s ka appeared again, only brighter, stronger. He wore gold armor, and his white cape fluttered behind him with a breeze that didn’t exist in the world of the living. “You released me from the powers of the Ring.” “Is this what an ankh looks like? Has your ba and ka merged?” Bakura asked, blinking at the light streaming from Mahad’s spirit form. “Yes. I’m whole, but I cannot rest. The guilt from my deeds is too great and I would not pass my weighing, so instead I’m going to find Atem, and be the guardian for him in death that I never was in life.” The spirit vanished, leaving the tomb darker and colder than before. Merwet hugged herself, her sword on the ground next to Mahad’s corpse. Bakura walked to the Ring, crouching down and picking up the Item. She ran her fingers along the gold, feeling how smooth, how cold. “It should not be this cold,” Bakura whispered in the tomb-shadows. “The fire was hot… they died in scorching agony.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “The gold should not be cold.” “Bakura.” Merwet wove her fingers through Bakura’s hair. “Mahad’s gone, and that means Aknadin’s next. You’ll have your vengeance, I swear it.” “We.” Bakura opened her eyes and stared at Merwet. “We’ll have our vengeance.” “Yes.” Merwet nodded. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”“Alright.” Bakura nodded, slipping on the Ring to keep it safe.“Bakura don’t!” Merwet screamedBut it was too late.***She changed again, like in the cellar. Merwet couldn’t quite describe it, not even to herself. The smirk was wrong, amused and sinister instead of cocky. Her eyes were wrong as well, like she was leering at nothing in particular. She snorted. “Why not? This is a relic of my village, and who better to wield it than the last survivor of Kul Elna?” “Bakura… I love you,” Merwet said. She said it like a spell. Like it could break the curse dulling the moonlight in her lover’s eyes. Isis made it seem like that’s all Merwet had to do, right? Openly love Bakura. But nothing changed. Bakura scoffed. “Stop fooling around. We have a royal court to decimate.” “You mean Aknadin, right?” Merwet grit her teeth. “We’re just going to kill Aknadin.” “He’ll die when I carve the Eye out of his skull, but they’re all guilty, so they should all pay.” Bakura chuckled, licking her lips. “And I’m going to enjoy bringing justice to each and every one one of them.” She held out her hand for Merwet to take. Merwet didn’t hesitate. Even with Bakura changed, she somehow knew Bakura wouldn't hurt her. She slipped her cloak back onto her shoulders and grabbed Bakura’s hand and they were rushed off by a fierce wind. It wasn’t until she stood in the desert sand, blinking away sunlight, that Merwet realized that Bakura had used Diabound to whisk them through the tomb walls to save time. “Don’t doddle. I’ll leave you behind if you can’t keep up.” Bakura jumped onto her horse and rode towards the capital. Merwet climbed onto her own horse and chased after Bakura. “You’re going too fast! It’s bad for the horse!” “She’ll make it or die on the way!” Bakura shouted back, digging her heel into the horse's side to force the mare to gallop faster through the sands. The sun struck the dunes. The entire desert floor gleamed with harsh, white, reflected light and made the horizon look wet and shimmering. Merwet squinted, but by the time they caught sight of the city walls, shadows danced in Merwet’s sight from the light blindness. A figure stood in their path. The rigid way she stood made her look like a statue worshipping the goddess of her namesake, but it was the living flesh version of the priestess. Bakura stopped in time to avoid trampling her, staring down with a smirk as she offered a sack to the Thief King. “What’s this? A present for me?”“No,” Isis said. “A bribe. The Necklace, Scales, and Key in exchange for the lives of the priests that forfeited them.”“Hmmm… but no Puzzle?”“No, neither Aknadin, Seto, nor Atem would relinquish their Items.” “Well, I was looking forward to slaughtering the entire lot; however… I suppose I’m in a good mood. I accept your bribe.” Bakura reached down and snatched the bag from Isis’ hold. “Now run along, away from the city if you know what’s good for you.” “Not so fast!” Merwet jumped down, sprinting towards Isis and clutching at her dress. “How dare you! How dare you! You said I could save her! You lied! Look at her! The demon’s controlling her from that fucking Ring!” “Yes. There was no way to avoid it,” Isis said. “Then why did you have me put my heart on a scale for her!” “For a single moment that hasn't happened yet where Bakura is given a choice between the demon’s will and her own.” Isis sighed, resting her hands on Merwet’s shoulders. “And now I can only pray that it’s enough.” “How dare you…” Merwet sobbed. “I’m sorry. It was the best I could do.”“Get the fuck out of my sight!” Merwet screamed in her face, spittle flecking onto Isis’s cheek. “Before I kill you myself!” “The deal for your life was only made by me.” Bakura laughed. “So you'd better do as she says. Hurry, Merwet.” Bakura nudged her horse forward and took off down the street again. Merwet ran to her own horse, knowing that Bakura would leave her behind otherwise. She didn’t look at the priestess as she rode towards the castle; instead, she kept her eyes locked of the flowing crimson cloak ahead of her. Bakura showed no reservation as she rode through town and straight into the castle. The guards jumped out of her way, afraid of being trampled by Bakura’s horse. She didn’t dismount until she reached the throne room, leaping from the moving horse and landing in a crouch. The horse skidded across the granite floor, but managed to keep her balance and move out of the way to recover from the hard ride.“Look what I have, Pharaoh!” Bakura screamed, reaching into her sack and pulling out the three Items within. “What have you done to my priests!” Atem jumped to his feet.“Who knows? Maybe I was nice- or maybe I gave them the justice they deserved.” Bakura licked up the stand of the Scales dangling in her grip. “Mmmm, tastes just like the blood and ash of my massacred village.” “You’re a fiend!” Atem screamed at her. “It’s the Ring!” Merwet shouted back. “She’s not herself.”“Not myself?” Bakura snapped as she stuffed the three extra Items into their sack once again and slinging it over her shoulder. “No, I’m much, much stronger now. Strong enough to get true justice for my people, and use the Items to reshape the world.”“He means destroy the world!” Aknadin pointed an accusing finger at Bakura. “Pharaoh, we have no choice but to execute these criminals immediately.” “Don’t listen to Aknadin!” Merwet pulled her sword. “He’s been orchestrating this from the beginning! He wants you to fight, Atem. He wants you to sacrifice yourself to save the world, which will leave the throne open for him to take!”“She lies!” Aknadin clenched his fist. “I’ve protected you since you were a child. I’d risk my own life to save yours.”Bakura threw her head back and laughed. “Risk your life to save his, eh? Let’s test that, shall we?”She summoned Diabound and the ka attacked the young Pharaoh, but it was Seto who protected Atem and not Aknadin. The priest used Duos to block the blast; however, Bakura didn’t mind. She turned and rushed out of the throne room, cackling as she ran. Merwet chased her while Aknadin, Seto, and Atem followed them. Outside, Bakura ran to the stables, picking a random horse to replace their exhausted two. Merwet had no time to find her own. She jumped on Bakura’s horse’s back and held onto Bakura’s robe. The thief didn’t complain, only charged out of the stables before the others could catch up. Merwet thought they lost the pharaoh and his priests as they wove through the city, but as soon as they left the bustle of the crowded market she realized all three stuck to their trail. The moment they reached the open desert, Atem summoned Slifer. The red god twisted in the air, a great serpent consuming the sky. All Merwet could do was hang on as their horse raced forward while Diabound and Slifer crashed together above them. Blasts from both ka caused nearby dunes to explode, showering sand down into their hair. Merwet shut her eyes and pressed her face into Bakura’s cloak to keep herself from going blind from the sand. Merwet opened her eyes again just as Duos swooped in for a physical attack. She parried with her sword, but couldn’t counter a flying ka while astride a horse. Duos sunk down for another attack. Merwet blocked a second time, her arm tingling from the impact of the ka’s blade. She knew she was at a disadvantage in this fight, and wouldn’t be able to hold off the ka forever. “Bakura!”Bakura didn’t answer, but a blast from Diabound knocked Duos away from the horse. He crashed into the air and disappeared. Behind them Seto shouted in pain, but didn’t slow down as they finished the last stretch of their race. Merwet held her breath when she realized where Bakura was leading everyone.To Kul Elna. The noise of hoofbeats against the packed dirt road pounded through Merwet’s veins and made her stomach churn. The broken, burnt fragments of huts and homes peeked up from the horizon, and another hill later, they rushed downhill to meet the doomed village. Bakura tugged at the horse’s mane, urging the mare to go faster and broaden the gap between them and the chasing priests. At the same time, Diabound tackled Slifer into a sandbank, wrestling with the dragon god instead of blasting him. Bakura stopped the horse, Merwet wasn’t ready and she dropped her sword as she was thrown. The sun-blazed sand felt like a razor’s edge as she crashed and rolled into the town. Merwet coughed sand from her mouth, wincing at the abrasions on her knees and elbows. “Quit ruining… my dresses, Bakura.” Merwet muttered, by couldn't find any humor in her own joke. Merwet pushed herself to her feet, standing beside Bakura. She didn’t want to fight Atem, but she wasn’t going to allow Bakura to get hurt either. She wanted Bakura to promise her a dozen more dresses after they killed Aknadin, but the version of Bakura that wore the Ring ignored Merwet altogether and kept her gaze focused on Atem and the two priests. Bakura waited for the men to properly cross the threshold of the town. They slowed down, their horses bucked as the images of melted spirits materialized all around Bakura. In the distance, Slifer disappeared, the sight of a town full of ghosts must have broken Atem’s concentration. They young Pharaoh slipped off of his horse, violet eyes wide and mouth hung ajar. He turned his head, taking in the blackened, charred remains as well as the twisted smoky shapes of the suffering ghosts. “Where… where are we? What is this place?” Atem swallowed. “Why are we here?”“This was the village Aknadin sacrificed to create the Items.” Merwet ground her teeth so hard that she felt like they would crack. Atem spun behind around to face Aknadin. “Uncle? Is this true?”“Lies, Great Pharaoh.” Aknadin smirked. “Are they lies? Pharaoh, open your eyes to what’s right in front of you!” Bakura held out her arms, the spirits swirled around her. “I’d like to say ‘Welcome to Kul Elna,’ but right now… It’s a ghost town- Heh heh heh!” Bakura laughed, and the spirits shrieked.

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All four horses bolted at the first sound of the wailing spirits. No one moved after them. They started at each other, a scowl on Bakura's lips, and matching scowls on Aknadin and Seto's faces.“Why?” Atem asked as he watched the spirits float around Bakura. “Is what you say about this place… true?” “Yes.” Merwet clenched her hands into fists. “The same night your father died, Aknadin destroyed this town and slaughtered everyone.” Merwet's face softened as her gaze shifted towards Bakura. “Everyone except one child, who was forced to watch their entire world burn to ash.”“Burn and melt.” Bakura's grit her teeth. “Burn and cast into a cauldron of gold, their souls desecrated so the royal court could wield the dark powers of the Items- dark powers that are my birthright.” “Aknadin?” A tear rolled down Atem’s cheek. “Lies.”“I don’t think so.” Atem shook his head. “You’ve never been kind to me except days before the Thief King attacked. You set us up for this battle. Here, Thief King.” Atem ripped the Puzzle from his neck and held it with both hands, holding it out for Bakura to claim. “Take it.”“Atem,” Priest Set stepped closer to Atem. “You can’t give up the Puzzle to a thief.”“Yes I can, and you will too.” Atem glanced at the other Priest. “I order you to.” “This is a mistake.”“It’s mine to make,” Atem insisted. “Very well.” Priest Set grit his teeth and spun the Rod so that the handle pointed at Bakura. “Ha!” Bakura scoffed at the Items. “Are you so afraid to die that you’re giving up?”“I’m not afraid to die.” Atem shook his head, “but I remember the way I felt when you dragged my father into the palace. That’s how you feel, isn’t it? When you see us wear these.” Bakura swayed on her feet. Merwet noticed the dullness polluting her eyes cleared up a little. She touched Bakura’s shoulder, hoping to further break the spell of the Ring. “They’re yours,” Merwet whispered. “You did it, and we’ll make sure the spirits of your family find rest.”She wasn’t sure how they were going to get the Eye, but that didn’t matter at the moment. What mattered was that Bakura’s mask of hatred wavered on her face as she stumbled forward and claimed the two Items. She set her bag on the ground and placed the other two Items into the sack with the same reverence someone places a loved one into their sarcophagus. She stood there frozen, staring at the gold. Merwet could see the struggle between the thief she loved and the demon in the Ring as Bakura stood frozen in place. Aknadin’s jaw dropped, and he shouted in protest. “Pharaoh, I’m afraid I must advise against your decision. These Items are sacred and cannot be entrusted to a th-”“Silence, Aknadin.” Atem’s voice grew harsh. “If you have a shred of honor left in you, you’ll follow us back to the palace so that we can hold a trial.”“Trial?” Aknadin screamed. “Yes, for the massacre of this village, for the murder of my father, and for selling the people of my kingdom into slavery. Seto, arrest him.” Aknadin held his shaking stomach as the laughter rolled out of him. “I spent years trying to break you, trying to tame you into a figurehead I could rule through, but it looks like you've grown into the Pharaoh despite all my best efforts.” “If you resist arrest, I’ll use force.” Priest Set took measured step towards Aknadin. “Boy, even with the Rod you couldn’t contain me, and now that you’ve given up your power…” the Millennium Eye flashed, and a wave energy knocked everyone to the ground. Aknadin walked closer to Atem. “Clever, clever nephew. You’re so much smarter than your father was. You were supposed to sacrifice yourself in battle, leaving no one but me to rule over the land as I pleased, but this way is better. I understand now- why only rule Egypt? With the power of all seven Items, I can become a dark god and rule the world.”Atem grit his teeth as he forced himself up. He pointed his scimitar at Aknadin. “I’ll take your head and then the Eye. This ends right now.” A bark of laughter erupted from Aknadin’s mouth. Another shockwave shook the ground, knocking them back to the sand even as they struggled to their feet. “And now that I plan on taking what I want, I have no reason to keep any of you alive.” He raised his hand, holding out the palm to use magic to end Atem’s life. Atem stared at Aknadin, refusing to turn away or flinch even at his death. But as the Eye glowed and energy gathered between Aknadin’s fingertips, Priest Set slammed both of his hands against the ground and gave a great shout. “Obelisk! Progenitor of my bloodline! Give me your power! Help me protect Pharaoh Atem!” With the invocation of both the god’s and pharaoh’s name, the sand quaked and split open. Beams of light shot into the air and from the gash rose a mountainous shape. Obelisk loomed above them, dark and menacing, and Priest Set stood between Akandin and Atem, as tall and fierce as the god in his own way. His blue eyes pierced through the dust scattered into the air by Obelisk’s summoning and his stare dared Aknadin to attack Atem while he stood in the way. “Slifer!” Atem shouted, and the red dragon that represented Osiris appeared, coiling around Obelisk’s shoulders and waiting for orders. Aknadin growled. Instead of attacking Atem, he lunged for Merwet, grabbing her hair and yanking her to his chest. A dagger dug into her neck and she felt a slight burn as the edge brushed her skin deeply enough to draw trickles of blood that dribbled down her throat.She’d been too distracted by the gods to protect herself from an old fool, and Merwet loathed herself for it, could not forgive herself for letting her guard down. Aknadin could cut her throat for all she cared. It was the fate she deserved for being a fool. ***Everything. Was. Rage. Bakura couldn’t think. Or feel. Something kept whispering. Suggesting. Some part of her screamed not to listen. Yet everything the whisper wanted- Bakura wanted. Power. To never see a loved hurt again. Only sheer, ultimate power could grant that wish. Only the Items could grant that wish. And they belong to Kul Elna. Birthright. The others deserved to bleed. Everyone deserved to bleed.
Oblivion.
Pain could not exist if the void swallowed everything. That seemed right. Didn’t it? Cold blackness to finally put out the fires of the past forever. And if the foolish little Pharaoh conceded, and gave up the Puzzle? Fine. It served Bakura’s goals. That wouldn’t stop her from slaying him with the others.
Do. Not. Spare. Him.

I gave the child water. I never wanted to hurt him- only Aknadin.

They. All. Deserve. To. Die.
He gave me his name. He knew Merwet was a child of Ra and I was a Child of Thoth, but he didn’t call the guards. He never asked us to spare his uncle, only to be swift in his execution.
Dead. Dead. Dead. Your family. Dead. Your village. Dead. Everyone. Dead.
The nephew of a viper would also be a viper. Once Atem tasted the power of ruling he would become corrupt- like Aknadin. Power always corrupt leaders. It was human nature. Only the void could purify the human condition and end everyone’s toil.
He gave me the Puzzle and the Rod! He saw the injustice and forfeited his own power for the sake of justice!
Aknadin grabbed Merwet. Red threads trickled down her throat as he slid a dagger below her jaw. “Merwet.” Bakura’s lips parted. She felt encased in stone, unable to move.
Aknadin is my foe. He’s always been my foe. And Merwet’s foe. We’re supposed to kill him together. Avenge our families together.

She’s weak.
No.
She. Never. Cared.

No! She’s my queen!

No. It. Was. Always. A Game. To. Her.
“I know you love this woman. Give me the sack or the sand drinks her blood,” Aknadin threatened and gestured to Atem. “And if either of you interfere, I’ll kill her.” “Aknadin, let her go!” Atem ordered. “Who cares?” Priest Set snorted. “Kill them both.”
Yes.
“Seto! No!” Atem screamed. “Hold your attacks.”
Do. It. Kill. Them.
“Bakura…” Merwet smiled at the thief. The sack grew too heavy in Bakura’s hold. “Bakura- I love you! I love you! Remember that!”
An. Act. A Dancer Performing. Kill. Them.
“It’s okay, Bakura.” Merwet’s words sent fresh ribbons of blood unfurling on top of drying patterns already coloring her skin.
Kill. Her.
“Kill me,” Merwet said. “Don’t give this jackel a damn thing! Kill us both! Now’s your chance to get our vengeance! Do it! Now!” “No!” Bakura slung the bag down to Aknadin’s feet. “Have the cursed things and let her go!”
No! Your! Birthright!

My queen! My love!

YOUR

VENGEANCE!

It doesn’t fucking matter if she’s not with me to claim it!
“The Ring as well.” Aknadin’s face peeled back in a disgusting smile. He knew he’d won.
NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO--
“Here!” Bakura ripped the gold chain from her neck and dangled it for Aknadin to grab.
you could have been a god, but now you’ll die screaming like the rest
The essence was distant now. Bakura felt more like herself without the Ring against her chest. Aknadin gestured to the sack on the ground, and Bakura toss the Ring onto the bag. “There. Now let her go.” Aknadin laughed. “I don’t think I will.”Before he could drag the dagger’s edge across Merwet’s throat, Bakura grabbed her own dagger and hurled it. The blade plunged into Aknadin’s living eye. Blood sprayed down Aknadin’s face and onto the sand below. He wailed in blind agony, dropping his own knife in order to grab the handle sticking out from his skull. “I’m blind! I’m blind! Help me!” No one helped the old priest. Bakura grabbed Merwet out of his arms and held her in her own instead. Bakura kissed Merwet’s face as burning tears washed down the thief's cheeks. “Bakura,” Merwet gasped, wiping the tears from the thief’s cheeks and kissing her mouth. “Fucking fool, you should have killed us and ended him.” “I never listen to you.” “No, you just do whatever you want and ruin all my dresses.” Merwet kissed her again. “You know by now I can get you more. A dress is nothing- you’re the treasure.” Manic laughter interrupted their reunion. They turned to Aknadin, still clutching the dagger handle with blood gurgling down his face and into his beard, but he laughed as if mad with joy. “Thank you!” He cheered towards Bakura. “Only through this blindness have my eyes truly been opened! With the Eye I can see more than I ever could with mortal Eyes! The true god has spoken to me and I’m going to be His Shadow Priest!” Aknadin clutched the bag of Items and dashed for the cellar. “Stop him!” Merwet ripped herself from Bakura’s arms and chased after Aknadin. Another shockwave drove them to the dirt below. Bakura growled, shoving herself to her feet and following Merwet down into the cellar. Something about the room made her stomach quake, but that thought of Aknadin down there drove her into a panic. That place was not for him! He killed everyone! He wasn’t allowed to place the Items in the Tablet! But by the time the four of them reached the shrine, Aknadin was already shoving Items into their slots. Bakura charged at him. She slammed into a wall of air that shimmered when she crashed into it, and she flew back onto her ass as if she’d ran into solid granite. “Fools!” Aknadin cackled. The knife still stuck out of his face and blood also leaked out of his mouth. He was dying but he didn’t care. In fact, he looked overjoyed. “There’s no stopping the resurrection of Zorc Necrophades! This is my destiny!” Bakura’s stomach curdled at the familiar rhetoric as she pushed herself to her feet again. Merwet had been right. Something dark had used Bakura, tried to make Bakura its pawn, and the only reason she hadn’t succumbed to it was because she couldn’t let Merwet go. Bakura laced her fingers with Merwet’s. She didn’t know what was about to happen, but she wanted to be standing next to Merwet when it happened. “Aknadin, you don’t have to do this!” Atem begged. “Your crimes deserve death, but don’t forfeit your soul!” “He can’t hear you.” Bakura shook her head. “There’s a darkness inside him, and he doesn’t have a reason to fight it.” “One more Item!” Aknadin cackled, reaching up for the Eye lodged into his skull. Bakura and Merwet pounded against the wall protecting Aknadin from their attacks. Merwet struck with her sword, but couldn't penetrate the shimmering air. Bakura used heka, but it was as useless as their fists. “Atem, don’t watch.” Priest Set blocked Atem’s view as Aknadin twisted the Eye from his own face. “Thank you, Seto.” Atem placed a gentle hand on Set’s shoulder and stepped beside the priest so his vision was no longer obscured. “But I’m no longer a child needing a shield. After this battle, I’m going to have to rule, and I need to be able to handle anything I’m faced with when that time comes.” Blood bubbled from the socket and dribbled onto the other side of his face. His eye socket was a gaping pit and so was his open mouth as he laughed into the air. The dagger protruding from the other eye completed the grotesque image and chilled Bakura’s blood even though she’d grown up with melted spirits all her life. “Come! Zorc! Be reborn!” Aknadin slammed the Eye into its slot and the entire chamber shook. “This place is going to cave.” Priest Set grabbed Atem’s hand and dragged him out into the town. Bakura and Merwet turned and fled as well. Outside, Obelisk and Slifer still hovered in the air. Bakura summoned Diabound to join them. Bakura glanced over her shoulder, staring at the Pharaoh as the ground above the cellar caved in, burying the shrine and Aknadin with it. Atem watched the scene. His dark purple gaze fixed on the collapse entrance as they waited for something to happen. Bakura dropped to one knee, lowering her head. “I won’t apologize. Not for a damn thing. But-”“But I will.” Atem knelt in front of Bakura, settling both palms on top of Bakura’s hand resting on her knee. “I’m sorry for the tragedy you endured by my uncle’s hand. Please fight with me. Help me bring justice to my father, to Kul Elna, and to all of Kemmet.”“That’s exactly what I had in mind.” Bakura shot him a crooked grin. “I’ll fight as well, if I have permission to invoke the gods in your name.” Merwet bowed her head.“You know my name. Use it.” Atem and Bakura both stood, watching Merwet. She didn’t press her hands to the ground. Obelisk was a god of the earth, but Ra belonged to the sky, so Merwet held her hands palm up, towards the remaining sunlight. “Ra! Give me your powers and I’ll protect Pharaoh Atem with my life!” Golden light burst from the lowering sun. A fragment of fire split off from the giant disk and rushed towards them. The dragon cried as it flew over their heads before circling around and joining the others. Bakura gasped at the god’s beauty, and at Merwet’s beauty for being able to wield the sun itself. At the same time Ra joined their ranks, dark mist boiled up from the ground. The smoke took shape into something larger than Obelisk, and darker. Near the creatures feet, the stones cracked and shattered and a robed figure rose from the Earth. He wore a mask without eye sockets and his hair flowed like blood behind his back. “Uncle?” Atem asked, his expression unsure. “I am no longer your priest. No longer a servant of Osiris. I’ve been reborn! A Shadow Priest for the god Zorc Necrophades.” “Well, I hope you two enjoyed your rebirth because we’re sending you right fucking back into the ground.” Bakura reached out her arms again, the spirits of Kul Elna encircling them like a barrier. Aknadin lifted into the air until he floated level with Zorc’s red eyes. They reminded Bakura of the way her village smoldered after the fires died out and before the sun rose. Red searing in a backdrop of black, that had been the houses, and that was this monster now. Her jaw clenched and her nails dug into her palms. Zorc had tried to use her, manipulate her like a piece on a sennet board, and she was going to destroy him for that. Diabound was first to charge. Aknadin placed a shield in front of himself and Zorc, but a blast from Diabound’s tail shattered it and the Shadow Priest crashed into the remains of a crumbling hut. Zorc lashed out at Bakura directly. A huge serpent-like appendance rushed towards her. Bakura and Merwet rolled in opposite directions to dodge the attack. Bakura glared, digging her fingers into the sand. “Did that piece of crocodile shit just try to bite me with his dragon dick?” “Shut-up and fight it!” Priest Set kept his eyes on the target and attacked with Obelisk. The gods swarmed around Zorc while Diabound punched Aknadin back into the rubble of the last hut. Each time the Shadow Priest floated into the air, Diabound slammed him back into the earth. While Diabound distracted Aknadin, Bakura marched towards him. Zorc swiped at the others with his tail. Merwet dodged, but Priest Set stood his ground to shield Atem. It was unnecessary, however, the spirits of Kul Elna concentrated in front of Seto, blocking the attack. “The spirits of Kul Elna are in this fight as well,” Bakura said, speaking to Aknadin more than the others. “They’ve waited twelve years for justice, and today they’ll have it.”Aknadin turned towards Bakura, but he wasn’t as quick as the King of Thieves. She latched onto the scarlet hair and pulled his head back. “It doesn’t matter.” He laughed through the faceless mask he wore. “The sun’s setting, and the moment night falls- you’re all dead.”“Perhaps, but you won’t be alive to see it.” Her dagger glided across his throat before he had time to flinch and his blood sprayed out in a broad fan shape. Bakura didn’t let go until all the struggle left Aknadin’s body, but even after his blood grew cold on her hands, her cheeks remained scalding. It was over, but Bakura felt nothing from it. No guilt, no regret, but no satisfaction either. She let the corpse drop from her grasp, sight blurry with tears. She kicked the body, and kicked it, and kicked it, and screamed, feeling utterly hollow inside. She felt Merwet’s arms wrap around her, embracing her and shaking her both at once. “We’re still fighting, Bakura! We need Diabound!” Diabound still hovered above them, waiting for Bakura to pull herself together enough to fight with him. Bakura shoved her grief aside, down into the pit of her stomach. They’d desecrate the body later. They’d ensure its truth death later. They’d cry later. With a quick swipe to her face, Bakura raced to where Atem and Priest Set continued to fight Zorc. Diabound rushed into the battle, blasting, punching, lashing out with his tail. They used the distraction to hide behind the remains of a hut. “He’s getting stronger!” Priest Set shouted over a roar from Slifer. “It’s the darkness,” Bakura explained. “As soon as the light of Ra vanishes he’ll be at his most powerful.” “Pharaoh,” Priest Set glanced at Atem. “There’s no way we can beat him if his power increases with nightfall.” “Perhaps not at night.” Atem nodded. “But if darkness makes Zorc stronger- the dawn will weaken him.” He looked at each one of them in turn. “Which means we have no choice but to hold until dawn and then take our chance to destroy him.” “We won’t last.” Merwet shook her head. “There’s no way we have enough ba to fight a demon this powerful until morning.”“Are you forgetting something?” Bakura smiled. She caressed Merwet’s throat, healing the small slice below her jaw. “Zorc isn’t the only one whose power increases at night, and look, a full moon's rising even as the sun sets.” The spirits around them began glowing, each filled with moonlight. They were beautiful despite their melted shapes. “We have more than one child of Thoth in this battle, and if there’s one thing I know how to do- it’s survive.” Bakura walked out from behind the building, making sure Zorc saw her. “Come and get me, you pig-fucking whore!”

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Zorc swung with his tail, intentionally missing Bakura and smashing the building that shielded the others. The impact flung them back as debris crashed on top of them. Merwet growled and climbed over rumble to get back to her feet. Seto did the same and then grabbed Atem’s wrist and helped him to his feet. “Hey!” Bakura screamed as she chucked rocks at the enormous demon. “I said come and get me! Are those ugly horns stuffed into your ears? Over here!”Zorc ignored Bakura. He dropped to all fours and stampeded through the gods clustered around him. They scattered at the impact and Zorc brought his front claw down on top of the young Pharaoh. Diabound swooped in and caught Zorc’s hand, serpent tail biting at Zorc’s wrist as they wrestled. Atem ran out of range of the crossfire just as Diabound and Zorc both used their energy to shoot opposing blasts. Diabound was knocked back, but Slifer coiled around Zorc’s neck, biting and scratching as the god attempted to strangle the demon. Ra spewed fire at Zorc’s exposed stomach, and Obelisk punched the demon’s jaw. The others focused on the battle, using their wills to restrain the demon, conserving their energy for the coming dawn. “Atem! Behind you!” Priest Set called out. Bakura stole a quick glance behind her and saw Seto grappling with Aknadin. The light of the full moon and the glow of their ka lit up the rust-colored stain running down Aknadin’s robes from bleeding out. The gash in his throat opened and closed like a hungry mouth as he wrestled Priest Set, but no fresh blood poured from the gap. “I killed him!” Bakura screamed. She grabbed her dagger and tackled the Shadow Priest into the sand, stabbing, stabbing, stabbing. Aknadin’s body resisted the blade, it punched through, but it felt like Bakura was cutting through the dead hide of a bull, and the wounds didn’t bleed. He was dead, but he knocked her away and reached out for the Pharaoh a second time. Bakura growled and Diabound appeared. He lifted Aknadin high into the air, their shapes silhouetted in front of the round, glowing moon. Diabound dropped the priest and they heard the snap of his neck as he hit the ground. A grim smirk twisted Bakura’s features. Not even the dead should be able to move if their spines were cracked.A blast from Zorc destroyed another building, and a rock struck the side of Bakura’s head. She dropped the the ground, everything quiet and black. Her eyes popped open as soon as they shut- at least it felt like it, but when she managed to sit, she saw the others covered in dust with sweat cutting muddy trails down their faces. Bakura glanced at the stars and figured she’d been out for more than an hour by how far the stars had shifted. But the moment she tried to re-summon Diabound, her head spun. Bakura groaned and held the egg shaped welt on the side of her head, trying to heal herself but struggling to summon even a small amount of heka. She turned towards the others, searching for something to focus on to help clear her head. What she saw was Merwet, sword in hand, charging at Zorc as if she, too, was a god, and she was in that moment. She lept in the air, and slashed into the tough, black flesh of Zorc’s body, and then rolled out of the way when he countered. The attacks she couldn’t dodge, the spirits of Kul Elna blocked. They stayed wrapped around Merwet like armor. Meanwhile, Slifer, Ra, and Obelisk all shot distracting blasts at Zorc, making it hard for him to focus his attacks on Merwet. She hacked at the serpent-like phallus, making Zorc scream and kick out. The kick connected and Merwet rolled along the sand. Bakura crawled towards her, raw, animal instinct spurring her on. She cradled Merwet’s head in her lap, healing the scrapes and abrasions littering Merwet’s body. “You’re awake.” Merwet exhaled in relief when she saw Bakura. “You know I have a thick skull.” Bakura teased as she tried to heal herself again. It was difficult, but she managed this time and the fog lifted from her thoughts. She summoned Diabound and headbutted Zorc, knocking him onto his back. “Great job!” Atem cheered.He and Seto and took advantage of Zorc’s fall to attack themselves; however, Zorc rolled out of the way and his counterattack caught Slifer. The avatar of Osiris dropped to the ground, and Atem called out in pain as he clutched at his chest. The young pharaoh grit his teeth and sucked in a deep breath in order to recover from the attack. Slifer rose into the air once again, and their battle dance continued. They managed to pace themselves as the night dragged on, but as midnight approached, Zorc reached his peak while they were fatigued from hours of fighting. They regrouped behind another decimated hut to catch their breaths.“Five hours,” Atem used the back of his forearm to smear the sweat off of his forehead as they passed around one of their few waterskins. The action didn’t suit a Pharaoh. It was too human, too fatigued. “Can you each manage?”“Failure or death.” Priest Set clenched his jaw. “Is he always like this?” Bakura gave the priest a side glance as she frowned. “We’d better move.” Merwet gulped from the waterskin and put it away. “He’ll destroy this hut like the others and there aren’t many left to use for cover.” “Perhaps one of us could sneak behind him?” Atem suggested. “And attack from behind while the others distract him.”“If it's sneaking you want done, leave it to the King of Thieves.” Bakura bowed and then dashed along piles of rubble that used to be the last signs of her village. She stuck to the shadows out of instinct, although she suspected that, like herself, Zorc had no trouble seeing through the dark. To distract the monster, Bakura sent Diabound hurtling into the dark god. Zorc slammed Diabound to the ground. Bakura smirked. Perfect. The ka disappeared into the sand, as if defeated, and she kept him hidden as she circled around the town and behind the dark god. In front of Zorc, the other three gods danced and swirled in spirals and loops in the air. Zorc shot at them, but the blasts missed. Bakura found an outcropping of boulders in which to hide behind. She studied the fight for a moment, praying to find a weakness, but didn’t see anything to give her an advantage. She waited until Zorc tried to attack Atem directly and then sprung her trap. Diabound emerged from the sand and used a light-based attack to hit Zorc in the back of the head. The demon howled in pain and rubbed the area. He turned to search for Diabound. Diabound was too quick, however, and disappeared into the sand before Zorc could refocus. Slifer slapped Zorc’s face, taunting him for taking his eyes off the gods. He chased after the gods like a cat hunting locusts, pouncing and clawing and unaware of Diabound appearing for a second attack. They used this strategy for a few more hours, and Bakura thought they might be able to weather out the night by distraction tactics alone.Then a shadow caught her eye. A Shadow. A tall one with flowing robes and a head hanging from a sickening angle. Bakura’s mouth dropped in shock for a second, then she realized he was after Atem and she sprinted across the ruined town in order to stop what was about to happen. “Protect Atem!” Bakura shouted as she ran. A blast caught her. The spirits shielded her, but they were fatigued as well and a portion of the blast reached Bakura, knocking her to the ground. Priest Set stabbed Aknadin’s side with a sword, and had he been human it would have stopped him, but Aknadin was twice dead and the sword only stuck in his side as he brought a dagger up and punched it into Atem’s back. The Pharaoh choked on a half of a breath, and fell onto his hands and knees. Priest Set keened in anger. He punched Akandin, cracking his mask with the force of the blow. Set slammed Aknadin into the ground, slamming his knuckles into the masked face until they split and bled. Merwet used a dagger to cut the skirt away from her dress and tore the linen into strips. “Set! Tie Aknadin! Bakura! I’ll cover you!”Bakura was already running and dodging attacks to reach them. Ra blew fire into Zorc’s face to blind him and give Bakura enough time to reach Atem. She cradled the Pharaoh in her arms, holding the knife wound with her palm. “It missed his kidney. I can cure him.”“Don’t touch him!” Set snarled as he finished the last knot binding Aknadin. “I’m healing him!” Bakura bore her teeth in her own snarl. The wound was deep, and Bakura was exhausted. Diabound flickered out of existence as Bakura had to pull the last of her heka in order to bring the color back to Atem’s cheeks and strengthen the breath in his lungs. “You saved my life,” Atem said when he opened his royal purple eyes. “You better live, you little bitch. Someone has to restore Ma’at when this is all over.” Bakura helped Atem to his feet. She called Diabound back, but dropped to her knees instead. Bakura grit her teeth, loathing how spent she was, “I… can’t…” “Find a place to rest. We only have a few more hours and this battle is ours!” Atem stood like the king he would become, strong and resolute. Slifer returned and helped Ra blast attacks at Zorc.“I can’t summon Diabound, but I can still fight.” Bakura grabbed both of her daggers. “Merwet, bring Ra to me. I want to mount a god.” “You’ve already mounted me.” Merwet smirked despite the exhaustion, sweat, and dirt covering her face. “But I suppose I'll indulge you and let you have some fun.”Ra swooped back and low to the ground. Bakura leapt onto the dragon’s back and they flew back into the sky. First they passed Aknadin, at Merwet’s command, Ra drowning the corpse in flames, charring the remains to ash. Bakura nodded in Merwet’s direction. It was fitting to watch Aknadin’s corpse burn, but she couldn’t indulge in the thought until the battle was over. Fearless, the two dove for Zorc’s eyes. Ra spewed fire until the last second when Bakura lashed out with her daggers, leaving slashes in the black skin of Zorc’s face. They fought that way until the darkness paled and the moon sunk to the horizon. The Light-Bringer was delivering dawn, slipping back into the Ogdoad as Ra’s chariot prepared to emerge. Ra’s fire started to grow brighter and brighter with each attack while Zorc’s attacks felt thin. The glow of the spirits also faded as the moon sank closer to the edge of the earth. They still protected the others as best they could, but they were thin like smoke, fading from the physical world. And Zorc knew they were weak, and knew he was weakening as well. His attacks grew desperate, ferocious. He slammed the gods into the ground time and time again with the last of his power. Bakura was flung from Ra, rolling into the sand and scraping her skin, but she didn’t care- the sky was orange now, and the first glimmer of the sundisk twinkled on the horizon. Wailing, Zorc went for a desperate lunge at Atem. His claws flashed blood-red in the rising sun as they bore down on Atem like four spears. Merwet grabbed the Pharaoh, shielding him with her own body and the claws raked down her back. She screamed. She dropped.Bakura’s heart pushed against her throat. She was already running towards them again, but it was too late to save Merwet. She grabbed her love, forcing the last of her energy into a healing spell, but she couldn’t fully stop the bleeding. “Merwet! Merwet!” Atem called out, shaking her while Bakura held her.“No. No. No. No. No!” Bakura wailed. Merwet was dying in Bakura’s arms. She wailed, drawing up the last dregs of heka from the depths of her being to increase the power of her spell, but it wasn’t enough. There was only one thing Bakura could think to do. She thwined her ba and ka together like thread- then shredded them apart to convert her life essence into extra heka. Bakura felt herself faded as her own life drained out of her body and into Merwet’s, but that was alright. She didn’t need to make it to the end of the battle; she only needed enough energy for this one last healing. Even pulling from her own essence, she could only close the wound. Four long stripes of scar tissue continued to trail down Merwet’s back and down her ass. But at least Merwet breathed. Bakura exhaled in relief. At least Merwet breathed. Bakura held onto her. She couldn't stand, could hardly keep her own lids up over her eyes. She wanted to sleep, but knew falling asleep would mean never waking up again, so Bakura held Merwet's unconscious body in her arms and fought to live.Zorc snapped his jaws at the Pharaoh, wild and panicked and frantic to hurt him no matter how many shields, magic or human, he had to destroy. Bakura couldn’t move, swooning even as she sat. The thief held her breath as she watched. Seto grabbed Atem, but it was the spirit of Mahad that managed to appear in time to cram his staff between Zorc’s jaw, stopping the attack. The demon jerked back, growling as Obelisk counter attacked. “Pharaoh,” Mahad spoke. He floated above the young Pharaoh, gold bracers flashed in the rising sun as his white robes ruffled in the breeze. “Mahad.” Atem clutched at Mahad’s robes.“Atem, we need to fight!” Set yelled as he continued to hold Zorc at Bay with only Obelisk. “I'm sorry.” Atem hung his head. “It's my fault you're dead. Had I arrested Aknadin right away instead of trying to forgive him-”“You have your father's heart, never apologize for that.” Mahad shook his head.“Atem!” Priest Set shook Atem’s shoulders even as Atem clutched to the dead maget.“It’s time to end this battle, Pharaoh.”“How?”“You're the descendant of Osiris and Isis. You can call upon the gods of Egypt- all of them.”“I-I can’t! I’m not strong enough to call them all!!” Atem clenched his teeth, the long night and battle-stress etching lines and shadows around his eyes. “One day, you will be. Until then, use my strength as well.” Mahad held up his staff. Lightning flowed down from the clear sky and surrounded him and Atem. “Now Pharaoh, hurry.”“Seto.” Atem lowered Seto’s hands from his shoulders. “I’m taking control of Obelisk.”“He’s yours!” Seto stood beside Atem, prepared to shield him as well if it came to it. “Do you know the words?” Mahad asked. “I do.” Atem marched forward, lightning still crackling around him. He glared at Zorc. Slifer wrapped around the demon’s throat again, and Zorc struggled against the noose. “Zorc I won’t let you hurt anymore of my friends! I won’t let them sacrifice themselves to protect me! I am Pharaoh Atem, Son of Akhenamkhanen, from the bloodline of Isis and Osiris, and I summon the entire Tribunal to come and bring Judgement on you!” It was a miracle, but Bakura’s vision blurred and she couldn’t focus. It was a miracle, but Bakura could care less- she only wanted to feel Merwet in her arms as she fought to keep a spark of her ba and ka burning and survive the battle herself. All around them tiers and tiers of gods appeared. The great ones like Anubis and Set, the lesser known near-forgotten ones, even Bakura’s Patron god Thoth stood beside a huge scale with Ma’at beside him. Chains materialized in the air, golden, bright, and glittering in the dawnlight. They wrapped around Zorc’s wrists, his ankles, his tail, and his phallus, holding him. Anubis marched forward, A tall, stout, dark man with the features of a jackal. He sneered at Zorc and punched his claws into demon’s chest. With a crack like thunder, the Jackal snapped Zorce’s ribs around and tore open Zorc’s chest. He reached inside with a taloned hand, and pulled out a chain formed with links of blood and sinew. “This demon has no heart of his own.” Anubis tugged at the chain and pulled it further out. The twisted sinew dripped blood onto the sand, stretched further and further as Anubis had to walk back to make room. A heart appeared, bound in twisted nerves and still beating although it was the color of rust instead of fresh blood. Anubis continued to pulled and a second heart appeared, followed by a third, each one was tangled in the chain, trapped. The god stopped and coiled the sinew chain and captured hearts between his palm and elbow in several loops like one coils up a long hank of rope. Bakura’s throat tightened. She felt herself clinging harder to life as she watched heart after heart be pulled from Zorc’s chest. She didn’t need to count. She knew how many. It’d be ninety-nine hearts altogether. Anubis dropped the collection on the scale and it sank to the ground with the weight. The demon roared in protest, thrashing against his own bindings, but he couldn’t move and the other gods didn’t respond to him. “Your judgment,” Anubis snarled, glaring at Zorc. Behind Zorc, another beast crept up to him. Sleeker, a little smaller, but her teeth and claws were sharper than the edge of an obsidian razor. The chimera- crocodile, lion, hippopotamus all blended together- pounced onto Zorc and tore a chunk out of the back of his neck. Blood rained down to the sands below, soot-colored drops that hissed when they struck the ground and evaporated in the sunlight. Atem and Set stood together and watched. Bakura knelt in the dirt with Merwet in her arms, and watched as well as Ammit ripped another chunk of meat from Zorc’s shoulders. Zorc shrieked, clawing to get away from the goddess, but chained in place. He couldn't move, just as Bakura couldn’t move when she watched everyone boil down into the gold. Now it was the demon trapped by gold and screaming as he died. Ammit jumped over Zorc, facing him with her crocodile stare. She clawed open the demon's stomach and gray intestines spilled out. They smacked against the ground, shrinking and withering. Zorc’s guts deteriorated into a pile of maggots that disappeared into the sands. Ammit used the open wound to chomp her way through the demon bite by savage bite. She ripped apart the soft flesh first, then crunched then bones in her jaws, and licked soot-colored blood from her muzzle before scarfing the last chunk of the demon’s face down her throat. As Zorc was consumed, the chains connecting the hearts vanished. A few of the hearts were rotten, falling off of the scales and being consumed by the same sand-like maggots that disposed of Zorc offal. Each time a rotted heart vanished, Ammit lunged towards a shrieking villager and snapped them up in her jaws, swallowing them in a single gulp. The other hearts grew bright red. They gleamed in the sunlight, the same color as Bakura’s scarlet cloak. These hearts beat in a rhythm, like drums during a festival. The scale started to lift back into the air until it lined up with the ostrich feather on the other side. The remaining spirits shimmered. Their spirits reformed into human shapes, and then into proper spirits instead of melted ghosts. The Tribunal disappeared, leaving only a pair of doors that rose into the heavens. Osiris stood on one side, his Atef rising high above his head. Isis on the other, jade and lapis lazuli gleaming from her gown. They opened the doors and gestured for the spirits to walk through to the Fields. A sob escaped Bakura. She felt her soul tugging her- if she stopped fighting she knew she’d fall to the ground and her akh would walk through with the others and they’d be a village once again. A woman knelt in front of Bakura. White hair fell long past her shoulders, and she wore the same, wide, gap-toothed grin that Bakura often wore. Bakura knew, in that moment, that it’d be okay to give in- to finally rest and go with her. “Mom…”“Not yet, Bakura.” Bakura’s mother cupped her cheek.Bakura felt energy pour into her as the damage she’d done to herself to heal Merwet. Air rushed into Bakura’s lungs, so quick and sudden that it shocked Bakura. Not only was her spirit restored, but Bakura couldn’t ever remember taking in a breath so easily. As Bakura breathed, amazed at the feeling of it, Merwet groaned in her arms and opened her eyes. “Bakura? What happened?”“It’s over,” Bakura whispered, holding Merwet tighter in her arms. “We won.”“Oh,” Merwet gasped when she saw the spirit kneeling beside them. She pushed herself up to a sitting position, and Bakura’s mother wrapped her arms around both of them. “Take care of each other.” She kissed each on the cheek and then stood. “Don’t!” Bakura begged. “Please, don’t leave.” “I was so worried about you that night. How would my little one survive on her own?” She smiled. “But look how strong you are now. I will not worry for you anymore.” “Mom.” Bakura rubbed her eyes with the crimson sleeve of her cloak. When she looked up again, Bakura saw her father walking towards them. He kissed the crown of Bakura’s head, as he did when Bakura was little, and did the same to Merwet before taking her mother’s hand and leading her towards the door. Hand in hand, her parents walked into the other world together. “Mom! Dad!” Bakura called after them, and now it was Merwet holding her instead of the other way around. She shushed Bakura, and combed Bakura’s hair, and before Bakura could chase after them, the doors were closed and they were only in a ruined town in the middle of the desert. The silence… the silence was strange. Bakura didn’t know what to do with it. At first there was only the sound of her sobbing, but then she heard Merwet’s voice. “It’s okay, Bakura,” Merwet whispered against her hair. “They’re fine now. It’s okay now.” “I know. I know.” Bakura leaned against Merwet’s shoulder, weeping all the tears she’d held in for the last twelve years. And in the end, it didn’t even matter that Aknadin was dead so much as her family was at peace. Bakura dried her eyes, and allowed Merwet to hold her. They sat for another minute together, and then Bakura heard footsteps as they Pharaoh marched up to them. “I owe you both my life.” Atem offered his hand to help them to his feet. “If you want to repay that debt, then repair all the damage Aknadin did.” “Yes.” Atem gave them a single nod, his face grave. “I could use some help. Would you become my next priests?”“Pharaoh, that is the Thief King!” Priest Set scowled. “You can't seriously be considering letting him live in the palace!” “Don't worry your pretty blue eyes, priest. Why would a king want to demote himself to a mere servant like you?” Bakura laughed. “Besides, there's one more thing I have to steal from the palace.”“Is there?” Atem raised an eyebrow. “And what's that?” “The invoices of every slave Aknadin sold abroad. I plan on buying back any slaves I can.”“Bakura.” Merwet gasped pressing her hands over her mouth.“And the ones you can't buy back?” Seto asked.“I steal, of course.” “I'll give the invoices to you willingly,” Atem said. “Please come through the front door as a guest when you collect them and not through the window as a thief.”“There's hardly any challenge to that, but I suppose.” Bakura snorted. She turned towards Merwet and bent down to one knee. She held both of Merwet's hands and looked up into her lotus-colored eyes. “My love, even when I almost lost myself to darkness you never left my side. Through everything you kept your promise and helped me free my family, now let me help you free yours.” “Bakura,” Merwet repeated the thief’s name, dropping to her knees, grabbing Bakura's face, and kissing her Thief King until neither one of them could breathe.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

They saw riders in the distance as they recovered from battle and drank the last of their water. The specks grew until Bakura recognized the white robes and gold accessories of the royal priests. “Th-they’re alive?” Atem jumped to his feet when he recognized Isis with Shada and Karim riding behind her. They rode at a mild trot, towing the horses that had run off before the battle behind them. Atem spun towards Bakura. “I thought you killed them?”“I killed Mahad,” Bakura said in a level tone that showed that she wasn’t exactly proud of the act, but neither was she remorseful of it. “Isis forfeited the other Items, so I let them live.” “I’m so glad they’re alive.” Tears gleamed in Atem’s eyes, but he managed to blink them away before any fell. They waited for the others to arrive. All three priests dismounted and passed out fresh water skins and satchels filled with bread, cheese, dates, and wine. Atem set down the rations, throwing his arms around each priest in greeting. They tolerated the embraces, but bowed afterward to show their respect. Bakura, however, had no such love for them and was starving after their war against Zorc. She plopped down into the sand and tore into her loaf of bread as if it were a holiday feast. Merwet glanced at Isis, snorted, and sat in front of Bakura, nibbling on a date. “Things went well,” Isis said, sensing Merwet’s irritation. “You could see the future, and that was the best you could do?” Merwet scowled. “Yes. I know it was hard, and we’ve all lost people we loved, but look at how many of us are still alive? And with Atem as pharaoh, Kemet will finally be able to recover from the horrors of the last several years.” “Forget all that, tell us something fun about the future.” Bakura popped the last of the bread into her mouth and washed it down with a generous amount of wine. “Will people remember the legends of the Thief King even after I’m walking in the Fields with the rest of my village?” “The adventures of the Thief King and Queen will indeed be remembered throughout history, often argued about, but always remembered. However, your stories will pale in comparison to your daughter’s.” Wine sprayed from Bakura’s mouth as she exploded with laughter. Bakura held her belly, shouting, “Our daughter! That’s a good one. It doesn’t take a seer to guess that there’s no way either one of us will ever get pregnant.”“Not traditionally, at least,” Isis agreed. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Merwet narrowed her eyes. Isis shook her head. “Neither one of you would believe me even if I explained it.” “Well, if you’re done playing fortune teller to these rogues, the sun’s growing hot, and we should return to the palace and announce Atem’s ascension to the throne.” Set crossed his arms over his chest.“Don’t you want to know what lies ahead for you, Set?” Isis smiled. “I no longer have the Necklace, but I remember a marriage in your future.” “Save your soothsayings for these fools. The future is whatever I make it.” The priest mounted his horse and waited with a frown on his face for the others to follow his example. “I will have the the sales records ready by tomorrow morning,” Atem said to Bakura. “Please bring as many of our people home as you can. Here.” Atem lead the horse Bakura had stolen before their battle over to them. “Please keep her. We’ll feed and care for the two you left at the castle and return them to you tomorrow before you leave.” “You really need to stop offering me gifts, Pharaoh.” Bakura stood up and took the rope tied around the horse despite her complaints. “You’re going to ruin my reputation.”“I’d rather you be known as a hero instead of a thief,” Atem said. “You gave me water when I was thirsty, fought my uncle, and saved my life more than once in last night’s battle.” “He desecrated your father’s tomb, murdered our brother-priest, and from what Isis told us, allowed the demon to possess him and nearly destroyed the world himself.” Karim scowled at Bakura. “You bet your sweet ass I did all that.” Bakura winked at the disapproving priest. “You’re not even remorseful!” Shada grit his teeth. “You should be begging the Pharaoh for forgiveness!” “I asked them to kill Mahad,” Isis said. Everyone turned to look at her with dropped open mouths. “You should be arrested,” Seto sneered. “Isis… why?” Karim asked. “He was one of us.” “He helped us win.” Atem said, though he looked grave. “His ka watches over me, even now. Had he had the Ring instead of Bakura- we would have all died, wouldn’t have we?”Isis nodded, tears slipped down her cheeks but she didn’t openly sob. “It was the best I could do.”“It’s not as easy as in the stories, is it?” Atem rested his hand against the muzzle of Isis’s horse. “No, my Pharaoh.” “I’ll have the other mages collect his body. We’ll lay him to rest in a special chamber in my own tomb.” Atem mounted his own horse. “Let’s go home, everyone.” Bakura watched them go, the horses’ reins still tight in her grip. When their horses shrank in the distance, she looked around what was left of her village and sighed. “It’s quiet… so quiet.” “Bakura.” Merwet held her shoulders. “Heh.” Bakura stared at the sand beneath her horse’s hooves. “I have some apologizing to do to you, don’t I?”“Yes.” Merwet smirked. “Later though. Let’s go home for now.” Bakura lifted Merwet onto the house and mounted behind her. They rode home, stabled the horse, and went straight to Bakura’s bed. It wasn’t until they were in the room together that Merwet’s composure cracked. A high pitched, distressed noise broke from her throat as she clutched Bakura and clung to her. “I thought I lost you.”“Me?” Bakura grazed her fingers over one of the scars slashing over Merwet’s shoulder and striping her back. “Even my mother’s spirit couldn’t fully heal me after Zorc’s attack. I was sure you were going to die in my arms.” “Idiot, dying isn’t half as bad as losing your soul. Why’d you put on the Ring?”“It was mine,” Bakura said. “Don’t be so impulsive next time.”“I like being impulsive.” Bakura grabbed Merwet’s face and kissed her. That brought a smile to Merwet’s lips, but she pulled away and rested her forehead onto Bakura’s shoulder. “Isis had me convinced that if I let my guard down around you- you’d be saved. But when I told you I loved you-”“Merwet, you’re the only reason I took off the Ring.”“Stupid, I told you to kill me and take out Aknadin as well. You never listen.”“No, I never do.” Bakura kissed the crown of Merwet’s head and pulled her down to bed. Exhausted from battle, they held each other and fell asleep twisted in a lover’s knot of limbs. Bakura woke with a spray of gold tickling her face and laughed as she spat out a strand that had clung to her lips while she slept. “Bakura…” Merwet murmured, burying her face deeper against Bakura’s breasts. “Gods, we slept straight through to morning. We need to pack if we’re leaving Kemet.”“I need to bathe.” Merwet yawned, in no hurry to actually wake up. Bakura looked at her. Dried blood and and dirt still clung to her body, and her dress was tattered. Once again, the severity of their battle struck Bakura, and she pulled Merwet closer to her chest. “Merwet, I would have never forgiven myself had-”“I’ll forgive you for ruining my dress if you make breakfast.” Merwet looked up.“But I have to pack,” Bakura argued. “And I have to find another dress.”“I don’t see why. You should just flaunt what the gods have given you.” Bakura combed her fingers through Merwet’s hair. “I’m glad you don’t have to wear wigs anymore.”“That’s true…” Merwet’s lips parted as the realization hit her. “We don’t have to hide our hair anymore.” “It’s hard to process… that he’s actually dead now. That my people are freed. That-” Bakura flushed, cutting off her words with a muffled grunt. “Say it.” Merwet grinned. “That I’m not alone anymore.” Bakura sat up, kissing the bridge of Merwet’s nose. “I love you, Ra-child.” “Enough to make me breakfast?” Merwet’s grin grew wider. “I suppose, but pack while you pick out a new dress.” Bakura kissed her one last time before going downstairs.The thief prepared all the fruit left in the pantry and grilled the leeks and onions with smoked fish. They wouldn’t return for quite a long time, so Bakura made sure she used up everything that would spoil and packed the extra food for their lunch to eat as they traveled. Merwet appeared, wiped down and in a simple flax-linen dress.“I will change into something more to my tastes after the bath,” she explained when she saw Bakura’s questioning look. “We’ll go on our way to the palace.” Bakura nodded, wanting a bath herself. “We’re going to be very late.” Merwet snickered. “Because the moment I’m clean I’m going to ravish you.” “The King of Egypt can wait to suit the whims of the Queen of Thieves.” Bakura winked. “How much did you pack?”“Three chests.”“That’s too much. I’m not carrying all that.”“You won’t. The horse will.” “You’re going to slow us down.”“We’re going to travel the world, Bakura. Taking thirty more minutes to the pier will hardly matter in our journey.” “You’re so difficult.” Bakura grumbled even as she went to fetch all Merwet’s belongings so they could bring everything.Bakura brought all their remaining horses, planning to sell them before they sailed across the sea and to the foreign lands where she hoped to find at least some of Merwet’s family. Once she secured a small cart to one of the horses for their chests, they mounted the other horses and rode to the oasis. Bakura washed the cloak and shenti and bathed as the clothing dried in the sun. She’d brought several scented oils and chose a mix of orange and clove to rub into her skin once she finished washing herself. She stood waist-high in the water and admired the way the oil gleamed in the light and how droplets beaded against her skin from it. Bakura felt a hand grab her ankle beneath the water and screamed out of reflex despite knowing it was Merwet. Breaking the surface, Merwet smoothed strands of wet, golden hair out of her face as she laughed at Bakura. “For a King of Thieves, it was quite simple to sneak up on you.” Bakura didn’t bother with words. She tackled Merwet into the water and kissed her just as they’d kissed that first time. They didn’t stand for air until it was absolute necessity to do so. Merwet shoved Bakura up onto the bank, knocking over Bakura’s bottle of bathing oil. It floated off to the side, but Bakura ignored it as Merwet grab her breasts and began rolling them in small circles. Bakura grinned and spread her legs wide. She placed her hands on top of Merwet’s, helping Merwet massage her chest. Merwet used two of her fingers to pinch the flesh around Bakura’s nipple, making the bud poke up. She leaned down and lapped at the flesh with her tongue. Bakura gave a soft sigh, squirming a little as she waited for Merwet to direct her attention to between her legs, but Merwet was in no hurry. She moved over to Bakura’s other breast, kissing all around the areola before sucking Bakura’s other nipple. Her kisses wandered to Bakura’s sternum and her fingers slide down to Bakura’s hips. “Merwet, Merwet, oh my treasured Merwet,” Bakura repeated her name over and over again, as if the sweet way she moaned it might convince Merwet to show mercy and finally place her lips between Bakura’s legs. Merwet was not merciful, however, and she dropped her kisses down to Bakura’s belly only to pop back up and flick at Bakura’s nipples again. Bakura slid two of her own fingers over her clit, silently challenging Merwet to stop her from getting herself off. Merwet called Bakura’s bluff, kissing down her arm and teasing Bakura’s fingers with her tongue, so close to where Bakura wanted to be licked. Bakura clenched her teeth as Merwet moved down to her thighs. Merwet chuckled against Bakura’s thigh, moving back up and kissing Bakura’s fingers again. Then, finally, blessedly, she dabbed her tongue between Bakura’s legs, licking up and catching Bakura’s fingertips before withdrawing. Bakura gasped and spread her lips apart, showing off her cunt for Merwet to enjoy. Merwet hummed before dragging her tongue all the way up Bakura’s slit, circling around her clitoris before giving it a quick suck. “Ahhh…” Bakura exhaled, hitching up against Merwets sucking lips.Merwet’s tongue felt like heka, drawing love spells against Bakura’s warm, slick flesh. And it no longer bothered Bakura when Diabound appeared above them. Even in the bright sunlight, the glow from Diabound added a subtle, silvery tint to the gold of Merwet’s hair that was beautiful to look at as Bakura twined her fingers through the silken locks in order to hold her right where she was at. Bakura kept squeezing her thighs as her pleasure mounted. She dug her heels into the bank and tried to relax the vice-grip her thighs had on Merwet in order to give Merwet room to lick, but after a few more swivels of Merwet’s tongue, Bakura had her thighs wrapped around Merwet’s face again. “I’m going to come!” She screamed as Merwet fluttered her tongue against Bakura’s clit. A wave of shivering heat warmed Bakura’s entire body and she screamed again. “I’m going to come!” Bakura’s breath caught in her throat as she crunched upward, riding out the yes yes yes of her orgasm. Her feet dropped, thighs relaxed. She panted hard for breath and wiped sweat from her brow. “You don’t wheeze anymore.” Merwet licked her lips before swiping her wrist over her mouth. “Thank the heavens. That means you can’t pour anymore of your weird concoctions down my throat.” “Quit complaining-” Merwet crawled into Bakura’s lap and fisted her white hair “-and make me scream your name.” Bakura smirked and dotted kisses along Merwet’s collarbone. Her fingers brushed down Merwet’s pelvis and along her labia, exploring along the rim of Merwet’s entrance. She looked up at Merwet’s thistle-colored eyes.“You’re wet.”“That’s because I like to stare at your body.” Merwet plucked a kissed from Bakura’s lips. “And touch it.” She kissed the thief once again. “And taste it.” “Yeah?” Bakura slipped her middle finger up Merwet’s cunt and rubbed back and forth at the ridge of nerves inside of her. “What about this? Will this also make you wet?”Merwet huffed air from her mouth. Her eyes dropped into a sleepy, half-lidded stare as she rode Bakura’s finger. “That, my thief, will make me come.”“Then let’s make you come.” Bakura’s lips peeled back into a playful grin as she maneuvered a second finger into Merwet. She kept her fingers sheathed into Merwet’s warmth, pushing up but only backing away for enough leverage to thrust upward again. Merwet bit her bottom lip. Her eyes slid shut and she rolled her hips in broad circles. Bakura added a third finger, spreading Merwet slightly as she plunged into her. Merwet held onto Bakura’s shoulders and arched against her. Bakura used her thumb to tease Merwet’s clit. She kissed Merwet’s breasts, sucking the lavender-laced almond oil she’d bathed with from her skin. “Bakura!” Merwet screamed, her cunt clenching around Bakura’s fingers. “Say it again,” Bakura whispered between tender presses of her lips against Merwet’s body. “Bakura! Fuck!” Her nails sank into Bakura’s shoulders as she rode out a long and quivering orgasm. Bakura pulled the fingers from Merwets body and stuffed them into her own mouth, licking and moaning at how good Merwet tasted. She lay Merwet down on her stomach, fetching the bottle of orange oil. “Are they ugly?” Merwet asked. Bakura traced the long slashes of scar starting at the tip of Merwet’s shoulder and traveling down her ass in four lines. “No, love. Actually, I think they’re sexy.”“You would.” Merwet snorted.“Don’t you think scars are sexy?” Bakura brushed her scarred cheek against Merwet’s shoulder blade. “Hmmm… I suppose yours do add to your dashing, mischievous charm.” “See then? I know what I’m talking about.”Bakura kissed down Merwet’s shoulder, across her back, and down to her ass. She did it for each line before uncorking the oil and drizzling it over Merwet’s copper body. “Not that one, Bakura. I was using lavender.”“I already poured this.”“So? Wipe it off and get the right one.”“That’s on the other side of the lake!”“What of it? Fetch it.” “Blood drenched Sekhmet. You’re so high maintenance.” Bakura scooped the oil off of Merwet’s back and smeared out onto her own chest and arms. She swam across the lake and returned with the proper bottle of oil. The glass was sun-warmed so she poured it directly onto Merwet’s skin without having to heat it in her hands. “Don’t worry.” Merwet sighed as Bakura massaged the oil into her body. ”I’ll reward you for being such an attentive king to me.” “Not if I get to you first.” Bakura smacked Merwet’s ass. “Flip over.” Merwet rolled onto her back as Bakura drenched her fingers with more oil. She coated Merwet’s asshole with lavender oil as she sucked at Merwet’s labium. “It was your turn.” Merwet giggled, but it turned into a moan when Bakura’s tongue glided up and down from clit to entrance. “Who said we were taking turns?” Bakura paused to speak, but then dropped her mouth back onto Merwet’s clit and pushed into Merwet’s ass with her first finger. Merwet sighed as Bakura pleasured her. When Bakura added a second finger, Merwet raked her fingers through the wet sand beneath her. Bakura continued to lap along Merwet’s slit. Occasionally she’d toy with Merwet’s clit, but she kept slipping downward to her entrance, drawing whimpers from Merwet’s mouth. Bakura wanted to prolong Merwet’s pleasure, make her squirm and beg for release, but Bakura couldn’t stand the wait herself. She sealed her lips around Merwet’s clit and moaned as she sucked. “Fuck! Bakura, fuck!” Merwet fisted the sand. The water lapped at their calves as the sun burned Bakura’s shoulders. Bakura worked her fingers faster and matched her pace with the flicks of her tongue. White strands kept falling into Bakura face. She shoved her bangs back with an angry swipe of her free hand before plunging her tongue into Merwet’s cunt. She slipped in and out of her hole a few times and then swerved her licks back to Merwet’s clit. She found that sweet spot between her clit and hood and ran her tongue up and down until Merwet was swearing at the sun that had created her. Once Merwet’s body gave out and she lay in the cusp of elements where earth and water met, Bakura pulled back and dipped back into the cool water to quench the heat building on her back and shoulders. She gave Merwet a moment to recover, brushing her lips across the delicate skin of Merwet’s pelvis and enjoying the way Merwet twitched against her kisses. Bakura crawled up to Merwet’s throat, kissing it while stroking her hair. “I love you,” Bakura whispered against her pulse point. “Love you, too.” Merwet wrapped her arms around Bakura and squeezed. “You’re the moon that lit up the night when it was dark.”Bakura gazed down at her, smiling. “And you’re the sun that brought daylight into my ib.” Their lips brushed together, as faint as the wind through the fig tree leaves. By slow degrees their kisses deepened until their bodies rocked against each other. After several minutes, Merwet bucked up, wanting more again. Bakura turned around so that she faced Merwet’s feet and swung her a leg over Merwet’s torso. She backed up, settling down. “Ah!” Bakura gasped once Merwet’s mouth touched her. She rocked back and forth a moment, gliding her body over Merwet’s tongue, and then lowered herself down so she could return the favor. Bakura gasped again, her mouth hovering over Merwet as she moaned, and moaned, and moaned. Bakura attempted another few licks, but her thighs were trembling and her cheeks were hot, and she couldn’t stop calling out each time Merwet licked just right around her clit. Bakura rose up, shifting her hips and riding against Merwet’s tongue. Bakura balanced herself by resting her palms against her thighs. Looking down, she had a good view of her own body, breasts bouncing with each roll of her stomach, thighs framing Merwet’s face. Below her, Merwet’s body stretched out long, knees raised and her ankles disappearing into the water. Bakura hummed at the sight, allowing the image to lull her closer to orgasm. The pleasure swelled in her stomach, her body quaked with each lick she felt. Bakura leaned down again, bracing herself against the sandy bank and hitching against Merwet’s mouth until she was screaming. She called out in three long, loud, cries and then relaxed. Sated, Bakura kissed Merwet’s stomach until she reached her hood and flicked beneath it with her tongue. “Yes.” Merwet slid her hands across Bakura’s round ass. She gave Bakura a pinch, but the thief’s protest was muffled from her mouth being pressed against Merwet’s cunt. Merwet slipped two fingers into Bakura and eased in and out.Bakura slowed her licks but did not stop as she hitched back into Merwet’s fingers. She sucked gently against Merwet’s clit, and then kissed down to her entrance and back up again. Bakura ran her bottom lip over Merwet’s clitoris and felt a shudder in Merwet’s thighs so she repeated the light stimulation until Merwet had to pull her fingers away from Bakura. Instead, Merwet held Bakura’s thighs as she bucked up against Bakura’s lips. Bakura used the broad center of her tongue to stroke Merwet’s clit.“Bakura! Bakura! Bakura! There! Yes! Bakura yes!” Merwet’s nails dug into Bakura’s skin as her thighs and belly tensed and shivered in an orgasm the stretched on for a full minute before Merwet hitched in few final times and dropped her ass back down into the wet sand, muttering a final time, “Bakura…” “Have I exhausted you?” Bakura grinned as she wiped her face and shifted so that she could look at Merwet. “Just need… to catch my breath.” Merwet gazed at Bakura with lidded eyes. Her hair clung to her temples and cheeks and scattered across the sand.“So you’re saying I steal your breath away?” Bakura traced down the curve of Merwet’s breast. Merwet reached up, brushing her fingertips up Bakura’s arm. Bakura’s grin softened and she decorated Merwet’s collarbone with a necklace of delicate kisses. Their fingers laced and they stared into each other’s eyes until both were dizzy with love. Merwet bit her lower lip, hiding the mischievous smirk that Bakura caught anyway. Quick as an assassin should be, Merwet sprung up and shoved Bakura into the water. They wrestled, but only as an excuse to grip and tug at each other. Bakura reclaimed her position on top, but Merwet hiked up her hips, throwing the thief off balance and pinning Bakura into the sand. Heated by their playful struggle, Merwet bit Bakura’s throat.“Hmmmm.” Bakura arched into the bite, so Merwet succeeded it with another. When faint, pomegranate colored welts dotted Bakura’s throat, Merwet pulled back straddled one of Bakura’s thighs. She held Bakura’s free leg, leaning her forehead against Bakura’s raised calf as she started to frot against her.“Oh sunlight!” Bakura called to the heavens. “My sweet jar of honey! My Nile-Queen! My gilded treasure box that holds my heart!” “Bakura,” Merwet sighed as she grinded against Bakura’s body. “Your mouth’s so sweet when you’re being fucked.” Bakura bucked up to meet Merwet’s circling body. Heat and tightness welling up inside her. She sucked air into her lungs and squeezed her muscles thinking good good good good as Merwet rubbed against her. “Oh sunlight!” Bakura called again as her orgasm began. “That’s it, Bakura,” Merwet whispered, kissing her silt-colored calf. “Come for me, moonlight.” Diabound disappeared from the sky, but Bakura’s body shimmered as she subconsciously pooled her heka to her heart center. The initial rise of climax crested to a broad wave of pleasure and she grabbed Merwet’s outer thigh for leverage as she bucked higher.“Gods.” Merwet’s face twisted, ecstatic. “Gods, gods, gods, Bakura, I’m coming with you.” Merwet’s grinding grew hard and quick as she put as much pressure against them as possible. They both seized up as their pleasure hit a zenith and then they lay in each other’s arms, gasping for breath as their hearts pounded. Merwet reached up, combing the tangles out of her hair and pulling a face.“There’s sand in my hair.”“I’ll wash it for you.” Bakura chuckled. “I have sand everywhere. I need another bath… after a nap.”“It’s going to be nightfall by the time we get to the palace,” Merwet complained as she tucked her chin against Bakura’s shoulder and fell asleep.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It was nightfall by the time they reached the palace. Isis was there to greet them at the stables as servants tended to their horses. She held a flax-oil lamp in her hands and wore a amused look on her face. “I informed the Pharaoh this morning that you’d be delayed. We have a room ready for you, and supper. Pharaoh Atem would be delighted if you spent the night and then continued on your journey in the morning.” “How much did your necklace show you of our delay?” Merwet narrowed her eyes. “Enough to know you’d be quite late.” The priestess winked at Merwet.Bakura snorted laughter, and Merwet raised an eyebrow. “You know, I’m developing a grudging respect for you.”“I’m honored.” Isis smiled. “I still haven’t forgiven you for all the trouble you put me through.” Merwet huffed as she marched towards the castle. “You’re going to have your hands full with her.” Isis shook her head, and she and Bakura walked behind Merwet. “I happen to love when my hands are full of Merwet.” Bakura curved her hands, drawing the imaginary outline of Merwet’s body.Isis led them to one of the best chambers in the palace. Tapestries depicting blue lotus flowers and cranes draped down the walls. The window was open so that the night air could circulate throughout the room. Thin wisps of incense smoke floated around the bed and scented the room with myrrh and cinnamon. Servants stood near a table, pouring two glasses of wine and preparing two plates of fruit, cheese, and roasted meat. Merwet dismissed the servants and sat down, going straight for the wine and fruit. “If you need of anything, ask the servants and they’ll provide.” Isis gave a polite bow as she left the room. “I love being a thief, but the hero treatment definitely has its perks.” Bakura licked her lips as she speared a chunk of meat with her dagger and tore into it like a jackal in a feeding frenzy. “It’s bloody.” Merwet made a face and slid her plate over towards Bakura. “You don’t want it?”“I don’t care if it is the gift of a king. It’s not touching my lips.” Merwet scowled as she fixed a new plate of cheese, almonds, figs, and honey cake. Bakura only grinned and pulled the plate even closer. She finished off both and two jars of wine before plopping down on the bed and holding her puffed-out stomach. She stared at the swell of her brown tummy rising up between her red cloak. “Hey Merwet, Isis was probably just fucking with us, right? About the baby?”“I can’t imagine how it could happen unless Thoth gives you a magical cock like the one he created for Osiris when Horus was conceived.” “Well that would be fun.” Bakura rolled onto her side, propping herself onto her elbow so she could look at Merwet as they spoke. “Especially if it was detachable.”“You’d lose it.”“I would not lose my magical, detachable penis.” Bakura’s mouth dropped as if she was insulted by the mere thought.“You absolutely would. You’d get drunk, lose it in a game of sennett, and we’d find it a month later at the market being resold with other used junk and have to buy it back for you.”“Eh, I’ll just wash it off and it’ll be good as new.” Bakura shrugged. “Careful that a fish doesn’t eat it as you wash it in the river.” “If a fish ate my cock I would catch him and eat him and then I’d have my penis back.” “I’m sure you would.” Merwet laughed. She nudged herself closer to Bakura, pressing her face close to Bakura’s chest and slipping her hands beneath Bakura’s robe in order to stroke her back. After a few minutes of close, quiet embracing, Merwet asked in a small voice. “Bakura?” “Yes, my queen?” “Do you think we’ll actually find them?”“Oh love.” Bakura kissed the crown of Merwet’s head. “I don’t know, but I will spend my whole life searching if that’s what it takes.”Merwet nodded against Bakura’s chest and they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms. In the morning they were bathed by servants, and anointed with oils and perfume. Merwet was dressed in a long dress with a single shoulder strap while Bakura was given a shenti of sheer fine cloth connected with a belt of gold, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. They were both adorned with a ransom’s worth of jewelry and decorated with kohl and rouge before finally being led to the throne room where Atem and the rest of his priests already sat for breakfast. “Good morning!” Atem greeted, standing up to be polite. “Pharaoh.” Set scowled. “You’re king now. You stand for no one. Let these peasants bow before you.” “Who are you calling a peasant?” Bakura crossed her arms over her chest. “If anything you should bow before me, The Thief King.” “How dare you.” Set reached for his hip, scowling when his hand hit cloth instead of the Rod he once wielded. Before he could think of another way to challenge Bakura, Isis rested a hand on his shoulder.“Set, why don’t you introduce our heroes to your recently betrothed?” “Betrothed?” Bakura laughed. “Already? Isis mentioned a marriage, but that was rather quick.” “It’s politically arranged.” Set muttered between clenched teeth and arms crossed over his chest, although Bakura noted the flame-kissed hue burning his cheeks. “Although our marriage is for our countries, I’ll always try my best to be a loyal and loving wife to you.” A woman sitting beside Set bowed her head as she spoke. “You’ll do fine, Kisara,” Set muttered, more flustered than before.“Isis picked the perfect match.” Atem grinned. “I believe my cousin is already falling in love.” This made both of the betrotheds blush and look away from each other. Kisara’s hair was twisted in a bun above her head with lotus blossoms tucked into the white locks. Unlike Bakura who was the color of dates, Kisara was the white as the moon from the tips of her fingers to the tip of her nose. Bakura stared at her as she sat down at the table. “I thought all the children of Khonsu were slain.”“I thought the same of the children of Thoth.” Bakura glared at Set. “Priest, you treat this woman well or I will impale you.” “I will treat her however I please!” Set slammed the flat of his hand against the table. He started at the way his statement sounded out loud and clenched his hand into a fist. “Which will be with all the honor and respect the wife of a royal priest deserves.” “Her ka is a dragon.” Atem beamed, showing that he was still a little too inexperienced to fully rule a country in the way his eyes gleamed in excitement at the mention of a dragon. “But Kisara can only summon her when sleeping, so Set is going to help train her to control her powers.” “I will work very hard.” Kisara smiled. “I look forward to the day that I can summon my ka at will and become your bodyguard, my Pharaoh.” “You’ll do great,” Atem encouraged before picking up a glass of wine and suggesting a toast. They ate, discussed the future of Kemet, and then there were dancers and trained animals and skits for entertainment. Atem begged the Thief King to give more details for all the stories he used to hear from the guards back when he was a prisoner in his own palace. Bakura laughed and exaggerated every single story she told, but Atem’s face glowed with delight each time she told one more impossible than the last. Once the celebration was over, servants brought out two chests and set them before Bakura and Merwet. Isis stood, gesturing to the chests and explaining their purpose. “The first chest is the thief’s boon granted by our Pharaoh. All the invoices of every slave sold to foreign lands. It also includes document with Atem’s own seal giving you divine authority to reclaim everyone wrongfully sold during Aknadin’s regency. If anyone resists, let them know that they are the enemy of both our country and our gods, including the living Horus himself, Atem. The second chest is a gift to Merwet for shielding the Pharaoh with her own body. It is full of exotic spices, stones, and incense. There is more than enough treasure in here to fund your quest and help you find your family. It is the prayer of everyone that you are successful in your mission and bring home many of Kemet’s children.”“We will,” Bakura swore, her usual joviality replaced with a hard, grave expression. “I have been advised-” Atem shot Set a bitter look. “That it would be unsafe for me to escort you to the harbor; however I’ve arranged an escort to guide you.”“Thank you, Pharaoh.” Merwet bowed. “For everything.”“No, thank you. Without you two Kemet would still be in the grip of my uncle, and your quest is going to help begin the long, difficult path to our kingdom’s redemption.” ***“Can you smell it?” Merwet grinned at Bakura when a distinct twang hit her nostrils. They’d been traveling for weeks through the hot lands of Kemet, but the breeze hitting their faces was pleasant feeling with a hint of salt in its scent. “Is that the sea?”“I think you’re right.” Bakura nodded. The harbor cities dotted the coast and allowed trade of precious items such as wood, iron, and lapis lazuli that weren’t native to Egypt. No slave ships docked in the harbor and none ever would again and this pleased Merwet, although the bitterness of the past still clung to her soul like an aftertaste. Her memories were muted, however, as the dizzying sight of blue peaked into view and took her breath away. “It’s beautiful.”“It’s endless.” Bakura looked at the horizon in wonder. “Like the desert with drops of water instead of grains of sand.” They loaded their things onto a ship headed for the kingdom of Kheta. Their guard helped load their trunks before disappearing back into the city on their way home to the capitol. Bakura and Merwet spent the day on the deck, mesmerized by the view and getting used to the way the ship swayed as it sailed northeast. After sunset, Bakura bumped Merwet with her hip. “Why don’t we settle into our cabin?”“Oh? Did you want to unpack?” Merwet smiled, cupping her thief's face and admiring the glow of the rising moon lighting on Bakura’s hair. “Yeah, I want to unpack your body right outta that dress.” Bakura tugged at Merwet’s dress to demonstrate her intentions. “Then let’s go.” Merwet grabbed Bakura by the belt and dragged her thief below deck and to their private cabin. She pushed Bakura down onto the mattress. The straw was fresh and clean, they’d paid a lot of money to make sure of it, but it was still lumpy and crude compared to the royal bed they’d shared the night before. Merwet suffered the inconvenience of it, distracting herself by crawling on top of Bakura and pinning her wrists above her head. “Well, I can’t very well undress you in this position, now can I?” Bakura grinned, her nose scrunching from the expression. “Then I’ll undress you instead.” Merwet pressed her lips against Bakura’s throat, dragging them along Bakura’s skin. “Oh Merwet,” Bakura sighed, pressing her head back into the mattress and arching to give Merwet a better angle at her throat. “My king.” Merwet trailed her kisses down Bakura’s throat and along the delicate curve over her collarbone. After bordering the necklaces around Bakura’s neck with kisses, Merwet meandered down to Bakura’s bare breasts, speaking between gentle brushes of her lips. “I love you… I love you… I love you…” “Oh my sunlight.” Bakura’s fingers danced through Merwet’s hair. “I’m so happy. Hmph.” She snorted, her face strained with a collage of emotions. “Is it strange? That I thought I’d never say that? I never, never imagined happiness. The grim satisfaction of vengeance? Yes, but never joy.” Merwet nodded. They didn’t need more words at that moment. They each understood, and their mouths were better used kissing so that was what they did. Slow, languid kisses, thick as the air before a storm. With her arms no longer pinned, Bakura was free to tease the strap of Merwet’s dress off of her shoulder. She caressed the blade of her palm along Merwet’s breast, cupping it and running the pad of her thumb back and forth across Merwet’s dark nipple. Merwet cooed at the touch. She unclasped Bakura’s belt and dropped it to the floor, peeling away the sheer linen so she could caress Bakura’s naked hips. Bakura ran her hands up the skirt of Merwet’s dress, circling her fingers and massaging Merwet’s legs. When she reached the top of Merwet’s thighs she pulled her hands out of Merwet’s dress and undid her belt, dropping it beside the first one. Merwet bunched the fabric in her hands, pulling it up over her head and tossing it beside them. Bakura crunched her body up high enough to decorate Merwet’s belly with tickling kisses, working her way up to her sternum. Merwet wove their fingers together, and pressed Bakura back into the mattress. She sucked against Bakura’s bottom lip and used her knee to spread Bakura’s brown legs. Once Bakura was wide open for her, Merwet situated herself on top of Bakura’s pelvis. Bakura wrapped one of her legs around Merwet’s body and slung the other one out to the side to give Merwet room to move. “Oh yes, love.” Bakura grabbed Merwet’s ass, squeezing and pressing up so that their bodies rubbed together. Their lips met and their tongues swirled in their mouths. They gently hitched against each other, both shuddering in pleasure. Their lips separated as they gasped and moaned. Bakura pulled her hands away from Merwet’s hold so she could dig her fingers into Merwet’s golden hair. Merwet held Bakura’s cheeks. Their breaths were hot puffs against each other’s faces and their eyes were unfocused as their stared into each other’s faces. “M-Merwet,” Bakura closed her eyes first, biting her bottom lip as her body tensed. Merwet braced her hands on either side of Bakura, using the extra leverage to press deeper against Bakura and drag her body more quickly back and forth. “Ah! Ah! Ah! Ahhh!” Bakura gasped with each upward thrust of Merwet’s hips. “M-Mer-wet!”Bakura held her breath, gripping harder with her hands as her body shivered and relaxed. The leg around Merwet’s waist slid down to the side and she arched her hips up, putting more pressure against Merwet’s cunt as they continued to slide together. “Mmmmm Bakura,” Merwet purred as she picked up her pace. The shadows danced around the cabin as their ship rocked from the sea, but they were too engulfed with the rocking of their bodies to pay any mind to the light and dark waltzing around them. Bakura reached up, fingers gliding down Merwet’s breasts and circling around her areolas. Her left hand found Merwet’s ass again, and she kneaded Merwet’s rump until Merwet stuttered Bakura’s name with each breath.“Bakura- Bakura- Bakura- oooh!” Merwet’s thrusts reached their zenith as she came, winding down slowly and leaning forward to kiss Bakura. Bakura pressed her palm against Merwet’s chest, feeling the way her heart raced like a chariot through the desert. Merwet held Bakura’s face again, controlling the easy, carefree pace of their kisses. Bakura sighed through her nose; her left hand massaged Merwet’s ass while her right stayed pressed to her ib. “I love you,” Merwet whispered between brushes of their lips. “I love you too, my queen.” “I know.” Merwet’s lips spread wide in a smile as she caressed Bakura’s cheeks. “And I’m so glad.” Bakura pulled Merwet down to her chest, brushing her fingers across Merwet’s back as Merwet used Bakura’s chest as a pillow. The rocking of the ship lulled them into a deep sleep while still in each other’s arms. However a crash jolted them back to consciousness a few hours later. “What in Set’s asshole was that?” Bakura shifted from beneath Merwet, grabbing her daggers.“Something crashed into our ship.” “Well, we need this ship. Let’s go kill whatever interrupted my sleep.” Bakura pulled her crimson robe from one of their chests and wrapped a shenti around her waist as Merwet gathered her khopesh and slipped back into her dress. The sound of battle echoed down the hall well before they reached the deck. The moment the cold, night, sea air hit them, so did a monstrous cackle. Bakura surveyed the fight- it was all but over with their crew either dead or being bound and led across a boarding plank to an even larger ship. The grating kekekekekeke rang into the night again as she fought the ship’s captain. Bakura flinched.“Shit.”“Is that one of Sekhmet's?” Merwet whispered into Bakura’s ear.“Yes.” Bakura gritted her teeth.“Shit,” Merwet repeated Bakura’s curse. “Use Diabound?” “I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t if I were you,” A soft voice spoke behind them.Bakura felt a thin point touch the nape of her neck, and saw Merwet tense beside her. Bakura grit her teeth.“How the hell did you sneak up on me?”“Who knows?” The voice laughed, it was a sweet voice, and Bakura wanted to punch the mouth connected to it. “This dart is poisoned by the way, so I wouldn’t suggest trying something daring. If my hand slips, even a little, you’ll die so quick, you’ll hardly realize you’re suffering.” “You don’t want to do this,” Merwet said in a soothing, friendly voice. “We have a seal from the Pharaoh himself. We’re more valuable as allies than enemies.” “Sounds like you’re more valuable as hostages, so I’d rather not kill you. Please continue to stay still. Kauket!” The daughter of Sekhmet kicked the captain back. He slammed against the mast, and Sekhmet pressed her sword into his throat, laughing at the way the blood gushed from him. Her skin was dark, like oiled teak wood exported from foreign lands. It was so dark that the captain’s blood seemed to disappear as it splattered on her arms. “Kauket!”She shouted back in a language Bakura didn’t understand and cleaned her sword on the captain’s coat before walking to them. The stranger behind Bakura replied in the same language, then added, “Pharaoh? That’s your emperor, correct? We can ransom them for more than what’s on this ship.”“Just kill them. We can ransom their hearts back.” Kauket licked a splash of blood off of the back of her hand, like a cat grooming. “That sounds too messy,” the other attacker said with an air of distaste. “Ladies, ladies.” Bakura grinned. “Are you thieves of the sea? You’re in luck, I happen to be the greatest of all thieves. Perhaps we can work something out?” “We just want gold, thank you,” The voice spoke behind her again. “I have gold.” Kauket laughed. “No. You don’t. We have your gold.” “You can’t keep a poisoned blade to her neck forever.” Merwet grit her teeth and clenched her fists. “And the moment you lower it- you’re dead.” “That’s unfortunate.” The voice behind Bakura sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to use my second poison then.”Bakura shouted as she felt a sting in the small of her back. Fire spread through her veins immediately and she felt her knees hit the wooden plank.“Bakura!” Merwet shouted, dropping to the deck herself to catch Bakura as she fell.“Don’t worry,” the voice said. “That poison is slow.”“And painful.” Kauket chuckled. “Isn’t that right, Ryou?” “It doesn't have to be. There’s an antidote. Perhaps we’ll give it to her-” she turned to Merwet, “If we decide we want to keep you both alive. Until then, whatever you had planned, be it escape or revenge, you should forget about it, unless you want her to die.” Bakura growled both in pain and rage. She looked up, eyes bleary, but she was finally able to see her attacker. At first she mistook her for another daughter of Khonsu- she was white all over and her hair was a wild shag falling down her back, but then Bakura saw the tails- nine of them- and the dark, dark eyes. Not blue eyes, like Kisara’s, but brown, almost black.“What… are you?” Bakura frowned, wondering if the poison was causing her to hallucinate. “Me?” She smiled as if they were old friends, and by all the gods Bakura wanted to stab her. “I’m your captor. Come on, Kauket, tell the crew to get them below deck with the others.” “Bakura, what should I do?” Merwet whispered in her hair. Bakura felt the grim smirk twist her features. She didn’t give a single fuck about an antidote, only that Merwet escaped from the two demons in front of them. “Summon Ra, burn both ships, and kill these two assholes.”
END PART 1

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Merwet raised her hand into the air. Rays of light cut through the dark sky. The beams coelesed into the shape of Ra. The glowing dragon tossed its head back and shrieked. “Fuck yes! Finally, a decent fight! Come on you flying fucking chicken!” Kauket licked her blade, then her lips. She pointed the sword at the god diving toward the ship, waiting for her chance to counterattack.“That idiot can't be serious…what is wrong with her?” Bakura lay crumpled in pain on her side as she watched the battle. “No one should smile like that while fighting a god.” “Please, this is foolish.” Ryou's tails flicked behind her, betraying her concern. “Call off that beast and surrender and I’ll give you the antidote.” “Bakura, I’m going to win this fight. Don't die,” Merwet ordered. “If you say so.” Bakura shot her imaginary bow at Merwet, but her arms crashed against the deck afterward, too heavy for her to hold up. Her eyes fluttered, but she forced them to stay open. Kauket roared as she leapt into the air. The steel of her blades struck Ra’s golden scales. Sparks showered onto the deck, hissing as they landed. Smoke rose from a coil of rope as a few of the sparks caught the fibers. With a screech, Ra’s blast covered the deck in flames. Kauket rolled out of the fire’s path, she leapt and sliced at Ra’s neck. Ra spewed fire from his beak to block her. With a back flip, Kauket dodged. Her face twisted in battle-rage as she pierced Ra's wing, golden scales scattered from the blow. Merwet winced, feeling the attack prick at her ba. “Merwet—" Bakura shouted, coughing before she could finish the name. Merwet glanced at Bakura and saw Ryou running toward her. The fox swung her dagger at Merwet’s eyes, but Merwet ducked and side stepped to a safe distance. “That’s a dirty attack.” Merwet glared at the fox-demon in front of her.“Killing you will get rid of the beast.” Ryou slashed at Merwet's breast. Merwet dodged. She dropped low and kicked her foot out, tripping Ryou. The demon steadied herself and stabbed downward. Merwet grabbed Ryou's wrist and they grappled. On the sidelines, the flames grew around them, several crates and barrels on fire. The fox’s white fur glowed in burnished and bloody colors from the firelight and shadows twisted the fierce expression she wore. “Merwet, hurry…” Bakura whispered and curled into a ball. The poison singed through her veins. She closed her eyes, face knotting in pain. Fist clenched, Bakura focused on breathing, using her heka to help her slow her breathing, and thus, the spread of the poison. Merwet gripped Ryou's long hair in her fist and head butted her. The fox fell backward, snarling and lunging for Merwet's throat. She clawed at Merwet's skin, but the gold choker shielded Merwet from most of the scratches. “Fine? You want to end the battle quickly? We will!” Merwet sneered. With a sharp cry, Ra smashed into Kauket and knocked her over the edge of the ship. Ryou gasped and leapt to her feet. She sprinted to the rail. She ran from end to end of the ship in a panic and screaming out Kauket’s name. “Kauket! Kauket! I can't see her. Kauket! You have to help her, please!” Tears streamed down Ryou’s face as she clasped her hands to beg Merwet for help. “Jump in and save her yourself.” Merwet snarled, snatching her sword.“We can't swim! Please!” “You're pirates who can't swim? That's hilarious. Gods...I always wanted to die laughing. This is great.” Bakura's laughter was weak, but she managed to crack open an eye despite her pained grimace.“Please save her! I'll grant you a boon! Anything in my power! Please!” Ryou leaned over the rail of the ship and keened for her lost partner. “You poisoned my lover. I drowned yours.” Merwet spat. The flames twisted her features into an angry, red mask. “Merwet,” Bakura said. “There's balance on Ma’at’s scales,” Merwet insisted. “Kauket!” Ryou dropped to her knees and scratched at the wood of the ship. “Kauket.” “Fine. I’ll help...just stop...crying.” Bakura grit her teeth and forced herself to crawl closer to the starboard edge of the ship.Merwet raced to Bakura’s side. “What are you doing? We need to try and neutralize the poi—”“In a second. Help me up.” Bakura tugged at Merwet’s arm. “You have always been too merciful. Why should we care about them?” Merwet scooped Bakura into her arms.“Can't stand to watch a pretty girl be sad,” Bakura groaned, her face red from the pain of the poison. “Besides...free wish. She’ll...owe me one.” “Don’t believe that nonsense. We’re going below deck so I can treat you.” “Sorry...can’t resist…” Diabound appeared over the waves and plunged into the ocean. Ryou pulled herself to her feet and watched the dark waters reflect the firelight until a brilliant, white shimmer lit them from beneath. Ryou gasped when Diabound burst from the surface with Kauket in his arms. The spray rained down to the deck, extinguishing most of the fires. Merwet growled, and Ra disappeared. “You’re so soft,” she muttered beneath her breath. Diabound settled Kauket's body into Ryou's arms. She sputtered and vomited water out of her lungs before stealing defiant breaths between water-logged coughing fits. With a squeal, Ryou embraced Kauket and ravaged her with kisses.“Could have...won.” Kauket spit more water and sank deeper into Ryou’s embrace. “Of course.” Ryou stroked Kauket’s wild mane. She glanced at Bakura. Slipping her hand into the pocket of her skirt, she pulled out a small bottle. “I'm assuming your wish is for the antidote, yes?” “Merwet? Do I have to waste my wish on the antidote? Or can you take care of this?” Bakura grinned while Merwet cradled her. “Of course I can take care of it, but you're still fucking crazy.” Merwet carried Bakura away.“For you.” Bakura’s weak laughter ended in a cough. “I can’t believe you saved her after they poisoned you.” Merwet scowled, but Bakura only shrugged. “Wait! Why risk it? Just drink it!” Ryou chased after them. “Your ship is still a little on fire...better go take care of that.” Even poisoned, Bakura managed to sound smug as she ignored the fox’s attempt to hand her the antidote, but she grunted in pain when Merwet readjusted her hold on Bakura to brace herself as she descended the stairs. “Quiet, Bakura. You've already quickened the poison by wasting your energy on Diabound. If you want me to cure you—rest.” Merwet rushed to the galley. She dumped Bakura on top of the prep table. Bakura groaned, hugging herself. Merwet pulled several ingredients out of the pantry, mixing them in a frenzy.“Your medicine always tastes bad,” Bakura whined.“I said quiet.” Merwet lifted Bakura's head up, pouring the tincture down her throat. “Swallow every drop. I'll make more if you spit.” Bakura whimpered as she chugged the mixture. Her face twisted and she sputtered for air the moment the cup pulled away from her lips.“No good. Still dying.” Bakura curled into a ball, shivering. “It takes a few minutes to circulate through your body.” Merwet pulled herself onto the table, wrapping her arms around Bakura to keep her warm. “Good thing she used a pathetically weak poison. You may have been able to survive it on your own, but those herbs should help the discomfort.” “I don’t know...I could die in your arms and consider my life perfect.” Bakura cooed, sighing and relaxing in Merwet’s hold. “I told you not to die.”“Don’t tell me what to do.” Bakura grinned. “You’re fucking hopeless. I’m going to kill you myself one day.” Merwet kissed Bakura, but wrinkled her nose at the bitter taste on Bakura’s lips from the mixture she’d forced Bakura to drink. “It’s easier to breathe...thanks.” “Keep resting another few minutes. I might need to give you another dose.” “Nah. One cup of sludge was disgusting enough to make anyone realize they’re alive.” Merwet snorted, but didn’t retort. The ship rocked them as they lay on the galley table. They heard shouts echoing from the deck, but neither of them bothered investigating, content to lie together and ignore the rest of the world. After five minutes, Ryou appeared in the doorway.“Is he still alive?”“You bet your sweet, nine-tailed ass I’m alive, so don’t get any ideas about whelshing on that wish you owe me,” Bakura said, eyes still closed.“Don’t pretend like you care.” Merwet snorted. “You’re the one who used the poison.” “He saved Kauket.” Ryou shook her head. “I owe him.”“Mmm, I love hearing those words. Say them again.” Bakura grinned. “As you wi-”“No!” Bakura’s eyes popped open. “That’s not my wish. It was rhetorical. I’ll tell you in clear and specific terms what my wish is as soon as I no longer feel like I’m dying of a fever from that damnable poison you jabbed me with.” “Dammit. I was hoping you’d let this be simple. How did you even neutralize the poison?” Ryou asked. “With a secret blend of herbs and spices.” Merwet smirked. “Shouldn’t you be keeping your precious new ship from burning into the ocean?”“Bakura put most of the fires out for us...thank you.” Ryou exhaled. “I’m sorry. I’m...I shouldn’t have poisoned you, but I needed the ship and I couldn’t afford resistance. You two were clearly stronger than the crew, so I thought the poison would make you listen to our orders.” “I doubt you’ve ever killed a person before.” Bakura rolled onto her side and stared at the fox. “You watered the poison down.” “I did...and I would have given you the antidote had you surrendered.” Ryou crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. “There was no need to actually kill you.” “You’re a pirate who can neither swim nor murder. Why are you even bothering?” “I have my reasons,” Ryou said. “Do tell.” Merwet sat upright and narrowed her gaze. “Yeah, why do you want another ship anyway?” Bakura asked.“I can tell you anything you’d like to know.” Ryou gave them a syrup-sweet smile. “If the thief wishes me to.” “You poisoned me.” Bakura pouted. “I shouldn’t have to squander my wish on your backstory.” “Fine. Money,” Ryou said. “Fair enough. I love treasure myself, but why do you want money?” “Who doesn’t want money?” Ryou shrugged, her flicking tails revealing her agitation despite her demure tone. “Another good point.” Bakura hummed. “Glad we had this talk. Now if you excuse me, I’d like to—”“Make your wish,” Ryou insisted. “Oh I intend to, when I’m good and ready.”“No. Now.” “I’m sick with your poison and you’re going to make demands of me?”“Stop trying to make me pity you! You arrogant, manipulative bastard! Make your wish so I can get back to my own business!” Ryou’s tails bristled. Her ears laid back close to her head in warning. “Why don’t you shove those fluffy white tails up your ass?” Bakura purred. “It’s my wish. I’ll make my wish when I want to.” “You’re our prisoners. If I were you, I’d wish for freedom.” Ryou spun around and marched toward the stairs leading to the deck. “Excuse me?” Merwet chased her down the hall, grabbing her shoulder and spinning her around. “You lost against us. How are we your prisoners?”“This is our ship now. Everyone on it is our prisoner.” “Neither of you can swim, and I will smash a hole the size of a god into the bottom of this ship if you think for one moment I’d—”“All right.” Ryou hissed. “You’ve made yourself clear. But please talk to the thief and tell him to make his wish before we dock.” “Don’t worry,” Merwet said. “We’re on a quest. I’m sure Bakura’s trying to decide what would help us most as we travel. After we reach Kheta you’ll never have to see us again.” “A quest?”“It’s honorable. You wouldn’t understand it.” Merwet marched back to the galley. When she returned, she saw Bakura sleeping curled on her side and snoring. Merwet combed her fingers through Bakura’s hair. As she watched Bakura sleep, she heard a voice behind her.“I need money to hire an army.” Ryou stood with her hands clasped in front of her. While her expression was stoic, her bushy tails told Merwet she was afraid. “The ruler of Nul captured my sister and is holding her prisoner.”“Armies eat a lot. Hire an assassin.” “This ruler is a wizard. He’d kill an assassin.” Ryou sighed. “He’ll kill the army, but as long as it distracts him enough to allow me to reach my sister, I don’t care what happens to a group of human mercenaries.” “Touching.” Merwet snorted. “Sultan Shin of Nul is on our inventory sheets.” Bakura popped an eye open, fully awake. “He bought an awful lot of slaves from Aknadin, personally. We’re going to have to deal with him at some point as well, and I think we could help each other in our quests.”“Surely you don’t want to work with these two.” Merwet scowled. “They’re incompetent!” “Are you two still fighting? Let me watch. I missed most of your first fight while I was slashing apart that overgrown pheasant you summoned.” Kauket peeked at Merwet from over Ryou’s shoulder. “That was Ra. Have some respect.” Merwet grit her teeth. “Respect is earned, and the gods have done nothing to earn mine.” Kauket’s face soured as she said the words. “You’re a child of Sekhmet. Without the gods, you’d be weak as any other human.” “You don’t know anything about who I’m a child of, so shut your mouth.” Kauket snarled. “Would you really work together with us?” Ryou asked Bakura, ignoring Merwet and Kauket’s bickering. “That god creature of yours would be valuable in killing Shin.” “Bakura, no.”“Merwet.” Bakura pushed herself to a seated position, gripping her gut. “He single handedly purchased over 100 of the names on our list.”“I know. I saw it on the receipts as well. That doesn’t mean they would be any help to us.” Merwet answered, but her gaze was locked on the two pirates in front of them. “But you know I love to gamble.” Bakura grinned. “Hey fox, I think I’m ready for my wish now.” “Thank goodness.” The tension drained from Ryou as she leaned against Kauket. “What would you like? It can only be something within my ability, so be careful of what you ask.” “I want to be able to summon you to me whenever I want, your friend with the lion’s mane too.” “Bakura, why?” Merwet stared at the ceiling. “I think it’ll come in handy. Our destinies are obviously entertwined with these two.” “Figures. Destiny always pairs me with fools,” Merwet grumbled. “Well? Can you grant my wish, fox?” Bakura raised an eyebrow. “Only summon, nothing more. I’m not obligated to help you once I’m with you—and if you ask me during a moment when I can’t get away because something urgent is happening, then I won’t appear until I finish my own business.” Ryou walked a few steps closer. “Fine, but by urgent, it has to be something genuinely urgent. It can’t be dinner or a nap or anything you simply would rather do, and you have to listen to why I summoned you even if complying with my request is up to you in the end.”“Deal.” Ryou held out her hand. Bakura took it and lightly kissed Ryou’s knuckles, sealing their pact.“What are you?” Merwet asked. “Not a god-child like the rest of us.” “She’s a fairy, a fox spirit,” Kauket answered. “From the far East. We met on the road one day.”“I fell into the river because of a hunter’s trap. Kauket jumped in and rescued me despite the fact that she couldn’t swim any better than I can.”“Good thing the river was shallow.” Kauket chuckled. “Sounds like you idiots need to stay away from water.” Bakura laughed, but stopped and clenched her stomach more. “I’m sorry,” Ryou said. “The poison was weak, but still uncomfortable. The cramps should fade soon.” “Couldn’t you speed the process along somehow?” Bakura batted her eyelashes. “Had you used that for your wish I could have.” Ryou smiled. “But you wanted to be able to summon me instead.”“You could do it to be nice.” Bakura flashed her most charming look at the fox. Ryou blushed and pressed herself a little closer to Kauket. “I can only do free spells for people very close to me. As it stands, we’re more enemies than friends, so I’m afraid I can’t help you.” “Oh well. I’ve suffered worse than this.” Bakura pushed herself off of the table. “Bakura, what are you doing? You need to rest.” Merwet held her shoulders to stop her from walking. “Yeah, and I can rest better in my own bed.” “You mean our bed, since it’s now our ship.” Kauket smiled. “I love how you keep insisting it’s your ship when you both lost to us.” Merwet leaned closer to Kauket. “We’re going to bed.” “Aren’t you afraid of being attacked in your sleep?” Kauket licked her lips, eyes glowing in the dim light of the galley. “I prefer a real fight, but it might be worth it to shut you both up and free Ryou from the wish you made.” “Your little fox has more bark than bite to her.” Bakura continued to stumble down the hall. “And while I have no doubt you wouldn’t make good on your threats—I know she’d stop you—so if we’re all done here...goodnight.” Anyone who didn’t know Bakura would assume she was drunk, but Merwet knew the slow, unsteady steps meant she was hurting more than she’d admit. Merwet rushed to Bakura, slinging Bakura’s arm over her shoulder and helping her to their room. “I don’t know about you, but I think our little adventure is off to a great start.” Bakura flashed Merwet a weak smile. “I don’t know why I thought life would get easier with Aknadin dead.” Merwet lay Bakura on their bed, locking the door behind them. She curled beside Bakura, brushing the hair out of her face and feeling the heat of her brow. “How are you feeling?” “Spectacular because I’m in your arms.” Bakura grinned. “Be honest, you asshole.” “I feel like a cat is clawing at my insides, but I’ll be fine—surviving is one of my favorite hobbies afterall.” Bakura grinned, but her expression softened as she watched Merwet. “I’m lucky, some wives can mix together a meal in the kitchen, but mine can stop a poison from spreading to my heart.” Bakura pressed her lips against Merwet’s sternum. Merwet kissed the crown of Bakura’s head in return. They curled together, and Merwet hummed Bakura to sleep. ***Bakura jerked upright. She looked around—heart out of control from her night-terror—but the fires of her childhood were gone. A covered lantern was the only firelight flickering in the room. The flames lit Merwet’s outline as she lay curled on her side, a habit Bakura noticed she adopted after Zorc clawed through her back. Bakura stood, moving with the slow, careful caution of someone who had been injured but wasn’t sure how badly. Her guts no longer cramped, and her skin no longer burned. Bakura rubbed her shoulder, remembering the previous night. Out of all the people for them to stumble upon on their quest—they found a child of Sekhmet and a fairy. Bakura didn’t think it was a coincidence. If Priestess Isis saw half of what she claimed to when she wore the necklace, she would have known their ship was going to be attacked. Which meant whatever destiny the two had—it was meant to twine with Bakura and Merwet’s. Merwet could scoff at fate, but Bakura didn’t mind it, if it played to her advantage. A knock interrupted Bakura’s thoughts. She pulled out her knife before opening the door. “Good morning.” Bakura smirked when she saw Ryou. “I made you breakfast.” Ryou’s tails flicked behind her as she stood in the hallway holding a tray. “Uuuuh, you poisoned me? And now you think I’m going to eat your food?”“I understand why you’d be worried. If you’d like, I could taste it first?”“Does poison even hurt foxes?” Bakura narrowed her gaze, suspicious. “Yes.”“How do I know you didn’t drink an antidote beforehand?” “I’m sorry I poisoned you.” Ryou sighed. “I know there’s no reason for you to trust me, but I swear I cooked this as an apology.” “Bakura, don’t you dare,” Merwet muttered from the bed, eyes still closed as she tried to sleep a few minutes longer. “I don’t know… it smells tasty.” Bakura grinned, knowing the statement would rile Merwet awake. “If it’s not poisoned, I will kill you myself for being an idiot.” Merwet sat up. “For the last time, It’s not poisoned.” Ryou stomped into the room and slammed the tray down on a small table near the bed. “Here. You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to. I’m sorry I even bothered.”Bakura waved goodbye as the fox stormed out of their room. The moment she was out of sight, Bakura locked the door again and removed the cover from the tray. “These are all sweets,” Bakura said. “Don’t you dare.” Merwet’s brow wrinkled as she frowned. “I will not cure you if it’s poisoned.” “We need to know if she can be trusted.” Bakura took a generous bite of one of the small honey cakes. “Holy gods, this is the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.” “You’re such a fool,” Merwet hissed.“No, I’m not joking. Taste it.” Bakura shoved the cake toward Merwet’s mouth. “If we’re both poisoned, who will cure us?” Merwet turned her head. “She’s a fairy. Food’s more likely charmed than poisoned. But as good as this tastes? It’s worth the risk.” Bakura shoved another bite into her mouth. The cake was soft and fluffy, not dense like the cakes she was used to from the markets of Kemet, and it tasted of a fruit Bakura couldn’t name. She moaned in pleasure, leaving the half eaten treat within Merwet’s reach while she tried the next sweet. It was crispy and flaky and also delicious. “I would suck a dick to eat these every morning.” Bakura licked crumbs off of her lips. “Okay, if you like it that much, maybe it is worth death or enchantment.” Merwet laughed, holding her stomach. She took a small nibble from the first cake, her eyes rounding. “Holy gods.”“I told you!” “Just this once you were right.” Merwet laughed. Bakura shoved a pastry into her mouth. They split the last of the sweets, and went through their typical morning rituals. Bakura combed Merwet’s flaxen hair with a turquoise and lapis comb. “I’m so happy the wigs are gone,” Bakura muttered, more to herself than Merwet. “Want me to comb yours?” “Has it been a week already?” Bakura ran her fingers through the mess of white. “It’s gotten too long again. Let’s chop it off.” “If you’d like. Sit down and hold still.” Merwet pulled out a dagger from her belt and stood so Bakura could take her seat. “You’re really sexy when you whip your knife out like that.” Bakura lidded her eyes. “Don’t flatter me or I’ll cut your clothes off instead of your hair.” Merwet ran the tip of the knife down Bakura’s bare chest. “This old shenti? I’m not partial to it.” Bakura smirked. “Do you want your hair cut or not?” Merwet pulled the knife away to help Bakura focus. “Short as you want.” Bakura plopped into the cabin’s only chair. Merwet used the comb and dagger, flicking her wrist with each careful slash. Clumps of white drifted to the floor like Nile cattail seeds blowing in the wind. After she finished, she ruffled what was left of Bakura’s hair and brushed off her back and shoulders. “There you go. It’s ready for your crown, Thief King.” “Let me see.” Bakura smoothed her hands through her hair. Spikes and cowlicks sprung up after her fingers left, refusing to be tamed at any length. “Here.” Merwet used her flat of her dagger blade so Bakura could peer at her reflection. “I like it.” Bakura grinned. “Don’t complain if you want it long again in a week.” Merwet snorted. “I’ll complain whenever the mood takes me.” Bakura winked. They made their way to the deck to check out the damage from the night before. Bakura scanned the deck of the ship, the surviving men were quiet, but they shot spiteful glances at their captors while they worked. “This crew is a hair away from mutiny. The second we dock, we need to grab our things and get off this ship.” Merwet shook her head. “What should we do if they mutiny before then?” Bakura spoke quietly, not wanting to give anyone any ideas. “Honestly? We lock ourselves in our cabin, take a nap, and deal with it later. I don’t care who sails us to Kheta as long as we get there.” “Prudent as always, my love.” Bakura nudged her chin over to the side where they saw Ryou frowning at the ocean. “Should we thank her for breakfast?” “No. We didn’t ask for it, and she did it because she felt guilty for trying to kill us.” “And if she’s feeling guilty, that means she’s not half bad.” Bakura grabbed Merwet’s hand and dragged her toward Ryou. “You know, you should give up the pirate life and become a baker.” “Yes, stick with something you're competent at.” Merwet reclaimed her hand from Bakura so she could cross her arms over her chest. “So you ate it and didn’t die afterall.” Ryou leaned against the rail of the ship. The wind blew her hair and tails beside her. They billowed like sails, and Bakura resisted the urge to reach out and touch them. “Maybe we took a bite or two,” Bakura smirked. “What happened to your hair?” Ryou used one of her tails to brush the top of Bakura’s head. The fur was as soft as Bakura imagined. “It was hot against the back of my neck, so I chopped it all off.” “Humans cut pieces of themself away?” Ryou twisted her face in distaste. “It grows back.” Bakura laughed. “Anyway...I’m sorry, again, for what I did. I know a few sweets can’t make up for poisoning you, but I’m truly sorry.” Ryou looked away. “I mean, they were so good, I’m half tempted to forgive you. Better than a feast from the palace.” Bakura winked. “Somehow I doubt you know what food they serve in a palace.” Ryou laughed. “I’ll have you know.” Bakura leaned against the rail, edging toward Ryou. “That I’m a hero, and have eaten from the Pharaoh’s very table.” “A hero!” Ryou laughed. She shimmered in the sunlight above them. “I wish such things existed.” “It’s true. I swear it to the gods. Merwet too. Thieves and assassins can be heroes too.” Bakura teased her short spikes as she spoke—still not used to the difference in length and compelled to play with it. “If you’re really a hero.” Ryou held Bakura’s hand with both of hers. “Prove it. Help me save my sister.” “I’m bound, by honor, to free the slaves of Kemet and send them home, and I’m bound, by love, to help Merwet find her sisters who were sold as slaves. This quest takes precedence over anything else, but I see no reason why I can't rescue one more sister while I’m at it.” “So, you’ll help?” Ryou straightened, eyes locked on Bakura. “We have to follow the sale receipts of the slaves and rescue all of them, but a good chunk of them are in the palace where your sister is being held captive. Looks like our destinies are intertwined.”“Bakura…” Merwet sighed. “I’m not against helping. I understand wanting to save a sister’s life, but it’s going to take us years to free everyone between here and Nul.” “Years? No, she doesn’t have that long. A fairy can’t live with a human for more than a year—especially a magical one. She’ll forget who she is! She’ll—”“That’s why I wished for the ability to call you to me. Now you and Kauket can go ahead with your original plans and get your mercenary army while Merwet and I work on our quest. If we find ourselves in a jam, I can summon you to help, and when it’s time for you to attack Shin, you can transport us directly.” “You… planned that far ahead even while curled on top of a table suffering from poison which I gave you?” Ryou stepped back, studying Bakura as if for the first time. “Yes, of course. We’ve been through these sort of crazy destiny quests before. One second you’re helping a cute assassin break out of prison, the next you’re giving your child king a glass of water and he pays you with his name and then you meet a prophetess and she tells you your future but you have to jump out the window to escape, and then you kill god.”“I’m so fucking angry at how accurate that is.” Merwet bent over laughing, her hair spilled around her face as she shook. Bakura shrugged. “I figured this is going to be much the same. Attacked by cute misfit pirates. Get poisoned. Eat cake. The prophetess is going to tell us that our futures are connected. We’ll sleep together, go on an adventure, kill the evil sorcerer, rescue all the sisters—”“You are very bold.” Ryou’s tails bristled. “Oh yeah. Get used to it. Bakura’s bold indeed.” Merwet snorted, but Bakura’s prediction sobered her laughter. A thoughtful look crossed Merwet’s face, then she was eyeing Ryou up and down as if preparing for the inevitable. “You don’t even like us. Kauket would kill you if you so much as kissed her.” “We do enjoy a challenge.” Merwet licked her lips; Ryou blushed. “You see, I’m a snake charmer.” Bakura's nose wrinkled in a grin. “And the goddess Kauket was a snake, so the four of us getting along should be easy!” Ryou blushed more fiercely, the color vibrant on her cheeks in the warm sun. Her flowing hair shifting in the wind like a billowing sail, and her nine tails dancing all around her. She was mesmerizing to behold. Bakura couldn’t see anything beyond the storm of white and light blue skirts. But the display blinded Bakura from the sailor behind Ryou. He grabbed her by hair and exposed her throat. Bakura and Merwet grabbed their daggers, but before they could act, he pushed a shiv made from broken pottery and dirty cloth to Ryou’s throat. “Please...don’t,” Ryou whispered, so softly. “You don’t understand what she’ll—” “Your wench murdered my matelot!” He screamed.Ryou’s dark eyes rounded as the man pulled the jagged porcelain across her throat. Searing droplets sprayed Bakura’s face. Ryou dropped onto the deck, the blood staining her white hair. On instinct, Bakura grabbed the sailor’s hand, twisted the point of his shiv back at him, and thrust it into his own stomach. After he fell, she and Merwet pressed Bakrua’s robe to Ryou’s throat, but they couldn’t staunch the tide of blood soaking over their hands.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Kauket patrolled the deck. The crew glared at her, furious at the loss of their ship. She grinned, licking her blade to remind them what would happen if they stepped out of line. Ryou wasn’t good at human piracy, but Kauket took to it with ease. She itched for an attempted mutiny so she could slash a few of the men down and splash in their blood onto her bare feet. It’d been so long since she’d been in the mortal world that she forgot how much she yearned for the scent of blood. A cry of rage cut through the ocean wind. Kauket jerked her head to the starboard side of the ship. The red cloaked fool from the night before was struggling with a crew member. Kauket laughed as the thief plunged her knife into one of the sailors’ stomachs, but then caught sight of the pile of white slumped against the deck of the ship. Merwet and Bakura pressed cloth to her throat, but she was limp and unresponsive. “Ryou.” Kauket’s mouth dropped. Rage consumed her. It was like a roar, so physical it was more a sound within her than a sensation. Kauket roared out loud to match it. With a swing of her arm, her blade sliced through the neck of the nearest sailor and his head bounced onto the deck of the ship. “One,” she said in a clear, cold voice. She marched toward Ryou. Her precious Ryou. She passed another sailor, swinging and cutting into the side of his neck. It wasn’t clean enough to decapitate him, but he sank to the floor with a blank gaze. “Two.” A group of three sailors decided to attack her together. They swung scrap wood like clubs. It was an insult more than a threat, and Kauket counted in the same, monotonous voice as she slaughtered them one after another. “Three… four… five.” She dashed forward. A man rigging sails caught her eye, and she sliced him through the guts, leaving him messy and dying a cruel, slow death. “Six.” One of the cannon masters was inspecting the equipment after the battle. Kauket jumped on top of the cannon and chopped off his arm before cutting his neck. “Seven.” She leapt to the deck and rushed toward Ryou, killing another man on her way. “Eight.”Ryou’s attacker lay with his hands holding the ugly wound in his stomach. Bakura and Merwet ignored him, holding Ryou and pressed both their hands to the gash in Ryou’s throat in a failed attempt to slow the bleeding. She was already dead. Kauket could kiss her lips and taste it if she had time to kneel beside her. She didn’t. She had to kill, so instead instead of kneeling, Kauket stared at the sailor. The one who’d hurt her Ryou. She cleaned her swords against his filthy clothes. She stowed each sword before kneeling beside him. He squirmed away from her, but she twisted her fingers into his hair to hold him in place. Blood trickled down his mouth. He would die, but a simple stab wound wasn’t good enough. He’d hurt Ryou. He chose to die in agony the moment he cut into the throat of Kauket’s love. Kauket twisted the shiv in his gut, cackling as he shrieked from the way the shard tore at his insides. It broke in his guts, Kauket pulled what was left away and used the jagged, broken edge to saw him open fully. She plunged her fingers into the wound and scratched, mauling him to death and sneering laughter as he wailed. Once he lay glass-eyed and dead, Kauket wiped the filth from her hands and stood. “Listen!” She shouted to the rest of the ship’s crew. They’d all stopped to watch her as she’d cut through more of their men. “If even one of you assholes attack us, Nine of you will die! Remember that the next time you think this is your ship.” The remaining men stood with jaws hanging and eyes wide. The color drained from their faces as they watched Kauket, but when Ryou gasped, jerking back to life after her throat had been slit, they fled. Ryou wept, tucking her face against the silver haired man’s breasts. “Bakura?” Merwet stared at him. Her face was a mask, but her eyes gave away her stress. “She wasn’t breathing.” Bakura shook her head to confirm Merwet’s suspicions. “You’re not hallucinating. She was dead.” Kauket took Ryou from Bakura’s arms. “Then how?”“I don’t have time to chat. She needs to recover.” Kauket turned away. “Wait. I can heal—”“I can take care of her!” Kauket screamed and marched below deck with Ryou clinging to her. Kuaket had commandeered the captain’s quarters last night after seizing the ship. She laid her precious Ryou down on the bed, kissing the tears away from her cheeks. Ryou’s chest heaved with breath. It took a moment, to settle into herself after returning. Kauket only saw it once before, after Ryou drowned in the stream, but Ryou had taught Kuaket how to restore her magic. “I’m sorry he hurt you. I’m sorry, but he’s dead now. Don’t worry. I’ll make you feel better.” Kauket washed the remaining gore off her hands and breasts in a basin before returning to the bed.Ryou nodded, tears trickling down her cheeks. She didn’t speak. Kauket suspected her throat was sore from the cut although it looked healed on the outside. The sooner Kauket could replenish Ryou’s magic, the sooner she wouldn’t hurt anymore, so Kauket kissed Ryou’s cheeks, careful as she meandered down Ryou’s neck. Kauket pulled Ryou’s skirt up to her waist, exposing the tuft of white hair between her legs. Kauket kissed across Ryou’s belly and to her mound, licking up Ryou’s slit when she reached Ryou’s cunt. Ryou held Kauket’s forearms, wiggling into the licks. Her tears slowed, and Ryou sighed as Kauket continued to swirl her tongue. Kauket broadened her licks. Magic tingled against Kauket’s tongue, fizzy like the fermented nectar they drank during festivals. Ryou spread her legs wider. Ryou’s tails fanned out on each side of her hips. They twitched in pleasure as Kauket swirled her tongue. Kauket stroked one in her hand. It was softer than any silk or cashmere strewn on a king or emperor’s bed. Kauket allowed the fingers of her left hand to stroke the fluffy fur; her right hand braced against Ryou’s hip as she deepened her kisses to Ryou’s clitoris. “Kauket,” Ryou’s voice was hoarse, wiry as her vocal cords mended. “Don’t worry,” Kauket whispered. “I will have you healed and screaming soon enough.”“Thank you.” Ryou sighed, relaxing as magic replaced the pain flowing through her. “Please...more.” “Yes, love.” Kauket purred against Ryou’s cunt. Kauket switched from slow licks to steady lapping. Ryou hitched her hips. She tugged her skirt higher on her waist, giving her more freedom to buck upward. The trail of fur ran up from her mons Venus to her navel, a cute path for Kauket to kiss and tease when they had more time for foreplay. Ryou croaked, it sounded painful, but stronger than her first whisper, so Kauket planted a kiss right on the tip of her clitoris and sucked the dark pink, erect bud gently. “Kauket!” Ryou screeched. There, her voice was rugged, but clear- her regeneration powers quickening with her heartbeat. Kauket whirled her tongue around Ryou’s clit, a storm attacking a ship. Ryou clawed at Kauket’s arms and barked in desire. Her claws left faint score marks along Kauket’s skin. Kauket shivered, delighting in the thrill the scratches sent through her nerves. The magic continued to fizz against Kauket’s tongue. She threw herself into the act, kissing, slurping, flicking her tongue steady-steady-steady just beneath Ryou’s hood. “Kauket!” Ryou shrieked, curling her tails around Kauket as she came. “Mmm. You feel better?” Kauket licked her lips, peeking at Ryou. She was buzzed from magic and from Ryou’s scent. Kauket licked her lips, savoring the taste. “Yes. Thank you.” Ryou flipped their positions, pinning Kauket into the mattress. “Your turn.” Ryou’s tails writhed around her, hypnotizing Kauket. They’d told the others that Kauket had saved Ryou from the river. It was true. But that day, after Ryou enchanted and stole her away, it was Ryou who saved Kauket. Saved her from madness, saved her from becoming a monster. There were many clans of god-touched children in Kemet, third, fourth, or even fifth generations who could track their lineage to a god, but Kauket was different. Her mother was Sekhmet; her father a dying warrior with second generation blood ties to Kuk. She was more god than human, and she carried her mother’s rage and bloodlust in her heart. Kauket wanted to kill. She wanted the spray of hot blood on her face. She wanted to gobble up men, crunching on their bones and laughing as she washed the gore down with jars filled with warm, thick blood. But 1,000 years ago Kauket had pulled a fox from a river, and—after Ryou revived and seduced Kauket— Ryou had rewarded her by offering her half a pomegranate and taking her to the realm of the fox spirits where they drank tea sweetened by nectar, and made love in the sunlight, and played games with the other fairies. And as with Sekhmet when she drank 7,000 jars of red-dyed beer, Ryou calmed Kauket’s spirit. Kauket forgot her blood lust as she lived away from the humans, contented herself with sleeping days at a time in Ryou’s arms. But Amane was lured away and taken from her home, and Kauket vowed to help Ryou recover her. It was dangerous. Kauket already felt the old hungers, but she refused to let Ryou fight alone. Only in these moments, with Ryou’s magic thrumming all around Kauket and her nine white tails dancing behind her, did Kauket calm down and remember who she really was. The dead men on the deck above them were nightmares, Kauket’s blood lust was a nightmare. Kauket prayed they’d recover Amane soon so they could all return home, and then Kauket could rest. “I love you,” Kauket whispered as Ryou kissed along her breasts. “I love you too, my sweet darkness.” Ryou hummed. She scooped her hips down, grinding their cunts together. Kauket’s breath hitched. Her eyes lidded and her chest rose and fell in rapid bursts. Each time Ryou pressed their bodies together, a bolt of pleasure shot through Kauket. “Faster,” Kauket begged, aroused and yearning to come. Ryou didn’t speak. She circled her hips in quick, desperate spirals. They rubbed together, bodies fast and breathing shallow. Kauket grew warm. Her muscles tensed as ecstasy poured through her. She hitched up as Ryou circled down, whining in pleasure as Ryou continued to fuck her. Kauket fisted the blanket below them, her moans transforming to unbridled screaming as her orgasm consumed her. Then there was peace, and sleep. 7,000 jars of beer couldn’t give Kauket the peace Ryou gave her. ***“They’ll be good allies.” Bakura did her best to wipe the blood from her hands.“They’re trouble.” Merwet frowned. “Did you see the way Kauket sliced down the crew? I understand why, but her eyes…she’s mad.”“Yeah, those two are like life and death walking around on human legs.” Bakura scratched the back of her short hair. “Great if they stay on our side, but what happens if we have to fight them again? The fairy doesn’t seem to be able to die. Aknadin was bad enough, but we knew what sort of magic brought him back.” “I don’t think they’ll fight us. The shipmate attacked first. He slit Ryou's throat from behind, which was a coward's move.”“Or an assassin's.” Merwet smirked. “Merwet, I want to help her save her sister.” “Don’t worry. I’ll help—as long as neither of them cause trouble for us again." Merwet helped Bakura stand. “Come on. Let's wash this blood off us.” “I know why you’re hesitant.” Bakura tucked a lick of golden hair behind Merwet’s ear. “It’s pretty terrifying going from all alone to being with another person—and adding more people into that circle makes it worse.” “You can’t blame me.” Merwet sighed. “I don’t.” Bakura kissed Merwet’s forehead. “Besides, from the amount of slaves Lord Shin purchased, all daughters of Ra, and the fact he added a fox fairy to his collection, it's clear he wants them for the magic and not their financial value. It doesn’t matter how much money we offer, he’s not going to sell them back to us. We're going to have to fight him, and he's powerful enough that Ryou thinks he'll take out an army. Face it. We need to work together.” “You really do need to stop fighting unbeatable rulers as a way of meeting beautiful women.” Merwet grinned. “Hey, you knew I wanted to be with an entire harem of women when you met me.” Bakura shrugged.“Oh yes, I do remember some bold claims about wearing us all out. We’ll see.” Merwet nudged Bakura with her elbow. They found a pail and tied a rope around the handle to haul water from the ocean and use it to scrub the blood from their bodies. Bakura rinsed out her robes and tied them to the rails to dry in the sea air. The crew snuck watchful glances in their direction and it was clear they hated Bakura and Merwet as much as Ryou and Kauket. Merwet wasn’t sure if it was because they clearly weren’t fighting with their captors, or if it was because they saw them summon Ra and Diabound and were afraid. It made no difference to Merwet, the crew and ship had never been more than a means to an end, and Bakura was right—they needed to work with their captors if they were going to rescue Shin’s servants. Merwet glanced upward. Dark clouds smothered the sky. A strong, cold wind blasted past them, filling the sails and speeding their progress. The crew shouted, adjusting the ropes as needed to keep the sails from tearing. On the stern side of the deck stood Ryou and Kauket. The wind blew their hair and Ryou’s tails around them. Ryou’s eyes were stormy gray and bright, so bright Merwet noticed them despite the distance. She’d sworn they’d been green the night before when they were fighting. “Oi! What are you doing?” Bakura shouted, marching toward them. “Bakura.” Merwet groaned, following behind her. “Can’t we just wait all this out in our cabin and let them deal with it?” “They’re going to break the ship apart driving the winds like this.” When Bakura reached them, she grabbed Ryou’s shoulders. “Calm. Down.” “Have you ever had your throat slit?” Ryou asked. “It hurts. They won’t be able to attack us if they’re busy keeping their precious ship in one piece, and the storm will get us to shore faster which means you can hurry with your quest as well.” “Stop it,” Bakura insisted. “No.” Ryou frowned. “Stop. It.” Bakura growled. “No!” Ryou stomped her foot. “Why don’t you back off?” Kauket stepped between them, but Ryou intercepted her. “It’s okay. He’s right. I’ll remove the storm.” Ryou sighed. Her eyes brightened to light blue and the sky cleared, although a decent wind remained. “We’re all friends now, right? Let’s try to get along. I can’t sell the ship if I wreck it.” “Friends.” Merwet snorted, narrowing her eyes. “How powerful are you?” “Depends.” Ryou hummed, walking away with Kauket following at her heels. Bakura rested her hand on Merwet’s shoulder. “Come on, my sun. Let’s play sennett.” “Now you’re talking some sense.” Merwet kissed Bakura’s nose. They retreated to their cabin, set up the game board, and played to supper time. Their games were close, but Merwet managed to win two more than Bakura. The Thief King groaned, flopping back first onto their bed. “It’s boring on a ship.” Bakura wiggled her feet from side to side. “Is it?” Merwet slipped over Bakura’s body, gazing at her. “Maybe after dinner I could provide you with some better entertainment.” “Would you dance for me?” Bakura smiled in blunt adoration of Merwet. “You know the rules, if I dance...you can’t touch until I’m finished.”“We’ll see.”“I’ll tie you.” “That’ll be a fun five minutes.” Bakura winked. Merwet grinned, lowering herself until their lips kneaded together. Bakura cupped Merwet’s breast and teased her nipples through the cloth of her dress. A knock on the door interrupted them. “What?” Merwet barked, grabbing Bakura’s hand and keeping it in place on her breast, the door be damned. “I brought you dinner.” Ryou called from the other side of the door. “It better not be more cake,” Merwet muttered under her breath as she crawled off the bed and unlocked the door. Ryou hummed as she entered the room, her tails wagging in a syncopated rhythm as she stood in the center of the room and held a covered tray for Merwet to take. “Mmmm...the magic smells so good in here.” “What?” Bakura laughed. “We weren’t even casting spells.” “S-sorry.” Ryou flushed. She shoved the tray at Merwet and raced out of the room. “I’ve decided,” Merwet said. “Decided what?” Bakrua sat upright. “Fairies are crazy.” “Probably. What would magic smell like, anyway?” Bakura asked. “I couldn’t hazard a guess.” Merwet lifted the cloth from the tray, revealing stew and flat bread. “Well...it does look good.” “I’m starving. Let’s eat.” Bakura dipped a chunk of bread into the stew. “She would make a better galley master than pirate though.” Same as the pastries, the food was delicious. Both Merwet and Bakura fell silent as they ate. After their dishes were empty, they returned them to the galley and afterward stood on the deck for some fresh air. The starlight glittered above them, and the breeze carried a mixture of salt and iodine that almost smelled of a storm, but deeper. Merwet combed her fingers through Bakura’s short but glowing white hair. “You’re so beautiful, my moon.” Merwet pressed a kiss into the corner of Bakura’s mouth. “Come here.” Bakura grabbed Merwet’s hips and pulled her closer. They giggled, brushing their noses together and sneaking kisses beneath the moonlight. Merwet swayed in Bakura’s hold, whispering against her ear. “Why don’t we go below again? I’m in the mood to dance for you.” “I’d say dance here beneath the moonlight, but these cretins don’t deserve to see you. I’ll have to settle for watching you in the lantern light.” Merwet lifted Bakura into her arms and carried her downstairs and to their room. Laying Bakura on the bed, Merwet found a hank of rope and tied Bakura’s wrists in a double bind, anchoring the opposite end of the rope to their head board. “You. Behave.” Merwet pointed at Bakura as she stepped away, finding a clear spot in the room for her to dance. “Don’t even know the meaning of the word.” Bakura tested the rope with her teeth. “If you want your dance, you’ll stop that.” “I’ll play along...for now.” Bakura licked her lips and smirked, waiting for Merwet. “I know those ropes can’t hold you.” Merwet warmed up with a few rolls and serpentine waves of her arms. “But dancing is like fighting. I need to practice or my skills will rust.” “I’ll make sure you’ve worked up a sweat before I pounce,” Bakura promised. Merwet winked. She pulled her sword, continuing her warm up. When her body was limber, she balanced the sword on top of her head, held out her arms for balance, and rolled her hips in a figure eight. Bakura’s eyes flashed in the lantern light as she watched. Merwet drew circles with her big toe on the floor, showing off her calf muscles and the gleam of the jewelry she wore around her ankles—jewelry Bakura had given her after they first met. “Beautiful.” Bakura grinned while watching. Merwet shimmied. Her body swerved in figure eights even as she shook. The sheer control of her movements ignited fire in Bakura’s stomach. Bakura tested the binds, instinct screaming to grab Merwet and slam her to the bed so they could writhe and move together. Merwet rolled her abs in time with music which didn’t exist. Bakura sang, an old tune played at festivals. As Bakura sang, Merwet grabbed her sword, twirling it around her body. She lowered to the ground, spreading her legs in a teasing gesture before springing up and slashing at the air again. On her toes, Merwet spun, bending backward and lifting a leg before kicking down and swinging her hips again. Diamonds of sweat glinted on her arms and her hair whipped around her face. Bakura worked at the ropes, too eager to stay bound. Merwet pointed the sword below Bakura’s jaw, forcing Bakura to end her tune. “I didn’t give you permission to escape yet.”“If I waited for permission every time I wanted something, I’d never have anything.” Merwet set the sword aside, straddling Bakura’s lap. She held Bakura’s shoulders, rolling her abs like a snake and enjoying how lost Bakura’s gaze grew as she watched. “I suppose you won’t give up until you get what you want.” “Then give me what I want.” Bakura tilted her head and parted her lips, cueing Merwet to kiss her. “A game is more fun when it’s a challenge.” Merwet hovered just out of reach of Bakura’s lips. “You’re right.” Bakura slipped free of the rope, holding the back of Merwet’s head and bringing their mouths together. They kissed as best they could through their grins. The little snatches of their lips eventually melted into long, lingering passes. Bakura bucked and Merwet giggled, trying to press Bakura down. Bakura refused to be tamed, bucking a second time. “Dammit, you could have waited longer to get out of the ropes,” Merwet scolded, though a smile decorated her face. “I couldn’t. I really couldn't. You’re too beautiful and watching you move drives me wild.” Bakura grabbed Merwet’s ass with one hand, kneading it as they kissed. Merwet tugged at Bakura’s belt and tore off her shenti; however, Bakura took her time lowering the dress off of Merwet’s shoulders. Her fingers explored the exposed skin as she revealed it little by little. Merwet sucked in a loud breath, hitching against Bakura in return now. She pushed Bakura flat on her back, rubbing against her as they kissed. Each hitch was strong, but leisurely as they allowed their desire to build. Merwet combed her fingers through Bakura’s hair. The lantern light played with the strands, dying them silver and orange. Light and shadow shivered over both of their bodies. Merwet traced patches of shadow on Bakura’s breast. Bakura grabbed Merwet’s ass again, pressing harder and hitching more quickly. “So impatient,” Merwet whispered as if she weren’t equally eager. “I want you,” Bakura growled. “Then take me, Thief King.” Bakura sat, cradling Merwet in her lap. She teased Merwet’s inner thighs, prompting Merwet to spread her legs. Bakura glided her touch up and down Merwet’s slit a few times to slick her fingers with Merwet’s natural lubrication before maneuvering two fingers into her cunt. “Bakura.” Merwet shut her eyes, raising her hips in time with Bakura’s thrusts. “You want it deeper?” Bakura purred, tucking her fingers all the way inside Merwet and curving them along her inner walls. “Yes.” Merwet’s voice was rich and heavy with want. Merwet maneuvered so Bakura could press more firmly against her. Her breath was rushed and her moans low. Her forehead wrinkled as she focused on the pleasure stabbing through her. Bakura sped her presses, thrusting and humming as Merwet’s juice coated her fingers. Merwet grit her teeth, eyes screwed shut. Her toes curled and the first trembles of orgasm snaked through her body. Bakura kept teasing Merwet’s nerves as Merwet rode through her plateau. Panting, she relaxed a moment before clenching for all she was worth. Her inner walls contracted, gripping at Bakura’s fingers. “Bakura! Bakura! Bakura!” She sang out Bakura’s name and came. “Mmm.” Bakura’s fingers gleamed as she stuffed them into her mouth and sucked Merwet’s taste off of them.“Your turn.” Merwet flipped them. Bakura yelped and laughed as they tumbled across the mattress. Merwet straddled Bakura’s bottom leg and hiked the top one over her shoulder, grinding their mons together and applying pressure to Bakura’s clit. “Right there.” Bakura tilted her head and moved into Merwet’s hitches. Bakura jerked her body to meet Merwet’s at each thrust. She was unshy about the way she ground her pussy against Merwet, moaning when they dragged against each other. Merwet’s breath quickened as she circled her hips. She ground a little faster and deeper, pressing into Bakura until her moon moaned without restraint. “Yes! Yes! Yes! Merwet!” Bakura’s nose scrunched and her mouth twisted in a knot. Merwet rocked their bodies until Bakura growled out half-pronounced curse words as she came. As their bodies wound down and relaxed, Merwet kissed up Bakura’s calf. “I have a feeling you’re not quite ready to stop.” Merwet whispered against Bakura’s ankle. “I thirst for you the way crops thirst for rain.” Bakura licked her fingers again. “And I’d rather drink you instead of water any time.” “Then drink deeply, my thief.” Merwet lowered Bakura’s leg and kissed up her body. She paused at Bakua’s breast—licking and sucking between them, kneading her mouth over the area where Bakura’s ib beat. Merwet meandered to Bakura’s right breast and flicked Bakura’s nipple with her tongue. She nibbled Bakura’s skin, moved to Bakura’s throat, and then straddled Bakura’s face. Merwet lowered into place, gasping when Bakura’s lips kissed Merwet’s clit. She braced her hands on the headboard and rode Bakura’s mouth, panting from her effort and from the pleasure. “Bakura.” Merwet arched, allowing the bliss to warm both her ba and ka. Bakura ran her tongue along Merwet’s slit, giving Merwet time to build back up after her first orgasm. Merwet tangled her right hand into what was left of Bakura’s hair as she rode her face. Bakura moved to Merwet’s clit, fluttering her tongue light and fast. “Fuck. Fuck yes. Fuck, Bakura. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” Merwet nudged downward. Bakura took the hint and flicked her tongue more fiercely. With a string of ahs and fucks Merwet bucked until she came a second time. It wasn’t hard, not with the way Bakura fluttered her tongue. Bakura gave Merwet’s ass a playful slap afterward, causing Merwet to yelp and laugh—in too good of a mood to scold Bakura for surprising her. She positioned herself between Bakura’s legs, poking inside her with a single finger. “You’re drenched.” “So were you.” Bakura panted. “Hmm...I wonder what I should do with this wet pussy?” She slipped a second finger into Bakura’s hole. “I bet I can make it even wetter.” “Merwet.” Bakura’s thighs grew taut as she hitched her ass higher. “And wetter…” Merwet added a third finger. “Oh fuck, my love. Yes.” “And wetter.” Merwet added her pinky, narrowing her four fingers like a beak and thrusting into Bakura. “Fuck.” Bakura rubbed just above her clit as she hitched against Merwet’s fingers. “Ba-ku-ra—” Merwet sang each syllable, timing them with her thrusts. Bakura whimpered and whined. She rode out Merwet’s thrusts, gasping and murmuring soft profanity as her inner walls clutched around Merwet’s fingers. Bakura’s body seized, taut like bowstring, as her fingers worked faster against her clit. Higher and higher her cries rang out until she went silent, holding her breath and quivering before her ass plopped against the mattress again. “I love you.” Bakura laughed, giddy from her orgasm. “I love you too.” Merwet pressed kisses against Bakura’s exposed next before curling beside her. They slept twined together and in the morning Ryou brought them breakfast. She looked shy as she shoved the plate into Merwet’s hands and ran away. Merwet narrowed her eyes, but shrugged off the strange creature. She handed the plate to Bakura and grabbed one of the pastries. “Gods, I could get used to a cute fox fairy handing us breakfast every morning.” Bakura crammed a slice of sweet bread into her mouth. “She’s acting a little odd.” Merwet glanced behind her shoulder, as if Ryou would be standing there. “You’re implying those two were ever normal.” Bakura snorted. “You have a point.” Merwet relaxed and enjoyed their breakfast. She and Bakura lazed in their cabin for the rest of the day, playing games and fooling around and otherwise avoiding any drama happening throughout the ship. Both of them were eager for land.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Again!” Ryou screamed, tugging Kauket’s hair with all her strength. “Again?” Kauket laughed. She lifted Ryou up and slammed her against the wall of their cabin. “I have never seen you so insatiable.” “Is it too much?” Ryou blushed, the pink showing beautifully against the white of her skin, hair and fur. “Never.” Kauket eased the diletto back inside Ryou, holding still a moment to tease her. “But I’m curious as to why you’re so worked up.” Kauket thrusted and Ryou squealed. Her cries rang out in the cabin as Kauket continued to rock into her. The teakwood phallus was covered with a disposable sheep’s intestine and attached to a harness strapped over Kauket’s crotch. It was a favorite toy of theirs, and they had enough time sailing across the sea to get some mileage out of it. “It’s those two meddling idiots.” Ryou whimpered, clawing at Kauket’s shoulders as Kauket slammed her hips, shoving the toy cock in and out of Ryou’s body. “Their...magic...is—ahh! Kauket! It’s...strong—and-ahh-and—every time they fool around with each other, I react to it.”“Remind me to thank them.” Kauket chuckled. “If I can’t fight, this is the only way to work out my tensions, and I enjoy you riled up.” She licked up Ryou’s throat. “You’re so delicious when you’re needy for it.” “Kauket, please, oh please. Make me come!” “Yes, my little treat, I will.” Kauket bucked faster into Ryou’s body. She gripped Ryou’s thighs to keep Ryou steady against the wall as she slammed forward. Each time Ryou scratched Kauket’s back, Kauket growled and bucked harder. Ryou’s tails fanned against the wall, but she used the bottom two to wrap around Kauket’s waist. They pressed their bodies together, moving, moving, shivering, screaming, coming. Afterward, Kauket dripped sweat. Fat beads rolled down her breasts and shoulders, stinging the scratches on her back. Ryou glowed like a star. Her magic radiated from her body in fierce waves. “I’ve never seen you charged with this much power.” Kauket carried Ryou to the bed, easing her onto the blankets. “Let me heal your scratches.” Ryou soothed her fingers along Kauket’s skin, mending the red score marks hashed all over Kauket’s body. “Want me to keep going?” “I think I’m good now.” Ryou sighed, shutting her eyes. “Give me five minutes and we can get up.” “Why would we get up? It’s nice in here.” Kauket slipped out of the harness and tossed it to the floor to be cleaned later. “Shouldn’t leave the crew alone too long. They might get ideas,” Ryou murmured, falling asleep. “Then they’ll die.” Kauket stretched. “We’ve killed enough people already. Kauket…” Ryou clung to her arm and pressed against her. “You know I hate seeing them die.” “You’re right. We’ll rest for an hour and then I’ll sweep the ship to make sure there’s no signs of mutiny.” “Thank you.” Ryou sighed. The ship rocked them to sleep. Some time later a knock thudded against the door. Kauket growled, but after the third round, she stumbled and checked to see who was foolish enough to disturb them. “I should have guessed it was you.” Kauket narrowed her eyes at the ashen haired thief. “Nice tits.” Bakura winked. “Thought you’d want to know they spotted land and we’ll dock in a few hours.” “Great. Bye.” Kauket slammed the door. It didn’t stop the thief from shouting through the wood. “I enjoy our talks!” “Fucking idiot,” Kauket muttered beneath her breath. Ryou giggled from the bed. “You’re awake.” Kauket sat beside Ryou, drawing on the pad of her foot to tickle her and make her laugh even more. “Stop! You’re mean.” Ryou curled into a ball and tucked her feet behind her tails. “I can’t help it. You’re cute when you laugh.” Kauket attacked her sides. “He’s funny, the thief.” Ryou smacked Kauket’s hand with one of her tails. “Don’t you think so?”“I suppose fools are funny. Did you hear what he said? We’ll dock soon. We should pack and prepare.” Ryou sobered, sitting and staring out the porthole. “We need to sell the ship as soon as we can, and then find mercenaries to help us march against Shin.” “We will.” Kauket cupped Ryou’s face. “I promise. We’ll get Amane back.” “Thank you, Kauket.” They only carried one sack each. Kauket strapped them both to her back, then they meandered to the deck of the ship. The wind scattered Ryou’s hair and tails around her. It did its best to pull at Kauket’s hair, but her lion-like mane hardly moved. She glared at a sailor as they moved toward the front of the ship. He ran. “See, Merwet? Look at how they packed. That’s how you pack for an adventure. None of this seven trunk nonsense.” “One of those are yours,” Merwet said. “Do you mean the gold we need to buy back our people?” “The most cumbersome one. Yes.” “Oi, Ryou.” Bakura waved. “You wanna trade women? Mine has too much venom in her bite, and you seem to be fond of poison.” Merwet smacked Bakura’s shoulder. “Ow! I was joking! You know you’re the sun in my sky!” “Hmm…” Ryou hummed as if considering Bakura’s proposal. “Don't pretend you’re thinking about it!” Kauket stomped her foot. “I’d never trade you. You’re the darkness surrounding my starlight.” Ryou wrapped one of her tails around Kauket’s waist. “But maybe we could share one night.”“I like the way you think!” Bakura pointed at Ryou. “You two couldn’t handle a fairy!” Kauket shouted. “There’s only one way to solve this—and that’s to go back below deck.” Bakura marched as if headed toward the sleeping quarters. “Not so fast.” Merwet grabbed Bakura by her red cloak. “Have you forgotten both of our groups have quests to complete?” “We have an hour—” Bakura shrugged. “Bakura.”“Fine.” Bakura plopped to the deck. “But we need to do something to pass the time. Let’s play senet.” “What’s senet?” Ryou crept closer. “It’s a board game,” Kauket answered. “Oh, I love games! Will you teach me?” “If you’d like.” Kauket sighed, sitting in front of Bakura and Merwet while they dug out their game from one of their many chests. ***They’d played doubles. Bakura and Merwet won most of the initial games, but Ryou caught on quickly and soon the victories were less assured. Bakura enjoyed it. She’d never had much company as a child before Merwet swooped into her life like the light of day breaking through the night, and now, to sit and game with a proper group…it’d been a long time since Bakura experienced anything like that. In a way, it felt like home. When the ship docked and they all stepped onto the pier, Bakura frowned. “I supposed we have to part ways and begin our quests now,” Bakura said. “Summon me when you need me.” Ryou smiled. “Isn’t that why you asked for the power?” “Yeah, but…” Bakura’s mind raced for a plan to see them more often. “Maybe we could meet once a week. In order to brief each other on our progress.” Merwet burst into laughter. She doubled over, resting her hands on her knees. “I can’t believe this! You’re actually fond of them! I can’t believe you’re so soft!” “Don’t be ridiculous!” Bakura’s face burned. “I just think Ryou’s a good cook! And they like games!” “We like beating you in games,” Kauket corrected. “All right. On the night of each seventh day, summon us and we’ll compare travel notes to better organize our attack against Shin.” Ryou stepped up to Bakura, holding her hands and caressing her thumbs over Bakura’s skin. “Sorry we tried to kill you, but I’m glad destiny brought us together.” “We’ll get your sister back along with our people. I promise.” Ryou gave Bakura an endearing smile. The fae’s cheeks flushed and she sighed. “Okay, I’ll give you one present before we leave, but don’t expect more. This is...this is an apology!” She looked flustered. “We’re even now!” “You don't—”“Shhh.” Ryou slapped a hand over Bakura’s mouth. “Don’t say anything that’ll prevent me from using my magic. Just stand there looking dumb and cute and accept the gift.” Bakura gave a single nod: dumb and cute were her specialties. From the silk of her robes Ryou pulled out a golden belt with a disk in the center. Engraved into the disk was an image of an interposed sun and moon. “Why that symbol?” Merwet ran her fingertip over the sun and moon engravings.“I don’t know. The magic chose, not me. But more importantly is what it does.” Ryou walked up to their luggage, touching the first chest. “Contain.”The moment she spoke the chest disappeared. She repeated the action and word for each chest and handed the belt to Bakura. “When you want something, think of it and say ‘release.’” “This is amazing! You’re amazing, Ryou.” Bakura picked Ryou up and twirled her in the air. Ryou giggled and lashed out with her tails. Bakura passed her into Kauket’s arms, winking and heading away from the ship much lighter than when they boarded. “We’ll see you two in seven days!” Bakura waved. “Be safe!” Ryou called as they left. Bakura ran her fingers along her belt, grinning. Soon they were swallowed by people coming to and from the dock or shopping in the market district nearby. Bakura locked her arm with Merwet’s so they were separated in the push of the crowd. “Well, at least we got something useful for all our trouble,” Merwet said as they walked through town. “You don’t hate them half as much as you pretend.” Bakura elbowed Merwet’s arm. “Maybe,” Merwet admitted. “In any case, we need to find somewhere we can check our inventory and draw out a course on where to go first.” “There’s an inn across the street. Its fleas should be as classy as any other inn this close to the docks,” Merwet said. Bakura grunted, leading the way. Inside the inn, several of the men leered at Merwet. Without her wigs, her hair flashed in the lamp light and the silhouette of her body taunted them behind the finely woven threads of her dress. She smirked in their direction, holding onto Bakura’s arm as a silent rebuke to all of them. Bakura winked at one of the patrons, showing she knew damn well what they were thinking. The two of them waltzed to the innkeeper and paid for a single room. Bakura unpacked their luggage from the magical belt and found the inventory ledgers. Merwet spread a map over the bed. “Okay, according to these documents, this town has five merchants who each bought a single house slave and a lord who purchased four. I think if we sweep the town from east to west, we can purchase them all and stow them here for the night before loading them home on the ship with a letter to Atem explaining we made it here safely.” Bakura traced along the map as she spoke. “Will you tell him about Kauket and Ryou?” Merwet asked. “I will tell him we ran into pirates. I will not tell him we are working with pirates. Sounds like the kind of thing Priest Set would complain about.”“Working with? You mean you won’t tell him you’re flirting with pirates?” Merwet grinned. “Want to have a competition on who can steal a kiss from Kauket first without getting stabbed?” “What are we betting?” Merwet asked as she marked the map based off of the information on the ledgers. “Back rubs for a week?”“Deal,” Merwet said without hesitation. “But if you jump in too eagerly and she guts you, don’t expect me to open your mouth and perform your burial rights.” “You would too.” Bakura blew Merwet a kiss. “Maybe I would. Don’t die so we don’t have to find out.” Mewet handed Bakura the map. “We can circle around town and reach everyone, but I’m not sure it’s going to be so easy as to hand them a jewel in trade for a slave. With slavery abolished in Kemet, the price of Egyptian slaves will have risen, and the children of Ra will be considered priceless.” “Good thing I’m The King of Thieves. If they don’t want to sell—we’ll simply steal what we want.” Bakura shot Merwet with a bow before stashing most of the luggage into her belt so they could begin their quest. “Isn’t it funny?” Merwet asked as they wove through the city. “I’m so used to bouncing from one city to another that it’s hardly different here from anywhere else despite crossing the sea.” “People all live in houses and eat food and fuck before bedtime. There’s more shells decorating the wares and I can smell strange spices from the food vendor’s stalls, but at the end of the day, people are people.” “I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.” Merwet snorted. “It doesn’t have to be either.” Bakura shrugged. They walked in silence as they searched for the right building. The first merchant’s home was a modest, two story building, smaller than Bakura’s house in Kemmet. They knocked on the door and a woman a few years older than Merwet answered. Her hair was carefully brushed and plaited, garnished with silk ribbons which brought out the sunny color of the strands. Her dress was simple, but high quality. She appeared well fed and unharmed, but her face remained a blank mask—the sort only worn by those who had no choice but weather out their own lives. “I’m sorry, my master isn’t home right now.”“Good. We’re here to see you.” Bakura leaned against the doorframe, encroaching on the girl’s personal space. “Want to go home?”“I’m...sorry?” “Home. Kemet. We’re gathering up everyone we can find and getting the hell out of here.” “We can’t.” The woman’s mask cracked, showing terror. “Aknadin’s dead.” Merwet clasped the girl’s shoulders. “Atem has the throne and we’re free. We’ve been sent to reclaim everyone we’ve lost, and if the guards try to stop us I will summon Ra and burn them.” “I…” Silent tears ran down the slave’s cheek. “Yes. Let’s go. Now...please.” Merwet wiped the tears away. “As soon as we gather the others in this town, we’ll get you all onto a ship. Weep once your feet touch home soil, but until then. Stay strong and quiet for me, yes?” “I’m ready.” She nodded and laced her fingers with Merwet’s. “Wouldn’t want an angry merchant screaming Kemet welched on his purchase, so—” Bakura grabbed a ruby and tossed it on the table where the merchant was sure to see it. “There. Not stealing at all—rescuing instead of stealing. Besides, none of Aknadin’s sales were legal, I think Atem’s being far too generous compensating everyone.” “Let’s go. We have eight more women to rescue before we’re done today.” Merwet led the girl on her arm, and they walked to the next manor in tense silence. The second merchant lived in a similar house, though slightly larger. A dark haired girl answered the door.“May I help you?” She asked, suspicion in her narrow gaze. “Is your master home?” Bakura asked. “May I ask who’s visiting?” “Emissaries from Kemet here to discuss business,” Merwet said before Bakura could scream about being the infamous Thief King. The servant gave Merwet a haughty look. It was clear by her expression she’d assumed Merwet and their new friend were no more than Bakura’s slave-girls. The dark haired servant glanced at Bakura to confirm Merwet’s words. “Well? Does your master keep royal emissaries out on the streets or does he offer them hospitality?” Bakura snapped. “Forgive me. Please, come in, I’ll fetch my master.” As they waited another golden haired woman entered the room to offer them tea. Her hands shook as she served them. Bakura gave her a reassuring smile. “Pour a cup for yourself, Daughter of Ra, and sit down.”“Sir, I can’t.” She shook her head. “You can. Your master doesn’t realize it yet, but you’re a free woman,” Bakura said. She shook her, mouth pressed in a tight line.“Can I help you?” A man walked into the room. He wore silk robes and a golden earring dangled from one ear. The girl flinched when he entered the room, but poured him tea as well and stood in the corner out of the way. “Four years ago, the Pharaoh Regent Aknadin illegally sold to you one of our sisters, and we’ve been charged by the true Pharaoh and god of Kemet to bring her home.” Bakura spoke with authority, leaving no hint for negotiation in her tone. “I have papers of legal sale,” the merchant said. “It was not legal, but our Pharaoh is generous and we’re offering fair compensation.” Bakura pulled a sapphire from her jewel pouch. “Pffft, a single jewel can buy another slave, but not one with golden hair.” “Oh? Is it gold you covet? We have some.” Bakura added a gold coin—worth twice as much as the jewel— beside the sapphire. “It’s lovely, but not as lovely as a woman.”Merwet’s jaw tensed, but Bakura touched her wrist before speaking to the merchant, “Is there no talking reason to you? Perhaps you’re looking for a specific payment?”“Her weight in gold.” The merchant smirked. “What?” Merwet smacked her palm on the table. Bakura clasped a hand around Merwet’s wrist. “Too much, I'm afraid.” Bakura stood, pulling Merwet up with her. “Thank you for the tea.” The servant didn’t speak, and she’d never sat down, but her disappointment radiated from her like fever heat. Bakura grabbed the gold and jewel and dragged Merwet outside. The first girl followed them without speaking, but she stared at her un-freed sister with pity and some horror. “Bakura—” Merwet jerked her arm from Bakura’s grasp. “I know you’re angry, but hey, he has papers. And who are we to argue with papers? So give me three minutes to fix this.” Bakura kissed Merwet on the lips and ran to the back of the house. Bakura pressed her back against the brick wall. Closing her eyes, she summoned Diabound. He snuck through the wall and into the master bedroom. Finding the merchant's lock box with Diabound was so easy Bakura had to press her hand over her mouth to keep from audibly chortling. She stole the entire box, papers, gold, and valuable chunks of myrrh, and since the merchant pissed her off, she also stole a few choice robes and an ornate comb and mirror set. When Diabound returned to her, Bakura stored the treasure into the magical belt and called Daibound back into herself before anyone spotted him. Finished, she walked to the front of the house where Merwet waited. “It’s a pity, really. I think he just lost those papers, so there’s nothing to prove he owns anything let alone anyone. Want to steal what was never meant to be sold, my sun?” “Bakura…thank you.” A smile lit Merwet’s face. “Praise me later. Go. Bring her out of the house so we can send her home.” With a shout, Merwet kicked in the door, sword drawn. Bakura stood outside and protected the first free-servant. Screams echoed from within the house, but a second later Merwet returned with the second golden haired servant tucked near her side. “We can’t do this. He’ll call the guard.” The child of Ra shook her head. Her golden hair flashed in the sunlight as if the sun god himself crowned her. “Don’t worry,” Bakura said. “We’re strong enough to keep you safe.” “Are you strong enough to take on the entire city guard?” The girl asked. “I am not boasting when I say both of us could take on an army if needed,” Merwet answered. “Liar.” She shook her head. “Listen,” Merwet sheathed her sword and grabbed the girl’s face. “We’re not kidnapping you. You don't have to follow us, but if you do we will get you home safely.” “I…”“Ra himself empowers her,” Bakura hitched her head down an alley. “But we need to get out of here before guards do arrive.” “Okay. I’ll follow you.” She slammed her eyes shut and shook her head. “I want to go home.” “Wait!” The second woman ran out of the house. “We’re not giving her back,” Merwet growled. “No, take me with you? Please?” “Sure. Why not?” Bakura shrugged.“Stay close and follow me.” Merwet spoke to all three servants. “I should probably get the first's paper work as well. You three go ahead and I’ll meet you.” Bakura kissed Merwet’s cheek. “Be careful,” Merwet said. “My queen, please. Who are you talking to?” Bakura laughed and slipped into the crowd, backtracking to the first home. Bakura kept her hood secured around her head to blend in with the other citizens. When she drew near the correct house, she snuck into the alleys. Same as before, she used Diabound to raid the merchant’s home and find the bill of sale. Since the first merchant never had a chance to agree or disagree with their offered payment, Bakura only stole the paperwork and nothing else. As she tucked the receipt into her belt, she heard a man screaming out a woman’s name from within. “Uh oh, guess he didn’t like the ruby.” Bakura chuckled as she snuck away before the city guard were summoned. Of course it was too much for them to hope some of the owners would be reasonable, Bakura thought to herself as she navigated through the bustle of the busy street. The sort of men who bought women because they were exotic were not the sort to sell them back to a couple of thieves claiming to be emissaries. The game was about to get interesting. How many servants could they reclaim before the guards caught them?Bakura wove through the crowds again, quick on her feet as she raced to catch up to Merwet. The familiar thrill of her craft filled her with adrenaline. Slipping through town unnoticed, knowing guards would soon be on her heels, Bakura relished the experience. She stole date cakes and bags of nuts from a few stalls as she danced through the thick press of bodies, humming to herself. When she reached the third house on their list, she found Merwet waiting, papers clutched in her hand. Another woman, older but still gold-haired, stood beside her. “Storms wrecked several of his cargo ships and he was desperate for money. He was easy to reason with.” “Oh hey, we actually negotiated for someone like good emissaries. Nice. By the way, merchant number one is home, and I’m pretty sure he’s not happy, so we better keep moving. Anyone hungry?” “Hungry? How can we eat at a time like this? I want to go home.” The first girl frowned, visibly upset by the mention of her master returning home. “You will be on a ship by morning. I promise. No use going hungry. Here now.” She passed out the small date cakes and nuts she’d filched on the way. “Eat up.” “Thank you.” It was the older woman who grabbed the food first. The younger ones followed her example. They ate as they all walked to the fourth manor. The crowds thinned as they left the business of the market. Unlike the other buildings, the manor hid behind a brick wall separating it from the streets. Merwet stared at the entranceway. “Maybe I should go alone again. I seem to be better at convincing people to see reason than you.” “Have fun.” Bakura crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the outer wall. “Whistle if you need me.” “Oh shut up and come with me.” Merwet tugged on Bakura’s sleeve. As they walked to the house, Diabound snuck unseen in the shadows. Bakura guided him through the manor, casing it and noting the layout of each room and hallway. Merwet knocked on the door. No one answered. Merwet knocked again. “Shouldn’t a servant answer if no one else?” Merwet asked. “No one’s home, not even a servant,” Bakura murmured, searching the other rooms. “Dammit, I suppose we’ll have to circle back.” Merwet scowled at the door. “Okay, better hurry before the guards find us.” The fifth house had another older servant. Her hands were swollen with arthritis and her eyes clouded with cataracts. The merchant wouldn’t barter below three gold coins, but sold the old slave once they passed over the money. As they returned to the previous manor, they saw a man slapping a woman in the street. Unlike the other servants, she wore a dress dyed with indigo instead of plain cloth, and jeweled sticks pinned up her golden hair, but a bruise darkened the corner of her eye. “If you speak back to me one more time—”“Excuse me!” Bakura burst into the scene before Merwet could draw her sword. “Couldn’t help but notice you smacking around one of my fellow children of Kemet. Funny that, I’ve been sent by the Pharaoh to retrieve her, so why don’t you be a good boy, take this gold coin…” Bakura shoved the gold into the man’s raised palm and closed his hand around it. “And give me this woman so we can be on our way.” “How dare you speak to me with such disrespect! Do you know who I am?” The dark-haired man sputtered with outrage. “A spineless, dickless simpleton who hits women?” Bakura asked with a conversational tone. “You’re going to pay for your words!” “Will I? I can give you another gold coin for my words, but you should know I hit back.” Bakura grabbed the back of the man’s head and slammed her knee into his forehead. He dropped to the road, unconscious, and Bakura turned to the slave. “Oi, woman, you wanna get rescued?” “Yes.” She clung to Bakura, weeping against Bakura’s red coat. People crowded the streets, but no one minded Bakura’s treatment of the merchant anymore than they’d stopped him from slapping a woman in broad daylight. Bakura didn’t want to know what else they had seen in the busy trade town to make them so indifferent to both acts. Instead, Bakura held the woman crying in her arms. “It’s over now. It’s over. If he comes near you again, we’ll kill him.” Bakura rubbed circles into the girl’s back, passing her on to Merwet and the others. Raw, murderous intent reflected in Merwet’s gaze. Bakura stepped in between Merwet and the unconscious man, pointing toward the last marker on their map. “Go ahead again. I’m going to get her paperwork, all right?” “If he follows us,” Merwet warned. “Then you’ll be forced to protect yourselves, naturally.” Bakura dashed into the streets once again. Returning to the empty house, Bakura not only stole the paperwork declaring ownership of the Child of Ra, but every valuable in the house, from the rugs, to the vases, to the wine. She locked it all into her belt and silently thanked Ryou for the gift. “Stop! Thief!” A voice shouted from behind Bakura. “Reminds me of the good old days.” Bakura rubbed her hands together as she assessed the guards. There were twelve of them pushing through the crowds. “You! The red-cloaked thief! Surrender or forfeit your life!”“Rude! I’m not a red-cloaked thief! I’m The Mother Fucking Thief King, and don’t you forget it!” Bakura bent over, flipped her robe and shenti up, mooned the guards, and ran cackling into the crowds. The longer Bakura could keep the goons busy, the more time Merwet had to gather the last of the slaves before they figured out how to sneak them into the inn unseen. Bakura climbed onto the roof of a stray shop, waving her arms and shouting at the guards. “Hey assholes! I'm up here! You better try harder if you think you’re going to catch the Thief King!” Bakura cackled again. Bakura leapt to the next roof and raced over the city with the guards clambering behind her. So much for being Atem’s royal emissary. Bakura should have known that she’d always be, as she always had been, the King of Thieves.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The doors and windows stood open, allowing the late afternoon breeze to flow through the house. Garlands of greenery and flowers adorned every eve and hall. Inside, people drank wine, embraced, and danced as a musician played somewhere in the house. “A party?” Merwet asked the second girl they’d rescued. “A wedding,” she answered. “Ah, well, those are expensive. Hope our final buyer is in a mood to sell."“Perhaps we should stay outside?” The oldest woman suggested. “No. I want you close so I can protect each of you. Follow behind me.” Merwet marched into the cluster of wedding guests. She found the master of the house sitting at a long table, toasting to his new son-in-law’s good health. He stopped mid-toast when he saw the oncoming entourage. “The others are in servant’s clothing, but you wear the clothes of a native of Kemet.” He lowered his glass. “What brings you to our humble city?” “First, allow me to offer a gift in celebration of this day.” Merwet bowed, keeping her gaze on the man. She placed a sapphire onto the table. “Generous.” He tilted his head. “This is a gift from Pharaoh Atem. I am his emissary, travelling throughout this country in search of our lost people.” “Lost, you say?” “The former regent did not have the authority of our gods to sell their children, and the gods dealt with him justly. The Pharaoh realizes, however, you were unaware of these circumstances when you purchased four of our daughters, and so he is willing to pay gold and jewels in compensation of any inconvenience and as a token of appreciation for taking care of our daughters during their stay in your home.”Merwet spread five gold coins on the table and three more jewels. She bowed, waiting for an answer. “This is a nice sum you offer, but how do I know you’re truly an emissary of the Pharaoh?” The way the man smirked raised the small hairs on the back of Merwet’s neck. “I have a letter from the Pharaoh.”“Letters can be forged. Perhaps there’s another way to prove you are who you say?”“Did my lord have something in mind?” Merwet smiled and scanned the room, calculating who she’d need to kill first if it came to a battle. There were several guards, and many of the men wore daggers in their belts. “Well, you mentioned your gods themselves did not agree with the actions of your former ruler. They say Pharaoh is god in the land of Kemet, so if you do indeed act on his behalf, you should be able to show us a miracle from the gods your Pharaoh represents. Bring one of the gods here before us and I will give you all my slaves!” The man laughed, as did his guests.“I would be honored.” Merwet bowed. She hid her rage behind a smile, her stage skills working in her favor. The man was mocking her, but she was eager to show him the god he coveted to see. Merwet gestured toward the courtyard. “Might I suggest we go outside? The wonder I offer is best seen in the open.” “Of course.” The man clapped, his tone sardonic and mirthful as he spoke. “How foolish of me. Surely a god needs room to stretch his legs.” “His wings.” Merwet marched toward the center of the house. The entire wedding party followed her. She stood in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by her fellow daughters of Ra. Merwet held the nobleman's gaze as she brought Ra into the sky above their heads. Gasps tore through the ensemble. A woman screamed and ran into the house. The guards drew their swords. The eyes were wide with terror as they stared at Ra. The dragon circled in the sky, gleaming and golden. He roared and the tremors of his holy voice caused petals to shake free from the flowers decorating the manor. Merewet stepped forward until she was close enough to whisper into the nobleman's ear. “This is the Winged Dragon of Ra, the sun god who brought humanity to the land of Kemet and blessed the Pharaoh with his throne. I am a descendant of this great god, as are the servants who illegally bought from the regent. Now, sir, would you kindly return to Ra what is his? Or will he have to claim his children on his own terms?”The man stood in the shadow of a god and stared. His mouth gaped open and his dusky complexion grew ginger-pale. He swallowed and gestured for one of his male servants, turning and hissing in a stressed voice. “Bring my papers for the three golden-haired girls and hurry.”“But did you not say all your slaves?” Merwet asked, her voice poisoned honey.“Surely you don’t expect—”“For you to keep your oaths?” Merwet forced her expression to remain polite, but she savored the dread on the man’s face and she gloated in her heart. He couldn’t whelsh on his word, not with other nobles watching him. His jaw clenched, and he spoke in a tight, furious voice. “Bring the papers for every slave.” “My lord.” The man bowed and ran. “You said three golden-haired girls. There should be four,” Merwet added once the servant ran to fetch the papers. “The last girl grew up with my daughter. She was a wedding gift.” “Where is your daughter?” “Upstairs. If you threaten her—”Merwet held up a hand. “I only wish to speak with her.” Merwet gestured, as a show for the crowd, and Ra lifted higher into the sky. He loop-de-looped and circled the courtyard before finishing in a cloud of fire. The people clapped; their hushed whispers boiled around them. They were as amazed as they were terrified. “I’ll return for the papers and people in a moment.” Merwet signaled the others to follow her. They found the last slave and her mistress in a quiet room. The mistress wore white silk, and the golden haired girl her age stood behind her, plaiting her hair. “Are you guests?” The mistress asked. “I’m here to bring all the Children of Ra home,” Merwet said. “The Children of Ra?” She tilted her head, not understanding. “Your slave is one of my people. Name your price and I will buy her from you.”“I’m sorry. There’s no price for her.” The woman sat down, dismissing Merwet. “I’ll give you enough for three other handmaidens.” “Nefe is my friend. She is not for sale, and this is not negotiable.” The woman crossed her arms over her chest. “If she is truly your friend, let me return her to her home.” “My home is with my lady.” The servant never glanced at Merwet as she twisted her mistress’s hair into small braids. “Your home is in Kemet,” Merwet said. “No. I was pulled away from the desert as a small child. I do not remember it, my whole life has been here, and I don’t want to leave.” “But—” Merwet argued, but the slave with the jeweled sticks in her hair held Merwet’s shoulder. “If she’s free, it’s her choice.”Merwet sighed. “Are you sure this is what you want? A slave’s life?” “I’d prefer to stay with the one who has called me her friend since I was a child. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must finish braiding my lady’s hair before the ceremony.” “It’s your choice.” Merwet sighed before walking downstairs and accepting a lamb skin’s sachel full sale receipts. “What of my daughter?” He asked. “She is a beautiful bride.” Merwet flashed a disarming smile. “And her servant is happy to stay by her side. I’ll be leaving with the others. May this day be joyous for you and your family.”Merwet bowed. The man snorted, bitter, but he didn’t dare say a word. With a smile, Merwet motioned for a procession of slaves to follow her to the streets. Merwet’s jaw clenched. It bothered her that Nefe chose to stay, but it was her choice, and at least Merwet got a dozen others freed as well. They weren’t of Kemet, but nobody should ever be bound, and Merwet was sure the pharaoh would help them once in Kemmet. “I thought you were fetching four?” Bakura appeared and pressed a kiss against Merwet’s cheek. “The fool offered all his slaves to me if I could summon a god.” “Oh? Bet he was surprised when he saw Ra.” Bakura chuckled. “Where were you anyway? You took a long time to meet with us.” Merwet furrowed her brow. “Had to run the guards around, but I brought gifts.” Bakura passed robes and wigs to each girl daughter of Ra. “These should help get us through town. Not that I wouldn’t mind sneaking into an inn with nine golden haired beauties surrounding me.” Bakura pursed her lips. “What are we going to do with the others?” “You’re free now.” Merwet turned to them. “We have your paperwork. If you want to leave, we’ll have you that and enough money to start a new life. Otherwise, you’re welcome to go to Kemet.” Most of the slaves chose to find their own lives. Merwet gave each one their papers while Bakura doled out coins to any who chose to leave. Three remained with them, a young girl, perhaps twelve, and two men roughly Merwet’s age who looked like long-time lovers. Bakura disappeared and returned with three more robes to hide them. They helped each other with their cloaks. Each daughter of Ra hid her hair behind a wig. It was bitter for Merwet to watch, but she knew it was safer and held her tongue. Merwet led their party to their inn while Bakura guarded their rear. They crept into a back alley leading behind the hotel and Bakura pointed to their bedroom window. “Home sweet home for the night, right up there.” “I’ll never make the climb.” The oldest woman shook her head. “What sort of a gentleman would I be if I made a creature as lovely as you climb? Ladies, lads, and anyone else, meet my ka, Diabound.” The group gasped as Bakura summoned her Ka. Diabound lifted them one at a time to the hotel room and helped them through the window. Once everyone was inside, Bakura and Merwet barricaded the door. “I know it’s cramped, but it’s safer if we stay together. We can arrange enough areas for everyone to sleep. At dawn we’ll load you onto a ship bound for home,” Merwet said. “Are you going with us?” The first girl asked. “We have others to save.” Merwet shook her head. “You’ll be safe on the ship, and the journey isn’t too long.”“When pirates don’t attack,” Bakura muttered under her breath. Merwet elbowed Bakura to keep her quiet. Finding parchment and ink, Merwet wrote a letter for the women to use when they reached the harbor. She also wrote a letter directly to Atem explaining their first day. Finished, she sealed the letters and the ownership documents into an envelope. ***“Rise and Shine lovelies!” Bakura shook several sleeping shoulders when the light slipping through the shutters grew the bleary gray of dawn. Merwet cleaned and polished her sword and daggers while the freed slaves prepared for their journey to Kemmet. Bakura gave them all bread for breakfast. Merwet didn’t speak out loud, but she missed Ryou’s pastries. Compared to them, the bread tasted stale, she supposed it was the danger of eating fairy-touched food. Chatter filled the room. Everyone talked over each other as they planned their re-started lives. Many had villages they wanted to return home to, and families they hoped to be reunited with. Merwet smiled and silently wished them well. She, too, was eager to be reunited with her family. Perhaps she could convince them to move to Kul Elna, restart Bakura’s village. “Won’t the guards chase us?” The woman in the blue dress asked as they crowded near the door. “Don’t worry. I’m an expert at making a spectacle of myself. I’m going to go and catch their attention while Merwet escorts you all to the docks.” Bakura bowed, kissed Merwet, and slipped out the window. Merwet shook her head. They should have agreed upon a meeting point, and yet Merwet knew Bakura would find her, no matter how busy the city. With Bakura gone, Merwet was left alone to lead her people to a ship. Few shoppers lined the streets before the sun finished rising. If anyone thought it odd for so many women to travel in a group, no one mentioned it out loud. At the docks, Merwet paid a handsome bribe to a captain to guarantee the woman a safe trip home with a sealed letter guaranteeing extra reward upon their return to Kemet. Finished, Merwet purchased a honey cake from one of the stalls and roamed the marketplace. She didn’t have to wander long before her thief found her. “Whew!” Bakura appeared behind Merwet without notice, resting her arm on Merwet’s shoulder. “I’m worn out from running the guards around and staying awake half the night. Why don’t we rent a different room and take a few hours more rest before finding the next town on our invoice list?” “If you’d like.” Merwet smiled. She had no intention of allowing her thief to sleep once they rented a private room, but did like the idea. They ignored the shouts of vendors as they pushed their way toward the inns. The second one wasn’t any cleaner or less crowded than the first, but they paid twice as much as the room was worth to encourage the innkeeper to help keep their stay un-interrupted. He promised they wouldn’t be disturbed, and once alone, Bakura tangled herself into the blankets and closed her eyes.“Are you going to hog all the covers for yourself?” Merwet asked. Soundlessly, she slipped out of her boots and dress. “If you want to cuddle, crawl in here with me.” Bakura smirked—eyes still shut. Merwet pounced on top of Bakura, wrapping all four limbs around her. Their laughter echoed throughout the room. Bakura opened her eyes, staring. Merwet sank low and kissed her. “Don’t be in such a good mood. It’s worrisome,” Bakura teased. “Why not? We’ve successfully liberated our first town.” Merwet shoved the pillow over Bakura’s face. Bakura shoved it away. “It’s a little early to celebrate—it only being the second day of our quest—but still...let’s celebrate!”Bakura grabbed Merwet and flipped them. The thief kissed across Merwet’s shoulders and to the side of her neck. “Each day we travel will be a day closer to bringing as many people home as we can.” Bakura ended her barrage of kisses at Merwet’s lips. “Yeah.” Merwet sighed as she stroked Bakura’s hair. Bakura’s gaze clouded with desire as she stared at Merwet. She lowered his mouth to Merwet’s and nudged her hips forward, grinding against Merwet’s mons. Merwet broke their kiss and sucked in a breath as she bucked upward. Bakura circled her pelvis as she raised and lowered her body. They snatched quick, messy kisses from each other’s lips as they pressed together. Merwet turned her head, panting too hard to kiss and breathe, so Bakura attacked her neck with more kisses instead. “Don’t stop...Bakura…” Merwet murmured in a dreamy voice. “Never,” Bakura growled in Merwet’s ear. “I’ll never stop, my sun, only rest between these moments when I serve my queen wholly.”Bakura circled more quickly, grinding more firmly. Merwet grabbed Bakura’s ass and whimpered as they pushed together. With rapid breaths, Merwet’s body tightened. After a long, thrumming plateau, Merwet shuddered, her body tense. A soft cry escaped her lips when the pleasure reached its zenith. As Merwet relaxed on the bed, Bakura unwrapped her shenti and tossed it aside. She straddled her thighs around Merwet’s face and lowered herself. Merwet hummed as she pressed her lips to Bakura’s folds, teasing her thief with light, sucking kisses. She licked along Bakura’s slit, flicking at the clit. Bakura’s cooed, rocking against Merwet’s ministrations. Bakura’s fingers seized Merwet’s hair like reigns as she rode Merwet’s face. She climbed too quickly, so to draw things out, Bakura lifted herself, turned around in the opposite direction, and re-settled. Merwet returned to rolling her tongue, and Bakura leaned forward so she could return the favor. She hooked her arms around each one of Merwet’s spread legs before diving between Merwet’s legs. Soft whimpers interupted their licks as they pleasured each other. They both moaned against their lover as they kissed and sucked. The second time, Bakura couldn’t hold back. When her pleasure mounted, she rocked her hips faster and pressed her forehead against Merwet’s inner thigh and a thunderous orgasm shook her from head to toe. Bakura screamed as the euphoria lingered, going and going until her body relaxed on its own. With renewed enthusiasm, Bakura rotated her tongue around Merwet’s clitoris, keeping each rotation gentle but intentional. Merwet’s hips rose and lowered in a slow rhythm—at first—but after a few minutes she bucked against Bakura’s licks. Bakura slipped a finger inside of Merwet. She pressed along Merwet’s inner wall and circled until Merwet wailed. When it was over, Bakura wiped her mouth and sucked her finger clean. Flipping around a second time, Bakura grabbed Merwet’s hand and brought her fingers to Bakura’s clit. Bakura continued to hold Merwet’s hand as she rubbed circles just under the hood of Bakura’s cunt. Bakura lidded her gaze, rolling her hips against Merwet’s touch and enjoying how Merwet’s eyes glinted as Merwet watched Bakura writhe. “My beautiful moon.” Merwet smiled. “Mer-Merwet.” Bakura stuttered, urging Merwet’s fingers to add pressure. “I love to watch how turned on you get when I touch you.” Bakura groaned as she moved her hips faster. Bakura’s thighs tightened around Merwet’s waist. Her chest heaved as her breathing grew rough. Each exhale brought a soft, groaning sigh to Bakura’s lips. Merwet rubbed a little faster, turning those sighs to proper moans. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” Bakura’s tits bounced as her hips rocked back and forth. She slammed her pelvis forward three times before arching. With a sigh, Bakura collapsed and rolled to Merwet’s side. Merwet cupped Bakura's face, kissing her thief king until their lips burned.  *** A messenger found them when they reached the third town. He handed Merwet a package and left after they tipped him. Merwet scowled at the wrapped paracel. “It bears the royal seal. Do you think there’s been trouble?” Merwet asked. “We'd better find an inn so we can look at it in private.” Bakura led them through the streets until they found a reasonable tavern with available rooms. They were travelling up the coast for the time being. Once they moved inland it would be harder to transport the liberated slaves to Kemet, and they hoped they’d think of a solution before they ran out of coastal cities, but hadn’t expected word from the palace this early into their quest. Bakura sat cross-legged on the bed while Merwet broke the seal and unwrapped the binding. There was nothing more than a polished brass disk sealed within layers and layers of papyrus and linen. “Uh, yeah. It’s very nice. What the hell are we supposed to do with it?” Bakura wrinkled her brow. “I don’t know, there are no instructions.” Merwet checked the wrappings in case she missed something. “We can fling it back and forth to each other and make a game of it,” Bakura suggested. Before Merwet could reply, the disc flashed with light and a young girl’s face appeared. “Did this work? I can see you! It worked!” “Are you a child of Ra?” Merwet stared at the girl’s image shimmering within the center of the disc. “Yes. Mahad hid me as a baby and raised me in secret as his apprentice.” “Hypocrite,” Bakura muttered beneath her breath. Merwet waved Bakura silent as the girl continued to speak. “But...when he didn’t return after several weeks I risked searching for him in the palace.” Mana’s face fell. “I’m sorry,” Merwet said. “They told me you had no choice,” Mana responded, but she wasn’t experienced enough to hide her anger.Merwet only nodded her head. “Is this why you contacted us? Did you want to discuss Mahad’s death?” “What? N-no! Atem found me and asked if I could reach you two with magic!” Mana’s expression changed to a huge grin. “The Pharaoh’s really great! He gave me a room in the palace and is letting me continue my studies.” “Did he receive our letters?” Merwet asked. “Yes. Two of them. Isis is working on relocating the people who have returned, either to their home villages or to new areas, but we know once you veer away from the coasts it’ll be more risky for our sisters to travel.” Mana gave a little jump, her tresses bouncing. “Which is where I can help! The temple where Mahad raised me was dedicated to Thoth, and is filled with skilled mages. When you’re ready to send more people home, simply contact me using Ra’s Disc and I or one of the other mages will teleport them here!” Mana grinned. “Why don’t all the mages teleport here and help us free the slaves?” Bakura called from the bed so Mana could hear her. “We’ll be done more quickly with several people travelling at once.” “Priest Set said it was too dangerous and Priestess Isis agreed. She said this quest was your destiny and we can aid you, but it’s truly in your hands.” “Yeah, sounds like her.” Merwet snorted. “All right, then. We’ve only now arrived at the next port city. There are six woman according to our invoice sheets. Once we’ve collected them all, we’ll contact you.” “Will do! Good luck in your task!” Mana’s face disappeared. “All in all, that was a convenient change of plans.” Merwet tossed Ra’s Disc to Bakura. “True, we needed a way to guarantee everyone reached Kemet safely, and this is better than anything we would have thought to do.” Bakura stowed Ra’s Disc in her enchanted belt. “Mahad still has some nerve. Bet he felt like a real hero saving one baby even as he helped Aknadin sell off everyone else, and don’t even get me started about harboring her in a Temple for Thoth full of mages.” Bakura snorted. “Guess Thoth’s magic is all good and well unless the magi has white hair—then just kill them so they can’t be too powerful.” “I agree, but what can we do? If you, me, and Mana all survived, surely others did as well. Now that Atem’s taking his rightful place on the throne, we can only hope those other survivors come forth so we can rebuild.” “Yeah, I never thought of other survivors.” Bakura smiled. “That’d be nice.” “Should we rest or are we ready to go?” “Let’s go.” Bakura jumped to her feet. “Sooner we gather everyone together, the sooner we can shoo them out of our room and celebrate another successfully liberated town.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“It’s time to meet up with Merwet and Bakura.” Ryou’s tails flicked as she grabbed Kauket’s hand. “You’re awfully excited.” Kauket smirked. “I like them.” Ryou shrugged. “I hope they want to play more games.” “Mmm, and I’m sure the way they charge you with power has nothing to do with your fondness of them.” “It is a wonderful perk.” Ryou’s cheeks grew rosy as she smiled. “Come on.” In an instant they stood in a simple hotel room. Merwet sat on the bed with a plate of cheese and grapes. Beside her was a pile of blankets and a tuft of white hair poking from the top. “I was wondering when you two would arrive.” Merwet offered the plate to them. “Hungry?” “Sure.” Kauket sat beside Merwet and grabbed a cube of cheese. “Bakura? What’s wrong?” Ryou frowned when she saw the bundle hiding beside Merwet. “I’m sleeping.” Bakura muttered from his blanket pile. “Well, wake up, dummy. We’ve come to visit you.” Ryou crawled beside Bakura on the bed, wrapping around his midsection with three of her tails. “I want to play games.” “Mmm...soft,” Bakura muttered, digging his fingers into Ryou’s fur. “Can I feel?” Merwet asked. “I don’t mind,” Ryou said. Merwet reached over and slipped her fingers through Ryou’s white fur. A smile lit up her face as she caressed Ryou. Ryou hummed in lazy contentment at the light touches. “It’s nice.” Merwet took a grape. “This is how you wake Bakura.”Merwet shoved the grape into Bakura’s mouth. Bakura muffled in protest, but as soon as she swallowed, she sat and stole more of the food from Merwet’s plate.“Get the senet board, Bakura.” Ryou pulled her tails away as she stood and snatched a grape from Merwet’s plate. Bakura frowned at the loss of fur for his fingers to card through, but stood, stretched, and grabbed the belt from a table to retrieve the game. “How’s your quest?” Ryou asked Merwet. “Good. We cleared three towns in our first week, but we’re laying low today.” “Word of the infamous Thief King and his golden haired wife stealing slaves have been sweeping through the coast towns and cities. We had to sneak through a line of guards and find a hotel in the shady side of town to avoid being arrested.” “Explains the shabby furniture.” Kauket snorted. “Anywhere I sleep is my palace. A few thread-bare blankets can’t discourage me.” Bakura dropped onto the bed with their gameboard. “Weren’t you supposed to be diplomatic emissaries?” Ryou asked. “We are,” Merwet said. “But we’re only negotiating prices. Whether we’re taking our sisters back or not is a non-negotiable matter.” “And what happens when your policies lead to bloodshed?” Kauket licked her lips at the thought. “Then we’ll leave a trail of dead slavers behind us.” Merwet frowned. “And when you cause a war between Kemet and seven other nations?” Kauket asked. “Then Kemet will become a great deal larger after we’ve conquered seven other nations,” Merwet spoke without hesitation. “Is that the will of your Pharaoh?” Ryou noticed a bottle of wine on a nearby table and poured a glass for herself and Kauket. “Pffff, that kid? Oh no. I don’t think he’s the war type.” Bakura laughed. “But as Merwet said, leaving our people enslaved is non-negotiable. We’ll deal with the consequences of our actions once all the children of Ra are home safely.” “I like war.” Kauket pulled a dagger from a strap on her thigh and ran a finger along the blade. “The taste of blood tingles when it’s on the tip of my tongue.” “Well, if it comes to battle, we’ll just pit you against any opposing army.” Bakura winked. “The odds are a little unfair, but maybe we could tie one of your arms behind your back to even things up a bit, yeah?” “Yes!” Kauket threw her head back and cackled. “How is your quest going?” Merwet asked Ryou, rolling her eyes at Bakura and Kauket. “I know which mercenaries I want to hire, but we only have half the money saved.” “We can help with that.” Bakura shook out her belt and told it to release, dumping random valuables across the floor. “I’ve been building up a collection!” “You two are the worst emissaries ever!” Kauket laughed again. “I can’t wait to see how much trouble you get yourselves into before this is over!” “Well, they call me King of Thieves, not King of Diplomats.” Bakura shrugged. “What do you want in return for the treasure you’ve gathered?” Ryou eyed Bakura. “Eh, you can have it.” Bakura shrugged. “Wouldn’t have been able to steal it if not for the belt you gave me.”“I don’t...you can’t just give this much wealth to me.” Ryou shook her head. “Sure I can. A king can do whatever he wants.” “No—listen—please ask for something in return.”“I don’t really want anything?” Bakura shrugged. “I have wine, women, and a cheese platter all here in this room already. What more could I desire?” “Magic doesn’t work like that. A gift, it needs a payment. Anything. Ask for anything at all.” “Anything?” Bakura raised an eyebrow. “Ho, don’t you dare.” Merwet scowled. “Yes. Anything,” Ryou interrupted. “It’s important to me.” “Okay—ask Kauket to kiss me.” “Dammit, you’re not going to win that easily.” Merwet grabbed Kauket, and pressed their mouths together, feeding her a grape afterward. “There, fuck you, Bakura! It was a bet to see who could steal a kiss, not negotiate for one. What sort of Thief King are you?” “Bitch, did you just kiss me?” Kauket asked after swallowing the offered grape.“Well, we couldn’t have Bakura winning, now could we?”“Did you two have a bet to see who could kiss me first?” Kauket narrowed her gaze at both of them. “Maybe…” Bakura sang the word, a sheepish expression on her face. “But only because you’re so gloriously dangerous.” “You should kiss Bakura to even the score.” Ryou giggled. “How does that make things even remotely even?” Kauket licked her lips. “If anything I should tie Bakura up and make him watch me take his woman as punishment for daring to kiss me.” “Oh no,” Merwet said in a flat tone, finishing her grapes. “I’m helpless to stop you. Please don’t. You fiend.” “I’m not sure what’s funnier, the fact that you think you could tie knots I couldn’t slip out of, or the fact that you think me getting a free show is any sort of punishment.” “I’m only letting this slide because Merwet is right—Bakura shouldn’t win any bets. His ego is already large enough to fill the sky. Although I did like the dangerous comment. Your flattery skills are decent.” Kauket stole a grape right as Merwet reached for it. Merwet scowled, but set the plate down and reclined against the pillows without commenting on the theft. “I still can’t accept the treasure without payment.” Ryou set down her wine. “Well, I already lost my bet, so I might as well get a kiss from you instead, and no sass about it not being enough of a payment—a kiss from a woman is most certainly worth a pile of riches.” “A...kiss…” Ryou’s tails waved behind her. Her eyes darkened to a deep mahogany as she stared at Bakura and licked her lips. “It can be on the cheek if you’d rather.” Bakura tapped her cheek. “I’d rather taste you.” Ryou held Bakura’s face, brushing the tip of her nose against Bakura’s. Bakura’s eyes fluttered closed and his lips parted. Ryou flicked her tongue, running it along Bakura’s bottom lip. Bakura threw her arms around Ryou’s neck and devoured her mouth. Ryou’s tails all flicked in union, There was a true and eager energy behind the way Bakura put all of herself into the simple act. Ryou moaned, skin shimmering as magic swelled around her. Crawling into Bakura’s lap, Ryou deepened their kiss. Bakura sighed, but Ryou’s lips muffled the sound. Ryou shoved Bakura to the mattress and smothered her mouth with another string of kisses. “Good thing there’s grapes.” Merwet popped one into her mouth as she watched Ryou pin Bakura down and steal the breath from her lips. “She’s drunk,” Kauket said. “How so?” Merwet asked. “Her wine is still half full.” “Not the wine. Heka. She reacts to both of you.” “Magic intoxicates her?” “It can. It also boosts her own magic; she craves it the way I crave violence.”“Then Ryou’s in for a treat. Bakura is a child of Thoth, after all.” Merwet smiled as she ate another grape. “She’s basically made of magic.” “Thought...you wanted…” Bakura muttered between passes of their lips. “To play senet?” Ryou grunted, gripping Bakura’s hair. She silenced the thief by sucking on Bakura’s lips. “Your magic tastes like moonlight,” Ryou mumbled against Bakura’s lips between kisses. “If you really want to get a reaction from Bakura—suck on her neck,” Merwet suggested. Ryou dashed for Bakura’s throat, kissing and sucking the delicate flesh guarding Bakura’s pulse. Bakura tensed, crying out and tugging on Ryou’s hair. Ryou slipped her hand behind Bakura’s robe, groping for his breasts and sucking on his neck more fiercely. Bakura called out again, voice high-pitched and beautiful with raw, heated desire. “So?” Kauket asked. “Are we going to let them have the fun or should we join them?” Merwet pursed her lips in thought. “Bakura can do this all day long and I think giving orders might be fun. Let’s watch until she comes—then we’ll finish the fox together.” “If Ryou doesn’t come first. She’s quick and insatiable in bed.” “I can hear you.” Ryou raised her head, blushing. “It’s true.” Kauket shrugged. Bakura bucked her hips to recapture Ryou’s attention, and Ryou dropped her kisses to Bakura’s bare breasts. Bakura fisted Ryou’s silk dress, jerking on the fabric as Ryou rolled her tongue around Bakura’s dark areola. Ryou clawed the shenti away from Bakura’s waist. She used her knees to spread Bakura’s legs wide and ran her tails along Bakura’s thighs. “Ah! Gods, you’re soft,” Bakura moaned. Kauket bit her bottom lip, enjoying the sight of Ryou handling the thief. Ryou meandered her kisses down Bakura’s belly and to her mons. She pressed slow, deliberate kisses just above Bakura’s hood until she writhed and whimpered for more. Ryou held Bakura’s hips in place, taking her time lavishing Bakura’s body with affection and basking in the flow of magic surrounding her. “Ryou,” Bakura whined. “Shhh…” Ryou whispered with her lips puckering against Bakura’s hood. “Soon. Soon. Your magic is so silky and rich, let me savor it.” “Fun, yeah?” Merwet whispered in Kauket’s ear. “Bakura is cute when he’s needy.” Kauket chuckled. “Heard...that...you...ahh!” Bakura gasped, unable to finish her sentence.Ryou’s hands held Bakura in place, but her tails swished around Bakura’s body, brushing against her skin, curling and uncurling around her limbs. Magic crackled in the air and swirled in the room like a storm. The fine hairs on Ryou’s neck raised. She panted, drowning in bright white power. Unable to wait a second longer, Ryou dipped her tongue along Bakura’s slit. “Yes!” Bakura shouted. “Remember. We’re hiding from the town guards,” Merwet said. “Keep Bakura quiet.” “Don’t worry.” Ryou snapped her fingers. “They can’t hear us.” Kauket raised an eyebrow at the ease in which Ryou cast the spell. Normally a silence barrier required sigils surrounding the affected space, but with the energy Ryou pulled from Bakura, she was able to circumvent the ritual and tap into the raw power of existence, manipulating it to her whim. All while slipping her tongue between Bakura’s slit and dragging upward in a tantalizing lick. Knowing the room was soundproof, Bakura uttered a deep and primal moan. Ryou repeated the lick, relishing each sound she dragged from Bakura’s mouth. “Mmph! Mmmngh!” Bakura hitched against Ryou’s mouth, pushing her clitoris in the path of Ryou’s licks. Ryou circled her tongue then sucked gently before flicking. Bakura’s toes curled. Her body tensed and a dark blush washed over her face. Kauket slipped her knife back into the holster, planning to watch a few minutes longer, but already eager to join. Merwet on the other hand stared with silent, rapt attention, her pupils blown out as she studied every detail. “Yes. Yes. A-a little more—ah! Ah! Ah!” Bakura’s hips jerked in short, demanding bursts. Ryou pressed a little harder against Bakura’s erect clit. Bakura shuddered, squealing as she came. She didn’t relax against the bed afterward, but instead pulled a knife from beneath her pillow, shoved Ryou against the bed, and sliced the skirt off of Ryou’s waist. “You’re not tired?” Ryou asked, eyes glittering as they paled to jade. “Ha! Not yet.” Bakura tossed the knife aside and grabbed Ryou’s thighs instead. “Now we join.” Merwet sprang like a lioness and snatched a demanding kiss from Ryou’s mouth. “Finally.” Kauket ripped the top half of Ryou’s garment in half, tossing the silk to the floor and grabbing her from behind. Kauket pulled Ryou to her chest, licked along the shell of her ear, and molded Ryou’s breasts in her hands. As Kauket teased her from above, Bakura teased her from below. She placed tender bites on the insides of Ryou’s thighs. Ryou squirmed between them. “There’s so much magic in the air I could almost drown.” Ryou tossed her head, gulping for air. “This is wonderful.” “Scoot down, Bakura,” Merwet ordered. Bakura obeyed with uncharacteristic quickness. Merwet straddled her face, leaning forward so she could lick Ryou even as Bakura ate her out. Ryou reached behind her with her left hand, tugging at Kauket’s hair as her right hand tangled around Merwet’s thick, heavy strands. “Oh fuck.” Ryou squealed. “Bakura’s magic is silvery-white and bright, but Merwet you’re unbearable, golden fire.” Merwet only hummed at the comment, too busy swirling her along Ryou’s clitoris to speak. Kauket rearranged their bodies so Merwet could more easily lick Ryou’s cunt. She slipped her tongue in and out of Ryou’s entrance a few times before switching to her fingers. Merwet flattened her tongue against Ryou’s clit as she eased her digits in and out of Ryou’s body. Meanwhile, Kauket continued to knead Ryou’s breasts, pinching her nipples and making her grunt in pleasure. Ryou hugged Kauket with her tails. Merwet’s breathing stumbled as she rocked over Bakura’s mouth. Her licks slowed as her hips sped up.“Ba-kura…” Merwet moaned the thief’s name with her lips still pressed against Ryou’s pussy. Ryou unwound one of her tails from Kauket and used it to hold back Merwet’s hair. She nudged closer to Merwet’s lips. Merwet swirled her tongue, lapping steadily at Ryou’s cunt. Ryou writhed in Kauket’s grip. The old mattress groaned and creaked beneath their weight, but Ryou fortified it with power to prevent it from shattering below their weight. “You’re ecstatic, aren’t you?” Kauket whispered into Ryou’s pointed ear. “You have three descendants of gods filling you to the brink with magic. Can you even absorb it all?” “No.” Ryou gasped, shaking her head. “But it’s fun to try.” Merwet moaned, grinding against Bakura’s tongue. Her licks sped up, impatience lace in each flick of her tongue. Ryou’s tails snaked around Merwet’s body. One continued to hold Merwet’s hair as she flicked faster and faster. Ryou held her breath as a final swell of pleasure burgeoned in her loins. “Oh!” Ryou exhaled; all her tails dropped in unison as she slumped against Kauket.“Fuck, Bakura! Quit teasing and suck you fucking bastard, Rrrrrrgh!” Merwet swore the moment Ryou pulled away. Bakura hummed a sweet tune, her voice muffled by Merwet’s body. Merwet straightened her back, gripping Bakura’s hair with both hands and tugging it like reigns. “It’s my turn, now.” Kauket nipped Ryou’s neck.She reached between Ryou’s legs, rolling the tips of her middle and ring finger around Ryou’s clitoris. Ryou grunted, the touches almost too much for her climax-swollen clit. Three of her tails brushed along Kauket’s ass, teasing her as she lured Ryou into a state of renewed arousal. Lost in Kauket’s touches, Ryou closed her eyes. Merwet called out in euphoria even as Kauket massaged Ryou. “Did you enjoy that, my sun?” Bakura purred against Merwet’s thighs. “You’re damn right I did.” Merwet stretched and sighed. “Who should I touch next?” Bakura popped into a sitting position, grinning and licking her lips. She didn’t wait for anyone to answer. Instead, she slipped behind Kauket and kissed along her bronze shoulders. Bakura stroked the fur of Ryou’s closest tail as her lips meandered across Kauket’s skin. “Use three fingers. I’m wet enough.” Kauket growled at Bakura while she toyed with Ryou. Kauket gasped as Bakura slipped two, then three fingers into her cunt. Bakura didn’t tease Kauket. She thrust her fingers quickly and gave Kauket what she wanted. Kauket’s body tightened with erotic tension as Bakura pumped into her pussy. Meanwhile, Merwet smothered Ryou’s breasts with deep, intentional kisses. Her fingers dug into Ryou’s hips, holding her still for Kauket. Kauket bucked, her mound pushing into the small of Ryou’s back right above her tails. Ryou stretched her tails, extended them long enough to caress all of her lovers at once as they pleasured her and each other in a heap. With the scent of their arousal and the heat of their bodies and the magic drowning her, Ryou didn’t last long. She came a second time with a delicate whimper. “Mmm…” Kauket stuffed her fingers into her mouth and sucked Ryou’s juices from them. Ryou twisted in Kauket’s grip in order to face her. She used the heel of her palm to rub Kauket’s hood. Merwet maneuvered herself to Kauket’s side. Grabbing her face, she turned Kauket and shoved her tongue into Kauket’s mouth. With all three of them kissing and touching, Kauket came a moment later, breaking contact with Merwet lips as she roared in orgasm. Sweat rolled down the swell of her breasts. She gazed at them with feral hunger. “Your eyes are wild, my darkness. I love it when you go into a frenzy in bed,” Ryou whispered, her voice sultry. With an affirming grunt, Kauket lunged for Merwet, knocking them both onto the floor. Pressing their mons together, Kauket rocked herself over Merwet’s body, making them both call out. Merwet raked her nails down Kauket’s back, decorating Kauket’s skin in red welts. Kauket bit the side of Merwet’s neck, encouraged by the touch of violence and thrusting her hips harder. Bakura whistled, watching with undivided attention. Ryou coiled all nine tails around Bakura, needing more of Bakura’s magic. “Why don’t you sit at the edge of the bed?” Ryou asked. Bakura flashed a grin before obeying and splaying her legs wide. Ryou knelt on the floor. She spared a few of her tails to drag along Kauket’s and Merwet’s sweating skin as they ground together on the floor. The other half dozen remained binding Bakura’s wrists, ankles, and waist. Ryou admired the sight of Bakura’s thick thighs spread out before her. She was silt-colored all over and Ryou stared as she leaned in to lick Bakura’s labia. She flicked and teased them with her tongue. Bakura arched, straining against the binds of Ryou’s tails. Ryou slipped her tongue as deeply as she could. Bakura hitched in time to Ryou’s licks. Beside them Merwet and Kauket screamed as they drew close. Merwet fisted Kauket’s wild mane as Kauket marked Merwet’s collarbone with heated love bites. Bakura wrapped her thighs around Ryou’s head, squeezing. Ryou kissed and kissed around Bakura’s lips, sucking on her clit to finish. Bakura muttered something sweet, but Kauket couldn’t hardly hear her over Merwet’s screams as she came. Bakura finished seconds after. She dropped to the floor so she could sit beside them. A mad rush of delight stabbed through Kauket. Each hitch against Merwet’s body brought her closer until her entire body stiffened and finally eased. “Thirsty.” Ryou used her tails to grab the wine pitcher and pass it around. Each of them accepted a drink with a nod, chugging their glasses before Bakura jumped up. “Senet!” “Yes, let’s play!” Ryou wagged her tails. As they played, both Merwet and Bakura chatted about their battle with a dark god and how the terrible scars ended on Merwet’s back. Kauket dragged her fingers lovingly down the raised skin. “I love them. Too bad we were in the fairy world. Sounds like an amazing battle.” “It was awful.” Bakura snorted. “I wish you were there too. Perhaps you could have beat him on your own.” “You shouldn’t encourage her. The longer she spends in this world the more violent she’ll get. We need to return to the fairy realm as soon as possible so she doesn’t…” Ryou’s tails sank and her shoulders sagged. “Yeah.” Kauket sighed. “Before I go feral again.” “Again?” Bakura and Merwet exchanged a glance. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Kauket shook her head. “No big deal.” Bakura set the board for another game. “We’ll just have to make sure we’re both quick in our quests so we can get your sweet ass home long before there’s a problem.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“What do we do?” Merwet asked.They lay bellies pressed to the ground on top of a cliff overlooking the city of Ur. The patrols were triple the size of the last city’s and guards checked each person and wagon who tried to enter. They’d given up presenting themselves as emissaries, unable to stop the rumors of The King of Thieves who—bored of robbing his own country—now decided to travel abroad and build a harem of stolen, golden haired women. Each story grew more exaggerated and each city more dangerous. Bakura pointed to the back of the city. “The city is nestled into a hillside for defense. Diabound can smuggle us in through the rock and past the walls.” “And then? The last sleazy innkeeper sold our location to the guards and we had to fight.” “We rent rooms at four different inns. At least that way the guards will have to split up to check each one.” “I’m tired of sneaking. We’ve spent the last three months having to steal our own people because the nobility are greedy swine no matter what country we travel to.”“What do you want to do? March up to the gate and demand they bring the daughters of Ra to us?” Bakura propped her chin with a fist. “Yes.”“Merwet. No.” “Why not? We dropped our roles as emissaries and declared ourselves as bandits a long time ago. Why settle for bandits when we can claim our birthrights as god-descendants liberating slaves instead of stealing girls? It’s time we change the rumors to fit us, don’t you think?” “Bandits get chased out of town by guards but invaders get met with an entire army. I’m not sure I want to fight every army from here to Nul.” “Ra can incinerate an entire army!” Merwet slammed her palms against the grass below them. “Yeah. He can. That’s the problem. Some of those soldiers are just farmer’s sons drafted by their ruler. They don’t deserve to be incinerated.” “You’ve always been soft.” Merwet shoved herself to her feet, pacing. “Kauket is a bad influence on you.” Bakura chuckled. “Bakura, we can’t go on as we have been.”“Okay. You’re right.” Bakura sat up and scrubbed her hair with her fingers. “Half a moment, I need to think about this.”“What is there to think about? This is a large city. There are 37 estates we need to check. Do you want to spend a week in the city combing each house with guards chasing us the entire time?” “You’re right. You’re right. Still, there’s got to be a way to convince them to give us what we want without scorching their entire army. We need some sort of bloodless demonstration of Ra’s power.”“Fine. Come with me. We’ll get the attention of the gate guards and I’ll show off a little in hopes of scaring them, but if it doesn’t work—”“If it doesn’t work, we’ll do things your way.” Bakura dusted sand from her cloak. Merwet summoned Ra. Instead of flying above them, the god padded beside them. Merwet lay her sword over her shoulder. The golden light of the sun dragon shone off the blade. Merwet and Bakura walked down the winding path leading from the cliff to the city below. Well before they reached the gates, an entire platoon of guards lined in a row and blocked the entrance into the town. “We know who you are. Lay down your weapons and surrender!” A man who was clearly in charge of the guards stood ahead of the rest. Most of the men carried spears, but the captain pointed his sword at Merwet and Bakura. “Bring us someone with more authority or I’ll burn this entire city to ash,” Merwet warned.Bakura bit the inside of her cheek at Merwet’s statement, but didn’t speak or give any outward sign of her emotions. Burning the city meant burning the slaves within, so Merwet was bluffing, but the statement dragged memories of Kul Elna from the pits of Bakura’s mind.“Your magic doesn’t scare me,” the guard, foolishly, called Merwet’s bluff. “Does it not?” She smirked. Ra rose into the air. With a sharp cry, he spread his wings and raced around the perimeter of the city walls. Wherever Ra’s shadow passed, flames erupted from the ground until the entire metropolis was circled not only by a protective, stone wall, but a deadly one of fire as well. The intense heat caused sweat to tickle down Bakura’s face and shoulders. The guards cowered, their spears raised as if they could stab the inferno threatening to swallow their homes. The sun above dimmed as smoke boiled into the air, but Ra himself remained bright and unforgiving. Staring at the scorching scene, it was easy to see how Sekhmet was born from Ra’s angry glare. Merwet herself, a daughter of Ra and therefore sister of Sekhmet, stood tall with her shoulders back, glaring at the captain and challenging him to defy her request a second time. The guard flinched. Keeping his eyes locked on Merwet, he walked backward until he was surrounded by the other guards. The captain shouted an order at one. His voice dimmed by the crackle of the surrounding flames. A young boy in uniform ran into the city—presumably to fetch someone of higher authority. Several other guards vanished as well. Bakura guessed they were warning citizens and perhaps drawing water from their wells—though no amount of water would quench the golden fires of Ra. Merwet waited fifteen minutes. Bakura watched her face the entire time, wondering when her patience would wear too thin and provoke her into doing something rash. Blessedly, a palanquin, carried by eight male slaves, arrived. The men knelt on the road in front of Merwet and Bakura, and from the silk curtains of the palanquin stepped a woman with hair as golden as Merwet’s and with eyes the same shade of lavender. Bakura held her breath. Merwet’s stoic expression cracked as she marched forward. “Chione?” Merwet held the woman’s face, running her thumbs along her cheeks. “Sister?” “Mer...Merwet? You’re the demon’s wife who's been attacking cities?” “Attacking? No. We’re freeing everyone. Aknadin is dead. Pharaoh sits on the throne. We’ve been sent to restore Ma’at and bring you home.” “Merwet.” Chione threw her arms around her, crushing them together. “I’m so happy to see you.” “Same, but why did they send you?” “They told me to offer you 100 slaves if you leave the city unharmed.” “We don’t want 100. We want 62.” “Although, we’ll take extras if they’re willing to free them.” Bakura shrugged. “Merwet, listen. Nothing you can do will convince them to release the daughters of Ra. Your abductions have made the nobles greedy for us. There were three murders this week—heirs rushing their inheritance so they can sell off their treasure, and—”“That’s the nobility’s problem, not ours. Tell them if they don’t release all 62 children of Ra in the city, then Ra himself will consume them in his righteous blaze. This is not a threat, Chione. Tell them I’m serious.” “Merwet,” her sister flinched. “Would you kill everyone in Ur? There are children here. Innocents.” “Are the children of slavers innocent?” Merwet asked, her tone flat. “What about the other slaves? What about their children? What about the beggars? Merwet, you’ve grown so hard—” Chione combed her fingers through Merwet’s hair. “Where is the sweet child who used to cry if she didn’t get figs before bedtime?” “She died the night soldiers took you, our mother, and our other sisters. Why are you not more bitter? You’ve been a slave all these years.” “I do the best with what the gods give me.” Chione dropped to her hands and knees. “Please, I’m begging you, accept the 100 slaves offered and spare the city.” “No.” Merwet clenched her hands into fists. “Go back and let your master know we demand the children of Kemet be brought to us, and we demand it now.” “Please—” “Now, Chione.” Chione recoiled as if struck and rushed into the palanquin. Soldiers guarded her back into the city, and there was nothing for them to do but wait for Chione’s return. Bakura bit the inside of her cheek. Smoke and flames continued to billow around the city walls. Surely the nobles noticed even in their manors and shaded gardens. The heat, the fury of Merwet’s magic, it shimmered through the air. Bakura’s robe clung to her back from sweat. She calculated how fast Diabound could scour the city. Not fast enough. Merwet would render Ur to ash long before Bakura could figure out where each slave was, and while Bakura still didn’t see Merwet killing their charges, she didn’t think Merwet would spare anyone else in the city if it came to a battle. Bakura exhaled when she saw the palaquine return. She prayed to Isis and Bast that the noblemen of Ur would see reason and capitulate, but she knew when she saw Chione’s pale, sweating face, that her answer wouldn’t please Merwet. “Well?” Merwet asked. “He...said...500. He’ll give you 500 young slaves if you—”Chione cried out when the fire around the city flared high. The flames reached for each other, encapsulating the entire city into a dome of fire. The guards cowered. One of the slaves attempted to run into the desert, but his shackles clanked and he crashed into the burning sand. “Bakura, protect my sister. I’m going to find the pig in charge and make sure he understands I’m not bluffing.”“Merwet,” Bakura whispered. “You said if they didn’t listen we would do things my way. Don’t you dare—”Bakura cupped her hand on Merwet’s face. She glanced at the slave crawling through the sand, desperate to escape the flames, but weighed down with iron and incapable of freedom. She stared into Merwet’s burning sulfur eyes. “Don’t settle for 62. You gave the rulers a chance, and they mocked you. Demand every single slave.” Merwet glanced at the palanquin bearers before she pressed her nose against Bakura’s to agree. Chione grabbed Merwet’s arm. “Please! Don’t! He’ll kill you! He’ll kill everyone before giving up a single child of Ra!” “It’s all right.” Merwet grabbed her sister’s hand and placed it into Bakura’s. “Bakura will watch you while I’m gone.” Before Chione could argue, Merwet marched toward the city gates with Ra trotting at her side. An iron gate blocked her passage, but it melted as she approached. Nothing could bar her entrance; she was determined. “If you’re the legendary demon-thief king and she’s your wife—why aren’t you stopping her?” Chione punched Bakura’s chest. “Because she carries the will of Ra, and god wants his children home,” Bakura said, taking the hits in stride. “King Nasir also has the power of a god, and he’ll kill Merwet.” Chione sobbed. “Did you see the stripes on Merwet’s back?” Bakura gestured with her chin toward Ur. “Yes?” Chinoe lifted her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “She’s already fought one dark god. The god is dead, yet my sun lives. Your sister will liberate Ur, so don’t cry.”***Merwet hadn’t gone blind, and yet it was as if she saw through someone else’s eyes—Ra’s perhaps—and everything was blurred by rage. The palace waited in the center of the town, and she marched forward until she reached the secondary walls protecting the palace. Guards ran to her, but their bodies erupted into towers of fire well before they reached Merwet. To her right, the winged dragon representing Ra growled. She could not remember the small girl who used to play with dolls and begged her sisters to braid her hair. There was only the orphan who hid underground in fear of being stolen and sent away. There was only the angry teen who ran away and manipulated a healer to teach her poisons until she ran from the healer and found an assassin to teach her about swords and knives. There was only the ashes of her achieved vengeance still hot beneath her soul, and from that heat sprung fresh flames as she burst into the throne room. The King of Ur sat on an obsidian throne. Around him stood seven golden-haired daughters of Ra. “You would let your citizens roast in their homes? Why?” Merwet held her sword, ready to defend herself if attacked. “Because you don’t want to give up your personal collection?” “I am Nasir of Ur, and I submit to no one. Bring your flames. Fire cannot burn stone.” The king gestured and one of the servants poured him a glass of dark wine. Her hands shook. Her body language conveyed her fear, but she didn’t spill a drop as she filled the goblet to the brim before returning to her spot behind the throne. “Maybe not stone, but it can burn flesh. You’ll die screaming, and your little chair will cradle your ashes after you’re gone.” “I see your god sitting beside you like a trained pet.” Nasir stood, and the embroidered silk of his robes tumbled to the ground as he strolled to the nearest window. “A real god does not walk beside his servants. He commands from beyond the veil. Watch.” Outside, a hard black shell crusted over the fire burning the sky. The seven servants stepped closer to each other. Their eyes gleamed with terror. Merwet realized it wasn’t her fire which had them frightened—but King Nasir’s inevitable reaction. The black spread until there was no more fire, no more sky, no more Sun Disk in the sky. Blackness swallowed them. “See? Your power...is nothing.” Nasir draped herself over his throne and sipped from his wine glass. “Will you take my offer now? Or must I humble you and add you to my collection?” Despite the darkness, Ra glowed beside Merwet and lit the throne room as bright as day. Merwet felt the god’s rage boiling the blood in her veins. It seared through her, painful but beloved both at once. Merwet knelt in front of the dragon beside her. He nodded his head and closed his eyes. A sigil flared into the air between them, the golden mark of Wadjet. It shrank and sizzled against Merwet’s forehead like a live brand. Merwet became the fire. She absorbed Ra into her own soul, merging with him. Bathed in gilded flames Merwet lifted her face. The ceiling evaporated—rock, marble, and onyx disintegrating beneath the heat of Merwet’s gaze. The black coated the sky above like a thick shell, but Merwet focused her rage—her desire to free her sister and the others—and her heka pushed against the darkness above them. The sky cracked with a monstrous roar. Red bleed through the cracks, coals burning at the bottom of a fire. The red grew brighter as the cracks widened. Orange licked along the edges then yellow. A hideous wind shrieked around the castle before—in a spiral of flames—the blackness shattered as the righteous anger of Ra swirled above them and turned the wind intolerably hot. The servants muttered to themselves, tears in their eyes. Nasir dropped his wine, jumped to his feet, and glared at Merwet. Merwet walked until they stood a breath apart. “How did you break through the dark?” “I don’t care what god you worship. Ra. Wants. His. Children. Back. Home. Now.” Merwet’s jaw clenched. Nasir laughed, hard wracking sobs of laughter. Blood lined his eyes instead of tears, spilling over and rolling down his cheeks like scarlet ribbons. He raised his hand and black stalagmites rose from the marble floor, encasing Merwet’s hands and feet. She growled, wrenching to free her limbs, but she couldn’t crack the stone. Black swirled in Nasir’s hand, solidifying into an onyx spear which he aimed at Merwet’s heart.He thrust the spear. Merwet didn’t blink, didn’t flinch as she faced her death. Before the weapon pierced her, a burst of white rose from the floor and blocked the attack. “Hello my moon.” Merwet smiled when she saw Diabound guarding her. The ka snarled at the king, floating closer. His snake tail struck. The fangs latched onto Nasir’s chest and ripped the beating heart out of his ribcage. Diabound held out the organ for Merwet to see, a cat offering his latest kill as a declaration of love. Merwet stared at the heart and it smoked, burst into flames, and fell to ash on the floor. Nasir’s corpse slumped face-first onto the floor, blood pooling around him. The stalagmites crumbled and Merwet dropped to the floor. The Eye of Wadjet faded from her forehead, the flames of its heat extinguishing. Diabound scooped her into his arms as she faded to unconsciousness. ***Merwet awoke beneath the stars and full moon. The fire crackled and crickets sang in the shadows. A blanket swaddled around Merwet, and she shifted until her arms were free. “You saved me. I knew you would.” She smiled as she stared into the night sky.“You saved the slaves of Ur today. Mana had to recruit every sorcerer in Kemet to transport them all home.” Bakura held the polished disk they used to communicate with the palace. “What’s wrong?” Merwet asked. “You look serious.” “Isis said she wanted to talk.”“Is she angry? What we did today was Ra’s will.” Merwet pushed herself upright. “Isis doesn’t have to like it.” “Knowing Isis, it’s more than that.” Bakura rushed to Merwet, dropping the disk onto the ground in order to steady Merwet in her arms. “Nevermind Isis. How are you feeling?” “Tired,” Merwet confessed. “I suppose that’s what happens when you embrace a true god.” “Your sister wanted to stay with us. She was worried about you, but I convinced her she’d slow us while we searched for the rest of your family. She asked me to tell you goodbye.” “I was too hard on her.” Merwet sighed. “She was always kind...from what I can remember. I shouldn’t have snapped at her.” “You are a hero to her. She cried because she thought that bastard was going to kill you and everyone else to get his way. When she saw you break his dark barrier—when I gathered all the slaves of Ur to find a new home as free people—she wept again, but from joy. Don’t worry about being hard on her. You’ll have family waiting when we go back home.”“Bakura.” Merwet circled her arms around Bakura. They bumped noses again. Bakura tilted her face, daring Merwet to kiss her. A voice destroyed the moment.“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Isis said. “You know damn well you are.” Merwet snatched Ra’s disk into her hands and frowned at Isis’s image. “So spit out whatever vague, foreboding nonsense you’re going to say and go away so we can celebrate the liberation of Ur.”“Ah yes, Ur. We expected only 62 women to return.”“And yet Mana already had enough magicians on hand to cast a mass teleportation spell. Isn’t that convenient?” Bakura pressed close to Merwet so she could see Isis’s image in the disk. “No, I told Mana what to expect,” Isis said. “I saw Merwet embody Ra and challenge King Nasir long, long ago.” “Of course you did.” Merwet snorted. “Are you going to tell us not to do it again? Not to start a war?” “I’m sorry, but there was never a way to rescue our people without starting a war.” Isis sighed. “And here we are. Two pawns in your never ceasing games of manipulating the future.” Merwet snorted. “So why are we having this conversation if this is all according to plan?” “I wanted to tell you not to hold back,” Isis said. “Oh?” Merwet raised her eyebrows. “There was never a way to avoid a war. Even leaving the slaves prisoners, the other countries would have eventually invaded Kemet once they realized Atem—who is young and inexperienced—had reclaimed the throne. However, if you keep liberating entire cities—completely liberating them…” “Then we’ll have a lot of men willing to sign on as soldiers and fight in our armies, and a lot of other people willing to farm, and many specialised craftworkers who will forge swords and spearheads.” Bakura finished Isis’s thought. “Yes. You’ll also bring a mercenary army home with you—a gift from your new friends. I look forward to meeting their captain myself.” Merwet and Bakura exchanged a look, wondering if Isis meant Ryou and Kauket when she said “new friends”. Merwet liked to think she was phenomenal in bed, but even she wouldn’t brag that she was good enough to be given an army as a token of affection. “Don’t worry. You’ll know which army when you see them in a few month’s time. Until then, keep honing your powers, keep feeding your magic to the nine-tailed demon, and let the stories of your adventures burn through the kingdoms across the seas.” Isis bowed her head. “What does Atem think about all this?” Bakura narrowed her gaze. “Have you spoken to him about war? Or are you going to mention it after the fact like you did with us and Ur? You could have told us to rescue every slave from the beginning and saved us some time.” “Would Merwet have been ready to embody Ra, I wonder?” Isis hummed, making it obvious that Merwet would not have managed it. “Perhaps once your infamy reaches throughout the lands, the remaining slaves will hold their own revolts?” “Fine. Fine. But have you told Atem?” Bakura waived Isis’s coy statement away. “Yes. We have spoken...about many things. More than I have time to tell you. Besides.” Isis smiled. “You two are about to be very busy, so I bid you goodnight.” Her image faded from the disk. Bakura stowed it in her belt once again. “Gods she irritates me.” Merwet clenched her teeth. “Everyone irritates you, my sun.” Bakura kissed Merwet to relax her jaw. “Even you?” Merwet asked, her anger melting beneath Bakura’s lips. “Especially me.” “You’re right.” Merwet laughed. “Did I mention you were amazing today? Because you were phenomenal.” Bakura brushed Merwet’s hair away and lavished her neck in kisses. “Was I? I mostly remember the fire—I was a part of it.”“You certainly were—and it was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” Bakura grinned. “You’re insufferable.” Merwet’s gaze was soft and inviting as she pulled Bakura low for another kiss. Bakura spread her cloak over them like a blanket. Above, the stars glittered, and the moonlight made Bakura shimmer. Merwet traced her fingers along the bulges of muscles on Bakura’s arms, admiring each curve. Bakura shoved her belt aside, then pulled her shenti away before tugging at Merwet’s dress. “Don’t rip this one.” Merwet winked. “Don’t tempt me.” Bakura’s nose crinkled with mirth. She was, however, careful with the dress, and laid it aside so it wouldn’t wrinkle. “Your skin is extra warm. I don’t know why I even bothered with the campfire.” “Because the light makes you look beautiful.” Merwet cupped Bakura’s breasts and sucked her taut nipples. “Mmm, my sun.” Bakura purred, arching into Merwet’s embrace. Merwet sat upright and situated Bakura into her lap. Bakura’s lips were thick and soft against the tip of Merwet’s tongue as she explored her lover’s mouth. The wind blew, colder than the winds in Kemet, but Merwet radiated heat and circled her arms around Bakura to keep her warm. Bakura’s hair sprayed in wild patterns from the wind; Merwet broke their kisses to giggle. “Touch me,” Bakura whispered, gaze lidded and glowing with desire. “Of course, my king.” Merwet kissed Bakura’s jaw. Merwet’s palm curved along Bakura, resting at her side and teasing Bakura’s hip bone with her thumb before she massaged Bakura’s outer lips. She kept her kisses deep and wanton as she kneaded Bakura’s outer lips. When Bakura’s entrance grew dew-slick against Merwet’s fingertips, she slipped into her lover, circling deliberately and making Bakura mewl. “Ngh!” Bakura grunted, clinging to Merwet’s shoulders and curling closer to Merwet’s breasts. Bakura’s lips danced across Merwet’s skin. The crimson robe slipped, pooling around them, forgotten as Bakura eased her hips into Merwet’s movements. Bakura tossed her head back and cried out. Her hand shot out, gripping the cloth of the robe for something to fist as her toes curled. “Merwet...more...oh more...fuck...feels so good.” Bakura’s hips bucked. Her muscles tightened and her breasts swelled as she arched toward the night sky. Merwet pressed deeper, adding a third finger. Bakura cried out again. Her eyes crushed shut and her teeth clenched. She whined high-pitched vowels from her nose. Circling fasting, Bakura hitched against Merwet’s touch, frantic. Her mouth stretched into a wide O as Bakura trembled and came. The second Bakura’s body relaxed, she stared at Merwet with a hungry, insatiable glance. Bakura pressed Merwet to her back, keeping their gazes locked. “You’re so greedy.” Merwet smirked. “Enough is never enough for you, is it?”“And?” Bakura raised a silver eyebrow. “And I’m guilty of enabling your greed because I’m going to give you exactly what you want.” “Yes you will.” Bakura kissed her. “And I will worship you like Ra—more so because you are more beautiful and perhaps a little more fierce.” “Perhaps not as fierce,” Merwet said, thinking of the way Ra’s power had burned inside her own soul. No, not as fierce as Ra, but Merwet appreciated Bakura’s flattery. Bakura crawled over Merwet, sitting on Merwet’s face. Merwet struck quick and precisely, licking Bakura before running the tip of her tongue around Bakura’s clitoris. “Oh my sun,” Bakura moaned as she rolled her hips, riding Merwet’s mouth. “Yes. Yes. Yes.” Bakura wasn’t shy about grinding against Merwet’s lips and tongue. She circled her hips, almost fighting the curves of Merwet’s licks. Merwet broadened her tongue, licking slow, allowing Bakura to choose her own sweet spots as she pushed down against Merwet. A bird called in the darkness, but their fire rose beside them, keeping any predators away. Bakura swayed. Her fingers wound into Merwet’s hair and used the strands like reins with which to steer. Merwet slurped at Bakura's pussy, wet and silky against her tongue. She squeezed her own thighs, aroused by Bakura’s scent and taste and the moans of pleasure echoing through the night. When Bakura began to buck, Merwet sighed in relief, eager for Bakura to return the pleasure. Bakura’s cries were a consistent, repeated sound. She shouted and rode out her second orgasm until she couldn’t support herself any longer. Bakura rolled to Merwet’s side, gasping. Merwet licked her lips and beckoned Bakura closer. Once Bakura caught her breath, she dove between Merwet’s thighs. Merwet yelped at the first lick as the sensation jolted through her. She released a loud, low keen as Bakura continued to lap against her cunt. Her thighs drew closer, only spread out by Bakura’s grip on each of them. Merwet’s ass raised above the ground, her pleasure soaring into the air. She glided along the currents of euphoria, carried by it the way a falcon is carried by wind flowing through the valleys. “My moon,” Merwet choked. “My king! My love!” With a final moan, Merwet thrust her hips into the air. Her orgasm burned her alive, but she was the Eye of Ra and bore the intensity without crumbling to ash. “Bakura…” Merwet whispered, sinking so close to sleep that Bakura’s voice sounded like a dream. “Merwet, I love you.” Bakura’s fingers laced with Merwet’s. “Until I can no longer draw breath, until the sun fades from the sky, until the night withers and dies, until the end of beautiful time...I love you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Kauket kept close to Ryou as they walked through the mercenary encampment. Over half the soldiers were human, but the rest were bird-like creatures. The claws at the end of their talons gleamed like obsidian, and Kauket wondered if they were as sharp as they looked. The mercenaries glared at the strangers like eagles sizing up prey. Kauket winked at one of the women as they passed. She decided she liked the bird creatures with wings and feathered crests growing from their collar bones. They were fighters like her. “They’re pretty,” Kauket muttered to Ryou before reaching the commander’s tent. “The Harpy Company used to be an all harpie mercenary group, but their new leader allowed humans to go on account if they can prove themselves in battle. There is no group for hire more deadly than this one. Negotiating a contract with them is our best chance at saving Amane.” “So? Bakura gave us plenty of gold. We just flash it around and this Harpy Co. will shove a contract right into our faces.” “It’s not that simple.” Ryou shook her head. “The new harpy commander only accepts contracts she wants, refusing anything she dislikes despite how much money they offer her.” “I don’t think that’s how mercenaries are supposed to work?” Kauket tilted her head and gave Ryou a questioning look. “I suppose It is when you’re good enough to say so.” Ryou gathered the skirts of her dress and walked faster through the camp. “Let’s hurry. The sooner we sign a contract, the sooner I can relax somewhat knowing our plan is underway.” Half a dozen guards stopped them before they neared the large tent with the Harpy Co standard fluttering from the top. “I’m here to speak with Mai of the Harpy Company.” Ryou said. “Is she expecting you?” One of the female harpy guards narrowed her gaze at both Ryou and Kauket. “No? How would she expect me?” The harpy heaved a long suffering sigh. “If you want to schedule an appointment, send a letter.” “A letter?” Ryou frowned. “Should I fetch paper, write it in front of you, and hand it to you to deliver? Could you not simply ask her if we may speak, please?” “Appointments. By. Letter,” The guard repeated. “It’s okay, Lyra. They can enter with me.” A young male harpy in leather armor walked beside Ryou and Kauket. He grinned at them, extending his hand. “Hello, my name is Yugi.” “Ryou.” Ryou held his hand in both hers, shaking. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” “Kauket.” Kauket crossed her arms over her chest. Ryou gave her a look, and she sighed, shaking the mercenary’s hand.“Now that we’re all friends, this way.” Yugi led them past the guards and ducked into the main tent. In front of them a woman sat in a high, cushioned chair. She and Yugi had the same deep violet eyes, and brilliant, multi-colored wings. She raised an eyebrow at Yugi when they entered. “Those better be new recruits and not some strays you adopted on the side of the road,” Mai said. Yugi shrugged. “Lyra was demanding they send a letter, but I saw no harm in letting them speak to you since we’re moving out in the morning.” “You’re moving out?” Ryou’s mouth dropped. “That’s right.” Mai nodded. “Oh please no. I’m here to offer you a contract.” “Sorry, little fox.” Mai winked. “We signed one this morning. Going to Lagash to start a coup.” “How long?” Ryou’s tails flicked, betraying her worry. “As long as it takes. If you want us available more quickly, you could always go on account and help us out.” Mai laughed, blatantly joking, but Ryou hardened her jaw, nodding. “All right. We will.” “What?” Mai laughed harder. “You’ve already noticed we’re not human—we’re much more powerful than mortal creatures. We can help you in Lagash, but in return—you have to sign a contract for us when we’re finished.” “At full cost, naturally.” Mai’s painted lips curled in a smile. “I don’t care about money.” Ryou tossed a handful of gold coins at Mai’s feet to prove her point. “I only want your word that you’ll accept my contract—no matter what.” “And the catch?” Mai narrowed her glance. “It’s dangerous,” Ryou said. “The Harpy Company doesn’t fear danger. You have a deal, little fox.” Mai bowed her head. “Should I fill out two new recruit forms?” Yugi asked. “Fill out four,” Ryou said. “We have two friends who can help.”“Them? What makes you think they’ll help?” Kauket scoffed.“There are slaves in Lagash, and property—including slaves—gets...misplaced during a coup. I think they’ll be quite interested.” “Excuse me. You wouldn’t happen to be talking about the King and Queen of Thieves, would you?” Yugi asked with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. “Yeah, those two assholes.” Kauket pressed her hand into her hips. “Oh wow! They’re my favorite gossip at the taverns. I love listening to their adventures. It will be exciting to meet them in person.” Yugi’s wings ruffled in excitement before settling against his back once more. “It’s all fake. I’m sure they’re little more than bandits.” Mai waved off with her hand. “Not all the stories are false.” Ryou shrugged. “At the very least, they’re excellent fighters and can use some magic which will benefit you.” Kauket smiled at the fact Ryou didn’t mention that Bakura and Merwet had beaten them that first night on the ship. Probably better not to admit defeat while they were trying to join a ruthless mercenary group, after all. Ryou spun, holding out her hand. “Come, Kauket. It’s time we rendezvous with them.” “How will you find us?” Yugi asked. “We can track you. I look forward to working together.” Ryou bowed. “I look forward to spilling blood.” Kauket chuckled. They blinked out of the tent, appearing at Merwet and Bakura’s campsite. Kauket hated magical teleporting. It made her stomach flip, but she grinned when she saw the other two. The nights that the four of them shared helped quell the blood thirst growing more rapid each day Kauket spent in the mortal world. She told herself to bear it—Ryou needed her—but she did wonder how long before the rage of lust for violence would consume her more than she could control. “My, my, how time flies when you’re having fun liberating the ‘civilized’ world.” Merwet hummed when she saw Ryou and Kauket appear from thin air. “No more inns? Have you gotten yourselves into that much trouble already?” Kauket snorted. She crossed her legs and sat near their campfire. “Maybe.” Bakura gave a helpless ‘it’s not our fault’ gesture. “How is your quest?” Ryou asked. “We’ve upgraded from negotiating for the Children of Ra to storming entire cities to liberate all their slaves...so I guess really good?” Bakura said. “Ha! I love it!” Kauket cackled. “How many have you killed in the attacks?”“As few as possible.” Merwet glared at Bakura. “It’s more fun when it’s a challenge.” Bakura shrugged out of her robe, poured two extra cups of wine, and passed them to Ryou and Kauket. “I have a proposition for the two of you.” Ryou sat near Bakura. “I love propositions.” Bakura nuzzled the side of Ryou’s neck. “Not that kind.” Ryou blushed. “I’m sure we’ll get to that after we talk business.” Kauket downed her wine and slammed the cup on the table. “We need you to play mercenary with us for a few weeks.” “You know we can’t do that.” Merwet shook her head. “The Harpy Company is the most powerful, efficient mercenary group for hire, but they can’t sign a contract for me until they finish their current one—we’re going to storm Lagash.” “It is on our map.” Bakura glanced at Merwet. “And they won’t be expecting us to jump from Ur to Lagash, which will be to our advantage.” “What’s the job in Lagash?” Merwet asked. “They were hired to start a coup. I didn’t ask for details, but she didn’t protest when I suggested you reclaim some property during the fighting.” “People aren’t property,” Bakura muttered.“I know.” Ryou held Bakura’s hand. “Forgive me if my wording seemed insensitive.” “As long as this mercenary group doesn’t get in our way, we’ll help,” Merwet said. “Thank you.” Ryou hugged them both with arms and tails.“Have you eaten? We have rabbits.” Merwet gestured to the spit rotating over their fire.“And chocolate.” Ryou slipped her hand into Bakura’s robes. She reached into what was an empty pocket, and pulled out a wooden case, opening it to reveal chocolates carved in the shapes of beetles, dragonflies, and bumble bees. “Neat trick.” Bakura clapped. “Next pull out a flower so I can give it to Merwet.” “Are those chocolates from home?” Kauket asked—home obviously meaning the fairy realm. “They’re not going to enchant us to where mortal food will taste like sand and we’ll have to be whisked away with you to your homeland or wither and die, are they?” Bakura frowned at the chocolates. “Bakura, why would you even think that?” Merwet tilted her head. “Uh...there are stories of such things happening.” Ryou flicked her gaze toward Kauket for an instant before returning it to Merwet and Bakura. “But these are fine. I didn’t enchant them. Eat up!” “What stories? You sounded guilty as a politician just now.” Merwet scowled at the chocolates as if they were poisoned. “It was me—don’t worry about it.” Kauket popped a beetle into her mouth. “Sounds like a good story. Tell us.” Bakura chose a dragonfly, snapping off each wing before biting the body in half. “Bakura! Why would you eat that after hearing she enchanted Kauket away to the fairy realm!” Merwet shouted. “I’ve never stolen anything from the fairy realm before. It might be fun.” Bakura shrugged. “I wouldn’t give you anything enchanted without your knowledge!” Ryou moaned, face red. “It was my first time in the mortal realm and...and I was wrong and stupid, but…” Ryou glanced at Kauket to ask for permission. Kauket nodded. She grabbed another chocolate and tore off a leg of one of the rabbits roasting over the fire. The meat burnt the tips of her fingers, but she enjoyed the sting as she tore into the flesh with her teeth. “You’re the descendants of gods,” Ryou said. “We are,” Merwet agreed. “But not like Kauket. Her father was like you. He was a descendant of Kuk—hence Kauket’s name—but her mother was Sehkmet.” “You mean a Child of Sekhmet?” Merwet asked. “No,” Kauket answered. “She means Sekhmet.” “But...the gods haven’t walked the earth in generations.” Bakura shook his head. “You think so?” Ryou asked. “Maybe people forgot how to recognize them. In any case, this was 1,000 years ago.” “She was drawn to the battle and my father caught her eye,” Kauket repeated the story told to her a long time ago. “I was left at a temple to be raised as a priestess, but I only wanted to pray with a sword so I ran away. I wandered the world fighting...I can’t remember a single other thing about my life in the mortal world. Only the fighting.” “But still, you saved me.” Ryou nuzzled against Kauket’s shoulder. “I’m not sure what moved me to jump into the water. Maybe because Ryou was as different as I was. She wore me out, after we escaped the river and she revived. I remember laying on the bank and staring at the sky and it was the first time I ever felt...calm.” “Then Ryou stole you?” Bakura cut a slice of rabbit off the spit, nibbling on it from the tip of his knife. “She saved me,” Kauket insisted. “When I left the mortal plane all the blood washed away from my vision. I could feel things besides rage and battlelust.” “I enchanted a pomegranate. I stole her. I’m as selfish and greedy as the fairy stories warn.” Ryou hung her head low. “Heh, what a coincidence. I, too, am as selfish and greedy as all my stories warn.” Bakura laughed. “You’re a sap.” Merwet stole a bee from the box of chocolates. Her gaze focused on Ryou. “Never enchant my food or drink. I do not want to live with the fairies. I belong here, beneath Ra’s gaze.” “I won’t.” Ryou’s blush deepened. “I’m not in the habit of kidnapping lovers. Only Kauket. They say a fox who falls in love in the mortal realm is fated for a tragic death, or worse. I thought, I’ll just bring her to the fairy world and avoid any tragedy. My mother insists that it doesn’t work that way, but we’ve been very happy so far.” “What makes you think you’re worth taking home anyway? Dealing with you for eternity would be a grand pain in the ass.” Kauket snorted. “Stay here. Grow old.”“I never said dying undid my ability to summon Ryou. When Merwet and I go to the Duat, we’ll just call you over from the fairy realm for the occasional festival or conjugal.” Bakura winked. “I thought you were soft-headed when you chose that for your wish, but you were far more clever than I gave you credit for.” Ryou reached one of her tails to tickle the tip of Bakura’s nose. “Of course it was!” Bakura wrinkled her nose and pushed Ryou’s tail away. They finished eating, played several games, and lay beside each other, gazing at the stars and exchanging stories. When their voices grew slow and sleepy, Ryou turned onto her side, slipping several of her soft, soft tails around Bakura’s waist and legs. “Didn’t I promise to proposition you later this evening?” “I believe so.” Bakura grinned. “Then I proposition that we all rip each other’s clothes off.” “Like this?” Bakura tugged at Ryou’s vest, snapping the lacing at her bosom and freeing her pale breasts. Merwet and Kauket knelt beside them, but before they could join in, both of them jumped to their feet and grabbed their weapons. “Ambush.” Merwet managed before a blast of magic crashed against her. She dropped to the ground. “Merwet!” Bakura screamed before a second blast struck her and knock her unconscious. Ryou surrounded herself with magic. She glowed a brilliant, bright white. Kauket stood behind her, understanding that her own magical defenses wouldn’t be enough to resist whatever spell their attacker was using, but Ryou could reflect the magic. A woman stepped from the shadows of the nearby trees. She wore a hood to hide her face and was clothed in dark hide from head to toe. “You have five seconds to run or I will—”Before Ryou could finish the threat, the woman flung a throwing knife into Ryou’s chest. Ryou’s eyes drained of color, the light around her extinguished, and she was dead before she hit the ground. Kauket lost her mind, and could remember nothing. ***Dying hurt, but each time Ryou returned to life, her nerves sizzled with precise, concentrated pain. She screamed, needing Kauket to hold her. To soothe her. To take her and replenish her stolen magic until she could fully heal. But Kauket didn’t touch her. Didn’t say anything. Ryou forced her eyes opened, blinking through her tears even as she wailed. The uncertain light of a torch waved from a small window in a door across from them, but otherwise their cell was dark. The smell made Ryou gag and she dry heaved between sobs. Voices struggled through the pain. Ryou shook her head no over and over. She tried to get to noise to realize she couldn’t understand it, not with the pain tearing her to ribbons, but the sound only grew louder. “Ryou, snap out of it! We have to get out of here and find Kauket!” Ryou opened her mouth, but her lips couldn’t manage to wrap themselves around Bakura’s name. “Merwet, can you summon Ra?”
“I told you no seven times already. Whatever that bitch blasted us with sucked all the heka from me.”

“I know but...I thought maybe you’d recovered enough.”

“Bakura, the jar is empty. It won’t be filled again until dipped into the river, and I’m sure our new friends will have done whatever they plan to do to us before that happens.”

“Fuck.”
“B’kura…” Ryou whispered. “Yes! You’re awake! God, I thought you were dead again.” “Was...hurts…” “She’s worse off than we are.” Merwet kicked the wall. Ryou forced herself to breathe, to recover as much as she could, but without Kuaket kissing her throat and kneading the magic back into her body, there was only so much Ryou could do. Her eyes darted around the dungeon. Kauket. She wasn’t there. Ryou twisted her wrists but the iron dug into her flesh with zero give. “Kauket…” “She wasn’t with us when we woke up. Do you know who the fuck attacked us? Is someone after you?" Bakura asked. Ryou shook her head no. “Could anyone know about her origins?” Merwet asked after Bakura. “No,” Ryou said. “Perhaps they’ve been trailing us? They dispatched us too quickly not to know about our magic beforehand.” Merwet glared at the door to their cell as if she could see whoever had locked them away. “Bakura, you’re a thief, can’t you get out of these manacles?” Ryou panted. “They have my thumbs in separate rings, so even if I dislocate them I wouldn’t be able to slip my hand out.” “Someone paid a lot of money to trap us in here. I wish I knew who so I could thank them.” Merwet growled, but no matter how much she thrashed, she couldn’t free herself. “If we could just get our magic back.” Bakura struggled against the bindings. “But I doubt they’re going to feed us after going through all the trouble of wiping out any power we have.” “I don’t need food. I need Kauket.” Ryou reached with one of her tails to dry away her tears, but they were bound with the rest of her limbs so she couldn’t even relieve the itching on her cheeks.“Don’t worry. We’ll find a way out of this and find Kauket,” Bakura promised. “There’s no way out of here and Kauket is probably dead,” Merwet said. “Shut up,” Ryou hissed. She knew Merwet was most likely right, but she didn’t want to think about it. After 1,000 years, Ryou couldn’t imagine having to go a single day without Kauket, let alone the rest of her life. “I’m sorry.” Merwet bowed her head. “She’s always the one who restored my magic after I died.” Ryou tugged as hard as she could with her tails, but nothing gave. “Dammit, I can’t even get myself off tied up this way. One orgasm would give me enough power to rescue us all.”“Wait, how?” Bakura’s expression twisted in confusion. “Sex!” Ryou whimpered. “It’s how I refill my magic after dying.”“Really?” Bakura shouted. “I know it gave you a boost, but—” “Yes. In the same way food and wine will replenish yours, desire and satisfaction replenishes mine.” “Really?” Bakura shouted again as if asking more loudly might change Ryou’s answer. “Quit being dense Bakura, you’ve seen me react to your magic in bed plenty of times, so you shouldn’t be surprised.”“But this is great. We can get out if we can just restore some of your heka.”“That won’t work, unless you know how to have an orgasm without being touched.” “Wait. Does it have to be you who comes, or would you be able to draw from Bakura if she came?” Merwet asked. “It wouldn’t be as powerful, but—yes, Bakura has potent enough magic. Why, can you reach him?”“No, but that doesn’t matter. Bakura, come.” “What the fuck, Merwet, I’m a little distracted right now!” “But you can get yourself off without being touched. I’ve seen you do it.” “Yeah, but...you know...I was in the mood when it happened.” “Well get in the mood, Bakura. You’re the only one who can save us.” “Then say something sexy!” “What? This argument isn’t enough to get you going?” Merwet smirked. “We are a little like that, aren’t we?” Bakura laughed. “Okay. I’ll try.” “If you do, we’ll be very grateful,” Merwet said in a husky voice. “Oh yeah? How grateful?” Bakura grinned and closed his eyes. “I’ll give you a dance, but I’ll let you decide when it’s over. And the next time we can sneak to a bathhouse I’ll eat you out one end and then the other.” “Mmm...yeah?’ Bakura hummed. At first, Ryou wasn’t sure Bakura was doing anything, but then she felt a timid warmth radiating from Bakura’s body. Bakura squeezed his thighs and exhaled, working himself up. The warmth expanded. Faint traces of magic pricked along Ryou’s skin. “I’ll help.” Ryou licked her lips, yearning for the heat from Bakura’s spirit to wrap around her like a healing cloak. “What will you do to me?” Bakura’s face wrinkled as he concentrated. “I will use Kauket’s special toy on you.” Ryou wagged her tails on instinct, but couldn’t move them because of the binds. “What toy?” Bakura asked. “It’s a sort of harness with a teak wood phallus. She uses it to fuck me.” “And you never brought it when you visited us?” Bakura’s mouth dropped. “Shame on you.” “We never thought about it.” Ryou shrugged. “But get us out of here and we’ll buy another one and both take you with them at the same time.” “Now you’re talking my language.” Bakura exhaled. The heat from his body burned a little more brightly and the magic filled the air like perfume. “Yes Bakura, please, I can taste your magic.” Ryou whimpered as she licked her lips. “You look pretty good chained to a wall, Bakura,” Merwet cooed. “Perhaps we’ll play this at home sometime.”“Are you going to be...m-my jailor?” Bakura huffed as he writhed against his chains. “No, I’ll be the random stranger who rescues you before you’re executed—but not until after I’ve had my way with you first.” Bakura laughed. “Oh yes, that is how we met. Only I rescued you.” “Yes you did, my moon, and I’ve been with you ever since.” “Why am I not surprised you two met in prison?” Ryou still hurt, but Bakura’s energy helped soothe the ache the way cool water lessens the string of a burn. A spike of pleasure shot into the air, and Bakura’s breathing quickened. “Oh please, Bakura,” Ryou begged. “Please, please, please.” “I feel like I shouldn’t be into this as much as I am.” Bakura grinned...then gasped. “But the inappropriateness of it makes it hot.” “Yes, Bakura—” Ryou sucked in a deep breath. “A little more, please...more. Come for me.” “And for me,” Merwet added in a rough voice. Bakura’s sexual tension burned from his body. He bit his lower lip as his hips hitched into the air. Bakura arched, breasts bare and swelling. Bakura moaned and tilted his head back as much as the manacles allowed. His breathing grew ragged; his abs rolled with each wave of pleasure. Bakura bucked against his restraints, soft ahs escaped his mouth and then, and then, and then— Ryou could taste the magic. Sweeter than chocolates or pomegranates. Bakura’s orgasm trembled, grunting. Even after his body fell limp against the wall, the touch of magic he’d generated rang through the air, giving Ryou enough to unlock all their manacles with a simultaneous click. “You did it.” Merwet grabbed Bakura’s face and kissed him. She kissed Ryou next. “So did you.” “More.” Ryou wrapped her tails around Merwet. She leapt into Merwet’s arms and plunged her tongue into Merwet’s mouth. Her hunger, her need to replenish the magic stolen from her, consumed her. Ryou was rabid, dangerous. In this state it was easy to take too much. It was why Kauket complimented her so completely. Ryou never worried about exhausting the daughter of Sekhmet and the child of Kuk. “Do you hurt?” Bakura kissed Ryou’s neck. “Yes. Please, help me restore the rest of my magic.” Ryou moaned against Merwet’s lips. “We need to make this quick, so I hope this is enough.” Bakura pulled Ryou from Merwet’s body and slammed the fox against the wall. Bakura plunged his fingers into Ryou, already wet from watching Bakura pleasure himself while bound. “Please. Yes. Please.” “Wish I could join in, but I’m going to scout while you play healer.” Merwet kissed the nape of Bakura’s neck and brushed a lock of hair behind Ryou’s ear before she sped out the door. “Stay safe,” Bakura said. Ryou couldn’t manage an answer, she could only cling to Bakura and bite as Bakura thrusted his fingers into Ryou in a way that made it hard not to scream. And Bakura had spoken true, the taboo aspect of them fucking in a dungeon while still captives cell gave the moment a forbidden appeal. Ryou clawed with her fingers, and muffled her cries by sinking her teeth into Bakura’s neck. “You’re a rough little vixen, aren’t you?” Bakura growled into Ryou’s ear. “No wonder Kauket’s so fond of you.” Ryou squealed as her orgasm swelled in her loins. Bakura pressed just so into Ryou, and magic sparked to life with each jab. Ryou’s thighs tightened, her tails grabbed at Bakura, fierce and possessive. Shuddering in relief as she came, Ryou exhaled and sank into Bakura’s hold. It wasn’t enough. She needed much, much, more, but didn’t hurt anymore, and they could search for Kauket and escape. “Thank you,” Ryou whispered. “Soon as we get somewhere safe we’ll make sure you’re much better taken care of, but first let’s find our girls, yeah?” Bakura set Ryou to her feet and sucked his fingers clean, winking at Ryou as he did it. “Why aren’t there guards posted near our cell?” Ryou asked. “Incompetence.” Bakrua shrugged. “We’re fucking and everything in here and nobody even noticed. What fools. They were confident that without your magic we’d be helpless.” “I was helpless,” Ryou said, angry at the fact. “Ah, but you’re with the King of Thieves, who happens to be a thief of many many talents.” “You’re wonderful.” Ryou grabbed Bakura’s hand as they snuck down the hallway. They found a stairwell and descended to the next floor. Screams echoed from somewhere further on. “That doesn’t sound good. We’d better be careful.” Bakura crouched lower as he slipped down the next hall. Ryou followed with a sound. The corridors twisted like bowels and it was hard to gauge how far they’d traveled before they spotted Merwet hiding behind a stone support pillar. She pressed a finger to her mouth, instructing them to stay silent. They rushed to her and pressed close so they wouldn’t be seen by wandering guards. As they waited, more agonized wails echoed through the air. Footsteps ricocheted along the corridor, fast and determined. “Kauket!” Ryou screamed when she saw the flames of yellow hair rising from Kauket’s head. She was coated in blood, hair and clothes stained, but Ryou didn’t care. She leapt into Kauket’s arms. “Ryou.” Kauket kissed her and kissed her and suffocated her, but Ryou didn’t need to breathe. She was in Kauket’s arms and content. “How did you escape?” Merwet asked. “I don’t remember...anything, until Ryou jumped into my arms” Kauket stared at her body. “Lot of blood though. I think I panicked when they attacked Ryou.” “You murdering half the guards makes our job much easier.” Bakura shrugged. “Are you okay?” Kauket asked Ryou.“I’m weak, but Bakura helped me recover enough to escape.” “So let’s get the fuck away from here.” Merwet gestured forward and they ran the way they came. “I’m going to rip their skin off for hurting you,” Kauket carried Ryou as they ran. Ryou curled into the strength of Kauket’s arms and rested. “It’s fine. Just get me somewhere safe. Love me so I can heal.” Ryou closed her eyes. “We will. I promise.” Kauket jogged quicker. “Not so fast.” Merwet hissed. “We don’t want to run into a—”A deafening bang rang from behind them and a net enveloped them. “Fuck.” Merwet pulled at the cords, but the net was too strong for her to break. “I knew you’d be difficult to capture, but it appears I underestimated your resourcefulness once you were contained.” Their original attacker stepped from the shadows. She held a contraption in her arms: a long metal tube connected to a stock with a trigger. A wisp of smoke rose from the barrel of the tube, and Ryou understood that the contraption somehow shot the net at them. She set the gadget aside and grabbed her crossbow, pointing it at them. “Who the hell even are you?” Bakura didn’t struggle to escape the net, but instead rubbed behind Ryou’s left ear in a calming gesture. “A mere apprentice here to do my master’s will.” The hooded figure gestured, but kept her other hand on the crossbow the entire time. “Who’s your master?” Merwet demanded. “Oh, you’ll meet Master Shin soon enough. I’ve been ordered to take you to him to further our Cause.”“Shin.” Ryou growled low in her throat. Suddenly, she didn’t care how weak she was or how much she’d hurt when she woke in her prison cell. The sorcerer who’d kidnapped her sister was now trying to capture her and fury enveloped Ryou. The cords of their net smoldered and burst into flames. Ryou shoved herself to a crouch, preparing to pounce on the sorcerer’s apprentice and maul her for having dared capture them. “Ah yes. He said you’d be more powerful than the young one.” The hood slipped, revealing the apprentice’s face. Her eyes flashed like two gold coins, and gold rings bound strips of her blue hair. “Good thing I have plenty of magic absorbing bolts.” All four of them attacked. Their captor backflipped out of the way of Kauket’s and Merwet’s swings. Ryou lunged toward her, but as she arced into the air, their assailant loosed a bolt and it punched Ryou through the heart. Blood filled Ryou’s mouth as she dropped to the ground.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Bakura cocked her fist back and shoved it into their attacker’s face. A satisfying crunch echoed through the air as Bakura’s knuckles made contact. The woman stumbled to the ground and Bakura crashed on top of her, pummelling her with both fists. “Stop! Killing! Ryou! You! Fucking! Bitch!” A cluster of guards surrounded them. Merwet jumped, rolled, and managed to get behind them. “Here!” Merwet wrestled a sword away from one and tossed it to Kauket. “Yes!” Kauket shouted as she plunged into the fray. Crimson sprayed into the air like glistening pomegranate seeds. She moved so fast she blurred, licks of yellow and bronze tearing through the guards and leaving them lying dirty and dying in pools of their own blood. All the while Bakura punched their leader. The woman tried to block Bakura’s fists, but Bakura gut-punched her, and as she curled forward, Bakura smashed her knuckles into the other woman’s jaw. “Stop!” A voice boomed through the stone halls. Bakura couldn’t move. Glancing around, she saw that nothing did. A chill squeezed inside Bakura’s guts. There was something about the...stillness...something that made Bakura fear it more than a second death. Existing without being able to move was worse than oblivion. A child stepped in front of Bakura. His simple robe dragged along the floor, soaking up the blood from Kauket’s kills. Several drops hovered in the air between her blade and the ground, unable to crash to the floor. The boy knelt beside the apprentice, cradling her bruised and swollen face in his hands. “Oh Diva, why are you always so careless?” He sighed before glancing at Bakura. “Diva won’t stop in her quest to capture you, but I am not a fighter. I would like to heal my sister, so I’ll teleport the four of you outside the fortress. It’d be wise of you to run and get as far away from here as possible.” And that simply, they were outside. Bakura gasped for breath. Her lungs felt sore and bruised. The others surrounded her. Ryou lay limp in Kauket’s arms. Merwet leaned against the stone wall of the fortress, balling her hands into fists. “I say we go back in there and slaughter every last one of them.” Merwet grit her teeth. “Yes.” Kauket smashed her knuckles into the wall, splitting the skin as she hammered against the stones. “They deserve it for hurting Ryou!” “Idiots!” Bakura pulled the bolt from Ryou’s chest and dragged her fingers across Ryou’s cold cheeks. “We need to find somewhere safe for Ryou. We’ll deal with those bastards next time.” “Next time?” Merwet scoffed. “They may kill us next time.” “If they’re working for the sorcerer who captured Amane, they’ll want us alive to use our magic.” Kauket struggled to her feet, Ryou still in her arms. She marched away from the castle. “Where are you going?” Merwet rushed after them. “I don’t know!” Kauket shouted. “Everything is a blood haze! I can’t think! But Bakura’s right! We need to help Ryou fully recover."“My belt! They didn’t take it.” Bakura retrieved a loaf of bread from her belt and split it between them. “Who cares about food when Ryou’s hurt,” Kauket snarled. “Maybe fairies can restore their heka with sex, but this bread will help us.” Bakura spoke with a full mouth. “I’ll summon Diabound and use him to scout the area for shelter.” “And if Diva sends guards after us, I’ll use Ra to send them to whatever hell their gods have waiting for them.” Merwet grabbed half the bread and ate as haphazardly as Bakura. “Hurry,” Kauket urged, holding Ryou closer to her chest. It wasn’t as simple as eating a quick snack, and a full moon would have helped Bakura more, but it was enough to call Diabound and scout the land around them. “There’s… nothing.” Bakura frowned. “No villages or towns. Where the fuck are we?” “Let’s go. Ryou will revive soon and she’ll be in pain.” Kauket marched forward. “I don’t think you understand. There’s nothing here. Nothing but grass. Nothing we can use for shelter.” “There has to be something,” Merwet said. “A cusp of trees? A cave?”“I’m looking...there, maybe. It’s a pile of rocks, but there looks like it could be a den?” “A den is good enough for a fox.” Kauket nodded her head. “Show me.” They raced to the area on the lea of a set of hills. Ryou woke in Kauket’s arms before they reached it. She wept, and the sound tore Bakura’s heart in half. “There’s the den. Bakura hand me a torch so I can make sure it’s empty.” Merwet waited for Bakura to pull a torch from her belt and light it before crawling into the hole in the rocks. She returned two minutes later. “It slopes downward and ends in a good sized chamber. Come on. Let’s build a fire.” “No wood,” Bakura said. “Magic.” Merwet rolled her eyes. Bakura refrained from snapping at her. They were both worried about Ryou so both short tempered. As Merwet tended a fire in a circle of stones, Bakura checked her belt for some extra blankets and fashioned a sort of love nest for them. Kauket squirmed down the sloping cave entrance backwards so she didn’t have to let go of Ryou. Bakura helped carry Ryou to their nest and kissed her face, hoping to soothe her. “Move. She needs to heal.” Wasting no time, Kauket shoved her head beneath Ryou’s skirts. Ryou gasped, the tears dried on her cheeks, and her sobs changed to soft whines. “Fairies.” Merwet knelt beside them. “Out of all the strange creatures we could have encountered on a quest, we had to keep tangled up with a fairy. Do you need our help?” “Please,” Ryou squirmed, threading her fingers through Bakura’s hair and tugging as Bakura kissed up her jaw. “What do you want us to do?” Merwet asked. “Anything. I need...more magic. I feel so empty.” Ryou’s face wrinkled in a mixture of pleasure from Kauket and discomfort from her resurrection. Bakura vaulted over Ryou’s body and grabbed Merwet, kissing her. “Not me, you fool—Ryou.” “She’ll feed off the magic either way, right?” Bakura glanced at Ryou who answered with a nod. “I suppose I should reward you for helping us escape the castle.” Merwet chuckled, pulling Bakura into her lap. “This is much better than our first escape from a dungeon.” Bakura tilted her head so Merwet could suck against her skin. Bakura sighed and closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Merwet. She didn’t mention the worry she’d had when they were captured, or when they were positive they wouldn’t escape—especially when Kauket wasn’t with them—she simply allowed the happiness of them having escaped wash over her as she held Merwet. They hadn’t proceeded past kissing before Ryou called out and arched. “One, but we’re far from finished.” Kauket popped her head from Ryou’s skirts.She licked her lips clean and unlaced the bodice of Ryou's top, sucking on each breast as she freed them. Ryou’s tails waved. They caressed Kauket, but one teased the small of Bakura’s back as Merwet dropped to Bakura’s breasts to give each nipple a kiss. Meanwhile Kauket finished disrobing Ryou, and peeled the blood-stiff clothes off of her own body. “You’re hurt.” Bkaura tugged away from Merwet and pressed her hand against a gash in Kauket’s belly. “I hadn’t noticed. I was too lost in the battle.” Kauket ignored the wound as she caressed Ryou’s thighs. “How did you not notice a huge hole in your gut?” Merwet ripped a strip of Bakura’s shenti and used it to bind Kauket’s mid-section. “They knew I was more dangerous and didn’t need magic to fight, so they dropped me into a pit on the lowest level. I crawled out, but the circumference was fitted with metal spikes. One must have grazed me as I hoisted myself out—or a guard did it when I fought them. Like I said—I don’t really remember.” “Let me heal you.” Bakura pressed her hand to the cloth bandage, already soaking through with crimson. “Do you have enough magic?” Kauket asked. “No.” Bakura shook her head. “I need sleep, and a better meal, and some time, but I can use some of my health to at least stop your bleeding.” “Bakura.” Merwet frowned. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt myself.” Bakura shrugged. “It’s just a little energy. I’ll recover later.” A soft glow surrounded Kek’s belly. The blood stopped leaking from the bottom of the bandages. Bakura couldn’t guess how she’d gone so long with a wound that size without passing out from the blood loss, but then Bakura remembered that Kauket was more god than human, and the way she’d slaughtered two dozen of Diva’s guards proved she was not only a child of Sekhmet, but a direct daughter. “Thanks, thief.” Kauket plucked a kiss from Bakura’s lips. She sighed. “I’m starting to feel like myself again, and not…a monster.” “Kauket...you’ve never been a monster.” Ryou pushed herself upright so she could hold Kauket’s face. “Don’t move, Ryou. You haven’t recovered yet.” “Your love for me restores my power as well as your talented mouth does.” Ryou pried her tongue between Kauket’s lips. “Come here.” Merwet pulled Bakura on top of her. Their noses bumped and they laughed. Merwet ran her fingers through Bakura’s spiky hair and smiled. Afterward, she hiked her hips upward in her impatient, demanding way. “You and Ryou got to fool around in the dungeon. It’s not fair, really. I believe Kauket and I are owed our turn.” “Are you?” Bakura nudged against Merwet, dragging their bodies together. “I think I’m the one who deserves more. You should be thanking me for practically rescuing everyone.” “You greedy thief, tend to me before you get seconds.” Merwet hooked a leg around Bakura’s waist. “Hey, I was on my way to rescue you three, but you escaped before I reached you,” Kauket broke her kisses with Ryou so she could complain to Bakura. “Next time rescue us faster. We didn’t have all day.” Bakura laughed, shoving her hips down and rolling up and stealing a small gasp from Merwet. “You’re a pest. I’m going to fuck some manners into you as soon as Ryou’s fully recovered.” Kauket chuckled though her hands never stopped groping and petting Ryou. “I promised Bakura we’d both take him with harnesses,” Ryou muttered against Kauket’s skin as she clawed and groped her. “Yes. That should work nicely.” Kauket grinned. Bakura shuddered at the thought. Her hips picked up their pace as she circled against Merwet. Merwet slipped her hand under Bakura’s torn shenti and gripped Bakura’s ass. She panted as they worked their bodies together. Kauket lay Ryou over her lap and tasted Ryou’s clitoris as Bakura and Merwet panted beside them. Merwet’s nails dug into the meat of Bakura’s butt and she bucked. Watching Merwet's face wrinkle in desire aroused Bakura, and listening to Ryou keen also aroused Bakura. The heat from her body pooled between her legs. She climbed, climbed, and came at the same time as Ryou, but didn’t stop. Instead, she thrusted harder, until Merwet’s cry of pleasure joined the last echoes of their shouts. “Two.” Kauket sighed. Bakura and Merwet kissed after they finished. Some of the adrenaline washed out of their systems as their orgasms calmed them, but Ryou shoved Kauket between them. “Please her,” Ryou demanded, more aggressive than usual. Her brown eyes glittered like foreign jewels as she licked her lips and watched the three of them. Merwet pressed Kauket to the ground and shimmied between her legs. She plunged her tongue into Kauket’s entrance, and Kauket moaned. Bakura positioned herself behind Merwet. She kissed the claw-scars on Merwet’s back and slipped two fingers into Merwet from behind her. Merwet’s first orgasm had her wet and easy to thrust into. Ryou watched for three minutes before sneaking closer. Her tails moved all around them. The luscious fur graced against Bakura’s skin. Bakura hooked her free arm around Ryou and pulled her close to kiss her. Fumbling lower, Bakura found Ryou’s clitoris and teased her while thrusting earnestly into Merwet. Kauket and Ryou both called out. Merwet grunted, lips pressed against Kauket’s clit. Bakura’s thighs tightened as the mood returned. Ryou sensed her arousal and stroked Bakura even as Bakura stroked Ryou and fingered Merwet. Ryou was first to come, though Kauket followed right behind her. “Three,” Kauket said as Merwet kissed her thighs. “You love to count, don’t you.” Merwet snorted. “There’s magic in such things.” Kauket shrugged a single shoulder. Kauket gave herself a minute to recover before stealing Ryou away from Bakura and slamming the fox against the cavern wall. Bakura ached at the loss of Ryou’s fingers, and the soft, teasing brushes of Ryou’s tails against her, but she didn’t slow her fingers as she pumped into Merwet. Kauket bucked against Ryou and Ryou squealed in abrupt, cute hiccups of sound. She wrapped both legs around Kauket’s body and clung to her. Meanwhile, Merwet hitched backward. Bakura angled her fingers until Merwet cursed in a low, husky voice. Her inner walls shuddered around Bakura’s fingers and Merwet tense, moaned, and crashed onto the ground. Bakura crawled next to Merwet. They exchanged several languid kisses as Merwet recovered. Ryou’s wails echoed within the small den. She yanked at Kauket’s hair and strung curses together like beautiful glass beads before slumping in Kauket’s arms. “Four.” Kauket kissed her forehead before carrying her to them and placing her in Bakura’s arms. Bakura lay Ryou on the ground and straddled over her. The thief threw aside her shenti and wiggled until her cunt was pressed hard against Ryou’s and hitched in a slow, easy rhythm. Bakura grunted, greedy for more but giving Ryou time to rebuild her desires after four orgasms. “Are you okay?” Merwet held Kauket’s face, studying her. “Tired.” “Come here.” Merwet rested Kauket’s head against her breast. “I need to help Ryou.” Kauket exhaled. “Bakura’s having her turn with her. You relax until they’re done.” Ryou squealed and bucked like a feral creature. Bakura gave up trying to be gentle and rode Ryou with equal savage energy. Ryou’s tails wrapped around Bakura—one around her waist, one around each wrist, one around her throat—and Ryou guided Bakura’s movements. Bakura felt her pussy tingling. Not in the usual metaphorical way. Ryou’s magic tickled and fizzed between them, increasing the pleasure and making Bakura gasp as a hard, sudden orgasm wracked through her. Once the spasm passed, she continued to buck against Ryou, guided by Ryou’s tails. The closer Ryou neared coming, the stronger her magic coursed around and through Bakura. “Five.” Ryou sighed as she relaxed beneath Bakura. She sat, pulled Bakura into her lap, and painted love-bruises along Bakura’s neck. “Thank you for helping me heal. Let me help you in return.” Ryou lay Bakura on her back and kissed her. Bakura moaned, giddy as light and energy filled her. They were touching each other’s clits in a hazy rush of magic and excitement. Bakura came so fast it almost felt like a dream. Ryou purred, hitching against Bakura touch another moment until she came a sixth time. “And here I thought Bakura was excessive.” Merwet shook her head. “Oh damn, my magic’s back.” Bakura stared at her hands. They felt as if they should have glowed. “This is the best regenerative spell ever.” “And you’re next, Ra-child.” Ryou flicked her tails. “Looking forward to it, but perhaps Kauket should go first,” Merwet offered. “She’s hurt.” “She needs to be last so my powers can be at their strongest when I heal her.” Ryou kissed Kauket. “Glad to see that mischievous glimmer in your eyes again.” Kauket smiled. “Thanks to you, love.” Ryou rubbed their noses together. “You're always so soft.” Kauket pressed her cheek against Ryou’s chest, over her hear, and petted the fur on her back above her tailst. Ryou gave Kauket another kiss while dragging Merwet towards her. Merwet’s eyes flashed bright lavender when Ryou pushed her fingers into Merwet’s cunt. This was a scene Bakura couldn’t resist—her golden sun wrapped up in the white fleece of the fox sprite. Bakura slipped behind Merwet and massaged her lips along Merwet’s neck. Kauket took turns between kissing Merwet and Ryou. Merwet fumbled her arms free so she could pull Ryou a little closer and tease Ryou’s clit. Light glowed around them, soft yellow from Merwet and Kauket and soft white from Bakura and Ryou. They lost themselves in the tangle of limbs and kisses. Merwet cooed so sweetly that Bakura ached to hear it. Ryou pressed her forehead against Merwet. Magical flames wrapped around them, as brilliant and powerful as when Merwet embodied Ra, but the heat didn’t burn them. “Your magic...is so strong!” Ryou cried out, coming, and coming, and coming. Merwet’s orgasm left her gasping and breathless. Bakura held her to keep her upright. Ryou glittered with energy swirling around her. “Seven.” She giggled, blushing as she scooped Kauket into her arms. “And I only need one more for my powers to be whole again.” ***Merwet could not say she was drunk. The intoxication was far more lucid than that of alcohol. She was enchanted. The entire den glittered with silvery white bursts. As if the stars fell around them in an easy storm. She spread her fingers around the swell of Bakura’s breast and Bakura’s magic pulse around her fingertips. Beside them, Ryou kissed from Kauket’s mouth to her neck and down the length of her body. As she kissed each bruise, the dark marks and scratches faded from Kauket’s flesh. Ryou untied the bandage and Kauket’s wound was gone. Still, Ryou kissed her, reaching Kauket’s happy trail and following it down the crown of her cunt. Ryou’s pink tongue slipped from between her lips and into Kauket’s folds. Kauket squirmed beneath Ryou’s licks and hitched her hips. Merwet grinned, leaned down, and kissed her. Not to be left out, Bakura crawled to Kauket’s other side and lapped at her breasts. Sweat cut trails against the dried blood plastered against her skin. She clawed at the crumpled blankets below them. Ryou’s tails grew longer. Light shot from all nine, filling the room. Merwet gasped. Not only was her magic and health restored, but she felt rejuvenated beyond natural means. She closed her eyes, tilted her face, and sighed. It was as if a climax tingled through her body and directly into her soul. Kauket and Ryou shouted each other’s names. Merwet could hear her heartbeat—she could hear all of their heart beats, and they danced in a rhythm unreplicable by instruments. Then the four of them were wrapped together. Ryou’s tails coiled around each of them. Ryou stared at the roof of the den, blinking. “This...I’ve never been able to channel so much magic before. You three are amazing.” Ryou flushed, grinning. She squeezed them with her tails. “Fluffy,” Bakura muttered, nuzzling into Ryou’s soft fur. “I hate being the calculated, practical one, but—as much as I’m enjoying myself—there’s still a band of assassin wizards after us and we have no idea where we are," Merwet said.“Sorry.” Ryou unbound Merwet and crawled toward the opening of the den. “It shouldn’t be a problem to transport us to Lagash. My magic is so strong at the moment I feel like I could rearrange the stars so they spell each of your names.” “Ha! You should totally do that. I want to point at the sky during my Tribunal and make the gods read it out loud during my Weighing of the Heart Ceremony.” Bakura cackled. “If I don’t steal you first and take you to live with me.” Ryou winked. As soon as she stuck her head outside, however, she gasped. “Didn’t you guys realize there was something off about this place?”Ryou crawled back into the den, her tails twitching all around her. “It’s empty,” Bakura said. “Including the sky—there’s no sun.” “We were too busy trying to get you to safety.” Kauket frowned. “No sun? That can’t be right.” Merwet crawled into the tundra around their den. Standing, she held her hand to her forehead to shield the light she expected to glare down on her. The grasslands around them were well-lit, and the sky might have seemed hazy, but blue enough that nothing registered as wrong.But there was no light hitting her line of sight. Merwet spun around. She could see the castle in the distance, but no sun. “Where are we?” Bakura asked as the others crawled out and stood beside Merwet. “How do I explain it?” Ryou pursed her lips, and then grabbed Bakura’s robe, slipping her hand into one of Bakura’s endless pockets and pulling out a sapphire. “It’s like your pocket. But folded between worlds instead of layers of clothing. It’s a tiny dimension all on it’s own. Humans don’t really have the magic to create them.” Ryou frowned. “Which means they’re using Amane’s magic to strengthen their own.” “But it must not be enough for whatever the sorcerer’s ultimate plan is.” Merwet scowled at the fortress in the distance. “So now they’re after all of us and specifically you.” “I don’t like it. We need to save Amane before Shin can succeed in whatever his goals are. Everyone, take my hand. It’s time we go to Lagash and join the Harpy Mercenary Company.” Ryou reached out to them. Merwet took one hand, Kauket the other, and Bakura completed the circle before they vanished.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“You’re late.” Mai shoved contracts at the four adventurers when they stepped into her tent. “I’m sorry, but it couldn’t be helped.” Ryou’s ears and tails drooped. “We have to wait for the signal. Sign your paperwork and I’ll give you a mission briefing while there’s still time.” Yugi kept glancing at both Bakura and Merwet, grinning. “Yugi, I would like to introduce you to Bakura, the King of Thieves, and his wife, Merwet.” Ryou bowed and gestured to Bakura and Merwet. “I am thrilled to meet you!” Yugi’s wings flapped in excitement, but he tucked them against his back as soon as he realized what he was doing. A self-conscious blush spread across his cheeks. “Heh, I take it you like stories about thieves.” Bakura grinned. “Only the adventurous kind. People have been talking about your siege of Ur non-stop at the taverns. And you’re doing it to free the slaves which…" Yugi pressed his hand on his heart. "That's important. How do you transport them safely once they’re liberated?”“Magic.” Bakura winked. Yugi squealed at the answer. His wings betrayed him again, sticking out and almost knocking over a brazier. Mai rolled her eyes. “Mission briefing, Yugi. You can beg for stories after we’re paid.” “Yes. Right. Have you signed your contracts?” Yugi asked. “Wait. I want to read these terms, but I don’t know this language.” Merwet pressed her lips together as she scanned sheet after sheet of terms. “Who cares, we get to free slaves and murder slavers. When have you cared about any other terms?” Bakura used the charcoal pencil to sign their contract before shoving it at Yugi. Ryou and Merwet passed their papers to him as well. With a frustrated sigh, Merwet drew the symbols for “bread and honey” and passed the papers to Yugi. Bakura pressed her lips together, suppressing her laughter at the fake name. Her own name written down, “devourer of Re,” was too delightful a way to sign a mercenary contract for Bakura to use a pseudonym. “Here’s a map of Lagesh.” Yugi smoothed his hands over a parchment stretched across a table. “After the current regent is assassinated, they’ll light fireworks in the palace courtyard, which is our cue to storm the city until everything from the gates to the throne room is secure.” “Are the guards loyal to the current monarch?” Bakura asked. “Some. Our sources say many of them will turn once they see us taking the upper hand in battle.” “You’re assuming we’ll have the upper hand.” Merwet crossed her arms over her chest. “We will.” Yugi smiled. “You haven’t seen us fight yet, have you?” “These are the mercenaries Isis implied we’d bring home with us,” Bakura whispered into Merwet’s ear. “Of course they’ll be good.” “How do you know they’re the same ones? You a prophet now?” Merwet gave Bakura a disbelieving glance. "C'mon. It's obvious," Bakura said."Excuse me, where is home and what makes you think we’ll follow you there?" Mai asked."Kemet is home. I imagine coin will be the thing that makes you follow us,” Bakura said. "You can’t hire them until after we defeat Shin,” Ryou reminded. "Yes, and afterward we're all going back to Kemet. Or at least, Merwet, I, and the army. I imagine you and Kauket will escort Amane home." "And what makes you think we're signing a contract with you?" Mai snorted. “Money alone isn’t enough to buy us.” "I've always wanted to go to Kemet," Yugi said."Quiet, you. I'm negotiating." Mai shot him a look."Listen, I don't know how this is going to work out.” Bakura shrugged. “But a soothsayer said it would. I just work here. I don't make the rules." Several pops exploded outside. Yugi grabbed his spear."That's our cue." "Let's go!" Mai barked as they all rushed out of the tent. "Want to get into the gates without fighting?" A self-confident smile brightened Ryou's face."You got a plan, vixen?" Mai asked."Better, I have magic." In a blink, Ryou transported them, including Yugi and Mai, to the other side of the wall."Kauket, the gate!" Ryou shouted.Guards swarmed them, but Kauket broke through their line with a flurry of swordstrokes, leaving a bloody trail behind her. She kicked the mechanism locking the gate. The chains groaned as they raised the gate, letting the rest of the Harpy Company inside. The entire city corroded into battle chaos. Bakura gripped a dagger in each hand. Many of the guards wore scaled armor and helmets, but their throats were bare and Bakura knew how to disappear in shadows and get behind her opponents. Merwet used the blunt tip of her Khopesh to smash soldiers' skulls through their helmets. Kauket slashed limbs off men without mercy, laughing as they screamed. Ryou only nicked the soldiers, not bothering with deep cuts, but Bakura knew how their guts would twist once the poison set in. Smoke filled the air. Something nearby burned, but Bakura didn't have time to think about it (couldn't afford to). There was only the persistent press forward toward the castle. The harpy mercenaries rose into the air and dove at the soldiers until the archers arrived and forced the winged creatures to take cover. Time was as hazy as the smoke-filled air. Sweat dropped into Bakura's eyes. She swiped the drops away with her crimson robe, thankful that she'd cropped her hair. "Move! Move!" Merwet shoved Bakura forward as they ran through the streets. The citizens stayed inside to avoid the battle, so they didn’t have to worry about civilian casualties. They continued to press forward, and by the time they reached the castle, the palace guards threw down their weapons and surrendered. They won. They took the city with only a few hours of fighting.***During the feast, they served themselves because all the slaves were free and part of the feast. Several newly liberated servants volunteered to cook, but the only one to pour wine for Merwet was her glorious moon—and Merwet preferred it that way. "Might I offer a toast." Senitor Gudea, the patron who hired the Harpy Corporation, raised his goblet. “To our liberated city. May it prosper in a new era of freedom.” The other government officials and soldiers at the main table raised their glasses, and Merwet saw no reason not to join them in the toast. Bakura raised two glasses, laughing and gupling both down one after another. Ryou followed suit and the two giggled at each other while snacking on a plate of cherries and apricots. “So, you’re truly the infamous King of Thieves, yes?” Gudea raised an eyebrow. “The one and only.” Bakura stood on her seat and bowed, swooping out her robe in a flaring display like a peacock in heat. “The stories of your travels are what inspired us to stage this coup.” “I’m glad you did. It sure made our job easier.” Bakrua laughed. “What do you do, may I ask, with the servants you collect?” “We send them home.” “How?”“Magic.” Bakura shrugged. “Fascinating.” Gudea pursed his lips and tilted his head. “Would you be willing to show me?” “No offense, Mr. Senator, but for the safety of the women we’ve been rescuing, I believe that’s a secret worth keeping.” “Ah, I understand. Perhaps in a more peaceful time, then.” “Perhaps.” Bakura gave a single nod of her head. Merwet smiled at Bakura before sipping her wine. The man appeared to be a progressive, trying to end slavery and bring equality to all the people of Lagash, but he still acquired a significant amount of personal power and authority in the deal, and it was good protocol not to trust a politician no matter what country they visited. She was grateful for Bakura’s suspicious thief's nature. Bakura didn’t seem concerned by any of the politics as the other senators rambled about their plans for the future. Her sandaled foot kept sliding up Merwet’s calf and teasing the hem of Merwet’s dress. Merwet’s smile widened. They’d won, and after the feast they’d need to celebrate in their own way. She was sure Kauket would be quite voracious after spilling so much blood. The food was spectacular. Merwet ate the stuffed peppers, but the others favored large haunches of roasted goat. Everyone drank and laughed and tried to tell the most outlandish stories of former battles."What's the worst battle you've ever been in, Thief King?" Yugi asked as he filled their cups."Uh oh, now you've done it. Bakura won't shut up if you get her talking." "You can tell it, if you'd like." Bakura popped a cherry into her mouth with a grin and an extra flick of her tongue. "It was awful," Merwet said, remembering their fight against Zorc. “We fought a demon and his undying priest.”The crowd hushed as Merwet recounted the story. Kauket leaned over Ryou and Bakura, fascinated. The memories were distant, almost dream-like, but Merwet’s scars ached as she remembered Zorc’s claws rending through her. Refusing to dwell on her injury, Merwet continued speaking. “Then Atem summoned the entire Tribunal to judge the demon.” “The Tribunal?” Yugi asked. “Every god in our pantheon,” Merwet said. “When we die, we must face the gods and confess our sins before Annubis Weighs our hearts on Ma’at’s scales.” Bakura waved her hands around for dramatic effect. “We just bribe the ferryman with a gold coin to get us over the river and to the Afterlife.” Mai rested her chin on her fist, as tipsy as the rest of them. “Why do you think I need so much money? Gotta make sure I make it!” “How do you get the coin when you’re dead?” Bakura asked. “The Pharaohs have treasures in their tombs, but they don’t drag it all to Aaru.” “Someone has to put it in your mouth before they bury you,” Yugi explained. “That’s smart. Even a thief like me wouldn’t have checked a poor dead bastard’s mouth for a coin.” “In Langesh we worship Ningirsu,” Senator Gudea said. “He brings rain in the spring.” “Fairies don’t have gods, although some people think of us as minor deities.” Ryou's tails flicked behind her, proud (and adorable). “You will always be my goddess.” Kauket kissed Ryou’s knuckles. Merwet nudged Bakura. “Well? Aren’t you going to say I’m yours?” “You already know you’re my queen and my sun.” Bakura pulled Merwet into her lap. They laughed, bumping noses. Merwet leaned in to kiss Bakura when a cold wind wailed into the room. The candles blew out, but the braziers managed to keep the room lit. Mai was the first to jump to her feet and grab her spear. Even drunk her eyes glimmered with a readiness for another battle. Laughter echoed in the dim room. “Oh not this fucker again.” Bakura pulled her knife. Diva floated above them. She held a net, and by the faint shimmer Merwet could only assume it was enchanted. Merwet knocked over her chair as she leapt out of reach—Diva couldn’t capture them all if they didn’t cluster together like fools this time. Kauket shoved Ryou under the table where the senators had already hid, and jumped on top of the table. “Who the hell are you?” Mai demanded, her soldiers gathering around her. “I have no quarrel with you, but those demons at your table are dangerous. I’m just here to...take them somewhere safer.” Diva smirked. “You’re not taking our friends anywhere!” Yugi hoisted himself into the air and tossed his sphere. Diva floated to the left, attempting to dodge. The spear missed her heart but tore through her shoulder. She swore, gritting her teeth against the pain as blood dripped onto the banquet table. “You twerp! I’ll—”“What will you do to our captain?” A flock of harpies surrounded Yugi, some with spears and others with bows. Diva scanned the room. Bakura, Merwet, and Kauket were ready to fight. Ryou was out of reach of the net. An entire mercenary company was glaring at Diva as if they only needed an excuse to tear her to pieces. With a curse, she disappeared in a puff of cliché smoke. Someone began relighting the candles, and the senators crawled out from beneath the table. “Thanks kid.” Bakura clapped Yugi on the back. “I’m not a kid.” Yugi blushed. “But I’m glad I could help.” “Clients, Yugi.” Mai sighed, draining her cup. “They’re clients. Not friends. How many times do we have to have this conversation?” “But unlike most of our clients, they’re fighting with us. They’re battle comrades, at the very least.” Yugi grinned. “So it’s okay, right?” “That mage left in a hurry, but I have a hunch she’ll be back.” Mai ignored Yugi’s excuse and refocused on Bakura. “So we need to know who she is and how much of a threat is she?” “She serves the sorcerer, Shin,” Ryou said. “She’s cunning and skilled at magic. I would say she’s a moderate to severe threat.” “And there’s that kid who can fuck with time. He freaks me out more than Diva, honestly, but he doesn’t seem to want to fight. He only appeared at the last minute when Diva was in trouble.” “Great, I love fighting wizards.” Mai sighed, draining another glass of wine. “Oh well. We’ll deal with it in the morning. For now, let’s finish the feast.” “I’ll drink to that!” Bakura raised her mug. ***Ryou stole a final bottle of wine and enchanted it before they turned in for the night. The bed was a monsterous, four-poster monolith, but barely big enough for the four of them.“Did you lay a defense perimeter?” Merwet asked the moment they were alone. “Yes. Of course.” Ryou nodded. “And I have the usual traps in place.” Bakura brushed his hands together to show he’d finished. “I don’t think Diva’s getting in here tonight.” “And if she does, I’ll tear out her throat and drink her blood as it pours warm from her dying body.” Kauket licked her blade as if it were the appetizer.“Drink this instead, love. It will help calm your blood lust.” “I don’t want to be calmed.” Kauket sneered. “My purpose in this world is to protect you. Don’t dull my instinct.” “Kauket.” Ryou set the bottle aside so she could cup Kauket’s face with her hands. “I don’t want to rescue my sister at the cost of losing you. You’re...forgetting yourself. I’m not sure how much longer we have before you’re lost like you were before I met you, so please…”“Yes. Yes. I can’t stand to see you sad. I’ll drink.” Kauket grabbed the bottle and chugged the glittering wine. “Looks like crushed jewels. What’s it taste like?” Bakura leaned closer, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Like a storm.” Kauket licked her lips before downing another gulp. “What would happen if we tried it?” “Don’t you dare drink fairy wine, you moron.” Merwet glared at Bakura. “I was just curious!” “Nothing bad would happen.” Ryou shook her head. “The enchantment is to make her happy.” “It’s like...a warm...fuzzy...sorta bliss. Like after a good lay, only you got enough energy for an encore.” Bakura gestured to the bottle. His gaze see-sawing back and forth between it and Merwet in a teasing let’s try it way. Merwet rolled her eyes and held out her hand. “Fine. We’ll have a go at it.” “Good thing it’s enchanted, or it’d already be empty.” Kauket laughed, passing the neck of the bottle to Merwet. Merwet drank a sip. She rolled the wine in her mouth, tasting it. She gave Bakrua a conceding glance and took a bigger draught before passing it to him. Bakura tilted his head back and allowed the shimmering liquid to pour freely into his mouth. Ryou giggled. “You’re drinking some, right?” Merwet narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Ryou was amused. Only Merwet could drink from an elixir of bliss and manage a scowl like the one on her face. Ryou tasted the wine off of Merwet’s lips. The grouchy expression wavered on Merwet’s face. Ryou held out her hand. Bakura nested the bottle into her palm. Her claws clinked against the glass as she took a deep drink and sighed. It was like a storm, cool and wild and tasting a bit of ozone. The effects of the magic seeped into Ryou’s soul. She dropped backward, laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling lazy and content at the same instant. They passed the bottle around until Kauket was nuzzling against Ryou like a cat in a bed of catnip. Ryou sighed again, this time more wistfully. She missed their home. She missed lounging in the gardens for centuries and making love to Kauket in a bed of flowers so vibrant and fragrant that nothing in this realm could ever compare. “Ryou.” Kauket dragged her lips up the side of Ryou’s neck. “Yes?” “I want you,” Kauket growled. “I want all of you.” “Wasn’t I supposed to receive a very specific reward for helping us escape Diva’s prison earlier?” Bakura grinned. “Ah yes.” Ryou smiled. Her tails flicked in excitement. “Kauket, I told her you’d use my favorite little toy on her.” “Did you?” A sharp smile cut across Kauket’s face. Ryou conjured the toy from thin air with a fresh cover. She helped strip the pants off of Kauket and then strapped the harness in place. Kauket gripped the wooden phallus and teasingly pretended to stroke it. “Don’t want to just plow right in. Ryou, why don’t you get Bakura ready for me?” Ryou pinned Bakura to the bed. They kissed and Ryou clawed the red cloak from Bakura’s shoulders. As she worked her mouth lower, Merwet crawled toward Kauket and examined the craftsmanship of the toy. “Bakura, you need one of these,” Merwet hummed. “Where did you buy it?” Bakura asked. “At the goblin’s market,” Ryou said. “Erm, I’m a good thief, Merwet, but I’m not sure a place called the goblin’s market is within the reach of even my thieving hands.” “Hmm...Merwet, will you take over for me? I’ll be right back.” Ryou blinked out of existence. ***“You heard her. Take over. Chop. Chop.” Bakura clapped her hands. “You wish!” Merwet snorted. “Will my sun make me suffer?” Bakura grinned, nose wrinkling. “Of course not. I’ll indulge you, but I’m going to need another drink of wine.” Merwet stole the bottle from Kauket’s grip again. She only stole a sip. The effects of the fizzy, stormy drink spread through her body. She gripped Kauket’s spiked hair with her free hand and pulled their mouths together. Kauket wiggled her tongue into Merwet’s mouth and they kissed while Bakura watched. Once Merwet broke for air, she situated herself between Bakura’s legs. “Here.” Merwet tucked two pillows below Bakura’s hips to raise her higher. Next, she tilted the wine, allowing it to splash down Bakrua’s slit. Bakura gasped as the bubbles tickled her skin. Not wanting to make too much of a mess, Merwet dipped low and licked Bakura’s cunt clean. “Ah! Fuck!” Bakura’s cheeks grew rosy. She tossed her head to the side, breathing heavy. “Now that’s how you drink wine!” Kauket slapped Merwet's ass. “Let me try.” Merwet scooted to the side and drizzled more of the enchanted wine down Bakura’s slit. Kauket lapped it greedly, working her tongue with almost supernatural speed and dexterity. “Gods be praised, oh fuck!” Bakura fisted the bedding below them. Kauket and Merwet took turns pouring and lapping at the wine. Merwet swirled her tongue around Bakura’s clitoris and sucked for a moment before giving Kauket her turn. Ryou returned, dangling another harness from her hand. Her dark gaze widened when she saw what they were doing. “Would you like a drink?” Merwet chuckled, tispy from their game. “Yes please, and this is for you.” She handed Merwet the leather harness with a long, teak carved phallus fastened in the center. “Thank you.” Merwet slipped into the harness. She glanced at the way Kauket wore hers to make sure she was fastening it properly. As Merwet cinched the straps to fit her body, Ryou lapped wine directly from Bakura’s cunt. Bakura bucked against Ryou’s mouth, too close to hold back. Screaming all of their names, and a few goddesses as a bonus, Bakura arched, trembled, and came. “How fun!” Ryou flushed and licked her lips clean. Her fluffy tails swayed around them as they clustered together on the bed. “This is your reward for earlier.” Merwet held a finger in the air to get Bakrua’s attention—though she knew by the glassy, satisfied look in Bakura’s eyes there wasn’t much attention for Bakura to spare. “But next time—you’re doing me.” “Deal.” Bakura smiled. “You’re only half ready. We have to get you fully ready.” Kauket lifted Bakura up as if she weighed little more than nothing, flipped her over, and slammed her against the mattress. Spreading Bakura’s legs wide, Kauket separated Bakura’s ass cheeks and rolled her tongue along Bakura’s crack. “Best reward ever!” Bakrua cried out as she fisted one of the pillows not propping her up. “Oh gods, are you going to both take me at once?” “That was the plan.” Ryou purred. “And then me!” “Then you need to be prepared as well.” Merwet fetched a bottle of oil and pulled Ryou to her. Ryou’s tails splayed across the bed when Merwet pressed her against the mattress. Bakura grabbed one and nuzzled against it even as she squirmed from Kauket’s licks. Merwet doused her fingers in oil and slipped one into Ryou’s ass. She began slow, sliding in and out and forming easy circles with her finger. While she loosened Ryou’s backside up, she sealed her lips around Ryou’s clit and sucked. Ryou squealed and screeched, and Merwet switched to light flutters of her tongue. The change made Ryou call out and tangle her claws into Merwet’s hair. Merwet added another finger, stretching Ryou for the toy, and continued to lick. “Yes please. Merwet you’re so warm. You really are the sun, aren’t you?” Merwet hummed at the praise, working her hand in more confident movements and adding the slightest bit more pressure against Ryou’s clit. Kauket stole the oil and pushed two fingers into Bakura right away. Bakura moaned at the intrusion and hitched into each thrust of Kauket’s hand. “Almost ready.” Kauket growled before nipping at Bakura’s thigh. “Please, please don’t stop, Merwet,” Ryou begged. “Just...two more minutes. Then you can take Bakura, but...please don’t stop!” Merwet didn’t answer. She continued licking Ryou into a frenzy while pumping her fingers in and out of her ass. A tail ran along Merwet’s backside, the soft fur tickling. Kauket spanked Bakura’s ass, grinning. “I’m going to enjoy tearing into you. I’ll have you begging for more.” “I always want more!” Bakura laughed. Meanwhile, Ryou’s breaths became constant, desperate whimpers. She gripped the back of Merwet’s head and guided her licks. Ryou’s slit darkened with arousal; her clit swelled beneath Merwet’s tongue. Ryou clenched so hard her thighs shuddered. After another minute of mewls and rocking, Ryou cried out in orgasm. Her tails all pointed upward and then slumped against the bed. One dropped on top of Merwet’s head. She laughed as the fur tickled her and set the stray tail aside. They were the first thing to recover, lazily wagging as Ryou sighed. “Get over here.” Kauket tugged at Merwet’s arm. They coated the covers of their shafts with generous amounts of oil. Bakura straddled over Merwet’s lap. Their breasts pressed together as they kissed. Merwet mussed Bakura’s wild hair. “It’s already starting to get shaggy again.” “It’s like that.” Bakura shrugged. “Grows like grains during the flood season.” “Instead of talking, I want you to scream.” From behind, Kauket curled her arms around Bakura’s waist and eased her wooden cock into Bakura’s ass. “Ngggh!” Bakura grunted. “You like?” Kauket nibbled down the shell of her ear. “You should have suggested this much earlier.” Bakura huffed, her face flushing hard. Merwet licked her lips, aroused by the sight of Bakura’s glazed eyes and open, panting mouth. She brought Bakura’s weight a little lower, guiding her own wooden shaft into Bakura’s body. Bakura opened her mouth wider, groaning. Her eyes shut; her brow wrinkled. She rocked, trying to get the most out of each diletto thrusting inside of her. Kauket kept her arms around Bakura’s waist to help guide her, and Bakura balanced her hands on Merwet’s shoulders. The three of them eased together, keeping their motions languid and relaxed. Ryou nuzzled against Merwet’s back. Her fur was a soft blessing against the tight skin around her slash marks. The fairy slipped to the side and kissed Bakura’s shoulder. Bakura muttered something too quiet to hear. She pressed her forehead against Merwet’s and sucked in deep breaths each time she rocked forward or backward. Merwet and Kauket held Bakura's waist to guide her as they fucked her in unison. Ryou stole kisses from all of them, a butterfly sipping nectar from each bloom in the garden. "Ngh, ah, fuck, yeah…yeah...Yes! Gods! Gods! Gods! Gods!" Bakura's body wracked in orgasm. Her face blushed so hard it matched her robes."Bakura…" Merwet gasped.The sight of Bakura was breathtaking, and the pressure of the harness each time their bodies clashed was just enough to tip Merwet over the edge a minute after her thief. Their breathing was ragged. "Mmm…this is the sort of pampering a king deserves." Bakura slipped onto her side. "Damn…" "Glad you enjoyed." Kauket stole a kiss."You are glowing, my moon." Merwet copied the kiss."Naturally. The light of the sun always makes the moon glow." "I love you," Merwet whispered."Loved you, too. All of you a little differently." "Wow, we fucked her good. She's confessing her love." Kauket laughed."I heard." Ryou used one of her tails to brush Bakura's hair from her face. "One day, I will grant your kin a secret wish." "Always trying to repay everything, you bothersome sprite." Bakura shoved herself up and kissed Ryou. "Just kiss me and moan in pleasure. That's the wish I want you to grant." “It’s how I show love in return, but I’ll also do what you ask.” Ryou kissed Bakura, and she did moan in pleasure.When Bakura finished kissing Ryou, she shoved Kauket onto her back and helped change and re-oil the covering on the wooden phallus. “Ready for your turn?” Merwet kissed Ryou’s neck. “Please.” Ryou gasped. Merwet eased Ryou onto the wood. She changed her own dilleto covering while Ryou rode Kauket. The sight of her body hugging Kauket's had Merwet eager to join in. Merwet leaned Ryou forward so she could slide into Ryou's asshole. With every thrust, Ryou wailed in delight. Bakura tried to kiss her, but Ryou screamed so loudly she finally had to kiss Ryou's shoulders instead. Kauket hiked her hips, roaring as her own orgasm consumed her, but she didn't stop. After catching her breath, Kauket bucked, shoving deeper into Ryou's body."Please! Oh please!" Ryou howled, her tails going wild around her. Merwet used them like reins to give Ryou what she wanted. She gasped for air, but pushed herself to keep pumping into Ryou's body. The fairy clawed at the sheets on either side of Kauket. Bakura nibbled on her pointed ears and slipped her fingers between Ryou and Kauket so she could brush against Ryou's clit."I'm gonna come! I'm gonna come! I'm—fuck!" Ryou barked, body taunt and tails rigid. "Come here." Kauket held Ryou's face and kissed her. "Oh…that wore me out." Ryou giggled. "So sleepy now." "Same." Bakura fell onto her side again."You? Satisfied? Is it possible?" Merwet laughed as she cleaned her new toy. "Blame the magical wine." Bakura grinned. "It's nice...not being lost in the red urges." Kauket stored her harnesses away and curled beside Ryou on the bed, fluffing Ryou's tails with her fingers. “I was teasing Bakura, but I do care about each of you.” "We have our army. Won't be long now," Ryou promised. “Once we go home and recover, we can visit Bakura and Merwet whenever you want.” “For conguals?” Kauket teased. “Yes,” Bakura gave Kauket’s nipple a loud, popping suck. “Maybe to dance together at festivals.” Merwet smiled. “At least—before the inevitable lovemaking.” Merwet realized, with an unexpected pang, that she would miss their travel companions after they parted ways, but she understood Kauket couldn't stay. Instead of dwelling on the future, Merwet snuggled between Kauket and Bakura and let herself sink into the sort of deep, restful sleep only enchanted wine could provide.***Bakura was happy and content. Her thoughts and dreams were pleasantly fuzzy from the regular and enchanted wines, but the moment someone snuck into their room, her thief instincts woke her. She grabbed a knife, lunged at the shadow, and plunged it into the soft stomach of the intruder. “How’d you get past the traps?” Bakura growled at the shadow in her arms. Hot blood splashed over her hands, but she couldn’t see the assailant. “Easy…” A soft chuckle, but then a wet cough. "Bakura?" Merwet lit a lamp and held it high.The light spilled over Diva's face. Blood trickled from her lips, and she wore an eerie grin."You damn fool." Bakura pulled out the knife and allowed Diva to slip to the floor."Death...is not the end, for those who serve Master Shin." Diva slumped onto her side, eyes losing focus as she bled out until there was no light left in them. "We've killed the undead and the undying before. Whatever magic he wields, it won't be enough to spare you." Merwet spat on the body."Guess we'd better let someone know there's a dead chick on the floor." Bakura wrapped her shenti around her waist. "What a great way to end a party." Kauket rolled onto her stomach, smirking. They dressed and found a guard, but by the time they returned to their room, the body was already gone.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

They parted ways again after Langesh. Ryou and Kauket followed the Harpy Company into the mountainous regions to the north. It would take three months for the mercenary army to reach Shin’s kingdom, giving Bakura and Merwet plenty of time to liberate the rest of the daughters of Ra. Ryou spent most of her days keeping Kauket calm. More and more, she relied on enchanting Kauket’s food and drink to keep her anger in check. Nevertheless, Kauket paced in their tent, growling. Ryou sighed, standing and blocking Kauket’s path. “You are the darkness surrounding my starlight.” Ryou ripped her tails around Kauket’s body and pulled her close.“I am a knife. I need to cut.” Kauket rocked in Ryou’s embrace. “Please, if you love me, give me someone to fight.” “Of course, my fierce one, and soon.” “How soon?” “Once we reach Nul.” “I don’t want to wait two more months. I need the copper of blood on my tongue tonight.” Kauket growled low in her throat and Ryou shivered. “Why don’t we visit Merwet and Bakura? Wouldn’t you rather have their lips against your tongue?” “Fine.” Kauket settled into Ryou’s embrace, but sulked at the lack of battle. Ryou used her connection to Bakrua and Merwet to teleport to them. She and Kauket found both Bakura and Merwet curled naked on a throne and sleeping with smug, satisfied smiles on their dreaming faces. “Look at them.” Ryou smiled. “They are pretty cute.” Kauket snorted. “Let’s ruin their peace and quiet.” “Watch how you do it. Our knives aren’t visible, but they're within reach,” Merwet said with her eyes still closed.“Rude of you to be awake. Don’t ruin our ambush.” Kauket sat on the arm of the throne and leaned down to kiss both of them. “How’s your journey?” Bakura yawned. “Slow. Boring. No one to kill.” Kauket crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, let’s find something to eat and then Ryou can zap us to the next town and you can have some fun with us killing slavers.” Bakura stretched and scratched his belly before searching for his clothes. “You look like you had a little too much fun with this one.” Ryou glanced out the window. People were cheering, drinking, lighting fireworks. The streets were a festival, but she could smell the scent of blood still clinging to the air. “They’re practically doing the work for us now.” Bakura leaned on the window frame next to Ryou. “Once word spreads that we’ve arrived, the slaves slit their master’s throats. Some cities are so frightened that they’re releasing their slaves before a revolt can happen. We’ve met several travel parties searching for us between towns and cities.” “They had the power to save themselves all along, they merely needed some hope.” “Hope and the wrath of an angry god supporting them when their masters refuse to yield. Some of our battles have been hard-fought and bloody. I’ve buried more than one of my countrymen after liberating cities.” Merwet dressed as well. “Their masters would rather kill them than let them go, but for each one of mine I lose—they will lose 1,000.” “Mmm...bloody. Yes. I want a battle where the blood flows into the gutters and soaks into the earth.” Kauket purred. “We don’t. Our quest is to free the daughters of Ra, not get them killed.” Bakura stared out the window. “There’s freedom in death,” Kauket said. “Yes, but there’s beer in life.” Ryou held a jar out to Kauket. “It’s red. Your favorite.” “Ngh.” Kauket frowned, knowing what Ryou was doing but accepting the drink all the same. “She’s getting worse, isn’t she?” Merwet teased her dagger along the curves of Kauket’s biceps. Kauket licked her lips and grinned, cheered up by the glint of the blade. “We’ve been in the mortal world too long. We need to go home.” Ryou hugged herself. “We need to drink blood out of a skull.” Kauket chuckled, licking red beer from her lips. “Have you seen or heard any signs of Diva?” Bakura changed the subjects. “Nothing.” Ryou shook her head. “I’m sure she was dead. 100% convinced. I’m not sure what screwy magic’s going on with her disappearance, but she didn’t simply bandage her injury and walk away.” Bakura’s brow furrowed in a concentrated frown. “I’m sure she went back to her pocket plane to recover.” Ryou sighed. “Recover from being dead?” Bakura raised an eyebrow. Ryou gestured toward herself. “Fair point.” Bakura shrugged. “I’m hungry.” Merwet sheathed her dagger. “Didn’t you say something about food, my moon? Everything in the castle’s been looted, but it sounds like they’re celebrating in the streets, and celebrations usually come with feasts.” “Yeah, let’s go and dance for a few minutes and enjoy the party.” Bakura grabbed Kauket’s hand. “I dance with my swords.” Kauket finished her beer and set down her jar. “Not like Merwet does. I’m sure she can put on a show that will have us fed like kings.” “You know it.” Merwet shot an imaginary bow at Bakura, and Bakura roared laughter at Merwet stealing her move. They went into the city square. Most of the signs of battle had been cleaned away and replaced with lanterns, torches, and silk streamers decorating the streets. The smells of roasted meat, herbs, and beer filled the air. Ryou could smell the smoke, blood, and sweat of the earlier battle, but knew the citizens couldn’t. Laughter echoed all around them. Jugglers, magicians, and dancers all lined the streets and performed between vendor stalls trading the looted goods of the slain aristocracy. When they saw Merwet, Bearer of the Sun Dragon, approach, the other dancers jumped down from the stage to give her space. She tied a silk scarf over her eyes and held her sword. The music writhed in the air, and she waited for her mark before swaying with it. Kauket gasped as she watched, stepping closer. Ryou was also mezmorized. They’d seen small, personal dances with Merwet slipped out of layered skirts one at a time to seduce them, but they’d never seen her truly perform before. Even blindfolded, she swung the sword as if part of herself, body, weapon, music all one life throbbing and pulsing on the stage. For three songs she twirled and rolled in time with the live music echoing about the shouts and fireworks. The crowd threw looted gold and jewels at her feet as they cheered. When finished, her hair clung to her neck and her body gleamed with sweat. Kauket tore the blindfold from her face and kissed her. “And that is how you dance with a sword.” Merwet grinned.“If I were to have a counterpart, like Hathor is to my mother, I think she would be much like you,” Kauket whispered. “Goddess of fertility, huh? Watch out Bakura, I might plant a seed in your tummy as much as we fool around.” “Then you’ll be the one stuck going to the market at three in the morning when I’m craving strange food," Bakura laughed.They used the treasure Merwet earned dancing to trade for roasted meat and wine. Ryou made sure to steal a drink or bite from everything Kauket consumed, infusing the delectables with soothing magic. They ate, danced with the crowds, walked around the liberated city, and watched the end of the fireworks, but when everything was over, Ryou gestured to Bakura’s map. “Where next?” “Hatra has two dozen daughters of Ra according to our records. It’s normally a five day journey from here.” “I’ll have us there in five seconds.” Ryou said, flicking her tails. ***One month later, Merwet and Bakura rushed to reach Tarbisu before the storm reached them. Merwet cursed Set each time the lightning flashed behind them, but they couldn’t push their horses any harder without risking killing one. However, no sooner did they crest the next hill then another army approached them. “I see a lot of gold hair flashing in what sun the clouds haven’t covered,” Bakura said. “I think they’re on our side.” Two women rode at the head of the entourage. One carried a long spear with a blood-red tip; the other carried a golden banner with the Wadjet symbol embroidered in glimmering white gold thread. “Gods...is it?” Merwet squinted. It’d been so long since she’d seen them. She was afraid she was hallucinating, but both of their blonde hair fell around them in braids dipping to their waists, and their eyes flashed with her own lavender, and their jaws were set in equally grim and determined scowls. “A’at! Ipwet!” Merwet charged her horse forward. Once she was close, Merwet leapt from the mare and ran. The company halted and Merwet’s sisters dismounted in time for the three of them to crash together in an embrace. Merwet squeezed them until her arms trembled. Memories of gripping their legs as a toddler flashed through her thoughts. “I found you.” Merwet cried. “Little sister.” A’at kissed the top of her head. “You’re grown.” Ipwet brushed the tears off of Merwet’s cheeks. “Looks like you have an army with you.”“Yes. We were tired of waiting, so we’ve been helping you along.” Ipwet grinned. “Everywhere from Nineveh to Assur has been liberated,” A’at said. “But how did you find me?” Merwet shook her head. “We were the slaves of a well-known oracle. She told us she had visions of a girl resembling us and a thief restoring the Pharaoh to his throne and then traveling over the seas to burn the distant, slave-bearing lands. She trained us, and prepared us for when the time came for us to help the revolts and lead our own armies against the great cities.” “So you’ve been mixed up with prophets too?” Merwet snorted, thinking of Isis. “Yes. And we have a message from our former master,” Ipwet said. “You have to go. Now. North. You and the thief have to help destroy the Sorcerer Shin.” “Why him specifically?” Merwet startled, hearing the name. Ipwet and A’at exchanged glances. A’at spoke first. “The Oracle...used to see visions of a dying world. Not dying from drought, or war, or plague, but simply...ceasing to move? As if everything slowed down until nothing could grow or move or breathe, just...sit in place.” Merwet’s brow wrinkled as she frowned. They stole Ryou’s sister, and wanted her, and anyone else who could increase Shin’s power. What the fuck was he trying to accomplish? “We already plan on killing Shin, but we have a few cities left to—”“That’s why we’re here. To take over for you.” Ipwet grabbed Merwet’s shoulders. “If everything Dione told us is true, I’m so proud of you. You saved our homeland and now you’ll save the world.” “I was never so virtuous as to save the world. When we helped the Pharaoh, I was mostly trying to save one idiot through all of that.” Merwet snorted. “And now, I just wanted to save you.” “Saving one idiot, eh? I see you’re saying only good things about me in front of the family.” Bakura jumped off her horse and bowed. “So this is the thief?” A’at raised an eyebrow. “He’s kind of scraggly.” “I’ve acquired a taste.” Merwet shrugged. “You sure the fuck have!” Bakura laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach. The hood on her robes slipped, and her short, white hair twinkled like a single star which was so bright it refused to hide itself in the rest of the stormy sky. “You’re a child of Thoth?” Ipwet asked. “I thought they were all murdered.” “They were. I may very well be the last.” “At least until you make more.” A’at gave Bakura a knowing look. “Yeah...uh,” Bakura flashed them her chest to dash their hopes of nieces and nephews. “Oh…” Ipwet wore a puzzled expression. “But didn’t Dione tell us they’ll have a daughter together?” A’at glanced at Ipwet. “Yes, but I suppose she didn’t tell us who’d be the mother.” Ipwet shrugged. “Heh, seers can’t be right all the time.” Bakura laughed. “Personally, I think prophets and soothsayers should mind their own godsdamned business.” Merwet scowled. “Merwet.” Ipwet sighed. “Just because we have to go chase after their insane prophecies doesn’t mean I have to like it, but I am used to it. We’ll join with the Harpies and ride with them until we reach Shin’s kingdom.” “Is this about that saving the world line I overheard when I joined the family reunion?” Bakura asked. “Shin is going to destroy movement, slow the world to the point of stillness.” Ipwet shook her head. “Sounds bad. I like moving. All my favorite activities involve it, but what about the remaining slaves?” Bakura asked. “Leave it to us.” A’at grinned. “We’ll liberate the last towns and cities, and meet you in Kemet.” “I’m sorry our reunion was so short.” Ipwet hugged Merwet a second time. “We’ll have more time once we’re all home. I promise.” “I’m just happy you’re alive.” Merwet crushed the both in a final hug before stepping besides Bakura. “It was good to meet you.” Bakura bowed. “But if Shin’s as dangerous as you say, I'd better call our ride so we can fight him as soon as possible.”They stood in place. The storm blew closer, causing the trees in the distance to sway and lean. The scent of rain filled their noses as they waited, but there was no Ryou to whisk them away. Bakura and Merwet frowned at each other. “Is something wrong?” Merwet asked. “This has never happened before, but I know part of my wish carried the terms that if she was honestly busy, I’d have to wait. Maybe they’re fighting?” “I hope that’s all it is.” Merwet bit her lip, thinking of Kauket and how wild she’d been the last few weeks. “Let’s ride for a bit. She’ll come when she’s able.” Bakura raced back to their horses. Merwet gave one last smile at her sisters. Ipwet bowed and A’at waved with a huge smile on her face. It hurt to leave them, but they told her to go, and they needed to fight Shin regardless, so Merwet steeled herself, turned, and mounted her horse. ***Their lovemaking was not soft in the way humans preferred to be soft. They fucked like gods, immortals who didn’t wear and fray the way temporary bodies did. Kauket shoved Ryou face-first against the wall of their room. They were the guests of a distinguished noble who knew Mai and Yugi. Most of the company bunked with the soldiers, but they’d been given a guest suite. Kauket bit into Ryou’s neck, keeping her pinned. Ryou squealed like a vixen. Her tails were longer, glowing, she was in her true fairy form with sharp claws and teeth that pricked at Kauket’s skin—and gods did Kauket need the small acts of loving violence. Her fingers rubbed just over Ryou’s clitoris. Kauket growled, biting harder and grinding her mound against Ryou’s backside. She had Ryou’s hands pinned above her at the wrists. Ryou’s head was turned so she could breathe and cry out, so Kauket had a good view of her blushing cheek and sweating brow. Kauket growled lower in her throat, the excitement building inside of her as she felt Ryou’s clit swell at her touch. “Kau—Kauket!” Ryou gave a final, feral wail as her body stiffened and she shuddered. But Kauket wasn’t finished, not at all. Her body was tense, angry, and no amount of enchanted wine would calm her. She needed to move to rush and thrust and come again and again until, exhausted, she collapsed in a heap and slept without gory, blood-filled dreams. She scooped Ryou into her arms and dropped her onto their bed. Wiggling between Ryou’s legs, Kauket pressed their cunts together and dragged her hips, slow and controlled to begin with to give Ryou time to recover. Ryou’s tails coiled around Kauket’s limbs and waist. They restrained her, but she was stronger than the little fox sprite and moved all the same. “Ahh!” Ryou gasped as the weight of Kauket pressed against her. “Louder!” Kauket gripped Ryou’s throat. “Kauket! More!” Ryou hiked up her hips.Kauket sucked on Ryou’s lips before speeding her pace. This time, Ryou was the one who sank her teeth into Kauket’s shoulders. Her nails raked down Kauket’s back, and the pricks of pain were the added zest Kauket needed to orgasm so hard her vision darkened. Once she came down from the high, she refocused on circling her hips, pushing herself against Ryou’s wet pussy. The bed groaned. One of the boards supporting the mattress cracked beneath the force of their rocking, but the bed didn’t fall and they didn’t stop. “Yes! Kuaket! Fuck!” Ryou bucked like a beast, shuttering, arching, squealing. They settled side by side and gasped for breath. Sweat poured from Kauket’s body, soaked up by the cashmere and goose down. Ryou petted Kauket’s belly and thighs with her tails. “How do you feel?” Ryou asked. “Sleepy.” Kauket curled beside. “Bakura’s summoning me.” Ryou rolled Kauket onto her stomach and soothed her fingers over Kauket’s cuts, using gentle healing magic to help the scratches heal more quickly. “Will you be okay if I go see what they need?” “Yeah.” Kauket exhaled. “Be back as soon as I can.” Ryou kissed Kauket’s naked shoulder and vanished. Kauket shut her eyes. Her breaths were loud in her ears as she dozed. Bakura and Merwet’s voices shattered the silence. “Oh this? This was why you couldn’t fetch us? This wasn’t an emergency, and now we’re soaked.” “So am I.” Kauket snickered, ribbing Bakura on reflex. “It was necessary,” Ryou said. “The wine is no longer enough.” “Well, Ms. I’m a Feral Beast, you can warm me up since this is all your fault.” Bakura tossed her clothes against a chase to dry. She curled in Kauket’s arms, body shivering from cold and wet. “You feel nice.” Kuaket sighed. “That’s because you’re roasting.” Bakura nudged a little closer. “If nothing else, at least she’ll be ready to fight when we reach Shin.” Merwet undressed and crawled in bed on the other side of Kauket. “Oh gods, you are warm.” “I’ll look great bathed in his blood.” Kauket purred. “Why can’t we teleport to his castle now?” “And fight whatever defense he has alone?” Merwet snorted. “Yes. Watch. When we arrive, I’ll take them all on myself. My mother will be proud.” “I’m glad both of you are with us. You help keep Kauket calm and I enjoy spending time with both of you, but aren’t there more cities for you to liberate? We’re still a few weeks away from Shin’s kingdom.” Ryou completed the sandwich by pressing against Merwet. Kauket was a little amazed that the cracked bed held all their weight. “Ah, you’re so warm and soft.” Merwet wrapped three of Ryou’s tails around her belly. “Like a fur blanket.” “Merwet found her other two sisters. They were working with an oracle who said killing Shin was our main priority,” Bakura explained, her shivering subsiding as Kauket held her. “I’m looking forward to exhausting all three of you at once. If I can’t fight, then at least I can fuck.” Kuaket nipped at Bakura’s throat, careful with her frail, human body. Bakura hummed, tilting her head. After a few last bites, Kauket allowed the fatigue to lull her towards a good, dreamless sleep.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Bakura peered out of their tent, wrinkled her face, and closed it against the cold. “There’s nothing but mountains, rain, more mountains, probably more rain. I haven’t seen a single town since we’ve crossed the border?” “Based on Mai’s intelligence, the only people in the entire realm live in the fortress.” Merwet polished her blades.Kauket lay in her lap, staring at the gleam of the edges of each one. Occasionally, she’d bring a bottle of wine to her lips and sip. Merwet stopped to kiss her between each dagger and sword. Kauket closed her eyes and licked Merwet’s lips, but each time there was a slight tension in her jaw, as if she wanted to bite but was forcing herself to hold back. Bakura and Ryou exchanged a glance, but said nothing. “But we’re almost there, right?” Bakura asked. “Yes. A few more days of marching and we’ll be there.” Ryou hugged herself in her tails. “Can’t we just zap the Harpies to the damn fortress? I’m ready to fight, Kauket is ready as fuck to fight, and it was heavily implied that killing Shin equates to saving the world, so I’m sure the sooner the better.” “Bakura, I’m glad you have such faith in my magic, but I am a single fox. I could teleport perhaps a dozen people. Perhaps a three or four dozen after a good shagging, but an entire mercenary company?” “Why does magic have limits when it’s personally inconvenient for me?” Bakura plopped beside Ryou. “I apologize for your inconvenience.” Ryou dragged her claws through Bakura’s hair, teasing her scalp. “You should be using this time to get ready for battle,” Merwet said, swapping her sword for another dagger. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ll meditate and practice with Diabound.” Bakura sat upright and shut her eyes. “He’s very beautiful.” Ryou peered closer. “You can see him?” Bakura opened one eye. “Yes. People’s spirit forms hover around them like a cloak. Most people’s soul’s are small, but you and Merwet have divine spirits.” “Our people believe that when we die, our ba and ka merge to form a perfect, unified soul,” Bakura explained. “Will I have white wings and a snake tail like Diabound when that happens?” “If you want to.” Ryou nodded. “Without a mortal body, there’s a lot more flexibility to what you can look like.” “What about Kauket?” Merwet asked. “I don’t have a ka, not like a mortal.” Kauket took another drink from the bottle. “Oh? Not human enough like us basic mortals?’ Merwet laughed. “Kauket can change her appearance, but...it’s very dangerous.” “Too angry.” Kauket sighed and stared at the glass bottle in her hands. “Maybe a sparring match will help your mood.” Merwet pressed her dagger against Kauket’s throat. Their smirks mirrored each other. A yearning for battle reflected in both their eyes. They’d spent too many days marching in the rain, only to camp in a small tent and sit listless until it was time to march again. “A nice sparring match might be fun.” Bakura wagged her eyebrows.“Let me set up a barrier. It will keep the rain from drenching us, and protect the other mercenaries,” Ryou said. “Good because I don’t want to hold back.” Kauket set down the wine, stood, and stretched. They wrapped their cloaks over their shoulders before stepping out into the evening rain. Without vampires or starlight, the evening was dark and the rocks looked like giant skeletal fingers reaching upward from the earth. With a flick of her tails, Ryou summoned a scintillating dome between the craigs of wet rock jutting around them. The shield provided enough glow for them to see each other. Rain slid down the slick sides in rushes. The magic drew several of the harpies out from their tents. They peered through the dome and whispered to each other though the rain drowned out their conversations. “What are you doing?” Yugi cupped his hands around his mouth as he shouted so they could hear him. His cloak all but swallowed his tiny frame. “A little training session. Sorry, but no kids allowed!” Bakura grinned as she waved through the magical half-sphere. “I’m not a kid!” Yugi pouted. “Can I watch?” “If you’d like.” Ryou nodded. “But stay back. We’re not going to hold back.” The four of them tossed their already wet cloaks over a boulder and stretched. Bakura felt the tightness in her muscles from riding and sitting, and she was glad to have a chance to loosen everything before their real battle. Beside her, Merwet arched as she stretched her limbs. “I’m going to be too distracted to fight, if you keep moving like a sexy cobra.” Bakura winked. “Wasn’t there a storm the first time we ever fought?” Mewet asked, a silly, affectionate smile on her face. “If I remember correctly.” Bakura crept behind Merwet, held her hips, and kissed the nape of her neck. “And if I remember correctly, I won that little match.” “I refuse to comment on the truth of that statement.” Merwet snorted. “I swear I only managed it because you looked so ravishing that I needed the fight to end so I could kiss all over your battle-flushed body.” “Hmm...I have a feeling you’re planning to do the same tonight?” Merwet smirked. Bakura whispered into her ear. “You know me so well.” “It’s not hard. You like the simple pleasures of life.” “Eating, drinking, sleeping, fucking, and sometimes shiny things. Yup! That sums up my preferences pretty well—thought not in that specific order.” “Enough chatter! Fight!” They weren’t done bantering, but Kauket dashed forward with her sword drawn, and they had to dodge. Merwet cartwheeled in one direction, and Bakura simply jumped backward. “What the fuck, Kauket?” “Battle! Now!” She roared, slashing at Bakura. “Let a guy have some foreplay before the fight!” Bakura shouted while dodging Kauket’s swings. She had to dash behind a boulder. “I haven’t even drawn my weapon yet!” “Will an enemy give you time to make jokes and find your knife?” Kauket dashed around the rock, but Bakura kept enough distance between them. “You’d be surprised how dumb some of my enemies are.” Bakura jumped and rolled to the next cluster of rocks to put more distance between her and Kauket. Kauket crouched and sprung into the air. She cleared the gap between the rocks in the single, inuman bound. She bore her sword on Bakura. Bakura managed to spin around Kauket and find new cover. Kauket’s blade chipped into the stone when it missed Bakura’s torso, but Kauket only grunted, indifferent to the damage she caused the blade, and dove toward Bakura once more. “Sorry, love, but you’re already a little too excited.” Ryou extended one of her tails. The fur wrapped around Kauket’s ankle and slammed her to the ground. Dragging Kauket forward, Ryou pounced and swiped at Kauket with her claws. Kauket allowed Ryou to scratch her sternum, laughing before she shoved Ryou to the side. “Yes! More! I want to feel like this is a real battle!” Kauket slipped her ankle free and jumped to her feet. She lunged toward Ryou, but Merwet blocked the hit. Kauket barked laughter. Angered, Merwet dropped to the ground and swung her leg in a low roundhouse kick, knocking Kauket onto her back. Merwet jumped to her feet and slammed her sword in a downward stroke, but Kauket rolled to the side. Springing to her own feet, she lashed at Merwet. Her swings were too fast to follow and Merwet stumbled backward. Diabound swooped into the fray, smacking Kauket playfully upside the head. Kauket growled and stabbed at the ka, but Ryou used her magic to create a shield. Kauket roared and the shield shattered, but Diabout was able to block her next attack. Ryou called out with the destruction of her spell. She dropped to her knees, raised her face higher, and stared at Kauket. Bakura caught the gleam of fear in her eyes as she watched Kauket and Diabound exchange blows. “Merwet!” Bakura shouted. Merwet didn’t reply—she summoned Ra, already knowing what Bakura wanted. The presence of Ra agitated Kauket. A gilded glow surrounded her and her attacks were flashes of light more than bodily movements. Merwet didn’t flinch at the change. Instead, she pressed forward, the heat of Ra’s fire warming the water-soaked rock below them. Steam rose from the ground and made it hard to breathe inside of their barrier. Diabound dropped below the stones and uppercut Kauket from below. She flew back and her head smacked the edge of the barrier. Once she recovered, Kauket licked her split lip and laughed. She jumped up, kicked against the barrier to launch herself forward, and attacked again. Ra crashed into her and both god and Child of Sehkmet clawed at each other in a frenzy. While they went at it like two tom cats in heat, Bakura ran to the other side of their area and helped Ryou to her feet. “You okay?”“She’s never broken one of my shields before.” Ryou’s claws gripped Bakura’s forearm. Her tails were bushy and her ears were pointed backward. “Hey.” Bakura petted the top of Ryou’s head to soothe her. “It’s still Kauket. Stop frowning. Merwet has this. We’re not worried” And to make sure Merwet stayed safe, Diabound swooped beside Kauket and slammed into her. Kauket rolled. She slammed her sword into the ground to slow down her inertia. As soon as she managed to scramble to her feet, she lunged back into the battle, striking Ra and Diabound at the same time. The only thing human about her as she fought was the sweat dripping from her face and the heavy breaths between sword strokes. “I can’t lose her, Bakura.” Ryou whimpered. “She’s working out some of the frustration.” Bakura patted Ryou’s back. “No. This is worse than before. She’s so angry. We have to stop this.” Ryou dashed into the fight. “Ryou!” Bakura chased after her but slammed into another barrier that Ryou summoned to keep from being followed. “Merwet! Watch the damn fox!” Bakura pounded at the shimmering air, aggravated—and concerned. “Stay out of this, Ryou! This is between me and her!” Merwet focused on Ra’s attacks. “Stop! Kauket, stop!” Ryou jumped into the arm and flung her arms, legs, and tails around Kauket like a cocoon. Ryou and Kauket crashed to the ground. Merwet whistled and Ra landed behind her, waiting for an order. Merwet hesitated, not wanting to hit Ryou. Kauket slammed Ryou onto her back, roaring at her. Ryou didn’t flinch or blink. She stared at Kauket. With deliberate and decisive motion, Ryou reached up and cupped Kauket’s face. “You’re my night, the darkness comforting me as I dream. Please, come back to me, Kauket.” Kauket pause, blinked. Recognition seeped into her gaze and her angry snarl twisted into a frown. “Ryou? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Kauket buried her face in Ryou’s wild, splayed out hair. “Never my love.” Ryou nuzzled against her. “I don’t remember the fight.” Kauket’s voice was a quiet whine. “I know. It’s okay. We’re almost there. Just stay with me for a few more days, love.” “I want to go back into the tent.” Kauket trembled. Merwet offered her hand to help them both to their feet. The barriers blinked away and the rain cooled their sweat-speckled bodies. Yugi and the other harpies clapped and whistled. They saw a formidable fight. They saw warriors who’d guarantee victory in battle. But Bakura’s stomach felt heavy. She remembered the way the Ring had eaten her mind, and wondered if Kauket wasn’t feeling much the same now. The three of them led Kauket to the tent and wrapped her in blankets. Merwet combed Kauket’s wild hair and sang to sooth her. Ryou held out her hands and a steamy, ceramic cup appeared in her hands. “Drink this,” Ryou insisted. “Thanks.” Kauket took the cup. “It’s good.” “Would you two like some?” Ryou offered two more cups. “Are you trying to enchant us?” Merwet grinned, joking and no longer suspicious. “I couldn’t enchant you as deeply as your beautiful enchants me.” Ryou offered her a cup. “Thank you.” Merwet took a sip and set it aside as she finished the Kauket’s hair. “What is it?” Bakura sniffed at the cup; it smelled wonderful. “It’s melted chocolate with spice,” Ryou answered. Bakura sipped this thick, rich drink and moaned. “Holy fuck, this is amazing.” “My sister’s favorite.” Ryou shut her eyes, sighing. “We’re so close,” Bakrua said to cheer her up. “We’ll have her back in no time.” “Shin’s as good as dead. You saw what we can do in battle. No amount of magic is going to stop us.” Merwet nodded. “Maybe I should send you back, Kauket. You can rest and I’ll wake you after I bring Amane home.” Ryou forced a smile on her face, but it only made her look more worried. “I won’t make you do this alone,” Kauket whispered. “I’ll hold my shit together until we have Amane. I fucking swear it.” “It’s okay. I’m not alone. Merwet and Bakura will protect me.”“With our lives,” Bakura said. “Ryou. This is your family. We have to save her. I won’t lose control like that again.” “Easy to say when you’re drinking magic.” Ryou curled besides Kauket. “Hey, how much did you put in her cup? You look tired.” “As much as I could.” Ryou sighed. “I’m hoping it’ll get her through at least one more week.” “The chocolate was delicious, but you know my greedy thief. Bakura’s going to want seconds.” Merwet hummed, winking at Bakura. “Of course, and I want something even sweeter than enchanted chocolate.” Bakura set her cup aside and slipped into Ryou’s personal space. “You know, other mortals would be afraid of me. You too are crazy to stay this close.” Kauket snorted. “You know we’re better than regular mortals.” Merwet kissed the corner of Kauket’s mouth, much more gently than she usually would. “When you fight, you’re all god.” Kauket scooped Merwet into her lap. “And when she dances, she outshines the gods.” Bakura blew Merwet a kiss. “That’s the power of my sun.” “I deserve all this praise.” Merwet bumped her nose against Kauket. “Gods, you can be as egotistical as the thief, you know that, right?” Kauket giggled. “We’ve been together for long enough. I supposed they’re a bad influence on me.” Merwet and Kauket laid on their sides, facing each other and snatching quick kisses from each other’s lips. Ryou climbed over Merwet, and held Kauket’s face again, as if she feared Kauket would run mad through the rain if Ryou didn’t personally hold her. “You’re still worried...I’m sorry.” Kauket kissed her. “I love you so much. I can’t live ten thousand more years without you with me. It’s too long.” Tears filled up Ryou’s eyes. “Hey. Kauket said she was going to be strong—for you. Trust her.” Merwet brushed Ryou’s hair aside so she could kiss Ryou’s shoulders. “You’re right.” Ryou wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, Kauket. I trust you.” “I’ve been pretty rough on you these last few nights, having I?” Kauket traced areas of Ryou’s skins that had been wonderfully scratched the night before, although Ryou’s healing magic turned them into memories by the next morning. “You know I like it.” Ryou blushed. “I do know.” Kauket smirked. “But tonight, I’ll be gentle, if for no other reason than to assure you I remember how.” Their lips ghosted together. Ryou’s breath hitched and the blush didn’t leave her face. Bakura licked her lips. Watching Ryou and Kauket kiss made her yearn to kiss Merwet the same way. Merwet rolled onto her back and gazed into Bakura’s eyes. My moon. She mouthed the words. My sun. Bakura returned the gesture. ***Kauket allowed herself to drown in the soft fluff of Ryou’s body. Ryou’s tails wrapped around all of them, squeezing and skimming down their bodies to make them shiver. Kauket pressed between Ryou’s legs, rubbing their bodies together in an easy, languid rhythm. Ryou had come three times already, but Kauket wasn’t done with her. Not until Ryou shimmered with all the lost magic she’d given up to bring calm back to Kauket’s soul. Ryou’s hair spread around her head. Each strand meandered in its own winding path. Her eyes were dark green and gleaming and her face was flushed from her previous orgasms. Kauket listened to her panting, soothed by it in a way fairy wine couldn’t do. “I love you.” Kauket kissed the side of Ryou’s neck. “I love you. I love you.” She pressed her lips against Ryou’s skin and the fur of her ears. Kauket flicked her tongue along the sensitive edge, and Ryou squealed in a blend of ticklishness and ecstasy. “Kauket!” “That’s right.” Kauket tugged at one of Ryou’s tails, but it was her only harsh gesture. Their rocking was still teasing, allowing the pleasure to slowly build between them. Her tongue continued to flick the edge of Ryou’s ear. “Please,” Ryou begged. “What would you like me to do?” Kauket purred in her ear. She had a good guess, but wanted to hear Ryou stumble through the request while writhing beneath her. “G-go fast-ter,” Ryou whimpered. “Hmm? Like this?” Kauket used her forearms to brace herself and rocked her lower body more deeply against Ryou. “Y-yes?” “You like this?” Kauket nipped Ryou’s ear. “Yes!” “Are you going to come if I keep doing this?”“S-soon! Please—”Kauket quit distracting Ryou with chatter, cute as she was while stuttering, and concentrated on moving their bodies. Heat pooled in Kauket’s belly. She angled her pelvis so they’d both get the most friction possible. Ryou’s whines grew sharp. Her tails thumped the ground and she gave out a bark then a final call before shuddering and sinking into the blankets below them. Kauket’s entire body burned. Her muscles were more taunt than in battle and her heart pounded as her climax drained the last of her strength away. Kauket wrapped her arms around Ryou and stroked her soft fur. “Thank you.”“I should be thanking you. I feel amazing,” Ryou muttered. “I mean thank you for reminding me of who I really am.” “I love you.” Ryou kissed Kauket’s shoulder. “I’ll always be here to pull you back to yourself.” “What happened to the other two? I’m surprised Bakura didn’t jump between us.” Kauket lifted her head and saw Bakura and Merwet passed out in a tangle of limbs. They both wore satisfied grins and breathed deep and heavy breaths. “The battle must have worn them out.” Ryou smiled. “Well, they don’t get out of cuddling that easily.” Kauket rolled closer to them, dragging Ryou with her, and all four of them nested together in a comfortable cluster. ***They marched at the head of the company with Mai and Yugi. The rain had stopped, but the sky loomed gray and listless above them. Scouts appeared and informed Mai that they’d have to camp for one last night, but would reach Shin’s fortress the next morning. “I hate sieges.” Yugi sighed while glancing upward at the clouds. “This one won’t last long.” Mai shook her head. “We’re going to infiltrate the palace and search for Ryou’s sister. Once she’s safe, I’m going after Shin,” Merwet said. “We should be able to accomplish both of our objectives within twenty four hours, meaning the slaves and servants in the castle will be free afterward.” “That’s good. I much prefer liberating people than forcing them to starve.” Yugi readjusted the wings on his back. The bright greens and blues and reds reminded Merwet of depictions of Isis. She noticed Mai had the same sort of wings despite most of the other soldiers having beige and brown feathers, but didn’t mention it out loud. “Did the oracle Dione really predict you’d save the world by killing Shin?” Mai asked. Merwet rolled her eyes. “Self-fulfilling prophecy. She sent my sisters to tell me to kill him, and since the bastard has already sent an assassin after us and kidnapped Ryou’s sister, then I have no problem being her little senet game piece. If people want to sing our praises for saving the world afterward, well that gives Bakura more to brag about, doesn’t it?” “It sure the hell does. And I am enjoying watching my legacy unfold before my eyes.” Bakura winked at Yugi. “Make sure you keep telling my stories no matter where your mercenary travels take you.” “Don’t worry! I never tire listening to and telling Thief King stories.” Yugi laughed. “You’re probably right about Dione.” Mai shrugged. “I used to scam people into thinking I was a soothsayer. You can really get into your enemies' heads if they think you know the future before a fight.” “That does sound rather convenient,” Merwet agreed. “I might have helped spread a few of those stories around as well.” Yugi grinned. “Are you sure you’re in the right profession?” Bakura raised an eyebrow. “I think you’d make a better travelling storyteller than a mercenary.” “Yeah, probably.” Yugi stared at his spear. “Maybe one day I’ll retire.” “He’s looking for his friends. Our city was destroyed by invaders when we were young and we were separated from the others. It was actually Yugi’s idea to begin a mercenary company,” Mai explained. “I figured what better way to travel the world and listen to gossip while actually getting paid enough to survive. Also, Mai’s a better fighter than actor, so being performers wasn’t an option.” Yugi laughed. “Who says I can’t act? I had the entire city of Mendula convinced that my soothsaying powers guaranteed our victory and had them surrender all because you felt too bad to starve them to death in a proper siege.” Mai snorted. “It’s true! She did! And I appreciate it, Mai. You know I don’t really have the stomach to hurt people. As long as we win, who cares if we out smart people instead of out fight them, right?” “Right.” Mai sighed. “I’m actually proud of how you’ve become a decent soldier despite it all. I know it’s not in your nature.” “Don’t worry, kid.” Bakura slung her arm around Yugi’s neck as they marched. “Like Merwet said, this is an in-and-out mission. We’ll be done and toasting our victory by supper time.” “Don’t jinx it.” Ryou frowned. “Shin isn’t going to be easy to beat.” “Ha! After Zorc Necrophades, one little wizard can’t be so bad.” “Guess we’ll find out tomorrow.” Merwet frowned at their path, remembering their battle against Zorc. “This is probably as good a place as any to camp. We don’t want Shin to know we're coming until morning.” Mai stopped, barking orders for a halt. The company set up tents and built cooking fires. After Bakura prepared their tent, Ryou disappeared and returned with a basket full of roasted duck and vegetables for the four of them to share. They sat in the open air and ate with a cluster of Mai’s higher ranking officers. Kauket had her supper with enchanted wine, but Bakura and Merwet drank milk tea the harpies offered them. “I’m anxious to see my sister again. If he touched one whisker on her I’ll flay him in the cursed realms where it’ll take 10,000 years for him to die.” Ryou held her cup tightly in both hands as she stared at the campfire. “Tearing the skin off a man’s flesh is my specialty, if you need help.” Kauket smirked before taking another gulp of wine. “Listen, not to sound as eager and wanton as Bakura, but the more we fool around, the more magical energy you’re able to gather, correct?” Merwet glanced at Ryou. “Yes?” “So, while we need to get enough rest tonight, I think we should try and charge you with as much power as possible. The stronger you are, the better our chances of ending this swiftly.” “If you wanted to seduce Ryou, you just had to kiss her. You don’t have to pretend it’s part of the battle strategy!” Bakura held her stomach, laughing. “While I’m going to take great amounts of pleasure in tonight's activities, I assure you it is—in its essence—battle strategy.” Merwet shoved Bakura backward. She crashed against the dirt and laughed even harder. “Well okay, let’s get this completely strategic and militerized fuck session underway.” Bakura stopped laughing long enough to sit back and pull Ryou into her lap. Ryou’s tails scattered around Bakura, the white fur tickling her skin. Ryou sat facing Merwet and Kauket. From behind, Bakura nuzzled the fox-sprite’s neck. “P-perhaps it would be better inside the tent?” Ryou blushed. “Oh? Don’t want an audience?” Merwet chuckled, but lead the way to their tent. “I’m going to miss you two so much after this is all over,” Ryou said after warding the tent from magical attacks—and also soundproofing it. “As soon as Kauket fully recovers I’ll let you know so you can summon us for visits.” “Okay, but it’s not going to be all tactical planning and adventure like our time together now.” Bakura snickered. “Sometimes, I’m going to call you over just to share a meal or dance with us during the festivals. You know...just...average stuff.” “We’d like that.” Ryou leaned against Bakura. “Nothing more glorious than a good battle—but dancing is a close second.” Kauket chugged the last of her wine and scooted closer to Ryou and Bakura. Merwet sat on their other side. Without speaking or planning, they wrapped their arms around each other in a long, quiet embrace. It was as if they felt they’d soon part for too long a time and wanted to stay close in the moment in defiance at the inevitability the future held. Ryou shimmered as they all embraced. “Maybe it’s not only the sex that enhances my magic. Maybe it’s your emotions do as well,” Ryou confessed. “Although the way pleasure activates your heka is delectable.” “Little trickster fox. I should make us cuddle all night just to punish you for not being more specific. But…” Merwet allowed her voice to trail off. “But?” Bakura grinned. “Well, it’s a long standing belief among soldiers that a wild night is good for battle prowess, so I suppose I’ll kiss you instead.” Merwet drew Ryou’s lips to her. She dug her fingers into the luscious fur and pulled a delicate whine from Ryou’s throat. Kauket was not as gentle with Bakura. She teased her teeth along Bakura’s bottom lip, and shoved her tongue into Bakura’s mouth. Bakura’s hands held Ryou in place, but she tilted her head to give Kauket better access to her mouth. Ryou was the first one to grow impatient of the kissing and undo the first clasp. She pulled the belt from Merwet’s waist. The sheer linen flared around her body, and Ryou grazed her claws down Merwet’s thighs. “I swear to the gods you better not cut the dress. Bakura has ruined enough of them already.” “Do I not always give you more?” Bakura asked while Kauket bit her throat. “Not the point. I like this dress.” Merwet tugged it over her shoulders and dropped it aside to keep it safe from her demanding lovers. Her body was such a testament to the craftsmanship of the gods that it was enough to convert even the most miserable people to the service of Ra. The curve of her hips, the thickness of her thighs, the pooch in her lower belly that she could roll in the most salacious of ways when she danced. And now she was bracing her hand against Bakura’s thigh so she could rise higher and dominate how she kissed Ryou. Bakura’s right hand traced up and down Ryou’s belly as the left hand fumbled at Kauket’s hip. Merwet held Ryou’s face, taking her time as she kissed Ryou until the fox’s lips were dark and plump and her eyes glittered like rubies. Ryou squirmed in Bakura’s lap, and Bakura’s fingers toyed lower. She pressed against Ryou’s mons and Ryou whimpered, breaking her kiss with Mewet. Merwet retaliated, by pressing Bakura onto her back. Kauket swung her leg over Bakura’s head and settled on top of her mouth. Bakura gave an encouraging moan before lapping at Kauket’s clitoris. Ryou still sat across Bakura’s lap, so Merwet positioned them so that they both straddled over Bakura’s groin. Merwet held Ryou’s waist and sucked on her lips. They both rolled their hips, trying to brush against Bakura’s body and each other at the same time. It was more of a tease than proper riding, but Merwet remedied the problem by dabbing two fingers beneath Ryou’s hood and seeking out her clit. Ryou called out, and her tails lashed around her. Kauket grabbed two and used them like reins as she rode Bakura’s mouth. Ryou touched Merwet in return and they pleasured each other while grinding against Bakura as best they could. “Nngh! Kauket! Merwet! Bakura!” Ryou muttered between little cries and sloppy half passes at Merwet’s lips. Never one to be outdone, Merwet fisted one of Ryou’s outer tails and gave it a vicious tug. Ryou tossed her head back and keened. She was careful touching Merwet’s clitoris, but the claws on her other hand dug into Merwet’s shoulder in desperation as the fox-sprite trembled with her first climax. After Ryou relaxed, Merwet petted the fur around her slit, teasing her and easing her into their next round. Merwet focused more fully on her own body, and the way Ryou knew just where to press to make Merwet want more, and more, and more, until she was grunting and thrusting. Bakura cried out, body tense as she came. Merwet almost laughed at how little stimulation it took to get Bakura off, but she was too close and could only think of herself as she bucked harder against Ryou’s touch. Her orgasm was swift and sharp, like a knife punching through her gut. She exhaled and gave herself a moment to recover before shoving Ryou backwards. Kauket caught her and held her torso as Merwet spread Ryou’s legs wide. Slipping between Bakura’s legs for more room, Merwet ran her tongue up Ryou’s slit. “So...much...magic…” Ryou bucked into Merwet’s licks. Her tails wrapped around Merwet’s arms and held her in place as Ryou raised and lowered her hips. Kauket nipped at Ryou’s shoulders, adding spice to Merwet’s sweet treatment. Kauket was rocking more quickly, close herself. After another minute of bucking and shifting, she came against Bakura’s tongue, growling profanity as she arched her back. Temporarily saited, Kuaket nudged forward and held Ryou more tightly. One arm remained hooked around Ryou’s stomach, but the other hand pinched and teased Ryou’s nipples. “Mmmgh!” Ryou huffed in a high, desperate pinch. “Mmm...You’re so sexy when you’re about to come,” Kauket growled in Ryou’s ear. “Ah! Fuck!” Ryou squeezed all her muscles tight. Merwet had to push a little to keep Ryou’s legs spread despite how hard she clenched. She kept her licks broad, deep, and measured, flicking at the end of each one. When Ryou’s whines were at their loudest, Merwet focused on Ryou’s clit. Kauket nibbled Ryou’s neck and held her through her second orgasm. All the while, Ryou squirmed against Bakura’s body and Bakura teased the outside of Ryou’s hips. “Here.” Bakura nudged them off of her and she dug through her things for her enchanted belt. She found their harnesses and stripped off her robe and shenti before slipping into the straps. “Is that for me?” Merwet grinned. “You were very specific about getting your turn.” “I was.” Merwet lidded her gaze as she answered Bakura. “Why don’t you sit on my face next, hmm?” Kauket grabbed Ryou, nibbling on her ear. “Yes please.” Ryou nodded as she caught her breath. Her face was flushed and her eyes glimmered teal as the magic they created intoxicated her. Kauket got comfortable on her back and pulled Ryou onto her mouth. Merwet decided to kneel on hands and knees between Kauket’s legs so she could eat Kuaket out but keep her ass lifted so Bakura could take her from behind. “This is quite the view. Are you ready, Merwet?” Bakura oiled the lambskin covering and smoothed her free hand over the curve of Merwet’s ass. “I want you inside me right now,” Merwet barked out the statement like an order. Bakura grinned, teasing the phallus along Merwet’s slit and mixing the oil with Merwet’s natural moisture. Merwet’s ass tightened, her body taut with anticipation. She moaned when Bakura slid inside her and pushed deep, striking Merwet’s nerves just so. Taking her time, Bakura eased in and out, it was so good that Merwet couldn’t do much more than flick in tongue along the top of Kauket’s clit, steady and rhythmic and without imagination, as she moaned from Bakura’s movements. As they all worked on pleasuring each other, the air inside the tent grew humid and sweet with their mingled scents. Ryou murmured about each of their magic, and Bakura’s thrust created a soft and steady slap-slap of their skin smacking together. Merwet permitted herself and enough breath for a long moan as Bakura struck her nerves right where she wanted, but then she dove back between Kauket’s legs and swirled her tongue with more focus. Kauket grunted, then screamed, and was first to come. Merwet was grateful because she wanted to focus on Bakura slamming into her. She rested the side of her cheek against Kauket’s muscular thigh and panted each time Bakura pushed inside her. Ryou was second to cry out. She fell off of Kauket and crumpled in a heap of white fur and satisfaction. Merwet grinned for a moment, but her mouth pushed wide into an O of desire as Bakura sped up her pace.Bakura slapped Merwet’s ass, forcing a growl of pleasure from her lips. Their skin continued to smack together, and the sound fueled Merwet’s arousal as her thighs quivered from how hard she was squeezing her muscles. She couldn’t stand it anymore and thrust her hand to her clitoris, stroking herself as her wails echoed around their tent. Bakura grunted, coming with her from the pressure of the harness pushing against her mons. Before either of them could catch their breath, Ryou lunged, tackled Bakura, and began to ride her. “There’s four of us, so four orgasms should fully charge my magic, yes?” Ryou smirked. “You won’t hear any complaints from me.” Bakura grinned. Their breasts jostled as they rocked against each other. Merwet couldn’t resist cupping one of Bakura’s and sucking on her pert, dark nipple. Bakura moaned, hitching her hips to thrust into Ryou. Kauket slipped two fingers around the leather straps of the harness and pushed into Bakura’s wet cunt. Bakura grit her teeth, slammed her eyes shut, and rode out the pleasure of all of them touching her at once until she was writhing with a long, intense orgasm. Afterward, Bakura crashed against her sleeping furs, caressing Ryou’s thigh and Merwet’s shoulder as Ryou bounced with her tails curling in the air. Ryou shimmered, then glowed, as magic surrounded her during her final orgasm. Merwet slept with Bakura pressed on one side, Kauket on the other, Ryou’s tails caressing all of their skin.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

They marched down from the mountains into the valley where Shin’s fortress stood like a solid cube of gray stone and metal. It was ugly, but fireproof, and no battering ram could break down the gate. Kauket didn’t care. Ryou could teleport them inside and they could open those gates and anyone who stood in Kauket’s way would become a canvas for her to saturate in red. Kauket’s heartbeat pounded as the bloodlust surged inside of her. She searched for a scout or perhaps even Diva, but as they marched, no troops attacked them. Neither did any units embark from the fortress to defend it. Kauket worried the cowards would stay behind their safe, pathetic walls, but then a shimmer of blue materialized in front of them. “Good. I was hoping I’d get to kill you myself.” Kauket smirked when she saw Diva. Only she wasn’t human. Not anymore. Her body was translucent, blue light, and her face was deformed with jutting cubes poking out from her features and parts of her body. “Damn bitch, I died and my mom healed me and fixed my breathing problems because of magical mom love—you just got ugly.” Bakura wrinkled her face. “Tell Shin you quit before you change into something even more freaky.” “You can laugh—all the way to your grave.” Diva splayed out her hands. The energy forming her body pulsed with a deep, dark light. “You’re not the first deathless thing we’ve had to put down. Your master’s magic won’t be able to save you forever.” Merwet pulled her sword. “You have no idea what Master Shin is capable of, or the power I now command.” Diva raised her hands and more blue light swirled all around her. “She’s summoning reinforcements. Everyone back!” Ryou pulled Bakura and Merwet a few steps away, but Kauket refused to budge. The swelling blue portals condensed and took form. Tall, egg shaped creatures with squirming tentacles and a single eye in the center of each. Blobular cubes surrounded with eyes and mouths crowded with jagged teeth. “There’s hundreds of them.” Merwet frowned. “But do they bleed?” Kauket dashed forward and sliced one of the monsters in half. Both parts hit the dirt with a thud before hissing and dissipating in black steam. “Good enough for me.” Mai lifted herself into the air, pointing her weapon at the company of otherworldly creatures. “Come on Harpies! We’ve fought worse than this!” Mai led the attack and the mercenary army clashed against creatures. They screamed as they charged, thrusting their spears into the giant eyeballs of the floating egg-shaped things. Kauket tossed her head back, laughter echoing into the desolate landscape. She tense, preparing the vault into the battle and sait her bloodlust. “Kauket!” Ryou reached out, concerned. Kauket ran to Ryou, knelt, held her hand, and kissed it. “Go. Find Amane.”“Kauket, come with me.” Ryou squeezed Kauket’s hand. “I need this.” Kauket kissed Ryou’s hand. “I was made to fight. Let me defeat this army for you and buy you the time to save your sister. I swear I won’t forget myself. I’ll find you. The three of us will go home together.” “Come on. She’ll be okay.” Bakura locked her fingers with Ryou’s free hand. “Bakura came back to me when I needed her—Kauket will do the same,” Merwet said. “Fine. I trust you, Kauket. Come back to me.” Ryou’s expression crumpled, but she turned and ran toward the monolith in front of them. “I will, once I deal with the bitch who hurt you.” Kauket grinned and licked up the blade of her sword. She pointed it at Diva, circling around her. “Your little devils bleed...what about you?” “As long as Master Shin lives—death cannot harm me.” Diva tossed her braids behind her back. “If you’re dumb enough to come back to life after I’m done with you—that just means more fun for me.” Kauket hurled herself toward Diva. She slashed with her sword, but Diva blinked out of existence and returned an instant later. It was so fast it was hardly visible, but it was enough that Kauket’s sword didn’t cut her. With a growl, Kauket made a cross slash, but Diva evaded it in the same way. Two of the cube-clustered monsters lunged for Kauket. Kauket tore into them with her steel, and they crashed onto the dirt as crystal cubes that melted in form before evaporating into the air. Spitting at Diva’s feet, Kauket lunged close for another attack. Diva laughed as Kauket’s blade cut through her without harming her. Around them the Harpies dealt with Diva’s summoned army. Yugi raised into the air and dove low, spearing one of the creature’s through it’s large eye. Blood showered across his leather jerkin, but he ripped the spear from the dead creature and attacked another one before it was able to leap on him from behind. Mai was no less fierce. She stormed through the battle, protecting her soldiers and tossing colored bottles at the oncoming forces. The bottles shattered and colored smoke rose into the air. Kauket wasn’t sure if it were magic or alchemy, but the monsters coughed and fled from the patches of smoke, making them easy prey for the other Harpie fighters. It gave Kauket an idea. She reached for her belt, grabbed a flask of one of Ryou’s poisons. Her right hand swung her sword, and after Diva reappeared, Kauket splashed the vial of poison into her face. She grabbed her eyes with both hands, screaming as the toxin seeped through her eyes and entered her bloodstream. “This is for hurting Ryou.” Kauket sliced through Diva’s neck. Her cube-infested head rolled along the ground, no longer shimmering blue, but a dim shadowy shape. She shattered, Kauket sneered. Angry. Angry that the one who hurt Ryou so much died so easily. It should have been harder. Kauket should have been able to hurt her more, but it was done, and there were still monsters all around them. Kauket leapt into the rest of the battle, blood pumping through her veins. She knew once this was over she’d have to go back with Ryou and rest, lay aside her violent birthright in exchange for hundred year naps with her fox lover. But for now Kauket was alive with bloodlust and free to move, and sweat, and kill as her swords slashed through limbs, tentacles, and so, so, so many eyes. ***“Amane!” Ryou raced down the corridors, searching each room. The room sat empty. No people, no furniture, not even dust collecting on the floors—only endless square after endless square, each made up of the same sized cubes of stone. It was so monotonous that it made Ryou’s headache, and each time she opened another unadorned door to find nothing but empty sameness inside, she panicked. “Can’t you sense her or something?” Bakura asked. “No. There are spells sealing the doorways, and the monotony of this place hurts my senses.” “I’m so sick of fucking mages.” Bakura groaned. “Magic is only good when it lets us take short cuts. This game of hide & seek is camel shit.” “Less talking and more searching.” Merwet shoved Bakura at an unchecked door. “I’m looking!” Bakura batted her away. Ryou whimpered, distressed. Bakura sighed and rested his hand on Ryou’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’re here. We’ll find her.” “Okay, but let’s hurry, please. The magic in here makes it hard to breathe. I don’t like it.”“Okay, no more complaining and more searching.” Bakura kissed Ryou’s cheek and checked the next room. They found them in the last room on the third floor—as sparse as the rest except for two women sitting very still in chairs. Their heads drooped as if dozing, and they didn’t react to the intrusion. One was a harpie with chestnut brown hair and tan, brown, and auburn feathers. The other was a fox spirit who looked much like Ryou only her eyes were pale pink and her hair was cut in a bob. “Amane!” Ryou threw her arms around her. “Thank goodness! I’ve missed you!” Tears rolled over Ryou’s cheek as she embraced her sister. Amane blinked at Ryou, as if waking. “Ryou?” “Yes. Let’s go. We’re going home Amane.” “I...can’t.” Amane frowned. “Sure you can. If that Shin bastard tries to stop us we’ll shove a dagger in his throat.” Bakura tried to nudge Amane to her feet. “I can’t! I can’t!” Amane shook her head, weeping. “It’s the slave collar’s around our necks. We can’t leave this room as long as we wear them.” The harpy touched the silver at her throat. “You’re in luck, I happen to be the King of Thieves. There ain’t a manacle in existence I can’t break out of one way or another.” “They’re enchanted. Only Shin’s blood can free us.” “That doesn’t make any sense.” Bakura wrinkled his brow. “It’s...It’s how magic works.” The harpy gave a slight shake of her head, but she was as slow and lethargic as Amane. “Easy enough. We were going to kill him anyway. We’ll just make sure it’s a bloody death.” Merwet crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s your name?” Bakura asked the harpy. “Me? Anzu.” “Okay Anzu, Amane, you both sit tight. We’ll be back as soon as we can to free you and get you both home.” Bakura winked and pointed at them with a confident grin. “Ryou, don’t leave me.” Amane gripped Ryou’s arm. “I have to.” Ryou kissed her sister’s forehead. “Don’t worry. We’ll have you home in time for tea and I’ll let you steal all the cream-filled cakes, okay?” “O-okay…” Amane gave a single nod, but the worry was clear in her expression. “We won’t be long.” Ryou forced a smile. Her heart was screaming, shrieking. She didn’t want to leave her sister, sitting like a doll in a room too still and too quiet. “Sooner we kill him, the sooner she’s free.” Merwet hooked her arm with Ryou’s and pulled her away. ***Bakura was used to this by now, to the point of boredom. The throne room was always on the top floor in the very back, as if Kings for some reason wanted their guests to travel as far as possible before receiving an audience. They rushed wordless through the empty, silent halls. It was eerie, to see neither guards, nor servants in the halls. Bakura had a bad feeling that everyone in the fortress wore the same silver collars as Anzu and Amane. Perhaps there was a servant quarters somewhere, a long row of chairs with quiet, almost dreaming servants. Bakura shivered. At least no guards meant no fighting their way through each level. They ran until they reached the top floor and bolted for the black, onyx-carved double doors at the end of the hallway. Braizers lined the hallway, filling it with bloody light. The hairs on the back of Bakura’s neck prickled. Something wasn’t right. She could feel it, but she couldn’t tell what it was. Ryou felt it too. All nine of her tails were bushy and her ears were slicked back. A low growl rumbled in the back of her throat and Bakura and Merwet stopped when Ryou skidded to a halt. “What’s wrong?” Merwet asked. “Smells like the infernal realms. There’s a demon close by.” “Then let’s hurry and attack Shin before it shows up.” Bakura scowled. “You know it can’t ever be that simple for us.” Merwet snorted. They heard a splash, like a drop of rain splattering on the floor only thicker...heavier…The sound repeated. Bakura saw something more dense than oil dripping from the ceiling. It pooled on the floor, gleaming sickly in the firelight. Then a putrid green claw reached out from the icor. The talons slammed into the floor, chipping the tiles as it clawed forward. Another claw extended. Bakura didn’t know what they were about to face, but she wasn’t going to stand and watch like a moron while the damn thing crawled up from the floor. She sprinted forward and jumped. Sliding along the polished stone, she ripped her dagger across the creature’s tendon’s so it couldn’t pull itself up further. Mewert followed behind Bakura, slammed onto her knee, and brought her khopesh down to sever the thing’s other hand. “Get back!” Ryou screamed. “Don’t let the ichor touch you!” Bakura and Merwet jumped to their feet and hopped backward. The severed arm melted into drops of black, pulled back into the muck, and another hand formed. The wound Bakura cut oozed black but mended before their eyes. Now several spikes of blue hair stabbed through the black, and a pair of wings chiseled from slats of stone. Bakura and Merwet scurried further backward. “Ryou! How do we kill it!” “Magic!” Ryou shot the puddle with a blast of light. The demon emerging from the floor screamed. With a final tug she wrenched herself free and fully appeared in the hallway. Myriad eyes glared at them from several cube-shaped extensions from her face. Her tail swung behind her as she stepped forward with taloned feet. “She reminds me of...Diva?” Merwet scowled. “The lioness cut me down, but each death...strengthens me,” Diva’s voice gurgled as a long purple tongue lulled out of her mouth. “Bitch, your eyeballs are moving independently of each other and it’s really freaking me the fuck out.” Bakura scratched her face, sick and tired of fighting whatever villain-of-the-week the gods seemed fit to put in their way. At this point, she was ready to retire and live a long-demon free life. “Bakura! Focus!” Merwet’s khopesh burst into golden flames. “Ryou told us to use magic.” “Uuurgh, fine!” Bakura summoned Diabound. Diva jumped behind the pool of black, growling at Diabound’s divine aura. Diabound blasted Diva with a beam attack, but another monster materialized in front of her to guard her. The thing was circular with a huge eye in the center and several sharp tentacle-like appendages slithering from its body. It absorbed the attack and reflected it at them. They all scattered to dodge. A section of the wall crumbled behind them, filling the air with dust. “Fuck,” Merwet spat toward the puddle. “I can close it, but I’ll need you to cover me.” Ryou focused a stream of magic at the puddle. The black shined and the edges evaporated. “No you don’t!” Diva barked laughter as more creatures appeared around her. Bakura pulled a set of throwing knives from her belt and flung one in the center of the first creature’s giant eye. The blade sunk into the pupil and the thing screeched as it burst into black droplets that splattered to the ground and slithered back toward the main pool. “Good job Bakura!” Merwet sent Ra’s fire sweeping over the creatures. They merged into a wall of cube-like stones, shielding Diva from the fire without taking any damage. Bakura waited until they reformed and flung another knife into the center of a different creature’s eye. However, while it burst into black drops, two other monsters reached out to interrupt Ryou’s spell. “No you don’t!” Merwet sliced through their limbs. She stood close to Ryou to protect her.“Just...a few...more minutes…” Ryou panted as her magic evaporated the portal to the infernal realm. “Once I close this...she won’t...be able to summon...more.” “We got your back! Do your thing!” Bakura flung her last three daggers into monster’s. They all perished, but for each one she dropped, two more took its place, and Bakura was out of knives. Good thing she had three more sets in her belt. Magical infinite item holding belt for the win—damn she loved Ryou. “Fuck this!” Bakura screamed as she ran forward. “Idiot! What are you doing!” Merwet roared behind her. Bakura jumped, kicked off the side of the wall, and launched herself over the puddle. In the center of a dozen fiends, she could use her regular dagger to slice out all their creepy fucking eyeballs while Diabound punched with his fists and lashed out with his tail. A second later Merwet stood beside her. She used the knob at the end of her khopesh like a club to punch into the creature’s eyes. “I got it! Kill the last of them and we’ll be able to attack Diva directly!” Ryou shouted. The last of the creatures transformed into a protective wall. “No you fucking don’t! Diabound!” Bakura shouted and Diabound pulled them through the barrier to reach Diva. “Hi bitch!” Bakura shouted as she and Merwet each grabbed one of the cube protruding where her eyes (many eyes) were and shot their power directly into her face. She exploded in a bomb of black ichor that drenched Merwet and Bakura. “Gross.” Bakura coughed, smearing the goo away from her arms. “Godsdammit, another fucking dress ruined. I’m sick of adventures.” Merwet wrung the gunk from the linen. “Not my fault this time.” “Bakura, do not start with me.” “Don’t worry. I have plenty of dresses stashed in my belt for you, my sun.” Bakura chuckled. The wall around them shattered. They covered their eyes to keep the dust from blinding them. Ryou broke through, frantic. “Oh no.” Ryou stepped back when she saw them. “I know, gross right? It feel all dark and evil like when I wore the stupid Ring.” Bakura tore off her shenti to help whip the goop from Merwet’s body. “Aren’t...don’t you feel…?” Ryou blinked, her face pale and her voice nervous. “Possessed by the powers of evil?” Bakura raised a white eyebrow. “Well, yes? That’s the very essence of darkness, concentrated and too strong for any humans to resist its vile influence? I’m surprised you’re not both attacking me right now?” “Eh, it’s just sticky Shadow Magic. I’ve resisted it before.” Bakura grabbed Merwet and kissed her. Merwet pressed her forehead against Bakura’s. “Bakura’s right. We already faced our demons together. This dark magic is powerless against us.” “You’re amazing.” Ryou swiped her tails across their bodies, a faint glimmer surrounded them and the black disappeared. “Thanks.” Bakura popped a quick kiss on her lips before re-wrapping her shenti around her waist. “My dress. You really are the best, Ryou.” Merwet kissed her as well. “You’re the best. Not even the powers of infernal darkness can sway you. I’m not sure I could have so easily resisted it myself.”“Yes you could have, because you need to save Amane, so let’s go. We’ll kill Shin and save your sister.” Merwet cupped Ryou’s face and kissed the corner of Ryou’s mouth. “All right.” Ryou held Merwet’s hand and smiled. “Wait.” A soft voice spoke behind them. They all spun around. The child who’d frozen them during their first fight with Diva stood and wrung his hands. His eyes were glassy and his face was twisted in a way Bakura knew too well—it was the look of a child who’d lost everyone. “Please,” he said, voice still a fragil tremor in the otherwise silent hallway. “My sister.”“I’m sorry. She’s an infernal creature now.” Ryou shook her head. “I know. I’m not asking you to forgive her. She attacked you, but—I could never control the dimensions, not like she could. Please, send me there, so I can find her and save her.” “I…” Ryou frowned. “Don’t think that’s a good idea. She won’t understand who you are. She’ll attack you.” “No.” The boy shook his head. “Diva would never.” “I...I understand. Why am I here if not because I’d do the same for my own sister.” Ryou beckoned. “Come here.” The boy walked up to them, standing in front of Ryou. She rested her hand on his forehead, and he fell through the floor. “Just like that? You’re going to send him all alone to a realm with devils?” Bakura asked. “Maybe he’ll die, maybe he’ll save her, but I think he deserved the choice to try.” Ryou shook her head but then faced the onyx doors once again. “I, however, do not have a choice. I. Will. Save. Amane.”Ryou marched toward the throne room. ***Merwet slapped Bakura on the ass. “Can’t have her going alone. Do the honors, my moon, and bust those doors open.” “You got it, my sun.” Bakura kicked the onyx slabs and they rushed into the room together. “Welcome to the revolution, bitch. Now hand over your servants like a good boy, and we won’t shove your head on a spike.” “Such anger is not good for you, my friend, and violence is never the solution.” Shin gave them a weary smile, as if he were a teacher and they were young students who couldn’t remember their lessons. Shin sat cross-legged on a simple white mat. The linen robes were well made, but common, not the robes of the lord of a kingdom. The only adornments on his entire body was a simple pair of golden hoop earrings and three gold triangles painted on his forehead and cheeks. His hands were folded in his lap and he had his head bowed as if in prayer or meditation. “Oh yeah? Violence isn’t the answer? You probably should have told that to your dog who shot our friend with a crossbow! That was pretty fucking violent.” Bakura shouted. “I instructed Diva to try and complete her task as peacefully as possible, but she understood the importance of our mission and took matters into her own hands in order to try and succeed. Unfortunately, this has led to her death several times.” Merwet’s jaw tightened. She hated Shin more than she’d hated any other opponent short of Aknadin. At least their other foes laughed or sneered or attacked. Shin didn’t even stand. He lifted his gaze to them and his blue eyes pierced them in a way a cold desert night never could. “Please, sit. Perhaps we can talk out our differences. I don’t think our goals are much different.” “Our goals are completely different!” Merwet roared. “You want to enslave people and we want to free them!” “Is anyone really free? Destiny. Fate. Gods. We’re all walking along paths pre-paved for us and call it free will because we chose to move our feet. What I wish to offer everyone is peace. An end to their pain and suffering. A new reality in which we’re free from hurt.” “Release my sister, Shin! If you don’t—” Ryou pulled her dagger from her belt and lined the edge on the same plane as Shin’s throat. “I’ll free her myself.” “Every candle needs a wick. The magical creatures I’m collecting will be the foundation of our new, perfect reality.” “Take your perfect reality and shove it right up your ass.” Bakura flung one of her throwing knives, aiming for the center gold triangle on Shin’s head. A woman stepped from behind one of the marble columns supporting the room. She clapped her hands, catching Bakura’s blade between her palms. “M-mom?” Merwet’s voice cracked as she stared at her mother. Her hair was the same gold. The children of Ra didn’t gray, but wrinkles framed her eyes. Still, she was as beautiful as Merwet ever remembered her. But her eyes were dim and she didn’t move other than to drop the knife. A silver collar flashed at her throat. The same one Amane wore. “What did you do to her, you bastard!” Merwet screamed. “I gave her peace. When I found her she was being publicly whipped for attempting to escape. Like you, she was angry and couldn’t accept her fate, so I gave her peace.” Shin spread out his hands. “Now she’s a doll—a beautiful, peaceful doll who will help me share this gift with the entire world.” “No.” Merwet shook her head, her jaw clenched. Merwet summoned Ra.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Your passion and power is impressive, but will your anger cause you to burn your own mother to get to me?” Shin folded his hands in his lap once again, his expression neutral. “Instead of fighting me, why not join with me? Together we can bring the world peace.” “Not peace. You’ll only bring stillness to the world. You’d enslave us to an existence worse than death.” Merwet pointed her khopesh at Shin. “But your death has already been foretold, and I’m going to bring that prophecy to pass.” “You poor, angry child.” Shin sighed, closing his eyes. “Stuck on a path laid out for you and mistaking yourself as free because you continue to walk. Lay down. Rest. Be at ease.” “Never! My emotions are my right! Even my rage!” “Merwet!” Ryou shouted as she and Bakura prepared to attack. “Go for it!” Merwet gave a quick nod. Ra and Diabound stayed in the background to avoid hurting Merwet’s mother. Bakura dashed right, Merwet left, and Ryou sprinted toward the center. They zipped past Merwet’s mother; however, a golden hydra appeared in front of them, blocking all three of their paths and protecting Shin. They skidded to a halt on the polisheded, dustless floor. Merwet had never seen her mother’s ka, she stared in awe, but growled because she didn’t know how to get to shin without hurting her mother’s spirit. “Dammit.” Bakura grit her teeth. “Merwet? What do we do.” “There’s no courage in fighting me. It’s courageous to join me,” Shin said, meditating as if they were there to kill him. “Joining you would be giving up.” Ryou shook her head. “My sister used to laugh and race the fairy gardens. She was joyous, wild chaos incarnate—you have her sitting in a chair, listless! How dare you!” “I helped her. I’ve made her calm.” “You made her miserable.” Bakura sneered. “Your world would be boring. I’d rather die on an adventure than sit in a chair until my heart gave out.” Bakura caught an opening between the multiple hydra heads. She went for it, leaping into the air and aiming for the gap between them, but a stream of fire pushed her backward. Bakura was able to kick off of one of the pillars supporting the throne room and change her trajectory before the flames singed her skin. She landed, rolled, and sprang to her feet. He held her knife, her gaze darting between shin and the ka for another option. “You’re not using either us or my sister as fuel for your magic!” Ryou screamed. “Today, you die!” “Merwet,” Her mother whispered. She stood still, another pillar supporting Shin. Her face curved in a slight smile as if wired in place. With her ringlets surrounding her face like so many hydra heads, she really did look like a carefully crafted doll, beautiful and fit for an emperor. Tears stung Merwet’s eyes, her own fire to drip down her face, no Ra’s. “Mother fight this bastard. Fight him!” “Fighting is never the way, my child.”“That’s not you speaking, that’s Shin! Shin, you fucker, you think I don’t know the difference! I haven’t seen her almost my entire life, but I know what she’s saying isn’t her!” Merwet’s knuckles paled as she gripped her khopesh handle. She edged around the hydra to try and catch a better glance at Shin, but her mother shifted in front of her with as few steps as possible, wired-grin never growing or dropping or changing into any other expression, merely staying frozen like the expression of any other toy. “Don’t fight. Lay down your sword.” “I’m never laying down my sword!” Merwet tackled her mother to the ground. They crashed against the tiles and slid to the wall, thumping against it. “Bakura! Tie her up!” Merwet ordered. “Got it, Queen!” Bakura shoved her knee in Merwet’s mother’s back and grabbed her arms. As Bakura wound a rope around her mother-in-law’s wrists, seven streams of fire all aimed for them. Ryou stood to intercept. She held up her hands and nine barriers appeared. Each stream shattered one of Ryou’s shields, but they weren’t enough to break through the last two. Bakura ripped a strip off her shenti and blind folded Merwet’s mother as well. “Sorry, mom, but we really need to kill this dude. I’ll formally introduce myself after the battle.” Bakura spoke as she worked. “Lernaia will fight even if I’m bound,” Merwet’s mother said. Her voice was steady, unconcerned. It was so listless that hearing her voice sent a chill through Merwet. She glared at Shadi. His blood was the key to free her mother and Ryou’s sister, and Merwet wasn’t going to let a dragon—even her mother’s dragon—get in the way. “Again!” Merwet sprang forward. “This time don’t hold back! My mother’s spirit is strong enough to survive our attack!” Ra flapped in front of two of the heads. Diabound grabbed three, wrestling with their long necks and making it impossible to aim their fire. Ryou used her last two barriers to protect her from the sixth’s head, and Bakura leapt on the seventh’s neck. She wrapped the hydra’s mouth with her red robe to muzzle it. “Merwet! Now!” Merwet somersaulted over the ka, khopesh ready to sink into Shin’s neck. As she descended, Lernaia’s golden tail struck Merwet to the ground. She rolled along the floor, bruised and disoriented from the impact of the crash. “Merwet!” Bakura leapt and rolled to her, scooping Merwet into her arms and using heka to treat Merwet’s wounds. “Doesn’t matter...kill...Shin.” Ryou screamed as her barriers were shattered and she smashed into a marble pillar. “Shit!” Bakura swore. “I’m okay. Go help her.” Merwet pushed herself to her feet, unsteady. “You’re still hurt.” Bakura clenched her teeth. “So’s Ryou!” Merwet shoved at Bakura.“You’re no good to your mother dead, so don’t do anything heroic.” Bakura ran to Ryou. “Heh...I never listen to you.” Merwet grinned, then she closed her eyes in prayer. “Ra...give me your strength.” Her soul called out to the sun god, desperate to save her mother, desperate to preserve a world where the sun’s barge was able to arc across the sky each day. Shin would anchor it, keep in place, have the universe stay in perpetual twilight, but that’s not what Merwet wanted nor was it the will of the god. He dove towards her, crashing into her. The flaming Eye of Wadjet appeared in the air and embedded itself on Merwet's forehead. As in Ur, Merwet felt herself join with Ra, their wills unified in their desire to stop Shin. The tapestries and rugs ignited into flames. The golden trim encircling each pillow sweated liquid gold as they melted. Her hair blew around her like wild flames, and her dress smoldered from the heat of her body. Shin opened his eyes, then, and gazed at Merwet. “I see. Your biases blind you to my vision. It’s sad. Violence is never the answer, but I suppose some sacrifice is necessary for the benefit of the whole.” Pale blue light surrounded Shin. It felt too similar to the shrine beneath Kul Elna when it would entrance Bakura. Merwet growled, unafraid of Shin’s power. They beat Aknadin, and the gods helped them destroy Zorc. Merwet fought, and won Bakura’s heart in the process. Now, Merwet wasn’t going to allow a sorcerer to destroy what was left of her family—she’d fight again, and she wouldn’t stop until his blood splashed onto the collar enslaving her mother. “Merwet, don’t—” Her mother struggled against her binds. Merwet hesitated, it was the closest to expressive her mother had managed since Merwet saw her. “Call off your ka, Mother. I don’t want you to get hurt.” “Merwet! I can’t!” “Yes you can! Bakura fought against Zorc and you can fight this bastard!” “I can’t!” She sobbed. “Hush, Uatit. Be calm.” Shin raised his hand to silence her, and when he spoke, Merwet’s mother slumped against the ground. “Don’t you dare use her name!” Merwet raced forward. Lernaia struck with several sets of teeth, but Diabound body-blocked the attack, taking the damage himself so Merwet had an opening to Shin. Refusing to allow Bakura’s sacrifice to be in vain, Merwet bridged the distance between them and sliced into the sorcerer—her sword passing through him as if he were a ghost. “This reality is so frail. When you know how to fold the fabric, the possibilities for a better world become endless,” Shin said, beside her instead of in front of her. His cushions were ash, but he floated above the ground, still cross legged. “Bastard!” Merwet blasted Shin with fire, but it evaporated before reaching the blue aura protecting him. “Soon, you will see how beautiful peace is instead of struggle.” Shin stood, another silver slave collar in his hand. “Never!” Merwet slashed, slashed, slashed, but Shin phased out of existence reappearing away from her sword-strokes. On instinct, Merwet spun around and jumped backward. Shin stood with the collar opened. She’d only narrowly avoided him clasping it around her neck. “Merwet...hurry…” Bakura was slumped beside Ryou. Between Bakura healing the fox, and Diabound fighting the hydra, her strength was fading. Merwet used all of her fire and surrounded Shin, but the flames only flowed around the blue aura like a halo. “The gods may control the world, but I’m beyond this world, beyond all worlds, and all gods.” Shin beckoned. “It’s over.” “Merwet... run…” Ryou tried to push herself up, but Bakura held her back, still treating her injuries. Without warning he was standing against Merwet. She tried to jerk away, but her back slammed against one of the marble pillars. Merwet raised her sword to block Shin from advancing. His arms slipped through her as if they weren’t real. She flailed to keep the silver from touching her throat, but no matter how she moved, it felt as if Shin was already there to snap it on. “Merwet!” Bakura stood and stumbled forward, but Lernaia, thought wrestling with Diabound, managed to whip her tail at Bakura’s feet, and Bakura crashed to the floor. Merwet opened her mouth to call out, but couldn’t make a sound as her throat closed in anticipation of the enchantment surrounding her. Instinctually, she shoved Shin away, but her hands only went through his torso as he muttered an incantation to lock the collar in place.Before the clasp could lock into place, the window behind Shin shattered. The noise startled Shin, and he stepped back. The collar, solid and in this world in order to trap Merwet, fell from his hands and clanked on the floor. Kauket jumped into the room, but she wasn’t in human form. She stood taller and her body was sheer gold. Her hair flew out and around her and down past her waist like a mane with two feline ears poking from the spikes. A golden lioness’s tail whipped back and forth. Her hands and feet were paws and golden fur grew up her limbs. The only thing that wasn’t gold were her solid red eyes. “Shit.” Ryou crawled towards her. “Merwet! Run! She won’t recognize you!” “Kuaket—you saved me.” Merwet exhaled. The sigil glowed on Merwet’s forehead. Her body burned as if with fever. Instead of stepping away, Merwet drew closer. Kauket snarled and hissed, sword in hand. Reaching out, Merwet offered her hand. “Kauket, help me. We’ll kill him together.” A snarl was her only answer. “She’s everything I detest. Unbridled emotion destroying all composure.” Shin’s stoic expression finally broke. He gazed at Kauket with disgust and his hand clasped back around the silver collar. “But I will fix this. I will temper the world and create it anew.” “I trust you, Kuaket.” Merwet summoned a pillar of fire to rise beneath Shin’s feet. Distracted by Kauket, Shin didn’t anticipate Merwet’s attack. The fire shot through the blue light surrounded him, and he screamed. With a grin full of pointed teeth, Kauket fell on top of him, swiped at the sorcerer with her claws, and tore into his flesh. The gold nails ripped through Shin’s magic and body as if it were silk, and he crumpled to the floor, head barely attached to his neck, blood spraying into the air. Kauket opened her mouth and caught some of the spray, laughing in manic delight after swallowing. Lernaia vanished the moment Shin fell, and Diabound helped Bakura to her feet as they both recovered from the attack. “Merwet! Run! Run! Run!” Ryou stumbled to her feet and wobbled between them. She only managed one shield. Eight of her nine tails drooped as if broken.Kauket stood up from Shin’s corpse and roarted. The cry alone was enough to shatter Ryou’s only remaining shield. “Please…” Ryou dropped to her knees. “Kauket, remember your promise.” “Kauket. It’s us,” Merwet said, refusing to run. She released the powers of Ra, shivering from the lack of the god’s heat. Standing defenseless before Kauket, Merwet opened her arms to embrace the creature more goddess than human. “Kauket!” Bakura leapt at Kauket with the last ounce of her strength. Merwet held her breath, expecting Bakura to attack to protect Merwet and Ryou, but Bakura only wrapped her arms around Kauket and peppered kisses up her neck. “You did it! You fucked his ass up! You fucking feline godddess that was hot as fuck! I fucking love you, you crazy bitch!” Kauket stood, blinking blood-red eyes. “Yes! You were amazing!” Merwet joined Bakura, hooking one arm around them and tugging at Kauket’s mane. “Next time I get my hands on you in bed, I’m going to pleasure you until you lose your voice from screaming my name.” Kauket growled in the back of her throat, a low warning, but Bakura nuzzled against her as if the warning were part of the foreplay. Merwet kissed Kauket’s fuzzy ears and shoulders. Ryou gasped behind them. She pushed herself up, legs shaking, but she fell into their group embrace. One of her tails coiled with Kauket’s lion tail, and Ryou kissed Kauket’s chest over the heart. “You’re so fierce, my darkness.” Ryou sank against Kauket. “Please come back to me now.” “Ryou.” Kuaket collapsed into their arms, in her human form, and they caught her, crushing her between them. “Are you all right?” Ryou kissed Kauket. “Battle hangover.” Kauket opened one eye and grinned at them. “I’ll be fine in a minute.” “One hell of a battle, yeah?” Bakura smirked. “I had so much fun. I didn’t even eat any of those damn chickens.” “Harpies, Kauket,” Ryou scolded. “Yeah, them. I killed the devils without hurting the soldiers. I knew you wanted them alive, Ryou, so I went to find you instead.”“Thanks, we were kinda struggling.” Bakura laughed. “Kauket, I’m so happy you’re okay. You even controlled your god-form.” Ryou nuzzled against her, nipping her shoulders between kisses. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” Merwet kissed Kauket’s lips, but crouched down to Shin’s corpse, coating her fingertip with his blood. “Don’t lick it. It tastes old.” Kuaket frowned. “I had something else in mind.” Merwet ran to her mother and smeared the blood across the silver collar. With a strange chime sound, the collar dropped to the floor. Merwet tore off Uatit’s blindfold and cut her bounds. “Mother?” “Merwet.” Uatit smiled. “It’s been so long.” “I’ve missed you!” Merwet wrapped her arms around her mother and held her. “You’ve grown up.” “A little.” Merwet wiped a tear from her mother’s cheek. “We killed Aknadin. Atem’s back on the throne, and all the daughters of Ra are on their way home—including Chione, A'at, and Ipwet. Including you. We’re free, and we’re going home.”“It’s been so long.” Her mother sobbed. “I know.” Merwet squeezed her. “I know.”

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“How are you feeling?” Ryou combed through Kauket’s battle tangled hair.“Tired. I want to go home, Ryou.” Kauket curled against her chest.“Yes. It’s time. Help me free Amane and the others, and then we’ll go.”“I uh, better go introduce myself to my new mother-in-law.” Bakura scratched the back of his head.“I promise we’ll say goodbye before we leave.” Ryou tangled their fingers together.“You better. Don’t make me summon your ass back after you get home.” Bakura grinned.Ryou kissed him because she knew their Goodbye was near. Kauket must have felt the same because she dipped Bakura low and took her time smothering kisses against Bakura’s mouth. Afterward, she released Bakura and held Ryou’s hand instead. Ryou pulled a bottle from her skirts and filled it with the blood still trickling from Shin’s corpse. She stared at the empty blue eyes and a chill ran down her spine.“I hate him,” Ryou whispered.“Let him be. The gods can judge him now.” Kauket squeezed Ryou’s fingers.“He was so righteous.” Ryou’s fist clenched around the bottle. “And so sure that he was going to capture us all. Thank you, Kauket. I’ll always remember how you killed him.”Ryou hid against Kauket’s chest, and Kauket stroked her hair.“Hey now, we can do this for the next thousand years, and I plan to, but let’s find Amane.”“You’re right. I know where she is, follow me.”They rushed to the room where Amane and Anzu still sat in their chairs like unused dolls. Another shiver cut through Ryou’s core. That they’d killed Shin but it did not help break the spell was chilling. Ryou vowed to search the fortress thoroughly to make sure they rescued everyone he’d enslaved before they left—no one should exist as a doll.Nearing her sister, Ryou tilted the bottle. A drop of blood landed against the silver. The metal dulled as the unremarkable red ran down the length of the color. She repeated the action for Anzu as well. After the collars dropped away, both girls bliked. Their expressions brightened and they grabbed each other in a hug, squealing in delight as if the noise had been one building inside them with no outlet for quite some time.“I feel so much better.” Anzu stood and stretched. “Thank you!”“Ryou!” Amane flung her arms around Ryou in a crushing grip.“I’ve been so worried about you, Amane. It’s been so long.” Ryou returned the embrace, rocking them both from side to side in her excitement.“Not that long.” Amane giggled. “What’s a human year to us?”“A lot when you live it as a mortal. As long as a thousand years in the fairy realm.” Kauket exhaled, muscles twitching.“Kauket? Are you okay? You look ill.” Amane frowned. She hugged Kauket around the waist.“I’m tired. I’ll take a nap when we get home, so don’t worry.” Kauket forced a smile on her face.“Amane? We’d like to free everyone. Do you know where the other servants are?” Ryou asked.“Leave it to me! I can find anything! Come on, Anzu!” Amane stole the bottle from Ryou, grabbed Anzu’s wrist, and pulled her down the hall. Their laughter echoed to Ryou and Kauket.“It’s like nothing happened.” Ryou exhaled. “I’m glad she’s all right.”“She’ll look back at this as an adventure before long. Her forbidden jaunt to the mortal world.” Kauket smirked.“You’re right. We better keep an eye on them, though. I sealed Diva in the infernal realms, but I don’t know what else might be lurking here.”“Nothing I can’t kill.” Kauket licked her lips.In all, they rescued 95 servants from the castle. Ryou, Kauket, and Amane led them out of the fortress and to the battlefield outside where the Harpy Merceny Company waited to proclaim their victory against Shin’s force of infernal-plane summons. Yugi’s eyes rounded when he saw them and he dropped his spear and rushed forward.“Anzu?” He shouted.“Yugi?” Her eyes lit up when she saw him flying toward her.“Anzu! You’re alive!”“Yugi!”They crashed into an embrace. Anzu lifted Yugi in the air and spun him. Yugi laughed until she set him on his feet and they smashed their foreheads together. Joyous tears creased the corners of their eyes.“Anzu?” Mai sheathed her sword and rushed toward them. “Holy gods, I didn’t think we’d every manage to actually find you.”“Uh…” Anzu blinked, staring at her.“Y-yeah, it’s me.” Mai blushed.“It’s great to see you—”“Her name is Mai!” Yugi said, loudly, though Ryou wasn’t sure why.“Mai?” Anzu turned toward her, inspecting her before her face broke into another huge grin. “You look amazing!”“Thanks.” Mai laughed when Anzu crushed her in a hug as well.“Are Katsuya and Hiroto with you?” Yugi asked.“No.” Anzu’s expression dimmed. “We were sold to different masters.”“You know. A lot of the freed slaves went to Kemet. Come home with us and search for them there.” Bakura appeared with Merwet and Uatit beside him.“Mai? Can we?” Yugi grabbed her hand, crushing it in his grip.“We have enough to get there, but not enough to cross the sea if we need to come back.” Mai frowned.“What if we hired you?” Bakura asked.“You want to hire an army?” Mai raised an eyebrow.“Yup! Lot of pissed off nations are probably going to want their slaves back. Our country has been through a lot lately, and having your army would sure make little old me feel safer at night.” Bakura pulled off his enchanted belt. “And in return, I’ll give you all the treasure in this baby.”“Mai, I know you say I pay too much attention to stories, but if they’re even half true—there’s a whole lot of treasure in there.” Yugi’s feathers fluffed out in excitement.“If there’s a chance to find the others and we’re getting paid for it, you know I have no objection to us taking this job.” Mai reached out to ruffle Yugi’s hair, but he dodged her.“Thank you Bakura!” Yugi circled his arms around Bakura instead.“Okay, okay, okay, you huggy bastard. Let go, I need to find out if we’re getting home the easy way or the hard way. Oh wait, let me let me grab something from the belt real quick.”Bakura pulled out a polished bronze disk out of the belt he’d offered Mai, and the sorceress he sometimes talked to appeared on the polished surface.“It’s been so long we were starting to worry!” She scolded him once they could see each other.“Eh, sorry Mana. We’ve been pretty busy.” Bakrua shrugged. “And we have a huge—”“Don’t worry!” Mana grinned. “Lady Isis knew we’d need extra magi for today’s teleportation spell. Are you all ready?”“Are we?” Bakura asked.“Yes!” Yugi rushed back, grabbed his spear, and raced to them again.“Can we go?” Aname tugged at Ryou’s tails. “They’re going to have a party, right? I’ve never been to a human party. I want to go!”“Amane—”“A few hours won’t hurt.” Kauket rested her hand on Ryou’s shoulder. “I promise I’ll be okay.”“Okay.” Ryou sighed.“Looks like we’re ready,” Merwet said.“Okay, hold on then! No one’s ever done this with so many people before!”***When they were back in Kemmet, Bakura shut her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. As fun as endless adventuring was, she missed her cushions and pillow. She missed bathing with Merwet at the oasis and lounging in their house, half naked and arguing about who won the most games of senet that afternoon. However, they were still a long way from Kul Elna. Instead, they stood in the courtyard where everyone around them cheered. The crowd split and Pharaoh Atem walked up to them wearing fine-woven linen and a violet cape. Seto and Kisra were right behind him, guarding him even amongst his own court members. Paying the bodyguards no mind, Bakura scruffled Atem’s plaited hair.“Look at you! Hot damn, how long were we gone? You almost look like an adult now!” Bakura laughed.“Bakura...please.” Atem blushed.“Get your filthy paws off the Pharaoh.” Priest Set used his scepter to push Bakura’s hand away.Kisara hid a small chuckle behind her hand. Her hair was braided and wrapped around her head like a crown, and she wore the armor of a royal guard. She flashed a quick grin at Bakura and Merwet, but kept most of her attention on the crowds, scanning them for suspicious movement.“You haven’t changed a bit though.” Bakura shook her head at Set.“Welcome. It’s good to see you’ve returned. Our battles aren’t finished.” Isis appeared close to Set’s other side. “But we have some time before war breaks out, so we should celebrate while we can.”“Why are you like this!” Merwet hissed. “Can’t we relax for one night without your prophecy doom-and-gloom-and-war and ruining everyone’s good time. Gods!”“Merwet, that’s a royal priestess,” Uatit whispered into Merwet’s ear. Her complexion had gone wan the moment Merwet raised her voice.“She’s a royal pain in my ass, is what she is.” Merwet crossed her arms over her chest.“Merwet.” Uatit gasped.“Don’t worry.” Isis smiled. “We’re friends, and sometimes friends speak freely.”“Oh yeah friends, helping each other out like that time you told Akandin about my assassination plans and got me thrown in prision.”“You seem happy enough with the outcome.” Isis laughed, gesturing to Bakura.“Speaking of friends.” Bakura shoved Yugi and Anzu toward Atem. “These kids lost theirs, and there’s a chance they’ve come to Kemet as refugees, so have your guards keep an eye out for a couple more brats with wings like these.” Bakura pulled out one of Yugi’s brightly colored wings.“Bakura!” Yugi squeaked, embarrassed.“They’re beautiful.” Atem gasped, his eyes glassy as he stared at Yugi’s wings. “Like a living ba.”“Th-thank you.” Yugi’s blush deepened.“One of our goddesses has wings much like yours.” Atem smiled.“The goddess Isis, my namesake.” Isis brushed her hair off her shoulder, and her gaze caught Mai’s. “You’re the general, correct?”“I am.” Mai nodded.“I would like to discuss strategies with you, if you would not mind.”“I never mind a conversation with a beautiful woman.” Mai dropped to one knee, taking Isis’s hand and kissing it.“Then let us depart. The feast will be long, and there will be time for better introductions later.”The two of them strolled toward the gardens. The other captains distributed the Harpies around the palace for patrols. Atem clapped his hands and declared that the feast should begin, and torches were lit all over the palace while musicians played music and tables were loaded with food. Amane darted between everyone, asking questions, sniffing the food on the table, dancing with Anzu and Merwet. Ryou kept an anxious eye on her, but Bakura elbowed her in the ribs.“Hey, she’s safe here. Why don’t the four of us find somewhere quiet for Kauket and relax together?”“That would be nice.” Ryou sighed before standing to follow them.Merwet turned to her mother. “Mom? Would you mind if—”“I’m fine, Merwet. You’ve already rescued me, you don’t have to watch my every move. In fact, I think a walk will help me sort a few things.” Uatit hugged Merwet before wandering into the crowds to enjoy the feast.“Come on.” Bakura kissed Merwet’s cheek.Arm-in-arm, linked like a chain, the four of them sat in a circle in a grove of pomegranate trees. The last of the sunlight cast long shadows about the gardens, but the torches and braizers kept the festivities bright and welcoming. A gazelle snuck close, but once she caught Ryou and Kauket’s scents she galloped away. The birds were unafraid, however, and they crowded into the trees around them, chatting and singing their night songs.“Well...It’s been an adventure.” Ryou chuckled, leaning against a tree turnk.“I liked the part where we almost killed each other.” Kauket winked.“Yeah, those were my favorite as well.” Merwet blew her a kiss.“No, forget that. I’m pretty sure all the naked sun bathing we did between cities was way better than the fighting.” Bakura snorted. “And Ryou giving us fairy sweets. I’m going to miss your cooking, Ryou.”“If you ever need me, I’ll come, but give us a year before you summon us for naked sunbathing and chocolate.” Ryou shifted away from the tree so she could rest her head on Bakura’s shoulder.“Of course. Kauket deserves a break.” Bakura kissed the crown of Ryou’s head.“But let us know the moment you’re awake. I need more competition than Bakura on our gaming nights.” Merwet smiled.“I’m going to enjoy my nap.” Kauket yawned and stretched. “Killing a hundred demons was fun, but I’m so tired now.”“Listen, I don’t really enjoy getting sentimental, but...I’m going to miss both of you.” Merwet hugged her knees to her chest.“As soon as Kauket recovers, we can visit often.” Ryou twined their fingers together. “Promise.”“Don’t fairies get in trouble when they make promises like that?” Bakura teased one of Ryou’s tails.“Yes.” Ryou nodded. “Especially when a fairy makes such a promise because she’s in love.”“We love you too.” Merwet scooted closer.The four curled together, holding each other until the moon was directly above them. They didn’t speak much, towards the end, simply enjoyed the presence of being surrounded with each other’s company. Kauket dozed in their arms, and they stroked her hair from time to time. Ryou eventually broke the silence.“Bakura, you’re glowing.” Ryou giggled.“Yeah, I do that when the moon’s full and I’m in love. Child of Thoth and all that.” Bakura blushed.“If I could stay, I would.” Kauket sighed, waking. “But it’s time to go. I don’t think I can stay here any longer.”“We understand.” Bakura kissed both of them and stood.“We’ll miss you.” Merwet kissed Ryou and Kauket as well.“Don’t have too much fun without us.” Kauket brushed her palm up Merwet’s cheek.“I make no promises. I’m sure Bakura will get us into some sort of trouble.”“You’re the one with a family who’s going to be flitting about. If anyone gets us in trouble, it’ll be you, my honied queen.”“Only if get into another back-and-forth with Isis in front of my mom.” Merwet shrugged.“Anyway.” Bakura buried her face under her hood. “Goodbyes are stupid, so we’ll just see you later. Come on Merwet.”“Right.” Merwet gave them both one final and quick kiss goodbye before Bakura dragged her as far away from the pomegranate trees as they could get. They pushed through the crowds, and feast. Bakura spotted the stairs and darted towards them, searching for an area not crowded with laughter or bodies. Eventually, they found themselves on the palace’s parapet, staring at the city and the desert beyond it.“There you are.” Atem walked beside them when they spotted them.“We’ll party tomorrow. Saving the world over and over again is exhausting.” Bakura turned away and rubbed her eyes with the sleeve of her red robe. She didn’t want Atem to see her crying.“Thief King, you have stolen every slave in the world and then freed them.” Atem offered an apologetic smile. “I think you’ve earned a break from saving the world, and from the crowds if they don’t suit you.”“To be fair, some of the slaves freed themselves.” Bakura forced a small chuckle.“Still...there’s nothing left for you as a thief, don’t you think? You’ve stolen more than anyone else could even dream,” Atem said.“Pffft, you do not know my moon if you don’t think she can’t find some trouble to get into still.” Merwet was also starring away from the Pharaoh, and her voice was shaky.“Yes, I know, and it wouldn’t serve the kingdom to have a bored Thief King and Queen running around and getting into unsolicited trouble. That’s why I have an offer for you.”“We’re listening,” Merwet said.“I want you to rebuild Kul Elna and re-establish them as a village of tomb-builders. I want you, Bakura, to be my Master of Traps.” He elbowed Bakura’s side. “I can’t imagine anyone could protect my soul better than you after I die.”“You better not fucking die any time soon. We just put you on the throne. It’d be really annoying to have to house train a new Pharaoh.”“I don’t plan on dying.” Atem laughed. “But you know it takes a generation to build the right tombs, but in return to your services, I will give Kul Elna land titles to establish farms, and a quarry for stone, everything you’ll need for a new people to prosper and live good, happy lives.”“A new people...because I’m the last descendant of Thoth and all the original builders are gone.” Bakura sighed and rubbed her face. “But I accept. Maybe the line of Thoth is doomed, but there’s a bunch of Ra-children left, and there should be a place they can call home. Right, Merwet?”“Bakura.” Merwet laced their fingers together. “You make me so happy that it pisses me off, you know that, right?”“Yeah, I know, but I’ll never stop, because you’re more than my sun, Merwet.” Bakura cupped her cheek. “You’re my entire world.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“I can’t believe my sisters.” Merwet was fidgeting with one of Bakura’s puzzle boxes, trying to see if she could break into it. “If you don’t concentrate, you’re never going to find the treasure I hid in the box.” Bakura wagged her finger. “They have an entire country to explore and resettle in. They could have built a temple here, but instead they chose to serve under Isis? Isis?” “Well, they like oracles, so it makes sense.” Bakura shrugged. “I can see why. Oracles are annoying—ouch.” Merwet sucked her thumb after getting pinched. “I told you to pay attention.” Bakura rolled her eyes. “I am, but I’m pissed off because they’re a two day trip away. I’m not making that every month. They can come visit us.” Merwet snorted. “Not to mention that Isis keeps insisting war is going to break out by year’s end. I don’t want them in the capitol if there’s war. I don’t want my mother in the capital. It’s too dangerous. I don’t want to lose them again.” “They’ll be fine. We have our armies. Priest Set created a royal guard of six dragons. There’s the Harpies, and if things look bad, Atem can summon the gods.” Bakura reached for the box. “I’m still working on it!” Merwet snapped. “Okay, okay!” Bakura laughed. “Maybe I should make us some dinner, then?” “Less garlic.” Merwet bit her lower lips as she twisted the box in the opposite direction. “My sun, you know I live to serve you, but you also know I’m putting all the garlic I want into our supper.” Merwet grumbled, but she was intrigued by the puzzle now, so she was only paying half attention to Bakrua. A soft rap echoed from the door. Bakura raised a white eyebrow. “Huh, I wonder who’s visiting?” Bakura rose from her throne of cushions and opened the door. “Hello.” Amane grinned. She only had three tails, but they waived behind her in an excited flurry.“Hey kid. Didn’t expect to see you without your sister. Everything okay?” “Oh no, nothing’s wrong! Ryou and Kauket are sleeping, but before they took their nap, she told me all about how you and Kauket helped them rescue me, so I wanted to say thank you.” Amane held out a wine bottle. “Pomegranate wine?” Bakura stared at the bottle. “Magical wine. Whichever one of you drinks it will become pregnant.” Amane’s tails somehow flicked more enthusiastically than before. “Pre-whu-now?” Bakura almost dropped the bottle. “Yeah, I don’t know about that.” “Don’t be silly.” Amane laughed. “I didn’t pick the gift—the magic did—and the magic is never wrong. I better go, though. If I’m gone too long my mother will worry and send Ryou to fetch me again, but enjoy your gift! I’ll visit again after she’s born.”Amane waved and disappeared as quickly as she’d arrived, leaving Bakura standing in her own doorway and frowning at a bottle of enchanted wine. “Well, that’s one way to get another Child of Thoth in the world.” Merwet laughed. “Oh yeah? Then you drink it.” Bakura shoved it at Merwet. “And ruin this body? This perfect gift of the gods? I don’t think so, this is your thank you gift.” Merwet shoved the bottle back at Bakura. “It’s our thank you gift.” Bakura shoved it at Merwet a second time. “You were the one so adamant about helping Ryou.” “You followed along with only moderate complaining—that’s the same as giving your blessing.” Bakura snorted. “Besides, you’re the queen of my court, so it’s only fitting you be the mother of our child.” “Oh, I see what this is really about. You’re afraid.” Merwet snickered as she grabbed the bottle. “Afraid? What do you mean afraid? I’m not afraid.” Bakura stole the bottle back. “Yeah you are. Motherhood is a terrible responsibility. I’m not sure you could hack it.” Merwet stole the bottle again. “Maybe it is better if I hold on to this for a bit.” “Hack it? I’m the fucking Thief King! I am the best at whatever I do.” Bakura grabbed for the bottle but Merwet held it out of reach. “Give it back.” “No, it’s too fun to tease you.” Merwet chuckled. “You bitch, lemme see it.”“Why? You’re not going to drink it.” Merwet danced out of Bakura’s graspe, refusing to offer the bottle to her. “I know, but I want to hold it for a second.” “We might as well sell it. A rich, infertile woman would pay her entire fortune for a magical bottle of wine.” “No, fuck that it’s mine. It’s like a reward for my heroism, so I’m going to keep it.” Bakura jumped for it, but Merwet stepped out of the way again. “No use getting your thief fingerprints all over the glass if we’re going to sell it.” “We are not selling it.” “Why? Are you going to drink it?” “Maybe I will just to spite you!” Bakura dashed for the bottle again. “Nah. I mean, so what if this is your chance at restoring the line of Thoth and truly reestablishing a new generation for Kul Elna? You said you weren’t sure.” “I will show you who’s sure!” Bakura snatched the bottle and chugged it in a long, extended swing. She smacked her lips in victory, but then her face widened in horror once the reality of what she’d done sunk into her thoughts. Her grip on the bottleneck tightened, knuckles white. “Wait.” Merwet laughed. “I should have thought about that for a minute longer before doing it.” “Too late now!” Merwet whipped laugh-tears from her eyes. “Dammit, Merwet! What did you do to me?” “Knocked you up, apparently. My mother is going to be so happy.” Merwet dropped to the cushions, holding her stomach in laughter. The bottle dropped from Bakura’s hand. Bakura instead placed both palms against her brown belly, staring. “Well...fuck.”