Mummy, mummy!
Vamps can sleep,
Ghosts can weep,
But mummies leap those feeble feats!

Mummy, mummy!
Sand, sun, and storm!
Our formaldehyde
Flows pure with jest and pride!

Mummy, mummy!
Reaps can scythe,
Lich phylactersize,
But mummies ride a higher tide!

Sarcophagi lined with noble stories!
To which each mummy adds new pages!
Together we stand strong,
Bandages for the ages!

Listen carefully little one, for the story I'm about to tell you is about the Master of the Pyramid. The bare thought of him chills my spine and brings fear to my mind. Ever since I was a child I have seen young warriors wander of to challenge the Dark One, mostly never to return. Those who survied returned bloody and scared, thinking they were safe from It. But Its curse had followed them and ate them alive in their sleep. Rotting away their flesh or devouring their soul, until nothing more was left than an insane animal, trapped in a man's body. Thousands have tried to challenge the dark Master, but Its vengeance have always been deadly. I hear even the gods fear Its black pyramid.

"Grandpa, have you ever seen It?" Elissa asked.

"Yes little one", Kargath said, "I've seen It, and I still twist and turn in my dreams."

I was a man beyond the law then, and my friends had been out late that night doing unknown things. When they returned they brought a scarab made of a large piece of jade. They started to brag about how they had sneaked into the large pyramid and returned alive with a piece of the Dark One's treasure. They all laughed and seemed pleased, but I could see how tense they all were and I could feel the fear laying in the air.

Suddenly a white flash exploded in the center of the room, and when I regained my sight I felt fear gripping my body. Before us stood a tall dark Figure with eyes burning red. Black flames licked his body and although Its face was filled with rage, a smile lay on Its lips.

Darkan, the swiftest among us, pulled up a long dagger and charged. The Dark One opened Its hand, and the light of the sun turned Darkan's eyes to coal. As Darkan fell screaming to the floor, the Creature waved his hand and Darkan's skin started to crack up and rot away. Darkan's scream broke the paralyzation on my two companions who leapt for their weapons that were placed along the wall.

The tall Thing, wielding a large black sword, seemed to flicker through the room as he moved with a speed beyond any mortal being. And before Dekretus had both hands on his large axe, the Dark One cut him in two pieces with a mighty blow. As the Creature turned around, Nathael cut a gaping scar in It's chest with Its sword. The Dark One once again opened his hand, this time to encircle Nathael in a shimmering sand. Nathael screamed as his soul was torn apart. At the same time, the Dark One's wound closed up and vanished. As Nathael's body hit the ground, the Dark One turned and faced me.

I still stood paralyzed as Its red gaze met my eyes, penetrating my soul and reading my mind. It hesitated and then threw back Its head and laughed out loud, a laugh that would forever haunt me in my dreams. Then there was another blinding flash, and the Creature had vanished. I stood paralyzed of fright for many minutes after It had left, watching the remains of my comrades.

"Grandpa, who was the Dark One?"

"He was a Greater Mummy, one of the most powerful beings in the universe. They live only to serve and fight for their master, Anhktepot the Duke of Mummies and arch priest of the burning sun. The legend says that sometimes a mortal can be invited to join their ranks, and gain their powers."

"Grandpa, why did he let you live?"

"I don't know little one, I don't know. . ."

As I wandered the land, lost and alone, I stumbled upon a vicious pack of Kresh.

As I tried to flee, the pack of vile wolves ruthlessly started to hunt me, tearing at my heels. Just as I thought my life was forfeit, a being appeared surrounded in yellow flame, eyes glowing red. He called down the blistering rays of the sun, blinding the wolves. He then called forth a deadly rotting mold on the wolves causing their flesh to decay and fall from their bones. As the last pain-filled whimper faded from the air, the strange one knelt beside each foul corpse and as I watched transfixed, a shimmering glow passed from the lifeless bodies to the dark one. He stood and turned towards me. I gazed upon him, filled with awe at the power emanating from deep within his eyes. Then came the deep, verboding voice, "Don't be afraid. You are not my enemy."

And I knew I was not in danger. He turned and started to leave, pausing only to beckon me to follow him and I complied, my curiousity growing with every step. He suddenly disappeared and in moments a silvery rope appeared before me. I stared in bewilderment when his voice came to me, "Pull the rope." Doing so transported me to a dark room. Looking around my eyes fell upon a wonderous shrine of Anhktepot, the Lord Mummy, and I knew I found my home. I spoke the words and indescribable feelings washed over me. I was then like him. I was one of the most powerful forms known to man.

I was a Greater Mummy.

I am a man who is about to die. . .

I travel in haste in almost utter darkness. The shadowy contours of the trees rush by me as I push my horse beyond any merciful limit. I don't want to die. I can feel it's gaze, burning my neck. I can smell it's bloodthirst. My god, how can anything mortal move that fast? It keeps even pace with a horse. Small branches and thorns scratch my face and body as my insane escape continues. I pray to the lord that my horse will stay on the path. I can feel how scared it is.

Suddenly a pale light touches my face, almost kissing me. I look up and see the moon shine trough the crowns of the trees. Then suddenly I see the forest end up ahead. Hope now burns in my veins as I try to push the horse even harder. I will survive! Before I can make another thought my face hits the dirt as my body slams into the ground. I look back quickly...My god, what thing can split a horse in one blow?

I get back on my feet and start to run, run for the clearing.. It's so close.. so close... Suddenly I realise that I can feel the breath of the hunter on my neck... No ! No! I wont give up now! Im so close! I stop, spin around, drawing my blade and landing a blow. I fel the blade cut deeply. The thing shrieks and escapes into the bushes-My god, the sight of it will forever hunt me. A tall dark burning figure. It's eyes....It's eyes.... crimson eyes freezing my soul... The ground where it had stood upon still had black flames dancing on it. I hesitated for a second, and then rushed out of the forest.

I ran, God knows for how long. I ran across the open field until I collapsed on the ground. I cried as I lay there. I was safe! I was... The last thing I experienced in life was a blinding flash and a demonical laughter...

You may ask yorself how I can tell you this story when I claim I died that night. Well I died, and I am still dead.

But my master needed a servant so he brought me back to life. To do his evil deeds, and to serve him for eternity to come. Break free you say, escape. Hah! You don't know my masters power's... And besides, where would I go. Who would welcome me now? I am dead and I have no place among the living... no..I will stick to my master. I have almost started to enjoy the work I do for him. You ask me what he forces me to do? Well I hunt fresh souls for my master to drain...why did you think I followed you this far.....heee heeeeeeeeee.....