Grandpa
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. . ."
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