Shekah was a loyal warrior to Amandla and he would never question her orders. He followed her like a dog follows it's owner and he was one person Amandla could fully rely on. Arub had his ambitions and this made Amandla not fully trust him with her plans. She had oftenly kept him in the loop but would fully reveal her plan to Shekah who in turn would help her. She knew now that she needed to be as powerful as Sharay only Shekah would help her. She wanted to find a way to steal Arub's powers and she knew that she would find the ancient spell books in the old library that was locked up by Arub. She wanted to get in and she knew who to go and get help from. Shekah was guarding the young queen's chambers when Amandla found her, she smiled at Shekah and said, "I knew I would find you at my door Shekah. We have work to do." Shekah followed the young queen in her chambers and he waited for orders. Amandla took pride in Shekah and this made her trust him even with her life. "I need the ancient spell books in the library. I want those ones with the dark magic especially.", she told Shekah. Shekah turned to live but Amandla grabbed his hand and said, "Be careful Shekah and don't let Arub or anyone find out about this." Shekah nodded and left to steal the key from Arub. He went to the lower part of the tower and saw Arub standing by his window in his chambers. He bowed to him and said, "The queen would like to see you Arub." He looked at him and immediately left to see the queen in her chambers. When Arub left Shekah took notice of the keys on Arub's bedside, he grabbed them and left for the old library deeper in the towers. He walked as fast as he could so he could get to the books before Arub returned. However Arub had never felt as loyal as he was to Amandla and whenever she called him he felt this uttermost joy in his heart. When he got to her chambers Amandla knew then that Shekah had taken the keys and left for the library so she smiled at him and said, "Arub my friend I welcome you to my chambers." She hugged him with so much love that even he was confused. "Is everything alright my queen?", he asked. She smiled, took his arm and said, "Walk with me in the garden Arub, I just want us to spend this day together." Arub was glad the queen wanted to spend some quality time with him so he agreed and the two walked out of the tower and took a walk in the gardens. Shekah was busy trying to get the books in the library. She took all books that were from Agasah and contained magic spells. She packed them all in a chest and she carried the chest out of the library. On her way out she saw Ammara's sword and she grabbed it too and took it to the queen's chambers. She quickly returned they key to where she had taken it from and she went and stood by the window facing the gardens. Amandla saw Shekah by the window and she knew he had the spell books. However she couldn't just leave Arub for he would grow suspicious so they continued with there walk. Harunah saw this from her window and she wondered what her daughter was upto now, she knew Amandla would not just sit idly like that after suffering such a defeat from Sharay but she had no idea what she was planning. Amandla tripped and fell to the ground during her walk with Arub and he quickly held her up. "I think my queen has had enough for today, let me take you to your chambers my queen.", he said to her. She smiled and held his face with her hand and he felt his blood rush. He was falling in love with the young queen who had no intention of falling in love with him. He took her to her chambers and she kissed him on his cheek before he left. Arub had never been good at judging people's intentions and that often got him to lose the people he loved or those that truly cared for him. He was about to find out in the worst way possible. Shekah stood behind the chest when Amandla entered her chambers. "You got everyone of the books Shekah?", she asked her. Shekah nodded and opened the chest for Amandla who had a grin on her face. She was happy and she couldn't wait to get her hands on the books. She rushed to flip through the books and she was in the middle of it she noticed the sword at the edge of the table where Shekah had placed it. Shekah took the sword and gave it to Amandla who looked at him with so many questions. "That is the sword of Ammara, it was hidden in the library so I am guessing it might be of importance.", Sheakah told Amandla. Amandla took the sword and she held it to Shekah. "Take it Shekah, its yours to keep.", she told Shekah who knelt down and bowed to the queen before he took the sword from her. Amandla knew how loyal Shekah was to her so a sword that belonged to the greatest seers to ever live was all she could give Shekah at the moment as thanks. "This is all I can do for you for now Shekah. I promise you that when we rule this realm you will have everything you have ever wanted.", she promised Shekah. The two of them began to look for a spell to get Arub's powers together.
Harunah wondered why Amandla and Shekah locked in her chambers. She knew that whatever it was they were up to it was no good. Shekah enabled Amandla and this often worried Harunah. She feared her daughter might get up to something more drastic than trying to kill her other daughter. She couldn't keep sitting in her chambers so she decided to ask Arub. She rushed out of her chambers and walked past Amandla's chambers heading to Arub's chmabers deep in the tower. She couldn't control her curiosity and she wanted to know what they were up to. She got to his door and knocked. "What a day ths as been. Twice in a day, the royals have visited me. What do you want Harunah?", he asked her annoyingly. Harunah took a deep breath and entered his chambers. "I need you to tell me what you and my daughter are up to?", she asked him. He stopped doing what he was doing and looked at her with so much surprise. "You mean Amandla? She is doing nothing but resting in her chambers." He replied her. She laughed sarcastically and asked, "You think I didn't see you two in the garden trying to distract me from whatever you might be planning. I saw you and I saw Shekah too by the window." Arub smiled at Harunah and touched her forehead but she removed his hand. "You are paranoid Harunah, we are not up to anything but you have never wanted to protect Amandla so you will find anything to make her look bad.", he snapped at her. She replied, "I love her as much as I love my daughters and you have no right to judge me when you are the reason she is a mess like she is now." He looked furious to her and he snapped back at her, "You have no idea what she felt when she found out she will always be second option to you. You drove her to this madness Harunah and stop blaming me for your mistakes just like you blamed me for Ammara." Harunah saw the love for both women in Arub's eyes and she felt her heart sinking. She felt the pain in his voice and she saw that he was willing to do anything for Amandla. "Arub you can't fall in love with Amandla and you know that. She will realize all this madness and come back to me. She will hate you then.", Harunah tried to comfort Arub. She didn't know if she was trying to comfort him or herself. She knew Amandla was lost to both of them and she would never be the old little girl she had raised. Arub had to see it. In his eyes she could see he knew that Amandla could never love him but when he spoke she could see he was trying to comfort himself. "She trusts and leans on me. So whatever you need to make me believe Harunah it wont work not this time.", he replied her in a shaky voice. She looked at him and she felt so heartbroken over him. He had always wanted power to be with Ammara and now he was desperate to keep his power so he could be with Amandla. Harunah quietly walked out of his chambers and went back to her chambers where she sat feeling sorry for Arub. Shekah had that place in Amandla's heart, he was the only family Amandla had after Diablo and she only saw Arub as a tool to her victory but he had no idea.
As they browsed through the pages of the spell books quietly Amandla was hoping to find a way to get Arub's powers. They flipped through every page of all the spell books and didn't even take time to rest from this task. The two were busy and didn't even see time pass. It was almost dusk when Shekah finally found something in one of the old books. He showed the spell to Amandla on how to get Arub's powers. Amandla's face showed some disappointment as she saw the spell. She knew already it would require a lot but she didn't know it would involve killing someone. The price for her getting the powers was killing the one person she loved the most and combine their blood with that of Arub's and doing a ritual. She was supposed to kill Arub and the one person she truly loved and do the ritual with a priest. Her heart sank, she sat down on her chair and she wondered if this was the only way to solve her problem. She didn't want to kill Arub nor did she want to kill the only person she loved. Shekah stood there watching the young queen troubled and he felt sorry for her. She imagined how it felt to kill your own mother little did he know that he was the person whom Amandla loved as much as she had loved Diablo. It is true what they say about magic coming with a little price. Amandla quietly asked Shekah, "Please prepare everything we should go through with this right before dawn." Shekah did as he was told and left the queen alone in her chambers. Amandla felt her heart break but she wasn't going to turn back now. She summoned her other two guards and filled them in on the true plan for the ritual. She sat all night by her widow whilst Shekah got a priest from the Agasian camp and took him to the place of the ritual. He went to Harunah's chambers and tied her hands, legs and mouth and took her to the place of the ritual. He knew Arub was going to be the last person who would be difficult to get so he decided to trick him. Arub heard a faint knock on his door just after midnight and he walked up to open the door. He found Shekah by the door smiling. "Can you get dressed and come with me please, the queen has something to show us.", he told him. Arub quickly dressed and left with Shekah without even questioning him. They walked together out of the tower and went in to the forest were the ritual would be conducted. Arub saw Harunah tied to a tree and the priest standing in the middle with a knife held to his throat by one of the warrior. He got confused but before he could ask anything Shekah hit him on the head with the edge of the sword and he fell to the ground. He quickly tied him to the tree and waited for the queen to arrive. Harunah woke up to find herself tied to a tree alongside Arub and she then knew they were going to be sacrificed for something. "This is dark magic! You can't let her cross that line Shekah!", she begged Shekah. Shekah ignored the empress and waited for the queen. "Shekah Please I know you care for Amandla! Don't let her do this!", she continued to beg the warrior. Shekah kept silent and Amandla arrived with two more guards. Shekah had no idea he was bringing other guards and this surprised her. Amandla saw her mother tied to a tree and she smiled. The two guards immediately took hold of Shekah who struggled and tried to fight them off. They were stronger and they untied Harunah and tied Shekah to the tree. "What are you doing? I am not the one to be sacrificed!", she protested. Amandla stood there in pain and she swallowed hard. Harunah found out then the one whom Amandla loved was not even her but it was Shekah and her daughter was about to sacrifice that one thing for power. She wanted Arub's power therefore he had to die but she also had to kill the one person whom she had seen as a brother, friend and companion. "Amandla I can not let you do this. Killing Shekah will destroy you.", Harunah begged her child. Amandla swallowed hard and she held Shekah's face in her hands. He looked at her with tears in her eyes and in that moment Shekah realized she was that one thing that meant everything to Amandla besides being a queen. He knew she had to let her know it was okay for her to kill her so he kissed Amandla on the cheek and whispered, "It is going to be alright, I promise you." Amandla couldn't breath and Arub woke up and saw this moment between the two. He then realized Shekah was the love of Amandla's life and yet she was willing to sacrifice him. 'What is going on here Amandla?", he asked her. She kept holding on to Shekah's face as she contemplated whether to carry on with her ritual or not. Shekah saw that the young queen was wavering, he kissed her on her lips and said, "I will always be here with you Amandla. You need to do this and you will be alright." Harunah crawled to her daughter since her feet and hands were still tied. "You know you can not do this Amandla. You are in love with him and you can be happy.", she pleaded with her child. Amandla walked to Arub and touched his face too. "I am sorry old friend I had to do this so I can win this war.", she apologized to him as she walked away from him. He looked so furious and he knew he had been deceived all this time. "How dare you Amandla! I gave you everything including my heart and this is how you thank me?", he screamed at her. She didn't know he loved her until that moment. "How ironic isn't it? I will kill the man I love n you will get killed by the woman you love.", she told him and they began the ritual. The priest uttered ancient words from the book and the fires surrounding them lit one by one until the last one was lit. In that moment he handed Amandla a knife and she stabbed Arub in the heart killing him. His blood flowed in the circle completing it with his blood. Once the circle was completed she walked up to Shekah, she kissed him on the lips and stabbed him in his heart too. She dropped a few tears as she stabbed him and his blood also dripped and flowed in the circle. She stood in the middle of the circle as the priest continued with his ritual. He continued uttering those ancient words and once he finished the wind blew harder. It became darker and the world became still and quiet. Everyone stood there waiting for whatever they thought would happen. There was a dark shadow that came from the forest and it circled Amandla and then entered her. She cried from pain as she fell to the ground but no one helped her because they were all afraid. She rose to the skies as she continued screaming and she was thrown back to the ground were she lay there lifeless. Everyone looked on as the winds quieted down and the skies became clear again. Harunah crawled to her daughter and she shook her. She didn't move and this worried Harunah. "Untie me please, I need to help my child!", she asked the guards. They were to afraid to move so they just stood there. One of them rushed and untied Harunah and he stood outside the circle. She held her child in her arms and shook her. Amandla slowly opened her eyes and they were deep red, she woke up and sat on the ground looking at Shekah's lifeless body.
She sat there quietly and everyone including her mother wondered if the spell had worked out. She looked at her hands and she saw the blood on it and it made her feel sick. "Leave me alone please. I need to be alone.", she asked her mother and everyone. They all kept standing there in fear and curiosity. She saw them standing and this angered her. "I told you to all to leave me alone!", she screamed. The fires that had be blown out by the wind suddenly lit again and they knew the spell had worked. However none of them knew how much power she would have now. They all rushed and left the place. Harunah stood up quietly and she kissed her daughter on the forehead and left. She saw the tears in her eyes and felt the pain she felt but she could do nothing but comfort her. Deep down Harunah knew Amandla had crossed a line no one had ever crossed. She was more determined and dangerous than Arub had ever been. She left her to be alone with her two lifleless bodies. Amandla slowly rose up and she walked to Shekah's body and slowly untied it. She let it fall to the ground gently and she started cleaning it with her dress. She wept in pain so loud that it broke her mother's heart. "I am sorry Shekah. I am so sorry for everything I have done Shekah!", she apologized to him. She wept and apologized to him. She regretted going through with the ritual and she knew she would never find someone as loyals as he was to her. She wanted to just hear him call her name just one more time but she knew it was too late. Harunah stood and watched from afar, she knew her child always felt alone but she didn't know she could actually end up alone. Harunah walked back to Amandla, knelt next to her and took her in her arms. Amandla didn't fight her mother but instead she held on tightly to her and wept. "What have I done mother? I killed the only people that loved me! I am alone and without them I am lost!", she cried. Harunah held her child and she comforted her, she knew no assurance would ever make Amandla believe she would always love her. They sat there till the sun was up and Harunah had been a mother she had always wanted to be to Amandla. "We should bury them somewhere nice Amandla.", she told her daughter. Amandla looked at her mother and replied, "Yes we shall bury Arub somewhere nice but I shall have Shekah's body preserved and kept well in the tower." She wasn't ready to let go and this wasn't suprising at all to Harunah. She just nodded her head and agreed to this. She walked back to the tower so she could get some guards to come help Amandla with the bodies. The guards helped the young queen and they returned to the tower. Arub was buried alongside Diablo close to the tower's gardens but Shekah was taken up to the highest chamber in the tower and there Amandla did her first magic trick. She froze his body and placed in a glass casket that was made for her a long time when she asked Diablo for one. She planted a garden by magic in that chamber and she asked the guards to get her twelve virgin girls from the Agasian camp who would stay and serve Shekah in his chambers. Harunah watched the girls dragged to the chamber and washed up to serve a dead valoyee warrior and this made her sick. She knew her daughter had gone crazy with grief and this would cause a lot of havoc for both her and her people. Amandla braided her red hair and she wore her dress with the rattle snake's emblem. She was ready to destroy the two sisters for they had let her lose the man she loved and friend.