Road Map to Success
With a plan beginning to form in his mind, Kris made his way back to camp. As the sun climbed higher on the horizon, it painted the desert in hues of gold and yellow, casting a warm glow over the sands.
The soft murmur of conversations around the dwindling campfire faded as Evelyn, Rick, Jonathan, and Hassan turned to see him approach.
Their expressions ranged from curious to expectant—Kris had been gone for a few hours, and everyone had questions.
He strode forward with an air of confidence, his satchel slung over one shoulder. Without a word, he withdrew a rolled parchment from his bag and held it aloft for dramatic effect. Evelyn's eyes immediately locked onto the map, curiosity turning to excitement.
"What's that?" she asked, rising to her feet.
Kris handed her the parchment with a playful grin. "Just a little souvenir from the Medjai. Let's call it a result of... creative negotiations." 'Yeah, sorry Evy. This map was made by Bishop.'
Evelyn eagerly unrolled the map, her fingers trembling slightly. The intricate lines and symbols sketched on the parchment were a treasure trove of information. The paths, marked with cautionary symbols, promised both danger and discovery. Her breath caught.
"You… you got this from the Medjai?" she whispered, her tone tinged with disbelief.
Kris leaned in slightly, his grin widening. "It wasn't easy. Took some convincing—and maybe a little charm—but they finally saw things my way." 'Yeah, they didn't even know I have this.'
Evelyn's face lit up with a mix of awe and exhilaration. Before Kris could react, she grabbed him by the collar and kissed him. It was a bold, fiery kiss—one that seemed to surprise even her as much as it did him.
When she pulled back, Kris smirked, slightly breathless. "Well, I'll take that as a 'thank you.'" 'Yeah, thank me. The filthy liar. I just hope karma doesn't bite my ass too hard.'
Evelyn laughed, her cheeks flushed. "Thank you? This is incredible! This map—it could save us weeks of dangerous guesswork. We might actually find the Book of Amun-Ra!"
Jonathan, lounging nearby, quirked an eyebrow. "Wait a minute—how exactly did you convince the Medjai to part with that? Those blokes aren't exactly known for their generosity."
Rick crossed his arms, ever the skeptic. "Yeah, and what did you promise them to make sure they don't come after us?"
Hassan, ever the opportunist, leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with avarice. "A map, eh? Does it lead to treasure? Gold? Jewels? I knew this expedition would pay off!"
Kris held up a hand to calm the sudden flurry of questions. "Relax, everyone. The Medjai agreed not to interfere—for now. This map," he gestured toward Evelyn, "shows the areas they've explored and marked as dangerous. Traps, secret doors—you name it. If we're careful, we can avoid the pitfalls and find what we're looking for."
Jonathan's eyes lit up with greedy anticipation. "Undisturbed ruins, you say? That's treasure just waiting to be found!"
Rick shot him a wary look. "Or it's a tomb waiting to swallow us whole."
Kris shrugged nonchalantly. "Could go either way. But hey, that's half the fun, right?"
Evelyn, still studying the map, looked up with determination. "This could be the key to everything. If we follow this carefully, we'll find the chamber where the Book of Amun-Ra is hidden." 'Yeah, sorry Evy. That book was already taken away by Bishop. I hope you won't be too mad when you find out.'
Jonathan groaned. "Books. Why is it always books? What about the treasure?"
Kris clapped his hands to break the rising tension. "Alright, team. Here's the plan: Evelyn and I will tackle the section marked here." He pointed to a part of the map with cryptic symbols that Bishop had annotated earlier. "If the Book of Amun-Ra is anywhere, it'll be there. Rick, Jonathan, and Hassan, you'll check out the lower chambers."
Hassan's face lit up. "Treasure hunting it is!"
Jonathan gave a mock salute. "Leave it to us. We'll sniff out anything shiny."
Rick sighed, shaking his head. "Just don't get us all killed. That's all I ask."
As the group dispersed to prepare for their exploration, Kris lingered by the fire, watching the flickering flames.
In the shadows, Zheng and his team observed from a distance, their expressions unreadable. Kris knew they were waiting for the next beat of the plot, unaware that he had already shifted the narrative to suit his agenda.
Into the Depths
The ruins loomed ahead like a labyrinth of ancient secrets, their crumbling stone walls cloaked in shadow. Kris and Evelyn led the way, their lantern casting a warm glow that danced across faded hieroglyphs and intricate carvings. The air was heavy with the scent of dust and decay, and the distant echoes of the others' footsteps only heightened the eerie atmosphere.
Evelyn paused to examine a mural, her fingers tracing the etched lines with reverence. "These carvings—they're more than just decoration. They tell a story, like a guide."
Kris peered over her shoulder, his expression curious. "A guide to what? Certain death or endless glory?"
Evelyn smirked. "Both, if we're lucky."
Farther back, Rick, Jonathan, and Hassan were navigating their own share of challenges.
"There's treasure here, O'Connell! I can feel it!" Hassan's voice rang out, his enthusiasm undeterred by the ominous surroundings.
Rick shot him an exasperated look. "Yeah? Feel for traps while you're at it. Those are easier to stumble over."
Jonathan chuckled nervously. "Relax, Rick. We're professionals."
As if to mock his words, a soft click echoed through the chamber. Jonathan froze, his face draining of color.
"What did you touch?" Rick demanded.
"Nothing! Well, not intentionally," Jonathan stammered, just as the floor rumbled and a massive stone slab crashed down, sealing their path forward.
Rick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course. Great job, Jonathan."
Hassan, inspecting the slab, muttered in Arabic. "It's a trapdoor—probably a lever nearby."
Meanwhile, deeper in the ruins, Kris and Evelyn reached an ornately carved doorway. Evelyn stopped, her breath catching as she studied the intricate hieroglyphics framing the entrance.
"This is it," she whispered.
Kris tilted his head. "What's 'it'? The jackpot or the final boss fight?"
Evelyn shot him a playful glare. "The prayer chamber of Horus. It's remarkable—there's a warning about sacred protection and storms."
"Storms, curses—same thing, really," Kris quipped. "So, what's the plan? Open the scary door and hope for the best?"
Evelyn gave him a confident smile. "That's archaeology, darling."
As she gestured for Kris pushed the heavy door open, a golden glow spilled into the hallway, illuminating a towering statue of Horus. The chamber felt alive, its air thrumming with an unexplainable energy.
Evelyn stepped inside, her eyes darting to the walls lined with ancient inscriptions. "This… this could lead us to the Book of Amun-Ra. It's a clue—a piece of the puzzle."
Kris leaned casually against the doorway, watching her work. "Take your time, Evy. I'll be here... supervising." His eye lingering at Evy's shapely behind.
---
Moving With The Paces
The days that followed were a blend of discovery, excitement, and growing camaraderie as the group delved deeper into the sprawling ruins of the City of the Dead. Each stone, artifact, or inscription uncovered seemed to bring them closer to unraveling the mysteries buried beneath the sands.
"Look at this!" Evelyn called out one afternoon, brushing dirt from an intricately carved tablet. Her voice carried an unmistakable note of triumph. "It's a record of offerings to the Sun God. And here—this symbol—it's mentioned in the legends of the Book of Amun-Ra! This proves it's not just a myth!"
Jonathan leaned over her shoulder, squinting at the tablet. "Or it could be a shopping list. Hard to tell with all these squiggles," he said, earning himself a playful swat from his sister.
"You have no appreciation for history," Evelyn said, shaking her head but smiling.
"History doesn't buy yachts," Jonathan quipped, holding up a small gold amulet they'd uncovered earlier. "This, on the other hand, has potential."
O'Connell, leaning against a nearby pillar, chuckled. "You'd need a lot more of those to buy a yacht, Jonathan. But hey, it's a start."
"Small steps, Rick, small steps," Jonathan replied with a grin.
As the men joked about their finds, Evelyn's enthusiasm only grew. Though the legendary Book of Amun-Ra remained elusive, each clue she uncovered fueled her determination. She spent hours poring over carvings and inscriptions, muttering theories and sketching notes.
Kris found himself gravitating toward her more and more, both drawn to her passion and quietly enjoying her company. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the camp, the two found themselves alone, studying a particularly well-preserved wall of hieroglyphs.
"Do you ever stop to breathe?" Kris teased lightly, watching Evelyn trace her fingers over the ancient symbols.
Evelyn smiled but didn't take her eyes off the wall. "When there's so much to discover? I'll breathe later. This—this is extraordinary, Kris."
He leaned closer, pointing at a particularly ornate symbol. "What does this one say?"
She glanced at him, her face lighting up. "It's a prayer for wisdom and guidance... fitting, don't you think?"
"Very fitting," he replied, his tone softer. "Especially for someone as brilliant as you."
Evelyn blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then laughed. "Careful, Kris. Flattery will get you everywhere."
"That's the idea," he said with a wink.
Meanwhile, O'Connell, Jonathan, and Hassan were busy in their own way. Every trinket, every small piece of gold they unearthed, brought a mix of excitement and lighthearted competition.
"This one's worth at least a month in Monte Carlo," Jonathan declared, holding up a jeweled bracelet.
"Monte Carlo? You'd gamble it away in a week," O'Connell shot back.
"Rude," Jonathan replied, feigning offense. "I'd last at least two weeks. Right, Hassan?"
Hassan, inspecting a gilded dagger, shrugged. "You'd lose it all before you even arrived."
As the group bantered, Kris observed them with a faint smile, enjoying the lighthearted atmosphere. He felt at ease among them—especially with Evelyn.
Later that night, as the campfire crackled, Evelyn shared her theories about the Book of Amun-Ra, her voice alive with excitement. The others listened, some more attentively than others.
"Do you really think we'll find it?" O'Connell asked, his skepticism softened by her enthusiasm.
"I know we will," Evelyn said confidently. "It's out there. We just have to keep looking."
"Just promise me it's not cursed," Jonathan said, raising an eyebrow.
Evelyn waved him off. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, Jonathan. Not everything in ancient Egypt is cursed."
"Could've fooled me," he muttered, earning a laugh from the group.
As the days turned into a rhythm of digging, discovery, and shared moments, each of them found something to cherish—whether it was gold, adventure, or connection. For Kris, it was Evelyn's laughter, her determination, and the way she made even the harsh desert feel like a place he wanted to be.
And in the ruins of a city long dead, they all found something alive—hope, purpose, and a bond that grew stronger with each passing day.
---
Blissful Ignorance
In stark contrast to Evelyn's spirited enthusiasm and Kris' growing camaraderie with the group, Zheng's team was spiraling into disarray. Their confusion and frustration mounted with each passing day as the plot they had so carefully studied seemed to unravel before their eyes.
The Americans lost a few diggers to hidden traps, but the cursed chest and the Book of the Dead remained frustratingly out of reach. Evelyn's group delved deeper into the ruins, yet no sign of Imhotep's mummified remains surfaced. Every discovery was mundane compared to what Zheng's team expected, and the pivotal resurrection scene they had counted on seemed further away than ever.
One evening, the team gathered around a dim lantern, their faces etched with frustration.
"This isn't right," Jie hissed, slamming a fist onto a makeshift table. "The cursed chest should've been unearthed by now. Where's the Book of the Dead? Where's Imhotep?"
Zheng rubbed his temples, his patience worn thin. "You think I don't know that? Something's wrong, but we stick to the plan. The plot will align itself. It has to."
Jie scoffed, pacing back and forth. "What if it doesn't? What if we missed something? Or worse, what if someone messed with it?"
The implication hung heavy in the air. Everyone knew who they meant.
"Kris," muttered Yingkong, their voice barely above a whisper. "It has to be him."
Zheng's eyes narrowed. "And how exactly would Kris do that? He was back at Ramses Station when we left. There's no way he or his team could've gotten here before us."
"Unless they knew something we didn't," Jie snapped. "They're players too, Zheng. What if they've been playing this differently from the start? Maybe they found a way to bypass the plot entirely."
"That's ridiculous," Zheng shot back, though his voice lacked conviction. "We've been shadowing O'Connell since the prison. We've followed every step of the movie's progression. If Kris knew something, how could he have skipped ahead? He'd need—"
"—a different strategy," Yingkong interrupted. "Face it, Zheng. We haven't seen him, Yanwei, Tengyi, or the others in days. Days. They didn't just vanish into thin air."
Jie crossed their arms, their tone dripping with frustration. "Maybe they didn't vanish. Maybe they're doing something right under our noses, and we're too blind to see it."
Zheng leaned back, his gaze hardening. "Let's say you're right. Let's say Kris is interfering. What's your brilliant solution? Huh? Do we abandon the mission? Do we chase ghosts instead of sticking to the plot?"
The group fell silent, their anger simmering.
Finally, Jie muttered, "I'm not saying abandon the mission. But maybe we've been too focused on O'Connell's group. We need to figure out what Kris and his team are up to. Otherwise, we're just wasting time."
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Zheng asked, his voice cold.
Jie hesitated, then glanced out toward the ruins. "We watch. We listen. If they've been here, there'll be signs. We just have to find them."
Zheng sighed, his frustration giving way to reluctant agreement. "Fine. We'll split our focus. But let's be clear: the mission comes first. If we start chasing shadows and lose track of O'Connell's group, we're as good as dead."
The others nodded, though their unease remained palpable.
As the lantern flickered, casting long shadows across their faces, Zheng clenched his fists. The longer they stayed at Hamunaptra without progress, the more it felt like Kris had outmaneuvered them.
And if that was true, Zheng thought grimly, then Kris was a far more dangerous player than he had anticipated.
---
Back in Cairo
The exploration continued until the expedition reached its inevitable conclusion.
The main cast, along with Kris, returned to Cairo in high spirits, their caravan winding through the bustling streets of the city. Despite the dust and exhaustion clinging to them, they were filled with a sense of accomplishment. Everyone had gotten what they wanted—or at least close enough to it.
Evelyn was practically glowing with excitement as she sifted through her notes, her mind already racing with ideas for the book she would write. "Do you realize what this means?" she said to no one in particular, holding up a crumpled sketch of hieroglyphs. "This proves that the Book of Amun-Ra exists! The Pembridge scholars won't be able to deny it now."
Jonathan, lounging in the corner of their carriage with a satisfied grin, snorted. "Let them try. Meanwhile, I'll be shopping for a yacht—or perhaps a modest little estate in Surrey."
O'Connell chuckled, leaning back against the carriage wall. "Let's not forget the part where we didn't get cursed or killed. I'd call that a win."
Hassan, ever the opportunist, chimed in with a wide grin. "And let's not overlook the gold. Not quite enough to retire as a king, but certainly enough to live like one for a while."
Kris, seated next to Evelyn, allowed himself a quiet smile. While the others were reveling in their spoils, he was satisfied with how smoothly everything had played out. More importantly, he'd managed to strengthen his connection with Evelyn—a personal victory he treasured more than any artifact or treasure.
But not everyone shared their joy.
Zheng and his team lagged behind the rest of the group, their frustration palpable. They had protested the decision to return to Cairo, arguing vehemently to stay and search further.
"We can't leave now," Jie had said during their final meeting in Hamunaptra. "We're so close! If we dig a little deeper—"
"We're out of supplies," one of the American leaders had cut in, his tone firm. "We've lost too many men already. Staying here is suicide."
Evelyn had nodded in agreement, her practical side overriding her academic passion. "We've uncovered so much already. If we push our luck, we risk losing everything."
Zheng and his group had been outvoted. With no other option, they begrudgingly joined the caravan back to Cairo, seething with resentment.
The end of the expedition brought another shift. With the journey over, the divine restrictions imposed on Zheng's team were lifted. No longer bound by the three-mile radius around O'Connell, they finally had the freedom to act independently.
But the newfound liberty felt hollow.
"What now?" Zero muttered as they trudged through Cairo's crowded streets, their supplies and tempers running equally low.
Zheng's expression was dark. "We regroup. We figure out what went wrong."
"What did go wrong?" Jie asked bitterly. "The cursed chest was supposed to be there. The Book of the Dead. Imhotep. None of it happened! And where the hell is Kris?"
"Exactly," Zheng snapped, his frustration bubbling over. "Where is Kris? Where's his team? They've been missing since Ramses Station. They're not here by coincidence—they're interfering. They have to be."
"But how?"
Zheng didn't have an answer, and that infuriated him even more.
As the group settled into a modest inn, their unease only deepened. The disruption of the plot, the lack of answers, and the lingering shadow of Kris and his group loomed over them like an unanswered riddle.
For Zheng, it wasn't just about the failed expedition anymore. It was about control—something he no longer felt he had. And until he figured out what Kris was doing and how to correct the timeline, the gnawing frustration would remain.
In the distance, the joyous chatter of Evelyn's group filtered through the streets, a stark contrast to the simmering tension in Zheng's room.