"Ryan, the dark presence that was in your room now is at KV5," Fen warned him telepathically.
Ryan froze. "Do you mean the same person that wanted to kill me?"
"Not a person. A being," Fen clarified.
Ryan felt a knot tighten in his stomach. "What being? What does it want?"
Fen's next thought sent chills down Ryan's spine. "Unclear. The being may be after KV5's artifacts tied to time and space."
Artifacts. Ryan's mind raced. He recalled the relics they had unearthed. Most had been turned over to the authorities. But some remained hidden, undiscovered yet.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something crucial was at stake.
***
Two human figures crept silently between the shadows of King's Valley's sandy dunes. Their presence slipped past the valley's CCTV cameras, unnoticed.
As they approached KV5, the ancient tomb of Pharaoh Ramses II, a low, urgent voice cut through the stillness.
"Stop, we must retreat."
The figures froze.
A menacing, fly-like entity appeared before them.
Beezle's voice came through with clarity, "The Time Guardians are nearby."
"Who?" one man whispered, eyes darting.
"It's Fenrir," Beezle replied, his tone heavy with dread.
"How do you know it's Fenrir?" the second man pressed, tension rising.
Beezle narrowed his gaze. "Because I saw him."
"What do you mean you saw him?"
"I was surveilling someone. Fenrir was there, lurking. Odd, since he was alone yesterday. Something's off."
The first man whispered again, urgency creeping into his voice. "Must we abort tonight's mission?"
Beezle nodded curtly. "Yes. We can't risk it."
Under the starry Egyptian sky, the duo retreated, their footsteps fading into the valley's silence.
***
Fen exhaled, his expression now softening. "Beezle..."
Ryan looked on, baffled.
"What is beezle...?" he asked, curiosity mingling with concern.
Fen's gaze met Ryan's, steady and serious. "A demon," he explained simply. "Let's discuss this back at your quarters."
They vanished, reappearing in Ryan's room.
Ryan sat across from Fen, who had slumped onto the bed. The room was dim, shadows creeping along the walls.
"What just happened?" Ryan pressed, his eyes wide with confusion. "Who's Beezle? Why did we flee?"
Fen rubbed his temples with his paw, his expression a mix of weariness and concern. "We are not fleeing. I am the Fenrir. Who would dare challenge me?"
"Beezle thinks you're a threat?" Ryan asked, perplexed.
"Yes."
Understanding hit Ryan like a punch. Beezle...? Demon...?
The name resonated with ancient fear. Beezle, also known as Beelzebub or Bezel, and occasionally known as the Lord of the Flies, originates from Christian demonology and Jewish mythology. Beezle embodied chaos and deception. This wasn't just any demon. He could shift shapes, control time, and spread darkness.
"Is that... is that Beezle, the demon, who wanted to kill me?"
"Yeap."
"What's Beezle's doing at KV5?" Ryan's voice trembled.
Fen's expression darkened further. "I think he is seeking the Timekeeper's Scarab."
The Timekeeper's Scarab was no ordinary artifact. It was intricately carved scarab formed as a beetle, an artifact, a symbol of rebirth. In the wrong hands, it could be catastrophic.
"Possessing the Scarab, Beezle's plans may transcend mere immortality." Fen continued, snorting softly, "A bug attracts its own kind."
Ryan was flabbergasted, then a nervous giggle escaped him. "You know how to joke even in this situation."
Fen again snorted, a glimmer of amusement breaking through his serious demeanor.
"Fen, I'm tired," Ryan pleaded.
"Well, it's almost midnight. We better sleep."
"Alright." Ryan nodded, clearly looked tired.
As they settled into their beds, Ryan closed his eyes, with the understanding that the real battle was just beginning.
***
Ryan's dreams were haunted by images of Beezle and ancient relics. When Fen woke him up to train, Ryan felt the weight of fatigue pressing down on him. His head throbbed, a dull reminder of the restless night he had endured.
Fen noticed the pallor on Ryan's face. It was clear that this was not a day for intense training. With a nod, he adjusted his approach. "Let's take it easy today," he said.
Instead of a rigorous workout, Fen chose a different method. He reached out to Ryan's mind, guiding him through a mental exercise. "Calm your mind. Breathe deeply. Picture your mana, a blue-green light, filling your core."
Ryan followed the instructions, imagining the vibrant energy coursing through him. He felt the headache gone, and his body felt more light.
"Thank you, Fen," he whispered, relief washing over him.
Fen simply nodded. "You're welcome. Now, I will sleep. You focus on your work."
Ryan nodded mentally.
With that, Fen yawned and settled into rest.
***
At the excavation site, Fen suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, by the way, Ryan. I resolved with the Council of Twelve yesterday. You should go immediately to train to The Arena of the Elements. You will not able to train anything with so many wanting you dead."
"The Arena of the Elements?" Ryan asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
"It's an elite academy, focusing on elemental swordsmanship and mastery. Only chosen ones could go there."
Ryan narrowed his eyes, pretending to sip his coffee with his colleagues around. "Where is that?"
"Hidden within the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas."
Ryan choked on his coffee, nearly spitting it out.
Cough...cough...
Colleagues glanced his way, concern etched on their faces, but one hand gesture from him sent them back to their tasks.
Fen giggled, then laid her head down to sleep, oblivious to the brewing storm in Ryan's mind.
***
In the afternoon, a van glided to KV5 campsite. It skidded to a halt, sending dust flying everywhere. The sudden arrival heightened tensions among the team members. This wasn't just any van; it belonged to the KV7 excavation team.
That meant it was Professor James' team who came to KV5 campsite.
The tensions were not for naught, as the van halted, a man on his 45 got off the van.
As the dust settled, a man in his mid-forties emerged. Professor James stood tall at 5'10", with an athletic build. The afternoon sun highlighted his rugged features. He wore a dusty khaki jacket, faded jeans, and scuffed hiking boots. Graying hair framed his piercing blue eyes, which scrutinized the campsite. He completed his look with a weathered fedora and silver-rimmed glasses.
James's face reddened as he confronted Dr. Hassan. "Your team's reckless excavation methods are devastating the KV5 site! Using heavy machinery and untrained laborers risks irreparable damage to ancient artifacts."
Dr. Hassan smirked, unfazed. "At least our groundbreaking findings aren't fabricated, James. Unlike your 'discovery' of the alleged 'Golden Ankh' last season, which mysteriously vanished during verification."
James's eyes narrowed. "Our methods are meticulous, Hassan. Your team's shortcuts will destroy the site's integrity."
Dr. Hassan snorted. "Integrity? You mean like the attempt to steal other's findings, and claimed it as his own?"
James scanned the campsite, his gaze landing on Ryan. Ryan seemed oblivious to the escalating argument. James's thoughts raced, wondering about Fenrir's whereabouts.
Dr. Hassan waved his hand dismissively. "You're just jealous of our progress, James."
Ryan watched the exchange carefully, sensing the tension. Did James suspect something about Fenrir? Their eyes locked for a moment, a silent understanding passing between them.
The dispute escalated, voices rising. James leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "I know what you're hiding, Hassan. And I'll expose you."
A flicker of surprise crossed Dr. Hassan's face. "What do you mean?" he snapped, his confidence faltering.
James's demeanor shifted. "You think this is just about excavation? It's about protecting what's left of our history. You're playing a dangerous game."
Dr. Hassan's smug smile began to crack. "You don't know anything, James. You're just an obstacle."
James turned sharply, his anger palpable. "This isn't over, Hassan." With that, he strode back to his van, his face still flushed.
The engine roared to life. With a final glare, James reversed sharply, kicking up more dust. The van hurtled down the sandy ground, leaving behind Dr. Hassan's faltering smile and the disputed KV5 site.
As the dust settled, Dr. Hassan's expression shifted from smugness to uncertainty. He glanced at his team, unease etched on their faces.