As I stood in front of the enormous dining hall, my eyes scanned the lavish room that stretched out before me. The flickering glow of torchlight cast a warm amber hue against the walls, revealing ornate tapestries that depicted battles long fought, gods long worshipped, and the people who once inhabited this now-forgotten kingdom. The ceiling arched high above, crafted from dark stone and adorned with intricate carvings. The rich smell of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and exotic fruits filled the air, making my stomach churn in anticipation. But I couldn't ignore the unease creeping up my spine. This was all too surreal, too foreign.
I was sitting in front of King Khastor himself, and it was only then that I noticed the grand, almost regal arrangement of the table. He had arranged for a feast, an extravagant spread of dishes I had never seen before, and I couldn't help but wonder—was this to intimidate me? Or was it just another way for him to assert his power?
Khastor, sitting at the head of the table, eyed me carefully as I hesitated, unsure of what to do with the food in front of me. His gaze was both piercing and calculating, as though he could read my thoughts with just a look. I felt his eyes linger on me, making me even more uncomfortable. I cleared my throat, but before I could say anything, he spoke.
"Why aren't you eating?" His voice was firm but oddly calm, with a tone that suggested both concern and command. "Is there something wrong with the food?"
I froze for a moment, unsure of how to respond. I was terrified of what was happening—terrified of him, of this place, and of everything I had been thrown into. But how could I explain that? How could I tell him that I feared him, that I feared this world I had been thrust into? I opened my mouth, but no words came out at first.
"No, um... nothing" I finally stammered, trying to regain my composure. "I just... I have so many questions."
Khastor's eyebrow arched at my words, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I expected as much" he replied smoothly, as if he had already anticipated my confusion. He set down his goblet of wine and wiped his mouth with a cloth before leaning forward, his gaze never leaving me.
"Ask" he said simply. "Ask whatever it is that plagues your mind."
I took a deep breath and tried to steady my racing heart. There were so many things I wanted to ask—so many things that didn't make sense, but I had to start somewhere. My voice wavered slightly as I finally spoke.
"Why am I here?" I began, still trying to piece everything together. "How do you know me? How is this Egypt, and why are you speaking in English?"
Khastor's lips curled into a small, almost knowing smile. "It's not as complicated as you think, Kylex" he said, his tone almost teasing, but his eyes remained serious. "If I were you, I would have discovered the truth long before now."
I stared at him, perplexed. "What do you mean?"
His eyes gleamed with a strange intensity as he spoke, his voice low but filled with conviction. "You've already arrived at the point where all your answers lie" he said cryptically. "Now, it's time for you to understand."
I could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air, like an invisible pressure pressing against me. "What… what are you talking about?" I asked, still struggling to grasp the full scope of what he was implying.
Khastor took a slow sip from his goblet before answering, his expression softening just a fraction. "Kylex, how are things in your time period?" he asked, almost casually, as though the question were simple.
I blinked, my mind racing. "Things?" I repeated, confused.
"Things on your timeline" he clarified, his voice steady, but there was an odd edge to his words. "I know everything about you, Kylex, Every inch of you" he added, pointing a finger directly at me, his eyes locking with mine. "I know you came here as you should have. Your arrival was foretold."
I blinked in disbelief, trying to make sense of his words. "What do you mean? How could you know me? I've never been here before!" My voice trembled as the shock of the situation began to take hold.
Khastor leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in front of him as he continued. "Before I explain, you must first understand the history of this kingdom. This place was once abandoned, just as it is in your timeline. I found it and rebuilt it. I became the king of this kingdom, but as time went on, chaos entered. The curse of my first wife grew stronger, and I lost control. The Curse began to seek her crown, but I could never find it. There is a prophecy, though—a prediction made by our great grand seer."
I felt my pulse quicken. A prophecy? Was this really happening?
Khastor's voice dropped to a near whisper. "The prophecy states that only one person can find the crown and break the curse. The person who can undo what has been done must come from the future. And that person... is you, Kylex."
I shook my head, disbelief written all over my face. "How do you know I'm the one?"
"Because she chose you" Khastor said, his eyes darkening with an unreadable emotion. "The one who is bound to your timeline, the one who can see the truth of it all."
I felt a chill run down my spine as the realization set in. She? Who was he talking about? Who was this mysterious figure tied to my fate?
Before I could ask more, he stood, signaling the end of our conversation. "But now, you must rest. There is much ahead of you, and your journey is only just beginning."
With that, he gestured for the meal to be cleared, and I sat there, silent, my mind racing with questions. But the answers were becoming fewer, not clearer.
Just as I thought about leaving the room, my mind spinning with confusion, I heard a voice—sharp, commanding.
The entire conversation felt like something out of a fantastical fairytale—nonsense, absurdity. How could anyone believe any of it? And yet, here I was, standing in the past, caught in the midst of a story I couldn't make sense of. Was this some kind of dream, or had I started losing touch with reality? Maybe I had slipped into some kind of drug-induced hallucination. Perhaps James had spiked my drink back on the bus. Everything felt so surreal, so off-kilter. My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, and panic was beginning to creep in. Why was this all happening to me? If only I had stayed on the bus, if I had just kept my head down and minded my own business, maybe none of this would've spiraled out of control.
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration boiling inside me. The walls around me felt too old, too silent, and yet there was something about the stillness that amplified my anxiety. The towering columns of ancient stone, the flickering torches casting shadows across the floors, they only added to the unsettling atmosphere. The palace—this grand, majestic place—was completely unfamiliar to me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was out of place. That I didn't belong here.
I spun on my heels, my voice rising. "Look, because of my silly move, I'm here wandering around these empty halls, TOTALLY LOST! Where's my room?" I shouted, my frustration finally breaking free. The sound of my own voice echoed against the cold stone walls, amplifying my sense of helplessness. The vast, empty halls seemed to close in on me, and I could feel the weight of the silence pressing down, as if the building itself was watching me, waiting for me to unravel.
My words hung in the air, and for a moment, I was left with nothing but the eerie quiet of the palace. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, the anger and confusion still boiling in my chest. Who had brought me here? What was their game? Why had I ended up in this strange place, facing a situation I could barely comprehend?
The weight of it all was crushing.
"You should not raise your voice like that, especially if you are in this palace."
I whipped around, startled, a figure appeared before me, moving with an air of grace and authority. She was clad in golden garments that shimmered under the dim light, as if each step she took sent ripples through the fabric, catching the glow of the palace torches. The richness of her attire was overwhelming, a mix of opulence and mystery. Her face was veiled, but the piercing gaze of her eyes shone through, gleaming with an intensity that I could not look away from.
She wore a royal headband, or perhaps it was a crown—the intricate design made it impossible to tell if it was a simple piece of jewelry or something more, something sacred. Her long, dark hair cascaded all the way down to her knees, a luxurious, flowing cascade that seemed to dance with the slightest movement, adding to the air of majesty surrounding her. The presence of this woman, her silent yet powerful entrance, left me momentarily speechless, caught between awe and confusion. The grandeur of the moment was palpable, and I felt the weight of her gaze, as though she could see right through me.
"Who… who are you?" I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.
She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Why did you fumble?" she asked, her voice almost mocking. She was mere inches from me now, her eyes studying me like a hawk.
"I asked something, Kylex" she said, her tone firm, yet strangely familiar.
"Do you… do you know me?" I asked, my voice faltering under her intense gaze.
"Of course, I know you. How could I forget you?" She began to say something more, but before she could finish, a boy appeared from the shadows. He looked every bit the prince, dressed in royal attire with the grace and confidence of someone born to rule.
"Calyra!" he called out, his voice full of authority. "You should be in your room."
He looked every bit the prince, his appearance immaculate, and judging by his regal attire, it was clear he held a position of great importance. Maybe she is—the princess, no doubt, based on the way she carried herself and the way boy seemed to respect her presence.
"Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Kylex, but you should return to your room" he said, his voice calm but firm. His gaze shifted briefly towards the girl he referred to as Calyra, a silent command in his eyes.
"It's okay... but I'm a little lost, I guess" I replied, still disoriented by everything happening around me. He nodded understandingly.
"I'll guide you" he offered, and I nodded in return, grateful for the assistance. As I followed him down the corridor, I noticed Calyra standing still, her eyes carefully scanning me from head to toe. Her gaze was sharp, evaluating, almost as if she was silently judging me. The tension in the air was thick, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she was sizing me up, wondering what I was doing here, who I really was, and why I was now a part of this strange world.
I couldn't help but admire the genes of King Khastor. King himself is undeniably handsome, his features sharp yet regal, and it was no wonder both of his queens had fallen for him. The story of the first queen, who had allegedly used black magic to ensnare his heart, only added a layer of intrigue to the already fascinating history surrounding him. His presence, his charm—it was clear why he had such an undeniable hold on those around him.
Prince gestured toward a door, his hand sweeping through the air with a quiet authority. "Your room" he said, his voice carrying a weight of finality. I nodded in acknowledgment, stepping forward and closing the door behind me once I entered. The soft click of the door resonated in the silence, signaling my temporary solitude in this overwhelming place.
I couldn't help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. Everything was a puzzle, but the pieces were scattered, and I had no idea how to fit them together. All I knew was that I was deep in something far greater than myself, something ancient and unknowable.
And I was just starting to realize how far I was willing to go to uncover the truth.