The Sumerian looked up at the very imposing figure of Kahmunrah and their leader held at knifepoint. Anbir (who had joined the din of battle by then) was the first to drop his weapon. Following his lead many others immediately dropped their weapons.

Kahmunrah frowned. It could not have been this easy. But he soon realised there was something else at work.

In his eyes and the eyes of many others, Sargon was seen as evil and cruel. But within his own people he was loved and respected for his bravery and possibly kindness. Kahmunrah realised, they would follow him to the end like the Egyptian army would follow him and Ahkmenrah.

To sacrifice their image and pride, like they did now, for their leader was the biggest sacrifice they could make and Kahmunrah respected them for that. Yet he didn't let it show.

"Let him go." He told Khufu.

Khufu did just that.

Kahmunrah turned to Sargon.

"How do you want me to treat you?"

This was the very same question Sargon had posed to them.

"Treat me as you would a fallen king."

Kahmunrah smiled. This was the very same answer he had given him. This was his time for retribution, but he didn't fall in that trap. Sargon wasn't begging for mercy. But Kahmunrah granted it anyway. "Get these men inside, give them clothing, warmth and food." He motioned towards the rain. "We don't want send them home with a cold."

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After this there was a commotion of people bustling around and about either celebrating, helping the Sumerian soldiers or carrying the dead and wounded. Ahkmenrah made his way down to the battlement. He hadn't wished for so many deaths, but what happened had happened. He couldn't change it.

When the Egyptians saw him and his brother they often let out a loud cheer and even the Sumerians, despite their unexpected surrender they too gave him a warm smile.

Suddenly Ahkmenrah felt something slam against his torso and two arms wrap tightly around his waist. He saw his cousin thirteen year old Ammon, giving him the tightest of embraces.

"I knew we would win!" he exclaimed. Ahkmenrah laughed and wrapped his arms around him.

"You look worse for wear!" said Ahkmenrah inspecting his wet and bruised face and the rain still fell upon them. "You'll be needing stitches after this."

Then Kahmunrah's voice called "Playing favorites are we Ammon?"

"Kahmun!" the young boy exclaimed before bounding up to him and enveloping him in a bone-crushing hug.

Meanwhile Tchanun stood as silently as if he had lost his voice again. His arm was hanging dangerously at his sideBut soon Ahkmenrah came up to him and embraced him.

"Thank you" he whispered in his ear. "Thank you for looking after my family, even when we hadn't been as kind to you."

Tchanun had no words but his actions spoke loud. He wrapped his arms around Ahkmenrah tighter and let out a small sob.

It only made Ahkmenrah feel guiltier that the boy had to suffer for him.

Tchanun pulled away and gave him a large smile and then left.

Ahkmenrah looked up only to see sparkling blue eyes staring back at him. It was Sabra. Wet with her tunic stained with blood clinging to her because of the steady rain. Bloodied, bruised, tired but otherwise smiling. But it seemed to him she was only smiling to keep the tears from falling. None the less a huge grin broke out on Ahkmenrah's face as she rushed towards him.

She embraced him as she buried her head in his shoulder. He could feel her shaking and he realised it wasn't the cold but she was crying. Who for? There were many people. He held her closer and felt tears come down from his eyes too.

He held her close as she sobbed. As she calmed down. As she held on. Tears don't mean you're weak. They only mean you have been strong for far too long.

"It's over." He whispered.

"Kain would have been so happy." She whispered.

"I miss him too Sabra I really do."

He couldn't imagine the intense pain she must have been feeling. But nonetheless he felt he understood her more than ever before.

She pulled away from him and this time with a smile said.

"I'm sorry. It was silly of me...I shouldn't be crying."

"Well in all honesty, it was refreshing to see emotion from someone as stone faced as you."

"Ahk!"

"I'm just being honest!"

Both broke out in peals of laughter, not knowing why the laughed but only that they laughed.

"Sharing a joke without me brother?" asked Kahmunrah coming up to them.

He gave Sabra a quick embrace before putting an arm around Ahkmenrah and using his height advantage to ruffle his already messy wet hair. A wild feeling of giddiness had overcome them all.

Suddenly they felt another pair of arms wrap around them all. It was Sabaf, he seemed half-crazed in his happiness laughing and crying out in sheer delight.

"We did it! We did it!" he was shouting.

Ahkmenrah wasn't fazed by his sudden erratic behavior. He knew him well enough to know that behind the cool, quiet and mysterious exterior he was the very definition of insanity (figuratively speaking obviously). But Kahmunrah and Sabra were very startled at his sudden strange behavior.

But they soon joined in with his merry making before Kahmunrah pointed out that they should be helping the others. So they all split up.

Ahkmenrah decided he wasn't much use for anything, considering his broken body but he saw Montu beckoning for him to come. Despite all he had been through Ahkmenrah still felt a sense of trepidation as he approached.

This was ten times scarier that falling from a pyramid.

Montu casually handed him a jug of water collected from the rain.

"Do you think you can handle holding it?"

"Y-yes."

"Bloody strangest war I have ever fought in." Remarked Montu. "I swear I was dead, but then I felt a cold splash and my cheek and I felt myself rising and taking the sword back in my hand. Damn bloody strange."

His eyes gleamed with a sort of knowledge and all Ahkmenrah could do was nod in agreement before answering.

"The gods may have found another purpose for you and realised you needed to live or something of the likes."

"Bloody strangest ending to a war I've seen and I've been in many wars." By now they were inside the palace. "From pure bloodshed suddenly to gaiety and peace. I daresay the Sumerians must love their bloody Sargon to bits."

"Mm hm."

"Well at least we got our kingdom back."

Even though Montu didn't say it, Ahkmenrah could feel the brimming fatherly pride in his voice. What he really meant was I am proud of you. And he wandered whether his father would have felt the same.

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After a quiet had fell on the city, Khufu made his way to where Ahkmenrah stood. He was awake, alone and walking through the hallway.

Khufu approached him but before he could say anything Ahkmenrah ran up to him and embraced him. It made Khufu's heart stop. The feeling of affection took over him. He hadn't felt it in years, not since his brother was chosen king over him.

"Thank you so much! For everything! You saved us!" he said. "We couldn't have done it without you."

For a moment Khufu thought of abandoning his meticulous plan for the throne. He felt that one hour of affection is greater than a lifetime of riches and gold. But the tablet shone like a small flame growing brighter and larger until the lust for power became greater than affection.

Power can do the best of people do terrible things. He pulled away.

"It is all done and finished my son. But tell me, who will be king?"

"Kahmunrah." Said Ahkmenrah simply. "He deserves it."

"But would you dishonor your father?"

"How do you mean?"

"It is simple Ahk. Your father chose you to be king, would you really dishonor his judgment in front of the whole nation."

Isis's words came to him in that moment. Maybe he was meant to be king.

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Yet again another chapter! Please vote and comment and tell me what you think. I know a certain section where some of you may have been ever so slightly triggered.

Thank you for the 24k reads. You are all simply brilliant for sticking with me thus far.