Constantine and Miranda hastily weaved their way through the dimly lit and deserted streets of the ancient city of Abydos. Constantine could not believe that he was actually walking through the streets of the ancient city. It was a surreal experience for him. He could only imagine what walking through the ancient city would be like during the day.

"Here it is," Miranda announced to Constantine. "The building where the map to the entire city is found at."

Constantine stopped. He found himself standing in front of a fairly large building with a flat roof. With the help of the early morning light, Constantine could see that two out of the four statues that once stood majestically by the entrance of the building had collapsed. The two other statues, although lucky to be still intact had lost their discernible features, weathered by the unrelenting and unforgiving Egyptian sandstorms. Constantine could also see that some of the columns located by the entrance of the building had collapsed as well. At its prime, this building would have looked magnificent. There was not even a single person standing guard by the building as far as Constantine could see. It was apparent to Constantine that Hans was not expecting to be interrupted. Not by anyone. For now, lady luck shone on them.

"Come on. Let's keep moving," said Miranda.

Constantine nodded. The two young relic hunters then proceeded to make their way into the building. As he entered the ancient building, Constantine hoped they weren't too late to stop Hans.

###

Constantine and Miranda weaved their way through a series of dark, cold and dusty tunnels as they made their way to the map room. The air smelt stale, and the only source of light that illuminated their path was the white light which emanated from the tip of their wands. Constantine felt a sense of familiarity wash over him as he followed Miranda through the maze of tunnels. It was as though he had weaved through these very same tunnels before.

"You know, Miranda, I'm surprised that Hans fellow did not send someone to look for you," Constantine said as he followed Miranda through the maze of tunnels that led to the map room. "Surely he must have realised you didn't follow him into the map room."

"I think he has more pressing matters on his mind than little old me," replied Miranda.

"Quite right," agreed Constantine.

After a few minutes more of navigating through the cold and dusty tunnels, the duo entered a large chamber. A chamber that was brightly lit by small floating orbs of orange light, and it was magnificent. Constantine could only imagine how it would have looked like at its peak. There were hieroglyphs that lined the chamber's walls as well as the columns which held up the chamber's ceiling. There were also two large stone statues which stood next to the archway to the corridor which led into what Constantine assumed to be the map room. He wished he could study each and every one of the hieroglyphic symbols that had been intricately carved into the walls, but that would have to wait. Now, he had more important things to do. Much more important things to do.

Constantine and Miranda stepped into the map room. A loud wailing sound immediately filled the entire room. Five of Hans' people blinked in front of them in flash of white light. Before Constantine and Miranda could even raise their wands to defend themselves, they found themselves disarmed. Their wands no longer in their possession. I guess this is where out luck ends, said Constantine to himself, seeing the predicament he and Miranda were in. Constantine recognised the two people standing in front of him who had their wands. They were the same brother and sister duo he had duelled earlier in the day when he had rescued Professor Croft.

The two siblings, their wands pointed at Constantine and Miranda, ordered the two to walk down the flight of stairs that led to the lower levels. Seeing no alternative to their predicament, the two young adventurers descended to the lower level in silent acquiescence. Constantine was surprised. He thought that Hans' men would have eliminated both him and Miranda without a second thought. I wonder they aren't

The lower level of the chamber had a scale model of a city. The scale model of the city was huge, occupying almost the entirety of the lower level. It had buildings of many sizes and shapes as well as tall obelisks and statues. The actual holy city of Abydos Constantine had seen a few days ago was nothing like the scale model he was currently seeing. Many of the buildings were no longer whole, and many if not all the obelisks present in the city had already collapsed to the ground, unlike the scale model of the holy city which still had all of its models intact. As he walked down the stairs, Constantine made note of a circular opening of sorts which was located high up on the wall opposite of the stairs.

At the base of the stairs was Hans. In his hand was a staff which had the amulet he had stolen from the Grand Library of Alexandria attached to it. A sinister smile crept up on his face as he saw Constantine and Miranda descend from the stairs.

"Miss Bell, glad you could finally join us again. We were wondering where you had disappeared to," Hans said, his tone icy. Hans looked at Constantine. "And it seems that you've returned with your friend as well."

I guess Hans did realise that Miranda was missing.

Aiden, pointed at Constantine."What should we do with him, Hans?" he asked.

Beatriz looked at Constantine. "I say we kill him," she said with an evil grin plastered on her face.

Hans looked at Beatriz. "No. We won't kill him," replied Hans, shaking his finger.

"Why the sudden mercy?" asked Constantine, furrowing his brow.

Hans looked at Constantine."Let's just say I...admire your bravery. Many men who in your position would have run away. But not you. No. You ran to the fire instead. And I admire that." Hans paused for a moment. "Plus, I want you to bear witness to the rise of Meine Fuhrer. To witness the beginning of humanity's next chapter as it unfolds."

"And what is humanity's next chapter like?" asked Miranda, arching her brow. "Full of darkness and despair?"

Hans looked at Miranda. A smile formed on his face."On the contrary, Miss Bell. It would be a glorious one. It would be one of hope. A chapter where we humans will once again take our rightful place in this world. At the top. Ruling over the meta-human filth we currently have to share power and prosperity with. We shall put them in their rightful place once again. Beneath us. Under our heel."

Constantine shook her head. "You know that will never happen. Even with the Tome."

Hans smiled evilly at Constantine. He began to chuckle. "I beg to differ."

A ray of light from the rising morning sun entered into the map room through the circular opening which Constantine had made note of earlier on. The ray of light bathed the entire scale model of the city of Abydos with its light. Hans, seeing the light turned away from Constantine and Miranda and towards the scale model of the city.

"It's time," Hans said.

Hans walked briskly over to the circular opening. Constantine and Miranda watched as Hans took position underneath the circular opening. As soon as he was sure he was at the right spot, he raised the staff with the amulet attached to it into the air. As the sunlight hit the amulet, the ruby at the centre of the amulet began to sparkle. A shining red beam of light then shot out from the ruby. The shining red beam of light pointed at a building located not too far from what looked like a scale model of the building they were in. That must be where the Library is.

"There it is," Hans said with a wide grin plastered on his face. "There it is." Hans walked briskly back to Constantine, Miranda and his men, still grinning from ear to ear. "Let's get going. Destiny awaits us." He then began to walk up the stairs.

###

Constantine and Miranda descended a narrow spiral stairwell which led to the resting place of the Tome of Thoth. In front of the two young relic hunters, taking point, was Hans who illuminated the dark stairwell with a bright white light which emanated from the tip of his wand. Behind Constantine and Miranda was Aiden and Beatriz as well as the rest of Hans' people. The two siblings had their respective wands pressed against the backs of the two young adventurers. Constantine knew that if either he or Miranda made any sudden movements or tried to escape, Aiden and Beatriz would put them down. Without even hesitating. For now, escape was out of the question.

As Constantine continued to descend the narrow spiral stairwell, he could see that the walls of the stairwell started to have hieroglyphic paintings and markings which were well preserved. Constantine began to try and decipher the hieroglyphic symbols. Experience, as well as a feeling in his gut, told him that the hieroglyphic symbols he was walking pass were of some importance. Unfortunately, he only managed to decipher but a fraction of it, as he could not stop to study the hieroglyphic symbols in detail. And the poor light in the stairwell did not help as well. But from what little he did manage to decipher, Constantine came to the conclusion that the hieroglyphic symbols on the walls served as a warning message of sorts. But a warning to what? That was the mystery. And that was what scared Constantine deeply.

After a few minutes of descending the narrow spiral stairwell, Constantine and Miranda along with Hans and his people reached the base of the stairwell. The narrow spiral stairwell had led them down to what a small circular chamber. In front of them was a large circular archway which was sealed shut. And next to it were a number of stone statues carved in the likeness of Egyptian guards. Hans approached the sealed circular archway which blocked the path to the prize he seeks. From where he stood, Constantine could see that the archway contained what looked like hieroglyphics symbols on it. But he could not make head or tails of anyone of them. Not from where he stood. Hans turned his attention away from the circular arch. He walked back towards Constantine and Miranda.

"Decipher the hieroglyphic symbols carved into the circular arch, Miss Bell," demanded Hans, his tone icy and without emotion.

"I rather give a swamp troll a bath then help you decipher those symbols," retorted Miranda with a look of contempt and defiance etched on her oval face.

Hans chuckled, amused. "Perhaps you need a little...incentive."

Hans pointed his wand at Constantine. The tip of Hans' wand flashed red. Constantine started to feel a squirming sensation form in the back of his skull. Then, a blinding pain ignited at the back of Constantine's eyes. He grabbed his head with his two hands before falling to his knees. T-This feels f-familiar. Like the s-spell H-Hans had u-used on me e-earlier. Constantine felt a hot burst of pain scream through his back. He arched his back violently in response. At the same time, he jerked his head backwards. I-I have to r-resist. Another hot burst of pain surged through his body. Constantine writhed on the ground as he screamed in agony. His cries of pain echoed throughout the small chamber.

"I'll decipher the symbols!" Miranda cried, her voice echoing throughout the small circular chamber.

Hans looked at Miranda, turning attention away from Constantine. "Come again?"

"I'll decipher the symbols for you. Just stop torturing him. Please," Miranda begged.

Hans looked back at Constantine who was still writhing in pain on the floor. "You are very fortunate to have a friend who shows such concern for your well being," said Hans before releasing Constantine from the torturous spell he had cast on him.

Constantine could feel the blinding pain behind his eyes slowly dissipate. The twisting sensation in his stomach also began to fade away. With the pain slowly fading away, Constantine sluggishly got onto his feet. He saw that Miranda was already in front of the large circular archway deciphering the hieroglyphic symbols on it. Constantine tried to approach her. But he was stopped by Aiden and Beatriz who had grabbed him from behind.

"What do the symbols say, Miss Bell?" queried Hans.

Miranda remained silent.

"Miss Bell, what do the symbols say?" asked Hans again.

Miranda still remained silent.

"Miss Bell, you are testing my patience," Hans said.

Miranda cleared her throat. She then began to read the hieroglyphic symbols aloud."Those with evil in their hearts who seek the knowledge of Thoth, this is your final warning. Turn back now." She paused for a moment. "Or face an eternity of torment and damnation."

That must be the message the earlier hieroglyphs were trying to convey, said Constantine to himself. Constantine swallowed. And knowing the Ancient Egyptians, they mean every word of it.

Miranda turned away from the large circular arch. She looked Constantine, Hans and the rest of the group.

"I don't we should continue," Miranda said, shaking her head.

Hans snickered. "I don't subscribe to superstitious nonsense."

"I suggest you do," began Constantine, his tone serious. "The Ancient Egyptians don't make idle threats. You and your people will be cursed to an eternity of damnation if you all should pass that archway." Constantine paused for a moment. "If you value your lives, I suggest you return to the surface."

Hans laughed. The people under his command started to laugh as well. The sound of their laughter filled the chamber. Hans raised his hand. The laughter sound of laughter which filled the chamber died down. "It would take much more than a few symbols to stop me from fulfilling Meine Fuhrer's plan. Much more."

Hans walked up to the sealed circular arch. He lifted his wand, pointing it at the sealed archway.

"Ruineren!" Hans chanted at the top of his voice.

A red bolt of pure magical energy shot out of Hans' wand. It surged through the air briefly before impacting the sealed circular archway. The sound of a small explosion echoed throughout the chamber. Thick dust filled the chamber as well.

As the dust settled, Constantine, whose ears were still ringing, could see that the sealed circular archway which had blocked the path to the Tome was no longer present. Instead, a large gaping hole took its place. Constantine stared into the gaping hole. It was dark. He could see nothing of the room in front of him. He felt as though he was staring into the abyss.

Hans lifted his wand. The tall German man muttered an incantation before flicking his wand. Glowing orange orbs exited from the tip of his wand. The orbs levitated in the air for a brief moment before slowly hovering into the abyss. The darkness soon vanished, replaced instead with a warm orange glow. Hans stepped into the recently lighted area. Following behind him was Constantine, Miranda and the rest of his men. Upon entering, Constantine's attention was drawn immediately to an elevated platform located at the centre of the chamber. On the platform was a pedestal which cradled an ostentatiously large tome. There is it, said Constantine to himself. The Tome of Thoth. Hans walked briskly up to the platform.

"At last, the Tome is ours," Hans said aloud. Hans picked up the ostentatiously large tome from its pedestal with care. The tall German man then looked at Constantine and Miranda. There was a large grin etched on his face. The same sort of grin a young boy or girl would have upon receiving their present on Christmas morning. Hans walked down towards the two young relic hunters.

"You two should be honoured," began Hans. "You two have just borne witness to the beginning of humanity's ascension to the apex."

"You and your Fuhrer won't get away with this," declared Miranda

"She's right," began Constantine. "You and your Fuhrer will never succeed in your plans. There are people who will stop you and your Fuhrer from rising to power. Good people."

Hans chuckled. "They will try. And they will fail."

"Do we kill them now, Hans?" asked Beatriz with an annoyed tone in her voice.

"Yes," declared Hans, nodding. "But I will deal with them." Hans placed his free hand on the Tome's cover. "I want to demonstrate to these two the power this Tome has. And how futile it would be to stop us. "

Constantine swallowed the lump in his throat. This is bad. Very bad. Hans smiled sinisterly as he flipped open the Tome with his free arm. He began flipping through the Tome. But Constantine soon realised that something amiss. An annoyed look started to form on Hans's face as he continued to flip through the pages of the ostentatiously large tome.

"Something the matter, Hans?" asked Miranda. "Where's this power you wanted to demonstrate to us?"

Hans did not reply Miranda's query. He just continued to flip through the pages of the tome. The look of annoyance on his face grew more severe as he continued to flip through the pages of the tome. Something is definitely wrong, thought Constantine. But what?

"There is nothing on these pages!" yelled Hans, his voice echoing through the chamber. "They're blank!"

The look of annoyance on his face gave way to one of pure rage. Hans reached for his curved wand which he had holstered to his belt. He then pointed it at the Tome.

"Aufdecken!" cried Hans, his voice echoing throughout the chamber.

A faint red glow began to envelop the Tome as soon as Hans had cast the revealing spell on it. The Tome soon started to pulse and glow even brighter. Hans dropped the Tome onto the ground. He then took a few steps back. Is this the curse the hieroglyphic symbols on the archway warned us about? wondered Constantine, squinting his eyes to protect them from the red pulsing glow which had become more severe.

"Constantine, what's going on?" asked Miranda who was also squinting her eyes.

"I-I have no idea," replied Constantine. "But if I had to guess, I say this is the curse the hieroglyphic symbols were warning us about."

A disembodied shrieking sound began to echo throughout the chamber. A powerful cold draft swept through the entire chamber, causing the hairs on the back of Constantine's neck stand up. Constantine had a bad feeling in his gut that something bad was about to happen. The Tome began to glow brighter and brighter before releasing a large wave of red energy. For a moment, the chamber fell silent. Everyone looked to one another, searching for an explanation on what had just transpired. Constantine glanced at Hans. For the first time, Constantine saw a small crack in his composure. He was doing a good job of hiding it, but deep down, Constantine knew that Hans was as terrified as everyone else in the chamber.

The shrieking sound returned, louder and at a much higher pitch than before. The cold draft that swept through the chamber earlier also returned. Constantine looked at the Tome and saw that it was once again glowing a bright red. Lines of hieroglyphic inscriptions also circled around it. The Tome then released a swarm of red spectres which circled the room. T-This must be the curse we were warned about, thought Constantine as he watched the ghostly spectres continue to circle the chamber.

"W-What is this, Hans?!" stammered one of his men.

Hans remained silent. It was obvious to Constantine that Hans had no idea as to what was transpiring in front of them.

"I-I'm getting out of here!" cried another one of Hans's men. "I-I didn't sign up for this."

The man rushed off to the chamber's exit, but before he could even get near to it, one of the red spectres flew towards him and through him. The man let out a blood-curdling scream before collapsing to the ground. From what Constantine could see, only a dried up husk remained of the man. The remaining spectres which had previously been circling the chamber then descended on them.

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