Chapter 7

Haashid's magic carpet soared through the evening Egyptian sky. In the horizon, the mighty Egyptian sun was beginning to set. Soon, night would be upon them. The hot desert air which beat against them was no more, replaced instead by a cool one. Constantine still could not believe he had manage to survive a duel with one of Hitler's people. He could only imagine what would have happened to him and the professor if Haashid and Cara did not arrive when they did. But that was in the past, now there was a more important task that lay ahead.

"Haashid, we need to get to Alexandria!" shouted Constantine over the wind which beat against the magic carpet.

"Alexandria?! Why do we have to go to Alexandria?!" asked Haashid, turning to look at Constantine.

"To stop Hitler's people from getting the amulet that would lead them to the Library of Thoth!" answered Constantine.

"We should get my father to hospital first!"

Constantine shook his head. "There isn't time!"

"This is my father we're talking about! His life! We need to get him to hospital!" argued Cara.

"And if Hitler's men get their hands on the amulet, hundreds if not thousand of lives will be affected!" countered Constantine. He sighed. "The needs of the many out-weights the need of the one!"

"But-"

The professor placed a gentle hand on his daughter's hand. He had a gentle look on his bruised and lined middle-aged face. "C-Cara, Constantine is right. T-There isn't time." Professor Croft took in a deep breath before releasing it. "We need to get to A-Alexandria before its too late." He smiled slightly. "I'll be f-fine."

Cara held her silence for a moment. She looked to her father and then to Constantine. She then nodded. "Alright, we'll go to Alexandria."

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Haashid flew his magic carpet fast and high through the cool, cloudless and moonlit Egyptian night before gently setting it down next to the steps which led up to the Grand Library of Alexandria. The Grand Library of Alexandria was a large and majestic dome-roofed building which was almost as old as the pyramids. In ancient times, it served as a hub and depository for all of Ancient Egypt's knowledge, both common and forbidden. It was only until recently that the Grand Library became a museum as well, displaying the numerous artefacts that it had collected over the centuries. As soon as Haashid had landed the magic carpet, Constantine got off it, thankful to be on solid ground once again. Haashid also alighted from the magic carpet, deciding to accompany Constantine to stop Hitler's people despite Constantine's protest.

"Are you sure you want to follow me, Haashid?" asked Constantine, looking to the hefty man who stood next to him. Constantine knew that deep down, he needed help. But he didn't want to put Haashid's life on the line. He had a family to take care of, and if anything were to happen to him, he would not be able to forgive himself.

Haashid nodded, his face serious. "I am. You're going to need all the help you can get in facing Hitler's people." Haashid placed a gentle arm on Constantine's shoulder and smiled warmly at the young man. "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

I hope you can, old friend. I really do.

"You two take care of yourselves," wished Cara, concern clearly present in her voice. "You both come back in one piece, okay?"

"Don't worry my dear, we will," said Haashid, turning around to give the young lady a reassuring smile.

Professor Croft who was lying down turned his head slowly to look at Constantine and Haashid. "D-Do not let H-Hitler's men get the a-amulet. Destroy it if y-you absolutely n-need to. B-But if you can, t-try not to. W-We cannot afford to l-loose such a valuable a-artefact."

The professor must really know how dangerous Hitler could become if he ever got his hands on the Tome. If not, he won't be giving us the go ahead to destroy a priceless artefact, thought Constantine. Maybe there's a chance the professor and Basheer could repair things between them after all.

"And one more thing, good luck."

Cara offered Constantine and Haashid a parting smile before she took off with Haashid's magic carpet.

Constantine took in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. He then turned around to face the steps that led up to the Grand Library."Let's get going."

Haashid nodded and followed Constantine up the steps. As Constantine walked up the marble steps he could feel a sudden rush of cold air as well as an ominous sensation.

Constantine and Haashid walked through the wide and well-lit marble hallways of the Grand Library of Alexandria, their wands drawn. In the day time, the very hallways the two were currently walking in would have been filled with scholars as well as tourists. As the two neared the wing of the Grand Library which served as a museum, Constantine could feel that ominous sensation he had felt earlier grow stronger. He could also feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise up.

"Do you hear that Constantine?" asked Haashid.

Constantine looked to the hefty man, confusion etched on his face. "Hear what?"

"Listen carefully," said Haashid. "It sounds like a duel is taking place."

Constantine concentrated, and Haashid was right. He could hear faintly the chanting of spells as well as the distinct sound of magical bolts coursing through the air in the distance. If security is still putting up a fight, there's still a chance to stop Hitler's people before they get the amulet There's still hope.

"Come on, Haashid, let's get going."

Haashid nodded. The two then hastened their steps to the entrance of the museum wing. Upon arriving at a large archway which served as the entrance to the museum wing, Constantine and Haashid were greeted by the bodies of two of the Grand Library's security guards which lay motionless on the ground. One of the guards was a lithe human lady with tanned skin. The other was a male ork, recognisable by his large built frame, slightly pointed ears and large lower canines which protruded from his mouth. Constantine knelt down next to the ork. It was obvious to him that the ork was dead, his large broad chest was no longer heaving. What confused Constantine was the fact that there was no obvious or visible sign of trauma or injury on the ork's body. He was just dead. I've never seen anything like this before. Just what sort of spell were they hit by? It was more obvious to Constantine now that he and Haashid could not possibly take on Hitler's people. They were going to need help. A lot of help.

Constantine looked up to Haashid. "Do you happen to know anyone in the Alexandria constabulary?

"I have a cousin who's a detective inspector." Haashid arched his thick eyebrows. "Why do you ask?"

"Because we're going to need that cousin's help" answered Constantine, standing up before looking at Haashid. "There's no way the two of us are going to be able to take on Hitler's people. You need to contact that cousin of yours and get help. As much help as your cousin can possibly get."

"What about you, Constantine? What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to keep an eye on Hitler's people, and if I have to, confront them. Buy as much time as I can for you to arrive with the cavalry."

"Constantine, you can't!" cried out Haashid, grabbing Constantine's shoulder and holding it tightly. Constantine could see that there was a look of extreme concern clearly etched on his face. "You'll get killed!"

A melancholy smile played across Constantine's face as he placed a reassuring hand on Haashid's shoulder. "I'll be fine." I hope. "Go. Go get help. There's no time to loose."

Haashid took in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. "Stay safe, my friend," wished Haashid before leaving to find his cousin and get help.

Come back quickly my friend, thought Constantine as he saw Haashid leave. He then turned around to face the archway which led into the museum wing. Constantine reached into his leather messenger bag which was slung across his body and took out his invisibility cloak. He took in a deep breath and slowly released it. Here goes nothing. Constantine put on the invisibility cloak and entered the museum wing. He just hoped that he was not too late.

Constantine made his way through the wide marble and high-ceilinged hallways of the museum wing and to where the sounds of a duel taking place came from. As he made his way through the hallway, he came across six motionless bodies of which lay on the floor. Four of them were the Grand Library's security personnel, recognisable by the uniform they wore. Constantine noticed that all four of them were dead, but they had no obvious sign of injury or trauma on their body. Looks like they were hit by the same spell like the two other guards. The two other bodies on the ground were what Constantine assumed to be Hitler's people. The two men were still alive, evident by their chest which still moved upward and downward rhythmically. The sounds of chanting and magical bolts coursing through the air were getting louder. He was getting near. Have to keep on moving.

As he ventured deeper into the museum wing, he could hear the sounds of chanting and spells being fired back and forth grow louder. He could also feel the ominous sensation he felt earlier grow even stronger. Constantine soon found himself standing at the entrance to a large circular chamber. From where he stood under his invisibility cloak, Constantine could see that at the centre of the chamber was an artefact display case, and stored in it was a round shaped artefact which shimmered ever so slightly when the light touched it. That must be the amulet they're after. Standing next to the display case was a dark skinned elf who had a look of defiance etched on his face. It was a...weird sight to Constantine, never before had he seen an elf who looked anything but calm and collected. At the dark-skinned elf's feet lay three of his fellow guards, motionless, most likely dead. Also in the chamber were three of Hitler's people.

"You put up a good fight, twink," said the same tall man Constantine had seen Miranda talk to before, his voice echoing throughout the chamber. "Now if you value your life, you will step aside. Let us take what we came for."

The elf shook his head in defiance. "I cannot do that." He raised his wand, readying himself for the inevitable duel.

An evil smirk played across the tall man's face. "Then you will die. Like the rest of your men."

"If I die, I'll make sure to take some of you with me!" yelled the elf, his calm composure cracking.

The dark skinned elf fired a series of red bolts of magical energy towards Hitler's people who promptly deflected them. The dark skinned elf and Hitler's people fired spells back and forth between one another. Even with the sounds of magical bolts being fired back and forth through the air, Constantine could still hear the elf casting his spells using the distinctive sing-song language of his people. The elf was skilled, masterfully and gracefully switching from offence to defence and then back again. But even with all his skill, Constantine knew, however, that it was only a matter of time until he would be overwhelmed. I need to help him...somehow, thought Constantine, seeing the elf begin to falter in his defence. But before Constantine could take any action, the elf was hit right in the face by a fiery purple bolt of magical energy, fired from the tall man's wand. The elf let out a blood-curdling scream. He gripped his face. He then fell down to the marbled floor, dead. Now all that stood between Hitler's people and the amulet was Constantine. Haashid, I really hope you get here soon with the cavalry.

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