***
The air of the darkened temple hung heavy with the smoke of incense and glowing braziers on a golden altar. Before the altar a figure dressed in the regalia of an ancient Pharaoh performed rites before a hawk-headed idol with outstretched hands. One hand held a glowing red jewel cut to look like a rose, while the other hand was empty but curled like it once held a weapon.
The Pharaonic figure held his hands up while he intoned "Oh great Osiris, accept from your Son on Earth the return of one of your symbols of power to your temple and grant your servant power to defeat the infidels that oppose your return to power." With that, he lowered his hands and ended the ceremony by throwing a strange powder onto the braziers, which gave off a burst of smoke and an even stranger odor that further filled the darkened temple.
Behind the Pharoh, other figures kowtowed to the altar. The Pharaoh turned to the assembled followers and said "The Great Osiris is grateful for the return of one of his Symbols of Power, but this is not enough. To consecrate His power, a further Symbol is required. The Sword of The Phoenix is required to unleash the power of the Jewel of Karnak to complete the ascendancy of the Cult of Tanis. You will spare no effort to return the Sword to Osiris. This, your Great Pharaoh commands!"
At that, the assembled minions stood with a thunder and yelled "As the Pharaoh commands, so shall it be done!" With that, the minions filed out of the temple, faces shining with devotion to the cause of the Great Pharaoh 90. One figure, dressed like an Egyptian priestess and holding an ankh-topped staff with an obsidian star, stayed behind.
The Pharaoh stepped down from the altar and cupped the chin of the priestess. "Soon, Kaolinite, we shall have the dominion we have so long sought." She looked up at him and responded "Indeed, my lord. All opposition shall be driven before you in defeat, and you will have all control as the Pharaohs of old posessed."
***
Despite the face she showed to the world, Hotaru was disturbed by the events of the past night. She had tried to use the cultists she had hypnotized to alert the police about the threat of the Cult of Tanis. Despite what the police had told the newspapers, the two cultists had not survived. According to what she had picked up listening to her adopted father, upon interrogation the two cultists had committed suicide despite the actions of medical technicians and the interrogating officers. As much as she tried to console herself, she could not shake the feeling that her actions had triggered (indirectly at best) the cultists' successful suicides.
Her introspection was so deep that she almost didn't hear one of her friends just before the start of class.
"Hey, Hotaru! We've been trying to talk to you, what's the matter?" one of her friends said.
"Oh, nothing much; I'm just a bit tired studying for that quiz today." she replied. As far as it went, it was even true. She just never said exactly what she had been studying.
"Oh, okay. We were just worried that..." with that, the teacher walked into the classroom and Hotaru's school day started, taking her mind off her concerns.
***
When Hotaru got home from school that afternoon, she found a note from Michiru on the kitchen table.
"Hotaru, Haruka and I are going to the Tokyo University museum tonight, so its just you and dad for dinner tonight. We'll be back about 10 p.m. or so. Love, Michiru."
Hotaru started to plan out dinner, but her concerns grew with the note's mention of Tokyo University. She had gotten a small amount of information from one of the two thugs about something important at Tokyo University; something connected to the Jewel of Karnak.
As she started to prepare dinner, she thought 'Maybe the Shadow needs to be there; I need to see if it was my influence that caused the thugs to kill themselves.'
***
Mina was reading more of her notes concerning the Jewel of Karnak and the Sword of the Phoenix when her phone rang.
"Moshi Moshi."
"Aino Minako, this is Professor Hirakawa. I just wanted to remind you about the unveiling of the new exhibit surrounding the Sword of the Phoenix at 9 p.m tonight. When can we expect your arrival?"
Her face went blank for a moment, and then she thought 'That's tonight? Oh, crap, I almost forgot!' She lookup up at her wall clock and then replied "I'll be there at 8:30."
"Thank you, Miss Minako. We will be looking forward to having the young archaeologist who discovered the Sword of the Phoenix on hand for its unveiling at our exhibition."
Mina hung up the phone and looked worried. 'If my notes are correct, then the same goons who stole the Jewel of Karnak are probably going to strike the Tokyo Museum. I should be ready if they do.' She then started to get her good clothes together, as well as a more... practical outfit. Prominently featuring her bullwhip and tough exploring clothes.
***
As all of the various groups and individuals converged on Tokyo Museum that night...
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(Posted Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:48)
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