Having already witnessed the terrifying black flames, Imhotep had no intention of taking this attack head-on.
His sand soldiers lined up tightly in front of him, stacking themselves like human pyramids to form a solid wall that shielded him from Wes Elwin.
Imhotep didn't want to waste time tangled in battle with Wes. He had far more important matters to attend to, and fighting Wes was nothing but a delay.
He began to chant an incantation. Within a radius of dozens of meters, houses, temples, and trees all rapidly turned to sand, rising up under his control into a colossal sand tornado.
The sandstorm raged with apocalyptic force, sweeping up buildings and trees into its swirling funnel, a massive barrier meant to stall Wes.
When the tornado finally dissipated, Wes stood unharmed—but Imhotep had already vanished.
"I actually wanted to have a proper conversation with him… but it seems this high priest is in far too much of a hurry." Wes sighed.
Imhotep's goal is Evelyn. As long as I keep an eye on her, he won't escape me.
Finding Evelyn wasn't difficult, since Imhotep's focus was entirely fixed on her.
O'Connell and Evelyn's group tried to escape Cairo, but the entire city had already fallen under Imhotep's control. Every man and woman had become his puppet, stumbling forward like zombies, chanting his name endlessly.
Even as O'Connell drove wildly through the streets, crashing into the crowd, the sheer numbers forced the vehicle to a halt.
"Damn it!!" O'Connell cursed, leaping out of the car with the others and firing desperately at the encroaching horde.
But the controlled people were nothing like normal humans. They knew no fear, felt no pain, and made no attempt to dodge the bullets. Shot after shot landed, yet they marched forward mechanically, step after step.
The group fell back, searching for any chance to break free, but the crowd surged like relentless waves, crashing against them again and again.
Meanwhile, Imhotep drained the life force of the last surviving American.
His resurrection was complete.
O'Connell and his companions were cornered. Evelyn, staring at the mindless crowd closing in, made a desperate choice. She threatened her own life, forcing Imhotep to let the others go.
"If you dare harm them, I'll take my own life—you'll never bring Anck-su-Namun back!"
Imhotep agreed outwardly, though it was nothing but a stalling tactic. The moment he gained control over Evelyn, he ordered O'Connell and the others killed.
Fortunately, O'Connell had anticipated betrayal. Using the sewers, he managed to lead everyone out of Cairo alive.
Wes observed all of this, silently keeping watch. When Imhotep finally turned his attention toward him, intent on seizing the Book of the Dead, Wes stepped forward on his own.
The fully resurrected Imhotep glared with murderous eyes, his voice echoing with menace:
"Wizard!"
Just as he prepared to strike, Wes calmly reached into his robes and drew forth the Book of the Dead.
"I think we can talk."
"Give it to me, and I'll let you walk away alive."
"Seems resurrection has made the great high priest a little overconfident." Wes replied evenly.
Wes Elwin was no pushover. Imhotep's power might be formidable, but the Book of the Dead in Wes's hands was no less of a bargaining chip.
Even if Imhotep believed he could defeat Wes, it would not come without a costly delay.
And now, what Imhotep lacked most was time. Every second was critical, because he had to complete the ritual to resurrect Anck-su-Namun within a very specific time window.
"What do you want?" Imhotep finally gave in, unwilling to waste any more time on this sorcerer.
"Just to verify a few things," Wes said, his words leaving Imhotep uncertain. He couldn't figure out what kind of scheme Wes was playing at.
When Wes turned to leave, Imhotep blocked him. "Whatever your purpose is, don't stop me from bringing Anck-su-Namun back."
"That's one of my goals as well."
Wes's response surprised Imhotep. This sorcerer had interfered with him several times, yet now he was handing over the Book of the Dead and even claiming to share the same goal. What was he plotting? Imhotep didn't have the time to dwell on it.
---
At the break of dawn, Imhotep led Wes, Evelyn, and Beni in a rush toward Hamunaptra.
The sky still carried the last traces of night, and Hamunaptra loomed faintly in the haze.
Suddenly, a deafening roar shattered the desert's stillness. Imhotep looked up to see a massive airplane streaking overhead like a steel giant bird, its engines howling across the empty sands.
The thunderous sound lit Evelyn's face with unrestrained joy—this plane meant a chance to escape the desert.
Inside the aircraft were O'Connell, Amir, and Jonathan.
Imhotep noticed Evelyn's change of expression, and his face darkened with anger. The arrival of this plane could jeopardize his plans. He would not allow any surprises.
He suddenly raised both hands, and immense magical power surged like a tidal wave. The desert sands erupted, whipping into a colossal sandstorm that blotted out the sky.
The storm was like a natural catastrophe. Against it, the airplane looked pitifully small, like an insect battered by the raging winds, ready to be torn apart at any moment.
"We need to stabilize the plane!" O'Connell shouted, though his voice was nearly drowned by the engines and the storm's roar.
Clutching the controls, sweat dripping down his forehead, he fought to keep the plane steady. Amir and Jonathan clung to their seats, their hearts pounding violently in their chests.
Evelyn's heart leapt to her throat. Watching the plane struggle within the sandstorm, her eyes filled with dread.
If the plane crashes, O'Connell and the others will face unimaginable danger.
"Wes, help them!" Evelyn cried, clutching Wes's arm with desperate urgency, her eyes pleading for him to intervene.
"They'll be fine."
Wes's calm reply filled Evelyn with despair. She widened her eyes, staring at him in disbelief and anger.
At that desperate moment, Evelyn made a reckless move. Without hesitation, she threw herself at Imhotep, pressing her lips against his.
It was an impulsive act—an instinctive choice. She hoped to disrupt Imhotep's magic, even for a moment, to give O'Connell and the others a chance to escape.
Imhotep froze, his body stiffening, and his spell was cut off abruptly.
°°°
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