The battle

Last chapter~

The next day, Atem woke up early to do his daily duty as a prince while Tea woke up early to help with the servants and learn on what they are doing. The councils help the young lady with her learning whenever they are free and Atem occasionally checks on Tea. The whole day went well and night came. After dinner, Queen Aziza and the councils had their meeting on what they will do with the battle tomorrow and where the citizens would be moved temporarily to avoid injuries. Atem on the other hand met with Tea and talked with her about keeping her identity low. The two met on the same balcony where they were talking last night, and observed the moon for a while.

"The night today is calm and soothing isn't it? It's as if there is no war tomorrow" Tea said with a smile as she inhales the air.

Atem smiled, "Uhm...it would be nice if the battle will go well."

"It will, master...I promise you that" Tea said.

Atem looked at her, "for someone who just came out of the lamp and will be facing a battle...you sure are calm about this."

Tea laughed, "am I? well maybe it's because I have powers to help me, though...I can't deny I am feeling nervous too. I don't want to see deaths in front of me."

Atem turn his gaze towards the cities, "Me too...but, being in a war it can't be avoided. Tea...tomorrow I want you to cover your body and stay low in using your magic ok? And when things aren't going well on our side, you should just run and escape from the battle."

"Huh? Run? Why, don't you have confidence in me? I told you I promise that you will win this battle..."Tea answered.

"It's not like that! Some unexpected things happen in a war and I don't want to see you die when you are never a part of this in the first place!" Atem shouted facing Tea with a worried expression. "You...you lived in a lamp for a long time, and never experienced freedom. I want you to have that if I die..." the prince added.

Tea was surprised, she then smiled and placed her right hand on Atem's cheek. "I appreciate everything that you and everyone here in the palace had done for me, even for a short time...I learned a lot and was welcomed, it's my turn to give my gratitude Mas--, no Atem. Please let me battle alongside you tomorrow, I assure you I won't die."

The prince took Tea's hand on his cheek, he then squeezed it and looked at Tea with a smile. "Calling me by my name was unexpected, I hope I could hear you say that again after the battle...goodnight Tea, rest well today" Atem said and left.

The next day even before the sun had risen, the councils and Queen Aziza are already on the cities near the kingdom helping the citizens to move away. Atem dressed in his royal clothes was riding his horse and in the front line waiting with his troop for the enemy to arrive. Atem has a sword ready but he was planning to summon his ka for assistance, while Mana stood on the palace meditating and readying herself to release her ka as well. Tea dressed in white long sleeved tube and white genie like pants had her face covered with a see through mask and white veil on her head just like Isis, the young lady was riding Atem's horse sitting just behind Atem. When the sun rose up, thousands of marching soldiers all geared up with different weapons slowly march up on the opposite side of Atem, King Adar who was riding a horse and has a sword with him is leading his troop as well. A few minutes had past and a loud sound came from behind King Adar's troop, some of his men had brought catapults with them which are ready to fire.

"Prince Atem, I quite admire your courage for not backing out on the war. But as a young prince and an only heir to the kingdom...shouldn't you have let your councils fight the war instead of you?" King Adar said with a serious face.

Atem smiled, "I don't need to let my councils fight for the war I have started. I take my responsibility in getting this result, but i do wish and will keep in mind that this war will end easily without many injuries."

"Tsk! Enough with the chit chat! Let's Fight!" King Adar shouted and led his men. The troops started coming towards Atem and his men.

Atem readied himself, "Alright...let's fight! I summon Black luster soldier!" The monster appeared in front of him and Atem commanded him to fight the enemies, black luster soldier nodded and followed the command injuring the enemies without killing them.

"Tea, becareful on the fight...do your thing!" Atem whispered and held Tea's right hand with his. The young lady was surprised but smiled and nodded. Atem then let go of her hand and proceeded with injuring the enemies with his sword.

Tea made a big sandstorm appear suddenly making both teams to lose sight of their foes, she then summoned arrows coming from the sky only injuring the enemies. The men of King Adar shouted in pain as soon as they felt a stabbing pain on their bodies. When the sandstorm cleared, almost half of King Adar's men were already injured and unable to continue fighting.

King Adar was surprised and looked at Atem angrily, "Enough with the tricks Prince Atem...let's finish this war once and for all!" He charged towards Atem readying to slash the prince.

Atem charged as well readying to fight the King of Syria. When they both clashed, they duelled with their swords and their men fight against each other. Mahad had just arrived and summoned Illusion Magician while Mana sensing her master's ka summoned Dark magician girl. Both magicians fought against the enemies, while the battle between King Adar and Atem continued until a soldier from the Syria was able to come near Atem's side without the prince noticing. The Syrian soldier sneered with a mischievous smile and attacked Tea who was summoning another round of arrows, the attack was successful taking both Tea and Atem by surprise when the young lady shouted in pain. Atem was angered and Black luster soldier went towards the Syrian soldier to kill him.

Atem turned around to see Tea bleeding heavily on her back, "Tea! Get out of here and heal yourself!"

Tea still in pain answered, "No...I pro-promise to win this battle for you Atem."

Atem was angered by Tea's stubbornness, seeing the girl in pain and bleeding makes him divert his attention on her and losing focus on the battle with King Adar. "Tea! Go now!" he shouted attacking King Adar making him back off temporarily.

"No! I won't go! I cannot let my master die while I live!" Tea answered.

"You will be fine! This is an order from me...go now and live! My last wish is your freedom! Be free and go to wherever you want go, you are free now from your duty" Atem answered with a smile. Tea was unable to answer back, having heard the word freedom that she wanted to have all along. The young lady formed tears on her eyes and shook her head.

"What are you saying now? Seriously, why am I getting this affected by you? I felt new feelings I hadn't experienced before whenever I'm with you...and that is the reason why I cannot leave you" Tea answered.

Atem smiled, "I'm glad to have met you...live well." After saying those words, he reached for Tea's face and kissed her lips, it didn't last long though since King Adar was about to strike again. Atem pushed Tea off the horse and charged towards King Adar, while Tea looked in fear thinking that Atem might die.

The catapults are readied to launch an attack towards the kingdom for the remaining Syrian armies, Tea saw this and produced a strong wind covering her as she flew towards the kingdom and made a big wall in front of the kingdom to protect it from the attack. As the wind dies down, the catapult attacked the kingdom but the armies were taken aback when their attack only went to a big wall in front of them. Tea smiled seeing that the enemies' attack didn't work, she then jumped down to where she was standing and borrowed a horse from the servant inside the palace. Upon riding it, she still felt afraid on riding alone the horse knowing she didn't learn to ride one. She gathered all her courage and used the halter of the horse so the animal run off fast outside the palace, she was just in time when King Adar was striking Atem causing his sword to flew away. The prince was defenseless and King Adar smiled triumphantly in the incoming result, the king raised his sword and was about to strike Atem when Tea came in between them defending Atem using his own sword. Atem was surprised while Tea smiled with a fierce look and attacked the King of Syria making his sword flew away.

"Master! Say what you had proposed in the first place..." Tea shouted readying herself for an attack.

Atem nodded, "King Adar! As you can see your armies cannot defeat my own troop. Many are already injured and seeing this war's result will be meaningless. Nothing shall be gained from both countries so why don't we just stop this? I deeply apologize for not choosing your daughter as a wife, but like I said I want someone who will love me back...and I found her. Let us stop this war and in return, my country will aid in your trade. I will open a route for your traders to come inside this country so that my people will see the Syrian materials your country is very proud of."

King Adar was silent for a moment, he thought of the proposal that Atem just said. "I do see that my armies had been injured, but I want to know who this girl you are talking about that is much more important than my daughter" he said seriously.

Atem smiled, "she is the one who fought against you just now...her name is Tea."

The young lady who just heard her name and Atem's sudden declaration of his love on her was taken aback, she was surprised that she dropped her sword on the ground. Tea then looked at Atem who in return smiled at her. Tea seeing that felt her heart beat fast again and her face becoming flustered. King Adar who saw the two, felt that their feelings for each other are real, he sigh and came towards Atem.

"Alright, I understand. Stop the fight and retreat!" King Adar commanded and the remaining Syrian armies stopped their attacks. The king then placed his right hand on Atem's shoulder, "take care of that girl and please don't do anything reckless when you became a pharaoh."

Atem smiled and nodded. King Adar smiled, "I leave my wounded armies here and will come back to them after a week. See you by then, Prince Atem." He then left the battlefield while his armies followed him.

Atem then went towards Tea who in turn diverted her gaze on the ground, the prince smiled seeing her reaction and grabbed Tea giving her a tight hug.

"Never do that thing again...I was surprised and scared you might die," Atem whispered towards Tea's left ear.

The young lady laughed, "S-sure M-, I mean Atem. But, I do have a wound you know."

Atem hearing her words realized what she meant, he then let her go. "You better heal that," he said.

"In here? But your soldiers might see..."Tea said with a questioning look.

"That's not a problem," he said and grabbed Tea in a hug covering her with his cape.

Tea blushed again, "w-what are you doing?!"

Atem laugh, "just heal yourself now."

Tea pouted and did what she was told to, her body began to glow and after a few minutes her wound on the back was completely healed. Atem released her from his hold and had her transfer on his horse, making her seat in front of him.

"Alright! Good work everyone, all the soldiers who are not wounded, help the injured ones and bring them inside the palace. Call the servants and tell them to help out the injured ones," Atem said to one of the soldiers. The soldier nodded in the prince's order and commanded the other soldiers. Mahad came towards Atem and Mana followed. The two royal magicians smiled towards the prince and Mana grabbed Atem's hand pulling him down towards her, she and Mahad then gave Atem a tight hug. Queen Aziza and the other councils were informed that the battle ended with the prince winning, they helped the citizens go back to their houses and came back to the palace afterwards.

Upon arriving inside the palace, both Mana and Mahad used their spell to heal everyone that was injured. Tea secretly helped them by hiding on one of the curtains while Atem just smiled at what she was doing. After they healed the injured soldiers, the councils, Queen Aziza, Atem, Tea and even Mana went inside the throne area.

Queen Aziza came towards her son and hugged him, "You did so well during your first battle my son. I hope the other rulers would see that you are not just a child anymore."

Atem smiled, "I will let them see it through my work as a pharaoh."

The councils were surprised by the prince's words and Shimon came towards Atem to ask him, "our prince...if you may, you said as a pharaoh right? Does that mean you have found the girl you want to be your wife?"

Atem who was still smiling nodded. The councils rejoiced, even Queen Aziza smiled. "May I know who is she, my son?" the queen asked.

Atem nodded, "why don't you come here...Tea?" he asked offering his left hand.

The young lady was surprised and became shy seeing that everyone's attention was on her, she slowly walked towards Atem and held his hand. Atem squeezed her hand, "This is the girl I would want to marry mother."

Queen Aziza smiled, "well if it is her...I wouldn't mind. But, is she fine with it?"

Atem had a confused look, Queen Aziza pointed towards Tea and the prince saw that Tea was in deep thoughts. The Queen then added, "I think this day is really tiring...so why don't we all eat and rest afterwards. My son, give Tea sometime to think." After saying that, the queen left the place and the councils bowed towards Atem and left as well. Mana followed Mahad and bowed towards Atem before she left. The only ones that remained on the room was Atem and Tea. The young lady was still not moving so Atem went to his throne chair and touched it.

"Are you not willing to become my wife Tea?" Atem asked.

The young lady was surprised by hearing her name, she turn to look at Atem and smiled ackwardly. "What are you saying? You know it's my first time feeling this new emotion and I think this is what you call love, but...you do know I am someone that had lived for a long time and I am not from a royal family. What can I do to help you?"

"A lot...you can help me in my battles by giving me support, a simple word from you can already give me lots of strength. Your knowledge will help in the problems that may arise in this kingdom and...and just having you by my side gives me confidence to face my task as a pharaoh of this country. I can fight your right to become my wife if the citizens don't accept you" Atem replied locking his gaze with Tea.

The young lady smiled, "I am happy to hear that from you...but, when I will grant your last wish...I would turn into a normal person and I...I would be powerless."

Atem felt sad hearing Tea's words, both his hands were formed into a fist and his shoulders drooped while he looked downwards. "Very well...I...understand, I'm sorry for saying such a thing Tea" he mumbled and left the place leaving Tea alone.

The next day came and it was just like the ordinary days Atem had experienced, he continued doing his daily task as a prince while Tea walked around the kingdom in deep thoughts. She tried to remember the events that happened to her with just meeting Atem, she smiled because every memory with him was a happy one. Suddenly, what happened last night came to her mind and she felt a pang of pain on her heart. She clutched her heart as she sat on the floor and her tears dropped one by one. It was afternoon when Tea was walking around the garden and came face to face with Atem who was being accompanied by Shimon. Upon seeing each other, both was surprised and diverted their gazes on the floor. Atem then started walking as he passes by Tea without even saying anything. Tea was hurt to see what was happening between them, she turn around and called the prince's attention.

"Atem! Wait!" Tea shouted looking at Atem's back, the prince stopped on his track as he heard her voice. "Can we...talk? Alone that is" she added in a soft tone.

Atem looked at Shimon and the latter nodded understanding the prince, he left the two hurriedly. The prince then turned around and faced Tea. "What do you want to talk about?" He asked seriously.

"Um...about your last wish..."Tea trailed off while Atem sighed and mumbled "forget that one...my wish is just for you to forget that you met me."

Upon hearing Atem's words, Tea looked at him in a painful expression. "Do you...really wish for that?" she asked in a soft tone turning into a whisper at the last part.

"If you feel better that way, then yes...I don't want to make you confuse on what you want" Atem replied.

Tea forced a smile as tears began falling from her eyes again, she faced Atem and said "If that's what you want then I will grant it master...I'm very sorry again for hurting you, I regretted my decision last night but it won't matter now."

Atem who heard the last words perked his head up and looked at Tea with a confused look, "what did you say again?"

Tea shook her head, "I was just apologizing. Very well th-."

She was cut off when her lips was captured by Atem's own, the young lady tried to push him away but Atem just pulled her tighter to him. Tea gave up and kissed him back when she knows she couldn't win, the two kissed in a very passionate manner for a few minutes and broke off feeling the need for air.

"Tea...W-what did you say just a while ago?" Atem asked gasping for air.

Tea smiled, "no need to repeat it Atem...I just want you to know that I love you very much and I'm willing to become a human if that means I can be by your side forever."

Atem smiled hearing the young lady's response, he then kissed her again this time as a peck. "I love you too Tea, I will cherish you till the end and you won't regret becoming a human for me, please become my beautiful wife" Atem said to which Tea nodded.

The two then went to Queen Aziza and spread the good news, it was not long enough when the news reached the cities around Egypt and every citizens as well as neighbouring rulers and princesses wants to know who the lucky bride was. The wedding was announced and took place at Atem's kingdom where every citizens are welcomed to appear, while the royalties of neighbouring countries came to give their gifts and blessings. The wedding happened a month after the news was announced and everyone was amazed by Tea's beauty. Because of Atem who showed the citizens how Tea helped him on the war, everyone approved of her to become their queen even though she isn't from the royal family. Queen Aziza stayed with them and taught Tea the proper way of acting as a queen and she was very excited to have a grandchild that she kept saying her wish in front of her son and daughter in law. Tea became a human because of Atem's last wish and was granted freedom to spend her lifetime with Atem. The two lived happily together as the new rulers of Egypt, while the Gods protected them as they reign over the land. They were accepted and favoured by neighbouring rulers and the citizens of Egypt didn't experience poverty because Tea established work for everyone to do and for that, Egypt became the most prosperous country in the middle east during Atem and Tea's reign.

Epilogue

4 years had already passed when Atem and Tea were married. During a cloudless night, a small boy wearing royal clothes and holding a small wooden boat on his hands was walking around the dark palace illuminated only by the moonlight. He looked around and called someone in a hushed tone. "Father...where are you?" he asked holding tightly his toy.

After he called his father, no one responded to him. He walked again trying to hold back his tears. "Father..." he mumbled wiping his right eye with his hand.

Suddenly a hand grabbed him from behind and lift him up, the small boy turn to look who grabbed him and smiled. "Father!" he shouted as he hugged his father tightly.

The man holding him up smiled and hugged the small boy back, "what's wrong my son?" he asked ruffling his son's hair who has the same color as his.

The small boy shook his head, "I was just finding you since you weren't in my room when I woke up, father."

The man smiled, "I'm very sorry my son but as a future pharaoh of this country you should be strong. Your grandfather would not be happy if he sees his grandson like this."

The small boy pouted, "I'm sorry father...I will try to be stronger next time, just like father is."

The man smiled, "That's very good of you my son. You need to have that strength since you will become a big brother now."

The small boy nodded, the man put him down and ruffled his hair one more time. After a few minutes, Shimon came out of nowhere and bowed towards them. "Our pharaoh, your wife is asking for your presence right now. She said that the baby might go out now" Shimon said with a smile.

Atem nodded, "Thank you Shimon." He then hurriedly walked towards their bed chamber while his son followed behind him.

Upon arriving at the door of his parents' room, the small boy stopped. "Father..." he called out again.

Atem turn around and looked at him, "What's wrong Akil my son?"

Akil looked on the floor, "Can I go inside father? I wanted to meet mother."

Atem smiled, "of course you can...come here." He said offering his right hand towards his son on which Akil grabbed with his small hand.

The two entered the room and inside, Tea was lying on the bed caressing her big belly with her hand. Upon seeing his mother, Akil's smile widened and run towards her.

"Mother!" Akil shouted and hugged Tea on her side, the queen was surprised but hugged her son back.

"Akil, it's good to see you again...sorry if I can't see you too often my son, your little sister is really a handful" Tea said ruffling Akil's hair.

Akil shook his head and stared at his mother's eyes that have the same color as his, "It is ok mother. I want to play with my little sister when she grows up."

Tea and Atem laughed, they then hugged Akil while the small boy squirmed from their embrace. "Mother, Father...I can't breath, anyway I hope a genie would come to play with me for a while" Akil said and his parents were surprised by his sudden wish but kissed him on both sides of his cheeks afterwards.

"You are really fond of that story Akil, do you believe in it?" Atem asked and Akil nodded.

"I hope I can meet one someday father, just like the prince in the story" Akil replied.

Tea looked at Atem with a smile and gave a small nod, and the latter smiled in return. "Well...I don't think you need to wait that long Akil. You see you already met one" Atem said as he whispered into his son's ear.

Akil turn to look at his father, "What do you mean father?"

"Well, you see...that story was the story of how I met your mother" Atem answered still smiling.

"A story of how...you met...mother?" Akil's eyes widened, he then came closer to his father. "Then...is mother?!" he asked in excitement.

Atem nodded and added, "although your mother gave up her power to become my wife so...she is just a normal person now."

Akil smiled widely, "It's ok! Wow! Mother...you are a genie! Please tell me where and what you did before you met father!"

Tea laughed, "Sure thing my son. Come here and listen."

THE END

That's it...I hope you all enjoyed the story. The names of each characters added have meanings so if you want to know what their names meant, just search it. Again, thank you for reading this story till the end and I hope you readers enjoyed the story.