The Unseen Amulet

Jade's eyes moved to the plaque beside the display, her breath catching as icy fear curled around her heart. She felt exposed, as if the walls of the museum had closed in around her, trapping her in a web of ancient secrets.

Her hands trembled as she reached out, gripping the edge of the display case for support while she read the description etched into the polished metal.

King Rameses II, the Pharaoh of the Empire of Egypt, reigned from 1314 BC to 1326 BC. He was crowned King when he was 9 years old. He was widely known and feared not only in his Empire but throughout the lands.

He crushed all of his enemies with his spear, defending his empire against any who dared to challenge his rule. Under his reign, Egypt expanded its territories, amassing wealth and power unrivaled by any neighboring kingdom.

Rameses II led his armies into battle, returning victorious with minimal losses, each conquest adding to the glory and prosperity of his realm. His military prowess and strategic brilliance earned him the title of 'The Golden Lion' among his people and instilled fear into his enemies.

But despite his power and strength, the untouchable Pharaoh died suddenly at a young age, sending shockwaves throughout the empire. His death marked the beginning of the end for his dynasty, with the empire crumbling under an unidentified threat that historians and researchers still struggle to piece together.

To this day, no one knows who his enemies were or how he truly died. The only clue lies with his amulet—a powerful relic said to hold the secrets of his reign and his death. But the amulet was believed to be destroyed on the day he fell, lost to history forever.

'Huh? Amulet?'

Jade furrowed her brows, her eyes darting back to the amulet resting on the Pharaoh's chest. But it was right there—real, tangible, and impossibly pristine. The gold gleamed as if freshly polished, the blue iris of the eye as vibrant as if it had just been crafted. It looked untouched by time, an anomaly among the ancient relics surrounding it.

"Angela! Come here!" Horrified, she called for her friend, who stood at the end of the aisle, chatting animatedly with a security guard.

Angela, hearing the urgency, rushed over. "Jade! Did you see the cute security guy? He was educating me about the artifacts, and I was just trying to get his name and—"

Jade turned to her friend, her face pale as a ghost. She raised a trembling finger, pointing directly at the amulet. "D-do y-you see that?"

Angela blinked, confusion clouding her features. "See what?"

"The necklace! The amulet on the Pharaoh's chest! Do you see it?" Jade's voice rose in pitch, a mix of fear and desperation leaking through.

Angela's expression shifted to concern. She squinted at the display, then back at Jade. "Uh, no. I don't see anything. Are you okay?"

Jade's world tilted. Her friend couldn't see it. The amulet—so clear, so present to her—was invisible to everyone else. Her pulse pounded in her ears, a roaring tide that threatened to sweep her under.

What's going on? Why can't she see it?

A familiar wave of energy washed over her, stronger than ever. It pulled at her senses, twisting her gut into a tight knot. Jade forced herself to focus, her vision blurring as she turned back to the placard.

The amulet is an identification that consists of the name and rank of the deceased. For a Pharaoh, it held much more significance. Given upon his ascension to the throne, the amulet was a symbol of divine right and protection. According to legend, the amulet of King Rameses II was bestowed by the gods themselves, a relic of unimaginable power.

After his death, the amulet was believed to have vanished, never to be seen again. Successive rulers attempted to replicate it, but all attempts fell short, leaving Egypt vulnerable to plagues, poverty, and invasions that led to its decline.

Hot tears streamed down Jade's face before she realized it. She reached up, brushing her cheeks, her fingers trembling.

Why? Why am I reacting this way to a Pharaoh who died thousands of years ago? Who is he to me?

"Jade! What's wrong?" Angela's voice pulled her back, the edge of panic sharp and clear.

Jade didn't respond, her sobs spilling over and drawing the attention of other museum-goers. Faces turned, whispers started, and the air thickened with uncomfortable curiosity.

Angela's eyes widened as she noticed a group of security guards approaching. Among them was the cute officer, his expression hardening with each step closer.

"Jade, honey, we need to go. Now," Angela whispered, her voice tight. "If we don't, they'll kick us out."

"Is there a problem here?" The lead guard asked, his tone professional but firm. His gaze shifted between Angela's anxious smile and Jade's tear-streaked face.

"Uh, m-my friend isn't feeling well," Angela stammered. "I'm so sorry for the disturbance. We'll leave right away."

The guard's frown deepened. "Ma'am, with all due respect, we need you to exit the premises. Your behavior is causing concern among other visitors."

Jade finally stirred, her hand finding Angela's and giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's alright. I'm sorry for the trouble. We'll go."

She offered a small, apologetic bow, then turned and led Angela out of the museum. Her movements were mechanical, each step heavy with the weight of a truth only she could see.

Outside, the Cairo sun beat down on them, but Jade felt only the cold fingers of dread. She hadn't just seen something. She had felt it—an echo from a life that wasn't hers, but at the same time, entirely her own.

And as they walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had left a piece of herself behind, encased in the golden tomb of a forgotten king.