The Queen’s Origins

" There have been many stories and legends about my origins; some say that I was a beast, a demon, a woman with very hairy legs. No one seems to know the truth… but I do. I know my origins, I know the kingdom I was born in… I know the names of my parents, and I know my true name. My name is Alilat. My parent's names are; Prince Sayf al-Muluk and Princess Badi'at al-Jamal, and I am the only survivor of the fall of Iram. I am the Queen of Sheba "

" As the story goes. My father saw a portrait of my mother, and immediately fell in love. He wished to find my mother, so he went to seek the counsel of the wisest King of them all- King Solomon(my King Solomon)

Solomon told my father that he could find my mother in the City of Pillars- Iram. After many adventures, my father finally finds my mother, they fall in love and marry, and out of that love, I was born. My young years in Iram were happy, but, just like with Babel, the people of Iram grew too arrogant, and were all filled with too much vanity, which is why God struck them down. I was but a child when my father and mother took me to the temple of the patron Djinn-Ruler of Iram; Al-Lat(who is also the Djinn I am named after) the Djinn-Ruler was willing to save only me from the fall of Iram, for, as she said;

" Your daughter is innocent, but you two have sinned "

Al-Lat gave us a flying carpet, which only had enough space for me.

My father lifted- and placed me gently on the carpet.

I remember the warm and loving faces of my parents as they told me; We love you very much.

The carpet flew high up into the sky, and when I looked back, I saw Iram, my first home, being consumed by the desert. I arrived in Aethiopia, where I became Queen, and you know the rest of the story "

Queen Alilat had told her origins to Sa'adah and Mwindo.

The two of them now decided to find the Atlantis of the Sands, which is what they set out to do, and is where our story picks up.

A new member has joined the gang.

He is known as the Rainbow Crow, and he shall be referred to as RC in the story.

Sa'adah found RC; who had lost his rainbow colored feathers and his voice, but since Sa'adah is the Nephilim of impossible healing, she was able to bring back RC's voice and color, and he has now become Sa'adah's companion.

" Are we there soon? " said RC.

" Not much longer, " said Sa'adah.

" How do we even know that we are heading the right direction? " said Mwindo.

" Thoth knows the way, " said Sa'adah.

" Of course I do "

" Of course you do " said Mot with a smile.

They continued walking throughout the deserts of the Middle-East.

They visited oasises, ruins and hot-springs, till they all eventually reached their destination.

" We have arrived, " said Thoth.

Sa'adah, Mwindo and RC looked around and saw nothing but sand.

" Uhm… ibis-head, I think that you are high on cactus juice… " said RC.

" Shut it, you crow, we are here " said Thoth.

Sa'adah and Mwindo looked at one another.

They then looked down at the ground.

" I got this, " said Mwindo, as he pulled out his Magic Conga Scepter.

In an instant, the sands were removed and once again the City of the Pillars could be touched by the light of the sun.

" Woah… " said both Sa'adah and RC.

" Impressive " said both Mwindo and Mot.

" I told you, all " said Thoth, sounding a little proud.

And as the Quran would say, Iram was a city

" The likes of whom had never been created in the lands " - Surah al-Fajr 8.

Everywhere Sa'adah, Mwindo and RC looked, they saw beauty.

The scenery was more Impressive than the Modern Rome painting.

The entire city looked like something every famous and legendary artist would have loved to paint.

Despite its ruin, the city was still breathtaking.

Sa'adah and Mwindo now walked around, while RC flew around.

They saw and visited houses and temples.

RC flew into the once throne-room.

The crow sat on the once throne, and looked around.

" Man… this place sure could use a clean up… " Just as RC had said that.

He looked into the vast darkness, and saw something looking back at him, with blood-red glowing eyes.

" Chirp!!! " yelled RC, as he flew out of the throne-room and straight into the arms of Sa'adah.

" What is it? " said Sa'adah, as she was holding the shaking bird.

" A demon… a monster… " uttered RC.

Mwindo and Sa'adah both looked as the palace of the once King crumble, and out came a fearsome and Behemoth-like monster.

" I don't remember the Queen mentioning that monstrosity… But Damn! " said Mwindo, almost sounding happy that he gets to fight.

" Guys… what is that? " said Sa'adah, while looking at the monster that could make Cthulhu look like a little kitten.

" It is not a what, but more a who " said Thoth.

" I love riddles, but I don't think that now is the best time " said Sa'adah, as the monster came closer to the light.

" The monster before you, is the once King of Iram, the King of the Jinn and the Queen's grandfather " said Mot.

" King Shahyal ibn Sharukh " uttered Sa'adah, in disbelief.

" But… how? What happened to him??? " said Sa'adah, while looking on as Mwindo was wrestling with the beast.

" It is said that King Shahyal had the ability to turn into a monster, a form, which many called the Jinn-King. He can take on both Leviathan and Falak, at the same time and come out victorious, and as you can clearly see, and hear, it is true " said Thoth.

Sa'adah and RC got to cover as Mwindo was keeping the King busy.

" Alright " said Mwindo " It is time I finished this " said he as he clutched his fist.

Mwindo got into position, and was ready to end it all with one punch, man.

" Wait! " yelled Sa'adah.

Mwindo stopped his attack and got out of the way.

" What?! " yelled he.

" He is the Queen's grandfather, you can not kill him "

" Then what do you want me to do? " yelled Mwindo.

But before they could make a plan.

King Shahyal saw the hole which led to the surface.

The Jinn-King readied his wings, and was about to fly, but that was when Mwindo grabbed hold of his colossal tail, and refused to let go.

" You are not going anywhere, " said the Epic Mwindo, as he was holding King Shahyal back.

" We must do something… " said Sa'adah, as she was trying to think of something.

" Sa'adah? " said Thoth.

" What? "

" What is the one thing you can feel, but not see? "

" As I said; Now is not the time for riddles! "

" Just answer it, " said Mot.

Sa'adah relaxed, and started to think.

" A thing I can feel, but not see… pain… " uttered Sa'adah.

" Exactly. Remember. I said that the Jinn-King form was a form that King Shahyal had control over, but, take a close look at him, don't you sense it? " said Thoth.

Sa'adah looked at King Shahyal- who was desperately trying to get to the surface.

Sa'adah then saw a tear at the King's cheek.

" He is in pain… " said Sa'adah.

" And what are you? " said Thoth.

" I am the only one who can heal him, " said Sa'adah, who now knew what to do.

" Mwindo, don't let go of him " yelled Sa'adah.

" Don't worry… I didn't plan to… " said Mwindo with a smile.

Sa'adah now ran from pillar to pillar.

She ran and ran, till she reached the one pillar that was above the Jinn-King's face.

King Shahyal glared at Sa'adah.

" Don't worry… I will help you " said Sa'adah, who now jumped from the pillar.

She landed on the King's face and now started to heal his pain, a pain that came from the loss of his kingdom, his people, his family.

King Shahyal was slowly transforming back to his human-form.

Sa'adah had healed his broken heart.

Mwindo and Sa'adah were now looking at an old man, but despite his age, King Shahyal looked as healthy as ever.

Mwindo used his Magic Conga Scepter to give the King some clothes.

Shahyal slowly opened his eyes.

" Who are you two? " said the King, as he looked at Sa'adah and Mwindo.

The two of them introduced themselves, as RC came out of hiding.

" Ha. It looks like Queen Alilat is not the only survivor of Iram " said RC.

King Shahyal felt new life enter his body and soul.

" That name… how do you know that name? What do you know of my granddaughter? " said the King, with both joy and desperation.

" Please don't worry. We will explain everything, as we return to Sheba " said Sa'adah.

And so they walked back.

While Sa'adah told the story of Queen Alilat, King Shahyal was enjoying the outside world after so many years underground.

They finally reached Aethiopia.

Queen Alilat was at her palace, within her garden, enjoying the flowers and animals, and taking care of her son- Nebuchadnezzar.

Despite having the ability to foresee the future.

The Queen never imagined that she would once again lay eyes on her grandfather.

King Shahyal had entered the garden, and both he and Queen Alilat saw one another.

" Grandfather… " uttered Queen Alilat, in disbelief.

" My grandchild " uttered the old King, as tears rolled down his face.

The two of them now embraced.

After so many years.

Queen Alilat now had a part of her family back.

Sa'adah cried, and not even Mwindo's Magic Conga Scepter-could stop him from crying as well.

Queen Alilat now introduced Nebuchadnezzar to King Shahyal.

The old King of Iram found out that he now had two great-grandchildren, but Menelik was currently not in Aethiopia.

A feast was held, which was of course- had a lot of spices.

Afterwards.

King Shahyal and Queen Alilat returned back to Iram, to rebuild the City of Pillars.