Chapter 4: The Hidden Truth

The scorching sun beat down on the boys as they trudged through the endless desert. Sand stretched out in every direction, and not a drop of water was in sight. The heat was unbearable, and their throats were parched with thirst.

"I don't know how much longer I can keep going," Liam murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Just a little further, Liam. We have to keep moving," Max urged, though his own strength was waning.

But Liam's body could no longer bear the strain. He stumbled and collapsed onto the hot sand, his face pale and his breathing shallow.

"Liam!" Noah cried, rushing to his side.

Max and Noah managed to lift Liam between them, their determination the only thing keeping them on their feet. As they stumbled onward, Max spotted something on the horizon—a large structure rising from the desert sands.

"Look! Over there!" Max shouted, pointing ahead. "It's a pyramid!"

With renewed hope, they pushed forward, the distant pyramid their only beacon of salvation. As they drew closer, they saw hundreds of people working tirelessly, building and hauling massive stones under the blazing sun. However, the sight that struck them most was the soldiers—harsh and unforgiving—who whipped and shouted at the workers, showing no mercy.

"We need to be careful," Jake whispered, his eyes wide with concern.

But before they could retreat, one of the soldiers noticed them. His eyes narrowed, and with a shout, he pointed his spear toward them.

"Run!" Max shouted, but it was too late. The soldier was fast, and within moments, he had caught up with them, grabbing Max by the arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" the soldier sneered as he roughly pulled the boys back toward the pyramid.

The boys struggled, but the soldier's grip was ironclad. He dragged them to a large tent, where a man clad in golden armor sat—a main soldier, clearly of high rank. He looked up as they were brought before him.

"What do we have here?" the main soldier said, eyeing the boys with curiosity. He noticed Liam's weakened state and ordered water to be brought. Gently, he poured the water into Liam's mouth, waking him.

Liam blinked, confused, as the others watched in silence, unsure of what to expect. The main soldier then surprised them by offering food—flatbreads, dates, and dried figs.

"Eat," the soldier commanded, but his voice was not harsh. "You'll need your strength."

The boys exchanged bewildered glances. Max was the first to speak, "Why are you helping us?"

The main soldier only smiled slightly and replied, "You'll understand soon enough."

That night, the boys rested in the camp, their minds racing with questions and fears. The next morning, the main soldier led them to a grand palace near the pyramid. The sight was awe-inspiring—golden statues, lush gardens, and towering pillars that reached the sky.

As they entered the palace, they were greeted by a king dressed in regal robes, adorned with jewels and a crown. The king approached them with a warm smile.

"Welcome, travelers," the king said, to their shock, in perfect English.

The boys' jaws dropped. "Y-you speak English?" Noah stammered.

The king chuckled, "Indeed I do. You are not the first to find yourselves in this land." He then invited them to a grand lunch in the palace dining hall.

The table was laden with an array of exotic foods—golden-brown roasted lamb, fragrant rice seasoned with saffron, honey-glazed fruits, and freshly baked bread still warm from the oven. The boys couldn't believe their eyes.

"This is amazing," Jake said as he tasted the lamb. "I've never had anything like this before."

After the meal, the boys were allowed to explore the palace garden, where they laughed and played, momentarily forgetting their fears. As evening fell, the king showed them to their rooms—lavish chambers with silk sheets and soft pillows. Exhausted, they quickly fell asleep.

But in the dead of night, Max awoke to a faint whisper and the sound of rustling outside their window. "Max… Max…"

Max sat up, his heart pounding, and saw a shadowy figure at the window. Cautiously, he crept closer and opened the window to see one of the workers from the pyramid standing there.

"Who are you?" Max asked, his voice trembling.

The man glanced around nervously before speaking in a hushed tone. "You must leave this place. The king is not who he seems."

"What do you mean?" Max asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"The king is fooling you," the man whispered urgently. "He plans to kill you and your friends to claim the largest treasure in Egypt. You're in grave danger."

Max felt a chill run down his spine. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I was once like you," the man replied, his eyes full of sorrow. "But I escaped. Now you must do the same."

Before Max could ask more, the man disappeared into the night, leaving Max standing at the window, paralyzed with fear.

Max hurriedly woke the others, recounting what had just happened. "We need to get out of here," he whispered urgently.

The boys huddled together, fear etched on their faces as the weight of the man's warning settled over them. The palace, once a place of refuge, now felt like a trap—a trap they had to escape before it was too late.