Chapter ~ Breaking Point

The days that followed Azech-I's visit were more suffocating than before, each moment dragging on as Nofri-it was left alone in his gilded cage, a prisoner of both his body and his mind. The Pharaoh's words haunted him, replaying in his thoughts, reverberating like the toll of a bell in a temple. The memory of his touch, of his breath against his ear, was etched into his skin, impossible to shake.

But it wasn't just the physical touch that troubled Nofri-it—it was the weight of Azech-I's promise, the sinister certainty in his voice. He had once thought he understood the Pharaoh. He had believed that Azech-I was a man he could manipulate, someone who could be controlled. But now, he realized, he had been wrong. Azech-I was a force unto himself, a being so deeply entwined with his own will that it had been nearly impossible to see it coming.

Nofri-it had never been weak. He had always been the one who used others, who turned them into pawns in his game. But now, he was the one trapped, the one at the mercy of someone far more dangerous than he had ever been.

The days passed in a blur, each one bleeding into the next. Nofri-it ate the meals that were brought to him, drank the water they offered, and slept fitfully in the chamber. But his mind was always sharp, always alert, and his thoughts never far from one thing: Azech-I. The man who had once been his equal, his lover, and then his enemy. Now, he was the one who controlled everything.

A few days after the Pharaoh's visit, Nofri-it was summoned once more. He had expected it, had known it was only a matter of time before Azech-I would come for him again, to remind him of his power. But even as he prepared himself mentally for what was to come, his heart raced in his chest.

The doors to his chamber opened with a heavy creak. But this time, it wasn't Azech-I who entered.

A figure stepped through the threshold, dressed in the same royal garb as the Pharaoh, but unlike the cruel, calculating presence of Azech-I, this figure was younger, more delicate in demeanor. His dark eyes flicked toward Nofri-it, studying him carefully as he moved inside the room.

"Senek," Nofri-it whispered, recognition flickering across his face.

The young servant boy from before. The same one who had served him his meal.

But now, there was something different in his eyes—an unease, a fear that hadn't been there before.

Nofri-it's pulse quickened. "What is it?" he asked, his voice low, dangerous. He could sense that something was wrong, something had changed.

Senek hesitated, his hands trembling as he stepped closer. "The Pharaoh…" he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "He… he's coming for you."

Nofri-it's eyes narrowed. "I know."

Senek's gaze flickered nervously toward the door, as if checking for anyone else listening. "No, you don't understand. He is planning something... something worse."

The words hit Nofri-it like a slap, but he kept his composure. "What is it? Speak quickly."

Senek lowered his voice even further, his words barely audible. "He is preparing to take you to the arena... to the public court. He wants to show everyone that he has broken you. He's going to humiliate you in front of the people, make you an example of what happens to those who defy him."

Nofri-it felt the blood drain from his face. He knew that Azech-I's cruelty knew no bounds, but this… this was a new level. To be displayed like an animal, a trophy, in front of the very people who had once respected him, feared him—it was a fate worse than death.

"He wants to break you," Senek whispered, his eyes filled with pity. "But I won't let him."

Nofri-it blinked, his mind racing. "What do you mean?"

Senek hesitated for a long moment before stepping closer, his face a mask of resolve. "I can help you escape. I can help you get out of here before it's too late."

The offer hung in the air between them, fragile as glass, and Nofri-it was momentarily stunned. He had not expected this, had not anticipated that someone would risk their life for him.

"You would help me?" he asked, disbelief threading his voice.

Senek nodded, his eyes determined. "You've been a prisoner for too long. The Pharaoh cannot break you, Nofri-it. I won't let him."

For a moment, Nofri-it could only stare at the young boy, the sharp edge of his reality pressing against his ribs. Could he trust him? Could he risk everything on the kindness of a servant who had no idea of the true depths of the game they were playing?

But then he remembered what Azech-I had said—he had always owned him, always had control over him. This was his chance, his only chance to change the game.

He had to take it.

"Where do we go?" Nofri-it asked, his voice steely with determination.

Senek's face lit up with a smile, but it was brief, fleeting. "Follow me. I will get you to the gates. From there, you'll be free."

Nofri-it didn't hesitate. He followed Senek toward the door, his mind calculating every step. He knew this could be a trap, that Azech-I could have ordered Senek to lure him into a false sense of hope. But something in the boy's eyes told him it wasn't a trick.

As they moved through the corridors of the palace, Nofri-it couldn't shake the feeling that this was it—that he was finally going to break free. But as they neared the gates, a sound reached his ears, familiar and horrifying—a loud thud, followed by the unmistakable stomp of boots.

Nofri-it's heart stopped. He knew that sound all too well.

The Pharaoh was coming.

To Be Continued...