As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Nile, the group gathered in the small, hidden chamber of the temple. Nick, still gripping the Nile Stone, stared at the celestial map unfurled before him. The next clue was clear—they needed to get to South Africa. But the path wasn't simple. The Order of the Scarab, the Guardians, and the SSF were all hunting them. How would they leave Egypt without being tracked?
"We need to be strategic," Dr. Hassan said, rubbing his temple. "South Africa is not a short trip. And with the Order likely watching the airports, we can't just take a commercial flight."
Nick nodded. "We can't risk being seen. We need someone who can help us… someone off the radar."
Amir, who had been quiet for some time, suddenly spoke up, his voice low and serious. "I know a guy."
The others looked at him with curiosity. "Who?" Nick asked, raising an eyebrow.
"A pilot," Amir said. "He doesn't fly anymore, but he can still get us out of here."
"A retired pilot?" Aisha asked, skeptical. "How is that going to help us?"
Amir glanced at her with a grin that barely hid his tension. "He's not your average retired pilot. Trust me, we can convince him. We just need to find him."
"And who exactly is he?" Nick pressed, feeling the weight of the moment. Time was ticking.
Amir hesitated for a moment, then said, "His name is Kadeem. He's a former fighter pilot—highly skilled. But something happened, and he quit flying years ago. Last I heard, he was in Alexandria."
"Do you trust him?" Dr. Hassan asked, still skeptical.
"I've known him for years," Amir replied. "He owes me a favor."
---
The next morning, the group packed their belongings and made their way through Cairo's bustling streets, carefully avoiding any attention from the SSF or the Order of the Scarab. They reached the outskirts of the city and boarded a rickety train to Alexandria, staying low and using fake identities. It wasn't easy, but they managed to avoid any suspicious eyes.
The ride to Alexandria took longer than expected, and the sun was setting by the time they arrived. Amir led the group to a small, secluded neighborhood near the docks. The air was thick with saltwater and the scent of fish, the city's ancient history blending with the modern world.
They approached an old, weathered building tucked between two larger, crumbling structures. The windows were boarded up, and the sign above the door had long since faded. Amir knocked three times in a specific pattern—a code that Kadeem would recognize.
The door creaked open, and a man with graying hair and a thick beard appeared in the doorway. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the group before settling on Amir. He didn't say anything at first.
"Amir," the man said finally, his voice gruff. "You bring me trouble, as usual."
Amir smirked. "Kadeem, it's good to see you. We need your help."
Kadeem stepped back, allowing them inside. The room was cluttered with old aviation gear, photos of planes, and a few scattered maps. A large wooden table in the center of the room held a variety of tools and blueprints, evidence of the man's previous life.
"What kind of help?" Kadeem asked, crossing his arms.
"We need to get to South Africa," Amir said, cutting to the chase. "We're in a hurry, and we can't afford to use regular transportation. The Order of the Scarab is after us, and they have eyes everywhere."
Kadeem raised an eyebrow but didn't respond right away. He walked over to the far wall, where a faded photo of a fighter jet hung. He traced the frame with a finger, lost in thought. The room was silent for a long moment.
Nick couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. Kadeem clearly wasn't eager to get involved. The weight of the request seemed to hang over them like a storm cloud.
Finally, Kadeem turned back to them. "I don't fly anymore," he said bluntly. "I gave it up years ago."
"We know," Amir said, stepping closer. "But you're the only one who can help us. We've got no other options."
Kadeem studied Amir's face for a long time, and Nick could see the internal battle waging inside him. He looked at the others, his eyes flickering briefly to Nick, who still held the glowing Nile Stone in his hand.
"You think I don't know what you're into, Amir?" Kadeem's voice was low, almost a whisper. "You think I haven't heard the rumors about the things you're chasing? These stones... this 'Library of Fates' business. It's bigger than anything I've been part of before. I walked away from all of it."
Aisha spoke then, her tone gentle but firm. "We're not asking for your life. We just need a way out of here. This isn't about us, Kadeem. It's about something much bigger."
Kadeem's gaze softened slightly. He looked at her, then at Nick, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he sighed deeply. "Alright," he said, his voice resigned. "But I'm not doing it for you, Amir. I'm doing it for her," he nodded toward Aisha. "And because you're right, you don't have any other choice."
Nick felt a wave of relief flood through him, but there was still the lingering question of why Kadeem had stopped flying in the first place. He would need to know more, but that could wait.
"Thank you," Amir said, his voice sincere. "We appreciate it."
"Don't thank me yet," Kadeem muttered. "We're not out of Egypt yet, and there's no telling what kind of trouble we'll run into."
---
The following day, Kadeem led them to an old airstrip on the outskirts of Alexandria, hidden away from prying eyes. The plane was a sleek, old model that had clearly seen better days, but it was still functional. Kadeem had kept it well-maintained, despite his retirement.
The group boarded the plane, with Kadeem at the controls. As they took off into the sky, leaving the ancient city of Cairo behind, Nick couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. His hand instinctively tightened around the Nile Stone, a reminder that their journey was far from over.
"Where are we heading?" Kadeem asked, glancing at Amir as the plane soared into the open skies.
"South Africa," Amir replied. "We need to get to Cape Town, to Table Mountain."
Kadeem nodded but didn't comment. As they flew over the endless desert and vast stretches of ocean, Nick felt a sense of both excitement and dread. There was no turning back now. They were on their way to the next sacred stone—and the next stage of their journey.
But as the plane flew into the darkening sky, Nick couldn't help but wonder what other obstacles awaited them. The Order was still hunting them, and time was running out. They had the Nile Stone, but they didn't yet have the answers they needed.
"Hold on tight," Kadeem said as he adjusted the controls. "This is going to be a bumpy ride."
And with that, they soared toward South Africa—toward the next chapter of their quest, and the mysteries that lay ahead.
---