Chaya stood frozen in the presence of Pharaoh Thutmose, unsure of how to react. Everything in her was screaming that this was impossible—that she was dreaming or caught in some kind of hallucination—but the intensity of the moment, the undeniable connection she felt, made her question everything she thought she knew about reality.
"You're... real?" she finally managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
Thutmose's dark eyes never left hers as he took a step closer. The atmosphere around them seemed to shift, heavy with unspoken words, history, and a promise she couldn't quite comprehend.
"I am as real as the ancient stones that form this kingdom," he replied, his voice smooth, like the distant hum of the Nile itself.
Chaya's mind was racing, trying to piece together the fragments of her thoughts. The journal. The amulet. The dreams. It was all starting to make sense, but it was too much to grasp in one moment.
"What do you mean, I'm here to fulfill a prophecy?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Thutmose's gaze softened, and for the first time, a hint of vulnerability flickered in his eyes. "You are the key to my kingdom's salvation. The time seal was placed long ago, to protect this realm from those who would seek to destroy it. You, Chaya Nirvani, are the one who can unlock the power hidden within these walls."
Chaya shook her head, overwhelmed. "I'm just an archaeologist. I have no power. I don't know anything about prophecies or saving kingdoms."
Thutmose reached out, his hand brushing lightly against hers. The touch sent a shockwave of warmth through her, and she looked up at him, stunned by the intensity of it.
"You are more than you realize," Thutmose said softly. "The amulet you hold is a symbol of our bond, a bond forged in time, and one that cannot be broken. You were always meant to be here, Chaya. You've already unlocked the first part of the prophecy by crossing time itself."
Chaya's heart raced. She had no idea what was happening, but she could feel the pull between them—the undeniable magnetism that seemed to draw her closer to him with every passing second.
"Now, you must help me. Together, we can save this kingdom. Together, we can protect the future."
For the first time, Chaya felt a strange sense of calm wash over her. Despite the fear and confusion, she felt... drawn to him. She didn't know how or why, but it felt as though she had found her place in this world, her true purpose.
And as she looked into the eyes of Pharaoh Thutmose, she couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something far greater than she had ever imagined.