Trinity Fate (The Doomed Prince -Completed)

[watermanx]

-Trinity Fate- © 2015 Justin McDonald SEOEA280115184017

Preface
Inspired by the ancient tale of The Doomed Prince. The story involves a young man, who is
burdened by three fates foretold to destroy him at birth. In which case, his father tries with all his
heart to prevent by having a stone fortress built for his son in the desert so that the young Prince
Iren was not allowed to go outdoors. After growing more depressed of the lonely, sheltered life
he had back home as a child, Iren then becomes of age and leaves his kingdom, eventually
winning the heart of Princess Neferet of Mitanni, in a competition of suitors. Soon afterwards,
Prince Iren is then pursued by the three fates (the cobra, his dog, and the crocodile) as fortold by
the goddess Hathor.
In an attempt to avoid an unwanted demise from becoming reality, the prince begs his third
fate –the crocodile, to give him time to acquire additional assistance in his fight against a water
demon (or spirit). The crocodile concedes as he allows Prince Iren to return to his kingdom to
recruit a group of elite warriors and a high priest to accompany him in his upcoming battle. But,
the prince soon realizes that there's more at stake than what was originally addressed, as an
unexpected event takes them all on a journey far more dangerous, then ever before. Will Prince
Iren and his comrades succumb to their inevitable fates or will they be given the power to shape
their own destinies? All these answers and more will be revealed right here in the epic tale of
Trinity Fate!

Story:

Once upon a time there was a king in Egypt whose heart was heavy because that he had no
son. He called upon the gods, and the gods heard, and they decreed that an heir should be born
unto him. In time came the day of the child's birth. His majesty named the young heir Prince
Iren. The seven Hathors (Fates) greeted Iren and pronounced his destiny; they said he would
meet with a sudden death, either by a crocodile, or a serpent, or a dog.
The nurses informed the king what the Hathors had said, and the heart of His Majesty was
troubled. He commanded that a house should be erected in a lonely place, so that the child might
be guarded well, and he provided servants, and all kinds of luxuries, and gave orders that the
prince should not be taken outside his safe retreat.
It came to pass that Iren grew strong and big. One day he climbed to the flat roof of the house.
Looking down, Iren saw a dog which followed a man, and wondered greatly thereat.
Then he spoke to one of the servants, saying: "What is that which follows the man walking along
the road?"
"That," answered the servant, "is a dog."
"I should like to have one for myself,” said Prince Iren, “Bring a dog to me."
When he spoke thus, the servant informed the king. His Majesty said: "Let him have a young
boar hunter, so that he may not fret."
So the prince was given a dog as he had desired.
Years later, Iren grew into young adulthood, and his limbs were stout. He was indeed a prince of
the land. However, Prince Iren grew restless in the lonely house, and sent a message to his royal
father, saying: "Hear me. Why am I kept a prisoner here?”
“I am destined to die either by a crocodile, a serpent, or a dog; it is the will of the gods. Then let
me go forth and follow my heart's desire while I live.”
His Majesty considered the matter, and said he would grant the lad's wish. So he caused him
to be provided with all kinds of weapons, and consented that the dog should follow him.
A servant of the king conducted Prince Iren to the eastern frontier and said, "Now you may go
wherever you desire."
The lad called his dog, and set his face toward the north. He hunted on his way and fared well. In
time he reached the country of Naharina (Mitanni), and went to the house of a chief.
Now the chief was without a son, and he had but one daughter by the name of Neferet and she
was very fair. The chief had caused a stately tower to be erected for her with seventy windows,on the summit of a cliff 700 feet from the ground. The fame of Neferet went abroad, and her
father sent for all the sons of chiefs in the land and said to them:
"My daughter will be given in marriage to the youth who can climb up to her window."
Day after day many suitors endeavored to scale the cliff, and one afternoon when they were so
engaged, Prince Iren arrived and saw them. He was given a hearty welcome. They took the
young man to their house, they cleansed him with water and gave him perfumes, and then they
set food before him and gave fodder to his horse. They showed Iren great kindness, and brought
sandals to him.
Then they said: "Whence come ye, young man?"
Not wanting the other competitors to know his true identity, Iren answered: "I am the son of
one of the Pharaoh's charioteers. My mother died, and my father then took another wife, who
hates me. I have since then ran away from home."
The young man said no more. They kissed him as if he were a brother, and prevailed upon him to
tarry with them a while.
"What can I do here?" asked Iren.
"Each day we try to scale the cliff and reach the window of the chief's daughter, Neferet,” replied
the other competitors, “She is very fair, and will be given in marriage to the fortunate one who
can climb up to her."
On the next day they resumed their wonted task, and the prince stood apart, watching them.
Then day followed day, and they endeavored in vain to reach the window, while Iren looked on
observantly. It came to pass at length that Iren said to the others: "If you consent, I will make
endeavor also; I should like to climb among you."
They gave him leave to join them in the daily task. Now it chanced that the beautiful daughter of
the chief in Naharina looked down from her window in the high tower, gazing upon the youths.
Iren then saw Neferet for himself, and he began to climb with the other competitors and he
went up and up until he reached Neferet's window. She took Iren in her arms and she kissed him.
Then one who had looked on, sought to make glad the heart of the girl's father, and hastened to
him and spoke, saying:
"At last one of the youths has reached the window of your daughter."
The great chief asked: "Whose son is he?"
He was told: "The youth is the son of one of the Pharaoh's charioteers, who fled from Egypt
because of his stepmother."
Then was the great chief very angry, and he said: "Am I to give my daughter in marriage to an
Egyptian fugitive? Order him to return at once to his own land."
Messengers were sent to Prince Iren in the tower, and they said to him: "Begone! You must
return to the place whence you came."
But Neferet on the other hand, clung to him. She called upon the god, and swore an oath, saying:
"By the name of Ra Harmachis, if he is not to be mine, I will neither eat nor drink again."
When she had spoken thus Neferet grew faint, as if she were about to die.A messenger hastened
to her father and told him what the girl had vowed and how she thereupon sank fainting.
The great chief then sent men to put the stranger to death if he remained in the tower.
When they came near the girl, she cried: "By the god, if you slay my chosen one, I will die
also. I will not live a single hour if he is taken from me."
The girl's words were repeated to her father, and he,
the great chief, said: "Let the young man, this stranger, be brought into my presence."
Then, Iren was taken before the great chief. He was stricken with fear, but the girl's father
embraced him and kissed him, saying: "You are indeed a noble youth. Tell me who you are. I'll
treat you as if you were mine own son."
The young man answered again saying: "My father is a charioteer in the army of the Pharaoh.
My mother died, and my father then took another wife, who hates me. I have since then ran away
from home."
The great chief then gave his daughter, Neferet to Iren as his wife, and provided a goodly
dwelling, with servants, a portion of land, and many cattle.
It came to pass some time after this that the prince spoke to his wife, saying:
"It is my destiny to die one of three deaths-either by a crocodile, or a serpent, or a dog."
"Let the dog be slain at once," urged Neferet.
"I will not permit my dog to be slain,” replied Iren, “Besides, he would never do me harm."
His wife was much concerned for his safety. Iren would not let the dog go out unless he went
with it. It came to pass that Prince Iren traveled with Neferet to the land of Egypt, and visited the
place in which he had formerly dwelt. There amongst them was a giant within the river. The
giant would not allow him to go out after dark, because a crocodile came up from the river each
night.
But the giant himself went forth, and the crocodile sought in vain to escape him. He
bewitched it.
He continued to go out each night, and when dawn came the prince went abroad, and the water
giant laid at the bottom of the river to sleep. This continued for the space of two months.
It came to pass on a certain day that the prince made merry in his house. There was a great feast.When darkness fell he lay down to rest, and Iren fell asleep. Neferet busied herself cleansing and
anointing her body. Suddenly she beheld a serpent which crept out of a hole to sting the prince.
Neferet was sitting beside Iren, and she called the servants to fill a bowl with milk and honeyed
wine for the serpent –allowing it to drink thereof and was intoxicated. Then the cobra was
rendered helpless, and rolled over. Neferet then seized her dagger and slew the serpent, which
she flung into her bath.
When she had finished, Neferet awoke Iren, who marveled greatly that he had escaped.
"Behold the god has given me the chance to remove one of your fates,” said Neferet, “He will let
me strike another blow."
Iren then made offerings to the god, and prostrated himself, and he continued so to do every day.
It came to pass many days afterwards that the prince went out to walk some distance from his
house. He did not go alone, for his dog followed him. It chanced that the dog seized an animal in
flight, and Iren followed the chase, running. He reached a place near the bank of the river and
went down after the dog. Now the dog was beside the crocodile, who led the prince to the place
where the water giant dwelt.
"I am your fate and I follow you,” said the crocodile, “I cannot contend with the giant –but
remember, I will watch you.”
“You may bewitch me like the giant, so if you slay that which has kept me bound for so long, I
will spare you.”
“I cannot slay a fiend that great alone,” replied Iren, “I'll need more help to subdue this creature.”
“Very well,” the crocodile replied, “I'll give you time to acquire aid for this task.”
“But, know this.”
“If you see me coming once again you will certainly perish.”
“Now, begone child.”
The prince left the crocodile's presence, seeing that his dog was nowhere to be found and
returned to his home. That night, Iren told Neferet about the dog and new ordeal that awaited
him, saying he had to leave for his old home to gather assistance for his upcoming battle. Iren
and Neferet left their home to return to Egypt. The first objective was to find the best warriors
and charioteers in the Pharaoh's army, as well as a high priest to use his spiritual prowess to ward
off the water spirit.
The young man sought after the chief charioteer Aa, his younger brother Nedjes and their
assistant Tahemet, all of who were known throughout Egypt as highly skilled warriors able to
conquer the most dangerous battles. Iren's goal was clear to gather the strongest of Egypt's
warrior and enlist their help in his fight against the water spirit. He first approached Nedjes and
earnestly asked him if he and his elite warriors would aid him in his ordeal.
“We're not opposed to joining you,” said Nedjes, “However, its been many years that we haven't
ever since the day you left.”
“We'll join you,” added Tahemet, “But, you must promise us to return to Egypt as a pharaoh,
once the battle is over.”
Prince Iren then forged a promise between him and his warriors to return as a pharaoh to the
people of Egypt after the conflict had ended.
After getting the warriors to join his cause, Prince Iren then sought after Egypt's High Priest
Ammon, who was considered the most spiritually anointed in the divine. When Neferet asked
around for the high priest, she was told that he was attending a ceremony at the time and
therefore decided to wait until it was over. Later that night, Iren, Neferet and their new allies all
gathered at the palace before setting off tomorrow on their journey. Some time later, the high
priest arrived at the palace and entered saying, “The people of Egypt have informed me of the
young prince's ordeal and I have come to help those who beseech me.”
The youth thanked the high priest for coming and welcomed him in open arms for his aid in the
upcoming battle. Then afterwards, they all decided to rest that night for the great journey ahead
of them. Then after the space of two months had passed, the prince went and gathered an elite
group of his kingdom's finest warriors and a high priest to combat against the giant –all of whom
were close friends with the young prince.
One early morning at dawn, the ensemble left for the same place the Iren first met the
crocodile, while Neferet laid asleep. The prince went on ahead, telling the others not to follow, as
he met with the crocodile again.
“I see you've returned, just as I thought,” the crocodile said, “And you've brought comrades to
assist you.”
“I've now returned with help,” said Iren, “How are we suppose to defeat this water spirit?”
“In its chest, the giant has a black heart that'll be its destruction if it is pierced,” replied the
crocodile, “Destroy the demon's heart and you'll be victorious.”
“I will lead you all the way to its dwelling place.”
The Prince and the crocodile appeared from the horizon to meet with the others. The rest of Iren's
men began to fret, until Iren explained to them that the going to show us the way to the water
spirit's location.
The group followed the crocodile to the water spirit's location as fears and anxieties got
heavier with each step. As they all traveled further away into the river, fog engulfed the area soon
afterwards intensifying the group's paranoia. As they continued to venture into the river, the
crocodile led them all to a vast oasis. The fear slowly began to dwindle, as no water spirit
seemed to show.
“What sort of nonsense is this?”
“Where's the water spirit that was suppose to show up?”
“Your highness are you sure this crocodile of yours wasn't trying to mislead you?”
“Couldn't this have all been a trap for us to be eaten?”
"Don't be foolish," said the crocodile, "If that were the case, I would've devoured you all the
moment you arrived."
“Did that thing just speak?!” asked Nedjes, “What's going on?!”
“That's of no importance,” said Iren as he heard a low rumbling, “Listen, do feel that?
They all felt a sudden tremor vibrating from deep below the oasis, as a strong light glamoured
from below.
Here it comes, brace yourselves!
As one of the warriors started panicking, what looked like a giant hand made of water grabbed
and threw him far across the river, as a few more were thrown and sent flying everywhere. The
spirit emerged from the oasis, revealed to be a giant, transparent entity with large glowing eyes
and a humanoid form. Prince Iren observed the demon thoroughly, checking for the black heart
the crocodile informed him about.
“Foolish mortals,” said the giant, “You dare disturb my slumber!”
"It was I who enlisted them here, my nemesis!" exclaimed the crocodile, "Today's the day,
you'll bewitch me no longer!"
“You've gathered this multitude to fight with you,” replied the entity, “Then, they all shall die
along side you!”
Prince Iren's men raced towards the giant and continued slashing through the liquid entity.
However with each slash, countless lesser water spirits emerged from the drops of water, as each
of them went after Iren and his warriors. They all fought against the giant's spawns as the high
priest hid away to figure out a solution to the dilemma. During the heat of battle, Iren and the
crocodile fight valiantly against the water spirit, as the other warriors fended off its spawns.
“Everyone!” exclaimed Iren, “Forget about the spawns and just aim for the giant's black heart
instead!”
“I won't allow it!” roared the water spirit as it unleashed a giant tidal wave that knocked the
prince and his warriors back, injuring them severely. Just as the giant was about to deliver the
final strike to his foes, the high priest chanted sacred hymns to disorient it, causing the spawns to
be reduced into just mere water. As the water spirit screeched in severe pain, the crocodile took its greatest opportunity yet, to launch at the demon's black heart. In a stalemate clash, the
crocodile violently ripped out the demon's heart and the demon split the crocodile open just
moments before it faded away.
"I told you I'd win, my nemesis," the crocodile muttered with his last breathe just before he was
struck down.
Everything eventually settled as, the prince and his warriors slowly began to emerge from
their injuries.
“Is it finally over?” asked one warrior, “Did we vanquish that monster?”
“We did,” replied Ammon, “But his majesty's crocodile was also slain during the battle.”
The priest explained to the group that the crocodile slayed the water demon at the cost of his own
life. The prince saw the lifeless body of the crocodile off in the distance, as he approached it,
thanking him for his mercy before they left. As promised, Iren agreed with his group to return
back home to his people. On the voyage back, the group travel along the trail, as Neferet
awakens back at her home in search of her husband. Neferet set off on their trail of footprints to
be reunited with Iren.
Later that night, everyone in Iren's camp was fast asleep as the high priest prayed in a nearby
temple. During his sacred moment, Ammon was visited by two divine beings (psychopomps)
who traveled from beyond the stars to search for the prince.
“We are the celestial ferrymen.”
“We are here on the orders of Hathor to collect the soul of Prince Iren.”
“High Priest Ammon, we ask that you take us to him.”
“In exchange for your cooperation, we will grant your highness a peaceful death across the
celestial waterway, so that his soul shall feel no pain.”
“Forgive me my lords,” Ammon replied nervously, “But, this is utterly absurd!”
“We've all fought long and hard for his majesty to live a long, prosperous life –free from a
predestined fate that awaited him.”
“Am I to sit idly by and watch it all go in vain?!”
“My apologies, but I simply won't allow my solemn oath to his majesty to be broken –even if it
is the will of the gods.”
“You dare defy the gods?” replied Aken, “That is most unbecoming of a high priest such as
yourself.”
“A promise is a promise and vow is a vow,” said Ammon, “I cannot break either –even if the
gods command it.”
“Therefore, I must humbly decline.”
The two celestial ferrymen stood silent as the unexpected had just occurred. They then chose
their next (rather brutal) method.
“Very well,” they said, “Then you've given us no other choice.”
“We will take the young man's soul with us by force –even if it means having to destroy your
camp, if we must.”
The high priest was paralyzed with fear and disbelief after hearing the two psychopomps reach
such a horrendous conclusion.
“This is madness!” exclaimed Ammon, “This is blasphemy!”
“I believe we've heard enough from you, high priest,” said the ferryman as he caused Ammon to
collapse from just a single touch.
Elsewhere, a loud noise echoed throughout the desert camp as the two divine beings went on a
blind rage in search for Prince Iren.
The nearby warriors fought with all their might against the celestial duo –as each of them
were slain one by one. Due to the loud panic and uproar coming from the outside, Iren and
Neferet awoke with intense fear as the two left their tent. In the midst of the destruction Iren saw
the psychopomps off in a distance and ran towards them to get their attention. Neferet however,
begged her husband to come back, as he kept running forward.
“You two, why have you come here!” the prince exclaimed, “If its me you're after, I'm standing
right here!”
“Leave me followers out of this at once!”
These strange beings immediately faced Iren and said unto him, “That which is foretold, that
shall it also be.”
“You've defied the fate that Hathor has set before you and now Duat awaits you.”
“I will not tolerate such a vulgar command,” Iren replied, “I challenge you here and now!”
“We originally intended for you to come with us peacefully,” said Aken, “But now its clear
that you intend on resisting us.”
“Very well, I accept your challenge.”
Within the blink of an eye, Aken appeared inches before Iren as he immediately began smiting
the prince. Neferet saw her husband in mortal danger, as she quickly ran to his aid.
However, the other ferryman grabbed and held Neferet tight as he said, “You must not interfere
with fate, you must let death run its course –regardless of how bittersweet.”
At that moment, Neferet cried out to Iren as he got distracted. Within that one moment of
absentmindedness, Iren suffered a fatal strike to the heart as his soul was then snatched away by
Aken within a blinking moment. Iren's lifeless body collapses to the ground as the ferryman
released Neferet –allowing her to run to Iren's side weeping.
Meanwhile, Iren awakes in an unknown, mystical world beyond his comprehension. The
prince then finds himself in a giant court of some sort with no one other than Osiris, Anubis and
Nephthys present. As he looks around, Iren notices the numerous souls of all his fallen comrades
in the palm of Anubis' hand. Before Iren can run to Anubis, he is then halted by Osiris asking,
“Young lad, why is it that you run towards Anubis?”
“In his hands lie the souls of all my fallen comrades who were slain tonight by the celestial
ferrymen,” replied Iren, “Please, I beg of you to return my people back to the land of the living.”
“And as a result of that act, I shall remain here in Duat.”
“Why make such a self-sacrificing petition?” asked Nephthys, “You're willing to risk everything
you hold dear for your followers?”
Prince Iren replied saying, “Yes. My entire life was already predestined by Hathor that I should
die by one of three fates –each worst than the last.”
“I was selfish and foolish enough to get my loved ones involved –trying to prevent my
prophecy from becoming reality.”
“I only dreamed of the day I could live my life the way I saw fit and not having to worry about
the constant fear of a death foretold at birth.”
“For that reason, my loved ones shouldn't be held responsible for my selfishness.”
“If you return them back from whence they came, I'll accept my fate with no regrets.”
The afterlife gods stood silent for a brief moment, as Osiris commanded Anubis to weigh Iren's
soul with the feather of truth. Anubis explained to the youth that if his soul weighed less than the
feather of truth, then they would grant his request. However if otherwise occurred, not only
would the young man's petition be declined. Iren and his fallen comrades would remain in Duat throughout eternity and be thrown into the its bowels for Ammit's consumption. Suspense
quickly filled the room as Anubis' balance continued to waver back and forth.
It wavered for a long period of time, as Prince Iren's heart raced with intense fear and
nervousness, until the balance's wavering finally came to its conclusive end. Everything stood
silent for a moment until Osiris commanded the lad to open his eyes and see the balance for
himself. Iren opened his eyes and saw for himself that the his soul...weighed less than the feather
of truth meaning: Prince Iren told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The young
man couldn't believe what he had just witnessed as the outcome thoroughly pleased Osiris. Osiris
and Anubis then released the souls of Iren's newly deceased back into the land of the living.
Then suddenly, the strangest thing had just taken place, as Iren saw each of his allies return
back one by one. Osiris cast a bright, glowing light around the young man as Prince Iren himself
started returning back to the land of the living.
“What enchantment is this?” asked the young man astonished and confused, “What have you
cast unto me?”
“The selflessness and nobility within you has swayed me,” answered Osiris, “You've given your
followers of another chance and now your truth shall do the same for you.”
“When you return to the land of the living, you'll no longer be bound by the fate that has afflicted
you since birth.”
“From here on, you'll live a long, happy, prosperous life alongside your loved ones and hold the
power within you to shape your own destiny.”
Before long, Iren was revived back into the land of the living and saw himself held in
Neferet's bosom as she continued crying. Iren slowly reached out to Neferet's hand and caressed
it gently. When Neferet realized her husband was alive, Iren stood once more as Hathor and sent
ferrymen appeared before him. Then at that moment, Ammon as well as the other warriors stood
again with Aa, Nedjes and Tahemet being the first of many.
“What sorcery is this?!” said Aken, “How can they continue standing after we've struck them
down?”
“How can the will of so few surpass the will of the gods?!”
The prince's adversaries sent forth a searing flame to scorch the defiant. However, not a single
wound was present on any of them. Hathor then sent a fierce wind of destruction to destroy the
mutinous group with crashing debris, but all her foes remained utterly untouched.
“This cannot be!” Hathor exclaimed, “How can mere mortals defy a god's fate?!”
Using the fate-defying, godly power within him, the young prince commanded Hathor and her
minions to flee. Without another moment passed, they all vanished and were sent back to whence they came, beyond the stars. Then afterwards, morning arrived as Prince Iren returned to the
ruins of his camp reunited with his beloved wife Neferet, the high priest and his warriors.
A celebration was then held in the land of Egypt, as Prince Iren returned to his father's palace
alongside Neferet and told his father that through her, Iren was able to conquer the fates foretold
to destroy him at birth. His Majesty embraced the two in open arms –expressing how relieved he
was now that his suffering had come to an end. The following night arrived when His Majesty
gave his royal blessings to the newly wedded Iren & Neferet –therefore passing his title as ruler
of Egypt on to his heir. Right then, Neferet was able to rule right beside her beloved until the
very end. A grand feast then ensued after the ceremony, with the high priest and warriors being
crowned as heroes throughout Egypt and therefore given luxuries of all sorts, as a result. From
then on, Egypt remained a prosperous place ruled by the righteous King Iren –“Pharaoh of Egypt
& Conqueror of Fate.”
-The End-