Axel Rhodes and the Fallen Pharaoh: Axel Rhodes Adventures, #3

By S.W. Lothian

Just when you thought ancient Egypt couldn't get any more perilous and exciting, along comes another incredible adventure to prove you wrong. Prepare yourself for time-travel bliss

Below ancient Egypt's peaceful surface lurks a danger ready to pounce. It silently waits for the moment it will end the reign of the Pharaonic blood-line, and take control forever. The very thing that legend says keeps the Pharaoh safe is in danger of falling into the wrong hands, and time to defeat the threat is running out fast.

Axel, Linc, and Rani must face their most dangerous challenges so far. The danger in this deadly new mission has been turned up a notch ... or ten.

This incredible fast-paced escapade weaves its thrills and mystery through the very crossroads of time. From ancient Egypt ... to the center of time ... to modern Paris, it's a ride that only the brave can survive. Who is the enemy? Only time will tell.

The Fallen Pharaoh delivers another large dose of high thrills and time-travel adventure. Once you've caught your breath, continue to ride the amazing Axel Rhodes Adventures series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.W. Lothian
• Release date: Apr 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005951276

S.W. Lothian

S.W. Lothian is the author of the popular AXEL RHODES time-travel action series that includes The Golden Scarab, The Cursed Nile, The Fallen Pharaoh, and The Missing Link (to be released). He has also won a legion of fans for his quirky and off-beat TIME SQUARE series that includes The Shift, UFO, and Triangle (due 2022). He has also released the first book of his dystopian New York thriller SUBWAY series. SUBWAY | PALLIATOPIA has been popular with fans of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner series. S.W. hails from Western Australia and due to personal experience is an advocate for Childhood Cancer Awareness. More information about S.W. and his books can be found at www.swlothian.com . You can also find him on social media | Facebook - S.W.Lothian : Author | Twitter - @swlothian | Instagram - swlothian | Goodreads - swlothian |

Book preview

By S.W. Lothian

Just when you thought ancient Egypt couldn’t get any more perilous and exciting, along comes another incredible adventure to prove you wrong.

Prepare yourself for time-travel bliss.

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Praise for AXEL RHODES and the FALLEN PHARAOH

Wow! This third book is absolutely awesome. – AMAZON

This series keeps getting better! - THIS KID REVIEWS BOOKS

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Praise for the AXEL RHODES series

AXEL RHODES and the GOLDEN SCARAB (Book 1)

Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist

This tale is a great adventure ... I was enthralled ... - READERS' FAVORITE

AXEL RHODES and the CURSED NILE (Book 2)

... absolutely wonderful - even better than the first.

- MOTHER DAUGHTER BOOK REVIEWS

AXEL RHODES and the FALLEN PHARAOH (Book 3)

It’s an exceptional adventure series. - GOODREADS

AXEL RHODES and the MISSING LINK (Book 4) - Due in 2021

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This one’s for my Mum :)

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To all the readers who have taken a chance on my books and stayed with me. Thank you.

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AXEL RHODES AND THE FALLEN PHARAOH

By S.W.Lothian

Smashwords Edition

This book is also available in print at several online retailers.

Copyright 2012 by S.W. Lothian

Revised 2020

Copyright 2021 by S.W. Lothian

Cover Design/Illustration by S.W. Lothian

Copyright 2021 by S.W. Lothian

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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This ebook is licenced for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from S.W. Lothian.

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AXEL RHODES AND THE FALLEN PHARAOH

By S.W.Lothian

CHAPTERS

1. Invitation

2. Reunited

3. Asp

4. Gloom

5. Shock

6. Goodbye

7. March

8. Khafre

9. Homeward

10. Ankh

11. Premonition

12. Search

13. Confirmation

14. Onward

15. Time Square

16. Evil Lurks

17. Library

18. Search Engine

19. Stolen

20. Raiders

21. Tragedy

22. Allies

23. Dread

24. Breach

25. Paris

26. Seine

27. Louvre

28. Deeds

29. Freedom

30. M

31. Ambush

32. Escape

33. Archive

34. Friends

35. Tunnels

36. Reset

37 Fast Track

38. Ankh

39. Breakout

40. Metro

41. Departure

42. Race

43. Double Cross

44. Payback

45. Final Leg

46. Critter

47. Moments

48. Gathering

49. Coronation

50. New Beginnings

51. Revival

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From the Author

Connect With S.W. Lothian

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. 1 .

INVITATION

Rossdale, Grandovia - Current Day

THE BOYS PLACED their hands on the Ephemeral Portal. Its pulsing waves engulfed them and a moment later they were gone. The obelisk stood tall and quiet in the center of the Egyptian exhibit; it showed no signs it had just sent two travelers back in time.

Khafre had invited Axel and Linc to his palace to spend time together without the pressure of a quest. He had only given a few hints of his plans but assured them the visit would create incredible memories.

The trip would take no time at all. Even if they spent several days in ancient Egypt, no time would have passed when they returned home. Time-travel was so weird and even harder to explain. No one would even know they had traveled.

Their last visit to ancient Egypt had been crazy. They had rescued the god of the Nile from an underground lair and broken a terrible curse. While their Rockstar status in ancient Egypt had gone up another level, at home they were still just two kids finding their way through their teens.

Since coming home, much of Axel’s life had been as exciting as watching grass grow. He had slipped back into the boring routine of school and life in a predictable world where nothing much happened. On the flip side, there was time-travel. Ever since becoming aware it was possible, he had wanted to learn every theory around. So, there had been many hours spent trying to solve the mystery of how it worked. But almost everything he found on the web concluded it was categorically impossible. The hardest thing was knowing about something so awesome, yet being unable to talk about it openly with anyone but Linc.

Linc’s latest phase was basketball, but he was struggling with even the most basic of skills. In his first game, he was sent off for tackling an opponent to the ground. He hadn’t grasped the concept of non-contact sport. The only reason the coach kept him was the promise he showed at taking shots. He could score from almost anywhere on the court, but his spot on the team would only be secure if he improved in every other skill. It didn’t look hopeful.

Meanwhile, Rani had been spending more time than ever in the ancient ruins near her home. Horus and the statues in the Temple of the Gods were a constant source of knowledge and companionship. Although she longed to see Axel, Linc, and Patra again, she had dozens of new friends in the temple. Her visits to ancient Egypt had changed her life forever, and the loneliness she had endured for so long had become nothing more than a memory best left in the past.

Now, whenever she needed quiet time to herself, she had the perfect place. Her place of refuge was the Lotus Fountain in the courtyard next to the temple. She would quietly sit on the stone blocks and stare into the cool gushing water. The perpetual motion of its never-ending flow was the best relaxation around. Her thoughts often relived the great times with her friends in ancient Egypt and dreamed of the ones yet to come.

Khafre’s invitation had filled her with excitement and she could hardly wait to return. The visit would be different from the ones before. It would be a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

No quests. No mysteries. No bad guys.

-oOo-

Memphis, Egypt – Current (Ancient) Day

The pool of shimmering blue grew larger as it formed in the empty room. From the glow, three figures rose like new life emerging from seeds, until they stood in a circle of three.

Axel! gushed Rani, stepping forward with a hug. Linc! she added and repeated the motion.

How are you, Rani? It’s great to see you, replied Axel.

I’m good. I’ve been looking forward to this, I’m so excited. Axel messaged me that you’re a sports star now. She smirked at Linc. I’ll get your autograph later.

"Yep, the rumors are true. My talents are legendary. I’ll give the autograph some thought and let you know."

Nice threads, said Axel, pointing out Linc’s clothing. The portal had changed them into dull, frumpy tunics more suited to the time.

Some of us can make anything look good, he replied, brushing fake lint off his sleeve. "And some of us can’t. Don’t worry, you two don’t look that bad."

The room was simple, void of character or furnishings. It was like the inside of a box; four sides, a top, and a base. Three walls were plain stone and the fourth had the mark of the portal. Besides that, there was nothing else except torches mounted on brackets in each corner. The dull flicker from their flames rippled across the walls, making it clear there wasn’t even a door.

Great start, said Linc. Straight into a dead-end.

With no way out, all they could do was wait. Hopefully, Khafre would turn up soon. Seconds turned to minutes. Minutes to an hour. They sat, stood, talked, leaned, walked, stood, and talked again. The waiting seemed like forever. Linc settled down in the corner, against the wall. After a while, his head tilted, and let out a snore. He flinched, but just as quickly, dozed off again.

Surely, Khafre hadn’t forgotten they were coming.

-oOo-

. 2 .

REUNITED

A LOW RUMBLE broke the quiet. The floor trembled and the old cobwebs fell away from the wall opposite the portal.

Linc jumped from his snooze. Wait, what? It’s rumbling … it’s shaking. What the? he mumbled. It’s a trap. We’re in a trap.

He stood and backed into the corner.

Even as memories of trap-laden chambers sprang to mind, Linc’s utter confusion made Axel smirk. Just relax there, Bro, I’m sure it’s all fine. Why would Khafre invite us to here to just set up a trap?

Axel and Rani edged into the center of the room. Linc’s reaction had placed a seed in their minds. It couldn’t possibly be a trap, could it? Linc rubbed the drowsiness from his eyes and moved over to join them. The trio stood in the center of the room with their backs to each other, hoping for the best but considering something worse. The vibration became stronger, and the wall opposite the portal started to rise. The seal broke at floor level and light flooded across the floor and lit up their feet.

His heart raced; Axel didn’t like uncertainty, and he hated the loss of control he suddenly felt. What if the message didn’t come from Khafre? There were plenty of candidates who could have a score to settle. Maybe now was their time for revenge. He knew he was being irrational but that didn’t settle his nerves.

He repeated in his head, Everything is fine. It isn’t a trap. Everything is fine.

A breeze swept in through the gap and crept up the walls to flick the flames of the torches. His heart pounded in his ears, he felt like a rat cornered by a cat in a drain. And no amount of positive thinking eased the feeling he was in a scene from a movie he shouldn’t have watched.

Get ready. This is either going to end well, or be a total mess.

They faced the rising wall, waiting for the bad news to be revealed. Rani postured like a champ, arms raised and ready to fight. Her excitement at seeing her friends had been replaced by an irrational fear of something she hadn’t yet seen.

The gap grew taller, slowly revealing a silhouette of two feet on the other side of the wall. Further detail was impossible to see against the sting of the backlight. Feet became legs, and legs became torso. The higher the wall rose, the more light glared their eyes.

Their eyes took time to adjust until what confronted them became clear.

Khafre! said Rani. It’s you.

He smiled and stepped into the room, leaving the empty corridor behind.

Of course, it’s me. Who were you expecting?

Oh, no one, said Axel, feeling foolish at how he’d felt moments before.

The reunion was just as they had hoped. Even though months had passed since their last meeting, time instantly faded as if it were days. It was great to be together again without any burden of disaster or quest.

So, is Patra already here? asked Rani, hoping she would see her dearest friend again.

No, I’m sorry, Rani. Patra couldn’t make it. She already had plans she couldn’t avoid.

Oh, ok. Although disappointed, she switched focus to the excitement at seeing the others.

I am so pleased you accepted my invitation. I can’t begin to tell you how good it is to see you all. I have some exciting things planned that I hope you will always remember. It makes me glad you will be part of them. Your visit is something I have looked forward to for a long time, but there is something very important I must share with you first.

Khafre paused and took a breath. I have good news, but also some bad news. First, I must share the bad, which will lead to the good.

They sat on the cold stone floor and listened as he shared his story of the previous months.

-oOo-

. 3 .

ASP

Memphis, Egypt - Seventy (Ancient) Days Earlier

KNOWN FONDLY AS the people’s Pharaoh, Khufu had often walked with his subjects to meet and talk with them in person. It was one of the reasons he was so adored. He was the Pharaoh with the golden touch, who connected with the people and knew many by name.

To celebrate his twenty-fifth year of rule, he had been mingling in the central markets. It was during this walk that a nearby donkey became spooked by something unseen. The animal reared up onto its hind legs and stumbled backward, colliding with a nearby stall that was crammed with an abundance of animals for sale.

As the stand collapsed, its cages and baskets spilled and broke open. Chickens, ducks, and pigs burst from their cages, squawking, and squealing at their sudden freedom. The animals scattered in all directions, making the most of the chaos in a daring escape.

A large basket fell to the ground, it split open and released a tangle of a dozen or so snakes. They fanned out like ribbons, slithering through the crowd in search of somewhere to hide. People screamed and jostled as they ran to avoid them. The stall keeper called out with frustration as he tried in vain to catch at least some of his fleeing goods.

One snake darted toward the Pharaoh and slid under his robes. A moment of panic followed as the Pharaoh tried to shake the creature away. But being cornered and threatened caused the snake to strike, sinking its fangs to inject venom into the flesh of the Pharaoh’s back. The bite of an asp is deadly and it didn’t take long for the potency of its attack to take hold.

Khufu immediately felt sleepy. The skin on his back tingled as if on fire, and then his body became too heavy to support. The asp fell to the ground from under his robes and slithered to the safety of a dark crevice in a wall. The Pharaoh’s eyesight started to fail, becoming watery and blurred, and then he began to collapse.

Several arms stretched toward him, catching his body before it fell to the dusty ground. His eyes flared with fear, then quivered and closed, and his body became limp in the arms that had caught him. The shocked guards gently lowered him to the ground. A crowd was already gathering,