The Mummy’s Curse and other Monster Tales Chapter 1
Title: The Mummy’s Curse and other Monster Tales
Author: onthethruway01
Genre: classic Hollywood Monsters
Pairings: Yoosu, Yunjae
Other characters: members of Super Junior and other K Pop groups
Rating: First chapter, “G”
Length: chaptered
Summary: A group of scientists, professors, learned men and adventurers seek to prove that monsters are real, and along the way discover they are more human than they thought.
“I’m really uncomfortable with this pagan ritual, Professor Han.”
The handsome professor of Egyptology smiled; pushing up his glasses he answered the somewhat nervous man at his side.
“I assure you Vicar, there is nothing to worry about.”
Siwon Choi, man of God, was not comforted by the scholar’s words.
“Really Geng, resurrecting a mummy? Surely you understand my concerns.”
The Professor smiled and straightened his bow tie. He walked with purpose, taking long strides; the Vicar trailing after despite his trepidation. They had just landed after a long flight from China; the seaplane touching down safely at an undisclosed location; an uncharted, tropical island. They walked across a makeshift dock which lead to a sandy beach; the professor, his nervous companion, and a few assistants who carried their luggage and other supplies. They were greeted at the end of the pier by strapping young men in workmen’s clothes. They were covered in paint and plaster.
“Ah, my building crew; fine craftsmen and artists. Is everything prepared lads?”
Siwon surveyed the young men before him. They looked like a bunch of hooligans.
“They seem rather young. Are you sure they are up to the task?”
Han Geng laughed heartily.
Wait until you see what they have done, Siwon. You will be amazed.”
“Come Zico,” the professor called out to the blonde headed leader of his crew, “let’s show the Vicar the fruits of your labor.”
They followed a trail through the jungle until it ended in a clearing. The Vicar stopped in his tracks and blinked. Before him was a site to be seen; Zico and his boys had reconstructed an Egyptian temple.
“My God,” Siwon exclaimed, “ how is this possible?”
The professor took off his glasses and cleaned them.
“My backer’s are very generous. They all contributed funds. If they couldn’t send cash, they sent me workers like Zico and his crew. They are young, eccentric and share my vision. They believe we can bring back the mummy from the dead. Let’s go inside, shall we?”
A torch was lit, followed by several others; Siwon was amazed at the intricate hieroglyphs and other details of the temple. Nothing was left out; carved columns and replicas of artifacts lined the hallway which lead to a large open space. Within this courtyard there were elaborate fountains and statues of the ancient gods. Coals burned and the smell of incense filled the air. Sconces were lit; Siwon surveyed the walls; the paintings were magnificent; brightly colored and vibrant; just as he imagined it would have been thousands of years ago. There was a large pond in the courtyard; filled with lotus, and other beautiful plants and flowers. It’s waters were clear and calm.
“That’s a nice touch,” he mentioned to Professor Han.
“That was Taeil’s idea,” Pyo blurted out in his deep voice. “The water flows in through the lagoon on the other side of the island. We never have to fill it.”
Siwon nodded. They had done an amazing job. He felt like he had stepped back in time to the land of the Pharoahs. It was disturbing. He cleared his throat and spoke in a low, soft tone.
“Where is the mummy?”
Zico and his boys smiled wickedly. They walked into an anti-chamber and Siwon slowly followed, the professor standing with his hands behind his back.
“Just a peek Vicar. We’ll bring him out at moonrise for the ceremony. The boys have to make a few final touches with the altar.”
Geng pointed to a marble slab in the middle of the courtyard. Choi was too busy admiring the decor to notice it.
“Moonrise?”
The professor pointed to the ceiling. Siwon looked upward; there was a hole in the top of the temple. He squinted as a ray of light hit his eye.
“Now if you don’t mind, the boys need to finish up. Let’s go to supper.”
As the professor and the vicar made their way out of the temple, Siwon began bombarding Geng with more questions.
“What’s the story behind this mummy?”
Geng lit his pipe and began to spin a tale; a tale of a young Prince who they say was enchanted by a water spirit. Most likely the Prince was mad and the spirit was either a hippo or a crocodile. Either way, they found his body washed up upon the shores of the Nile. The mystery was never solved. His story faded from memory; his brief life and existence all but forgotten until Professor Geng dug up his tomb; a small pitiful grave not worthy of a Prince. Perhaps his madness and death by what they thought may have been suicide lead the priests to bury him hastily and without ceremony.
Geng had made it his mission to not only bring the Prince’s story to light, but to bring him back from the dead. The thought made Siwon’s skin crawl. To tamper with life and death was only for God. Siwon wandered around the professor’s study wringing his hands; the professor had found The Book of the Dead and he was determined to use it. As the sun set, the two made their way back to the temple, Zico and his boys in tow; instead of paint brushes they carried guns; eager as they may be to resurrect the mummy, they were prepared for the worst; nothing would get past them.
The sarcophagus was placed upon the altar; Siwon swallowing hard as Professor Han Geng opened the ancient, evil Book of the Dead and began to recite the words. He said a prayer and stepped back. Zico and his boys cocked their rifles and stood at the ready. The moonlight streaked through the hole in the temple, an eerie glow encircled the coffin. Mesmerized, they did not notice a small ripple in the otherwise calm pool as it seemed to move closer to the edge; bubbles rising to the surface as the incantation was read...