Khepratum

In the days before man learned to write or wield tools, monstrous creatures were imbued with divine power by the gods, tasked to defend their holiest places against mortal intrusion. At first, Khepratum was pleased with the assignment that she was tasked with: a mountain oasis that was blessed by the gods with healing properties. It was well-hidden, and only creatures of the wild came and went. She lived a life of leisure as she kept the sanctum clean and busied herself with reading, nature, and the occasional stroll under the stars. Yet as the years drew by with no gods or spirits coming to visit, she began to wonder if the heavens had forgotten about her. Despite the worrying silence, she did not shirk her duty. Trouble came to her one day as a mortal man came to the foot of the mountain, his skin ashen white as he bore bloodied artifacts of power. Sensing that he had ill intentions, Khepratum sent word to the gods before preparing herself for the attack. She did not have to wait long, for the man hurled cold, shadowy talons at her while the very air screamed and wept in agony. Despite her strengths, Khepratum felt her power ebb bit by bit, stolen by the stranger and added to his own. Soon, her heartbeat seemed to stop entirely, and her last memory was that of falling to the floor, wondering if help would come as the world suddenly fell silent around her... As she opened her eyes, Khepratum was surprised. Despite the past theft of her divine power, she was still alive - and recovering, if the flow of power back into her body was any indication. She began to stretch and explore her surroundings, eager to find out what had happened during her slumber. The oasis was heavily overgrown, with vines and thick greenery covering the scars of the battle. She realized that while centuries had passed, not one god or spirit had answered her pleas for aid. Saddened at their silence, Khepratum decided to explore the world as soon as she was able. With powerful limbs and a mighty staff, she began her journey down the mountain she had called home. Khepratum wandered the land, and what she saw angered her greatly. The audacity of the mortal thief - a man that she found out was called the God-King - raised her ire, and it was with some guilt that she exulted in the news of his downfall. Yet the scars of his crimes had severely scarred the land, with the dead rising from their graves in growing numbers each day. As she arrived at the base of a wall that the humans had raised to stop the enroaching desert, she saw a young woman with a brilliant, star-like light rallying the defenders against the hordes of the undead. The heavens shook that day as she called down powerful bolts of lightning, but they would be forced to retreat as the sweltering ranks of the damned seemed to grow. To her surprise, her hated foe's face leered at her from its ghostly body over the horizon...