The Last Hour

Micro Fiction

I lay on my death bed, soft touch of its silken sheets lost on me, as I contemplate my last hour of life.

The air is full of cloying incense, its sweet and spicy tones trying to mask the smell of rotting flesh- but failing.

I fell off my horse and my leg got infected. There was nothing my physicians could do but pray to the same gods that did this to me.

The torches and oil lamps burn dimly around me. In my fevered state they cast a greenish glow-like many cat’s eyes, witnessing my demise.

From my bed I can see the mighty city of Memphis-my city, my world. The lights of the city, far below my palace walls, twinkle like many stars in the summer night sky. Life goes on but soon mine will cease.

For seven mighty years I have ruled. Men would fall before me in battle, by sword or under my spiked chariot wheels. All would drop to their knees before my greatness and worship me.

The slaves are building my pyramid, a monument of stone to my greatness. My mummified shell will lay in this womb of stone, filled with my worldly possessions-awaiting Osiris, to take me to the after life.

I curse the gods for my misfortune.

I was told a lie. I was meant to live forever, my god status sealed with the blood of mortal men, grains of sand on the dunes of the Sahara plains.

I feel my life falling away into the abyss.

I am a living ghost, standing not in life or death but striding both worlds.

I feel cold, the hand of Anubis is upon my shoulder-he waits patiently for me.

Jason Duck 2025.

To celebrate my favourite band of all time’s 50th anniversary this year, Iron Maiden, I thought it would be cool to do a micro fiction based on the title track of their epic 1984 album, Power Slave, about a pharaoh contemplating his last hour of life.

Lyrics of this song can be found here:-

Iron Maiden – Powerslave Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Also special thanks to Daniel O’Donnell who gave me the idea for using songs as inspiration. He’s currently going through ‘Big Country’ songs and you can find the latest one here:-

Dans Deliberations | Daniel O’Donnell | Substack

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