In the ancient underground tomb, Tari could barely breathe with the fear and anticipation entering her heart as the two beautiful yet strange women stepped towards her. The first woman was taller, with medium brown skin only slightly lighter than Tari's own, and had long, dark brown hair that ended in the middle of her back. Her hair was parted in the middle in the ancient Egyptian style, and resting on her head was an intricately designed circlet crown with jewels encrusted all around it. In the middle of the crown was what looked to be a design of a vulture's head, with rubies delicately engraved within its sockets. She wore a beautiful cotton wrap-around dress that was very common for high-class women in ancient times, and wore exquisite, copper colored sandals with the laces wrapping twice around her calves. Kohl outlined her large, intelligent eyes, and around her neck was the broad chest necklace that seemed to accent her feminine looks than anything Tari had seen in her life. But in her eyes, Tari could also send a bit of sadness, and she found herself wondering what tragedy could have befell her to make her so sad.
But before she could think on that any more, Tari shook her head and turned to look at the second women. She was not that different looking from the first one, but she was a somewhat shorter, and her cotton dress was more of an ivory coloring than pure white. On her head was not a crown, but a headdress that looked to be cow's horns, and in the middle of them was a circular object that Tari could only figure to be the sun disk that she'd read so much about in ancient cultures in school. The other woman also had the familiar pair of Egyptian sandals, but they were a dark drown, as though made from leather. Her skin was also just as dark as Tari's, and her hair fell to just slightly pass her shoulders in a delicate braid. Immediately Tari could tell that this woman was younger than the first, for her eyes held an innocent, yet worldly look to them. She then smiled sadly, at Tari, and while it put her at ease...just a bit, she was still wary, for even she had heard tales of brutal tomb raiders and thieves...both men and women...that would leave no one alive to tell tales of their raids.
"Who...who are you? What are you doing here?" Tari demanded in a shaky voice, stepping back. "Please...just take what you want, please don't hurt..."
"It is alright, young one," the first women said, nodding and smiling softly at her. "We are not here to hurt you. We are here because our worst fears have come to pass, and we need your help to ensure our world is kept safe." Her voice was deep, yet still feminine, and it almost felt like cool, calming waters that could surround Tari and make her feel safe. Her accent was unfamiliar to Tari, but it still held a touch of the sound she heard in the native Egyptians.
Tari blinked in confusion, looking from the first woman to the next. "Ensure the world is kept safe? I...I don't understand. What's going on?"
The taller woman stepped up to her as she stretched out her hand. "Please, do not be afraid. Listen to our story, and you will come to understand. A great evil has been let loose today. An evil that we thought well hidden. Without your help, the evil will grow, and all that we have fought for will be destroyed." Her eyes narrowed in determination. "We cannot let this happen...we cannot!"
"Yes, it's true." the other, shorter woman said, coming up next to her. "He must be stopped, or he will once again cover this world with his evil, and plunge us back into darkness." Her voice was lighter than the other one's, but still held an urgency that was unmistakable.
Tari looked at both women in disbelief. What in the world were they talking about? Are they crazy or what? She blinked her eyes again. NO! She was not falling for this. She won't be taken for a fool anymore! Tari shook her head and once more stepped away from them. "STOP IT! Just stop it! Look, I don't know who you both are, but you're not going to try and fool me with your fairy tales!" Her eyes lowered painfully as a memory flashed through her mind. "I stopped believing in happy stories a long time ago." The painful image ended quickly, and she glared up at the figures angrily. "And I am NOT some silly little high school girl that will believe your story of "fight to save our world" speeches anyway, so save it! I'm outta here!"
She rushed to the hole opening, but before she could jump right through it, the two women were suddenly in front of it in a shimmer of sparkling light, making Tari stop dead in her tracks. "What the...! How did you...WHAT?" She stared at both women in complete bafflement.
"Please forgive us," the taller woman said, bowing low. "We have frightened you, and have not made ourselves known to you. It's just..." For a moment, it seemed as though the women's eyes misted with tears, but the other young woman placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, her eyes also sad. The two looked at each other for a moment, then nodded and turned back to Tari. "My original name is Aset, but you mortals also know me as Isis, the Mother Goddess." She bowed low once more and spread her arms out.
"And I am Athyr, also known as Hathor in your mortal world." the younger woman said, also bowing low.
Tari's eyes grew wide with disbelief. "Wait....Isis? Hathor?" She looked from one to the other, trying to still her fiercely beating heart."Could...this be? Are you really those....those ancient goddesses?"
At the women's nods, Tari sank down to her knees, feeling so small compared to the celestial beings before her. She continued to look at them up and down, and realized it WAS true...the clothing, the headdresses...their speech; there was no doubt they were goddesses. She then remembered the strange incident when she dropped the vase, and a trickle of fear once more entered her heart. "What...do you want with me?"
"The evil essence and part of the soul of Set has been released, and we need you to help trap it once more before Set finds it." said Isis, bidding Tari to stand. "If he does, then the world is once more put into darkness, and all will suffer."
"Set?" Tari's mind buzzed with recognition. "The one who killed Osiris? You mean...the whole mythology...all of that is true?"
Isis's eyes once more threatened to fill with tears. "Yes...the black-hearted one." Her voice carried a melancholy tone as she remembered that fateful day so many thousands of years past. "We've all known that Set was jealous of his brother Usire..whom you know as Osiris..and the mortals. But foolishly, we paid no mind to it. We never knew of the plot he formed in his mind and heart. We all thought it was something that would pass with time, as all things do. But it was not to be. One day, during a celebration, Set finally hatched his plan. With false flattery and promises dripping from his tongue, Set managed to trick his brother into a coffin. That was fatal mistake. Locked away from the power of the sun after drinking the potion mixed in with his wine that Set gave him, Osiris was made mortal, and died within moments. After that, Set discarded the coffin in the Nile River before we could do anything...."
It was too much, and the tears spilled down the goddess's cheek as she choked back a sob, then continued after a moment. "It was many days before I was able to find him, and by then, there was no chance reviving him fully again. His soul had already been sent to the Underworld." Beside her, Hathor lowered her head sadly. "In my grief, I had very little power, I could only revive his body. Trying to find his soul at that time was too much for me. But I tried...oh how I tried so hard...but it was impossible. Osiris's soul had lost its memory and was lost in the Underworld. Even with help from the other gods, I could only revive his physical body. Now, he is only the shadow of the god he used to be. He is cold, distant..no emotional at all. He was never able to smile at me again, to hold me, to kiss me..."
The maternal goddess could not speak anymore, and softly began to sob in her hands, her heart breaking as it did thousands of times before at the thought of losing her loving husband. Hathor reached over and gently took Isis's hand in her own. She then turned to look at Tari. "We all found and fought Set, but we were only able to seal away half his soul and powers. He was defeated and weakened, but we still lost Osiris's soul. The only clue we have now is that Osiris's soul might have been reborn. About 9 of your Earth years ago, a great influx of souls from the Underworld that died in ancient times was sent to be reborn...souls of those who died at birth or had died so young or due to shock of the way they died, they had no true identity to remember. All of us gods felt it. We believe his soul might have been one of those souls that was released to be reborn..."
Hathor eyes narrowed in anger and she turned to look at the shattered vase on the ground. "But now it is imperative we find the reborn soul and restore it to his body, since Set's powers have now been freed. It is no doubt he will try to find and kill his brother once again...and this time, ensuring that he will STAY dead."
"But...how does this involve me? What can I do to help?" Tari placed a hand over her heart. "If I had the power, I would surely help, but..." She looked helplessly down on herself.
"It was you who broke the seal that locked away Set's powers...and it is you who has to help retrieve it and set things right." said Isis, raising her head. "We need you, Nfertari Baltimore. Please help us."
Tari's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "You...know me?"
"Of course we do. We make it our business to learn about most of the mortals here. All of the gods do." Hathor smiled. But a second later, her eyes turned serious. "And we know the pain you went through that day a year ago. But because of it, you are stronger, and we have much faith in you." She placed both hands on Tari's shoulders. "Will you help us?"
Tari furrowed her brow in thought for a moment, a thousand thoughts and questions going through her mind. Was this all true? The ancient stories of the Egyptian gods and goddesses? Could she really help to keep the world from being destroyed by a jealous god? She didn't know how, but in her heart, she knew she had to do what she could. She certainly didn't want the world to be destroyed before she realized her hopes and dreams. There was so much more she wanted to do...to accomplish.
She looked up at Hathor determinedly and nodded her head. "Yes...yes I'll help. If there's anyway I can."
The two women smiled in gratitude...too overcome with emotion to speak as a trail of a tear came down their cheek. They looked at one another, nodded their heads, and raised their hands high in the air. Together, they spoke softly in their throats in the long forgotten ancient Egyptian language, and a moment later, an bright light flashed in the air above them. The light dimmed, and a small, golden object spun in the air above the three. The object slowed in spinning, then gently began to float down towards where Tari stood. When it touched the ground, Tari gasped in amazement.
It was a beautiful, delicately designed broad bracelet that looked to be made of gold. On the center of the bracelet was looked to be the face of a cobra with its mouth wide open and fangs ready to rip into human flesh. In its eye sockets were two pieces of flashing rubies that looked like they would glow if they were in the dark.
As though in a trance, Tari bent down and cautiously picked up the bracelet. It was surprisingly light, and it seemed to almost mold to her hand, as though it was made for her. She turned it over and over in her hands, and for a moment forgot the goddesses were even there until Isis spoke.
"That bracelet contains some of my powers, as well as some of Hathor's and our progenitor, Amon. You can activate it when you are battling Set's power or even his many underlings he sends to try and find Osiris's reborn soul. Use it wisely, young one. More things will be revealed to you in time when you need it." With a nod, both women stepped back and prepared to leave the tomb.
"Wait! How do I activate it if I get in trouble? What do I do with it?" Tari said, reaching out to them to stop them from leaving so soon.
Isis smiled in understanding. "When you or anyone else is in danger, raise your hand and say, "Powers of the ancients, I summon thee!" " With that, you will be able to defeat all obstacles in your mission. Farewell, young warrior...and thank you."
Tari wanted to ask more questions, to know more about ancient times and about the gods themselves, but it was at that moment, a soft, calming light surrounded the goddesses, and they disappeared in a quick flash. She looked curiously at where the women stood a moment before, then looked down at the beautiful bracelet still in her hand. She sighed and turned it over once more. "It's beautiful, but...how am I going to explain this to dad or anyone else when they see it? What if..someone wants to steal it?"
Feeling suddenly brave, Tari slipped the bracelet onto her right wrist. It was as though the bracelet actually molded itself to her size and shape. It felt so comfortable..so..right for her. She smiled sadly as she raised her hand and looked it over. I wish it looked like an ordinary bracelet....one that no one would really notice.Tari thought to herself.
Suddenly, the bracelet gave off a bright flash of red light that came from the eyes of the chiseled out cobra. Tari closed her eyes and turned away in fright. A moment later, she looked back at the bracelet. In its place was now a very ordinary looking gold-plated bracelet in the shape of a snake, wrapping around her wrist.
"HUH?" Tari gasped in surprise and looked closer at the bracelet.
"What...happened? Where's the bracelet I just had?" She touched it gently and suddenly felt a jolt of power from it. Yes, it WAS the bracelet Isis and Hathor gave her! But how did it know to change the way it looked? She shook her head and almost laughed at herself, then gasped as she heard movement.
She turned to look behind her, and coming through the hole entrance was Sajid, followed by a few members of the research team Tari saw before. They cautiously stepped in and looked at Tari with worry.
"Mistress Tari! What are you doing here?" Sajid said, placing a protective hand around her shoulder. "Your father is worried sick. Why did you come down here by yourself?"
"Sajid! I...errr...I was.." Tari looked around for an excuse...any excuse to tell instead of the truth. "I....I was having a short walk because I couldn't sleep, and..I thought I heard something down here. I thought I saw..."
"The vase!" yelled out one of the researchers, bending down to the shattered pieces. His voice was filled with disappointment. "It's completely destroyed."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." Tari looked up at Sajid with regretful eyes.
"Please do not worry yourself, mistress." Sajid gently ushered her out of the tomb with him, his arm still around her shoulder. "As long as you are safe, nothing else matters. We've had a problem with raiders the past week, so you must promise not to do this again, do you understand?"
"Alright, alright, sheesh!" Tari rolled her eyes, feeling all the more embarrassed at being treated like a child, and allowed Sajid to take her back to the campsite. But in the back of her mind, she still thought about what she learned back at the tomb. Would she be able to fulfill her mission? Where could the reborn of Osiris be? She didn't know, but she made promise, and it was just one of the many she vowed to keep, no matter the cost.
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In the Underworld, inside a crudely made, small blackened palace surrounded by swirling shadows and darkness, the god known as Set raised his head as he sat upon his obsidian throne. His dark face, which was supposed to be youthful and vibrant like a mortal in his early to mid-twenties, was instead sunken and old, looking to be about in his late 50's to early 60's, due to the loss of his powers and part of his soul. Even after all these years, his heart still beat with hate and resentment for the gods who rebelled against him and defeated him.
Since then, he had aged one year every hundred years or so that passed on Earth where the hateful mortals lived. He was part mortal now himself, prone to aging and soon to pass away. And it was all because of their unforgivable love for the puny mortals! All because of their fascination with them, with their weakness, their pettiness! All he wanted to do was wipe them out and start anew, to create a NEW race that would be nothing like the wasteful humans. But no, it was not to be. The gods didn't listen to them, didn't even give him time to explain what he wanted to do or believed in. But soon, they will pay! He swore it!
He reached up and rubbed his dark, bald head in agitation. But all of that depended on where he would find the vase that contained his powers. The last he knew, it was buried with some insignificant pharaoh, but the gods surrounded it with a spell that would make it impossible for him to detect. Fools! If it was one thing that Set the mighty had, it was patience. He knew it would be found eventually.
Suddenly, a shivering flowed through his entire body, making him nearly jump from his sitting position. "My powers! They are free!" the immense god said, rising from his throne. He could almost feel the essence trying to find him. It was like a third arm to him, how close and intimate it felt to him. His powers would soon find him, he knew that. When it did, then would be the time to start his plans anew and finish what he started so long ago. At that thought, the evil god's eyes glowed red, and he threw his dark head back and laughed deeply. No one would dare get in his way now, and his brother and every one else who humiliated him would pay, and pay dearly for it!
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To Be Continued...
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