The hot, Egyptian sun had barely been up for more than 5 minutes over the large, busy city of Cairo before people began hurrying out of their apartments and houses, dashing off to school or work. Car horns began beeping and people shouting in the crowded streets was the normal start of a typical day in the ancient city.
People began setting up little fruits and drink stands, children ran about, chasing one another before starting another boring day at school. Deliverers and messengers rode bicycles in order to race pass the jammed cars. In all the hustle and bustle, no one noticed in a dark alleyway, a shadowy figure in the shape of a dog silently watching everyone. Oh, it thirst to attack all the humans, to rip them to shreds and gnaw on their bones. But first, it must find its master, and the shadowy creature could almost feel itself getting closer and closer to its goal. Soon, it will find its master, and all will opposed them will die a most horrifying death. Suddenly, a memory flashed of the young human girl that hurt it so bad. It still bore slight wounds from the last battle it had with her. How did she get so powerful? The smoky, dog-like monster had never imagined that the mortals would become so powerful.
It shook its head and continued to watch the human walked to and fro. No matter. It would only be a short matter of time before it was reunited with Set. And the first one that would surely suffer would be that girl. With its glowing eyes blinking, the creature moved back into the shadows, patiently waiting for its time to attack and wait for its master to come to him.
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In her room, Tari lay comfortably on her stomach on her bed with her chin in her hands and a pair of headphones over her ears. Behind her, her legs swayed up and down alternately as she listened to the catchy song from the famous international Egyptian singer, Ruby. She had just started listening to Egyptian music, and the very beat of it, the tempo and style of it, was enough to make her want to forget all the troubles of the world and relax.
She was so engrossed to the music, she did not notice a soft, white light flash near her bed. When the light died down, 4 figures stood to the side, smiling with amusement as the watched Tari softly hum along to the song only she could hear. The goddess Isis cleared her throat once, but it was not enough to get Tari's attention. With a chuckle, Thoth then reached down and gently tapped her on the shoulder. At the touch, Tari jumped with surprised, nearly falling off her bed as she gave a short yell.
She blinked her eyes at the visitors in her room as she took off her headphones, and gave an embarrassed grin. "Oh! Err...hi!" she stammered out. "Oh man, I must have forgotten we were supposed to meet this morning! Sorry!" She sat up and crossed her legs under her.
Thoth chuckled again and picked up the CD player, turning it over in his hands curiously. "Interesting.....device. Do most mortals have these things? It plays music, right?"
"Heh, well, most of us do. The adults just think it causes noise." Tari grinned again as she watched him put the headphones on. He didn't realize that as he was turning it over, he put the volume to maximum. When he pressed the "play" button, the music blasted so loud, his eyes widened and he yelled in surprise and threw the headphone and CD player away from him on Tari's bed.
"Evil!" Thoth growled as he pulled on his now sensitive ear. Tari couldn't help herself and fell back on her bed laughing. Isis, Anubis, and Hathor chuckled behind their hands at the amusing scene.
After a moment, Isis composed herself and turned to face Tari. "Well, now that we're all in a good mood, I believe it's time we get to the heart of the matter." The goddess turned to Hathor besides her and nodded. At that, Hathor stepped forward and raised her hands palms up before her. In a soft light, a holographic image of Osiris as he once was appeared in front of Tari.
"Woooow, who's that? He's...handsome.." Tari blushed at that statement, as it came out of her before she could stop herself. But Isis only smiled softly at her.
"That is Osiris, my dear husband." she began. "As we have told you, we need your help in recovering his soul, which was lost to us many of your Earth years ago..."
"Yes, I remember reading about it now," A thoughtful look crossed Tari's face as she recalled the old legend. "He was tricked by his own brother, Set, and was killed. I know that you did all you and everyone else did all you could to revive him, and that nothing was the same since then."
At the crestfallen and saddened look on Isis's face, Tari got up, walked over to her, and gently took the goddesses hands in her own. "I'm so sorry Isis. I know it must have been so hard on you and your family. So much has been taken from you..." She reached forward and gently hugged the woman.
For a few moments, the two just held each other, remembering how much they have lost and drawing strength from one another. They both knew that in order to get through this, they would have to rely on one another, and use their loss as a strength to defeat the evil Set.
Isis then leaned away and wiped a stray tear on her brown cheek as the holographic image in Hathor's palms faded. "Thank you, Tari," she whispered. At Tari's nod, the goddess then turned to Thoth and nodded her head. The god stepped forward, and with a flick of his hand, a writing feather appeared and he grasped it tightly. There was a bright, blue flash, and a glowing outline of a papyrus scroll appeared floating in front of him.
"I have done some calculations, and based on what I have come up with, we believe we might have a clue as to the whereabouts of Osiris's soul." The papyrus scroll came into full view, and Thoth began writing furiously across it in the air. Symbols, numbers and equations appeared with each stroke of his feather pen. Tari stared in wonder at the incredibly complicated math equations and felt her head spin.
"According to my research and findings, Osiris's soul has indeed been reborn. Now..adding to the time line and the time measurements of the Earth realm and with ours, as well as the Pygoreum Theorem...." But whatever more was said was completely lost to Tari as the young-looking god of mathematics used words and phrases that she had barely heard of when he tried to explain his findings and measurements of time. When he was done, he looked at her expectedly, but instead of her nod of understanding he thought he would give, Tari just stared at him with a huge sweat drop over her head.
"Ummmm...I think that's a little...advanced for me," Tari said, giving him an apologetic look. "But I sure wish I knew you when I was in high school last year in calculus class!"
"Oops! Sorry, guess I should have realized that! I...tend to get carried away sometimes." Thoth chuckled nervously as he flicked a wrist, making the scroll with the symbols and calculations disappear.
Hathor rolled her eyes with a small smile. "Tari, what Thoth meant to say is that we have come up with the conclusion that Osiris's soul is no longer in the Underworld. We've searched everywhere there. We now believe that his soul has been reincarnated 9 of your Earth years ago, in this very city. Time in our realm and the Earth realm moves very differently. For us, the occurrence that happened when Osiris died was just a little over 16 years ago. For you, it's been thousands of years. Thoth measured and converted the time that passed for us for Earth, and knows that Osiris's soul was reborn in this age after spending countless years without an identity in the afterlife."
"So it's here...in Egypt?" Tari blinked her eyes, beginning to understand. "You're saying that...somewhere out there, there's a little boy out with Osiris's soul in him?
"Yes, and if we don't find him soon, that child will be danger," Isis said, her hands clasped together nervously.
"Why? What do you..." Tari eyes then widened as she realized the implications. "Oh no, that means Set is after him too, and wants to...to.."
At Isis's nod, anger flashed through Tari. "How could he? Why would he hurt an innocent child like that?" She balled her hands into fists.
"Because to Set, power is everything," Anubis answered, his dark face back in its usual scowl. "There's nothing he wouldn't do to get it."
"We can't let that happen!" vowed Tari, "I won't let Set harm any children here!"
But before anyone could answer her, there was a soft knock on the door. "Tari? Honey, is everything okay?"
Tari looked up in surprise at the gods, but they merely nodded their heads, indicating that it was all right, and they would talk again soon. With a flash of soft white light, they were gone.
Tari quickly opened the door, finding her father dressed in his business suit and a worried expression on his face. "Tari? I thought I heard..I mean..."
"It's fine Dad, it was...my radio! Yeah, I had my radio on loud, sorry about that." Tari chuckled nervously with a hand behind her head.
A slight relief crossed his face then. "I see. Well, I'm off to the board meeting. I should be back later this afternoon,"
When he saw Tari hang her head, he smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "But that doesn't mean you'll be cooped up in her all day. I've already arranged for Sajid to take you shopping in downtown Cairo today..."
"Really?" Tari's face brightened. She was a little disappointed that her father would be too busy today to spend time with her, but now the chance to finally shop and explore the city more than made up for it.
"Yeah, really," her father smiled. "Now get dressed, he's already waiting for you downstairs."
With an excited yell, Tari dashed back into room, her dark braids trailing behind her, and quickly searched her closet for comfortable shorts and tee shirt.
Her father looked at her for a few moments, wondering where the time had gone since she was his precious little girl. Now before his was a vibrant young woman, ready to take her place in life. He only hoped that he would be there for her.....just like he should have been there for her when she needed him the most. With that, he smiled softly at her, then turned to leave, knowing she would be in good hands with Sajid.
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In his dark and dreary castle, Set walked down the blackened halls, his face determined. Time was getting short, and he would NOT lose to that human child again. Now was the time for him to get serious. He will get back his powers, and make sure he kills whichever child now holds Osiris's soul.
He was just about to reach his throne room when a soft voice called out to him.
"Set,"
The coal-skinned god stopped in his tracks, and turned around. Standing before him was his estranged wife, Nepthys. His eyes narrowed as he watched her walk up slowly to him. In all corners of the world, goddesses were supposed to have incomparable beauty, grace, and charm. But it this case, it was sadly lacking. For Nepthys, her only beauty was her limp, sagging hair that hung to nearly the floor. Her skin, once shining and the color of oiled wood, now was ashy and pale. Bags were under her eyes, and instead of a form-fitting dress, she wore a simple ivory colored dress that seemed to engulf her. Her feet were bare, and when she stood before Set, she trembled slightly.
"What do you want?" Set said coldly as he looked down at her with scorn.
"Set, how long will you go on with this madness of yours?" Nepthys whispered. "Have you not caused enough pain, destroyed enough lives? What more can do..."
Her words were cut off as Set's hands suddenly lashed out, and he grabbed her by the throat.
"Madness, you say?" he asked, putting his face very close to hers. "The only madness was letting you live after your betrayal. Did you think I have forgotten?"
He threw her away with disgust on the ground. The woman lay panting for a moment before she looked up at him again. "I've paid for my sins many times over, Set! What happened was in the past. But please...stop this foolish plan of yours! Go back to what you used to be!"
The god barely acknowledged her as he walked passed her and entered the throne room, leaving her to sob on the black floor. He was immediately greeted by Apep as the snake god bowed his head low.
"Have they been summoned?" Set asked, standing beside him.
"Yess, Massster," Apep breathed out. The serpent rose to his full height, his eyes glowing. "SSSebau, Nak come forth!"
After a moment, a swirl of black clouds appeared before them, then gradually became more and more solid. When it was done, two large demons knelt down on one knee before them. One was green fur all over him, and had the face of a coyote. A tight fitting kilt was wrapped around his middle. The next one had red fur, with the face of a baboon. He too was had the traditional Egyptian kilt around his middle.
"You summoned us, oh great Set?" said the coyote-faced Sebau.
"We are forever your servants," Nak lowered his face to the ground. "Your word is command."
Set smiled maliciously. "As it should be. Now listen, for I have an important mission for the both of you..."
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Smiling broadly, Tari skated along side Sajid in Garden City. She wore her blue roller blades along with knee and elbow pads. The morning had passed by so quickly, and Tari couldn't remember having a better time. She had visited just about every store in Cairo, from clothing to electronics to sports gear. At her father's insistence, she spared almost no expense, but she also knew that it would not do to waste money. Before coming to Egypt, she had also researched and understood that there were many poor people living in the city, and it wouldn't be right to just splurge on everything. But still...it was so nice to be able to actually afford to get what she wanted! It was exhilarating!
She turned to see Sajid struggling with the many, many bags and boxes he carried. She grinned, almost feeling sorry for the large man, but knew he would be able to handle it. Besides, he seemed to have as much fun as she did as she rushed around excitedly in every store she visited. He thought she didn't notice, but she saw his small smile as she watched her.
Finally they came to their jeep, and with a tired grunt, Sajid started loading the boxes and bags into the back.
"Sajid, you finish packing, I want to explore a little bit more," said Tari, skidding to a stop before him.
"But Mistress Tari, I thought..."
"I won't be long, I promise! I'm just not ready to go back yet. Please?" She batted her eyes at him and smiled hopefully.
The Sudanese man sighed after a moment, then shook his head. "Alright, but do not be long. Your father is due to arrive home soon,"
"Okay!" With a wave of her hand, Tari skated off, drawing stares from everyone she passed them crossing the street.
Smiling, Tari passed by many amazing sites of people singing, dancing, and performing acrobatics in the streets. She watched in amazement as a small, old man from India wearing a white turban sat cross-legged on an elaborate Persian rug in front of a cobra, and playing a wooden flute, charmed it into doing many twists and turns while following the flute's sound.
Everyone clapped when the presentation was over, and old Indian man bowed his head in appreciation. Tari skated on, and skidded to a halt when she then saw young Egyptian girls doing acrobatics. With a gasp, she watched the young girls...looking no more than 11 or 12 years old, doing backwards flips, jumping high into the air, and do professional twists and under tucks to lands on stilts. Then she watched them jump off the stilts and land in a perfect crouch on the ground, drawing amazed gasps and applause from everyone.
Hey, I think I can do something like that! Tari thought smiling to herself. She took a deep breath and skated to the end of the sidewalk as everyone looked on. She closed her eyes for a moment in concentration, and after taking another deep breath, dashed forward, her roller blades gliding easily across the ground.
Right at the last minute before reaching the crowd, Tari bent her legs and leapt forward, soaring high in the air. She crossed her arms over her chest, did a double twist spin, then curved downward to land perfectly in a crouch, right besides the on looking acrobatics girls.
The crowd was silent for a moment, then burst out in a loud cheer and applause. Tari looked up in complete surprise. Whoa! I wasn't expecting to do THAT! Where'd it come from? She then looked down at the bracelet on her wrist. The snake seemed to almost wink its ruby eye at her, the light reflecting from the high sun.
She looked up at the clapping crowd as though just noticing them, then gave a victory sign as she grinned nervously.
Waving to the crowd, Tari skated away down another block, hoping to see one more thing before heading back to Sajid. Maybe I could find a toy store to send Jake and Jessica something, she mused. And maybe I could also get a clue as to where this boy with Osiris's soul is. He could be anywhere around here.
A few moments passed before suddenly, a loud crashing was heard, and Tari had duck and cover herself with her arms from the falling pieces of glass that fell. She looked up, and stared in shock as the shadowy from of a demon dog flew through the department store window of a clothing shop just before her.
The creature howled long and loud in the air, then lowered its head and stared deeply at her. Tari blinked her eyes in complete shock. It was the same monster she fought before at the dig site! What was it doing here? "Oh man, you've GOT to be kidding me!" Tari breathed out.
The creature growled at her, and slowly started to move forward. With a gasp, Tari turned and skated as fast as she could, soon leaving the black creature far enough behind her to duck into a small alleyway. "I've got to change and get rid of this thing once and for all!" she said, sliding off her roller blades and balling her hands into fists from frustration.
She closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself and concentrate. Then she crossed her arms over her chest, and called out "Powers of the ancients, I summon thee!"
The familiar light and surge of power raced through her body, adding to her confidence and lending her the strength she so needed. When it was done, she took a few deep breaths to ready herself, then dashed outside, ready to defend those who were innocent and to destroy the blackened creature for good.
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To Be Continued...
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