"You are released"
Zaya heard. It was like awakening from a deep dream. A dream of darkness. She tried to breath but she couldn't. Someone grabbed her hand, a strong and careful hand helped her to stand up. Zaya opened her eyes and looked behind. Her body. She had not survived. Her beloved Bek. She wished to come back but Anubis looked into her eyes then she knew she couldn't as nobody can come back from the dead. Bek and her difficult yet happy life were the only things she had and now she had nothing, not even a treasure to grant her an eternal life. She felt miserable, condemned. Anubis let go of her hand. At the least the guardian of the dead had come to her.
– What do you offer? – Anubis asked Zaya. He didn't care about treasures, but those were Seth's new laws.
– For you Lord Anubis, I have only my smile – Zaya asked feeling grateful to see him despite her sadness.
A smile. Smiles were common for the living, but for Anubis… The last smile he saw was a long time ago, from his mother Nephthys, when he was still alive. He appreciated Zaya's smile although she was sad.
– So be it – The god said. He wished to comfort that adorable mortal, but instead, he only guided her to the underworld.
Zaya was afraid. The underworld was a dark and cold place, like the night. People were regretted. She faced Anubis ready to ask what to do when he said:
– That's where your journey begins. Stay with the others and you won't get lost. Your previous life has ended – Anubis said in a cold tone.
– Thank you, my lord – Zaya answered with a reverence. She faced the new way ahead. Anubis was right, her past life was over and now she had to be brave for the new one.
She followed the dead. She knew Anubis was behind her and out of the blue she felt an urge to look at him again. She could see him by the corner of her eye, but that wasn't enough. She tried to look behind but then she faced down. What was holding her back anyway? She took a deep breath and then she looked at Anubis. His eyes seemed like two burning coals, his skin was black as darkness itself and some of his bones were prominent. For most Anubis was as haunting as a nightmare. But for Zaya he was somehow fascinating. Anubis realized he was being watched and stared at Zaya. She faced the way again, hoping she had not angered the god.
For her surprise, Anubis started to walk beside her. Zaya imagined if Anubis had ever had a human form and which it could be. She tried to picture him as a man. For sure he would be really tall. Maybe dark hair and pale skin? A man with red or hazel eyes? He would be a charming man for sure. She looked at him again in a more discreet way. He stared at her.
– Have you never seen a god before? – Anubis asked.
Zaya trembled. She had angered him! For Horus, could that be worse?
– No, I- I haven't my lord – Zaya told him.
– I'm sorry I'm not a very good looking god – Anubis smiled.
Zaya blushed. She didn't expect that but she was glad he wasn't mad.
– Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my lord.
– You have beautiful eyes and a beautiful smile, Zaya – Anubis told her.
– Thank you.
– You don't have to be so afraid – He told her – Your suffering is over now.
– I'm sorry but I don' believe so, Lord of the Underworld. I died as a slave. I have no treasure.
Anubis frowned. He hated Seth. He hated his new laws and what they were doing with Ma'at. If only he could do something to help the Lord of the Air, but he was trapped in the underworld, watching the dead he should protect being lost forever. He left Zaya to find another souls that needed him.
Zaya thought about her possibilities. Her life, her love and her hope, everything was lost. She felt despair eating her soul slowly. She started to walk slower and slower, until she stopped. She sat on the floor and held her knees. The other dead people didn't stop and Zaya got behind. She cried for a while until she started to feel colder and colder. The surronding air seemed to be freezing. Things became darker until Zaya couldn't see. She fainted.