In Egypt, the Pharaoh's wife had just given birth to her first child: a beautiful little girl, with beautifully dark skin and hair and eyes that were black as ebony, whom they named after their beloved goddess, Isis. Her birth was celebrated throughout all of Egypt, but her royal parents had to keep the secret of the child's power hidden from the rest of the country. Isis could control fire. When the infant was upset, her cradle caught fire, but the even stranger thing was that the baby girl seemed to be unaffected by the flames that engulfed her. The Pharaoh and his wife secretly feared the child and her power, but they let her live, because she was doted on by her mother, and as long as she was kept perpetually happy, she wouldn't be a danger. Three years passed, and the Great Royal wife had another girl- Kiya, meaning "jovial lady". This child had no powers, which greatly relieved her parents, but they knew they must always try to protect this younger daughter from her sister.
Guarded and protected as they were, the princesses became the closest of friends and not a moment was spent when they were not together. They loved each other as they loved no other living creature. Kiya loved and was fascinated by Isis's powers of fire, and as Isis grew, she learned to control her power which had come to have great beauty to it. They were always together, experimenting with the eldest sister's power, trying to see what new things she could make. True, there had been some unfortunate accidents, and the girls, of course, received punishment for causing these, but the reprimands, however harsh, were never enough to prevent the girls from enjoying themselves. Isis was cool and calm, and tried to keep herself under control, because if she ever lost her temper, or was sad or frightened, the air became hot, flames began to lick the ground beneath her, and gradually spread to the walls. She often tried to be alone with just her sister, or even just by herself, knowing she always had to remain happy and calm. Even excitement would result in flames bursting unwelcomed from her hands. Everything had to always be perfect for Isis. Parties could never be too energetic, and news of wars had to be kept private. Everyone in the royal court was careful to never disturb their princess. When Kiya was with her sister, even she had to be careful with what she did, for as she grew older and she began to blossom out, it was discovered that she was awkward and clumsy, and Isis was easily startled. A private chamber was built for them in which they might safely play with Isis's powers, for if word of this oddity escaped the palace, the common people would not trust their Pharaoh, and would not think it to be a blessing from Ra, but a curse on the royal family. So everything in the palace was made to seem perfect.
