The Mummy Returns
Alexa: Got a letter from Evy.
Ardeth: Oh? And how is she and Rick doing?
Alexa: They're doing great! She says that Alex has recently turned eight.
Ardeth: Wow.eight already?
Alexa: She says that Jonathan is doing fine as well. They are going to visit an ancient tomb outside of Cairo; she says that she's been having some strange dreams about it.
Ardeth: You mean like visions? Like you?
Alexa: I don't know, that's all the letter says about it.
We were sitting in his tent at the camp where we were nine years ago, when I had my vision about Evy waking up Imhotep. I gently folded up the three day old letter. Ardeth looked at me and smiled.
Ardeth: I'm sure it's nothing.
Alexa: That's not what I'm worried about.
I silently got up and walked outside, or not exactly walked, but floated outside. Over the nine years of my absence I have been learning more of the powers that myself and Nefertiry share. I stood on the very edge of the cliff and felt the warm desert breeze on my face. I watched the very tips of sunlight go down over the horizon. Suddenly it was dark. I turned around to go back into my tent, but it was no longer there. I looked around and saw nothing was there, just a woman, a few diggers, and 2 men. She was walking around with her eyes closed. The men and diggers just stood and watched her. I looked around and saw where we were. I was standing upon the sand covered ruins of Hamunaptra . . . . again.
Woman: Hold on . . . .
She had stopped and concentrated hard. The 2 men got excited.
Woman: We start here.
The diggers came forward and began digging. She just watched them dig for a while then walked back to the 2 men. Her short, black hair blew in the wind. The big black man spoke first.
Man1: Meela, are you sure that is it?
Meela: I am sure, Loc-Nah. Mr. Hafez?
Mr. Hafez: Yes Meela?
Meela: We are going to need more diggers. (smirk)
Mr. Hafez: Don't worry, we'll get more.
I blinked then looked around. The camp was there. The last bit on sunset was still going down. The Medji were softly talking amongst themselves around the fire. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I grabbed his hand and twisted it, and brought the man to his knees; I brought out one of my Sai daggers and put it to his throat, all of this, in one swift motion. I dropped my dagger when I saw who it was.
Ardeth: Let me guess . . . . .
Alexa: I had a vision.
Ardeth: About what this time?
I told him about the woman digging in Hamunaptra.
Alexa: Why is it that I get hostile after a vision?
Ardeth: Your body and your mind are still getting used to being altered for visions.
Alexa: I am sorry. I didn't hurt you . . . did I?
Ardeth: You did not.
I was still holding his wrist in my hand, and it was beginning to turn purple. He saw me looking at it and tried to pull it away, but I had a good grip on it still. I kneeled down in front of him and held his hand in mine. I pulled his hand closer to me. Slowly, I pressed my lips against his wrist. The swelling went down, and it turned to its natural color. I pulled his wrist down and looked at him. His eyes looked deep into mine. I know he's loved me since he first saw me; he still loves me from our past life, as Imhotep loved Anck-su-namun. He has always been afraid of getting too close to me. He is afraid of what will happen if he tells his feelings deep, down inside. He wants to kiss me, I can feel it, but he doesn't. For it is against the regulations for a Medjai to love a princess. That is why he stores his feelings deep inside. As much as he tries not to illustrate his feelings, some things . . . . just slip out.
He turned his eyes away.
Alexa: How . . . does it feel?
Ardeth: (clears throat) uh . . . b . . better . . . . thanks.
Alexa: We need to go to Hamunaptra tomorrow.
Ardeth: We also need to disguise you.
Alexa: How's that?
Ardeth: Ever wonder what it's like to be a Medjai?
Alexa: . . . . . . .
Ardeth: Every night you dream about being a Medjia instead of a princess. You would rather trade in all the powers the great god Ra had given you, just to be a Medjai. Am I right?
Alexa: H-how d-did you know?
Ardeth: Every night I look in your tent to check on you, and for hours I watch you toss and turn in your sleep . . . and I read your journal.
Alexa: Why?
Ardeth: I was hoping to find out information of the stress you had in your sleep. For hours I watch you toss and turn in your sleep, the dreams of your past life running through your head. You've always wanted to be a Medjai. Why . . . why would you want to be one of us?
Alexa: If you read my journal . . . . then you tell me the answer.
Ardeth: Ah, well I guess you figured me out. I never read any of your journal, but I knew Her in the past life and you are like in everyway.
Alexa: Yes, what do I have to do to become a Medjai?
Ardeth: You first must bear the markings of the Medjai.
Alexa: We must make it where in is not permanent.
Ardeth: Do you want to be a permanent Medjai?
Alexa: Well, yes . . . . but without the permanent markings.
Ardeth: Then Henna is what we must use.
He painted the designs on both my cheeks, and one big one in the middle of my collar bone. After he was done, he gave me a mirror to look at. I actually looked beautiful.
Ardeth: You look like a true Medjai. Now you need training.
Alexa: Training? What kind of training?
Ardeth: Gun and sword training.
He gave me two 9 millimeters Semiautomatics. He helped me potion them in my hands.
Ardeth: If it helps your aim . . . you can hold them sideways. Now, I want you to shoot in the bull's-eye . .
Alexa: Ok . . . .
I aimed the gun at all my targets . . . and hit them all.
Ardeth: Excellent, it seems like it just came natural for you, so we'll move along.
He brought out a long saber from one of his Medjai's tent, and put it in my hands. Then he got his out. I twirled it in my hand and got ready. He charged at me, but I blocked his blow. He swung at my head, but I blocked it with my saber, and twisted it away. I swung at him left and right quickly, He came down on my head but I did the splits and blocked him, then I surprised him by knocking his feet out from underneath him. I put the saber to his neck.
Ardeth: Well, that was surprising. Looks like that came natural too. Well, I think you need not training, but I do think you should rest for tomorrow.
Alexa: Thank you.
I floated back to my tent and got into the Egyptian cotton bed.
I closed my eyes and had a dream of my past life.