Authors Note: And we're slowly getting closer to the main events, hurrah! I hope you all enjoyed the somewhat closer look at Isis last chapter – I feel bad throwing her into such situations, but it'll serve a purpose I promise! A tiny bit of 'action' to this chapter, but nothing major. There is important plot development in this chapter, however. Enjoy!
CROSSING WORLDS
By Amariahellcat
Chapter Eleven: The Cat Goddess's Whims
The Temple of Bast, Sakkara
The Days of the Gods
Hurry, Sphinx. Please.
The voice brushed over him like a soft wind, Sphinx freezing halfway up the temple stairs and whirling around, eyes searching.
"Isis?" he breathed quietly, confused. Had he been imagining things? He'd sworn he had heard her voice, clear as day, a tremble to it that he didn't like.
Scowling, he hurried up the last of the stairs, joining the rest of his party at the temples entrance.
The final leg of their journey had been just as easy as the rest, though they had finally encountered several monsters as they cleared the last of the jungle in their way.
Sphinx had been quick to dispatch them, eager to get to Bast and continue onwards towards the Lost Temple. He hadn't admitted it to Isis, but his tail had been more stubborn that morning because the heat was getting worse. Sleeping beside her was beginning to lose its effectiveness, and the sooner they brought her back the better.
Imagined or not, the whispered words only fueled his impatience, and he couldn't help scowling at the guards that blocked their way.
"Which one of you is Sphinx, Chosen One of the Prophecy?" one of the Lynx-like guards questioned, voice raspy and feline.
Sphinx stepped forwards, hand flexing and ready should he need to summon his blade, "I am Sphinx. My companions and I request an audience with the Goddess, Bast."
"We are aware. Our Mistress has been awaiting you." The second guard motioned with his spear, then nodded towards the opening doors, "Our Lady Bast will meet you in the Audience Chamber."
"I suspected as much." Imhotep spoke thoughtfully as they entered the temple, nodding to himself as he looked around, "Bast may be a Goddess in an Outer Region, but she has likely been visited by Ra as well."
"So long as she doesn't try to eat me, I don't care what she does."
"You must guard that tongue of yours, Horus, lest Bast rip it out. Cat or not, she is a goddess, and deserves your respect."
Sphinx couldn't help but smirk at the lecture, tail flicking behind him. Despite his own traits being those of a lion, he didn't know much about Bast. She had always been on the other side of the Great Wall, a Goddess who stayed out of the war and out of the way, mostly.
"S-Sphinx, d-d'you think Bast'll help us?" Tut looked positively terrified, and Sphinx tried to smile for his friends benefit.
"I think so. Bast is the Goddess of passion and parties; so long as we please whatever whims she may have, she'll help us."
Let's just hope her whims are easy ones to fulfill.
The group entered into a huge Audience Chamber, lit on all sides by torches and decorated with golden statues of every feline imaginable.
Several more Lynx servants and guards stood off to the sides of the Chamber, positioned near other hallways and doors.
Bast herself sat perched on her throne atop a raised dais, sprawled like a cat and wearing nothing more than a golden collar, several bracelets, and a shear skirt.
A true Goddess, she resembled her animal of choice much more strongly than Sphinx as a demi-god; her face was pointed and whiskered like a cat, long black hair falling straight and smooth around two big, pointed ears.
And as was the fashion with Anubis, everything she did was a test.
"Welcome, travelers, to my humble temple!" she purred, lifting herself elegantly from the throne and stepping down from the dais, hips rotating seductively as she moved, "It has been so long since I had visitors!"
The four performed the ceremonial bow, and it was clear that only one of them had failed this first test. Imhotep met the Goddess eye to eye; Tut looked anywhere but the Goddess, blushing under his wrappings; Sphinx stared easily back at the throne, just over her shoulder.
Horus's eyes were glued to her chest, mouth gaping open as though to catch a worm.
Bast smiled sweetly, an almost disturbing expression on her cats muzzle, "Guards, kindly escort our dear friend Horus to his chambers, neh? He has failed this first test far too easily; poor boy must be quite repressed. Perhaps I shall send a girl to you later, hmm?"
Horus only snapped out of his stupor when he was forcibly led from the chamber, protesting the whole way.
The remaining three companions kept their eyes well averted.
"Now then, back to business." The Goddess purred, though she remained bare breasted, playing with a lock of hair, "Imhotep, dear friend, it has been ages. The last I saw you, you had only just begun taking on apprentices. It is truly a treat to see you alive and well."
"The pleasure is mine, dear Lady. I am sure you already know of our predicament, and the reason for our visit?"
"Of course, of course. You are here to help our dear Prince Tutankhamen here." Now the smile softened, and she put a hand to the mummy's chin, making him face her, "My dear Prince, I have never seen a mummy blush so! You poor, poor boy. You must make sure to play with your Lady Nefertiti once you are whole again!"
"I-I-I-what?!" Tut gasped, turning, somehow, even brighter. Bast chuckled softly, feline gaze going to Sphinx, whose eyes had yet to stray from the golden throne.
"And, of course, you, my dear Sphinx, Chosen One of the prophecy," she purred, slinking closer, "Are here to bring your Isis back, yessssss?"
Now Sphinx's eyes snapped to the Goddess, staying rigidly on her face, "You know about Isis, then?" he questioned, gaze never straying.
"Test number two: passed!" Bast whispered, disappearing with a high laugh only to reappear on her throne, draped with shawls and properly covered, "My dear Sphinx, you are a special one! No demi-god has resisted my charms before, especially not while in such a state! You have not given in to your urges, I hope?"
"I have not." He ground out, losing patience, "Can you help us or not?"
"Oooh, patience, patience." Bast grinned wickedly, "I understand your hurry, Sphinx, but be patient. Rushing will only hinder things further. Yes, I can help you. And yes, I will help you. No payment necessary, other than this: Isis must be brought here before you return to the other side of the Great Wall, so that I may deliver the rest of the prophecy."
"Why are you helping us so easily?" Sphinx questioned, skeptic; the few things he did know about Bast were that she was a trickster and, normally, took convincing to get any help from.
"Because you are worthy, Sphinx. As is your Isis. I have been watching you both; you, only since it was revealed that you truly were the One of Prophecy, but I have had an eye on Isis since she was a child." The Goddess seemed to sober then, but it was a brief expression, "I know the state your bodies are in; I know how much it hurts, and how hard it will soon become to resist the urges. That, and... well, certain things have happened to the poor child in recent days. I should like to see her here, sooner rather than later. Now, you have my terms; are we agreed?"
"Agreed."
Again that cat's grin appeared on her lips, "Very good. The Hidden Temple of Isis – yes, hidden, for it is not truly lost! – lies at the outer edge of Sakkara, beyond the wilderness. You have five days to make it there, for the only night your Isis can cross over is the first night of the Season of Isis, while the full moon stares down upon the Temple."
"I will give you more instructions come morning, my dear travelers, but for now I imagine you are rather weary. Comfortable chambers will be provided for all of you."
"We thank you, Lady Bast." Imhotep bowed, Sphinx and Tutankhamen following suit. Several Lynx servants approached to lead them away, heading for the Hall opposite of where they had taken Horus.
"One last thing, my dear, dear Sphinx." The Goddess purred, a note of seriousness to her voice that hadn't been there before. She gave him a sympathetic look, tail swaying thoughtfully behind her, "Your Isis is not in a good state of mind, I am afraid; she has been through a trial today. Comfort her, console her – but remember what you have been told."
Hurry, Sphinx. Please.
Shuddering from the remembered voice, the demi-god nodded once before following his designated servant, chills creeping up his spine.
I did hear Isis earlier. What could have happened? I thought her world was safe.
Sphinx tried to keep his irritation at bay, but the slow pace of the servant leading him only made it worse. Finally the Sakkarian came to a stop beside a door, bowing and motioning to it with a reverent smile.
"Please don't hesitate to call on me if you are in need of anything, Chosen One. My Lady Bast asked that you have complete privacy unless you require assistance."
"Thanks."
Sphinx had barely registered the servant's words, feeling the familiar haze tugging at him from behind the door. He nodded curtly to the Lynx before opening the door and stepping in, pulling it shut behind him
The demi-god turned as the haze began to creep over his mind, locking the door securely and then steeling himself as it swept over him, vision blurring even as he spun to face the room...
... "Isis?"
There had been no need to question; his eyes locked onto her the second he turned around.
Isis sat in the middle of the rather plush bed he'd been provided with, one leg tucked under her while the other was bent before her, arms crossed over her knee. His pulse quickened when he noticed she wore only her panties and a silky, long sleeved black top that showcased one pale shoulder, her hair pulled back.
All dirty thoughts disappeared from his mind when she lifted her face, emerald eyes watery and surrounded by tear stains.
"What happened?" he was across the room in seconds, kneeling on the bed to get a better look at her, "I heard your voice before; are you hurt? Did something happ-"
Sphinx was cut off when Isis wrapped her hands firmly around his neck and pulled him down, kissing him fiercely.
Heat flaring again, the demi-god returned the kiss just as fervently before reason kicked in and he pulled away, staring at the panting girl, "Isis, wait, what are you-"
"Sphinx." Her voice was a heated whisper, brushing fire over his skin, "Kiss me."
Her hands were wandering over his shoulders, down his arms, and he had to fight hard to keep control of himself, "Isis-"
"Shut up." She was kissing him again suddenly, desperately, using his surprise to push him back and maneuver herself into his lap, wiggling suggestively.
Body responding almost immediately to her touch, Sphinx growled, pulling away from her lips again, "Isis, we can't, your Aunt said-"
"I don't care!" emerald eyes pierced him, darkened by lust as she leaned forwards again, whispering against his lips, "I can't stand the heat anymore. Don't you want me, Sphinx?"
"Isis, stop!" Sphinx caught her by the wrists and yanked her back, terrified by how quickly his control was slipping. He froze when she gave a pained cry, wincing. "Isis?"
"It hurts..." she whimpered, fingers on her right hand curling painfully. Sphinx loosened his grip, frowning deeply at the purple blooming under her skin.
"Bruises." He murmured, narrowed eyes going to her face, "Who hurt you, Isis?"
The tears were back then, and she turned her head away as if ashamed, surprising him, "Someone I thought I could trust."
"I'll kill him." Sphinx growled, entirely sincere, "No one hurts my Isis."
Isis chocked out a sob, breaking down at his words. She slumped against his chest and let it all out, clinging to him even as he wrapped his arms around her.
"S-she was my best friend!" she hiccupped, hysterical, "I-I thought I c-could trust her. B-but I was wrong. She b-betrayed me!"
Sphinx only rocked her, not sure what to say. He'd been betrayed before; he knew how it felt. But it hadn't been someone close to him, so he wasn't sure how to comfort her beyond being there for her.
"Isis." He spoke finally, still rocking her, "Tell me what happened."
So she explained – no longer sobbing, but still hiccupping now and then – everything that had happened since she'd woken up.
Sphinx was growling by the end of it. "I'll kill him." He muttered again, determined to do so if he ever happened across the bastard.
Isis looked suddenly shy, "I punched him."
He gave her a squeeze and a quick kiss, "That's my girl."
She was blushing now, he realized, and he locked his arms around her waist to keep her on his lap.
"Sorry." She whispered, hands resting lightly on his arms, "That I... you know. I just... wanted to forget about the pain. Hormones kind of took over."
Sphinx said nothing for a moment, running his fingers lightly over the small of her back, claws leaving trails through her shirt and making her shiver.
"You asked if I wanted you." He spoke finally, voice low and husky. Isis opened her mouth to reply and could only gasp when he bucked up beneath her, erection obvious through his pants.
"You are the only woman to ever make me feel like this." He hovered near her lips, breath mingling as he spoke, "Ra knows how much I'd love to rip your clothes off and have you right here, right now, beneath me, screaming my name."
"Sphinx..." she was equally aroused and frightened by his admission, and he shook his head to silence her, squeezing her hips.
"But I won't. I'll be patient, for once in my life, and stay in control." He bumped his nose against hers affectionately, "Because having you in the dreams isn't worth screwing up what we might have in reality."
"Okay..." she breathed, and he kissed her; slowly, carefully, as though he was afraid she would break.
Sphinx released her long enough to remove his armor, not wanting to injure her in anyway. He stopped Isis when she went to remove her shirt; she was tempting enough as it was and, he pointed out, she was on his side this time, no spare pajamas in sight.
He kissed her bruised wrist apologetically before returning to her lips for a few more sweet kisses, satisfying the heat momentarily.
A thought and the room's torches were extinguished, likely by some magic of the temple. Sphinx didn't care; he manoeuvred himself so that they were laying down, spooning Isis from behind with an arm draped over her stomach.
She could still feel his arousal through his pants and, while it made her blush fiercely, Isis found she didn't mind it, drifting off rather easily.
Because Evie had been right. Sphinx would never hurt her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I trust you all slept well, as you have quite the journey ahead of you." Bast purred the next morning, wearing a silky robe and stroking her whiskers thoughtfully, "Imhotep, dear friend, you are remaining with me, correct?"
"Yes, my Lady. My powers are all but useless beyond the Wall, and it will allow me to return to the Shrine if I am so needed."
"Very well. Now then; there is a rough path leading to the South from this temple. Follow it as far as you are able; no matter what, continue South. That will lead you to your Isis."
"Be warned, however. Do not enter the temple, no matter what happens. The Guardians are powerful and, I am afraid, rather violent. They will protect their Lady's Temple with ferocity, and your Isis will need to prove herself before they will follow her."
"Understood, Lady Bast."
Bast smiled that Cheshire cat's smile again, waving a hand in their direction, "You have supplies from my servants, and the best directions on how to proceed. I know how impatient you are, Sphinx, and I really cannot blame you. Best of luck on your journey; I trust I will see you, and your Isis, soon."