Chapter One

T e m p e s t

It has been a year since things have changed, since Ra was brought down from his position of power. Sometimes it is hard to believe what happened, that we are finally free from the false god's tyranny. Other times I can barely fathom it being any other way. Ra who?

Even though there have been some changes, some slow, some not so slow, it is still my same old home. Abydos. After all the excitement brought by the arrival of Daniel and the others from Earth, life to say the least is kind of dull. I am not complaining. Not at all. I am glad it has settled down, but sometimes I wonder if anything else is out there, just beyond the unforeseen horizon, waiting to be found.

Waiting for me…

(( Skaara ))

- - -

Abydos…

It had been a little over an earth year since Dr. Daniel Jackson set foot upon Abydonian soil. The events were still clear in his mind, s were all the days that had followed. They had managed to fell a tyrant, releasing a people from oppression, he had found the love of his life, and all within a matter of days from stepping through the Stargate. Since the day Colonel O'Neill had left him there under the premise that he was dead, Daniel had done nothing but live. He didn't think he had ever been so happy in his life. And today was another wondrous day.

He was sitting with his wife, Sha'uri, involved in a discussion about Earth cultures. Some of the boys were also listening, but most were watching the Stargate. Like Daniel had promised he had covered it when O'Neill left, but after some time curiosity got to the archaeologist and he unburied it. After the find of the address room he was interested in experimenting to see if the Stargate went elsewhere. So far he hadn't been able to get it to work, but he had his theories and perhaps one day he would be able to find the answer.

In mid-sentence he suddenly stopped, noticing one teenager in particular was missing. His brother-in-law. "Where's Skaara?" He inquired.

"I think I saw him go outside. He said he needed to take a walk." One of the boys, Rafe, said, then added hesitantly. "He did not look well."

Daniel's brows furrowed in worry.

Indeed, Daniel should have been worried.

- - -

Something was wrong. He didn't know how he knew it, but the feeling was there just the same. Anytime something bad was about to happen it would manifest first in a feeling, sometimes physical, sometimes just in the mind, but always it would come. Skaara had learned not to dismiss these feelings, for time after time they never failed. Just as he'd had a feeling about the strangers from earth being trustworthy, he was feeling now that something bad was coming. Something dangerous that would soon tear lives asunder.

"No. I am wrong." He tried to convince himself, leaning back against a wall and sliding down until he was sitting in the sand. "I have to be wrong."

"You know you're right." Another all too familiar voice, but the teenager did not look up.

Nexeu, at least he said his name was Nexeu, was a specter that had haunted the boy since he was a child. He would always pop up to cause trouble. The last time he had seen him was the year prior, just before his first encounter with O'Neill and Daniel. Nexeu seemed to appear only when something odd was going to happen - - usually something odd that involved Skaara.

"Go away. You are not real. You have never been real. Go away." He commanded weakly.

"If I wasn't real then could I do this?" FLASH. Nexeu was no longer standing along the wall, but kneeling in front of him. To prove his point, he yanked on one of Skaara's braids.

"Ow!" He cried, slapping the specter's hand away. "What do you want?" I have to be going insane.

"Rude. You get ruder as you get older… you know that? I miss you being a kid. You liked me then." Nexeu pouted. He looked like a spoiled brat.

"Just say what you want to say and leave." Skaara snapped.

"Well…"

"Nexeu !"

"All right, all right." The man cried, raising his hands in placation. "Don't strangle me. I came to ask about the girl."

"What girl?" Eyes narrowed suspiciously, but not without recognition.

"You know, hair the color of the sun, eyes as blue as the sky, perhaps even bluer." Nexeu was being vague again, he was toying with him. But that didn't mean Skaara didn't know who he was talking about.

A glimpse of gold and an icy shade of blue, haunting really. Laughter; light and melodic.

"Get away. And get out of my dreams…"

"Don't you want to know who she is?" Nexeu prodded.

"No, because she is not real, just as you are not real. Dreams are just dreams."

"Of all people you know that isn't true. She knows you, just as you know her. Yet you haven't formally met. But soon. I promise."

"Enough of this. Leave me alone. Real or not I want no part of what you have planned."

A grin. "It is not I who has plans for you, and you cannot run from the ones who do…"

Skaara opened his mouth to protest this, but Nexeu was already disappearing into a mist. With a cry of frustration he threw a handful of sand at the fading image.

- - -

Qutesa…

It was not the most pleasant of days to be working outdoors. If Scholar First Class Renault had been aware of what the weather was to be he probably would not have volunteered to take out the students for their expedition. He leaned against a tree wiping the sweat from his forehead with a cloth from his pocket. His students seemed to be taking the sudden rise in heat a lot better than he. One seemed to be especially relishing it.

Her name was Khe'pri Jabari, and she was a brat. That was the nicest thing most could say about her. She was not only the daughter of a Senator, but the daughter of Senator who came from great Elder lineage. A typical rich girl by all standards. She was used to getting what she wanted in every form.

She was also a brilliant student, but she also had a knack at pissing everyone else off around her by showing off and throwing it in their faces just how smart she was. She was seventeen and was already excelling in every course of study she was in. She had become the master of many of Qutesa's ancient languages and histories. She showed a great aptitude for magic although she had never officially been inducted into the City of the Oracles, the school for those with the gift.

Renault was probably one of the few people who tried to get passed her condescending air. He hoped there was more to her than glamour. It would be a shame if such potential was to be wasted on trivial things. "How are we doing over there, Khe'pri?" Renault called.

The girl raised up from her sample-taking to smile at her teacher. "Very well. Are you all right Scholar Renault?" She smirked, knowing very well that if it was up to Renault he would have been sitting indoors where it was nice and cool.

"Funny Jabari. But your Father doesn't pay me to teach you how to be a comedian."

She sighed, shoving away some errant strands of silver-blond from her face. "Renault, may I ask you a question?"

"You may, Khe'pri."

"Is it true that the Forbidden Ring is somewhere near here. Over the river?"

Renault's eyes shot open. Why would she want to know about the Forbidden Ring? "Yes. It is. Why do you ask?"

She went back to working, but replied, "I read about it in one of my Mother's old books, about the War. Do you think it really happened?"

"Of course it did. Do you not think it happened?"

"It sounds a little far-fetched to me. I mean beings that control the bodies of others."

"Can someone not do the same thing with magic."

"Only to a point… not like I read about. It's horrific, Renault. I think it's a horror story. Nothing more. These Goa'uld cannot exist. If they do then why have they not returned here again?"

"The Great Goddess protects us." Renault answered simply. "Evil fades beneath her watchful gaze. You have a lot to learn young one."

She rolled her eyes. "I still believe they are a fairy tale."

- - -

Somewhere in Time and Space…

Nexeu crossed planes with a mere thought. He had been called back by his superiors - - and just when he was getting somewhere, too. Even Nexeu couldn't figure out whether the Abydonian boy really believed he was a figment of his imagination or not. That irked the Messenger. He had never had much trouble before convincing the chosen ones that they were well, chosen. However… these two, the new ones argued endlessly with him about this fact. Skaara more than the girl; at least the girl believed he was real. The problem with her was she didn't believe Nexeu had the right person.

Sometimes he, himself, wondered.

Now he stood before the Council of Seven. They were beings of great power - - but were nothing in comparison to the chosen. The Guardians. The Guardians would bring light back into the universe and draw forth their powers to defend and avenge. Every now and then their spirits were called from their starry slumber to join with the souls of mortals so that they may walk among the children of the universe. Once again the worlds were in danger and they had been reborn. One in the rebel spirit of the boy from Abydos; the other in the form of a sorceress from the hidden world of Qutesa.

Of course, it had taken Nexeu quite a few years to find them. It was his job to look after the two of them and supervise the usage of their powers until they became old enough to take on their duty as universal guardians. After many misjudgments he had finally found Skaara, stuck on a Goa'uld controlled world, but even then, among the swirling darkness of evil his soul shined brightly. So brightly that Nexeu had to appear to him in mortal, flesh and blood form. Naturally, Nexeu knew he was being paranoid to do this. His fear of being completely engulfed by another, stronger soul was false…. yet he had heard stories… and stories were always enough to make Nexeu take precautions.

The girl. Khe'pri. She had taken much longer to find. While it had only taken Nexeu four years to find Skaara, it took him six more years to find Khe'pri. She was ten, and was already moving up on the academic scale on her world - - and showing great capacity for her gifts. Her parents had to hide her powers for fear that she would be taken away to became one of the reclusive Oracles. Nexeu was very glad. If she had gone to them she would never have reached her true spiritual potential.

"Yes, my Lords and Ladies." Nexeu bowed extravagantly.

Tahirah spoke first, "Nexeu. You are certain that these are the two?"

"Very certain." Nexeu nodded. "In fact if they are not I will quit being ye wonderful messenger."

"Cease, Nexeu. Report." Gyasi ordered. He didn't have any patience for the mischievous spirit. "What of our Guardians?"

"Well, Khe'pri is more apt to accept this. Our future Lord Skaara still thinks he's nuts."

"It is a wonder he isn't." Naser interjected.

Nexeu frowned, but had no choice but to continue. "As you predicted the two will meet soon. Both of them are showing signs of ill ease. They now sense what you have foreseen."

Nkosi nodded thoughtfully. "Good work once again, Nexeu. Keep watch over them during this time. Make sure they stay safe. They have not yet taken in their full abilities and are vulnerable. They must themselves need a guardian until they are ready."

"Yes, Nkosi, sir." Nexeu bowed. "I will go check on our darling Khe'pri now. I think she's about to make a mistake. Fate be with us…"

And he was gone, leaving only a veil of mist in his wake.

- - -

Qutesa…

The bridge that cross the span of the river was old. It's boards were crumbling and he rope was barely holding on. Yet Khe'pri saw this not as a challenge, but as an adventure. She knew Renault told her not to go in search of the Ring, but her curiosity was getting the better of her. She had heard so much about it since childhood that she couldn't help going to see it when she was so near it. She may never get the chance again. What would it hurt to just go look, right? No harm ever came from just looking at something. Indeed, that's how you learned things.

She stepped lightly on the first panel and the wood creaked beneath her sandaled foot.

"Um… Khe'pri, are you sure this is safe?" Orense asked nervously from behind her. He was another one of Renault's students and Khe'pri's only true friend. He was the only one who actually liked her for herself and not for her money and power.

"Yeah. Of course it is safe. Do you think I would be leading us into some kind of danger?"

"It wouldn't be the first time." Orense replied gloomily. "We're going to get in trouble if we're caught, aren't we?"

"Well, it would be nice to do this without Renault finding out." She said vaguely.

"So that means he absolutely said not to do it so you're doing it anyway. Great, I'm going on a suicide mission. If Renault doesn't kill us, then our parents will. Do you even know the stories behind the Forbidden Ring? You do know why its forbidden, right? It caused the War and brought those, those foul monsters here. We were lucky to escape them the first time… do you really want to test the Goddess and bring them back?"

"Come, come, Orense. Those are just stories. If those so called 'monsters' were real then don't you think that they would have already been back to try to get their revenge or something? And of the Goddess, I do not think she'll take offense to two inquisitive teenagers looking for quest and knowledge."

"This isn't a quest, Khe'pri, this is downright insubordination." Orense argued, but stepped onto the first board none-the-less. "We are so dead…" He whined.

- - -

Abydos…

After Nexeu vanished Skaara sat thinking for a long time. He couldn't rid himself of the terrible feeling, and it was persistently getting worse. This just could not be right. What danger could we possibly be in? The answer did not come, and when he sensed a storm coming on the edge of his conscious he was forced to retreat inside. He knew it would be a while before it arrived, but it would be better not to push it.

As soon as he entered he noticed a rise in commotion. Odd. He weaved his way through the crowd to find Daniel and Sha'uri. "What is going on?" He asked. He thought perhaps something bad had happened.

In reply Daniel held up a box. "From Earth." Daniel said, "it must be from O'Neill. He's the only one I can think of that would be this forward."

"O'Neill?" Some good news. "Do you think he will be coming here?" He hoped.

"Maybe. I'll send this back through in a little while and see. But I can't fathom what he could possibly want. I hope they didn't find out he lied about me being dead." He shook his head. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. What is done is done."

Skaara nodded. Yes, what was done was done…

- - -

Qutesa…

"…And there's no going back, so you better go ahead and make your choice, Orense. Are you coming or not?" Khe'pri stood halfway down the length of the wobbling bridge with her hands planted firmly on her hips. "Orense!?"

"Fine! I'm coming… but only to make sure you don't get into any trouble. You know how it is when you get into things. You're nothing but trouble Khe'pri." He muttered.

"Yes, trouble I am, but you are still my friend. Yes, Orense?"

"Yes, Khe'pri. I am still your friend, but it is times like these I wonder why."

Khe'pri just laughed at him and continued on her way. Orense followed tentatively. He could just see the bridge collapsing underneath them. They would fall into the river and be washed away and drowned. No one would ever find their bodies or know what happened to them. Orense swallowed, "why do I listen to you Khe'pri…"