Chapter 3

"Hal? Are you still in bed?" her eyes fluttered open and she stretched in the bed. "Nice to see you awake." leaning against her bed pillar, was a tall man, dressed fully in black robes that made him look like a desert man and a veil covered his face. Only two large blue eyes and a small amount of tanned skin, too light to be Arabic, were visible through his disguise.

"Who!" Hally pulled her blanket closet to her chest and cowered backwards. He pulled a large, nasty looking sword with a curved blade from its sheath, and pointed it towards her. Within a shot she rolled out the bed, grateful that she had gotten cold in the night and put a long nightgown on, and opened her suit case. The man ran round the bed and began to bring the sword down on her back. But she swivelled round with a large, golden rod with a star on one end and beat her attacker in the leg. He groaned and fell to the floor, missing his target as he tried to get back to his feet. Hally however, was on her feet and out the door before the intruder could blink. "DAD!" Hally screamed, but she soon heard quick foot steps behind her and turned to face him.

"Nice move."

"My father taught me that one." The desert man ran at her again and tried to slice her front open. But Hally twisted the rod and it shot out into a large staff. She batted the sword away and span it like a golden baton above her head. As he took a step towards her, she sank into the splits and brought the flat end of the spear forcefully to his gut. He launched backwards and held his front.

"Once again, nice move."

"My mother taught me that one. Now get up." Hally held the staff with both hands and planed to sweep his feet if he came at her again.

"Alright. But you have no need to defend yourself from me…sister…"

"…Alex?" she dropped her guard slightly and the staff became her walking stick, needing support for a moment.

"Hello Hal. Long time no see."

"You BLOOMING idiot! I thought you were a ruffian!"

"Hey, I wanted to see what you could do." Alex returned his sword to its sheath and walked casually towards his sister. Although, all he wanted to do was run at her and hug her so tightly that she wouldn't be able to breath. But, it appeared that he was beaten to it. Hally returned the staff to its rod form and ran at her brother, until he was flat on the floor with her weight ontop of him.

"ALEX!"

"Hey calm down." Tears left her eyes as she hugged him just as tightly as he was holding her. One thing she had noticed, his voice had an Arabic accent to it, but he still spoke clear English. "Nice to see you too."

"I missed you so much."

"And I you. Now, our parents are in the lobby, dressed and waiting."

"Dressed? Waiting for what?"

"Tell me you haven't forgotten about the temple? As your guide, I intend to leave in 5 minuets. So get dressed and we will be downstairs. He tried to leave, but Hally wouldn't let him go. "Hal? You need to let go of me before I can go."

"But I don't want to."

"Look, don't be the stereotype sister and be annoying. Let go or I will actually try and beat you."

"You wouldn't dare. And you were trying your hardest. So don't lie."

"Was not."

"Was too."

"Was not!"

"You so were too. And go on before I start pulling your hair or give you my cooties." They smiled at each other for a while, just glad to reunited once again.

"See you downstairs."

"Yeah. Downstairs." She smiled, tears in her eyes as she watched him go. He was everything she thought he would be, funny, tall, dark, strong, and he had this sense of nobility about him that made her trust him unquestionably. Hally would love her brother, she could already see that much.

After a few moments of silence, she returned to her room and saw a package on the bed. There was a note on it.

Dear Hal, since I missed all your other birthdays, I thought I would give you this. Please wear it, it looks cooler than it looks. You will be grateful of it later. and I don't include this as your 18th birthday present either.

From your super big brother. Man I have always wanted to say that.

From

Alex.

"From Alex. He he, super big brother indeed. Now what do we have here?" Hal unwrapped her present and looked in awe at the gift. There was a white linen top that would hug her breasts and shoulders, with no sleeves what so ever. It only just looked like it would cover her breasts. She put that on and saw that there was more to it than a top. Cascading down from it was a large skirt that covered her back from the end of the top and down to her ankles. But it was thin and a light blue. But it didn't cover her front. The veil opened from just under her breasts and flared outwards, showing off all of her body and every one of her curves. And the front of the veil was a very transparent white. There was a rim of dark crimson around the base of the veil and the same patterned design, trimmed her shoulders and neck line in one, long shoulder like piece, also known as a deco Egyptian revival necklace. Very Egyptian indeed. She looked like Queen Nefertiti or even Princess Cleopatra herself in this get up. And it was very cool to her skin. Although you could tell she wasn't pure Egyptian from her soft peachy skin and brilliant waist length hair. And her Blue eyes weren't Egyptian either. Then she had an idea. Hally opened up a makeup kit her mother bought her and traced eyeliner around her eyes. Now she had the same eye makeup as every other Egyptian woman, and man, would have worn in ancient times. She found two wrist and ankle bands that matched the crimson shoulder and neck piece, and slipped them on. They were a perfect fit. Then she saw a head band that would go over her forehead, but under her hair line. And it matched her crimson wrist and ankle bands. He thought of everything. Next, she fitted the head band to her forehead and finally saw the last item to the present. A pair of golden sandal slippers. They fit like a dream and after a few steps, she became worried. Why would her brother have her dress like this…to a dig? Unless he just wanted her to twirl for him downstairs and then let her change. Because this, was hardly practical for a long journey over the sands of the desert. Yes, he just wanted to see what it looked like.

Hally smiled and looked herself over in the mirror. She decided, so that she wouldn't die of embarrassment, she would wear a pair of light white underwear. She couldn't see them through the front veil of the Kalasiris, but now she would be comfortable in knowing that you wouldn't be able to see what else was there either. After a quick look over herself, she left her room with her suit case in tow and her room locked. As soon as she got to the stair case, a bell boy ran to help her with her bag. "Oh, thank you."

"No problem miss. What is your name Mam?"

"Oh, you would laugh. The receptionist did…"

"Then he is a fool. Please?" the small man in Hilton clothing, took her suitcase from her hands and bowed his head lightly.

"I am Halimahotep."

"That is a wonderful name! Gentle peace…"

"You know what it means?"

"Yes Mam. All who know the old tongue do. That rat on the front desk is not one of us. He came from far away and knows not of the old ways. You are beautiful…" the man went into a daze and made Hally feel, rather uncomfortable.

"Oh my. Thank you ever so much. But I must be going."

"To where?"

"The lobby. My family are waiting."

"I will take your bag…Lady Halimahotep." Hally smiled and descended down the staircase. All eyes were on her as her Kalasiris flowed and rippled with every movement of her curvy hips and supple long legs. Her hands traced the arm bars of the stairs and she felt everyone's stairs burn into her. The small man behind her ran to the desk and seemed to be screaming in Arabic to the receptionist.

"Hally?" her father looked dumbfounded and her mother just couldn't speak.

"Lady Halimahotep, I am pleased to meet you at last." A heavily Arabic accent, but English words, caught her attention. Next to her speechless parents and her silent brother, another man clad in black robes walked towards her with his hand outstretched. "I am Ardeth Bay."

"You taught my brother to sneak up on sleeping woman and try to dice them like cod?"

"I beg your pardon?" the tall man with tanned skin looked over his shoulder at Alex. He was avoiding eye contact and seemed to be looking at his feet. "I taught him no such thing. We will have words…"

"Oh no. Forgive me, it isn't how it sounded. My brother surprised me this morning and we had a little tiff. I won." Hally giggled, but noticed that Ardeth still had her hands cupped in his. He spoke a lot quieter and leaned towards her.

"Lady Halimahotep, I have urgent need of your council." Ardeth looked to the other O'Connells and back to her. "Private council."

"What would you need to speak to me about, that my family can not hear?"

"It is in your greatest interest that we speak alone first, then to your parents."

"We are going to a temple I believe."

"Yes, the forgotten temple of Osiris. I and my Med Jai brothers will be escorting you and your family there." He still hasn't let go of my hands…is he rubbing them? Indeed, Ardeth was rubbing the backs of her hands with his thumbs. "We must speak alone once we are there." Alex walked up to them and Ardeth Quickly let her hands slip from his grasp.

"Hal?"

"Her name is Lady Halimahotep." Ardeth corrected his pupil.

"Oh, sorry master." Alex said, but didn't understand why. "Ha, I mean Lady Halimahotep. Where is your suitcase?"

"Right here my Lady." The bell boy chirped and placed the bag at her feet. "I took the liberty of making sure that when you return, you will have the pent house sweet."

"Why thank you, but we already have rooms for us when we return."

"I took the liberty of upgrading it. May you return to us safe and sound. And soon." He kissed her hand and left a very confused family. Only Ardeth seemed to find that hand kissing normal.

"Please." Ardeth began, getting everyone's attention. "My Men grow restless and your horses are waiting. Come, and I will escort you to them."

"Alright." Rick and Evie picked up their bags (with some help from Alex) and headed outside. Hally huffed. So she wouldn't be able to get changed. Great.

She turned to her bag, but it was gone!

"My bag." She began.

"I have it my Lady." Hally looked up to see Ardeth Bay, with her bag draped over his shoulder. "Come, your horse awaits."

"Erm…thank you." She followed him silently and found that 22 black horses were waiting in the courtyard. And one white one. She was starting to get a very unclear message. "I take it the white horse is mine?"

"Indeed my lady."

"You don't have to call me that mister Bay."

"Please, call me Ardeth. And I enjoy calling you my Lady, my lady."

"But."

"Please take her Ladyship's bag to the pack horse." Ardeth spoke to another of his brethren and handed over the bag. "Wait!" she pulled th4 bag back and rooted around for a special something. "Wouldn't want to travel across the desert without this." She withdrew her hand from her bag along with the Sceptre of Osiris. Hally held it close to her and allowed the stranger in Med jai clothing to take her bag away.

"Good, you have your staff. Please follow me." Without much choice she followed Ardeth to the white stallion and watched him as he knelt before her. He cupped his hands over his knee and looked up at her.

"You want me to mount this horse, right?"

"Right."

"Oh boy. This is going to be a long day. I have never ridden a horse you know."

"I have a feeling, you will have the nack for it." ally raised an eyebrow, but before she could question him about it, Ardeth lifted her up onto the horse. "Now stay between your brother and I at all times. The desert can be a cruel place my Lady."

"Where are my parents?" Ardeth mounted his horse and pulled up next to her right, Alex on the left.

"Don't worry my Lady. Mom and Dad are further front. They have the map after all."

"To where? This forgotten temple place?" she shifted her weight on the horse and smiled. She could get used to this. Her Kalasiris fanned over the horse and her legs, shading them from the harsh sun that world no doubt become intolerable as the day grew on. And her long hair seemed to reflect the sun with an equal golden glare.

"The forgotten Temple of Osiris. Three thousand and 500 years ago, the high priest of Osiris was given a gift from the God Osiris himself. It was the Heart of Osiris. The Heart was a magical item that is made of pure Gold, platinum, diamond, sapphire, ruby and had protective, and volatile incantations carved onto it. The Pharaoh wanted it himself, but the Gods would not allow it. As the gift was not one for uses of wealth, but the uses of the Priest. He was a mighty man with healing powers given to him through the Heart and helped many, many sick people. But it was so powerful, than if used by the wrong person, it can take away life, just as easily as saving it. Once, while healing a dying man, the Priest was interrupted and enraged by his Pharaoh demanding that he surrender the Heart to him. The Priest became so endangered, that the man he was healing died an excruciating death, simply from one impure thought. And at the very same time, the Pharaoh dropped down dead. His men, his Med Jai couldn't understand why, until the Priest told them. With the Med Jai, the Priest went deep into the Temple of Osiris and locked the Heart away. Such a power was not meant for the use of man and not when man was so impure as to use it properly. Osiris agreed and aided the safe keeping of the Heart, by cursing the Temple and ensuring that only one would be able to enter the Temple safely, and retrieve the Heart. They would be his Priest…or priestess as it would seem."

"I don't understand? As it would seem?"

"After the death of the Priest, his daughter took the place of High Priestess and guarded over the temple. She was the only one allowed to venture within the temple, while every other man and woman would perish from entering. And every other person, even the Pharaoh, would not dare enter. She was the chosen, the Pure hearted one that Osiris gave the duty of looking over the Heart and protecting it from anyone who would try to steal it. That was 3500 years ago, and there is more." Hally was enthralled in this tale and wasn't even looking where the horse was going. Luckily, Alex was and guided her horse for her.

"Please, continue."

"As you wish my Lady." He looked straight at her and lowered his veil. She saw many black tattoos on his face and his dark eyes as he stared at her. "As the Priestess entered the afterlife, she vowed that she would return in 3500 years, as she had foreseen a deadly force try and take the Herat in that year. She then used her magic to hide the temple and bind her soul to return from the plains of the west so that she would return. Reincarnated and ready to take up her God given duty. To protect the Heart from the one who seeks to take it and use it to enslave humanity."

"And that is supposed to be happening this year? That doesn't sound like my parents. They are dead superstitious about these kinds of things. Especially curses."

"You do not believe the tale I told you?"

"Tale is the right word. Was that a Med Jai legend?"

"No, it was truth. The truth is that we are going to the Temple to ensure the safety of the human race and also ensure that no evil forces rise to take the Heart…do you not believe?"

"No. it is just a story."

"It is truth. I swear on my God Allah. How can you not believe after all that your family has gone through? Hamunaptra? Ahm Shere?"

"Oh, those stories again. My parents went there on digs in the past. They told me of mummies and half human half scorpion beasts and jungles in the middle of the desert."

"They were all true. And you must believe. If you do not believe your past, how will you embrace your future?"

"I am like ever other normal person Ardeth. Our future comes as it comes. We cannot see when the future will hold for us and were we are going."

"But the journey has already been set for you, only the destination is uncertain."

"What? My journey has been set? What do you mean?"

"Maybe I should take over master." Alex pleaded. Ardeth was getting a little frustrated and that was not the way to talk to Hal. Or any other woman. With a brief nod from Ardeth, Alex took over. "See, the thing is, there is a reason mom called you Halimahotep."

"I can't wait to hear this one. At last."

"The Priestess, she was called Halimahotep."

"…so mom named me after a 3500 year old priestess. Any idea why?"

"Because you are that priestess." Ardeth pleaded for her to believe him. "The reason I needed to talk to you alone was because you are the Priestess. You are the one who will stop whatever evil that will arise from taking the Heart of Osiris. You are the Chosen on of the God himself. You, are the one."

"…You have got to be kidding me. Did Dad put you up to this? I bet he did. I bet that is why you got me this outfit too, to add to the drama."

"Please sis." Ardeth glared at him. "I mean Lady Halimahotep." He gulped as Ardeth continued to look ahead. "All that happened, did happen. Mom is really a reincarnated Nefertiti, Dad is a Med Jai, they fought an evil mummy, we fought him again and the Scorpion King, magic exists and you are the Priestess reborn."

"And where do you fit into all this?"

"I was the barer of the Bracelet of Anubis that led us to Ahm Shere. And I am now your body guard."

"…this is a lot to take in at once…"

"You must believe My Lady. You must."

"Where is Dad? He doesn't like all this stuff, if he can look me in the eye and tell me this is all true, then I will walk around with incense and chant 'till the sun sets."

"Your father is in front of the group. Your parents thought best that we spoke first. Go to them."

"I will be right back." Hally whipped the rains and galloped out and round the Med Jai group. They were far from the lights of Cairo now and well into the vast plains of the sand dunes. The sun was hot and the humidity was merciless as it beat down on them in the mid day sky. Finally, Hally pulled her horse to a stop in front of the group. Ardeth smiled and turned to Alex.

"I told her she would have a nack for it. The Priestess always rode horses."

"Dad? I need a word." Rick saw the confused and desperate look on her face, which meant one thing.

"You've talked to Ardeth then?" Evie looked up at this and smiled. At last they could be honest with her.

"Yes. Are you a Med Jai?" Rick and Evie left the halted group and rode their horses until they faced ahead and Hally faced the group. But she looked directly into her father's eyes.

"Yes. Look." Hally watched as her father pulled up his sleeves and showed her his tattoo. "This mark is the mark of the Med Jai. I am the saviour of man and have saved mankind twice."

"…and mom…are you an Egyptian princess?" butterflies and nausea were mixing and exploding in her stomach. But as soon as her mother nodded, her heart seemed to stop.

"In a past life I was Nefertiti, the guardian of the bracelet of Anubis. And the daughter of the Pharaoh Seti the first. The same Pharaoh that Anck-su-namun betrayed with Imhotep and killed."

"So it was all true? The mummies and the curses and the big dog people with swords?"

"Yes sweetie." Evie placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder as tears settled in her eyes. "Honey? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong! I find out that my mom is a reincarnated princess, my dad a saviour of man, my brother my body guard, that you all almost died at least twice and that I am supposed to be a 3500 year old priestess, ordained by the God Osiris and keeper of his Heart? And you ask what id WRONG!"

"Honey, we didn't ask this for you, it is just who you are."

"…Humanity rests on my shoulders and I am supposed to be fine with it…"

"I think Ardeth has been a little severe again. That guy needs to lighten up." Rick chuckled and looked to a map in his hands. Evie kissed her daughter's cheek and ran her fingers through her hair.

"We believe in you sweetie. And we will be with you every step of the way. Why do you think I made sure you knew how to fight like I did? Like I did as Nefertiti?"

"I thought it was because I was good at it."

"And you are sweetie. That is also why we made Jonathan give you the sceptre for your 13th birthday. It used to be yours anyway."

"And that is why I have to take it with me everywhere I go, right?"

"Right. And that is why your brother and Ardeth got you those clothes. You have to look and act like a priestess for you to remember your past life. So there is an extra case on the pack horse, with your new clothes in them. Now, is there anything else you need to talk about? Or can it wait for a real talk when we get to the temple?"

"…It can wait…"

"Good, now go run along to your brother. You haven't seen him, ever, and you are talking to us? Shame on you girl."

"Ok…" slowly, eyes wide and face pale, Hally trotted back to her place in between Ardeth Bay and her brother, Alex.

"So, do you believe in your destiny now my Lady?"

"…yeah I guess…but how do you know that I am the one?"

"Simple, the tattoo on the back of your neck."

"I don't have a tattoo. Just a birthmark."

"In the outline of the Imperial Dragon wings of Osiris?" her brother raised his eyebrow. "No Birthmark looks like a perfect set of wings with that much detail, unless a God put it there."

"Alright…I get your point…"

"You believe in your destiny now, but you are still reluctant, aren't you?"

"I…need time." What happened? This morning I was just a normal girl. Now, I am a priestess of the God Osiris and the only hope to stop some horrid evil from hurting lots of people. I didn't expect this when I got up this morning…oh my…

"Where are we?"

"We are in the Valley of the Kings My lady. Soon, we will be upon the entrance." Ardeth Bay signalled to his men that they were close, and led Hally and Alex towards the front, and their parents. "Are we close to the entrance?"

"Well, I do fear that is the hard part." Evie sighed and looked to Hally. "Only the Priestess of Osiris may enter the Temple. And only she may see the entrance. We will be blind to it, while she will see it."

"Oh no. Forget it!" Hally jumped down from the horse and stormed off from the group. Evie jumped down from her horse and ran after her.

"Hally?" Evie tried to catch up with her, but she was getting old… "Halimahotep Carnahan! You come back here this instant!"

"Not going to happen! I am NOT going into a strange temple, to get a nuclear pendant, on my own with a grave evil on the loose. You can just forget it!"

"But honey! If you don't many people will possibly die!"

"Possibly Mom! Possibly! You mean you don't even know if there is any real danger? CHRIST!"

"Honey, don't blaspheme." Evie corrected and held her daughter fast and tight.

"Hello? I do not believe in Christ. I believe in my Lord and master the mighty Osiris. I am his priestess after all!" she spat, and made her mother gasp. "…I'm sorry…"

"Never mind dear. You don't have to go in now. We were going to wait until you were ready and comfortable with…everything. We were going to set up camp soon anyway. Here is as good a place as any."

"Great idea." Rick added and turned to Ardeth. "Can we set up came here? I think my daughter needs time to think and pull her thoughts together."

"Of course." Ardeth turned to his men and switched to Arabic. "Her Lady ship wishes to rest here. Unload the tents and secure the perimeter. No one is allowed anywhere near Lady Halimahotep without my clearance. Go!" Every Med Jai, including Alex, dismount their horses and began setting up camp. The day was hot and they had been travelling the sands of the barren desert for three days and two nights.

The moon was full and shone brightly down on the camp. She didn't know why, but the moonlight soothed all the torment and confusion of the last few days. Since learning of her 'past', Hally hadn't really spoken to many people. She hadn't anything worthwhile to say. In one day, she was reunited with her long lost brother, told she was once a High Priestess, given a destiny and a task to perform. Not to mention a religion. Ardeth Bay had given her many old texts that she took great pleasure in deciphering, only to find out that they were methods of worship and the role she must perform as the High Priestess of Osiris. But she didn't feel this was a hardship, after all, if she was who everyone said she was, didn't that mean that Osiris was watching over her, right now? Could she be angering him by not embracing what she did in a past life? Was she a good person in his eyes? Or just convenient?

In truth Hally didn't know. And that is what got her down the most. She just didn't know. Not about who she was anymore, why she was here, who everyone else was. Her family was one big, preordained jigsaw of reincarnated people from ancient times and Med jai. Her included.

Hally sighed. Everyone had given her a wide birth since they pitched up camp. The Med Jai feel like lowly minions to her and insist on using her full name, or 'title' as she had caught them saying. Her mother and father wanted to leave her to 'think' and Alex was busy doing whatever his master Ardeth was telling him to do.

So she was alone, in a large desert with only the Moon as her company. The tent had proven large, but to stuffy for her liking. So she pulled a large poncho around her and travelled out the tent.

They had thought of everything.

19 Med Jai escorts, one body guard/brother and two experienced 'Mummy bashers' to boot. Not to mention that Ardeth had this strange need to walk near her tent every hour or so, just to see she was still there. But where would she go? She was in the middle of a desert and everyone were acting like she was just going to pack up her things and catch the next bus. If they were in London, then yes, she felt like doing just that. But they were not in London. Hally was sat, cross legged on the cool sand round the back of her tent and staring at the Moon.

"Beautiful." Hally jumped from the invading voice and looked up to see her surrogate nanny. Ardeth Bay. He sat down next to her and looked up at the sky. "The stars are bright this night. A good sign of the day ahead."

"The stars are pretty. So is the moon. I have never seen it so big before." She said dreamily.

"I should have known you were looking at the stars. A sign of Osiris himself. As the beams of the Moon grace your blessed peach skin, as is the hands and love of the God himself."

"I thought you were a Muslim Ardeth? I thought you worshiped Allah?"

"Through out time there has only been one God. He answers to many names, has many forms, but is still only one God. You will call him Osiris, I call him Allah. Others Zeus and some Vishnu. But all are the same in the end."

"But Some believe in multiple Gods."

"This I can not believe in. though I do believe that Osiris is real as is my God, all in the same. And he looks down on you with a mother's smile and a father's pride."

"That is…really deep…I hope I can live up to what everyone wants."

"Of coarse you will Lady Halimahotep."

"I thought all I had to do to make my parents proud was to become a scholar or explore the world. Now I have to save the world. There is a big difference."

"But you are ready. You can speak the old Tongue and so chant, curse, and use other spells. You are a skilled fighter, as I have learned from both your parents and Alex, so you are capable of holding your own in battle if need be. And you have all the elegance as one blessed by a God should have."

"Thank you. But I must go back to my Tent. Mother said she wants me to look for the entrance of the cave tomorrow. She believes that the Temple is inside a clearing. If we find a cave with the right switch, we can lift the Temple from its resting place. According to the papyri I read…"

"Then rest you must my Lady. May Allah watch over your dreams."

"Thank you Ardeth. I will see you tomorrow." Hally got to her feet and Ardeth took her hands. He kissed them and left her to her thoughts. "See you tomorrow."

Hally entered her tent and undressed into her nightgown, the only thing that hasn't been replaced with an Egyptian wardrobe. First the crimson Deco Revival neck piece joined her slippers on a chair, then her ankle and wrist bands, and then her head piece. Then, she removed the entire Kalasiris with one swoop and watched it flutter in the air and land on the chair. Hally pulled her night gown on and laid on her bed.

Ok here goes.

Dear Osiris, Great God and mighty Deity. Ok I know it sounds like I am writing a letter, but I haven't done this before. Praying is different from just thinking or talking or writing. Oh dear I am babbling. Start again.

Oh all Powerful Osiris, I think that is right. Well I erm. I need some help. Now I know it sounds like I am going to say 'oh mighty god I want something'. But I don't…ok I do but not like all the other people do. I mean. Oh boy this is difficult.

Hally folded her arms and decided the direct approach might work a little better. And maybe being honest too. Osiris. I am scared. I don't know what to do…

When the time comes you will.

Wow! Who is that?

Did you not wish to speak council with me?

What? I mean yes! I did, I mean do I mean…I'm babbling again.

It maters not Halimahotep. Though, I would like you to ask what you mean to.

Well. As you, obviously, will know. I am your Priestess reincarnated…right?

This is True.

Right…can I ask.

Why?

Well…

Very well. You are the chosen one of whom I have bestowed my blessings and given great gifts too. First, my sceptre, then, a loving family and the chance to make them proud. Which is what you want, I can see it. does that answer your question?

Yes. Would it be rude if I were to ask another question? I understand if you are busy…

You are the only one beseeching my council and matters of the afterlife can wait. Anubis is more than capable of waiting for me. so the answer to the question, is yes. You may ask another question.

Thank you.

Hally sat up and brushed her hair behind her ears. The experience of talking to a God was overwhelming! Her body tingled with electricity and her skin seemed to glow pure heat. She felt like she was floating, and thought she should probably check. But she didn't dare open her eyes, encase it severed the connection to her Lord.

I am probably the last person in the world to have as your priest. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but you have chosen the wrong girl. In my past life, I was probably just what the doctor ordered. But I am my uncles niece and.

Are you saying, you are not fit to be my Priestess?

Not at all. I just…am not as brave as the rest of my family. I get frightened very easily. Right now, I have never been as scared in my life.

And what is it that scares you little one?

Talking to a benevolent God for one is a little intimidating…

You were the one to beseech me, remember? That alone proves that you can master your mortal fears. And makes you more than eligible to be my Chosen one.

No matter what the takes, I will mess up. I always do. When it came to friends, I had none. When it came to family, I am not what they would call the perfect daughter…which makes me wonder how long they have known about who I am…erm was. I just really don't want to let them down. Let along an omniscient being like the God Osiris.

I am flattered that you would feel so highly of your need to succeed and thus, your determination is that of what you are. The chosen one. Any other questions?

What will happen if I fail?...

A great evil will arise and take a forbidden power, use it to enslave humanity and seek out us, the Gods ourselves. So…you understand that failure, is not an option.

If I say I will try my best…does that count?

Yes, for then you will succeed. Find my Heart my little Lotus blossom. My Heart is yours and you shall wield it with care. As for your first Question, why I have chosen you to be my disciple, is because you have the same heart as the Priestess you used to be. The same heart as her father and the same heart, as Mine. Pure and potent. And yet, incapable of evil.

But I thought the Priest killed a man with the Heart.

That thought was not his that killed the man. It was the thought of the wicked, and a constantly tormented fool. I leave to continue my duties and you must understand that you must only request direct council with me if it is absolutely necessary.

Oh I promise. Hally Bowed her head and felt the glowing sensation and the sparks of power, slowly slip and fade away with the ever dying voice.

I wish thee well, My Priestess. My heart id yours Halimahotep. My heart is yours.

I will not fail you. Or my parents…

The sensation of power left her and she knew Osiris was gone. If she had any doubt, if she was even slightly reluctant to believe or had no beliefs, her mind was clear now. Her new faith was strong and she could still feel that her lord was watching over her, regardless of his none existent voice in her mind. It was like pure silk were washing over her ears, and harps sang with every calm, confident syllable of every soothing word. Her mind was calm at last. The twisting confusion that had built there, leaked out of her ears and like a tidal wave long past, the ocean of her mind was calm once again. and yet, even more soothed than ever before. This faith she had, her new faith gave her a sense of meaning. It was reassuring of her task and she soon drifted off to sleep, resting for the next day. Too bad I never asked where the Temple entrance was…