As Daniel and Vala walked to the temple ruins the next morning, they were both quiet. Vala couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. It bothered her more than she really wanted to admit that he'd finally really kissed her passionately and it was only for show. She knew in her head she shouldn't be jealous of a ghost, but if Daniel was still constantly dreaming about his dead wife after so many years, she must have been something special. Vala couldn't compete. She knew who she was, who she'd become since her time as Quetesh, and Daniel really did deserve better. She was a fool to think he'd ever want her. She really had been teasing him at first. It was fun and he reminded her so much of her first love, but as their friendship grew, Vala realized she could love Daniel. This mission needed to be over quickly, so she could put a little distance between them.
"About last night," Daniel said with a frown, "I'm sorry. I didn't know. It won't happen again."
"It's okay, Daniel. I may have over reacted a bit. I'm sorry, too."
As they arrived at the ruins, Vala immediately noticed the lack of, well, ruin. It seemed to be in great shape. Obviously, even years after her death, Hathor had a few who were still loyal to her. The building itself was rather ornate. It had a white exterior. There were 6 large columns across the front of the building, and it was trimmed in gold. They walked in through the center door and found themselves in a great room with high ceilings. A small pool was built into the floor, and it was also trimmed in gold. The altar was very wide and covered in purple cushions. "Ah, I know exactly the purpose of this temple," she said with a smile.
Daniel looked uncomfortable. "Well, yes, I mean, it was customary to worship with, um-"
"Daniel," Vala couldn't help but tease, "weren't you briefly a worshipper of Hathor? I bet she didn't have a room like this one at the SGC."
Daniel turned bright red. "I wasn't a worshipper. I was a victim. She drugged us."
"Poor, poor Daniel. It must have been dreadful," Vala said with a smile.
"Can we get on with it? I'd hate to be here when her devoted followers show up. I think we might be looking for some kind of portal. If it's not here, maybe there are some writings that could give us a better idea where to look."
"Of course," Vala agreed. They found nothing else of interest in the great room, but there were a few smaller rooms off to the left and right. They started in the room to the right. It was apparently some type of library, so Daniel started combing the books for anything related to Necropolis. Vala, on the other hand, decided to go and check out the room on the left. It was the smallest room in the temple, and it was full of candles. They lined each wall. Vala guessed there were at least a hundred. They appeared to be simple wax candles at first, but Vala wasn't fooled. Regular candles do not light themselves when someone enters the room. As intriguing as the candles were, they paled in comparison to the solid gold archway in the center of the room. It was inlaid with various precious stones. Obviously, Vala tested a few in hopes they were loose, but none would budge. The archway itself seemed very out of place. It literally just stood there with nothing around it, nothing different on the other side. Vala immediately thought it could be the portal, but she found no device that could activate it. After a few minutes of searching, she called for Daniel.
"I think you're right. This seems so out of place, it almost has to be some kind of portal. You found it."
"A lot of good it does us if we can't activate it, Daniel. I'm going to look around and see if there's a device in another room."
Daniel barely responded with more than a shake of the head, Vala knew he was already to focused on his new puzzle to even notice her leaving, but he certainly noticed when the candles suddenly extinguished as she left the room, "Vala," he called out. She turned around and re-entered the chamber. The candles immediately lit again. "I think these," he said pointing to the candles, "are triggered by the naqueda in your blood. This is really pretty amazing."
"I agree, but it doesn't help us activate the portal, does it? This has to be it, Daniel. What are we missing?" As Vala finished her question, she accidentally brushed her hand against the candle holder on the wall. Touching it knocked it off balance and she quickly grabbed it before it could fall to the ground. As soon as the golden holder was in her hand, the archway changed. The gems lit up, and instead of being able to see directly through to the other side of the room, there was a view of a garden. Daniel immediately reached his hand through and smiled.
"I believe you just activated our portal. And, if I'm not mistaken, that is Necropolis, 'the city of the gods'. You did it!"
"Well, let's get on with it then, Daniel. Let's go to the city and save your boy," Vala smiled.
The garden was even more ornate than the temple. They immediately deduced they were no longer on Baku'te by the two moons lighting up the night sky. It had been midafternoon at the temple, and Vala hoped they would be able to figure out how to get back since she didn't see any candle sticks see could grab on this side and the portal had closed behind them. What she did see were beautiful flowers along a sidewalk made of gold. There were no lamp posts, but the moons gave off more than enough light to see. There was a pavilion in the distance. It was the only structure they could see in the vicinity, so they started walking.
Daniel had gotten very quiet. Vala sensed he was worried about more than just how they were supposed to get out of here. If the device was here, what would they do next? Would Shifu appear? Would they have to find a way to take it back with them? They really should have done a bit more research. As they neared the pavilion, a floating light appeared then transformed into a beautiful woman.
"I think I know you," Daniel said as he approached her. "My memories are gone, but you seem very familiar to me."
"I would hope so, Daniel," the breathtaking brunette replied, "we were very close." Vala was not impressed with the way the woman innunciated very. "I am Iseulet, and my beloved Tristan and I guarded the device which you seek until the goa'uld killed him and mortally injured me. Oma helped me ascend but the device was lost in the battle and hidden here."
"Wait, you're the Iseulet from the legends of King Arthur aren't you? And, I think I remember just how close we were," he said blushing, "I asked you to come with me, didn't I?"
Iseulet smiled. "You also asked for this device so you could bring Shifu. I fought for you to be given the opportunity, but the others declined. I stayed to look after the device. It has been my duty for many years."
"Well, if you and your girlfriend are finished catching up," Vala said irritably, "perhaps we could get on with it. Are you here to give us the device? Where is Shifu?"
"Iseulet, the others said no before. Has something changed or are you going against them?" Daniel asked. Much to Vala's irritation, he hadn't taken his eyes off of his old lover even once.
"The others are in agreement. If you are found worthy and ready to raise Shifu, he will be brought here."
"Why? What's changed?" Daniel asked.
Vala, on the other hand took a less diplomatic approach. "In our experience, the others don't get involved in little things like this or even big things unless it benefits them. Why are they willing to let him go now?"
Iseulet turned her attention to Vala for the first time, "Vala Mal Doran, former host of Quetesh, you are correct. It benefits the others greatly if this device is successful."
"If?" Vala asked.
"It has never been tested, but I believe it will be successful. I knew the one who designed it well. We were betrothed before I knew Tristan. He was brilliant. And, time is of the essence." Turning her attention back to Daniel, "it was not Shifu who sent for you. It was me. Shifu has remembered. He is a threat to us and your galaxy. We have him currently restrained but the restraints will not hold him forever. That is why the others have agreed to try the device."
"And, you said I would have to prove myself worthy. What exactly does that involve?"
Iseulet didn't answer. Instead she reached out her hands and touched Daniel and Vala's foreheads. Immediately, they fell to the ground, sound asleep.
