Chapter 31
"What do you mean, she will die? Vala or her child?"
"Both. Vala first."
"How?"
"There are forces at work, even as we speak, who are desperately trying to use the power of the Orici for their own ill gotten gain. They will stop at nothing to control her and Vala will stop at nothing to stop them from doing it. In order to maintain the balance in the universe we cannot allow either of these things to happen."
"I still do not understand why we cannot let Vala raise her own child and just protect her."
"It is not Vala the child needs protecting from, its her father."
"The child is in danger from its father?"
"The father is in danger from this child."
"How?"
"The father of Vala's child is special. Unique. A being of great, untapped potential, like a bubbling geyser beneath the soil."
"The Son of Water."
"Yes, he is called The Prophet. The last remaining descendant of Orion, the first Ascended Being."
"Orion, the man spoken of in the message."
"Yes. Left by one of my fallen sisters, Oma Desala."
"According to the message, The Prophet brings peace, unification."
"But he can also bring great death and destruction if he is not carefully handled. These evil forces, The Ori, they plan to use his child, destroy her, and open up the potential inside of him thru anger and rage. If that happens, there will be an evil unleashed the likes of which no living creature has ever seen. Primitive and chaotic."
"How is taking away his child going to save him?"
"If we taken the Orici away, raise her to contain her evil, she will in turn be the one we use to tap into his potential. To turn him into The Prophet."
"Aja said that Netan and I would be the ones to awaken the Son of Water. And by stealing and raising The Orici, that is how it will happen."
"Yes."
"But first, I must Ascend."
"Yes."
"Without Netan."
"I know it is difficult for you to keep that from him. But you understand that there are things he must undergo, truths that must be learned before he can reach Ascension. Ultimately a man must walk his chosen path alone and feel worthy to walk the chosen path. Netan has lived many years of darkness and until he can come to terms with that burden he cannot Ascend, no matter how much he wants to."
"But I've lied to him."
"No, by telling him that you will both Ascend will give him something to work towards. Death is only the beginning of the journey and he has many miles to walk before he is ready to start on the Great Path."
"I am afraid of what is to come."
"Everyone is. But once you have moved beyond that, fear is something that is soon forgotten."
Kebechet sat in momentary silence. Taking in what Morgan had just told her she felt for the first time the enormity of the burden she was about to undertake. However, deep down, she knew it was her destiny and knew that it could no longer be denied.
"I will do as you ask."
"Good," Morgan said walking over to the Ancient terminal. "We have much work to do before the ship arrives."
"Where do we begin?"
"By destroying the evil within."
Before Kebechet could respond, Morgan placed a hand on her chest. A feeling like being pricked by a thousand needles filled her body and explosion filled her brain. A few seconds passed as a new awareness filled her and for the first time she realized what had happened and darkness consumed her.
Looking as if she was seeing the world for the first time, Aja Mal Doran-An Tal turned to Morgan, an ere of disbelief in her voice.
"What have you done?"
"The Goa'uld inside of you has been gravely injured. As a result a poison has been leaked into your body that will kill you both unless the Goa'uld is able to change it. The process will cost the Goa'uld its life but no longer will you be two seperate beings, but forever one."
"Why did you do that?" Aja responded a feeling of panic and dread filling her to the very core. "We're not ready. I'm not ready."
"You must be ready."
Tears filled every Aja's eyes as she could feel the awareness of Kebechet slip slowly from her mind. It was like watching someone you love die, only being able to feel what they felt as they slipped away.
"I don't want to lose her," Aja sobbed.
"You won't," Morgan said as she placed a soothing hand on Aja's face. "She will be a part of you forever."
Backing away slowly, Aja stumbled away from the console and down the long hallway towards the ring transport. The poisons effects were beginning to take hold. Inside her head she heard a sound: a heartbeat. A racing, sickly thunder she knew belonged to her warden, her protector, her sister.
I'm sorry.
"Don't speak," Aja replied. "Save your strength."
I knew it would come to this, I just thought . . . we'd have more time.
"I know."
Its going to be okay, I promise.
"I know."
I'm so sorry.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I wouldn't be here if -- "
Suddenly Aja was wracked with pain. Her own heartbeat now matching that of the dying Goa'uld.
I'm so sorry.
Knowing what needed to be said, Aja closed her eyes, and thought carefully what she was about to say.
I forgive you.
Almost like getting a second wind, Aja found the strength to continue until she reached the ring platform. Dialing the coordinates to the Al'kesh and stepping onto the platform she heard the small voice inside of her speak one last time.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
"I know," Aja responded as darkness overtook her.