One Week Later

It had been a week since the battle of Ahm Shere, and the victory over Set had been costly. Among the 100,000 Medjai warriors that had come to Ahm Shere to stop the army of Anubis, only 4,000 warriors survived the onslaught of the Anubian troops. The losses were so staggering that Ardeth could hardly believe it. So many of his brothers had perished, even in victory over what was possibly the last great evil that threatened the world. As for the O'Connells, Rick was recovering well thanks to Zahra and Imhotep's healing spells, and Evy was finally resting after worrying about her husband. At the same time, an exhausted yet happy Jonathan kept an eye on his nephew, as Alex was in a far more cheerful mood now that the danger was finally over.

The mortals were resting at a camp set up by the Medjai, who had just finished giving their fallen brothers the proper burial rights. Izzy had decided to hire Amir and Taysir as his new hands onboard his blimp, giving fair cuts of the diamond Zarha gave him between them.

As for Zahra and Imhotep, the two lovers had not separated for a second after their victory. Imhotep watched Zahra like a hawk while she refused to leave his side, still trembling after the horrid experience of Set's defilement of her body. To make matters worse, while Anubis kept his word and restored Imhotep to humanity, as he could feel his heart beating again, Zarha did not feel her own heart come to life again. They had yet to receive an answer as to why Anubis refused to restore Zahra's humanity. Imhotep prayed to the gods day and night, begging them for an answer as to why they refused to fulfill their promise to Zahra, but all he was met with was silence. Alex had been friendly enough to bring the two out for meals and water, but otherwise, they refused to leave their shared tent, and Evy was getting worried for Zahra.

"Rick, Zahra did everything that the gods of Egypt wanted, so why is she still undead? I've combed over every single book, scroll, and ancient text I had to try and find an answer, but I've found nothing! She doesn't deserve this! Not after everything she's done to help everyone around her!" Evy was close to tears again for the umpteenth time this week.

Rick held his wife in a comforting hug as he looked at the star-light sky above. "I don't know, Evy, but if they don't pay up, I will have some choice words with them."

Jonathan was sleeping in his tent with Alex, the boy out cold after the events of the previous week as the Medjai they traveled with made their way back to Cairo. Izzy and the two former cultists he had hired as part of his crew were still repairing the blimp from the battle damage. At the very least, they were grateful that the blimp didn't suffer significant damage, but it would be a while before they could finally get it up in the air again.

In Zahra and Imhotep's tent

Zahra lay upon their shared cot while Imhotep paced the room with a steadily rising anger at the hopelessness of the situation. They'd done what the gods asked: they defeated Set and returned Anubis' army to him, so why did they only restore Imhotep to true life and not the both of them? It drove the newly restored man into a tirade of fury until he sat on the cot next to Zahra, his energy for his anger spent.

Imhotep scoffed angrily, embittered by the god's lack of urgency. "After everything we have done for them and my redemption, they back out of their promise to restore your humanity. Zahra, I feel as though the gods are punishing us one last time by keeping you trapped as the undead."

Zahra sat up from the cot and admonished her love for his disrespect to the gods. "Imhotep! Please do not aggravate them any further! They may do far worse than keeping me trapped by the Hom-Dai."

She leaned into his arms as Imhotep embraced her, Zahra still trembling at the memory of Set's sickly touch upon her skin. Imhotep held her tight and lay down with her, kissing her forehead and then her lips to comfort her. Zahra and Imhotep had at first been happy to be free of their shared suffering due to their link, but now Imhotep longed for it simply to make his love feel better and keep her from shouldering her pain alone.

Later that night

While everyone was asleep for the night and the first night watch began among the Medjai, a small orb of light quietly snuck into the camp, using the remaining campfires as cover to mask its own radiance while making its way to Imhotep and Zahra's tent. The two were asleep in each other's arms, Zahra's sleeping face stained with tear streaks while Imhotep held her close in hopes of giving her peaceful dreams. As it snuck inside the tent, the orb's glow became far more powerful, the tent now completely Illuminated by its glow, forcing both ancient Egyptian beings to wake. After shaking off the drowsiness and realizing the orbs' presence, Imhotep took a defensive stance in front of her while Zahra, having still been deeply shaken by her last encounter with the divine, hid behind her love out of fear. The light was not outright blinding but it would not be otherwise ignored, and began to change shape, almost humanoid. The light started fading as the orbs' shape became more solid, eventually fading into a gentle light that merely illuminated the tent interior in a soft glow.

In place of the orb was the most beautiful woman Zahra or Imhotep had ever seen, but surprisingly she had Zahra's face! Her dark hair was braided with diamonds, her eyes emitted a purple shimmering mist, and a pair of multicolored wings emerged from her back, fading in and out behind her like the Northern Lights. Her assets were perfectly balanced and had a motherly look to them, as if looking at a fem fatale in her prime, and she was also adorned in the most impeccable looking cloud-white robes. But the robes were VERY see through, allowing both individuals to see EVERYTHING beneath like a sheet, as the woman was covered solely by her robes and wore no undergarments of any kind.

The Zahra look a like's voice echoed as if they were in a cave. "Little ones, I am Isis, Goddess of Magic and Motherhood. I congratulate you for your victory over Set."

The second the words left her mouth, both Imhotep and Zahra were on their hands and knees bowing before the goddess, the two of the prostrating before her as they basked in her presence..

Imhotep spoke first. "O, Beautiful Isis, Zahra and I are grateful and honored beyond words you have come all this way to give your thanks. But I must ask you: Why do you look like Zahra, and why have you and the other gods of Egypt not kept their promise to restore her mortality?"

Isis smirked with pride at the man's words. "I take the form of the most beautiful woman in the eyes of any man that gazes upon me, Imhotep. In the case of a woman, I appear as their mother, the first beautiful woman they ever knew. Only my fellow gods have seen my true face, for I am so beautiful, any mortal who saw my true self would go mad with affection and seek to marry me, even in death. In your case, Imhotep, I look like Zahra, which pleases me greatly."

Zahra blushed madly but smiled gratefully to her love, whispering a "Thank you" to him before they turned back to the goddess.

Isis's smile turned sad. "As for your second question, I must apologize on behalf of the gods for making you wait for our answer as to why we could not restore Zahra to mortality as we promised. Set's defilement of Zahra's body has tainted her spirit, and made our attempts to purify her and restore her mortality futile."

The goddess started becoming angry, the ground beginning to shake. "That MONSTER barred the way to the mortal world to keep us out by using the trapped souls of the Pyramid of Ahm Shere, otherwise we would have SMITED him the SECOND HE DARED LAY HIS FILTHY HANDS ON HER!"

Isis's screams of rage felt like they shook the world, but Imhotep and Zahra dared not move.

Once Isis had calmed herself, she continued. "There IS a way to purify you, Zahra, but not here. Set's power has tainted the sacred desert of Ahm Shere forever with his false oasis paradise."

Zahra looked up to the goddess, seeing her mother's face upon the goddess. "Where must we go, my goddess? Where is the sacred place where I can finally be rid of this curse and be with my love?"

Imhotep took Zarha's hand into his own as Isis gave her answer. "Go to my Temple Island of Philae, and I will meet you there. I shall bathe you in its sacred waters myself if I must, to purge you of Set's filth that coats your being. This I swear to you, little one." The light from Isis's form began to intensify again, forcing Imhotep and Zarha to cover their eyes. She gave them her command. "Go to my temple, leave as Amun-Ra's sun first rises into the sky, and ensure you arrive by the night of the full moon. Do this, and I will see you free of your curse once and for all."

As suddenly as the light appeared, it was gone, along with Isis. The two lovers were left alone in their tent, processing the goddesses' command. They looked at each other for a moment, before Zahra let out a wail of joy as she tackled Imhotep to the ground in a hug, the man reciprocating her joy as he embraced back and laughed as if he'd struck the motherlode in a goldmine. Their ruckus was heard by the O'Connells and they rushed in, armed with their weapons and expecting a fight, but were stunned to see the two Egyptians on the ground laughing and crying joyously.

Evy rushed over to Zahra, hands on her friend's shoulders as she asked in Egyptian. "Zahra, what's happened? Why are you both laughing and crying?"

Zahra answered through her tears the great news. "Isis herself came before Imhotep and me just a moment ago! She has given us the means to cleanse me of Set's taint! And make me mortal again!"

The second the words left her mouth, the O'Connell family joined in celebration, the Medjai outside also celebrating the news of Zahra's path to restoration. Ardeth quickly ran through his brothers and halted outside the tent, kneeling before Zarha and awaiting her command. "Zahra, my friend, the Medjai await your orders. How may we assist you in claiming your mortality once again?"

Zahra quickly regained her composure and looked to the horizon. "I must go to Isis's Temple Island of Philae, where she has promised to bathe me in its sacred waters with her own hands. But I must go now, for I must arrive there by the night of the next full moon!"

Rick's eyes widened in panic. "Wait, the next full moon?! That's in a few days!"

Upon hearing Rick's news of the coming full moon, the Medjai rushed to pack up their camp and prepare the horses. As they did, there was a sudden hollow woosh of air and fire, making the whole lot of them turn towards the sound. It was Izzy's blimp, now up and running and fully repaired. Taysir and Amir were running around the bridge, tightening ropes and taking

"Well? You guys coming or what? You know this is faster than horseback! No offense, Medjai guys!" Izzy called up from the Blimp

"None taken!" A random Medjai called up to the blimp, his brothers nodding in agreement.

Rick smirked up to the blimp and then to his family and friends. "Well, then… let's finish this last leg of the journey, huh? I, for one, would love to go home and put this behind us so we can laugh about it later. MUCH later."

Imhotep and Zahra chuckled at the man's wish to finally finish their journey and started to disassemble their tent, an easy feat with their powers still intact. Imhotep still couldn't get over that he was allowed to keep his powers after his restoration, but promised himself and Zahra he'd use them for noble purposes.

After everything was prepared for the journey, Izzy and his new employees got the blimp into the air, with the Medjai and guardians seeing them off before they began their journey to the island. The Medjai and the guardians stayed behind to follow behind them, already knowing the way but would be half a day or so behind them.

And after getting comfortable, Alex, looking at Imhotep and Zahra, asked politely. "So…Mr. Imhotep and Ms Zahra, now that we're not in danger anymore, why don't you tell us about yourselves?"

Zahra looked at the boy and smiled before Rick told his son. "Alex, their past is their own business. Remember what I always said."

"It is alright, my lost Medjai brother, I think, now that I have no desire to hurt any of you anymore, I suppose it is time that you all know about some of my past." Imhotep said with a polite voice that the O'Connells weren't really used to hearing from him.

"That was actually…very polite. Not really used to hearing that from you, though." Jonathan said with surprise.

"That is no surprise. Though I believe you know what happens when Zahra gets a bit…annoyed with you, I trust?" Imhotep asked with a smirk.

"Oh, believe me, he knows." Rick said with a chuckle.

"But the real bad side he saw her in was when she used the Earth wall trick to stop your tsunami." Evy added. "Though Zahra did enjoy using that trick a bit."

Zahra smirked with pride. "I really did love doing that. And despite the situation, I couldn't help but notice the look on your face. It was quite funny."

Imhotep looked away, trying to hide his face. "Yes… um… ah… that was… unexpected, to say the least."

The others chuckled a bit, but then Imhotep countered with a sly smile of his own. "But Zahra, have you ever told them about our first trip to the Nile with Seti?"

Zahra's confidence vanished in an instant and her face went as red as a tomato. "Imhotep, I swear to all the gods, if you dare…"

Evy smirked, her interest at an embarrassing story that even she didn't know from her past life memories piqued her interest. "Imhotep, you've got my attention. Tell me, what could be worse than Zahra having her clothes stolen by a herring while we were bathing?"

Zahra whipped around to Evy, aghast and pale as she pointed an accusatory finger at her friend. "NEFERTIRI! YOU SWORE TO AMUN-RA YOU'D NEVER TELL ANYONE!"

Evy smirked evilly. "Nefertiri did, not Evelyn O'Connell, Zahra." Then she motioned to Imhotep. "Go on."

Imhotep smirked as he told his tale. "Well, back when Zahra and I first started working together as Protector and High Priest respectively, we were invited to join Pharaoh Seti on a boat ride along the Nile for an evening cruise. Zahra had called upon her connection to animals to call a small float of Nile Crocodiles to guard the boat so the guards could have the evening off. All was going well, but near the end, one of the crocodiles mistook a dangling ornament from Zahra's dress as a fish and grabbed it." Imhotep could barely keep himself from laughing. "It swallowed it in one gulp and tore off her dress in one swing of its head in the process! Zahra was forced to spend the rest of the ride in her undergarments! Seti covered for her and said that the ride had gotten too hot for her, and he gave her permission to strip down."

Everyone erupted in laughter as Zahra hid her face in her hands to try and prevent them from seeing her blushing with embarrassment. But then she looked up and whipped her head toward her love; a fiery vengeance in her eyes made the man shudder in fear as his laughter died in his throat.

"Well, my love, why not tell our friends about when you thought you could command the animals as I could?" Zahra's sneer was full of delight and revenge, Imhotep's face palling at the revelation of what Zahra would spill.

"Z-Zahra, love, beloved, darling, sweetest one, perhaps you cou—" Imhotep tried to dissuade her, but Zarha was unfazed as she smiled sweetly at him, but it held a terrifying aura.

"All is fair in love and war, right, Imhotep?" Zahra turned to face the others. "When Imhotep and I first began serving Seti together, a few weeks after that humiliating boat ride, Imhotep boasted that as the high priest of Thebes, he could command all of nature to his will if it was in the name of the Pharaoh. I challenged him, saying he couldn't command even a swarm of bees. He took it more seriously than I had thought and tried to get an Elephant to obey his command through magic." Now, it was Zahra's turn to start laughing. "Poor Imhotep was trapped beneath the creature for a whole day when it confused his orders to charge with to be at ease, and it sat upon him!"

Everyone once again erupted into laughter, and Imhotep suddenly became very interested in the horizon line of the night sky. Once the laughter had died down, Alex started asking a more serious question. "So, those are the funny work stories, but what about how you both met for the first time or how you first got your positions as high priest and protector?"

Imhotep hummed in thought before he began his tale. "Well, little guide, I first met Seti when he came for his first inspection of the grand temple of Amun-Ra that his late father had commissioned for construction. It was completed the day Ramesses the First sadly passed away, so his son wished to ensure it was up to his father's standards."

Imhotep then looked to the stars. "I was tasked with showing him around the temple for his inspection. But as we made our way to the main altar, a pair of assassins attempted to slay Seti. I drew my blade and fought to defend my Pharaoh, slaying one by blade and the other by my magic. They unfortunately poisoned Seti before they perished, and I used my abilities to heal him. For my service, Seti commanded that I be given the proper training to take up the role of high priest of Egypt."

He then smiled at a fond memory before it quickly turned sad. "We were good friends for a long time after that. Until… well… you know how I got myself into this mess in the first place, yes?"

Everyone felt sorrow for Imhotep, and Zahra wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug. She then turned to Alex to finish the tale. "As for how Imhotep and I first met, it was after he had completed his training and officially became the high priest of Egypt. Seti had requested his presence in the throne room just a few months after I had dueled Nefertiri for the right as Pharaoh's protector. Unfortunately, that viper was also there, and once Seti introduced us to him, the seeds of her evil scheme were planted. However, I was in love with him the moment I first laid my eyes upon him." Zahra had a dreamy smile as she leaned on her lover's shoulder. "Even now, you still look as handsome as you did that day."

Imhotep blushed for the first time in 3,000 years, his mind drawing a blank at how to appropriately respond to Zahra's words, even though he knew what he wanted to do but was uncertain of how to express it. He glanced at Evy, a pleading look in his eyes in hopes she'd give him an idea of what to do so he could relay his feelings. Evy understood immediately and stretched her arms up, making a motion that implied putting his arms around Zahra. The man quickly nodded and did as Evy instructed, gently wrapping his arms around Zahra lovingly and giving her a peck on her cheek.

Imhotep smiled as Zahra looked into his eyes. "And yet, you remain as wonderful and true of heart from the first day we met 3,000 years ago. The truest protector that all of Egypt has ever had."

Zahra smiled and kissed him back, their lips meeting in the middle. Their feelings finally had the connection they had longed for for 3,000 years, even if one of them didn't know it until now. Everyone smiled at the Egyptian's display of romance finally cultivated after so long. Alex's smile was wide but warped when he yawned. Rick chuckled and rubbed the top of his son's head, the boy too tired to bat it away.

"Well, time for bed now, guys. I'll watch the first one with Izzy. See you in the morning." Rick said as he picked up Alex and took him to bed.

Everyone said their goodnights and slept well that night, not knowing that Isis continued to watch over them with a smile from the palace in the heavens, using her magic scrying pool to observe the two reunited lovers finally have their happiness. It gave Isis such joy to see it.

The goddess turned away from the scrying pool and turned to face the other divine figure in her throne room, a giant man with a crocodile head and skin to match it. Upon his head was the crown of the Pharaoh, and his body was decorated with sapphires pierced into his skin

Her smile remained as she spoke to him. "Well, Sobek? I told you that their love was true. That devil sister of Zahra's merely tainted it for 3,000 years, but now all is as it should be."

The crocodile-headed man, now identified as the god Sobek, agreed. "I admit my doubts have no ground to stand on now, Isis. As we agreed, now that you have proven that Imhotep and Zahra are true to each other, I will assist you in Zahra's cleansing ceremony." Sobek then pointed a finger at the goddess. "But do not forget your side of our bargain, Isis. I will be given what you promised me."

Isis nodded with a playful roll of her eyes. "Joint worship at the Temple Island of Philae, as well as an equal say in all matters concerning our shared domain of fertility, I know, old croc. But that will be worthless if Amun-Ra's plan does not sway them both to act. They have been through so much that I find it cruel to ask anything more of them."

Sobek nodded. "I would typically agree with you, Isis, but what we offer them in exchange for this trial will surely be enough, will it not? A chance to restore Egypt as they knew it, as well as restoring our worshipers, and in turn, our full power."

Isis turned back to the scrying pool, feeling like she was betraying her promises to Zarha and Imhotep. "So long as it remains their choice to act upon it WITHOUT repercussions for refusing, I will agree to go through with it, Sobek. Do NOT take away from them what finally took 3,000 years to achieve."

Sobek nodded and crossed his arms. "You have my word, Isis. I shall rely on your answer to the others and meet you in Philae."

With that, Sobek melted into water that rushed into the scrying pool and vanished, leaving the guilt-ridden goddess alone in her palace, the only sound being the pool's flowing water and birds chirping.

3 days later

After three days of a pleasant flight to the temple, the O'Connells, Ardeth, Zahra, and Imhotep finally arrived at their destination, the evening sun beginning to set on the horizon. As the O'Connells and Ardeth assisted Izzy and his two crewmen in unloading the blimp, Zahra and Imhotep went ahead to locate the sacred spring where Isis would begin the ceremony. They promised to see them again in the morning but did not expect them earlier.

As the two left their friends to their luggage, Imhotep and Zahra wandered into the temple grounds, heading past the main grounds to the island's northernmost point, where a large rock pool awaited them. The pool seemed to be illuminated by the smooth, glowing stones on the bottom, reminiscent of a rainbow. The pool itself was large enough to have around half a dozen people bathe in its waters without becoming overcrowded, beautifully carved into the living stone and crystals. Engraved into the stone were hieroglyphics for life and healing that seemed to glow a light pink in the water.

Zahra felt her breath be stolen from her as she gazed at the pool's perfect design, but her attention was quickly taken to the sound of a splash just outside the pool. A crocodile was resting at its very edge, with its head just above the water. Zahra had seen many in her past before the Hom-Dai, but none were as significant as this specimen. Its head had to be as long as her whole body, and there was a deep intelligence in its eyes. As Zahra viewed the crocodile in awe, Imhotep noticed its scales had sapphires pierced into it like body piercings and a pair of bull horns sprouted from its skull.

Imhotep first realized that this was no ordinary crocodile and a former high priest, he knew EXACTLY who he and Zahra were standing before. He quickly and gently pulled Zahra down to kneel before the crocodile, confusing Zahra as to what he was doing.

"Imhotep, what are you doing?" Zahra started but froze as she saw the crocodile rising higher and higher out of the water.

Its form now fully revealed a massive humanoid frame with black hair previously hidden in the dark waters. The hundreds of sapphires pierced into its skin and shined like stars reflected off the Nile's surface as the looming figure grew taller until it stood ten feet tall. Zahra finally understood what Imhotep meant and prostrated herself before the Crocodile God of the Nile, Sobek.

"Lord Sobek, forgive me for not recognizing you! I had expected Isis to be here to meet us! She never mentioned your coming!" Zahra pleaded, fearing that her simple mistake could have offended the god and cost her everything after coming so far.

Sobek smirked as the god's monstrous teeth reflected like deadly mirror shards in the moonlight. "Be at ease, Zahra. Isis did not tell you of me because I just informed her I would come. I was impressed by your strength in defeating Set and thus wished to lend my aid in your cleansing."

Zarha and Imhotep both looked up in shock, not expecting another god to intervene on her behalf. "Lord Sobek? I was under the impression that only Lady Isis would cleanse me this night."

The god's smile widened further, his teeth now entirely on display, making the two of them a bit nervous that Sobek might just snap them up like a pair of fish instead if his appetite fancied it. Sobek laughed thunderously as if reading their minds as if he'd been told an amusing joke. Wiping his eyes, Sobek alleviated their worries. "Worry not, little Priest and Protector. I swore to Amun-Ra that no harm shall befall you this night. We simply await a fashionably late goddess before we begin the ceremony."

As if on cue by Sobek's jab at her, Isis arrived in a brilliant flash of light, taking form before the crocodile god with a scowl on her face. "I am gone for less than an hour, and I already hear you speaking ill of me, Sobek? Your manners are as bad as your breath."

Sobek's grin impossibly widened again, and if Zarha didn't know any better, she'd say it was a shit-eating grin. "Oh, come now, Isis, are you so prim and proper as not to poke and prod at others every so often?"

"Perhaps in another time and place. But not now, especially after everything that these children of our land have gone through up to this point." Isis said while looking at Imhotep and Zahra both as they bowed before their goddess. "I apologize for that, my children. Sobek just can't control himself." Isis's scowl turned playful as she poked Sobek's snout. "Of course. I have an especially LONG list of things I say about you behind your back, old Croc. Would you like me to list them before we start the ceremony?"

Sobek's smile became strained, trying to keep up his calm appearance when his blood was starting to boil. "Oh? Then perhaps I should also recount all those embarrassing times that my crocodiles made off with your robes when you bathed in the Nile? Even now, your choice of attire hides nothing."

Isis's face still held a cocky smile, but now it was beet red as she held her composure by a thread. "P-Perhaps in another time and place. But not now, especially after everything these children of our land have gone through up to this point." Isis said while looking at Imhotep and Zahra as they bowed before their goddess. "I apologize for that, my children. Sobek just can't control himself."

The old Croc god grumbled something about Isis being no better, but she ignored him and opened her beautiful wings. "Zahra. The time has finally come. Let us begin your cleansing under the light of the full moon, pure and true."

Zahra nodded and began to strip down while Imhotep took it as a signal to leave and give his love some privacy, but as he turned to leave, he felt a large, scaly hand on his shoulder. He whipped his head around to see Sobek looking at him with a disapproving raised eyebrow. "You would waste the opportunity to gaze at your love's perfect form? Imhotep, you disappoint me with your lack of initiative to take the next step."

Imhotep expressed his anger to the god for suggesting such a thing. "How dare you suggest that I do such a thing to Zahra?!"

But Isis, who also stripped down to bathe Zahra, got the priest's attention and told him with a smirk telepathically. 'Imhotep, my child, that is what Zahra wants.'

"What?" Imhotep asked with wide eyes.

'Hahahaha. Imhotep, my boy, Zahra wants you to…peep on her. She is insecure that you do not find her natural form…beautiful, despite knowing that you treasure her as a woman. And so, she desires you to lust for her.'

Imhotep's face was redder than the evening sun by that point, the very thought of picturing Zahra in such a lewd manner felt… wrong. To Imhotep, it was equivalent to disgracing her honor as a woman. In his youth during Egypt's golden years, he'd been judge, jury, and executioner to many offenders who saw women as mere playthings to toy with or break at a whim, and he'd been harsh upon them all. Imhotep could not even imagine himself doing such a thing to Zahra, who never gave up on him and redeemed him…

"Imhotep…"

The man was pulled from his thoughts as Zahra gently called to him. He turned rigidly to face her, his face now sweating profusely as if he were disarming a bomb.

"Please… I need you. Am I… beautiful?"

Standing naked in the pool, her body illuminated beautifully by the crystals and starlit sky, was Zahra. Her breasts were on full display, perfectly smooth and perky, while the curve of her body was divine and reflected the rippling of the pool. The crystal clear water did not hide that her sacred spot was exposed, still a tiny bit red from when Set dared touch it. Zahra was waist-deep in the water, her eyes longingly staring at her love to join her.

She reached out. "Imhotep… I trust you always and forever. Please… please be here with me."

As Imhotep heard the longing for his love, he made his choice. With a single motion of his shoulders, his cloak fell from his form and hit the floor, and his battle skirt dropped from his waist. Now, as exposed as his love, Imhotep slowly waded into the pool and came to Zahra's side, gently wrapping a hand around her waist as she leaned against his chest. Her breath became shaky as Zahra let her tears fall from her eyes, a sense of relief overcoming her as Imhotep pulled her close.

Imhotep whispered into her ear. "You are the most beautiful woman in all the world, Zahra. No power on earth or god on high will ever make me say otherwise. Your body is… perfect and divine, with not a blemish of imperfection. You are my day and my heart. My reason for living in this strange, new world so long as you wish to have me. I love you, now until the end of creation itself."

Zahra looked at Imhotep with tears still flowing, but her eyes held a growing desire as she responded. "I have longed to hear you say such things about me for so long that I cannot remember when I first wished to hear them. To know that I am truly beautiful for the man I wish to share my eternity with brings such joy to my heart that it is fit to burst. Imhotep… you are my night and my soul. I never gave up on you, even after the Hom-Dai was cast. And now that I have rescued your heart, I will never let it go."

Zahra was pulled into Imhotep as they kissed. Zahra wrapped her arms around his neck while Imhotep secured her waist and felt his fingers sift through her hair. They held the kiss as if it were their last, fearing that if they let go, they'd wake from a beautiful dream and return to a reality where only sorrow awaited them.

Sobek and Isis began their work as the two lovers connected far more profoundly than ever before. The goddess of motherhood ran her hands all over Zahra's body in complicated and intricate movements, a pink light and sparkling magic dispersing from them as she cast her spell. Zarha was unaware the goddess had even touched her yet, Isis's touch being as light as a feather. The tattoos on her exposed body glowed a similar color, while her wings became less transparent as they spread themselves out behind her. Isis smiled at watching the two 3,000 lovers finally connect properly with passion as the goddesses fingers slipped towards Zarha's sacred spot and gently rubbed it, the glow of her magic intensifying a bit as she purged Set's last vestiges of defilement from the now mortal woman.

As for the Lord of the Nile, Sobek made all sorts of crocodilian noises, bubbling the water around him in a strange yet mystifying display as the created bubbles popped into small flashes of emerald light. The god's hands also gently swept all over Zahra's body, expertly moving around and scrubbing her with flowers and colorful vegetation. Like a blackened grim that faded into nothing when washed away, Set's filth was removed from Zahra's body as the Hom-Dai curse was erased from her soul. Sobek's eyes glowed a bright green, but his expression remained proud as he watched the two mortals finally forge their bond of genuine affection and trust.

Isis waded closer and embraced the two mortals behind Zahra, while Sobek did the same from behind Imhotep. The two gods looked down upon them like proud parents gazing upon their children.

Sobek spoke first, the promise of his power echoing in his words. "In my name as Lord of the Nile, I, Sobek, decree that Zahra and Imhotep are to thrive and prosper. They are granted my protection of the Nile, and my crocodiles will always answer their call. Wicked ones will never touch you again, and should they try, my fury will be an everlasting curse upon them and their lineage until its very extinction."

Isis continued, her wings embracing them together as she made her promise. "And as Goddess of Motherhood, I, Isis, decree that any curse shall never again taint Zahra, and Egypt's treasures shall bow to your splendor. Magic itself will be your shield and cradle you at your most vulnerable moments, and Imhotep shall be your sword to strike down those you deem vile and cruel. With my authority, I bestow you, Zahra, with my blessing of prosperity and fertility. May the children you bear together be as kind and beautiful as their parents."

With those divine promises made, Isis and Sobek broke away from Zahra and Imhotep as the water around them bubbled and splashed like a storming sea, the blackened blot of Set's corruption screeching as it was washed away in the holy waters. When it ceased, the water was clear again, and the man and woman were alone in the pool. They looked around, spotting Sobek and Isis sitting on a pair of gold thrones that were not there when they walked to the pool.

Sobek smirked with pride. "Our first joint blessings and cleansings. Not bad, if I may say so myself, Isis. Perhaps now we can-"

Sobek didn't finish as the still nude Isis grabbed his snout and clamped his jaws shut, the god now squirming to free himself while she held him tightly. "Hush, Sobek! We will tell them in the morning after they have… acquainted themselves with their restored mortality." She turned to face them, a warm smile on her face while Sobek thrashed in her grip, but she paid it no mind. "Little ones, please enjoy yourselves this night in our temple. We will return in the morning to… propose to you something grand."

With that, the two gods vanished into a breeze of golden particles, leaving Imhotep and Zahra alone in the temple. They looked into each other's eyes, a longing and desire burning within their souls. Imhotep, barely able to restrain his lust for Zahra, asked his love one last thing.

"Do you trust me, my love?"

Zahra's beautiful smile lit up his world, giving him hope for their future. "Always."

With the night and temple to themselves, Zahra and Imhotep kissed once more, and the pool was filled with their long-awaited passion and pure-hearted love.

The next morning

As dawn arose over the Temple of Philae, Imhotep was roused from his slumber with a weight on his chest. He cracked open an eye, surprised to see he was not in the pool with Zahra; instead, he was in a bedroom befitting that of the Pharaoh. It was completely furnished and decorated with gold and exotic animal paintings across the walls and ceiling. As he tried to sit up and observe, the weight on him seemed to push him back down, and Imhotep finally looked down to see Zahra lying atop him, her head resting against his chest while her arms were wrapped around his neck.

They were half covered by a blanket with Isis and Sobek woven into its design. Imhotep smiled as he sighed with relief, happy that last night was not a happy dream but an honest reality. As he gently pulled Zahra closer, she finally began to stir, and her eyes flutter open. It took her a moment to shake off the slumbering vestiges of her sleep, but when she did, her eyes widened in surprise to see Imhotep smiling at her.

"Imhotep. I had the most wonderful dream last night…" Zarha began, but stopped when she looked to see herself and Imhotep nude in the magnificent bed.

Her first reaction was to blush, but then the memories of the previous night resurfaced, and she realized that it was not a dream. She looked at him with teary eyes, Imhotep smiling back with his tears beginning to surface. The two kissed deeply and held each other in the early morning as the first to have slept in the confines of the sacred temple in 3,000 years.

As they got up and dressed themselves, Zarha was confused by something. "Imhotep, I am truly happy we have finally become human again, and your… performance last night was perfect in every way…"

Imhotep blushed but had a proud smile that he'd managed to please his beloved. "But how did we end up in this room? I certainly don't recall it being so lavishly furnished, either."

Imhotep shrugged his shoulders, unable to answer. "I am uncertain myself, Zahra, but I presume Isis and Sobek had something to do with it. I know neither of us has an 'instant home' spell, not that they exist in the first place."

Once the two were dressed, they prepared to leave the room, but the curtains, acting as a door, flew open, and to their shock, both Isis and Sobek walked in. Sobek was dressed in more ceremonial robes, befitting a more professional occasion, like a Pharaoh going to a temple to praise the gods. As for Isis, to both mortals' understandable confusion, she was still nude, but the hieroglyphic tattoos on her skin were glowing a beautiful gold, and her wings took a far more solid appearance.

Sobek gave the first greeting. "Blessings of Ra upon you this day, little ones. We hope you slept well after we took you to bed after your… 'passionate' finale last night."

Zahra was the first to bow to the gods that stood before them, blushing madly at the thought that the two gods had been spying on them after they supposedly left last night. "Lord Sobek, yours and Lady Isis's blessing are deeply appreciated, but… did you spy on us last night after you left?"

Sobek wasn't looking at Zahra, whistling as if he was not paying attention, and Isis smirked as her wings rested on her shoulders like a grand robe.

She grabbed the crocodile god's left horn and yanked him down to listen. "We did, little ones. Such an act of love and passion in OUR temple, the first in thousands of years, had to be recorded in our sacred texts. But do not fear any… specific details being shared—merely the important ones."

Imhotep's face was red with embarrassment as Zahra hid her face against this chest. "And just what details would those be?! And WHY are you still naked, Lady Isis?!"

The goddess's smirk widened as she released her grip on Sobek. "The first question is for another time, little priest. As for your second question… I simply prefer to be in the nude while in the confines of my temples. I enjoy the breeze against my skin. It reminds me of when I carried my son Horus in my womb. Ages long before my husband ruled the underworld." The goddess smiled as she reminisced about happier times, her hands absentmindedly rubbing her empty womb. Isis then crossed her arms and collected herself. "Getting back on topic, I believe we had a proposal for you this morning, didn't we, Sobek?"

The god nodded as he rubbed his head. "Yes, Isis, we did. Imhotep and Zahra, Amun-Ra has ordered us both to bestow upon you an offer. This offer could not be bestowed upon you unless all the gods agreed to its terms, and Isis would not agree unless you were given the option to refuse without repercussions."

The two mortals looked at each other in confusion. The gods themselves wished to make an offer of sorts to them. If they had the option to refuse, it couldn't be that big of an ordeal, could it?

Imhotep was the first to inquire about the nature of the offer. "If I may ask, what is the nature of this offer?"

Isis's smile faded as a more guilt-ridden expression infected her visage. "Well… I was against even offering this to you two in the first place, especially after everything you've endured to reach this point finally. You are happy, free of the Hom-Dai, and have long lives ahead to cherish together. I did not wish to burden you after everything you endured to reach your shared happiness." Isis then took a breath and revealed the command of Amun-Ra. "By the will of the Gods of Egypt, we have collectively chosen you, Imhotep and Zahra, as champions to herald the return of the old empire. We task you with rebuilding our most sacred structures to their prime glory and restoring the faith and worship of the gods. By the command of Ra, you are to restore the home lost to you both for 3,000 years."

Imhotep and Isis were left speechless at the god's command. They had been given the chance to restore their home! Everything that they believed lost forever to them was now within their grasp. All they had to do was reach for it.

Zahra spoke for them both with her answer. "We accept the god's terms and will do everything in our power to restore Egypt to its prime and our home to its full splendor. But, Lady Isis, how do we go about this? We may both retain our Hom-Dai powers but are no longer immortal. It would take us centuries to rebuild everything we have lost."

Sobek smirked and interrupted. "Normally, yes, but as you both slept, Isis and I visited the Medjai as they made their way here. Seeing that Imhotep has redeemed himself and proven true to you, Zarha, they have restored his status as a Medjai and, by my command, have appointed the two of you commanders over the tribes alongside your friend Ardeth Bey." Sobek licked his chops at the mention of their friend. "I must say, your mortal friend makes an excellent roasted goat. It is a worthy meal for me on any occasion."

Isis rolled her eyes playfully to Sobek. "Always able to win you over with good food, eh old croc? You never change." She turned to the mortal pair. "The Medjai should be arriving in about an hour. You are to reveal your task to them, and they will aid you in any capacity to achieve it."

Imhotep spoke up. "Your wishes are our command, Lady Isis." But before the two gods left, Imhotep gave the goddess a deadpan stare. "Lady Isis, I understand your domain is fertility, but standing naked before a man of lesser willpower will make him wish to partake of you; consequences be damned. You may be a goddess, but I will not be able to sleep well at night if I do not inform you at the very least that the men of this new age are… more prone to following their base desires."

Isis nodded to him. "I understand, Imhotep, and appreciate your concerns, but do not fret over me. I am a goddess who has had the honor of having many mortal queens of Eyqpt mantle my name. They all were mighty and strong, so I will do nothing to disgrace their devotion to me. Besides…"

Isis leaned downwards to Imhotep, her breasts mere inches away from his face. The man sweat profusely as he begged whatever higher power was listening to NOT let the goddess's chest come any closer. Zahra was also fuming as she watched Imhotep struggle to stay calm. The goddess came closer and flaunted her naked body before him. She knew Isis was testing him, but that didn't mean Zahra had to like it.

It was then Isis gave her answer, a deadly grin now etched on her face. "I find it most amusing when men try and fail to restrain themselves once they gaze upon my form. If they are pure and noble, they will look away for my sake and their own while the uncouth dogs that leap at the chance for a taste of me are met with my divine wrath."

With that, Isis vanished into a ball of light that flew out of the room and into the sky, her somewhat evil laughter echoing throughout the world as she left.

The two turned to Sobek, the crocodile god shrugging as he dared not try to understand how Isis's mind functioned. He left with one last piece of advice. "Zahra, if either you or Imhotep feel that the other is in some sort of danger, do not hesitate to strike down that which makes them feel unsafe. Show no mercy to all who would dare cause harm to those you care for. Do this always, and none shall have the spine to threaten your family together."

Afterward, Sobek's form melted into water and swept across the floor as it vanished into the vastness of the Nile. Now alone again, Imhotep and Zahra held hands as they left the temple grounds and returned to the blimp. The O'Connells and Izzy's crew had spent the night telling stories and were packing up for takeoff again.

When Evy spotted Zahra and Imhotep approaching, she squealed and rushed over, dropping her bags. Zahra swept her reincarnated friend into her arms and spun her around, Imhotep smiling at the sight while he shook hands with Rick.

It was then that Evy noticed how beautiful Zahra looked, and she felt her heartbeat. "Zahra, you're practically glowing! I can hear your heart! You're alive again!"

Zahra simply smiled as Evy clung to her and wept joyfully that Zarha was finally free. Imhotep looked to Rick and let him know of the god's wishes to restore Egypt, causing the man to get a bit nervous.

"Yeah, sounds great on paper, but the modern world might have a few problems with that." Rick nervously spoke. "Don't get me wrong, I'm with you 100%, but a LOT of treasure hunters and museums will be against your home making a comeback. They'll lose millions if they have to pay damages to the reborn Egyptian Kingdom for the return of mummies, artifacts, and especially for any smelted gold."

Imhotep scoffed. "I am well aware of the greed of such worms being an obstacle for us. The only chance they have to get any more from our home will be to bring their sorry hides here to take it themselves. And thieves do NOT have a good track record of having happy endings in our land."

Rick nodded and let Imhotep walk back to his love as she was having a happy conversation with Evy about potentially having children someday. Imhotep wanted all the details so he could better prepare for Zahra. He too wanted children, but was hoping his other half was not wishing for a small army of them.

Zahra's eyes held a dreamy look to them as she revealed her dream for children. "I hope we have a daughter, Nefertiri. She will be so beautiful and noble, our greatest treasure. I only hope that Imhotep does not slay every man who tries to swoon her."

Imhotep, who had managed to hear that last bit, snorted in half-amusement while being half serious. "I make no promises not to, but I do promise to give them a chance before I contemplate any sort of wrathful acts."

Zahra playful punched her love in the arm. "That's the best I'll get, is it? Then, I suppose I shall simply pray to Isis for aid should things get out of hand."

Imhotep laughed. "Hahahaha! Oh, dear Zahra, you hurt me so!"

Rick and Evy smirked at the two's joking back and forth, finally seeing how Zarha saw Imhotep from the beginning: a kind and noble man everyone had faith in and had been drawn down the wrong path because of a power-hungry snake.

Rick then remembered something he believed could be helpful towards their goal of restoring Egypt. "Hey, Imhotep, I just remembered something that might help you both with the restoration project: A mystery-solving gang that solved every case they encountered. They could give you guys some legal power to try and take back the stolen artifacts and mummies once they've looked into some of the more questionable museums."

Imhotep looked interested, but before he could respond, Zahra walked over, having heard their conversation and wanting to get in on it. "Well, O'Connell? Who are these mystery-solving professionals you speak of?"

Rick shrugged his shoulders. "Wish I could tell you more, but I only heard of them from the newspapers at home, and it wasn't a very notable section. I can't remember their name, but they have a Great Dane dog with brown fur and black spots as their mascot."

Zahra nodded her head. "I will make sure that if I ever hear a word that they are in Egypt, I call upon them, or better yet, have Ardeth contact them and invite them to join us."

Having just finished helping his uncle pack the camp back into the blimp, Alex walked over to Imhotep with a sad look. "So, this is the part where we have to say goodbye, isn't it?"

Imhotep knelt to the boy, putting both hands on his shoulders. "I'm afraid that it is, my little guide. But do not worry; this farewell is not forever. Ardeth will educate Zahra and me about all the holidays you celebrate in this modern age, and we will endeavor to ensure we always come for such joyous celebrations." Then he hugged the boy, a final act to solidify their friendship and seal his promise. "You will be seeing us again, Alex O'Connell. You can count on that."

Alex hugged his friend back, tears slipping from his eyes as he did. Evy, Rick, and Jonathan all hugged Zahra, the three of them very happy that this time, they would not have to say goodbye to Zahra forever.

Rick smirked as he and the others broke the hug. "You take care of yourselves and keep him in line, ok? I hope the next ancient evil that rears its head won't be in Egypt and be someone else's problem."

Evy laughed and agreed with her husband. "Hahahaha! Oh, yes, Rick! While the new heroes deal with whatever supernatural monster decides to take over the world, we'll be sipping tea and having a picnic!"

Jonathan laughed and put a hand on Zahra's shoulder. "I say, Zahra, give us a ring when that first beautiful baby is introduced to the world! We'd love to help in any way we could!"

Zahra smiled at her friends as she bowed to them. "Thank you, my dear friends, for saving this world and giving me what I thought was lost to me forever."

Imhotep bowed to the others and gave his thanks. "You have saved my soul from damnation and given me what I thought I never deserved after all that I had done. I will never forget your kindness, O'Connell's. My Amun-Ra and all the gods of Egypt watch over your family till the end of creation itself."

The others bowed in return, finally accepting that Imhotep was a good man as Zahra said he was and were proud that he'd finally found a place for himself. They boarded the blimp with their things as Izzy, Amir, and Taysir nearly finished the final takeoff preparations. Ardeth spoke in Arabic to Rick and saluted him the Medjai way before Rick smiled and, finally accepting his Medjai heritage at last, returned the salute before the other Medjai waved and cheered to them as the blimp flew away into the distance until it became a dot on the horizon and vanished into the sunset.

The two ancient Egyptians looked to Ardeth with fiery determination, especially in Zahra. "Ardeth, our mission begins now. Let us start the work of restoring the home of our ancestors together."

Imhotep continued. "We must not waste this chance. Let this be the last labor that bars our scattered people from returning to the land of the Nile and no longer forcing them to be a wandering tribe lost to the sands."

Ardeth knelt to them both, the Medjai behind him following suit, as they were ready to aid the two of them in the final task of the gods.

The war against evil was over. They'd finally won their freedom and happiness. Now it was time to restore the lost world and help it integrate with the world they'd both come to love and cherish. Imhotep and Zahra looked at each other, smiles of joy and bliss gracing their faces, as they kissed once again, sealing their fates to be intertwined to the end of creation.

THE END…FOR NOW.

Message from Zerzenkul0981 to the readers: Hey guys! It's been an amazing experience co-writing this story with WolveHulk, and your reviews and loyalty to keep reading are what gave me the fuel to keep going and ensure that this book reached its happy ending!

Eventually, WolveHulk and I plan to return to this in the VERY distant future to add one final arc to the story of the Mummy: Love Beyond Death, but I'll keep that a secret unless WolveHulk wants to tell you! Thanks again for coming on this journey with us, and I wish you all well!

Hey, my dear friends, it's me, WolveHulk, I hope you really loved this finale. And don't worry, this story is far from over. Be sure to thank Zerzenkul0981 for his part in helping me complete the story. Rate and review and I'll see you all next time, my dear friends.