SHIRLEY
MAATITE TEMPLE
I wonder why I'm being summoned this night. It's unlike her to call for me, maybe something is wrong. Walking into her chamber, I met Tamat as always standing by her door. I nodded in greeting to her before going in.
"You wish to see me high mother" I said kneeling down
"Yes, I heard that the son of Ra is going to his father's realm"
To say I was surprised is an understatement, he just told and she already knew? Wow, talk about feeling inept.
"I just heard from him, before I was called. He wants to go take an object"
"The eye of Ra" she said sighing
"Yes, but what's wrong?" I asked, the high mother doesn't sigh, and her expression is enough to make me dread her answer.
"Have you confirmed who is helping him?" She asked, ignoring my question.
"His name is Zain" I answered her
wondering why she's dodging my question, especially when she exchanged looks with Tamat
"Listen child, Zain is a dream god and a very devious and powerful one at that. He's not known for his benevolence, so for him to even suggest this journey means there's something in it for him"
"what do you want me to do? I think regardless of anything I tell Aiden, he has made up his mind to go there"
"Are you also going?"
"Yes, high mother"
"Very good, you will need to be very careful. I received word that Zain might be working with Seth but considering Zain, he doesn't work with anybody"
"What????" I shouted, forgetting myself.
"We should cancel the journey, what if he kills Aiden" I added in a much milder tone
"Calm down little one, that's why you are following him. But we don't know whether that information is true or not and there's no time to confirm it. Plus if he was after Aiden's life, Aiden would be dead already" Tamat said.
"That's true, we need you to remain objective and focused, because that's the only way you are protecting him"
I looked at both of them, wondering how am supposed too keep him alive when the opponent is a frigging god, and it isn't even one but two!!. My powers aren't even on par with Aiden's, yeah these women were nuts I thought.
"You do know this Zain is a god, don't you?" I asked Just to confirm
"You will have help" high mother finally said
"Who is it?" I asked anticipatingly
"The guardian phoenix will accompany you"
"What....." The guardian phoenix, the symbol of the Maatite. The high mother's precious pet, she doesn't release it to anyone. Infact, have never seen it.
"I have a feeling Zain wouldn't allow any other companion, that's why I am lending it to you"
Wow, I thought. Having that phoenix just leveled the playing field a little, an ally that resurrects itself everytime it dies is a powerful one to have.
"Do you know when you are leaving?" She asked
"No, high mother"
"Okay, go and rest up. You are dismissed"
Well, that went well. My spirit just got a little lighter hearing about the escort we were getting. I would have liked if Aiden didn't go at all, but his reasoning is sound. The longer he goes without being able to use his powers fully, the More dangers he will face. Everything is just messy, I thought before leaving the Temple.
The next day, I didn't get to see Aiden till lunch. He was sitting with Justin like always in thier usual spot. He spotted me and I waved like a silly girl. I really have it bad for the guy, I thought to myself as I walked over to join them.
"Howdy, Shirley" Justin greeted me in his usual way.
I blew him a kiss before settling into the sit next to Aiden, who I kissed.
"Don't you think you are being unfair?, How come he gets an actual kiss and all I get is a blown kiss" justin whined
"Maybe when you become the actual boyfriend, then you get the actual kiss" I replied
"Smartass" he shot back and I couldn't help but laugh at the sullen face he made.
Aiden smiled, bit it didn't reach his eyes. He was awfully quiet and distant, I wonder what was wrong.
I and Justin chatted away with him puting in the occasional nod to show he was listening even though we knew he was a thousand miles away.
After lunch I drew him aside to ask what was wrong
"We are leaving tonight" he told me
"Oh....okay. we have an escort"
"What do you mean?"
"You will see. I will stop at my place before coming, I have to take some things"
"Okay, make sure you are there by 8pm"
"No problem, I won't take long" I kissed him and I left.
Later that night I met Aiden at his house with the so called Zain, and wow. Yeah I can see why the high mother warned us strictly about gods, especially dream ones. He wasn't human in any way, no human can be that handsome. And his eyes, they were swirling blues like the ocean and his body, he looked like he was carved by some Italian mason. To top it all off, he ozzed primal masculinity and power. This dude is powerful.
"You are early, impressive" he said and nodded
"Well, we Maatites aren't known for tardiness" I replied, and he smirked.
"Where's the escort you talked about?" Aiden asked me
"He's right here" I told him and brought out the medallion on my neck to show him.
"What's that?" Aiden asked me
"That's a phoenix medallion and this particular phoenix I know very well" he said and looked at me.
"How's the high mother these days, I hope she's doing well?"
"Better than you are imagining"
"She must not trust me at all or she's very protective of you, either way the creature is a welcome additon to our squad" he smiled like he really didn't think much of the it.
"Well, shall we?" Aiden spoke up
"Yes, I will need your blood. It's only through your blood we are entering Ra's domain quietly without announcing our presence immediately"
"Okay, that makes sense"
He draws a circle with the symbols of Ra inside the circle. Then he puts Aiden's hand between the circle and used a knife to cut his palm. with the blood pouring directly into the circle, he begins chanting in the ancient tongue of the gods.
"Both of you, hold hands and step into the circle. Remember, don't let go of each other's hands" he told us while chanting.
The moment we did that, everything started spinning and all of a sudden we were being sucked into a vortex. This isn't really how I remember traveling through portals. Almost like we keep falling until we landed on a sandy floor.