Chapter 40 Half of the Sky #2
“The prophecy foretold our failure,” Namir said, shaking his head. “The netjeru have doomed us all. If they knew this was going to happen, they should have told the Pharaohs themselves instead of sending the sibyls to do it. They should have known my ancestors would not listen.”
“The netjeru will not meddle in our affairs more than necessary,” Zahra stated. “They sent warnings through the sibyls because that is Selene’s role—to protect and serve Re. The task couldn’t be given to another.”
Namir gritted his teeth, a deep sadness seeping through his angry facade. “But there is nothing left we can do.” His voice broke as he spoke. “The netjeru are gone, and we cannot fight Iset on our own.”
“Re is not gone, and neither is Selene.” She gestured to the sky. “Just because we cannot see them does not mean they’re not there. The sun and moon are on our side. All we must do is reach out to them.”
Doubt filled Namir’s eyes. “How can you be so sure they are there?”
Zahra’s eyes softened. She scooted toward him and took his hand. “I don’t, but I trust that they are. And it is given to us to choose Aur’s fate—our fate.”
Namir wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He placed a kiss on her hair. “What must we do?”
Zahra let out a shaky sigh. “I don’t know.”
Namir held Zahra as the people worked around them. His eyes narrowed as he rubbed her back. “Earlier, you said that the netjeru were in Tartarus. Isn’t that mentioned in the prophecy?”
Zahra nodded. “Tartarus’s gate. It was referring to when Nubia allowed Iset back into our plane.”
Namir sat up. “If they are in Tartarus, and Iset was able to communicate with Nubia while trapped there, then…”
“Then we can do the same.” Zahra grinned. “You’re a genius.”
Namir smiled. “That’s why I am here.” He glanced around the village. “How are we supposed to communicate with them if they are trapped there?”
“Through their promises. We saw it when the gifts of the sun and moon combined to save our people. The netjeru’s gifts and promises connect us to them.
Re gifted the Thoth to the Pharaohs, and Selene protects her people with her promise.
If we combine these sources of connection together, we may be able to reach them. ”
Namir grabbed the Thoth, and Zahra stood.
“We should sit at the center of the village,” Zahra said. “That’s where the connection will be strongest.”
Waaiz looked up from where he sat nearby. “Where are you going?”
“We are trying to reach the netjeru,” Namir answered.
The people glanced at each other, moving out of the way as they moved to the middle of the village. They sat down, and the people began to encircle them.
“Are you sure about this?” Namir asked in a hushed voice as the people spoke to each other. “What if it does not work?”
“It must,” Zahra said, “or all is lost.” She placed her hands on the sides of the Thoth. Namir placed his hands above hers, his fingers brushing hers. “Focus on Selene or Re—as long as we can reach one of them, we should be able to reach the other.”
Namir nodded, though doubt marred his face.
Zahra closed her eyes, looking for her connection to Selene.
The wall blocked her once more. Namir’s hands moved on top of hers, and she took a deep breath.
Somewhere in front of her held a faint, silver light.
Zahra focused on it. She could feel Re’s magic from her promise and from the Thoth swirl around her, and the presence of Selene’s protection gave her the last boost she needed.
Zahra and Namir were thrust into another plane. The Duat appeared and disappeared before their eyes, along with many other planes. The darkness shrouded all but one, and it was here that Zahra finally felt the ground beneath her feet.
Zahra and Namir fell, gasping in surprise.
Beneath their hands, the ground was rough and cracked.
The air was thick and reeked of death, but Zahra and Namir couldn’t look up because of the brightness that surrounded them.
The light was blinding, so much so that Zahra couldn’t see more than the obsidian-colored ground below.
There were voices all around them, but Zahra couldn’t comprehend them. Finally, the voice of a woman spoke Auran. “Welcome, little ones.”
Zahra sucked in a fast breath as thick vibrations shot through her body. Namir squeezed her hand as she spoke. “Are you Selene?”
“Yes.” Selene’s voice was soft yet powerful.
Zahra’s mouth went dry, and her throat tightened as she thought of what to say.
Namir spoke up. “We seek Re.”
“He is not with us,” Selene said. “He has taken Iset’s place within the prison here, and her servants are preventing us from reaching him.”
Namir’s brow furrowed. “But you are his protector.”
“And I have done all I can, but Iset has claimed his domain. Half of the sky is hers.”
“Half?” Zahra asked.
“The other half is mine,” Selene explained, “but she is blocking me from shining on Aur. I descended into this plane to fight the battle here.”
Past the sounds of voices, Zahra heard the snarling of keres and the metal clanging of blades. “But there is a battle in Aur as well. Our people are suffering, and we cannot fight Iset head-on. We need your guidance. What can we do to stop this?”
“We have given you all you need,” Selene said. “It is up to you to use it.”
Namir squinted at Zahra. “The Thoth. It bound all underneath the sky, including Zosar—Iset’s vessel—to repeat the day. If we activated the Thoth again, could we trap Iset in this day?”
“All the planes and their inhabitants are affected by the Thoth, yes,” Selene answered, “but her memory would not be reset. The power within the Thoth was meant to bind the memories of the mortal plane first and foremost, and she would easily break its hold. She would remember, and she would do all in her power to destroy Aur and end the spell.”
Namir glanced warily at Zahra. She bit the inside of her cheek, considering the Thoth’s power.
“Selene, is there a way we can only bind Iset? If the Thoth was made to bind the memories of those in the mortal plane, it might be possible to only bind her. Then, we may stand a chance at defeating her.”
Selene was silent as she thought. “I can change the Thoth’s nature to only affect Iset and her servants. The focused power may be enough to bind only Iset’s memories to one day. However, my connection to Aur is limited.”
“You have a connection through me,” Zahra said.
“Yes, but it would require you to hold great power, something you are not fit to do as only my servant. There is another matter as well. Though the Thoth would have the power to bind Iset, she could easily escape in her current state. We must weaken her for the Thoth to fully work, which is something I cannot do from here.”
Zahra understood her meaning. “Then take me as your vessel.”
“Zahra!” Namir grabbed her arm. “I refuse. The act could kill you, just as it did my mother.”
“Iset required a blood sacrifice to steal Re’s domain and power,” Selene said, “but I require nothing but a willing servant. She will be changed, yes, but the change will be temporary as long as we defeat Iset.”
Zahra looked at Namir with weary eyes. “It must be done, Namir.”
He gritted his teeth. “But the risk—”
“Is one we must be willing to take,” Zahra finished. “For our family. Our friends. Our people. If we don’t do this, there is no chance for us.”
Namir let out a shaky sigh. He squeezed her hand. “Then we must do it.”
“There is something else,” Selene said. “Trapping Iset in this day will trap her in the Thoth itself. It will require you both to start the spell, and you and your descendants must bear the marks from it to keep the spell in effect. You must promise to never shirk this burden, or else the mortal plane will be doomed. Is this a vow you are ready to make?”
Zahra and Namir looked at each other. With a shared nod, they spoke. “Yes.”
“Then it shall be done.” Zahra’s sight was filled with light as the being in front of them lowered her hand toward Zahra. “Take my hand and stand, worthy vessel.”
Namir held Zahra’s hand tight as she lifted her other hand to Selene. She was pulled to her feet, and Namir stood behind her.
Selene’s voice came softly. “Rhodopis, my daughter, you are my voice, my eyes, and my hands in this fight against darkness.”
Zahra’s eyes opened back in the village, consumed by moonlight.
Namir let go of her hands, leaning back in shock as she lifted the Thoth from the ground.
Her sibyl mark of the crescent moon grew into that of a full moon.
Silver light ran down her hands and into the Thoth.
The golden sands glowed bright, and the purple light became lavender from Selene’s touch.
Zahra set the Thoth down, and the mark and light disappeared from her.
Namir leaped forward, catching Zahra as she slumped to the side.
Selene’s voice came softly in Zahra’s ear.
“Only one of you is required to utter the words to begin the spell, but you must wait until Iset is weak. When you are ready to fight Iset, call, and I will come.”
Waaiz stumbled to their side. “What has happened? Are you alright?”
Zahra grunted as she sat up. “I am alright, Waaiz.”
Though there were a few people watching her and Namir, the rest were looking at the trees around them. She followed their gaze, stunned by what she saw. Eagles were in the trees. Her mother was among them. Selene’s servants had returned with her.
She turned to Namir. “We shouldn’t wait any longer.”
Namir nodded, helping Zahra to her feet. He turned to their people. “We must offer others refuge from the beasts here. I know I am asking much of you, but I ask it as not just your Pharaoh King but as your friend—your ally.”
Zahra nodded and added, “I know you are scared, but there are people out there who also need Selene’s protection.
As long as you are within the borders of this place, you will be safe, but there will be those seeking refuge.
The eagles will guide them here. Welcome them and invite them into your homes. ”
“Then we will wait for them to come.” Waaiz looked between Namir and Zahra. “And you two?”
Namir looked at Zahra. “We are going to end this darkness.”
Zahra smiled at Namir and looked out at the people. “Our netjeru are still with us. Trust in them. This night will end, and dawn will come.”
Namir squeezed Zahra’s hand as the people cheered, and the eagles cawed from the trees.