War Of Egypt

Chapter 4: Rebirth

    Elthena was the last to rise after the bowing stopped. The frequent blinking of her own eyes told her she was nervous of what was coming next--facing her godly parents. What was she to do? Embrace them or be a loyal subject to the heads of Egypt?
    When she stood, Isis walked over and stood by her side--smiling as she touched Elthena's cheek. Her eyes shimmered of the clearest diamond and the purest gold. Her hands were soft and loving just like her features. Elthena wouldn't look at her, all out of pure respect until Isis turned her head to face her.
   "You have your Father's spirit--outwardly respectful, even to your kin. Be it just your lost memories or you're normally like this."
   "Thank you Queen Isis," Elthena stammered with a faint smile.
   "The heavens blessed the day you were concieved. I love you, princess," said the Queen much to Elthena's surprise as she planted a soft kiss on her forehead before moving away to stand by Osiris again.
    As Elthena raised her head to look at Isis, Osiris caught her glance and smiled faintly.
    It was the sort of expression any teen would identify as a look of pride and content. Elthena certainly thought so as she bowed her head low once more to the powerful god.
   "All may depart from here except the head family of Ra, Mistress Shai, Anubis and Amiid." Someone ordered in the crowd.
    Suddenly the golden lights flashed once more as the different gods and goddesses left the temple--disapearing one by one until only a small string of immortals were left.
    Elthena, Anubis, Amiid, Shai, Osiris, Isis, Horus and Hathor. Isis and Osiris moved aside as their son--god of air--Horus and his companion walked forward, hand in hand. They stopped.
    Beautiful Hathor approached Elthena and reached out to caress her cheek. The goddess seemed hurt at first as she searched Elthena's eyes. Though looking kind and at ease, she still could not hide her fear and uncertainity from the Mistress of the West and most importantly...her own mother. However Hathor just smiled and touched her wrist lovingly.
   "Who would have thought the mortal world would be blessed for such long years just from witnessing the beauty of a goddess. My princess," Hathor proudly glowed as she looked at Elthena.
    Horus towered over Elthena. He placed a hand on her right shoulder, "you look like Hathor and Isis. But I know your skills and personality is pure to the god of air."
   "And now...come forth. Step into the Nile," chimed Isis as she signalled Elthena towards the Nile.
    Isis then walked in circles four times in the Nile before the water started swirling like a whirlpool. Elthena held onto Isis and jumped into the Nile. Somehow it was deeper than it looked from the top. The water reached her chest.
    Isis muttered something under her breath and then went over to stand behind Elthena. She then planted her hands on either sides of Elthena's head and plunged her into the water.
    Elthena opened her eyes underwater and discovered she was in a open part of the Nile itself. Her entire body was submerged and behind her Isis was nowhere to be seen. Nothing but the watery abyss.
    The fraction of the Nile which was it's origin and head, displayed in the temple must have acted as a portal of some sort, one that led out into the body of the Nile.
    Squinting she saw images form before her in the water. Horus, Hathor, Isis, Osiris, Amun-Ra etc...
    The images started swirling around her; faster and faster. They were her memories!
    They were all coming back. Attacking her from each side as they infiltrated her head with such speed!
    Unbelievably the memories knocked her unconscious in seconds. She closed her eyes and drifted in the water as the memories calmly entered her head. Each second came to her clear as crystals.
    Hathor playing with her dark curls as a child when she sat on her father's shoulders. Horus and Hathor's smiles were as bright as the sun disk itself!
    There was Isis and Osiris talking to her by the gardens as she chased after a butterfly.
    Then there was Amiid and many others she recognized.
    And then...there was someone. It was from her dreams as a child. A boy now identified within her age. He looked like a warrior; fearsome and brutal but somehow handsome. His dark medium hair was ragged under his crown. Who was he?
    But then her memory of the boy was ripped from her and a new one entered.
    A tall broad man was talking to her, her parents stood in the background watching intently...especially her father.
    The muscular man was talking to her smaller self. She could clearly make out what he was saying even though it was implanted into her mind as part of her memories.
   "You are special my dear. You are powerful...nothing like your weak father!"
    Set! It was that sudden statement that knocked her senses! Through her lifeless drifting body, she felt elegant strong hands grab her arms in the water and pull her out.
   "Ametis!"
   "Ametis," another voice shouted. "Are you alright?"
    The feeling came back and she was back in the Temple once more. Laying sprawled in the water with Hathor cradling her head in her lap. Hathor pulled strands of hair away from her face and patted her.
   "Elthena...can you remember?" Amiid asked pushing past his father Anubis to hover over the girl's body. Evidently he was the one shouting.
    The weak immortal stood up under her mother's protective arms and glared at the boy.
   "Stop calling me that!"
    Everyone sighed in relief and smiled, knowing she got her memories back safely.
   "I say welcome, not to Elthena but to the immortal goddess and daughter of Horus...Ametis-Ra!" Osiris boomed.
    Ametis turned to Hathor and kissed her cheeks lovingly. Finally she was truly home!