Chapter 1

The One We Wait For

Present Day

She stands on her balcony overlooking the Mediterranean. The calming blue sea reminds her of him. His eyes always had a happy glint to them. Their time together was all too short but it was long enough to give her the loving memories that sustained her when the loneliness of the wait seemed too much to bear. He always showered with her love; they both did. Her parents gave her the greatest gift- unconditional love. A single tear escapes her ancient eye.

"Highness, the priests report his soul has finally reentered this realm." She wipes the tear from her eye and turns to face the gray-haired man that has served as her confidant for more than three millennia.

"Where?"

"The United States, highness."

"Are our people ready there?"

"Yes, highness."

"Good. Tell them we will join them in a score. All must be ready." She walks past him and stands in front of a bust of the goddess. She caresses the golden image unconsciously. "Our sojourn is almost over Cyrus. I must sit vigil but for a little while longer." Lily sighs releasing the breath she has held in for thousands of years. She has waited three thousand years for him; for them to return. Twenty more years in nothing.

"Highness, she will be very proud of you. You have kept her spirit and legacy alive throughout the ages. She is loved just as much today as in ancient days past. You have bested all but one of her enemies and he is little more than a clawless demon."

"Do not underestimate demons priest. They are like hyenas, cunning, wild and ferocious. He may no longer be a god but he is immortal and his followers loyal and eager to curry his meager conjuring favors."

"He is no match for you highness or the goddess."

"True, but the one we await is vulnerable. Make sure our people are vigilant. The goddess has slept three thousand years waiting for him. I do not think even Ra himself will be able to subdue her anger if his soul is lost again. I will not survive if I lose them again. My powers are great but in compassion to the goddess, I am an apprentice, a novice at best. The world awaits the return of her vitality. I am a lowly substitute."

"Will you wake her now?"

"No, I will wait until he is of age. I do not want Ptah to know she walks the earth sooner than necessary. He will try to kill him. He wants her angry so her love will turn into bloodlust and his evil will spread like a plague and he will regain his godhood. No, I must wait for the right time."

"As always highness your wisdom is forthright." Cyrus bows his head.

Priest; make sure our people are vetted every two years. Ptah is weakened but resourceful. He knows we are waiting; he is abiding his time. He is desperate for his former life and desperation can turn the most insipid fool into a dangerous genius. The goddess has only one weakness and he knows it."

"I understand highness. By your leave."

"Yes, you may go. And Cyrus."

"Yes highness."

"Thank you for staying with me throughout these many lifetimes."

"To serve is my life highness. No thanks is necessary." Cyrus bows and gives Lily a warm smile.

Lily returns to the balcony and to her pensive state. The images of that life-altering night three thousand years ago have not diminished over time. She can still smell the smoke from the burning houses. She can still see the line of torches bobbing up and down against the dark night as the mob made its way to her home. She can still hear the riotous yelling of the men who tried to take her father away under the cloak of darkness. Her father, although completely out numbered, fought bravely until the end. Wrapped in the arms of Cyrus, she looked over his shoulder just in time to see the followers of Ptah plunge knives into her father. Uninformed mortals crave immortality but they never think about the downside. Immortality bestows upon you the unfortunate benefit of perfect memory. The death of her father is a memory she relives it every day in perfect crystal- clear detail.

"Soon father, soon." And once again, the tears flow.

Over Three Thousands Years Ago

"Precious one I need you to be strong for me. I need you to go with Cyrus and wait for your mother to come."

"But father who are those people. Why are they so angry? What do they want from you?"

"I need you to listen to me my precious water Lily. Do not look back once you leave this place. Pray and wait for your mother. She will come for you. Cyrus will watch over you until she comes."

"Will you come for us later?" Lily cries and sniffles, hers arms are wrapped tightly around her father's neck.

"I will try precious one. Now go with Cyrus and mind what I have said." Fitzah places a lingering kiss on his daughter's brow. He knows the next time he sees her mother it will be when she comes to welcome him to the afterlife. He gives a few final instructions to Cyrus, then sneaks the two out the back entrance of the house.

"Open open master builder. Give us the girl and we will let you live."

Fitzah grabs two daggers and walks gingerly to the front entrance.

"We know you are Hathor's consort and the child you raise is hers'.

"I shall not turn over my daughter. Depart from my home. What you seek I do not have."

The mob breaks down the reinforced door and drag Fitzah out by his feet.

"Are you fools? Do you take light this offense against the goddess? Your mortal souls will receive no welcome in the afterlife.

"The goddess will do nothing to us for the god Ptah has promised us immortality if we give him her daughter. He will protect us."

"You are fools and will suffer a fool's folly."

"Where is the girl?"

"I know not."

"Search the house from top to bottom. Leave no basket, rug or wall covering untouched. The girl is here and we must find her."

Cyrus and Lily reach the first hill facing Fitzah's home. Lily can see her father fighting the angry men. "Father", she screams. Cyrus covers her mouth.

"No Lily we must be quiet or the angry men will find us." Lily tries to squirm out of Cyrus's arms. She wiggles enough to reposition herself at his shoulder. Looking down at her home, she sees the men stabbing her father and then one man cuts Fitzah's throat and pushes his lifeless body to the ground.

"No!, she screams. Father, let me go." Lily screams and cries; she is inconsolable. Fitzah is dead.

A/N: I know, I know. I have no business starting another story, but while I was doing research for my other story this idea popped into my head and it refuses to go away. It is helping my writer's block so I have to go with the flow.

So let me know what you think.