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Nectar Of The Gods

By Mantrid Brizon

Ahmose stands before his colleagues, priests of Anubis who are tasked with preparing the dead for embalming before their journey into the afterlife. As part of the ceremonial initiation into this sacred priesthood, Ahmose must undergo a sacred ritual of physical and spiritual purification. Having fasted for two days, his body cleansed with water and sacred oils and the necessary spells casted, he stands nervously behind Hapuseneb, the elder high priest. Hapuseneb prepares a sacred potion, a potent tonic called the “nectar of the gods” meant to cleans his soul.

It should be noted that Ahmose is a man grounded in reality. His chosen profession as a priest was a pragmatic one and not spiritual. Reflecting on the lengths that he has gone to join their sect, he wonders if he even believes in the deities that he is meant to serve. His amber eyes land on the elder Hapuseneb, whose position he so desires; he will play their games if that is what he will gain after the fact. Returning from a carved stone table, Hapuseneb holds a small golden chalice with both hands.

The contents of the goblet fizz and a faint purple haze hovers over the container. Ahmose gulps at the thought of drinking whatever hideous brew that his master has prepared, but it is a requirement for joining the sect that all of his fellow priests have already done; luckily, they are all alive, so with any luck he may only become violently ill for a short time. Hapuseneb stands before Ahmose with outstretched arms, the goblet mere inches from the 19-year-old man’s face.

“Drink.”

Ahmose briefly hesitates before taking hold of Hapuseneb’s hands. The elder priest tilts the goblet, as if to pour the contents down Ahmose’s throat. Drinking as swiftly as possibly, Ahmose is surprised to find that not only in the drink palatable, but rather delicious. Within seconds he has consumed the contents of the gleaming chalice. Hapuseneb’s lips curl into a little grin as he spins around and returns the cup from whence it came. Before the small golden basin can click atop the stone surface, Ahmose can feel a change.

He loses his balance as his mind feels covered in a fog. The other priests are quick to grab his arms and steady their colleague. With a wave of his hand, Hapuseneb sends them down a hall and toward a familiar room. The other priests march Ahmose into the ‘Den of Visions’, a carved stone room in the temple that is supposedly built to the specifications of their gods and goddesses. Unlike the rest of the temple, which is made of carved stone blocks, this room is a sphere of stone with a small room carved into it. A three-meter diameter stone wheel with a dozen bronze handles fitted to it rolls in a short trench and acts as a door.

Inside the room, the priests lie Ahmose atop an altar before quickly departing and taking hold of the door’s bronze handles. They stand in wait while Hapuseneb enters with an object in his hands. Wrapped in purple cloth to both protect it and obscure it from view, Hapuseneb approaches the only other object in the room, a smaller altar in the shape of a carve sandstone pillar with a golden plate mounted atop it at roughly waist-height. He places the object carefully before quickly departing, his underlings rolling the door closed and sealing Ahmose inside.

Lying atop the altar for what feels like hours, Ahmose struggles to see inside the dimly lit room. Only two torches mounted within bronze wall sconces allow him any light. He feels as though he is spinning, though he knows that he is lying down. After a while, the vertigo begins to fade but his mind still feels strange, as though it were coated with a fine layer of sand. Looking over to the little altar, he finally sees what it was that Hapuseneb was holding. Sitting upright and hanging his feet over the edge of the large altar, Ahmose gazes at the strange object.

In the form of two pyramids with their bases facing each other, the object sits in a four-sided notch that seems to have been molded specifically to fit this device. Made of a combination of golden, silver and bronze colored metals, it doesn’t appear to actually be made out of any of them; these materials are wholly unknown to the young Egyptian. An intricate pattern of interlocking pyramids with spherical shapes protruding slightly from the centers of each gives it a very bizarre shape. What appears to be thin strings made of quartz crystals line the edges of the decorative pyramids.

He has never seen or heard of anything like this object before, even in all of his studies to become a priest; it must be a closely guarded secret. Suddenly and without warning, the device begins to glow an icy blue. The thin lines of quartz crystals oscillate the cold color. Only seconds later, the little spherical shapes centered within the pyramids begin to glow a vibrant red, like the color of freshly spilt blood. The object hums in a way he has never heard before and cannot describe as the very crown lights up as bright as the sun.

Amazed by what he is seeing, a voice in his head tells him to run. For some reason, however, he does not; Ahmose doesn’t even turn back to glance at the door behind him. As the artifact hums and glows these fantastic colors, it lights up the room as though it were high-noon in the desert. A beam of light emerges from the tip of the device and seems to lunge at him, stopping just past the altar that it sits upon. A swirling teal and blue colored portal forms before his eyes. Oval in shape, it is roughly as tall as a man and nearly as wide as two. Without any thought, Ahmose steps inside.

Disappearing into the portal, Ahmose finds himself flying through a long corridor of swirling teal and blue light, though he feels no air pressure wind. There is no sensation of movement and yet he is moving. Looking up, he rapidly approaches another swirling purple, this one a combination of purple and pink. He closes his eyes tightly before the strike, bracing himself for anything; flying out the other end or even smashing into a solid wall. As his head touches the portal, he feels only a strange rush of cool air.

Opening his eyes, they immediately grow wide at the sight of his surroundings. Standing with the swirling portal behind him, he is atop a platform inside of a massive chamber of swirling purple and pink lights. A thin purple haze hovers within, shrouding everything. He looks down at his feet to the onyx floor beneath him. Ahmose stands on a long walkway with no railing. Glancing over the side, he cannot see the bottom of the chamber, yet he is unafraid. Turning back, he looks ahead toward something in the distance. After a short pause, he begins to walk.

Moving toward the object, it soon comes into view. He cannot believe what he is seeing; the priests do not believe in an elaborate fantasy, but real beings. The sight of the jackal-headed man sitting at a distant throne has destroyed his doubt in both his religious convictions and his career choice. Though he knows that he should be afraid, and a voice in his mind tells him to run, he doesn’t listen. As though compelled by an unseen force, he surrenders to curiosity and continues to approach the throne. After walking a distance, he stands before the figure, who is still shrouded in the purple haze.

“A-are you Anubis.” Ahmose asks, his voice nearly solidifying in his throat.

The being rises from the throne, and slowly approaches. He is confused at the realization that they’re wearing clothing similar to many females of Egypt; a form of kalasiris. How can this be? Anubis is a woman?! Walking closer, the now visibly female being steps with digitigrade feet, her large and clawed paws and canine-like ankles drawing his attention away from her head. The unclothed portions of her body are covered in a dense layer of fur. She is not a human woman with the head of a jackal, as he was always told, but a jackal with the body of a human woman, that also maintains her animal traits.

The wiry tail of a jackal sways behind her as she moves closer, the jaw of her long and slender snout hanging open as her lips curl into a rather sinister looking grin. Her green eyes are so vibrant as to appear to faintly glow, unnerving Ahmose. She steps ever closer to the young Egyptian, her eyes scanning his form. Curious about the deity, he cannot help but do the same. She is a shapely creature, with a figure rivaling the most beautiful woman he could ever hope to see at home.

A slender waist with thin hips offset her ample breasts, which are almost entirely visible except for her nipples, which are covered by the shoulder straps of her garment. Large but perky, they sit atop her dress which is made of a glistening silver colored material unlike anything he has ever seen. Golden patterns are formed within the elastic material, which hugs tightly to her frame but still somehow allows fluid movement. Human-like hands rest atop her hips as she stands before him, all ten fingers tipped with sharp black claws.

She has no visible human-like hair but wears a headdress not unlike the one often depicted upon Anubis. She stands only an inch or two shorter than he. Though she appears quite frightening in many respects, he cannot help but find her equally alluring, if not more-so.

“I thought Anubis was a male.” He suddenly thinks aloud.

“I am not Anubis.” The being replies.

“Then who are you?”

“I am Kebechet, the daughter of Anubis.” She answers.

“I thought I was to meet Anubis. Why is he not here?” Ahmose asks.

“Anubis is busy at the moment.” Kebechet casually replies.

“Oh... Pardon your servant for his inquiry, but are you not a serpent?” Ahmose asks with a raised brow.

“No.” Kebechet chuckles. “Why you mortals insist on depicting me that way I do not know. I am like my father and my mother; we are of the same race.” She explains.

“May your humble servant ask you another question?” Ahmose asks with a bowed head.

“You may.” Kebechet nods, her lips curled around her snout into a little grin.

“What was the ‘nectar of the gods’ that I had consumed?”

“Oh, that.” She giggles. “Many mortals fear the portal to our realm. At first, only the bravest would dare make contact with us. The ‘nectar’ clouds your minds, pushing aside the fear that comes so naturally to your race. That is the sole purpose. I am quite pleased to see that you didn’t step off of the edge when you arrived to see what was at the bottom.”

“I assumed it was death.” He quips.

“Correct.” She nods.

Ahmose stands before her, a little smile across his face. Kebechet’s eyes narrow and she visibly looks him over once more. They stand in silence for a period of time, merely looking to each other.

“Why do you seem so pleased?” Kebechet suddenly asks.

“Aside from meeting my goddess?” He chuckles.

“Yes.”

“To find that she is also the very image of beauty.” He replies.

“How sweet.” She murmurs, bowing her head forward as if embarrassed by his compliment. “Well... We should proceed, shouldn’t we?”

“With what?” Ahmose asks in confusion.

“You are here to listen to your destiny as Anubis has planned for you. Don’t you remember? Your high priest should have told you that.” She explains.

“Oh. Perhaps he did and I wasn’t listening. Hapuseneb tends to ramble.” Ahmose bluntly states.

Once again Kebechet giggles. Her soft, feminine voice easing his nerves and makes Ahmose feel very comfortable. She extends a hand and rests it upon Ahmose’s arm, giving him a gentle squeeze. Her touch is comforting. She turns and heads for her throne and Ahmose is quick to follow her. As he walks just behind her, he finds his eyes drawn to her waist and the swaying of her buttocks. With each step her figure hypnotizes the young man, something that has never happened to the exceptionally experienced Ahmose. Like many Egyptians, he has enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh early and often.

Reaching her throne, Ahmose can see that there is, in fact, a table placed before it. This piece of furniture is made of a strange clear substance the likes of which he has never seen before. Somewhat dull, it does not reflect like metal; it allows him to easily view the contents of the drawer beneath. Sitting at her throne, Ahmose stands on the other side of the table and patiently waits. Kebechet opens a drawer and removes a scroll with his name written on the exterior. Removing a band that appears to be made of silver but behaves much like the garment she wears, she unrolls the scroll.

“Well, congratulations. In only a few years Anubis plans to judge the soul of your high priest, Hapuseneb. After his death, you will be given the title of high priest.” She says to the human.

“I thank you, my goddess.” He bows his head.

“How cute but thank my father.” She says as she rolls the scroll.

“I’m sure you can tell him for me.” He retorts.

“You don’t wish to stay and wait for him?” She asks with surprise.

“Not really.” He immediately answers.

Kebechet places the scroll back into the drawer before rising from her throne. She steps around the table and stands before him, the canine nose of her snout mere inches away from his face.

“And why is that?” She softly asks.

“Without intending offense, I doubt he would be nearly as interesting as you.” He replies.

“Is that so?” Kebechet smirks.

“Mhm.” Ahmose nods.

Kebechet takes another step closer and slides between Ahmose and the clear table. Her breasts are barely a hand’s width from his chest and the tip of her nose only millimeters from his own. Her eyes narrow and she makes it a point to look him over yet again.

“I have never met a human quite like yourself... Or one so handsome.” She says, resting a hand on his arm.

“I’m sorry.” He quips, resting a hand on her side. “It appears that we are even, as I have never met a woman so beautiful before, mortal or otherwise.”

“And so charming.” She giggles.

They gaze at one another for a moment before suddenly acting. Leaning in simultaneously, Ahmose and Kebechet share a kiss. Though she has a snout, her kiss is very much like any human woman’s. As if driven by primal instinct, he wraps an arm around her and pulls her in. She coos with delight as her body is pressed against his by his own doing. Resting her hands on his shoulders, she loses herself in the moment and soon their tongues glide and coil over each other’s.

Consumed by their own passion, Kebechet presses herself against the desk and pulls him in closer, her hands arms wrapping around his torso and her clawed hands resting upon his bare back. Standing with her plump buttocks against the desk, she is surprised by the size of his quickly growing erection that his short shendyt can barely cover, feeling the engorged member pressing against her pelvis and left leg. Eager to see what her human has to offer, she moves a hand around and grabs for the belt holding up his skirt, the only clothing he is wearing.

Ahmose feels her tearing at the waist-belt of his shendyt. Her desire for him is more than any woman has ever shown him, and he has been with enough to know when they desire him. Perhaps she is inexperienced, but how can this be? She is a goddess. He decides not to question and simply loses himself in their carnal act. Without delay, he helps her find the clasp of his belt by gripping it and sliding the clasp toward her. Kebechet eagerly removes the belt herself and drops the shendyt to the onyx floor.

Her eyes grow wide at the size of his member. Ahmose never gave it much thought, as it was adequate and functional, but delights in the expression on his lover’s face. To his surprise, the goddess pushes him gently back and kneels down before him, taking hold of his girth with one hand while fondling his testicles with the other. Leaning in, she examines and sniffs his genitals, savoring the moment for as long as she can still control herself. She opens her mouth wide and attempts to insert the thick member inside.

Ahmose groans from the sensation as her tongue wraps around the head of his penis, her snout enveloping the nearly nine-inch-long member that sits between his legs. Kebechet struggles to contain the swollen organ, which is too thick for her to contain with a single hand. Each testicle is at least as large as a chicken’s egg, and she can only assume the volume that her lover has within them. It doesn’t take long before her jaw tires, but thankfully she held out long enough to taste some of the clear pre-cum that oozed from the tip of his member.

Pulling back, she turns her eyes up to him. He looks down and smiles warmly, not lustfully. Gently stroking her cheek with one hand, he watches her and loses himself in her glowing green eyes. With one hand holding his package, she cutely licks the tip, causing them both to briefly laugh. He reaches down and pulls her to her feet, eager to kiss her even after what she had done to his member. She feels her insides burning and her heart melting. Though it is forbidden, she doesn’t care.

Taking a hand, she slips off one of the straps of her kalasiris. Seeing this, Ahmose slips off the other and gently peels the elastic garment from her body. It was only a matter of time, as it would have prevented him from accessing her body anyway. With her body now as naked as her lover’s, Kebechet rests her palms atop the desk and hops up, sitting atop the clear surface. Ahmose fondles her large breasts and gently pinches the bare flesh of her nipples. Spreading her legs apart for him, Kebechet leans back with her hands on his shoulder blades, pulling him in.

With their tongues still wrestling with each other, he grinds the heavy shaft of his organ against the fur of her body. Rubbing against her pelvis and flat belly, he is surprised by how soft her fur is. He is further surprised by the heat that radiates from her loins, which he feels when his large and full testicles rest near her nether lips. He is quick to pull back and look down, lining himself up with Kebechet’s entrance. Though it would be far easier if she were to lie flat on her back, she grips him tightly and seems to tremble as if she were nervous.

He has only experienced this before on two occasions; when he was younger, he was the first for two girls of similar age. Though he finds it curious, he pays it little attention and quickly proceeds. Neither of them could stop if they wanted to, nor do they. Kebechet seems to bite her bottom lip in anticipation as Ahmose presses the thick and full head of his penis against her nether lips. Wet and eager to him, her pink flesh cries out for him. With a firm push, he inserts the tip of his dark colored member, the girthy organ stretching her beyond what she had imagined.

She cries out and rakes his back with her claws as she feels her lover plunging himself deep within her body, swiftly breaking her hymen. Though she feels far tighter than he had expected, he continues to push ever deeper, taking short pauses to withdraw his girth before driving in yet again. Using this process, he soon manages to insert nearly the entirety of his length within his lover, his heavy balls hanging between his legs and brushing the soft fur of her firm buttocks.

Kebechet trembles, her nails digging deep into Ahmose’s flesh. He grunts from the pain as much as from the incredible sensation of his penis fully sheathed within his goddess’s vagina. With a subtle push, he prepares her for the ensuing thrusts. Kebechet quickly catches on and holds firmly to his muscular upper arms and removing them from his lightly bleeding back. He begins with slow and gentle pushes before increasing the speed and strength of his motions; she soon cries out in pleasure as he thrusts with full force.

She glances down at the human who stands between her legs and penetrates her once virginal body, half-sitting and half-lying atop the desk of her father, Anubis. The taboo of mating with a human, and in such a manner as this only makes the act more intense and pleasurable for her, not even mentioning the sheer size of her lover. It doesn’t take long before Ahmose feels an all-too-familiar sensation on his organ. Kebechet’s hole tightens on his penis, squeezing it like a vice as he brings her to orgasm.

She screams and squeals as she cums for the first time, her body trembling uncontrollably as a thick white cream smears over the dark flesh of her Egyptian lover’s phallus. Ahmose grins cheek to cheek. What an ego boost it is to pleasure a goddess so thoroughly, and he hasn’t even come close to his own orgasm yet. She lies back atop the desk, her arms trying to grab for anything and hold on tightly. With the edge by her butt too far away, she reaches above her head and grips the edge near her throne.

With his hands gripping her thin hips, Ahmose leans over and begins kissing and licking the fur of her breasts before tasting the flesh of her nipples. It wasn’t intentional to taste her fur but as he never stopped thrusting in her, her breasts moved continuously, making it a difficult task. Kebechet moans and groans as Ahmose seems to know exactly what he is doing. Are all humans such endowed and talented lovers? Perhaps that’s why mating with them is forbidden? She finds silent amusement at the thought of ever female of her race with a human husband and all of the males glaring jealously at the furless men.

Before she realizes it, she feels her body rock from a second orgasm. Suddenly, Ahmose stops his thrusts and pulls himself from her body. She looks down, wondering what he is doing, as she wasn’t quite done with him yet, nor did he finish in the manner she has heard of. He applies pressure to her hips, signaling for her to roll over. As she does, Ahmose notices something strange.

“There is blood.” He says as he looks upon the clear desk.

“Y-yes... I... I am, or was, a virgin.” Kebechet somewhat shamefully explains.

“How can that be? Are you not many thousands of years old?” He asks in shock.

“No. In this dimension, time does not function as you know it. This room is constructed specifically to flow with your time, but outside of it a day for me is a year for you. I am actually quite young.” She explains.

“Well, in that case I am honored to be your first.” Ahmose says before leaning over and gently kissing her cheek. “I would be your only, if I could.”

“Do you mean that?” She asks with apprehension, glancing over her shoulder.

“Of course I do!” He exclaims.

Though Ahmose has said that before to other women, he genuinely feels something for Kebechet, something beyond the admiration of a mortal to a goddess. The prospect of leaving her realm and returning to his own genuinely pains him.

“If you weren’t destined to be a high priest, I would keep you here for myself.” She grins, still looking back at him.

“Do I have to be a high priest?”

“My father, Anubis, wrote it in your scroll. It must be done.” She sullenly replies.

Ahmose hangs his head. For the first time since he can recall, he no longer wants the position. Kebechet leans back, brushing his erect phallus with her furry bottom and gaining his attention. His lips curl as she sways her hips from his to side, his penis resting nicely between the cheeks of her firm buttocks and swaying with her movements.

“Let’s not worry about that; we’re not done.” She coos.

Taking hold of his damp and somewhat sticky organ, Ahmose quickly pulls back and lines himself up. Spreading a cheek with one hand, he briefly gazes at the flesh he is about to partake in before rubbing the head against her nether lips, teasing her with his tool. Kebechet moans in the most alluring of ways, sounding almost like the purr of a cat. He can’t stand to resist her any longer and quickly reinserts himself. She squeals as he drives himself as deep as he will go with one hard push, his pelvis smacking her behind and his scrotum brushing against her clitoris.

In short order he is back to thrusting, in and out, over and over. It takes only moments for her to feel herself building to yet another explosive orgasm. This human is quite the prize indeed. He leans forward, his sweaty chest resting against the matted fur of her equally sweaty back. Reaching around, his hands grip her impressive breasts. He teases her nipples with his fingers while rather tenderly kissing her neck. It’s all too much for the goddess, who grunts and scratches at her father’s desk as she cums for a third time.

This time, however, Ahmose feels himself drawing near, but it is now his turn to be under her control. No sooner than she feels the wave subsiding, she reaches back and stops her lover. Ahmose is confused, but he doesn’t disobey the goddess. Kebechet directs him atop the desk, facing long-ways so that Anubis’ throne is to his right, and the path to the portal at his left. With his lower legs hanging over the edge, Kebechet climbs atop the desk and straddles him, a wide and toothy grin on her face; she gazes at him like a predator eying her prey before the kill.

Taking him with both hands, she carefully inserts him into her thoroughly used and formerly virginal loins. Though the repositioning had eased his growing pleasure, it doesn’t take long before he feels it building all over again. Kebechet rides him with a skill he has never experienced before, bucking and shifting her hips with each gleeful bounce. Is this how her race routinely mates and she is imitating it? Is she using his phallus for her pleasure and these are the most effective motions, or she is merely losing herself in the moment?

Whatever the reason, neither of them dwells on it. Kebechet sees the pleasure of her human lover; it’s plain to see on his face and in his eyes. She experiences an almost childlike glee as she realizes that she is making him feel as wonderful as he did for her. He grips her breasts as she continues the session, bouncing and bucking harder and faster. She tries to bring him to the edge, eager to experience the finale of their love-making. Her efforts have a similar effect on herself, and she soon feels a fourth orgasm bubbling to the surface.

Suddenly sitting upright, Ahmose briefly startles her. Wrapping his arms around her supple body, he holds her in a manner that makes her feel like melting in his arms. Sitting down atop her lover with his large member buried within her, he grips her ass tightly. Without having to coach her, she begins grinding against him with back and forth motions, his scrotum pressed tightly against butt. Her tail sways erratically and the lover’s kiss quite passionately as Kebechet and Ahmose simultaneously crest their pleasure.

With her arms gripping him tightly and her chin now resting on one of his shoulders, she cries out as she has her fourth and most powerful orgasm yet, aided by the sensation of Ahmose’s large volume of burning hot cum flowing within her. She shivers in pleasure as his muscles also spasm somewhat, both gasping for breath. Jet after powerful jet, Ahmose releases his fertile seed within the goddess’s body. This is a first for both of them, and a sensation that, if they could, they would repeat endlessly.

It takes some time before the couple lie down. Ahmose stretches out over the see-through desk while Kebechet lay atop him, his member still sheathed to the hilt within her loins. She nuzzles and kisses him rather affectionately, quite content to rest with him. It takes even longer before the pair decide that they should physically separate themselves. Rising up from her lover, Kebechet is careful when removing his exceptionally large and still erect organ. To their surprise, however, one the head of his member pops out from her nether lips, not a drop of his seed spills out.

“It must be very deep, because I certainly felt an ocean of it.” She giggles.

“I have never experienced something like this before.” Ahmose admits.

“Of course you haven’t.” She grins.

“I didn’t mean that... What I meant to say was I have never experienced something so... Emotional and powerful. I felt more than just physical pleasure.”

Kebechet looks to him with a strange look that he cannot place. Is she puzzled, offended, surprised, or a combination of all of the above? Kebechet stares at her human lover, unsure of how to feel. She is both elated by his declaration but overwhelmed by a sorrow that he must depart. When he returns to Earth, he will live for years while she will only experience a few days, and when he has the power to do so, he might never return. It causes her to feel optimistically apprehensive.

Suddenly feeling embarrassed for his statement, Ahmose bows his head. Her expression makes him unsure of himself, something he hasn’t felt since he hit puberty.

“Forgive your servant. I spoke out of turn. I only... I-”

“Ahmose.” Kebechet interrupts him.

He stops, turning his eyes up to her. She smiles warmly, resting a hand gently on his cheek.

“Do not call yourself that. You are not my servant.” She speaks softly.

Sharing a tender kiss and a warm embrace, the pair enjoy their last moments together before slowly and sullenly dressing in their simple garments.

“I wonder if your seed will make me pregnant.” Kebechet thinks aloud as she glances back to Ahmose.

“If you do, our child will most likely be legendary, perhaps even deified.” He answers.

“If I do become pregnant and you never return to my realm, I won’t know it until the dust from your bones has blown away.” She sorrowfully adds.

“I will make you a solemn promise, Kebechet.” He begins, resting a hand on her cheek. “Once I am high priest, I will find a replacement and return to you. Anubis only wrote that I had to become the high priest, but not for how long I must serve, correct?”

“Yes.” She nods.

“Then if you are lucky, I will be back in only a few short days. I will simply have to suffer my years without you, but it will be worth it.”

His tone and his eyes are very sincere. Kebechet rests a hand atop his and the other on his cheek. She silently chuckles as she strokes his flesh.

“Are all human men like you?” She asks.

“I don’t know. I haven’t met them all.” He grins.

They share a final embrace before walking toward the portal to Earth. Kebechet stays close to him and savors their last few seconds together. She’s prepared for the possibility that he will never return, regardless of his promise, though she would be glad if he kept it. Neither can think of anything to say as they draw near the portal. Standing before the swirling pink and purple light, Ahmose takes a deep breath and sullenly sighs.

“I will see you again soon.” She assures him.

“Yes, you will, and the next time I return I won’t need the nectar to give me the strength to step through.” He says with a smile.

With that, Ahmose steps through the portal and Kebechet is left alone in the chamber, her heart sinking. Falling to his knees, Ahmose emerges from the other side of the portal in the sealed room. He leans over, resting his hands on the carved stone floor. He remains there both from the icy sensation of the return through the portal and from the frustration of having to continue his previous existence. Looking back at the device which transported him, it dims as it appears to fall dormant.

Just then, the stone door rolls away and several priests dart inside, followed by the elderly Hapuseneb. The other priests help him to his feet, assuming that he is in shock from the trip. They are quick to take him from the room, though he continues to look over his shoulder at the device as Hapuseneb collects it, wrapping it in the cloth and taking it from the altar. Ahmose stares down at his feet as he walks with the other priests to their living quarters where a celebratory feast will await him, the final component of the ceremony.

“What happened to you back, Ahmose?!” A priest suddenly asks.

Glancing over his shoulder, Ahmose suddenly recalls the scratches that Kebechet so graciously gave him during their passionate love-making. He pauses as he thinks of a viable excuse.

“I uh... I writhed atop the altar and the stone scraped my flesh.” Ahmose explains.

“... But the altar is covered with linen.” The priest retorts.

“That’s what happened! Don’t question me!” Ahmose barks.

“My apologies. I was just concerned.” The priest humbly bows his head.

Entering the grand hall, the other priests prepare their meals. Using that distraction, Ahmose quickly and quietly slips away, heading for the private quarters of Hapuseneb. With the wooden door ajar, he peers inside of the torch-lit room where he witnesses Hapuseneb handling the wrapped device. Placing it within a stone chest lined with a thick and heavily decorated layer of gold, he closes the hinged lid and locks the box with a bizarre, star shaped key that fits within an indentation atop the lid.

“Curious about the doorway?” Hapuseneb suddenly asks without ever turning around.

“You knew I was here?” Ahmose asks in surprise.

“Of course. Everyone does the same thing, as I did to my high priest when I met first with Anubis. He dictates our temple with these visits.” Hapuseneb explains. “So, what did he tell you?” He turns to the young priest.

“Anubis? Oh, well...” Ahmose nervously scratches the back of his head and averts his eyes.

“Speak, brother. I’m quite curious.”

“Keb... Er, Anubis told me that I was to become the high priest after your soul meets him in the afterlife.” Ahmose admits.

“Did he say when?!” Hapuseneb asks excitedly.

“I was told ‘a few years’. So, you believe me?” Ahmose raises an eyebrow.

“Of course. I probably wouldn’t, had I not known you would be the high priest from the moment I heard your name. Anubis told me of my eventual successor on my second visit to him, right after I became the high priest, as I’m sure he will do for you.” Hapuseneb explains.

“Then you know how to use the device?”

“Of course, and I will teach you as well, but only after the feast. The key to the chest, however, is only for the high priest. You will have to wait until my death before you may see him again.”

Hapuseneb drapes an arm over Ahmose’s shoulder, leading the young man from his quarters and back towards the dining hall. Meanwhile, Kebechet cleans Anubis’ desk as thoroughly as she possibly can, removing the small droplets of blood and her shed fur. After a few moments, a doorway built into the wall of the chamber slides open and Anubis enters from a gleaming white corridor. He approaches his daughter who sits at his throne, legs crossed and appearing quite relaxed as she leans over an arm of the chair.

“So, how did your first meeting with a mortal go?” He asks, resting his hands atop the chair.

“Oh, very well, father!” She exclaims.

“Does this mean that I can have a day off every so often?” Anubis chuckles.

“I suppose, but I wasn’t really hoping to do your job.”

“I doubt anyone is.” Anubis quips.

Trading places with his daughter, she stands by his side as he sits upon his throne. He narrows his eyes at a few scratch marks left atop the clear material of the desk. The rest of the desk is unusually shiny, as though it had been wiped down.

“Did you clean my desk?” He asks with a raised brow.

“Not that I recall.” She replies.

“Huh... No matter!” Anubis shrugs. “I have another meeting soon, so run along.”

“Wait, father!”

“Yes?”

“When you are scheduled to meet Ahmose again, could you tell me? I would like to be there.” She says.

“Why?” He narrows his eyes in suspicion.

“Just because.” She quickly replies.

“Do not think that because I’m your father that I’m also ignorant. What are you not telling me about this human you met with?” He sternly asks.

Kebechet nervously bites her bottom lip, unsure of what to tell her father, Anubis. Taking a deep breath, she prepares to reveal the truth, hoping that in this case honesty will be the best policy. On Earth, three years go by, and a now 22-year-old Ahmose puts on the jewelry and headdress of a high priest for the first time. Hapuseneb died a few days earlier, declaring Ahmose the next high priest in his will. Having already removed his vital organs in preparation, Ahmose covers Hapuseneb’s body with salts to dry it out before wrapping it.

Having already chosen a successor himself and prepared his own will, he uses the key for the first time in years, something that he had thought about countless times since his encounter with Kebechet. Removing the device, he can hardly contain his glee. Hapuseneb both verbally and visually instructed him on the use many times before and Ahmose drafted instructions for the future high priest, in the event that he never returns from this trip. Racing toward the chamber, where the device’s power core is stored within the small altar, he mentally prepares himself.

Pressing a few well-hidden buttons on the device, he activates it after setting it upon the pedestal and within the notch of the golden conductive plate. He braces himself as it glows exactly the way he remembered it, stepping back to give it room to form the familiar teal and blue swirling portal. As soon as it is prepared, he takes a deep breath and steps inside, trembling in nervous anticipation. It has been several years, and yet Kebechet is still on his mind. He hasn’t even experienced another woman since, nor does he want to; as far as he’s concerned, he belongs to her.

After flying through the familiar tube of light, he emerges from the other end in the purple and pink swirling chamber with onyx floors. At the end of the pathway from the portal and shrouded in haze is the desk and throne, with a being sitting in the seat and another standing beside them. He dashes quickly for the beings, eager to see which is Kebechet, correctly assuming that she stands beside her father who is seated in his throne. He stops just before the desk, turning his eyes to Kebechet and struggling to contain a grin. Kebechet, however, seems more worried than pleased.

“Ahmose!” Anubis exclaims in an eerily cheerful tone, his sharp claws tapping on the clear material of his desk. “We’ve been waiting for you...” He growls.