Life would be so much easier if I wasn’t such a coward.
I descend the stairway. My hammering heart thunders in my ears. It’s not just the growling that’s spiking my adrenalin level. The sweat on my forehead and my trembling body are a product of the things my dad used to tell me about Egyptian mazes. Pharaohs had them built inside pyramids to protect the mummies of the kings. One of the most famous mazes, according to him, was buried deep inside Amemenhet III’s final resting place. Legend has it the pharaoh had learned his lesson from the fate of those before him. Grave robbers had tunneled through the soft limestone, found treasure, and run off with it.
The thought of being victimized by such criminals made Amemenhet paranoid. He had his tomb turned into a mesmerizing life-sized maze. Secret sliding doors, false passageways, hidden chambers—tombs like his were the reason early archeologists and tomb raiders alike believed in death curses. The worst part is Amemenhet III was just a pharaoh. His booby traps, as deadly as they’d been, were probably child’s play compared to what a god like Ra has in store.
“What is it?” Seth asks as I stop on the last step, my breath uneven.
The room is square. It’s about twenty feet long and twenty feet wide. The low stone ceilings look like they’re about to crush us. The air is thick, completely still.
“There’s no door,” I say, looking for a way out.
He gently squeezes my shoulder. “Stay calm and look closely.” His voice is so soft and loving, I wonder if maybe there’s still kindness in him.
I watch my step, afraid I might accidently unleash another load of arrows on us, and proceed.
The walls are suspiciously blank, lacking the hieroglyphs and gemstones I’ve grown accustomed to. I touch the smooth surface, searching for a loose stone.
Frustrated, I throw my head back and glare at the ceiling. It’s made of the same stone, but something about it holds my attention. At the risk of sounding mad, I swear the ceiling has eyes. They watch my every move, waiting for the right moment to punish me for my intrusion.
I search for tranquility in an ocean of anxiety. Soon I hear Dad’s voice. “The old kings never did anything without reason. Their plans were meticulous.”
Low ceilings.
That’s it! The ceilings are so low because—
I rush through the chamber, gaze glued to the stone above me. Its surface is smooth and even, except—
Here.
Tiny, long cracks are in the stone. Upon closer inspection, it looks like a trapdoor. I stand on my toes and press my palms against it. Takes all the strength I’ve got, but the stone moves. It slides to the left, exposing my escape route.
A part of me is convinced I’m heading into a trap, but since there’s no other way out, I have no choice but to take a chance. I dig my nails into the sandstone and pull myself up. Stuff like that looks much easier on TV. I need several attempts and a whole lot of muscle to get up there. Seth is right behind me, following.
Proud and happy I made it, I scan my surroundings, my initial happiness fading like a candle in the wind. I’m inside another chamber that opens into a wide passageway, filled with stone blocks, for crying out loud.
“I’m never going to make it out of here.” This maze is going to be my downfall.
“Don’t sell yourself short.” Seth steps ahead of me. “You’ve conquered worse than a maze.”
If only I had a pinch of Seth’s faith in me. But things aren’t looking great, and I’m a realist. I focus on the task at hand, so I won’t throw myself a pity party that’ll most likely be my last.
I approach the massive stone blocks, depriving the chamber of light. What’s worse than the spreading darkness? The bone-chilling growls echoing through the chamber. Someone… no, something else is here with us.
I stumble back.
Click.
The earth shifts beneath my feet. Violent winds blow.
Next thing I know, I’m falling into darkness.
I’m brace for impact, but Seth’s strong hands grip my arms. “Hold on tight,” he says, pulling me back up.
My pulse is racing, and my knees shake so badly I’m barely able to stand on my own. “Th-thank you,” I stammer, gazing down into the black hole that almost devoured me.
His expression is unreadable. “What is wrong with you?” He swallows hard. “This isn’t a playground. It’s a maze full of deathtraps. You’d be wise to watch where you’re going. Unless—” He stops, studying me closely.
“Unless what?”
“You have a death wish.”
“I don’t,” I shoot back. “I’m sorry, okay?” It sounds lame, but I don’t have much more to offer. “I didn’t—”
He holds up a hand, cutting me off mid-sentence. “I told you I’m not allowed to interfere.”
Something I’d never seen from him pushes to the surface. If he wasn’t the evil, vile, murderous Ruler of the Underworld, I’d say it was fear.
“I am sorry,” I whisper, mostly to ease my guilt. “It won’t happen again.”
“Wait.”
“What is it?” I ask, surprisingly softly.
Our gazes collide. His lips part, then close. Part and close. “The passageway is a dead end,” he says.
Why do I get the feeling this isn’t what he wanted to say?
I smile. “I thought you weren’t allowed to help me.”
“I’m your guide.” He cocks a brow. “And I am guiding, aren’t I?”
“I guess so.”
He nods. “Look for anything that appears out of the ordinary.”
And that’s what I do. I scan the chamber and passageway meticulously, starting with the ceilings. They’re higher than the ones below. No way anyone can reach them without a ladder. The stone walls appear to be reddish sandstone except for one wall at the end. It’s made of a darkish wood, and when I touch the surface, it moves.
“Got it,” I yell.
Seth marches over, beaming at me. “Need some help?”
“Nah.” I push the wood away. “I got this.” And I sure as heck don’t want to be responsible for any godlike retaliation because I broke some god’s law.
I check out the narrow corridor. It’s pitch black. “Will we fit?” I ask, never taking my eyes off the black hole.
“Yes,” is Seth’s reply.
I stick my head into the opening. Cold wind lashes my face. The lack of light and foresight pushes my heart into overdrive. I’m about to enter when I hear another deep, terrifying growl, and it’s closer, as if—
“Run!” Seth yells, pushing me into the darkness. “Run as fast as you can.”
Easier said than done. I mean, I don’t exactly have night vision. But the guttural growls behind me are more than enough to turn me into Speedy Gonzales.
I run and run and… heck, I run! Faster than I ever have, never looking back.
Whatever is treading on our heels is close, close enough for me to catch its disgusting smell—a mixture between rotten eggs and burned flesh.
Hunched and with severe back pain, I abruptly stop. “It’s a dead end.”
Seth’s hot breath tingles on the back of my neck. “Search the walls. There’s got to be—”
I look over my shoulder and instantly regret it. There, behind Seth, is a pair of yellow eyes. They’re so big, I freeze like a deer in headlights.
Seth faces the creature. “Search the walls. Now!”
I shake off the shock and run my palms over the stones. As Seth moves into fighting position, one of the stones moves inward and we fall.
It feels like we plummet forever before our butts hit the floor.
“Ouch.” This is going to be a bitch of a bruise.
He helps me up. “Are you okay?”
“What was that?” My voice shakes. So do my legs.
Seth meets my gaze. “Do you really want to know?”
I hesitate, then shake my head. Some things are better left in the dark. I have enough material to conjure up a lifetime of nightmares. No
need to add more to the list. “Where are we?”
He points at the long passageway. “Almost there.”
“Good.” ’Cause I’ve had about enough of this maze.
We move deeper into the belly of the temple. I wonder if Jonah felt equally lost in the whale. Doubt it. Unlike me, he had faith in his god. The ones who built this maze, however, never intended for anyone to make it out alive.
We’re almost at the end of the passageway, which (surprise, surprise) is another dead end, when a sharp pain rips through my neck. Blood drops on my top, staining the white fabric a dark shade of red.
Seth gapes, then rips a piece of fabric from his loincloth and presses it against the cut.
“Thanks.” I keep pressure on the wound, wondering what caused it. There’s nothing though.
I recall a documentary I once watched. Something about Egyptians using invisible razor-sharp wires at neck level to kill intruders.
Hoping my Discovery Channel addiction finally paid off, I duck low and move on. No more cuts, no more pain. And they say TV is a waste of time.
We’re almost at the end, safe and sound, when the stones beneath my feet shift and something emerges. “What the—”
A twenty-foot-long white cobra appears.
The snake, which I can only describe as hauntingly majestic and really big, slithers toward us, head held high, hissing.
We’re dead.
A normal cobra’s poison causes respiratory failure and death within thirty minutes. This larger and scarier version will off us much quicker.
“Don’t be afraid,” Seth urges as the snake stops three feet in front of us, hood extended.
I stay still, not daring to move or breathe. It’s not that I’m afraid of snakes. I find them fascinating. But this one would terrify the most fearless snake whisperer.
“Nisha.” Seth’s voice is calm. Too calm, considering we’re face to face with a monster snake, ready to bite or devour us at any moment. “Look at me.”
I barely shift my head in his direction, for fear the creature will strike. “Huh?” My voice trembles.
“Do not be afraid,” he says and repeats it like a mantra, as if saying it will vaporize the fear rushing through my marrow.
“Easy for you to say.” He’s just my guide. I have a feeling the cobra won’t go after him when it’s time to pick a victim.
His eyes remain locked on mine. “Cobras are guardians. They’re neither good nor evil. They just are.”
“Neutral, like Switzerland?” It’d explain why they are worshipped by Egyptians, associated with the gods, yet also painted as evil.
Seth offers me a smile. “You must overcome your fears. It can smell your intentions.” I suppose he wants to make me feel better. It doesn’t work that way.
The cobra hisses, flicking its tongue.
“Pull yourself together,” he orders, sounding every bit the ruler he is. “There’s only one way to overcome this obstacle.”
“Running?”
“No.” His eyes move from the cobra to me and back. “She was born of Ra’s blood,” he explains. “And only Ra’s blood can command her.”
“What does that mean?” I’m not in the mood for riddles. Not when a gigantic cobra is flicking her tongue, her stance saying she’s set to attack.
I can’t explain what happens next. I step between the vile King of the Underworld and the snake, holding my hand up as if that might stop a killer snake’s attack. “Stop,” I order, my voice alien to my own ears.
The creature pulls back, head weaving.
“Go away,” I say, not sure what the heck I’m doing. “Crawl away! Go back to where you came from.”
It flicks its tongue again. Then, against all logic, it retreats and then dissolves into thin air. Two deep square burial shafts appear where the dead end was.
Seth beams at me, pride and respect in his eyes. “Well done,” he congratulates me. “Very well done, my love.” Seth grabs my hand, leading me toward two open burial shafts.
One is completely filled with stone slabs; the other appears to be empty. I’d think the closed one leads to wherever we’re supposed to go, but instinct says otherwise. In fact, I’m not sure either is the right choice, so I look around, searching for an abnormality.
A black gem is embedded in the wall next to the empty shaft. Like a robot, I stalk toward it and press my hand against the cold onyx.
The stone moves into the wall, then moves aside, exposing a secret door. Indiana Jones would be proud of me.
I glimpse greenery. Bushes, I believe. Green is good. Green is life. “Let’s go.”
I’m halfway through the door when Seth stops me. “What?” I want to get the heck out of here, ASAP.
He points at the bushes. “That’s the maze.”
“I thought this was the maze.”
“It’s the last obstacle,” he explains. “If you make it through, you’ll get to the Tree of Life.” I don’t appreciate his emphasis on if. Whatever waits for me in that maze must be bad. “Whatever you do,” he goes on, “don’t stop running.”
My stomach is tied up in knots. “That bad, huh?”
“Worse.” He sighs.
Well, then. Let the maze run begin. Preferably before I change my mind and charge in the opposite direction.
I’ve just passed through the door and am standing in the midst of larger than life bushes, when a high-pitched scream cuts through the air. I look over my shoulder. The blood in my veins freezing at the gruesome sight.
About ten feet away sits a being I can only describe as a hybrid between a bird and a cat. A bird on steroids. Its wings are gigantic, the sharp cat teeth petrifying.
“Ikenty,” Seth whispers, a residue of fear in his voice.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Doesn’t look friendly.”
“He’s not,” Seth assures me.
Ikenty stretches its wings and flies—runs?—at us.
“Run,” Seth screams. “Don’t stop.”
It’s a maze, for crying out loud. I have no idea which way to go. “Where to?” I ask hysterically.
“Listen to your heart,” he says, pushing me forward. “It knows the way.”
I’d argue with him, but I don’t intend to make acquaintance with Ikenty’s razor-like claws. I take off, staring straight ahead.
Left, right, straight, past stone walls, past golden walls, past ancient drawings and larger-than-life bushes.
The toe-curling screams of Ikenty draw my attention. I look back to make sure there’s enough distance between the bloodthirsty Ikenty and us. Grave mistake. I stumble over a stone and nosedive into the sand.
Seth halts. “Get up! Nebt-Het, you have to get up.”
I scramble to my feet, but the fall costs me precious time. Ikenty’s scorching breath beats against my neck. Its claws are inches from penetrating my shoulders.
“You’re almost there.” Seth cheers me on, pointing to a massive ished tree a few steps ahead of us.
I give it my all. Too bad the hybrid has wings, and flying beats running by a long shot.
Ikenty is directly above me, closing in for the kill.
Warmth spreads through me. A high-pitched scream rings through the sky. Is death warm and does it feel like home?
I look up. Ikenty is gone. Poof. Vanished like the cobra.
“Princess Nebt-Het,” an enchanting voice says. “I expected you.” A flaming bird bows low. Its feathers—the colors of the most beautiful rainbow—blaze like fireworks.
“You’re….” I can’t take my eyes off the stunning creature. It resembles a peacock, only it’s larger. “You’re the Bennu?”
“I am,” it confirms. “And this”—it turns to the blossoming tree, its thick green branches like blankets of safety and warmth—“is the Tree of Life, of which you must eat a fruit if you intend to move to the next cavern.”
Seth is beside me. He’s eerily quiet, doesn’t move, speak, nor breathe. It’s as if the Benu has frozen him.
; Knowing the conqueror won’t be of much help, I inch closer to the tree, inspecting its thick trunk and mesmerizing crown. “I eat a leaf?”
I swear the Benu smiles. “No, my child.” It spreads its flaming wings. Rays of rainbow light fall on the tree. Out of nowhere, a red, apple-like fruit appears on one branch. “You shall eat the fruit of life, but be warned. There will be a price.”
“What price?” I ask, eyes glued to the fruit.
“I have been tasked with guarding the secrets of life. If you eat from the Tree of Life, ignorance will vanish. The doors you open can never be closed, and knowledge is its own curse.”
Great. Sounds fantastic.
“Will you proceed?”
“Yes.”
“Then come.” It moves toward the fruit like a graceful ballerina. “I shall stay by your side.” In that moment, the Benu reminds me of Blaze. He, too, was with me every step of the way. The Benu’s resemblance to the boy who held my hand when I destroyed a bookstore is what makes me trust it.
I take the fruit he offers me.
“The secrets of your lives are hidden within.” The Benu looks me in the eye. “Eat it and you shall know all.”
Fear takes hold of my heart. I’m not sure I want to know the secrets of every life I allegedly lived. I can barely handle this one. How am I supposed—
“I am with you, Princess Nebt-het.” The Benu’s flaming wing caresses my back. “Always.”
His kindness convinces me. “Thank you.” I take a large bite.
My knees go weak. Colorful flashes blur my sight.
I’m in the Chamber of Eternal Life, freeing the snake and milking its poison. Seth tries to stop me, but Blaze comes to my aid. We all die.
A man is nailed to a wooden stake. People stand by and watch. I am one of them. He cries out for his father, then sees me and smiles. He’s dying, but he’s not afraid. He saw something that erased all fear.
I’m in the middle of a battlefield. Knights in armor fight each other, and flags with crosses sway in the wind. I tend to the dying ones. They drift away in my arms, looking peaceful.
Bombs drop from the sky. Soldiers march through the streets. Houses burn. People die. They die next to me, but not because of me. I’m there to console them in their last moments. Before they go, I see hope in their eyes.
Book of the Dead (Gods of Egypt 2) Page 14