Fractured

Chapter 12

Gemini didn't stick around for dinner aboard the boat that would guide them to the Land of the Dead. Instead, they figured sleeping would suit them better. The boat itself looked like a tourist attraction, something from a time long forgotten. It had inscriptions in Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics, with the odd English. There were two eyes at the front of the boat that roamed around, searching for danger. The real surprise was Bast, who had greeted the three teenagers when they climbed onto the boat.

The crew comprised of one demon called Bloodstained Blade, and a bunch of glowing spheres of flame. The captain, as his name suggested, was really a battle axe attached to a human body at the neck. Gemini wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, but they couldn't bring theirself to care too much. They asked one of the flame spirits to show them to a bed, and they were led to an empty room with king-sized bed and a vanity table with a bunch of vials and bottles. 

Gemini payed no attention to the room, instantly lying down to take a quick nap. They trusted the rest to wake them up when they arrived at wherever they were supposed to be. 

They closed their eyes, sinking into the comfort of the bedsheets.

Gemini could hear music. They opened their eyes. They were back in the temple/cave they had visited in their dream with Hathor. 

There was a woman singing, this time. It was ethereal and Gemini was getting drawn in by the beauty of her voice. There was a small crowd gathered in front of her. Men and women were playing instruments around the room. Hieroglyphs glowed on the walls in a spectrum of colors.

"She is an ancestor of yours." Hathor was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall. She was wearing light blue jeans and a pink cardigan with a white top. She looked very human. Even dressed simply, Hathor looked like the most beautiful woman Gemini had ever seen. 

Gemini noted the similarities between the woman's features and theirs. She was a black woman with long hair in box braids. 

"She was at one time the High-Priestess of my temple. Though she may not look like it, she's a fierce warrior and a deeply respected elder." 

"Was this before or after the curse?"

Hathor stood up to stand beside Gemini. "She was the one who cast the curse." 

Gemini looked at the woman, their ancestor, in a new light. "When was this?"

"A little before the fall of Ancient Egypt. She was among the last of its great magicians." Hathor had a strange look in her kaleidoscopic eyes. 

The woman was singing to the rest of the magicians in the room, but the attentiveness the magicians were listening with suggested that something more important was happening. Gemini wanted to be like her. They wanted to be powerful and respected, effortlessly commanding and demanding attention.  

"It's important for you to know your family's history. You are quite fortunate the one who cast the curse was also a member of my temple. I admit I don't know a lot about her, but I hope this has helped you." Hathor looked at Gemini briefly through the corner of her eye. "At the very least, I have shown you how to utilize your magic."

"What was her name?" Gemini wanted to know in case they had a chance to look for her. 

"Zahra Amani." 

The edges of Gemini's vision began to blur, warning them that it was time to wake up. "I appreciate this, Hathor."

She nodded in acknowledgement. 

Gemini's vision filled with darkness, blanketing all they could see.

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A comfortable darkness surrounded them. Gemini looked around, surprised to see that they had woken up on their own. They got off the bed and used the next hour to freshen up in a nearby bathroom. They didn't know how the bathroom had a fully functioning shower with heated water, but they were grateful. Carefully undoing their braids, Gemini stepped into the shower. After taking the much-needed shower, Gemini returned to the room and headed towards the closet. It had plenty of clothes, all linen, in more colors than just white. They picked a comfortably tight pair of black pants and a tight white linen crop top. They then picked out a black linen jacket. 

Gemini walked to the vanity table. They looked at their reflection, dread growing at the sight of their hair. They pulled out the stool tucked under the table. The least they could do was take care of it. They used a comb they found to work out the tangles. Gemini sighed in frustration. They wanted to look different than they usually did.

Let me help, Hathor offered. 

Gemini surrendered control. They took a step back inside their mind, and a sliver of Hathor's presence slipped in. She sat down and controlled their arms to pick up and inspect the bottles on the vanity table. 

They watched as she inspected their face. 

I could do this with magic, but you won't learn that way. I'll encourage this lesson to stick with a little magic, though. 

Hathor lined their eyes with kohl, applying gold eyeshadow that darkened at the edges. She used an extremely dark purple lipstick. She then painted their nails a bright purple that had glitter in it. Finally, she waved Gemini's hand. One second their hair was messy, and the next it was in locs fashioned into a long braid. Hathor had magically lengthened their hair. Before she touched it, it had reached Gemini's shoulders, but now it looked just about long enough to reach the small of their back. She also got rid of other imperfections, simple things like curling their eyelashes and magically plucking their eyebrows. Apparently satisfied, Hathor relinquished control.

"Holy fuck." Gemini was stunned. This had been their dream for the longest time, and they weren't sure if they were confident enough to do it themselves. Fortunately, the goddess of beauty did it for them. They began to tear up a bit, then looked up in panic. "Can't cry and ruin this masterpiece."

Hathor's laugh echoed inside their mind. I'm glad you like it so much.

Just then they heard a knock. Gemini whirled around in surprise. Bast, Carter, and Sadie were standing at the door, their faces melting into shock and surprise at the sight that greeted them. 

"I- Wow." Sadie said first. "You look amazing." 

Carter stared open-mouthed. 

Bast smirked. "You look fierce, Gemini." She looked almost proud. 

Gemini got up and smiled shyly. "Thanks guys. Why are you all here, anyway?" 

"Right. We're almost into the Land of the Dead." Sadie said.

Bast nodded. "We're approaching the First Cataract." 

Gemini cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "You can explain on the way up." 

Sadie and Bast nodded and began to walk away. Carter hesitated a second. "You do look amazing, by the way." 

Gemini felt their skin grow warm. "Thanks, Carter." 

Carter rubbed his neck and then turned and followed his sister. 

Gemini couldn't help but smile. 

Wait, do you know where my staff is?

I placed it in the Duat for you. It is a trick used by magicians to keep their weapons close without having to lug it around everywhere. Hathor responded. Stick your hand out and visualize a deep ocean. Now place yourself at the very center of it. Imagine and feel your staff around your hand, and pull.

Gemini closed their eyes and followed her directions, and to their amazement, they felt the familiar scratchiness of their staff. They pulled their hand and skeptically opened their eyes. They were amazed. Zia's staff was in Gemini's hand. An extremely handy trick. 

How do I put it back?

That's up to you. Create your own sense of the Duat and simply reverse the steps you took. 

Gemini closed their eyes once again. They imagined they were surrounded by a sphere of thin paper, layers of that same paper stacking outward and stretching endlessly. They pushed out their hand, and tore through the first layer. They opened their grasp, letting go of the staff. They expected to hear the thunk of the staff hitting the floor. There was nothing. Gemini opened their eyes slowly. The staff was gone. 

I also put your book and scroll in there. It's a little inconvenient and also irresponsible of you to carry an important artifact around with you.

Gemini sighed in relief. They had completely forgotten about the scroll. If they ever got out of the Land of the Dead, they would need to get back to reading and translating it as soon as they could. Gemini thanked Hathor again and went up to join the others.