Early morning sunlight spilled into Nesyra's chamber, casting a warm glow that danced over the stone walls. She stretched, feeling the weariness fade from her muscles, and her fingers traced the faint lines of the old tattoos on her arms—marks not just of her priesthood, but of her ancestry. Her mind drifted, as it often did in those quiet moments, back to her mother, Merit-Hotep, and to the land beyond Egypt that she had always spoken of in secret.

Strange, Nesyra thought, to feel such a strong pull to a homeland she had never seen—a place she barely understood, where her family's roots lay buried far from the Nile's banks. Yet as she breathed in the morning's stillness, a sense of belonging settled over her, as if the sun itself had carried whispers from that distant place to remind her of a connection stronger than blood and deeper than the sands.

Merit-Hotep entered the room gracefully, carrying a small, intricately carved bowl filled with a blend of fruits and spices from her homeland. She placed it on the table beside Nesyra, her eyes twinkling with a warmth that softened her otherwise reserved expression.

"Ah, dearest, you're awake," she said, her voice gentle yet edged with purpose. "Good. The High Priestess and Pharaoh Ramesses II have requested an audience with you."

Nesyra's heart skipped at the mention of the Pharaoh's name. It wasn't every day one received a summons from Ramesses himself, and she could sense the weight of this request in her mother's gaze. But there was something more, a glimmer of pride and perhaps a hint of apprehension, as if Merit-Hotep knew that this meeting would be a turning point for her daughter.

Nesyra tilted her head, curiosity knitting her brow. "Why?" she asked, voice tinged with caution.

Merit-Hotep simply shrugged, an unreadable smile on her lips. "I do not know, but just dress," she replied, her tone both soothing and firm. She laid a finely woven linen dress on the bed—a beautiful, light garment embroidered with delicate golden threads that shimmered in the morning sun.

Nesyra's fingers brushed over the soft fabric, feeling the intricate patterns. She sensed that this was no ordinary audience and that, whatever awaited her with the Pharaoh and High Priestess, it would alter her path forever.

Her mother left, and Nesyra moved quickly to dress, slipping into the fine linen gown with care. She washed her body, letting the cool water refresh her skin, then combed through her hair until it fell in soft, dark waves around her shoulders. Finally, she traced a line of kohl along her eyes, giving herself a look of quiet strength.

When she was ready, she stepped into the common room of her mother's small home. It was a cozy space, filled with woven baskets, clay jars, and delicate carvings Merit-Hotep had gathered over the years. Sunlight poured through a single, narrow window, casting soft beams across the room, making everything seem warm and familiar. It was modest, yet it carried the presence of her mother's love and care—each item in its place, a testament to the life they shared.

For a moment, Nesyra paused, savoring the stillness, knowing that today might mark a change that would pull her farther from this quiet life.

Her mother left, and Nesyra moved quickly to dress, slipping into the fine linen gown with care. She washed her body, letting the cool water refresh her skin, then combed through her hair until it fell in soft, dark waves around her shoulders. Finally, she traced a line of kohl along her eyes, giving herself a look of quiet strength.

When she was ready, she stepped into the common room of her mother's small home. It was a cozy space, filled with woven baskets, clay jars, and delicate carvings Merit-Hotep had gathered over the years. Sunlight poured through a single, narrow window, casting soft beams across the room, making everything seem warm and familiar. It was modest, yet it carried the presence of her mother's love and care—each item in its place, a testament to the life they shared.

For a moment, Nesyra paused, savoring the stillness, knowing that today might mark a change that would pull her farther from this quiet life.

Merit-Hotep smiled approvingly as Nesyra entered the room. "Good," she murmured, her eyes holding a glint of pride. Then she gestured to the tall figure standing near the doorway—a man with jet-black hair and striking golden eyes that gleamed with an otherworldly light. On his forearm, a tattoo of a jackal marked his skin, its dark ink a silent emblem of his origin.

"This is Anubis," Merit-Hotep said, her voice steady but respectful. "He'll take you to Pharaoh Ramesses and the High Priestess."

Nesyra's breath caught. She had heard of Anubis, the god who guided souls through the realms of the dead. She'd felt his presence before in rituals, whispered his name in prayer, but to see him here in human form was both thrilling and unnerving. The god's gaze held her, steady and unblinking, as if he could see every secret woven into her soul.

"Greetings, Priestess," he said, dipping his head in a respectful nod, his golden eyes flickering with an ancient knowing.

Nesyra blinked, unsure of how to respond to a god in mortal form. "Hey," she managed, the casual reply slipping out before she could stop herself.

Anubis raised an eyebrow, his expression both amused and patient. "I see your mother has not told you everything." His voice held a deep, almost musical quality, echoing with the weight of countless ages.

Merit-Hotep chuckled, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Well, no, I can't spoil the surprise now, can I? Just take her and be done with it." She gave Nesyra an encouraging nudge, her smile warm but tinged with secrets.

Anubis gave a small, resigned sigh and extended his hand toward Nesyra. "Then come with me, Priestess. The Pharaoh and High Priestess await."

Nesyra hesitated for a moment, glancing back at her mother, whose expression was a blend of pride and hidden knowledge. Taking a steadying breath, she placed her hand in Anubis's, feeling an unusual warmth there, a reminder that her path was leading her into something far beyond the life she'd known.