A divine hand slid over perforated walls submerged in darkness, a golden tint illuminating the dim corridor. It was nearing dawn, the blue flesh of night torn apart by fiery rays. As the sun rose above the wide horizon, a cry rang in the ears of the women. Coming out of a magical womb was a baby. Covered in blood, she cried at being thrown in the arms of sudden brightness. She craved the familiar darkness of her mother's insides.

"Fear not," the maid cradled the baby, "you are the first one to be born."

The rule of the Pharaoh was cursed. None of his babies were born alive. His chief queen suffered three miscarriages and one stillbirth. She was exhausted beyond comprehension, but kept trying to be pregnant.

On the other hand, an ordinary concubine was able to give birth to a child. A child that breathed and screamed. A child that was probably going to live.

The new mother lay in a mess of bloodied sheets. The nurses gave her the baby, a daughter, and she sucked on her mother's bud, drinking her first drops of milk. It quietened her and turned the mother's eyes wet.

"She might not be a boy, but she will be his first child."

"The beginning of civilisation did see matriarchs," the maid said.

The baby closed her eyes. The same divine hand, which could be seen touching the walls, now enveloped the surrounding in darkness. To pull out the dreamer from the dream, the hand gently shook Inanna. She woke up.

It was dawn now too, in this reality. Alexandros slept peacefully. Inanna recalled if she had ever seen such a dream before.

She had not.

Inanna could feel the caress of the invisible hand. It wasn't known to the ones she saw in the dream, but as the one seeing the vision, it made itself aware to her. It was a godly presence. But why did she have such a strange dream?

"Perhaps it's because we talked about the priest. Maybe the royals have inspired my mind to conjure this."

She wanted to believe it to be the case, but her heart became a hollow. It didn't want to accept it as just a creation of wild thoughts. Although obscure, the dream ignited in her a sense of familiarity. The woman looked similar, very similar to someone she had seen. Inanna closed her eyes and rummaged through the heap of memories. The lady wasn't someone from Ta-Seti, the guild or even the village. Not someone she had seen a portrait of. Not any stranger who had caught her attention.

It clicked then. Yes, a stranger, but not a human. A spirit. A departed soul.

She had seen her while contemplating near the pond one fine afternoon, after the incident of her having seen a dream for the first time had occured. The lady had a serene aura, exuding affection, and had said that Innana was a part of her.

A melody cooed in her ears. She could as if hear the woman's giggle upon seeing the baby. Inanna clutched the bedsheets. How could she be a part of the woman? Were they related?

Even if they were, somehow, she couldn't find it right now. She had no clue about her birth, except the jade pendant she wore. The one towards which Abanoub had his eyes.

She heaved a sigh. Luckily he is dead.

"Didn't sleep?" Alexandros stretched his limbs and asked. When did he wake up? Inanna shook her head. "You seem to be immersed in thoughts."

"I had a dream." Inanna cupped her face, resting it on her elbow. "I saw a lady. She just gave birth. Thing is, I had seen her spirit. She had come to me and told I am a part of her."

"Really?" Alexandros sat upright. "Did you see anything else? Something that can help us in finding the identity of the lady?"

"Well–" Her eyes widened. She held his palm. "The Pharaoh! The Pharaoh! Yes, the dream was in a regal setting. Now I remember hearing his mention too."

"The Pharaoh?" Alexandros squinted. "There are many. Who was this?"

"The Pharaoh has a chief queen, but she was unable to give birth. Such a sad predicament. Her babies died in the womb. But then this lady, an unimportant concubine, gave birth to a girl. The first child of the Pharaoh."

Alexandros' crimson eyes shone. Silence flowed through his parted lips. Inanna waited for an answer, but he was taking a long time, lost in a subconscious mayhem. He felt his breath hitched at the pit of his throat. "I need to research. Since we have no names."

"Am I related to royalty or nobility?" she asked, a chime resounding in her sweet tone. "That would be something. Being an orphan isn't so great."

"Oh, yes. Your parents died?"

"I don't know. Master Hor-Aha adopted me and reared me as his daughter. But I don't know who are my biological parents. Tell me, could I be related to the elite?"

"Sure, you can be..." Alexandros averted his gaze. Sweat gleamed on his pale forehead, crystalline beads glistening down the sides of his head. Worries squeezed his heart, an alienating pain erupting in his core. "Nice dream, Inanna." He struggled with a lack of words. Or perhaps was tormented by the necessity to keep quiet.

"Yes. It's a good one!" She laughed. "What to do now, I mean today?"

A weight lifted off his chest. The topic was diverged. "We are leaving the village. Will go near the outskirts of the capital. Significant progress has been made, and we are close to finding the mastermind."

"If that is so, I wish the black spot on the reputation of us Necromancers is removed soon."

"Have you packed your things?"

"Most of them, yes. I will be quick."

Inanna went and gathered her oils. "Do you have a bath attached?"

"To the left." He pointed.

"You wouldn't mind if I use it, would you?"

He winked. "Absolutely not. I won't come disturb you, but can't promise that I won't take a peek."

Inanna chuckled and left. Alexandros craned his neck. When sure that she and her shadow both had entered the bath, he slowly walked to Inanna's trunk. His search through the contents were calculated and careful, making sure no sign of his exploration was obvious.

He found no clue. There was nothing in her possession that said she descended from the lords of this land. Perhaps it was really a silly dream.

"No, dear Alexandros. It's not the mind playing games."

Alexandros turned to see the rainbow-dressed spirit floating in the air. The man looked down at the medjay and plucked the strings of a harp. "She saw the past."

"Yes."

"Like I saw the future," Alexandros said. "Like I feel one day she will be endangered because of me."

"You can't help it, my boy. You have fallen in love, and she has too. This is a dance of pain and joy. To get pleasure, one must feel the sting too!"

"Is it..." He gulped. "Is it possible that the baby is–"

"Alexandros, you know spirits don't like to give direct answers. We love a good riddle." Music flowed from his fingers. "I say, you try and get to know about the jade pendant she wears."

Alexandros couldn't make a head or tail out of it. "I am perplexed."

"Expected from a mortal. Ah, I know who you are. The god of foreigners in the body of the same. You need to work on yourself and your pretty beloved."

Swoosh, the spirit escaped through a silvery portal. Alexandros huffed and flopped on the bed.

To be born as a human came with its own limitations. He knew his purpose, but didn't exactly know the why and how to it. And his destined partner, the one whom the stars had made for him, was clueless about her own magical heritage.

He thought. Gone was his wish to go and whistle at a bathing Inanna; he better decoded the mystery. The dream of the first child of Kemet, the jade pendant, her being found by Hor-Aha...

"Hor-Aha, right..." Alexandros rubbed his chin. "He doesn't know yet that I am related to him."

He had to speak to the man. Bergin had already written a letter to his father, describing the events that recently took place. But Alexandros wanted to meet him in person. Inanna's Master could have the answers Alexandros was seeking, or at least could show him the light. Perhaps he could enlighten him on the reason why Alexandros felt he was a death's call in Inanna's life. Not that he could push himself away from her. They were, after all, destined to be.

As the spirits had foretold, she was the holder of his Ka. And a soul would always be pulled towards its life source.

"But what if I..." His doubt was a whisper, a nearly silent proclaimer of doom. "What if I must snatch the Ka?"

****

The medjay and his team were ready to leave the village of Grandma Eman. The old lady was teary-eyed upon seeing her favourite Alexandros leave. They embraced and she cried in his hold.

"You don't visit often. Such a busy man."

"I will meet you soon, Grandma. I promise."

Inanna too hugged the lady. "You know everything. You knew all along."

She lowered her voice. "I am a Necromancer myself. I learnt from Hor-Aha's grandfather. Yes, I know your guild."

The mage smiled. "That's why you have been so kind to us. I will forever be grateful to you, Grandma. And I will visit you too, together with Alexandros."

"Yes. Keep him tucked in your sleeves. Be a strict wife."

"Hah! We aren't married yet."

"Oh, you will be!"

Bidding them goodbye, Alexandros and Inanna rode on a chariot. Leaving behind her newfound family, Inanna journeyed towards the capital.

Looking back, she recalled how afraid she had been when arriving here, the penetrative gaze of Alexandros irking her all the time. Now, they stood hand-in-hand, admiring the vast swathes of sand. From enemies to lovers, their story was going to be memorable.

"The harbingers of the plague know we are close to finding them," Alexandros said. "We must be vigilant."

Her intuition told her to remain sanguine amidst the unfolding chaos. The dangers would only be augmented by the efforts of the wicked. They lurked in the blind spots of their perception, skilled demons whose motive was still obscure to her.

"We are together in this." Inanna pressed his hands reassuringly. "And I know, the trials and tribulations will strengthen our bond."

Glowing atop their head was the smiling Ra, looking over proudly at his divine-born grandchildren.

****

T

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