Page 65 of Ra
“Actually, it is a problem that only you can handle, and it’s past 2:00 in the afternoon. The morning is long past,” Abasi said, daring to glance up at Ra before casting his gaze at Ra’s feet once more.
“It is still our first day!” Ra insisted.
“The first of many, Ra. Abasi, what’s the issue?” Azi asked, standing just behind Ra while trying to squeeze around him to get to the door.
He held out his hand, palm up. The scarab sat on his palm.
Azi’s sharp intake of breath had Abasi looking up at her. “We forgot the scarab!” she rushed out.
“But you removed it in time, correct?” Ra asked hopefully.
“In time for what?” Azi asked.
“The report I received from the security guards were that at least half a dozen persons walked out of the entrance of the tomb late last night and disappeared into the darkness.”
“They allowed them to leave?” Ra shouted.
“Human or not, they are our ancient deities. It is not our duty to stop them.”
Ra left the door standing open and walked into the living room where he dropped himself to his favorite spot on the sofa.
“Ra, are you alright?” Azi asked.
Ra shook his head as he stared at the dark screen of the TV that had yet to be turned on. Finally, he shifted his gaze to Azi. “Do you recall the promise of adventure we made each other?”
“Yes, it was just last night.”
Ra smiled exaggeratedly. “Remember that you wanted adventure.”
“I don’t understand,” Azi said.
“The others were supposed to resurrect one at a time, as I did. If they do not follow the rules, the entire prophecy is void. All of us will be returned to the temple, forever. They all left at once. They’re out there. Without their powers. As overwhelmed and lost as I was. We have to find them before Neith is made aware.”
Azi closed her eyes and took several deep calming breaths. “How can we possibly find them? The only way we found each other is because I was there when you arrived.”
“It will be difficult to find them, but not impossible.”
“Where do we start?” Azi asked. “Surely Neith can locate them in an instant. And you followed the rules! She won’t take you from me and lock you up again! We can trust her!”
“No!” he looked over at Abasi. “Does she know yet?”
“She does not.”
“We will keep it that way!” Ra commanded.
“How can you seriously believe that Neith doesn’t know?!” Azi asked.
“She’s not here. She’s not threatening us. As long as she’s not here demanding that I go back to the temple for all eternity, we’re working on the assumption she does not yet know.”
“Perhaps she’s distracted. She is very busy,” Abasi said.
“She’s not that busy,” Azi insisted.
“We are not helping her become aware if she’s not already, and we are proceeding as though she does not know!” Ra proclaimed — literally, just like he would have delivered new laws back in the day.
Abasi bowed his head in submission. “As you wish, Ra.”
“This isn’t going to be good. She’s going to be so angry when she finds out we hid this from her,” Azi said.
