With toes splayed wide, walking on the balls of the feet, distributing weight making one seem like a breeze kissing the sand. Each step is a calculated motion, the heel never touches the ground.
Each member of this five person team didn't walk, they flowed. Each step like a gust of wind softly blowing a tiny amount of sand. Hunching down slightly with their arms moving along with their feet. This is the Tread of the Flesh Takers, taken from studying the Nehren, also known as "Flesh Takers". The Hvərəza are taught this method immediately after learning how to take their first steps. These five are the Rathaēsh, the third faction of the Per⎼netjer, led by elder Horu.
They are covered from head to toe with black clothing that grabs onto their skin like a child holding onto a mothers' teat. Their faces, covered with a sheer headscarf only revealing those dark blue irises. With a raise of his hand, Horu signals for the team to stop. Moving his fingers in a rhythmic flow he inserts his hands into the sand and attempts to grab at something. His hand resurfaces holding what seems like a white structure crawling with maggots…
"A skull!" Horu's eyes constricted.
He put the skull back on the ground softly, then raised his hand. His two middle fingers bent to touch the thumb and the pinky and index raised to resemble ears. The realization soon set in for the rathaēsh, "NEHREN!" With alerted gazes sweeping through the fog, elder Horu raised two fingers then three. Calm soon surged on the team, the course of action was already in motion.
Two team members walked forward until they saw what seemed like two silhouettes rushing towards their direction. They quickly bolted towards the way they came. The two nehren foamed at the mouth as they gave pursuit. Suddenly a large dust of sand erupted from beneath the sand. As quick as a flicker, leaving only a shadow behind. Two Rathaēsh members burst from beneath the sand holding the necks of each nehren. Each of them tightening their muscles as they desperately keep them immobile. Horu with a dash pierced the hearts of each beast. A broken, rhythmic whine, like a heartbeat stumbling over its own echoes filled the atmosphere. The two beasts took their last breath.
Although survival was at their fingertips, they knew that nehren never travel as a pair, they usually travel in four or three. The only xshathra(rule) important enough that a "Rathaē" can utter it even after being woken up while in deep slumber: "Remember that every breath you gasp is borrowed. The same air is known to rust iron and corrode flesh". A harrowing truth beat into the brains of each and every member. Which turned to be a saving grace as two nehren burst out of the thick fog. Horu lifted his index finger two times and pointed back.
Four members dashed towards the two wild beasts. Each pair breaking into a full sprint in different directions. Confused, each nehren went in the opposite direction, choosing its prey. When it seemed like the nehren was about to bite into one of them, the one at the back lunged downwards. Revealing the other team member already facing the nehren. Lodging a dagger into the roof of its mouth. The other Rathaē quickly followed suit by stabbing it on the side of the neck. The other team almost seemed like a mirror image of the other, their actions synced to uncanny perfection. The four beasts that ripped a man to shreds earlier were killed instantaneously. Horu gazed at the area where he had found th skull. His eyes dulling in color.
"I wonder which poor fellow has returned to the Father. Collect from the 4 Fallen and let's pray for the Fathers' child." said Horu.
After dissecting the nehren and collecting important materials, the team formed a circle around the skull which had already begun sinking into the sand. Their hands crossed, palms laying flat on opposite sides of their chest as they bowed their heads and uttered the name of the Father.
"We should head back and return with a larger force. We may not only face nehren deeper inside.," Horu ordered.
The team turned with their luggage and headed back. In the distance, beyond shrouded mountains deep beneath the fog, a man's silhouette was outlined. His hair white and tied in a bun yet it still cascaded past his shoulders. His naked figure laid on top of the sand, his fingers drawing circles on its surface.
…
Isis and Abasi remain frozen stiff on opposite sides of a round reading table. The Solumbra laid open to page 37 on the table. Isis wore a look of worry and uncertainty, in contrast to her partner who wore a look of anticipation and excitement.
"What should we do about this?" She worried.
"What do you mean? We haven't had a Fracture in 1000 turnovers! This spells Father's return!" Abasi rejoiced.
"...but what of the child?" she inquired, leaving him speechless.
Isis took her facecover and wore it, heading to the "Cradle". She wore a solemn look yet her countenance was hidden by her veil. "Father's children never despair." She entered to find Layla playing with Nefer who had their eyes closed for some reason. As if opening their eyes also causes them pain. When Layla saw Isis, her face emitted a radiant glow only a person who was a mother would notice.
"Elder Isis, I finally gave her a name!" she smiled.
"Her?"
"Yes, Nefer will be raised as a girl for now," answered Layla.
"...Nefer…what a beautiful name."
…
Isis burst through the door as he found Abasi ransacking through a mountain of books, a childlike wonder in his eyes. When he saw his partner enter, he rushed with a book in hand.
"I read that Fractures are able to form connections with Father and listen to His voice. If we raise the lad right, he'll⎼"
"She," Isis corrected Abasi.
"She? Well, that does not matter! With this we can⎼"
"Abasi! We cannot put her child through this! We can't put Nefer through this!" she exclaimed. "Let that child be just that, a child.
…
Isis held Nefer in her arms as Abasi paced back and forth in the entrance to the study, which was also inside the Per⎼netjer. The Per⎼netjer does not rise, it submerges. Its walls, a dark golden hue tainted with a blackness, giving back only a silhouette like a fang sunk deep into the sand. It has a pointed top and four sides. The entrance leads deep beneath the surface connecting to a long hall that stretches into the distance, illuminated by the hanging candles on the walls. The hall has other entrances and doors, each leading to a specific room.
"Abasi you're going to make the child have nightmares as you're busy flailing around," chuckled Isis.
"How can I not? The child hasn't opened her eyes in days, Horu is returning at the end of the Breath and not to mention Layla has fallen ill!" Abasi worried.
"Nefer don't be like Abasi, this is why his hair is falling already even though he is 38 Turnovers," Isis lifted Nefer to the air. "Layla is not sick, she's a bit tired from carrying this little one for 9 cycles. And I'll deal with Horu."
…
The fog had turned into a gray carrying many grains of sand. A large dome-like structure can be seen inside the fog. The Rathaēsh had been caught in a sandstorm. Horu, Tiye, Nebeta, Khufu and Akil sat inside the quickly set up tent.
"Elder, are we going to be able to make it back before the end of the breath?" Tiye asked.
"Fear not child, for what happens, happens for it is Father's will," Horu answered.
"Layla should have given birth to her baby a few breaths ago," said Nebeta.
"Layla? Do women pay attention to such things?" Akil mocked.
Nebeta and Tiye were furiated by this sudden rude and backhanded statement. Khufu could see the veins popping out of Tiye's forehead. He sighed and slapped Akil behind the head. Before Akil could retaliate Horu cleared his throat, ushering for them to cease their antics.
"Akil, the Father loves all His children. That tongue of yours needs to learn decency and etiquette," Horu sighed. "The two breaths after we return home,you will recite the entirety of the first book in the Avest."
Akil held back tears, never speaking until the storm blew over. After packing all their belongings the Rathaēsh again partook in their journey. For what seemed like a long time, they finally saw the Per⎼netjer, which is taller than every building in their town. Nebeta and Tiye almost burst into a cheer, relief settling in. They were finally back home. In accordance to the followings, the Rathaēsh should first pass their homes and head to the Per⎼netjer. This is where they'll be cleansed from the spirits of beyond the fog. They climbed what seemed to be a hill of stairs leading to the entrance before entering the hallway. As they were walking past the hall. Suddenly elder Abasi, lifting a toddler in the air, burst through a door.
"Woosh!! Here we go!!!" he shouts.
His eyes met those of the Rathaēsh. Horu shaking his head in disbelief. Nebeta, Tiye and Khufu seemingly held back their laughter. Abasi's face, covered in a veil, heated up from the embarrassment. He quickly fixed his posture and attire, clearing his throat. Isis and Layla, who were peaking through the door because Abasi suddenly went silent, also held back their laughter.
"Ehem! Welcome back elder Horu. The Father has blessed your journey and brought you all back safely to His home," Abasi said.
"Yes, the Father is truly kind and loving to His children. And this is..?" Horu gazed at the baby covered in cloth, in Abasi's arms.
"Oh! Yes, this is Nefer, Layla's child."
Nebeta quickly ran to Abasi's side and tried to hold Nefer. Only for elder Horu to trip her, reminding her that they haven't been cleansed yet. Nebeta got up and dusted herself before they disappeared into the hallway. Layla played with Nefer as Isis was amused by Abasi's pacing all around the room.
"I knew Horu would come back early but wasn't this too unexpected? And he just had to pick the worst time!"
"Oh please, Horu is just one of Father's children like everyone of us. There's no reason for you to fear him so much!" Isis retorted.
"Fear him? We both know how strict he is! I don't wish to deal with all of that!"
…
Beneath a room in the Per⎼netjer, the five gather with closed eyes. The room has no candles offering little to no light. In the center of the floor, a circular body of water is as still as the darkness itself. Horu walks forward and submerges his entire body inside the body of water, then returns to where he was standing. Picking up the towel he left on his spot, drying himself up then wearing his shroud. The members did the same but they wore their regular everyday clothing. They then formed a circle and prayed to the Father, thanking Him for their safe return.
…
A knock on the door caused Abasi to freeze as the Rathaēsh led by Horu entered the room. Nebeta seemed to no longer be able to contain herself as she and Tiye rushed to Nefer and Layla. Nebeta grabbed her and suddenly noticed.
"Hm? That's strange, she has dark hair and really light eyelashes. Is she sleeping, why are her eyes closed?" she asked.
"Oh that, she hasn't opened her eyes yet. And elder Isis said after you guys return, she'll explain why," Layla answered.
The group turned to elder Isis and she chuckled before standing up, ushering for them to follow her. She leads them to a room in the inner most layers of the temple. Horu's eyes narrow as he looks at the words written on the door, "All said here should not escape these walls." Isis opened the door and sat down, waiting for the others to come in. They all eventually come in, Horu being the last one and closing the door.
"Now where should I start? Okay, Layla my child, open your child' s eyelids and reveal her eyes," she said, pointing at the baby.
Layla was first taken aback before she softly held Nefer's eyelids slowly opening them. Tgen a light slowly started to fill the room forcing everyone to close their eyes. Nefer let out a cry before she settled down, the light disappearing with her cries. Isis and Abasi who closed their eyes beforehand were the first to recover. The others took a while longer to go back to normal.
"Whenever Nefer opens her eyes, there's a light that escapes them. It's brighter than any candle but this also causes her pain, which is why she never opens them. This is because she has…" before Isis could continue Horu chimed in.
"...a fracture?"
"As informed as always Horu. Yes, she has a fracture. One spoken about in the old gospels. This should be the first fracture in more than 1000 turnovers."
Shock and excitement filled the eyes of the five, especially Horu. Layla gazed at the closed eyes of Nefer, a solemn look plastered on her face. Did this mean her child could never open their eyes?
"This is great news! The return of a spark spells the return of the lord, as written!" Horu shouts devoutly.
"I ask everyone to not treat this child in any different manner than others. Let this child be brought up peacefully and kindly," Isis put forth.
"What? But this is the greatest thing to ever happen for our people!" Akil said.
"Yes this is true but I ask you to please forget about this. Nefer will be raised in the temple of the lord," Isis pleaded, as she stands up and bows slightly. "All children are equal beneath the eyes of the Father. I bow only to Him and now I bow to plead with you all to not steal this child's childhood from her."
Silence filled the entire room. Layla held back tears as she also bowed. Abasi was stunned for a second before he also did as the other two. Horu's eyes were wide open, his mouth moving up and down yet no word escaping his lips. Nebeta, Tiye and Khufu were moved by this and agreed to their demands. Akil was hesitant before also submitting.
"All that is said in this room, shall not escape the confines of the Lords' home. A backup plan, Isis? You truly terrify me sometimes," Horu sighed.
"My my, that wasn't my intention," she smirked.
"I will agree to your pleas as we are all His children, however I have a proposition. The child must be taught a way to regulate the quintessence of her fracture in order to ease her pain."
"Thank you for your understanding and there's one more thing," Isis chuckled.
"What?"
"Nefer will be raised as a girl but they technically aren't one."
The room was once again filled with silence. Isis explained everything and the matter was settled as they all went to a room made for dining. As they were walking, Abasi turned to Horu and asked a question.
"I'm glad that you wish the best for the child but why do you want her to learn to regulate her fracture?"
"It's simple really, one can close their eyes all they wish but sooner or later they have to open them. She has to see the world and all it offers, the good, the bad and the unknown. But for now it is fine, she must close her eyes."
…
Heavy breaths and staggered running. A severed hand and a bruised one holding the other severed half of the left hand.
"Why? Why? WHY?"
Four nehren emerged from the depths of the fog as they chased after the man. One bit into his windpipe before he could even scream. Another rips his bowels open spreading them on the top of the sand. Each biting into their desired piece of meat. Leaving a skull on the sand, as it slowly sinks into the ground.
A naked man with long white hair, laid on the sand deep inside the fog. Drawing circles on the sand only for it to be covered by grains blown over by the wind.
…
The room was silent, Layla laid on the side of Nefer as the fog rolled in, signalling the end of the breath. The rest of the Rathaēsh except Horu and Khufu, returned to their homes. Layla wept on her bed as she hummed "Here comes night, goodbye morning". Isis was walking down the hallway when she heard this. She slowly opened the door and saw this sight. She quietly walked to Layla's side and sat by her.
"What song is that?" she whispered.
"Mother used to sing it to me. Here comes night, goodbye morning."
"Morning?"
"Yes, I don't know what this morning is either."
"Hmmm, what was your mother's name?"
"It was…it was, huh? I can't seem to remember," she wept.
Isis stayed by her side until she finally fell asleep. Even when she slept, sorrow and grief was ever present on her face. She knew that in the coming breathss, Layla and Nefer had a lot to go through. The day of welcoming when a child is born is exactly 6 breaths after a child is born. And 4 have passed leaving only 2 remaining. Isis is also up at this time because she's making preparations. She had to go to the suppliants' quarters within the deeper layers of the temple to fetch the Ink found in the deeper layers of the fog. This will be used to write incantations and scriptures of protection and welcoming on Nefer's body. The Ink is liquid ash found in caves near the burning river. Horu's first team was completely wiped out when retrieving this.
…
Horu, Abasi and Isis sat inside a dark room with a round table in the centre. A chalice with a flame that has been burning for many turnovers sits atop of it. Each of their hands placed palms facing down on the tabletop. The flame danced with every breath, a deafening silence filling the room. They then each removed their facecovers: Do not hide from God. He has known you long before you were in the womb. Lowering their heads, they offered a prayer to the Father:
"O bright one, [aθangh xšaēta!]
O light, [raocah!]
your breath that stirs the embers of your children. [xvānahehi zaoθra vaxšā paoiryā yezišā.]
We remember what the skies deny. [nərəna remā vā naigairyā āsəm vā.]
In the dark, [apa-ŋhā]
your light shines within us. [hūm-sti vīspe ratuxšā.]
In the dark, [apa-ŋhā]
your light shines through us. [aocah-ṭ vā.]"
The flame pulsates as if it were a beating heart. Abasi spoke with his head down and eyes closed.
"The Father has heard our cry. No malevolent beings can enter this room. Horu you may tell Him your worries; the Father listens," He informed.
"Thank you Father for your benevolence. Once again I have come across the remains of a child which I do not know. Every time we venture into the domain of 'them', I find the skull of this child in different places."
"How can you be certain that it belongs to one person?" Isis inquired.
"The top of the cheek bones are less developed and resemble that of a child's skull. However, the size of the skull is the same as that of young adults. And the back of the skull has an opening, which everyone has, but this one is a perfect circle with no ridges or edges. It weighs the same as the last times I've come across it. The color is a silvery white which is its most unique feature."
"Then it really must be the same. But what is it you wish to ask Father?" said Abasi.
"I wish to know who this person is."
The flames turned into a radiant white and formed a circular form that is turning to the left yet it also seems as if its going to the right⎼ it was unknown which way it was exactly heading towards. Abasi's eyes twitched, as he came to a realization, he had seen this circle somewhere before. They each bowed their heads and uttered words of gratitude as the flame went back to its stagnant burning. This meant that the ceremony was over.
…
Horu and Isis had their headcovers on as they rushed to follow Abasi to the library. They watched as he ransacked through each shelf in frantic panic. His certainty that he had seen the symbol before was resolute.
"Abasi you're making a mess," Isis sighed.
"I'm the one who cleans and manages these quarters so it's fine. But I'm sure it was somewhere around here!" He says.
Before Horu chimed in, Abasi froze as he stared at the now empty shelf. On the corners of the stone shelf was a paper folded into two halves. Its edges had begun to wilt as he slowly backed away from it. Isis and Horu dodged the books on the floor as they approached him. They saw the paper as well and they were confused as to why he trembled at the sight of such a measly thing.
"Is this what you were looking for?" Horu reached for the paper, slowly unraveling it.
"DON'T LOOK AT IT!" Abasi screamed at the top of his lungs smacking the paper away from him. "ISIS, CLOSE YOUR⎼"
The paper had fallen by her feet and the entire page was revealed to her. The paper has the same color as sheep skin parchment. A circle was drawn in the centre in white chalk, but it was odd. The drawing was moving; It wasn't moving in a specific direction, it was just moving. In the middle of the circle were words written in Vārṣata(The old tongue, "Tongue of Flame"), which Isis had been studying. Her eyes went across the page and she saw them. She didn't know the words but she knew the letters:
Aži-Zarvānō
The paper had fallen by her feet and the entire page was revealed to her. The paper has the same color as sheep skin parchment. A circle was drawn in the centre in white chalk, but it was odd. The drawing was moving; It wasn't moving in a specific direction, it was just moving. In the middle of the circle were words written in Vārṣata(The old tongue, "Tongue of Flame"), which Isis had been studying. Her eyes went across the page and she saw them. She didn't know the words but she knew the letters:
Aži-Zarvānō