Zahra was dead. At least, she should have been if it weren't for an Egyptian Goddess deciding she didn't deserve to die so young. Yet, Zahra had no memories of the time before becoming an Avatar and it seemed that a trip to a familiar place was soon...
"Yeah," Layla nodded."Yeah...the two of you were married."
Zahra stared at the corner of the room, where Nephthys stood with her head tilted. The goddess didn't want to interrupt at that moment but Zahra could sense that she wanted her to get onto more important matters.
"If this person knew you, your memories will begin coming back," The god spoke. "Every encounter with your past life will form them with the help of the symbol but it cannot be forced."
"What?" Zahra blinked.
Layla went to reply until she noticed her friend wasn't even looking at her but starting intensity at the empty space. She knew that look better than anyone.
"Who are you looking at?" Layla questioned before her eyes widened,"No, no, surely...tell me you didn't make yourself an avatar, Zahra. After everything with Marc!"
"I don't remember whoever Marc is!" Zahra yelled. "I don't know him! I barely remember you and now you're telling me that I shouldn't trust my God because of a guy having a bad time with his?"
Omari was getting slightly agitated with how angry Zahra was getting, an emotion that was rarely brought out in her. Even when she faced moments of death, Zahra could not allow herself to lose a part of her that was good.
"How did you meet Zahra?" Omari asked to allow Zahra a calm moment.
"Our fathers worked together," Layla replied. "We've known each other since kids, went on adventures together, and met Marc."
"You said this Marc and I are married," Zahra whispered. "What is he like?"
"He's an asshole," Layla laughed. "God, he could be so annoying but he was Marc. He's the kind of person who knows you can protect yourself but refuses to let you go on missions anyway – not that it mattered, you would just follow him. You weren't anything alike in any way."
"That sounds...stupid..."Zahra stared at Layla.
"It was just how it was," Layla replied. "He was a terrible friend sometimes but he was always good to you, no matter what. You two weren't always perfect but you had this insane trust for one another."
Zahra nodded. It was a lot to process but she was glad to finally have someone who she felt she could trust completely...despite not really knowing her. It was just a feeling she had rooted deep in her bones.
"Uh," Layla went to answer but saw Zahra wasn't looking at her again. "Right...god."
"Nothing is wrong but we have work to do and there is another god interfering!" Nephthys warned. "We must find Arthur Harrow before Khonshu messes it up—"
"Who the hell is Khonshu?"
"Now we have to find Marc!" Layla interrupted. "Listen, I can't see whoever that god is but I know Khonshu's avatar, okay? Just...just come with me."
Zahra stared at Nephthys, who seemed to have made a decision to allow Layla to see her. Zahra soon realised this went Layla's eyes widened at the sight of the God. It wasn't good practice for the gods to allow anyone but their avatars to see them but Nephthys had the power to choose.
"Right, who are you?" Layla questioned.
"I am Nephthys, I have many purposes but I serve as protectress of the dead," said the god. "I mean my avatar or you no harm."
"She's cool!" Omari nodded. "She likes to rush but I can't blame her, things need to be done."
"Uh, right," Layla turned back to Zahra. "Zahra, I don't know how to tell you this but Marc, the guy you're married to, is an avatar too."
"Of course, he is," Nephthys huffed. "Khonshu is the reason for my troubles. We must move now."
"Omari, can you stay here?" Zahra questioned. "We still had a mission and someone needs to take over while I'm gone."
"Stay safe, okay?" Omari warned. "Zahra, I don't think this house shows who you really were and I don't want to see you arrive back here in tears."
"You know me, Mari, I'll be fine," Zahra scrambled through her bag and handed Omari files and a notebook. "Keep these hidden. Page 3 has all the singular people you should be able to go after alone. Stay safe yourself."
"Zahra," Omari moved to whisper to Zahra. "Remember that you don't really know if you know these people. Trust no one."
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