When I opened my eyes, Asten was standing there with a big grin. I smiled at him and spoke.
“Asten you won’t believe what I have been learning, all the puzzle pieces are finally coming together.” I excitedly exclaim.
Asten looks at me, it’s like he is investigating me, his aura seems different, calmer, and more serious. He blinks and sits down next to me.
“Eset, tell me more, everything no matter how bizarre it may sound.” Asten pleads.
I stare at him; shock plastered on my face. Asten knows more than he has led me to believe. He’s connected to this whole thing somehow, but is that a good thing, or is Asten someone I should fear? I always felt a strong connection with him, the first time I met him it seemed like we were always friends. Regardless of how I am affected by the answers, I need to know the truth.
“Asten, what I am about to say, anyone would think I’m insane, if there is a reason why you don’t, please tell me everything you know?” I sweetly ask.
He leans back in the chair, smirks, and adjusts his arms.
“Deal, but it’s a long story and I need to hear your story first.” He alludes.
Asten is a handsome man, he carries himself with a smooth superiority, his dark brown hair hangs in a messy tousled sweep, and he has a dimple on his right side that literally makes girls swoon. The man dresses better than me, with this air of importance. He is the epitome of a pretty boy mixed with a laid-back author. A man like that can be intimidating, I don’t want him to tell me somethings wrong with me. I inhale, smash my lips together, exhale, and shift in my seat. Ok Eset, don’t worry about the outcome just speak. I take one last breath, close my eyes, and tell my friend what anyone would call a fictional story.
“Asten, I already told you about traveling to what feels like another plane without moving my body. I told you about healing someone with what’s magic basically, and you gave me the amethyst amulet which I couldn’t take off ever again. So please keep an open mind when I say this.” I entreat.
He spreads his legs, leans back, and lights a cigarette. Takes a long puff, looks up at me, and speaks.
“Shoot.” He speaks.
I shake my head, giggle and remind myself this Asten, he is one of a kind for sure.
“My name is Eset, but I think I might look different than what you see, I have darker features, except my eyes they are lighter, a luminescent green. I think I have been alive for a long time or have lived before is a better way to explain it. Keep in mind I am still piecing things together; this is just a theory. One of many that have gone through my head. Although my name is Eset, I have other names too, ones that are better known. If at any time you have questions Asten, you can interrupt.” I implore.
I stop and watch Asten for any signs of doubt. Oddly, he doesn’t look surprised, shocked, worried or anything. The only expression he has is joy, he looks giddy. It’s confusing, what is he giddy about? Is he making fun of me, is he thinking I lost my marbles? I take a breath and with a push continue my fanciful story.
“I can heal people using a gift that only I have when I travel to other planes, it is a form of magic, but that is not what my people call it. I am still getting used to that, and I want to know if it’s only on the other plane. That’s why I intend to work in nursing again. I think it will be the best way to check my abilities. What else, oh, I was right about my feelings, Erin and Eric are not my children, we have no relation at all. Seth and I have never been married, but I think I know Seth in another way, there is an acquaintance with him that I do not want to ignore. Just as there is with you Asten.” I enlighten.
I wait for a few minutes, to give him another chance to interrupt, but he stays quiet. So, I continue.
“I think the man that I encounter in this other plane of existence is closer to me than Seth, It looks like I know him intimately and he is who I belong with, he may even be the man I have searched and yearned for.” I proclaimed.
I take a deep breath ready to say that I still am not sure I believe it myself.
“Asten, this may sound foolish, and you have a right to question my lucidity , I keep questioning it myself, but I think I am a reincarnation of a goddess, an Egyptian goddess, Asten… I think I am the reincarnation of Isis!” I blurted!
I stopped and walked over to where Asten was sitting, I bent down and looked right into his eyes. He glanced at me, tipped his lips in a half smile, and gestured for me to continue.
“I know it sounds irrational , but just to listen to me, I did some digging, and in old Egyptian culture, Isis was a sorceress, a healer even. She was known for using powerful healing spells and she could heal someone in need without ever physically moving. She was normally depicted as the throne goddess, and this amulet is shaped like a throne. Do you believe any of this Asten?” I coaxed.
He stood up, walked over to me, and leaned down to wrap his arms around me. I was scared he would say he was worried about me, but instead, he lifted his head, smiled, and spoke.
“I am happy to hear you talk about these things. It’s good to have you back Eset, Sorceress of the broken, Isis, Queen of the Gods. Time has been slow without you. Did the amulet help you with this discovery, do you also know who I am?” He inquires.
Do I know who he is? The amulet was essential to discovering more about me. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, everything I said was true, and if so, who is Asten in all of it? Is it possible he is not the only one from this other life too? Does this mean he always knew who I was, but if so, why didn’t he ever say anything? I want to give him an answer, but I don’t want to guess, so I think it’s best if he tells me what I don’t know.
“Asten, I’m sorry but like I said I am still piecing this together, I do not know everything, but since you gave me the amulet you have to be someone who knows what it means, did you know Isis, not a reincarnation, but the real Isis?” I probe.
Asten stares at me, then without warning breaks into loud hysterical laughter. He has literal tears running down his face from how hard he is laughing.
“Hey, what the hell! Are you laughing at me? I grill him.
He continues this moment of absurdity for quite some time, I sit there waiting for him to stop and tell me what he knows. I click my nails on the table, shift my legs back and forth, and glare at him as he continues to laugh erratically. I think my glares are even funny to him. He slows and catches his breath, looks at me, and winks.
“Is that it, are you finally done? What is so funny, to begin with?” I snap.
He chuckles a little more and I scowl. He gives me an irritating smirk.
“Relax, Eset, I’m just overjoyed and relieved. I never thought you would figure it out. Well, go ahead and get comfortable I am going to tell you my fantasy tale.” He roars joyously.
I closed my eyes and reached for my amulet; I did not notice I was gripping it so tight until I felt the sting of a prick. I relied on it more and more each day. He saw me holding it and his eyes lit up, he gave off this calm, relaxed presence, more so than I ever saw before. He was genuinely happy, full of peace.
“I never knew you to be so tranquil. I am ready to hear your story.” I implore.
I smile in his direction, rest my arms down in my lap, and gesture for him to commence . He gives off an aura of confidence that surrounds him as he begins to weave a tale.
“I will start by saying, you are not a reincarnation of a goddess, you are and forever will be the goddess, Isis. You are a true sorceress, one of the first, and a healer. Names are powerful, so most know you as Isis, but your true name is Eset. The reason why you use that name now has to do with who brought you here and now keeps you locked away. Anyone knowing your true name makes you vulnerable. I am also being punished in the same manner, although I do not know who is controlling us, I do know that I gained my memories much quicker than all others. My true name is Asten, but most know me as Thoth, I am a friend and confidant to you Eset.” He announces.
I don’t know what to say, there was so much I did not know. A true name has power, there are others, who are the others? I’m not a reincarnation, but a goddess! How can that be, I barely wrapped my head around being a reincarnation of a goddess! How do I accept that I am Isis? Not to mention Asten is also a god Thoth! How is this possible, maybe Asten doesn’t think I’m nuts because he’s just as cracked! With all the outlandish occurrences I know what Asten is saying is more plausible than I want to accept.
“I am not sure where to start, so you are also vulnerable as Asten, but the most known name is Thoth, the Egyptian god of medicine, science, and the moon, you watch over judgment and magic. You created writing, the patron of the scribes. You are a dear friend, no wonder you had the amulet. How are we here, why did your memories return so quickly after losing them? Do you know how we get back to where we belong?” I recount in wonder.
Asten doesn’t answer me, just shrugs his shoulders, and walks out of the room. I stay there for a few minutes longer contemplating everything I learned today. Then follow the same path Asten took earlier.
“Asten, thank you for telling me what you know, I have one more question that you might not be able to answer, but why do we look the way we do? Why don’t we look like the real us?” I press.
He blinks, sighs, and walks towards me.
“I have been wondering that same thing for years now, why do our identities keep changing? No one knows how we looked back then, but I don’t think our identity has anything to do with other people. I think it is to keep us from remembering who we are and from recognizing each other.” He elaborates.
I think about what he was saying, I knew it had to be the reason. It was the only thing that made sense. I walk up to Asten and wrap my arms around him. He gazes down at me and winks. I pat him on the shoulder and keep my arms tightly wrapped around him.
“It’s’ ok Asten, we will stop this, we will catch the prick whose holding us here.” I sneer.
He flicks my forehead and starts to pack up the shit I brought with me. I just watch as he takes control of the situation. I know we have more to discuss, but it’s getting late, and I need to head home before the kids call Seth. Seth, I wonder what his role is in all this.
“Asten, do you know Seth too? Does he play a part in all this, I know he’s not innocent.?” I hiss.
He puts a serious face on that I have never perceived before. I hear a grumble and glance over at Asten, we get near the door when he abruptly stops me.
“Eset, I have no clue that’s the truth, but he reminds me of someone from our world, and if he is who I think he is, then you’re not safe with him. I have been curious about him too. Whatever you do don’t let him know you remember anything about Isis! Look, I remember everything about living as Thoth, and now you are remembering living as Isis, there must be more of us, and the person responsible for this happening in the first place is one of us, so be careful around anyone who appears suspicious. Anyway Eset, I will continue to dig up anything I can of Egyptian lore to find all possible answers. Keep in touch sorceress.” He whispers.
So that explains his overwhelming interest in excavation and all the trips he’s been taking.
“Thanks, Thoth, I am glad that I know more too, and I will be careful. Keep in touch, I will drop by before you leave for your next dig.” I quip.
With one last hug we part ways, I walk to my car, I am no longer ignorant of who I am. Now I need to figure out what I’m capable of.
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