Chapter 2:

The spirit of Am-Tet, a guardian of the river’s sacred waters, had come to visit Seti. But unlike before, when the spirit radiated the joy of the Nile’s flow, tonight it looked labored, its form flickering like a dying flame.

Seti had always known Am-Tet as a peaceful, happy spirit, one that danced upon the waters and whispered secrets of the deep. But now, something was wrong. Something had changed.

His mother was still deep in conversation with the guests, so Seti excused himself from the table. He walked out into the moonlit courtyard where the spirit hovered, dim and restless.

“What’s wrong?” Seti asked, his voice hushed.

The spirit sighed, its voice like the rustling of reeds. “The unkindness of men has seeped into the waters. Their greed, their carelessness—it has created an imbalance among the spirits. The river is not as it was, and soon, all the spirits of the land will suffer.”

Seti listened, his heart heavy. He had never heard Am-Tet so troubled.

Then, suddenly—a soft sound.

Something brushed against the stone behind him.

Startled, Seti turned around. In the shadows stood Nefreti.

She stepped forward, golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. “Who were you talking to?” she asked.

The moment she spoke, Am-Tet disappeared—just like the other spirits always did when anyone else approached.

Seti hesitated. No one had ever believed him before. No one else had ever seen or sensed what he did. There was no point in telling her.

“I was just—” he began, searching for an excuse.

But Nefreti crossed her arms. “Don’t lie. I know you were talking to something.”

Seti stared at her, shocked. No one—not even his father—had ever questioned him like this before. No one had ever believed there was something to question at all.

Something about the way she looked at him made him realize—she wasn’t going to let it go.

And so, for the first time, Seti told someone everything.