Chapter 10

Bast - Goddess of cats, protection, joy, dance, music, family, and love

Sekhmet - Goddess of fire, war, and dance

Hathor - Goddess of the sky, dance, love, beauty, joy, motherhood, foreign lands, mining, music, and fertility.

Serket - Goddess of scorpions, medicine, magic, and healing venomous stings and bites

Maat - Goddess of Truth and Justice

Tefnut - Goddess of Rain, Air, Moisture, Weather, Dew, Fertility, and Water

Mut - Queen of the goddesses and lady of heaven

Isis - Goddess of health, marriage, and wisdom (wife of Ra)

Ra – God of the Sun, the major god of Egypt

Epaphus – Greek Mythology demi-god – Son of Zeus, and Io; and a King of Egypt

Ephus - the man, husband of Bast and all her sisters at present

Thoth - God of knowledge half brother to Bast

Sobek - God of the Nile, the Army, military, fertility and of crocodiles, half brother to Bast

Anhur - God of war and the sky bearer - Full brother of Bast and Sekhmet

Ephus was staring at the Doctor. The look of worry on her face wasn’t setting well with him. “Alright now what is the problem?”

The Doctor hedged for a moment then spoke. “Ephus, this trial of power is far, far more than you think. It is designed to kill if not maim.” Looking down the Doctor blushed. I ... I know that you have seen me in all that I am. It is still embarrassing to me; I am a very private person I always have been. I know hardly anything about you but for some strange reason I feel close to you.”

“Actually Doctor I have become quite fond of you also. You are truly the first that isn’t a slave to the religious side of the gods. For that fact alone I thank you. I am sorry that I had to involve you but now that you have been touched also, I don’t feel as bad.” Ephus smiled at the Doctor.

“Ok, I guess,” the Doctor said. “If I continue to help you through this may I ask one thing of you?”

“Doctor at this point you can ask me any damn thing you want to. If it wasn’t for you I’d still be pretty much in the dark.” Ephus replied.

“Good I’m glad I’ve shined a little light on all of this. The request is, can you please call me Quinn? It’s my first name, you calling me Doctor after today seems a little redundant don’t you think?” Quinn asked.

Ephus thought a few minutes then answered. “I guess Doc ... Quinn, I was only showing respect, though I do like the name Quinn far better than your title of Doctor.”

“Thank you as close as we have gotten I feel it is only appropriate. Now I should also warn you about Bast’s brothers. Well her half brothers, Sekhmet is her only true full sibling. First we have Shu, then Horus, Anhur, Thoth, Apophis, I have to look ... never mind Bast has provided the answers. There is also Sobek, Khonsu, lastly there is Min. I am feeling she has far more but these are the ones that will test you.”

Ephus sighed, eight gods, and then again he might as well include Ra in the mix as Ephus had fought him in a small way. “So as I said earlier I am dead meat.”

“No, for what both you and Bast are doing they really aren’t wanting to do this. Min could care less as he is seeking females all the time, considering he is the god of fertility. Khonsu is the god of the moon he and Bast were close at one time so he would be happy she was released. Sobek is the god of the Nile, the Army, military, fertility and of crocodiles. He might be a bit of a problem as he loves a good fight. Apophis or Apep was the god of chaos and the opponent of light and Ma’at. He also would like Bast free.” Quinn relayed to him.

“So 3 out of 4 that’s not too bad.” Ephus said.

“The last four start with Thoth the god of knowledge he will be the one that I feel will be the hardest. It was rumored that Thoth gathers every piece of information he can. Then again he might also hold the answer to living through this. Anhur is the god of war and the sky bearer. He ... oh Bast informed me that I was wrong he is the only full brother of Bast and Sekhmet. He might also be a problem. Horus ... was in several forms. At one time he was Isis’s father, then he had himself reborn as a half brother to many of the later gods. He is the god of the sky and kingship another that I think might want Bast released.” Quinn told Ephus.

“So, you think that Min, Khonsu, Apophis, and Horus won’t really be a problem. I might not have a problem her brother Anhur. You think that Sobek and Thoth will be a problem. Wait, you forgot one that’s only seven.” Ephus told her.

“What? Wait,” Quinn said as she went over everything she’d just told him. “Ah! I forgot about Shu! Shu is the god of the wind and air. That’s five that I think you won’t have to worry about.”

Ephus sat there not really sure about this test of power, he DID love Bast, he was ready to do all he could to be with her. If he died then he felt she would at least know that his feelings were true. “Alright Quinn, again I am sorry.” Ephus said to a more confused Quinn. Looking up Ephus stated. “Thoth! I know that all of you are listening to me. I also know that you are much like Ra. You know that knowledge is power, I know you wish to posses all knowledge you can. I wish to have council with you, to perhaps impart a bit of your vast wisdom for the coming trial!”

For a moment nothing happened then there was a sudden rushing of power. “Well put human, I do wish to posses all knowledge. Though it isn’t normally allowed for us to discuss with your kind, the coming trial.” Here Thoth pointed a slender finger at Ephus. “I also know that this rule applies to those that are human. I have looked into your family. So you are a descendant of Zeus. He was a strict god, more so than father. It is a wonder his reign lasted as long as it did.”

Thoth looked up a moment nodded then turned back to Ephus. “Though I would love to discuss with you about my family, I would like to remain a secret for now.” Ephus stated.

Thoth nodded and waved his hand between them. “There no one but Ra and ourselves are privy to this discussion.”

Ephus nodded also and reached out to touch Thoth wishing to test a theory he had. The moment his hand touched Thoth’s shoulder, Thoth shuddered and started to glow!

“I thought so! Tell me Thoth, has most of your strength returned?” Ephus said to a startled Thoth.

“By the hand of Ra! Father! This is incredible! I feel almost as I did before the conflict between my sisters.” Thoth bent low bowing to Ephus. “Truly you are part god! You posses a power that even I have never heard of!” Looking up a wide and huge smile was on Thoth’s face. “For this you have no fear of me! I can once again feel the knowledge rushing to me!” Rising Thoth grabbed Ephus in a bear hug. “I will be proud to call you brother!”

“Thank you Thoth but I seek knowledge about this test of power.” Ephus said.

Thinking a moment Thoth paced a bit then stopped suddenly. Looking over at Quinn a sly almost wicked smile crossed his face.

“Alright! What in the hell do you have on your devious mind?” Quinn asked.

“I have need of you, ah! I see that you also are a seeker of knowledge. A seeker of things that are past. A most noble past time, though sadly not many engage in much anymore.” Reaching out he was about to touch Quinn when she said, “Now wait a damn minute! I don’t want to be covered with marks like Ephus is!” Quinn stated.

“Worry not young one, a small symbol that only you and my kind can see. I had always thought that humans liked the touch of the gods.” Here Thoth smiled again. “Especially the after effects!” Finally Quinn nodded her ascent and Thoth touched her forehead much like Bast had. “Remember young one. I must go brother to be, be well!” With that Thoth was gone.