After one year in the temple, I became the high priestess. Now I also had to speak to all the devotees, telling them that Maahes accepted their sacrifices, granting them a bountiful crop, as he would send rain to water all the plants.
My life was good, I knew that as soon as I turn 18, I could decide myself whether I wanted to stay in the temple or start a normal life like my parents did.
However, things turned out to be different than I thought.
After a long day of prayers, offerings and conversations, my last duty was to light up a few incense sticks for the night.
The temple walls were bathed in a warm, golden glow, unusually bright for just an oil lamp. Suddenly, I was startled by thunderous steps behind me.
Boom, boom!
The oil lamp fell and crashed to the ground, the spilling oil mixing with the embers from the incense and quickly catching fire, as it spread.
I turned around to the source of the steps. By now, the light was blinding, as if the sun was shining within the temple walls. The heat and light engulfed me.
The shining creature approached me with graceful steps, I only saw gold, a golden statuette coming to life.
"High priestess Nubiti."
A thundering voice shook me deep inside, vibrating deep my bones,
"You have served me for a long time now ... and you WILL serve me for eternity."
Maahes was manifesting right in front of me, his presence paralysed my body. Two golden claws reached for me, extracting my soul from my body. I felt empty. Cold crept through my veins, as my nearly lifeless body slowly sank on the ground.
"For eternity …" he repeated, in a low grumble.
He exhaled a mist of golden dust before my face. With hollow eyes, I slowly observed this spectacle. One small fleck settled on my icy cheek and began to melt, swiftly covering my skin in the same gold that Maahes’ body was made of. Somewhere deep inside me, I felt a flame, flickering poorly, but with every gold grain touching my nearly dead body, the flame grew bigger and bigger.I morphed into something that Maahes desired. I should have known that my dreams and desires could not be hidden from him, not as long as I was his priestess. And now I would be his priestess forever.
"Open your eyes and fulfill your duties, my high priestess."
I opened my eyes, they felt scratchy and burnt. Everything I saw was immersed in gold. The floors, the columns, even the incense sticks, still emitting their mellow scent.
I startled, waking up from what seemed to be a dream. Whenever I closed my eyes, my mind wandered back to the very moment Maahes took control of me. Flashbacks of events that happened thousands of years ago. Since that time, I had been Maahes priestess, fulfilling my duty.
Over the centuries I became well known as the golden lady, Maahes, immortal secular wife. Mortals keep bringing me golden artifacts, jewellery and gems. Less-heeled humans serve me delicious foods and other delicacies.
But all this luxury had its price. A price that no treasure on earth could compensate.
My soul.
Credits (click on spoiler)