The Lives of a Fated One

By Tygon Panthera

This story is © 2004 by Marc-Dennis Horn. This story may not be sold or used for commercial profit in any form or fashion. This story may not be modified in any way. This story may not be posted on a mirror site or any other Internet site without the written permission of the author. This story may not be distributed on print, magnetic, electrical, optical or any other mediums.

Pyralis is © by herself

Mafdet is © by Ancient Egypt

All other characters are © by Marc-Dennis Horn

Part 1

Long, long ago...

Ancient Egypt is often called the cradle of Civilization. No matter if that is correct or not, it definitely was a peak of civilization in its time. The citizens in the Egyptian cities had incredibly comfortable lives compared to the tribes that wandered through the desert. For a fur in one of these cities life was easy. That is, if he was in charge.

A hefty part of the population in the cities was made up of slaves. They were the ones who built the comfortable houses, the pompous temples and the awesome monuments. They kept the streets of the cities clean. They harvested and produced the food. They ensured the easy lives of their masters.

Normally being or becoming a slave was permanent. Officially there was no way someone could be relived from slavery. However, from time to time events would lead a slave on a path that that would raise him or her from the bounds of slavery to be a free fur...

... and sometimes even higher...

###

It was late night in the city of Asyuot. In the large home of the successful and rich trader Iymeru a female cheetah was pouring water she had gotten from the well into a large bowl. With a moan of light pain she lifted the shallow bowl. She was young and very healthy for a slave but it was a massive piece of pottery, and filled with water it was just too heavy for her. Very slowly, and being careful not to spill any water, the cheetahress carried the bowl through the large house until she reached the bedroom of Theset, her master’s wife.

“Finally!” she fennec shouted angrily. “Did you fall asleep on the way?”

“I’m sorry, Mistress,” the cheetah said, keeping her head bowed and her eyes fixed on the ground. Her arms began to shake under the weight of the bowl and she knew she couldn’t hold it much longer. Unfortunately Theset also knew that. With an evil grin the tan vixen lay back in her bed and watched the feline. Through the sheer bed sheets her distended belly was visible. Theset was eight months into her pregnancy now and for all that time the cheetah had been her personal servant, ordered to cater to her mistress’ every whim. They hadn’t liked each other from the beginning but unlike the cheetah, who had to keep quiet about her feelings Theset could show her dislike of the feline openly and she did so. In fact, the fennec had done her best to make the cheetah’s life as miserable as possible.

“Hurry,” Theset finally said. “I need that water.”

“Yes mistress.” Still being very careful the feline carried the bowl around the bed to the small pedestal where it was supposed to stand. Now, however, that her energies were almost drained she moved even slower than before.

“I said hurry!” Theset shouted impatiently. As the cheetah didn’t comply she shouted again but this time she also slashed out with the small whip she always had close for exactly that purpose. The feline had concentrated completely on carrying the bowl to its place and gave a startled shriek and made a small jump as the whip struck her bare back. That, in combination with her overstrained arms, made her lose her grip on the bowl with no way to stop it from falling to the ground. With a loud crash the bowl hit the granite tiles and shattered in a thousand pieces, the water spilling all over the floor and around the cheetah’s feet, moistening the fur around her footpads.

“What have you done!” Theset shouted in rage. The feline fell to her knees and started to cry. Not because she would have to go all the way to the well again, not out of fear for the punishment she would surely receive and certainly not because her mistress wouldn’t have water now. She cried because she had made the bowl herself. Hour after hour she had formed it from clay that was almost impossible to get out of the fur. Days she had spent carefully scratching patterns into the form and then, after it was burned to hardness, it had taken her more days to paint it. It was her best work ever and now it was destroyed, irreversibly gone.

She didn’t notice Theset’s shouts. But she did notice the sharp sting as the whip hit her back.

“Get up, you useless piece of garbage!” the vixen shouted and lashed out again. This time the whip hit the cheetah on the side of her face, leaving a long red line on her face. “How dare you destroy my bowl!”

That was it. That was the push that sent the cheetah over the edge, the drop that made the barrel overflow. The hit in the face in combination with the blame that she had destroyed the bowl on purpose made the cheetah snap. Slowly she turned around, still on her knees. Her bloodshot eyes fixated on Theset, who lashed out again. The whip left another blood streak on her left arm but the cheetah didn’t notice it at all. Her sight, her hearing, her entire world narrowed until all that existed was Theset. A feral growl rose from her throat.

The tan vixen, indignant at this open display of impertinence slashed out again. Faster then her eye could see the cheetah’s left arm shot upwards. The whip coiled around her paw and the fingers closed over it. With a single, powerful motion the feline pulled the whip out of Theset’s paw, swung it around her body behind her back and caught the handle in her right paw. Continuing the movement her right paw made the whip slash out at the vixen. Like before around the cheetah’s paw the whip now coiled around Theset’s throat. The vixen’s eyes went wide, either out of the sudden pain or astonishment at what her slave was doing. The cheetah pulled at the whip and hurled the vixen through the room until she crashed with her back into the wall. Theset didn’t have time to catch her breath because suddenly the cheetah was in front of her. The feline’s left paw closed around her throat, the paw pushing at her chest. The vixen gave some gurgling sounds of pain as she felt claws penetrating her skin. Slowly but steadily the cheetah’s claws cut through Theset’s flesh, blood mixed with the milk from her sliced breast ran down the feline’s arm, staining her yellow fur as her finger pressed deeper and deeper into the vixen’s body. The tan female tried to cough but the iron grip of the feline’s paw around her throat wouldn’t allow her. Eventually though one of her coughs got through. It sounded more like a sick gurgle and Theset coughed up a gush of blood all over the cheetah’s face. The vixen’s own, carefully sharpened claws scratched over the cheetah’s arms but the feline didn’t notice it. All that existed in her world was Theset and the urge to kill her. There was no space for pain in that world.

It took a minute but eventually Theset’s movements grew slower and weaker. Then her arms went limp. Her gurgling stopped and the life vanished from her bulged eyes. The cheetah held the vixen for another moment. Then she let the dead body fall down to the floor.

For a few moments she just stood there, looking down on her dead mistress with an emotionless expression. Then the sound of the door as it was forcefully flung open pulled her back into reality.

“What is happening here?” Iymeru, her master asked as he walked around the large bed. His sight first found the water on the floor, then the shattered bowl and then the bloody corpse of his wife. The sight made him freeze dead in his tracks. His eyes went wide and his jaw moved as if he tried to say something but his mind wasn’t able to find any words.

The poor cheetah was in an equal loss of words. She stared at her bloody paws. Then at Theset’s body, the vixen’s dead eyes still open, and then back at her paws. She was paralyzed, not because she didn’t know what happened. In fact, she remembered everything in great detail. She remembered how her fingers sunk into Theset’s warm flesh. She remembered how Theset’s blood ran down her arms. She remembered the pleading look in Theset’s eyes. She remembered how devoid of emotion she was, how the only thought in her mind was kill her, kill her, kill her... 

The cheetah looked up at Iymeru and the fennec looked at her. Their eyes met and in this very moment everything was clear. Words weren’t necessary for somehow each knew what the other thought. The feline realized what her actions meant and suddenly her instincts took over. She spun around and ran out onto the small balcony. She jumped and it seemed like she floated in midair for a second before she sailed downwards. After two or three meters of mostly vertical movement her paws touched the grass of the home’s backyard. She rolled over her shoulder and was up on her feet and running half a second later. After another second she had reached the wall that surrounded the house. A powerful jump brought her high enough so she would reach over the wall and get a hold on it. She used the force of her movement to pull herself up and over the wall, to land safely in the sand of the road on the other side. She looked around for a second and then she started to run. She didn’t know where to run or what to do at all but she knew that she mustn’t let them get her. She had killed her mistress. Death was certain, most likely a slow, gruesome death.

After half a minute she had put a few streets between her and her former master’s home. She could hear the shouts of furs, most likely guards Iymeru had sent after her. The cheetah tried to mobilize some last reserves from her body but she was spent. It had been a long day full of hard work and her legs were burning with pain. They wouldn’t hold on for long. After another minute of running that felt like a thousand eternities the feline couldn’t hear her persecutors anymore and allowed herself to slow down a bit. Eventually she stopped completely. Leaning to the corner of a house and panting very heavily she tried to figure out what do. She had to get out of the city. Maybe some of the wandering tribes of the desert would take her in. The only problem: how could she get out of the city? A slave had killed. A bigger crime wasn’t possible. Soon every guard around would be looking for her.

Her mind was still racing in the vain attempt to find a solution when she heard a shout. “There she is!” A second later a spear shot past her, missing her left leg only barely. Again the cheetah ran but she knew that she wouldn’t last another minute. She had to hide! The thought shot through her entire being. It was her only chance. But where? Then she spotted a large building, most likely a temple. Two large statues of female felines guarded the entrance.

Not thinking any further she ran towards the temple. The feline managed to get up the stairs without stumbling but on the last step she fell hard on her front. Crawling inside she huddled down behind a column and closed her eyes. She expected that someone would grab her and drag her away every second but that never happened.

The cheetah couldn’t say how long she had been there but eventually, when the pain in her legs had subsided a bit she uncurled her body and opened her eyes. The feline was about to crawl out of the temple when a loud voice spoke up.

“What are you doing here?”

The spotted cat froze and then slowly turned around. Standing behind her was a female feline, a cheetah like her, but this one was wearing gorgeous clothing, red and golden fabric that clung to her body and a long cloak that seemed to be made of cheetah fur which hung down her back.

“What are you doing at the temple of Mafdet?” the priestess, for that was what the cheetah assumed the other feline to be, said in an unbelievably strong voice, the voice of someone who knew that she had power and was in charge. At the mention of the name Mafdet all the faint hopes she had vanished for the cheetah knew who this goddess was. She was the goddess of castigation and summary execution and her priestesses were known as the Claws of the God-King. They were his holy executioners. Assassins!

“Please!” the cheetah bowed down so her forehead would touch the tiles of the floor as she pleaded. “Please, grant me a quick death!”

A few moments that again seemed like several eternities to the cheetah passed without anything happening. Then she felt a paw touching her head, raising it up. Her head was lifted until she looked directly into the priestess’ green eyes. Green like her own so... deep, so full of strength, the feline began to shiver under the gaze until she finally crumbled down into unconsciousness.

Slowly the robed cheetah rose and looked down on the slave for a while. Eventually she spoke.

“Karomat.”

Another feline, a lioness clad in a dark cloak, stepped out of the shadows behind the cheetah. “Yes, my Lady?”

“This one is to be cleaned and dressed. Her wounds are to be treated and then she is to be given a bed and time to rest.”

“Yes, my lady,” the lioness replied but there was hesitation in her voice and a moment later she spoke again. “My lady, it is not my intention to question or criticize your orders but do you think that this is a wise decision?”

“I have seen into her soul, Karomat,” the cheetah replied while gazing outside at the night sky. “She is destined to do big things. I can not see what these things are but I know that she will be an excellent priestess.”

“Yes, my Lady,” the lioness replied and bowed. “Pyralis,” she said and a moment later a gray cat, wearing the yellow robes of a priestess-acolyte came from the back of the temple.

Pyralis gasped as she saw the robed cheetah and bowed deeply. “Y-yes, mistress?”

“Take this one into the temple. Clean her, treat her wounds and dress her. Then put her in a bed and watch over her so she can get rest. Tomorrow her priestess training will begin.”

“Yes, mistress,” Pyralis said and walked over to the unconscious cheetah girl, picking her up. “What is her name, mistress?” she asked.

“She was a slave and doesn’t have a name,” Karomat said, but before she could say more she was interrupted by the robed cheetah.

“Call her... Mara.”

“Y-yes, mistress.” Again Pyralis bowed as deeply as she could with the additional weight of the other cheetah and then hurried back into the temple.

For a while the two remaining felines just stood there and looked into the sky. Eventually Karomat spoke again.

“She killed Iymeru’s wife and unborn cub. The trader has much power. He could cause us some problems if he ever finds out that we keep her here.”

“Yes, he indeed could...” the cheetah mused and let her voice trail off. “Please take care of that.”

“I will, Lady Mafdet,” Karomat replied with a bow of her head and then, without making a sound, she melted into the shadows.

Mafdet stayed where she was for a while, trying to unravel the mysteries in a great picture only she could see but she had no luck today. The future wouldn’t give away any of its secrets tonight. Eventually she turned around and went back into the temple. One thing was certain.  From now on things would be a little more interesting.

###

Slowly, very slowly, the cheetah crawled through the burning hot sand. She ignored the pain the high temperatures sent through her body, shutting them out of her mind as she was taught to. With her yellow robes she was almost invisible against the sand and her tail brushed it smooth behind her, erasing her tracks. With careful, highly measured movements she crawled up a large dune, towards her destination.

The feline lifted her head as she reached the top of the hill of sand, just enough to peek behind it. A grim smile appeared on her lips as she saw the rough camp down in the valley between the dunes. It wasn't the best camp, but the cheetah had seen worse. The tents weren't positioned properly but at least they had chosen the site correctly. Between the dunes the camp was protected from the desert's hot winds. Of course, that also meant that the feline wouldn't have to worry about any guards picking up her scent before they should.

The cheetah looked to her right and reached into one of the many pockets of her robe. She pulled it out a simple dagger and held it into the sunlight. A moment later a flash came from another dune in reply. It was not always safe to communicate this way but it was necessary for a coordinated action. The feline held the dagger up again and turned it, sending two flashes back. Another two flashes came in return. Everything ready, she thought with satisfaction and flashed the dagger again a single time, signaling that they would begin.

As quickly as she could without giving away her position the cheetah slid down the dune. It took her about a minute to cross the three hundred meters from her position to the point that she was close enough to the camp to make sure that none of the few furs she could see was looking into her direction. With a smooth movement she got to her feet and hurried the remaining distance to the camp. 

The cheetah crouched behind one of the tents and arched her head upwards, taking a few deep breaths through her nose. She detected the scents of various furs, mostly canines, but none of them seemed to be close. Slowly the feline made her way through the camp towards the larger tent in the center where her destination would be. She allowed herself to smile for a moment as she finally reached it, arriving at the backside of the tent, just as she had planned. Dropping to all fours she crawled along the tent until she was able to peek around the corner to the front. Two large canines guarded the entrance, just as she had expected. The cheetah slid back behind the corner and waited. Keeping a low profile she looked around for possible threats, but there was little commotion in the camp. With the sun high in the sky burning mercilessly on the desert, most furs preferred to stay inside.

Since she had given the signal to proceed the cheetah had been counting mentally. Now that she would soon arrive at four hundred she readied herself to attack. The sleek feline rose to her feet and without making a sound she slid around the corner of the tent. The canine closest to her didn't notice her until it was too late. One of her paws grabbed his chin and the other pressed to the back of his head. With a quick twist she broke his neck and a moment later his dead body crumbled down on the hot sand. On the other side of the entrance her partner finished a similar movement, killing the other guard quickly and soundlessly. They nodded to each other and then entered the tent.

The air inside was a bit cooler than outside, but not much. Still, the cheetah had to admit that it felt good to be out of the cruel attention of the sun. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the much dimmer light from the oil lamps. There, sprawled out on a large pile of cushions, lay their target. Nuretep, a handsome lion and former advisor to the Pharaoh was snoring softly.  A nude female fennec, most likely a pleasure slave, was curled up at his side.

The cheetah nodded to her partner and the other feline knelt down aside the fennec. After a quick prayer she broke her neck, killing her in her sleep. The vixen never even knew what had happened to her. A part of the cheetah felt sorry for the slave. The fennec had never done anything wrong. She just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Still, the feline's duty was against Nuretep and they could not afford to leave the vixen alive and be a distraction. If there was any fairness in the world the Gods would have mercy on her soul and grant her a better existence in the afterlife.

The cheetah's partner disrobed, revealing her sleek, gray-furred body, clad only in a loincloth and a band of fabric around her upper body. She positioned herself behind Nuretep and cradled his head in her lap. A smile appeared on the larger feline's muzzle but it vanished instantly as the gray feline pressed her fingers to the sides of his throat. He woke and tried to shout, but the fingers at his throat prevented him from making any sound but weak croaks.

Standing before the lion the cheetah disrobed as well, wearing the same nondescript clothes underneath. The larger feline was glaring angrily up at her, until he saw the pendant that was hanging from a small chain around her neck. It showed a feral feline climbing a pole with a blade attached to it, a the traditional execution staff. It was the symbol for the goddess Mafdet.

“Nuretep,” the cheetah started speaking. “You have been found guilty of the crimes of theft and treason against the God-King, Pharaoh Khaeseth. On his order we have been sent by our mistress Mafdet to punish you for these crimes.” She pulled a small ceremonial dagger from a sheath at her side and knelt down. Nuretep started to struggle, but the gray feline was holding him in a tight grip, using the nerves in his neck to keep him paralyzed.

“In the name of Mafdet,” the cheetah said as she raised the dagger over her head. “In the name of the God-King. May the Gods have mercy on your soul.”

With a movement as fast as lightning she struck the dagger into his chest. The highly sharpened blade sunk easily into the feline's flesh, penetrating muscles and bones easily until it sliced into his heart. Nuretep struggled for a few more moments before he finally submitted to the unavoidable. His eyes closed and his body went limp, life leaving it.

The two felines quickly gathered their robes and left the tent. The dagger remained in Nuretep's chest, a message to his friends, associates and servants that he had received the rightful punishment for his crimes. Nofur ever saw the felines and remained alive to tell about them.

###

Later that day.

With a happy sigh Mara sunk into the hot water, her sore muscles relaxing under the caresses of the hot liquid.

“We really deserved this,” Pyralis said. The gray feline was almost completely submerged, only her muzzle and ears visible above the water.

“Oh yes,” Mara purred in agreement. Baths like this were the reward Mafdet's priestesses got for a successful execution and the cheetah had learned to enjoy this luxury that was normally reserved for the most rich and powerful. She floated gently in the water for a while, just enjoying the hot water. Eventually Mara's mind was roused by small ripples in the water as four female slaves entered the pool. All of them were cats, since the priestesses of Mafdet were a society that was exclusively for felines and the slaves were no exception. Neither Mara nor Pyralis paid any attention to them as each was approached by two of the slaves. Very gently they guided the priestesses to the narrow part of the pool and knelt down at their sides. Both Mara and Pyralis emitted deep purrs as the slaves began to massage them, gentle fingers working over their athletic bodies, easing the tension further from them.

Over five years had passed since Mara had to perform similar duties herself. Five years since she had killed her mistress and during her escape unknowingly entered the temple of Mafdet. That moment her entire life had changed. As she woke she had found herself in a comfortable bed, not just curled up on a pile of straw. The real shock however came when Mara was told that she had been chosen to become a priestess by the goddess Mafdet herself. While her first reaction was to refuse she soon had realized that it was her only chance, not only for a new life but for survival.

A brutal training regimen followed. Mara had become an acolyte much later than normal, which meant that she was forced to work even harder to catch up with her fellow acolytes. The labor for her former master had kept her body trim but the training quickly pushed her to her limits... and then beyond. She was taught how to walk, run, crawl, jump, and fall properly. Her senses were trained to exquisite keenness and she learned how to pay attention to details while not losing sight of the overall picture. And eventually, she was taught how to kill.

When her training came to an end Mara had surpassed all other acolytes in her abilities and devotion to Mafdet. At first the cheetah had found the thought of having to kill almost disgusting, but when she was promoted to a full priestess she embraced her new life, proud of her abilities.

Mara yawned lightly while the slaves massaged her. Yes, she sure had come a long way. Many lives had ended by her paw, but that didn't bother her at all, for she knew that everyone she killed had already forfeited his or her life. The only exceptions were those like the vixen from earlier today. She died only because she had the bad luck of getting in their way. However, Mara comforted herself with the knowledge that neither she nor Pyralis would have to fear any consequences for her death and the cheetah was sure that the Gods would be gracious when the fennec was judged for her afterlife.

The feline opened one eye and glanced at Pyralis. The gray cat was purring with joy, her eyes closed. Over the years she and Mara had become close friends and often worked together when more than one priestess was needed. From Mara's first day in the temple on, they had almost always shared quarters and sometimes, when one of them felt lonely, even a bed. The often sat together when both were free of duties and talked for long hours. It felt good to Mara to have somebody she could open up to.

The cheetah closed her eyes again and tried to relax her mind. Tonight had been given to her and Pyralis to reflect upon what had happened. She appreciated this reward of free time very much, since tomorrow would be another day filled with the work of a priestess of Mafdet. Outside the temple the furs envied the priestesses for their easy life, but that truth was that it was a very long, hard day, filled with work. Aside from tending the temple and praying to their mistress the priestesses not only had to hunt down those the God-King had ordered to die, they also had to take part in ceremonial executions, had to give advice and judgment about criminals whose cases were unclear and in addition to these duties they were constantly training body and mind so both remained sharp and deadly.

An entire evening for herself was a precious gift and Mara was planning to enjoy it. However, it was not meant to be that way.

The door to the bath was flung open and a lioness, clad in the glorious robes of a high priestess stormed into the room. The slaves gave a startled gasp and bowed deeply, their faces almost underwater. Mara and Pyralis sprung to their feet and bowed as well, even if in their case it was just the proper greeting, not a gesture of submission.

“Mara, Pyralis,” Karomat said, touching their right shoulders. “Put on your robes. All priestesses have been called.”

“All?” both felines asked in shock.

“Epoheht, the high priest of Anubis had been accused of the crimes of practicing forbidden magic, and we will need every one of Lady Mafdet's priestesses to bring punishment to him.”

###

Only half an hour later Mara and Pyralis were standing in the great hall of Mafdet's temple, at least thirty other priestesses with them. From what Mara could remember from her history lessons it had been over forty years since so many priestesses had been assembled for a single task. The room was silent, no murring or mumbling about what could have happened to justified such an event. However, the air was filled with a scent that told of nervousness, worry and barely suppressed excitement.

"My sisters," Karomat, who was standing on a raised position beside the altar so she could address all of them at once. Like all the other felines she still wore her traditional robes, a gorgeous piece of clothing in yellow, tan and black, decorated with strands of gold and various jewels as was proper for the high priestess. Mara's own robes were much simpler, even if they still ensured that everyfur would recognize her as what she was.

"A difficult time lies ahead of us," the lioness went on. "As some of you already know, Epoheht, the high priest of Anubis, has turned against his God as well as our God-King." This news did roused the priestesses to a soft murmur. Karomat waited until silence had returned into the hall before she spoke again.

"I, of course, know that we usually work alone or in pairs, but this time we cannot take any chances. Epoheht has submitted to the dark magic and it needs our combined effort to bring him the punishment he deserves."

Karomat looked around, satisfied to see nothing but grim determination in the faces of the other felines. "Nothing and nofur can stop us, for we are the Claws of the God-King. We are the bringers of punishment. We are the Priestesses of Mafdet, and Mafdet is with us."

"Mafdet is with us," Mara replied along with the other priestesses. A feeling of euphoria filled her and she knew that Karomat was right. Nofur would be able to stop them. Just as the cheetah turned she though she saw another cheetahress standing in the shadows behind the altar, but as she looked closer she was gone. Then a sudden shiver came over her and a moment later she was filled with a warm sensation. "I am with you, child," a soft, but rich voice spoke in her ear.

For a moment Mara wondered what happened but then she dismissed these thought. "I thank you for your blessings, Lady Mafdet," she murmured, knowing the goddess would hear her.

As the priestesses left the temple they split up into groups of four and disappeared into the night. Mara and Pyralis hurried through the dark streets with Sekati, a lioness, and Bakuma, a feline of a reddish coloration. It did not take them very long to arrive at the temple of Anubis and over the next few minutes all the other priestesses arrived as well. As soon as they had all gathered Karomat appeared out of the shadows beside the temple.

Unlike during their normal executions, which required them to be silent and secretive they all still wore their robes. Epoheht most likely knew that they were coming and everyfur should see that nobody could escape the priestesses of Mafdet. The lioness looked over the priestesses and nodded. There was no need of words anymore. She turned and walked towards the temple and all the other felines followed her soundlessly.

The temple of Anubis was a dark and brooding place, fitting to the god of the dead. The thing that surprised Mara the most was the absence of guards. She had expected that Epoheht had filled the temple with furs loyal to him but the large building seemed to be completely deserted. Were they too late? Had Epoheht already fled to escape punishmet? Mara could not quite believe that he got away that quickly, but it seemed so.

While the priestesses still wondered where the high priest of Anubis had gone, Karomat walked quickly towards one of the gigantic statues of Anubis in the back of the temple hall. She reached behind its right foot and then suddenly part of the wall sunk into the ground.

"How did she know that?" Bakuma asked in awe.

"She is our head priestess. She has to know," Pyralis whispered back before they started moving towards the now-revealed entrance.

"We will split up," Karomat said in a low voice. "But be careful. This place is like a labyrinth and very dangerous."

Mara, Pyralis, Sekati and Bakuma entered one of them many hallways the led away from the main hallway, and from there made their way through the dimly lit building. It was silent and nothing moved. If it weren't for the small oil lamps that gave the hallway its poor illumination they could have just as well have been entering a tomb.

"This place scares me," Sekati said.

"It's just a building," Mara replied.

"Maybe, but it makes me uneasy too," Pyralis agreed with the lioness. "There is something evil about it."

"We must focus on our duty, my sisters," Mara said, turning to glance over her shoulder but not stopping her movement. "We must not let some feeling distract us from ouaaaaaaah!"

The cheetah's last word turned into a shout of surprise as her last step backwards ended not on solid stone but in a gaping hole. She saw a round spot of dim light that rapidly grew smaller until her back exploded in pain as Mara lost her grip on reality.

###

With a soft moan Mara opened her eyes. Nothing changed much for her though, since she was still surrounded by deep darkness. Slowly she pushed herself up into a sitting position, feeling old fabric under herself.

The cheetah sent a quick prayer to Mafdet, thanking the goddess for saving her, despite her foolishness. She wanted to give her fellow priestesses a lesson about paying attention and as a result missed a large hole in the middle of the hallway. Mara felt like she could slap herself for such stupidity and vowed that it would never happen again.

Carefully she stood up and inspected herself as well as it was possible to do in the darkness. Her entire backside ached terribly, but all her bones seemed to be intact. That also meant that she couldn't have been unconscious for very long. Mafdet really must have held a protective paw over her.

After making sure that her body was in working condition, Mara turned her attention to trying to find a way out of this hole and back to the others. With any luck her sisters would forgive her for her foolishness. Slowly she stepped forward, with her arms extended outward until her fingers touched a smooth stone wall. The cheetah slowly walked along the wall, fingers always searching for changes in texture and direction.

Mara frowned as she walked seemingly in circles but after a few minutes she found a narrow crawlway. She didn't like it at all, but since it was her only option she got down on all fours and crawled into the small opening.

It seemed to the feline that an eternity was passing as she made her way through the narrow passage. More than once she bumped her head on the ceiling and her knees soon hurt from sliding over the stone ground. Eventually though there a was a faint glimmer visible ahead, and the possibility of getting out of the crawlway gave her new strength.

Soon a rectangular opening, the end pf the crawlway, became visible and Mara moved faster. She was sick of the confined space to move in and the stale air she was breathing, and she wanted to get out of it. However, as she stuck her head out of the opening she gasped in silent shock and pulled back into the shadows.

Beyond the crawlway lay a huge room, illuminated by several large bowls with fires burning in it. Statues stood in the corners, their arms raised as if they were supporting the ceiling and in the middle of the room there was a large altar. And before that altar stood an imposing figure, a large jackal with shiny black fur. Epoheht, the high priest of Anubis, was reading loudly from a scroll in a language Mara did not understand or even recognize.

I stumbled directly into his sanctuary, the cheetah realized. But what now?

As if to answer her question two other jackals entered the room through a door on the far side, dragging something between them. Mara had to suppress a scream of rage as she realized that it was Karomat they pulled into the room. A smile appeared in Epoheht's muzzle and he turned around.

"Greetings, Karomat," he said in  a sarcastically friendly tone of voice. The lioness lifted her head slowly and growled at him. They had torn the robes from her form and Mara could see many cuts and bruises all over Karomat's body.

"I'm glad that you could join me on this beautiful night," Epoheht went on, as if he was talking to a friend who visited him for dinner.

"We will get you, traitor," Karomat growled to the jackal. "Nofur can escape Mafdet."

Epoheht threw his head back and laughed loudly, a laugh that seemed to shake the foundations of the temple. "Maybe nofur can escape Mafdet," he said in a mocking tone of voice. "But you and your pet kittens are easy to escape."

Mara saw the truth in his words. He had captured Karomat, the head priestess of Mafdet. What kind of chances would she or her sisters have if even the greatest was helpless against Epoheht?

"I am with you, child." The words she had heard before she left the temple of Mafdet again echoed through her mind. Lady Mafdet is with me, Mara thought. Lady Mafdet... And the element of surprise.

Slowly Mara climbed out of the crawlway. Fortunately Epoheht and his guards were so focused on Karomat that they didn't even glance in her direction. With one paw she pulled her dagger out of the sheath at her hip. Then she closed her eyes for a quick prayer. Normally Mara replied on her abilities alone, but this was far too important and she knew that she would need Mafdet's help or none of them would survive this night.

"Great Mafdet, please guide my paw," she murmured before she opened her eyes and took careful aim. A fast movement of her arm and the dagger was on its way. That spinning blade looked like a flash of silver as it crossed the distance between Mara and Epoheht, striking the jackal in his right shoulder.

The black-furred canine roared as the blade of Mara's dagger sank deep into his shoulder. The cheetah, in the meantime, had pushed herself off the wall and landed swiftly on the stone floor. She dashed forward and jumped onto the altar. From there she leaped over Epoheht at the guard to Karomat's left. Mara extended her arms forward and the moment she hit the shocked jackal guard she slashed out at his throat, her claws easily slicing through his skin and muscles. The canine went down with a gurgling sound, Mara landing on his chest.

Unlike the guards, who were shocked as their master suddenly dropped to his knees screaming in pain, Karomat reacted instinctively and pulled herself out of their grip. The lioness spun around and swept the remaining jackal off of his feet. Mara had seen that from the corner of her eye and she too reacted instinctively. The cheetah pulled a second dagger from underneath her robes and cartwheeled to the other guard, reaching him only a second after his back hit the hard floor with a shout of surprise and pain. With all her strength Mara rammed the blade of her weapon through his armor and into his chest. The jackal jerked once and then went still, not moving anymore.

After she was sure that the guard was dead Mara's head snapped up and her eyes focused on Epoheht. The priest was struggling to his knees, trying to pull the dagger out of his shoulder. Mara jumped to her feet and ran towards the canine. With a powerful kick her right foot connected with his head, sending him flying sideways until his head knocked hard onto the floor. The cheetah immediately was over him, tying his limbs together with a rope that was hidden under her robe for exactly that purpose. The rope was thin but very strong and would surely hold against his struggles. Mara also tied his muzzle shut so Epoheht would not be able to cast any spells.

After she was done the priestess stood up, panting lightly. From the moment she had thrown the dagger she had been acting on instinct, but now she realized what had happened in the last moments.

"I did it," she said in a low voice, barely audible. She had done what not even Karomat was able to. She had captured Epoheht, all on her own. "I did it," she repeated, a little louder this time and she repeated it again and again, louder and louder each time. She had done what nofur else could.

At some point Mara became aware of her surroundings again. She hurried over to Karomat and helped the moaning lioness to her feet. Quickly she made sure that the head priestess was not seriously wounded and then she took off her robe and put it around Karomat's shoulders.

"Well done," the lioness said, smiling despite the throbbing pain she felt all over her body. "Very well done."

###

Two days later...

Mara stood still, her arms and legs spread while feline slaves dressed her. Despite the catastrophic run, the priestesses’ hunt for Epoheht had been a success. Three sisters were killed but considering how close they had come to being totally wiped out everyfur was happy with the outcome.

And all thanks to Mara. The cheetah had been promoted to head priestess the same night to honor what she had done for the God-King and for Mafdet. Over the following days Mara had been granted free time until Epoheht's execution, which she would witness. Six slaves had been sent to cater to the cheetah's needs and make sure she looked perfect for the great event of the high priest's execution.

It was these slaves that now dressed Mara in her new robes. They were not as glorious as Karomat's robes, but still decorated with gold and lace and small gems. The robes also featured a short cape that was carefully dyed to look like cheetah fur. Only the high priestess was allowed to wear actual cheetah fur as Lady Mafdet herself did.

Mara was quite excited but she forced herself to remain calm. Soon she would stand with Karomat beside Pharaoh Khaeseth as he judged Epoheht for his crimes, and she could not look like a giddy kitten then. Closing her eyes the cheetah used a special breathing technique to ease her excitement.

Eventually the slaves stepped back and knelt to let Mara inspect their work. The feline first looked into a large mirror and after she was satisfied with her looks she started to move. A smile found its way on her muzzle for the slaves had done excellent work. She could move as freely as in her normal robes, despite the much more pompous clothing.

"Excellent," she said, turning to the slaves. "You may leave."

The felines bowed to Mara and left the room, their duty to her fulfilled. The cheetah remained, musing about the day and the honor that was hers.

After a while there was a light knock on the door and Karomat stepped into the room.  Smiling she walked towards Mara. "I want you to know that I'm very proud of you," she said in a soft voice. The lioness had been responsible for most of Mara's special training that allowed the cheetah to catch up with the other acolytes and over the years they had developed a certain fondness for each other. Karomat saw Mara as the most promising student ever, destined to do great things while the cheetah looked up to the lioness as someone she could admire and follow.

"I thank you, high priestess," Mara replied with a light bow. To her surprise the next thing she felt were Karomat's arms as they wrapped around her body for a gentle hug. However, as shocked as she was at first, soon she responded in action and sound as she started to purr softly.

The cheetah couldn't say for how long she had stood there in the lioness' embrace but eventually Karomat released her from the hug. "We have to go, my dear," she said and made a step backward, her paws moving to straighten Mara's robe. Mara again returned the favor and as soon as they were sure that they both looked their best they left the room, walking side by side.

The walk through the large building took the felines only a few minutes and eventually they stepped onto a large balcony. Various important furs were already there and in the middle, sitting on a large throne, was the God-King. A part of Mara wanted to turn around and run. She had never been this close to the pharaoh before and she was actually a little scared.

All the bigger was her shock as he turned and looked directly at them. For a moment Mara felt like she had to die as the glorious lion's eyes fell on her but Karomat seemed to be calm impersonate. Then a smile appeared on Pharaoh Khaeseth's muzzle and he spoke. "High priestess Karomat. It is good to see you."

"Greetings, my king and brother," the lioness replied with a bow.

Mara gasped in shock. Did her ears betray her or did Karomat really just call the God-King brother?

"Ah, and you bring a guest," Pharaoh Khaeseth went on. "This must be the young cheetah I have been hearing so much about."

The young cheetah was about to faint as the God-King talked about her. "Yes, this is head priestess Mara," Karomat said. "Mara, Pharaoh Khaeseth."

"It is an honor to meet you, my Pharaoh," Mara said, finally getting enough over her shock to drop to her knees, her head bowed deeply.

"Rise, head priestess Mara," the lion said, his deep voice sounding almost amused. "I am very glad to finally meet the one who caught Epoheht. Only the Gods themselves know what he could have done if it wasn't for you."

"I was just doing my duty to you and Lady Mafdet," Mara replied, slowly rising to her feet.

"A very good answer," Pharaoh Khaeseth said, nodding with approval. "And the truth, of course."

The cheetah kept her calm and humble expression and pose, but inside she was shouting with joy. Pharaoh Khaeseth, the God-King himself, had not only acknowledged her existence, he had also paid her a compliment. The feline was sure, from this moment on, the day was perfect and nothing could possibly spoil it.

Of course, something did.

Pharaoh Kaeseth rose from his throne and suddenly the light murmur which had all that time been echoing through the arena faded away. Karomat urged Mara to move on and the cheetah stepped forward, looking down into the sand covered arena. There, tied to a large, wooden pole, Epoheht stood in the burning sun. As far as Mara knew the jackal had been standing there since the night she caught him and it showed. The former high priest's normally carefully groomed and shiny black fur was dull and mangy and his body hung limply in the bindings.

"Epoheht," the Pharaoh spoke, his voice easily loud enough to fill the arena. The jackal moved slightly, lifting his head.

"You have been found guilty of the crime of treason against the God-King and performing forbidden magic," the lion went on, "as well as heretic teachings against your duty as high priest of Anubis." The Pharaoh waited a moment before he spoke again. "Do you have anything to say?"

Epoheht seemed to look at the God-King for a moment but Mara was not sure. It was hard to tell from this distance but a cold shiver went down her spine and her neckfur rose as she thought that his gaze wandered over to her. Then the jackal let his head drop and Mara had to suppress a sigh of relief.

Pharaoh Khaeseth waved his paw and sat back down. A moment later a dark figure stepped into the sunlight. Mara knew that it was one of her sisters, another priestess of Mafdet, but it was not obvious since the figure wore a heavy cloak that concealed her completely. It was a tradition that the executioner was concealed so possible allies of the criminal could not make her a target of revenge. In her black paw, the fur most likely dyed, she held a long staff that had the execution blade attached to it, making it look a bit like the crude scythes the farmers used to cut down crops.

"May the Gods have no mercy on your soul," Mara heard the God-King whisper as the executioner swung the staff, the sharp blade cutting into Epoheht's chest. A shocked gasp went through the crowd for where now the jackal's blood should be coloring the sand deep red nothing happened. The blade had struck deep into his chest but not a drop of blood was drawn.

Suddenly the former priest's head snapped up and he stared at the balcony where the pharaoh and his guests were watching from. A deep growl rose from his throat, loud enough to be heard throughout the arena.

"Did you really think you could just kill me like that?" Epoheht's voice thundered over the place. His arm shot forward, snapping the ropes that held him to the pole and punching the shocked executioner aside. "I am more powerful than you can possibly imagine."

By now the hundreds of furs who had been watching trying to leave the arena, fleeing in panic. Most of the furs on the Pharaoh's balcony reacted in a similar way. Only three remained where they were. One of them was Pharaoh Khaeseth himself, who was staring darkly at the jackal. Karomat remained as silent and emotionless as most furs knew her. The third was Mara, who tried to remain calm but inside she was boiling with rage. How could this canine dare to defy the God-King and Mafdet like this?

"You will regret the day that you laid paw on me," Epoheht shouted and threw his arms high into the air. A cloud of black sand rose around him and there was a deafening thunder that forced even Karomat to cringe. Then the cloud disappeared as quick as it had risen and Epoheht with it.

###

"You have seen it yourself, Karomat," Terukah's loud voice echoed through the hall. "He is beyond our reach."

"Norfur is beyond Mafdet's reach," the lioness replied in her normal, calm voice.

"Maybe not beyond Mafdet's reach, but he is far beyond ours," Terukah said, looking at Karomat almost angrily. "If Mafdet wants him that bad why doesn't she catch him herself?"

"That is enough!" the high priestess shouted, raising her voice for the first time since the assembly had begun. "I will not tolerate this heresy against our mistress."

Terukah made a startled step backwards, away from the lioness. "Please forgive me, high priestess," the feline murmured, lowering her head. "Please forgive me, Lady Mafdet," she added, turning to the large statue of the goddess that was placed at the far end of the assembly hall.

Mara was standing at Karomat's side, trying hard not to look as bored and annoyed as she truly was. All head priestesses, which she too now was, had been called to this assembly to decide how they should react to the disaster Epoheht's execution had turned out to be and there had been discussions since the beginning. Discussions! As far as Mara was concerned there was nothing more useless than discussions. This was a time for actions and not words.

However, what was even worse in her opinion was that most of the other priestesses seemed to be afraid of Epoheht and the magical powers he wielded. A priestess of Mafdet is never afraid. And besides, it's not like magic saved the jackal last time.

Heck, I could catch him myself, Mara thought. I've done it before and I can do it again. Suddenly the cheetah's eyes went wide as this thought circled in her head. I can do it again...

If she would do what no other even dared to try, the honor and glory was beyond anything even Mara could imagine. She would be the most famous priestess of all time. Her name would be legend among the followers of Mafdet until the end of time. The memory of her would be immortal. And maybe not just that. If she did it right Mara had the chance to receive the ultimate prize for her services. Yes, she had the chance... and she was going to make use of it.

Mara spun around and stormed out of the hall, the other priestesses looking after her

raced as the plan formed inside her head. If the others were too afraid, let them curl up like scared kittens. It meant that the honor and glory would be hers alone...  but not only that. Mara would get much more than just honor, and the only thing she had to do was...

"Mara!"

The cheetah spun around and found herself face to face with Karomat.

"Don't do it," the lioness said in a surprising soft voice.

"I know I can do this, Karomat," Mara replied. "This is my chance."

"No, Mara. you underestimate Epoheht."

"I've caught him before, I can do it again."

"It was luck, child," Karomat said, grabbing the cheetah by her shoulders. "You stumbled over him by accident and you could only capture him because he was distracted."

Mara stared at the lioness with wide eyes as her mind worked over what she just heard. Eventually though she came only to one possible solution. "You're lying," she said. "You want the honor for yourself."

"Who gives a damn about honor?" Karomat asked in a loud voice, shaking Mara lightly. "You are chanceless against his power and he will kill you if you ever get near him again."

"NOOOOOOOO!" Mara screamed and grabbed Karomat's arms. With a quick pull she turned and threw the surprised lioness over her shoulder. The high priestess crashed against the wall of the hallway they were in and with a moan of pain dropped to the ground.

"No," Mara said, glaring down at her former mentor.

"Mara," Karomat groaned, trying to ignore the pain as she pushed herself up. "Please don't."

"You won't stand in my way," the cheetah growled and spun around, walking away with fast steps.

"Please don't," Karomat said again, even though she knew that Mara would not listen even if she had heard her.

The cheetah was storming through the hallway, her mind filled with anger at Karomat's actions. The old lioness envied Mara for her success, that much was clear for the yellow feline. She shivered with disgust as she thought of all the years she had admired the head priestess.

Mara slowed down as soon as she reached the great hall of the temple. She banished the anger out of her head, knowing that she needed a clear mind for what she was about to do.

With slow, measured steps she approached the altar, bowing her head and saying a quick prayer as it was proper. After that was done the cheetah reached into her robes and pulled out a small satchel. Inside was a small powder which she carefully sprinkled into the small fire that was always burning in a bowl on the altar. There was a loud hiss and the flames turned deep red and then brightly yellow before they returned to their normal mix of yellow, orange and red. A sweet scent filled the air and Mara breathed deeply, taking it into her lungs.

The incense was given to every priestess the day she began her service for Mafdet. When burned in a holy flame the correct word would enable the priestess to contact the goddess herself if she needed advice. Mara was not in the need of advice but the procedure would work anyway.

The cheetah kneeled down and bowed before the altar, her forehead touching the cold tiles of the floor. "Lady Mafdet, Goddess of castigation and summary execution, bringer of death to those who sin against the Gods and the God-King. I humbly ask for your help."

A strange sensation overcame Mara. It was as if all the light unpleasantnesses of life vanished. The floor was still cold underneath her knees, arms and forehead, but it did not bother her anymore. She still felt the light pain in her right leg where she hurt herself in the labyrinth underneath the temple of Anubis, but it was not even a little bit painful anymore. Suddenly she felt a soft paw touching her chin. With gentle pressure it tilted her head upwards until she looked into the impossibly deep eyes of another cheetah.

"But you don't need my help," Mafdet said. "And you know it."

"Yes, I do, Lady Mafdet," Mara replied, shivering lightly under the gaze of the goddess. Suddenly the entire idea didn't seem that good at all to her anymore.

Pull yourself together, the cheetah scolded herself. You can do this. Nofur else but you can.

"I have an offer for you, Lady Mafdet," Mara said in a voice as firm as she could muster.

Mafdet didn't seem overly surprised by Mara's words. She stared at the other cheetah for a while before she straightened up. "Rise, young priestess," the immortal feline said. She waited until Mara stood and then led her through the darkness that surrounded them until the priestess suddenly found herself in a small, but comfortably outfitted room. There were two large seats with soft looking upholstery. Between them there was a small table with a bowl of fruit on it and in a large bowl in a corner a fire was burning, providing warmth and illumination.

"Now, what is the offer you have for me?" Mafdet asked after sitting down and motioning Mara to sit down as well.

"Honored Lady Mafdet," the cheetah begun. "Your priestesses hesitate to carry out your order to capture and kill Epoheht. They are scared of his powers and claim him to be out of their reach. Even... even your high priestess Karomat thinks so." Mara had hesitated blaming the lioness of cowardice as well, but she had tried to stop her. That action said more than a thousand words.

"But you are not," the goddess, who hadn't moved or reacted in any way during Mara's little speech, stated.

"No, Lady Mafdet," the priestess replied. "I have found and caught Epoheht before and I can do it again."

"I'm very pleased to hear that. You have my blessings, child."

"But I won't do it for free," Mara said quickly in a firm voice. It had happened. No turning back now.

Mafdet raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"I'm the only one who can catch Epoheht. All others either think they have no chance or are simply too scared. I am your only hope to ever bring justice to him." The cheetah took a deep breath.  "But I want something in return."

"And what is it that you want?" Mafdet asked, not showing if she was annoyed, agitated, angered or amused by her priestess's words.

Mara lowered her head and took a few deep breaths. Now the moment had come she had tried to mentally prepare herself for the last minutes. This was her chance, her only chance to demand the ultimate reward from Mafdet. She lifted her head and looked the goddess directly into the eyes as she said a single word.

"Immortality."

Mafdet actually blinked in surprise as she heard what Mara demanded. The goddess had foreseen that something significant would happen today but she did not quite expect that. The problem was that she did want to see Epoheht dead, even if this was a very high price. Plus, she was not sure if Mara could kill the jackal at all. On the other paw, even if she did not succeed she would serve her purpose by significantly distracting him...

"Very well," Mafdet said eventually. Now it was Mara's turn to blink in surprise because while the cheetah had imagined many different ways the goddess could react, a simple agreement had not been among them.

"You... you accept?"

"Yes, I accept," Mafdet replied. "However, a pact of this size calls for more than just a simple agreement."

"What do I need to do?" Mara asked and a moment later she found herself in a place that looked very much like a library. The design of the place was radically different from the libraries she knew but the shelves on the high walls were stacked with scrolls and thick piles of paper that were bound together at one side. Books, the cheetah suddenly knew. She had no idea where this knowledge came from but she was sure that these things were books.

However, what impressed Mara even more was the variety of furs that populated this place. She could see furs of various species, some she had never seen before. There were reptilian and fish-like beings as well as a strange almost furless kind with weird muzzleless faces.

"What is this place?" Mara whispered.

"The Library of Lenesia," Mafdet replied. "Follow me."

Mara was led through the halls of the Library by the immortal cheetah while she stared at the wonders around her. Eventually they reached an almost deserted part of the Library. The shelves here were dusty and the scrolls and books in them in disorder. Mafdet however knew exactly where she was going. She led Mara into a smaller room where she took a huge tome of a book and put it on the sturdy table that stood in the middle of the room.

Mara leaned close to take a look at the book. It was bound in a reptilian hide as she had never seen before. Black as the night, and the small scales seemed to be shaped like stars. Golden letters were on the front, but Mara had never seen letters like this before and could not read it. Two metal hinges with heavy locks kept the book closed.

"This is the Liturgy of Fates," Mafdet spoke, respect audible in her voice. She put her right paw onto the book and the locks opened. With slow movement she skimmed through the ages-old pages until she found an empty one. "Give me your paw, child."

Mara hesitated for a moment but eventually extended her paw as the goddess demanded. Mafdet put the cheetah's paw on the empty page and then hers over it. The goddess closed her eyes and started speaking in a strange sounding language. A moment later words started appearing on the empty page of the Liturgy of Fates. Then she gasped as her body and mind was filled by a strange but very pleasant warmth. The sensation lasted, even as Mafdet took her paw away.

"It is done," the goddess said. "From now on you are a Fated One, Mara. It is your fate to kill Epoheht. Once this task is done I will grant you Immortality as reward. That is the pact of the Fated Ones."

Mara nodded and suddenly she found herself kneeling before the altar, back in the temple of Mafdet. "Go now, child," she heard the goddess's words in her mind. "Fulfill your fate... and don't fail."

"I won't," Mara murmured as she rose to her feet. The cheetah felt herself filled with a vigor and confidence she had never felt before. "I will never fail," she added and turned around leaving the temple with quick steps.

###

The cheetah slid down the dune, causing a small cascade of sand that would give her position away to anyfur who might be watching. However, it did not matter. Mara had been watching the old tomb for two days and all this time she had never seen any guards or watchfurs.

Epoheht must either be really careless or he is sure that nofur will dare bother him, the feline thought as she approached the entrance to the ancient building. It had been rather easy to pry this location out of one of the followers of Epoheht that they had captured. Nofur knew who had built it, or for whom, since it predated the oldest records, but it was associated with evil so nofur ventured close to it. That made it a painfully obvious choice for the jackal to use as a hiding place.

Keeping as low a profile as possible Mara approached the entrance, a rectangular dark maw in the tannish stone. Time as well as the merciless winds of the desert had washed away most details of the building but one could still see that it once must have been a grand sight.

This wasn't the time to admire what some unknown furs had built as a grave for some unknown king.  Mara had a job to do. With soundless steps she entered the tomb. The cheetah walked down a simple hallway, devoid of any sort of decorations until she reached a stairway that led downwards.

Mara didn't like this at all since the end of the stairs was the perfect place to post guards but she didn't have another choice. And besides, she hadn't met any guards so far and so chances were good that there wouldn't be any downstairs either.

The cheetah had just made her first step down the stairs when something touched her shoulder. She spun around, pulling her dagger in the movement and faced another feline. After a moment of staring into the light green red eyes she murred a curse and then spoke in a quiet voice. "Damn, Pyralis. What in Mafdet's name are you doing here?"

"Karomat told me what you are going to do," the gray furred feline replied. "And I decided to follow you."

Mara's eyes narrowed to slits. "Do you want to stop me to?"

Pyralis sighed. "No," she said, surprising Mara. "I know you better than anyfur else, and I know that it's impossible to bring you off a task once you've set your mind and body on it."

For a few moments Mara was completely speechless. She had been so sure that Pyralis would try and keep her from her goals as Karomat did that the gray cat's words had totally thrown her off. "P... P... Pyralis..." she stammered.

"You are the best friend I ever had," Pyralis went on. "Even more... Of all other priestesses only you have I ever really regarded as my sister."

"Thank you, Pyralis," Mara eventually managed to say. "But I have to do this myself. I can't give you a good explanation except saying that it has to be this way. It is my fate."

"I... I understand," Pyralis replied, lowering her head with a sad sigh. "Please promise me that you will be careful."

Mara stepped close, giving the gray feline a loving hug. "I promise," she said, giving her sister a soft kiss before she released her from the hug. "I will be back soon."

The cheetah turned around and disappeared in the darkness of the stairway, leaving Pyralis behind. "If I could only believe that," she said, a tear rolling down her cheek. Then the back of her head exploded with pain and the world faded around her as she lost consciousness.

###

Very slowly and carefully Mara made her way through the underground hallways of the tomb. The cheetah expected to run into a group of jackal guards after every corner, but the place seemed to be totally deserted. Had her information been wrong? Had she been observing this place for nothing all the time?

Mara was about the turn around as muffled voices reached her ears. "... totally crazy, not to mention dangerous."

"Not if he breaks her before the ritual..."

The feline tried to make out more but there was a loud scratching sound like stone over stone. Carefully she peeked around the next corner to see two jackals disappearing into a secret passage they must have just opened. Seeing her chance she quickly followed them before the heavy stone door closed again. This new hallway was just as bare as the previous one and it was just as dimly lit, but Mara didn't care much about either. She could see well enough, likely more than her enemies could.

The two jackals were still talking to each other and while Mara couldn’t understand anything she followed the sound of their voices, hoping it would lead her where she wanted to get. It took a few minutes but eventually the conversation stopped and as Mara carefully looked around the next corner she just caught the backs of the canines as they walked through a doorway into some sort of chamber.

That must be it, Mara thought and slowly followed them, her body to the wall and so close to the floor that she was almost crawling.  As she peeked into the chamber the feline realized that it was almost identical to the one underneath the temple of Anubis, where she had caught Epoheht for the first time. And like the first time the jackal was standing before the altar, mumbling things she could not understand. The two other canines were walking towards another doorway on the far site of the room. None of them was looking in her direction.

Perfect, Mara thought and reached into her robes to get her dagger. It was a new weapon she had acquired for this occasion. The blade was curved, deep black and unbelievably sharp. Mara had gotten it from the new high priest of Anubis and it was said to be blessed by the god of the dead himself. That should be enough to kill Epoheht, who somehow had managed to defy even Mafdet's execution blade.

Carefully Mara slipped out of her robes to get rid of the unnecessary weight and rose to her feet. Without making even the slighted sound she approached the large jackal. Her heart beat wildly with excitement but the cheetah forced herself to remain calm. Calmness and firm control was the key to effectiveness.

Slowly Mara got closer and closer to Epoheht. She could see the muscles of his back twitch as he moved his arms. The feline held her breath, not wanting it to give herself away. Slowly she raised her arm, the dagger in her paw ready to slash down and end the jackal's life... and extend hers into eternity. Immortality was almost hers.

The muscles in Mara's body tensed as she readied herself to sink the blade into Epoheht's back but then the jackal suddenly spun around and grabbed Mara's wrist in an iron grip. The feline was much too shocked to react until his fingers closed. Mara screamed in pain as her bones snapped like dry twigs in the desert's winds. Her paw opened and the dagger dropped to the stone floor.

"Did you really think that you could get me that easily a second time?" Epoheht asked with a cruel grin on his muzzle.

Mara did not reply with words. Doing her best to ignore the pain in her wrist she grabbed the second dagger that was hanging from her belt and rammed it into the jackal's side. The canine however didn't seem to notice that at all.

"Foolish kitten," he growled. "You have no idea with what you're trying to mess. I am more powerful than any other being in this world and by delivering me to execution you only helped me by delivering the last piece needed for the ritual to turn me into a liche. Nothing can kill me now, especially not you." As if to underline his last words his paw tightened around Mara's crushed wrist, sending another lance of pain through her.

"I should thank you," Epoheht went on. "But you're too focused on killing me to be useful for anything."

Mara tried to ignore the jackal, tried to focus on the pain she felt and use it to block him out of her senses but somehow it would not work.

"However, before you die there is something I want you to see." Epoheht pulled Mara to her feet, causing her to scream again. "LOOK!" he shouted and something forced the feline to lift her head and open her eyes.

The cheetah gasped in shock as she saw how the two jackals she had seen earlier dragged Pyralis into the chamber. They hurled the unconscious cat onto the altar and then quickly stepped back.

"She is a beauty, isn't she," Epoheht said as he slowly ran his free paw over Pyralis' gray furred body. "Once I've broken her mind I will turn her into something I can really enjoy."

"I will kill you," Mara growled angrily. "I swear to everything holy, I will kill you."

Epoheht threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Somehow I doubt that," he said in a tone of voice that sounded almost amused. "You aren't in the position to kill anyfur." The dagger Mara had brought to kill the jackal suddenly moved and flew into his waiting paw. With a fast, powerful movement he rammed the sharp blade into Mara's stomach. The feline gave  a tortured gurgle as she dropped to the cold floor. Her paws clenched over her sliced stomach in a vein attempt to stop her blood from draining onto the floor.

"Nuisance," muttered Epoheht, and it was the last word Mara heard before life faded from her body.

###

Mara felt cold, smooth stone under her knees, elbows and forehead. A cool breeze was playing through her fur like a soft caress. The pain she had felt only a moment before was gone. What happened, she wondered. Is this the afterlife?

The feline was scared to look around but eventually she lifted her head and opened her eyes. To her surprise she was in the Temple of Mafdet. It was night and the goddess was standing in front of her.

"Hello, child," she said.

"Lady Mafdet," Mara began. "What happened? Why am I here?"

"This is the place where we met the first time," Mafdet explained. "The place where your life took the first step in a new direction. And you are here because you died," the immortal cheetah added after a moment.

"I... I... I... I died?" Mara stammered.

"Yes, you died. Epoheht killed you with your own blade."

The feline looked down as the goddess's words slowly sank into her mind. She had failed. And not only that, she also had delivered her best friend to a fate that was probably even worse than death. The cheetah wished she could try again, wished she would be granted a second chance. However, she knew that begging would be senseless. Death was final and impossible to undo.

"I have failed you, Lady Mafdet and deprived you of an excellent priestess," Mara said and bowed deeply. "I am ready for my punishment."

"There will be no punishment."

Mara blinked in surprise. "What? Why not?"

"You will get to try again."

"Try again?"

"Yes," Mafdet said. "You will get to try again until your fate is fulfilled. That is the Pact of the Fated Ones."

Mara could not believe what she had heard. A second chance. She could go back and try again. And this time she would not be as foolish as before. She was wiser now and would not allow her arrogance to blind her. She would make sure that she would succeed and save Pyralis from Epoheht's claws.

"However," Mafdet's loud voice interrupted the feline's line of thoughts. "You will have to start from the beginning."

"What?!?" Mara shouted in disbelief.

"You will be reborn as a cub," the goddess said with a smile. "That is the Pact of the Fated Ones."

"But what about Pyralis?" Mara shouted, trying to get to her feet. "It will be years until I'm old enough to face Epoheht again."

"I would not worry about her," Mafdet said and put a paw on Mara's forehead. "You have a much bigger problem to worry about."

A sudden surge of power went through Mara's body. Her paws grabbed Mafdet’s wrist and tried to pull it away from her but to no avail. She screamed as she felt how the waves of energy washed her memories away until nothing but a raw, unformed mind remained.

A cruel coldness embraced her and she screamed again. Things were unpleasant and she wanted the world to go away and leave her alone. Then a pleasant warmth was wrapped around her and a moment later soothing motions and a loving vibration was added. Things were well again and she calmed down, reveling in the pleasant sensations.

"A very beautiful cub," the midwife said. "I hope you have a fitting name for her."

The exhausted but happy mother looked up to her husband with a happy smile as she rocked the small bundle in her arms. The lion returned the loving smile to his wife before he spoke.

"We thought about naming her... Mara."

to be continued...

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