Chapter One: Love and War
880 Words
The Goddess Bastet looked down at her newly born daughter, Safiya Bastet Catt, a perfect little girl with pale white skin, and pure white hair and beautiful dark eyes. Bastet cradled her and made cooing noises at her daughter, she had gotten her father's human looks, but her mother's cat-like reflexes and personality.
She was only a few weeks old and was already proving to be quite a special child. She knew what she wanted and how to get it. Bastet smiled at Safiya and carefully laid her back in her cradle. This was what she had been waiting for, a child of her own, especially this child. This life would be different for Safiya, even when her memories returned it wouldn't matter, she didn't have to fear death anymore.
This gave Bastet peace of mind, especially knowing that she would have to leave her beloved child in the care of her father Aries for a while. There was a cost to having a child as a Goddess, but it was well worth it. Bastet looked at Aries, “Take care of her Aries, teach her well, and when I can I will return.”
Aries smiled his handsome face lighting up, “I’ll make her a fierce warrior yet my dear. Do what you need to do, we will be waiting for you.”
With that Bastet kissed Safiya goodbye and then left to go and do what was necessary...
Growing up without a mother proved to be harder than Safiya thought it would be. She knew even at the age of seven that she had a mother, and her father was quick to reprimand her when she got upset at her mother's lack of presence. That was the price her mother had to pay for having a child. It was the job of the father to care for the child until the child's tenth birthday. Only then would the Goddess mother be allowed to return.
But no matter how many times Aries explained this to Safiya she still was a bit angry with her mother. Bastet always sent her gifts and had sent her a great gift, a beautiful black panther kitten named Ankanah., who Safiya called Ankh. They were best friends and she was never without him. He was her protector since her mother couldn't be.
Aside from being without a mother, Safiya had a wonderful life, she had a loving doting father who spoiled her rotten and enjoyed teaching her how to fight. Even at such a young age she was constantly in the yard sparring with her father or one of his generals. After all what kind of daughter of the god of war would she be if she didn't enjoy a good fight?
Safiya was rapidly growing, and soon the time would come on her tenth birthday when her mother would return. As much as she loved her father, she did want to be around her mother to. Safiya knew that her mother loved her, even though she wasn't around she could feel it. Her mother was with her in spirit, and it was that thought that kept Safiya from completely being angry at Bastet.
On the eve of her ninth birthday her father was plotting as usual on how to celebrate her birthday. Every year he had gifted her with a weapon of some sort, so Safiya was not surprised when her father came to give her an early birthday present.
Aries sat on his daughter’s bed and handed her a box he smiled at her, “This gift is from your mother and me. I know you are expecting another weapon, as I have given you one every year since you were born. After all I am the God of War, I have to teach you to follow in my footsteps. However, this year, as you get closer to getting to be around your mother, we felt it was time that you started seeing things from the Goddess of Cats perspective. So, this is for you.”
Safiya couldn't contain her excitement, “Thank you father!” She says happily.
She tears the wrapping off the box and opens the box. Inside there lays a beautiful necklace and crown. Suitable for not only a Goddess but a Queen. Safiya loved the gifts and she hugged her father tightly.
She whispers, “Give mother a hug for me when you see her.”
Aries smiles at her, having a daughter had made him begin to go soft, even as a hardened war god, Safiya was able to make him melt. She had stolen his heart. Just as she stole the hearts of everyone around her. All her father's men would gladly give their lives for her. Although it would never be necessary, she was immortal, death wasn't going to be part of her fate, at least not anymore.
The time had not yet come for her memories to return, nor did she have any idea the s**t storm she was about to experience. But there would be good that came along with it as well, and as her ninth birthday came and went the time finally came for her mother to return.
But on her tenth birthday her mother did not return alone...
- Writer
