I pulled the statue to the side and discovered a hidden doorway. I shined my candle into the entryway, but all I could see was steep steps descending below. I leaned out to see how far the stairs went, but couldn't see the bottom.

I stretched out more and felt my hand slip, "ACK!"

I fell face first down the many steps. It was as if each step wanted to greet my face as I tumbled down. I put my hands out to protect my head. Luckily, it hadn't gone down as far as I thought. I hit the bottom floor on my back. I groaned from the pain of my back bleeding again.

"LEIA!" I could hear the Original Seri's shout ringing in my head.

"I-I'm fine! Just may have split open my wounds and broke a few bones again."

I put my hand out to prop myself up and felt something crawl over me. My body froze when I realized that the floor itself felt alive. I could hear hisses as something started twisting around my arm.

I looked at the candlelight which had miraculously not gone out from the fall. In the light were several snakes slithering along the ground. To make everything worse, they were venomous snakes.

What in Egyptian hell is this?!

I squealed in fear and shut my eyes closed preparing to die by snake venom. However, I was surprised to see that they weren't trying to constrict my throat or bite me. They seemed to be greeting me.

I sat up and grabbed the candle beside me. I held it out to see many of their eyes staring at me. I forced a smile, "Hello?"

I went to sit up and heard paper crinkle under me. I turned to see many papers of faint ink writing on them. There were clearly old, but still legible. I began to read their contents in candlelight.

__________

Entry one:

Today the head priestess told me she would no longer teach me how to read, write, or dance anymore. She said that I have learned everything she could teach me. From now on she would only enter to take care of my needs.

I wanted to thank her, but the Head Priestess said that my voice must only be used to speak to the Gods. That was why whenever she taught me how to read, I wasn't allowed to sound it out like her. I guess I will only speak to the gods then.

I wonder if the gods really listen?

I asked the Gods to bring me something fun to do, but I never heard a response. I have been waiting a while, but I still haven't been brought anything fun. All I am allowed to do is dance with the bells, write or draw with ink, and play with the snakes.

It's not that I don't mind the snakes, I think they are truly wonderful. However, sometimes I wish they would speak back to me. The head priest said that these snakes are messengers sent from the gods. So shouldn't they speak back?

_________

Entry two:

Today I saw the Head Priestess for the first time since she finished teaching me. Just like the other Holy Maids, her mouth was bound so she could not speak to me. The entire time she was giving me a bath and feeding me, she never looked at me.

My chest felt hollow and cold when I saw her act like that.

I wonder what that feeling means?

I would ask the Head Priestess, but she said I cannot speak with my voice. However, writing back and forth is okay. So I asked her to bring me more ink and papers.

I can't wait to start writing.

I wonder why my heart feels like it's beating so quickly whenever I think about this? Perhaps I should ask the Head Priestess tomorrow.

__________

Entry three:

I have realized that while my skin is darker than the sand vipers, it is lighter than the ones who serve me. I wonder why.

I asked the Head Priestess in writing and she said it was because the chamber of the Holy Empress doesn't have windows. So no sun can enter to turn my skin darker.

I wonder what the sun looks like. I asked the Head Priestess, but she said the sun is a God and no one can look at it without getting hurt. Since I speak to the gods, I wonder if it would still hurt me?

________

Entry four:

Today was the celebration of the Holy Empress. I could hear the music from outside. I closed my eyes to pretend I was there. I have never seen what was outside of this room. However, I bet it is exciting since the people seem so happy. I can always hear their enthusiastic shouts and cheering.

Maybe one day I can dance with them instead of being stuck in my room? I would not mind someone other than the snakes watching me dance. I do not think the snakes are bad or anything. It is just that they do not speak back. They only stare at me.

The Head Priest brought me another snake after the ceremony. Every year they add a new one to my chamber. Now I have eight in my room. This one looks green. It seemed to be upset with being put in, so I tried to calm it down. However, it bit me.

It is okay. The Head Priestess told me that as a Holy Empress, I am immune to snake venom.

_______

Entry five:

Today I can barely write. My entire body is so cold, yet I cannot stop sweating. I cannot keep food down and I feel so sick. My feet will not move and I can not feel them even when I touch them. I asked the Head Priestess for help, but she said that the gods will protect me and there was nothing I can do.

My body hurts too much...

I can't write anymore.

_______

Entry six:

I feel much better today. The snake bite made me really sick. At one point I thought I was going to die. However, the Head Priestess was right. The Gods really did protect me.

The green snake is still acting upset. He will not let me or any of the other snakes come close. It is not surprising that this one bit me. Sometimes the snakes they put in here bite. I usually feel sick afterwards too, so it was not that unusual.

However, I never have felt such painful uncontrollable shivers before. I really thought I was going to die. I thought it was because I have been speaking aloud more than usual that the Gods decided to punish me. However, the Head Priestess said that it is because the Gods are upset with the offerings that the people gave this year.

I wish the Gods would communicate in a different way.

______

Entry seven:

I am older now. The Head Priestess told me I was no longer a child. I thought I was dying, but she said this kind of thing was normal. I asked the snakes if they were adults as well, but they did not answer me again.

I really wish they would answer me...

Lately I have been feeling strange. Everything seems so boring lately. I do not feel like doing anything. It is like my energy is completely gone. I am not hungry, nor do I feel like dancing for the snakes.

All I want to do is lay on the ground and not move.

______

Entry Eight:

The snakes seem to enjoy crawling over me. The green snake has also stopped biting me. Now he is always laying on me. I think he gets too cold in this sunless room. I really wish they would let the sun in.

Since he is green, I decided to call him Fern. He looks exactly like the fern leaves that the Holy Maids decorate my room with.

Today I decided to ask the Sun God if he could shine into my room. That way Fern will feel warmer.

___

Entry Nine:

I feel like I did something bad today.

Fern was lying next to a brick that felt warmer than the rest. I moved my hand along the wall and decided to take a knife and start chipping away at the concrete. I removed the brick and a bright light shined through.

I think the Gods actually answered me!

Even though the snakes could not crawl through since it was too high, they laid in the sun that shined into the room.

I know that I should not be tempted to leave my chamber, but I cannot help it. I want to see what it looks like outside. I want to see something other than these bricks that line the wall and the door that only opens twice a day.

I gave in to temptation and glanced out of the hole. My eyes burned from the power of the Sun God. When my eyes adjusted, I saw a wonderful sight. Past the wall I could see other buildings. I could see other people walking along the streets. Even though they looked so far away, I have never felt so close.

I hope the Gods will not punish me for being weak to temptation.