Hey there everyone, happy new year and how's it hanging? Don't worry Ratatoskr will answer it for you! After writing the first SMITE fic and seeing that it didn't do so well with little to no views, I decided to try again with an origin story on my favorite Deity, Anubis. Written by me and Shiryu Rex/Squdge of the GRC.
The Nile flows gently across the barren desert of Egypt, giving lush green life to the arid land, a balance of life and death on the land that can host so little. The papyrus reaves along the river banks gave a calm and simmering sense of peace to the weary eyes that may have seen too much sands already. A figure ran through the greenery, darting from bush to bush, it was dark and small, fast and agile. One glance alone would give the impression of an animal, and one would be spared to think that it was an animal. The figure darted again, skimming across the water surface as he reaches for the reaves on the other side of the river, the male figure has a jackal head, with two pointy ears perking up on his head, his eyes were two amber pupils that shines like the gold nuggets from Nubia, his fur was dark as the night with some shades of brown on the torso section and belly.
"Anubis! Anubis! Please come back!" A female voice cried out as she ran after him, she sounded frantic, distraught even, as the sound of her footprints denote her paces as she ran across the small river stream of the Nile, her sandals wet with river's water as she ran up the riverbanks and left her footprints on the blood red sand. "Anubis! Where are you? Please my child, calm down, your mother is here for you." Said his mother, a goddess, Nephthys, she was clad in red dress with her signature crown on her head, the crown has a cyan gem in the middle of it while her hands were sporting bird like feathery wings.
Anubis, the young jackal pup was curled up in a bush, with his ears drooped down and he cried without end, he held his forehead, where he felt the searing pain and wound inflicted on him sting him to no end. But it wasn't the physical wound that hurts him the most, it was the emotional and mental trauma that cuts deep into his heart and soul. He cried his tears into a river as he lay down on the grass, unable to comprehend the painful torment that his father inflicted on him almost everyday for no apparent reasons or purposes that he can comprehend.
Nephthys heard the weeping of her child, the canine like whimpering sound coming from the bushes and knew where to find him, she made her way through the treelines of palm trees and date palms. She remembers that her son has a place where he would hide whenever he wants to be away from his parents, as she expected, when she found Anubis, her heart was shattered into pieces to find him curled up and shut out the world from his eyes. "There, there my son. Let me see that wound for you." Said Nephthys as she knelt down and pick up the young juvenile, he remains disturbed, sniffing and coughing from the torturous experience. Nephthys gasped out, seeing the scar running across his narrow forehead, it ran from the upper frontal lobe down to his temple. "Oh no! Don't worry, I'll heal it for you, you don't have to worry about a thing." She assured him while putting her hand on his forehead, her palm glows a radiant emerald green light with particles falling slowly down on his head, healing the scar slowly. But it didn't fully remove the scar from sight, it was visible but for now, it has healed and the pain seems to stop.
"Why...why did he...hurt me like that? I didn't do anything…" The pup whimpered and sniffled holding his head with both paws. "Why does he torture me everyday mother? He doesn't want me!" He shouted out at Nephthys who held him up close to her chest, letting him feel the warmth of her breasts and the milk from her nipples to calm his troubled child mind. But it didn't, not anymore. There was only a deathly silent ruling over them, as Anubis felt her lifting him up from the ground and went back to the riverside estate. The occupant inside was throwing a temper tantrum again as he uses his scythe to smash the wooden furniture, sending shrapnels around the living room. The blade slashed across the table and chairs, throwing wooden parts around. Its wielder bellowed out in agonizing sorrow and hatred, a chaotic mixture of emotions like his own role, the God of Chaos and Wild Animals himself. "How can this be!? I've tried everything and still he doesn't seem to bear the slightest hint of being my son!" He exclaims and tossed the urn inside the house against the mud brick wall, shattering it into pieces. "Is he even my son? Is he? No he can't be…" He curled up in a fetal position as he held his metal mask, his muzzle seems to be a long elongated beak like section of his face. "Nephthys! Nephthys! Come in here now and explain to me why is he not my boy!?" the deity screams out at Nephthys as she was heading back inside, seeing Set, her husband writhing in agony like that troubles her to no end.
"He is your boy but you don't want him to be your son. How much more can he take these torments until he finally give up on you?" She asked, almost sounding like she was firing an armor piercing arrow at Set's own heart, the deity looked at Anubis with an intense glare, seeing something that he hated lies within the childish expression and innocent eyes of the pup.
"That boy...you said that you're pregnant thanks to me. Then how come I can't feel a single sense of familiarity, an essence of me in him?" He retorted now pointing his finger at Anubis's face who then hide it by turning away from Set. Nephthys took offense to this and slapped Set across his face helm, causing him to fall on the ground.
"It matters not what was used to create him! It matters more whether you love him or not." She huffed out at him and went to take Anubis upstairs to his bedroom just a hall away from Set's master bedroom. "Don't forget that Ra is calling for you to assemble at his palace to nominate the heir to his throne!" She retorted to Set who was on the ground, reeling from her physical assault. He grunted and panted out at his wife's sudden attack on him.
"Very well! Perhaps when I am Pharaoh then I will have the right to nominate my heir!" Said Set as he got up to his feet and get himself properly dress in Egyptian traditional trousers and garments. His sports a black and red suit of armor with a scarab emblem on the front and held his scepter in hand before walking out into the desert, the wind and red desert sand engulfed his form and brought him teleporting away. Watching from the window of his room, Anubis sniffled as he watched in apathy, the sight of his father fading into the desert wind and the sandstorm that he controls.
"Why is it that he hates me so much?" he sniffled while looking up at his mother who was hugging him tenderly on his bed. "I don't understand why he hates me so much mother, do you?" He asked her pleadingly, looking up at her face in an attempt to find an answer to his burning question.
"I don't know Anubis...I'll try to reason with him to stop this, have faith and be strong my son. I'm sure that there will be a light at the end of this dark tunnel." Said Nephthys as she hugged Anubis in and rock him asleep with a lullaby sung to his ears.
[hr]
Far from the barren Red Desert, was the bustling capital city of the Kingdom of the Sun, the walled settlement is the home to thousands if not millions of populaces living and working in the bustling markets, the workshops and docks of the place. There Ra's palace stood proudly, proclaiming the victory of the sun over the evil serpent Apep. Set has arrived at the courtyard of the palace and was making his way into the palace, passing through the corridors and into the inner sanctum, he found Anhur, Bastet, Sekhmet, Sobek, some of whom he had fought with against Apep. Before his eyes was Thoth, the most intelligent of the deities and by extension the pantheon. But of course, there was his brother, Osiris. The green face god of law stood with a flail and crook in his hands as he and Isis waited for Ra to make his entrance into the throne room. There was something that bugs Set more than anything, and it was Osiris, whenever he came near Osiris he felt an insatiable desire to viciously maul and destroy Osiris, the polar opposite of chaos. But wait, there's more to the hatred now than before, he felt a strong conviction and innocent in Anubis, since the day he began to raise the jackal, he felt that something was off about Anubis, now his feeling has been confirmed to be true. Osiris IS Anubis's true father! The same essences of law and order, a conviction of protection over the helpless and counter chaos flows in Anubis's veins just like Osiris's.
Set once he had sensed this stopped dead in his tracks and made a slow robotic head turned over to Osiris. The same essence he had felt in Anubis he now felt within Osiris. Yet he could not figure out how this could have happened, or why. It began tearing at every fiber of his being as he tried to figure out why he sensed the essence coming from Osiris. He made a quiet growl only he himself could hear not to disturb the meeting of the Egyptian deities. His anger boiled more as soon as he figured out that there was adultery happening in this place of order. Ironically the sin coming from Osiris the deity of justice. If he wasn't so madded with rage Set would have laughed. Instead though Set sighed out, and began making a slow walk over to Osiris.
He looked around the room for servant who were carrying glasses of wine. Once he found one of them he scooped up two of the glasses for a "friendly" conversation to the man who had cheated on his wife. The act of adultery burned at Set, but vengeance burned worse knowing who Anubis was related to. He calmly stepped up to Osiris and sighed. "Hello Osiris… Fine… Day for a… Peaceful… meeting between the deities…" Set said with a hint of suppressed rage.
Osiris turned to Set with a confused face and Isis too looked at Set with a suspicious expression in her eyes. "I see that you have a rather...pleasant maybe the wrong word here...but still somewhat pleasant day, yes?" He asked his brother while maintaining a calm composure.
"Are you anxious that you won't be crowned as the heir of Ra?" Asked Isis as he crossed her arms at Set, Isis herself was rather witty and was quick to pick up hints of distress from Set himself seeing as the God of Chaos himself was being rather awkward with his speech towards Osiris.
"Hail Ra! Hail the sun as he who shines above all commands your attention!" Anhur proclaimed next to the throne as the door to its left opens, then came Ra, the hawk sun God of Egypt. The lion bowed his head to Ra and took a step back to let Ra sat down on the throne.
Ra smiled slightly and nodded to Anhur. He looked at his resident Egyptian deities with a calm, but not warm smile waving to everyone of them. He looked down in the crowd and saw Khepri bowing to his face. To this Ra sighed slightly and cleared his throat, but before he could speak Thoth came over to him and shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to see you my friend. It's been so long since we have made a meeting of this magnitude with most everyone arriving to this ceremony." Thoth said excited. Ra signed out and patted Thoth's shoulder, but sighed. "Y-yes Thoth thank you. Please take your seat. I kinda need to make my own announcement." Ra said. Thoth of course noded and strode back to his seat while Ra cleared his throat looking to his allied deities.
"Hello everyone. Glad you all could make it." Ra said sitting in his throne chair casually. "Huh. I need to make some adjustments to this thing. Feels like I'm sitting on a rock." Ra said with a slight confusion mostly to himself. He cleared his throat and looked back to the other deities fully trustworthy to each of them.
Even though the dark shadow in the room was clearly set. Seeing the bright, and divine light of Ra made Set frown under his mask. The sheer cheery nature of Ra seemed to weigh down on Set's shoulders. He however didn't drink the wine. Instead he patiently watched as the meeting commenced.
"From our victory against Apep, we have emerged to an era of peace and stability unlike any we've seen before. Therefore, I shall grant a the honor of ascending to the throne to the descendants who have brought stability and justice to the masses and our worshippers. The chosen heir…" His eyes narrowed to Osiris who was among the mass of deities, "Osiris, giver of laws and upholders and justice, you shall succeed me when the time of my divinity comes to an end." Ra proclaims before summoning the his blessing sunlight on Osiris.
The other deities clapped their hand in thunderous applause they all look to the benevolent lawgiver and began to chip in their hopes and expectations for him. "I now declare a vote, who approves of Osiris as my heir shall lay their cartouche on the table with Osiris's name written on it. Thoth shall judge the legitimacy of the vote." Ra proclaims and allow the deities to scribble Osiris's name on their kartouche, the ones against simply chip in a no. Anyone with a neutral opinion simply leave an empty cartouche.
"Congratulation love, you have been nominated!" Isis squeaked out cheerfully as she hugged Osiris, her husband held her tenderly in with both hands and kisses her lips as the deities begin to chip in their votes. First was Anhur, who approved Osiris, then Bastet with a no, then came Khepri's cartouche.
Khepri looked at his carouche confused. Due to his massive beetle appearance he seemed to have an issue holding a feather correctly. He scratched his confused and conflicted head trying to come up with a way to hold a writing utensil, and for a decision. "I can't figures this out… A little help? Guys?" Asked Khepri.
Thoth walked up to him and Cleared his throat out. "Khepri. Your other form. The humanoid one. Your arthropodic form… it's a bit…Large." Thoth admitted. Thoth of course was possibly the quickest writer within the pantheon, and scribed a "yes" in a near light speed. Khepri nodded his head, and quickly morphed into a more humanoid form in a bright flash of light. The form of course had him wearing a scarab shaped mask with a glowing yellow optic that covered his whole face. He wore a red and white skirt with a golden stripe at the bottom that wrapped around the skirt with cyan rectangular shapes in the center of the gold stripe. He also wore gun metal gloves with a golden cuff, and metal boots. The boots had a golden covering over the calf and a three toed claw shoe.
Thoth casted his vote in quickly and looked back to Khepri warmly. "Here we are. Have you made a vote?" Thoth asked. Khepri nodded and casted in a blank vote much to Thoth's confusion. "I couldn't think of an answer so I just left it blank." Khepri admitted which caused Thoth to facepalm.
Then came Sekhmet, the famous lioness daughter of Ra, she placed her cartouche on the table and turned away to let others followed up. Thoth himself could see just how ruthless and aggressive she was just by looking at her expression. The lioness came back to the crowd and crossed her arms looking at the ibis as the vote was done casting and Thoth was able to count the result carefully. Of all the deities present in the palace, nearly none of them has a problem with Osiris's ascension to the throne, most of them that is…
There was one problem, Set, he was fuming with outrage as he felt he was robbed of his reward, he fought hard as Ra's general against Apep, his effort with Anhur, Bastet and Thoth helped slain the serpent and here he is without a single piece of gold or reward to acknowledge of his service. To make matters worse for Set, Nephthys has arrived late to cast her vote. "My lord Ra, one moment please, I came late because I was occupied with nursing my son." She said to Ra before casting her vote to them. Much to Thoth's surprise, the cartouche Nephthys casted in said "Osiris" on it.
Thoth made an odd squint at the vote, but didn't question her opinion. Deep within his own mind he never dared to speak out of Set being too unstable of a leader. "Uh. Well that's quite alright madame. A mother's instinct I presume. Give the young one my warm regards when you can get back to him." Thoth said while he took the votes to get his judgment in order. He mumbled much like a bird would while glancing at each one.
"Thank you Thoth, I've been meaning to inform you and Ra of something regarding my child please meet me after the vote is done." She said with urgency in her voice. Thoth like the witty Isis can tell that she is distress and is growingly concern with the problem of Set as of late. She then retired herself back to Set's side and crossed her arms, not paying attention at him because of what he did to Anubis earlier in the day before they left. "Don't ask about my reason for being late." She stated to Set and remains stern and defiance towards him.
As Thoth began to count the votes, it was growing increasingly clear that Osiris holds the gravitas and high esteem, commanding respect that the kingdom itself can't deny. By the time the recount was done, the vote concluded that Osiris shall succeed Ra and becomes the new Pharaoh. The kicker, was Nephthys voted in favor of Osiris, showing her infidelity, and perhaps her accomplice with Osiris behind Set's back. "Brother this is good news, we should celebrate tonight you and I what do you think?" Osiris asked Set excitedly, hugging the deity of chaos in a brotherly manner.
Set was awkward, and slow to hug Osiris back. In his heart he knew there was something happening behind his back, and he felt like Osiris was making a mocking and patronizing hug to him. It was the sharpest and coldest stab to the back he had felt in his life. He had the audacity to hug Set while cheating with Nephthys. Set sighed out and patted Osiris's back in a slow sluggish manner. "Yes… This is an event worth celebrating… Brother." Set said. As much as it hurt for him to hold back his inner rage he felt the need to know more than ever so his vengeance could be laid out.
"You seem upset for some reasons, but fear not, I'm sure some fine wines will help your mood." Osiris said patting Set's back to give him some calm and reassurance, he seems to only shrug off Set's behaviors as nothing more than some minor depression, however, the more love he express to Set, the more fuel he adds to the flame that the hatred in Set's heart. While Osiris was talking to Set, Nephthys was conversing with Ra and Thoth in private away from the eyes of everyone else.
"Ra, Thoth this morning my son was hurt by Set, not just another spanking but this time it was a scar over his head." Said Nephthys as she held her face and sniffle when she thinks of her son's injury and the mistreatment that Set gave him, however, what bothers Ra and Thoth the most was the exact nature and events of what happened to the child in her care.
Thoth cleared his throat out trying to think of what had caused these events to spark out of control, and yet the events spoken of gave him a cautious curiosity. "My goodness. I knew he was aggressive, but child abuse is far over the line. Just what is causing him to lash out?" Thoth asked kindly. Ra however made a more fierce glare. "Dose the reason matter? Why should a child who can barely protect oneself face such torment? Set's anger has never been controlled nor has he been stable. Thoth heed my words. He's not what I would call… A good guy." Ra said bluntly.
"He didn't just beaten Anubis Ra, he uses his scythe and left and scar on my son's head, I healed the scar but the evidence remains, Set has also been venting his anger at Anubis for not...being the son Set expected." She cried tearfully as her face was covered by both hands, her despair and hopelessness sets in as she struggle to keep a straight face to Ra and Thoth. "I do not understand why is he so insane and resorted to vent his anger at Anubis like that." She mourned the reality of the situation and went to her knees to plead Ra. "I fear that he can no longer bear this, Ra, Thoth, I will need you to raise him for me from now on. Only you can give him a glimmer of hope, unlike what Set is doing." She pleaded to them both before waiting for a confirmation and supportive reply from the two.
The two looked to each other with the same disgusted look knowing a father figure would go so low as to harm the innocent youth, but each one had different thought on their minds. "Well… I suppose I can teach the young pup the wonders of knowledge. I can perhaps rid him of his father's burden." Thoth said in a lighter matter.
Ra shook his head out. "No. It's an absolute necessity I take Anubis in. He should be raised under my sunlight protection. He still needs a firm house where he can develop, but not worry about physical harm." Ra commanded.
Thoth grunted out, and shook his own head. "I think Anubis has had too much of a rough start to his life. Please be reasonable Ra. He still needs a kind, and nurturing protection since Set refuses to do so." Thoth recommended.
Ra grumbled under his breath. All Ra knew was a harder exterior, and how dangerous the world is. He knew he could raise a youth under a harder care, but to him this was necessary to prepare them for the world. Or at least within his own mind. "Just because I'm hard sometimes does not mean i'm not capable. I would never hurt a child Thoth. I would teach them under a strict wing, but I do no harm." Ra said firmly.
Thoth sighed out and looked back to Nephthys pleading state. "Rise mother and patron to the dead. Please give us your opinion for who should take Anubis in. Each of us has our benefits and negatives, but with your careful choice I'm sure your mind will make peace." Thoth calmly said.
"His father. His true father, Osiris. The lawgiver is more fitting to the role of a father than Set, I will bring him away and give him to the House of Osiris as soon as possible." Said Nephthys as she coughed out, now revealing what has transpired behind Set's back and perhaps even Ra's back as well. "Set must be made aware that this is your decision to make, with your authority in the matter, he may step down from further violence." She assessed. The mother and patron of the dead glanced back at the crowd of celebrating deities, she saw that Set was missing from the party for some reasons. She can't tell where he is but only hope that he is only retiring himself to a private chamber.
If only she has an all-seeing eyes, Set himself was not in a private quarter moping the current situation and his apparent lack of recognition. In fact, he was in a coffin workshop, his latest magnum opus of a coffin is one truly screams the inner sadist in him. The coffin itself is filled with spikes all of which were sharpen to the point, a single glance at them can prick themselves.
Set made a very creepy chuckle to himself. He touched the pricks of each spike, and laughed quietly. His laughs were terrifying subtle. He was clearly too calm even for his own good, or the good of anyone else. "This will work nicely… I have enough of taking second pick and staying in the shadows… Enough of no credit towards my work, and worst… Adultery by the deity of justice himself… Ironic." Set said. He thought of a way for Osiris to use the bed. He knew his favorite methods were to intoxicate individuals so he himself could take advantage of them. "He's a drunken blowhard… Wouldn't doubt Anubis was a result of one night with too much to drink." Set said to himself while he looked for a glass of wine.
[hr]
Night has fallen across the land with most of the other deities leaving for their respective homes and residents, Set however, remains in the palace, Osiris who was away from his beloved wife Isis (Who was also his sister), went to meet Set in a dining room where a private celebration was held. "So brother how is your family? I heard that your son is growing up pretty well as of late right?" The lawgiver asked jubilantly, unaware of his brother's sinister intents. He held a glass of wine in his hand and made a toast to the ascension with Set. "To glory." He cheers and began drinking from the grape wine.
Set himself sighed out and drunk from his own glass sipping it down his chaotic throat slowly. He did not however finish the whole glass, and simply poured more for Osiris. "Please more for you… Brother. You may need time to enjoy yourself. After all… The throne is a major task to take hold of." Set said in a sinister tone while he poured more wine for Osiris. It seemed oddly kind for Set to do so and save none for himself.
Osiris being a jubilant and brotherly figure continues taking the wine and the fruits on the table with Set. "Certainly is, no wonder about it. Maybe when Ra steps down I'll be so busy I won't have time to enjoy myself anymore. Maybe I'm already busied with preparing myself for the throne!" He laughed half jokingly and continues drinking the wine, Set himself could see that Osiris himself was growing increasingly drunk by the incoherent speeches and the lack of focus, even his green face was sporting some shades of red. "You know...I have absolutely no idea why I haven't try to have a kid yet...but you look really good for the job of pumping out children…" He said half jokingly as he flails around, his vision began to become distorted and he saw that he was having problems with concentrating. "Boy...what I wouldn't give for a bed right now…" Said Osiris.
Set nodded to him and helped Osiris stand to his feet. "Come with me. I know of the perfect place to rest… Forever…" Set said in a threatening tone to Osiris. Set hoisted Osiris to his feet, but found he was mostly dragging Osiris along "Drunk oaf… This is what you selected to lead you." Set thought to himself as he dragged Osiris through the halls, and into the "bed" area. There Osiris saw the coffin through his blurry vision.
"Say why the generosity there Set? Whatever happened to the moody, gloomy usual self?" He asked Set as he began to climb into the "bed", he did not see the spikes due to how blurry his vision is at the moment, then it came but it was too late to stop, he felt his skin pierced and every fiber of his being yelled out in agony as he slipped into the coffin. Before he could even get out, he saw that Set slammed the lit shut, ending Osiris before the victim of this sinister plot could even scream out for help. Set could smell the scent of blood coming from within the coffin, a satisfyingly gruesome ending indeed.
Payback was done. His vengeance made clear. Set for the fewest moments of his life began making a guttural laugh out in joy and ecstasy. He felt power come to his very being after the execution of the one he used to call a brother. He howled in joy finding his vengeance done, and his morals shattered. "Rest forever brother… You cheating bastard… Rest in agony…" Set said standing firmly upright. Set then hoisted the coffin over his back and carried it with him. "Cut you up and throw you to the blasted gators… I should have known Anubis was not my blood… To the Nile with you…" Set said in a mad grumble.
As Set began to take Osiris away from the palace, the stench of blood did not go unnoticed however, Nephthys who has been looking for Set all days just for safety soon realized something was wrong in the air. The foul stench of blood and death caused her to run after the source which was moving away from the palace towards the river banks.
Nephthys soon saw that Set was carrying something, a coffin, but the circumstances was extremely suspicious to say the least, she kept her distance from Set and followed him towards the riverbanks, she felt something, a life ended inside the coffin and worse still, she, the Matron of the Dead knew who was killed, Osiris.
She gasped and fell to her feet when she felt the soul of Osiris wandered off into the realm of the dead, she held her stomach feeling the painful revelation as Osiris's soul rose from the coffin and escaped into the distant realm of the dead, Necromancium. "I have to save Anubis from him...why did I fall in love with him to begin with?"
She quickly bolted away from Set and transformed into a sparrow flying back to the Red Desert as fast as she could, leaving Set to begin the mutilation of Osiris that he enjoys so much. Nephthys flew back to the estate and landed on her feet in the front gate. She ran into the home and went upstairs into Anubis's room, there she found Anubis still awoke even in the dead of night, playing with his toys and chessboard to help him handle the painful life that was his. "Mother? What's going on? Where is Father? No, I don't want him to be here." He sighed out and looked away in grief while sitting on the floor of his room.
"My son, something has happened, I can't tell you much now but there is something you must know about your father." She said urgently to him trying to calm him but also to inform him an important revelation regarding his stock.
"What is it?" He asked sheepishly.
"Set...is not your father." She reveals, causing Anubis to jerk his head back from this sudden revelation and began to feel his heart sank from her words.
"What do you mean? Why is he not my father? You told me this for years mother, he is my father! Is he?" He protested but his voice soon changed to a sheepish and mostly unsure tone.
"Osiris is your father...I laid with him, as sure as the cold wind of a desert night as he impregnated me. You are his son Anubis, his blood flows in your veins. You have to leave now, there is no time. Go to Ra and Thoth, tell them that I sent you to them for protection and adoption." Said Nephthys as she hastens her son to get up from where he was sitting and get himself dress and pack some of his belongings with him.
"But mother, what about you?" He asked hesitantly while looking at her with pleading eyes, for all his life, he has never left her side and she has always been his emotional and mental support, a kind angel on his shoulder whenever Set lashes out at him.
"You are my son, and I've done all I can to protect you. Be strong, be brave Anubis. You can make your own life from here and find respite for your suffering. Remember what I told you. Now go, be safe my child." She panted out and gave him one last hug before seeing him off. Anubis grabbed his packed clothing and some belongings such as his personal Pyramid model and a papyrus scroll with a quill, Nephthys led him down to the stable in the estate, there Anubis hopped on a dark furred horse with light brown mane, the stallion was the fittest and fastest horse in the stable, as its sturdy legs and muscle masses have shown. Anubis reluctantly climbed on the horse's back while Nephthys check saddles, she then led the horse and a mounted Anubis out of the stable to paveway of the estate.
"Will I ever meet you again, mother?" He asked her, his pleading eyes remain, it was all too clear that he wishes for her to go with him. But the way that she looked at him with her pleading eyes and the body languages she exhibited may warn him that she can't. And that this maybe the last time they can be with each other.
"We will my son. One day we'll meet again, I promise you." Said Nephthys as she kisses Anubis's forehead one last time where his scar was. Then Anubis looked forward at the direction where the midday sun would be, North. He spurred the stallion and began to race out across the desert at night, he rode as fast as the wind, trying to get out of the Red Desert as soon as possible. He was blanketed however by a strong wind and a desert storm soon blinded him and his horse, but it didn't stop him, he kept his compass in paws, looking at the north of the where he was going to continue running out of the desert, the last thing he wanted to have is to be caught up in the storm with Set controlling it.
He put on a face mask to protect himself from the storm, as he rode his horse, wading through the desert winds. The ferocious fury of the desert and the long trek soon bearing down on him and Tutankhamen. Before long, his steed fell down on the ground, exhausted by thirst and parched by the savage wind. The Jackal pup saw that the horse was as good as dead with the desert chipping away its flesh like a thousand razor sharp blades. He reaches down to the rucksack on the horse's right side and salvage what he could, a map, a compass and a water sack to survive the journey. "Farewell Tutankhamen..." Said Anubis mournfully as he waded through the storm.
Eventually, he saw the boundaries of the Red Desert and made it into the city limit of the capital. He saw for the first time in his life, the sight of the palace standing tall over the city with a boulevard leading up to it. "I made it...just barely made it..." Said Anubis as huffed out tiringly before spurring himself one last time walking towards the gates of the city, the jackal would then enter the capital city, passing by the pedestrians and guards around him slowly. None of them seems to be aware of Anubis let alone taking notice of the young pup on his horse back. He was but a child, a faceless nobody passing by the streets and the populace went about their businesses without batting an eye at him. Some murmured to each other about his physical appearance but not one of them dare to approach him.
He arrived at the palace's front entrance, awed by its grandeur and construction style, fitting for an Ozymandias. Anubis now felt like a fish out of water, before him was the home of Ra the almighty God of the Sun. "Ra...Thoth...I guess I have to do it all alone then." He thought to himself, remembering his mother's words however. He then took his tentative steps into the palace, still a shy pup without his mother to shelter him from harm. The moment he came into the front hall of the palace he saw grand statues and symbols of a scarab carved into the walls to remind everyone that this was Ra's domain. He gasped and jumped back slightly when he saw Khepri however, the gigantic insect was a sight that he did not expect to see when he comes to the palace.
Khepri himself was enjoying his own life, and had reverted back to his bug like state. He seemed confused though on a thought he had in his head. "Why did I come back into this form? Why did I go into the ninja bug form. What was I doing earlier?" Khepri repeatedly asked himself in a not so bright manner despite being the dawn bringer. He lowered his head downwards, and scratched his head with a claw. He then turned around in a clumsy way and saw Anubis staring at him. "Oh. Hey there little guy. Sheesh. I don't remember the last time I saw a tiny thing like you. What are you doing here kiddo?" Khepri asked blankly.
"I...I...I…" Anubis stuttered a bit seeing Khepri spoken to him, he was familiar with his father's abusive and beratement on a constant basis but a calm and considerate figure like Khepri is something that he felt alien and other worldly. "I...am Anubis...son of Nephthys. My mother sent me here to see Ra and Thoth." He said shyly trying to keep his distance from Khepri whose gigantic stature gave him chill and fear, in fact he was hoping that Khepri would just lead him to Ra and Thoth quickly. But overall, he is unsure if the decisions are his own to make.
Khepri looked to Anubis's eyes a bit unaware still of the young pup's shy nature, and laughed in w boastful manner. "Oh that's easy. Just follow me I know where they are. Hop on my back. C'mon I can carry anything. I can carry the sun! I think." Khepri said turning around and lowering himself to the ground so Anubis could ride along. It seems to be a small gesture of kindness to Khepri, but anything to Anubis at this point was a blessing almost.
"Oh...very well...I guess…" He shyly replied before making a slow and cautious step towards Khepri. The jackal climbed up on Khepri's face and sat on his back, feeling himself like on top of the world at this point as he was being lifted by Khepri across the palace towards Ra's chamber. He looked around and saw a world of splendor, lavish lifestyle and pampered upbringing, one that he wasn't raised in. They soon arrived at Ra's chamber where Anubis dismounted from Khepri's back, "Thank you." He spoke to Khepri, bowing his head slightly for the formality before running into Ra's chamber. The young pup went up the staircase towards the chamber of pharaohs, he heard the sound of servants bringing in fruits and bird seeds for Ra and the lavish enjoyment the sun god has at his fingertips. His sensitive ears twitched when he heard the sound of Ra's voice talking to Thoth in the chamber, he was on the right track.
Ra eating some of the bird seed talked with a full mouth much to Thoth's minor disapproval. It was apparent Ra was lacking some manner, but he did have the young Anubis stuck on his mind. "The thoughts of that monster laying a hand on the poor lad. It bothers me… Thoth I don't usual break my ways of going about business… But I need to know if the youngling is in safe hands currently." Ra said in a solemn sad tone.
Thoth looked around the chamber feeling his heart tugged on. Ra for as much of a hard and hot headed deity, and with as much as the heart of stone as he did had for once shown a more soft side of himself. Thoth patted Ra's shoulders while he listed in on Anubis's footsteps. "Have faith. Excuse me for a moment Ra. I think we are being invaded." Thoth said as he stood up. It was hard to hid from the deity of wisdom and judgment, and Anubis found that obvious as Thoth honed in on Anubis's presence.
From the shadow of the doorway, Anubis's fur seems to be a natural camouflage to hide him but then he took a step into the light of the chamber, a shy step by a small and frail boy. "Uhhh...Ra...your majesty...my mother told me to come to you...and High Vizier Thoth...for...protection." He said shyly, the stuttering was sign of abusive father and over reliance on a mother's love. Signs like these are foreshadowing to a less than pleasant future.
Both Ra and Thoth felt their eyes widen in shock. Ra grabbed his arm rests and leaned in with large burning eyes. Thoth covered hsi long beak with both hands, but was unable to utter a word. Thoth shook his head out, and carefully approached Anubis. "Well… It would seem Thoth I don't' need to go anywhere. This is bad…" Ra said in shock. His heart ached in pain seeing the frail Anubis stutter.
Thoth crouched down to one knee and carefully extended a hand out to Anubis. "Take my hand young one…. I promise no harm is to be done to you." Thoth said softly. He understood what Anubis said to him, but he first needed hsi impression on Anubis to be a trustworthy and kind one.
The young pup saw Thoth's hand and was hesitant to take it, but remembering his mother's words and extends his right paw towards Thoth, he was slow in his approach, Ra and Thoth could see that the young pup has never seen anyone outside of his family and estate. By the time Anubis's paw has reached Thoth's hand, the pup leave it there, uncertain whether or not should he take it back. His body language and frighten expression seems to suggest that he was intending to do so.
Thoth noticed this with his observant eye. He gently closed his hand over Anubis's own, and patted Anubis's shoulder gently. "Easy young one… Give trust into us. Even if we are outsiders." Thoth made a warm smile to Anubis, and got closer to the jackal to lift him up. Thoth carefully and slowly lifted Anubis up into his arms and cradled him. "You appear to be needing some rest, but I must understand why you are here currently." Thoth said while he sat down with Anubis on his lap.
Ra nodded to Thoth's statements as well. "Yes. What caused your mother to send you out alone? The desert is near inhospitable and… Well. The red desert even worse. She sent you out alone?" Ra asked with a face speaking of disbelief.
Anubis nodded slowly to Ra, confirming the deity's apparent suspicion. "Y-yes she did. I want her to come with me but she refuses. She said that I have to take care of myself from now on and she had done all she could to protect me." He sniffled a bit when thinking about Nephthys's apparent abandonment of her child, but at least she has helped him reaching Ra and Thoth with the finest horse her stable has in its possession. "She said...my father isn't really my father...I don't understand why she said that. Who is my real father?" He asked Thoth and Ra, looking at them with pleading eyes, waiting for an answer from either of them.
Thoth pat Anubis's head gently, but felt he knew the answer clearly. He made a terrified look over to Ra and found himself to gulp. "Oh… Ra. While the votes were being casted for the next heir of the throne I saw that Nephthys had casted one for… Osiris." Thoth said in a quiet manner.
There was a distinct lack of evidence to pile up to Osiris being the father of Anubis, and yet Ra could tell some how that Osiris was a possible candidate. As much as it pained him to know Nephthys was an adulterer, and a cheater Ra only had to take one look to Anubis's innocent face to understand the greatest pain in life. "Oh. Existence is such a fragile thing. You either do or you don't…" Ra said in a glum manner. He looked to Anubis finding it hard to utter the words of truth to him, but he knew Thoth was too gentle and light hearted to state the truth. "Osiris. He may be your real father Anubis…" Ra said in a hesitant manner.
Stunned and shocked by Ra's blunt answer, Anubis fell back on the ground and shuffle away from the two avians. He couldn't believe the truth even if it was told to him, he has no one he knows he can trust and certainly no one he could rely on for an answer he can take as truth in the slightest. "No...no! It can't be! Who is Osiris? If he's my father then why didn't he raise me?" He retorted to Ra and Thoth as he try to rationalize the circumstances of events that transpired before his own birth.
However, they were not left alone in the room, Isis was seen storming into the chamber distraught and frighten, accompanied by Neith, Weaver of Fates and Ra's mother. "Ra, something has happened, I felt Osiris's thread of fate has been served and…" She glanced down and saw the young pup that was Anubis, his shocked and gasping expression suggest fear and absolute overload of information. "My goodness, who are you little one?" She asked kindly and gave him an assurance that she means no harm to him.
"My husband went to a celebration with Set but I haven't heard from him since he left. In fact I don't see Set anywhere in the palace." Said Isis as she looked at Anubis, silent overtook her mind as she realized who this child was, Nephthys and her often converse family matters as it is their roles as Goddess of Fertility, motherhood and Matron of the Dead for Nephthys's case. "I suspect that Set has something to do with Osiris's missing." She said to Ra.
Ra stood up and got close to the deities. He made sure to stay clear of Anubis since he didn't want to frighten the young deity as even Ra himself felt his temper build. Not only did his anger rise from within, but he felt a sick feeling gather in his stomach. "As do I… Something has happened and I must find out. My light needs to shed on the situation. Nephthys and Set must answer to the call." Ra had stated. His own judgment had been casted out to Nephthys as she herself was not innocent during this time.
"Y...you wouldn't hurt my mother, would you?" He asked Ra frighteningly, Anubis in all his life only know Nephthys to be a kind mother figure who protects him from harm and his father's temper tantrum.
"Fear not little one, Ra won't smite your mother down senselessly like that. Would you my son?" Said Neith as she eyed Ra cautiously, her expression seems to give him the impression that she was binding his hands to Anubis's upbringing in ways he couldn't have foreseen.
Ra calmly sighed to himself, and nodded to his mother. "No, but even you must admit she must admit her sins. No harm will come to her, but the truth needs to be spoken from her, and Set." Ra looked to Anubis, and tried to put a smile on his face, but he could only make a weak glimmer. He looked back to Neith and glared. "If anything it will be Set to get a bad sunburn…" Ra said in a low voice.
Anubis gulped, swallowing his breath as he doesn't know what to expect next from Ra, his anger problem and hot headed tendencies are on display and it was clear to him that keeping promises are a challenge unto itself to Ra. Isis saw that the place was growing increasingly unsuitable for Anubis, she then picked him up with her hands and held wrapped her arms around him to keep him safe and comfortable. "Let me take you away to some place safe, little one. For I, Isis, sister of Nephthys and wife of Osiris shall keep you safe." Said Isis as she brought Anubis like her first born son down to a dining room, a mostly empty room with a long table made for various deities to feast together in hearty meals. By now it was well passed dinner time and the participants have left the place.
Anubis was alone again, sitting in the middle of a table so long it would take him a full 14 paces to walk from one end to another. The pup lied his head down on the table, tired and confused. To him, his life has been worthless, on one hand, his father used him as a punching bag, on the other, he had rare moments of genuine love and care from his mother and the occasional visits by an entourage of strangers who took Set with them at dawn only to return by dusk. He was hungry, his stomach growled as he felt the need to eat rising up. For a moment, primal instincts took hold of Anubis mind as he panned his head around, looking for someone, something to distract his hunger.
Then, a smell, delicious and vibrant assaulted his nose as he sniffed the air. He could tell that it was the scent of roasted chicken with seasoned rice and ketchup filling. Isis was seen bringing in a plate of chicken meat already minced with rice for him to feed him and quell his hunger. "Here you go Anubis, something for you to enjoy." Isis said lovingly as she rubbed the temple of his head, her palm felt the scar inflicted upon him by Set and the indent line ran deep. "You poor thing…" She murmured while Anubis was eating his meal, not knowing what to say other than a weak thank you.
However, not far from the dining hall, Anhur and Khepri were seen discussing with each other when they sniffed the air, the lion God of War knew that there was another one eating after hour. "You smell that Khepri? Someone else is here and that someone is using our dining hall after we are done with it. I wonder why." Said Anhur as his hand clenched the spear that is his signature weapon. The lion began to prowl the hallway leading towards the dining hall with Khepri following him.
Khepri as well had a good scent of the air and hummed. "Weird . Well I could go for another bite. I haven't had much to eat anyway. Would this be brunch or would this be dinner? You know lunch and dinner if that's a thing." Khepri said while his scarab beetle claws clicked at the floors below him. He was also curious as to why the aroma of food had graced his smell.
"Khepri, is there anything that you can think of that is on the point?" Anhur asked, chiding Khepri slightly as the lion immediately pounce into the dining hall only to catch the sight of a young Anubis finishing his meal with Isis by his side. The lion's pounce and swift aggression startled the young pup as he quickly dived under the table and hide from Anhur while the lion held his spear in hands. Isis was quick to flap her wings and generate a gust of wind that blew Anhur back away from the table.
"You should be ashamed Anhur, pouncing on a defenseless child while he was only trying to eat a meal." She scolded him before going down to pick Anubis up from under the table. He was still shaking in fear, perhaps more so than before with both hands on his eyes, he began to cry from the aggression, he thought that this place was safe, that it was devoid of aggressions and intimidations. Oh how easily for promises disappeared into the thin air. "Anhur, Khepri! You two stay out of here and clean the dishes!" Isis shouted at them commandingly, her stern tone quickly got Anhur and Khepri cower and whimper as she took Anubis away from the two.
"Why is he threatening me? I didn't do anything." He whimpered to Isis, wiping away his tears row by row. "I want my mother here." He begged her as she took him up to a bedroom on the third floor of the palace, one with a balcony looking out to the East of the palace where the sun rises each day.
"There there Anubis, Anhur was too quick on his feet but too slow to think. I'll have to address him properly for what he did. Try to get some sleeps now, you're awfully stress." Said Isis as she planted a kiss on his forehead to help him ease his frighten mindset. She then retire from the room, leaving Anubis to sleep, to dream and rest. Perhaps it would be best for him to do so as he couldn't muster the strength and courage to think straight on anything.
[hr]
Set took his time well with disposing the dead body of Osiris, once the job was done, he traveled back to his abode in the Red Desert, a smug grin formed under the mask as he rubbed his hands together while walking towards the door of the estate. But something struck him, a feeling that something was afoot. He looked at the stable and noticed that a horse was missing, the best one there is as well, no less. "What the devil?" He grumbled before pushing the door open, he went inside and look around for signs of trouble. So far...nothing, all was quiet in the estate, perhaps too quiet. "Nephthys, where are you? Don't you know that we have a missing horse?" He yammered out at the direction of the staircase.
Nephthys was soon seen coming down the staircase, she held her arms together and looked at him with an almost mocking expression. Her glare met his and they began to feel the tension rising slowly around them. "I am aware, but why do you have to be so worked up by a horse?" She asked tauntingly at him. This prompted Set to smack her across her face, causing her to fall down on the floor.
"Don't try to mock me woman!" He went upstairs and coldly ignored her, Nephthys got up from the floor and followed him upstairs to see what was going to happen next, it wasn't long however for him to learn what has happened to the place. "Open up you runt! Your father is home!" Set shouted at the door of Anubis's room, he banged on the door harder when he heard no response, at first he thought that Anubis was dead asleep. "Open up damned you! I fed you, clothed you and sheltered you and this is how you repay me, boy?" He threatened harder before kicking down the door, he stomped into the room looking around the bedroom for his child only to find that he was missing. Anubis was no longer here in the estate.
Set infuriated by the fact his child was missing accidentally fired off a premature scorching red beam of concentrated chaos that cut into the floors and the walls creating flaming black colored cuts and burn marks into the room. Set grabbed his chest, and backed up making a fierce growl. "WHAT?! Where did that blasted mutt go? He should be in his room asleep, and unconscious! Where did he head off to?! Which twit let this thing happen?..." Set asked himself repeatedly as his burning red glare turned off at Nephthys. He raised his two hands into the air over his face. Both of his hands were directed to Nephthys neck. "Do I have to strangle the answer out of you?..." Set asked menacingly.
"No...he's already gone, far from here. He was never your son and you were never his father. He has had enough with your hatred towards him." She scowled him and slapped him across this iron mask, the gesture was a stinging blade that struck him hard, a bucket of cold war was washed over him, giving him a reality check of his own "Beloved" wife and sister.
"You...you told him to run away!? You throw him away!? I'LL HAVE YOUR WINGS FOR THIS BITCH!" Set quickly draws his scythe from the belt buckle, he held it high above his head before striking a blow at Nephthys, a slash across her front and she fell down on the floor with blood dripping out of her and droplets of red smog on the blade of his scythe dripped to the floor. He huffed out and panting in anger, a short anger that is. He soon collapsed to his knees with his scythe fell out of his hand, looking at the sight of Nephthys lying in the pool of her blood, his handiwork now add more crimes to his own sins. Then something rose up in him, guilt, fear, regret. He murdered his own wife in a fit of rage, his family he torn apart and left scatter to the four winds and him alone to weep and moan her passing.
Set In his weeping rage swore he could hear the sins of his past whispering and mocking him constantly, but now a new sadness was forming. He was a slave to himself. His agner took hold of him, and he could no longer contain it. He was as sinful as the woman and man he had slaughtered and worst still he was without his own child. He crawled and written on the floor and clawed at Nethphys's blood thinking now of regret as his action has shown. "DAMN DAMMIT! CURSE THE WORLD INTO A THREE DAY PLAGUE!" Set shouted to himself rage filled. The deity of chaos could only toil in his own emotions that assaulted him now having to think to himself on his past actions and his own past errors.