In which it's the perfect time for some civilized talk-it-out.

oooOOOooo

Converse

Anubis couldn't help but feel an oddly misplaced, grudge-filled respect for Seth… in a weird way. Being the Chaos god for thousands of years had to be one hell of an achievement, he mused to himself as he began to expand his power over Isfet, already hurting from the attempt. The jackal god had to admit it: he realized just how much willpower Seth actually possessed for pulling all those horrifyingly stunning spells and attacks of his. It was incredible, he maybe even surpassed the rest of the gods in this field. Anubis had to wonder just how much the chaos god actually had to suffer during the war against Horus… clearly far more than they had guessed.

He shook his head and gritted his teeth as a fresh wave of pain washed over him, gradually growing stronger: Isfet was fighting against him without end and he really needed to concentrate not to lose his already shaky hold on it. It almost felt like grasping a demon fish straight out of the acid water of an Underworlder lake: slippery, painful and dangerous. His ears somehow picked up the screech of Horus. The falcon god in his animal form was performing more and more reckless dash-attacks against Seth, his tiny body covered in holy light as he shot through the sky like a shooting star. It was an impressive sight but unfortunately also fruitless. Even like this he couldn't pierce through the Chaosflame-shield. Anubis shut it out, just like everything else.

It just became worse when he actively began to search for the unholy armor with his mind. The experience was already pretty unearthly to begin with: he felt like hovering in the middle of nothing, surrounded by red streams and stars, every bit of chaotic energy in his proximity. He figured usually it would be quite empty but now it was buzzing with activity. Isfet was literally banging on the door of Order, probably on the verge of kicking it down at this point. Anubis, with some effort, ignored every other star and went for the biggest one: the shield of his father. Just nearing it with his consciousness worsened his condition.

You know what, Isfet? We can do this all day, Anubis hissed in his mind. I am sick and tired of your stupid tricks with pain and your entire presence. It is such a shame that I was born with your curse, but you know, using it against you will be actually fun!

A new wave of agony made him grit his teeth.

Look who doesn't like the idea, he chocked. You are afraid of losing your only useful pawn in the world of Order, huh? You think I wouldn't figure it out?! That you are behind all of this and not Seth!

A soft, almost angry hum filled the aether around Anubis, drowning out the remaining sounds of the battle in the real world.

Oh, you are angry, I get it, Anubis went on. You are so close to winning but if I succeed here today, you might just lose it all. I've always thought Chaos liked gambling but it turns out…

St—st—stupid ch-ch-child…

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know who's the more stupid one here? You are. If you had planned forward, really forward, you'd not have had allowed Seth to torture me and take my body over. That little mishap sort of toughened me up. Or did you think it would break me? Logical… but it backfired.

St-st-stubborn f-f-fool…

Seriously, is that all you can say? Anubis huffed in annoyance, masking his growing agony as he reached for the star almost nonchalantly. You know… I was wondering. Why is Seth not here to stop me? I'm fairly sure he can sense my presence by now…

And then he saw it. The star was not a star, it was an orb. And inside the orb was a figure in a fetus-like pose.

Seth? Anubis called out.

The god actually stirred at this and raised his head a little to look at him. The jackal expected anger, hatred, determination and a mental battle with the older god. What he saw instead…

Hey there… kid, Seth said in a low voice. You are still kicking, huh? Always said you were more like me than your mother.

The chaos god was apathetic. Literally zero emotion filled his voice and his eyes as he looked at his son. Anubis was so surprised he forgot about the pain for a second. Seth's figure, although largely the same as his real-world one, had an odd characteristic: it was filled with red lines, running on his body like veins. Most of them ran into his eyes and jaws, making him look like one of those weird warriors from human tribes living deep inside jungles.

… Uhm, yeah well… I came to end that party you are throwing, Anubis managed to find his voice.

Go ahead, Seth waved tiredly.

… Just like that? Anubis blinked. You're not going to fight me or anything?

Why? Either way, I am doomed. Seth snorted. Chaos wins, I die. You win, I get sealed away to somewhere once more. Do what you want. Isfet might just crush you, or you destroy its plans. Does not matter to me.

Why don't you fight back? Anubis asked. If you knew Isfet's been using you, then—

Fight a part of my own soul? Seth interrupted, slightly irritated. Fight the source that gives me my power and my reason to exist? I was born solely to represent Chaos in Order, nothing else. Just like you were born to represent death and… nevermind. Or Horus, to represent the power of the Pharaoh and of Egypt. I cannot fight against it, kid!

I am to represent what? Anubis hiccupped before shaking his head. Look. At least let us win! Don't tell me dying is better than staying alive. Even if—

Seth let out a dry, humorless laugh at this.

Heh, you really had it easy with this banishment of yours… if we can even call that, he said.

If you want to win pity out of me, I'm just saying your real body is currently trying to kill us so that won't work, Anubis chided. Eh, forget this! You messed me up terribly, so I am going to mess up this lovely spell you got here, whether you help me or not!

He began surveying the surface of the red star, looking for… well, he had no idea what he was looking for but hoped he would recognize it upon spotting it. Seth followed his movements with his eyes.

Besides, what do you mean by "solely"? Anubis said absent-mindedly, mind still focused on the tasks of coming up with a plan and not going crazy from pain. Can you tell me one god who has a single mission in his or her life? Like, I represent death, but am also a judge of souls, inventor of mummification, a friend of the pharaoh and Cleo Carter… Or mother. Goddess of All Waters, but also of mourning and magic. The list goes on. I'm pretty sure you are not here just to represent Chaos.

You talk too much, Seth huffed. A habit you got from your mortal "friends"?

They are my friends, father, Anubis said.

His "mouth" seemed to work on its own, his entire being tired of the agony it had to endure. His brain dulled and for some reason it thought talking to the most hated god in his life in a neutral tone was a good idea. Heck, he even called him "father" just then but he barely registered it. His mind tried to focus on surviving and finding a solution and closed out everything else. Including his common sense, it seemed.

Like, there are deserts, yes? Foreigners? Storms? Aren't you the god of those too? he went on. They are not connected to Chaos.

They are its symbols, stupid child, Seth snorted.

Sometimesthey are, Anubis pointed out. Not always. You know… I actually like this world. How it changes. How everything has more than one side or meaning…

Now you are just rambling.

What I'm trying to say is you can't be here just to serve Isfet. You'd not have been born from a goddess of Order then, no? There has to be something else.

And if there is?What do I win from it? Chaos will remain with me for the rest of my life, Seth growled. Being dead and being sealed away for good, they are basically the same thing!

Well, you have the opportunity to come back from the latter… like you did just now, Anubis said simply.

I lose everything both ways, Seth shook his head. At least when I am dead, I do not have to face those losses.

I never thought you to be a coward, Anubis said softly.

This earned him a wave of anger coming from the older god.

I mean it, the jackal god pressed on. What you just said… that's cowardice right there.

Watch your mouth you stupid little brat! Seth sneered. You are one to talk!

Yes, I am, actually, Anubis nodded, barely not touching the orb, eyes focused on its surface. He began to see a pattern: swirling tendrils showed themselves, slowly moving, twitching like the tentacles of dying squids. But instead of weakness these thrummed with evil power, determined to protect their puppet.

He also realized he was growing numb from the pain at this point.

These past days I have been a coward too, he said. Not daring to tell Cleo and the pharaoh in time what my banishment caused, because I was afraid I would lose the little peace and shelter I was presented with. But you know… I kind of realized that. I was forced to realize that, in fact. And now I'm trying to fix the problems I've caused. Pretty hard work, and you are not making it easier.

You thought I would go down without a fight? Seth mumbled.

No. But… you are still a coward. You just said it yourself. Anubis shook his head. But you know the best thing about cowardice? It's that you can change it fairly easily compared to other features. I did it. Horus did it, admitting his mistakes. Surely you can too.

First lesson of the desert life: you do not do anything unless you gain something from it, Seth huffed, What would I win from "changing" myself?

A future? Anubis offered. A chance to live on and keep doing what you do best? I don't know, these sound good for me.

You are not me, kid.

But we are related… as much as I hate it. You've just said I am more like you than my mother. Maybe you are right… that would suck, but maybe you are right. In that case, I am onto something, aren't I?

Anubis, stop it, Seth snapped sternly. You are already half-dead, can you not feel it?

Y—yeah… yeah, I can, actually, Anubis let out a humorless laugh. Feels weird… I mean, not feeling anything with my body, basically.

Isfet is killing you.

It sure is, the jackal god nodded. But I can't quit now. Everyone's depending on me. And all this is… well, it became personal. Thanks to you partially. So no, I won't stop it.

Seth did not answer immediately.

You are just as stupid as your mother is, he finally concluded.

Anubis had to laugh at this. Truly laugh. His voice rang across the void, the Chaos-powers actually flinching away from it.

Good, I was beginning to grow worried that I only have your trace in me!

This is not a game, Anubis!

No, it's not. It's a fight to the death for our future. Anubis nodded, slowly raising his hand. And… I'm determined to do everything in my power and beyond to win.

Sacrificing yourself will not make things better, Seth growled. This is what Isfet wants, can you not see it? All it needs is one god dead and the Order is history. And you are the best candidate right now!

Well then… I just have to prove it wrong, yes? Anubis smiled slightly. Just have to survive this ordeal. Not that big of a deal.

He extended his fingers, reaching for the red orb. He knew he might just die if he touched it. But there were no options here. He had to do it. For the world and for himself. It's kinda ironic… committing possible suicide for your own good.

Well, the world was already upside down, so…

Before his index finger touched the orb on a specific spot, Seth's claw appeared out of nowhere on the other side and touched it before him. The tendrils drew away, as if touched by fire and the texture thinned considerably.

Stupid child, Seth grumbled.

Anubis just grinned like a fool for a split second.

The world truly was upside down today.