29.12.2014, 15:23 pm

The Hall of Judgment, Duat

Osiris

It's been a long day. It's also been a short death, so I guess the two cancel each other out. The Hall is in ruins. The scales are broken. Ammit is nowhere to be seen. Probably off eating somewhere else now that her menu's been freed of hearts. Where Duat meets the closest layer of the Waking world, broken gravestones and grass have replaced the marble floor. A strong scent fills the air. The place reeks of abandonment.

Is that a part of the chaos energy seeping in? Should we worry?

No and yes. The dead's domains change – and, I guess we can say 'redecorate' – themselves based on their master's mental state.

You'd think gods would be immune to the concept of mental states.

That would mean not having emotions, not being individuals. Being a part of a human world requires experiencing the whole of human life.

Interesting. How many of these are you going to give me? Because we might end up having to publish some works posthumous.

You're taking death rather well.

I've had time to get used to it.

"Lord Osiris?" The voice sounds surprised and uncertain, as if afraid I will disappear any moment now.

I turn to face my nephew. I hope Ayanna is okay. Didn't see her in Phoenix. Anubis hasn't changed much since the last time I saw him. She was five last time I saw her. His style has. Granted, leather jackets weren't a thing back then.

"Hello, Anubis." I gesture at the ruins around us. "Any updates?"

He shakes his head. "Ma'at is weakening even now." His eyes are full of hope when he looks at me. "But you can fix it, right? You can make things right again!"

Make things right… I promised.

And it's finally time.

The empty throne is calling to me, the air around it buzzing with power. I sit. The Hall answers. Ma'at's energy, till know stuck in the throne, breaks free once more. The scales are first to heal. Then the floor and the walls. Cracks disappear in front of my eyes. The smell of incense feels the air, as fires light up along the walls. Golden balls of energy fill the air, Duat's little helpers. They buzz whit excitement eager to serve again. Magic seeps in between every particle, dances with the very fabric of the Universe.

A flash of golden light takes my attention. A beautiful woman in a dress of golden energy appears.

Anubis bows. I lower my head for a moment before addressing her. "Ma'at. Welcome to the Hall of Judgment."

Ma'at smiles. "Excellent job." I have the feeling she's not talking to me. "Very well done, Julius." No, she's talking to me. Just don't swallow your tongue now.

"Thank you, My Lady."

"Your bravery and sacrifice deserve a reward, don't you think?"

I feel like a reindeer caught in a headlight.

I smile at him mentally. Isn't there something you desire?

Of course! But I don't want to upset Ma'at of all gods! That would be an awful beginning of what's technically my afterlife job. What if I say something wrong or sound ungrateful or-

"You are worthy of everything your heart desires, Julius." Ma'at says, cutting through our thoughts. "I know what you are thinking. And you shall receive it. You were always meant to, anyway. But first, I want to give you one last task."

A djed amulet appears in the air before me. I reach to take it. Julius's attention immediately shifts to

my hand. Why the fuck is my hand blue?!

You are dead, remember?

How long have we been like this for?

Since Christmas.

And I just found out now?

I mean, it's not like we had a mirror in the sarcophagus.

You could have told me I am going to turn into a blueberry!

Oh, I'm sorry, I haven't died in a while. Some details must have left my mind. I will make sure to remember to tell you next time.

"Kids, can we go back to the task at you blue hand?"

Ever been scolded by the universal concept of harmony and balance? Not fun.

"Of course, My Lady."

I take the amulet and look at it. Nothing much interesting, just my spine. Now that's a sentence I never thought would go through my head.

"When the heroes visit you, give it to them. It is very important for the continuation of the series. Tell them to hide the amulet for the right people to find."

"And when it is found?"

"Don't get ahead of yourselves. I'm getting there. It is not to be kept for too long, for it's power will consume the finder. It's secrets are to be learned quickly and it is to be passed on again."

You got all of that?

My eyes move to my left, where Anubis is already gluing a green sticky note to the throne.

Gotcha.

"And now," Ma'at draws a circle in the air with her hand. A portal of golden light, shining like the sun, opens before the throne. "The Land of the Dead is yours to claim."