21.02.2015, Hall of Judgment

Julius

Despite everything, I've found myself happy those past weeks. It's all thanks to Ruby, mind you. Once we reunited, I realized I've missed her way more than I thought. I've missed the smell of her hair, I've missed the sound of her footsteps down the hallway. Most of all, I've missed the reassuring smile she is giving me now.

"I'll call you when I've explained everything." I promise "It probably won't be the best of ideas to give them a shock right away."

Ruby nods. "Good luck."

"Thank you."

I close my eyes. When I open them again, the Hall of Judgment stands before me.

As if sensing my anxiety, Ammit yawns, trots to the throne and curls at my feet.

All trials for the day having finished, the Hall of Judgment has shifted to a more familiar scene. The golden scales still dominate the room. The black pillars still march off into the gloom on all four sides. But above that, like a second layer of reality, is a white living room with tall ceilings and huge picture windows. Double doors lead to a terrace that looks out over the ocean. Hopefully it will make Carter and Sadie more comfortable during our conversation.

A couple of seconds pass, before Anubis finally leads them through the portal and into the Hall. It takes them a moment to take in the scenery. From the shock on Carter and Sadie's faces, they recognize it.

"The Hall of Judgment is intuitive," I explain. "It responds to strong memories."

For the first time in weeks, my kids turn to face me. Emotions get complicated when you're dead. Mere moments ago, I was worried I'll fall apart. A part of me is still mourning – not the life we had, but the one we could've. I have many regrets. I've made many mistakes. I still can't forgive myself for letting Ruby's parents win the lawsuit. When Carter was born, I swore to do everything in my power for my kids to have a normal life. And yet, here they are, on the frontline. And here I am, dead, unable to shield them from the dangers of the world.

My strongest emotion right now, however, is pride. My kids did it. My babies saved the world. I remember when Sadie started kindergarten and Carter started First Grade. I missed having them around all the time, but a new chapter had begun in their lives. Every time they came home, there was something new to share, something new to congratulate them on. This is how I feel now. I know they will be alright. This is the beginning of a new chapter. And just like with their first words, their first steps, their first day of school - I am afraid for they are setting off into the world without me. But I've never been more proud of them.

Anubis walks over to stand at my side. Carter and Sadie hesitate to follow.

"Well, come on," I urge them. "I won't bite."

Ammit growls as they come close. I stroke her crocodile head and shush her. "These are my children, Ammit. Behave."

"D-Dad?" Carter stammers. I brace myself for what's to come next. A lot is left unsaid between us. "You're blue."

My laugh echoes through the hall. Even Anubis cracks a smile.

"Goes with the territory. I'm sorry I didn't bring you here sooner, but things have been..." I look at Anubis for the right word.

"Complicated," he suggests.

"Complicated. I have meant to tell you both how proud I am of you, how much the gods are in your debt—"

"Hang on," Sadie says. She stomps right up to the throne. Ammit growls at her, but Sadie growls back, which confuses the Devourer into silence. I fight the urge to say 'like mother, like daughter', if only because word travels fast in Duat and Ruby will make me pay for it later. "What are you?" she demands. "My dad? Osiris? Are you even alive?"

I look at Anubis. "What did I tell you about her? Fiercer than Ammit, I said."

"You didn't need to tell me." Anubis's face is grave. "I've learned to fear that sharp tongue."

Sadie looks outraged. "Excuse me?"

"To answer your question," I say "I am both Osiris and Julius Kane. I am alive and dead, though the term recycled might be closer to the truth. Osiris is the god of the dead, and the god of new life. To return him to his throne—"

"You had to die." The anger in Carter's voice takes me aback for a moment. "You knew this going into it. You intentionally hosted Osiris, knowing you would die! Is this your way of 'making things right'?"

I have to admit, it's hard not to smile at him. Which just seems to infuriate him more.

"I missed you, Carter," I say. "I can't tell you how much. But we made the right choice. We all did. If you had saved me in the world above, we would have lost everything. For the first time in millennia, we have a chance at rebirth, and a chance to stop chaos because of you."

"There had to be another way! You could've fought as a mortal, without...without—"

"Carter, when Osiris was alive, he was a great king. But when he died—"

"He became a thousand times more powerful."

I nod. "The Duat is the foundation for the real world. If there is chaos here, it reverberates in the upper world. Helping Osiris to his throne was a first step, a thousand times more important than anything I could've done in the world above—except being your father. And I am still your father."

Carter's anger seems to melt away slowly. In its place is something I'm yet not string enough to face. So I turn to Sadie, who is still very much angry. Not at me, though, she is glaring at Anubis.

"Sharp tongue?" she demands.

I clear my throat. There goes nothing. "Children, there is another reason I made my choice, as you can probably guess." I hold out my hand, and the love of my existence appears next to me. She is wearing the most beautiful black dress. Then again, everything looks better on her.

"Mom," Carter says.

Ruby gazes back and forth from Sadie to Carter in amazement. "Julius told me how much you'd grown, but I couldn't believe it. Carter, I bet you're shaving—"

"Mom."

"—and dating girls—"

"Mom!"

"We can't go back, Carter," Why did she have to say that? It's true, of course. And it's for the best. The dead are to stay dead, after all. But that doesn't make the grief in our kids' eyes any less painful to witness. "But nothing is lost, even in death. Do you remember the law of conservation?"

"Energy and matter can't be created or destroyed." Carter states.

"Only changed," Ruby agrees. "And sometimes changed for the better."

She takes my hand. Even in the underworld, she still makes my heart skip a beat.

"Mum." Sadie swallows. "Did you really...was that—"

"Yes, my brave girl. My thoughts mixed with yours. I'm so proud of you. And thanks to Isis, I feel like I know you as well." Ruby leans forward and smiles conspiratorially. "I like chocolate caramels, too, though your grandmum never approved of keeping sweets in the flat."

Sadie brakes into a relieved grin. "I know! She's impossible!"

I feel like I can stay here with hours, just spending time with my family. For years I've dreamt of moments like this. But then the Hall of Judgment rumbles. I check my watch. The hands move from one House of the Night to another.

"We should wrap things up," I say. "The others are expecting you. A gift before you go." I nod to Ruby.

She steps forward and hands Carter a package of folded black linen. Sadie helps him unwrap the amulet within.

"Is that a spine?" Sadie asks.

"It is called a djed," I explain. "My symbol—the spine of Osiris."

"Yuck."

Ruby laughs. "It is a bit yuck, but honestly, it's a powerful symbol. Stands for stability, strength—"

"Backbone?" Carter asks.

"Literally. Djed also stands for the power of Osiris—renewed life from the ashes of death. This is exactly what you will need if you are to stir the blood of the pharaohs in others and rebuild the House of Life."

"The House won't like that," Sadie puts in.

"No, they certainly won't." Ruby says cheerfully. I love this woman so much.

The Hall of Judgment rumbles again.

"It is time," I say. "We'll meet again, children. But until then, take care."

"Be mindful of your enemies," Ruby adds.

"And tell Amos..." The words caught up in my throat. For the millionth time since the House separated us, I feel like I'm letting my little brother down. I should be next to him right now, not leaving him alone. "Remind my brother that Egyptians believe in the power of the sunrise. They believe each morning begins not just a new day, but a new world."

I nod at Anubis. Next time I blink the three of them are gone. Ruby smiles at me and comes up to take my hand.

"They are going to be okay." She says. "All of them."

I smile. "If the diviner says it, then it must be true."

"Oh, shut up!"

The Hall of Judgment flickers and disappears around us. At home with my wife. Sometimes life does turn out the way it's suppose to.