A/N: Long chapter is long. I'm drawing the names from what I remember from the comic versions of Hawkman and Hawkgirl. The title and parts of Hawkman/Hakwgirls' history is from the TV series Justice League: Unlimited season 2 episode 11 Ancient History. Just FYI.

Chapter 49 summary: In which Arrow is ready to kill and ancient history is relived.

Loyalty and Ancient History

The moment Akhenadin called out the Spell, the vigilante released his arrow only for the bolt to bounce harmlessly off the barrier created by the gleaming Swords. He saw Kaiba turn around and pound against the barrier separating them and was once again struck by how young the Regent and CEO of KaibaCorp actually was. For a brief moment, fear was clearly visible on Kaiba's too young face before it was quickly written over by fury and determination.

Arrow leapt forward to join Shaadi and J'onn in attempting to call out to their companions, to break through the barrier, to do something, anything. Arrow almost felt relieved when J'onn became semi-transparent and slid into the ground below, but his relief was short lived. Not five seconds later, J'onn reappeared the same way he had left with a confused expression on his face.

"I cannot get through," he said.

"What?" Arrow cried. "Aren't you supposed to be able to phase through anything?"

"Kaiba!"

The vigilante and the Martian whirled at Shaadi's frantic cry just in time to see Kaiba get yanked back and slowly entangled by a coil of dull energy snaking around his body. Typically stern blue eyes grew wide and pale hands scrabbled at the coil of energy obviously squeezing his throat shut, choking him. The dull coils tangled around Kaiba's arms, pinning them against his chest just tormentingly out of reach of the thick strand currently strangling the Regent.

It was Shaadi who first noticed the changed in the air above the struggling Regent. He gave a cry of hope and pointed to where the Blue Eyes White Dragon had manifested. The dragon shrieked and prepared to attack Akhenadin, only to suddenly backwing before getting dragged into a large jar with a stylized dragon's head on it.

"No," Shaadi whispered. "She is gone."

Then Green Lantern was there by Kaiba's side and began trying to free the suffocating boy, because that's what Kaiba was, Arrow remembered. Kaiba Seto was just a nineteen year old boy fighting for his life. Arrow felt a stone settle in his gut knowing all he could do was watch helplessly as Kaiba's desperate struggles grew weaker and slower until finally giving out completely and he fell still.

"Kaiba!" he cried, hoping his voice would be heard through the barrier.

"Kaiba!" more voices called as the Pharaoh, Wonder Woman, and the King appeared followed closely by the rest of their ragtag team.

All too late; it was all too late. Kaiba was unconscious or dead, the Swords were still up, and there was nothing they could do about it. Arrow roared and pounded against the barrier with all his might but it refused to budge. He spun to Shaadi. "Do something," he commanded to the distraught Egyptian.

Shaadi glanced at Arrow without actually seeing him. His almond shaped pale brown eyes were wide and echoed the helplessness Arrow felt in his heart. "I…I can't," he whispered.

"Why not?!" Arrow demanded.

"Because so long as Swords of Revealing Light is in play," the Pharaoh said staring horrified at the scene playing out before them, "we cannot attack or defend. All we can do is ready our own counterattack and wait until this dispels. Then we obliterate Akhenadin and Shadow Thief."

"That's not good enough," Arrow snapped, turning back to stare through the glowing barrier.

Green Lantern was cradling the very young and helpless looking Kaiba in his arms and carrying him up to where Shadow Thief stood with a dazed Hawkgirl. Whatever Spell that had been strangling and binding the Regent vanishing leaving behind an angry red ring around Kaiba's pale neck and hints of bruises from where else the the Spell rope touched. Shadow Thief pulled out a large golden ankh-like object with red jewel in the center of the crossbar from a bag and stabbed the long golden stake into the ground.

"What is that?" Batman demanded, glancing at the local Egyptian experts. None of them appeared to have any idea, even the Pharaoh and the King looked confused.

"It looks like an ankh," Yuugi whispered. "But it's…wrong." He shuddered minutely. "It feels wrong."

"It looks wrong," Arrow added.

"What do you mean?" Wonder Woman asked, placing a gentle hand on the Starling City vigilante's arm. If she felt the man quaking from repressed emotions, she said nothing.

Arrow just shook his head, unable to put what he was seeing into words. J'onn gasped and Arrow breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the Martian had intruded on his thoughts, for once. It meant he would not have to describe it himself.

"It is…" The Martian hesitated. "It is a void."

"A void?" Batman repeated doubtfully.

J'onn nodded slowly. "Yes. In Arrow's mind, that...object is a void that devours all magic and Shadow."

"Nth metal," Wonder Woman said.

"He can't touch that," Yuugi said, eyes wide with renewed fear for his friend. The young King pounded on the barrier. "He can't touch that! Stop! Akhenadin, please. Kaiba can't touch that!"

"Why not?" Batman asked. "Why can't he touch it?"

"Weren't you listening?" Marik snapped. "If that is the metal that disrupts magic, then Kaiba, as a natural channel for the Shadows and a magic user, would be repelled by it. It could kill him!"

"Kill Ni-sama?"

Yuugi froze, turning slowly to see Mokuba standing between a startled Wonder Woman and Arrow staring dumbstruck at the wall of Swords. The younger Kaiba was shaking and tears were pooling in his eyes.

Arrow looked down at the distraught young Keeper and closed his eyes. This was partially his fault for not being able to defend his Regent, for not firing his arrow when he had the chance. He placed a hand on Mokuba's shoulder, squeezing it so Mokuba looked up at him. "Don't worry," he said, the electronic voice changer making his words darker and more ominous. "We'll make him pay."

Mokuba's eyes narrowed in determination his big brother would have been proud of and grabbed a handful of Arrow's mottled black and brown leather pants. The vigilante knocked an arrow to his bowstring and lifted his bow, aiming it at Akhenadin's heart. "How much longer until the Swords vanish and we can attack?" he asked, voice flat.

The Pharaoh did a quick calculation in his head. "Two minutes and thirteen seconds and counting."

Arrow pulled the bowstring taunt so the feathers of his specifically chosen arrow brushed his cheek. "I can wait that long."

"The question is, can they?" Wonder Woman said.

Arrow did not answer her. He focused on clearing his mind of any and all distractions, calming his breathing to a smooth, even rhythm. His heartbeat slowed as he concentrated. Akhenadin would die the moment the Swords of Revealing Light vanished.

Green Lantern quickly placed two fingers to Kaiba's now bare and bruised throat when the Spell rope dissipated and was immensely relieved to feel a pulse.

"Get him over here," Shadow Thief called in a commanding voice, making it clear he would not except a failure to obey.

Green Lantern glared hatefully at the villain but seeing Hawkgirl moaning in Shadow Thief's grasp was enough encouragement for him to obey. He carefully picked up the young Japanese boy and walked over to where Shadow Thief was thrusting a large golden ankh into the ground. "Hawkgirl," he said. "Are you alright?"

Hawkgirl groaned. "I have a concussion and I think I may have sprained my wing, but otherwise, I should be alright," she said forcing herself to sit up. Her feathered mask slipped off revealing her full face of pale skin, auburn hair, and bright green eyes dulled by pain and dizziness.

Green Lantern sighed. "What's that supposed to be?" he asked Shadow Thief.

Shadow Thief stood tall and proudly gestured to the golden item. "This is an Absorbacron," he said. "Thanagarian technology. Basically, it's a telepathic database that allows a telepathic interface to store and relive memories of anyone who touches it."

"Are you going to monologue and use up precious time or are you going to get on with it?" Akhenadin said, his voice losing its usual calm.

Shadow Thief hissed but nodded nonetheless. Snakes of distorted Shadow lashed out, looping around Hawkgirl's wrist, as well as Green Lantern's and Kaiba's. Shadow Thief's Shadows yanked his victims' arms out. Hawkgirl raised her head, saw the Absorbacron, and struggled against the pulling Shadow. Green Lantern grit his teeth and fought back as well but his efforts were hampered by Kaiba's dead weight. Kaiba's limp, unresisting hand was the first to touch the ankh shaped Absorbacron causing him to arch and cry out as his Shadows reacted negatively to the unwelcome sting of the Nth metal. But he was still barely conscious from the stinging pain and too weak to escape with Shadow Thief's distorted Shadow leash holding his hand firmly in place.

Green Lantern hesitated at Kaiba's unexpected cry which allowed Shadow Thief to force his hand to touch the metal as well. Hawkgirl was strong, but she had a concussion and was dizzy while Shadow Thief was fresh and insistent. Her hand touched third before being joined by Shadow Thief's own hand. Her green avian eyes squeezed shut at the flash that blazed from the red stone in the center of the crossbar of the Absorbacron drowning out the brilliance from the Swords of Revealing Light.

Depression.

Despair.

Desolation.

Loneliness.

Failure.

Guilt.

It was his fault. All of it. Even when he left hoping to prevent this, all he had done was open the doors and allow the Traitor and the Dark God to waltz right into the capitol city and commit mass murder. And where was he when all this was happening? Running away and hiding like a coward. And when he returned, it was too late.

Always too late.

They were gone.

Dead.

Lost.

"Great Pharaoh."

He stiffened, cursing that title. It was not meant to be his. It belonged to his cousin, just like the crown now lying in the corner when he had tossed it carelessly. Perhaps it was wrong to treat something that had once belonged to his best friend and cousin so haphazardly. But every time he touched the precious gold crown he felt the Eye of Ra boring into his soul accusingly, heard his best friend's last breath rushing out of his body, and he cursed his continued existence once more. He just wanted it to end.

"Set!"

Lifting his head from it place buried in his folded brown arms resting on the low stone wall overlooking the capitol city. He did not look out over the land he now ruled, instead he turned back to gaze at his guest. At his feet, Geb stirred, lifting his head from his paws to gaze at his distraught owner curiously.

"Isis?" Set whispered, caught between dream and wakefulness. One hand dropped down to pet Geb's fur absently seeking the comfort his loyal companion never failed to give.

"Come with me, please," the woman said, coming up to stand beside him. Her long ebony locks hung loose and free over her shoulders and white dress as she held out a hand to help her friend up. Set took hold of her offered hand and pulled himself to his feet, wincing as his legs tingled, protesting staying in the same awkward position most of the night before.

"This way, quickly," Isis said, midnight blue eyes gleaming as she raced out of the young Pharaoh's chambers dragging Set behind her. Set struggling to keep up with her brisk pace and Geb's erect ears quirked as he scrambled after his quickly retreating master. Together the three ran out of the palace and down to the city gates. Set's eyes narrowed when he saw the huge crowd of people camping outside the gates of the city. They certainly had not been there the night before.

"What…?" he gasped.

"That's what I came to tell you," Isis said, slowing her pace so she and Set could survey the crowd of bedraggled people before them. "They are refugees."

"Refugees?" Set murmured. "From where?"

"From the border," she answered, her voice cold. "The truce has been broken."

The blood in Set's veins froze. "But they were the ones who insisted on the truce to begin with," he protested, eyes still staring in disbelief.

Set cast his eyes all around him and saw nothing but people, young and old, wounded, sick, and healthy, all huddling close around small fires and clutching their few possessions tightly to their chests. Set wandered through the crowd offering what assurances he could and helping where he was needed, Geb trailing quietly by his side. Set was surprised when he felt something tug on his clothes and looked over his shoulder to see a young girl clinging to his robes. Cautiously, he knelt down to meet the little girl's eyes but did not speak.

The girl tugged harder throwing nervous glances over her shoulder prompting Set to follow her gaze. He felt his heart drop when he saw the person lying by the bank of the Nile. He stood, placing a hand on Geb's head as he followed the little girl to the elderly woman lying on a makeshift stretcher. The little girl must have strapped the stretcher to her back and dragged it and the old woman here all by herself. It broke what little was left of Set's already fragile heart.

"Can you fix her?" the little girl asked with all the hope and naivety of youth.

Set closed his eyes and knelt by the old woman's side. Aged black eyes opened and gazed up at him from a withered face. They told Set everything he needed to know. There was nothing he could do. She was just too far gone. Had she been a Shadow user, he could have given her some of his heka to bolster her own, but she was not. He would never give Shadows to someone who did not gain them of their own free will.

Geb bumped his nose against his master's elbow and Set closed his eyes and bowed his head in defeat. "No child," he whispered sadly. "I cannot."

He did not wish to see her betrayed look so he turned his face away like the coward he was and stared into the waters of the Nile. Two almond shaped crystal blue eyes set in a handsome tan face framed by long brown hair stared dimly back at him. Dark circles lined his eyes causing them to look tired and drained of energy. His cheeks were slightly sunken and not as healthy as they should have been.

Then a canine face appeared on the reflective surface next to Set's face. Red-brown fur and erect ears unique to the sha breed twitched and the longish nose nudged Set's chin accompanied by a sad whine. Set turned away from his reflection to gaze at Geb, feeling something stir within his heart, an emotion he had not felt in a the two years since At- his cousin's passing.

These were his people. The fomer Pharaoh, Set's cousin and dearest friend had given them to him to protect and guide. They were his just as Geb was his. No one hurt what was his and got away with it. No one. Not even the so-called godkings.

"Isis," he called, standing to meet the stern but sad gaze of his right hand adviser. "Gather the troops. If the truce is broken then we will fight. We'll take this to their doorstep." Blue eyes grew cold and hard. "I will strip the feathers from our enemies and show the people what they really are: mortals and false descendants of Ra."

"Vashari!" Katar Hol called, flying down from his balcony to greet his newly arrived commander. "Welcome back." He grasped the human's dark hand and shook it vigorously. "I hope you bring good news."

"I do, my King," Vashari said, a wide, exuberant smile filling his dark face. "The Egyptians fell easily to our swords. They did not even see us coming until it was too late. The loss of their most recent Pharaoh has weakened their hearts and readied them for your most gracious rule."

"That is indeed wonderful news," the godqueen of New Thanagaria exclaimed as she alighted next to her husband.

"And I bring a gift," Vashari said, stretching out his arm for his men to bring forth their prize. "One hundred of the finest horses we could find both on our way to Egypt and from the broken nation itself."

The Thanagarian godqueen studied the creatures and scoffed. "Commander, my husband and I travel by the winds. What need have we for beasts which are bound to the earth?"

Vashari winked at the winged godqueen jovially. "Would you like me to show you?"

"Yes, indeed," the godking said, his golden wings extending slightly in excitement. "I am always eager for new things."

Vashari grinned.

"I begin to see the worth of these beasts, Vashari," the godqueen called over the wind racing past her ears as the horse beneath her galloped across the sandy land alongside their capitol city walls. She extended her wings and exhilarated in the feel of the wind permeating her feathers without the need to flap our glide. It was glorious.

"I'm glad you agree, Chay-ara," Katar said slowing his own horse. His wife and commander followed his example and slowed their own horses coming to a stop beside him. "These are indeed fine beasts. On behalf of myself and my wife, I thank you for these gifts."

Vashari bowed in his saddle. "The pleasure was all mine, Great Godking."

"I would like to ride more, Katar," Chay-ara said, wings already fluffed and ready for another burst of air. "I will join you at dinner."

Katar's eyes darkened under his golden hawk helmet and his face grew grim, but he forced a smile all the same. "Of course, my heart."

The Thanagarian godking turned his horse and rode back to the palace, but not before pausing to turn and watch his wife ride away with the man who would be her paramour. It broke his heart that his wife would betray him in such a way right under his nose. But he loved her and dared not lose what he knew he still had, for the time being at least. It still did not keep him from wishing.

"I wish they were dead," he muttered, turning his horse to ride back to the stables where they would be kept.

Little did he know, his words had been heard and obeyed.

Set crouched low behind the nearest column. He was confused. The last time his men tried this, they were all killed. But now, he and Geb had made it all the way inside the palace with little to no trouble at all and the alarm was never raised. His senses screamed at him, telling him something was wrong. They should not have been this lucky, not that he was complaining.

Geb remained steadfastly by Set's side, tail stiff and still. Geb's ears twitched, flicking back behind him giving Set just enough warning to dodge further around the column when a screaming slave girl raced past. Well, he supposed his approach did not go entirely unnoticed after all. Or perhaps she had received word of his Shadow hidden army still in the process of surrounding the city, waiting for his signal to attack.

Set was again glad he forsook his more formal robes for the casual shendyt and leather chest guard. His Millennium Rod was stuffed into his belt and he drew it now, readying to draw on his Shadows and martial skills to defend himself should he need to.

He was surprised when none other than the false godking Katar Hol himself turned the corner and raced passed him. How the winged man did not see Set hiding in what had been almost plain sight from that corner was beyond the young Pharaoh. Curious as to what could have terrified a slave and brought such distraction on the godking, Set followed after the his lifelong enemy.

Katar was alerted by the screams of a slave rushing out of his wife's private chambers. What he saw when he entered the room and pulled aside the shear curtain draped around his wife's bed almost made him react the same way. There, lying sprawled and lifeless on the blankets, were the bodies of his treasured wife and his high commander.

"No," he whispered.

His beautiful, precious Chay-ara lay on the rumbled blanket holding a single lotus in her hand. Her auburn hair as fiery as the spirit Katar had fallen in love with was spread almost artistically around her angelic face. Her green eyes which should be open and glittering with life and light were half closed and forever dulled by death. Her skin was no longer a rich, breathtaking tan. Now, there was a hint of a sickly paleness that undermined it, giving further evidence that Chay-ara, Katar's precious wife and love of his life was gone for good.

"No," he almost sobbed.

He leaned down and gathered Chay-ara's body in his arms and held her against him. He sat down on the bed, held his dead wife close, and wept. She had been his life, his everything. Everything he had been doing had been for her, the riches, the empire, and even his tolerance of her dalliance with the human Vashari. He had willingly looked the other way while they carried on their affair so he could keep Chay-ara's love. He knew she lusted after Vashari, but he also knew only he held her absolute love.

He opened his tearful eyes and saw a cup of red date wine spilled on the blanket between Vashari's body and where Katar sat with Chay-ara's body. Another cup identical the the spilled one sat on a nearby table with a pitcher. Katar's eyes darkened and he reached for the filled cup, sniffing its contents.

"Poison," he murmured in disbelief.

"Just as you wished, Great One."

Katar turned to the new voice and was shocked to behold his most loyal servant and cup bearer Hath-Set standing in the entryway, hands clasped before him, and leopard skin draped over his shoulders as was fitting for a servant of his station giving him a sinister look. Katar's clouded mind went over Hath-Set's words once more and he paled in dawning horror.

"No," he gasped. "I didn't…I would never…I never meant…"

This was his fault. Because of his careless words, Chay-ara was…

"Get out," he said softly, the power from his voice gone, imploded on itself.

Hath-Set stepped back, stunned. "But, Great One, I only-"

"He said, get out," a new voice said, followed by a sickening thud.

Katar looked up and was once again caught by surprise. This time by a newcomer he did not recognize. The stranger was young but his eyes, the clearest blue Katar had ever seen, were old and infinitely sad. The Thanagarian thought that at this moment, his own eyes must resemble those strange blue eyes. This stranger knew the pain of loss and yet continued to live.

"Who are you?" Katar asked.

"The cousin of the former Pharaoh of Egypt who's soul will never find rest in the Afterlife," the stranger replied in a quiet voice without any inflection or audible emotion whatsoever.

Katar should have felt fear or at least outrage that a potential assassin had been allowed to sneak into his most secure sanctuary, but one glance at the man who formerly held his absolute trust and betrayed him, silenced him. Hath-Set began to regain consciousness from the briefly stunning blow and the crystal blue eyes broke contact with Katar's, flickering down to the man lying on the floor.

Katar's eyes followed the strange gaze and thus noticed the unusual canine for the first time. A sha, a rare breed of canine related to the jackal and indigenous to the Egyptian delta region. There was only one person Katar knew of who had a sha as a loyal companion.

"You called yourself the cousin of the former Pharaoh of Egypt," Katar said, meeting the strange soulful eyes once more. The stranger was silent but Katar needed no answer. "You are Set then, the new Pharaoh who slew the great serpent Apophis."

"Apep," Set corrected, again with no hint of annoyance or any other emotion. "And yes, I am Set."

"The Lord of Storms," Katar murmured, nodding to himself. "You are the one who can call down storms and the keeper of the white winged beast who laid waste to my armies before the truce."

"The truce you broke," Set said, eyes hardening and the smallest of fleck of emotion leaking into his words.

Before Katar could answer, Hath-Set began to get up, groaning and rubbing the back of his head and neck where a welt was beginning to grow. Set sniffed in disdain and placed a bare foot on the back of the wounded man's throat, pressing it back to the floor and holding it there.

"Do you wish him dead?" Set asked.

Yes, Katar wanted dearly to say. But was that not how this insanity began? By a single wish breathed in anger in perceived privacy and acted upon by a well-meaning servant. He closed his eyes.

"If you let him live, you will suffer as I have," Set said, drawing Katar's attention once more. "I could not bring myself to kill the man I once saw as a friend when I was given the chance and the love of my life and my cousin and dearest friend paid the price." The strange blue eyes softened at the edges. "If you let him live, he will only continue to bring others pain and suffering."

"Others?" Katar asked curiously. "Not me?"

Set tilted his head in an almost bird-like fashion. "Do you not wish to die?"

Katar stiffened and Hath-Set squirmed. "No, Great One," the wounded man cried. "You must no-" His words choked off as Set increased the pressure on his throat.

"Do you not wish to join your wife in the Afterlife?" Set asked again.

This time, Katar looked down at his departed beloved and sighed. "I…yes, I do."

Set nodded. "Then I will stand watch until you are gone."

"You do not wish to do it yourself?" the Thanagarian asked in mild curiosity.

Set hesitated then shook his head. "I will not lie. I came here for that purpose or something close to it. However," his eyes dropped to stare in open disgust at the sniveling man under his foot. "I understand the pain of losing those you care about most through the betrayal of someone you once trusted forcing you to remain behind in an unending unlife, no longer able to feel like you used to, drifting through existence like a wraith with no guiding force or anchor holding you in place, giving you purpose."

Katar nodded. "Yes," he murmured. "You understand." He returned his gaze to Chay-ara's too still face, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. "Do with him as you see fit after I'm gone."

Set nodded and drew his Millennium Rod. "I will."

Katar lifted the full goblet of poisoned wine to his lips before pausing. "My people."

"What about them?" Set asked, the faintest hint of disdain in his voice.

"Do not kill those who surrender," Katar said.

Set's eyes softened. "I would never stoop to such a lowly deed," he said. "You have my word. All those who surrender will be given asylum or allow to go where they please with their lives. All others will die."

"So let it be." Katar took a deep drought of the contents of the cup and held his Chay-ara close. It was over before his arms could fully encircle his wife. He fell to the bed with Chay-ara loosely cradled in his arms, one of their hands clasped.

Set watched and said nothing, bowing his head in silent respect. Katar had done what Set wished he could do with all his heart but could not. He had too many duties to fulfill, too many oaths to keep, too many people depending on him, and no desire to live.

Set stepped back, allowing the murderous servant to stagger to his feet. Set watched impassively, placing a hand on Geb's head. "Geb," he said, startling the only other surviving human in the room. The sha's ears twitched at his name but remained obediently by his master's side. Set had only one command for his ever loyal sha.

"Kill him."

Geb immediately pounced on the screaming man while Set watched impassively. He never turned his head away as Geb ripped the screaming man's throat out and continued gorging until the murderous servant was well and truly dead. Only then did Set break his silence and speak once more.

"Stop." Geb backed off and returned to his master's side. Set placed a hand on Geb's blood spattered head and turned away to walk out to the balcony. The distinct sound of soldiers approaching echoed through the halls but Set ignored them. He continued walking until he stood on the balcony overlooking the unnaturally green city and felt the dessert wind blow on his face.

"What is this?!"

"You! Did you do this?"

Set turned slightly to face the soldiers, taking perverse pleasure at the men's expressions when they caught sight of his eerie eyes and his bloody sha standing steadfast by his side. "The deaths of you rulers were not done by hand. The treacherous manservant's, however, was."

"Who are you?" one of the soldiers, presumably the commander of this troop commanded.

Set sighed and turned to face the men fully. "I am Set, Pharaoh of Egypt, and Lord of Storms." He felt his beloved Ki-sa-ra summon herself, perching on the railing behind him and wrapping her large, moon white body around him. Her tail brushed his bare feet and her long, sinuous neck curved down so it hovered even with his own. "And this is your one and only warning," Set continued. "Surrender and I have given my word to let you live. Refuse, and you will die."

Ki-sa-ra bellowed loudly raising her gleaming white wings increasing her apparent size. The soldiers quivered where they stood. Two ran screaming in terror, one dropped his weapon and pleaded for mercy, the rest charged him. Set would spare the one who pleaded for mercy and hoped the other two would spread the word throughout the palace and surrounding city. The rest, however, met their immediate death under Ki-sa-ra's rage.

"Signal the troops," he said to his beloved. "Any who surrender will be granted their lives and asylum in Egypt or wherever they wish to go. Kill the rest. Destroy this place completely. I don't want anything to remain."

Ki-sa-ra, lowered her head to gaze deeply into his eyes. Set hesitated and glanced back into the room where his former enemies lay dead. He sighed in defeat. "I will give them a decent burial," he said reluctantly. "But no more."

Satisfied, Ki-sa-ra nodded her giant head and made to take off when Set stopped her. "Wait," he called, "please."

She lowered her wings, hiding Set and Geb from sight and lowered her head so she could give the illusion of privacy. Set hesitantly placed his hands on either side of her scaled face and rested his forehead against hers. Ki-sa-ra closed her sapphire eyes and hunkered down to wait for her beloved's silent tears to stop flowing.

"Ki-sa-ra," he breathed.

Ki-sa-ra crooned and nuzzled Set affectionately. Geb whined and pressed his wet nose against his master's thigh. Set took a deep breath and reined in his errant emotions, clamping them down tight. When he deemed himself suitably in control, he stepped back and let Ki-sa-ra take flight. He watched her elegant form soar into the air, roar, and blast the ground below with a burst of electric blue and white energy. In the distance, thunder rumbled as torches were lit and his army, hidden in Shadow, were revealed and prepared to charge the city.

Spiria, Isis's Ka, soared up to meet Ki-sa-ra. The breathtaking dragon relaying Set's instructions to Isis's winged Ka who in turn flew down to inform the commanders of his army. There would be bloodshed tonight, but only so much as was required. Set was tired of bloodshed, tired of pain, tired of living, tired of life, tired of existence, just…tired.

In the following years, Set made sure the false godkings were buried but refused to speak of the grave's location to anyone. Geb died three years later, the final crack in Set's delicate heart. Not a year later, when he was sure Egypt would survive without him and Isis and her descendents were hidden, protected, and well provided for, Set gave her his Rod and gave her one command: to accept Spiria back into her soul. Confused, Isis obeyed and Set retreated alone to the docks where he was seen paddling a small boat into the river. When next Isis saw Set, he was being pulled out of Nile, dripping wet, cold as ice, and had the faintest hint of a smile on his face.

It was said that when Isis wept over the spot where Set washed ashore, the Nile swelled, filling with her tears and flooding its banks. With Set's death, the Shadows were finally completely sealed away and the Items scattered except for Isis's Millennium Tauk and Set's Millennium Rod which remained with the priestess's descendents to guard and protect.

They opened their eyes, and it was over.