The women were aboard on Ra's ship now. Although Ra had a dazzling sun disk above his head, they could see only his shadow, as well the shadows of the other deities.
Maat was one of these deities, in another night she would be a little jealous to see Thoth so close to Nut's body, but tonight her main worry was the mortals standing in there. They had to defeat Apep – The wicked serpent, enemy of Ra – that night more than never, so the morning would be bright enough for the mortals found their homes. If Apep, the bringer of all evil won that battle, the mortals would be stuck in there forever.
Seth also was there. He thought living women on Duat was a funny situation. But he was more concerned about hunting Apep too. One of the few good things he could gladly do.
When Ra arrived on Duat, he was an elder with a curved spine but as the hours passed he was becoming youthful. Now he looked like a middle-aged man. Dark skinned, with a strong chin and falcon's very sharp eyes. Those eyes could see the mortals' truly souls in a look.
– You can't leave mortals alone! – He mumbled to the gods.
"Neither can you" – Osiris thought as he drove the boat.
– We should have left them… They're going to die to get here anyway. – Seth commented.
But Seth's lazy idea was out of question. Those mortals weren't so bad to be stuck on Duat, besides they deserved a judgment. And only the dead can be judged.
The women were all asleep on the boat. Suddenly the ship reached the sand, making Evelyn and Anck su namun wake up. Angelica and Helena remained asleep, their heads on their mothers' laps.
– I never thought I'd love someone that much – Anck su namun said as she caressed Helena's face.
– There's a battle ahead, maybe the biggest of our lives. I'm not losing my daughter again and I don't want to hurt Helena, she's a good girl. Please don't make me fight you Anck su namun, because you know I will win – Evelyn told her.
– I won't lose my daughter either and I want to go back home as much as you do – Anck su namun sighed – Believe it or not, you don't have to worry about me.
They looked at Helena and Angelica who were waking up.
– They raised a strong friendship didn't they? – Anck su namun asked.
– Yes, they did – Evelyn said – The opposite of what we've done.
The boat crossed many gates and cities from the Duat, Some looked beautiful, filled with green fields, clean water, and some people living safely while others looked insane, filled with mystical serpents, lakes of fire and tortured souls. Before they sought the 12th gate, The Gods helped Ra to dress some armor. The sun god called the mortal women to come before him. He looked at the only souls that ever reached the Duat alive.
– Listen, you'd better do things right if you want to go back – Ra told them – When we cross that gate, Apep, that disgusting snake will rise. When that happens, you'll be on your own. All gods will be busy dealing with him while I, the mighty sun, deal with the sunrise. So you're going to stay inside this boat, quietly waiting until this battle is over. Later you will use this – Ra handed them an Ankh key – To open the door to Earth and stay there until you die, did you understand?
– Yes, powerful one, we did. – Helena told him.
– Good girls – Ra said as he kept his sword. He was looking like a proud teenager now.
– Well, I've arrived yesterday and I felt distressed nobody came to meet me. After all the times I saved your life, O'Connell! – Jonathan told Rick, a little drunk.
– Jonathan sorry, I've been really busy and…
– Yes, Yes, right… Then I thought, If Jonathan won't come to the mountain... and here I am! So, where's Evy and Angelica? I can't wait to meet and spoil my new baby niece! – Jonathan said with excitement as he entered the apartment – Oh boy! I knew it! I knew there was something wrong about you in Egypt again! – Jonathan shouted in panic as he saw Imhotep - O'Connell your mummy magnet!
Imhotep frowned at Jonathan while Rick rolled his eyes.
– Jonathan! Listen to me! – Rick held his in-law's shirt collar – Believe me, He's the least of our problems, okay? Evelyn and Angelica are in Duat now and we're trying to get them out!
– Duat? That sounds familiar… - Jonathan said.
– Let me guess, In-law? – Carlos asked Rick
– Yes…
– So, I've been thinking, If the way into the Duat's was The Baron's Palace, then maybe it can be the way out. – Hashim said.
– But Anck su namun has just gone into the Duat by the mirror it can also be a doorway. – Whemple said
–So we'd better know which door they will choose, and if they don't come out we'll come in – Rick said.
– That's what I'm going to show you gentlemen – Carlos said, as he took a long and thick wire rope in his arm.
Rick, Imhotep, Hashim and Whemple held one rope's extremity as Carlos threw the other into the mirror of Ra.
– Is that how you came in here? – Whemple asked him.
– So, so. I had to build my own "magic mirror" with electricity and some esoteric objects. I called it Janus. It was destroyed after I got here. Bad luck.
Some moments after, the wire extremity came back through the mirror.
– There's our doorway – Imhotep said.
In the Duat, Ra's ship stopped in front of a black and high gate.
– Twelve – Evelyn read the hieroglyphs on the top of the gate.
– The Apep's home. – Angelica said.
– Let's do as Ra told us and remain safe – Anck su namun said, holding Helena.
The 12th gate opened slowly, revealing only darkness. Suddenly the boat started to move.
– Why is the water moving so much? – Helena asked.
– I think that's not the water… It's something else – Angelica answered.
A monstrous roar resounded while Apep rose, hissing and roaring at the boat. Its black body covered with broken chains surrounded the simple ship as the serpent gazed at Ra with its fire hateful eyes.
Ra remained motionless. He was concentrated, preparing himself to be born again while he looked as a child now. Isis spread her wings and stood in front of him, making a magical field protecting the boat while the other gods raged their wrath against Apep, hurling spears, arrows, and their own powers on the giant serpent.
Apep receded and dived, shaking the boat violently, making it cast Helena and Angelica outside. Angelica fell on the river's shore while Helena fell in the river.
Evelyn and Anck su namun tried to leave the boat, but the magical field was stronger.
Angelica dived to save her friend, calling Apep's attention. It followed them. After they get to the shore, Apep hissed at them spitting its poison everywhere. Seth jumped outside the boat and tried to stop the monster, But Apep's poison reached Angelica, who fell down paralyzed.
– Helena! Helena! – A woman voice called.
Helena turned around, she saw her adoptive parents dressed in bright white clothing.
– Go ahead honey! Finish him! – Helena's adoptive father shouted.
– Aim on his head! – Helena's adoptive mother shouted, as she pointed to a sword on the floor.
While Seth was impounding Apep, Helena grabbed the sword and hurled it on Apep's direction, hitting the giant snake's forehead. Apep fell down defeated. The battle was over. Helena's adoptive parents were gone. Angelica was having a convulsion on the floor. Her veins were becoming prominent and dark. Helena rushed to her.
– Giving me double work, again. – Seth said sarcastically as he took Angelica and Helena in his arms and carried them back to the boat.
– Angelica! – Evelyn screamed when she saw her daughter.
– Brave girl, You just killed my enemy – Ra congratulated Helena as she returned to the boat again. Helena stared at him surprised. The Sun God was just a little toddler now, more bright than never. He shone and disappeared.
Seth handed Angelica to Evelyn.
– Angelica talk to me! – Evelyn told her.
– Mom… It hurts… - Angelica said.
– Please heal her! I know you can heal her, please! – Evelyn cried to the shadows ahead of her.
– Please dad, heal the girl. Isis is wasted! – Maat cried to Ra.
But Ra was already in the sky now, shining brightly above Earth.
– I really love you, mom… Sorry by the late… - Angelica told Evelyn.
– Angelica, please! Don't leave me again, hold on! – Evelyn cried – Maat, please. You didn't make she came back to die in my arms, do something!
Maat and Thoth approached her. Maat touched Angelica's head while Thoth held her feet. The law and wisdom gods didn't have much experience with healing. Maat placed her wings around Angelica.
– Poison be washed away, May the evil fall and good remain – Maat repeated.
– If you ever want to return to Earth, you must leave now. – Osiris told the women and some moment after they four left, carrying Angelica half conscious. Anck su namun recognized the entrance she used and Helena opened it using the Ankh Key Ra gave them.