The Tenth Throne of Fire

by Adimega10

"Do you think it's easy ruling during time of crisis? Chaos is rising, deities all over the pantheon are questioning my authority and I have to alter my plans to compromise with a literal child. I love you, Mother, but your constructive criticism is the last thing I want to deal with." Welcome to the 10th anniversary rewrite: "The Throne Of Fire - And We Shall Await The Sunrise".

15. Back in Duat

17.03.2015

Bast

I went around, saying my goodbyes, then I was told Sadie had already left for London. I felt relief wash over me. One more difficult conversation I got to avoid! She would be fine without me, I was sure of it.

Up on the roof, Carter was tossing turkeys to the griffin. The thing was staying apparently, even had its own rooster feathered with a stack of morning newspapers.

"Normally, I enjoy birds," I said. "But that thing is disturbing."

The Griffin shrieked.

I sniffed. "You're not going to keep it, are you?"

"Well, he's not tied up or anything," I said. "He could leave if he wanted to. I think he likes it here."

"Wonderful. One more thing that might kill you while I'm gone."

Carter looked up at his new pet, stood like that for a moment as if thinking about something.

"Be careful," he said finally.

I need to be careful? Not the kids awakening Ra?

I smiled. "I'm a cat, Carter. I can look after myself. I'm more worried about you and Sadie while I'm gone. If your vision is accurate and Apophis's prison is close to breaking. I may be out of touch for a couple of days," she continued. "My friend should get here before you and Sadie leave on your quest tomorrow. He'll make sure you two stay alive."

"Can't you at least tell me his name?"

"And spoil the surprise? He's a little hard to explain. I'd better let him introduce himself."

Before Carter could protest, I kissed his forehead. "Take care, my kit."

Then I ran to the edge of the roof and jumped. The air around me shifted and I landed on soft sand.

Duat welcomed me, magic filling my lungs with every breath. Now which way were the Houses of the Night? My ears perked up to a conversation nearby, a very familiar voice edged with irritation.

I morphed into a small house cat and peered out from behind a nearby rock.

Every part of the Waking world has its Duat counterpart. When simply moving between layers of existance, gods tend to stay in the same place. Most Nomes appear like houses or schools. In the place of The Kane Mansion, however, stood a temple.

Before it was a broken down one, dark and locked for decades. When more and more little kittens started filling up the Nome, the Temple lit up. It reminded me of the old temple complexes back in Egypt.

It was beautiful and two gods seemed to have thought so, too. They were taking a stroll along the river, which was every river, but most importantly, she was the Nile.

The voice I'd heard belonged to the Queen, my sister. Hathor turned around, elegant and beautiful, and stopped in front of the Pharaoh.

"We cannot have a civil war. Not with Chaos rising."

A civil war?

Horus sighed. "I am doing my best, taii meri."

Hathor laughed. "Your best? Half of Kemet is planning to rise against you and you've done is listen to them shit on your name!"

Hathor and Horus arguing was a rare occurrence. Their love was one of peace and harmony. How serious was the situation getting in Duat?

"And how am I supposed to handle this? Like your father? Or like my uncle? Sekhmet must've really gone to your head if you think slaughter is what Ma'at needs!"

Ooof. As a rule of thumb, you never reminded my sisters how closely connected they were. They had a way of reminding people that, yes, they knew, thank you very much, now run. Horus was lucky Hathor loved him. Instead of tearing his head off, she sat on the sand.

"I think Ma'at is scared," she whispered. "I am scared."

Horus' face softened as he kneeled in front of his Queen.

"Hathor?"

"What if they're right? What if your mother's spells were too strong? What if the Book isn't enough to awaken him?"

Horus cupped her face and wrapped his other arm around her, pulling her closer till their foreheads touched.

"Then I'll keep you safe."

"No one will be safe once the Serpent escapes."

I walked away, the rest of their whispered conversation was impossible to hear anyway. So it was worse than I thought. The gods fighting among themselves? Questioning the Pharaoh's judgment? No wonder my sister was getting worried. How much Chaos had slipped into our lives already?

Hathor's words rang through my head as I walked towards my old prison. No one will be safe once the Serpent escapes.