Thoth, Hathor, Wadjet, Nekhbet, Shezmu, Bastet and the others are all in a similar age range. This will be explained more later, as well as the generations of gods. However, Ra, Geb, Nut and the other gods are in the last generation.
Present time.
Why did he do it? Seth leaned over the balcony. Smooth sandstone cooled his arms. Dark clouds ate the blue skies, casting shadows over the once vibrant city. The streets were emptier than the last shot of wine Seth took—Shezmu wasn't very happy with him. Seth looked down with a dull face. Everything blurred. He relaxed and took a long, heavy breath.
It felt right standing there, didn't it? Seth narrowed his eyes. Osiris would've stood here. Hell, he did at-Seth jerked upright. His eyes widened. His brother's stupid smile was pasted all over is eyelids.. so he fought himself not to blink.
"Why did you do it?"
Seth caught his breath before it could run. Her voice was soft as it was so long ago. He looked up. City lights flashed. The golden sand glowed behind the green trees as it was touched by the sun. There was someone—no, two! Three, four—what seemed like a million people bustling on the streets and living their lives. He blinked. The dark clouds and shadowy scenery came racing back.
Nobody was there. Now the only thing that glowed was Seth's pure gold broad collar. Seth's hands slipped off the railing as he backed up. He took one long glimpse at the city. His eyes widened a bit as his brows drew together. His shoulders fell like weights. And he'd lost all of that because? His gaze shot to the ground. He stared with a flat face. The blue and white tiles blurred. His lips pinched.
It had to have been him.
In the past.
Seth groaned. His chest was a thousand pound weight his lungs fought to force up every time he even dreamed of breathing. It felt as if he'd been smashed in the head by a brick—but what was this? Bandages squeezed his face tighter than mummy wrappings. He slowly blinked. Everything blurred until it didn't—and he blinked again. The cycle continued.
"So he'll be okay, right?"
Seth didn't bother Thoth much, but if he were to do it again, it would be to grab every word that meant 'beautiful' or 'pretty' to describe that assertive but somehow reassuring voice. ".. Isis?" Ouch. It came out more as a wheeze than anything else. A few more murmurs followed before heavy footsteps faded.
"Oh my gods—he's awake!" Osiris had more enthusiasm than the rising sun.
Seth's face snapped flat. Osiris jogged over. "Hey, hey, watch it!" Heka reprimanded. "You don't want to make him too uncomfortable!" Seth shut his eyes tightly. Osiris cupped his face with the largest grin humanly (or Godly) possible. Heka rushed over. He peeled Osiris away by the shoulders. "I know you're happy to see him, but..uh, be careful. Okay?"
"Sure thing!"
"… What happened…?" The first words in Seth's head eased out.
"Well—uh, Isis.. she uh, hit you in the face-"
Heka frowned intensely. He threw a hand up in front of Osiris' mouth. "What he means is-" Seth's eyes widened a bit.
".. Is she here?" A spark of joy crackled trough. Heka and Osiris looked at each other. Silence. Seth took a deep breath. The smell of savory herbs flooded his lungs.
Osiris winced. Heka gently pat his shoulder. "No. She just left." His voice softened. "But on the bright side, you won't need to be here much longer." Seth's eyes drifted over to the window. The bright blue sky swallowed his vision. He took another deep breath. Maybe she'd come back, right?-
"Hey!" Osiris snapped his fingers for the seventh time. "Y-You in there, buddy?"
Seth jumped. His eyes shot wide. Osiris chuckled lightheartedly and reached out to—Heka wore a flat face as he took his wrist and gently lowered his hand. Osiris looked up at him. His eyes grew large as he gave an understanding nod. "Sorry." He whispered.
"Anyway," Heka cleared his throat. "Give it a minute and we'll remove these bandages."
"Alright." Seth sighed.
Osiris gave a reassuring nod and smile. Heka turned. "I'll see you later." He left in a flash. Plop! Osiris sat down on the side of the bed. His shoulders curled inward as he looked at his hands. Seth took a deep breath.
"You know, Nephthys asked about you." He mumbled.
Isis did too though.. right?
"She wanted to know if you were okay and.." Osiris chuckled. Enthusiasm again broke though his gloomy voice. "She couldn't remember whether or not it was me or you who was allergic to flowers! It was me but I told her it would be fine so I brought you the flowers anyway!"
Seth smiled more than he would've liked to admit. "Thanks."
"No need to thank me, Set." Osiris cooed. "It's what we do for each other!" Seth. Quickly. Looked. Down. He bit hit lip. Osiris dusted his hands and gave a quick sigh. "You know, in the next thousand years, Ra's gonna' be looking for more gods to join his fleet!"
Seth's eyes sparkled. His chest lightened as his heart sped up a bit. "Seriously? That soon?" He couldn't hold back his grin. Osiris also grinned widely. He nodded quickly.
"In the magical fight against Apep and his forces of chaos!" He said in a mock deep voice. Seth giggled. Osiris cracked up.
"I don't know like.. the specific day or anything.." Osiris quieted a bit as he looked off to the side. "But I know it's gonna' happen real' soon!"
"Great! I'll keep a watch!"
Osiris clapped. Seth snapped upright. "Well, this is probably the best news I've heard all day!" Seth sat straight as a ruler—chin up and everything. "I guess it's time I get out of here. There are people sicker-"
"Seth." Osiris' voice softened. "You're here for a reason-"
Seth jumped five feet out of his seat. Osiris giggled. Heka rested his hands on his hips and looked at the two with a still flat face. "I guess it's time you both scurry on now." Heka dismissed. He dragged himself over. "Stay still, okay?" Seth took a small breath and dusted his shoulders like nothing had happened. He relaxed.
Osiris nodded reassuringly, gazing gently at Seth, who shut his eyes. His heart slowed. He clutched the ledges of the bed. Cool air spilled in, hitting Seth's skin like a brick as Heka carefully pulled off one bandage after the other. Seth opened one eye. Osiris leaned in. Heka laid a finger on his nose and pushed him back. Osiris nodded reassuringly.
More bandages peeled off. Seth opened one eye again. Osiris fixed his slack jaw into a strained and overly wide grin. But didn't Osiris always have an overly wide grin? Osiris rubbed his brow and nodded… reassuringly? Heka sighed deeply. He frowned a bit. Osiris nodded again. Seth shut his eye. What in the world had happened?
Seth kept his heart from dropping by a thin string. He would've looked down if Heka hadn't lifted his head. More bandages peeled. More cold air and a little sting. Seth didn't open his eyes this time. He barely did for the whole walk back. Osiris talked on and on about nothing, but he squeezed happiness into his voice like the last drop of juice from a lemon.
He'd point, ramble, see a someone else, wave and all that good stuff. Sometimes he'd even stop to savor the smell of the flowers before Seth tugged his arm. Seth pursed his lips, watching his feet as he took one step after the other. His guts twisted into a thousand little knots. He bit his lip hard.
"What happened?" Bastet's voice was riddled with concern.
Osiris gave a wide-eyed glance at Seth before gently shushing her. Bastet rubbed her elbow and backed off.
"Relax, relax, you look great!" Osiris bubbled, giving Seth a gentle shove. Seth sighed deeply.
So it was his appearance? Seth shrunk even more. The two got back to their place. Seth stepped in. Tall red walls greeted him, as well as a table and a couple board games scattered around. The sun beat down through the open roof. Osiris eased the door shut behind him. Seth dragged himself to his room. Osiris scurried behind him.
Seth fell face first onto his bed. His body weighed more than it ever had. He buried his face in his pillow and shut his eyes as tight as possible. Osiris scuttled to the side of his bed. "What is it, Osiris?" Seth groaned. "Why can't you just leave me alone for.. what, two seconds?" Osiris looked down.
"I want you to feel better." He said gloomily. "You can't just sit here like this. That's all you ever do-"
Seth buried his face a bit deeper. "I'm so sorry." Osiris said softly. "I-I didn't.. mean it like that. I mean you—uh, you just… you-"
"I don't get out much. I know."
"… Yeah."
Seth scoffed. "You could've at least been honest with me about what happened." Seth stated sharply. "Is it really that.." Seth took a breath. "-..Bad?" Osiris took a long, hard and very deep breath. His chin clung to his chest. His gaze was as far from his brother as possible.
"Yeah." He huffed. "The whole side of your face is completely.. uh… singed."
"Give me a mirror." Set said in a short, gruff voice.
Osiris walked off. Silence flooded Seth's ears. No more knots could be tied in his gut. His heard couldn't plunge any more. It felt as if some dark force was dragging him down, gluing him to his bed. Even his head and hands felt like nothing but weights. Osiris walked in, head down and hands tied to his sides.
His arm jutted up. He clutched the mirror. "Here." He said after a gulp. Seth gestured loosely for him to toss it over. He sat up a bit as the thing clanged against the bed.
"You know, you should really start practicing!" Osiris pumped enthusiasm into his voice. "I know you've got the ambition to really make a great soldier!"
Seth fumbled around for the mirror. He hated to admit his heart did pick up a bit of speed. Those dark clouds backed off just a bit. "Thanks." He sighed, grasping the handle.
"No need to thank me! I'm only being honest." Osiris said playfully. "You'll do great, Seth, I just know it!"
He rambled on and on. His voice faded out as Seth raised the mirror. His eyes focused in. His heart stopped.