Apocalypse in Ancient Egypt

Slowly I approach our dark pyramids. Gazing at their unfathomable height I feel a tear roll down my cheek at our loss. These pyramids now lifeless and dead once thrummed with power, lighting the night with Ra’s blessed night. But I do not lose myself in my grief, only one tear am I allowed this night. Gripping my flint spear (I’d trade my left arm for my favorite steel spear, now broken and none left with the knowledge of making steel), I stride through the still burning sand listening to any out of place sound that may betray a would be murderer. The only thing I come across is a snoozing patrol of Set’s men, and though I would give my right arm to kill the traitors I slip away undetected.

“If these thoughts continue I’m not going to have much left when Osiris returns to take his throne back, am I?” I whisper to Bahiti, the grey female cat that has adopted me. “Maybe I can head butt them, or gnaw their ankles off.” I continue to speak softly as I scratch her chin. Out of the corner of my eye I see an orange glow on the horizon. It almost brings a second tear. It’s been seven years since Set murdered his brother Osiris. Seven years since the pyramids went dark, the power dried up. Set’s band of traitors he called an army tried to impose order, but it didn’t take long for everything to fall apart. Now the fire’s of Memphis, my beloved city, were almost always blazing. Those of us who were faithful to Osiris are hunted like pests. We were forced into the wilderness, hunting dangerous animals for food. But we’re no longer the only ones. After seven years of decadence, Set’s men are learning how important farming is. Or was. Every report I hear of starvation, or rebellion I smile. Bashiti has seen me smile a lot the past year. Now I approach our one chance of salvation. Our one chance to restore the pyramids, rejuvenate the land, bring back all we have lost. Under Osiris silver had no value, power lighted up every home. We worked steel, and traded with far empires like Atlantis and Lemuria. I recall the ridiculous flying machines my father was experimenting with. He is now dead. We lost his brilliant mind as we were trying to bring down a hippo so we could eat. As my second tear of the night falls, I shake myself and quicken my pace. I must reach my destination for tonight I, Rahotep Captain of Osiris’ bodyguard, will mend my failure. Isis has entrusted me to retrieve his soul. When Set murdered his brother he split his body, and hid the pieces so he could not be revived. Osiris’ wife Isis has been gathering them slowly. His soul, forced into a heart shaped locket is in a place she cannot retrieve. For only a mortal can enter the realm of the dead, Duat. As the evening star reaches twelve degrees above the horizon the sand in front of my feet falls away revealing a passageway, right where Nephthys said it would. “I will never understand women, Bashiti.” I murmur as my companion and I descend the steps. Nephthys is Osiris’ sister, but she is also Set’s wife. Certainly a complicated family to say the least. As my foot reaches the final step my breath leaves me. Before me is the blue portal that will take me Duat. To its right is the guardian Sphinx. My hand once again tightens on my spear, but he barely acknowledges me. Isis bribed him with what looks like a rather choice toy. Bashiti is positively jealous. I pick her up and walk towards the portal, her eyes never leaving the Sphinx’s toy.

“Mortal, do you know the cost of what you do?” The Sphinx says when I am half a step from the portal.

I don’t respond. My world is gone. What more could I lose? I clutch Bashiti tighter as I step into the underworld.

*

Spirit’s surround me. I seem to be on a road stretching into...well forever.“Welcome to my Underworld. It’s not often I get a living visitor.” Towering above me is a horrifying Jackal headed being. For some reason Isis did not mention him.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?” he smiles with all the kindness of a cold desert night. “I am Anubis, and this is my world. What brings you to it?”

Bashiti is tense and hissing, the pain her claws are causing in my wrist is what unclenches my jaw. “I am here for Osiris’ soul. It was hidden here.” I murmur.

“Why yes it was! And with my permission!" Anubis joyfully declares. “Now let’s be candid. I have all the time in the world, but you’re mortal. Why should I give you the soul?”

“My world is dead. I need it revived.” I stutter, the fear in my heart flooding all else.

“Precisely!” He howls triumphantly. “What better for a god of death than the end of the world! That fool Set only had eyes for the throne, but I know a good investment when I hear it. All I need to do is hold on to this locket,” Osiris’ heart shaped locket appears around his neck, “and my kingdom grows! Oh and my power grows with it. Who knows? Maybe if my power continues to grow I’ll even leave this place and take the throne from Set?”

At the mention of Osiris’ throne being degraded in such a cheap manner, I finally feel the waters of my fear parting and I find the solid ground of anger to stand on. But I’m not fool enough to show it. With my anger comes clarity. I do not fear death, I fear a second failure. I fear my lord Osiris never returning. Fighting my anger, I bow. Not a dignified bow of one in control, but an abject groveling. “I cannot overcome you.”

“I’m listening, mortal.” Anubis rumbles.

“I was captain of Osiris’ bodyguard. Peerless in all martial combat, peerless in magicks, master of shadows. I beg you to test me. If I succeed, I get to Osiris’ soul locket. And you get me as your servant. I am a mortal who can travel between both worlds. I can act in ways that you as a god are restricted in. I will serve you for all eternity.” Beneath me Bashiti is very still at the sound of my words.

“What is stopping me from taking you as my servant now?” Anubis asks.

“With all do respect, you can force me to serve you. You are a god. However, can you force me to love you? If you make this bargain with me, even if I fail your test and do not win the locket, I will give you my love and serve you forever.” My heart is heavy as I offer one of the only two things I care about.

“That is an interesting offer. I accept.” He rumbles, raising me to my feet with a clawed hand. My vision blurs as he laughs.

*

“I will test your physical abilities.” I hear Anubis’ voice in my head. I’m in an open arena. Weapons of various kinds are hung on the walls. My third tear of the night courses down my cheek as I see they are blessedly made of steel. Without a second thought I drop my flint spear, careful not to hit Bashiti. “Survive my champion! Survive Apophis, the serpent that hunts Ra!” A massive snake emerges from a cave at the far side of the arena. It flows towards me like the Nile in flood, unstoppable and uncaring. I plant my feet, my spear held in front of me. If this nightmare wants to swallow me whole, he’ll have to swallow my spear first. Seeing my spear, Apophis stops and rears to strike. Which is what I was waiting for. I ram my spear into Apophis’ exposed belly. It penetrates maybe half a finger deep. Apophis roars more in anger than in real pain, right before he strikes. I’ve seen lightning slower. I’m fortunate I started rolling away while he was still roaring. Fighting a massive creature like this will be similar to hunting a hippo. It’s not going to be one heroic thrust that defeats this creature. It will be a thousand tiny cuts that cause him to bleed to death. Or I’ll die in one heroic bite from his massive jaws. I roll towards the arena wall, just managing to grab a curved khopesh before I have to spring away from another devastating strike. I manage to slip past Apophis’ gargantuan head and score a few shallow cuts along the snake’s side before I have to duck beneath a thrashing tail. I don’t realize how close I am to the creature’s flank. He’s able to shift and manages to glance me with a scaly side. I’ve met granite that was softer. I skid several feet across the arena, my world spinning. But I still keep hold of my khopesh, the best lesson my old trainer literally beat into me. I see Apophis’ jaws coming for me, and I know I can’t evade in time. I hold my blade in front of me and as the horrible fangs close around me I stab my blade forward. Apophis hurls me from his mouth and I crash back into the arena floor. Apophis’ tongue now has an extra fork in it. I think it looks considerably better. Our fight lasts for hours. I tire, but he tires faster. Massive creatures like god hunting snakes, and hippos aren’t meant for long fights. Every cut and poke I mark him with drains the tiniest amount of life. Even when the serpent is so drained he can barely move I do not approach. Instead I shoot arrows, and when I tire of that I throw spears into his massive bulk. It is not with a mighty roar, but instead a gentle sigh that this beast that would hunt a god is felled by me, a simple mortal. My vision again blurs, as Anubis pulls me into his presence.

*

“That was quite the victory.” Anubis applauds. “I did not think one of your kind could face such a beast. I look forward to such skills in my service.”

I respectfully bow to my new lord. “Our bargain…” I dare to gesture at the heart locket at my lord’s neck.

“Of course!” he cordially laughs. Seemingly without any care he throws the locket at me. “Now as your lord, I refuse to allow you to leave the my realm.” He smiles at me.

It is then I realize I will need to sacrifice my second love. I slowly turn to Bashiti, my dearest companion. Perhaps she was given to me for such a task as this. “I cannot go with you, but take

this to Isis. Restore our broken land. And please return to me.” I clasp the heart locket around Bashiti’s neck and with a final embrace, my best friend saunters off in what I hope is the direction of the land of the living. “My lord, what would you have me do?” I bow low, ready to serve the God of the Dead.