ã€ŠThe Quest of Anubis : Gods of the Nile, Book Oneã€‹


 Chapter one

    Ana?s woke abruptly, her heart pounding against her ribcage. Her eyes fluttered for a moment before squeezing shut against the harsh light that assaulted her pupils. It felt like someone had turned on a medical spotlight directly in her face.

    "Am I in the hospital?"

    But her hands, pressing against the ground, didn''t meet the soft surface of a hospital bed. No... her fingers sank into something soft, grainy, and yet smooth.

    "Sand?"

    When her eyes finally adjusted to the overwhelming brightness, she was able to open them.

    "A... a desert? But..."

    An endless expanse of sand stretched out before her. The gray grains gave the barren landscape a cemetery-like air. There was no sound, no shadow, no sign of life. More strangely, the light seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once: there was no sun, no lamp, no artificial source of illumination. Yet she could see clearly around her. There was no darkness.

    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    A lump formed in her throat. Cold sweat trickled down her spine. She was in a desert, but she felt no hot air, no cool breeze, no wind at all¡ªjust emptiness. The atmosphere felt heavy, and she began to suffocate. Or was it the onset of a panic attack? The place she found herself in was anything but normal. Was she dead?

    Suddenly, a man appeared. Could she really call him a man when the head attached to his neck was not human but something halfway between a jackal and a black wolf? A gold collar marked the boundary between his beastly visage and his human form. The rest of his skin was harmoniously tanned on his lean and sculpted body.

    He stood there, bare-chested and barefoot, his masculinity concealed by a white loincloth. He stared intensely at a point on the horizon, his head turned to the left, showing only his profile. Motionless, he seemed unaware of the young woman''s presence.

    Ana?s froze as well, unsure of what to do, worried about whether she was in danger. Those few seconds during which neither moved allowed her to observe the figure. That head looked familiar; she would have bet anything she had seen it before. Something related to Egypt... A god...

    "Anubis?" she exclaimed, half-pleased with her guess, half-skeptical about his presence before her.

    He quickly turned his head, his black eyes locking onto Ana?s''s green ones. Her breath caught in her throat. She felt as if he were probing her soul, trying to bore a hole into her skull, as if he were trying to enter her mind. The exchange lasted only two seconds before she woke with a start, this time for real, in the bed of her small studio apartment.

 Chapter 2

    The next morning, the memory of the desert and the famous Egyptian god was far from her mind. Ana?s had never been one to remember her dreams for long, no matter how vivid and detailed they might be. Stretching under her blanket, she observed the light filtering through the broken skylight of her small window. Instantly, she felt herself becoming grumpy. There was no doubt about the weather today, despite the limited information her view outside provided: the sky was gray and promised a torrent of rain.

    Like yesterday and the day before and the day before that... she thought, smiling sadly. I miss my vacation. I miss Egypt. Its warm wind, its omnipresent sun, its endless dunes...

    Her smile abruptly faded as a flash of memory invaded her mind. A gray desert... It was a landscape she hadn''t had the chance to admire during her vacation, so... where were these images coming from?

    Never mind, she decided, once again burying these strange memories deep in her mind.

    This morning, she had to go to her new job''s agency. Of course, she wasn''t feeling very enthusiastic. However, she wasn''t particularly stressed either. To feel that way, she would have to care about the consequences if her first day went poorly. That wasn''t her style.

    I''m going to clean offices and toilets, it''s not like the world''s fate rests on my shoulders. That''s something that will never happen to someone like me!

    She sighed at the thought of cleaning up other people''s messes. She already had a hard time keeping her small studio clean, which was also quite unpleasant, but if she didn''t want to be kicked out of her apartment for unpaid rent, she didn''t have much choice. Correction: she no longer had much choice.

    If Mom and Dad knew how I squandered the money they left me, they''d probably turn in their graves...

    As usual, she poured herself a bowl of cereal ¨C milk last ¨C and noisily enjoyed it while watching her small television perched on her desk. She didn''t have much furniture, as the size of her tiny studio didn''t allow it. The living area consisted mainly of a single bed, a coffee table doubling as a dining table, a pouf serving as a chair, and a desk with a wooden chair. In the two small square meters that remained, she had managed to place a low-end wardrobe accompanied by a few plastic bins serving as a makeshift closet for the rest of her clothes. The kitchen, open to the living room, consisted of a small kitchenette with a sink, a tiny stove, a mini-fridge, and two wall-mounted cabinets. The apartment also offered a small bathroom with the basics: toilet, shower, and sink. Suffice it to say, she didn''t particularly love her living conditions ¨C everything was designed to be practical, not comfortable ¨C but the apartment was still her little home.

    If I can manage to pay my rent, she reminded herself.

    Which was no small feat.

    When her cereal bowl was empty and the dish joined the pile of dirty plates in the sink, Ana?s hurried to the bathroom to get ready. As usual, she spent most of her twenty minutes of preparation scrutinizing herself from every angle. Her medium-length brown hair reached her shoulders ¨C she would need to cut it soon ¨C her green eyes had lost the joyful sparkle infused by her vacation ¨C a harsh return to reality ¨C her features were tired from her early wake-up and restless night, and her skin, tanned by the Egyptian sun, was starting to pale, revealing her usual porcelain complexion in two to three weeks. Her full lips gave her a sardonic smile in the mirror. She loved seeing her skin bronzed by the sun''s rays: she found herself much prettier and her aura more... vibrant.

    An hour after waking up, Ana?s was finally ready to leave her apartment. Only one thing remained: to place her centerpiece around her neck. Her hand glided over the necklace she kept carefully in her desk drawer and fastened it around her neck with delicacy. It was a souvenir from Egypt, the only material gift she had allowed herself during her trip. The jewelry consisted of a thin gold chain and an ankh, the Egyptian cross of life, two centimeters long in the same material. It was discreet and perfectly nestled in the hollow at the base of her neck. She had gotten it for a song at the Cairo souk, the vendor was eager to get rid of it due to some absurd superstitions.

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Even more absurd when you know that ankhs are just a hieroglyph meaning "to live" or "life"... What could be obscure about that?

    Ana?s took one last look at herself in the large mirror covering her front door and left the tranquility of her apartment.

    * * *

    Ten o''clock in the morning.

    For the past three hours, her supervisor, Mr. Bayou, had been explaining her schedule, route, necessary tools for the job, and all the safety rules governing the work of a cleaner, all while walking her through the premises. Ana?s had been sitting in front of her boss''s desk for thirty minutes now, fiercely fighting off yawns of boredom that threatened to unhinge her jaw. Mr. Bayou, a short man of about five feet five inches, chubby with graying hair, spoke enthusiastically, punctuating each sentence with broad hand gestures. Usually, the fifty-something''s enthusiasm might have infected Ana?s, but she was far too tense for that.

    At least she needed to make a good impression until she signed the contract.

    The paper was soon placed in front of her eyes. She quickly scanned it, finding the same information her supervisor had shared earlier. Hearing it hadn''t triggered any reaction in her, but now that she was about to sign the paper, she felt a surge of panic. Concealing her apprehension, she slowed her reading to buy time to compose herself.

    The prospect of working nights ¨C early in the morning or late in the evening ¨C suddenly seemed far less manageable and insignificant than she had imagined before. All this for a pittance of a salary. Did she have a choice? No. At least she found some comfort in the idea that she would work alone and independently, and wouldn''t encounter anyone in the offices at those hours.

    Hooray, she thought, exhaling before picking up the pen Mr. Bayou had lent her. Goodbye vacations and free time, hello real and boring world.

    Her hand nervously grasped the ankh of her necklace, fiddling with it mechanically. The object emitted a gentle warmth; it was comforting. The time it took for the pen''s tip to land on the paper felt like an eternity as if the scene was unfolding in slow motion. She felt as if she was selling her soul. No, worse, practically giving it away. The sound of the pen scratching the paper made her grit her teeth. She could almost hear the sound of death bells, in a contemporary, capitalist version.

    Some might say she was exaggerating and that it wasn''t worth making such a fuss over something so minor. After all, everyone had to work, and most people managed to deal with it. Nevertheless, for Ana?s, this entry into professional life felt like the death of an era and the disappearance of an Ana?s who had aspired to follow her dreams. She, who had always dreamed of travel, freedom, inspiration, and free will, found herself violently thrust into the life of an average adult: work, pay bills, get exploited, and give up the life she had imagined as a child. Maybe this was what it meant to become an adult: to crush your childhood ambitions and to live a flavorless life, without choice, subjected to society''s rules to survive. A very pessimistic view.

    No, Ana?s was definitely not one of those who had mapped out their career paths even before graduating high school, excited at the prospect of working in a field they believed would "fulfill" them.

    That doesn¡¯t change the fact that they don¡¯t have a choice: they have to work. They just choose what will make their work less painful.

    There. The contract was signed.

    "Welcome to Cleanax," Mr. Bayou officially greeted her, enthusiastically. "Here is your badge."

    He handed her the plastic identification, which she quickly stuffed into her handbag.

    "Marie-Th¨¦r¨¨se!" he shouted toward the next room.

    A woman in her sixties poked her head through the door, an annoyed expression on her face as she waited impatiently for Mr. Bayou to state the reason for his call. The middle-aged man turned his attention back to Ana?s.

    "This is Marie-Th¨¦r¨¨se. You¡¯ll report to her office this evening before heading to your worksite for your first shift."

    Marie-Th¨¦r¨¨se seemed to become aware of the young woman¡¯s presence and smiled kindly at her.

    "She will give you the keys to the offices you will be responsible for. Don¡¯t forget to return them to her at the end of your shift," her supervisor continued.

    "Okay, nice to meet you," Ana?s replied with a strained smile to the older woman.

    Mr. Bayou clapped his hands together, satisfied, to conclude the exchange.

    "Great, then everything is settled. See you at ten o''clock," he said, extending his small hand towards the young woman.

    Ana?s thanked him, shook his hand, and left the Cleanax offices with a knot in her stomach. She still couldn''t believe she had a job.

    Well, now it¡¯s official, I¡¯m an adult. Damn it.

 Chapter 3

    As someone accustomed to sleeping in, Ana?s spent the rest of her morning and early afternoon napping. After all, she would be working from ten at night until four in the morning, and wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep before at least five. Until she adjusted to her new schedule, she would snatch sleep whenever she could.

    Her afternoon and early evening consisted of reading a book, doing a bit of cleaning, and spending a few dozen minutes on the Internet with the help of her laptop. When the clock struck 9:45 PM, she headed to the Cleanax offices, which, fortunately, were only a ten-minute walk away, and entered the building for her first night of work. The first of a long life. Another sigh escaped her lips.

    The offices were deserted, except for Marie-Th¨¦r¨¨se, who was slumped in her chair. Where were the other employees? A chill ran down Ana?s¡¯s spine: what if the company had a terrible reputation? Or worse, what if it was just a front to lure young women into a deadly trap?

    Ana?s had always been quick to let her imagination run wild. No wonder she was labeled a ¡°dreamer¡± with a taste for adventure. Some even dared to suggest she lived in a state of delusion at times. Who were they to judge her dreams?

    Marie-Th¨¦r¨¨se sat up comfortably in her chair, greeting the young woman. She rummaged through a drawer and handed Ana?s a noisy keyring.

    "Here, the keys. You know where to go, right?" she asked, kindly, smiling to put her at ease.

    "Uh... yes. Where are the other employees?" Ana?s asked, nervously.

    Marie-Th¨¦r¨¨se seemed to notice her unease as her smile widened and her eyes reflected amusement.

    "The other employees keep the keys so they don¡¯t have to make the trip back and forth all the time. You¡¯re new, we don¡¯t know you yet. It¡¯s your trial period."

    Ana?s nodded, relieved. It was indeed a plausible and logical explanation, far from her human trafficking suspicions.

    "Do you... come here just for this?"

    The lady was here at ten, at twenty-two, at four when she returned... it made Ana?s wonder if she lived here.

    "Oh, yes, but I don¡¯t mind. There¡¯s not much waiting for me at home," she laughed, embarrassed.

    Ana?s only responded with an awkward pout. She didn¡¯t want the old lady to sense her pity. People who sacrificed their lives for their jobs deeply saddened her. She was even afraid of it, to be honest with herself.

    Sixty years old and nothing in life but work... Please, if any god hears me, don¡¯t let me end up like that.

    "See you later then," Ana?s said, leaving the office with the keys.

    "Good luck," she heard as she closed the office door behind her.

    The Paris metro: its stifling atmosphere, its smell of urine, its familiar homeless people, and all those rushing to catch their train as if taking the next one would mean the end of the world. Well, okay, the next one could be just as crowded as the last, and you had to be able to move at some point.

    Even so, during rush hour the term "end of the world" is an understatement.

    Fortunately for her, there weren''t many people around at 10:15 p.m. on a Monday. A group of well-dressed young adults, who were eyeing her, were discussing their evening plans ¨C starting with drinks at a bar, then heading to a nightclub, the usual routine ¨C while a few men and women in business attire were heading home. At least, that¡¯s what she assumed given the time. Some looked exhausted, others were visibly tipsy.

    Ana?s was tapping on her phone while waiting for her metro to arrive. She was torn between the eagerness to leave the oppressive underground and the desire to stay put to avoid showing up at her job. When the first sounds announcing the metro''s arrival reached her ears, she looked up.

    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Her entire body froze. A lump formed in her throat. Was her mind playing tricks on her? For a split second, she could have sworn she saw a man with a black dog¡¯s head on the opposite platform. She quickly looked away, panicked. That head looked familiar and caused a strong unease within her. She couldn''t explain why.

    Wait... It must be a stress-induced hallucination. Besides, I think I dreamed about it last night... It must be a memory coupled with a nervous breakdown.

    When she looked up again and focused on the individual, she was relieved to find she had indeed been hallucinating. There was a man, but he was completely human: black hair, almost golden tan skin, and fine features. He was dressed in a white shirt and black linen pants with sandals, a rather unusual outfit given the weather.

    He¡¯s pretty handsome... she thought with a mischievous smile.

    Her smile quickly faded when the young man''s piercing gaze met hers just before the two metros arrived at the platform. She felt as if he had read her thoughts; his gaze was so intense. It was unsettling.

    Her heart started pounding furiously against her ribcage when a hand rested on her shoulder to prevent her from boarding the train. A surprised cry escaped her lips. Her heart rate was about to skyrocket if she didn¡¯t calm down.

    "Excuse me," said a deep voice behind her.

    The stranger withdrew his hand as she turned towards him, her own palm pressed against her racing heart. Once again, surprise was evident on her face.

    "You... you were on the other side of the platform not even two seconds ago..."

    This situation was starting to feel like a bad joke. Maybe a hidden camera? Or perhaps she was simply losing her mind. She didn¡¯t know which explanation scared her more.

    The young man didn¡¯t answer. His dark eyes drifted to her neckline and settled on her necklace. Ana?s, feeling uncomfortable, closed her cardigan and held it against her chest to escape the stranger''s insistent gaze.

    "What do you want?" she snapped, wary.

    "Come with me," he said, grabbing her wrist. ¡°We need to talk.¡±

    "Excuse me?" she retorted, struggling to free her arm. ¡°I don¡¯t think so! We don¡¯t know each other, and I have to get to work!¡±

    "It¡¯s urgent," he insisted, tightening his grip, which made her let out a small cry of pain.

    He immediately let go, both surprised and annoyed. Ana?s clutched her wrist to her chest, massaging it with her other hand, furious.

    "Are you out of your mind? What do you want? I don¡¯t have time for this, I need to¡ª"

    Ana?s didn¡¯t finish her sentence, realizing the metro had locked its doors and was already starting to move. The platform was now deserted, except for her and the young man. The thought chilled her to the bone. What was he going to do to her? Her intuition told her to run. She had a bad feeling, and with good reason; the altercation was beginning to feel a lot like an assault.

    If I don¡¯t leave now, I¡¯ll never make it to work on time! I can¡¯t lose this job on my first day... Come on, Ana?s, you¡¯re probably being paranoid. This isn¡¯t a movie. It¡¯s just a weird guy, there are weird guys every day.

    "...Necklace...," she barely heard over the noise of the metro disappearing into the tunnel.

    Silence.

    "What?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed.

    "The necklace, it¡¯s mine. I¡¯d like it back, please."

    Dumbfounded, Ana?s placed her hand on the gold ankh and clasped it protectively. She hadn¡¯t expected this at all. So it was just a big joke. Or maybe he was trying to rob her. Suddenly, her wild imagination didn¡¯t seem so far from reality.

    Never heard of a thief who politely asked for their stolen item back. If he¡¯s a thief, he¡¯s a bad one, she scoffed inwardly.

    "I don¡¯t think so. I bought it at the Cairo souk, I don¡¯t see how it could be yours," she replied haughtily.

    She felt like he was taking her for a fool. The situation was simply unreal.

    Enough wasting time with this nonsense...

    "Believe me, it¡¯s mine," he insisted, annoyed. "Give it to me."

    He held out his palm to her, waiting for her to place the necklace in his hand. Ana?s stared at him for a few seconds, her gaze narrowing with suspicion and disbelief. The stranger seemed to be losing patience too, as his foot began to tap nervously against the concrete platform.

    "No."

    He took a step forward, menacingly, his hand still extended. Ana?s stepped back. They repeated this little dance two or three times until Ana?s was just a few centimeters from the edge. He was trying to intimidate her. And she had to admit, it was working.

    When the rumble of the next metro reached her ears, a wave of relief washed over Ana?s. She could board the most crowded car, and he would probably leave her alone.

    Without warning, he lunged at her and tried to tear the necklace from her neck. Ana?s screamed, pushing against the young man¡¯s chest to try and repel him. When her attacker¡¯s hand closed around the chain, he yanked it, breaking it, and stumbled back. Ana?s lost her balance and fell onto the tracks, headfirst. A dull pain spread through her skull and back as stars filled her vision. She was completely stunned.

    "Damn it!" her attacker swore, jumping onto the tracks and grabbing her arms in a desperate gesture.

    The last thing she heard before slipping into unconsciousness was the metro alarm and the screeching sound of emergency brakes. After those shrill sounds, there was only complete darkness.

 Chapter 4

    When Ana?s woke up, a familiar sight greeted her. She rubbed her eyes before sitting up and placing her palms in the warm sand of the gray desert. She certainly had a lot of d¨¦j¨¤ vu moments lately.

    Her gaze landed on the young man beside her, still in his human form, sitting a few meters away. He was examining the necklace he had taken from her, lost in thought. When he noticed she had regained consciousness, he put the necklace in his pocket and stood up.

    "Where are we?" Ana?s asked, still groggy from her fall onto the tracks.

    Before he could answer, a beautiful woman with black hair and brown skin appeared behind the young man. She wore a solar disk surrounded by two cow horns. Slowly, the pieces clicked in her mind: the desert, the ankh, the strange head she saw on the platform, the woman''s peculiar attire...

    OK, if I remember my lessons from a few years ago... That makes them Anubis and Isis. Really? she thought, rolling her eyes at the situation''s absurdity.

    Isis grabbed Anubis¡¯s arm to speak to him quietly. Ana?s could only make out a few words: "return," "amulet," and something that sounded suspiciously like "what are we going to do with her."

    Ana?s was losing patience. No one had explained where she was or how she got here. She stood up quickly and approached the pair, fists clenched.

    "Excuse me, hello, can someone explain what the hell I¡¯m doing here?" she snapped sarcastically.

    Isis made a "tsk" sound as she looked Ana?s up and down. If she were in a cartoon, a throbbing vein would have appeared on Ana?s¡¯s temple.

    Goddess or not, who does she think she is?

    Anubis finally turned his attention back to the young human, and after a final glance at Isis, who walked away, he placed his hand on her elbow and pulled her forward. Ana?s angrily shrugged off his grip but continued to follow him. The man sighed but didn¡¯t comment on her reaction.

    After about ten seconds of walking, Ana?s''s impatience erupted again.

    "Where are we going? And where are we?"

    Anubis sighed again. He stopped and focused his attention on the young woman.

    "We are in the Duat, and we are going to the Field of Offerings."

    Ana?s nodded, but her eyes and the puzzled expression on her face betrayed her lack of understanding. She felt like he was speaking a foreign language.

    "Well, you are in the afterlife. We are going to Imentet, the city of the Gods and the Blessed."

    "Oh. OK," she responded, not at all disturbed by this revelation.

    After landing in a gray desert and meeting supposed Egyptian Gods, Ana?s wasn¡¯t fazed by much anymore. The only question that remained: if she was in the afterlife, was she dead? If so, she was somewhat reassured to find out there was indeed something after death. She had lived a simple life and wasn¡¯t worried about the weight of her soul.

    Anubis started walking again, watching the young woman from the corner of his eye.

    "You¡¯re taking the news surprisingly well," he continued a note of curiosity in his voice.

    She shrugged nonchalantly.

    "I¡¯m just thinking, ''why not.'' Plus, it¡¯s more interesting than scrubbing toilets."

    "Oh, you¡¯re a domestic servant. That explains your language," he exclaimed, an understanding and pitying look on his face.

    "Is that a problem for you?" she muttered, scowling.

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Another sideways glance from Anubis.

    "No."

    In the distance, Ana?s finally saw a change in the landscape. Ahead of them stood a simple door balanced on the ground. There was no structure around it, but what was most surprising were the two colossal figures with crocodile heads guarding the door. Each held a spear and stood perfectly still, so much so that they looked like statues.

    Yet, as they approached the door, the guards'' gaze slid over to Ana?s. A shiver immediately ran down her spine. Their eyes didn¡¯t leave her and tracked her every move. It was creepy and a bit unsettling. Instinctively, she moved closer to Anubis as he pushed the double doors open. Behind them, she could only see darkness.

    Okay, there are portals in the afterlife, she noted mentally. This is so bizarre that I must be dreaming. Maybe I''m in a coma from the fall?

    Without asking questions, she followed him closely through the door. They landed in a long corridor that seemed endless, with hundreds of doors on each side. The structure was made of beige sandstone and was naturally lit. Ana?s assumed it was the same process used in the sunless desert since no torches or windows let in sunlight.

    When she turned to ask Anubis where they were, she almost jumped in surprise. His appearance had changed after passing through the portal: he had regained his half-jackal, half-black dog head and white loincloth. The realization hit her hard.

    "It was you," she accused Anubis, pointing at him. "In my dream... Oh, I remember it clearly now."

    His muzzle opened slightly to let out his words. It was quite an unusual sight to see an animal speak like a human.

    "Hmm... I was searching for the necklace and knew you had it. I just needed to locate you. You made it easy by calling out to me," he chuckled.

    "So it wasn¡¯t just a simple dream."

    "No."

    "Why is that necklace so important? And where is it?"

    Anubis pulled the necklace out from his loincloth and waved it in front of her nose.

    "You¡¯ll see," he said, putting the object away from her inquisitive gaze.

    "I¡¯ll see, I¡¯ll see... When are we getting there?"

    "Soon."

    The corridor seemed endless. After what felt like ten minutes of walking ¡ª at least, that was her impression ¡ª it split into two, revealing two enormous wooden doors. The door on the left was guarded by men with serpent heads, while the right door was flanked by guards with bull heads. On the left door, Ana?s could make out a carving: a scale with a heart on the left pan and a feather on the right. On the door to the right, towards which they were heading, the same style of engraving depicted stalks of wheat.

    The bull-headed guards once again tracked Ana?s''s every move, as if expecting her to explode at any moment. This might very well happen if they didn''t reach their destination soon, and if the god at her side didn''t start answering her questions.

    Finally, a few seconds later, they passed through the last portal before reaching their destination. The carving had not lied. Behind the doors lay an entirely new landscape: a small dirt path wound between countless wheat fields. Some were being harvested by men in loincloths. Further ahead, Ana?s could see golden sandstone fortifications, which she assumed enclosed a city.

    The afterlife bore a strong resemblance to life on Ancient Earth, except that "bad souls" technically did not gain access, and a mystical atmosphere pervaded the place. The sun cast a warm yet gentle light, a cool breeze refreshed Ana?s''s face, and the sky was cloudless. She could easily imagine that the weather here was always pleasant, neither too cold nor too hot.

    With a relaxed smile on her face, Ana?s followed Anubis to the fortified city. The inhabitants greeted the god with small bows to show their respect. There was no animosity or fear in their eyes; they genuinely seemed to appreciate the mysterious man accompanying her.

    The city was much larger than she had expected. Thousands of citizens bustled about the main avenues. They chatted, strolled, exchanged goods, and all seemed content and at peace. It was a very different vision from what she was used to on Earth, and she did not dislike it.

    Here, people stepped aside to let them pass, nodding in acknowledgment of the god beside her until they reached a more secluded part of the city. This area was surrounded by palm trees, and a small river outlined its borders. Several villas with large green gardens stood spaced apart to allow sufficient outdoor space for each residence.

    The pair headed towards a villa whose door was flanked by two life-sized statues of Anubis. Ana?s chuckled at the extravagance of the decoration. The jackal god bore such a serious expression that it was hard to imagine him being interested in something so trivial, especially when the design was as... eccentric as this.

    Still silent, Anubis opened the doors and led the young human to a divan set in a large room open to the gardens, reminiscent of a Californian villa. Ana?s sat down and observed the green space for a moment, noting that Anubis had disappeared as soon as he had brought her here. There was only a small water feature, a few fruit trees, and perfectly maintained green grass, but the place exuded serenity and joy. She sighed contentedly. If the afterlife was like this, dying didn''t seem as dreadful as it once had.

    The god returned with a glass of water and handed it to the young woman. She jumped, noticing that he had resumed his human appearance and was eyeing her with a mocking smile dancing on his lips. She thanked him for the drink, ignoring his teasing look, unable to feel annoyed in such a peaceful place.

    "Well," he began, sitting in a white wicker chair. "Where should I start..."

    From the beginning maybe? It felt to her like he was taking his time on purpose.

 Chapter 5

    "Am I dead?"

    "No," he said firmly before taking a deep breath. "First of all, I have to ask for your forgiveness. I shouldn''t have used force to try to get the necklace back. It''s my fault that you''re here. When you fell and I saw that thing approaching, I didn''t have time to think of anything other than saving you from death. Innocent humans should never die at the hands of a God... So I brought you to the Duat with me."

    Even if he denies it, if I actually am in a coma, it might simply be my brain speaking through this man...

    "And... How do I get back to Earth?" she asked, deciding to play along.

    "That''s where it gets complicated. I was able to reach your time thanks to the necklace which served as an anchor."

    Ana?s thought for a moment, connecting the information to fully grasp the situation and what he wasn¡¯t saying outright.

    "Wait, wait," she interrupted, raising her palms in front of her chest. "If I understand correctly, I¡¯m stuck here? And what do you mean by "my time"? The future?"

    The jackal god nodded, confirming that she had understood his implication. A few seconds of silence passed as Ana?s processed the news. Was it really bad? The place seemed peaceful and it was definitely more interesting than the life waiting for her in her own time. She could easily adapt to this life in the afterlife, she had no doubt. Whether she was in a coma or not. A smile finally formed on her lips.

    Yes, I could get used to this.

    "The problem is, you can''t stay here."

    Her smile instantly faded. This didn''t bode well.

    "So, what will become of me? Why can''t I stay here?"

    "We are in the afterlife, the living have no place here. Even less so in the Field of Offerings, without even having been judged."

    It didn¡¯t please her, but it made sense. Nevertheless, she dreaded the last option Anubis was about to present, sensing she wouldn¡¯t be thrilled by his announcement.

    "I must send you back to the world of the living," he concluded.

    "But not in my time?" she asked, her mind racing.

    "No, in ours."

    "And... when is that? What year?"

    The calendar must be different, she thought. That won¡¯t help me at all.

    "Which dynasty? Who is the pharaoh?" she continued.

    "My uncle... Seth," he corrected himself, realizing she wouldn¡¯t know who he was referring to, "has stolen Osiris'' throne after assassinating him and desecrating his body."

    Ana?s swallowed. This story sounded familiar... It closely resembled the myth in which Osiris was killed, dismembered, and then scattered to the four corners of Egypt. Apparently, these weren¡¯t just legends in their "time."

    If gods and magic exist... Are all myths true? And what about the Greek, Roman, and Norse gods? The world suddenly seems much more interesting!

    "So," she continued, "you¡¯re looking for Osiris¡¯s pieces, right?"

    "Yes," he replied, surprised. "How do you know that?"

    "Ha ha!" she laughed. "I have my secrets."

    Anubis stared at her suspiciously as she reveled inwardly. Not only did magic exist here, but she finally managed to tease him back. Her situation was starting to take a positive turn.

    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "And what about the necklace?" she followed up.

    "Thoth enchanted it to find Osiris''s head, but Seth stole it and threw it to Earth in a random space-time. He thought that would be enough for me never to recover it. He underestimated the power of Thoth''s spells."

    Ana?s placed her elbows on her knees and her head in her palms to think about the situation. She wanted an adventure, right? This one seemed up to her standards. She didn¡¯t mind ending up in ancient Egypt, but traveling alone in an unfamiliar era seemed like a particularly bad plan. Especially when you literally came from the future.

    "Fine, I¡¯ll come with you!" she exclaimed with conviction, standing up from the couch, determination written on her face.

    A moment of silence followed.

    "Excuse me?"

    "I¡¯ll go with you!" she repeated, raising her voice as if speaking to a slightly deaf old man.

    Anubis coughed, embarrassed.

    "I don¡¯t think so. You¡¯ll slow me down. This isn¡¯t a game; the fate of Egypt depends on this quest. Seth is a formidable opponent; he¡¯s not the God of Chaos for nothing."

    Ana?s slumped back onto the couch, disappointed. She suspected it was probably a lost cause, but it was worth asking. Did he intend to leave her waiting here alone, in an unknown place and time?

    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll at least accompany you to a city so you can settle in safely. I won¡¯t leave you in the wild."

    Ana?s rolled her eyes. She had hit the nail on the head with her guess.

    "Well, thank god I guess!" she replied with heavy sarcasm.

    It wasn¡¯t her fault she was here, after all. So, in a way, she was his responsibility. She couldn¡¯t even feel guilty about acting petulant since he had attacked and kidnapped her and had been mocking her with his haughty tone since she arrived in the Duat.

    "I see your masters didn¡¯t teach you respect," he said condescendingly.

    "I was mostly taught to give my respect to those who deserve it," she retorted, a mischievous smile accompanying her words.

    " I could simply throw you into the desert if I''m not worthy of your respect. I don''t think you realize your place, human."

    Ana?s sighed and fell silent for a moment. She couldn¡¯t win this exchange, even if he had a knack for irritating her with his superiority. Anubis was a god, and this was his world. He held all the cards. She was just a guest in unfamiliar territory.

    "Very well, oh merciful god," she mocked, exaggerating her words theatrically.

    "That''s better," he approved, a discreet, satisfied smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

    Just because you¡¯re a god doesn¡¯t mean you have to be so full of yourself... Even though you¡¯re pretty handsome when you¡¯re not scowling...

    "We¡¯ll leave tomorrow at first light. I have a few small details to take care of before we depart. Make yourself at home," he said before leaving the villa without waiting for a response.

    "Great," Ana?s muttered bitterly, but the god was already gone and didn¡¯t hear her complaint.

    Of course, she wasn¡¯t going to spend these few hours doing nothing. She didn¡¯t even know how far into the day it was. It was impossible to tell between the esoteric afternoon light and the morning breeze. Oh well, she would just do whatever she felt like. And that started with a little tour of the villa.

    The living room was composed of sofas, armchairs, and a large wooden coffee table, with a few plants and a small bookshelf overflowing with neat papyrus scrolls. There was also a massive chest of drawers and a round wicker chair, as well as a woven trunk in the corner that resembled a game board more than storage furniture.

    The rest of the house included bedrooms, storage rooms, a pantry, and an indoor basin that she assumed was a bathtub, given the small wicker cabinet presenting what looked like soap.

    The pantry was filled with wicker baskets containing meat, fish, fruits, bread, and... lots of fruits. A richly decorated earthenware set was arranged on the shelves, ready for use.

    In one of the bedrooms she dared to explore, there was a bed that rivaled those of her modern time, a paper screen, some woven chests, and a dressing table dominated by a magnificent mirror. Cosmetics, such as powder and kohl, were neatly arranged on the table.

    The furniture in the villa was relatively minimalist but very elegant. Indeed, all the wooden pieces were inlaid with gold leaf and very discreet precious stones. There were colorful hieroglyphs on the tables, chests, and drawers. It wasn¡¯t the great luxury and comfort of a modern house from her time, but even Ana?s could recognize that the owner wasn¡¯t just anyone and that the villa overflowed with riches. After all, it was the home of a god. It matched the image she had of their dwelling places.

    After her little tour, she decided to help herself in the pantry. Anubis had told her to make herself at home, after all. A few pieces of dried meat and fruits accompanied her to the outdoor gardens. Three sofas were arranged around a small pond, all surrounded by palm trees. Two small chests serving as tables separated the sofas.

    Ana?s placed her snacks on the nearest chest and settled comfortably on the seat. After eating a rather unreasonable amount of food, she lay down on the sofa and fell asleep within seconds. It must have been past midnight on Earth¡ªat least in her time¡ªand the day was starting to feel long and heavy. Her mind also knew she was safe here and could sink into sleep without fear. After all, she had already been kidnapped.

 Chapter 6

    A hand gently brushing against her shoulder before shaking her lightly slowly brought Ana?s out of her reverie. She sat up, yawned, and rubbed her eyes, her mind still clouded by sleep. It took her a few moments to understand where she was and why. Anubis was waiting patiently beside her, in his human form.

    "Are we leaving already?" she asked, yawning again, almost dislocating her jaw.

    "No, the sun hasn¡¯t risen yet. It won¡¯t be up for a few more hours."

    Indeed, the night reigned supreme around them. However, a soft full moonlight illuminated the gardens. The sky was filled with stars shining brightly, without the visual pollution characteristic of modern times. She didn¡¯t often have the chance to observe such a beautiful night.

    Other than that, it looked like the same sky... just five millennia earlier.

    "You will be well received, don¡¯t worry," Anubis interrupted her thoughts. "I know this isn¡¯t your world and you must feel lost, but you won¡¯t be alone. You will stay with a local family until you find your bearings. They will explain everything you need to know to live well here."

    Would she really be able to get used to the minimalist comfort of ancient Egypt? Without public transport, without a phone, without the internet? Yet, her pants seemed quite full... Ana?s distractedly rummaged through her pocket. She pulled out her mobile phone, a metro ticket, her work keys, a used tissue, and some coins. Not only did she still have all her belongings, but her phone was still functional. Except it only had thirty percent battery left and no network coverage here.

    I doubt I¡¯ll find an electrical outlet in the afterlife or ancient Egypt...

    A silly idea suddenly struck her. Without warning, she jumped next to Anubis, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and positioned her phone for a selfie. The device captured Ana?s¡¯s mischievous smile and the Egyptian god¡¯s confused expression, immortalizing their faces. Anubis nonchalantly pulled away from the young woman''s embrace and stepped back, his haughty gaze lingering on her face.

    "What is that?"

    Ana?s giggled as she looked at the photo and showed it to him. Anubis, surprised, placed two fingers on the touchscreen, not understanding how the device worked.

    "It¡¯s a photo, but you are far from knowing this technology," she explained, satisfied with her act and explanations.

    "A photo? How does it work?"

    "Ehm... It''s something about a black box and light sensors, I couldn''t explain it in more detail."

    "I see. Humans have indeed evolved, from what little I''ve seen of your era. Even though the appearance of your cities is... hideous. I have difficulty understanding your attraction to all that gray and those buildings packed closely together. You''ve annihilated nature for your dreadful houses, such a thing baffles me..."

    "Ha, ha. It''s a long story. Especially since I doubt you really want to know how humans evolved. It''s not a pretty story. Far from it, even. Now that I know the Gods exist, I would even say I think they abandoned us."

    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "Abandoned? What God would do such a thing? Some are... malevolent, but we need humans as much as you need us."

    "All of them? It''s been centuries since we''ve had any proof of your existence, apart from myths and legends. Without proof, humans end up doubting. And it happened very quickly since monotheistic religions have completely erased the various pantheons from popular beliefs. Now, many individuals believe in nothing."

    "I see. Our two worlds decided not to confront each other somewhere between our two eras. I didn¡¯t think such a thing was possible."

    So a God was just a mundane individual without anyone to revere them. A bit like another species of humanoid, a people who had access to magic, unlike simple humans like Ana?s. If they deemed themselves superior, it was only because humanity itself thought humans were inferior to these magical beings. Except that humans had evolved in such a way that they no longer needed the help of the Gods to survive. In her modern era, they were at best what one could call wizards if they had no one to revere them, at worst mere relics of the past, myths without foundation.

    "What are we going to do for the rest of the night? I¡¯m not sleepy anymore after my little nap," she announced, putting her phone away in her pants after turning it off.

    Even if she had no network, the device could prove useful if she managed to conserve some battery. One photo was enough of a waste of the precious resource that was electrical energy.

    "I can show you around the city, but..." he began, looking hesitant and suddenly avoiding her gaze.

    "But what?"

    Ana?s swallowed hard, waiting for the God¡¯s response. She had only known him for a few hours, but it was enough to understand that he wasn¡¯t the type to joke. His serious expression was clearly a sign of bad news.

    "I told you, the living have no place in the Duat. Only the Gods and judged souls are allowed to reside here. Once you return to the world of the living, your memories of the afterlife will fade."

    "So... I won''t remember anything at all in a few hours?" she asked to confirm his words, half horrified.

    "Yes. I am sorry."

    Her body froze in place as her mind raced. This meant she would potentially forget her encounter with the Egyptian god, and therefore the very existence of the polytheistic pantheon.

    "And my previous life? Will I wake up in ancient Egypt as if nothing happened with no one to explain what''s going on?"

    "It will be like transitioning from your era to ours directly, and I will be there to explain again what happened. You will only lose a few hours of memories."

    He explained it as if it wasn¡¯t a big deal, as if the concept of having a part of her memory stolen ¨C however small ¨C wasn¡¯t dramatic at all. She didn¡¯t want to forget what she had seen here, and the situation made much more sense with the information she had obtained in the Duat.

    "There¡¯s no way to prevent this, I suppose?"

    "No."

    A sigh escaped the young woman¡¯s lips. None of her actions mattered in the afterlife anymore, now that she knew she was going to forget everything. She was free to do whatever she wanted. The main question spinning in her head was: what was she going to do with this freedom? She was in an unknown world in the company of an Egyptian god who would abandon her to her fate in a few hours. A very attractive god, with his chocolate eyes, piercing gaze, and calculating, intelligent glint.

    Could she boast of having kissed a god? Even if she did such a thing, she wouldn¡¯t remember it in a few hours. Yet, Ana?s acted on the impulse that suddenly crossed her mind, like a whim, a somewhat dubious experience, and the next moment, her human lips pressed against those of Anubis, who didn¡¯t react, too surprised by the gesture. He didn¡¯t have time to push her away, as she pulled back on her own after placing a simple kiss on his outraged face, and couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter as she saw him touch his lips with his fingers to make sure he hadn¡¯t dreamed what had just happened.

    ¡°Who do you think you are, human?¡± he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

    A simple question, no accusation in his neutral tone. It was clear from his gaze that he didn¡¯t know how to react to the young woman¡¯s affront.

 Chapter 7

    "Oh, come on, you can just erase it from your memory," she replied sarcastically.

    "Anubis? I brought a fine vintage for your departure!" a masculine voice suddenly exclaimed from inside the villa.

    The interruption snapped Anubis out of his daze, and he sighed, turning towards the white bricks of his residence. However, he didn¡¯t move, leaving the guest the liberty to join them.

    "Outside, Sobek," he responded, glancing at Ana?s who was watching the scene intently.

    Sobek? If I¡¯m not mistaken... that¡¯s the crocodile-headed god? she thought before the divine being made his way over to them.

    "What are you doing outside at this...," he began, cutting off his sentence when his gaze fell upon Ana?s, an amused smile suddenly appearing on his lips. "I see."

    The young human returned a sly smile, understanding that the first thing crossing the crocodile god¡¯s mind regarding her presence here was that she must be Anubis¡¯s lover. It was obvious from his gaze shifting between her and the dejected god. She winked at Sobek to confirm his theory, which particularly irritated the jackal god.

    "It¡¯s not what you think," he cut in sharply before his friend shrugged and approached the human to take her hand and place a chaste kiss on it.

    "Good evening, dear stranger," the divine being sang. "Sobek, god of water and fertility, at your service."

    Ana?s straightened to appear more dignified and let him continue, a mocking smile still plastered on her face. The crocodile god was a handsome man, tall with a slender build, almost androgynous features, and long brown hair that fell well below his shoulders. He had a playful, deep gaze, and an aura that was charming and almost clownish, which immediately appealed to Ana?s. His outfit consisted of white linen pants and a sort of long, open blue shirt through which one could easily glimpse his lean chest and flat stomach. He wore various necklaces and gold rings, and everything about him screamed: "confirmed seducer and bon vivant."

    God of fertility, huh... It¡¯s clear why, just by looking at him... she thought, eyeing him curiously.

    "Ana?s, living human who has no business being here," she responded lightly before sitting down on one of the divans.

    The surprise was evident on Sobek¡¯s face as his questioning gaze fell on Anubis. Before he could respond, the crocodile god set the bottle of wine on the wicker chest and headed back inside the villa.

    "Don¡¯t tell me anything yet, I¡¯d better get some glasses first," he explained, disappearing for a moment.

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Anubis sighed again ¨C it was almost a tic at this point ¨C and eventually sat down on the divan next to the young woman, burying his face in his palms. He rubbed his temples for a few seconds, completely ignoring the human who watched his actions and patiently waited for him to speak. Finally, her patience wore thin and she cleared her throat to get his attention. Anubis turned to her, visibly annoyed.

    "What?" she inquired in a neutral tone.

    "There was no need to shout it from the rooftops," he commented irritably.

    "Isn¡¯t he your friend or something? What does it matter if he knows I¡¯m here if I¡¯m leaving in a few hours?"

    The situation was temporary, everything would return to normal by morning. At least for them, as Ana?s would have to learn to live in ancient Egypt with a rustic comfort compared to her modern times. In their eyes, she would be a small detail quickly forgotten in a few days.

    "He doesn¡¯t need to know everything."

    A flash of understanding struck Ana?s. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

    "You mean he doesn¡¯t need to know you messed up, right?" she chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand to emphasize her mockery.

    Anubis clicked his tongue against his palate to show his disapproval of the young human¡¯s teasing, but he didn¡¯t respond as he noticed the crocodile god returning with his hands full. Sobek hadn¡¯t heard their conversation, but judging by his sly expression and the wink he gave Ana?s, he quickly understood that she had been bickering with the jackal god and that he was annoyed.

    The crocodile man set down a large platter containing bread, several bunches of grapes, dried meat, and honey on the unusual table. He also brought, nestled between his elbows, three golden wine glasses that resembled chalices more than simple glasses. The next minute, as everything was placed on the furniture, he waved his hand over the bottle, without even touching it, as if caressing the air around the object. Ana?s heard a small pop, and the cork jumped out by itself. Impressed, she didn¡¯t hide her surprise, delighted to see his magic in action.

    He thanked her by pouring the first glass of what she guessed was red wine, then filled the other two before sitting down.

    "So, Anubis," he exclaimed, gesturing casually towards Ana?s. "What is such a charming human doing in our marvelous city? Does it have something to do with the quest you and your mother have undertaken?"

    His mother? If I remember correctly, the Egyptian pantheon is extremely interconnected... Ah... I can¡¯t quite recall the story of Osiris in detail...

    Ana?s¡¯s mind raced while Anubis, ashamed, explained what had happened a few hours earlier and the reason for the young human¡¯s presence here. There was no point in hiding the information now that Sobek knew she didn¡¯t belong in the afterlife.

    "Now that I think about it," Anubis began, addressing Ana?s. "You told me you¡¯d heard of the story of Osiris and Seth. Do you know how it ends?"

    "Um..." she hesitated, embarrassed. "Even if I remembered, I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s a good idea to reveal it just like that?"

    Maybe she had watched too many sci-fi movies, assuming that the space-time continuum was at risk if she divulged information about the future. Anyway, she couldn¡¯t remember. Logically, good always triumphed in these stories, but... polytheistic mythology was sometimes complex and far less black-and-white than many myths and legends.

    "I don¡¯t know," she continued after a few seconds of reflection. "Really, I can¡¯t remember. I merely remember anything about Osiris''s body pieces, except that Seth cut him up and I don¡¯t remember who goes looking for the parts of his body. I think he was put back together in the end... I don¡¯t know how."

    I feel like I¡¯m talking about a vase when it concerns one of the most famous Egyptian gods. My life has really taken an unexpected turn in just a few hours.

 Chapter 8

    No matter how much Ana?s thought about it, her memories of the story of the Egyptian pantheon ended there. And then, assuming the facts were identical was no small task. It was well known that stories were distorted over the centuries to fit a new reality or to deliver a certain moral.

    "Just the fact that gods are on the throne of Egypt is something I wasn¡¯t aware of. I learned that there were pharaohs, and before that... not what you can call a united civilization. In my time, what you¡¯re talking about is considered pure fiction."

    "When Seth murdered my father before our eyes, it seemed pretty real to me," Anubis spat venomously.

    "Come on, you can¡¯t blame her for thinking it was just a romanticized story," Sobek interjected, taking a sip of his wine. "If no one believes in our existence in her time, it¡¯s logical for it to be considered fiction."

    Anubis took a long breath before unclenching his fists. Ana?s hadn¡¯t even noticed how much her banal remark had inflamed the jackal god, who had taken it personally. It hadn¡¯t occurred to her that in addition to not being mere fiction, she was in the presence of individuals who had lived through that massacre. Because that¡¯s what it was, a massacre. Murdering someone and then desecrating their body by cutting it up, even if it could be magically put back together, was a dreadful act of rare horror. It was the work of a psychopath.

    "I¡¯m sorry," she said after a few seconds. "I completely forgot that Osiris is your father... Consider that I know nothing about this story, nor who you gods really are. Or even what you are."

    Maybe they¡¯re just aliens... she stifled a laugh to avoid seeming rude.

    "It¡¯s okay, because I happen to be an excellent storyteller, right Anubis?" exclaimed the crocodile god, looking proud with his chest puffed out.

    "She won¡¯t remember anything in a few hours," he sighed, collapsing onto the divan to lie on his side, his cheek resting in his palm and his elbow against the furniture.

    "So what? At least someone from her time will know the truth, even if it¡¯s just for this night. Besides... I really enjoy hearing myself talk, you know," he admitted with a wink.

    "Unfortunately, I know," Anubis grumbled, rolling his eyes.

    Ana?s settled more comfortably on her divan, mimicking the jackal god¡¯s position while placing her wine glass on the marble floor since the seat wasn¡¯t very high. This allowed her to half-lie down while keeping her alcoholic drink within reach. She wasn¡¯t particularly a big fan of red wine, but this one was rather sweet, and the turn of events made her want to relax and have fun. Sobek encouraged her heartily with his spectacular consumption as he drank easily twice as much as she did. Anubis sipped his wine cautiously, which didn¡¯t surprise Ana?s as it confirmed her first impression of the god: a serious man who perhaps had a hard time letting go.

    Or maybe he just wants to be in good shape for his mission tomorrow, she supposed, reminding herself that judging too quickly wasn¡¯t necessarily a sign of superior morality. He could still surprise her.

    Sobek spent the next hour recounting the dreadful myth of Osiris and how Seth ingeniously assassinated him during a feast. The evil god had prepared a human-shaped coffin of exquisite golden beauty, perfectly sized to fit the King, promising the assembly that whoever fit in would win this exceptional gift. Participants took turns, but none succeeded until Osiris¡¯ turn came. Naturally, Seth had rigged the coffin to match his brother''s body. As soon as the god was inside, his accomplices quickly sealed it, trapping him alive. No one could do anything, as Seth had meticulously planned his coup, with many corrupted individuals helping him execute his twisted plan. It all happened in front of Anubis, his son, and Isis, his wife.

    "Isis retrieved the coffin and Osiris¡¯ body, which Seth had thrown into the Nile, thinking this matter was now behind him and that the throne of Egypt was finally rightfully his," Sobek explained, his words tinged with dramatic intonations. "Unfortunately, it didn¡¯t end there. When he heard the news, he retrieved the corpse and cut it into fourteen pieces, scattering them once again along the Nile."

    "And he did all this just to get the throne? That seems a bit... light as a motive to go to such extremes, doesn¡¯t it?"

    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    For the first time that evening, Anubis spoke up to recount the events himself after a sideways glance from his friend. In this part of the story, Sobek preferred to leave to the main person involved.

    "Seth had always been jealous of his brother and his throne, but the pinnacle of his jealousy was reached when he learned that Isis is not my biological mother... Nephthys is."

    "Nephthys?" Ana?s inquired, not recognizing the name.

    "Seth¡¯s wife," he replied gravely.

    "Oh. So his wife cheated on him with his brother. Ouch."

    All mythologies always have their share of spectacular betrayals; it¡¯s crazy. In the end, they¡¯re just humans with magical powers.

    "And Nephthys? Did he go after her too?" she continued.

    "No. He assumed Osiris had seduced her and forgave her naivety. At the time, she had hidden her pregnancy. Only Osiris and Isis knew. To avoid escalating the situation, they decided that Isis would raise me as her own son. She could have claimed that Seth was my father, but she didn¡¯t want to risk him ever questioning it. Or maybe she just wanted to forget the whole story and pretend I didn¡¯t exist," he narrated coldly.

    "Her life was at stake too, Anubis," his friend interrupted. "She thought Seth would kill her if he learned the truth. It¡¯s probably the following years she spent pretending to be the perfect wife that saved her."

    "Seth sounds like a real bastard," Ana?s commented, sipping her wine.

    Sobek burst out laughing at hearing the young woman insult the god in such a way. Divine or not, he was a despicable being in his eyes. A smile appeared on her lips when Anubis, who had finally relaxed slightly after finishing his glass of wine, chuckled discreetly. Pleased to have managed to lighten the atmosphere after such a horrific tale, Ana?s downed the last drops of her second glass in one go, then allowed herself a small slice of dried meat.

    The trio spent the next hour discussing various topics, including some rather incongruous memories from the two gods¡¯ youth. Ana?s enjoyed their divine stories, which ultimately resembled ordinary teenage tales. The pair had done their fair share of mischief in their early years, and judging by the few stories she had heard tonight, they seemed to have had a relatively happy childhood before their lives¡ªespecially Anubis¡¯¡ªtook a drastic turn on the day of the feast.

    Sobek, after his fifth glass of wine from the second bottle he had fetched from Anubis'' pantry¡ªthe first one having had a relatively short lifespan¡ªexcused himself, explaining that he now wished to sleep as the night was well advanced. The jackal god nodded vigorously, standing up in turn, followed by Ana?s after the crocodile deity had planted a kiss on her cheek to bid her goodnight.

    The annoyed look in Anubis¡¯ eyes at his friend''s obvious flirtation did not escape either Sobek or the young woman, who smiled mischievously. Her kiss at the beginning of the evening had apparently disturbed him more than he let on, and Ana?s reveled in the little effect she had on a god, no less.

    "Come, I''ll show you a guest room if you want to sleep the five hours left before departure," Anubis announced, gesturing for her to follow.

    Slightly tipsy from the three glasses she had downed that night, Ana?s followed him, walking a meter behind. He led her through a long corridor decorated with a few paintings and green plants, then slipped into a room after opening the wooden door. It was a modestly sized bedroom with a bed that, to her great delight, featured feather pillows covered in fabric and a fur blanket for the cold. The frame was an ingenious work of thick intertwined wicker, forming a slightly elastic net, much less hard than simple wooden planks. With relief, she noted that the whole setup looked relatively comfortable. The rest of the room was composed of chests and golden trunks with colorful designs, numerous plants, and an open window that once again looked out onto the gardens. This detail didn¡¯t reassure her much, accustomed as she was to lock herself up in her apartment, but she supposed she risked absolutely nothing in the afterlife, and even less in a god¡¯s house.

    Satisfied, she turned back to Anubis, who was standing right behind her, and smiled simply, locking her gaze with his. She wanted to thank him, but her words got lost in her mouth as her eyes drowned in the reflection of his soul. Perhaps it was the alcohol or the connection she felt at that precise moment, but her body moved on its own until she was only a few centimeters away from the deity.

    He didn¡¯t comment on the proximity and simply let the young human do as she pleased, seemingly intrigued or enchanted by her gesture. Something was happening in the air, Ana?s could feel it, and she wasn¡¯t about to go against what her being demanded. When her lips met his for the second time that evening, neither of them pulled away this time. On the contrary, Anubis was the first to respond, sliding his fingers along the sensitive skin of her neck to draw their bodies closer. A familiar warmth flooded her lower abdomen as their flesh touched, but the god eventually broke the kiss after about ten seconds and took a step back.

    He said nothing, but his closed expression no longer reflected the connection she had felt just moments earlier. He sighed, then turned away from the young woman to leave the room, leaving her alone with her tumultuous emotions. It took her several seconds before her body moved and accepted to go towards the bed, giving her mind time to understand what had just happened and for the disappointment to sweep away the last tingles of excitement that had made her skin vibrate when it had come into contact with Anubis''.

    Kissing a god? Done. Getting rejected by a god? Also done, she concluded bitterly, sinking into the soft pillows.

    Finding sleep proved complicated that night.

 Chapter 9

    "Ana?s, wake up," commanded a moderately loud voice, causing the young woman to startle and suddenly open her eyes.

    Anubis had placed his hand on her shoulder to shake her gently. He immediately withdrew it when he saw she was finally awake. She blinked several times to clear the post-sleep haze blurring her vision, then yawned and stretched slowly, completely ignoring the presence of the jackal god who had stepped back to give her space. His gaze was averted, and an awkward expression covered his face. Ana?s looked around to try and find the source of his discomfort, then noticed that her loose t-shirt had slipped down her shoulder, revealing the top of her breast and the color of her bra. She giggled as she pulled the fabric up to cover her skin. Anubis coughed to try and hide his embarrassment, but the slight blush coloring his cheeks betrayed him.

    Well, well¡­ Seems like I do have some effect on him¡­ she thought with a mischievous smile.

    "What is she doing? We don¡¯t have all morning," came a voice from the hallway, one she recognized as the woman from the previous night.

    Isis, Anubis¡¯ adoptive mother. The goddess adorned with a solar disk surrounded by two cow horns. The deity who didn¡¯t seem to like Ana?s at all and who, for the second time now, had used a venomous tone when referring to her. Something told her it was best not to anger her, especially not when the pair was about to embark on a mission to gather the pieces of the deceased Osiris very soon. The young human got up, her face serious, and joined Anubis who was now waiting by the bedroom door.

    When they reached the hallway, Ana?s noticed that Isis wasn¡¯t wearing her eccentric headdress, and thus looked like a perfectly normal woman with her long black hair and stern¡ªalmost disdainful¡ªeyes fixed on her. The goddess scrutinized her from head to toe, taking in her inappropriate attire for this place and historical period. It was true that she hadn¡¯t seen many women walking around in loose vests, t-shirts, pants, and sneakers on the path. However, the two men hadn¡¯t commented on her clothing style the previous night, which was clearly not the case with Isis, who finally sighed, letting her shoulders relax. She seemed incredibly tense, and perhaps that was the source of her disdain towards the young human.

    "She¡¯ll need proper clothes, and a wash before departure wouldn¡¯t hurt," concluded Isis, turning her gaze to her son as it was his home.

    He nodded, understanding perfectly that his mother had just tasked him with this job.

    "Show her the washroom, I¡¯ll handle the clothes," she corrected herself after a brief moment of reflection.

    If she picks an outfit as elegant as hers, I¡¯m all for it! Ana?s thought, watching the goddess leave the hallway and disappear into a room a few meters away.

    Isis wore a long, sleeveless white dress with golden stripes, the fabric reaching her ankles and revealing only the tips of her manicured feet clad in wedge sandals. Numerous golden jewelry pieces adorned her arms, neck, and ears, completely elevating the outfit and betraying nothing of her status as a goddess. Everything about her screamed chic and distinguished¡ªa deity as well as a king¡¯s wife.

    "Come," invited Anubis, leading her three doors down the hallway.

    She followed him without a word until he encouraged her to enter the room, which looked more like a public bath than a simple bathroom, judging by the size of the pool in the middle. It was as large as an inflatable pool, circular and deep enough for bathers to sit with their shoulders submerged. Soft sunlight bathed the room as there was no ceiling, similar to an interior courtyard. The pool was already filled to the brim with water that seemed relatively clean to her, and a chest against the wall offered linen towels and a block of purple soap. Lavender, she guessed without even needing to smell it.

    "You have thirty minutes, otherwise Mother might come and drag you out of the pool herself," he joked, though his eyes didn¡¯t lie about the seriousness of his threat.

    He approached the pool and bent down to plunge his hand into the water up to his wrist. A red glow emanated from his flesh, and Ana?s stepped closer, curious, before realizing he was warming the water to a comfortable temperature for her. She smiled at the jackal god who stood up and watched her and thanked him warmly. When Anubis continued to gaze at her without any indication that he was ready to leave a few seconds later, Ana?s broke their eye contact and turned her back to him to slowly begin removing her t-shirt.

    "Are you going to stay until I get into the water?" she asked innocently.

    The god didn¡¯t reply and simply left the room, finally leaving her alone to enjoy her royal bath. Given the size of the pool, she felt at least like a princess. It was a far cry from the narrow shower in her apartment. She hadn¡¯t had the chance to relax like this since her vacation in Egypt.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    It seems this country suits me well, she concluded, satisfied, before removing the rest of her clothes.

    The water temperature was perfect, she noted happily as she slid her legs into the pool to sit on the marble step that served as a seat. The pool¡¯s dimensions seemed almost tailor-made, as the water level reached precisely at the base of her throat. She just had to rest her head back on the edge and close her eyes to relax and enjoy her last hour in the afterlife.

    I hope I¡¯ll get the same treatment in the land of the living¡­ He knows I was a "servant", maybe he¡¯ll sell me to someone¡­ No, she corrected herself after a moment of reflection. He wouldn¡¯t do that, I know. I don¡¯t know how I know, but I do.

    Twenty minutes later, Ana?s heard someone knocking on the door. Without a clock, she assumed she had exceeded the time allotted to her and reached for the soap she had left on the edge to wash herself. She had lingered in the water without worrying about the time or cleaning herself, completely forgetting Anubis¡¯s threats.

    "I¡¯m coming in," informed Isis¡¯s voice before opening the door and closing it behind her. "I brought you clean clothes."

    Fortunately for Ana?s, she wasn¡¯t modest, as the goddess didn¡¯t seem to care about her nudity and entered the room as if it was nothing. She spoke to her while looking her in the eyes, without even glancing away. After all, they were both women. Even if one was a deity and the other a mere human, they had the same body.

    Memories of the foster home where she had spent the last five years before reaching adulthood crossed her mind. Living in a community with about ten girls her age had made her lose her modesty. A smile appeared on her lips when the face of her best friend at the time, Lisa, materialized in her head. They had always loved taking baths or going to the pool together, inseparable as they were back then. Lisa¡¯s presence had helped Ana?s gradually get used to her new life without her parents and accept that they were now part of her past. The road to that point hadn¡¯t been easy, but the young woman was grateful to have found a friend like Lisa along the way.

    Too bad adult life eventually separated us, she regretted it with a pang of sadness.

    Before leaving Ana?s alone in the room again, Isis paused and fixed her guest with an inquisitive and almost accusatory gaze. At this moment, modesty was not the issue but a pure and direct challenge. The goddess¡¯s look felt like a warning, which ended up annoying the young human who stood up, head held high after rinsing herself, revealing her naked body without any shame. If Isis thought she could intimidate her just because she was a deity, she was sorely mistaken. Ana?s wouldn¡¯t remember any of this soon, and their paths would never cross again, so she didn¡¯t care about defying the gods.

    "What?" she snapped, grabbing a towel to wrap around her chest, her eyes locked on Isis, whose hostility had turned to astonishment.

    Perhaps the goddess hadn¡¯t expected her threatening aura or divine status to fail against their guest. In any case, judging by the way her face reflected her confusion, it was clear she hadn¡¯t anticipated Ana?s resisting her gaze and even daring to challenge her. Isis quickly regained her composure, now showing a neutral and inscrutable expression. Less aggressive, more respectful. It seemed she had earned the right to be taken seriously by the deity.

    "Do not distract Anubis from his task," she demanded simply, her voice dry but free of venom. "You disturb him, I have seen it."

    "Oh," exclaimed Ana?s, certainly not expecting such a remark.

    "Understood?" insisted Isis.

    "I suppose, yes," the young human confirmed with a shrug, unsure of what else to say.

    It would be stupid to antagonize her over something so trivial, especially for the little time I have left here, she quickly deduced from the situation.

    For the first time since the two women had met, the goddess graced her with a timid smile and a satisfied nod before leaving and closing the door behind her. Ana?s exhaled deeply, releasing the tension that had built up during their brief interaction. She hadn¡¯t even noticed how her body had tensed, responding to what it perceived as a threat or at least a potential attack.

    She spent the next ten minutes drying her skin and hair, attempting to detangle it with her fingers as best she could. Her hair wasn¡¯t very long and was relatively straight, which helped in her task. She had no doubt there was a comb somewhere, but this was quicker. It would give her a styled yet slightly tousled look¡ªor so she hoped¡ªthat would go perfectly with the white dress Isis had brought her.

    The dress was long, like the goddess¡¯s, featuring a bodice and two strings that tied behind the neck, forming a triangle on her neck by intertwining the cords. The sleeveless top of the dress was slightly adorned with some golden accents around the neck, arms, and waist in an imitation belt, but the garment was still relatively simple yet extremely elegant. Isis had even thought to bring accessories to enhance the outfit with a golden choker and a thick gold bracelet that she slipped on her wrist. The ensemble was completed with a pair of flat gladiator sandals. And thankfully so, because she had no intention of navigating a new city in wedge heels like the goddess.

    Since she didn¡¯t know where the duo was, she resigned herself to find them by following the sound of their voices. If her sense of direction didn¡¯t fail her, they were outside, in the outer gardens behind the villa, the same place as yesterday. The tone of their conversation seemed serious, but they stopped talking when they saw the young human approaching. Anubis was sitting dignified on one of the divans while Isis was semi-reclined, busy eating grapes, or at least what was left of yesterday¡¯s bunches. The low table was overflowing with the same food as the night before for breakfast, reminding Ana?s that she hadn¡¯t eaten anything that morning.

    "We will leave when you¡¯ve eaten something," Anubis announced, his deep gaze settling on her figure.

    The way his eyes attentively observed the young human¡¯s movements didn¡¯t escape Isis¡¯s notice, so Ana?s ignored the jackal god and simply joined them, sitting on the last divan to have her breakfast in an almost awkward silence. She had never tried so hard to avoid someone¡¯s gaze before that day.

 Chapter 10

    It was the third time¡ªcounting her strange dream which actually wasn¡¯t a dream¡ªthat Ana?s¡¯s feet touched the gray and dull grains of this strange desert. With Anubis and Isis by her side, the panic she had felt during her first visits was manageable, but the place still made her particularly uneasy. Everything was so empty, with sand stretching as far as the eye could see and no elements of nature, not even a slight breeze or a hint of greenery. The landscape was literally dead.

    The jackal god had explained to her that this place was called Kheret-Nedjer, or the Necropolis in a language she could understand. It was a space-time that straddled the world of the living and the afterlife, a doorway between the two dimensions. The corridor with hundreds of doors that they had traversed to enter and exit the Field of Offerings¡ªSekhet Hetep, the ¡°land¡± of the Blessed and the Gods¡ªand to reach the Necropolis was a sort of purgatory, a place where souls awaiting judgment rested before being called to the Tribunal of Osiris, the judgment hall. Deceased humans waited their turn behind the hundreds of doors that made up the corridor.

    Ana?s appreciated how Anubis had chosen to ignore the fact that she wouldn¡¯t remember any of his explanations in a few minutes. Maybe he had sensed her growing nervousness about losing her memories or not knowing what to expect on the other side of the Duat. In any case, he was trying his best to maintain the conversation, which considerably calmed the young human¡¯s nerves. Isis, on the other hand, was silent and observed a fixed point on the horizon, her gaze distant and lost in thought. She too seemed tense, judging by the way her fingers fidgeted.

    The trio walked for a few hundred meters through the gray sand desert until Ana?s saw an enormous stone structure that rose several meters high. It looked like a door frame, and the young woman quickly deduced that it was actually a portal. Yet, she saw nothing through it, only the gray grains and the desert horizon. When the trio stopped in front of the stone, Anubis turned to their human guest, curiosity shining in his eyes.

    "You see nothing but the desert, don¡¯t you?"

    Ana?s squinted to observe the surroundings because if he was asking, it meant she had missed something. Yet, apart from the portal structure in front of her, there was nothing.

    "No. Should I be seeing something else?"

    "The souls of the deceased pass through Kheret-Nedjer after their death, and they enter through this door. You don¡¯t see them because you are alive," explained Isis hastily, not wanting to waste time on these details.

    "Hmm, I see."

    Good, the place would be even creepier, she thought, almost relieved not to see these human souls wandering around her.

    ¡°I still think arriving through the Giza necropolis is a bad idea,¡± Anubis pointed out, turning to his mother. "I don¡¯t understand why there would be a piece of Osiris so close to Memphis if he threw them all into the Nile."

    Isis winced, annoyed that her son was questioning their plan so close to departure.

    "It¡¯s your amulet that gave us this lead. Seth could very well have wanted to keep one close to him to prevent us from retrieving all the parts. It makes sense to start with the most obvious, doesn¡¯t it?"

    "It¡¯s because it¡¯s so obvious that I¡¯m worried... Seth could be waiting for us on the other side. It might be a trap."

    "The amulet can¡¯t lie, and it pointed to this area even before Seth got his hands on it. There is a piece, I¡¯m sure of it. Seth wouldn¡¯t expect us to start in his own territory."

    Anubis sighed and admitted defeat. He wouldn¡¯t win this battle.

    "Fine, but at least wait here while I check that the passage isn¡¯t being watched," he ordered, transforming into a jackal with a uniformly black coat.

    In Ana?s¡¯s memory, the animal wasn¡¯t supposed to be that color but rather had fur somewhere between red, beige, and gray. Anubis was the only jackal with a charcoal coat, which helped distinguish him from ordinary beasts, she supposed. Even in his beastly transformation, his divine status was clear. He was sized somewhere between a wolf and a fox, relatively imposing, and his gaze reflected the superior intelligence he was endowed with. His footprints were replaced by jackal paw prints, and he approached the portal to stop a few centimeters from the structure. Two seconds later, a blurry veil formed in the doorway, and Ana?s soon observed the other side of the afterlife. There was only sand-colored stone and artificial light created by torches, judging by the shadows dancing on the walls. The arrival room was relatively dark, which didn¡¯t reassure the young woman much. Since this was the passage for deceased souls, and the place was called a necropolis, she now feared that the other side of the portal led to a real burial site, which made a lot of sense.

    Five minutes later, Anubis¡¯s snout appeared through the portal, and he invited them with a nod to cross and join him. Isis stepped through the magical veil without hesitation, unlike Ana?s, whose apprehension about finding herself alone in ancient Egypt was becoming a bit too real for her taste. She knew she had no choice and couldn¡¯t stay here, but the desire was there. The city seemed so peaceful, and the Blessed lived up to their name, judging by the smiles she had seen while strolling through the alleys with the jackal god the day before. Since she didn¡¯t know what to expect in the world of the living, resolving to cross the portal was more difficult than she had imagined. However, under the insistent gazes of the two deities, her legs finally moved, and, with her eyes closed, her body sank into the veil. She felt like she was navigating through a cloud of smoke, but the sensation lasted only a second.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in the dark room she had seen through the portal, alongside Anubis and his mother. It was cool, but there was little oxygen, which increasingly confirmed the young woman¡¯s intuition. If they were underground, as she suspected, it was becoming more and more plausible that the place they had landed in was a burial structure. As they left the small hall to enter a vast maze of corridors with high ceilings and small openings on both sides of the walls with colorful and gilded chests inside, there was no longer any doubt. Each opening was a tomb, and the chests were coffins adorned with gold and precious stones. As they moved away from the portal, the obvious wealth of the sarcophagi faded in favor of simple wooden boxes.

    Great, my first vision of ancient Egypt is an underground cemetery. Sets the mood for my new life.

    Little by little, the brightness of the torches was replaced by the timid rays of the sun as they approached the exit of the tomb. The jackal god sniffed the air and twitched his ears to detect any unusual or suspicious signs, then resumed his human form before stepping onto the exterior ground to avoid attracting attention. Apart from their attire, which betrayed a certain wealth with the golden jewelry of the two women and their immaculate cleanliness, the two deities looked perfectly human and could easily blend into the world of the living as long as they weren''t recognized. At least, that was what Ana?s thought. Reality could also be quite the opposite, and the gods might be the celebrities of this era, known to all and revered even by the smallest and most isolated communities.

    Wait, wait... I shouldn''t remember their identities...

    "I thought I was going to lose my memories," she exclaimed aloud just before they left the tomb, the confusion evident in her voice.

    "That is the case," Anubis explained. "In a few hours, you will doubt the reality of what you experienced. Tomorrow morning, you will wake up thinking that all this was just a dream, and the day after tomorrow, your brain will have erased all information concerning the Duat. It would be too traumatic otherwise, and it would be experienced as a trauma for your mind."

    So I have a few hours of respite...

    The young human had expected a scorching desert landscape like modern Egypt, but that was not the case. It was warm, like a good summer day, but it wasn''t as stifling as during her vacations and for a good reason: there was much more vegetation than in her memories. Of course, the ground was covered with fine sand, but there were many trees like date palms and acacias, and the closer the land got to the Nile, the more the sand grains disappeared in favor of greenery and various crops. The prehistoric climate was less dry and harsh thanks to the abundant water from the river, which extended tens if not hundreds of meters farther than in modern times. And, above all, there was none of that dirty concrete that replaced nature. Observing this landscape, Ana?s better understood why the Egyptian civilization could endure for so long.

    The trio walked towards the direction of the river, with Anubis retrieving the amulet from his pocket to hold it in his hand. If Ana?s''s vision was not failing her, the jewel vibrated and emitted a slight white glow. She assumed this was how they located the pieces and that the closer they were, the more the amulet expressed it magically. She couldn''t tell if the current intensity meant that one of Osiris''s parts was nearby, but judging by the conversation the two gods had earlier, there must be one in the vicinity. She had been told the day before that Anubis would take her to the city after they retrieved what they came for, as they needed to act quickly before being noticed. Ana?s had accepted, as she had no real choice or voice in this matter.

    There was a small village two hundred meters from their position, with small brick houses stabilized by bundles of reeds. They were insulated with mud plaster, a mixture of mud and straw, and were large enough to consist of three or even four rooms depending on the dwelling. However, they were all single-story buildings with no upper floors, except for one or two larger houses that must have belonged to wealthier households. Here, there were fishermen, farmers, herders, and a few rare artisans and nomadic traders who stopped in the middle of the village at what looked like an improvised mini-market. The small community probably housed around five hundred people at best.

    The amulet led them to the barley fields on the edge of the river and the village. Anubis encouraged them to bypass the village for fear that some villagers might notice them and find their presence suspicious, making them walk a good quarter of an hour to reach the cultivated land. The field was overflowing with greenery, with cereals having grown a good meter already. The harvest season must have been approaching quickly. The green ears added freshness to the landscape, which Ana?s did not mind at all.

    "Seth would have buried one of his members?" Isis wondered, brushing her fingers over the cereals.

    "The amulet clearly points to the inside of the field, and someone would have noticed if the piece had been hidden on the surface," Anubis analyzed seriously. "For it to go unnoticed... It would mean he buried it deep enough so the farmers wouldn''t see anything when they tilled the soil for planting. I doubt it even stayed in the exact spot where it was buried. The soil is so wet by the Nile; the water might have altered the terrain enough for it to move a few meters."

    Anubis stepped first through the barley stalks, pushing them aside with his hand to move forward, quickly followed by Isis. Ana?s found herself alone within seconds, hesitant to follow them. This wasn''t her mission, but she didn''t know where to go and still needed the jackal god to find her way. Yet, it wasn''t the uncertainty of her path that kept her feet from stepping onto the field. It was a presence a few meters away from her, the pressure of an inquisitive gaze directed at her, which had frozen her in place.

    When she turned around to try to find the person responsible for this chilling sensation, her eyes landed on a nearby farmer who was observing her every move. She relaxed somewhat, reassured that it was just a simple villager. She supposed he must have found her strange or wondered where she came from, as all the inhabitants likely knew each other in such a small community. When their eyes met and Ana?s did not look away, the man eventually gave up and returned to his activities.

    I have a bad feeling about this... she thought before joining the two deities in the middle of the field.

 Chapter 11

    Their silhouettes easily surpassed the height of the crops, allowing her not to get lost and to catch up with them in a few quick strides. Neither of them had noticed the young human''s sudden stop, and she didn''t want to bother them by recounting what had happened. It was normal for her body to be on alert; she was completely unfamiliar with the place. Everything seemed strange and unusual, and Ana?s knew her sometimes paranoid mind tended to daydream and imagine the worst based on simple details.

    "It''s here, beneath us. We will have to dig," announced Anubis as the amulet glowed and vibrated intensely.

    He pulled out a few barley stalks to reach the soil, then Isis took over by crouching above the small cleared area. She brought a hand close, without touching the ground, then closed her eyes to concentrate. For the first few seconds, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, Ana?s could feel the earth vibrating under her feet. It was barely perceptible, but the sensation resembled a small-magnitude earthquake. The goddess had used her magic to command the earth and the roots to bring them what they sought. A small hole formed at the spot under her fingers, something digging the soil from the inside, then a shroud appeared. It covered an object about the size of a handball.

    "What part is it?" Anubis inquired, hurriedly.

    Now that they possessed the first piece, the alert could be given at any moment. Isis gently picked up Osiris''s part with both hands. The love she had for her husband was evident in the way she held his flesh as if it were the most precious thing she had ever been given to carry. With her delicate fingers, she grasped the shroud and unwrapped the piece to reveal one of the most vital organs for a living being.

    "It''s his heart," she noted without a hint of disgust at holding such a thing in her divine palms. "How ironic that he decided to keep this part closest to his home. Murdering and dismembering his body wasn''t enough for his twisted mind; he had to taunt us as well?"

    "It was I who buried it here," a female voice rose that Ana?s did not recognize.

    Immediately, Isis covered the heart with the shroud and held it against her chest to protect it. Anubis, on guard, transformed into a jackal, ready to pounce on the individual who had surprised them in their secret quest. He moved closer to the two women, positioning himself in front of them to shield them from any sudden attack. The silhouette of the intruder gradually became clearer through the barley field. Ana?s had to squint due to the harsh sunlight to observe the newcomer and saw a woman with braided black hair, violet eyes, and surreal beauty. She wore a beautiful golden dress hidden under a faded khaki linen cloak to remain unnoticed. She was a tall woman with a slim waist and a curvaceous figure. She could have been a model in the modern world.

    "Nepthys? What are you doing here?" roared Isis, wary.

    Seth''s wife? That such an abject man could have such a wife... I see where Anubis gets his beauty from, she mentally chuckled while looking at the jackal god, who had not abandoned his defensive stance even in front of his biological mother.

    "I want to help you," she explained, raising her hands to show she came in peace. "Seth wanted to keep Osiris''s heart in the palace to ensure you would never find all the pieces."

    "How did you manage to retrieve it? I doubt Seth let you take it willingly," Anubis questioned sharply, not believing the woman''s words.

    "My husband thinks the organ is still sealed in its box. I replaced it with the heart of one of our deceased servants so he wouldn''t suspect anything."

    Nephtys spoke calmly as if she were facing two wild, wounded animals that could attack at any moment, which was indeed the case. Her diction was slow, her voice low, her tone honeyed, and her words calculated. She had the stature of a queen, undeniably. She spoke with her head held high and her body straight, with the dignity of her status. Ana?s didn''t know her and couldn''t judge her acting skills, but she seemed sincere at first glance. At least, that was the impression the young human had, and her instinct supported this assertion.

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    The two deities seemed to agree, as Isis relaxed and Anubis resumed his human form, although his closed expression reflected lingering suspicion. He didn''t trust her at all. His adoptive mother welcomed Nephtys more kindly, even allowing herself to smile at her. She was not resentful toward her husband''s mistress.

    So, it''s just me she half hates, great. Sharing the husband is fine, but no one approaches the son, right? Ana?s concluded mentally, narrowing her eyes to observe Nephtys.

    She was not fond of authority or individuals¡ªespecially women¡ªtelling her what to do, a sentiment inherited from Madame Hammer, one of the main supervisors at the orphanage who had never liked Ana?s and her best friend and made sure they knew it.

    "Thank you," Isis exclaimed, approaching the queen and taking her hands in hers to express her gratitude.

    Nephtys smiled in turn, reassured that her help was accepted and that her sister-in-law treated her with kindness and respect. Seeing the two stunning women side by side, and Anubis a meter away with his seductive face and brooding demeanor, it was clear that Ana?s didn''t belong in their exclusive circle of deities. She was pretty for a human, she knew that, but she didn''t have the grace and elegance of these two women who, besides being goddesses, were also queens. In comparison, she was just a simple peasant with a commoner language. Nephtys completely ignored her presence after quickly sizing her up when she arrived.

    "Well, well, well," a new voice rose through the barley stalks, masculine and deep this time. "I suspected you were plotting something, my dear wife. It''s a good thing I had you followed today."

    A mountain of muscle approached their position with a dozen soldiers in bronze armor by his side. Their armor was gold-plated, indicating their belonging to the royal garrison. Ana?s didn''t need to know this era to understand. Their chests were so smooth that the sun painfully reflected off them, and she had to look away to avoid being blinded. At the center of this battalion was Seth, the King of Egypt, or rather the Usurper of the throne. He was a tall man, nearly two meters, a real colossus whose muscular build was intimidating. He had hard features and a perfectly trimmed beard, along with brown hair tied in a high ponytail. He was as attractive as he was frightening, though Ana?s leaned more toward the latter descriptor at this moment.

    "Get down," Anubis murmured in front of her. "Take the amulet and leave."

    She complied, almost on autopilot, hiding among the crops and moving close enough to the god to retrieve the jewelry he let slip to the ground, his palm facing the young woman so Seth wouldn''t see anything. Once she had the object in her possession, Anubis moved his fingers, urging her to leave. Adrenaline had taken over, allowing her to obey without faltering. Her brain had frozen when it realized they were trapped and that the king and his escort would not let them leave as if nothing had happened. Of course, the little human had no chance against a god and his armed soldiers. Now, only her instinct guided her body, allowing her to follow the jackal deity''s orders.

    Go, go, go, her mind repeated as she almost crawled to move the stalks as little as possible.

    Anubis had bet on the fact that Seth hadn''t paid attention to Ana?s since her body had been hidden behind the mother-son duo until then. If he chose to ignore the presence of humans like his wife, the possibility that he hadn''t seen her and wouldn''t suspect her disappearance was real. And even if he was aware, it gave her time to distance herself since the two deities could hold off their enemies. He would never suspect that the amulet was in the young woman''s hands and not with Isis or Anubis.

    At least, that was what the trio thought before Ana?s, still crouching, suddenly stopped when her eyes fell on a pair of sandals. She looked up, panicked, to find a soldier who had drawn his weapon and dared her to move. Her heart raced, her pulse echoed in her ears, and her instinct screamed that her life would end here. Her hand gripped the ankh firmly against her chest for strength, a habit she had developed after returning from her vacation. When her gaze met the soldier''s and her body straightened and turned in a last-ditch effort to run towards the two deities to save herself, she realized she wouldn''t survive this encounter. He had seen she had the amulet, and caught off guard by the young woman''s desperate move, the soldier didn''t hesitate and attacked.

    A second later, a searing pain cut off Ana?s''s breath, forcing her to stop. When she looked down to find the source of her agony, her wide eyes met the tip of the blade that had pierced her body, her heart, and the hand she held against her chest. The pain was so intense that her body froze, unable to move. Her legs finally gave out, her knees hitting the soft ground as the soldier withdrew his sword from her flesh.

    Ana?s felt like she was watching the following seconds from outside her body, a third-person observer of her death. The amulet in her hand glowed, and when her fingers loosened from the jewelry, she realized her assailant''s blade had shattered it into a thousand pieces. Anubis and Isis had turned around, their faces horrified, helpless witnesses to her fall and imminent death. She met Anubis''s gaze as her vision began to darken, then slipped into total unconsciousness.

 Chapter 12

    Ana?s''s spirit had just crossed through the portal by which she had joined the world of the living. This was the first memory she received of her life after death: her arrival in the expanse of gray sand. Her soul hadn''t been able to wander on Earth and discover the outcome of the gods'' encounter; she had arrived here directly after falling unconscious.

    Her gaze fell upon her hands and arms, almost expecting them to be translucent like a ghost, but they were not. When she lifted her head, she realized the real change was in her surroundings. She wasn''t the only human wandering here. Some looked at her curiously, others wept over their death crouched on the ground, but each preferred to stay in their own corner and not speak to the other souls. There were maybe a dozen of them, no more, and no one seemed ready to welcome them at the moment. This wasn''t a problem for Ana?s, who already knew she had to look for a door without a frame guarded by men with crocodile heads.

    At least I can''t lose my memories now...

    Finding her way through the Necropolis proved more complicated than it seemed. Her sense of direction had recorded ¨C mistakenly, it seemed ¨C a linear trajectory between the two points when they had mapped out the path that morning, but it was impossible to know in which direction she was moving. She had no compass, there was no sun, and no landmarks that could indicate whether she was going in circles. The farther she moved from the portal, the fewer souls she encountered, since very few dared to venture into the desert for fear of getting lost forever. And it turned out their fear was justified. Fortunately, she finally found the door about twenty minutes later.

    Walking was exhausting in this heavy and suffocating atmosphere, and she couldn''t wait to feel the natural breeze and the spring temperature of the City of the Dead again. Of course, she suspected she would have to submit to the famous weighing of her soul, but she had nothing in particular to reproach herself for, right? There might be one thing, but... Ana?s had always shown kindness to most of those around her, and she believed she had lived her life by her values. She wouldn''t have defined herself as a saint, as she had done some low blows out of mockery or revenge like all children, but surely that didn''t warrant a place in hell or divine punishment.

    When she arrived in front of the crocodile guards, they set their gaze upon her, and then one of them finally spoke in an extremely deep voice:

    "Souls are not permitted to cross without an invitation. A guide will accompany you in a few hours."

    Ana?s sighed. She didn''t know what she had expected; of course, they weren''t going to just let her pass. Yet she had no desire to wait here when her feet had already touched the inside of the Field of Offerings. An idea struck her as she scrutinized the guards'' heads.

    "I came through recently with Anubis and Isis. I would like to speak with Sobek."

    The two soldiers exchanged a glance until the one on the right nodded and transformed into a small crocodile, immediately burrowing into the sand. So, the guards didn''t need to pass through the grand doors. Perhaps they weren''t even truly human. The creature disappeared for about three minutes, during which Ana?s fidgeted nervously, kicking at the sand with her sandal. She wasn''t sure what she hoped to achieve by calling on the god, but she didn''t want to remain alone in the desert expanse of the Necropolis. She might as well leverage her privileges, given that it was because of Anubis that she found herself in this situation in the first place. The crocodile reappeared in the same spot, its snout emerging from the sand and its legs clawing at the grains to the surface. Once it was free from the ground, it transformed back into its half-human, half-animal form.

    "The god Sobek has been informed," it announced gravely before resuming its motionless stance.

    All she could do now was wait and hope that he would come to meet her as she had requested. Unsure of how long she would have to wait¡ªor if he would come at all¡ªthe young woman sat as comfortably as she could in the gray sand.

    When the door finally opened to reveal the crocodile god, Ana?s was busy gathering grains of sand to toss endlessly a few meters away to occupy her mind. She had been waiting for about forty minutes, growing increasingly anxious that he wouldn''t come.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    "What a surprise!" he exclaimed, dramatically raising his arms to welcome her like a diva. "I didn''t expect to see you so soon. I suppose their quest didn''t go well."

    "''Didn''t go well'' is an understatement!" she replied, standing up, relieved to see the deity. "One moment I was crawling on the ground, the next I had a sword piercing my heart!"

    "Come, tell me all about it while I take you to your waiting chamber," he invited, indicating the corridor behind him.

    "My waiting chamber? What''s that?" Ana?s asked as she followed Sobek through the maze of wooden doors.

    "Each soul awaiting its weighing is assigned a room where all the belongings buried with their body are stored. Some weighings can take a long time, and it happens that many deceased arrive simultaneously. It would be chaotic to let them wander around the Kheret-Nedjer."

    "Especially since it''s not the most welcoming place in the world," the young human commented wryly.

    Ana?s spent the next five minutes recounting what had happened in the world of the living and the exact way she had met her death until they arrived at a door with a small plaque containing some hieroglyphs. She couldn''t decipher it, but something told her it was indeed her room. When she opened the door, she found a small room with a simple but seemingly comfortable bed, an armchair, a small table, and a window without glass that offered a view of the Necropolis desert. On the table were a pitcher of water, a cup, and a bowl containing some fruit. When her eyes fell on the clear liquid, she suddenly felt parched.

    "I''ll try to expedite the time of your weighing. Normally, you''d have to pay to cut the line but given your unusual circumstances... Between your arrival here as a living being and your death caused by a god, you''re quite an exceptional case."

    "Anubis and Isis haven''t returned yet?" she suddenly inquired after taking a few sips of water.

    "No, at least I haven''t been informed of it. I think Anubis would have come to find you otherwise," he affirmed teasingly.

    Ana?s rolled her eyes, prompting Sobek to smile. She suspected he was right, but she also knew he shared that last remark just to taunt her.

    "I''ll keep you updated, alright?"

    The young woman nodded before the crocodile god disappeared, closing the door behind her, and leaving her alone in her waiting room devoid of any belongings. Of course, she had died in an era where she possessed absolutely nothing besides the clothes she wore, and they technically weren''t even hers.

    Poor even in death... she thought sarcastically.

    It was difficult to estimate how much time had passed when Ana?s finally heard someone knock on her door. Since there was no sun per se and no clock in the room, it was impossible to know exactly how many hours she had waited. She would have guessed about three, but the time had felt so long that it could have been less. She had spent it lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and contemplating her life to try and guess the outcome of the weighing. As time passed, her nervousness only increased, reaching its peak when the door opened.

    "Anubis has returned, he''s waiting for you at your weighing," Sobek immediately announced, giving her a hurried look. "I don''t understand everything, but something unusual is happening. Come."

    Ana?s stood up without hesitation and followed the crocodile god through the endless corridor. A strong urge to bite her nails gnawed at her, but she fought with all her might not to fall back into her bad habit from adolescence. Would her circumstances prevent her from accessing the Egyptian paradise? A multitude of questions raced through her mind. A storm of anxiety raged in her head.

    "Do you know what''s going on?" she finally asked Sobek, unable to hold her tongue any longer.

    He looked at the young woman and grimaced, which was a clear answer regarding his lack of information.

    "Anubis barged in while I was negotiating with the secretary. I suppose he had just returned from the world of the living since he was... a bit battered. When I told him I was there for you, he asked me to wait and said he needed to speak with Thoth about you. It seemed urgent, so I didn''t say anything, but I ended up waiting at least two hours," he complained, sighing.

    "Who exactly is Thoth?" she asked, her voice trembling.

    "The god of scribes, science, and wisdom," Sobek explained. "Probably the most powerful magician among all the deities. In Osiris''s absence, he presides over the Tribunal of the Dead in complicated cases or special circumstances. Normally, his scribes handle recording the result of the weighing, but if Anubis called on him... it means he has something in mind."

    The last few minutes of their journey took place in almost oppressive silence. Finally, they arrived in front of the two wooden doors guarded by men with serpents and bulls heads. This time, they would not take the door with the wheat stalk, but the one representing the Scales of Justice. The two serpent-headed guards opened the door before they reached it, and an opaque black veil greeted Ana?s. She couldn''t see the Judgment Hall from the outside, making the passage particularly terrifying. However, seeing Sobek''s lack of hesitation, she took a deep breath and decided to go through it. It wasn''t as if she had a choice; the weighing was a necessary step to determine her future.

 Chapter 13

    When she reappeared on the other side, her elegant dress and colorful jewelry had disappeared, replaced by a simple beige toga. Even her sandals had vanished, leaving her barefoot on the hot stone floor of the Judgment Hall. In the center of the room stood the enormous scale with its two intimidating plates. On one plate rested the feather of Ma''at, embodying divine Truth. On the other, her heart would be placed in a few moments and examined in every detail. To her left, a dais of judges with animal heads watched her advance into the Tribunal in dead silence. To her right were Thoth and Anubis, whose gaze had not left her since she had burst into the room. She locked eyes with him before quickly examining his body to check his condition. He wore the same clothes as that morning, except now they were stained with blood and dirt, but he stood tall and did not appear to be in pain. A small sense of relief washed over her, slightly relaxing her tense muscles.

    "I can''t stay, good luck," announced Sobek, leaving her alone in the middle of the room.

    In front of the Divine Scale, a small elevated square platform with a bronze bar was designated for the soul about to be judged. Anubis gestured for her to take her place there, and she complied silently. When she positioned herself, Thoth''s piercing gaze fell upon her silhouette, and he finally spoke, marking the beginning of the Judgment:

    "Ana?s Beauvent," he declared in a loud, almost intimidating voice. "Your soul will now be weighed and your conscience judged. If your mortal heart does not perfectly balance with the feather of Ma''at, Ammut the Great Devourer will devour your soul or condemn it to wander as an evil spirit. If your soul is pure, you will be permitted to enter the Sekhet Hetep. The judges present will discuss the deeds of your passage in the world of the living and evaluate them."

    A glance at Ammut was enough to make her choose to ignore the hybrid creature. The chimera was terrifying, with the head of a crocodile, the mane and body of a lion up to its waist, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. Clearly, it was not an enviable fate, and its vision inspired a deep-seated fear in the deceased. An individual with a jackal head, like Anubis, suddenly appeared behind the god Thoth, holding a human heart delicately between his two palms as if to present it for all to see. He placed it on the left plate, opposite the feather. At first, the two plates were perfectly balanced, but as the judges began to debate her deeds in the world of the living, the balance slowly oscillated in one direction or the other depending on the subject of their discussion.

    Hearing individuals judge every event of her life was highly stressful, especially when she was occasionally asked to comment on certain actions or justify herself. Everything was discussed, although some subjects were barely mentioned, like the time she lent her calculator to her best friend even though she needed it for a test, or when she took the blame for a girl who was mortified after breaking one of the orphanage windows and got punished by Madame Hammer. The kindness she had shown in her life was hardly debated as her actions spoke for themselves. No, the debate focused more on the less glorious moments of her existence: her numerous pranks that had annoyed the adults at the orphanage, or the few times she had been mean and vindictive towards some girls when they decided to bully her and her best friend or the younger ones. Her intentions were scrutinized, and she was asked to defend herself whenever there was a doubt. These accusations certainly made her nervous, but there was one point she particularly dreaded, and she knew she would not escape its mention forever...

    "Let¡¯s discuss the death of your parents," exclaimed a judge with the head of a serpent.

    Ana?s¡¯s face turned ashen. It was a moment in her life she didn¡¯t want to remember.

    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    "Your parents died in a traffic accident," the same individual continued, "and you hold yourself responsible for their death, don¡¯t you?"

    Their ability to overlook the details of an era they didn¡¯t know was beyond her. They were utterly impervious to what they seemed to see in her life and to all the technology they were unaware of in their current time. Yet, Ana?s¡¯s mind was doing the exact same thing, choosing to ignore the question they had just asked her. Maybe if she remained silent, they would move on to something else. The scale holding her heart, which was starting to weigh heavier than Ma¡¯at¡¯s feather, indicated otherwise. If she didn¡¯t want to end up devoured, she had to dive back into her memories.

    "We were supposed to go to a corporate dinner for my father¡¯s company, but I didn¡¯t want to go because one of my favorite movies was on TV that night... I was sometimes... a turbulent child. I exploded in anger that night. We ended up leaving an hour late... My father drove fast, well over the speed limit, despite the heavy rain that day. At one point, he tried to overtake a truck, but there was a bend just a few meters ahead... Between the rain, the night, and the headlights of the cars, he lost control and the car went down the ravine."

    The doctors had assured her that it was almost a miracle she had come out without any lasting injuries, unlike her father who had died instantly, and her mother who had succumbed to her injuries a few hours later at the hospital. Ana?s had only sustained a few more or less superficial cuts and a leg and arm in a cast for several weeks. Her body had healed quickly, but her mind was forever scarred by their death and the guilt she felt when she thought back to the event. Gradually, her brain had locked the memory away in a corner of her mind so she would stop torturing herself with the thought that if she hadn¡¯t acted like a child that night, they would have left on time and none of this would have happened. If she hadn¡¯t been an explosive and capricious kid, maybe her parents would still be alive.

    "It¡¯s not your fault," declared Anubis, locking eyes with the tearful Ana?s. "You were just a child. The rain, the lights, the delay¡ªit was a series of unfortunate circumstances. You are not responsible for their accident."

    The jackal god¡¯s declaration stirred something in Ana?s, just as it did every time someone told her it wasn¡¯t her fault. It wasn¡¯t the first time she had heard these words: the social worker, her psychologist, some of the orphanage¡¯s caretakers, and even Lisa had tried to convince her. Each time, the emotion overwhelmed her. Each time, her mind understood their arguments and she could even accept what they were saying. Yet, it didn¡¯t change the pain she felt at the thought that she had lost what was most dear to her in an instant. Her life had never been the same after the incident. She wasn¡¯t unhappy, but her parents¡¯ death loomed in her mind like a malevolent shadow, ready to extend its crooked fingers over her mental health the second she stopped fighting.

    "I know, but I miss them¡­" she murmured, wiping her tears away with her palm and hiding her eyes.

    If paradise existed, if their souls had been judged as hers was now¡­ maybe she could see them again now that she was dead too. She longed to ask the question to anyone who would listen, but she knew it wasn¡¯t the right time. For now, it was her soul and her future in the afterlife that were at stake. Her parents would have to wait. She had eternity to find them.

    When she finally opened her eyes again, her gaze fell on the balance, which had rendered its verdict. Her heart was in perfect balance with Ma¡¯at¡¯s feather. A final sob shook her shoulders as a wave of relief washed over her body. It was over; she no longer needed to dwell on those horrible memories, and she had earned her place in the Egyptian paradise. Here, she could have a peaceful life, like all those Blessed Ones she had seen with Anubis. She wouldn¡¯t have to scrub toilets or worry about ending up on the streets, and she could just¡­ live her life, maybe even make friends among the other deceased souls. And her parents¡­ maybe she could see them again.

    Judging by the way the jackal god¡¯s shoulders relaxed, he had feared the outcome of the weighing as much as she had. Yet, his demeanor remained urgent, and his gaze focused.

    Is he worried about me¡­ or does he have something else on his mind? Sobek did say there were exceptional circumstances¡­ she suddenly pondered, scrutinizing Anubis to try and figure him out.

 Chapter 14

    "Your soul has been judged, Ana?s Beauvent," Thoth declared. "The goddess of Justice and Truth has rendered her verdict. Your heart is pure; you are permitted to enter the Sekhet Hetep as one of the Blessed."

    "Come," Anubis instructed, indicating a wooden door behind the two deities.

    The doorframe was golden, covered in colorful hieroglyphs she couldn¡¯t understand. Logically, Ana?s assumed this door led to the Field of Offerings, but when he opened the door and she followed him through, she found it was actually a large office. Numerous shelves stretched up to the ceiling, filled with countless rolled manuscripts. Two wicker chairs were arranged around a low table cluttered with more papyrus, and a massive wooden desk, which, unlike the rest of the overloaded and cluttered room, was completely bare except for a writing mat, a sheet of blank paper, and a quill with a bottle of black ink.

    "Sit," Anubis instructed as Thoth entered the room behind them, closing the door.

    Thoth moved to the desk, evidently the owner of this room, and settled into his chair, picking up his quill to scribble a few words on the papyrus before him. Anubis remained silent, not wanting to disturb him in his important task. Ana?s imitated him, unsure why she was there. Shouldn''t she be joining paradise?

    "The verdict of the weighing has been officially recorded. Now, you can explain to this young woman why you think it¡¯s in her best interest to become an Akh. She must accept her fate willingly, not under duress."

    What is this now...

    "What is an Akh?" Ana?s finally asked, breaking the silence as Anubis pondered how to explain the situation to her. "And what happened in the world of the living? Maybe we could start from the beginning since I died because of your ''quest.''"

    The jackal god hesitated, visibly uncomfortable. Finally, he took a deep breath, sitting in the chair beside her, and looked firmly into her eyes.

    "My mother and I managed to drive Seth away while Nephthys watched over your body to ensure the remaining soldiers didn¡¯t try to seize the amulet. That¡¯s when she noticed you still had a pulse and your heart was still beating. At first, we thought you were merely unconscious, but we quickly realized something abnormal was happening, especially when I saw the state of the amulet."

    "It broke because of the sword, I remember," Ana?s interjected, not seeing how this was a decisive element in the story.

    "The magic sealed within the amulet has taken refuge in your corpse. Your body is still alive, but your soul has entered the Duat."

    "How is that possible? And what does it mean?"

    Anubis turned his head to silently ask Thoth to explain the workings of the magical object since he was its creator. The god leaned back in his chair, settling comfortably with his arms crossed. His piercing eyes fell upon her silhouette. His gaze, brimming with intelligence, remained as intimidating as ever. It was evident just by looking at him that he was a great magician and a man of extreme wisdom.

    "The ankh holds a particular magical significance. It represents the cross of life, the breath of vitality. I chose this amulet specifically to infuse renewed energy into all the pieces of Osiris that Anubis and his mother would find. I bound a detection spell to it that specifically targets the essence of Osiris, making the falsification of signals impossible. When the magical object broke at the moment of your death, the magic within the jewel likely saw your body as a potential host for the detection spell, and the ankh probably acted on this principle to keep your physical form alive despite your soul''s absence."

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    A few seconds of silence filled the room as Ana?s processed all the information Thoth had given her.

    "So, to summarize... My body has become an empty shell and a walking detector?" she asked, somewhat stunned by these revelations, looking back and forth between the two gods.

    "Yes," they both answered simultaneously.

    "I still don''t understand what you want from me," she said, slightly irritated, to Anubis.

    "Akhou are higher spiritual beings, halfway between humans and gods. This means you can use magic, or at least part of your essence is magical. Your power won''t equal that of a deity, but it grants you the ability to travel between the two worlds."

    ''Yer a witch, Ana?s,'' she laughed inwardly, thinking of one of her favorite childhood sagas.

    Anubis had just offered her a ticket to the adventure of a lifetime. Who wouldn''t dream of having magical powers? There was no doubt about her answer; she would obviously accept. The Egyptian paradise seemed idyllic, and she probably would have been happy there, but it was nothing compared to what was being offered to her. She had always dreamed of this kind of life, far from the monotony of a simple mortal''s daily routine. It was a unique opportunity that would never come again.

    "Before you give me your answer, I must also tell you that the responsibility of our quest will fall on you since you will inherit the magical properties of the amulet. You saw it yourself this very morning; the mission is dangerous, and if you die again, your soul will vanish into nothingness this time. The soul of a god is immortal, but that of an Akh is fragile. Magic is not innate for them; it can be destructive."

    "¨CI already offered to accompany you," she affirmed without any hesitation. "Of course, I will accept."

    "Are you sure? There will be no turning back."

    "One hundred percent."

    "Then let¡¯s not waste any time," Anubis exclaimed, standing up.

    After a final glance at Thoth, who nodded to say goodbye and encourage her, Ana?s followed the jackal-headed god. They passed through the Hall of Judgment, which was empty as they left, then down the gray corridor, and finally across the vast desert expanse of the Necropolis. The few souls they encountered looked at Anubis with respect and Ana?s with curiosity sometimes tinged with jealousy. It wasn''t every day that a human had the chance to be so closely associated with the gods, let alone approach their status by gaining magical powers. A proud smile appeared on her lips at this thought.

    This time, when her soul crossed the portal to return to the world of the living, she didn''t lose consciousness. She could move freely within the tomb, but when she tried to touch the walls or bring her hand near the flame of a torch, she found she couldn''t touch anything. She was there without truly being present in the physical sense. This shattered all her ghost theories if she couldn''t interact with anything. Perhaps it was reserved for malevolent spirits. Or maybe it was because she wasn''t supposed to be in this dimension. The Blessed Ones went to the Field of Offerings and never left for the rest of their eternal life.

    Still having the ability to die for real isn''t a bad thing. Eternity seems awfully long...

    "You can re-enter your body now," Anubis announced, pointing to her corpse lying on the ground in one of the rooms adjacent to the portal.

    Isis and Nephthys stood up as they saw the god arrive, their faces full of hope. He nodded silently, just enough to confirm that Ana?s had accepted her role. They both sighed in relief and watched her approach her corpse with encouraging smiles. Her soul couldn''t interact with her environment, but the gods could see her moving in this dimension, unlike humans.

    Step by step, Ana?s moved toward the lifeless form of her body. She would be lying if she said she wasn¡¯t a little nervous, but there was also excitement at the thought of the wonderful adventure about to begin and being able to use magic soon. Her hands trembled, and her heart leaped with anticipation. When she was just a few centimeters from her flesh, she bent down, and her soul was immediately drawn into her physical body.

    A second later, her eyelids lifted, and a smile spread across her lips as she felt new waves of energy coursing through her body. It was as if she could feel the magic flowing through her veins. As if this new energy was an integral part of her being.

    Ana?s had been reborn.

 Chapter 15

    "Let¡¯s head back to Imentet; there¡¯s no point in continuing the search today," announced Isis, brushing off her robe. "We need to secure the heart anyway. We¡¯ll see what to do next tomorrow."

    Anubis nodded in agreement with his mother. Ana?s also approved of the plan, as she could certainly use a few hours to recover from everything that had happened. She was no longer in pain, and her body seemed to have miraculously healed, although she could feel a slight tugging sensation, like a scar, near her heart. However, her nerves had been severely tested between her death, judgment, and reincarnation. The new energy coursing through her body balanced out her mental exhaustion, but she clearly didn¡¯t feel ready to discover new things or flee or fight.

    "I¡¯m unsure if I should come with you or return to my husband..." Nephthys hesitated, visibly agitated.

    "Seth will kill you this time if you go back," Isis reasoned with her.

    "But I won¡¯t be safe in our villa either," she continued, nervously fidgeting with her fingers. "He¡¯ll be able to monitor my every move."

    "I have plenty of spare rooms in my home," Isis offered in a gentle voice. "That goes for you too, Ana?s."

    "No, thank you," the young human declined without even thinking. "I really liked the room I slept in last night."

    Isis¡¯s wide eyes indicated that this wasn¡¯t the response she had expected, but the goddess chose not to comment and accepted her choice, despite her disapproving look. When Ana?s turned to Anubis, she saw him stifling a laugh, only to stop abruptly with a grimace, one hand clutching the spot where a bloodstain marked his shirt, near his lower back. So it was indeed his blood staining his clothes, which meant he was injured. His mother¡¯s sharp eyes didn¡¯t miss the gesture either, and she hurried them along toward the portal, concerned for her son.

    The journey through the Necropolis to the city of Imentet passed in almost oppressive silence, especially for Ana?s, who felt particularly scrutinized. Only Nephthys seemed oblivious to her presence, completely lost in thought as she followed the other two deities absentmindedly. Ana?s could feel Isis¡¯s gaze on her from time to time, watching her movements and reactions, as if assessing her.

    To make matters worse, Anubis kept glancing at her, to which she responded by staring at the spot of his injury. What exactly was his mother worried about? The jackal-headed god didn¡¯t seem like the type to get distracted from his task, let alone chase after a girl.

    As for Ana?s... She couldn¡¯t deny that she tended to be forward, but she fully understood that the fate of Egypt now rested on her shoulders as well. Anubis was no longer just a handsome man or an intriguing deity; he had literally become her teammate, her quest partner. Nevertheless, it was only natural for a friendship to develop between the pair, given the amount of time they would be spending together in the coming days.

    "Come have dinner at my home tonight," Isis invited in a tone that was firm but relatively gentle as they entered the city. "We¡¯ll decide on the next steps for the search."

    "Seven o''clock?" Anubis asked, accepting the invitation.

    "Yes."

    A few minutes later, they finally parted ways, leaving Ana?s and Anubis alone. A sigh of relief escaped the young woman¡¯s lips as she was finally free from the goddess¡¯s inquisitive gaze. Her mental fatigue was too advanced to face her all day. Spending a few hours in her presence for tonight¡¯s dinner seemed sufficient. Maybe she would allow herself a short nap in the afternoon to recharge.

    "What are you waiting for to treat your wound?" she finally asked as they made their way to the villa.

    "I bandaged the wound before the weighing, but it needs stitches. It wasn¡¯t urgent, a servant will take care of it once we arrive."

    "What happened with Seth?"

    No one had yet told her in detail how the encounter had unfolded after she had lost consciousness. The two women hadn¡¯t been injured, but Anubis had, which meant he had fought the evil god or at least his guards.

    "He let us go when he saw that the amulet was broken and that we had killed some of his guards. He figured that was enough not to dirty his hands. He doesn¡¯t know that the amulet¡¯s magical properties have transferred to your body, and that¡¯s for the best. It gives us a significant advantage."

    Ana?s had become the trump card for the two gods, their little secret weapon. She hadn¡¯t yet been able to experiment with the amulet¡¯s powers, but she was eager to see what she was capable of. Some might have felt crushed by these new responsibilities, but Ana?s wasn¡¯t the type to be weighed down by such concerns. On the contrary, she might even be accused of not taking the situation seriously enough. Her adventure-thirsty mind didn¡¯t fully grasp that other lives were at stake, including her own. If the mission went smoothly and without hitches, there was no reason to worry, right? It wasn¡¯t like their quest had already started to face unforeseen challenges, like her death, for example. No, that was just a detail.

    She could have sworn the two statues guarding the entrance to the jackal god¡¯s property were watching her. Perhaps they weren¡¯t just inanimate objects. Perhaps they were guards in disguise, keeping a close eye on the estate. Or maybe she was just becoming paranoid, which was also a possibility after everything that had happened recently.

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Anubis headed straight to the living room and sat down on the couch, visibly relieved to be able to sit. He snapped his fingers to summon a servant, even though they were alone in the villa. She couldn¡¯t fathom how these beings, who seemed barely alive, could move around the space. She was starting to believe they were just magical manifestations, not sentient beings.

    Ana?s approached the deity as he was removing his shirt to tend to his wound. Her gaze lingered for a moment on his well-defined and slightly muscular chest, a direct testament to his ability to fight, before sliding down to the injury.

    "You call that ¡®bandaged¡¯? You just used a piece of cloth to press on it. No wonder it still hurts," she remarked as she watched him remove his makeshift bandage with a grimace.

    At that moment, a servant dressed in a simple loincloth and bearing the head of a jackal appeared at the entrance of the living room, carrying a tray with a bowl of warm water, clean towels, a needle, and materials for a proper bandage. Before he could even set the tools down, Ana?s grabbed a towel, dipped it into the water, and knelt beside Anubis, determined to handle this part of the care herself. The servant did not protest and remained still a few feet behind her, holding the tray. Anubis, initially surprised by her gesture, eventually allowed her to proceed, placing his hands on the couch behind him to position his wound in a way that made it easier for his impromptu nurse to work.

    "I thought you would hate me after being responsible for your death," he said, watching her clean the skin around the wound.

    "Why would I hate you for the best thing that¡¯s ever happened in my life?"

    "This isn¡¯t a game, you know," he replied calmly, not wanting her to be flippant about his comment.

    "I know, I know," she complained dramatically, "with great power comes great responsibility."

    Anubis raised an eyebrow, impressed though he maintained a skeptical expression.

    "What? Are my wise words surprising you?" she laughed.

    "A little," he admitted with a smile.

    If only he knew where that phrase came from¡­ He¡¯d never take me seriously again, she thought, chuckling.

    "If you feel guilty, you can make it up to me by answering a question," she continued, feeling that the moment was finally right to broach the topic.

    "Of course, I¡¯m listening."

    "Where are my parents¡¯ souls? Will I be able to see them now that I have powers?" she asked, her eyes shining with hope.

    An optimism that Anubis quickly dashed with a regretful look.

    "I don¡¯t know, but unless they deliberately chose the Duat as their final resting place, they aren¡¯t here. Based on what you¡¯ve told me, that seems unlikely. Even if you knew which paradise they chose, you still wouldn¡¯t have the right to go there. We don¡¯t intermingle with the gods of other pantheons. I¡¯m sorry."

    A sigh escaped her lips in response. She was disappointed, of course, but she had expected this type of answer. It would have been too good to be true otherwise. And it wasn¡¯t as if she had already resigned herself to never seeing them again. She had held onto a sliver of hope for a brief moment, but it wasn¡¯t meant to be. She would bury it alongside her memories.

    Accepting her fate, she stood up to grab another towel, dipping it into the warm water to finish cleaning the god¡¯s wound. It was still bleeding slightly, but she had at least managed to clean the area around it. Modern medicine would say this wasn¡¯t enough to prevent an infection, but her patient was a deity, after all. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t susceptible to such inconveniences.

    Anubis spent the next few seconds silently watching Ana?s as she carefully tended to his wound. The closer she got to the injury, the gentler her movements became, trying not to cause him any pain. Once she deemed the wound clean enough, she stepped aside to let the servant take over and stitch up his master¡¯s skin.

    At that moment, Sobek made a grand entrance into the living room, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he observed the pair. It was clear to Ana?s that he hadn¡¯t missed the intimate moment between them. His almost arrogant smirk suggested that he knew exactly what might happen in the not-so-distant future. She rolled her eyes, mimicking his smile, completely unbothered by his assumptions. Anubis, oblivious to the exchange, only noticed his friend¡¯s presence when Sobek greeted them loudly.

    "You¡¯re not leaving before tomorrow morning, I assume?" Sobek called out as he settled onto a nearby couch. Anubis nodded to confirm his guess. "Then it¡¯s the perfect chance to show Ana?s the Dakhleh Oasis, isn¡¯t it? I suspect you won¡¯t be spending much time in Imentet if I¡¯ve understood the situation correctly."

    "Why not," Anubis agreed after a moment¡¯s thought, "but I need to clean up first, and we should eat something before we go."

    "Perfect, that¡¯ll give Ana?s a chance to tell me how her elevation to Akh went."

    As Sobek shared an amusing story about one of his past parties, the servant finished suturing Anubis¡¯s wound. Unsurprisingly, the god of the Nile¡¯s tales of nighttime revelry weren¡¯t all that different from modern times when alcohol was involved. When the stitches were done, Anubis stood up, instructing the servant to bring bandages and ointment to the bathroom so he could finish cleaning up. As soon as Anubis left the room, Ana?s took his place on the couch with a sigh, ready to recount the events from her death to her resurrection. Sobek listened intently as if he were watching a dramatic TV show, seeming to enjoy the unfolding drama in the lives of the two companions a bit too much.

    "I wonder what kind of magic I¡¯m capable of now... I can feel it¡¯s a part of me, but I don¡¯t know how to use this energy."

    "When you need it, your body will handle it instinctively. Magic is like an extension of yourself. You¡¯ll know how to use it," Sobek reassured her.

    "It¡¯s just a shame that I¡¯m not free to move as I please," she concluded before Anubis returned.

    Though she technically had the right to move between the two worlds, the fact that her body now housed the amulet¡¯s detection properties meant she couldn¡¯t escape the watchful eyes of Osiris¡¯s followers. She had traded her freedom for a magical status. In her eyes, it was a fair exchange, especially since they would leave her alone once all the pieces were in their possession, right? And after all, there were worse fates than spending time in the company of a mysterious and handsome man. And his somewhat overprotective mother.

    "I asked the servants to grill some meat and vegetables before I cleaned up," Anubis announced as he sat down with them. "The meal should be ready soon."

    Indeed, a few minutes later, two more servants with jackal heads appeared from the hallway, placing dishes of fire-grilled food, plates, and gold-plated cutlery on the chest serving as a coffee table. The vegetables were tender and grilled to perfection, and the meat, which she assumed was beef, was melt-in-your-mouth tender¡ªa true delight for Ana?s, who hadn¡¯t had a hot meal in nearly two days. The hearty food provided as much energy as it did fatigue, as her stomach filled and her muscles relaxed significantly. After sampling a bit of everything, she decided to stop eating to avoid succumbing too soon to the call of a nap, especially since they would be leaving shortly for the Dakhleh Oasis.

    Wait, am I going to have to swim in this simple white dress? Did Sobek plan this so they could sneak a peek? Ana?s suddenly thought, narrowing her eyes at the crocodile god, who completely ignored her accusatory glare. Suspicious.

 Chapter 16

    The trio walked for about forty minutes before Ana?s finally spotted the city''s edge. She hadn¡¯t noticed the time passing since Sobek, true to himself, had filled the journey by recounting his misadventures and encouraging Ana?s to share some of her festive experiences in return. She had tried to avoid the most embarrassing ones, which always involved consuming too much alcohol. Still, the crocodile god was very persuasive and eventually got her to spill the beans, much to the amusement of Anubis, who maintained his mocking little smirk throughout the trip. She already knew he would use this information against her to tease her one day. The idea didn¡¯t entirely displease her, since something told her that he wasn¡¯t trying to harm her. It was a form of camaraderie, and, more importantly, a sign of his interest in her.

    Spare the rod, spoil the child, she chuckled inwardly. Too bad he doesn¡¯t provide any ammunition against him; don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s never done anything embarrassing...

    Indeed, Anubis spent most of his time listening to the pair¡¯s conversation, occasionally commenting on certain topics to share his opinion, but he shared very few personal memories and experiences. Yet, judging by Isis¡¯s evident affection for her adoptive son, he seemed to have had a relatively calm and violence-free childhood. It made one wonder how he ended up so serious and introverted. Perhaps he harbored dark secrets...

    As they made their way through the lively streets of the city, Ana?s experienced for the first time the sensation of being a celebrity. She wasn¡¯t na?ve¡ªno one knew who she really was¡ªbut the Blessed seemed to have judged her as a woman of high-status thanks to the presence of the two gods beside her, despite her simple dress and lack of jewelry. She had only put on a pair of sandals to avoid injuring her feet, which were not used to walking barefoot. Her appearance was more reminiscent of a poor girl in rags than a superior soul, but apparently, no one here was shocked by her style of dress. She was greeted with the same respect as the two deities; she received approving nods or gentle smiles, always with a curious glint in their eyes, but it never turned to contempt or hostility. In the first few minutes, the way the city¡¯s inhabitants accepted her without even knowing her stirred something within her. When she began to get used to the feeling, she allowed herself to respond and greet them back with a shy smile. She might as well enjoy it, as her instincts told her she would quickly adapt to this being her new normal.

    Note to self: Don¡¯t forget that I¡¯m not quite human anymore.

    There were cereal fields all around the city, and the land was then divided into areas of pasture, desert, and scattered forests further away. On this side of the city, the edge was desert-like, and the climate was slightly warmer than at Anubis¡¯s villa. The houses gave way to a stretch of empty sand several meters wide until they reached the Dakhleh Oasis, which was like a postcard paradise. The place was quite intimate, with the oasis being the size of a small pond. The water was turquoise and perfectly reflected the sun¡¯s rays. There were trees, cacti, and bushes all around, the vegetation triumphing over the desert sand thanks to the water resource. Behind the oasis, a small cliff surrounded it in a semi-circle, and Ana?s could see adults using it as a comfortable spot to sunbathe while keeping an eye on the children and teenagers playing in the water below. The rock and tall trees provided shaded areas appreciated by those who could no longer bear the gentle warmth of the sun. Here, it was never harsh, but not everyone enjoyed the sharp, constant brightness.

    "The children... what happens to them here?" Ana?s suddenly inquired, the scene having raised many questions in her mind. "Do we age in the Afterlife?"

    "You''re asking these questions now?" Sobek chuckled. "Usually, humans are curious about how the Duat works the second they set foot here. They''ve heard about it all their lives and want to know if everything they''ve been taught is true..."

    "Humans from her time have forgotten us," Anubis reminded him, defending the young woman. "It''s not surprising that she knows nothing about the Duat. The soul of the Blessed materializes here in its most optimal human form, according to the individual''s perception. That means some regain the face of their young adulthood, while others continue to age because they believe they haven''t yet reached their full potential. For children, it''s a bit more complicated. They grow here until a certain age, then they decide for themselves. Appearance isn''t something fixed in the Afterlife; think of it more as a direct reflection of the soul."

    "But souls can''t die, right? The Blessed spend eternity here," she asked as they approached the Oasis.

    "Pain exists, but not death," Sobek interjected. "Some Blessed can no longer bear the idea of spiritual immortality and choose to exile themselves."

    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "What happens to them then? Do they become evil beings?" Ana?s continued, her curiosity knowing no bounds.

    "They reincarnate on Earth," Anubis resumed in a neutral tone, "but their right of access to the Field of Offerings is revoked forever."

    So, there was a way to leave this paradise, although it would forever close its doors. That was good information to know. Despite the evident happiness and tranquility of the city''s inhabitants, Ana?s could easily imagine that eternity might become burdensome. Life on Earth certainly had its flaws, but the idea that nothing was permanent since death could take everything away gave an undeniable richness to all living experiences. Did happiness have the same intensity when it was impossible to go through periods of sorrow? Or was it just Ana?s''s mind still thinking too much about human concepts?

    "Don''t worry, you have eternity to learn how everything works here," Sobek teased, placing his hand on her shoulder.

    "Great," she grumbled playfully.

    Her questions were quickly forgotten when they finally arrived in front of the clear water. The place was simply paradisiacal, even with the few dozen strangers who were also enjoying the location. The younger ones didn''t pay attention to the new arrivals, but the adults immediately recognized the two gods and instructed their children to behave or even leave the area. The deities were treated with such respect that some of the Blessed preferred to leave so that their presence wouldn¡¯t disturb them. When the trio sat in the sand, not far from the water, only six individuals remained, still enjoying the sun, either lying down or sitting on the warm rock.

    Ana?s immediately removed her sandals to bury her feet in the fine desert grains, enjoying the sensation against her skin. She sighed in contentment, her eyes sweeping across the landscape and the stretch of water before her. It wasn¡¯t very deep and would probably only reach her waist when she stepped in, but just looking at its surface reflecting the green of the few trees surrounding the Oasis had a truly calming effect on her nerves. Sobek mimicked her, unbuttoning his linen shirt to reveal a firm and muscular chest. Anubis, more modest than the extroverted God, simply removed his own shoes.

    "The Dakhleh Oasis is known for soothing the soul¡¯s torments and bringing peace to the Blessed affected by mood swings," Sobek explained, burying his hands in the sand behind his back. "I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s true and if it actually has magical properties, but its effect is real."

    "Placebo or not, it works for me," Ana?s confirmed with a smile.

    "You should go for a swim, it¡¯ll be even more effective if you ask me," he chuckled amusedly, glancing at her dress.

    "Ha ha, very funny. I knew you had planned this all along!"

    "Planned what?" Anubis finally asked, not understanding the true meaning of their conversation, too absorbed in his own thoughts.

    "Nothing!" they exclaimed at the same time, Ana?s annoyed and Sobek in a teasing tone.

    He¡¯s going to be disappointed if he thinks I won¡¯t rise to the challenge. If he wants to play, let¡¯s play.

    A mischievous smile aimed at Sobek appeared on her lips as she stood up and walked toward the oasis. She stepped into the first few dozen centimeters of water simply by walking, then dived headfirst when it was deep enough, hands forward to break the surface. She swam a few meters in the middle of the small pond, holding her breath the entire time, then stopped when her sense of direction told her she was facing the two gods. With a leap, she rose out of the water, her head forward so her hair hung down and she could toss it back in a shampoo commercial-worthy effect. To accentuate her little show, she sensually ran her fingers through her hair to slick it back, which caused the wet fabric of her dress to cling to her skin. The two gods could clearly see her silhouette and every curve, down to her nipples, pointed by the friction. Anubis noticed the detail, discreetly averting his eyes, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. Ana?s couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter at his reaction and ended up letting herself fall backward to float on the surface, her body still shaking with laughter. She closed her eyes, enjoying the serenity that filled her at that moment. The calm before the storm, she had no doubt.

    Sobek joined her in the water a few minutes later and mimicked her by floating on his back. Anubis watched them from a distance, his wound too fresh for wading to be comfortable. They enjoyed the oasis for about two hours, alternating between swimming and resting on the shore. The jackal-headed god tried his best not to glance at Ana?s¡¯s transparent silhouette, who took wicked pleasure in pretending to be innocent, supported by an amused Sobek. Gradually, the Blessed from the cliff had left the area, leaving the trio alone. No one had dared to disturb the gods¡¯ tranquility. Ana?s didn¡¯t complain; she appreciated the calm it offered them. These moments were going to be rare, she had no doubt.

    When the sun was relatively high in the sky, Anubis called out to them.

    "We should start heading back to Imentet," he suggested, putting on his sandals. "It¡¯s almost time to meet with my mother."

    The tension that had left Ana?s''s body during their visit to the Dakhleh Oasis reappeared at the mention of the goddess. She sighed but put on her shoes anyway, without much conviction. Between Isis glaring at her at every opportunity or interaction with her son, and Nepthys outright ignoring her, she had doubts about how well dinner would go. Of course, no one would openly attack or disrespect her, but that wouldn¡¯t prevent the atmosphere from being tense.

    We¡¯re going to have to accept each other and make peace if we¡¯re going to work together on their quest... Ana?s concluded, already annoyed at the thought that it would mostly be up to her to show good faith.

 Chapter 17

    Sobek had left them on the way back as Anubis and Ana?s headed toward the jackal god''s villa. They needed to get ready and change before heading to his mother''s residence. At least, it was mostly the brunette who desperately needed it. Her dress had dried quickly, but the fabric was wrinkled and almost dirty from the sand, and her hair was terribly tangled after her adventures in the oasis. Not only was her outfit lacking the elegance of what she wore before her death, but she also looked quite messy.

    "Wait for me in your room, I¡¯ll try to find something for you to change into," Anubis announced as he left her in the hallway.

    Ana?s entered the room where she had slept the night before and went to the vanity she had spotted the day before but hadn¡¯t bothered to explore. It was a beautiful wooden piece of furniture topped with a large mirror. When she caught her reflection, she grimaced at the sight of the damage. She sat down on the wicker chair, whose back was made of majestic, colorful peacock feathers. The chair was fit for a diva. On the vanity, there were numerous pots containing creams, powders, eyeshadows, and even some bottles of perfume and oil. Below, a large drawer held brushes, other cosmetics, and, most importantly, a hairbrush, which she quickly used to detangle her hair.

    Once her hair had regained its smooth and silky appearance, she decided to use the makeup on the vanity, since Anubis had not yet returned with her new outfit. He could have just asked a servant to bring her something, but he seemed intent on handling it himself. She found an oil that smelled like coconut and spread a few drops on her face to nourish her skin. Vaguely remembering that the Egyptians of Antiquity in her favorite movies wore black kohl around their eyes, she imitated them, hoping it was accurate. A slightly pinkish powder allowed her to apply a touch of blush to her pale cheeks, and she also used it on her lips, mixing it with cream to enhance their natural color. There were a few lipstick shades, but they were so vibrant that Ana?s didn¡¯t dare choose them. Young women of her time were more accustomed to nude makeup, after all.

    As she admired her reflection in the mirror, satisfied with her preparation, Anubis knocked on the door, and she invited him in, turning to face him. He maintained his stoic expression upon seeing her makeup, but the way his gaze drank in every detail of her face was telling his appreciation. Ana?s smiled, flattered by his attention, even though he tried to be as discreet as possible.

    "Here," he said, approaching and handing her a new dress similar to the one she had been given that morning. "I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s the right size."

    Ana?s unfolded the garment to assess it while the god stepped back, holding a jewelry box in his hands. He was about to leave the room to give her privacy while she changed, but she called out to him before he could pass through the door. Did he really plan on escaping after practically devouring her with his eyes? It was a mistake to think that the young woman wouldn¡¯t use this information to tease him. The image of his mother demanding that she not distract him flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. They were both adults; a little flirting wasn¡¯t going to kill them.

    "You can stay, I¡¯ll use the screen," she instructed innocently.

    Hesitant, Anubis turned around and eventually leaned against the wall opposite the panels to ensure he wouldn¡¯t catch a glimpse of the young woman¡¯s silhouette. As she slipped into her new outfit, she could hear him nervously tapping on the jewelry box he held tightly in his hands. The dress he had chosen for her had the same cut as the previous one, but this one was more colorful, with blue and gold patterns extending from her waist to the neckline. The skirt was entirely white, balancing out the vibrant top to make the overall look more distinguished and less festive. The train was just long enough to touch the floor, hiding her sandals when she stood still. It was a good choice for a dinner in the company of several deities. He had even thought to bring her a clean pair of underwear. His thoughtfulness made her smile tenderly. No bra, though. Fortunately for Ana?s, she didn¡¯t have a particularly heavy chest, so leaving it bare wasn¡¯t uncomfortable. She just had to get used to this newfound freedom.

    "All done," she declared, stepping out from behind the screen to submit herself to Anubis¡¯s modest gaze.

    Still no reaction from him, not even a comment. He silently approached her, the box still in his hands then opened it and took out an imposing semi-circular necklace. It had several rows of beads alternating in color between white, turquoise, and gold. The whole piece was mounted on a thick string with a bronze clasp. He placed the box on one of the chests near the bed as Ana?s turned to present her back to him, sweeping her hair aside. When he stepped closer to her and she watched out of the corner of her eye as his arms moved over her head to place the necklace around her neck, her heart began to pound wildly in her chest. Suddenly, the gesture seemed incredibly intimate. When his fingers brushed against her skin as they slid up her shoulders to grasp the clasp of the necklace, she shivered, the hairs on her arms standing on end with emotion. She could feel his warm breath against her neck even though they were separated by several inches.

    Anubis fastened the clasp slowly as if trying to prolong the moment longer than necessary. When Ana?s felt the weight of the necklace settle against her neckline, she turned to face him. He hadn¡¯t stepped back and was relatively close to her, allowing her to gaze directly into his eyes. She felt as if she were being drawn into his hypnotic gaze and the intense connection, a mutual feeling. Anubis made no move to step away from her¡ªon the contrary, he remained perfectly still, almost as if waiting for something. The moment lasted only ten short seconds, after which the god seemed to regain his senses and took a step back, his gaze discreetly sliding down to the young woman¡¯s lips before darting away toward the surroundings, almost as if embarrassed.

    Oh no, you¡¯re not getting away with that after practically devouring me with your eyes, she decided impulsively and with determination.

    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    Before he could turn away or take another step back, Ana?s leaped forward and pressed her lips against his without hesitation. At first, she thought he might push her away, but he immediately accepted the kiss, sliding his fingers into her hair and around the back of her head to bring them even closer together. There was something urgent in the way he kissed her, a fierce desire that he was trying to control, but which was palpable to the young woman and sent an explosion of butterflies fluttering in her lower abdomen. Her mind was intoxicated by his touch, euphoria washing over her as she felt his skin against hers. The longer the kiss lingered, the weaker her legs became, and her body temperature rose, a reflection of her growing excitement. Yet she dared not make any further move, fearing it might break the moment.

    When she felt the pressure of his thumb sliding across her scalp, almost like a massage, a muffled moan escaped her lips. She had completely lost herself in the moment, much like Anubis, who, despite being somewhat aware of what was happening, decided to break the contact between their lips upon hearing the young woman¡¯s exclamation of pleasure. He cleared his throat awkwardly, then looked away, completely shattering the magic of the attraction between their bodies.

    Ana?s was mortified. She didn¡¯t regret the kiss at all¡ªit had been very... intense¡ªbut had he really just pushed her away because she had moaned? She abruptly turned her back on him, shame flooding her mind. A glance at the mirror revealed that her face was red, and she had no doubt it was the result of her excitement mixed with the pure embarrassment she felt at that moment. She wasn¡¯t ashamed of having moaned; she wasn¡¯t prudish, but the timing of his rejection was extremely awkward.

    "I¡¯ll wait for you in the living room," Anubis announced hesitantly.

    Faced with Ana?s¡¯s lack of immediate response, he didn¡¯t wait and left the room. Or rather, he fled, because it was clear he was trying to escape the embarrassment of the situation. When she heard the wooden door close, she sat down on the seat in front of the vanity and sighed, taking a long breath to calm her nerves. This was not how she had imagined a little innocent flirtation with the deity would go. Neither the intensity of the emotions she felt during the kiss nor the way it had ended. The tension in her lower abdomen didn¡¯t lie; her attraction to the jackal god was obvious.

    "Checkmate, Ana?s," she muttered aloud, disheartened. "You got caught in your own game. In record time."

    An hour later, the pair were seated at a large table in a dining room illuminated by numerous candles to counter the gradually setting sun. There were still a few rays of light streaming through the windows, but the pink sky announced the end of the day and the onset of night. Isis and Nephthys were seated on one side of the table, while Anubis and Ana?s sat opposite them. The mistress of the house had greeted them by immediately inviting them to the already-set table, not without first appraising the brunette¡¯s outfit. She hadn¡¯t commented, which could be taken as a sign of approval, and had simply greeted her politely.

    The servants with falcon heads, the true form of Isis, quickly brought out several dishes, placing them around the table for everyone to serve themselves. For a small meal with just four people, Isis had spared no expense. There were numerous vegetables, various meats and fish, rice, soup, and multiple dishes with different flavors. It was a veritable buffet, far too much for just four people. The concept of waste seemed foreign to the deities, which wasn¡¯t surprising given the abundance of resources in the Duat.

    Ana?s couldn¡¯t recall ever having endured such an awkward dinner. She almost wished Sobek could have joined them to lighten the atmosphere. Nephthys was extremely quiet, the nervousness that had consumed her that morning still clinging to her despite being safe in Imentet. She was no longer ignoring the young woman, but neither did she speak to her. In fact, she spoke to no one. Her mind was probably still in shock, paralyzed by fear of her husband. Isis tried to engage her son in conversation, but he only responded with short phrases and a closed-off demeanor. She took advantage of the one-sided conversation to occasionally insert a sarcastic remark about the tension between the two young people. Her inquisitive gaze probed them, and she quickly deduced that something had happened between the two. Anubis acted as if nothing was wrong, although he was clearly withdrawn, and Ana?s simply didn¡¯t dare to speak beyond giving brief responses when asked a direct question.

    "Well, since no one seems in the mood for a pleasant conversation, let¡¯s talk about the next steps in our search," Isis suggested with a sigh.

    The goddess was about to ruin her appetite if she insisted on bringing up such a serious topic at the table. Couldn¡¯t she wait until they had finished eating? Anubis also sighed, which didn¡¯t escape his mother¡¯s notice as she shot him an irritated look. The god got the message, as he quickly composed himself and focused on the topic. Now wasn¡¯t the time to confirm that something had happened between them.

    "We should start in the South," he recommended after a few seconds of thought. "For now, Seth doesn¡¯t know that we still have the amulet¡¯s powers. He isn¡¯t foolish enough to think we¡¯ll abandon the search, but he won¡¯t suspect that we plan to resume it the very next day. The farther we start from him, the longer we can go unnoticed."

    "You¡¯re talking about the amulet, but... I have no idea how to detect the pieces," Ana?s interjected in an uncertain tone. "If I¡¯m supposed to feel them or if they¡¯re supposed to glow or something, that¡¯s not happening."

    A minute of silence settled over the dining room. The idea that an Akh could possess the properties of a magical object was a rather unusual situation, even for deities. They didn¡¯t know any more than Ana?s did about how she was supposed to activate her detection powers.

    "The amulet allowed me to visualize the pieces and the environment in which they were located by focusing deeply. Perhaps you could do the same," Anubis suggested thoughtfully.

    "Let¡¯s finish eating," commanded Isis. "Ana?s can attempt the exercise right after, so we know what to expect."

    She didn¡¯t express her last remark in a disdainful tone, but it was clear that she had little faith in the young woman¡¯s success. Her attitude reminded Ana?s of a somewhat strict and cold teacher who strongly doubted the intelligence and abilities of their student, but who nonetheless remained professional.

    Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ana?s mentally complained, sighing discreetly. That doesn¡¯t put any pressure on me at all.

    She fiddled with her plate, playing with her fork for the rest of the meal, her appetite suddenly diminished. Fortunately for her stomach, she had already eaten well before Isis brought up this delicate discussion, but she would have consumed more of the delicious dishes if it weren¡¯t for the stress suddenly knotting her stomach. When the four of them had finished their plates, the servants returned to clear the table and then set out all sorts of appetizing desserts. Ana?s was delighted to find various sweet pastries containing familiar ingredients such as dates, grapes, and honey. There was even a hazelnut cake she couldn¡¯t resist tasting a slice of. Sugar always eased her stress and calmed her nerves, so she didn¡¯t hold back.

    And, above all, she was going to need strength for her first magic session.

 Chapter 18

    The group had gathered in the villa¡¯s living room after finishing the meal. Isis had asked the servants to lay out a rug in the center of the room with numerous cushions and had indicated a spot for Ana?s. She positioned herself there without complaint, finding the arrangement quite comfortable. Nepthys reclined on one of the sofas surrounding the rug, while Isis and Anubis sat on the other seats. The divine trio each held a glass and were enjoying a small digestif, which they had spared Ana?s, as she was supposed to be concentrating on her magic. Being positioned in the center of the room with their watchful eyes on her made her feel more like a sideshow attraction than an ally, but after all, she was a novice. This was her magic now, and they couldn¡¯t use it for her. All they could do was offer advice.

    "Have you ever meditated in your life?" asked Isis. "Sit cross-legged and close your eyes. Feel the magic flowing through your veins, visualize it, and then focus it on the detection spell."

    The task sounded so simple when hearing the goddess¡¯s words. In reality, sensing the energy that surged in waves through her body was not difficult at all, it was quite the opposite. Feeling her magic was instinctive, like an inseparable part of herself. It spread through her body like her blood, traveling in channels similar to her veins. Now that she was a higher being, magic was as important as her vital fluid. Yet, like her hemoglobin, she couldn¡¯t control its flow. It was like asking her blood to stop flowing to her limbs and only circulate to her heart or brain. She had no idea how to concentrate her magic on a specific point to materialize something.

    "Imagine a pitcher filling up, or a whirlpool drawing energy to the same spot," Anubis suggested after a few minutes, noticing that she wasn¡¯t succeeding. "Something concrete to help you channel the magic."

    Yeah, yeah, you say that, but... Where am I supposed to channel it? Toward what? she wondered silently.

    Her face reflected her intense concentration, with furrowed brows and her lips pressed into a thin line. Her features were fixed in an annoyed and confused expression; it was clear from her appearance that confusion reigned in her mind. A multitude of questions buzzed in her head. No matter how hard she tried to understand how the spell worked, she couldn¡¯t. Moreover, meditating proved to be a particularly difficult task for her brain, which tended to constantly think about a myriad of often useless things.

    A sigh from Anubis and the sound of his footsteps approaching the rug pulled her out of her trance. She opened her eyelids to find the god crouching on a cushion in front of her, just a few inches from her body. He locked his confident gaze into Ana?s¡¯s confused eyes, then slid his hands toward hers, capturing them and intertwining their fingers. The young woman¡¯s questioning eyes scanned their linked hands for a moment, then returned to Anubis¡¯s brown ones. As soon as their skin made contact, the cacophony of distracting thoughts in her head went silent.

    "Close your eyes," he ordered.

    She obeyed, refocusing, but the heavy gaze of Isis weighing on her shoulders prevented her from channeling her energy. It was as if she could imagine the goddess¡¯s piercing, accusatory eyes even with her eyelids closed. Anubis, aware that something was still blocking her focus, applied gentle pressure to her fingers to draw her attention back to him.

    "Forget them," he murmured so that only she could hear. "Focus on our hands."

    Little by little, Ana?s¡¯s mind managed to clear, allowing her to focus entirely on the warmth of their skin. She could feel their respective energies interacting, and her magic gradually flowed toward her hands, concentrating there. Soon, the tingling sensations transformed into waves, forcing Anubis to erect barriers like a cliff against which her energy crashed, preventing him from being overwhelmed. However, he said nothing and encouraged her to continue.

    "Now, search for the fragments. Connect with your surroundings."

    The waves calmed as Ana?s used her magic to trigger the detection spell. It took her three minutes to sense the fourteen pieces of Osiris scattered along the Nile, except for the heart, which was now in the Duat. By connecting the points, she was able to create a spiritual map, somewhat like a constellation. As she focused more intensely, images began to flood into her mind, each representing the location of a fragment.

    "I see them," she exclaimed with excitement, "but... I have no idea where they could be."

    "Show me," Anubis commanded, lowering his barriers.

    Instead of crashing against the protective cliff, Ana?s¡¯s waves of energy flowed through his magic and mingled with it. The process felt extremely intimate to her, almost erotic as if their very essences were meeting and intertwining. It took her a few seconds to remember that she needed to send the images of Osiris¡¯s fragments to her partner, and she didn¡¯t need to open her eyes to feel the smirk that had formed on the god¡¯s lips, recognizing her momentary distraction. It was almost as if he was the one teasing her for once, and not the other way around.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    "That¡¯s enough," Isis cried out, standing up and positioning herself in front of the pair. "Show me."

    Her intervention shattered Ana?s¡¯s concentration, causing her to abruptly open her eyes, annoyed. All the images of the fragments had vanished from her mind, and the ball of energy she had managed to gather to cast the detection spell had just exploded, releasing all its magic back into her body. Anubis, however, did not oppose his mother and, after a final glance at the young woman, stood up to give her his place. The goddess¡¯s face was stern, her eyes gazing at Ana?s with severity. She had clearly understood the nature of their exchange and how Ana?s had interpreted and felt it. Perhaps it was a normal act, to mix one¡¯s magic with another¡¯s. Perhaps the magical sensation was heightened because she was experiencing everything for the first time. It was worth trying with the goddess.

    It¡¯s not as if she¡¯s giving me a choice anyway, she thought as she extended her hands to mimic her son.

    Overcoming her discomfort at the thought of trying such a thing with the goddess, Ana?s placed her palms on Isis''s and intertwined their fingers. She closed her eyes, more than happy to escape the goddess''s disapproving gaze, and tried to concentrate again on the contact of their skin. Her flesh was just as warm as Anubis¡¯s, but it didn¡¯t feel the same. It was a closeness she didn¡¯t want, an experience she didn¡¯t want to share with anyone other than the jackal-headed god. No matter how much she furrowed her brows in intense concentration, she couldn''t gather her magic as she had done before. The act was simply too embarrassing to perform with Isis.

    After a few minutes, Isis sighed and let go of her hands, abandoning the effort. When Ana?s opened her eyes, she was met with the goddess¡¯s mixed expression. Her gaze was still reproachful, but her face also clearly reflected disappointment and resignation. She had understood that the young woman would only open up to her son.

    "Go home," she suggested, suddenly tired. "I¡¯m counting on you to prepare our itinerary, Anubis. We¡¯ll meet tomorrow morning at nine."

    The pair didn¡¯t need to be told twice. They bid the two goddesses farewell and slipped away a few minutes later. It was a short fifteen-minute walk to reach Anubis¡¯s villa, much to Ana?s¡¯s delight, as she was eager to get some fresh air after this somewhat disappointing first magic session. It was nighttime, but the path was illuminated by moonlight and lanterns along the neighboring houses, and a gentle breeze cooled her face and occasionally blew a few strands of her hair. The temperature was perfect, like the most beautiful summer nights on Earth, and she was immensely relieved to finally escape Isis and the reserved presence of Nephthys. The atmosphere was almost romantic, if not for the budding headache that threatened to appear and the sudden fatigue that was sweeping over her body after her magic session.

    "Do you think you can try again when we get back?" Anubis asked, walking beside her. "I wasn¡¯t able to analyze all the locations, at least not enough to create an itinerary."

    "Is that an excuse to get close again?" she replied playfully, a sly smile on her lips.

    He had teased her, after all. For Ana?s, it was an invitation to continue their little flirtation. And if she was being completely honest, she wanted to experience it again, even though the feeling of exhaustion was gradually taking over. She had felt in sync with the god, closer to him than she had ever been to anyone else. The attraction she felt for this handsome god was slowly turning into a pull that was becoming difficult to resist. She couldn¡¯t fight on all fronts.

    "Maybe," he simply retorted, discreetly mirroring her sly smile.

    Surprised, she turned to her partner, a questioning look in her eyes, then burst into laughter when she noticed that he wore an amused expression rather than his usual shy and reserved demeanor. It was strange to hear him play along, but it was a welcome change. It marked a new turning point in their relationship and promised a slightly more... spicy development.

    "What we did, mixing our magic," Ana?s quickly clarified, "is that something common?"

    "Are you asking if I do that with all the women I meet?"

    "Among other things," she giggled at his cheeky rephrasing.

    "No, it¡¯s not something common," he simply replied.

    She wasn¡¯t fooled; he had just thrown a hook in her face by not answering his very own question. He didn¡¯t seem like a Don Juan, unlike Sobek, but... now, she couldn¡¯t help but doubt. Still, her pride forbade her from taking the bait by insisting on the point. A fierce battle between her dignity and her curiosity began. The struggle put her nerves to the test, but she held firm.

    "I know you''re dying to ask the question," he teased, clearly proud of himself.

    Ana?s shot him a withering look as her only response. She didn¡¯t trust the words that might come out of her mouth if she opened it.

    "I don¡¯t do that with every woman I meet," he finally admitted as the villa came into view.

    She would have loved to wipe that smug smile off his face by turning the tables, but for now, she had to admit defeat, with the promise that her revenge would be terrible. And she wouldn¡¯t have to wait particularly long for that moment to come, since they were going to attempt the magical experience again in just a few moments. In the meantime, it was best to lie low and play innocent so that he would let his guard down. If he thought he could unsettle her with so little, he still had a lot to learn about her personality.

 Chapter 19

    Anubis had suggested that she take a quiet bath and enjoy the pool while he conducted some research before they resumed their magic session. He needed to gather some scrolls containing more or less precise maps of Egypt to note down all the information Ana?s could provide him. This would allow the young woman to relax after the eventful dinner. She certainly didn¡¯t mind having an hour alone to herself.

    After undressing, leaving her dress and jewelry on the floor, Ana?s dipped her toes into the pool''s water before quickly pulling back with a scream. She had completely forgotten that the water had been magically heated the day before and was now cold. Perhaps Anubis would come to check why she screamed and might take care of it for her...

    No, he wouldn¡¯t dare, she resigned herself. I have to do it myself; it¡¯s good practice.

    Ana?s approached the pool, crouched down, and touched the water''s surface with her fingers, dipping in the tips. She closed her eyes to help her focus and concentrated on the contact between her skin and the cold water to gather her magic there. This time, the manipulation was a bit easier now that she had already done it before. Next, she simply imagined the ball of energy she had accumulated transforming into a burning flame and pouring into the pool. A few seconds later, she felt the first hot vapors caress her face and withdrew her hand to stop heating the now boiling water.

    "Damn, I overdid it a bit," she noted as she sat on the floor to let the water cool enough for her to get in. "I should try keeping my eyes open next time."

    It took her about fifteen minutes before her body could finally tolerate the overwhelming heat of the water, and another five minutes before she managed to slip in up to her neck without burning herself as her skin adjusted to the temperature. Once settled, she sighed in contentment as she comfortably rested against the marble wall of the pool. Luckily, she enjoyed baths so hot that her cheeks turned red from the heat. There was no better remedy for relaxation and for dissipating her budding headache, especially with the light breeze that caressed her face since the room had no roof. She understood the reason for this architectural choice now.

    Thirty minutes later, Ana?s donned a simple dress similar to the one she wore for her judgment, which a servant had brought her before she entered the bathroom. She placed the jewelry on one of the wicker dressers to avoid losing them but chose not to wear them since they wouldn¡¯t leave the villa again today. The garment could easily serve as pajamas, as the fabric was thin and light.

    Much too thin, she noticed, glancing down at the outline of her nipples visible through the dress. It''s almost indecent, considering what we¡¯re about to do...

    The other option was to put back on the outfit she had worn for dinner, which she would have preferred to keep for the next day since she had only worn it for a few hours. She was more comfortable in the light dress, but she couldn¡¯t deny its seductive nature... It was a good way to give him a taste of his own medicine, right? After all, she hadn¡¯t chosen it; she was completely innocent. She was just wearing what had been brought to her.

    Anubis was patiently waiting for her, seated in a wicker armchair in the living room, studying a scroll that mapped out the Nile in detail. When she entered the room, he glanced up at her silhouette, his eyes briefly flickering over her prominent curves beneath the fabric, but he made no comment and returned his attention to the paper for a few more seconds. He was deliberately ignoring her, but she excused him since his task was more important at the moment.

    In her absence, he had recreated a comfortable space with a carpet and cushions on the floor, a setup she appreciated as it was perfect for ¡°meditating¡± together. When she knelt on it¡ªit was impossible to sit cross-legged without revealing her underwear¡ªhe finally lifted his gaze from the papyrus and decided to join her, not without first grabbing the quill and inkpot he had placed on the coffee table. He pushed aside a few cushions to clear the area, then laid out the scroll, holding it open with the weight of the inkpot. Once everything needed for the session was finally gathered, his focused gaze met Ana?s¡¯s impatient one.

    "We can begin," he announced, extending both his hands toward hers.

    A jolt of electricity surged through the brunette¡¯s fingers when their skin touched again. They intertwined their hands without hesitation as if it were the most natural and familiar thing for them to do, and Ana?s closed her eyes to focus on the task ahead. As she channeled her magic toward the area near Anubis''s body, her mind became so attuned to the friction of their skin that it made her almost hypersensitive. She could feel every slight brush of their skin, every small twitch of their fingers, and all the warmth radiating from his palms. This time, he hadn¡¯t erected his mental barriers, allowing Ana?s to immediately pour her energy into his. The jackal god¡¯s magic welcomed hers openly, encouraging it to blend and transmit the visual information he needed.

    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    The exchange lasted for a minute during which Ana?s let the detection spell flow into Anubis, requiring less focus than when she tried to visualize the pieces of Osiris herself. This allowed her to concentrate solely on the contact of their skin, which, coupled with the mingling of their magic, nearly gave her a sense of euphoria. Every friction sent shivers down her spine, and the warmth of his hands gradually spread to her lower abdomen. She wanted to touch more of his skin, to slide her fingers along his arm, then his shoulder, and finally bury them in his black hair...

    Anubis¡¯s sudden withdrawal of his hands snapped her cruelly back to reality. He had broken the contact between their bodies without warning to grab his quill and scribble a few points on the map of the Nile. Stunned, she watched him work, blinking in disbelief. It felt as if she had been forcibly pulled from a dream that now struggled to fade. She shivered, the cold emptiness replacing the warmth of their closeness, leaving only the shy fire that still heated her lower abdomen. He seemed completely unaffected by the exercise, which started to irritate Ana?s, especially when he gestured for her to continue, taking her hands as if nothing had happened.

    A minute later, just as she was slipping back into her sensory trance and letting herself be carried by the flow of energy, he repeated the same gesture, pulling away to circle some points on the map. Did he even realize that the magic session was beginning to feel like torture for the young woman?

    "You''re doing this on purpose, aren''t you," she growled.

    "Sorry, but there are so many images and fragments, I can¡¯t retain everything without pausing," he explained, still focused on the papyrus.

    "That¡¯s not what I¡¯m talking about."

    "Then what?" he asked, gazing at her with innocent eyes.

    He truly had no idea what Ana?s was feeling at that moment, she realized as she saw how absorbed he was in his mission.

    "Nothing, forget it," she muttered with a sigh, resigned.

    The third time proved to be a true test of nerves, the repeated sensory deprivation amplifying her desire to be close to the jackal god. She fervently hoped he would stick to the information he had just obtained because she didn¡¯t know if she could endure a fourth round. When he captured her hands in his once again, she winced. It was too much for her. Focusing her magic on a specific point was becoming an increasingly difficult task, her energy scattering in all directions in her distress. The desire had transformed into a need.

    "You¡¯re starting to tire, aren¡¯t you? I can feel it. We can stop here; your magic is becoming unstable."

    "I can¡¯t take it anymore," she declared, suddenly leaning forward to press her lips against Anubis''s.

    His surprise lasted only a second, after which he responded favorably to her kiss, much to the delight of the young woman, who could no longer control her desires. When she realized that he wasn¡¯t going to push her away, she leaped forward to straddle his thighs, pressing her chest against his firm torso. Her arms wrapped around his neck, closing the last few centimeters of distance between their bodies as he, in turn, encircled her waist with his arms to pull her closer.

    Her magic was frantic, the ball of energy she had accumulated exploding in all directions, clashing with Anubis¡¯s magic, which, though calmer, had now become more restless. This was no ordinary kiss. The way their magical essences collided and tamed each other in a wild, frenzied dance was akin to a spiritual firework display. Ana?s¡¯s mind was awash with euphoria, and her excited body fed off the closeness of their two forms. She wanted to feel more, to explore the burning excitement that consumed her. She wanted to feel him within her.

    After a moment that felt like only a second, the need to catch her breath became overwhelming. She would have loved to drown in his lips, but her survival instinct gave her no choice. When she finally pulled back to take a deep breath, a powerful wave of fatigue swept over her muscles and mind. Suddenly, she felt exhausted, and out of breath.

    "What¡¯s happening to me?" she whispered, not understanding why her strength was leaving her.

    "You let your magic flow out of you like a waterfall," Anubis explained, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "You need to rest."

    Ana?s wanted to protest, but a jaw-dropping yawn stopped her. Resigned, she stole one last kiss from the god, who responded with an amused smile, then stood up to head to her bedroom. She staggered to her bed after closing the door behind her and threw herself onto the cushions and blanket. The urge to scream into her pillow was strong. Her lips were still red from their kisses, and the inside of her thighs was damp¡ªtwo remnants of her silent longing and boiling excitement. The worst part of the entire situation was that she was far too exhausted to even touch herself and relieve her frustration. No, she would have to endure it through her sleep with this urge invading her dreams that night.

 Chapter 20

    The first rays of sunlight gently caressed Ana?s''s sleeping face. Her sleep had been deep that night, devoid of dreams. Her body had required a full night''s rest to replenish the energy she had spent. When she first woke up that morning, the previous evening felt almost distant, like a dream. Her eyelids fluttered briefly before opening for a few seconds to assess the ambient light, then closed again as she turned to burrow deeper under the covers. It was still early, and Anubis would probably come to wake her himself, as she hadn¡¯t set any alarms. If he hadn¡¯t knocked on her door yet, it meant she still had some time to rest.

    Despite herself, the image of the jackal god¡¯s face forced its way into her mind: his dark, almost black eyes that seemed to probe her soul with every glance, his sharp features and tanned skin, his perfectly shaven jaw, and his soft lips that she had kissed... Even though the exact memory of their kiss from the night before was almost hazy, the sensations it had sparked in her body came rushing back. Her lower abdomen twisted with a flurry of butterflies, and her thighs rubbed together instinctively to relieve her growing excitement. It was impossible to fall back asleep without dealing with this little problem...

    Before sliding her hand towards her intimacy, her mind insisted on ensuring that she was indeed alone in the room. Once her alert senses were reassured, she indulged in her solitary pleasure, tracing circles around her pleasure point. Her eyes were closed, imagining his lips once again pressing against hers and the touch of his skin on her burning flesh. In her imagination, he didn¡¯t just kiss her mouth but devoured her entire body with kisses that were sometimes light, sometimes passionate. His lips caressed her neck, then her shoulder, her throat, and finally, her breasts. He sucked her right nipple, gently nibbling it for a moment. The deity''s actions might have been nothing more than an illusion created by her frustrated mind, but the excitement these images provoked was genuine. Her body was burning, and her mind bathed in ecstatic euphoria as she approached release.

    She surprised herself with how little it took for an orgasm to shake her muscles just two minutes later as she continued to imagine the god¡¯s lips moving further south, grazing her stomach and thighs, and finally feeling his hot breath on her most intimate area. How erotic could it be to gaze into his grave, dark eyes while he used his tongue to give her pleasure? She might not find out in reality, but her mind had already decided without needing to experience it. She welcomed her climax with relief, spasms rippling through her tense body.

    When the euphoria of her orgasm faded, her mind had to face the reality of what she had just done. The object of her fantasy would come looking for her in a few moments, and she would have to spend the rest of her day by his side, all the while remembering that she had touched herself that very morning while imagining him passionately kissing her body. It wasn¡¯t shame that filled her at the thought of facing him, but rather the frustration that, though temporarily soothed, would surely return now that she had let her imagination run wild. She didn¡¯t have much hope for herself if, by chance, her eyes strayed to the jackal god¡¯s lips. Her mind would remind her of the images from the previous night and her little masturbation session, she was certain of it. Her creativity wouldn¡¯t give her any rest now that she had opened that door.

    "Don¡¯t betray me, you hormone-driven brain," she pleaded, burying her face in her pillow as if to hide her despair.

    Ana?s managed to fall back asleep for a short hour before Anubis came knocking on her door, urging her to get up. Despite her embarrassment, her body had relaxed after her sensual session, allowing her to continue her sleep without trouble. She left her room minutes after waking up, dressed only in her nightgown and barefoot. The floor was warm, and the sun''s rays heated it during the day, so she didn''t need to wear sandals indoors. Before reaching the living room, where she assumed the God was waiting for her, she made a half-hearted attempt to tame her tangled hair with her fingers. It was the best she could do, considering she wasn''t the type to groom herself right after getting out of bed. She preferred to have breakfast first and enjoy the morning light, allowing herself a little sunbathing.

    Ana?s entered the living room, but her eyes met no divine presence. She next headed to the gardens, but Anubis wasn''t there either. Whether relief or disappointment was the dominant emotion in her mind was impossible to determine. As she turned to go back inside, a silhouette awaited her. A cry of surprise escaped her lips as her heart raced in fear. There was a jackal-headed servant, perfectly still and silent, waiting patiently. She hadn''t heard him position himself behind her at all, which, truthfully, sent a chill down her spine. Every time she saw them moving around her, she couldn''t help but wonder if they were truly alive. Perhaps they were just magical images or animals transformed into humans, which would explain their silence and docility. The Gods didn¡¯t mistreat them, but they also didn¡¯t pay them any special attention. They usually didn¡¯t even thank them.

    The servant held a tray overflowing with various fruits, bread, and honey. To her surprise and delight, there was even a jar of hazelnut spread. It was the perfect setup for a sweet breakfast, just the way she liked it. She was, however, surprised that the servant hadn¡¯t brought her savory dishes, as most people on Earth preferred. How did they know her food preferences? Should she be worried about being spied on by Anubis¡¯s servants?

    No point in asking, I suppose; they never talk.

    With a shrug, Ana?s focused on the food the servant had placed on the chest that served as a coffee table. The furniture setup wasn¡¯t ideal for eating properly, but the morning sun was pleasant, and she didn¡¯t want to go back inside. Since the chest wasn¡¯t very high, she chose to sit directly on the fresh grass to prepare some toast and peel and slice her fruits. As she ate slowly, observing the landscape and the few birds venturing near the palm trees in the garden, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder where Anubis was and why he wasn¡¯t having breakfast with his guest.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Only the occasional cries of animals punctuated the heavy silence. Ana?s liked having background noise when she was alone; it was a habit she had developed while living in solitude. After spending several years in an orphanage with dozens of other noisy children, solitude was an unfamiliar and rather difficult feeling to handle. She had never really gotten used to it, or perhaps she hadn¡¯t had the time. However, being alone in her small apartment and here in the afterlife¡ªa completely different world¡ªwas not at all the same thing. And then, the little crush she was beginning to develop on the jackal god hinted that she wanted to see him and spend time with him. Without his mother accompanying them all day.

    "Sorry for not eating with you," Anubis¡¯s voice suddenly broke the silence as he joined her outside. "I had to take care of the final preparations for the day."

    He glanced at her disheveled appearance, straight out of bed and sitting on the ground, but made no comment and simply sat down on the couch beside her. Ana?s had finished her breakfast, but it was not the case for the deity, who helped himself to some fruit from the tray.

    "When do we leave?" she asked, suddenly nervous at the mention of their quest.

    "In about thirty minutes," he replied after looking at the position of the sun in the sky. "Mother is waiting for us in the Duat."

    "Then I should probably go get ready," she said, getting up.

    A copper basin filled with warm water and a clean towel awaited her on her dressing table when she returned to her room. She undressed to quickly freshen up, then noticed that a new dress had been provided for her. It was folded on the chest hidden by the screen, so she almost didn¡¯t see it. It was a garment made of fine fabric like the others but with relatively simple patterns. It was a single color, a more subdued cream compared to pure white. The cut was quite different from the previous ones, with a deeper neckline and simple thick straps that left her shoulders and neck bare. There were no jewels to complement the outfit, which didn¡¯t surprise Ana?s. The ensemble was modest and lacked the elegance of her attire from the day before. The signs of wealth had been erased to give her the appearance of an ordinary woman.

    Well yeah, can''t be discreet with all that gold jewelry...

    However, she didn¡¯t skip a touch of makeup, particularly by applying kohl around her eyes. She liked how the black enhanced her gaze, making it more seductive and deep, especially since the women she had seen during their first outing in the world of the living also wore it. It wasn¡¯t a privilege reserved for the nobility or the wealthy.

    Satisfied with her appearance, she returned to the living room after slipping on her papyrus sandals. When her eyes fell on Anubis¡¯s outfit, her brain froze for a moment. She didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or secretly appreciate the view. He was only wearing a long loincloth and sandals, leaving his finely toned chest exposed for the young woman to see. She unabashedly observed him for a few seconds, looking him up and down, until their eyes met. She blushed, the images of her morning activity flooding her mind despite herself. The God frowned, clearly not understanding his companion¡¯s reaction, much less why her cheeks had suddenly reddened. Nevertheless, he smiled, as if to tease her.

    "Shall we go?" she asked timidly, trying to divert his attention.

    Anubis nodded, grabbing a large satchel he had set aside while waiting for the young woman. She could see scrolls poking out of it and quickly guessed that they were the maps he had prepared the day before during their magic session. The rest, she couldn¡¯t see since the bag was closed. Once the bag was comfortably positioned against his hip, the pair left the villa to head to the Duat.

    The journey to the desert passed more quickly than Ana?s had anticipated. Her adventurous spirit was now subdued as she faced the real consequences of her choice. Yet, despite her anxiety, a part of her was eager to embark on this quest. Anubis had assured her that the search for the next pieces would be nothing like the debacle of finding the heart, as this time, no one was aware of their coming, let alone their location, making any ambush impossible. They could easily blend in among the peasants and fishermen, traveling peacefully in the south of Egypt. For now, everything suggested there was no danger and that it would be a simple journey along the Nile. Ana?s remained skeptical, but the God seemed confident.

    "Have you managed to establish a precise itinerary?" Isis asked without delay when she saw them arrive.

    "Yes," Anubis confirmed. "We¡¯ll start on the eastern bank of the Nile, near Waset."

    "By the temple of Useret, correct? That¡¯s a good idea. She has remained loyal to Osiris, as far as I know. If we can secure free passage through at least one portal, we can make round trips to explore the entire southern area."

    "I thought no one was supposed to learn our identity," Ana?s pointed out, a little lost in their conversation.

    "Nothing prevents us from arriving at one of the necropolises instead, to avoid being noticed. Perhaps Hermonthis¡­"

    "And risk Useret turning against us because we¡¯re sneaking onto her territory like thieves?" Isis objected.

    "If she¡¯s truly our ally, she¡¯ll be on our side no matter how she finds out. Ana?s is right; it¡¯s better to advance as far as possible without anyone knowing we¡¯re there."

    "Very well," his mother conceded after a few seconds of reflection. "She can¡¯t keep that name; it¡¯s far too foreign for the world of the living. It will draw attention to us."

    "I¡¯ll let you choose, I don¡¯t speak Egyptian."

    Yet, she had never had any trouble understanding the language of everyone she had spoken to so far. What language were they speaking? Was it she who understood them, or the other way around? No doubt, the answer was magical.

    The pair thought for a few moments, their faces reflecting their intense concentration. Choosing a name was an important task, even when it was a secondary one. Finally, Anubis was the quickest. If she were entirely honest, she was relieved that he was the one who came up with her new name first. Coming from his mouth, it felt like he was giving her a nickname. There was something more intimate about this choice, or at least, that¡¯s what she liked to think.

    "How about Anepout? It¡¯s close to your name."

    "Hm¡­ That works, I trust you. The abbreviation would be ¡®Ane,¡¯ so it won¡¯t change much, indeed."

    Thus, Ana?s experienced her second rebirth, this time as a citizen of the Nile.

 Chapter 21

    The necropolis was similar to the first one she had visited on the day of her death, except it was much smaller and more discreet. It wasn''t very far from other burial sites and temples, unlike the Giza necropolis, which was relatively isolated. On the horizon, Ana?s could see the city of Ouaset below and its sand-colored stone walls. In some places, large colorful sheets hung over the wall, providing the inhabitants with shaded areas. The city seemed relatively populated, much more than she had expected when considering ancient Egypt. It was teeming with life and busy citizens, to the point where she could almost hear the murmur of their conversations.

    "The two closest pieces are with a collector in the wealthy district of Ouaset. There are three more on the western bank in the Valley of the Kings. I haven''t been able to locate the others yet."

    Isis''s gaze at her son was filled with skepticism. She strongly suspected that something had happened, preventing them from locating the remaining pieces of Osiris. However, it didn''t really matter that they hadn''t pinpointed the other thirteen pieces that same night, since they wouldn''t be able to retrieve them all in a single day anyway.

    "Maybe it would be better to start with the Valley of the Kings, don''t you think? There''s no guarantee the collector will give us the pieces just by asking. He might take the opportunity to turn us in or something like that..."

    Ana?s''s anxious imagination made her cautious. They had already been easily discovered the first time, so it was fair to think that another betrayal could happen. She didn''t want to die a second time or get stabbed again. Besides, she''d seen too many action movies to know that the worst always happened faster than expected. It was better to stack the odds in their favor.

    "Walking through the desert will take us hours. We¡¯ll need to cross the river and use camels."

    "We don''t need to reveal our identity for that, as long as we have money," commented the young woman. "It might be less risky."

    Isis watched them debate without adding anything, almost too shy to interject in their conversation. It was clear, by looking at them, that a form of camaraderie had quickly developed between them over the past two days. Evidently, keeping them apart was becoming increasingly difficult for the goddess, to the point where she was no longer as resistant to their relationship as before. Perhaps it was also because Ana?s was now part of the expedition, and she couldn''t distract Anubis if she was literally by his side, focused on the same quest. In any case, the mother''s presence at least tempered Ana?s''s ardor and reminded her to stay grounded in reality rather than getting lost in her fantasies, as she had that morning. Anyway, Anubis''s attention was entirely focused on their mission, and he behaved in a completely professional manner towards her. He was almost too distant for her liking, but she tried to dismiss that trivial concern.

    "Let''s deal with the desert first," he finally decided after studying the map again. "It will probably take us the whole day."

    The trio had no trouble blending in with the few villagers and fishermen they encountered along their path. No one paid attention to them here, as they were close to the city of Ouaset, which was regularly visited by nomads and traders. There were enough passing strangers for no one to question them or even glance their way. Well, except for some mischievous young girls with a big smile on their faces who didn¡¯t hesitate to watch the jackal-headed god as he passed by, whispering gossip among themselves before being called to order by their elders. Some things hadn¡¯t changed, even after thousands of years.

    Their destination was a small fishing village about twenty minutes from the necropolis where they had arrived. Some people took advantage of tourism and trade to ferry customers to the other side of the river, allowing them to earn a few extra coins in addition to their fishing income. Yet, they weren¡¯t particularly struggling compared to the farmers working in the fields: in these ancient times, fish were plentiful, and being a fisherman wasn¡¯t a bad position. The Nile wasn¡¯t a dangerous ocean likely to sweep away their skiff¡ªa small, light boat¡ªand it teemed with life.

    "Three people for a crossing," Anubis called out to the young fisherman waiting like a taxi next to his boat at the designated dock, sitting on a wooden log.

    "Do you have the means to pay?" he scrutinized them, lingering on the figures of the two women.

    Ana?s didn¡¯t know how old Isis was, but there was no denying she was a stunning woman, and her confident aura commanded respect. Even with clothing that didn¡¯t reflect her status in the slightest, it was hard to hide her aristocratic and elegant air. There wasn¡¯t a single wrinkle on her face, as if her body was frozen in time. In addition to being immortal, did they also enjoy eternal youth? If so, now that Ana?s was a magical being, would she stop aging as well? If that were the case, she wouldn¡¯t complain. In her early twenties, she was at the peak of her beauty.

    "A gold deben should suffice, right?" Anubis asked, rummaging in his satchel to pull out a coin.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The ferryman couldn¡¯t hide his surprise at the jackal god¡¯s offer. Ana?s wasn¡¯t familiar with the currency system of ancient Egypt, but it was clear from the fisherman¡¯s expression that a gold deben was far too much for such a service. However, the man quickly recovered, adopting a neutral expression, and accepted the coin without a word. Of course, he wasn¡¯t going to tell them the offer was too generous, but it had now piqued his curiosity. If not just anyone could afford to pay such a price, the trio immediately became suspect in the eyes of the villagers, despite their attire. If they loved gossip as much as the young girls did, the story of their presence here would spread like wildfire.

    "For your silence as well," Ana?s added, fixing him with a firm gaze.

    "You have my word," the ferryman concluded respectfully, inviting them to board his skiff.

    Anubis didn¡¯t comment on the young woman¡¯s intervention, unlike his mother, who thanked her with an approving nod. She understood the necessity of making such a request and appreciated the initiative of their new companion. Ana?s smiled, pleased that the goddess recognized the usefulness of her action. An overactive imagination was certainly helpful to prepare for all eventualities. No one could accuse her of not taking the situation seriously now.

    Hesitant, she climbed into the skiff, which swayed each time someone took their seat, and slowly sat down on the bench between Isis in front and Anubis behind. The seats were just wide enough for one person, but there were enough for each of them to sit comfortably, along with the ferryman who occupied the back of the boat to row. Ana?s was not reassured by the skiff''s stability, unlike the two deities, who seemed to enjoy the little trip. They weren¡¯t moving very fast, which eventually calmed her anxiety about ending up overboard. She had very little desire to plunge into the Nile.

    The trip lasted about ten minutes before the fisherman docked on the other bank, helping his female passengers disembark without getting wet. The dock was similar to the one on the opposite side, though slightly smaller, and another young man waited nearby for customers to appear, his skiff tied to one of the many papyrus posts. Ana?s suspected that the fishermen stored their boats along the dock at night, avoiding the need to push their vessels across the sandy shore every day.

    A few fishermen lived on this side of the river, but the village was much smaller, and for a good reason: the eastern bank was fertile and green, with plowed cereal fields along the Nile, while the western bank was merely an extension of the desert. On this side, sand dominated the greenery, except for a few palm trees, but it also offered a beautiful beach of fine, warm grains. So close to the river, the temperature was pleasant, but Ana?s did not doubt that as they moved away from the cool water, the sun would become increasingly harsh.

    This time, Anubis followed Ana?s''s lead and offered another gold deben in exchange for three dromedaries and the stableman''s silence, who worked in the nearby village. Ana?s was relieved they wouldn¡¯t have to walk after having to travel a kilometer upstream to obtain their mounts. The weather was bearable when they weren¡¯t exerting themselves, but exercise under this harsh sun was a different matter entirely.

    "Have you ever ridden a dromedary? I didn¡¯t see this type of transport in your world," the jackal god inquired.

    "I took a dromedary ride in Cairo during my vacation in Egypt, but... I wasn¡¯t very comfortable."

    "I¡¯ll help you mount."

    As the animal lay flat on the ground to allow its rider to climb on, Anubis helped her mount the saddle by holding her hand, then stabilized her while the dromedary stood up, as the action tended to be a bit jarring. He didn¡¯t give her the reins but instead attached them to his saddle so that the animal would only have to follow his lead. Isis mimicked her son¡¯s initiative, holding onto Ana?s¡¯s saddle before mounting, so she wouldn¡¯t need to guide her mount either. Besides, only Anubis knew the direction they needed to go.

    Before taking his seat, the god rummaged through his satchel, pulling out two waterskins¡ªgoat-skin bags used as canteens¡ªand tossed one to the young woman. She thanked him, relieved that he had thought to prepare all these supplies for her as well since she had come as a complete tourist.

    "Don¡¯t drink too much; it has to last until we find a freshwater source," Anubis advised as she took a few sips of the liquid.

    Drinking about a third of the waterskin didn¡¯t quite quench the thirst that had surged at the mention of potable water, especially after the several hundred meters they had already walked since departing from the Duat. Ana?s had to force herself not to drink more and simply handed the container back to Anubis. She had nothing to carry it with, and in any case, she didn¡¯t trust herself not to drain it in one go the next time she had it in her hands. Rationing was not her strong suit.

    The rest of the morning passed under a scorching sun, despite the relatively bearable temperature of the desert, which was not as intense as she had expected compared to her trip to Cairo. It was hot, and she had no doubt that she would have a mild sunstroke by the end of the day if they kept up this pace, but it was nothing like the oppressive heat of modern Egypt. Was this due to climate change? There was more life and even some patches of greenery, far from the barren sandy expanse she was familiar with.

    They found the first piece of Osiris in a fennec¡¯s burrow, not far from the Karkheh Oasis, which was their destination for the second. Isis, losing patience, had suggested that her son simply kill the little family. Ana?s had then pleaded on behalf of the mother fennec, who was valiantly defending her young and didn¡¯t want to let the gods¡¯ hands reach the depths of their shelter. Anubis listened to the young woman, simply pulling the sand foxes out of their burrow long enough to retrieve Osiris¡¯s flesh, earning a few superficial bites and scratches in the process. She refused to start her quest with the needless sacrifice of innocent, cute animals, which annoyed the mother goddess, though she maintained her composure and didn¡¯t openly show it.

    "It¡¯s a hand," Anubis announced to the two women as he stowed it in his satchel.

    "Doesn¡¯t the flesh rot?" Ana?s asked, having seen the limb in perfect condition, though slightly dirtied by its journey.

    "The bodies of gods are immortal," Isis explained as she mounted her dromedary again. "As long as we gather all the pieces, we can bring Osiris back to life."

 Chapter 22

    In the early afternoon, they finally arrived at the oasis and could rest and cool off. The place was almost as idyllic as the Duat''s basin, except it stretched several hundred meters. The land here was fertile, which explained the presence of a small hidden village and the frequent stay of nomadic caravans. They could refill their waterskins and drink their fill, much to the delight of Ana?s and the dromedaries that had carried them all morning. All around the basin, green grass tickled their toes, and large trees sheltered them from the sun.

    "There¡¯s an inn," Isis pointed out, indicating a small building not far from where they stood. "Let¡¯s eat quietly; there¡¯s no point in starving ourselves."

    Ana?s didn¡¯t doubt that the two deities had likely packed enough food for lunch or even dinner, but that clearly wouldn¡¯t make a full, hearty meal given the size of their satchel and the objects already inside. And besides, the inn might offer a hot meal. The temperature was pleasant here, and the young woman had managed to slightly wet her face and neck to cool down. She certainly wouldn¡¯t turn down a good meal to revive her energy after an exhausting morning.

    "Food and drink for three," Anubis ordered as they entered the inn.

    Near the entrance of the building and the oasis were a few wicker chairs around sturdy wooden tables, allowing guests to eat outside just like any modern restaurant. Eagerly, Ana?s followed the two deities and sat at the table they had chosen, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as her bottom finally met a comfortable surface. The saddle had begun to seriously bruise her thighs, back, and glutes since she wasn¡¯t used to riding. And it was only the beginning, so it was best to make the most of these few moments of rest.

    "I don¡¯t think my body will survive the afternoon if we stay in the saddle," Ana?s groaned, waiting for the server to return with their drinks. "I¡¯d kill for a massage¡­"

    She said it in jest, briefly glancing at Anubis, who didn¡¯t respond but gave her an amused look. This wasn¡¯t the case for Isis, though, who didn¡¯t appreciate the human¡¯s subtle attempts at flirting while in the presence of the god¡¯s mother. It was somewhat indecent, but Ana?s didn¡¯t care much. The goddess was already aware of the attraction between the two companions, and a little joke wouldn¡¯t hurt anyone.

    "Ask a servant," Isis cut in sharply, ending the conversation before either of them could press further.

    When Ana?s caught the jackal god¡¯s mischievous glance, she had to stifle a laugh to avoid offending his mother. Best not to push the joke too far, lest they risk compromising their quest by creating unnecessary tension. She wasn¡¯t reckless enough to deliberately stir up petty conflicts. Besides, what happened once they returned to Imentet and the goddess wasn¡¯t around was their business alone.

    Silence engulfed the table for the next five minutes until a servant placed three mugs of beer in front of them. Each of them seemed lost in thought, half-tired from the morning and appreciating the temporary calm. Ana?s eyed the alcoholic beverage skeptically. It was hot, and beer was dehydrating, the opposite of what was needed in the middle of a desert journey. However, she eventually gave in, reasoning that the relaxing effect of alcohol would do her good, and it wouldn¡¯t be too bad since they were eating as well. The two gods didn¡¯t seem to share her reservations, judging by how they immediately sipped their first gulp as soon as the server left. And they were right; the beer, in addition to being light, was surprisingly refreshing. Ana?s took a few sips, sighed contentedly, and set down her glass with a smile. The alcohol content was very mild, probably akin to a shandy, which likely explained why it was the most popular drink.

    If someone had told me one day that I¡¯d be drinking a beer on a restaurant terrace in Egypt, centuries before my time... In the company of a handsome god... It''s a story worthy of a movie! she thought, her eyes sparkling.

    About fifteen minutes later, as the conversation had resumed between Ana?s and Anubis, with his mother only occasionally adding her opinions, their meals were finally brought to them. Ana?s was delighted to discover that the inn served a menu cooked on a barbecue¡ªor at least over a wood fire. There were various plates with skewers of different types of meat and vegetables, each more colorful than the last, both from the ingredients themselves and the spices that seasoned them. There were also wheat flatbreads to complement the meal, which could serve as a side like bread or be used to stuff the skewers inside, creating a sort of sandwich. Needless to say, the dish was more than enticing.

    "These are lamb, beef, and chicken skewers," the server introduced, placing and pointing out the plates. "Enjoy your meal."

    The smell was so appetizing that Ana?s was the first to dive into the steaming food, taking a skewer of each type onto her plate. Mixing the lamb and chicken in the flatbread to create something resembling a kebab, she enjoyed crafting a custom meal that delighted her taste buds. The meat was spicy, but she didn¡¯t mind. She had tasted the same spices during her trip to Cairo.

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    "Don¡¯t eat too much," Isis warned them, seeing them devour their plates. "We¡¯ll resume our search as soon as we¡¯re done. There won¡¯t be time to linger with a full stomach."

    Ana?s felt the comment was more directed at her, but she chose not to take offense and simply nodded to acknowledge the advice. It wouldn¡¯t change the fact that she intended to eat her fill. Isis was Anubis¡¯s mother, not hers.

    * * *

    The second piece of Osiris was buried somewhere around the western part of the oasis. Anubis hadn¡¯t been able to pinpoint it exactly since it was buried under moist soil, forcing them to move blindly until Ana?s felt a particular connection. Since she hadn¡¯t yet mastered her magic, her detection range was much smaller than that of the amulet, and she couldn¡¯t concentrate enough to expand it in such open spaces.

    After about thirty minutes of walking, Ana?s felt a tug at the back of her mind, similar to the onset of a headache. The sensation hadn¡¯t been as intense when they found the hand earlier that morning, but that was easily explained by the fact that she hadn¡¯t been actively trying to pinpoint the exact location of Osiris¡¯s flesh. She rubbed her temples, hoping the pain wouldn¡¯t bother her for the rest of the day, then pointed out the spot on the ground where their target was buried. Satisfied, Isis stepped forward and began to move the soil with magic to spare them from digging themselves, while the jackal god watched Ana?s with a concerned eye. She could tell from his gaze that he wanted to ask if she was okay, and she answered his unspoken question with a nod and a smile to reassure him. She didn¡¯t want to be a burden so early in the adventure; it was pointless to start complaining about a little headache. After all, she had wanted this adventure.

    "It¡¯s a big piece, probably a thigh," Isis analyzed as she cleared the earth and a few bones buried next to her husband¡¯s limb.

    As the goddess tried in vain to fit it into her satchel without too much of it sticking out¡ªwhich was a losing battle given the size of the limb¡ªa beastly growl startled them from behind. Through the foliage of the bushes surrounding the oasis, an animal slowly approached the trio, its fangs ready to strike. It didn¡¯t take them long to realize they had raided the pantry of a leopard that had claimed Osiris¡¯s flesh. The piece was still intact, a sign that no animal could truly feed on it, but the beast seemed to have become attached to it, perhaps in the hope of being able to tear it apart one day.

    It approached slowly, one step at a time, its growls echoing in the surroundings. Even the few birds perched quietly in the nearby trees took flight under the threat. Their position was uncomfortable, and Ana?s would be lying if she said the animal didn¡¯t scare her. But she was in the company of two deities. Surely, they wouldn¡¯t let themselves be attacked by a mere beast, right?

    Anubis positioned himself in front of the two women, staring down the leopard, daring it to come closer. At first, the animal didn¡¯t stop, accepting the challenge. But when a deep, powerful growl escaped the jackal god¡¯s mouth in response, the leopard began to hesitate. Anubis took a step forward, his threatening growls growing louder to drive it away. Suddenly frightened, the leopard flattened its ears and ran off, abandoning Osiris¡¯s piece and the few bones stored beside it. The beast could retrieve them later after they had left, anyway.

    The tension in Ana?s¡¯s body dissipated as she exhaled deeply, regaining her calm. If encountering animals defending their territory was the only danger they would face during their quest, she definitely had nothing to worry about. Still, her restless imagination liked to remind her that the tranquility they were currently enjoying likely wouldn¡¯t last much longer.

    Just eleven more pieces... At this rate, we¡¯ll be done in a few days. We can do this.

    Two hours later, the trio decided to take a break and dismount to stretch their legs. The afternoon sun was more aggressive than the morning rays, worsening Ana?s¡¯s headache. Despite drinking plenty of water¡ªAnubis had given her his waterskin, claiming he needed it less than she did¡ªthe effects of the detection spell still lingered.

    "I¡¯m sorry, but you¡¯ll have to use your magic to locate the last piece," the jackal god announced to the young woman, looking apologetic.

    He had spent the first five minutes of their break studying his maps again, uncertain, while Ana?s quenched her thirst and relaxed her muscles, sore from their camel ride.

    "I suspected we were lost," Isis remarked, slightly irritated. "Apparently, my intuition was correct. You could have said something earlier, and we would have wasted less time relying on the amulet¡¯s power."

    I¡¯m not just an object now, there¡¯s no need to talk about me like one, she held back from saying to the deity.

    "So that¡¯s why you gave me your water," she sighed, realizing it wasn¡¯t just a considerate gesture.

    "I would have preferred not to worsen your headache, but we have no choice," Anubis admitted, resigned. "I thought the images matched this area, but I don¡¯t recognize anything here. I don¡¯t know if I made a mistake, or if the piece was moved today..."

    Ana?s sighed and closed her eyes. Despite the pain pounding in her head, the sooner they located Osiris¡¯s flesh, the sooner they could return to the Duat to rest. It was better to finish quickly. She focused her magic as best as she could under the circumstances, repeating the previous day¡¯s experience and creating a ball of energy between her fingers, which she extended forward. Anubis intertwined his hands with hers to help her visualize the images she sent him through their magical connection. She didn¡¯t sense the divine flesh nearby, forcing her to resort to this exercise instead of simply opening her energy and letting it overflow in an attempt to capture a particular connection. Like a phone searching for a signal.

    "It¡¯s probably an eye. It wasn¡¯t in that spot yesterday,¡± Anubis explained as he received the images in his mind. "A vulture must have carried it to its nest, about an hour north of here. It takes us quite far from our starting point, but once we retrieve it, we¡¯ll have finished this part of the shore. We should be back in time for dinner."

 Chapter 23

    The following hour proved challenging for Ana?s, whose migraine had worsened after using her magical powers. The sunlight, which had pleasantly warmed her skin that morning, had turned into a harsh glare, painful for her eyes now sensitized by the headache.

    When they finally found the vulture''s nest, perched three meters high in a crevice with no foothold to climb, Anubis had no choice but to ask the young woman for help by giving her a boost so she could reach Osiris''s eye, nestled beside a single egg. There was no sign of the mother, which wasn¡¯t necessarily a good thing. It was strange for the bird to leave its offspring unguarded.

    "Hurry, before she comes back," Anubis suggested. "She must have gone hunting."

    Ana?s felt around the nest to try to find the eye, as she couldn¡¯t see from her position. She had her arm raised above her head and her cheek pressed against the warm rock of the cliff. Once her fingers finally closed around the spherical piece, a cry rang out. A split second later, she heard the flapping of wings. She didn¡¯t even have time to look up before she felt the vulture¡¯s talons scratch her fingers, trying to make her let go. The bird defended the eye as if it were one of its eggs.

    Startled, the young woman let out a small cry of pain, clenched her fist, and jumped backward, which inevitably sent her falling. By reflex, Anubis stopped her fall by catching her around the waist, making her crash into his chest instead of the ground. The bird calmed down upon seeing its attacker retreat but kept its wings raised to intimidate them further.

    Ana?s winced as she looked at the few scratches on her hand, now starting to bleed. The pain was manageable, but the sudden rush of adrenaline made her feel dizzy. She remained nestled in Anubis''s arms, who clearly hesitated to release her until she was more stable.

    "Are you okay?" he asked, visibly concerned.

    "A bit shaken," she complained, rubbing her forehead, "but I got it."

    Ana?s unclenched her fist, revealing Osiris''s eye, much to the relief of Anubis and the satisfaction of Isis. She looked at the ocular piece with a certain disgust at the thought of holding such a thing in her hands before handing it to Isis, who gently wrapped it in a linen cloth for protection. She then carefully stored it in her pouch, now heavier with the eye and her husband¡¯s hand. In her arms, she held his thigh, which couldn¡¯t fit in her bag due to its size. The limb was heavy, but the weight didn¡¯t seem to bother her at all.

    "Let¡¯s head back," declared the jackal god, his fingers still wrapped around the young woman¡¯s arm to support her.

    Ana?s murmured a thank you, relying on his grip to make her way to the camel without stumbling. Just before she climbed onto the animal''s back, the goddess handed her a fresh cloth, nodding toward the superficial scratches on her hand. The cuts weren¡¯t deep, but a few drops of blood had started to form. Anubis helped her into the saddle and made sure she was comfortable before mounting his own and announcing their departure.

    It took them nearly three hours to return to the necropolis and cross the portal. The slow agony of the journey was finally coming to an end. The migraine pounding her skull had barely subsided despite the countless gulps of water she had drunk. By now, it was simply exhaustion and overstimulation. She wouldn¡¯t be able to shake it off until she got a good night¡¯s sleep and some peace.

    And that was exactly what she had in mind upon arriving at the jackal god¡¯s villa. Anubis had advised her to lie down as soon as they got back and wait until he called her for dinner, and she wholeheartedly agreed with the suggestion. She didn¡¯t feel up to idly waiting for the meal with such a headache. Her body proved her right, as she fell asleep just five minutes after laying her head on the pillow. Just before lying down, she quickly cleaned the scratches on her hand and decided to let them heal in the open air, as they were shallow. She just had to be careful not to rub the wounds against the blanket to avoid any painful tugs. Nothing too serious, though, compared to her headache, which was far more uncomfortable.

    When Ana?s emerged from her deep, restorative sleep, she immediately noticed two things: her migraine had finally disappeared, but now she had sore muscles from the saddle ride, and it had been night for quite some time judging by the position of the moon. She groaned as she moved, the pain flaring through her stiffened body, and then her stomach growled with hunger. She hadn¡¯t eaten since midday, after all.

    He did promise to wake me up for dinner... Did he forget? she wondered as she slowly got up, careful not to aggravate her aches.

    Though the torches warmly illuminated the villa so she wouldn¡¯t get lost in the dark, there was no sound. She assumed Anubis had already gone to bed since she had no idea what time it was. She could estimate time somewhat during the day by observing the sun, but at night, she was helpless.

    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    In any case, she had only slept for a few hours and still felt the aftereffects of exhaustion from the day. Just because her migraine had finally stopped pounding didn¡¯t mean she had regained all her strength. Along with the mental fatigue from the drastic changes in her life over the past few days, the journey had physically drained her, and using her detection powers had sapped her magical energy. A half-night¡¯s sleep wouldn¡¯t be enough to fully restore her. At this point, she doubted even a full eight hours would suffice.

    With the idea of making herself a small, varied cold meal, Ana?s headed toward the pantry. As she entered the room, a delicious smell of stew teased her nose. It came from the adjoining room, which served as a kitchen. At the back, there was a large pot hanging over cold embers. That was where the delightful aroma, which deepened her hunger, was coming from. The food, however, was cold judging by the lack of fire, but there was the possibility of rekindling it since there were still some intact logs nearby.

    "Do I eat it cold, or do I risk using my magic and hope my migraine doesn¡¯t come back?" she muttered aloud, thinking she was alone.

    "Let me handle that," Anubis''s voice echoed from behind her.

    Her heart skipped a beat, and a small yelp of surprise escaped her lips as she jumped, startled. She hadn¡¯t heard him approach at all. He moved forward with a smile, though there wasn¡¯t a trace of mockery in his expression, and knelt in front of the pot to use his powers to reignite the fire.

    "Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to scare you," he said as he stood up.

    "What time is it?" Ana?s asked, finally regaining her composure and calming her racing heart.

    "Eleven o¡¯clock. You were so exhausted, I didn¡¯t want to wake you. I asked a servant to inform me if you left your room. I figured you¡¯d be hungry."

    "You must be tired too. You didn¡¯t have to wait for me to wake up¡­"

    Anubis leaned against the brick wall, a guilty grimace replacing his usual stoic expression. He rubbed his face, as if trying to erase any trace of emotion, and then sighed.

    "I feel guilty," he admitted after a few seconds. "All of this, everything that¡¯s happening to you, it¡¯s because of me. Because I tried to take the amulet from you by force. I made you leave your time, your whole life. You died because of me, and now you have to push yourself, using your powers despite the pain, just to help us move forward in our quest... I¡¯m truly sorry."

    Anubis was sincere¡ªshe could see it in his eyes. He was almost vulnerable, and while it touched her to see him open up like this, his words made her somewhat uncomfortable. They were a painful reminder that her previous life hadn¡¯t exactly been what she¡¯d call ideal. Yet, he had chosen to trust her with his feelings and ask for forgiveness. Didn¡¯t she owe him the same in return?

    "I¡¯m a bit relieved, you know," she began, locking eyes with him. "By how things turned out. My life before... it didn¡¯t suit me. It had no flavor. Ever since my parents died, even though I experienced moments of happiness... it was never the same. Having big ambitions when you come out of an orphanage is complicated. I knew I¡¯d struggle my whole life because of my past. Aside from my best friend, I had no one, and even though it pains me that I won¡¯t see her again, I know she¡¯ll be just fine without me. She¡¯s always been the braver, more optimistic one between the two of us¡­"

    She couldn¡¯t say exactly when, after the stew was ready and they had moved to the sitting room for her to eat comfortably, she ended up sharing her past life with Anubis. She told him about her parents¡¯ death, her early days in the orphanage, the years that followed, and how her mental state had evolved. He had heard some of these events during the weighing, but he didn¡¯t protest when she repeated certain anecdotes, seemingly understanding that she felt the need to talk about them now. In the tribunal, the judges had mainly listed a series of facts, and she had been forced to present reasonable arguments. There hadn¡¯t been time to discuss how she had emotionally experienced everything or how much she valued and cherished her life. Nor had anyone asked about how the dark cloud of depression had threatened to consume her in the final years of her life on Earth.

    For an hour, he listened attentively, never interrupting or minimizing her feelings by telling her to simply move on. How many times had she heard those words from adults during her first year at the orphanage? People who meant well told her to focus on the future, not to dwell on the past, and to abandon those negative thoughts as if it were a choice and she was never making the right one. As if she chose to be haunted by the loss of her parents and her entire childhood. As if there were a switch to erase her trauma and accept how her life had changed in an instant. It had only taken a fraction of a second, the blink of an eye, for her childhood dreams to be shattered. Even if they had good intentions, how could they tell her to forget it all and act as though nothing had happened? Wasn¡¯t it more likely that her sadness made them uncomfortable and evoked pity, and they simply didn¡¯t want to confront their own emotions?

    But there wasn¡¯t a hint of pity in Anubis¡¯s gaze. Only kindness, and all the attention he could muster. Sometimes he asked a few questions to encourage her to talk more, to reassure her that she wasn¡¯t boring him, but he never commented on her stories or argued with her feelings. Perhaps that was why she ended up confiding her entire life to a man she had only met a few days earlier. Or maybe it was simply because she felt an undeniable connection with this extraordinary individual, despite how little they knew of each other.

    The answer wasn¡¯t clear, and it didn¡¯t matter. In this moment, she felt safe¡ªsafe enough to trust him and reveal her vulnerabilities. Something deep within her¡ªperhaps her instinct¡ªwhispered that he wouldn¡¯t betray her, that she could open herself to him. She just hoped her intuition was right, and that it wasn¡¯t some cruel trick of her overactive imagination.

 Chapter 24

    "It''s time," a soft, masculine voice roused her from her sleep.

    When she opened her eyes, Anubis'' smiling face greeted her. She returned the smile immediately, a sense of well-being flooding her body at the sight of the jackal god. Memories of their conversation the previous night were still fresh in her mind. There was no trace of the shame she usually felt after being vulnerable with someone. No, with him, she felt simply safe. Accepted.

    He stepped back to give her space to rise and stretch slowly. Her muscles were still sore, but it was bearable compared to the night before, which was surprising. Usually, soreness hit hardest the day after. Yet, as she moved her limbs in all directions, her body felt almost entirely healed. The same went for her hand¡ªno more scratches, not even a scar.

    "Now that you''re an Akh, you heal almost as quickly as the gods," Anubis explained, noticing the surprised look on her face as she stared at her hand as if dazed. "Surface wounds disappear within a few hours, and your body is more resistant to blows and pain."

    "But not to the pain caused by magic," she grumbled, without mentioning the splitting migraine that had tormented her the night before.

    "We can''t have everything in life," he chuckled lightly as he turned toward her dresser, gesturing to the clothes he¡ªor a servant¡ªhad prepared for the day. "We''re visiting the collector today. I don¡¯t think he''ll receive us if we show up looking like common peasants."

    He didn¡¯t finish his thought, but Ana?s understood the message perfectly. He wanted her appearance to be impeccable for the meeting, to look distinguished and noble.

    Unlike Isis, who radiates her divine status even in rags, I suppose I''ll have to make some effort to reach her level¡­ she thought with a sigh. Some were luckier than others.

    "Will we have to reveal our identities?" she asked, pushing the covers off and placing her bare feet on the warm floor of her room.

    She was dressed in a simple white nightgown, like the previous nights, which revealed little of her body aside from her shoulders and neck. The garment was fluid, half-transparent, and clung to her form with every movement, which seemed enough to make Anubis avert his eyes, embarrassed. Ana?s couldn¡¯t help but smile slyly at the almost prudish reaction of the jackal god, wondering how he would react if she were to undress in front of him right now. Would he blush? Or perhaps he would devour her with his eyes, unable to resist approaching and crushing his lips against hers... His composed and emotionless voice abruptly brought her back to reality:

    "Not if we can avoid it," he replied, locking eyes with Ana?s, his embarrassment seemingly replaced by his usual focus.

    His gaze was so piercing, as if he were trying to read her soul, that her cheeks began to flush under the intensity of his stare. She cleared her throat, suddenly flustered, and torn between the urge to take a step forward and run her wandering fingers over Anubis¡¯s skin, to coax a shiver from him, then cover him in fervent kisses to tease the desire she knew existed within him.

    Caught in my own game¡­

    Choosing what to eat for breakfast became a welcome distraction for her mind. She focused on this task with great care, as if it were an extremely important mission that would determine the outcome of their quest. Anything to prevent her overactive imagination from wandering back into wild fantasies the moment her eyes fell on Anubis¡¯s figure. Every time he was lost in thought, focused on his role and the concerns that came with it, she felt the urge to distract him, to bring back that relaxed, carefree look she had seen the night before when she opened up to him. And each time he smiled at her or allowed himself a small joke, determined to calm her nerves, she hoped he¡¯d refocus on their task before his charming smile made her cave and act impulsively.

    The white dress awaiting her when she returned to her room to prepare was similar to the one she had been given on her first day. It was a strapless gown with strings crisscrossing around her neck again, adorned with gold details along the fabric, but this time, it also featured vibrant lapis lazuli blue that richly contrasted with the gold, adding colorful strokes to break up the pure white of the garment.

    A jewelry box was also set on the dresser to complement the luxurious fabric. Inside was a heavy gold necklace, along with matching gold hoop earrings and a bracelet made of the same precious blue as the dress to complete the ensemble. The whole look screamed "wealth" with shameless ostentation. Nobility equated to flashy in ancient Egypt. Across all times and societies, it seemed you had to flaunt overflowing coffers at first glance to be accepted as part of the upper class. This realization didn¡¯t surprise the young woman in the least.

    However, her musings were quickly forgotten when she discovered one last box beneath the jewelry one. Inside was a wig of rare quality. Fascinated, she took it out of its protective box to examine it closely. It was made of real hair, deep black and vibrant, styled in fine braids held together by small gold rings at their ends. The wig was surprisingly faithful to modern depictions of ancient Egypt. Eager to try it on, she styled her hair and tied it as best she could to hide it under the wig. It wasn¡¯t the most practical, leading her to assume that women who wore these regularly must shave their heads, but that was not something she was ready to do for a one-day mission. Her hair might not have been very long, but she still cared for it.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    After slipping into the dress, putting on the jewelry and the wig, and applying makeup she hoped reflected a natural yet elegant style, Ana?s was finally ready for her first steps into the city of Thebes and her meeting with the collector who held parts of Osiris. She observed her reflection in the mirror for a few moments, surprised at how much she looked like a different person with all these adornments. Dressed this way, she had to admit she did justice to her status as a magical being, a semi-deity.

    All she needed were the sandals, which she donned with dignity, tying the straps around her ankles, and she was ready. She left her room with her head held high, easily playing her part after the confidence boost from her reflection in the mirror.

    "So? How am I?" she asked timidly as she joined Anubis in the living room.

    The god¡¯s gaze traveled over her figure, assessing her outfit. He nodded in approval, a small smile tugging at his lips. Ana?s sighed despite herself, secretly disappointed that he hadn¡¯t complimented her. She had spent over half an hour on her attire, which was far more time than she usually took. She had truly put her heart into it.

    Anubis was no less impressive. He wore a long linen tunic, with the top draping over his shoulders like a cape. The colors matched Ana?s¡¯s outfit, with a blue and gold collar and a wide, colorful belt with strings circling his waist, ending in silk tassels that swayed with each step he took. A broad collar several centimeters wide adorned his outfit, concealing his neck, and he wore simple sandals beneath his skirt. Though he wore linen trousers in the Duat, the fashion of the living world seemed to require men to wear loincloths for the poor and robes or tunics for the wealthy, which must have been more comfortable given Egypt¡¯s warm climate. And, like Ana?s, he wore a wig that was almost identical to hers in both length and the small gold rings that decorated it. The ensemble gave him the appearance of a wealthy sovereign, with a pompous, almost arrogant air. She preferred him in his natural state, in simple clothes without adornment, but she couldn¡¯t deny that these opulent garments did nothing to diminish his natural charm. Anubis was a handsome man, no matter what he wore.

    "You look beautiful," he finally conceded, extending his hand to her.

    Ana?s thanked him with a wide smile, pleased with his compliment, knowing it was sincere by the gleam in his eyes. She placed her hand in his, her body warming at the touch of their skin. The closeness of their bodies was innocent, yet it always stirred that almost euphoric feeling in her.

    After retrieving her trusty satchel containing everything that might prove useful during their quest that day, the pair left the villa to head towards the Necropolis, where Isis awaited them for their journey into the city. On the way, excitement gradually overtook Ana?s at the thought of visiting an authentic city of ancient Egypt. It was an exceptional opportunity, something she would never have thought possible. Yet, when half an hour later the trio passed through the massive main gate, one of the few entrances to the city surrounded by thick walls, the dream became reality.

    The gate opened onto an enormous boulevard bustling with people. A few hundred meters ahead, a gigantic square housed a souk that stretched as far as the eye could see, with dozens and dozens of stalls shaded by canopies that sheltered merchants and passersby from the sun. The market teemed with humans of all kinds: servants, nobles, merchants, artists, guards¡ªpeople of all social classes and professions seemed to converge at this almost sacred place. Everything was available: fresh or cooked food, the most exotic fabrics, caged tigers, and colorful paintings. Everything this ancient world had to offer seemed concentrated here, in the souk of Thebes. Ana?s was even surprised to spot items she could have sworn were from Southeast Asia, or less surprisingly, goods claimed by merchants to be from South Africa. In any case, she hadn¡¯t expected international trade to be so flourishing in such a distant time. Yet, the cultural richness and exoticism of some stalls didn¡¯t lie. When she listened closely, she could even hear some merchants conversing in a variety of foreign languages. According to Anubis, these brave nomads regularly undertook long journeys, stopping city by city or even country by country to sell their goods and purchase new ones to sell elsewhere.

    Saying she was amazed was an understatement. The souk vibrated with vitality and positive energy. Her eyes were delighted by the bright colors of beautiful fabrics and sumptuous jewelry adorned with precious stones, her ears bathed in the various conversations of the city¡¯s residents and visitors, and her nose reveled in the thousand and one scents of appetizing dishes that fueled her growing appetite. She could have spent the entire day there, examining each stall carefully, her eyes wide with wonder at anything even slightly exotic or unexpected.

    Unfortunately for her inner tourist, the trio was not there to wander aimlessly. Navigating through the crowded souk was a necessity to follow the shortest route leading to the wealthier districts of the city, but they weren¡¯t there to discover the extraordinary stalls of the merchants and artisans of Thebes. Isis kept a watchful eye, immediately bringing Ana?s back to reality whenever she stopped, mesmerized by the diverse goods.

    It took them a good twenty minutes to cross the entire souk and finally reach less crowded alleys where they no longer had to elbow their way through. Though she adored the souk¡¯s infectious energy, she couldn¡¯t deny that being able to move without being jostled against strangers was a breath of fresh air. The square had been particularly lively in the early morning, right when they had chosen to begin their journey for the day.

    As they distanced themselves from the souk, the locals became more attentive to their neighbors, especially in the chic district of Thebes. Here, the stares were heavy and inquisitive. Everyone sought to gauge the other, looking for signs of wealth, trying to identify who they were. Of course, they couldn¡¯t know they were dealing with deities since their attire was perfectly tailored to blend in with the city¡¯s noble population, but the curious gazes still made Ana?s uncomfortable.

    "Let me do the talking," Isis ordered when they arrived in front of an opulent mansion. "Play along."

 Chapter 25

    The house was rather large for a building in the city''s heart, which spoke volumes about the immense wealth of the family. Before the trio even had time to knock, a servant opened the door and stood before them, scrutinizing their appearance. If Ana?s had to guess what little game he had just engaged in, she would bet that he had assessed their social rank at a glance to act accordingly. When he seemed satisfied with his observation, he smiled at the guests.

    "Good day and welcome to the home of Emsaf, son of Thutmose," he exclaimed in an almost overly welcoming tone. "I don¡¯t believe my lord had an appointment so early this morning, so I must ask what brings you here?"

    "My son and his fianc¨¦e are soon to be married," Isis announced in a serious tone. "We are looking for a somewhat¡­ original wedding gift to bring them luck and good health. I¡¯ve heard that your master has a collection of curious objects, some of which might greatly interest us. We¡¯ve traveled a long way for this purpose, you see."

    The goddess emphasized her last statement with a pressing tone. If the master of the house only received guests by appointment, it would guarantee a useless waste of time. The servant glanced at them one by one, visibly deep in thought. After a couple of tense seconds, just as the trio¡¯s nerves began to tighten, a smile once again appeared on his lips, and he stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.

    "I wouldn¡¯t dream of turning away noble guests who¡¯ve traveled such a long way to speak with my master," he concluded, closing the door behind them. "Please, follow me."

    The entrance of the house was an immense hall filled with hunting trophies, exotic sculptures, and bizarre paintings. It was clear that Emsaf was an eccentric man who enjoyed spending a fortune to amass as many oddities as possible. Ana?s did not doubt that every corner of his house must be overflowing with similar collectible items.

    A second, younger servant approached the first, who whispered a few words in his ear. Judging by the age of their guide and the way the other servants bowed to him, he must have been the head steward of the house. The young man left, but not before respectfully greeting the guests, and the host¡¯s representative informed them that the master of the house would be notified of their presence and that they could wait while observing the incredible collection of curiosities in the hall.

    Ana?s¡¯ eyes delighted in every oddity, a necessary distraction after Isis had introduced the fake couple as fianc¨¦s. She had asked them to play along, and Anubis was doing so attentively, following closely behind the young woman, their bodies almost touching, his fingers close enough to hers to hold her hand at any moment. He seemed almost amused by how much the announcement had unsettled Ana?s, judging by the sly smile on his face. His reaction didn¡¯t sit well with his fake fianc¨¦e, who wanted to regain some control over the situation. She grabbed the god¡¯s arm in response, clinging to it and drawing their bodies closer together. Of course, she also took care to press her chest against his arm in her sudden approach. Layers of fabric separated their skin, but the gesture was quite suggestive.

    "I¡¯m sure we¡¯re going to find an exceptional wedding gift among all these unusual objects, aren¡¯t we, darling?" she exclaimed, exaggerating the pet name in what she hoped was a seductive tone.

    "I fear finding an object as exquisite as you will be difficult, my dear," he replied playfully. "The most precious thing in this room is you¡ªa true work of art."

    Ana?s almost burst out laughing but held back at the last second, her face contorting into a mix between barely contained hilarity and a wide smile. She turned her back to the servant to hide her reaction as best she could, but nearly lost control when she saw Isis roll her eyes upon hearing her son¡¯s overly sweet compliments, worthy of Sobek himself. Only the hand she pressed against her lips kept her from letting out an ungraceful laugh, and she nearly choked trying to suppress it. The servant raised his eyebrows at her little performance but refrained from commenting. He had no remarks to make to noble citizens, even if their manners were somewhat lacking.

    Ten minutes later, as the trio began to grow impatient, a small, plump man with graying hair finally entered the hall to greet them with open arms. His steps were quick, and his overflowing enthusiasm was contagious. He greeted them as if they were old friends, a business tactic Ana?s recognized for what it was. His experienced merchant¡¯s eyes must have noticed the richness of their attire. At least, Ana?s assumed he had figured out that they were prepared to spend a significant sum to get what they came for. His overly kind demeanor toward strangers arriving unannounced in the middle of the morning was telling. People like him were plentiful in her modern time, so she expected his friendly exterior to hide a ruthless negotiator, possibly even a cruel man.

    "Welcome to my humble abode!" he cried, bowing slightly before his guests. "One of my little butterflies whispered in my ear that you were looking for something extraordinary. You¡¯ve come to the right place!"

    He motioned for them to follow him into the next room, his eyes gleaming. It was a massive office, the walls lined with shelves filled with hundreds of papyri. If Ana?s had to give it a nickname, she would call it the ¡°mini Library of Alexandria,¡± given how impressive the number of scrolls was. There was also a large wooden desk about two meters long, covered with even more extravagant objects. She even spotted a large map, nearly a meter long, depicting Egypt and several surrounding countries. Thick ink marks were placed at certain strategic points, and a few illegible scribbles stained the map here and there, probably indicating points of interest. The room had high ceilings, allowing hunting trophies to sit above the shelves. There was so much information crammed into this office that Ana?s didn¡¯t know where to look first.

    It feels like visiting a museum...

    "Impressive, isn¡¯t it? And this is just a small part of my collection," Emsaf boasted, gesturing toward the sofa and chairs on the other side of the desk.

    Golden goblets awaited them on the coffee table, along with a carafe of wine, which the steward quickly poured once everyone was seated. He filled each cup with the red liquid, then retreated to a corner of the room to give his master and the guests some privacy.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "Go ahead, drink," Emsaf invited proudly, grabbing his goblet and taking a sip. "It¡¯s a fine vintage from the land of Sham. A rather rare delicacy, the traveling merchant who deals in it only passes through twice a year with a limited number of bottles."

    Ana?s hesitated, her vivid imagination advising her not to ingest a drink from a stranger. The two deities were equally cautious, first sniffing the contents as if checking for poison. A lack of scent didn¡¯t mean a lack of lethal substance¡ªAna?s had seen enough thrillers to know that¡ªbut she decided to trust Anubis, who eventually accepted the goblet and took a small sip. Ana?s was less modest, discreetly drinking half of her cup when she found the wine to her liking. It was just to calm her nerves, she told herself, avoiding the critical side-eye from the jackal god after she placed her nearly empty cup back on the table. Fortunately for her, Isis hadn¡¯t noticed.

    "My father and his father before him began collecting all these marvelous curiosities to enrich their personal collection," Emsaf recounted, his eyes sparkling with emotion. "I¡¯m merely following in their footsteps after they passed on their passion and love for these rare oddities to me. Parting with any of them is always painful, but I am a merchant as well as a collector. My prices are not... affordable for the average person, as you can imagine."

    It was obvious from the way his voice vibrated with adoration as he spoke of his collection that he was a true enthusiast. So, it was no surprise that he demanded exorbitant sums; the only question left was whether his price was within the realm of reason. This was no ordinary artifact the trio was after. A connoisseur like Emsaf recognized the value of things, and even if he hadn¡¯t necessarily guessed that the pieces in his possession belonged to Osiris, Ana?s did not doubt that he knew they were of great worth. Especially when distinguished and noble strangers came in person to buy them. The collector clearly had the upper hand in the negotiations.

    "It¡¯s an extraordinary collection that you and your family have amassed over the years, indeed," confirmed Isis, who was not hesitant to flatter him to win his favor. "I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. No doubt we will find what we seek. We¡¯ve brought what we need to ensure it."

    With a wave of her hand, she silently commanded Anubis to give her something. He rummaged through his satchel and pulled out a purse, shaking it slightly so the sound of gold coins clinking together would reach their host¡¯s ears before handing it to his mother¡¯s delicate fingers. The collector nodded, satisfied.

    "Tell me, what kind of item are you looking for? I could let you observe my entire collection all day, but something tells me you¡¯ve come up with a specific idea in mind. Am I wrong?"

    This guy is smart, Ana?s noted mentally. He¡¯s not going to give up the pieces so easily, I can feel it.

    Isis hesitated for a moment, seemingly uncertain about diving straight in. Emsaf had already guessed they were after a specific artifact, so there was no need to beat around the bush.

    "It¡¯s said that you possess some rather special body parts¡­ Human remains that don¡¯t decay and supposedly have magical properties... We¡¯re prepared to offer a considerable sum to acquire them."

    The goddess spoke in a low voice, as though sharing a secret. And indeed, judging by the collector¡¯s reaction, they weren¡¯t supposed to know. His face immediately hardened, and his eyes narrowed, as though he was now looking at them in a very different, much more suspicious way. Moments ago, he had treated them as friends, but that seemed to be over. Three seconds passed in total silence before his accusatory expression dissipated and he regained his composure, a merchant¡¯s smile once again finding its way to his lips.

    "I don¡¯t know how you found out, but those artifacts are not for sale," he replied in an unequivocal tone. "However, I¡¯m certain my collection contains many other extraordinary objects that will satisfy your desires¡­ Perhaps even exceed them."

    "You see," Isis continued, looking at the false couple, "I¡¯ve already promised them it would be the perfect gift to bring happiness and prosperity to their marriage... I can¡¯t go back on a promise."

    Ana?s nodded, grimacing to reinforce her mother-in-law¡¯s words, while Anubis supported the act by taking the young woman¡¯s hand in his and placing it on his thigh with a tender smile. Even knowing it was all an act, she couldn¡¯t stop the flutter of tiny butterflies that stirred in her stomach at the sight of his affectionate gesture. A large part of her hoped the emotion was genuine, even if the act was forced. Yet, their performance didn¡¯t seem to move the experienced merchant, who remained completely impassive.

    "I¡¯m sorry," he replied as neutrally as possible. "Even if those artifacts are of great importance to you, they are even more so to me. I cannot sell them."

    His voice had broken slightly toward the end of his speech. It was barely noticeable, but coupled with his suddenly vague and almost¡­ tormented look, Ana?s¡¯s instincts told her he had a real reason for wanting to keep them for himself. Something beyond mere collection. The display of emotion lasted only a second before his features returned to their usual stoic, confident negotiator¡¯s demeanor.

    "Very well," Isis conceded, likely having reached the same conclusion. "Allow us to take our leave then, to confer and perhaps decide on another item from your collection."

    Now that the deal was off the table, Emsaf had once again transformed into that smiling man, radiating a welcoming and benevolent aura. He jumped to his feet and snapped his fingers to call his butler, who immediately approached the group.

    "Of course!" he exclaimed energetically. "Khephren will escort you to the door. Feel free to glance at my collection on your way out. If any of my treasures change your mind, or if you need a more in-depth tour, return at any hour of the day. I¡¯ll offer you a good price to apologize for the inconvenience."

    "Thank you for your hospitality," Isis said, also rising. "We¡¯ll be sure to let you know."

    After a polite exchange of smiles, the butler led them to the hall and opened the door, noticing the trio had no interest in the rest of the collection. There was no point pretending at this stage. He bowed to bid them farewell before closing the door behind them, leaving them alone on the street under the gaze of a few curious passersby.

    "What do we do now?" Ana?s asked, turning toward the collector¡¯s house.

    Before either of the two gods could respond, a small falcon dove from the sky to their location and landed on the outstretched arm that Isis had presented to it. She leaned close to the bird and whispered a few words into its ear, covering her mouth with her free hand so any onlookers wouldn¡¯t be able to read her lips. A few seconds later, the falcon was back in the sky, circling Emsaf¡¯s estate. Anubis remained silent, clearly letting his mother take charge of the day¡¯s operation.

    "We investigate," she finally declared with determination. "Everything has a price. If he won¡¯t sell us the pieces, it¡¯s because he needs them for something. If we can find out why he wants to keep them, we can resume negotiations."

    "And what if nothing changes his mind?" Ana?s followed up, somewhat skeptical.

    They had other options, like revealing their true identities or attempting to steal the pieces, though that was no small task. Since they were so valuable to the collector, the body parts were likely hidden in a secure, secret location, maybe even heavily guarded. Only Emsaf and a select few probably knew of their existence. Ana?s doubted that Emsaf was the type to be careless.

    "Let¡¯s try the gentle approach first."

 Chapter 26

    Anubis had convinced his mother of the necessity of splitting up to gather information on Emsaf more efficiently, allowing the fake couple to escape her watchful eye for the rest of the morning. They had agreed to meet again at noon in a local tavern¡ªmore of a beer house, as it was called here¡ªthat seemed a good balance between upscale and casual, allowing their presence to go unnoticed. It also proved to be a good spot for gathering information, given the number of people constantly entering and leaving the establishment. Situated halfway between the upscale district of Waset and the souk, *Amon''s tears* blended popular classes with wealthier households, making it a perfect place to blend into the crowd.

    This left Ana?s two good hours to stroll alone with Anubis. The moment Isis disappeared from view, her muscles relaxed instantly. She still had a hard time feeling comfortable around the goddess, especially when she had that determined and relentless look of focus in pursuit of their goal. In those moments, Ana?s felt the slightest misstep or offhand remark might bring down the goddess''s wrath, which had already happened several times. However, she had to admit that Isis had mellowed somewhat since attaining her Akh status and agreeing to help them. Ana?s wouldn¡¯t go so far as to say that Isis liked her, but she had certainly risen a few ranks in the goddess¡¯s esteem.

    "How about a little stroll through the souk?" Anubis suggested with a mischievous smile. "You seemed disappointed that we only passed through earlier, am I wrong?"

    "Really?" she asked, surprise quickly giving way to joy. "What about gathering information? If we return to the inn empty-handed¡­"

    "Nothing is stopping us from doing both at the same time," Anubis began, still with that smug expression. "Emsaf is a man who likes rare and expensive things, including his wine. Given his age, he must have regular suppliers among the traveling merchants. Perhaps some of these nomads know enough about their wealthy client to provide us with useful information¡­"

    Ana?s had to admit she was rather impressed by Anubis¡¯s sharp reasoning. She already suspected he was an intelligent man, but it was another thing entirely to witness it firsthand. She liked this side of the god.

    Not that there¡¯s a side I don¡¯t like so far, she mentally acknowledged before refocusing on their conversation.

    "How do we figure out which ones might know Emsaf? We can¡¯t just ask every merchant; the souk is huge¡­"

    "Let¡¯s start by questioning the sellers of exotic or ancient artifacts. Given his collection, I have a feeling they¡¯ve all at least met him once. I doubt he misses any opportunity to see if new nomads are showing up in his city."

    This also gave Ana?s the perfect excuse to wander through the souk, something she had indeed dreamed of doing before they reached the collector¡¯s house. The crowd had thinned slightly, but the alleyways between stalls were still relatively busy. The working classes were gradually leaving the market to go to work or attend to their daily chores.

    For the next hour, she wandered through the souk¡¯s various goods, even trying on some, as the merchants had taken notice of the pair. A wealthy young couple, with the woman¡¯s eyes gleaming with curiosity, was a prime target for the nomads, who tried to lure them to their stalls with offers of exceptional prices or unique items. They draped Ana?s in their clothes, let her taste their dishes and local products, or demonstrated their everyday objects to her. Yet their eyes always turned back to Anubis when they mentioned the price of the merchandise. It was ancient times; such things didn¡¯t surprise her. Especially since, to be honest, they weren¡¯t wrong¡ªshe had no money, while Anubis¡¯s satchel was filled with gold coins.

    Coins he didn¡¯t hesitate to show when trying to please Ana?s whenever her appreciation for a particular item went beyond casual interest. He bought her a new pair of sandals, far more sophisticated and stylish than the ones she currently wore, as well as a silk shawl with floral and colorful patterns that some noblewomen wore over their heads to shield themselves from the sun. Ana?s doubted it would help much, but she didn¡¯t mind trying it since the sun¡¯s rays, coupled with the heat of her wig, were gradually turning her scalp into a frying pan. Most of the stalls were shaded by large drapes, but not all areas of the souk were as well protected from the blazing sun.

    She quickly added to her two new pieces of clothing a selection of food items that her taste buds simply couldn¡¯t resist, especially as they passed a vendor selling dried meats and then another offering a variety of sweets. Anubis had initially suggested that she wait until lunch to eat, arguing that she wouldn¡¯t be hungry by then¡ªaccording to him, at least. Ana?s easily countered this by assuring him that it would take more than a few snacks to stop her from eating a proper meal at noon. He relented fairly easily with a shrug, which she appreciated. She was quite capable of making her own decisions and accepting the consequences if needed.

    "Look," Anubis called out, directing her attention toward a merchant selling exotic art. "Let¡¯s try to ask around here."

    This wasn¡¯t the first nomad they¡¯d questioned, but most of their inquiries had led to dead ends. Although Emsaf was relatively well-known among the vendors, many knew very little about the man aside from the fact that he lived in the most eccentric house in Ouaset, had a taste for rare items of all kinds, and never hesitated to spend his gold if he believed the merchandise was worth it. Essentially, he was a valued customer, and they had every reason to recognize his face if they wanted to do good business with the collector and offer him their finest products. He seemed well-liked by the nomadic merchants, and those who had dealt with him described him as very friendly and respectful toward everyone he encountered. In short, no information that was particularly useful to them, but they weren¡¯t ready to give up their investigation just yet.

    "He seems to be a cautious man," Ana?s grumbled after yet another round of questioning from the latest nomad yielded nothing. "Maybe we should try asking his neighbors instead. Surely, there are some gossipers among them watching him from afar, trying to get details about his personal life. There always are."

    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "True," Anubis chuckled lightly. "Even the Duat isn¡¯t free from that rule. Let¡¯s at least make our way to the city gate before heading back to his neighborhood, just to cover the entire breadth of the souk. You never know."

    It was a good attempt, but once again, it proved fruitless. They had combed the souk thoroughly, ensuring they didn¡¯t miss a single traveling merchant who might have had any useful information. They even came across one of the collector¡¯s wine suppliers, who could, without hesitation, tell them which wine would delight his wealthiest client¡¯s palate, yet had no information to offer about his private life. Not for lack of trying, as they¡¯d even attempted to bribe a few people when they suspected they weren¡¯t being entirely honest.

    "Let¡¯s start by surveying the neighborhood," Anubis suggested. "If there are shops he frequents regularly, it¡¯d be easier than knocking on doors. In these kinds of areas, everyone knows each other, and our questions could end up raising suspicion."

    Ana?s nodded. She couldn¡¯t disagree with the jackal god¡¯s keen insight. The neighborhood was much larger than she had expected, with the sandy-colored stone houses towering far above those in the more modest areas. There were also pockets of greenery, some homes boasting large gardens behind their properties or even surrounding them, with iron gates protecting the land. Most of the villas resembled Anubis¡¯s own in the Duat, with open, airy architecture and an abundance of space.

    There were also a few shops scattered around the area. These buildings were smaller than the family homes but maintained well-kept exteriors and clean, inviting interiors. Most were high-end stores selling clothing, jewelry, exotic foods, and entertainment¡ªeverything the wealthy coveted. There was no doubt about who their clientele was, for all of them, except for one.

    In a small, almost hidden alley, halfway between the upscale neighborhood and a slightly more modest one, a particular shop stood out. This establishment was larger than the other boutiques. Several pillars adorned the front of the building, giving it the appearance of an important monument. Yet, the walls were made of simple stone, without even a drawing or splash of color like she had seen elsewhere. It was a mix of grandeur and extreme simplicity. Only a few hieroglyphs carved above the large door gave any indication of what kind of products were sold here¡ªhieroglyphs that Ana?s couldn¡¯t understand.

    "What is this?" she had to ask as they stopped not far from the building.

    "A sort of private clinic," Anubis revealed, stepping closer to read the hieroglyphs. "Most likely a doctor or apothecary. I don''t think he''ll have the information we''re after."

    "It¡¯s worth a try, isn¡¯t it? This is exactly the kind of semi-hidden place where the wealthy come to discreetly get treated for their little ailments. If anyone knows anything about his private life, it¡¯s probably his doctor."

    "Maybe you''re right¡­ Let¡¯s give it a shot."

    The entrance led into a small hall overflowing with various objects. Shelves lining the four walls were crammed with papyri, flasks, and small pots, except for two doors on the right and one open door at the back, leading to a modest garden with a fountain about twenty centimeters high at its center. On the floor, there were a few animal sculptures in the corners, some green potted plants, and jars scattered here and there. The overall effect was a cheerful, organized chaos, seemingly designed for its owner, who soon appeared to greet them.

    "Good day, sir, madam," an elderly man with a slow gait greeted them. "Welcome to the House of Apepi, apothecaries and healers for generations. I do not recognize your faces¡­ Is this your first visit?"

    He must have been at least seventy years old, judging by the wrinkles that adorned his face. He wore a pristine white tunic and a few pieces of jewelry around his neck and wrists, a sign of his family¡¯s wealth. Tending to the wealthy families of Ouaset must have been a particularly lucrative business.

    "Yes," they both nodded.

    "For generations, the children of our family have learned medicine and herbology to offer the best care to the dignitaries and wealthiest households of Ouaset. Some serve exclusively in important families of the city or have chosen the nomadic path. As for the rest of us, we work right here in our clinic, sharing our knowledge with those in need, who know where to find us. May I ask what ailments have brought you to us today?"

    Ana?s turned her head toward Anubis, uncertain about what to say. Should they pretend to need a consultation, or reveal the true reason for their visit right away? They weren¡¯t even sure if the old man¡¯s family actually took care of Emsaf. Plus, she had no idea if healers were bound by some form of doctor-patient confidentiality, but she doubted they would simply hand over private information about their clients just because two strangers had kindly asked for it.

    "What can you tell us about Emsaf, the collector?" Anubis asked politely, deciding to jump right in.

    "I¡¯m afraid I cannot divulge confidential information like that," the old man responded immediately with a smile, "but I suppose you have the means to pay for a spiritual consultation, don¡¯t you?"

    If Anubis was as surprised as Ana?s, he didn¡¯t show it, maintaining an expression of calm, as though everything had gone exactly according to plan. Without hesitation, he reached into his pouch, pulling out a few gold coins, and letting them roll between his fingers before the old man¡¯s eyes. The apothecary smiled in satisfaction and then led them to his office through one of the doors on the right, which was just as cluttered as the main hall. He motioned for them to sit in two armchairs set aside for that purpose.

    "I cannot reveal confidential information," he reiterated as he took his seat, "but if the gods decide to enlighten you and answer your questions through this humble disciple, well, that¡¯s beyond my control."

    Ana?s had to resist the urge to roll her eyes or snort in disdain at the old man¡¯s charlatan speech. If only he knew that he was sitting in front of a god who was well aware that deities neither communicated telepathically with the living nor were omniscient beings with all the answers, as he seemed to believe. Surely, he wouldn''t bother with this whole charade.

    "You seek to obtain something in his possession, do you not?" the old man continued, squinting slightly as though trying to read their minds.

    "Yes," Anubis confirmed. "Something he refuses to part with, at any price. We¡¯d like to know why or what might change his mind."

    The old man pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin in an exaggerated display of deep thought. The silence stretched for several long seconds, so much so that Ana?s briefly wondered if his mind had wandered off completely.

    "Emsaf isn¡¯t in the habit of refusing to sell anything, especially if you offer a more than generous price," the man finally said. "The only reason the gods whisper to me¡­ would be that the item is connected to his daughter. You see, his dear daughter has suffered from repeated and painful convulsions for many years now. It¡¯s a condition that also took his wife from him five years ago. He has come to us many times for help, but sadly¡­ it¡¯s an illness we do not understand, and none of our medicines have worked. I don¡¯t know what it is that you wish to acquire, but he must have decided that it might help his daughter."

    Of course! If Emsaf learned that the items belonged to a god¡ªor at least were magical¡ªhe likely thought they could cure his daughter! Ana?s concluded mentally, turning to Anubis with a smile, thrilled that they had finally unraveled the mystery surrounding the collector.

 Chapter 27

    After paying a generous sum to the old man as thanks for his information, Anubis and Ana?s left the premises and headed toward Amon''s Tears. They had a meeting with the goddess in about twenty minutes, but there was nothing left to do as they had already explored the souk and completed their investigation. Ana?s was almost relieved that they had been able to wander while still coming back with answers to their questions. This way, she wouldn¡¯t have to face Isis¡¯s reprimands for spending part of their morning shopping.

    "You¡¯re early," noted the goddess, who was waiting for them in one of the wicker chairs around the table for four outside the tavern.

    A large canopy shaded the terrace from the sun, allowing customers to enjoy a cool beer in comfort. All the other tables were occupied, which was no surprise since the establishment also served food and it was nearly lunchtime. What was more surprising, however, was Isis¡¯s presence, sitting in front of a wine goblet, seemingly having waited for some time.

    "How long have you been waiting for us here, Mother?" Anubis asked as the pair settled beside the goddess. "You¡¯ve found some useful information, haven¡¯t you?"

    "My falcon spotted something that might be a lead," she explained without delay, "but we¡¯ll need to confirm it before acting. Emsaf has a daughter, and she appears to suffer from rather violent daily seizures. Setep overheard his servants complaining that the poor girl can¡¯t live a normal life because of her illness."

    "Then we¡¯ve reached the same conclusion," Anubis confirmed, glancing at Ana?s. "We came across the family¡¯s physician. He told us that Emsaf¡¯s daughter has been ill since she was very young and that her mother died of the same illness. They don¡¯t know what it is and are completely powerless against it. If he cares for his daughter, perhaps he¡¯s trying to save her..."

    "Then he¡¯s aware of the origin of what¡¯s in his possession," the goddess deduced. "If he knows the pieces belong to a god... he must be trying to use them to heal his daughter."

    "And does it actually have that kind of power?" Ana?s couldn¡¯t help but ask.

    "No, but you can¡¯t fault him for thinking so," Anubis replied in his mother¡¯s stead.

    As she thought of her own world and how lucrative the trade of mystical objects and religious promises was, Ana?s wasn¡¯t surprised. Some people spent thousands of euros on spiritual guarantees or supposedly miraculous artifacts, even though magic didn¡¯t exist¡ªat least, not as described by those religious figures. Yet the demand was so high that a slew of charlatans appeared one after another. Perhaps monotheistic gods were as real as the Egyptian ones, but she did not doubt that the vast majority of so-called mystical events were fabricated or outright lies created for a specific purpose.

    "It¡¯s still the same in modern times; some things never change."

    "I thought the humans of your era no longer interacted with the gods?" Anubis asked, visibly curious about the topic. "That¡¯s what you told me, isn¡¯t it?"

    Isis was also listening intently, her expression unreadable. After all, the discussion touched on their decline.

    "Direct interactions, yes," she explained in more detail. "But that doesn¡¯t stop many people from still believing in monotheistic gods. There¡¯s a cultural, social, and traditional aspect to religion in these believing communities. To make matters worse, many ill-intentioned individuals use these beliefs to gain money or power, reinforcing the faith of believers with fake miracles. It makes them more manipulable. It¡¯s no secret that when someone is desperate to believe in something, they¡¯ll see signs proving their faith in anything, even the most absurd things."

    "You mean the gods are absent, and humans use this absence to pretend to speak on their behalf with bad intentions?" Isis interjected, astonished.

    "Yes," she confirmed with a grimace.

    "Humans never cease to disappoint me," the goddess sighed, taking a sip of her wine.

    Can''t argue with that, Ana?s thought, choosing not to voice her agreement aloud. The goddess already seemed hostile enough toward humans; there was no need to confirm her assumptions.

    The next hour was spent sipping a cup of beer and leisurely eating the house specialty: falafels served with stewed fava bean pur¨¦e, called foul. There wasn¡¯t much difference from modern recipes, except there was no doubt about the freshness of the ingredients. Ana?s understood why Amon''s Tears was such a popular tavern in the city. The food was delicious, and the beer was mild and refreshing¡ªa perfect moment of relaxation that they savored before heading back to the collector¡¯s home. During the meal, they had decided on their course of action, eventually resolving to rely on the information about his daughter. They had no other leads, and this one seemed solid.

    In the early afternoon, the trio found themselves knocking on Emsaf¡¯s door once again. His butler greeted them immediately, letting them into the hall after explaining that his master had gone out for lunch and would return shortly. He then led them to his office, where they were seated in the same place as that morning to wait for the merchant¡¯s return.

    "A servant will bring you some tea and sweets shortly," the butler informed them, positioning himself against the wall near the door to keep an eye on them.

    He was just doing his job, but his presence was undeniably uncomfortable. Of course, they hadn¡¯t expected to be left unsupervised in such a collection-filled space, but the way Khephren stood straight and motionless, staring ahead as if attempting to provide the illusion of privacy, only succeeded in doing the opposite. Ana?s focused on her cup of tea and the small pastries brought in by two servants ten minutes after their arrival.

    The wait felt unbearable and excruciatingly long, but Emsaf finally announced himself in the hall, searching for his butler, who joined him to inform him of his guests¡¯ presence. They had waited forty minutes and gone through two cups of tea, which had frayed Ana?s¡¯s nerves. She was eager to know if their sole lead was the right one.

    "Ah, I didn¡¯t expect to see you back so soon!" the collector exclaimed as he entered his office with enthusiasm. "Have you decided on another artifact from my collection?"

    Isis took a long breath before locking her determined gaze on the merchant¡¯s. She remained the best negotiator among them, being older and more experienced, despite their cover being effectively blown. Anubis trusted her, and Ana?s trusted Anubis.

    "No, but we¡¯d like to propose a new exchange," she began, her voice unwavering and confident. "If I told you we could help your daughter, would that be a sufficient price for what we¡¯ve traveled so far to obtain?"

    Emsaf¡¯s eyes narrowed into thin slits, his face betraying no surprise, only incredulity. Naturally, he didn¡¯t believe them. If even the best physicians had failed to diagnose his daughter¡¯s illness, he wasn¡¯t likely to think that three strangers could do anything to help her.

    "And what could you possibly do that the best healers in Egypt couldn¡¯t? I¡¯ve consulted them all, from the royal physician to humble spiritual healers. None have been able to relieve her."

    "Allow me to try nonetheless," Isis insisted, her gaze never leaving his silhouette.

    Ana?s couldn¡¯t tell if it was the almost divine aura radiating from the goddess at that moment or Emsaf¡¯s desperate need to believe in a cure for his daughter that finally swayed him, but after about ten seconds of reflection, he sighed and turned his gaze to the false couple.

    "I¡¯ll accept on one condition: reveal your true identities and why obtaining these artifacts is so important to you. I want the truth. I won¡¯t let strangers with unclear motives near my daughter."

    Isis¡¯s eyes landed on her son, who nodded, encouraging her to continue the discussion. Revealing their divine status was a calculated risk they had discussed over lunch. While it was dangerous¡ªsince even if they succeeded in helping his daughter, there was no guarantee Emsaf would keep their secret¡ªit was a gamble they were willing to take.

    "I am the goddess Isis, and I am searching for the pieces of my husband Osiris. My son Anubis and the Akh Anepout accompany me to help fulfill this mission. As his wife, my husband¡¯s remains rightfully belong to me."

    To say Emsaf was skeptical would be an understatement. It was understandable, of course. It wasn¡¯t every day that three individuals showed up at your door asking for magical pieces of flesh while claiming to be gods. Faced with the merchant¡¯s disbelief, Anubis opted for a more direct approach. Rising from his seat, he transformed into his jackal form¡ªa sleek, coal-black animal. In an instant, a majestic beast replaced his human figure, gracefully stepping onto the table while carefully avoiding the teacups and plates of sweets.

    For the first time since meeting the collector, Emsaf struggled to mask his surprise. His body sank into his chair as if trying to meld with the furniture and disappear from the room. His face reflected his astonishment, but his instinctive recoil also betrayed the fear that froze him for a moment as he found himself face-to-face with the god Anubis in beast form. When he regained his composure, hope burned brightly in his eyes, and a tentative smile began to form on his lips.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "My apologies," he said, standing and bowing to the trio. "Had I known I was in the presence of spiritual beings..."

    Anubis resumed his human form and sat back down beside the two women. The display of power was over. Ana?s herself was surprised, noting that Emsaf¡¯s reaction stemmed more from the unexpected nature of their identity than from encountering gods. It seemed that the citizens of ancient Egypt were aware that deities were real and walked among them, which made their veneration much more logical. She wasn¡¯t sure how Akhou were regarded, but she guessed they were nearly as respected as gods, given their semi-magical nature. This assumption was quickly confirmed by the collector¡¯s respectful posture and gaze, which included her as well.

    "We rely on your discretion not to reveal our identities if you wish us to help your daughter," Isis said, her tone polite yet firm, as they now held the upper hand.

    "You intend to resurrect him, don¡¯t you?" the merchant couldn¡¯t help but ask, his eyes gleaming. "I assume Seth is unaware of your plans. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t say anything. Better yet, I¡¯ll help you find the other pieces if you can help my daughter."

    No one responded to the collector¡¯s probing questions, wary of revealing too much and jeopardizing their mission. He was correct in his assumptions, but it was better not to confirm it and to leave a veil of uncertainty. To his credit, Emsaf didn¡¯t press further, apparently understanding that such matters were not his to inquire about.

    "While I diagnose the affliction consuming your daughter, I¡¯d like you to retrieve the pieces and show them to us before proceeding with her treatment," ordered the goddess in an uncompromising tone." Forgive my mistrust, but one can never be too cautious."

    "You are absolutely in your rights," Emsaf agreed, snapping his fingers to summon his butler. "Khephren, I entrust this task to you. I will escort our guests to Inefer¡¯s room. You know what to do."

    Emsaf¡¯s love for his daughter was entirely evident in his decision to accompany her instead of the artifacts. He left the task to his butler, a choice that betrayed what he valued most. While it was touching to witness the man¡¯s paternal devotion, it also meant that what they had come for was left in the hands of a mere servant.

    He must have complete trust in his butler, Ana?s reassured herself. After all, if he stole the artifacts, his daughter would never be cured.

    Emsaf led them to the second floor, passing through the grand hall and then into a long corridor lined with rooms Ana?s assumed were bedrooms. When they arrived at his daughter¡¯s door, he knocked before opening it slightly to announce the presence of guests, ensuring not to catch her off guard.

    "Father? Who are these people? More healers?" sighed a little girl of about ten years old.

    She had long, dark brown hair and deep, soulful brown eyes that adorned a face still marked by youth. Light freckles dotted her nose and cheeks, and her small, upturned nose gave her an adorable air. With her long lashes, petite frame, and colorful dress, she looked like a living doll. It was hard not to feel sorrow at the thought of this child growing up in isolation due to her illness. When Ana?s glanced back at Emsaf after taking in the sight, a wave of sympathy swept over her despite herself. It was difficult to believe that a father so desperate to heal his little girl could be a bad man, though desperation could drive one to drastic and immoral measures. She couldn¡¯t help it¡ªperhaps it was na?ve to think this way, but the situation tugged at her empathy.

    Inefer sat comfortably in a cushioned chair, a book in hand. She set it down on the small table in front of her as her father entered her sanctuary. Emsaf allowed them to step into the room after him, and Isis moved forward without hesitation, lowering herself to meet the child at eye level.

    "I am the goddess Isis," she introduced herself, her confident gaze locking onto Inefer¡¯s, "and I¡¯ve come to heal you."

    Not a word escaped Inefer¡¯s lips, but her tear-filled eyes spoke volumes. Ana?s wasn¡¯t initially sure the little girl believed the goddess, but the glance she stole at her father, who smiled in silent affirmation, didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Three seconds later, the child broke eye contact with Isis, burying her face in her hands to hide her tears, though the trembling of her shoulders betrayed her.

    "Will I finally be able to live a normal life?" she sobbed, her timid voice muffled by her fingers.

    "Yes," Isis confirmed, taking Inefer¡¯s hands in her own and smiling warmly.

    Inefer allowed it, smiling back through a sniffle as she wiped away her tears. Relief was etched into her face, her eyes shining with hope. Letting her down was unthinkable after such a moment. Ana?s earnestly hoped that fully healing the girl was possible. Isis seemed confident she could help, but to what extent?

    "Lie down on the bed," Isis advised as she stood up.

    Obediently, the young girl leaped from her armchair and settled onto her cushions. The goddess sat at the edge of the bed, her chest facing her patient, while the father stood on the opposite side. Ana?s and Anubis stepped back to position themselves near a wall, recognizing their roles as non-essential in this stage of the quest.

    Isis leaned down, low enough for her hand to touch Inefer¡¯s forehead, prompting the girl to immediately close her eyes. She placed complete trust in the goddess and seemed relatively at ease, undoubtedly soothed by her father¡¯s presence nearby. Emsaf, on the other hand, was visibly tense, nervously picking at his cuticles. His gaze shifted back and forth between his daughter and Isis¡¯s movements. The goddess¡¯s eyelids were closed to enhance her focus, yet her gestures remained precise despite the lack of sight.

    For the next two minutes, silence dominated the room. Everyone waited for the goddess to complete what Ana?s assumed to be her diagnosis, as previously mentioned. A faint light surrounded Isis¡¯s fingers, evidence of her magical workings.

    "Interesting," she finally remarked, opening her eyes and fixing them on the collector. "Your wife suffered from the same ailment, didn¡¯t she? The convulsions appeared well after birth, not from the start."

    "Yes, her convulsions began a few months after Inefer¡¯s birth," Emsaf replied, his grimace betraying deep thought. "She passed away four years later, and Inefer¡¯s convulsions started a few months after that. I initially found the coincidence suspicious, but no healer could make sense of it. Was I right all along?"

    "The affliction consuming your daughter is not biological. She was cursed, likely inheriting it from your wife. Do you recall any magical artifact your wife might have come into contact with in the weeks before her convulsions began?"

    Emsaf placed a hand on his smooth-shaven chin and lips, stroking them absentmindedly as he delved into intense contemplation. There was no guarantee he¡¯d remember such a distant event. Yet, after about twenty seconds, his face lit up.

    "One of my long-time artifact hunters gifted my wife a jade sphinx to celebrate Inefer¡¯s birth. A fisherman had it in his possession and sold it for a third of its value, unaware of its true worth. It¡¯s not uncommon for an artifact¡¯s origins to be untraceable, but the circumstances of its discovery were extraordinary. It¡¯s not every day an item that valuable is found at the bottom of the Nile. If I had to wager on an artifact, it would be that one."

    "Do you still have it?"

    "Yes, it¡¯s stored in one of my safes. I¡¯ll have Khephren bring it to you once he¡¯s retrieved your husband¡¯s remains."

    He paused briefly before continuing, his gaze full of hope as he looked at Isis.

    "Can you free her from this curse?"

    "Yes," she replied firmly.

    "Why was it transferred to my daughter and not to me or one of my servants?"

    "Curses act like parasites, seeking the best host. Your daughter must have been near your wife when she became too weak to sustain the curse¡¯s energy. To survive, it latched onto her instead."

    A few minutes later, the butler returned with a wooden box adorned with colorful hieroglyphs and handed it to his master, who quickly opened it to reveal an eye and a hand wrapped in a shroud. While Anubis was tasked with verifying the authenticity of the pieces, Emsaf explained the goddess''s findings to Khephren and instructed him to retrieve the jade sphinx promptly.

    After his inspection, Anubis nodded to confirm to the two women that the fragments were indeed Osiris''s. He then closed the box and handed it to Emsaf. As per their agreement, the pieces would only be theirs once Inefer was cured.

    "Will it hurt?" the little girl nervously asked.

    "No, but you¡¯ll feel tired for a while," Isis explained in her softest voice¡ªa tone almost maternal, one Ana?s rarely heard from the goddess, even with her own son. ''I¡¯ll extract the curse from your body and transfer it into the sphinx. I recommend destroying the artifact this time.''

    Her final remark was directed at Emsaf, who nodded without hesitation. Despite his love for his collection, keeping an object that had cost him his wife¡¯s life and nearly his daughter¡¯s was far too risky. He didn¡¯t seem greedy enough to endanger Inefer¡¯s life again by deciding not to destroy it.

    When Khephren brought the sphinx, no larger than five or six centimeters wide, Isis took it and examined it closely by the window to observe it better under the sunlight. Her fingers brushed the stone, searching for something she quickly found.

    "It¡¯s subtle, and only a careful eye would notice, but there is indeed a crack," Isis observed, turning back to the young girl and her father. "The curse was likely released when the sphinx was damaged, probably dropped by your wife."

    The goddess moved her free hand close to Inefer¡¯s face without touching it, then closed her eyes to focus. Her hand began glowing as before, her energy flowing into the girl¡¯s body to drive out the curse. Inefer¡¯s veins emitted a faint light in response as Isis¡¯s magic coursed through her. When her entire body was enveloped by the light, it abruptly ceased, and her veins darkened.

    The dark substance flowed in waves toward her head and the spot where Isis¡¯s hand hovered, as if the curse was being called out of her body. Gradually, a sphere of black smoke formed between the goddess¡¯s fingers, growing as the magical parasite relinquished its host, though not without resistance. While it wasn¡¯t technically alive, its energy resisted confinement, evident from the small trickle of blood that began to flow from Inefer¡¯s nose. A grimace of pain crossed her face, but she remained silent.

    When the last wisp of dark mist left Inefer¡¯s body, Isis¡¯s hand began to tremble. Her face displayed intense concentration as the extraction took its toll. Slowly, she guided the sphere toward the sphinx statue in her other hand, forcing the smoke into the artifact, which briefly glowed before dimming again.

    Inefer was breathing heavily, visibly drained. Her father quickly fetched a piece of cloth to wipe away the blood still trickling from her nose. Dark circles had formed under her eyes, as though her body hadn¡¯t rested in days. Her vital energy had been drained along with the curse, explaining why Isis had predicted she would feel fatigued for the next few days.

    "The crack has been repaired," the goddess announced while carefully examining the sphinx from every angle. "The curse is once again sealed within the artifact. Entrust it to a priestess; she will know how to destroy it without releasing its malevolent energy. Your daughter should regain all her strength within a few days."

    "Thank you so much!" Emsaf exclaimed, his eyes shining with emotion." My little girl is finally cured¡­! The fragments of your husband are yours, as promised. As a token of my immense gratitude, I will help you find his remaining parts. I have information that might be useful to you..."

    "Perhaps we should let the little one rest..." Ana?s suggested, noticing Inefer nodding off and slipping beneath her silk blanket.

    "Yes, I¡¯m so tired¡­ I¡¯ll take a little nap¡­" she murmured weakly, letting out a yawn.

    "Rest well, my sunshine," Emsaf whispered, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Let¡¯s talk in my office."

    Anubis took the box and slid it into his satchel since the fragments were now officially theirs. They had added two more to the collection of pieces they already possessed, making six in total.

    This brings us closer to halfway¡­ and without Seth discovering our quest. Let¡¯s hope it stays that way.

 Chapter 28

    Isis rose slowly, and Ana?s was the first to notice that the goddess¡¯s body was no longer as vibrant and steady as before. Her legs trembled, lacking strength, and she had to stand still for a few moments before she could walk. The extraction of the curse had also weakened the goddess, as she had used her own energy to expel it from the young girl¡¯s body. Ana?s hurried to her side, offering her arm to help her walk. Isis didn¡¯t even object to using her as support, which Ana?s took as a sign of her advanced weakness.

    The group moved to the collector¡¯s office, guided by Emsaf and his butler. The two young women followed while Anubis brought up the rear, his worried gaze fixed on his mother.

    "I¡¯ll need about an hour to regain enough strength to return to the Duat," she explained in a low voice so that only Ana?s and Anubis could hear. "Let¡¯s listen to the information he has to offer, then return to the tavern."

    Both nodded, having no objection to the goddess¡¯s plan. After the stress of recent events, Ana?s wouldn¡¯t mind a cold beer to relax. She looked forward to going back, and especially to spending some quiet time alone with her partner again.

    The trio sat once more in what had almost become their designated spots, while Emsaf seated himself opposite them, all smiles. He was beaming now that his daughter was cured as if he had completely shed his armor in their presence and fully trusted them. This trust was quickly confirmed by the information he began to share.

    "I¡¯ve been tracking the fragments for some time now. The two in your possession were easily obtained through my treasure hunters. I then learned that the temple of Pilak has a leg. The information circulates quite freely among artifact enthusiasts, which means a handful of people are aware of its location, but it should be safe at the temple. The priestesses, however, refused to sell it to me, despite my very generous offer. Yesterday, though, I managed to locate three more fragments in the possession of a group of bandits. They¡¯re trying to sell them for an exorbitant price, which I was more than willing to pay."

    "Can you tell us where they are?" Anubis asked without hesitation.

    "I can do even better," Emsaf continued. "If you give me forty-eight hours, I can arrange a meeting for you, so that you can retrieve them yourself without any danger. The bandits know my reputation, so if I keep pretending I want to buy them, they¡¯ll meet with me as soon as possible. After what you¡¯ve done for my daughter, I could even handle the exchange and negotiations myself, if you permit it."

    This time, the decision was Anubis¡¯s to make, judging by his mother¡¯s gaze. He thought for half a minute, careful not to rush his conclusion.

    "Arrange the meeting," confirmed the jackal god. "We¡¯ll meet at your residence in two days at noon. We¡¯ll devise a plan during that time."

    "Very well," the collector agreed, clapping his hands with a smile. "Please, rest here before you leave. Healing my daughter must have taken a toll on you. Khephren will bring you a cup of revitalizing tea and some fruit to replenish your energy."

    Emsaf was an observant man; it was no surprise that he had noticed Isis¡¯s current weakness. Ana?s gave the goddess a pointed look, silently urging her to accept the merchant¡¯s offer. Resting here was far better than walking back to the tavern and braving the crowds and their constant noise¡ªthough she wouldn¡¯t get her beer here. She could have it in the quiet of Anubis¡¯s villa, which, on reflection, was an even better option. Especially if he planned to keep her company.

    "All right," she finally relented. "One cup of tea, and then we¡¯ll leave. I wouldn¡¯t want to overstay your hospitality."

    "I understand," Emsaf said with a smile, making no effort to insist further.

    They spent the next hour resting in the company of the collector, who used the time to recount some of his adventures and discoveries. Emsaf had been a true adventurer in his twenties, personally seeking out the artifacts in his collection before commissioning treasure hunters after marrying in his mid-thirties. The merchant was resourceful and full of surprises, with plenty of amusing and remarkable anecdotes to share. Ana?s couldn¡¯t help but think of him as a good man and an intriguing individual. All in all, it wasn¡¯t the most unpleasant hour of the day.

    When Isis regained some of her colors, the trio finally took their leave, reminding the collector of their meeting in forty-eight hours at the same location. This time, Emsaf himself escorted them to the front door, warmly bidding them farewell and thanking them once more before closing the door behind them. Ana?s sighed with relief at the thought of finally heading home, though her nerves would only fully settle once they had crossed the portal to the Duat. In the world of the living, their presence was never entirely free from danger, even if Seth remained unaware of their quest.

    And once again, her instincts proved right. As they turned the next corner, taking a street parallel to the souk to avoid the crowds, they came face-to-face with four guards surrounding a hooded and masked figure who seemed to be waiting for them. They stopped immediately, the two women looking to Anubis for guidance, unsure of what to do. The soldiers didn¡¯t point their swords or spears at them, but they were armed, and it was impossible to tell whether they intended to attack. Moreover, the hidden figure could just as easily be an ally as an enemy. It was difficult to guess someone¡¯s intentions when their face was concealed.

    "Please follow us," a woman¡¯s voice commanded in a firm but non-aggressive tone.

    "What do we do?" Ana?s murmured, moving as slowly as possible to avoid alarming the armed men.

    "Let¡¯s do as she says," Anubis suggested, stepping forward to meet them.

    The armed group led them a few streets away, into a small alley shielded from the sun and prying eyes. Ana?s¡¯s vivid imagination couldn¡¯t help but compare the scene to an assassination attempt, as they had just been led to the perfect spot for such a thing. Their bodies would only be discovered hours later, likely by a drunkard stumbling over them after nightfall...

    "You¡¯re searching for the fragments of Osiris, aren¡¯t you?" the woman¡¯s voice asked. "You¡¯ve embarked on a very dangerous quest..."

    Anubis was on guard, unlike Isis, whose features showed confusion. No one knew how to respond¡ªat least until the goddess¡¯s face lit up as though she¡¯d had a revelation.

    "Ouseret?" she asked, uncertain.

    The masked woman pushed back her hood and removed the cloth hiding her face. Ana?s didn¡¯t know what she looked like and couldn¡¯t confirm whether Isis¡¯s guess was correct, but judging by the smile that spread across her face, it seemed she had guessed right.

    "Forgive me for approaching you this way, but I assumed you¡¯d want to keep your presence here discreet," explained Woseret. "However, I cannot afford to leave without an escort in these troubled times. Caution is the mother of safety."

    "Of course," exclaimed Isis, also smiling. "We understand. To what do we owe the honor of your presence outside the walls of your temple, Ouseret?"

    Anubis had explained earlier that Ouseret was a priestess-goddess, guardian of the city of Ouaset and its most powerful relic, the Scepter of the Gods. This magical catalyst was formidable and wielded by only a select few deities, but it had been decided that the relic would remain sealed and safeguarded by Ouseret and her husband, Sesostris, to prevent it from falling into malicious hands. While her husband oversaw the city, Ouseret managed the temple and the Scepter, making them the most influential figures in the city. No information escaped their attention, so it was unsurprising that Ouseret had learned of their presence.

    "I felt it necessary to warn you," she announced, looking troubled. "The tale of Osiris and the rumor of the fragments¡¯ existence are spreading like wildfire. Sesostris and I ensured that Emsaf kept his possession of the fragments a secret, knowing they would be safe in his home until you came to retrieve them. You can trust him; he is a man of his word. He will help you recover the other three pieces he was trying to acquire, correct?"You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "Yes," confirmed Anubis. "He also informed us that a leg is located at the temple of Pilak, though the information seems to be spreading more than expected."

    "Indeed," Ouseret continued with a grimace. "That is what I wanted to discuss. Seth knows about the temple of Pilak. He suspects that you are searching for the fragments and is even spreading the rumor about the leg of Osiris being there. I believe he hopes to ambush you."

    A shadow passed over Isis¡¯s face as Anubis sighed, seemingly unsurprised by the news. The fact that the information was circulating so widely was indeed suspicious, and it was only a matter of time before Seth interfered with their quest. Though he did not know they still had the amulet¡¯s detection power, he likely assumed they wouldn¡¯t abandon the search so easily¡ªespecially with a rumor about a fragment¡¯s location landing conveniently in their path, as he had likely planned. Even without the amulet¡¯s properties, Isis would almost certainly leap at the chance to recover part of her husband.

    Which means that the moment we go to retrieve the leg, Seth will have confirmation of our goal, Ana?s deduced. It will likely be our final destination.

    "We are deeply grateful that you crossed the city to warn us," Isis said with gratitude. "Your information will be more than helpful."

    Ouseret nodded, satisfied. She then replaced her hood and mask, concealing her identity once more, but not before offering the trio a final smile.

    "Good luck," she wished them sincerely. "I cannot assist you further without risking both our positions and yours. Seth is particularly watchful of known allies of Osiris. Emsaf will have more freedom to act discreetly; you can trust him."

    Ouseret and her guards disappeared into the next alley, leaving them alone once again to continue toward the Duat. Ana?s sincerely hoped no further events would prevent them from returning this time, though the goddess¡¯s warning had been necessary. She was starting to feel drained from all the emotions and could only imagine how exhausted Isis must be after performing magical healing on Inefer. They had recovered two new fragments; it was time to rest and plan their next steps.

    "Knowing where the next fragment is doesn''t help much if we draw Seth''s attention while retrieving it," sighed Anubis.

    "I intended to let Nephthys discuss it with you tonight at dinner," Isis revealed, taking the lead. "I''ve entrusted her with preparing the cenotaphs for the ritual. We''ll retrieve the leg once the preparations are complete, allowing us to begin the resurrection as soon as Seth is alerted. We knew from the start that we couldn''t progress indefinitely without him finding out and attempting to stop us from collecting all of Osiris''s parts. However, if he learns only at the last fragment, that''s a victory. Let''s head back and devise a detailed plan when the time comes."

    The journey back was slow, as Isis had not yet fully recovered from her magical exertions. Their pace resembled a leisurely Sunday stroll rather than a triumphant march. Still, tension was palpable among the trio. Ana?s yearned to get the fragments to safety and take a well-deserved rest for the remainder of the day¡ªat least until dinner¡ªand she was certain Isis and Anubis felt the same.

    When they reached the portal and set foot on the gray sands of the Kheret-Nedjer, they finally exhaled, their shoulders relaxing as relief washed over them. The remainder of their path to the center of Imentet passed in complete silence, as none of them seemed inclined to disturb the peace that had settled over the group. The two gods appeared lost in thought, leaving Ana?s with far too much time for her mind to wander, searching for ways to unwind¡ªespecially knowing that she and Anubis would finally be alone for the rest of the afternoon.

    "I expect you for dinner at seven," Isis informed them.

    Anubis handed his mother the eye and hand of Osiris before they parted ways. A sense of release washed over Ana?s as Isis''s silhouette disappeared from view. Finally, her body could relax. It almost felt like the end of a workday, except that dinner with the equivalent of a boss still awaited her.

    "Good catch?" a familiar voice suddenly called out.

    The grinning face of Sobek greeted them as they arrived at Anubis''s villa. Ana?s couldn''t help but roll her eyes at his appearance. So much for a quiet afternoon alone together. Something told her the crocodile god intended to keep them company until it was time to join Isis at her home. Perhaps it was the jar of wine he held aloft to catch their attention.

    Well, I wanted relaxation... Looks like a god answered my call, she mused wryly as she greeted him.

    The remainder of the afternoon passed in a lighthearted, festive atmosphere, thanks to Sobek''s cheerful presence. The trio settled outside to enjoy a glass or two of wine¡ªor a double helping for Sobek, who never held back when it came to drinking. Ana?s found herself savoring the moment as her muscles began to unwind.

    After Anubis confirmed they could trust Sobek, Ana?s recounted their recent acquisition of Osiris''s fragments. In return, Sobek regaled them with tales of his recent escapades. He often ventured into the mortal world for such occasions, sometimes donning a disguise when visiting the capital to ensure discretion. Most humans were too preoccupied with drinking and celebrating to bother him, but he remained cautious, avoiding any encounters with Seth''s allies who might recognize him and attempt to extract information about Anubis. It was no secret that Anubis and Sobek had been close friends for centuries.

    The more Ana?s learned about Sobek, the more her affection for him grew. She pitied the women who fell for him, given his free-spirited nature and penchant for seduction. Sobek refused to be tied down, even by great beauties. Nevertheless, he was a loyal friend. Though Ana?s didn''t approve of his lifestyle, it wasn''t her place to dictate how he lived his eternity¡ªespecially since he regarded her more as a friend than a romantic prospect. She attributed this to her ambiguous relationship with Anubis, which likely kept Sobek at bay. His treatment of her¡ªwith respect and camaraderie¡ªmade him a friend worth having.

    "I could try to gather some information about the guards of the Pilak temple," Sobek suddenly proposed after a moment of thought. "One of my acquaintances from the city¡¯s ruling circle regularly hosts social gatherings. I could try to snoop around and ask a few questions."

    "I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s a good idea," Anubis responded, lost in thought. "If Seth finds out someone is investigating, he might tighten security. It would confirm to him that we¡¯re after the leg."

    "But he already knows we¡¯re going to try to retrieve it," Ana?s objected. "Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be trying to set a trap for us. In any case, he¡¯s expecting us. If we can get a head start by learning exactly how the piece is being guarded, maybe we can steal it without alerting Seth too much¡­ or just buy enough time to escape and reach the ritual site. By the way, what are cenotaphs?"

    "Funerary monuments shaped like tombs, reserved for the wealthiest of humans," Anubis explained first, before considering the young woman¡¯s arguments. "It all depends on how discreetly Sobek can question the guests without raising suspicion."

    "Oh, come on," the crocodile god chimed in with a mockingly offended pout. "You know I¡¯m a master at distracting my conversation partners, not to mention a born smooth-talker. And after a few glasses of wine, they won¡¯t even remember what the conversation was about. I¡¯ll make sure of it."

    "Then we¡¯ll trust you," Anubis finally approved. "Do whatever you want."

    The time to leave the villa and head to Isis¡¯s house was fast approaching. Ana?s had limited herself to two glasses of wine in the afternoon under Anubis¡¯s watchful gaze, silently pleading with her not to overindulge before they met his mother for dinner. He didn¡¯t need to say it¡ªshe was just as reluctant as he was to risk embarrassing herself or making a misstep. She had only wanted to relax a bit, that was all. She fully understood that the goddess had invited them to discuss serious matters.

    Sobek had left them half an hour before their departure to give them time to prepare. Ana?s took the opportunity to freshen up and touch up her makeup. There was no need for her to change¡ªshe was already dressed well enough for dinner. She planned to enjoy a nice bath once she returned home before slipping into her nightgown and heading to bed. Anubis, on the other hand, chose to abandon his luxurious clothing and heavy jewelry, opting instead for simple linen trousers and a shirt. The pair¡¯s contrasting styles now stood out starkly, but she knew no one would be shocked.

    An hour later, Ana?s was seated at the table, picking apart a chicken leg and listening to Nepthys talk about the choice of cenotaph locations and their progress. Nepthys had selected various sites to confuse any prying eyes, employing simple craftsmen under the pretext that the monuments were intended for noble families from across Egypt. Some of these families were real, and Nepthys used their names after securing their agreement and support for their cause. This added credibility to the deception, though it increased the risk that someone might betray them to Seth with every individual who learned the true reason for constructing the cenotaphs.

    "Even if Seth finds out why we¡¯re building them, he won¡¯t know which one we¡¯ll use for the ritual," Nepthys explained. "We¡¯ll decide that on the day itself so the information doesn¡¯t leak."

    Anubis took the opportunity to share Sobek¡¯s proposal. Isis didn¡¯t immediately approve, but Ana?s intervened, reiterating the arguments she¡¯d made against her son. The goddess eventually admitted that their friend¡¯s investigation could prove useful.

    The rest of the dinner passed calmly after they¡¯d exchanged all their information. The next forty-eight hours promised to be relatively uneventful since they had to wait for the collector to arrange the meeting with the bandits. Ana?s and Anubis¡¯s only task was to locate the remaining pieces whose whereabouts were still unknown. It was a simple hour¡¯s work, but it also meant the pair would need to work closely together again, blending their magic. The day¡¯s events had distracted Ana?s from her burning flame, but it would return with lightning speed when they found themselves alone with the possibility of contact.

    But skin-to-skin wasn¡¯t in the cards tonight. Upon their return, Anubis excused himself to jot down the latest information they¡¯d gathered, ensuring no important details were forgotten. Ana?s decided to take the bath she¡¯d promised herself, luxuriating in the hot water for a good hour. When she emerged, the jackal god was still shut away in his office, leaving her no choice but to retire to her room and try to get some early sleep to wake up refreshed the next day. They had forty-eight hours to spend together¡ªone missed evening wouldn¡¯t matter.

    Her dreams, filled as always with the god and the feel of his bronzed skin against hers, did little to ease her frustration.

 Chapter 29

The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

 Chapter 30

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

 Chapter 31

    The oracle led them through the temple, allowing Ana?s to take in her surroundings as they walked. The building was immense, with towering ceilings, long corridors lined with doors, and a gigantic hall adorned with massive pillars and paintings covering the walls and ceiling. Heavy stone statues depicted animals or gods in their hybrid forms. Beyond being a spiritual place, the temple was also an architectural and artistic marvel, a site well worth the visit.

    The room where the head was kept had no natural light. It was not the only magical artifact stored in what served as a treasure chamber, but it was the only one carefully wrapped in a silk shroud, hidden from view. There was no security surrounding the piece, and the room wasn¡¯t even guarded, which surprised Ana?s. Even though the priestesses were confident that the fragment would not be stolen as long as its existence remained a secret, it was still surprising that no precautions had been taken just in case.

    "Here is the head," the oracle indicated, standing a few meters from the artifact.

    Ana?s remained beside the woman, keeping her distance, while Anubis crossed the short distance to retrieve the fragment. As he removed the shroud to confirm the authenticity of the head, Amena¡¯s piercing eyes settled on Ana?s¡¯s face. A sense of unease crept over her beneath that intense gaze, which seemed not to be looking at her body but at her very soul. An unpleasant feeling washed over her as if the oracle were trying to read her, to probe the depths of her essence and analyze her magic.

    "You have gained an interesting power, Akh Anepout," she murmured with a knowing smile. "Your magic and that of the god Anubis are linked. You should now be able to benefit from his gift of shapeshifting."

    "I''m sorry, what?" Ana?s stammered, stunned.

    The oracle ignored her confusion and shifted her focus to Anubis, who was returning, holding his father¡¯s head in his hands. When he noticed Ana?s¡¯s bewildered expression, he furrowed his brows but said nothing immediately. Amena had spoken just low enough that the god hadn¡¯t heard, as if her revelation was a secret meant only for the two women.

    "Let¡¯s go," Anubis ordered, turning his attention back to their guide. "We shouldn''t linger any longer than necessary."

    Amena once again led them to the entrance of the crypts. She did not seem bothered by the god¡¯s urgency to return to the Duat. After all, they had come in secrecy. Every passing second here was an additional risk, even if there was no visible sign of danger. She accompanied them to the location of the magical portal, then bowed respectfully in farewell.

    "The priestesses of Abydos and I wish you luck and fortune in the continuation of your quest," the oracle declared formally. "Fear not, the secret of your visit to our temple will remain within our walls."

    "And we are extremely grateful for that," Anubis replied, lowering his head in gratitude.

    Ana?s followed his example, offering Amena a quieter, more hesitant thank you. She was still unsettled by the mention of this new power. And Anubis seemed just as intrigued by their exchange, for as soon as they stepped through the portal, he turned to her and asked:

    "What did the oracle tell you?"

    "She said that I should now be able to use your shapeshifting abilities since our magic is linked," Ana?s explained, still perplexed. "Does that mean I can transform into a jackal?"

    She saw the astonishment flicker across Anubis¡¯s face for a brief moment. Clearly, this revelation was just as much of a surprise to him as it was to her.

    "Is it because of last night?" the young woman added, blushing at the god¡¯s silence.

    She had never been shy when it came to sex, but it was an entirely different matter when it involved Anubis. She couldn''t deny it¡ªher cheeks kept betraying her at the mere mention of any closeness between their bodies. Maybe it had to do with the uncontrollable attraction she felt toward him, or perhaps with the growing feelings she was finding increasingly difficult to ignore.

    "Probably," Anubis finally replied with a smile. "Our energies merged, and my magical signature must have imprinted on you, since you don¡¯t have one as an Akh, unlike the gods. Let¡¯s drop off Osiris¡¯s head at my mother¡¯s, and then you can try shifting when we return."

    That means we¡¯re connected¡­ Intimately¡­ To the point that my magic has absorbed his symbolic animal!

    A swarm of butterflies erupted in her stomach at the thought. It felt like the temperature around them had suddenly risen by several degrees.

    Instead of heading back to Anubis¡¯s villa, they had taken the path toward the outskirts of the city, where Isis resided. Opposite the oasis they had visited a few days prior, there was a prairie filled with various cacti and sparse grasses and flowers resilient enough to thrive in the arid climate. Beyond it lay cliffs and a canyon in the distance. The land was flat for about a kilometer before transforming into what looked like a natural playground. This was the location Anubis had chosen for Ana?s¡¯s first attempt at shapeshifting.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    For now, they stood at the edge of the prairie, beneath the relentless midday sun. The harsh brightness nearly hurt her eyes, but the heat was surprisingly bearable. In the Duat, the magical climate allowed them to escape extreme temperatures, and Ana?s¡¯s body had also become more resistant since ascending to the rank of Akh.

    "You need to visualize your body transforming into an animal," Anubis instructed, though he seemed to struggle to explain it. "Honestly, it¡¯s hard to put into words¡­ For us gods, it happens automatically. Let your magic flow freely through your body¡ªyour mind must guide the transformation, just like when you channel your energy to your hands."

    Imagine myself turning into a jackal¡­ Ana?s repeated in her mind, trying to focus on the image of the animal with her eyes closed.

    Minutes passed, and nothing happened. She furrowed her brows and finally opened her eyes, frustration written all over her face. It might have been instinctive for them, but apparently, it was far from easy for a former human. No matter how hard she tried to picture the form she was meant to take, it just wouldn¡¯t work.

    "Give me your hands," Anubis instructed, holding out his own. "Maybe merging our magic again will help you direct yours."

    The moment their fingers intertwined, warmth spread instantly through Ana?s¡¯s body. A familiar heat coursed through her limbs¡ªthe result of Anubis¡¯s energy seeping into her being. Normally, she was the one sending her magic into him, not the other way around. Experiencing the other side of the exchange was entirely different. She now understood why he usually erected barriers to protect himself. Feeling a foreign magic infiltrate her body truly felt like an intrusion, akin to someone attempting to peer into her mind.

    And yet, he had allowed her in.

    All at once, the gesture carried even greater significance, and she realized that merging their magic was far from trivial. Of course, she had suspected it wasn¡¯t something to be done with just anyone, but she hadn¡¯t grasped just how deeply intimate what they had shared truly was.

    Focusing solely on her transformation was difficult, but she still managed to initiate some changes in her body: her nails had grown considerably, resembling claws, her pupils had shifted in shape, sharpening her vision, and her teeth had become noticeably sharper. Her hearing was undoubtedly more acute than before, and her sense of smell now detected new and unfamiliar scents. Some were particularly unpleasant or overwhelmingly strong for her formerly human nose, triggering a brief coughing fit. Her senses had adapted to those of a canine, yet her body remained human. Frustration crept in again¡ªshe simply couldn¡¯t do it.

    "I can''t seem to visualize the transformation properly," she sighed. "Maybe if I use yours as a reference..."

    "Let''s try that," Anubis agreed, releasing her hands.

    Before her eyes, Anubis''s humanoid form vanished in an instant, replaced by his jackal form with sleek, jet-black fur. His animal shape was just as impressive as ever, not only because of its unnatural color but also its size¡ªfar taller at the shoulder than natural jackals. He was as large as a wolf, but his body was leaner and more refined, with an elongated snout and long, pointed ears. A keen intelligence gleamed in his dark eyes, and he held himself with dignity, ever aware of his surroundings yet not tense.

    Ana?s sat beside him to match his level and reached out to run her fingers through his fur. The god pressed his muzzle affectionately against her fingers, making her smile tenderly. It was still bizarre to think that the animal before her was actually a deity, but she was slowly adjusting to her new life and all its strange realities.

    She stroked his fur for a few moments before deciding to try again. After imprinting the image of Anubis¡¯s beast form in her mind, she hoped her consciousness would finally be able to grasp the transformation. She wasn¡¯t disappointed¡ªwithin seconds, a tingling sensation spread throughout her body. It felt as though her limbs were being pulled toward her center of gravity, though thankfully, the transformation was painless.

    In the blink of an eye, she found herself at the same height as the jackal. Her hands and feet had turned into paws, each tipped with sharp claws that scraped against the ground. A thick black fur coat had replaced her skin, and her upright human stance had shifted into a quadrupedal posture. Her beast form was slightly smaller than Anubis¡¯s, but aside from that detail, they were identical¡ªproof that Ana?s had succeeded, thanks to the fusion of their magic.

    A bit unsteady at first, she carefully took a few steps in her new form. With each movement, her confidence grew. It was an entirely new world opening up to her, yet the sensations felt oddly familiar¡ªat least to her body and magic. Her mind, on the other hand, was completely overwhelmed by how different everything felt between human and animal perception. The transformation was exhilarating, and euphoria quickly took hold of her.

    "Come on," Anubis invited, slightly parting his jaws.

    She could have sworn she saw his eyes reflect a smile before he leaped forward, sprinting across the prairie at full speed. She followed, hesitantly at first, then broke into a determined run, chasing after him toward the far reaches of the grassland. There, rocky cliffs loomed ahead, marking the edge of the terrain. Anubis began scaling the rocks, leaping from one ledge to another with effortless agility.

    Hesitant at first, Ana?s decided to trust that her body knew what to do¡ªand it did. Instinctively, she understood where to place her paws to avoid slipping and how high to jump to land safely on the next rock.

    When they reached the top of the cliff, Anubis sat facing the vast expanse below, and Ana?s mimicked him.

    The sight that greeted her was breathtaking. Her sharpened vision allowed her to perceive far more detail than her human eyes ever could. From here, they could see the entire prairie and a distant portion of Imentet. On the other side, a vast canyon stretched before them, with a turquoise river winding through its depths. The sun was still high in the sky, but it wouldn¡¯t be long before it began its descent, promising a stunning sunset.

    "Jackals typically bond with only one mate for life," Anubis stated calmly, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

    "Do gods follow the same customs as their symbolic animals?" Ana?s couldn''t help but ask.

    Had she been in her human form, her cheeks would have burned red. Thankfully, a jackal couldn¡¯t blush.

    "It depends on the individual," he replied simply, offering no further explanation.

    Interesting.

 Chapter 32

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

 Chapter 33

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    It¡¯s not Seth, is it? We have to interrogate him! Ana?s immediately reasoned, hoping Anubis had reached the same conclusion. But he seemed focused on sending her a message instead.

    Speaking of gods¡­

 Chapter 34

    The gazes of the false¡ªyet true¡ªcouple met instantly. They both knew exactly who he was talking about. This meant that Seth had attempted to acquire all three pieces to ensure that the bandit wouldn¡¯t be able to sell them. It didn¡¯t necessarily mean he knew they would be trying to obtain them tonight, but it was further confirmation that he was making sure they wouldn¡¯t be able to gather all the pieces of Osiris.

    Emsaf had introduced them as members of his family. Even if the bandit had inadvertently informed Seth about this meeting, there was no way he could suspect their true identities. Yet, that wouldn¡¯t stop him from reporting this information later... Should they just kill them all?

    "OK," Anubis said after quickly assessing the situation. "Here¡¯s what will happen if you and your men want to leave here alive and in one piece. You will take us to the artifacts and hand them over as planned in exchange for the three pouches of gold. You will use that money to flee as far away as possible and never look back. Understood? Do not inform the other buyer¡ªjust disappear. In any case, if he finds out you no longer have the pieces, he will kill you."

    The bandit leader nodded repeatedly without the slightest hesitation. He feared for his life; it was no surprise that he would agree to any terms. The real question was whether he would actually honor them.

    "Understood?" Anubis insisted, wanting to hear him accept out loud.

    "You have my word," he promised.

    Ana?s rolled her eyes, not bothering to hide her skepticism. As if faithless, lawless criminals like his group had any honor... He had literally planned to ambush and rob them. The only certainty they had was that the mix of greed and the sheer terror of what one of the two Gods would do to him if they ever crossed paths again would be enough to convince him to obey Anubis¡¯ instructions.

    "Get up," the jackal god ordered.

    The bandits¡¯ camp was only about a hundred meters deeper into the cliffside. It was an open space with a cave entrance not far from their campfire, which they could light at will since the surrounding rock formations shielded them from distant eyes. A perfect hiding place for a few days and an ideal spot to stash precious artifacts.

    Two bandits were standing guard at the narrow path leading into the camp. The moment they saw their leader¡¯s distress and the couple behind him, they immediately unsheathed their sabers, ready to defend their camp.

    "Put your weapons away," he ordered, trying¡ªand failing¡ªto suppress the tremor in his voice. "Go get the artifacts and prepare to leave camp."

    "But... where are the others?" one of the bandits asked, lowering his blade slightly.

    "I¡¯ll answer your questions later!" he snapped, silencing them.

    The two guards exchanged a glance, then begrudgingly sheathed their weapons and stepped aside, allowing them to pass. They scrutinized the duo for a moment before ultimately following their leader¡¯s orders and vanishing into the cave.

    A minute later, two men and an unfamiliar woman emerged, greeting their leader with restrained nods as they hurried to pack their belongings and prepare to leave. They all moved slowly, their eyes never leaving the trio as if they expected Anubis or Ana?s to attack them at any moment.

    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    The wait felt like an eternity, but eventually, the two guards returned to the firelight, carrying a chest between them. It didn¡¯t look particularly heavy, but it was undoubtedly valuable¡ªthe way they handled it with such care made that clear.

    They set it down at their leader¡¯s feet, who hastily unlocked it with the key hanging around his neck before stepping aside to let Anubis inspect the contents.

    The god stepped forward and crouched down, reaching for the first piece: a thigh that extended from Osiris¡¯ hip to his knee. The second was his right leg, its sheer length justifying the size of the chest. It belonged to an adult, after all, and judging by the flesh, Osiris had not been a small man. The last piece was an arm, though Ana?s couldn¡¯t tell whether it was the right or the left¡ªjust like the thigh.

    The thought of Isis accidentally misplacing a limb while reassembling his body crossed her mind, and she had to fight the urge to let out a small laugh. Now was not the time, and it wasn¡¯t exactly respectful either. But the parallel to Frankenstein was hard to ignore.

    "Perfect," Anubis confirmed as he straightened up, his piercing gaze settling on the bandit leader and the two guards nervously standing beside the chest. "Not a word¡ªdon¡¯t forget. Vanish completely. Don¡¯t contact anyone, not even your family if you have one. Egypt and all its inhabitants must believe you are dead and buried."

    Ana?s hurried to Anubis¡¯ side, bending slightly to grab one side of the chest and help him carry it. Its large size made it cumbersome, and while the weight was surely no issue for him, the chest was simply too big for him to carry comfortably between his arms without assistance. Turning her back on the bandits made her uneasy, but it was necessary to get back to the cart. Besides, they wouldn¡¯t dare attack now that their leader knew they were dealing with a god.

    After a final nod from the bandit chief, they left the camp, moving slowly due to the cumbersome cargo. Anubis still held the torch in his free hand, lighting their way so Ana?s could see where she stepped. They only had about two hundred meters to cover to reach the cart, but the chest¡¯s bulk slowed their progress. Not that it really mattered, considering the pieces were completely unbreakable, but still.

    "I¡¯m sorry for leading you straight into an ambush," Emsaf immediately said as soon as he saw them approaching. "I truly didn¡¯t think he would go that far..."

    "It¡¯s fine," Anubis reassured him, lifting the chest into the cart. "What matters is that we retrieved the pieces."

    "Where should I take you now?" the collector asked, grabbing the horse¡¯s reins and snapping them to urge the animal forward. "You don¡¯t need to go all the way to Ouaset, do you?"

    Anubis reached into his satchel and pulled out a parchment¡ªa small map of the area. He studied it for a moment before pointing to one of the temples near the city of Iounyt.

    "The Temple of Khnum will do," he announced to their driver. "It¡¯s the closest one, and the sooner the pieces are safely in the Duat, the better."

    "We¡¯ll be there in less than twenty minutes if we pick up the pace."

    Emsaf urged the horse into a trot¡ªnot fast enough to tire it out, since he planned to return to Ouaset after dropping them off, but quick enough to reach the temple as soon as possible. He let them off in one of the many necropolises near their destination. Temples were always surrounded by crypts, as the people believed spiritual buildings should be close to burial sites so that priests and priestesses could properly guide the dead to the afterlife. These religious places served as gateways between the two worlds, which worked in their favor¡ªexcept when they were guarded. Fortunately, the necropolises of the Temple of Khnum were unguarded, allowing the couple to slip inside a tomb unnoticed. Within minutes, they had reached the Kheret-Nedjer.

    "I¡¯m exhausted," Ana?s groaned, sighing in relief as her feet sank into the gray desert sand.

    "I can ask a servant to help me carry the chest to my mother¡¯s villa," Anubis offered warmly. "That way, you can go rest immediately."

    "Hard to refuse an offer like that," she accepted without hesitation.

    I¡¯m too tired to face Isis right now... she kept that thought to herself, not wanting to disrespect the goddess in front of her son.

 Chapter 35

    Waking up in the protective comfort of Anubis¡¯s arms was becoming a habit Ana?s was more than happy to incorporate into her daily routine¡ªespecially after such a restless night. The previous day¡¯s events had kept her on high alert, with stress tormenting her muscles. She had spent half the night waking up every hour, constantly shifting in Anubis¡¯s arms. Sometimes, her movements would wake him, and he would tighten his hold around her waist reassuringly. But even the God¡¯s gentle attentions failed to lull her into a truly restful sleep.

    By the time the morning rays of sunlight crept into the room she now shared with Anubis, she was already wide awake. Her bed companion, however, wasn¡¯t far behind, soon opening his eyes to scrutinize her face with concern.

    "I have to get up, but you should try to sleep a little longer," he advised, kissing her forehead before pushing the covers aside. "Finding the pieces in the marshes may not be as easy as expected without the power of the amulet... You¡¯ll probably have to use your magic."

    Ana?s sighed at the mention of their mission for the day. As if the prospect of ending the day with a migraine wasn¡¯t bad enough, they were heading into the marshes today¡ªwhich meant humidity, mud, and a swarm of pesky insects hovering over all that water. And since nothing could possibly redeem this day, Anubis had informed her the night before that Isis would, of course, be accompanying them on their quest. It would likely be for the last time, as they only had to go to the temple of Pilak after this, and she would then be busy preparing the ritual with Nephthys.

    "It¡¯s almost over," Anubis attempted to reassure her while slipping on a loose tunic. "After these two pieces, we¡¯ll have a bit of respite until the cenotaphs are completed."

    "And how much ¡®respite¡¯ will that be?" she groaned, burying her face in the pillow.

    "I don¡¯t know, a few days maybe."

    "I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ll be able to relax knowing what¡¯s coming as soon as the preparations are finished."

    "One thing at a time," he murmured, sighing as well. "I¡¯ll come get you for breakfast¡ªtry to get some more rest."

    A suggestion she was utterly incapable of following during the extra hour and a half the jackal-headed god allowed her. Her body appreciated the reprieve, but her mind remained too restless to settle. Usually, she managed to suppress her morning grumpiness, but today, it proved particularly difficult.

    Not even Anubis¡¯s handsome face could smooth the frown from her brow or chase the irritation from her lips when he came to fetch her for breakfast. When she caught sight of her outfit for the day¡ªa simple, unadorned dress with no jewelry to accompany it¡ªshe let out yet another sigh. Unsurprisingly, there were no unnecessary embellishments to her attire, given that they were about to spend the day in a hostile environment. It was the first time since arriving in the Duat that her motivation and sense of adventure had felt this weak.

    "Ana?s?" the god called from outside her room. "We need to go."

    Even Isis refrained from commenting on her foul mood, simply greeting them respectfully despite their five-minute delay. Apparently, it was written all over Ana?s¡¯s face that today was not the day to push her buttons¡ªand that was just fine by her.

    Anubis had led them to the necropolis of Giza, a name that sounded particularly familiar to Ana?s. In the modern world, it was a highly touristic site, as the city of Giza, just a few kilometers from its downtown area, boasted famous pyramids like that of Khufu, as well as the world-renowned Sphinx. Yet, when they arrived, she found no pyramids in sight. There was indeed a network of necropolises, but none of the signature monuments of Ancient Egypt. This meant that history had not yet advanced far enough for them to have been built.

    When they reached the banks of the Nile, another surprise awaited her: there was no city on the other side of the river. If she remembered correctly, Giza faced Cairo, the current capital of Egypt. There were a few houses, but they resembled more of a small hamlet than a true city.

    Looking on the bright side: countless historians would dream of observing Egyptian life before the pyramids were even built. If I live forever, I might even solve one of the greatest mysteries of our modern era: were the pyramids built by humans, or did super-intelligent aliens pay them a visit? she mused with a quiet chuckle, ignoring the heavy stares of the two deities, who must have been wondering why she was suddenly laughing to herself.

    "Let¡¯s take a boat with a canopy to protect us from the sun," Isis suggested as they arrived at the small port where several boats were waiting. "It doesn¡¯t matter if we move a little slower."

    Ana?s didn¡¯t necessarily agree at first, but she quickly came around to the goddess¡¯s suggestion when, after about thirty minutes under the sun¡¯s relentless rays, her skull began to overheat. The boat was wide enough for the three of them to sit in two rows, though a bit tightly packed, but at least they were shielded from the blazing sun. Four rowers worked at the front, paying no attention to their passengers, while another man oversaw the crew and occasionally discussed their route with Anubis when necessary. They had also brought along a supply of food and water, as they were going to spend the entire day traveling.

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    "I wasn¡¯t expecting such luxury," she admitted, unable to hide her relief. "Turns out, this won¡¯t be as bad as I thought."

    "You¡¯ll change your mind when we reach the marshes," Isis interrupted, "and by the end of the day."

    Great¡­ Thanks for the pep talk.

    Isis hadn¡¯t lied. The atmosphere changed completely the moment they entered the marshes, even though they were still following one of the Nile¡¯s branches. On either side of the river, the swamps stretched as far as the eye could see, with a few animals prowling or fleeing at the sight of their boat crossing their habitat. Ana?s even spotted a few crocodiles vanishing beneath the water as they approached, and she hoped they wouldn¡¯t linger near their vessel. It was unlikely they would attack, but the thought of being on a boat, floating over murky waters hiding massive reptiles, made her uneasy.

    "Ana?s, you¡¯ll need to locate the artifact," Anubis announced as they spotted the Nile splitting into several branches a few hundred meters ahead. "I don¡¯t know the best route to take¡ªyou¡¯ll have to guide us."

    "Assuming it¡¯s even within my detection range," she countered, not feeling particularly confident.

    They had already been traveling by boat for two hours. Ana?s had no clue where their destination was, and since the jackal god didn¡¯t either¡­ everything once again rested on her ability to control the amulet¡¯s powers. She could only hope that this particular fragment wouldn¡¯t require intense use of her magic. She doubted she could endure several more hours of traveling through the marshes with a splitting headache.

    Focusing her magic to use it like an antenna was becoming second nature, and the task proved even easier than before. It took her a while to locate the fragment since it was still relatively far away, but she could feel that her detection range had significantly increased as she gradually mastered her powers. It was as if her energy had been rusted over during the first days of her existence as a newly awakened Akh. Now that she had properly warmed up, her magic flowed freely, and controlling it was becoming easier and easier.

    "There, " she indicated, pointing toward the rightmost branch of the river. "We¡¯re still a bit far from it."

    "The village of Sephret is a few kilometers downstream," the overseer commented after giving instructions to the rowers. "There are endless papyrus fields there, a perfect place to hide a valuable object."

    Isis had used her persuasive talents to convince the crew that their group was made up of two priestesses and a bodyguard, searching for two rare artifacts they had heard about through their connection with the gods. It was a simple enough explanation to be plausible and also justified Ana?s¡¯s detection abilities, as priestesses were known for their capacity to communicate with the Egyptian deities¡ªwhether that was true or not.

    By the time the small houses of the village appeared on the horizon, the sun had reached its zenith. Ana?s¡¯s stomach, as punctual as ever, began to make itself known within minutes, letting out discreet¡ªso far¡ªgrumbles. Fortunately for her, the group had planned to stop at the village so the rowers could rest and they could all have lunch on solid ground.

    "Ah, nothing beats solid ground!" Ana?s exclaimed, stretching after finally stepping off the boat.

    Her legs were grateful for the chance to move after spending three hours sitting on a wooden seat, despite the cushion meant to make the journey more comfortable. Her back ached, which did nothing to improve her already sour mood from the morning. Only the prospect of eating a good meal outside of the boat lifted her spirits somewhat.

    Only disappointment awaited her when she discovered that their meal consisted only of dried meat and a few fruits, such as dates and figs. There was no luxury food planned for lunch, as they weren¡¯t sure they¡¯d be able to cook anything, and bringing other food would have been inconvenient. Oh well, she would have a proper meal tonight. And in the end, cold food and refreshing fruit weren¡¯t such a bad idea, given the humid heat of the marshes.

    A few villagers returning home for their midday break greeted them as they passed by, their curious eyes scrutinizing the flawless features of the two deities. Even dressed modestly, it was obvious they were not simple peasants. Ana?s hoped they included her in that observation, but she doubted it. She was pretty, but ordinary. Then again, her European features and skin, far too pale for Egypt¡¯s hot climate, might suggest nobility¡ªor at least an obvious exoticism. Even Anubis and Isis had bronzed skin, and though she had tanned since arriving here, she was still much paler in comparison.

    The group sat directly on the grass and dry earth to enjoy their meal. The crew had settled a few meters away from them, giving them a semblance of privacy¡ªan appreciated gesture, as it allowed them to talk in peace. Though Ana?s was getting used to the desert sand, she welcomed the change of scenery. Except, perhaps, for the swarming insects constantly trying to steal their food. She could hear the buzzing of their wings, especially the flies, which were desperate to get to the fruit as if their lives depended on it. A rare nuisance in the Duat, and one she certainly hadn¡¯t missed.

    "That¡¯s enough. Let¡¯s keep moving," Isis ordered impatiently as she stood up. "I don¡¯t want to return after nightfall."

    Ana?s¡¯s break lasted only about thirty minutes before she had to use her powers again. To do so, she remained seated, as the position was more comfortable for concentrating. For the second time today, she closed her eyes, allowing her mind to open to the surrounding energies to pinpoint the fragment of Osiris. As she scanned the area for its exact location, a slight headache began to creep in. She felt a familiar strain at her forehead and the bridge of her nose¡ªa pain similar to eye fatigue. After all, it was as if she were using magical eyes.

    "We¡¯ll need to cross the river and make our way through the papyrus fields," she affirmed, reopening her eyes. "It¡¯s not that far, but I don¡¯t trust the path. The fragment is at the bottom of a small pond along the papyrus fields."

    Anubis took a moment to think before advising, "Stay here, Mother. Ana?s will guide me; there¡¯s no need for all three of us to go. Make sure the rowers don¡¯t leave without us¡ªjust in case."

    For once, Isis, usually so eager to ensure that the pieces of her husband¡¯s body were accounted for and intact, didn¡¯t protest. It must have been the effect of the marshes¡ªthe damp air that clung to their skin and the thought of sinking her feet into the wet earth of the papyrus fields. Ana?s couldn¡¯t blame her; she wasn¡¯t particularly excited about trudging through the marshes either. Especially when her imagination so helpfully reminded her of the terrifying creatures that called these swamps home.

    Crocodiles weren¡¯t the only dangerous beasts lurking in this kind of environment.

 Chapter 36

    Crossing the river took no more than ten minutes, including the time needed for the rowers to take their positions. While Anubis and Ana?s went to retrieve the fragment, their task was to prepare for the journey back up the Nile by turning the boat around and waiting for them. To reach the next piece of Osiris, they had to travel upstream against the current¡ªa much longer trip than the way there¡ªbefore branching off westward. In a straight line, the distance between the two locations wasn¡¯t very far, but by boat, their second trip would take up most of the afternoon.

    "Why not go on foot?" Ana?s asked as she stepped off their vessel onto the damp soil of the papyrus fields.

    The tall plants brushed against her waist, and the dense vegetation made it impossible to see her feet. Navigating the scattered puddles and small marshy pools wasn¡¯t exactly easy.

    "We can¡¯t cross without a boat," Anubis explained, keeping a watchful eye on her movements. "It¡¯s a long journey, but it¡¯s necessary. Watch where you step¡ªsome holes are deeper than they look."

    Ana?s moved closer to the jackal-headed god, stepping behind him to mimic his path. This way, she could follow safely, letting him test the ground first. The papyrus field was far wider than it appeared, stretching for hundreds of meters, but they were close enough to the fragment for Ana?s to sense its distinct energy. Since Anubis didn¡¯t know its exact location, she guided him whenever he needed to adjust their course, leading them straight to the pond where Osiris¡¯s flesh rested.

    "Guide me from dry land. You don¡¯t need to get dirty too," Anubis suggested as he waded into the water, its surface covered in green algae.

    "It¡¯s toward the middle," she directed as he moved slowly, hindered by the thick, murky water. "More to the right. A little farther¡­ There! Right in front of you. Ouch!"

    Something had sunk its fangs into her leg, just above her ankle. A sharp pain spread through her body instantly, and when she looked down to locate the source, her gaze locked onto a snake clamped onto her limb.

    It was coiling itself around her leg, tightening its grip, refusing to let go.

    Ana?s couldn¡¯t stop the scream that tore from her throat. The bite was painful, but it was nothing compared to the sheer terror flooding her veins. The serpent had no intention of releasing her.

    "Are you okay?!" Anubis shouted, hesitating to turn back after hearing Ana?s¡¯s terrified scream.

    "A¡­ a snake is wrapping around my leg!" she whimpered, completely panicked. "What do I do? It won¡¯t let go!"

    "Don¡¯t move," Anubis ordered as he quickly searched the bottom of the pond to retrieve the fragment before returning. "If you move, it will only tighten its grip."

    "You want me to just wait patiently until it decides to pull its fangs out of my leg?!" she shrieked.

    "Yes," the jackal god confirmed firmly.

    Her body was frozen with fear, making staying still easier than she expected. Ana?s could feel her heart pounding wildly as if it was about to burst out of her chest at any moment. Her head was starting to spin¡ªwas it the venom or just the shock? Her leg throbbed with pain, and the pressure of the snake¡¯s coils around her flesh was just as unbearable, but she could feel it gradually loosening its grip as the seconds passed.

    "I got it!" Anubis exclaimed as he lifted an arm from the water, immediately wrapping it in a clean shroud to conceal it. "Is it still holding on?"

    "Y-yes¡­" she stammered through clenched teeth, though her voice was slightly calmer than before.

    Anubis hastened toward her, forcing his way through the algae that slowed his movements. When he was only a few steps from solid ground, the snake finally released Ana?s¡¯s leg and slithered away at high speed, as if sensing danger approaching.

    Perhaps she could have transformed into a jackal to escape its fangs and grip, but the shock had completely paralyzed her ability to think, and she had chosen to simply follow the god¡¯s instructions.

    "How do you feel?" he asked, crouching in front of her to examine the bite, lifting her robe slightly.

    "It hurts like hell," she complained, sweat forming on her forehead.

    "The bite doesn¡¯t seem to be swelling," he observed, looking at the two small red puncture wounds without touching her skin. "Any nausea?"

    "No, just the pain from the bite itself."

    Anubis straightened up, visibly relieved.

    "Then it¡¯s a dry bite¡ªno venom. That¡¯s good; otherwise, we would have had to rush back immediately. Knowing my mother, she probably has some salve in her pouch to ease the pain. Let¡¯s get back to the river. Will you be able to walk?"

    Ana?s timidly put weight on her injured leg to test its strength. Her body was still a bit shaky from the emotional turmoil and the sudden pain, but her limb wasn¡¯t impaired enough to keep her from walking.

    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "Yes," she confirmed with a grimace.

    The papyrus leaves brushed against her wound, even through her robe, as the bite had left her skin hypersensitive. It wasn¡¯t pleasant, but she could manage by gritting her teeth. She sincerely hoped Isis had brought the right remedies because the thought of spending the rest of the afternoon sitting in a wooden chair with this pain made her want to cry.

    Luckily for her, the goddess had indeed prepared supplies for treating any superficial wounds. She didn¡¯t even cast them a disapproving glance when Anubis knelt before Ana?s to apply the salve, allowing her to remain seated on the boat¡¯s chair. It seemed that getting bitten by a wild animal and suffering in silence granted them some level of immunity from her judgment.

    Or perhaps, after all, Isis was capable of compassion toward her¡ªespecially when they still had many hours to wait in their chairs on the river before reaching their destination. A journey that indeed proved more than uncomfortable for the young woman.

    "When will we arrive?" Ana?s lamented, using her hand as a makeshift fan.

    As the afternoon wore on, the air in the Nile Delta became increasingly stifling. The pain from the bite had subsided significantly, but her weakened body struggled under the humid heat of the crossing. In truth, it was undeniably cooler than the desert, thanks to the surrounding water, but the air here was so different that adjusting to it in just a few hours was proving difficult. To make matters worse, her clothes had begun to cling to her body due to the sweat that had formed in response to the initial pain of the bite.

    "Soon," the supervisor answered as he analyzed one of the maps Anubis had given him, with the approximate position of the artifact marked on it. "Half an hour at most."

    "The point I marked on the map isn¡¯t precise," Anubis admitted, glancing at the young Akh with embarrassment. "The artifact is somewhere at the bottom of the river. You¡¯ll need to locate it and guide me for the dive."

    Ana?s sighed, already feeling the first throbs of an impending headache, like a grim premonition. With her exhausted body, she knew she wouldn¡¯t escape it this time. The only thing she could hope for was that they would quickly return to the Duat after retrieving this fragment.

    She furrowed her brows. A resistance was blocking her magical flow as she tried to detect the spiritual energy of Osiris¡¯s flesh. After repeated use of the amulet¡¯s power, the process had become so natural that her magic usually flowed unhindered, like a waterfall. Now, it felt as though someone had built a dam, allowing only trickles of her energy to pass¡ªfar too little to activate her detection abilities.

    "Something is blocking me¡­" she murmured, trying to push against the barrier in her mind. "It¡¯s like a wall¡­ I can¡¯t get through."

    "Give me your hand," Anubis whispered, ensuring the humans accompanying them wouldn¡¯t overhear.

    He was seated just to her left, while Isis occupied one of the two seats in front of them. Hesitantly, Ana?s extended her hand, and Anubis took it in his, gently pressing his thumb against her skin. Instantly, warmth poured into her fingers, and she recognized the signature of the jackal god¡¯s magic. He was channeling energy into her to help her break through the barrier blocking her detection, intertwining their magic once again.

    She coughed lightly as she realized what he was doing, her cheeks flushing slightly as memories of the last time their spiritual essences had merged flooded her mind. Even though the only contact between them was their interlocked hands, she still felt the magical act as something intensely intimate.

    Shaking off these thoughts, Ana?s refocused on the amulet¡¯s power. With Anubis¡¯s magic enhancing hers, the cascade was overwhelmingly powerful¡ªso much so that locating the fragment became astonishingly easy. She could sense its energy with such clarity that she felt it pulsing within her, its force almost painful in its intensity.

    "We''re¡­" Ana?s began before Anubis interrupted her.

    "It''s OK, I can sense it too."

    Surprise flickered across Ana?s''s face. Their connection had grown so strong that she was now able to share the amulet¡¯s powers with him simply by touch. Sending him images through their spiritual link was one thing, but for him to actually use this ability¡ªor at least have it extend to him¡ªwas something entirely new.

    When he withdrew his hand and the flow of his magic ceased, a wave of exhaustion crashed over Ana?s. It was as if her strength had left with her lover¡¯s energy. This time, she didn¡¯t feel a headache coming on, but she could still sense the fragment pulsing somewhere in the distance within her mind. It wasn¡¯t painful, but it was deeply unsettling¡ªlike she had just run a marathon and could now hear her pulse pounding in her skull.

    Fifteen minutes later, Anubis instructed the overseer to stop the boat. However, he didn¡¯t wait for it to fully halt before moving toward the edge. With a fluid motion, he dove into the river, hands first, with the ease of an experienced swimmer. Ana?s hadn¡¯t even noticed him take a deep breath to hold before submerging.

    Exactly three minutes and twenty seconds passed before the jackal god¡¯s dark hair broke the surface of the water again. Ana?s, who had started to worry during that time, rushed to help him climb back aboard, joined by Isis, who had the same instinct. Without hesitation, he handed them a heavy object wrapped in linen¡ªjust like the arm before. Judging by its shape and the pieces they had already recovered¡­ this was the torso. And it was incredibly heavy. Both women had to lift it together to place it on the boat¡¯s floor while the rowers helped Anubis back on board.

    "Don¡¯t let them see what it is," Isis murmured, placing the torso behind her seat¡ªvisible to the trio but hidden from the crew¡¯s view.

    Ana?s nodded, making sure the damp linen fully covered the flesh while Anubis removed his tunic to wring it out as best as he could. He then sat back down, pulled it on again, and turned his attention to the overseer.

    "Head for the village of Saou," he ordered. The man studied the map for a moment before returning it to Anubis and relaying the instructions to the rowers. "We¡¯ll be home in an hour."

    That meant they would arrive just before dusk. It was nothing compared to the time they had already spent on this boat, but for Ana?s, it felt like an hour too long. She spent it dozing in her chair, with Anubis keeping a watchful eye to ensure she didn¡¯t slip.

    When Isis finally roused her with a gentle shake of her shoulder, the jackal god was paying generously for their passage. He returned to retrieve the fragment and carried it toward the small necropolis on the outskirts of Saou while Ana?s struggled to force one foot in front of the other.

    Another evening she would spend asleep, too drained to enjoy the rest of the day. A habit she couldn¡¯t wait to break. But most of all, she wished she could have spent it in her lover¡¯s arms¡­

 Chapter 37

    Three days had passed since the marshes. Ana?s¡¯ bite had vanished from her skin by the following day, leaving behind only the trauma of the attack. More fear than harm. Her enhanced regenerative abilities were truly remarkable.

    The couple had been able to rest as much as they wanted and enjoy each other¡¯s presence without the obligation of leaving bed shortly after dawn. She had gotten a glimpse of what her life in the Duat would be like now that she was an akh by Anubis¡¯ side¡ªassuming, of course, that they wouldn¡¯t grow tired of each other. Or rather, that he wouldn¡¯t grow tired of her¡ªbecause her instincts told her that wouldn¡¯t be the case. Being by this magnificent man¡¯s side, able to touch his skin, and intertwine their beings and their magic, was starting to feel like an addiction she had no desire to break free from. She certainly wasn¡¯t ready to give him up. Not after everything they had shared, even if, in the end, it hadn¡¯t even been a month since they had met.

    She had felt far too many intense emotions in that short time, forming an attachment to him at record speed due to the extraordinary circumstances of their meeting. Deep down, even if she didn¡¯t fundamentally believe in fate, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that destiny had brought them together, that it wasn¡¯t mere coincidence that things had unfolded the way they had. Or perhaps, it was just the fear that he had chosen her only because of the amulet and that any other woman in her place would have met the same fate¡­

    "Are you awake?" Anubis asked, turning toward her.

    "How do you know I¡¯m not sleeping?" she replied in surprise.

    The room was bathed in the near-total darkness of the night, yet Ana?s couldn¡¯t find sleep, lost in her trivial thoughts and theories. Or maybe, they were just a distraction to avoid thinking about what truly worried her: tomorrow night, they would head to the temple of Pilak, marking the end of their brief respite.

    With the cenotaphs nearly completed and the two goddesses finishing the ritual preparations, the couple had been granted a well-deserved rest before throwing themselves into the lion¡¯s den. Soon, their quest would come to an end¡ªbut their existence might as well. Who knew what Seth had planned to stop them from resurrecting his brother¡­

    "You keep fidgeting," Anubis chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing his chest against her back. "I think that¡¯s at least the fifteenth time you¡¯ve turned over in the last ten minutes."

    "Sorry," she sighed at the contact of his body. "Did I wake you?"

    "No, I¡¯m having trouble sleeping too¡­"

    "What are you thinking about?" she asked, turning in his arms to study his face in the faint moonlight.

    Her frequent transformations into a jackal had sharpened her senses, even in her human form. With this dim lighting, she could only make out the contours of his features and his open eyes gazing back at her, but it was enough. Just knowing he was there beside her was enough.

    "Maybe you should stay in Imentet tomorrow¡­" he murmured. "I can find the piece without the amulet¡¯s power¡ªyou don¡¯t technically need to come with me¡­ You¡¯d be safer here."

    Ana?s thought about it in silence for a few seconds. The prospect of avoiding a brush with death was tempting, but something deep inside her told her it wasn¡¯t the right choice. Maybe she was afraid for Anubis and wanted to stay by his side, or perhaps her adventurous spirit simply refused to miss the climax of this story. Maybe her instincts were screaming that he would need her and that she had better go with him. She had plenty of reasons not to stay behind. Fear of danger was nothing compared to the intensity of her feelings, because¡­

    "You know, I think I¡¯ve fallen in love with you," she said calmly, changing the subject, hoping he would understand why she was responding that way.

    "You think?" he teased, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "I¡¯m certain I¡¯ve fallen in love with you."

    A wave of warmth spread through her lower belly at his declaration, an intoxicating mix of desire and emotion. He was so certain, so sure of his feelings¡­ The complete opposite of the somewhat stiff and distant image she had of him during their first days together. If this was their last night before the most dangerous part of their quest, and if they couldn¡¯t sleep anyway, they might as well make the most of the few hours they had left.

    With that thought, Ana?s closed the last few centimeters between them and captured his lips with hunger. He responded with the same intensity. Their bodies moved as if driven by a shared desperation, and their minds, in perfect sync, were eager to unite once more. Yet, neither of them deepened the kiss. Anubis still held her waist, and Ana?s had slid her fingers against his nape, but they didn¡¯t take things further.

    Her body burned, and she was breathless, but she didn¡¯t want to break their passionate kiss¡ªnor did he. She was impatient, yes, but she also wanted this moment to last forever. To engrave in her memory the feeling of his lips on hers, the love he poured into their embrace. She hoped for eternity at his side.

    Just a few hours to bask in his warmth before risking her life to help the man she had fallen in love with on his mythical quest. A few hours to feel whole again, to immerse herself in the fusion of their magic and essence. A few hours in which she drowned in his arms, her mind and body overwhelmed with pleasure and happiness as their breaths and whispers intertwined, until the sun rose to signal the beginning of the day that marked the end of their mission¡ªand perhaps the beginning of their new life in peace. If she survived.

    After that fiery night, one she wouldn¡¯t soon forget, Ana?s finally succumbed to sleep at dawn, exhausted from their expression of love. Her relaxed body and blissful mind allowed her to steal a few precious hours of rest before the decisive moment. Even Anubis eventually joined her in the realm of dreams.

    At nightfall, their final mission would begin, and Osiris would finally be reborn.

    * * *

    The day passed far too quickly for Ana?s'' liking. After their late awakening and a hearty lunch to sustain them through the afternoon, they had gone to Isis¡¯ residence to discuss the final preparations for their mission that night. It had been decided that the cenotaph used for the ritual would be that of Amenebis, an oasis west of Ouaset. It was a mountainous area surrounded by cliffs that concealed caves, allowing them to construct the monument in a secluded location, hidden from prying eyes. If everything went according to plan and the couple managed to flee quickly into the Duat after retrieving the final piece, no one would be able to discover the location of the ritual. At least, that was what they hoped when choosing this site.

    Anubis and Isis had each sent some of their attendants to scout the surroundings of the temple of Pilak to refine their approach. In addition to the intelligence Sobek had gathered, they discovered that all the necropolises were heavily guarded¡ªunsurprising, considering they knew Seth was setting a trap for them. Their most logical option was to infiltrate through the temple¡¯s catacombs. Since every entrance and exit was under surveillance, they might as well take the one closest to their goal. They would then discreetly retrieve the piece and escape through the same portal. Once inside the Duat, they would be safe and could travel calmly to the cenotaph of Amenebis.

    They were confident. Perhaps too confident.

    As if any plan always goes exactly as expected... This won¡¯t be that easy.

    Now, she stood in the Kheret-Nedjer alongside Anubis, ready to pass through the portal to the temple of Pilak. The jackal-headed god gripped a dagger tightly in his right hand, prepared to use it. Killing in his beastly form was easy, but his fangs didn¡¯t allow for a silent, quick death, and he was certain he would need to use his weapon the moment they stepped through the portal. On the other side, armed humans stood ready to stop them.

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Wait," Ana?s suddenly exclaimed before they left the Duat. "I thought gods weren¡¯t allowed to harm humans. Yet, you killed the bandits, and now you''re about to kill human guards. What makes this different?"

    "It¡¯s a moral restriction that we choose to follow," Anubis explained, tightening his grip around his dagger. "Even though we are immortal, we can still be wounded, weakened, even temporarily defeated. And if they attack us willingly, we have the right to retaliate."

    "Does that mean these soldiers will be banned from the Duat for fighting against us?"

    "That depends on the weight of their soul. Most are simply following orders or don¡¯t even realize who they¡¯re attacking¡ªlike the bandits. If they have led a good life, their transgression will be forgiven."

    Yeah, two different standards. That doesn''t seem objective to me at all, she thought, refraining from voicing her critical opinion aloud. Now wasn¡¯t the time.

    "Transform yourself," Anubis then ordered. "It will be easier for infiltration. Wait here and cross the portal after two minutes, just enough time for me to secure the passage."

    "Alright," she agreed with relief.

    She had no particular desire to kill anyone. If she could accompany him discreetly without encountering a single soul or having to fight, her conscience would feel much lighter.

    When Anubis finally stepped through the portal, his expression stern and determination burning in his eyes, Ana?s began counting the seconds. The closer she got to two minutes, the harder her heart pounded against her ribcage. She had no idea what she would find on the other side, but she was certain she wouldn¡¯t escape the sight of a corpse. Usually, the portal allowed a glimpse of what lay beyond, but this time, Anubis had blurred the reflection. If they could see the world of the living from the Duat, that also meant the guards could observe the Necropolis and spot their presence. That was somewhat inconvenient for the execution of their plan.

    She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the oppressive weight of silence around her. Her breath was shallow. Every second felt like an eternity. Had Anubis managed to eliminate the enemy without alerting the others? What if someone arrived before she could cross?

    One hundred eighteen¡­ one hundred nineteen¡­ one hundred twenty¡­ she counted mentally before taking a deep breath and stepping through the magical veil.

    She couldn''t stop her gaze from first landing on the lifeless body of the guard stationed at the portal. They were lucky¡ªhe had been alone here, which had allowed Anubis to assassinate him without a sound. Judging by the pool of blood seeping from his throat, staining his armor, the jackal god had discreetly slit his jugular or carotid artery. It had been a quick death, but certainly not a painless one. If he had managed to stifle the guard¡¯s scream by covering his mouth, at least it had been a silent way to kill.

    Her jackal eyes then flicked to Anubis to make sure he wasn¡¯t hurt. In that brief moment, the pool of blood spread insidiously, reaching the tip of her paw. She felt the sticky liquid clinging to her fur, and a shudder of revulsion ran down her spine. She leaped back to get away as quickly as possible.

    Anubis, however, seemed entirely unbothered by the scene he had caused¡ªor he hid it well. He even dipped the torch into the blood to extinguish it. They wouldn¡¯t need light at this point since they were about to descend into the catacombs in their jackal forms. If they were fast and quiet enough, they might even avoid any further confrontation.

    To their surprise, infiltrating the underground maze was easier than expected. The guards patrolled alone, limiting their field of vision to a small portion of the corridor. In their jackal forms, all they had to do was wait for the guards to look away for a moment to slip past them unnoticed, despite the flickering torchlight.

    A few minutes later, Ana?s finally spotted the beginning of the stairs leading inside the temple, thanks to her night vision. At the top, a wooden door blocked their path, and her sharpened sense of smell picked up the scent of a man guarding it. This time, avoiding confrontation was impossible¡ªAnubis would have to kill again.

    The god returned to his human form and gripped his dagger firmly. He, too, had detected the scent of an enemy on the other side of the door.

    "Open it on my signal," he whispered to Ana?s, positioning himself against the wall, ready to pounce.

    Nervously, she abandoned her animal form to follow her partner¡¯s instructions. Her hands trembled, but she did her best to hide it. Feelings of hesitation and doubt had no place in life-or-death situations. Yet, her stress did not escape Anubis¡¯s attentive gaze.

    "Everything will be fine," he reassured her in a low voice. "Trust me."

    I know, she tried to express silently with a nod, stepping toward the door with determination.

    It looked heavy¡ªif she wanted to open it quickly without alerting the guard and giving him time to react, she couldn''t hesitate to use her strength. She trusted Anubis, but he needed to be able to count on her, too. She had a role to play. She had chosen to accompany him even when he had given her the option to stay in the Duat. She had to make herself useful in every possible way. Prove that she wasn¡¯t a burden. Ana?s was no longer the little orphaned human doomed to spend her life cleaning up after others. She was an akh, a superior spiritual being with magical powers. She had no reason to tremble before mere mortals.

    The handle was a heavy metal ring, which she gripped with both hands to ensure she could pull it open in one swift motion. Her fingers clenched it so tightly that her knuckles turned white as she waited for Anubis¡¯s signal. He gave her one last intense look before nodding, indicating that it was time to act.

    Ana?s used all her strength to push the door open, allowing the jackal god to slip through immediately. He leaped silently onto the back of the guard, covering his mouth to stifle any cries. The man struggled to scream, but only muffled grunts escaped as Anubis''s grip tightened around his throat. With his other hand, he slit the guard¡¯s throat, just as he had done to the first man.

    This time, however, Ana?s witnessed it.

    She didn¡¯t watch for long, though¡ªshe quickly looked away. Their enemy was bleeding out fast, but his death took longer than she had expected.

    Nothing like in the movies¡­ It felt slow. Terribly slow. And far more chilling.

    A minute later, no sound came from the murdered man. When she turned to make sure the fight was truly over, she was relieved to see that he had met his death¡ªor had simply lost consciousness. Anubis gently lowered his lifeless body to the ground with the same care as if he were placing down a newborn. Not a single noise disturbed the temple entrance or the catacombs behind them. The torchlight flickered against the sand-colored stone, casting shadows of both the couple and the corpse that the jackal god had propped against the wall. Something told Ana?s this scene would haunt her nightmares for nights to come.

    The rest of their infiltration went on without further confrontation. The pair resumed their jackal forms to move more freely. The temple corridors were wide, and most were devoid of human presence. Their progress was relatively easy. Almost too easy. Their path was laid out before them as if they were being invited to proceed to the temple hall, which they soon entered.

    There, at the center of the room, Osiris¡¯s leg rested atop a stone pedestal. A hole in the ceiling allowed moonlight to shine directly onto the display, giving it a mystical aura. The hall was empty. No noise, no shifting shadows. At first glance, there were no traps, no security mechanisms¡­ and that was precisely what unsettled Ana?s.

    "Wait," she stopped him urgently as he approached his father¡¯s flesh in human form.

    "I know. It¡¯s an obvious trap. Seth wanted to lead us here. What do you feel? This isn¡¯t the real piece, is it?"

    Ana?s closed her eyes for a moment, searching for the slightest vibration, the faintest magical resonance. Nothing. No pulse echoed within her. It wasn¡¯t a divine fragment. The flesh was human. Someone had placed it there to deceive them. The real piece was a few meters away, in a chamber beyond the hall.

    "No, it¡¯s a fake," she said, stepping away from the pedestal. "We shouldn¡¯t even touch it. It could be an alarm system."

    "It probably is. Seth isn¡¯t foolish enough to underestimate us and think we wouldn¡¯t be able to tell the real piece from a fake. He expected me to touch it to check. The real leg must be guarded."

    A cold shiver ran down Ana?s¡¯s spine. Her breath caught. Goosebumps erupted on her skin. Something¡­ no, someone, was watching them from the shadows. And judging by the way Anubis slowly slid his hand toward his dagger, his instincts had warned him of the same.

    "Do not be afraid," murmured a soft, almost melodic voice. "God Anubis, Akh Anepout¡­ I am High Priestess Diounout. And I offer you my life to fulfill your quest. We priestesses strongly condemn the actions of the god Seth, but I could not defy his orders without endangering the lives of all my sisters. The protectors of Osiris¡¯s flesh trust me. Allow me to steal it."

    Anubis did not immediately sheath his dagger. Their gazes met in a silent exchange, heavy with uncertainty. Ana?s scrutinized Anubis, searching for a hint of his judgment. He remained impassive, carefully weighing each option. It was impossible to be sure if the priestess was trustworthy, but if she was, her help could prove invaluable.

    If they could retrieve the leg without raising the alarm and escape undetected, their ritual would be assured¡­ And the real fragment had to be heavily guarded, not only by humans but also by magical protections. Seth would not let them leave so easily with Osiris¡¯s flesh. All those defenses could likely be bypassed by the High Priestess, who must know the safeguards in place.

    On the other hand, if this was yet another trap¡­ She would sound the alarm the moment their backs were turned, preventing them from retrieving the piece without a fight. No matter how Ana?s turned the situation over in her mind, every option seemed to lead to their presence being exposed the instant Anubis took hold of the leg. If the woman before them was truly an ally¡­ she might save them precious time and make their escape easier.

    "Let¡¯s give her a chance," Ana?s suggested, breaking the jackal god¡¯s hesitation.

    "Very well," he finally exhaled, sliding his blade¡ªstill slick with their enemies¡¯ blood¡ªback into its sheath.

 Chapter 38

    The duo had still decided to follow the High Priestess in their animal form for the sake of discretion. Even though they had accepted her help, that did not mean they trusted her. Diounout led them down an unguarded corridor that took them to the back of the temple, away from prying eyes. She took advantage of the walk to adjust her attire to conceal the fragment beneath her clothing. Indeed, she wore a long, immaculate cape over her white robe¡ªan unusual outfit compared to the priestesses of the Abydos temple. Everything suggested that she had carefully chosen her attire before presenting herself to them. She had closed the cape over her chest, giving her enough space to hide the leg in the right position, as the fabric was extremely loose. Yes, she had likely planned this in advance.

    When they arrived in front of a door guarded by two heavily armed men, the two jackals stopped and hid a few meters away at the corridor''s intersection. Diounout advanced without hesitation as if she owned the place. She was the High Priestess, after all.

    "Halt!" one of the guards roared upon seeing the woman approach. "High Priestess Diounout, what are you doing here at this late hour?"

    "It is necessary to bless the leg so that it does not rot," she explained naturally. "We have been unable to do so because of your presence these past few days, but we can no longer delay the blessing. It will only take a few minutes."

    Ana?s held her breath. The priestess was undoubtedly a skilled liar. She had delivered that story about decay without flinching, without even a hint of doubt, even though she must have known that the flesh would not decompose. She was simply hoping the guards were unaware of this fact.

    The two men exchanged glances, uncertainty reflected on their faces. Everything hinged on the trust they placed in Diounout. The younger of the two seemed reluctant to believe her, judging by the way he subtly tried to signal his partner that they should refuse, shaking his head slightly from side to side. However, the older man had the final say, as he eventually nodded and allowed the High Priestess to enter the room, unlocking the door.

    "Do not touch it, or you will trigger the security devices," the younger guard warned her disdainfully.

    The door closed with a heavy thud. Now, Ana?s and Anubis were blind. Diounout was alone against the temple''s protections¡­ and they were powerless. All they could do was wait for her return to ensure she had succeeded in her theft. The young Akh could only hope that Diounout knew how to bypass the protections. If she accidentally triggered the alarm, more guards would swarm the area, and they would not be able to evade them forever.

    The wait lasted only about ten minutes, but to Ana?s, it felt like an eternity. Her rapid breathing reflected her nervousness. Fighting in the heart of action was one thing, but waiting in enemy territory and relying on a stranger was another. She didn¡¯t know what was more stressful¡ªwhen events depended on her, or when everything rested on someone they didn¡¯t know, in circumstances beyond their control.

    Two sharp knocks echoed against the door. Diounout was signaling the guards that she was ready to leave¡ªan excellent initiative to appear completely harmless. The older guard hurried to open the door, allowing her to step out, while the younger one eyed her suspiciously.

    "Everything is in order. I thank you for your cooperation," she announced, inclining her head slightly toward the two soldiers. "May you have a good night."

    They saluted her as she walked down the corridor, her arms hidden beneath her long cape. Ana?s scrutinized her face, searching for confirmation that her mission had gone smoothly. She found relief there, along with a small smirk. She had succeeded in stealing the fragment. It was carefully concealed beneath her clothing, held upright against her body so that the flesh blended with her form, preventing its shape from being visible through the fabric.

    "Let¡¯s not waste time and head for the catacombs," Anubis urged, taking the lead.

    They had barely covered a hundred meters when a sharp, high-pitched chime rang out. It was as if the sound resonated inside their heads rather than through their ears. They were doomed.

    "Stop!" the High Priestess suddenly cried, turning to the two jackals. "If the alarm has been triggered, reinforcements will be sent through the catacombs. You can¡¯t go that way. Follow me, quickly!"

    Discretion was no longer an option. The suspicious young guard must have gone to check that everything was in order after the priestess had left. Of course, the leg was no longer in place. She might have helped them retrieve Osiris¡¯s flesh without a fight, but the precious minutes they should have gained thanks to her were now lost and forgotten. Perhaps they should have just killed the guards¡­

    "How can he send his troops through the portal?" Anubis questioned, despite their lack of time. "Humans are not allowed to cross the Duat."

    "They are not humans, but his servants," the priestess answered hurriedly. "Seth has linked the portal to his palace, allowing his hounds to be deployed quickly if needed. Your opponents are not mere guards. You must escape!"

    Diounout took off at a steady pace, leading them down a perpendicular corridor, then another. Soon, they arrived in front of a heavy door, which she pushed open with her shoulder before quickly shutting it behind them.

    The room was a large kitchen, with a central hearth filled with smoldering embers¡ªthe fire had long since died down. Various utensils cluttered the large table beside the dying coals, while dried herbs hung from the ceiling and large jars occupied the corners of the space.

    At the back of the room, an open doorway without a door led them into a storage area similar to the one in Anubis¡¯s villa. Shelves overflowed with fresh produce, meat, vegetables, fruits, and various plants. Unlike the kitchen, which was faintly illuminated by the moon¡¯s rays, this room was completely dark. Yet, the High Priestess guided them inside, using the shelves to navigate her way.

    "The door at the back will allow you to leave the temple," she explained, tucking the leg under one arm while using the other to remove her cape. "Run west, and you will reach Rahotep¡¯s necropolis. It is the farthest but also the least guarded. In your animal form, you will cover the distance quickly. I will secure the leg to your back so you can run freely."

    Anubis took a step forward, indicating that he would take responsibility for carrying it, but Ana?s cut him off, leaping in front of the priestess. She was smaller and less powerful than the jackal god, and for that very reason, it made more sense for her to carry the burden.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "You¡¯re the best suited to fight if needed," she argued simply, certain that he would understand without further explanation.

    With a nod, he confirmed that he agreed.

    Diounout stepped back into the kitchen to take advantage of the faint moonlight, carefully securing Osiris¡¯s flesh to Ana?s¡¯s back. She wrapped the fragment as best as she could in fabric, fastening it across Ana?s¡¯s chest to stabilize it for the run. The young Akh shifted, testing the setup, but it wasn¡¯t particularly reliable. Seeing this, Diounout hurriedly grabbed twine from the kitchen to reinforce the binding, ensuring it would hold for at least the duration of their escape.

    "They¡¯re coming, we need to go," Anubis urged, his voice tense.

    It had taken less than five minutes to prepare for their flight, but it was enough time for the guards to close in. Their hurried footsteps echoed on the temple¡¯s stone floor, drawing closer. Ana?s clenched her jaw. Just a few more seconds, and they would be upon them. The sound was strange, punctuated by familiar panting¡ªas if dogs were following. Animals that could easily catch up to them. It was time to flee.

    "I will hold them off as long as I can," the High Priestess murmured with resignation, opening the storage room¡¯s door for them. "Run!"

    A second later, she locked the door behind them, leaving them alone outside the temple. Ana?s didn¡¯t even have time to appreciate the cool breeze on her fur or the warm sand beneath her paws. They bolted immediately, wasting no time. Reaching Rahotep¡¯s necropolis first was imperative.

    She had never sprinted like this in her animal form. She was far faster than in her human body, and her lean muscles granted her an endurance she didn¡¯t usually have. But the weight of the leg bore heavily on her back after four minutes of their frantic dash. When their eyes caught sight of two armored men standing near the necropolis entrance, they skidded to a halt.

    Anubis slashed through the air without even explaining his plan to Ana?s, his black fur blending into the darkness of the night. There was not a second to lose. The guards only saw him at the last moment, when his fangs closed around the throat of the one on the right. He clenched his jaws with all his strength, tearing through the flesh, and before the man could even try to push him away, he released him and leaped onto the next, who had no more time to react than his companion.

    Their armor was of no consequence¡ªAnubis knew exactly where to strike, and his powerful canines pierced their skin, which offered no resistance against his savage prowess. He suddenly stepped back, giving space to the two men who clutched their throats, half in shock from the attack, half resigned to the death that awaited them. They knew full well that nothing could save them now, and they could not even scream, for the god had severed their vocal cords in the process. Only wet, gurgling sounds escaped their mouths, accompanied by the frantic pounding of their hands against their armor as they desperately tried to alert other guards.

    A real slaughter.

    Had they not been in a life-or-death situation, Ana?s might have been disgusted by the sheer brutality of the scene, but she also knew there was no room for such feelings now that their survival was at stake.

    It¡¯s us or them, she repeated to herself as she hurried after Anubis toward the entrance of the necropolis, his fur dripping with the blood of the two men.

    The sound of paws striking the sand echoed through the night, accompanied by increasingly aggressive growls. They were being pursued by animals¡ªundoubtedly Seth¡¯s servants¡ªand they were getting dangerously close. Just before she plunged into the necropolis, Ana?s caught sight of their silhouettes in the distance.

    With horror, she made out three creatures: beasts that seemed like a cross between dogs and hyenas, with elongated legs and imposing frames. Given their physique, the trio of canines chasing them could easily catch up, as evidenced by their lightning-fast speed. Their appearance sent a shiver down her spine. They had the build of wild predators, born to tear the flesh of their enemies. A terrifying weapon, far more fearsome than anything she had encountered so far.

    ¡°Run! We¡¯ll be safe in the Duat!¡± Anubis commanded, leading the way.

    Ana?s pushed her muscles as hard as she could, but Seth¡¯s powerful servants covered the last few meters between them at an incredible speed. When she spotted the portal, she sprinted one last time to catch up to Anubis, who slowed slightly to let her pass first. She needed to get the piece to safety.

    She leaped into the veil in a desperate bound. A second later, her paws skidded across the gray sand of the Necropolis. She barely had time to turn before she saw Anubis rushing through the portal, just as one of Seth¡¯s hounds lunged at him. When he crashed into the Duat¡¯s desert, his body hit the gray grains with force, entangled with the beast whose fangs had sunk into his shoulder.

    Frozen in place, Ana?s watched as the other two creatures crossed the magical veil, while the jackal god struggled to break free from his attacker. The remaining two beasts snarled, ready to pounce on her, her body paralyzed with fear. What could she do now that they had followed them into the Duat? They were supposed to be safe here!

    Before they could attack her, the ground beneath their paws trembled for a brief moment. The seismic wave destabilized them just enough to prevent them from immediately pouncing on the young woman. However, they had no time to react when two enormous crocodile jaws burst from the sand and clamped down on their chests. The pressure of their bite crushed their bodies, and their agonized whimpers soon echoed through the Duat. Just as quickly as they had appeared, the crocodiles sank back into the sand, dragging their prey with them.

    "Anubis!" Ana?s shouted, realizing that she was no longer in danger but that her companion was still locked in combat with the monstrous hound. It had released his shoulder but was desperately trying to sink its fangs into his throat.

    An arrow whistled through the air and embedded itself in the beast¡¯s shoulder. It howled in pain, immediately releasing its grip and staggering slightly away from Anubis. A grave mistake. A second arrow zipped past Ana?s and struck the creature directly in the heart. It whimpered, its body weakened by the mortal wounds, before finally collapsing onto the ground a few seconds later.

    "You¡¯re welcome," a familiar voice called out proudly.

    "Sobek?" Ana?s exclaimed in surprise as she turned to see the silhouette of the crocodile god.

    She didn¡¯t linger on his unexpected presence for long, instead leaping to Anubis¡¯s side. The flesh of his shoulder was raw, and the wound bled profusely. It might not have been fatal, but it looked excruciatingly painful.

    "What are you doing here?" Anubis asked, his gaze shifting toward his friend.

    "I had a feeling that Seth¡¯s servants would cross into the Duat to chase you," he explained, stepping closer to them.

    "Then why haven¡¯t they ever attacked before, if they could pass through the portal?" Ana?s questioned, thinking¡ªapparently incorrectly¡ªthat Seth had no power in the afterlife. "He still has followers in Imentet, doesn¡¯t he? Is that why Nephthys didn¡¯t want to stay in her villa?"

    "Because it would be suicide," Sobek replied, slinging his bow over his shoulder. "Even if he rules over Egypt, he is not the sovereign of the Duat and cannot break its laws. Any form of violence is forbidden in the Field of Offerings, and that applies to gods as well. Had he attacked you in Imentet, he would have been severely punished."

    "He just did, though," Ana?s pointed out, gesturing with her snout toward Anubis¡¯s wound.

    "Good thing I figured he would, right?" Sobek grinned smugly.

    "Enough wasting time talking," Anubis cut in sharply. "Mother is waiting for us to begin the ritual."

    Despite the pain from his wound, Anubis turned toward the portal to modify its connection. The nearest necropolis to their destination was five kilometers away, meaning they would have to cover that distance on foot before delivering the leg to the two goddesses. This was the final stretch before the ritual could begin and their quest could come to an end.

    The next hour would be crucial to the success of their mission.

 Chapter 39

    Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    They forgot that they aren¡¯t as fragile as I am¡­

    "Are you hurt?"

    "I¡¯m fine,"

    "How much longer?" the jackal god asked, his voice laced with near desperation.

    "I¡¯m almost done embalming his body," Isis replied, still meticulously focused on her precise movements. "Five minutes, maybe a little more. I need to concentrate."

    "If they see her performing the ritual, they¡¯ll force their way through, and we won¡¯t be able to stop them," Nephthys interjected timidly, wrapping her shredded arm in a strip of fabric torn from her cape.

    "Then we must defend the entrance to the cave," Anubis concluded, taking the lead. "We won¡¯t be able to win against a horde of his servants, but we might be able to buy enough time for my mother to complete the ritual."

    Three against a pack of steroid-fueled war hounds... How are we supposed to buy time? It''s suicide, Ana?s feared, though she kept her doubts to herself.

    kh