Chapter Text
Seth
Seth stayed by Anubis’ side through the night, long after Anubis cried himself out and fell asleep, still curled in Seth’s arms. The tent was largely quiet, save for the gentle sound of Anubis breathing. Through the sand underneath them, Seth could sense humans in the camp busy with various duties: helping the wounded, gathering the dead, preparing food, and even celebrating with the battle over.
Seth wondered if they’d stay to clean up and ensure the Greeks truly left, or if Horus would insist on returning to Heliopolis. Seth’s hands tightened at the thought of being pulled from Anubis again. Perhaps that’s all this was: letting Seth soak in what he shortly wouldn’t have again.
But he wanted to enjoy it while it lasted, even if it was painful.
Eventually, he fell asleep himself, weary from the events of the day in a way that his fear couldn’t overcome. Perhaps part of it was having Anubis in his arms again.
In his dreams, he was running from Osiris’ death in Heliopolis, and heading to Anubis’ rooms to check on him. Seth was too shaken to just turn into sand, but he moved quickly. He wasn’t sure he trusted Sekhmet’s assessment about Anubis being back to normal. Seth didn’t know what Osiris had done to get Anubis’ soul out of him.
And he had to find Isis and tell her what happened. She didn’t know about Nephthys or Osiris or Anubis… He had to check on Anubis! But Isis was his closest friend, the person he strategized with. Surely she’d know what to do. And she could heal Anubis if he needed it!
He ended up running into Isis in the middle of a hall, and grabbed her arm to keep her still, wondering if she was a figment of his imagination. She was in her nightgown and looked like she’d just woken up. But this meant she could come with him to check on Anubis. “Isis, you have to help me!”
“Seth, Anubis was attacked!”
She knows, he thought immediately. But she couldn’t know about Osiris. No one had been around. “Is he okay?” Had Sekhmet lied? Was Anubis already dead?
“I’ve healed him,” Isis said, putting a hand on the one Seth was using to hold her arm to make him let go, “and he’s recovering well. But do you know who hurt him? Is that why you’re here?”
“It was Osiris,” Seth said with venom. “He’s trying to cover his tracks.” Seth tried to tamp down his fury, but he was too full of adrenaline and rage at what Osiris had said, even in death. “He and Nephthys have betrayed us, Isis.”
“Betrayed…? What do you mean?” Isis rubbed her arm where he’d grabbed her - there was a dark mark there - and was still frowning at him. “Osiris wouldn’t attack Anubis!”
“Osiris… attacked me,” Seth said, his voice oddly stiff. Who knew what Osiris would or wouldn’t do at this point? “I found out he and Nephthys were sleeping together behind our backs, and I confronted him. But Osiris, he—”
Isis’ eyes widened. “Osiris and Nephthys?!” She leaned against a nearby wall, covering her mouth in horror. “They would never do that… Not…” She paused, and then looked at him in confusion. “Wait, you said Osiris attacked you. What happened?”
“…He’s dead,” Seth said, feeling an odd distance in himself at the thought. His brother, dead. Dead because of Seth. No, it was his fault, he did this to himself!
Isis froze. “…Dead? How?!”
Seth’s lips parted, and for a moment he didn’t know what to say. Finally he started, “I… He attacked me. So I…”
Isis stared at him for a time before her eyes filled with horror. “You killed him?!”
“I did what I had to do to defend myself!” Seth said, his voice rising. They were on the precipice of things. It felt like he was again looking down at Osiris in Duat, laughing at him and his failures. Seth hoped he rotted in pieces.
“You killed Osiris…” Isis put a hand over her mouth, tears rushing to her eyes. “You…” Isis stepped away from him.
“What’s wrong?” Seth asked, confused. If she knew, surely she understood! They’d both been wronged, and Seth had to get free from Osiris and his schemes.
“You’re trying to trick me,” Isis said. “You’re the one who attacked Anubis!”
Seth gazed at her in shock. “What are you talking about?! I’d never hurt him!” He couldn’t explain what else Osiris had planned. Not yet. But did he need to? One thing would lead to another and she’d ask about it all and then…
And then he would truly be nothing, just like Osiris said.
“You murdered our brother, my lover and husband, and now you expect me to help you?!” Isis’ shook her head. “Did you attack Anubis out of jealousy? Or madness? Those marks could only be made by a god of war!”
“What are you saying?” Seth demanded. “I didn’t touch Anubis!” Seth looked around in alarm. “Where is he? Is he really okay? Sekhmet said—”
“You’ve been talking to Sekhmet?!” Isis nearly yelled. “You idiot! You know she’s just a puppet for Ra!”
Seth’s face burned. “She was the only one who told me the truth!”
“And that truth made you kill Osiris? Attack Anubis?” Isis backed away from him even further, raising her magic protectively around her. “Are you working for Ra now?!”
“You’d know I’d never do that!” Seth said, glaring at her.
“I don’t think I can trust anything you say!” Isis said. There were tears in her eyes. “Stay away from me, you monster!”
“Isis, this isn’t what you think!” Seth begged, watching the distance between them lengthen, feeling like everything was being cut off from him. “Please!”
“Father?”
Seth blinked open his eyes to see Anubis staring up at him. Anubis’ hand was on Seth’s cheek, and he was worried. Seth could smell the human camp around them. The sand outside was heated: it was late morning. They were hundreds of years from that night in Heliopolis.
“You were crying,” Anubis said quietly, wiping Seth’s face.
Seth blinked, and realized Anubis was right. He pulled up his right hand to wipe his face. “It’s nothing. Just… bad dreams. How are you feeling?” Anubis’ head was still pillowed on Seth’s lap. He looked better than he had the previous day, though. His wounds were more healed.
“I’m feeling better,” Anubis said as he moved off of Seth’s lap to sit up on his bed again. He rubbed his eyes of tiredness. “Don’t you have duties to attend to?”
It felt like a dismissal. “The soldiers mostly manage the camp themselves, and their commanding officers will keep charge of them.” Seth said, watching Anubis for any signs of discomfort or Osiris possession. “Maat and Isis are likely in the middle of negotiations still, and that’s not something they probably want me involved with.” Isis likely never wanted him anywhere near such things. “And if there are more battles to deal with, Horus knows where to find me.”
Anubis’ eyes widened. “You don’t have to stay here, though. I’m okay.”
“I want to,” Seth said. Then he grimaced. “But I can leave if you don’t want me here.”
“No,” Anubis said before he winced and looked away. “I… don’t want you to go away.”
That warmed Seth, in the face of everything that happened. He didn’t know that they were fixable, but it had been a long time since he felt anything like hope for something. Likely, Horus would be in at any moment to smash it, but… he apparently hadn’t shown up yet. It mostly just made Seth nervous about where Horus was. Was he planning some new, gruesome torment?
“When you were away on the sun boat,” Anubis said, making the warmth in Seth’s heart die, “I missed you. Every day.” He smiled bitterly. “I didn’t tell anyone, though. I thought I wasn’t supposed to. I thought I was supposed to be happy you were gone. But I wasn’t.”
I can’t keep up Horus’ lie. Horus would end Seth for sharing it. But did it matter anymore? Nephthys was going to be told everything. Soon, all Egypt would know. That was worse than anything Horus had done to him.
“I guess I’m not used to being on my own yet,” Anubis said, apparently not noticing Seth’s mood. He was staring at the hands on his knees. “I feel like Horus saw me as annoying…”
Seth sighed. “Horus is… complicated. But Anubis…” Seth reached out and touched Anubis’ arm, making Anubis look at him. “I wasn’t on Ra’s sun boat.”
Anubis simply blinked at him, confused. “What?”
“I wasn’t sent to Ra’s sun boat. Or to Ra at all. I was in Heliopolis. As Horus’ prisoner.”
“…You were in Heliopolis?” Anubis simply stared at him. “This whole time?”
Seth grimaced. “Yes.”
“Then Horus… lied to everyone?” His expression was filled with horror.
“I imagine,” Seth said. Were people really so shocked their savior wasn’t perfect? Like father like son. He smiled bitterly. “I haven’t spoken with anyone in the court during my imprisonment. And the soldiers here don’t know about that.”
Anubis pushed himself up to a standing position, and Seth followed him, worried about Anubis pushing himself too much too soon. “That…! That…! How dare he!!” Anubis’ gaze was furious now, and he was gazing at the tent wall.
Seth’s eyes widened. “Anubis!”
Anubis glared at him, making Seth think he made a mistake in staying. “Where did he keep you? I’ve been all over Heliopolis. I know where everything is.”
“…In his office.”
“His office?!” Anubis said, his glare growing brighter. “But I’ve been there! I never saw you!”
Seth grimaced. “You weren’t supposed to. He hid me.” Right in front of you. To mock me.
“…He kept you like a pet, hiding you so no one could see you.” Disgust filled Anubis’ expression.
Seth looked away. He had to get used to this. It was only going to get worse.
“Isn’t that what Osiris did?”
Seth sighed, feeling like he hadn’t slept long enough for this. “In a way.”
“How dare he,” Anubis said, surprising Seth. “If you were to be punished, it was meant to be in the betterment of Egypt, not… not this.”
Seth realized that Anubis was madder at Horus than at Seth, which was a strange situation. Horus had never abused Anubis or neglected him. Perhaps if Seth were as selfish as everyone thought he was, he’d use the moment to get Anubis more on his side, but the whole situation wasn’t about that. And Anubis needed Horus and Isis’ protection to keep away from Osiris. Turning on them was bad. So Seth… had to be reasonable. “Horus suffered greatly under my reign. He feels he’s only getting what he’s owed.” Seth sighed. “Plus, he’s king. It’s his right.”
“That didn’t stop you from fighting back against Osiris,” Anubis said.
“…Yes, but that was different.”
“How is it different?”
“Osiris is just… a monster who does as he pleases. Horus is meting out the Ennead’s justice.” He hated this so much. But it was for Anubis' own good.
“How? By keeping you chained to his desk?”
Rarely. It’s too inconvenient to do that.
Anubis kept watching him, and finally said, “If he tries to take you back, I’ll fight him.”
“You’d lose,” Seth said, trying to hide his frustration. “You’re just a demigod. He’s a god.”
“I’ll fight him anyway!” Anubis said, righteous fury filling him.
“Anubis, please,” Seth said, putting a hand on Anubis’ shoulder. He was genuinely worried about where things were heading. “Horus has promised to ensure your safety if I cooperate.”
“He even threatened me to get to you?!” Anubis demanded, his eyes sparking. “How dare he!”
Well if you consider what I’ve done to him and his mother… He hadn’t remembered grabbing Isis that night in Heliopolis. So much else had been on his mind. But he did remember trapping her in the labyrinth, and all the years of trying to hunt her down…
“I’m tired of always being the thing that holds you back,” Anubis continued, still angry. “The reason Osiris was able to go after you. I’m going to defend you for once!”
Seth was a little touched by that, even if he knew it was foolish. If he couldn’t hold up against Horus and Maat’s spell, then Anubis definitely couldn’t, either.
“I see everyone’s awake for the morning,” Horus said as he pushed the tent flap back. He looked calm and clean and ready for whatever faced them. “The soldiers are still cleaning up the battlefield and keeping an eye on the Greeks. Mother and Maat have successfully concluded negotiations to get the Greeks to leave. There’s still some final preparations we need to take care of, and then we need to get ready to return to Heliopolis.”
“Are you here to collect my father?” Anubis demanded, calling Horus’ gaze.
“Anubis,” Seth warned. He was fearful now.
“He is a general,” Horus said, meeting Anubis’ gaze with a thoughtful look. “The humans will be heartened to see him lead them at the end.”
And be happy to see you as a winner, Seth thought. But he was focused on Anubis more.
Anubis glared at Horus. “He’s not your pet! You shouldn’t be treating him like one!”
Horus glanced at Seth, who kept his gaze neutral. Seth wondered if his intuition was working away again. Horus smiled. “I see Seth saved me some time explaining things. Mother and Maat already know anyway.”
This startled Seth and he gazed back at Horus in horror.
Horus shrugged. “It was bound to happen.” He looked at Anubis. “But you’re a few centuries ahead of yourself if you think you can give me orders.” Horus reached for Seth’s shoulder.
“Leave him alone!” Anubis yelled.
Wind whipped up around them, making Seth cover his eyes and back away, shielding himself with sand. Darkness filled the air, and the tent was ripped from its moorings. There were cries in the camp. The sand itself was rent and shook. The air burned.
“Anubis!” Seth called, afraid to step back too far. What power was this? It had come from Anubis, so… Was it Osiris?! Seth lowered his arms, terrified Osiris had taken Anubis again.
A cocoon of shadows covered the spot where Anubis had been standing, and several nearby tents had collapsed as well. There was more shouting in the distance. The cocoon faded, and a tall god stood before Seth. He wore a black shendyt, an intimidating black jackal mask, and a long black collar. He was taller than Seth and muscular, and gazed at Horus angrily. The air around him was at once hot and cold, but powerful.
“You will not touch him,” the new god growled.
“…You ascended,” Horus said from nearby, lowering his wings. He gazed calmly at the newcomer. “And it only took you actually hearing the truth to do it.” Horus laughed. “Incredible.” Horus glared at Seth. “This is why you don’t hide such things!”
Seth blinked. This… was Anubis?
“Stop talking to him like that,” Anubis said, stepping forward and calling a long yellow and black heka staff to his hands. “He’s the god of war. One of the most powerful gods in Egypt. You should show respect!” Dark smoke seemed to rise from his skin, which alarmed Seth. Was that an ability of some kind? What did it do?
“He hunted my mother and I for centuries,” Horus said. “I’ll show what respect I feel like.”
Seth was still shocked at the vision of Anubis ascended, but he pulled himself out of it and stepped between them, putting his hands out. “Stop it! Don’t fight! This doesn’t accomplish anything!” He wasn’t sure this new version of Anubis could win against Horus, and he didn’t want to risk it.
“I won’t let him take you away again,” Anubis said, which caught at Seth’s heart.
“It’s funny how you think you could decide otherwise,” Horus replied, “even after your ascension.”
“What is going on here?!” Maat demanded.
Seth looked towards her, and saw Maat and Isis running forward from a distance. The humans who hadn’t yet fled and were watching from a distance, parted for them. The two goddesses stopped nearby to look at Anubis in surprise.
“A dispute between half-brothers,” Horus said, still glaring at Anubis. “Pay it no mind. It will be done soon. Anubis is going to realize what an idiot he’s being soon.”
“Horus that’s enough,” Isis said, looking angry. She glanced briefly at Seth with an unreadable expression before she looked at Anubis. Her eyes filled with confusion. “Anubis, is that…? Is that really you?”
“Yes,” Anubis said, not backing off. But not moving forward either, which was a comfort to Seth.
“God or not,” Horus said, “You will respect the decisions of your king.”
“I don’t know that I see a king worthy of the title,” Anubis replied.
“Enough!” Maat said, stepping forward. “We just ended one war! We’ll not start another!”
For once you’re talking sense, Seth thought, still watching Anubis and Horus.
“Anubis,” Maat said, glaring at him, “you are new to your godhood. You need teachers. And to settle into your role. The power can be overwhelming on a first experience.”
“…I feel fine.”
You're still stubborn, Seth thought.
“You don’t look well,” Isis said, looking at the smoke rising from Anubis’ shoulders. “You need to learn your abilities first.”
Seth frowned and took a closer look at the smoke on Anubis’ shoulders. It almost looked like he was burning up. With the shadows earlier… Was he safer in shadow? Seth glanced up at the sun in alarm.
“I’ll get Khnum to teach you,” Isis said. “He often looks after the younger gods, and can be trusted with this kind of thing.”
Anubis only grimaced. He was still glaring at Horus.
“Meanwhile, we have clean-up followed by packing to leave,” Maat said. “And a departing army to keep an eye on. And your tearing this place up doesn’t make that any easier.”
Anubis bowed his head and lowered his staff, seemingly mollified. “Apologies.”
“How are you feeling, really?” Isis asked, walking up to Anubis and gazed up at him. “Like yourself?”
“Yes.” Anubis gazed down at his hands, seemingly a bit surprised. “I feel… good for once. Like things make sense.”
Isis looked down at the ground, where her spell could barely be seen. “He hasn’t returned yet, that I can sense. Perhaps your new god body is blocking his powers. Or he’s busy with something else.”
Seth was hopeful on that front. With this, Anubis would be safer from Osiris.
“Whatever the case,” Isis said, “be careful. New power is a dangerous thing.”
Anubis inclined his head slightly.
Seth stepped forward and touched Anubis’ arm, needing to know it was real. “You really ascended. Incredible.” He was even taller than Seth now, which was a bit strange. All those years of hoping something would happen, and now this? This had made him ascend? Horus' comment about honesty cut at him. Was he the one holding Anubis back all this time?
Anubis actually smiled a little. “It really feels good, Father. Is this how you feel all the time?”
“When I’m at full power, maybe. It depends. But your powers might not be the same.” He looked at Anubis’ shoulders and grasped Anubis' arm properly. “I think we should get you under cover, though.”
“The sun does burn more than it used to,” Anubis said thoughtfully as he let Seth pull him away.
“This way,” Isis said, gesturing. “To a non-collapsed tent.” There was criticism in her words, and Anubis grimaced.
Seth held Anubis’ arm as they walked, and saw Horus fall in beside him, on Seth’s open side. He felt Anubis stiffen, but focused on walking ahead. Whatever Horus had planned would keep.