Chapter Text
Horus
After waiting for quite some time, wondering if he should do more to hear what Isis and Seth were chatting about, Horus stood up and dusted himself off from sitting in the dirt. He didn’t plan to be caught resting on the ground by his new visitors. He didn’t care what the humans thought, but these…
“Why are you out here?”
Horus persisted in gazing ahead as Anubis approaching him, with Khnum at his side. Anubis was trying to be intimidating with his new godhood, and this was reflected in his tone, as if ascension was the only difference between him and Horus, rather than years of training and fighting against impossible odds. He wasn’t succeeding.
“I am meditating,” Horus coldly replied. It wasn’t entirely a lie: he could sense his mother’s magic on the tent. She really didn’t want Horus to hear whatever she and Seth were talking about, which was frustrating. More secrets, he thought. Wonderful. He’d been considering whether to try breaking through the spell or not, and what that might cost him, and how to handle things if he chose not to break the spell. More arguing with Isis and Seth seemed inescapable at this point. It was just his lot.
He definitely didn’t care to speak to Anubis of all people, even if it was at least a distraction from wondering about what nonsense Seth and Isis were up to.
“Don’t you have friends to be honest to?” Seth had asked. Because Horus didn’t, really. He’d never stayed anywhere long enough to make good friends. Or at least ones who survived. And he still didn’t know who to trust. Anubis might have seemed like a good friend, given their age, their parentage, and now the fact that they were known to be half-brothers. But those simple facts didn’t change all that was between them.
I’d rather befriend an actual dog, Horus thought as he crossed his arms.
Anubis didn’t leave, though. Clearly, he felt he had the right to be heard.
Horus finally deigned to look at Anubis, and he hoped his half-brother was intelligent enough to see how truly unimpressed Horus was with him. Horus wasn’t Seth or Isis, fawning over the poor injured Anubis. He wasn’t Nephthys, hiding in her cell. Horus was the king of Egypt, a powerful god in his own right, and the one who’d defeated Seth. Anubis was a mere stripling by comparison.
Anubis met Horus’ look with a dark expression of his own. His power was more obvious now, even after the little training he’d had. He was tall, muscular, and had Khnum – a god of the Nile - standing beside him in support. Horus assumed all of that was adding to Anubis’ overconfidence.
Khnum stood at Anubis’ left elbow, dripping water onto the ground. He bowed his head to Horus. Torchlight made the gold of his ram’s head mask glow.
Horus nodded slightly at him, glad that someone knew their place. Then he focused back on Anubis. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to speak to Isis about something, since she told me to return after Khnum and I were done.” Anubis’ tone was irritated. “But I found you here. Are you a guard now?”
“I am still king, last I checked,” Horus said, his tone suitably dangerous. “If I choose to stand in front of Isis’ tent, what of it? What do you want with her?” There was no way Anubis had mastered his abilities in less than a day.
“I wanted to discuss plans to face Osiris,” Anubis said, undeterred. “My powers are connected to Duat, and I’ve already found some interesting uses for them. Things Isis should know.” He looked towards the tent. “Is she busy?”
“Yes,” Horus said. “She’s discussing matters with Seth.” He could only imagine how disastrous facing Osiris would be with someone as foolish as Anubis on their side. He wanted Anubis to go back to training, where Horus didn’t have to see him.
Anubis frowned. “What matters?”
“That’s their business,” Horus said, moving so that he better blocked the entryway. Though he was tempted to let Anubis try the tent flap and get zapped by Isis’ magic. “You can go somewhere else to wait.”
Khnum set his left hand on Anubis’ left arm, and lightly tugged him, as if to make him move. It was a strangely intimate gesture, and one Horus was surprised to see. He didn’t know they were so close.
Anubis, however, didn’t budge. “Our fight isn’t done. You have things to answer for.” His legs were set in something of a fighting stance, and he carried his gold and black heka staff in his right hand.
Horus wondered if he fought Anubis now, would that lure Isis and Seth out? And would it just annoy them both? And did Horus care if it did? He wasn’t sure, but he grinned threateningly at Anubis all the same. “And you plan to bring me to justice?” There was, perhaps, much Horus had to answer for in regard to Seth, but far less than Anubis likely felt was owed. Anubis was fully in the mode of avenging his father for any slight, as he returned to being the loyal son. But he seemingly forgot all the things Seth had done. Of course, why would Anubis know? He had been in Heliopolis, living it up the whole while. Poor him, his father was a little mean to him, so he had to run off and sleep in his nice bed, unbothered by bandits and Seth’s followers.
Horus had to forcefully calm himself from riling up the breezes around him, which were reacting to his anger. He knew his hatred of Anubis was partially undeserved and largely because Anubis was an easy target, but he didn’t care. Perhaps it was because Seth forgave so easily: Anubis had betrayed him multiple times, yet still cradled him tenderly and comforted him in the tent. Seth even put aside his own freedom in favor of helping Anubis. It was useful for Horus to use as leverage to keep Seth under control, yes, but infuriating, too. Anubis was an ungrateful brat. How was he worth all that?
Osiris tried to murder me for even speaking out against him, Horus thought. Let alone helping his enemies to defeat him. He wasn’t sure what made Anubis so special.
Anubis tilted his head, unafraid. Unnatural shadows pooled around his feet. “No one else is stepping up to do it.”
Khnum pulled on Anubis’ arm harder. “Anubis, this really isn’t a good idea…”
“I’m not just some weakling you can bully anymore,” Anubis said, still facing Horus. “My father is not alone anymore. You only beat him because you had my help. And you don’t have that anymore.”
Horus scoffed. “I don’t need your help anymore, though. He’s under Maat’s spell, so he’s weakened.” Horus tilted his head. “Unless you know something I don’t? Do you plan to break him out?” It would be treason and give Horus an excuse to smack Anubis down, so he almost hoped Anubis said yes.
Anubis only gazed back at him with a frown.
Despite his haughty words, Horus thought, he’s still caught in his own centuries-hardened indecision. “Go,” Horus ordered, a bit disgusted. “Listen to your teacher. Learn actually useful things rather than chomping at your betters like an untrained mutt.”
Anubis’ lips curled slightly, but after a bit more glaring, he finally let Khnum tug him away. When they disappeared into the distance, Horus breathed a sigh of relief. He needed to be away from his half-brother. Whenever they were together, Horus just wanted to rip him apart. Horus looked up at the darkening sky, knowing he was acting ridiculously, and should strive for better, even if Anubis was out of line. He wondered if he let himself go this way because his hatred for Anubis was more straightforward than Seth. Anubis had never been wrongly accused of any of the things Horus despised him for, after all.
I should feel sympathy for him, Horus thought as he glanced back at the camp. We have both suffered under difficult fathers, and a slew of gods who think less of us for being born at all. But where Horus had no choice but to grasp his destiny, Anubis had run from it. And for that, and everything else, Horus would disdain him.
Horus turned when he felt Isis’ spell vanish. The tent flap parted, and Seth stood there, gazing up at him. He wore his black sha mask still, but the light within the tent illuminated the thick muscles of his chest and arms, the fine lines of his legs, and his solid but narrow hips threatening to poke out of his black shendyt. The plump pout of his lips, so often set in a frown. Horus had run his tongue and fingers over every part of Seth many times now, and could draw them all, blind, if he had to.
Horus felt something animalistic in his chest. The familiar feeling he’d had ever since that night after the second match when Seth had crawled into his bed. A desire to conquer, to own entirely. Again and again. Even after everything, with all of Horus’ mixed-up thoughts, he wanted to drag this god away to Horus’ tent to fuck him to tears. Seth was too beautiful. And Horus had been honest to Isis about what he wanted: Seth for his own. And even now, in a sea of confusion, Seth was like some kind of rock he could hold fast to. The real amidst the unreal world of centuries-old lies and deceit.
Horus had wondered if this was something he’d inherited from Osiris. Some sickness of the mind. He should be respectful towards his uncle, especially after everything he knew Seth had gone through, or simply hate him, for all that Seth had actually done to Horus, Isis, and Egypt. But seeing Seth so close that Horus could touch him with barely any movement, seeing the way Seth gazed up at him and parted those plump lips, Horus had the sense it wasn’t. Seth was just beautiful in everything he did: in war, command, or bed. And Horus wanted him.
But even if it wasn’t something inherited from Osiris, Horus knew there would be no more than what they had as prisoner and jailor. Anubis had betrayed Seth, but Horus had made himself into Seth’s nightmare. Seth rightfully despised him, and Horus was still in a way glad of it, because at least Seth felt what Horus had for so many years.
“Isis and I are done,” Seth said, his voice neutral, rather than fearful or angry. More like the general he was with the troops. “You can come in.” If he found any humor in his not simply bowing down to Horus’ commands, he didn’t show it. He was simply being practical, and facing Horus, unafraid. Seth’s fearlessness, even when it was foolish, had always impressed Horus.
What would things have been like, Horus wondered, if you and I had met at some other time, before everything went wrong? It was a childish dream he tried to never spend much time on. And in the past, it had involved the idea of Seth not existing at all, or being hidden away somewhere else. If Isis and Osiris had been able to peacefully raise Horus in Heliopolis. If he’d had access to all the things he’d deserved, like Anubis had. But now, Horus had an idle fantasy about coming to his rooms to find his bed filled with a red-headed beauty, smiling up at him, asking how his day was.
That kind of foolish daydream is what makes Osiris and Anubis so stupid, Horus thought. They’re too caught up in their idea of better days and forget that life doesn’t work that way. He pushed the thought away and followed after Seth into the tent.
Isis was seated at the table, and she looked up at Horus with an unusually angry look. Horus stood his ground and wondered just what she and Seth had talked about. Had Seth shared more than even Horus had shared with Isis? He glanced at Seth, who simply sat in a chair near Isis. That was equally surprising, and it seemed to indicate that Seth and Isis were getting on better, perhaps even working together. Horus wondered if he should be concerned.
Whatever it is, I’ll survive it, Horus thought. He’d survived worse.
“Seth has decided to remain as your prisoner,” Isis announced frostily. She was obviously unhappy about this, but Horus was more distracted by what she’d said.
I didn’t realize it was up for discussion, Horus thought. But assuming it was, Seth had… chosen to stay with Horus? He looked at Seth, who was watching Horus with a frown. “You’ve decided on this?”
“I was planning to have you to let him actually go work on the sun boat,” Isis said, clearly annoyed. Another comment that surprised Horus, given he hadn’t done so before. Isis presumed much, apparently, though at least she wasn’t planning to send Seth to Osiris. “But Seth insisted.”
Horus would have refused Isis’ attempts at persuasion anyway. Persistent as Isis was, he would have stayed strong. He needed Seth nearby, for the betterment of Egypt and… for what little Horus could have for himself. For the bit of calm and honesty he felt around the older god. But Horus was stunned that even with the option of Isis advocating on Seth’s behalf for alternate terms, Seth had chosen to stay with Horus, when before he’d chosen death. Was he simply realistic because he knew how adamant Horus was in keeping him?
“Why?” Horus asked, still staring at Seth. “Why would you choose to stay at my side?” He needed to know.
“You don’t want to become your father,” Seth said, his expression unreadable. “I can help you with that.”
Horus raised an eyebrow. “Oh? By doing what?” Isis and Seth hadn’t stopped Osiris from becoming Osiris, after all.
“By listening to you, for starters,” Seth said. “You aren’t someone who trusts many people, but you trust me. Osiris was similar: he didn’t trust anyone, save for me, a little, in the end.”
Horus had indeed been a bit too honest before, but he supposed there were rewards, too, given the gift this was: Seth choosing him when there were allegedly other options. He was uncomfortable at the additional comparison to Osiris, but well… he’d take what he could. Comparisons were unavoidable, after all. Seth had spat plenty out at Horus before, anyway.
“Plus, Isis and I can teach you strategy together,” Seth said, glancing at Isis as he spoke. “Your father turned his back on your mother. But together, Isis and I are a force to be reckoned with.”
Horus nodded. He’d learned a bit just watching Seth command troops, and he imagined it would be enlightening to learn more from the pair who’d helped defeat Ra. Still, he didn’t exactly believe that Seth was suddenly so charitable.
“And you’ll probably need more help to properly face Osiris,” Seth continued. “Even with Maat and Anubis, it’s possible he’ll put up another fight of some kind.”
Horus could simultaneously see the logic in this, and also realized why precisely Seth chose to be here. It made him furious, and he had to take a moment to calm himself before he asked, “You want to stay here to look after Anubis, don’t you?”
Seth frowned. “Yes, I do. Is that so unusual?”
No, it wasn’t, and Horus knew that. Seth cared for Anubis and didn’t care for himself. Of course he’d try to tough it out and stay, no matter the torture. He’d done it before. “No. But you won’t be spending forever together, if that’s what you think will happen. You’re still being punished. Whatever we’ve learned about your situation, things aren’t simply going to return to how they were before you lost the trial.” It sounded childish, but if Isis and Seth suddenly felt Horus was a mere obstacle to be moved around, they were mistaken.
“I don’t,” Seth replied, clearly annoyed. “I’m very aware that my punishment is ongoing.”
“Horus,” Isis said, warningly, “Remember what we spoke of yesterday?”
Horus frowned. Healing. Doing better. Trying not to emulate Osiris. And Horus didn’t plan to.
“And perhaps… there’s time to make it right,” Isis had said.
Horus wasn’t so sure. He’d done too much that likely wasn’t reparable, no matter how much time he allowed Seth to do as he pleased – within limits – or how honest Horus was. He realized both the people before him saw him for what he was, and perhaps before he’d have reveled in it, but now… Now he was hesitant. He had more to lose than he’d thought.
“You have things to answer for,” Anubis had said.
But you won’t be the one to bring me to justice for them, Horus thought, gazing at Isis and Seth. Isis was still angry, but Seth seemed a bit resigned. His left arm rested on the table, and the torchlight highlighted each of his fingers. Would he still use those to attack Horus again one day, in righteous retribution? If Horus was so regretful and doubting every decision he’d made, was he so pitiable now that he might let Seth do that? If only to reclaim some justice for himself? Horus was, after all, simply an instrument of vengeance. If he wasn’t meant to be Osiris’, or even Isis’, and wasn’t sure of his own… would it be that strange for someone else to use him in a different way than he’d planned?
“I have not forgotten, Mother,” Horus finally said. He didn’t have time for so much confusion and self-doubt. He was king, and they’d only just dealt with one threat to Egypt. Now they had to prepare to deal with another, older one, who’d been rotting Egypt at its core for centuries by destroying his own siblings and everyone around them. Then he had to shore up Egypt’s defenses against future threats. “But we both have duties. And do you seriously think that my reminding Seth he is meant to be punished is any worse than sending him off to Ra’s sun boat?”
Isis frowned. She seemed to see she had little high ground of her own to stand on, at least. After a moment she said, “Fine. But he won’t be your toy, either. He is to work off his punishment by aiding and rebuilding Egypt. You don’t help Egypt by ripping into him as you have.” Before Horus could reply, Isis continued, “We will return to Heliopolis. There will be a trial for Osiris, during which Seth will likely testify.”
Seth’s left hand twitched slightly, but he didn’t say anything.
Horus didn’t know what he’d do with Seth once they were alone again. Mostly his mind was just thinking about all that he’d learned, all that he’d thought about for the future. And everything he’d considered before crumbling to pieces.
“If we must…” Isis breathed in deeply. “If we must, we shall confront Osiris, and put an end to what he’s been doing. Maat will have guidance on this. And after that… perhaps Seth can help literally rebuild what he tore down. A god would make some of those efforts go faster, and Seth’s abilities with sand are optimal for part of it.”
I’m so glad you’ve decided all of this already, Horus thought. Did you need me to refill your wine while you continue? “It’s definitely something to consider for the future.”
Isis frowned at him but didn’t comment on his attitude over the matter. Perhaps she knew she was pushing him hard, as well.
“Anubis was looking for you,” Horus said, deciding he was done being childish for the time being. “He wanted to talk about attacking Osiris.”
Isis raised an eyebrow. “He should still be training. He’s too new to his powers.”
Horus shrugged, agreeing that Anubis was an untrained and overconfident fool. “He clearly believes differently.”
Isis stood up. “I’ll go talk to him. If…” She frowned and looked at Seth, and then sat back down. “No. I’ll summon him back here. It’s time we all talked properly about this. Maat can listen as well.” She called forth spells for messengers to use.
She really is being more open now, Horus thought. And all it took was my torturing her brother. Who knew? He found a seat near Seth and sat down, assuming it would be a long night.
Seth didn’t move at all, either pretending at or actually unbothered by Horus now. Perhaps his chat with Isis had given him confidence. Or perhaps the assurance that he’d get to stay near Anubis was bolstering him. Or perhaps he was thinking ahead to the trial or fighting Osiris, and had bigger things to worry about.
Horus studied Seth thoughtfully while Isis worked. If nothing else, I can finally see the real you. And if that means you see the real me, too, well… I’ll bear it.