Chapter Text
Seth
Seth was too appalled by what Osiris had done to pull his own powers out to attack the other god standing below on the stand. Staring at the remains of the human wrapped up in Osiris’ strange green tentacle vines made Seth nearly ill. It was a bastardization of everything Seth knew. Humans were made to serve gods in many ways, but this was unthinkable. To use them as some kind of… fleshy mask? He wondered if Osiris’ monstrous actions had any end.
“Osiris,” Maat said, her voice trembling with anger, “what have you done?” Her hands were clenched at her sides, and she gazed ahead at him, clearly just barely holding herself back.
Osiris’ expression was firm as he ever was, and he stood there like he did this every day with humans. “This human died some time ago and came under my dominion. What does it matter what I do with one of my subjects after that?”
Arrogant as ever, Seth thought with a scoff. He studied the remains of the human, much as the sight made his skin crawl. Does he think Maat will let him off after displaying his arrogance so blatantly? He wondered if Osiris really felt his reputation would save him. And given Seth’s experience, Seth was afraid that Osiris was correct, regardless of how much he’d spoken to Maat. But surely this is too far? He thought. He could see that Maat was clearly struggling.
“Your rule is not there to experiment on human souls,” Maat said, clearly furious. “You are meant to protect them! You should know better!”
Osiris smirked at her. “Apologies, Maat. I was born a god of life, not a god of death. Is it not in my nature to bring life to that which lacks it?”
Seth rolled his eyes, unimpressed. Slippery asshole, he thought.
“Your nature involves respecting the cycle of life and death,” Ra said, leaning over her throne, her eyes sparking in the sunlight. She was frowning now, though, and Seth had the impression her powers were making her taller and even more buff than usual, which meant she was exerting more influence in the sight of this display. “You give the crops life, which the humans consume, and then they die, and give more crops life. This is the very nature of things.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Or do you think you can decide the nature of the world on your own?”
Osiris gazed back at her with an unreadable expression before finally asking, “Perhaps you would like to take my place Ra? Or you Maat? Or any other god here?” He raised his hand around, but there was only silence.
Cowards, Seth thought with a sigh. Though he knew he couldn’t say anything, either. Who would take the hand of something like that, let alone want to be trapped in Duat?
“Perhaps it would be better if I had a warrior to keep me from my wretched ways,” Osiris said, making Seth’s heart race. Osiris’ eyes met Seth’s. There was a smile hidden there, and Seth wanted to cut it out with his khopesh. “As my son seems to benefit from the relationship, but rules well, perhaps Seth’s talents should be put to use elsewhere, where there is apparent fault. He still has his punishment to work out, does he not?”
There was murmuring in the court and Seth glared at Osiris but kept himself back from attacking. He and Horus had discussed this a little, though Seth had kept his own counsel for much of it, reminding himself again and again that he had to be crafty this time. It was how he’d beaten Osiris originally, wasn’t it? Attacking him in the army camp had nearly cost him Anubis. He tried to see it strategically, which was difficult when dealing with a mind as warped as Osiris’, and realized that Osiris probably wanted to provoke him into causing some kind of incident. Anything to get Seth sent down to Duat, to be trapped there with Osiris forever. Seth also realized that Osiris was being incredibly obvious, too, though most wouldn’t be aware: he wanted to stay in Duat, where Horus couldn’t touch him, and where Seth couldn’t get out.
Seth glanced at Horus, who was gazing down at Osiris with a frown.
…He’s jealous, Seth realized. He’s jealous of Horus. For having me. The idea was so ridiculous he almost laughed. But Osiris’ wording and actions on the battlefield were clear.
“Silence,” Maat said, breathing hard, bringing quiet back to the court. “This is not the only matter we must discuss today. The court of the Ennead is in session.” She looked up at Horus, her expression sharp. She was calm again, and back in control.
Good, Seth thought. We still have Maat on our side, so things will be fine. He hoped, anyway.
Horus leaned forward, his gaze sharp. He looked every bit the powerful king, sitting there, almost calm and unaffected by things. His falcon headdress looked sharp, the blue bright and eye-catching, and his lips were stern. His shoulders were broad and strong. Anyone comparing the monster on the stand and Horus on his throne would easily lean towards standing under Horus’ banner rather than Osiris, despite the fact that Osiris had ruled longer and was better known with more gods. Now, Osiris was a monster, and Horus was the shining beacon of kingship, looking like everything a god should be.
Seth wondered if Osiris was jealous of more than just who had Seth. Seth looked back at Osiris, unwilling to let the other god get away with anything if Seth looked away for long. He thought he detected a slight hint of fury in the man’s gaze. It almost made Seth laugh.
“I, Horus, speak on behalf of the heavens,” Horus said, his voice calm and commanding. “I have gathered us all together to bring justice for myself and others, because of the actions of Osiris.” Murmurs filled the court again. “Osiris attacked the army of Egypt, using the body of the god Anubis, attempting to murder both myself and Seth. We drove him off. Osiris’ actions that day nearly killed Anubis, Seth, and I, and given what I see before me, we are clearly still at risk for attack.”
There were more murmurs, and Seth breathed in deeply. Anubis was calm nearby, and that was all he needed. But the risk was still there, especially with displays like this. What else does he have in store? Seth wondered. What other tricks can he use to return? He’d never seen a revived corpse like this, let alone a god using one to talk. It was ominous.
“Osiris’ crimes stretch farther back than that,” Horus continued. “Before even my birth. Statements have been given, and testimony will be presented to show that Osiris experimented on his fellow gods, attempting to kill both Anubis and Seth before Seth became king, which prompted the altercation between Seth and Osiris.”
The murmurs were more alarmed now, and Seth kept himself calm. I’ve prepared for this. He’d pulled away from Horus more and more as this day approached, to protect himself a bit, trying to harden his heart to what was to come, but he was prepared. I have to be, he thought. For Anubis.
“At this trial,” Horus continued, unperturbed by the gossip in the gallery, “it shall be shown that Osiris has violated the order of the world, attempted filicide and fratricide, and helped destroy Egypt from within.”
Horus sat back, passing things back to Maat. But his gaze was still locked with Osiris’. Now it was cold and distant.
Seth noted that Osiris had kept his expression calm, almost bored. But there was anger there, too. He glanced at Seth, and Seth only gazed back, neutrally.
I will never be yours, Seth thought. If nothing else, he knew Horus would fight to keep him. He tried to find solace in that, but all he was reminded of was his own weakness. And standing before him was the man who explained just how weak Seth really was.
Seth clutched the armrests of his throne.
“Your response, Osiris?” Matt asked the other god, coolly.
Osiris snorted, and then smiled. “I have none. It’s a bunch of foolishness, and this court shall see as much.”
Cocky asshole, Seth thought. He so firmly believes everyone will still bow to him. Seth imagined Osiris didn’t think anyone would testify against him. After all, in all the hundred years since Osiris’ death, no one ever had, and Seth had famously lost a trial for it. Seth looked forward to wiping the smirk from Osiris’ face forever.
Maat nodded and said, “Then step aside while we call other witnesses to testify.”
Osiris frowned, but moved back, leaving space on the platform.
Anubis moved to Nephthys, who was back in the shadows, and walked with her into the court.
Seth had objected when he’d realized Anubis would have to be on the stand with or even near Osiris, and Horus had stepped in, saying it had to be done, to make the process clean. “The other gods don’t know what Anubis looks like, and we need to make it clear who Anubis is and where he stands on the matter.”
Anubis had agreed with this, perhaps one of the few things the half-brothers did agree to, but Seth had still been frustrated about it. It put Anubis at too much risk.
Isis had promised she had spells all over the court. “He will not touch Anubis.” Her glare was fierce. “You can be certain of it.”
Seth was still grateful Maat’s spell was gone. He would strike immediately if Osiris so much as twitched in Anubis’ direction. He trusted in Isis’ magic, but it never hurt to be too careful.
Now, Nephthys and Anubis stepped onto the platform, causing more murmurs. As Horus had said, not many gods had seen Anubis this way, so they were clearly confused who Anubis was, and many hadn’t seen Nephthys in centuries. Nephthys looked nervous and had her blonde head bowed, but she stood up tall on Anubis’ right. She wore a fresh dress and had her face cleaned, under the guidance of Isis’ servants, and while she looked even paler than usual, she didn’t look like a prisoner.
Anubis stood tall and strong, with his jackal headdress on, and his black and yellow heka staff in his left hand. He presented himself well, though he looked a bit like a powerful guard.
Seth was proud of him for doing this, even as he was worried.
Maat waved her hand, and her scales clanged as Nephthys’ heart appeared on one of them, balanced opposite Maat’s ostrich feather of truth, evenly.
Nephthys was still mostly calm, though clearly a little nervous.
“Nephthys,” Maat said, her voice commanding. “Goddess of harmony and peace. Tell us about the nature of your relationship with Osiris.”
Nephthys tightened her hands, which were clasped before her stomach, and then breathed in. She raised her head, gazed at Maat, and said, “Osiris is my brother. And I have loved him since we were born.”
Seth knew that much. But what she meant by it was different than what he thought he’d known for much of their lives. He didn’t mind that she’d cared for Osiris, even deeply. They all loved each other in their own way. But if she’d told me sooner, he thought. He pushed such thoughts away.
“When Osiris took our sister Isis as his wife, I thought that things were ended forever there, and so I did my best as the wife of my brother, Seth, whom I also cared for.”
But not loved, Seth thought, bitterly as the scales didn’t budge at all. Not loved.
She gazed up at Seth sadly, and he felt only a slight sharpness in his heart as he met her pale eyes. “I tried to be a good wife, but it was not enough for my heart. So when Seth and I had trouble conceiving, I went to Osiris for help, thinking at least that confiding in him would be good. He was the god of life, after all.”
Seth knew there would be murmurs now. Seth’s inability to help Nephthys conceive a child would spread. Nephthys was a goddess, so the problem couldn’t be with her. It made him feel like a fool for not seeing it sooner. But he held fast. Of course she never thought to ask me about this, he thought.
“Osiris offered me his seed and said that it could grow strongly.” She shut her eyes, pained. “And I… I was so desperate for some piece of him, that I accepted. And I conceived a son, Anubis, though I claimed he was Seth’s son.”
The scales remained balanced.
Anubis stood firm, having heard this before, but murmurs of alarm filled the court.
Ra’s eyes glittered dangerously.
“Did Osiris ask for something in exchange?” Maat asked, interrupting the chatter.
Nephthys nodded, still looking unhappy, but determined. “He asked for the power of creation, which is natural to goddesses. I could not give it to him entirely, but a small bit of it, I could give.”
“You didn’t see the harm in it?” Maat asked.
Nephthys shook her head. “I didn’t imagine he could do much with it. It hadn’t helped me have a child before his help, after all.” She smiled sadly. “And it was what he wanted, so I don’t think I would have cared either way.”
She was so blinded by her love for him, Seth thought, miserably. I feel like she never was, for me. He was sick of feeling sorry for himself. He’d grown sick of it centuries ago. She didn’t want him, and that was the end of it. He didn’t pine for her anymore, though he did feel somewhat lonely still. But he couldn’t imagine anyone else in her place. Except…
A vision of bright blue eyes filled his mind, and strong hands. Hungry looks and a warm chest. Strangely tender promises.
“I could make it good for you,” Horus had offered, looking so confident and strong... “Is that what you want? Someone who appreciates you and doesn’t run away into someone else’s arms at the first chance? Because there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here.”
Seth was his sparring partner, his pseudo teacher… He’d stayed back to help Horus, and to help Anubis, when he could have negotiated for some other punishment. And Horus had helped keep him sane before the trial, which scared Seth, because it felt like Seth was hiding away from things, when he needed to be strong to face Osiris and the court, and whatever the ultimate punishment or lack thereof for Osiris was. Hadn’t Horus broken Maat’s spell because Seth was too weak?
Seth focused back on the trial, disliking where his mind was going.
“And Osiris never spoke to you about this again?” Maat asked Nephthys.
Nephthys nodded. “Not once. I was embarrassed to tell Seth, so I didn’t tell him, either. Or Anubis.” She bowed her head. “That is my shame.”
“You may leave the stand, Nephthys,” Maat finally said. Then she looked up at Seth.
Seth frowned, and waited until Nephthys left the area. He still avoided her like a coward, but he imagined she also had no desire to be around him, so it’s not like the avoidance was just on his side.
Horus reached out and clasped Seth’s right wrist, making Seth look at him in surprise. Horus’ expression was firm.
It’s almost like he wants to be supportive, Seth thought. Though he’s probably just reminding me to keep calm or something. Horus was just there to keep Seth stable and on target, after all. Seth letting his emotions run away with him was just the adrenaline of the situation.
Seth nodded at him, and then dissolved into sand and flew over the balcony, causing alarm in the room, before re-forming his body on the stand next to Anubis. Seth was glad he was at least close to Anubis now. And he was closer to strike Osiris – who was standing slightly lower and to Seth’s right – as needed. For some reason, it kept his mind clear, whereas seeing Osiris should have otherwise terrified him.
Maat reached out and swept her hand.
Seth felt an odd sensation in his chest as his heart went to the scales, but it was nothing major. Just strange. He’d experienced far worse over the centuries. He thought he should be awed that he was experiencing Maat’s scales, but he just felt tense.
“Seth,” Maat said as she gazed calmly at him, “God of war and the desert. Tell us what happened on the night of usurpation.”
Seth breathed in deeply, knowing this was the moment. “I came home from a battle. Sekhmet met with me. She told me that Osiris and Nephthys had been together behind my back, and that Anubis was not my son.”
There were more murmurs, and Seth pushed back the desire to crush them all. He’d already spent much of his reign doing that, and he knew they would eat up every word of this. But they didn’t matter, or so he told himself.
“I was furious,” Seth continued, recalling how he’d felt in the moment. “Nephthys walked in on us talking, and she was alarmed, but she confirmed what Sekhmet had said was true. I was even more enraged, so I stormed out to confront Osiris.”
The scales almost mocked him, with how balanced they were. He’d practiced saying this, to try and get as little emotion into it as he could. The scales were a delicate thing. But he’d been honest. Things were strangely simple when phrased this way, rather than in the form of Osiris’ half-truths and lies.
Anubis was still there, standing at his side. Seth hated saying all this next to him, but he was necessary as another witness.
“I attacked Osiris,” Seth continued, “and he told me to calm down, while using his powers to make me age.” Seth still recalled the feeling with horror. It was abominable. “He forced me to sit at a table with him and fed me drugged wine. I didn’t know it was drugged at the time.” It had felt so patronizing, the way Osiris had easily taken over things. Osiris wasn’t the god of war, Seth was, and yet Osiris had easily taken control. It was galling.
Isis and Horus were watching him from above, and both of them had focused expressions.
“We talked about what had happened,” Seth continued, feeling more annoyed as time passed. “Osiris explained that he’d given Nephthys his seed because she said we couldn’t conceive. That they’d never been together in the way I imagined. At some point while we talked, the drug in the wine began to interfere with my cognition, and I fell.” Seth breathed in heavily. He’d practiced this. He had. I need to protect Anubis, he thought. That’s more important than anything else. More important than pride, certainly. One of his worst moments, which few people knew about.
A bit of wind ruffled the hair under his shendyt, and he felt something like a warm hand on his shoulder, made of air. He realized it was Horus. Horus, who’d freed him from Maat’s spell to be stronger to face Osiris. Perhaps Horus had little faith in Seth’s abilities, but he meant for this to be successful.
Seth breathed in again, somehow finding some sort of strength and encouragement in that, because he had nothing else, before continuing, “He stated that he’d stolen my seed years before, so that Nephthys and I could not conceive. He then stated that he’d poisoned me. And then he tried to use the power of creation from Nephthys on me, so that I would conceive his child.”
Isis’ face twisted slightly as the scale didn’t move, and the murmurs were still ongoing. Like buzzing flies.
“He assaulted me,” Seth said, feeling like he was scraping through his own chest with a knife. “I fought and could not escape. Finally, he said that he was going to use Anubis’ soul as the fuel for this child he wanted.” He glanced at Anubis, reassuring himself that Anubis was there with him.
Anubis looked at him, and the corners of his mouth twitched a little in a gentle smile.
He’s alive, Seth thought, breathing in deeply. He’s all right. Seth looked back at Maat. “He then showed me the jars he’d collected Anubis’ soul in.”
Maat’s gaze sharpened at this. She wouldn’t have been happy with more evidence of Osiris’ experiments, even though she knew all this already. It was another thing to hear it in court, before the scales.
“I begged him not to hurt Anubis,” Seth said, remembering how pathetic and desperate he’d been. “And then I used my body to try to convince him to let Anubis go, since it was what Osiris wanted.” He’d have done anything then, anything at all. “Sekhmet intervened and knocked him out after I fell unconscious.” He’d considered trying to keep her out of the story, but this had to be honest. And Sekhmet had been the one who’d tricked him into assaulting Horus. Payback, he thought. It’s not like it’ll hurt her much, anyway. No one can bring Sekhmet to account for anything.
Ra sat back in her chair, clearly still intrigued, but a little calmer. Seth wondered if she’d go find Sekhmet somewhere, since the goddess wasn’t present now, unless she was hiding, as usual.
“I then cut Osiris’ body into pieces, but that didn’t work,” Seth continued. “He was the god of life, he just reformed himself.” He breathed in. “So I made use of his obsession with me, and eventually pretended I’d died and gone to Duat. He sacrificed his own immortality to follow me, swallowing the power of creation to do so, and killing himself without my laying a finger on him, to follow me into Duat.”
Isis shut her eyes, pained.
The scale didn’t budge. Seth tried to remind himself he’d gotten through the worst of it.
“How did you survive?” Maat asked into the strange silence.
“The drug Osiris fed me was full of life,” Seth said. “I used it to keep my body separate, letting part of it die for me, while the rest of me stayed hidden and alive. I watched Osiris kill himself.” It had hurt a little to sacrifice his body that way, but he’d gone through worse, particularly in that very night. Nearly losing Anubis had been far worse, and losing Nephthys had certainly been worse.
“What happened with Osiris at the army camp?” Maat asked.
Seth breathed evenly now, relieved to move on. “Osiris appeared before Horus and I while we were on the battlefield. I was confused and furious, so Osiris and I fought. He tried to kill both Horus and I, because Horus was interfering with Osiris’ goal of taking and killing me. Horus noticed there was something wrong with Osiris, and discovered that he was possessing Anubis’ body, and we subdued rather than killed him, freeing Anubis.” He grimaced. “Anubis was heavily injured, in a way that would have killed a human. He wouldn’t have survived without Isis’ help.” He still wanted to rip Osiris to shreds now, but they had to be careful with this.
Maat glanced at the scales, which were unmoved, and said, “You may be seated, Seth.”
Seth nodded, glanced at Anubis, who was as calm as he’d ever been, and then dissolved into sand to go back to his throne. He felt like he might ooze onto the floor, but he stayed seated.
There was a whisper by his ear, “Well done.”
Seth knew it was Horus’ voice, but only stared ahead.
“Anubis,” Maat said after she’d placed his heart on the scale. “God of death. Tell us what happened on the night of usurpation.”