War of Mortal Gods

by Kipjo K Ewers

  Her stern question froze Horus’s advance while wiping the confidence he had from his face.

  He slowly turned with a scowl to the one mortal in the room who Sekhmet could pluck the information from.

  Dr. Alexander kept his head down as a wide-eyed Graves became drenched in sweat, taking a futile step backward.

  The Goddess of War snapped her fingers, refocusing her husband’s attention.

  “If you did not want your secrets known to me, you should not have your manservant around for me to freely read his mind.”

  “Nay, wife, I hide no secrets from you,” Horus defended himself while clearing his throat. “I merely…”

  “Why did you murder this ‘Sir Knight Light’?”

  Horus let out frustrated air before he spoke.

  “I underestimated him. Unlike these enhanced guards who I have altered to obey me, most demi-gods, these ‘EVOs’ are resistant to mind control. I had no choice but to dispatch him, and then become him to further my endeavors, the main one which entailed finding your remains to return you to life.”

  “Why in the name of the underworld did you drain him?!”

  An enraged Horus released her, stepping back.

  “Have you any idea what I have endured?” Horus howled back, wounded. “Buried alive for centuries! The energies that kept me alive dwindling to nothing! My hunger was insatiable once I broke free! I was also alone in this world! Alone!”

  Sekhmet closed the gap between them, placing a hand on Horus’s chest to calm him as the Ancient huffed and puffed his frustration on what appeared to be the brink of tears.

  “Calm thyself, husband,” she whispered. “Calm thyself. I am here by your side, never to be removed again. Now relay to me everything. Leave nothing hidden so that I may aid you in repairing the cracks in this mighty foundation you have built for us.”

  CHAPTER 9

  The Hall of Elders, the main capital building of Atticala,

  Laurence entered the hall side by side with Anubis and Bastet to report to the Council of Elders.

  They ascended the grand spiral steps, which led to the Hall of Elders. A hall constructed from pure silver Alder with etchings of hieroglyphics. Humongous Ember statues of past Elders that stood in chronological order of rule. Each glowed brightly with infinite Awakening energy, making the hall shimmer.

  As Laurence passed the last three statues belonging to Set, Osiris, and finally Amun-Ra for the umpteenth time, a slight smile formed. It was caused by the memory of the first time he entered the hall after arriving on Anu after defeating Anubis in combat on the desolate planet of Corazal.

  Decades later, compounded by missions and adventures that took him to the far corners of the universe, no half-human had ever traveled. Laurence searched for knowledge and wisdom that he had hoped to return to Earth to teach the people of his first home a new way.

  However, as Laurence’s newfound love for exploration bestowed upon him a vast understanding of the universe, it also delayed his return to Earth for decades. That, along with a sad conclusion, he had kept to himself.

  As the massive circular chamber door before them rolled out of the way, allowing them to enter the Chamber of Elders, a smile came to the trios face as they were greeted by Tefnut, the daughter of Ma’at, the first Eye of Ra, and Atum’s eldest son Shu, the Eye of Nu in their respective armors. They were leaving after giving their report from their mission.

  “Cousins.” The trio said in unison.

  “Cousins.” Tefnut and Shu returned.

  They gave each other the proper forearm clasp greeting an Annunaki warrior gave to another.

  “How was thy mission?” Anubis inquired.

  “Successful,” Shu answered. “We escorted the Zengarian delegates safely to their conference and back without incident.”

  “We heard it’s because your trio took the suspected human into custody,” Tefnut added.

  “Alleged suspect human,” Laurence sternly corrected her. “We had to intercede to prevent the Thracian Crown Prince and Princess from creating a diplomatic incident.”

  “Have a care, cousin,” Tefnut warned him. “Earth is not a part of the Dominion Council.”

  “Nor are the bloody Volorions we had the misfortune of fighting,” Bastet said while defending Laurence. “Yet, we were told not to create an incident with them.”

  Tefnut ignored Bastet’s words focusing on Laurence.

  “You overstepped by venturing to Earth and interfering, cousin. She is not pleased with you.”

  Tefnut’s eyes then went from Anubis to Bastet.

  “None of them are.”

  Tefnut and Shu departed, leaving Bastet, Laurence, and Anubis glancing at each other with the understanding that they were walking into a potential hornet’s nest.

  However, their stride did not lessen as they entered the chamber room and walked through rows of towering golden columns that stretched as far as the eye could see. Each of them had gleaming silver hieroglyphics that told the history of the Annunaki.

  Eventually, they reached the sea of steps where the Council of Elders sat in thrones forged from pure shining gold and silver Alder, fashioned to represent each House. The House of Set, being the eldest house, sat in the middle. To its right was the House of Ra, and to its left was the House of Khnum. To the right of the House of Ra was the House of Osiris, while to the left of the House of Khnum was the House of Nu.

  Beings who lived thousands of years, possessing knowledge and intelligence that surpassed many species across the universe, and their names were well-known to humans who had a sliver of understanding about Egyptian mythology.

  Before them sat Isis, wife of Osiris, the third from the house of Osiris, first son of Osiris the second, and Bastet’s mother.

  Like her mythos on Earth, her beauty appeared to have no equal. Her skin was a warm honey brown, while her silky pearl black hair was bone straight and hung down to her shoulders. Certain things were inaccurate about the tales told of her. She had large, piercing silver eyes and a toned, shapely physique of someone who had seen battle and won. Isis’s features of a woman in her late forties – a mixture of gentle softness and not to be trifled with.

  Her attire was a sheer gold and blood-red double shoulder strapped sheath dress. Around her left bicep, she wore a silver serpent that wrapped around her arm several times.

  Next was Atum from the House of Nu, the first son of Nu resplendent in gold and silver, yellow and green. With his gray skin and thick, midnight black braid off his right shoulder matching his braided beard, he had the appearance of a Pharaoh of old.

  Khnum, the second, from the house of Khnum, first son of Khnum, was the oldest, largest, and most intimidating of the elders. His bare-chested, muscular onyx-colored physique was covered in battle scars that he did not even attempt to hide.

  Nephthys, wife of Set the third, from the house of Set, first son of Set the second, Isis’s sister and Anubis’s mother, was also a chilling, golden-eyed beauty, adorned in a sheer sky-blue version of an ancient Kalasiris dress. Her thick silky raven and royal purple braided hair had a gold tiara perched on top of her head fashioned in the shape of a Seni.

  Finally, Ma’at, Laurence’s great, great, great many times great aunt and the first daughter of Amun-Ra, sat in the seat of the house of Ra, the first son of Amun. She was dressed similarly to Nephthys in a sheer white and gold version of her Kalasiris dress with a deep plunge line that went down to her navel. Her skin was a deep bronze color, while her eyes were a warm hazel hue. Her pearl black hair hung straight down to the middle of her back.

  Behind each of the Elders stood their familiar armors: Isis’s armor was designed in the theme of a hawk creature with massive multi-colored wings attached under the arms to the torso. Along with it was Atum’s stately emerald-black beetle-themed armor with a sheathed long sword; Khnum’s minotaur-inspired armor hefting two heavy battle-axes; Nephthys’s golden, forest-green graceful stork-like armor armed with a bow; and Ma’at’s eagle
-themed armor with twin short swords.

  Monstrously exquisite and powerful weapons capable of operating independently of their wearers, obeying their masters and mistresses' sole command. Each with the ability to destroy whole planets if need be.

  Laurence, Anubis, and Bastet dropped to their knees, smacking their forearms against their chests as they bowed their heads to the Council. They rose once again and at semi-attention, waiting for the debriefing to take place.

  Tefnut’s words rang true about the demeanor of the Council. The heat of irritation and disappointment could be felt raining down on them from where the trio stood. Anubis and Bastet could tolerate the glares from their uncles, but their mothers’ disapproving glowers made them shift a bit where they stood. The same could be said for Laurence, who was forced to weather through Ma’at’s piercing frown locked solely on him.

  “Let us begin this debriefing with the sequence of events,” Atum sighed, speaking in Annunaki dialect.

  He glanced at the other Council members waiting for approval.

  They each agreed with a nod.

  “Anubis, Eye of Set of the house of Set,” Atum began the debriefing. “What was the outcome of your audience with High Prime Vbzarma?”

  “The High Prime had no intention of negotiating,” Anubis bluntly answered. “Instead, he planned to execute us, take possession of our armor, and per his words, attempt to reverse engineer them for mass production. High Prince Nofarrzo also informed us during the battle with his War Legion that an old friend of our fathers sent his regards.”

  Each Council member glanced at one another, perplexed and deeply concerned over the High Prince’s words.

  “Let us put the Volorion matter to the side for now,” Isis stepped in. “Why did you three venture to Earth and interfere with the apprehension of the human Sophia Dennison?”

  “I ventured to Earth to investigate why it was under quarantine,” Laurence spoke up. “My intervention ensured the detainment of Ms. Dennison and prevented the possible destruction of the planet, which the actions of the Crown Prince and Princess nearly caused.”

  “That was not a part of your mission,” Ma’at spoke up with steel sternness.

  Laurence calmly turned to her, remembering at that moment that she was not his aunt but the Council of Elder for the House of Ra.

  “Forgive me, Elder Ma’at,” Laurence responded. “But I am a child of Earth as well as Anu. If I regret anything, it is getting my cousins entangled in this affair.”

  “Once again, our cousin does not speak for us,” Bastet said, stepping forward. “We happily accompanied the Eye of Ra to Earth to prevent the High Region’s pups from botching a simple apprehension.”

  “Curtail your tongue, Eye of Osiris,” Isis warned her daughter. “You are overstepping.”

  Bastet embarrassingly lowered her head while clearing her throat.

  “Apologies, Elder Isis.”

  “It is understood that you are still a child of Earth, Laurence Danjuma,” Khnum spoke with his signature rumbling tone. “But as a citizen of Anu, and an Eye, you are also bound to the laws here as well as that of the Dominion Council. The Council by vote delegates responsibilities to fellow nations that they entrust to carry out how they see fit so long as they are within the Council's laws' parameters. Your interference in Crown Prince Merc’s and the Thracian High General Attea’s mission both disrespected and undermined the authority of the Thracian empire, who are our allies.”

  A stone-faced Anubis stepped forward.

  “I was the elder in charge of this mission. I bear the responsibility for approving the venture to Earth; the burden of fault is my yoke to bear.”

  Anubis’s words reeled both Laurence and Bastet causing them both to break rank.

  “How dare you steal responsibility for this venture?!” Bastet spat.

  “This yoke is not yours to solely carry, Anubis!” Laurence chimed in.

  “Remember your places and where you both stand!” Anubis roared his authority.

  Laurence slowly shook his head in disbelief, while Bastet scoffed and snorted at Anubis for admonishing them in front of the elders.

  “You are all to blame for this infraction,” Nephthys said with soaring vocals echoing through the room. “And you will be judged and punished accordingly for your actions.”

  Laurence, Anubis, and Bastet all solemnly yet proudly stood accepting the Council of Elders' ruling and judgment.

  “Princess Attea is currently en-route to collect the human,” Atum informed the trio. “You will hand the human over to her, and you will give her proper apologies for your interference and undermining of their operation. Do we have understanding?”

  “Yes, Elder Atum,” the trio answered in unison.

  “We must now address the third and final matter of this debriefing,” Ma’at said, switching the subject with a steel tone. “An accusation brought to our attention by the Thracian Crown Prince. An accusation that this Council finds extremely disturbing pertaining to the child of Sophia Dennison currently being treated in our Halls of Healing.”

  Bastet slightly lowered her head, closing her eyes. Laurence could hear additional air blow through Anubis’s nostrils as he remained stone-faced while Ma’at’s stern and confused eyes fell on him.

  “Laurence Danjuma, Eye of Ra, step forward,” Ma’at commanded.

  The Eye of Ra briskly took one full advance forward, keeping his eyes locked on her. He could tell that she prayed the question she was about to ask him was false.

  “You have been accused by Prince Merc of infusing a child with Awakening energy. Is this accusation true?”

  “Yes, it is, Elder Ma’at.”

  Laurence’s ears picked up Bastet, whispering a foul word in Annunaki as his eyes stayed on Ma’at, the Head of his house whose face now bore a mixed emotion of disappointment with a douse of punching the soul out of her.

  “You do understand that you are admitting to a practice that you know full well is condemned not just by the worlds under the Dominion Council, but by this very Council of Elders who was the first to bring a petition to outlaw this process?”

  “Yes, I do, Elder Ma’at.”

  “Do you also admit that you not only performed this act, but hid it from this Council, and from me your House Elder?”

  “Yes, Elder Ma’at,” Laurence admitted with no hesitation.

  “Do you realized what you have done, Laurence Danjuma,” Ma’at frustratingly pressed. “What she could potentially become?”

  “I do.”

  “Explain your actions to this Council immediately, Laurence Danjuma.”

  “Unfortunately, the explanation for my actions can only be relayed to your ears.”

  Laurence’s answer drew concern from the remaining elders who turned to one another, while Anubis and a perturbed Bastet gave him perplexed expressions.

  “With the permission of the remaining Elders, I would like to converse with the Eye of Ra privately on the astral plane.”

  As the other members nodded in agreement, Ma’at sat back in her seat, becoming motionless while her eyes turned white as milk. At the same time, Laurence’s eyes mirrored hers, signaling that she had pulled him into the astral plane. As he lost consciousness, his body locked up, becoming as stiff as a statue where it stood.

  ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

  Laurence awoke in a cloudy pinkish-blue realm, which made him feel like he was standing in the middle of the Aurora Borealis. He briefly glanced at his astral form that was nude with a Barbie Ken doll's anatomical shape. Standing before him was Ma’at also in her astral form, waiting for an explanation.

  “Well, explain thyself, boy.”

  “I was given instruction to infuse the child with the energies of the Awakening by Amun-Ra, and I was further instructed to tell no one else of this but you, but only when you asked.”

  His answer removed the sternness from Ma’at’s visage, replacing
it with one of shock.

  “You …communed with father? When?”

  “After I almost died on Tyron-5 and was placed in an induced coma for several months. At first, I thought it was mere dreams until he began calling onto me at times when I was awake. He gave me much instruction over the years.”

  Ma’at’s face mirrored the hurt she felt from him, keeping such a secret from her.

  “Why would …?”

  “I wanted to tell you so many times, but he sternly forbade me from doing so. He stressed knowledge of you, knowing this would only bring you pain.”

  “But why now?”

  Laurence moved closer before he answered.

  “Almost eight human months before the attempted uprising on Earth orchestrated by evolved humans, Amun-Ra came to me and instructed me to infuse the power of the Awakening with a child that would ask for my help.”

  “But why would he instruct such a thing knowing it was forbidden?”

  “He spoke of events that would threaten the known universe itself in the coming future. Vengeance from the shadows bent on extinguishing all life—a power held by one that could shake the universe. I asked for clarification on these events. He said these events could not be changed, only the outcome. He said the child would be one of the keys to changing the conclusions.”

  “One of the keys?”

  Laurence answered with a nod.

  “I struggled with the yoke he bore upon me, right up to when I infused the child with the power. The conflict of my actions changed when the child returned to me after the battle with the individual named Peace and the Zombie Nation. She asked for me to take the power of the Awakening away from her, that she no longer needed it after saving her mother.”

  Ma’at nodded, understanding his logic.

  “Knowing that it was forever fused with her, I bled the power so that it gradually grew within her as she matured. We face dark times ahead of us and are headed toward a course that cannot be steered from. Defensive measures must be fortified to ensure that we are to survive what is to come. That also includes painful decisions, namely regarding me.”