Balance (Book 9 )
Thos

Anubis was furious at his son and even more so at Set for allowing this to happen. His father was ruthless and cunning. He took joy in the pain of others. He created chaos for sport and lived to manipulate living souls into madness.

Anubis had great respect for Set. The death knights were not acting as though Set had ordered them to destroy his family. Set enjoyed a good family destruction; however, he would never cast his amusement toward the gods. The God’s have been distant from what they use to love because of Atum’s depression. It made since Kebachet was the one instructing the death knights.

His parents vacationed in another realm called Thos. They had been there for close to a thousand years. Set only saw Kebachet once in his life. He took no interest in Anubis’s family. He wondered why Kebachet would bring the jackals’ medallions to Set or how he formed a relationship with Set.

Anubis traveled to the realm where his parents vacationed. In this realm of Thos there are no humans or vampires. Intelligent creatures ruled the land. Creatures similar to the highland bears created a thriving society. Anubis would be comfortable living in his true form here.

Instead of tall buildings made of steel and cement, the Thosians made layers underground. They worked on the surface, gathering goods and tilling the land. Shops and homes and roads honeycombed underground. Their gods lived deep in the center of the world, giving life and warmth to the living. The creatures wanted to be as close as they could to their gods.

The honeycombed city spiraled down and followed a pit in the center of the city. The inhabitants would make living sacrifices to the gods. Anything that was created first and considered pure was thrown into the center pit. These sacrifices included the first bounty of crops, the first to be born of the new year, the first female to reach adulthood, and the first offspring of their lives stock, were also thrown into the center as an offering each year.

Anubis traveled through the community unhindered. The creatures ignored him. His jackal form was not out of place. He entered the god’s veil looking for the temple that would lead to the individual thrones. He knew he was close. Set would be aware he had come. The temple was similar to the Egyptian temple. A grand archway was built into the side of a wall making a large honeycombed hole. Statues of stone gods stood guarding the entrance.

Anubis stood in front of the large entryway as a tug in his gut pulled at him. His jackals are nearby. He will wait to collect them. His army and the underworld are out of danger for now. He needed to practice patients.

Anubis quickly found where Set and Nephthys sat. They were in a throne given to Set, enjoying a drink and fruit that was gifted to them by the inhabitants.

“Anubis, my son. What brings you here?” Set called to him cheerfully. Anubis was in no mood for pleasant conversation. He would have to placate his father if he had a chance at information.

“Nothing that cannot wait. It has been a while since I saw you last.”

“We have been enjoying the living here. Would you join us? I could use your gift.” Set was already thinking of ways to control Anubis. He wondered what he would need to do for him. Set is in an unusually good mood. Someone is going to die.

“You wish me to judge souls?”

“No, Anubis, do not be silly. There is a group of lions that need to be taught manors. Of course, with your strength, you will not need weapons.” Set means to watch the sport of fighting. Anubis’s mother giggled at Set’s suggestion.

Anubis has no intention of giving a good show. He will have to kill the pride swiftly. “How do they disrespect you?”

“It matters not.”

“Forgive me, but it does. Punishment without knowledge of wrongdoing will not correct the situation. If you wish me to simply kill a pride, you but only have to ask.”

Anubis did not care if the pride lived or died. He would not allow Set to make sport of him. He would allow Set to think he was making Anubis do something he did not want to do. This is not his domain or his realm. He did not care what happened here. If Set suspected he did not care, Set would replace something that would truly anger Anubis. He could not risk casting Set’s cruelty on his family.

Set’s eyes widened with amusement. “You have your mother’s morals, such a wasted trait. Go do as I ask. I have taught you survival and gave you the tools to use to unravel a mystery.” Set had become annoyed with the canter.

“As you wish. Before I go, I would like to express my gratitude for getting to know my son. I noticed he has been visiting you frequently of late. I have to admit, I was surprised you gifted him with Deathscourge. You have my gratitude.” Anubis said casualty.

There is nothing casual about his statement. It is bait to see their reactions. Nephthys sat up concerned and his father sat looking intently at him. Anubis will fight for his son’s life. Anubis refused to believe his son knowingly betrayed him. His father has never interfered with the gods. The gods have not been themselves lately. Set could have planted a seed in Kebachet’s mind to destroy Anubis’s family.

Deathscourge was a weapon a dying race forged in the last effort to kill the undead that plagued the land. The undead won the war and threw out the weapon. It is too dangerous for them. Nephthys was attracted to the sword’s power and hid it among her other processions. It is not like her to give her weapons to anyone without payment.

The game has begun.

Anubis dipped his head and walked out of the room. He would be back, but first, Set wished for a blood offering and chose a pride of lions. He shall have his pride of lions.

This world is different. Anubis does not have access to it as he does in his realm. He is not connected to it in any way. He might as well be one of the animals that lived here. He is much more than the animals, though. Even though he is not connected to the world, he still has his godly power and strength. It would only be harder to achieve his goal.

He could hear Anput talk to him as she sat on his throne chair. She spoke of her deep love for him and told her story of how she met him and when she fell in love with him the second time. She felt foolish that she was unaware he was a god. Her story brought painful memories of his joy being crushed when he realized his goddess did not recognize him.

Queen Mum found Lara as a human and brought her to the clan as a new vampire. He felt such joy he had to fight to contain it. His quest to bring her to the god’s realm and truly become her partner seemed attainable once again.

Their eyes met for the first time on the first day Queen Mum took Lara to feed. Lara was definitely attracted to him, but the ice queen with the fiery spirit he knew so well was gone. Her innocence had returned. His heart dropped. Eight thousand years of loving her and molding her into a goddess seemed to have disappeared.

His love of her prevented him from giving up. He made the decision he would wait another eight thousand years if that is what it took. She had given him her heart, and he vowed to protect it. His patients rewarded him, and Lara returned to him fully.

He smiled to himself as he continued walking along the spiraling road. He wished she could be here. Anput’s ability to see the world would be useful. Anput would have the lions purring and begging her to do her will. This was his battle. He would see to it that Anput lived a very long life with him. He hoped Kebachet would live a long time as well. He will answer for his crimes; however, if Anubis could prove Kebatchet was forced into action, Kebatchet will live, and Set will know true evil while he takes his vengeance on him.

Anubis took a deep breath and refocused on his task. He must replace and kill a pride. If the pride was causing trouble, then they would be where trouble was welcomed. Anubis looked for deprived parts of town. The creatures wished to be near their gods. It stands to reason the oldest and poorest parts were up above toward the surface.

Anubis made his way toward the surface and stopped when the honeycombed holes looked worn and tired. Stones and cloth curtains were the only thing they used as doors. Anubis traveled the maze of hallways until he found one with loud music and shouts of anger. The connecting corridors were barely tall enough for Anubis to stand his full height. Wooden beams held the walls up in several places. They were just wide enough to allow two wagons to sit side by side. The area smelled like wild beasts. Urine markings were everywhere. Anubis let himself into the bar.

“Hey, no half breeds!” a wolf growled. Anubis’s green eyes flair, and his lips curled. A low growl emanated deep from within.

“You dare speak to me?” The wolf looked around and began to cower. “I will go where I please, dog.” Anubis dared the wolf to come at him. Perhaps the gods would like a living sacrifice. The wolf did not accept the challenge.

Pathetic. Earth’s ancient wolves would be ashamed.

Anubis found a corner where he could see the entire bar and stay unnoticed. The bar was dark and dingy. Several small round wooden tables were placed in the room with accompanying chairs. The wood was old and splintered with various stains. The bar lined one side of the room with one individual making drinks. No barmaids were seen. Apparently, you ordered your drink and took it to your own table.

Several animal species accompanied the bar. Different species of cats, dogs, pigs, bears, different species of apes, foxes and the like all spread out in the tiny room.

Anput continued her story of their adventures together. She was distracting and made him miss her. Anubis blocked her from his mind for the time being. His ears twitched toward different noises in the room. The animals had a different way of thinking. Their thoughts were harder to listen to than humans or vampires. The tavern was full of talk of sexual boasts and hunting tactics. Nothing indicated a pride of lions ruled here. There were no talks of a savage gang. One conversation did catch Anubis’s attention.

“I can’t believe they make us throw away such good liquor.” A boar said.

“Yeah, I don’t see why the gods can’t make their own. I mean, it ain’t hard to trample on grapes.” Another said, laughing.

“Can you imagine big bad Clyde’s killing grapes to sedate his taste for wine!” more laughter.

“If I was a god, I would just create a bottle with my mind and drink every last drop.”

These boars were being disrespectful toward the gods. It is one thing to laugh with the gods, it is another to laugh at them. Anubis approached the three boars.

“Evening gentlemen.”

“Gentlemen? What do we look like? Human?” The table laughed.

“Well, look at him. It seems he might have seen a human. What kind of half breed are you anyway?”

“One that recognizes what a tasty snack for the god’s would look like.” The table went silent.

“Now, you see here. We are having a private conversation. What gives you the right to butt in?”

“I am glad you asked.” Anubis’s eyes glowed a deep green. “I represent a powerful god, and he is not amused.” Anubis grabbed the two boars by their legs and dragged them down a hallway. “The gods will become drunk off of you.”

Their screams echoed as he passed several doors. Several inhabitants stopped to watch what was happening as he passed them.

“Yes, please keep screaming. I would love a fight. I have not tasted blood in some time.”

Their screams increased. No matter what realm, pigs are all the same. When the great hole presented itself, Anubis shouted.

“Breakfast for you, my Lord Set, and your goddess! They come seasoned for your taste.”

He threw them into the pit. The boars’ screams could be heard for a long time as they fell to the core of the city. Anubis returned to the bar. Everyone went silent and looked at him.

“Does anyone else wish to mock the gods?” Anubis growled. They quickly returned to their business.

“Who are you to pass judgment?” A voice said from behind him. He turned to see the wolf had returned, bringing a few of his friends. Anubis grinned, showing his white fangs.

“Why not replace out?”

A wolf leaped from behind and tried to bite Anubis’s neck. He let out a growl and caught the wolf and slashed its side with his nails. The wolf cried out and fell bleeding. The remaining three leaped up to attack. Anubis was quicker than anything here. He tore one wolf’s head off and bent another in half, breaking its spine. The last wolf met Anubis’s fangs. Four wolves lie dead around him.

Screams of terror rang out. Anubis drank in the fear. He enjoyed times like these when he could release his frustrations. It is one quality he received from his father. Set enjoys causing chaos and laughs at the destruction it causes. Anubis has fed upon the terror and despair of the living during Set’s scourge in the past.

While Horace played in his wars, Anubis would listen to the battle and drink in the sweet aroma. Anubis rarely had time to partake in the wars. He was forced to deal with the influx of souls that came; however, he could listen to the music as he judged the souls that Horace sent.

The cries of the creatures around him brought a satisfying chill through his spine. He truly wished his goddess was here to enjoy the feel of battle.

Perhaps it is good she is not here with him. Set wished for a show. With Anput by his side, he would give a glorious spectacle that would leave Set speechless. Set does not deserve to gaze upon the beauty of Anput. Anubis would deny Set any pleasure he desired. As far as Anubis was concerned, his father has fed upon him enough to last two lifetimes. He will not play his little game.

The attention Anubis gained from the squeal of the pigs, and the howls of dying wolves will suffice. News should travel to the pride. He must only wait for the mighty lion to defend his domain. Satisfied he caught attention, he went to the surface to relax.