Balance (Book 9 )

I left to go back to the god’s realm. Anubis had been gone for a long time. I found him in a sea of souls with Kebachet trying to organize them. It was both comical and exciting to see Anubis in direst. When he saw me, he quickly came and embraced me. Joy and love entered my mind and shifted the war within.

“This is what you have sent. These souls will never again feed off the earth. It is too much to handle. You did too well.” He chuckled. His laughter was deep and vibrated my body. I have not heard him laugh in centuries.

“I am truly sorry, Anput. I will be more attentive. I wish to be fully yours and have you fully mine.” He responded to my thought.

“I would like that as well, husband. You have been like the dead.”

Kebachet did not look at me or speak to me. He continued attempting to organize the souls and get them ready for judgment. My love for him is only out of duty. I gave birth to him and will love him because his father loves him, nothing more.

“If these souls are to be destroyed, perhaps we could allow the demons their fill. Is there a negotiation we can have temporarily? The city had millions of living souls. Tomorrow they will all be here.”

“Mother, you cannot do that!” He finally looked at me and rebutted.

“What did I tell you Kebachet!” Anubis growled.

“Forgive me, father, but why are you allowing this?”

“I have already explained it to you. Do you wish to die?” Anubis’s anger grew to frightening levels. He walked through the sea of souls toward Kebachet. I could see fear cross his face. Anubis is master of our family. I will not interfere with a father disciplining his son.

“Answer me!” He growled. The ground vibrated from his fury.

“No, father. I wish to remain with you.” Kebachet lowered his voice and eyes from Anubis.

“Then you will do as you are told and respect your mother without question. Do not question me. If you wish to die, I will see to it you do, this that understood?”

“Yes, father.”

Anubis’s anger dimmed. “Good. Apologize to Anput for your disrespect.” Kebachet walked to me and knelt at my feet.

“Forgive me, mother.”

I knelt down to him and pulled him to me and sending my love for him. He weakly returned my embrace. I felt hope that my husband was coming back to me. Seeing his authority, anger, and love ignited a desire for him. My heart wanted to jump out of my chest as new life seemed to emerge. I looked into his green eyes.

“Thank you, master of my heart.” I projected. Love of his family and worry of the end of our existence was his response. “Worry not, Anubis. I will cleans the world.”

“I will talk to Atum about the demons. I am uncertain we can send the souls to them without endangering the ones in Bardo. Demons grow stronger when they feast on souls. It is dangerous to tempt a demon.” Anubis turned to his son, “Kebachet continue clearing the souls here. Do not undermine me. Not one of these souls is to pass through the scales. There will be consequences if you disobey me.”

“Yes, father.”

“Can I go with you?” I asked.

Anubis’s features soften as he held a hand out to me. I took it and left our son to the sea of souls. I followed Anubis to Atum’s throne and knelt on my knees with Anubis as he called for an audience.

“Are you already giving up Anubis?” Atum’s voice echoed around the cheery room.

“No, my Lord. The living will answer for their treason. The underworld will not be able to handle the trillions that will come. We wish to send the souls to the demon realm for their consumption.”

“The demons are not our allies. They will kill you if you enter their land, just as we kill them if they enter our realm.”

“They are attracted to dead souls. Instead of going to them, let me create a space near their portal and entice one to come. Perhaps we will be able to speak to them.”

“They are not trustworthy. Once they discover the souls and take their fill, they will demand more. If they are denied, they will become violent. The souls are a source of strength to them. We will be overcome. It is not wise to invite demons into our realm. I am surprised you would even suggest such a thing. If you need help, I will send Amitt.”

Despite Anubis’s warning, I could feel my anger rise. As a tidal wave of insanity crashed through my mind. Atum seemed to be uninterested in helping our cause. He would see to it the earth suffered. Anubis could feel the change and took my hand.

“Be still.” I heard him say in my mind. It was so faint under the screams, it only sounded like a whisper.

“My lord, I expect to level an entire city in the next twenty-four hours. There are at least a million souls that will flow to the underworld. Two gods will not be able to control that many at once.”

Atum made an appearance. “Anput, you do not have the ability to destroy a city.”

“I do, my Lord. I know the earth intimately. It knows me just as intimately. I have heard its cry for a millennium while you turn your back on it!” I said sternly.

“Anput. That is enough!” Anubis growled.

Anubis took my arm and quickly sent me back to our room. Frustrated, I tried to teleport back to the underworld but could not. I tried teleporting to the human realm and could not. Anubis denied me freedom. I paced the room until his return. His actions will not go unpunished.

When Anubis returned, he was furious. “When will you learn respect!” The back of his hand struck me hard. Blood trickled down my lip. The sting from his strike and the scent of blood excited me. The warmth of ecstasy traveled through my veins, and I could hear the call of Adrestia.

I glared at Anubis with a wicked grin. I dared him to strike me again. He ignored my posture and grabbed me by the throat and threw me across the room. I rolled into my fall and called Adrestia to me. It became two blades. Death whispered its desire to taste a god’s blood. My love for Anubis will not protect him. My lips curled as I charged him to give Death it’s fill.

Anubis’s green eyes deepened, and his lips curled. I swung my sword for a strike. Anubis moved and grabbed my wrist. Before I could respond, the room disappeared, and his throne became visible. His spear appeared in his hand. I backed away from him. The doors slammed shut, creating an echo in the room. Anubis let a low growl in warning out and looked deadly. ’I hunger for a god’s blood.’

Anger boiled in my veins demanding release. He waited for me to attack. I did not disappoint him. I no longer saw my husband. A large jackal stood before me and prevented me from taking my revenge. His spear blocked my sword and pushed me back. I attacked again. Again he blocked me. With the block, I swung Life for a hit on his arm. He blocked it as well. I continued attacking, keeping the jackal in the defense.

His movements are somehow familiar. He is quick and strong. My blade never hit him. He pushed me back with a power of his own then began attacking me. This seemed too familiar. It is as if I have fought this jackal before. The jackal jumped in the air to attack from behind.

Gabriel?

The distraction was enough to allow the jackal to grab me with his powerful arms. I heard Gabriel’s voice in my mind. “You are lucky Atum did not strike you where you stood. Do you not remember he gave you life!” Gabriel’s voice is angry. I can feel a level of pain I did not understand from him. The jackal’s body vibrated against my body as he subdued me.

I gripped Adrestia. Its call is loud in my ears, deafening my senses’ fight! I need blood! Kill the jackal!’

“He threatened to take that away. He must learn to love the world.” I heard myself say.

Why did I say that!

The war raged uncontrolled within. My mind and eyes told my body to exact my revenge and destroy the earth. Yet, my heart seemed to control my mouth. I continued to struggle to free myself once again. The jackal had control over me.

“That is not for you to decide. Your place is beside me, not above me and certainly not above Atum! Submit to me, Anput!”

’Anubis?’

I am married to the jackal. Death and the earth screamed in my mind.

“I will do as I must to bring life back to the earth. The living must die! The underworld cannot handle the influx of souls that will come. My disrespect will hopefully wake Atum from his slumber. You, husband, are standing in my way!” I heard myself say.

The venom in my voice hurt Anubis.

I fought for control. The battle in my mind and heart raged. I struggled with reality. My body struggled to be free of him. I must kill the jackal!

Teeth bit into my neck, and a growl emanated from him. I Howled from the pain it brought me.

Ancient wolves stood before me. Their intelligent yellow eyes looked into my eyes. The alpha had me in his grasp. I relaxed my body and submitted to him. He let me go, and I fell to my knees. The smell of the earth welcomed me. The alpha growled his displeasure and walked circles around me. His pack had me surrounded watching to make sure I would not run. I heard Anubis’s voice in my mind.

“Do not antagonize Atum again. Your disrespect is a dishonor to me. I have worked hard to be in the position I am in. I will not allow you to destroy it. I will protect you with my life, but you must follow me.” He said softly.

The voice came from the alpha. The realization of my actions caught my breath. The screams died as the tidal wave shifted. The wolves disappeared, and the throne came back into view. I am becoming an animal.

My husband is the protector of souls. He has studied and fought the demons. He knows the danger of feeding demons a soul. He knew my request would be denied, and yet he spoke to Atum for me. He risked looking incompetent in front of our maker to appease my curiosity. I have been a fool.

“Master, forgive me.” Anubis only asks that I trust him and follow him. I felt sick to my stomach. I could not honor a simple request.

Anubis’s concern flowed through our bond. His heart raced as he looked upon his sick wife. He wondered if releasing me to my desire was wise.

“Fortunately, your insolence worked. Atum will create a soul eater capable of consuming thousands of souls at a time. It will take him a few days to do it. He is curious how you expect to level the city.”

Anubis continued walking around me, watching me, and talking to me as a god. He studied me watching my sanity flicker. Death’s screams for blood are gone and the earth’s plea for help has quieted for the moment. Adrestia was nowhere to be seen.

I was unsure how to go on. I understand the madness now. I attacked my husband, who I have given my heart to. My anger and resentment have festered into something I cannot control.

I began to feel nauseous. I folded my arms over my stomach and bent forward, resting my head on the floor. Perhaps it is best to lock me away.

“What is happening to me?”

Anubis’s arms encircled me. Compassion and fear for me came through our bond like a tidal wave. Anubis desperately needed me to fight to stay with him.

“Your passion for life maddens your mind. You naturally protect the balance. Perhaps helping me at the scales is not where you are meant to be.”

“It is where Atum put me. I desire to be with you. It is why I could never be in the human realm for more than a day. I feed off your presence.” I paused for a moment to gain control of my emotions and thoughts. “Perhaps I should not be near the gods for the time being. Let Atum know I will be able to burn the city to dust in a matter of hours. You gave me my abilities when you restored my web and tendril. The rock will become molten and swallow everything. The city will become a sea of lava. Mum must be moved. Vegetation must grow after the rock cools. It is similar to how the islands are formed.

“I will require a lot of power. I have my vampiric power, godly power, and Adrestia’s power. I am confident I can convince the earth to help me. This will be done.”

Anubis’s hand reached down and gently lifted me, making my eyes meet his. They are a brilliant green and could command me effortlessly. I wanted to please him in any way I could. I felt ashamed of the dishonored I showed him.

“You have my heart, and so you command me. Only you can stop me.”

He studied me for a moment.’ Master, help me!’.

I could feel his power touch my soul. He kept watch to make sure I would not become entirely lost. Anubis’s features soften then his eyes refocused onto my eyes.

“You are truly worthy of being a goddess. My love for you is more than you know. Try to trust me. I will guide you.”

Anubis could see things I could not. His concern for me is overwhelming. I could never understand what he saw within me.

Anubis embraced me and helped me to my feet. His desire for me grew.

“I must help our son until Atum can finish with the soul devourer. Will you stay your wrath until Atum is done?”

“I will.” My muzzle rubbed under his jaw in love, then I transformed into Lara and teleported to Mum’s apartment.