Balance (Book 9 )

Anubis felt heartbroken and very concerned about his wife’s mental status. He was convicted by what she said. It is true the number of souls that came had increased, making him work longer. He had become consumed, trying to keep a tidy schedule. As Anput grew distant, Kebachet became his constant companion sharing in the duties of organizing souls. He was unaware Anput felt abandoned.

Perhaps it is time to have a talk with the gods. It is an embarrassment he did not want to face. He had to find a way to keep his bride’s sanity from slipping any further. A maddened god will become chaotic and will eventually become a demon. The soul dies, and the god is lost forever. This has happened only once in his existence.

He worried Anput’s sanity would cause her to lose her soul. Her soul begged him for help. It recognized him even though her mind did not. She desperately wants to live and to live with him as a family should.

She lived for so long as a vampire queen that she had a hard time being isolated. As a queen, she always had a family to care for and was cared for by them. She was always surrounded by people or vampires.

As a goddess of the underworld, her only companions were her husband and son. The dead did not interact with her. They were in their own version of heaven and were unaware of the gods in the underworld. He understood the need for company and granted her time to go to the living. It was not what she desired. He failed her as a husband. It is a mistake he planned to correct.

Anubis looked to the scales of life and saw that it was dangerously tipping toward death. Anput was right about the earth dying. She should not have been able to see the scales. It was not her place to help the earth. Her blood lust and her insanity must be connected to the balance of life and death somehow. It must be corrected.

He wondered why the world was being neglected. Atum would never allow his world to suffer. The elders function together perfectly to avoid an imbalance to life and death.

Anubis took Anput back to their bedroom and laid her carefully on the bed. Her soul sleeps peacefully in a dreamless sleep. He can see the scars of life and new wounds around the fragile being. The frailty is a disguise. Anubis knows the strength she possesses. He has never seen one of its caliber. The only way to help her now is to allow her to heal the world. Once the balance is corrected, she can focus on healing her mind. He is determined to see that she remains his.

Anubis closed the door to the room and went to Horace’s throne.

The Gods created a temple in Egypt long ago when the humans knew them intimately. The temple resides in both the human realm and the god’s realm. The entrance leads to a massive hall where thousands of humans once sold wares or came to pray. In the god’s realm, the hall housed the council’s table. It is where the gods come together to discuss important matters regarding events in other realms or activities on earth that require their attention.

Eleven individual doors lead to eleven throne rooms. One throne room for each of the council members. Anput’s throne is not among them. She is not part of the council and is not known among the living. She is his wife and will remain by his side in his throne room.

Within each throne room is a personal door which leads to a walkway going to the individual living spaces. The gods do not always use their quarters to rest; however, it is there if they ever have need of it.

Horace’s throne room is simple and clean. Various weapons line his walls or set on pillars. Tapestries of battle scenes hung behind his chair, which sat level to the floor. His chair is simple and clean, as well. It looks to made of polished silver with a simple cushion.

“Horace! Brother! Come speak to me!” Anubis called out. Horace appeared moments later and lounged lazily in his throne chair.

“What do you want?” His usually still voice had an edge of annoyance to it.

“The balance between life and death is tipping. It may be time for a war.”

“You have enough work. Do not presume to tell me how to do mine.”

“I do not mean disrespect. I only mean to bring attention to the matter. I do not need to tell you what will happen if the balance is not restored.”

“I am aware of it. I no longer care. It seems your wife is doing a good enough job sending souls to you.” He laughed.

Anubis’s fist went to Horace’s face knocking him out of his chair. Anubis was jealous of Horace’s time spent with the young vampire he came to love. Their bond as brothers strained because of it. Anubis could see the look of longing Horace and Lara occasionally shared while they lived together in Egypt for over five hundred years. Anubis was not blind to the way Horace looked at Anput during their wedding.

“Stay out of my affairs or so help me, Horace, you will regret it!”

Horace had respectfully kept his distance once his mortal body died, and he returned to the god’s realm. It is true he would have pursued Anput if not for Anubis’s claim.

Anubis walked away from Horace once he was satisfied he would not continue. “You will destroy us all if you allow the world to become out of control. Get your head out of the clouds and restore the balance.” He growled.

“I do not take orders from you, brother. “He said as he nursed his nose. Anubis was not in the position to fight him. Horace is right. It is not Anubis’s place to demand a war.

“What happened to you? When last we spoke, you were glad I suggested a war among the vampire. You enjoyed the blood that was split and felt pleasure from their screams of death. Now I come to you asking for another, and you sit idly, waiting for destruction. Has the scent of blood harmed your desire?”

“I grow tired of it.”

“What do you desire if not the dance of battle?”

“I do not know. Nothing seems of interest. I have traveled to other realms to find a new hobby. There is nothing for me.”

“Have you talked to Atum?”

“He is aware of my boredom and does not care.”

Anubis was shocked by what he heard. This must be brought to the elder’s attention soon. He nodded at Horace and turned to leave and went to Set’s throne.

Set’s throne is just before Horace’s throne on the path from the hall. It matches his personality. Smooth obsidian lined his walls, and the floor is a dark grey marble with white veins—a dark room for a dark heart.

“Father, we must talk!” Anubis pleaded.

They do not always agree with each other, but Anubis respected Set and hoped he would grant him an audience. Anubis waited several hours for Set to appear. It is a game his father liked to play. Set is in control and will make him wait. It will do no good to plead with his father or demand he appear. These are weak, foolish outbursts that will only anger Set. Anubis must wait until his father decides to oblige his request.

A muscular man with a head rembling a jackal only with a longer snout appeared. “I am here, son.”

“Thank you for seeing me. Do you see the imbalance of the world?”

“What of it?”

Anubis was confused at his father’s disinterest. He normally loves the chaos and destruction of the world. He fed on it. Seeing the scales become unbalanced should have enticed him to play with the living, perhaps even guide Anput in her blood lust.

“It is dangerously tipping over.”

“What is your point, Anubis?” Set became annoyed.

“Have I missed something? Was there a counsel I was not a part of?”

“The world is dying. There is nothing to be done.”

“Create a war! Unleash your chaos and drink on the destruction.”

“War has become tiresome. I would think you of all people tire of souls pouring through your gates.”

“I care for the souls that come, and I am honored to work with them until Atum collects them.”

Set smirked and rolled his eyes. “You are an empathetic fool. Atum will not be coming for your precious souls. He does not care for the world or its people. They have abandoned him.”

“A war can restore that.” Despite Set’s belief, Anubis must convince him to restore the balance. His wife’s sanity depends on it.

“You do not know of what you speak.”

“Forgive me, but I have lived among humans and vampires for a time. I know how they think. Even a vampire can be called a god. We used to walk among the living.”

“That is in the past, son. Leave it alone.”

“As you wish.” Frustrated, Anubis left and went to Atum’s throne.

He could not believe his ears. Something is not right with the gods. Horace refuses a war out of boredom. Set refuses to play with the living for the same reason. Both gods have always looked for a reason to create chaos and feast on their labor.

Anubis has gone to them many times to create anarchy and battles. It is a part of him he has battled his entire existence. It is the evil in his soul passed down from father to son. Anubis fights it every day. Occasionally he must succumb to his need to create pain and drink in the screams of torment.

The day Anput offered to give him an heir was both a joyous day and a day of terror. The evil in his blood would be passed down from father to son. He knew the purity of Anput’s soul and the integrity of her thoughts. He had hoped their love, and Anput’s blood would be strong enough to create a child without Set’s taint. He is pleased to see his son is all he hoped for and more.

Anput is able to tame the dark desires Anubis has. During his time as a vampire and her time as his wife, he has seldom needed a release. He must fight for her life as he vowed he would. He must seek Atum’s council.

Atum’s throne is the first door from the council chambers. His throne is light and inviting. A large sun with light beams is painted on the ceiling. It radiates light and gives off warmth. Paintings of different creatures lined his walls. Pedestals decorated his room with sculptures of various species of wildlife or plant life, some of which never breathed life.

“My lord, I beg you, come to me.” Atum did not come. “Father of God’s. Atum, I am concerned. Please talk to me.”

“Speak.” Anubis heard in his head. The throne room remained empty.

“It is not for me to question you. Your laws are definite. Have you given up on the world you created? Are you sentencing us all to death?”

“The world has abandoned me. We are folklore to them. I no longer care to cater to sniveling ungrateful beasts. Let the world consume itself.”

Atum’s pain is affecting all of the Gods. That would explain the disinterest and despair. He looked within himself and did not feel affected by Atum’s depression. Perhaps it is because he was not connected to the world as everyone else is. He was connected to the underworld and served the dead not the living.

“You are hurt, my lord. Perhaps if you showed your glory? The souls who come to me know you.”

“Of course they know me! They remember their past. Their minds are opened to our knowledge. It is not the dead that walk the earth. They are of little consequence.”

“Do you still love your creations?”

“I no longer care what the world does.”

“I do. If the world does, I die. My family dies. Allow me to fight for them. Give me your blessing and have free reign to do as I please without judgment or consequence. If I can bring the world to its knees, will you bring order?”

“The world is dying. You cannot save it.”

“You can. You created it. You can heal it.”

Atum was silent for a time while he thought it over. The desperation in Anubis’s chest grew uncontrollable. He will not take no for an answer. He will not fail Anput again. Anubis mastered his ability to appear calm and in control despite the storm raging within. He stood silently in the throne room, facing Atum’s chair.

Atum is a compassionate god. He hoped Atum would see his motives. Anubis is an honorable god. He always keeps his vows and demands the same from those around him. Anubis vowed to fight for his family and protect it. He cannot simply stand aside and watch the world around him die. This world includes his family. It would breach his vow to simply allow their deaths.

“You have the underworld at your disposal, do as you please. If a tenth of the population calls my name, I will restore order.” Atum’s voice is stern and showed Atum’s frustration with Anubis.

“Thank you, my Lord.”

Anubis has his work cut out for him. He will need his wife. Even in her insanity, she will be a valuable tool. He will also use this time to repair the bond with her that he destroyed.

He will create his own war—the living vs. the underworld. Old souls from a millennium ago will be safe. All other souls will be lost. Anput said the living is desecrating the earth. She noticed more of the souls who come are too tainted to pass into Bardo. Sacrifices must be made to ensure the safety of the souls in Bardo and the growth of the new generation. There are more than enough souls in Bardo to begin a new generation of the living.

He must carefully bring his wife out of her slumber. If her mind truly becomes lost, her soul will wither away and become tainted. She would become more evil than Set. Her mind is truly fragile. He will monitor her closely and keep her body under control. He will be her anchor to the world. He hated putting such a leash on her. Anput is dangerously close to losing herself control.

He must also seek his son’s help. While he watches over Anput, Kebachet must monitor the scales. New souls will not be allowed across.

Anubis found Kebachet near the scales torturing a soul into submission or death. Kebachet is a jackal like Anubis. His frame is slender as a young adult is slender. He only recently found his godhood and has chosen to help Anubis at the scales.

Anubis could hear the soul scream and called out to him for mercy. None would come. Kebachet had the soul suspended upside down while his hand tugged on the soul’s mind finding a way to break through the evil it desired in life.

Kebachet ignored Anubis as he approached him. It was not unusual for Anubis to watch as his son worked the soul.

“Son, I have grave news. The gods have abandoned the world of the living. The balance between life and death is tipping dangerously. If it not restored, not only will the world die, but so will we.”

Kebachet ignored his father as he searched deep into the soul’s mind. He desperately desired to give this soul a chance at Bardo. What other gods did with the living meant nothing to him.

“Your mother has seen this happen, and the destruction is maddening her soul. She will not last much longer.” Anubis continued.

Kebachet continued with the soul, not allowing Anubis to distract him.

“Mother has been distant a very long time. I no longer care what she thinks or her well being.”

“That may be, but she is still your mother, and you will show respect toward her. I will not allow this family to be torn apart.” He said sternly.

How did he let this family become so fractured? He became frustrated with himself and vowed never to lose sight of his family again.

Kebachet stopped and looked at his father. “If what you say is true, then we are all dead anyway.”

“No, there is a way. I will require your help.”

“I will do as you ask.” He replied softly, giving his father his full attention.

“Thank you. I have taught you of the old ways when the world was new. You know which souls are from that time. Be prepared for a tidal wave of souls. You must destroy the new souls no matter the judgment.”

“Father, no! You cannot destroy innocents.” Kebachet’s voice was a lot higher pitched than Anubis’s. His counter sounded adolescent.

“I can and I will, if you choose not to help me. In order to restore the balance, sacrifices must be made. Atum has not moved souls for a thousand years. Most of them are already in Bardo.”

“I do not know if I can destroy an innocent soul.” He sounded defeated and mournful. He truly cared for the souls that came and took pride in his work.

“It will not be easy. Not one from after the ancient vampire goddess may cross into Bardo. I cannot do this alone.”

“I will help you, father, because I trust you to defend us. What will you be doing?”

“I am unleashing the vampire goddess.”

“How? She was destroyed by Atum.”

“Let me worry about that, son. You will need to remain here. Be prepared for an influx of souls.”

“As you wish, father.”

Anubis left Kebachet and teleported to his throne room. Of all the souls that have passed through, Mum’s was not one of them. She is still alive. Anubis sat in his throne and meditated, looking for the silver tendril of queen mum. He knew her scent well. She smelled of licorice. It took him several days to locate her. She lived alone in an apartment complex in a rundown neighborhood. His goddess will wake to see her mate and queen looking down at her.

Lara will need a weapon. The spear he gave her as a wedding gift will be ineffective against trillions of humans. She loved her staff, but it is only a stick now. As a young vampire, Lara took a weapon from her master that had the potential to be worthy of a god. It is buried under the rubble and under a lake.

Anubis teleported to the mansion. It was not entirely destroyed and rested under a millennia’s worth of sediment. The weapon was once used by Benjamin- a young vampire who served in Lara’s clan. His quarters were at the end of the west wing. The stairs to the rooms and the queen’s chambers are mostly clear of debris.

Anubis made his way up the stairs and toward the end of the hall. Benjamin’s room is blocked by a fallen pillar. He easily moved the pillar, and cautiously opened the door.

The room is completely dark. The sand pushed up against the window blocking the pressure of the water. The room is tidy, considering the building shook and fell twenty feet.

Benjamin was a gentle soul and lived simply. He had no desire for material things. He lived to serve his queen to the best of his abilities. His sword lay on the floor near the bed. It was a one-handed sword that would split into twin blades. It held the ability to bleed its victim of life from a single scratch.

Anput’s dance with the blade is beautiful to behold. With Anupt’s power, the sword should accept her and allow her to tap that energy.

Anubis favored a simple staff. It was stronger and sharper than any other weapon found on earth. Lara’s staff would have splintered like a stick with one strike from his spear.

His staff also enhanced his ability to manipulate the mind. With one strike, he could convince the body it received a fatal blow or create the image of his enemy’s worst fear. The spear was given to him to celebrate his ascension into the elders. He became lord of the underworld and was tasked with judging souls and protecting them from demonic forces that would devour them.

Anubis retrieved the sword then teleported to where his wife lay.