Balance (Book 9 )
Chapter 28

The western world is all that remains. Trillions of souls live here. Something vaguely familiar touched my mind. I knew this place intimately at one time. This place is filled with love.

I did not have time for such silly notions. The earth must be cleansed of its parasite. She must heal and continue living. That is my promise to her.

“Are you ready to complete your feast and break your shackles?”

“Yes.”

“Then let us begin.”

I commanded the earth to heat one final time. She had more power to take the land quickly. It seemed as if a crater magically opened, swallowed everything, and closed up. I watched delighted that this would soon be over, and I could begin my task on the gods.

A flash of bright light caught my attention. I turned to see a spirit approach me. A tasty little morsel seemed to have gotten lost on the way to the underworld. It was a brilliant white. I could not make out the features. Life began to hum and warm in my hand.

I pulsed power and ran to the spirit, hungry for its screams. Just as I got to it, Life pulsed, and the spirit disappeared. Life continued pulsing and warming in my hand. I took a look at it, and it shot a brilliant light out blinding me.

I dropped the blade and rubbed my eyes. Once I gained my eyesight back, I approached Life once again. It charged power and pulsed light. I backed away from it, and its glow softened. I walked around it, trying to study it. Life would not allow me near it.

So be it. Death is what I hunger for anyway. Time to deal with the gods. It is night time, which means The goddess, Nut, is out. I entered the god’s realm and teleported to her as she lazily floated along the sky, shielding the earth from the sun.

“I see you, Anput.”

“Good, then you know why I have come.”

“I did not betray you.”

“You are a goddess. You are in league with the one who tried to stop me. I will have your blood and every god’s blood!” I growled and ran to her with Death in my hand. She turned into an Ox and deflected my sword with her horns. Her mouth grew large as she threatened to swallow me whole. I jumped onto her back and tried to stab Death through her skull. She turned onto her side and arched her neck to try to stab with her horns.

“Anput, Stop!”

The command distracted me as I saw Geb step in front of Nut. I grinned Two Gods! They are making this easy.

I stepped on Nut’s face and pinned her then attacked with Death. My attack was blocked by Geb, but not entirely. Death tasted Nut’s blood. She is mine. Geb turned into a snake and began coiling around my wrist. I bit into the body, making him let me go.

’Feast, Death!’

Nut’s screams came like thunder from a tornado. It was thrilling. Geb came to attack as a snake would. I was able to dodge out of the way. The god Anubis appeared behind Geb. He stood with his lips curled and Life in his grasp. He looked ridiculous. To think they feel they can stop me. I laughed at them both.

“See how Ra hides behind you? Not even this one’s screams will bring him. Do you wish to die for your maker?”

’Feast faster. Finish her, and I will give you more.’ I told Death.

Nut began turning from Ox to human and back quickly with each heartbeat as Death fed off her life. Geb attacked again, striking and spewing venom at me. As he came, Death shot out and struck him, but did not kill him. Anubis followed shortly after and jumped in the air. Life pulsed a brilliant light blinding me.

’Feast on the new god. Take your fill.’

Geb withered and cried out. The earth began screaming. I looked below, and the land began breaking apart. Large cracks deep enough to create canyons formed along the land. The ocean bubbled like boiling water.

’Stop!’ I told Death.

A blade hit me from behind, and I saw the tip protrude from my chest. The pain burned hotter than fire. A howl escaped my lungs as I fell to my knees. Life was pulled back.

I am a goddess. I can control my own body. I took the pain from the wound and pulsed it outward. The three gods flew from me. I cannot hurt Geb. He is connected to the earth. I will have to find another way to make him pay for his betrayal. Nut and Anubis, on the other hand, is fair game. I went to finish Nut. Geb cried out and made the earth scream. I quickly changed my course to Geb. It seems I must work quickly to silence him. Anubis came for another attack. Life glowed brightly as it swung down. Too slow.

I blocked him with Death and continued to Geb. I cannot risk Geb harming the earth anymore. I grabbed the snake’s head and pinched his mouth shut with my free hand. Anubis came for another attack. Again I blocked him.

“Fool. Do you really believe you can harm me?”

Geb’s body moved quickly, wrapping around my body and pinned my arms to my side.

’Kill Nut,’ I commanded Death.

Nut began screaming once again, and I pulsed power into Geb. The earth cried out. I still had Geb’s jaw in my hand. His voice is not the only thing that can destroy the earth. How is one so vial connected to one of purity? His body is that of the earth’s. I must sever the link he has to the earth. Perhaps feeding on his soul will accomplish that.

His body began squeezing me to crush me. I struggled to release my arm. I only need to sink my teeth into his skin.

I saw Life swing, and I moved just enough to make the blade hit Geb instead. The earth groaned and rumbled from the strike. Geb mimicked the earth’s pain.

“Let her go, Geb. I will deal with this.”

Geb released me and transformed into his human form then ran to Nut before I could grab him. He will not be able to help Nut. She is very close to death. She had become quiet, accepting her death. Pity. I do love her cries for mercy.

I met Anubis’s gaze as Geb ran passed him. Anubis has become a nuisance.

“Come to me, Anput.”

“I am not Anput!” I growled and attacked Anubis. He was stronger than Nut and Geb. He knew the dance. He blocked Death with Life. A spark ignited, and a jolt of pain went through my arm. I backed away from Anubis for a moment to gather my thoughts. Life and Death are no longer in harmony. They fight each other. Death always claims life. I must only scratch his skin to make him mine. A staff appeared in Anubis’s hand as he let out a growl.

“So stealing my weapon and using it against me is not enough. You must be some scared, weak god to stand behind two weapons.” I laughed at him. This angered him. His eyes darkened, and a low rumbling growl came from him. “Is that supposed to scare me?” I laughed harder.

Anubis came at me with lightning speed and began attacking me, putting me on the defense. Not one of his attacks hit me. I studied his movements to find his weakness. I was slightly impressed with his skill. He left little room for error. His spear came in, threatening my chest. I blocked it, and Life swung to take its fill. With the attack, Anubis stepped forward. I ducked under Life’s swing and used Death to cut Anubis’s ankle. Death found its mark, and Anubis fell backward.

He is mine!

I began my attack to impale the god of the dead. He will join his souls in the underworld.

Geb came out of nowhere and pushed me with both of his hands from behind. I lost my footing and fell forward. Life stuck out and pierced me where my heart beat. I felt the heat from Life sear as it went through and cracked bone on the other side. I landed on Anubis’s chest.

I heard a scream from deep within. My soul cried out from Life’s touch. The only true way to kill a god is to destroy the soul and body. My body will succumb to Life’s wound. The gods will be able to do as they please to me. I am defeated; however, I will take a god with me.

I bit into Anubis’s neck and fed off him, draining him and pulsing power as quickly as I could before death took me. His blood tasted the same as the god I drank from before. He was the one who interfered with my task. Rage built, and I used it to finish him.

’Feast, Death,’

Anubis’s screams filled me with sweet pleasure. It encouraged me to take my fill and ignore my body’s failing strength. Our blood mixed under the jackal.

My vision began to fade, and still, I refused to let him go. I concentrated on the joy of his warm blood flowing through my mouth, and the music of his screams. I felt frustrated I would not witness Anubis’s destruction.

Strong hands lifted me off Anubis and pushed me to the ground. I felt the earth hit hard against my side. I had no strength left. Life is still lodged into my chest and continued to burn. My vision faded until I heard death’s call replace the god’s screams.

>>>

Death stopped its feast on Anubis. He took a short moment to catch his breath. Anubis felt very weak, but his need to save Lara over came and gave him the strength to go to Lara’s body. He gently picked her up and held her to him. He touched the hilt to Life and grabbed Death. He willed Life to release the precious soul it held.

“Come on, Lara. Heal yourself.” He said gently. His heart pounded with worry. He could barely breathe.

Life pulsed a brilliant glow then faded into the polish steel. Anubis pulled the blade from her chest and held her body to him. Geb put a hand on his shoulder.

“Is Nut alive?”

“Barely. She will return.”

Lara’s heart stopped beating. “Live for me, wife. Breathe. Please breathe for me!” He projected to her.

Her blood continued to flow from the wounds. She is not healing. He looked within to see two souls struggle and wither.

’Live.’ he commanded.

‘The body dies. It is time to come home.’

’No!’

Panic began to set in. His heart raced as his breathing became rapid. Why is it not working?

“…It is capable of healing its wielder from disease or poison natural or otherwise.” He put Life into Lara’s hand and gripped her hand over Life’s hilt. Nothing happened. Anubis cut his arm and gave Life blood to harness. It pulsed and glowed. Still nothing. She cannot be too far gone. The souls began to leave the body.

“…Changing the balance of Life over Death will create a wave of light that can restore decay. It can will a heart to beat and bring a soul to life…”

Anubis quickly put Death under Life. A wave of power pulsed outward, and Lara’s body pulsed. Life glowed and hummed, and Lara’s heart began to beat. Hope renewed within Anubis.

“Fight Lara!” He encouraged her.

He sent his power into her body, guiding the blood and healing to take place. Lara’s wounds slowly began to close. He felt relief release him from his despair.

Lara’s body began shaking and convulsing violently. Anubis laid her on the ground and sat on top of her, pinning her as best as he could. The Souls fought to become whole. The light wisp attacked the dark wisp, and the dark wisp resisted. Anubis could only watch. This was her battle. Death balances life. Life is powerful but must succumb to death to be reborn. You cannot have one without the other.

Geb remained by Anubis’s side for support as he quietly watched. The battle went on for close to an hour. The white wisp quieted down and became dimmer. The dark wisp covered, then consumed the white wisp. Life must succumb to Death to be reborn. The dark wisp slowly relaxed and began resting where it should be within the body.

White light burst like a sunburst, and Life pulsed. The Dark wisp began to fade as the white light came through. The familiar blue hue of a pure soul began to appear, but it was a different blue. It was almost a grey color. Anubis had never seen a soul like this. He was unsure what it meant. He softly touched the soul with his power.

‘I see you, Master.’

The voice is strong and matched Lara’s voice.

“Who are you, dear one?”

‘Anput, your wife.’

“What have you done?”

“I have become the balance of life and death, good and evil, light and dark.”

Anubis pulled away in disbelief. He is not sure what it meant. This soul is tainted but, not. He is uncertain if this soul would be able to pass through his scales.

“We need to call the council.” Geb said in amazement.

This goddess has done the impossible. He began to have a new respect for his grandson and his wife. There have been creatures who could use their death to spawn new life. Nothing like this has ever been seen. Nothing died and began to breathe on its own.

“Indeed. I must fulfill my obligation first.” Anubis replied, still staring at his wife in disbelief.

“Nut will need to heal completely. You have time.”

“Thank you, grandfather.”

“You fought valiantly, Anubis, I am proud of you. It is not easy killing the one you love.” Geb squeezed Anubis’s shoulder then took Nut and teleported to their quarters.

Anubis teleported Lara to their room. He lovingly bathed her, washing the blood and gore from her and revealing the beauty that is his wife, then laid her on their bed. He commanded her hearing and eye site not to work and sent a very light paralysis through her entire body affecting the muscles and making the body feel weak. He put her into a deep sleep and commanded her soul to do the same, then went to his throne and waited to be summonsed.

There is nothing more he can do. His son waits in confinement to be judged. He will not make a decision without Anput’s thoughts on the matter. He owed her his respect. By rights, Kebachet should be sentenced to the highest degree.

Not only did Kebatchet attempt to steal the jackal’s loyalty, he lied about his actions and disgraced the family. Anubis prides himself to be honorable and worked hard to create an image of himself as trustworthy and powerful. Kebachet tainted that image. How will the other gods believe his capabilities if he is unable to control his own family?

Anubis wanted to know Kebachet’s reason for his actions. He will not tolerate theft from his family; however, he felt Kebachet must have had good intentions. Perhaps Anubis missed a detail in Anput’s insanity that Kebachet worked to correct. In any case, he will wait for Anput’s return to deal with his son.

His army of jackals are still recovering from the demon invasion. It is best to allow them to attend the souls before interrogating them. He will need to create more jackals to replace those he lost in the battle and those he is forced to destroy.

There are only a few million humans and vampires remaining in the world. Death will happen sparingly. The storage will hold the souls until his return.

Until the council can be summoned, the underworld will sleep along with Anput.

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