Chapter Eight

Amon

The early morning sun cast its gentle rays over the world as the realm of gods stirred to life. I lounged on my opulent throne, seemingly indifferent to the divine dramas unfolding around me. The grand halls, adorned with sacred hieroglyphs and opulent tapestries, seemed to echo my lack of interest as I absently traced patterns in the air with my fingers.

The usual serenity of the morning rituals was broken by the arrival of Nephthys, her presence as unexpected as it was unwelcome. Her eyes, usually pools of calm, now glinted with a sharp edge of irritation. She was flanked by a few minor deities, each looking increasingly uncomfortable as they followed her lead.

I barely lifted my gaze from my idle contemplation.

"Nephthys," I drawled, my tone lacking the usual bearing, "what brings you to disturb my morning?"

Nephthys stepped forward, her dark robes rustling like a gathering storm. "Great Amon, I come with a matter of some urgency concerning Anubis." Her voice, though controlled, carried an edge of possessiveness.

Her jealousy was going to be her downfall.

I sighed, adjusting my position on the throne with a languid stretch. "Anubis again? What's he done this time?"

Nephthys' face tightened, her patience wearing thin with my apparent apathy to her supposed plight. "It's not just something. His actions in the Underworld have been excessively harsh. There have been numerous complaints about his judgments being far too severe."

Was that so? Yet, this was the first time anything was brought to my attention. How curious. My eyes flicked to Nephthys with barely concealed boredom. "I see. And you're here because...?"

Nephthys took a deep breath, her lips pursed. "Because his actions are affecting the balance of the Underworld and creating unrest among the souls and deities. He's supposed to be fair, not vengeful."

Vengeful? Anubis? The jackal barely contains emotions let alone the need for vengeance.

Her irritation was palpable, and the minor deities behind her shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught in the crossfire of her escalating temper. One of them, a young scribe with an anxious glance, ventured forward. "There have been reports of Anubis meting out punishment beyond what's warranted. His personal grievances seem to be influencing his decisions."

I yawned, the gesture exaggerated as if I were trying to stifle my disinterest. "How charming. So, Anubis is letting his personal biases affect his work. What a novel development."

Nephthys' eyes flashed with a mix of jealousy and a possessive yearning. "It's not just novel, it's dangerous. If Anubis continues on this path, it could disrupt the delicate balance we've worked so hard to maintain."

Yet, she bore me no evidence of his crime, strictly hearsay.

I stretched lazily, my expression one of mild annoyance. "Alright. I'll speak with him. But really, I'm more interested in finding out why you're so invested in this. Could it be that you're jealous of the attention he's getting? Or perhaps you're just annoyed that your own domains are overshadowed?"

Nephthys' composure faltered for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face before she regathered herself. "My concern is for the greater good, Amon. If Anubis' actions go unchecked, it could have ramifications far beyond personal grievances. And besides, I have a deeper interest in seeing that things are set right."

Since when? I kept my thoughts to myself.

Her eyes shifted to the side, a possessive glint betraying her true feelings. "He has always been a figure of my domain. His role, his power—everything about him should align with my vision for the Underworld."

And there it was. The truth buried among the thorns of lies.

I remained unimpressed. "Fine. I'll have a chat with Anubis and see what's going on. But you might want to temper your expectations. You know how stubborn he can be."

With a wave of my hand, Anubis appeared, his jackal-headed visage radiating an aura of austere dignity, his scent…

A raw laugh left me while Nephthys glared in his direction with obvious disdain.

"Great Amon, you called for me?"

Once my laughter died down, I narrowed my eyes. "Yes, Anubis. We need to discuss the recent complaints about your handling of the Underworld. It seems you've been a bit... excessive in your judgments."

Anubis stepped forward, his gaze sharp and calculating with a hint of something I hadn't seen before. "I'm fully aware of the complaints, Amon. They are as much a testament to my commitment to order as they are a reflection of the discord among the souls. I have made decisions based on what I believe is necessary to preserve the balance."

He ignored Nephthys which only further angered her.

I stifled another yawn, my patience wearing thin. "The situation might demand strictness, but not at the cost of fairness. If you're letting personal feelings influence your decisions, it's a problem. The balance we strive for requires not just order but equity."

Anubis's eyes flashed with a cold, unyielding resolve. "It seems the one indulging in any sort of sentimentalities would be Nephthys. My role is to enforce the laws of the Underworld, even if that means making hard choices. If you think my actions are driven by personal vendettas, you're mistaken."

Nephthys stiffened. Her voice, now laced with a subtle but unmistakable possessiveness, cut through the tension. "Precision and intent are all well and good, Anubis, but if your actions are creating unrest, it's a sign that your methods need reevaluation. I care deeply about the balance and harmony of the Underworld. Your current approach threatens that."

Anubis faced her directly, his expression unwavering. "Do you now? I assure you, Nephthys, my decisions are calculated. If there are complaints, they stem from those who fail to understand the necessity of my judgments. I will not be swayed by the whims of objectors."

I watched the exchange with a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. "Alright, Anubis, I'll take your word for it, but you need to temper your approach. If the unrest continues, I'll have to intervene further."

Nephthys stomped her foot and growled, making me roll my eyes with annoyance.

With a curt nod, Anubis withdrew, leaving me and Nephthys in the dimly lit chamber. Her face was a mask of barely concealed jealousy and frustration.

"Well," I said with a dismissive wave, "I've done my part. If Anubis doesn't adjust his methods, we'll deal with it as needed. In the meantime, try to find something to occupy your own time, would you?"

Nephthys huffed before schooling her features. "I appreciate your intervention, Amon. Though, given your evident lack of enthusiasm, I suppose I should be grateful for whatever effort you make."

I watched her leave, a smirk playing at the corners of my mouth. The celestial dealings continued, and though I found them tedious, I knew the importance of maintaining the divine balance. With a final sigh, I turned back to my throne, ready to resume my languid watch over the realms, resigned to the never-ending cycles of divine drama.