Amenti
Already the heavens ran with blood, and there was not anything that Bes could do about it. Bes, smallest of the gods ran with purpose, avoiding the destruction of Heliopolis and trying desperately to find Serket. Behind the little god the full rage of Set was on display. Bes had seen with his own eyes the rending of Ammit as Set tore the jaws of the devourer asunder, tossing them in the boundless pools of abzu. As Bes ran, he could not shut out the cries of the others, the gods who formed the line against the God of the Desert...for it was now clear Set's bloodlust would not be sated.
Bes rounded the pillared column of his home, seeking the signs of the great Imiut and the paths to the necropolis below. Bes knew that if any would have answers, it would be Serket...and Serket would consult the great god of mysteries Nekhtet. Cascades of light engulfed the palaces of the morning behind him, and it seemed to Bes that the skies themselves rained red with Set's vengeance.
Bes hopped down the stairs, emerging into the gloom of the funerary rooms. With sudden abruptness, Bes stopped, skidding to a halt at the feet of the amazonian and ferocious form of Sekhmet. Adorned with the crown of her station, Sekhmet roared at Bes, her claws glistening with the blood of immortals, and for the briefest moments, the lion-headed Bes debated crossing the warrior goddess - what choice did he have? Bes had to reach Serket.
'Let him pass sister' Serket added, pushing past the larger of the two. Although the scorpion goddess was dwarfed by Sekhmet, there was something about her words which soothed the larger lioness, and Bes found himself relieved. Sekhmet turned and paced the areas near the entrance to the tomb, as the shiny carapaced form of Serket moved forward.
'Serket...' Bes said, catching his breath, 'It is all lost! Ra is dead!' Bes began, his words tumbling free in a tone born of sorrow and caught between sobbing, 'Set has gone mad...he will kill us all...'
In response, Serket raised a hand to Bes, her eyes calm and cool, 'No brother Bes...collect yourself....hope is not lost. Set has not won this day....not yet'. Extending her other hand, Bes's eyes followed towards where she was pointing....the adjoining antechamber which glowed with an eeriness to it that even gods found fearful. Despite himself, Bes shuddered, looking from the chamber to Serket and back again.
Serket rose and walked forward, motioning for Bes to follow. Keeping pace with Serket, Bes marveled how he had never seen such things in all of Amenti...how such a chamber would be kept secret, even from one such as himself. The walls told the ancient story of Ra, the stories of the arrival...the birth...and even the rebirth of all of creation. Serket waited near the center of the room where a large tableau rested, her fingers tracing across the inlaid worksmanship.
'Is this-' Bes started to say, stopping as quickly as he realized the answer.
'Yes' Serket answered, her gaze never looking up, 'It is exactly what you think it is'
For a short time, there were no words exchanged between them, only the sounds of distant thunder...the battle had moved closer. Serket moved her hands expertly over the surface, activating secret latches as the sarcophagus opened. Bes's eyes grew large as he saw the sides open, revealing the great canopic box. Quietly Serket knelt and opened the box, the four jars resting inside.
With a mighty roar, both Bes and Serket turned towards the tomb. Sekhmet had entered battle, and both knew it would be a battle unto the death. Serket quickly moved her hands inside of the great sarcophagus and removed the large metallic plate, taking it and the jars up into a small bag.
'Here' Serket said quickly, thrusting the bag to Bes, 'Go...get these out of here....'
Bes failed for a moment to comprehend what was being asked of him. His hands held the bag as Serket turned towards the doorway. Already the din was becoming deafening...Sekhmet was still fighting, but it was a lost battle.
'Go where?' Bes said numbly, looking at Serket with the lost expression that he often had when tasked by the others, 'He is everywhere. He killed Ra...'
Serket turned for the briefest of moments, 'Go to the places we cannot Bes...you are the only one who can...warn who you can...our salvation...all of our salvation rests in your hands...'
Bes looked to protest for the briefest of moments, and then nodded. There was no other choice. With a final look at his sister, Bes hopped 'sideways', departing Amenti for the places few could travel.
Serket smiled slightly. Bes was often underestimated by all in the Ennead, and Bes could go to *those places* that few could. There would be a chance....a chance after all. Serket stood for a moment, feeling the coldness ahead of her. Sekhmet had stopped fighting, and the tomb had grown silent. Only the footfalls of the approach made any noise. Sekmet readied herself, the smile fading as her eyes narrowed. It was Serket's time now...a time she embraced...if Nekhtet had whispered true.
It would all be up to Bes...and Bes's favorite beings....the dwellers of Earth.
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Destined
Marscon 2016
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