*Nessy's Mansion*
Geb paced back and forth in Nessy's room, still unable to fully process what had happened earlier. He had laid Nessy gently on her bed and tucked her in properly, but she remained lifeless. Morsi's aura had a ruthless effect on her, draining much of her energy and leaving her weak. This only cemented Geb's belief beyond doubt that Morsi was more than just the president's son. He was more than a man with influence or power.
He possessed a dark aura—one Geb recognized as unnatural. Such an aura belonged only to beings of darkness or rejected gods, whose will had been stripped away by Ra and who had been cast out of godship. Most of these gods refused to accept defeat; they dwelled among mortals or retreated into the world of darkness, becoming one with it. Hence, their godly aura turned black.
The only god Geb knew who had suffered this fate was Aposis. Once a god of Egypt, Aposis had been stripped of his godship by Ra and rejected by his peers after failing in his duties. He returned as Ra's greatest foe and the Egyptian demon of chaos.
Ra and the other gods fought him fiercely—especially Geb. Aposis appeared as a serpent demon, and Ra saw Geb, father of snakes, as his greatest weapon against this threat. Geb's stand in that battle was key to their victory.
Apart from Aposis, Geb couldn't think of any other being possessing such a powerful, dark aura. Then it struck him: 'Could it be Aposis? Could he have possessed that mortal?' he wondered, still pacing. 'If so, why would he want Nessy? What is he doing in this generation, when no gods exist anymore? Why is he still here?'
Geb was puzzled and frustrated. He needed to discover exactly who Morsi Mubarak was, why he wielded such power and aura. He doubted it was Aposis—he couldn't believe it. But if it truly was, then Geb was in deep danger. Aposis would surely know Geb was in this time, if he didn't already, and would seek revenge for their ancient battle.
Geb cursed under his breath and looked down at the calm, sleeping Nessy. He regretted letting her handle the situation alone just to test her. The thought that she might have been in grave danger if he'd acted a moment later filled him with vulnerability—and he hated it.
He approached her bed and gently stroked her hair. His consort. He was captivated by her breathtaking beauty even in sleep.
As he gazed at her, the urge to protect her intensified. He wasn't sure if it was love or lust—he still longed for Nut—but one thing was clear: Nessy Saadid was his consort, and he would do anything to protect her—even if it meant warring against Aposis again, or whoever else threatened her.
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*Morsi's Mansion*
Morsi entered his mansion, stepping down from his car with a grim expression that concealed a twisted satisfaction. He headed to his room, began undressing, then stood before his mirror, staring at his reflection.
"What a mortal soul I have consumed," he murmured, an evil smile curling his lips. "This poor mortal is lost to the abyss, but at least her body will serve me well. Thank you, Mr. Morsi Mubarak, for being my host in this quest for revenge. You are perfect for the job."
He moved to his closet and donned new clothes that fit him impeccably. Just as he was about to leave, he sensed another presence.
He whirled around to face his trusted servant.
"Urchan," he called with authority.
"Yes, my lord," Urchan replied, bowing.
"Why are you here?" Aposis asked sternly.
"My lord, I come with news on the task you assigned me," Urchan said, head bowed.
Aposis paused, recalling his order to discover what Geb was doing in this generation and why he was with Nessy Saadid.
He had sensed a god's presence in present-day Egypt—a surprise, since the ancient gods were thought extinct. He was even more shocked to learn it was Geb, the Earth God.
He knew the ancient gods' power depended on mortal honor, praise, and sacrifice. When humans forsook them, they vanished. 'Poor gods,' he mused. Beings of darkness, however, required no mortal recognition and endured eternally.
Still, he wondered why Geb was here—and why with Nessy Saadid, of all mortals.
"Speak," he commanded Urchan.
"My lord, I discovered that Geb, Earth God and Father of Snakes, was sent out of his time in ancient Egypt by his father, Shu, the Air God, using the power of the hourglass."
"The hourglass?" Aposis frowned. What could have driven Shu so far against his own son?
"Why did he do that?" Aposis pressed.
Urchan explained, "It is said that Geb and his sister, the Sky Goddess Nut, had an inscestous relationship. This deeply troubled Shu. However, the decision to use the hourglass was not entirely Shu's. The Sun God Ra was appalled and pressured him."
"Interesting," Aposis mused, sinking onto a couch. "Continue."
"Yes, my lord," Urchan bowed. "Ra forced Shu to separate his own grandson and daughter, as they hid their affair from him. He was furious and took drastic measures to sever their bond."
"Oh Ra," Aposis scoffed, "still so proud. Because of your foolish ego, you sacrificed your grandson and greatest weapon against me to protect your name. Too bad for you—but good for me. Now I have my revenge against Geb for what he did to me long ago."
"What about Nessy Saadid? Did you find out why Geb is with her?" Aposis asked sharply.
"Yes, my lord," Urchan answered.
"And?" Aposis pressed.
"It was mere coincidence. The mortal happened to be at his place of arrival in this generation. Geb knows nothing of this world and needed a mortal by his side—hence their companionship. He even stays at her abode," Urchan explained.
"A mere coincidence," Aposis repeated thoughtfully. "You have done well, Urchan. You may leave."
Urchan bowed and vanished.
Now Aposis had a head start. He knew why Geb was in this generation and why Nessy Saadid was involved. His plan for revenge was taking shape—to punish Geb for the defeat he suffered at Ra's hands long ago.
First, he would take Nessy away from him.
Aposis sensed a bond between the two—as if he had already convenanted her—but he wasn't certain. One thing was clear: his revenge against Geb, the Earth God, was inevitable…