"How could mortals have done this to us? After all that we did for them, all that we sacrificed for them! I can't believe they stopped worshipping us!" Nut cried hysterically. She was losing control of herself, and if not for the fact that her will was weak, she would have rained hail holy fury upon this present Egypt.
"Your tears are for nothing, Nut. What happened happened for a reason, and it was inevitable. The mortals had to move on from the shadows of the ancient gods of Egypt, and so it happened," Aposis said, his voice void of any emotion.
"Don't you dare speak to me, demon! You feel nothing because you weren't the one abandoned!" Nut yelled fiercely at him.
Aposis lost control. He grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall, strangling the life out of her. Her blue eyes turned white, and her body emitted dull sparkles. She tried to fight back, but Aposis was stronger, and she was too weak to even transform into her god form.
"You should be grateful to me for keeping you alive—saving you from your judgment. Do you know the judgment Ra was about to pronounce on you?" he asked, his voice sending shivers down her spine.
Nut couldn't speak, even if she wanted to, as he squeezed the air from her lungs. The sound of his voice made her weak and intimidated.
"He…" Aposis continued, "your dearest grandfather decided to rid you of your mortal body and half of your will as a god. You shall no longer take a consort for yourself but remain a single god until your days of reverence by mortals are over—or your soul is destroyed by other immortals. Do you now see your greatest reason to be indebted to me with your life? And I won't tolerate you speaking to me as you please—because, literally, I redeemed you, and you should be calling me lord." His eyes blazed with fire and authority as he finally released her, still glaring fiercely.
Nut couldn't believe her ears. She felt betrayed and angry. So her father was going to let her face the Supreme Father's judgment, when it was he who had submitted to it. She knew her father would temper justice with mercy, but what she didn't understand was why he always succumbed to the Supreme Father's wishes. Even though Shu, the Air God and her father, was uncomfortable with her relationship with Geb, Nut was sure it was the Supreme Father Ra who ordered or influenced their separation.
She vowed to return to this issue after she found Geb. Yes, her Geb! If the Supreme Father Ra could lay such a judgment on her, then Nut could only imagine what pronouncement awaited Geb—especially since Ra always felt belittled by Geb and never found a way to hold him down. This was surely a golden opportunity for Ra, she thought, as she turned sharply to Aposis.
"I am sorry," she began, "I won't be rude again, and I promise to behave myself and respect you, demon god Aposis." She ended with a slight bow.
Aposis was not fully satisfied; he wanted her to call him lord, but he knew she would never fully submit. He gave up, hoping someday she would surrender herself to him completely.
"Demon lord, may I now know where my brother Geb is? And what was the Supreme Father's judgment upon him?" Nut interrupted Aposis's thoughts with her words.
Aposis looked at her intently before speaking. "Ra forced your father, Shu, to separate you two by any means necessary, or else he would have stripped both your wills as gods. Shu had no choice but to send Geb to the future using the power of the ancient hourglass."
"The ancient hourglass!?" Nut gasped. She knew how powerful and influential the hourglass was when it came to manipulating time. "So you mean my Geb is here, in the future?" she asked, her eyes wide with eagerness.
Aposis nodded slowly. "Yes, he is here, in this current time. And I know exactly where he is and how you can see him again." He ended with an evil smile.
Nut's joy knew no bounds. Finally, she was going to reunite with Geb. She couldn't wait to see him.
"When do we journey to his abode, demon lord?" she asked eagerly, her voice restless.
"Tomorrow," he said calmly. "We shall go tomorrow."
Nut pouted, frustrated. 'Why can't we go now? What's keeping us?' She averted her gaze to avoid offending him and risking her life again.
Though Aposis couldn't read her mind, he was sure she was upset about the delay. So he took it upon himself to explain.
"We can't go tonight because you're still weak. Remember, your will and strength are low. I will enhance your will from mine, but the process will drain you. You must rest tonight, and then we will leave tomorrow morning." His tone was convincing.
"I would really appreciate that, demon lord," she said, her eyes full of gratitude.
"And I, Nut, Egyptian goddess of the sky, promise that I won't fail you as a faithful ally," she declared with a slight bow, genuinely happy for what he was about to do. She desperately needed her will restored to feel like herself again.
Aposis smiled and nodded. Then he gently held her head in his arms and began the enhancement. Dark aura radiated from him, flowing into Nut's body. He bent forward until their foreheads touched, and the force between them intensified.
Nut felt it—her will returning, but twisted with a great darkness, evil and dangerous. Yet she liked it and believed she would enjoy this new power.
After several minutes, when Aposis felt the process was complete, he withdrew. Nut's body glowed white, her eyes and wings shining brilliantly. She was back in her god form, looking glorious. He savored the sight.
She gave a slight bow. "Demon lord, you shall rejoice that you took me as an ally."
Aposis nodded proudly. Nut ceased glowing and returned to her mortal form. The process had drained her, and she collapsed. Aposis caught her gently and carried her bridal-style to a room, laying her on the bed and tucking her in.
He was more satisfied than ever. With Nut as his greatest instrument, he could bring down Geb—and claim Nessy, Geb's mortal consort, as his own. The thought darkened his smile.
---
*Nessy's Mansion*
*(Present Time)*
"I love you… with all my will," Geb whispered, cupping her face.
He had just kissed her—the best kiss he had ever experienced. He looked into her gray orbs, reading her. She was still in shock; it was her first kiss, and he was glad he had taken it gently. She wasn't scared and clearly enjoyed it.
When he was sure she was ready, he leaned in for a second kiss.
This time, she was relaxed, savoring the taste of his mouth, holding his hair and moaning softly. He slid his tongue inside, exploring every corner of her mouth as his hands roamed her breasts.
Suddenly, Nessy jolted and pulled away, stepping back, eyes darting nervously.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry," she stammered, cheeks flushed.
Geb understood completely. He knew he'd pushed too far, especially for her first intimate touch.
He pulled her into a comforting hug and whispered into her hair, "It's okay. We still have time."
Nessy's nerves calmed as she melted into his embrace. His words soothed her like a balm—he understood her deeply. She felt happy and safe, planting a soft kiss on his chest as she closed her eyes and breathed in his sweet scent…