"I would drive," Geb said in a flat tone.
Nessy didn't flinch. She simply threw the keys at him. After all, she was the boss and shouldn't have to drive her employee. 'Finally, you see me as your boss,' she thought with a smile.
Geb just stared at her. Would he ever understand her? First, he irritated her; now she was proud that he offered to drive. Nevertheless, he made no comment. He stepped into the car—not the Lamborghini from last night, but a Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. He settled into the driver's seat and looked toward the passenger side, expecting to see Nessy. But she wasn't there. Instead, she stood by the back seat door, waiting for him to open it.
Geb felt the urge to laugh but swallowed it immediately, knowing it would only irritate her. He acted like he didn't see her, or perhaps assumed she was already inside, and started the car.
Nessy, feeling defeated, opened the door angrily and climbed in.
"Oh, princess, were you outside? I didn't know—I would have come to obey the rules of courtesy," Geb said sarcastically with a sly smile.
Nessy knew he was teasing but said nothing. She relaxed into the seat and said flatly, "Just drive."
---
*The Time of the Gods, Ancient Egypt*
*(The Abode of Shu, God of Air)*
"My lord," Bo said, bowing slightly to the Egyptian God of Air.
"Rise," Shu commanded with authority.
"My lord, you sent for me," Bo said again, awaiting instruction.
"Yes, Bo," Shu replied. "I sent for you to ask about the Ritual of Earth—the annual sacrifice made to the Earth God, my son, Geb."
"Yes, my lord. What would you like to know about the ritual?" Bo looked up respectfully. Though immortal, he remained a servant to a god and showed utmost reverence.
"I want to know if the ritual will still occur at its appointed time—five days and five nights from now. Though the Earth God has been sent out of our time by me, he is still in Egypt. You know the absence of a high-ranking god can cause chaos there. That is why I left him here, though not in our time. Yet he must be appeased for his contributions as a god and those he will still make as the Earth God of Egypt," Shu said, pacing with arms crossed behind his back.
"My lord, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the Supreme Father has ordered me to speak to you before considering whether the ritual will hold—for reasons known only to him," Bo said, clearly unsatisfied with his answer.
"Then I shall go to him," Shu said, turning to Bo. "Watch Nut carefully until I return." He transformed into his god form and flew out, heading toward Sun City. He chose to fly rather than teleport, hoping the journey would cool his mind before meeting the Supreme Father.
---
*Sun City, Abode of Sun God Ra*
"Are you willing to risk what you sacrificed so your son could be separated from his sister, just for some mortal ritual?" Ra asked without looking at Shu.
"Supreme Father," Shu bowed.
"I asked a question," Ra retorted, fixing his gaze on Shu. "Do you think your son deserves any honor? He was banished from our time by you."
"You made me do it," Shu replied, attempting to shift blame.
"I?" Ra laughed. "I may have influenced you, but you made the decision. You thought through your options before using the hourglass on him. And I trust you are not foolish enough to ignore that the ritual will also strengthen him. Who knows—he might break the bonds of the spell."
"You are right, Supreme Father," Shu admitted. "I thought it through before acting. And I have a strong feeling he has found a consort—and you know what that implies." He spoke with confidence. "Also, if the ritual does not hold, he will weaken, and his godly aura will deteriorate." Concern crept into his voice.
He knew his father understood him well; no one knew the power of sacrifice to a god more than Ra. Their strength didn't depend on mortal food but on sacrifices and adoration.
"Shu," Ra sighed. "It is only a feeling—you cannot be sure he has found a consort he cherishes more than Nut. Besides, you are a god and shouldn't rely on assumptions. Nut is still here. If Geb finds his way back to our time—consort or no consort—I believe he and Nut will continue their abominable incest." He ended with disgust.
Shu bowed deeply. "What say you, I do, Father?" His god-tone voice accepted defeat.
"Rise, my son," Ra said with satisfaction. "The ritual must not hold. Even if it lessens his authority, it is for the best. He must learn his lesson for going behind my back. For his contributions as Earth God, I will assist his impact so Egypt does not suffer. He is still a god, and his influence will be felt. Missing the ritual will only humble his fat ego." His tone brooked no argument.
"As you wish, Supreme Father," Shu bowed and turned to leave.
"Keep a close eye on Nut. That daughter of yours must not see the sky. Her manipulations will not calm easily with the anger burning inside her. I know you put her in a lasting trance. Be on guard when she wakes." Ra's final words carried weight.
Shu bowed and left.
---
*Back at Shu's Abode*
Tefnut stormed into Shu's chambers, sensing his presence, her face filled with worry.
"Shu!" she cried, running into his embrace.
Shu was alarmed by her expression; he had seen her worried before, but now she seemed to have lost her will—the worst fate for a god.
"What is it?" he asked, cupping her face.
"Nut..." she whispered, breathless.
"Speak, Tefnut," Shu ordered.
"Nut is awake and out of control," she said as tears fell freely.
"Where is she?" Shu asked anxiously.
"She flew out of her room in her god form. I believe she went to her abode in the sky," Tefnut said, still tearful.
"Stop your tears. I will handle her," Shu assured her, cupping her face and kissing her cheek.
He transformed into his god form and flew toward Nut's sky abode.
---
*Nut's Abode in the Sky*
Nut was out of control. Her blue orbs had turned white. Her white hair floated ethereally as she hung cross-legged in the air in her god form. She looked magnificent—like the goddess she was—with wings like her father's and a white feathered gown featuring a long split that exposed her thighs. She was beautiful, powerful, and dangerous. Her entire being glowed white.
All her servants had fled in fear when she arrived uncontrollably. She had awoken from the trance her father had placed her in. Unable to find Geb, she concluded he had lost his soul or will. Neither option sounded good. She lost control and left his abode to try to calm herself.
"Nut," Shu said gently.
Nut straightened her legs, now standing in the air, turning to face the one who denied her love and brother. Immediately, she cried out in pain and frustration. Hail began to fall across Egypt…