*Ancient Egypt*
Nut had spent countless days and nights imprisoned in the dark hole within the Air God's abode. She had long since lost count of time but was certain that a great deal had passed since her father cast her into that abyss. She knew she had no choice but to submit to his will—outnumbered and vulnerable to destruction by the other gods, especially Horus. He never acknowledged her as the true Goddess of the Sky, for he, too, claimed dominion over the heavens as the God of Sky and War.
Horus believed Nut's existence was useless to Egypt and that he alone should rule the skies. But Ra intervened in time, dividing the divine duties between them evenly. Horus was granted control over war and the sky's advantages during battles, leading mortals to victory across Egypt's coastal wars. Nut, on the other hand, was bestowed total control of the sky—the rain, sun, moon, stars, and every heavenly body. This power, rightfully Horus's domain by will, often overwhelmed her. When anger, frustration, or sorrow flooded her, she sometimes lost control, letting her emotions dictate her actions.
Yet none of this mattered to Nut now. She awaited her judgment, ready to face it and reclaim her full will. Ra had decreed that mortals should neither honor nor sacrifice to her until she proved herself worthy again. Her will had been partially stripped, worsening as mortal belief in her faded—her greatest source of strength. Her godly form no longer glowed. She understood why her grandfather had done this: fearing she might lose control during the judgment and cause an eternal scandal in Egypt's history, Ra refused to take chances. Nut had no say in the matter.
As for her duties and influence, Ra entrusted Horus to govern until her trial. Nut was certain Horus reveled in this victory over her—but she did not care. Her sole focus was to escape this dark prison, undergo judgment, regain her full strength, and discover what had become of Geb. She missed him deeply and hoped he felt the same.
Though their affair had proved love between them, Nut sometimes wondered if Geb's feelings were merely lust. Yet she always brushed the thought aside. Though Geb professed love each time they were together, she never felt it deeply in her heart. She could sense his strong arms, soft lips, the heat of his touch, the power of his mortal body—but never the love he claimed. Still, she dismissed this as the consequence of their inseparable bond as twins.
Lost in thought in the darkness, Nut suddenly heard noises outside the hole. She looked upward toward the entrance but saw only utter blackness. Her other senses sharpened.
'Is it time for my judgment already? May it be so, for this hole is wearing me out. I long to see the sky again—to feel its warmth and bliss one more time,' she thought, a bittersweet smile upon her lips as the pain of leaving the hole dawned on her.
She felt a sting of pain but calmed her mind and steeled herself. 'Geb, my love, I do this for us. I will see us reunited—no matter the cost. Our days of romance beneath open skies and bare earth shall return,' she vowed, determination etched on her face.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the noise at the hole's entrance grew louder. She fixed her gaze there, listening intently for any sign of movement.
Her ears discerned the sounds of battle—not ordinary fights, but clashes of gods. Instead of swords and shields, she heard the swish of wills and the rush of divine powers.
Fear crept in—not of the gods fighting above, but of what could cause such a battle so close to where she was imprisoned. Her head spun; she felt her sanity slipping. She stood, feeling for a place to lean. Grasping the rocky wall on her right for support, she turned and leaned her back against another jagged surface. Closing her eyes, she braced herself for what was to come.
---
*Minutes Ago*
*Directly Above the Dark Hole*
Shu stood over the dark abyss, pain gnawing at him. He already knew what awaited Nut after tomorrow's judgment. He had pleaded with Ra to reconsider, but the Sun God was resolute—to rid the sky of Nut's mortal ties so she might never take a consort or feel mortal warmth again.
Shu knew the burden was too great for Nut, but he had submitted to his father's will. There was nothing left to do.
Turning away from the hole's entrance, he walked toward his abode—then stopped abruptly. He sensed the presence of another immortal—god or demon. Swiftly, he turned to meet the fiery gaze of the demon god himself: "Aposis?!"
Shu was shaken to his core. What was Aposis doing here? The last he remembered, Aposis had been banished by Geb and Ra after their battle, cast into the underworld, a place of utter darkness. Yet here he was, standing proudly before him, radiating power. Shu was wary but unafraid.
"Aposis," he said.
"It's been a long time—let me think…" Aposis placed a hand on his chin, smirking. "Hundreds of centuries since I last saw you. I must say, you look well—not much changed by recent events."
"Aposis… leave now, before I alert the Supreme Father and Geb. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be banished again," Shu warned boldly.
"Ha ha ha!" Aposis laughed, "I'm not here for jokes. I've come for Nut because I know where she can find the one god she still lives for—Geb."
'Geb? No, that can't be… How does he know about Geb? Is he telling the truth?' Shu thought, fear darkening his face. He tried to read Aposis's mind but failed. 'Strange.'
"You're not taking Nut," Shu asserted.
Aposis did not wish to fight Shu but was left no choice. He transformed into his serpent demon form and launched a fierce attack, catching Shu off guard and wounding him seriously.
Shu recovered quickly, shifting into his god form despite his injury, refusing to yield.
Their wills clashed violently, but Aposis's serpentine form gave him agility to dodge Shu's attacks and strike deadly, precise blows. Within minutes, Shu was defeated. Aposis lifted him with his tail and flung him far across the serene landscape.
Reverting to mortal form, Aposis approached the hole's entrance. He opened it to find Nut nearly lifeless—yet her eyes brightened when they met his.
"Aposis?" she whispered in disbelief.
"I am here to help," he said, ignoring her shock as he drew her out.
"Why?" she asked once free.
"Because you have found favor in my eyes. I know where, how, and when you can find your precious Geb," he replied with a wicked smile.
"Geb?" she gasped, looking around. Her father's lifeless body lay nearby, bloodied—but she felt nothing, convinced he deserved it.
"And what do I owe this kindness?" she asked, staring into his mesmerizing fiery red eyes.
"Join me. Become my ally, and I will take you to him—to have you forever," Aposis offered convincingly.
Nut considered for a moment. She had nothing to lose, everything to gain.
"An alliance, then," she declared.
"Swear it with your godly voice," Aposis demanded.
Without hesitation, Nut proclaimed, "I, Nut, goddess of the sky, granddaughter of Sun God Ra, swear this day an alliance with you, demon god Aposis—an alliance to last until you say no more. This I declare as repayment for the kindness you have shown me." She ended with a slight bow.
"Good," Aposis bowed in return. "Let us leave now, dear ally" …