Deceit (Book 10 )

Anubis

Hundreds of thousands of various demons flowed through the portal in the underworld, intent on feasting on the souls protected by Anubis. The first wave was at least one hundred units with balors guiding them.

Anubis’s jackals corralled the souls and forged a ring of shields and spears to protect them. Unfortunately, it would not be enough. The multitude that ascended was more than Anubis and Anput could handle.

The hybrids, who Anubis created to control the vampire population, were deployed to help the jackals. The demonic power they injected maddened them before they were of any use. The horde killed them effortlessly; however, the hybrids slowed their advances enough for Anubis to push the ranks back.

Anput wielded Adrestia and fought next to him. The metallic sound of steel against steel rang out as Life and Death separated at her command. Life’s power burned hot and easily cut the minor demons. Death only wounded or angered them.

Their daughter charged forward and engaged a balor. She danced to the tune of battle as she defeated her foe. The balor exploded, killing several demons in its rank. The surviving demons growled their battle cries and surrounded her. Anubis shared a prideful grin with his wife before slicing down an advancing enemy.

Anubis was at the scales as always when his jackals alerted him of a breach. They moved with haste as they guided the millions of souls into the furthest corner of the Valley of Souls. Soon after, the underworld shuddered, and the ground vibrated from the army that broke through the gates.

Ordinarily, only a small unit would attempt to steal a handful of souls to bring to their leaders. Feeding on a soul gave the demons incredible strength, making them extremely hard to kill. Their strength would outmatch several of the gods he knew.

Looking over the heads of the ensuing army, he saw how vast the invasion really was. It was disheartening to see and made him worry he would lose this fight even with the help of his family.

They battled and slowly drifted apart as the units surrounded them. Anubis struggled to stay focused on the souls instead of defending his family. He was the god of the dead and protector of souls. His position was essential to the survival of the gods. Unfortunately, that meant his role as husband and father must be second, no matter how easy it was to ignore his duties.

The distance between himself and his family concerned him; however, the units were dangerously close to the ring of jackals protecting the souls. Losing them to the demons would give them the power needed to destroy the earth and overpower the gods protecting it. It would mean his family was doomed. The only way to help them was to fulfill his duty as protector of souls.

A low growl rumbled past the legion. A balor of three units took its flaming whip and snapped the front of the unit with a responding growl. The battleground shifted and flowed toward Anput, ignoring Sha’ní and Anubis.

Sha’ní shared a look of surprise with Anubis before charging into the midst of the army. She disappeared within the crowd; however, she left a trail of flying carcasses in her wake.

Anubis growled and ran the opposite way to flank the army. He could just make out Anput’s head and the arcs of steel as she battled those around her. She danced with the grace fitting a warrior goddess. Hundreds of demons fell to her blade and stacked at her feet. When one fell, another quickly took its place, preventing her from moving from her spot.

The smell of rot and disease became powerful as Anubis fought his way to Anput. He pulsed his power of love and tore through the ranks. When his spear scratched demon flesh, he used its power and activated the demon’s worse nightmare. They howled and began attacking an unseen enemy. Some stood frozen in fright, allowing him to kill them swiftly.

Anubis struggled to make any ground through the ranks. The demons ignored him and continued running past him to replace their fallen. It was apparent the horde meant to destroy Anput.

Osiris appeared next to him and silently swung his staff killing three advancing demons. Anubis’s uncle shared his duties judging souls. As the day ended, Anubis would leave the scales and seek Anput’s company or teach Sha’ní any lessons she needed to learn. Osiris would judge the souls in his absence.

The heated gaze in Osiris’s eyes told Anubis he came prepared to give his life to protect the souls. It wouldn’t be the first time he perished.

“They are attacking Anput and leaving everything else alone. We must defend her.” Anubis explained.

Osiris nodded and increased his urgency in his attacks. Anubis was thankful for his help. He was a weaker god, one a demon could overcome if it consumed a soul; however, his courage and will matched the god of war.

Anubis, Osiris, and Sha’ní created a parameter around the demons and flanked them, leaving Anput in the center. The fiends were forced to fight through them in order to kill Anput.

Another faint rumbling growl filtered through the valley, and the balors answered. The units continued rushing past the three gods to try their chances with Anput. Most of the demons were destroyed, giving Anput a small relief.

They had gotten close enough to see each other. Anput’s deep blue eyes were breathtakingly beautiful. She claimed his gaze quickened her heart and maddened her mind; however, Anubis believed she only saw her reflection. No mortal had ever been able to stand against Anput.

Within that gaze, he saw and felt the love they shared. It was everything Anubis fought for. He would willingly lay his life down if it meant she would continue on.

A new spine-chilling scream erupted from the battle. Anubis jerked his head in the direction from which it came. A balor reached the ring of steel the jackals created to feast on the souls. He thrust his fiery sword and impaled several jackals at a time. Those near their fallen burst into flames. The surviving jackals bravely closed ranks and attacked the balor with their spears and claws to no effect.

Anubis swung his head back toward Anput and noticed Osiris and Sha’ní both fought toward her. Confident she would survive, Anubis quickly left the army and engaged the balor.

The balor saw Anubis and whipped the fiery whip to trap him. Anubis was faster than the demon and easily dodged the whip. He silently commanded the jackals to return to their posts, then leaped high in the air to strike the balor with his spear.

The demon’s fiery sword swung to meet Anubis in the air. The attack changed his momentum, forcing him to block the blazing blade. He fell onto his back with burns across his chest. The weight of the sword was heavier than it should have been. None of the other balors have ever hit him with such force.

The shaft of his spear crackled with a warning it would break if Anubis did not break free. His muscles strained under the weight of the its blade. Fire licked his flesh as the point slowly gained ground. Anubis pulsed power into the demon to push it back. It had no effect.

Impossible! None of the souls are missing. How is this demon so strong?

The balor grasped Anubis’s ankle and lifted him to eye level. A rumble vibrated as the demon laughed at Anubis’s demise.

Anubis did not dwell on why it was much stronger than others of its kin. That information was not crucial at the moment. There was only one way to defeat it.

Anubis commanded his power to focus on his aim making the tip of his spear glow. He must pierce the demon’s heart, or he would lose. With every ounce of his strength, he threw the spear into its chest.

It not only hit its mark, it exploded out of the back of the balor. The demon howled and released Anubis. He rolled into his fall and quickly got to his feet to shield himself from the explosion that would come.

The concussion rang out and made him fall to the ground. More jackals howled as it tore through their ranks. The wave of energy was much stronger than it should have been. The balor must have been able to consume a soul though he did not fathom how.

Anubis looked around the valley and was able to account for each soul that should be there. He knew every one that was in the valley. He knew them by name and their past lives. He could easily go to where the soul wondered.

The smaller demons did not come to replace the balor. It was a distraction to get him away from Anput. The entire army of demons swarmed the three gods. Body pieces and gore flipped in the air as the demons were cut down. Anput was once again surrounded and worked fiercely to stay alive. Her body was covered in green blood.

Why are they intent on killing Anput?

Anubis growled in frustration and started to run back to the units. Osiris and Sha’ní were almost to Anput. His wife’s fatigue and determination to fight filtered through the bond. Her health worried Anubis. She would continue to fight until the last ounce of strength left her, then she would be vulnerable. Throughout their relationship, Anubis had always been by her side to ensure her body remained untouched while she healed. He was not about to stop.

A Black skeleton armored in black full-plate armor stepped in front of Anubis, blocking his path, “My Lord.”

“Not now, Kyle,” He growled and ran past him.

“My Lord, the portal is not closing! You must close it, or they will continue to come.”

Anubis stopped and helplessly watched his wife fight for her life. A god would not perish unless the soul left the body; however, even they had limits. It took many wounds to incapacitate one. Once a god was weakened, the enemy could ensure it never wakes. Four gods could not defeat an entire world of demons before succumbing to them.

“We will help her,” Kyle voiced.

Anubis returned his gaze to his old friend and enemy. Kyle was loyal to Set. If ever there was a war between the two gods, Kyle would fight for his father. Until that day came, Kyle was dependable and honorable. Anubis could count on the death knight to do as he promised.

“Thank you, Kyle.”

Anubis quieted the panic in his mind and focused on sealing the door to the demon realm. Kyle was right. It would do him no good to lose his mind and fight blindly through a horde of demons. Only one god had the key to the portal. If it was not closing, then Ra was the only one who could seal it.

Anubis teleported to Ra’s throne room. “My Lord! Please Come! The underworld is under attack.”

Anubis’s voice reflected the terror and frustration he felt. He was normally in control of his emotions and rarely showed them; however, Ra must understand the severeness of his request. He was rewarded with an immediate response, which never happened.

Ra’s mighty form appeared on his throne with a curious expression, “What is it, Anubis?”

“A vast army of demons has broken through the portal. A death knight says it is not closing. You must close the portal before more come.”

Ra stood from his throne and summoned his spear. His pace was quick as he passed Anubis and commanded him to follow him.

“My Lord, Osiris and my daughter are fighting the horde. Anput is the target. I must return to help them.”

“No, Anubis. You will follow me. Quickly!” Ra replied Sternly.

Anubis had no choice. His creator required him to follow. He took comfort Osiris and Sha’ní along with the knights, were battling in the Valley of Souls. They would be hard to get past. Still, there was something terribly wrong.

This army was much larger than the one that came during The Cleansing. He understood why the demons invaded then. Billions of souls gathered in the Valley of Souls. Ra was not reincarnating them at the time. Now, the population was minimal. Only a few million walked in their dream states.

Why did the demons come in such great numbers? Why was the portal not closing? And why was Anput the target?

She posed as much a threat as the other gods did. He posed an even greater threat. Should he not be the one they attack?

The portal had been sealed since the war with the demons. Only Ra possessed the key. How was it possible the demons broke the lock? Something was wrong. His skin prickled as he concluded there was a traitor among the gods.

Sha’ní

It was happening again. His son betrayed them without causing suspicion. He took control of the jackals and blamed it on Set. The only way to open the portal was by Ra’s key. Sha’ní must have found a way. Anput was in danger.

Curse his tainted blood.

Anput labored to remain alive. Her skin burned from those who spit their acid saliva on her. Her lungs strained, and her heart beat heavily. She was quickly fading and still surrounded.

Anubis growled in frustration as he followed Ra. The portal was in sight, and more demons were pouring through. The underworld was being invaded by the entire population of hell.

“Close the portal. I will deal with them,” Anubis growled as he ran to meet the demons.

Dozens came trying to bite and claw at Anubis. He was quicker than these minions. They only guarded the portal to allow more through. Vulture creatures and venomous-skinned creatures ran to Anubis. He pulsed his power of love and cut down several demons. The remaining few were cut down by his spear. More came as he defended Ra while he closed the portal.

“Mother! NO!” Anubis heard Sha’ní s scream as Anput’s body felt the icy fingers of death coarse through her.

He lost his footing and tumbled into a frog-like creature. Its acidic skin burned into Anubis’s shoulder. His instinct was to run to them and take his vengeance. He would love nothing more than to let his rage loose upon the army; however, Anput was immortal. As long as her body remained on earth, she would survive.

He could not change the past. There was nothing more that could be done. The army must be dealt with before he could help her.

Anubis’s growl vibrated the ground of the underworld. The entire area seemed to feel his wrath and groaned in response. His duty to the underworld prevented him from protecting the one thing he treasured above all. He used the fear and rage coursing through his body to fuel his attacks. More demons fell at his feet as he stabbed and clawed his way through them.

The army surrounding the portal thinned, and the area became quiet. Ra succeeded in closing the portal.