Chapter 16
Anubis
A long time ago I was born. You see, by saying born I mean dieing, being brought into the harsh reality of life, or unlife as the case may be. For my first birth I was born an Egyptian. My second I became an Ostilis. Asher helped me to shed my old beliefs and in an act of blasphemy named me for one of the gods. True, priests dressed themselves as the gods for ceremonial rights but none was named for them. I entered into my new life with great trepidation. To ease my fears Asher brought Isis and Bast to join me. Together we left our old lives behind and sought solace in each other’s company. Over the years we grew apart, each following their own path but still remaining under Asher’s care. Bast took to painting, falling into a state where that was the basis of her existence. She no longer resides there, enthralled by the colors she smears upon the canvas, but every now and then she will paint, remembering her human life. Isis took to music, singing and dancing. I on the other hand began to learn. I learned all the languages of the time and even now continue to do so.
Ares and Diana helped us with our transition from life to death. I never realized how difficult it would have been had there not been others to help. Asher didn’t introduce his eldest children to us until we had fully adjusted to our new lives. Now, I am happy with what I am. Never going to die, none of Asher’s children have been killed. I guess the reason behind that is he protects us, even when he lets us leave he still keeps an eye on us. It used to drive me up the wall until I realized that he did it because he cared. Oh well, everyone has reasons for doing things.
The recent development in Asher’s little world that we reside in has been the appearance of Phoenix. Asher brought him here after he found him on the street, near death and with no memory. I’ve been keeping my eye on him, although he doesn’t know I am, I haven’t even really met him, just seen him. Ares has taken a liking to him and has been showing him around, attempting to teach him what he has forgotten. I’m a little skeptical, unsure if he truly lost his memory and if he can get it back if he has forgotten. I guess that’s what happens after you’ve been alive for a few thousand years. I will learn how to deal with this new addition. I didn’t trust Minerva when Asher turned her but she’s turned out to be all right. Hopefully Phoenix will turn out like her. At least he’s young; if he weren’t then it would be more difficult for him to adjust to his form, to his life. I almost hope that one day soon he will get his memory back so that he can return to his old life. In order to figure out if he can get it back I’ll have to ask Asher and if I did that he would know that I have been watching him. The choices that I’m forced to make.
None of Asher’s children has created anyone, he is the only one that creates, we do not. I don’t know why, it isn’t like he stops us from doing anything we just don’t do it. Sometimes he stops us from doing things but it’s for our own good. He watches us to make sure that we do what is right and that what we do will cause us the least amount of harm. I’ve done some things that he hasn’t approved of but as of late I’ve been being on my best behavior, that’s just the way things work out sometimes. Everyone is a little rebellious early on in their life. Ok, so maybe the older you are the more rebellious you become but that’s just the way things are. Look at life, isn’t it a little overrated? You live but you know that every moment could be your last. You could be walking around one day then get hit and killed by some drunk who decided that he was sober enough to get behind the wheel. You could be mugged on the street and lose everything in a single instant. Is living really worth it? So many things could happen, your life could be ruined by a single mistake as humanity soon discovered. I’m getting ahead of myself. Asher has imposed upon us a noninterference policy. We are not to involve ourselves in human struggles or humanity in general. All of us have taken an oath to uphold his rules and all of us adhere to that oath. He never let’s us forget the rules, never gives us a chance to. If it looks like even one of us is about to forget he calls us all into the dinning room where he addresses each of the rules so that we have no choice but to remember. Of course the night after Phoenix recovered all of us were called, not just for introductions, but for the reading of the rules. Everyone attended, the punishment for not coming when told was not pleasant, I can’t really think of one that isn’t but then again if they weren’t it wouldn’t be a punishment now would it?
“Phoenix, I believe that you have recovered enough to begin your learning. It is time that you met my children that are currently here.” Asher said as each of us sat down, Phoenix ended up between Ares and I. Asher started introductions with Sicily, who was seated to his left, “This is my eldest child Sicily.” He said before continuing around the table, “Andre, Ceradwin, Cecil, Lyta, Tomas, Rashell, Azreal, Isis, Thor, Bast, Odin, Persephone, Minerva, Diana, Loki, Athena, Anubis, and you’ve already met Ares.”
Phoenix looked over at me as Asher spoke my name, “Hello Anubis, are you the one who has been watching me?” He asked softly.
I half smiled, “Perhaps.” I replied, “I make it my business to find out all I can about new ones that Asher has brought here. You are an enigma to me though. Thus far you have no hidden motives, no specific agenda, you just exist. You don’t know what your purpose is. It surprises me though that although your memory is gone you still retain the concept of language, can still speak English. Is there anything I have missed that you do or do not know? Is there something else you remember?” I asked calmly, scanning his face for any sign of emotion.
He was silent for a moment, “I know Russian but that is all I remember. I don’t know why I have retained the ability to speak.” He said, his voice growing steadily louder, “I wish I had answers. I wish I knew why I’m here, how I came to be. It sickens me that I can still speak, that I know the names for some things and others I can’t seem to remember.” He was angry, I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice.
“Phoenix, that’s enough.” Asher said softly, his voice commanding, “Anubis, curb your tongue.”
“Of course Asher.” I said with a smile, Loki laughed softly.
“Now then. It is time for Phoenix to learn the rules and take the oath that he will abide by for the rest of his existence.” Asher said quickly, not giving anyone a chance to speak, “You may not involve yourself in humanity, you must not interfere with their development. You must never harm another of our clan, punishment may only be administered by me.” He said, shooting a glance at Odin, “The other clan is not to be trusted, none of our kind outside of this house is to be trusted. You may not leave without my permission or without an escort of one of the elders. The corpses of your victims must never be found and the mave are never to know about us.”
“May I be excused?” I asked softly, once he had finished. Not only was I bored but also my hunger had grown to overwhelming proportions. I hadn’t fed in over a week.
Asher scowled, “No, Phoenix must take his vows first. After that you may do as you please.”
“I cannot wait that long.” I growled, running my tongue over my dagger like fangs.
“Anubis, be silent. Do not question me.” Asher hissed.
“I cannot wait. If I do not feed soon I shall be overwhelmed and collapse.” I said softly, “Don’t do this to me.” I pleaded.
He shook his head, “Patience Anubis. If you collapse I shall feed you when this is over.”
I swallowed hard, “Very well Asher.”
“Phoenix, come here.” Asher said, getting to his feet. Phoenix stood and walked over to him, “Do you take this oath to uphold the rules that have been laid down before you?” Phoenix nodded as Asher bit his wrist. The glorious rich blood began to ooze from the two neat puncture wounds, “Do you bind yourself to these rules?” Phoenix nodded, “Then drink.” Asher said, offering his wrist to Phoenix. Slowly Phoenix began to drink. He was only allowed a small amount, only enough to seal the oath, “Do you bind yourself to me? Do you agree to follow my commands and listen to what I have to say? Do you hold yourself to the laws of our clan, even the laws that you do not yet know? Do you agree to do whatever I tell you?” Phoenix nodded in response and was rewarded with another dose of Asher’s ancient, binding, blood, “It is finished, you are now a part of me, you are bonded to me for the whole of your existence.”
As Phoenix was bonded the world began to spin. Hunger was finally taking its toll. Getting to my feet I fell to my knees. Grasping the edge of the table I attempted to get to my feet. With careful movements I managed to pull myself back into a chair. Breathing heavily I closed my eyes. I couldn’t stand the pain. The taste of blood upon my lips pulled me out of my state of near oblivion. Ares was giving his blood to my hungry body. One, two, three swallows and I pushed him away.
“Thank you Ares.” I said, getting to my feet, “Thank you for everything.”
He nodded, “Next time don’t go so long without feeding.”
I smiled as I stood up, “I won’t, in fact I’m going to go feed now.”
With head held high I left the house to find a human meal. Ostilis blood was a wonderful commodity but nothing can amount to the taste of human blood. I was lucky, I had no rules regarding leaving the house on my own, I had been alive for a long enough time that I was allowed to leave. Walking the moonlit streets of the Virginia countryside I made my way towards town, towards the human civilization. This was the time that I began to discover the full implications of humanities mistake. Richmond was in ruin, at least was on its way to that state of being. Humans roamed the streets looking for a place to hide, looking for shelter. I was shocked, how could all this have happened in less than a week? I felt out of place in my well-tailored clothing. The people here were dressed in the tattered remains of the clothing they had once worn. I had never taken much interest in human society so I didn’t know what had happened. Not only that but none of us really watched the news because of our oath. I think it’s because if we knew what was going on we would try to get involved in what was going on in the world. The only one in the house that spent any measurable amount of time watching TV was Loki and now he isn’t as interested in it, he never watched the news though, thought it was too boring. The only way I could get answers was to ask. Slowly I began to wander the streets, looking for someone who looked decent enough to ask what had happened. Finally I found someone, he was dressed decently enough but was still seeking shelter.
“Excuse me.” I said softly, trying to get his attention.
He turned quickly, fear showing on his face, “What do you want?” He asked quickly, slowly backing away.
“I’m not here to harm you, I am looking for answers. Tell me, what happened here?” I said calmly.
“I don’t know who and I don’t know why, all I know is that we’re all going to die. Who ever they are, they have begun bombing us. Much of the east coast has been destroyed. We don’t know what to do. Without a clear opponent there is nothing we can do.” He said softly, bowing his head, “What are we to do?” He sobbed.
I smiled slightly to myself, “Look at me.” I said, my voice filled with authority.
Slowly he looked into my eyes. Quickly I grabbed him by the back of his neck and spun him around. Pressing him against my body as he struggled I breathed in the salty sweet smell of human flesh and blood. With a smile I swiftly sank my teeth into his throat. The first bubbling jet of hot blood burst into my mouth with a force that couldn’t be resisted. I let his heart pump the blood into me, let it do all the work. It struggled against me as I pulled the blood from his body and into my own. It began to slow as his body reached the end of its tether. The soft flutter of his heart giving out caused me to pull away. I would take no more, he was dead and I refused to join him. Easily picking up his body I set about hiding it even though I knew that because of the apparent rise in deaths I wouldn’t have to, I guess old habits die-hard. Burying him just outside of town, I covered my tracks. Once I had finished with my dirty job I returned home, I would tell Asher what I had discovered. Walking quickly into the house I looked for Asher. I had a feeling that he would be in his sitting room. Quickly I strode in, he was sitting in his chair, reading.
“Asher, I need to tell you about something.” I said softly, “I am sorry if I am disturbing you.”
He put his book down slowly, “You are not disturbing me, it is quite all right. What is it that you have to tell me?”
“Our food source is being slaughtered by itself. Richmond is nearly ruined; it has been bombed by an unknown source. Why did we not hear it? Why has it not touched us?”
He closed his eyes, “They have new weapons, this nation that is destroying the cities of this country, and they have been using them to their full potential. You cannot hear them, you cannot detect them, things are changing. For some reason though they have not attacked us, they have left us alone.” He said softly, “There are things that cannot always be explained. Do you see, do you understand?”
I nodded, “Yes. Surely this means that our time has come. That this is our time now, that this is our destiny. That this world will once again be ours, yours?”
He smiled, “Perhaps so. Perhaps it is time for us to subjugate the human race. We shall wait, time will tell us what to do. Remember, we have all the time in the world. Even when this world is gone there are others that hold life.”
I was shocked, “There are no others. This world is the only one that has life, that can support it.” I said quickly.
He shook his head, “No, that is not true. There are others. This is merely the only one that humanity knows about. There are those on other worlds that go from world to world, researching, exploring. There are even Ostilis on these other worlds. How do you think we came to be here? We were sent here to colonize this world. If you need a further explanation I can give you one but I would prefer not to explain.”
“I’m confused but I suppose that’s alright. Just tell me one thing, how many other worlds are there? I seek knowledge, you know that, and to me this is another thing for me to learn. I’m curious now.” I said, sitting down in a chair.
He chuckled softly, “There are around fifty other worlds. None but this one I can call home. I was born here. Tell me something Anubis; even though there are other worlds would you ever want to go to one? Wouldn’t you just rather stay here?”
I thought for a moment, “I believe that I would rather just stay here. This is my home.”
“Exactly. I believe that it isn’t this world against itself but another against this. Why do you think they have been avoiding us, our kind?”
“I don’t know. What would anyone’s reason be for not destroying us? We are an impossible problem that cannot be controlled if it ever comes to that.”
He smiled, “You are beginning to understand it all even without me telling you everything. Most likely it is humans who want a world fit for the Ostilis, who want a nation that belongs to us once again. We are forever, we are eternal, and we hold the greatest knowledge. They wish to use us for our knowledge, to see what we see. We would become the scholars of the worlds, not only scholars but also killers. We are the perfect combination of age and strength. Our minds are eternal canvases, things always being added to them. Anubis, you are the ultimate scholar. Your thirst for knowledge rivals your thirst for blood, you love them both, and you live from them both. They are your nourishment, your life. You are exactly what they are looking for, we all are. You know that after three hundred years have passed you change but you have not. You have always been the scholar.” He said with a soft laugh, “I’m sure that is the reason our towns are being destroyed now, that humanity is being corralled to a minimal level. So that they can be easier to control.”
I bit my lip, “So we are meant to survive. This world is to become ours, yours, once again. Do you think that more will be sent here? That more of our clan will come?”
“Perhaps. It is possible that more will be sent. There is no question in my mind that this will one day become our world. There is one thing that I could never find in any of the records and that is why we were sent to this world. But we must be patient; we must wait for the perfect time in which to return to our former glory. Our world will be restored, it is only a matter of time before that happens, but before that can happen there are things that must be done, things that must occur. We must be patient.”
“I have been patient all my life, I can wait forever.” I said with a smile.