Sunken Town Fayum!
"There's no need for that," Hathor declared firmly, her voice echoing with an underlying strength. "I have no desire for Ra's intervention."
"The true authority of humanity is not governed by Ra's whims."
"It lies hidden, known only to me, and I alone can guide you to it."
Set's eyes lingered on Hathor, the embodiment of beauty, love, and music. Her visage remained the embodiment of beauty, a mask of divine composure, revealing nothing of her thoughts.
Perplexed and unable to glean any insight, Set ceased his scrutiny and gave a resigned nod.
"This power is essential to me."
A subtle smile played on Hathor's lips as she heard his words. "Then I shall aid you in claiming the power of humanity."
"How shall we proceed?" Set inquired eagerly.
"Deep within the Nile's waters lies the sunken town of Fayum," Hathor began, her voice lowering to a mystic whisper.
"Fayum?!" Set interrupted, his voice a mix of shock and curiosity.
"Yes, Fayum," Hathor affirmed with a nod. "Have you heard of it?"
Set shook his head, quickly steering the conversation in another direction. "No, it's just startling to learn of a town beneath the Nile's currents."
"It was not always submerged," Hathor replied, a glint of nostalgia flickering in her eyes before it vanished as swiftly as it had appeared.
"At the heart of Fayum lies a relic of a man. His heart, to be precise, holds the essence of human authority."
"To possess this power, you must consume his heart, merging it with your own essence."
"But, take this with you." Hathor's hands moved with a deliberate grace as she produced a clay figurine.
It depicted a young maiden, infused with a trace of Hathor's divine aura.
Grasping the figurine, Set carefully stored it away, then addressed Hathor with a formal tone. "Swear by Ra that your words are truthful."
The notion of divine oaths was fraught with peril. Gods and goddesses were compelled to abide by their sworn promises, for breaking such oaths could lead to their demise.
Hathor retrieved the ankh, held it aloft, and faced the sun. "By the sacred light of Ra above, I swear I have spoken only truth about acquiring the authority of man."
As she concluded her vow, a beam of sunlight penetrated the temple, coalescing into a golden band around Hathor's wrist. Moments later, it vanished as if it had never been, leaving no trace behind.
Relief washed over Set as he witnessed the divine spectacle. Hathor's integrity was unblemished; her oath was pure.
Hathor then handed Set a scroll of papyrus, marking the submerged location of Fayum.
"Thank you," Set accepted the scroll, his resolve hardening. "Once I obtain the authority of man, I will fulfill the covenant you wish of me."
"I trust that you will," Hathor replied, her smile perfect and unfathomable as ever.
Set strode out of Hathor's temple, his mind ablaze with a single purpose: to seize the authority of man. He decided to momentarily shelve the issue of informing Ra about the Book of the True Name. Given Ra's unpredictability, there was no guarantee of his cooperation or support.
As Set left the bustling city behind, he invoked the Gate of God, a portal only known to deities, and whisked himself back to his own sanctum. Without wasting a moment, he unfolded the ancient papyrus, studying the map that pointed towards the submerged location of Fayum along the Nile.
Mindful of the powers at play, Set remembered to involve Sobek, the crocodile god of the Nile, whose aid would be crucial. Yet, Set had no intention of venturing to Fayum in his divine form, preferring subtlety over overt display of power.
...
In a realm bordered by dense forests and marshlands, a magnificent temple floated serenely, radiating divine presence. Into this sanctum of celestial order, a white bird darted, alighting upon the golden throne where Shu, the God of Order, sat in contemplation.
With a gentle touch, Shu transformed the bird into a cascade of sacred texts that shimmered before him. He perused them swiftly, then dissolved the divine essence that bound the texts, returning them to the ether.
At that moment, Tefnut, the Goddess of Disorder, entered, her presence disrupting the calm. "I've seen the message delivered by the White Bird God," she announced, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity.
Shu, looking mildly exasperated, replied, "Like many others, the upper and lower gods are hesitant to wield their powers to alter the desert. With Set increasingly merging with the desert, they fear his retribution."
Tefnut approached, her tone somber. "I've known Set since he was wounded by Apep and secluded himself for decades in recovery. If not for the promise of formidable powers, he might never have left his sanctuary. Changing the desert landscape would diminish his newfound strength, no wonder he warns other gods to keep their distance."
Shu sighed, a sound of deep understanding. "I know his motivations well. Yet, we cannot ignore Ra's decrees. The gods now come to me, voicing their displeasure, seeking to convene a divine council to pressure Set into compliance."
"Are you considering calling this council?" Tefnut inquired, her gaze searching Shu's.
"No," Shu responded firmly. "I will speak to Set first. It's preferable he joins us willingly."
"And if he refuses?"
"Only then will we summon the council," Shu stated, the weight of leadership evident in his voice.
Tefnut leaned against him, her voice gentle yet insistent. "Be cautious, but remember to show some leniency."
Shu nodded in agreement. "Yes. But first, where are Geb and Nut? Are they still orchestrating the celestial Star bodies?"
Their conversation lingered in the air, a blend of divine politics and the intricate dance of power among gods.
"Forget about those two, they're just stubborn!" Tefnut's voice crackled with irritation, her temper flaring momentarily.
Shu, recognizing the signs of her growing anger, chose wisely to refrain from further discussing their two children, shifting his attention back to the pressing matters at hand.
...
Atop a high mountain, within the sacred confines of the sky temple, Nut stood solemnly. Facing the radiant sun, she began to sing her hymn of praise, her voice resonating powerfully through the hallowed space.
"Praise be to you, Ra, sovereign of the gods, master of all that is and ever will be. From your divine essence, we arose, transformed into deities by your grace.
Your faithful awaken at dawn to celebrate your rising, their hearts purified through joyous laughter, as sacred breezes strum melodies upon your golden harp.
At dusk, your followers offer sacrifices, daily affirming their devotion. The sky mirrors the vibrant hues cast from your wings, a celestial spectacle of light.
You traverse the heavens, heart swelled with bliss; your celestial vessels, morning and evening, are steadfastly guarded by the divine.
Before you, Maat upholds her feather of truth, while the temples thunder with chants of your sacred name.
O Ra, flawless and immortal, majestic falcon soaring with the dawn!
Upon the verdant fig tree, your youthful visage radiates across the cosmos, your luminescence touching all, yet remaining a mystery.
For millennia, you have been the fervent wellspring of life, the sands of time gathering at your feet, yet you stand eternal, unaltered by the ages.
Creator of epochs, you exist beyond the confines of time itself.
You traverse the hidden gateways of night, bringing solace to those ensnared in grief.
O embodiment of truth, heart of peace, arise and bask in your own brilliance, for you are the past, present, and future.
Praise you, Ra, reviver of dormant spirits! Each dawn, you ascend, your glory unveiled for all to witness. Countless eons have elapsed beyond measure, and yet, you promise to illuminate the epochs to come."
Unbeknownst to Nut, Geb had arrived during her hymn and listened in silence, moved by the depth of her devotion.
As Nut's song concluded, tears welled in her eyes, the emotional weight of perceived betrayal momentarily overwhelming her. This sacred ritual was her solace, her connection to Ra, and a balm for her troubled spirit.
Geb, stepping forward, offered words of reassurance, "Ra will understand, in time. Once Metus is endowed with life, we will explain everything to Ra." His voice was a gentle echo in the sacred expanse, a promise of hope amidst the uncertainty.