Ra's Summon!

Set responded with impeccable poise to Isis's concerns, his voice echoing with divine assurance. At that very moment, a drop of blood from Ra erupted with a formidable energy, coursing through Set's veins with unstoppable force. It surged, targeting every shred of divine essence within him, driving directly into his heart.

Simultaneously, an intense power exploded from near his heart, flooding into it with relentless fury. In a mere instant, it was completely devoured by the potent blood of Ra.

Before the wound could rupture anew, it was thoroughly consumed by Ra's blood, which worked swiftly to mend the torn flesh. Set felt the wound sealing itself, the fibers knitting together as if guided by the hand of the God of the Sun himself. He closed his eyes, savoring the resurgence of his formidable powers.

Isis observed with relief as the black scales that marred Set's skin faded away, her brother's steady breathing signaling his recovery. A smile played upon her lips as she witnessed the transformation.

After a moment that stretched like eternity, Set opened his eyes, exhaling deeply, the frailty that had once claimed his form now banished. He rose from his throne, his stature regal and undiminished.

Adorned in the majestic Okapi crown, his white hair framed his golden eyes, and his figure was draped in a linen skirt, its hues of blue, red, and white vibrant against his skin. Around his neck hung the Wesek, crafted from lapis lazuli, topaz, citrine, and gold, its splendor unmatched. Golden rings engraved with motifs of the yellow sands graced his wrists and ankles, affirming his dominion over the desert, power, and war.

Set was now fully restored, his memories, once obscured by his injuries, flooding back with vivid clarity. The realm of gods around him resonated with the names of ancient Egyptian deities he recalled.

"This is indeed the world of ancient Egyptian mythology," Set realized, the pieces of his fragmented knowledge now whole.

"Brother, have you fully recovered?" Isis inquired, her voice laced with hope.

"All is restored," Set confirmed, his tone resolute.

"Then I am at peace," Isis responded, her relief palpable.

As Set was about to query Isis about the unfolding events, an unexpected visitor arrived, interrupting their discourse. A golden falcon, radiant with divine light, swooped into the temple and landed gracefully. With a shimmering glow, it transformed into a young boy clad in a linen skirt, who extended his hands in a gesture of respect.

"Lord Set, Lady Isis," the boy greeted, his voice carrying the weight of significance.

Both deities exchanged surprised glances, recognizing the falcon as an avatar of Ra, often sent as a divine messenger.

"Speak," Set commanded, his gaze fixed on the young emissary.

"The sun god Ra summons all deities to a grand convocation in the Pantheon, thirty solar days hence," the boy announced, his hands raised slightly in emphasis.

Set's brow furrowed slightly at the news. Such assemblies were rare and significant, convened either by Shu, the god of order, to settle disputes among the divinities, or by Ra himself, to deliver oracles of great import.

Set's thoughts drifted back in time, remembering Ra's last summoning of the gods a millennium prior. It was a pivotal moment meant to resolve the ascension dispute involving himself, Osiris, Isis, and Nephthys to the throne. Further back, ten millennia ago, Ra had instructed the gods to descend from the celestial Sun City and establish their temples upon the earth.

Observing Set's reflective silence, Isis gestured subtly to the messenger, who promptly transformed back into a golden falcon and soared out of the temple.

Snapped from his reverie by the sound of fluttering wings, Set turned to Isis, his brow furrowed with inquiry. "Sister, has Ra communicated anything about this sudden convocation?"

Isis paused, her eyes reflecting the gravity of her words. "Recent shifts have been felt in the underworld, Set. It's likely this assembly concerns those very changes."

Set mulled over his sparse memories of the underworld. He knew it lay to the west of the Nile, shrouded in a perpetual, chilling mist, where the River Styx ferried lifeless souls through gates leading to realms unknown. Only after vanquishing Apep did Ra journey there aboard the ten-thousand-year ship.

"Thoth warns that the underworld's miasma corrodes all that lives, even gods," Isis added, her hand resting lightly on Set's shoulder.

Set, still feeling the newfound vigor of his restored divinity, dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand. "The underworld falls outside our dominion, Isis. I see no need to dwell on it now."

Isis's smile then took on a teasing edge. "Perhaps, but there remains the matter of Nephthys. You should consider her."

Set coughed, taken aback by her insinuation. "Isis, do not jest. My feelings for Nephthys are long past."

Her laughter was light and knowing. "Oh, little brother, your heart was never quite so guarded. Throughout your absence, Nephthys frequently sought news of you from me, and she often visited your temple in hope."

"She clearly holds affection for you. Now that you are healed, why not think of marriage?"

Set's refusal was swift and resolute, his expression firm. "No, sister. Whatever I once felt for Nephthys has faded. I no longer hold her in that regard."

Set's feelings had indeed once mirrored the old myths where he harbored love for Nephthys. Yet, he never declared his affection, ensnared by his own plots and jealousy towards Osiris, whom Nephthys also loved. This jealousy had led to dark deeds: the murder of Osiris, his resurrection by Isis, and Set's subsequent dismemberment of Osiris's body, scattering it to prevent another resurrection. Isis and Nephthys could recover all but one crucial piece, leaving Osiris unable to return to life again. In desperation, Isis bore Osiris's child, Horus, hoping he would avenge Set's betrayal.

Nephthys, siding with Isis, aided in Horus's escape and upbringing, betraying Set to support her beloved Osiris and her son Anubis, who was, as the myth stated, also a child of Osiris. These memories sharpened within Set like shards of glass, each reflection a stinging reminder of betrayal and loss.

Isis observed Set, noting the resolve hardening his features into a mask of stoicism. "Could a love that spanned millennia simply vanish?" she wondered aloud.

Facing his sister, Set's voice was unwavering, his golden eyes clear. "Sister, I truly harbor no feelings for Nephthys anymore."

In his gaze, Isis found no spark of the affection that once burned. Reluctantly, she accepted this new reality. "Nephthys will be heartbroken," she sighed.

Set turned away, pondering silently. He knew better; Nephthys, resilient and detached, wouldn't suffer as Isis feared. Yet, Isis's sorrow was palpable, tied not just to her brother's fate but to her own intertwined destiny with Osiris.

'Myth has tangled the fates of these siblings strangely. It was Nephthys, not Isis, who first bore Anubis,' Set Thought and reminded her gently. "And remember, the God Mot holds affection for Nephthys. Perhaps it's time he expressed it."

Isis, her thoughts heavy with concern, considered seeking Ra's counsel. Set, despite his detachment from Nephthys, wished no sadness upon his sister. His suggestion that another might fulfill Nephthys's heart was his way of protecting both Isis and Nephthys from further despair.