*Ancient Egypt*
*(Sun God's Abode)*
"Okay then, be it as you have said. The ritual must hold…" Ra declared firmly.
Shu bowed in appreciation. "When is the ritual?" Ra asked, creasing his jaw in thought.
"Its appointed time is tonight, Supreme Father," Shu answered confidently.
"Can we still push through with it tonight?" Ra questioned, considering that the sun was already at its peak and preparations for the ritual usually took more than a day—sometimes even longer. Half a day would definitely not be enough, especially as they planned to send a message into the future, a millennium away from their time—many centuries ahead.
"No, Supreme Father. I'm afraid the ritual can't be performed again today," Shu replied with a sigh, disappointment and worry evident in his voice.
He desperately wanted to hasten things, fearful of what Aposis might do to his children in their absence. Shu knew Aposis bore a grudge against Geb for his role in the past alongside the Supreme Father, and he couldn't believe the demon god would simply take Nut to reach Geb without some grander plan against them. Shu only wished to keep his children safe from the demon lord.
"Supreme Father, we seem to be forgetting something," Tefnut said abruptly as she entered the room.
"Tefnut?" Shu gasped. "I thought I asked you to rest. What brings you here? Are you alright?" he said quickly, cupping her face as he looked at her with concern.
"I'm very well, Shu. Just fine," she replied with a sly smile, proud of herself. "But I have a suggestion I think you all might be missing."
Shu regarded her admiringly, curious. "What is it?"
"This is the future we're talking about, right?" she said rhetorically, receiving a nod from Shu.
"So I was wondering—how about we have Isis send a message to our future selves, warning them of Aposis's return so they can strike first, before he catches us unawares? That way, our own Geb and Nut would return to us in their proper time," she said, a victorious smile lighting her face.
Shu's mind lit up. Why hadn't he thought of this earlier? And best of all, it required no lengthy preparations—only their consciousness. It could even be done tonight. That was it! Exactly what they needed to do, he thought with a smile.
"Good thinking, Tefnut," Shu said with an adorable smile.
"Thank you, my love," she replied, returning the smile.
"Supreme Father," Shu turned to Ra eagerly, "we can try that, and I'm sure it will work. All we need is to summon Isis and let her carry out the conveyance of consciousness."
He knew if they tried, it would succeed, and the conveyance wouldn't consume the time and resources that the annual Earth ritual demanded.
Moreover, he was confident it would work—no doubt about it—unlike the Earth ritual, which depended heavily on Geb's wit.
Ra remained unmoved, standing stoic as if their words made no sense.
"Supreme Father?" Shu called in confusion. He couldn't understand why Ra remained silent, neither speaking in favor nor opposition. Had Ra not understood what they proposed? No! Shu knew better than to think that. Ra had heard everything Tefnut said.
"Supreme Father, are you not going to say anything?" Shu asked, frustration edging his voice. "You heard fully well what Tefnut suggested, yet you say nothing for or against it. What is going on?"
"Yes, Shu… I heard what you and your consort said. But it is not an option—so put it aside," Ra said with authority.
'Not an option?' Did she hear right? Or was Ra bluffing? Tefnut couldn't believe her ears. Was the Supreme Father truly condemning her idea? Or did he understand its value? Because if he did, he would know it was the only way to bring Geb—their greatest and only weapon against Aposis—back. Unless, of course, he wished to be destroyed.
Shu, too, was dumbfounded by Ra's rejection. How could he condemn what he saw as the most brilliant plan they had devised to retrieve their children from Aposis's grip and grudge?
At that moment, Shu knew something was wrong. Ra couldn't have rejected the idea without reason—especially one so dangerous that it compelled him to forfeit his hold on Geb and jeopardize the defeat of Aposis. 'What could it be?' he wondered, staring at Ra, who now sat with a pensive expression.
"Supreme Father," Tefnut began, unable to contain her confusion about Ra's dismissal of what she was sure would work. "Please reconsider. I am certain, beyond all reasonable doubt, that—" she was cut off by Ra's raised hands.
"I said I heard you the first time, Tefnut," Ra roared. "And my answer remains the same. The conveyance of consciousness will not hold because I do not approve it!" His voice was nearly upset.
"But—" she started again but was interrupted by Shu.
"That's enough, Tefnut," he said softly, wiping tears welling in her eyes.
"Are you sure?" she asked, letting the tears flow.
"Yes, I'm sure," Shu reassured her.
She took a deep breath and teleported back to their abode.
Shu turned to Ra. "Are you going to tell me what's really going on, or keep me in the dark?" he asked seriously.
Ra looked lost. "What do you mean?" he asked coldly.
"I'm sure the sun god of Egypt, the supreme father of all gods, would not reject a sure path to victory if he weren't about to lose something far more valuable than success—especially against a lifelong foe like Aposis."
Ra knew exactly what Shu meant—and, in truth, Shu was right. He could never relinquish the honor and triumph of finally destroying Aposis for anything. But not this way.
He understood Tefnut's suggestion and knew well it would work. Yet he was uncomfortable with the idea, for it risked exposing a secret he had guarded for centuries from all of Egypt. He would not let that slip just to have Geb by his side. Even though his triumph over Aposis depended on it, the consequences of that secret leaking were greater than wrestling Aposis alone. At least then it was a private matter—between him and Aposis—without involving other gods, which would escalate matters drastically.
"Of course, Shu," Ra finally said. "I want victory over Aposis at all costs. But I do not agree with the conveyance of consciousness. I'm uncomfortable with the idea. We should stick to Plan A—the Earth ritual." He avoided Shu's blue eyes, knowing that as a superior god he could read his thoughts, but others without mind-veiling would have their thoughts laid bare with a mere focus.
Shu knew his father was lying. But the pressing question was why. What was Ra hiding, even from him? He could understand if Ra wished to keep secrets from other deities—but from his son and closest god?
Shu and Ra's relationship transcended father and son. Sometimes they shared an intimacy like brothers or best friends. That's why Shu dared not defile Ra, even though he knew everything—how to cause his downfall. Now, that was his greatest worry. He thought he knew everything about Ra, but now he realized he did not. Ra harbored a dark secret—and Shu was bent on uncovering it. …