Atum had been inactive for so many years he had almost forgotten the power he once wielded. But he still held his authority, his knowledge.
Sat in the modern penthouse he had been reading the paper, realising after a while it was the previous weeks.
But something felt wrong. Something he couldn't place.
As soon as he switched the radio on and the static finally cleared, he shuddered. Red rain. Surely the prison had not been broken, not yet? But if it had...
"I must find others," he muttered "one way or another this must end for good."
He did not wish ill on any of his creations, his children, each of whom he held dear to his heart. All the same he felt an obligation to the children of the other Gods, the humans and those species that the former thought only as myths.
They had little contact with one another, save for the odd interaction over important issues, but a mutual respect bound them together. That included respecting each other’s artistry and the results, however unpleasing some might be.
He moved musingly across to a minibar situated in the corner, removing a half bottle of amber liquor. He rarely drank but there were times when one needed to.
Times like this were worthy of getting hammered but he was old enough to know better. Most of the time anyway.
Then he knew...
"This poses a problem, a great one. I cannot bind him like before," he looked serious as he spoke aloud "is there any way of getting word to someone? There is but one way to stop him and he must know."
"I can take a message to whomever you wish" There was a swift breeze and a man seemed to appear out of the air. It was
Shu the first creation of Atum; lord of the air and creator of the wind. There was nothing he could do against someone like Am-Heh but he could get messages around faster than any other deity.
His feathered head dress shimmered, crafted finely from offerings from the grandest of birds and giving additional power to ride the winds and travel with a swiftness far greater than any other.
Atum nodded towards Shu. His eyes soft when he regarded one of his finest creations. All of his life was perfection in its own way, well, most of it. But some more appealing than others.
Comparing the butterfly to a moth.
"I think we need human help," he said thoughtfully "bringing in any of the others would pique his temper more, a God senses another Gods involvement all too well. And I have no wish to see how much damage he is capable of. His aura spread even from his vessel." He sighed, tapping his foot as he considered things "there is but one way other than using my own weapon to destroy him completely. Yet I cannot see how any could accomplish it. Blinding eyes such as his to anything precious is nigh on impossible."
Shu looked awkward. All knew Atum possessed, as all creator Gods did, a weapon that would kill another God but it was not what any wanted.
"I fear this disturbance might trigger others also, great one." He said softly. "I also fear he'll eventually come after you. He remembers all too well what happened to him and he holds a grudge better than Set."
Atum shrugged. "Go and find where the vessel broke. We will take things from there. I cannot stop the chain of events that have been put into motion but I can at least end them eventually." He sighed and looked down mournfully. "I do not wish to put him to death yet I have little choice."
Shu hung his head. "Is that necessary, great one? I often felt he had reasons he would not reveal for breaking the way he did. I know you created him as a destroyer of those who warranted that treatment but he seldom showed signs of being so ruthless to destroy the innocent. Or if he did, he controlled it well enough."
"I know not what caused it," Atum answered, slowly pouring the whiskey "if he had reasons then I would listen, he knows that. I will listen now."
"You are both wise and generous," Shu bowed low before the elder. "I shall do my best to gain the information you need."
"Thank you." Atum returned to his seat, keeping the bottle of liquor with him. "I do at least have the benefit of being the only one who he will obey, albeit grudgingly,"
"I'll not fail," Shu told him. He didn't wait for a reply before vanishing with the wind. It was easy to find the museum where it all began. There was a concentration of Godly power there at the centre of the chaos. He stepped on the wind instead of the ground keeping just above the blood and grime.
Frogs and toads swam idly, climbing onto any surface they could find and out of range of the serpentine beasts that lurked within the red waters. The smaller prey was not their first choice, rising to feast on the gore that floated upon the surface and, for the most part, ignoring the tiny reptiles.
The streets were empty of living humans but the remains of the perished were littered in the water or washed up onto exposed steps or other debris.
Shu's eye gave a tic as he gazed over the destruction, he knew was a small show of power from the renegade deity.
"What brought you to this?" He whispered to himself, the rush of water overshadowing his voice. "For something did, I saw it in your eyes that fateful day."
Shu had been near enough to the fallen God when Atum had questioned him to see the brief shift in the angry eyes, misting over with a deep pain that those further from him could mistake as sheer fury.
At the time Shu himself had dismissed it as irritation but when he looked back some years later his thoughts had changed. However, there was nothing he could do about it, there were bigger issues between the Gods then and many more between mortals.
"I must not surmise, I have work to do," Shu muttered, gazing about to where the strongest auras came from. "We can hear and debate later."
---
Meanwhile, in the museum, Ash had made his way up to the second floor, away from the waters spewing inside and rising.
He had fought to urge to go back for Mr Montford, knowing it would be foolhardy and even if he should succeed the man would be less than grateful.
The upper level was home to the prehistoric exhibits and all around him were the yellowed bones of great beasts and preserved remains of goodness knows what. In the current situation it was hardly what he wanted to see but it was safer for the time being.
Down below in the museum people had been panicking and everything was in disarray. It was hard to believe that earlier that morning he had been working as normal; taking phone calls looking over museum imports and now the world had turned to hell. It didn't seem possible. He'd heard of blood rain before in Kerala but it had been a simple chemical reaction between the rain and airborne spores from a locally prolific terrestrial green alga that had tinted the water red. But this was literal blood it was heavy and thick and the water levels were rising too fast to be anything natural.
The window above swung violently open as though a hurricane had hit and Ash felt his heart leap into his throat, choking him. His eyes widened as the figure floated down, its arms folded and face both stern and sympathetic.
"You needn't fear me, human," Shu said flatly "I sense you are not the one who released Am Heh but you might hold answers."
"I-I didn't, it was an ac-accident, I don't even know who he-it is." Ash stuttered in awe "the statue was in a shipment and it was dropped. My colleagues...one is seriously hurt and dead for all I know and that thing...he took Isaac, I don't know why."
Shu's face darkened at the revelation and he nodded slowly, rubbing his temples in frustration. Taken. Of course, Am Heh was smart he would know that Atum would make a move and now he had the one person they needed. He was not looking forward to any confrontation with the other god. Shu himself was not a god who appreciated battle. he was more of a messenger he kept away from these affairs.
Unfortunately, the plague Am Heh had brought down on the humans would only make things worse.
"I shall try and fetch him." He ignored the man's attempt to explain themselves. What was done was done. They should have taken greater care of his prison. "I shall come back for you; you may be useful in stopping Am Heh and Lord Atum has asked for humans."
"T-thank you," Ash didn't know quite what else to say as the God turned once more to leave as swiftly as he entered. "I just hope you do."
Shu looked over his shoulder, pausing in his rise to the window, he took a breath and gave a dry smile.
"So do I."
Ash watched as a zephyr of light wind wrapped itself about the form, whisking him away as if he were nothing but a feather.
"Am Heh," he mumbled softly, scrolling through the knowledge of Egypt he possessed "I haven't heard of him. Perhaps it was supposed to remain that way."
Marie Westley had been a charwoman in the museum for years. A squat woman with a bust that seemed to strain out of even the largest blouse she was a common sight at all hours. Both staff and visitors alike were always offered a greeting and a sparkling smile.She was handsome in her own way, keeping a neat appearance, her nut-brown hair always tied without a strand out of place and her hazel eyes always shimmering even if given the most taxing job.Professional pride went a long way in her family, whatever the task and whatever the employment.Of Jamaican descent her dream was eventually to become a teacher, her grades had well excelled the needed scores to qualify but they cost.People had told her she could do more, that was wasting her knowledge for a job that didn't pay as well as others but the fact was, apart from children, she loved cleaning and helping the elderly who couldn't do it themselves.
"What are you doing now?"Isaac's voice was cracked from lack of fluid, something he was hoping the God would take notice of.Am Heh barely looked over. He was not about to answer, the idea of responding to the mortals’ query felt beneath him but the knowledge that Isaac would most likely continue to question him came to the fore."Hastening my work," he said evasively, seizing a cloak that had appeared from thin air to throw about his shoulders. "You will remain here."The streets below were home only to ghosts and shadows now. The people were cowering in whatever safe haven they could find, whether it be the claustrophobic aisles of a department store or the dark back room of an office. Anywhere was better than the bubbling mire outside.The heat from the burning blood would not affect the deity who once walked in his own volcanic Eden. Nor did it affect the creatures he crafted but it
There was one person who wasn't fearful of the apparent Armageddon.Kyle Mason lived in the upper storey apartment of a grubby townhouse not far from where the river widened after its amble through the park.Much like the exterior the inside was cold and damp, mildew a common occurrence and always appearing grimy no matter how hard one cleaned. There was always a yellow tint to the once white walls and a grey pattern smearing the carpets.Kyle had never complained like other tenants, knowing the response of one got what they paid for and compared to his student digs it was a palace.He rarely seemed clean himself. The clothing that hung on the lanky body held an odour of pond water or ingrained age. The black hair, impeccably gelled and styled, appeared greasy rather than treated and his skin held a perpetual shine.It might well have been circumstance, down to the water that screamed in prote
“Interesting.”Thoth sat back in the wicker chair overlooking the lake beyond the terrace. The crystal waters shimmered like a mirror from amongst the reeds. Along the banks several long beaked birds waded without a care, their beady eyes looking for the tiny fish that inhabited the still waters.The ibis was still the favoured bird in the former God’s heart and he could not have settled anywhere that lacked them. Nor could he have left the glory of equatorial Africa, the sights and sounds of that sun kissed land were his reason for living.In human form he still held some resemblance himself; his features slim and angular, his nose sharp and eyes wise yet placid.Shu twiddled his fingers impatiently as Thoth rocked complacently, eyes gazing into the distance and at events long erased from memory.“Do you think you can help?” He broke the silence wit
Mr Montford winced as the sting from the antiseptic burned the deep wounds. Tears sprung to his eyes but he swiftly blinked them back, offering a shrug to Ash."A bit like garlic, the smell makes the eyes water."The room Marie had taken them back to had been the office of the security officer. The glass front gave an overview of the entrance and the additional monitors, now a haze of silver static, had meant he could observe the rest of the building. The small space reeked of coffee, spilled over the equipment in his haste to flee, and the undertones of sweat and antiperspirant.Ash smiled slightly, shifting uncomfortably. The smell did indeed bring tears to the eyes but the pain in those watery orbs showed it was much more.He didn't comment on it, focusing on the patterns on the monitors that made his head feel strange."Suck it up," Marie elbowed Mr Montford gently as she tossed the soiled
Despite having people think otherwise, life for Cherie Reynolds had been a scenic walk in the park with seldom a pit to catch her costly heels.To hear her speak one would think life had nothing to offer but rancid lemons and it was an excuse she used when airing the frequent torrents of complaints whether in person or over the phone.That morning had gone from bad to worse. From waking to find she had been sent the wrong artisan loaf, to her coffee being too bitter and now this. Black insects gnawing at the door, blood staining the carpets from their many feet.For once her mind was not on her décor although at the back of her mind she was concerned still about her new shoes.It was strange, how inching out of the second storey window and seeing the congealing slurry below, how priorities changed.Wisps of blonde hair clung to her frantic face, damp from tears she hadn't realised she'd shed as her h
Mr Montford's face fell when he saw the disarray of his room. The storm that had shook the core of the building had detached the shelves from the walls, sending them and their contents crashing to the floor. Papers, or what was left of them, floated in pulped lumps on the surface of the bloody waters.His bookcase had fared no better and, while it remained intact, the various books and objects were past repair."Years of work," he whispered as he slumped limply against the wall "lost and ruined."Marie and Ash gripped hold of him as his legs buckled, his eyes growing distant as they stared at the loss of his life's passion. To him, it was worse than losing his home, it had been everything.Marie led him over to a chair that had miraculously remained standing, its balance aided by the shelf falling from behind. His arms hung limply at his sides as she pushed him down, his fingertips trailing the water
Cherie slowed as Kyle approached the run-down building, he called home, her eyes looking over the peeling sills and grubby frontage. It reminded her of a seedy half-way house, a haven for thieves and other ill-bred occupants.The carpet on the stairs was tacky underfoot and it was impossible to tell what colour it had been, clearly the fibres had not been cleaned since it was laid down, maybe even before, she assumed the sickly shaded matting had been second hand to begin with.She dared not even touch the breaking handrail, Lord knew what germs and filth bred on it."How can you live like this?" She asked with genuine intrigue as she stumbled in the gloom. "No offence but I'm not surprised the scarabs didn't touch here."The smell of cannabis reached her nose as she turned the bend for the final steps, leaking from the room opposite and home to a former student. Kyle never believed he had ever been at college; th