Twelve years later...

  Ana?s gazed at her reflection in the mirror of the bedroom she had shared for years with Anubis, her husband. The room had changed little, except for the mingling of their belongings in the dressers and chests. Neither her face nor her body had altered in the slightest over time, even after more than a decade and two pregnancies. That was the privilege of being an akh. Or perhaps a goddess… She wasn’t even sure what she was anymore. Her magic was now powerful enough to rival that of the gods, but she had never wanted to test whether she had lost the ability to die.

  "Mother, we’re going to be late," warned a young male voice. "Father and Keb' are already by the door."

  "I’m coming, Oupiou," she replied with a tender smile at her son, Oupouaout.

  After a final glance at her reflection to ensure her makeup was perfect, she rose and walked through the villa alongside her firstborn—the same villa Anubis had shown her years ago. As she had once hoped and wished long ago, this house had become her permanent home, shared with her husband and their two children.

  Kebehut, her barely eight-year-old daughter, immediately slipped her small hand into her mother’s as soon as she arrived. She was a timid child who didn’t particularly enjoy visiting her grandparents, and even less so Horus, their son, who tended to tease her along with Oupiou. Her older brother, in contrast, was far more adventurous and daring, with a fiery temperament that he had undoubtedly inherited from his mother. He never stood still—he was an unstoppable whirlwind of energy.

  At least once a week, the little family made the journey to Isis and Osiris' villa, not counting Oupiou’s daily trips, as he loved spending time with his uncle Horus. The two boys were the same age and considered each other brothers. One was never seen without the other.

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  The Mother Goddess greeted them warmly and led them inside to the now-familiar dining room. Over time, Isis had come to accept Ana?s as part of the family and had even begun showing kindness toward her, especially after Oupiou was born.

  Nepthys, Osiris, and Horus were already seated at the table and welcomed them with the same enthusiasm. Every week, the same routine played out. They shared a meal and discussed the latest news from the Duat and the mortal world, after which the children would run off to play for a few hours while the adults continued their conversations.

  Nepthys now officially resided in the Duat, reclaiming the villa she had once shared with her husband after his servants finally left the territory. She was free at last, as long as she remained in Imentet. Despite her past with Osiris, she and Isis got along reasonably well, and Nepthys had played a significant role in helping raise Horus—something Anubis never failed to mention with ironic amusement.

  Today would be no exception to their routine. The topic of the day was the latest economic measures Seth had implemented to regulate international trade. He had honored Osiris’ request and had not set foot in the gray sands of the Duat again—but the same was true in reverse. Neither Ana?s’ family nor her in-laws had crossed the portals of Kheret-Nedjer since the ritual's completion, especially not their children, whom they protected at all costs in case the canine god decided to eliminate any potential heirs to secure his status as Pharaoh.

  At least, until Horus finally voiced the idea he had been contemplating for weeks:

  "When I’m old enough to challenge him, I will take back Father’s throne," he vowed solemnly, turning to Osiris. "And if you do not want it, I will become Pharaoh in your place. Seth is a thief—he will not go unpunished for all eternity. I will make sure of it."

  A heavy silence fell over the dining room at his words. Determination was etched on his face—there was no point in arguing. The children did not see their exile from the mortal world as a blessing, but rather as a gilded cage. It was only a matter of time before they sought to defy the adults who had imprisoned them.

  Horus’ words marked the beginning of that rebellion.