Origin of Evil

By Sinistral

 

 

Part Two: Dark Nexus

 

Chapter Four: The Baleful Legacy

 

 

The four semi-orphaned sons of Menas and Charmian were brought up alongside the royal twins Horus and Iras, and all the while they were carefully watched lest they began to display any attributes associated with their banished father. There were no noticeable characteristics except for the strange fiery symbol on each of their chests that depicted a double-headed black snake with its body intertwined on bright red disc. Osiris and his siblings had all seen that mark on the body of Menas and so were wary of its presence. Osiris had asked the Book of Creation about the symbol but the magical tome could only provide him with an urge to stay cautious. It was by no means a consolation to the troubled King.

 

Abydos, Anquat, Athothis and Arbchee were such normal children that Osiris and the others soon abandoned any notions that they could be a threat in any way. Isis, however, kept a watchful eye over her nephews, especially when they were in the company of her own children. She of all people could remember the trickery of her one time brother and how his charms had worked on the others. She would never allow it happen again. That she had sworn to.

 

When the children were six years old an incident occurred which troubled Isis very much, one that revealed a great deal, in her mind, about the true destiny of the four brothers. It was a peaceful afternoon and Osiris and Anubis had decided to take the children on an excursion to the lands that surrounded the Citadel, including the ruins of Seraphina. The adults all felt that the time had come for the children to learn some of the Spirit World’s history. The only ones that were to stay behind were Iras and Abydos. Iras had had no intention of being part the expedition, despite the angry tones of her father. Isis reassured Osris that their daughter would learn when she was ready and that forcing her would have the opposite effect. But Abydos’s situation was much more serious for he had deliberately disobeyed his uncle. Abydos had ignored Osiris and entered the northwest tower to examine the Book of Creation. Osiris had ordered that none of the children enter that chamber in case they came to any harm and so was very distressed when he discovered his nephew casually leafing through the powerful volume. He had to set an example and as a result Abydos would have to miss the trip. Abydos had vibrantly displayed his anger at the decision but was not listened to. For Abydos was a young individual for whom the Universe was but a huge auditorium for his concerns alone.

 

Once the party had left Thoth headed for the northwest tower where he was discussing the history of the Spirit World’s plant life with the Book of Creation. Thoth already had stacks of manuscripts from notes he had taken down while conversing with the Book and he was slowly preparing a manual on the medicinal properties of certain flowers. Isis, meanwhile, took Iras and Abydos to the children’s playroom and set them down together.

 

“Now you two behave while I go and finish the remedy I’ve been preparing. I will be back to check on you soon.”

 

“Goodbye mother,” called Iras in her shrill voice as Isis disappeared down the hallway.

 

“Oh goodbye mother,” mocked Abydos, with a scowl at his cousin.

 

“You’re just jealous because you missed out on the trip.”

 

“No. I didn’t want to go on that stupid trip anyway.”

 

The look on his face, however, told a different story. Iras could read her vexed cousin like a book. Abydos was so loud and boisterous that few failed to notice him and all that he did. He had established at a very young age his status as a rule breaker, a bully and a cheat. A young Menas-in-the-making he was indeed and that was a sobering thought to the adult congregation of the White Citadel. 

 

“So what do you want to do Abydos?” said Iras sighing. “Mother says I must try to be nice to you, even though you are never nice to anyone. I don’t understand you at all.”

 

She was not too keen on three of her four cousins and she spent most of her time away from them. Horus got on well with them unless he was fighting with Abydos. They had been bitter rivals ever since she could remember. The only one she liked was Anquat because he occasionally defended her when the others picked on her. But she was ready to do anything to please her parents and if that meant being nice to Abydos then she was prepared to do so.

 

“I don’t want to do anything with you,” spat Abydos. “I hate you. I want to go and see that magic book again.”

 

“No! Father said that we mustn’t do that.”

 

“So how will he know?”

 

“But father makes the rules. He’ll be cross, just like he was when you went there yesterday. Why can’t you learn to…”

 

“He’s not my father! Just leave me alone!”

 

Iras shrugged her shoulders and walked to the other side of the room. Abydos glared at her and looked out of the window. He could see the others walking off into the distance. His fists were clenched. He wanted something but he did not know what it was. And until he knew what it was he would take out his frustration on those around him. He decided to taunt Iras.

 

“I’d bet Uncle Osiris would allow you into that room Iras. You are his little princess.”

 

“You know father said that none of us could go into that room.”

 

“But you know he would. He puts you and Horus first.”

 

“That’s because we are his children. You don’t even have any parents.”

 

Abydos grew more and more infuriated with Iras. The children had never been told the truth about what had really happened with Menas and Charmian. Osiris had told them that they both died of illness but Abydos refused to believe it. He was sure that there was more.

 

“I do so have parents!” he shouted. “They were great Gods of the Spirit World.”

 

“So where are they? They’re dead and you know it.”

 

Abydos lunged at his cousin and pinned her to the ground. Iras struggled to get away from him.

 

“Take that back!” he cried.

 

“But it’s the truth!” she screamed. “Mother help!”

 

Abydos clamped his hand over her mouth and pulled her up. He took her by the hair with his other hand and began to drag her out of the room.

 

 

 

 

Isis heard Iras’s cry and raced to the children’s playroom. She found it empty and deathly still. Maternal panic began to fill the desperate Queen.

 

“Iras! Abydos! Where are you?”

 

Stubborn silence remained.

 

“I knew something like this would happen one day. Osiris was always too lenient. He knows Abydos has a temper. That boy is nothing but trouble. When I get to the bottom of this I will see to it that he learns to obey the laws of this world like everybody else.”

 

She ran out of the room and down corridors crying out for the children. After a while she ran into Thoth, who had been alerted by her cries and had come to see what the matter was. He looked bemused and slightly annoyed, as if a serious train of thought had been disrupted.

 

“What’s happened?” he asked.

 

“I heard Iras scream and then I went to the nursery. She and Abydos were gone!”

 

“Calm down Isis. I know what you are thinking. You think that Abydos has done something to Iras don’t you. You must not be so paranoid. They are children for Ra’s sake. They are probably playing some kind of elaborate game. Nothing to worry about.”

 

“I don’t trust him. I believe Abydos to be capable of great evil.”

 

“You must stop letting your hatred of Menas cloud your judgement. They are also Charmian’s children or have you forgotten? We swore an oath to protect them.”

 

“I’m sorry Thoth but you have to understand that I put my own children’s safety first, no matter what.”

 

Thoth shrugged and shook his head. He often wondered why he was the only one who ever saw sense. Isis looked at him with an expression of both fear and exasperation. She did not always care for Thoth’s favour of theory over practice. She appreciated his wisdom but in a situation such as this she was ready for action rather than discussion.

 

“If you must I will come with you to look for them,” agreed Thoth, with a sympathetic wink.

 

“Thank you Thoth.”

 

Brother and sister began to search the immense fortress for Iras and Abydos. After several hours of ceaseless searching they could still not find them. By this time Isis was not only frightened but also angry.

 

“I’m very concerned Thoth,” said Isis. “We should have found them by now. I fear that something serious has happened.”

 

“I’m starting to agree with you,” replied Thoth, who was slowly growing sceptical of his own wisdom in the light of the situation.

 

A loud scream suddenly reverberated around the citadel. Isis and Thoth glanced about frantically.

 

“Iras!” cried Isis. “Did you hear that!”

 

“Yes, it came from above somewhere. Follow me.”

 

They ran up to the next level. All the while the screams became louder and louder.

 

“I think that the screams are coming from the roof,” observed Thoth. “Ra knows what the children are doing up there!”

 

“Abydos!” shouted the irate Isis. “When I get hold of you!”

 

When they reached the roof they could clearly hear the screaming. They looked around. There was nothing in sight.

 

“Where are you my daughter?” cried Isis.

 

“I’m here mother!” screamed Iras from nearby, clearly distressed and crying loudly.

 

Isis could still not see where Iras’s reply had come from. Thoth looked around more carefully.

 

“Where are you Iras?” he called out. “Tell us so that we can find you.”

 

“”Here,” she cried. “Down here!”

 

Thoth ran to the edge of the battlements and found Iras clinging to the side, utterly terrified. Thoth lent down and scooped her up in his arms. She hugged her uncle tightly. Isis ran to her daughter and kissed her again and again. After a few moments Isis asked the question she had been waiting to ask.

 

“Did Abydos do this to you?”

 

“Yes,” she replied.

 

“I knew it Thoth! Did I not tell you what a menace that boy is! Wait till I get my hands on him!”

 

“What happened?” asked Thoth.

 

“I was talking to Abydos about his parents and he got angry and pulled me out of the nursery. Then he took me up here and pushed me off.”

 

She burst into tears and Isis held her close. Thoth looked tremulously concerned.

 

“Do you know where Abydos is now?”

 

“No. I don’t know any more. Please can we go down now mother?”

 

“Yes of course my dear,” said Isis tenderly, turning to Thoth. “Find Abydos. As much as I dislike that wretch he is still a child after all. He has no true understanding of things and cannot be expected to follow to path of reason indefinitely until he is older.”

 

Isis picked up her daughter and they left the roof level. Thoth followed silently, noting his sister’s sudden change of heart. When they were inside again they heard a sudden loud bang. Thoth closed is eyes and gritted his teeth. He had expected as much.

 

“What in great Ra!” cried Thoth. “That came from the northwest tower. Abydos must be in there tampering with the Book again. Out of bounds I thought we said!”

 

“You know he doesn’t listen,” said Isis. “Quickly before he hurts himself.”

 

When Thoth arrived in the northwest tower all was calm. He walked in and saw the body of Abydos lying unconscious on the floor. The Book of Creation was back on its stand.

 

“The little fool, ” said Thoth sadly and he waked over to his nephew and picked up his limp body. “What happened here?”

 

“This is not the first time Thoth,” answered the Book. “He was here yesterday asking the same question. King Osiris was there to stop him before things got out of hand but this time I had to resort to defensive behaviour.”

 

“What was he asking and what did you do?”

 

“He was asking about his father. I thought he was told what happened?”

 

“Yes but he has been reluctant to believe what we told him to be true. He knows there is more than we are letting on. Abydos has been more forceful than his brothers but they too have shown the signs of suspicion.”

 

“I think that it is time they were told the truth.”

 

“Maybe you are right but Osiris must have the final say in this,” sighed Thoth, looking down at the still body of his nephew. “How did he achieve his current status?”

 

“When I refused to tell him what he wanted to know he became angry and struck out. He attacked me using powers that should have been impossible for one so young. I fear that he may truly be his father’s son. And I would not put it past the other three brothers.”

 

“I will speak with the others. This cannot be ignored.”

 

“Heed my words.”

 

But when Osiris and the expedition returned that evening he would not at all heed the Book’s advice.

 

“They are far too young to know the truth,” argued Osiris. “They will not understand. It is best that it remains hidden until they are old enough to appreciate the truth. The real story behind their parent’s absence would be far too damaging. I want that to be an end to it.”

 

“But Osiris you must at least consider it,” protested Thoth. “Abydos used advanced magical powers.”

 

“I’m sure that the Book was exaggerating. I’m sorry Thoth but I am in charge here. I am going to make sure that none of the children ever enter that room again.”

 

Osiris walked off in the direction of the northwest tower. Isis and Anubis gave Thoth a sympathetic look.

 

“I wish Osiris would listen,” sighed Thoth. “The Book of Creation has warned against not telling them about Menas and what he did.”

 

“But I think Osiris has a point when he said that they would not understand,” said Isis. “Think of how young they are. Such a revelation could seriously disturb them. Of course they must know but not right now.”

 

Thoth nodded but still looked uneasy. The siblings parted in separate directions.

 

 

 

 

That evening Osiris and Isis sat together in their bedchamber. Osiris had his head in Isis’s lap and looked very troubled. Isis sensed her husband’s anxiety and tried her best to soothe him.

 

“What is the matter my love?” she asked. “Are you upset about what happened today. I warned you that Abydos has a strong will and cannot be stopped by any means other than force. He is still a child but he will become an adult one day.”

 

“And what if he becomes his father?” said Osiris nervously. “What then?”

 

“We must make sure that he does not. Perhaps it is time to reveal the truth to Abydos and his brothers?”

 

“No, it is not the right time. I intend to tell them myself when the time is right. For now the best I can do is prevent the children from meddling with things they don’t understand.”

 

“What did you do?”

 

“I have sealed the door to the northwest tower so that only Thoth, Anubis, you and I can enter. That room is not to be entered by children, not only Abydos and his brothers, but our children too. Horus and Iras must also be protected from their own curiosity. Horus in particular, as his fate is bound to the Book of Creation as is mine. I gave Abydos a very severe admonishment earlier today. Tomorrow I intend to speak to all six children about the seriousness of this matter.”

 

“As you wish my dear. Thoth was not sure that your decision was a wise one. The Book of Creation has spoken differently on the matter.”

 

“Even so, the Book of Creation may have untold powers of wisdom but it is still subordinate to my will. It has still failed to explain the meaning of those strange symbols on the chests of the four brothers. The Book’s limited knowledge has been rather apparent in the past, especially when it failed to save our beloved Charmian from her fate. This time I must stand by my principles. If not then what do I have left?”

 

“You are quite right. But you still have those who love you around you.”

 

Osiris lifted his head and kissed his wife.

 

“I wish all this trouble with Menas and Charmian and Armon had never happened.”

 

“We all do Osiris. There was nothing that any of us could have done.”

 

“But I still should have been there to protect Charmian.”

 

“Don’t you think that I too wish I had been there in time? I was the one who found her lifeless body. Do you know what that was like for me?”

 

Osiris nodded sadly but then smiled again.

 

“At least Armon is doing well. He has kept his promise. He has made a strong leader and there have been no further demands from the people of Earth. Let us hope that it remains that way.”

 

 

 

 

That night Isis woke with a start. The room was in darkness as it must have been the very middle of the night. She could feel Osiris fast asleep next to her and so was reluctant to move too much in case she woke him. She was about to go back to sleep when she saw a strange bright light coming from under the closed door at the end of the bedchamber. She got out of bed as silently as she could and made her way slowly towards the door.

 

When she opened the door she had to shield her eyes from the brightness of the light. She hurriedly closed the door behind her so as not to disturb her sleeping husband. She looked forward and nearly fainted at the sight. The four brothers, Abydos, Anquat, Athothis and Arbchee, were all sitting around one figure. It was Charmian.

 

“Charmian!” cried Isis as she ran towards her sister. “How can this be? I cannot believe it. You, you…”

 

Charmian smiled but did not say anything. Her sons were all huddled around her. They all looked at Isis strangely as if they did not recognize her. Isis moved closer to them. As she approached they all moved back as if frightened.

 

“What is the matter? Sister, what is wrong?”

 

Isis was slowly becoming agitated as she came closer and closer to what she could scarcely fathom.

 

“Semna,” said Charmian.

 

“What?”

 

“The marvellous, malicious Semna,” she said again.

 

“What do you mean? Who is Semna?”

 

“All hail the omnipotent Semna! The iniquitous Semna! The ubiquitous Semna! The unholy Semna!”

 

The four brothers began to chant endlessly. Isis looked around the hallway, glancing in every direction. She began to panic. She looked back at Charmian and noticed that she was now sitting alone.

 

“Where are your sons?”

 

“All hail Lord Semna!”

 

Isis suddenly noticed to her horror that a large black snake was coiled around Charmian’s body. She ran towards her sister but it was too late. The snake buried its fangs into Charmian’s neck. She fell to the floor lifelessly.

 

Isis raced to her sister’s body. The face was facing the floor and when Isis reached the body it turned around to face her. Isis jumped back in terror. Charmian’s face had contorted into a hideous grimace.

 

“Semna!” she cried.

 

The large black snake leapt out of her open mouth and onto Isis. Isis shrieked and tried to throw the snake off her neck. After several minutes she managed to get it off and it slivered across the hallway in the direction of Horus and Iras’s bedchamber.

 

“The children!”

 

Isis chased after the snake. After what seemed like hours of running she made it to the door of her children’s bedroom. She walked in and ran to their bedsides. Their eyes were open and they were both as white as sheets. She felt them. They were as cold and hard as stone.

 

“No!” she cried helplessly.

 

She picked up her daughter but the weight was too much and she dropped her. Her body hit the ground and smashed into pieces, like glass.

 

Isis could not take any more. She left her children’s chamber and ran back towards her room to tell Osiris. She could hardly think straight. Tears blinded her eyes. Eventually she reached her bedchamber and opened the door. It was not her bedchamber.

 

She found herself in the throne room of the Citadel. On the floor were two motionless bodies. As she approached them she recognized who they were.

 

“Thoth! Anubis!”

 

Both were still and undeniably dead. They had the same ghostly appearance of her children. She looked up and noticed, to her surprise, Osiris sitting on his throne. He looked distant and horribly pale.

 

“Osiris!”

 

He came down off his throne and ran towards her. Isis ran to him and hugged him frantically.

 

“Osiris the children are dead! Thoth, Anubis…”

 

“I know,” he said. “But Semna rules here now.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Semna’s unholy legacy. The dawning of the dark age, the union of terror.”

 

Isis ignored what he was saying and hid her face in his arms. After several seconds the body she was holding became as cold as ice. She looked up and saw that he too was as dead as the others. She shrieked and dropped the body to the floor. As she looked around she was struck with the awful reality of the situation. She was alone. Everything and everyone she held dear were gone forever.

 

“All alone my dear,” said a cold voice out of nowhere. “Only you stand between me and my destiny. There is no point in resistance. You, like the others, must succumb to me. Give in to Semna’s seductive sinfulness.”

 

Isis suddenly noticed that the same black snake was now coiled around Osiris’s throne. It’s hooded head looked at her and hissed.

 

“What are you?” she cried.

 

“I am the all-powerful Semna,” said the snake. “I have finally achieved what I have waited for all these years. You must die now. Beware the heights!”

 

“What?”

 

There was a scream from behind. Isis whirled round. She was standing on the roof, in the same place as she had been the day before.

 

“Help! Help! Mother!” cried a familiar shill voice.

 

“Iras! But how?”

 

Isis could not understand but her motherly instincts were too strong. Her daughter was in trouble.

 

“Where are you Iras!” called Isis, but she had already guessed.

 

The cries were coming from the battlements.

 

“How did she get there again? Hold on my darling. I’m coming!”

 

Isis raced to the battlements and lent over. Two hands came up and took hold of hers. It was not Iras! It was the black snake, Semna, this time with the body of a man. The snake emitted a familiar malicious laugh and spat venom in her face.

 

“The time has come. Down to your doom.”

 

It pulled Isis over the edge. She fell into the darkness screaming. Down, down, down.

 

“Isis!”

 

“Get away from me monster!”

 

“Monster? You must have been dreaming.”

 

Isis opened her eyes. She was lying in bed next to Osiris, who was looking at her with a startled expression on his face.

 

“Osiris, you’re alive!”

 

“Of course I’m alive. What are you talking about? What did you dream?”

 

“Dream?”

 

“You were crying out in your sleep.”

 

Isis suddenly realised. It had all been a terrible dream. There was no snake. Everyone was still alive.

 

“I’m sorry Osiris but I had the most terrible dream.”

 

Isis proceeded to tell Osiris of the nightmare. When she had finished Osiris stroked his chin and frowned in deep thought.

 

“This snake called itself Semna and spoke of its final triumph over all of us?”

 

“Yes. And then it pulled me off the battlements.”

 

“I think that I have found the answer. The dream was perhaps a manifestation of your anxiety. The name Semna can be rearranged to spell Menas can it not. It is an anagram and the black snake was a metaphor.

 

“My ultimate fear is that Menas returns to get his revenge.”

 

“That will never happen. Not as long as I have the Supernova. I will always be here to protect us all. Besides, Menas will never return from exile. It is inconceivable.”

 

“I hope you are right. I cannot help feeling that what I have dreamt is a sort of premonition.”

 

Osiris raised his eyebrows and turned over to go back to sleep. Isis settled down and began to feel slightly better.

 

“Try not to think about it Isis,” said Osiris, sleepily. “Clear your mind of thoughts.”

 

“I will try. I promise.”

 

But as soon as Osiris had fallen asleep Isis’s temporary calmness turned into fear again. There was more to the dream than met the eye and she knew it.

 

Continued

 

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