Osiris sat on a large obsidian throne. He has a tall, slender body. His skin was an odd green, matching with his golden eyes. He wore traditional Egyptian royal garb: a pleated kilt, a broad collar necklace riddled with glitters, and a tall, flat-topped crown with two feathers on both sides.

‘Clang.’

As Osiris turned to look at them, the golden chains binding him to his seat moved along with him. There were unnatural wounds and burn marks visible on his exposed skin. Blood, debris and charred objects littered the throne room, hinting of a battle. The loser of that fight sat half conscious while unable to move.

“Osiris…” Thoth didn’t stand around for long. He quickly moved forward but Osiris shook his head, blood streaming out of the gaping cut on his neck.

‘Don’t move.’ Osiris mouthed. His dull eyes staring at the ground in front of Thoth. The wisdom god halted just in time, stepping back and turned to Theodore.

“I can’t see any traps…Why is he telling me to stop?”

Theodore frowned, looking at a particular spot on the floor. A symbol glistened clearly through his True Dragon Eyes. A winged sun disk. The central circle surrounded by intricate wings spread wide with a sense of glory. The celestial aura encircling it gave away its origins. “…There’s something on the ground.”

“Hm?” Thoth lowered to the floor, carefully extending his hand towards the dust-covered stone. His eyes darted to Osiris. The dead god didn’t seem too eager to stop him. Sighing with relief, he tapped the ground.

‘Shing!’

Thoth flinched, pulling his hand back immediately. He staggered backwards as the symbol revealed itself with a bright flash. Its aura of cosmic power panning outwards in every direction, its vine-like arms looking to whip everything that was too close to them. “Ah…to think Ra would use the symbol of protection in such a manner…”

“Can you dispel it?” Theodore backed away as well, his eyes fixated on Osiris’ tattered form. “He doesn’t look too good…Can gods even bleed to death?”

“Osiris has died once…Although…” Thoth suddenly paused. “Even I am not sure. Ra is still the king of the Egyptian deities, but Osiris now follows the rules of the Underworld, as Duat’s ruler, he technically shouldn’t die.”

Theodore shifted his attention to the blaring winged sun disk. Osiris shouldn’t die—No, he ‘can’t’ die. Underworld gods cannot ever be killed in their own domain. That was the written rule of the divine world. But what about sealing them?

He crept closer towards Osiris. The god’s eyes widened as he frantically shook his head. He couldn’t speak, but his intentions were clear: Don’t do something foolish!

Theodore didn’t stop. Why would he? He has a plan. He would never willingly walk into a trap without preparations.

[The ‘Winged Solar Disk’ glares at you!]

[The Unique Spell ‘Chaos Reigns’ is in effect!]

[The ‘Winged Solar Disk’ had lost sight of its target. Its effects ‘Divine Protection’ has been deactivated!]

Thoth’s beak fell open. “How…How did you get through?”

Theodore turned around. His body engulfed in a chaotic energy, it occasionally clashed against the sun disk’s cosmic aura, but it would be brushed off the moment it made contact. “I’m a God of Chaos. Breaking rules are kind of my thing.”

Thoth didn’t reply for a few seconds, then abruptly bursted into a fit of laughter. His hand shot to his beak as he shook his head. “Oh that’s right…You do specialize in such things…Can I go through like you?”

“I’m not sure if I can control my magic to that extent.” Theodore looked at Osiris. “Better not risk blipping you out of existence, no?”

“…” Thoth lowered his hand. “That’s…Yes, I’ll promptly wait here then.”

Theodore trudged over to the throne, watching Osiris relaxed against his seat. The blood-soaked golden chains reflected his image back to him. Shivers ran down his spine. Why did he have to notice that sinister image?

He shook the thoughts out of his head, focusing on the matter at hand first. He held out one hand and a glow of warmth and divinity flowed from his palm, replacing the eerie air around him with waves of serene energy.

[Asclepius’ Secrets.]

It drifted towards Osiris, twirling around until it enveloped his entire form in a gentle pulsing aura. The wounds on his body slowly sealed shut, flesh growing to replace what was missing, they stitched back into place as if a skilled surgeon was on the scene. Color flushed back into Osiris’ expression, and life shone in his dull golden eyes.

Osiris pushed himself upwards, finding himself filled with renewed energy. Although the chains around him persistently held him place. He could only adjust his posture slightly. “You have my gratitude…”

“Theodore.”

“…A unique and fitting name you have, Theodore. I thank you once again.” Osiris smiled, though his eyes gave a solemn shine. “It is unfortunate that we don’t have much time for chatter. Ra…Ra has gone mad.”

“We already know,” Theodore reactivated Chaos Reigns and traced his fingers along the golden chains. They gave off a similar air to the winged sun disk, all he had to do now was figure out how to break them. “Do you know where he’s headed?”

“He spoke about conquering the human realm, so I assume that would be his destination.” Osiris frowned. “He took everything here as well.”

Theodore paused, his eyes darted to the god. “What do you mean ‘he took everything’? What did he take?”

“The undead army,” The dead god’s spoke in a tone filled with bitterness. “And…Anubis…he took Anubis with him.”

“What!?” Thoth suddenly screamed, gathering all eyes on him. He cleared his throat after realizing that he was projecting his surprise. “I…My apologies…It just sounds so atrocious…”

“I gave Anubis full reign over the undead army…” Osiris shook his head. “I refused to transfer the power over to Ra, so he placed Anubis under a curse and took him in front of my eyes…I’m sorry. I’ve failed as Duat’s ruler. I was too weak to defend my own realm.”

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“It’s not your fault.” Theodore returned to fumbling with the chains. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead as he focused on manipulating the power of Chaos. He could feel it. The impossibly fortified wall of power was about to break. “Ra took Anubis hostage, it’s only right that you hold in your frustrations and not risk your subjects’ life.”

‘Snap!’

Theodore poured in his divine mana, breaking the chains into small chunks of metal. They fumed whatever little power they had left in them as they fell to the floor and disintegrated into fine dust.

[The ‘Sun God’s Binds’ has been destroyed.]

[The ‘Pharaoh of Duat’ has been freed from divine restraints.]

Theodore stepped back as Osiris got up from his throne. The god looked at the winged sun disk on the ground and waved his hand, instantly, the symbol shattered, disappearing after giving off one last dying flicker. “You are quite skilled with the power you wield, child. Your mother must be proud.”

Theodore’s eyes slightly widened. He knew what Osiris was trying to convey. “…You could tell?”

The god laughed, his chuckles deep and short, filled with the dignity of a king. “How can I not notice? Apophis used to fight with Ra right here in the Underworld.”

Theodore shook his head. This wasn’t the time to be talking. “Anyway, I need to get to the human world as fast as I can. Ra blocked off all entries with some sort of spell so the Underworld is the only passage.”

Osiris stroked his goatee in thought. “Of course I shall help, but I can’t simply send you off like this.”

“…What, what do you mean?”

“You are practically going to battle with no weapon or armor,” Osiris glanced at Thoth. The gleam in his eyes spoke volumes: Why did you keep your silence? “Before you leave, I shall bestow you some artifacts from the treasury. They are a lot better than whatever scraps you are currently wearing.”

Theodore looked down at himself, frowning intensely. Scraps? He might’ve made them on a whim but he liked the Pride’s Royal Gown. He didn’t bother voicing his displeasure though and nodded along. “Okay, thank you…I’ll be sure to rescue Anubis for you.”

Osiris smiled. “Excellent, you have all my gratitude. Now then, let us not waste anymore time.”

The entire hall suddenly shook with a snap of his fingers. The wall to Osiris’ right slid away, revealing a long dark tunnel leading somewhere deeper into the palace. Theodore couldn’t see anything even with True Dragon Eyes, only some stairs were noticeable at the end of the road.

Thoth moved first. He grabbed one of the torches mounted to the wall. “I shall lead the way.”

“If you could, Thoth.” Osiris followed. He placed his hands behind his back, smiling at the wisdom god with a tilted of his head. His eyes briefly turned to meet with Theodore. “…Why did you not tell him?”

“…What do you mean, Your Majesty?” One could never tell the expression of an animal, but Thoth couldn’t hide his nervousness behind his shaking voice.

Theodore silently walked behind them as Thoth threaded into the darkness. The fire from his torch danced along with his silhouette reflected on the black stone walls. He could clearly hear their conversation, but it seemed that Osiris intended it to be that way. They were whispering, though the environment didn’t allow for secrets to be kept.

“Oh you know, esteemed God of Wisdom,” Osiris emphasized deeply on Thoth’s title. The wisdom god couldn’t meet with his eyes. His unwavering smile overshadowed by the silhouettes sent an unknown shiver down his spine. “Does the name ‘Void Blade’ ring any bells?”

“Yes.” Thoth answered immediately. His steps turned shallow and hasty. Eventually he would stop walking altogether, turning around to face both gods. “I do know of such a Void Blade…But I have my reasons for not speaking about it.”

“And what would that be?” Theodore didn’t get the chance to speak at all, Osiris took the lead first. The narrow, dark corridor suddenly felt suffocating, more than it already was.

“…” Thoth’s gaze landed on Theodore. The steadiness returned to his tone after a moment of silence. “Theodore…You are still a young snakelete…I simply can’t bring myself to let you handle such a dangerous weapon.”

Theodore’s brows knotted. What did he just hear? He shook his head. “Thoth, I’ll decide on my own whether or not I want to use that Void Blade. Even if it’s so dangerous that I might die by holding it, if it can help me finish this damn fight once and for all, I’m willing to take that risk.”

“But…!”

“Thoth,” Osiris placed a hand on his shoulder. The smile on his face grew smaller, but didn’t disappear. “The weapon won’t harm its rightful wielder. The Void Blade ‘needs’ to choose Theodore, it has no other options.”

The wisdom god looked away. He let out a long sigh after a moment of silence, then turned back around and strode forward. “…My apologies…The Void Blade is not a simple weapon, I was afraid of ‘that’ happening.”

That? Theodore followed from behind. He looked at Osiris, realizing that the god was also looking back at him. “…What?”

“Curious, are you not?” The dead god crooked his neck to the side. Why did he bother asking when he already knew the answer? Theodore nodded back and the god smiled. “I’ll tell you about the Void Blade…and a certain event only a few are aware of.”

They made a turn, coming face to face with a large steel gate adorned with hieroglyphics. The intricate symbols told an unknown story, their meaning left to one’s speculations. The images weaved around a circular disk in the middle, reflecting their own visage on its sapphire-like surface. It resembled the gemstone seen in Osiris' throne room, though this one was clear as glass. A cross-like symbol with a large eye adorned the disk.

It was the Osiris’ symbol.

“Long before the beginning of modern civilization,” Osiris started as he waved at the door. It made a loud creak, sliding away to reveal what was inside. It was almost blinding. Mountains upon mountains of gold and gems littered the large room, spanning as far as the eyes could see.

Osiris took the lead while continuing his story. “There was once a dangerous path through the Underworld. It was where Ra and his solar barque would journey around the world. It was also where he would face his greatest nemesis: Serpent God of Chaos, Apophis.”

He took them through a pathway down the middle. Being surrounded by nothing but glitters gave a slightly magical yet bitter feeling. All of this gold could only sit around as mere decorations in the land of the dead. “It continued to be that way for a very…very long time. But you already knew that, didn't you? The real story of the Void Blade begins when Apophis appeared in a humanoid form.”

Theodore listened closely. His feet moving out of his conscious thoughts. His mother was a snake, and there should be no reason to use a form she wasn’t used to, he understood that better than anyone else…So why?

“It was that day when Apophis gained a…consciousness. She could finally act out of the Chain of Destiny’s bounds. She did not have to fight endlessly with Ra any longer. She was free.” Osiris’ eyes grew distant. His thoughts clouded with the remanence of the past. “However, Ra didn’t like such sudden change.”

“…But why?” Theodore’s frown deepened. “It doesn’t make any sense. No one had to fight anymore, why would Ra continue that meaningless…endless struggle?”

Greed for power? Being king is already enough, right? Osiris shook his head as if he’d read Theodore’s thoughts. “Betrayal and avarice lies in every mythology, Theodore. Ra isn’t the lawful God of Order even I used to believe that he is…He’d always coveted more…His ambition didn’t lie just on the human world’s conquest, but also all of heaven itself.”

“All of heaven? How, how did you know all of this?”

“Chaos and Order clashed in the Underworld,” Osiris no longer had a smile on his face. His kingly aura gave his stern expression an even more imposing look. Theodore had a hard time meeting eyes with him. “I am its ruler. Everything that happens in Duat, I shall know. Ra had made me swore secrecy along with my subjects…Anubis and Thoth, but I will no longer fear those foolish words from eons ago.”

“…The Void Blade,” Theodore shifted his eyes to the front. It was barely visible among the looming towers of riches, but he spotted something hovering out of place in the distance. “What does that have to do with what you’re telling me so far?”

“Apophis realized Ra’s greed earlier than us,” Osiris shook his head. The long, tired sigh that followed after was filled with gloom like he’d just recalled something unpleasant. “She created the Void Blade out of her blood and scales…It’s only purpose was to bring down who she referred to as…the False Ruler, Ra.”

“…” Theodore finally discerned the identity of the floating object in front of him. It was a longsword, its blade crafted from what appeared to be the finest black steel, adorned with patterns resembling a snake’s scales. The cross-shaped guard featured a ruby at its center, shining like blood in the soft glow of the glittering gold. The handle was wrapped in dark crimson cloth, though some spots appeared darker than the rest, as if tainted with something ominous. “She lost, didn’t she?”

“All because of our foolish beliefs.” Osiris held his head low. “We followed Ra into battle…Believing that Apophis had created something to destroy the Underworld along with Creation…It was when we’d chased her away that we realized our mistakes.”

“And only a few of you know, huh.” Theodore mumbled. His steps slowed down as they got closer to the sword.

“…’This day’s actions shall not escape Duat’s bounds’, was what Ra had told me—No, his tone back then was unlike what I’ve heard from him before…That was an order.” Osiris furrowed his brows. “He worded his threats as a test of our loyalty. We could never win against the oblivious gods above. We could do nothing but keep our silence. That is until you appeared.”

Osiris gestured towards the floating sword. “It’s time for the Void Blade to fulfill its purpose.”

Theodore swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. He was anchored to the spot, unable to tear his gaze away from the weapon. Its uncanny aura seemed to be pulling him towards it, yet it also filled him with cold unease. The legendary Void Blade—with its unknown power and potential to slay even the king of gods. Maybe it was because of his divine blood, but Theodore couldn't help but feel a deep-seated fear of its immense power.

“Theodore,” Thoth’s firm voice pulled him out of his thoughts. “That fear is nothing but primal, rooted instincts. The Void Blade is a god-slaying weapon, it’s only natural that your body feels content to move closer.”

Theodore bit his lips, a frown arching on his forehead. Fear? He couldn’t be thinking of backing off now. He needed this power, whether or not it had the probability of turning on him instead.

He sucked in a deep breath, letting his worries drift away as he exhaled. He threaded closer to the sword. One step. Two steps. It was now within arms’ length.

[A…Apophis?]

“No,” Theodore pushed his fear away. Of course the sword can talk. But it gave him more of a reason to not back out: to send a message that he’s not prey. He extended his hand, reaching for the grip of the blade. “But I’ll still be a perfect match for you.”