And I would remind you that he is contained. Your exile in Heliopolis is self-imposed.”
I spoke up. “So when did that happen? Imprisoning Seth, I mean.”
“Despite my feelings on the subject,” Amun-Ra said, “the gods rallied against Seth after he nearly killed Horus, and he was cast out from our home. For a while, he left us in peace. But then Seth realized that if he destroyed the things we’d wrought, the energies of our designs, as feeble and as mortal as they were, would also return to the Waters of Chaos. Those energies would then be refashioned, and a portion, regardless of how minuscule it was, would remain with him. Wars erupted. Murderers thrived. Bloodthirsty men took power. We did what we could to counteract it, but the vow we’d made to use our powers for the benefit of others kept our hands tied. We were unable to contain him. All we could do was try to fix what he destroyed. But he became so skillful at wreaking devastation that there was often nothing left to repair.
“This was when Nephthys presented the idea of imbuing humans with our powers. She sought out three worthy young men who were willing to sacrifice themselves to protect their loved ones, and we gifted the striplings with the power to keep Seth contained. Because they were not limited by our vow, they were able to do what we could not.”
“Not all of the gifts were willingly given, I’ll remind you,” Horus murmured.
Arching a brow, Amun-Ra said, “Some were reluctant, and I’ll admit I was one of them. I was certain we could talk to Seth and figure out a way to resolve his concerns.”
“That’s why I had to step up,” Horus said. “The Ennead approached us for help, and when Amun-Ra wouldn’t comply, I had to offer my powers, as well as the golden falcon, to your Amon.”
I reached across the table and took his hand, and so incredulously happy was his expression, you would think I’d just agreed to marry him. “I’ve ridden on the back of the falcon,” I said. “He’s beautiful. I can see why you miss him.”
Horus wrapped his fingers around mine and squeezed lightly, giving me a genuine smile for the first time, and not one glazed by lust. “He’s been my truest companion since he saved me in the desert,” Horus said earnestly.
I half smiled in return and slowly removed my hand from his. “So Amon and his brothers keep Seth locked up for you, then, by performing the rite they do every thousand years?” I asked.
“Yes. They are the…How should I put it so that you can understand? They are the gatekeepers, the guardians of the prison,” Amun-Ra answered. “But they did not create its walls. A bigger sacrifice was necessary before we could contain him.”
My fingertips tightened on the table edge. “A bigger sacrifice than the Sons of Egypt giving up their lives time and time again? Not being able to live or love freely? Never being able to find happiness for themselves or having a family of their own?”
“Yes,” Amun-Ra answered frankly.
“What’s a bigger sacrifice than that?” I demanded.
“We lost our grandparents,” Horus murmured.
“What?”
“Our grandparents, Shu and Tefnut, willingly gave up their corporeal forms and created a place in the cosmos, a prison made of wind and water that confines Seth. Every millennium, bits and pieces of the beings they once were siphon off and return to the Waters of Chaos. The Sons of Egypt provide reinforcement but it’s really only a matter of time until the prison is weakened enough that he will break through,” Horus said.
Stunned, I asked, “Well, what will you do then?”
“Amun-Ra thinks we should just let it happen. Let Seth come for us.”
“But that means he’ll kill you all,” I said.
“Probably,” Horus answered. “What’s worse, though, is that he’ll destroy everything we’ve created. Including your world.”
“Anubis said he’d enslave us if he got free,” I murmured.
“That’s likely,” Horus said. “Either that or he’d just unmake the entire planet.”
“Look, if there’s one thing in the universe worth living for, worth fighting for, it’s love. I love Amon. He’s suffering and I want to stop his suffering, plain and simple. If that helps the world, even better. If that means Seth stays incarcerated for another couple thousand years, then I’m good with that. I consider him your problem, not mine. Now, the two of you can either help us find Amon or we’ll figure out a way to do it ourselves.