Page 86 of Monsters in Love: Lost in the Underworld

The second trial was a test of strength and endurance. A massive, shifting labyrinth unfolded before me, its walls made of dark stone that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy. I navigated the maze, feeling the pressure of time and the weight of unseen eyes upon me. Were the other deities watching me fumble through this mess?

Anubis’ presence was a constant, though he remained eerily silent as I worked through the physical challenge. His silence was unsettling; it was as if his gaze was both a burden and a source of encouragement. I should have brought some pom poms for him as he stood on the sidelines.

“You know,” the spirit’s voice chimed in again, “this maze looks like it was designed by someone who hates fun. Ever thought about taking a shortcut?”

“Why don’t you go bother someone else?” I shot back, annoyed. He was like a fly that kept buzzing in my ear.

Yalin’s light flickered with a hint of annoyance. “I’m only here to keep you on your toes. Besides, it’s not my fault you’re the one who’s stuck in this mess.”

As I emerged from the labyrinth, exhausted but triumphant, Yalin’s spirit hovered nearby, its light flickering with a mix of condescension and reluctant admiration. “Well, look at you. You managed to find your way out. Impressive, I suppose.”

“Don’t get used to it,” I retorted, wiping sweat from my brow. “Your sarcastic commentary isn’t exactly what I’d call motivating. And why are you even allowed to follow me? Isn’t this, like, cheating?”

The final trial was one of the heart—a confrontation with my deepest fears and regrets. The chamber was a dark void, andas I stepped into it, I was surrounded by spectral visions of my past mistakes and moments of regret. Like when I should have woken up early for that buy-one-get-one sale on knives back in the States. Such a missed opportunity. I had to use a dull serrated one on my ex because his cheap ass never bought me a knife sharpener.

As I faced my last ghost—a haunting figure of a person I had killed by accident because he was a witness to another of my kills—I felt a profound sense of release. The specter faded, and the chamber brightened, signaling the end of the trial.

The Hall of Two Truths seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as I completed the trials. Anubis, still a figure of stoic authority standing from afar, finally spoke. “You have faced the trials with courage and resolve. The truths you sought are now yours to embrace.”

Yalin’s light hovered near, his presence less intrusive but still evident. “Well, you survived. Congratulations. I suppose I can admit that if I was in your shoes, I’d probably kill me too.”

“Really?” I said with exasperation, wondering why he was still following us around.

Before I could leave, without warning, the atmosphere around us shifted.

I turned to see a new presence: Ma'at, the goddess of truth and cosmic order, appeared with a grace that seemed to bend the very fabric of the hall. She leaned casually against one of the imposing columns, her figure radiating an effortless elegance. Her robes, a shimmering cascade of gold and deep blue, caught the dim light of the chamber, giving her an almost ethereal glow.Her gaze was fixed on Anubis, and her lips curled into a playful smirk.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Ma'at’s voice was melodic and teasing, the lilt of her tone carrying an undercurrent of amusement. “Anubis, I see you’ve found yourself a new companion. And not just any companion, but one with a rather rebellious streak. How charmingly unconventional.”

Anubis’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Ma'at with a mixture of irritation and wary respect. “Ma’at. To what do we owe this… intrusion?”

“Oh, don’t be so glum,” Ma’at replied, her voice a lilting melody that seemed to dance through the hall. “I was simply passing through and couldn’t resist a peek at this new drama unfolding in the Underworld. You’ve been so absorbed in your duties that I thought a little distraction might be in order.”

She turned her attention to me, her gaze lingering with a curious blend of amusement and intrigue. “And you must be Mara, the intrepid undead soul who managed to stumble into Anubis’s carefully ordered chaos. I must say, you have a rather delightful way of upending the norms. How do you manage to keep him so… disconcerted?”

I raised an eyebrow, matching her playful tone with a hint of defiance. “Well, if I’m upsetting the grand order of things, it must mean I’m doing something right. Besides, I haven’t seen you around before. Are you always this… casually involved in others’ business?”

Ma’at’s laughter was a soft, melodious sound that filled the hall. “I do enjoy a bit of mischief from time to time as Anubis can attest to.” She winked at him and my back stiffened with a hintof jealousy. “It’s a rare pleasure to see someone so thoroughly stir the pot. Anubis here has been so stoic and serious for eons. It’s refreshing to see him ruffled, even if just a little.”

Anubis shifted, clearly displeased by the turn of events. “Ma’at, if you have something to say, perhaps it would be better suited to a time when it does not disrupt the proceedings.”

Ma’at raised a slender hand in a mock gesture of apology. “Oh, relax. I’m merely here to observe, not to interfere. Though, I must admit, watching you navigate these trials with such fervor is quite entertaining. And the way you kept your intense gaze on the girl…”

“What exactly do you need, might I ask? I don’t want to hold up Anubis and his duties, as you know,” I snapped a bit harsher than anticipated, her presence stirring something feral within me.

Ma’at’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before she let out a raw laugh. “Oh, such fire! I suppose it’s not every day that one stumbles upon a situation so delightfully perplexing. I was merely curious about your... connection to Anubis. It’s not often I see him so… preoccupied.”

Anubis’s gaze hardened, his nostrils flaring. His usual composure seemed momentarily shaken, a hint of frustration flashing across his features. Was I really the problem? I thought I was entertaining him. Was he frustrated with me like she insinuated?

Ma’at’s words echoed in my mind, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was here just to stir trouble where there hadn’t been any. Her presence seemed designed to provoke doubts andstir up discord, turning what was already a daunting situation into something more than what it was.

I glanced sideways at Anubis, trying to gauge his true feelings through his stern facade. Was he genuinely displeased with me, or was Ma’at simply manipulating the situation to amuse herself? I had thought my presence here might have added an element of unpredictability to his otherwise orderly existence, but now I wondered if I had inadvertently caused friction where there was none before.

Ma’at glanced back at Anubis, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “And you, my dear Anubis, might want to reconsider your approach. It seems you’re not as unshakeable as you’d like to believe.”

Anubis’s gaze was steady but edged with frustration. “Your observations are noted, Ma’at. However, this is a matter of judgment and order. If you have no further purpose here, I would appreciate it if you would allow us to leave.”

Ma’at’s smile widened, and she pushed herself off the column. “Very well, Anubis. I shall take my leave. But remember, a little disruption can often lead to unexpected revelations.”

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