Page 91 of Monsters in Love: Lost in the Underworld

Nephthys’s lips curved into a sly smile, her presence commanding the air around her. All it did was annoy me. “Such fiery words, Anubis. But you see, when it comes to matters of ritual and the sacred, I do have an interest. Your guest has stirred something within the fabric of our world. I merely wished to see it for myself.”

I narrowed my eyes, frustration mixing with a growing sense of urgency. “If you’re here to stir trouble, you’ve succeeded. Now, if you have no legitimate reason for your presence, I suggest you leave before you draw further ire.”

Nephthys’ gaze lingered on me, her eyes reflecting a glint of something more sinister. “Very well, Anubis. I shall leave you to your… dramatic affairs. But remember, the threads of fate are delicate. Play with them carelessly, and you might find yourself entangled in ways you hadn’t anticipated.”

With that, she turned and drifted away, her presence fading into the darkness with an eerie grace. The oppressive gloom of Duat returned, the corridors resuming their unnerving stillness. I was left alone with the weight of her ominous words and the looming threat of the consequences she hinted at.

I clenched my fists, my anger and determination solidifying into a fierce resolve. Nephthys’ presence had only intensified my need to selfishly seek out Mara and ensure she was safe.

I was lost in my thoughts, grappling with the best way to rectify the situation, when a familiar, disembodied voice broke through the gloom. The voice was unmistakable and dripping with a mix of condescension and unwelcome foresight.

“I warned you, Anubis,” Ma’at's voice echoed, her tone as serene and dispassionate as ever.

I turned sharply, my eyes narrowing as I followed the sound. Ma’at materialized before me, her figure emerging from the shadows with an ethereal grace.

“Ma’at,” I growled, trying to keep my voice steady despite the simmering anger that threatened to boil over. “Your warnings are less than helpful at the moment.”

Ma’at's gaze was unwavering, her eyes fixed on me with a mix of curiosity and detachment. “And yet, I did forewarn you of the consequences of such interactions. The balance must be maintained, Anubis. Even the smallest disruption can lead to significant outcomes.”

Her calm demeanor only served to heighten my irritation. I clenched my fists, my frustration palpable. “You have no idea what it’s like to deal with these disruptions firsthand. Your warnings do little to address the immediate problems.”

Ma’at’s serene expression remained unchanged, though her eyes flickered momentarily as if assessing my demeanor. “The consequences of your actions are yours to bear. The scales of justice are not easily swayed.”

Before I could respond, Ma’at’s gaze shifted, her eyes narrowing as she registered the growing darkness around me. The air itself seemed to thicken, a palpable weight pressing down upon us. Shadows lengthened and twisted, undulating with an unsettling rhythm that matched the pulsating, ominous energy radiating from me.

Ma’at’s eyes widened imperceptibly, her usually composed demeanor faltering as the atmosphere became increasinglyoppressive. The darkness swirled around her, pulling at the edges of her elegant form, and the very essence of Duat seemed to shiver in response. The once-familiar gloom now felt alive, pulsating with a sinister intent that mirrored the dark aura enveloping me.

The shadows writhed like living things, their elongated forms stretching and contracting from my own body as if in anticipation of something terrible. My mouth watered as my fangs began to elongate.

“Well,” Ma’at said quickly, her voice taking on a more urgent edge, “it seems my presence is no longer required here. I must take my leave.”

With that, Ma’at’s figure began to dissolve into the shadows, her departure swift and almost hurried. The finality of her exit was marked by a soft, disembodied whisper. “Good luck, Anubis.”

As Ma’at’s presence faded completely, the oppressive silence of Duat returned, but it was now tinged with an added layer of unease. Her abrupt exit had left me alone with my turbulent thoughts and a growing sense of urgency.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The dark aura that surrounded me was a reflection of my inner turmoil—a manifestation of the frustration and determination that now fueled my resolve. Nephthys’s interference and Ma’at’s ominous departure were not going to deter me. With a clenched jaw, I stormed toward a path that would potentially alter the course of everything.

Navigating through the oppressive darkness, I sought a way back to the mortal realm, driven by a single, focused purpose: to find the little human female that has ensnared my very being.

The path was fraught with the eerie whispers of Duat, each step drawing me closer to the boundaries of the underworld.

The familiar, imposing silhouette of my temple began to take shape through the swirling shadows. The ancient structure was a beacon of stability amid the swirling chaos of my mind. The grand columns and the heavy stonework of the temple loomed ahead. I quickened my pace beneath the stars of the night sky, each stride resonating with the echo of my determination.

As I approached, the temple's entrance seemed to beckon me with an almost tangible sense of familiarity. The intricate hieroglyphs etched into the stone glowed faintly, casting a soft, reassuring light that cut through the encroaching gloom.

I stepped into the cool, solemn interior. The air was thick with the scent of ancient incense and the weight of countless rituals performed over millennia. The grandeur of the hallways, adorned with depictions of divine events and sacred rites, was a reminder of the power and legacy that lay within these walls.

I made my way to the central chamber, where the sacred altar stood—a focal point of worship and the heart of my domain.

The scene that greeted me was anything but expected. There, in the midst of the chamber's tranquility, was Mara once again. Her figure straining under the weight of a large, lifeless body she had hefted over her shoulder. Her face was smeared with grime and sweat as well as blood.

I stopped dead in my tracks, momentarily stunned by the bizarre spectacle. Mara, who had once seemed so out of place in the underworld, now appeared oddly at home amidst the sacred relics and ceremonial objects. She looked up, her eyes wide with surprise, her breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps.

“Anubis!” she exclaimed, a hint of relief in her voice, dropping the corpse unceremoniously on the ground beside her. “You’re back!”

I blinked, trying to process the sight of her running toward me with a smile on her face. The sacredness of the temple seemed to clash with the absurdity of the situation. She leaped the last closing distance, her form crashing into me as I wrapped my arms around her in an attempt to keep balance.

“What are you doing?” I managed to ask. Was she finding her way back to me the same way I was finding my way back to her? The organ in my chest constricted uncomfortably.

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