Page 44 of Immortal Sun

And Apollo? Wait, why is Apollo in this? Anubis? Osiris? I jerk back and look at the title of the book again. Why are non-Egyptian gods in this book?

Ra stands tall, the sun behind him, and then he bows. The rest of the gods do the same around him. What sort of book is this?

No, he’s…smiling as his hands are spread wide and blood drips down his body, while everyone raises weapons around him.

He’s smiling like he’s happy he’s about to die.

Why would he want to die?

Wait, why is he getting thrown off a mountain? Or is he falling? Is the sun falling? The next picture has him landing on earth in fire. That’s terrifying. The sun actually falling out of the sky. Why was Jake studying Ra, of all gods?

I turn the next page carefully and find another picture.

Ra falls and his blood spills over an altar eerily similar to the one in the other room, his hand is reaching up toward the sky, fire engulfs it..

The page next to it shows more pictures and one specifically of a feral looking storm with teeth trying to devour Ra.

It’s the same bloody scene I saw at the pub. Is it Ra and Apep then? Chaos chasing the sun?

I hate it even more now that I’ve seen the other pictures.

I hate that someone would paint this, how could this ever benefit anyone? Even if you did believe it? I flip the page and let out a gasp.

A piece of paper falls out of the next page. It’s been copied front and back and lists name after name of people.

At the bottom of the first page in my brother’s handwriting it says:

The heart of Ra isn’t broken. It simply turned to stone with Apep’s sword still in it. Ra’s mouth is open, and his essence pours across Apep. Ra’s brightness, the brightness of the sun, swallows Chao’s darkness whole.

I quickly read the script beneath it.

“And then, the worshipers knew who the true god was, as the demon was revealed, the world was turned into turmoil, so Ra along with the remaining gods made a pact, while Apep was sent to Earth to roam. The gods would have one human trial each to prove their place on Mount Olympus, for the wars between the gods have destroyed what was left of each strong deity. Only those remaining will absorb the rest of the powers and reign for an eternity.”

That’s where it ends?

I flip the paper over and in his same scribble he writes:

“The gods agreed, each of them slicing their palms and dripping blood over this very book. They would go to trial one at a time—but if they failed—trapped on Earth and bound to a job given to them by the gods they failed—will be their destiny .”

I want to keep going but I’m a bit freaked out reading my brother’s handwriting and findings. It doesn’t help that the same sacrificial looking thing is in the same building as me. Plus, I’m getting tired, I probably need to see the sun and go for a walk.

When I get up and turn, Cyrus is leaning against the wall by the door.

I jump a foot. “You scared the crap out of me.”

He pushes away from the wall. “Sorry. Find anything you like?”

Clearly, when it comes to Cyrus I have no censor, so I just blurt, “Why would the gods agree to human trials? I mean they’re gods.”

“I didn’t think that book was in here.” Cyrus frowns and looks over at my desk, he doesn’t expand on it at all. “Let’s feed you first. I can see you’re liking your brother’s research?”

I relax a bit. “Yes. It’s perfect.”

“Thought so.” He glances at me again then away as he grabs the torch. It’s almost like he wants to say something else, but instead he locks the door behind him with one hand, hangs up the key, and carries the torch down the hallway. “All journeys are hard. Jake’s. Yours. Try to enjoy the lessons you learn on the way. That’s my only advice. Maybe you’ll find yourself here in the next week. You never know. The universe always has its reasons.”

We walk out of the warehouse and into the main part of the house, and his voice lowers. “You should retire directly after dinner. I think it’s best you rest now. It’s been a rough few days.”

As if on cue, I open my mouth and a yawn slips free.

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