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"I want to be an angst-ridden teenager who can't confront their own inner demons and takes it out verbally on other people instead."
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Nora walked cautiously behind Marc as they made their way through the mysterious passageway. The walls were lined with reflective bricks that looked like they hadn't been cleaned since the day they were put up. She had never been to a gathering of the gods before. In fact, she had never even met another avatar before Marc and Steven. Nora was not the type to get nervous easily, but even she couldn't deny the anxiety that was bubbling up in her chest. From what Khonshu had told her about Harrow, he wasn't going to make it easy to prove his guilt. Nora just hoped the other gods weren't stupid enough to fall for any of his tricks.
The end of the hallway opened up into a rather large room. It was surprisingly elegant, despite the large amounts of sand that covered nearly every surface. The space gave off an aura of authority that made Nora instinctively want to scowl. Large Egyptian statues filled every inch of the room, except for the center, which was left completely empty. There was a platform on which numerous simple stone chairs were placed evenly apart. It reminded Nora of the colosseum, where rich onlookers could sit up on their thrones and watch gladiators get eaten by lions. She hoped looks would be where the similarities would end.
As the two made their way into the room's center, Marc seemed to get more tense by the second. It was as though he expected something to jump out at them any moment. He was particularly correct, for Nora soon found herself being approached by a woman who had appeared out of seemingly nowhere, but she didn't seem very threatening. The woman was tall and slender, with long brown hair that was perfectly straight. When she was close enough to see how old Nora was, she shot the young girl a sympathetic smile. It pissed her off.
"Khonshu's theatrics are unparalleled. Which one of you is his avatar?" Marc and Nora glanced at each other before each introducing themselves and their respective deities. The woman seemed shocked when she found out Nora was the Avatar to the goddess of war and chaos, but said nothing nonetheless. She went on to introduce herself and started flirting with Marc or Khonshu or something like that. Nora didn't really know because she was tuning out their conversation, instead focusing on the increasing number of Avatars that were entering the room, all of which seemed less than pleased to be there. A man who stood in the very front called for the meeting to begin and Yatzil, the woman, started making her way towards her seat. Marc and Nora idly followed, not really knowing what to do. "Has anyone explained to you how this works?" Apparently, the dumbfounded look on the pair's faces was answer enough. Yatzil chuckled and said "Just try not to fight it. It's a strange sensation, but you'll get used to it." She left them standing confused at the bottom of the stairs. As she made her way up the steps, her head seemed to jolt back and she suddenly took on a more formal stance. "In attendance, Horus, Isis, Tefnut, Osiris, and Hathor," other Avtars jolted their heads as well as Yatzil listed off names, "to hear the account of Khonshu."
The room was tense with silence. To break it would be a crime. Then again, the gods were never very good at following rules. "You've been banished once for nearly exposing us, Khonshu. And you know we despise your garishness. Your showy masks and weapons." the man from before spoke, calmly yet assertive. "But manipulate the sky again, and we will imprison you in stone."
"Spare me your self-righteous threats!" Nora was startled when Marc's voice uncharacteristically boomed throughout the room. Glancing up at him, she could tell he was just as confused. He looked uncomfortable, as though Khonshu's words were clawing their way out of his throat and stealing his voice. Nora hoped Sekhmet's quiet nature would mean she didn't have to go through a similar experience. "I was banished for not abandoning humanity, unlike the rest of you!" The curly haired girl winced. They were supposed to be trying to get the other gods on their side, not creating unnecessary conflict. "Return from the opulence of the Overvoid, before you lose this realm!"
"For the last time Khonshu, we decided long ago we did not wish to meddle in the affairs of man. We will decide our best course of action. Speak your purpose."
"I call for judgment against Arthur Harrow for conspiracy to release Ammit!"
Nora held her breath as the gods agreed to summon said man to the chamber. She had never seen this man before, but she can only imagine what he was like based on the warnings from her newfound partners. A whooshing noise was heard, and she turned to look behind her as the man of the hour entered. Nora's initial reaction to the man who was trying to destroy the world was...confusion. Stood before her was an old man who looked greasy as hell and dressed like he was coming straight out of a retirement home. Nora immediately wondered why Marc was getting his ass kicked by a guy who looked like he needed a cane. If she wasn't standing in front of a room full of gods, she would have teased both Harrow and Marc. She made a mental note to do that later. Nora did, however, notice the way his eyes carefully watched every person in the room as he moved to stand beside her, like a predator hunting it's prey. Perhaps what he lacked in strength, he made up for in wit.
Khonshu, impatient as always, began speaking immediately. "Arthur Harrow, do you not seek to release Ammit from her tomb?"
"I was in the desert, but if visiting the sands were a crime the line of sinners would be longer than the Nile." Harrow defended, his eyes calculating. "Khonshu has searched for Ammit's tomb since he ensnared me to his service. His vision is obscured by jealousy, paranoia, and his-"
"He is a deceiver!" Khonshu interrupted.
"Do not trust the word of a shamed god. No, Khonshu is unhinged and his servant unwell." Nora scoffed and rolled her eyes. There's no way the gods could possibly be falling for this. What Harrow is saying doesn't even have any evidence to back it up. "This is a man who literally does not know his own name. He has a marriage certificate under the name Marc Spector." Oh. "Employment records under the name Steven Grant." Shit.
"Stop-" It was Marc who was speaking this time. His voice was shaky.
"I've seen him speak to himself. Threaten himself."
"Shut up!"
"I have no idea how many personalities he must possess. The man is clearly insane!"
Nora was about to do something about this guy's annoying superiority complex, when Marc beat her to it. Clearly riled up, he took a large step towards Harrow, his fist swinging and ready to deal a painful blow. It never made contact. Glowing white bands that had appeared around Marc's wrist sent his arm flying back. Marc's hands were forcibly restrained behind his back by the magic, and he was shoved onto his knees. Nora's eyes widened at the sight. She whipped her head around to find the suspect of this assault and found one of the Avatars with his hand stuck out, encased in the same white glow. "Hey asshole! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" The words left her mouth before she even realized what she was saying. Not that she would have held them back anyways. If this guy's magic was hurting Marc and Steven, she would start a fight right here and now, consequences be damned.
"We will not tolerate violence in this chamber." The man snapped, glaring daggers at Nora. She glared back.
"Marc Spector," another Avatar chimed in after removing the brunette man's binds, once he had calmed down enough. "Are you unwell?"
Marc struggled to collect his thoughts. "I am. I am unwell." Nora's brows furrowed and she turned to face her companion. He refused to meet her concerned gaze, his glossy eyes glued to the floor. She had never seen him this vulnerable before. "I need help." Nora squeezed her eyes shut, unable to look at him anymore. Her heart felt heavy. She hated this. He was hurting and there was nothing she could do to help him. Why was she allowing herself to care so much anyways? It only brought her more problems.
"This is a safe space for you to tell us if you feel exploited by your deity." Yatzil attempted to help. "Either of you." Nora's eyes shot open. She slowly turned to face the older woman.
"We're not here to talk about my feelings." Nora's tone held a warning, a warning that was ignored.
"Sekhmet was banished for her erratic and violent behavior. Someone like that...I'm curious, what sort of tasks does she demand of you?" The woman narrowed her eyes in concern.
"We're getting off topic-"
"Surely she wouldn't ask a child to commit acts of violence in her name?"
"I am not a child!"
"Does she ask you to hurt people?"
"I don't-"
"Does she ask you to kill people?"
"SHUT UP!" All eyes were on Nora as the room went silent. "I'm not the one on trial here! He is!" She pointed at Harrow, who was having difficulty restraining his smug expression. "This is about how dangerous he is, if you would just listen for a second!" she begged.
"He has committed no offense." This was not going to plan at all. "This matter is concluded." And just like that, it was over. Avatars started to making their way out of the room, unsympathetic towards the dejected girl and distressed man they were leaving behind. After a moment, Nora moved in front of Marc, who was still on his knees, and slowly crouched down to his level. His face was scrunched up in aggravation at their failure.
"You alright?" Her soft brown eyes scanned his body for any injuries from when he fell earlier, though his physical state wasn't what she was referring to.
After a deep calming breath, he finally responded, looking up to meet her gaze. "Yeah, I will be. Are you okay?" She nodded, feeling too mentally exhausted to respond with words.
"Marc? Nora?" They slowly turned to look at the owner of the voice. Neither one of them had noticed that Yatzil had stayed behind. "There is another way." With that the woman slipped away into a more private corridor. Marc and Nora shared a nervous glance before hesitantly getting up and following after her.
When they were all tucked in the small hallway, Yatzil began speaking in a hushed tone. "Ammit was buried in secret, the location hidden even from the gods. A medjay named Senfu was tasked with recording the location of the tomb in case the gods ever changed their minds and decided to show mercy. Find Senfu's sarcophagus and you'll find your tomb."
"Okay, how are we supposed to do that?" Marc huffed, feeling frustrated.
"His sarcophagus was stolen and sold on the black market. You might want to start there."
"The black market?" Nora interjected, a mischievous smirk growing on her face. "I think I know just the guy to help us. Does the name 'Mogart' sound familiar to you?"
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AUTHOR'S NOTE
Nora's super feisty in this chapter. I promise, Marc and Nora are going to admit that they care about each other soon enough.
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