Nezzar

Part One: Cisterns To Sacrifice

"Yes," whispered a voice close to Amon-Ra's left ear. "Two will do. Two will do very much indeed."

Amon-Ra ignored the feeling of unease Marduk's proximity brought and considered his strategy once more. This was necessary. Desperation aside, he was doing this for the principality of Egypt. Not greed. Not his ego. Giving Marduk two gods was a small sacrifice. With his powers restored, Marduk would be a powerful ally, one strong enough to keep Apophis at bay.

Seated in his throne room with eyes shut and limbs loose, Amon-Ra probed Marduk's essence, checking for traces of intention to betray or anything sinister. At the moment, the god was a far cry away from his full strength and vulnerable to such perusal. From what Amon-Ra had seen so far, all that existed was an ocean of rage towards Apophis and a mad desperation to return as head of the Babylonian principality. Surely an enemy of Apophis and Babylon was a friend of Egypt.

Before Amon-Ra performed the summoning, he had made sure to expel every physical or spiritual entity from the Karnak temple, especially the preying eyes of Anubis' jackals and street dogs. It was better the embalmment god remained ignorant of what was about to transpire.

Marduk had done well to conceal his form as Amon-Ra had advised. Those to be sacrificed must remain oblivious of what was coming until it was too late. Waving a hand, Amon-Ra mumbled, "Mut. Khonsu. Come."

The surface of the temple floor rippled. First, shadows appeared then their form was revealed.

"Amon-Ra," they said in unison as they knelt. "You summoned us."

"Indeed." Amon-Ra stared at their bowed heads. This sacrifice was necessary. A shaking was needed. Sacrificing them was worth it—it had to be worth it. Apophis needed an equal match. Nothing Amon-Ra had amassed compared to the worship that awaited Marduk in Babylon. But there was the problem of Abaddon. Amon-Ra frowned. The Destroyer was the one who cleaved Marduk's connection to worship and took his eyes. The moment Marduk regains his connection to worship, the destructive angel may come after them.

Shutting his eyes, Amon-Ra exhaled, pushing out the worry and filling his head with what he stood to gain from allying with Marduk the mad. It was a worthy risk. Marduk was a bit unstable but Apophis had no control over his appetite. He would devour and devour until something or someone stronger stands in his way. That Marduk had a touch of madness mattered little. Better Egypt burn than the likes of Apophis sit upon his throne. He was prepared to sacrifice every god under him to keep that snake away.

"You must have heard," Amon-Ra said without opening his eyes, "that the one they call Quatesh has awakened to his form as Apophis."

As he spoke, he could sense Marduk. The hum of anticipation, an eagerness to pounce upon the gods.

"Yes, we have heard."

Amon-Ra opened his eyes and observed them. They had risen to their feet. Mut and Khonsu were new-age gods he had paid specific favour to, allowing them to be paired with him. The people referred to the three of them as the Theban Triad. They offered special sacrifices, offerings, prayers, and worship in their names. Fat banks, that's what the duo had always been to Amon-Ra and the time of their use had finally come. He had been careful to keep them ignorant of their status. All Amon-Ra made them believe was that they had been promoted in rank for their exceptional dedication to the principality.

Five decades ago, in the vast gathering of gods and spirits under his command, Amon-Ra had added them to the hierarchy of worship.

"You will share my crown, Mut and Khonsu. You will drink from the cup of my glory. You will wield my strength. This is the reward I grant to those who show exceptional devotion."