Ennead || Unseen

Cousins

You kept writing, the images all mixing together. Your eyes began to close... only for you to wake yourself up again and continue.

Thoth watched you closely, concerned.

"Brother, are you alright?"

"Yeah. Just," you yawned before continuing. "Tired from my lesson with aunty."

"Right, your... lessons."

He frowned. Every day you would go out and be taught by Sekhmet the ways of destruction. He would watch closely, how you are pushed and pulled like a puppet to attack foes.

"C'mon birdy! Man up and take down your enemy!" She would yell.

You'd get into stance before running and flinging your tiny self into the air. Ice claws forming, you'd use your momentum to swing your arm out, slicing through a training dummy's head. She'd cackle and pick you up, praising you to the sky.

"My Khonsu will be a mighty warrior! Come now, you must learn more. Get stronger!" She walked away with you in hand, taking you to her next lesson.

It's been a while since you've started, about three human years? And you have already grown...

Thoth was concerned. You've become taller, stronger. Sekhmet forcing you to move around rocks the size of your head have paid off but you are still very small. You... almost look like Nu. Like a teen version. You are toned yet not bulging. You are shapely yet not curvaceous. You are utterly androgynous. The only thing signifying what to call you is the sidelock of youth, only for male Royal children. If you grew out your hair fully, you could be seen as a girl.

Though what's most concerning is your disposition. You've become... colder. Quieter. Yes, you pull out your silly wild side here and there but...

He misses it.

He misses it dearly.

He continues to watch as you study like a perfect student.

Today is supposed to be the day he brings you back to see the cousins... they'll all be older and bigger than you. The eldest must be physically 18 now, almost ready to become a god... He'll have to stick around, consult with Nut, make sure you don't get into yet another fight.

"Are you ready Khonsu?"

"Almost, Brother..."

You finish up your studies and roll the papyrus up, placing it into the holders before walking to your room to get ready.

You stare in the mirror, making sure that the latest scar isn't visible...

Once more you touchdown to earth, this time standing before the temple of Geb. You're surprised when all four of your... cousins stand there. Sekhmet's words come back to mind.

If they insist you're not their brother, then you're not. You're their cousin from now on. Correct them when they call you brother.

Isis steps up first, her face seemingly already annoyed. She's grown, her figure now more curvy like a woman.

"Hello, Little brother. Welcome to the temple of Geb. Please keep the volume to mini-"

"Cousin."

She blinks.

"What?"

Thoth looks down at you, surprised himself.

"I'm your cousin."

You stare at her, stoic. She coughs before regaining her composure. Seth scoffs next to her but she hits his stomach.

"Welcome cousin Khonsu. We've all agreed to try to be civil as long as you stay civil with us, understand?"