Chapter Text
What felt like an eternity, I finally opened my eyes. Instead of the cold stone floor of the guest room inside the main temple, I was staring into a dark pitch-black pit; however, as my eyes focused due to the sunlight, I noticed thousands of small slithering bodies inside the crater. It was the snakepit. I have heard rumors of what the gods kept hidden underground; I tried to move but found myself unable. Looking at my torso, seeing there was still blood, I noticed ropes had tied my arms and torso to a large wooden pole bonding me to it. My lower abdomen stung with pain from where the exotic woman had stabbed me. I also had a splitting headache from where a heavy object hit me. I looked around and noticed all the citizens had gathered, and they were yelling? Was it directed at me or someone else? Some of them looked to be in an uproar about what was happening.
" LET THE BOY GO!! WHAT IS HIS CRIME!? APOPHIS IS A GENTLE SOUL LIKE HIS LATE MOTHER!!"
I noticed it was the baker from my village, I opened my mouth to speak, but my voice was still so hoarse that I couldn't talk.
' Wait...Where's Ra??'
I began to look around frantically for my betrothed in the sea of people and then among the gods themselves. The only faces I saw were Osiris, Horus, Ma'at, Hathor, Nut, and Nephthys. However, I did not see Ra, Set, or Anubis; besides Nephthys was that ginger witch! Moving on my own, I began to struggle with my binds. Sadly I felt so weak from my stab wound and bleeding out I did not notice the snakes getting rowdy below.
" Apophis! Bella informed me of your intentions towards our King Ra!! We all know our King would never fall for an ordinary mortal! You bewitched him! You're a witch, and I shall pass judgment in his place due to him being under your spell! With the death of this witch, our King will be free to follow his desires!! The proof is your own home along with this dagger Bella found in the guest room of our palace!"
I shook my head at the lies Nephthys believed; hair was sticking to my forehead and face due to the heat and sweat. I wanted to scream that I was innocent. But, instead, I felt my blood go down my leg. The pain was getting too much when I heard a familiar yell.
" RELEASE HIM NOW, NEPHTHYS! I ORDER YOU!!"
Weakly I kept my eyes open to see my beloved Ra; behind him were Set and Anubis. The grey-haired god had his staff ready in case of a fight, and Set had drawn his sword on Nephthys, his wife.
" My nephew, he has tricked you into this love! I shall free you so you can marry Bella! Guards cut the witch's ropes! Into the snake pit, he goes!"
I saw several palace guards running towards me; I looked up to see Ra being held back by his guards and even Osiris and Sobek. Horus had pinned down Anubis as Set swings his sword at Nephthys.
" No, please, no. Ra, please, I don't want to die.."
I took a deep enough breath I could as I saw the look on my beloved's face as his family was holding him back from helping me. His usual smile and calm demeanor were replaced with one of sadness and heartache. At this moment, I hesitated to say anything, and I took a moment to look around at the guards, even holding back their citizens. Without a second thought, I looked back up at Ra and spoke loud enough for him to hear me,
" I love you! I love you with all my heart and soul, Ra, and I'm so sorry. I am a fool, but I know that your love was everything to me-"
All I heard was the ropes holding me snap as they were cut; I felt so tired and could barely move. My beloved King Ra reached out with tears pouring down his face like sad rain on the land, the last person I saw. With that, I fell into the snake pit; I hit the hard rock ground back first. I couldn't move. My body ached and refused as I looked at the sky above. Suddenly I was encased in a dark shadow as they replaced the cover with the snakepit. I felt no snakes attacking me as I saw a faint green light with a woman's shape.
There was a hand on my cheek, I knew her from somewhere, but I still couldn't speak or move.
" Hush, my dear child, save your strength. You may not remember me, but I am Cobra; you love Ra a great deal Young Apophis. I will get you back to him in three years' time, and sadly you will have to go into a deep sleep so I can repair the damage done to you."
Cobra reminded me of my late mother; from the gentleness of her voice to how she held me when I couldn't move, I weakly opened my mouth.
" Yes, M'lady.."
--------------- Three years later------------------
[Narrator]
During the three long years of Cobra healing the poor mortal Apophis, King Ra had sunk into a state of depression and anger towards his fellow gods who conspired against him. Nephthys was no longer part of his court due to the events of his coronation. The god of War Set had also left his wife that same day, and he did not trust her anymore. Now for Bella, she continued to try and win Ra's favors but instead was thrown into one of the temples of eternal maidenhood to keep her away.
The news that broke the King the most was that he would have had an heir to the throne if Apophis were there. Ra, Isis and Cobra were the only ones who knew Apophis' secret. It was now the anniversary of Ra being King, so the entire city was partying and having a festive time except for their King.
Below the golden palace in the depths of the snake pit, the Goddess Cobra used the last of her powers to heal Apep; unknown to anyone else, she was also transferring her divine power onto him. She had finally found someone worthy of her place in this world of the gods, and it was time for her to be free. Cobra knew that her family would be in a mix of mourning and confusion, but this needed to be done so she could go into the eternal afterlife. The white-clad goddess stood up as she stared down at Apophis's now glowing body; the transfer of her power was complete,
" From this day forth, you shall be become and be known as Apophis, God of Chaos and Snakes. You will inheart all of my powers but be wary of rage."
With that said, the six-foot goddess gathered the newly born god in her arms and made her way out of the shadow-covered pit. Using the small shift change of the palace guards, she snuck in and made her way to one of the many guest rooms. Setting Apophis down, she went through some of the palace's guests' belongings to find suitable clothing for the small male.
Cobra gathered long, almost emerald green leg straps similar to those he wore three years ago, along with gold arm bangles three on each wrist. Markings began to form on the Apep's face. On his right eye, the mark of the [1]Eye of Ra started to appear. As swift as the wind, the goddess used [2]grepond eye paint and black kohl to paint his eyes a lush grass green, his lips a pale emerald. The last piece for the minor unknown god was a handmade green face veil to hide his features. Apophis's usually jet black hair began to turn into dark forest green, his eyes snapped open to show almost pure yellow eyes with slits for his pupils.
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In the throne room, a party was taking place. The gods and goddesses were having the time of their eternal lives. Ra, at that moment, was drinking honey and pomegranate wine, trying to get drunk. Women kept coming up to flirt and try to take him to bed only to be dismissed from him. Anubis wasn't there for the celebration due to his duties in the afterlife. He looked around solemnly and sighed to himself, continuing to drink,
" Why celebrate that dreadful day. Everyone is so happy but me. They still have their loved ones. I miss you, my beloved Apep..."
------------------Apophis POV-------------------
My eyes felt so heavy, but I felt so alive that I opened them and sat up quickly. I took in deep shallow breaths and looked around to see I was in a guest room. Jumping to my feet, I felt gravity pull me down as a goddess's arms held me. Looking upon her, I felt a smile form on my face,
" M'lady Cobra, thank you."
All the gentle goddess did was nod her head as she leads me out of the stone room. I could hear a party happening below, tilting my head in confusion at her. All she did was laugh. However, I began to notice people I knew, such as the God of War Set, Sobek, and Bastet, along with Hathor! I continued to look around, and I felt the air leave my body as I saw him, Ra, my beloved husband. His face only showed his sorrow and anguish; Cobra stopped me in my tracks. She stood in front of me as we descended the stairs leading to the party area. The golden room was decorated with different colored banners, and the tables were covered with orange cloths and other kinds of foods and drinks. It made me a little hungry, but I continued following Lady Cobra.
" My nephew, friends, and family, I have an announcement to make today. I will be departing from this realm to move into the eternal afterlife that awaits me. I have found my successor for my role in this world."
Her words were met with uproar! I stayed quiet as the gods and goddesses gathered began to voice their displeasure with her decision until a single staff hit the ground, causing the room to fall silent. Ra had gotten up and hugged his Aunt as a way to accept her wishes,
" Nephew, I hope you find your eternal love once more on this night after I depart from this palace, Take care of yourself."
In front of my eyes, the goddess began to disappear into little speaks of green and white lights. These lights gathered into one unit and flew upwards towards the heavens; The Goddess Cobra was no longer part of our world.
Putting my hands together in prayer for her safe travels into the afterlife, the party began once more; Ra was standing next to me. It took all of my willpower not to throw myself at him like a love-crazed woman.
Horus came up to Ra with a random woman, and I noticed that my beloved was about to take her hand. I suddenly felt this strange feeling in my body. Then, as if fueled by malice, my body moved on its own; I stuck myself between Ra and this stranger that Horus brought to him! I could feel my canines sharpen in my mouth, and my pupils were taking in more light.
" Excuse me. Who do you think you are.? Standing in front of me like you are my wife? If I wish to bed someone, it is none of your concern."
Upon hearing those words, I looked up at the man I thought had still loved me. I felt as if my heart was torn out of my chest; my hand moved on its own. The sound of a hard slap rang through the air as tears spilled from my eyes. The music stopped as I stood straight. Finally, coming to my senses, I looked up at Ra, noticing a dark red spot on his cheek. I smacked him, grabbing my dress in my fists. I turned around and ran out of the throne room.
After running through the many halls of the palace, I made it outside; I felt it rain heavily. Finally, I made it to the middle of the start of the stairs. Throwing my green veil back, I continued to cry as I felt my legs buckle as gravity put me on my knees. Why did this hurt so much? I was only asleep right?, This is all a bad dream. While in my feelings that I had not noticed that someone had followed me outside.
" You have a second to explain yourself-"
Unconsciously I turned to face behind me; my eyes met those gold eyes of my love. His face had paled as he opened and closed several times for a moment or two. The sepia-skinned male began to take steps towards me, and I did not know how to react. Ra feel down to his knees in front of me as he grabs my caramel-colored hands and placed his head between them,
" Apophis...Apep, please tell me that I am not dreaming of this moment. I don't want this to be a dream; I do not know if I can retake that kind of torture."
All I knew was that I was holding him in my arms again; through the tears, I nodded my head. Those strong arms wrapped around my waist. Ra buried his head in my chest as my arms wrapped around his neck. I placed a soft kiss on his head, burying my face into my King's chestnut brown hair. Our clothing was becoming drenched due to the heavy rain, but neither of us moved from our embrace.
I pulled away slightly from Ra as he looked up towards me, smiling softly. I sat down only to be pulled forward by my eight-foot-three King, and I felt his warm hands on my cheeks as he made me look at him. His smile was full of adoration and love for me, as if we were desperate for air. Our lips met in a scorching yet passionate kiss; Ra's fingers traveled on my skin to my back with a mind of their own. My lungs began to burn as I pulled away and took deep breaths of air,
" M-My love, if you missed me that much..why did you think of bedding someone else? Please take me to our chambers instead. I was so lonely without you, Ra, so please take me, not her or anyone else!"
For the first time since I woke up, I heard his deep, bellowing laugh as he scooped me in his arms as if I were a damsel with an injury. As I laid in his arms, I could feel the heat radiating from him. The King of Egypt carried me through the gates, past his guards, into the palace's large, almost endless halls. Instead of going downstairs towards the party, we went up a different flight of stairs that lead towards the King's private chambers.