Chapter 34

As Ra surveyed the devastation wrought upon the city along the Nile, he raised his hands toward the sky. The sun responded, its rays intensifying to a brilliant, golden hue that bathed the landscape in ethereal light. Drawing upon his divine power, Ra began to warp reality itself.

Before the awestruck eyes of the inhabitants, the ruins of the city began to stir. Shattered stones lifted from the ground, hovering momentarily before seamlessly reassembling into pristine structures. Walls mended, towers straightened, and the intricate carvings of temples restored themselves with meticulous precision. The cityscape transformed, as if time itself were rewinding the destruction.

Among the people, a profound metamorphosis occurred. Wounds closed and vanished, leaving no trace of injury. Those who had borne the heavy chains of servitude watched in astonishment as their shackles dissolved into nothingness. Scars from whips and burns faded away, their skin becoming whole and unblemished.

The populace stood in silent reverence, absorbing the magnitude of Ra's benevolence.

Ra then surveyed his assembled kin: Horus, Hathor, Bastet, Nephthys, and Isis. Hathor cradled the unconscious Merlin in her arms. With a voice that resonated with authority and compassion, Ra commanded, "Tend to the boy's wounds."

Turning his gaze toward Set's absence, Ra's expression hardened. "Restore all that Set has stolen or destroyed," he decreed. "From the essence of Osiris's heart to the wisdom of Thoth's mind. Once this is accomplished, confine him until further judgment is passed."

The deities acknowledged his commands with deep bows, their faces reflecting a mix of determination and reverence. The weight of their tasks was immense, but under Ra's leadership, they were resolute in their purpose.

While Merlin soon woke up, he found himself in the Hathors palace, he remembered what happened and slowly got up and went to balcony.

The night sky stretched over the city like a velvet curtain studded with stars. Beneath it, Memphis thrummed with celebration—golden torches flickered along the streets, and cheers echoed from jubilant crowds. The defeat of Set and Horus' triumphant return had sparked a festival unlike any before.

On a high terrace overlooking the city, Merlin stood in quiet contemplation, his robes catching the faint glow of the firelight below. His face was somber, untouched by the joy that radiated from the streets.

Suddenly, the air around him wavered, shimmering as if bending under intense heat. A faint crackle echoed through the terrace, and embers began to swirl, flickering at the edge of his vision.

Merlin's brow furrowed as the shimmering heat intensified. Flames ignited from thin air, spiraling upward into a vortex of golden fire. Sparks danced wildly, and a low, resonating hum vibrated through the ground.

The vortex collapsed inward, forming a perfect sphere of fire-like energy. Arcs of golden lightning crackled across its surface, illuminating the terrace in flickering light. For a brief moment, the entire city below seemed muted by the sheer brilliance of the fiery orb.

Then came the burst—a sudden implosion of light and heat. Embers scattered like celestial fireflies, fading into the night as the sphere vanished, leaving behind only shimmering ripples in the air.

Ra stood where the energy had been, his form radiating divine authority.

They stood in silence, the weight of the past hanging between them. The wind carried the faint echoes of drums and laughter, but here, the air was thick with unspoken truths.

Finally, Merlin broke the quiet. "You know," he began, his voice low and edged with regret, "Osiris and I had plans. Grand ones."

Ra turned to him. "What plans?"

Merlin's gaze hardened as memories surfaced. "We wanted to end slavery. Not abruptly, but step by step. Osiris had already begun by granting slaves more rights—elevating their living conditions. Zaya was proof of that." He sighed. "But Set ruined everything. His cruelty during his brief reign shattered years of progress. It'll take decades to undo the damage."

Ra's expression dimmed. The god of the sun, who had once ruled the skies with unyielding brilliance, now flickered with guilt. "You were right about Set," Ra admitted. "I was blinded by my love for him. I couldn't see who he had become."

Merlin's gaze sharpened. "You have more to answer for than just blindness, Lord Ra."

The accusation lingered in the air like a blade poised to strike. Ra flinched but did not turn away. "What do you mean?"

"You exiled him to the burning desert, isolated him because he wasn't chosen to be king," Merlin said, his voice steady but cold. "That bitterness festered. And when he learned that you cursed him to never have children—while Osiris thrived with his family—something inside him shattered."

Ra's breath caught in his chest, the weight of realization pressing upon him. He had dismissed Set's grievances as petty excuses, but now the truth was undeniable: he had failed his son. The god of the sun descended from his radiant heights, his once-blazing form now dimmed, flames flickering weakly. His voice, barely more than a whisper, carried the weight of millennia.

"Do you think... he can be redeemed?"

Merlin's eyes softened, reflecting the ancient sorrow before him. "There is always a chance for redemption."

Ra closed his eyes, the burden of regret heavy upon his divine heart. "I hope he can forgive me."

Understanding the depth of Ra's turmoil, Merlin gently inquired, "Are you still seeking a successor?"

Ra looked at Merlin, a faint smile touching his lips. "Are you interested?"

Merlin shook his head, a humble refusal. Ra continued, "For now, Horus will assist me from time to time." A distant look crossed his face. "The boy has grown."

Merlin hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps there is a way to protect Egypt without the need for a successor."

Ra's interest was piqued. "What do you propose?"

"I have an idea," Merlin began, "involving the construction of sanctums at the intersections of cosmic energy currents."

Ra considered this. "But finding suitable locations for these intersections is challenging."

Merlin nodded. "It may take decades, but I am willing to undertake the task."

A genuine smile spread across Ra's face. "If you succeed, all of Egypt will be in your debt."

Merlin returned the smile, a silent pact formed between the ancient deity and the wise sorcerer.