Page 32 of Merciless
Once it was in place, I turned around to sit on the front tire and lean back against the headlight. When I found a position that ensured I wouldn’t fall and crack my head open on a rock, I let my consciousness slip into Horus.
Seeing through him always felt like a massive breath of fresh air. I was lighter, freer, not held down by anything like gravity or the limits of a human body. The sense of freedom was short-lived, however, when I saw the massive compound looming up ahead.
Easy,I warned Horus with a thought.They might be looking for you.
The Sha is absolutely looking for me,he said back. The response startled me so much that I nearly came back to my own body.But for the Sha, his wish to end me is personal,Horus went on.
Why’s that?
Set and I are brothers who have warred with each other since our stories were first told. We cannot coexist in harmony, it’s simply impossible. One must always defeat the other.
It would have been nice to know that before we set out on this trip, you know.
Would you have done anything differently?The question sounded like a challenge.
Probably not,I admitted.
Horus was silent for a long few seconds before speaking again.You may use my sight to learn all that you can. But know you may return alone and with only your own sight and mind to guide you.
I’m not leaving you behind!I retorted.
You may not have a choice, my son.
Well, just don’t do any stupid bird shit.
Horus didn’t laugh but a feeling of amusement passed over me. The compound loomed closer and it was clear that talking time was over. I needed to observe and not miss any detail. Any bit of information could be crucial to getting Reaper and Shadow back.
The falcon banked left, taking us around the fortress in a wide loop. I noted the tall, stone walls wrapped around the perimeter—similar to what we had at Sheol, but at least twice as high. Spaced out along the top were small platforms, each with an armed soldier keeping watch. Thankfully they paid no special attention to Horus or any of the other fauna in the general area.
I counted twenty guard platforms as we circled the fortress. Fucking hell, the Sha really wasn’t messing around. It turned my stomach knowing that Reaper, Shadow, and Andrea were in there. Mari’s dad had been in there and had only gotten out by sheer, crazy luck.
Let’s go higher and straight over the top,I suggested to Horus.
That’s not wise, I have been sensed,the sky god said in reply.
Shit! By the Sha?
No. By…another.
Another?I repeated.A god? Who?
I’m unsure. The presence is unfamiliar to me.
Should we leave?
Horus completed one more wide loop around the fortress without saying a word, and while waiting for his answer, I tried to memorize the structures I could see within the walls.
This presence does not appear to be a threat,Horus finally reported.It wants to meet us.
I’m not sure that’s wise,I said, parroting back what he just told me.What if it’s a trap?
It may be,the falcon admitted.
Let’s just fly overhead and see what we see, I suggested.
He said nothing in response but angled his body like a fighter jet toward the fortress. Swells of hot air carried us closer, though we were still high enough not to be identified by any human eyes.
Thousands of feet in the air, I could clearly see faces, though many were covered by hoods and masks so that only their eyes were visible. Some soldiers milled about, their faces clear and out in the open, but they were few and far between. I wondered at what point they became part of the black-masked swarm, if there were some kind of trials or tests to go through.
