'Thanks for letting me in,' Geb said within, feeling proud of his victory. He could now read her thoughts and uncover what she was hiding. But before settling down to probe her mind, he had to first scan her earlier thoughts through the mind link.
With his mind-reading will, he could scan thoughts while connected in a mind link with a person. He decided to scan her thoughts, but was interrupted by her call through the link.
'Geb, are you okay? What's going on?' she called out, but he chose not to answer her. If she found out he was fine, she would end the mind link, seeing no use in continuing it. He wanted to scan her thoughts first before she cut the link, since she was the one who had activated it.
He focused immediately on her thoughts from a few minutes ago—before he had pulled the trick on her.
---
**Her thoughts earlier**
Nut just didn't know how to talk to Geb, or tell him that she was an ally to Aposis and that he was the one who had Nessy and wouldn't want her dead. Although Aposis had promised her he would reveal himself to Geb as the one who helped reunite him with Nut—and maybe form an alliance with him—she wasn't sure if Geb would listen, given their past rivalry. Or maybe he would.
---
'Aposis?!' Geb gasped within. 'How come? Wasn't he dead long ago?' No, Geb was far from satisfied; he wanted more. He still needed to understand how Aposis had come to exist and why he wanted Nessy—his Nessy.
To get what he wanted, the mind link had to continue, so he could thoroughly scan Nut's mind for answers. He thought about how to stop her from cutting the link. Then he decided to put her into a trance—this way, she would only regain herself when freed from his bond, by which time his quest for answers would be complete.
Without wasting time, he overpowered her and put her into a trance. Her eyes glowed white immediately, void of any thoughts, as Geb took total control of her mind. Without delay, he started from the farthest point he could access in her mind and words—which was thirty-six hours ago. This wasn't a duplicate mind; he now had the person's full awareness. This was different and far more precise.
Lucky for him, he found her here at Nessy's thirty-six hours ago, after their photo shoot. It was a good catch, and he dived in immediately, deciding not to interrupt the process with his own thoughts, so as to avoid wasting any of the precious time he had.
---
**Nut's mind and words**
Nut looked around her. The building was more magnificent than any other they had passed or seen on their way here. The name 'SAADID COMPANY' was carved in bold letters on the walls. The building was very tall, and its entrance was truly awe-inspiring.
"Aposis, are you sure Geb is here?" Nut asked, giving Aposis/Morsi a questioning look. For some reason, she couldn't believe her Geb would have anything to do with such a place.
Nut recollected herself immediately. "I'm sorry, Aposis, I totally believe you," she said meekly.
"What do you mean?" Nut asked, puzzled.
"Okay, Morsi," Nut replied, her voice shaking slightly.
She felt a little anger at the way he spoke to her. Did he forget she was a goddess? she often wondered, feeling he looked down on her—and she wasn't happy about it. But who was she to complain? After all, if not for him, she would be wishing for death now—locked away in her abode in the sky, her mortal taken from her. She knew she couldn't bear it and might just kill herself. So, she had no choice but to appreciate and respect the demon lord for what he had done for her.
He walked to the entrance, followed by Nut. He spoke briefly to the receptionist, who made a call and then asked him to proceed. Nut couldn't understand what was going on but decided to keep calm.
They walked to the elevator. Aposis/Morsi pressed some buttons on the panel, and if Nut wasn't mistaken, they were going up. She felt a little dizzy because the only way she usually moved vertically was by flying—but this was different. She was standing upright yet still moving upward. She looked at Aposis, who stood calm and still with his arms in his pockets, eyes fixed ahead and not checking on her, even though this was clearly unfamiliar.
Suddenly, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened with a beep. Aposis walked out casually, hands still in his pockets, eyes straight ahead. He walked fast, but Nut managed to keep up.
He spoke to a woman behind a desk, who nodded and made a call. The person on the other end didn't seem to answer. Nut just looked on, lost in admiration and surprise. She wondered what device the woman used to call someone far away and how it could transmit messages over such a distance. But she dared not ask, so as not to incur Aposis's wrath.
Aposis took a seat on a nearby couch, and Nut sat beside him, wondering why the woman had left before she could hear her words.
Aposis stood and walked into a room behind a door. Nut followed closely, not wanting to offend.
They entered the room, and Nut's jaw dropped. It was more beautiful than any of the offices they had passed through to get here. The room was large, spacious, and filled with objects she didn't know the names of. Still, the place was magnificent—but missing something: a person.
She looked anxiously around, searching for the owner of the office or maybe Geb. Her eyes darted around, filled with both anxiety and hope, but she couldn't find anyone.
She turned her gaze to Aposis and gave him a hard glare.
"I thought we came here to see Geb. Where is he? Who exactly are we waiting for?" she asked desperately, seeking answers.
Unsatisfied, Nut decided to give him time and hold her peace. She sat down, still admiring the place, until she heard someone enter. She looked toward the sound—and her eyes met his. Her Geb. He looked just as handsome as she remembered, if not more.
She stared directly into his eyes until she heard him call.
"Geb. Oh Geb, I have missed you so much. My Geb, I couldn't hold myself since you left. Oh Geb," Nut said with all her emotion, tears welling in her eyes. She embraced him affectionately but was surprised he didn't respond.
"Geb, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" she asked, worry etched across her face. "Geb, what is it?" she asked again, but he still did not respond.
Immediately, she tiptoed and kissed him, but he pushed her away with anger and disgust painted clearly on his face.
"Aren't you happy to see me? I came all the way from our time, and this is how you respond to me?" Nut said, nearly in tears.
"How can you ask me to go, Geb? It's me—your Nut, your love, your goddess of sky and beauty. What happened to us? Why are you giving me this attitude?" Nut said through tears. She couldn't believe her Geb no longer recognized her—or maybe didn't want her anymore. No, that couldn't be. She wouldn't let Geb forsake and reject her like that. He was hers, and hers forever.
"Geb, look at me. It's Nut—your Nut. Please don't do this to me. What has come over you?" Nut shook Geb desperately, her eyes filled with pleading.
Nut couldn't believe her ears. Geb was blaming her for everything that had happened to him. Was he aware of all the sacrifices she had made for their love? Most of all, that she had bowed to a demon—the demon lord—to be reunited with him again. And yet, all she got was the blame for their actions.
Suddenly, she felt herself lose control as her power and will took over her entire being. Her eyes and hair turned white as she began transforming into her god form.
"Aaaaaaaaah!" Nut screamed. She launched an attack toward Aposis, no longer disguised as Morsi. "You! Why did you stop me? Why did you hold me back? Why did you stop me from destroying that entire building? Aaaaaaaaah!" she screamed again in frustration, firing a power blast toward Aposis.
He dodged swiftly, then teleported at light speed beside her and slapped her hard—a slap that failed to quell Nut's fury.
"What?! You slapped me?!" she screamed in rage. "You're going to pay for this!" She charged herself with full energy as her god form took over. Without hesitation, she conjured the elements of heaven, already enraged by her fury.
"I'm sorry, I beg you, please stop!" she cried as her body began to tear apart. "Aaaaaaah!!" she screamed repeatedly, but he said nothing.
"Please, demon lord Aposis! I beg you, please stop this!" Nut cried, looking up at Aposis, who still stared at the ceiling.
"Demon lord!!! Please!!" she shouted again, finally catching his attention. "Please, demon lord, I have learned my lesson. Please make it stop," she pleaded.
Nut fell into thought, needing to find an answer. She searched her mind but found nothing sensible, so she remained silent.
"Please, demon Aposis, I beg you, it won't happen again. I won't lose control of my mind anymore. Please make it stop; it hurts so much," she kept pleading.
Nut had a quick flashback and immediately remembered: 'my will.'
'My will—the use of my will out of anger did this,' she thought with relief, now having an answer.
She looked lost and dumbfounded, not fully understanding what he meant by 'nature doesn't like that fact.' She knew her will affected nature and that she could manipulate it to some extent—but so could other Egyptian gods and goddesses. So why was hers out of line?
Nut was now more confused and shocked than ever. Did nature really do this to her, or was Aposis manipulating her with lies? Yet, there had to be some truth in his words. Not just some—*all* of it was true. But why did nature do this to her? And why didn't she realize it in time? How could nature do this? And why did she want to bring down Ra's first female? What could have been Ra's crime against nature herself?
Nature may not have been a god, but she was a being acknowledged worldwide, not just in Egypt. She was believed to be responsible for the formation of the globe and the installment of gods, who ruled with wills gifted by her.
However, the situation of a god being held by nature was almost irrevocable. If that was her fate, then she was truly doomed. Fear gripped her immediately, and she began to cry again.
Now Nut truly understood what he meant. She needed to get a hold of herself and stop nature from manipulating her—or it would lead to her doom. Still in pain, she raised her head and spoke with her godly tone:
'Oh, demon lord Aposis, thou hast indeed favored me this day by thy words of revelation and wisdom. For thou hast done this, I, Nut, Egyptian goddess of sky, pledge to thee that never shall I be lost in my will, but my will shall be lost in me, as I take total control over all my being—to overcome Mother Nature as it pleaseth thee.'
Her voice was full of pain, hoping Aposis would call off the torment.
---
"What do you mean?" Nut asked, looking at him in confusion.
"But why would he want to do that, demon lord?" Nut asked with teary eyes. "Doesn't he recognize me? Or is his memory erased? I am his Nut, for crying out loud," she said between sniffles.
"And who could that person be, my lord? Who is that who wants to take my Geb away from me? Just say her name, my lord, and I will find her and kill her myself," Nut said, anger and rage written all over her face.
"Who is Nessy Saadid?" she asked, following his words closely, understanding what he meant. She was finally going to have her Geb by helping him get rid of the useless mortal.
"What would you have me do, demon lord? Just say the word, and it is done," she said, standing up to face him.
"I want this better than you do, Aposis. Just say the words and let me take the actions, so I will have Geb all to myself," she said with dreamy eyes as she remembered him.
"Then we are on the same part," she said with a nod. "Just tell me what to do, Aposis, and it is done," determination resonated in her voice.
"Who is Nessy Saadid?" she asked eagerly.
"What?" Nut couldn't believe her ears. What did he mean by making him blind? She hoped it wasn't literal because she definitely wasn't going to accept staying with her Geb blind.
"Please, demon lord Aposis, I do not understand. What do you mean by making him blind?" she asked, trying hard to remain calm.
"Very well, then I agree. But what are we going to do about her awareness? You know I need that if I truly want to fool Geb."
"I won't fail, Aposis. Just give me the lead, and leave the rest to me," she said with a beautiful smile.
"Aposis," Nut called in amazement, "it really worked," she said, surprised at her new looks and voice.
"What's wrong?" she asked, noticing Aposis's worried expression. "Did something go wrong?"
"Why?" Nut asked, feeling insecure and doubting his trust in her.
"Is that the only way?" Nut asked in disappointment. She really didn't want to lose her will as a goddess.
"Then do it," she said, determined.
"Aaaaah!" Nut screamed at the sharp pain she felt—but it was gone in no time. Aposis also strengthened her after the process, preparing her for the task at hand.
---
Geb stopped the mind scan immediately. He had seen and heard enough. It was time to get his mortal consort…