Anubis walked into her chambers and entered her bedroom. Falling onto the bed, she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep instantly.
---
Back in the throne room, Zeus sat leisurely on his black throne, sipping red wine from his ornate glass when Daemon entered and stood behind him.
"Father! Seems you're tired already?" Daemon asked, gently massaging his father's shoulders.
"Tired of greeting those fools..." Zeus muttered with a grin.
"Why don't you come keep me company tonight?"
"I will, Father." Daemon smiled, then his tone shifted.
"Anubis... why did you give her another life? And even powers to harness?"
Zeus's grin lingered as he swirled the wine in his glass.
"I looked into her and saw a burning desire to destroy—especially the world. That hatred... it was born from how she was treated in her past life. She pledged her soul to me in exchange for revenge. I accepted. She's useful. She'll help me carry out my plans for the world. And she's willing to do anything I command."
"Hmm... but what if she betrays you?" Daemon asked, his tone laced with concern.
"Tsk." Zeus clicked his tongue and smiled confidently.
"She wouldn't dare. I am her master. She owes me everything—her life, her soul, her body. If I were her, I wouldn't even dream of betrayal."
"Alright, Father. If you say so. I'll be going now. I have some guests to attend to, if you don't mind."
"Not at all," Zeus replied.
"Just make sure you come to my chambers tonight... and make up for abandoning me."
Daemon smiled, bowed slightly, and left. Pleasing his father was always his top priority—and he knew exactly how.
---
"Father, please don't leave me... Mother! Please, please don't leave me... PLEASE! AHHHHHH!"
Anubis screamed and shot up from her bed, soaked in sweat. She looked around her chamber and exhaled in relief.
"It was a dream..." she muttered.
"But why them, of all people?"
Seeing her parents in her dreams felt wrong—offensive even. She hated them. Despised them. Even the gods knew how deep her hatred ran.
She remembered her last life clearly—how they sold her, how she cried and begged... and how they turned away. Just the memory made her clench her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Getting off the bed, she stripped off her clothes and entered the bathroom. Slipping into the warm bath, she relaxed, letting the heat ease her body and mind.
She closed her eyes, trying to sense the powers within her... and suddenly, something erupted from deep within.
Dark energy burst out of her body, flooding the bathroom.
With eyes still closed, she found herself submerged in a strange, dark lake—a lake of black energy and swirling shadows. The power called to her.
She tried resisting it, but she was pulled deeper. Eventually, she stopped resisting and surrendered.
The moment she fully entered the abyss, a surge of raw power coursed through her—stronger than what she'd felt during her initial transformation.
Her eyes sprang open, leaking dark smoke. Her pupils were gone, replaced by hollow, pitch-black voids.
She smiled viciously.
"I am back," she whispered, though it wasn't her voice. It was ancient... misty.
"Do you know me?" the voice continued through her lips.
"I am Lilith, the first immortal woman to ever exist. I was cast into eternal slumber and thrown into the Dark Abyss by the Origin. That's why no one remembers me. But I have returned. I must avenge. I have waited eons for this moment."
"You chose me?" Anubis asked calmly, unfazed.
"Were you the one calling me into the lake?"
"Yes. That lake is the Dark Abyss where I was sealed. No one has ever gone there and returned—not even Zeus. But you... your case is different. There is something about you that caught my attention."
"Why me?" Anubis pressed.
"Kukukuku..." the voice chuckled.
"You aren't afraid of me? You should be. Even Zeus fears me!"
"And why should I fear someone who's using my body without permission? If you're truly powerful, go find your own shell."
Lilith laughed. "Well said. No wonder Zeus is intrigued by you. You've got no fear. I like it. I borrowed your body—and I will live inside you now. In return, I'll help you grow stronger. That's what you want, isn't it?"
"And in exchange?" Anubis asked sharply.
"You must do something for me."
"What is it?"
"You will battle the Origin."
"Wh...WHAT?!" Anubis nearly screamed.
"Are you trying to get me killed?"
"Indeed, it's a near-impossible battle," Lilith admitted.
"But there is one thing that can kill him: the Sword of Gratos—infused with the power of death itself, wielded by the God of Death. To obtain it, you must fight him. The sword chooses its bearer."
"But why can't you fight the Origin? You're the one with a grudge."
"I've grown too weak after ages of slumber. I've lost most of my power. I can't take the risk of losing."
"And how am I supposed to gain the strength to defeat the God of Death?"
"Leave that to me. As you practice, I'll slowly feed you my power—bit by bit, until you're ready. Just one thing: do not tell Zeus about me."
The voice faded.
Anubis stepped out of the bath. Her eyes returned to their normal red glow. She dressed in a nightgown and returned to bed.
Sitting on the edge, she replayed Lilith's words in her mind.
"I'll do it," she whispered with a wicked smile and lay down to sleep.
---
Elsewhere, Zeus sat on his throne watching the earth through his ethereal screen when Anubis stepped out of the shadows, now in her human form.
"Master, I have a request," she said, bowing her head.
Zeus turned, eyeing her.
"What is it?"
"I want to go to Earth."
"For what purpose?"
"I keep seeing my parents in my dreams. I want to remove them from existence. Maybe then, they'll stop haunting me."
Zeus grinned.
"You hate them that much?"
She nodded.
"Hmm... I had planned to send you once you were ready. But if you wish to go now, then I suppose you are prepared."
"What will I do there, Master?"
"You'll live there for now—like a human. Go to school. Learn their ways. Blend in. I'll give you your missions when the time comes."
"I'm going to live like a human?" she asked, surprised.
"Yes. But be warned—I have enemies on Earth. Many demons, celestial beings, and creatures that oppose me. If they discover you, they'll try to destroy you. Do not let them. Destroy them first."
"Yes, Master. I understand perfectly. I swear on my life—I'll destroy anyone who dares challenge your will!"
Zeus's grin widened. Her loyalty pleased him deeply.
"Indeed... I didn't make a mistake bringing you back," he said proudly.
Anubis blushed slightly.
"When do you plan to leave?"
"Immediately, my Lord. I have no business here for now."
"Very well. Prepare to depart. I'll take care of your setup on Earth."
"Thank you, Master."
She turned to leave, but Zeus's voice stopped her.
"There's something different about you. I can't place it... Is there something you're not telling me?"
Anubis froze. A flicker of nervousness crossed her face.
"No, Master. Nothing at all. If there were, I would have told you."
She bowed and exited quickly.
Zeus watched her leave, his expression darkening.
"There's something strange... I feel an aura coming from her that isn't hers. But what is it? And why is she hiding it from me?"
With a scowl, Zeus disappeared.
---
In a dark, empty space surrounded by floating translucent objects, Zeus appeared from the shadows. He stood before a black pit filled with swirling ink-like water. Raising his hand, he waved it over the abyss and peered into it.
His face paled.
"Mother is out...?!" he gasped, his voice shaking with dread.