---
"How come the Dark Abyss is void of its usual elements...? The powers... they're gone too..." Zeus muttered in disbelief as he stared into the swirling black water.
His expression twisted in terror.
"It could only mean one thing... Mother is out!!"
Without another word, he vanished from the Abyss and reappeared instantly in Anubis's chambers. He walked to her bedroom and inhaled deeply, sniffing the air.
A faint trace of a dark, ancient essence lingered.
"Mother was here... I can feel her power still clinging to this room... but why? Anubis...?!"
He cursed under his breath and stormed out.
---
On Earth
"Dear father... mother... do you remember me?"
Anubis grinned wickedly, her red eyes glowing as her parents trembled before her.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing—this was their daughter? A demon?! Her eyes... they could see?! Impossible.
"Tsk. You don't remember me? I'm Anubis. Your blind and disgusting daughter—remember the one you sold like trash? Hope you missed me! Oh wait... I didn't miss you. Now it's time for you to meet my master..."
She grinned wider.
"In Hell, of course. Now—die!"
She waved her hand. Thick, black smoke exploded around her parents. They screamed silently, too terrified to speak, and collapsed as the darkness consumed them. A white haze escaped their corpses and flowed into Anubis. She inhaled it deeply and smirked.
She turned and exited the room, leaving the lifeless bodies behind.
As she descended the stairs, she spotted two teenage girls—her sisters—kneeling on the floor, paralyzed in fear. They had heard her earlier, heard the command to "die," and now they knew. Their parents were dead.
They stared in disbelief at the creature their sister had become.
Anubis walked toward them and knelt so she was level with them, smiling with terrifying calm.
"Mother and Father are gone now. Don't you think you two are next?"
The girls shook violently.
"Leave us alone, demon!" the elder sibling cried, voice cracking with panic.
Anubis laughed.
"You must be kidding. I'm not leaving until I kill both of you."
"Wait!" the younger one cried out suddenly. Anubis paused mid-gesture, intrigued.
"Telma... What do you want to say?" she asked, eyeing her coldly.
"I... I'll serve you. Please. I'll be your servant. Just... don't kill me," Telma pleaded, shocking her older sister.
"Telma, are you mad? I'd rather die than be this demon's slave!" the elder spat, her voice filled with disgust.
Anubis smiled.
"Then die... go join your parents in Hell."
She waved her hand without hesitation. The older girl collapsed as black smoke engulfed her, and the white haze of her soul rose and entered Anubis. The demoness turned slowly to Telma.
"Since you chose to serve me, I'll let you live. But if you betray me..."
She leaned in closer.
"...I'll end you without blinking."
"I... I would never dare!" Telma stammered, trembling.
"Good. Let's go."
Anubis grabbed her and they vanished.
---
They reappeared in a large courtyard before a grand house, surrounded by a breathtaking garden filled with glowing flowers and fruit trees. Anubis released Telma, who dropped to the ground with a thud.
She winced but said nothing. She slowly stood, dusted herself off, and looked around in awe.
"What are you waiting for? Go prepare a meal!" Anubis shouted from within the house.
Telma jumped and bolted inside, not daring to provoke her new master.
---
"Anubis!"
Zeus's voice boomed as he appeared from the shadows. Anubis turned in surprise.
"Master... You're here?" she asked, bowing quickly.
It hadn't been long since their last meeting in Hell. Why was he here again so soon?
Zeus ignored her question. He entered the room, sat at the table, and stared at her with an unreadable expression.
"Tell me what you're supposed to... How dare you lie to my face and hide things from me?" he said coldly.
Anubis's heart stopped. He hated lies. He had told her so from the very beginning.
She dropped to her knees.
"My Lord... I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I'll tell you everything—please!"
"Then speak. Now!"
She swallowed hard.
"Master... the other day, I was about to bathe when I felt drawn to a strange power. I closed my eyes and saw myself before a dark lake filled with immense energy. It pulled me in—I tried to resist, but I was dragged inside. There, I felt power surge into me. When I opened my eyes... there was a voice inside me. She said her name was Lilith, the first immortal woman."
Zeus's face betrayed no emotion. He simply stared at her, silent.
"She said she was cast into the Dark Abyss by the Origin... and she wants revenge. She offered to give me her powers to help me fight him, because she's too weak to do it herself now. She also mentioned the Sword of Gratos. She said with it, I could defeat the Origin."
Zeus finally spoke, voice low.
"The Sword of Gratos...? Did she tell you how to get it?"
"Yes, Master. She said it belongs to the God of Death. Only if I defeat him will the sword accept me."
Zeus exhaled deeply.
"The God of Death is Mephisto. He's immensely powerful. Do you truly think you can fight him?"
Anubis bit her lip.
"I believe I can. Lilith promised to strengthen me gradually—bit by bit—until I'm ready."
Zeus muttered under his breath.
"Mother… always meddling."
"Master, what did you say?"
"Nothing. Where is she now?"
"Inside me. She's been silent since. I think she's asleep."
Zeus stood.
"Fine. But don't ever lie to me again. If you do—I will make you pay."
He disappeared, leaving Anubis trembling. She let out a long breath and collapsed on her bed.
---
Later, Anubis sat at the dining table, staring at her food. She was starving, but had no appetite. Zeus's words haunted her.
Mephisto... the God of Death...
She couldn't defeat him. Not now. She needed to grow stronger.
But how...?
Her thoughts were interrupted as Telma entered and placed another dish on the table.
"What kind of mage are you?" Anubis asked suddenly.
"Fire," Telma replied nervously.
"Your level?"
"Still basic..."
"Tsk. Useless," Anubis muttered. Telma frowned slightly.
"What? Are you upset?"
"N-no, boss. I wouldn't dare."
She forced a weak smile.
"Good. Tomorrow starts the new week. You're coming with me to school. We'll train that pathetic fire of yours—I won't have a useless servant at my side."
Telma bowed and left quietly.
---
"Letting her grow stronger... isn't that dangerous?" came a voice inside Anubis's mind.
She smirked.
"How is it dangerous?" she asked, feigning ignorance.
"Oh please. Spare me the act," Lilith replied in displeasure.
"Kikikiki..." Anubis chuckled softly.
Lilith fell silent.
"Pardon my manners," Anubis said more seriously.
"It's a test. The moment she dares betray me—I'll kill her. But if she proves loyal... she'll be useful. Very useful in the future."
Lilith let out a soft laugh.
"I see... Perhaps I was worried for nothing. You're wiser than your age suggests. Zeus didn't make a mistake giving you a second life."
Her words made Anubis blush, though she said nothing.
Lilith returned to her slumber, and Anubis focused on her meal. Once she finished, she retired to bed.
---
Midnight
Anubis awoke. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she closed her eyes and recited the incantation Lilith had taught her:
"You are darkness, and I am darkness. You don't own me—I own you, for I am your master. Heed the voice of the one who calls, and spring forth from your abyss—into me!"
The room was instantly consumed by pitch-black shadows. Dark energy swirled violently around her, lifting her into the air. Her hair whipped wildly as black smoke cloaked her body.
Then, from the ground, three ghostly figures emerged. Their eyes blazed with crimson fire that leaked from their mouths, ears, and nostrils.
They stared at each other, then at her.
In unison, they stretched out their right hands. A surge of dark red fire erupted from their palms, wrapping around Anubis like a burning cloak. It did not burn her—she felt no pain.
She looked divine. Unholy.
The ghostly figures grinned and rushed into her body.
Anubis screamed.
Agonizing energy coursed through her. The fire that cloaked her turned bright crimson. It now burst from her mouth, ears, and eyes—just like the spirits before her.
And then—everything went silent.