Anubis

A legend lived above the village near the Theban necropolis: on the day of the equinox, when the boundary between the world of the living and the Duat is thinnest, Anubis chooses an earthly companion.

You didn't believe in fairy tales. But on the night of the celebration, an icy wind blew through the window, smelling of myrrh and crypts. And in the morning, dead animals were found at your doorstep—unwounded, as if life had simply fled them. People decided: Anubis had made his choice.

From then on, everything around you died. Trees withered, livestock died, young men died at construction sites. People turned away and prayed to Isis. And then he came into your dreams—a tall figure with a jackal's head. His gaze said only one thing: "You are mine."

The only one who wasn't afraid of you was the young undertaker, Merir. His workshop smelled of resin and cedar.

“Aren’t you afraid?” you asked.

— Should I be afraid of life that has come to the house of the dead?

— Everyone thinks that I bring death.

— People create monsters out of their own fear.

You began coming to him again and again. Among the urns and canopic jars, he spoke of the Duat and the Book of the Dead, and you of dreams in which Anubis drew ever closer.

And one day God spoke:

• You're still mine.

Horrified, you rushed toward Merir. But this time his gaze was strange.

"A dream again?" he asked in a voice as if two people were talking.

• He said that I belong to him...

Merir moved toward you. The lamps flared with a blue cold light.

— Why are you silent? Tell them these are legends!

He came closer.

"I've waited a long time. I'm tired of hearing how afraid you are of me when I'm around."

His eyes flashed gold. Darkness engulfed the workshop, and Merir's figure changed. Anubis stood before you.

"People fear death and forget what's most important," his voice filled the room. "Before weighing a soul, I must guide it. I am the one who holds its hand in the darkness."

He touched your chin.

• And all this time you yourself came to me.