“If you can pass through, why can’t you take other people along, too?”
“My magic holds no sway over the Veil. This isn’t a gateway, it’s a safeguard. A lock, if you will. No one enters the throne room via the secret passageway unless they cross through the Veil.”
“What does it do? Burn you?”
“In a way,” replies Anubis. “It takes you to your own personal hell. It’s a trial.”
“Not just any trial, though,” adds Nefer. “It’s a specific test that brings out the worst in your soul. And whoever passes through the veil with you, they go through your personal hell as well.”
I force myself to look on the bright side. “That doesn’t sound so bad, having someone to keep you company.”
“They’re more than company,” explains Anubis. “They join your test. And that means that their errors can make you fail. And when that happens, you go straight to Hell’s torture pits.”
Okay, that sounds pretty shitty, right there.
“Is that what happened to you, Nefer?”
“I went in with fifty warriors,” says Nefer with a sigh. “Since fifty of us went in together, we all went through fifty trials. Fifty hells. I thought my warriors were strong enough to take it. They weren’t. Only three of us made it past the veil and into the throne room. Onyx was ready for us and sent the rest of my warriors to the torture pits. I would have gone as well, only Anu stepped in to help me.” Her face warms with a smile. “You shouldn’t have, you know.”
Anubis grins at her in return. “I’d do it again. You know that.”
While the two of them make goo-goo eyes at each other, I turn Nefer’s words over in my mind. There must be a way in this to save Maxon.
Suddenly, a spark of hope lights in my chest. If what she’s saying is true, then a small raiding party could be better than an army. If I go in alone, I only have one personal hell to face.
“Tell me. How did you get to that secret passageway in the first place? Did Anubis help you?”
“No, Anu can only open the main gates, and those are too well watched for anyone to sneak through. That’s why I needed Kiya. As a first animal, the old walls of Eden do as he commands.” Kiya chitters and bounces on Nefer’s shoulder, showing his agreement.
Anubis steps closer, setting his right hand on my shoulder. “You’re emotional and overwrought. I can see where your mind is going, but if Nefer couldn’t kill Onyx with fifty warriors, what hope do you have against Armageddon?”
A little voice in side my head says ‘he’s right, you know.’ Then, I glance down at the image of Maxon on my wrist. My boy is wide-eyed and screaming in terror. Rage blasts through my nervous system. Maxon’s in pain; that’s what matters. I straighten my spine and steel my resolve.
“I know I don’t have much of a chance, but—”
“Much of a chance?” barks Anubis. “How about none? No one has ever been rescued from Hell. Not since the dawn of time. Don’t forget that.”
My eyes flash red with demon rage. “Stop telling me what no one’s ever done! My child’s mind has only a day before it’s shattered. If there is anything I can do—no matter how slim the chance—then I have to try. Otherwise, I’ll never forgive myself.” Seconds pass and my eyes glow angel blue. “Besides, I’m not just anyone. Don’t forget that.”
Anubis shakes his head. “You talk madness. Armageddon already knows a rescue party is coming for Maxon. As we speak, he’s at the wall’s high tower, awaiting the arrival of Xavier’s army.”
“Good.” I set my fists on my hips. “That means he’s not expecting a small raiding party.”
Anubis sniffs. “One crazed warrior is not a small party.”
“I’ll help you,” says Nefer quickly. “Anubis can send you to my prison block before you go to your personal hell. Free me, and I’ll stand by your side as you take on Armageddon.”
Anubis leans back on his heels and lets out a great howl of rage. The bones of his face snap and reform, turning into the jackal head that has adorned so many Egyptian tombs. “No! I have not protected you for two hundred years, only to see you captured again. Onyx was a reasonable Queen.”
“She was a tyrant,” snaps Nefer.
“She was a saint compared to Armageddon. If you’re caught again, it will be the torture pits for you. I won’t be able to help you this time.”
“I never asked for your help in the first place, and I’m not asking for it now. Kiya can lead the Great Scala to my prison.”
Anubis raises his arms. Vines burst out of the walls, heading straight toward Kiya. “No, he won’t!” Fast as lightning, the vines wrap around Kiya’s body, holding him immobile.
“You’re breaking your promise to me,” I add. “This is my favor. Keep your word, Anubis.”