The Memory Painter

“There is no Duat—no life after death. This is all we are,” Seth answered.

A curtain of rain fell between them. Thoth felt bile rise in his chest. “The pyramid is silent. What have you done?”

For a moment, Thoth saw Seth’s mask of confidence slip. Seth shouted, “It can be repaired. After we possess the hidden knowledge, we’ll be able to build more pyramids, heralding a new world. No more Guardians, no more secrets.”

“And who will be the leader of this new world? You?”

Seth spread his arms wide. “The people trust me because I am one of them. I don’t hide behind legends and lost magic. It’s time for a new beginning.”

“A new beginning in the dark!” Thoth turned to address Seth’s men. They needed to hear the truth. “Because that is where you will live—in a world with no light. There is more than one Guardian—a Brotherhood—and on Horus’ sacred oath, they will never let you have the hidden knowledge.”

Seth laughed. “More than one Guardian? Where are they?”

“Here.” Thoth pressed the khopesh to his chest. “Chosen by our father, who was chosen by his father, who was chosen by his—because his father’s father had been chosen by Horus himself. I am but one of many. You can kill me, but you cannot kill us all.”