*ancient Egypt*
(The god counsel)
"Shu?! " every one gasped in shock.
Immediately, Tefnut ran towards him, with worry I her eyes, as she drew him into a tight hug.
"Shu?!, oh my. I missed you so much when did you wake up from the trance, are you ok? " she said all in one breathe, as she burst into tears.
"Its ok, Tefnut" Shu said, consoling her "I am now very fine and no need for you to worry" he kissed her forehead and wiped her tears.
"Supreme father" Shu said, as he bowed to the sun god.
"Shu when did you wake from your trance? " he asked as he tried to hide his worrried face from him. He was in shock about what they had been discussing earlier, before he cane into the scene. The sun god really didn't want his son to see how worried he was over the name 'Aposis '.
"Not long after Tefnut left our abode. I greet you all fellow deities of Egypt". Shu said with a weak but precise voice.
All he got was just nods from the other gods, as they all decided to hold their peace except Horus.
"Air god Shu, you are very welcome " he started, not giving him a cold shoulder
"Thank you deity of sky and war" greet him back with a slight smile as he let go of Tefnut and sat beside his father's right hand.
"Air god, " Horus started again. "You were saying something about all being your fault... " he said, with the impression that the counsel really wanted to hear what he had to say.
Shu took deep breathes, before he began talking. "l would like to talk to the supreme father alone" he said in a serious tone.
The whole counsel fell in deep silence. They dared not to speak when the supreme father was present to speak for himself.
Ra couldn't understand why Shu wanted to speak to him in private. But he knew one thing for sure, and that was the fact that what ever it was, he wouldn't like it.
Nevertheless, he dismissed the other gods and goddesses and took Shu to his abode, where he felt would be convenient enough for him to speak.
"What is you want to talk about "Ra asked with serious impression as he sat on his throne like chair, make himself comfortable on the seat as he gave Shu a listening ear.
"Supreme father, Aposis was the one who attacked me and took Nut with him" Aposis said, restlessly. But was surprised that his father didn't bulge.
"Supreme father, did you hear me, l said that Apo... " he tried to say again, but was cut short by his raised hand.
"I know that already Shu, but what l don't know is why you wanted to say it to me in private". Ra retorted.
"There is more supreme father " Shu said with desperation
"What do mean Shu? " Ra asked with eager eyes.
"Supreme father... He was from the future" Shu was now very serious and really not happy about what he was saying.
"Nonsense Shu, how did you know and how are you so sure". Ra could no longer contain his shock as he blurted all in one breathe.
"Supreme father his aura and will increment told me so and besides, when l threatened him with Geb's name, his reaction proved to me that he knew exactly where he was, and was planning to take Nut there, to reunite with Geb". Shu said as his mind could no longer comprehend all the information it held at that moment . He felt like he was going insane, with all that has been going on with his family.
"Calm down Shu may be he was just bluffing and nothing more" Ra said, more to himself actually than to Shu.
"No supreme father, l might not be the god of divinity or truth, but l know one thing for sure, he was speaking the truth. I stared into his eyes, supreme father and l saw the sincerity in them while he spoke. He maybe a demon god, but he was still a soulof Egypt and every Egyptian soul can be discerned through the eyes, and that is exactly what l did. And l tell you now father that demon god was from the future and took Nut there as well". Shu said, with confidence in his voice.
"I do not agree with you Shu. I mean l and Geb cast him ourselves into the pit of darkness and placed him there till eternity after his last strike on us. So how then can you make me believe that he is from the future when he is no more now "Ra said convincing himself more than he was convincing Shu. He really didn't want to believe Shu's words, even though he knew very well that he wasn't lying but speaking the truth.
"No more you say? Supreme father you and Geb didn't destroy his soul, rather you both just left to rot, which he definitely didn't fulfill and is now back to have his revenge on my family" Shu said, giving the sun hod more reasons to believe.
"Even if l believe you Shu, what do you expect me to do about it? " Ra asked as he darted his eyes around, waiting to hear what Shu would ask for.
"Supreme father, l request order to bring Geb home back to now, so that whatever plot that Aposis is laying out, won't be of effect again once Geb is out of the picture" he answered thoughtfully.
"Ok then bring him back by the morrow's first light" Ra said with authority.
"We have one issue supreme father" Shu said in disappointment.
"What could that be " Ra asked, desperate to know what the problem was.
"Supreme father, l cast the spell in such a way that only Geb can break the bonds of the hourglass. I had done it to stop myself from releasing him, if by any time l could no longer contain my fatherly love. "He said as he bent his head before Ra.
"So you mean to tell me that only Geb has the will to bring himself back now and no one else, not even you who used the ancient hourglass on him" Ra asked, not believing what Shu just said, and needed more clarity.
"Yes supreme father, please forgive, l never knew that this would happen, and we would have to call his banishment so soon". Shu was disappointed at himself, he never expected for any of this to happen.
He never even hoped to see Aposis again through out his life time, but here he was still very active in the lives of his two children. He just wanted everything to end and the madness of incest which got them (Nut and Geb) to the mess they were at now cut off.
"Don't beat yourself up about it "Ra said as he saw the look of disappointment on Shu's face as he seemed to be in deep thoughts " lt is ok Shu, we are gods and there is absolutely nothing impossible for us. Gather your self together air god " he said as he path his back.
Shu put himself together as he took a seat at the other end of the room and held his chin in thoughts.
Ra paced up and down, back and forth as he too was thinking about how to ensure Geb's presence with them in their present Egypt.
Actually, Ra's basic reason for giving this a serious thought is so that he could have Geb here close to him, incase if Aposis changes his mind and decides to attack him or maybe come revenge so that Geb would easily take care of him(Aposis) and defend him(Ra) with his will.
He knew very well that without Geb's assistant and alliance with him, Aposis and his league of demons must have already taken over Egypt by now. And thats the main reason, why he thought his head out, just to find a way to bring him home back to their time and keep him with them especially now that Aposis was back.
Shu rubbed his palm on his face but stopped half way true, as he recalled something.
"Supreme father" he called with joy.
"What is Shu? "Ra answered as he averted his gaze swiftly to him.
"I have an idea " He said with delight and a smile on his face.
Ra's face lighten immediately, finally he was going to hear something good today he sighed with relief "speak " he said with authority and joy and the same time.
"We must go through with the ritual of the earth, and we shall use it to send a message to him" he said looking sternly at the sun god, who seemed to understand him.
Shu knew his son too well and how quick witted he was, he had full confidence in him and trusted he would understand and figure out what to do to return back to them, before they can start thinking of how to bring back Nut, whose case was totally a hard nut shell.
Ra gave it a quick thought and although he didn't want the ritual to hold earlier, but now he had no choice, if he really wanted to stand up to Aposis.
"Ok then, be it as you have said. The ritual must hold"...