Chapter Text
It had been a long tiring month for all of Egypt, or the large portions under the Falcon Gods rule. Soldiers were coming and going nonstop, Guards were marching and swarming the markets and beginning to spill into the lower towns. Zaya had been moved from their little house outside the palace to the room right across from the two monarchs.
Bek had been missing for a week.
He had went into town to fetch some herbs that Zaya had wanted and had never returned.
She had waited a good long couple hours just to be sure that he would not come back, and when he didn't she grabbed his ornaments showing his place among the palace and ran as fast as she could, thrusting them into the faces of unknown guards who attempted to stop her as she carried on her way. Shoving through the Guards posted outside the meeting room where the neighboring Kingdoms were discussing treaties, she threw the doors open and rushed inside.
The Nubian ruler looked up at her, her eyes shining with sympathy as she took in her lovers pieces.
A few others made snide comments about her place but quickly silenced themselves under the heated glare from their Queen.
"Zaya, what's wrong?"
"He's gone! He's not returned! It has been hours!"
"Who is gone?"
"Bek!"
And that was the moment the Air god's world crashed around him.
A week later turned up nothing, Horus had changed drastically without his favorite little thief around, having turned in on himself, retreating with Zaya and Hathor inside the palace at day's end and in the morning's beginning taking to the sky to try and spot anything that might lead them to his missing adviser.
And then they found it.
A bloody length of rope, the hook on the frayed off, taken where ever the owner of the rope had gone. Horus recognized it almost immediately, clutching it in his hands tightly.
"Sire, there has been rumors, myths being spread that followers of Set still roam in the desert."
Horus grit his teeth, even after being defeated his Uncle was still maintaining the position of being a pain in his ass.
"I want them all found."
Days turned into weeks; weeks into months.
Bek swallowed hard, his throat burning from the dry air as he inhaled, and his back sore from the last beating. His entire top was nothing but rags now, covered in his own sweat and blood, mud mixed together with both substances. He could feel grains of sand scratching his wounds.
His arms bound in front of him, aching with the tightness of the rope, chaffed horridly, small amounts of blood has stained the strands of hide. His hair was dirty, and mud coated his face. He felt as if he hadn't eaten in ages.
He missed Zaya.
He hoped she was alright.
The door to his cell slammed open, rough hands grabbed him about the arms, he groaned as he was lifted only just and dragged out of his prison. He was limp as he was taken down the hall, pulled down a flight of granite stairs, and into a large room. It was cool, the air moist around him, and panic began to set in.
No.
Not this.
Not again.
He lifted his head only barely and eyed the large chest with terror.
They stuffed you inside, only enough room to turn to one side or the other, and sealed the hatch. When they locked it shut they would open a smaller hatch on the top and drop five scorpions down inside, locking you in with them. When he had first arrived he had witnessed what they had done and his heart sank. They laughed merrily as the box would move and flip and the man trapped inside would scream in agony and terror.
He had been shoved in twice since his arrival, and had somehow made it out both times, but this time felt different.
Bek struggled weakly against the ones shoving him inside, attempting to, his shirt moved only slightly and the charm he wore fell out. One of the large men grabbed it with his grubby looking hands and the weak man hissed as he yanked it free.
Laughing heartily as he held it up for his comrades to see.
"Look, we have a follower here, oh mortal, where is your great and powerful King of the Air now?"
He was picked up roughly, "Where is your god now?"
There was no time to react as he was dropped roughly inside the box, his eyes widened, he hadn't actually prayed to the gods in a long time. That hadn't really changed much since becoming Horus's adviser either, but Zaya always said that they listened, they did, and he believed her word with all his heart.
As the lid sealed over top of him, he closed his eyes tightly.
"Horus....Horus please....I need your help....."
He perked up at the voice, weak as it was he would recognize it anywhere, he slammed his fist down on the table jumping to his feet as he transformed into his god like form. In the language of the gods he called for help, taking to the air a moment later.
Hathor heard the call he had made, to the ones he had called for, and she turned to comfort the girl next to her.
Whispering her promises of Bek's safe return.
He felt the tiny feet of the scorpions crawling over him, he waited on baited breath for them to sting but they never did. they merely crawled around some before coming to a pause, and when he was sure that he was done for, they laid down and seemingly fell to sleep. Looking down as best he could to the five scorpions slumbering on his chest, his eye brows met in confusion.
What?
He hissed as the box was kicked and the creatures were startled, another kick and the little lid flew open.
"Where is your god boy? Where is he?"
The same horrid man was leaning over his spy hole, but his focus was on the shadow behind him, the one with the looming wings and the familiar golden glowing eyes.
Bek licked his lips, feeling the scorpions curling once more, "Behind...You..."
The mans eyes widened slightly, scoffing, but turned all the same. He was gone from his view a moment later by the grab of a large golden hand. Admittedly, the worn thief almost teared up at the deep but oh so welcoming voice that rocked around the cavern.
"I do believe you have something of mine."
There was a loud bang and a shout and a looming shadow over the small peep hole in his box. The lock was pulled clear off, the lid torn away, and the most welcoming face peered down at him. A large gentle hand kept him from moving and he may or may not have whined at the action, he wanted out of this box, out of the place. He wanted to go home.
"Still Bek, you are safe now, let Serket get the scorpions first."
A goddess came into view, long dark hair gliding down her back, a head dress of poisonous creature adorned her temple. She smiled down at him kindly, holding a hand out and hissing under her tongue. They moved together as one, crawling from his chest and over the edge, across the floor, and climbing up into her hand. Gentle hands pulled him from the chest, he latched onto the front of his shaw as the god held him close to his chest, standing to his full height.
"Apep, you have them?"
"Yes my king, they will get what they deserve."
A voice rumbled around him and Bek shut his eyes at the familiarity and protection it gave, "Good, see that they do."
"Yes my king, I hope your adviser recovers swiftly."
A hand brushed through his hair, patting his head softly, "He will."