Beginnings
336 BC
The fourth century BC was the height of Classical Greek civilization. Over the last eighty years, Greek philosophy, literature, art, and architecture spread far and wide throughout the world. Alexander III of Macedon, pharaoh of Egypt built up his empire throughout Greece and India and conquered countries all over Europe by age thirty. After his father was brutally murdered, Alexander kept wishing there was a way to prevent evil.
When his father was murdered, Alexander practically burned down all of Macedon until he found the person responsible was one of Phillip’s own bodyguards, Pausanias. He had been speared to death while fleeing the assassination. After careful investigation, Alexander found out that Pausanias murdered King Philiip for not punishing his rapist. After assuming the throne and getting everything in order, Alexander travelled through the Mediterranean and made his way to northern Africa.
He eventually found himself at the temple of Ammit just outside Thebes. He had time to mull over the events that led up to his father’s assassination. He sat at the foot of the temple and let out a few sobs. How could his father not see this coming? What did he expect? For Pausanias to just roll over and take it and then move on?
“Your scales balance perfectly.”
Alexander gasped, jumped up, and pulled out his spear. “Who goes there?”
“Yet I sense much anger and frustration within you.”
“Who are you?” Alexander demanded. “Show yourself!”
“I am the goddess Ammit.” The voice said.
Alexander looked around wildly until he saw a large statue of Ammit. He sighed quietly. “My father had been murdered. So much evil had been done leading up to that. Rape, humiliation, revenge…it all could have been avoided.”
“I see. What if I were to tell you there’s a way to stop evil before it happens?” Ammit asked.
“I would ask how would that even be possible?” Alexander shrugged.
“Become my Avatar. My voice and judgement of all.” Ammit suggested.
Alexander pondered this. He could stop people from committing evil acts such as rape and murder. He would also be able to tell who is loyal to him and who isn’t. Alexander nodded and knelt before Ammit’s statue.
“I would be honored, my goddess.” Alexander replied.
“Then rise, my servant.” Ammit said. “Let us heal the world.”
Alexander felt his right forearm sting and he let out a sharp gasp. He looked down and saw a tattoo of black scales appear on his arm. He looked up and gasped again as he saw Ammit before him. He smiled and nodded.
XXX
Over the next thirteen years, Alexander managed to build up his empire and became Pharoah of Egypt. He lost track how many people he judged during his conquests. He even met some fellow avatars such as Taran of Angleland, Avatar of Khonshu.
However, the more people he judged in Ammit’s name, the more power mad and ruthless Ammit became. The straw that broke the camel’s back was that she told Alexander to start judging children.
“But they have done nothing wrong yet.” Alexander protested. “Shouldn’t they be given the choice to choose between right and wrong?”
“I do not wish to give them a chance. Best to nip evil in the bud as early as possible.” Ammit declared. She retreated back to her statue.
Alexander exhaled sharply. He agreed with most of Ammit’s docturne, but this is going too far. He had to do something.
XXX
Eight months later, Taran knelt before Alexander. “Your Majesty. To what do I owe this honor?”
“Ammit has abused her godly power. I fear she has gone too far.” Alexander replied. “We must stop her. Will you inform Khonshu and will he pass on the message to the Ennead?”
Taran bit his lower lip, sighed quietly, and bowed his head. “I shall pass on the message. However…Ammit and Khonshu have a…history.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “A romantic history?”
“He implied that it was.” Taran replied. “He is the god of justice and vengeance, so hopefully he will act against Ammit.”
XXX
Alexander invited Taran to stay with him for a few days. He walked out to the balcony of one of the palace’s many guest rooms. He stared at the full moon and told Khonshu everything Alexander told him.
“Well, what do you think?” Taran asked. “I know the two of you have a history.”
Khonshu was silent for a moment as though processing what he just heard. “I knew Ammit was ambitious and power hungry. I never thought this day would come.”
“I’m sorry.” Taran said sympathetically.
Khonshu shook his head. “I will tell the Ennead. We’ll go from there.”
XXX
The next day, Ammit confronted Alexander.
“I’m sorry, my Goddess, but you have gone too far.” Alexander said. “I told the Ennead. They’ll be dealing with you shortly.”
“You betrayed me?!” Ammit growled. She grabbed Alexander in her long coils and slammed him against a wall. “No one in the history of torture will be tortured with the torture that you’ll be tortured with.”
Khonshu appeared, grabbed her coils, and freed Alexander, who stumbled against the wall. Taran helped him up and stood in front of him.
“Khonshu. After all we’ve been through, how could you do this to me?” Ammit demanded.
“I judge anyone who has chosen evil. That doesn’t exclude you.” Khonshu replied. “You have gone down a path you know I won’t follow.”
Ammit was starting to get sucked out the window. She growled angrily. “You will pay for this, Khonshu! Who will love you, now?!”
“Besides me, you mean? Don’t really much care.” Khonshu shot back.
Alexander lurched forward and passed out from the force of Ammit being torn away from him.
Taran lay Alexander on his back and lightly slapped his face. “Your Majesty? Your Majesty!”
“He’ll be fine.” Khonshu said assuredly. “Having a god ripped away can take a lot out of you.”
Taran exhaled sharply. “Well, I don’t know how we’re going to explain this to his guards.”
“People pass out all the time. It happens.” Khonshu shrugged.
Alexander moaned slightly and opened his eyes.
“Your Majesty.” Taran said, relieved. “Are you all right?”
The pharaoh grunted as he sat up. “Yes. Thank you, my friend. I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing, Your Majesty.” Taran said, smiling.
XXX
The Ennead didn’t want to take the chance of Ammit being freed. They hired a medjay called Senfu to hide the location of Ammit’s tomb, which was buried in Alexander’s final resting place. He also created a golden scarab compass that would lead to her tomb. It had since been lost, found, and sold on the black market.
XXX
1910
Come, Josephine in my flying machine
There she goes, up, up she goes
Khonshu sat in his favorite chair in the chamber of the gods in the Overvoid. He loved listening to Hathor sing and dance. He sighed in content and smiled. Hathor finished the song and chuckled affectionately at Khonshu’s reaction.
“You have a beautiful voice.” Khonshu said. “I enjoy listening to your melodies.”
“Why Khonshu, I didn’t realize you had a soft spot for music.” Hathor said as she sat next to him.
Khonshu chuckled. “I am full of surprises.”
“Clearly.”
They talked for hours, danced together, and made out with each other. They dated for a while until Khonshu lost interest.
XXX
September 2, 1945
The earth had now been through two world wars. It was slowly becoming clear to Khonshu that the earthlings need the might of gods. He stood before the Ennead.
“Seventy-five million people have died during this senseless war.” Khonshu said. “This would not have happened with our interference.”
“We do not wish to meddle in the affairs of man.” Osiris said. “If they needed our help, they would have asked for it.”
“Clearly, they do, since they’re killing each other and innocent civilians.” Khonshu argued. He slammed his staff to the ground and a gust of wind blew through the overvoid.
“Enough, Khonshu!” Osiris snapped. “Do not interfere or we will be forced to take action.”
XX
Khonshu’s current avatar was a US Army war veteran called Nick Ericson. He fought at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He narrowly escaped being captured by the Germans and came home after the war ended.
“If Gods exist, then where the hell have they been the last six years?” Nick asked Khonshu.
“They don’t want to meddle with the affairs of men.” Khonshu shrugged. “I disagree, however. We need the might of gods.”
Nick nodded. “Okay. Well, that’s no skin off my nose. So, what do you need me to do?”
XX
After about a year as Moon Knight, Nick started telling people how he got his “superpowers”. A few thought he was Captain America in disguise, having returned from the dead, others thought he was crazy.
The more people Nick told about Egyptian gods, the more the Egyptian Ennead began to notice.
“Khonshu, what are you doing?” Osiris demanded.
“I figured the more people know about existing gods the more they would ask for help.” Khonshu said simply.
“We very specifically told you not to reveal yourself or our existence to mortals and yet you did it anyway.” Osiris said. “Khonshu, you are hereby banished from the Overvoid.”
Khonshu started shaking with anger. “You can’t do this!”
“Oh, yes, we can. We can also imprison you in stone if you dare incur our wrath again.” Osiris said simply.
Khonshu was ripped away from Nick and sent back to the statue of him at his temple. He screamed angily.
Over time, Khonhu realized he can still have Avatars. He didn’t care what the other gods said. He needed to eradicate the worst of the worst. It’s what he was meant to do, after all.
Unfortunately, his avatars didn’t exactly agree with Khonshu’s methods. Eventually, he learned that only someone with a fragile or broken mind would agree with everything he’s doing. He would have to wait for someone with a fractured mind to become his avatar.
Even if he had to fracture it himself.