“We would like to speak to Steven Grant.” The blond announced creating an “x” with his arms before separating them quickly, blue trails of power in their wake. Steven felt an uncomfortable pull from inside their mind, forcing him to front and sending him to his knees instantly, mind dizzy and frazzled from the forced switch.
Steven looked up at the gods, eyes wondering around the room like a kid in a candy store. Being inside the pyramid was unlike anything he could ever imagine, he’d never would’ve guessed this is how it looked, so clean and untouched, the gods really knew how to keep appearances.
“Steven Grant you were asked a question.” Steven snapped his head up to the stern voice, Osiris, the man seated in the middle had spoken to him. The God of the underworld, oh man this was sick. Oh yeah he was being spoken to.
“Huh oh right sorry ‘bout that. Kind of mind boggling for me being here y’know, just can’t help but marvel this place, you have a god of cleaning duty? It’s so shiny in here.” He laughed quietly trying to hide his awkwardness, the gods didn’t seem to interrupt his rambles like he expected which was nice. “Sorry what was the question? I didn’t mean to ignore you.”
Osiris had no expression on his face, which left Steven unable to know what he was thinking or feeling, probably annoyed, he looked very businessman, short schedule and that. He thought Osiris had been the one to ask the question but the avatar of Horus was the one that had spoken.
“The question was are you unwell?”
Unwell? He didn’t feel unwell, well apart from the fact he had another person taking over his body against his will, a god of the moon scaring the shit out of him a lot and plenty of people trying to kill him- no he doesn’t think he’s unwell, maybe just confused.
“Uhh, no..? I think I’m pretty well? Tip top shape. Is that why I’m here? Aren’t we here about him? Y’know trying to kill millions of people by freeing Ammit, crocodile lady?” He pointed to Harrow, the man hadn’t spoken since Steven took the floor, stone cold face peering over at Steven, gosh he was quite scary wasn’t he.
“Do you feel exploited by Khonshu?” Osiris now spoke, face unchanging.
“Exploited? Uhhh I don’t know? Maybe-“
“HE IS NOT BEING EXPLOITED!”
Steven gasped as his vocal chords were forcefully taken away from him, breathing in quickly as the shout had taken all the air from his lungs.
The gods didn’t seem happy with this.
“Khonshu you will speak when addressed, if you cannot contain yourself then you will be silenced for the rest of the trial.” Well that was good, at least Khonshu might be swayed not to do that again, that was a horrible experience. “You were saying Steven Grant.”
“Me? Right right okay, well, exploited is a- is a weird word, I would say maybe along the lines of ignored? I mean, I didn’t even know Egyptian gods really co-existed with humans until like a few days ago-“
“Steven stop talking-“
“So when this big freaking pigeon skull man just appears and scares the shit out of me I thought I was bonkers! But apparently he’d just been joy riding this body without me knowing which is- like insane to think about! How does that even happen?-“
“Steven you really need to stop talking before you blow this trial-“
“But it’s not so bad I guess, I’d rather he be gone but if keeping him around means saving millions of lives I’d rather go through the annoyance of having him around, even if he is a little mean-.. a lot mean actually-“
“STEVEN SHUT UP-“
“Stop.” Osiris holds up a singular hand, Steven immediately stops talking, feeling out of his element. Shit maybe he said too much.
“You spoke that you had no knowledge of being an avatar for Khonshu, does this mean you did not consent to being an avatar?”
“Steven say you did, just lie for the sake of everything say you did.”
“I uh-… sorry.. um-“ Steven felt conflicted, if he were to say no the gods were sure to get angry, the implications in their voice made it clear this was serious, but this wasn’t important right now, millions of lives were at stake, why are they even talking about him? “Sorry? We’re not here about me? I mean uh- the trial is about him- Harrow, about him wanting to kills millions of people, unleashing Ammit? I mean I spoke with him about this, mate he even said he would kill children if it was Ammit’s wish, that’s a bit fucked no? Why is this even being discussed he’s probably digging to find her Ushabti right now? I bet if we go to where you were transported from you’d be close to finding it? What about your cane? The one with Ammit’s power? Surely that’s enough to provoke a better investigating than a quick trial that’s now about me? I mean you’re gods aren’t you? This should be straight forward right?”
“…” The gods were silent.
“Shit Steven you might pissed them off.”
“Perhaps the idiots not so cowardly.”
After a long uncomfortable silence Steven let what he just said sink in. Fuck.
“I-I mean, uh wait I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. I just meant- like- sorry I’m just stressed out right now-“
“Silence.” Horus’s avatar instructed calmly, as if Steven’s rambling wasn’t annoying, just unneeded. “Your statement has been made. Arthur Harrow will you deny or confirm any of the accusations Steven Grant has made?”
Arthur seemed troubled, he hadn’t actually expected it to go like this, he had hoped Marc would be the one to be called out, then the man as usual would get aggressive, something the court wouldn’t allow, but now he stood at a stand still, Steven digging his grave. He had to find a way out of this.
“I will deny I am searching for Ammit’s tomb, my current locating being that of the desert, but if wanting to explore the vast open beauty that is the desert was a crime then I am guilty. The cane which holds such magic was an unknown power to me, I had no inclination that it held godly power until now, if it does then I shall surrender it over to avoid accidental use. I will not re-announce what me and Mr Grant spoke about prior but if having a verbal disagreement is a crime then I am also guilty of such. To the court I must say that Mr Grant is very unwell, he will not state it but he is. Mr Grant will miss days unknowingly because of how Khnoshu is exploiting his body-“
“Wait no that’s not-“
“Mr Grant did not even know about being Khonshu avatar, his consent never given even if it was given by Marc Spector, Steven Grant has become victim to psychological injury due to Khonshu taking advantage of his mental state, seeing it reasonable to exploit a person with DID-“
“HE IS NOT BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF!”
“And I beg the court to help Mr Grant become free of Khonshu, to allow the man to live the life he wishes and not to be forced into these situations that cause him pain.”
Steven felt his body move as his arm came to swing for Harrow, he gasps in shock at his own movement but before his fist can connect a blue aura incases his hand and bring him to his knees. Gritting his teeth at the pain in his knees he quickly apologies.
“I am so sorry I didn’t mean-“
“We do not tolerate violence in this chamber Khonshu. For now this court is to be held for investigation, we will take your statement in consideration Steven Grant and we will also speak to Steven Grant privately regarding your concerns Arthur Harrow. The trial is over for now.”