In the heart of an ancient Egyptian temple, illuminated by the soft glow of flickering torches, sat the goddess Sekke upon a grand, ebony throne. Her figure, both regal and commanding, was adorned with the dark, elegant features of Anubis. Her jackal head, gleaming with a sheen of midnight, was crowned with a golden headdress shaped like a sun disk and flanked by feathered plumes.

Before her, bound to an altar of stone, lay a mortal woman. Shackled by enchanted chains, her face reflected a mix of fear and defiance. She had sought to challenge the divine authority of Sekke, believing herself beyond the reach of the gods.

Sekke’s gaze, penetrating and inscrutable, fixed on the bound figure. Her silence was a heavy presence, more potent than any spoken command. The woman, despite her struggles, could not escape the suffocating weight of Sekke's scrutiny.

"You dared to defy the divine order," Sekke’s voice resonated with a deep, melodious authority. "Now, you must face the consequences of your rebellion."

The mortal’s breath quickened, and her earlier bravado waned as the gravity of her situation became undeniable. Sekke's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she pondered the woman’s fate.

"My purpose is not to exact revenge," Sekke’s tone shifted to one of solemn clarity. "Rather, balance must be restored. Your defiance has disrupted the harmony that sustains all."

With a fluid, graceful motion, Sekke rose from her throne and approached the altar. Each step she took seemed to pulse with the weight of ages, her divine presence both awe-inspiring and intimidating. She raised her hand, not in anger, but as a gesture of profound judgment.

"Your punishment will not be one of mere cruelty," she said softly. "Instead, you shall confront the truth of your own spirit. Only through this trial will you come to understand the essence of humility and respect."

Sekke’s divine touch brought forth a vision—an intense and overwhelming cascade of the woman’s memories and inner fears. Through this experience, she would be forced to confront her arrogance and learn the delicate balance necessary for harmony.

As the vision enveloped the mortal, Sekke returned to her throne, her gaze unwavering and serene. The temple fell into silence once more, save for the distant echoes of sacred hymns.

In the end, Sekke was not merely an enforcer of retribution but a guardian of cosmic equilibrium. The woman’s lesson was now underway, and the goddess, with her timeless wisdom, watched over the process, ensuring that balance would be meticulously restored.


Artwork created by Bunny-luhser
Short story by me.