The sun never set on the british empire. That’s what Hans had been told by one overly enthusiastic modern history teacher, at least. He pondered the meaning of this as he sat at the dark river’s bank, staring into the sky. He had tried to find a spot in the etch-black sky that was the brightest, or at least the least dim. The sunlight soaking into his fur had to have come from somewhere, he reasoned, yet try as he might he found himself unable to find any star in the cloudless sky above. He sighed. “I wish I knew more about this place.” He muttered to himself. The thought came to him that if he were to stay here long enough, he may well get his wish. For some reason, this was not a comforting thought. 

“Hans?” Anubis’ soundless voice called from nearby. Hans took in a deep breath, then rose to his feet. “I’m over here.” He called back, his voice tempered by the memory of that awkward moment they’d shared several hours earlier. The dark god’s ears swivelled towards Hans’ location, followed shortly by the jackel himself. “I have prepared the meal. It would be an honour for us to dine together.” Something about the way the sentence was presented piqued Hans’ interest, but he elected to leave it be for now. He put on his best thankful smile and made his way to Anubis, joining him as they both made their way back towards the modest home. “What’s on the menu? I hope there’s a lot of fruit.” 

Anubis’ steps slowed to a gradual stop. “You are a bat.” He said cautiously, his eyes staring at Hans in a way that made the bat feel somewhat judged. “Yes?” Hans replied, cocking his head to one side. “I’m a fruit bat. I only really eat fruit.” He explained slowly. Anubis’ concerned expression didn’t change. “I did tell you this earlier.” Hans added. “I was not aware that your meals were so…”

“Picky?” Hans offered with a grin. Anubis smiled back. “Exclusive.” Hans shrugged, continuing his way towards the rounded front door with Anubis in tow. “I know you haven’t had company in a while, but you’ve surely heard of people who don’t eat meat before.” As they crested the front stoop leading up to the doorway proper, the smell of roasting meat met Hans’ nose. He wasn’t intolerant of others eating meat; in fact, he had a few friends who ate meat in front of him, but the sheer concentration of the smell Anubis’ meal produced made his nose wrinkle. 

“My… company, as you call it, came from a time where meat was a blessing. Burnt offerings never included… fruits.” Hans turned to face the dark god with a smile on his face, despite the smell. “Was there a hint of judgement in your tone there?” He joked. Anubis looked at him blankly. “My voice does not carry tones.” 

Well, he’s got me there. Hans thought. 

The pair walked through the main entrance together, with Anubis taking the lead. The dark god walked with what could be considered enthusiasm towards the main pit, which had been overhauled slightly since Hans had left it last. The large rounded fire pit had been equipped with a dark metal platter, held up by two sets of thick, soot-covered logs. Atop the dark metal steamed a large selection of meat cut from the deer Anubis had hunted earlier. He looked over at Hans and took his seat, smiling toothily at the bat as if looking for a reaction. To Hans, it looked… ‘pretty’ may have been an overstatement. “Well-presented.” He muttered, smiling as best he could. Anubis certainly didn’t seem to like wasting any part of the feral animal; the hooves stuck out from under their roasted joints, and the liver and kidneys seemed to be sizzling softly in a small bowl atop the metal meat platter. The most disturbing part of the entire display was the centerpiece; the antlers of the deer had clearly been removed to make some sort of seasoning, however the head down to its neck was sat front and center of the display, staring unseeingly at the rest of its disembodied parts. 

“It’s… it looks nice.” Hans said. He was trying his absolute best not to offend the dark god’s offerings, but the sheer amount of dead meat sat in the center of the room made his stomach churn. “I have many eons of experience.” Anubis said, smiling at his prepared feast. He licked his maw with his long pink tongue, clearly enjoying the scents and sights he’d set up. 

“I guess I could… go find some berries…” Hans muttered half to himself. Anubis shook his head and waved Hans over to sit beside him. Reluctantly, the bat complied, doing his best to find a cushioned place to sit that was as far from the meat as possible. Anubis handed him a bowl of something, and Hans took it with a similar reluctance. “What… may I ask what this is?” 

Anubis smiled toothily at the bat. “I have mislead you, mortal! I am divine, and so my memory is infallable. You have your meal.” He said happily, motioning down at the bowl. It was full of a colourful assortment of round… things. They could be fruit, Hans reasoned, or they could equally be a part of the grotesque amount of giblets in front of him. Anubis cut off his train of thought with a whisper into Hans’ ears, which made the young bat’s fur stand on end. “Berries, my young friend. From far distant lands, where man may not have ever tread. These are my gift to you, so you may partake in our meal together.”

Hans took one of the berries in his fingers and slid it hesitantly into his mouth. It certainly felt like a berry… he bit down, and as the thick skin broke on the mysterious fruit, every part of Hans’ mouth felt a sudden rush of pleasure. The juice was sweeter than the sweetest brazilian hex plant. Hans’ eyes widened as he glanced down at the rest of the bowl of fruit. “Thish ish delishush!” He said, before realising the faux pas of talking with your mouth full. When he looked up apologetically to Anubis, however, the dark god had already began tearing the flesh from one of the grilled deer’s legs. He noticed Hans’ expression, a mixture of horror and delight, and laughed soundlessly. “We do not feast in the judgment halls!” Anubis said jovily, taking a fist-sized chunk of meat out of the joint with one swift snap of his maw. “There is no need to stand on ceramony here. You eat and speak as you please in this place.”

Hans smiled in thanks and nodded, quickly biting down on a couple more of the delicious berries. “Scho--” He managed to swallow this time, before attempting to speak. “S-sorry. So where are these berries from?” They really were the most delicious things Hans had ever tried, and he’d tried a lot of berries. Even the best berries at the college’s universal food days weren’t this good. After a couple more chunks disappeared from the quickly diminishing deer leg, Anubis turned to him, and paused. “A place you would call… south east asia.” 

Hans giggled softly, crunching on his berries. “There are people there, I’m afraid. Even men.” He added, just to make himself more clear. Anubis rolled his brilliant green eyes at Hans. Hans shrugged happily, just enjoying the company and the food. He could almost forget about the meat smell entirely. 

“I may have overstated the rarity of your food.” Anubis said with a meat-filled maw. “As is my right, as your god.“ This made Hans giggle again, and playfully pat Anubis’ huge tricep. “So you’re saying gods are entitled to a bit of showmanship?” Anubis grinned again. “What is a god without a touch of the dramatic?” They both laughed, although only Hans needed to open his mouth to do so. 

Anubis quickly finished the deer leg to the bone and didn’t hesitate before starting on the next, and then the next. He was like a machine, tearing into the seared flesh before him and discarding the stripped bones neatly to one side. As Hans watched, all of the steaks, gizzards, the different fleshy mounds and pulps and sauces were consumed into Anubis’ pitch black form. While it didn’t look like much in comparison, Hans’ own bowl of berries was surprisingly filling, and deceptively deep. While his meal may not be quite as varied as Anubis’, it certainly didn’t lack in volume. 

The pair sat together on the mound of cushions and pillows near the cooling hearth. Occasionally sounds of the metal meat rack cooling interrupted the silence, but it did nothing to break the pleasant atmosphere in that cozily-lit room. Hans didn’t realise he had fallen asleep until the nearly empty bowl fell from his claws and hit his leg, waking him with a start. For a panicked moment, he couldn’t quite tell where he was, or how he’d gotten there. Then, with a familiar dread, the memories returned. He yawned softly, and glanced around for his divine friend. Anubis was reclined on the cushions as before, and all of the bones from the meal had been neatly set out along the outside of the round fire pit. As Hans drew closer to Anubis, curious of his lack of movement, he suddenly realised the jackal was asleep. “Interesting…” he whispered to himself. Who knew gods could sleep? I wonder what he dreams about. 

With his head still slowly beginning to clear from the pink mists of sleep, Hans stood up and stretched. As quietly as he could, he returned the bowl to the side of the heart and began to look around at the other doorways. Each one was dark, with a narrow passage leading from each one away from the central room. Risking another glance at Anubis to confirm the death god was still slumbering, Hans cautiously began to make his way towards one of the doorways. The stone around the doorway was utterly unremarkable, which in itself was quite strange; everything from the rounded front entrance to the strange circular theme of this small home made Hans question why people assume gods would live in palaces. He couldn’t imagine the comfortably snoozing jackal enjoying a draughty ball room with marble inlaid with gold. He mulled these thoughts over in his head as he proceeded down the slim corridor. Eventually it opened into another relatively small room; each wall was the same sandstone-like material as the rest of the structure, and the walls were equally as unadorned. The skin of some animal was spread out over the floor in the center of the room, past which lay the only other pieces of furniture. The first one that caught Hans’ eye was the large, oddly over-decorated bed. The corners of the rectangular bed seemed to drop off sharply, as if it was cut from stone by an inexperienced sculptor. It was perfectly flat, and as Hans approached it and tested it with his claw, he found it was just as hard as stone as well. In fact, the only things keeping this from seeming like a random slam of stone jutting out from the wall were the two dark pillows at the wall end and a thick hide-skin covering. Hans shrugged and turned to leave, but was distracted before he could. There’s a bedside table. He thought to himself, his brow furrowed as his mind began to work up a mystery. Why would any god need a bedside table, of all things? 

Hans rounded the rock-hard bed and stared down at the small end table. It was a simple thing; made of pitch black material with a woody finish, four simple legs and a drawer adorned with a single silver knob. It was the only metal Hans had seen in this place that wasn’t gold or simple iron. Slowly, he knelt down to take a closer look. The silver was tarnished slightly, as if it had been used often. The top seemed uneven, because two of the legs had been chipped slightly too short. There were a couple of scuff marks on the top, too, as if there had been more decorations that had been moved or used often. For some reason, this artifact of the mundane in a spiritual and fantastical world made Hans’ head spin. Why is this here? He asked himself silently. He looked around the room, but there truly was nothing more to look at; a simple stone bed, one hide rug, four walls and a ceiling. Then there was the bedside table… 

Hans’ claw shivered. He knew he was getting far too curious for his own good, and every part of his higher brain was telling him to simply leave before he got caught invading the privacy of someone who could have him eaten by sword-wielding serpents, but his hand was travelling on its own towards the silver knob. His heart raced as he felt the cool silver brush against his fingers. He didn’t know why he was so nervous, but it didn’t matter; nothing mattered except seeing what was inside. He breathed deeply in, held his breath, and… 
 
”Hans.” Anubis called. The soundless noise startled Hans, making him jump and retract his hand like it’d been burned. His cheeks began to burn as he quickly glanced around the room, terrified of the idea of having to explain himself. Anubis wasn’t there, but it wasn’t like there were many places to hide. After a few moments of silence, he quietly breathed out, cleared his throat of the panic as best he could, and responded. “I-I’m in here.” He said, his voice wavering only slightly. It’s fine! He thought to himself. I was curious, he knows I’m curious, I just wandered in here. I wasn’t doing anything! 
A few moments later, Anubis appeared at the entrance to the room. The entrance which, Hans’ mind couldn’t help but remind him, was also the only exit. “What are you doing in here?” Anubis asked, his face remaining as unreadable as the pitch black void it resembled. His shining green eyes locked on Hans’, making the bat just that little bit more nervous. “I-I was just…” Before he could come up with a suitable excuse for being a snoop, Anubis’ sigh sounded in his mind. “You are a curious creature.” He said, leaning against the sandstone entranceway. Hans grinned manically and nodded, incredibly grateful for the presented explanation. “Y-yeah, I guess I was… just curious. I wanted to see more of your place.” Anubis shrugged, and took a few slow stride into the room. His towering figure was more prominent now that the tips of his ears brushed up against the ceiling, where as it’d take Hans two of himself just to get close. ”You might have started with a less conspicuous room than my private offerings chamber.” 

Hans suddenly felt very, very dirty, and didn’t even know why. “W-well, I’ll just… I’ll leave if you want me to.” He muttered to himself, looking down at his feet. He couldn’t bring himself to raise his head, so the dark jackal did it for him; a single, pitch-black claw pulled Hans’ chin up until the two were staring face to face. Hans hadn’t even realised he’d gotten that close. Anubis smiled, somehow comforting the bat while simultaneously making him feel very, very small. 

“ um.  “ Hans squeaked. His coyness only made Anubis’ smile grow. ”Burnt offerings are made to me, and I recieve them in the kitchens.” Something about the way Anubis could speak to Hans without ever breaking eye contact, or opening his smiling maw, made the fur on the back of the bat’s neck stand on end. The claw was still holding his chin in place, meaning he had no choice but to be subject to the god’s whims. ”Some believed that burnt offerings were not enough, or not… suitable.” Anubis continued, finally breaking eye contact and withdrawing his claw. Hans felt like his heart hadn’t beat the entire time, and the sudden rush of blood back to his brain made him gasp softly. Anubis seemed to ignore it, instead electing to walk around the bed, dragging one of his claws across its soft pelt covering. ”When those times occurred and I found it pleasing, I would grant a private audience to one lucky believer…”

Hans felt like he could tell where this was going. He glanced quickly at the entranceway, and found it looked definitely too far away to run to. Definitely. No way to escape, there’s no reason to even try. Yep, you’d definitely be caught, and then probably some bad stuff would happen, I definitely need to stay in this room. Hans’ thoughts came as quickly as his heartbeats. His eyes returned to the jackal, who Hans suddenly realised was staring at him again. From the other side of the stone altar bed thing, Anubis let out a soft, soundless chuckle. ”Had I known you were this eager to partake in such a ritual, I might have forgone quite such an extravagant meal.” 

Feet won’t move. “N-no!” Hans said softly, raising his claws in self defence. “Y-you’ve got it wrong, I was j-just wandering!” Cheeks burning. Definite redirection of blood-flow going on. Anubis raised a single golden eyebrow and leaned across his stonework altar. ”I can hear your heart quicken when you look my way, and the slumber we took together shows you find my embrace comforting.” Hans’ cheeks went from a gentle burning to fully on fire. “Wh-what do you mean the slumber we took together?!” He squeaked desperately, his legs still utterly refusing to move. “I f-fell asleep! That happens to us mortals after a large meal! A-and what, because you’re a god you can just tell when m-my heart is beating faster?” 

Anubis smiled again, disarming the bat’s premature defence. “You slept soundly, far before I joined you in quiet respite. Your form crept upon mine, and your torso found its way into the croof of my shoulder. As for the heartbeat…” Anubis grinned wider, his fangs shining in the lacking ambient light. ”For all my divine grace, I am still a jackal.”

Hans swallowed. He didn’t have much choice; it was that or shrink into an infinitesimally small particle and disappear out of the universe entirely, and he couldn’t quite figure out how to do that no matter how much he currently wanted to. Anubis’ eyes were fixated on Hans’, as if pulling him by some physical force towards him. Hans didn’t even notice his legs had started moving before his knee bumped hard edge of the stone bed. He mentally shook himself. “I--I, uh… I mean, y-you’re v-very… I j-just…” 

Anubis shushed him silently, which was a very eerie feeling to have run through his mind. He felt his muscles relax slightly as he slid his lower half onto the bed into a sitting position. ”In this place, we shall feed when we wish, be it a desire from our bodies, or our minds.” 

“I-I don’t know w-what that mea--” A dark claw pressed against the bat’s lips, and all thought of protest left Hans’ mind like the tide washing away old reeds. He did want to be with the jackal, he realised in his partially panic-stricken state. He had pushed those thoughts down with worries about death, and offending Anubis, and retribution should he step out of line, but as each of those worries were worn down and discarded, the bare truth remained. I want him. Hans thought. I want to have him, and for him to have me.

“W-we just… met…” Hans whispered softly. Anubis’ maw drew closer as he leaned yet further over the edge of the bed, his smile turning from fanged to gentle and kind gradually. ”I am eternal. For me, I have known you for all the time we have been together, and all the time you will be with me. I can recall what will be, and live what was. I know you could not be as I am, but for some reason, there seems to already be a part of you within me…”

Hans drew closer. He could feel the jackal’s hot breath against his nose, the scentless hot air brushing against his chin. “I-I… want a piece of you to be within me, too…” 

Both the jackal and the bat froze for a few moments, as if each wondering if the other heard what they had heard. Their eyes locked, and they both couldn’t help but grin wide. 

”Did you TRULY--”
 
“I-IT SOUNDED MORE ROMANTIC IN MY HEAD!” Hans yelled, covering his blushing face with both hands and curling up on the bed out of embarrassment.

”Part of me inside--”  

“You don’t have to repeat it!” Hans yelled through clenched fists. He was grinning like an idiot, his face was flushed and his wings were curled around his sides like a child. “J-just leave me alone for a bit!”

If it were a softer bed, Hans may have been able to feel the jackal stop leaning against it, and maybe even sense him leave. Instead, when he cautiously moved his hands away from his eyes a few moments later, he was nose-to-nose with the giant dark god. He quickly moved to re-cover his face, but Anubis quickly snapped his claws around Hans’ wrists and pulled them apart, his soft chuckle echoing through Hans’ mind as the young bat fought half-heartedly to regain some semblance of privacy. “N-nnooooo…!” Hans called out, before giggling manically. He looked up at Anubis, who was also grinning like an idiot, clearly enjoying the playfight. The fact that Anubis could probably and literally tear Hans in two with one claw briefly arose in the bat’s mind, but was quickly rejected. This was no time or place for worry. 

Anubis’ legs straddled Hans’ own, with the jackal’s hips reaching far above the bat’s body to the point where Hans wasn’t subject to any of the large black dog’s body weight. That’s if he even has any. Hans thought passively, doing his best to stop giggling and give Anubis some wide-eyed pleas to let him escape. Anubis leaned his torso down, stretching Hans’ arms out to either side and pinning them firmly to the slightly padded bedding. ”You’re enjoying this.” Anubis said, with a surreptitious lick of his maw. “N-no, I’m not.” Hans lied. They both grinned together, and in an unusual act of bravery, Hans quickly leaned forwards and pressed his nose against Anubis’ own. “Boop!” He squeaked. Anubis stared at him, slightly confused, but with his playful grin remaining. 

”You mortals have certainly gotten stranger as the eons have gone by.” Anubis said softly. Hans smiled at him, his heartbeat finally slowing down slightly. He could still hear it in his ears, but it was no longer choking him of breath. “Oh, I don’t know… some things have stayed pretty much the same.” 

”Oh?” Anubis smirked, raising his eyebrow once again. ”Such as wha--” 

Okay. Hans’ thoughts noted. So he CAN be interrupted. Hans slowly pulled back his head from the sudden kiss he’d given the dark god. It felt… strangely normal. Like kissing a ball of finely conditioned fur, only with lips and a nose. Not quite knowing how Anubis would react, he paused for a moment, then opened his mouth to begin his seven-part apology. Fortunately, he didn’t get the chance; Anubis’ own maw came to him this time, pressing his lips firmly against the bat’s in a gentle, yet surprisingly heartfelt kiss. The two continued kissing, Anubis himself taking initiative in turning his maw to one side to deepen it slightly as his claws began to relax from around Hans’ wrists. There wasn’t a chance the bat would want to escape; instead, he raised his hands to stroke along the jackal’s pitch black collar bone, his fine fingers finding the ebbs and flows of the immortal being’s upper body. 

Eventually, as with all things, the kiss needed to end. It did so slowly, and as the two parted their lips, each of them opened their eyes to realise the other had them closed. A mutual smile spread across both their faces, and Hans let out a soft giggle. It wasn’t out of nerves this time, it was out of sheer joy. Never could he have imagined feeling so comfortable in a place so alien to him, with a being whose nature he could never be able to attempt to understand. Regardless, he felt safe, secure, and almost entirely relaxed. 

Almost. 
Anubis glanced down at Hans’ body, and when his face returned to Hans’ vision, it had a new sort of smile on it. “What’s so funny?” The bat asked, following the trail Anubis’ eyes had left. His eyes widened as he laid eyes on what Anubis had found interesting; Hans’ jeans had become slightly more vertical than horizontal. He quickly rushed to cover up his swelling jean bulge with both claws, which only made Anubis laugh. ”There is no shame in taking pleasure in what we are doing, young bat.” He said as Hans attempted to rearrange his awkward mound. ”It is only mortal, after all.” Hans looked up at the god with an expression mixed between embarrassment and frustration. “W-well, if you were mortal, you’d have one too…” 

Anubis leaned back on his haunches, towering over Hans like a skyscraper over an ant. With a knowing grin and a swift tug of his clawed hand, his royal gold coverings fell to either side of his wide legs. Hans stared him up and down, as if seeing the jackal for the first time. Really, it was only one small change from before, although considering the effect it had had on Hans, he may as well have turned entirely pink.

Anubis’ engorged member swung steadily from between his legs, the weight of his thick shaft fighting against the stubborn arousal. “T-that’s…” Hans faltered. Anubis nodded happily. Anubis’ new glistening member seemed to have sprung from the dark fur between his legs, as if coming straight out of nothingness into reality. Two bat-fist-sized orbs swung gently beneath it, betraying the mysticism that had stricken Hans upon its release. It was shining brightly, despite the low level of ambient light in the room, and sparkled with the gleam of wet pink skin. The slightly bulged shaft was straight and proud, with clearly defined yet somehow subtle elegance. The slight swelling near the base told of a very thick knot in the future, and the upper shaft tapered to a firm, rounded point. Of course it’s pointed. Hans thought to himself, unable to stop gazing at the mark of beauty before him. He’s still a jackal, remember? 

”I approve of your approval.” Anubis said casually. He leaned forwards once again, slowly enough to allow Hans a chance to follow his new equipment as it bobbed and danced through the air in front of him. Soon enough, it was brushing against Hans’ chest fur, with a warmth that radiated further than it had any reason to. Hans couldn’t help but swallow reflexively; something that made the jackal now leaning over him chuckle. All embarrassment forgotten, Hans’ claws made their way slowly towards the magnificent member. They embraced it gently, each finger wrapping around the base and gradually up the shaft. The heat warmed Han’s hands, and he could swear he could almost feel the dark god’s heart beating through his soft, smooth skin. A strange sound echoed through Hans’ mind, and for a moment he wasn’t quite sure where it had come from. Then, with a sudden realisation, he glanced upwards and saw the jackal looking not at him, but gazing blindly into the pillows just behind him. His magnificent green eyes were half-closed and his knowing-all smile reduced to a pleasantly pleased expression. 

Hans looked from Anubis’ face to the glistening cock in his hands, and smiled to himself. “I guess it’s… been a while.” He said, making sure to time a firm squeeze for when the jackal was about to make his response. Rather than some remark about how mortals experience time differently, instead Hans’ head was filled with a gentle, slightly growly moan. It was odd; he’d only ever had bat thoughts before. He supposed this is what it must be like to be a canine. The young bat stopped himself from shrugging, as that may have sent the wrong message, and began stroking up the pointed shaft of the towering canine. This member was larger than any he’d seen before, yet seemed just as sensitive as his own. While he did have some experience in this field of study, this was not at all what he had experienced in the past. The shaft of Anubis was incredibly smooth, so when Hans’ hand glided over it and suddenly squeezed, there was little to no resistance stopping him from continuing his stroke. The slight moisture on his skin did make Hans’ claws tingle slightly. There was a reaction each time Hans squeezed down a little more firmly on the sensitive cock; Anubis couldn’t seem to help but let out an equally pleased groan. 

These soft, intimate tones of affection only urged Hans on further. As the dark god straddled over Hans, it became more and more clear that Hans held of the all the power of the world (or, at least, underworld) in his hands. “W-wow…” Hans muttered, unable to contain himself any longer. He wasn’t just saying that to let the giant jackal know that he was impressed. Hans’ crotch was getting a bit sore from all of the untouched pleasure he was experiencing, and his hardon twitched desperately for attention in their denim prison. When Anubis merely moaned in response, Hans took another deep breath, prepared his tongue, and brought the tip directly against his lips. Anubis’ shaft twitched hard, and before he could protest, Hans squeezed his paws tighter against the bobbing canine cock in front of him and began stroking up and down the shaft faster. Little by little, the dark god’s member began to react to the sudden increase of stimulus; Hans’ tongue occasionally tapped the tip of the member as he used both claws to rub the shaft, forcing more moans out of Anubis. 

It wasn’t long before Hans’ tongue picked up the telltale taste of something new. He grinned, keeping his maw just far enough away to let his warm breath wash over the desperately throbbing, sensitive skin in front of it. Anubis was leaking, and to Hans it was the best taste in the world. Nothing seemed quite real, at this point. His brain had all but shut down, save the part driving his libedo. Hans knew exactly what he wanted, and by all appearances, Anubis wasn’t in any position to deny him it. What he wasn’t expecting was for Anubis’ urges to coincide with his own. 

”G...Good…” Anubis moaned softly, the first words he’d been able to communicate in several minutes. By the way his clawed hand had reached around the back of Hans’ head, the bat figured he was definitely being encouraged to keep going. It took him entirely by surprise when that paw curled around his skull and forced it forwards, equally as rough as Anubis’ hips jutted throatwards and pierced the young bat’s teasing lips. Hans tried to speak in protest, in surprise or shock, but found a cock where his tongue used to be. ”Yes, take it…” Anubis groaned, apparently to himself. Hans couldn’t pull back off of the canine shaft, and each time he attempted to do so Anubis simply jutted his hips forwards a little more, forcing the bat to swallow a little more of his enormous member. After the third or fourth inch, Hans learned his lesson. His claws had moved to Anubis’ pitch black hips in panic at first, but now calmed into a slight resistance barrier as they thrust to and fro. Anubis’ large, firm hand kept Hans’ skull in just the right place to fuck his maw effectively, not quite blocking off his air flow the entire time while also making escape incredibly unlikely. All Hans could do at this point was try his best to keep his teeth covered, his breaths shallow and his claws from digging into the divine fur upon which they rested.

Hans didn’t know how long his face was used as a plaything for the black jackal’s throbbing member. It seemed like hours, but he was forced to concentrate only on the firm claw behind his head and the firm throbs of the shaft as it forced his lips to part. It didn’t take long for Hans to enjoy himself; after all, what more could he do? He’d resorted to sucking gently as the tip was pulled from the precipice of his throat, then pressing his tongue flat against the underside of the god’s magnificent, pulsing phallus as it pushed back in. After the longest and deepest thrust yet, Hans could see from under his half-closed eyelids that something had grown bigger. The throbbing, leaking cock had swollen at the base slightly. Before his eyes, he saw it grow larger with each heavy heartbeat that echoed through the intruding member and into his mouth. Each beat made it grow, every thrust into his welcoming maw fed its lust as it pulsated and pressed against his already stretched lips. Just as Hans was beginning to wonder if he’d ever be let go, he was. 

Anubis smirked down at Hans as the young bat coughed and gasped for breath, previously unaware of just how little air he was getting between impassioned thrusts. Anubis’ paw had come to rest on his hip in matching formation with the other, and when Hans was finally done making up for lost breathing, he found himself looking up at a very satisfied expression. “W-what are you smiling at?” Hans asked, wiping the drool and pre from his cheeks. They were blushing bright, but he didn’t care much about that right now. He couldn’t take his eyes off of that beautiful, huge member. 

”Do you want to continue, little mortal?” Anubis muttered with an unbroken grin. Hans narrowed his eyes up at him, then slowly glanced down at his own member. It was still there, throbbing gentlyand straining against his jeans, reminding him of its unending torture of being untouched. “I-I w-was… hoping that…” 

Anubis raised an eyebrow. Hans coughed, and tried again. “I want to be able to enjoy myself too.” He said assertively, or at least as assertively as he could manage while having his entire mouth taste of Anubis’ dick. “I-I’m not just here for your approval, y’know…” He added quietly. Anubis slammed his paws down on either side of Hans’ torso, his eyes gleaming into the bat’s own. Immediately regretting his words, Hans smiled awkwardly and shrugged. “O-or m-maybe I a-am…?” He squeaked. Anubis silently narrowed his eyes, then pulled at Hans’ arm. Hans let himself be pulled around by the jackal twice his size, and didn’t resist when his chest was planted against the firm stone bed. “H-hey, what--” 

Hans didn’t get to finish his words before Anubis’ own invaded his head. ”You are right, of course. You are not here for my approval…” Hans tensed up as he felt the heavy weight of both of Anubis’ paws tracing down his back, the soft prickle of his claws making Hans shiver uncontrollably. “I-I didn’t mean…” 

Anubis’ maw was suddenly right next to one of Hans’ long ears. Hans didn’t understand why the dark god would even need proximity, considering his voice didn’t travel via sound, but the sensation of having that hot, heavy breath warm his cheek fur was undeniable. ”That’s Osiris’ job. You’re here because… I haven’t eaten you yet.” Once again, Hans tensed up. Those claws had traced their way all the way down to his hips, and weren’t showing any sign of slowing down. With no further warning, they were dragged over Hans’ hips, across his backside, and-- 

rrrRRIIIiip... 

Hans’ eyes widened. He forced himself up onto his claws and knees and turned to look at Anubis, or at least his snout, which was still by the side of his head. “Y-you bastard!” He shouted. From what Hans could tell, Anubis’ expression remained unchanged. He felt the fragments of fabric that were once his belt line fall to his knees, neatly cut strips of denim falling away like an unfastened skirt. “T-those were expensive!” 

”I am sure you will become accustomed to life without them.” Anubis grunted matter-of-factly. Hans opened his maw once again to complain, but found it forced shut when his head was pushed into one of the nearby pillows, accompanied by a gentle but firm  Sshhh. Hans fumed silently as his head was released, but stayed obediently in his new ass-up position. His ears twitched this way and that to display his clear annoyance with having lost a perfectly good pair of jeans, but his signals seemed to go unrecognised. Either that, he thought to himself, or he’s enjoying this. As if reading Hans’ mind, Anubis continued tracing his claws down Hans’ backside. His claws left small lines of disturbed fur as they teased and ran their way down his supple cheeks. Hans heard a very soft, very slight growl of approval, and couldn’t help but smile to himself. His face was buried in the pillow, so he could be as smug as he wanted; he knew he had a nice ass, but it’s very nice to have some divine confirmation. ”Your body may not have been sculpted from stone...” Anubis muttered softly, straightening his torso to get a more full view of the exposed bat, ”...but your body does reflect some virtues of the sand.” Although he kept his face in the pillow it’d been assigned to, Hans tilted his head in confusion. He tilted his ears, too, just to make it clear. Another gentle caress of his hips made the bat shiver again. ”The finest dunes would be envious of your form.” 

Hans shivered again. His words make me feel in my head the way his claws feel on my skin. Hans thought. He then raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised at the eloquence of the thought despite his current, admittedly slutty position. His congratulations ended short when he felt a sudden wetness between his cheeks. He let out a surprised squeak, which quickly melted into a long, low moan of pleasure. Anubis’ tongue had pressed itself against his entrance without Hans even realising the dark god had moved from his wide-legged stance. Hans found himself unable to dwell on the exact mechanics of the situation; each thought seemed to have a slippery quality, and each time he tried to hold on to one, it seemed to melt away until nothing but the tingling, slightly strange sensation from behind him filled his head. He heard himself moan into the pillow, unable and unwilling to stop his body from acting of its own accord. The canine tongue pushed a little deeper, twisting and tasting every part of the bat’s tight entrance and a few inches beyond. Just when Hans thought he couldn’t take any more, the sensation stopped. Hans was left bent over, heart beating loud in his ears, his body shivering slightly as the cool air brushed against his moist ass cleavage. 

A few moments later, Anubis laid his paws on either side of the bat’s hips. Hans could tell from the orientation of the jackal’s paws and the sudden, radiant warmth making its way between his cheeks what would come next. He turned his head to the side, and coughed as politely as he could manage. Anubis paused, mid-hip-squeeze.  “...Yes? Is there something wrong?”

Hans tried to concentrate, it was very important he think about his words. “It-- um, I mean… to say… I-I d-don’t… I don’t know if you’ll…” Hans could feel Anubis grin.  “Have you heard of the bowl empty of doubt?” Hans paused. “...N-no? That’s a bit of a strange thing to a-A--Aaahh!” 

Anubis interrupted Hans by the tip of his dick, pressing it suddenly against the bat’s moistened entrance. His claws dug into the bat’s soft fur slightly, but firmly, reminding Hans exactly who was on top.  “Of course you haven’t, because the bowl of doubt fills itself.” Hans bit into the pillow and scrunched it with both claws into his face, his body tightening up rigidly in response to the sudden pressure against his tailhole. As if ignoring this, Anubis leant forwards, little by little, building the pressure up against Hans’ hole, which very slowly began to open under the smooth, throbbing erection’s pressure. Anubis let out a soft, satisfied groan as his tip suddenly slipped in, the shock sending waves of pleasure careening over Hans’ body. Hans remained rigid, with his eyes wide open despite staring only at the dark material of the pillow his head was buried into. His mind was blank, unsure exactly of what to feel, yet simultaneously feeling really, really good. 

“You fill yourself so full of fear…” Anubis continued, his silent voice straining slightly as he pushed a little harder, jutting another few centimeters between the bat’s warm and wet cheeks. ”...that nobody else has a chance to fill you with joy.” 
“Fascinating philosophy lesson, Professor! Now, please, fuck my ass.”

Hans pulled his head out of the pillow, uncertain if he was going insane or if he had just actually said that. By the growing frequency of Anubis’s cock throbs, he could be almost certain he had. “I-I didn’t m-mean--” 

A firm thrust forwards, and Hans’ mouth hung open like a broken barn door. He could hear the gentle growl in his mind as Anubis forced the bat’s frame back to meet his slow thrusts, every last inch of the canine’s burning, throbbing meat sliding into Hans’ tightening hole. 

“    -!” Hans yelled out. It was strange, yelling without sound, but Hans was starting to get used to it. “O-oh g-GOD!” He called out, this time with volume. He felt the sharp claws against his hips tighten, threatening to break the skin, and he couldn’t care less. He also felt the burning, stretching force being pushed inside him, and he still didn’t care. He just knew he wanted more. 

“M-more, p… please…!” He moaned out, lowering his face back into the pillow. Anubis let out a satisfied chuckle, but abided by Hans’ wishes; his thrusts sped up little by little, each time his cock reaching a little deeper into Hans’ inexperienced body, until eventually the firm knot was bouncing rhythmically against Hans’ soft and fluffy cheeks. Hans could feel the weight of his own erection swinging back and forth under him, now free of his tattered clothing that once bound it. It felt… strange, really strange. Hans was awash with waves of pleasure that eroded the uneasy and unfamiliar feelings of having someone probe his insides, until he was utterly tingling with pinpricks of arousal. It felt as if every minute hair on his body was standing on end, and if he didn’t know any better he could swear his wings, which were usually folded tightly against his back, were doing the same. He couldn’t feel any air resistance against them, but then again he couldn’t feel much of anything other than the overwhelming amount of pleasure crashing through his nervous system. That, of course, and the gentle rocking of his body as Anubis forced his hips back to meet each of his perfectly timed thrusts. 

“a-Ah-hahhh…” Hans squeaked out. “N-nuhahh…” He added for good measure. Anubis grinned to himself, and sighed a lusty, heavy sigh. “You are such a well behaved creature… Would you like me to go faster?” Hans couldn’t answer, but Anubis didn’t wait for one; as soon as the words were in Hans’ mind the thrusts increased in frequency, as did the fizzling waves of pleasure washing over him. Hans moaned out weakly, barely more than a whimper. He could feel… something building inside him. He didn’t feel this way when pleasuring himself at home, even when he played with some more exotic techniques, but something about the firm bulge pressing urgently against Hans’ hole each time Anubis slammed his cock deep into Hans’ depths… 

It would push Hans over the edge any second if he didn’t keep on top of it. He was half tempted to push one claw under his chest and help himself out, but somehow he just couldn’t find the motivation to move in any way other than the rhythmic rocking towards the dark god’s lustful thrusting. He could barely think, but of all the concentration he could muster, he tried his best to keep his orgasm from erupting and prematurely ending this heavenly experience… 
Hans’ ear twitched. It had noticed something. His pleasure-addled mind fought for control for just a moment to see what it was. Ah, there it is. Hans thought to himself in this brief window of clarity. Anubis’ breath had gotten just a little bit faster, just a little more shallow. Now that he thought about it, Hans could also feel a slight… desperation when Anubis thrust forwards, as if he was almost urgent in getting his knot squeezed between his tight little cheeks. Hans couldn’t help but grin, even as the dark god ravaged his backside with each stroke of his mighty rod. Anubis is going to cum inside me. Hans thought. That alone very nearly pushed Hans over the edge, but with iron resolve he calmed himself. Taking in a deep breath, Hans forced his weary arms to support himself. Then, when he was sure Anubis had adjusted his grip accordingly, Hans pressed his palms against the stone wall at the head of the bed, his lust-laiden panting making his head spin slightly. “N-n…” 

Anubis seemed to be too focused on his own actions to pick up on Hans’ carefully chosen syllable. Hans let out a stifled moan of pleasure. He didn’t have long, he had to make his move. 

“Nnn--... Knot--... Knot m-me…!” He called out. If he had been in a populated area, he’d have been afraid of neighbors hearing him. In this place, there was no such fear. 

“Knot me, dark lord!” He shouted, pushing his palms forcefully against the stonework as Anubis forcefully thrust forwards with renewed vigor. “P-please, m-ma-make it f-fit…!” Anubis grabbed each of Hans’ arms and forced them quickly behind his back, forcing the bat’s face cheek-first into the rough sandstone. Hans wriggled in protest, but stopped when he felt the thrusts shallow drastically. The pitch black canine was pushing forwards now, no part of him wanting to pull backwards, and his knot was slowly straining, throbbing against Hans’ already stretched hole. Hans was trying his best to remain strong in his resolve when suddenly, Anubis slammed his free palm against the wall, several centimeters away from Hans’ nose. The bat’s eyes widened, his pupils shrank. Time seemed to stand still. An eternity passed, and it was still happening, and yet to happen. 

The thick, throbbing knot slipped suddenly into Hans’ ass, which quickly tightened around it and held it snug. It was so sudden that Hans actually squeaked in genuine shock and surprise, despite his previous pleading. His squeak was drowned out easily by the mental sound of a deep, lustful howl Anubis let out. Even soundless, the feeling of that howl reverberated across the room, the intensity seeming to shake the building to its very foundations. Hans felt his body give up and relent; every moment of passion and pleasure built up so far draining from him as he shot rope after rope of cum across the stone bedding, then pillows, and even the wall his face was pressed against. At the same time, Hans could feel the canine god tugging at his knot, which Hans instinctively tensed and squeezed around, as his tip far further into Hans’ body unloaded ream after ream of thick, burning seed. Minutes, Hans was forced against that wall, staring at the godly claw slowly sheer marks into the raw stone. Anubis continued to cum, minute after minute of orgasm wracking over the canine’s towering form, each pump of thick cum accompanied by a half-hearted tug of his swollen, enveloped knot. 

Hans wasn’t quite sure when he’d passed out. He was aware he was dreaming; for a moment; distorted images of bowls of fruit and running antelope occasionally filled his mind, then left without a trace. He was vaguely aware of movement, far off in the distance, and a gradual warmth spreading through his body. When he could eventually open his eyes for more than a moment, he found everything leaning sideways. 

“Wh--... what… oh.” Hans looked down at the pelt that had been sprawled over him, and the pitch black hand holding his chest. He followed the arm to its owner; Anubis was… cuddling him. He could never tell if the dark god was asleep or not, but if he just tried to turn around and-- 

“A-aah!” Hans clamped his claws around his maw and slipped quickly back into his lying position. Okay. His thoughts announced clearly. So, yeah, knots are a thing. The sudden tug at his backside, which somehow still gave him strang, post-orgasmic pleasure, reminded him exactly what he’d gotten himself into. “I--I… um…” 

Without facing Anubis, he couldn’t tell if he was listening or not. Rather than make a total fool of himself, Hans took a short breath, tucked the pillow under his head, and decided to rest. The bed was… well, rock hard, as rocks often are in his experience. It wasn’t a comfortable lay-down, but Hans didn’t exactly have much choice. Anubis moved slightly, tightening his grip around Hans’ torso. Hans couldn’t help but smile again. Sure, my ass hurts like hell, he thought to himself, and yeah, maybe this is gonna fuck me up for a while… He sighed deeply, and curled slightly into Anubis’ embrace. ...But in the end, at least I know we’re both happy. 

Time dwindled into the twilight as the two cuddled comfortably upon the not-so-comfortable bed. Hans dozed off a few times, and his mind was filled by distorted images and mangled words spoken through the veil of slumber. Hans was at peace for the first time since he had come here, and he felt as if he could stay here forever...

----

“Okay, this is boring.” Hans muttered to himself. He had accepted that he was tied to Anubis for a while, and he’d felt okay with that. That was an hour ago though, at least, and Hans didn’t exactly have much else to do other than count his claws and occasionally test how tightly he was still knotted. As it turned out, he was still quite firmly attached to Anubis’ hips. Anubis turned out to be quite a heavy sleeper, too; all of Hans’ attempts to wake him up in subtle ways had failed, and so had the less-than-subtle attempts. Coughing loudly had no effect, and nudging him with his wings just made Anubis grab a tighter hold on Hans’ chest. Even ten minutes of batting at Anubis’ nose with his ears had given Hans no respite from the endless boredom that was this bedroom. 

It wouldn’t be so bad if he had a T.V. Hans thought idley, tracing the cracks in the rocky wall for the third time. Even hospitals have daytime television. The only things IN this room are me, him, and… 

Hans’ head slowly turned to the wooden bedside table. It was on his side of the bed, and he was also incredibly curious. Maybe after fifteen or twenty minutes, he could have convinced himself not to look, but after over an hour of being stuck in one spot with a canine cock twitching occasionally against your insides… Hans shrugged. It just can’t be helped. 

It took some delicate maneuvering to manage to reach the bedside drawer while also having his ass cheeks against Anubis’ hips, but after several minutes of grunting and turning, Hans’ fingers finally brushed the silver drawer knob. He grinned in satisfaction, barely managing to clasp two of his fingers on either side of the handle while straining his twisted body. “C’mon, let’s see what big black divine judgment dogs hide in their bedside drawer…” He whispered to himself.

 His heart wasn’t beating very quickly at first, due to the prior excitement, but it began to speed up quickly as he tugged the drawer open. It took a few strained tugs before it was cracked open enough to see inside but once he finally caught a glimpse of what lay inside, Hans’ heart felt as though it had dropped to his cum-filled stomach.

**

Due to his poor vantage point, Hans couldn’t see the bottom of the shallow drawer, but he could see the top of something. Something red, and… moving. It pulsed calmly, twitching rhythmically in the darkness of the drawer. Hans swallowed hard, trying to get his mind to stop seeking the worst possible interpretation for what he was seeing. Figuring he could get a better look if he propped himself up on his arms, Hans did so. As he peered over the lip of the drawer, he saw that his mind wasn’t quite so far off as he had hoped. 

It was a heart. A beating heart, calmly throbbing to an unheard beat, pushing nothing but dry air through its severed arteries. While the room had previously always felt welcomingly warm, Hans suddenly felt very, very cold. He slowly looked back at the jackal behind him, who appeared to still be sleeping, and then to his hips. I have to get out of here. Hans thought to himself, as calmly as he could muster. He knew that if he let panic take over now, it would only make things a whole lot worse. With one deep breath, he pulled forwards a little, testing the firmness of his bond with the dark god. He felt the canine’s knot slip just a little, and nodded to himself. It’s now or never. 

Hans bit his lip as he pulled his hips forwards, being careful not to pull too quickly or squeeze too tightly as the knot lodged deep inside him began to slide out. He gasped suddenly as it popped free, the surge of adrenaline rushing through his body as his stomach readjusted to the free real estate. Hans paused, allowing his body to stop trembling, before pulling forwards and finally sliding off of the rocky bed. Anubis’ cock sprang free at last, with barely a dribble of the divine cum soaking into the stonework. Anubis grunted softly, but didn’t appear disturbed enough to rise from his slumber. Hans could finally breathe again. He almost gasped when his feet touched the cool stone floor at the edge of the bed. Taking a few experimental steps, he found his legs a little shaky, but solid enough for locomotion. He glanced once more at the bedside drawer, and grimaced. 

It was still there. A beating heart. What disturbed Hans more than the out-of-place piece of anatomy was that it wasn’t alone; in the bottom of the shallow drawer were a few other seemingly random items. There was a small metal disk with an eagle stamped onto it, half of a broken wooden flute, two dusty, golden chains, and a small metal… 

Hans stopped breathing again. He stood there, stock still aside from his still trembling legs. Nestled in the drawer, besides the beating heart and under the gold chains, Hans had spotted an unmistakable piece of metal. Even under the dim ambient light of the room, he could tell that it was an ankh. It was roughly cut metal pressed into the hooped cross shape associated with the culture it probably came from. Hans found himself wondering, in a mixture of fear and panic, if the ankh and heart had belonged to the same person. The conclusion of that answer filled him with dread. He had to get out of there. 

A soft shuffling noise piqued Hans’ ears, but he didn’t turn around to investigate. He hobbled as quickly as he could towards the doorway, and rounded it just as Anubis’ voiceless words came into his head.  Where are you…?

The words drifted off, answerless. No doubt Anubis had seen the open drawer by now. Hans’ mind finally began to give in to the panic he’d been wrestling to keep under wraps. His legs moved faster, rounding the circular fire pit in the main den and tensing tightly as he began to climb the few steps towards the main doorway. He pushed the door open with a heavy grunt, and thankfully it swung open without protest. Hans took a moment to look back at the fire pit; the remains of the meal he and Anubis had shared still lay on the side of the metal grill, and his bowl of fruit had been tidied up and set just next to the huge pile of cushions they had used to comfort one another. 

For a fleeting moment, Hans considered turning back. Maybe he could explain himself, convince Anubis not to do… whatever he did to the last person who was here to him, and possibly even get his pants back. All thoughts of returning fled his mind as he spotted Anubis’ dark form rounding the doorway to the bedroom, arms outstretched towards the bat.  Hans, you should stop--!

Hans didn’t stop. The moment his claws touched the grass outside, he broke into a sprint. 

The dark god’s words fell on deaf ears as Hans desperately ran into the nearby forest, dodging fallen branches and occasionally slipping on loose turf. No thoughts accompanied him as he ran, only the hard beat of his own heart echoing in his ears. This only filled him with more fear, which spurred him on more, forcing his tired body to sprint faster, for longer, until finally he couldn’t make it any further. 

After seemingly hours of running, Hans collapsed against a tree, naked and trembling. He looked behind him, only to see there was nothing there; only the dark, sturdy trees of this forever-twilight plain staring back at him. 

He decided he should catch his breath before he passed out again, and forced his body into a sitting position at the base of the tree. The gnarled roots prodded him uncomfortably and the bark ruffled his fur in an uncomfortable way, but he didn’t care. He had made it away from immediate danger, and that was good enough for now. His breaths came hard and heavy, each one barely seeming to be enough to fill his desperately starved lungs. His legs stung like they had been electrocuted, and even relaxing against the soil made them twitch and throb uncomfortably. Hans shook his head and tried to gather his thoughts. 

“I’m such an idiot.” He said out loud between pants. “Of course something like this was… was going to happen…” His mind slowly began to catch up with him. Thoughts of returning to the cottage rose up, of apologising to Anubis and coming up with some sort of excuse for running. Such thoughts were immediately eclipsed by the mental image of that beating heart. No. Hans thought to himself. I won’t be his next victim. 

…Victim of what, exactly? Hans paused. Words Anubis had said just as they had met rang in his ears. “Confess.”, “You are witnessed, and will be judged.” There was… something there, rattling around in the back of the exhausted bat’s mind. He just couldn’t quite get there yet. There was something missing, something obvious… 

“Just… give me a moment…” Hans whispered to himself, trying to prompt memories.

‘Have you had enough time?’

Hans’ eyes widened. “He can’t… he can’t have been giving me more time…”

‘Have you had enough time?’

The words echoed through Hans’ head. “N-no, he was just… I had asked him for a second to get… to process the information he was giving me, and that was just him asking if I was done. ...Right?” 

His question landed on the deaf ears of the nearby trees. One of them creaked slightly, but otherwise the forest gave him no response. Hans nervously pulled on his ears. 

‘Have you had enough time?’

“Yes.” Hans whispered softly. “I guess I have had enough.”

Hans looked around. Not knowing why, he had half expected the giant jackal god to materialise next to him, or… something. Instead, he found himself alone in the forest, where he had been all along. He sighed softly, stood up on unsteady legs, and began walking back the way he came with a renewed sense of determination. “I have had enough time.” He repeated to himself, his voice bolder than the meek whispering he had given before. “Now I want some answers, and I’m not going to get them here.” 

While it was easier than expected for Hans to find his way back to the cottage, it took an unexpectedly long time to do so. By the time he arrived at the front steps, he was panting quite heavily. Taking a moment to catch his breath before venturing inside, he noticed the door was still stiffly ajar; it didn’t seem as if Anubis had come through it. A twinge of guilt hit Hans, but he brushed it off. After taking in a few deep, satisfying breaths, he pulled open the front door and stepped inside. 

Hans! Anubis said, pausing what he was doing. The meat remains were gone, and the metal grill had been moved onto the floor. Anubis was elbow-deep in the fire pit with a rounded metal object in one hand, covered in soot. It looked as if he had been… cleaning. 

“Uh.” Hans said, momentarily caught out of the moment. “What… are you doing?”

Anubis looked from the fire pit to Hans, as if providing an explanation through gesture. When that failed to clear up the blank look on the bat’s face, he straightened up.  I am preparing the grill for the meat you were hunting. He said plainly.  I see that the forest has not been bountiful for you--

“S-stop talking.” Hans said, interrupting the jackal. Anubis looked taken aback, but Hans didn’t let that stop him. “I already told you, I’m a fruit bat. I don’t eat meat!”

 Why else would you--

“I left because I was terrified!” Hans exclaimed, walking towards the dark god. Anubis’ expression was blank. Hans couldn’t quite bring himself to look Anubis straight in the eye, but he figured staring at his chest was good enough. “I… I found what was in your bedside drawer.” 

Anubis’ expression remained the same.  Why were you terrified? He asked, his non-voice sounding equally concerned and genuinely curious. This was not going to plan at all, as far as Hans was concerned. “B-because!” Hans flapped desperately, trying to keep tears from breaking out. “There was a h-heart!” Hans faultered, and dashed over to sit tightly curled on some of the cushions on the opposite side of the fire pit to Anubis, who watched him with concerned eyes. 

For a few moments, Hans didn’t hear any response. Then he heard the softest of sighs in his head, and the sound of Anubis laying down his metal scouring tool on the stone floor. He glanced over and saw the dark god sitting down a respectable distance from Hans, amongst the many cushions that litered the floor. 

 I am the God of Death, curiour of souls to the other side. Anubis said carefully. He spoke in a tone hospital workers used when they knew the time was close to an end; a sort of soft, caring voice, even if Anubis didn’t have any voice at all.  What you saw in that drawer were… personal items of mine, gathered from many different places. 

“And which place is the heart from?” Hans said angrily. It came off more aggressive than he had intended, but the only thing keeping the fear at bay at this point was frustrated anger. He had to hold onto it with all his might if he was going to survive the encounter. 
 
Anubis seemed to consider the question for a while, staring off into the middle distance with a faint smile on his face. If you desire to know, I will tell you. Anubis said.  But you must promise me one thing.

I don’t owe him anything. Hans thought, but much like Anubis’ bedside drawer, his heart wasn’t in it. “W-what’s the promise?” He asked meekly, slowly unfurling himself amongst the cushions. They were far more comfortable than the forest floor had been.

Anubis smiled a kind smile.  Next time you run into the forest alone and naked, you must promise to return with a meal. Despite his frustration, fear and anger, Hans couldn’t help but smile. He scooted a little closer to the dark god and nodded, reluctantly coming to a stop just next to him. “Alright,” he said reluctantly. “I promise.” Anubis sighed softly, seemingly happy to have broken the awkward moment between the two.  Very well. Try not to fall asleep this time, young bat. It is important you listen closely…

A long time ago, when I first began meeting with Reki, he told me that he had promised his heart to me. I told you earlier that we left with a piece of ourselves given to the other…  Anubis trailed off.  I suppose it is not that long of an explanation.

Hans nodded. “So that story about Reki, that was… real? I-I mean, literal? He promised his literal heart to you?” Anubis looked slightly confused.  While the blood and bile and bones of the mortal body may remain on your plain of existence, while you leave behind what a heart is made of, you take with you what a heart  is.This is what is judged at the divine scales.

Hans blinked slowly. “...You’re… not making much sense…” The jackal huffed frustratedly, and held out his paws.  A jar is made of clay. Anubis said. Hans got the feeling he was meant to respond, and so nodded.  Yes, a jar is made of clay, but it is not clay. Hans nodded again, though a lot slower this time. “I… guess?” Anubis seemed to be getting more frustrated by the second.  It is shaped and fired and hardened, and this is what makes it into a vessel. You can no longer say that this jar is clay, because it is not. It may be made out of what was once was clay, but it is now no longer clay as sandstone is sand. Do you understand?  

“Yes.” Hans lied. Anubis smiled.  Just as it is with a heart. A newborn may have a … an organ for pumping blood through its body, but as it ages the heart takes on other properties, properties that make it so much more than it is. It is these properties that are weighed.

Hans pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay, so… what does this have to do with the heart in your bedside drawer? If that’s not Reki’s literal heart, then--” 

Anubis sighed softly.  It is all that his heart was. I bound it in this plain to keep the others from taking it from me, to stop them from… taking him from me. Hans blinked, and frowned. “The last piece of him you have…?” Anubis nodded slowly.  It is all I have of him. He was the only mortal I had ever... Anubis found himself trailing off again. Hans looked away and coughed softly. 

“S-so… when you brought me here…” 

 You are not replacing him. Anubis said flatly. 

“I never thought I was.” Hans replied, taking a moment to stretch an arm across Anubis’ shoulders. Well, his lower back at least. He is very tall. “I guess I just didn’t realise how much it meant to you to have that… kind of connection. I didn’t even think it was possible.”

Anubis nodded.  Neither did I, young bat. He had become such a vital part of me that I fear if I lost that last piece of him, I would… 

Hans rubbed across the dark god’s pitch black fur. He didn’t need to hear the end of that sentence. They both knew what was meant, even if Hans didn’t exactly know the mechanics of how a depressed god would operate. Maybe he’d just quit, like the others apparently had. Maybe he’d take up fishing, or… something. Hans found no joy in the thought of Anubis moving on with his ever-lasting existence without the one person he’d felt a special bond with. 

“S-so, uhm… how did…” Hans cautiously stammered, trying not to ruin the delicate moment. Anubis looked at him, his ears perked up but his expression sollumn. “H-how did… you bind is heart? I-if you don’t mind my asking.” Anubis shrugged his gigantic shoulders and flicked his paw lazily.  A golden ankh, a symbol of our devotion and duty to the mortal world. I fashioned a golden ankh from my world and gave it to him as he died. He accepted it, and his heart became bound.

While Anubis’ delivery was lack-luster and plainly put, it made Hans’ heart begin to flutter. When he was sure Anubis was finished speaking, he slowly rose to his feet and began padding over to the bedroom. Anubis glanced at him briefly, but soon resumed his fire-pit-staring. 

“shitshitShitSHIT” Hans whispered furiously to himself as he ran into the bedroom. The bedding was rifled through and tossed aside as he searched desperately. “Where IS IT?!” He muttered slightly louder, the panic beginning to rise back up his spine as it had before. He took only a moment from his panicked flapping to carefully close Anubis’ bedside drawer, grimacing as he watched the darkness overtake the still-beating heart. Gross. Hans thought to himself. He shook himself mentally, scanned the room, and pounced as soon as he saw his creased trousers peeking out from behind the stone bed. It took longer than he’d have liked to rifle through the pockets, but finally he felt the cool, smooth metal of the ankh. He pulled it out of his pocket and, after glancing over at the bedroom doorway to ensure he was alone, he began to examine it. 

It looked… well, normal. It was just a plain metal ankh, although in this lighting it seemed to have a golden sheen to it. He had been sure it was steel when he was given it in the college-- 

Hans paused all brain functions for three seconds. The college! He thought suddenly. I was GIVEN it just before I had… whatever accident put me in the hospital! This must be it! 

Quickly, Hans leapt up onto his feet, stuck his feet into his pants, frustratedly removed his pants to put them on the right way round, and skipped out of the bedroom once again. “Anubis!” He called, holding the ankh out in front of him. “I think I finally know why I’m here!” 

Anubis looked from Hans, to the Ankh, and then immediately stood up.  Where did you get this? He asked, unable to hide the surprise from his words. “M-my professor, he gave it to me! Just before I… I came here, he said he got it on some dig or something, I don’t remember, but he’s SUPER into egyptian theology! C-could this explain why I’m here, even though I’m not dead?” 

Anubis took the ankh carefully from Hans’ over-excited claws and examined it thoroughly. He twisted it this way and that in the light, seeming to take forever before he finally handed it back to the bat.  It is… possible that I am the reason you are here. Anubis muttered, before turning around and crossing his arms. Hans tilted his head, his smile fading slowly. “...What do you mean? My professor gave it to me--”

 Yes, he did. Where did he get it?

Hans shrugged and let out a soft chuckle. “I… I don’t really know, I guess he got it from egypt.”

 Egypt. Anubis muttered. Hans slowly walked to the front of Anubis, finding the jackal’s face solidly entrenched in his own paws.  I cannot believe… I must have left this item behind. Anubis said, his words edged with what seemed to Hans to be… embarrassment. “You… left it behind?” Anubis nodded, his face still obscured by his own paws. Hans giggled softly, and Anubis clenched his fists against his chest, his face finally revealed. He was smiling.  I am Anubis! Lord of the Dark way, exporter of souls, loser of sacred artifacts from another plain of existence!

The dark god let out a silent laugh that echoed through Hans’ mind. He didn’t think he’d heard the god laugh properly before, but it felt as if Hans’ entire body was reverberating to the noiseless sound. When it was over, Hans felt… lighter, somehow. He looked up to Anubis, who was smiling again, but had one paw over his face again in embarrassment.  Oh my -me-, I cannot believe I left an ankh in Egypt. I can’t believe somebody found it, after so many of your generations have passed! Hans shrugged happily. “I guess we do like to dig.” Anubis looked at him dead in the eye, his smile still present.  I am a Jackal. For all my divine qualities, you do not have to tell me how joyous it is to dig.
 
 Hans smiled back. “Sorry, heh, I guess not. Does this mean I get to go home now, though?” Anubis stretched his arms out and shrugged, taking a big sigh.  This does definitely explain why you came to me, young one. This explains… everything. If you wish to do so, we can travel to the mortal plain and see what can be done to place you back where you belong. Hans… hesitated. The words “Let’s go!” were trying to force their way out of his mouth, but he just couldn’t quite seem to let them go. He glanced around the room; the half-scrubbed fire pit, the unorganized cushions, the still-present fruit bowl of plenty…

He looked back to Anubis and smiled. “Can we wait a little bit?” Anubis tilted his head, but nodded.  If… that is what you want, mortal. We will have to return eventually.
 
“You said I’m not really ageing over there, right?” Again, Anubis nodded, a little more enthusiastically this time.  I can return you to whenever you wish. As I said before, we do not perceive the passage of events quite as you mortals do. You can stay here for as long as you wish before you return to your righteous life.

Hans took one more look around the room, then smiled. “Good.” he said softly. “As much as I would like to go home after having experienced all of this…” He slowly attempted to wrap one arm around Anubis’ waist, only getting about three quarters of the way there before running out of arm. “...I don’t think I’ve had enough time here, yet.” 

The two smiled at one another, albeit Anubis a little more confused than Hans, but both equally content with his decision. 

Soon afterwards, Anubis had fully scrubbed the fire pit and had replaced the metal grill, and Hans had left the cottage to ‘hunt for food’. Leaving the cottage was just as easy as coming back to it; the hard part was convincing Anubis to try eating berries for lunch. The pair grew closer over time, something that didn’t really pass in this place, and even as the days turned into weeks turned into months, the idea of returning home never quite left Hans’ mind. He would eventually have to return to his body of course, and then continue his life as a college-aged bat, just another, ordinary person with extraordinary experiences.

...But ‘eventually’ can wait.

End.