**Ancient Egypt**
"Nut, stop this madness!" Shu shouted as hail rained uncontrollably across Egypt, striking even innocent mortals. "Nut, stop this at once! I don't want to be forced to fight you."
Immediately, the other gods appeared, armed and ready to quell Nut's hailstorm.
"Nut," her father began, voice heavy with sorrow, "you are a brave goddess and of Ra's blood. Please, regain control. Stop the hail, and let us talk."
But Nut was unmoved by his plea. She was determined to destroy all of Egypt before the gods could intervene. She knew she stood no chance in a tussle with them.
At that, Nut's fury eased slightly. Her eyes returned to their celestial blue hue. She ceased glowing, landed gracefully, and took her mortal form before settling on her throne. Shu and the other gods did the same, standing a few paces away, ready for anything.
Shu approached her cautiously, hoping to finally calm her or at least gauge her mood. Yet he stayed alert, focusing on her thoughts to detect any hint of threat — to act first and maintain the upper hand.
Nut took deep breaths and finally spoke: "Where is Geb?"
Shu chose his words carefully, knowing Egypt might depend on this moment. "He is not here," he answered flatly, devoid of emotion.
Nut's anger flared again, but she shot a fierce glance at the other gods, who all sensed her rage—especially Horus. She breathed deeply to calm herself before continuing, "I know he's not here. So where is he?" Her voice betrayed the struggle to contain her fury.
"He's alive and well," Shu said, fixing his gaze on her. He knew she was losing ground. In her mortal form, he could easily snap her breath away if she tried anything reckless—before the other gods needed to intervene. All had heard of the bond between Nut and Geb and viewed it with disdain, especially those who secretly coveted either god but were barred by their incestuous ties. They opposed everything the relationship caused, especially the current chaos.
"He is no longer here, Nut. So quit the drama. Get a hold of yourself and be the goddess you were born to be—not a mad mortal maiden in love," Shu's voice grew sharp with anger. The thought alone filled him with rage, a rot he had already punished in Geb and now must share with Nut. "Agree with me and submit to my judgment for your punishment—and live. Or disagree and refuse, and lose your will to death's hands."
Nut was too cunning to be foolish. She still yearned to be with Geb. For that dream to endure, she had to stay alive. She rose and paced a few steps, trying to regain full control. Though she could not read thoughts, she was certain her father and the other gods were each a step ahead, ready to thwart any rebellion. They knew secrets she did not, and to uncover them, she must play along.
She decided to stoop to conquer.
"Okay, Father," she said, her godly voice steady, "thou hast spoken as thou pleaseth. Thy daughter, goddess of the sky, now bends to thy words. I believe all that thou hast said concerning thy son and my brother, Geb—that he is well and alive. I surrender to thy judgment and shall carry out all that thou dost request as punishment for the rot I have incurred." She ended with a slight bow.
The gods exchanged surprised glances. What had caused this sudden change? Did she truly wish to be judged? Though satisfied with her submission, they remained uneasy. The Nut they knew never used her godly voice to show submission or surrender—only when addressing or blessing mortals. For her to speak this way now meant something they could not comprehend.
Shu, however, was not surprised. He knew what she meant by "stooping to conquer" and suspected her plan to extract the information she desired. He understood that if Nut learned what had happened to Geb, she would give her last breath to bring him back. He had always known she was obsessed with her brother, while Geb's feelings were a mix of attraction and lust. That was why he sent him away—to find true love and a consort of his own, even if mortal. At least that was better than incest.
He decided to feign ignorance and move cautiously alongside Nut's actions.
"As thou hast said today, so may it be and remain for times to come," he intoned solemnly. He then nodded to the other gods that Nut was back to her senses. They acknowledged and began to disperse.
Once gone, the warrior gods and guards seized Nut on Shu's command.
"Throw her into the dark hole in my abode, where she shall no longer exercise her will until she has carried out her judgment," Shu commanded with authority.
Nut was to be tried before the gods and immortals, as was tradition for fallen gods of Egypt. But she was determined to endure it all—to be with Geb again…