Osiris

"What do we think?"

"What could we possibly think?"

"We're completely lost here."

The folklore experts looked at one another, none knowing what to say.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs had summoned them from all over Egypt. After they arrived, someone handed them the relevant materials. Apart from the few who had known already, everyone who read them was stunned.

The myths were real? Gods actually existed? Had all my archaeological work been for nothing? Was it too late to retract my papers?

Their entire view of the world had just been turned upside down. Their minds were mush; how could they offer any opinions?

But while they were bewildered, a few others were not. The experts who already knew the truth exchanged glances, silently coming to an agreement.

"Team up?"

"No, no. Not this time."

"The consequences would be too serious if we got caught."

"All right, then."

With that settled, they all kept their mouths firmly shut.

Funding was always hard to come by, and teaming up to talk their superiors into handing over money was routine. Without it, how were they supposed to get by?

But this matter was too big for them to touch.

If they got caught coaxing a little funding out of their superiors, the worst they would face was a cold stare. Misleading the president into making a mistake in national strategy was another matter entirely.

Besides, they had no idea what was really going on.

Hadn't the Eye of Horus been offered to Underworld God Osiris? Why was it inside Ramesses II's body? And hadn't Sekhmet transformed into Hathor? Why did it look as though Sekhmet had been reincarnated?

None of that was in the myths.

Since they could not make sense of it, they dared not speak carelessly. They played statues