Jared struggled as he felt the needle go in.
"NO! I don't want to die like this!"
His efforts are futile, and he feels a burning enter his body, flowing through his veins. There's a coldness, then. He would weep, if dogs could weep.
"No!", he sobs, "please!"
There is only the cold, cruel laughter of Wepwawet...
...and encroaching darkness.
Slowly, Jared feels as if he's falling asleep...
...and beyond the cold...
...warmth....
His eyes are closed. He's somewhere...not where he was. Not on a cold table. The ground...only his feet seem to be on the ground, trailing. It's...sandy. Dry, warm air. But there's another warmth. Something...someone...is holding him. His skin...human skin? He's human again? His skin is rubbing against coarse, thick fur. Large, muscled arms are wrapped around him, gently. He's...being rocked, like when he was young by his mother...
"Ahhh. He's awake."
The voice came from some distance away. It was high, nasal, drier than the air around them. Masculine, but only just, almost androgynous. Not unkind, but...detached. Cold, even in this heat.
"Shhh, Djheut. Let him come around. It's alright, Jared. You're safe."
That voice was much closer, he felt the chest of whoever was holding him vibrate with it. Deep, male, somewhat nasal...it sounded enough like Wepwawet that he had a flair of panic.
"No, no, Jared, you're alright, you're safe from him."
No, not Wepwawet...a basso profundo to Wepwawet's baritone. And certainly the tone contains more kindness than Wepwawet's ever did.
"Anup, we are low on time." said the second voice...Joot? That doesn't sound right, not quite...the one holding him growled, fiercely, holding him a little tighter, protectively.
"Enough, Djheut! He is MY charge! I protect them, and unlike some people, I KEEP to my duties!" said the one holding him. Ah Noop? Almost, he thinks...Anup?
The cold voice sounds imperceptibly colder.
"...that was not called for. I brought this to your attention."
There is a rumbling in Anup's chest.
"...cry pardon. But he's been through enough without your ticking clock."
"...Very well. You're not wrong. I will withdraw a ways, allow you to do your duty."
"Thank you, Djheut."
He hears footsteps retreating across the sand.
"You are awake, Jared. Don't open your eyes too fast. It's very bright here. You're not entirely physical, but your soul *remembers* eyes that are, and will act accordingly."
Soul....His soul?
"He..." Jared clears his throat, which hurts somehow. "He said I didn't still have one..."
A low, bubbling growl, not directed at him.
"He lied. Extensively."
Jared shifted slightly. Anup, whoever it is, lets him come to a more sitting position, apparently on his furry lap. Large, furry hands gently stroke his arms.
"Shh, you're alright, Jared. All will be well."
"...soul...I'm...did I die?"
A sigh.
"Yes, but, you're not dead. Heh, you're only mostly dead."
Jared slowly opens his eyes. A desert, blinding, slowly forms. Off at a respectful distance there is a...man. Like Wepwawet, he appears to be a man in all respects, but has the head of some long billed bird. Slowly, Jared turns, and looks up into the kind eyes of a man with the head of a black furred jackal.
"Hello, Jared. In your time, I believe most people know me as Anubis. I am sorry to meet you like this."