Sibling Rivalry

Osiris was a great and wise king. He was rich in health, wealth, and many other facets. So much so that he had followers and family members alike that wished him ill. One person in particular that disliked him was his little brother Set. Osiris was the reason for a lot of unrest in Set.

Set was jealous of his fortune. Set wanted his fame and recognition. Set wanted his throne.

There was not much in Set's life that he did not feel overshadowed in by Osiris. Set's jealousy towards his brother was consistent with that of being the younger child--an experience rooted in having to see his sibling as older, bigger, and better than him. Set, however, did not let that fuel for anger blind him. He bided his time patiently and waited for the golden opportunity to undo his mighty brother.

Osiris had returned from a successful raid one day, full of pride and joy. Osiris' happiness and success brought only unhappiness for Set, and highlighted his younger brother's mediocrity. So naturally, Set had to do something about this.

As was the usual custom, Osiris had a city-wide party arranged for his successful mission. Set, up to his usual antics, decided to put on a magic show. His show revolved around a magic act that would result in Osiris being publicly killed for all to see, inside a seemingly innocuous contraption. This public killing of his older brother would cement his role as the new ruler. With no more Osiris in the picture, Set would be the one in power.

Little did Set know that Osiris would have his own plan set in motion. Osiris knew what kinds of things his brother was capable of and how his envy drove that thirst for power. For this reason, Osiris called upon his loyal men that were tasked with knowing the whereabouts of Set at all times. Osiris' men had informed him of the details of Set's magic show, the contraption Set had made for Osiris with its hidden blade, and the way Set would have Osiris' death seem like a disappearing act gone awry. Instead of allowing himself to fall victim to the crooked little brother he had, Osiris developed his own plan to have an identical mannequin made that would take his place at the perfect time.

Finally, the night of Osiris' celebration had come. Many people of the city were in attendance: the rich, the poor, and everyone in between. Anyone that loved Osiris made sure to be there. When the night had begun to close, and the wine had flowed plentifully, it was time for Set's magic act with the star of the night: Osiris. Having rehearsed the magic act with his younger brother multiple times, Osiris knew that the contraption Set was using now was different from the one they practiced with--this new one would surely be housing the hidden blade. Aware of this, Osiris began putting his plan into action.

The final portion of the magic act was here. Osiris nonchalantly moved forward to stand before the contraption just as Set and he had rehearsed. Osiris set foot into the disguised instrument of death. Set closed the contraption and began waving his hands in a mesmerizing manner. While in the box, Osiris only had a few seconds to open the secret compartment in which he had hidden the mannequin. With finesse, Osiris was successful in replacing himself with the mannequin, and closed the secret compartment right as Set began to open the contraption to the audience.

Set opened the contraption and pressed a release on the side of the box to have what seemed to be his older brother, Osiris, impaled by a double-edged sword. The audience gasped, then began shouting, running erratically, and crying profusely for their beloved king. The fake Osiris, with its gushing blood and all, had fooled everyone.

Set tried to control his happiness, and put on a grave face until he was out of eyesight of the audience. He had everyone believe that it was all an accident. In reply to the people's cries and demands, he disregarded them all in favor of rushing his dear brother to the royal physician.

Set truly thought he had successfully killed his brother and that all the fame, fortune, and praise that was once Osiris' would now be his.

It had been a few months since the magic show, and Set was now in power. Osiris had waited so long to see just how Set would wield the power given to him. The people were still grieving for their lost king, with no idea that he had actually evaded his younger brother's evil scheme.

It was time for Osiris' return.

It was a normal night, and Set had finished dining with his royal knights in the great hall. He walked back to his chambers with a full belly and without a care in the world. During his walk back, he suddenly noticed the air around him become cool and calm. Set felt uneasy, because the corridors of his castle never felt such a way. He knew something wasn't right. He hurried into his bedroom and quickly drew his sword.

Without a moment's notice, a shadowy figure lunged forth from the darkest corner of Set's room. Iron was met with iron, but Set was unable to withstand the might of this mysterious attacker. Set couldn't make out a face until the aggressor paused to allow the light of a candle on a nearby nightstand to fall upon his face.

Set gasped. "It can't be..." he whispered, in utter disbelief.

"Hey, little brother. Did you miss me?"