Anubis returned to his den, eyes quickly flicking over the collected trinkets scattered about - perfectly preserved lesser skeletons, small patches of different mushrooms and molds, and a couple of rat bodies left over from his last experiment - one was still rather fresh, the other was just in the beginning stages of rotting, skin turning to black oil and melting off the bones. There was also a live mouse in the corner, laying among a bed of white mold - the current Aati, eyes half-dead and breath coming in short pants.

Good, everything was as it should be.

He trotted inside and quickly cleared away a little corner and placed down the little red gemstone that he'd found in the tunnel from Orion. Blood-red and polished, but with a strange almost metallic taste to it. As soon as he set it down he spat, feeling his stomach churn from the weird taste. Something was off this this gemstone, but he was sure it was nothing horribly bad, as he was still feeling alright otherwise. No weird Mother connection or other magical ailments. It would, hopefully, be just right for his latest idea.

As he sat next to the little crystal, he wondered at who it had been before. It had been somebody, right? Maybe not all gemstones around held life in them, but he'd found it in a strange place, next to a hole in the tunnel (that he would have to explore at another time), among bones that didn't seem to be nearly as old as those in Canis. They must have lived not too long ago. Were they good? Or had they been cruel and messed with the wrong person? Were they like Anubis, seeking knowledge and killed for looking too deep? Ah, if only he had the sight of Giggle, he could see!

Ah, well. No matter. They would have a new life, now. His life. They would be his.

He leaned forward and gently touched the red stone, pushing his own life force into it. He was surprised at the powerful surge of magic that flowed from him into the stone, the sheer power of his own energy revitalizing the dead. His eyes sparkled with surprise and delight and watched a faint glow emanate from the crystal and settle.

He watched for a while, watching as the crystal slowly grew out and merged with the stone beneath it. Fascinating! He reached forward with a paw to push at it and found it stuck, unmovable. How incredible magic was, how interesting life could be!

He would watch the stone, for hours and days. Observing it, every moment, as it grew into new life. Study the crystal, study the child inside. This was his greatest experiment yet - from birth to death and everything in between.

*exit