Okay so Cynonari AU idea I have
I was reading this Cynonari fanfiction where Cyno was actually Hermanubis in his past life and Tighnari was a regular valuka shuna and then I thought that I should dial the angst up :)
Cyno is still Hermanubis here and Tighnari is named Anpu (from the goddess Anput, Anubis' wife)
(Warning, I have yet to do Cyno's story quest (or read on any ancient Sumeru lore other than King Deshret and a little about Nabu Malikata) so lore is subject to change)
Hermanubis sometimes like to walk around Tighnar as a regular valuka shuna, blending in so that he wouldn't stand out. However, despite not looking like his divine self, people still actively avoid him due to how intimidating he is. All except for one person, Anpu.
They met when they accidentally bumped into each other during a normal day. Not understanding mortal behaviors, Hermanubis simply stood there, not knowing what to do.
"Really? Not even a 'I'm sorry'?" Anpu sarcastically remarks as he gathered his belongings.
"I'm sorry... I didn't see you there"
"You were the one walking and I was the one standing still. How could you possibly not- you know what? Whatever. I have a patient waiting for me"
That is when Hermanubis fell in love. For the first time in forever, someone talked to him normally. No one spoke to him so casually before. Not the other pillars, not King Deshret, nor Nabu Malikata, or even Rukkhadevata. It's... refreshing to say the least.
Ever since that day, whenever Hermanubis visits Tighnar, he purposely sought out the intriguing valuka shuna who dared to speak so impertinently to him despite his intimidating demeanor. They end up becoming friends. In order to keep up the charade, Hermanubis went under the name "Cyno".
They hit it off pretty well, having a really good relationship with each other. So good that Anpu started to develop feelings for his friend. And he can see that his friend most likely have the same feelings for him.
Unfortunately for Hermanubis, he's worried that his job as King Deshret's pillar and a judge would make it dangerous for Anpu. So, he keeps his distance.
Eventually, Anpu confesses to "Cyno". Not wanting to deceive his friend further, Hermanubis reveals himself to Anpu. He was scared, thinking that divine retribution is about to come since his actions to "Cyno" can be seen as disrespectful. Seeing his panic, Hermanubis reassures him that he's done nothing wrong and simply wants to tell Anpu just what he's getting himself into.
After calming down, Anpu honestly just doesn't care much about the supposed "danger" Hermanubis' status holds for him. All he knows is that Hermanubis is a kind person and someone worth dating.
"You underestimate me, my lord-"
"-please just call me Hermanubis or like a nickname-"
"I would walk into the Abyss with you if I must. The only thing that would make me stop loving you is if Celestia themselves have cursed me and even then I would fight tooth and nail to get back to you-"
"-please don't say things like that, even his majesty fears Celestia-"
"So shush and let me love you."
And they end up dating :)
Also Anpu became a priest now (the pillars and gods know why, they just don't say it)
(Also, for plot sakes Hermanubis gets stronger the more people that believe in him like how it is for archons. I'm not sure if this is lore accurate but shhhhh)
Ever since they start dating, Hermanubis feels stronger and stronger everyday. It's probably from Anpu. He's now blessed with a longer lifespan until Hermanubis can find a permanent solution to their whole mortal problem.
Anpu often forgets that he's still technically a mortal. He often eats poisonous mushrooms that can kill either on accident or on purpose and that gives Hermanubis 10 heart attacks a week.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed???"
"Huh? Oh right I'm still mortal"
Until one day, shortly after King Deshret's death, Hermanubis remains the last pillar to deal with the forbidden knowledge (to this day, he curses his king for being so reckless and abandoning him to deal with his mess)
Unfortunately, the Tighnarians are starting to lose hope so this ends up weakening Hermanubis. They had to take drastic measures: a sacrifice must be made.
The sacrifice must be willing and must have faith in him. The more faithful they are, the better. No one was brave enough to simply die, knowing that their faith in Hermanubis is already waning. There is no guarantee that they would be able to give Hermanubis the strength he needs.
Anpu had no such problem. He stepped forward without a second thought, offering to be the sacrifice Hermanubis needs to drive back the effects of the forbidden knowledge.
Naturally, Hermanubis is hesitant to go through with the plan. That's his boyfriend for archon's sake. What sane person would allow their partner to become some sort of offering to them? However, dire circumstances call for dire solutions and Anpu knew this. He knows how important it is for his beloved to drive back the forbidden knowledge. Hell, he treated the victims himself! It's horrifying
In the end, Anpu did get sacrificed to Hermanubis. During the ritual, Hermanubis witnessed it first hand, not willing to simply let his lover die. So instead of a statue, it was a throne that stood before the altar.
It made Anpu calmer, knowing his beloved is right there with him and that made the ritual go without any complications.
To this day, Anpu's body lays on the altar. Frozen in time, forever sleeping. He sleeps in a temple not far from the Temple of Silence. A temple dedicated for him, not unlike real life pyramids and tombs.
Eventually, it became common knowledge that Hermanubis likes to pose as a valuka shuna, donning the name "Cyno". That name now means a lover, a warrior, a judge.
To honor Anpu's bravery and sacrifice, he was given a title. "Tighnari", after the Tighnarians. It name means a healer, caretaker, and risk taker.
"Cyno and Tighnari" became a pillar in Sumeru homosexual literature, much like Romeo and Juliet.
There's honestly two ways where this can go, one where Hermanubis dies and if he doesn't die. I'll probably write that in a different post though since this is already getting too long lmao
Lmk what you guys think :)
