The sunlight is overbearing as it trails across the golden sand and red-orange rocks. Cacti and other desert plants struggle gracefully to exist under the temperamental nature of a harsh celestial body. Animals make this process a little easier by eating the fruits produced by the plants and spreading their seeds farther afield than the sand-stricken wind could carry alone. As tortuous as a day in the desert might be, the ecosystem has adapted over the epochs to support such a varied and complex existence.

Candace has grown intimately aware of the desert over the many years she's spent serving as Aaru Village's guardian. She knows as much about it as a scholar from the rainforest would know about their chosen field of study. In some regards, Candace would even consider herself a scholar of the desert, though she rarely admits such a fact aloud. She would be a fool not to understand the often strained relationship between the village and the Akademiya. No matter how many keepers arrive, there will always be those in the village that do not like to associate themselves with the half of the nation that has ignored their suffering for the majority of their lives.

Circumstances have changed in recent times, however. Although Candace was only peripherally involved in the plan, some of her friends— new and old— worked together to free Lesser Lord Kusanali from her binds. Their newly freed goddess did not agree with a lot of the policies enforced by Azar and the other sages, particularly the ones concerning the desert. Lesser Lord Kusanali was as quick as she could be to rectify the situation. It isn't perfect; they still have many years until everything is stable between each side of Sumeru again. Generational resentment does not leave so easily, after all. But Candace thinks they have found a good point to start, and she trusts that an immortal goddess will see her plans through until the end.

Candace pushes those thoughts away as she sees movement at the edge of her vision. She slides her foot to the side, creating a shallow trough in the sand. She raises her shield higher in the air. The golden surface prevents a Dendro-infused sword from striking Candace's body. Both of Candace's eyes flare with a halo of blue external to her iris at the same moment the grooves on her shield glow the same shade. Using Hydro energy to gain some extra strength, Candace pushes away both the sword and the person wielding such a weapon. That person— Al-Haitham— flips in the air as he's shoved back. He lands on the ground. He spends a second catching his balance before he's sliding to the side again. He forms an additional blade in his other hand. He uses both swords to attack Candace once more.

Instead of blocking again, Candace takes a few quick steps back. Al-Haitham's swords land in the sand. Candace throws her spear between them. She grabs onto the edge of her spear. She pulls herself forward. As the spear straightens, it launches her forward. Her shield is ready, and it slams right into Al-Haitham's head. The shield folds back into her wrist guard as they both hit the ground. Candace rolls forward. She twists her body around to keep her eyes on her opponent. Al-Haitham kicks his feet up. When he lands on the sand in a squat, he does not reach for his swords. Instead, he grabs her spear. He turns around quickly. The momentum from the movement carries as Al-Haitham throws the spear at her. Although Candace frequently infuses her weapons with Hydro, Al-Haitham carries a Dendro vision. The two elements mix together to create Dendro Cores on the ground between them. Candace has to avoid them before they explode, but her attention is focused on her spear as it crashes into her spear with enough force to make her slide back a few feet. She grinds the toe of her sandals into the ground to slow her movements. Even when she completes a stop, there are Dendro Cores surrounding her. Candace grabs onto her spear as it tries hitting the ground. She moves it behind her body as she squats, putting her shield right in front of her. The Dendro Cores explode one after another. Her shield absorbs the brunt of the damage, but she feels the flecks of Dendro energy cutting shallow wounds into her arms.

As Candace's crimson blood mixes with the dusty sand, her shield is shoved away from her. A foot presses against her chest to knock her flat onto her back. Green light blinds her for a moment. A sword lightly infused with Dendro hovers above her neck. The other sword made entirely from Dendro energy aims at the arm holding her spear. She takes a deep breath as she drops her spear and makes her shield disappear.

Al-Haitham's weapons also disappear. He reaches a hand towards her. Never a sore loser, Candace takes the hand. She allows Al-Haitham to assist her in rising back to her feet. She shuffles slightly from foot to foot. She smiles cordially at him. "It was an honor to spar with you once more."

"Indeed. I am learning something new every time we cross blades," Al-Haitham answers with a nod. He reaches a thumb to his check to wipe off some blood. There is a shallow cut in the skin. Al-Haitham is entirely unbothered by it as he tries wiping the blood off his thumb onto his shirt. His nonchalance is infectious. While Candace would prefer Al-Haitham bandage his wounds— however small they may be— she has come to understand Al-Haitham over the months of developing a mutual relationship with him.

"I have also learned a great deal from our spars. This time, I have discovered the potential of Dendro Cores. They are not my preferred method for eliminating threats to Aaru Village, but I believe I should incorporate them to a higher degree if I can," Candace adds. She ushers Al-Haitham forward to return to the village just on the other side of the cliffside. It is Candace's home. She was born and raised here. She's spent the majority of her life protecting it. She will not let any harm befall it. If she must sharpen her skills against the Acting Grand Sage and former Scribe of the Akademiya, so be it.

In any case, it is not as if Al-Haitham were a bad person merely due to his status. He is blunt. A considerable number of his actions could be considered selfish. He is ruled entirely by logic rather than emotion. He is not, however, a cruel individual. He does not approve of unnecessary suffering, and this includes the people of the desert. While his words are not as powerful as Lesser Lord Kusanali's, Al-Haitham does what he can for Aaru Village. He does this by approving beneficial changes in his office, and he does this by sparring with Candace to improve both of their skills.

This is not the first time they have fought. It will not be the last, either. Every time is a toss-up on who will win, but victory and defeat mean very little when they are not the point. They are here to learn, first and foremost, and both sides of the coin of conclusion are conducive to this end.

"I will refill your water canteen. You should return to Sumeru City posthaste. You would not want to miss your dinner with Kaveh," Candace mentions. The utterance of his name invokes a reaction in Al-Haitham. He does not wear his emotions, but Candace can see parts of the truth with her amber eye. Even if she did not have the privilege of sensing Al-Haitham's internal reaction to the name of his roommate, Candace has seen the two of them together. She does not need an amber eye of clairvoyance to understand what lurks beneath the surface there.

"It is his turn to cook. I will eat later," Al-Haitham answers. He shakes his head with his response. He does not, however, stop walking to look around even when some vendors call for his attention. He does not slow his stride. He unfastens the canteen from his waist. He offers it to Candace. She accepts it with an unhelpful hum. Al-Haitham raises an eyebrow at her. Candace does not reply. She quickens her steps to hide her small smile. She could not say why, but she is quite pleased with Al-Haitham and Kaveh's positive relationship.

Looking in the corner of her eye, the crocodile unseen by all eyes except for her amber iris is pleased, too.

🛡️

🐊

The sun crashes into the riverside. A thousand waves travel away from the illuminated figure floating on their side in the deep waters. In each of these fragmented ripples, golden ichor travels alongside it. The fish beneath the waves and the turtles relaxing on the shoreline are subject to the golden ichor. It poisons many of them. The turtles fall to their sides. The fish's corpses bob in the water. The plant life flourishing along the river turns into brown muck as they mix with the sand. Any birds that swoop down to catch their meals are felled by the golden poison mixing with the water.

The sun rises from the water eventually. The river boils at the intense heat that surrounds the sun. It walks through the shallow end. The sun is not a creature of empathy. It feels nothing toward the devastation it created, or what terror it is leaving in its wake. It walks away from the low valley where the river once rushed freely.

But the golden ichor does not dissolve in the water. It disperses, following the current of the river. The golden ichor finds its way to the breeding grounds of the spinocrocodiles. All of the living beasts crash into the water with death on their tongues. The eggs that have not yet been given a chance to live are also felled by the poison in the water.

All except one. This egg in particular was already dead by the time the golden ichor spread in the water. There was nothing for the golden ichor to kill, so instead, it created. Life began to blossom once more in the confines of the egg. It was not a spinocrocodile that broke free from the eggshell, however. It was a creature mixed between a man and a crocodile. It was a creature with the capacity for intelligence and bloodshed. It was a creature that was going to live the life so graciously given to it.

🛡️

🐊

Candace leans back in her wooden chair. She holds the stem of a goblet filled with fruity wine between both of her hands. She taps her fingers against the base of the faux gold cup. Across the wooden table from her, Kaveh is talking excitedly. He uses the goblet to further his point. Candace finds herself incredibly amused by the display, but she tries not to let that show on her face in case it upsets Kaveh. She would not want him to think she was belittling him because she most certainly is not. She enjoys his presence; she is quite fond of him. She wants him to enjoy his time here, too, so that he might regale her with more stories one day.

"We managed to bring the animals back. The client thought it was a cute idea to use the extra materials to build little houses and pens for the animals. I was in charge of that project, too. I couldn't stand to see the animals displaced, you know. But I didn't sacrifice the aesthetics of my original design! Each of the animals' new homes had to be to my standard. I designed every single one of those little houses. I made a majority of them, too. It took a long time to get everything done, but I am not disappointed in the end result. All the animals got a home. While I didn't do it for this purpose, I also got some people calling me to make more animal houses for them. This time, I was paid for the commissions. See? Good deeds are rewarded! They are not always fruitless endeavors!"

Candace moves her hand to cover her mouth as she laughs. Kaveh huffs, rolling his eyes. He lifts his goblet to his lips to drink another gulp. When he puts the goblet back on the table, he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. He leans forward at the table, pressing his chest against the hard wooden edge. "That's what Al-Haitham would say, anyway. He wouldn't understand kindness if it smacked him upside the head! He wouldn't hear it, either! He'd just stay focused on his book with those noise-canceling headphones on his head. I always tell myself not to, but I end up fixing them every time he breaks them. He never thanks me for it, mind you. I mean, he doesn't ask me to do it, either, but doesn't that mean I deserve his gratitude more? I'm going out of my way to fix his earphones. He should be a little more appreciative of me."

"Al-Haitham has a great appreciation for you," Candace reminds him earnestly. "Despite his status as a scribe for the Akademiya, he is not very forthcoming with his words. His actions are where you must look for your answers. Has he not shown his thanks in other ways?"

Kaveh releases a long-suffering sigh. "You may be right. He does things that I don't ask him to do for me, too. I just prefer complaining about him. He irks me so much, Candace."

Candace cannot help the amusement from reaching her face. She shakes her head slightly as Kaveh's antics. No matter how many times she talks to Kaveh, their conversations are inevitably drawn to Al-Haitham's irksome behavior. Despite this, Candace can never hear the annoyance Kaveh claims is certainly there. His intentions toward Al-Haitham are similar to Al-Haitham intentions for Kaveh. They are simply too stubborn to admit it to one another. Candace is somewhat disappointed by the lack of developments, but it is not to the extent that she would start doing anything to remedy the situation. Al-Haitham and Kaveh will come around eventually.

Candace opens her mouth to respond as the same moment the door to the village chief's home opens. Candace pulls her gaze away from Kaveh. She hears the door slamming shut behind the figure winding through the main room. Candace wants to smile when she recognizes Dehya, but she finds herself frowning instead when she notices Dehya's appearance. The mercenary looks worse for wear. Streaks of blood and dirt crisscross her face. The arm covered in metallic armor hangs limply at her side. Dehya's teeth grit together, either with pain or annoyance. Candace places her goblet on the table. She rises to her feet to get a better look at Dehya's untempered eyes. "What is wrong, Dehya?"

"Don't worry. I'm not injured. My armor is just acting up. I needed a place where I could remove it. I also wanted to know if you or Uncle Anpu could get me in touch with someone that could fix it," Dehya explains. Her eyes travel around the table at the card game Kaveh and Candce abandoned when Kaveh began telling Candace stories about his recent commissions.

"Uncle Anpu turned in for the night, but I am willing to assist you." Candace gestures toward one of the doors at the edge of the room. Earlier in the night, Anpu was spending time with Kaveh and Candace. He was playing cards with them. After a few rounds, he told them he was going to retire for the night. He wished them both victory, and he warned them against staying up too late. Candace never stays awake for longer than she can afford for the following day. Kaveh, on the other hand, seems like the type to push his body to the limits.

"I can help, too! I'm good with machines. Come sit down and I'll take a look at your arm," Kaveh says. He leans back in his chair, waving his arms above his head. Candace raises an eyebrow at him. He gives her a sheepish smile. Candace fondly rolls her eyes. When she meets Dehya's eyes, she nods at the mercenary. Candace taps the table once as she steps away from it. She grabs onto a chair, bringing it over to the table for Dehya. She sets it at the head of the table.

As Dehya and Kaveh get situated, Candace slides into her chair. She puts her hands in her lap. She takes a deep breath to steady her nerves. She relaxes in her chair as much as she can afford to. She doesn't want to be caught off-guard by an attack, after all. She does not keep all the tension in her body, however. That would only tire her out. It is also extremely unhealthy for her physical and mental health.

"Does your arm have a Spirit of Omen?" Candace's eyes flutter open as she registers Kaveh's question. Although it is not meant for her, Candace decides to engage in the conversation to the extent she is permitted to.

"No. Why do you ask?" Dehya uncomfortably responds, glancing between her arm and Kaveh's face.

"The mechanisms inside your arm are similar to the handful of weapons I've been able to study. Well, study is a strong word. An Eremite let me look at their weapon once, but I didn't get much information from that. I've gotten even less information from the weapons and spirits I've only been able to glance at from time to time when I've had commission in the desert. I haven't personally fought one. That is what my hired mercenaries are for. I was only asking just in case. I wouldn't want to accidentally summon one."

"The weapons those Eremites use and Dehya's arm are both from Lord Al-Ahmar's legacy. There are bound to be a few similarities. As for a spirit, I do not believe there is one in Dehya's arm. If there is, it is dormant," Candace answers. Her amber eye sparks with warmth as she scans Dehya's arm. There is nothing hidden within the confines of the metal. If there is, the spirit is buried extremely deep and is resting undisturbed.

"I don't know how it could remain dormant given how many commissions I've done over the years. I've fought animals, monsters, and people. It should have come out for something to drink," Dehya shakes her head. Candace frowns slightly. She is well-aware of the Spirit of Omens. She has fought numerous ones over her career protecting the village. They all share a few qualities in common including a thirst for blood. They will either devour the blood of their holder or their holder's enemies. They do not care where the source comes from. "I think it would be a lion."

Candace glances at Dehya. The mercenary looks thoughtfully at her armor. Kaveh's face brightens with happiness. "That would be amazing! The Flame Mane with her own Pyro-infused lioness Spirit of Omen! I'm fond of lions, too, but I had a Spirit of Omen, I'm certain it would be a bird of some sort."

Candace agrees with Kaveh. She can almost physically see the dawn-colored feathers of Kaveh's companion landing on his shoulder.

Candace shakes her head. She does not know where that illusion came from. Perhaps it came from the same source the crocodile lying at her feet came from. The animal looks similar to a spinocrocodile, but there are some major differences. The size of her crocodile is bigger. The maw is shaped differently. The spikes are, ironically, sharper, and they are covered in Hydro-blue instead of bloody red. Her crocodile's eyes are the most interesting part. They are as amber as her one eye, and Candace gets the feeling that the crocodile can see as much of the truth as she can with its eyes.

Candace does not know where this creature came from. She only knows that it has been in her peripheral vision for years now. Recently, it has come forth to show her its exact appearance. It often seems like it's going to seek comfort from her, like it's doing right now at her feet. No one else can see the crocodile. She has stopped trying to probe people about if they've seen anything like it. She will accept that her eye is showing her something completely different this time. Perhaps the crocodile is a representation of something.

"The Spirits of Omen are not the most trustworthy of tools to use in battle. They have long since gone insane to the death of their gods. Be that as it may, should I possess a Spirit of Omen that retains some semblance of coherence, I would like a crocodile," Candace states, staring into the amber eyes of her companion beast.

Dehya's laugh brings Candace's eyes back to her. Dehya continues smiling as she adds, "I did not expect you to say that. I was expecting a turtle."

"While I am fond of turtles, they are too slow to permit to fight alongside me. I would prefer a creature with strength and fierceness. It must lean towards offense since I am adept at defense." Candace lifts her goblet to her lips. The fruity wine warmly slides down her throat. Candace swallows the velvety smooth liquid.

"This sounds like you should be fighting with me," Dehya notes, tapping a finger against her jaw. Her smirk is downright wicked when she looks at Candace, but her eyes are kind.

"Perhaps, but I have a responsibility to protect Aaru Village. I presume you are going to continue venturing across Sumeru until the day you are too old to be a mercenary. On that day, I pray the gods will lead you back to the village. I will take care of you, then."

"And only then, huh?" Dehya chuckles. Candace wears an unimpressed expression. Dehya should know by now how much Candace cares for her. There is very little Candace would not do for Dehya. "There will never be a day when I'm too old to be a mercenary. Believe it or not, mercenaries aren't known for their long lives."

"If anyone can have a long life as a mercenary, I know it will be you." Kaveh finishes with Dehya's arm. She flexes her arm. The both of them smile at each other. Dehya rolls her shoulder. She seems quite pleased with Kaveh's work. Candace is also happy with it. She knows Kaveh is a good mechanic, but she cannot deny that she loves seeing it in action.

"Thank you, Kaveh. Let me know whenever you need my help with something."

"Oh, that won't be necessary. I was only—"

Candace cuts Kaveh off the moment she registers what he's trying to say. "You can help him tomorrow, Dehya. He is working with Setaria and a former Eremite named Badawi to build a library for the village. I am certain they could use the assistance of someone as strong and capable as you."

Kaveh shoots Candace a panicked look. She merely smiles at him. Kaveh turns toward Dehya with an awkward smile on his face. Dehya shoots him an even larger grin to remedy his anxiety. "No problem. I'll be there to help out in any way I can until the project is finished."

🛡️

🐊

Sebek leans down on the ground. His fingers trace the outline of a footprint left in the riverside mud. He determines a few qualities about the individual he's tracking. He rises back onto his feet. He twists his spear in his hand. He pushes himself against the rocky walls of the valley. He trails one hand across the murky red-orange clay as he follows the curve of the ravine. He keeps the footprints in the corner of his eye. He sniffs the air experimentally for some strange scent uncommon to the area. He finds it. There is the subtle scent of a type of wood that doesn't grow in this part of the desert. There is also the scent of a flower Sebek is unfamiliar with. It does not matter if he's familiar with it or not, however. He knows that it does not belong, which means it must come from the target he's tracking.

Sebek leans down on the ground. He places his spearhead on the ground. He peers around the edge where the ravine widens into a hole in the ground with steep edges. Sebek continues forward, darting in the bushes. The thorns hidden behind the leaves have trouble breaking across the deep blue scales covering his dark skin. When the thorns do catch on softer flesh, they have trouble latching on deeply or drawing blood. The few rivulets that manage to slide down Sebek's flesh are not given any attention as he slides toward another bush.

Sebek catches sight of his prey. A man is sitting on top of a rock jutting out of the river. His arms are crossed in front of him. His gray-white hair blows in the wind. His eyes are closed as he hunches over a strange wooden contraption with strings. As the man's fingers move across the strings, the contraption makes specific noises. It sounds pleasant to Sebek's ears. He moves closer and closer to his target. The noises in the air become clearer the closer he gets, overtaking the sound of the rushing river batting mercilessly against the rock the man has chosen to sit on.

Once he is as close as he dares to get, Sebek leans back on his haunches. He stares at the man. Sebek does not know what either of them are doing here. Sebek should be killing beasts or tracking down missing people. It is the life he chose for himself once his intelligence overpowered his lust for blood. He no longer felt a desire to mindlessly destroy. The fighting spirit was still in him, of course, hence why he fights monsters and bandits. But that is not all he is, which is why he turned to tracking down missing people and bringing them back to their caravan, alive or dead.

Sebek should be doing his job, but he wants to listen to these noises for a while longer. Someone called it music once. Sebek does not know if this constitutes music, but he considers this peaceful serenade to be the closest he will ever get to music. He loves the sound of it. Any time he hears it, he will stay for a while. This man, in particular, is known for playing glorious music. Any time Sebek approaches a traveling group to determine if they need anything, he will hear rumors about this man who plays the finest songs on something they call an 'instrument' or a 'zither.'

"If I knew it was music that attracted you, I would have tried this method long ago." When the music stops, a man's voice cuts across the low valley. Sebek tenses. His fingers wrap around his spear. He does not move from his position. The man might feel his presence, but there's no guarantee that he knows exactly where Sebek is right now. Sebek can defend himself from this position. He can also make a tactical retreat if that is necessary. Sebek will wait to see if it is.

"I understand your caution. I find it acceptable if you wish to remain hidden. However, I would like to speak with you. I have an offer uniquely suited for you. I am well aware of your reputation. You are famous throughout the land as someone who can slay any foe or find any lost soul. Since I do not trust rumors, I have investigated this matter personally. While some exaggerations were made, your skill has never once been overstated. I desire someone with your capabilities at my side. I am Al-Ahmar. I am Deshret. I am the god of the sun and the sand, of wisdom and nature. I am creating a kingdom with my companions. I am creating an alliance of sages that will serve our nation. I offer you a position as one of my sages. You will be the captain of our military, ready to keep peace within our borders and defend our way of life to outsiders. I will give you time to consider my offer. Come to the capital of Valivija if you wish to join me."

The waters start churning with a harsh, swirling wind. Sand lifts off the riverbanks to wrap around the god standing on rock. Sebek's hiding place is flattened by this wind. Al-Ahmar's red-and-gold ringed eyes land on Sebek. His lips pull upward into a smile as he disappears. The wind stops. The sand drops to the ground. The water continues to ripple. The plants around Sebek rise back into position. He stands with them. He surveys the area. He was attracted by the music, but he's tempted by the offer.

What will he do?

🛡️

🐊

Candace exhales breathily as she lifts a box in her arms. She holds it tightly against her chest as she carries it into the structure built along the edges of Aaru Village in the most optimal position. The interior is pleasantly cool against her skin. The sweat along the back of her neck makes her shiver, but she keeps her hold firm around the box. She brings it to the back room of the structure. Candace sets it on a table. She drags the table closer to the empty bookshelves covering a majority of the room. Candace opens the box. She is instantly hit with the scent of old paper and leather. A heavy layer of dust makes Candace cough into her elbow. When her eyes stop burning, she returns to the task she set out for herself.

Candace pulls a stack of books out of the box. She puts it right beside the box. One by one, she moves the books from the stack to the bookshelf. She starts at the highest shelf. Candace flips the books around in her hands to make sure their spines are facing outward.

After she finishes the third stack, someone steps into the room with a box in their arms. Candace wears a friendly smile as she calls out. "Good morning, Al-Haitham. Are you here to help?"

"I am donating books," Al-Haitham answers. He sets the box on the floor on the other side of the room. He puts one hand on the space between his neck and shoulder. He pulls at it as he stretches his neck in the opposite direction. He makes a soft noise, wincing slightly when the discomfort flares into pain. He takes a heavy breath as he moves his hand away and snaps his head back into place.

"Your generosity will not go unappreciated," Candace confirms. She moves to finish the last stack in her box. She has almost finished this section of the bookshelf. There are so many more sections, however. She believes Kaveh was a little optimistic in how many books were going to be brought. Unless, he was preparing for a future where the library would be overflowing with books. Knowing Kaveh, both options are equally likely. In fact, it would be reasonable to say they are both true. Kaveh's heart is in the right place, though, so Candace can feel nothing but contentment. Although she is not as optimistic as Kaveh, she, too, would like to believe in the potential of this library.

"This is an investment. It is my intention to inspire many more generations of scholars. It would be beneficial for the longevity of Sumeru and its Akademiya. Multiple perspectives are the key to understanding the world in its entirety. Perhaps someone from Aaru Village will find a way to grant me peace of mind from all these terrible submissions for research projects," Al-Haitham waves away Candace's response as he starts moving the books from his box to the bookshelf. "It is also a trick. I am fond of physical books. It would be good for more people to enjoy them to inspire the Akademiya into acquiring more and caring for them better."

"I see. While I am not a judge on moral standards, I believe good actions taken for selfish reasons can be as pure as good actions taken for unselfish reasons. If the outcome benefits everyone, there is little importance to be found in examining intentions," Candace remarks. She says this, but she has a feeling that Al-Haitham is not being entirely forthcoming about what he is doing here. If it was truly for the reasons he suggested, why is he standing in the library putting books away? Would it not be better for him to deliver the books and return to Sumeru City?

"There is room to debate the specifics of your argument," Al-Haitham points out.

"Then, I thank you for not engaging in a debate with me when I have left my stance so defenseless. Perhaps in days to come, I will one day best you, but for now, I will endeavor to keep up in conversation," Candace laughs under her breath. She walks around the bookshelves where Al-Haitham is. She pulls a few books out of the box to assist Al-Haitham in putting them on the shelves.

"Should there come a time when you wish to debate, I will respond in kind. Right now, however, I see no reason for you to put in an extraordinary effort. You are managing well. I understand your words, and you understand my words. We are both exchanging thoughts, opinions, and ideas in relatively quick succession. Is that not the extent of a conversation?" Al-Haitham raises an eyebrow. He shakes the book he is holding in his hand before setting it on the highest shelf. He does it effortlessly since he's taller than Candace. She wears a wry half-smile on her face as she acknowledges their height difference.

Before Candace can respond, she feels something touch her ankle. She whirls around, preparing for a snake or a scarab. A book falls from her arms with her rapid movements. Instead of an animal, Candace finds the tail of her crocodile slithering away from her. Candace frowns. Her crocodile has never been able to physically interact with the world before. At least, not that she was aware. Perhaps he was always able to touch her. Candace considers looking into its existence a little more. She was fine when the crocodile was nothing more than colors moving in the corner of her eyes or an emoting face lying at her feet. Scaring her into dropping a book is not an activity she is going to allow.

"I apologize, Al-Haitham. I sensed something in the room around us." Candace is not a liar. She does not like lying. She does not partake in it unless absolutely necessary. She has been told repeatedly that honesty will not always be the shield she believes it is, but she cannot listen to those words when earnestness has been ingrained into her sense of self since the days she learned how to talk.

Candace sets the books she was holding on the shelf haphazardly. She will fix those when she gets the other book. She leans down to pick it up. Her crocodile swivels around to growl at her. Candace narrows her eyes at him. She puts her hand on the book. Her crocodile snaps his teeth at her. Candace bares her teeth right back at him. He shrinks, properly admonished, but he refuses to move his scaly claws away from the book. Candace heaves a sigh. She lifts the book into her lap. She leans on her haunches as she flips the book open.

Candace scans the pages until she reaches a specific page. There is an illustration in one corner of the page. It is a recreation of what scholars believe one of the seven sages of King Deshret looked like based on the statues and descriptions in recovered scrolls. Candace runs her fingers along the crocodile-headed man. Her crocodile pushes closer to her, jaw bumping against her knees. Candace tears her eyes away from the book's illustration to her crocodile. There is some similarity in the appearance of the sage and her crocodile. Candace supposes that's why the sage looks so familiar. It isn't because she feels like she's looking in a mirror; it's because she has seen this face several times.

"Candace?" Al-Haitham questions. She snaps the book shut. She tears her eyes away from her crocodile. She ignores his petulant growling. She rises to her feet to put the book back on the shelf. She smiles kindly at Al-Haitham. He raises an eyebrow at her. Candace looks away from him to finish the stack she left on the shelf.

Sebek. That was the name of the sage. Candace supposes she can call her crocodile by that (even though that name belongs to her—).

🛡️

🐊

Sebek stands on a slanted stage in the center of the amphitheater. He listens to the wild cheering of the humans, jinn, and Tighnarians filling the tiered seats around the central place. When he turns his amber eyes to look at them, he sees bright lights surrounding each of them to illuminate their excitable faces. He does not recognize many of them, though he's aware that he's most likely assisted a great deal of them. How many people are staring at him now that have been rescued by him? How many people watching this ceremony were angry or upset with him when he could only bring back a mangled corpse?

Sebek whips his head away from the audience. His vision cuts to the ibis-headed figure at the end of the line. Thoth is looking around the crowds with a positive attitude, waving his hand toward the people. Between Thoth and Sebek, the goat-headed Heryshaf is rocking slightly on his heels. He stares at the shaded booth where the three gods of Valivija are watching everything from their high vantage point. On Sebek's other side, the jackal-headed Hermanubis stares straight ahead with no emotion in his red eyes. The jinni Shesepankh and the Cryo elemental bird Bennu stand on Hermanubis' other side. The Dendro Sovereign, the seventh of the sages, is not currently present, but no one seems particularly concerned about that.

Silence spreads across the amphitheater. Sebek turns his gaze from his fellow sages to the only reason why so many people could fall silent all at once. In the booth where the three god-kings are resting, Al-Ahmar stands from his throne. He steps out from under the shade to stare at all the gathered people, including the six individuals standing on the stage. He points his spear at them. The sunlight ripples across the metallic edge as that spearhead lands against Sebek's chest. He feels a rush of adrenaline fill his body. He straightens immediately, knowing that more than a thousand eyes are staring right at him, including the eyes of the three god-kings.

"We are gathered here to appoint the sages. These individuals are the best of their fields. They show the virtues necessary to protect Valivija and to lead it to an even better future. They were selected by combining the wisdom of the three god-kings. They will be appointed by me today."

Nabu Malikata leans to the side to cover her amused expression. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata shakes her head at Al-Ahmar's antics. The god-king ignores his companions for the time being as he gestures to each member of the gathered group. Eventually, his spear points at Sebek once more, "Sage Sebek, Captain of Captains, the spear that defeats our enemies and the shield that protects our people."

Sebek's spine straightens at the words. Although it is no more than a title, Sebek feels so much more powerful while holding it. He is going to be this nation's protector. He is going to defend the glorious dream the god-king's are creating in this sovereign nation.

Sebek listens to Al-Ahmar appoint the remaining three sages to their positions. When he finishes, Sebek bows alongside everyone else. The audience's cheering rises in volume. They are laughing and hollering at the top of their lungs. Sebek fights the smile on his crocodile face as he listens to Al-Ahmar's final declaration, "The Sages of Valivija!"

🛡️

🐊

Candace sits on the floor with her legs crossed underneath her. She remains in the shadow of a stout library to protect her from the hot sunlight and the sand-strewn wind. She holds a zither in her hands. The flowers growing across the wooden surface tickle her skin as her fingers move across the strings. A song created and perpetuated throughout Aaru Village plays from the instrument. She smiles faintly, humming along with the stringed instrument to make sure she has to correct tempo and melody. Her skills are incomparable to true musicians, but Candace cannot deny that her music is no less pleasant to the ears.

Candace moves her eyes away from the strings when she reaches an easier part in the melody. She must decide which direction to look in, but there's only an illusion of choice. There is nowhere else Candace can look other than the two figures dancing right in the wide alleyway with her. Nilou and Kaveh are spinning around with their arms linked together. Although they are listening to a desert song, their dancing reminds Candace of the rainforest. She does not mind the differences. It warms her heart to see the pieces of the desert and the rainforest mixing together so beautifully.

Even if their movements did not correspond well with the music, Candace cannot deny the happiness shining on Nilou and Kaveh's faces as they giggle like children. They resemble leaves caught in the current of a river, but there is a sense of control as they drag each other along for each move. Candace's eyes twinkle with light as she watches them both.

Someone told Candace once that music carries memories, that a single song can take a person back in time. She never gave it much thought, but she sees the truth hidden in that statement. Her mind slides backward in time to a different moment. She was sitting on the ground at that time. She was holding a zither, too, and while the songs are not exactly the same, they are close enough that Candace finds herself staring at two different yet similar figures dancing together. Candace does not remember their names. She can barely remember their appearances. She remembers the happiness, however. It was a celebration. It was a triumph. It was a moment spent with her goddess and friend.

Sebek makes a noise beside her. She pulls her eyes from Nilou and Kaveh. Her crocodile is curled around her body. His head is brushing against her knees. His eyes are half-lidded with utter contentment and relaxation. While he is always like this when Al-Haitham or Kaveh are around, it is the first time he's completely lowered his guard. Candace supposes the song is to blame.

It must be to blame because Candace feels much the same way.

🛡️

🐊

Sebek turns his attention away from the scrolls left on the table. Many of them are reports from his soldiers. There are missions that have been completed and others that need to be planned. Sebek needs to pay some sections of the army soon. He needs to organize a rescue effort in the north. As the captain of captains, Sebek has as much paperwork to accomplish as he has enemies to defeat. He wishes his job description only entailed fighting and strategy. All these scrolls prove that it does not, and even Heryshaf will not assist him in this endeavor since it is his job.

Sebek sighs. He runs a hand over the side of his human face. He pulls the crocodile skin off his body, setting it on the back of a chair. Al-Ahmar crafted this face for him. He uses it when speaking with his many troops since they would sooner trust a face similar to theirs than a crocodile head. He should return to his original form while in the security of his private chambers, but he doesn't have the energy to even do that after the long day he's had.

Sebek looks toward the bed. He decides against turning in for the night so early. He does, however, need a break. Sebek frowns, moving his eyes around the room. Eventually, they land on a gift he has left dusting in the corner. Sebek walks over to the shadows. He grabs the neck of the zither Al-Ahmar gave him after Sebek swore to become a sage. Sebek has not once used it since he does not know how to play. He's left it as a decoration in his chambers. He enjoys music even now, even if he doesn't get to frequently hear it.

Sebek takes the zither with him to the window. He sits on the windowsill, swinging his legs over the side. The sun is setting in the distance. The wind is rapidly chilling. Sebek ignores it tugging at his dark blue hair. He puts the zither in his lap. He turns it around. He moves his fingers across the strings. They play notes, but they do not make a song. Sebek strikes each string randomly. He is not making a song, however. He's barely making a steady stream of noise. Sebek frowns to himself. This was a terrible idea. If he wanted to relax, he should have meditated or gone to the training yard. Something he can actually do. Not this poor attempt at an inhuman machine of war pretending to be a musician.

"Do you need some help?" A voice calls out kindly. Sebek flinches. He tilts his head backward. Nabu Malikata is leaning over the side of a balcony several stories ahead of him. Her purple hair sways with the breeze. She flips her body over the railing. Sebek panics immediately. He nearly drops the zither as he reaches for his goddess. He does not catch her. She catches herself using the wind and divine power. She brings her knees to her chest as she shifts from the empty air to the windowsill beside Sebek. She pushes the zither against his stomach. "Al-Ahmar told me you loved music. He never told me you wanted to learn to play yourself, though."

"I..." Sebek trails off without an answer. He never told Al-Ahmar he wanted to play, but why would the god give Sebek a zither if he did not think the crocodile king would try playing for himself one day?

"All is well. I will teach you how to play. I love music as much as you do. Perhaps one day, you will play a song that I shall dance to," Nabu Malikata waves away his awkwardness with a genial smile on her face. She shifts a little closer. She moves his fingers into place. She starts instructing him about the names of the notes. She even starts him learning a song that he's heard being played in the streets before.

Thus starts the tradition of Nabu Malikata teaching Sebek to play the zither every sunset.

🛡️

🐊

Candace sets the last platter of food on the long table. She sighs in relief as she finishes organizing all the dishes everyone brought for the feast in Aaru Village. There is a holiday the desert dwellers have that the rainforest people do not. Candace does not entertain such distinctions as she invited all of her friends to the village chief's house to enjoy a meal with her. The village chief gave her permission to do this since he was going to be traveling around to every house tonight, sharing a drink with the head of every household. Anpu also thought it would be good for Candace to take a break with her friends. She was inclined to agree after all the recent problems Aaru Village has been dealing with. She just wants to make more memories with her friends.

Candace lowers herself into a seat between Faruzan and Dehya. Nilou is on Faruzan's other side. Layla sits on Dehya's other side with Jeht. The two of them are sharing pleasant conversation. Across the table, Tighnari sits beside Cyno. Collei leans close to Tighnari to talk to Cyno about something. Sethos stands beside Collei's chair instead of sitting on his own to join the conversation. Tighnari rolls his eyes as Cyno fully turns in his chair to look at his daughter-figure and younger brother-figure. Kaveh and Al-Haitham sit side-by-side at the head of the table. They might be arguing, but there's a pleasant warmth to Kaveh's cheeks from the wine and Al-Haitham even has a soft smile growing on his face. The Wanderer (Hat Guy, someone said, or Scara, if Candace was so inclined) occasionally throws disgusted or annoyed faces at them as he sits beside them in the spot Candace was hoping Lesser Lord Kusanali would sit in. She, however, understands why her goddess wouldn't be here, so she settles for the goddess' envoy.

Dehya leans toward Candace to pour wine into her goblet. Candace wraps her fingers around it with a soft smile. Candace lifts his drink toward her. Dehya sets the pitcher on the table to grab her drink. She uses the other hand to grab onto Layla's collar. Shesepankh drags the student toward their toasting. Layla's eyes are wide with surprise and she makes a squeaking noise. Jeht softly giggles at her. Layla comes to understand what they are doing after a moment. She grabs onto her own drink to join the toast. Jeht eagerly grabs her goblet to add it into the mix. Once their goblets have hit against one another, they each draw back to take a drink. Dehya gulps the entire contents. Jeht cheers her on. Layla raises an eyebrow over the side of her. Sebek shrugs with a humored smile rising to his lips.

Faruzan reaches an arm over Candace's plate to grab a fruit from a nearby platter. Candace nudges Faruzan's arm out of the way. The mechanical genius raises an eyebrow at Candace. The guardian wears an unimpressed expression. Faruzan nods slowly with understanding, but she still snags the fruit she was looking for. She brings it to her plate. She glances for a knife to cut the fruit. Tighnari leans across the table to grab the fruit from the plate for Collei. The green-haired girl's smile widens as she takes the fruit from Tighnari. Candace chuckles under her breath, attracting Faruzan's attention to her. Faruzan looks ready to start an argument with Canace about stealing his fruit when her eyes suddenly dart above Candace's head. Faruzan ducks immediately, and a fruit flies over both Candace's and her head.

Instead of smacking Faruzan as Dehya intended, it hits Nilou. The dancer wears a confused frown as she picks the fruit off the table. She examines it closely, eyes moving over the side of the fruit to look at the potential throwers. Tighnari makes himself known as he reaches his hand toward Nilou. She places the fruit in his hand. Faruzan looks betrayed. She reaches out to snag another fruit to throw across the table at Tighnari. The Forest Watcher bats the fruit away, accidentally sending it flying into Cyno's cheek. Cyno glances at Tighnari. Collei and Sethos point toward Faruzan. Cyno glances at her. The older woman looks even more appalled at being blamed.

Nilou puts her hands up to stop them from fighting. It is, however, too late. Dehya smells blood in the water, and she leaps behind Candace's chair to throw another food item at the group. Instead of fruit, she throws chunks of torn meat. One piece lands in one of Faruzan's twin-tails. One lands against Tighnari's nose. One lands on Cyno's cheek, the sauce causing it to stick and slowly slide into his lap. The three parties involved turn to Candace first. Faruzan flecks the piece of meat from her hair to Candace's face. The guardian leans to the side, letting the piece of meat fall onto the floor. This compromises Dehya's hiding spot. Cyno and Tighnari raise an eyebrow at her. She slides away from them to hide behind Layla's chair. The astrologer's eyes widen, and Jeht laughs loud enough to attract attention. Layla tries turning in her chair, and this movement causes a smattering of sauce to land on her face. Jeht uses her hand to wipe it off. Layla shoots her a grateful smile. Jeht fully turns in her chair to push her sauce-covered palm against Dehya's hair, upsetting the saint.

Dehya rises to her feet with a cat-like yelp. She pushes Layla's chair forward. Layla falls forward. Candace shoves her arm to create a buffer between Layla's body and the table's contents. Layla lands against Candace's arms. She shoots Candace a grateful smile. Dehya slinks away to hide behind Nilou. The dancer rises from her seat to grab Dehya's shoulders. The mercenary frowns, leaning most of her body weight on Nilou considering how drunk she probably is.

Nilou opens her mouth to say something, but it is thwarted by Sethos throwing a full piece of meat at Dehya. Nilou ducks out of the way of the steak. She shoots Sethos a confused expression. The leader of the Temple of Silence looks properly abashed. Layla makes a shrieking noise like a bird swerving to grab a fish from the deep waters. Everyone looks at her, and they follow her gaze to the end of the table.

Kaveh's hands are covering the lower half of his face and nose. Tears form in his eyes from how hard he wants to laugh. Wanderer hides his cruel amusement behind his goblet. Al-Haitham sits between them with a fork loaded with food slowly lifting to his open mouth. The steak sticks to the upper half of his face, covering one of his eyes. He is frozen with an apathetic expression on his face. Al-Haitham bats the steak off his face, letting it hit Wanderer. The verdure lord's envoy looks displeased. He throws the steak off his face. It falls onto Al-Haitham's plate with a wet splat. The steak hits the side of the plate, actually, causing the other side to lift and fling food at Kaveh. The architect cannot hold back his laughter as he wipes sauce out of his hair.

Al-Haitham sits his fork on the table. Everyone waits in anxious anticipation. Wanderer slams his fist against the table. The wind picks up, lifting all the platters off the table. Wanderer's fingers shoot out. The food and platters separate, launching in both directions. Each guest makes a noise as they are bombarded with food. Candace brings Layla toward her to shield the girl. Jeht swings around the other side, hiding in Candace's arm, too. Dehya turns her body to shield Nilou. Faruzan lifts her plate defensively. Tighnari hides his face in Cyno's shoulder. Collei and Sethos hide behind Cyno and Tighnari's chairs.

When the food settles, Kaveh's laughter rings out across the room. He encourages everyone to start laughing alongside him. Even Candace chuckles under her breath. Candace shakes her head, trying to wipe the food off her body. Kaveh rises from his spot to start salvaging what food he can for the feast. Sebek joins him, nudging the good dishes with his snout. Kaveh smiles at everyone. "Come on, this feast isn't over yet."

🛡️

🐊

Two people will be calm. Three people will be lively. Any more than four gathered together will invite an additional guest named chaos to the party. Sebek has never paid this adage much attention until he was sitting at a long table filled to the brim with food and drink. There are more than four people around the table. Including Sebek, there are ten individuals. This is without mentioning the servants, both fleshy and mechanical, that hover around the edge of the feast in preparation for the next course of the meal or to clean any messes.

Shesepankh leans toward Sebek to pour wine into his goblet. He wraps his fingers around it with a soft smile. He lifts his drink toward her. Shesepankh sets the pitcher on the table to grab her drink. She uses the other hand to grab onto Bennu's collar. Shesepankh drags the elemental in human form toward their toasting. Bennu's eyes are wide with surprise, but she understands what they are doing after a moment. She grabs onto her own drink to join the toast. Once their goblets have hit against one another, they each draw back to take a drink. Shesepankh gulps the entire contents. Bennu raises an eyebrow over the side of her. Sebek shrugs with a humored smile rising to his lips.

Thoth reaches an arm over Sebek's plate to grab a fruit from a nearby platter. Sebek shoves Thoth's arm out of the way. The scribe glares at Sebek from the corner of his eyes. Sebek wears an unimpressed expression. Thoth rolls his eyes, snagging the fruit he was looking for. He brings it to his plate. He scrambles for a knife to cut the fruit, but Zerda snatches the fruit from the plate when Thoth isn't looking. Sebek chuckles under his breath, attracting Thoth's attention to him. Thoth looks ready to start an argument with Sebek about stealing his fruit when his eyes suddenly dart above Sebek's head. Thoth ducks immediately, and a fruit flies over both Sebek's and his head.

Instead of smacking Thoth as Shesepankh intended, it hits Heryshaf. The minister gives a long-suffering sigh as he picks the fruit off the table. He examines it closely, eyes moving over the side of the fruit to look at the potential throwers. Zerda makes himself known as he snatches the fruit from Heryshaf's hand. Heryshaf blinks in surprise, staring at his now empty hand. Thoth looks betrayed. He reaches out to snag another fruit to throw across the table at Zerda. The Tighnarian bats the fruit away, accidentally sending it flying into Hermanubis' cheek. Hermanubis glances at Zerda, but his glare is focused at Thoth. The scribe looks even more appalled at being blamed.

Heryshaf puts his hands up to stop them from fighting. It is, however, too late. Shesepankh smells blood in the water, and she leaps behind Sebek's chair to throw another food item at the group. Instead of fruit, she throws chunks of torn meat. One piece lands in Thoth's hair. One lands against Zerda's nose. One lands on Hermanubis' cheek, the sauce causing it to stick and slowly slide into his lap. The three parties involved turn to Sebek first. Thoth grabs the piece of meat from their hair to shove against Sebek's face. The captain leans to the side, batting away Thoth's hand. This compromises Shesepankh's hiding spot. Hermanubis and Zerda glare at her. She slides away from them to hide behind Bennu's chair. The astrologer's eyes widen. She tries turning in her chair, and this movement causes a smattering of sauce to land on her face. She uses her hand to wipe it off. She fully turns in her chair to push her sauce-covered palm against Shesepankh's hair, upsetting the saint.

Shesepankh rises to her feet with a cat-like yelp. She pushes Bennu's chair forward. Bennu falls backward. Sebek shoves Thoth away to grab onto Bennu before she can land against the table's contents. Bennu shoots Sebek a grateful smile. Shesepankh slinks away to hide behind Heryshaf. The minister rises from his seat to grab Shesepankh's shoulders. The saint frowns, leaning most of her body weight on Heryshaf considering how drunk she probably is.

Heryshaf opens his mouth to say something, but it is thwarted by Zerda throwing a full piece of meat at Shesepankh. Heryshaf bats the steak away with a glare at Zerda. The Tighanrian looks properly abashed. Bennu makes a shrieking noise like a bird swerving to grab a fish from the deep waters. Everyone looks at her, and they follow her gaze to the end of the table.

Nabu Malikata's hands are covering the lower half of her face and her nose. Tears form in her eyes from how hard she wants to laugh. Rukkhadevata coughs into her fist with her other hand holding a goblet. Al-Ahmar sits between them with a fork loaded with food slowly lifting to his open mouth. The steak sticks to the upper half of his face, covering one of his eyes. He is frozen with an annoyed expression on his face. Rukkhadevata wipes the wine off her chin before reaching a hand to grab the steak. It falls onto Al-Ahmar's plate with a wet splat. The steak hits the side of the plate, actually, causing the other side to lift and fling food at Nabu Malikata. The goddess cannot hold back her laughter as she wipes sauce out of her hair.

Al-Ahmar sits his fork on the table. Everyone waits in anxious anticipation. Al-Ahmar takes a deep breath. He slams his fist against the table. The wind picks up, lifting all the food off the platters. Al-Ahmar's fingers shoot out. The food separates, launching in both directions. Each sage makes a noise as they are bombarded with food. Sebek drops Bennu to cover his face with his hands. When nothing hits his hands anymore, he lowers his hands. He looks around at all the sages. They are all covered in food. Bennu is sitting on the floor. Shesepankh is hanging off Heryshaf's shoulders. Zerda is hiding his face in Hermanubis' shoulder. Thoth holds a plate defensively in front of him.

When the food settles, Nabu Malikata's laughter rings out across the room. She encourages everyone to start laughing alongside her. Even Sebek chuckles under his breath. He shakes his head, trying to wipe the food off his body. Perhaps as a reward for making her laugh, Nabu Malikata raises her fingers. She uses her authority of the banquet to lift all the food off the ground and the sages. She returns it to the table with a large smile on her face. "What a lovely feast this has been!"

🛡️

🐊

Candace moves a hand in front of Jeht. The former Eremite looks at Candace curiously. She peers around the side of Candace's body to look at what has caused Candace to react so defensively. Jeht sees it almost immediately. She brings her weapon higher in the air, prepared to attack the oncoming person.

A figure is marching towards them. They have skin the same color as the sand they defiantly walk across. Their long, vine-green hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, leaving a few strands to frame their sharp, reptilian yellow eyes. They wear armor designed to resemble leaves and poisonous flowers. They reveal parts of their skin, showing off the many scars crossing their dark skin. The figure stops directly in front of Candace and Jeht. They look between the two women with a raised eyebrow.

Candace's amber eye glitters as she sees what this human-like creature truly is. A giant dragon almost as large as sections of the desert itself hover around the shell walking on the sand. The shell moves a hand through her hair, putting one hand on her hip. She looks at Candace with eyes as bright as the sun without sharing the same golden hue. No, this creature's eyes are a lifeless, sickly yellow. The creature's lips pull into an ironic smile. "Sebek. I was not aware I would see you again."

"Welcome, weary traveler from afar. Nights in the desert are cruel. You are permitted to rest in Aaru Village for the night if you do not cause trouble to the villagers," Candace starts, taking a deep breath. Although she can see this creature's true form, she does not know its true intentions. She cannot mistake a beast-like creature for an actual beast, else she risks creating one through her cruelty and prejudice. "I am Candace, the guardian of Aaru Village. I do not know who Sebek is. Might I have your name, traveler from afar?"

"I am Apep," The creature responds. The simple answer settles something in Candace's chest. She already knew that, somehow. This terrifying creature standing in front of her with a draconic aura could be no one else. The only part that Candace doesn't understand is why it feels like she's meeting an old friend. "Candace... It does not matter what name you go by in this lifetime. I know who you are. I believe you do, too. Now, I will find a place to camp outside of the village. Do not... I have no intention of ruining this human civilization. I must learn from it."

Apep walks away from Candace and Jeht without another word. Jeht exhales sharply, leaning her body weight against Candace's back. The guardian glances over her shoulder at Jeht. She moves an arm around the girl's shoulders to keep her upright after an encounter such as that one.

As Candace guides Jeht back to the village, she notices that Sebek does not follow her. He remains staring at the spot where Apep disappeared to. Candace moves her eyes away. She leaves Sebek to watch over Apep. It feels like two parts of her past reuniting with one another.

Apep called her that, didn't she? Sebek. Candace will think about that later when Jeht no longer looks like she's going to puke from being directly in the gaze of an all-powerful elemental sovereign.

🛡️

🐊

Sebek leans against the steps he is sitting on. He pushes the goblet toward his lips. He takes a good, long sip. The wine instantly warms his systems. He brings the wine back down with a frown. Sebek stares at the deep red liquid illuminated by the same candlelight that casts red-gold rays across the celebration. It looks like blood. It smells like fruit. It tastes like ashes. Sebek is going to be sick, but he holds steady control over his stomach. He holds the wine down even when he would rather be drinking anything else anywhere else.

Sebek turns his body. Heryshaf is staring at Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. She sits tiredly in her throne with the weight of something comparable to the whole world on her shoulders. Heryshaf looks away quickly. He tries hiding in the goat skin covering his body that symbolizes his origins and powers. Sebek nudges the goblet toward Heryshaf. The goat king's eyes widen with surprise. He takes the goblet with both hands, a tentative smile rising on his face. Heryshaf looks at the wine with a hardened expression, and when he starts drinking, Sebek fears he will never stop.

Thankfully, Heryshaf does. He turns to pass the goblet to Thoth. The ibis kind takes it absentmindedly with one hand. He uses the other one to point at one of the clerics nestled at the sage's feet. Thoth is talking about the power of written language and how it does not detract from human intelligence, as one proponent of auditorial education said. He speaks with such levity and conviction. If Sebek were one of the clerics listening to him, he would think Thoth was feeling nothing right now. He would think Thoth was entirely focused on his words. They would think he was only here to spread wisdom.

Sebek knows his friend, however. Sebek knows that Thoth is speaking to keep himself from crying. Thoth is hardly paying attention to his words. Sebek leans forward to place a comforting hand near Thoth. The scribe does not take it. He only glances at Sebek for a long moment. Sebek cannot bring himself to smile, but he hopes his expression is comforting enough. It must not be because Thoth looks away from him.

Nabu Malikata planned every detail of this farewell celebration in order to bring happiness to the partygoers. She moves among the crowd now, trying to bring a smile to everyone's face. Unfortunately, the faces she truly wishes to change will not. Rukkhadevata pretends to be joyful for her friend's sake, but Al-Ahmar entertains no such falsties. He rises from his throne with a hardened look on his expression. Everyone, save for the unconscious drunkards, glance at him, even if it is only from the corner of their eye. Al-Ahmar pays no one any mind as he walks away. Rukkhadevata's face falls, and Nabu Malikata gains an expression of absolute nothingness. Sebek jerks toward the thrones to chase after Al-Ahmar, but Hermanubis, ever the loyal follower, beats Sebek to it. Likewise, Thoth turns to comfort Rukkhadevata.

Sebek rises to his feet. Since he cannot comfort his lords, he will work toward keeping order within the celebratory room. He starts picking through the drunken crowd. He orders people to remain in their seats, and he carries multiple bodies to their rooms at a time. He works because he does not have a desire to think. Unfortunately, he is forced to think when he tries returning to the throne room. Rukkhadevata stands in the hallway. She wears a warm smile on her face. She reaches her hands forward to grasp onto his shoulders. "Sebek. Before I leave, I wanted to speak with you. You are Valivija's spear and shield. Without your protection, everything will fall. Remember how strong and kind you are. No matter what enemy you must defeat— whether it be monsters of depravity or your own wayward thoughts— I know you will achieve overwhelming victory. Goodbye."

Her words echo in the hallway around him long after she disappears back into the ballroom. Sebek takes a deep breath. He tilts his head back to stare at the primal lights hanging off the walls. He squats on the floor, wrapping his arms around his knees. He releases a shaky breath. He refuses to cry, but he feels close to it as he says goodbye to everything he's known for hundreds of years.

🛡️

🐊

Candace cusps her hands around the wadjet eye. The red surface of the central gemstone glitters in the flickering candlelight of the underground chamber. Candace closes her eyes. She presses her thumb against the surface of the jewel. In an instant, the back of her eyelids flicker with images. She sees a gray-haired man playing a zither, and a purple-haired woman dancing in slow circles, and a white-haired woman smiling at her dearest companions. Voices ring out along the edges of her periphery, as familiar as her own heartbeat.

"Candace?" Sethos calls out. Candace's eyes flutter open. The memories she's vicariously living through disappear in an instant. Candace nods slowly. She sets the wadjet eye in the center of the box alongside its partner. The two gems sparkle with energy as they refract light back into each other. Whether by elemental magic or technology, these devices are able to record and replay the memories of the far past. It was created by King Deshret for Lesser Lord Kusanali during her birthday. At least, that is the story surrounding these devices. Candace cannot confirm if that is the truth (other than knowing deep in her chest that this is true).

"Be at peace, memories of the past," Candace whispers. Her fingers lock together. Her palms slide against one another. She puts her clasped hands in front of her face. She leans forward slightly. She closes her eyes. Candace prays to the gods to bless these gemstones that they and the memories they keep will one day rest. The memories are precious, but they are not meant for the people of tomorrow. These memories are the treasures of the gods. They were never meant for mortal eyes. They were too intimate and valuable for that.

"Thank you," Sethos murmurs. He puts one hand on Candace's shoulder. He comes to stand right beside her. He tilts his head down to pray alongside her. Candace's hands drop away from each other. Sethos puts one hand on the lid. Candace reaches to put her hand on the lid. Neither of them count, but they both know when to close the box. Once it is firmly shut, Sethos personally locks and puts the box away among the other historical documents and relics of the yesteryear.

"Do you want to go get something to eat?" Sethos asks conversationally, looking away from the power he holds.

"I would not mind sharing a meal with you," Candace admits. She turns her attention away from the box. Sethos' face splits with a grin. He jogs over to her side. They walk outside of the chambers together, beginning their trek to the surface.

Sebek is right on Candace's heels. She feels sorrow for him. He looks at everything with such painful knowledge and recognition. Candace would feel awful, too, if her entire life was categorized and sealed away in boxes only to be studied by unempathetic researchers. Candace cannot do anything for Sebek other than comfort him with a smile. He understands her intentions. He rubs the side of his head against her ankle. She wishes he could eat with her and Sethos. Maybe if she would accept him, he could eat, but Candace does not believe she's ready for that yet. She hopes Sebek will understand that, too.

🛡️

🐊

Sebek gestures for his soldiers to spread out toward the south. The soldiers salute him before wordlessly carrying out his orders. Sebek turns away from them to his private unit. He gives them individualized orders to look for their target. A god that somehow survived the Archon War has been causing trouble along the border. Al-Ahmar told Sebek to deal with the matter personally since he did not want war to break out between Valivija and Sumeru. Sebek was certain Rukkhadevata would not believe for a second that her old friends desired a war, but Al-Ahmar was insistent in his seriousness.

Sebek huffs, lifting a hand to his face. Unlike the other sages, Sebek is not a god. He is an immortal, yes, but at the end of the day, he's only a warrior. He has gained much power from experience and forethought. His battle readiness is second to none. Unfortunately, he is having trouble keeping up with an actual god with access to their full divinity. To make matters worse, Sebek believes this god has been accessing a corruptive power. If their goal is to rule the land of Dendro, they want the god-kings to kill each other before they sweep into action. Sebek will have to use that to his advantage.

"Are you sleeping well?" A voice calls out. Sebek wretches his head from his hand. He stares at the break in the giant wooden walls separating the desert and the rainforest. The walls are strong enough to hold back entire sandstorms, but they easily part like paper for Rukkhadevata as she steps through them. Desert plants curl around her feet as she stands in front of the walls, a few feet away from Sebek.

"Goddess," Sebek murmurs, putting a hand over his chest. It has been dozens of years since he has last spoken this personally with the goddess. She comes to the desert once a year for the Sabzeruz Festival, but Sebek rarely participates in the festivities. He focuses on keeping the peace during these events. He orders his guards to remain vigilant, and he defends against any would-be enemies. He does not see his goddess during those days, but he notices the flowers left on his windowsill that survive for many moons before withering away.

Rukkhadevata looks heartbroken by his reverence, but she does not comment on that. "You do not look like you have gotten much sleep in recent times."

"I sleep the required amount, goddess," Sebek answers.

"That cannot be enough. How can you dream if you do not sleep?" Rukkhadevata asks. It sounds like the start of a riddle. Rukkhadevata loved riddles. She always had one to tell, and she was always willing to listen to one. Riddles were the reason she got so close to Nabu Malikata, after all. They are the reason she's got close with Thoth. But Sebek is also sure a riddle is what created the divide between Al-Ahmar and Rukkhadevata that caused the nation to split with them.

"I do not need to dream," Sebek shakes his head. What he needs to do is get back to work. The rebellious god is still out there. His soldiers are surveying the land for clues, but Sebek knows they will not be able to fight against a god for long if they accidentally encounter the enemy. Sebek will have to deal with the threat personally. His soldiers could be dying right now, and he wouldn't know since he's stuck in this emotionally wrought conversation.

"Everyone needs to dream. It is how our minds reconcile our memories and thoughts. It is how we learn more about the real world by learning about the mirrored image. It is how we find peaceful rest," Rukkhadevata shakes her head. Sebek's heart drops to his stomach. How could he even dare consider leaving this conversation prematurely? Rukkhadevata is the goddess of wisdom. Her words are a guiding light to all who hear them. Sebek is lucky to be on the receiving end of them.

He's lucky to be in her presence at all. She has so much work to do at her Akademiya in the rainforest, yet she came here to ask if he's been sleeping. Despite abandoning Valivija, she shows concern for him. She might show concern for them all. She still, after all, returns once a year to spend her birthday with her companions. Part of her continues to love them, and Sebek cannot ignore the part of himself that loves her back.

"Rest, Sebek, and dream. I will deal with the troublemaker," Rukkhadevata orders him. Her hand is cool as it brushes against his cheek. He leans into her chest, feeling more like a child than a general with centuries of conflict resolution under his belt. He smiles bitterly, but he nods. He follows the words of his goddess. He goes to his campsite where he will rest until his body sees fit to awaken him once more. He trusts Rukkhadevata. If she says she will defeat the god, she will, and there is nothing anyone, least of all Sebek, can do to change that.

🛡️

🐊

Candace crosses her arms over her chest. She stares at the assortment of weapons scattered across the table. Sethos gives her a sheepish smile. He scratches his jawline. She raises an eyebrow at him. Sethos nods, glancing away quickly. "It isn't my fault."

"It's my fault!" Someone calls from behind them. Candace and Sethos look over their shoulders as Kaveh hurries into the room. Mehrak follows behind him, beeping in alarm as if Kaveh would leave it behind. Kaveh stops behind Candace and Sethos, forcing them to turn around to face him. Kaveh puts his hands on his knees, breathing in heavily. When his chest finally settles, he stands upright immediately. "The Matra confiscated all of this from an illegal trading ring in Port Ormos. After the case was closed, it was offered to Kshashrewar for testing. A lot of people got them, but every single one had to be returned because of the Spirits of Omen. I'm the only one who didn't have to return anything. So, everyone brought their weapons to me. But I didn't know what to do with them! The Akademiya won't even give me a space to store them all, nor do I have a permit to put them back on the market. I was trying to work out a deal with some merchants, but nobody wants to sell weapons that can come to life and... well, you know how the spirits work. I was considering my next move when Jeht reminded me that I was able to fix her weapon, putting the Spirit of Omen inside at ease. Jeht agreed to round up all the weapons. I didn't know she was bringing them here, though. I didn't know Sethos was helping her, either."

"The Temple of Silence is invested in this sort of thing. These weapons are from the time of King Deshret. It is also rumored that they harbor fractured pieces of the jinn inside of them. They belong in the Temple of Silence. Unfortunately, I'm with those merchants. I can't bring volatile weapons into the temple. That's why they're here instead of the temple. Jeht wanted to bring them to the temple, but I'm the one who brought them here," Sethos finishes the story. Kaveh and Sethos look at Candace.

She sighs. "Fine. You may keep them here. I do not want them to be here for long, though. They attract trouble even when they are inactive. And I do not like the library being closed for long."

"Of course! I'm going to fix as many of them as I can as quickly as I can!" Kaveh informs her. He grabs onto Mehrak, pulling the little box through the air to the table where most of the weapons have been laid out. Kaveh drops into a chair. Mehrak materializes an assortment of tools in front of him.

"I will prepare some snacks for him," Candace declares. She leaves Kaveh and Sethos behind as she makes the trek from the library to her house. She immediately starts cooking a few simple dishes. When she finishes, she carries them back to the library. A few hours have gone by, and in that time, Sethos has left. Al-Haitham and Faruzan are there in his place. Faruzan sits at the table with Kaveh, helping him with the weapons. Al-Haitham sits against the wall with a book in one hand and a clipboard left in his lap.

"I did not know you two would be visiting Aaru Village," Candace says as she closes the door behind her. She sets the snacks she made on the edge of the table. She is glad she made extra. She turns to look at the amount of weapons that have been completed already. A few of the Spirits of Omen linger in the room, but they do not look aggressive. They are merely surrounding Kaveh's chair. Candace raises an eyebrow when Sebek joins them. He stands out as a Hydro-infused living crocodile rather than a Geo-infused constructed crocodile, but the other spirits are unable to see him, so they cannot notice an imposter among their ranks.

"The Akademiya wants a record of all the weapons," Al-Haitham mentions. He taps against the paper on the clipboard. "As the scribe, it is my duty to make that record."

"I tagged along to look at the weapons. I've never seen so many collected together. I also want to figure out why my junior seems to have the magic touch with them. From what I've researched, the Spirits of Omen should be incredibly aggressive. As you can see, these metallic monsters have not dared harming anyone," Faruzan explains, looking away from the catalyst she holds in her hands.

"I have faith you two will be able to understand. Please, enjoy the snacks, and try not to stay up too late. As always, the three of you are welcome at the village chief's house. My house is open, too, if Uncle Anpu decides to lock his doors," Candace informs them.

"Thank you, Candace," Kaveh tells her, smiling up at her. His expression is enough to soften her expression. It is also enough to make the Spirits of Omen around his chair treat Candace with more open friendliness. Only Sebek remains still, staring at Al-Haitham with an odd expression.

For a second, Al-Haitham looks up. He stares right at the spot where Sebek should be. He shakes his head, turning his gaze back down to his book. Candace frowns. Can Al-Haitham see Sebek, too?

Does that mean he's waking up?

Does that mean she is?

🛡️

🐊

Thoth grabs onto his shoulders. The ibis king squeezes tightly with a pressure that would shatter a mortal's bones. Thoth screams and yells at him, right in his face, face flaring with both heat and passion and some sadness so deep that it looks like anger. Sebek stares blankly at Thoth as the god shakes him back and forth, demanding some sort of answer. When Thoth stops to heave in a deep breath, Sebek finds his lungs. He yells right back at Thoth. The words themselves are lost on him. He believes he's blaming Thoth for being as complacent as Sebek was. He wouldn't know, though, because he's barely inside of his body right now.

All of a sudden, Thoth breaks down completely. He shoves his face against Sebek's chest. The crocodile king's expression of anger drops immediately like water rushing over the side of a cliff. In its place, there is only apathy. Sebek takes a few steadying breaths that make him feel less like he's about to crash into the floor. A lightheadedness swims across his mind like a fevered coldness. Sebek cannot grasp onto his slippery thoughts, but he manages to order his body to move. His arms are as heavy as stones, but he moves them one at a time over Thoth's shoulders. Sebek keeps his hands there. He sinks very slowly until his chin brushes against hair. Once he feels that, Sebek falls completely against Thoth's body. They use each other to hold themselves up.

Sebek and Thoth have argued a million times over their lives, but they have always been friends. They have always been there for each other when it counts. And what better time to need each other than when their goddess is dead on the altar their god is pitifully kneeling at?

Sebek looks at Al-Ahmar. His lord is starting to rise to his feet. Sebek nudges Thoth away from him. The sobbing god takes a step back. He looks at Sebek with betrayal, but he understands why Sebek did that when he turns his gaze toward Al-Ahmar. The god holds Nabu Malikata's corpse in his arms, letting her ichor stain his fingertips the same color as the outer ring of his eyes.

"Our dear goddess has entered the Golden Slumber. She has given me the knowledge necessary to allow everyone passage into this paradise. I will guide you all there, so have faith in me a while longer."

Sebek wants to laugh, but nothing about this situation is amusing. It is only sad. More than that, it is unfair. Sebek doesn't understand how any of them are meant to have faith in a situation as cruel as this one.

But Hermanubis bows. Shesepankh bows. Thoth bows. Heryshaf bows. They have all found faith. They have found some sense of reassurance and trust in Al-Ahmar's words. The god does not even look at them. He looks toward the sky, clutching the person he loved more than anyone else.

Bennu remains standing for a moment. She stares at her fists with unfocused eyes. The edges of her fingers have been darkened by the wilted ashes of padisarahs. Her lips part slightly.

Sebek looks away from her. It collapses onto one knee rather than gently lowering himself onto it, but he bows all the same. He's served Al-Ahmar for this long; why would he not serve him for many more moons?

She will play the music, he tells himself. She will play the music, and he will follow it.

🛡️

🐊

Candace pushes the door open as slowly and softly as she can. She peers into the darkened room. As her eyes adjust, she notices Dehya staring at her. The mercenary sits on the side of the bed. She puts her elbows on her knees, leaning forward. A faint sheen of sweat slides down her face. Candace wears an empathetic expression as she steps into the room. Candace figured Dehya had a nightmare when she heard the sound of talking, but she would have been content to be proven wrong this time.

Candace gives Dehya the glass of water she brought just in case. Dehya takes it, ignoring the faint tremble in her hands. She manages to sip the water. She doesn't drink much more than that. As Dehya lowers the cup to her lap, Candace sits beside Dehya on the bed. Dehya puts her head on Candace's shoulder. She tucks her face beneath Candace's chin. The guardian moves her arm around Dehya's shoulders to rub her hand over Dehya's upper arm. Candace tilts her cheek to rest against the top of Dehya's loose, wavy hair. Candace counts each breath she hears from Dehya. When they get slow enough, Candace removes the glass from Dehya's grip to make sure it doesn't fall to the ground. Once Candace sits it on the nightstand, she transitions Dehya's head from her shoulder to her lap. She moves Dehya's legs back onto the bed. The nightmare must have worn Dehya out because she hardly stirs as her body is being maneuvered.

When Dehya is comfortable, Candace moves a hand through Dehya's hair. She turns her gaze away from Dehya to the crocodile looking up at her. Candace exhales tiredly out her nose. She gives the illusory animal a half-smile. "Hello, little one. You have been with me for so long. Will you not tell me why you have shared your presence with me?"

Sebek does not respond. He moves forward to put the edge of his jaw against her feet. Candace huffs at his silence. She shakes her head. She turns her gaze from Dehya and Sebek to the window in the distance. The moonlight fills the room. Candace reaches her hand toward it. Her fingers slip easily through the silver beams. Candace's fingers snap back into a fist. She heaves a giant breath, releasing it with all the tension inside of her body.

The truth is right in front of her— quite literally. While she is uncertain about the specifics, she knows that Sebek holds the truth. He holds her awakening. If she accepts him, she will know. She does not know why doesn't when she's a constant advocate for honesty. How could she refuse to accept the clear reality?

Dehya makes a quiet noise. She shuffles where she lays, moving more onto her back than her side. Candace shushes her kindly. She moves her fingers through Dehya's hair once more. This soothes the mercenary back to deep sleep. Candace's eyes soften when she stares at Dehya's resting face. This, she realizes, is the reason why she does not accept the truth. She doesn't want to lose this. She doesn't want to lose her other friends, either. The memories she has now— the life she has now— are precious. They are worth protecting.

But are they worth turning her gaze away from the truth for?

🛡️

🐊

The Goat King and Ibis King have both failed to convince Lord Al-Ahmar to act. The two saints are struggling to maintain order in their city-states. The Verdure Lord has not left her rainforest in all the years of the absence of the Queen of all Oases. The sovereign of vegetation will not leave her domain further north. There is only one person who has yet to make their attempt to convince Lord Al-Ahmar to regain his sanity, to step away from his work and see that his kingdom needs him.

The Crocodile King wears a grim expression as he lifts his helmet from his face. His amber eyes glisten with determination as he kneels at the base of Lord Al-Ahmar's throne. The god stares down at the Crocodile King with a strange sort of apathy permeating his golden-orange stare. The Crocodile King takes a deep breath. He will not be cowed by the stare of his lord. He will stand strong for the sake of this nation and for the dream they shared with their late mistress.

"If we are to recall the lost lives and welcome lost opportunities and dreams back into the fold, then this is our final chance. The greater the authority, the greater the emptiness. The greater the wisdom, the greater the sorrow. Forget the delusions of the Void. Only resurrection and life eternal can fill the endless pit of regret."

There is a moment when the entire world holds its breath. Every lifeform, no matter how insignificant, waits and listens with strained ears for the response of the mighty lord of the desert. Some fear another rejection, but the Crocodile King knows he has reached the heart of his lord. Al-Ahmar lifts his gaze and rises to his feet. In a single whisper, he answers a million prayers, "Yes."

🛡️

🐊

Candace feels someone watching her before she sees them. She does not panic. This is normal during her patrols across the area surrounding Aaru Village. It became even more frequent when she started taking Jeht with her, but Candace knows it cannot possibly be Jeht today since her apprentice stayed in Aaru Village due to lack of manpower. Candace should be alone right now, and yet, she isn't. Candace will have to rectify this situation. Whether it is an ally or an enemy, they shall not be hidden for long.

Candace turns around with her spear in one hand and her shield prepared in the other one. Candace's weapons disappear when she recognizes Lesser Lord Kusanali standing in the sand across from Candace. "Forgive me, goddess. I did not know it was you."

"It's okay, Candace. I was trying to sneak up on you," Kusanali explains as she skips over to Candace's side. She smiles at the guardian for a long moment. Her eyes travel downward to Sebek. Kusanali leans down to rub the sides of Sebek's face. Both Candace and her crocodile are surprised by the interaction. Kusanali remains kneeling in front of Sebek as she turns her attention back to Candace, "Do not be so surprised. We are both entities using your mind as a projector. We do not possess physical bodies, so we can give the illusion of interacting with each other."

"I see. Is there a reason why you two must project your consciousnesses through my mind?" Candace asks.

Kusanali rises to her feet. She pats her dress free from any sand. She smiles warmly at Candace. "I think you already know why he's here. I'm actually here for a similar reason. I've been observing a few individuals that I believe will awaken. A few of them have already begun the process. You are someone that is right on the cusp of it. With a single acceptance, you will understand the truth. Yet, you hold yourself back."

"Do you want me to awaken?" Candace asks. Sebek's tail curls comfortingly around Candace's ankles. She smiles down at him.

"No. I want what you want. I am only curious because there is an error in my logic. Humans are incredibly complex creatures. They are full of contradictions. Right now, you are one of these contradictions. All my knowledge about you allows me to draw the conclusion that you are a truthful person who values honesty. There is one counterevidence point, however. This situation is the evidence point. Why would someone who never shies away from the way the world really works doing just that?" Kusanali asks, putting one hand over her chet and using her other hand to hold her chin. She looks at the shifting sand thoughtfully.

Candace drops to her knees, folding her legs underneath her. Sebek puts his head in her lap. She moves her hands over his wet scales. She looks into Kusanali's eyes. "You do not need to search hard for an explanation. In truth, I am afraid. If I accept this new reality, what becomes of my old one? Who would I be? What would I care for? Will the people who count on me suffer for my decision?"

"I understand now. Fear is a complicated emotion. It can cause humans to make decisions they would not otherwise consider. In this case, fear is making you hesitant and dishonest with yourself. You are ignoring the truth for unselfish reasons, but in the end, you are still compromising your principles, which scares you even more."

Candace's lips press together. She leans her head to the side. She stares at the smokestacks coming from Aaru Village. The people are starting to cook dinner for the night. They are going to rest in their beds, sleeping the night away. They are Candace's responsibility. It is an honor for her to serve them, but she knows they will suffer if she were to leave them behind for a new identity. "You are not... wrong."

"I must admit that it is a complex situation. There are a number of perspectives to look at the problem from, and no solution is any more right or wrong than the others. There is, however, further room for introspection. You have to determine if your identity right now is stronger than your identity from the past. You have to discover for yourself if these two facets of who you are can be merged. If you do not feel as if they can, your decision is made. Consider your options carefully. Once you understand what you want and by what means you will achieve it, do not look back. Do not waver. You are the spear and shield of Aaru Village. Your will is stronger than you think it is."

"Thank you, my goddess," Candace whispers gratefully. She sinks her weight against her haunches. She wraps her arms around Sebek. She buries her face against the scales between his eyes. Sebek sinks into her hold, enjoying the peaceful comfort. For now, they are separate. For now, they can comfort each other.

When Candace lifts her gaze, Kusanali is gone. Candace smiles in place of her goddess. The wind blows through her dark blue hair, and she gets the feeling that she's never alone in a comforting way.

🛡️

🐊

Sebek kneels against the ground. He moves hand above his head. A glass bottle floats above his palm. His other hand touches against the rough dirt. Sebek closes his eyes. He focuses his power, letting it travel deep beneath the surface. Sebek pulls water droplets from the ground. He forms them into a pool of water nestled in the rough dirt. Sebek lowers his raised hand. He cups both of his palms around the glass bottle. He stares at the yellow light glowing inside the confines. Sebek lowers the bottle into the pool he created. Plant life springs from the ground around the makeshift pool, called forth by the jinni's power. Butterflies appear in his peripheral vision, attracted to the flowers. A desert fox comes to lap up the water. A scarab skitters across the sand.

Sebek remains stagnant at the water side. He watches life grow around the shattered remains of Liloupar. The horrors of Gurabad echo in his mind. Whenever he hears Liloupar's name, he hears thousands of people screaming for help and praying for anyone to reach their hand out. When he sees Liloupar's shattered form, he sees half-eaten corpses and family members clinging to each other with terror trapped in their dead eyes. When he smells the flowers created around her resting ground, he smells ash and blood soaking into the city streets. When he feels a soft breeze brush against his scaly skin, he feels a burning inferno sweeping across the once lovely city.

And in that awful place, he sees a chasm that leads to the very depths of the unknowable world.

Sebek grits his teeth. He once knew Liloupar. He would dare say he was once her friend. But no longer. He hates Liloupar. He hates everything she did in the name of her petty revenge. He hates Al-Ahmar for not stepping in sooner to stop the tragedies. He hates Nabu Malikata for dying and leaving her jinn to grow corrupted. He hates Rukkhadevata for abandoning them and letting this happen.

He hates himself. He hates everything he could have done but didn't, and everything he did do but shouldn't have. He hates burying a fractional part of someone he once knew on the orders of someone he wonders if he ever knew.

Sebek rises to his feet. This will be the last order Al-Ahmar gives him before he initiates his first death. The body will perish so the mind can be set free. At least, that was what he said would happen. Sebek isn't sure he believes him. He isn't sure if it matters.

But Sebek is only a tool for war. He will fight the battles as the captain of captains. The once glorious title of spear and shield has been rendered to a shackle that binds him. The positive is that he no longer needs to think. He only needs to act. He is the general of the army, and victory shall be his no matter the cost.

"A shame we never met on the battlefield, Liloupar," Sebek grits out angrily. He glares at the glass bottle that will never be able to hold her for long. "When you awaken, we will meet again. I will make you suffer for everything you have done. Until then, Mother of the Jinn."

Sebek leaves the glass bottle with that curse for a bloody reunion.

🛡️

🐊

Candace stands at the entrance of an obscure tunnel that leads right into Aaru Village. Its original purpose is an emergency exit for the villagers should the village ever become overrun with enemies or if a freak sandstorm buries the buildings. Right now, it is being used by Eremites that wish to smuggle goods into Aaru Village. Candace will be the one to stop them and protect the people she swore to guard.

Candace was waiting for a group of Eremites to come rushing down the tunnel. At most, the Eremites would try to be secretive and quiet. They would be caught either way, so Candace did not have a preference. She did, however, have expectations, so she finds disappointment and wariness rising in her body when a singular Eremite runs toward her with a panicked expression on their face. They do not seem panicked at her, however. They are constantly looking over their shoulder at something in the distance. They do not even notice Candace until she is shoving her shield into their chest to knock them off their feet. They yelp loudly as they crash into the ground. Candace points her spear at the side of their neck. "Where are your fellow conspirators?"

"N-not here," The Eremite exclaims. Candace doesn't know if they are out of breath from the panic or from exhaustion. Both of those emotions coexist in their eyes as they put their hands in front of their chest. "We were stopped up ahead by someone else. I ran away. They aren't— I don't know how they'll escape that— that thing."

"You will have to be more clear with your words if you do not wish to incur my wrath," Candace informs him simply, her voice almost too cool for the implications of anger to feel real. But her eyes shine with the threat of violence, and the Eremite realizes quickly what sort of situation they are in.

"My brigade was hired by some other mercenaries to kidnap this guy— an architect. Umm... Kaveh? We did. We had him and this other girl that was with him. But then this... These things showed up. It was... There was so much blood. The others aren't going to survive that," The Eremite tries again. Candace's eyes widen as she registers Kaveh's name. He's under attack. He's been kidnapped. Someone else was with him, too. While it could be a stranger, Candace's mind flashes to the people that both she and Kaveh know.

Candace steps away from the Eremite to run to where Kaveh and the other victim are. Candace is stopped by a strange pain in her ankle. She glances down to find the Eremite slashing her with a dagger. Candace stumbles on the next step. She crashes into the floor, her spear clattering away from her. Candace pulls her knee to her chest to touch the wound. Blood smears alongside her fingertips, but so does another liquid. Poison. Candace looks at the Eremite. He's passed out. He clutches his dagger in his hands so tightly that he cuts himself. The poison he coated on the blade seeps into his own flesh. It explains why he's unconscious since most people aren't as strong as Candace.

She makes an attempt to rise to her feet, but she crashes against the floor again. Her fingers clench into fists. She tries dragging herself forward. Her legs are numbing behind her. They are dead weight, but she can't get rid of them. Candace feels sweat building on her brow. It slides across her face in sticky streaks. She's overheating, she thinks, as she feels the rocks littered on the stone ground cut even more shallow marks in her skin. Her blood spills out across the ground. Her vision blurs around the edges. More of her body is numbing. She isn't going to last much longer.

Candace reaches her hand forward. Her fingers stretch out, willing someone to grab her hand. And someone does. A hand emerges from the shadows to grab onto her hand. Candace's startles. She twists her head upward to look at the clear amber eyes of a man with dark skin wearing her crocodile as a helmet over his head. Candace squints at the person she's known for a long time. Candace sighs. If she wants to survive, she needs his help. If she wants to keep this identity, she must accept the previous one.

Candace's face sets with determination. No matter what happens— no matter what she becomes— she will always be Aaru Village's guardian. She will always be someone who helps her friends. She refuses to give into defeat now. She will succeed. She will keep the peace in Aaru, and she will rescue her friends. There is no in between. There is no time for hesitation.

Candace squeezes the hand with the last of her strength. The man removes her crocodile from his head. He places it on hers. His powers and memories flow through her veins. Candace's eyes close as she falls unconscious from the poison.

Minutes later, her eyes snap back open. She rises to her feet as if she were never poisoned at all. The crocodile helmet melts with her armor as she summons her spear and shield back to her sides. With a newfound strength, Candace shoots across the cavern to find Kaveh and the others.

🛡️

🐊

Sebek suddenly stops shouting orders at the remaining soldiers in his army. The tides of the battle freeze. The soldiers collapse from exhaustion. Their enemies start to dissipate into ashes. Sebek tears his eyes away from them. He stumbles to the edge of the battlefield. He continues past the confines of the fight. He starts running, dropping his spear and shield as he goes. He keeps running, fighting against the exhaustion that has accrued over days and days of fighting nonstop. He does not feel the pain from the hundreds of wounds littering his body, each one capable of felling a mortal. He does not pay attention to any of it until his body collapses at the very edge of what he now knows was an altar.

Rukkhadevata looks like a child as she curls into a ball in the distance. The waters continue to ripple with the weight of Al-Ahmar's death. They have both sacrificed so much for the sake of this war-torn land. Sebek lies on the ground. His eyes tilt toward the sky, and one hand falls into the waters. They lap at his fingertips, perhaps sensing the golden ichor running through his veins that is shared with the mighty god they just greedily took. Sebek would let the waters take him, too, if he did not hear the distant wailing and cheering of soldiers realizing that the war they have been fighting without break for many days has finally come to an end.

Sebek rises to his feet. He sways immediately. He looks around. He could help Rukkhadevata. He could submerge himself in the waters. He could look for the other sages— the ones who have survived this conflict. He could start ordering his soldiers to begin the restoration.

He could, but he does nothing. He only stands there in the shallows. He pulls the crocodile helmet from his head. He lets the last rays of the fading sunset fall across his face as he silently— for the first time in his life— cries.

🛡️

🐊

"Hold him down!" Tighnari shouts. Candace is the only one to respond to his calls. She grabs onto Kaveh's shoulders. She forces him down into the bed. He fights her at every turn. He claws at her skin. He jerks away like he would rather fall to the floor. Candace grits her teeth. She presses one knee into the mattress as she keeps him held there. Kaveh doesn't make it easy for her. He kicks at her side. His nails dig into her flesh. He even attempts to choke her. Candace stops him at every turn. She grabs onto his wrists, holding them down beside his head. She moves a leg to hold down both of his legs as best she can. The process isn't perfect, but she's dealt with worse pain in her life.

"You killer! You destroyed the life of the person you loved most! You slaughtered them! You slaughtered thousands! You—" This, Candace thinks, is what really hurts her. She could handle someone who doesn't want to deal with a healer. She's held down both rowdy children and older villagers alike for the doctor's visits. She's wrangled animals that do not like veterinarians that only want to help. Candace would feel nothing if that was all Kaveh was doing.

But that isn't all he's doing. He's also shouting at them all. More than that, his words hurt. They hurt because this isn't Kaveh talking. Not really. It's barely Nabu Malikata. It is, perhaps, her lingering resentment. Or, more likely, it is Kaveh's human mind fracturing under the weight of everything Nabu Malikata knew. He's gone insane with that sort of knowledge, and now he wants to make everyone else insane. Al-Haitham had to physically hold Kaveh's mouth shut to keep him from driving the rest of them insane. If Al-Haitham were here now, perhaps he would be the one to be holding Kaveh against the bed like this. But he isn't, so Candace has to.

Tighnari rushes over with the sedative. Candace focuses her effort on keeping Kaveh's hands away from Tighnari and his neck steady. The hybrid eventually pushes the syringe into Kaveh's neck. He pushes the sedative into Kaveh's body. His eyes droop, and his words slur. Finally, his body falls still. Tighnari collapses on the floor beside the bed. Candace sinks into the spot right beside Kaveh. She puts her hands over his chest to hear his heartbeat softly thumping.

She closes her eyes. A heavy exhale leaves her.

🛡️

🐊

Sebek has many regrets. None feel heavier than leaving his fellow sages alone after the death of their lord. Sebek should have stood with them. If he did, perhaps they would not be scattered to the four winds. If he did, maybe he wouldn't be watching his dearest friend, Shesepankh, drink a mixture of wine and blood because she can no longer remember who she is beyond the hunger in her stomach.

"Do you remember your mother's name?" Sebek asks Shesepankh. His companion does not answer him. She growls, licking her lips as she sees another meal instead of someone she once spent many of her days with. She rises from her exhausted state to face him. She stretches her back. She readies to run at him, but she collapses to the side from the thick wine in her stomach. She groans quietly beneath her breath as she paws at the sand.

Sebek feels tears fill his eyes as he steps toward Shesepankh. Her eyes are hazy from her drunkenness and hunger. There is not a hint of recognition. Sebek lifts his spear into the air with a saddened exhale leaving his tired lips. He aims the spearhead at her. Sebek takes a deep breath. He gives his friend the dignity of looking in her eyes when he shoves the spear into her body. She cries out weakly. She paws even harder at the sand. Even in her final moments, she does not act anything like her former self.

Sebek leaves the spear in her body as he slides down the side of it. He lands in the ichor pooling around her wound. He leans his head against his spear. He's exhausted. He's been for a while now, but it is so much more intense without anyone by his side. There is no one to protect. No one to defend. No one to attack. There is only him.

He has been left alone in this cruel desert.

🛡️

🐊

Candace puts a hand on Al-Haitham's shoulder. He startles at the contact. He looks over his shoulder at her. He pulls the headphones from his ears, leaving the wires tangled between his fingers. Candace squats beside him. Her hand moves down to grab onto his. Al-Haitham stares at her for a long second. He jerks his hand away from her. He goes so far that he turns his body in the chair, launching himself onto his feet. He sways for a half-step, but he does not let weakness show for long. He rounds the chair, letting the piece of wooden furniture come between the two of them. Candace sets her hand on the back of the chair. She pushes down on it as she straightens her legs.

Candace turns her gaze to the bed Al-Haitham was sitting beside. Kaveh lies flat on his back. His hands are crossed over his chest. The blanket is wound tightly around his legs as if they could truly hide the ropes. There are exhausted bags beneath his eyes despite how often he is unconscious. Every time he wakes up, he goes into a flurry of violence and screaming. Even when he gathers his wits to remain calm, he will insult anyone who comes close with words that sting with the weight of two lives behind it. Tighnari is forced to put him right back under. Candace has been there a few times. She prefers that to this body lying apathetically on the bed. It reminds her too much of an altar.

"My lord," Candace whispers. Al-Haitham's shoulders hunch together at the title. He refuses to look at Candace. He stares at the wall, tilting his head back to see where the curves of the hut form into the ceiling. "I have been protecting Aaru."

"You have done well," Al-Haitham answers. His head moves to his shoulder. Candace can see his eyes. They are not looking at her. They look at Kaveh. Candace feels her lips twitch with a humorless smile. Where else would those eyes be looking if not at her?

"I will continue to protect Aaru Village for as long as I live. I will spend this dream so graciously given to me to secure your final legacy. Our final legacy. The hopes of the people will never fall so long as I stand," Candace continues earnestly. She reaches her hand out again. She settles it on Al-Haitham's shoulder. She squeezes so tightly that he cannot brush her away. Candace moves around the chair. She stands between Al-Haitham and the wall he's found so interesting. She shifts her hand from his shoulder to his neck. She pulls him down and presses their foreheads together. "Kaveh will wake up. He will come back to us. We failed once. We will not fail again. I will protect my family this time."

Al-Haitham does not answer her with words. His eyes, however, shine with an understanding that he never felt in his previous lifetime. He knows now the consequences of his actions. His ambitions have softened into solutions he can perform. In its place, his love has grown. For her, yes, but also for the rest of them. Candace can see it in his eyes now. He realizes there is a family surrounding him. They were master and subordinate in one lifetime.

In this one, they are brother and sister.

🛡️

🐊

Those who come into the world alone shall leave it in a similar manner. It was some philosophical nonsense Thoth told him once about the nature of loneliness. Sebek never did philosophy. He led his soldiers. He controlled his guard. He strategized, but he did not pontificate on the nature of existence. He left that to the scribes and scholars.

All men who are now dead. How would they philosophize on that? The men of intelligence and learning are gone, buried in the sand and the cities they built with their hands. The soldier is the one who remains alive, without an army behind him or a battle to win. He was meant to defend those cities, and he failed. He's failed everyone he's ever known and loved. How is that for loneliness and existence and mirroring? Convergence strikes, and it molds, and now he's here.

He watches as those who escaped one curse for another build their new city. Aaru Village, they call it, after the dream their once-great, now-dead lord could never accomplish despite all of his power and ambitions. His promises are empty words. His deeds are broken stones. His light is a darkened night. He is nothing when he was once everything.

Sebek falls to his knees. He has long-since abandoned his shield. He could not bear the weight of it anymore. He can only hope that a descendent of the desert finds it one day. He hopes they can achieve what he could not. He hopes they can protect what they swore to defend.

"Are you certain you wish to do this?" The wind asks. He turns his gaze to the side. His lord stands beside him. His eyes are cold as they look across the horizon.

"There is nothing left for me. You're dead. The other sages are dead. Nabu Malikata is dead. Rukkhadevata is gone. My homeland has been destroyed. Everything I've ever known crumbled beneath the weight of your arrogance. Is this your wish, Al-Ahmar?! Is this what you wanted? Was the Golden Slumber always dead bodies strewn across the desert? Well, let me add another to your glorious dream."

Sebek lifts the spear he used to kill Shesepankh. The spear he used to kill citizens when they were turned into monsters by the forbidden knowledge. The spear he held when his god-kings sacrificed themselves instead of letting him fulfill their desires. He holds this spear toward the sun, yet the spearhead is pointed toward the ground. No, it is pointed towards him. The last time a spearhead pointed at his chest, he was given a title that meant something. The title means nothing, and neither does he. He can only hope they will forgive him when they all meet in the Eternal Oasis.

Sebek shoves the spear downward. A scream rattles in his throat as the pain builds from his chest and spreads outward. Birds and other animals dart away from the noise. The people of Aaru Village look up from their construction projects, panic swirling throughout their limbs as they search for the source. Golden ichor drops from his chest to the sand beneath him. His hands fall to his side. The backs of his fingers brush the sand. He leans backward, but his body is kept upright by the spear sticking out of him. He stares at the sunlight leaving the sky. Ichor drips from his lips to his chin. Death comes for them all, and it claims Sebek like the jaws of a crocodile snapping down on its prey.