Scene sahara
"Riding through the sandy hills of the Sahara, Taiyo is seen holding onto his stirring stings as his sunboat traverses through the desert dunes."
t"God it's hot…"
"The boy says, the solar beans of the sun hitting his head, a glimmering flare being emitted from his goggles.
He wears a black woven shirt, braided underneath to withstand stretching, black cargo pants that stick to his form rather than being baggy.
As well as a black utility belt strapped around his waist, with two gold staff-like artifacts being held on the back, all covered by a large sand-colored cloak."
"From under his cloak, the boy pulls out a folded map, this map shows his trajectory from Luxor to the oasis of Siwa, as well as pinpoints to secure locations throughout the western desert, with possible tomb sites and villages being highlighted."
t"I should be able to just keep heading west…"
t"Ra said I should keep my mind on the direction of the sun in order to not stray from my path…"
t"If I have any luck, I should be done within 3 days…"
"The boy mutters to himself, alone on this journey of his."
"Or so he thought, until he heard the sound of a muffling noise coming from within a box at the back of the boat."
t"...?"
"The boy ignores it, that is until the muffled stirring starts to build up once again."
t"...!? What is that!?"
"Turning his head, he can see the lid of the box rising subtly."
t"Ehhh…?"
"Taiyo thinks for a moment."
t"What the… did a snake creep up here or something?"
"Slowly, Taiyo brings the ship to a halt. Once it comes to a full stop, he walks over to the back of the ship to look inside, once his hand reaches the boxed lid, he lifts it to look inside."
b"Nya?"
t"Bastet!!?"
"Within the box was a girl huddled up, holding her knees while looking up at the goggles wearing boy. Under the stowaway was a small black cat pressed against her."
"Understanding she had been caught, the girl jolts her head up from the box."
b"Ohayo Amun!"
t"Basteto… what the hell are you doing here?"
b"Me? Well…"
"Bastet is seen blushing for a moment before raising a hand to her chest."
b"I've decided to accompany you on this journey!"
b"Be grateful Amun~ You now have the famed goddess of protection here to guard you in these deserts!"
t"Okay… But why?"
b"Eh?"
"Taiyo looks down for a moment to take in the goddesses' new attire."
"In the last three months, Taiyo had only seen her wearing the same red robe whenever they crossed paths, excluding the time he saw her nude in her room."
"But now, the Egyptian goddess was wearing an attire more traditionally Egyptian."
b"Ho~ Like what you see?"
"Her Egyptian outfit showcased most of her body, absent the cloak that would hide her features from behind."
"Taiyo could see almost every inch of her small frame, from her toned legs and wide hips, all the way up to her small chest."
b"Nyah??"
b"What's a matter… Do you not like it?"
"Taiyo blushes, not realizing he'd been staring for so long."
t"No… I mean, what are you wearing!?"
b"Huh!? This is my goddess attire!"
b"The sacred clothing worn by all the goddesses of Ancient Egypt!"
"Bastet declares, electing the noises of pride to her lineage."
t"Ok then…"
"Taiyo says, discarding his blush."
b"Enough about my outfit, let's start sailing away!"
b"We'll save those travelers and take out this demonic blight together!"
"Taiyo looks deadpanned at the girl's boldness…"
t"Right…"
"The boy then grabs onto the boat strings and attempts to turn the boat around."
t"Alright, I'm taking you back."
b"Ehhh!? Why!"
t"Isn't it obvious? I don't need you here slowing me down."
b"EEEHH!!???"
t"You'll only be getting in my way, it'll be a lot safer for you if you just wait for me back in luxor."
b"NOOOOO!!!!"
"Bastet jumps on top of Amun's back, jumping on him as if she were a small kitty."
b"No you can't take me back! I promise I won't get in your way, I really did come to support you!"
t"You're lying."
b"Ehhh??"
t"Basteto, we may have not known each other long, but I consider myself a pretty good read of character."
t"I can tell when someone is holding ulterior motives…"
t"So if you don't want to tell me what it is then I have no problem taking you back, we're not too far off after all."
b"Eeehhh!!??? Amun so mean!"
"Bastet couldn't believe it, she did in fact hold ulterior motives, but still couldn't understand how Amun was able to tell with little to no proof."
t"We're going back."
b"No please! I already got permission from father, he said I could accompany you!"
t"Ra said that..?"
b"Yes!"
"Taiyo momentarily comes to a halt, thinking over her words."
"Ra, the Sun God."
"The head of a religion he personally has no qualms with…"
"and yet, for some reason, he feels a sense of respect towards the bird headed leader."
"A sense of… Obligation."
"But why hadn't Ra said anything to him about her?"
"He then thinks of her title once again."
"Goddess of protection."
"..."
t"Fine."
b"...!"
t"You can come. Just try not to do anything stupid."
"At this, Bastet jumps off of Taiyo and cheers her arms up."
b"Yay!!!!"
b"Hey wait…"
b"You just called me stupid!"
t"No, I said don't do anything stupid."
b"Saying I'd do something stupid and calling me stupid are basically the same thing!"
t"Take it however you want to, just strap on."
b"Don't try to change the subject, Amun no Baka!"
t"I'm already regretting this..."
"Kitty" "Meow!"
"Taiyo grumbles as he once again pushes further on the cruiser."
"The boy, now accompanied by the girl and the cat, rode together on the solar boat."
"Bastet sits in the back holding her kitty while Taiyo stirs, not many words are traded between them as they focus on the road(desert) ahead."
"The tale of a boy Pharaoh and a feline Goddess has officially begun."
b"I'm bored."
t"..."
b"Amun!! I said I'm bored!"
t"What do you want me to do about that?"
b"Tell me a story!"
t"Eh?"
t"I said tell me a cool story, it's so quiet out here, I need something to fill the void!"
"Sigh…"
t"Once upon a time, a boy and a girl tried to save a bunch of lost travelers in the desert, they did it quietly without talking to each other, the end."
b"That's a horrible story!"
t"Tch."
b"You need to get better at your story telling Amun!
b"I mean where's the conflict, the call to action, the betrayal, and the romance?"
t"Romance huh…"
b"Of course! All good stories have romance! Like the tale of Isis and Osiris!"
t"You mean that shotacon?"
b"A what?"
t"Nothing…"
"The sand can be heard blowing under the sun's glistening haze."
b"Hey! Do you even know where we're going?"
t"...!"
t"Honestly… your guess is as good as mine."
b"Haa?? And you call me stupid! You don't even know where we're heading!"
t"Hey, they said the travelers got lost somewhere west, so I'm heading west!"
"Taiyo says, looking over the map one more time. A visible sweat mark appeared on the side of his face."
t"Or is this east…"
b"Oh give it here!"
"Bastet says, appearing beneath him as she snatched the map from his grasp."
t"Hey!"
t"I told you no funny business!"
b"You're the one who can't read the map doofus!"
t"Tch."
b"Oh Tut, boys can be so stupid aren't they, but not you, your a good boy aren't you.~"
"Bastet says while petting the black cat while she looks over the map."
t"Tut?"
"Taiyo says, referring to the neko."
b"Yes, what about it?"
t"Nothing, just a weird name for a cat is all..."
b"Ehh? Tut is a great name!"
t"Meh…"
b"What would you know!"
"Bastet looks over the map, her pink eyes roam around as she takes in the details."
b"Things sure have changed around here huh…"
"..."
b"Well anyways, we should be coming up to Kharga soon, once we reach Mut, I think that'd be the best place to rest up, then we can head straight to Siwa from there!"
t"Rest up? Are you sure, isn't this mission really urgent?"
b"Yes it is, which is why we should be in tiptop shape when we run into any demons!"
t"Okay then…"
"The sand blows as the solar boat traverses the desert."
t"What are they like…?"
b"Who?"
t"The demons…"
"..."
b"Demons are a lot like humans in a way, they emerge from the du'at and are given physical form."
b"Born from evil and the malicious chaos of Apophis, these demons' soul purpose is to enact the will of the demon god."
b"Their brainless mindless entities that have no soul, empowered by the strength of an undead, kill everything in their sights."
t"Like zombies?"
b"I don't know what that is."
t"Seriously!?"
t"No? Well I guess you wouldn't, after all that's more of a pop culture creation."
"Bastet tilts her head to the side curiously."
"Nya?"
t"Nevermind."
b"Well anyway, demons can take on various forms, from humanoid to animalistic."
t"I see, they sound like your average tokusatsu goons or henchman, all fighting for the sake of their dark master…"
b"Toku… satsu?"
t"It's a form of live-action storytelling with cheap special effects."
b"Mou~ Amun! You're seriously not making any sense!"
t"Hey well now you know how it feels!"
t"With all that gods, pyramids, enneads, triad nonsense you guys liked to talk about…"
b"It's not nonsense!"
b"It's all real! And important!"
t"Yea yea whatever you say."
t"Look, just so you know, once I stop all these demons or whatever, I'm heading straight back to Japan!"
t"You guys have robbed enough of my life as it is…"
b"Ehhh!?"
b"You can't just leave!"
b"What about the scribes, the prophecy!"
t"Fuck the prophecy."
b"Ehhhh!!!!"
b"You can't do that!"
t"Watch me…"
"Bastet blows wind into her cheek."
b"Mou~ Amun you Baka! You don't care about our customs or beliefs at all! You just want to go back to Japan and pretend none of us even exist!"
t"..."
b"Hey, so what then!"
b"When this incoming crisis arrives, what? Are you just gonna stand by and do nothing?"
t"Probably, I don't know… it depends how I feel at the moment…"
b"Gasp!?"
t"Besides, Your here aren't here, and Sobek's back at luxor. I'm sure you two can convince all of those other gods to do something, instead of trying to push all the responsibility to some 17 year old kid…"
b"How many times do we need to tell you, you're one of us too! Your…"
t"Yea yea, the patron of thebes, the god Amun."
t"I've heard you guys say it a million times already, I've had it!"
t"Listen, I'm going to stop these demons from hurting anyone else, I owe it to myself…"
t" Besides, Wendy would be furious if she found out I let innocent people get hurt when I could've done something about it."
t"But the fate of an entire country is not my responsibility."
t"Once I stop this crisis, I'm gone."
t"End of story."
b"..."
b"Coward."
t"WHAT!?"
b"You're a coward!"
b"A crybaby loser!"
t"Hey!"
b"You'd rather go back home and play videogames than save the world from doom!"
b"You are nothing but an immature child!"
t"Hey! There's nothing wrong with not wanting to risk your life to save the world!"
t"Hey wait…"
t"How do you know what video games are, and how do you know I've been playing them."
b"...!"
t"No… don't tell me…"
t"Have you guys been spying on me!"
b"We… I uh…"
t"That is rich!"
t"Not only are you guys trying to sabotage my life, but you've invaded my privacy as well!"
b"It's not like that!"
b"Thot said we had to be sure it was you! We only monitored your recent behaviors from when we all returned to this world!"
t"Yea yea I don't want to hear it!"
t"And like I've been trying to tell all of you, I am just a normal guy! I'm not some god who's willing to do what it takes for the sake of 'the cosmic order' or whatever!"
"Taiyo says, while making air quotes."
t"Insult me all you want, but you guys are the morons who tried to push this fate onto some random kid!"
"Bastet grits her teeth, her tail strikes up in anger."
b"I am NOT a moron!"
t"Are too!"
b"Baka!"
t"Airhead!"
b"Loser!"
t"Brat!"
b"Brown!"
t"Pink!"
"The two, who were previously looking at each other, turn their heads away sharply, now positioning themselves in the opposite ends of the ship."
"Bastet thinks to herself."
b"Amun no baka…"
b"Even though I only came here just to…-"
"An hour of silence is brought up on the two."
"Bastet keeping to herself as she plays with her kitty."
"Taiyo continued to look out for any peculiar activity."
"Slowly but surely the two shortly reach up to the city of Kharga where they see groups of citizens huddled up."
b"What's going on there?"
t"I don't know… let's take a closer look."
"On top of the sand boat, the party of two can be seen reaching the outskirts of the city, where they see various groups of people standing around."
t"It looks to me that they're waiting for something…"
b"No… they might be trouble?!"
t"Trouble… how do you figure?"
b"Come on let's go to them!"
t"Ehh? Why would we…"
"Before Taiyo could say something, Bastet jumped up from the boat and quickly started to walk closer to the citizens."
t"Eh!? Hey wait, don't just go off on your own!"
t"BASTETO!!"
"Attempting to catch up to Bastet, Taiyo speed walks through various people before meeting eyes with an Arabian hooded woman."
t"Eto…"
x"Oh, hello. Are you perhaps a traveler."
t"Kind of…"
t"My name is Taiyo, I was traveling with my accomplice over there and couldn't help to notice the crown building up."
t"Is there a festival?"
x"A festival? Oh no, it's nothing like that at all."
x"You see, a lot of our people have been waiting for a few of our residents to return with resources."
x"Such as water and food we receive from a nearby oasis."
x"However, we had lost contact with them not too long ago."
x"Some of the others have begun to get impatient, with many of them not having a viable source of nurture."
t"I see…"
"Bastet can be seen running up to the two."
b"Amun! I spoke to some of the people here, they don't have any water!"
t"Yea I know..."
x"Amun?"
t"...!"
"The woman takes a closer look at the young boy, her eyes averted to see something behind his wait."
x"No… could that be…"
t"Could what?"
x"Those artifacts, could they be… the crook and flail?"
t"Oh, yeah I guess so…"
x"Wait…"
x"Then that would mean…"
x"Are you…"
x"The Pharaoh!?"
"Taiyo was stunned by this, not expecting to hear that word from the older woman."
"The sound of that word echoed around, as a few wandering eyes started to look at the newly formed group."
"Pharaoh… Pharaoh…"
"Could it really be?"
"That's him?"
"The Pharaoh."
"Slowly, all eyes fall before the boy, who's anxiety starts to slowly build up."
t"Eto…"
x"Oh Pharaoh…! You've come!"
x"You've come to save our people haven't you!"
t"Me! I uh… wel…"
"Taiyo doesn't know how to answer, after all, he did come to the desert for said purpose, but to declare himself as this people's savior was something else."
t"I see word sure has spread fast…"
b"Of course, thot sent scribes all throughout the land informing of the god's resurgence."
t"That damn peacock…"
b"He's an ibis."
t"Look maam, you've got it all wrong, I'm not…!"
x"Oh pharaoh! Won't you aid us in our time of need!"
x"We the people of Kharga have not wavered our faith!"
x"We have faith in the gods and as well in Ma'at!"
"Taiyo's consciousness heavies, he sees the eyes of hope staring back at him from the dozens surrounding him."
b"I…"
"..."
b"Of course we'll help!"
"Taiyo looks over at the girl."
b"That is why we're here! In order to restore peace and order for all of our people!"
"The eyes now drop onto the red haired woman, who removes her hood, availing her cat ears to the group."
"Those ears…"
"That crimson colored hair…"
"Could it really be her…"
b"Nyahaha… Your suspicions are well warranted… yes it is I…"
b"The Goddess of cats and protection, the daughter of Ra!"
b"Bastet!"
"Eyes marvel at the woman as she lifts her hands to the sky, awaiting the never ending praise she deserves."
b"I have returned, to traverse these desserts alongside our Pharaoh, in order to save you all from the imperial crisis!"
"Sounds of approval can be heard as the woman begins her speech."
b"All of you, rest assured, for we will do our part in taking out these demons and saving the missing travelers."
x"Miss Bastet! What else will you do to aid our country!?"
b"Eh?"
x"Yes I am curious as well! What do the gods have in store with dealing with our crumbling government!?"
x"What will we do in securing resources now that Egypt has systematically cut ties with the rest of the world?"
x"How will we receive funds for food and transportation and clean water?"
x"Who will lead the political side of our world,will the pharaoh accompany everything involving the country's social and diplomatic affairs?"
b"Ehh… I uh?"
x"Where are the other gods?"
x"Why are you two the only ones traversing the desert? "
x"What of Isis and Osiris, have they not returned?"
"Bastet starts to get flustered from all the questions, not being able to form an answer to a single one."
x"Eto…"
"Before her, a small girl can be seen walking up to the goddess, holding her own question in mind."
x"Uhm, miss Bastet…"
x"Why have demons started emerging now? Is something bad going to happen?"
b"Eh!? No, of course not!"
b"Nothing bad will happen, that's why me and…"
"Bastet is brought to another halt, as more and more questions start coming at her."
x"The gods emerged in Luxor, but have not made any efforts to connect with any of us outside the main city!"
x"What in the world is going on?"
"People's questions start to get more targeted and personal."
"Bastet eyes twirl as she finds herself in a situation she had no qualms of escaping."
"While all the commotion was going on, the google wearing man reached behind his back and grabbed onto said crook and flail."
"With the crook on his left and flail at his right, he slowly brings the bottom hilts together, making a loud chiming sound."
"This echo shook the talkative crowd, bringing everyone to a silence."
"All eyes fall on the young boy, Bastet included."
t"Cough cough* "
t"That's enough, let's try not to scare my companion please, we will be more than happy to answer all your questions…"
t"After we finish our job here…"
"Bastet stayed quiet as she watched Taiyo speak to the people."
t"It is true, the gods have returned, Bastet and I… are one of the few currently occupying the deserts… but rest assured…"
t"We came here fully prepared to handle any threat that comes our way."
t"Bastet here carries ancient knowledge of these lands, and is perfectly equipped to handle the logistics of our crusade…"
t"Isn't that right Bastet?"
b"Huh! Oh Yes! That's true!"
"Taioyo nods his head at her."
t"As for the missing travelers and resources, they have most likely been bombarded by a group of demons."
t"However, rest assured."
t"I have come here to put a stop to this myself…"
"The crown takes in these words, their indecisiveness begins to waver from the sheer determination emitted from the young boy's voice."
x"Uhm, Pharaoh... If we may ask, which god are you? And what is your title?"
"Taiyo looks hesitant, before clearing his throat to speak again."
t"My name of origin is Amun…"
t"The patron of Thebes."
"The crown raises their voice in surprise and approval."
"There is not a single soul throughout this land who has at least heard of the God Amun, and his affiliation with the Sun God Ra."
x"Amun!"
x"Amun has returned in the form of our Pharaoh!"
x"Suerley our people will be safe in his hands!"
x"Praise Amun!"
"Taiyo building anxiety starts to rise again, wanting nothing more than to excuse himself from the situation."
t"Alright, well we best get a move on!"
t"Come on Bastet!"
b"Huh… right!"
"The two then run back to the sun boat, jumping onto it to begin their traverse through the desert once again."
x"Wait!"
"A voice calls out to them, they look over to see a young girl running up to the ship."
x"Here! For your journey!"
"The girl hands them two loaves of bread wrapped in cloth."
t"No, I couldn't possibly…"
"The girl looks up at him with her eyes shining, looking as earnest as can be."
x"Pharaoh…!"
"Taiyo found himself unable to say no to the child, allowing her to pass the rolled up food to him."
t"Thank you…"
"After giving him a bright smile, the girl looks over to the woman behind him."
x"Miss goddess!"
b"Hmm?"
x"Your hair is very beautiful!"
"After uttering those words of flattery, the young girl runs back towards her mother, leaving Bastet blushing to herself."
t"You ready?"
b"Eh, y-yes! Let's go!"
"The two then sail off, their mission strengthened from the sudden pitstop."
"Asd they sail further into the western desert, dust of sand can be seen brushing past the party's goggled faces."
pause
b"Thank you…"
t"Hmm…"
b"For earlier… Thanks for helping me back there."
t"Don't mention it."
"Taiyo stays looking forward as he stirs the ship."
"Thinking back, he didn't blame Bastet for getting 'stage fright' around all those people, especially with them bombarding her with questions."
"He's sure she'd have no idea how to answer."
t"Questions like that are better left to Thot. I'm sure he's cooking up a few solutions to those various predicaments by now…"
t"He is the god of knowledge afterall."
"Taiyo thinks, recalling all the books and scriptures he was tasked to read during his training."
"His eyes wander back to see Bastet huffed up to the side, still looking rather bummed out."
t"Hey!"
b"..."
t"You can't still be down from all that…"
t"They were asking you a lot of hard questions, no one should expect you to be able to answer all of them…"
b"But I should!"
t"...?"
b"I should be able to answer them, I should be able to provide aid to all my people!"
b"I'm a goddess!"
b"And yet…"
t"When they asked me all of those questions…"
b"I…"
b"I couldn't say anything…"
"Bastets face droops even more as she covers her eyes with her arms."
b"You were right…"
b"I'm just a moron…"
b"An immature child who doesn't know any better…"
b"Who doesn't even know how to help her own people…"
t"The air is filled with silence momentarily…"
t"Bastet…"
t"Listen… I don't have any answers either…"
t"Not just about what the citizens said, but about anything…"
t"What will happen in this desert, or what'll happen tomorrow, or in the future…"
t"But… That doesn't mean I'll let what I don't know leave me discouraged."
b"...!?"
t"What you don't know right now, what you don't know today…"
t"That's just it…"
t"You just don't know now."
t"That doesn't mean you won't know tomorrow."
b"Amun…"
t"Listen, I still don't know my place in all this, but if you really want to help Egypt, then there's nothing stopping you from learning more about the new world."
t"That way, no matter what happens, you'll be able to find a solution to these problems yourself…"
b"You really think so?"
t"Yea… I mean you said it yourself…"
t"You're a Goddess arent you?"
t"If anyone can figure it out, it should be you."
b"Amun…!"
"With his eyes looking at the desert road, Amun failed to see the girl's tail wag in glee."
b"Nyehehee~ You're right… I am a Goddess!"
"He hears her get up and lightly from her seat and prance behind him."
b"I am a Goddess, the goddess of protection! I, more than anyone, can find a way to save my people!"
b"And I won't do it alone! RIght Amun!"
"She says, sneaking up under him and giving him a cheeky smile."
t"Ehh… well I guess for now, sure…"
b"That's the spirit! Now let's go hunt some demons!"
"After a cut, the boy and girl are seen lying against the outside of the ship,the burning hot sun creating a haze over their view as they lay tired and in heat."
b"How… could you not pack… enough water…"
t"I packed… enough… for me…"
t"I didn't expect… you… to be here…"
b"Oh yea…"
"The two lay there, slowly breathing in and out as they took in the sun's heat."
t"There's got to be a way… for us to… rehydrate…"
b"We should makeout…"
t"...!?"
t'What…!?"
b"If we makeout… we can generate more… saliva…"
b"Making us… less dehydrated…"
t"That's not how… that works…"
t"You… dumbass…"
b"Hey…!"
b"At least… I'm trying… to think… of something…"
t"Yea… yea… whatever…"
"Taiyo was too hot and tired to even entertain her idea, or to get flustered over it."
x"Are you two alright?"
t"!!"
"They look up to see a man riding a camel approach them."
t"Oh… Hi!"
b"Hiya…!"
x"Can I help you two with some water?"
t"That'd be… amazing!"
b"Yes Please!"
"The traveler lowers a pint of bottle from the camel's back, handing it to the goggle wearing man."
"The two take turns drinking before they feel completely refreshed!"
t"Ah!"
b"Thank you so much mister!"
x"Don't mention it, you can go ahead and keep that pint too."
t"Are you sure?"
x"Of course, I make it a duty to carry extra supplies of water for those who may wander the desert."
x"You two should make sure you're more careful next time. The sun's haze can have a dire strain on your bodies."
t"We'll keep that in mind."
b"Yes, thank you!"
t"Yes, thank you."
x"Of course, now you two have a good day."
x"Make sure you and your girlfriend get back home safely."
"The traveler starts making his departure."
t"Eh? She's not my girlfriend."
"The traveler can be heard chuckling before slowly falling out of sight."
"Taiyo looks over at Bastet."
t"Let's make sure we gather more supplies on our next pit stop."
b"K!"
"The two traverse the desert for two hours, going over strategies to use in case of a disaster."
"..."
b"Geee~"
t"What?"
b"Were your arms always this big?"
"Bastet says, poking the boy's bicep."
t"Hey! Stop that!"
b"Eeehh, I want to touch!"
t"Stop being weird."
b"Geee…"
t"..."
t"I worked out a lot while training with Sobek…"
t"My body just naturally got bigger…"
b"Hoo~"
"Bastet takes a moment to look over his body, he was nice and toned before, but now his arms have increased a noticeable amount."
"Taking in his features caused a light blush to appear on the girl's face."
"The two are then interrupted when they suddenly hear the sound of a woman in peril."
"Kyaaaaaaaa!!"
"They take a sharp look around their surroundings, unable to see where the crisis was stirring from."
"Taiyo takes out a one handed binocular from his utility belt to view any peculiar occurrences in the vast desert, after a few seconds of looking, he sees a small group of people, a man woman and child, being cornered by a dark looking creature."
t"Is that…?"
b"That's a demon!"
"The two quickly charge the ship forward, heading straight to the endangered group."
"Quickly approaching them, they jump out the boat and attempt to safeguard the family."
t"Stop!"
"Taiyo says, standing in front of the shooken group, a hand to the back of his waist."
"W-what is that thing!"
b"Everyone stand back, don't get near that thing!"
"The demon before them had a similar build to Taiyo, if not a bit more bulky."
"Grrrhhhh"
"Taiyo looks directly at the demon before him, studying its features."
"He had dark reddish skiing, his eyes and nose hollow, with horns sticking out of his head."
"A creature straight from the underworld, here to torment the lives of the innocent."
t"Stop it please… whatever you think you're doing… these people…
t"They're innocent!"
t"There's nor reason to harm anyone!"
"The monster growls, not understanding the words being spoken to him."
b"Amun!"
b"What the hell are you doing, hurry up and kill that thing!"
"Bastet says, standing behind the boy but in front of the travelers."
t"I… "
"Taiyo's hand firmly grasps a sheathed sword behind his waist, held in between the crook and flail he holds there."
t"I… can't."
b"Amun…!"
"Before Taiyo could express any new words of reason, the demon lunged at him, striking with its claws and attempting to kill the young pharaoh."
t"Shit!"
"Taiyo says, dodging the incoming attack by a hair."
"This lackluster dodge left him with a scratch on his cheek."
"Recovering from the initial attack, the demon turns to aim its next blow onto the cowering people."
x"Noo! Stay away!"
"At this sudden change of action, Taiyo attempts to jump in between himself and the people, until…"
"A pink shield, shaped like a cat's head, covers the wandering travelers."
"This shield stops the demon's attack, safeguarding the family."
"Turning his head left, he see's Bastet with her hands up, performing what seems to be a protection spell."
b"If you won't do it…"
"The demon changes its direction once again, from the family over to the red-haired girl."
"However, before it could get anywhere close, the demon is lit up by a bright pink flame."
"This flame was small and controlled, barely reaching any dangerous size."
"However, it still proved strong enough to purge the demon before them."
"After a few moments, it incinerates into ashes."
x"It's… it's gone."
"One of the travelers said."
x"That woman… she saved us!"
"The smoke clears, with Bastet sighing from relief, before looking over at Taiyo and giving him a disappointed look."
b"Amun…!"
t"Taiyo looks over at the cat-girl, feeling his guilt start to build up."
t".."
t"Sorry…"
"Bastet averts her gaze, holding her hands to her hips."
b"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to…"
b"Baka…"
"With the situation being resolved, Taiyo looks over to the distressed group."
t"Are you all okay?"
x"Yes we are, thank you!"
x"Me and my family were simply trying to get through the desert, when that monster emerged from under the sand and started chasing us!"
x"Almost couldn't get away, if it weren't for you two…"
t"No please, if anything, thank her, she was the one who…!"
x"Mister, that thing hit you didn't it?"
x"Are you alright?"
"The child of the group says."
"They stare at the boy, who impulsively starts to heal."
"The power of the Bennu, the Phoenix spirit, awoke inside him."
"The travelers stare in awe as the scratch on his cheek starts to glow a golden yellow before it heals itself completely."
x"Incredible…"
x"Young boy…"
x"Could you, and this woman as well, be…"
t"Yea... We are…"
b"My name is Bastet! We are both gods currently traversing the desert!"
"The group marvels at the two yet again."
t"Word really does travel quickly around here huh…"
"Taiyo says under his breath."
t"So, where are you guys coming from?"
x"We were just traveling back from the city of Mut. We had aimed to get back to our village by sundown, but it seems we won't make it in time at this rate…"
t"I see…"
"Taiyo says, while heading back to the direction of the sun boat."
t"Well come on, we'll give you a ride."
x"Are you sure?"
t"it'll be no problem at all."
b"You heard the man, let's go!"
"The group then slowly made their way to the sun boat. Once everyone was safely onboard they sailed forward toward the nearby village of the travelers."
"After a few minutes of cruising, Bastet walks up to Taiyo, who's been silent this whole time."
b"So…"
b"What was that…?"
t"?"
t"What was what?"
b"Earlier!"
b"You completely froze up back there!"
t"...!"
t"Yea.. I guess I did."
t"Amun… you can't do that."
t"..."
t"I know…"
"The two stayed silent for a moment."
t"It's just…"
b"Just what…"
t"I'm still not too sure about the whole thing…"
t"About… Killing…"
b"Killing… Demons?"
t"Yeah…"
t"I know what they are, I know what needs to be done…"
t"But… A part of me still feels like I shouldn't resort to violence as the answer…"
t"It doesn't feel right…"
b"I see…"
pause
t"When I was a kid…"
t"There was this show I watched…"
t"Well I guess my friend more or so made me watch…"
t"I was about these guys who got turned into super-abled people against their will…"
t"And decided to use their new found power to fight against evil…"
t"Lately… I've been thinking alot about that show…"
t"In their adventures, they'd never actively try to kill the bad guys, they'd always try to incorporate a lesson with each story."
t"More so than ever, violence would be used as a last resort…"
t"Power to be used to defend…"
b"So… your saying using violence is bad, even if it's used against a demon…"
t"..."
t"I'm not sure…"
t"Earlier, when I tried to talk things out…"
t"It didn't seem like I was getting anywhere with that thing…"
t"It acted like it was mindless."
t"Carrying out its mission without reason, like a slave…"
t"It's kind of… sad."
"Bastet stays quiet at this, never taking the time to think of the demon's situation before."
b"Amun…"
b"Ever since I was a kid, I've purged a lot of demons."
b"As a child, it was my duty to safeguard my father as we traversed through the underworld."
b"There, me and my sister were forced to battle against countless demons."
b"So believe me, I have a lot of experience when it comes to them…"
"..."
b"Nothing good will come from hesitation."
b"If a demon gets the chance, it will kill you."
b"Showing compassion or pity will only serve to get you, and the people around you, killed."
"Taiyo stays silent, taking in the gravity of her words."
t"I understand…"
"At this, Taiyo looks back at the family, smiles plastered on their faces as they relish in each other's warmth."
t"If it weren't for Bastet, who knows what could've happened…"
Pause
t"If I lose my way…"
t"People will die"
t"Next time…"
t"I won't hesitate."
"Bastet smiles."
b"Good!"
"The group make their way to the travelers village, dropping them off and exchanging waving hands."
"After making sure they were okay, they sailed the ship back towards the desert, in order to continue the pursuit."
"The sky shines bright with the midday sun glazing the tanned desert."
"Bastet can be seen with her arms wrapped around Taiyo as they glide the sandy hills together."
t"Oi! Don't you think it's too hot to be climbing onto people like this.."
b"Mou~ Only you would complain about having such a cute girl like myself holding onto him…"
t"tch."
t"I can feel your b-cups on my neck"
b"Gasp!"
b"What did you just say!"
t"Nothing."
b"Hey! I heard you!"
b"Who Are you calling a b-cup?!"
t"Ehh… I mean it's not like you're hiding much with that outfit…"
b"Gggggrrrrhhh!!"
b"You're a pervert!"
t"I'd argue dressing like that makes you an even bigger pervert!"
b"Eeehhh!"
b"I am not a pervert!"
t"Are too!"
b"Ha!!! Well!!"
b"You're the one who's leering at me!"
b"That only proves my femininity is too powerful, not even another god can avert his eyes."
t"Yeah… that's it."
"Looking up at the scorching sun, Taiyo begins to think over a few things."
t"God it's hot…"
t"Hey, besides finding all those demons, wasn't there something else we had to do out here?"
b"Huh!? Did you already forget?"
t"?"
b"We need to find the scarab?"
t"Scarab… Oh yeah that…"
t"What's a scarab?"
b"Amuuuuun!!"
"Bastet tightens her hold around his neck."
"She scruffles around under her cloak to take out a rolled up scribe she had kept to herself."
b"Here look!"
t"I can't see!"
"Bastet places the unrolled scroll to his face, clouding his vision."
b"Look!"
t"Gah! Okay okay I'm looking!"
"Taiyo says, grabbing the scroll from her hands to hold it at a much less lethal level."
t"A scarab… this looks like a bug… A beetle?"
b"Yes! It's a holy relic shaped like a golden dune beetle!"
t"Okay…"
t"Why do I have to find this again?"
b"Because father said so!"
t"Ra did… Why?'
b"Uhm… I'm not sure…"
t"Seriously, you don't even know."
t"Well forget that then."
"Taiyo says throwing the scribe behind him like it's trash."
b"Hey!!"
"Bastet quickly jumps up to catch it before it blows away!"
b"Amun you baka!"
t"There's no way I'm wasting my time looking for an amulet or ancient bug token or whatever, especially when I don't even know what it does…"
b"Mmmmm! Don't be like that!"
b"Father said it was important!"
"Taiyo rolls his eyes under his goggles."
t"Whatever…"
t"Where do they even think it is…"
b"We're not sure…"
t"..."
b"We lost sight of it during the new kingdom…"
t"New kingdom, so like what, 2000 years ago!?"
b'Yes… but there have been reports of some sightings of it in recent history."
b"Bastet looks back down onto the scribe."
b"This map pinpoints a view of locations it might be in, all scattered throughout the desert."
b"While we traverse through here, we might as well check out these vanishing points."
b"The scarab is connected to both the creation myth, and the scribes of the upcoming crisis."
b"It's imperative that we find it if we're going to save the world!"
t"Gah… it's just one thing on top of another with you people…"
t"Fine, we can check out one or two tombs on our way through here, that's it!"
"Bastet jumps in joy."
b"Yay!"
b"Thank you Amun!"
"She says, jumping back on the boy's back, holding him close."
t"Yea yea…"
The two continued riding through the desert until they heard a loud commotion being emitted beyond the hills ahead."
pause
b"Amun… I'm sensing a dark present up ahead…"
t"Are you sure…"
b" Yes, it's the same dark feeling as before…"
b"But not just one, I'm sensing several entities of similar strength up ahead."
t" More demons huh…"
b"Let's slow down, if anything it'll be better if we can observe what's going on first…"
t" Right…"
"Taiyo slows down the boat, covering themselves with a few surrounding hills."
"Jumping out the boat, the two lay low as they pace through the area."
"Looking down at the black neko, Bastet sends him a message."
b" Okay Tut, go down ahead of us and see acts going on!"
"The kitty meows before running quietly through the sands."
"Walking in front of her, Taiyo continues slouching and observing the environment ahead, seeing a few dark silhouettes up ahead."
t"Anything?"
b"Hold on…"
"Bastet, the Goddess of cats, is synchronously linked to every cat on the planet."
"She can feel their warmth, their emotions, and share her senses with them at will."
"Temporarily, she is currently using Tut's eyes to scope the area ahead."
b"Ten…"
b"No… maybe twenty…"
b"A very large group of demons have rolled up together…"
t" Seriously?
b"No, this doesn't make any sense…"
b"How… why are they acting like this…"
b"Demons don't have the sense of working together, they wouldn't group up like this unless…"
t"unless what…?"
b"someone was leading them…"
t"…!"
t"Leading them…?"
b"A greater Demon."
t" Greater demon?"
b" Yes… a demon that has evolved through unconventional means.."
b"Through this… metamorphosis… it gains a sense of awareness."
b"Becoming far more intelligent, and powerful.."
t" And you think there might be one here…"
b"SSSHHH!"
"Bastet shushes him, viewing more in her observation."
"The demons were In fact cornering a large group of travelers, with two broken down transportation vehicles behind them."
"Not only that, but another being can be seen emerging from the rubble."
"The smoke clears to reveal a creature unlike any other."
t"What… is THAT!?"
"This creature was a green humanoid monster. Resembling a scorpion of sorts, it had two large red eyes, claws for hands, and a long scorpion tail."
b"That's it… that's a Greater Demon."
"The greater demon was holding an innocent traveler with its claw hand."
This man was visibly bruised, he then threw him down to the ground before him."
sc" Now.. let's see what we have here…"
"The Scorpion demon says, staring back at the traveling crew."
sc"Let's see, who shall we kill next!"
"The red eyed scorpion looks through the crowd, seeing a small child crying to his mother."
sc" Ahh, how about the boy over there…"
"the man on the ground coughs up blood before speaking out."
x"No… please, have mercy, he is my Son!"
sc "Haaah? Why would I care about that!"
sc "You humans and your familiar ties, you're so odd."
"The demon punctuated this by stepping on the man's neck and leaning it there."
sc "Now now… Maybe I'll let the boy live at least, after I slaughter every last one of you…"
sc"Just like we did with the other group we've found here…"
sc" But I am willing to let you and your son go, if you answer my question…"
x"I already told you, we don't know anything!"
sc"Bullshit!"
"The demon presses his foot harder."
sc"There were tells of a secret chamber out here..."
sc"A tomb holding a great undiscovered power…"
sc"Now you are going to tell me where it is, or me and my lackeys will paint these sands with your blood!"
"The demon can be heard smiting sounds of impatience, their bloodlust rising."
x"No… Please!"
x"We don't know anything!"
x"Just let us go!"
sc"Wrong answer!"
"The demon says, preparing to crush the man's skull with his foot."
"That is until, the image of a black cat running to the side of his peripheral vision catches his attention."
sc"Huh?"
"The demon looked away for a second. only to look back and see the man under his foot had disappeared."
"Turning his gaze over to the frightened group, he sees no signs of him."
"The black cat from before running past a pair of crossed out long legs."
"Looking up, the demon makes eye contact with a Google wearing man."
"The man stood with a wide stance, his feet planted far apart, his posture was firm, as if rooted to the ground, exuding strength and readiness. His fists clenched and placed to the side, his head faces forward to the image before him."
"This was the stance of a man who was ready."
"Ready to take on the challenge presented before him, to find a solution to his situation by any means necessary."
"A man who had… Resolve."
sc" Hooo~"
sc" And just who may you be…?"
"The wind blows the hot sand across the man's head, moving his hair to the side, his unreadable expression carried an air of stoicism through his goggled face."
"This first act is about to conclude."