SPHINX: The Series
Duel of the Demigods
Farther away, in the land of Uruk, a huge menacing castle stood among the rocky canyons and chasms of lava. There was a time when this land was more alive and full of life, but it had improved somewhat since the recent dilemma with the local deity dwelling within the castle.
In the dark corridors of the palace court, a tall dark figure strode slowly back and forth. His black and deep red garments contrasted well with his gnarled gray skin. His face, however, showed a striking contrast- it was smooth and white, although his lips and eyes were outlined in black. Once more, the black-and-white headdress adorning his head also drew attention.
The figure snarled in disgust. His humiliating overthrow had severely weakened him, though by all means he was still alive and well. Nevertheless, he was determined to have total control of the kingdom and the entire world, and he would do so by any means necessary.
A smaller figure, this one an elder woman, entered the room. Her clothes were a brighter red, but that never made her any better than her dark master. "Lord Set," she murmured, "your spy is here."
Set smirked slightly. "Send him in," he permitted.
With a swift hand gesture, the elder woman gestured to the door. Yet another figure stepped inside, yet in contrast he was surprisingly young. His attire was much like that of Set, only more suited for an adventurer and made up of deep reds and violets. A small hood contrasted the hawk's head he had upon his shoulders. "Master," he addressed, "I have received word of Sphinx and his whereabouts."
Intrigued, Set turned to the young anthro hawk. "Go on, Horus," he pressed.
"Once more," Horus continued, "with the Mummy in his possession, he is sure to gain an advantage. If he can manage to survive within the castle walls, especially considering all the traps, who knows what else he knows!"
Needless to say, this was of little concern to Set. "Never mind the Mummy," he advised, glaring at Horus. "That Sphinx fellow has been our main enemy. He has fulfilled the Prophecy of Ra; clearly, we underestimated him." He grinned and added, "Of course, we have other options."
Perplexed, Horus followed the Dark Lord as he approached a small shaft in the castle walls. "What options??" he questioned. "It's not as if your beasts did any damage- he has made a mockery of them! You would need a skillful warrior to best him!"
Fingering his way through the various locks and spells, Set gave Horus a sidelong glance. "I'm glad you proposed that idea, Horus," he remarked, "as you will be the warrior I send. You said yourself that you are far better than him- now is your chance to prove it."
Of course, Horus was still very confused. "How, Lord Set??" he snapped. "I don't even have a weapon!"
It was then that Set reached back into the shaft, pulling out a long, slightly curved blade. It was about the same size as any average sword; however, this sword seemed to be surrounded by a dark mystical force. It was the exact opposite of the coveted Blade of Osiris in every way.
Set smiled. "Now you do," he hissed.
The anthro hawk reached over, taking the blade by the handle. He stepped back, testing it out with a few good swings. Indeed, it was powerful enough to do quite a lot of damage, and in the hands of a skilled warrior it was a destructive force to be reckoned with.
A smirk crossed Horus' curved beak. "This will do for now," he murmured.
Scowling a little, Set lowered his head. "Your mission is clear," he stated gravely. "Bring me the head of Sphinx, and you shall be greatly rewarded."
Horus scoffed, taking the blade and leaving the presence of the Dark Lord. "Yes, my Master," he growled.
The elder woman looked up at Set, giving him a look of disbelief. "My Lord, are you sure of this?" she inquired. "I could just as easily have concocted an incantation to destroy that meddling demigod, and you trust a mere boy to eliminate him?"
Set chuckled evilly. "Patience, Menes," he advised. "My own manifestations work against each other for my own purposes; jealousy just happens to be the motive behind this unfortunate incident…"
Meanwhile, further south in the domain of Heliopolis, an elegant barge sailed down the river Nile towards a small island. Aboard the boat sat a lovely young lady by the name Nefertiti; she sighed wistfully, gazing at the shoreline. This was her first visit to her beloved prince's abode in quite some time, and each day she grew lonelier. She had to see him again.
At last, the barge arrived at a small island off the coast of the sun-swept territory known as Heliopolis. "We've arrived, your majesty," the captain of the boat informed. "Sun Shrine Island."
Nodding, Nefertiti sauntered off the boat and looked around the island. She knew that her prince had been spending time here, hoping to free himself from the wretched curse placed upon him. He was always the curious type, so she knew to look in less-obvious places.
At that moment, a tall anthro baboon walked outside. He was dressed in mystical garments, and carried a rather large book with him. "Lady Nefertiti," he greeted warmly. "How good it is to see you."
Although taken by surprise, Nefertiti quickly regained her composure. "Of course, Imhotep," she commented. "Where is Tutankhamun?"
"He and Sphinx are out and about," Imhotep replied. "The last I heard, they were out on South Beach. You will probably find them there."
Nefertiti smiled. "Thank you, Imhotep," she said, waving to the boat captain. "Set a course for South Beach!"
The captain sighed. "Yes, your majesty…"
When the barge finally docked at South Beach, Nefertiti strolled onto the banks; it didn't take her too long to find Sphinx and Tutankhamun. The undead prince watched in anticipation as the demigod crouched into position behind a boulder, readying his blowpipe and aiming it at a small hole in the canyon wall.
Curious, Nefertiti approached Tutankhamun, laying a hand of his shoulder. Surprised by the touch, he jumped and shrieked.
Quickly, Sphinx turned his head and glared at the prince. "Quiet!" he snapped, then noticing whom else had joined them. "Oh- hello, Lady Nefertiti."
The young lady rolled her eyes. "Sphinx," she murmured, then turning the prince. "Tutankhamun…"
Tutankhamun smiled awkwardly at his lady-friend. They were an odd pairing: a lavishly beautiful queen… and a mummy. It was indeed a curse, but the shell was only temporary (besides, love transcends life and death). "Hi," he greeted, gesturing to the demigod. "Sphinx was just showing me a game."
Again, Nefertiti was slightly perplexed. "Oh?" she inquired.
Sphinx nodded in reply. Here was yet another unusual companion- a demigod with clear lion-like traits. His tanned skin, leather apparel, and tapered black headdress brought out that rugged look in him (not to mention the face-paint and tail).
"So," Nefertiti began, "what game is this?"
It was then that the Mummy grabbed the young girl by her wrist and pulled her down. "Shh!" he hissed. "Here it comes!"
Before Nefertiti could ask, she drew her attention to a small frog-like creature that stumbled out of the hole. It scratched its head with one of its two spindly legs before wandering about a little.
To say the least, Nefertiti was disgusted. "Ew!" she gagged. "What is that hideous creature??"
At that moment, Sphinx blew into the blowpipe. A dart shot out from the implement, hitting the creature in the hind-side. Shocked by the sharp pain, the creature exploded on impact.
Nefertiti gasped in horror, giving Sphinx a sharp glare. "What did you do to it??" she snapped.
The demigod cocked his eyebrows. "I blew up that hideous creature you were talking about earlier," he spat. "Odd- I thought you would have been happy."
In an effort to calm his beloved, Tutankhamun laid his hands on Nefertiti's shoulders. "It's not so bad," he reasoned. "It's just like back at the palace- when we used to chase away all the crows in the courtyard."
Angered, Nefertiti turned to the Mummy. "Except we weren't hurting the crows," she pointed out, "and they didn't blow up!"
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx stood from his spot. "Lady Nefertiti, you're making too much out of this," he explained. "The Slim Burbles are too common anyway- consider it pest control."
Sneering, Nefertiti approached Sphinx. "Well, do you know what I think?" she growled, taking the blowpipe from him. "Let me show you!" With that, she grabbed both ends of the blowpipe, raised her knee, and broke the implement into two shattered pieces.
Needless to say, Sphinx was only too quick to respond with a loud string of curses and insults. Nefertiti replied accordingly with her own abusive language.
Fearful, the Mummy turned about and slowly walked away. "This will take a while," he muttered to himself. "I should leave them here; hopefully, their hot tempers will cool down after a while."
It was then that a tale feminine figure approached the mummy and his quibbling companions. She was an attractive anthro hyena, a warm smile across her face. "Prince," she greeted, "how are you?"
The Mummy sighed. "Fine, Ketta," he replied, gesturing to his friends. "I wish I could say the same for Sphinx and Nefertiti."
Glancing over at the two aggressors, Ketta cringed. "Ooh," she murmured, looking back at the Mummy. "What are they fighting over?"
The undead prince shrugged. "Sphinx and I were just playing a game," he answered. "Nefertiti got mad and broke his blowpipe; after that, they just broke out into a fight."
Ketta thought for a moment. "Well, there is a large traveling bazaar that will be in Heliopolis for a few days," she said. "Perhaps one of the merchants has a good blowpipe for sale."
Relieved, the Mummy smiled. "I hope so," he commented. "I'll tell Sphinx as soon as he and Nefertiti stop fighting…"
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Later that afternoon, Sphinx wandered through the canyons of the South Desert. The Mummy and Nefertiti had followed him closely, despite what he had in mind…
"For the last time," Sphinx growled impatiently, "go back to the shrine! You're safer there, not to mention less conspicuous."
Just the same, the Mummy had other ideas. "But, I've never seen a bazaar before," he remarked. "I want to see what it's like!"
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx turned to Nefertiti. "Well," he questioned, "aren't you going to talk him out of it??"
Nefertiti placed her hands on her hips. "And, why should I?" she inquired.
Of course, Sphinx was not exactly willing to put up with anymore nonsense. "You're his bride-to-be!" he cried. "Can't you reason with him, or coerce him with something else?"
The young queen shook her head once. "I don't think so," she commented, putting her hand on the Mummy's shoulder. "I think my prince should be able to do whatever he wants, and I think that going to this bazaar would be a good experience for him."
The undead prince nodded. "Yeah!" he agreed, pulling Nefertiti closer to him. "See, this is a great woman! Girls like her are hard to come by!"
Sphinx sighed heavily; apparently, his own ideas were getting him nowhere. "Okay, fine," he replied. "Prince, you can come with-"
Happily, the Mummy ran over and hugged Sphinx. "Oh, thank you!" he chimed. "This is great! I can't wait until-"
It was then that Sphinx gently pushed away. "Hold on a minute," he snapped. "You have to stay with me, at all times. That means you never leave my sight!"
The Mummy nodded- he was only more than happy to oblige. "Sure," he agreed.
Yet, Sphinx had more to say. "Also, do you think you could wear a cloak?" he inquired. "I'd rather not have to explain to people why a mummy is following me through the marketplace."
While the Mummy had no problems with these requests, Nefertiti had her own thoughts. "I suppose you want to put him on a leash, too?" she spat.
The demigod rolled his eyes. "Come now, Lady Nefertiti," he said with a smirk. "I trust him enough- couldn't you trust me that way?"
Impressed, the Mummy walked over to Sphinx and put his hand on his shoulder. "Yeah!" he said. "See, this is a great friend! Guys like him are hard to come by!"
Needless to say, Nefertiti was pretty miffed. She swiftly slapped her boyfriend across the face and turned about. "I'm going back to Sun Shrine Island," she hissed. "Have fun at the bazaar." She then muttered (though still audibly), "I hope you step on a sharp rock."
For a moment, the two companions were silent. A wide smile crossed Sphinx's face, glancing at the Mummy out of the corner of his eye. "You know, Prince," he murmured, "your choice of words was perfect."
Sneering, the Mummy sighed heavily. "Be quiet…"
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About an hour or so later, Sphinx and the Mummy made their way into the heart of Heliopolis. The bazaar was indeed huge, and a massive turnout for both buyers and sellers. Hundreds of tents stretched across the land, along palace walls and into the center of the market.
Quickly, Sphinx turned to the Mummy, dressed in a long brown cloak. "Remember, if anyone asks, you were in a horrible accident," he reminded. "Any other questions?"
"Just one," said the Mummy, wringing out his soaked bandages. "How long do I have to wear this thing? It's really hot under here!"
Sphinx sighed. "Try not to worry about it," he responded. "Think about something else, other than the hot blazing sun and the uncomfortable environment we happen to live in."
The Mummy whined. "That's what I mean!"
Before Sphinx could say another word, a tall anthro goat approached them, carrying a basket of fruits and vegetables. "Hey, you!" he called out. "Aren't you Sphinx? You know, the kid that saved Egypt?"
Nodding, Sphinx gave the merchant a small smirk. "Yes, that's me," he answered. "And, who might you be?"
The goat merchant smiled. "A thankful citizen," he replied, handing the basket of produce to the young demigod. "The best fruits of my fields- enjoy them all!"
As the goat merchant walked away, the Mummy glanced at the basket of goodies. "Wow," he murmured. "There's a lot of good stuff in there!"
The demigod shrugged. "It's just a fruit basket," he commented, handing the gift to his companion. "Hold onto that for me, would you?"
Continuing through the bazaar, another question came to the Mummy's mind. "How many other gifts have you gotten?" he asked. "You must have gotten tons of free gifts from all these thankful people!"
Just the same, Sphinx was not really that flattered or surprised. "Sure, from a few friends and some royalty," he answered. "Not too many strangers have given me anything. Still, it's not like I expect it from anyone; in fact-"
At that moment, an older (and rounder) merchant approached the two young heroes. "Hey, you're Sphinx, right?" he guessed.
Without a word, Sphinx nodded slowly. This gentleman had taken both him and the Mummy by surprise!
The man smiled. "Well, do I have something for you!" he chimed, pulling out a long leather shaft. "This sheath is the perfect cradle for that sword of yours- the leather is thick and tough, so your sword stays in place no matter what. These tiny gemstones around the rim add that valuable touch of gallantry you're so well known for, too."
Needless to say, this unnerved Sphinx. "Thanks," he remarked, "but I don't think I have the money to-"
"Take it!" said the merchant, shoving the sheath into Sphinx's hands. "It's yours for keeps, made especially for a hero." With a wide smile, he walked back over to his tent.
The undead prince shrugged. "Anyway," he said, taking the sword sheath from Sphinx, "what were you going to say?"
Sphinx shook his head, gesturing in another direction to the Mummy. "Well, I don't really expect all this from anyone," he continued. "In fact, I was kind of hoping that I wouldn't really be recognized this much- I'm not one for gifts anyway."
Just the same, the Mummy was still impressed. "Well, come on," he pressed. "Don't you like all the attention? You're a hero- enjoy it!"
However, Sphinx had seen more than the Mummy had. "You still think it's all about fame and fortune, don't you?" he questioned, taking one of the fruits from the basket. "Watch this…"
The demigod stopped where he was, took a bite from the fruit, and casually tossed it over his shoulder. He then backed away, as scores of admirers jumped in to grab the half-eaten fruit.
To say the least, the Mummy was puzzled. "I don't get it," he mumbled. "What makes that fruit so special?"
A smirk crossed Sphinx's face. "Because I took a bite out of it," he explained. "Now that I'm a hero, any worthless item I touch becomes priceless!"
The Mummy gazed onward at the frenzied crowd. "That's… odd," he commented.
Nodding, Sphinx joined him in watching the unusual spectacle. "You know, I used to enjoy this," he remarked, "but the more I see it, the more bizarre it is to watch."
It was then that the Mummy looked away from the crowd. "Speaking of bazaars," he noted, "isn't that an armory tent over there?"
Quickly, Sphinx glanced over his shoulder and turned about. "Hey, thanks," he replied as he and his undead companion approached the tent. "Maybe now I can find a new blowpipe and get back to the shrine."
Inside the tent, a gaunt anthro rat seated himself at the display table. His eyes went wide when Sphinx made his entrance, and immediately he stood from his place. "Welcome to Apedamek's Armory," he greeted with a wide grin. "How may I serve you?"
Sphinx shrugged. "All I'm looking for is a blowpipe," he admitted.
The rat merchant cringed. "I'm so sorry," he muttered. "Fresh out. Just sold the last one to a hawk-headed lad." In hopes of still making a sale, he held out a small golden dagger. "I do have this, though- a lovely little scabbard, yours for 500 scarabs."
Although disappointed, Sphinx was more angered. He quickly turned around and sprinted outside.
The undead prince glanced back at the merchant. "Sorry, sir- maybe another time," he said, following his friend outside. "Sphinx, what's going on? Why did you run out like that?"
The demigod sneered. "Horus," he growled. "He's been here, and he knows about the blowpipe. He can't be too far…"
"Hello, Sphinx," a familiar voice hissed from behind.
A heavy sigh escaped Sphinx. "Horus," he addressed.
Turning around, Sphinx and the Mummy soon realized that it was, indeed, Horus. "My, my, don't you look depressed," he teased, holding up a small item. "You wouldn't be looking for this, now would you?"
The Mummy gasped in surprise. "The blowpipe!" he squeaked.
Despite this amazing coincidence, Sphinx remained nonchalant. "What makes you think I came here for that old thing?" he spat. "I have my own blowpipe, Horus."
Horus laughed. "Had your own blowpipe," he remarked. "As I visited our master Imhotep at the Sun Shrine, I came across Lady Nefertiti. I asked her why she was so miserable, and she told me of your little argument. Needless to say, I took pity on you- as I always have- and bought you a new blowpipe."
Of course, Sphinx knew better than to trust him. "What's the catch?" he inquired.
The hawk demigod was taken aback. "Sphinx- you don't honestly think that I would try to fool you, would you?" he questioned.
Not that he doesn't have good reason to, the Mummy considered.
It was then that Horus admitted his motives. "Of course," he murmured, "I do expect quite a bit of restitution. This blowpipe wasn't cheap, you know!"
Rolling his eyes, Sphinx took out his beetle satchel. "Alright, how much?" he queried. "300 scarabs?"
Again, Horus laughed. "Don't take me for a simpleton!" he snapped. "The blowpipe was worth far more than that!"
Yeah, right… Sphinx and the Mummy thought.
Smiling, Horus then laid his trap. "However, I would be more than willing to make an exchange," he offered. "This lovely blowpipe… for the sword."
Sphinx groaned, taking out his sword. "So that's your game," he growled.
Ironically, it was the Mummy who stepped in before his companion. "Not a chance, Horus," he said, almost sarcastically. "What makes you think Sphinx would just give up his sword?"
Instead of retaliating, Horus had yet another trick up his sleeve. "I suppose you're right," he commented, reaching for a sheath at his side. "Why would I want Sphinx's blade… when I already have my own?"
Before either Sphinx or the Mummy could say a word, Horus pulled out his weapon- a long dark blade, glowing with an eerie essence. It was almost exactly what the Blade of Osiris was; however, the evil magic surrounding this sword made for a striking contrast.
Horus smirked. "Behold," he declared proudly, "the Sword of Set!"The Mummy swallowed hard. "That can't be good," he whimpered.
Oddly enough, Sphinx was not so easily discouraged. "So, now you have a sword," he spat. "How come you still want mine?"
"It's not really a matter of necessity as it is a matter of ownership," Horus explained. "The Blade of Osiris is rightfully mine, Sphinx!"
Confused, the Mummy gave Sphinx a sidelong look. "Okay, I'm lost," he muttered. "What's going on here?"
The lion-like demigod growled. "I'm not sure myself," he admitted, "but I'm not gonna take chances. If it's a fight he wants, it's a fight he'll get."
Laughing, Horus sheathed his sword and approached Sphinx. "I'm glad you feel the same way," he replied. "Are you up for a match against me?"
A broad smile crossed Sphinx's face. "You bet," he agreed.
Pleased, Horus chuckled lightly. Little does he know that he's playing right into my little trap, he thought. "So, are you ready to go?"
It was then that a thought came to the Mummy's mind. "Hold on!" he cried, stepping between the two demigods. "Can we have a few days? You know, to warm up or something?"
Of course, Sphinx had no idea what the Mummy was planning. "What?" he queried.
The hawk demigod raised his eyebrows. "Only if you really need it," he answered teasingly.
Before Sphinx could reply, the Mummy leaned in close to him. "Trust me on this one," he whispered. "Something's not right here- we need to talk to Imhotep about this. It can give you the upper hand in battle, knowing what you're up against."
With a reluctant sigh, Sphinx glanced back at Horus. "Alright, fine," he growled. "Give us a few days."
Horus nodded. "I understand," he assured. "An inferior being such as yourself would need the benefit of some practice." He smirked, adding, "Will the open plains of the South Desert be a fine battleground for you?"
Sphinx sneered. "Fair enough," he hissed.
A wide grin crossed Horus' beak. "It's settled, then," he commented, taking his leave. "See you in a few days, Sphinx, and remember- don't tire yourself out with all that training."
As the hawk demigod walked away, Sphinx gave the Mummy a cold stare. "You had better be right about this," he snapped. "I don't want to gain a reputation as a coward."
"Oh, relax!" the Mummy advised. "Let's go talk to Imhotep about this."
The lion-like demigod rolled his eyes. "If you say so…"
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Some time later, Sphinx and the Mummy arrived back at the Sun Shrine. They told Nefertiti and Imhotep of their meeting with Horus; needless to say, neither of them were pleased.
"You mean to tell me that Horus has possession of the Sword of Set?" Imhotep questioned. "Please, tell me this is a joke!"
The Mummy shrugged. "We could," he replied, "but then we'd be lying to you."
Irritated, Sphinx jabbed the Mummy in his side. "Quiet," he snapped.
Shaking his head, Imhotep grabbed one of his books from off the shelves. "The Sword of Set is a counter to the Blade of Osiris," he informed. "It has been said that both are equal in power, although it was Set's blade that sent the valiant warrior Osiris into the afterlife."
A small smile crossed the demigod's face. "Great," he said, unsheathing his sword. "So, that means I have a chance?"
Imhotep sighed and nodded. "Be cautioned, though," he warned. "You must stay alert from now on- if Horus catches you by surprise, he could very well take your life with that sword."
Nefertiti rolled her eyes as she leaned back against the wall. "All this over a stupid blowpipe?" she spat. "You men can be so… frustrating, not to mention childish."
Quickly, Sphinx spun around and glared at Nefertiti. "Excuse me?" he snapped. "No disrespect, Lady Nefertiti, but weren't you the one to break my blowpipe in the first place?? I wouldn't have had to get a new one if it weren't for you!"
"Well," Nefertiti growled, "if you didn't go off and kill those defenseless creatures-"
Sphinx snarled. "Slim Burbles are not defenseless!" he interrupted. "Besides, you hated them anyway! You women are so two-faced!"
Again, the princess and the demigod erupted into an argument, exchanging colorful insults with matching gestures.
Puzzled, Imhotep turned to the Mummy. "Care to explain?" he asked.
The Mummy shrugged. "Sphinx and I went to South Beach to hunt Slim Burbles," he began. "Nefertiti came along and saw Sphinx kill one. She got so mad that she broke his blowpipe, which is why Sphinx and I went to the Heliopolis Bazaar to find a new one. The last one in the armory tent was sold to Horus, who offered to exchange it for the Blade of Osiris. Then he showed off the Sword of Set and challenged Sphinx to a battle. Of course, Sphinx would have jumped in immediately, but- being the brains of the operation- I told him to wait a couple days to train. So, that's what's going on here."
With a heavy sigh, Imhotep walked over to the two bickering "friends" and shoved them apart. "Enough, both of you!" he shouted, then addressing the demigod. "Sphinx, find Horus and call off your match."
To say the least, Sphinx was shocked. "What??" he cried. "Master, please! If I don't battle Horus-"
"You'll live to see another day," Imhotep noted. "Sphinx, you- of all my students- should know the importance of picking your battles. This is not one of them."
A broad smirk crossed Nefertiti's face, but she was not completely cleared of guilt. "As for you, Lady Nefertiti," Imhotep continued, "since you were the one to break the blowpipe, and cause this whole fiasco, perhaps a bit of recompense is in order?"
Before Nefertiti could speak, the Mummy gently interrupted her. "It's no use arguing with him," he whispered. "It's just better to leave it at that, and not go through the trouble of arguing ten minutes without getting anywhere."
The lion-like demigod sighed, sheathed his sword, and made his way to the entrance. "I'm going off to find Horus," he said. "Don't wait up for me."
Nefertiti crossed her arms. "I guess I should be going, too," she commented. "The ferryman will be here soon anyway."
As the two of them left, the Mummy found himself alone with Imhotep. He knew what waiting there doing nothing might mean, but as he tried to escape, the elderly anthro baboon took the mummified prince by the hand. "Come along, boy," he groaned. "I have a few things I'd like you to organize."
Moaning with disappointment, the Mummy just let himself go. "Chores," he muttered. "I hope I don't stay this way for long. Doing manual labor, every day… I don't understand how the common-folk can handle all that…"
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Sphinx wandered about Heliopolis, looking for his hawk-headed adversary. Truth be told, he had no problem with the fight, but who was he to disobey his teacher? This was something he had to do, whether he liked it or not.
Finally, Sphinx spotted Horus resting on the edge of a cliff-wall. He seemed to be enjoying the sunset as he polished his new sword.
Sneering in disgust, the demigod turned away. What I wouldn't give to wipe that smirk off his face, he thought. I can't believe what I'm about to do…
"Sphinx!" Horus called out. "I almost didn't see you there! Have you come to plea for mercy, or are you just prepared to give up the Blade of Osiris?"
Disillusioned, Sphinx rolled his eyes. Ye gods, is Horus always this cocky or is it just when I'm around? He pondered, scaling the wall and meeting Horus at the ledge. "I'm not prepared to plea or give anything up to you, Horus… but I have come to…" He clenched his teeth. "I won't battle you."
Those four words were music to Horus' ears. "Can't handle it, can you?" he taunted. "Just as well- I always was better than you."
The lion-like demigod shook his head. "Believe me, Horus, if it were up to me, I'd battle you here and now," he admitted. "I'm backing out on behalf of Master Imhotep."
Shaking his head with a tsk, tsk, tsk, Horus put his arm around Sphinx. "You don't need to cover up your cowardice for me," he said. "If you really want my pity, then all you have to do is say so."
Needless to say, Horus' pride was only adding insult to injury. "I'm being honest, Horus," Sphinx snapped. "You can ask Imhotep yourself if you really want your proof."
Horus scoffed. "I don't need proof," he spat. "I can see it in your eyes. You're scared to fight me, aren't you?" He smirked. "Admit it, Sphinx- you are afraid of me."
He thinks very highly of himself, doesn't he? Sphinx thought, giving the hawk-headed demigod a nonchalant glance. "You won't quit gloating unless we battle, will you?"
Acting in a apologetic manner, Horus leaned back and showed his open palms. "Oh, no, no, no!" he replied. "If you want to step aside, far be it from me to make you compete." He smiled, adding, "Of course, that means you'd be a coward, but I'm sure you'll-"
Quickly, Sphinx pulled out the Blade of Osiris, holding the tip at Horus' throat. He snarled; that clever little bird really knew how to agitate him!
Then, Horus rolled back, stood up, and pulled out the Sword of Set. The two weapons met at their tips, their light and dark auras intertwining so that the two demigods could clearly see their faces.
Sphinx growled. "We battle on the third day," he snapped, sheathing his sword. "Heliopolis Point- not too crowded, but enough eyes to witness your defeat."
A smirk crossed Horus' beak. "Let's make this a little more interesting," he suggested. "Instead of that worthless blowpipe, let's battle for our swords- you may have the Sword of Set if you win, but I must have the Blade of Osiris if I am the victor."
Sphinx chuckled, holding his hand out in a business-like gesture. "I accept the challenge," he said, shaking Horus' hand.
The hawk demigod nodded. "I'm glad we came to an agreement," he hissed, wandering off. "Good luck explaining yourself to Master Imhotep."
Stunned, Sphinx dropped his jaw. In his irritation, he had completely forgotten Imhotep's words of advice! Oh, perfect…he thought. This has just gone from bad to worse…
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Later that evening, Sphinx found himself star-gazing outside the Sun Shrine. He hadn't told anyone, let alone Imhotep, about his little fumble. Still, he wasn't that upset about the fight; he knew he could handle Horus, and with a little effort he could beat him.
A familiar figure- Prince Tutankhamun, nonetheless- strode outside and sat down next to Sphinx. "Hi, Sphinx," he greeted, looking up at the stars. "What are you doing?"
"Star-gazing," Sphinx responded. "It's something I like to do when I need some time to think."
Nodding, the Mummy suddenly remembered something. "Oh, how did your talk go with Horus?" he asked. "I bet it wasn't easy, huh?"
Sphinx did not answer. He knew the Mummy would only worry himself and tell Imhotep, and he really wasn't in the mood for another lecture on responsibility and "picking your battles".
Just the same, the Mummy wanted to hear an answer. "Sphinx?"
Again, Sphinx did not reply.
The Mummy groaned. "Come on, Sphinx," he whined. "Tell me what happened!"
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx turned to face the Mummy. "I did go to Horus and told him that I wouldn't battle," he began, "but that wretch gloated so much that he tricked me into battling him anyway!"
To say the least, the Mummy was shocked. "What??" he cried. "Oh, no! This is bad! This is so bad!" He stood and turned around. "We have to tell Imhotep- he'll know what to do about this!"
It was then that Sphinx shot his arm forward and grabbed the Mummy by the ankle. He pulled him back, causing the prince to fall flat on his face.
Slowly, the Mummy picked himself up, spitting out the sand in his mouth. "You know," he murmured, "you could have been a little less forceful."
The lion-like demigod stood, facing the Mummy. "Do not tell Imhotep a word of this," he said. "I would rather not have another long lecture, thank you very much." He shrugged. "Besides, I don't really mind battling Horus- I just wanna show him that showing off will only get him so far."
Still, the Mummy was not entirely convinced. "Well, it got you to battle him," he noted. "What makes you so sure you can beat him? The Sword of Set is supposed to be really powerful!"
Rolling his eyes, Sphinx gazed at the Mummy. "You worry too much, you know that?" he remarked. "Didn't you hear Imhotep? The Blade of Osiris and the Sword of Set are evenly matched; all I need is a little practice, and I could beat Horus."
With a heavy sigh, the Mummy slumped against the wall and slipped to the ground. "So, what's the plan?"
"Tomorrow, at dawn," Sphinx replied, staring into the heavens, "we begin…"
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The sun rose gently over the horizon of Heliopolis. It was a pleasant ray of warm sunlight to begin the day, although most people were still asleep… with a few exceptions.
Sphinx sprinted along the shoreline, wiping the beads of sweat from his brow as he gasped for breath. While he hadn't exactly been lazy the past few weeks, he wasn't keeping up with his training either. He couldn't remember the last time he ran for so long!
Close behind him, the Mummy was "guiding" him along. "Come on!" he shouted. "Is that the best you can do?? My grandmother runs faster than that, and she's dead!"
The demigod growled, glaring back at the Mummy. "Prince," he hissed, "remind me again how this is supposed to be helpful. I keep forgetting!"
The Mummy pulled himself closer via the strip of cloth around Sphinx's waist (you didn't honestly think the Mummy could run that fast, did you?). "Motivational speaking," he informed. "My brother used to use it all the time with our hired hands."
Why am I not surprised? Sphinx considered.
Again, the undead prince spoke up. "Let's move!" he barked. "I said five laps around Heliopolis, and we've barely done one! Come on, you lazy bag of bones- move it!"
Reluctantly, Sphinx picked up the pace. By the time I'm through here, he thought, I won't be the only bag of bones fallen on the ground…
------------------------------------------------
By the time most people were awake, Sphinx and the Mummy headed for the farmer's plot. The farmer brothers, Suti and Hapi, were only more than willing to help out the young lad.
Suti, the elder anthro dog farmer, took his walking stick and pointed to a nearby tree. "Now, that there's the famed Sandstone Tree," he noted. "It certainly don't look strong, but that tree has the hardest trunk known to man."
Hapi, the younger (although still old) anthro dog farmer, nodded in agreement. "It's been said that only fire could bring a Sandstone Tree to the ground," he went on. "There's been no blade sharp enough, no wind strong enough, and no man harsh enough to tear it down."
Sphinx pulled out his sword. "Let's see if all that's true," he murmured.
Quickly, Sphinx let the blade fly. This method of repetitive battering of a harmless tree was actually an exercise for Sphinx's techniques with the sword. Each blow had to be timed carefully; one slip of the wrist, and the blade would fly out of his hands.
Of course, the Mummy had to stand by and make sure Sphinx didn't hurt himself. "Hey, watch where you're swinging that thing!" he cried. "Someone could get hurt!"
With one last swipe, Sphinx let the blade of his sword touch the ground. He took a moment to breathe as he looked over to the Mummy. "I'm sorry," he said. "What were you saying?"
The Mummy tapped his foot impatiently; that last swipe of the sword had cut off the poor boy's arm.
After an awkward pause, Suti stepped in. "We've got some paste that'll fix your arm right up, boy," he assured. "It worked for me, when I cut my finger off with the sickle a good long time back, and that finger's working better than ever!"
The demigod could only stand there, partially in surprise and in amusement. He knew that the Mummy wasn't exactly affected by pain, at least not like most people, but still he knew it looked bad.
With a heavy sigh, the Mummy picked up his arm. "You keep practicing," he advised, walking over to the farmer's house. "I'll be out in a minute… I just need to patch up my arm first…"
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After a quick meal at the Amenti household, Sphinx and the Mummy waited patiently outside to continue training. Khenti and Ketta had also agreed to help them, and all that needed to be done now was for Khenti to "suit up", so to speak.
The door opened, and Khenti slowly wobbled outside. His whole body was covered in a protective of cloth and fluff, with a few ropes to tie everything together and a makeshift helmet.
Ketta stepped outside, smiling sheepishly. "We apologize, Sphinx," she admitted. "Khenti has always been a bit of a coward, so he refused to come out unless he had some protection." She turned to her husband and asked, "Do you feel comfortable, dear?"
"I can't feel my legs," Khenti whined.
Sphinx turned to the Mummy. "I'm not doing this," he snapped. "Attacking poor Khenti is as bad as attacking a kitten- it's cruel, not to mention there's absolutely no fun in it."
Of course, the Mummy wasn't about to give up on the demigod's training. "Would you relax?" he demanded. "Khenti is completely safe! Besides, Ketta and I came up with something that might change your mind."
Nodding, Ketta pulled out a long colored cloth and a mask. She pulled the cloth over Khenti's head and tied it around his waist; it was the same colors as Horus' clothes. She then slipped the mask over his face, also with a likeness to Horus.
Still, Sphinx wasn't entirely convinced with this trick. They have got to be kidding, he thought, glancing at the Mummy and Ketta, both of which anxious to see him in action. Well… I guess I could give it a shot. After all, it's not like they're going to give up any time soon.
At that moment, Sphinx pulled out the Blade of Osiris and lunged at Khenti. Frightened beyond belief, the poor nomad ran for dear life; he's seen this guy in action, and there's no way he's going to be a sitting duck in his path!
Then, Ketta glanced at the Mummy. "Prince," she addressed, "how exactly is this going to help Sphinx?"
After considering it, the Mummy saw the flaw in his thinking. "Oh… I guess we should have armed Khenti, right?" he muttered, grinning sheepishly. "Well, Sphinx has been training hard today; we should give him a little time to relax, to have some fun."
The undead prince and the female anthro hyena looked onward. Despite Khenti's absolute terror, Sphinx seemed to be having fun with the chase.
Ketta sighed. "I suppose," she agreed. "He seems to be enjoying himself… my dear Khenti, on the other hand…"
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Some time later, after Sphinx decided that chasing Khenti around (although fun) was pointless, Ketta removed some of her husband's padding and the crude Horus disguise. She then equipped him with an antique sword they had acquired some time ago, probably as a wedding present.
Sphinx observed as Khenti stood opposite of him, shivering in nervousness and holding the sword tightly. "Are you sure about this, Khenti?" he inquired. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
Khenti shook his head. "It's no problem, Sphinx," he lied. "I'm just doing my part- after all, we want you to win that duel with Horus." He paused for a moment. "Just… don't cut off my head or anything… okay?"
Rolling his eyes, Sphinx unsheathed the Blade of Osiris. "I'll do my best," he replied.
Once again, the demigod leapt into battle. This time, Khenti was quick to react with a simple blocking technique. After the two had battled for the first few minutes, it became clear that every time Sphinx came close to him, Khenti would always fall back.
Needless to say, the Mummy was impressed. "I didn't know nomads learned how to use swords," he remarked.
"They don't," Ketta informed. "One of Khenti's friends gave that sword to us as a wedding present. He showed my husband a few basic techniques; he's not nearly as skilled as Sphinx."
At that very moment, Sphinx knocked the sword out of Khenti's hands. Quickly, Khenti fell to the ground and covered his head, scared.
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx sheathed his sword. "Khenti, you never cease to amuse me," he muttered.
After a minute or two, the Mummy ran over to Sphinx. "So, what did you think?" he asked.
Shrugging, Sphinx turned away and walked towards the beach. "It was interesting," he admitted, "but I would have benefited more from the guidance of a professional." He turned his head and glanced at Khenti. "No offense."
The nomad chuckled nervously. "None taken!"
As Sphinx walked along the shoreline, he noticed that the sun was beginning to set. He had been training since dawn, and he only had one more day before the battle. He was beginning to wonder if all this trouble was really worth it.
Concerned, the Mummy approached the demigod. "Sphinx?"
Sphinx sighed. "I appreciate the help, Prince," he responded, "but the battle I'm facing doesn't only deal with swords."
The Mummy wasn't entirely clear on what Sphinx was saying, but he still felt obliged to help anyway. "You just need to calm down," he commented. "Horus looks pretty intimidating, but you can overcome that."
Shaking his head, Sphinx knew that the Mummy was clueless on this topic. "You know, we never used to be enemies," he reminded. "I told you that we used to be great friends when we were kids. Imhotep always told us that we were seemingly joined at the hip; he had to put us together, because we refused to work apart." He frowned slightly, adding, "Of course, the older we got, the more independent we became. We didn't need each other anymore. Whenever we were put together, Horus always wanted to lead, and when we were kids I didn't mind, but now that I've grown older I wanted to lead a few times. Horus never did like competition, so the more we were partners, the more we drifted and became rivals."
Apparently, that was a lot of information for the Mummy. So that's their story, he pondered. It's too bad there's no way that I can make those two friends again…
A small smile crossed Sphinx's face; he walked over to a nearby rock and sat down, staring into the open afternoon sky. "Oh well," he murmured. "At least it's a beautiful day."
Suddenly, the Mummy was struck with an idea… ironically, from his own childhood memories. It was so obvious! How come I didn't see it before?
The undead prince grinned. "Let me know when you're ready to go back to Sun Shrine Island," he said. "I'd like to try one more technique before we call it a day…"
------------------------------------------
Early that evening, Sphinx and the Mummy stood outside the Sun Shrine, facing the west as the sun began to set over the horizon. They each stood on one leg, atop their own rock, with their palms meeting together in front of their chest (in an almost prayerful position) and their eyes gently closed.
After a while, Sphinx decided that he couldn't focus and turned to the Mummy, who supposedly knew what he was doing. "Explain to me what exactly we're doing," he questioned.
The Mummy took a deep breath, keeping his focus. "My brother had an expert travel from the Far East to help him relieve stress," he explained. "I think he called this exercise yoma… or yoka… or, something like that."
Sphinx rolled his eyes inwardly. "Really?" he queried in a slight sarcastic tone. "So, what's the point of this exercise, anyway?"
"Balance," the Mummy replied. "You're supposed to find your center- that part of your soul that is so aware of what's going on that you don't need your senses."
The demigod sighed. "It still sounds like a load of rubbish, if you ask me," he muttered, "but I have to admit- it is relieving some of the stress."
A smile crossed the Mummy's face. "Glad I could help…"
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The next morning, Sphinx had awoken early, but not for training. The Mummy decided that what the demigod really needed was some time to clear his thoughts. The big day was tomorrow, and the less stressed he was the better.
That very same day, Nefertiti had taken a barge over to Sun Shrine Island. She brought with her a blowpipe, the very same make and model as Sphinx's old one. She would have given it to him sooner, but she needed a day or so to collect her thoughts.
When she arrived, Nefertiti looked around the Sun Shrine, looking for the demigod and her prince. "Where could those two be?" she muttered.
Then, the princess looked out a nearby window. Just outside, Sphinx was rested comfortably on a large rock, seated with crossed legs and very still. The Mummy looked onward from his spot, leaning against a wall.
Sighing, Nefertiti walked around until she got to the back of the Sun Shrine. "Tutankhamun!" she called out. "What are you doing out here?"
Quickly, the Mummy rushed up to his fiancee and hushed her. "Quiet," he whispered. "Sphinx is meditating; he needs to relax for tomorrow's battle."
Of course, Nefertiti was a tad puzzled. "What are you talking about?" she inquired. "Sphinx canceled the fight with Horus, didn't he?"
The Mummy shook his head. "Horus talked him back into it," he explained. "Don't worry, though- he's had plenty of training, and after today's meditation he'll be ready for the battle."
Somehow, I'm not surprised, Nefertiti thought as she rolled her eyes, then pulled out an object. "Here- I brought Sphinx the blowpipe, so I guess he won't have to battle Horus."
The undead prince bit his lower lip. "Well, not exactly," he continued. "They changed it around slightly; now Sphinx is battling for the Sword of Set."
Appalled, Nefertiti dropped her jaw. "What??" she snapped. "I don't believe you boys- Imhotep strictly tells you to stay out of trouble, and you go ahead and do it anyway!"
Concerned for Sphinx's spiritual rest, the Mummy shushed Nefertiti again. "Keep it down," he pleaded. "Sphinx is trying to-"
"I don't care!" Nefertiti barked. "I want the two of you to find Imhotep and tell him what you're doing!"
While Nefertiti continued wailing and the Mummy tried to quiet her, Sphinx was deep in thought. He hadn't realized that Nefertiti, or the Mummy for that matter, was even there. He was too focused…
Suddenly, Sphinx's eyes shot open. He stood slowly and approached the prince and his girlfriend. "Prince," he addressed, "I'm ready. Set up a target."
Just the same, the Mummy was more concerned with Sphinx's psychological readiness. "But… you're already fit," he noted. "Don't you need any more meditation?"
Sphinx sneered slightly. "Set up the target," he repeated, one hand gripping the sword handle.
Spooked by the sudden demand, the Mummy rushed inside to look for a suitable dummy. Nefertiti stayed outside, glancing at Sphinx carefully. His eyes drew a lot of attention; it seemed like he was focused on something, but what was it?
After a moment, the Mummy returned with a crudely made target. "Hope that works," he murmured, turning to Sphinx. "Hit it with everything you've got!"
At that moment, Sphinx launched himself at the target. Armed with the Blade of Osiris, he managed to give that target a good thrashing. Maneuvering around it, he relentlessly attacked, sending wood shards and pieces of fabric flying everywhere.
Both the Mummy and Nefertiti stood back, wide-eyed with shock. They hadn't seen Sphinx battle before, but chances were that he usually wasn't this spirited. It was as if he was determined to totally destroy that target!
Nefertiti in particular felt worried. This can't be my fault, she pondered. I wouldn't have caused Sphinx and Horus to fight… then, why do I feel so guilty?
-------------------------------------------
That guilt carried over into the next day. Sphinx's attitude hadn't changed, and the Mummy was starting to become worried. This effect would end after the battle… right?
The demigod sauntered out to South Beach, accompanied by the Mummy and Nefertiti. Since the day before, he hadn't said much of anything, and that glare in his eyes was starting to scare them.
As Sphinx stood silently on the outskirts of the beach, the Mummy was right there beside him to boost his confidence. "Now, remember," he reminded, "never take your eyes off your opponent. Always look for a weak spot and use it to your advantage. Above all, never, never, ever let him hit you with that sword!"
Quietly, Nefertiti leaned over to the Mummy. "Are you sure about this?" she asked. "What if something happens?"
The Mummy shrugged. "Don't worry about it," he said. "Sphinx is a great warrior; I'm sure he'll win the duel."
"And what if he doesn't?" Nefertiti questioned.
Suddenly, Sphinx spoke up. "I will win," he spat, glaring at Nefertiti out of the corner of his eye.
The undead prince swallowed hard. Okay, I know Sphinx can be a bit harsh sometimes, he thought, but that is definitely not Sphinx!
At that moment, a familiar hawk-headed demigod approached the three companions. "You actually came," he scoffed. "I credit you, Sphinx, for your courage and punctuality…" He unsheathed the Sword of Set. "… but that will only get you so far."
Sphinx pulled out the Blade of Osiris, giving Horus an incriminating stare. "I'm ready whenever you are," he hissed.
Horus smirked. "I see you've gotten more courageous than I thought you would be," he noted. "The first person to knock their opponent's sword to the ground wins." He sneered. "Begin!"
Quickly, the two demigods launched themselves at each other and attacked with great force. Clearly, Horus was quite experienced; his skill with the Sword of Set rivaled Sphinx's own skill with the Blade of Osiris. It was hard to tell whether it actually talent or mysterious forces at work in their heated battle.
The clashing of swords and echoing war cries drew the attention of a lot of people, including those from the nearby Heliopolis bazaar. As the battle raged on, more and more people came to watch the spectacle. It was odd that the only people not enjoying the fight were the Mummy and Nefertiti.
It was then that Nefertiti noticed something. The swords' auras were glowing, and the dark aura from the Sword of Set had wrapped itself around the Blade of Osiris; she could also see that dark aura slipping over Sphinx's hands, crawling up his arms, wrapping around his neck, and shrouding over his face. How is it doing that? And, how come the Blade of Osiris isn't affecting Horus?
A sly grin crossed Horus' beak. "You're a fool, Sphinx!" he mocked. "Soon you will fall, and the Blade of Osiris will be mine!" He then muttered under his breath, "That head of yours will make a fine trophy for my master."
Nefertiti gasped in horror. Of course! She thought. How come I didn't see it before?? Horus could have only gotten that sword in one place- hidden in the Uruk castle, the dwelling of Set! He must be working for that horrid deity; how else would he know how to use the powers of that sword?
Concerned with his fiancee's sudden worry, the Mummy leaned over to Nefertiti. "What's wrong?" he inquired.
Still shocked, Nefertiti pulled the Mummy closer. "I figured it out," she whispered in his ear. "Horus is working for Set! That's where he got the sword, and that's how he knows how to use the sword's powers!"
Although the Mummy already knew Horus' secret, he was still a tad unconvinced. "What powers?" he queried.
Flustered, Nefertiti adjusted the Mummy's skull so that he could get a better view of the fighters. "Take a good look at that," she hissed. "Don't you notice anything unusual?"
After staring and squinting for a moment, the Mummy soon saw it- how the dark aura of the Sword of Set was overcoming the light aura of the Blade of Osiris… and Sphinx. "Oh, no!" he yelped. "Sphinx is in trouble!" He turned to his fiancee. "We need to stop the fight!"
Of course, Nefertiti hadn't considered that yet. "How?" she questioned. "We can't just step in! They aren't going to stop for either of us, and even if they are only fighting to knock one sword out of the other's hand, I wouldn't put it past either of them to cheat and hurt each other."
Overwhelmed, the Mummy broke down and cried. "It's hopeless!" he whimpered.
Suddenly, without warning, the Sword of Set went flying, landing in a nearby sand dune. Horus, of course, tried to go over and retrieve it, but a whole crowd of people stopped him.
"It's over!" someone cried.
"Sphinx won the battle!" said another.
"Hooray for Sphinx!" yet another cheered.
Soon, the whole crowd began cheering for the half-lion demigod. He smirked, pushing past the spectators and approaching the Sword of Set. "At last," he murmured, "I can claim my prize."
As Sphinx placed his hand on the handle of the sword, the dark aura arose again. This time, a strong shocking force ran through Sphinx's body, blowing him clear across the beach.
Worried, the Mummy and Nefertiti ran after the demigod. "Sphinx!"
Once the undead prince and his princess found Sphinx lying in a sand dune, they waited patiently at his side. They could only hope nothing bad happened to him…
Slowly, Sphinx opened his eyes. "Ooh… what happened?" he groaned. "My head is killing me… so are my arms and legs, for that matter…"
The Mummy cocked his head in confusion. "Do you remember the battle?" he asked.
Nodding, Sphinx struggled to stand as the Mummy and Nefertiti propped him up. "Sure, I remember," he muttered. "That's probably why I'm so tired… but, I can't remember all the details."
Nefertiti sighed. "What a relief!" she cried. "Sphinx, the dark aura of the Sword of Set was overwhelming you. Somehow it must have affected you; when you came out of meditation the other day, you were acting so… different… almost like Horus."
Sphinx considered that for a moment. "Well, while you two were fighting, I was thinking about how Horus and I always bickered like that, how we never actually battled each other before," he noted. "I guess I began to think that maybe it was about time we battled, but after that all my memories start to get a little cloudy."
"And do you know why?" a familiar voice snapped. "The Sword of Set contains an extraordinary power, much like the Blade of Osiris. This power, however, is an evil one, and coming in contact with that dark aura can cause even the most kind and gentle person to work for dark forces. The sword was merely blinding you; it expelled you from its grasp when you touched it, because at heart, Sphinx, you are not truly evil."
The demigod grimaced; he knew that voice. "Master Imhotep," he addressed.
The anthro baboon approached his courageous apprentice. "I told you not to battle Horus," he reminded, "and yet you foolishly disobeyed me. You could have forever succumbed to the power of that sword, and worse yet you could have been killed!"
Before Sphinx could run off, Imhotep grabbed his ear, as a schoolmaster does his most troublesome student. "Let us go back to the Sun Shrine," he sighed, gesturing for the Mummy and Nefertiti to follow. "Come along."
Relieved, the Mummy sighed deeply. "I'm glad that's over," he said to his fiancee.
The princess nodded in reply. It's too bad Sphinx has to be punished when it was partially Horus' fault, she pondered. I hope that hawk-headed creep is getting what he deserves…
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That evening, the Mummy and Nefertiti sat quietly inside the Sun Shrine. They made themselves comfortable by the fireplace, as it was pouring rain outside.
Meanwhile, Sphinx laid flat on his back on a large wooden table, his wrists and ankles bound to each respective corner. On each side of him were two burning incense sticks, and at the headboard was a bowl of magical ingredients.
Imhotep walked into the room, carrying another one of his books. "Comfortable, Sphinx?" he inquired, with a slight sarcastic tone.
The demigod moaned. "I guess I should have expected this," he muttered. "I can't remember the last time you used this table on me, but I know I hated it."
Puzzled, the Mummy turned to Sphinx. "What's that table used for, anyway?" he queried.
"This is a spellbinding table," Imhotep informed. "The ties are used to hold an unpurified soul to the table while proper incantations are used in the purification process."
Sphinx cringed as he writhed slightly with his back. "Now I remember why I hated this table," he snapped. "It's an old table, so there's quite a few splinters… not to mention I'm practically crushing my tail."
Of course, Nefertiti was still intrigued. "How come Sphinx needs to be purified?" she asked. "The dark aura was expelled from his body."
Nodding, Imhotep read from the book as he tossed a few more herbs into the bowl. "True, Lady Nefertiti," he noted, "but his body is still unguarded. I simply never saw the use for these spells because I never thought it would come up. Now I realize how necessary these spells are, especially in these dark times."
At that moment, a light knock alerted them. "Prince, would you get that?" Imhotep requested. "I'm a bit busy at the moment."
With a light nod, the Mummy sauntered over to the door. He opened the door, surprised for a moment at who it was. "Horus?"
Sure enough, it was Horus who was standing outside in the pouring rain. "Please, let me in," he groaned. "I don't have anywhere else to go."
Before Horus could step inside, the Mummy blocked his path. "Why don't you go back to Uruk?" he said in a slightly harsh tone. "It hardly rains there, and I'm sure Set will shelter his own servant."
Rolling his eyes, Horus pushed past the Mummy. "You don't know Lord Set," he spat. "Besides, it's not as if I have no business being here. I may serve Set, but Imhotep is still my master."
As Horus stepped into the room, he drew everyone's attention. Nefertiti stood and crossed her arms; Imhotep and Sphinx just gave him a questioning stare.
Horus sighed, approaching Imhotep. "Master," he greeted, "I was hoping that you would invite your own apprentice inside from the rain."
Imhotep just stared at Horus, but nevertheless nodded. "You may stay," he permitted, "but do not think I have forgotten your brawl with Sphinx."
The hawk-headed demigod lowered his head. "Master Imhotep, what can I do to make up for such an embarrassment?"
"Deal with that sword of yours," Imhotep replied. "The Sword of Set is too powerful for you to handle, but don't take the criticism so harshly; only Set could handle that sword without fear of consequences." He stared at Horus. "You have two choices- destroy the sword, or let me purify it of its stronger dark forces."
After a moment of hesitation, Horus unsheathed the Sword of Set and laid it on the ground at Imhotep's feet. "Purify it for me, Master."
Nodding, Imhotep laid down his book and used a levitation spell to keep the sword suspended in air. "I will find the proper spell," he murmured, retreating to his library.
Once Imhotep was out of the room, Horus leaned on the table where Sphinx was tied. "The spellbinding table," he noted. "He only used this whenever we found ourselves hexed."
Nefertiti rolled her eyes. "You would know," she hissed. "It was your sword that enchanted him."
Perplexed, Horus just stared at Nefertiti. "Lady Nefertiti, I think I know my own sword," he responded matter-of-factly. "Yes, the sword has a dark aura surrounding it, but as far as I know, that aura stays with the sword. Even if it did affect Sphinx, I have no idea how to use the sword that way."
The young princess would have retorted, but being quite perceptive, she could tell from the look in Horus' eyes that he was serious- he only knew the sword as a fighting tool, not as a tool for evil.
Then, Horus turned away from Nefertiti and went back to Sphinx. "You do know that you were only lucky, right?" he remarked. "The sword just slipped out of my hands; had it not, you'd be powerless."
Sphinx shook his head. "Stop making excuses already," he spat. "Just accept that the better warrior won."
Of course, Horus was not about to accept so easily. "Luck was simply on your side today, Sphinx," he commented. "I would have won otherwise."
Sneering, Sphinx writhed under his ropes. "Luck seems to be on your side, too," he snapped. "If I weren't tied down, Horus, I would have wrung your neck by now!"
Horus laughed. "Ah, but you can't," he taunted, leaning over Sphinx to further torment him. "I'm right here, Sphinx- come and get me."
The Mummy and Nefertiti stood idly by, watching this amusing display. "Well, at least things are getting back to normal," the undead prince murmured. "And to think, it all started over a blowpipe."
It was then that Sphinx turned his attention to the Mummy. "That's right," he growled. "Lady Nefertiti, I never did get compensation for the blowpipe."
Smiling, the Mummy approached the bound demigod. "Don't worry," he advised. "Nefertiti gave it to me, and I…" He trailed off in uncertainty. "… I… lost it."
"You lost it??" Sphinx barked.
Just as easily as that, the boys were all back to yelling. Sphinx was switching between Horus, who was still taunting him; and the Mummy, who was trying to calm him down before he did something rash.
Nefertiti chuckled. "If this is what they call normal, it looks like things are starting to go that way," she remarked, her mind going back to the Sword of Set. "I can't help but wonder, though…"
Inside the castle walls of Uruk, Set and Menes gazed into a steaming cauldron. The image in the rising steam wasn't exactly good news for them; it was Horus, and as much as they enjoyed torturing innocent souls, laughter of that sort was not generally favorable.
Set groaned, pressing his fingers to his temple. "Foolish child," he hissed. "I should have known that dark magic wasn't nearly enough to take care of that meddling demigod."
Menes gave Set a sidelong look. "Not to disagree with you, Master," she assured, "but I did warn you that something like this might happen."
The dark god smirked. "And I told you that my own ways work against each other for the better," he reminded. "Remember, we discovered Horus when his heart was consumed with greed, jealousy, and vengeance. We can still use those traits to bring down Sphinx."
Just the same, Menes was not entirely convinced. "Keep in mind, my master," she noted, "that in Imhotep's hands, your sword will not be nearly as powerful as it once was."
A sly grin crossed Set's face. "My sword is not the only mystical amulet in Egypt that works in mysterious ways," he responded conjuring up the image of a medallion in the cauldron. "This will be Sphinx's next quest… and if all goes well, we won't have to see his smug little face anymore…"
THE END
Next Time, on SPHINX: The Series…
The Beast Within
Sphinx retrieves the Beast Medallion, which changes him into a lion! How will he ever change back?
See you next time!