The Wrath of Sekhmet

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<span class="title">The Wrath of Sekhmet</span> <span class="author">by <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/blog/sekhmetswrath-if" target="_blank">Ava</a></span>

<<nobr>> <li>[[stats]]</li> <li>[[relationships]]</li> <li>[[profile]]</li> <li><<link "credits">><<script>> Dialog.setup("Credits"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("credits").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>><</link>></li> <</nobr>>

<<set $chapter to "chapter one">><<if visited() is 1>><<if settings.notifications>><<notify 3s>>Notifications active!<</notify>><</if>><</if>>\ !Chapter One While the life of an archivist isn't always glamorous, and can often leave you with eye strain, finger cramps, and a bone-deep exhaustion, you wouldn't have it any other way. Even if your back does let out a rather ominous sounding creak when you stretch after being hunched over for the last few hours. Most people have already turned in for the night, but you wanted to finish translating this last section of text so you could move onto another project tomorrow. Therefore, while clearly reluctant, Professor Aharon, your boss, had left you with a set of keys and strict instructions for locking up. As if you haven't done this kind of thing a hundred times before. At this point, you feel as though you should have your own keys, but Aharon refuses your request each time. It sometimes makes you think that he has a personal vendetta against you, but then you'll witness him making someone cry over the smallest mistake, and you'll realise that you're actually probably one of his favourites. However disturbing that thought may be, there's no point dwelling on it now. You need to start tidying up so you can get home at a reasonable time and sleep. The last time you tried to work without sufficient rest, you mistranslated an entire chapter and almost set the library on fire. Suffice to say, you were sent home like a disobedient child that day. You shift through the papers on your desk, placing them into neat piles to be returned to their rightful places. Then when you lift the book you were using, you notice your identity card. You had completely forgotten that you had taken it off, but you're glad that you found it now or you wouldn't have been admitted back in in the morning because, while everyone knows who you are, Aharon demands constant professionalism and that means the guards are strict about who they let into the rooms out back. Not even they want to be on the Professor's bad side. You pick the card up and sling it around your neck using the string you attached to it to keep you from losing it. Not that it's been all that helpful, clearly. You smooth a finger over the slightly raised ink spelling out your name... [[Bahiti|3][$mcName = "Bahiti"]] [[Aya|3][$mcName = "Aya"]] [[Dina|3][$mcName = "Dina"]] [[Nailah|3][$mcName = "Nailah"]] [[Ahmed|3][$mcName = "Ahmed"]] [[Essam|3][$mcName = "Essam"]] [[Jabari|3][$mcName = "Jabari"]] [[Tariq|3][$mcName = "Tariq"]] [[Ptah|3][$mcName = "Ptah"]] [[Ata|3][$mcName = "Ata"]] [[Shu|3][$mcName = "Shu"]] [[Zaim|3][$mcName = "Zaim"]] <<textbox "$mcName" "Type your name here (caps)" "3">>

<<set $rone to 0, $maxrone to 100>> <<set $rtwo to 0, $maxrtwo to 100>> <<set $rthree to 0, $maxrthree to 100>> <<set $rfour to 0, $maxrfour to 100>> <<set $statone to 50>><<set $stattwo to 50>> <<set $statthree to 50>><<set $statfour to 50>> <<set $statfive to 50>><<set $statsix to 50>> <<set $statseven to 50>><<set $stateight to 50>> <<set $statnine to 50>><<set $statten to 50>> <<set $stateleven to 50>><<set $stattwelve to 50>> <<set $mcName to "">> <<set $mcNickname to "">> <<set $mcGender to "">> <<set $mcIdentity to "">> <<set $mcTitle to "">> <<set $mcChild to "">> <<set $mcSibling to "">> <<set $hairLength to "">> <<set $hairColour to "">> <<set $hairType to "">> <<set $hairStyle to "">> <<set $rightColour to "">> <<set $leftColour to "">> <<set $eyeColour to "">> <<set $mcHeight to "">> <<set $skinColour to "">> <<set $skinNotable to "">> <<set $facialHair to "">> <<set $bodyType to "">> <<set $mcTattoos to "">> <<set $mcScars to "">> <<set $mcPiercings to "">> <<set $mcOutfit to "">> <<set $mcGlasses to "">> <<set $madsNickname to "">> <<set $nName to "">> <<set $nNickname to "">> <<set $nGender to "">> <<set $nthey to "">> <<set $nthem to "">> <<set $ntheir to "">> <<set $ntheirs to "">> <<set $nthemself to "">> <<set $elName to "">> <<set $elGender to "">> <<set $elthey to "">> <<set $elthem to "">> <<set $eltheir to "">> <<set $eltheirs to "">> <<set $elthemself to "">> <<set $mGender to "">> <<set $mthey to "">> <<set $mthem to "">> <<set $mtheir to "">> <<set $mtheirs to "">> <<set $mthemself to "">>

/* custom widgets go in here */ <<widget "are">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>are<<case false>>is<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "were">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>were<<case false>>was<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "s">><<switch $plural>><<case true>><<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "es">><<switch $plural>><<case true>><<case false>>es<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "re">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>re<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>> <<widget "ve">><<switch $plural>><<case true>>ve<<case false>>s<</switch>><</widget>>

<<set $statone to 50>><<set $stattwo to 50>>\ !Stats <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Genuine $statone%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Sarcastic $stattwo%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="statone-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $statthree to 50>><<set $statfour to 50>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Emotional $statthree%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Stoic $statfour%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="statthree-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $statfive to 50>><<set $statsix to 50>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Cautious $statfive%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Reckless $statsix%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="statfive-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $statseven to 50>><<set $stateight to 50>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Jovial $statseven%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Grumpy $stateight%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="statseven-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $statnine to 50>><<set $statten to 50>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Kind $statnine%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Indifferent $statten%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="statnine-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $stateleven to 50>><<set $stattwelve to 50>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Shy $stateleven%</div> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-right">Bold $stattwelve%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="stateleven-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $sone to 50>>\ !Skills <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Intelligence $sone%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="sone-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $stwo to 0>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Charm $stwo%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="stwo-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $sthree to 0>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Fencing $sthree%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="sthree-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $sfour to 0>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Agility $sfour%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="sfour-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<button "Return" $return>><</button>> /* or <<link "Return" $return>><</link>> */

[[Sugarcube 2 Documentation|https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs]] [[OpenDyslexic Font by Abbie Gonzalez|https://opendyslexic.org]] [[Notify Macro by Chapel|https://github.com/ChapelR/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2]] [[Live Update Macro by Cycy|https://github.com/cyrusfirheir/cycy-wrote-custom-macros]]

<<set $they to "They">><<set $plural to true>>\ *<<link "She/Her">><<set $they to "She">><<set $plural to false>><<update>><</link>> *<<link "He/Him">><<set $they to "He">><<set $plural to false>><<update>><</link>> *<<link "They/Them">><<set $they to "They">><<set $plural to true>><<update>><</link>> <<liveblock>> $they <<are>> super fun and love<<s>> cupcakes. <</liveblock>> You can also use it to update the dialog labels! Try it by opening the settings menu and toggling the dialog labels button :) <<liveblock>> *<<link "Choice with flirt label $flirt_label" "5">><</link>> *<<link "Choice with info label $info_label" "5">><</link>> <</liveblock>>

"Oh, thank the Gods," you mutter, pressing your hand to your chest as though that will ease the frantic beat of your heart. "It's just you." To attempt to get yourself under control, you study the $nGender in front of you. Your rather bewildered looking friend stands at about 5'8 with golden brown skin and soft, warm brown eyes that peer soulfully out from under thick, curly black hair that falls naturally to $ntheir shoulders. $nName is a beauty in both looks and personality. $nName laughs slightly, a far cry from $ntheir usual bold, bubbly cackling as $ntheir earlier bewilderment switches to amusement with a healthy dose of concern. "Wow, $mcName, I'm going to pretend that that didn't cut me deeply." "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that," you inwardly wince at the state of your voice and try to smile your little episode off. Not very well if the withering look that $nName graces you with is any indication. "Are you okay? Because I feel like it's my prerogative as your best friend to tell you that you look like crap, right now," That manages to pull a short laugh from you, "you always have the best compliments at hand, don't you?" <<print $ntheir.toUpperFirst()>> lips tip into $ntheir signature lop-sided grin. "Only for you, no one else deserves my time like you do." [["You throw " + $nthem + " a small grin back."|5]] <<link "You allow a flirtatious smile of your own to bloom $flirt_label" "5.1">><</link>> <<link "You immediately fluster $flirt_label" "5.2">><</link>> <<link "You feel a flutter of something you can't place $flirt_label" "5.3">><</link>> [[You don't outwardly react to your friends teasing.|5]]

Somehow, before you even come across where the sounds have been originating from, you know that you weren't going to like it. Sadly, you are proven right. Because instead of finding someone hiding behind any of the items in the room like any sane person would expect, you and $nName find yourselves staring at a coffin. //A bloody coffin.// Just when you thought that this night couldn't get any worse. "Should we open it?" $nName whispers, not taking $ntheir eyes off of it. "I don't know," you match $ntheir volume, not wanting to speak too loudly and break the false sense of calm that has settled like a smog. This is starting to feel like a very cruel joke being played on you. By who, you don't entirely know. Perhaps the Gods, you know just how vicious they can be, you're the one who translates most of their stories after all. You drag in a deep breath and see $nName doing the same thing out of the corner of your eye. "We open it on three?" $nName shudders, "If I end up getting cursed because of this, I'll going to come after you first." "As long as you're with me," you quip, just trying to alleviate some of the tension. "Always." Getting into position, you both prepare to throw open the wooden lid of the coffin. "One..." You say as you shake your hands out. "Two..." $nName says as $nthey takes a step closer. "Three!" Neither of you say as the coffin bursts open from the inside. [["You and " + $nName + " scream loud enough to deafen dogs three cities away."|7.1]] [[You jerk back in surprise, but otherwise have no outward reaction.|7.2]] [[You automatically lash out without thinking.|7.3]] [["You grab " + $nName + " and shove " + $nthem + " behind you."|7.4]] [["You grab " + $nName + " in sheer panic and drag " + $nthem + " in front of you."|7.5]]

You start down the aisles towards the open door at the end, $nName right on your heels. You can hear $nthem muttering about how stupid you're both being. You wish you could muster up the will to disagree, but this does seem like something that the characters in one of $nName's crime novels would do before they went and got themselves killed in some horrific way. So, feeling a little like you're walking to the hangmen's noose, you carry on. You make it past the first three aisles without hearing anything, but as you reach the last one, the groaning begins again. $nName stifles a yelp and $ntheir hand shoots out to grip the wood of the shelves beside you as $nthey tries to breathe through $ntheir panic. You understand completely, but find in some strange way that $nName openly freaking out is actually helping to keep you calm. You allow $nthem a moment to recover, before you tilt your head forward indicating that you intend to carry on. A sharp breath through $ntheir nose, the squaring of $ntheir shoulders, and a shaky thumbs up is the only answer you receive in turn. You both continue on, trepidation nipping at your feet and the sound of the two of you breathing coupled with the groaning ahead almost overwhelming you. After what feels like hours but couldn't have been more than thirty seconds at the most, you finally reach the door. You turn back to $nName and raise your hand to silently countdown to three. As your third finger folds down, like something out of a comedy act, the two of poke your heads in to look around the large room. You don't see anyone, but that doesn't say much considering how many nooks and crannies there are to hide behind...or in, if one was so brave. Standing as still as you can, you try to decipher which direction the groaning sounds are coming from. $nName taps your shoulder and points to the right, you take a moment to confirm, and decide that $nthey's correct, the noises do seem to be coming from that way. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "7">><</button>></span>

<<set $rone to 0>>\ !Stats <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">E. Caddel $rone%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rone-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $rtwo to 0>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Menna $rtwo%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rtwo-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $rthree to 0>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">N. Hassan $rthree%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rthree-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<set $rfour to 0>>\ <div class="stat-bar-group"> <div class="stat-bar-container"> <div class="stat-bar-overlay-left">Aksel $rfour%</div> <div class="stat-bar" id="rfour-stat"></div> </div></div>\ <<button "Return" $return>><</button>> /* or <<link "Return" $return>><</link>> */

Your name is $mcName Teos Menefer Suleiman. You indentify as a $mcGender and you are $mcIdentity. You work as an archivist at the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo with your best friend $nName Hassan. You have an older brother called Maddox who you affectionately call $madsNickname. You have $hairLength $hairColour $hairType hair that you typically style $hairStyle. Your right eye is $rightColour and your left eye is $leftColour. Your skin is $skinColour and you $skinNotable. You also have $facialHair. You are $mcHeight and $bodyType. You have $mcTattoos and $mcScars and $mcPiercings. You typically wear $mcOutfit. <<button "Return" $return>><</button>> /* or <<link "Return" $return>><</link>> */

!Synopsis As the Archivist of the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, you've collected a lot of knowlegde over the thirteen years you've worked there. Yet, there has been nothing that fascinated you more than the story of Sekhmet. A Goddess of Love turned Goddess of War with a bloodlust so deadly that her father, the Sun God Ra, was forced to fashion a necklace that Hathor could wear in order to contain Sekhmet. The necklace glittered with gold and diamonds, but it was the single ruby that sat nestled at her throat that was the real treasure. Said to contain a drop of Ra's blood, it was a gem so powerful that it could grant lesser creatures invulnerability when the necklace was worn. And now, your brother thinks he's found the legendary Temple of Sekhmet. A temple that was supposedly built to house the necklace. This could be the adventure of a lifetime and you refuse to be left behind. ''Content Warnings:'' death, abduction, optional sexual content, violence, elements of body horror, gore, blood, and explicit language. ''Disclaimer:'' The Wrath of Sekhmet is based on the 1999 film 'The Mummy' and follows the original story of Sekhmet to the best of my research abilities, but also includes highly fictionalised elements. <span class="next"><<button "Prologue" "1">><</button>></span>

!Prologue One day, The Sun God Ra looked upon his creations and felt only fury. The love and hope he once had lay forgotten in the face of the destruction that was humanity. Ra's mortal children had become unruly and undisciplined. They refused to follow the laws that had been laid out for them and did not uphold Ma'at. Enough was enough. The Sun God decided that mankind deserved to be punished, so he called upon his daughter and commanded her to become the 'Eye of Ra'. So, Hathor, Goddess of Love was transformed into Sekhmet, Goddess of War. And her rampage began. The streets and the fields ran red with mortal blood and Ra looked on in horror. He realised his mistake and ordered Sekhmet to cease her slaughter, but the Goddess was lost to bloodlust and refused to listen. To stop her, Ra poured 7,000 jugs of beer stained red by pomegranate juice into her path. She gorged on what she believed was blood and became so drunk that she slumbered for three days. Once she awoke, she was once again the Goddess of Love. However, Ra knew that now he had unleased this side of Hathor once, there was a risk that Sekhmet would again emerge and wreak havoc upon the land. So, in order to keep her contained, Ra fashioned a necklace for Hathor to wear. It was a necklace of great beauty that sparkled with gold and diamonds. But the real treasure was the ruby that sat nestled at Hathor's throat. For it contained a single drop of Ra's blood. So powerful was this gem that if a mortal was to don it, they would be granted invulnerability. With this knowledge, Hathor was forbidden to remove the necklace. Then came the Fall of the Gods. And both Hathor and the necklace were lost. <span class="next"><<button "Until Now" "2">><</button>></span>

It takes a solid thirty seconds of you and $nName screaming and the mummy in the coffin doubling over in laughter for you to calm down enough to realise that said 'mummy' is actually your older brother, Maddox. $nName shoots your brother a vicious glare, "Are you crazy? You almost gave us a heart attack." Maddox grins back, but it looks more like a snarl than anything, "I'd be so lucky." "Hey!" You yell. "Argue later." They continue to glare at each other. Not that you're that surprised, that's how it's always been between them. It's unusual though, $nName is usually pretty friendly to everyone, and Maddox is one of the most laidback people you've ever met. Their instant hate for one another makes no sense to you, and even to this day, you're still desperate to know what happened between them. "Maddox, what are you doing here?" You cross your arms, and wait for him to turn his attention to you. [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sister?"|8][$mcSibling = "sister"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sibling?"|8][$mcSibling = "sibling"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my brother?"|8][$mcSibling = "brother"]]

It takes a solid thirty seconds of $nName screaming and the person in the coffin doubling over in laughter for everyone else to calm down enough for you to recognise the person was your older brother, Maddox. $nName shoots your brother a vicious glare, "Are you crazy? You almost gave me a heart attack." Maddox grins back, but it looks more like a snarl than anything, "I'd be so lucky." "Please," you sigh, beginning to feel tiredness creeping in now that you have your answers. "Argue later." They continue to glare at each other. Not that you're that surprised, that's how it's always been between them. It's unusual though, $nName is usually pretty friendly to everyone, and Maddox is one of the most laidback people you've ever met. Their instant hate for one another makes no sense to you, and even to this day, you're still desperate to know what happened between them. "Maddox, what are you doing here?" You ask, and wait for him to turn his attention to you. [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sister?"|8][$mcSibling = "sister"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sibling?"|8][$mcSibling = "sibling"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my brother?"|8][$mcSibling = "brother"]]

The 'mummy' yelps as your fist slams into its arm. You instantly draw your fist back to hit it again, when you come to the realisation that your fist had connected with flesh before. Not a mummy then, but still an intruder. You pause, not lowering your fist just in case, and study the pouting figure. You sigh and drop your hand to your side at the sight of your older brother, Maddox. $nName shoots your brother a vicious glare, "Are you crazy? You almost gave us a heart attack." Maddox grins back, but it looks more like a snarl than anything, "I'd be so lucky." "Hey!" You snap. "Argue later." They continue to glare at each other. Not that you're that surprised, that's how it's always been between them. It's unusual though, $nName is usually pretty friendly to everyone, and Maddox is one of the most laidback people you've ever met. Their instant hate for one another makes no sense to you, and even to this day, you're still desperate to know what happened between them. "Maddox, what are you doing here?" You cross your arms, and wait for him to turn his attention to you. [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sister?"|8][$mcSibling = "sister"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sibling?"|8][$mcSibling = "sibling"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my brother?"|8][$mcSibling = "brother"]]

It takes a solid thirty seconds of you and $nName squabbling over who gets to be in front of who and the mummy in the coffin doubling over in laughter for you to both calm down enough to realise that said 'mummy' was actually your older brother, Maddox. $nName steps out from behind you and shoots your brother a vicious glare, "Are you crazy? You almost gave us a heart attack." Maddox grins back, but it looks more like a snarl than anything, "I'd be so lucky." "Hey!" You yell. "Argue later." They continue to glare at each other. Not that you're that surprised, that's how it's always been between them. It's unusual though, $nName is usually pretty friendly to everyone, and Maddox is one of the most laidback people you've ever met. Their instant hate for one another makes no sense to you, and even to this day, you're still desperate to know what happened between them. "Maddox, what are you doing here?" You pinch the bridge of your nose, and wait for him to turn his attention to you. [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sister?"|8][$mcSibling = "sister"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sibling?"|8][$mcSibling = "sibling"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my brother?"|8][$mcSibling = "brother"]]

It takes a solid thirty seconds of $nName screaming at you for your betrayal, you spluttering out apologies, and the mummy in the coffin doubling over in laughter for you to calm down enough to realise that said 'mummy' was actually your older brother, Maddox. $nName shoots you a look that tells you $nthey won't forget this in a hurry, and then turns on your brother with a vicious glare, "Are you crazy? You almost gave us a heart attack." Maddox grins back, but it looks more like a snarl than anything, "I'd be so lucky." "Hey!" You yell. "Argue later." They continue to glare at each other. Not that you're that surprised, that's how it's always been between them. It's unusual though, $nName is usually pretty friendly to everyone, and Maddox is one of the most laidback people you've ever met. Their instant hate for one another makes no sense to you, and even to this day, you're still desperate to know what happened between them. "Maddox, what are you doing here?" You flap your arms at him, and wait for him to turn his attention to you. [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sister?"|8][$mcSibling = "sister"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my sibling?"|8][$mcSibling = "sibling"]] [[He merely shrugs, "am I not allowed to visit my brother?"|8][$mcSibling = "brother"]]

"Of course you are, but I don't expect you to be in one of the coffins." "It's disrespectful," $nName snaps, and Maddox rolls his eyes. You know that Maddox doesn't actually mean to be disrespectful, he just has a slightly twisted sense of humour that he picked up from your father. He also knows that these particular coffins have never actually housed a body. They were discovered at a site believed to have been an ancient 'funeral home'. A fascinating discovery to be sure, and one that you talked his ear off about. Not that he had seemed bothered, Maddox always seemed to enjoy listening to your stories, he told you it reminds him of your mother. Not that that was important at this point in moment. "You really freaked me out, Maddox, I thought someone had broken into the museum." At that, your brother actually does look chastised. He stands, waving at you and $nName to move out of the way so he can jump out. As he lands he straightens up to his full height. [[Maddox might be tall, but he still has to look up at you [set height as 6'5<]|9][$mcHeight = "very tall"]] [[You're about the same height [set height as 6'0<]|9][$mcHeight = "tall"]] [[He's not much taller than you [set height as 5'9<]|9][$mcHeight = "average"]] [[Maddox is quite a bit taller than you [set height as 5'5<]|9][$mcHeight = "short"]] [[You practically have to crane your neck to look him in the eye [set height as 5'0<]|9][$mcHeight = "very short"]]

''$mcName Teos Menefer Suleiman.'' You feel a twinge of pride at the sight of your name and the generations of men in your family who passed along their love of Egyptian history to you and your brother. Not that the women didn't also have a hand in it. Your mother loved Ancient Egypt and its Gods almost as much as your father did, and when she was alive, she would cuddle up in bed with you, your brother, and your father and tell you magnificent stories of her favourite Gods. Although, she changed a lot of the...//stranger// aspects for the sake of your young ears, some of which would have your father howling in amusement as your mother tried and failed to look annoyed at him. You feel a twinge of sadness at the thought of your parents, and still lost in memories, you stand to gather up your supplies and put away the texts that you had been using, when you hear what sounds like someone knocking on wood. You stop to see if you can discern where the noise is coming from, but there's only silence. You shrug to yourself, figuring you must have knocked something or that it was one of the night guards. Then it comes again. Clearer and more distinct this time. It is the same knocking noise as before, but now you can tell where it is coming from. Only that does nothing to reassure you when said direction is where the coffins and sarcophagi that are not yet out on display are kept. //There's no way...// Knock. Knock. Knock. Considering that you're supposed to be one of the last people here, and anyone who works in that section is already gone, you know for a fact that no one should be in that section. You stand there by your workstation, hands hovering over the texts, peering down the aisles as if you will be able to see through the gloom and identify the source of the knocking. Unfortunately, you have not yet been blessed by the Gods with the ability to see in the dark and it occurs to you that you might actually have to go and investigate. Because as stupid as that might sound, if someone has gotten into the restricted section of the museum, that could mean that they're here to steal or destroy the artefacts, and you refuse to allow that to happen. You hesitate for a beat, and then manage to take a step forward. Once you've taken the first step, you find that it's much easier to put one foot in front of the other, and allow your feet to carry you to the start of the aisle. That's as far as you get though, before your mind kicks back into gear and brings you to a halt. Should you go and get someone else? Or perhaps you should at least arm yourself? A heavy book would probably do nicely or even your letter open- "You look like you've seen a ghost." You just about jump out of your skin and, with your heart slamming against your ribcage, you spin around on the balls of your feet only to come face-to-face with a startled looking curator. You feel some of the tension in you uncoil at the welcome sight and let loose a sigh of relief, it's just... *[[your best friend, Nakia Hassan.|4][$nName = "Nakia"; $nNickname = "lordling"; $nGender = "man"; $nthey = "he"; $nthem = "him"; $ntheir = "his"; $ntheirs = "his"; $nthemself = "himself"]] *[[your best friend, Nubia Hassan.|4][$nName = "Nubia"; $nNickname = "princess"; $nGender = "woman"; $nthey = "she"; $nthem = "her"; $ntheir = "her"; $ntheirs = "hers"; $nthemself = "herself"]]

"If you thought someone had broken in, why didn't you go and get one of the night guards to assist you?" Is he serious? //He// scares you half to death and then has the audacity to turn it around on you. Typical older brother mentality, you're sure. The look you level him with must speak volumes because he loses the overprotective attitude and adopts a more bashful stance, "what I mean to say is I'm sorry for upsetting you, you know that I was only trying to freak $nNickname out." $nName scowls at the use of the nickname that Maddox had christened $nthem with, and you can't help but smile a little at the cheeky grin that Maddox sports. You quickly school it back into something more neutral when $nName looks at you, but you can tell from the devious little sparkle in your brother's eye that he caught it. Before he can rat you out, you ask again. "What are you doing here, <<cycle "$madsNickname" autoselect>> <<option "Mads">> <<option "Maddie">> <</cycle>>? Aside from trying to scare $nName that is." His eyes instantly light up in a way that only ever means trouble, and you tense in preparation for his next words. "I found something that I thought you might be interested in," he tilts his head towards $nName. "You too, $nNickname." $nName immediately looks suspicious. [[You can't help but feel suspicious as well.|10]] [[You suddenly feel far too excited to be suspicious.|10]] [[You plan to withhold judgement for now.|10]]

$madsNickname just grins at the looks on your faces, and pulls what appears to be some sort of golden puzzle box out of his pocket. "I present to you, the key to Sekhmet's Temple and the rumoured final resting place of Hathor's sacred necklace." Silence. Thick, awkward silence. "Excuse me?" You and $nName both blurt out. $madsNickname chuckles, far too cheerful for the situation, "watch." He twists the puzzle this way and that, before pressing hard on the middle. It springs open, revealing a flat piece of gold about the size of Maddox's palm. You lean forward to get a closer look and see that the surface is covered in beautiful, intricately carved hieroglyphics. The most prominent one that you can see reading 'Sekhmet'. "That's hardly proof that it has anything to do with Sekhmet's temple." "While I hate to agree with Maddox about anything-" $nName starts. "Thanks, $nNickname." "I swear I've seen that before." $nName says nothing else to indicate what $nthey might mean and instead sweeps out of the room and heads back towards your workstations. You and $madsNickname blink at each other before following quickly after $nthem. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "11">><</button>></span>

You come to a stop by your desk to find that you weren't quick enough, and $nName has already ducked into another room. You decide to wait for $nthem to come back to you, rather than running around after $nthem, which would likely end in Maddox getting his head bitten off for distracting $nthem. Instead, you turn back to your brother, observing him for any differences that jump out at you from the last time you saw him a few months ago. His hair is still the same honey shade of brown that it's always been, whereas yours is... <<listbox "$hairColour" autoselect>> <<option "the same actually" "honey brown">> <<option "black">> <<option "dark brown">> <<option "light brown">> <<option "dark blond">> <<option "golden blond">> <<option "auburn">> <<option "ginger">> <<option "white">> <<option "grey">> <</listbox>> The texture of his hair is the same as yours... <<listbox "$hairType" autoselect>> <<option "straight">> <<option "wavy">> <<option "curly">> <<option "coiled">> <<option "afro">> <</listbox>> But where his is shaved into a buzzcut, yours is... <<listbox "$hairLength" autoselect>> <<option "also a buzzcut" "buzzcut">> <<option "above your ears">> <<option "chin-length">> <<option "shoulder-length">> <<option "chest-length">> <<option "waist-length">> <<option "hip-length">> <</listbox>> And you keep your hair styled... <<listbox "$hairStyle" autoselect>> <<option "natural">> <<option "in braids">> <<option "in a ponytail">> <<option "in a braid">> <<option "in puffs">> <<option "in twists">> <<option "straightened">> <<option "curled">> <</listbox>> <span class="next"><<button "Next" "11.1">><</button>></span>

You snap back into focus on the now, only to see that Maddox has swiped the bowl of grapes that you were snacking on as you worked. $madsNickname notices your look, and merely smiles at you as he pops one into his mouth. You sigh for what feels like the one hundredth time tonight, and reach over to grab one. A vicious sense of indignation is the main emotion you feel when instead of allowing you to have one of //your// grapes, Maddox turns so his body is blocking the bowl and then proceeds to start shovelling the rest of them into his mouth. "You know something, $madsNickname," your brother pauses in the act of trying to force more grapes into his mouth to look back at you, and you very nearly lose your cool demeanour at the sight of him looking rather like a demented chipmuck. How this man has survived for as long as he has is beyond even your understanding. You mentally shake off your distraction and allow your lips to lift slightly on one side. $madsNickname narrows his eyes at you which doesn't help his image or your urge to laugh. "You should never underestimate an archivist. After all, we preserve papers on the correct way to pull someone's brain out of their nose." That does the trick. $madsNickname chokes on the grapes and sprays them out all over the floor as he near hacks up a lung. Unfortunately for him (or even more unfortunately than his $mcSibling nearly killing him), $nName chooses that precise moment to walk back into the room. <<print $nthey.toUpperFirst()>> stops and stares at your brother in utter disgust. "You're a pig." Unable to talk, Maddox simply makes an obscene gesture with his hand at $nthem. From the look on $nName's face, this is going to dissolve into a full blown argument in mere moments (or as much of an argument as it can be with $madsNickname still half dying - perhaps next time you'll wait until he doesn't have food in his mouth to make such statements) and then you'll never get the answers you want. <span class="next"><<button "What did you find?" "13">><</button>></span>

His eyes are the same <<cycle "$eyeColour" autoselect>> <<option "black">> <<option "brown">> <<option "blue">> <<option "green">> <<option "grey">> <<option "hazel">> <</cycle>>shade as yours. And his skin is a similar shade to yours as well, it's... <<listbox "$skinColour" autoselect>> <<option "black">> <<option "dark brown">> <<option "light brown">> <<option "bronze">> <<option "tawny">> <<option "beige">> <<option "ivory">> <<option "rosy">> <</listbox>> He also appears to be quite slender. Your body type is... <<listbox "$mcbodytype" autoselect>> <<option "Similar to him" "slender">> <<option "chubby">> <<option "fat">> <<option "athletic">> <<option "average">> <<option "lean">> <<option "curvy">> <<option "lanky">> <</listbox>> <span class="next"><<button "Next" "12">><</button>></span>

$nName glares at Maddox, but comes over to stand next to you, handing you a rather large book as $nthey does. You grunt at the weight of it, and place it as carefully as you can down on your desk, trying not to crush any of the texts that you were working on earlier. "Page 758." You open the book, and flick through the pages to find the right one. You know you've found it without even having to look at the number. The same piece of gold is sitting on the page, daring you to deny it as proof of Sekhmet's temple. $madsNickname crows in triumph from behind you where he's been looking over your shoulder, still sounding a little hoarse. You hold up a hand, "If you say 'I told you so', I'll make you regret it." "I wouldn't dream of it." You lean over the book, tuning out the sounds of Maddox and $nName beginning to bicker again. You skim through the text, your trained mind almost automatically translating it and you find that the more you read, the more absorbed you become. Sekhmet has always been a favourite of yours, and your brother and this text seem to be in agreeance that this is actually the key to Sekhmet's temple. [[You feel slightly overwhelmed.|14]] [[You feel hopeful.|14]] [[You feel like screaming your excitement from the rooftops|14]] [[You still feel somewhat sceptical|14]] [[You're not sure what to believe|14]]

"So, what does it say?" $madsNickname inquires. "It says that the hieroglyphs on it detail the location of Sekhmet's Temple." $nName's mouth falls open, "it really is the key." You almost can't believe how quickly $nthey came around to the idea, $nName was notorious for being sceptical about anything like this. It's why $nthey's the one that Aharon unleashes on the National museums of the world. The scathing letters that $nthey writes are the stuff of legend. $madsNickname just looks smug and it kind of makes you want to smack the look off his face. "Well then, baby $mcSibling, looks like we're going on a trip." "As if you're going without me." $nName pipes in. You interrupt whatever Maddox is about to say back, "I haven't even agreed to go yet." Maddox pouts and gives you what you //think// are supposed to be his version of the puppy dog eyes. However, it more looks like his eyeballs are about to pop out of his head. $nName even recoils in horror. It's rather unfortunate then, that you've never really been able to tell your brother 'no'. Even when he had no plan of which to speak of, and whatever he wanted you to do was probably going to leave you either seriously disappointed or dead. "The Professor is going to kill us if we just up and disappear." Maddox cheers at your words, knowing that he's won this round. $nName tilts $ntheir head in thought, "how about we go this weekend, we both have it off for once." It's the best chance you're going to get at doing this trip and not losing your job. Maddox looks like he's about to protest, but seems to think better of it. Which was for the best in your opinion, there was only so much bickering you could deal with between your brother and your best friend. "Okay, that works because I'm going to need some time to translate the key and figure out where we're actually going as well." Maddox's smugness makes way to slyness. Not much of an upgrade in your opinion. "Actually, I know of a couple of people who have already been to the site, we just need to find them." And just like that, everything in your mind screeches to a halt at those words. You knew there was a very important question that you had forgotten to ask. <span class="next"><<button "Where did you get this?" "15">><</button>></span>

"I found it." Immediately you're on alert, suspicion creeping into your mind as you watch your brother. "$madsNickname." He holds fast for all of about twenty seconds before he deflates. "Okay, so I might have borrowed it from said people." "You //stole// it?" You aren't sure why you're so surprised, you know the type of person Maddox can be when there's something shiny involved. "Borrowed, $mcName," he squawks "I distinctly remember saying borrowed." You bury your head in your hands and contemplate what mortal sin you must have committed in your past life to be subjected to this. "So, what makes you think these people that you...//borrowed// the key from, are going to help us?" $nName asks, the disgust in $ntheir voice clear. You raise your head in time to see Maddox shrug, "I figure that they probably want this back to sell on, so we bargain for it." $nName scoffs and you can understand why. You know better than anyone how intelligent your brother is, even if he likes to pretend that he isn't, but this plan is lacklustre at best. However, it's the only one you have. You would have needed to hire guides anyway, and the people who found the key in the first place will likely be the best people for the job. Here's to hoping you can get them to agree. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "16">><</button>></span>

You all agree to meet up tomorrow evening to gather supplies and make a more solid plan for approaching the two people that $madsNickname clearly robbed blind. Then you and $nName quickly place all the texts that you were using away, smuggle your brother out past any night guards, which briefly makes you wonder how he actually got in in the first place, and then lock up behind you. $madsNickname insists on not letting $nName walk home alone, and despite $ntheir protests, you can tell that $nthey actually appreciates it. None of you talk much, all too lost in your own thoughts to come up with a decent topic of conversation, and after waving $nName off, you and Maddox begin the walk back to your family home. You can't help but feel as though there is a lot being left unsaid between you and your brother, but the night is dragging on and so much has happened already. All you want to do at this point is collapse into bed and sleep. After all, tomorrow is a new day. <span class="next"><<button "Chapter Two" "17">><</button>></span>

"But you know, you still haven't told me what had you so spooked earlier." And just like that, the unsettled feeling rushes back. You know you should tell $nthem, but you haven't heard anything since $nName turned up. Maybe it was $nthem making the noise, or maybe $nthey'll just think you're delusional. Before you can make up your mind, however, the noise comes again. Only this time the knocking is accompanied by low groaning sound. You freeze and $nName momentarily stares at you, before $nthey curses, low and harsh under $ntheir breath. "What the fuck was that?" You swallow and shake your head, "I have no idea, I was just talking myself into going to check it out when you turned up." The bewildered look comes back in full force, "please tell me you're joking." Your wince says enough, and $nName twists to look down the aisles. "You're so lucky I love you." "I know." <span class="next"><<button "Next" "6">><</button>></span>

Pushing your earlier anxiety to the side, you relish in the way that $nName's smile fades as $nthey becomes far more interested at staring at your lips. "See something you're interested in?" You tease, your voice taking on a lilting quality. $nName flusters, stepping away from you and swinging $ntheir gaze to the side, and you can't help feeling a sense of satisfaction at having turned the tables on $nthem. "Stop trying to distract me, $mcName, you still haven't told me what had you so spooked earlier." And just like that, the unsettled feeling rushes back, and now you're the one avoiding eye contact. You know you should tell $nthem, but you haven't heard anything since $nName turned up. Maybe it was $nthem making the noise, or maybe $nthey'll just think you're delusional. Before you can make up your mind, however, the noise comes again. Only this time the knocking is accompanied by low groaning sound. You freeze and $nName momentarily stares at you, before $nthey curses, low and harsh under $ntheir breath. "What the fuck was that?" You swallow and shake your head, "I have no idea, I was just talking myself into going to check it out when you turned up." The bewildered look comes back in full force, "please tell me you're joking." Your wince says enough, and $nName twists to look down the aisles. "You're so lucky I love you." You just about stop yourself from commenting, and instead begin mentally preparing yourself once more. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "6">><</button>></span>

Your face and ears feel as though they're on fire, and you clear your throat trying to shift the sudden tightness in your chest. "Are you feeling quite well, you look rather flustered all of a sudden," $nName teases, $ntheir laugh a little throaty. You splutter, denials spilling out of your mouth as $nName just keeps that sweet smile aimed at you. Eventually, you can't bear it any longer and focus your gaze on a nearby book instead. "You're adorable, $mcName, but you still haven't told me what had you so spooked earlier." And just like that, the unsettled feeling rushes back, and you're suddenly glad that you're avoiding eye contact. You know you should tell $nthem, but you haven't heard anything since $nName turned up. Maybe it was $nthem making the noise, or maybe $nthey'll just think you're delusional. Before you can make up your mind, however, the noise comes again. Only this time the knocking is accompanied by low groaning sound. You freeze and $nName momentarily stares at you, before $nthey curses, low and harsh under $ntheir breath. "What the fuck was that?" You swallow and shake your head, "I have no idea, I was just talking myself into going to check it out when you turned up." The bewildered look comes back in full force, "please tell me you're joking." Your wince says enough, and $nName twists to look down the aisles. "You're so lucky I love you." You just about stop yourself from melting into a puddle, and instead begin mentally preparing yourself once more. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "6">><</button>></span>

You aren't really sure what you're feeling right now, but you have a suspicion that it's related to $nName and $ntheir ridiculous smile. "See something you're interested in?" $nName teases, making you aware that you've been staring at $nthem this whole time. You mentally curse at yourself, and plaster a smile on your face, "yes, I was actually wondering how you got that cowlick so perfect." $nName's eyes narrow and you watch as $ntheir hand twitches like $nthey's attempting to stop $nthemself from checking. "Stop trying to distract me, $mcName, I know my hair is perfect and you still haven't told me what had you so spooked earlier." And just like that, the unsettled feeling rushes back. You know you should tell $nthem, but you haven't heard anything since $nName turned up. Maybe it was $nthem making the noise, or maybe $nthey'll just think you're delusional. Before you can make up your mind, however, the noise comes again. Only this time the knocking is accompanied by low groaning sound. You freeze and $nName momentarily stares at you, before $nthey curses, low and harsh under $ntheir breath. "What the fuck was that?" You swallow and shake your head, "I have no idea, I was just talking myself into going to check it out when you turned up." The bewildered look comes back in full force, "please tell me you're joking." Your wince says enough, and $nName twists to look down the aisles. "You're so lucky I love you." You just about shove the butterflies down, and instead begin mentally preparing yourself once more. <span class="next"><<button "Next" "6">><</button>></span>

That's it for now! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed what I have so far. Chapter one and two are more set-up chapters, and then things will start kicking into action in chapter three. At least, that's the current plan. Also I'm aware that the stats don't currently work. Unfortunately, my coding skills are mediocre at best, but I will attempt to fix this and have a patch out in the next few days. Chapter two should be out in December, but please follow me on tumblr for updates! Until next time, Ava <3