SPHINX: The Series
Quest for an Adventure
A long gilded boat drifted along the river Nile. The sky was bright, and the balmy atmosphere brought new hope to the people of Egypt; their future was secure, and it was all thanks to the two young heroes traveling in that very boat.
On one side of the boat sat a quiet young demigod, perhaps no more than 17 years of age. His leather clothing had been torn and stained from his many battles, though it blended well with his suntanned skin and the lion-like tail gently swaying back and forth. A brown satchel hung lightly over one shoulder, and a rather menacing blade dangled at his side. A black and gold headdress adorned his head, contrasting with the bold features of his face. Surely, this was the face of a hero!
Alongside him, however, sat his exact opposite. It was a mummy, and a lanky one at that. His bandages were as weathered as his companion's clothes were, but from very different incidents. A bright blue pectoral and matching arm-cuffs hinted his royal lineage. Apart from the one eye that poked through the head bandages, not much else seemed peculiar about him.
A tall figure approached them- another demigod, this one more likened to a humanlike baboon. He wore a long distinctive robe, hinting his mystical occupation. "Sphinx," he addressed the young man, "you haven't spoken in quite some time. Would you care to enlighten us?"
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx turned to the elder gentleman. "I don't know, Master Imhotep," he admitted. "I guess… I didn't expect it to be over so soon."
The Mummy rolled his eyes. "Speak for yourself," he snapped. "It's far from over for me!"
"Patience, young Prince Tutankhamun," Imhotep advised. "You will have your mortality soon enough."
A small smile crossed Sphinx's face as he leaned against the side of the boat. So much had happened to him- all the people he met, the places he went, the things he discovered. Although he was glad the whole ordeal was over, he still missed the thrill of adventure.
Glancing over his shoulder, the Mummy noticed Sphinx's odd expression. "What are you so happy about?" he inquired.
Again, Sphinx grinned slightly. "Nothing," he answered. "I've just been thinking about everything that's happened."
Needless to say, Tut was not exactly touched. "Sure," he murmured, "while you were out having the greatest adventure of your life, do you know what happened to me?? I was electrocuted, set on fire, flattened, turned into a bat, smoked, and sliced into three pieces, and all for what?!"
A smirk crossed Sphinx's face. "You should be grateful," he said smugly. "Imhotep did offer to help, and you wouldn't have gotten anywhere without either of us."
Suddenly, another high-pitched voice interrupted their conversation. "Hey, what about me??" it yipped.
Both Sphinx and the Mummy frowned, turning their heads to see a small basket creature. In fact, it was a basket- except, it had been possessed by a mystical spirit. A pair of eyeballs poked out from underneath the top, glaring at the two as it waddled forward. "I was practically your messenger boy," it growled. "Don't I get a little credit??"
The young demigod and the undead prince glanced at each other and smirked; Sphinx raised his foot and rested it gently atop the basket. "Relax, Bas-Ket," he muttered. "We know we couldn't have done it without you."
Bas-Ket let out a low growl; needless to say, he didn't like being used as a footstool.
It was then that the barge came to a halt. They had reached their destination- Sun Shrine Island. The main attraction (in fact, the only attraction on such a small island) was the large building before them- the temple of Imhotep.
The elder demigod smiled as he, his apprentice Sphinx, the Mummy Tut, and their companion Bas-Ket went ashore. "Ah, it is good to be home," he sighed, turning to his apprentice. "Sphinx, perhaps you would like to come inside and rest awhile?"
After a moment of thought, Sphinx shook his head. "No, that's okay," he replied. "There are a few people I'd like to visit, though."
Imhotep nodded. "Well, in that case," he responded, "should you visit Khenti and Ketta, send them my highest regards."
As Imhotep sauntered into the temple, the Mummy glanced at Sphinx. "Khenti? Ketta?" he inquired. "Who are they?"
Quickly, Bas-Ket intervened. "Khenti and Ketta Amenti are nomads, and they're also good friends of Imhotep," he explained. "Sphinx helped them out during his journey, and in return they agreed to help whenever they could."
Sphinx nodded. "They did help me find the lost crown of Abydos," he continued, turning to face the opposite island, "so I can at least drop in and tell them what's happened."
The mummy prince gazed upwards and smirked a little. "Something tells me they already know," he murmured. "They sky is so bright, you can see the stars past the morning sky." He then noticed that Sphinx had wandered away, towards the canal. "Hey- where are you going??"
The young demigod cocked his eyebrows. "I'm going to see Khenti and Ketta," he answered. "They're right across the canal from here. Why?"
For a moment, the Mummy stuttered in uncertainty. "Look, I just want to come with you," he finally said. "It's not like I have anything better to do anyway."
Smiling, Sphinx waded further into the water. "Okay, sure," he agreed. "Come on- let's go."
While Sphinx swam further into the deep waters, the Mummy could only wave from the shoreline. "Wait!" he cried. "I can't swim!"
Although not surprised, Sphinx was quite puzzled with the notion. He thought for a moment, finally coming up with an idea…
-------------------------------------------
A moment later, Sphinx was back in the water, swimming to the opposite shore. However, there was one slight difference- namely, the basket strapped to his back.
"How much longer??" Bas-Ket whined. "The prince here is taking up a lot of space! I can hardly breathe!"
Another voice- this one, from the Mummy- escaped the basket as well. "Neither can I!" he gasped.
The lion-like demigod rolled his eyes. "First of all, neither of you have to breathe anyway- Prince, you're dead, and Bas-Ket, you're not technically alive to begin with," he pointed out. "Second, would you two stop whining already?! I already have Spinefish to worry about!"
Bas-Ket squirmed beneath the ropes. "Well, it was your idea!" he growled.
It was then that Sphinx noticed a large spiny fish; with a sly grin, he veered off-course. "Say, there's one," he hissed. "Let's get in close, shall we?"
Both Bas-Ket and the Mummy got a good look at the Spinefish- it was huge, and none too pleased. They screamed in horror at the sight.
Sphinx smirked. "I thought so," he remarked, quickly swimming away from the giant fish. "On to the mainland!"
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Finally, the demigod and his companions arrived at the opposite shore, known to the locals as South Beach. It was quite the relaxing vacation spot, so long as travelers were careful of the Spinefish that inhabited the waters.
Not too far off from the beach was a small house, nestled amidst the towering canyon walls. An anthropomorphic hyena dressed in demure clothing sat outside the house, busying away with a work of pottery. He hummed a quiet tune to himself, looking up from his work to see an old friend. "Sphinx?"
Smiling, Sphinx approached the nomad. "Khenti," he addressed. "How are things? Have you and Ketta been all right? No monster problems, I hope."
Khenti shook Sphinx's hand and glanced over the boy's shoulder. "Erm, Sphinx," he murmured, "you… might want to look behind you. There's a few m- m- mon- monsters!"
Although puzzled at first, Sphinx laughed when he suddenly realized what the nomad was talking about. "Oh, don't worry, Khenti," he assured. "Those two are just my companions." He turned around and gestured to the Mummy and Bas-Ket. "Come on over- I want you to meet someone."
The enchanted basket slowly stepped back. "No thanks," he responded. "Somehow, I don't entirely trust that guy."
Of course, the undead Prince Tut was just as naïve as he was when he was still alive. "Coming," he said, walking up to the demigod and his nomad friend. "So, this is Khenti?"
"The one and only," Sphinx answered, pointing out Khenti's building anxiety. "He's not exactly one of the calmest folks around here."
Bas-Ket waddled up next to the Mummy, sensing that it was safe to approach. "Really?" he snapped caustically. "You know, I could hardly tell."
Fortunately for them, Sphinx noticed Khenti as he reached for a nearby broom. "Don't even think about it," he warned. "Bas-Ket and the Mummy are completely harmless- they want nothing with you or Ketta."
Surprised, Khenti chuckled nervously. "Of course," he replied, moving away from the broom. "I knew that. I was just… going to… um, clean up a little?"
Miffed, Bas-Ket approached Khenti. "Oh, yeah?" he remarked. "This coming from a guy that could squish me like a bug??"
Upon hearing that remark, Khenti smirked and raised his foot; however, Sphinx dove to the ground and stopped him at the ankle. "Khenti, stop!" he barked. "They mean no physical harm!"
It was then that another anthro hyena approached them- this one female, and a very attractive one at that. "Khenti," she addressed, "what is going on here?" She then noticed the young demigod in their presence. "Sphinx! How wonderful it is to see you!"
Suddenly, Sphinx found himself swept up in the arms of the nomad's wife as she embraced him tightly. "It's good to see you too, Ketta," he gasped, gently pushing away from her. "I brought a few friends with me- I hope you don't mind."
Glancing over Sphinx's shoulder, Ketta approached the two odd fellows. "Oh," she murmured, "and who might you be?"
Amazed with Ketta's gorgeous figure and equally flattering attire, Bas-Ket whistled sharply. "She's a looker, all right!" he squeaked.
Ketta smiled. "You must be Bas-Ket," she responded, turning to the Mummy, "and if I'm not mistaken, you are Prince Tutankhamun. It certainly is a pleasure to meet you."
The Mummy stuttered, smiling awkwardly. "Hi," he said, blushing slightly.
Sphinx rolled his eyes. "Oh, for the love of Ra," he muttered, turning his attention back to the Amentis. "Look, as much as we'd like to stay, there are other people I have to visit."
"Of course," Ketta responded. "Where are you headed off to next?"
The demigod shrugged. "Abydos, I guess," he replied. "I'd like to donate a few monsters to the museum."
Nodding, Ketta took something from her pocket- a small leather bag. "While you're there," she pressed, "why don't you have this looked at? Inside is a jewel my husband found at the bazaar, but it looks far too rich for our trade routes. That fellow at the museum might be interested in this."
Intrigued, Sphinx took the pouch and placed it in his satchel. "I'll make sure of it," he assured as he and his companions turned to leave. "Goodbye Khenti, Ketta!"
Bas-Ket hobbled over, next to Sphinx. "Off to Abydos!" he chimed.
The mention of that city somehow disturbed the Mummy. "Abydos?" he queried. "That's pretty far, isn't it?"
Dubious, Sphinx turned to the Mummy, cocking his eyebrows. "Yes," he answered. "Is that a problem?"
Prince Tut swept his hand towards the water. "Do you think I'm going to be stuffed back into that basket while you swim for Ra knows how long??" he questioned, crossing his arms and turning away. "No! There is no way you are making me do that again!"
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx grabbed the Mummy by the shoulder and pointed to a nearby dock; a small barge awaited departure for the next town. "We're taking a boat," he said rather bluntly.
As Sphinx and Bas-Ket approached the barge, the Mummy stood back for a moment. "Now, why didn't I think of that?" he muttered, following them onto the dock…
A few hours later, the demigod and his companions arrived in Abydos- a beautiful seaside Egyptian town. It was a cultural getaway, home to a grand museum and other world-renown attractions. Apart from the electric eels inhabiting the surrounding waters, it truly was a paradise.
Sphinx strode casually through the streets, while keeping a close eye on the Mummy and Bas-Ket. He had noticed that people were starting to stare- whether it was him or the walking mummy (or even the enchanted basket) that drew their attention he had no clue. However, he knew better than to call attention to it.
Despite the gathering number of spectators, the undead prince was only slightly hindered. He never liked crowds in the first place, but then again he had grown used to it. Coming out of his own comfort zone, he occasionally waved to some of the passers-by.
This soon caught Sphinx's eye. "Prince, don't do that," he hissed. "You're only drawing attention to yourself."
The Mummy shrugged. "It's the polite thing to do," he reasoned.
Apparently not amused, Sphinx rolled his eyes. This is the last time he comes out in public with me, he thought, or anyone for that matter…
------------------------------------------------
At last, the trio finally made it to the Abydos museum. The size and grandeur of the place attracted thousands of visitors, but often they stayed for the wonderful exhibits, most of which had been provided by one generous donator in particular…
"Sphinx, you've outdone yourself," Bas-Ket commented, looking up at all the magnificent creatures on display. "Do you really need to donate any more? It's hard to imagine there are any animals left in Egypt!"
Before Sphinx could reply, the Mummy had once again caught his eye. The undead prince had wandered off again; thankfully, he hadn't gone too far. He stood at the opposite end of the hall, admiring the huge preserved cadaver of a Giant Green Worm- a vicious creature with a bite as nasty as its temperament.
As Sphinx turned around to go back for the Mummy, an anthro jackal mother and her pup stopped to look at the very same exhibit. "Mommy," said the young child, pointing to Prince Tut, "look at the mummy!"
Quickly, the mother grabbed her child's hand. "Don't do that, honey," she scolded. "It's rude to point."
It was then that the Mummy's curiosity got the better of him. He leaned forward to get a better look at the creature's mouth when suddenly, the jaws slammed shut over his upper body. Panicked, he kicked and screamed wildly, trying to break free of the creature's mouth.
The jackal pup laughed. "Funny mummy!" she squealed.
Of course, the jackal mother couldn't help but chuckle a little. "How clever," she murmured as she and her child moved on to the next exhibit. "These exhibits keep getting more and more interesting each time I visit."
Sphinx smirked. Although a bit shocked, he wasn't surprised; he had always suspected that Prince Tut was a bit clumsy, but this proved it.
A soft, feathered hand touched the demigod's shoulder. "Sphinx?" a male voice inquired. "Is that you?"
Glancing over his shoulder, Sphinx turned about and shook the hand of a tall anthro ibis, dressed in regal attire worn only by notable scholars. "Tehuti," he greeted. "It's good to see you again."
"Nice to see you, too," Tehuti replied, peering at the satchel Sphinx carried over his arm. "Have you any specimens for me today?"
The demigod nodded, handing him two "capture beetles"- each one containing a single monster. "One Almost-A-Bull, and one Cyclops," he reported. "I think they'll make excellent additions."
Tehuti nodded, taking the capture beetles. "Excellent," he remarked. "You have no idea how much both Aquila and I appreciate your help in restoring our wonderful museum."
Suddenly, Sphinx remembered something. "Speaking of Aquila, I have something for him to look at," he informed, taking out the small leather bag. "It's a rare jewel a friend of mine found in the Heliopolis bazaar."
Curious, Tehuti took a quick look inside the bag. "Oh, my!" he commented. "This does indeed look rare." He closed up the bag, giving it back to Sphinx. "Aquila is in the back, analyzing some of the other recovered jewels. I'm sure he'll be quite pleased with this find."
With a quick nod, Sphinx turned back around and sauntered off. He needed to show this new discovery of his to Aquila immediately.
Soon, another familiar voice spoke up. "Um, Sphinx," Bas-Ket said, striding next to the young demigod, "haven't you forgotten something?"
Confused, Sphinx stopped, giving Bas-Ket an odd glance. "What do you mean by that?" he questioned. "I haven't forgotten anything."
A sudden scream alerted Sphinx. Quickly, he turned his head to see the poor Mummy, still stuck in the mouth of the Giant Green Worm. Apparently, all that kicking and screaming hadn't freed him yet.
Sighing heavily, Sphinx ran back over to the anthro ibis. "Tehuti!" he called out. "I have one more favor!"
The avian curator turned about. "Yes, what is it?" he inquired.
Sphinx jerked his thumb towards his distressed companion. "Somehow, my friend seems to have been devoured by one of the exhibits," he explained. "Do you think you can help him out?"
The anthro ibis rolled his eyes. "Come with me," he muttered, walking over to a lever next to the exhibit. "You wouldn't believe how many times it's happened before."
Once Tehuti pulled the lever, the beast's mouth opened and the Mummy tumbled out. "Ooh, my head," he groaned. "What happened?"
"You were caught in the jaws of a Giant Green Worm," Tehuti answered. "Unusual creatures, really- their reflexes are still very much intact long after they're dead. There is a way to disable those reflexes, but it would mean having the lower jaw fall off, and we like to keep our exhibits in one piece."
The Mummy rose to his feet, standing uneasily. "That really hurt," he complained. "There ought to be warning signs on these exhibits."
Cocking his eyebrows, Sphinx pointed to a small sign right next to the Giant Green Worm exhibit:
WARNING
This exhibit has unusual qualities that may cause unnatural movement. Please do not stand too close to the cadaver, as these unnatural movements may cause severe injuries. Thank you.
-Abydos Museum, Natural History Department
Tehuti frowned a little. "Thankfully, the worst case we've had was only a minor neck wound," he informed. "However, we aren't taking chances. The new security department should arrive in a few days."
Irritated, Sphinx took the Mummy by his hand and dragged him out of the nature wing of the museum. "Let's go, Prince," he murmured. "I have to see a man about a rare jewel…"
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Meanwhile, in a huge dimly lit room at the opposite end of the museum, an anthro eagle sat at his work-desk. Like his associate, he too wore a modestly exquisite suit, signifying his position in the museum. Using a special eyeglass, he carefully analyzed what seemed to be a rare jewel. He muttered to himself, making careful notations of his findings.
It was then that Sphinx, the Mummy, and Bas-Ket made their entrance. "Aquila," the demigod addressed. "I have something for you."
Of course, Aquila was still busied in his work. "In a moment," he muttered. "I'm working on something."
While Sphinx made himself comfortable in the corner of the room, Bas-Ket and the Mummy wandered about, taking in all the gorgeous jewels surrounding them. "Wow," the enchanted basket commented. "You would have to be a god to afford all this!"
"That's why the museum doesn't own many of the jewels," Aquila responded. "Most of them are on long-term loans from local deities, the pharaoh, and even other museums."
Once again, the Mummy became quite curious with his surroundings. He often found himself gazing at some of the more exquisite of jewels, captivated by their beauty. He reached out and took one down from the shelf, fingering it curiously and glancing at his reflection in the jewel.
Sphinx soon saw this and gave the Mummy a cold glare. "Don't even think about it," he snapped. "Some of those jewels are very fragile, and they're all irreplaceable."
Discouraged, the Mummy placed the jewel back on the shelf. "You know, you don't give me enough credit," he informed. "I might be undead, and maybe a little clumsy-"
"That's an understatement," Sphinx interrupted.
Although angered, the Mummy continued with his rant. "In any case," he said, "I'm still the young boy-king I once was, and what do you treat me like??"
The demigod sighed, giving the undead prince a sidelong look. "Pardon my short temper, Prince," he replied, almost halfheartedly. "I just prefer working alone; I can only put up with so much nonsense in one day."
The Mummy seated himself beside Sphinx, putting his hand of his shoulder. "Well, that's just your luck," he remarked, adding a small grin. "It looks like you and I are going to be together for quite a while."
Before either one could say anything, a loud scream alerted them- Aquila had jumped out of his seat in shock. Large, colorful shards lay on the table; it used to be a priceless jewel. "No!" he cried. "The Jewel of Thebes! It's ruined! Oh, the whole city will be after my tail-end for this!"
Bas-Ket sat atop the table beside the shards, blushing. "Oops," he squeaked. "Sorry about that, Aquila. I didn't mean to scare you like that."
Needless to say, this did little to calm Aquila's nerves. "Oh, Ra!" he exclaimed. "What am I going to do??"
Quickly, the Mummy rushed over. "It's okay," he responded, gathering up the pieces. "I can fix this. After all the times I've broken precious valuables, I know how to repair them too."
The anthro eagle calmed down somewhat, and after taking a moment to catch his breath he turned to Sphinx. "What can I do for you?" he inquired.
Taking the small pouch out of his satchel, Sphinx handed the intriguing artifact to Aquila. "One of my friends found this in a bazaar," he explained. "His wife gave this to me- she said it was too rich for their trade routes."
Carefully, Aquila took the jewel out of the pouch- it was a large egg-shaped sapphire, with a gilded gold base that formed around it to form a jackal's head (with two small rubies for eyes). "My, this is rare," he commented, using his special eyeglass to get a closer look at the details. "This is the Jewel of Anubis."
Of course, Sphinx was a little perplexed by this (after all, the jewel was found in Heliopolis, and Anubis was the local deity). "Okay," he said uneasily.
"Once more," Aquila continued, "I don't believe this jewel has been out of Anubis' shrine in ages." He glanced at Sphinx and cocked his eyebrows. "Most likely, this friend of yours bought it from a thief."
The demigod shook his head. "Khenti," he groaned. "Alright- maybe I should take the jewel back to Anubis. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to have it back."
Aquila, however, held fast to the jewel. "I wouldn't be so sure," he responded. "If this jewel was stolen before, it could be at risk of being taken again. It would be better if the museum held onto it."
Just the same, Sphinx had his own doubts. "Are you sure?" he queried. "What about what happened-"
Suddenly, Aquila became very defensive. "That's all in the past," he assured. "Besides, I'm sure Tehuti has already told you about the new security system we're looking into."
Although still unsure, Sphinx nodded in agreement. "Alright," he said, "if you're sure." He turned to his companions and gestured to the door. "Let's go- we need to get back."
After having fiddled with the jewel for quite some time, the Mummy finally had all of the pieces reassembled. "There!" he exclaimed, presenting his fine artwork. "Done!"
However, the jewel quickly slipped through the Mummy's hand bandages, crashing to the floor. Now the jewel had been broken into more pieces than before; it seemed almost beyond repair!
Embarrassed (and a tad afraid), the undead prince chuckled nervously. "Well," he squeaked, glancing at Aquila, "it's the thought that counts, right?"
Aquila's temper rose dramatically; his face was flushed, hid feathers fluffed, and his eyes burned with a deep hatred. "Out, out, out!" he screamed.
Quickly, Sphinx grabbed Bas-Ket from off the table and took the Mummy's hand. He sprinted out of the jewel corridor and ran outside…
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Once the demigod and his companions were finally outside the museum, they stopped for a moment. Sphinx leaned against a nearby pillar and caught his breath, giving the Mummy a sidelong look. "Well," he gasped, "I hope you're happy."
Of course, the Mummy did what he could to justify himself. "Come on!" he whined. "I'm sorry- I really am!"
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx got his bearings and turned to the Mummy. "Prince, 'sorry' won't put a priceless jewel back together," he spat. "Besides, we should be leaving anyway. I have a few more places to go before returning back to Sun Shrine Island."
It was then that a new voice interrupted their conversation. "Sphinx!" a feminine voice shrilled. "Sphinx! Oh, it is simply wonderful to see you!"
Perplexed, Sphinx turned about to see a tall anthro ibis woman, wearing a long decorative dress with a matching diadem. She seemed to be well advanced in years, but it fit her persona perfectly. "Mayet," he greeted with a small smile. "So good to see you… again."
The ibis woman approached Sphinx, greeting him with a warm embrace. "It certainly is," she agreed, letting go of him. "How are you these days? I do hope you've been taking care of yourself."
Sphinx nodded accordingly. "Yes, Mayet," he answered. "In fact, I-"
Before he could continue, Mayet pulled Sphinx forward and carefully examined him. "You do seem healthy," she murmured, then gasping in shock. "My word- you're nothing but skin and bones! You can't be eating well!"
The demigod chuckled nervously. "Mayet, I'm fine," he assured. "What I was going to say was-"
"Oh, and just look at this!" Mayet cried, noting the scars on Sphinx's arm. "We'll need to have that taken care of."
Now Sphinx was becoming impatient. "Really, Mayet," he insisted, "I'm fine!"
Needless to say, Mayet was more concerned with the young hero's health. "You have a little something on your chin," she whispered, taking out a handkerchief. "Here, let me get that for you-"
Suddenly, Mayet was quickly interrupted by Sphinx. "Mayet!" he screamed, gently pushing away. "I'm fine."
Although shocked for a moment, Mayet understood. "I'm sorry, Sphinx," she apologized. "It's just… oh, I worry about you."
The Mummy looked over at Sphinx, giving him a confused glance. "Who's she?" he inquired.
Sighing, Sphinx approached the ibis woman. "This is Mayet," he began, patting her on the shoulder. "When I first arrived in Abydos, she showed me around and helped me out. Ever since then, she has been kind enough to take me in whenever I visit."
Mayet blushed slightly. "Oh, honestly!" she chimed. "You flatter me!"
Bas-Ket, however, was still quite puzzled. "You sure she's a stranger?" he queried. "She sounds more like your grandmother to me."
A smirk crossed Sphinx's face. "You have to forgive her," he whispered. "It's part of her personality- she's a very loving old lady." He sighed and added, "It's a shame she has no kids or grand-kids to spoil rotten."
The enchanted basket chuckled lightly. "So you thought you'd come in and fill that void?" he joked.
Laughing, Sphinx shook his head. "Not exactly," he admitted. "Actually, she kind of forced me into it."
Surprised, Mayet gave Sphinx a quick slap on the wrist. "Oh, stop it!" she said sternly. "You were hungry, hurt, and tired; I wasn't about to let you continue on your little quest in that condition!"
Sphinx rolled his eyes. Here we go again, he thought.
"I don't care how strong you are," Mayet continued in her scolding. "You're still a growing boy that needs proper care."
Perplexed, the Mummy glanced at Bas-Ket. "Proper care?" he repeated. "What is he- a guy or an animal?"
With a heavy sigh, Bas-Ket replied, "You know, it keeps getting harder to tell the difference."
Of course, Sphinx wasn't oblivious to the side conversation; he slowly raised his foot and pressed down firmly on Bas-Ket's head, just enough to keep him from going anywhere. "Well, we'd love to stay, Mayet," he assured, "but we really have to get back- Imhotep is waiting for us back home."
The ibis lady nodded. "Of course," she answered, gently embracing Sphinx. "You take care of yourself now. Don't forget that you and your little friends can visit me here anytime."
The demigod smiled, waving good-bye as he and the undead prince sauntered off, followed closely by the squat little basket. They were done in Abydos; they needed to return to Heliopolis to pay a visit to a few more friends…
Later on in the afternoon, a small barge docked near the once cursed palace of Heliopolis. Due to recent events, the area had been abandoned for the most part. However, there were a few inhabitants still left. In fact, two of them lived quite close to the palace.
Once the boat had been secured, Sphinx strode onto the dock. "Next stop," he murmured, "the farmers."
Upon hearing this, the Mummy rolled his eyes. "Now, that's great," he complained as he and Bas-Ket followed Sphinx. "You said you had important errands to run!"
"I never said that," Sphinx corrected, almost crossly. "I said I needed to visit a few people. They have helped us both along the journey, and they all deserve to hear about my progress." He gave the Mummy a sidelong look, adding, "Besides, these farmers found one of your Canopic Jars in their fields; you should be grateful."
The Mummy groaned in frustration. "You keep saying that!" he cried, following Sphinx into the farmers' field. "You're the one with all the close friends and acquaintances. What do I have to be thankful for??"
Quickly, Sphinx hushed Prince Tut. "I think I hear something," he murmured, peering into a steep patch of dirt. "Hapi? Is that you in there?"
A mangy old anthro mutt poked his head out of the ground, glancing up at Sphinx. "Hey!" he piped up, slightly muffled by his lack of teeth. "You're the young whippersnapper who dun saved our farm!"
Sphinx smiled awkwardly. "Yeah," he replied, "it's me. Any chance that your brother's around?"
Hapi nodded, hopping out of his hole in the ground. He took a moment to brush off all of the dirt and mud from his humble attire before looking up again. "Sure, he is," he answered, turning to the farmhouse. "Hey- Suti!"
Another similar voice responded to the call. "Yeah?"
"That young whippersnapper's here!"
"What?"
"It's Sphinx- the fella who dun saved our farm!"
"Who?"
"Sphinx!"
"Well, what does he want??"
"I dunno! I'll ask him!"
Confused, the Mummy turned to Sphinx. "How come they're yelling?" he asked.
The demigod gestured at his pointed ears. "Suti and Hapi are loosing their hearing," he explained. "Just one of the many things people tend to loose with age."
It was then that a taller mangy old anthro mutt sauntered outside, leaning slightly on his worn walking stick. He was older, but still very much like his brother. They even wore similar clothes!
The younger of the two siblings turned to Sphinx and his companions. "So, what're you up to?" he inquired.
With a heavy sigh, Sphinx shrugged. "Not much these days," he admitted. "I'm sure you've heard the big news."
Suti nodded. "You betcha," he confirmed, rolling his eyes. "Mr. High-and-Mighty made a proclamation about the whole thing. Surprised he hasn't raised taxes yet!"
Sphinx shook his head. "You know, guys," he muttered, "maybe it's time you forgave Anubis. Sure, he made a couple mistakes- could you really blame him?"
Needless to say, Suti was none too happy about this. "Blame him? Blame him??" he snapped. "Of course we blame him! He imprisoned my brother, he ruined our farmland, and he… he…" He scratched his head and thought for a moment. "…I forget what I was yelling about."
Chuckling lightly, Bas-Ket leaned in towards the Mummy. "That's another thing that tends to go with age," he whispered.
Though amused, Sphinx had other things on his mind. "As much as we'd like to stay," he commented, "my friends and I need to be moving along."
Hapi smiled and nodded. "Well then, you better get going," he remarked. "Dun wanna keep them folks waiting."
As Sphinx and his companions walked off, Suti joined his younger brother in waving good-bye. "So long, fellas!" he called out. "Y'all come back now, you hear!"
Bas-Ket waddled up next to Sphinx, giving him an odd glance. "Now where to, our trusty navigator?"
"The Bedouin Outpost," Sphinx replied. "I have one last person to pay a visit to before we head for home…"
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After having trudged along the South Desert of Heliopolis, the unusual trio finally made it to a relatively small camp settled near the beach. A few tents were set up, along with a makeshift sentry tower and a dock. A small population of people actually lived there, although quite a lot of folks passed through the area.
A warm smile crossed Sphinx's face. "The Bedouin Outpost," he murmured.
The Mummy brushed past Sphinx and took a closer look at the place. "Nice little place," he complimented. "I wonder why I haven't heard of it."
Bas-Ket followed the demigod as he sauntered over to a nearby tent. "Probably because it's a small settlement," he responded. "Still, local travelers know it very well because of it's convenient location; some of your servants have probably come across it a few times."
Nodding, the Mummy followed Sphinx into the tent, with Bas-Ket close behind. "So, who are we here to see, anyway?" the undead prince asked.
It was then that a loud female voice called out- a clear and vibrant shrilling. It came from the mouth of a pleasantly plump anthro hyena, dressed in colorful garbs usually associated with healers. She danced about in a circle, banging her small tambourine as a badly hurt fellow stood before her.
Of all the new, odd, and exciting things the Mummy had seen that day, this had to be the craziest he'd seen yet. "Sphinx," he muttered warily, "please tell me that she's not out of her mind."
Sphinx cocked his eyebrows in disbelief. "What?" he questioned. "You've never seen a healing ritual?"
Perplexed, the Mummy shrugged. "My brother and I hardly ever got sick," he admitted. "Even then, our mother brought in the finest doctors, and none of them ever did something quite like this."
The anthro hyena soon quieted down, approaching her customer in an average fashion. "Done," she said, holding out her hand. "That will be 50 scarabs."
The man reached into his pocket, pulling out a handful of coins shaped like scarabs. "That should cover it," he commented, adding a smile. "Thank you again, ma'am. This is just what I needed after a long trek through the desert, especially with all those monsters out there."
Smiling, the anthro hyena dropped the scarabs into her pocket and showed her customer the door. "You take care of yourself now," she advised as the young man left. "Good-bye!" She turned about, and her eyes lit up the moment she saw Sphinx. "Ooh, child- good to see you around!"
A laugh escaped him as Sphinx embraced his festive friend. "Shetta," he addressed, "how are you? It looks like business has picked up."
"Indeed, it has!" Shetta cried. "Word about your victory has spread like a plague of locusts. Now that people know you've been coming here for your healings, business has been better than ever!"
The demigod grinned. "I bet it has," he remarked.
Just the same, the Mummy was still a tad confused. "So, you're a healer?" he inquired. "How good are you?"
Shetta laughed heartily, having not yet seen the Mummy. "Ooh, very good…" she answered, when suddenly her eyes fell upon the undead prince, "… but not that good- honey, you need a sorcerer."
Sphinx nodded. "That's exactly what he's getting," he informed. "If Imhotep can find another way to restore the prince to his human form-"
Quickly Shetta, wide-eyed in disbelief, interrupted Sphinx. "Prince?? Prince Tutankhamun?!" she gasped, kneeling in reverence. "Your Highness, I had no idea! Forgive me!"
The Mummy smirked. "Well, it's nice to have a little respect," he muttered, giving Sphinx a sidelong look before gesturing to Shetta. "You may stand."
Standing, Shetta approached the Mummy, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I don't know if there's anything I can do for you, Prince," she admitted, "but if I find anything that might help, I'll let you know."
Touched, the Mummy smiled awkwardly. "Thanks," he murmured.
With a light sigh, Sphinx turned towards the tent flap. "Well, we'd better get going," he said. "Imhotep is waiting for us."
The anthro hyena, however, had other ideas. "Are you sure you can't stay just a while longer?" she queried. "After everything that's happened, don't you think you deserve a free healing?"
Though it was a kind and generous offer, Sphinx knew better than that. "You're just looking for more publicity, aren't you?" he questioned.
Cocking her eyebrows, Shetta gave Sphinx a dubious look. "Honey, that ain't none of your business," she snapped.
The demigod rolled his eyes. "Fine," he agreed. "One healing session…"
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On the barge sailing back to Sun Shrine Island, Sphinx laid back on one of the benches. The Mummy sat opposite the demigod, admiring the riverbanks and the golden sunset. Bas-Ket made himself comfortable in the corner of the boat, snoozing after all the trudging about they had done.
Sphinx opened his eyes, quietly studying the undead prince. He looked unusually upset; sure, he had complained somewhat over the course of their journey, but this time he seemed… sad.
The Mummy sighed. "Hello, Sphinx," he muttered. "Awake already?"
A smirk crossed Sphinx's face as he sat up, leaning against the side of the boat. "I wasn't really that tired anyway," he replied. "Besides, I couldn't help but notice… well, you look upset."
For a moment, the Mummy remained silent. He couldn't possibly expect Sphinx to understand what had happened to him. "I don't know," he whined, slouching over the side. "It's just… you know so many people, Sphinx, and they all care about you."
Needless to say, this was a tad confusing to the demigod. "Yes," he answered warily, "… and… you're upset about this?"
"I'm not!" spat the undead prince. "It's just…" He sighed heavily. "Everyone I ever knew or cared about thinks I'm dead. My brother must be absolutely devastated… and Nefertiti- my fiancée!"
Shaking his head, Sphinx stood and approached the Mummy. "Listen," he began, sitting beside him, "don't get so worked up aboutit. You'll be back to your old self in no time." He turned away and leaned over the boat. "That said, leave me to worry about my own problems. No disrespect, Prince, but I've had just about enough of your curiousity for one day."
This did little to deter the Mummy. "Are you upset about something?" he asked, oblivious to the past events.
Irritated, Sphinx groaned. "I already told you," he reminded. "I'm at my best when I'm alone. Having you follow me around feels like I'm your baby-sitter."
The Mummy cocked his eyebrows. "So, you're a loner," he commented, rolling his eyes. "I can't understand why you have so many friends."
Sphinx shook his head. "Those people you met are more along the lines of… acquaintances," he corrected. "I've only had one friend in my life- we did a lot together. We even started our training at the same time, and went on missions as a team." He sighed in dismay. "Of course, those days are long gone, and now we're mortal enemies."
Intrigued, the Mummy stared at Sphinx. "Who?" he inquired.
At that moment, the barge had reached a familiar place. "Sun Shrine Island!" the boat captain announced. "All ashore that's going ashore!"
As Sphinx and the Mummy departed the boat, a tall figure approached them. He was about the same age as Sphinx, and wore dark black and violet clothing with golden arm and leg guards. A small hood contrasted against his most notable feature- a hawk's head. "Sphinx," he addressed coolly, "it's so nice to see you again."
The demigod sneered in disgust. "Horus," he spat.
Surprised, the Mummy approached the two 'friends'. "You two know each other?" he queried.
Horus chuckled. "Know each other??" he repeated, grabbing the Mummy by the shoulder. "Prince… we have only been friends and cohorts since before we could walk! We're practically related!" He gave the demigod a sidelong look. "Isn't that right, Sphinx?"
Still miffed about their past rivalry, Sphinx snorted. "I wouldn't go that far," he muttered.
Looking over his comrade's shoulder, Horus laughed. "Ah, Sphinx," he remarked, "did you… forget something?"
It was then that an alarming cry shot out from the distance. "Sphinx!" Bas-Ket cried out from the boat, now some distance from the shore. "Sphinx! I'm stuck on the boat, Sphinx! Help!!"
A heavy sigh escaped Sphinx as he turned from Horus and the Mummy, approaching the dock. "I'll be back," he murmured, diving into the water.
The anthro hawk leaned aside, whispering in the Mummy's ear. "Between you and me, I think he has a jealousy problem," he hissed. "Being a full deity, I possess more power and skill than Sphinx could ever hope for. Since we started our training, he just isn't able to accept the fact that I'm better than him."
A smirk crossed the Mummy's face, as he had come up with a brilliant idea. "So," he began, looking Horus straight in the eye, "if you're so much better than he is, why did you go to Set for help?"
Shocked, Horus stepped back. "How… how did you know that??" he gasped.
"I have my ways," the Mummy simply answered.
In his growing fury, Horus grabbed the Mummy's shoulder once more, this time digging his claws into the linen wraps. "Congratulations, Prince Tutankhamun," he growled. "You've just lost one good friend, and gained a far worse enemy."
As Horus stormed off, the Mummy grinned in satisfactory. "I pity the poor half-wit that has him for a good friend," he commented.
Suddenly, a voice from behind interrupted his moment of glory. "Prince?"
Turning around, the Mummy noticed Sphinx, with Bas-Ket standing beside him. The demigod was wet from head to toe, and his face showed confusion. "Why did you do that?" he questioned.
The undead prince shrugged. "You were being insulted, so I thought I'd do you a favor," he replied. "I believe it was one of my own scholars who once said, 'tact is for those who aren't witty enough to be sarcastic'."
Sphinx smirked. "You know, Prince," he remarked, "I'm starting to like you."
The Mummy smiled sheepishly. "So… does that mean we can be friends?" he inquired.
After a moment of thought, Sphinx stared at the Mummy. "Sure," he said with a heavy sigh, "why not?"
With a wide smile, the Mummy extended his arm for a handshake. Perhaps things weren't so bad for him after all.
The demigod accepted his newfound companion's gesture of friendship, then gestured to the temple. "Come on," he muttered, "let's get inside. Maybe Imhotep found something that might help you…"
----------------------------------------
As Sphinx and the Mummy headed into the main corridor of the temple, Bas-Ket trotted ahead of them. "Imhotep!" he called out. "We're back!"
The elder sorcerer entered the room, carrying a large book of assorted books. "Ah, Sphinx, Prince Tutankhamun," he addressed, setting the book aside, "I see your short expedition went well."
"I guess," Sphinx commented with a shrug. "Nothing unusual- just paying my respects to old friends."
It was then that Imhotep remembered something. "Oh, that reminds me," he noted, turning to the Mummy. "Prince, I have a surprise for you."
A smile crossed the Mummy's face as he followed Imhotep into the other room. "Oh, what is it??" the undead prince asked excitedly. "Have you found a way to turn me back to my old form?"
At that moment, a feminine figure approached the Mummy. She was about his age, although she appeared more developed than her undead friend. She was a lovely sight indeed- her soft fair skin blended well with her turquoise dress and golden jewelry. Her most notable features, however, were in the gentle features of her alluring face and short auburn hair.
The young woman glanced at the Mummy, unsure of herself. "Tutankhamun?" she queried. "Is that… you?"
The Mummy gasped in disbelief; he recognized that beautiful young woman. "Nefertiti!" he cried.
Nefertiti embraced the undead prince, a small tear escaping her. "I don't believe it," she whispered. "Tutankhamun… I don't understand… how did this happen?"
Imhotep sighed. "A mixture of dark magic and the proper implements," he answered. "Do not dismay, Lady Nefertiti- we will find a way to return the prince to his true form."
As all this was happening, Sphinx had made his way into the small room. "Lady Nefertiti?" he inquired. "What are you doing here?"
Letting go of her fiancé, Nefertiti looked at Sphinx and wiped a tear from her eye. "I came to see my prince," she replied. "Imhotep said that there could be a way to bring him back to life, and that you were nearly there." She gave the Mummy a sidelong look. "Of course, I wasn't aware that the process would take longer than I had hoped for."
The undead prince lowered his head in despair. There was no way she was going to marry him now- not in his condition.
A hand rested on the Mummy's shoulder. "Do not worry, Tutankhamun," she assured. "I will wait for you, even for a thousand years."
Glancing up at Nefertiti, the Mummy smiled weakly. "Really?" he asked. "You… you mean it?"
"Of course," Nefertiti said, kneeling down to his level. "I love you, Tutankhamun; never forget that."
Sphinx rolled his eyes. "Oh, for the love of Ra," he muttered.
It was then that a taller, more manly figure stepped into the room. He wore a regal navy blue outfit, adorned with golden jewelry. Clearly, this was the face of the pharaoh- what was he doing there, of all places? "Imhotep," he snapped, "where is that brother of mine?? You told me he would be here."
Surprised, the Mummy shot a glance over to the pharaoh. "Ahkenaten??" he gasped. "Is it really you?!"
Turning about, Ahkenaten saw the Mummy, gasping in disbelief. "What isthat hideous creature?!" he cried.
The younger demigod sighed and rolled his eyes. "Lord Ahkenaten," he addressed, gesturing to the Mummy, "that hideous creature is your brother."
Shocked, Ahkenaten turned to Imhotep. "Is this true??" he questioned. "Is that really my brother?!"
The anthro baboon sighed heavily and nodded. "I'm afraid so, my Lord," he answered. "The afterlife has left quite a mark on young Prince Tutankhamun. Still, I'm sure there must be some way we can cure him of the predicament he seems to be in."
The Mummy smiled, approaching the pharaoh. "It's so good to see you again, my brother!" he chimed, embracing his elder sibling.
Nervously, Ahkenaten stood motionless for a moment. "Yes," he murmured, gently pushing his brother away, "it is nice to see you as well… Tutankhamun…"
Of course, there was one thing that still concerned the undead prince. "What of your advisor?" he queried.
Ahkenaten scoffed. "Menes?" he commented. "I threw out that old hag right on the spot." He crossed his arms forcefully, muttering to himself, "Lock me in a cold, dark, damp dungeon…"
Anxious, the Mummy turned to Imhotep. "May I go back to Luxor?" he asked. "Please, Imhotep- I have no friends here, and I would so like to return and be among my friends and family. Please??"
With yet another heaved sigh, Imhotep shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Prince," he advised. "Your condition would greatly upset those of your kingdom; it's best that this situation be kept as low-key as possible."
Nefertiti came up beside her fiancé. "Tutankhamun," she said, "this is for the best. Imhotep has been gracious enough to let you stay here with him until you are whole again." She smiled, adding, "Besides, I have arranged it so that I may visit you often."
Although still upset about his predicament, the Mummy was at least happy to hear this. "Thank you," he whispered, hugging Nefertiti.
Sphinx shook his head. "How truly heartwarming," he remarked sarcastically. "I don't know why I'd rather be out on my own than watch this lovely little dinner theater."
"My sentiments exactly," a bold voice from behind him stated.
Quickly, Sphinx turned about to see who it was. A tall dark figure approached him. His attire was similar to that of Horus, only more regal and with shades of black and deep red. The hood was forsaken for a simple headdress, outlining the face of a black jackal.
At that moment, Sphinx knelt down before the figure and laid his sword on the ground. "Lord Anubis," he addressed.
Anubis smirked, gesturing to the young demigod. "Stand," he permitted. "Again, Sphinx, I commend you on your efforts at defeating Set. It was necessary that he be put in his place."
As Sphinx stood, he nodded in agreement. "So, why did you want to see me again?" he inquired. "All the danger is gone and out of the way."
The anthro jackal lowered his head slightly. "Not entirely," he explained. "Set still has ties to the outside world, and these ties need to be eliminated. We cannot take chances at having him gain his power again, and who better than an experienced warrior?"
The young demigod smiled. "I would be honored," he replied.
Looking over Sphinx's shoulder, Anubis noticed the Mummy. "Ah, Prince Tutankhamun," he noted. "I understand that you are still trapped in that form. Have no fear, for I have made sure that other alternatives will be taken."
The Mummy grinned slightly. "I appreciate your concern, Lord Anubis," he assured, glancing at Nefertiti and Ahkenaten. "We all do."
Clearing his throat, Anubis turned back to Sphinx. "Well, I suppose I should give you your first mission," he commented. "Your task is simple- one of my jewels has been stolen, and I need you to retrieve it. The best place to start looking would probably be the Heliopolis bazaar."
Before he could say anything, Sphinx remembered one important detail- he knew of the jewel Anubis spoke of. In fact, it was probably the same jewel he had given to Aquila at the Abydos museum. "The Jewel of Anubis?" he guessed.
The jackal deity raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Yes, that's it!" he commended. "How did you know?"
Taking out his sword, Sphinx turned about and began walking out. "Let's just say I had a hunch," he murmured.
Unnerved, Imhotep followed his apprentice to the doorway. "Sphinx," he addressed, "don't you think you ought to rest before going out again?"
Sphinx turned about, giving everyone within a sour look. "No," he spat, storming outside. "The sooner I find that jewel, the better!"
As Sphinx strode off, Bas-Ket stepped forward. "Oh, boy," he muttered. "Here we go again…"
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THE END
Next Time, on SPHINX: The Series…
Duel of the Demigods
Horus challenges Sphinx to a hands-on duel- winner takes the Blade of Osiris. Who will come out the champion??
See you next time!
