Mellow Town Stories: Ankha's Destiny

by TheFoolOfTheNoon

Time passed since the Immortal Shagaru incident and things have been returning to normal. However, one day another Chosen of the Egyptian god's shows up and inform Ankha of her negligence to her duty to the Goddess who chose her; to set up a place of worship. However, with Aten looking for her, this is impossible, but a new way is revealed to her and she takes it.

20. Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Temple of Water (Part 3)

Author's Note:

Finally this little three part is over, I had to extend it for this long due to the length of the temple itself. Pretty much it isn't something you can contain in one chapter, that would be long and boring. Anyway, the end of this temple adventure is here and well have fun with the epic battle that takes up this chapter. Plus the story driving details that await you towards the end. Read on viewers! This is TheFoolOfTheNoon signing off!

/

Ankha's P.O.V.

I sighed with relief as the rest, meal, and shower refreshed me for the battle ahead. My robes are nice, dry and presentable as I have my staff with me and what knives I have salvaged from the fight with the creatures in the third trial. The singing I heard before seemed to reach pleasant pitch as I neared the large gate that lead to the final trial. With a deep breath, I put my staff near the glyph on the door and slowly it opened and revealed a portal. There was no turning back once I stepped though. Bastet placed her trust in me, and my lovers are waiting for me. I will stand strong, for them and to stop Aten. Without hesitation, I stepped through, letting the glowing light take me as I felt myself being transported to another place. I did not open my eyes as the bright light stung my eyes. I only opened them when I finally came to a full stop.

Opening my eyes, I found myself in what I can call a holy arena. I stood in a circular platform made from marble stone while a large pool of water surrounded me. Covering a fair distance away before a border created by intricately designed stands where many of those creatures I fought sat. The mix of gold and white with aqua blue tapestries pointed me forward as I saw a giant clam shell in front of me. It only took me a moment to realize the singing has ceased since I got here. The fishmen slowly began clapping as if responding to my presence.

Before long a voice spoke out in an echo, "So, you're the one Bastet told me to wait for all these years. I will not lie, I counted each day, every week, every month, and every year that ticked by as I awaited your arrival. Ankha isn't it?"

I stood proud and held my ground, "Yes that is my name, Ankha, the eldest daughter of Jeqmat and Ratah, and eldest sibling of ten total siblings myself included. As you said, chosen of Bastet as well."

"Good good, allow me to introduce myself chosen of cat goddess," trumpets began blaring and lights began focusing onto the clam shells as it slowly opened up to reveal a voluptuous woman dressed in a form fitting gown adorned with feathers and scales. I would have mistaken her for a human if not for her ears, hands, and feet. Sporting fish like qualities beautifully shimmering aquamarine scales. She carried with her a large harp sporting a bird like theme.

The lights continued to follow her until she was standing before me. It was only then I noticed she was taller than me. Most likely being 6'4" while I myself being 5'8" however I did not feel any form of intimidation as she looked down on me. Her seaweed green hair and emerald eyes added to her beauty, but I could feel it hidden away how much power she wields. The lights stopped shining on her as she finally spoke again.

"It's a pleasure seeing you up close, my name is Auditoria, ancient queen of the sirens. Succeeded by my daughter Melodious."

"A siren? So that singing I been hearing, was you?"

"Indeed Ankha, and I must commend you. You seem to be completely unfazed by my singing, and my beauty."

I blinked a couple of times before remembering that sirens can enchant with their singing. Which was an ability I shared, "Yes, I actually share your ability with your kind to enchant people with singing. Though I did not realize I was immune to the effects of a siren's song."

"It would seem that you have developed some godly power on your own without your knowledge. My song and beauty can enchant men and women quite easily. I guess that's why Bastet entrusted me of this domain. Because if anybody entered here without that immunity then they would have easily been bewitched."

"That is actually quite clever, though I have to ask. What is my final trial?"

"Simple my dear, defeat me. I will have you know that I am more than a pretty face."

"I wouldn't doubt it, so shall we get started?"

"Let's," she floated off the ground and glided back until she was a fair distance away from me. The crowd grew wild as she picked a few strings on her harp before opening her wings and letting out a pressure of power not too dissimilar from Nacho, "Now…let the opening act begin."

I put my staff into a battle-ready position as the siren queen strung a few strings before singing. The crowd enjoyed her melodious voice as to my surprise, water began to flow out of the pool outside of the ring and gather into a ball in front of her. I narrowed eyes as I kept my feet light for whatever attack she was planning.

Suddenly, she hit a high pitch in her voice, and it caused a spire of water to shoot out of the ball and nearly impale me. She hit another high and another followed. After that she went into another song and gracefully plucked her strings expertly. With each pull of the string the ball of water reacted by shooting out smaller orbs of water quickly. It honestly took me by surprised that these orbs of water flew at such speed, but after barely dodging a few I quickly realized they followed the same pattern of her harp and singing. The number of strings strung will determined the number being shot at me while her singing affected their speed. The song itself simply effected the pattern they came out as.

I kept dodging as eventually the ball of water ran out and the queen was left without an offense. At least it seemed that way, but I was not stupid enough to rush in. Instead I tested her by casting a fireball spell and launching it at her. As she expected, the siren smirked and with a quick strum caused a wall of water to pop out and snuff out the flame.

"Just as I expected."

"Bastet told me you were a tactical fighter. Looking for opportunities to attack, like an actual predator stalking its prey. Now tell me Bastet's chosen, how do you expect to win this fight?"

"I'll find a way," was all I said as the queen smirked as she resumed her bullet hell by rapidly plucking two strings that fired magic water balls in a machine gun fire rate.

I ran around the ring to avoid the water gun fire. Her aim is strong as she kept aiming ahead of me. Her pitch was at a medium tone and such the bullets came at a normal speed. I never tried dodging gun fire before, mainly because I usually prevented such situations from happening. Granted this is magic water balls, but the idea is the same. I mentally began thinking of a way to get closer and try to make her more vulnerable. With much of my fire magic weakened I can only use them as minor inconveniences.

I fired a few more weak fire balls. Some of them contacting the water wall and a few contacting her water bullets. Steam emitted as the two opposing elements made contact, just showing how fruitless it is just to shoot fire at her. Eventually she ceased her fire and with a long stoke of her harp send out a medium height wave of water. Forcing me to jump over it as the water as it passed by. I thought about my next action carefully, if I can either prevent her from singing or from using her harp then her magical offense can be weakened. Perhaps enough for me to get a solid hit in.

After some quick thoughts I knew which spell might still be useful in this fight. After landing back on the floor I immediately went to work and cast a smoke screen spell. It did not immediately create a giant cloud but instead summoned a stream out of my staff as I was using it as a conduit. The queen said nothing if not gave me a strange look as I used the spell, but it did not stop her from attacking as she sent out crescent waves of water that flew in a vertical path.

She danced around and had multiple being created around her in a pattern the came at various speeds which threaten to throw me off. However, I dodged them the best as I can as now the stream of smoke began covering the arena and allowed me to hide within its cover.

"Hmm…what are you up to you sneaky feline? That smoke screen can't hide you forever, I can easily hit any hiding spot you can be in," She said as she began charging for a power spell.

I can feel her power rising and knew that I had to act fast. Taking out one of the knives I took with me, I aimed carefully and threw it as hard as I can. The knife flew true and as expected the queen on reaction created a water wall to stop it. I smiled as the blade barely slowed down as the knife pierced through the liquid wall and hit my target, her harp.

A sharp twang was heard as the knife cut through a couple of the strings. I heard her shout in surprise as her magic focus was interrupted and that is when I pounced. I rushed out of the smoke and unleashed a fast, graceful, and brutal combo with my staff. Smacking her a couple of times to the body and the head. It was hear I realized that the queen has no martial art skill, she was completely reliant on her magic and after losing focus she becomes vulnerable. After a few more hits, I ended the combo by charging an explosive fire spell that exploded after hitting her body one last time.

"Got you!" I shouted as she got sent flying back.

"Oooh! Argh…I did not think you would have kept one of those knives…clever. Aiming for my harp, so I assume now you think you figured me out."

"To be fair, even if I didn't bring these knives, I would have found away to hit that harp one way or another."

"I see, don't think it would be easier to get another hit in next time," She slowly got back up and began moving her arms in a smooth wave like motion not too dissimilar to water, "Besides, it takes more than destroying the instrument to stop a performance."

She raised her melodic voice as she spread her arms, causing water to shoot from the pool a light rain shower fell on the arena. It cleared away the smoke screen but most importantly it coated the arena with water. I was in danger as her singing became intense, like she was singing at an opera or with an orchestra. With each wave of her arms as she raised her voice the water shot up in a roaring torrent of a pillar. Each high in her singing would create another pillar and she would push them around the ring.

There was no way for me to stop those pillars, so I was forced to avoid them. I could not use another smoke screen as the rain fall would snuff it out. Making things worse was that the bare marble became slippery. So, I had to switch out my staff for my khopeshes to help me steer across the ground as I try to skate across the slippery floor. This movement made it tricky to avoid her attacks as she eventually created four pillars and left them in the ring as she began attacking me by firing more water bullets. Without her harp, she could only fire one at a time, but she can still control their speed.

I thought I can still dodge them if I kept mobile, but the queen took me by surprise as when the bullet came close to me. In that moment, she suddenly sang at a high pitch and the bullet exploded next to me. The blast knocked me off course and nearly thrown me into one of the twirling pillars if I had not used my khopeshes on the floor to stop me. Of course, I had no time to rest as I quickly got out of the way of more water bullets came my way. Using my weapons as leverage I pushed myself off the ground and spun around to get momentum to move across the slippery floor. However, this gets me no closer to beating her and I am quite sure she can keep this singing up longer than even me.

I spent a few more minutes sliding around, taking hits, and barely avoiding the water torrents. The longer this battle keeps up the higher the chance I am going to lose. I need to fight back somehow. I cannot reach her as the terrain has been soaked in addition that I have nothing to jump off from to reach her. Throwing weapons is out of the question as she would be expecting it now. I need to take her by surprise again, but I have nothing except…the magic telekinesis. I have been training that small spell, but would it be enough?

I decided to take the risk and waited for her next volley of water bullets. I slid around as I saw my chance, I reach out my arm and activated the spell. I frankly nearly lost my grip on the water ball as it was still water even with magic using it as a projectile. I don't know how, I managed to maintain my grip on it and with a hard push sent it back at her.

Yet, she immediately dispelled it as she quickly saw it coming. Causing to explode like a water balloon, "My my, resorting to using my own attacks against me? You must really be in a corner if you started using those tactics. Allow me to ramp up the pressure," she then summons more water pillars and completely boxed me in.

I growled under my breath as I had to think of a new plan. I thought back to what else I had in my arsenal and another spell came to mind. Immolation, I been using it to dry myself off, but if I put enough mana into it then I would be able to make a powerful enough heat to create steam. This is going to take a lot of mana, but I am out of choices. I took a calm breath and immediately started channeling my mana into my body. It took more to complete the spell due to conditions, but I was able to do and covered my body in fire. It was not as intense, but the fire was strong enough to evaporate the water around me and create steam.

The steam was building up and began to cloud my position in the small area I could move in. The humidity, while good for my complexion was also turned the air light and limited my breathing.

"This again? You know I can just blast the entire space, right?"

I know, that is why I am waiting for. I gathered my focus on my spell to grab the steamy mist surrounding me. I gathered some into ball and chose my moment as I saw her build up to a large dangerous spell. However, that was what I was counting on. I used more magic to keep the ball of steam compacted even in the rain before I tossed it at her with all my might. Due to the lightness of the ball, it flew fast, faster than she can react as it crashed into her head, interrupting her spell. The water she was building up landed on her and knocked her down to the ground, causing all other spells she was casting to cease.

The ring was free once more as the pillars splashed down and the rain stopped. I stopped the spell I placed on myself to avoid burning too much mana as I slid on over to the prone form of the siren queen. I knew she was going to get back up so I immediately casted the smoke screen spell, once I was close enough, into her face. She coughed and wheezed as I backed off and watched as she slowly got back up. Coughing and wheezing from the smoke she inhaled she shot me a dirty look as she gathered some water and took a drink to clear out her throat.

"Ahh…*hack!* That was completely unnecessary you know?" I gave a smirk as her voice sounded raspy and did not sound beautiful at all anymore.

"No, but I doubt you will be singing for a while with that voice."

"Ah! Oh you sneaky little…*cough* so that's what you been doing!"

"Yeah, no harp and no voice. I cut down your magical power down to a more manageable level."

"I see…*hack* I admire your ingenuity. Creating a steam ball to *cough* throw at me…you surprised me. You may be worthy yet…but still I got one trick left!"

I raised a brow as she dived into the water. I dare not get close as I kept my senses open in case she tried to jump out of the water. However, I was wrong, I felt a huge surge of mana erupt from the water as a large clawed hand reached out of the water along with another. They both grabbed hold of the arena as a large beast pulled itself out of the water. The first thing I came face to face with is a bird like face that seemed to be a mix of human and bird visage. The clawed hands were part of a pair of large glittery scale like wings. In the light they looked like flowing water and as I gazed upon the rest of her body, I saw a fish tail not too dissimilar from a mermaid. It was like all the depictions of a siren mixed with an added monstrous twist.

"Ahh…been a while since I taken this form. I would hardly call this a beastly form as I am still beautiful in a different way. However, this is when things become a bit less…graceful…but you gotten this far chosen of Bastet. Think of a way out of this!" She gave a roar that sounded like a mix of an eagle and a crocodile's call.

I could not help but smile as I readied my Khopeshes as I remember my time with Nacho and Isabelle back in the monster hunter world. This is going to be intense, "Audiotoria, I had plenty of experience fighting large beasts. Let me show you what I learned."

I launched myself forward on the ring, using the slippery floor to my advantage as the monstrous siren tried to slam a claw on me. I easily slid past her and left a long gash across her body before turning around and latching onto her with my swords. She was surprised by the sudden action and the spikes of pain as I stabbed at her. In response, she leapt back into the water with me on her. Frankly, that was the smartest thing she can do as now I was forced to hold on and hold my breath.

Unfortunately, this pool has no bottom. Looking down I can see that there was nothing but an infinite abyss in the water. So, if she were to dive, I have to let go or else the pressure would crush me and or there would be too much distance from the surface. I cursed in my head as I let go from the monster and swam to the surface. However, before I can reach the surface, I felt something take hold of me in the water. A magic aura causing the water around me to grab my arms and legs and preventing me from swimming away.

Because of this I was helpless as the siren came barreling towards me. Head butting me out of the water before leaping out and smacking me back into the arena with her tail. My vision blurred from the impact as I slowly got up to recover.

"Consider that a warning chosen, next time you fall in the water I am going to drown you and end this fight easily."

"Argh…fair enough," so mounting her is risky business. Just means I can't stay for very long, but I am still at a disadvantage as I don't know what she can do in this form. All I know for now is I can't fall into the water.

I dusted myself off a bit before taking a stance as the battle resumed as she dove back into the water. Her body constantly breaching and diving as I tried to anticipate her next move. Without warning the remaining water on the arena around me shot up like spikes. Some of the spikes impaled my arm and leg, but I managed to avoid the worst as I hissed in pain. However, that was not the end of the attack. As she breached the water with her mouth held open, firing a high-pressured water blast. As much as I wanted to avoid the attack, I could as the spikes held me in place.

I could brace myself as the impact drilled into me and knocked me backwards. I knew the blast would knock me into the water again if I did not act fast, so I had to step it up. Within the seconds as I was being pushed, I activated Hyper Mode. I felt my legs gain strength and allowed me enough time ground myself and jump out of the way.

The siren stopped her attack as she saw me leapt out of it and raised an eye before diving back into the water. Quickly I used the fireball spell to dry up a small area in the arena, so I do not get impaled by spikes again. I looked at the crimson energy emitting from my legs and realized it has been a while since I used this ability. Now my entire legs would be able to dish out more force if I charge the attacks for them. Hopefully, this will be enough of an edge to help me in this fight, but if not then I still got Apex mode as a fallback plan.

I readied my weapons as I waited for her to breach again. Eventually she did but not for awfully long as she only stayed long enough to leave an orb of water behind before diving back in. I looked at it in confusion as suddenly a line of water popped out of it before finally shooting out a high-pressure stream. I reacted in time but only to see another small stream being aimed at me. That is when I was forced dodge numerous high-pressured streams in a row.

Things were getting aggravating for me as she kept going back into the water. I need to flush her out. I need to make the water uninhabitable for her. Thinking back to my current repertoire of spells most of them would not work because the fire magic would be too weak to boil the water at an effective speed. Unless…

"Idea!" I said with a smile as I began running around the ring. Casting my accelerant spell, I learned quite quickly during practice that the spell, while unusable in water still worked as the accelerant floated to the surface like oil. Not as much as I would have liked came out, but if I spread it enough then she would be forced to fight on land.

As I did this, she sent more attacks my way. Forcing me to dodge and stop the spell occasionally, the mana drain was a pain, but I should have enough for what I am going to pull off. After avoiding more attacks, I was able to complete my plan.

I stopped my casting and waited for her to rear her head again. No doubt she got some of the accelerant on herself which was just a bonus for me. Eventually she poked her head out again and charged another high-pressure water blast, but I smiled. Gathering enough mana, I fired a fireball into the water. It died quickly as it submerged itself however the accelerant on the surface immediately caught fire and spread all over the surface of the pool. The siren was taken by surprised and immediately fail to cast her spell as she leapt from the water in shock and began floundering around as I dove in to attack.

Viciously I render her feathers, scales, and flesh on her back before charging a kick towards her head. The energy on my leg crackled and sparked as it hit full power and I punted her head. It did not cause her to fly, but the impact moved her entire body to the side and dazed her. I went to work on her feathered arms. Shredding them up before I charged a stomp and smashed my foot on her arm. There was a satisfying crack as I broke her arm which caused her to scream out in pain.

She immediately rolled up right but could not steady herself thanks to her broken arm. She looked at me, with an angry look, "Never did I thought there can be somebody who can fight with graceful agility and savage power. You really do fight like a predator, despite the limitations you found ways to overcome me with your element," She looked at me, herself and the arena which is currently set ablaze, "I hate to admit it, but I submit defeat. Ankha, chosen of Bastet, you have proven yourself ready and worthy of receiving your goddesses' gift in this temple."

She reverted to her more human looking form, nursing her arm before snapping her finger which caused rain to fall. Snuffing out the flames and eventually pushing the accelerant away.

"Uh…are you going to be okay?" I said pointing to her arm.

"It will be fine, just bathing in the arcane springs and it should heal up. Funny how you are concerned now, after systematically taking me apart during that fight. My voice is going to be hoarse for a bit and my harp is going to need some repairs."

"Oh uh…right, so which way to the gift?"

"Follow me, I can unlock the way."

She opened a hidden path within the pool of water, and she beckoned me to follow her. I did so as we walk through a secret tunnel. The stone walls were lined with Egyptian markings glowing with magic power. The further down the tunnel we went, the stronger the magical presence was. After possibly a ten-minute walk, we came across a door. I did not get a food look at it before she opened it and we entered a large chamber. I was astonished to see not only a life-sized statue of Bastet but also a large crystal flowing with water mana energy.

To my surprise, the statue's glowed and began moving. It looked at us both before smiling and speaking.

"Well done Ankha, my chosen. It heartens me to see that you have overcome all your trials in this temple. Audiotoria…thank you for sticking with me for this, for that you have my gratitude."

"To be fair, you lived up to your end of the bargain by giving my race a place in the world. I just have to repay that honesty."

I was surprised by that revelation, but the two would just pass the topic as Bastet returned to the topic at hand.

"Ankha, I bet you are wondering what I plan to give you as your reward for this trial."

"Yes, I am, knowing you, you reward effort and skill greatly."

"You know I do," she moved to the side and presented the crystal, "Ankha come up here and touch the crystal, for my main gift to you is the ability to use water magic, to gain water mana affinity."

"Water mana? Is that really possible for me? My affinity is fire."

"Under normal circumstances, it would be dangerous for a magic user to try and gain another affinity that is the opposite of their born one. As the two would fight and may destroy the body, but you are not any normal magic user. Not to mention, you earned the right to gain a new affinity, as approval can only be gained by the crystal's guardian. In this case, Audiotoria."

The siren smiled at me, "And I gave my approval, so go chosen of Bastet. Take what is yours."

I was speechless, stunned even, but I kept my composure as I walked up the crystal. Its magic energies flowing like water. Determined, I placed my hand on the crystal and immediately I felt its energies flowing into me. I felt something being added to my magic, like something was unlocking a locked door in my body for the first time. My first thought was Nacho and Isabelle, wondering if this is how it felt for them when their mana got unlocked for them. It was only after a solid minute I felt the energy flow stop.

I pulled my hand away and nearly stumbled, but thankfully Bastet kept me steady as I took in the experience the flowing of two separate mana affinities in my body. They first clashed with each other for a few seconds before calming and melding into one. The experience was an odd one but I was glad it was over with.

"Whew…but this means I can use water magic, right?"

"Indeed, but not right away. You still need to train using magic and it will not be that easy. Though compared to others that managed to pull this off, you will have a somewhat easier time."

"Well that's disappointing, but understandable."

"That's not the only thing you get chosen of Bastet. I have a few gifts for you as well in one package," she gathered mana in her unbroken hand and gestured me to turn around. I did and I felt her hand touch my back, touching my ankh marking. It was then she began to speak in an ancient tongue, ancient Egyptian.

("The Beauty and The Beast, whose power is great. Earned the respect of a siren queen and thus receive her blessing. May your voice be strong, your beauty untouchable, the waters will no longer slow you. From here I stand as queen, give you access to this plane and to wield me as an extra limb. Chosen of Bastet, Ankha, I give to thee the Blessing of the Sirens!)

I felt a great power surge into my ankh and by extension some of it jump out and touched my pendent as well. Eventually the energy stopped, and I took a deep breath as I looked to Audiotoria and gave her a respectful bow, "I am honored to have receive a blessing from you. Ancient Queen of the Sirens."

"You earned it; I also added an extra outfit into your pendent. A nice new change of clothes that will help you out. You can switch between them with your pendent, feel free to try it now."

"Thanks," I touched my pendent and it glowed with a light and covered me for a moment before dissipating and revealing my new outfit. A scaly blue robe lined with feathers in the accents, it covered my body like a gown, leaving open slits for my legs while being bound at my wait with a fashionable belt. There were no sleeves but a fashionable boa that draped around my neck along with a masquerade mask that has a small beak protrusion. It reminds of those singing divas you would see in Hollywood in the older days or some club singers. The entire theme in general is an oceanic siren.

"Perfect, you are an honorary siren with that raiment. Also, I shall give you this," she handed me a small water drop shaped crystal. One boring her insignia.

"What is this?"

"It's a summon crystal, you can use this to call on me for aid whenever you need it. I have plenty of time to give so I do not mind. Just keep in mind this crystal take a day to charge up again, so I can only be called upon once a day. But you can use it to open a door to my dimension here. Your blessing from me allows you to do that. Hmm…that should be everything."

"I don't know what to say, I am grateful you entrusted me with such power. I promise I shall use it responsibly."

"That is all I ask from you Ankha."

"Now that you have been properly rewarded. Ankha, it is about time you are told about your destiny."

Hearing this from Bastet took my full attention. I looked at her as a serious expression took hold on her face. She gathered magic into her hands and erected a large image that seems to be of an ancient tablet. On that tablet showed images in my ancient writing, one of them talking about a savage beast, the other is the death of a god and the last showing the rise of darkness, a great evil.

"Bastet, what is this?"

"Ankha, my child, my chosen, this is the prophecy of the next Ragnarök."

"Ragnarök? You mean that same incident that wiped out the Norse Pantheon?"

"The same…unfortunately…this time it won't be as contained as last time. The Norse gods and goddesses, though their way of life different from our own they did prevent the original Ragnarök from spreading across the globe. Their final battle in the event was key to prevent it from getting worse. However, sometime after I discovered this tablet in my temple. It was created on what used to be a blank slate of stone. It was a warning and I did show it to the other gods. Father and some of the others did not take me seriously when I showed them. Saying there is no way another Ragnarök can happen. That it was a Norse only event."

"But that wasn't the case was it?"

"No, it was not. Something was trying to warn us that the event that devastated the Norse is going to happen to us, on a grander scale. I only managed to convince a handful of my brothers and sisters about the event. You and your lover Nacho met them already. Anubis, Thoth, Sekhmet are some of the few. Osiris, Isis, and Set are others who are aware of the threat. As a result, we when we decided on our chosen to grant them more of our godly power. However how we went about this was different. For you Ankha, I chose you when you were still developing inside your pregnant mother. That gave me the most freedom to alter you into what you are today, a perfect vessel for godly power. In hopes that you should be able to prevent Ragnarök with this new capacity. I did this behind my father's back, as all chosen should be granted equal power with none greater than another. However, here you are today."

"Wait…so I am so supposed to be stronger than other chosen? I don't feel like it," I said as I look to myself then remember all the spells I learned and the power ups I just got recently, "Unless…"

"Your assumption is right Ankha, your great power has to be earned. There is a reason why your magic prowess allows you to learn spells faster, a reason why the godly abilities you developed are powerful. It was caused by your unique birth and while you may feel weaker than other chosen, your potential is far greater than them. You may eventually surpass me before even becoming a full god."

"Wow…" I looked at my hands before returning my attention to her, "So I was born this way to stop Ragnarök?"

"Yes, what you read behind me are actually the triggers that would signal the start of Ragnarök. The first being the awakening of The Beast of Calamity, a creature of great power that can wipe away civilizations. The second is the death of a god, this one is time sensitive as the death of a god must happen during the short period of a few days before it does not count as a trigger. Lastly, is the rise of a great evil, this one is vague as it does not tell what kind of evil. As long one of these triggers can be prevented then Ragnarök will not come, but only one of these triggers when stopped will prevent the terrible event entirely, the awakening of the beast."

"So, I just need to stop the beast from awakening then Ragnarök will never come. Since it has not awakened yet then we have the advantage."

"If only it were that simple Ankha. I read the prophecy and it is vague about the beast and its location. For one, the beast is not in one place rather it is a person. They have been unfortunate enough to be doomed to become a monster they cannot control. They are unaware of this destiny and what makes it worse is it could have been anybody you met or known. Strangers, acquaintances, friends, family, and even your lovers. I pray to my father that it isn't the latter three."

Hearing that sent a shiver down my spine. The thought Nacho or Isabelle could be this beast sickens me to my core. It would the universe's cruelest joke, "Bastet…I hope too it isn't the case either. Please…tell me all about the beast you know, any signs or anything!"

"There is only a vague telling in the prophecy of the beast. It is said that the beast is a result from the folly of the gods. Something we may caused by our own hands, by our own meddling. However, I do not know what it could be, I fear that I may have set those events in motion or somebody from our pantheon did. However, what I do know Ankha, that the beast needs to be prevented from being awakened. Do whatever you can to stop it, be sealing it or killing it I do not care. It must be stopped to save not just our world, but all worlds connected to our own."

"I will, still this is loose information to go on. Are there really no other details you can tell me?"

"Just what I could find from the vague text and art alone. Its vague but the beast shrouds itself in darkness and command many other beasts of various sizes and strengths. It favors not one side but the one that benefits itself. It will attack mortals and gods all the same, for only one word describes it; Godslayer."

"That's ominous… hmm…I wonder if some of those traits are seen on the person themselves?"

"Perhaps, its all I have for you. Hopefully, you will find the beast before they can awaken, I will monitor you closely while doing my own search for any possible suspects. Have your lovers and any allies help you out if possible."

"I will, I won't let you down my goddess," I gave her a respectful bow.

"I know you won't, I have faith in you," Bastet stopped possessing the statue and it became lifeless once more. While the thought of killing somebody, who can become a monster of great power before they are aware of it is a bit unappealing to me. However, if it comes to that then I will for the sake of the world.

This is my destiny and I won't waver.