"This dungeon's been pretty interesting so far. We've met god-like beings that live here in this universe, and this temple is actually a tomb too." Hope said.
"You sure have a knack for restating the obvious." Tanya said.
"I know, sorry. But this dungeon is pretty cool. We haven't been to the Desert Universe at all before now, and were learning so much about its locals and history." Hope said.
"Definitely reminds us of the ruins in the Almutah Desert back on Loka." Ajna said. "We had to hit a giant sandworm's tail a few times as we made our way through, that was when Nero started traveling with us for a bit."
Continuing a little further down, they soon entered the next chamber. However lying on the ground was a dog-like creature and a woman with cat-like features as a large hippo was standing over them.
"Wait a second… Are those…" David started.
"Yes… No doubt about it. We would know because we were made in their image… Bastet...and Anubis." Nesma said.
"Looks like they need help with that hippo." Saki said.
"Then let's not waste any time." Ichiro said as the group headed down to give help to Baset and Anubis.
"Hey, Big mouth!" Flamberge said attacking the hippo with her sword, getting its attention away from the two god envoys. "Yeah...come at…" she said as it charged right into her. "Now...for the…" she said, trying to stick her sword in it only to not get in. "Damn, you got some thick skin."
"Nice job, Berge. Now that we got it away, we can get to work." Kareem said as he and Bassam readied their spears.
"Well said, I will not allow our namesakes' images to be sullied. Show no quarter!" Nesma said as she brandished her claws.
"Don't even try it. The things got like thick skin and…" Flamberge said as the hippo opened its mouth and chomped down on Flamberge.
"Berge!" Zan called out.
The hippo seemed content before smoke started pouring from its mouth before it opened as Flamberge jumped out.
"I guess she was a little too spicy for his tastes." Francisca sweatdropped.
"And it exposes a weak spot." Theo said. "If we can't hurt it on the outside...we'll just have to attack the inside of its mouth."
"I can handle that." Nesma said.
"We'll keep him distracted, Lady Nesma. When he opens his mouth, throw a fireball at him." Bassam said.
"Understood. Be careful, the both of you." Nesma said.
"No worries." Theo said. "Hey, big guy! Two possible meals over here!" he said, getting the creature's attention as it charged after Theo and Bassam.
"Oh, this is going to be good." Kareem said.
"Now!" Bassam said.
Nesma charges up a fireball in her hand before she tosses it towards the hippo. As soon as it opened its mouth, the fireball hit inside it as it burst into flames before vanishing in a flash of light.
"Whew… That was pretty rough. I'm glad to see you all are alright." Nesma said.
"Speaking of...what of Anubis and Bastet?" Kareem asked.
"Hmm...they're unconscious but they aren't seriously injured." Chopper said.
"Whew… That's a huge relief." Nesma said.
"Still, it's strange, first a hawk, now a hippo." Dhar said. "Could there be some kind of symbolism to it?"
"Media." Ramona said as she summons Isis and heals Anubis and Bastet.
"It's not symbolism...they're animals that were worshipped in ancient Egypt." Robin said.
"Maybe whoever is the final boss of this dungeon, is using the sacred Animals of Egypt as the dungeon's guardians." Legolia guessed. "We should expect to encounter more on the way down."
"Treating this whole expedition like a game aside, if even those named after Egyptian Gods are struggling against them, then this dungeon keeper is not one to take lightly. For all we know, it could be one of the many pharaohs that were once imprisoned since ancient times." Cheetah said.
"Hmm...that is true. All we can do is make it to the treasure room in hopes of discovering the truth behind this tomb." Sheer said. "Now that I think of it, there's been a powerful energy in the air and it appears to have been growing stronger the closer we get to the treasure room."
"I knew I wasn't the only one sensing it." David said, rubbing Bastet's ears a little bit for comfort. "There seems to be a sort of mystical power holding this place together."
They soon heard a scream further down a hallway. Hearing the scream, the group hurried down the hall to see the four Pokémon along with a small child with bird like wings being attacked by two large cats while a man with a flaming sword, a woman with a spear and scorpion stinger shaped hair and a child wielding powerful light attacks were keeping them at bay.
"Oh crap… Now it's cats. And they're holding all of these guys at bay." David said. "So, how shall we do this? Do we…" he started before seeing Cheetah and Leopardmon charging at the cats. "Hey, wait! …*sigh* Fine… I guess I'll be the third wheel." he said as he drew his sword and ran in.
The two cats jumped back as Cheetah and Leopardmon were on the prowl.
"Seems our backup has finally arrived." Serket said.
"Aw...and just when I was about to banish them." Ra pouted.
"We should be glad for the help." Set said.
"Get the child and Pokèmon to safety. We'll deal with these kitties." Leopardmon said.
"Right." the three of them said as they proceeded out of the room just before the doors shut.
The two cats looked peeved, having just lost their playthings, before they went and pounced on the two cat-like beings.
"Oh, now they're mad." Leopardmon said.
"Quite, but since their attention is off the escapees, we can go all out." Cheetah said.
"Indeed." Leopardmon said.
Both cats looked worried before both Leopardmon and Cheetah slashed through them as the cats quickly vanished in flashes of light.
"Whew… Well, that was quick. You two worked really well together." David said as he sheathed his blade.
"Hmm...if I'm not mistaken...this is possibly the last room before we hit the treasure floor." Leopardmon said.
"Which means the big boss is probably not much farther ahead too. We should probably get going and make sure they're alright." David said.
"One problem...the door they went through is still closed, only the one in the opposite direction is open." Meowth said.
"Seems whoever is in charge has gotten wise to us and don't want us to even try to escape." Ainz said.
"In that case, let's try and find another route." Cheetah said.
They headed down the opposite path as they attempted to find a way out. However, upon entering, they soon found themselves standing in a room filled with a number of vast golden treasures and a number of sarcophagi that list a number of past rulers.
"This place… This is where that mystical power is stemming from." David said.
"Yes...we must be on…" Cheetah said as an old urn was tossed on her. "Hey!" she said looking up to see two small cats as they snickered.
"Wait...those cats...I think they were the ones we just defeated." Leopardmon said.
"Mischievous little buggers." David said. "But...wait, if that's really them, then…" David pondered.
"I would advise against further misconduct against my familiars." a voice called out.
"Huh?" most of them said as the two cats ran across the ceiling before they landed before a throne. A torch was soon lit up as light shined into the treasure room. Upon that throne sat a man. His skin completely dark and his hair a bright white with jewelry and royal cloth worn with pride by this man as he held a wooden staff.
"This aura I'm sensing… So you're the ruler of this place." David said.
"You would be correct to assume that. I am Tutankhamun...ruler of this tomb." the man said as he petted one of the cats.
"Incredible, the youngest pharaoh from long ago." Spade said in awe.
"So all those animals we fought…" Erza said.
"Yes...they were all my familiars." Tutankhamun said, summoning multiple urns, each depicting one of three animals: hawks, hippos and cats.
"I figured something seemed a little peculiar about them. Those weren't any ordinary animals we were fighting." Revali said.
"I sent them out in order to chase away intruders who tried to break in. Of course, it wasn't all that necessary since I control every inch of this tomb, including the paths." Tutankhamun said.
"So no matter where we would go, we'd just end up here?" Pikachu asked.
"Yes. I wanted to see powerful people reach my tomb." Tutankhamun said.
"But...wouldn't those gods have been more…" Kazuma asked before Tutankhamun raised a hand.
"Gods? Do not mock me. I believe in no gods." Tutankhamun said.
"Ah, so I see you're one of those people, hm?" David asked.
"One of those people?" Tutankhamun asked curiously.
"Yeah, the kind that places himself above all others. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doubting your power…" David said. "But even someone like me, whose blade slays gods, can still show respect to them when respect is due."
"Oh...I see now...it seems the fault was mine." Tutankhamun said as he arose from his throne. "Your logic is well thought out...however you misunderstand me. While I believe there are beings powerful enough to be called gods...I do not see them as invincible. They are merely beings that can be brought down and replaced from time to time, just like kings."
"Yes… It is true. Nothing truly lasts forever. Within years, decades, centuries, or even millenia… All things crumble and die out eventually. And new life sprouts in their place." David said.
"Quite right...so...before this place can lose its power...I will have what I have waited for since I reawoke." Tutankhamun said moving past a number of the heroes and sending them flying. "A truly satisfying battle."
"So, that's what you really want, hm? Very well… In that case, we will not hold back, just as you wish." David said.
"Just keep in mind...you will not hold back, correct? If that is the case…" Tutankhamun said summoning a number of his familiars. "Neither will I."