Thanks to everyone who's been reading, reviewing, and favouriting!

Well, I don't know about you, but this is a lengthy chapter (don't get me started on the next chapter). Ah, these updates are catching up to where I am now! That means I have to hurry. Anyways, I hope it makes sense.

Sixth Glyph: An Education

"Gebs…I have only heard rumours of their whereabouts," continued Bast.

"Like what?" asked Sphinx, trying to find a small lead.

"I heard from some nomads that they have seen large creatures march in the South and disappear, they say to underground oases, but they thought that perhaps it was a mirage."

"Then we will go there, it's the best we can do."

"But first, I think that…I just believe that we should visit Master, that is all," she shrugged, "He would want to know what is going on. And maybe he can tell us about what goes on in the South."

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea," Sphinx agreed and they walked towards their Master's temple.

…

"Master Imhotep!" cried Bast, hugging her mentor.

Sphinx smiled as her tail waved wildly and her ears twitched with excitement, "We found something of interest. The symbols on the map…"

"Gebs."

Bast turned and looked at Sphinx and her face dropped, "I was to tell him that!"

Sphinx only grinned at Bast and watched her slowly cross her arms and her tail become stiff.

"Well, Anubis told us the Gebs would know," he continued

"Gebs…" nodded Imhotep, "why, they've disappeared quite a while ago. A long time ago."

"I was told they hide in the South. In underground oases," nodded Bast, "But… how could we possibly find an underground oasis?"

"Just like any oasis, find life. Life without water," Imhotep replied.

"Life without water…? We will try, Master," Bast assured, "But please, could we rest here, tonight?"

"Of course, anything for you," the old man smiled. He watched the girl bow with a thank you and ran off, probably to prepare for their journey into the deserts of the South.

Sphinx gave his master a puzzled look he never saw, he knew when he said 'Anything for you,' he really meant it. He supposed his love for them was something to be reckoned with if anyone ever dared to ruin it.

And then Sphinx remembered his time with Bast alone. She really was a strange one, but that was good. She was truly like no other.

He felt his heart pace quicken as he thought about her, and tried to forget it.

"Thank you, Master," said Sphinx before leaving his mentor lonely once more.

…

Imhotep was meditating before he heard the patting of someone's feet. It was either Sphinx or Bast, but he could tell the difference.

"How is she?" he asked, opening his tired eyes.

"Asleep," chuckled Sphinx, thinking about how he saw her sleeping. She was a curled up mess. One of her legs was tucked in tight and the other was stretched out. Her left arm was bent behind her head and one outstretched above her even further.

"Did you prepare for your journey?"

"Of course. She told me she had stored most of the things we need. I'm in charge of our supplies on hand."

"Of course."

"Master, may I ask you something?" Sphinx said in a low tone to not wake anyone up.

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking, and I know you've been thinking it too, but do you think…" he paused, "the thief of Abydos is actually Horus? I haven't pieced together exactly WHY he wants to summon…you know… but I just wanted to ask if you already knew. Did you?"

Imhotep looked into the boy's dark eyes, "Yes," he added guiltily, "I just didn't tell you because I didn't want you to confront him and he would not attempt anything more…drastic. And Bast, she might get the worst of it. It would have been a mess if I had told you from the start. I am sorry."

Sphinx looked at him and had mixed feelings. So Imhotep was hiding things from them like by sending them on a wild goose chase, but it was to protect them.

What could have happened to Bast? More drastic?

These things swam around his thoughts and dispersed almost as quickly as they had come. They were just pieces of the puzzle.

Sphinx could only mutter a thanks before shuffling away, not noticing the green eyes that were reflected in the faint light.

…

That morning Bast avoided eye contact with everyone, even Master Imhotep. She only mumbled her answers if they said anything to her.

"Goodbye," she said to Master Imhotep when they were going to take a portal Imhotep gave them the amulet to.

She didn't look at him, just at her feet as they were swallowed into somewhere else.

Bast and Sphinx were met with an intense light, no doubt the sun and the sands as they were in the middle of the desert at some random portal with only a cover over the god's statue and at the bottom, all made of cool stone.

"Let's go," Bast suggested, stepping out. "Oh," she said again, and quickly muttered something again, this time to summon her staff. Bast began to run it across the ground, just in case there were hidden enemies and Sphinx followed.

"Master Imhotep left us a map. It's a rather rough one, but I think it can probably get us somewhere. There are a lot of oases in this one area nearby, perhaps we can start there," Sphinx explained as they walked.

"Of course," she nodded.

Sphinx watched her as she strolled the desert. Oh! He forgot one thing! He shuffled through the bag he was given by her and pulled out two white scarves. He stopped Bast in the middle of their trek by touching her arm and turned her to face him. She didn't look at him, but watched his hands take the cloth and place it around her, wrapping her like the Bedouins did.

"Thank you," Bast muttered and covered up the rest of her face loosely. The only parts of her face left to bee seen were her cat-like eyes and her nose.

Sphinx shrugged, "No problem," as he wrapped the scarf like Bast's, but didn't cover his face at all, "Well, I'm sure it's that way if the sun is there."

"Of course," Bast replied, shortly.

They struggled onwards and as it reached night, they decided to rest near a rock they found.

Bast and Sphinx puffed as they found the lonesome rock and sat quietly, each on the opposite sides of the rock (It wasn't a very tall or too big of a rock and they were surprised it was even there at all). They were hungry and tired and gross. They knew that much.

"Hungry?" Sphinx asked.

"Yes."

She heard him shift and crawl over to her side. He handed her a dried piece of meat and she ate it as they sat silently.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, trying to get a look at her, but only seeing what the moonlight could give him, but she could see him fully.

"No."

"Well you aren't talking that much."

"Isn't it better that I conserve my energy for the desert?"

"Yes, but you won't- nevermind," Sphinx shrugged, but he knew that she knew what he was thinking.

You won't even look at me.

"Is it a crime not to look at anyone? After all, that's not the worst of it," Bast sneered.

"What? I-"

"I am no child. I am not blind or as naïve as you think, Sphinx," she snapped, "It is not like I haven't been around you or Master Imhotep. I try to know what you talk about. I hate- I hate your secrets. It's just the same as being alone, and I hate that too."

Sphinx looked at her outline and the moonlight giving her eyes a glow. He leaned closer and grabbed her close. He kissed the top of her head. Sphinx thought of how much he and Imhotep depended on her, how much they really missed Horus, their new quest, what he might have already started to feel…

She truly knew nothing at all.