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

I know my time between updates is stretching, but that's because I'm getting VERY, VERY, VERY close to where I am now. I'm updating because I'm close to finishing the newest chapter. The next glyph is a MONSTER, so beware! I hope you know I'm working really hard on this story because it's my favourite and I have tons of papers with me just planning what to do. Hopefully I can hurry and make more chapters, otherwise everyone is gonna have to wait.

Seventh Glyph: Full Circle

Sphinx woke with the morning sun to his face and Bast drawing something on their campsite: the rock.

"We need to leave soon. It would be smarter if we continued like we did yesterday. Here, a meal," she said bluntly like nothing ever happened and handed him some bread and a dried piece of meat.

"There is water there, but try to save it."

Sphinx nodded and ate while Bast tried to find out what direction they were going. The map was against the rock and the drawing had the directions on it, placing west where the sun rose gave the other directions' placement. Bast finally got the maps marked directions to fit her diagram and informed Sphinx they still had to go northwest.

She had the good sense to mark what they found on the map. Imhotep labeled the portal, but the rock wasn't there and Bast drew a circle where it approximately was.

Did she even remember?

"I have already packed my belongings. Make haste, I do not wish to be caught in a sandstorm," she commanded and ready to go.

Sphinx nodded as he finished his quick meal and gathered his things too.

She does remember.

"Of course," she replied to his thoughts, "Now let's go."

Bast led the way with her staff feeling for any unknown monsters and they seemed to travel for forever until, just when it began to grow dark, an oasis. They dismissed it of being a mirage since they seemed to disappear as the sun started to leave.

Instead of running like fools, they were wise enough to keep their steady pace.

When they reached its edges, Bast shouted a spell and it seemed to do nothing.

"It is safe," she notified and proceeded ahead.

The pair set up camp for the evening and by the time they were finished with their dinner, they were looking at the stars. Or in one case a certain star.

Bast muttered constellation names and mindlessly tracing them with her fingers while Sphinx only looked at her.

His focus was faltering nowadays and it was dangerous.

And the cause?

He partially knew.

Of course it was the mission at hand, there were so many possibilities at this point. He could think of one more thing…and he was looking right at her.

Sphinx couldn't place if it was because he had to take care of her or because of- Blegh, he shouldn't think of that now.

She can read thoughts, can't she?

"Hm?" Bast mumbled, turning her head to Sphinx.

He flinched a little, She knows!

"Know what?" she asked. Bast eyed him.

"I was just thinking about where the Gebs may be."

"Most likely not at this oasis. See, it has water. Of course, there is the possibility that they might have been mirages or just rumours after all," shrugged Bast somewhat doubtfully.

"You don't really believe that."

"Do you? I have seen them on display at the Abydos museum. It is saddening to see such great things stuffed. There is always a chance… But we must find them. We must," she sighed.

She never caught the smile Sphinx had on his face after she said that.

"Well we should go to sleep, now. I believe tomorrow will be eventful," Bast mumbled before making herself comfortable.

"Good night, Bast," Sphinx said as Bast yawned.

"Good night, Sphinx," she said and closed her eyes.

Yes. Tomorrow would be eventful.

…

Sphinx and Bast's eyes snapped open that morning.

The ground-! It was moving!

"Get our belongings!" commanded Bast as she dove for their things.

So many things happened and the violent shaking wasn't helping either.

Bast managed to grab her staff and the map and Sphinx tossed her the bag and spotted something that almost made his heart stop: Gebs. Emerging from a hole in the oasis' pool of water and they had spotted the demigods.

As soon as they were finished tossing their things together, weapons everywhere were drawn. Bast and Sphinx huddled back-to-back, the shaking was not only the pool opening, but also the Gebs marching to them and it was too shaky to really stand. Bast held her staff defensively against them and the Blade of Osiris was shimmering and held over Sphinx too.

The Gebs, however, were armed with spears that were aimed at their throats.

"What," asked a deep and booming voice, "brings two demigods to these deserts?"

Sphinx and Bast gulped, one word could doom the two other them.

"We," spoke Bast quietly. "We," she said louder this time, finding some confidence, "We wish to ask something of the great Geb race."

"Demigod, do you really believe that is the answer to save you neck?"

The spears pressed closer to them.

"Y-Yes, if you do not wish to have Apep destroy this land!"

"This is a bluff. They're trying to-"

"Then why is this," Bast said, shoving their found map forward, "written only in an ancient language only your people know?"

The leader, they now saw, was the largest of the group and snatched the map from her hands. He scanned it with his beady and dark eyes and Bast saw his face flicker with something: recognition.

"Release them," he commanded. The guards lowered their spears and Bast and Sphinx lowered their own weapons. Their leader gave Bast back the map.

"Again, the dark times come. After our Queen was consumed by the power of Set, we fled underground. Since then we have gained a new one. She is, I hope, less desperate and wiser than the last. She shall decide what to do with you," the commander huffed. Bast and Sphinx were yanked up, but not held on to.

Bast immediately wrapped her arm around Sphinx's and he held tight to steady them from the shaking ground.

The Geb guards surrounded them like a box and they marched forward as one into the pool of water.

….

Bast gasped as they entered. After the pool, they were in a pitch-black tunnel and luckily she had good hearing and eyesight to keep from straying from the path.

"Bast?" whispered Sphinx. Even she barely caught it.

"Yes?" she answered in a hushed tone.

He didn't reply. Bast supposed maybe it was just to hear her, even though she was clearly present and he holding on to her.

She chuckled; males were a strange race.

Soon enough, they saw a light up ahead and it stung their eyes. How could there be such a bright light?

But as they entered it, they saw.

Not only was there an abundance of torches, but when they looked above, there were pools of water could be seen everywhere, all oases.

"Magic," breathed Bast, stunned apparently about how beautiful the whole thing was, "The most wonderful kind."

They marched on and the two demigods saw how the Gebs lived. Quite normal as any society, but where they lived. It really was amazing. It looked like Heliopolis underground (save for all the sand). The path towards what was a city was wide in consideration for passing Gebs, but from what Bast could sense, it was earth raised from the bottom she could not see by magic.

"Sphinx," she leaned in, whispering directly into his ear, "we must be careful."

He looked down at her, but she had already looked away.

They walked for some time more and finally arrived at obviously the palace of the Queen.

It was a wonderful sight. The whole place was encrusted with jewels, no doubt cultivated from the earth.

Sphinx flinched as he felt something moving around and he looked to where it was coming from. Bast now grabbed his hand and she interlocked their fingers and squeezed them tight.

He was nervous too. After all, he had slain the last Queen. That must have been a great loss, even if she was consumed by Set's power. Would he be remembered as her killer?

"Do not worry," assured Bast kindly. The stomping had stopped long ago so he could hear her advice loud and clear.

"Come," the leader said gruffly. The guards shuffled to the side and the demigods were escorted to the throne room of the Geb Queen.

"My Queen," bowed the Geb leader.

Bast bowed and got Sphinx into doing it too.

They heard a deep laugh, much different, Sphinx realized, from the shrillness of the other Geb Queen's voice.

"Rise, now," she told them.

"My Queen, these demigods were found at one oasis, they had said they intended to find us."

The Queen nodded in understanding and made her way around the Geb that was actually a bit smaller than she and stalked over to the demigods.

She was a tall and intimidating.

"Oh, little love insects," she cooed and the two immediately separated, getting a chuckled from the Queen.

"Your Majesty," spoke Bast, "We were sent by Master Imhotep and the god Anubis to find your people because of this-" Bast pulled out her map, "map," and handed it to the Queen.

"A few weeks ago we were told someone wished to summon Apep, and I fear that if we do not stop this threat…"

"The world will be destroyed, yes," finished the Queen, handing back the map, he fears had awakened, "Our scholars will be able to interpret the information. I will try to aid you as much I can," she assured.

"Thank you, your Majesty!" nodded Bast. They had gained allies; this was a good sign.

"Yes, you are welcome young one. Please get them to the school."

"Yes," nodded the commander Geb who was listening to them.

He walked forward to take the demigods away.

"Farewell," bade the Queen as she saw Sphinx grab Bast's hand, "little love insects," she added fondly before returning to her throne.