Ends of the Sands

Where am I—?

—Oh, my departure ceremony! I must have danced myself dizzy.

I give you my blessing, Narantuya.

There's a caravan I know that regularly visits the City of Radiance. If you do make it there, seek them out.

Hah, I knew you'd have some useful connections!

One more friend, one less trouble. Thanks for the blessing.

I'm still worried, Narantuya.

About what? How many times have I told you? No one's going to get revenge on you when I'm gone.

This has nothing to do with you. You chose to work for me and not Asim because I'm just that charming.

Old Asim resents me for it and speaks ill of me everywhere he goes, but he's just being petty.

And those jealous haters had to band together and set me up... my fault I'm so lucky that I attract both gold and people.

But you're the one I'm worried about, Narantuya.

if you just wander into the desert with an empty satchel, what will you do when you can't find water or beasts?

Huh? I know we somehow ended up poorer than we started, but I'm sure I at least have some coins for jerkies and preserved fruits.

Strange. I don't remember bumping into a beggar or vagrant...

Actually, I vaguely remember crossing paths with a few rich men?

Narantuya, I thought it over, and I think I should teach you my secret to finding water in the desert.

I don't have to worry about becoming a sacrificial tribute to a bandit chief anymore, so there's no need to keep this a secret any longer.

—Good. I like this blessing.

The sands can enjoy those lost coins then.

I'm worried too, Narantuya.

Hmm? And what are you worried about? That I'll abduct another child slave from a caravan who will replace you as most illiterate?

I'm worried about the two black blades of yours. You haven't used or maintained them for a long time.

It's precisely because maintenance is a chore that I avoid using these antiques. I much prefer modern materials and mechanical forging—

—Wait, where are my blades? And my dagger? And my supply of paralyzing toxins and spore casks?

*sigh* I'm worried about your tendency to pick up new recruits, Narantuya.

You'll be setting out alone. It's great if you could get some useful crew. But most of the time, it's people like me and Ajazi that you have to save...

'Setting out alone'? You girls aren't coming with me to the City of Radiance?

...which is why Ajazi and I worked for two months in a logging camp and threw all the coins we saved into a river they say flows into the City of Radiance.

I hope you will find them when the river floods, and that your Khaganquest goes smoothly...

Okay, I appreciate this blessing too, even though the rainforest is at the downstream of the river.

...Wait.

Did you say Khaganquest?

Yes, your Khaganquest.

You're all set for it, right?

No? When did that happen?

...Come to think of it, I am indeed 'all by myself with nothing but the weapons from my parents' right now...

...Meh, pass on the city. I'm out!

Where are my burdenbeasts? And my tent?

No way! This Khaganquest is too scary! I'll die!

Help——!!!

Strange. The metal constructs here are not moving.

Someone's on the ground? Hello, can you hear me? Hold on, I'm on my way—

——

——Out of my way!

What did you say?

I was just lying on the ground and a giant beckbeast had its paw on my head?

I think it's a beckbeast, but I failed to catch the creature before it vanished into the sand and dust.

It's no wonder my head hurt while I was dreaming. There was a voice I heard making 'oowoo...' sounds. My face is fine though, right?

...Yes.

Phew.

How did you chase the beckbeast away? I spent so long yelling at it in my dream with no luck.

...

The situation was urgent, so I resorted to force.

Wow, why didn't I think of that? Sometimes violence is the solution!

I knew you'd be a reliable subordinate. Thanks a lot—

Wait no, you're not a subordinate.

...We'd best be leaving. These constructs could start moving at any time. It's not safe here.

Seems pretty safe to me.

*sigh* The river god presented me with a chance to prove my heroism, and I ended up falling asleep on the street...?

The dream was nice though, at least the first half of it.

...The streets are in chaos, while you lay on the sands... and had a good dream?

Yup. I dreamed about my departure ceremony. Everyone was cheering me on. Even their beat was spot on.

How nice would it be, if my former subordinates were actually that supportive when I was setting out for Menat-Ha'mait!

...

I talked to Ajazi and Ajani briefly, after you left the hotel.

Did they tell you most people think I'm delusional?

They did.

But consider this: if one has to eventually wake from one's dream, why not indulge in a bit of fantasy before that happens?

(Can't help but laugh)

Perhaps there remains much of each other that we do not know.

But for now, I'm simply glad to see you safe.

So, does that mean we're all good—

—Hold on.

What's wrong, Ajani?

Narantuya! Help!

The museum! Isn't safe! At all!

—Who's there?

Titi, did you say something? I heard something...

I didn't.

...But I heard it too.

Uh, no way...

Can these artifacts talk?

Ugh... Why didn't they say anything before?!

...

Guardian of eternity. Please answer. Please answer. Please answer.

Answer what?

...

He who led the outlanders to stride upon the earth, forsaking their ships from this domain. His legions, brandishing golden blades, shielded the reckless and inquisitive travelers.

Bitter and sweet, his chalice did contain, drawn from those who traversed through his realm. In the sands beneath his feet, rest bones and charred stones from the distant northwest.

Tell me, the 'name' that people remember him by.

...

...

...Anat.

I don't think they can actually 'talk', at least, they're not capable of conversation.

They're just presenting riddles—like when you're prompted to enter a combination of numbers to open a safe.

B-But! What kind of complex riddle is this?!

The countdown has begun. Three minutes remaining.

Ahhhhh!!!

Now we've turned it into a ticking time bomb!

—Wait, Anat! Calm down!

Can you contact any of the museum staff?

Wh-What for...?

I think this might be a riddle about history.

I remember now... what about that favorite book of yours, Terra: A Journey? Where is it?

Titi, look up the section on Bolívar's history for me, please!

Here.

...You ask of Padishah Beyad, who agreed to establish an Iberia-Sargon-Bolívar trade route and subsequently brought in Bolívarian sugar cane and coffee beans.

You ask of sandbeast. There was a trend in sixth-century Sargon to hunt sandbeasts.

The museum used to have strings of sandbeast heads hung up to ward off evil, though we always saw it as a needless worship of nature.

But... since you've witnessed that history. You should know that the real reason for hunting sandbeasts was that a small number of them mutated from high concentration of local active Originium, right?

Okay, next construct and riddle, please.

A riddle suited for archaeologists. There was an ancient settlement from a thousand years ago where we found signs of group executions, but we excavated torture instruments made of modern alloy materials.

You're right, the answer is written here. Petram, a race practically no one has seen, are those who inherited unique smelting and forging techniques from the olden times

Okay, next question...

Phew, this is taboo to say, but the Sarkaz did indeed set foot in Sargon once. We still don't know the full extent of their ancient curse.

Come to think of it, this is how you've inspired me.

Huh? You mean the curse?

No. I used to not get it.

Sargon's written history dates back to when other nations were still in their primitive states. When you left Sargon to explore these lands, I wondered what more you hoped to learn.

That's why I chose to read Terra: A Journey.

I saw within our limited time on this land that we hold too many misunderstandings and prejudices.

The greatest show of bravery we can perform is to expend our finite lives on our search through the infinity of time.

Yeah, we're no actual guardians of eternity, so there's no way we can experience everything ourselves.

Speaking of which, if you ever got the chance... would you become an immortal like Zubayr, and witness ancient history with your own eyes?

...

Actually, I've been thinking... if these constructs are using history riddles to verify if we are worthy of controlling them...

Then what was the word that activated this verification mode of theirs?

And what exactly was their creator thinking when they chose this command word—'Horakhet'?

It's dark... Where am I?

I'm... in that monster's belly...

I can hear the wind...

Phew... what's up ahead...?

A lake in the desert...?

Uh, kid, do you know...?

Look at my catch, sister!

Sister? Who're you calling sister?

What... are you talking about?

Father says he plans to bury Mother here, in her hometown.

He also wants to erect a beautiful tomb for her, with a pretty pond full of lotuses.

I will leave this golden fin in that pond, and it will keep Mother company for me.

What's that got to do with me?

Sister...

Stop calling me that! You don't look anything like my brother!

Father... will continue with his expedition. Mother's departure will not stop him.

He asked us if we wished to stay here or follow him eastward.

Um... what are you talking about, boy? I can't make sense of what you're saying.

I wish to follow Father to the east, to see and conquer lands farther away than here.

Come with me, sister. Bring your reed pen and papyrus, you will see many sights worth recording, and I shall accomplish great undertakings, as Father has.

I will become the protagonist of your writings!

Let's go together, sister!

Hey, li'l guy, I'll have to pass...

Hm...

I'll follow you and Father, Zubayr.

Who...?