Ends of the Sands

You're hurt? Your face...

Don't worry, sister. Most of the blood is the enemy's.

The battlefield was more complicated than I expected, but they were no match for me. I won.

Zubayr, I went to a temple in the Arsalan rainforest and got a blessed amulet for you.

I pray it can protect you from harm.

I'm not afraid of wounds, sister. These scars prove I have grown.

Congratulations. You'll be leading Father's garrison from tomorrow.

This was the job you dreamed of, so why do you seem so unhappy?

I don't know either. This commander's dagger is too light compared to the work and suffering I went through for it.

What about you, sister? Are you not glad for me?

No, Zubayr. I'll only be glad when you are too.

The books you spent countless days and nights on. Did you find anything?

Zubayr, Sargon's history extends past what we can imagine, and we lack a complete record in our manuscripts.

I plan to compile a volume that records past events that have been missed or omitted. Hopefully...

Hopefully...?

Hopefully, it will complete the account of Sargon's history.

That will be a thick book... there are so many people you'd need to include.

Father has agreed to my idea, and has promised to help me.

Very Nice. I see we've both achieved what we wanted.

...

Where am I this time?

When does this one take place...?

Zubayr... why do you seem upset?

That Kuranta from the east has changed Father into a much different man.

All these years, Father had remained stoic, even in the face of uprisings and challenges from various tribes. Time and again, he would reorganize his troops and fly his banners.

When Father sliced his enemies apart with his sword, even the warm blood that spurted from their necks could not melt the cold gaze behind his mask.

But that Nightzmora... when Father fought him, I could almost see sparks—not just from their clashing weapons, but also in his eyes.

I had never seen him look at anyone with such fervor.

Zubayr, I can sense it... our father's passion for our country has long since faded.

I heard some worrying news. Father plans to invite Kharanduu Khagan down south to wage war against those invisible foes.

You're going with them, are you not?

Those strange enemies have already been encroaching on our land, bit by bit.

The Shah... you're both children of the Shah...

...The Foehn hotlands...

What happened?

How are you feeling, Zubayr?

I'm fine, sister.

I'll need to remove your bandages to reapply the medicine. Bear with me, I'll be quick.

It's alright, I feel no pain.

How can that be... When they carried you back here, your entire body was charred.

What should I do, Zubayr...? Father is missing and you're the only kin I have left.

Brother has taken the throne, but we do not share the same mother. Your military achievements have already made him wary.

That historian... is he treating you well?

Yes... With his help, the volume is already half-done. Perhaps I could manage to see it complete within my lifetime.

Careful not to overwork yourself.

It is my promise to Father... Even if I fail to complete it, the child within me will continue my work. One day, it will recount everything that has happened here to future generations.

It will be a bridge across the vastness of time, connecting the readers with those recorded over the great river of time.

I hear they plan to build a cenotaph for Father.

Yes...

Before he left, Father confided in me about a trove filled with the land's treasures. He instructed me to reveal its location only to the descendants of the Nightzmora.

Brother will not be happy when he learns of this.

Sister, you chose to record Father's every word and action to memorialize his departure, while I chose to protect everything he left behind.

Father has only just left, and already war rages among the western tribes... I must go and quell the unrest.

But how... how will you go in your current condition?

A gemstone artisan from Arsalan told me he could preserve my consciousness into gemstones inscribed with special circuits.

The craftsmen who created the Zhayedan are also willing to build me a new body.

Did you already decide on this before telling me about it, Zubayr?

Sister, I do not wish to be bed-bound forever...

Zubayr, I only wish for you to be happy, and nothing more.

Promise me you'll never forget this.

I promise.

(Where... am I?)

(So dark... is anyone here?)

Ugh...

(Wh-Why can't I talk?)

(Drat, I can't move at all. My limbs are all bound so tightly.)

Are you ready? I'm about to remove the brain.

(Brain?)

Administer more sedative, his pulse is still beating rather rapidly and I need him to be calm.

(Are you talking about my brain?!)

(Is this what Zubayr went through?)

(When they transferred his consciousness... he was still alive.)

Is it over? Is this what you wanted to show me, Zubayr?

Tell me, what else did you go through?

And you spent nearly a thousand years just waiting here?

Tell me, Zubayr. In your long life, even with the unbearable suffering you've been through, did you ever consider forgetting your father or sister?

That's my answer too.

We should remember the things that shouldn't be forgotten, even if they bring us pain.

I'm... back.

Why did you bring me inside Zubayr's memories?

It was a test he set for you. You could only see him if you passed it.

Was he the one talking to me inside the illusion?

No, that was actually me. Though the question was indeed his.

Did I pass?

You failed, so just run off back to wherever you came from, little girl.

He seemed pretty satisfied with my answer though?

No, you just imagined it!

I have to see him. He's the one who started the unrest in the city, so only he can stop it.

Besides... he's the only one who can help me reach the City of Gold, so I can't miss this last chance.

Silly girl. Do you think being the Historian of Shar-Agade is a good thing?

You serve at the hand of the Shahanshah, and so your tongue is cut out to ensure you can never speak his secrets.

You write only what the Shahanshah wants written. You are no longer yourself, only a gilded mouthpiece.

Is this what you want, foolish girl?

Where did you learn all that? The City of Gold isn't a place some random animal can wander into.

Foolish girl, my first human pet was Lugalszargus's own daughter!

I saw with my own eyes when the poor girl had her tongue cut out by her very brother!

What?!

Enough, Mio.

She has passed Zubayr's test. Speak no more and let her pass.

He awaits you at the second-last house in the third alley from here. Remember this, once you enter, knock thrice on the left door, then push the right door open.

You will see him there.

Insolent cur, she didn't pass the test! Why did you tell her!

She passed the test, Mio. Enough of this.

She did not if I say so! She failed!

Our mission is complete! Let's go!

Mroaw—!

Phew... Third alley, second-last house...

Knock thrice on the left door...

And then open the right...

We meet again, Pepe.

Question. Would I have found you if I didn't follow the instructions exactly?

Actually, you would have found me no matter which door you opened. The key is whether you truly wish to meet me.

...

Zubayr, I've come here with a hammer.

Do you intend to intimidate me with force?

I can't promise I won't use it.

We don't have much time left, so just answer my questions. Truthfully.

Ask your questions, Pepe. I will answer them faithfully—not out of fear, but because it is my choice.

Have you found the fourth gemstone?

Yes. Someone was keeping it safe for me. Their family passed it down through the generations, waiting for the day I would awaken and return.

Did you decide to destroy the entire city the moment you got it? The whole place is in chaos because of the jewel constructs.

Pepe, I apologize for what is happening to the city, but I have to do it. My duty compels me.

'Fourth, the liver. We go into the night, awake and alert, for duty and obligation.' Are your memories related to your duties complete?

Indeed.

So where's the Shah's treasure trove?

Right below our feet, underneath the city of Menat-Ha'mait.

You could say this city was founded by, and is prosperous because of the infinite treasures left behind by Father.

When he left us, I had his cenotaph built in the deepest reach of his trove, so that it may also serve as his tomb.

For centuries they kept digging underground, and every artifact or treasure they found in the mausoleum became fuel for the city.

This is my fault, but it is not too late. There is still a chance to stop it, as they have yet to dig into its depths... for the treasure that mustn't be touched by the wrong hands.

What is that exactly?

Patience, Pepe. I was just about to show it to you.

Water! Bring some water!

Hurry! Your curator spoke too much and is having a heatstroke!

Bad news, Medjehtiqedti Hanim—I'm afraid the museum hasn't had running water for a while now.

Or to be more precise, sand is pouring out of the taps. Can't even stop it.

...Do you work here? I don't recognize you...

No, wait, sand... pouring from the taps?

Yep. By the way, we met your staff at the entrance and he asked me to pass on this leave request and a bunch of books.

It was unclear where he was headed.

The river water is too muddy to be used, and all the nearby water channels are full of nothing but sand.

And all of these happened while we made our way here. As quickly as a rising tide...

Talk about a Flood Festival, only it's sand.

...Hey, Hanim? Why'd you turn so quiet? Bad time to make witty comments I see.

...

Anat! Anat! Wake up, hurry!

W-We're... WE'RE GOING TO DIE!

You've only just realized that? After everything that's happened today?

Medjehtiqedti Hanim, could you explain what's going on?

To put it simply, if every gem in the city can be removed from its place, then the ones used for water purification are no exception.

If too many of them are removed, the water purification system will stop working, changing the internal pressure and causing sand to intrude.

...If this happens, the constructs will have an endless supply of sand to build their pillars and walls, ruining the city.

Also, Titi... I'm worried about something worse...

Such a sudden pressure change will almost certainly damage the city's ancient underground river canal system.

I didn't want to mention it, for fear of it coming true! Now I'm really scared of this city!

Go on, what happens when the underground canals are damaged?

A large volume of water will seep out and loosen the sand, forming quicksand.

The whole city will sink underground, and the modern materials the constructs can't use will be buried deep down in the earth.

And this is just speculation... but the constructs have been building their pillars and walls for a specific reason.

They're trying to recreate the way the place looked in their memories.

We, along with centuries of urban landscape, will be buried beneath the sands.

Ugh...

...Do you need me to elaborate further?

Nah, I got you.

If this city sinks under the sand, everyone dies, including my crew. We're royally screwed.

So, there's only one path I can take to keep them safe, yes?