Khonshu
Arthur stepped back and ran into the narrow tunnels of the pyramid. He had the same feeling as a hamster stuck in a maze-there were ornate corridors and walls and creeks and then corridors again. He paused to at least speculate where he was, when a voice behind him said:
- Stop running, I will be able to reach you even from miles away.
- Khonshu... where is the exit? How do you get out of here? I need-I need air.
Arthur had the feeling that he could not breathe, the shirt he wore with the Korean collar seemed to suffocate him, he was in a total panic. He unbuttoned the first few buttons, he did not remember the path he had taken, then thought back, he did not remember that he had been sedated.
- I didn't have to do this, but you left me no choice. You have no idea the effort I made to find you. You are mine. You have no escape, you can't hide from me. And if you tell anyone about the situation, who do you want them to believe you? You better be on my side, you will have protection and, as I said, qualities denied to you weak humans. Answer my request and we will leave.
- I have already said what I want in return.
- Freedom! But who knows if you won't like all that later? Power, greatness -- a certain charisma toward people, which you lack.
- Just as you lack humility."
Muted laughter echoed through the corridors of the pyramid, Khonshu moved in front of Arthur, who shifted to a corner. From that angle Arthur could see the bandages covering the deity's long, whitish legs, could hear the deep breathing, and couldn't help but think that it wasn't reality.
- What if I was in a coma? What if I was imagining all this?
- When you start making these assumptions you are far from intelligent Arthur, you are mine, I have been waiting for you for several years and now you are my avatar. You are not crazy and much less in a coma, I exist, I have been here for a long time. As much as you want it to be otherwise, you will see that you will change your mind. Do you want to live Arthur? Then start listening to what I tell you and what we are going to do.
- I wish I wasn't boring, but from what I understand I'll be the one doing things.
- I will be with you, you will take many things from me: immortality, regenerative healing and many other things. We will have fun together.
- The reason you chose me is because we are equals. I know about you and you know about me, although I know about you in a historical and not a personal sense, I cannot say differently from you who almost seem to study me.
- I must admit that you were interesting from the beginning and it was also fun to tease you with silly games.
- Call them your own jokes.
- We are suggestible.
Arthur made to retort, but he did not, whatever he said seemed not to go down well with the deity who was right.
- I'll do what you want, but we have to set the time. How much time do you need?
- Time?
- I can't be with you all my life.
Khonshu did not answer, took a step back lowering the scepter with the moon on the tip in front of Arthur and said:
- You will be with me for as long as it takes, give yourself to me.
- All right, but if you miss anything I will leave.
- Deal! But what if the opposite happens, Arthur? If you betray my trust?
- I will pay a pledge, but if you do not let me go I will find a way to pay you for this lack.
Khonshu raised his scepter, lifted both arms above his head, and stepped outside. The constellations, the movements and lights as if outside everything was moving fast, almost making him dizzy. His body was covered in the same bandages that covered Khonshu's, his face was also covered in them, but he could still see far beyond them. He felt something different about him, as if he had been regenerated, as if he had been reborn. Powerful and strong.
- Now you're a moon knight and it's time to take you home, isn't that what you wanted?
- While we are in the open air it is better. I'd like to hurry up and settle your affairs-so I can get back to my life.
- Everything has a time Arthur. Don't be hasty and now, I need to explain something important to you. Take a good look-do you see this? - Arthur grabbed the object on the fly - I see your reflexes have improved, it's a beetle, not just any beetle.
- I can see from the engravings that...
- You absolutely must not lose it, you must take care of it. They will look for it, it is to awaken someone who has been condemned. Not like me for a mistake, but because he is evil. Ammitt. She may try to impose something on you, to win you over, he did it with the previous avatar as well.
Arthur bent his head to the side, but squeezed into those bandages he felt uncomfortable, but at the same time they made him feel well protected from Khonshu's stares.
- What happened to my -- to your previous avatar?
- Ammitt had deflected it, I had to set it straight.
- Was he brainwashed?
- No, do I look like the type to carry out such atrocities? I appreciate those who can help me, I took away their privilege of being a knight. You don't seem convinced by my word ....
- And what am I supposed to do? Put him in a safe place?
- Protect him as you see fit, and if Ammitt should try to get in touch with you, you must let me know.