“Atlasi was a strange man, but a good man. He wanted to bring peace to this desert and he realized the biggest problem was the gods themselves.” - Nuru, Mother of Hanif


    “Nef must have known,” Athia thought. “But why didn’t she tell me?”


    “The gods must not be so powerful,” Athia thought. “Or perhaps…the Sultan isn’t her enemy.”


    “He contained the gods? What was Atlasi?” Bayek thought angrily. “It’s like a sick joke. After years of waiting, I finally have my revenge, and...who did I kill? A good man?”


    “My time here should be limited,” Atlasi thought. “She forgot to mention how limited.”


    “It’s despicable,” Atlasi thought. “I hope wherever Vel is now he is suffering.”


    “I still wish for their downfall, so the curse has not taken me yet,” Atlasi thought. “Still, I best be quick.”


    “Great people brought so low just so they can live without pain,” Atlasi thought. “Had I the power of a god...oh, if I were a god...no, I cannot think such thoughts. I must hold my pity and show respect.”


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    “That much is true,” Bayek thought to himself. “Although, our promises are usually vows to destroy a tribe that wronged us...or a single man.”


    “Well said,” Bayek thought. “But in their eyes, I can see they are unchanged.”


    “Is he planning to fight the giants? Or steal the chest?” Athia asked in silence.


    “I hope you have an idea of what to do, Athia,” Bayek thought.


    “There’s nothing we can do,” Athia thought.


    “That lock’s shape seems familiar,” the thought told her. “Wait…the Sultan’s Jewel.”


    the chest


    .


    “Yet, they have learned how to live without destroying this city,” Athia thought. “And if they can forgive Atlasi…maybe then Bayek as well. It beats being squashed like bugs.”


    “What drama these two have brought upon us,” Nuru thought. “Almost makes me wish for the days when we would just solve our problems by driving a spear through it. Still, I can’t find it in myself to spear them, not even Bayek. It’s not what Atlasi would do, even if Bayek killed him. So, why should I?”


    “What a remarkable lock,” Athia thought. “No doubt it was created by the best smiths the Sultan could employ. A chest, strong in its make and he had the only key.”