The Search for Rameses

The entourage landed in Cairo a little less than twenty hours later. Yui, after having finally recovered from the jet lag from moving to Hawaii, was once again exhausted.

Yui called the nicest local hotel and booked a suite for them, thanks in part to Cleopatra's money. "We've got a place. I'll gather up some newspapers. For now, it seems like everything is normal. Either he hasn't gotten here yet, or he's biding his time."

She was cut off by Assassin as they walked around the corner and the Pyramid's of Giza came into sight on the horizon.



She gasped, and her lip quivered. "Is that... Khufu? Khafre! Menkaure! After all these years, they're still there!" She put a hand over her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just... This is my home. My people. So much has changed. But to see something like this still standing, after thousands of years. You can't imagine how it feels."

Aaron patted her on the back, "Well, we try to keep the history we can. Just don't look at the graffiti all over those when you get up close. Though I think some of it is from your time!" he chuckled awkwardly a little bit. He was never very good at comforting people..

Phillipus gave her a gentle smile. "When the last War ended, we survivors took a trip around Europe where I was able to visit both the village in which I lived, and the college I attended. Things change over centuries, but the hearts and history of our homelands thrive. We're very lucky."

She chuckled and sniffled. "Yes... Indeed, they were already very old even in my time. They certainly didn't look as they did when they were first built. I'm just happy they're still standing."

"I may not know much about modern Egypt, but if you get me a map, I can show you where he called home. Pi-Ramesses--the throne of the Ninteenth Dynasty. From what I could see flying in, it should be about 50 miles northeast from here."

Lazarus produced a map for the servant, and they made their way to the spot, not completely undistracted by sights on the way.

They went to the site indicated by Cleopatra, to find that it was little more than a collection of small villages and farms now. They searched around the territory for several hours and found no signs of a Servant, or anything else out of the ordinary. There were a few signs of Ramesses' former glory--the feet of a statue of him was one of the biggest things remaining.

After nearly a full day of searching, Yui sighed. "Nothing. What now? Just wait and see?"

"I suppose! Let's go back to the hotel and rest for now." Lazarus sighed and headed back, though when they arrived he was soon distracted by his various projects.

Avalon invited Mari out for a drink, and Aaron hogged the shower for quite some time. Carlotta decided to buy Marisbury a drink, since he would be giving her close to a million dollars soon.

"There's a poem about the remains of that statue. 'Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair...' It was written by Percy Shelley, long after my time." He paused, remembering two-toned eyes hiding behind fair har and a warm smile. "I'm more familiar with the work of his wife Mary, however."

Mari gladly accepted the invitation, ordering whatever was coldest. The sun in Hawaii had turned her skin a more glowing tan, but the sun bore down even harder so close to the desert. "I never thought I'd travel so much in my whole life..."

Yui remembered reading that poem at one point.

'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Soon, that might no longer be the case. When Phillipus mentioned the name Mary Shelley, though... Her eyes started tearing up instantly. Oh no... She had to bite her tongue and hold tight onto Lazarus' arm. The group hurried back to Cairo.

While he worked, Lazarus cuddled with Yui, making sure she was happy and checking in every once in awhile to see if she needed anything. He had to set an alarm to do so, however.

"Me too!" Avalon agreed, "I mean I always hoped I would, but I never really expected it. It's all super cool though." she had also ordered a very cold drink.

She stirred her drink, coy. "We should go on another date. If this place doesn't end up blowing up or anything, I mean. It would be a shame to not get to see more of the place."

"Hell yeah we should!" she sipped her own drink. "It's weird how kinda...nice this is in the middle of various apocalypses..."

Mari rested her chin on her folded hands, pleased. "Dad always said to look for small moments when things got tough. It helps you remember what's fighting for."

"Well said," Avalon winked and leaned over, giving her a little kiss on the cheek.

As the two women wandered Cairo, another plane landed carrying Atalanta and Kirei. Atalanta was happy in a more comfortable modern fashion of clothing. They had been given the location and room number of the hotel the others were staying at, so they made their way there, not horribly interested in the sights along the way. She knocked quietly on the door to their hotel room, Kirei standing close behind her.

Phillipus put down his tea and answered the door. "Ah, you made it!" He smiled cordially at Atalanta and gestured for the pair to come in. "It's good you've arrived. We haven't quite figured out Ozymandias's location, although we've pinned some likely sites. Would either of you like a drink?"

"Yeah, thank you." she smiled at Phillipus. Kirei declined with a shake of his head. Once she received her tea she smiled at Phillipus, "I'm sure he'll pop up soon. I wouldn't worry too much."

He sighed, pulling the map over. "It would be more advantageous if we could get to him first, although when he's ready I'm completely certain he'll make his presence and location known. He might be physically incapable of discretion." He pointed out several nearby locales - the throne, the statue, as well as other places Cleo had lead them.

"Our new Assassin ally has been incredibly helpful in this endeavor, although she's rather hesitant about fighting against a Divine Ancestor of her people. The unfortunate truth is likely that it'll take all of us, acting tactically, to prevent as much damage as possible."

"I would have to agree. This one will be difficult. Can we spare mana for familiars? If not, I can do a circuit around the areas you pointed out here." she found a pen and circled the areas he had indicated, and in pencil sketched a few different routes she could take.

"I was planning on having a few familiars out," Yui answered. "We can't guarantee the safety of the Masters, so I'd like as many of them as possible to stay safe at the hotel. That way we can all conserve mana. I'm sure you'll be fine, though, Lazarus, being immortal now and all."

Lazarus chuckled, "Is that a subtle hint to go investigate?"

"And perhaps while you're scouting, Assassin could use stealth to traverse opposite routes? If she'd be interested, at any rate. Ah, you two should be formally introduced! Cleo!"

"No, just that you can probably tag along with the Servants when it's time to fight. It'd be nice to have at least one Master there to help out who's not at risk of horrible death."

"I'd be glad to!" he replied.

Atalanta waved as Cleopatra walked over.

"Hi! I'm Cleopatra. Glad you could come help out. And I hope you enjoy my country!" She added with a proud smile.