This universe was one of the oldest in all Creation, and that was saying something. It wasn’t the oldest, of course. The oldest ones had long since fallen to Void or gone through the process of rebirth. But this one, it was home to a wide variety of slowly dying worlds. The stars were going out after their billions and billions of years of life.

The younger stars were homes to worlds much like this one. There were still many worlds teeming with life throughout this universe. Some were home to races with advanced ways. Others had creatures yet to leave their caves. All things considered, this planet was very young, especially when placed in the timeline of this dying universe. It probably wouldn’t make it to the end of its life cycle. Then again, when placed in the timeline of the old inhabitants, the world was quite old.

The golden light of the sun shone through the clear air. The sky was a bright blue, white clouds dotting the horizon. Bright green grass and multicoloured trees stretched as far as the eye could see. Animals grazed happily as small insects flittered, climbed, and crawled their way between the trees and colourful flowers. A shimmering river flowed quickly through the grass, splitting into smaller streams as it crossed the landscape. The largest portion of the river stretched to a large lake. Timeless boulders rested here and there, breaking up the colours. In the distance, on the other side of the trees, was the coastline. The air smelt of both salt and freshness.

Even so, despite all this, something was missing.

The old inhabitants were gone.

Humanity had ruled this world a very long time ago. Naturally, as it often did, the species had wiped itself violently from the planet’s surface. Much time had passed since that dark day. The world had rebuilt and repaired. Life had returned as it always did. Some even said Humanity might return to the world one day. Who knew what the next evolution would do? Many wondered if they would repeat the cycle of their ancestors. Some wondered if they still walked the world in places hidden from the eyes of those above.

Even so, it would take millions of years for them to evolve that for again. It had taken a mere few thousand years for them to break the world, and several tens of thousands for the world to repair itself. It would only take another few billion years for the sun shining above to expand and destroy the world.

The amazing thing was that this was yet to happen! Considering the age of this universe, it should have done so long ago. Then again, there were many mysteries left when it came to certain universes that would never be discovered by anyone, not even by those from beyond them. The same could be said for Creation, really.

The remnants of the Human empire could be seen if one looked close enough. The occasional vine-covered pillar or a stack of stones that looked a little too perfect to be natural. They would be lost to the elements soon enough. Forgotten by history and time. Doomed to never be discovered again. Who knew how many secrets would be lost. Who knew how many were already gone. No one really knew how much that first evolution had discovered. The third wouldn’t be coming for a very long time. People tried to forget the second.

Not all these secrets would be lost forever, though. Well, to Humanity, yes, but to others . . .

A group of nine crunched through the grass and fallen leaves, most treading carefully to not disturb the locals. They had been walking for hours now, the portal opening a surprising distance from their destination. Some sort of safety mechanism, apparently. In complete honesty, none of them were entirely sure what they were looking for. The city had, after all, vanished a very long time ago. The animals gave them pacing glances, deciding none of them were worth the effort before returning to their grazing.

The group found an area out of the way to take a break beside the glittering stream. None of them knew just how long they’d be out here, so they’d come prepared for the idea it would take a while. Heavy bags were dumped in the grass. Some of the group collapsed on the grass Others leaned against or lazed upon stones. Only one remained standing.

“Why are we stopping?” Kek asked impatiently, bag still on his shoulders.

“Because some people here are mortal and mortals require rest,” Amneris answered, not bothering to open her eyes. She stretched out her arms, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin. “Relax. We’ve been walking forever. The city will still be there later.”

“Hear, hear,” Jay called, lifting a water bottle in salute from where he lay.

“Just relax,” Ema drawled, resting her head on her arms against a boulder. “Enjoy the sunlight. Enjoy nature.”

Kek, seeing he was fighting a pointless battle, dropped his bag to the grass and sat. “Fucking Fae thing to say.” The two Fae flipped him off. He returned the gesture.

“You wanted to be a part of this expedition,” Colt said with a done sigh. “Do try to get along with everyone. We are all capable of killing you. I cannot promise it will be in your sleep.”

“Such threats, Prince!” Kek cried dramatically.

Jay muttered, “I still don’t get it.”

Amneris rolled her eyes. “For the last time: Assar died, Tara killed Colt and raised Assar’s soul, then shoved it into Colt’s body. Colt died and Assar took over.”

“Hello,” Colt said with a wave.

“But why do you call him ‘Colt’?” Jay asked.

“I like the name,” Colt answered. He gave Amneris a flat look. “She calls me ‘Assar’ when pissed.” Amneris blew him a kiss.

Zoe rolled over to face them. “You guys are so weird.”

Amneris raised an eyebrow. “Did you seriously just figure that out?”

Zoe pointed a finger at Amneris. A beam of light shot into her eyes. Amneris yelped and scrambled away.

Nearby, Hathor filled her empty water bottle from the fresh water of the river. She sighed deeply, watching the water flow in an around it. When it was filled, she twisted the cap tightly and sat on the dirt bank.

Xix sat down beside her. “Are you okay?”

Hathor let out a small laugh. “Let’s just say it’s not every day you found out your mum’s boyfriend holds to soul of your dead father.”

Xix placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I think the three of you need to have a proper conversation.” She tilted her head to the side. “Naka agrees. Fancy that.”

Hathor smiled. “What about you? Are you doing okay?”

Xix glanced down at her new bracelet. Until a few hours ago, it had been her father’s ring. Amneris had kept it in a drawer in the Palace after his destruction for ‘safety purposes’. She’d given it to Xix when they returned to prepare for trip.

It was a lot like the necklace she wore, Amneris had explained while they were alone. It held a small portion of Naka’s power and could be used to summon the Deity in person. It was a conduit. For the post part, though, it was just a neat trinket to show her role. Xix had never been one for rings. The moment it touched her palm, it transformed to the crystal bracelet she now wore with the crest of her family and the symbol of Naka carved into the round stones.

“Still a little on edge,” Xix admitted. She shook her head, eager to change the topic, and stood. “I don’t know about you, but I am starving. Food?”

Hathor laughed. “I’d never say no to that!”

The sun begun setting as the group continued their trek, casting everything into a bronze light. Animals they passed moved slowly across the landscape, headed toward wherever they intended to make camp for the night. Those who lived for the night slowly but surely begun awakening.

The group had decided the coastline was the best place to begin the search for a sunken city. Unfortunately, as the continents of this world had long since change many times from when the city was first built. No one could be certain the city itself hadn’t been covered by some other landmass. At least this meant that Nephthys and Aurelia would also have a problem finding it.

When they reached the edge of the landmass, the sun had set. The full moon lit their path in a silvery light. The group made camp a fair distance from the cliff’s edge in case certain unnamed members of the party decided to throw other certain unnamed members over the edge to see if they survived.

As the others set up camp, Amneris and Hathor flew—well, more specifically, Hathor flew. Amneris used her power to do so—along the coastline, searching for any sign of former habitation. There were a few caves carved into to the landmass but no signs of any life. Except for one cave. Hathor shot out of it with a scream, shrieking bats chasing her away.

The pair met at the halfway point. It was getting late. They decided to do one more quick search before giving up for the night.

Barely ten minutes had passed when Hathor called out. Amneris hurried to her side. Her daughter was pointing at a small opening. Waves crashed against it. The tide was coming in. There would be no way to have a good look inside until morning. Even so . . .

Amneris dove down. Hathor rushed to catch up. Together, they hovered above the unrelenting waves. Amneris cast her light over the dark stone. She and Hathor scanned it closely.

“There!” Hathor exclaimed, fluttering closer. “It looks like the Old Language!”

Amneris’ eyes lit up and she grinned. “Good eye, Hathy! I think we’ve found what we’re looking for.”

“Closer look when the tide goes out?” she asked. Amneris nodded.

As they flew up the cliff, Amneris asked, “Are you really okay?”

Hathor gave her a sideway glace. “What do you mean?”

“We haven’t talked much since—”

“Oh, that.” Hathor sighed. “I just need some time to get used to the idea, that’s all.”

Amneris hummed thoughtfully. “Well, when you’re ready to talk, I’m here.”

Hathor smiled. “I know.”