Luke "Overflowing Thoughts"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in an Alternate Universe (AU) or possible past life. Its events do not affect the main timeline.

In ancient Khaimit, the MC, an oracle priest, wanders the empty streets at night investigating a rumor that a curse is causing people to disappear. She hears a man cry for help and rushes to his aid, but she's threatened by a second man in a jackal mask hiding in the shadows. He seems to know her and asks about her current job, then puts his dagger away. The assailant warns the MC not to tell anyone about him, then leaves with his victim, and the MC's attempts to tell the Pharaoh or get someone to investigate the man are fruitless. The number of people missing continues to grow, and a crowd gathers at the MC's temple, demanding something be done.

Just as the unrest threatens to boil over into a riot, the assassin-like man from before appears, asking how long she intends to do nothing. The Pharaoh's guards also appear, saying that in seven days, there will be a ceremony to cleanse the curse, and that the MC will be participating. The MC is cautious, but the masked man escorts her away. He removes his mask and introduces himself as Luke, and he chastises her when his appearance makes her drop her guard. Luke explains the nature of the "curse": the Pharaoh levies false accusations against people and orders their punishment, which Luke carries out. A maid brings out sacramental wine for the MC as part of daily rituals, and Luke pours it out, then directs her to walk the long distance to the desert temple with him. As they walk through the CBD, the citizens react with surprise at her presence; the MC admits that she isn't allowed out of the temple except for rituals, and Luke questions her willingness to be caged, then buys her lunch -- falafel, which she's never been allowed to eat before.

On the way to the desert temple, Luke and the MC pass merchant caravans. At a spice caravan, Luke encourages her to buy a souvenir, and she tries to get something similar to the scent Luke is wearing, which he protests; the vendor sells her kyphi instead, which is a spice blend that can cause paralysis and hallucination if accidentally ingested. Further along the path, they come across a thirsty man. Luke blocks the MC from helping him, offers him water, and discerns that he must be a worker running from the building of the nearby pyramids. Luke turns the worker in, saying it's the man's best chance to survive. He points out that it's ironic the workers are wasting their lives on building things for the dead and encourages the MC to deal with threats before running away, unlike the worker.

Luke and the MC arrive at the desert temple. As the MC realizes it's more prison than ceremonial location, Luke explains that the current Pharaoh didn't attain his position through the normal lines of succession and is trying to solidify his position by bringing the "curse" upon his people and then saving them from it. Since the MC is well-loved by the people, the Pharaoh sees her as a threat, and another aspect of his plan is to grant her passage to the Field of Reeds -- the lush, vibrant world of the afterlife -- by killing and mummifying her, giving the people hope that they can go there as well. The MC clings to her faith, saying the Field of Reeds should be just like being alive, and Luke places a chisel in her hand, having her trace out the cuts that will be made to remove her organs over his body, as he challenges her beliefs. That night, the MC dreams of her coronation as high priest, except that a boy intervenes and tells her to run if she wants to live. She knocks over the container of kyphi as she wakes and comes up with a plan.

When Luke brings her more falafel for the next day's meal, she adds the kyphi to Luke's portion. The paralysis sets in quickly, and she binds him and asks where the key to the door is. He tells her the door has never been locked or guarded, which she would have known if she ever tried to escape, then encourages her to "deal with" him before she leaves. She refuses, saying it will be a while before the guards find and punish him for letting her escape. She finds a caravan bound for overseas and plans to escape with them, but she finds the victim from the incident where she first met Luke on board the same ship. She realizes Luke has been saving the Pharaoh's victims rather than following orders, and she returns to the temple the next day instead. Luke's punishment has arrived; the head guard is about to attack him when the MC charges in, dagger drawn, and saves him. When her body reacts to combat with near-instinctive expertise, she realizes this isn't the first time she's fought.

The MC unravels memories from her childhood that had been dulled by the daily sacramental wine in the priesthood: once, she was an assassin in training who used to bring falafel to a boy in the temple who was training to become a priest. The boy had encouraged her to escape, saying the gods would favor her. She did so, and the high priest took her in, but she never saw the boy again. The MC realizes that boy had been Luke, and he'd traded lives with her, taking her place among the masked child assassins. More guards arrive to check on the situation; the MC wipes the blood from her clothes onto Luke and pretends to be dead on the altar. After the guard leaves, she pulls Luke close and confesses her feelings to him, and the two come up with a plan for the ceremony proper, in which the MC will "come back to life" as they assassinate the Pharaoh together. A month later, the new Pharaoh has been crowned, Luke has escaped from being jailed for the assassination, and the two make plans to start a new life across the sea.

Illustrations

An Act of BlasphemyThe two of you lie flat on the altar. Abandoning all worldly rules and piety, you secretly hatch a blasphemous scheme together.

Dark AlleyIn the dark alley, moonlight shines faintly from his knife. His emotions are concealed beneath his mask.

After Story

After Story script

Luke: Are you done for the day? It seems like I'm finally getting a chance to spend time with you.

Intimate Interaction

Point 1

You: (The new Pharaoh is still young, and there are a lot of things that need the temple's support...)

You: (Recently, this place is inundated with guests from morning to night. It's hard to find a chance to talk to Luke.)

(if repeated)

You: (I've just dispatched all the maids, so there's no need to worry about being disturbed for the time being.)

Point 2

You: Luke, have you worn that mask lately?

Luke: To avoid having my face seen by others, I occasionally wear it when going out... but in front of you, there's no need for that.

You: Yeah. It's hard to see your expression with the mask on, so it's better without it.

(if repeated)

You: (I hope that one day Luke won't have to wear that mask any longer, and can openly walk in the streets.)

Point 3

You: (Legends say that it is the possession of the gods, which has the effect of preventing calamities and diseases. A symbol of the reincarnation of life, rebirth, and eternity.)

Luke: You're staring at my chest. Curious about this pendant?

You: A little bit... I remember you didn't believe in these things. Why are you still wearing an amulet?

Luke: I'm not wearing it for protection or blessing. It's actually something used in prayers for the deceased. I just wear it all the time since I got used to it.

Luke: But there's no longer any use for it now. Maybe it's better if I take it off...

You: Eh? Don't take it off... I think it looks quite good even as a simple accessory. You should continue wearing it.

Luke: Really? Since you like how it looks on me, I guess it can stay.

(if repeated)

You: (I also hope that this amulet will bless Luke.)

Falafels...

You: How strange. The taste of these falafels are different from the ones I tried before. These taste quite unique...

Luke: I guess there's no hiding things from you. I snuck into the kitchen and made it when nobody was there.

Luke: After all, in my current situation, it is not very convenient to buy things from the bazaar anymore. It would be a problem if my identity was revealed.

You: Is that so...

You: (Previously, I had announced to the public that Luke had died in prison. Although he escaped from his punishment, his freedom is now limited.)

Luke: What's up? Are the falafels not to your liking?

You: Not at all! The're good! I just thought that your current life might be boring for you...

You: If you want, we can temporarily live outside the capital. That way, you won't have to walk on eggshells every day.

Luke: That's definitely not something I want. Because... I think my current life is actually pretty good. It's not boring at all.

You: Really?

Luke: Yeah. I'm telling you the truth. If no one knows I'm alive, then I can avoid some of the unnecessary social interaction. I see it as a plus in my books.

Luke: Moreover, you'll always be thinking of me, just like you are doing right now, because I'm all alone.

Luke: No matter where you are and who you are talking to, as long as you always remember that I am waiting for you. That alone is enough to satisfy me.

You: Luke, you shouldn't be satisfied that easily...

You: Even if we went somewhere else and you didn't need to live so reclusively, I'd still be thinking about you.

Luke: Then, when the time comes... I will hold my chin up high and tell everyone that you belong to me. I'll chase away anyone that dares disturbs us.

You: Pfft! That's pretty childish of you, Luke.

Luke: I have tolerated things for such a long time now, I think I can be forgiven for being slightly selfish.

Luke: Also, after the burden is lifted from my shoulders, I want for you to be more childish and true to yourself when in front of me, okay?

You: Okay... I'll give it a try.

Story Locations

Khaimit
Capital City

Khaimit
Ceremony Hall

Khaimit
Amarna Temple

Khaimit
Capital City

Khaimit
Capital City Surroundings

Khaimit
Desert Temple

Khaimit

Khaimit
Amarna Temple

Khaimit
Palace

Story Characters

???

Luke Pearce

Boy

Pharaoh

Unknown Man

Audience A

Audience B

Head Guard

Maid

Vendor

Hapless Man

Caravan Member

Former Priest

Guard