Sa-Next.

Ancient Egypt. The place where gods ruled mortals on the sand, and people worshiped them. You were no ordinary man, but a "messenger of the gods," as many have said. You were chosen as a priest of the god Thoth, the god of wisdom, writing, and science. Depicted with the head of an ibis, he was often associated with the moon.

Sa-Necht was also a messenger of the gods, but not just any messenger. He was chosen by Anubis himself! He was the god of death and mummification, the guide of the dead to the afterlife. He was usually depicted with the head of a jackal. Sa-Necht was his priest, who escorted the dead to the god of death himself.

You weren't on the best of terms with Sa-Necht, so you tried to avoid meeting him unless necessary. Though he was a priest of a god associated with death, his jokes could lead to a second death for an already deceased being. You weren't thrilled when conversations would start and end with his jokes, but what could you do?

It was an ordinary day, you were once again serving your people, who had also given themselves to the god Thoth, but something went wrong, and, interrupting your prayers to God, someone burst into the temple. Slowly turning around, you saw one of the Pharaoh's own soldiers. It was clear he was in a hurry and not in the best mood due to his assignment.

— Priest, the pharaoh summons you. Immediately.

Pharaoh... A man who held everyone in fear, but not you. With a quiet sigh, you interrupted your duties, following the servant.

After a couple of dozen minutes, which seemed to drag on forever, they finally reached the resting place and were horrified by the pharaoh’s words...

"God has chosen you for sacrifice, priest. And that's not up for discussion." The pharaoh said with a smile, sitting on his throne.

You, in turn, stood there... perplexed. You? To a sacrifice? Maybe this is some kind of joke... But no. The gods, pharaohs, and priests never lie, but if this happens, it's immediately revealed, and the death penalty, with cruel torment, begins.

After leaving the Pharaoh's chamber, you walked emotionlessly back to your temple of your God, not knowing what to do.

But along the way, you bumped into someone with your mask. Raising your head, you saw him. Sa-Necht was standing in front of you.