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I must put her to the test as well. If she is ultimately incapable of completing her Khaganquest, she will never be considered a true Nightzmora.

No matter what may come, make sure she takes that step.

I understand.

Do I have to go as well? I never thought those Nightzmora were any good.

There are too many drunks among them, spilling their drinks all over the place. I don't feel like having to lick my fur clean again.

No, Mio. I need you to aid me with another matter.

Out with it, young one.

After I sank into slumber, the Shah's treasure trove suffered heavy damage. A dereliction of my duty.

I must admit that even with the constructs at my side, my strength would not be enough to hold back the combined armies of the lords ameer and the padishahs.

Just tell me your decision. I'll get it done for you, like I always do.

I met a girl. I believe she can help me.

Following the footsteps of the Shah, she found one of my lost gems. If not for her, I would not have awakened.

Oh, you mean that kid? I've seen her, seemed like a good egg.

Motivated, lively... too bad she's a little too stubborn.

Reminds me of her.

Indeed. After searching through my memories, the girl's conduct and demeanor feel rather familiar.

She reminds me of my elder sister. When we walked down the streets of the City of Gold, she could tell me the origin of every brick and tile.

She was especially fascinated by the things of yore.

What do you want me to do with the girl, Zubayr?

I need a companion. One who will await the Shah's return alongside me.

Help me confirm if she is worthy, Mio.

If that's your wish, Zubayr.

Then I shall go.

Hey! Watch where you're going!

S-Sorry, effendi! I was in a hurry. Are you okay?

Well, I supposed nothing's broken.

Where are you off to in such a hurry? Don't you know there's trouble?

First those metal constructs sent all the gems in the city to the Great Bazaar, now they're tearing down houses and chasing us out of the bazaar.

The constructs are tearing down houses?

Yeah! There are flying stones and debris everywhere.

Hey, why are you still going that way? Didn't you hear what I said?

I need to see what's going on!

What do you think you can do, girl?

Hey, girl!

...No one's here. They've all gone.

By Horakhet...

The streets, usually bustling with people, are now empty, save for constructs moving in pairs or triplets.

They raise their arms, and houses turn into sand.

From the fallen sand, tall pillars and walls emerge.

Yikes, that almost hit me.

Meow...

Who was that...?

Mrow...

Huh, where did this critter come from?

Meow!

Go, this is no place for you.

Go! Shoo!

The animal is not daunted by her shooing and instead sits down to leisurely lick its own fur.

A suspicious Pepe decides to go around it. As she takes a step, the animal looks up and gazes straight into Pepe's eyes.

In that instant, Pepe feels as though her feet have become nailed to the ground.

But it is such a small animal.

She gathers the courage to take another step forward.

A deafening roar stops her. She feels her eardrums hurt.

She cannot imagine the sound coming from a tiny animal that barely reaches her shins.

She covers her ears and closes her eyes, wincing as the sound wave almost knocks her over.

As her ears stop ringing, she feels a massive shadow descending upon her.

Pepe opens her eyes to see a formidable creature prowling in the middle of the street, faint patterns with a wondrous gleam roving upon its sandy fur.

Transfixed, she meets the beast's gaze and feels as though her very soul is being drawn into those golden eyes.

Her breath and heartbeat seem to fall under its control, ready to cease at its will.

Unable to move a single muscle, she watches helplessly as the beast slowly approaches, its crimson maw parting...

And swallows her whole.

All goes dark.

Anat, Acting Curator of Varjavandabad Museum. Yes, we are aware, but unfortunately we do not have the resources...

Our experts are being deployed across the city. We do not currently have the manpower to assess your losses...

Of course we value your sponsorship, but...

Anat, Acting Curator of Varjavandabad Museum... no, we are unable to offer any comment at this time.

...What? No, the museum is already on lockdown. No collection can leave the building.

The museum has nothing to do with the constructs in the city...

Hello?

*sigh*...

Anat, Acting Curator of Varjavandabad Museum...

*cough* *cough* Sorry, we're getting a lot of sand and dust here.

I assure you, on behalf of Varjavandabad Museum that we will offer restoration services at the earliest opportunity...

*cough* *cough* ...Appraisal?

The constructs have built a statue in your garden? And several pillars? May I have a description?

...Yes, the ornaments you described fit the traits of first-century art style. It had gone into decline prior to the founding of Menat-Ha'mait, and many of its techniques are considered lost.

I will send someone as soon as possible.

Titi, can you go over?

Do you think it's possible? That the constructs can build, sculpt, and master techniques believed to be long lost?

I don't want to, but...

Looks like you have a bad feeling about it too.

Which is why we need to see it to believe it.

What is it, Titi?

You said 'see it to believe it', right?

Carried by the dry winds, sand creeps up like an overflowing river, covering the feet of fleeing passersby.

Grains of sand gather before their eyes and form into shapes, as though poured into invisible molds.

Pillars and walls begin to rise from the streets.

Beast reliefs and patterns imitating Originium circuits, coupled with the worship of sundials and time, representative of the era when Lugalszargus's influence was at its strongest.

Titi, now's not a good time...

This might be the 'memory' of the constructs. Can it even be counted as a form of restored artifact?

But we didn't see any constructs nearby—

—Ruuuuun!!

Where did they come from, anyway?

*pant* *pant* Questions later, Titi! You've got to run faster than me, and pull me along!

We... we're done for if we run at my speed!

Don't worry, you're running fast enough. Hang in there, try not to pass out, and let me observe them a little longer...

Oh, and don't look back. Probably not good for your heart to see them smashing the curator's favorite murals to pieces.

Wh-What?!

The museum that the curator entrusted to me... the padishah's favorite museum... it's all over...

Have mercy on me, Shahanshah! Watch over me, Exalted Lugalszargus!