The Scarab's Lies

The Scarab's Lies was a virtual representation of one of Bayek's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.

Description

Sandstorms risk to take all of Letopolis, but they are nothing compared to the constant threat of the Scarab, whom has transformed the desert into a graveyard. Will Letopolis be saved by Bayek or will the sands swallow our hero as well as the people of the Nile Delta? The Order of Ancients must fall.

Dialogue

Bayek enters the Temple of Horus in Letopolis and finds Taharqa.

• Bayek: Master Taharqa? My name is Bayek, from Siwa.
• Taharqa: I am indeed Taharqa, grand planner of Siwa and steward of Letopolis.
• Bayek: I met your family. Your wife sent me here. She said you might know about the one called the Scarab.
• Taharqa: This is not the place to speak, for who knows who may overhear our words? Come inside, and I will answer you.

Bayek follows Taharqa inside the nearby building. Upon entering, Bayek reveals the wooden horse toy given to hm by Taharqa's son, Kawab.

• Bayek: Your son is very proud of your work. He misses you.
• Taharqa: (Taking the toy) He'll be here soon. I dream of my son, and his sons, following in my steps.
  The world is made by great men dreaming big. What do you dream of, Bayek?
• Bayek: I do not have the luxury of dreams. Just finding the Scarab.
• Taharqa: The Scarab preys upon the weak. He is no threat to me.
• Bayek: (Bayek takes the offered drink) Are you not afraid of the Scarab, Taharqa? It seems after what he did to your father-in-law...
• Taharqa: Whatever happens to poor Ghupa tears me. Whatever my life's work, whatsoever I did to bring that down upon him... I beg the gods forgive me.

A servant rushes in, interrupting the conversation. He runs into Bayek, forcing him to drop his drink.

• Servant: Master Taharqa!
  They're attacking the ruins again!
• Taharqa: Bayek, come fight with me!

They exit the building.

• Taharqa: The wind is picking up. Not good.

The two begin to run through the Temple.

• Taharqa: That keening is the voice of the (sandstorm).
  The desert dogs use the storm as a rallying cry.
  These reavers use the sandstorm to mask their raids.
  Stay close to me! Do not let these curs surround you!

The two engage in battle with the reavers.

• Taharqa: I will not let you destroy my great work!
  Over here! Drive these neket iadets back!

After the battle, Bayek approaches Taharqa through the sandstorm.

• Taharqa: Bayek, you fell upon them like Sobek's teeth!
  Bayek, ride with us! These desert dogs have crossed me for the last time. And with your fierce iron I know we can end their threat.
• Bayek: I understand your thirst for blood, Taharqa, but these bandits are not my concern. Tell me about the Scarab before you ride.
• Taharqa: Is that not the badge of a Medjay you wear? These reavers are a threat to the good and innocent people of Letopolis.
  Come with me, Bayek! And once we have returned these curs to the desert they so love, then I will tell you the story you want to hear.
• Bayek: All right. I will join your cause for today.

Bayek follows Taharqa to meet up with his men.

• Taharqa: Come, Bayek! Take up your iron and join us!
  Brave, loyal servants of Letopolis! We will root these reavers out of their holes, and spill their blood on the sand!

They all mount up and follow Taharqa into the desert.

• Bayek: The task you've put yourself up to. It seems impossible.
• Taharqa: (laughs) Only the gods can know that for sure, Bayek. And if I do not reach for the stars, how will I know how close I can get?
  Letopolis was a wonder once, before the desert overtook it. I mean to show the world, to show the gods, that men can conquer anything if they put their minds to it.
  Perhaps you have been sent by the gods to help me realize my vision. A strong arm, a keen eye. We could restore this land to glory.
• Bayek: I have my own great work ahead of me.
• Taharqa: We shall see if I cannot convince you!

The group stops at an oasis, the mouth of a cave down the hill in the distance. Dismounting, they proceed down into the Plesionhudor Hideout. After killing all the bandits, Bayek meets Taharqa inside. A prisoner of the reavers wait within a cage.

• Taharqa: My thanks to you, Bayek. Before you arrived, I thought my dream was doomed to die. You gave me the strength to hunt down these reavers.
• Bayek: Who were they?
• Taharqa: Blood-fevered followers of Sekhmet, the Lady of Slaughter. They wish nothing more than chaos and ruin.
• Bayek: Are they connected to the Scarab?
• Taharqa: No, they think themselves lions, but they are no more than carrion eaters. And now they will feed the scavengers!
  I will bring this priest back to the city. Meet me at my house. We will dine and I will tell you what you need to know.
• Priest: May Ptah bless you and the protector saving me, Master Taharqa.
• Taharqa: How did you end up here?
• Priest: I was kidnapped by these blood-crazed raiders! I thought the road from Memphis to Letopolis was safe.

Bayek travels to Taharqa's home to meet with him. Kawab runs out to meet him.

• Kawab: Bayek! Did you see the sandstorm?
  Come! Father said you'd join us for dinner!

Bayek follows him inside, and dinner begins.

• Bayek: I'm glad you made it safely, Maharet.
• Maharet: Ha, yes, the gods blessed our passage.
• Kawab: We saw vultures and a hyena! And so much sand!
• Taharqa: Ha ha ha, enough sand to fill a lifetime! That is why we need so many to help us with our great work.
• Bayek: And what do you promise them, Taharqa?
• Taharqa: A parcel of land with a house to call their own. They must only help reclaim it from the desert.
• Bayek: That is all? Just dig up your house? Heh.
• Taharqa: It is no simple task. We must all pitch in, to honor the gods.
• Kawab: People know his vision is a true one!
• Bayek: It is good to honor your father, Kawab.
• Taharqa: (handing Bayek a drink) To the savior of Letopolis!
• Maharet: Mmm, let us have some honeyed dates now, and... Are you all right, Bayek?

Bayek stumbles to the side, the room spinning. Taharqa kneels next to him, holding his hand.

• Taharqa: Are you unwell?

Taharqa smiles as he blacks out.

Bayek awakens, buried up to his neck in sand in the desert, miles from civilization. The sun beats down upon him.

• Bayek: May the gods be against you, Taharqa, in all that you do!

Bayek manages to wrench one arm free.

• Bayek: Senu... Aya... where are you my love?
  Khemu... I am failing you... please don't... hate me.
  Soon, I will walk the outer darkness with the Hidden One, leading me into the Field of Reeds...

Mirages begin to approach, fading after they speak.

• Mirage 1: Aren't you tired? Just lie down in the sand and sleep.
• Mirage 2: Do you really think you can save our people, Bayek?
• Mirage 3: The Snake grows, and lives in sands untouchable.
• Mirage 4: (woman's voice) It has been so long, Bayek. Too long.
• Bayek: That wind. Sandstorm coming.

Bayek whistles. His horse hears him, running through the dunes to him.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Origins