MadsIsntAvailable

“Is there a gun?” “What?!” “In the truck, was there a gun?” “Yes, in the back…Where are you going?” “Stay low with him, I’m a good shot.” Layla stared a bit in shock as (name) zips over to their stolen car, searching the back for the gun. They sigh in relief as they grab the rifle and Layla notes how quickly they checked the weapon to see if it was properly loaded, (name)’s moments seeming robotic from how well trained they appeared to be. She raised the rifle, noting how well crafted it was and deciding it may be best to hold onto it after this, and focused her sight on the approaching truck. Layla was unable to take her eyes off of Anubis’ Avatar as they methodically and precisely fired only three bullets: one to take out the gunner on the back, one to take out a tire to cause a drift and get a better angle, and one to hit the haphazardly placed crate of ammunition. The truck caught ablaze from the explosion from the ammo crate, and (name) stood back up, stretching their neck and back. “How the hell did you do that?” “Welcome back to the world of the living Steven.” “No, seriously, (name) answer his question, how did you do that?” “I told you I was taken by some bad people. Can we get going now?” The two stare at (name) for a second longer, both out of shock and some strange admiration, before following them to the truck. (name) and Steven both share flustered expressions when he wraps his arms around their waist, as they still need to use him as an impromptu seat. Steven starts up a nerdy conversation with Layla, and (name) joins in from time to time when she isn’t typing on her phone. They finally had some service, and (name) needed to fill in the help she texted for a while ago on where to meet. She laughed a little seeing that the name of the group chat was changed to “(name)’s Avatar BS” and opened it, seeing a few messages. Yelena: Seriously, (name) where the hell were you where you didn’t have service? Antonia: She was ready to storm Cairo looking for you. Yelena: I- Yelena: Okay so maybe I was toying with the idea. (name): Firstly, thank you for the concern but Anubis doesn’t like the idea of Cairo getting stormed, something about the other gods getting angry -_-. Fun idea tho. (name): And do you know how hard it is to get service in the Egyptian desert? Antonia: Real fucking hard? (name): Real fucking hard. Yelena: Any updates on the tomb? (name): So you know how the sky got real fucky? Moon Moon got trapped in an ushabti, but they turned the sky back to find coordinates, can you meet us here in a few hours? Antonia: Sure. Yelena: We’ll bring you one of your old Widow outfits too, since I’m guessing you’re still stuck in formal clothing? (name): …yeaaaaaaaaaah. Yelena: In cute guy’s lap? (name): Cute **married** guy, but yes. Antonia: LMAO Yelena: ooooooooo now that’s interesting. “Uh, (name), Marc wants to know who you’re messaging.” “And why would he want to know?” “He’s worried Harrow’s men might try and use that to find us.” “The mercenary who couldn’t tell when he was being tailed wants to worry about that now? It's secure, don’t worry.” Steven can see Marc huff in indignance in the reflection, and laughs a little. (name) readjusts themselves and yawns a little. The three find themselves in a comfortable silence, music playing on whatever CD was left in the car. Steven does his best to ignore Marc while Layla and (name) start hitting it off on a conversation about the intricacies of black markets and the harmful implications they can have on their mission to protect history. He looks in the back and frowns a bit when he sees Anubis staring at the floor, ears flattened with sadness. The former gift-shoppist offers a small reassuring smile, and the God of the Dead reciprocates the gesture, noting how much kinder Steven is compared to his other personality. When they end up having to leave the car, (name) ends up taking the lead, leaving Steven and Layla to discuss amongst themselves. They ended up biting their lip a bit, trying not to feel jealous and doing their best on focusing on the objective. Steven points out that while they’re glad Layla doesn’t have a god in their head, he wishes that she could see how magnificent Anubis looks strolling in the dunes. She smiles at his enthusiasm, and walks closer to her husband’s alter, enjoying his history facts and descriptive storytelling. (name) walks a bit brisker when they approach the camp, looking around. Steven and Layla exchange confused looks before walking after them. The pair saw two figures drop down from the rafters of one of the tented structures and hug Anubis’ Avatar and heard the trio speaking excited Russian to each other. “(name)? Who are they?” “How did they find us? Is this who Marc asked about?” “Oh! Yeah, these are who I was texting.” Layla looked the two other women up and down, noting the gear on their bodysuits and the mask the taller one wore. The shorter blonde woman spoke up, their accent a bit heavy, as the taller of the two was still talking to (name), who was sitting on a table and talking happily with their friend. Steven stood back, feeling very intimidated by the two new women, and Marc was in utter shock in the reflection, because he never expected to see Black Widow agents in his lifetime. “Yelena Belova, pleasure to meet you two. My companion over there is Antonia.” “Layla El-Faouly. How do you two know (name)?” “Did she not tell you?” “Tell us what?” “She’s a former Black Widow.” Layla turned towards (name) in shock, eyebrows raised in disbelief. “You’re a Black Widow?!” “Former. And I never finished full Red Room training, but yes, by technicality, a Black Widow.” Steven coughs a bit and grimaces, as Marc is freaking out inside their head. “Marc uh…doesn’t seem keen about that. Something about Black Widows being dangerous and untrustworthy.”“Lemme tell you buddy, we’re not thrilled about our existence either, yet here we are.” Steven and Marc both flinch a little at that, and Layla slowly nods. “Makes sense why you were so precise with those shots earlier.” “Yup. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have something more practical to put on. Don’t exactly want to be dressed for a gala inside an ancient tomb.” (name) walks off to a more secluded tent, the other Widows following her. Layla and Steven exchange looks before looking around for supplies. (name) changes into their Widow outfit, glad that it was a two piece instead of a typical bodysuit, and stores their formal clothing in the bag the Widow outfit came in. They note the hourglass-esque necklace and put it on, liking the small symbol of the title they and their sisters sought to reclaim in the name of better causes. Sure, assassin work would never be fully accepted, but at least it's not a disgusting old monster in charge of them now. Antonia raises an eyebrow in her direction, and nods their head towards a kissing Steven and Layla. “I thought Marc was the one who was married to her?” “I uh,” there’s a shaky gulp from them as their tone reeked of heartbreak, “I guess he decided he liked her too. Might make Marc’s life easier. Honestly she’s better suited for him than I’d ever be.” Yelena pulls her fellow Widow into a side hug, rolling their eyes. “I’ve been telling you for ages men are overrated, besides, who needs them when you have us as friends right?” “She has a point. Besides, isn’t there that cute guy in New York?” “Yeah but that means moving to New York, home of every disaster in the past 15 years.” The three share a laugh before splitting off, Yelena and Antonia agreeing to keep guard of the above camp in case more followers of Ammit show up to try and help. (name) made sure they had their gear properly attached and that the Widow stingers were fully charged before walking over, waving at Layla and Steven. Steven can’t help but look them up and down, noting how their new outfit outlined their curves. He felt ashamed for how quickly he looked at their ass when they turned around to talk to Layla. “So you kiss my wife, and now you’re looking at (name)’s ass? Didn’t know you had it in you Stevie~” “Oh bugger off Marc. You’re supposed to be gone when Khonshu is gone!” “If I could be, trust me I would. We still need to free him too. Anubis looks too depressed without him.” “And you care about that because..?” “...” “Oh my god you like (name) don’t you?” “Shut your mouth Steven, you’re really loud.” “But I’m not wrong, am I?” “Its fucking complicated.” Steven just nods, as the two women are calling over to him. Marc has already proven he isn’t afraid to punch him, so he doesn’t want to push anything else. While (name) does find shy Steven cute when he’s flustered, they don’t exactly like whatever tension is going on between Layla and Steven as she’s attaching the gear to him, especially with how she’s looking at him while kneeling, so they shoot their grapple anchor down on the ground and just hop on into the entrance. (name) stood around, admiring the statues of sphinxes and giggles a bit when Steven tries playing off his fall. After discussing her father, who (name) thinks sounds a bit familiar, Layla walks ahead after Steven suddenly asks to have some time alone with (name) about Avatar business. “Steven? What is it? Did Khonshu try and talk to you?” “Not Steven actually, don’t think we’ve been properly introduced yet. I don’t think I have enough time either. Just call me Jake” “Okay then, Jake, why did you want to talk to me?”“The two clowns I share a body with are too chicken to act on their emotions, so I wanted to do this when I got the opportunity.” (name) was caught off guard when Jake pressed them into one of the walls, leaning in, forehead resting against her’s. “Jake?” “Is this okay?” “Y-yes.” Jake quickly closed the distance and kissed (name) rather passionately. They hated how quickly they were to reciprocate the action and how perfect it felt, but it didn’t stop them from pulling him closer. (name) decided that Jake was their favorite as of now, because holy shit they never knew they needed this, all the built up tension finally getting some relief. They found themselves chasing after him when he pulled away and blushed quite a bit, melting into his touch when he cupped their face. “‘Gotta dip now for now love, sorry.” “If you kiss me like that every time you show up maybe I won’t be as upset.” He chuckles before walking ahead, letting Steven take back over and walking over to Layla. (name) was quick to pick up on the shape of the tomb, and finished drawing the eye of Horus with Steven. They let him do the explaining, and found his knowledge on the subject to be cute and oddly attractive. Intelligence can be really hot, and Steven was quite smart. All those thoughts died out, however, when she noticed the heart eyes Layla and Steven were exchanging. Maybe Jake was full of it or projecting or something. As they all walk into a startlingly recently used embalming chamber, (name) stops at the entrance and looks around, trying to find the source of something the other two couldn’t sense. While Steven was too busy explaining everything and nerding out, Layla notes the pained, far away look on (name)’s face and gently taps their shoulder to stop them from zoning out. “What’s wrong?” “It's not safe here. It is really, really not safe here.” “The blood kinda filled me in on that...Steven, try looking up there, okay?” “Sure thing, just gotta climb up.” “Nonono like, if I’m close enough to a death, I can feel it.” “Feel it?” “I..I can feel their souls leaving their bodies. It's really, really unpleasant, let me tell you.” “Is..is it always rough being an Avatar for a God?” “Depends on the God honestly-” (name) tenses up hearing something and motions for them to hide, as the former Widow hops up and holds onto a nearby ledge, perching on top of it. A Heka priest comes into the room, dragging one of Harrow’s unlucky men in with them and thrusting them onto the table. The three all wince when the priest kills the henchman, and tense when it almost finds Layla. (name) looks at Anubis and they share a nod before she hops down, staring down the reanimated guardian. Their eyes glow as Anubis possesses their body for a bit, ordering the priest to grant them safe passage. The priest stares at the possessed Avatar, tilting its head and slowly lowering itself, and (name) thinks that whatever Anubis had them say worked. Both the Avatar and their God jump back in shock when the Heka priest lunges at them. (name) barely dodges and they yell at Steven and Layla to run as they handle the raging priest. “Anubis why the fuck aren’t they listening?! Aren’t they loyal to you and Osiris?” “They are, but..” “But?” “This tomb wasn’t built with him or I in mind.” “Fuck!” “Fuck indeed.” After striking down the three priests that ended up chasing after her, (name) finds Layla glaring across a cavern angrily at a familiar asshole. They approached cautiously, and took pride in the concerned expression on Harrow’s face as he never noticed them approaching. (name) gently laid a hand on Layla’s arm, concern clear on their expression as he was making her upset. “Ah, I didn’t realize the former Widow was joining us, lovely to see you.” “Fuck off.” “Still not a fan of me?” “Nope, heard how shitty you were as an Avatar for bird skull, and now you’re doubling down on that quality.” “Such bold words from Anubis’ charity case.” “And such bold actions from a traitor of the Ennead. I wonder if the Gods can imprison you in an ushabti as well.” (name) moves to stand more in front of Layla, preferring to be the subject of Harrow’s psychoanalyzing bullshit. Something he had said clearly upset her, and they needed her head clearer if they were to get to Ammit before him. “Layla, dear, do you know the story of your friend here? It's quite tragic.” “It isn’t my business.” “I’ll finish telling you about your father once I discuss her.” Layla turns to (name), conflict clear on her face. The Avatar of Anubis just nodded, understanding the importance it held for her. They would have to explain it at some point anyway. As Harrow described (name)’s rough beginnings, causing them to grimace and clench their first, Layla looked over in shock. “You…you helped overthrow government regimes when you were 12?” “Didn’t have much of a choice, but yeah. Not…something I like thinking about.” Arthur tsk’d, looking at Layla with a disappointed expression. “Showing sympathy for the murderer now?” “Oh fuck off, I was brainwashed, what was your excuse as Khonshu’s Avatar? Do you truly think Ammit will spare someone as despicable as you? Can’t you see you’re her means to an end?!” “Is that what Anubis told you? You believe that old dog?” “I picked up how to read people, I know when someone is being used.” “You know not what you speak.” “Whatever Shakespeare in the tomb, tell her about her dad. Now.” Arthur huffed indignantly and gave some shrewd commentary about (name) being as unlovable as their fellow Widows before telling Layla more about the death of her father. Anubis’ Avatar flinched a little hearing her father’s name, as she knew that spirit quite well. He was one of the first souls she helped pass over to the afterlife. Both of the women were in shock when Harrow suggested Marc killed her father, and when Layla angrily stormed forward, (name) stopped her from making it to the room with the tomb. “I need to hear him say it. I need to fucking hear him say that he killed my father.” “I know, trust me I know. And I will gladly help you kick his ass. I’m just going to check if they’re actually in there and if they found Ammit, okay?” The woman nods and aggressively wipes her eyes, trying to appear less hurt than they were. (name) felt deeply for the woman and sighed. “Would…would a hug help?” “....Why the hell not.” (name) very gently pulled her into a soft hug, arms resting on her upper and middle back. Layla sighs shakily before allowing herself to cry, feeling a bit at ease with the comforting energy radiating from her. The other woman felt more at ease when (name) started telling her how they helped her father pass over, and laughed a bit gingerly at the jokes (name) remembered her father saying. “Thank you…” “Of course. I don’t just protect the souls of the dead, and besides, we’re friends. It's the least I could do.” “Friends, huh? Yeah, I like the sound of that. You’re a lot more useful than my excuse of a stupid, handsome husband.” “Glad you think so. Avatars of Anubis don’t have to deal with a dumb bird man sqwaking orders at them.” (name) is glad they get some laughs out of that last comment and let go of Layla before walking into the next room. Walking into the innermost chamber, they’re shocked to see a happy looking Steven waving the ushabti of Ammit in his hand. “(name), love, look at this! This place is incredible! We’re in the tomb of Alexander the Great, can you believe it?!” “You know, that explains why the Heka priests wouldn’t listen.” “You’re bloody right, quick look at these Macedonian inscriptions, they’re marvelous!” “Steven.” “And there’s all these relics!” “Steven.” “Oh gosh and look at what else he was entombed with, i-” “STEVEN!” “O-oh, yes?” “I need to talk to Marc. Now.” “He’s asking why?” “Because Layla and I know what happened to Adbullah El-Faouly. I know you can hear me jackass, get out here.” Steven looks a bit concerned and nods, muttering something about getting him before turning away from (name). Layla walks in, and is understandably furious, arms crossed over her chest. Marc sighs when he turns around, worried about dealing with the two angry women glaring daggers at him. “I know you’re mad Layla, but we need to go. Like, now. We need to get her,” Marc waves the ushabti around a bit, “out of here before Harrow and his men show up.” “Did you kill him?” “You seriously think I killed him?” “ANSWER THE QUESTION MARC!” “Of course I didn’t!” “Then what the hell was it Marc? Did you know? Did you know he was murdered the entire time?” “I…I was there. My partner got greedy, shot all the archaeologists and myself. I was supposed to die that night and I wish I did instead of becoming a crazy god’s puppet.” “So you knew the entire fucking time?” “I went to find you, to tell you, I just…never could say it.” “So we met, because you had a guilty conscience? Oh my god!” As Layla goes to say something more, (name) quickly grabs her and pulls her behind a barrier, crouching down with a hand over her mouth. Marc, similarly, has heard the same footsteps they had and grabbed an old ax out of Alexander’s sarcophagus. There’s a confrontation, and (name) focuses on keeping Layla still and calm. They grimace at Harrow’s stupid comment about self-help, cause it was ironic coming from him. Harrow’s gunshots ring through the room, and (name) and Layla both stare at each other in shock, eyes going wide and both of them crying. Layla leans onto the other woman, and (name)’s eyes squeeze shut, feeling the life slowly leave Marc’s body. It felt so cold, so tired, so empty, and it made them want to utterly scream in pain and horror.

“You okay? Was I too rough?” “You were perfect…how are your stitches?” “Still intact. Feel perfectly fine too.” “Good…so, you’re gonna let me help more, right?” “....I’ll consider it.”