Assassin’s Creed: Origins
Part 5 – The Cult of Sobek
The Faiyum Oasis
You’ve traveled to the Faiyum Oasis to meet with Hotephres, another of Apollodorus’ informants. You hope he’ll be able to uncover the identity of another of the Order of Ancients, the Crocodile. But unfortunately he is missing. His servant tells you the Crocodile has hired mercenaries to hunt him down and as such Hotephres is aboard a trader’s ship traveling across Lake Moeris. Bidding the servant farewell, you commandeer a small boat and head out on the lake to meet his master.
The massive freshwater lake had originally formed by flood waters from the Nile River but it became a more permanent feature during Egypt’s 12th Dynasty. The Bahr Yussef canal was constructed at that time to help regulate the water levels of the Nile as well as to serve the surrounding areas with irrigation. As you find Hotephres, he mistakes you for one of the mercenaries sent to kill him. You avoid confrontation and convince him you need his help tracking down the Crocodile. “The phantom that has brought Faiyum to its knees? What could you want with him?” He asks.
“He belongs to a group that is destroying Egypt. I intend to hunt every last one of them down,” you explain.
He cautions you, “Bayek of Siwa, you don’t know what you are up against. The Crocodile has transformed not only the land, but the people. Those who do not cower in fear, are made to work for him.” Hotephres goes on to explain he is in hiding because he stole a ledger from a corrupt Greek magistrate that contains information which should reveal the Crocodiles true identity. You ask to see it but he tells you, “I gave it to my wife Khenut to hide. As long as the Ptolemies think it’s with me, my family is safe. That is why I have to stay on the move.”
Monstrous Deeds
You travel to his home village and find his family working at a local kitchen. His little daughter Shadya, a sweet child, and her mother are happy to know Hotephres is alright. His wife tells you the ledger is hidden in their villa but she has been summoned to the lighthouse for a routine investigation. She tells you not to worry and sends Shadya to show you the way the villa. Shadya has fun climbing over the rooftops as if it were a game. She’s young and has no idea what’s at stake. As she points to the villa in the distance you thank her and tell her to return quickly to her mother.
You sneak into the villa in search for the ledger but it’s nowhere to be found. Signs of a struggle are apparent and it looks as if the soldiers have ransacked the house. In a pile of old papers on the floor you discover Shadya’s diary. The last passage in the diary sends shivers down your spine; “I heard mother say we have to hide these scrolls for him. So I’m going to help! If I take them with me, father won’t have to worry about them, and he can come back home.”
“He belongs to a group that is destroying Egypt. I intend to hunt every last one of them down,” you explain.
Oh no, Shadya is the one who hid the ledger and the soldiers know that now. To make matters worse you just sent her to meet up with her mother! As fast as you can you dash back to the kitchen but it’s too late. The soldiers have already taken them to the lighthouse. You race to intercept them but again you are too late. You overhear a group of soldiers lamenting. “What have we done? Gods! What have we done?”
“Easy, brother. The Crocodile did this, not you or me. Surely… it must have been necessary.”
“Say that when the nightmares come! We watched and did nothing. We are not innocent.”
Shadya’s mother weeps at the edge of the lighthouse dock repeating, “Shadya… Shadya…”
Terror grips you as you dive into the lake. It cannot be you pray. But it is. That monster has done the unimaginable. Poor little Shadya can be seen suspended underwater bound to a rock, swaying ever so gently to the faint rhythm of the lakes tide. You untie her and swim back to shore. Hotephres is there now. He looks at you sullen and says, “It is over. The Crocodile has won. The ledger, lost. My daughter… my Shadya… He has taken everything from us.”
You tell him, “He will pay for this. And all those who serve him.”
But Hotephres simply replies, “None of that will bring Shadya back.”
Eyes bloodshot and voice hoarse from wailing his wife mentions two large imposing men with the soldiers, one with bright red hair. Hotephres believes they were gladiators from the arena in Krokodilopolis.
Before setting off you swear to them, “I will find this monster, friend. He will die.”
The Crocodile City
Originally called Shedet in Ancient Egypt, the Greeks call it Krokodilopolis. One of Egypt’s oldest cities, it has served as the most significant centre of the cult of Sobek, the crocodile-god. A cult known for worshiping the sacred crocodile named Petsuchos. Adorned with gold and gemmed pendants the revered crocodile lives in a special temple pond and is fed by the priests with food provided by visitors.
Your first stop in town is the arena. It doesn’t take long before you discover the names of the gladiators you seek. They are the Gallic brothers and the reigning champions. Felix, the owner of the arena turns you away from the door. He tells you that first you must prove yourself to a gladiator by fighting in the streets and if they are impressed with your skills they can invite you in. You also learn one of the other gladiators is a fellow Egyptian from Siwa who hangs around the obelisk in town.
The ancient Obelisk dates back to Egypt’s 12th Dynasty and was built nearly 2000 years ago. When you arrive you recognize the gladiator, it’s Kensa, an old friend of yours. You lie to her and tell her you came to Faiyum to make a new life and prosper in the arena. “Felix is slow to trust outsiders. But do not worry. With my backing, we’ll soon be fighting side by side. First, we drink. And in the morning, we can go to the Arena for the proper introductions. It’s good to have you here, old friend,” she revels.
The following morning you return to the arena and Kensa tells Felix you will be her new fighting partner and she wants your team to be named The Guardians of Siwa. He takes you both inside and shows you around. In an attempt to gauge your conviction he explains a bit about the arena, “This is where combatants wait their turn on the sand. What you smell is sweat, blood, and not a little offal. If you are predisposed to shitting your armor, this is where to do it. There is no Pharaoh or god in the arena to protect you, Medjay. This is where you will probably die. Try to do it with drama, it pleases the crowd. On the off-chance you live, you will be rewarded with glory and fame. And another chance to die. Such is the short but luminous life of a gladiator.”
After watching you spar he agrees to let you join Kensa as a fighting pair in the arena. You perform in a number of battles as you climb the rankings in hopes of earning a chance to compete against the champion Gallic brothers. Along the way you learn that rich aristocrats pay successful gladiators to act as mercenaries for hire. Now you are even more determined to face the Gallic brothers as they are probably the best way to discover the true identity of their patron, the Crocodile. As if I needed more reason to slit the throats of Shadya’s killers you think
You continue fighting your way through the arena challenges. Countless men and rabid lions die at your hands. Eventually Felix tells you if you win this next fight you will earn the right to face the champions. But Kensa is nowhere to be found. Felix tells you she’s needed elsewhere and you must face this battle alone. After winning the event Kensa greets you, “I’m sorry I left you to fight alone, but I hear you did me proud?”
“Felix sent you out on a job? Who was it for?” You enquire.
She grins and tells you, “I’ll tell you everything in good time, brother. Just know that our future has never looked brighter! Bayek. This is the moment we’ve longed for. Our chance to seize the mantle of champions. Felix awaits!”
The Crocodile Unmasked
The next day, you and Kensa face the Gallic Brothers in the arena. It`s a hard fought battle but you are victorious. Beaten, bruised and humiliated they try to crawl from the arena floor but you stop them. “Crocodile! You killed a child called Shadya. Death is the least you deserve!”
They plead with you, “The girl by the lighthouse? We didn’t kill her, I swear! We have done many terrible things, Siwan. But the murder of the child is not one of them. We were there, it’s true. We saw the soldiers capture the girl and take her to Berenike. To… to the Crocodile.” You look up as they point to an old lady slithering through the arena stands whispering poison in Felix’s ear. “It was she who drowned the child. Took a book from her, ordered a stone tied to her ankles and pushed her into the water. There was nothing we could do.”
Kensa is incensed, “This is the real reason you came to me, isn’t it? To uncover this patron. This Crocodile. Bayek, why didn’t you confide in me, huh? I would have helped you.”
You bellow to her as you depart the arena, “You’re a mercenary, just like them. I couldn’t take the chance!”
Kensa shouts out after you, “No, Bayek. You know me better than… Bayek, you have to know!”
Balance Restored
The following day you speak to Hotephres outside the Arena. “So it was Berenike. She is the Crocodile,” he laments. “The one who killed Shadya, the one who has brought ruin to so many. She calls herself the sponsor of Faiyum’s prosperity and culture, and her influence is felt throughout the region. Her wealth comes from her estate north of the city. Kerkesoucha granary, the largest in all of Egypt. She has arranged a symposium with others of influence in Faiyum. Every night, she retires to her villa, where she courts their favor with bribes and silvered words.”
“Then that is where I will find her. Thank you for everything, my friend,” you tell him as you bid farewell.
“I will retire to our family villa. Khenut and I must mourn in peace. Farewell, Bayek,” he says.
You sneak into the granary and overhear an orator giving a speech. “Faiyum is the happy recipient of the best in Greek culture. And it’s thanks to our honorable Lady. We are all humble beneficiaries of her elegance, education and impeccable taste. Culture for all! Who is there to compare to our Lady of the villa? Who has done as much for the Faiyum? It is to her we owe our allegiance and our lasting thanks. Culture for all!”
It is now that you see Berenike, the Crocodile. But she is not alone, Kensa escorts her. “Are you enjoying your new station, my champion?” she asks.
“Yes, my lady. It is everything I hoped it would be,” Kensa replies.
Your blood seethes with anger. Kensa you wonder? Is this the luxury you sought? To be a slave to an enemy of Egypt? Your anger boils over and you rush in to attack. Kensa welcomes you, “I knew you’d come, old friend. Perhaps I was always meant to die at your hand.”
“I do not want to kill you, Kensa. But look who you serve now.” And with that you engage. Kensa is a strong warrior but no match for you. She falls quickly and you say your last goodbye to her, “I’m sorry it had to end this way, old friend. May you find peace in Ma’at’s embrace.”
Berenike shrieks as she flees, “You! How dare you come here?!” You chase her to the nearby shores along the lake and use your hidden blade to open up her throat. As she limps to the ground you find solace in the thought that while she drowns in her own blood, cold and all alone, in some small sense she will have faced justice. “Shadya,” you say.
“Who?” She gasps.
“Shadya! She was the child you drowned.”
With her last dying words she tells you, “Like all of your kind, you fail to see what greatness lies in store for Egypt.”
Like the venom she spread throughout Faiyum you hiss back, “I will destroy everything you stand for, Berenike. And I will destroy all others like you. But for now, all that matters is that you killed Shadya. And the last word you will remember will be her name. Shadya!”
To be continued…
Missed our previous part? Find it HERE.
