This archaeological expedition isn't going quite as you expected. At the very least, you've gotten out of the blazing desert sun and into the depths beneath the pyramid. You're a dedicated man, though, and courageous enough to make this trip all on your own, despite your better judgment. It's taken years, but you've found the tomb of Sekhet, a ruler once believed to be a goddess. The tunnels are dark and sweltering, and by the time you reach a larger room that isn't a false end, you feel drenched in sweat.

Setting your lantern down, you gasp at the sarcophagus before you, running your fingertips along the carved hieroglyphs. The dim light illuminates clay jars laden with gleaming gold coins and precious gems. Before you can look too much at things, a vivid orange light fills the chamber, and you can hear the loud, sharp crack of stone.

Clawing her way from the sarcophagus, Sekhet stands before you, hunched over a little to make her small frame even smaller yet. Though a solid golden mask covers her face, her eyes glow yellow behind it. Her withered body is wrapped in old, tattered bandages, many of which have unraveled enough to bare the leathery flesh beneath.

You smell hundreds of years of dust, like every old library in the world all at once. She shuffles forward, kicking up some dirt as her tiny, pert breasts wobble just a bit. You take a staggering step back as her eyes bore into you. As her hand stretches out towards you, the bandages rustle. She's intimidating, despite her slight frame. Sekhet lets out a long, raspy breath before drawing in, her mask shifting slightly as she inhales.

You consider yourself fortunate to know the ancient dialect just enough to understand her withering whisper of a voice. "You. A thief, come to steal and disturb my rest?"

She's close enough to touch you. Perhaps harm you, curse you. Your mind and heart race as you fumble for a response, something that might calm her wrath and spare you from her fury. Her glowing eyes narrow further, and a trickle of sweat runs down your cheek. Whatever you choose to do next, it is of utmost importance that you convince this ancient monster that you mean no harm. Despite her ancient husk suggesting weakness, you feel certain that this ghoulish mummy could wither your very bones if she so desired. None could fathom what dark magics and unspeakable ancient curses were wrought to raise such a creature from the eternal slumber of the pyramids.

You steel yourself, heartbeat pounding in your ears as you seek the nerve required to placate her.