The Queen's Oasis V

The Queen's Oasis V (also known as Page 11: A Matter of Pride and Page 12: An Impartial Judge) is the fifth checkpoint in The Queen's Oasis.
==Dialogue==
===Start===
Faust
: Once he has defeated the army of the dead, Faust finally reaches the palace tucked within the tranquil oasis. As much as he wishes to admire its beauty, he knows there is no time to lose, heading straight to the palace, which seems as though it's already in turmoil.
Anubis
: "My dark pelt is as the black loam of the Golden Spring, a symbol of power and rebirth. It is thick, lustrous, and all-natural! Your hair, on the other hand, looks like you tried to make a wig from your favorite dromedary!" Anubis is trash-talking the queen's hair. His mockery booms across the barren wasteland.
Cleopawtra
: "What absolute lunacy! You think that power is everything, you mongrel? You dare compare your mangy pelt with my silky, radiant locks?" This beautiful, sleek panther hurling insults and spittle at Anubis must be the Desert Queen.
Faust
: "Pardon me, if I may just interject for a moment..." The two rulers—the hound of the underground and the topside tabby—are still exchanging venom as the scholar steps in. He sounds calm, even rational in comparison. Anubis and Cleopawtra turn to face him, each keeping the other in their peripheral vision, expecting the worst.
Cleopawtra
: "And just who are you? Oh, never mind—it doesn't matter. What we need is an impartial judge. Tell us, human... who has the more beautiful pelt? Me, or this dirty jackal?" Faust suddenly realizes the predicament he's gotten himself into—he's between a bark and a scarred face.
Faust
: "Well... um..." Faust eyes them both as if judging, trying to find any possible way out of the situation. Finally, Anubis loses his patience.
Anubis
: "Grrr! Are you trying to start another war, puny human? I've already warned you once! And the almighty Weigher of Souls will not be judged by the likes of you! Prepare to be destroyed! Ammut will thoroughly enjoy devouring you—her favorite dish is blackened soul!"
: Anubis is outraged at this ignominious treatment—as if a human could judge him! The angry god summons his army of the dead to deal with Faust.
===Against <Panther Pharaoh> Cleopawtra===
===Finish===
Anubis
: The onslaught lasts through the day, raging long into the night. Just as the sky is turning blue once more, and dawn's rays are about to touch the desert, Faust is struck by inspiration and, seeing an opening, hits Anubis where the sun don't shine.
Faust
: As Anubis lies on the ground, howling in pain, Faust begins to lecture him like a small child. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, it pains me to think that two noble rulers such as yourselves might come to blows. I am but a humble traveler, as I mentioned earlier. If everyone can stop fighting like cats and do-... er... if you could just calm down for a moment, I think you'll be interested in what I have to say."
Anubis
: "Ugh... Enough! I can see when I am defeated. I will take my army and return home. But know this, Queen of the Desert Kingdom, it is I who rule the other side of the Styx. And there is more than one way to skin a cat!" Anubis flashes one last menacing look at Cleopawtra, then shuffles away.
Cleopawtra
: "Thank you, valiant traveler. It must be abundantly clear to you that I am more beautiful than Anubis... but let's let sleeping dogs lie, shall we?" As the Desert Queen looks into Faust's eyes, he feels his heart skip a beat. She may only be a panther, but he could still see that she was very beautiful.
: "There must be some way to reward you for your service. But for someone with your remarkable abilities, the gold and silver in my palace are probably of less interest... perhaps a legendary treasure would be more suitable. What do you think?" Cleopawtra's eyes are mysterious and inscrutable, as if she were saying one thing while plotting another. Faust considers his next move.
Faust
: "I am eternally grateful, Your Majesty, but I am not interested in treasure of any kind. I seek a truth upon which to build a utopia—the Eternal Truth sought by man since time immemorial."
Cleopawtra
: "Ha, well... Isn't this also a kind of wealth? A thirst for knowledge and, therefore, power? All human action is driven by the desire for wealth, is it not? You may argue, but I can see in your eyes that you know it to be true." The Desert Queen's observation silences the scholar.
: "Now, it is said... that one of the Seven Wonders of the world—the Valley of Gold—conceals a legendary treasure. Whether or not you agree with my assessment, you can always go and have a look for yourself." The Desert Queen smiles enigmatically at Faust, pointing him toward the road ahead.
==Navigation==
Category:Gaia Chronicle Checkpoints
Category:The Queen's Oasis