Keeper of the Three Gates

**Keeper of the Three Gates** (French titled "*Le maître des trois portes*") is the twenty-third episode of the first season and the series overall.

## Plot

Egypt is on the verge of famine, since the expected flooding of the Nile did not arrive. Mesimonptu, Pharaoh Merenre, Ratoufer, Papyrus, and Théti are all gathered on try to figure out the solution to the problem. Théti suggests going to the Nile with Papyrus to find out what is happening. Papyrus, however, insists on telling Théti what he thinks, leading Pharaoh to support Théti's idea but shutting Papyrus up. Théti and Papyrus are now prepared for the expedition.

Aker now goes about to vow that the Nile will restore a condemned city called the Red City. Papyrus and Théti are stopped in the middle of nowhere, shocked to see how desolate the land looks. Papyrus is roasting fish he was able to catch, in the fire for food. Théti states she is worried and doubts they will make it, but Papyrus reassures her to put her trust in him. The scene then switches to a cursed pharaoh named Peribsen praying to a faceless colossi statue, named Stone Princess, vowing to take vengeance.

Later, Papyrus and Théti come across a place, and hear a waterfall. They both walk up a cliff and are surprised to see the Nile water diverting into a big whirlpool. Papyrus insists that they jump in, but Théti finds the idea crazy and suggests on heading back to Thebes, hoping to ask Ratoufer for help. Théti and Papyrus walk back to the chariot, however, Papyrus takes a long rope, believing they did not come this far only to turn back, much to Théti's dismay. Théti is asked to stay while Papyrus steeps down below the cliff, with the rope's support. He soon stumbles on an unable rock, whereas Théti comes down and stands on the rock, insisting on helping. Unfortunately, the rock begins to shift and causes them to fall in the river into the abyss.

Peribsen "informs" to the stone princess that a visitor is approaching, and again vows to take revenge with the help of Seth and Aker. Meanwhile, back in the Royal Palace, Merenre worries about the future of Egypt and the lives of Papyrus and Théti. Ratoufer reassures him in hopes that the little fisherman will make it. The ground suddenly begins to shake, affecting Merenre and Ratoufer and everything around them, with Ratoufer responding it is a war with the forces of darkness.

Papyrus wakes up in a chamber, surrounded by mist. He sees the Three Portals and proceeds to enter one of them, but is faced with the guardian of the portals, whom Papyrus challenges to proceed. Papyrus combats him with his sword, however, the sword is flung into the mist and Papyrus decides to hide from the beast in the mist in hopes of retrieving his sword. Papyrus manages to find his sword and defeats the guardian by aiming it into his pendant, the Eye of Ra. The guardian is surprised he was defeated by Papyrus, having underestimated him due to his petite stature.

And because the guardian was defeated, he has given his position, and the Eye of Ra, to Papyrus, officially making Papyrus the new Keeper of the gates. The guardian disappears after. Papyrus uses the pendant to open a portal that leads him to Théti, he ends up in the Red City.

At the palace, Merenre regrets sending Papyrus and Théti with what they are facing. He order Mesimonptu to gather a search patrol and seek for the two. Ratoufer steps in and informs Merenre that the good news is Papyrus and Théti are still alive, but the bad news being the palace is threatened. The palace continues to rumble and slowly crumble, leading Merenre to worry about the fate of them.

Théti gains consciousness but finds herself held by a force. There, Peribsen appears before her and introduces himself. They reminisce of his history where a flashback is shown, featuring the council of the gods banishing him for trying to make Seth an official god of Egypt. Peribsen then adds that Théti will help him fulfill his vengeance.

Théti demands him to let her go, certain that he will receive a punishment much worse from the gods. Peribsen, however, insists on taunting her and states that Merenre will die in the hands of her. Peribsen begins to make the magic take effect, causing Théti's soul to make the stone statue take the form of her face. Peribsen continues to gloat victory. Papyrus makes his way into the chamber, with Peribsen quickly taking his leave, and comes across Théti in the condition. However, Papyrus is unable to bring her back. The former guardian appears to Papyrus and urges him to use the Eye of Ra to travel through the portals in order to revive Théti. He does so and ends up in the entrance of the Three Portals, this time, he goes through a different door.

The palace continues to rumble. Merenre still worries until he hears the voice of Théti. Ratoufer comes up to him from behind, startling Merenre. Ratoufer asks what is wrong, and the pharaoh is seemingly relieved to hear his daughter. Both exit the lookout and follow the voice. Merenre and Ratoufer enter the throne room and see a stone statue in the form of Théti. They are uncertain if the statue is truly Théti, until Papyrus appears to them. Merenre is lured to go to the statue, believing it is truly Théti. However, Papyrus quickly stops him by grabbing his wrist tightly, angering the pharaoh.

Papyrus apologizes for the contact and warns him that the statue is sent to destroy him. Merenre finds it absurd and continues to go near it, still under the belief it is her. The statue raises its hand and begins to strike Merenre, sucking the life force out of him. Leading Papyrus to quickly deflect the strike with his sword, sending it to destroy the statue. The pharaoh is greatly upset and harshly dismisses Papyrus. Ratoufer, however, tries to reason with him and tells him the statue is an evil copy of Théti meant to kill him, leading Merenre to also feel betrayed and tells him to leave him alone, banishing Papyrus from the palace, much to Papyrus's dismay.

Papyrus had told Ratoufer the whole story, but fearing that Merenre may be right; by Papyrus saving his life, he sacrificed Théti. But Ratoufer is certain that Théti is still alive but in danger, and tells him to return to the Red City. Papyrus pulls out his pendant and is sent back to the city. Before he leaves, Ratoufer reassures him to stay strong, and the forces of light will lead him.

Papyrus returns to the chamber where Théti was left, only to find her collapsed on the floor. She regains consciousness, having been glad to see Papyrus and tells him she had a nightmare she nearly killed her father. Papyrus and Théti decide to return to Thebes, until Papyrus had realized he had dropped the pendant. Théti questions him he is uncertain to lead them through the expedition despite being the leader. Papyrus, again, reassures her to trust him. The two exit the chamber.

Papyrus and Théti start searching until Papyrus had found the pendant right on the bridge. He proceeds to retrieve it, only to be deterred by Peribsen. He, with the help of Seth and Aker, both call of the powers of dark magic, the city starts to fall apart, also affecting the palace. Papyrus manages to find the Eye of Ra, that was buried beneath the stones. He then uses it to send the force of light through a portal, that penetrates Peribsen from the back. However, it is not enough to stop him, as Peribsen further divides the ground, separating the stones. Papyrus and Théti fall lose their balances and fall into the water, the impact also leads to the demise of Peribsen.

Papyrus and Théti wake up near the Nile, glad that the water has returned to the land. Théti states the water restoration was the point of their expedition, to which Papyrus complains she is ungrateful. They both remind each other of their positions and share a laugh after.

## Characters

**Main**

* Papyrus
* Théti
* Aker
* Seth

**Major**

* Peribsen
* Ratoufer
* Pharaoh Merenre

**Minor**

* Mesimonptu
* Portal Guardian
* Nebou (cameo)

**Mentioned**

* Hapi