The sun blazes high in the sky, casting sharp shadows over the arid desert landscape. The pyramid stands tall and imposing, its ancient stones whispering tales of lost empires. Resting on a sandstone ledge, a creature of both divine grace and savage power, the sphinx known as Ogatep, surveys the surrounding landscape; his sharp eyes ever-watchful. Two elongated wings, feathered and large, lay folded at his back; his sleek, tawny fur glistening under the harsh light.

Ogatepʼs tufted ears flick at the slightest of sounds—the skittering of a scarab in the sand, the whispering wind that promises an oncoming sandstorm, or the distant roar of a desert predator. A cool smirk plays on his lips as he anticipates the arrival of the next hapless wanderer seeking to unravel his riddles.

“Foolish people…” the sphinx mutters under his breath, his voice echoing through the rocky canyons. “Risking their lives for gold… They are as predictable as they are naive.”

His eyes narrow, focusing on a movement in the distance. A traveler appears on the horizon, their silhouette a mere speck against the scorching sun. Ogatepʼs tail, stubby and spotted, swishes lazily, the only outward sign of his mild interest.

His voice is smooth yet carrying an edge of menace. “Ah, another fool seeking riches and glory. They never learn.”

As the adventurer comes closer to the base of the ledge, with a powerful beat of his wings Ogatep launches himself from his lofty perch, kicking up a small cyclone of sand as he descends on the sandy ground below. His muscular body moves with a deadly elegance as he approaches the entrance of the pyramid. His wings rustle slightly with each step he takes, sending a faint shimmer of gold through the air.

“State your purpose. What brings you to my domain?”