[ Age matters not. One can live as long as Bayek had and not lived a true day in their lives. No, what matters is what life they lived. Atem's mortal life had been short, but it had been filled with a duty to his people. The Pharaoh had given the ultimate sacrifice for them. Not just his life, but the potential of his eternal life. Bayek knows, of course, the lengths that Seto took to make sure Atem would not be robbed of his life continuing in the A'aru. Their sacrifices may have been similar but they certainly are different and impacted those around them differently. ]

They believed in an Egypt that you would not agree to. One that would force your people into their ideals and their ways of life. Peace, but through complacency. Peace and stability through their means and ways and nothing more.

[ He chuckles then, flexing the hand with the deformed middle finger. A sign that he has pledged himself to Amun for eternity. It may have been an accident by mishandling the weapon on his arm, but, it became something else. ]

Perhaps... perhaps we are not. Our deeds did not weigh our hearts down enough to keep us from the A'aru. Even if I had made my peace with never seeing this land.

[ Bayek closes his eyes as he considers such an idea. Then, after a moment, he raises his eyes to the slowly turning sky above. ]

Our goals... our creed must work outside the boundaries of government. To be tied to one system of rule... [ he raises a hand to his chin to think. ] The Creed is one that speaks of personal freedom, but the cost that it must bring. There are those who do not need to be aware of such battles; the ones we fight for. The Hidden Ones stand to protect those from tyranny in any form. Placing our Creed in the hands of an official office would bring ire if we had need to cut off the hand that fed us.

[ Then, he smiles again at Atem from beneath his hood. ]

That does not stop a Medjay from once again holding a place in the public.