All the Stars - Moon Knight: Marc Spector / Steven Grant

II

"This is sad," Xia said to Bastet as the two discretely watched him sit at a table by himself with roses and a little heart of chocolates. "At least he's romantic," Xia joked to lighten the mood.

"He's moving. Let's go," Bastet ignored her efforts, being sure to keep her eyes on the prize. Xia rolled her eyes and followed Bastet.

They followed Steven Grant through the streets and down the alley, listening to his phone call with his mother. Xia couldn't help but feel bad for him for being stood up. She knew she wouldn't have stood up a guy that sweet.

"Remember who he is," Bastet had told her, as if she was able to read minds. While she couldn't read minds, the goddess had learned a lot about reading Xia's facial expressions, which she was often oblivious about.

Xia scoffed. "Remember this," she said, sticking her middle finger out towards the cat. Bastet simply rolled her eyes and continued down the dark alleyway where she had seen Steven enter.

He had somehow managed to escape their view, however he couldn't have gone too far since they were not too far behind.

Just then, someone grabbed Xia from behind. "Why are you following me, weird girl from the museum? You think I wouldn't notice you?" Steven said.

Xia could've easily escaped his grasp but decided not to out of pity. She grew limp in his arms, and noticed he eased up a bit on his grip.

"What are you doing? Fight him!" Bastet grew frustrated at Xia's efforts.

"We would like to talk to Khonshu about Ammit," Xia stated calmly.

Steven rolled his eyes, "Not this again," he sighed. Then, his grip on her released, so she stepped forward and turned to face him. She noticed his head was down. He then took a deep breath and lifted his head up to face her, just like in the museum.

His face was stone cold again; a lot less welcoming than when she first met Steven Grant. "I told you you're not needed," he stated in his raspy American accent.

Xia felt a sense of unnerve talking to this version of Steven, so she summoned her suit.

'Steven' scoffed at her efforts. "Yeah, two can play at that game." In an instant, bandages wrapped around his body, revealing the traditional suit of Khonshu.

Xia didn't move as her eyes swiftly glanced at Bastet. She was right about him being Khonshu's avatar. "So, you did know," she stated, referring back to her and Steven's conversation back at the museum.

The man just stood there coldly, with no reply. Xia spoke up again, "Who are you?" she started. "I mean really, who are you? What is with this whole charade? What are you and Khonshu up to?"

The man simply shrugged. "Doesn't concern you," he replied, nonchalantly.

Xia scoffed. "Uh, yes it does, actually," she stated matter-of-factly. "We have the same goal here, you know. Bastet and I—"

Before Xia could finish her sentence, the man aggressively interrupted. "Tell your little feline friend that we don't need you or her sorry excuse of an avatar."

"Oh, that's it," Xia scoffed, drawing out her chained throwing knives. Though she was known for her patience, she would not tolerate the disrespect, especially from the avatar of Khonshu, who for some reason had an unresolved dispute with her Goddess, Bastet.

Almost like a delayed reflection, Khonshu's avatar drew his own weapons from the chest of his suit; those of which resembled moons. Xia cocked her head to the side, her tongue touching her inner cheek. "You wanna dance pretty boy?"

He simply shrugged and smirked as if offering for her to come at him with the first move.

She threw her fist at him, to which he was swiftly able to block. And it was exactly that— a dance. It was though the two had routinely practiced a choreographed fight, neither of them able to land a blow on the other. Finally, Xia managed to strike a punch, then a cut with her blade to his cheekbone, leaving a mark. The two looked at each other in surprise, both aweing at Xia's abilities.

Khonshu's avatar put too fingers to his cheekbone, then looked at the damage. He was bleeding. "Not bad," he stated. "But I've been going easy on you."

"So have I," Xia replied cockily, causing Bastet to chuckle with pride.

"Maybe your goddess isn't a complete disappointment," the man started, "but we still don't need you."

"Bullshit! You saw what I can do!" Xia retaliated. "Don't be stupid, we'll obviously be more effective as a team." He ignored her efforts, unsummoned his suit, and began to walk away. "Stop it!" She cried out, removing her own suit and chasing after him. "Will you just stop for one second and listen?" She grabbed his shoulders, to which he shoved her off, and continued on his way. Seeing that her efforts were futile, she stopped in her tracks and let out a big sigh of disappointment. "I'm not gonna stop, you know!" She called out to him but was only met with the reply of his shuffling footsteps descending away.

Who is that man?