Bayek of Siwa
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
The following article will contain many heavy spoilers about Assassin’s Creed Origins’ story and characters (playable and otherwise) that weren’t revealed before the game’s release. As such, if you don’t want to be completely spoiled, turn back now and go enjoy the game.
Bayek of Siwa is the main protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Origins. A medjay of Egypt, he is tasked with protecting his people, helping them overcome whatever trials and tribulations should arise during their lives. However, after failing to defend his son against the dark forces that work in his nation’s shadows, Bayek is set on a different path.
Rage, sadness, and vengeance consume Bayek so he seeks out those who led to the death of his son. His journey takes him far away from his home of Siwa, a small village built up around the temple of Amun, the very temple where he lost everything. Assassin’s Creed Origins opens up with the medjay seeking out one of his targets, a masked man who has brought pain and suffering to the people he was supposed to protect. After killing the man, bludgeoning his skull with an odd relic, Bayek makes his way towards home, done with his mission.
Siwa, the Temple of Amun, and Aya Awaits
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
While killing a target sure feels good, Assassin’s Creed Origins doesn’t really open up about why things are happening until a bit later, when players seek out the Ibis, a powerful masked leader of Egypt who was given the title of Oracle of Siwa. With this position, the Ibis, whose real name was Medunamun, sought to uncover the secrets of the Temple of Amun, namely what lied in the vault beneath. He tortured villagers, made blood sacrifices, and pretty much turned a relatively peaceful existence into absolute hell.
During a flashback, it is revealed that Medunamun, along with some other masked individuals, kidnapped Bayek’s son Khemu in order to draw out Bayek and figure out how to open the vault. They carried a relic, one that fans of the series will recognize as the Apple of Eden, an item that could break the wills of those around it, but has a noticeable side effect of turning its wielder’s mad. During the flashback, the masked ones threaten Khemu’s life, and in an ensuing struggle, lead Bayek to drive a blade into the child’s heart before beating him and leaving him for dead. Back in the present, Bayek tracks down the vicious Oracle and bludgeons him to death with that very same relic he held in the past.
His friend Hepzefa, who helped him find Medunamun, holds a message from Aya, Bayek’s wife. She wants him to come to the great city of Alexandria in order to take out the Snake, he who they believe to be the last target on their list, and the final piece of justice for their lost son.
Enter Aya, Hunt for the Snake
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
A lot happens in Alexandria, much of it which starts leading to the first signs of the assassins we’ve come to know and love. Upon reaching Alexandria and meeting with Aya’s friends and family, who are forced to keep things hush hush, Bayek is finally reunited with his bride. If you were expecting some meek woman, you’re in for a surprise. When you first meet Aya she’s decked out in her warrior garb and hiding in a secret library after having taken out the Vulture, Actaeon, and the Ram, Ktesos, in Alexandria. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty, and in some ways is better at it than even Bayek. She has some information for her husband, and a new tool.
Aya serves as a close aide to queen Cleopatra who was dethroned by her brother Ptolemy. Cleopatra has Aya working in the shadows to help her regain her throne and, by extension, save Egypt from the strife it currently faces. To that end, she’s provided Aya with a gift, the famed hidden blade. Aya gives one to Bayek as he sets out for the royal scribe Eudoros who they believe to be the snake.
Bayek finds him in the bathhouse and kills him without anyone realizing he was even there (or recklessly if you prefer). During the struggle, Bayek loses his left ring finger, which begins the tradition of initiates giving up their finger. It’s extreme, but it was necessary as it allowed the blade to extend without restriction. Don’t worry though, eventually it was modified to no longer be necessary, with some assassins opting to brand their finger as part of the ceremony rather than hack it off.
After the assassination, it’s time for Bayek to finally meet Cleopatra, who has a request and some important news for our hero.
Cleopatra and the Snake’s Many Heads
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
After taking out Eudoros, Cleopatra thanks Bayek and Aya for their service, but also informs them that there is more to do. You see, Eudoros wasn’t the Snake. In fact, no single person is the Snake. It is a many-headed beast known as the Order of the Ancients. This group is made up of various key individuals who each represent a different creature. Eudoros was the Hippo, and he wasn’t the one responsible for the death of Bayek’s son, at least not exclusively responsible. Cleopatra has caught wind of four more targets that are tormenting Egypt and stand in the way of her reclaiming her throne and pulling Egypt out of this dark period.
They are the Lizard, the Crocodile, the Hyena, and the Scarab, and they each hold influence over specific regions of Egypt. In order to obtain justice for their son and help the nation as a whole, Bayek and Aya agree to hunt these targets down. Before they set out, Cleopatra restores Bayek’s title of Medjay and hands him a new badge. He’s back to being a protector of Egypt and this time for the true Pharoah, Cleopatra.
The Animals Fall
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
Bayek sets out to hunt down each of his new targets starting with the Scarab who has been tormenting Letoplis. It turns out to be their very ruler who they trust and adore operating in the shadows as the Scarab. After killing him and revealing his true intentions to his family, Bayek sets out for the Hyena which is where things get interesting.
The Hyena is a woman named Khaliset who lost her daughter and will do anything to bring her back. She discovers a tomb left behind by what could only be the Isu, the first civilization that fell to a solar flare leaving earth in shambles. Within the tomb is a relic that projects images and a voice recording of those that came before. These sorts of devices (which are basically highly advanced computers) and relics such as the Apple of Eden were left behind so that humanity could overcome the next flare and rise to greatness once again. Khaliset was using the information to try and revive her daughter, and was sacrificing her own people to try and make it happen. Discovering the tomb, along with the Hyena, shows Bayek that there is more that he does not understand. He has a one track mind though, and he takes down Khaliset in order to continue his mission.
Next is the Lizard of Memphis, a temple priest named Hetepi. He’s been poisoning the people of his city and trying to gain power that way. He’s a horrible man, killing men, women, and children, just to gain their loyalty in a twisted way. His death is swift, but he sheds light on the fact that the Snake can’t be stopped. It’s more than just a few people, it’s an ancient order that seeks to bring peace to the world by force. Showing that it truly is the birth of the Templar Order as we know it today.
Finally is the Crocodile, a vicious leader who uses the arena to breed violent soldiers that she uses around Egypt in order oppress the people and snuff out rebellion. Much to Bayek’s surprise, the Crocodile is an elderly Greek woman named Berenike who uses her wealth and intelligence to rule with an iron fist. It shows that you can never truly tell what lies in the dark. Berenike could walk right past you and you’d never suspect a thing. The corruption runs that deep.
While Bayek was running around killing his targets, he wasn’t the only one keeping busy.
Captain Aya, Goddess of the Sea
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
Aya may not be pulling off assassinations alongside you, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t being a complete badass elsewhere in the game. With a band of mercenaries, she sets out to find Pompeius Magus, known as Pompey the Great, in order to gain an ally for Cleopatra. Linking with him would be able to give the cause some much-need power in their corner.
It turns out that Aya is one hell of a captain, as her ship takes out several ships of the enemy fleet. She’s continued to prove herself more than capable, securing alliances and dispatching foes with relative ease. Pompey originally seems uninterested, but is persuaded with gold and the promise of a strong alliance (which comes with all of Egypt). With Pompeius Magus secured, it’s time to inform Cleopatra that all targets are down.
More Beasts Arise, But Caesar May Be Helpful
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
Of course, after defeating the last batch of hideous rulers that are oppressing the people of Egypt, two more stand in your way, the Jackal Septimius and the Scorpion Pothinus, and they stand beside the current Pharaoh, Ptolemy. His closest guards and advisers are at the top of the food chain within their secret order. Of course, it’s not very easy to get close to them, and once war hits, things get extra messy. Before targeting them though, Cleopatra intends to be united with Pompey the Great, so she sends Aya and Bayek to scout out his position. What they find is Pompey the Great and his soldiers were murdered.
Cleopatra knows that she must forge an alliance so she sets her sights on Caesar who is currently with Ptolemy. With one of their more clever plans, Bayek, Aye, and their friends sneak Cleopatra via a rolled up rug into where Caesar is staying. Once they’re together, they send Ptolemy on his way and forge a new alliance, one that will be bound by marriage. Things are starting to look up for Egypt and your mission, until war breaks out.
War, the Death of the Scorpion, and Ptolemy’s Demise
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
Ptolemy’s forces attack along with the Greeks and things become rather tumultuous. Bayek, Aya, and even Ceasar take to the frontlines while Cleopatra holds the throne, saying that if they want her to move, the enemy is going to have to kill her. While fighting, they discover the location of the Scorpion who happens to be on a battle elephant. Killing him shows a sort of twisted good intention on the part of the order. He claims to want peace, but he’s willing to force it if necessary, even if that means killing a lot of innocent people.
After his demise, Bayek sets his sights on the Jackal, a powerful warrior. After besting him in combat, he goes in for the kill, only to be stopped by Caesar and his men. Since he’s a Roman, they decide that it’s up to them to deal with him, even going so far as to knock Bayek out to save the Jackal.
While this is happening, Aya, under orders from Cleopatra, sets out to kill Ptolemy. But, when seeing his face, the youth and fear in his eyes, she decides not to. Still, luck is not on his side as his boat is set upon by alligators that tear him to shreds. Ptolemy and the Scorpion are dead, and it looks like the Jackal will be dealt with. But only time will tell.
Betrayal Births a Brotherhood
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
After some time has passed, Bayek and Aya find themselves banned from the palace and Cleopatra will have nothing to do with them. The Jackal has been given a seat in the inner circle, thus denying Bayek and Aya their justice. Cleopatra and Caesar are just as corrupt as those that came before them, if not more so. They sought power, obtained it, and now seek out even more.
Bayek, not satisfied with how things have turned out, takes those shunned by Cleopatra and forms his own order. They will kill for justice, right out in broad daylight. Together they will take peace from those who seek to control others.
During this time, it’s discovered that there is one more masked one, the Lion, though nobody knows who that person is just yet. The Lion is the person truly in control of Egypt, and is a huge threat to everyone.
The Lion Roars With the Power of the Apple
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
In the meantime, after getting Bayek and Aya out of the inner circle, the Lion finally makes his move. Turns out he was the right-hand man of Ceasar. His true name is Flavius, and he is a high ranking member of the Order of the Ancients, and the one who led to the death of Bayek’s son. After discovering something in Alexander’s Tomb, Flavius realizes he can open the vault with the staff located in the tomb and the Apple of Eden, the orb they found earlier but didn’t know how to use.
He heads to Siwa and opens the vault, unlocking the true power of the Apple. With it he can bend anyone to his will, and he uses that ability to cut a swath through Egypt. Egypt is now falling apart and Bayek and Aya decide that something must be done. Bayek seeks out the Lion along with Aya.
The Lion Falls and The Birth of the Creed
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
Bayek finds Flavius and fights him. The fight is hard won as Flavius uses the Apple of Eden to force hallucinations and seem to bend time and space. When all is said and done, Bayek has his last vision. He stands talking with Flavius before he dies and can’t bring himself to end him, but a vision of Khemu appears and helps him finish what he started. Flavius is no more and the relic is now in Bayek’s possession.
However, Aya is not done. She decides to set out for Rome, to where Ceasar and the Jackal are. Before leaving, her and Bayek meet once more. They’ve come to realize that their fate is in death, and that the love they had must be sacrificed for the betterment of Egypt and the rest of the world. And they also come to the conclusion that they’ve been doing things the wrong way. They need to work in the shadows, just like those they hunt, striking out only at the most deserving targets and righting the injustices of the world. They must be that blade in the dark that makes the corrupt think twice. Aya then bids adieu and sets out for Rome. Egypt has fallen, but they have a chance to save other parts of the world.
The logo, as we know it today, is revealed when Bayek drops the eagle skull he bore around his neck. Upon it being picked up by Aya after his departure the indentation leaves the below mark:
They have their symbol, now they must put it to use.
Aya Heads to Rome to Establish the Hidden Eye
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
Sailing for Rome, Aya goes to finish what her and Bayek started. First is to take out the Jackal who eluded the pair back in Egypt. He’s unable to be saved by Ceasar, who is busy at the time, so he falls to Aya’s blades. But her work isn’t done, she now seeks the man who spared the Jackal before, and with her ally, Brutus, she works to get close to him. While he’s speaking, Aya sneaks up and stabs him in the back right before everyone joins in with Brutus being the very last, staring into his mentor’s eyes.
The deed is done, but there’s one more target. Aya appears in Cleopatra’s chambers and gives her a warning. If she doesn’t do right by Egypt, Aya will return and take her life as she did the others, with that her work is finished.
Modern Day
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
You may have noticed that we haven’t touched on the modern day story just yet, and that’s because it’s better to tie it up all together since it doesn’t have too much bearing on Bayek and Aya’s adventure. It is important though, as the brotherhood in the modern age has recruited a new member.
Bayek and Aya’s lives are being explored by Layla Hassan, a rogue Abstergo employee who wanted nothing more than to prove herself worthy of the Animus Project. She was able to discover Bayek along with his tomb and use his DNA to dive deeper into the past than ever before, witnessing the birth of the brotherhood. Thanks to the bleeding effect, she even has acquired some of their skills, which comes in handy when Abstergo sends agents to kill her and steal her research.
After completing Bayek and Aya’s adventure she awakens to see William Miles, Desmond Miles’ father and the current mentor of the assassins. He found out about what she was doing and comes to recruit her so they can truly take down the Templar order. She agrees, though she doesn’t fully trust him, and thus a new assassin is born, just as we witnessed the birth of the entire brotherhood.
Ending
Assassin’s Creed Origins: Story and Ending Summary
While Assassin’s Creed Origins focused heavily on Bayek and his exploits, players actually got to witness the birth of another legendary assassin. Aya has established the Hidden Ones (which would become the brotherhood we know today) in Rome after Bayek had done the same in Memphis, Egypt. But she’s done more, after her triumphs she has taken a new name, one true to the Creed her and her husband established. She is now Amunet, the Hidden One.
Fans may remember her tomb from Assassin’s Creed II, her seal was used to unlock Altair’s armor in the game. The last image you see of her shows her standing, talking in a crowd directly to you, the player. And then in a blink of an eye, she vanishes.
This is the first time we have seen the legendary assassin, who in Assassin’s Creed lore assassinates Cleopatra using an asp. You watched her grow in power and see just what formed such a powerful killer. It’s an interesting end to the game, watching what would become two legends birthed from tragedy. While we know of her most famous kills now, it will be interesting to see what she and Bayek do now.
For more on Assassin’s Creed Origins, be sure to check out our wiki.
About the author
