Hey guys! mythomagic here! This is not my first story *wink* so I'm not afraid of flames or constructive criticism. Before I begin, let's get some things straight. 1) I do NOT own the Kane Chronicles. I asked to on my birthday, but no luck. And 2) there will be LOTS AND LOTS OF ZARTER IN THIS STORY. Thank you. I guess I don't have to tell you it's what I think will happen in the second book. I've had this idea for a while and tried getting some others to write it, but again, no such luck, so I'm gonna try to do it myself. ;) Enjoy!
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So, you found the locker. You learned the powers of its contents and have traveled to Brooklyn in search of Sadie and I… and not a moment too soon. Apophis is rising, sooner than expected, and we need all the help we can get.
I'm Carter by the way. Carter Kane, blood of the pharaohs. My sister Sadie and I live in Brooklyn, training fellow magicians in magic (with the help of Bast of course). Our uncle Amos visits from time to time, but he's usually traveling, trying to "gather his thoughts." Why you'd travel all the way to Zimbabwe to think is beyond me, but I figured I better not ask. [Yes Sadie, I'm getting to that part!] Jeesh. That's my sister Sadie by the way. She's thirteen years old, two years younger than me and two times more annoying. [Hey! You know it's true! Besides, I'm telling this story!]
Anyway, the 21st Nome has become more like a private school than a millionaire's mansion. We had to clear out a lot of Egyptian artifacts from Amos' study just to make enough room for the new magicians who'll be training here. From papyrus scrolls written in hieroglyphics to decaying, ancient Egyptian mummies, you name it, Amos had it. It was a lot of work, but we've finally cleared out enough historic artifacts to have room for our new boarders. You see, we've been hunting down more magicians who haven't been told who they are yet. Number wise, that's very few. Most of them find their way to the First Nome before we can stop them, so we're sort of low in numbers, but we've been able to convince a lot of trainees from the First Nome to come and join our cause, so we aren't doing too badly. For now…
Deep down, I know this may not be enough. The only way we can defeat the serpent is if gods and magicians work together, which is sort of hard to do since Desjardins is still threatening Sadie and I, not to mention everyone who joins us. I guess you could say I'm not very popular with fellow magicians at the moment.
This story begins on a humid autumn evening in Brooklyn. Bast was out of New York for the day, searching for more trainees in Benin. I told her she probably wouldn't find anyone there, but she argued that she was positive she sensed one. Don't ask me how she knows this; must be one of her "Cat Goddess" powers or something. Either it's a magician, or some kid with a LOT of felines. For the world's sake, I was hoping for a magician. Besides, Bast ate all the Friskies.
While Bast went magician-seeking in Africa, I got the "amazing" task of cleaning the pool. Did I mention it's a crocodile invested pool, full of leaves and soggy cheerios?
KHUFU!
Well, I guess I shouldn't be complaining. It could be worse. In fact, I could be stuck with the younger magicians, teaching them how to write with the Divine Words and make them come to life, which is what Sadie was doing today. I'd probably end up embarrassing myself again, like I did with-
I sighed at the memory. Like I did with Zia.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get Zia out of my head, almost like I couldn't get Horus out my mind a year ago. She saved our lives last year, more than once actually, and risked everything to help us. After my battle with Set, I found out she was just a shabti (a hand-made servant placed in Egyptian tombs so they can serve the deceased in the Afterlife.) In other words, she was clay. Why didn't she tell me? It's not like I ever lied to her.
I sighed again as I pulled yet another mini box of cheerios out of the pool.
Who am I kidding? I guess I'm not mad that she didn't tell me. I'm just…curious. Did she not trust me after all? Then again, she did trust me when-
"Carter!" A frantic voice whispered.
I glanced up from the pool,expecting to see one of the newcomers asking me where the bathroom was or something, but no one was there. That had been happening a lot lately. I'd hear someone whisper my name, but by the time I look up, they're gone.
Or they were never there.
I lifted the scooper up just in time just before Philip of Macedonia (our albino crocodile) ate it. Phew. It wouldn't be the first time.
"Carter!" The voice was softer this time; fading.
There it was again! I sat down on the lawn chair and searched the patio, but I was still alone. Philip grunted from the corner of the pool, willing me to finish cleaning.
Man, maybe I'm becoming delusional. Or maybe some of Sadie's weirdness had finally rubbed off on me-
"Carter! Carrrter!"
OKAY, I thought, franticly searching the New York skyline. Now I'm officially freaked out.
I decided some god must be trying to invade my head [Hey, it had happened before!] and that I should put an end to it before things got too out of hand.
But how do you get rid of someone you can't even see?
I was already frightened, so I did the only logical thing I could think of: I slammed the scooper against my forehead and yelled "SHUT UP!"
I thought it was working because I didn't hear anything, but then I heard a gasp, and sure enough, there was a kid staring at me from the patio, sucking her thumb. She asked me where the bathroom was. Figures.
After giving her directions and thanking the gods it wasn't any of the older magicians who saw me, I threw Phillip of Macedonia some leftover steak and retreated to my secluded bedroom at the far end of the mansion. Just the thought of having my own room made me feel better. My dad and I were constantly traveling, so we never had time to buy a house, let alone stay in the same place for more than a few days. Now I officially had a home to return to, an annoying sister to bicker with, and a room to call my own. Still, I wasn't happy. I found it ironic that I finally had the home I always wanted, but my dad wasn't here to see it.
I opened the white, wooden door into my room, number 42. The bed was just how I left it: abandoned and unmade. The sliding door to the balcony was open, and a warm breeze blew into the room, causing pages of my latest Egyptian mythology book to flip endlessly. I picked up the book and flipped through it. Just a bunch of what Sadie would call "Egyptian rubbish." I rolled my eyes at the memory and walked over to my bed, already feeling drained and exhausted. I didn't even bother to change into pajamas, because the instant my head hit the pillow, I knew there was no way I'd be able to get up again until I had some rest.
It was only 7:30, but I'd been practicing all day. It takes a lot out of a guy, not to mention the voice in my head was seriously giving me the creeps.
Anyway, I feel asleep almost instantly, but apparently my bahad other ideas.
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I promise that the chapters get better—and longer. You'll see. Review and tell me what you think. It's greatly appreciated.
(:(:(:mythomagic:):):)