The madman always makes you wait. It's like a fact of nature. Why do they always make you wait?

My head pounded in time with my heart, which was much too slow. I groaned and shifted. Manacles clanked at my wrists, cuffed behind my back.

"You had to knock me out?" I murmured, blinking into the light that seemed to shine right in my eyes. "Was that really necessary? You could've just... I don't know, asked."

"And you'd come peacefully?" Setne laughed. "Right, Chaos would swallow Ra before you'd submit to someone like me."

"You've got my friends, moron," I said blandly, still blinking.

He's got a light on you, Heka and Zynesta said at the same time. I could feel them bristling at each other. Not good.

Stop it! Heka snapped. He's my human!

Says who? Zynesta demanded sharply.

Both of you, shut up! I ordered. I still couldn't see anything, and it was rather bugging me now. "Look, could you turn that a different direction?"

"Hmm, talking to the lycan, are we?" Setne chuckled. That had me bristling. Yeah, I know; I really shouldn't care how a monster gets treated, especially by the person that created it, but I had gotten to know Zynesta well enough that I cared for her, much like I did Orinda. Besides that, Setne just rubbed me the wrong way. Like sandpaper. Coarse sandpaper.

"Her name is Zynesta," I growled. "And yes, I have. You could learn so much from them if you just listened, you know."

"Who says I need to learn anything from them?" he asked innocently. "I'm a genius, you know. Didn't the Kanes tell you anything about me?"

"Mm, mostly the insane bit," I noted. "Now, if you wouldn't mind, the light?" Setne sighed and the glaring light swiveled away.

"You're an odd one, Porter," he said simply. "But you're the perfect specimen of blending Egypt and Greece." He stared at me in carefully veiled envy and hunger. "You have the blood of pharaohs running through your veins, mixing with the blood of the gods. It's no wonder you're so powerful; even Gaea backed down."

"Gaea lost by chance," I snorted. "She underestimated me, a mistake I'm certain you won't make. In fact, I rather think you're overestimating me."

"Of course I'm not," Setne said, mildly offended. "You're powerful enough to be a god yourself, and I don't say that lightly."

"...You're jealous," I said, finally connecting the dots. Startled, he blinked at me, speechless. "You wanted to be a god-king during your mortal life, and it didn't take long for that ambition to jump straight to full-fledged godhood, immortality included." Taking a chance, I decided I may was well add something that could easily have been the death of me. "You want me to get my power. I could become a god if I wanted to, and if you had my power, combined with all the rest of the power you've gathered over the centuries, you could easily surpass Zeus and Ra combined!"

"...Well, it's been a long time since anyone rendered me speechless," Setne said softly, a shield dropping over his emotions. I almost wanted to groan; that wasn't fair—he must have heard about my super-perception and slightly underestimated how good I was—how was I supposed to stay alive now?

"I was rather hoping to impress you," I sighed, changing tactics.

Whoa, hold on, Erasmus, Heka said. What are you doing? You can't trust him!

"Impress me?" Setne repeated, amused and, to my delight, a bit interested.

"Uh, duh!" I said as though it were perfectly obvious. "Why'd you think I was showing off?"

"What about your friends?" he asked, narrowing his gaze suspiciously.

Careful, Zynesta warned. If he thinks you're lying, he'll use a truth spell on you. It's like the truth serum stuff you see in movies, but ten times more potent.

"I'm still pissed about that," I conceded. "I was serious about what I said earlier; you could've just asked. But I have to be honest here, your work... What little I know of it sounds..." I paused, considering. Setne waited earnestly for me to continue, the expression on his face making it clear I had better choose carefully.

Great. The fate of the world rests on my very next words. Nice to know.

"...Interesting," I said finally. "To say the least." Setne's brow rose skeptically. "Well, the Kanes mentioned something about... Summoning Serapis a couple years ago, before I founded Camp Crossover. That's got to be difficult. I mean, he's a god, first of all, and he was strong enough to take over the Underworld from Hades and Osiris, but you managed to control him, if only long enough to summon him. Like I said, difficult, at best."

"Well, I suppose it was," he said, subconsciously puffing up a bit.

Erasmus! Heka cried, agitated. You can't trust him!

I don't, I told him firmly. But how else am I going to keep Nico and the others safe? He didn't respond. It's my fault they're here, Heka, and I'm going to do whatever I can to keep them alive and healthy.

"You're really interested in my work?" Setne asked, still wary. "But you're Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes, the special, Christian child of Hecate, her only son."

"...Your point is?" I prompted, sounding mildly amused. His gaze narrowed. I cut him off as he opened his mouth to respond, praying God would forgive me for the deception I had to weave. "Look, Setne, I like being known, I really do, but I think I'm falling prey to the fame because I still want more. It's not enough that my name is mentioned daily on Olympus and in the halls of the Per Ankh and every Nome in the world; I want to be worshiped."

"What of your God?" Setne demanded tersely.

"What of Him?" I returned. "He's above all other gods. If He is the only God I can't surpass, I will be content. But not until the rest of the gods defer to me." I stopped, pinning the short man with a hard stare. "If you can get me there, then I'll acknowledge that you're more powerful even than me, and I'll defer to you as well." His eyes lit up with greed and I knew I'd hit something. But there's no way it was that easy to sway him.

"Ooh, you make a tempting offer, Porter," he said, that trademark smirk touching his lips. "I'll have to consider it." Ouch. Still, that was much more like it should have been the whole time; at least I was back on familiar ground.

It's sad when being unable to trust someone even a tiny bit is familiar ground. Alas, the life of a demigod. And a magician. Too bad I'm both.

"Take all the time you need," I offered generously. "But my patience dwindles easily; unchain me and give me a room to stay in. I don't care if you give me a room without windows and a steel door with a million deadbolts, but I want a comfortable bed and good food." He raised both eyebrows in amused curiosity. "Take care of your POWs, Setne, and they'll be more cooperative. Oh, and speaking of prisoners, I want to see my friends. And if I find out any of them are hurt, at any time—I mean that in past, present, and future tense—then my offer is void and I'll gladly die before I give you my help."

"Hm. You're a smart man, Porter," he smirked. "I missed out not capturing you years ago." Turning, he went to the door of what I now saw was a storage unit of some kind, hastily converted to a prison cell. I don't think Setne planned to capture me. Or he had to change his destination suddenly.

A thought occurred to me; if Setne had to alter his plans suddenly, did that mean the Per Ankh and the Kanes were on his trail? I desperately hoped so.

"Give Porter the 200 room, on the grounds near mine," Setne told the lycan guard at the door.

He's a liar, Zynesta hissed when she saw the lycan. He promised me we were special, unique. He said he'd never make another batch unless we completely failed. And even then, he promised to recall us from the Duat/Underworld; we were to be his special ones.

I told you he's not to be trusted, Heka grunted. He's a pathological liar; he'll say anything to get his way. You realize he's evaded utter damnation for centuries by talking his way into lighter sentences, or even being released.

But...! Zynesta began.

Stop, both of you, I cut in firmly. I know he can't be trusted. And I think he knows I can't be trusted. But if I can convince him that I'll cooperate, even if I don't trust him, then we have a chance to get Nico and the others to safety.

...And yourself? Heka asked after a moment.

I will do everything in my power to send Setne back where he belongs, I said quietly. And make sure he stays there.

I understand, he replied quietly. It's a pity. I... Forget it; I'll tell you later.

I look forward to it, I chuckled, a tinge of sadness in my voice.

What? What's going on? Zynesta asked, confused. What are you talking about?

Don't worry about it, I promised. I'll get you a body before anything goes too far.

"...and let him talk to the prisoners," Setne said, drawing my attention back. "But watch him, carefully." Turning back to me, he snapped his fingers and the manacles on my wrist fell away.

"Finally," I muttered, rubbing my wrists. Frowning at the feeling of cloth under my fingers, I looked at my wrist. A bright pink ribbon wound around it, incongruous against my dark brown leather jacket, which I instinctively knew was my armor. I vaguely noted that Setne hadn't taken any of my armor pieces, though he did take my sword and shield, but most of my brain stared at the ribbon and asked, "What the hell...?"

"The Ribbons of Hathor," Setne answered, smirking again, this time in triumph. "I finally managed to get them off last year, and I recently tuned them to Greek magic, so you'll have a very difficult time removing them. And of course, there's the added benefit that if you do anything I don't like, I can just do this: tas!" Immediately, the ribbon expanded, along with another one on my other wrist and five others across my body. They completely encompassed me, tying me up tighter than a mummy. And boy did I feel like a mummy; I couldn't breathe. I pressed against the ribbons with magic, but they simply tightened and I was left feeling drained.

Thankfully, a moment later, Setne released the spell, letting me free and I choked a moment on fresh air.

"Would it k-kill you," I coughed, "to wash them?"

"Oh relax," Setne said dismissively. "That was just to show you I can and will use them if I need to. Go on, then; talk to your friends, while you still can." I gave him a warning look as I followed the lycan guard out of the storage unit and into the bright sunlight.

Sand was everywhere. It was like someone had taken a shipyard full of storage containers and dumped them out in the middle of the Sahara Desert; great big metal canisters sat around in various states of use or disuse, facing every which way, like toys left behind by some careless giant child. The one the lycan led me to was actually on its side, with one door laying open like a porch and the other propped open by two large metal posts. Inside, two lycans crouched on either side of the box, one watching for intruders, the other watching the people already inside, stuck behind bars like a prison cell. Well, it was prison cell; I immediately saw Nico and Orinda, and a moment later spotted Kohn near the back with Kyle, Lindsey, and the magician that I'd often seen in the Brooklyn House library, Cleo. Everyone looked up as I entered—the lycan stayed at the entrance.

"Erasmus!" Nico cried, jumping up and grabbing the bars. The others got to their feet, calling out in relief and excitement. I smiled softly as I went up to the bars and reached through to take Orinda's hand.

"It's alright, everyone," I said. "Everything's going to be fine."

"Are you free?" someone shouted. "Did you come to let us go?" Sighing, I shook my head and lifted my free hand to show everyone the ribbon.

"The Ribbons of Hathor," I said. "Tuned specially for me; I'm as much a prisoner as you are, just with a hall pass."

"Setne got out of them?" Felix blurted in surprise. "No way! That's impossible!"

"Hey, remember we're talking about Setne here," Cleo said. "He's like... I don't know, Imhotep, times a million!"

"Ah, let me guess," I said. "The Einstein of Ancient Egypt."

"Close enough," Cleo shrugged. I chuckled and reached over to brush Nico's hair back; like Orinda's and everyone else's, his hair was a knotted and tangled.

"How's everyone doing?" I asked gently. He buried his face in my hand, utterly relieved.

"We're alright," Orinda said, gripping my hand in both of hers. "Everyone's alive, except for a few of the empousai—Clarina's alright, and so is Doris and another empousa named Tricia, I think. Most everyone's safe; a couple of people were injured, but Bella, Norman and Jezebel are taking care of them." Tilting my head slightly to the left, I checked everyone for red, finding a bit back in the corner, where the children of Asclepius were tending to them. I also saw a spot of red at Orinda's hip.

"I suppose you're alright?" I asked her pointedly. She looked down.

"I'm fine."

"...Right," I said, moving on and lowering my voice a bit. "I'll take care of you, all of you, I promise. Whatever happens, for the next however long, whatever I do, whatever I say, I'm going to need every one of you to trust me." Tightening my hold on Orinda's hand, I slid my other hand to Nico's neck and squeezed, resting my forehead against the bars. "I mean it, if even one of you doesn't trust me even a tiny bit, the whole thing is done. I promise you, everything I do from here on out is for you, for all of you. Everything."

"Erasmus..." Nico said slowly, reaching between the bars to cup my face. Worry and fear clouded his gaze. "What have you done?"

"Nothing," I said, a bit too quickly. "I haven't done anything."

"Yet," he corrected. "Erasmus, please, tell me... What are you doing?"

"...I'm saving the lives of every being on earth possible," I whispered quickly, so quietly I wasn't even sure he'd heard me. "Forgive me, but I think I've damned myself and anyone who touches me too much. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Raising my voice, I stepped back. "I'm not doing anything. But you're right; not yet."

"Time's up, Porter," the lycan at the door growled. "Come on."

"I'm sorry, all of you." Stepping forward again, I pulled Nico against the bars, kissing him hard. He returned it full force before the lycan pulled me away. "I'm sorry. Just... Trust me; that's all I ask. Trust me!"

"Erasmus!" Girtin screamed, slamming against the bars. The metal under her hands sparked and sizzled.

"Stop it, Tin-Tin!" I shouted, pulling against the lycan for a moment. "Don't! Don't do anything. Wait for me, please."

"Ras..." she said, tears welling up in her eyes. The sparks settled. She choked on a sob and bowed her head.

"Nico, take care of her!" I called back as the lycan yanked me away. The last thing I saw before the edge of the container cut off my view was Nico holding Girtin as she sobbed.

My head hurt. Everything I knew I would have to do burned through my mind, making every piece of my heart and soul hurt while the lycan escorted me through the field of containers.

Oh, God, I understand now, I thought sadly. The pain of having to die to save every person on the planet. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I've got to keep him from harnessing my powers. It will likely be the last thing I do, but I've got to do it.

Erasmus, think this through, please, Heka said, a pleading note in his voice that struck a chord with me. He didn't want me to die.

What are you doing, Porter? Zynesta demanded.

I'm going to prepare for death, I answered. Mine, and his. Heka, is it possible to contact Osiris from here? Without letting Setne know?

I... I don't know, Heka said. I don't... I'm sorry, Ras. The lycan shoved me into another container, one with a bed at the back, a table and chair at the front, and a single bare bulb lit up the sparse room. The door slammed shut behind me. I sighed and ran my hand against the side of the canister until I found the light switch, flicking it on as I leaned against the door.

Work it out if you can, Heka, I said. And Zynesta... I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait for a bit before I can get you a new body.

It's fine, Erasmus, she said quickly. But what are you doing? You're going to kill him? And yourself?

Don't worry; I'll get you a body before I go, I told her, smiling teasingly.

Erasmus, you're joking, you've got to be joking, tell me you're joking! she shouted.

"I need a ball," I said aloud, frowning in concentration. "Ball, ball; where am I going to get a ball?" Turning around, I pounded on the door. "Guard! Guard, I need something!" I heard a growl of aggravation. The door opened and the lycan glared at me.

"I'm not a servant," it growled.

Male or female? I asked Zynesta. And name. I need a name, if it has one.

Male, no name, she reported quickly. Why do you need a ball?

"I know you're not, boy," I said to the lycan. "But we can do this one of two ways; I can link to your very soul and make you do as I say, or... you can obey right now and get me a ball. Preferably a bouncy ball. Fist-sized."

"You're... threatening me?" the lycan snarled. "BOY?"

"Yeah, well, I have at least 20... ah, 23 years? 22 and 11 months? Yeah. 22-plus years over you. I think I'm entitled to a little haughtiness in this regard."

"Watch it, human...!"

"But I'm not exactly human, am I?" I cut in. "I'm half-god, half mortal, with pharaoh's blood. Now, bouncy ball?" The lycan scowled and left, returning half an hour later with a bouncy ball. I thanked him in passing as I shut the door in his face. "Let the waiting begin."