Hello again! I'm not really sure where I'm going with this story, I just kind of write whatever I feel would fit it. If you have any ideas you'd like to suggest, don't be afraid to holler. I really do like writing this, despite how dark it can get at times.

Anyways, thank you for reading, and please review!

-Julius Kane-

This is it.

My head was still spinning with adrenalin and fear. I slammed my hands against the metal, and it still refused to give no matter how many times I did this. It can't be, I didn't even have a chance to explain for Carter and Sadie.

I couldn't even bring myself to imagine what is going through their heads now. More than likely will be told they're crazy and visit some money-grubbing psychiatrist that really doesn't care to listen. Even if they could process it, how will they know the best way to cope with it? They're just teenagers!

Accept it already, a distressed voice sounded from the back of my skull. You're not escaping, and your family is just going to have to accept your actions.

I was about to freak out a little more, then managed to remind myself I forced Osiris into my head. Yes you did, he was being pretty bitter about this. Should have just listened to Amos. But no, you had to act all proud and brush him off too, didn't you?

As far as I can remember I hadn't done so. Yeah, I was agitated that he had shown up just to protest my plans rather than possibly say hello. It's been six years, and he just wanted to throw his distress on the matter at me.

Don't deny it, Osiris snarled. How sure are you that you could even beat him? He might have had plenty of practice during those six years.

I slammed my knuckles into the metal an inch away from my face, refusing to break into tears from the ensuing situation. My breath was starting to warm up the little space I had, and I refused to think of suffocation.

They tell these stories so you don't repeat them, Osiris refused to shut up. Are you humans really this thick?

"Shut the hell up!" My voice cracked as I screamed this.

Why should I? I wasn't exactly given a choice to skip this part again, Osiris distressed. You didn't even think about how your children will be affected, did you? Are you willing to watching on the sidelines as Amos fights against them?

What? You didn't even plan this far. You're worse than the last guy.

"Hey!" I snapped, outraged by how cold the deity was being. "I had to; you should know that, Almighty Knower of Things!"

Really, that was the best you could come up with? If I had known he was like this, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gone through with this. You did this because your wife said so.

Yes she did. The blinding light came up quicker than usual this time, my eyes welling up with tears. Sorry, Osiris quickly spoke, a tad regretful. I can see why, I would have done the same.

I grew a tad annoyed, having someone just know everything because he's in your head. Confiding means you're placing trust into someone; this is invasion of privacy on various levels. You better get used to it; we're in it for the long haul whether or not you like it.

Thankfully, he had managed to keep to himself for who knows how long. I do know he's trapped in here too, so he knows exactly everything I wound up recalling.

I could remember the first time I met Ruby, her smile stayed with me ever since. A few of the better fights with my brother alongside the joking. The first time I held Carter and Sadie.

The memories quickly went sour, Cleopatra's Needle broke in. Followed by the fear Carter tried to hide every time we had to move. The anger Sadie didn't care to throw at us when we visited. Resent in my brother's eyes after six years of no contact. Silent shock imprinted on Carter's and Sadie's faces.

The air was so much heavier to take in; I could hear myself fight to keep inhaling anyways. "I didn't want this, I would choose otherwise if I could."

But I didn't have the luxury. The Per Ankh forbids hostings, and if anyone else was on our side, they're not being very vocal for sake of their own lives. I can't blame them; I would do the same too. However, someone had to; things had to be restored to even have a chance to shove Apophis back down.

I admire your resolve, Osiris sounded as if he hesitated to say anything.

"You shouldn't feel obligated to say anything," I reassured.

We might as well get better acquainted, Julius. And yes, things are going to spiral out of our control from here. My siblings will pave the rest of the path. Accept we are on the sidelines; you will not be so conflicted later on. You must focus on being the Lord of the Afterlife; it will require your full attention along with mine.

Hell, does he recite the same thing to all of his hosts? Actually, yes. Though most times I get to actually be part of a human's life before he gets tossed into a sarcophagus.

I thought it over for probably a minute and figured I'd probably be agitated each time I was thrown into one. It's part of the process, Osiris tried to reassure, I'm sorry I was being irritable.

I still couldn't help but feel irritable. I'm suffocating and forced to share my last thoughts with an Egyptian deity. It felt like days of just lying in this damn thing, it got to the point that I didn't even bother with using my eyes anymore. My lungs ached now, the air somehow feeling like I was inhaling a brick.

I summed up my life with a great amount of happiness, but heavy regrets. I desperately wanted a chance to say my apologies. I wish I had been bold enough like Amos has been, show up at our home and at least be able to have a good memory with him before this. Or been brave enough to tell Carter and Sadie what they have to know, the world I evidently just threw them at.

Osiris had stopped trying to reassure me or point out my flaws, he probably knew I was wounded enough. Eventually, I found I had stopped breathing, my mind wanted to drift off along with it. Something happened to be keeping my ba anchored though.

I opened my eyes and was immediately met with red smoke. I focused enough and found someone was at the source of it. Taking a step, I froze as my head spun. He was entangled in what appeared to be fire, eyes closed as if sleeping. "A-Amos?" I choked out, daring to approach.

He was smoking, and I could feel a great amount of heat coming off of him. I went to reach for his arm, see if I could earn a response. "I wouldn't do that," An evil voice enveloped the space around us. "Not unless you plan to kill him, of course."

That smile invaded, but my eyes settled on the familiar features he chose to appear in. "Let go of him," was the first thing I could let slip from my mouth.

His copy frowned, "You wouldn't like the result of that either, Kane. You might as well join us and watch the show."

What show? All I can see is my brother being burned alive. I turned back to the fire-like shield encasing him. There had to be a way to break it. "He's currently unconscious; I've had to force him out due to being uncooperative."

Uncooperative? There was no way in hell Amos would consider falling through with anything Set would think up. "If that's really what you want, I'll release him once his body is done fetching for me." Set rolled his eyes out of annoyance. "By then I won't have much use for him."

Fetching… Wait, Set pulled Amos' ba out? I grew sick as the thought invaded my thoughts. I did this.

"As the host of Osiris, I demand you let him go now," I snapped, guilt twisting my insides at the thought of releasing this monster.

The copy's eyes narrowed in response. "A dead host, your ba is trapped here because your body and Osiris are stuck in the sarcophagus. I'm not afraid of you, Kane; you are at your weakest. Now, I suggest you sit and enjoy yourself. That is all you can do."

And with that, he disappeared in more red smoke. A sizzle sounded from behind me, earning an immediate turn from me. At closer inspection, I could tell he was exhausted, the shield must be keeping him standing. His lips were barely moving, but I couldn't hear anything. I did my best to interpret whatever he was saying, but I wasn't very lucky. I had managed to figure one out though, "Kill me."

My thoughts were flooded now, I soon found out that it's better to be in a body rather than not, at least then I could suffer in the tears I would have unleashed. I hesitated to look beyond the Duat, fearing the thought of what Set was using my brother for. I was unfortunately dumb enough to do it anyways.

Comparing the difference between what my brother was mouthing and what was being said, I could tell Set still had main control. And he had Carter and Sadie practically in the palm of his hand. I pulled my eyes away, taking in the placeholder that represented Amos here.

I should have listened, just as Osiris stated. He didn't deserve this; all he wanted was the best for our family. Now he's being used against his own values. He needs out.

I wasn't going to kill him though; the thought alone was haunting me. He was probably going to die at this rate anyways, and it's on me. It felt so much worse knowing that I couldn't hear him; I probably can't reach him with speaking too. I can't even comfort him like Osiris had done for me.

I sat down, eyes taking in the small movements of his lips, his eyes still remaining closed. "Amos," I spoke up, praying that maybe he could hear me no matter how small that chance actually was. "Do whatever you feel you need to, you have my full support. I love you no matter what, and I am so sorry I brought this."

Nothing from Osiris, he must still be in the sarcophagus. I refused to look up again; it just brought too much pain upon myself. I hadn't even thought of how to handle Set or Nephthys, and witnessing this made me feel incredibly selfish.

I'm not certain how much time had passed, but the fire had faded. I didn't actually process it until my eyes focused on the crumpled form that was in its place. Almost as instinct, I rushed beside him. I forced myself to place my hand on his forehead. If someone's body even managed to reach this temperature, they would have combusted.

"Amos," I could barely make out.

A moan escaped, his eyelids barely flickered open. His eyes were red, smoke escaping from the ducts as he struggled to take me in. He tried to say something just to have smoke escape. I don't know much about bas, but a horrid feeling was telling me he wasn't going to survive this.

Those angry eyes I had seen came back, and now he most certainly had every right to hate me. It wasn't what he had in his expression though, he was scared. To say I wasn't is an understatement. He couldn't, he shouldn't die from my mistakes.

What about Carter and Sadie? Are they going to be forced to live on their own from here? At least they'll have Brooklyn House, but they need someone that can help point them in the right direction. Was it really worth keeping Apophis down? Will this even work?

He was still breathing smoke out, it was practically never-ending. I swallowed as I tried to think of what to say, making damn sure this time that I say something I won't regret. There were so many words swirling in my head, piecing my thoughts together just to make some sense was almost impossible.

"Hey," Amos practically coughed out, completely tearing me from my word puzzle.

I did the manliest thing possible; I broke down in front of him. Out of everything he could have said, he said that. He should be pissed off, not willing to talk to me ever again. Amos underwent what no one would dare wish upon another magician, and he's more than likely dead from it.

And I still don't know what to say, making me feel even worse. Ruby already died for this, I figured I'd self-sacrifice for it too. It should end there.

A portal ripped through some of the empty space to the left of me. I could barely take in the familiar jackal that walked through, slowly taking in the scene before him. I quickly made up my mind, I was more than willing to fight him and lose before he can place a finger on my brother.

"Lord Julius," he addressed me first, eyes seeming to stay on Amos as if judging his survival as well. "I'm here to return you to your body by Osiris' request."

I hesitated to respond, "What of Amos?"

Anubis drove his eyes away from him, settling to keeping contact with my gaze. "He has a few years still."

Years, it didn't seem like it right now. The jackal deity was so certain too, it was almost hard to process it. "Before I go, I want you to promise me you're not lying."

Anubis' eyebrows rose before he suddenly chuckled. "I wouldn't dare lie to the Lord of the Afterlife."

Right, I processed the new title I was going to wear. Being that he is a death god focusing on me rather than Amos helped reassure his honesty. I went to stand when a hand immediately gripped my right wrist.

That scared look had gotten ten times worse, wanting me to stay here with him. "Please," he managed to cry out.

One word had hit so hard, I had to tear my eyes away from his. "Sorry Amos, but I don't have a choice anymore."

I wish I could have reworded it, because I risked looking at his eyes again to watch what looked like his world crashing completely on top of him. Anubis was getting a little annoyed, so I had left with him. I wish I hadn't. Maybe if I had explained it better Amos wouldn't have blamed himself.

After all of the special ceremonial crap I had to go through as the recycled host of Osiris, I had time to see Ruby again. She was a mess alone, happy of the success, but also upset by the fact that both of us left our kids parentless. I sent for Anubis to summon them, which had thankfully eased the matter for us.

Amos had been smart enough to keep the effects of his depression as far away from the kids as possible. I watched with a heavy heart as he inflicted self-harm every night and refused to sleep until he actually couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. The words Sadie gave him for me hadn't made the situation better.

Desjardins, the new Chief Lector, had paid the Nome a visit late into the night. Amos refused to bother with the door, so Michel stormed his way in. In dismay to the mess Amos was still in, he pretty much slapped some sense into him. It seemed to work, because he actually attempted to be himself, announcing that he was heading to the First Nome for help.

"The gods have been unleashed," Ruby suddenly spoke after a long period of silence. "Do you believe there will be good from it?"

There better be, I didn't just let my entire family go through a shredder for it to go crashing upon us like a collapsing building. I hadn't answered her though, because I know for a fact that's not what she wants to hear. Instead, I pulled her towards me and managed to kiss her in one fluid motion.

She frowned when she pulled back. "Julius," she started strictly, "you are still my husband. So I know when you want to avoid answering a question."

"Carter and Sadie will do wonders," I was careful to avoid the topic of my brother. "They defeated Set; I think that's proof enough."

Ruby sighed, a hint of frustration evident in her tone. "I've been thinking of inviting your brother here, perhaps he can gain some composure seeing how things are."

Maybe. Somehow I started to believe that he thought he could save me. I wasn't sure him seeing Julius, Lord of the Afterlife, was going to really ease him from it.

Then again, I was scared of seeing him again in person. What the hell do you say after all of this? We can't possibly return to the way we were, firing off insulting jokes at each other. All I could think about was his ba emanating red steam. Him mouthing "kill me" doesn't help either, especially knowing of his cutting problem he finally managed to ease off from.

Ruby had sent Anubis out anyways; I hadn't even had a voice in the matter. He returned later, stating that Desjardins refused the thought. Anubis didn't even get past Michel. Apparently the old bird had been keeping a very good eye on Amos.

Ruby was iffy on the matter. "At least someone's watching him."