-Amos Kane (Thirty-seven-years-old)-
My staff nearly fell to the floor thanks to my hands shaking. His smile stuck with me as they took him for temporary holding for the Chief Lector to deal with later. Why would he surrender upon seeing me? The smile was clearly a message for me to interpret, but I couldn't focus enough to wrap my head around it.
A shove to my right shoulder, and I stumbled to gain my balance rather than fall. I quickly looked to where I was standing to finding Floyd cross his arms over his chest. "I understand your confusion, but you should take advantage of this." He gestured his head in the direction of the Hall of Ages.
I opened my mouth, about to fire off protest and questions. His eyes narrowed immediately in response. "Don't, just go while you still can."
I decided he had a point, who knows what else decides to happen this morning. I shut my mouth and nodded to him before leaving. I don't think I've walked this hall so disoriented, but I still managed to get to the doors by simple memory.
"I'm surprised you haven't already slipped in," his voice seemed to straighten my head out a bit as I faced his way.
Jabari is leaning against the sandstone walls to the left of the door, heirloom back in its loop. He must have been waiting here. To continue our fight maybe? But his eyes are the usual stony brown ones I've known.
He took a step forward before I could think of anything to say, hands intentionally in his pockets. "You didn't fight back, why?" His voice demanding answers.
I shrugged off the commanding tone, recalling I used to cave and hand him whatever answers he wanted. "Perhaps you're not worth my time?"
He chuckled, of course highly doubting my suggestion. "Apparently I'm enough, considering you chose to take on my full attention."
My eyes narrowed, "Horus would have killed Julius if it meant him being in the way."
"Yes, just as he went to end you, Amos." He cleared his throat, doing a once-over of me. "How is it that Set didn't emerge?"
This question threw me off, but he continued none-the-less. "Typically, once one is showing off, the other likes to join in. Doesn't matter which one starts it, but the end is always the same."
I felt slightly nauseas, knowing exactly how it would end. "Well, sorry to ruin it for you this time. However, Set is in it for an Eye now, not some broken toy he can discard again."
His right eyebrow raised in response. Surprise or doubt, I didn't much care to continue this conversation. I pushed the doors to the Hall of Ages open, then hesitated to take a step and instead made eye contact with him again. "Do you plan on making more problems?"
Brown eyes softened as he took a step back, "You're allowed entry."
The Hall and its magical timeline usually sets people on edge. I was one of those people, but constant appearances for my apprenticeship had worn the terror of it. Now it's just a light leading me to the throne and the steps, the Chief Lector being the most intimidating before a few months passed of training under him.
Most of the First Nome would barely get a glimpse of Iskandar. You knew he was around, and you knew who he was and should respect his power. He was a busy man, but he did his best to use his spare time to teach me. He was an encouraging and friendly teacher, I grew out of the respect people expect you give and treated him closer to a teacher.
It wasn't until I was before the stairs and the Chief Lector himself that I realized this was going to be vastly different. I'm not standing before him as the timid kid he chose to train in more advanced statuary.
He stood up from the stairs after a moment of taking me in. Alarmed at my own stupidity, I bowed as soon as I could. "Chief Lector Iskandar, I'm before you to ask for your assistance."
Iskandar smiled, "Ah, I should have known better."
I stood straight as confusion spread quickly across my face to his reaction. He stepped off the stairs. "I've been reading up on Hebrew Prophets. Did you know that you're named after one that protested their god's wrath?"
Well, he was quick to identify. "Yes, Chief Lector, I've actually read the book. Why is this important right now?"
"Thoth told me to expect a Hebrew Prophet. I took him literally, and I shouldn't have." He approached and landed his left hand on my right shoulder. "It's not that important, just a laugh."
"Your mother must have a sense of humor," Set grinned in amusement.
That's when I started feeling nauseous. Did I seriously just ask to be the Red Lord's host? How was this supposed to turn out well? He seems to just only care for himself and nothing else, so what good would even come out of it? Why is the seriousness of this just now dawning on me?
"Alright, Clay Boy, you've been entertaining. However, I can tell you're not really up to this crazed idea you just spat out."
Wait, no, we need him. Because he's fought off the Lord of Chaos on multiple occasions. I went to try and shake off the fear doing its best to settle into my thoughts.
A sole finger landed on my lips, finding Set in my personal bubble. Heat of the desert radiating off of his being, slightly comforting but still triggering. His black eyes staring right into mine, and terror reigns supreme.
"I don't know why you'd make yourself believe that is what you want, Amos. Most people that have sought me out are in it for more power. You are not one of them."
"I-"
"Don't make me force you to shut up," the god was quick to chide. "Sure, you survived possession, good job and all sorts of praise kid. You're showing all signs of fear, Kane. You clearly don't want this. Walk back home to your comfy mansion."
He took two steps back, eyes still steadily on mine. Anger stirred in me now, I've never really felt like a spoiled brat. In a few sentences, Set made me seem like that's all I've ever known. My hands formed into fists as he turned his back to me, planning to leave.
"Coward," I finally managed out.
He stopped, turning his head so his left ear is facing me. "What did you-"
"You're running away after pissing me off, that makes you a coward." My voice gained strength as I took note of his rising anger.
A low chuckle before facing me fully. "In what world would I be terrified of a kid like you? Let alone one still trembling after I left him broken?"
"You've practically become good friends with fear, Set," I spoke coolly. "Ever since Isis removed Ra."
The stony black eyes narrowed immediately, a snarl wanting to trigger. "All you knew was under Ra's rule, not Osiris. Don't think I didn't see it in that mess of memories you were kind enough to gift me with."
A step closer, he looks as if he would happily make pudding out of me at this point. "You spill arrogance into everyone's ears, but it's starting to look like you're pushing everyone away."
I stopped taunting him, because he had now gripped the collar of my jacket. I started sweating, a combination of the heat wave constantly washing over me now and nervousness that I may have pushed too much. His eyes staring right into mine again, daring me to keep going.
Well, if I'm going to die tonight I'm at least going to say my two cents. "Powerful enough to fend off the Lord of Chaos every night. Yet scared of a meek human knowing your weakness. That's pitiful Set."
I ended up encountering gravity at its best, Set growling down at me after having let go of his grasp. I decided it best I stay down, especially since his hands formed into fists. "Set, before you go overboard. We're going to have to deal with the snake soon."
"I hope he swallows your entire existence."
I chose to ignore the comment. "You've distanced yourself from everything you cared about. If you stay on the sidelines on this, you'll watch him swallow all of it."
He smirked down at me, showing he still couldn't care less. "Set, there's a chance you can have all of it back."
"Why would I want liars and disloyalty back, Kane?" Set's voice boomed in rage.
I hadn't really thought of that, and I noticed my hands starting to shake. "Something new then? A friend maybe?"
Intimidating silence for a minute. Set is still hovering above me, and I'm starting to feel like this might actually be my final moments. "Did you just offer to be a friend? To the God of Chaos?" Set's voice is tense.
"Yep," my voice betrayed me. "Look, I know you have vastly better things to do than deal with me. I'm here because you know we can't survive his onslaught." I paused, immediately remembering a memory I'd rather almost forget. "She died because I didn't know how to deal with it. I, personally, need you to help us. I know I can't, and I don't want to hang on hope that my nephew and niece are strong enough."
Silence was my answer again, and I found myself crying to recalling my own weakness. It still hurt just as bad as when it happened. Maybe slightly worse having a god judge me for it.
"Fine," his voice cut through the silence despite sounding somewhat defeated. "If you're that desperate to grovel at my feet. We'll have to start training you towards chaos magic alone if we're going to make this work. You understand some of it, but not all of it. Go home and sleep, you're useless when exhausted."
"What can I help you with, Chief Lector Kane?" Iskandar smiled slightly to saying it. "I suppose it's important, considering you had gone out of your way to time travel to visit your mentor."
"I actually came here because Thoth said you could help me get back. The time traveling was in error," I explained sheepishly.
His eyes lit up in immediate understanding. "He was not wrong, I can help. However, was it just you affected, or was the one that belongs here disrupted as well?"
I closed my eyes and sighed, which was enough of an answer for him. "In that case, you'll have to do some extra work on your part. I can reverse your end of things, but you'll have to do the same for yourself. I'll show you how it's done."
"Thank you, Chief Lector," I was quick to say. "Your assistance is highly appreciated."
"Yes, well, I don't think it would be wise to start kicking the bee."
I paused for a moment as he went to pull out a scroll from the Duat. "Sorry, I think you mean 'poking the bear'."
He paused to process my correction before nodding in acceptance. "That makes far more sense than kicking bees, doesn't it? Thank you for correcting me. You know you're one of the few that do? Most people just stand there with weird looks on their faces and be silent. It's rather annoying."
"Chief Lector, you did pick me to help you with English phrases if I recall." Which I very easily remember. Now I'm starting to feel like I hadn't totally been helpful since he's always had issues getting them right. "Also, you are Chief Lector, so…"
"I am aware of how people see me, Amos." Iskandar reassured swiftly as he gestured me to follow him to the war room in the back.
He had immediately gone to scribble ink upon the papyrus. It was silent for a moment, and I was getting uncomfortable. "Figurative 'bee' being my hosting, right?"
Iskandar paused and blinked before sighing in slight annoyance. "If you insist. I'm certain you have your reasons. I don't approve, if that's what you're wanting."
I smirked, "No, I just wanted to make it more open. I'm not really surprised that you don't approve, but thank you nonetheless."
Iskandar nodded and continued scribbling. "You'll want to keep this scroll after fixing things. You'll never know when this becomes handy again."
"Oh," he immediately shoved the scroll into my hands and summoned his wand. "Actually yeah, that's probably a good idea," I sheepishly agreed, noting how tense he is acting now.
Iskandar hesitated before finally making eye contact. "Good luck, with everything. In the end I suppose it doesn't matter how much information I pour into your brain. Chief Lector is a game of leading in the dark while everyone peers up at you as if you're the only one with night vision."
If anyone knew this, it was certainly him. He had helped the Per Ankh survive after the Romans had swept over Egypt. There couldn't possibly be any advice given to him to aid. You simply learn to accept your role and try to brim with as much confidence to hide the fact that you're just as blind as the rest of them.
"Thank you, that means a lot coming from you," I made sure he knew I was sincere about it.
He nodded and went to start incanting in Alexandrian Greek. About halfway through, blue light overtook the room. The next thing I could see when it dimmed down was the two shabtis posted at the gym door. Gym being empty, but I was fairly certain Iskandar's spell worked.
