In which Percy hears from an old friend.
Replies:
Thickneck: Hmmm, yeah.
Guest: You'll have to wait and see for a lot of it but yeah, the fact that Amos is working with Set is the big secret- and Percy keeps getting hint to help her figure it out.

Percy was fairly emotional-she could hardly be blamed- she'd liked Bes, and she'd been sad when Carter and Sadie had told her what what had happened to him she'd been heartbroken, so Sadie declaring that there may be a way to help him was very good news in her not so humble opinion.

Of course Amos had agreed to let Sadie try her plan, ordering Zia to join them and telling them all that he'd ensure that Ra had a different babysitter for the day.

After that Sadie had declared that she'd need to make contact with Carter- but Percy had wanted to see their mom before heading off, so whilst Sadie had a bite to eat and talked some more with Amos Percy had headed too the infirmary with Zia, and she beamed when she saw her mom- though her smile faltered slightly when she saw that the woman was sat on one of the beds- and her mom looked exhausted, her face was incredibly pale.

"Mom? Are you okay?"

"Percy, honey, what are you doing here?" Sally looked up from her laptop- she'd been writing, she'd published one book during Percy's coma and she was near finished on the second, and she'd read them both to Percy, who had very much approved, it was very clear to anyone who knew the truth what the books were about- and Percy loved how her mother had wrote their story- even the parts about the possession. They made her feel proud of herself instead of ashamed.

"I- Sadie and I came to give uncle Amos some information-"

"Look at you baby- all dressed up- did you go to that dance your sister told me about-"

"Yeah bu-"

"And look at those marks- my poor baby you've been through-"

"Mom! What are you doing here?" and Zia looked distinctly uncomfortable-Percy wondered what she knew.

"Breath baby." Sally put her laptop to the side, opening her arms wide, "Come here honey-" and Percy almost leapt into the bed, cuddling into her moms side, frowning at her.

"Mom. Why aren't you answering my question?" she half mumbled the words, "What's going on?"

"It's nothing for you to worry about." Sally's voice was soft, "I had some pains in the early hours of the morning- and what with how soon the babies due date is and with the stress of everything that's going on-" Sally ran a hand over her bump, "We thought it would be better to make sure I'm all clear. And the first Nomes healers are still the best there are. I'm in safe hands and the babies seem to be just fine- a bit excited is all."

"You're okay." Percy's eyes narrowed very slightly, and her mother's laugh was soft as she pressed her lips to the top of Percy's head.

"Yes baby. Yes I am."

"You- you should go somewhere." Percy frowned, "Mom you shouldn't be here- the rebels are gonna attack-"

"Honey your uncle needs me I am not running away-"

"But mom if something happens-"

"I'm pregnant, not helpless." Sally poked Percy's nose gently, "You long lady don't get to tell me what to do. I will be fine. And the time comes when I need to leave I will leave but that time hasn't come yet and I don't want to have to travel too much in any case- the healers think that I need to stay if possible- I'm so far along that travelling too much poses it's own risks- and with two babies growing inside of me I have to balance those. So for now I am staying here."

"I-" Percy pouted, "I don't like it mom."

"I know baby. And I don't like that you have to fight demons and monsters honey. It's not nice but sometimes it's just
what we have to do honey."

"It's sucky."

"I know." Sally shifted, "Now tell me, how did the dance go."

And Percy hesitated for just a moment before she started talking again, smiling faintly as she told her mom about the dance- and Zia laughed warmly when Percy told them how she'd danced with Carter- how much fun she'd had. And Sally looked relieved at Percy's giggles.

It struck Percy then that it was the first time her mom would have heard her giggling since she'd woken up really. The dance was the first really fun thing she'd done for a long time.

Of course, because that was just Percy's luck, a moment later Sadie was knocking on the door, leaning around the door frame, "Hey mum. You feeling okay?"

"I'm fine Sadie." Sally smiled gently, "Did you enjoy your dance?"

"Yeah-" A smile played across Sadie's lips, "Yeah actually I really did. It was- I mean it got crashed but there were some definite good points."

"Wonderful." Sally smoothed her hand over her belly. "Can you stay or-"

"I was actually coming to grab Zia and Percy." Sadie gave an apologetic smile. "I wish I could stay but we need to get to Sunny Acres."

"I can't believe you're actually taking me to see Bes." Percy clambered off the bed quickly, "I've been begging ever since I woke up-"

"Carter and I didn't want to upset you but now, if we can help him-"

"I'm sure if it's possible then you will cure him."

"You think you can help Bes?" Sally's eyes widened, "What are you three waiting for then. Shoo, off with you. You go help that lovely dwarf friend of yours."

"You be careful." Percy focused on her mom, even as she darted to Sadie's side and grabbed her older sisters hand.

"Of course." Sally nodded, and a moment later the three girls were rushing away.

It didn't take them long to reach their destination, which Sadie had picked out- a ruined shrine to Isis. It was on a limestone cliff overlooking the Nile.

Sadie had quickly excused herself to go talk to Carter- she said she had a Shabti she'd be able to talk through.

Percy meanwhile sat on the top of the cliff, staring down at the river winding below them.

"Hello little one." The voice, as soft and gentle as it was, startled Percy so much that she jumped and nearly fell off the cliff.

"Percy!" Zia's voice was startled as she caught Percy's arm, "Percy are you okay what-"

"Son of a bitch!" Percy yelped the words, her heart pounding, "What the fuck?!" and she didn't care that her mom would be mad at her for her language, she felt it was justified.

"Sorry little one. I should have realised I'd startle you."

"N-Nephthys." Percy blinked slowly, a stunned look on her face, and Zia looked startled too.

"Nephthys is speaking to you?"

"Yeah."

"But she hasn't reached out since-"

"Since before the whole Apophis thing." Percy finished, "Since the Red Pyramid."

"You should speak to her." Zia carefully let go of Percy's arm.

"Right. Right of course."

"Uh, hi Nephthys. It's been a while."

"It has. I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you in so long little one."

"It's- I mean it's okay I guess. This feels kinda weird, you talking to me now."

"I did make some attempts to reach out to you but the snake was blocking it- he can't block it now when you're so close to me."

"To the Nile right?"

"It is my truest form." Nepthys agreed. "How are you little one?"

"I get kinda tired of people asking me that." Percy's voice was a grumble even inside of her own mind. "I dunno what people want me to say. If I say I'm okay I'm lying if I don't- they don't know how to help anyways. It's not like anyone can understand. I had Chaos itself in my mind and he left parts of himself inside of me."

"That's one way to think of it little one."

"There's another way?"

"Instead of him leaving things behind- perhaps you should think of it as you having stolen certain... gifts from him when you forced him out. A resistance to chaos magic, a gift with tongues, knowledge of certain things."

"I guess." And- Percy was willing to admit that did make her feel slightly better. "Thank you Nephthys." Percy paused,
"Why are you talking to me now though?"

"Because I have missed you. I grew fond of you in my time inside of you. And it's the first time I've been able to make contact. Hold your faith child. Never doubt yourself. You are the girl who forced Chaos himself into the Duat. There is nothing you cannot do. And I think that your part to play will be an important one- just as important as the parts your brother and sister play. Without you they may fail."

"Do you know something?"

"Nothing solid. And when the time comes if I can help you I will."

"I- thank you." Percy ducked her head. "You really think-"

"I have no doubts Persephone Ariadne Kane. You will help save the world. Now. I must go, I believe your sister is finished talking to your brother. You will be leaving shortly."

"I- goodbye then I guess."

"Goodbye my little one- and remember, stay strong. And... one more thing. Do not worry for your uncle. I will keep my husband under control."

And Percy's shoulders slumped as she exhaled, "That was weird-" what had Nephthys meant? Was Set bothering Amos again, was that what the adults had been keeping from Percy?

"Are you okay?" Zia moved so that she was sat next to Percy, her expression soft, "You looked so afraid for a moment there. It's not like you to be so scared."

"Usually when I hear a voice in my head these days it's not really friendly." Percy whispered the words. "I haven't heard from Nephthys in ages. I-it's only ever been- been him-"

"Oh Percy." Zia's expression softened, "Does he often-"

"No, no, he did in Dallas but that was the first time since- y'know." Percy ducked her head, "But when you've had someone like that in your head- it doesn't- it's not-" she swallowed hard- she felt like there was a lump in her throat, it was horrible and uncomfortable and Zia slowly wrapped an arm around Percy, gently pulling the younger girl into her side.

"You don't have to say anything else." Zia's voice was very soft. "I understand."

"Thank you." Percy mumbled the words, "For being awesome-"

"Everything okay?" that came from behind them, and Percy turned her head, giving Sadie a weak smile.

"Yeah, I just talked to Nephthys-"

"Really?"

"Yeah. She didn't have any big info. She was just- Saying hi I guess."

"I wish Isis was as nice as Nephthys." Sadie scrunched her face up, "You got majorly lucky with your goddess."

"I know." Percy couldn't help the faint smile on her lips, "What did Carter say?"

"Thoth said you were right. He couldn't give us any info on how to do the spell but you're right about a Shadow Execration." Sadie declared, "And he said that we're going to have to visit dad soon, Setne's spirits still around, dad's going to be putting him on trial at sunset-"

"He-" Percy blinked, "Wait- that means we could use him." she breathed out, blinking rapidly, "If we can get dad to release him to us..."

"We can make him help us find Apophis' shadow." Sadie finished.

"But Setne-"

"We know he's bad- but we don't have much of a choice." Sadie pointed out when Zia tried to protest, "In any case, We're going to meet Carter in the Halls of Judgement once we're done with Bes- we should have time."

"Awesome." Percy took a deep breath. "So, we're going to some godly nursing home to see Bes, right?"

"Yep." Sadie nodded, "Let me just talk to Isis and we'll be on our way."