In which our favorite Kanes get what they deserve- some respect!
Replies:
Batmanuchiha: Just about!
Guest: Why ye of little faith! So many questions so little answer- but I mean, Apophis was considered to have connections to water even before Percy so that just made it even more fitting- Ra was fire and Apophis was watery. And yeah, she's around the same level with magic as Sadie and Carter and, well, they are two of the most powerful magicians alive. She could take out a lot of demigods without even using her demigod powers.
AarBeaz: Thank you. And yes Pipercabeth will be a thing that happens and it will be great when it does. And I don't know, I haven't decided about if I'm doing HoO yet.
Rage2091: It is- not something she'll choose to use unless she has zero choice but she can.
Undeath9087: Oh I get your point- but I will point out that Percy couldn't take Apophis. She managed to pin him down for ten minutes maximum and she was very close to burning out from it. And Percy isn't going to want to use that power often, it was painful for her to use it and there's a very real risk of losing control.
Guest: I mean it is the sort of thing she'd come up with lol. I just imagine her meeting kids of Hecate and being like 'Huh, they like magic too! Come my children I have much to teach you!' because I imagine Egyptian magic is more flexible and slightly more powerful than most children of Hecates magic purely because that's what the Egyptian's focus on. If that makes sense.
Drizzle: There's a few more chapters to go. And then we start on the next fic!
Guest: I know right? And honestly Percy being too angry to die is fitting. And yeah, I am aware. Zia saved Percy and Percy saved Zia. Very fitting and yin and yang.
Jubby1905: Just picture it. Percy meeting Kronos when he's out of the pit 'Uh, guys, he's tiny.'
'Percy that's the Titan of time he's not-'
'He's not even big enough to stomp on me!'
'Percy can you stop mocking the Titan of time! He's bigger than you-"
"Yeah but there's lots of people taller than me! This guy's not impressive I'm telling you!'
Meanwhile Kronos is just stood getting more and more offended at this annoying teenager who isn't remotely phased by his presence.
The rest of the day was a blur for the three Kanes. Sadie dragged Percy to see healers- whilst Carter gathered up Zia's unconscious form and met them there.
Carter and Sadie's injuries only took minutes- Percy's were a bit more severe- it took a good hour or so before the burns from the chaos magic had faded. And Percy knew she'd feel tired for a while, a bone deep exhaustion since she'd almost burned herself out- and Carter refused to leave Zia until Jaz practically forced him out- they had a lot of wounded magicians to treat- miraculously even some of the more badly injured magicians like Leonid- and Percy had felt very upset when she'd seen him, were going to pull through.
And Percy stuck with her brother- she was pretty sure Carter wouldn't want to let her out of his sight for a very long time, he and Sadie had both believed that she was dead when she'd plunged down Apophis' throat after Zia.
After leaving the infirmary they wandered through the main cavern, Percy tucked into Carter's side- and they did get some very wide eyed looks- understandable given the fact that Percy was still clad in the clothes Ra had given her, with her golden khopesh hanging from her belt, and Carter still had Ra's crook and flail on his own belt and the story of how they'd defeated Apophis was spreading.
And part of the reason for the number of looks they were getting was the fact that portals all around the world had started working again. Magicians were flooding in to help with clean-up and pledge their support to the Chief Lector.
Percy did wonder how many of them would have come if they could- but they'd never know for sure- and she blushed and grinned every time someone came up to them and congratulated her and Carter for their hard work, every time one of them called them heroes.
They kept walking until, as they passed the staff vendor's cart someone hissed, "Psssst!"
And Percy turned her head automatically, her eyes widening in shock when she recognised who it was.
Setne, he was leaning against the wall, still in his horrible jacket and jewellery and jeans, his Elvis hair perfectly combed, the Book of Thoth tucked under his arm.
"You did good kids," he called. "Not the way I would've handled it, but not bad."
"Tas!" Carter and Percy said the command at the same time- but Setne just grinned at them, giving a little wink.
"Yeah, we're done playing that game. But don't worry kids. I'll be seeing you around- you've really inspired me, I've got a whole lot of new ideas." and then he was gone in a puff of smoke.
Percy blinked rapidly before turning her face to look up at Carter.
"Carter?"
"Yeah?"
"I really, really hate him."
"So do I." Carter squeezed her shoulder gently, "So do I." and something about the look on Carter's face made her giggle- and his lips twitched as his hand moved from Percy's shoulder to the back of her head, and Percy shifted instantly, pressing her face into his chest to stifle the little giggles.
Percy wasn't sure how long they stayed like that before a familiar voice interrupted them. "And there you two are!" and Percy lifted her head, turning it so that she could focus on Sadie, who was walking towards them, a smile on her lips and her hands on her hips. "I wondered where you got to- when I checked back in with Jaz she said she sent you two away because they were all busy-"
"She did." Carter nodded, "Uh- sorry we just-"
"We just saw Setne." Percy piped up as she pulled her face away from her brother's chest. "He's still annoying. Dunno what he did but Tas didn't work anymore." she told their sister, who winced.
"I suppose we'll have to deal with that git sooner or later but for now you two best come with me. Amos has called a general assembly in the Hall of Ages." she slipped her arm through Carter's. "And try to smile brother dear- like Percy is-" and Percy giggled again at that, "I know it's hard." Sadie continued, "But you're a role model now, as horrifying as I find that."
"So are you." Carter paused, "Gods that is terrifying-"
"I will explode you." Sadie threatened almost teasingly as they made their way towards the Hall of Ages.
As they walked they passed several of Brookyn House's initiates helping with the restoration. Alyssa and a squad of earth elementalists were reinforcing walls and ceilings, trying to make sure the caverns didn't collapse on them.
Julian was sitting on the steps of the Scrying House, chatting up a few girls from the Scandinavian nome. "Yeah, you know," he was telling them, "Apophis saw me coming with my big combat avatar, and he pretty much knew it was over."
Sadie rolled her eyes and pulled Carter and Percy along, shooting Percy a grin, "I think he was more intimidated by the ten year old living hurricane."
Little Shelby and the other ankle-biters ran up to them, grinning and breathless. They'd helped themselves to some charms from one of the unmanned shopping kiosks, so they looked like they'd just come back from Egyptian Mardi Gras, and Shelby beamed widely as she threw herself at Percy, hugging her tightly, head pressing into Percy's belly.
"You killed a snake!" her voice was so happy that it made Percy giggle despite everything as she hugged Shelby tightly.
"We killed a snake-"
"You made the snake stop! It was gonna bite me but you killed it!"
"Yeah." Percy nodded, smile slightly shaky at that reminder of what had nearly happened. "You were real brave Shelby. I bet you could have killed the snake all by yourself."
"I could!" Shelby pulled back and nodded, "Any more bad snakes come and-" She stomped her feet in time with her words, "Kill, kill, kill!" as she stomped sparks flew from her shoes- and then she was turning and running off- and Percy felt Carter tugging her into his side again.
"You did the right thing- saving her."
"I know." Percy nodded, "It just- was a horrible choice in the moment."
"I do like that girl." Sadie declared, "She's like a mix of me and Percy I think-"
"Oh gods no." Carter made a show of shuddering.
At that point gongs began ringing throughout the tunnels, summoning everyone to the Hall of Ages, so the three siblings sped up.
By the time they arrived the hall was jammed with magicians, some in robes, some in modern clothes, some pyjamas like they'd teleported straight from bed. On either side of the carpet, holographic curtains of light shimmered between the columns just as they had before.
Felix ran up to them, all smiles, with a herd of penguins behind him. "Check it out!" His voice was beyond happy, "I learned this one during the battle!"
He spoke a command word, which to Percy kind of sounded like shish kebab, but it was actually "Se-kebeb!" which meant make cold. Hieroglyphs appeared on the floor in frosty white:
The chill spread until a twenty-foot-wide section of the floor was coated in thick white ice. The penguins waddled across it, flapping their wings. One unfortunate magician stepped back and slipped so badly, his staff went flying.
Felix pumped his fist. "Yes! I found my path. I'm supposed to follow the god of ice!"
"There's a god of ice? Egypt is a desert. Who's the ice god?" Carter looked half confused half concerned- it made Percy want to poke fun even more.
"I have no idea!" Felix beamed. He slid across the ice and went running off with his penguins.
They made their way down the hall. Magicians were trading stories, mingling, and checking in with old friends.
Hieroglyphs floated through the air, brighter and thicker than Percy had ever seen, like a rainbow alphabet soup.
But slowly the crowd started to notice the three Kanes. A hush spread through the room. All eyes turned toward them.
The magicians parted, clearing the way to the throne.
Most of the magicians smiled as they walked past. A few whispered thanks and congratulations. Even the former rebel magicians seemed genuinely pleased to see them. But Percy did notice a few angry looks- it seemed that some of the magicians still weren't happy. The Kanes would never not have enemies. But for now acting against them would be beyond foolish.
Percy's eyes scanned over the crowd- she could see that Sadie was doing the same- and Percy froze, her eyes going wide when she spotted who she was looking for.
Five figures stood together by the steps of the throne- well, technically five. There was Amos, who had changed into a crimson suit that went surprisingly well with his leopard-skin cape. His hair was braided with garnets, and his glasses were tinted red- clearly playing up the connection to Set.
Then there was Desjardins, clad in his usual cream colored robes, a stoic look on his face, but a faint smile on his lips nevertheless.
And Sally.
Their mom looked exhausted- but she was smiling tiredly and in her arms she was holding two little bundles- so wrapped up that Percy couldn't see their faces or anything- but she knew that it had to be their siblings.
And huh. They'd been born on the day that Apophis had finally been defeated. Now if there was ever a good omen that had to be one right?
Percy heard Carter's little intake of breath- but he didn't say anything, mostly because Sally was giving them her usual gentle reassuring smile- which spoke volumes even with her silence.
So Percy shifted her gaze back to Amos, who was smiling proudly as they approached. "Carter, Sadie, Percy. On behalf of the House of Life I thank you. You have restored Ma'at! Apophis has been execrated and Ra has once again risen into the heavens, but this time in triumph. Well done!"
The hall erupted in cheering and applause. Dozens of magicians raised their staffs and sent up miniature firework displays.
Amos embraced them. Then he stepped aside and gestured Carter towards the throne- and Carter looked frozen for a moment and Percy shifted slightly, pulling away from him just slightly and whispering.
"C'mon then Carter. Don't embarrass us."
"Yeah. Go on." Sadie nudged him too, "Don't be stupid."
And so Carter slowly climbed up the steps- and Percy shifted so that she was stood closer to Sadie as they watched him reach the top and turn so that he was facing them again, and he slowly eased himself onto the throne- and Percy was willing to admit that she'd never felt so proud of her big brother before in her life as he gazed out over the crowd of magicians.
There was a long moment of silence before he spoke.
"I accept the throne!" he held up the crook and flail, "Ra has given me authority to lead the gods and magicians in times of crisis, and I'll do my best. Apophis has been banished, but the Sea of Chaos is always there." he met Percy's gaze just for a second.
"I've seen it with my own eyes. Its forces will always try to erode Ma'at. We can't think that all our enemies are gone."
The crowd stirred nervously.
"But for now we are at peace. We can rebuild and expand the House of Life. If war comes again, I'll be here as the Eye of Horus and as pharaoh. But as Carter Kane…"
He rose, placing the crook and flail on the throne and stepping down from the dais. "As Carter Kane, I'm a kid who has a lot of catching up to do. I've got my own nome to run at Brooklyn House. And I've got to graduate from high school. So I'm going to leave day-to-day operations where they should be—in the hands of the Chief Lector, steward of the pharaoh, Amos Kane."
Amos bowed to Carter and the crowd applauded wildly- and Percy and Sadie beamed at him, and they clapped loudest of all.