Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
darkmetaldragonfangs: Don't worry; I plan on putting Atemu through a lot more pain. I can't help it. But we always hurt the ones we love, right?
NeferNeferi: As always, thanks heaps for your reviews. They mean a lot to me. Hugs for you.
Jedi Spiderfan: Wow, I still can't believe you stuck with me for so long. Thanks for the comments and hugs for you too.
Casie: Lol, I think Atemu is fine. But maybe you could give him a kiss anyway? Doesn't have to be the kiss of life. I envy you...
Again, big thanks to my frat sis. You are the best.
--
Atemu opened his eyes and screamed. Alaya was kneeling beside him, one arm supporting his head.
"Get away from me!" Atemu jumped up and leapt away from her. "Stop molesting me!" He cried.
"What!?" Alaya said in shock. "I am not molesting you! I was waiting for you to wake up!"
"Wake up from what huh!? The morning after!? Oh, I see it all clearly now. You raped me!"
"I did no such thing!" Flustered, Alaya looked around nervously.
"Aha! Then why are you getting all nervous? Admit it! You raped me!"
"I did not!" Alaya slapped Atemu. Blinking, he rubbed his stinging cheek.
"Thanks," He said, breathing heavily. "I needed that."
"No problem." Alaya said matter-of-factly. She turned to stare at Sekhmet, who was watching them with an amused look in her amber eyes.
"What?" Alaya demanded. "Nothing, nothing. Good luck in finding team mates." Sekhmet purred.
"Come on Atemu." Alaya grabbed Atemu by the ear and dragged him out of Sekhmet's chambers.
"We need to assemble a team." Alaya told him once they were away from the prying eyes of gods.
"We?" Atemu said scornfully. "Where's the 'we'? It's my team, not yours. Who put you in charge?"
"No one. But I highly doubt you are capable of producing an effective army, even if it is only 6 people."
"What makes you say that? I can complete this challenge on my own. Just like I did with the others."
"Sure. Except this time, you are an enemy to the gods."
Atemu's face paled. "Okay, you got me there. Maybe I could do with a little bit of advice."
Alaya tapped her foot impatiently. "And...?"
Atemu sighed. "And I need your help."
"Good. Now let's get going. We need 4 more gods. Who should we get?"
"I dunno." Atemu crossed his arms and ignored Alaya.
"Stop sulking. You're such a baby." Alaya said, whacking Atemu over the head.
"Am not! And I'm not sulking." He pouted even more and stomped along.
"Yeah right you aren't. Listen, we need to get our team assembled quickly. Your challenge starts the day after next, remember?"
"Fine. I hear you. But I doubt any gods will want to help us."
"You're so pessimistic. The least we can do is ask." Alaya took Atemu's arm and led him into the dining hall.
Deities of different shapes and sizes milled about, talking, eating, getting intoxicated.
"Bast?" Atemu called. The cat-like goddess turned round from talking to Nekhbet.
"What is it kit?" Bast rose from her table and walked to meet Atemu and Alaya.
"For my next challenge I have to face a team of 6 gods. It's kind of complicated, but I need to find 4 more team mates. Do you know anyone?"
Bast purred softly. "Of course I do, kit. There are plenty of gods that would jump at the chance to help you."
"Why me? Is this another one of those 'I am destined to do great things' talks? I had enough of them when I was alive."
"No kit." Bast chuckled. "I will not say what you already know."
Atemu rolled his eyes and muttered something about crazy deluded gods.
"However," Bast continued. "I advise you take Nephthys and Isis with you. As sisters, they are an excellent team."
"O-kay. But Nephthys scares me. Whenever I see her she always looks like she's ready to murder me."
"Ah, Nephthys is fine. She just gets a bit cranky sometimes. Who else do you plan on choosing?"
"A male, definitely. If I don't I may be overcome by girls." Atemu shuddered at the thought.
"We aren't that bad!" Alaya said, whacking him. "Yes you are." Atemu whispered fearfully.
Bast rolled her eyes. "Then perhaps you would do wise to ask Horus? He has some knowledge in the combat area."
Atemu brightened up. "Sure! I like Horus. At least I won't be surrounded entirely by girls."
Alaya growled at him. "Unless you purposely want to lose the use of your tongue, I suggest you shut up."
Bast gave a small laugh. "Very well, kit. Though you still need one more team member."
"I know." Atemu pushed his hair back from his face. "But who should I pick?"
"I believe I could be of some service." A deep voice said.
"Set!" Bast gasped. A tall, heavily muscled god stepped through the parting throngs of deities.
He had the body of a man, but the head of some strange unknown animal.
"Hello young one." Set brought his face close to Atemu's.
"I hear you have done some great things during your time here."
"Hey, I know you! You're the god of dessert, aren't you?" Atemu looked up at Set.
"No, I'm the god of the desert, chaos, animals and evil." Set chuckled softly.
"But I believe I can aid you in your next task."
"Back from your exile so soon, Set?" Isis moved to stand in front of Atemu.
"I remember hearing you were to stay away for at least three years. It's only been two."
"Sister." Set regarded Isis with a slight nod of the head.
"I make my own rules, Isis. You should know that by now."
"I do." Isis' voice was steady and emotionless. "You know very well that you must keep away from Atemu. You are not to touch him."
"I believe it is up to the boy to decide whether or not I am to join his little band of warriors."
"Kit," Isis turned to Atemu. "Do not trust my brother. He is the enemy."
Atemu blinked a couple of times, looking from Isis, to Set, to Bast, and then back to Set.
"If I don't choose Set, then surely Sekhmet will get him. Besides, he can control animals, can't he? That would be useful."
Set straightened up, looking satisfied. "There. The boy has decided. I will be the sixth member of his team."
Outraged, Isis slapped her brother round the face. "If you dare to harm that boy, I will make you pay with your life."
"Oh I wouldn't dream of doing such a thing. How could you accuse me of that?"
Isis glared daggers at Set. "You know what I mean, brother. I can not change Atemu's mind, but I can destroy yours if you hurt him."
Set sighed. "Very well, sister Isis. I vow not to harm a single hair on that boy's head. Happy now?"
"Yes." Isis relented. She sighed wearily. "Off with the lot of you. No doubt you need to prepare."