More explanations, and protective Carter is the best- we all love him very much.
Replies:
Ryan Fowler: Let's face it, Percy and Sadie together could probably take on any god that tried to tangle with them, they'll have the world trembling in fear. Other than Bast. Bast loves them both and finds it utterly hilarious.
The Official Clarisse: There was no potion in the book, but there was also no Percy in the book. And yes you're right- he is. And I mean- think about it- there are people who know how much of a potential threat Percy could be. And I never mind criticism if it's constructed.
Guest: I have counted your vote.
Guest: Percy is a nine year old with zero patience- of course she just interrupted him, gotta love her for that. And she's very proud of what she can do- though she's also nine so I mean, make of that what you will.
AnastasiaWilliams: Percy's just glad that there's an adult helping her deal with this bullshit.
Agua12199: I'm glad you like it! and I've counted your vote.
Graecus: The PJO series will start like three years after the KC series.
Guest: Yes she will.
Guest: I've counted your vote.
Guest: I've already said this a few times, yes she will be hosting someone but I won't say who. And thanks for the vote.
Guest: Percy is a bit of a mythology and archaeology buff/nerd so I definitely think the relationship with Annabeth will be fun to play with no matter what, and I have counted your vote.
Person: I have counted your vote
Poll
Pipercabeth: 26
Percy/Apollo: 21
Perlia: 9
Percabeth: 10
Percy/Bianca: 6
Perlianca: 6
Pereynabeth: 5
Pipercy: 5
Pereyna: 3
Perachelbeth: 2
Pereylia: 2
Perlissse: 1
Pereyna: 1
Percy/Ares: 1
Perachel: 0
Other: (Say who)
The stunned silence was broken a few moments when Carter lurched sideways, yanking Percy into a tight hug- and Percy pressed her face into her big brothers shoulder. "You could have died!" his disbelief seemed to be fading slightly, if only to make way for frantic angry worry. "Percy! Why would you-"
"Dad told me to look after you and Sadie-"
"Dad was an idiot!" that made Sadie gasp sharply, and Percy's eyes widened in shock herself.
"Carter daddy did-"
"No! No you're nine years old and you could have died! You're not responsible for looking after us! I'm the big brother I should be the one protecting you and Sadie not the other way around-"
"But you didn't know-"
"Well he should have told me-"
"Carter your father had his reasons-" Amos held up his hands at the withering look the boy gave him. "I'm not saying he was in the right- I think it was rather cruel to expect that of Percy-"
"You don't say." Sadie scoffed, "I don't even like her and I think it was pretty unfair-"
"Gee, thanks." Percy peered out at Sadie from over Carter's shoulder, "I think."
"I still hate you. Loser."
"Good to know."
"In any case." Amos shook his head, "Your father isn't here. Your anger on behalf of your sister is commendable, really it is but now is not the time for it." As he spoke Amos filled a saucer with milk and put it on the floor- at which point Muffin left her spot by Carters feet and padded over to the milk. "As I was saying before. Your father would have never intentionally damaged a relic. He simply didn't realise how much power the Rosetta stone contained. You see, as Egypt faded it's magic collected and concentrated into it's remaining relics. Most of these, of course are still in Egypt. But you can still find some in almost every major museum. A magician can use these artifacts as focal points to work more powerful spells."
"I don't get it-" Carter said slowly.
Amos spread his hands. "I'm sorry Carter. It takes years to study magic, and I'm trying to explain it to you in a single morning. Especially when I don't fully understand why your father did what he did-" his eyes flicked to Percy, "I believed Julius had seen reason- before- well for a time he wanted to summon Osiris to bring back your mother- and to prepare for a future he feared- I'm not sure how much you know Percy-" because Percy had tensed, and she swallowed hard, pressing into Carter's side.
"I- I know." Percy's voice was quiet- and she felt guilt churning deep in her gut. If she hadn't told him- maybe this would have never happened.
"Well, as far as I was aware he'd finally stopped obsessing over releasing one of the gods. Over releasing Osiris- the last I heard from him before this week was a brief call a year ago- he told me that there was no sign of the threat- that he'd set his fears to rest- that he was sure we had time. And then- two weeks ago- there was a change- something happened-" and Percy flinched, turning her head so that she could press her face into her brothers shoulder.
"This- this is insane I-" Carter shook his head, "Okay so maybe dad did- he was acting kinda weird lately but- none of this is possible- Percy... whatever-" and he must have caught Sadie's eye because he asked, "You're actually buying this?"
"You saw the magic at the museum. The fiery bloke. Dad summoned something from the stone." Sadie pointed out, "And Percy- she definitely did something-"
"Yeah but-" Carter faltered, "That wasn't Osiris was it?"
"No," Amos said. "Your father got more than he bargained for. He did release the spirit of Osiris. In fact, I think he successfully joined with the god—"
"Joined with?"
Amos held up his hand. "Another long conversation. For now, let's just say he drew the power of Osiris into himself. But he never got the chance to use it because, according to what Percy has told me- and Sadie's story when she first woke up backs up Percy's claims, it appears that Julius released five gods from the Rosetta Stone. Five gods who were all trapped together."
"You told him everything?" Carter's voice was worried.
"Yeah." Percy didn't lift her head, her voice was muffled.
"He's going to help us Carter." Sadie added, "What choice do we have?"
"I-" Carter sighed. "Okay- yes the firey guy said something like 'You released all five.' What did that mean?"
Amos sipped his coffee. "I don't want to scare you."
"Too late."
"The gods of Egypt are very dangerous. For the last two thousand years or so, we magicians have spent much of our time binding and banishing them whenever they appear. In fact, our most important law, issued by Chief Lector Iskandar in Roman times, forbids unleashing the gods or using their power. Your father broke that law once before."
Sadie's face paled. "Does this have something to do with Mum's death? Cleopatra's Needle in London?"
"It has everything to do with that, Sadie. Your parents...well, they thought they were doing something good. They took a terrible risk, and it cost your mother her life. Your father took the blame. He was exiled, I suppose you would say. Banished. He was forced to move around constantly because the House monitored his activities.
They feared he would continue his...research. As indeed he did."
"Is that why you never came round?" Sadie asked Amos. "Because Dad was banished?"
"The House forbade me to see him. I loved Julius. It hurt me to stay away from my brother, and from you children. But I could not see you again- I only risked visiting once-"
"When you met me." Percy lifted her head slightly, "The first time I met Sadie. Carter and her were playing and I went to daddy."
"Yes." Amos nodded, "I stayed away after that. Until last night, when I simply had no choice but to try to help. Whatever happened- whatever triggered Julius' decision to release Osiris- I don't know what it was but when I learned he planned on breaking the law again I had to stop him. A second offense would've meant a death sentence. Unfortunately, I failed. I should've known he was too stubborn."
"H-he was trying to do the right thing he was trying-" Percy tried desperately, but Amos cut her off.
"His intentions are unimportant. Whatever they were he failed Percy. And he's unleashed powerful and dangerous forces."
Percy flinched- though she shifted when Muffin leapt onto the table, rubbing against Carters hand and stealing his bacon- she caught the cat shaped goddess' gaze and she could almost swear that the goddess was giving her a reassuring look.
"Last night at the museum." Carter spoke up, "There were two people- there was a girl with a knife and a man with a forked beard. They were magicians too? From the House of Life-"
"Yes," Amos said. "Keeping an eye on your father- You are fortunate they let you go."
"They didn't." Sadie remembered, "One of them wanted to kill us but the other one wanted to take us somewhere- and Percy yelled something and suddenly they were all tied up-"
"They wouldn't have killed you." Amos stated slowly, "They don't unless it is absolutely necessary- they will wait to see if you are a threat-" his expression was worried as he looked at Percy, "Hopefully they haven't already decided Percy is-"
"How could any of us be a threat!" Sadie demanded, "Percy's a freaking nine year old! And Carter and I don't even know magic! We're children, the summoning wasn't our idea."
Amos pushed away his plate. "There is a reason you two were raised separately."
"Because the Fausts took Dad to court," Carter said matter-of-factly. "And Dad lost."
"It was much more than that," Amos said. "The House insisted you two be separated. Your father wanted to keep you both, even though he knew how dangerous it was."
Sadie looked like she'd been smacked between the eyes. "He did?"
"Of course. But the House intervened and made sure your grandparents got custody of you, Sadie. If you and Carter were raised together, you could become very powerful. Perhaps you have already sensed changes over the past day."
Both Carter and Sadie looked shocked at that, and Percy nodded.
"Dad told me you two could be the most powerful magicians in generations if you had the chance to learn."
"H-he did?" Sadie's voice was small- and Percy wondered how it must feel, finding out that their father did believe in her even if he'd never been able to be there. That he did want her.
Then Carter tensed, "Your sixth birthday-" his gaze was focused on Sadie, who's eyes widened.
"The cake." And Percy had been told that story- when their dad had been making it clear just how important it was for her to keep everything a secret from Carter and Sadie. How when they'd been little they'd argued and their magic had ended up blowing up Sadie's birthday cake.
Then Carter turned, his eyes wide, "That was you- I remember you were at Sadie's party."
"Vanilla icing," he recalled. "Very tasty. But it was clear even then that you two would be difficult to raise in the same household."
"And so..." Carter faltered. "What happens to us now?"
"You must be trained properly," Amos said, "whether the House approves or not."
"Why wouldn't they approve?" Carter asked.
"I will explain everything, don't worry-"
"Because you and Sadie have real powerful blood and they're scared you'll do what daddy did and-"
"Percy-" Amos' voice was only slightly sharp, "Give them time- please they've only just learned that magic exists. But we must start your lessons if we are to stand any chance of finding your father and putting things right. Otherwise the entire world is in danger. If we only knew where—"
"Phoenix." Carter blurted out.
Percy blinked slowly, brows furrowing, "What do you mean Carter?"
"Last night I had...well, not a dream, exactly..."
Percy sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes wide, "What happened-"
"It was-"
"What happened in the dream!" Percy almost yelled the words, "Was- was-" her chest felt tight, "Was- the-"
"Percy-" Carter's expression turned worried, "Percy breath- why are you so-"
"Was there a snake?" and she noticed Amos stiffen slightly, but Carter was shaking his head.
"No- no snakes I promise- jeeze Perce you don't usually get this worked up- it-" Carter shook his head, "I was- flying I think- or floating. And there were some.. creatures talking about the firey guy- they said he hadn't taken a permanent host, and then he arrived and they were scared of him. He talked about how the desert needed to be scoured of life. One of the creatures asked about the other four. The fire man said that one was entombed- dad I guess- the second was weak and that the other two would be dealt with." he went on to explain how Set had declared that they would build his temple there, and summon a great storm and how he'd rise from the ashes, and how it would be a lovely birthday present.
Percy felt kind of sick by the time her brother was finished- and Amos looked as bad as she felt.
"You're sure he said 'birthday present'?" he asked.
"Yeah, but what does that mean?"
"And a permanent host," Amos said. "He didn't have one yet?"
"Well, that's what the rooster-footed guy said—"
"That was a demon," Amos said. "A minion of chaos. And if demons are coming through to the mortal world, we don't have much time. This is bad, very bad."
"If you live in Phoenix,"
"Carter, our enemy won't stop in Phoenix. If he's grown so powerful so fast...What did he say about the storm, exactly?"
"He said: 'I will summon the greatest storm ever known.'" Amos scowled. "The last time he said that, he created the Sahara. A storm that large could destroy North America, generating enough chaos energy to give him an almost invincible form."
"What are you talking about? Who is this guy?"
Amos waved away the question. "More important right now: why didn't you sleep with the headrest?"
Carter shrugged, "It was uncomfortable." he glanced at Percy and Sadie, "You guys didn't use it did you?"
Sadie rolled her eyes, "Well of course I did. It was obviously there for a reason."
"I did too. But I know what they're for." Percy declared, "Dad's been talking about me using one all the time-" she caught the curious look Amos gave her and she ducked her head, "Sleeps dangerous enough for a magician- and demigods get prophetic dreams sometimes too. So mine is that much worse."
"Percy is right. Though- I will want to speak with you about your dreams later Percy. But yes Carter, sleep is dangerous. It's a doorway into the Duat."
"Lovely," Sadie grumbled. "Another strange word."
"Ah...yes, sorry," Amos said. "The Duat is the world of spirits and magic. It exists beneath the waking world like a vast ocean, with many layers and regions. We submerged just under its surface last night to reach New York, because travel through the Duat is much faster. Carter, your consciousness also passed through its shallowest currents as you slept, which is how you witnessed what happened in Phoenix. Fortunately, you survived that experience. But the deeper you go into the Duat, the more horrible things you encounter, and the more difficult it is to return. There are entire realms filled with demons, palaces where the gods exist in their pure forms, so powerful their mere presence would burn a human to ashes. There are prisons that hold beings of unspeakable evil, and some chasms so deep and chaotic that not even the gods dare explore them. Now that your powers are stirring, you must not sleep without protection, or you leave yourself open to attacks from the Duat or...unintended journeys through it. The headrest is enchanted, to keep your consciousness anchored to your body."
"You mean I actually did... Could he have killed me?"
Amos's expression was grave. "The fact that your soul can travel like that means you are progressing faster than I thought. Faster than should be possible. If the Red Lord had noticed you—"
"The Red Lord?" Sadie said. "That's the fiery bloke?"
Amos rose. "I must find out more. We can't simply wait for him to find you. And if he releases the storm on his birthday, at the height of his powers—"
"You mean you're going to Phoenix?" Carter could barely get the words out. "Amos, that fiery man defeated Dad like his magic was a joke! Now he's got demons, and
he's getting stronger, and—you'll be killed!"
Amos gave a dry smile, like he'd already weighed the dangers and didn't need a reminder. "Don't count your uncle out so quickly, Carter. I've got some magic of my own. Besides, I must see what is happening for myself if we're to have any chance at saving your father and stopping the Red Lord. I'll be quick and careful. Just stay here. Muffin will guard you."
"The cat will guard us?" Carter demanded, "You can't just leave us here! What about our training-"
"Percy can start it." Amos gave her an apologetic look, "I'm sorry for placing the burden on your shoulders Percy. Do not worry, the mansion is protected. Just do not leave. Do not be tricked into opening the door for anyone. And whatever happens, do not go into the library. I absolutely forbid it. I will be back by sunset."
Before they could protest, Amos walked calmly to the edge of the terrace and jumped.