-Annabeth Chase-

Jason must have been a fighting mood tonight, for he repeatedly crossed lines with some of the Greeks as well. Thankfully, Piper decided to charm speak him to shut up and practically keep to himself. Moreover, as the Egyptians may have been fantastic hosts towards us in Brooklyn, the Greeks were the opposite in return. Sadie and Walt eventually led them towards a tree, away from the bonfire in the center of camp.

Percy took in my focus on them. "It's going to be far more difficult for us to adjust compared to the Romans," he informed. "I guess there was an issue years ago that involved a magician getting in the camp. Tense edges, even worse that apparently the magician back then is the smurf."

"Julius Kane?" I asked for confirmation, which Percy hesitated to nod. "Well, I'm going to be a better host and get to learn more about them anyways." I decided as I stood up.

"Okay, I'll stay here and help get them adjusted to the idea," Percy decided.

I nodded with a smile and approached the tree, to which they watched me with curiosity. "Can I join the party?" I asked.

Sadie Kane grinned in response. "It isn't as 'raving' as the one over there, but sure."

I promptly sat between Felix and Jaz. "I'm sorry that they are being selfish brats towards you guys. Especially with how hospitable you were towards us even."

Sadie waved it off. "We're kind of used to being the outsiders," she explained.

My expression hardened as I took in their nods of agreement. "May I ask you guys something? I don't know how badly it will cross you, but it's an interesting subject in my opinion," I started.

"The Gods, right?" Walt asked for verification.

I sighed before nodding, "How did some of you end up hosting them in the first place?"

"Well, it was forced on some of us," Sadie started, "but the rest have chosen what path they wish to follow."

"Forced?" I worried.

Sadie closed her eyes for a second. "My mother was a diviner, can see the future basically. She foresaw the Lord of Chaos breaking from his prison. So our parents released Bast, who was locked in a very long fight with him, resulting in my mother's death. It also caused the Kanes to be a disgraced name within the Per Ankh."

"Then they are idiots, the Kanes are some of the nicest people I've had an opportunity to meet," I defended.

"Three years ago, having contact with a God or Goddess was treason," Walt explained. "They were constantly being banished, that was a goal for the House of Life to keep up. Julius became an outlaw, and it's a wonder that Amos didn't get grouped in that as well."

"Oh, so what happened from there?" I wondered.

"Six years later, dad released five gods when he only meant to release Osiris," Sadie hesitated to continue. "Isis, Horus, Nephthys, and Set escaped as well."

I swallowed down some of that information, recognizing four of the five names, especially Set. "Our dad gave Carter and I some amulets that we found out later were symbols for Horus and Isis, practically a sign for them to pick us. Nephthys chose Zia Rashid, another Blood of the Pharaohs. And Set, well, Amos was the unlucky one for being there at the wrong time."

Erie silence between us for a minute. "I'm sorry I asked-" I finally spoke up.

"No, it's okay, honestly," Sadie reassured even though I could tell it hurt to remember. "Because even though we were forced into their freak show, we gained more than most can imagine. And I'm not talking about the annoying Gods in our heads; I'm talking the value of family. And better, the value of friends immediately after the fact."

I easily took in the family tightness the Kanes had while Percy and I were with them, and it honestly made me jealous. But to know now that it's because they have more in common than just blood is something entirely. "So, you guys seem pretty nervous around Set too," I pointed out.

Walt sighed, "Set is the God of Chaos, he isn't exactly a good guy. In the recording Sadie and Carter sent out for initiates, he basically was a pawn to the serpent's release if it wasn't for Sadie and Carter stopping him. And really, Set's lucky that he didn't get a worse punishment. 'Hosts' of Set are typically his pawns, he possesses them until they wind up getting hunted down by the House of Life or he burns them up."

I tensed to the thought, recalling Luke. "And yet Amos seems content with the fact?"

Sadie shrugged, "I despise Isis to this day, despite the fact that she's helped quite a bit. I hate Set for obvious reasons, but I think Amos is on understanding terms with him."