-Kyra Teal-

The time came finally, though it felt like it had been more than a few hours. Thankfully, Sebastian is feeling better, but not enough that Maria and I both give him questionable looks when he says he can walk down the dock himself. He accepts the fact quickly, "I'm just trying to make things easier," he admits.

"And I'm making sure the two of you get out of here safely," Maria answers. "But if the need calls for it," she hands him a wooden walking stick.

Slipping out of the nome was easy enough, Maria had kept far enough ahead to make sure we were in the clear to keep moving through the building. The chill of the night air is refreshing. But I take the moment to have Sebastian shift from using the walls to keep his balance stable to wrapping his right arm around me.

We made it about halfway down the dock before the lights suddenly switched on. I hold in a breath as I realize they knew. There are magicians blocking our way to my boat. Magicians are approaching with Palacios in the lead with a grin on his face. Immediately, Maria moves from the front of us to behind us to confront the Nome Leader.

"Step aside Maria," Brayan starts.

She summons her staff, extending it quickly. "They will be leaving, Brayan."

He challenges her with his gaze. "Bind them, we will notify the General of Armies tomorrow morning. Rogue magicians are not to be tolerated, especially in times like these."

"What times?" Maria snaps. "The Per Ankh has hardly changed. And don't claim you grieve for the Pharaoh's loss as of late, we all know better."

"Step aside," he warns her again. "Unless you want to be roped into their issues."

The magicians by the boat are closing in as well. I summon my khopesh out. I hardly ever use it, but considering I have Sebastian clung to my side I'm not going to be able to use my bow. The magicians behind Brayan have stopped moving, however, watching the situation before them between the Per Ankh's Master Rehket and their prideful Nome Leader.

Maria drops her staff to her feet, taking a step back as it transforms into a lioness. I curse under my breath as I note Palacios' eye narrow. She should be taking the chance out of all of this, not getting herself into further trouble. I turn my attention back on the magicians on the dock, making note they stopped five feet away from us.

"Maria, it's okay," I voice. "We'll be okay, just let them pass."

"If anyone was to care about the past few events of late, they should allow his cousin through out of respect," Maria answers. "Not chasing dreams for public recognition. Either way, Palacios, they are my patients first. They will be leaving here."

I look behind me to see Palacios had taken her challenge. He slices the head of the cat off as if it was butter once it went to pounce on him, kicking it into the Amazon River. That seemed to be the cue for the other magicians to close in immediately. I steady myself to defend, but soon realize the ones in front of me are focused beyond us. They completely avoid Sebastion and myself.

I turn back to find the same has now happened with the magicians behind Brayan. I force us to take a step back to witness the magicians have now all turned on their Nome Leader. Maria had hinted at the opportunity of this happening. I just didn't realize it would be right before my own eyes. A mutiny because he had attacked her staff.

She turns to us, gesturing us to hurry up and leave. I realize she is right, and push us to make the rest of the distance to board my boat. Turning back to see Palacios is still struggling to fend off his nome that he pissed off, but it's quickly becoming a losing battle for him. I can't help but pity Palacios some, but there is no reason for me to step in.

-Trevor Starr-

The morning was interesting, but Max and I were bracing ourselves for it all night. This Jason Grace person is apparently co-lead of the camp's demigods. Reyna Ramirez-Arellano is the other Praetor. The look of disgust on her face makes me feel more at home at this point, Max noting to let me have the floor here.

"We're hoping to lessen casualties on both sides. Better, stop a fight from happening."

"And why would I trust two Egyptian magicians? You could be here to manipulate the situation."

"Well, we are," I explain, "but to your camp's benefit."

She takes a moment to peer at her unique robot dogs, who seem to be rather obedient and calm. "Then what is in it for you to assist us?"

"I want to prevent a fight as much as I can. Both sides don't need to see bloodshed today, or in the future for that matter. We've both lost a strong supporter for an alliance between us as it is."

The dogs respond with low growls that make me stand a bit straighter out of surprise. Reyna, not seeming surprised at all by this, narrows her gaze on me. "They can sense lies, and will attack if I let them. Try again."

I'm slightly offended that I would be accused of lying. "I'm not lying-"

"I said to try again, Starr." There's a hint of 'last warning' in that.

"Trevor and I fear power shifting within the House of Life," Max starts. "He had a nightmare that wouldn't leave for weeks of watching our leadership execute godlings. He saw his own daughter suffer from it as well." I notice the dogs seem calmer now to his words. "He's a scared father."

The silence feels damning, but the Roman teenage girl is taking us in. For a moment, I fear she is going to sic her dogs upon us anyway. But she stands from her chair and takes a few steps closer to us. "That I can trust on the battlefield. Come, we will be building defenses now in preparation for your House's army."

She wasn't joking. I feel like that was something that should have been stated because I wasn't prepared for the massive wall they had built beyond their river, complete with towers and a war elephant. A trench is being built several yards behind that, apparently in case the Egyptians get past the wall. And then they rigged the river's bridge with explosives as a last resort.

I bow my head before saying anything to all of the preparations being made. "Can we… add additions to your defenses? I imagine we're going to see a solid mix of different magic being used if it comes to it."

Reyna thinks about that for a moment. "What were you thinking?"

"We have fire, earth, and water elementalists. And let's not get into the animal charming nonsense. We need to rig you some traps and hope they will be stupid enough to set them off in the heat of the moment."

"Would you like some assistance with that, Trevor?" That voice… I haven't heard that in ages. I turn wildly as I take the man in that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

The Romans immediately have their weapons trained on him. He just grins and raises his hands as a show of surrender. My eyes are getting wider to everything that is happening right now.

"Do you know him?" Reyna asks us.

"Yeah… Just haven't seen him since we were kids is all," I can barely speak.

"Well, I took some solid advice. I'm currently on vacation from my duties, figured I'd pop my head in and see if I could be of some help." He slowly lowers his hands as he notes the kids are lowering their weapons first. "You do need help, right?"

"Absolutely, especially from the likes of you," Max answers for us.

The female praetor's arms are on her hips as she processing this development. "The name is Reyna, and yours?"

"Just Julius Kane today."

He smirks as he takes in the questions in the camp members eyes to that. "I'm Amos Kane's older brother, father to Carter and Sadie," He answers for them before they can ask the question. "My brother caught me up on what has been going on. I'm here to stop my son from making a mistake. But, in turn, I ask you hand that silly demi-magician that killed my brother over to me."

The Romans are confused by what he means. I lift my head to peer more into his gaze. He's here for Caesarion, either vengeance or protectiveness for his children. But considering what I know now, that Amos had lied about being Iskandar's apprentice to the man's face…

"I'm surprised Amos isn't here with you," I point out.

"I made sure he couldn't. He's dealing with our mother and Desjardins today. Got his judgment done before throwing in the towel as Lord Osiris. Besides, he's always been cleaning up after me. I'm just returning the favor now."

Julius turns his eyes on the teenager now. "Do we have a deal?"

"I don't know of such a thing as a demi-magician. Unless perhaps you are talking about Trivia's children, but-"

Julius waves that off immediately. "No, I'm talking the man that you know by Theo."

Reyna's eyes land on Jason now, and he takes a heavy breath before answering. "You can have Theo, but keep an eye out for Percy Jackson when you do."

He raises an eyebrow at that. "The Greek demigod? Sure, I can do that." He extends a very blue arm towards Grace.

Jason is surprised but meets his hand to shake it. "Firm handshake," Julius compliments. "Trevor, Max, let's get started on boosting their defenses."

Max quickly follows after him for the wall. I hesitate a moment as I process the weird looks the kids have on their faces. "Julius doesn't shake hands with people. Amos must have put in a good word for you." I explain to Grace before running to catch up with my fellow magicians.

"I thought you were supposed be stuck in the Hall of Judgement now as Osiris?" Max asks after a bit of distance from the Romans. "So why now? You realize your family could have used your help way before now, right?"

Julius gives a stressed sigh to these questions. "I'm aware, thanks Hunter. Lord Osiris hadn't been in his post in centuries. So, I have been stuck in a constant loop of judgements to catch up. I still am, to be honest, I'm not sure if I will ever catch up truly."

He stops walking to take note of my trailing behind some. "Had Nephthys mention taking a break, and I was rude to her for even mentioning it. However, sitting at the table with my brother back? I decided I could actually use it, what difference is there really in the end? I'll be stuck catching up either way, so long as I don't do it often, I reckon."

"Right, and what good are you doing striking vengeance on Caesarion?" I question immediately now that he brought it up himself. "I doubt your brother would be happy to find out you did this behind his back."

"Vengeance?" Julius chuckles a bit at that, "No, that's just a bonus at this point. It'll be more like taking stress out on him, because I couldn't do it to Friedrich. I'm here to make sure Carter stays on his path, not Jabari's. Because if he does, I can't say what kind of strain that will put on all of us."

I blink as I process what he is saying. Realization hits, and I gain eye contact with the Egyptian deity. "My brother didn't exile his ass for shits and giggles, folks. That was a tyrant willing to cake the world in blood if it meant the chance of him gaining more control. I knew that, and I was fifteen. You ever get handed orders to hunt your brother down and kill him because he was a threat 'to the family'?"

"Richa Khatri?" I ask.

The name was enough to haunt the combat magician's eyes. Probably remembers the orders he was given. Numbingly following them as Jabari had stated. The blood after it all. The clear disagreement between him and his brother. Probably recalling fear of the aftermath. All over a Hathor host that enjoyed playing the sitar for the locals in her town.

"Amos told me that your daughter is hosting Hathor now," Julius manages to voice, though I can tell that he is shaken up. "Sure explains why you seem to think we should still be close buddies, Trevor. You're lucky Amos is the forgiving type."

I give a nervous laugh to that. "His patron made sure to keep me in my place though, but you are right."

Julius snorts at that, "Set will go out of his way to fight someone if it means the opportunity to fight." He shifts his footing backward some to take in the wall again. "We have a long day ahead of us, we should get started on those defenses rather than catching up."

-Sadie Kane-

I woke with a severe headache. My right hand goes for my forehead as I blink to try and relieve the pressure. "You're going to be feeling that for a bit," Set's voice answers for me rather fast. "Good thing you're a stronger magician than most, you almost killed yourself."

I moan in complaint at the idea of having to deal with this. I blink again and turn my head to spot Set staring me down now from the far corner. Except he's decided to appear as my uncle now. Ironic that he would probably be just as angry.

"Where's Vika?" I ask.

"You will not be telling her what you saw, niece," Set's tone is threatening. "In fact, you won't be telling anyone what you saw."

I take a breath, registering the demand for a moment. "What does Caesarion want with that crown?" I ask.

"He believes he is still owed it. Being told he was to unite Egypt and Rome as son of Cleopatra and Caesar. But it was ripped away from him in the chaos of war."

"Does he know?" I ask.

It takes a second for Set to register my question. Does Caesarion know his coveted hat has a part of Apophis in it? Set shakes his head. "I doubt he knows how serious of a situation this is."

I struggle to sit up, taking note that I'm still in the new throne room. The box is locked up again, blue hieroglyphs over it now for added protection. "Why didn't Uncle Amos tell anyone?" I ask, peering at the god.

"Instructions from Chief Lector Iskandar himself. Plus feeling like he helped him rise twice. There's a reason he was willing to die to ensure you and your brother could banish him back." Set hesitates a moment. "Ask a god to assist him, because I was the lesser of the two evils in the end. Because while he believed in the pair of you, he was still scared."

A tear falls on the steps beneath me. "He could have told me, so he didn't have to feel alone."

"He wasn't alone," Set is quick to correct.

"I doubt him talking with you helped much."

Set tsks at that. "I helped more than you know, Sadie Kane. Why would he talk about his flaws with people he thinks are the heroes? When he views himself as the villain by association? Better he shares his fears with someone on the same fucking boat as him."

I don't think you really understand the volume of the things I've done. Blaming himself for how things turned out, even though it was entirely out of his control on multiple occasions. My eyes are burning, and quickly cool off to unleashing the ache in my chest. But he viewed Carter and I as being better than him? He's the one that stuck his neck out for us.

I face Set again, an empathetic look aimed back at me. I sniff and wipe the tears tracing my face. "He was as much a hero as we are."

A handkerchief is thrown at me to catch. "Do him a favor then, clean up and straighten yourself out. Sadie Kane is not a crier, and not for her uncle either."

I nod in understanding, wiping my face with the cloth. "Especially over owed taxes?" I joke.

Set smiles a bit at that, "Especially over some stupid taxes."