-Melissa Whitaker-

I received word that Carter entered the Sixtieth Nome hours earlier than stated before. I wonder how much of Julius rubbed off on his son during their exile from the House, as he seems rather prepared for the upcoming fight tomorrow morning. I make sure to clear a room of magicians for him to take for the night, thankfully without any protest from the motion. He had thankfully retired early for the night, lifting the need of upholding a sense of professionalism off of everyone else.

I, however, was unable to sleep to any degree. Anticipation of tomorrow hangs in the air over the majority of us. Thankfully most of the magicians have been able to sleep. But there was still a number of them up.

I approach a campfire that has a few magicians surrounding it still. My biggest reason being Femi, the advanced statuary teacher for the First Nome. I watch him take a swig of something before passing the bottle to another statuary that had joined him and Smith here. But he saw me before I could speak, eyes lighting up.

"Oh! Come join us, Whitaker. I was just telling Chiyo about you. I'm sure you recall it, the clay supplier that was operating with slaves?"

I do, sighing as I sit at the campfire with them. "Probably one of the sloppier missions I've been on," I admit.

Chiyo's eyes sparkle with intelligence as she smirks at my statement. "I assume you don't normally do protection detail? It also sounds like they had intentionally left you out of all of the details of their plan."

I snort to that, watching the bottle get passed to another magician at the fire. "I typically only do solo missions, yes. Desjardins and Kane had an agreement however, and the records will show I had apparently overthrown the entire operation on my own by ensuing an uprising."

"Not that far from the truth," Femi adds. "Amos was heavily drugged once they knew who he was. They were not the type to take risks. You did kind of handle the situation on your own."

I shake my head at that. "Femi, you know as well as I do, I wouldn't have gotten close enough to those idiots without a statuary there." I take a moment to recall it all. "The uprising wouldn't have happened if he hadn't supplied the weapons either."

Another pass of the bottle, the younger magician's eyes on me as he does it. "So, you're accustomed to taking credit for things you didn't really do? Cool, glad I got to meet you."

Femi raises a finger at that. "It was a weird time. Jabari had been exiled, and Julius removed himself from the Per Ankh right after. Desjardins had just taken up the role as Chief Lector Iskandar's advisor so Julius could be left to do whatever he wished. Amos explained to Mel and I that he didn't want his family name to alter anything about the mission and requested his name be removed from the report. Apparently, he had done so on multiple occasions."

The bottle is now passed to me, and I take it from the other magician while saying thanks. It's an Egyptian whiskey bottle, I nod and take a swig before passing it to Femi. "Well, that just makes it seem like he had something to hide then," the kid points out.

I shake my head at that, taking the kid in before answering. "He had shaken up the House of Life exiling his own father. Rumors were doing their rounds of him betraying his father, but it was just rumors because those in the know generally don't address those events with anyone else. At the time, it made sense for him to be operating more discreetly than in the past. Also, people didn't know him that well. The Kane Squadron was painted with Julius' face on it, most people didn't know he even had a younger brother, let alone the fact that Desjardins was also involved." I watch Femi take a swig from the bottle before twisting the cap on it that had apparently been in his right hand the whole time. "I was surprised to see that he was still operating."

"Last mission too," Femi adds. "Amos and I caught up while he was Chief Lector. Desjardins was spooked because the intel they had dug up on Kane mentioned his studying under Iskandar. With added pressure from Julius of course, so they had tried to get him situated to teach instead. That didn't really pan out either." Femi slips his bottle into his bag now.

"You were there for when Jacobi and Kwai attacked the First Nome?" The kid inquires now.

Femi nods, "I taught the initiates advanced statuary. And considering what I already knew of Kane, I had no reason to not support his claim." Femi's eyes distance a bit before smirking. "That was also a weird time."

Chiyo laughs some at that in agreement. Femi faces me now, as if realizing something he almost forgot. "Chiyo is the Nome Leader of Tokyo."

I nod in understanding, "What happened to Muto?"

"Disappeared," She answers a bit too fast for my liking. "I had a few statuary classes with Kane. Never thought it odd he wasn't in Femi's courses with the rest of us. Tadaaki is the one that told me the reason for that after it was already done."

Hmm, I guess that answers my question about other statuaries and their support. Clearly Muto must have viewed Kane as competition in their particular skill. Explains why he was as aggressive as he was in New York.

"Where are you from, Zack?" Femi asks the kid that has already proven to be very opinionated.

He hesitates a moment, "Cuba. Amos put me there to instate me into the House of Life. I was rogue before then."

Femi gives him a smile as the rest of us tensed to the idea of a rogue magician being here. "So you've already had a taste of how he operated? Seeing beyond your front and calling you out on the bluff?"

The younger magician's face falls further before he nods. "He didn't have to do it, could have just sent me to Antarctica. Cuba was the chance given to show I can be above that. That's the most kindness I've been given by someone." Zack's eyes distance for a moment before breathing to anchor himself back. "Why are we out here? He's the one that was advocating for peace between pantheons."

"Because the Romans spat in his face. Killed him without remorse that he's also a human being with people that care," I answer dryly.

It's silent for a moment at the fire. "Mel was with him when they cut him down," Femi explains to Zack.

Zack's lips thin as he takes me in again. Sizing me up, I sense. He's not happy he is here? He can leave. I will not be taking opinions from a former rogue magician, Amos' favor or not.

The kid stands, brushing some dirt off of his jeans. "I'm going to try and get some rest. Thank you for the whiskey and introductions."

Femi nods and we watch the younger magician walking further into the tents before disappearing. "Kids, they don't understand duty these days," the magician to my left snorts. "Not like we do anyway."

I think about that for a moment before shaking my head. "It's a harder concept for him because he was never an initiate to Cairo." I point out.

After awhile of more banter, we all eventually leave to get something of rest. Femi the last still at the fire. I wasn't able to get any sleep, but just laying down was relaxing enough for now. At least enough before Rual, the combat from Spain, rattles the door.

"The Peruvians are portaling back home," He informs. "Something about a mutiny happening."

I turn away to yawn before facing him again. "I'm sorry, what? A mutiny?"

"They mentioned Palacios attacked Solis Carranza not an hour ago."

I need a moment to rack my brain on where I know that name before her face popped into my head. "Maria? He attacked the head healer of the House? Is he insane?"

Obviously, moron probably never considered the consequences of doing as much. "Why are they going back then?"

"Yessica is the new Nome Leader, she's calling them back. Says she wants to protect her own first in this time," he explains. "Should I notify Pharaoh?"

I take a moment before shaking my head. "I'll handle it, thank you."

And that's how I ended up in a tense scrying with the Animal Charmer Yessica. "I can offer you Palacios, we don't want him. Perhaps Pharaoh can use him for your silly fight?"

Tongue in cheek, an Animal Charmer just promoted to Nome Leader talking like this is arrogant all the same. "You would be wise to entertain the Pharaoh. Going against him this early into your promotion doesn't paint a pretty picture."

She laughs as if in disbelief to my words. "I'm painting the image I want to start off with. No façade, just me and what I believe. I could care less if a Kane looks down on me. Especially a Pharaoh."

I roll my eyes at that; suppose we will remain in a disagreement on the subject. "Why isn't Maria the Nome Leader?"

Yessica snorts at that. "Passed it on, for the tenth time. Respectfully, she is the best healer the Per Ankh has, she has higher priorities than men wanting to stab each other when she's the one mending them all in the end."

Hmm, Maria seems to hold a weird place in the ranks of the Peruvian Nome then. "We'll take your offer of releasing Palacios. I'm certain Pharaoh can find him a new home."

"Agreeable, so long as this new home of his is the Hall of Judgement."

I process her bold resentment for the man. "We cannot guarantee that. But I'm certain he is regretting his motion to go against Maria of all people." Sounds like she may have been told to restrain herself from killing the man, because the look in her eyes tells me my answer is not good enough. Well, sorry sis, welcome to politics.

"He'll be there as soon as my men are done walking through the portal." She ends the scrying before I can say anything.

Great, one cocky sua in exchange for the twenty-four magicians they had here is not ideal. But I make my way outside and watch more of the magicians leaving. Once they've all walked through, as promised, Brayan is shoved out before the portal closes.

I approach as he takes in his surroundings from the dirt he landed on. Finally noticing feet in front of him, he peers up and quickly sits up. "Whitaker! Why… No, I was doing my job for Pharaoh. They turned on me!"

"You attacked the Per Ankh's best healer," I point out for the idiot. "There's one thing they taught us in Cairo in our combat sessions. You never strike a healer. Perhaps Sua's should take a course or two and learn from your mistake?"

"She was protecting Kurtz and Teal!" He spits back.

I take a moment to process that. "Like what, namesake?"

"They were in our nome. Maria was healing Kurtz; man couldn't even walk." He fumes. "I would have had them delivered to you if they hadn't attacked me."

"You attacked Maria," I remind again.

Interesting update, however. Maria clearly used her position to ensure they could slip capture then. And now Kyra is involved. Couldn't she just leave well enough alone, it's just her ex-boyfriend after all.

Kyra Teal is against us. I've been acceptable of anyone else doing as much at this point. They clearly didn't respect Amos Kane enough. But this is his cousin, the woman that couldn't bear the idea of filling the position he had left vacant. I filled the General of Armies position out of respect to her.

I sigh at all of this. Only a few hours left until we are on the battlefield with Camp Jupiter. Theo's last breath will be worth the ruin my name will have swiftly once Kyra decides to strike from the lies I'm sure Sebastian is filling her ears with. At least then I'll feel I've freed myself of the guilt of Amos dying.

I kick Brayan's leg. "Up, we'll be moving soon enough."

"Wait, what if I hunt them down for you instead?" Palacios attempts to bargain, still not getting up from the dirt he is kneeling on. "I'm not a very good fighter-"

The khopesh glistens some to the moon's reflection against his neck. "Absolutely not. You will be paying for your stupidity and joining us on the battlefield. Prove you have anything redeemable about you at all."

He's a trembling mess, swallows before nodding in understanding that he will not be getting out of his situation alive if he were to try. I lower my weapon to watch him quickly get on his feet now. I gesture him to leave my sight, watching him to walk further into the tents.

"If anyone spots him running, don't hesitate to kill him," I instruct those who have been looking.

Because no one lives for turning on my fellow combat sister either. Coward.

-Sadie Kane-

"What did you see?" Vika finally throws the question out.

I want to tell her. If anyone deserves to know what the fuck is in that box, it should be her. She's putting everything on the line having this box, and she has no idea. Would she even agree to hiding it like she had clearly told my uncle she would if she found out?

"You guys were right, it was taxes. And, I don't understand it either."

Vika's green orbs narrow immediately at that. Set snorts to the ongoing lie circulating at this point. "Sadie, I almost fought off Set because I thought he had attacked you. The last time I've seen someone look like that was your uncle attacking the First Nome after brushing arms with Vladimir."

I whistle to that dump of information. She's close to puzzling it out, its practically under her nose at this rate. I'm just unsure how she would feel about it. She said she had dismantled Vlad's leadership of their nome for the mere evidence of his betrayal to the Per Ankh.

And I'm bad at lying. Gran always told me as much living under their roof. Gramps would comment that I got it from Mum, and then go off about how untrustworthy Dad was in his eyes.

Uncle Amos is much better at his poker face. I'm not even sure he knows what a poker face is, but if he wanted to, I'm certain he could rob a casino rather easily. And Set, well it's becoming glaringly obvious why he had picked my uncle as his host other than power.

So I'm stuck using this ridiculous excuse of my uncle being haunted by property taxes. Because I can't trust myself to not give up that information at this point. I get why he didn't tell anyone.

Aunt Caroline had tried to protect Uncle Amos from him. She thought she had destroyed the damn thing. She hoped he wouldn't look for her. And it killed her seeing him show how much of a helpless romantic he truly is. Ruined Uncle Amos having her only die in his arms despite his efforts.

No wonder Uncle Amos never showed resentment towards Vladimir. While yes, I assumed it was because he felt he was a voice in chaos magic having had that bad trip with Set in the driver's seat. He'd seen it firsthand. He didn't have to be there to see the regret and helplessness in Menshikov's eyes like Carter and I saw. He witnessed all of that on her face before, and couldn't help her.

He never viewed Vika as a threat for her brother's actions. And she's clearly shown she is not like Vladimir to some degree. I wonder if he ever intended to tell her that he knew what it was like, but I lean more towards the idea he never intended to tell anyone.

At least he can spend time with Caroline now. The thought is what is keeping my composure I think at this rate. Because the heartbreak of it all at least meant they were back together, though in Aaru. But it also explains the weird tension that has been going on between the two of them.

Caroline clearly still cares, but I'm realizing she is guarding her emotions some. Probably worried he will suddenly turn on her? Reasonable fear in my opinion. But I also wonder if she knows of the hurt look on his face when she turns away from him. He would have burned the world to the ground for her back, Set knows that.

"Kane?" Vika's voice snaps me back. "We're not done discussing this."

I turn to Set now, and note he's been glaring at me for who knows how long at this point. "Do you still love Nephthys?" I ask.

The Russian magician is confused, but alert to the sudden change in topic. Set snarls at the question, but our eye contact seems to force him to say something. "Just because Amos is Caroline's little puppy doesn't mean I feel that for anyone myself, Sadie."

Liar, I see it on his face. But Set has a reputation of an evil deity to uphold I suppose. Too bad for him, my eyes narrow at him as a clear challenge to his stance. "You told him you'd bring her back."

Set takes a moment, alarmed at first, before slipping into a sly smirk on his face. "A lie, of course. I never intended to bring that girl back from the dead. I did, however, intend for him to take the throne for himself. Imagine, me, the strongest god made stronger by him feeding his family to my pyramid, with a host promoted swiftly to Pharaoh of the Per Ankh. Untouchable, even with him being a son of Narmer, Horus' favored bloodline-"

I roll my eyes at this nonsense; his arrogant speeches are getting old at this point. "My uncle saw through you, didn't he? Like I am now? You knew he'd kill for Caroline back because you would do the same for Nephthys-"

"You know," Set interjects quickly, "clearly your uncle doesn't much care for your safety, does he? Sent you to grab the crown he begged me to protect for him after he passed. Didn't warn you to not mention that bitch's name around me? I feel he wants me to kill you at this rate, Sadie Kane."

"But made sure to tell us about that stupid disco trap he had built just for you," I point out quickly.

The God of Chaos' expression is studying me, but I can tell he is furious. I clear my throat, deciding I need to keep pushing. "I'm pushing into that territory Uncle Amos was in with you-"

"You are not him," his tone is even, eyes staring right into mine without blinking. "Try as you might, you will never understand. Now, back off before I have to act. This is your last warning."

Vika stands now, stretching her arms a bit as she curses in Russian. "No reason for us to fight. Set is clearly on our side of things for the moment."

I peer back up at her, seeing she seems to understand what I'm doing. She's the one who expressed concern about my uncle's death meaning us losing the god of chaos as an ally. Something seems to have calmed her on the matter though, and it's only making me curious.

My uncle's boat stops moving through the duat that Set had given instructions to earlier. He was pretty happy to see the transfer of my uncle's belongings to me. Surprising, considering the animated crimson coat clearly doesn't like the god, but will obey to some degree.

"Uh, this isn't Camp Jupiter," I point out quickly.

We didn't even emerge from the duat yet. We're instead just outside of a temple that appears to be dedicated to Horus. Weird place for that, but whatever at this point.

"Correct," Set says dryly. "We just need to pick someone up first and then we'll go."

"Someone?" I raise an eyebrow and am more worried that even Menshikov seems confused about the sudden information.

She sighs as she faces the god, "This better be someone that will aid us in stopping the battle."

"Oh, it is," Set jumps off the side of the boat, taking in the temple. "I unfortunately cannot enter, being Horus' territory. Plus, I feel like I would get a disease if I were to."

"Fine," Vika unboards after him. "Stay here. You ditch us, I destroy your shabti."

I go to unboard but I feel a tap on my left shoulder. I turn to see the crimson coat gesturing for me to grab them. I hesitate a bit, but upon gripping it becomes limp clothing again, and I drape it over my left arm before unboarding.

Set smirks upon seeing it in my arms and bows before boarding the boat again. "Good luck, this temple has been occupied by Caesarion himself."

I turn, about to yell at him for bringing us here, but quickly shut my mouth upon realizing he's warning us rather than not saying anything. This better be the most important person we need to pick up. I swear, if it's just Horus looking to hitch a ride, I'm going to blow the temple up.

Vika enters first, hesitating to some degree. I wait a bit to watch her light her staff up again. Hieroglyphs are painted on the walls, but I'm uneasy about entering another temple. Been there with Set, and while one could argue that it was a pyramid, I don't care. Why would I want to enter a focus point for Horus?

"You coming with?" Vika asks.

I realize she's made it to double doors that are decorated in telling the story of Set and Horus fighting. I nod and step in. The Russian waits for a moment before returning her attention to the door.

Thankfully, no unnatural magic making me feel queasy. Instead, I feel like my energy is being powered just being in here. But I refuse to mention it to Menshikov as she disables a magical trap on the doors.

This temple is fueled with Ma'at. Isis speaks. How Set was gaining power in his pyramid, we gain power here.

Guess it makes sense. Also explains why Set immediately told us he wasn't joining us inside; he'd probably cry about being slightly sick from it. Also… if Uncle Amos was in better condition, would the Red Pyramid have fueled him as much as it was fueling Set?

Yes, Isis is being rather talkative suddenly. Your uncle's possession marked him forever as a chaos magician. Some magicians seek that power themselves; your uncle was forced into it.

The doors open by the time I am right behind Vika. It's dark inside, but it appears to open up into a room. Vika finds a torch and intones fire, and that seems to light up the area intentionally.

It's a treasure room. There's gold, statues, weapons, a desk, jars. All sorts of stuff in this room. It's as if it was an episode of Hoarders, but this time it's an Egyptian that is clearly obsessed with birds. Maybe Horus could make an appearance as a worried friend?

Vika swears in Russian again before darting her way in. "Wait, what if-"

I stop myself from protesting her barging in like that. She stops against the far wall, and I realize why she chose to not care about traps of all times. Percy Jackson is chained against the wall and appears as if he's been trying to sleep. The way the iron shackles are pressing against his wrists tells me it hasn't been a comfortable situation.

He didn't respond immediately to her saying his name. She quickly puts her left hand against his neck to check if he's even alive. I step further into the room, kicking a khopesh over on purpose.

The Greek demigod moans to the sound of it. Vika responds by resting her staff against the wall, turning to shatter the shackles now that he verified that he's even alive for us. "I don't know anything else…" He mutters, seeming annoyed as his head leans forward.

I take a moment to process what he just said unprompted before the last shackle is destroyed. I help Vika catch the son of Poseidon so he doesn't fall, instead letting him rest in a sitting position against the wall. Vika backs off as he finally opens his eyes, seeming dazed and exhausted.

"Percy?" I ask.

He takes me in for a moment before closing his eyes again. "…sorry."

A canteen is suddenly to my right, Vika still trying to keep her distance but seeming to have noticed just as much as I did that he could use it. I quickly unscrew the cap and check to make sure it's water and not vodka before tapping my left hand to his face gently to try and get his attention again.

"It's water," I explain before putting it to his lips.

Some of it spilled down his chin, but he seemed to register what was happening and quickly responded to gulp it down. Vika didn't say anything, but I made sure the canteen was empty before screwing that cap back on it. Watching the Greek seeming more energized than he had been before.

"Sadie?" He asks as if he's still confused about if I'm here or not.

"Hey," I smile to try to ease off the worried look on his face to find it's not working. "Set sent us to pick you up."

"So, he won?" Percy asks, seeming fearful.

"Um, who?" I ask.

"Caesarion?" Vika inquires.

Percy takes a moment to think about it. "He called himself Ptolemy?"

"Why are you here?" The Russian asks next, but I turn to notice she is across the room from us. It's dawning on me that she is keeping her distance to not come off as a threat immediately to the demigod.

Jackson rests his head against the wall, struggling to think back. "I destroyed a book of his. Something about Horus had scribbling in Greek on it. Was planning to show it to Jason or maybe one of you to figure out what it was about." He sniffs as his blue eyes land on me again. "Did he win?"

I close my eyes as I register the question. This jerk has clearly been boasting about whatever plans he has going to Jackson. I don't know how long he's had to deal with that down here, but it has him worried. "Not yet, but Carter is about to launch an attack on Camp Jupiter. We were heading over to assist."

"Hmm, assist, put an arrogant royal's head on a pike…" Vika voices. "What was Caesarion telling you while you were his prisoner?"

His eyes distance, barely peering back at me. "Sorry Sadie," he swallows as if nervous or upset. "If any of us knew, we wouldn't have let him get killed."

I clench my jaw as my eyes start to water in understanding what he's saying. "It's okay, he's with people that love him. Sucks, but he's safe now." I try to reassure some. "I doubt Dad is going to let him find further trouble now."

"We should leave," Vika pipes in. "I don't trust Set on that boat by himself."