-Julius Kane-

A loud thump in the Great Room had me rush back in from the veranda. My mother had just tumbled down the stairs, groaning from the pain of it all. Fuck, she said she was fine to walk on her own, and I trusted her word on it.

Suddenly, I'm eight again. Jabari having shoved her down the steps as they were hushing angrily between themselves. He didn't even care that one of his kids witnessed the act, just walked away from the stairs for their bedroom. Leaving his wife with blood gushing from the side of her head as she tries to sit upright.

"Mom!" Panic strikes as I approach her as fast as I can. Looking back, it wasn't a bad injury compared to what I've seen him do to her after that, but I was young, and that was the first actual violence I've seen him do to her. But I was eight, and the idea that her own blood was brushed on her hands after rubbing her head had a grip on me.

Thankfully, Kyra had gone to bed early. Amos was still in Cairo because my father had basically told him he wasn't welcome home until he progressed in his training in combat magic. I was only up and about because I had just finished my studying in the library for when I had to come back to Cairo after the equinox.

At first, my mother swats me off of her as I approach. A second later, her green eyes were on me as she realized I had witnessed it. Motherly instincts kicked in, must have needed to reassure me she was fine, even though she clearly wasn't. Saying everything was fine, that she had slipped. I didn't believe in any of the lies she was trying to get to stick, but she thankfully let me help her stand again and walk her into the infirmary.

"Sorry, Jules," she finally says after I hand her the items she had listed for me to grab. "You shouldn't have to watch your mother bleed."

I doubt she knew those words haunted me since. That I made sure to hide my brother and cousin away whenever I heard any fighting between the two of them. Sneak out to find her and help her clean up after he had decided he was done beating on her. Mom grew into it, teaching me some basics in healing, like stitches and balms that can quickly heal bruising.

I'm seventeen when I finally say something. "Why do you let him do this to you?" I can barely ask. The years of this happening are catching up, the amount of blood and broken bones is compounding on me the night he had nicked her throat with his khopesh.

Mom hesitates, "I'd rather he attacks me over and over, and not strike any of you if that's what it takes."

I was angry, her answer didn't make sense. Why not leave? It's not like the Per Ankh has several nomes we could escape to instead, leave Jabari to have the Brooklyn Mansion to himself. I was still young, I didn't understand the worry of a parent then.

Two more years, and Amos is officially on the run. I feel guilt for having had a hand in it, that my own brother can't even trust me despite the times I've protected him beforehand. Dad shifts from expecting me to "do my duty" and hands orders to his other squadrons to hunt my brother down. Nowhere is safe. Jabari's hands are ever-encompassing.

This is why Mom never left. Her oldest son was placed on a stupid pedestal her husband forced him on. And I hated every second of it, but was taught it was my duty to obey. Her other son caught up in the whirlwind of squadron work. He had already shown his cards that he would be content if my brother was to die, it fully opened my eyes that my brother was not under the same level of protection as I under our roof. We were the ones Mom was worried over because he had a firm grip on her children.

I told her to take Kyra and run, leave the mansion. I wouldn't say anything to my father about them disappearing suddenly. If I can't even protect my brother, I wanted them to have at least escaped this hell.

That's the first time I ever saw her cry, pulling me into a hug. "I refuse, I got us into this mess Jules. I'm so sorry."

A month passed, and I hadn't heard anything since being dismissed by Jabari after disobeying to hunt my brother down. Asking Desjardins is like talking to a wall. I guess I understand, he couldn't trust me to not turn around and tell my father what he told me. I want to know if my brother is alive still, but I tell myself that Michel hasn't told me that he's dead so his silence is enough.

Then, four months after Amos had angrily dumped beer on me, the Twenty-First's doors opened. My mother is immediately all over him, making sure he cleans up and prepares what was honestly a lavish dinner for her youngest being home again. He's the one to tell us that Chief Lector Iskandar had exiled his advisor.

The New York Nome is no longer a prison for us. He wasn't there to visit sometimes to rattle the cage anymore. Our mother is more relaxed, but I can tell she still fears that her husband is lingering to strike. Exile doesn't mean he won't be back.

I can't sleep within the walls of the mansion anymore. I'm worried he will come back. That our mother will have to watch her children be used against her again. So, I leave, moving into a new home with Ruby. Stepping away from the Per Ankh as a whole, Desjardins respected my situation and stepped up to the role of Chief Lector's advisor.

A year passes of learning how to live normally from Ruby. Desjardins brings word that Jabari has passed. I nod in understanding, grateful for the news. Means I can sleep better knowing he won't be around. Ruby and I agree to still only invite a few people to our wedding, not being open to the Per Ankh entirely.

Two years of peace, and now I'm reminded of my father again. I swiftly approached her, noticing immediately she had twisted her right ankle. Thankfully no blood, but she will need assistance in fixing her ankle.

"Mom?" No response, so I go to give her a hand to help her get up.

She swats it away. I watch in fear as her green eyes are on me again. This time, not suddenly switching into a motherly role in an attempt to sooth my concerns. Fear.

She shoves herself into the corner to get as far away from me as she can. "Haven't you done enough?" She cries out.

I take a step back, processing this isn't my mother right now. We were just talking minutes ago. I had told her Ruby and I would be here for a short time visiting, that Amos was out doing whatever the Per Ankh needed him for this time. Not mentioning that Amos had asked me to come visit during such time.

"Mom?" I try again but realize I'm not her oldest to her anymore.

She's shaking, eyes terrified but watching my every move at this point. I back off further, realizing there was clearly a reason my brother had asked I visit while he was away. I go back to the veranda and can barely tell my wife that my mother fell down the steps.

"Oh my gods, is she okay?"

"Uh," I need a moment to gather my thoughts.

She thinks I'm her husband.

Ruby didn't stick around for me to answer, leaving the veranda to see for herself. I finish breakfast and end up eating my meal in silence on the veranda. Probably not healthy, considering I'm shaken up, but I rather Ruby didn't have to witness my state of shock. I serve two plates of the breakfast we had made and knock on my mother's bedroom door, leaving the plates on the floor and walking into my bedroom. Hearing the door open as I close mine.

I quickly decide to scry my brother. Disappointed when I instead found Mel responding, but she took the time to talk with me for a moment. I'm not sure if she could read it on me or not, but just being able to talk about something else helps some. Doesn't ease me any knowing that the combat magician partnered with Amos is on edge, and lying to some degree about the situation they are dealing with.

I sink into my chair, facing the window. Taking the time to watch New York still full of life like it normally is. The door creaking snaps me out of it, turning to take in my wife closing the door behind her.

"She's okay," she is quick to answer approaching me to peer at the city below us. "We were able to set her ankle back, she's good as new, or at least until she falls again, I'm sure."

"Sorry."

"Don't be," my wife smiles as her blue eyes meet mine again. "You missed her talking highly of you. She can't wait to be a grandmother."

"You told her?" Ruby had just announced that we were expecting to me a month ago. We've been hesitating to say anything yet because our baby is going to be a mix of two different Blood of the Pharaohs. The Per Ankh would have words about the matter.

Ruby nods, "Yeah, I did."

I nod but inhale to try and calm the stress urging to take over. "I tried to reach my brother, but he's too busy for the moment."

Ruby's lips purse at that, "I'm sure he'll be back soon enough. He didn't want her here alone."

Realization hits. Had our mother also mistaken him to be Jabari as well? Why hadn't he said something?

"I'll make sure she doesn't further injure herself," Ruby adds, a knowing look on her face as she says it. "Thank you for bringing up breakfast."

"Least I can do," I answer quickly, realizing she knows why I hadn't been able to assist my mother.

Ruby has been a fantastic shoulder to cry on. Every fear of mine, she has been able to get me to spill. She knows the hell this mansion has been for us, the shit Jabari made us endure. I've even admitted to fear that I won't be a good father. What if I end up being just like him? He had practically trained me to fit into his mold after all.

Her hand lands on my left shoulder, squeezing to try to comfort some. "You didn't hit her."

"I reminded her of him."

"I know," Ruby's upset is showing in her tone. "Just, take the rest of the day to do whatever you need to do."

My right-hand lands on hers, "Thank you."

Ruby bends forward so we can exchange a kiss before stepping away. "I'm here to help, even when it sucks."

I didn't do much, watched New York continue to move on outside of the mansion. Eventually, I got up to make dinner, realizing Ruby and my mother had already started it. Thankfully, we had dinner without any problems. My mother is being rather talkative, and I realize she doesn't even know what had happened between us earlier. I force myself to brush it off, to enjoy that she recognizes I'm Julius Kane, not Jabari Kane.

The next morning, Amos is back. I'm alarmed, processing the cuts and bruises all over him. He's hardly even here, seeming distant. Once I can get him alone, I'm demanding to know what happened to him. He can only tell me he's tired, and probably needs to sleep off whatever drug it was that was apparently pumped into him.

"Drug?"

He almost loses his balance against his bedroom door, quickly adjusting to lean on the doorknob some now. He scrunches his face up as if he's thinking incredibly hard about what to say next. "Hmm, yeah. Michel wanted me to stay in Cairo to sleep it off some, but…"

But our mom. He didn't have to say it, I could read it on his face that he was worried about her. I'm sure Maria would have been attending to the marks littering his arms and face too if he had stayed there. However, being as he can't even stand up on his own for long, he's not going to be of any help around the Twenty-First Nome.

I intone he should sleep, and watch him quickly submit to agreement, closing the bedroom door behind him before collapsing on his bed. The rest of the day, our mother is still fine, and rather talkative around Ruby and I. Amos is up and about by dinner, and with an appetite that even our mother comments on. He was at least feeling better enough that he had slapped on some glamor before joining us.

I pull him into the library because we need to talk about what has been going on with our mother at least. Amos is unwilling to say how long she has been like this. "She mistook me to be Jabari," I mention, and try to gage his expression for any answers to my other questions.

Amos' face falls, realizing the implication of that. Tells me enough, that he may have been mistaken just as much. "Sorry."

I raise my left hand to halt him there. "Has she seen anyone since?" I ask.

My brother hesitates to answer. "No, she says she's fine. I… um, I've been talking with Maria about it. She's pretty sure it's dementia."

There's silence between us for a good two minutes before I sigh. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"She's made it clear she doesn't want people to worry about her. I've been trying to get Maria to visit but she hasn't been very fond of the attempts," Amos can't even look at me now. "Sorry, she had seemed okay the past week, I felt that there was a chance she wouldn't have an incident again while you two were here."

"But knew better enough to ask us to be here while you were out," I point out.

He rubs his face a bit before nodding. "You should have told me," I do my best to not sound angry. "I would have helped more."

He exhales, trying to gage my expression before answering. "I didn't want to pull you in. You were off enjoying your new life."

Abandoned him, I realize that's what he's hinting at, but won't say it. "Okay, well now is better than never," I start. "I'll be around more to help out, alright?"

"No," Amos shakes his head. "You need to still enjoy your new life. I can cover this, I promise."

No, you can't. The stress is so fucking evident on his face, it hurts that he chose to undertake this kind of pressure rather than reach out for help or even support. I step forward, placing both of my hands on his shoulders. "I left the House of Life, not my family. Am I clear on this?"

Again, he doesn't say it, but I can see in his eyes that he doesn't intend to change anything. I tell him to go back to sleep with my persuasion magic. Considering he still obeyed, I can tell he's exhausted. Normally I'm not able to get him to do anything.

The next day, Ruby goes back to Los Angeles. I make a trip to Paris and am too angry to not be even slightly entertained by Chloe Sabat's annoyed look on her face as she informs Michel that I demand an audience with him.

"Pull him," I say upon him asking what I could possibly want this time. "He's done enough for the House. What the fuck else could you two want from him still?"

Desjardins nods some to the demand, deciding to pour himself a drink. He tries to offer me a glass as well, which I quickly dismiss. "I haven't had a drink since Amos dumped the beer on me."

Michel's eyebrows lift in surprise. "Three years sober? Congratulations, Kane."

"Yeah, whatever," I brush off quickly.

Michel takes a sip before landing his gaze on me again. "I was considering the idea of moving him towards teaching work. He would still have to do some recruiting when asked, but it will be far less dangerous."

I take a moment to realize he seems a bit rattled too. "Wait, what happened on that mission?" I demand.

The question has the old Frenchman chugging the rest of his drink and pouring himself another. "There was an information leak. The group we had sent Amos and Mel to handle got their hands on important information. I believe it hadn't quite reached them yet, but…" He takes a sip of the fresh glass again. "I was grateful he was still alive when I got there."

I study him some to see if I can understand what information he is talking about. But at this point, it could be anything. Michel takes another sip and sighs before answering. "Their mole found out that your brother was Iskandar's apprentice. If they got that information, there's no reason they wouldn't have killed him. Worse, I put him in a situation where he was compromised."

"The drugs?" I question.

He leans against his desk. "It was risky, but for the plan to work, he agreed to it. I insisted Whitaker accompany as protection detail. She did her job beautifully, considering we didn't tell her everything."

I'm annoyed, but I am grateful that Michel agrees that there needs to be a change. Tells me that my words are not falling on deaf ears this time, at least. "Sorry, I tried to get him to stay here and recoup before heading back home," Desjardins adds. "Could barely even walk straight after we got them out."

I wave that off, "Yeah, I got that. Was able to get him to sleep with persuasion magic." Michel snorts as he understands that typically I am unable to pull that off. "Has he told you anything concerning our mother as of late?" I ask.

The look on his face to the question answers it all for me. Amos wouldn't have a reason to. He's trying to care for our mother and still works when needed from the Per Ankh. Mom and Michel have avoided telling him about them. I only know because I had made a joke that landed close on the subject, Desjardins hesitating to tell me. Kyra, because our mother was in a drunken stupor one night and told her all about it.

"He's been seeming stressed," Michel admits now, seeming to be trying to puzzle it out on his own now. "And spending a lot of time talking with Maria when he is here."

"Maria told him that she thinks it's dementia," I answer for him.

His face falls immediately. Takes me in for a moment before deciding to ask. "I take it he asked you to come back home?"

I sigh nodding before adding, "She fell, and thought I was her late husband."

Michel goes into pacing now, having left the drink on his desk. "Merde Amos."

"He thinks I abandoned them," I add, "because of me stepping away from the House. Didn't tell me anything about what has been going on."

"You told him otherwise, yes?"

I give him a hand gesture to reflect the "uh duh" I want to say. "Pull him from the squadron work. If I find out he is still doing it, consider your garden gone."

Michel rolls his eyes at the threat. To be fair, I've threatened to destroy it several times in the past. But I feel he understands that I truly mean it this time. "I will talk with Chief Lector Iskandar tomorrow."

"Thank you," I make sure to say before leaving to head back home. Ruby had me talk my emotions through with her that night, despite it feeling like ripping my heart out again for her to observe and tell me it's a good heart.

Amos never did listen. At least Michel had, having had him switch towards the possibility of teaching in Cairo. What would be a better use for someone who had the opportunity to learn from the Chief Lector himself? Too bad the same statuary thinks I'm now outside of the family for some reason and the next update I hear is four months later that our mother had died in her sleep.

"You good?" Trevor's voice snaps me back into reality.

I sigh, taking in the area ahead of the wall we are standing on now. "No, to be honest," I smirk as I note the surprise on my fellow combat's face.

He inhales before nodding, but he doesn't understand where I'm coming from. It's fine, I'm more impressed he didn't seem offended that the stupid act I had been molded to follow as we were training in Cairo has been completely shed.

Because while I have support from people around me to tell me that I was never like Jabari Kane, the weight of it all is still there. I understand now, that I am not my father, and I am so thankful I have people around to support me. But the truth is, Amos and I both know that my son had met his grandfather in Osirian last year. And I saw my father twist the narrative to make him feel less like the bad guy in the end.

And Amos, well, he's a sucker for people to be better than they are at times. Part of that is the fact that he keeps getting fucking villainized by rumors spread by those that wish him dead. But from what we discussed; he made it obvious that he has his concerns about Carter as well. That is a sign for concern, I've learned to lean into his observations from the squadron work we had been forced into. Even though he doesn't want to speak on it, he's concerned that he might be meeting our father's path.

I can't let this happen. I can't be the one to walk away from everything my father put us through and watch my son consider his mindset. I feared being like my father but never thought that I could potentially be raising my son to be just like what I didn't want to be.

My poor wife listened to my worries all over again. She's the one to suggest I push my brother towards our mother and Desjardins so I can slip out. While she would rather I don't step away from my duties as Lord Osiris, she knows I need to do this.

Trevor and Max, bless their hearts, go into what they know so far concerning the potential upcoming fight for the morning. The demigod Jason, the one I'm pretty sure Amos stated had accidentally stabbed Carter over a year ago, adds that there's a spot against the magical border that they made sure to set up warnings to not cross over. Wish I could say it will be enough, but knowing that Mel has taken up the mantle of General of Armies, doubt is overwhelming. Worse, Amos mentioning that she might be hosting, and him explaining this goddess Anat only amps my anxiety on the situation.

The sun is beaming down on us now, warming air from the chill from earlier this morning. While nice to feel again after a while, I am still struck with worry to not allow myself to relax. A few more minutes and the army that the Per Ankh had amassed was taking in the wall the Roman demigods had been able to scramble to build all morning.

I'm scanning their faces, looking for Carter primarily, but Mel second. Thankfully, the army had stopped encroaching. I guess a blue Julius Kane peering down at them with his khopesh in hand would be a tad intimidating. I wouldn't know though, but I am glad my appearance seems to still have a grip on them all. For a second, I thank my father for the one thing he managed to gift me with.

I can hear Mel's voice yelling further behind them, demanding to know why they've all stopped in their tracks. Once I can finally spot her, I realize Carter is to her right as they make their way to the front. Okay, time to give the House my opinion for the thousandth time.

"Stand down," I make sure my voice is booming enough that everyone can hear it. "This isn't the fight you think you need to have. Everyone here stands innocent of any wrongdoing. Go back to your cozy nomes and live another day."

Mel is very much unhappy to see me here, but she knows the effect I have on the House as it is. She takes a second to watch the faces of her army seeming to want to leave as instructed. They don't want to have to fend off Jabari's oldest, that's just insane to them.

Carter is very much in shock right now. Probably the fact he didn't think his old man would be here to meet him. Fair, I've made it pretty clear that I was to stay and do my duty as Lord Osiris multiple times. And now I'm here, standing on business my little brother left behind in his passing, and it's father and son yet again facing off.

"Kane, you realize you are on the wrong side? They killed your brother-" Mel starts.

"Who are you to tell me which side is right?" She stands straighter to the question I throw back at her. "Amos told me everything, Whitaker. You know as well as I do, this isn't the entirety of Camp Jupiter at fault." I pause to see Carter seems to be surprised by that. Hmm, the effects of war-driven people and their lies to get what they want I reckon. "Stand down Carter."

If their Pharoah decides to not fight, they will have to submit. Crossing my fingers Mel will be wise enough to follow suit rather than keep pursuing a fight. I watch their army seeming to talk amongst themselves as Carter and Mel face each other as if to question what to do from here.

"I'm surprised they stopped to the mere sight of you," Jason Grace speaks.

"It's kind of complicated to explain," Trevor answers for me. "But it is mostly out of respect."

That's not it, respect for the Kane family has always been driven by fear, not idolization. But I keep my eyes on Mel and Carter, starting to get a bit restless as they talk between themselves now. "Come on Carter, do the right thing," I mutter.

The last thing I want to see today is the Kane family continuing its cycle of fighting. But if he decides to not listen, then I am obligated to defend the Roman demigods. I'm the reason Amos took on the responsibility of forging alliances with the other pantheons. I'm not about to watch my brother's work dissolve into nothing simply because someone took his life. And I'm not about to watch the same person get what they want from an act of violence.

Carter gestures to the army of magicians to stand down. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding in, relief filling my lungs to the motion. My son is smart, but just a tad naive at times. I knew he would know better; just needed someone he knew to show him what he was about to do was wrong.

This, unfortunately, stirred Mel into a rage. I nod as I take in her yelling at the House for feeling intimidated. Telling them the camp is the reason Amos is dead, lying through her teeth because she wants a fight at this point. Slapping her Pharaoh with words of being a child that will listen to his father. Okay, bitch, how about we duel it out then?

This stirs emotions up within their numbers. Now there's the conflict of leaving the field. Do they look like uncaring cowards and go back home, or do they 'honor' their late General and fight the Romans who are trying to protect themselves at this point? Be your true selves, and go home. You fuckers just want blood, you've never given a shit about the Kane family like you claim you do.

I give an annoyed sigh as Mel sounds to charge in, and most of their numbers follow those orders. But I note Carter is in place, shocked by the lack of control he thought he had in the situation. Welcome to the Per Ankh, kiddo.