-Percy Jackson-

Door was locked to his house again, all good, I threw that same rock into the same window to his kitchen again. I hop in and notice how dark and humid it is now. Probably from my exploding his sink. I make my way to the front door and hesitate before putting my hand on it again. The hieroglyph didn't appear this time. I inhale and unlock the door for the Romans to enter.

Jason, immediately annoyed that the light switch hadn't worked, instead sent a bolt of electricity at the outlet that sparked the rest of the layout for a second. But he just nods in approval to the light finally working. Hazel immediately scolds him for it, but I'm busy taking in the water damage that remains as he defends himself.

For living in, not ideal. Mold is starting to appear on the walls and furniture at this point. The floors are warped. But Ptolemy/Theo didn't care about it? Not even an attempt to repair or prevent anything?

"He hasn't been living here," I speak my thoughts on the matter. Too busy harassing me while he could. But he wasn't always there… "Where else would he consider staying low at?"

"The college?" Jason suggests. "He teaches Theologies."

Hazel leads the way. I take a moment at the door before deciding I'll just leave it open. Hazel is running, and Jason and I are doing what we can to keep up to her pace. Before I could catch my breath, I realize we're at the college now. The place is empty, having probably taken notice of the battle happening at the moment.

Jason takes lead this time, having apparently been here to ask recently where his class would be. A small moment of confusion at a fork in the hall, but we appear to have taken the right path upon facing the door with Theology written on it in Latin. At first glance, it's dark inside, which puts the three of us on edge already.

Jason opens the door and takes two steps in before ducking behind a chair. A moment of nothing, Jason stands and peers around for a moment. Hazel turns the light on. I give a stressed exhale to find the room is empty outside of the normal classroom.

Defeat hits us for a moment as we study the room. Jason approached the desk up front of the class as if hoping for something solid there but being empty handed. "Okay, he has somewhere else he must he hanging out then," I push on. "Any ideas where?"

There's silence between us for a solid minute. And no sudden 'wait, maybe there' moments on anyone's face. "He has somewhere, he wasn't constantly in that stupid Egytpian temple he was holding me in." I point out.

Jason nods, looking up at me. It seems a tad haunted by whatever thought just entered his brain, and apparently unable to say it either. I take a moment to try and puzzle out what he is thinking, and stop on what I fear is the answer. Hazel notices rather fast, crossing her arms over her chest. "What is it?"

Grace scoffs, but starts to make his way back out of the class. "He's arrogant enough, right? Would he hide in the housing I offered Kane?"

"No one else has really been in there other than us, right?" I ask next as I follow behind him, Hazel trailing behind. "Remember? You were pissed off that someone seemed to have cleaned up the threats?"

"Yeah… I remember."

-Sadie Kane-

It appears as something happened. Menshikov and I take a moment to process it's the Per Ankh seeming to be retreating. Not seeming to care that we are walking into the battlefield, they're too preoccupied with getting away as fast as they can. Fine, I guess that makes it easier for us to deal with. But even Vika knows that can't be possibly a good thing overall either.

I pull out the iron staff and follow the Russian magician further in. It's halfway through to the ruins of the wall I assume the Roman's had built, that two magicians halt in their retreat upon landing their gaze on us. An older man that looks as if he's maybe seventy, but again magician aging is so wildly miscalculated that I wouldn't be shocked if he said he is actually two hundred. His companion is an Asian woman, appears to be more in her late thirties.

Vika noticed, extending her staff in response. "Move on!" She yells out.

The pair seem to stare at us in awe, despite the obvious instruction Menshikov just handed them to depart. It even seemed to unnerve the Russian noble some. "Did you hear me?" She demands.

"You have his staff," The Asian woman speaks, still seeming to be stuck on me.

It takes a moment of them slowly approaching despite Vika's obvious threats before I realize she seems to recognize my uncle's iron staff in my hands. "Oh, yeah. He insisted I take it." I'm not about to get into it all with two total strangers.

The older magician stops to kneel in the trampled grass. The woman quickly does the same. I glance at Vika to see if she has any idea what is going on, just to watch her take a step back in surprise as well. "Wait, what is this suddenly about?" She asks them.

The older man peers up and seems to recognize our confusion. "Oh! Apologies, perhaps you are unaware. You happen to hold the staff of Iskandar's apprentice, Amos Kane."

Vika is on high alert to that. "Who are you? How do you know that?"

"The name is Femi, and I teach advanced statuary at the First Nome. My friend is Chiyo, she just recently took Nome Leader of Tokyo."

Vika and I exchange glances at that. "Is this about Muto?" I ask cautiously.

Chiyo is quick to shake her head at the question. "In my opinion, he seeked out his demise."

Menshikov snorts at her answer. "How is it the pair of you know this information about Kane?"

"He didn't take my courses, Ma'am," Femi stands upright now. "I was instructed to not address it publicly by Desjardins himself. A poor effort to keep valuable information hidden, but I swore to do as he asked. With Kane's demise, however… That changes things."

"Is that why you are so open to this information around a Menshikov suddenly?" Vika judges fast.

The older magician chuckles some at that. "Lady Menshikov, are you looking to still appear as their enemy? When Kane made it blatantly obvious that is no longer the case when promoting you to Chief Architect? While protecting Kane's apprentice?"

Wait. I take a step back and take in the staff in my hands again. "I'm his niece," I correct.

He raises an eyebrow at that as Chiyo straightens to that. "With that staff? No, Sadie Kane. Do you know what you have in your hands?"

The black iron is starting to sweat a bit in my hands. "I don't know what you think you're implying. It's just my uncle's staff."

Femi gives a disappointed shake of his head at that. "He didn't say anything when handing it to you?"

I hesitate a moment, recalling the interaction again. "Said he can't protect Carter and me anymore. If my staff ends up being the last resort that helps you survive, it's yours."

I'm not about to get into the story he gave that helped push me toward taking his staff. He never questioned Desjardins after, and maybe it imposed that I shouldn't question my uncle either for it. The worried look on his face didn't help either.

"You said Kane's apprentice," I loop back, "if you're implying it to be me, you're mistaken."

Femi peers at Vika before landing his gaze back on me. "That staff is more than just a stick of iron, Sadie. That's the staff of the Eye of Set. One that extended a fearless hand to a god that prefers to destroy everything around him. Kane isn't just a student of Iskandar's. He applied what he learned to change a god's destiny. You wield the staff that stands to prove that bond is strong still."

An annoyed tsk sounds off. I peer around, thinking Set had decided to show himself around us. Only to find he is nowhere around. Femi, you might be just as annoying of a pest as the Menshikovs at this point.

I warned you, Isis seethes in response. Sadie Kane is my Eye.

You're not paying attention, niece. My Eye decided it best we work together. That's why he handed the girl his staff. I don't want this as much as you do. I was happier left alone in that room you found me in.

Oh… That's how he was speaking in my head earlier after our encounter. Uncle Amos' staff has a part of Set within it. No wonder he seemed desperate for me to have it.

Three points to the Kane girl. I had embedded myself into his staff when he asked for assistance protecting the First Nome. Set clarifies quickly. While yes, he still had his connection with me already, I tried to give him the illusion of control in the matter by instead attaching to his staff upon his request.

My grip tightens some on the iron. Trying to comfort my uncle after everything? I ask.

There's some hesitation before he responds. Like the old bird just told you, fearless. Was willing to lose to chaos if it meant giving you and your brother more time to stop the damn snake. Admirable… but I wasn't willing to lose a host of that caliber to madness.

Isis humphs at that, No, instead lost him to a demi-magician trying to chase egos.

Need I remind you; you created that monstrosity. This is more your mess as it is mine. So for now, we should agree to work together to clean this mess up. Then I'll more than happily backseat.

And how am I supposed to trust you on that? Isis demands.

I'm already annoyed that I'm having to work with a Diviner. Rather find a nice vase to call home instead, thanks.

Why? I ask, breaking their argument for a moment. Why did he hand me his staff?

I can almost hear the eye-roll in his tone. He clearly wants me to continue protecting you. How did you not gather that part yet?

We're better off without. Ditch the staff, Sadie, it's not worth the trouble.

"Your uncle thinks you are next to continue relations between Set and the Per Ankh," Chiyo speaks up. "A risky task, but if he thinks you are up for it, I trust his judgment."

I take a shaky breath, trying to take it all in. I don't think anyone can stay sane with one god in their head. But two?

Mount Olympus, do you remember the fuck up merging my many forms? Amos had to contend with three versions of me in his skull during that fight. To be honest, it was a mess, I was not happy having to share that space with Mars and Ares either. However, he managed it and didn't lose his mind, though one could say I drove him there way before then. Was impressive, considering most magicians would have offed themselves instead. Set clears his throat. I have a point, Isis, stop glaring. You're more powerful than your uncle. And with all respect to my former host, I don't intend to take up too much space. Ditching his staff is a decision I will still respect, but it won't stop me from pestering the pair of you.

I swallow that down with some nervousness. And what happens if I keep my uncle's staff? I ask.

I'd like to offer you a position as priestess to me. Set didn't hesitate to say it. When we are through with this mess, of course. Isis is a powerful witch of a goddess, but she doesn't know everything. Teach you what I can offer like I had to Amos.

Eye of Isis, Priestess of Set? Sounds utterly insane of a title. In any other circumstance, it just wouldn't work. The two deities hate each other too much for one person to consider undertaking, right?

Amos seems to think you'd be up for the challenge, Set points out.

It's not worth it, Isis pipes in still in protest. Remember, this is the god that mentally destroyed your uncle. Use that wisdom, and toss away the staff.

That would be the smart thing to do here. And yet, taking in the iron in my hands and immediately seeing my uncle's face upon offering the staff up…

"Sadie?" Vika asks, seeming to be concerned.

I tighten my grip on the staff, letting the bottom strike the ground as an act of finalizing it in my own head. "I'm good," I answer to the Russian's question on her face.

She's not dumb, eyes narrow slightly to question that on her terms. The two other magicians start talking to grab her attention again though, which I'll be grateful for.

You've helped in regards to building alliances with the demigods, I start. While yes, my uncle had hesitated at first, once their goddess made herself our problem as well, he was on board before the rest of us. He's remained the front-runner since.

You know the Per Ankh needs constant pushing. Amos did beautifully in his position as Chief Lector and as General of Armies. He knows you'll do great in that department. Push your older brother around when he is wrong. Stand for a sense of justice for those without a voice. Set lets out a slightly impressed laugh to the list. A small taste for destruction goes a long way, Kane.

Stop, we are not doing this-

But we are. If Uncle Amos thought this was the path forward, then I'll take it for the challenge it is. Maybe I'll end up going nuts from the two bickering with each other, but maybe I can do enough good to make it worth it. Set's right, the Per Ankh has required someone to keep pushing their boundaries.

"Hey!" My eyes dart up to a familiar face trying to get our attention now. Isn't that the guy Zia claimed she was practically keeping on a leash to help with the whole Friedrich thing? "Your brother is in trouble!"

-Julius Kane-

Not soon after untangling Whitaker from the magic Set had bound her with, a crunch of loose rock from what was part of the wall sounded off. I'm hardly able to process the swing of a khopesh towards Mel, letting my sword meet instead with theirs. In another second, I recognize the leather hilt of this particular weapon, and I quickly go to shove them back in response. That weapon shouldn't be here.

One more second to realize who is currently running around with the khopesh my father carried around. "Kyra?" I question immediately.

She huffs a strand of burnet hair out of her face. Green eyes angry, and not with me for once. Great, maybe Vika was telling the truth about what happened to Kurtz.

She tries again, but I block her again, intentionally getting between the two women at this point. "What do you think you're doing?" I demand of my cousin now.

"What do you think you're doing?" She just about screams at me. "Do you know what she's done?"

"Amos gave me a jest," I answer quickly. "What are you doing using the Sword of Narmer? Where did you even find it?"

"Floyd Starr gave me it," she answers as if I'm the idiot here. Granted, the only thing I do know is that it's Trevor's father. Michel and Iskandar said they hid that weapon, however…

She attempts to get around me, but I go to rip the sword out of her grip instead. She never really excelled with khopeshs anyway, but it didn't stop the annoyance on her face to see me now use it against her this time. Eventually, she gives up, glaring at me as a potential new target on her list.

"I hope you realize you're protecting someone who is trying to cover her tracks!" She just about screams at me. "He told me, Mel. Now talk, did you attack my cousin? Because he gave you the answer you didn't want to hear?"

"Kyra," Mel's tone sounds hurt by the accusation. "That didn't happen."

"What part? You attacking Sebastion to the point that he has seizures?"

I step between their glaring session again. "Is Kurtz better?" I ask my cousin now. I haven't seen her get this emotional about her ex since she broke it off with him years ago.

"No thanks to her, yes," she snarls. "Now step out of my way, Julius."

"Not happening," I reply quickly. "You think Mel attacked Amos? What exactly makes you think that? Because that's not the story he gave me."

There was a moment of further rage in her expression, but she seemed to have processed what I had said. "They found him?"

I hesitate, taking a breath before answering the look of worry on her face. "Yes, Sadie and Vika found him. Had help from Vika's older brother and his boyfriend along with Caroline."

"Caroline?" Mel asks now. "Does that mean they're reunited again?"

I take a moment to study the hopeful look suddenly in my cousin's eyes to Mel's question as well. I exhale to relax some, trying to shove down the image of the daughter of Cleopatra passing away in his arms. "Of course," I answer.

The situation of Smith's death was entirely too messy to ever speak on. And even then, my brother insisted on not speaking on any of what had happened publicly. Worried that even her father would view the incident in disgust at her own choices. It only made it more painful to watch my brother take the heat, being accused of having killed her due to the amount of covering-up happening around the whole thing.

The number of times I wanted to just pull Caroline's father by his ear and tell him he was wrong was too numerous. But I couldn't get myself to do it, not when it would be going against my brother's wishes on the matter. This wasn't the first time my brother chose a lie over the harsh truth, and every time I swore to not interfere. This one just hurt more to watch him try to hold back tears.

"Mel didn't attack Amos," I circle back. "They were both jumped by Caesarion or what Amos is assuming is Caesarion. Trust, it's been a rough night of weighing that information some."

"Iskandar told Vika as much," Kyra adds.

I roll my eyes at that. I'm going to have to exchange words with the old bird about not sharing information with me, aren't I? It also reminds me that I need to speak with Menshikov before making my way back. "Then why are you coming after Mel?" I ask again.

"Sebastion insinuated that perhaps she had a part to play in the matter as well," she answers. "Either way, Mel, you beat the daylights out of him. Don't think I'll accept any lame apology for disgusting behavior like that."

"Understood," The older combat magician speaks. "I intend to step down from General of Armies."

"Why does Kurtz supposedly have false information on any of this?" I ask now, really wanting to get to the meat of the problem.

"He shared the footage of what happened in the Legion of Honor Museum," Whitaker answers swiftly. "I, well, I was being annoying. But I wanted to know why he was covering it all up, Derrick wanted to know. I brought him to the museum to see if he would have anything to say-"

Well, I guess that answers why my brother chose to skip involving this. I can only imagine the potential freak-out of being anywhere near that building again. I also am fairly certain that if it was addressed between the two, Amos would still have his reservations on the matter. I had always believed it had been a demonic possession, up until having to perform her judgment and realizing how off I had been in my assumption. Solidified I had made the right choice to maintain my brother's lie. However, it did expand my concern about his mental health as Chief Lector with hardly any support from the Per Ankh facing a potential end of the world.

But now I'm annoyed I never thought of the security camera footage then. Desjardins was typically all over something like that, being the old man who constantly worried about keeping us out of trouble as much as possible. Usually playing into the lies, but I question sometimes if he would then turn to others and tell them what he suspected really happened.

I hesitate a moment before offering the Sword of Narmer back to Kyra. She raises an eyebrow at me before taking it back. "Now that the air is a bit clearer, I'd appreciate your assistance anyway."

"Not with Mel here," she demands immediately.

I frown at that. "I can't do that. Mel would like to prove she's above her hosting of Anat," I explain to her briefly. Kyra's eyes narrow at the goddess' name, showing she suspected hosting. "If we reject her, Amos will certainly chew my ear off about it."

My cousin debates that some before sighing in defeat. "Fine, but only for Amos' sake."