-Kyra Teal-

I have to give the jerk credit, being able to hold off two Per Ankh magicians, a host of Osiris, three demigods, and the Egyptian God of Chaos is pretty impressive. It became obvious he is skilled with both his khopesh and gladius, using magic for additional defensives, the occasional offensive if given the space to do so. This is a serious threat for our pantheons separately to fend off. No wonder he had been looking to destroy any chance of an alliance.

Too bad for him, because we are managing to puzzle out each other's abilities as the fight continues on. Vika quickly builds a wall from the rubble of the room. Percy explodes a pipe under his feet to send the Demi-magician backwards into the wall. The demigod girl seems to teleport the other demigod and I right to Caesarion. The boy manages to disarm him of his khopesh. There's a flicker of fear in his eyes, but he speaks quickly to build himself a shield from my strike that was to follow next.

He then arms his free hand with a bloody knife, swipes towards the Roman who quickly backs off. I try for another swing to distract him from the kid. Caesarion parries yet again, goes for a stab with the knife he had clearly used against Carter earlier.

I brace for the impact with my hand, fully expecting it to hurt. Instead, his grip meets my hand. I peer up to see the knife is obviously deep into my wrist, but held no effect on me physically. "What-?"

He had only allowed a moment of surprise on his face, but attempted another swing with his gladius. That would have struck my waist, but it instead meets a red shield. I quickly back off, needing a moment to process what had just happened. The red magic sizzles away as I peer over at Set to see he is too busy attempting strikes on Caesarion for it to be him.

"Are you okay?" Vika's voice asks, eyeing the hand that should be bleeding right now.

"Yeah," I can barely voice, "it did nothing."

Her confusion is still there, but we watch him fend off more attacks, the blood falling away from the knife to see the gold blade under it all. I think we both came to the same conclusion, that knife holds some kind of special spell to it. Maybe only affects Blood of the Pharaohs? And Demigods, considering they are actively avoiding the tricky swipes he attempts after a parry.

And who casted that shield if not Set? Vika didn't seem to ask that. Maybe too invested in why a blade had seemingly gone through me with no effect. She seemed more interested in trying to knock the sword out of his hand instead, but the man is managing to avoid the spikes of rock jutting towards him.

He speaks, a large golden hieroglyph above all of us before exploding, blasting us away from him. There's silence for a moment, Demigods and Egyptians getting their footing back. Caesarion chuckles, wiping more of Carter's blood off on his purple toga to let the gold shine through more.

"I must admit, this fight has been entertaining. Now, as a show of gratitude, put your weapons down. Claim your loyalty to your king, your Pharaoh. Bow to me, and I will spare your life in my crusade against the Per Ankh."

His gaze lands on me. He has her eyes.

There's always a smile on her face when his name gets mentioned around her. Mel pointed it out a few days' prior. And now I can't help but notice it myself, smirking back at her. "Mel was right, your obsessed."

The alarm on her face corrects that immediately. "What, a girl can't just smile now these days? Is it a crime?"

"No," I tease some. "The crime is the fact that you two are not dating yet."

Her mouth falls open to protest, but quickly shuts it upon realizing it wouldn't change anything here. "You shouldn't listen to Mel; she doesn't know what she is even talking about."

I roll my eyes at that immediately. "So, you two are just study partners?" I taunt the healer a bit more. "Sneaking off to the library? Discuss what you just learned in Desjardin's class for the day. Or was it healing study?" I pause a moment to watch Caroline's face start to turn pink in embarrassment. "Or, maybe he's showing you the best way to mold wax for your next statuary project?"

"Never mind," she quickly speaks to stop me there. "You're worse than her. Don't give Mel any ideas."

I raise my hand to shrug at the suggestion. "What else do I trade for her secrets of khopesh twirling? An arrow?" I snort at the thought of it as a joke, Caroline rolling her eyes at it all.

"How did you even hear about our study sessions?" She asks now, seeming curious about where that information is leaking from.

"It's all he talks about." We both break into laughter from the whole thing.

I take a bite of fish, Caroline sipping at her water before clearing her throat. "Does he really do that?"

"Oh gods, you're both helpless."

Julius quickly interrupts the conversation, taking a huge bite of fish and chewing as he takes us in. "Who's helpless?" He asks with fish in his mouth still.

"You, for not swallowing before talking," I reply immediately.

"Aye, I passed Old-Kingdom, so not that helpless." He finally swallows down the bite of food.

"With Amos' help, I'm sure." Caroline makes sure her anger on the matter leaks through still.

"Yes yes," Julius drinks his beer. "Amos won't be joining us for lunch. Said he needed to 'plea his case' with his statuary teacher."

"What does that even mean?" I ask. "He do something unspeakable?"

Julius shrugs, about to take another bite but pauses to answer. "Said he failed the class. I don't even know how one does that, pretty sure it's impossible."

Caroline immediately stands from the table now. "Idiot, he's only been freaking out about it all week!"

Julius is chewing on his second bite of food as we watch her storm off, throwing the little bit of her meal away. He swallows as he faces me again. "He's probably overexaggerating. Acts like the world is ending if not perfect. He passes just fine in his courses."

"Not combat," I remind glumly.

"We don't talk about that," Julius scorns swiftly. "And even if he did fail this course, so what? I bet he could master Test Elementalism."

"You ace that test then?" I circle back.

"Impressively, as Cromwell put it." Julius clears his throat after the small brag. "Remind me to snag Amos lunch, he's probably going to forget until the end of the day."

"What are your intentions with Camp Jupiter and Half-Blood?" The blonde demigod demands. "Other than trapping us to lure the Egyptians here?"

"Excellent question, Grace," The Demi-magician is quick to praise. "I will right the injustice the Per Ankh has committed on this camp. They had no right to show up in force to attack as they did."

"You wanted this," the demigod girl seethes. "So don't pretend you had no part in all of this now."

He grins at that, eyes landing on Percy. "I see he spoke on what I told him. Fair, I did kill that pretentious Setian. How else can I show you what the Per Ankh is? They shake hands with you, fake smile on display. Then turn on you for their own selfish needs." He takes a moment to see the demigods are landing their gazes on us, as if we are suddenly going to grow fangs and prove him right.

"Set is a god of deceit. The General was playing you all for his benefit. This pathetic act of loyalty to a man you owe nothing to only benefits the Per Ankh. They know they are weak; they want to hide behind you to protect them. They have perfected the art of backstabbing, after all."

My eyes narrow at the slander directed towards Amos. Not yet, a voice says in the back of my head, stopping me from speaking up.

"Then explain Mount Olympus," Grace demands immediately of him.

Caesarion snorts at that. "I'm sorry you are too simple minded for their games, Jason. You think their assistance against Gaia was a show of good faith towards an alliance? When she had threatened them as well? They were forging protection for themselves. They don't care about your camps."

"He's right guys," Percy speaks up now, earning everyone's attention. "I remember Kane needing a day to process how things operated at Camp Half-Blood. Acting upset about how long our expected lifespan is. Or that some of our new campers don't even make it into our camp." Percy lands his eyes on Julius. "He wanted to set up a program with Camp Half-Blood and the Twenty-First Nome to protect each other."

The expression Julius gives in response says it all. Not surprised in the least. If there's one thing about Julius, he's perhaps the biggest supporter of his younger brother's ideas. And while the Per Ankh views the family as Amos having been Julius' shadow their whole lives, they don't know enough to see otherwise.

Those that know something wouldn't be shocked that my cousin would want to actively protect children. Whether it be an active supporter of the Path of the Gods the Twenty-First was teaching despite the Per Ankh threatening anyone participating. His participation with said camps dealing with their goddess. His squadron work. Or his possession, for that matter.

Caesarion words hold some truth. The Per Ankh is a mess, members looking to do anything to gain power. Jabari did it. Vladimir attempted it. Some argue that Amos had done it too, if they believe the lie that he had anything to do with Michel's death.

I relax some as I process the look of understanding that was exchanged between Julius and Percy. Caesarion didn't have a foot in this argument, and Jackson was making sure Julius at least knew that. The Roman demigods seemed to acknowledge what the Greek was saying. Caesarion's eyes narrow as he realizes as much, turning to land his gaze on me again.

"A peasant would be wise to bow to her Pharaoh," he growls. "You've been trusting false royal bloodlines. Submit to your one true King."

My grip tightens on the leather hilt of my uncle's weapon. I smirk, realizing this man reminded me of Jabari. Placing a false crown upon their heads, expecting everyone to move to the waves they make. Uncle Jabari didn't enjoy having me around the mansion. A girl with a bow? Should have been a healer instead. And no Blood of the Pharaohs in her lineage? Beneath his children, of course.

But I learned something from that too. Don't spit on those you think unworthy. No one else dismantled the position Jabari built himself. Just the pathetic son that was a waste of Kane lineage because he wasn't skilled with a khopesh. Skilled enough to behead on of Jabari's lackeys all the same.

"Says a Greek Pharaoh," Julius speaks up. "But keep believing that your family bloodline isn't diluted. Especially since your own mother admits using your father to unify Rome and Egypt. I feel for you, truly. Both of your parents were arrogant enough to feed the monster you are today."

"You are underestimating me?" Caesarion laughs at the thought of it, landing his eyes on Julius now.

"Absolutely, why else are you trying to get your current weakness to bow to you?" He smirks back at the man, who is now not smiling at the point made. "Besides, I married a woman that controlled Isis better than your mother. I'm not impressed."

"I'm impressed," Vika suddenly speaks up.

Eyes are on her as she takes a step forward and kneels towards Caesarion. I'm alarmed, hurt as the man gives an amused laugh as she lays her staff on the floorspace between us. "Vika," I lower my voice towards her, but she pretends to not hear.

"Now this is more like it," Ptolemy voices in approval. "Stand, give me the pleasure of your name."

She stands; arms spread with her gaze still on the floor. "Vika Menshikov, Abo's daughter, Noble of Russia, the White Steppe Spider." She raises her head, allowing her gaze to meet his now. "My family swore loyalty to Iskandar, a rather powerful magician in our ranks. You, however, are so much more than he is."

My grip tightens, readying to fight her off now. I can't believe this. I thought she was an ally? Just to turn on us for someone that is fending us off on his own? I thought she was loyal. A secret supporter behind Cousin Amos within the Per Ankh. Or is she just chasing the powerful to follow? Was an Eye of Set the only reason she aligned herself with us?

"Typical," Julius snarls as Caesarion gestures her to approach. "I can't believe my brother was so naive enough to place trust in you."

"Shush Kane, the adults are talking now," Vika scolds quickly as she approaches the demi-magician. "You are all fools. Do you not see how powerful he is? And don't get me started on his build." She looks down his frame before locking eye contact with him again. "This is a god that stands before us. You cannot deny that."

"I going to deny it anyway," Percy Jackson spits.

"Good thing I detest Greeks anyway," Vika places a hand on Ptolemy's right bicep. "Not glamor? Impressive. You know, I can give you information on Iskandar's apprentice."

"You would be proving your loyalty if you did," Caesarion seems to be enjoying the feel of her hand gracing his arm.

Vika smirks at that. This is odd behavior from her. She's always been one to work in the dark, not be bold like she is now. Is she that confident in switching sides now?

"Amos Kane," the silence that follows is a mix of further hurt, alarm, shock. Or at least Caesarion seems surprised by the answer she gave him. "I know where the crown is."

"How is that?" Caesarion questions.

"He thought he could trust me," Vika replies. "He figured he could lose you by his death at your hands. I fooled him to trust me enough to let me in."

Caesarion's eyes land on Julius now, a rather large grin on his face now. "I suppose the pair of you thought yourselves clever then?"

Julius says some not so nice words in Arabic in response. I watch Vika slide her hand lower, inspecting the muscles on this demi-magician for herself.

"I can't believe this," I finally voice, the betrayal clear in my voice. "He trusted you."

"Only a fool would do such a thing," Vika's green eyes land on me as she states as much. "You would be wise to join us, Teal. You don't owe the Kane family anything."

I immediately motion to ignore that jab. It's only what everyone else has been telling me all my life. But Aunt Nadia is the one that took me in. I didn't see anyone else volunteer to raise me after my parents' death.

Jason Grace gives an annoyed huff at all of this unfolding. "I should have known. You were the one that wanted us to pay for me accidentally stabbing Carter on Mount Olympus."

"If only Kane wasn't in the way," Vika adds. "You would be dead already, Grace."

"I intended for his death," Caesarion admits. "The Per Ankh was to kill him, and I intended to kill Carter Kane to earn their loyalty. However, I'm starting to suspect we can just slaughter all of those that don't respect my claim."

"You can," Vika encourages, rubbing the palm of her hand along his arm still. "Your wish is my command."

"Fend off this peasant, Menshikov. I can handle the others," he instructs.

"Of course," her hand slides to his hand now, suddenly gripping the knife.

She is able to rip the handle out of his grip, I'm surprised as her gaze immediately moves from me to him. Slips the blade of the knife into his chest fast. It takes me entirely too long to register what she just did. And as I'm realizing the act she had just preformed, Ptolemy reacts faster, impaling her chest with his gladius.

Hazel is fast enough to pull Vika away from him, allowing her to fall against the far corner of the room. I take a moment to process it all as I watch the men jump back into the fight. Ptolemy forced to pull the knife out to defend himself. I turn back to Vika to see she isn't doing well; gladius having not moved yet. But her green eyes are on me, and understanding settles in now.

She disarmed him of the one weapon he could use against me. I quickly kick her staff up from the floor, gripping it with my right hand. I watch the demi-magician wildly swinging his knife around to keep Julius off of him, sending hieroglyphs at the demigods that attempt to sneak in a blow or two.

Vika had single-handedly cemented a reason to kill Caesarion. I'm most certainly not willing to let him leave here to harass my dead cousin about some headwear. If Amos wasn't willing to talk while alive, he won't dead either. And I'm not willing to hear he doesn't exist, we just found him damn it.

Grace sends a bolt of electricity towards the demi-magician. The man blocks it with a hieroglyph and follows with a swipe of the knife towards Grace to force him to back off. With a bit of distance from anyone else, I send Vika's staff out in the form of a hippo. It's enough to distract him from my approach.

He had decided to set the staff on fire and shoved it against the far wall as the hippo wailed. As he takes the second to get distracted, I send my uncle's khopesh to swipe at his neck. He only noticed as contact was made, gold eyes alarmed by the sudden pain he was enduring now as it sliced.

It's good enough of a blow. He tries to speak, probably for a spell, but finds he's instead choking on blood. I use my right foot to trip him, forcing him on his back. The tip of the khopesh meets his chest as a threat, but I think it's understood at this point that he isn't doing anything now.

The silence follows soon, gold eyes lifeless as they're still on me. I hesitate a moment, allowing myself a shaky breath before lifting the blade from him. I turn to take in the eyes on me. The demigods seem, well I am not sure if alarmed, but some sort of shock. Julius gives an encouraging nod in my direction as he dismisses his khopesh.

I turn back to where Vika is to find she's no longer there. A hurt tear escapes as I note the body at my feet has now dispersed in gold. But I can only imagine the scowl on her face if I get hung up now.

I wipe the tears away and clear my throat as I face the demigods now. "Percy knows who I am, but I am Kyra Teal, cousin to Julius and Amos Kane. I intend to take my place officially as the House of Life's General of Armies. I apologize for not having done so earlier. I allowed my cousin's death to affect my choices more than I perhaps should have."

"I take full responsibility for General Whitaker's actions. If I hadn't stepped away from my responsibility, an Egyptian army wouldn't have encroached on your camp like it has today. I will ensure that all Per Ankh members have been removed from your camp before the day ends, I promise that."

There's an exchange of glances between the three demigods. "I plan to follow up on all arrangements Amos made with you. I will require some insight on all that was agreed upon, but I plan to ensure any loose ends are dealt with as cleanly as I can. Of course, that is if you want anything to do with us after the events that followed his death."

The blonde teen takes a step forward. "It would be foolish of me to refuse. I have to admit guilt for the former General's passing. I had trusted Theo to welcome him to our camp. I should have done it myself."

"You're not at fault, Grace," I respond swiftly. "Truthfully, Sadie had seen a vision a year ago concerning such a thing. Amos was aware, but chose to face it head-on." I give a huff at the reminder of it all. "If anything, I'll make certain he is aware of the severe consequences of his actions."

I looked back to Julius to see he had already left. I guess he assumed I have things covered here then. A token of faith. It helps solidify my confidence that he thinks as much.

"I'm looking forward to working with you," Percy says with a large amount of support that surprises me. "We can discuss what was said between Amos and Camp Half-Blood later. You have a lot on your hands as it is."

I nod in understanding that. "As a token of faith, what would you like to see of the former General for having sent an-"

"Nothing," Grace cuts me off. "I know where she is coming from. I can't say we would have reacted any better."

The other two seem to agree on the matter. I can't help but give an amused short laugh in astonishment. "Caesarion wasn't wrong about the Per Ankh, I want to make sure that part is clear between us. You've only really dealt with the Kanes up until now."

"Vika kind of painted that in the past," Grace points out. "We know Amos was intent on keeping our contact limited."

"But the fact she was willing to step in line and follow his lead told us enough," Hazel adds.

"Showed up asking for information, she wasn't slightly aggressive towards me when she had every right to be," Grace points out. "I think I would be lying if I didn't say I'm worried about how the Per Ankh will treat you as their new General."

Wondering if I have enough respect to keep the House in check? I'm not my cousin, and I don't have the god of chaos to back me up either. I'm going to have to rely on respect if there is any to be had.

"So am I," I answer honestly. "But I'm motivated enough to try."