The moon was full and hung at it's highest in the night sky. The city was eerily quiet, even for this hour. There was usually some activity on the roads at all hours of the day. Suddenly, all of the dogs of the city began barking and howling, sensing something very unwelcome entering their realm. Andrew's dreams reflected the chaotic sounds of the dogs, as a man with no face and glowing eyes pursued him, hunted him. No, hunted for the one in him. Yakumi's grin flashed. He was caught, and he felt himself dying…his consciousness being pushed to the side as he yelled mutely in protest, falling into darkness.

Andrew yelled out loud as he awoke abruptly from the nightmare, breathing roughly. Just when he noticed the barking of the dogs, all at once they fell silent.

The wall of the simple room he slept in cracked, and then exploded inward in a cloud of powdered plaster and brick. Andrew shielded his face from the debris, coughing and struggling to push himself as far away from the opening as possible.

A hooded man materialized out of the cloud of dust, illuminated impressively by the moon. The cloak that draped over his shoulders did not hide the suggestion of power, agility, and confidence in his stance. He immediately rushed for Andrew. There was a flash. The intruder leapt backwards, a bronze-tipped quill protruding from the wall where the stranger had been standing a moment ago.

Nezbek stood in the doorway, glaring at the one who dared enter his home in such a fashion through the swirling dust. Not a word was said. The intruder rushed at Nezbek, obsidian armguards flashing from underneath the long cloak as he unsheathed a claw-like blade. Nezbek quickly backed up, grabbed a scroll off the table in the main room, unrolling it in midair. His eyes flashed green for a moment as the open scroll swirled and flattened, becoming a shield as strong as any metal to deflect the incoming blade as it screamed through the air.

Metal hit shield, and bounced off harmlessly. The force blew both of them backwards, the momentum throwing the stranger's hood back as he skidded to a stop. A braid of blood red flashed in the moonlight, tumbling out of the stranger's cloak, burning white-green eyes fixed on Nezbek.

They glared sharply at each other with restrained surprise. The glowing eyes grinned slyly.

"So, my ibis-brained comrade, you chose to be reborn as a mortal as well?" The redheaded man intoned in a rich voice. Nezbek's eyes narrowed. He recognized the intruder's weapon. The man's face became more familiar as he watched him attentively. "You are not…totally mortal," Nezbek concluded slowly.

The stranger straightened, resting the blade on his shoulder. "In the name of Ra, no!" he chuckled, in a way that made Nezbek feel inferior. "Do you even remember me, Thoth? It wouldn't surprise me, really," he said as he rushed at Nezbek without warning.

Nezbek glanced to the quill that he had imbedded in the wall, extended a hand, calling the quill back to him. He threw his hand down toward the ground, whipping the form of the quill into that of a sword, which he brought up to deflect the intruder's blow.

Suddenly it clicked. "Seth!" Nezbek yelped as he barely blocked another blow that glanced off his shoulder.

"I'm flattered," Seth jeered as he struck again, pushing Nezbek back into the main room. "You never were skilled at hand-to-hand combat, you pathetic fowl." He swung quickly yet again, burying the blade into the wall and missing Nezbek's neck by mere inches as he dodged and jumped away, already feeling fatigue invading his limbs.

Seth grinned evilly as he yanked his weapon from the wall. "Oh, to have you out of my hair on this excursion would be wonderful," he said calmly, watching Nezbek intently. "But I find myself disappointed. Perhaps you are not as much as a threat as I thought you would be, if I happened upon your path."

Nezbek shouted a few words and his shield unraveled, splitting into two rope-like, yet extremely sharp looking strands, zooming towards Seth. The red-head almost looked worried, but he waved an arm and found he could easily stop the attack and send the incoming projectiles to the floor.

"That form has made you weak, god of wisdom," Seth jeered.

"What do you want with Andrew?" Nezbek asked, trying to conceal his alarm.

"Andrew?" Seth cocked his head, not registering the name at first. "Ah, the boy? I almost forgot. Such a foreign name, 'Andrew'." He made a disgusted face, and shook his head slightly. "Though with all his potential he could have been my son."

Nezbek held his sword in front of him, challenging. He channeled his energy into the sword, and let it release in a gigantic wave towards Seth. His opponent was caught off guard, flying into the opposite wall with the force of the attack as words of wisdom pummeled his eardrums. Plaster and brick fell from the wall and ceiling upon his impact, piling around and on top of him.

Seth rose easily from the debris, the powerful voice still echoing in the air. He rubbed his ear, chuckling. "Mighty words, for one who cannot enforce them." He glanced to the side where Andrew now stood in the doorway, watching with wide-eyes. Seth grinned mischievously, eyes rolling back to Nezbek. "I suppose you just needed something to remind you of the level of effort required to fight me as an equal." He stood up a little straighter, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "I regret that I can play with you no further. My objective is on hand, and it is rather late." He turned away from Nezbek to face Andrew, and he began walking.

Seth was then hit by a similar blast to the one moments ago, only stronger. He stumbled forward, quickly regaining his balance and immediately whirled on Nezbek.

"I was going to let you live! But attacking me from behind just plastered the mark of Anubis on your forehead!" he yelled as readied his heavy blade for impact with Nezbek's flesh and bone.

Nezbek barely dodged the swift swing amplified by Seth's anger, Nezbek's god half only beginning to awaken in response to this threat. He could not deal with this semi-mortal version of Seth alone.

Another swing sped down upon Nezbek. He blocked with his own weapon and pushed Seth back with a surge of inner power.

Andrew watched in awed horror as metal clanged and feet scuffled of the sandy floor. This man was fighting for his sake even though he had caused him trouble. Andrew wanted to stop them, but if he interfered he would fall like the crumbling walls punished with each strike that Seth aimed, and missed.

Nezbek blocked and dodged, and blocked yet again. He was never going to get in an attack at this rate. I was true that neither he nor the god inside him was proficient in close combat…Magic was his strong suit, but that strategy was best left for open spaces. That was not the best thing for Andrew.

"Attack, damn you!!" Seth screamed as he swung down again with the sword, followed by a fist that's Nezbek wasn't expecting. It hit him squarely in the jaw. Nezbek flew into the table behind him, breaking it on his way to the ground. When he stirred to pull himself from amidst the broken table pieces, Nezbek had been replaced by a different man. No ordinary man, but the god of wisdom himself. He stood and retrieved his weapon, eyeing Seth with such a fierce gaze of determination the atmosphere of the room suddenly felt oppressive.

Seth's brows knit together. "Now you decide to show yourself? You are boring me, old man." He rushed toward him, but the new god-like man blocked much more easily than Nezbek had.

Seth grinned. "That's a bit better. Yet I won't even need to use magic to see your blue blood spilled on the floor."

He pulled out a blade identical to the one he had in his hand. He swung both expertly, adjusting his grip as the swords' weight shifted.

"Prepare to taste sand and blood."

At this pause, Andrew jumped in front of the man who was Nezbek, arms out.

Seth held his strike, looking at the boy with a slightly puzzled expression.

"I'll go with you," Andrew said. "Just leave him alone."

"No, Andrew," Thoth snapped.

"I don't want you to get hurt," he replied, without turning back, eyes fixed on the burning white-green of the intruder's.

"Think of all those who may be if you go with him!" Thoth pleaded. "It would be better if I died to rid the physical world of him."

"Too late," Seth said as he grabbed the boy's wrist, spun him into a hold and angled his neck in a very precarious position. "I'll see you again soon, Thoth. If you would be so kind as to brush up on your skills, I would very much enjoy facing you some other time." Seth put his hood up, whooshing through the doorway into Andrew's room and through the hole in the wall, after which he was totally enveloped by the night.

A weak Nezbek leaned against the wall, watching the small dust devils that lingered after Seth's passing.

"I am too old for such fighting," he sighed. "So out of stamina." He walked sorely into the main room. He was so exhausted. But he needed to let everyone know before they wasted a trip. Nezbek sat down in a chair spared from the chaos next the where the table had been and closed his eyes.

Takmet awoke with a start, flinging the sheets forward as he sat up. The night was quiet, the moon sending silvery slivers through the curtains. Takmet turned his face to the fresh breeze. Something was wrong. He slipped out from under the covers, turning a little to sit on the edge of the bed. He gripped the linen sheets in his fists as every muscle in his body tensed.

Sasaki was jolted awake by Takmet's sudden movement. She sat up sleepily, sensing Takmet's foreboding. She leaned her face against her husband's back and hugged him with all her love and might.

"What's wrong?" she whispered.

Her warmth pressed against the length of his back chased away his sudden panic, calming him enough to reply in a normal voice. "Something's happened at Nezbek's." He felt her stiffen significantly in the silence.

Takmet pulled away, getting up from the bed. He was wearing a simple loincloth, in case Anset or Tanis came knocking at their door. Tanis frequently had dreams that were disturbingly real, and so would look for comfort in his parents' company. Their youngest son had also displayed the ability to make small predictions, and seemed most at home with the idea of magic and the supernatural. Takmet leaned on the table with a washbasin. He stared into the water, concentrating as Nezbek's image slowly appeared. Takmet's eyes widened. Nezbek looked horrible.

His face was bruising on the right side, hair flying wildly in front of his face. Takmet could barely see the cut on his shoulder, the view being cropped by the rim of the bowl.

Takmet's throat constricted, managing barely a whisper. "Ra almighty…Nezbek, what happened?"

Nezbek was breathing slightly labored, but he answered forcefully with one word. "Seth."

Takmet flinched. "What?"

Sasaki had been sitting quietly on the bed, listening intently. "Osiris's brother…"

The name Seth stirred up uneasy and long forgotten feelings. Some Takmet hadn't felt so intensely in years. Fear. Determination. Vehement hate. He realized that the situation had just become infinitely more precarious.

"Is he like us?" Takmet focused back on the bowl.

Nezbek shook his head. "He is more god than man, as opposed to us, who are more man than god. It seems he is merely using someone who was willing to accept his domination." Nezbek took a breath. "If so, his avenues of attack will be much more varied and will undoubtedly extend beyond the limitations of being contained in a human body. In all likelihood it is not necessary that he inhabit this body-merely advantageous. But I could not injure him, so I cannot be sure. Hand to hand combat is not my strong suit."

"I know," Takmet said, looking up at the wall, trying to gather his thoughts. "Then he took Andrew?" He looked back at the bowl.

Nezbek nodded, exhausted. "He gave himself in my stead. The boy would not see me killed for his sake…"

Well, it seemed Andrew was realizing his mistake. Takmet looked very serious. "We will be right over."

"I don't know what good it would do you to come here. You should start searching immediately for him."

"There will be traces of where they went in your house. Any information you can give us will be invaluable. And you need some aid."

Nezbek could not contradict the sense in the statement, so he nodded again and the image faded.

Takmet stood leaning over the bowl for several drawn out moments before suddenly his hair appeared longer and braided, his skin a couple shades darker. Osiris's hands clenched into fists. "Can't he ever stay in his place?" The god's voice was dangerously low; his anger was quickly burning through his composure.

Sasaki spoke. "Don't get upset…"

"Upset?" Osiris's green eyes met Sasaki's. His voice rose with every word. "At the beginning of Egypt's history he chopped my mortal body into fourteen pieces and scattered them across the land!!! While trying to STEAL MY WIFE!!"

Sasaki was silent, trying not to take offense and staring intently at him.

Osiris lowered his voice and looked away. "How could I not be upset at such a reappearance? He has always caused trouble, both on earth and on otherworldly planes." He took off his braided wig, revealing very short messy black hair. He threw it violently at the wall. The god ran his fingers through his hair as if trying to sweep away the frustration that clouded his mind. He looked at Sasaki again and sighed. "I apologize for monopolizing your husband's body when time is of the essence. I'll return him to control."

"No, that's fine." She got up from the bed, fading into her goddess self as she approached him. "They understand your need to be calmed, and Takmet would not appreciate your fuming in his ear when what you really need is me." Isis smiled reassuringly and hugged Osiris. He let out a quivering sigh and embraced her tightly.

The god of the underworld tilted the great sorceress's face up to him. He searched her glistening green eyes and found the love and support that had always been his strength and guidance. He could not function without her. He kissed her deeply, pulling her as close to him as he possibly could. He broke the kiss and held her hands to his chest as he just breathed, leaning his forehead against hers. He knew his frustration could be more completely vented, but there was no time for such trifles.

"My love…this is…what are we going to do?" His tone was pained and despairing.

"It will come," she replied, squeezing his hands. They stood that way for a while in the quiet darkness until they heard a small voice protesting in whispers echoing down the hall.

" -can't. They are still sleeping! Tanis!" the voice hissed.

Isis and Osiris looked up, a faint smile creeping on their lips. They closed their eyes and faded from the forefront of Takmet and Sasaki's mind. The young children had no knowledge of their parent's other halves.

Sasaki winced at a sudden pain and her knees buckled. Takmet caught her around the waist and held onto her other hand tightly.

"Kheris," Takmet whispered, supporting her and helping her to stand straight. "You shouldn't come with us. You won't be able to use your spells. The baby…"

"I know," she looked into his eyes, tears beginning to puddle in the corners of her own. "I don't think I-" He knew what she was going to say, and he didn't want to hear it. They still had time together. "No, you will. Have faith." Sasaki nodded and swept the tears away, still a bit pale. The door opened a minute amount, a tear streaked face peeking around the door. Seeing his parents were already up, the little boy Tanis pushed the door open further and ran to his father.

"Papa!" he sniffled as he latched onto a leg, hugging a small stuffed falcon.

Takmet moved away from Sasaki and bent down, gently prying the whimpering boy from his person. His older sibling stood in the doorway shyly.

"I told him not to, Mama. He wouldn't listen."

"It's okay, Anset," Sasaki assured her. "Can you go back to bed alone? We'll take care of Tanis."

Anset nodded, smiling a little as she disappeared, shutting the door behind her.

Takmet took the boy by the shoulders and met his watery gaze. "What's wrong?"

The boy sniffled. "You're leaving again, aren't you?"

Takmet looked up at Sasaki, who then knelt down and held Tanis's hand. "Only for a little while," she smiled.

"Don't go!" he cried. "If you go…he'll come get us…everybody." He closed his eyes and hugged his father.

"Who will?"

"The man with bloody hair…"

Takmet shot a worried glance over at Sasaki. It was no coincidence their son had dreamed of the man who had just made his grand entrance at Nezbek's. It was a very real possibility his premonition would actually happen.

"We'll take you somewhere safe," Sasaki assured him, rubbing his back as he sobbed into his father's arms. To Takmet she said, "I think this predicament releases us from our 'no flashy magic' policy."

"Indeed," Takmet replied, shooting her a look that said 'Me, not us'. He was now sitting on the floor, Tanis crying himself to sleep on his father's leg. Takmet picked him up gently. "We have to get Chloe." He laid Tanis on their bed and went to search for clothes. Sasaki nodded.

They both changed, and Takmet put Tanis back in his room with Anset. She was still awake. Takmet leaned over her and said, "Hotep will come to take you all some place safe in a little while."

"Is there trouble?" she asked innocently.

"There might be," Takmet smiled, "so be good for him, alright?"

She nodded. Takmet kissed her forehead before he and Sasaki left to wake Chloe.

She was beyond alarmed at the new occurrence and hurried to get dressed, her arms and legs shaking so much to the point that it made the task difficult. Takmet went alone to wake Hotep. He had not been a guard for some time and hardly ever worked during the late hours of the night, so he was sleeping. Hotep's best friend knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for an answer.

Hotep sat up groggily, the figure next to him rolling over. Takmet had to smile at his sister's expression. She looked so happy next to Hotep. She chose to wear her hair longer now than she did when this all started, and she had long since been freed of her genie confinement.

The ex-guard blinked a few times, then asked while stretching, "What's up at this hour, besides us?"

"Trouble. Could you take my children to stay with your sister?" Takmet asked in a hushed voice to avoid disturbing Rei.

"Wow, must be some trouble."

"You can't even imagine…Tanis had a rather disturbing premonition and it would make him feel better if they were out of the palace."

"I see," Hotep replied, more alert now. "I can do that. Shall I take them now?"

"As soon as possible. I have to go with Chloe to see Nezbek right away."

"What's happened?" Hotep was more alarmed. There hadn't been a need for such a sudden trip in years.

"Let's just say a violent thunderstorm is headed our way." Takmet stared at him meaningfully and then left the room, letting Hotep sit and think for a moment.

Suddenly the image grabbed the former guard, and he immediately scrambled out of bed to get dressed.