While the group spent their time relaxing.
Beneath the burning sands of Cairo, where planes take off and land unsuspecting of what lies below, exists a city forgotten by time yet more alive than ever.
Heliopolis.
Mortals believe the ruins of ancient Iunu were swallowed by history, dismantled stone by stone to make way for the modern city. What they don't know is that the true Heliopolis never disappeared. It hides beneath Cairo International Airport, protected by ancient spells, invisible walls, and a magic that dates back to the days of the pharaohs.
In the subterranean city.
Its stone corridors are illuminated by enchanted flames that flicker in gold and red hues, exuding aromas of cinnamon, myrrh, and burnt papyrus. The ceiling of the grand avenues is supported by pillars carved like palm trees, so tall they seem to touch the nonexistent sky of the underground. The sound of running water echoes through the streets — the Hidden River cuts through the city, reflecting the magical light in a supernatural way.
At the center of it all, the House of Life stands like a colossus. More than a school of magic, more than a simple organization, it is the backbone of the Egyptian magical world. For millennia, the scribes, priests, and magicians of the House have preserved the secrets of the gods, recorded the history of the pharaohs, and maintained the balance between the mortal and divine worlds. Now, with three hundred and sixty nomes operating around the globe, the House of Life oversees magic like never before.
Since assuming leadership, Ikki has revolutionized the House of Life. The ancient magicians feared the influence of the gods, restricting the true potential of magic. But the gods are gone. And instead of clinging to old rules, Ikki decided to liberate the magicians.
Now, in Heliopolis, magic is practiced freely. Magicians wearing colorful robes walk the streets, papyri float around scribes absorbed in their studies, apprentices test spells under the supervision of masters. The Hall of Ages, with its living hieroglyphs that tell the history of Egypt, has never been so vibrant. The Magic Market teems with merchants offering amulets, rare ingredients, and artifacts. And, in the depths of the city, the Library contains more knowledge than any other place in the world; a collection of spells and forbidden secrets.
At the center of it all, in the heart of the House of Life, stood the royal hall, a grand space supported by palm-shaped columns, where the pharaoh's throne rested under a golden light.
There, seated on the throne, was Ikki Phoenix… or at least something that looked exactly like him.
The figure on the royal seat was a perfect copy, a blood familiar created through the [Self-Insert] spell. It moved, spoke, and even exuded the same presence as the real Ikki, but deep down, it was nothing more than an enchanted reflection, an avatar designed to rule Heliopolis in his absence. When dispelled, all its experience and memories would go to the real Ikki...
Self-Insert was different from the spell he had used on the Other Side. His Guardian, Mercurius, was a high-level familiar created with the [Legion of Blood] spell, an advanced magic that allowed him to generate copies from his own blood and make them independent familiars. Mercurius not only possessed a certain level of free will but was also capable of evolving on his own, acting as a loyal extension of him.
Although it didn't have Mercurius's independence, this version of 'Ikki' was more than enough to maintain order in the House of Life.
The throne of Heliopolis was never empty.
Literally.
The figure seated on the pharaoh's golden seat maintained impeccable royal posture, overseeing the scribes, responding to petitions, and occasionally frowning as if immersed in deep thoughts about the mysteries of the universe.
The clone possessed a fragment of Ikki's consciousness, which meant he could rule Heliopolis without even needing to be present. Easy. Convenient. And very useful for avoiding the endless meetings that would normally come with the position of pharaoh.
"Next!" The copy of Ikki said, resting his chin on his hand, bored.
A middle-aged scribe hurried forward, holding a papyrus roll so long it looked like an uncoiled boa constrictor. He coughed into his hand to compose himself and began:
"Great Pharaoh, we have an urgent petition from the Twelfth Nome! An outbreak of furious spirits in the Beni Hasan valley is terrorizing the local magicians. They request permission to perform the Supreme Expulsion Ritual."
The Ikki clone blinked slowly.
"Supreme Expulsion? For common ghosts?"
"Well…" The scribe fidgeted with the papyrus, nervous: "It seems one of the apprentices mistook a containment seal for a summoning circle. Which resulted in, let's say… a small incident."
Ikki sighed, feeling the tiredness of the day accumulating even though it wasn't really him there.
"What kind of "small incident"?"
"An infestation of enraged, devouring specters…"
The Ikki copy tapped his fingers on the throne. The real Ikki, wherever he was, pondered for a second before responding:
"Send a control team from the Seventh Nome to provide support. No need for a mass destruction ritual. Last time, we had to seal half an ancient temple because of the damage…"
The scribe quickly noted and hurried out. Before another could take his place, a young, serious-looking sorceress stepped forward, beating her fists against her chest in a respectful gesture.
"My Pharaoh, we need your decision for the restoration of the Obelisk of Time. The partial collapse of the structure has affected the astral conjunctions predicted for this month, and…"
The Ikki clone smiled.
"Just attune the harmony enchantments to Heliopolis's vibration. Use the Library for that. The temple itself can correct the error…"
The young woman blinked, stunned.
"But… no one has ever tried…"
"Try it. It will work…"
She hesitated, but nodded and left.
The Pharaoh's job wasn't for just anyone.
That was a fact.
He had completely reformed the House of Life system. Now, as a true Pharaoh, absolutely everything went through him. The system was really based on that time with some adjustments of his own, which is why, a few days ago, he went to warn Amos about it. Since he had secretly implemented various changes...
That is to say, in the false year he created with magic, he worked as Pharaoh most of the time following the usual system of the House of Life, but now it was different. He commanded everything...
And by "everything," he meant everything from decisions about high magic rituals to absurd complaints like "My neighbor turned my tunic into a swarm of scorpions. The Pharaoh needs to solve this!"
"Next in line, go ahead…"
An elderly scribe approached with a papyrus sealed with red wax.
"Great Pharaoh, the magicians of the Twenty-Fifth Nome request permission to rebuild the Lunar Portal. They claim it would facilitate communication with the southern nomes."
Ikki raised an eyebrow.
"Lunar Portal? Wasn't that the one that caused an accident with an infestation of shadow baboons?"
The scribe coughed.
"Mistakes… were made. But we guarantee that this time—"
"No."
The scribe opened and closed his mouth, looking like a fish out of water, but lowered his head and left.
Before the next could speak, a young magician stepped forward, looking anxious.
"My Pharaoh, there's been a dispute between the magicians of the Magic Market. You must decide who has the right to a newly discovered artifact: a sealed amphora from the time of Ramses."
Ikki rolled his eyes.
"Who found it first?"
"Lord Khabek! But Lord Menes argues that the amphora was in his excavation territory."
"Then share it. One opens it, the other catalogs it. Simple."
The young man widened his eyes, as if the idea of a fair agreement was revolutionary.
"Yes, Pharaoh!"
The next case involved a problem in the magic flow of the Hidden River. Then, a decision on sending resources to a nome in crisis. Then, the need for a new training protocol for initiates who insisted on blowing things up.
And so it went.
Every decision, big or small, went through Ikki.
But he was in control. His clone maintained royal composure, his consciousness managed the problems with precision, and Heliopolis functioned like clockwork.
Deep down, perhaps ruling as a true Pharaoh was tiring.
But Ikki made no mistakes.
The royal chamber vibrated with magical energy. The blue fire globes cast shimmering reflections on the golden columns, and the scent of burnt papyrus mingled with myrrh incense, creating an almost sacred atmosphere.
The Ikki clone rested on the throne, his expression impassive, as he observed the magicians awaiting his word. Their loyalty was absolute. Not out of fear, but out of conviction. Ikki had freed them from archaic limitations, led them to a new era of magic, and for that, they were willing to follow him without question.
A scribe in a golden robe stepped forward, carrying a papyrus sealed with black wax.
"My Pharaoh, a discovery has been made in the sealed archives of the Library. A lost text of Imhotep, describing spells never before recorded."
The Ikki clone raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
The scribe hesitated, as if weighing his next words.
"The text contains powerful enchantments, but its translation is unstable. We need your authorization to proceed with the decoding."
The clone rested his chin on his intertwined fingers.
"What risks are we facing?"
The scribe swallowed hard.
"Imhotep's ancient magic is… volatile. If we interpret the hieroglyphs incorrectly, we could activate the spells by accident."
There was a brief silence in the room. No magician present suggested backing down. None of them hesitated.
Then the Ikki clone smiled, an almost imperceptible glint in his eyes.
"Then be careful. But proceed."
The scribe nodded firmly, bringing the papyrus to his chest as if carrying a treasure.
"Yes, my Pharaoh!"
He retreated, and another magician stepped forward—a woman dressed in blue and silver, her armor gleaming under the magical light.
"My Pharaoh, your security needs to be reinforced. Even if no one dares rise against Heliopolis, the responsibility to protect you is our highest priority."
The clone raised his eyes to the guards along the room. Each of them was an elite magician, trained in the most advanced arts of combat and protection. They weren't just soldiers. They were living shields for the Pharaoh.
The Ikki clone tilted his head.
"And what is your proposal?"
The warrior knelt.
"Double the guard in the main corridors and extend the protection spells to the Royal Hall."
The clone studied her for a moment before nodding slightly.
"Do as you see fit."
She smiled, as if receiving his permission were the greatest honor possible.
"For the Pharaoh."
And so, the routine continued.
Every decision, every detail, went through Ikki. And everyone there—scribes, warriors, masters of magic—knew there was no one more worthy to occupy that throne.
The House of Life was his.
And everyone was ready to give their lives for him, if necessary.
But Ikki would never need to ask that.
They followed him not out of obligation, but because they believed in him.
The effect of his magic, used to create a false year for everyone, time shaped this perception.
The sound of Amos's sandals echoed softly through the Royal Hall as he approached the throne. He observed the figure seated there — the perfect copy of Ikki, ruling Heliopolis with the same grace and precision as the original.
He already knew the truth. He had discovered it days ago, but he felt no fear, worry, or doubt. Only curiosity.
The clone raised his golden eyes and smiled.
"Uncle Amos."
Amos raised an eyebrow at hearing the clone call him "uncle" again. It wasn't something the real Ikki usually said.
"Why are you calling me uncle?"
The clone smiled, as if he had already expected the observation. "Curious about that?"
Amos crossed his arms. "Let's just say it doesn't quite suit the Ikki I know."
The clone tilted his head slightly, a thoughtful gesture. "That's because I'm not exactly the Ikki you know."
Amos frowned slightly.
"I'm a thread of his personality," the clone explained. "A fragment of the original consciousness. So, inevitably, there are small differences. I am Ikki, but not completely the same."
Amos pondered the answer. It made sense. If it were just a shabti, an empty copy, it wouldn't have its own nuances. But, being something more sophisticated, it was natural that some characteristics would manifest differently.
"And what exactly made you decide that I am your uncle?" Amos asked, a playful tone in his voice.
The clone shrugged.
"Maybe because the real Ikki never had a familiar figure like that. But you've always been close, like a mentor… like family."
Well, he did have some memories of the real one too.
Amos was silent for a moment. The real Ikki would never demonstrate something like that directly. But this fragment…
He just smiled slightly and shook his head. "Interesting."
The clone shrugged. "If you don't like it, I can stop."
Amos chuckled softly. "No, I liked it."
The clone smiled again. Even though it was a reflection, it was undeniable: he was worthy of the title of God-King of Heliopolis.
The two remained silent for a moment, watching the movement of the city below. The magicians walked along the grand stone avenues, enchanted papyri floated in the air, and the magical glow of the Hidden River reflected off the golden walls of the House of Life.
"They would do anything for you." Amos broke the silence, his voice carrying something between realization and admiration.
The Ikki clone smiled sideways.
"I know."
"Not just out of respect, but out of devotion. They would give their lives for you without hesitation."
The Pharaoh turned to Amos, his dark robes contrasting with the golden light of the hall. "And you? Would you give your life for me, Uncle Amos?"
The Chief Lector didn't need to think about the answer. "If it were necessary."
The clone studied his face for a moment, then smiled almost melancholically.
"I hope it never is."
Before Amos could respond, a scribe approached hurriedly, bowing deeply.
"Great Pharaoh, the magicians of the Nineteenth Nome have sent an urgent message. A sealed artifact in the temple of Seti I in Abydos has begun emitting unstable energy."
Ikki turned his attention to him, instantly assuming the posture of a ruler. "Have they already analyzed the origin?"
The scribe nodded. "They reported that it is a very ancient seal, possibly from the time of the First Pharaoh. They are hesitant to break it without your permission."
The clone slid his fingers through the air, tracing glowing hieroglyphs that dissipated like golden dust. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the magical current of Heliopolis expand until it reached Abydos.
Although he did not have the same level of power as the original, he still had the authority of partial magic and was fused with Ma'at (created by the true Ikki), able to use Egyptian magic at its maximum level, to the point where he could face a God in divine form and come out on top.
He opened his eyes.
"Tell them to reinforce the containment, but not to touch the seal. I will send a specialized team."
The scribe bowed and hurried out.
Amos watched the exchange with a discreet smile. "You feel everything, don't you? Even from here."
Ikki snapped his fingers and the golden glow in his hand disappeared. "Yes…"
He literally was the city, his magic running through every stone, every spell, every breath of the magicians who lived there.
The clone observed Amos for a moment before asking, casually:
"So… where is the original now?"
Amos sighed, adjusting his posture. "At the resort. Spending the last two days before he leaves."
The clone nodded, as if he already knew.
"Did he tell you where he's going?" Amos questioned, carefully observing the Pharaoh's reaction.
The clone smiled sideways. "To Camp Half-Blood. To fight Kronos and all that."
Amos blinked slowly. "...Kronos. As in the Titan Kronos?"
"Exactly."
The Chief Lector took a few seconds to process that, but before he could ask anything, the clone continued, almost casually:
"Ikki is the son of Zeus."
Amos froze.
The silence that followed was as thick as the desert sands.
"...What?" He asked, his voice dangerously calm.
The clone shrugged. "Son of Zeus. A demigod. He was taken to Camp Half-Blood as a child, spent years training, participated in quests, faced monsters, saved the world a few times… the whole package."
Amos was silent for a long moment. Then, he let out a low chuckle, but it wasn't humorous—it was the kind of laugh someone gives when they realize the universe likes to throw absurd surprises in their face.
"So, let me see if I understand," he said, crossing his arms and looking at the clone as if it were a papyrus trying to trick him. "Ikki—our Ikki—is a demigod. Son of Zeus. *The* Zeus. And all this time he simply… forgot to mention this?"
He knew about the Greeks, obviously...
The clone smiled sideways. "I guess he didn't think it was relevant."
"Didn't think it was relevant?" Amos repeated, his voice rising slightly. "He rules Heliopolis, he's the Pharaoh of the House of Life, and on top of that, he's part of the Greek world! Do you have any idea how much this is—"
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second. "It doesn't matter. I shouldn't be surprised."
"You really shouldn't," the clone agreed, amused.
Amos massaged his temples. "And now he's going back to Camp Half-Blood to fight Kronos. The leader of the Titans. The guy who tried to devour his own children and now wants to destroy the world."
"Basically."
Amos opened his mouth to respond, but then simply gave up. He turned, walked to one of the columns, and leaned his forehead against the stone as if reconsidering his life.
"Why does it always have to be so complicated?" He murmured.
The clone shrugged. "It's Ikki. What did you expect?"
Amos took a deep breath and turned to face him again. "And you? What do you think of all this?"
The clone tilted his head. "I'm a reflection of the original. But I understand why he does it. He can't stand still while the world falls apart. It's just who he is."
Amos studied the clone for a moment. He still found it strange to talk to a copy of Ikki, but at the same time, there was no doubt: this was the same strategic mind, the same unwavering confidence. It was different from the real Ikki, but still… familiar.
In the end, he just sighed.
"May the gods help us," he murmured, before adding, in a dry tone: "That is, if there were still gods for that."
The clone smiled.
"I think we'll be fine."
Amos rubbed his temple, a habit Sadie always said was a sign of "my uncle is having very complicated thoughts and doesn't want to admit he's worried."
"Ikki really worries me to death..." He sighed, adjusting his impeccable coat. "And he thought I wouldn't find out?"
The clone gave a slight smile. "Probably not. Or maybe he assumed that, when you found out, it would be too late for you to do anything about it."
Amos narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint of frustration dancing there. "That sounds absurdly like something Ikki would do."
He stepped back a few paces, taking a deep breath, his hands behind his back. Heliopolis was stable, strong. Everything under control. But out there, on another battlefield, Ikki was about to face a powerful enemy...
Amos shook his head. "This is madness."
The clone raised an eyebrow. "You've seen what he can do."
"Yes, I have." Amos pointed a finger at him. "I saw this kid destroy Set and Apophis! Things that were impossible, and yet, he made it seem like it was just another normal Tuesday."
"So?"
"So that just makes me more worried!" Amos exclaimed, irritated with himself. "Because if he's going to fight Kronos, it means this war is big. It means that even someone like him can't simply ignore this."
The clone remained silent, watching him.
Amos sighed again, lowering his voice. "I can't just let him go alone."
"You intend to follow him?"
"I don't know." Amos pinched the bridge of his nose, thoughtful. "Either way, I need to find a way to help."
The clone smiled slightly: "You really care about him."
Amos snorted.
"I've already lost too much family to stand by while someone I consider a nephew goes to fight a Titan alone." He straightened his shoulders. "If there's anything I can do, I will."
A pity that it is the result of a magic the original cast, Clone or rather Ikki Two lamented...
Amos massaged his temples. He had already faced many absurdities in life—from killer vultures to battles against primordial forces of chaos—but discovering that Ikki was a demigod son of Zeus, who was going to fight Kronos without even mentioning it, was testing his patience.
"I should be used to surprises like this," he murmured to himself. "But no, there's always something new."
Ikki Two chuckled, that quiet chuckle Amos already knew well.
"I understand your concern, uncle," said the clone, in an almost affectionate tone. "But the original knew you would react exactly like this. That's why he didn't tell you."
Amos crossed his arms. "And he thought I would simply accept that? That I would sit by while he faces a Titan?"
Ikki Two raised an eyebrow. "Exactly."
Amos pressed his lips together. He hated to admit it, but Ikki knew him too well. Of course, he would have hidden this to avoid any interference.
But that didn't mean he had to like it.
"Ikki can destroy the world several times with a single attack," the clone continued, as if stating something obvious: "He can extinguish the sun with a kick. His current power is basically invincible. So there's nothing to worry about."
Amos blinked. "Do you really expect me to believe that?"
Ikki Two shrugged. "You saw what he did. Set. Apophis. Everything he's already overcome. And, frankly, he wasn't even at his peak then."
Amos felt an involuntary shiver. He had seen. Even believing that Ra and Set had helped, the fact was that Ikki had faced forces too powerful not to believe this absurdity.
Still, Amos didn't like it. "Even if he's as strong as you say, he's not invincible."
Ikki Two casually replied: "Not officially, no."
The Chief Lector let out a tired sigh. "What if I want to help anyway?"
The clone smiled, calmly. "You can't."
"What do you mean, I can't?"
"Because I won't let you," said Ikki Two, without losing his composure. "The original wouldn't either."
Amos gritted his teeth. "What if I go anyway?"
Ikki Two tilted his head, as if considering the idea. Then, he smiled. "You won't."
Amos narrowed his eyes.
"Because you trust him," the clone completed, with unshakeable certainty. "And you know you don't need to worry."
Amos didn't answer immediately.
He hated to admit it, but Ikki Two was right.
Finally, he let out a frustrated sigh and pointed a finger at the clone.
"If anything happens to him, you let me know."
Ikki Two smiled. "Believe me, uncle, if anything happened to him… you would know."
Amos rolled his eyes and turned to leave, muttering something about stubborn demigods and how his life really should be quieter than this.
Ikki Two just smiled, his job was to prevent any magician from the House of Life from getting involved in all of this and to rule this place.