CHAPTER TWENTY
Training was intense, but Jonathan didn't mind. He couldn't fully process what had happened to him, Alyxx, and Panya, but he understood training for battle. Sure, this battle included magic, but it wasn't so different from any others he'd fought.

It was odd getting to know their new allies, mostly because three of them were alternate incarnations of friends who'd fallen in battle. Jonathan liked Trish and Donnie well enough, but that didn't mean it wasn't awkward. At least they were trying. Kim, on the other hand, seemed intent on making everyone miserable. She was rather bratty and constantly made combative remarks, even toward Zane and Shannon. It was obvious she didn't want to be there.

Kim was presently taking a break from training... Again. She watched Ryan and Dean with a mildly curious expression on her face. "What's with those two?" She asked Jonathan.

"They don't especially get along," Jonathan replied.

"Duh. Anyone with eyes can see that. But what happened between them? Is it the meek little mouse girl? I mean, I noticed the way Emo Boy looks at her, and she looks at him, too, but she's dating the dumb jock, right?"

"Their personal lives are not really our business, Miss Kim."

"Oh, come on, Soldier Boy. I hate all of this training and plotting. Can't we just gossip for a few minutes?"

Jonathan hesitated. He wasn't one for gossiping, but Kim had chosen to talk to him. She brushed most people off or gave them attitudes. Perhaps he should try to bond with her.

"It's complicated, and it goes down to their souls," he said, "but yes, they do both seem to have feelings for Panya."

"I can't believe that shy little mouse has two hotties fighting over her. Emo Boy radiates that angsty but sexy vibe, and Dumb Jock isn't the brightest, but he's gorgeous."

"Their names are Ryan and Dean... And Dean isn't dumb; he just acts without thinking sometimes. Deep down, he's a good man, and he's an asset in battle."

"I don't care about battles. He's hot. That's as far as I got."

"Miss Kim, what's the reason you're talking to me about this?"

She shrugged. "You're hot, too," she replied. "It seemed like a good way to kill time."

He blushed at her bluntness. "My heart belongs to another," he said quickly.

"I know you're into Little Miss Jailbait, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy looking at you."

"Kim, you're supposed to be training," Dean called.

"Sorry, Dean," she replied flirtatiously. "I just needed a little break due to an injury."

"An injury?" Dean repeated in concern.

"I chipped my manicure," she said as she waved her fingers in front of his face. "It was brutal."

"Do we really have to put up with the Prom Queen?" Adara mumbled.

"I'm afraid so," Trish replied. "Believe me, Donnie and I tried not to."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Kim quipped. "Do you guys know another Scorpion Goddess who can help you defeat a giant snake monster?"

"As a matter of fact, we do," Ryan said sharply. He motioned toward Panya.

"The mouse? Please. If this was a horror movie, she'd die first."

"That's enough, Kimberly," Shannon said firmly.

"I am sorry if I have offended you in some way, Kim," Panya said softly. "I do not know what I have done to anger you, but it was not my intention."

"Don't apologize to her," Dean and Ryan said at once. They looked at each other, but neither said anything else.

"Look! I unified the two that hate each other!" Kim said enthusiastically. "You're welcome."

"Knock it off, Kim," Trish said as she swatted at her. "You're here to train, so focus on that instead of causing chaos, alright? Otherwise, I'll claw your eyes out of your pretty little skull."

"Enough," Zane said, his voice soft despite the power radiating from the word.

Kim looked at her shoes. "Sorry," she mumbled.

"I'm not," Trish replied. "I meant it."

"Trish," Shannon said.

"Fine. I'll take a walk to cool off."

"Not alone. I will accompany you to ensure you remain safe." Shannon led Trish out of the house. Adara looked like she wanted to follow her, but she glared at Kim instead. She started to hiss, and Jonathan could feel the heat radiating off of her.

"Calm yourself, Adara," Keisha said gently.

"I really dislike her," Adara replied.

"It's mutual," Kim mumbled.

"Kim. Stop," Zane said firmly. "Everyone, calm down. We must stand united. We cannot allow petty bickering to tear us apart."

"I am sorry, Father," Panya said quickly.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Panya," Zane reassured her.

The sudden sound of screams got everyone's attention. Jonathan was the first to run outside, with Dean right behind him. A man lay on the concrete. He was critically wounded. The teenager who stood beside him was still screaming, and Jonathan couldn't blame her as dozens of snakes continued to attack the man.

"Jonathan, we need to get him clear of the snakes," Dean said.

"There are too many of them," Jonathan replied.

"Get the girl to safety. I'll try to save him."

Jonathan moved closer to the teenager. Her features were Asian. She had tears in her eyes as she watched the snakes continue attacking her companion. "Miss, come with me," he said gently.

She stared at him, not seeming to understand his words. Jonathan knew shock when he saw it. He scooped her up in his arms and got her away from the snakes.

Something changed in her then. As she stared at the man, dozens of large birds began swooping down from the sky and attacking the snakes. "Vultures..." Jonathan said as he realized what they were.

As the vultures attacked the snake, Dean pulled the man from their clutches. "He's still alive," he said in relief. "Panya, I need you! Janna, too!"

Both of them hurried out of the house. Ryan was right behind them, but he froze at the sight of the man. Janna immediately started healing the man as Panya cut her palm with a rock and pressed her blood to his mouth. He started to look stable after a couple of minutes.

The man was familiar, but Jonathan wasn't sure why. His dark skin had a bluish tint to it even after he healed. Janna gasped as she seemed to realize something.

"My beloved," she whispered.

"You know him, Janna?" Jonathan asked.

It was Dean who answered. "He's her Consort," he said tonelessly. "Horus's father."

"Lord Osiris?" Panya asked with a surprised squeak. She immediately bowed her head respectfully.

"There is no need for that, Ta-Bitjet," Osiris said gently as he sat up. "Thank you for saving my life. I have only just acquired it and would hate to lose it so soon."

"Osiris, what are you doing here?" Zane asked.

"Part of me remains where I belong, but I sensed I was needed here as well. This body belonged to one of my devotees. The cult killed him, so he offered me his body as a vessel."

"Wait... He's dead?" Dean asked.

"Well, he was," Osiris replied. "His body is alive once more, but his soul remains in the Afterlife."

Ryan remained silent, refusing to look at Osiris. Mark put a gentle hand on his shoulder to calm him.

"Come here, Brother," Osiris said. "I won't attack."

"I'm not afraid of you," Ryan said. Jonathan wasn't sure if that was true.

"You should be," Janna snapped. "After everything you did to him!"

"My love..." Osiris said gently. She hesitated and looked at him, so he continued. "I came here because I knew you needed me. You have lost your way, Isis. I know you mean well, but you caused irreparable harm to Nephthys by letting petty issues with Set keep you from doing what was needed."

"You spoke to Marie?"

"Of course I did. Isis, something needs to change. The deities cannot be at war with each other when Chaos is the true enemy. If this does not change, people will continue to die at an alarming rate."

Ryan looked lost then. "I tried to save her," he said softly.

Osiris took a deep breath before cautiously approaching Ryan. "I know you did, Brother. So does she. Marie is grateful you tried to protect and comfort her. She is safe now. She is at peace."

Ryan looked away from everyone. Jonathan suspected he was crying, but no one dared to call him on it. Panya looked like she wanted to run to his side to comfort him, but she allowed him his space.

"Osiris... I assume that's Nekhbet with you?" Zane asked as the vultures scattered with the last of the snakes, flying off into the skies with their prizes still struggling to escape from their beaks. Most vultures fed on death, so this was an odd sight indeed.

The girl finally looked at Zane as Jonathan cautiously set her down. "That's what Osiris tells me," she replied, "but I go by Cassie Park. My soul isn't exactly unlocked, but Osiris recognized me. He found me living in a cemetery and brought me here."

"You were living in a cemetery?" Jonathan repeated.

"I find them peaceful." Cassie replied. "And after my parents died, I didn't have anywhere else to go."

"How old are you?" Olivia asked.

"I'm sixteen. I've been on my own for three years, so I'm pretty good at surviving, but I never imagined I was some kind of Goddess."

"You're still a teenager. You should be in school, and you need a home. You can stay with us. Right, Zane?"

"Well, we've already taken in Panya, Jonathan, Alyxx, and, for the time being, Josie. I don't see the harm in taking Cassie in, too," Zane replied.

"I will use a spell to create a new room in the house for our new friend," Shannon said as she and Trish returned. "What did we miss?" Her eyes widened as she spotted Cassie's companion. "Osiris?"

"Hello, Aset! It is wonderful to see you," Osiris replied pleasantly. He looked delighted to be reunited with her. He moved to hug her, which Shannon allowed, although she still looked confused by his presence in the world of the living.

"I will explain soon, Shannon," Zane promised.

"There is one more thing," Osiris said suddenly.

"What is it?" Olivia asked.

"They have captured a deity. I sense he is giving them a great deal of trouble, but he is marked for death. If he is not rescued soon, we will lose him."

"Who do they have?" Zane asked.

"Sobek."

"Good luck to them," Adara said with a laugh. "He can be a very cranky crocodile."

"I'll go after him," Mark volunteered. "Our souls are old friends."

"I'll go with you," Ryan added.

Alyxx looked like she wanted to volunteer, but she hesitated. "Where is he?" She asked.

"Staten Island. He was stationed just on the other side of the Verrazano Bridge in Brooklyn. I think that's where they found him."

"Stationed?" Dean repeated. "He's Military?"

"Yes. He is a member of the Navy," Osiris replied.

"I'm going with you guys," Dean said firmly.

"No one invited you," Ryan protested.

"I'll go, too," Jonathan decided. "It's not the first time I've been sent to rescue another soldier."

"Naval officers are technically called Sailors," Dean corrected him automatically.

"Jonathan, we just got you back," Josie protested.

"I'll be alright, Miss Josie," he reassured her. He was nervous, but someone needed to be there to keep Dean and Ryan from killing each other, and Mark was too close to Ryan to remain neutral.

Zane sighed. "Osiris, Cassie, come inside. We'll take care of you both. Dean, you may lead the search for Sobek. Please be careful," he said. "Call for assistance immediately if you need backup."

"I will," Dean promised. "Come on. Let's go catch the ferry."

"The ferry? I think not!" Mark said. "We'll drive over the bridge. We can take my car. I have an E-Z Pass."

"Is it actually yours?" Ryan asked.

"That's not the point," Mark replied instead of answering the question. "Just follow me. Sobek might not have much time."

That was a valid argument, so everyone followed him to his car. Jonathan tried not to worry about what trouble they might be driving into.