"What the hell was that?" Kurt said coming into Layla's throne room.

"Ohhh good you're up," said The True Sorcerer. "How are you feeling? Better, I would expect."

"Layla care to explain?"

"I told you I made a deal."

"So the whole time."

"Of course not Kurt, I didn't think the opportunity would present itself. What was I supposed to do?"

"It's true," said Ishtar. "You know what Horus would have done after that display. Well, I guess you saw."

"I would have thought you'd show a bit more gratitude," said the True Sorcerer.

"I don't understand how you are here, how you are even on our side."

"Oh, that," said The True Sorcerer, "she probably should have mentioned that."

"Nelson," said Kurt, "the other guy of course."

Ishtar giggled a little, "he catches on just too late it seemed."

"We talked about stuff like this, Layla."

"We did," said Layla, "but you act like we've been able to talk freely recently."

Kurt looked at Ishtar, "Have we not?"

"I didn't come here intending," said Ishtar, "I didn't think it was possible. She is your queen, she has no obligation to tell you everything."

"So we are supposed to expect all the other gods to be understanding?"

"Well," said Ishtar, "maybe not but it wouldn't be as many as you'd expect. In fact, currently the news is, well, yet to be delivered."

"So the rest don't know."

"Well, I assume his angels have figured it out, but maybe not yet. The effects of his death should be rippling through them. I wouldn't worry too much about them. Without Horus, they will slowly lose power."

"But there is a similar feeling when crossing the gate."

"See, you do catch on."

"You didn't seem the type to start a war," said Kurt.

"I didn't start a war, the True Sorcerer killed Horus, and Marty. They were old enemies, and I barely made it out with my life." Ishtar smiled.

"In fact, without my gate, it's likely we all would have died," said Layla, "I saved her and Rosie's lives."

"Which I appreciate," said Ishtar. "I should probably reward you for that to keep up appearances."

"I am quite formidable," said The True Sorcerer.

"So you've all been plotting together."

"It's not like you told me about that sword immediately," said Layla. "Without that none of this would be possible." Luckily Kurt's sword was with his clothes.

"I'm still not understanding."

"I guess some of it is my fault," said The True Sorcerer," my apprentice. I shouldn't have left him alone. And by the time I figured out what he was doing."

"And Horus?"

"That's an old score, I was younger when we fought. I'm not entirely sure how it started. But, let's say it probably wasn't a single interaction. He can, or well could I guess, hold a grudge."

"So what?"

"Well, Queen Layla here asked what would happen if she somehow solved these problems for me. And I guess now we are here. How are you feeling by the way?"

He looked at Ishtar, "I told you I wasn't going to let anyone destroy this place." She was still more concerned about her sweet tooth than any of them.

"And so what are you going to protect us from the oncoming gods? You didn't even face Horus."

"Well hopefully, they believe us. But how are you feeling?"

"Why do you keep asking me that?"

He remembered the changes to Layla well and the flight he experienced. They did something.

"Well, we sort of jump-started the process."

"The process of what?"

"Godhood is what I believe they call it here. Though I hear your people have a different idea of the subject."

Kurt floated off the ground, "So that would explain this."

"Look at you Kurt, Rico is going to be jealous," said Layla.

"You did it again, don't think I don't remember. The blood."

"So what?" said Layla. "If we had waited much longer it wouldn't have worked."

"I didn't ask for this?"

"When did we ask for Horus to come down and bully us?"

"What about Darien?"

"He will bow. Or live free."

"He really will, what was that saying…punch a gift horse in the mouth," said The True Sorcerer.

Everyone seemed on board with the plan before Kurt had even arrived. He was worried about Rosie's absence. And how everything seemed to be done again under his nose.

"Kurt, I swear to you I did not go to that temple to kill Horus. I didn't know what to expect."

"But you think the opportunity could present itself."

"It doesn't change anything, as soon as you used that sword's power Horus was going to kill you and then probably me. It was already done."

"It's not like I had much choice in that matter either."

"How was I supposed to know a shadow creature would appear? I've never even been there before."

Kurt was at a loss for that one. The only one that seemed to even know there was one around was Horus. He may have specifically set up the date for the exact purpose.

"We are all on the same side here," said The True Sorcerer.

"That doesn't change everything."

"I get it, you're mad. It seems like everyone was hiding all this important stuff from you."

"He is always so grumpy after those naps," said Layla.

"You mean when I wake up from almost dying?"

"You weren't dying," said the True Sorcerer. "More like the opposite. But we are off subject already. Listen, boy, you can't always predict the future. And sometimes things work out in the way you least expect. Relax."

"Don't order me around."

"I'm not ordering you, this is your Kingdom."

"The True Sorcerer is my guest," said Layla.

This wasn't getting Kurt anywhere. He wasn't even sure what he was expecting to accomplish. He was growing more trusted with his powerlessness. He was taking all the steps to prevent stuff like this.

"I'm going to leave before I say or do something I regret," said Kurt, "but this isn't over."

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