The midday sun blazed down on the St. Regis Cairo, reflecting off the crystalline surface of the pool and the surrounding white marble. Ikki descended towards the terrace, still absorbing the conversation he'd had with Zeus. For the first time, his father had lived up to the word "father".
The conversation had been surprisingly calm, no lightning bolts, no exaggerated grandeur, no implicit threats. Just words exchanged between two men, between father and son.
So much so that he spent a few hours with his father…
Well, anyway.
The scene at the pool was almost peaceful, if not for the controlled chaos of his friends. Sadie was lying by the water's edge, wearing a black bikini and sunglasses, seemingly determined to get some sun. Judging by her naturally fair skin, a combination of British and Egyptian heritage, he bet the end result would be somewhere between "pink" and "charbroiled crustacean".
Zia, sitting on a nearby lounge chair, calmly read a book, wearing a black bikini with shorts over it. Always reserved, she seemed immune to the commotion around her.
A little further away, Carter and Walt were immersed in a game of Senet, both analyzing the board with the concentration of someone about to decide the fate of the world. Both wore shorts and were shirtless.
As soon as Ikki approached, Sadie took off her sunglasses and raised an eyebrow.
"Finally, your majesty…" she said, her voice dripping with British drama, "We almost died of starvation waiting for you…"
Zia closed her book and looked at him with those penetrating amber eyes, assessing him as if trying to figure out where he'd been.
"We had to postpone lunch because you disappeared…" she commented, her tone neutral, but with a hint of silent accusation.
Carter and Walt stopped playing for a moment.
"Where were you?" Carter asked, genuinely curious.
Ikki hesitated for a second. Saying he'd been having a reflective conversation with Zeus about fatherhood seemed… odd. He opted for something simpler:
"Taking care of some things."
Sadie snorted.
"You're always taking care of things. One day, your head is going to explode."
Ikki gave a casual smile.
"Advanced magic."
"That wasn't an answer."
Before the argument could continue, Walt stood up, seeming relieved to change the subject.
"We'd better go before hunger makes Sadie devour one of us."
Carter laughed, and Zia just shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The group left the pool and headed to one of Cairo's best restaurants, courtesy of Ikki, of course. Being pharaoh had its perks. Sadie and Zia seemed to be vying for his attention every step of the way, exchanging glances laden with silent intentions. Carter and Walt, on the other hand, were simply happy to escape their endless board game.
Instead of opting for a restaurant in the resort, the group headed to Saigon Restaurant & Lounge, located in the Fairmont Nile City, one of Cairo's most renowned five-star restaurants.
The sophisticated ambiance, decorated with elegant chandeliers and cozy furniture, provided an intimate atmosphere. The large windows offered a panoramic view of the Nile River, with the Pyramids of Giza in the distance, creating a breathtaking backdrop.
As they were led to their table, Sadie and Zia strategically positioned themselves next to Ikki, while Carter and Walt sat across from them. The waiter, dressed in an impeccable uniform, handed out the menus and patiently waited for their orders.
Sadie, always adventurous, opted to try the "Bun Thit Nuong," a Vietnamese salad with rice noodles and grilled pork. Zia chose the "Pho Bo," a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup with thin slices of beef. Carter decided on a "Com Chien," fried rice with seafood, while Walt preferred the "Ga Xao Xa Ot," stir-fried chicken with lemongrass and peppers. Ikki, appreciating Asian cuisine, chose the "Ca Kho To," caramelized fish in a clay pot.
While waiting for their dishes, they conversed.
Carter, naturally, was the first to bring a serious topic to the table.
"Did you guys see that recent discovery in Saqqara? It seems they've found more tombs of high priests from the 26th dynasty."
Walt nodded.
"I read about it. I find it amazing how, after thousands of years, we're still discovering new things."
Sadie grimaced as she twirled rice noodles on her fork.
"Well, considering how many Egyptian artifacts were looted and thrown into museums around the world, I'd be surprised if we'd already found everything."
Zia glanced at her sideways.
"I agree. At least some of these discoveries still remain in Egypt."
Ikki, who was taking a sip of water a waiter had kindly brought him, made a strange expression as he spoke.
"Are you guys discussing historical colonialism in the middle of lunch?"
"It's a valid discussion!" Carter protested.
Sadie snorted.
"Coming from you, who would write a master's thesis in the middle of a monster attack."
"Hey!" Then, after giving Sadie a deadly glare, by some miracle of the ancient Pharaohs, Carter posed a good question to the group: "Well, since this topic is so boring for you guys. If you could have dinner with anyone from history—excluding gods, please—who would you choose?"
Walt whistled.
"That's a good one."
Sadie leaned back in her chair, thoughtful.
"Hmm… maybe Cleopatra. I bet she has amazing gossip about Ancient Egypt."
"You just want to know about her romances." Carter rolled his eyes.
"So? She basically seduced two of the most powerful men in Rome. That takes talent."
Zia, who until then had been listening silently, spoke:
"I would choose Hypatia of Alexandria."
Carter's eyes widened, impressed.
"Good choice. One of the greatest philosophers of antiquity."
Zia nodded.
"I'd like to hear what she thought before everything fell apart."
Walt rested his elbows on the table.
"I'd choose Leonardo da Vinci. The guy was a genius at everything. Engineering, art, science… Imagine the kind of conversation we'd have?"
Carter became pensive.
"I think I'd choose Ramses II. He ruled Egypt for so long and built more monuments than any other pharaoh. It would be interesting to hear his stories directly from the source."
Everyone looked at Ikki, waiting for his answer. He took a sip of his drink and replied casually:
"Nikola Tesla."
Sadie blinked.
"The mad scientist?"
Ikki smiled.
"The misunderstood genius. He was brilliant, but he never got the recognition he deserved. I'd like to hear from him how it was to create things so advanced for his time and see others take the credit."
Zia tilted her head, evaluating his answer as if trying to decipher him.
"I didn't expect that choice."
"He's a fascinating guy." Ikki shrugged.
Sadie smiled.
"Well, at least no one chose someone boring like… I don't know, Napoleon."
"He'd be a terrible guest." Walt agreed.
The dishes arrived, interrupting the conversation. The aroma of spices and fresh ingredients filled the air, and everyone delighted in the delicacies before them.
Between bites and compliments to the cuisine, they discussed future plans, places they wanted to visit, and the next adventures that awaited them. Sadie and Zia, though discreet, couldn't completely hide the affectionate glances they cast at Ikki, each trying, in her own way, to capture his attention.
After the main courses were reduced to mere memories and the table was cleared, dessert arrived.
Sadie ordered a "Che Ba Mau," a colorful three-layered Vietnamese pudding, looking at the glass with suspicion before taking a spoonful and widening her eyes.
"Okay, this is surprisingly good."
Zia chose a "Banh Flan," a Vietnamese version of crème caramel, elegant and understated — like herself.
Walt opted for "Chuoi Chien," crispy fried bananas covered with condensed milk.
Carter, being Carter, played it safe and ordered fresh fruit with passion fruit sauce.
Ikki, on the other hand, chose "Banh Da Lon," a layered cake made of glutinous rice and coconut milk.
Sadie leaned over to peek at his dessert.
"Why does everything you choose seem sophisticated and mysterious?"
Ikki shrugged. "Maybe I have refined taste."
"Or maybe you just choose random things to look cool."
He smiled. "We'll never know."
The conversation flowed between laughter and teasing, but eventually the inevitable question arose.
"So…" Carter wiped his mouth with his napkin and looked around the table. "What are we doing this afternoon?"
Sadie was quick. "Shopping."
Carter groaned. "Again?"
"Of course! I need a dress for Ikki's farewell party."
Zia intervened in a neutral tone. "I would also like to see some shops."
Carter gave Walt and Ikki a pleading look, seeking support. Walt just smiled. "I don't mind. It's been a while since we've strolled through a mall."
Ikki, who was finishing his dessert, raised his hands in surrender. "Fine by me."
Sadie smiled victoriously. "Great. First, we'll go shopping. Then, we can go to the movies."
"And the resort?" Carter asked.
Walt shrugged. "We can go back there after the movies, relax a bit before dinner."
Zia looked at Ikki. "And you? Do you have any plans?"
He held his glass, swirling the water slowly. "Besides being dragged to a mall? No, I'm at your disposal."
Sadie clapped her hands. "Wonderful. Shopping, movies, resort, party. It's decided."
Carter sighed, resigned to his fate. Sadie and Zia, on the other hand, exchanged knowing glances and discreet smiles.
As soon as the desserts were devoured and the waiter brought the bill, Ikki grabbed it before Carter could even try to argue.
"I'm paying."
Carter frowned. "We can split it, you already paid for dinner yesterday—"
Ikki just raised an eyebrow.
"Carter, I'm a pharaoh."
Sadie snorted. "Translation: He can't resist a dramatic moment."
Zia, beside him, smiled slightly. "Thank you, Ikki."
He nodded, handing over the card without even looking at the amount. The waiter nodded respectfully and withdrew, leaving the group free to leave.
As soon as they left the restaurant, they were greeted by the scorching Cairo heat. The air vibrated with the city's movement; cars honking, tourists taking pictures of the Nile, street vendors calling out to customers in animated Arabic.
Carter looked at the sun and groaned. "Can we please not spend an eternity in traffic?"
Walt snapped his fingers. "We can use Apparate."
This was a magical spell Ikki created to replace travel through the Duat for Egyptian magicians. Besides teleporting, it concealed this fact from the surrounding people, who would ignore such a phenomenon of them disappearing or appearing out of nowhere as if it were normal.
Sadie clicked her tongue. "That means more time dragging you guys through the shops, but… well, sacrifices are necessary."
Once they decided to use Apparate, each began to murmur their own incantation. Walt and Zia, always disciplined, intoned the words in ancient Egyptian with precision, while Carter, even being a scholar, seemed a little more hesitant. Sadie, on the other hand, just muttered something casually, as if ordering a coffee.
Ikki, however, didn't need to do anything. He simply willed himself there.
The wind swirled around him like a desert breeze, and in a blink, he was already outside the mall.
The others only appeared a second later, each materializing with their own magical signature.
Sadie almost stumbled forward. "Okay. How the heck were you faster than us?"
Ikki just smiled, as if it were nothing special. "Maybe I just have a natural talent."
Zia analyzed him with her amber eyes gleaming with curiosity. "You didn't even need to cast a spell."
Ikki shrugged. "I wanted to be here, so… I was."
Carter crossed his arms. "That's not fair."
Walt laughed. "I guess being pharaoh has more perks than just paying our bills."
Sadie pointed a finger at Ikki. "That doesn't mean you're going to escape the tour. Let's go."
She took his arm, pulling him into the mall, while Zia, without saying a word, slid to his other side, as if not allowing Sadie to monopolize his attention.
Carter sighed at Walt. "This is going to be a long one, isn't it?"
Walt just smiled. "Definitely."
And so, without further delay, they entered the mall, ready to face the real challenge: surviving an afternoon of shopping with Sadie Kane.
As soon as they entered the mall, Carter and Walt, noticing the predatory gleam in Sadie's eyes, decided to act fast.
"Well, I… uh… think I need to see some things at the electronics store," Carter announced.
"And I'll go with him," Walt added before anyone could even ask.
Before Ikki could react, the two were already walking quickly in the opposite direction, as if fleeing from an ancient curse.
Ikki sighed. "Traitors."
Sadie just smiled and linked her arm through his. "Oh, don't worry. You have us."
Zia, without a word, took his other arm and began guiding him towards the clothing stores.
"Should I feel kidnapped?" Ikki asked.
"It's not called kidnapping if you enjoy it," Sadie retorted.
Ikki couldn't tell if that was blatant flirting or a joke…
Sadie and Zia dragged him from store to store, trying on clothes, debating styles, and occasionally asking for his opinion just to watch him squirm.
Sadie held a navy blue dress against herself and twirled around. "So, Your Majesty? Does this make me look stunning or incredibly stunning?"
Ikki opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Zia appeared beside him holding a blood-red dress.
"And this one?" she asked, her tone perfectly neutral, but her eyes fixed on him.
Ikki blinked. "I… uh… both are very beautiful."
Sadie snorted. "What a diplomatic answer."
Zia just smiled slightly, as if she'd expected that.
In the end, Sadie picked up three dresses "because you never know when an unexpected date might happen," while Zia chose something more discreet, but equally elegant.
Ikki, on the other hand, was forced to try on some new shirts because, according to Sadie, "the pharaoh has to be stylish."
After long trials, suggestive glances, and a concerning number of shopping bags, they finally went to the cashier.
Ikki, already used to footing the bill, swiped his card without even looking at the total.
Sadie patted him on the shoulder. "It's so nice to have a pharaoh friend."
"And a generous one," Zia added.
Ikki just sighed and picked up the bags. "Now what?"
Sadie clapped her hands. "Movie time!"
Zia nodded. "I hope Carter and Walt haven't escaped home."
Ikki smiled. "If they have, I'll bring them back."
And so, with bags in hand and the feeling of having won an epic battle, they headed towards the cinema, ready for the next phase of the outing: searching for Carter and Walt. They weren't hiding that well – it was enough to follow the sound of explosions and electronic sound effects to find them in a video game store.
Carter was testing a strategy game on the demo console, his brow furrowed in absolute concentration. Walt, beside him, held a controller and looked ready to attack some virtual enemy. Neither noticed the trio's approach.
Sadie crossed her arms and cleared her throat loudly. Nothing.
Zia tilted her head. "They seem… involved."
Ikki grinned. "I wonder if I yelled 'the British Museum is on fire' if Carter would react?"
Sadie chuckled. "I bet he would, but I prefer a more direct method."
She stealthily approached and turned off Carter's console.
The look of horror on his face was instantaneous. "WHAT?! I WAS WINNING THE GAME!"
Walt blinked, confused, and only then noticed the three standing there. "Oh… hi?"
Sadie smiled. "Hi. Glad you didn't get lost. Now come on, it's movie time."
Carter sighed, resigned, while Walt just smiled amusedly and placed the controller back on the stand.
After a brief discussion about which movie to watch (where Sadie championed a romantic comedy, Carter suggested a historical documentary, and Ikki threatened to abandon them if they had to watch anything boringly serious), they finally reached a consensus: a horror movie.
The chosen one? The Ring 2, which was the most infamous release of the year.
Sadie rolled her eyes. "Seriously? Another vengeful spirit story with long hair?"
Carter shrugged. "It's been the biggest horror hit this year so far."
Ikki smiled. "I bet it'll be fun."
Zia, always calm, simply observed. "I've seen worse things in Ancient Egypt."
Walt chuckled. "I bet you have."
With buckets of popcorn and sodas in hand, they settled into their seats. As expected, Sadie and Zia sat strategically next to Ikki, while Carter and Walt took the seats beside them.
The movie started and, like any good psychological horror, quickly established its sinister atmosphere.
At the first few scares, Sadie feigned disdain. "Oh, please, that wasn't even scary."
After a few more minutes, however, she began to shrink into her seat. In a particularly tense scene, she grabbed Ikki's arm without realizing it.
Zia, on the other hand, remained impassive; until a sudden apparition made her hand almost reach for Ikki's. But, realizing what she was about to do, she quickly grabbed a handful of popcorn and pretended that had been the plan all along.
Carter, being the nerd he was, kept muttering theories about the narrative, while Walt chuckled softly whenever one of his friends jumped in fright.
Ikki, of course, was completely relaxed. If he had already faced gods, monsters, and fate itself, a ghost girl with wet hair was no big deal.
When the movie ended, Sadie pretended she hadn't spent the last 40 minutes clinging to Ikki's arm.
She stood up quickly and tossed her hair back. "Well, that was… predictable. Nothing special."
Carter laughed. "Sure, because you didn't jump out of your seat twice."
Sadie punched him in the shoulder.
Zia adjusted her jacket and looked at Ikki. "I admit it was… interesting."
Ikki smiled. "Interesting enough for a second round? Or would you prefer a documentary about lost hieroglyphs?"
Zia raised an eyebrow. "Don't tempt me."
Laughing, the group left the cinema, still discussing the best (and worst) moments of the film.
After the movie, the group decided to explore the mall a little more before heading back to the resort. The place was bustling, full of tourists and locals enjoying the afternoon.
First stop? The arcade.
Sadie immediately headed to the dance game, challenging Walt to a competition. Surprisingly, he accepted the challenge with a confident smile.
"Oh, you're going to lose badly." Sadie snapped her fingers, already ready for victory.
Walt just smiled. "We'll see."
The music started, and the two began stepping on the illuminated panels to the fast pace of the game. Sadie, despite her confidence, began to realize that Walt really did have coordination. In the end, the scoreboard flashed: Walt won.
Sadie gaped. "What?!"
Walt laughed. "Egyptian magic improves reflexes."
Ikki just watched with his arms crossed. "It's good to see you have your priorities straight."
Meanwhile, Carter found a basketball game and challenged Ikki.
"I doubt you can make more baskets than me."
Ikki smirked. "Is that a challenge?"
Carter grabbed the ball and started shooting, scoring consecutive points. When his time was up, the scoreboard flashed: 92 points.
Ikki took the ball and casually threw the first basket.
In a few seconds, he was shooting the balls so fast that the machine could barely keep up. In the end, the scoreboard blinked: 180 points.
Carter stared at him, incredulous.
"That wasn't human."
Ikki smiled. "I'm half god. And half something else."
Zia and Sadie laughed.
After a few more games, the group decided to grab something to eat before heading back. They stopped at an ice cream shop, where Ikki paid for everyone's orders.
Sadie chose Belgian chocolate ice cream. Zia opted for pistachio. Carter picked vanilla with caramel, and Walt chose strawberry.
Ikki? Well, he mixed random flavors just to see what would happen.
When they finally returned to the St. Regis Cairo, the sun was already beginning to set. Instead of going straight to their rooms, they decided to enjoy the pool one last time before the farewell party.
The water was warm and relaxing. Ikki floated with his eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of lightness.
Sadie and Zia, of course, didn't let this pass.
Sadie stealthily approached and splashed some water on him.
"Hey." Ikki opened one eye.
"You looked too bored."
Zia also swam closer to him. "I agree."
Ikki sighed. "So you decided to drown me?"
Sadie grinned. "Basically."
Walt and Carter were further away, talking about something while they relaxed.
When the sky began to transform into shades of orange and purple, everyone decided to get out and get ready for the party.
Farewell Party on the Terrace
The terrace of the St. Regis Cairo was impeccably decorated. Golden lights shone softly, reflecting on the Nile just below. There was background music, sophisticated food, and even some members of the House of Life who had come to say goodbye.
Sadie and Zia were stunning in elegant dresses – something that, of course, Ikki noticed, but chose not to comment on to avoid being too obvious.
Carter and Walt were also well-dressed, although Carter seemed a little uncomfortable in a more formal outfit.
When Ikki arrived, he was greeted with a round of applause and greetings.
Sadie raised a glass of juice. "To one of the most insufferable and impressive pharaohs we've ever met!"
Zia smiled. "And may he never cease to surprise."
Ikki raised his glass. "And to friends who make everything worthwhile."
The party went on into the night, full of laughter, stories, and promises of reunions. But, deep down, Ikki knew that this would be a different kind of goodbye.
Fate still had many plans for him.