The final chamber was beyond breathtaking.

The rounded walls were pained with whites, silvers, and golds. Myriad of precious gemstones created star-like patterns. Ancient writing lined the furthest wall. The floor was made of polished onyx. At the centre of the chamber was a rounded dais made of diamonds. The very room glowed with power.

It was hard not to stare, as the group quickly discovered. Even the Terpolite forces could do little to hide their awe.

Nephthys, however, was the only one not impressed by the chamber. She stood beside the ancient writing, reading the symbols and nodding to herself.

Nephthys spun around.

She stood before the pedestal, a fake grin plastered to her face. "My daughters and my son. There is no way you or your friends could stop me." The smile became a scowl. "So don't bother trying. Hand over my granddaughter so the procedure can begin and everyone can leave peacefully."

Colt placed himself between Nephthys and Hathor, keeping the girl behind him as the others took up defensive positions around them.

Amneris, however, was focusing on a different part of the woman's speech.

"Wait, 'daughters'?" She glanced at Xix, eyes widening. Amneris looked back and forth between her mother and Xix before finally settling on her mother. "You fucked the Dark King?" She grimaced. "I knew you'd sunk low, but I didn't think you'd sunk that low." She glanced over her shoulder at Xix. "No offence."

Xix shook her head. "None taken."

Nephthys cleared her throat. "You don't agree to my terms?"

"Hmm? Oh!" Amneris clapped her hands together with a grin before deadpanning. "No. Not a fucking chance."

Nephthys sighed. "And I had such high hopes for my eldest daughter."

"Yeah," Amneris muttered, examining her nails. "Such high hopes that you decided to torture me as a child until you were kicked off the planet because I was chosen and you weren't."

The woman's eyes flared with anger. "I should have torn it out of you." A grin filled the brim with insanity crossed her features. "No time like the present to make up for past mistakes!"

Nephthys reached behind her form, unsheathing a scythe from her back. It was made from metal such a deep black that it appeared to absorb light from the room. It radiated with dark aura. Dark, but not necessarily evil.

Xix gaped. "Is that . . ?"

"Iniq's Scythe," Amneris nodded. "Forged by Death herself."

"The Immortal Slayer."

Amneris grimaced at the blade's name said aloud. Things suddenly became more complicated than first anticipated. This one was not going to be easy.

Jay's voice appeared in her mind. Why do they need Hathy?

Amneris, suddenly grateful for her Advisor's less-known abilities, said, Only the Vessel of Time can open the portal to the Weapon. How many people with powerful time magic do you know.

She didn't need to turn around to see his reaction.

Are the others online? Amneris asked.

What do you take me for, a fool?

She rolled her eyes, deciding not to answer. Everyone, listen up. No matter what happens, do not, I repeat, do not let any of them near Hathy. She's the only one who can open the portal. If they get her, it's game over. Understood?

Affirmation followed.

Amneris unsheathed her staff. She gripped it tight with both hands. "Well, here goes something."

* * * * * * * *

Nephthys charged forward, swinging wildly with the Scythe. Amneris flipped backward, crouching low and catching the blade on her staff. She pushed back. Nephthys stumbled though recovered quickly.

Nephthys swung down with the Scythe. Amneris yelped, rolling away. She pushed to her feet and surged forward, lashing out with her power. Bolts of cyan energy flew from her hand, headed straight toward Nephthys. The woman was unperturbed by her daughter's show of power, swinging the Scythe to intercept. It absorbed Amneris' attack.

Amneris grimaced, retreating a few steps. She was going to have to come up with another idea.

* * * * * * * * *

As Amneris and her mother fought, Xix, Colt, and Axel were facing off against Aurelia. The Terpolite warrior held her own against the three, parrying each one of their attacks with ease, her silver-gold blades whistling against the air.

She lunged. Colt caught the blade on the curve of his khopesh. Aurelia flipped her second sword, slamming the hilt into Colt's stomach. He fell to the ground, winded. Aurelia moved to make the finishing blow-

Axel grabbed her from behind, falling backward and kicking her off. He rolled to his feet, tackling Aurelia and unleashing a furious wave of punches. Aurelia dropped her swords in favour of dodging his attacks. Seeing her on the offensive, Axel grinned. Aurelia smiled sweetly.

She caught his fist, spinning and grabbing his arm with her other hand in one movement. Axel was thrown across the room. He slumped against the wall, head bleeding. Kayla was at his side in an instant.

By now, Colt was back on his feet standing beside Xix, hand on his stomach.

Aurelia frowned at the pair. She could sense their powers building. Axel may have been an armature but these two knew what they were doing. She may have to up her game, assuming they truly let loose.

* * * * * * * *

Amneris and Nephthys circled each other.

Together, they charged forward, metal and enchanted wood slamming against each other, sparks flying as their magic danced and pushed against each other.

Nephthys released one hand from the body of the Scythe, twisting around Amneris, holding her in place with one arm. She grabbed a handful of her daughter's hair, yanking firmly. Amneris cried out, dropped her staff in shock. She grasped Nephthys' arm, channelling her power into an electric attack. Nephthys screamed, releasing Amneris.

Amneris panted as she reclaimed her staff. "Seriously? Hair pulling? What are you, one hundred?"

The woman roared. She sheathed the Scythe. Nephthys lunged forward, tackling Amneris to the ground.

* * * * * * * *

Zoe, Jay, Ema, and Hathor stood back-to-back, Kek lingering close by as the Terpolite soldiers closed ranks around them.

"Ideas?" Ema asked.

Zoe glanced around, eyes landing on the lighting up above. She smiled. "I have one."

She snapped her fingers. the light became blinding, all crying out and turning away. Jay and Hathor took the opportunity to leap into action in opposite directions.

The pair each held two clear-green stones. They threw them to the ground and called, "Azity!"

Together, they raised their hands and motioned for the air to move around them in a clockwise direction. It increased in speed with each passing second. Hathor glanced over her shoulder to Jay who winked. They pushed out with their hands. The Terpolite soldiers were sent flying.

Ema rubbed at her eyes. "Impressive," she said. "Little warning on the lighting next time."

Zoe laughed, waving a hand. The lighting returned to normal. "Always expect the unexpected."

"Yeah," Kek said. "Always expect it."

He surged forward, grabbing Hathor and spinning her until his back was pressed to his front. He held a knife to her throat, his arm firmly around her. She struggled against his grip. He pressed the knife into her skin, drawing a small trickle of gilded blood.

With a flick of the wrist, Kek tossed the stones he held in his free hand toward the other four. They exploded. Ema, Jay, and Zoe were tossed from their feet, sprawling on the ground.

Satisfied, Kek tugged Hathor with him. "You're coming with me, girly, and you're going to open that portal."

"No!" she yelled. "I won't open it."

"I never said you had a choice."

Kek tossed Hathor onto the dais.

* * * * * * * *

The result was instantaneous.

The diamond - at least, it appeared to be diamond - dais glowed silver in response to Hathor's touch. Her own body glowed the same colour. Hathor gasped, jumping to her feet and making to leap from the dais-

Something stopped her. Energy ropes wrapped around her body, holding her in place.

The glow of the body and dais became brighter, brighter, brighter-

Hathor's eyes widened as she saw what was about to happen.

A beam of pure light shot from her body, aiming straight toward Amneris and Nephthys who were still wrestling on the floor.

"Watch out!" Hathor yelled over the hum of power.

Amneris and Nephthys looked up.

The beam of light overtook them. They vanished into nothing.