.^^ Brian the Boggart ^^

— James —

Cairo was a bustling city, full of life and random beauty, but it was also the only major city in the world that didn't have a Sanctuary. Not for lack of trying, of course; every year, someone tried to build a sanctuary, but without any Unterkin, creating a new sanctuary was basically impossible.

Without that particular blood magic, they were just very large underground shelters that quickly devolved into black markets.

But the original one, on the Delta, was left alone, for some reason. It was not a market of any kind, or even a normal sanctuary, but rather it was home to a massive hoard of Unseelie grumpkins, the little ones, the prey beasts, such as Pixies, Fairies, other magical creatures that couldn't defend themselves... and then there were the Boggarts.

Boggarts weren't inherently dangerous, but their almost complete immunity to all but the most sophisticated and powerful of magical and physical attacks, nigh-immortality, and ability to hide from literally any type of magic except blood magic; well, that was the source of countless hunts for their bodies, fur, blood, bones, ash, and research into the magical effects of each of them.

Their presence here was a secret for a very good reason, as there weren't many left, so I immediately understood why Mum had lied to protect them. The sanctuary was never 'desecrated' or 'breached', but rather the gates were destroyed; from the inside.

I sat on the porch of the little cottage, still here after all these years, and hummed. "Well, if I was an Unterking in service to a goddess, where would I hide my stuff?" I sighed.

"Oi! Elf-Boy! Shove off!" A gravelly voice growled from underneath the porch.

"My family owns this entire place. You can either put up with my presence or leave, I'm not bothering you!" I snapped back testily.

A little green boggart poked his head out, making me pause. "Is that so?" He murmured, then sniffed me. "Ahh, the Peterson's return! Good, we have needed the blood magic of an Unterkin for quite some time..." he skittered out from under the porch swiftly, and sat next to me, setting a cigar between his lips. "You gotta light, Elf-boy?" He grumbled, feeling his pockets.

"You and I both know you have a lighter in your coat, but an act of kindness isn't going to hurt either of us." I said dryly, and lit the cigar with my finger.

He grinned, showing silver sharks' teeth and tusks, set into ink-black gums. "Ahh, you got me! The name is Brian the Boggart, to you." He held out a tiny hand.

I shook it seriously, and then leaned against the wall. "James Peterson-Parthenos. You known many Peterson's?" I asked.

"Oh yes, indeed... I knew Durham, back in her prime... scary broad. Now! What brings you to Egypt, Elf-Boy?" He shrugged, and puffed on the cigar. Purple smoke lazily drifted out the corners of his mouth, sparking like it was live-wired magnesium.

"The sanctuary, and my grandfather. I need to find his stuff, basically." I showed him the rings on my necklace.

He whistled softly. "You've been wearing two pieces of magical Egyptian Gold around your neck, and no one has called you on it?" He asked incredulously.

"What's... Is Egyptian Gold different from Dwarven and Human?" I asked,

"Oh very." He said simply, and looked away, apparently fine answering.

"Can I get an explanation? What do you want?" I sighed.

"Hmm, smart boy. Knowledge is Power, and Power is never free." He smirked, pointing the cigar at me, then sighed. "The blood magic I mentioned... cast the barrier around our little slice of heaven, and I'll lead you to the Peterson Crypt."

"And around any obstacles, and towards what I want, and out of the crypt once I've gotten everything I need." I crossed my arms.

He grumbled. "I can't do that. I don't know the traps and pitfalls of the place."

"Do you know the exact coordinates of what I'm looking for?" I opened a little portal, and caught the soda that fell into my hand from Athenos's fridge.

His eyes widened. "That I do..."

"Done Deal, then. I give you a barrier, you give me information, coordinates, and three questions that you will go find answers for." I bartered shamelessly.

He twitched, then grumbled in an old dialect of Ancient Egyptian Arabic originating from this specific area of the Nile, making my eyes widen. "This one bargains like his Gran... all take-take-take..."

"How long have you lived in this place?" I asked in the same language, loving the feel of it on my tongue.

He grinned. "Since there was a forest here,, and this river was all Salt-Water. And that counts as on of your three questions."

"Fair enough." I shrugged, and walked to the storm-cellar door, which led into the sanctuary. "Now who do you want to keep out?" I asked him.

He grinned. "Second question. And I want to keep out anyone and everyone who's here for trouble, simple as that. Also, maybe it could disguise the exit? Make getting in and out easier without making us predictable? We get caught that way."

"I can handle that..." I nodded, and gently cut the tip of my pointer finger open, using my own blood as a catalyst, to draw the Runes that created the sanctuary barriers. I set the barriers carefully, gathering the edges and taking a few extra feet of rocks, then simply removed the exit.

The only way in was the spell, which I carefully created, (and then dispersed mentally, to everyone inside,) which would allow you to open one of my Ice Portals into the Sanctuary, but the barrier was still in affect, meaning those who had dangerous intentions were unable to enter.

When you wanted out, the portal would only send you to a set of predetermined exits, limiting its usefulness, but also severely decreasing the power necessary, what with the channels already being open, so the smallest and weakest of the prey-beings could open the portals without draining themselves of energy. The exits were set inside sanctuaries, one on each continent to choose from, or simply sending you to the Cottage Cellar, the Old Entrance/Exit.

I explained what I was doing, as I was doing it, and Brian the Boggart hummed deeply, puffing in his cigar. "That's some mightily interesting spell-casting there... where'd a Peterson learn how to be a Skald?" He asked.

"I take a question back! Ha! And I learned from the Belfast Skalds, because Warren Peterson is marrying one of their daughters." I smirked.

He tsk'ed. "Point to you... anyway, you held your end of the deal, I suppose, but I won't give you another question. I would consider a new Deal, however?"

"We'll get to that, don't worry. I need those coordinates and my one question, now, before we continue." I shook my head.

"Understood... here." He took a piece of paper from his pocket, and a map began to draw itself, a map of the Nile, and all of Egypt around it, in incredible detail. "Ask It anything about Egypt, the Nile, or even the gods of Egypt, and it will answer... but the harder the answer, the more coded it will be. Riddles and such."

"And this covers... the coordinates." I said carefully.

"Correct. Now your question. Egyptian Gold is blessed with godly magic, like a Demigod or a Godly Weapon. The Egyptian Gods were much less stingy about sharing their power with humans than other gods, resulting in thousands upon thousands of Demigods, over the millennia, and also an abundance of magical artifacts. Most Egyptian Gold was destroyed, when the Christians began their hunt for heretical magic. The pyramids hold whatever is left, because no one could get in." He shrugged. "Now! I'll be going-"

I grinned. "No... I haven't asked my question yet."

He froze, then narrowed his eyes at me. "You tricked the trickster... Not wise."

"Oh please, you saw that coming a mile away. What magic is in Egyptian Gold?" I asked.

"Hmm... I suppose... fuck it! Egyptian Gold was made by Ptah, to be given to Narmer, the once-avatar of Horus, as a coronation present, and congratulations for his consorting with Niethhotep, the once-avatar of Serket. But, as they were no longer gods, Ra forbid it, and the Gold was to be given to them in the afterlife, as a compromise. It was stolen from their tombs in the first Pyramid, and circulated through the magical and non-magical Black markets. Then it was mostly destroyed, as you know." He sighed.

"And what does it do? Is it cursed? Magically charged?" I pressed.

He blinked. "Ah, that... Yes." He grinned and snapped his fingers, disappearing instantly. A portal opened, where he'd been standing, and I grabbed his collar, despite being unable to see him.

"I'm not quite done with you, there. What did you mean, 'no longer a god'? And the 'avatar'? Are you saying that the Egyptian Gods use human beings as Golems?" I asked incredulously.

He grinned. "No comments, buddy. Now, these portals, they're very ostentatious, and that just isn't the Boggart way, you know what I mean?"

"Well, I'll be needing your blood, if you want me to make those portals invisible, like you. And you'll need to be the Owner of the Sanctuary, as well, or else..." I shrugged casually.

He reappeared, and frowned at me. "Fine. What needs to be done?"

"Simple. I have to make you an Unterkin. Shouldn't be too hard, seeing as you're already more powerful than me... by far. I just need you to bleed on the Gate with me, and I can transfer my 'domain', so to speak, to you." I explained partially.

He grinned. "And you also transfer my abilities to yourself! Sneaky, but I like it."

I grinned and opened a small portal, gripping the edge. He did the same, and we both put our hands on the center, before cutting our fingers and mixing the blood.

I paused. "Hey, Tell me that Boggarts can't get or give bloodborne viruses and STD's?" I said slowly.

He laughed. "None that could possibly infect you."

"Thank god, I didn't even consider it beforehand." I sighed in relief, and started the magic.

I realized that not everyone in my family would be happy about my recent magical mixtures, making myself a Magical Mutt ten times over, so I used the surge of power to isolate all the abilities I'd collected, and shift them into the clan's Blood Magic, instead of sitting in my body, accessible and dangerous to anyone that didn't have the same amount of magic as me.

This also helped me, in case my next Chrysalis made it even more difficult to use magic, beyond my current incapacity, which I'd mastered only by focusing on Wild Magic, then taming it. Skald Magic was another thing, but that was easily shifted into the blood magic as well.

Once I had that finished, I worked on what I'd been originally doing, gifting the Boggart with a piece of the Unterkin connection that I had with the Sanctuary, and pulling his own abilities and knowledge into my Blood Magic. I applied them to the Sanctuary Spell, and then let go of the Portal.

The connection to the Sanctuary Hit immediately, and I shivered as our bond ended, the portal dissipating, but the power stayed. It ripped through me, like ice in my veins, and worked its way into my muscles and organs, even the layers and films of armor inside my body. It settled down after a moment, but I grinned as I felt the other members of my family relax, each having been given a taste of what I was experiencing.

Brian the Boggart shivered, then grinned widely. "That was fun! So, what's next? It can't be that easy." He asked.

I chuckled. "Easy? No. Done? Yes. Now, I have a previous engagement, so I'll be going." I nodded, and pulled out the map, speaking to it quietly. "Where is my Grandfather's Godly Weapon?"

I sensed it trying to give me a riddle, and instead of waiting, I just gripped it tightly, and poured magic into it, demanding an answer. It shivered, almost sentiently, and then gave me the answer, reluctantly.

The little 'X' was literally on top of me, and when I took a step to the left, it followed. The logic immediately clicked, connecting Ptah to the ring, and therefore Bast, so I pulled the two rings off my necklace, and examined them closely. "Interesting... to think I've been carrying you around for so long... you must be Keys, like the ring Athenos made me for the Gates..." I nodded, and placed the rings on my first two fingers.

The map instantly changed, showing me a location in the Nile, which I could access easily. I hummed, and opened my portal, gazing through, but keeping it turned away from me, just in case there were any traps that would try to melt my face off, or something. (I'd seen Raiders of the Lost Arc too many times to not be cautious.)

Instead, I found a room full of broken things, shattered relics, and over-used talismans, along with old crystals, piled up and under a behemoth of a creature, a giant chimera of some sort, with golden feathers and fur, and silver claws and scales.

I grinned, and stepped into the room. The chimera's head snapped towards me, and I waved slowly. "Hi." I said casually.

It cocked its head slowly, then narrowed its eyes, which dilated, apparently trying to see me.

"You're farsighted, right? Here." I stepped back, to the edge of the room, and it squawked softly, sitting up.

"Who are you?" It grumbled in an animalistic language, like the other animals I'd spoken to, but more articulate, as it stood up warily.

I smiled. "I am James Peterson-Parthenos. And you?"

The chimera paused, and settled, tucking its paws under its chest like a very large cat. "I have never been given a name. I am the Guardian. So long as you did not come to steal the Hoard, I am not obligated to hurt you."

"Steal? My Clan owns this particular Hoard." I chuckled.

He cocked his head slowly. "I see... I was not aware it was possessed by any one Clan... it was created to keep all the Artifacts away from the Skalds. That is my purpose here as well."

"Alright... so would you mind if I destroyed them all?" I asked slowly.

He fidgeted, muttering to himself, and turned in a few circles, before pausing. "What would I do, then, if the Hoard is destroyed?"

"You could live in the Boggart Sanctuary, if you liked. Very few humans go there, besides myself. You could guard that place against the people who want to kill the Boggart's and Pixies and the like." I offered casually.

He grinned savagely, the snake-like scales at the base of his beak twisting. "I'd see much more action with that assignment, wouldn't I?"

"You would Indeed." I smiled.

He nodded, climbing off the Hoard. "Alright. I will go, then. Open one of your little portals, Elf!" He chuckled excitably.

I nodded, creating a Geas Contract with him mentally, sealed in his blood. I didn't want any nasty surprises, later on. The portal took him to the Cottage, where he laid on the roof, gazing at his new kingdom.

As I closed the portal, I saw Brian approach him, and begin a discussion. I turned away, and began cataloguing the Hoard.

Most of it was Christian artifacts, made from substandard materials, just blessed with a good amount of power, but there were a few non-Roman/Greek objects, and those were my original prerogative.

The map showed me that the weapon I was looking for was somewhere in the room, but it couldn't exactly zoom in, so I was basically out of luck, unless I found it myself.

"Or... if I just break down everything in this room, I'll find it anyway, won't I?" I grinned.

"That is not wise, child." A tall man, with thin limbs and the head of a stork, strode through a silver veil slowly.

I blinked slowly, and found I couldn't speak his language. It flowed from his mouth in hieroglyphic symbols, filled with raw power. "I'm guessing either Ptah or The Ibis?" I settled for Brian's Egyptian.

He chuckled softly, his beak clacking together rhythmically. "You are Correct. I am Ptah, God of Craftsmen and Power, in The Valley. My wife has taken an interest in you, and so I cannot allow you to die such a grizzly death as what awaits you, should you try to absorb all of this godly magic."

"Well, what if I absorbed one piece at a time into my weapon, let the sword overpower it, and eat it, therefore gaining its power, before absorbing more? Bast said she would give me power if I asked for it, but I just want to control the power I have, really. So far, Magic has been something I've had to fight with, to Wield properly. I would simply like to control it, for once." I sighed.

He hummed, and looked around the room. "While that would save you from death, that magic is not something any mortal could hold within itself. Not even a Demigod could. Many have tried."

"Did said Demigods have what I have?" I motioned to my skin.

He knew what I meant, it appeared, because his eyes narrowed a bit, like he was looking through me. "You speak arrogantly, but truly... and it is true that if you manage this, my wife receives much more power from you, as a part of your deal... but it is still unwise. Your mortal mind would break under the duress."

I grinned. "What If... I gave almost all of the magic to My Ancestral and Blood Magic's? Instead of keeping it in my body, where it could harm me, I would put it someplace I could access it freely, but only for a little time."

He tapped his beak in a soft rhythm, and nodded. "Yes, that would do nicely... and in this way, all your children would be Demigods of Bast. She will like having more children to love, she has always adored mortal children... my gift to her, for 7,000 happy years together." He laughed softly, and then clapped his hands, just once.

The sound thundered like a lightning strike right on top of my eardrum, and I blacked out.