Dean Henry Fogg sat in his office, he gave a long and heavy sigh, then lifted his glass of whiskey and took a slow sip.
"I have seen a lot of things in my days," he muttered to the person sitting infront of him. "And when I say a lot… I mean a fucking lot."
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the swirling amber liquid like it held memories he would rather forget.
"I once traveled to a dimension where the air itself was enough to get you high. Literally intoxicating. A whole pocket realm handcrafted by Dionysus himself. Oh yes, that Dionysus, the god of wine and intoxication."
He waved a tired hand. "I saw things there… great many things. Things that would make most people reconsider every life choice that got them there."
He exhaled through his nose.
"And even here, in Brakebills, I've seen a lot from each class set. Chaos, idiocy, brilliance, trauma, more idiocy… but this set—"
His tone shifted into something between disbelief and resignation.
"—ohhh, this set is fucked up."
He took another slow sip.
"Thirty-nine fucking times with this set. Thirty-nine."
He pointed at the air.
"And each time you all continue to surprise me with ideas so catastrophically stupid that most therapists would classify them as signs of being mentally disturbed."
Another sip.
"But then," he said dryly, "one must be at least a little unhinged to become a proper magician."
He adjusted his glasses, straightened slightly, and finally looked at the person sitting across from him again.
"But you, Kai…"
He shook his head.
"You've been nothing but a surprise. Trouble, yes. More trouble than you're worth, frankly. But still a surprise nonetheless. And the fact that this cohort survived The Beast this time around because of you? Commendable. And frankly a relief for me. I really didn't want to be forced into another damn reboot."
Kai stretched his legs out, crossed his arms, and raised a brow.
"So let me get this straight," he said, dragging the words out just enough to irritate Fogg. "You've been to a dimension where the air is basically magically infused opium… and you left?"
Fogg snorted "Oh yes."
Kai stared dumbfounded. "Why the fuck would you leave such a place?"
"Duties to attend to," Fogg replied. "Even with the orgies and all, I couldn't abandon my job."
Kai blinked. "Wait… wait, wait orgies?"
"Oh, it's a thing with the Greek gods." Fogg said it so casually that one might think he was mentioning the weather.
Kai nodded slowly.
"Oh no, yeah, sure, orgies. Of course. Because when I think ancient divine beings, the first thing that comes to mind is mandatory group sex. Then again they are the inventors of orgies so I guess it fits."
Fogg actually paused. Then "…Huh. Well, when you put it that way, I suppose it is true."
He then cleared his throat and leaned forward, eyebrows drawing together
"What you are proposing, Kai… isn't something that has ever been done. I'm not sure it's even possible."
His gaze dropped to what is being twirled on Kai's finger, the lamp.
"Trapping and transforming such an entity into a captive? That would require more power than even I can provide."
Kai nodded like he already expected that.
"Oh yeah, sure, I'm well aware of that tiny little fact."
He shrugged. "But that's not what I want."
This made Fogg freeze. "…What is it, then?"
Kai flicked a finger idly.
"Oh, nothing. I just need some magically charged conductive metals. The same ones used in building the Clean Room."
Fogg's brows lifted.
"Oh. I see. Clever of you."
Kai smirked. "Oh, it's not for what you think. But hey, points for guessing."
——————————————
Senator John sat with his campaign team around the long mahogany table, papers spread out with everyone arguing over strategy. But John wasn't even listening. His eyes kept flicking to the man sitting across from him.
Raynard In a tailored black suit, legs crossed, looking amused like this whole political operation was a child's game.
John continued by giving orders to his team.
"Push that bill forward, and I want a meeting with—"
Raynard chuckled softly.
John stopped to look at him puzzled at what he was laughing at.
Raynard stood up, exhaled and addressed John's team, "Everyone, leave the room."
They didn't question it. Not a single hesitation. They simply packed their notes, nodded and filed out instantly. John stared after them, stunned.
"Oh… so now they take orders from you."
Raynard laughed, warm and cruel.
"They have always taken orders from us. They're the sheep, waiting to be led. And we" he tapped his chest lightly, "Are gods. This is who we are. And this is who you are John."
He leaned forward with his eyes changing back to it's natural slitted amber appearance.
"This is their purpose for living. They exist by the grace of the gods, to serve, to obey, to satisfy our needs. Nothing more."
John shook his head. "But they have lives."
"Yes," Raynard said with a grin, "because we allow it, kid. Nothing more."
"Why don't you call your assistant and place that little call for you? When I command mortals, all I need to do is look into their eyes… and tell them what to do."
"Just like that?" John murmured.
"Yup. It's that easy. Use them however we want, whenever we want, my son."
He adjusted his jacket.
"Now, I have other things to attend to. Excuse me."
He then vanished before John could even process a thought like the room had briefly blinked.
——————————————
Kai stood on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets, looking up at the towering government building.
He sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"Man… I hate politics."
Looking to the side due to the commotion he saw security agents moved in and out of the lobby looking tense and scanning around the area.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"…Hmm. That could work."
⸻
John was in another office with Senator Bracken, a man who had made a career out of being unpleasant.
Bracken droned on "This bill requires compensation, John. If it's so important then finding me that five mill shouldn't be so hard."
"I'm not adding another amendment." John stressed out.
You invited me here John let's not forget that, you need my support for you to get this bill in the bag. Without my help well let's just say you are far out of your depth. Frankly, I expected better than this waste of time."
John exhaled, tired and rubbed his forehead.
John turned sharply, walked right up to him, and looked him dead in the eyes.
"You will pass the bill," John said quietly. "You will support it and I will have your vote."
Bracken blinked. Then his face softened into a strange smile. "John… this is the best suggestion. I don't know why we haven't agreed to this already, my boy. You have my full support."
John stared, shocked, amazed… horrified.
He shook the man's hand and noticed he started trembling trembling.
"Are you… alright?"
Bracken's face twitched in pained.
"Oh my, I must've stood up too fast" He collapsed back into his chair.
"Becca! Becca, get the medic!" John shouted.
⸻
Cindy stepped in to the office and saw John in his distressed state pacing around the room back and forth.
"John? You said you needed me?"
"Cindy… hey." John swallowed, rubbing his hands together. "I need to tell you something."
She paused, sensing his panic and tried to calm him down.
"Ok, what is it honey? Are you okay?"
"Um… I'm not human, Cindy. I'm, I'm…"
He struggled, voice shaking. She slowly shook her head.
"Baby, look at me," he said softly. "I don't know what's happening, but please… I need your support."
She looked at him for a long moment. Then suddenly she smiled in a calm, serene and almost dreamy way.
"Of course, sweetheart. I'll always support you."
John gave her a tired, almost resigned smile.
"Okay."
The moment she left the room, John covered his mouth with his hand, horrified.
A guard near the door stepped back in.
"Senator… anything you need?"
"Um… no. I just need a minute."
John turned away, rubbing his face but he still felt the guard still standing there.
He turned and addressed the guard again "You can go now," John said but strangely the guard didn't move.
Instead he said "You're taking that harder than I thought."
John blinked. "What?"
"Your position," the guard clarified. "You're taking it harder than you should. Then again, that's normal. Especially when you've just learned you're a demigod."
John froze.
"…Who are you? Are you with Raynard?"
The guard burst out laughing. "Me? With that sorry excuse of a god? Hell no."
"Then who are you?"
The guard's face rippled like a mirage and shifted.
John's eyes widened as he saw who it is.
"You—"
The glamor lifted and the guards appearance shifted to show Kai.
"Well hello there. I think we should have a chat, but first…"
He suddenly blurred out of the room and a split second later he reappeared again holding an unconscious Cindy gently in his arms.
John's voice broke as he saw his wife in such a state. "What did you—?!"
Kai raised a hand.
"Hey, hey, hey she's okay. Just unconscious."
"Then why—?!"
"One: to prevent your father from ripping her away from you just because you are talking to me or if you decide to go talk to someone he doesn't approve of. And two: to prevent him from literally ripping her apart."
"…What?!"
"Yeahhh," Kai said casually. "So. Are you ready to talk or…?"
John swallowed and nodded.
Kai grinned, "Marvelous."