Chapter 15: The Worlds End on the Horizon

Chapter 15:

The World's End on the Horizon

When Cygnus had not returned from his obligations and the days passed by, Brax thought nothing of it. Lancelot claimed he didn’t know where Cygnus had run off to, and told them that he was likely tying up some loose knots before their southward journey. To compensate for the impromptuness, Brax and Xinyu were given a small, but comfortable room in Avalon’s guild building along with a hefty bag of gold coins to indulge in Wunderdum’s culture while they waited for his return. It was a time Brax enjoyed dearly, for he never had such luxury. He only wished he could share it with his family.

On the fourth morning, Brax went out to the apothecary, and bought some medicine that might make his daughter well. He wasn’t sure what he needed exactly, but it was something that had to help with raspy coughs and asthmatic tendencies. Those symptoms weren't much to go off of, but they never had enough money for a proper analysis. Doc Faust may have been skilled in crafting medicines from native plants, but he could never detect what was wrong with Nora. With the gold they had left, however, there was more than enough to get her treatment and still mess around the city for a few more weeks if he so wished, though he’d hoped it wouldn’t be that long as he wanted to get back to his family as soon as possible. He also planned to split off from Xinyu before they headed south.

“It sure was nice of them to give us some spending money while we wait,” Brax remarked, childishly toying with the coins, admiring how shiny they were. The sun had already risen and the streets were loud with city sounds.

“It is too nice,” Xinyu said. She was pensively observing the crowds from the second floor window. “I am sure they are hiding something.”

“Why’s that?” Brax asked.

“I am grateful, but full of hesitation,” Xinyu said. “I do not believe they are telling us everything. While I am curious about the goals of Cygnus, something else is going on with this Lancelot. He knows more than he lets on.”

“Surely they ain’t got no reason to deceive us,” Brax said.

“They do not seem bad, but… they are watching–”

“And even if they have ulterior motives, you're super strong!” Brax interrupted. “Heck, ya even beat Cygnus Rift in a duel. You can just kick their butts if they try anything.”

Xinyu looked back and smiled.

“You are right, Brax,” she said. “I have no need for doubt. You have got medicine for your daughter already, yes? Let us go explore the city some more. I hear they have something called an ant-eater-theatre where they perform shows!”

“I think ya mean amphitheater…”

Meanwhile, in Lancelot's study, a rat observes a conversation the old man is seemingly having with himself.

“She’s growing suspicious, you know,” Lancelot said, talking into a crystal cube on his desk. “I take it Cygnus is still occupied?”

“Yes. Do whatever it takes to keep her entertained. If the great prophets are right, then we must control her movements,” a voice emitted by the crystal said. “The first wave of calamity will soon arrive, and if we may exchange her life for more time, then we will do so.”

“If you think you can manipulate fate, you’re dead wrong,” Lancelot said. “Moving the pieces on the board won’t change the outcome.”

“We will use her while we can,” the voice said. “It’s not just me, it’s Kitsune’s belief as well. You are correct, her fate, alongside humanity’s, won’t change, which is why we must escape while we’ve still got the chance.”

“And what if the gods begin to descend before then?” Lancelot asked. “What if Zeus or Sango decide it’s time for humanity to end, and just hop on down from heaven and kill us all.”

“Do I really need to answer that?” the voice asked curtly. “We’re working to escape before that happens.”

“If only Arthur and all of us were still young…” Lancelot trailed off.

“But you aren't, and there's no one else who can help us,” the voice said followed by a click.

“Curse you, Lionel you brat,” Lancelot muttered.

After the ball’s glow faded, the rat scurried away and ran back to Xinyu’s shoulder where it whispered what it had heard into her ear.

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“Hmm, that is interesting,” Xinyu mumbled to herself as the rat ran in another direction. “So they are already in communication with Kitsune.”

“What?” Brax asked.

“Nothing,” Xinyu said. “Ah look! A market square! Let us go there. They might have those delicious chocolate delicacies there!”

“I sure hope so,” Brax said. “They taste so good, but I heard they ain’t so good for your belly.”

“Ha! We can worry about that when we are old and elderly!” Xinyu said.

“But I am old…”

As Xinyu and Brax pushed their way into the stuffy, overcrowded square, they saw a man on a wooden pedestal shouting to the crowds. He was in the gold and white priest’s cloth of Zeus's devotion– a high accolade in Westland religion. Brax had heard of the elder god's branch of influence when he lived on the outskirts of Zenith and knew its symbol well, though he had never seen its creed in action. The man was preaching strange hymns to the crowds that gathered.

“Live by the gods, die by the gods, Zeus has left us,” the man shouted. “The end of all time and magic is upon us! I see them! An army of angels upon us to herald the end! Visions gone black, and humanity becomes no more! Repent now, or you will know no mercy in death.”

The crowds murmured far and wide as gossip and rumors spread. Some were worried about the increasing number of prophets and holy men going mad about the alleged end of the world, while others were full of skepticism saying that it wasn't the first time humanity was supposed to die out. Of course, not the Westland kingdom nor the entire world had ever seen a prophecy on such a unanimous scale, and that itself was worrisome to the people, regardless of how unbothered some may have acted.

“Hey, hey,” Brax said, leaning into Xinyu's ear. “Do ya buy all this talk of the end times n’ these so-called prophecies?”

“There is some merit in them,” Xinyu said. “But I do not believe in destiny predetermined by the essence of nature, the gods, or any other greater power. Through all the absurdity of this world, the only truth I believe in is the one I make for myself.”

“And what truth is that?” Brax asked.

“That I alone decide fate,” Xinyu said. She was gazing forward as she spoke. “Even if I must change reality itself, I will make the impossible possible. Of that, I promise.”

“Ha! Wish I could be optimistic like you. To me it all seems kinda… hopeless,” Brax said. “Is nature somethin’ you can even go against?”

“I do not know,” Xinyu said. “But if you believed the world was soon to end, what would you do”

“There ain’t nothing I can do in that situation,” Brax admitted. “Unlike you, I never been strong. But I’ll help ya save it if that’s watcha want.”

“And if I die?” Xinyu asked. “What then?”

“I dunno,” Brax said. “You shouldn't talk like that, though. It's bad luck.”

“That is true!” Xinyu said as she smiled. “I am full of fortune and will not die any time soon. Even if I do, I will find a way to come back… like Wukong!”

“Wukong? Who's that?” Brax asked.

“He was a mortal who stole immortality from the Eastland heavens,” Xinyu said. “He is a very strong monkey whose soul not even I can take power from. It was said that when he was sent to hell by the jade emperor he merely came back. So, if I die, then I will do the same.”

“I don't think such a thing is possible,” Brax laughed.

“Silly Brax. Anything is possible!” Xinyu said. “So, if my demise meets me during our adventure, will you continue to fight until I come back?”

“Uh, sure,” Brax said. “I guess I owe ya for taking me along… but why are ya bringing this up? You planning on dying or somethin’?”

“I do not! But even though my truths are unbreakable, my body is not. Come, let us continue forward!” Xinyu said. In spite of traveling together for a few weeks already, Brax still could not tell what she was thinking or make sense from her nonsensical phrases. Surely she would not die anytime soon, else he would not know what to do. He was not strong, nor was he smart. He didn't have much money to his name, and quite frankly, he was just another nobody peasant well out of his prime. If she died, then he would have no reason to continue the journey he was on. By himself, he could not accomplish anything, and he knew this better than anyone.

On the other hand, if he died, Xinyu would continue on the same path as she always had. He was, and he knew it, dispensable. An accessory to the murder of whatever that girl was planning.

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After walking a few more blocks, the snake of the zodiac slithered to Xinyu. This time, Brax caught a glimpse of it. It swiftly wriggled up Xinyu's leg, and coiled itself upon her shoulder, seemingly burying its sharp head in her ear. After moments of incomprehensible and quiet hissing, her eyes shifted and she sharply glanced at the sky.

“Brax…” she started.

“Yes?” Brax asked.

“I must go somewhere,” she said. “Will you be fine by yourself for a day or two?”

“Uh… where?” Brax asked.

“Something is coming, and I fear I must be the one to stop it,” Xinyu said.

“What is it?” Brax asked. He began to grow increasingly worried.

“Do not concern yourself with it yet,” Xinyu said. “But if I do not return by tomorrow, assume that I am… ah. Sorry. If I do not return by tomorrow, you must run. Far away. Do not let your dream die and fight on my behalf.”

“The hell are you saying?” Brax asked.

“Do not worry!” Xinyu said. “This is only a precaution. I am more than capable of handling anything. But just in case, do not stay if I am not around. Just run.”

“I-” Brax started, but was quickly cut off.

“Do not worry!” Xinyu repeated. “There is no foe, heaven or earth, in all of fate that could fell the great Xinyu Ma. Just do not let the fire in your heart burn out… not now, not ever!”

After a quick smile and a bow, Xinyu took a giant leap upon the roof of a small coffee shop and began running atop the buildings of the city. Electricity started sparkling in her feet as she nimbly sprang through the sky, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone; wisped away from Brax's vision.

In the crowds of many, there he stood, alone.