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 and told them that he was likely tying up some loose knots before their journey. To compensate for the impromptu nature, 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 counted the remaining money, which was more than they could possibly spend even if they stayed for many months or even a year.
"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 skepticism," 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…"
"And even if they have ulterior motives, you're super strong," Brax remarked. "You can just kick their butts if they try anything."
Xinyu looked back and smiled.
"You are right, Brax," she said. "I am in the wrong for my doubt. Let us go explore the city some more. I hear they have something called an ant-eater-theatre where they perform shows. Let us get some of those delicious chocolate pastries and watch these shows."
"I think ya mean amphitheater…"
Meanwhile, in Lancelot's study, a rat observes a conversation the old man is seemingly having to himself.
"She's growing suspicious, you know," Lancelot said, talking into a crystal mic 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 need to keep her here," a voice coming from the crystal said. "The first wave of calamity will soon arrive, and I fear we need her to fulfill her role. If we may exchange her life for more time, then we must do so."
"I bet we could handle it without throwing the young 'un's life away," Lancelot said. "She's kinda arrogant, but I like her spirit."
"It's a necessary sacrifice," the voice said. "We need to prepare for what comes after her death. If it is as they say and a god descends to destroy us, then the game is over before we've a chance to play."
"But do you really think she can do it?" Lancelot asked. "I don't know what her magic is, but do you actually believe she has the ability to stall out fate?"
"She's the only chance we have," the voice said.
"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.
After the ball's glow faded, the rat scurried away and ran back to Xinyu's shoulder, where it whispered secrets into her ear.
"Hmm, that is interesting," Xinyu muttered to herself as the rat ran in another direction. "So they are aware of the prophecy about my fate. Was it Kitsune? Or are there more like her?"
"What?" Brax asked.
"Nothing," Xinyu said. "Ah, look! A market square! Let us go there. They might have those 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, but 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! Afterwards, visions become black, for humanity is no more!" 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 'end'. Of course, Wunderdum and all of the Westland kingdom had never seen such a prophecy on a unanimous scale, and that itself was worrisome to the people, regardless of how unbothered they may have acted.
"Hey," Brax said, leaning into Xinyu's ear. "Do you buy all this talk of the end times and these so-called prophecies?"
"I do believe there is some merit in them," Xinyu said. "But I do not believe in fate predetermined by the essence of nature, the gods, or any other greater power. Through all the absurdity of the world, the only truth we can truly believe in is the one we define for ourselves. Just because a crazy guy is shouting over there, that does not mean that the end is coming."
"Okay, but if everyone is saying the same thing, including this Kitsune deity, don't you think it's a fate set in stone of sorts?" Brax asked. "I dunno. It seems kinda hopeless. Is nature something you can even go against?"
"I do not know," Xinyu said. "But I feel it is my obligation to fight the heavens no matter what. How about you? Brax?"
"I don't know if I can do much," Brax admitted. "Unlike you, I ain't ever been strong. But I'll do my best to help ya."
"And if I die? Then what is it you will do?" Xinyu asked.
"I dunno," Brax said. "You shouldn't talk like that, though, it's bad luck, ya know."
"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. 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 any money to his name, and 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, she would continue on the same path as she always had. He was, and he knew it, dispensable. And accessory to the murder of whatever that girl was planning.
After walking a few 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 Brax.
"Brax…" she started.
"Yes?" Brax asked.
"I must go somewhere," she said. "Will you be fine by yourself for a day or two?"
"Where are you going?" 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."
"What the hell are you saying?" Brax asked once again.
"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 said again. "There is no foe, heaven or earth, in all of fate that could fell the great Xinyu Ma. Of that, I promise. Now, I must be off."
With a quick smile and a bow, Xinyu took a giant leap onto 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.