At the center of the guild building's roof was a tower that stretched high and looked over the kingdom's people. The top was a room surrounded by clear glass, and was where the guild master often resided, as it was his quarters. Xinyu and Brax were invited to this room following the skirmish, and were joined by Cygnus, the attendant whose name was Galahad, and Lancelot himself.
Xinyu happily ran up the stairs with the energy of a child, tripping as much as one would. Though a powerful being indeed, no one would have been able to tell when her cheeks grew rosy with excitement. As she hopped, Brax stared longingly at Xinyu's back. He admired how she acted innocent and airy, and always managed to have fun, but in reality was scarily adept, and he wondered how the world had not yet crushed her dreams, or rather, failed endlessly to do so.
He also noticed that through that unbreakable smile was wisdom men thrice his own age could hope to know. Or perhaps it wasn't wisdom at all. It was more like determination. After all, one could spew any amount of nonsensical ideals and have them be right if they were strong enough. And thus, he could only ponder on what sort of past she traversed, which allowed her to become so impressive. Was it a path of hardships and struggle, or was she simply born a prodigy? What made her different from him? Perhaps he would muster up the guts to ask her one day. To know her story. To understand how, he, too, could become worth more than he was.
He didn't want to be a loser forever.
But for the moment, Brax would admire her from afar and thank the gods that he had possibly stumbled upon something special. Someone incredible who had given him a chance.
When they finally reached the top, the guild master sank himself behind his great mahogany desk, while Brax and Xinyu were invited to sit before him.
"Well, now," the guild master said, digging deep within his unkempt nose. "It's not every day we come across someone with incredible powers such as yourself. I've met few as strong as Cygnus here."
"I do not need flattery!" Xinyu said, though her face was flushed with red cheeks and a goofy smile. "But I would like to know if we can meet this Arthur now."
"How informal of you. Some of his more loyal subjects would have you hung for your arrogance," the master laughed. "I must ask, though, why is it that you're intent on going to that damned place. The Moonless Terra."
"It was the advice of a spirit named Kitsune," Xinyu said.
"So that pesky fox is finally back," he scoffed. "Still, you're more than just a messenger, that much is clear. Surely you have your own reasons for wanting to go, yes?"
"But of course!" Xinyu said. "I wish to humiliate the heavens! To fell them and bring about the fortune of happiness to all! The gods have a secret, and I intend to let it ring through every land and sea."
"By Zeus! Are you trying to get yourself and all of humanity killed?" asked the elderly guild master, hushing her. His usual gruff voice turned quiet. "You may be strong, but the gods would wipe you from the face of Helios in an instant should you incur their wrath. Mayhaps your goals have merit, but not enough to oppose those who hover at the pinnacle of existence."
"They have not ever confronted me yet," Xinyu said.
"Then you're damn lucky," Lancelot said. He turned around and started peering down at the grand structure of Wunderdum. "I'm sure the gods have secrets, but not ones for mortal ears. Is your plan to expose what you know and high-tail it to the place beyond their eyes?"
"Maybe it is," Xinyu said.
"And you intend to selfishly let the rest of humanity fend for itself while the gods destroy everything," Lancelot said.
"Does it really matter?" Xinyu asked. "You are aware that the end of everything is soon to come, regardless of whether or not I prove what I know."
"That doesn't mean–" Lancelot started.
"I think it's rather interesting," Cygnus interrupted. "Surely there is more to them, as she says. If even the gods aren't immune to this prophecy, then perhaps fate is a power even greater than they."
"You should fear them most of all, Cygnus. Remember what they've wrought upon your home, upon Nikola," Lancelot said.
"A memory forever burned into the back of my skull," Cygnus said. "I will never forget, but I will also not fear them. In these uncertain times, we cannot afford to be passive. We must take action, for if even the gods are bound to the end, then what hope do we, mere humans, have?"
"It's true that our fates are intertwined, but that doesn't mean we can act rashly," Lancelot said. "The gods may still bring humankind's end in an instant if they become displeased, in which case we won't even have the chance to run or hide. Until we know more, we cannot speak too loudly. The ears of divinity are everywhere."
"As long as we are still here, we should keep moving forward," Xinyu said.
"And we will, but with caution in each step," the master said. "I have a proposition to you on behalf of not just the guild, but the entirety of the nation."
"You have that authority?" Brax asked.
"He does," Galahad said. "As obnoxious as he is, Lancelot is a respected representative of Arthur's Round Table, only lower than two other leaders. Sir Lionel Jr., and King Arthur himself."
"That's enough bragging on my behalf," Lancelot said, rising up from his chair and standing over the eastern woman. "Girl. I have seen your strength, and I know how valuable you are in facing the horrible darkness coming our way. So, I ask that you align yourself with the Westland kingdom, no, the kingdom of humanity we have yet to build. If we can rally a big enough force and escape to the Moonless Terra, then maybe we can find a way to brave these dark prophecies."
"Why is it always prophecies?" Xinyu asked. "Prophecy this, prophecy that. I do not see the merit in predetermined things like that. Why walk a path built before you when you can pave your own? If prophecies are how you live your life, then I shall be no ally to you or your kingdom. But if the kingdom wishes to ally with me, Xinyu Ma, then that is fine. But I must warn you, I do not care if my path is one to destruction, because it is the one I choose, and that is always fine with me."
"Such arrogance," Galahad muttered.
"If you wish to see it that way, then sure," Lancelot laughed. "Regardless, before we can think about heading to the Moonless Terra, we've got some loose ends to tie up. Might you first accompany Cygnus on this crucial expedition south? He could use a handy gal such as yourself. And you as well, err…"
"Brax," Brax said sheepishly. He felt utterly embarrassed and wasn't even sure his presence in the room was apparent until that point. "You don't have to patronize me. I'm just a nobody along for the ride. Really."
"If you were nobody, then you wouldn't be here, would you?" the guild master teased. Brax remained silent. "You're a bit older than your run-of-the-mill 'hero', but I see something great within you. A pool of untapped potential unbeknownst to yourself and all who have ever known you."
"What makes you say that?" Brax asked.
"Nothing. I say that to everyone," the guild master said, before he erupted in more nonsensical laughter, spraying the area with his spit. He was old, but he did love his pranks. "It's true, though. Everyone has potential within them. Some in strength, some in wit. It's up to you to find what you can excel in."
"We will agree to your terms, but there is one thing I must know," Xinyu said as she turned to the scholar. "Are you-"
Xinyu was interrupted when another guild member burst into the room, panting from sprinting up all the stairs to Lancelot's quarters.
"Cygnus!" he shouted. "A message from General Lionel. Return to the castle at once! The radars show that the dark markings seem to be growing in the distance to unprecedented amounts!"
"Have him send a few Agents of Darkness to investigate," Cygnus said. He turned to Xinyu and Brax. "It was a pleasure meeting both of you, and I apologize for not even being able to treat you to a meal. We shall reconvene soon."
Cygnus hurriedly scurried out of the room.
"He's quite the cool fella, but his looks make me kinda jealous," Brax said.
"I agree!" Xinyu said. "What I would give to be a handsome boy like him."
"Oh, so that's your type, huh?" Brax chaffed.
"No, it is not that," Xinyu said. "I just think having a calming face like that would suit me!"
"Getting aroused by guys is normal at your age," the guildmaster said, chuckling.
"I am not indecent such as you," Xinyu said. "I could never love a guy in that way. They are too rough and. I am sure women make much better lovers."
"Hey. Ain't we getting off track?" Brax asked in an attempt to stop the childish quarreling before him. They grew silent for a moment, but then Brax's stomach growled. "Eh, I'm getting pretty hungry. Can we eat soon?"
Brax was no better than they.
"I am hungry as well! What should we eat?" Xinyu asked.
"I heard they have a cold dessert I always wanted to try," Brax said. "It's s'posed to be soft like snow, but sweeter than candy. It comes in different flavors, too. Vanilla, chocolate, maple bark, fruit, honey, ah. Just thinking 'bout them is making me even hungrier."
"I want to try them all!" Xinyu said, ready to run out.
"Ahem!" the guild master cut in. "You'll have some free time while Cygnus finishes his business, but let's make it official before I send you off: will you allow my dear friend to accompany you on your journey?"
"Of course!" Xinyu said. "I had already decided that, though I warn you I will be watching him closely at first! I hope that you can understand he must earn our trust, and in turn, we shall earn his!"
This surprised Brax, though he remained silent. If that were truly the case, then why did she let him, a worthless old peasant, come along with zero trust built? They met one day, and the next, they were off on a grandiose journey. Xinyu seemed to trust him, but he didn't know why. It's not like he did anything to earn it, nor did she gain anything from him coming along, so why? Why had she given a nobody like him her faith, yet for someone as renowned and powerful as Cygnus, held even an ounce of distrust?
"It's only natural when creating alliances," Lancelot said. "Then, shall we tell you how the great Cygnus Rift came to be? Galahad is our guild's most devoted record keeper, so he can tell you the tale."
"Preposterous!" Galahad announced. They all looked back to the droopy man who had stood silent until that point. His presence was even less known than Brax, a man with little weight in the conversations himself. Still, even though Galahad stood short and frail, his voice was thunderous and overbearing.
"We know nothing about these strangers, yet you seem to be keen on betting a lot on them," Galahad said. "That girl in particular is dangerous in more ways than one; she's made that clear. In such tumultuous times, we cannot rely on foreigners. We must take calculated steps to…"
"Stop your yelling, I hate when people lecture me," Lancelot said. He was quite used to getting scolded. "Regardless, our meeting may have seemed coincidental, but it was anything but. I was well aware this girl was coming here. If things play out as the great prophet and the fox foretell, then we need her aid no matter what. She is a necessary component in our survival."
Brax looked at Xinyu to see her reaction, but she made no move. He thoroughly expected her to speak out, saying that she wasn't a cog in somebody else's plan or something along those lines. Perhaps she had not heard it quite right, or she stopped caring about their talk of prophecies.
"Urgh, I apologize for my brashness." Galahad stopped his outburst and calmed his seething head.
"Now, will you tell them about our dear friend Cygnus?" Lancelot asked. "Trust isn't built in a day, but I hope it may come with time."
Galahad looked at the two strangers, then sighed. If the guildmaster willed it, then he had no choice but to comply. Lancelot, the man who never lost a fight (save for that single skirmish against Arthur in their youth), also happened to be the man who was never wrong. Such had earned him the title of the "Mad Tactician" on the battlefields when wars ran rampant in the Westlands, and war was anyone's game. He always projected a gruff and hard-headed demeanor, but on the inside, he was quite calculating.
"Very well!" Galahad said. "I will tell you of Cygnus Rift, but know this! If you do anything to compromise the nation that Arthur and Lancelot have built, eastern girl, I will make you pay back everything you owe with interest."
"And if he or anyone else does anything to compromise my goals, know that your kingdom shall fall by my hand," Xinyu replied, smiling. She said it childishly, but Brax wondered what she was really thinking. If her threat held weight, and if she could do such a thing.