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November 3, 1800
Suzy Aranaz, Asra Devorinak

Everyone but Asra and Suzy Aranaz failed the test. They didn't even get to approach Pegasus much less touch the majestic stallion.

Zeus clapped his hands, the sound of thunder rumbling in the sky. "Alright, those who have failed will return home with no memories of what occurred here today."

The god clapped his hands once more and everyone but the fake fortune-teller and quartermaster vanished, not a single trace of their existence left behind.

The more time that went on, the dream-like haze that was on her senses started lifting. With every moment, she felt grounded. Even whilst on clouds.

"Asra, Suzanne—"

"Suzy."

Zeus cleared his throat. "You will now fight to the death."

Asra chuckled, no longer worried about what the god might do to exact punishment. From what she read about Zeus and how he acted at the moment, it seemed the most he could do was express his distaste. "Why would I fight to the death? To entertain a god I don't even worship?"

Ignoring the important question, Zeus answered the useless one with another inquiry. "Which god do you worship, then?"

"No god is worthy."

A weight fell on everyone's shoulders, broken by Suzy's fake but passable cough. "Can we please hurry up whatever we're doing at the moment? I have some business to take care of back where I come from."

Zeus sighed. "Alright. If both of you cease with the commentary and interruptions, I suppose we might have already finished what I had planned. So, if you have any inquiries, ask them now."

Suzy raised a hand just barely above her shoulder and asked, "How come your method differs from how Poseidon and Hades chose their Emperor and Empress? And what would one of us be called should one of us become one of your...monarchs? And is the requirement being born on the first day of August? Both the Emperor of the Dead and Empress of the Sea are born on that day in different years and the same is for me. I'm assuming she," Suzy made a polite gesture towards Asra, "shares our birthday."

Zeus cracked a knuckle, tightening his lips making his moustache wiggle. Asra could barely contain her smile. "You are right about the birth date, but it's not only the first of August. That was a coincidence. It is merely that I must pick someone born in the month of August. The previous ones that were chosen were all born in July. Asra is born on the twenty-fifth. Also, the method of choice differs from me and my brothers solely on personal choice.

"Hades kept an eye on the Han family line ever since they started and was waiting for someone to be born in the correct month. Poseidon let his daughter scout someone even though she didn't know what she was doing, and I simply randomly picked a dozen people born in August that seemed capable and made them go through the task."

Suzy nodded in acknowledgement and provided gratitude for the information while Asra rubbed her chin, finally ready to ask her own question.

"Alright, God of Affairs and Wives, tell me why someone like you would ever choose a woman—even by accident to do whatever it is you want us to do?"

Zeus closed his eyes and put his head in his palm. He was hoping this question wouldn't be asked.

"Regardless of who wins, you better not think of whatever it is I think you might think. Or are already thinking." Asra ceased her sentence, leaving it as if it were only half complete and decided to change the topic. "How about you just tell me the reason I'm even here in the first place. Explain it from the top."

This was something Zeus could provide an answer to. "I summoned you all here to pick someone to become Sovereign of the Worlds. This is a title bestowed on someone during a time of crisis or to avoid a crisis altogether. Recently, a major threat that had been silent for ages decided to become active once again. All after hearing about the Tiger's Ruby, a jewel that is not only worth the world's mass in diamond, but with the ability to turn back time. The protector of the jewel does not know of this ability as of yet. Furthermore, there is a book that might as well be the jewel's cousin. It's used to revive the dead and can be retrieved only by a servant of Hades."

Suzy just stared and listened, her frozen body the only sign she was shaken by what was being said. The Tiger's Ruby was capable of turning back time? By how much? And there was a book that could revive the dead? What? Was it the same book that caused Captain Han to shoot a hole in Aeryn's ear to get her out of its influence? The same book they gave up Kronos' son up to so that he would eventually die under the book's hold? The same book they used as a distraction so they could safely remove the Tiger's Ruby from Querilke and onto the Black Egret?

Zeus stroked his beard and continued. "The book has sadly been taken by the threat's son, unbeknownst to its protector who's under the impression that the book ended the life of the enemy. So that's why my brothers and I thought it was appropriate to select new Attendants to deal with this threat. Alongside the threat, war is about to eat your country up, so that's why. If you are selected, somehow, it will be an honourable position in which you vanquish evil and serve justice until you are no longer needed."

Suzy's fingers twitched. Her whole body twitched. The book was taken? "You must be mistaken, Zeus," she mumbled. "That book has killed over three people, so how come it was taken by someone other than the captain? He's the only one who's gone near it without going mad."

Zeus provided no answer to Suzy, no reaction, and instead waited for Asra to spout another question, accusation, doubt.

"Alright, then. So basically what you want to say is that you and your brothers Hades and Poseidon and yourself are creating a little group called the Attendants so that we can deal with the shit you can't clean up yourself although you're gods? You mean to tell me that the three strongest gods have a hard time getting off their chairs, giving their asses a little fresh air, and flicking the threat into jail or something."

If Zeus was not held back by the circumstances, Asra's guts would have lined the clouds and it would have rained blood for days in Tereline.

Suzy took the chance to say, "Yes. That's exactly what he said alongside details of the threat that even I did not fully know of despite encountering Kronos and Cronas myself."

Asra smirked. She always liked the stories the storyteller in the Night Market would tell about Han and Aranaz that she wanted to meet them no matter how fictional they sounded. And now that she stood in front of one of the most infamous pirates of all time, Asra wanted to reach her hand out and hope the freedom would grab on. To become a pirate...would be nice.

"You encountered the threat that even Zeus is too scared to approach and needs a bunch of mortals to do it for him?"

My brothers are doing the same thing, was what Zeus wanted to say, however, he ended up saying, "Gods are no longer allowed to interfere with what goes on in the human world. But we are still gods and need to keep humans safe."

Both ladies ignored the god and conversed until Asra and Suzy both became clear of the situation at hand. Even though the matter would technically be something meant to worry or stress out the average human being, both Asra and Suzy were cool as ice. Suzy because she couldn't feel emotions and Asra because she just didn't care if the world ended or not. This world of humans was not where her soul wanted to rest anyway.

Zeus finally took the small moment of silence to explain what he wanted to be done in order to pick the Sovereign of the Worlds. A fight to the death.

But Suzy had other plans in mind.

"I forfeit."

Asra raised a brow, crossing her arms and leaning back, relaxing in her stance. She'd been preparing the whole time for a fight, but now it was unnecessary. "Why?"

"I am a quartermaster and my loyalty lies with my captain and friend. If I am to become Sovereign, I would have to let go of my title as the Black Egret's quartermaster and I would become equals with my captain. Since Captain Han is already chosen to become the Emperor of the Dead, I wish to assist him in his tasks rather than attain more for both of us. I believe it best if Miss Asra were to take the title and the Black Egret will be more than delighted to provide aid and cooperation in the removal of the threats the gods speak of."

Zeus clapped his hands, his gaze alternating from Asra to Suzy. "Well, this was easy."

"Yes," said Asra, trying to hide the fact that she had no intention of taking the title. She was happy living in Madam Bronze's tiny hut and working as a fortune-teller and assassin for the king. More than happy. "That was rather anti-climatic."

Suzy bowed her head. "I apologize if the two of you were looking forward to a fight. Though I cannot say for certain that I am sure I would win, I have no intention of harming someone I haven't received orders to harm. Then," she raised her head and looked Zeus in the eye, "I hope you can return me to where you picked me up from."

"Suzy," Zeus started, making an effort not to say, Suzanne, "wait a second. You said you would be happy to provide aid, so live up to that."

She cocked a brow. "I never said I wouldn't?"

"No, what I mean is that I will have Asra join you on the sea as her tasks will be easier that way." Zeus looked to the sky, trying to remember the date. He tapped his fingers on his hip and continued, "Pick Asra up by November fifth from Belises Port. Your ship is already in the area and Asra should be there within the time frame."

Asra simply watched Suzy and Zeus decide upon her fate without even sparing a single glance. Many phrases had formed in her head, but they wouldn't come out. She couldn't be bothered as much as she might have thought.

"Alright. I'll be sure to do so." Suzy lowered her head for a second, appearing as if she regretted letting go of the chance of standing on equal ground as her captain, of becoming the Sovereign of the Worlds and smiled. If Asra didn't know any better, it was fake. "Please return me to the Black Egret."

Zeus snapped his fingers and lightning rumbled in the sky, thunder shaking her bones. A single blink and Suzy Aranaz was gone.

Turning to face the last remaining of the dozen who earned the win as easily as Zeus returned Suzy to her place—exactly the opposite to what he had planned. He wanted to see a fight, a raging tournament for his entertainment, but this girl would have to do. The mere twenty-one-year-old with a career dependent on death should've been chosen by Hades. She would've made a better match than the captain who refused to kill directly. But at least Zeus managed to get his hands on her.

"I'm sure you recall the threat I spoke about earlier."

Asra nodded, not offering any sort of respect other than the lack of eye contact.

"Your task is simple. Eliminate the threat as soon as possible."

"But why? Why me? Because you randomly happened to choose me?"

"No. You're one of the few I hand-picked. I truly thought Hades was going to pick you considering where you come from and the type of life you lead now, but I managed to snatch you before I lost my chance. Nonetheless, head to Belises Port by November fifth. Sehyun Han and Suzy Aranaz of the Black Egret will provide you with aid."

She hummed in acknowledgement. "How about you just zap me onto the ship? Wouldn't that be easy?"

But that's not fun to watch. Zeus cleared his throat. "What difference does it make? Don't you want to say goodbye to whoever you're living with?"

Asra sucked her teeth, upset the "God of Affairs" made a point. "Alright. Just send me home."

A snap of his fingers and she was back in the fortune-telling shop, appearing like magic in front of two very surprised newly-weds. The two expressed their concerns and shock to one another, nearly stepping out of the shop.

Laughing, glad to take advantage of the situation, Asra spoke, her voice booming in a perfect performance. "LISTEN."

Both newly-weds froze in their spot.

"Take a seat and tell me your names and birth dates."

Skeptical, they inched towards the door.

Smirking, Asra added, "Free of charge."

After getting through the formalities, using this chance to forget whatever happened in the clouds for just another second, Asra looked into the crystal ball, throwing her body back in insincere shock.

"What is it?" one cried.

Asra pointed at the man. "If you yell at her, do anything against the will of your wife, hit her, treat her as someone unequal to you, refuse to communicate with her, blame her for your inabilities, use your busy life at work as an excuse to be a horrible person and unavailable for your wife, disregard your wife's efforts and hardships, do any of those things to future children, not only will you die, it will be a horrible death. Shall I spare you the details for your own sanity?"

Scared to believe and disbelieve, the man nodded his head as fast as he could and held his wife's hand. "I will treat her properly."

Asra threw a hand up. "I don't need to hear your words. Show me if you mean it. Of course, you can't even say I'm lying. You saw me whoosh in like magic yourself. I am the Chosen One."

Another scared nod.

Asra smiled brightly at the woman. "Be sure to tell me if he does any of those things if you care for your husband. At the end of the day, even he is human and can make a mistake, so I will be sure to provide you with aid to prevent his horrible fate." Her face sunk into concern, hoping for a good life for both of them.

She pointed at the man again. "You have three chances." Because I will kill you myself if you fail to be a gentleman. Make everyone believe that my word is true. "And if you fail to not do any of the things I told you not to, you will die."

Once Asra shooed the two of them out of the shop, a round of applause erupted from the side of the room.

"That's the best performance I've seen from you so far."

Asra smiled giddily. "To make up for not being here for a while."

"And for blowing so many papers out onto the street?"

Scratching her neck, Asra said, "I can explain."

So she did. Asra expected Madam Bronze to disbelieve every claim she made, but the greatest tea maker in the world acknowledged every last word. Drunk it in as if she believed something like this would happen.

The rest of the day went by oddly. She stayed at home rather than meeting who she planned to earlier and answered any question Madam Bronze had.

The second night fell and Madam Bronze dozed off in the wake of ear-killing snoring, Asra packed her bags and left.

She couldn't handle goodbyes even when she knew she would say hello again. Madam Bronze would simply have to read the note on the table saying she was off to find a cure to her "life-threatening disease".

But before she could leave Tereline for good, she would have to go to the castle tonight for the King's assassins' weekly meeting and tell them she was off to find a cure to her life-threatening disease.

Everyone, meaning her co-workers, Madam Bronze, and her neighbours, knew she had a weakness to the sun. Whenever it was too bright, she would be bed-ridden with headaches and itchy skin—it was precisely why she decided to live in Tereline. It wasn't too cold that she wouldn't be able to adapt, but it also cloudy most of the time, it rained every week, and the sun rarely came out.

It was why her lie would keep suspicions away.

But she worried how life on the sea would be with the water constantly reflecting the sunlight.

She would simply bear the burden. She wouldn't scratch her skin because she would cover as much of it as she could, she would never complain about her headaches and only come out of her residing area only when necessary.

So with her bag thrown over her shoulder, she made her way to the castle's basement to meet with the king a final time before she departed.

She got in the same way she always did. Through the little gap in the fence the king never got fixed and down the ladder no one knew of.

And even though she was late to the meeting by a few minutes, the king greeted her with a smile.

"Sicarius," he beamed, his eyes on the rest of the assassins rather than her.

Asra didn't pay attention to the rest of what he said. It was always the same speech about arriving on time, about holding the integrity of the assassins—the same assassins that no one but the king knew of.

She didn't bother because she was the only one of the five who hadn't missed a target.

Instead, her attention fell onto the torches unevenly placed around the walls, the stones with more mould than shine, the furniture less room save for the shelves carrying weapons of variety.

And then she noticed the unbearing gaze of Roman, the assassin who recruited her after witnessing her beat the life out of a thief who had the audacity to take her purse. Sure, his face was nice, but his personality was what bothered her. He was always so rude.

She raised her eyebrows as if to say, What do you want? She herself forgot that she was rude.

He scoffed. "There's a bug in your hair," he whispered.

"That's the least of my problems," she replied before raising her hand. "Your Majesty, I have some bad news."

The king looked her up and down, studying if it was worth his time despite not having any context to judge. "What is it?"

"I'm afraid I'm sick, Your Majesty. I've found the reason for why the sun is my enemy and the cure as well. I'm going to have to travel far to retrieve it."

The king opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Asra said, "And might I add, it's life-threatening.

Then the king muttered a few words of empty condolences and allowed her to leave after the meeting was over. Roman and the other three were given easy targets for the week. Peasant farmers who hadn't paid their taxes from the same area were to die of a poison that gave the recipient a heart attack. Completely away from suspicion.

Blindly trusting the king, the four left to complete their tasks.

Once she tied all loose ends, she looked to the moon and started her journey as Sovereign of the Worlds.

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WORD COUNT: 3350

Here's a second update because idk