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“There are concerns,” Xuanzang said, “about the Eschaton Cycle.”

“About the cycle as a whole?” Dianmu asked, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees. She fixed Xuanzang with an intense gaze. “I was expecting you to say this is about me.”

“Because you’ve repeatedly ignored imperial decrees to cease your activities among Humanity and return to the Jade Palace?” Xuanzang smiled, but this time it didn’t quite reached his eyes. “While your actions there have been a source of consternation, no one was really prepared to fault you for what you were doing there. You were quiet, you were discreet, and you were helping people. And you were in mourning, and that is something everyone believed afforded you a great deal of leeway.”

“Believed?” Dianmu asked. “I’m not sure I like the implication of the past tense there.”

“I’m telling you what others are saying,” Xuanzang held up a hand in a placating gesture. “You are not without allies here. I count myself among them. But you need to know of your reputation. I just ask that you don’t shoot the messenger.”

Dianmu settled back some. “Apologies.”

“None needed.”

Someone – or, Cassandra assumed, something that was humanoid – came in with a tray containing a pot of tea and three cups. Xuanzang smiled up at the figure, and conversation paused as drinks were poured. The aroma was heavenly, and Cassandra did her best to enjoy it. It was hard. The way this conversation was going had soured her appetite.

“Now, where was I?” Xuanzang said as he placed his tea on the table. “The view now is that you have become somewhat…erratic. Your refusal of past summons does you no favors there. Working with…Crystal, I understand she calls herself now?” Dianmu nodded in response to the question, and Xuanzang continued. “Well, working with Crystal has made things worse. Her reputation is still that she is a source of trouble, a destabilizing influence on her fellow gods.”

“We’ve been friends of millenia,” Dianmu said, and Cassandra noted the defensive tone.

“Yes. Tell me, Dianmu, how often have you wondered about my judgement when it comes to Sun Wukong because of our friendship?”

Dianmu nodded in assent of the point. “It is different, I’d argue, but I imagine you’d say the same if our positions were reversed.”

“Oh yes. Quite loudly.” This time, the smile was more genuine.

“I don’t understand why that’s still a problem. We know now that the Eschaton Cycle is real. Or is that still in question?”

Xuanzang shook his head firmly. “No, I know of none here who still doubt that it is real. The world is coming to an end. The age of Man is drawing to a close. That is now seen as inevitable. The problem now, however, is if it’s something we should or could avoid.”

“It can be avoided,” Dianmu said. “We’ve uncovered a way.”

“Yes. This plan to create portals, evacuate the entire planet. I have to admit, it’s an inspired choice. Meeting the letter of the law while absolutely violating the spirit. I have a friend who would approve a great deal of that course of action.”

Dianmu’s lips tightened into a thin line. Cassandra didn’t need to wonder who Xuanzang was talking about. Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. While Cassandra knew that time and retelling had probably distorted the story a great deal, it seemed Sun Wukong’s reputation for being a troublemaker had not been inaccurate.

I want to meet him. Cassandra had fallen in love with Journey to the West in college, and had read the entire thing when the course had only required selected readings. Given that she’d been working on her pre-med program, sparing time to read that much had been a luxury she really shouldn’t have been able to afford. She’d been so engrossed though, it had just been a matter of sacrificing some nights when she would have been drinking instead. She’d considered that time well spent. Something in the impulsive Monkey King had spoken to her in a way most fictional character’s didn’t. However, they weren’t here so Cassandra could fangirl over one of her favorite characters in literature. No matter how much she wanted to.

Besides, Dianmu might actually kill her, given how unhappy she was at any reference to Sun Wukong.

“It’s a solid plan,” Dianmu said, her voice firm. “It even has a curator’s blessing.”

“A fallen Curator,” Xuanzang said politely.

“He filed the proper paperwork to fall,” Dianmu countered.

“And I am glad to hear that. Yet…” Xuanzang held up a hand to forestall Dianmu’s counterargument. “Dianmu. I’m trying to prepare you for what’s waiting for you.”

“Then can we focus on that?” Dianmus said. “I’ve dealt with attacks on my character before.”

“Of course. Your domain has made you enemies, and many of them are taking this opportunity to speak against you.”

“Storm goddesses aren’t popular here?” The words were out of Cassandra’s mouth before she could stop herself, but now that they had cleared her lips she was glad to have spoken. The two gods seemed to have forgotten she was there, or at least that she might not understand everything they were talking about.

“Dianmu also have dominion over hidden crimes,” Xuanzang said, when Dianmu motioned for him to explain. “It’s made her less than popular among those whose secrets she’s brought to light. Although it has made her excellent at rooting out Anthropophages and other monsters that dwell among humanity.”

Cassandra was very grateful for the tea at that moment. It would have been difficult to avoid fidgeting without something to distract her from the conversation going down this path. “I see,” Cassandra said, once the tea had given her adequate time to cover her discomfort. “No one likes a cop.”

Xuanzang barked out a laugh. “Something like that, yes,” he said, his eyes still sparkling with amusement. “Very well,” he said, turning back to Dianmu. “Allow me to speak plainly then.”

“I certainly wasn’t stopping you,” Dianmu murmured.

Xuanzang waved away the reproach. “Kali has sent messages to us, and to other pantheons. She acknowledges the Eschaton Cycle, and insists that it is a natural part of the universe. That it staves off Entropy. Is that true?”

Dianmu grimaced.

“I feared as much. There are many among the Heavenly Court that do not believe we have a right to try and change something so fundamental to the order of the cosmos. If, as long as the Eschaton Cycle is allowed to continue, the universe will endure forever, who are we to place humanity above the rest of the Universe?”

“We aren’t, though,” Dianmus said. “This plan will fulfill the requirements of the cycle. Human civilization as we know it will end. The sun will be restored, and Earth will continue and, eventually, evolve new sentient life to repeat the process.”

“And in that time, the knowledge stored in human minds will be re-created. We are on the verge of, in just a few generations, leaving our Solar System. This will set humanity back, but it will still allow them to reach that before the next step in the cycle. We will spread across the stars, and in the process disrupt the natural order of things. What if that is the catalyst for the march towards Heat Death, or for Dark Energy to accelerate to the point where it will eventually overcome gravity and even the bonds within atoms? What if, in doing so, we sentence the universe to death?” At Dianmu’s expression, he shook his head. “This is not what I believe. If we are not meant to save Humanity, I believe we will fail in attempting to do so – but that does not mean we should not attempt. Even the gods are not stronger than Destiny, so there is no risk in trying.”

“But…”

“But the Jade Emperor disagrees. Given the source, given that it is you coming here, and given that there is a risk of sentencing the universe to a slow death…he has forbidden anyone to aid you.” Xuanzang put down his tea. “I’m sorry, Dianmu. So long as the fundamental order of reality is threatened, we have been forbidden from helping.”

Dianmu sighed. “His decision is final?”

“It is possible his mind could be swayed, given enough of the one thing you are soley lacking.”

“Time,” Dianmu said.

“Time,” Xuanzang agreed. “The only ones who would follow you…well, they’d have to be someone who would defy the Jade Emperor. Someone who has proven they care little for the decrees of Heaven. Someone who is a bit of a rebel themselves.”

Dianmu rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Please…please tell me you are not going to suggest what I think you are going to suggest.”

“I am not fond of lying,” Xuanzang said, and Cassandra had to fight back an urge to smile as Xuanzang continued. “So tell me. How desperate are you?”

Dianmu sighed. “Very. Fine. Tell me…how do I reach Sun Wukong?”

Cassandra couldn’t contain her smile any longer.