Chapter 4

"Master. Your tea is served."

It was a bright and beautiful day. Gowasu was once again seated beneath the sacred tree of balance enjoying the fresh air. Zamasu merely stood by and watched.

"Oh my." Gowasu had said. "What a lovely subtly sweet aroma. Let us see how it tastes."

A smile was playing on Zamasu's face as Gowasu brought the cup to his lips and took a sip.

"Tea made by one pure of heart is unclouded and always the most delicious to boot." Zamasu bowed at Gowasu's complement.

"Thank you very much Master." He said, the sweet smile still on his lips.

"The fact that you can make this cup of tea shows me your heart is where it needs to be." Gowasu continued. "Now, as long as you keep training your mind and body without letting pride intervene and continue to monitor the affairs of mortals to gain understanding, you'll be in good shape."

Zamasu's mind flashed back to Judith in his arms the previous night. 'Not now!' he forced the image from his mind. He had taken a seat opposite Gowasu and had also taken a sip of tea. 'Yes!' he thought triumphantly, 'I have finally managed to get the tea exactly right, without exposing my true intentions.' Zamasu set his cup down a little more forcefully than he intended.

"Master Gowasu." Zamasu spoke.

"Uhm." Was all the old Kai said in response.

"There is something that's been weighing on my mind lately." He continued. Best he brings this to Gowasu's attention now in order to divert any suspicions that may arise later.

"Go on, tell me." Gowasu said.

Zamasu had a solemn look on his face as he began. "These mortals we watch, are they truly creatures worthy of our protection, sir?"

Gowasu's eyes grew slightly wider as he heard such harsh words fall from his apprentice's mouth.

"Huh." Was all he said before Zamasu continued.

"With respect, I've observed more mortal dealings than I care to count. They thrive, quarrel, perish…" the tea in Gowasu's cup trembled, "all on an endless loop." The tea started to change colour. "And so, it seems to me, for them to keep doing this is the hight of futility." He finished, almost sounding bored.

"Aah. That is the path mortals must take." Gowasu answered patiently.

Zamasu could feel his anger rising. 'How can this old fool be resigned to this fate!' he thought before pushing his palms against the table, rising to his feet as he did so.

"What sense does it make for us to protect these flawed being when they persistently repeat the same tragic mistakes." He spoke angrily. "Would it not be more merciful on our part to put a halt to their hopeless cycles once and for all?"

"Aah." Gowasu started to explain. "The role of the Supreme Kai and all other Kais is creation. We are not meant to have a direct hand in our creations affairs if we can avoid it." He continued. "You do understand that don't you?" He asked rising from his seat.

"Soooo, you would have me do nothing and just ignore the mortals perpetual folly." Zamasu commented bitterly as he and Gowasu made their way back to the temple.

"No, no. We do not simply ignore the mortals. We watch over and nurture them. That is the position in which we find ourselves." Gowasu answered. "Only one among us is permitted to intervene with their kind, that's the destroyer."

Zamasu sighed in frustration. 'This fool will never understand.' He thought. He slowed, coming to a stop. Then another thought sprung into his mind: Judith.

"But Master Gowasu, if only destroyers are permitted to intervene in the affairs of these mortals, why has Lady Judith been sent to us by the Grand Priest?" He asked, wondering what excuse his Master would come up with this time.

"Zamasu!" Gowasu said sternly. "I want you to listen to me. Always remember where your place is. Even though we are the supreme rulers of our universe, even we must answer to one greater than ourselves, and that is the Grand Priest. It is not our place to question his wisdom. We must trust that Lady Judith's purpose here will reveal itself in time." And as an after thought Gowasu added: "And make an effort to get to know mortals better." Gowasu looked at Zamasu over his shoulder as he spoke. "Is that understood?" he asked.

Zamasu's expression had changed to anger and annoyance at this old man's lecturing, but he decided not to push further, he had done enough, for now.

"Yes." Zamasu answered bitterly.

"Why don't you start by interacting with Lady Judith? She presents the perfect opportunity."

"Wha-, I uhm, I don't kn-" Zamasu was mumbling, but Gowasu did not hear is attempts at protest.

"Speaking of which, where is Lady Judith?"