Chapter 11

Judith had insisted on going to the library. Fizz was aware of Whis and Lord Beerus's presence. There was someone else with them, he could tell it was a mortal and by the feel of Zamasu's Ki, Zamasu did not appreciate the mortal's presence.

Fizz was concerned that he would somehow slip in his duties and run into Zamasu on their way to the library, fortunately they made it there without complications. The Grand Minister had been transparently clear in his instructions to him. 'Keep her away from him, at all costs, until I can arrange for her relocation. It should not take long; I will probably have a suitable location in 3000 tats.' He had said (in universe 7 terms, 24 hours). The Grand Minister had taken a gamble in sending her here in the first place and it seems that he had lost. Fizz sighed sadly at the thought. 'I guess we have failed yet again.'

"Have you found anything yet?" Judith asked from the second story, leaning dangerously far over the railing.

"Not yet my Lady. Do take care not to fall from there. I would hate to have to heal a broken bone." Fizz said lightly smiling at her. She was looking for any books on divine artifacts. Fizz knew this was a feeble attempt to mislead him, he knew she was looking for a different kind of book all together. What he could not understand, was why she would be looking for a book on translation of the universal language.

… the garden …

Gowasu had decided they were to have their sparing match outside of the temple courtyard in the garden, FAR away from his tree.

"Alright then. Let's give it a go." Goku said before powering up. A golden aura had enveloped him. His hair had turned yellow, his eyes green and his energy gave off blue static around him.

Zamasu watched the display, surprised by his transformation. Gowasu, Lord Beerus and Whis was watching from not far away.

"What happened?" Gowasu asked. "The mortal transformed."

Lord Beerus smiled in approval.

"Yes." Whis said as he offered an explanation. "The form he's taken is called Super Saiyan."

Zamasu clenched his teeth, glaring at Goku as he considered his new form. 'Super Saiyan?' he mused. 'His energy is exponentially higher now.'

"You know what?" Goku said, interrupting Zamasu's musings. "I haven't fought a deity since Lord Beerus."

This caught Zamasu completely by surprise. "YOU fought against a destroyer?"

"Heeheehee." Goku chuckled.

Gowasu turned toward Lord Beerus. "Is that true, this mortal has gone toe to toe against you before?" he asked shocked.

"Something like that." Lord Beerus said in a laughing voice.

"My goodness." Gowasu remarked. "This doesn't make sense to me. How is it possible he's still alive after that?"

"Okay. I'll kick things off." Goku said assuming his usual Gong Bu stance.

Zamasu stared him down has he himself took his own knifehand stance; his brow furrowed in annoyance. Goku took off at incredible speed, aiming a punch at Zamasu. Zamasu effortlessly caught it, his eyes never moving from Goku's face. He gracefully moved to the side, allowing Goku's arm to pass by him, thus seamlessly dodging his attack and allowing Goku's own momentum to carry him forward. This positioned allowed Zamasu a clean kill shot to back of Goku's neck.

"And now, you're finished." He said unimpressed, his hand already in position to deliver the final blow. Goku had not expected the fancy Kai to move so fast and he had to think fast.

Goku planted his foot solidly on the ground, recovering, simultaneously forming an energy ball in his other hand, and aiming it at Zamasu's hand, which was already halfway to its mark.

Zamasu was momentarily surprised, but he knew he would have no difficulty in blocking this feeble attack. Zamasu had to raise his energy slightly, causing his aura to flare. His aura was the same colour of his eyes, grey. Just as Goku's energy ball made contact with his hand, he easily dispersed of the attack, displaying no sign of effort. Unbeknownst to him, Judith felt an unfamiliar shock shoot through her body as he made away with Goku's attack.

Both of them resumed their fighting stance as they moved apart, Goku attacking immediately, again throwing a punch. And just as before, Zamasu watched as his fist approached, catching it once again, but this time Goku pushed with renewed force behind it, catching Zamasu off guard and he was forced back.

'This is the power of a mere mortal!?' Zamasu thought in amazement. He once again allowed Goku's fist to roll of his hand, evading it only to see Goku launch a back-heel kick. Zamasu saw it in time and blocked it, but the force once again pushed him back.

"Mmmh." Lord Beerus mused, pleased with Goku's display.

"Unbelievable." Gowasu said, staring at the spectacle in front of him.

Again, and again Goku attacked. Zamasu was barely managing to block each attack and to his great frustration, he was being forced backward and losing ground.

"Who is this person?" Gowasu asked shocked. "He's not even a deity and yet his strength rivals that of a destroyer's."

"Did you just suggest that he rivals me?" Lord Beerus asked threateningly, glancing sideways at Gowasu.

Gowasu quickly turned to Lord Beerus. "No! Not you!" he quickly apologized. 'Please don't destroy our planet… or my tree' he thought as he bowed and spoke. "Please forgive me."

Meanwhile Goku continued his onslaught, Zamasu desperately trying to keep up by blocking or evading, the strain starting to show on his face.

'I never imagined a lowly creature could be this strong.' Zamasu's momentary lapse in concentration had provided Goku with a window to attack and he landed a punch squarely on Zamasu's jaw, the impact causing Zamasu to fall backwards. Kneeling, Zamasu looked up just in time to see Goku aim another punch at his face. He felt the force behind the attack as Goku stopped, his fist inches from Zamasu's face.

A moment of silence hung over all present before Goku changed back to his normal state. He smiled down at Zamasu as he spoke. "Heeheehee. Not bad! You know, for just a plain old Kai, your pretty strong." He said unassumingly. "Even the Supreme Kai from my universe wouldn't last 5 minutes with you." He continued. Goku offered his hand to Zamasu. "Let's do this again sometime, okay?" he said.

Zamasu could barely stomach his humiliation at being defeated by this imbecilic mortal. Zamasu raised his hand, but not to accept Goku's offer. His hand glowed with grey energy. Just one sweep and he would relieve this insolent mortal of his arm.

"Zamasu!" Gowasu's stern tone brought Zamasu back to his senses. He quickly judged the situation, considering the consequences If he were to attack this idiot now in the presence of Lord Beerus. But Lord Beerus was not what stopped him, it was Judith.

He calmed himself and the energy immediately disappeared from his arm. He accepted Goku's hand as he was assisted to his feet.

Lord Beerus yawned loudly. "Well. I've seen the rings which is all I came for and I still haven't had my after-dinner dessert." His tone was bored.

"Dessert you say?" Gowasu asked, but Lord Beerus had already turned and had started walking away.

"Come one Whis, let's go." He said lazily.

"Yes, my lord." Whis acknowledged. He turned toward Gowasu. They exchanged a knowing look, both coming to an unspoken understanding that Whis would be expecting Gowasu's call.

"Well, if you'll please excuse us then." Whis bowed as he took his leave.

Gowasu returned the gesture. "Why yes. Off-course."

"Hey! Lord Beerus, is everything okay?" Goku yelled from where he was standing, still next to Zamasu.

Lord Beerus simply raised his hand and waved, not looking back. "Everything's fine! See you later!"

"Huh. Bey!" Goku hurriedly said to Zamasu before taking off in the direction of Lord Beerus and Whis. "Hey! Wait up! You guys are my ride!" he yelled.

Zamasu watched as the three of them ascended into the air before disappearing in a ball of light. His grey eyes staring coldly as an idea had started forming in his mind.

… the library …

Judith was developing a splitting headache. Her mind was running circles in her head, her thoughts a never-ending loop… 'I saw that book here somewhere…. Zamasu… Who the hell is Demasu… Zamasu… gotta find that book… Zamasu… What the hell does karito mean… Zamasu… Why was the Grand Minister there… Zamasu… Where is the damned book… Zamasu… Why is Fizz here… Zamasu… What is Zamasu doing…' over and over the same thoughts.

Fizz was starting to become dizzy on Judith's behalf. He had never before experienced a mind in such chaos, and he was wondering how she was even still able to construct a sentence. HE could not take much more and decided that he was simply going to have to put an end to it. "Lady Judith?" Fizz called up to her. Judith stuck her head over the railing of the 3rd story this time.

"Yes?" Judith asked. Fizz was surprised to see her looking so calm while a storm was raging inside.

"May I make a suggestion?" he asked.

"Off-course." Was all Judith said.

"Can we stop pretending that you are not looking for a book on translation?"

"Wha-? How? I uhm..." Judith didn't know what to say. 'How the hell did he know that!?'

Fizz saw her blush at her deceit. He found it erroneous that she was so polite and considerate and yet, she harboured a darkness inside her, she could scarcely understand. He chuckled. "Perhaps I could help you with the answers you were seeking? I am a guide angel and have been alive far longer than even I can remember."

Judith felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she blushed. She had been caught red handed in a lie and she could not help but feel deep embarrassment, but not because she had lied, because she had lied so poorly. 'What is wrong with you? You should feel guilty about lying and not about not getting away with it!' She sighed. She had no choice but to confess.

"Since you put it that way…" She said. "I guess I should have asked you from the start?" she laughed nervously. Fizz had noticed she did not apologize, and he sadly smiled, knowing the darkness was growing inside her.

She was halfway down the second flight of stairs when she felt it. An overpowering jolt shot straight through her. "Aah!" she screamed out in pain and felt her legs go out from underneath her. It had been at the exact moment Zamasu had blocked Goku's Ki blast and allowed his energy to flare. Fizz caught her just as she was about to fall. She would have been shocked by his speed, but the sudden jolt of pain made her oblivious to her surroundings.

Fizz had felt Zamasu's energy just as Judith collapsed. "Are you alright Lady Judith?" He asked as he sat her down in one of the wingback chairs.

"To be quite honest with you Fizz," she said angrily, "no. I'm not alright!" She could no longer contain herself. "Ever since I got here all I've been doing is thinking and outsmarting a man that I had never met but feel like I've known for ages. I have been toyed with; my mind and body has been stretched to breaking point. I have been having dreams about a past I never realised I had. I discovered that I cry tears of blood, kill plants, got an inexplicable highlight in my hair and now… now it seems like I have spontaneous electric shocks!" She panted after she had let everything out. She had lied about the last part. She knew something was going on with Zamasu and it had had a physical effect on her.

Fizz allowed her to vent out all her frustration. It seemed as if Judith and Zamasu had a much stronger connection than he originally thought, which means, the Grand Minister's plan might not work. "I understand your frustration Lady Judith." Fizz said calmly. "And your highlight suites you rather well I would say."

"Really! Out of everything I just said, THAT is what you consider most important! My highlight!" she exclaimed outraged. For a moment they stared at each other before both Judith and Fizz started laughing. Now that she had said it out loud, it felt like a mountain was lifted from her shoulders.

After their laughing had died down Fizz spoke. "Now about that book you were looking for…"

Judith considered him for a moment before asking, "What does 'karito' mean Fizz?"

Fizz had been expecting this, she was definitely starting to remember. 'It won't be long now.' He thought regretfully before answering her. "It is a word in the divine language. It means 'reaper'.

… the garden …

Gowasu and Zamasu was once again on their way to the Tree of Balance.

"Master Gowasu." Zamasu said as they walked toward their destination. "I want to thank you for encouraging me to fight against the Saiyan." Gowasu watched his face closely as Zamasu continued. "My understanding of his kind has grown much deeper because of the encounter." His voice was once again void of emotion.

"So, I see." Gowasu said. "Has this helped you to dissuade the feelings of disdain toward mortals that's been bubbling up inside you?" Gowasu held his breath, waiting for Zamasu's response. 'Please, let Whis's gambit pay off.' He thought.

"I'm deeply ashamed of how callow I've been." Zamasu said in earnest.

"Then I assume you've learned an important lesson?" Gowasu asked.

"Yes." Was Zamasu's resolute answer.

"You should know, coming to this realization is an important step. Indeed, such reflection is what it means to grow." Gowasu said, secretly relieved. Perhaps Whis's gambit worked.

"Yes Master." Zamasu acknowledged, he himself secretly relieved that Gowasu had not launched into one of his famous monologues.

"Zamasu. Go and fix us another pot of tea."

"Yes Master."

… the library …

"Reaper?" Judith asked Fizz puzzled. "Like someone working on a farm?" she asked confused.

"Ohoho!" Fizz laughed. "You could say something like that."

"A reaper of what?" Judith asked. She was more confused than ever. It seemed her one question just led to a thousand more.

"I'm afraid I cannot be the one to tell you that Lady Judith." Fizz said smiling at her fondly. "That is something you will have to discover for yourself."

Judith sighed in frustration. "How am I supposed to figure all of this out while that insufferable man is here!" Judith did not have to tell Fizz who she was talking about and she did not realize her slight.

"No need to worry my Lady." Fizz said cheerfully. "Fortunately, the Supreme Kai in training had noticed your troubled mind. He was the one to suggest to the Grand Minister to assign me to you. And while we are on the subject, the Grand Minister has deemed it necessary for you to be taken away from here. I will be receiving your destination shortly where upon we will depart without delay." Fizz immediately realized his mistake in telling her.

… the garden …

As Zamasu stirred the fresh pot of tea he thought: 'Oh, I've learned a lesson. Mortals are even more dangerous than I thought.' Just then he felt Judith's Ki and sighed. 'I guess Fizz finally told her he will be keeping her company from now on…' Zamasu thought sadly, feeling the weight in his heart grow. 'Then again, her reaction seems more severe than I had anticipated.' A horrifying realization hit him. What if the Grand Minister had made other plans?