Chapter 20
Judith wandered further and further into the wilderness, her mind was too exhausted to think, still, she was not a complete idiot. She made a mental note in which direction she headed, just in case Fizz did not return as expected, she would be able to find her way back the cabin… 'The cabin…' she thought, clutching unknowingly at the mark that was forever now burned into her skin. Those few hours of complete pleasure and passion seemed a lifetime ago.
'So many questions…' she started to think, but her mind rebelled against her. She sighed audibly as she continued to walk through the undergrowth. It felt like an unwelcome pest was trying to get into her brain, she could hear it scratching inside her skull, begging for entry. It was maddening!
Judith paused a moment, her cognat eyes turned up staring into space, through tree branches that looked ominously like claws against the stark sky. The silence was eerie, but she enjoyed it, nonetheless. Better than the white static and scratching noises resounding in her ears.
Judith continued walking. She was climbing higher and higher with every step, the slight inclination of the hill she was walking on was deceiving and she started to feel her head grow ever more dizzy as the altitude increased.
… Universe 10 Planet of the Kais …
Zamasu removed the lid from the tea pot, inspecting the contents. To his frustration, the tea was not as clear as he would have liked. Being away from Judith was making him less focused in his tasks. He replaced the lid and poured Gowasu and himself a cup. Try as he may his thoughts kept wandering back to her.
Gowasu was once again seated in the middle of the temple courtyard, watching a crystal ball placed on a delicate purple pillow.
"Master Gowasu." Zamasu said as he placed the cup of tea in front of his master and moved to take the chair opposite him. Zamasu had not yet taken his seat as Gowasu took a sip of the tea.
"Tea taste a bit off today." He commented.
Zamasu paused for a split second at the remark, a micro expression of displeasure passed over his features. He had tried to keep his mind clear whilst brewing the tea, but Judith was a formidable distraction, one he had kept at bay with great difficulty. His displeasured expression changed into a polite smile in the blink of an eye.
"Same kind I always use Supreme Kai." He said as he sat down.
Gowasu looked at him suspiciously as a spoke in a flat voice. "Suppose it's just a bitter leaf then?" His eyes caught sight of Zamasu's potara earrings and he almost let out an audible gasp. There was an impurity, a red sliver in the flawless orange jewel.
"Yes." Zamasu said still smiling calmly. "That must be it." Fortunately Zamasu had his eyes closed and afforded Gowasu to regain his calm demeanour.
Gowasu would be lying if he said he did not wonder where Zamasu had vanished to, his absence was most inappropriate and inopportune. He had rounded on his apprentice when he did finally return. Off course Zamasu was free to move around, but there were conditions to his freedom and rules that had to be followed.
When Gowasu had asked him about his whereabouts, Zamasu had simply answered: "I found paradise master on a far off planet…" he had thought about Judith in the cabin, her warm body pressed to his, "And I simply couldn't bring myself to leave sooner." Gowasu had written his strange behaviour off, thinking nothing of it seeing as he was still a young Kai, but now… he was not so sure. The tea had never failed him.
Before Gowasu could question Zamasu on what happened to his potaras, they were interrupted by a loud growl emanating from the crystal ball centred on the table. Zamasu's eyes snapped open at the sound. He had been so distracted; he had not even noticed the artifact.
"What's that?" he asked and Gowasu was once again reminded of how young Zamasu was and how little knowledge he still possessed.
"I am monitoring a planet known as Barbary," Gowasu explained as the creature roared again. "Not long ago a species of sentient bipeds evolved there." One of the creatures was now brutally attacking another of its kind, beating it to death with his fists. "I'm watching to see what becomes of them." The creature continued to mindlessly beat the other. "Mmmh." Gowasu gripped his chin in thought before commenting. "Their violence is troubling."
Zamasu looked at the scene in revulsion. "Would it not be wise to deal with them," Zamasu said. "Before they cause more problems?" His last words were dripping with disdain.
Gowasu looked up at Zamasu shocked. "What do you mean: deal with them?"
Zamasu simply smiled politely as he answered Gowasu. "I mean, exterminate the entire species off course."
"How can you suggest such a thing?!" Gowasu exclaimed angrily his hands balled into fists on the table. "You know very well that's the role of a destroyer not a Kai!"
Zamasu calmly looked at Gowasu from across the table. "Then what should we do? What's the alternative?" The creature had started to pound its chest in victory, straddling the dead body of its victim. "Do you believe these savages will ever reach enlightenment?" Disbelieve evident in his voice at Gowasu's naivety.
"We'll watch them for another millennium or so, see how they progress." Gowasu said, his anger passing.
Zamasu's mind returned to Judith. 'Will she still exist after all that time had passed?' he thought, 'Or will she be –' he could not even bring himself to think it. "What's the point?" He said exasperated, shrugging his shoulders. "They'll never be civilized." He protested. He could not bear the thought of having to watch these worthless creatures as all that time passed, time he could have with her…
"You never know." Gowasu said resolutely.
"I do know." Zamasu replied. "I've seen more than enough examples from other worlds to predict how this story unfolds. There are no mysteries to the mortal soul."
'But what of Judith?' he thought. She was clouded in mystery. 'No. She cannot be mortal.' His mind insisted. 'She can never be compared to these disgusting barbaric savages.' The thought that she might be categorized with them made his stomach turn.
"Fine." Gowasu said. "If you refuse to listen," Gowasu got up from his chair and headed for the double doors on the far end of the courtyard. "Then why don't we take a look?"
Zamasu turned in his seat as his eyes followed Gowasu. "A look?" he asked puzzled. Gowasu said nothing but continued to walk through the open doors.
… Planet Venera …
Fizz had appeared seconds too late to see Judith disappear into the woods. He was hoping he would find her inside the cabin, tucked warmly into a chair in front of a fireplace. This, however, was not the case, as he discovered the cabin empty. Now that she was branded with the shoyu-ken no shirushi, he would no longer be able to sense her Ki… needless to say, that was problematic… He stared at the bent iron bed post as he weighed his options on how to proceed.
… Universe 10 Planet of the Kais …
Zamasu found himself standing in a blindingly bright void. Gowasu had stretched out his hand and made as if to open a sliding door. Millions of storage boxes appeared from out of nowhere, stretching as far as the eye could see, row upon row, each hiding its own secret, none of them labelled. Without searching, Gowasu walked straight toward one of these boxes to reveal a black box with gold trimmings, a purple rope tied around it. Gowasu removed it with care and walked toward Zamasu.
"I'm intrigued." Zamasu said before asking curiously. "Isn't that the box the destroyer and his attendant from Universe 7 came to check?"
Gowasu had untied and removed the purple rope surrounding it. "Indeed." He said as he opened the lid to reveal its contents. "Behold, the time rings. As the name suggests these bands allow one to move beyond the normal constraints of time." Zamasu looked down at the rings in amazement.
… Earth …
"Please forgive us for the 'eat and run' Bulma." Whis had started to say.
"Speak for yourself." Lord Beerus interjected picking his teeth.
"At least try to behave civil my Lord." Whis sighed just as Goku appeared.
"Jo Whis! Lord B!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Bulma said you were looking for me over the phone…"
"Yes-" Whis started to say, but Lord Beerus cut him of having grabbed Goku be the cheek and yanking him closer.
"You took your sweet time getting here saiyan!" Lord Beerus scowled. "It seems you may have forgotten who I am, perhaps you need a reminder." Lord Beerus said ominously.
"Oow ow owowowowow!" Goku complained. "That really hurts Lord Beerus! I promise I came as soon as I could!" Goku explained.
Lord Beerus released Goku's cheek. Goku stumbled backward a few steps, furiously rubbing his cheek which was now glowing red.
"We're terribly sorry to inconvenience you Goku." Whis said diplomatically. "But we…" Lord Beerus cleared his throat. "I mean I…" Whis corrected hastily, "was hoping you could take us to see your Supreme Kai. We have some… family business to take care of." Whis finished.
"You can just drop us off and be on your way again saiyan." Lord Beerus said, already getting bored with the pleasantries.
"No problem!" Goku said in his naïve manner. "Just grab a hold Lord Beerus." He said. As soon as both Whis had placed his hand on Goku's shoulder (Lord Beerus had his hand on Whis back as was customary), they disappeared.
… Planet Barbary …
Gowasu and Zamasu appeared in a purple flash high above the planet surface of Barbary. Looking down, the mindless creature was still busy with its victim, kicking the dead body, oblivious to its surroundings.
"Disgusting." Zamasu scowled quietly.
Gowasu removed his hands from behind his back, the silver time ring now on the right index finger. "I hope a thousand years from now these creatures from Barbary are not so shackled to their primitive drives." As he spoke, Gowasu lovingly caressed the ring.
As Gowasu spoke the words primitive drives, Zamasu's mind once again flashed back to Judith, bound by the wrists, begging him not to stop. He cleared his throat, forcing the scene from his mind. "So that artifact actually allows the wearer to travel through time, master?" Despite his impure thoughts, his voice was its normal monotone.
"Yes." Gowasu answered. "But there are distinct limitations." He continued to explain. "The rings take us to the future and then always bring us back."
"What about… going to the past?" he ventured.
"That is not the purpose of the rings. And even if they could, such movement is strictly forbidden." Gowasu said seriously. "Interacting with history is complex and fraught with danger." He looked at Zamasu. "You remember the four emerald coloured rings that were inside that box?"
"Off course." Zamasu answered emotionlessly.
"Each was created by a significant change in history which has produced a separate time-line, an alternate reality." Gowasu finished.
Zamasu could not believe his ears. "What does that mean: an alternate reality." The gears were spinning inside his head. 'If it means what I think it means…' he thought as his brow furrowed.
"It is possible to affect the flow of time in a way that creates a parallel stream." Gowasu turned serious. "And judging by the bands in that box, this had happened in recent years." Gowasu shook his head in concern as he said. "For mercy's sake, what sort of fools would attempt such madness?" He paused briefly. "But I digress. My point is the time ring can take us to the Barbary's future."
"Indeed." Zamasu concurred. Usually Gowasu's unnecessarily long explanations tested Zamasu's patience to the highest degree, but in this instance, his monologue proved most insightful. 'So there are four alternate realities to our own… interesting…'
"Or should I say it can take me?" Gowasu's words yanked Zamasu out of his train of thought. "As a precaution, the time rings only transport those with the full rank of Supreme Kai and have the correct potara earring to prove it." Gowasu tapped his own green ones as he spoke.
Zamasu glanced sideways at his own orange ones. 'What the—' he thought, shocked at what he saw. The red that he had noticed while listening to the water roll of Judith's body, the anomaly he had discarded as some impurity appeared to be spreading, like a drop of ink that fell into water.
Gowasu watched him closely and had caught the surprise and confusion on his young apprentice's face. 'So he doesn't know what it is?' Gowasu thought relieved. He was concerned that the change somehow had something to do with Judith. After Fizz had spirited her away, Zamasu had changed, and not entirely for the better. But since he had returned from what he called 'paradise' he seemed to be somewhat himself again. If anything, he seemed more resolute and calm. Gowasu was relieved to have his 'old' apprentice back, the apprentice he had chosen because of his skill in fighting and his aptitude for protecting creation. Gowasu's heart instantly felt lighter. "Mere apprentices such as yourself do not qualify." He said.
"So I can't go with you?" Zamasu asked in a voice similar to childish disappointment, which was so uncharacteristic of his apprentice's usual stoic exterior.
Gowasu could not help but laugh at this display of innocence as he removed one of his own potara earrings "You may borrow one of mine." He offered it to Zamasu. "I will promote you to Supreme Kai… temporarily off course." Gowasu added hastily.
Zamasu had not expected this generous offer and show of trust. "I am humbled Master." Zamasu said as he bowed in respect before taking the earring from Gowasu. He moved to remove his own… he would worry about them later.
"Just make sure you put it on your left ear. I trust you know why." Gowasu warned as he watched Zamasu.
"If I put in on my right ear, while its pair is on your left, we would merge together, correct?" Zamasu answered as he put the potara on his ear.
"Yes." Gowasu confirmed. "It would combine us together into a far more powerful Kai." Gowasu eyed Zamasu's own potaras which was still clutched in one of his fists. "But the transformation would be permanent." Gowasu smiled at Zamasu. "How about it? Want to join me forever?"
Zamasu instantly stiffened at Gowasu's suggestion. He looked away distressed "Uuh... No thanks." He answered nervously. "Perhaps some other time master." Zamasu inwardly smiled as he thought about how Judith would react if he showed up, merged with Gowasu. Before he knew what he was doing, Zamasu started to speak. "I don't think Ju-" he stopped himself just in time.
Gowasu that had started laughing at Zamasu's distress grew quiet. "I don't think you would want to give up your life so trivially." Zamasu quickly improvised. He knew it was a pathetic attempt and judging by Gowasu expression, his master also doubted his response. Gowasu considered him a moment longer before speaking.
"Alright." Gowasu stretched his arm out in front of him, his hand balled into a fist, the time ring prominent on his finger. "Touch the ring and say one thousand." Zamasu was relieved that Gowasu did not persist his weak improvisation. "We'll travel that many years ahead."
Zamasu nodded in understanding and mirrored Gowasu's position, touching his own fist to his master's.
"One thousand." Gowasu and Zamasu said in unison. Instantly they were surrounded by a transparent orb. The world around them faded into darkness and replaced with rainbow coloured streaks moving around them in a circular fashion. Zamasu stared in wonder as time moved forward around them.
Then, just as suddenly as the phenomenon started it ended and the planet Barbary reappeared beneath them. The landscape had changed somewhat.
"Let's see." Gowasu said. Both he and Zamasu looked down to where moments ago and imbecilic barbarian was beating on an already dead body. "Look!" Gowasu exclaimed happily. "Fire and shelter. They're starting to civilize." He had an intense urge to say 'I told you so' at Zamasu.
Zamasu continued to watch. Sure enough there was a fire and some mounds that could barely pass for shelter and he venture a guess that this must be the beginnings of a village. He also noted that the Barbarians had armed themselves with thick, heavy stumps. 'A thousand years…' he thought bitterly, 'and THIS is all they've achieved… How pitiful.'
Gowasu was just about to spew forth a monologue of wisdom on patience and perseverance when one of the creature bumped into another while passing. Immediately there was an uproar and both of the creatures started to lay in to each other with their make shift clubs.
Gowasu and Zamasu looked down on the scene. Gowasu wanted to palm his face, but Zamasu merely looked on in disgust.
'This proves it.' He thought. 'As long as mortals exist, the multiverse will have no peace.' His path was once again laid out at his feet, all he had to do was take the first step. Even with the evidence clear in front of him, he simply could not take the decision to pursue his most secret dreams of a Utopia. It was an impossibility he had created the moment he so desperately had taken Judith's body and made it his.