"I didn't know what she meant at first, but I can see clearly now," Kitsune said. "Xinyu was only able to steal divine magic because the gods were unaware of her ability. Now that a god has been killed, every single one of the heavens, likely even the isolated Eastlands, knows of her actions. In essence, her ability to use magic is eternally gone. Should we resurrect her against her wishes, she'd be what she feared most. She would be powerless. Thrust back into the world she should have despised, but loved, only to watch it burn helplessly. So you see, there is no reason to use the flute in such a way."
"I can't believe she felt that way," Brax said.
"Magic thievery. How mysterious," Cygnus said. "I wish I could have spoken with her more. There was so much I wanted to learn from her."
"She's gone now, and there's nothing that will change that," Kitsune said.
"Wait, then why did you have me retrieve this flute?" Musique asked. "Could there be someone else strong enough to aid us? Have you perhaps seen someone in history or read about someone in the heavenly archives?"
"I have a few in mind, though I remain unsure," Kitsune said. "But in times where fate begets calamity, it'll be imperative to have. Whether it's used on a fallen warrior of today or one of the distant past is unclear. We need everything we can get, and I assure you, right now, this is one of our greatest weapons in subverting fate, just as Xinyu had. She proved it was possible, and that gives me faith."
"How intriguing," Cygnus said. "But that leaves me with many questions, two blaring above the rest. First of all, where could you have possibly learned of such a device? A flute that resurrects the dead?"
"The phoenix flute is an ancient artifact from before the time of humanity," Kitsune said. "It was made well before even my creation, so I don't know much about its creators or why it was conceived, but I was aware of its existence because of the ancient texts in Heaven's Library. I'd often snuck into their vast collections to learn the secrets of the world, which eventually led to me being banished from the skies."
"The heavens archive information?" Cygnus asked.
"Indeed, just as humans do," Kitsune said. "Somewhere in the skies, where the heavens intersect, and rivers of space meet, there is a glorious monument of cloudy metal stretching beyond what the eye can see. Inside its grand golden gates are shelves of books and texts telling secrets, lost histories, and stories unbeknownst to time itself. It is a place where you can learn anything, but also nothing at all."
"I would give anything to peruse those godly shelves," Cygnus lamented.
"A mortal could only dream of doing so," Kitsune asked. "What is your second question, great scholar?"
"It's less a question, and more clarity I desire," Cygnus said. "Most of the actions we've taken thus far are because, according to Arthur and his table, your prophecies are immutable and definitive. Even so, you said Xinyu defied your prophecy, or rather fate, and now you're trying to do it yourself. It's left me confused about the nature of your prophetic magic and whether or not it can be trusted."
"It no longer can be," Kitsune said. "My prophecies were never wrong before because my prophetic power is tied to the inherent magic of the world: one which the past, present, and future all meld into a single entity. In this amalgamation of visions, I saw a future where the world killed Xinyu without fail."
"Doesn't her death prove them right? Are things not going precisely how they should?" Cygnus asked.
"She did indeed die, but not the way I foresaw," Kitsune said. "She went out on her own accord, doing something that should have been impossible. It's likely because she was magicless that her future wasn't confined to the magic of prophecy like us. She was a separate entity, working independently from everything else. Funny how her greatest weakness was also her greatest strength. In the end, she was able to change fate and steer the world towards a future even I am blind to."
"But we, and everyone else, hold magic, so what's the point of trying to change anything now that she's gone?" Musique asked. "Should things not fall back into place without her further intervention? What point is there in continuing this fight?"
"It's as if she threw a boulder into a pond," Kitsune said. "The ripples create tides perturbing the natural order of things. In essence, that means reality is no longer on a linear, predictable course. There's also the Moonless Terra, a place where I can not see… a place beyond the gods and fate. Fate is a strange force, but it's not as definitive as we thought. With so much uncertainty, our future is bleak but not definitive. Is that not enough of a reason to continue fighting?"
"Don't be foolish. I've always had a reason to fight. I just wanted to know what you, a deity, thought on the matter as a whole," Cygnus said, laughing to himself. "Whether it's for my curiosity or my king, I've never once wavered in the endless battle that is science. Isn't that the same for the rest of you?"
"Aye, it is, sir," Samson said. "We've always followed you because we hold the same burning curiosity as you, and the reason that we'll continue to follow you, even if such a road takes us to the depths of hell."
"But more than that, it's because you're our friend," Epsilon said.
"I might not have the same curiosity as you men and my sister, but I still have my ambitions," Kofi said. "Even if you don't remember it, from the day you saved me, Cygnus, I'd vowed to make the most of the life I was allowed to continue living. I wanted to be someone strong who could stick up for those in need, just like you, my hero. And it seems that I've been given a brother to fight alongside because of it. Of course, that depends on him. Well, Brax?"
"Huh? Me?" Brax asked.
"Now that the one who started your adventure is gone for good, what do you plan to do?" Kofi asked.
"I… I dunno," Brax said.
"Surely you weren't planning on going back to your family like this?" Kofi asked.
"What else can I do?" Brax asked.
"That's not for me to answer, Brax," Kofi said. "Ask yourself this: have you accomplished all you set out to do?"
"No, I s'pose not," Brax mumbled.
"Surely, the promise we made wasn't in vain," Kofi said.
"It wasn't," Brax said, his voice still low. "But I don't think I can keep up with the rest of y'all. I ain't a prodigy, and I certainly ain't special. As much as it hurts to say after all this time, I'll never be the hero I wanted to be."
"Tell me, who was Xinyu Ma to you?" Kofi asked. "An unreachable goal? An immutable force? A god?"
"She was… my friend," Brax said.
"And if it were your friend who was here in your place, what would she do?" Kofi asked.
"She'd prolly smile and continue on, fightin' and livin' enough for the both of us," Brax said.
"And so I ask, what is it you wish to do with the flame she lit inside of you?" Kofi asked. "Will you let it whittle out into embers, for will you feed it until it's a roaring fire? What do you wish to do with this life?"
"I want to… create a world that's safe for my wife and daughter… and…" Brax started. "I want to protect the world that Xinyu loved!"
"You may not be able to do anything right now, but I believe that one day, far in the future, your role will be indispensable to humanity as a whole," Kofi said, patting him on the back. Brax looked at him, then looked up at the moon, a content expression on his face. "Your journey is far from finished, my companion."
"I s'pose it ain't," Brax said under his breath. "I just hope my back don't give out along the way…"
A moment passed, and Musique started to laugh. It was odd for the shy boy who had remained reserved throughout the exchange of companionship, but he couldn't help himself any longer. It seemed like he was enjoying himself, despite the somber yet inspiring mood.
"Might I ask what's so funny?" Samson asked. "You're ruining this moment a bit, aren't you?"
"Ah, I'm sorry," Musique said, dialing back his entrancement with those around him. "I never had to talk to other people before, so I'm not very good with social stuff. Actually, that's not true. I did talk to one person a little, but she was kind of weird herself."
"She was a strange one, all right," Kitsune said. "I hope she doesn't serve as a bad example to you, my beloved son."
"She was crazy, but I'm sure it was for a reason," Musique said. "I mean, look at all these people she's brought together. I wish your eyes reached the Eastlands, mother. I would have loved to see where such a person started from."
"I as well," Kitsune agreed. "Instead of lamenting her death, we should celebrate it."
"True. I'd love to raise a glass in her honor," Brax said. "But all we got is some dirty water and cracked bowels we scavenged from the rubble of the city."
"Water will do," Cygnus said. "She came from 'poor but happy merchants,' right? I doubt she'd have a problem with it."
"Seems a bit rough from a noble scholar, but I guess you ain't pretentious like the rest," Brax said. "Xinyu really knew how to pick 'em."
Brax poured a tiny bit of water into eight cracked stone bowls as they glided through the desert under the galactic sky. He handed a bowl to each of his companions and kept two in his own hands.
"A toast!" Samson announced. "To the one only who ever slew a god, Xinyu Ma, the Merchant of Joy!"
"Here, here!" the rest announced in unison.
"To discovery!" Epsilon said.
"To new lands!" Cygnus said.
"To unravel our own mortal legends," Kofi said.
"To destroy fate with our own hands," Kitsune said.
"To honor our hero…" Musique said.
"And our good friend," Brax said.
"To good fortune and greed!" they all chanted one last time as they clanked the bowls in the center and drank the water. It tasted of dirt, but not a single one of them minded as they drank every last grainy drop. Then, Brax took the last bowl of murky water and splashed it out of the soaring cart into the winds behind. The droplets took on the moon's light and began to sparkle, glistening like a trail of shooting stars.
The Merchant of Joy wasn't there to enjoy the drink poured for her, but if she were, she would have spit it out, saying it was nasty and smiling as always.
They hadn't a clue where they were going into the dark future ahead, but that didn't matter, for they had their hero and friend, Xinyu Ma, in their minds and by their sides. The one who, in the short time she knew them, inspired them and gave them strength beyond mere magic power.