Zaki leaned over a trash can, vomiting the last of his lunch and the potion he just took. Even though he had been drinking potions for years, the taste made him retch every time. Luckily, Veloda was nowhere in sight or he would’ve been made fun of. He wiped his mouth the back of his hand. He needed to wash his mouth out with something pleasant.

After gargling an entire glass of water, he checked his chest. The claw marks that had scored from the top of his sternum to the bottom of his ribs were gone. Although his potions tasted rancid, they were effective. The tattered and bloodied remains of his shirt were balled up in the corner of his office, but it was alright as these days he made sure to bring extras.

He sighed into the quiet of the room. Veloda had been angry with him again. Rubbing his chest, he grimaced when he remembered what set the demigod off this time. He had refused a publicity stunt for the king, not wanting the attention. Like always, Veloda had apologize even when his hands still dripped with Zaki’s blood. Veloda’s profuse apologies grew tried as the plentitude chipped away at any sincerity the demigod could have professed. Lalai, he was so tired of everything. With a loud thump, his head dropped onto his desk.

“Sir,” his secretary poked her head in through the door, “You have an appointment with the governor in ten minutes.”

“Send him in whenever he arrives.”

“Yes, sir.”

He heard the door close behind her. The weight upon his shoulders grew heavier, the crushing expectations the of governor and city added to the impossible expectations of Veloda. He didn’t even know what the meeting was supposed to be about, and his head hurt from hitting it on the table.

He was jerked from his position when the door slammed open, Governor Ro walking in with a large smile on his face. “Severin, it’s been too long since we last met!”

“Governor Ro.” The only indication of his displeasure at being referred to as Severin was the twitching of his left eye.

Ro laughed a full and boisterous laugh. “My friend, when will you ever stop being formal with me? It’ll make me think you don’t like me!”

He didn’t like Ro. The man was incompetent to say the least and downright intolerable at his worst. The only thing worse about the man was how much Veloda liked him. “You know I like to keep things professional.”

“Don’t I know it!” the man laughed again as he took his seat in front of Zaki’s desk, the poor thing that kept Zaki from strangling Ro when the man said something particularly stupid.

“While I don’t mind our banter, I do wonder why you’re here. Last I heard, a leviathan sighting had taken you to a southwestern port.”

“Always straight to the point with you, isn’t it? Not a single ‘How was your day, Gavin?’’ or ‘How are the kids?’ It’s always business with you.”

He sighed, “Fine. How are you? I already know how your kids are doing because your wife is as talkative as you.”

Ro took an obnoxiously long pause to think about his answer. He couldn’t keep a foot from tapping under the desk, the force of his leg shaking the whole thing. “I’ve been better. As you said, I was investigating that leviathan sighting, but neither I nor the leviathan hunters could find anything.”

“It could’ve been a false report.”

“I don’t think it was. 20 years ago, I might’ve thought that too, but there’s been too many confirmed sightings for me to think this one was a fluke.” For once, Ro looked serious. “These days, the beasts are commonplace. The killings are becoming commonplace too.”

Veloda mentioned the strange occurrence of the leviathans as well. However, unlike many of the world’s phenomena, the demigod had no answer to why this was happening. Because everything had to eventually connect back to the gods, people began whispering that the gods were angry at humans. Those more easily convinced by nonsense cried that calamity was imminent. The gods wanted to start Peyrn anew.

He sighed, “This doesn’t bode well. People are going to get more scared than they already are. It’s hard enough to reassure the masses that the gods aren’t planning to wipe them out at a moment’s notice as is.”

“Perhaps there’s a kernel of truth in the idea.”

Zaki scoffed, shaking his head. “Don’t tell me you believe the ramblings of crazy men?”

“Of course not,” Ro shrugged, “But I think there’s something going on that’s more than us.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

“No, I’m here because I have word from the queen.”

“The queen?” He lips dipped into a frown as he tried to recall all he knew about the queen. The woman kept out of the spotlight, and it was a miracle if she consented to be painted with her husband and kids. “I wasn’t aware she spoke to you.”

“She doesn’t. When I got the letter, I thought someone was trying to con me! However, it was her royal seal on the letter. Beautiful handwriting.” Ro pulled the letter from his pocket and unfolded it, handing it to Zaki.

He took the letter and confirmed that it was indeed the queen’s royal seal on the front. He was sure seeing that seal was rarer than finding red diamonds in Kurak. Opening it, he read what little was written. When he finished, he folded the letter and handed it back to Ro. “Has it been confirmed?”

Ro nodded, “The king is dying. We don’t know how long he has left.”

“I’m not surprised. King Malek’s not young. He turned 79 this year.”

“Our king has lived a long life. Same as his royal magician.”

He bit back a smirk. That was the reason for the meeting, and the reason why Veloda enjoyed Ro’s company. With his ineptitudes, Ro didn’t rise to power based on his skill. The sole cause was that the man was an opportunistic bastard. Veloda liked people like that, and from what he remembered and had been told, Severin had liked people like that too.

He said, “Royal Magician Kihn has done an admirable job for a woman her age.”

“Yes, of course,” Ro agreed, “King Malek’s decision to make Kihn the royal magician stands to be one of his best. However, word from the castle says that she may not continue her position after the king’s death.”

“If that’s true, I’m sure that she would’ve already started looking for a replacement.”

“Yes, so it might be in your best interest to make moves toward securing that position. There’s not a single other person I feel is more qualified than you, Severin.”

“Zaki.”

“What?”

“My name is Zaki. If you wish to be familiar, make sure you use the correct name.”

“My apologies! Why haven’t you corrected me before?” Ro looked beside himself with remorse. “It’s just that Vel calls you Severin all the time. Lalai, that was how he introduced you to me. Is he mistaken as well?”

“Vel and I have an understanding. We do not. From now on, don’t ever refer to me with the name Severin.”

“I won’t forget!”

“If that is it, you may leave. I will need time to think about what you’ve proposed.”

“Please take all the time you need!” Ro paused in the middle of rising from his seat, “Well, you don’t have all the time in the world to deliberate. You should show your interest sooner rather than later.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” He rose from his seat as well, walking to the door with Ro. “I assure you that my mind will be made up by the end of this day.”

“Good, I would hate to see someone else take your place.”

He shot Ro a tight smile before watching the governor take his leave. With that over, he ran inside to grab his briefcase, shoving everything he needed inside. Shouldering on his coat and plopping his hat onto his head, he closed the door to his office behind him. He turned to his secretary, “I’m heading out for the day.”

His secretary’s eyes widened, and she scrambled to say, “But, sir, you have three more meetings today! And Vel requested your presence for lunch!”

“Tell them I’m sick or something. Vel will know where to find me.”

“Yes, sir.” She picked up the phone and started to make calls.

When he exited the building, he coughed a little as smog filled his lungs. As much as he loved cars, he didn’t love their byproduct. He especially hated how often he had to retouch runes to keep the dirty air from seeping into the surrounding wildlife. Roads that used to be reserved for pedestrians and stagecoaches were clogged with black automobiles, and people weaved in and out of the traffic. Honking and the revving of engines were sounds he became used to hearing.

He wouldn’t be getting into a car today, though. His destination was a few blocks away from his office, along the eastern end of the city. Even though Tawglav was the royal city, it was a small one. In their memories, he remembered quaint houses and dirt roads. Now, it was multi-storied buildings and cobblestone. He didn’t know which he liked better.

People greeted him on the streets. He painted a pleasant expression on his face and waved to them. He was glad that no one tried to stop him because he was in no mood for conversation. Swinging a sharp left, he found himself in front of an apartment complex. The one place for total privacy in Tawglav.

Like usual, the elevator was broken, so he had to climb seven flights of stairs. While he was no slouch, he was panting when he reached the eighth floor. The door creaked open, and he reminded himself to bring something to oil it for next time. The dusty hallway had a few spiderwebs hanging in the corner of doorways, but it was clean beyond that. No one loitered, and it was silent. Smiling to himself, he quietly walked to the door at the end of the hallway.

He fished the key out of his coat pocket, inserting it into the keyhole. The door opened to reveal a plain living room. The minimal furniture was bland. After making sure that everything was in its rightful place, he flopped face first onto the sofa. When the door opened again, he knew it would be Veloda.

Before he knew it, he heard footsteps outside the door. Veloda called when he busted into the living room, “Severin, I’m home!”

He lifted his face from the sofa, “I thought I told you not to greet me like that.”

“Well, I thought I told you not to tell me not to do things.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“But you love me!” The teasing lilt on love had an unconscious smile spreading on his face. Despite the demigod being insufferable, Veloda did know how to make him smile. “Anyway, why’d you cancel all your meetings today? I swear Devorah was about to cry when she called me.”

He shrugged, “I just didn’t feel like going. However, Governor Ro relayed some interesting information this morning.”

“What did Gavin say? Is it about the leviathans again?” Veloda sat on his legs, pining him to the sofa.

“No, he got a letter from the queen that said the king is dying.”

“Malek’s finally about to kick the bucket, huh? Good fucking riddance. I hope his wife rots with him, but I’d never be that lucky.”

He tilted his head to peer at the demigod. For as long as Zaki had known him, Veloda had a grudge against King Malek, and he wouldn’t elaborate on why that was. If he thought the grudge against King Malek was bad, it was nothing compared to the vitriol Veloda had for the queen. He believed the demigod hated the woman with every fiber of his being. Why? Again, Veloda wouldn’t elaborate. That led him to make up reasons why Veloda hated them so much. Perhaps a love triangle broke them apart forever, leaving long-lasting scars. Or, maybe Veloda had no reason for hating them and did it just because he wanted to.

“The reason why Ro told me wasn’t so we could celebrate his demise. It’s because the royal magician position will be opening soon. Royal Magician Kihn is leaving, and he wants me to take her place.”

Veloda jumped off the sofa with a happy shout. “Why didn’t you start with that? This is what we’ve been waiting for! We’re one step closer to restoring you to your former glory!”

“What if I don’t want to become the royal magician?”

“Severin,” the demigod laughed, “What are you talking about? Of course, you want to be the royal magician. From there, you can take your rightful seat on the High Court.”

He clenched his fist, knowing that this would be the only time he could speak his mind. If he could get Veloda to listen to him once, then maybe he would be able to do what he wants. Not that he knew what he wanted to do, but he knew it wasn’t this. “What if I want to be something else?”

“What else could you be?” Veloda’s voice was deceptively calm.

“I don’t know.”

The demigod laid on top of him; his mouth aligned with Zaki’s ear. Even though he was close, Zaki strained to hear him. “I’m starting to get impatient with you. Choose your next words very carefully, Zaki. What else could you be?”

The weight of Veloda had him feeling as if he couldn’t breathe, and the words whispered into his ear stole any air that was left in his lungs. He had given up on getting Veloda to call him by his actual name. Part of him had thought the demigod had forgotten what it was. It seemed he hadn’t forgotten. Veloda knew very well what it was. Zaki replied, “Nothing.”

“That’s right. So, let’s do this again. You’re going to become the royal magician.”

“Yes.”

“And then you’re going to take a seat on the High Court.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re going to like it. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

“I’m glad that’s settled.” Veloda lifted himself from Zaki. “I don’t want to hear anymore protests from you. I’m doing this for your own good.”

He kept his eyes averted. If he didn’t, Veloda would see the tears. He watched as the cushion underneath him darkened as the tears fell from his face to the material. He had sealed his fate when he met the demigod at the temple. He had been naïve and foolish to believe that the demigod was his friend. Veloda was here for Severin, and he was merely along for the ride. He managed to ask, “What happens after that? After I get a seat on the High Court.”

Veloda chuckled, grabbing him by the back of his head. Angling Zaki’s face toward the window, he pointed to the skies. “We’re going there next. You and I have some unfinished business with the gods.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Kill them. What else would we do?”

He tried to twist out of Veloda’s grip, but the demigod was too strong. Horror filled him, and he guessed this was what true fear was. Veloda was out of his mind. “I’m human. What chance do I have against a god?”

“Oh, Severin, you won’t be able to do anything with an attitude like that. C’mon, believe in yourself.”

“I can’t even best you! A god would kill me in a second.”

“Don’t worry,” the demigod’s dismissive tone was grating on his nerves, “I’ll protect you like I always do. You trust me, don’t you?”

There was only one answer to that, “Of course.”