#brics expansion

[workersolidarity]

Interesting new graph from Visual Capitalist on the BRICS expansion.

BRICS has agreed to accept the following six new Members States:

Egypt

Ethiopia

Argentina

Iran

UAE

Saudi Arabia

Together, BRICS will now encompass 46% of the Global population, representing 29% of Global GDP, 25% of Global Exports, and 43% of Global Oil Production.

[haqiqaglobalbusiness]

Ethiopia's Debut at the BRICS Summit 2024: A New Chapter in Global Diplomacy

Ethiopia's historic debut at the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marks a significant milestone. Discover the key discussions, outcomes, and implications of this event for Ethiopia and the global stage.

Ethiopia’s participation in the 2024 BRICS Summit, held in Kazan, Russia, marked a significant milestone in the country’s foreign policy. Ethiopia is a newly inducted member of the influential bloc. It joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa to shape the global economic landscape. It also contributes to the political landscape. This blog post delves into the key discussions,…

[kesarijournal]

Unraveling India’s BRICS and BRI Conundrum

In a world where geopolitics often resembles a complex game of 3D chess, India finds itself pondering its next move on a board set by two ambitious projects – the expansion of BRICS and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Imagine a chessboard, not with mere black and white squares, but a vibrant mosaic of global interests, strategic rivalries, and the occasional pawn aspiring to be a queen.…

[lonnewulf]

Discover how the BRICS group's historic expansion, welcoming Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran, is set to reshape global economics and foster new alliances. Explore the geopolitical implications and future prospects in this insightful article.

[roomselfcontain2]

Interiordesign 2 bedroom house plan for rent at ada George area in port Harcourt city rivers state Nigeria. Pop ceiling decorations modern vintage classic style grab this now

[head-post]

What BRICS expansion means

On 1 January 2024, BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, admitted four new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. The enlargement could increase the economic influence of its member states, according to The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS).

The decision to expand BRICS was taken at the Johannesburg summit in August 2023. BRICS+ (the unofficial name since the expansion) now accounts for 37.3 per cent of global GDP. However, in addition to increased economic power, the new members could bring potential divisions, making it difficult to reach consensus on common policy stances.

Expansion is regarded as increasing the influence of the group and developing countries as a whole in international organisations, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the Bretton Woods institutions, since the new members will contribute only about 4 per cent to the group’s total GDP.

Interaction with the BRICS+ countries is conducted mainly on a case-by-case basis. For instance, the EU co-operates with Brazil, India and South Africa on strategic issues and negotiates a free trade agreement with India.

However, the organisations diverge on political views, demonstrating dissent on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Read more HERE

[usnewsper-business]

BRICS nations expanding their economic cooperation is positive for world economy #america #BRICS #economicgrowth #Expansion #worldeconomy

[xtruss]

What BRICS Expansion Means For India

From left: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appear at the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Aug. 24.Gianluigi Guercia/AFP via Getty Images

The main headline from last week’s BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, is that the bloc will expand, adding new members for the first time since South Africa’s admission in 2010. It may be easy to see the enlargement of BRICS—currently made up of Brazil 🇧🇷, Russia 🇷🇺, India 🇮🇳, China 🇨🇳, and South Africa 🇿🇦 —as a bad thing for New Delhi. After all, more members could elevate Beijing’s influence in the group.

Some observers are also concerned about BRICS’s future orientation. One of the new members, Iran, is at odds with the West; the group—initially intended to promote the voices of emerging economies—could take on a more clearly anti-Western stance, especially given China’s and Russia’s influence. That would present a challenge for India, which aims to balance relations with the West and the countries beyond it.

However, this analysis overlooks the potential benefits of BRICS expansion for India. First, more members may grant China more influence on the global stage, but it also means more influence for BRICS itself. That is good for India, which has long viewed the bloc as an important entity because it champions the causes of the global south and contributes to multipolarity, two foreign-policy priorities for New Delhi.

Aside from Iran, the other new members—Argentina 🇦🇷, Egypt 🇪🇬, Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, and the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪—are not staunchly anti-West. As a result, a larger BRICS can hardly be described as an anti-Western bloc. And half of the new members are top Indian partners: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Finally, most of the additions are in the Middle East, a growing arena for New Delhi’s engagement because of energy and trade interests and broader geopolitical considerations.

The BRICS expansion didn’t go entirely New Delhi’s way. India was reportedly opposed to adding another country that is subject to international sanctions such as Iran, which is not only hostile toward the West but also expanding ties with China. Analysts have rightly noted that most of the new members are also key sources of engagement for Beijing.

But it could have been much worse for India, especially since it also enjoys relations with all of the new members, including Iran. New Delhi will see six friendly countries added to BRICS, most of them in a region key to Indian interests.

India could face new challenges in the future: BRICS could expand further, and the next round of new members may not be as favorable to India. For example, China and Russia could push for Pakistan to join, although its weak economy would make it a poor candidate. But India enjoys strong ties with the global south, largely because of its historic role as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War. Most potential new BRICS members would be at least friendly to New Delhi.

Ultimately, discussions about what BRICS expansion means for India may be getting ahead of themselves. That’s because new members could exacerbate one of the bloc’s weaknesses: a struggle to execute, or as FP’s C. Raja Mohan describes it, to turn “soaring rhetoric on global issues into concrete, practical outcomes.” This stems from BRICS’s consensus-based decision-making process. With 11 members instead of five, it will be even more difficult to reach consensus.

For now, this much is true: BRICS expansion could advance Indian interests, giving New Delhi more clout with a set of nations with which it is keen to expand relations.

— Foreign Policy | August 30, 2023

[faultfalha]

The days pass slowly in South Africa and the people watch with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation as BRICS expands its reach. The distant echoes of history, the complexities of change, and the promise of a new future are all part of the thought process as citizens contemplate what will come of this evolving unity. The sun rises to a new dawn and brings with it a vibrant life in the land, one that wonders and wanders through the possibilities that BRICS expansion offers.

[workersolidarity]

Ethiopia asks to join BRICS bloc of emerging economies | Reuters

BRICS continues to expand and create a healthy economic alternative to Western Finance and IMF development.

Every country that chooses to participate in the BRICS alternative is helping to build a viable alternative to Western Institutions like the World Bank and IMF, and is helping to defeat Western Imperialism.

The only thing that allows the United States to debt spend freely on expansive Military Bases, huge Defense contracts, massive military procurement projects, wholesale personal data collection, and participation in Military operations around the world is the world's dependence on the US Dollar for trade and commerce.

Every step taken to break down that system of Imperialist control is a step in the right direction, a step towards the economic sovereignty of the Global South and Asia, and hopefully eventually the rest of the world sees the value in having national sovereignty free from US Hegemony and Wall Street Inspired Neoliberalism.

[mariacallous]

For 700 years, Moscow has expanded through relentless land grabs, growing into the largest country on Earth while subjugating countless nations.

In a recent video address, President Zelenskyy appeared wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “Make Russia Small Again.” But this isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a call for historical justice and a reminder of Russia’s centuries-old imperial ambitions.

The T-shirt displays a map of the Grand Duchy of Moscow as it was in 1462, under the rule of Prince Ivan III, who sought to break free from the Golden Horde’s dominance. This era marked the beginning of Muscovy’s expansionist campaigns, during which it claimed lands beyond its borders. In the following years, neighboring principalities such as Yaroslavl, Tver, Ryazan, and Rostov were conquered—the same region that made headlines in August 2024 when Ukrainian forces advanced into it.

Even back then, Moscow employed methods that would become its standard practice for centuries—deportation. After conquering the Novgorod Republic, Moscow forcibly relocated its population to other regions. This move was designed to crush any resistance, as Novgorod had long been independent and a powerful rival to Moscow. By dismantling its center of influence, Moscow eliminated any hope for independence and silenced the potential for protest.

It was Ivan III who first declared himself “Tsar of All Rus,” even though he had never ruled over the lands of Kyivan Rus and merely aspired to conquer them. Over time, his ambitions extended to the northern territories of modern Ukraine—Siveria and Chernihiv regions.

The territory of Tatarstan, where the BRICS summit took place in Kazan in 2024, was conquered in the mid-16th century. These lands have never historically belonged to Russia.

In the following centuries, Moscow simultaneously pushed in all directions—deep into Siberia, south to the Caucasus, even waging war with modern-day Iran, while also advancing westward. The empire continuously grew, fueled by a desire to extend its global influence. When Peter I proclaimed the Russian Empire in the early 18th century, he claimed to be “reclaiming lands,” but in reality, it was a relentless campaign of conquest. Like every other empire, Russia’s expansion was built on the systematic expansion of its territories and subjugation of the peoples within them.

A particularly revealing example is Alaska. Russia sold the territory because it lacked the resources to maintain control, while the U.S. initially hesitated over whether it was worth purchasing.

Even in the 20th century, after the collapse of the Russian Empire and the rise of the Soviet Union, Russia continued its territorial conquests. In 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact—a secret agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union—was signed. This pact divided Poland and carved out spheres of influence in Eastern Europe, effectively igniting the start of World War II.

While global empires were letting go of their colonies and former vassals were gaining independence, the Kremlin remained focused on expanding its influence. Moscow backed the war in Korea, as well as numerous other military conflicts, particularly in Asia. Its socialist-communist reach extended well beyond Asia.

Russia is a vast prison of nations. Over centuries, it has conquered vast territories, and in doing so, has not only seized land but also sought to erase the identities of the peoples it subjugated—just as it did in Novgorod. Native inhabitants were deported and resettled elsewhere. Crimean Tatars were forcibly expelled from Crimea, while people from central Russia were relocated to Ukraine’s Donbas.

The “Make Russia Small Again” T-shirt symbolizes a call for historical justice: Moscow was a principality in 1462. The history of the territories beyond serves as a reminder that Russia’s big size is the result of imperial conquest, with many nations still trapped in a sprawling colony.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

For Lula, Milei Has Gone From Being a Nuisance to Being a Problem

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has aspirations for regional and global leadership. Standing in Lula’s way is the fact that he cannot even get a meeting with his counterpart from neighboring Argentina, President Javier Milei.

Seven months after Milei’s inauguration, the two leaders have met only once and even then briefly, on the sidelines of the G7 meeting last month in Italy. Otherwise, they have unartfully dodged each other as they have darted around the region and the world promoting their opposing ideological views.

Lula’s global agenda is expansive. He wants Brazil to have a permanent United Nations Security Council seat. He plans for the country to take a leading role in climate change negotiations as he hosts the U.N. COP30 Climate Change Conference in Brazil next year. He has tried to insert himself as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict. And when BRICS—the political grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—moved to expand last year, Lula made sure to bring along Argentina under then-President Alberto Fernandez as one of its new members.

Milei withdrew Argentina from the BRICS expansion process as soon as he took office in December. That’s consistent with his desire to move the country away from China and closer to the United States. Besides that, he has not clearly outlined an international agenda for his country. But Milei definitely has an international agenda for himself. He has portrayed himself as an ally of Israel and Ukraine, a contrast to Latin America’s left-wing leaders who have opposed the former’s war in Gaza and mainly attempted to remain neutral on the latter’s fight against Russian aggression.

Ideologically, Milei is attempting to turn himself into a global icon for free market libertarianism, speaking at conferences in South America, the U.S. and Europe, and meeting with venture capital investors and social media stars. He uses strong rhetoric in favor of capitalism and against any form of what he views as socialism or Marxism. His relatively extreme views, which only appeal to a small minority of Argentine voters who comprise his base, get him wild cheers overseas.

Continue reading.

[yuri-alexseygaybitch]

Libs really not coping well with BRICS expansion right now huh

[jooniperbonsai]

I'll Give You the Sun (jhs) | Part Two

Pairing: SunDeity!Hoseok x MoonDeity!Reader (afab)

Rating: 18+

Part Two Length: 14.8k

Release Date: October 17, 2024

Genre: Smut, fluff, angst, fantasy au, royalty, mythology

Summary: You have been assigned to a life of duty. You're okay with it. And now, all the plans of your life are unfurling.

Warnings: Swearing, reader is engaged to an old gross man, fuckbuddy! Taehyung, we are entering the lore! I may need to make a map or list of terms here soon because I got a little free with it, Hoseok breaks the prince's nose, sexual desire, nonbinary character, minor character death, trauma, slight reference to gore but super mild

a/n: For months this fic has been dancing around in my head, waiting for me to find the threads of the story and how I want it to be told. I'm finally there, and just in time to welcome back our sunshine from the military. Welcome home Hoseok. Thanks all for your patience and for reading! I hope you enjoy the world I'm building. -h

The coronation is in full swing, lively music greeting guests as the Great Hall floods with nobility and commoners alike. Against the wall to the right of the dais, a row of chairs reserved for the Elder gods and your parents sit partially filled, but you know better than to sit in them. Even if the Elder gods are too bored to attend this momentous event, it’s known to all that the seats are to remain unoccupied for them and them only. In all your life, you’ve only seen two of them at a time within a handful of events; they usually only presented themselves if they had a personal stake in the matter. Despite there being two new gods upon ascension, despite the many consult meetings between them and your brother (and you assumed Hoseok), none of them it seems found this occasion fascinating enough to grace their presence with. 

It is ironic, really. The entire balance of all, the breaking of Mang Shin’s curse and the reverse of the accelerating armageddon relies on these two being crowned today and yet that still isn’t enough of a reason for the Elder gods to show themselves. 

You take position to the side of the dais, among the festively dressed citizens of the Solar Kingdom. You know your own kingdom is having a banquet in celebration of today. The palace has been opened up, and you imagine the large expanse of the ballroom has been filled with moonflowers and evening primrose. Just before you left, you’d seen various memorabilia with your brother’s face had been printed and for sale in the town square, along with commemorative spoons and chinaware, replica crowns, and various bric-a-brac adorned with your family’s crest. 

How many people are gathered there now, eating the canapes you love so much and counting down the moments before they, too, can witness at least the partial eclipse?

A sharp tug in your chest reminds you that you’re not supposed to think this way. Not supposed to be thinking so fondly of home when you know in a matter of days you’ll be returning only to leave again, but this time forever. 

You didn’t tell Hoseok this after that argument, or rather because it is none of his godsdamn business, but you’ve already agreed to marry the Duke of Nebula. In your room back home, there is a sizable diamond ring that is waiting for you on your dresser. What were you supposed to say to someone who offered you an escape from such a bleak destiny? 

There are only so many options when it comes to being royal and unFated. You are not in a position to be picky. The Duke, while “ancient” as Hoseok put it (and unfortunately right in that description; you have no idea how old this man really is), had never really shown you anything but kindness…until recently. During your childhood, he was always nothing more than another man of stature and wealth in society, another one of your father’s friends. He never paid you any mind or you him. As it should be. 

He had only become more present in your life after your twenty-second birthday, when he questioned your parents about why your education was not advancing beyond the private schooling you had during your youth. 

It was he who encouraged your education to expand, who introduced you to the great philosophers and offered you respite in the cozy library within his Lunar Kingdom residence. He’s been a friend. A generous one at that. 

Though, admittedly, his proposal came as a shock to you, and you aren’t entirely sure why. Perhaps it’s because you never imagined he would want to marry again after having done it so many times. At his age, he should be on the southern shores of the Nebula territories, taking long naps in the sun and drinking iced yuzu tea on his terrace while one of his many children or even grandchildren run his estate. 

Instead, it would appear his decision to maintain his lordship will continue until he dies, whenever that ends up being. And in the meantime, he’s asked for your hand in marriage, a proposal which your father asserted was “the only viable option left” for you. Your mother worried her lip when you’d discussed it together, neither voicing her support nor objection in the union. Not that it would matter anyway. Her silence speaks volumes. 

When he proposed, the Duke had argued that your acceptance would supply security more than any other form of companionship. He promised you could further your studies, even offering to write you a letter of recommendation for formal art lessons and a potential residency at the elite Nebula Commons Art Society. “You have talent that deserves to bloom, Y/N,” he’d said. It seemed so promising, almost too good to be true. A place of belonging and safety? A place to nourish your inner artist?

And as destiny would have it, immediately after your acceptance, the other shoe dropped. “Other parts of you could bloom too, you know.” You remember all too well the way his foggy eyes traced the outline of your body, how his hand found its place on your thigh. Sex. Ownership. A reminder that you would never truly be free. 

But you said yes. And you know how binding and damning that single word is. 

Yes, you had said not an hour ago as the prince–soon to be king– of the Solar Kingdom pulled from you the truth that until that very moment you never had the words for. And he did it so effortlessly, playing you like a fool, unraveling the very carefully woven tapestry of the life you are living, simply by rutting his hard length against you. And how quickly you caved, left panting and utterly unsatisfied not to mention uncomfortable from the damp stain that you can still feel in your panties. He’s a phantom on your body, the way his tongue ghosted over your breasts, teasing you, challenging you to take what you wanted. You can still feel him, his hair tangled between your fingers, his lips, and even in the matter between you two, the ragged breaths agitating the atoms. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. 

Nothing you’ll ever experience again. 

The room becomes colder, though you’re not sure how. Everyone in the kingdom seems to be packed into this place. The walls are lined with people on tiptoe trying to see. The crowd begins to swell around you. 

This can’t be anything, you remind yourself. Because that would mean things are different. And in reality, the dull throb between your legs is just as fiery of a reminder of how little your desire for anything matters. This is a feeling you’ll have to get used to. 

“Hey,” you hear a familiar voice breathe softly into your ear, startling you with a jump. You whip your body toward the source, slightly embarrassed that you have drifted into thinking about this in public. At your brother’s coronation of all places. Your eyes lock with the warm gaze and boxy smile of the voice’s owner, Taehyung.

A knight of the Solar Kingdom, Taehyung has been a familiar face over the years, serving as the primary messenger between the two kingdoms. During his extended stays between travels, he and you have formed a friendship, often doodling in notebooks on days when you both waited for your father to finish meetings or holding court to compose a formal request or response, or spending long nights out on your bedroom balcony facing the sea, looking up at the stars as you quiz him on constellations and their ties to your family’s ancestry. Since the very beginning, Taehyung has given you the gift of friendship and a little bit of light within your brother’s shadow. 

He is also someone you sometimes have with sex with.

The thing about Taehyung is that everything with him is easy. When you want space, he gives it to you. When you want to be mad at the world, he listens. He doesn’t challenge you to defy the inevitability of your future, to try to shove you skyward to shine in the night. He understands just as well as you how having status only matters when you’re meant to rule. Every other position in this life is one that is based on rules and structure you have no choice to abide by. 

Taehyung will within the next few years also be expected to marry. He will have a decent home within the kingdom that ensures his heirs are well educated and cared for. He will probably marry a Lady or extended family member of the Solar King, and that will be that. Trading away the wildness of youth and freedom as Hoseok called it to live a life that grants him his own security, too. 

Taehyung is also one of Hoseok’s closest friends, making the question that Hoseok asked about your sex life a bit cutting toward Taehyung. Unless he doesn’t know. Not that you expect him to. What you and Taehyung have is private, and if Hoseok doesn’t know about your trysts, it’s for the better.

The sex with Taehyung isn’t bad. You’ve had plenty of orgasms because of them. 

Do you know how it feels to really fuck for the sake of pleasure, Y/N? 

Do you? Hoseok’s question from earlier is something that caught you by surprise, because truly, you didn’t know how to answer. What was it that he said that’s supposed to be like? 

Letting someone else hold the reins of your undoing and pulling them so taught you think you’re going to snap, only to finally give you what you truly need and set you free over the edge. 

No, you don’t think you’ve had that with anyone, not even Taehyung. And while sex with your friend has been, well…decent, you can’t think of a moment where it has been so controlled, or even maddening. 

What would sex like that look like? You can’t imagine it with Taehyung, he’s far too needy himself. But with Hoseok? Your memory circles back to being shoved against the door, his hard length rolling against the swells of your body, his thigh flexed for you to find something to find release on. How his tongue swirling across your breasts felt like something more than sex. 

Like he was claiming you. 

The cold chill you felt before has been replaced with a flame so hot, you feel like you have to fan at your body to get some relief. 

Either that or the room really has accommodated the entire kingdom. 

You turn to face your friend, shutting down the depraved sexual fantasy. For now, anyway. 

“Hi,” you say, a smile forming on your lips in response to his. His eyes are a little glassy, his cheeks a little flushed. He clearly has been enjoying the free champagne. 

He opens his arms and you instinctively move, allowing yourself to be enveloped in his comforting hold. Yes, he’s been drinking, you confirm as his breath spills down the space between you. The faint smell of tobacco on him confirms he also just returned from smoking. Still, it is comforting as ever, and you find your arms wrapping around him, holding him tightly as you inhale his familiar scent. 

“Something happen?” he mutters into your ear and you sigh, pulling yourself away too soon. 

“A lot of things happened, Tae. But it doesn’t matter now.” 

His brows knit for a moment, but then relax. He knows better than to push for more information.

“Are you ready?” you ask him to redirect the conversation. He scoffs. 

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?” 

“I don’t know. You have to do that whole dance with the other knights and ladies. We’ve been practicing for the last three months to make sure you don’t accidentally stab someone with your sword. I think it warrants the question.” 

He laughs, his smile wrinkling his eyes. 

“It has a sheath! And it’s not like hyung will exile me if I suddenly forget the moves. Besides, I had a really good teacher. Someone who knows quite a few moves herself. Tell me, have you learned any new moves since I saw you a few weeks ago because if I remember correctly your tongue learned a particularly sinful trick as it swirled on my c–”

You reach your hand up to cup over his mouth, heat flaring into your cheeks. 

“Shh. Shut up! Shut up!” You glance around to see if anyone overheard what was just said, but it seems that the champagne has left everyone a little less attentive. 

Taehyung laughs again, shamelessly challenging you with a glint in his eye. His tongue darts out, licking your palm. You pull yourself away, scoffing as you wipe your damp hand onto his suit coat. 

“Alright, alright. Anyway, I’ll be fine. You however…a little birdy told me that you’ve accepted the Lord of Nebula’s proposal? Which, you already know how I feel about him.” He makes a gagging sound in disgust. “I still can’t believe that’s the only option.” 

“Yeah, well, it’s not like anyone else proposed,” you say. He cocks his head.

“You know, I could help.” 

“You’re not marrying me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what were you going to suggest?”

He gives you a sheepish look. You already know it’s pointless. Taehyung is too romantic to marry you out of convenience. Yes, he cares about you. But you know that marriage to him is about love more than anything else. It would be unfair of you to accept a proposal from him when you know this. 

You sigh, pulling your hand away from his chest to squeeze his bicep. “Thanks, though.” 

He gives you a sympathetic nod. “It’s going to be okay, Y/N.”

“Sure.” You muster up a smile, the ache in your stomach twinging a little. Please let this be over soon. 

“Hey, before all of this stuff happens and we are forced far away again, maybe we make it a night to remember.” You feel his hands begin to drag more sensually across your back and sides. “Once everyone is drunk enough we’ll sneak out to the southern lawns. Dance in the dying light before you’re whisked away from me forever.” 

Your chest clenches. You hadn’t thought about how this marriage will probably be the end of your friendship. There will be no reason for a royal messenger in the Nebula territories. This will be the last time you see each other. 

Before you can answer, the side entry to the Hall opens, and you recognize Namjoon’s tall frame as he walks through, nodding to the palace staff with his dimpled smile. Looking around, you remember your purpose for being here and the dread dives deep back into your gut. 

You turn from Taehyung to face forward, but you allow him to keep touching you, his hands falling to your waist as he leans into you like a human shield, protecting you from what you assume is your mother’s disapproving gaze at the public display of physical touch. Normally, you would consider being more careful, but you assume that within a few hours, the doting affection she’ll give your brother and flutes of champagne she’ll drink will spare you from any strict lecture until tomorrow. Today, you couldn’t be any more invisible, and you’re grateful for it.

The casual symphonic music changes tune to something more grand, and your father rises from his seat across the room and approaches the dais. Hoseok’s parents have already arrived, seated in their thrones on the dais, awash with relief of their son’s arrival instead of the carefully veiled annoyance you knew they truly had before. His sister is not present, though you remember your parents mentioning that on the journey here. She is pregnant, and the current stage of her condition has her constantly nauseous, one a long trek home would not be suited for. 

The eclipse is well under way, the light outside turning a dull, hazy color as the sun begins its game of hide and seek. Hoseok, it seems, has waited until the very last minute to make his appearance. 

Upon being announced, he strides in with your brother, both side-by-side stepping in sync as they approach the dais. 

Your brother is as solemn as ever, not letting anyone ever see any potential weaknesses in his impenetrable shield, his eyes glazing over the room around him and skipping over your head to view the rows of chairs reserved for the Elder gods. Though it’s subtle, you see the tiny tic of his mouth as he processes their absence. Disappointment. 

Good, you can’t help but let yourself think. At least now you know a fraction of how I must feel. 

While your brother’s expression is masked with a harsh, empty stare, Hoseok’s couldn’t be more different. While he, too, is keeping a straight face, his eyes are sparkling as they meet those of everyone in the room. So much warmth is set in the soft squint of his features as he searches the crowd and recognizes people from the back and nearby. 

Without smiling, he seems to be doing it anyway, delivering something truly godlike to the people around him without needing to do so much as speak. As his eyes flit around the room, he takes it all in, and finally, as if he knows exactly where you are in all of this, his eyes find yours. 

His gaze is smoldering, though not in the heated, sexual way it was before. No, something in him has shifted, and you can see as he rakes his eyes over your body that the hunger he unleashed on you before hasn’t fully dissolved. That is until he sees how Taehyung has laid claim on you by placing his hands on your hips so confidently. 

To everyone else, he’s still soft and composed. And if he and you weren’t locking gazes at each other, you might miss the way his tongue pushes to one cheek as his jaw tightens, or the way his nostrils flare when you cock your eyebrow at him. 

Then, the High Priestess moves to the dais, a representative of the Elder gods, and Hoseok breaks his stare, turning toward her as she stands between your brother and Hoseok. She’s a woman you’ve known your entire life, tall and curvy, with deep skin and long hair that is often braided into intricate patterns. Today, however, she has worn her hair naturally, with tight coils that fall down to her shoulders freely, resting perfectly upon her long silken gold dress. Your father bows to her, to the Solar King and Queen, and then returns to his seat next to your mother. 

“What the hell was that about?” Taehyung asks, clearly also noticing his friend’s behavior. 

“Later,” you say, and detach his hands from your hips, needing the space–the air–between you. 

“Greetings to all,” the High Priestess says, and a hum flows through the room as guests quiet, tuning into her lilted voice. “I come to you on this blessed day as we bear witness to the greatest prophecy of our time. As these two souls ascend from mortality to godliness, as they ascend from princes to kings of their kingdoms, they shall demonstrate today the leadership and strength needed to end a timeless suffering we all have faced. The Fates have gifted these two young men the potential of great power and duty, where their rule and responsibility will bring forth new life and justice to our lands. Collectively, as we shift between two worlds that often appear in opposition, we honor and celebrate the harmony of these two kingdoms’ union on this sacred day.” 

Cheers explode through the hall. The High Priestess holds up her hands to quiet the crowd. 

“I know we are all very excited and hopeful for the end of our strife. However, it is of our best interest to ensure these two are worthy of such gifts. As such, an oath from both of these men proclaiming peace, balance, and honor must be made to uphold the alliance of these two kingdoms. Without it, these two noblemen cannot break the maleficent curse of Mang Shim’s rule.” 

Another eruption of cheers streams through the room, a tinny, almost melodic sound accompanying the clapping and vibrance. You look around. From what you can see, it appears many citizens of the Solar Kingdom are wearing bronze brooches adorned with a moon eclipsing the sun. From the centerpiece, small chains dangle, fastened at the end with some kind of crystals. The rattling of the crystals against the chains, buttons, and each other, are the source of the song.

Warmth floods your chest, a reminder of what you’re here for taking root in you. Union, the ending of generations of suffering. The cacophony of hope. You almost wish you could bathe in the tune. 

It’s short lived, however. As silence falls upon the crowd, it is not by the effort of the High Priestess. A mocking, boisterous laugh coming from across the room cuts through all the celebration. 

Many heads, including yours, whip toward the source of the disruption. There, in the once empty and symbolic chairs, sit six Elder gods.

More than you’ve ever seen before. Some of whom you’ve never seen. There’s Embria, an Elder goddess who has been known to start feuds with other gods out of boredom, Davien, a god who one year drowned three dozen sheep in the Lunar Kingdom because someone rejected him for a date, Talavyr, who you were pretty sure growing up was just a statue since he never seems to blink, Alma, who has always been friendly, but her choosing to spend time among the older Elder gods has made you start to wonder if you have wrongly assigned her kindness, and Benador, who is laughing as he sits sideways on his reserved chair, a glass in his hands as he tips it to the High Priestess. 

“Is something funny, Benador? I presumed with all the empty chairs, none of you were coming. But sure enough, here you are.” The High Priestess keeps her tone even, but you’ve learned over the years through palace gossip that the pair once dated centuries ago. And every so often it seems they try their hand at reconciliation only to publicly shade the other when at the same event. This, you assume, must be one of those times. 

“Well, we’re here now, aren’t we Pree? Anyway, we’re short on time, no? Best that you get on with the silly little spiel before those two ascend without your blessing.” 

The High Priestess sighs and nods, reclaiming attention as she recites the prophecy. 

The sixth god is one who you don’t recognize, and you can tell you’re not the only one. Covered in a thick black veil and cloak, they keep quiet in the distorted shadow that has cast into the room. All of the god is covered; you can’t make out a single detail about what they make look like. Just that they are covered head to toe, unmoving. A soft murmur travels through the room as others shift to look at the unknown god as they become further shrouded in darkness. Minutes. There’s only minutes until the eclipse. 

Six of the Elder gods are here. Six. Which could mean that this event is going to turn out alright after all. But given who has come, who has decided to bear witness, you can’t help but feel a bit queasy. Where are Milladria? Silax? Any of the Elders who come to weddings or baptisms or even funerals? The five present are all of different weights and social groups, not in attendance because they all decided to pop over from the tavern to see the show. No, these gods are here for a reason. If one of them who no one can recognize from either kingdom is present, something big is about to happen. Curse breaking, even. 

You whip your head around and see a smug look has broken through your brother’s haze as he takes in the attendance. Even one god in attendance is something to brag about. But your brother has received six, one of whom is sure to be the talk of the evening. He’s just received bragging rites for a lifetime. 

Hoseok looks pale, his eyes still locked forward on the shadowed god in the corner, though he eventually remembers to shake himself loose from whatever pull had him hypnotized. He swallows heavily, and then refocuses on the High Priestess. 

Some red rope appears, binding the hands of your brother and Hoseok as they prepare to take their vows. The ceremony is a little similar to that of a traditional marriage vow, though the red rope here is representative of the fated and how their gifts have tied your two kingdoms together. 

A large tapestry hangs behind both of the men, rays of moon and sunlight threading together to create a color shifting, singular beam that shimmers in the light of the room. A continued symbol of the unity between kingdoms. 

You adjust your stance, trying to appear a little more happy for your brother, despite the fact that the clock ticking down to the eclipse is also ticking down to the end of life as you know it. But in the presence of the gods, you don’t want to draw any unwanted attention. Any sign of doubt toward your brother or Hoseok for that matter could result in your death. Any question toward the fates could be even more lethal, perhaps forever damnation to the Underworld. While the stories you’ve read of the gods are likely a myth, you aren’t entirely sure if you want to risk it today finding out who or what is in charge of  descension.  Fixing a smile upon your face, one that could be interpreted as pride for your family, you continue to listen to the High Priestess drone on and on about the line of duty that your brother will be undertaking. 

“The last thing I would like to say is that this gift for the two of you is a gift for us all, and that means that it holds great weight of responsibility. It is essential you carry this weight with all your strength. Denying your destiny will only result in your sooner death. Avarice, pride, and entitlement will not serve you once you ascend.” 

You hear a guffaw from one of the seated gods behind you. You feel Taehyung shift behind you, his pinky finger searching for yours under the swaths of lace and embroidered cloth. You embrace the comfort of your friend’s softness. Despite Taehyung’s knighthood, the gods have always made him nervous. So long as Hoseok doesn’t give you the death stare once more, you think you can sneak a finger hold. 

As you look upon the dais, you see that your brother has abandoned his bored expression for a sly smile. Oh, he’s loving this. Acid tightens your throat and you shift your gaze back onto Hoseok.

If he’s nervous about the word of the High Priestess, he doesn’t make it known, just remains in his stiff posture, chin high as he keeps his eyes locked on the goblet she has conjured into her grasp, a silver, shimmery liquid spilling a bit over the sides from being so full. 

“Now, you two must speak your vows. Being that we are in the Solar Kingdom, I invite his highness to step forward and speak himself first.” 

Hoseok nods, and you feel your skin prickle as your brother rolls his eyes. What an ass. 

“I, Jung Hoseok, the heir to the Solar Kingdom, do vow to forevermore act in service to my people. It is with this great honor I hereby accept my fate. On this day that turns to night, I promise to stand for the peace and prosperity of these two kingdoms’ alliance, to usher forth a new era where the fires that blaze will only bring with them new life. That each dying ember will serve as a reminder of what power I hold, and that my duty to others will always be there to achieve balance. On this blessed day, I stand for the unity of night and day, that darkness and light both serve in this world to let us all flourish.” 

As he finishes his vows, Hoseok wipes a tear from his eyes, and the room explodes into cheers. You know that he isn’t doing any of this for the attention, that his words move him with complete sincerity. 

You’ve never heard anyone speak with such love for their people. Hoseok so carefully crafted these words that represent so much of your own sentiment toward the people of your own kingdom. Come next week, the idea of the people you have come to love– from the bakery owner in the center of town who always sneaks you petit fours while you are on official business for the palace to the grouchy, senile farmer who paces the edge of his land with a pitchfork and muttering about changelings– will all become just memories. And they’ll be placed into the careless hands of your brother. 

You’ve heard him talk before about his plans for your kingdom. With a careful tongue he has remarked time and time again that there is a severe “disorder” within the kingdom that needs to be “eradicated”. Just before your leave, he filled out an official request with the main city government to receive emergency fund approval to “restore the kingdom to its former glory”, meaning that he wants to revive the red light district exclusively. 

To your parents, this is his foray into leadership. He is passionately undertaking a project that is “sure to clean up a disgraceful area that needs a much needed rezoning”. They fail to see that he has no plans to protect the workers of the night, rather he intends to exploit them as much as he can until he sees no more use for them. 

But none of this is meant to be your concern. Not the people in the kingdom any longer. So you shift your attention to the end of your brother’s vows, tuning in as he winks at the crowd. 

“Of course when I get my official title and powers, I’ll be the first to buy you all drinks.” He nods toward the bored looking Elder Gods, Benador being the only one who seems to be entertained. He raises his chalice to your brother, dismissing customs by drinking before the ceremony has even ended. 

Though the crowd chuckles uncomfortably, it’s the encroaching darkness that seems to stun everyone into silence. 

“It’s time,” the High Priestess says, moving to hand the goblet to Hoseok as shadows begin to overtake the room. He takes a deep gulp and then passes it to your brother, who does the same. 

Before you are fully wrapped in darkness, a soft glow begins to form along the dais, the shimmering light appearing to brighten inside of Hoseok’s chest. In the refraction of light onto your brother, you see him cupping the goblet, the silver liquid still lining his lips. He holds a hand out to his face, but it doesn’t seem to be doing anything. As beams of light begin to form around Hoseok’s crown, the crowd murmurs in awe, a beautiful, golden sunrise almost emanating right from the source like he is the sun himself. 

“Is this supposed to be happening?” your brother asks. “Am I supposed to glow too?” 

“What do you mean glow?” Hoseok responds. He holds his hand up to his face and frowns. “I don’t see anything.”

The High Priestess hums. “I suppose the elixir has a different effect on everyone. I was not aware that he would glow either. Perhaps it is what the Fates have signified as a sign of true leadership from the Solar Kingdom. They must be pleased with this decision.”

The crowd chitters. 

“And I’m not going to because I’m not worthy?” your brother accuses. You don’t need to see his face to know its expression, pinched tight and bloated with anger. “Unwise for you to claim such a thing when the Fates have decided I am the one to end Mang Shim’s curse. And in front of six Elder gods. Choose your next words wisely, High Priestess.”

Heat licks into your chest. A comet aflame as it crosses the horizon. Before you can even think to stop yourself, you’re speaking into the dark room. 

“That’s not what she’s saying and you know it.” 

The room goes silent, and for a moment, you think in the darkness you truly have become invisible. It’s not until you hear the voice of the High Priestess that you realize what you’ve done.

“Y/N,” she says shakily. 

A tremor runs up your spine, sweat immediately beading in your palms as the crowd turns to you, your clear effort to make yourself as invisible as possible useless under the command of the Elder Gods. Your throat tightens, and as the blood rushes to your face, you know you have no other choice. You can’t run now. 

As you pull away from Taehyung, you feel him squeeze your hand, and the terror begins to set in. What have you done? In a moment of weakness, you look at Hoseok and freeze. 

He’s staring at you with wide eyes. The glow of his body becomes less as you get closer. Perhaps the eclipse is over. Perhaps the ascension is complete.

“Y/N,” Taehyung says, “You’re–”

And this seems to be the popping of the cork. The entire room floods with chatter, people shoving into each other in the crowds. A flurry of hands drag across you everywhere. 

“Is it on me? Did I get some?” 

“Out of my way! I want to see!” 

“It’s the Fates! They are telling us she is not worthy!”

“No it’s a sign she is a Fated one!” 

“You’re crazy! How dare you suggest such a thing!”

“There are only two kings we must answer to! Who are we to question the prophecy?”

The swirl of hands begin to dig further into you, claws digging into the tender areas of your skin. 

“Let go of her!” you hear Taehyung yell from somewhere. 

“She must answer for her treason!”

“Treason? How has she committed treason? Let go!”

The High Priestess shrieks over all the yelling, though you still cannot see in the dark. 

You feel as though you’re floating, the only thing anchoring you down to earth at this point are her nails digging into your shoulders. 

“What exactly do you mean! Am I not fucking worthy enough for you?” That’s the voice of your brother, enraged. 

“Get your hands off of her,” Hoseok says suddenly, within close enough proximity you know that he is next to you. You see the golden glow of him as his hands reach forward and effortlessly brush the others from you. “You should all be punished for treating someone this way. Have you no respect?” 

“Your highness, we just—”

“Enough!” Hoseok yells and the entire room falls quiet, the only sound is that of your synced footsteps as you walk away from the mob, Hoseok holding a steady hand around your waist. The fabric of your dress swishes against his, briefly reminding you of the moment you two shared not even an hour ago. 

What different lives you both have lived within mere moments. 

Light has begun to fill the room, a slow crawl but consistent, almost like the dawning of a new day when there was never any eclipse at all. 

How did any of this happen? Is it over? Have you ruined the one chance there is at Mang Shim’s curse finally breaking?

There’s a different feeling sinking your stomach and it’s not the doom of your own future; it’s the iron weight of shame heaving into your bones and chest, a feeling that you have somehow just ruined the future of not just yourself, but everyone. 

The Elder gods have already approached the dais. Their reactions speak different volumes of interest. The room has become completely still, all eyes trained on you and Hoseok or the gods on the floor. You can’t look at the gods, so you look past them, and realize that most people are focused on Hoseok��s hand. The law of both Kingdoms is that you two never are to touch. Yet you seem to have broken this rule twice today. 

“Thank you, Hoseok. Now, how do you think we should handle this?”Alma says, stepping forward. The second part of the question is not directed to Hoseok, who has only moved closer to you, his pinky brushing yours. Your hand twitches. “High Priestess, get back to your position on the dais.” 

The High Priestess turns, and you can see that she is shaken, rigorously moving her head back and forth. 

“I can’t. It’s all wrong!” 

“Well, clearly!” Embria says, her bright red hair swirling forward as she speaks. It’s enough in your periphery to risk a glance over at her, your gaze immediately falling to the floor when you see she’s looking at you. 

“I…I misunderstood,” the High Priestess bellows. 

“What did you misunderstand?” 

“I…” She turns again, this time looking at Benador. His brow is furrowed, though you can still read some empathy on his face as he looks at his ex. 

You risk glancing over to your brother, who is looking at you with pure hatred. His hands are bound tightly in fists, and he has begun tapping his foot as he glares your way. You can’t help but shiver. 

“I think everyone here can plainly see what is happening, Pre,” Benador says, sighing. “Spit it out.” 

“The prophecy,” she gasps. “I misunderstood the prophecy.” 

Ice freezes your veins as you process her words. How? How did this happen? The prophecy can only mean a few different things. If it has been misinterpreted and the actual end to Mang Shim’s curse is unknown, then generations of preparation and patience will have all been for nothing. What does this actually mean for your people? For the future you’ve long hoped for? You feel a tight knot form in your throat as tears spring to your eyes. No, don’t let this mean that there’s no hope afterall. 

“How?” your voice breaks into the quiet air. The sharp turning of everyone in the room back onto you is accompanied by the chiming of the pendants again, and shuffles of fabrics.

“Funny thing about prophecies. They can be just vague enough to make you believe in them. ‘The moon stepping forward with nothing to hide is burdened not by the sin of pride.’ You really thought this fool over here wasn’t burdened by pride? Look at him, he’s been gloating all day.” Davien’s voice cuts through the room, his sharp gaze and even sharper teeth shredding at your stomach as you see him step onto the dais.

He easily stands half a foot taller than Namjoon, which means next to your brother, he appears to be a giant. Your brother, the fool that he is, squares his shoulders and looks up directly at Davien, only losing some of his sneer. Davien clicks his tongue, and you see how his teeth look nothing like that of a human’s but rather fangs of a snake. Did he file them down for appearance? Or were his teeth like that naturally? There’s so much you don’t understand about this process of ascension. Will Hoseok look that empty when it happens to him?

You hope not. You can’t imagine him fading away from his new glow. You shiver again, and as if on cue, Hoseok shifts closer, pulling you into his side. 

When your eyes rise again, you see the cold stare of your mother as she remains frozen in her seat. 

“But, but I was gifted! I was given the kaleidoscope! I was gifted and she wasn’t!” Your brother backs away from Davien, coasting over to you. As he approaches, you notice his coronet digging into the skin of his forehead. An ill fitted crown for an ill fitted king. “Tell them, Y/N!”

The brute force of him overtakes you instantly, and you can feel yourself receding into the small box you often go into when you upset someone in your family. Right now, you wish for nothing more than for the room to be dark enough again for you to disappear into. 

Your brother hangs over you, and you feel Hoseok’s arm once more, urging you backward. 

“Leave her alone,” he says firmly. “She doesn’t owe anyone anything.” 

Your brother snorts, an ugly, disgusting sound. “I beg to differ, Hoseok. Unless. Is there something going on between you two?” His eyes dance back and forth between you and Hoseok, and he widens his eyes with some mocking epiphany. 

“Oh, I see how it is. You’ve been trying to sabotage me! Taking the crown for yourself by fucking my rival? Does he know you’re also fucking his best friend, Y/N?” 

Your brother jabs a finger in Taehyung’s direction, and you can hear your mother gasp under her breath. 

“You know damn well that I wasn’t orchestrating any of this!” you yell, trying to hold your ground. You know this intimidation tactic, the shame that comes from the unwritten rules of being in royal society. While no law states you need to remain pure, it is definitely something that your family still tried to project. As if your virginity is what makes you worthy in all of this. 

What a laughable, inconsequential thing. None of this matters with the end of the world approaching. None of it. 

Your brother snarls, lifting his arm as if he’s about to strike you and you flinch, ready to take the sting of his ringed hand. 

But before your brother’s fury can come down onto you, you feel a shifting of fabric, a blur of dark hair between you and your brother. And just as fast as you process what’s happening, you move your gaze to see he’s on the floor, his nose a waterfall of crimson. Broken. 

“Hoseok!” Your head shoots up, seeing Hoseok slowly unclenching his fist, cracking and stretching his finger. Casual. As if he didn’t just punch a prince during both of their coronations. 

“Mother,” he responds, with no discernable emotion in his voice.

A chill runs down your spine, though it’s not due to Hoseok’s flat tone. Rather, the room seems to have dropped in temperature exponentially, almost like it is winter in the Solar Kingdom and not mere days from the summer solstice. 

Hoseok shifts too, clearly sensing the same chill in the room. You risk a glance over to him, noticing that goosebumps have formed around his forearm. 

No one else in the room seems to be affected. Rather, they all have their eyes fixed on the same part of the room: the chairs placed for the gods. 

One of them has remained seated in all this. The veiled sixth god whose face you still have been unable to see. It is odd to see a god so covered; most of them have become vain in their many years and do many things to ensure the attention is on them at all times. 

Almost as if reading your mind, the god turns their head and rises, passing your parents, who look as though they are about to vomit, and the king and queen of the Solar Kingdom. Hoseok’s mother has her brows knit and eyes on you, though it’s not a look of anger that you’ve ruined her son’s day. More like concern. For her son. Concern for you. 

The room has come to a dead stop. The only sounds are the groaning wails of your brother as he cups his hands over his nose and shouts for a palace assistant to bring him a towel and ice. 

No one moves though. No one except your brother and the sixth god. 

They coast forward with a grace that no amount of etiquette training could ever provide you. Your mother had tried, truly, to raise you to be a perfect member of society, but there was really only so much anyone could do about you tripping over your own feet on occasion, or enjoying a meal and falling prey to when it slipped off of your fork and into your lap. These are things beyond your control. 

As they approach the dais, you hold your breath, feeling like one of the animals ensnared in a trap you were unfortunately witness to many times during your youth when your father took you out on the hunt. How many rabbits or squirrels or even foxes you’d seen trying to save themselves only to exhaust their bodies from the efforts and eventually, succumb to death by nature or your father’s hand. Your stomach churns at the thought. 

“Well now,” the sixth god says, voice smoky and low. “Are you all really too stupid to put all of this together?” 

They reach forward, a black gloved hand taking hold of your wrist. Part of you is relieved. At least this god has a hand and not a claw or hoof or sharp blades instead of fingers. Their touch is firm, but not painful. Nothing like the way you’ve been yanked around today. 

Hoseok moves, his own fist wrapping around the wrist of the god. 

“What exactly do you mean? Who even are you?” His voice is slightly shaky, but far more steady than what you would be able to offer. 

“Zenith.” The High Priestess pulls away from the crop of the other gods, stepping back toward you and Hoseok. 

“You can’t be serious,” Hoseok says, incredulous. 

“Who is Zenith?” It’s a whisper under your breath, but with the room so silent, there is no doubting that everyone heard. Even your brother has stopped his groaning. 

“I take it you were not given the opportunity to learn much in that dreadful excuse of a school you went to.” The god sneers. You shiver, due to the cold or their voice, you’re not sure. 

“Only those who are Fated in the highest decorum are given the honor of knowing,” the High Priestess says carefully. 

“And yet why is it that her brother is standing upon the dais and being made king, when she is the one I gifted all those years ago.”

“I–I don’t know. I was never told at the academy that it could ever be anyone else besides the two standing in front of you today. The two who were gifted. In the census, hers never listed a gift.” 

“I always hated the census. Way too easy to lie about or forget. Maybe Milladria had too much to drink that night and forgot to document it,” Benador chuckles, but no one laughs. The High Priestess narrows her eyes at him. 

“No one writes into the census books. They’re scribed by magic. You should know this by now.” Benador shrugs casually at the High Priestess. 

“Well, maybe the magic is wrong.” 

“The magic is never wrong!” the High Priestess screeched. 

“Then why are we still here, after a prophecy declared that during an eclipse the curse would be over and the Fated ones would ascend but neither of those things have happened?”

“Because the wrong person stands in anticipation of the crown.” The sixth god chimes in, and the cold air washes over you like a winter chill. They are still clasping your arm, now turning it toward everyone. 

“I knew long ago it would be far too easy for a simple gift to be lost among the mortals, so I gave the two Fated to break the curse with a special marking. On this arm here, you can see her birthmark. The mate to this marking is on the arm of the Solar Kingdom’s Fated. You, boy, reveal your arm to me.”

Hoseok stares at the bend of your forearm, studying the line of three small dots on the tender skin. The one in the middle has always looked faded, almost like it was hollowed out. At the urge of Zenith, he blinks, releasing the god’s arm from his grasp to remove his suit coat and hand it to the High Priestess before rolling up the sleeve of his shirt. 

There, in the crook of Hoseok’s elbow is a similar marking to yours. Only, the two outer dots are hollow, the one in the middle solid. Your eyes widen as you look up to him. His body is tense, eyes unfocused as he skirts across the room to look at his father. 

“Just as I thought. Marks of the Fated from the Fate themself.” 

“Wait, you? You’re not a god?” You tug at your wrist, finally feeling the give of the grasp you were held by. 

“No, Y/N. They’re not a god. They’re one of the Fates.”

The news washes over you with prickling heat. You feel it travel behind your ears and down your spine, twisting around at your ribs. 

None of this makes any sense. For what reason is a Fate at this coronation? What reason is there for you and Hoseok to have similar, matching birthmarks? You were not gifted. There is nothing in your possession that ever could hint that you would be the one at the center of the prophecy. 

“You would think that,” the Fate says, and you jolt your head up, wondering if you’d let your thoughts spill out from you. 

“No, I can read you. I can read anyone I have gifted. Dozens of people in this room, just as clueless and rigid as the others. Except for one person. One of you is reeling with the delicious terror of your own actions.” 

The Fate steps around you, heading into the direction of your brother. “Are you finally ready to confess?” they ask, raising a hand that wills your brother’s body from the floor. “And don’t bother to lie to me. Or I will slice your tongue out from your mouth.” 

His eyes widen, and your brother scrambles forward to the center of the dais. 

“I…I took it. Her gift. I was awake the night she was visited. There was the pouch, a-and inside there was a ring. Like his. But with a moon. A silver one.”

“And what did you do with that ring?” the Fate snarls. Your brother gulps and he looks at you. 

“I tossed it. Years ago. On a fishing trip to the Craters. I tied it to a heavy stone and threw it so that it would go into the darkest and deepest of the waters. Down with the fanged beasts.” 

A pang of sadness bristles you. How can you be sad over something you’ve never even known existed? But the gleam of the gold ring on Hoseok’s hand. It feels solid and natural. How would your ring feel on your hand? Foreign? Cold? The idea of it now, anchored to the bottom of the Craters, the area of waters known for having leviathans, large sea serpents rumored to serve the Underworld, is sickening. Those are the same beasts Mang Shim used to threaten all the old sea ports, to gain control of trading posts and their people. Your brother has thrown your destiny down into the pits with them. 

If the ring still exists, then you imagine it’s a loss you’ll have to live with. Even if it holds answers to who you are. Unless you go down there. Dark water. Much like before. With Youngmi. 

“What have you done?!” Your mother’s voice pulls you from the depths of the waters you imagine floating in. She is now in front of your brother, shaking him hard as tears fall freely from her eyes. “Why? Do you not understand the importance of breaking this curse? ” She whips her head in your direction, eyes widening with recognition. “Oh, gods.” 

Bendor cackles. “Don’t blame us. We didn’t do this.”

The High Priestess sighs, coming between you and Hoseok on your left side, who in all of this remains perfectly still. 

Your father slowly stands, walking across the dais to your mother, unclamping the hands she has on your brother’s now-rumpled suit coat. 

“This is not the time nor place for any of this,” he says, turning to the Fate. “What must we do now?”

“Can…can my son still ascend?” Hoseok’s mother asks quietly from her place on the throne. The King and Queen of the Solar Kingdom have not left their positions, almost as though they are frozen in place. 

Your head feels like it’s going to explode. So much is being unsaid, so many new and unfamiliar rules and universes now beckoning to your call. 

“What is even happening?” you hear yourself ask. 

You’re taken aback by how the whole room seems to shift toward you, every person in attendance watching you intently. In the crowd, Taehyung looks at you with sympathetic eyes. 

“You’re the Fated one, Y/N. Not your brother,” Hoseok says softly. 

“Thanks, I gathered that. I meant more how that’s even possible. How were there no other signs? Why didn’t you correct this entire mess when it started?” 

You focus your gaze on Zenith. Gods, you wish you could look at their face so you could truly channel the anger brewing in your body. You feel your jaw tic. 

“If I show you my face, Y/N, you will go blind.”

“Get out of my head!” 

Never in your life did you think you would be standing here, much less standing here and yelling at one of the Fates. 

“Well then. To answer your question, I am not able to intervene once something is set to course. I merely construct your fate, I do not control it. That is how this works.” 

“So you knew this was going to happen?” 

“In a way, yes.” Zenith’s voice is softer, almost as if they are smiling. “It’s more an instinct. While I knew that your brother had stolen your ring and that he planned on ascending the throne, I was not entirely certain if you would have figured all this out sooner and planned to object. This entire event was under your control all along.” 

How? How were you ever supposed to have known that you were truly Fated and had a say in all of this? Had control? All your life you have spent your days growing comfortable with the loneliness and the shadows you’ve had to live with. Nothing was ever a choice you made. It was all given to you through someone else’s decision and planning. A marriage you never wanted, a place of duty and tradition that you, much like Hoseok, were told you must uphold. 

The things you felt control over were never so large scale. Drawing, you think, has always been one of the few things within your control. You can hold different pencils in your hand with precision and care. Can outline on paper the horizon and cast it into darkness with only a few heavy strokes of charcoal. The constellations as you know them, the milky galaxies above you, they all exist within your grasp when spilled onto the page.

But to mess with the balance of what felt like a Fated event? There was no way you could ever know your true destiny in all of this. 

Even now, it’s unimaginable to wrap your head around. 

“I…that is an impossible thing to figure out.” 

“Not impossible. Rather, very indirect and challenging. Something I’m sure you would have put together in the end. And here we are. In a place of clarity.” 

“Hardly,” you object. “It still doesn’t make any sense. Isn’t the ring just a gift you bestowed as a token? Does it really matter?” 

“Yes,” Hoseok says hoarsely. He clears his throat. 

“In what way?” His eyes flash wide and he looks around. 

“Um, I can’t tell you,” he whispers. 

“Fantastic. So I am to just read your mind too then I suppose?” 

Zenith snickers. “You’re a surprising sort of human. You spend most of your time in your own head and drawing that one would think you to be mild. But you’re quite the opposite. You are like a hunter striking with long venomous teeth. Biding your time before you snap and escape.”

You hate the comparison, a deep frown settling onto your face. “You’re changing the subject.”

Benador cackles, now standing in front of one of the buffet tables, plucking grapes into his mouth. 

You ignore him and focus your attention back on Zenith. 

“So I am,” they say. “And that is because this information is not for all ears to hear.” 

Oh. Of course it isn’t. You keep forgetting that you’re not the only ones in the room. Benador still remains at the banquet table. Davien and Embria have become disinterested, instead having some heated and hushed argument in the doorway. Talavyr has not moved since he followed the others up to the dais. He stands there with no expression or movement, his eyes focused on something far past you or this palace or even kingdom. Alma has placed herself snuggly between the King and Queen’s thrones, also muttering something in their ears you can’t make out. All the Elder gods have moved on to whatever their own interests are. Despite this momentous occasion. It’s as though the only interest they had was the drama of the reveal, and now in the stunning settling of dust, they’ve made their way toward whatever will tantalize them next. 

“We need to finish the coronation. At least for Hoseok. The shadow period after this eclipse is short.” The High Priestess releases your hand, tugging Hoseok toward the altar that held the chalice he drank from earlier. “To answer your question, your majesty, yes. He will still ascend.” 

Finally, Hoseok’s mother and father approach, standing next to their son as the High Priestess mutters a few words to them both. Hoseok’s father nods, removing his crown from his head and placing it over Hoseok’s coronet. 

Perhaps they are talking loud enough, because the guests in the Great Hall politely clap as he takes the first steps forward as the newly crowned king. 

But you can’t hear any of that. Instead you only hear a high pitched ringing that is blocking out everything else. 

You. You are the Fated one. The heir to the Lunar Kingdom’s throne, the ender of Mang Shim’s curse alongside your newly formed ally. You are meant to return to the steep, cool cliffs of your home and set forth the actions that will end the flooding. It has been you all along. An hour ago, you were standing with your ally between your legs, rutting yourself up against his thigh and then telling him that he must bear the weight of all of the universe. Suddenly, the problems you had thrown at him, the pitiful anger and sadness that rocked through you for having to leave your home all seem so trivial. Because you feel the weight now. Solid. Damning in how it is shifting your life faster than you can think to grasp at it. 

How could anyone handle this feeling? As you watch King Hoseok, the King and soon to be God of the Solar Kingdom take his first strides across the room, you’re certain that he knows you’re staring, pondering the heft of it all on him. But he never meets your eyes again. Not until he’s standing in front of you in his father’s study again, only this time in the company of many others. 

The newly-appointed king instructed the orchestra to play, for there to be food and merriment anyway while he slipped away for a moment. You can hear the echoes of chatter down the hall and the lively music inviting parties to shuffle around the floor. Perhaps Taehyung is doing his sword dance that he spent weeks stepping on your toes practicing. But none of that matters now. Not the idea of running out into the courtyard, or letting your body lie with your friend one last night before packing your things and preparing to meet the Duke. All of the plans are ruined. 

And you can’t help it. A part of you feels lighter, freer. Though you know you’re leaving one life behind for another you know nothing about living. In a way you still wish you could escape. Especially now when so many people are watching you, almost all of whom are frowning. 

Zenith stands at the hearth of the fireplace, the flickers of firelight unchanging their dark figure while shadows dance around the room. It’s crowded here. For a large study that doubles as a library, it can accommodate many. However, all five gods, your parents and brother, the High Priestess, Hoseok, you, and Hoseok’s parents have crowded into the space, with the Elder gods spreading themselves into entire corners to avoid being touched. You feel like you’re suffocating. 

“So, what is going to happen now?” Hoseok’s father is the first to break the silence, latching the door to his study and turning to face the group. 

He looks to you, face so much harsher now than a handful of hours ago when you were sketching him. Hoseok’s father has always shown you kindness. During your visits to and from either kingdom, he was certain to ask you of your drawings, and each time a sense of warmth and care washed over you for attention. Your parents never had time to ask such questions, constantly escorting your brother to secret meetings with the deities, visiting flood-ridden towns or handling other urgent matters. This passion of yours was always something that slipped into the background, much like you did. 

“What are we going to do about this?” He jabs a finger in your direction. 

“Father,” Hoseok says. “Please.” 

“Are you not furious about this, Hoseok? Your entire life is now in upheaval and the curse cannot be broken. Do you not feel an ounce of fury?” 

You know he does. But the thing is, you also know this isn’t the same kind of fury. Hoseok has spent all of his life preparing for this. It doesn’t mean he wanted any of it.

“What do you mean the curse can’t be broken?” you ask, turning toward Zenith. How can it be that one switch of you and your brother is enough to undo everything, when the prophecy is somehow being fulfilled in the end? 

“Well, firstly. The rings you asked about. These are not just simple tokens, Y/N. Rings are a sign of unity, a cycle that one belongs to. You are to finish what has been started for the balance of kingdoms and end of the curse. That at its core is a symbol of great duty. But as Hoseok said earlier, you do need them. For the practical part. Imbued in each ring is the key to your ascension. You need to be in possession of it in order to become a goddess.” The High Priestess gives you a sympathetic look from her spot on the velvet chaise in front of the window. 

Your breath catches. “What?”

“When you were given the gift as a baby, it was in ritual and celebration, a sacred way to mark you to become trained for your future. At the time, it was nothing more. Because a baby is not able to wield that kind of power safely, are they? So the powers you are meant to have, they were placed within the ring until your coronation.” The High Priestess nods toward Hoseok’s ringed hand. 

The ring looks as though it is glowing, honing whatever vibrance Hoseok had during the eclipse. You wonder if you are still glowing, or if you’ve fallen back into your dullness. 

“In order for the curse to be broken, you will need to ascend. And without your ring, you cannot ascend.” 

“Why is this nothing that we knew about before?” Your father gives a piercing look at Hoseok’s father. 

“Well, you didn’t have a ring. We’d assumed your familial power was located in the kaleidoscope, as that could also be some totem for honing power. Do you not remember this discussion? When the prince was young? I specifically spoke to the two of you after to confirm your understanding.” The High Priestess responds cooly, smoothing her hands over the fabric of her dress. 

Your father concedes with a huff, folding his lips into a tight line. 

“So, if I don’t have the ring, I can’t…I can’t help anyone?”

The world feels so fragile already. The wreckage of the natural disasters, the growing tension between kingdoms throughout the years as time dwindled beneath your fingertips. All that waiting was done, generations’ worth, centuries of family lineage born and disappointed to find they were not what the prophecy spoke of, all to come down to your brother throwing it all to the bottom of the darkest seas. All for nothing.

Hot, bright anger cracks open inside of you and you find your works sharp and precise as you turn to your brother. “There must be a way to fix this.” 

Your brother has remained blank and expressionless since his confession. Even as you wield your words in front of you like a sword, he does not so much as blink in your direction. His face is swollen and the bruises around the broken cartilage have already taken scape. 

“I’m afraid it’s not that easy, sweetheart.” The nickname your mother gives you feels like ice against your skin. She never uses it anymore. Hasn’t since you were small and fragile. You try not to let the bitterness of all of this land on your parents. You know that your brother pulled them away from guiding you, from knowing. His betrayal must feel like an arrow to their hearts, too. 

But they also were complicit in all of this. Too afraid to speak out when your brother was greedy and cruel to you or the workers of the palace. Didn’t they create this mess themselves? Out of the fear that correcting your brother, a Fated child, would end up in their own destruction? Is that not what happened anyway? 

How better can you describe this now than destruction. Of cities and beautiful places you love. Of the lives of tens of thousands over the centuries since this curse all began. Your best friend drowned in the flood, her beautiful face blue and swollen from the wreck of the tides. How many times this could have been prevented, how she died for nothing because you couldn’t save her. 

“I don’t care! I don’t care if it’s hard. I’ll go down to the depths of the waters myself to find that ring. I will face the leviathans! I will let my lungs fill with water if it means I can end this!” Tears spring loose from your eyes as you gasp into the air. 

The room shifts, though no one moves to comfort you as you sob, clenching your arms around you to hold yourself together. 

“You will do no such thing,” Zenith says when you finally pull a breath into your lungs again. 

“But how can this be fixed then? If I don’t have that ring. If I don’t ascend. There has to be a way.” 

“Your mother is right, Y/N. It is not that easy.” Your head falls in defeat and you wipe your cheeks with the back of your hand. “However, it is not impossible.” 

Hoseok jolts, almost like he’s been struck by lightning. 

“How?” he asks. 

“Well, the first way would be to send someone to retrieve the ring.”

“But you just said Y/N can’t–”

“Let me finish, boy. She can’t. It’s too risky. The leviathan will sense the connection between her and the ring’s magic and instantly attack to protect themselves. Whoever goes down there must be without any special gift. No foresight. No skills. They must be so insignificant that they may go undetected.” 

Zenith turns away from the fireplace and approaches your brother. “Someone like you.”

Your mother gasps. “You mean to say that…”

“It seems like a fitting punishment, does it not? Send the one who cast the ring into darkness down into the depths to retrieve it. Since you are the one who meddled with the prophecy and have caused greater harm to this realm, you will be the one to right it.” 

Your brother looks sickly, almost like at any moment he will vomit. 

“And if I fail?” he asks. 

“You won’t.” 

“How do you know that?” He raises an eyebrow. 

“Because if you fail, you will spend the rest of eternity being shredded apart by the leviathans. Interesting thing about the Craters. They touch the gates to the Underworld. And because there is so much power down there, time is an interesting thing that can be warped so simply. Imagine being eaten alive over and over again.” Zenith chuckles darkly before they step away from your brother, lining themselves between you and Hoseok. 

“Once you have the ring, you can ascend. Unless you trigger the ascension another way.”

“How would I go about doing that?” you ask. Given that your brother isn’t particularly good at being reliable, you can’t say you trust the method of him going down into the Craters to find the ring. 

“That I cannot say.”

“Because you know or because you don’t know?” Hoseok chimes in. 

“Yes,” Zenith says and shrugs. 

Hoseok’s jaw ticks in response. 

“What about everyone else? The people? The coronation? There were so many who witnessed something happen. All of this seems a bit too delicate to have exposed, especially if Mang Shim sympathizers live among our people and are looking for a reason to resurrect him or fulfill his curse.” Hoseok’s father rubs his hand over his clean-shaven face. “All of this is a mess.” 

It is. Even as you make sense of it all, you never knew there were so many moving parts to this prophecy. You’d thought you knew all there was to know as a member of the royal family. But as it turns out, so much has been kept from you all this time. Critical history, components of magic and duty. You have no idea how to fix this. When you ascend, what is it you will even have to do to break the curse? Is it a blood tie? A war? Are you waving your hands and reciting some spell? What powers will you even have? 

“If I may be so inclined to speak,” Benador says from the shadows of the far corner. 

“By all means. Gods know you would anyway,” The High Priestess groans. 

Benador ignores her, stepping into the center of the room. “This one is the one who hasn’t ascended.” He points to you, then Hoseok. “But this one did. I can smell it on him. The warmth of a new god’s blood is unmistakable. Citrusy. Fresh. But the only ones who know that are other gods. Mortals can’t tell, don’t know the distance.” 

“And your point is?” Embria stifles a yawn as she stretches against an old bookcase.. 

“He’s saying that the mortals don’t know that Y/N isn’t a goddess yet. All they know is they saw both her and Hoseok glowing during the eclipse, probably some remnant of the prophecy’s binding magic. And if we want to protect our chances of being able to actually break the curse, we need as many people as possible to be convinced that we know how to break this curse and are only a few moves away from acting upon it.” Talavyr’s voice rings through the room, much deeper than you ever imagined it could be. 

Your bristle from the shock of him speaking, and you’re not the only one. Hoseok and even Benador’s eyes are wide. 

“So he speaks!” Benador says, coming to the side of the other Elder god and clapping him on the back. 

“Yes, when relevant and in the company of people I actually enjoy, I can be quite social.” His voice eases into a consistent monotone. “I suppose I could have let you squabble about it for another hour, but I’m getting tired and would like to return home soon.” 

Talavyr, like quite a few of the Elder gods, spends his time in the Northern part of the Solar Kingdom. While you have never visited his residence, you know he owns a vineyard and spends much of his time tending to it. Alone. The idea of him having friends or any relationship that highlights how “social” he is is almost laughable. 

“Yes, please get on with it!” Davien hisses. 

“You know none of you have to stay? I didn’t even invite you into this meeting. You simply strode right in,” the High Priestess says.

“Thank gods!” Embria says, and shoves herself away from the bookcase, knocking a few to the floor in her wake as she heads to the door. Davien follows closely behind, and then surprisingly, so too, does Alma, her large doe eyes echoing her apologetic statement.

“I’m sorry. I must see to the rest of the Council and inform them of the current news. They’ll want to hear about this, Pree. And Y/N, I’m rooting for you.” She bows once to Zenith, and then shuts the door softly behind her.

“What, you’re not leaving?” Benador asks Talyvyr. He shrugs. 

“I said I wanted to go home. Not that I shall. Not until a plan is set forth.” 

“Speaking of which, can we please get back to it?” Your mother urges. You meet her eyes and see deep concern swimming through it. 

“Yes, please. Benador, if you will continue.” This is the nicest the High Priestess has been to Benador since his arrival. 

He blinks at her, also processing the sudden shift in tone. A blush creeps up to his face, and he clears his throat. “Right, so I think the plan should be to let the kingdoms believe both royals have ascended. That way Y/N doesn’t become an unnecessary target.” 

“Won’t she already be? Now that it’s known that she’s Fated?” Hoseok asks. 

“Well, they know you’re Fated and nothing has happened to you.” 

“Nothing that you know of anyway.” The words shock you. 

“Have there been assassination attempts on you?” you ask. 

“Of course there has. Attempts, threats, a few close calls. Ask your brother. It comes with the territory.” 

You know it’s rhetorical, but given the look on your brother’s face, you know it’s true. What else has been hidden from you all this time? 

“Okay, so what’s the difference? If I now have hits out on me versus you?”

“Well, it’s obvious,” Hoseok scoffs. “It’s not like you were trained to avoid these kinds of attempts. Have you had basic combat training? Any lessons in self defense? Do you know how to break from a headlock or thwart someone who attacks you from behind?” 

No, you haven’t. The most training you’ve gotten has been in the woods with Taehyung when he visits. And even then, he has never let you hold his actual sword. He always makes you use fencing sabers. 

You shake your head. 

“Exactly. If there are attacks on you, you will be unable to defend yourself. Before, no one tried to attack you because while you are part of the royal family, you weren’t seen as an important party. No one expected you to be involved with breaking the curse, much less worth slaying in some act of rebellion,” Benador adds. 

“Wow, what a lovely way you put it. Do you wish to add that you think she’s ugly as well?” The High Priestess deadplans. Before Benador can answer, Hoseok speaks. 

“It doesn’t matter. We can’t let people think Y/N has ascended. It’s too dangerous. She’s too vulnerable.”

Vulnerable, not important. Weak. It’s so apparent how they talk about you like you’re not in the room. Like you can’t make decisions for yourself. But of course they do. Because before this moment, you didn’t have the ability to do so. Now, though…

“How about I decide what’s best for me?” You say sharply, shooting daggers with your eyes into Hoseok. 

His nostrils flare and he exhales deeply. You see the lick of anger rumbling through him, tugging him toward you to prod at. 

“You don’t know the first thing about this, Y/N.” 

“Then maybe it’s time I finally start learning.” You stride forward so that the distance between the two of you is merely inches in length. 

“You’re going to get hurt. Your ignorance will lead us to the end of everything.” 

“Then let’s make sure I’m not ignorant. Let me learn the ropes, just as you did. Let everyone believe something that is based on the truth: I’m away from the public to become educated on my official duties and queen.” 

“You haven’t had your coronation. You’re still a princess.”

“Well, you became king quietly. Why can’t I become queen the same way?”

“You don’t need to do any of this,” he replies, his voice quiet, almost like a breathless whisper. 

“Yes I do. Duty. Honor. Just the same as you.” 

For a moment, you and Hoseok are locked in each other's gaze, speaking through memory about the conversation you’d had a handful of hours ago. About not having a choice in what either of you were to become. Little did you know you would too soon see things from his side. 

He surrenders, his shoulders falling. “Fine. Get your training.”

You turn toward Zenith. “Is that…can I do that?” 

“You not only can, but you should. Hoseok is right. He is trained in ways you aren’t. And I think in order to truly break this curse and help you see your range of power is to bear witness to it firsthand. Therefore, I think you should stay here in the Solar Kingdom until you are able to access your abilities.”

Your stomach plummets. 

“What?” Hoseok says, eyes wide. 

“They’re right. Y/N’s going to need your guidance. Help her learn her new role in all of this. And it’s good for her to see the ways ascension changes you. It’s both a physical and mental hurdle. You know this. You two are going to have to work together to break this curse, why not forge a friendship as you do so?” The High Priestess stands, walking over to your parents. “We’ll need to hold off on her coronation, though. She can’t return to the Lunar Kingdom to rule before she receives her training. Once she’s been briefed, hopefully the ring will be returned and we can ascend her just as we have with Hoseok.” 

“How long do you think it’ll be?” Your father asks carefully. 

“It’s hard to say. It took Hoseok years to learn all that Y/N will have to in order to be fit to rule. Granted, he was an unwilling participant in his studies.” 

Benador snorts, and Hoseok rolls his eyes.

The High Priestess continues. “But, given how imperative this all is, and from what I’ve heard of your passion for studying art, I would wager you’ll pick it up in no time at all.” She smiles at you softly. “Perhaps six months? A year?” 

“We don’t have that kind of time!” Hoseok’s father roars. “The drought is only getting worse here. Soon our own farms on the outskirts of the capital will be impacted. Whether by drought or fire or some other disaster. If that happens, the people we’ve brought into the city will starve, only they will starve and be displaced from their homes.” 

“I am well aware of what is happening in the outskirts, your Highness. Do I need to remind you that I am one of the people who has been displaced?” 

The High Priestess once lived in the Great Forest of Solaria like Hoseok’s friend Namjoon, an area that has now been destroyed due to forest fires. 

Your father clears his throat, breaking the awkward tension flurrying through the air. 

“I hate to say it, but he’s right. The flooding in our kingdom is only getting worse. Last month it killed Y/N’s best friend.” 

Your eyes flick to the floor. 

You tried to save Youngmi. You did. You followed her down the stairs of the alleyway to her small home as the water began to cascade. You helped her move her grandmother out of the way of the flood and her little brother and sister. You carried both of them up the slippery stone steps as she promised you she wouldn’t go back for anything else. She swore. And then she went back because her neighbor was calling for help. 

“I can do this, Y/N,” she said. “You’ve forgotten that I’m strong as an ox from throwing sacks of flour around in the bakery and helping with the twins. I’ll be fine! Take them up to the prairies. To our spot! I’ll meet you there!”

You climbed the stairs. You told her grandmother and the twins where to go. On the Eastern side of the city, away from the floodland and the moonstone that gleams from the cliffs, there’s the prairies. It’s where you and Youngmi would go as children, free to wander freely while your brother was holed up in the palace. The prairies were lush with life: small, colorful asters at the end of the summers, and bold crocuses to signify the springs. A large apple tree stood in the center of the prairie, somehow withstanding the years of wildlife pecking at it, or the two of you climbing its gangly branches. It would be blooming, ready to welcome Youngmi’s family. 

But you couldn’t leave her. You turned around, slid down the slick stairs as the current became stronger, the flooding overtaking the homes below, breaking out windows and pulling personal belongings out into the streets. 

You called for her but to no avail. So you swam, dove under the door frame to the neighbor’s home. When you surfaced, she was nowhere to be found. So you kept your search. You dove back into the frigid, black water. And that’s when you heard her. 

A soft sound. Weak. She was four houses down from you. Her head was barely above water. 

“Youngmi! I thought I lost you!”

You paddled to her, though the current did most of the work. When you propped yourself against the windowsill to the house, that’s when you noticed. She was unmoving, despite the pull of the water, the increase of pressure threatening to suck you into the blown-out window. You dug your nails into the wood, trying not to wince as they bit into shards of glass. 

“I-I, Y/N. I can’t move. My arm, it’s stuck under something. And it hurts.” 

“Okay,” you said. “I’ll, gods, I don’t know, let me see.” 

She shook her head. “No, it’s too dangerous. The current is so strong. If you dip your head under you won’t come back out.” 

“It’ll be just for a second! I can do this!” you said, releasing one of your hands from the windowsill. Your feet kicked up, threatening to pull you away from the house. 

“Fuck!”

“I told you! I told you! Don’t do it. You’ll die out here!” 

The word rocked through you as you realized what your best friend was saying. 

“But, so will you! I can’t let you die, Youngmi! Your grandmother, your siblings!”

“I know, but...I can’t move, really.” She tugged, wincing at whatever pain was ripping through her arm. 

You didn’t think about it. You just moved, slowly releasing your hands from the house and coasting the distance between you two. You smacked into her, felt for where her arm was snagged with one hand as you propped your other on the door frame above her. 

You found the problem. A shard of broken wood from the door was pulled through her arm like a hook. And it was a large piece of wood. You tugged at the door with your one hand, but as you did so you slipped, and soon you were head underwater as you fought against the door, against Youngmi’s kicking legs, against the current that sucked you into the house.

You don’t remember what happened after that. You tumbled under the water until you felt nothing. You dreamt you were swimming through the stars. You thought you died. 

Yet somehow, you woke up. Heaved air into your lungs as the darkness of the unconscious transformed into the darkness of the nighttime. 

Voices hummed somewhere above you. 

“Is she dead?”

“No.” 

“How?”

“Because this isn’t how this is supposed to end.” 

“You don't know that. She’s just a mortal. She could die like everyone else.”

“But she won’t. As I said. This isn’t how this is supposed to end.” 

When you awoke, you were coated in mud. The silt and dirt of the floods remained while the water receded. As you pulled yourself from the broken earth, you wandered into the moonlight, studying the wreckage. Multiple homes were nothing more than some stones and rubble. In the alleyways, piles of wood and debris stacked atop each other, forming something like a barricade. 

It was in one of the piles you saw her. Youngmi, crumpled like a bird with a broken wing. Her arm was intact, but the shards of wood and pressure from the water had shredded much of it, exposing muscle and bone that made your stomach turn. But her beautiful face, caked with the same grime that coated you, was peaceful. Almost like she was sleeping. Almost. 

You never told your family about all of this. Instead, you said you were helping during the floods and found Youngmi’s body. You let the royal healer dig tiny shards of glass out from your nail beds. At some point, someone bathed you and there was soup placed in front of you to eat.

The idea of returning there now, to any of the recovering floodlands, to your bedroom that has never felt warm since, feels wrong. 

Which is why you finally clear your throat and look up, into the eyes of The High Priestess. 

“I can do it. I can learn it all sooner. I have to.” 

“While I appreciate your passion, I don’t think you understand just how much–” 

“I can do it. Three months. I can be ready to become queen in three months.” You turn to your father. “Is that soon enough? Can we wait that long?”

“We’ll have to,” your mother answers. 

You glance around the room, noticing Talavyr is staring at you. “What?”

“I’m fascinated by your sudden shift in ownership of your role, is all.”

“It’s not like I have much of a choice,” you respond, knitting your eyebrows together. 

He chuckles. “Oh, you’ll learn soon enough that choice is the one thing in all of this you do have. But I won’t spoil the rest.” He picks up a glass of water off the desk and downs it before placing the class back down gingerly and striding to the door. 

Without any salutation, he leaves, followed by Benador, who nods in the direction of the High Priestess. Are you missing something? 

“Well, I suppose it is settled. You will stay here to train and study under Hoseok in order to prepare for ascension and your coronation. Your brother will take the first ship out of the port to the Craters and begin searching for the ring. Your parents will rule the Lunar Kingdom in the interim, and Prin-King Hoseok, you will begin your rule under the guidance of your parents, especially as you adjust to your ascension.”

“I don’t feel anything. Is there really that much to adjust to?” Hoseok shrugs. 

“It takes time,” Zenith says. “The powers within you need something more akin to a warm up. They will slowly begin finding their way throughout your body to locate their place in it. It can take a while for any signs to show up.” 

“How will I know? When they show up?”

“Oh,” Zenith laughs, a high melodic sound that is so antithetical to the gruffness they have been demonstrating all day. “You’ll know, trust me.” 

“Of fucking course. Another cryptic answer,” he mutters. 

Zenith walks toward the door, opening it. “Yes,” they respond. “And now I would like you all to leave.” They reach a gloved hand forward and point to your brother. “Except you. You and I need to have a nice, long chat.” 

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