The day of the auction. Two hours before the mission commenced, the crew gathered in a rented room a few blocks from the Jubilee House. It was sparse, stripped of everything except the equipment and supplies the mission required.

Scar had expected to be at least a little anxious. But ever since the realization that he and Morningstar were one, anxiety and fear had stopped finding purchase in him.

The confidence he felt went beyond his potential as the God of Light or his authority over six flames. He had actually tested himself against the Gate God in training. He lost, yes, but he had held his own. And that impressed even him.

What was left now was the Chosen One tablet. Once he understood what had caused Morningstar to fall from his rank as a divine being, once he had that, he knew the power to face his enemies would follow.

Amber caught Scar sinking too deep into his thoughts, leaned in, and spoke:

"Are you certain you’ll be fine? I’ll stay close to Ray for backup, but your role is the most important."

Scar shrugged.

"There’s no other way. I must make it happen."

Amber wasn’t pleased, though she managed a smile regardless.

Everything landed squarely on Scar’s shoulders. There were three other parties infiltrating the auction tonight, but they had no idea who exactly they were.

Not even Purple, the one who drew up the entire plan. The only person who knew their identities was Marvel, who’d recruited them, but she wasn’t around today due to her lack of combat ability. This was to prevent their identities from being revealed if any of the parties were caught.

Scar looked over his crew. Crook had the smallest build among them, so he’d make the first move while Bend and Herd, whose bodies were much larger, covered him.

Scar himself would enter legally alongside his cousin, Loki. Since the auction was overseen by the Romans, Ray, the first nun of the Rover, had to accompany them. That meant Amber would need to keep her occupied and engage her in battle once the mission began.

Scar hadn’t expected Julien to participate, but thankfully, he’d made time to keep them company. The roles Julien and Purple would play were the reason they’d gathered so early.

Purple had mentioned her sealed abilities, how she could use them to help him. But since, then she’d just been sitting there in silence, turning it over in her head while everyone waited for her words.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"What proposal were you talking about?"

Purple’s eyes found Scar’s the moment he spoke.

"This will probably sound absurd... I can’t put it into words. Every way I try just makes it sound worse."

Scar furrowed his brow, confused.

"Just say it."

She nodded in understanding.

"I can help you navigate the fate foreseen by the Precognition of Fate. But because our bloodlines are not shared, I must attach one of my threads to your destiny. I can continue this as long as you desire."

Scar frowned, but before he could speak, Julien tried to clarify things.

"She may not change your fate outright, but she can prevent outcomes like capture or death by making you just a second early or late. It’s not only crucial for the mission, but it also makes your future uncertain, leaving Dain unable to perceive it clearly without contradictions."

Scar weighed the option for a moment. Really tempting offer. He could use this beyond just today, because the only thing Dain had going for him was his allegiance with the wielder of Precognition of Fate.

With Purple weaving his fate onto the right path, he could get stronger without Dain ever catching on to his plans or finding a way to intervene.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

But that was the one problem. Purple weaving his fate meant she could make anything happen. Essentially putting whether he lived or died in Purple’s hands. She could kill or destroy him whenever she felt like it.

’I’m not sure I trust Purple enough to handle this.’

There had to be other options.

"Can’t you connect it to someone else? We’re in this together. If one of us gets caught, it’s bad news for everyone."

Purple smiled.

"You’re the only one going into the vault. You face the greatest risk, and even if the rest of us are caught, it only matters that you secure the tablet, or everything we’ve done is wasted."

He knew that. But knowing didn’t make it easy. Purple was one of the shadiest people he knew, and what if this was it... what if controlling him was what she’d been after all along?

As he was still pondering, Amber touched him on the shoulder, her eyes meeting his with determination.

"Let her do it. If she tries anything, she won’t live to regret it."

Julien also stepped in immediately.

"Relax, bro. I get that Purple means well, but if she makes a move, I’ll kill her without hesitation."

Scar’s expression shifted into something between confusion and awe. No one doubted Purple’s motives more than Julien, and to think he’d be saying such positive words about her in a condition like this. Perhaps there was something he was missing. It wouldn’t hurt to trust her for just today.

He smirked.

"How do we even do this? Are we supposed to perform some ritual?"

With a gentle smile, Purple motioned in contrast.

"Thank you for believing in me, Scar... No ritual is needed. Linking the threads takes no effort. Tonight, I will weave through your fate, and then we’ll decide if it should continue beyond this night."

Scar nodded. He still didn’t trust Purple, but he had to do this and be careful about it. The moment he found himself wrapped up in something he wasn’t supposed to be, he’d confront her quickly.

"Right now, my threads aren’t strong. This situation is dangerous, so I must be careful and vigilant. I can only weave through two people at a time, and I’ll select the one most important to us besides Scar."

She turned to Julien.

"Julien’s job is to protect me, intervening only when things turn critical."