Cathay let out a low moan, struggling to open her eyes yet refusing to commit fully to the simple action. Though she lay in bed, sprawled from corner to corner as she rested atop her stomach, her head throbbed in pain, the unresolved issues of her reviled kingdom assaulting her mind. She had work to do. A domain to balance, and by all accounts, she should very well get to it. Instead, the stubborn queen threw a pillow over her head, pressing it firmly against her ears in the hopes that the pain would stop if she ignored it long enough. 

It did not. If anything, the assault on her mind only grew worse the longer her duties went ignored.

Groaning more in annoyance than out of pain, Cathay eventually fought the oh-so-tempting desire to return to sleep, cursing under her breath before tossing her pillow aside.

“Fucking…! Alright already, I'm up!”

Her Sunday was already ruined, what point was there in trying to salvage her interrupted slumber?

Struggling to sit upright in her bed, Cathay stretched her arms, a knot in her back coming undone, accompanied by the occasional popping of her joints. She tilted her head back and forth, eliciting further, and greatly needed, cracks. With a sigh, the tired Queen combed her fingers through her silvery mess of hair, only exercising the bare minimum effort she'd need to look at least a little kept. It wasn't as though she were trying to impress anyone, let alone the ‘problem’ she'd have to deal with. Hell, even her girlfriend's already seen her in worse states– this was nothing compared to that. 

But as Cathay looked down at her sweatshirt and sweatpants, both of which had more than likely gone a few days without a needed wash, she couldn't help but feel annoyed. 

Though she wore the crown to her kingdom and thus had to handle the duties that came with such prestige and power, it was always work, work, work. Often when it was least desired. 

Even her recent ‘sojourn’ on Earth, meant to serve as a reprieve from the oppressive obligations of a Ruler, was often interrupted by the chains that accompanied the throne. Cathay only wanted to rest, rather than worry about her ‘royal duties’. She had an eternity to deal with those. As it were, however, even that was asking too much while receiving so little in compensation. Yet, unfortunately, that was just the lot she’d have to live in life. The culmination of the choices she had made. 

Cathay was the one who assumed the mantle of the Depths’ Ruler, during a period of strife when the Kingdom needed one most. Though she never had any intentions of bearing such responsibilities despite the supreme power it granted, having always allowed others to shoulder the work effort rather than herself, some things just couldn't be avoided. Even she had to take responsibility once in a while. 

Another yawn passed through the Ruler's lips as she pressed an arm against her back, arching it until she heard an audible snap. Immediately, the tension across her body, her aching muscles above all else, relaxed. 

“Th… there's the money shot, Baby~.” The Queen of the Depths smiled, finally beginning to feel at ease now that she dealt with all the creaks and cracks her aching body possessed. 

“I really should start joining Valerie on those runs of hers…” She considered. “They'd almost certainly help with these joint pains.” 

Though her body was made to be immaculate, that was still no excuse for Cathay to allow it to wither away in inaction. She was Depthborn, and more than that a Primordial of her kingdom. An existence beyond even the mightiest of gods, and yet she’s grown too relaxed over these past few months since leaving her kingdom. To the point where she wouldn’t be surprised if the cosmos had forgotten her name and the fear it was meant to inspire. 

Perhaps then the pain in her head held advantages she had yet to make use of, reminding her of this. 

With a snap of her well-manicured fingers, the Ruler conjured forth a small cigarette in a cloud of black smoke. 

Another snap with her other hand and she produced a flame to light it. 

Taking a much-needed drag, Cathay was uncaring towards the fact that she hadn't even washed up yet, allowing her stale breath to mix with the taste of her morning boost. All she focused on was the sweet, if not acidic, aroma on her tongue, soothing her body and by extension her weary mind. The Ruler hung her head as she kept the building smoke within her mouth, hanging on to it as she pushed back once more against the resentment towards her throne-bound duties. 

Heavy was her crown, and her responsibilities were nigh endless. 

But at least she could enjoy this.

Keeping the cigarette between her lips lit, Cathay clapped her hands together, her purple-hued eyes shining brightly as she did. Immediately, the air around her grew still, the temperature dropping at a rapid pace.  

“Alrighty then, no point in dragging this out,” the Ruler mused as she exhaled a cloud of smoke. “Let's see what the damage is…”

****

All light faded away. Within the apartment Cathay shared with her girlfriend, and out in the world beyond. It melted away like ice on a hot forge, leaving only an inescapable, eternal darkness behind. The only source of light that could be seen was the Ruler's shining eyes, having gone from their brilliant purple composition to that of burning crimson. Bright red pools drifting within a sea of black, cutting through the suffocating void and radiating an ominous glow that flooded its expanse. 

It was cold here within oblivion. The very cold of the void which rested between entire galaxies of stars and alien worlds. From her apartment on Earth, the Queen of the Depths had ferried herself to locations unknown, far from her own reality and into those beside it. It did not bother her. Not this change in scenery, nor the cold which pressed dagger-like needles against her skin. Soon enough it would all be replaced with a welcoming warmth. 

A spark within the pitch-black void. A brief explosion of light that was followed by an even greater source of luminosity. Formless seething masses that brought structure and setting to the suffocating nothingness. A star– Living potential, energy made manifest. One, soon followed by many as they dotted the empty canvas of a silent cosmos. 

Alongside the stars came a myriad of worlds; hundreds materializing into existence as they were plucked from realities far from their own, all for the sake of judgment. As things stood now, they were all guilty of at least one crime or another. Whether said crimes were in opposition to the divine cosmology by which all things adhered remained to be seen, though, in the end, it was doubtful over whether or not that’d matter. A sentencing was already decided, not by the crown but by the kingdom the crown bent to. 

Cathay watched as these meek little worlds orbited around her, one after the other, each so small that individually they could fit comfortably within the palm of her hand. It took effort to not just reach out and grab one, clenching her hand into a fist to annihilate the planet and its expansive population in one fell motion. A task so easy that were she to exercise such mundane effort, the Ruler would be done with her duties before long and allowed the chance to rest once more. Unfortunately for all the worlds present, she was now awake. Groggy, yes, but conscious enough to work, and as such she was intent on making that everyone's issue. 

Sitting cross-legged within this swathe of existence, a solar system freshly manufactured for the sole purpose of giving her a place to work, Cathay observed the worlds around her; each one housing a fraction of a civilization that's managed to not just gain her kingdom's attention but that of the other domains as well. The Heavens, the Hells, and the Void– all known to these measly little planets. And what was more, she could see beyond the veil of the populations' minds, looking far back into the furthest corners of their memories and learning what it was they all had discovered. 

They’ve led expeditions into the Chief Kingdoms, the Depths most of all, even proving able to kill some of its inhabitants once they, in turn, turned their sights against these invaders of their home. Battles were waged, as expected, yet these civilizations and their people stood strong, even advancing themselves off the knowledge of what they had killed, growing insightful of cosmic truths not meant for them. Evolving, when they were not meant to.    

This was unprecedented. 

The Ruler's interest was piqued, seeing beings so comparatively weaker than herself rise above their stations. It was even fascinating, ignoring the ramifications that might come to those who forget their place in the cosmology of creation. 

Ultimately though, beyond interest and intrigue, the revelations learned were forbidden. 

They were not allowed to lesser creatures, at least not without a Ruler’s permission, and as far as Cathay could tell neither she nor the other two had thought to offer such generosity to a race of people whose name she hadn’t even bothered to learn. Were they to learn of Outer Gods, Archdevils and Archangels, or other forms of Higher Beings, that’d be fine. But those hands that guide totality? The kingdoms they lorded over alongside the entirety of creation? That, unfortunately, would not stand. 

It was a shame though, Cathay did see something worthy in these mites full of potential. If allowed the chance to grow, they might have grown to be something worth fighting against her domain. But her kingdom has spoken and her crown demanded action, and even were she to ignore both it was only a matter of time before another being of position and power decided to take things into their own hands. This, by comparison, was a mercy. 

Reaching outward, the Ruler of the Depths grasped the planet nearest her orbit, holding it firmly between her fingers, observing and analyzing it carefully. 

“A population of nearly 300 billion; Tier-2 on technological advancements. Interstellar, with the capability to soon transition into tier-1. Not bad at all…” Cathay did not filter her voice, nor did she worry about toning down its volume. These worlds were doomed anyway, what point was there in taking such precautions? Already, her fingers had worked to crush entire continents, and she could see how whole supercities fell to the mere shockwaves her voice produced, crumbling away or simply exploding based on how well-fortified they were towards such “attacks’. Simple motions for her, yet they were cataclysmic all the same.  

The actions of those few who survived the Ruler’s initial observation showed, however, how ill-prepared they truly were. Many, of course, were lost among the ruins. Others quickly turned against one another, knowing well the end of days had arrived. Those who ruled though, the ones who held power over their people, looked for ways to save their hides; seeking shelter far beneath the planet’s surface or taking to the skies in shuttles and ships. 

Such a response was expected. 

Chaos always came when the impossible reared its head, and though they couldn’t hope to comprehend her scale, it was likely already clear to those who survived that facing Cathay was a pipe dream. Odds were, they didn’t even have any clue as to why this was happening, nor what they might have done to deserve this fate. It didn’t matter. In a cold and uncaring cosmos, extinction on this scale was as common as rain on a cloudy day. Sometimes, things just happen, and the meaning behind events is not always meant to be understood. 

Continuing to build up smoke in her mouth, Cathay pulled free her cigarette from between her lips. Once again, she lingered longingly on its taste as she focused on the planet she held. Her fingers continued to dig into the world’s crust, threatening to break it apart as more of its population died off; either crushed in their still crumbling cities, lost to great crags of earth that undoubtedly opened up in this abuse, or had chosen to take their own lives knowing hope was lost. Tens upon tens of millions, perishing each minute, and yet hardly anything of considerable value on Cathay’s part had been done. Minor movements, that’s all she did. Nearly unconscious on her end, though the results couldn’t be argued with. 

She almost felt bad. At most, she’d had hoped to enjoy some form of resistance. But, as with all things she personally dealt with, they gave up much too easily. 

Pursing her lips, Cathay expunged the smoke that had been building within her maw, allowing it to wash over what remained of the breaking planet. It rolled over the world’s surface, erasing all that remained like some great cloud of death, killing off any form of lingering resistance; regardless of whether it be ruins that had yet to crumble or life that had yet to be extinguished. All of it was blown away in a great black smog, choking out what little remained of a civilization and population that would have stood against the test of time, had they gone unnoticed by the powers that be.

Her work all but finished with this mote of nothing, Cathay finally brought her fingers completely together, shattering the planet and sending its remains to drift in the void of space. They were liable to travel for quite some time, drifting until they collided against some other unfortunate civilization, but by that point, the Ruler hardly had it in her to care. 

Just one world and she was already bored. One quick reminder of who she was and a galactic empire was set into a fearful frenzy. 

She was so over this.

Turning her head to the planets that remained, Cathay decided, were she to have to deal with them all, then at the very least they should make it worth her while.

****

By the time Valerie returned home some time in the afternoon, Cathay was already wide awake, contently lazing about on the living room's couch as she watched TV.  Much like in the morning, the Ruler was still poorly dressed, only having decided to finally wash up and straighten out her silvery hair. Given the state of her girlfriend though, their ruffled clothing and messy red hair, there was little worry about that being an issue.

“Sooo, how was work?” Cathay asked, quick to note the dour expression her dear Valerie wore. A sour glare in response was all the answer she needed to that inquiry. “One of those days, I see.”

Valerie groaned, practically tearing away her book bag before tossing it towards some corner of the room. “Sorry… I'm just a bit agitated right now.” The exhausted woman explained as she peeled off the jacket she had been wearing, itching to be free of it after a tiring day. “I was supposed to be working with the local paper, even going as far as to wait at their office for them to ring me in, but the bastards canceled at the last minute. And to top things off, it started raining on my walk home, so…”

In short, a terrible waste of time for someone who was just trying to make a living. 

Cathay couldn't help but pout, mocking her lover's relatively meager troubles when comparing them to her own. Still, they knew it was best to bite their tongue, and instead offered a comforting arm. “Oh, you poor dear. Come to Momma, I'll make things better.”

Valerie sulked as she made her way to the couch, taking an unquestioned seat on her girlfriend's lap as the latter raised her feet onto the living room's coffee table. Now that they were closer, Cathay could see how her Beloved's hair was matted down from the rain, and how heavily drenched their turtleneck and jeans were. 

“Ohhhh no, this was a bad idea,” the Ruler admitted with a genuine chuckle, now that she felt her shirt and sweatpants growing soaked from the moisture on Valerie's body. “We're going to ruin the couch this way.” 

“Don't you dare move,” The sulking redhead ordered as she proceeded to wrap her arm around Cathay's shoulders, propping herself as though she were some child. “I need the comfort…”

The Ruler snickered, unable to do much more than laugh at her girlfriend's behavior. While, yes, they had a terrible day, it couldn't be denied that Valerie handled her frustration in… ‘unique’ ways. The sort that caused Cathay to stir in jubilant glee when she was required to provide some much-needed comfort. And to think, only a few months back, such joy would have been foreign to her had she chosen to return to the Depths. Instead, she was here, on Earth, offering some much-needed cuddles to her still relatively new girlfriend. Such a thought once foreign to her, now made a very real reality. 

Gently running her fingers through her lover's red hair, Cathay brought the sulking woman's head close to her chest allowing them to rest. 

“Poor baby,” The Ruler teased. “After the day you had, it sounds like you could use a rest.”

An affirming groan from Valerie only served to prove Cathay's point. 

“Would you like that?” She asked. “Do you want to call it a day this early?”

Another confirming grunt, followed by Valerie's arms wrapping more tightly around Cathay's shoulders, no doubt wishing to be carried to the bedroom. 

“Even if it means you won't get the present I made for you?”

Valerie pulled away, her previously dour expression vanishing as surprise and curiosity took hold. “A present?” She questioned. “From… you?”

Cathay raised a brow, insulted by the insinuation. “And that's hard to believe, why?”

The redhead averted her eyes. “No particular reason…” 

Other than the several dozens of times the Ruler refused to entertain such human sentiment, finding it to be a waste of time. As it turned out, it was only such when practiced by ‘apes’. 

Go figure…

Cathay scoffed. Raising her hand away from Valerie's head, they clenched their fingers into a tight fist before releasing; a choker of gleaming jewels unfurling from their palm. 

Valerie's eyes shined as she beheld the bewildering jewelry. “Oh my… Cathay! That is beautiful!” 

The Ruler puffed out her chest, pleased. “I know~.”

Though the choker itself seemed to be little more than scarlet leather, it was the jewels decorating its surface that fascinated Valerie the most. Perfectly spherical and radiating a soft glow, the seven amber orbs captivated the eye and gripped the heart. They were breathtaking. Incredible to behold, and despite looking as though they could have originated from Earth, at least at an initial glance, to the trained eye they were far more than what could be produced on the world of man. 

Valerie was quick to forget her horrid day when facing such a wonderful present. It enraptured her in ways words couldn't do justice. “Cathay, this is lovely.” She exclaimed. “Where did you even get this?”

The Ruler’s smile grew wider upon seeing her Girlfriend’s rising joy. “I just made a quick trip to some alien worlds,” She explained. “Came across these beauties and thought they'd just look lovely around that fragile little neck of yours.”

Cathay's pride knew no end, and the greater the praise received the more proud of her actions she became, regardless of how truthful she was.

In actuality, the choker didn't possess any sort of jewels, but rather the remnants of the worlds the Ruler had dealt with, or those she at least chose to keep, burnt to crisps by the butt of her cigar and perpetually kept in a state of burning- hence the warm glow. A horrifying gift to be sure, and one Valerie would never knowingly accept were she to learn of the truth behind its creation. Yet what she doesn't know won't hurt her, and ultimately served to gain further favor. Her smile was worth the atrocities committed.  

Valerie was giddy, smiling a mile wide as she fashioned the choker around her neck. It fit perfectly, designed for her exclusively. “Oh Cathay, you really know how to make the most of a shitty day!” 

The Ruler was delighted. Though there were few humans she cared about on this worthless planet in which she took residence, Valerie, her wonderous Star, was a major exception. They deserved the best, regardless of their reservations against certain actions. 

And what was more, Cathay was able to clear up her work, the pain ailing her head having vastly improved since her quick trip, and allowing her to bask in the glory that was her Girlfriend's adoration. So, all in all, not a bad way to end an otherwise irksome day. 

“What can I say,” the Ruler mused happily, a black blush coming across her cheeks. “I know what my girl likes…”

Valerie chuckled, leaning more closely into her godly lover's embrace, her own face flushed red. “Is that so?” She questioned. “Alright then, O’ Wise One, we've been dating for some time. How about you tell me what it is I'd like to do next~.”

Cathay felt her obsidian heart skip a beat. Looking into her Star’s lovely blue eyes, watching as they gazed upon her with such beautiful anticipation, there was no denying she already knew what it was that was wanted from her. A remedy for both of their irksome days. A cure to the tension they’ve both gained. 

“I think you already know, Love~.” 

Not at all a bad way to end a day that otherwise started oh-so-tiresomely. Perhaps, in the future, Cathay should wake up earlier if these were the rewards she received.