The Zodiac: Chapter 1

“Search the houses! He couldn’t have gotten far!”  The authoritative voice echoed down the streets. It was deep enough to make someone’s chest vibrate.

All of the doors were shut and the lamps in every home had been extinguished. The air was muggy for a summer evening. Though the air was rapidly becoming cooler as the overhead night sky darkened further by storm clouds.

The soldiers heeded the command and ran across the dirt paths, their armor clinking together with every joint movement. The battalion of a dozen split into three groups, separating to search every path and alleyway. Onlookers in homes watched fearing for the safety of their families.

The village was small with every home being made of wood and stone. Most were a mixture that favored wood. The more stone a home had the longer that family had lived there. It was a custom of this village to live in such a way.  Though despite it’s size the village was within looking distance of the largest castle in the entire country. Celestial.

To the eyes of the teen hiding behind barrels of grain outside the local bakery, the soldiers were a death sentence. The teen’s chest was heaving as he fought to bring it under control. His face was shrouded in a mop of copper hair. His eyes were heterochromatic, the left black as the night sky while the right was white as the first snow of the year. His skin was dark like polished oak and his body was thin like a cord, well muscled, and average height. He was wearing a worn brown shirt and pants. His boots were leather but likewise equally as worn. 

He didn’t dare peek past the corner as he heard the soldiers coming closer. They were knocking over stalls, cracking open crates and knocking on doors all to find him. He was glad for the place to hide for the time being but he felt guilt were losing their livelihood because of him.

“Open your door. Open it now!” The voice shouted as a fist banged against the wooden door. It was different from the one that had given orders earlier. Stern and confident. Used to giving orders and having them followed.

The voice was right behind him. Or to be more precise at the baker’s door. The door was wooden and seemed to have weathered a storm or two in the past. The walls however were all made of stone. The door opened slowly and a man answered it. He had fair skin but darkened by time in the sun. He was a large man but not because of muscle but because of weight. You wouldn’t call him fat but he had girth to him. This girth came from eating well, as came with being the baker of a town. He had a son and a wife but neither of them answered the door. No he was the man of the house and would do his duty to protect his family.

“Your G-Grace…,” the man stammered. His voice was deep and would never stammer if he was dealing with an ordinary man. However this was no ordinary man. “H-how may I be of assistance?”

“We’re looking for a fugitive. A fugitive of our kingdom, Nerodala,” The man stated.  “You wouldn’t happen to be harboring him, would you?”

This man wasn’t tall, but not as tall as the baker. The way he moved with his armor showed he was very used to moving with it. His skin was a fair tan color and his hair was short, dirty blonde color. His eyes were a piercing brown and matched the vibe he gave off. Confident. His armor was simple leather unlike the metal of the soldiers. Around his neck he wore a golden necklace with a disc ornament. The ornament was decorated with the sigil of a ram’s head and curved horns.

“S-sir? There are several fugitives running about the country side. An entire resistance,” the man began to respond and got the full front of that stare.  The man visibly flinched away. “W-Which of them… would you be… uhm… refereeing to?”

The sigh of impatience was skillfully hidden as the man touched his necklace. Raising it so that it caught the light, the ram’s head sigil seemed to glow. Where it was initially a black etching on the gold coin it seemed to turn fully gold in the light.

This gold radiated light that far overshadowed the polished metal that it was attached to. The baker shied away from the light, bringing his hands up and averting his eyes. Not in a way that was painful but showed his reverence for the symbol and disbelief that he was worthy to see it.

“The one that I search for is another who bears one of these. He is light of build but do not let that fool you. He is every bit as strong as I.”

“Your grace. What… what would the name of this one be?” The baker inquired.

A smile touched the owner of the ram’s head necklace. “Gemini.”

The teen’s breath caught in his throat. Hearing his name from this man’s lips put a shiver down his spine. The baker shook his head rather quickly at the mention of the name.

“Your grace,” he said with some confidence this time “I haven’t seen a boy with a necklace like that.”

“Of course you haven’t. His would be of a pair of children. Hands clasped. I bet he’s searching for it or else he wouldn’t have come this close,” The man said with a shake of his head. The air rippled slightly, more like crackled.  It passed through the bakery and the baker didn’t notice it. However when it hit Gemini he shuddered. “He would be too busy hiding himself behind your shop.”

The teen’s eyes wide, he went still as a statue as the accusation was thrown forth. Before his mind could fully process it there was a sound like thunder. Mistaking it for real thunder he didn’t react in time. Crates exploded around him, sending wood and clouds of wheat into the air. A hulking shape shot through the dust, grabbing the teen by the throat and shoving him into the wall behind the bakery. All breath was stolen from his body as his skull collided with the stone.

Dazed, his vision swam but he didn’t lose consciousness. He was brought back by splatters of moisture against his cheeks. The heavens were beginning to open as rain started to fall. The steady sensation of precipitation helped to revive him. Eyes half open and head pounding he could barely register the loud voice that spoke to him.

The man was large, well over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad and his arms were equally as large. He could probably lift up two Gemini’s with ease. His skin was naturally dark and tanned darker by the sun. His hair was cropped short to his head and dark brown, almost black in color. His face was rough, his eyes were an almost black. There was a glint of kindness in this giant, however as he spoke his voice was hard. He wore armor like the soldiers and around his neck was a necklace of gold with a disc, a sigil of a bull’s head with pointed horns.

“You’ve been on the run for too long,” his voice sharp like reprimanding a child. “You never would have been so easily caught nor ambushed, Gemini.”

Gemini coughed under his armored grip, barely getting enough air to breathe, let alone make a decent retort. Hacking on what little air he could take in he simply said, “Stupid… bull”

The man’s mouth cracked into a smile that almost reached his eyes. “Aries! I’ve caught him.” He shouted with enough force to hurt Gemini’s already ringing ears.

“So you have,” The voice of the ram came as he walked around the baker’s home flanked by a soldier on both sides.  As the final corner was turned the ram faced the pinned Gemini and looked him up and down. “You look terrible Gem.”

“The sheep too. Great.” Gemini was getting control of his faculties again. The black spots on the edge of his vision had faded away and he was seeing clearly. The torchlight flickered around them under the constant assault of moisture from the sky.

The other soldiers were slowly joining the pair that had followed Aries as they stopped their search of the village. Soon all twelve were there, swords and spears drawn. If things continued the way they were, he was in for a bad time very soon.

“You’ve been running for what’s been going on six months now Gem,“ Aries said as he began to walk toward him. His cold eyes trained on him despite the smirk that played on his lips. “You and the others.”

Gemini’s monochrome eyes narrowed into a glare “You didn’t give us much of a choice after your ultimatum.”

Aries hesitated, gritting his teeth together and not even trying to hide his frustration.  “If you had come quietly things wouldn’t be this way. We could stay as a family.”

Gemini scoffed, turning that into a harsh laugh. “So suddenly we’re okay with killing our own family?”

“If it was for the greater good then yes.” Aries said evenly.

“Guess you’re just like Cancer then. Monsters!”

Aries glared at the younger man as he tried to stifle his mounting anger. Instead of responding with words, Aries reached into a pocket of his pants. Gemini watched him, mentally preparing himself for whatever was coming.

“You remember this, Gem?” Aries asked holding out his arm.

Cupped tightly in his hand was a golden necklace. On the disc was an etched engraving of a pair of children, hands clasped. One of the etchings was black while the other was white. Gemini stared at the pendent and he didn’t respond. His mouth was agape as he tried to form words but they were lost to him at the moment.

“This, I believe is yours Gem,” Aries said as the twins gaze returned to him. “If you agree to return with us, peacefully, it can be yours again.”

Gemini stared at the pendent and he wanted to say yes. The pendants were more than keepsakes. Gemini had been without his for six months and every day of that had been painful. Like missing a finger.

Gemini ground his teeth before forcing out the words, “I won’t.”

Aries was taken aback. There was no way that he was denying himself this. They would kill for their pendants. All of them. “Surely you aren’t serious Gem.”

“If you think my pendant will make me forsake my people, then you don’t know me that well brother.”

Aries openly snarled at his words. Throwing down his arm he turned his gaze to Taurus. Taurus watched silently as he held Gemini aloft and had to fight to keep his face blanket. But he was loyal and he wasn’t going to lose his will.

“Taurus, incapacitate him. Cancer wants him alive but we don’t need him conscious.” Aries ordered.

“Understood. I’m sorry about this, Gemini.” He tightened the grip on his neck. Choking on his lack of air again Gemini kicked out hard. His hands grabbed at Taurus’s arm but the resistance was futile against his iron grip.

The edges of his vision were beginning to dim once more and he refused to go down without a fight. He let go of the bull’s massive arms and let his arms go slack against the wall. Aries watched the movement carefully. There was no way that Gemini was giving up yet.

Gemini summoned his strength, what was left of it, and spoke his words.

“Split Gemini.”

The air pulsed with an unearthly energy. The energy made the normal soldiers around them cringe away but for Aries and Taurus it made them tense. The energy touched a sense that most humans weren’t familiar with. As it washed over them they could see stars lining his entire body and limbs like a constellation.

Gemini’s hair leached of color and his left eye drained until it was just as white as his right. Where Gemini’s right hand hung loose, suddenly it was gripping another.

Leaping from out thin air like he’d always been there, a black haired and dark eyed Gemini attacked Taurus with a swift punch to the face. The punch was too fast for Taurus to block on reaction. Instead he stumbled back shocked, loosening his grip on the white haired Gemini. That was all he needed.

The white Gemini grabbed Taurus’s hand with both of his own. With all his strength he pried the man’s hand open and slid to the ground. The black Gemini caught him and pulled him back to his feet. The pair stood side-by-side, backs to the wall as half a dozen soldiers lowered their weapons.

“I should have known better,” Aries growled. “I should have knocked you out the moment I found you. I let sentimentality get the better of me.”

“Well you can’t change the past now can you?” The white Gemini said though he took a step back. He spoke softly almost like he wanted to reason with them. The black Gemini took a step forward and glared at both of them.

“You used to be like big brothers to us,” he shook his head. His voice was accusatory and openly hostile. “We won’t hold back against you.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Aries said as the air started to pick up. It swirled around him as the edges of his body began to glow but Taurus shot his arm out in front of Aries.

“Wait brother. Don’t you think that using that is extreme against them?” Aries hesitated and the power he was amassing began to settle. “I will handle them.”

“Brave words cow.” The black Gemini snarked.

“Trust me Gem. Much has changed since you left.” Aries said and took a step back. The soldiers did as well however they did not raise their weapons. It was as if they made the ring around them, an impromptu arena.

The twins glanced at each other. The black Gemini glared at Taurus while the white Gemini looked for some kind of exit. Taurus cracked his neck and knuckles slowly. He stamped the ground with one foot and then the other as he crouched raising his hands. His constellation rippled across the ground. The soldiers were unsteady as the power beat down on them. The twins could see the constellation forming around him and braced themselves.

“Charge Taurus!” With that battle cry Taurus raced forward.  With every thundering step the ground shook like a small earthquake. The black Gemini took a step forward and held his hands out to try and hold the bull back. He had done it in the past but this time he wasn’t so sure he could make it happen.

“Umbra don’t be stupid!”

Suddenly the black Gemini was grabbed and lifted off the ground onto the roof. Taurus slammed into the back of the bakery and the foundation of it shook, almost crumbling entirely. Both twins fell to their knees and the white Gemini almost fell off the edge. Umbra grabbed him and kept him in place.

Taurus shook his head before looking up at them. He didn’t even seem to be fazed by the collision.

“Thanks Luce.” Umbra said shakily.

“I couldn’t let you get gored, now could I?” Luce wobbled to his feet as he stood and then both stared down at the bull.

“They haven’t changed much, Aries.” Taurus said and the ram nodded.

“We can’t destroy our own village just to apprehend Gemini,” Aries said as he narrowed his eyes. He looked over the tightly clumped set of homes and saw the lining of trees in the distance. That was an open area and that was where they would continue this ‘disagreement. “Follow my lead Taurus.”

Aries closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. That otherworldly energy surfaced again and this time crackled around Aries. His eyes snapped open as he spoke, “Run Aries.”

One moment Aries was there and then there was an explosion of dust where he once stood an after image of stars behind him. Umbra’s eyes went wide as he tried to follow the ram as he moved but he was just suddenly gone.

“Luce move!” he shouted to his twin but it was too late. Aries had grabbed them by the front of their shirts and they were both gone in another burst of speed that left the rooftop dented. “Shit.”

Aries landed lightly against the outskirts of the small village. Though they had dirt roads it was smooth stone compared to the rough grass and dirt that he landed in now. The rain had turned it to mud and the grass into a treacherous surface. Flicking his eyes to the side he threw the twins to the side and waited.

When he raised his head off the ground his hair was copper and his eyes were heterochromatic again. He stared at his hands confused getting his bearings again. He started to stand and then fell down again trying to keep himself up with his hands. “Dammit. You really have no sense of rider courtesy do you.”

“You can’t possibly fight me in this condition, Gem.” Aries began to walk forward.

“I can do anything I set my mind to.” Gemini retorted as he held one hand to his chest. He was barely able to get to his feet and Aries knew this. It would be like attacking a child.

“Your stubbornness will get you killed Gem,” Aries said and he shook his head, causing his dark blonde hair to sway with the movement. “Of that I am sure.”

“Then I can at least take you with me.” He could hear thunder and watched lightning flash in the sky.

Aries scowled at him. “Run Aries.” In another explosion of constellation Aries was suddenly in front of Gemini. Gemini had barely blinked before Aries leg slammed into his chest and sent him flying. Gemini grabbed at his chest before he cried out. He slid across the ground before hitting a tree roughly. The tree cracked from the blow, collapsing in a torrent of leaves and water.

Gemini groaned his chest heaving. His eyes were barely working and he was seeing stars again. He used to be able to react to Aries speed and now he couldn’t even keep up. Something had changed.

Aries walked toward him and shook his head. He was sure that the last kick he had delivered would be enough to knock him unconscious but here he was clinging to this fight.

“Why do you insist upon doing this?” Aries asked in exasperation as he stopped a foot away from his downed former friend. “You can’t win against me, let alone against Cancer. You can see that clear as day and yet you persist. Why?”

“You. You should know me well enough by now,” Gemini coughed as he put one hand against the bark. He was forcing himself to stand up and the effort was making his limbs shake.  “I don’t surrender. Not to anyone.”

“Then enjoy your nap.” Aries went low to the ground as he gathered his constellation for another kick.

The air shook as a roar rippled from deep within the forest. Aries froze in place and Gemini’s head snapped into its direction. They both recognized that roar and the presence that followed it. Each step that it took forward they felt the predatory eyes upon them. Each step that brought that person closer, the pressure of their dominance was felt. The energy warped around the figure like a blanket of stars as they approached giving the shape of a lion.

“Thank Alpha. You finally got here Leo.” Gemini said. He let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding in and fell to the ground, collapsed.

The shape of the lion faded to reveal the tall woman. Her skin was dark by birth and she had waist length black ponytail and bright amber eyes. She had sharp facial features and a snarl upon her lips. Each of her teeth could be seen and every one of them was pointed and sharp. She wore a sleeveless shirt, pants, and boots.

She just as tall as Taurus and her muscles were easily visible. She wasn’t large like the bull but there was no doubt she could take him. Proudly displayed around her neck was her golden necklace, with the disc containing the sigil of a lion’s face.

“Leo,” Aries began to say as he straightened. The lioness was an opponent that, no matter how strong Aries might have become, still put fear into his heart. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“I didn’t think I’d find you damn traitors here either,” She grit her teeth and the growl that emanated from her voice made the ram take a step back. “Get the fuck away from him, Aries. Or I will hurt you.”

“Come on Leo. We can ta-.” Aries began but Leo attacked. Her fist slammed into his chest and the cracking of one of his ribs was loud. Aries’s shocked face and lack of breath stopped him from being able to let out a shout of pain.

Leo didn’t have the speed of Aries. She was simply fast in her own right. After fighting Gemini, Aries had falsely believed that Leo’s strength had also waned. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Leo took a step forward and bringing her fist into her other palm before striking his back and bringing out another loud crack.

Aries crumbled to the ground, holding his chest as he wheezed. Leo spared him a final look before walking past him. She was quick and pressed her hand first to Gemini’s forehead and then to his chest. His heart was beating faster than she would have liked and with him unconscious she couldn’t know how hurt he was.

Crouching and she slid her arm under his legs and another around his shoulders picking him up. He weighed nothing to her and she glanced at him once more. His face wasn’t showing the pain she expected. The relief from seeing her was still in place but he was very pale.

“Stupid runt,” she mumbled and threw him over her shoulder.

Turning her gaze back to Aries who was slowly regaining his ability to speak. He looked up at her and his eyes were empty. No anger or pleas. Just relearning what the situation was and how to handle it.

“Do not follow us,” Leo warned as she started to walk into the forest. “I don’t care how many you send. I’ll kill them all.” She adjusted Gemini against her back and then started to run.

Aries watched from the opening of the forest. With another wheezing breath he got to his feet. Wobbling on them for a second, he frowned. He reached into his pocket slowly and surprise colored his expression. The pendent, the one for Gemini, was gone.

Leo lowered herself to the ground as her steps took her further and further into the forest and her steps began to get nimble and precise. She was leaving the village behind in favor of her own hideout. Though Gemini was unconscious, in his hand clutched tighter than life itself was his pendent.