The Zodiac: Chapter 4

“Gem we’re here.”

Leo nudged him from the saddle. He hadn’t been sleeping but he was lost in thought. It had been a hard ride but as the sun was rising on the sixth day they could see it. As they came through the edges of the forest the village was visible. Everything was far better designed than in the last one. The homes were built with more stone and were in neater rows. It was easier to see which parts of the districts were dedicated to what, from shopping to produce. The people were better dressed though they were wearing heavy coats and hats over everything.

Gemini shivered as a cold wind blew over them. Leo had made them change to the warmer clothing and he was grateful for it. She was going to make him wear a hat as well but he talked her out of it.

Leo pulled on the reins again as they neared the streets. Speedy snorted as they hit the cobblestones. People were parting around them but they were giving them pleasant smiles. She could tell they were farmers at the most but this village was old. They knew that to make everyone wealthy was to improve the village at its core. Some of them even drew the sign of the Goddess, an A, and even added ‘may the Goddess be with you’.

Leo saw this and growled in annoyance. “I hate these religious sheep.”

Gemini chuckled. “I like them. They believe in our Mother.”

Leo glared at him. “Don’t tell me you’re one of them too.”

“You don’t?” The twin turned back and frowned.

The lion scowled but it wasn’t anger that she showed. It was more akin to resentment. “’Mom’ hasn’t done much for us.”

Gemini didn’t want to say anything. The truth was he wasn’t religious. He didn’t follow the teachings of the church and he never wanted to but he did believe in their Mother. For no other reason than to have one.

When the Zodiac were born they rarely knew their parents. They were found and taken in when they were born. When a Zodiac member died the soul of that Zodiac would be reborn in a new child soon after. It was said that the Goddess visited those people in dreams. She told them that the soul of that Zodiac had chosen this child to be it’s next host.

Many were resistant to such a calling but when God spoke to you, it was hard to go against it. The Zodiac were told from a young age that though she didn’t give birth to them Alpha was their true mother. Some of the Zodiac didn’t buy into that.

The pair noted that there were soldiers present in the villages. They walked in groups of twos and threes. Holding spears and shields they weren’t the most loved. The people though passive they gave them a wide berth. Some of them whispered things and Gemini would bet they weren’t positive.

“Should we find an inn or go straight to Virgo?” Gemini asked glancing up at her.

Leo paused and she was thinking. Gemini shivered as another cold wind blew over them and he looked toward the sky. There were clouds gathering in the distance and it seemed like it was going to storm. What kind of storm though was the question. He’d never seen clouds that light gather in such big amounts before.

“We go find Virgo.” Leo said and she scowled again. Scowling so bad that her teeth showed.

Gemini paused then nodded. “Then let’s go.”

Leo urged Speedy forward and together they made their way down the path. However, it wasn’t hard to know where Virgo might be. It was the middle of the day and down the path there was a large church. There were even people making their way there now.

As they jostled with every step Gemini could feel the tenseness in her body. He grabbed Leo’s hand and the sound Leo made wasn’t human. She turned that hot amber gaze onto the twin and he met it evenly.

“Calm down Leo. I know you don’t like Virgo. I know all of this isn’t something you want to do but trust me all right? Just calm down and I’ll do the talking.”

Leo’s breathing had increased and she huffed as she started to slow it down. She forced herself to get it under control and Gemini could feel it in her arms. The tenseness that she was letting go and the effort it was taking her.

“Fuck, I hate this Gemini.” Leo said as she continued to ride forward.

“You’re a fighter and he’s a pacifist. You guys are like oil and water.”

The lion growled. “Well aren’t you fucking poetic.”

A woman passed them by and she made a face of disapproval. She made the sign of Alpha and then whispered a blessing. Leo tensed and Gemini squeezed her arm tightly. Alpha forbid she snapped at somebody.

They came up to a wooden bar where other horses were hitched. Gemini slid down and Leo followed suit. Gemini rested his hand on his sword’s hilt while Leo balled her hands into fist and walked to his side.

“Let’s get this over with.” She said and the twin nodded.

Gemini opened the doors to the church and together they went inside. There were rows upon rows of pews, most of them occupied by people. The church smelled and felt old but it was warm. It wasn’t warm from the building being built sturdy but from the people gathered together. Gemini didn’t try to make her go any further and they sat in one of the back rows.

A hush fell over the congregation as he arrived. He was an average height man. His skin was an almond brown and his eyes were a deep purple color. His face was handsome and fair. Attractive. His hair was long and braided over one of his shoulders. As the light hit it seemed to tinge purple. He was wearing black robes with long sleeves. He had a belt tied around his waist but other than that he looked very plain. Except for around his neck he wore a necklace. It wasn’t his pendent though. It was a golden A.

“Hello everyone.” He smiled at them with genuine happiness. “It’s good to see you all here again. I see some new faces amongst the familiar. But today I want to open not with a prayer but with a verse from the book of our Mother,” Virgo reached into his robes and produced a small book. It was a bible though the book itself was black. No markings that made it more special than anything else.

“Turning to book four verse eight. ‘Alpha talks of her sister, Omega. Alpha gave birth to everything and everyone in this good kingdom. She created everything from pieces of herself. She created the trees, the animals, the fish, the birds, the land, the skies, and us. She is our beginning. Omega is what becomes of everything when their time comes. When people die, when plants wither away, when stones are eroded to nothingness, they go to Omega. They go to the end.’ It’s a scary thought to contemplate, the end of all things coming to take us once we pass.

“However, I’d like to continue to verse nine. Our mother says that ‘There can be no beginning without an end but there can be no end without a beginning. Everything is a constant cycle. Just as she gave a piece of herself to create each and every one of us, we pieces shall return to the greater whole in our great Mother’s warm embrace’ Our deaths and our eventual ends do not mean that we will cease to exist. No, like a young man leaving home for the first time to strike out on his own will always return home, we will always return to our mother. So, we mustn’t fear Omega’s embrace for she merely readies us so that we can return to our mother.  Death is not the end, simply a new beginning.”

Gemini looked at Virgo and he felt warmed by the words. He never read the book of their Mother but the way Virgo spoke made him want to read, made him want to know more. Virgo always had a gift with words, a gift with his voice. It was something that all Virgo’s were blessed with. Gemini missed him.

The twin looked at the lion and he saw the tenseness in her arms again but at the same time he saw the rapture on her face. The way in which she bit her lip, the way she grinded her nails into the pew leaving behind claw marks.

Gemini hesitated and wanted to reach out to her. Without warning she stood up and left the church. She left without grace or shame, just stormed out and slammed the door. Gemini didn’t hesitate to follow her.

Gemini looked around and things were empty outside. Most people were probably inside and with good reason. Gemini glanced at the sky and watched as the first few flakes of snow began to fall.

“Leo?” Gemini started walking looking for his dark haired friend and she was nowhere to be found. “Come on Leo, where are you?”

He circled around the church but he didn’t find her until he hit the opposite side of where he started. She had her forehead pressed against the side of the church and she was shaking.

“Leo…” Gemini came closer but kept his distance.

“If Mom’s so damn good Gem… why’d she take us from our real parents. Why’d she stop us from getting to know them huh? Who gave her the fucking right?! Where the fuck was she when we were growing up?!”

Gemini watched her and he didn’t know what to say to her. She was in so much pain and this wasn’t the first time. Growing up she had always had problems swallowing the things they were told about Alpha giving birth to them. On the holidays where children would honor their parents Leo always wanted to honor her father and her mother. But she didn’t have the ability to do that.

She couldn’t honor Alpha. Alpha couldn’t hug her. Alpha couldn’t smile at her. Alpha couldn’t love her. She made King Riku tell her what happened to her real parents, that the Goddess asked them to give her up to be with her family. Leo didn’t know what to do.  She never wanted to leave the other Zodiac but she wanted her parents. So she sucked it up and stayed with the Zodiac. She never once hid her hate toward the Goddess but she always did her best to cover up her pain.

Gemini walked toward her and then hugged her from behind. Pressing his forehead against her back he held her. “Leo…”

“Sorry Gem…” she said and her voice cracked through her teeth.  Forced. “I’m just so angry.”

“I know it, Leo. Trust me, we grew up together. I know.” The twin sighed as he backed away. He grabbed her by the hips and forced her to face him. Her eyes were amber pools of rage and Gemini had to face them with monochrome calm. “We need to end this war Leo, and we need Virgo to do it. But maybe Virgo can help you. Maybe he can help you find closure. But you have to let him.”

The doors opened and the sound of the congregation’s conversation echoed behind them. They were being let out. It hadn’t been that long though so maybe Virgo didn’t hold long sermons.  Gemini looked at her again to see if she was okay. She wiped her eyes and sighed as he hugged her again.

“Come on Leo, it’s time.” Gemini said and Leo grunted.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

Gemini nodded and they waited against the edge of the church. When the last of the villagers had finally departed they moved to the door. Leo pushed it open this time and they were greeted by the same location but it was far more open. It was strange after having seen so many people inside the place. Virgo was at the head of the church. He was running his fingers through his book and only looked up when the door closed.

“I thought you two were familiar faces.” Virgo said cautiously. Gemini felt the pulse of stars from Virgo and both he and Leo tensed for a moment. Virgo saw this and he was pleased. “Leo, Gemini. It has been too long since we’ve seen each other.”

“It’s good to see you too, Virgo.” Gemini said as he started down the aisle. Leo followed him and they stopped just in front of the podium. It was slightly raised off the ground so that Virgo had to look down at them. He quickly fixed that by stepping down to be at their eye level. Leo was taller than him while Gemini was just a hair shorter. Age wise he was in his mid twenties, a little older than Leo. In fact he was the oldest of the Zodiac.

“Why are you here now?” Virgo asked as his gaze went over Leo. He felt the energy rolling off her. It was suppressed anger, but he still felt it. Virgo’s were strangely attuned to the constellation. It’s what helped them understand people, what made it easier for them to help those in need.

“The war has been going badly.” Gemini said and spread his arms.  “We’re losing. We’re out numbered. They’ve got better weapons and better organization. It’s been over two years since this thing started. We can’t openly challenge them. We can’t even keep them back through harassment anymore. I give it a few more months at this before things end badly for us. We need you. Not just because of your gift but because our people need hope.”

Virgo looked at him and his face fell. He frowned before shaking his head. “I can’t. I have sworn never to use my powers to harm others. The people here rely on me. They rely on my sermons, rely on me being able to calm them and at least think that they will be safe.”

“But they’re not safe Virgo.” Leo said and Gemini looked at her. “If Cancer wins he’ll find all of us. He’ll find us and make sure the things we protected, the people we protected, suffer. I don’t know why he hasn’t touched your village Virgo but if he wins this peace won’t last.”

Virgo looked at her and the sadness on his face didn’t fade. “I don’t know why he’s done what he’s done but I also don’t know why he’s left my village alone. There must be something he doesn’t want or need here. I honestly choose not to think about these things.”

“Well think about this Virgo,” Leo grabbed the front of his robes and her eyes glowed with hostility. “Aqua and Libra are in Cancer’s fucking dungeons right now. Alpha knows what’s happening to them while we sit her trying to even seem like a threat! We don’t need you to fight with us. Hell, I don’t want you to fight with us. But we can’t do that with just the three of us. Virgo you can help us rescue them. Once they’re safe you can go back to cowering here.”

“Please don’t use such language in the home of our Mother.” Virgo said gently pushing her hand away but was silent after. Virgo hated this war. Senseless. Virgo didn’t know what had changed Cancer. He could remember Cancer coming to see him a few times, telling and asking him things spiritually.

And now he was running the country and he was controlling the army. Maybe he should have seen this coming. Could have stopped this.  Cancer had changed too much too fast for it to be natural. Holding Aquarius prisoner wasn’t something he would do. Hurting Aquarius was the last thing he would do.

“Give me… give me some time to think,” Virgo said quietly. “Please.”

“Time to think? What the fuck is there to think about?!” Leo shouted and her constellation slammed into them both. Gemini flinched and Virgo actually took a step back. “Aqua and Libra need us! They fucking need you and you need to think about it?!”

“Leo!” Gemini shouted and she turned that anger onto him. The energy that she was focusing on him was so much that he went down onto his knees. This had been focused onto Virgo? How was he still standing under an onslaught like that?

“Leo,” Virgo said calmly and Leo flinched like she had been struck. She turned back to him and she was breathing heavy. Virgo gave her calm eyes, very calm eyes, as he held his hand up. “Leo please, calm down. Give me some time Leo. That is all I ask.”

Leo took another deep breath and she was calming down. She turned around and shut her eyes tight. “We’re leaving Gemini.”

“Leo?”

“Come on!” She shouted and Gemini didn’t hear the usual malice from it. It was tired.

Gemini nodded toward her and then turned back toward Virgo. “Think about it. We need you. They need you. It was good seeing you again Virgo.”

With that he turned around he started chasing after the lion. They left the church for the outside There was a small layer of snow on the ground and it was getting steadier. Leo’s feet were crunching on the snow as she shook her head.

Gemini liked the snow. He liked the weather here. He wouldn’t want to live here but it gave him some peace and he liked that.

“Leo wait up,” Gemini said as he ran to catch up to her. “What happened back there?”

“Virgo happened,” She said and didn’t turn to face him. “He used whatever it is he does on me.”

Gemini frowned. “All he did was talk, Leo.”

Leo grunted and made a frustrated sound. “I don’t know what he did! I… let’s just go find an inn.”

She walked to Speedy and untied her reins from the post. Speedy nickered at her return and paced restless in the snow. She didn’t seem like she’d ever seen it before but she didn’t seem fond of it. Gemini watched Leo but he didn’t question her anymore. He got into the saddle and Leo got on behind him. She took the reins and directed her down the street.

It wasn’t too hard to find an inn and with the money they had, they could afford a single room for a few nights. Leo threw her bag into a corner and set her sword against the wall gently. Sitting on the bed she rested her hands between her legs and hung her head. Her hair fell like a black curtain around her face.

Gemini dropped his bag beside hers and rested his sword against the wall near hers. He knew better than to try and make her talk. She would talk when she was ready to talk about it. Gemini slid down the wall and sat. Tilting his head back he shut his eyes. They had been on horseback for six days and trained every day.  After the thing with Virgo they needed rest more than anything.

Gemini walked along the castle ramparts of Zodiac Castle and folded his arms. From this area there was a corner coming up that would curve around the castle. Near him was a small sewer drain that would connect to the river. The area was old dating back to some of the first generations of Zodiac. There was a smell that radiated up from there at midday when the sun was high but in this early of the day, the air was clean.

His body was aching from an accident he went through a week ago. According to Virgo he had tried to summon more power than his body could handle and as a defense mechanism his body shut down. It took him awhile to recover fully. After all his rest he needed to get some real fresh air.

The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon. Over in that direction, in the east, was the country of Xye. They were close to the sea and Nerodala’s primary trading neighbor. The ocean off the coast of Xye seemed to expand infinitely into the west. Towards the south was Lyria, Leo’s home country and the oldest province of Nerodala. It was said if you traveled South far enough you’d reach the edge of the world.

It was the North that was the most mysterious because not many people had gone North to investigate it but at the same time no one had come down from the North to visit them. There were stories. It was something that Cancer spoke about often to explore on his own.

“You’re up bright and early.”

Gemini turned around to see the crab walking toward him. He smiled at his best friend and sat down on the edge of the wall. Cancer leaned against one of the wedges between the stones.

“You know me. Bed rest is too boring.”

“Yeah sounds like you,” Cancer chuckled. “So that lesson yesterday, it was interesting”

 “What was it about?”

“The theory that there might be other Zodiac in other countries,” Cancer nodded. “I thought we were special but maybe Alpha had other kids. Or maybe there are others like her.”

“Come on,” Gemini said with a laugh. “You really think so?”

“It would be exciting. Think of how many others are out there like us. How they live, how their powers worked.” Cancer looked at him and there was a light in his eyes. “No one knows about what’s truly up North. There was a book in the library about some of the folk tales and myths up there about the free city. A city that could move on its own from one side of the country to the other. All because of some spirit that protects it.”

“A moving city? No way.” Gemini said with wide eyes. “That’s awesome.”

“We should go there sometime,” Cancer said with a chuckle. ”I’ve heard they’re a nomad culture and they have goods from all over the world. Far beyond Nerodala’s borders. I wonder if they would trade with us.”

“Why not? We’re fair to everyone.” Gemini said then thought. “If I ever want to go there I don’t want them to try and arrest me the moment I get there.”

Cancer folded his arms and shook his head. “I don’t know about that. If we wanted to we could take them down in a fight. What do you say? Think the twin and crab could invade a moving city?

Gemini laughed as he jumped to his feet. Standing on the edge of the rampart he held out his hand. “We can do anything we want.”

Cancer took his hand and met his best friends’ monochrome eyes with his own oceanic eyes. “Hell yeah we can.”

From the ground Leo watched them and shook her head. She was leaning against a guard tower looking toward the spot where the sewer access connected to the river. Leo liked that they were close, liked that they were like brothers. Capricorn too for that matter. She couldn’t look after them forever. She wasn’t their mother. Not that their real ‘mother’ was much of one.

“You look like a mother lion fussing over her cubs.”

Leo growled whirled around and stopped in her tracks. He smiled at her and raised an eyebrow at her bared teeth. “You’re always easy to tease Leo.”

She continued to snarl though her cheeks were taking a rosy quality in the light. “Shut up, Pisces.”

He laughed as he stood at equal height and age with the lion. He had straight dark hair that was tied in a ponytail yet still allowed his bangs to fall over his dark eyes. He had a rugged look to his dark brown face though it was clean of facial hair.  His eyes however looked very tired. Not one who needed sleep but one who just wanted to slow down. He was wearing a blue shirt with long black sleeves though he was missing a sleeve on the left arm. He had black pants and boots. He had a sash around his waist and his necklace was around his neck. A pair of twin fish circling each other was his symbol.

“Stop being so easy to tease and I might.”

“Go back to the river, fish.”

Pisces raised his eyebrow. “That so? I always did like the ebb and flow of the river better than the castle. Maybe I should make a boat and we can sail away together.”

Leo opened her mouth but she saw that twinkle, teasing light, in his eyes and she glared. Balling her hand into a fist she lunged at him and he stepped to the side. She passed by him harmlessly and he wrapped his arm around her waist to redirect her toward him. She stumbled slightly before whirling around to come face to face with him, his arm still around her.

Leo glared. “What are you even doing here?”

“I could ask the same to you.” Pisces counted.

“I can’t come out to enjoy the sunrise?”

“Not Leo, the woman who loves her cat naps.”

She huffed as Pisces smiled again. It was disarming for her. Those tired eyes of his always had energy for her. If she told any other member of the zodiac he had this in him they wouldn’t believe her. She took a breath and relaxed leaning against his chest.

“I just wanted to keep track of the twin.”

Pisces nodded. “Because of his accident?”

Leo sighed and nodded. “He’s an idiot but I he’s my idiot.”

Pisces nodded. “A lioness always looks after her cub.”

Leo growled again but she stared up at the pair on the rampart. She was going to take care of him best she could. If Pisces was going to tease her about being a mother lion she could tolerate it from him. She was always going to take care of the twin.