The Zodiac: Chapter 5

“Leo, Leo get up. You need to see this.” Gemini said from the window.

Leo grunted as she rolled over onto her back. Slowly and struggling she swung her legs off the edge of the bed. “What the hell do you want runt?”

“Just get over here and look.” Gemini said urgently and she caught up on that even in her current state.

Getting up and running fingers through her unruly hair she dragged herself toward the window. It was the dead of night and everything had been blanketed by snow. She didn’t know what she was looking for and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Gemini pointed into the distance and her eyes followed. There was brightness in the sky. She leaned forward looking skyward. The moon wasn’t nearly full enough for that kind of light. As she narrowed her eyes she saw that it was too close to the ground as well.

“What the hell is that?”

Gemini shrugged. “I don’t know but it feels like bad news.”

Leo continued to stare at it and she bit her lip. She didn’t like it. The longer she stared, the more it bothered her. After enough time staring she swore to herself and walked back.

“Where are you going?” The twin asked.

“We’re going to check it out.”

“Don’t I get a say in this?”

“No. Come on.” Leo pulled on her boots and laced them up. She walked to her sword and slid the scabbard over her shoulder. It was reassuring. She reached down picking up Gemini’s sword before tossing it to him. He caught it and clipped it to his belt.

Once they were both gotten dressed properly they left the inn. The innkeeper was probably asleep and no one was in the small serving area.  They served meals here during the evening and the pair had taken part in one the night before. Once they were outside they crunched on the fresh snow. They found Speedy in the stables and she had been sleeping. However at the sound of their arrival her ears perked and she woke.

Leo stroked her neck lightly and held out an apple. Speedy munched on it slowly as Gemini got into the saddle.  He stroked his fingers against her mane and she seemed to not mind it.  Once Leo finished feeding her she got behind Gemini and took the reins. She pulled backwards as they got out of the stables. Turning her around she urged her forward.

The streets were empty so Leo urged her into a full gallop and they raced down the streets. Speedy was quickly getting adjusted to running in the snow as Leo pointed her toward the light. Gemini focused on it as well and he couldn’t place what could be causing it.

The ride took them down the road however it split off into the road that connected this village to another. The light was straight down that path and Leo pulled back on the reins. “What’s big enough to cause that much light but travel on the main road?” Gemini asked.

“Bad news.” Leo replied and she led Speedy off the road. The snow on the grass was deeper and a bit harder for her to muscle through but she made the journey. When they were far enough off the path that Leo was satisfied she made a sharp turn back toward the light but gave it a wide berth.

It was a long tedious journey but they were able to get within decent seeing distance of the light source and startled them both. In formation were several dozen soldiers, fully armored and armed. Some on horseback but most of them were foot soldiers. They looked like they had been marching for some time and apparently the light was coming from the dozen or so torchbearers.

There were a pair of riders at the head of the formation and Leo gasped when she saw them. Gemini wasn’t able to form the names of the riders for a moment. “Sagittarius.” He said softly.

“Pisces.” She whispered breathlessly. Speedy shifted nervously as the pair watched two of their number lead an army to Virgo’s village.

“What are they doing? That’s way too many people for just a friendly visit.” Gemini said though he was starting to get a good idea of what this was. “They came from the direction we came from. From the castle.”

“Maybe Cancer’s done waiting for Virgo to stop being such a pacifist. He’s going to force his hand.” Leo said gripping the reins tighter.

“Doing what? That’s way too many soldiers to just make a threat.”

Leo shook her head. “He’s going to sack the village. No, he’s going to raze it.”

“What? All of those people have done nothing wrong. What are they guilty of?”

“Nothing. Dammit Cancer.” Leo swore again as Speedy shifted once more. Leo’s anger was starting to make the horse nervous and Gemini touched her in an attempt to calm her down. Surprisingly it worked.

“We can’t let them do this.”

“You’re damn right we can’t.” Leo said as she yanked on the reins and turned Speedy back toward the village.

“Leo wait. Look.” Gemini pointed and Leo watched as Pisces and a group of soldiers suddenly bolted. They were riding far ahead of the formation and their horses were moving fast. It was like the snow wasn’t even a hindrance to them.  “Shit. He’s going to get there ahead of us.”

“Then we’re going to have to head him off aren’t we?” Leo said as she snapped the reins down sending Speedy into action. She lurched forward through the snow and then started to do her best to run.

“Are you sure about this Leo?” Gemini asked hesitantly.

“If you’re talking about Pisces then I’m very sure. I’m going to stop him and nothing in our past is going to hold me back.”

They were strong words but even Gemini wasn’t wholly convinced. However at the size of that army that was coming it was going to have to be enough. Cancer was starting to make his moves and there was no delaying it now.

Virgo was uncertain. He opened the book of his mother to try and still his heart and ease his mind. He turned to book six tracing his finger through the verses. He read them over and over. After his third time going over the verse he made a sound of frustration.

Turning around he looked up at a stain glass painting of Alpha. She was depicted with dark skin and teal hair. Her body was wrapped in a white robe and hood. Her eyes were pale white but her smile, even in glass, warmed his soul. He kneeled before it and closed his eyes.

“Mother how can I stand at the side of my brothers and sisters when they war with themselves? How can I save my sisters from Cancer’s dungeons when doing so will mean raising my hand to them? How can I ignore your teachings and go to war with my own family? Go to war with the people I am sworn to protect?”

Alpha visited in numerous times. From inspiration, his dreams and his intuition. She graced him with insight and humbled him with knowledge. He was her devout follower and the one rule that she held sacred above all others was that the zodiac remain united. Fighting amongst themselves was understandable, in many ways they were siblings, however true fighting was something she never wanted. She wanted the best for her children and a war was far from the best.

“Please Mother, I want to help them. I want to help but how can I remain faithful to your wishes? Please I ask that you give me strength.”

He felt the pulse of a constellation the moment it touched the church. Standing, shocked, he looked around but there was no one else nearby. Frowning at it he shook his head and placed a hand on the podium from where he stood.

“Probably Leo.” He said to himself. “Her temper is still legendary.”

Absently he turned the pages of the bible and found himself at book three. Surprised at this he read the verses to himself aloud.

“’Our mother ask that we abide by her rules. To not harm another, to not steal, to not wrong, to be strong of faith and kind of spirit, to love your fellow brothers and sisters but above all to listen to your heart. She has blessed us all with choice to control our own destinies. She has blessed us with good hearts, to guide back those who have wandered astray..’”

The door opened with a loud creak. The cold must have made the hinges stiffer as a result. It was a problem with this area but he was alright with it. He chose this village for the people, not the decorum.

“Hello, is there anything that you need?” Virgo asked politely. It was the dead of night so he couldn’t imagine who would be coming to visit at such an hour. However the sight of another person helped to ease the turmoil in his heart. A suitable distraction could be what he needed.

“Yes, there is,” Virgo stilled at the voice. “A friend of ours asked for your help and you asked for time to think. It’s time to tell us your choice, Virgo.”

“Pisces, I didn’t expect to see you today.” Virgo said as he closed his book. He hadn’t expected to see so many of his siblings this day but foresight wasn’t one of his gifts.

Pisces swept a strand of hair away and shrugged. He had a scar across his right cheek that hadn’t been there last time he saw him. He was wearing simple leather armor on his chest and across one arm. Virgo noted the pair of circular disc at his hip gleaming with the torchlight.

“Nor I but neither of us are inside of Cancer’s mind,” He shrugged. “You’ve been left alone for some time Virgo. But now Cancer comes to you with an ultimatum. Will you side with us, or won’t you?”

“How is Cancer?” Virgo asked avoiding the question. “Has he changed anymore? Is there a chance that our brother is still in there?”

Pisces turned his eyes downward. “I don’t know. I don’t see him often unless he needs me. But from his recent actions I think our little brother is all but gone.”

Virgo let out a heavyhearted sigh. There was something more to this. Something was causing these changes within Cancer. “This isn’t like him, not this level of aggression. This isn’t like you for that matter. What has changed?”

Pisces stared at him and there was something there. Like he was lost. He blinked quickly and rubbed his eyes, and closed them. When he looked at Virgo again he was calm.

“Virgo, I know you’re stalling this out. I can understand that you aren’t eager to make this choice. Especially given your beliefs but Cancer isn’t giving you much of a choice. Not anymore”

“What do you mean?” Virgo asked and his heartbeat quickened.

Pisces glanced outside and nodded toward the door. Virgo hesitantly started to walk toward him. Even before he got close he could hear the screams, hear the violence. He hurried to the door and threw it open.

Through the darkness of the night he could see soldiers in the streets and they were causing chaos. They were kicking open homes and ordering the inhabitants outside. Some were going to stalls and knocking the goods into the snow or beating those who resisted. Some were going so far as to set fire to the villager’s homes.

“What is the meaning of this Pisces?!” Virgo shouted as he turned to the fish.

Shaking his head, Pisces looked Virgo in the eyes. “This is what Cancer has ordered. He’s sending a message that you cannot remain neutral. This village will continue to be assaulted and taxed by his soldiers until your choice has been made. You can guess what will happen if that choice doesn’t benefit Cancer.”

Virgo bit his lip and turned back to the village. He could see the tear streaked faces of children as their fathers were beaten. He could hear the screams of mothers as they watched their children being dragged away. He watched the horror stricken faces of families as they watched their lively hood be burned to cinders. Virgo had his answer.

“I won’t,” Virgo said softly. “I won’t support this madness. I will no long idly sit by and let this spread!” The surge of energy that came from Virgo was physical and it made Pisces stumble. The stars appeared along his body tracing him as he said, “Repent Virgo.” Virgo’s eyes began to glow white as his constellationcame back to him. It swirled around his body before he turned his hand to a pair of soldiers.

They were dragging a boy out of his house. The boy was bruised and unconscious. A woman chased after them screaming for them to have mercy, praying to Alpha as they dropped the boy and one of them drew his sword.

Virgo focused on them and both soldiers started to rise into the air. They were shocked by this and struggled but they couldn’t do anything about their ascent. Virgo thrust his palm forward and both men were sent flying into the snow far from the boy and his mother.

Virgo wasted no time as he moved to stop the atrocities of other soldiers in the village. Pisces watched and reached to the disc at his side. There were chakrams, metal disc, attached to his sash. They had a black leather wrapped cross bar in the center. The edges were black and edged by diamond. Holding one in each hand he chased after Virgo.

Virgo came down from the sky as he forced a trio of soldiers into the snow. They were beating a man who had long since stopped resisting. Coming to the man’s side he knelt down and pressed a hand to the man’s shoulder. The man flinched but when he saw Virgo his face lightened.

“Thank Alpha. Bless you father.” He said and Virgo shook his head.

“Please, find safety my friend. I fear that the streets are no longer safe for anyone.”

Standing Virgo held his hand out. One of the chakram that had been flying toward him was halted in the air. An invisible barrier erected to surround Virgo and he watched the bladed weapon spin against it. With another push he sent it into the sky. However it arched in the air to return to its owner.

Pisces caught the blade and held it loosely. “I didn’t think it would come to this.”

“You brought violence to the village I have called home. People I have come to call friends.” Virgo closed his eyes and took a breath. “I don’t know what Cancer has done to you Pisces but you are not the brother I knew. I will stop you.”

“I’m sorry brother,” With those words Pisces threw his discs again.

Virgo raised his hand and deflected the disc around his body. Pisces ran at him with the other and jumped forward. Virgo looked at him and jumped back to put space between them. The chakram continued its flight forward and dug into the snow as Virgo avoided it.

Pisces stepped forward and lunged with a kick. It connected with his chest as it sent him skidding backwards. Coughing, he glanced down at his chest before looking back up as Pisces attacked again. Virgo hopped backwards as Pisces lunged with his disc. Virgo jerked his head to the side and the blade went past his face narrowly.

Virgo placed his palm against Pisces chest and his glowing eyes focused on Pisces dark ones. Suddenly Pisces was lifted off the ground and sent flying. He couldn’t control himself as Virgo sent him on a path up and then crashing into a home.

Pisces grunted as he pulled himself out of the snow and felt winded. “Alpha and Omega.” He swore as he held onto his disc. His eyes scanned the snow and then he found the other one. It was buried deep on the other side of Virgo.

Virgo held his hand up and thrust his arm forward. The snow parted as something barreled into Pisces. He couldn’t see the attack but he saw the effect it was having on the area. He dove to the side and then rolled as Virgo sent another blast at him.

Pisces jumped again as his shoulder slammed into a wall. Stumbling for a moment he started running toward Virgo circling around. Virgo was ready to send another blast when he saw how close it was to the homes. Instead he brought his arm back and then swung it through the air quickly. The blast started at Virgo and then curved around until it was head on to Pisces curving around the homes.

Pisces watched the snow part and it baffled him for a moment. He threw his chakram straight at Virgo. Virgo broke concentration and raised his hand to catch the chakram in mid air.  Pisces took advantage of that distraction and made a dash for his other weapon.

Virgo threw the chakram into the ground and then turned to Pisces as he leaped. Pisces grabbed his weapon and rolled to his feet. Dashing at Virgo again he stayed low to the ground as he spun the disc in his hand.

Virgo glared at him and thrust one hand at him. This wasn’t a blast this time, Pisces knew that much because the ground was normal. But he couldn’t tell what he had shot his way. He didn’t even want to dodge it because of his uncertainty. The easiest way to figure it out would be to throw his weapon but it was his only one at the moment.

Swearing under his breath he let his conestellation out and it came out like a river of stars around his body, “Flow Pisces.” Shutting his eyes when he opened them again they were black and rippling from the center out.

Now he could see what Virgo had been throwing at him. It was raw energy. The energy they manipulated to use their powers, to fuel their weapons, to even exist as something more than human. Pisces saw the white energized stars that radiated off Virgo. He saw the clear blue constellation that radiated off of his own body. And he saw the sphere of white energy that was barreling toward him. Jumping to the side he knew exactly the right distance to avoid it and threw his chakram at him.

Virgo was shocked, not only at the dodge but the counter attack. Virgo ducked low as the disc flew over his head. Pisces continued running and dragged his hand down into the snow. Grabbing a handful he threw it into Virgo’s face.

Virgo scowled and swatted it away from him. Pisces swung his leg across the ground and hooked his foot into the downed chakram and kicked it at his chest. Virgo thrust his hand up and the energy spread around him like a shield. The chakram collided with it and spun against the barrier without progress.

Virgo made sure the chakram floated and then thrust his arm past it. Pisces tensed ready to avoid another attack but whatever he saw wasn’t aimed at him. He grabbed a burning and abandoned cart in the distance and smirked. Yanking his arm back he brought it flying toward them both.

Pisces reached out to the chakram in the distance. His constellation was a river and his chakram was an extension of that river. And he reversed the flow of it with a thought and pull of his arm. The disc forced itself out of the snow and traveled back towards the hand that threw it.

Pisces saw something that bothered him as his blade traveled home. He saw the traces of white energy that were sticking together in the air. They were coming closer and turning into a thicker trail. Something was wrong, his instincts were blaring that in his head.

Crouching he backfliped and was able to see it when he was upside down. The burning cart flew just under his hanging hair as he completed his rotation. Eyes wide he landed in a crouch breath stolen.

Virgo watched Pisces dodge the attack with frustration and threw the cart across the ground. He shouted as pain hit him suddenly in his shoulder and spun him around roughly. He let out another shout of pain as the object that hit his back was yanked out of him and flew into Pisces hand.

Virgo grabbed his shoulder and felt blood soaking into his palm. Falling to his knee he grunted. The blood was pouring down his arm and his constellation faltered. Pisces saw it. The white that surrounded him flickered for a moment but didn’t go out.

“Your flow. How could I have been foolish enough to not see that coming?” Shaking his head Virgo got himself to his feet slowly and took another breath.

“My flow is hard to see sometimes.” Pisces said as he stood up holding his chakram tightly. Flicking his wrist he made the flow reverse and his other chakram flew into his waiting palm. “When I pour my power into the weapons I become a magnet to them. I’d advise you to back down Virgo. You can’t fight me with that arm.”

Virgo shook his head as he let his arm hang. He raised the other and the pain was starting to be a distraction. His blade had gone very deep. “I can’t. I can’t let my village get attacked without some sort of retaliation. I will drive you from my home.”

Pisces sighed and nodded. “I can respect that about you Virgo. I’m sorry for this.”

Pisces dashed at him and threw them across the ground. They spun like wheels running straight at him. Virgo watched them come and threw his arm down to stop their advance. Pisces jumped over the sphere of energy keeping his blades in place. He came down and kicked Virgo in his wounded arm.

Virgo shouted as Pisces kicked him into the ground. Virgo’s constellation flickered again and it was gone for a longer time. His eyes showed his wavering power and Pisces jumped back. He kicked both chakram behind Virgo before tugging on them. They froze and then followed the flow of his constellation. They were going to hit Virgo before coming back to the source.

Virgo could see the chakram as they spiraled forward. They caught the torchlight and if the last attack had been any indication he was the target. He tried to raise his shield but the pain blocked his concentration. Wincing he felt his power fade and sank to his knees. “Alpha watch over me.” He said closing his eyes.

The air above him whistled followed by the sound of metal slamming into metal before a loud thud. Virgo’s eyes snapped open. A huge claymore rested deep in the snow.  The chakram were locked around the blade, desperately trying to reunite with their owner.

“Pisces!” The roar echoed across the village making both Zodiac shirk away from its source but Pisces stared. He watched the amber stars come into view. He watched it take the shape a great lion prowling toward its prey.

Leo passed Virgo and she grabbed her claymore. She turned and swung the blade as hard as she could, sending the chakram back to their owner. Pisces slowed them down with a thought before catching both and narrowing his eyes.

“You’ve sunk so low as to do this.” She said accusingly and Pisces didn’t respond. “I won’t let you get away.”

“Long time no see Leo. But my fight isn’t with you.”

“It’s about to be.”