The Zodiac: Chapter 13

Capricorn held onto the chain of the chandelier tightly as it swung back and forth. He was gritting his teeth as he swung again harder and harder. “Here goes nothing. Kick Capricorn.” He leaped from it and touched the ceiling for a second before bursting toward the ground.

“Aries Bolt.” Capricorn heard the sound as Aries zoomed into him his spear tip aimed as his chest.

“Capricorn Pierce!” The goat shouted and turned so that he kicked his leg into the spear tip. His body jolted as the electricity tried to go through him. Turning he swung his other leg at the ram’s spear kicking him away.

Aries spun with the blow and swung the hammer at the goat. Capricorn reared back and punched the hammer hard causing a boom of sound. It rippled through them both though Capricorn felt it harder through his arm. Uncurling his fist, Capricorn grabbed the hammer and with all his strength threw Aries through the air.

The ram flipped head over heels through the air as he slammed into a wall. Capricorn looked at his handiwork with a smirk before turning. “Kick Capricorn!” He shouted and leaped off the air dashing straight down.

Cancer had both his katar’s in the air holding off Leo’s flaming sword. They were even and that unnerved Leo. None of the Zodiac matched her in sheer strength but here Cancer was doing that very thing. Cancer stared into her flaming eyes and grunted.

“Cancer Impact.” He said slowly and the spheres of water formed this time between the blades of the katar. The explosion of energy sent Leo’s sword rocketing into the air. Flames shot from the tip launching straight above them.

Capricorn’s eyes widened as the flames suddenly rose to catch him. Covering his face his constellation surged to a point and the flames attacked the steel his arms had become. He crashed and slid across the ground grunting. Getting back onto his feet he ran to get back into the fighing.

Free from that threat Cancer lunged at Leo. His katar thrust forward and Leo raised her hand, punching Cancer’s arm sending the weapon away. The blade cut across her forehead instead of hitting her throat.

Tossed her sword up for a moment and turned her torso as she threw a punch aimed at his stomach. Like clockwork the sphere of water appeared in front of him and it rippled from the blow but even her flames couldn’t evaporate it. Growling she grabbed her sword from it’s descent into the ground and swung it awkwardly at the crab.

His katar met it in the air and grabbed it. From this position it was awkward to hold up the defense. Gemini dashed at him then his sword swinging at his exposed back. Another shield of water appeared where his sword would have been however it instantly iced over and gained four inches. His sword dug into the block but he couldn’t go through it.

Cancer stepped to the side and shoved Leo’s blade back before kicking her in the hip. Freeing his arm, he swung it to face Gemini and the water formed at the tip. The bullet flew straight into Gemini’s chest. It exploded on contact and sent Luce flying from the spot but Umbra stood his ground. 

Umbra grunted in pain as blood dripped down his mouth but he dashed forward swinging his sword as fast as he could. Cancer’s reactions however were on point. Each swing met the diamond edge of his katar. Umbra’s frustration was mounting as Cancer stopped backing up and started retaliating.

Rather than lose ground Umbra stood and defended best he could but all of his attacks were being blocked or parried. Luce dug himself out of the wall slowly. His body shaking he stared at the duel between his twin and instantly merged with him.

Gaining a second sword Gemini’s assault redoubled and he was moving like a mad man. But the pointed hand weapons of the crab blocked each sword stroke.  He tossed one sword into the air before throwing a punch. Cancer’s shield of water blocked it with ease as he lunged at the opening.

With a smirk Luce took the hit as the blade shot into his side. His fist however stayed in contact with water preventing it from switching targets. Umbra jumped into the air and grabbed the second blade. With both in hand he spun in the air and slashed down with both.

They met the ebony wood of Aries spear but the ram wasn’t connected to it. Electricity jumped from the spear and painfully through Umbra. Aries came in a blur of movement to strike Umbra from the air and into the ground. The black twin slammed into the ground both swords flying behind them.

Grabbing his spear Aries landed at Cancer’s back. Capricorn grabbed the railing of the mezzanine before throwing himself over the side. Turning he kicked off and dashed through the air at them. Cancer saw him coming first but his vision was obstructed by Leo as she stepped into view swinging her sword.

Cancer raised both katar’s catching the flaming blade again. It was easy enough to stop her blade but keeping her in place was the hard part.  Aries came from behind him and swung his hammer into her leg. She shouted dropping slightly. Cancer shoved her sword into the ground and cartwheeled off it swinging his foot across her face.

Leo fell straight down as Capricorn jumped over her. Aries thrust his spear into the ground and vaulted into him. Catching the goat’s fist Aries lowered his other arm and caught his knee in mid flight. With nothing left to attack with, Aries brought his head back before slamming his head into Capricorn’s.

The explosion of energy between them sent both flying apart. They landed dazed and then sank to the ground at around the same time. “Fucking cheater,” Capricorn said trying to get to his feet again but slid to his side instead.

Aries was able to get his footing but smirked in response. “The ram’s head seems to be harder than the goat’s.”

“So it seems.” Cancer said and then his eyebrow arched slightly. He turned his gaze to Gemini who struggled to his feet,

He wasn’t armed but he had refused to fall. Aries turned his attention there but Cancer waved his hand. He walked toward him slowly holding both weapons.

“Give up Gemini. It’s over. There is no defeating us. No defeating me.” Cancer told him.

Gemini glared despite the blood and his slowly dimming eyes. “If there’s anything left of my best friend inside you, you’d know I’d never surrender.”

Cancer’s eyes seemed to become sad for a moment. “Yes I do know that. Cancer Impact.” He fired off two bullets from each of his weapons quickly. They shot through the air and slammed into both of Gemini’s arms. He screamed as the bones in his elbows cracked on contact. “I’ll say it again. You won’t defeat me.”

Gemini’s constellation surged forward and expanded around him. He tried to harness it and keep it under his control but he couldn’t. Instead of fighting his energy he let it consume him. The air picked up around them and Gemini spoke. “Gemini Tempest!”

One second Gemini was there and the next he was gone. In his place was a raging cyclone. The wind swirled around before surging toward Cancer. His eyes went wide as it sliced at his face and then his arms. It attacked from every angle at once like a swarm of swords. It grabbed him and raised him up into the air. As Cancer tried to defend himself he could have sworn he saw the shape of the twin in the funnel as it attacked him.

Gritting his teeth he thrust his arms to the side and then shouted the words. “Zodiac Cancer!” The explosion of his constellation was so intense that Gemini was thrown into his physical body and blown into the ground. He bounced once before skidding back painfully.

Cancer floated on the air and descended slowly. His hair and clothes were raised as if there was a constant breeze around him but it wasn’t that. Gemini struggled to sit up but when he saw the crab his eyes went wide. The energy that surrounded Cancer was visible. Even more than that he could see the stars with his naked eyes, see the constellation of Cancer on him.

Cancer’s feet touched the ground lightly and he turned his eyes onto Gemini. He dashed toward him and he appeared in front of the twin in the blink of an eye. Faster than what even Aries could do. Grabbing him by the front of his shirt he dragged him into the air slowly.

“This is true power Gemini.” He said his voice distorted by the energy that radiated off him. “You forced my hand.”

With a single punch Cancer sent Gemini flying across the ballroom and through the glass windows. Gemini soared through the air his mind trying to catch up with the sudden movement. Cancer was above him in an instant and punched him into the ground.

He hit it with an explosion of dirt and grass. Cancer dropped to the ground and grabbed him as he dragged him toward Aquarius Lake. He raised him up and punched him hard enough that he blacked out for a moment.

When he came to he was in the air again as Cancer stared up at him. The feeling that Gemini felt was true powerlessness. He couldn’t even process it let alone fight against it. “You’ve lost Gem. You’ve lost and now I’ll kill you. Good bye my friend.”

Gemini stared at him and knew that there was nothing he could do this time. So he stared and waited for the end to come. He saw a shadow slowly start to sneak across the ground. He turned around slightly and saw the huge tidal wave of water. Cancer saw it and his eyes widened for a moment.

The wave crashed into them both throwing them to the wayside. Gemini was dragged under almost instantly. He couldn’t fight the current despite his attempts to try and swim to the top for air. A soothing sensation started to wash over him, almost like gentle caresses from dozens of hands.

The wave crashed into the side of the castle taking with it the other three zodiac members. Leo and Capricorn were swept under the current. Aries however was able to react and jumped to the chandeliers for safety. He stared at the rushing water as it slammed into the walls but didn’t push further. Its surface seemed to be chaotic but it was starting to slow down.

Aries eyes widened suddenly as the water flashed. The entirety of the water flashed bright white. Aries shielded his eyes in that moment and when he opened them again the water was gone. It was if it hadn’t come through at all.

Cancer was lying face down against the floor, the constellation around him having disappeared. The crab pushed himself off the ground and then got to his feet. He stared at his clothes and they weren’t wet. He was no worse for wear except for the aching in his body.

His head jerked from side to side as he tried to spot them or where they had gone but there was nothing to see. The other Zodiac were gone and it was only him and Aries left in the ballroom.

Aries dropped down from the ceiling. “What happened? Where did they go?”

Cancer glanced at the ram before nodding. “Clever. Very clever. I underestimated them. And her.”

Aries glanced at Cancer but Cancer wasn’t going to answer. Or rather he was somewhere else and trying to question him wasn’t going to get him anywhere. Aries went to recover his spear before going back toward the hole in the floor. If anything he would at least be able to locate the bull.

Cancer however stayed where he was and stared toward Aquarius Lake. Nothing was there but he knew better. He knew that she played a part in this. “You’ve escaped me this time Gem. But we’ll meet again. And it’ll be for the last time my friend.”

Gemini’s eyes opened slowly and his body ached. It was a mixture of pain and stiffness that kept him down. His eyes tried to adjust to the light in the room. The window was open, but the curtains were drawn slightly so the full brunt of the sun wasn’t being forced onto him. Gemini tried to move and regretted it almost instantly. The pain that flared up was intense and quickly spread to every inch of his body.

Part of him wanted to try and split apart and spread the wounds between the two of them. As the twin tried to draw the energy together he couldn’t focus it. It was there and then it escaped him just out of his reach. He tried to do it again but came back to the same result.

Grunting he turned his head to at least get a look at his room. It was simple bedroom with a chair in the corner, a few bags on the ground and the window. His bed was soft and the sheets were a bright red. Looking outside he could see the sun was starting to rise. It was early in the day, which didn’t make sense. Last thing he remembered was Cancer. Cancer almost killing him with whatever power that he had used. That energy had been terrifying. How had he escaped from that?

The door opened slowly and Gemini turned his head toward it. He could only see the top of a black head of hair. However a second person entered. Virgo walked in no longer wearing his robes. He was wearing a pair of pants and shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his face had bandages but overall he looked all right.

“Gemini.” The relief on his face was obvious. “Thank Alpha you’ve woken up.”

Gemini tried to smile but his face hurt. “Why? Did it seem like I wasn’t going to?”

Virgo grimaced. “It’s been a little touch and go brother.”

Libra climbed onto the side of the bed and she was wearing a large shirt and pants. Her hair had been tied behind her ears as her worried violet eyes were turned on him.

Gemini started to sit up and Virgo reacted with alarm. “Please don’t do that!” Both of the Zodiac had their hands up to slow him down. Gemini winced anyway and slid back down against the bed.

“Please Gem don’t move. It makes the healing all the harder.”

Gemini nodded. ‘Trust me I know. My energies so focused on healing I can’t even grab onto it.”

Virgo looked at him his concern growing.  “That’s not good.”

“Relax Virgo. I got my entire ass handed to me yesterday. It’s expected.”

Virgo frowned again but Libra spoke up. Her voice was confident and very matter of fact. “It hasn’t only been a day Gem. It’s been three days.”

Gemini sat up sharply and then shouted in pain as he slid back down. Grunting he turned his head to the side and shivered. Virgo frowned and reached out to him. His eyes began to glow but so did his palm.

Gemini grabbed him by the wrist before he touched him and glared. “What happened Virgo?” He asked but then cringed as he went back down to the bed.

Virgo’s eyes softened slightly as he looked at him. “Please relax and I will tell you all that has transpired.”

Gemini looked at him and then nodded as he shut his eyes. “Alright.”

Virgo nodded and then glanced at Libra. Libra shuffled forward before placing one of her hands against Gemini’s chest. She held out her other hand and Virgo took it in his gently. Virgo’s hands glowed, as did his eyes when he placed his hand on Gemini’s shoulder.

“Libra Balance.” Libra said and her sphere of influence extended around the three of them. The energy balanced between them and Gemini let out a satisfied sound. He could feel his energy again and if he wanted to try and use it, he could grasp it out but resisted the urge. Virgo took a slow breath as he felt their energies merge together again.

“Virgo Restore.” He said softly and warmth filled Gemini’s body. Closing his eyes he let himself relax as his pain was taken away. It stayed gone as the warmth flowed over him from head to toe.

“Everything that I’m going to tell you is all second hand from Leo and Capricorn.” Virgo said with to start. “The two of them were awake first. Their wounds weren’t at the same caliber as your own. When you didn’t wake up yesterday they went back to the resistance encampment. There are things that need to be done.

“They said that after Cancer changed he attacked you. Then you both disappeared out of the castle. It wasn’t that long afterward that they said a tidal wave slammed into them. It took all three of you. Leo said that she woke up near the docks at Orrin. That’s when Libra and I were able to find you. We had fled soon after we defeated Taurus.”

“Who saved us then?” Gemini asked his eyes closed. “Who was the one who made the wave? Who was the one that got us out of there?”

“It was-“

“It was me.” A new voice said and Gemini’s eyes opened. He resisted the urge to sit up and instead simply turned his head to the side.

Aquarius walked into the room, wearing a white shirt with blue wave designs on it. She had on pants and her wavy blonde hair was much shorter than he remembered. Like a hastily done haircut. Her clear blue eyes were bright and her smile was wide as she looked at him. Walking across the room slowly she smiled gently.

“Aqua?” Gemini said unsure if it was really her.

“I missed you Gem.” She said softly but Virgo held his hand out to her.

“Wait until I’ve finished my healing for today. If we’re given the time he will at the very least be able to sit up.” Aquarius looked at him and nodded.

“Alright. I’ve waited this long for him to wake up. I can wait a bit longer.” She took a few steps back and sat in the chair in the far corner of the room.

They were silent as Virgo continued the healing process. He could tell that the pair wanted to be alone to talk so he worked fast as he could. Taking a breath he wiped his forehead.

“That should be enough for now,” Virgo said glancing at Aquarius and then Gemini. “I will need to do it again tomorrow but after that you should be healed enough for your own energy to finish the job.”

“Thanks Virgo.” Gemini said.

Libra slid off the edge of the bed and Virgo smiled lightly. The pair left the room and closed the door behind them. Gemini sat up slowly, his body aching badly but the pain was numbed for the most part. He turned to look at her and she smiled hesitantly. They were awkwardly silent for a long moment.

“Aqua. It’s good to see you.” Gemini said finally and she giggled.

Getting up she walked toward the bed before sitting down beside him. She raised her hand slowly and then ran her fingers against his cheek. Gemini raised his hand and did the same with his hand against hers.

“What happened Aqua?” He asked. “We came to the castle to find you and Libra. But you weren’t there were you?”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t. My power, the other one. I unlocked it the day before you arrived. I wanted to warn you, to find you but I wasn’t strong enough yet.”

“Then how did you manage to save us?”

She smiled gently. “Aquarius lake. It helped me recover. It helped me regain my strength and then some.”

Gemini frowned. “Nothing against you Aqua, but how did you stop Cancer? That power he used was… terrifying.”

Aquarius smiled and nodded. “You’re right. I’m not a fighter and I never wanted to be. But after being in the dungeon for so long I’ve learned a few things about my power and about me. Cancer’s power, what it is. It isn’t something that only he can use.”

Gemini frowned as he looked at her. “What do you mean?”

“I’m saying none of our powers are truly specific to one Zodiac. Cancer was just the first one to get to the top of the mountain.” Aquarius said and looked down at her free hand for a moment. “And I think I was the second.”

Gemini’s eyes widened. “You mean you can do whatever it was that Cancer did?”  When she nodded he sat up a bit more and grunted. Aquarius’s worried eyes fell upon him as she tried to get him to lie down a bit more. He waved her away. “Show me, Aqua. Please.”

Pulling away from him she stood up and then shut her eyes. Her energy raised up from the ground in a warm wave. It washed over Gemini and he shivered as his body relaxed from it. Aquarius’s hair started to rise and hover in the air as did her clothes as she whispered “Zodiac Aquarius.”

The energy exploded throughout the room making his own spike in response but nowhere near her level. He saw her constellation form like a silver aura around. She smiled at him gently though his expression didn’t change much. The soft silver glow filtered through his eyes and made them radiate.

“This is, this is our true power.” Aquarius said and the echo in her voice sound holy. She moved and then held her hand up. “This form boost everything about us. From our strength to our speed to our stamina. It even boosts our other powers.” Aquarius held out her hand to him and smiled.

“How did you do this?” Gemini asked as he reached out slowly.

He took her hand in his own and he felt the energy radiating from her. It was different than Cancer’s. It felt like Aquarius’s own soothing energy but amplified.

“How did you figure it out?” Gemini asked again. “How did it happen to you?”

She sighed and let the power go. Her hair and clothes settled properly. She yawned and then reached into her pocket. She pulled out her necklace and the pendent had her jug on it as always. Ducking her head she put it over her head.

“My second power lets me use water to see over long distances. And if I there’s enough water I can transport myself and others. It’s how I got you all of you out of there and how I escaped the dungeons. When I used it, I felt my power change into something new entirely. I used it for the first time and I was transported to the lake. I don’t know how long I was in the lake. I slept there for a full day and I had a dream. Alpha spoke to me and she asked me what I truly wanted. I told her that I wanted to be with you again. With everyone. She smiled at me and said she was granting me the power to make that happen.”

Gemini stared at her and then shook his head. “So you’re telling me that you saw Alpha? That you met with her and she gave you the power?”

Aquarius turned away, a little embarrassed but she nodded anyway. “Yes. I don’t know if I really believe in her but I can’t deny this Gem. I met her. Directly and if maybe Cancer did the same thing then maybe we all can.”

He frowned. “Did you tell the others this?”

She nodded. “Leo didn’t take it too well. Cap was more open about the idea but he was still skeptical. Virgo wanted more details than I could remember.”

Gemini leaned back against the bed and let his head hit the wall. Aquarius reached forward and pressed her hand against his forehead gently. She placed her other hand against his cheek and pressed her forehead against his.

“Please just focus on recovering.” She told him.

Closing his eyes, he leaned back again. She smiled and stroked a strand of copper hair from his face. Gemini felt himself slipping into slumber and with Aquarius so nearby he was glad for it as he finally fell asleep.