The Zodiac: Chapter 17

They ran straight into the cloud of smoke and into the bar itself. There were several broken tables and chairs littering the ground not to mention shards of wood from the wall. There were people on the ground, some cowering, some unconscious and some not quite so fortunate.

In the corner near the door was a teen being raised into the air. He was wearing simple pants and a shirt with a pouch at his side. He had golden hair and brown eyes. His expression was a mix of pain and anger as he tried to reach for the sword at his hip.

“I wouldn’t try that if I was you your majesty.” His assailant threw him across the floor and sent him skidding into a broken table.

The man was wearing a sleeveless shirt with a hood over his head. He had black pants and black gloves on. Reaching behind his back he grabbed the hilt of a curved weapon. Before he had completely unsheathed the blade a block of wood struck him in the head sending him stumbling forward.

“Hey pick on someone your own size.” Vash shouted as he prepared to throw another piece of debris.

The man’s head whipped around to face Vash. “You’re gonna regret doing that.” Energy exploded from the man and stung at them like dozens of tiny knives.

Vash started reaching behind him for the staff but Gemini was there first. The man unsheathed his blade in an instant and it clashed against Gemini’s. The man stared at him shocked and Gemini glared.

“It’s been a long time little brother.” The man said as he pressed down on him.

Gemini grunted and kicked out but the man jumped back. “Not long enough Scorpio.”

Scorpio dragged back his hood revealing a savage grin and narrowed red eyes. He was holding his khopesh tightly ready to spring forward at a moment’s notice. Gemini held his sword loosely in hand trying to anticipate the scorpion’s next strike.

Vash looked at Scorpio and then his eyes scanned the area to Raku. The prince was starting to stand and he looked groggy but in one piece. Scorpio glanced over his shoulder at Raku and then laughed. “I haven’t forgotten about you your majesty.”

Scorpio turned around slowly but Gemini attacked. He jumped forward and Scorpio swung his arm back, catching Gemini’s sword easily on his own curved blade. Scorpio turned and swung his leg straight into Gemini’s chest sending him flying back and into one of the walls.

Vash didn’t sit still. He rushed forward reaching behind him and pulled out the leather wrapped staff. Suddenly two blades shot out of the ends. He spun the weapon quickly before lunging at Scorpio. Scorpio brought his khopesh down to parry the blow. Vash turned with the parry and swung the other end of his blade into Scorpio’s side.

The blade slashed across his hip before the scorpion jumped backwards.  He hit the wall and then flipped up it as Vash slashed his blade at him. Scorpio leaped to the side to avoid the attack and then skidded across the floor as he lunged at him again.

He was in mid swing when Gemini’s sword hooked against his. Scorpio yanked his arm back and whirled around, dragging his blade against it. Turning he quickly slashed it across Gemini’s chest. Luce leaped forward blocking with his own sword. Umbra stepped forward and the twins merged only for Umbra to step forward again and shove his shoulder into Scorpio’s chest.

Luce jumped off his brother’s back and with a flip slashed downward. “Sting Scorpio.” A flash of steel and Luce’s sword was yanked out of his hands and thrown into the wall. Scorpio spun around and slashed his sword across Luce’s face scoring a bright red wound against his forehead.

“Luce!” Umbra merged with his twin and Gemini winced, his hand over his face. The wound wasn’t as deep now but it stung and to make it worse it was bleeding into his eye. Closing his right, white eye he got up slowly and pointed his sword at him.

Scorpio chuckled at the twin’s resistance but turned around and made a dash for Raku. Vash intercepted him and swung his sword. Scorpio blocked the first blow and turned it toward the ground. Vash spun and lunged with the other end of the blade. Scorpio was ready and jumped, the dagger and chain lunging at him. Vash stepped to the side as he barely avoided losing his eye.

The chain went low and wrapped around the hilt of the sword and yanked it from his hands. It tossed it into the air and Scorpio placed his khopesh in his teeth as he caught the dual sword. Landing lightly on his feet he started toward the prince again.

Raku was standing and reached a hand to his sword. He managed to draw it from its scabbarded and blocked Scorpio’s initial swing. The force of the blow sent him back against the wall. Scorpio charged forward and grabbed his arm bending it at a painful angle. Raku shouted in agony his head slumping forward.

Scorpio laughed as he swung the dual sword. He thrust it straight through his good forearm eliciting another shout of pain.  Turning his head sharply Scorpio attacked with the khopesh. There was a rush of energy and Scorpio was knocked aside by a torrent of water. He was sent flying backwards until his back slammed into the bar.

Grunting and soaked he got to his feet shakily and got the khopesh from between his teeth. “Of course you wouldn’t be here alone. Just had to bring a friend.” He grunted and the look in his eyes was deadly calm. Nothing like the crazed energy that was surrounding him from before.

Gemini turned and watched as Aquarius walked into the bar. There was a thin circle of water surrounding both her wrist. “Jeez, you can’t do anything without me can you?”

“You brought Aqua too?” Vash asked as glanced at her.

“I’m glad there’s so many blasts from our past but help would be nice.” Raku shouted as tried to drag the dual blade out of his arm. He winced in pain from trying to use his badly bent free arm. Vash ran to his side and looked him in the eye before yanking the blade free. Raku shouted at the sudden pain but nodded his thanks.

Aquarius however ran to Gemini’s side and moved his bloody hand out of the way. The cut was running blood down her face and her eyes widened. “Alpha and Omega.” She said softly and raised her hand. The water rushed from her wrist and laid against the cut.

Gemini winced at the cool sensation of the liquid but the pain was almost instantly gone. In its place it just felt wet and numb which was a relief to him. “Thanks Aqua.”

“Don’t mention it.” She said and then turned her gaze back to Scoprio.

The scorpion was standing and he was still. He was slightly crouched ready to move the khopesh in one hand the dagger chain raised above his opposite shoulder.

“What’s he doing here?” Aquarius asked.

“Most likely to kill me.” Raku said as he held a hand to his wound. “Vash said that someone had been hunting us for the better part of a year. We just never imagined that we would garner the attention of a Zodiac.”

Scorpio shrugged slightly as his eyes flitted from his opponents one by one. He knew that the prince was not going to be fighting any time soon. He had made sure of that. The guard was going to be protecting the prince, which made his main target a no go. If he couldn’t kill him then he had no reason to be here right now. However Gemini and Aquarius were nice targets in themselves. If he could kill one of them he was sure to get on Cancer’s bad side and that idea appealed to him.

Brandishing his khopesh he smirked. “So a single scorpion against so many predators. What ever will I do?”

“Can the crap Scorpio.” Gemini said wincing as he irritated the cut.

“You’re an assassin,” Vash said as he brandished his dual sword. “Meaning this kind of fight isn’t your forte.”

“Right you are,” Scorpio said as his free hand moved behind him. “I guess I should even the odds!”

Throwing his arm straight down there was an explosion of light followed by smoke as it filled the entirety of the bar. Everyone shielded their eyes before they started coughing on the smoke.  It was a light grey smoke but it was so thick that they could barely see one another nearby let alone the scorpion.

“What is this?” Gemini shouted coughing on the smoke.

“It’s a smoke bomb. The Xye have been experimenting with black powder recently. Said they borrowed the idea from over seas,” Raku said covering his mouth with his hand. “Their bombs are potent. This smoke is going to hang in the air.”

The water bearer couldn’t see him but she felt him coming. Pressing her wrist together the water merged into a large ring. It then spread around her hands, spinning around fast enough for it to make a soft whine. Scorpio’s khopesh came out of the shadows but it met the water and there was a sound of grinding metal.

Aquarius turned to face the sound with narrowed eyes. Moving her arms and hands she thrust her hand forward. A spear of water appeared thrusting straight at his chest. Scorpio stepped to the side as the blade cut across his torso. He hissed in pain but slipped back into the smoke.

“What was that?” Gemini said turning toward the sound as it faded away.

“It was Scorpio.” Aquarius told him and then shook her head.

“You okay?” Vash shouted from the other side of the room.

“Yeah.” Aquarius shouted back. “He’s hiding again so be careful.”

Vash was standing in front of Raku trying to be protective but the prince had his sword in hand. Despite both his arms being hurt he wasn’t completely useless. Scorpio was more cautious after his attack on Aquarius.

“Careful Raku.” Vash said as he glanced at his friend.

Raku nodded dipping his hand into his pouch then pointed forward. “Look out!”

Vash whirled around and slashed his dual sword forward. Scorpio’s dagger hit the edge of the weapon before circling around it. However instead of yanking it out of his hand Scorpio used it at leverage.

Scorpio jumped out of the smoke and then flipped over Vash and landed between the two of them. As he landed he turned around and slashed toward with the khopesh. The blade sank into Vash’s arm making him drop the weapon.

Raku lunged forward and Scorpio turned around, his arm jumping forward to grab him by the wrist. Raku’s eyes widened as he saw the outline of Scorpio’s face in the smoke. However Raku’s face turned into a grin as he opened his hand. Scorpio caught the motion and then watched as something fell from his palm.

“Cover your eyes.” Raku said smugly as he closed his own.

Scorpio’s eyes narrowed as he saw the fuse burning down. His hand shot forward and he grabbed the bomb. He grunted as he burned his palm but the fuse was extinguished. Raku’s eyes opened then widened. He hadn’t expected that.

Scorpio swung his sword swiftly at him, the khopesh aiming for his neck. He was yanked backwards suddenly and the swing went wide scratching his cheek instead. Scorpio turned back glaring. Vash smirked tightening his grip on the chain with his good arm. Yanking backwards roughly, Scorpio skidded backwards giving Raku some breathing space.

Scorpio turned and slashed downward which Vash blocked, wielding the dual sword with one arm. Scorpio tried to slide his blade off the curve in his blade but Vash moved with him, keeping their blades locked together. Scorpio growled and flexed his energy. The dagger turned and lunged stabbing Raku through his shoulder and pinning him to the wall.

Raku shouted as Vash shouted his name. Scorpio laughed and kneed Vash in the chest roughly. Gemini growled and felt his energy distorting and warping in every direction. Thrusting his arm forward Umbra leaped forward as he ran toward where he felt Scorpio’s energy. However, as he ran his constellation spread out almost as if it was latching onto the smoke around him.

Umbra jumped forward swinging his sword through the air before throwing it straight at where he felt the energy strongest. The sword whistled through the air and Scorpio heard it coming. However, the blade flew nowhere near him. It flew until it had sunk deep into the wall. “You missed.” Scorpio said under his breath.

Umbra and Luce however shouted together their constellation flaring, “Gemini Tempest!”

In an instant the energy whipped up like a storm. The smoke was scattered around the room while the twins disappeared. There was a loud keening and the wind around everyone picked up. It was a massive gust kicking up everything around them.

Gemini’s sword yanked itself out of the wall, floating there for a moment before lunging at Scorpio. The scorpion, shocked, disengaged with Vash and blocked it against his khopesh. The blade vibrated against him when another sword flew toward him. Bringing his dagger back Scorpio stuck it into the ground and jumped over the attack.

Landing lightly, he raised his sword and swung it furiously as he warded off strikes from both blades. Beyond confused as to what was going on he narrowed his eyes and then jumped forward to slash at the space beside the sword.

His sword cut the air but nothing happened. One of the blades flew forward and almost stabbed him in the back. Scorpio stepped around it, catching his breath as he jumped backwards again.

“What the hell is this?” Scorpio growled keeping one hand free while the other clutched his blade.

“Can’t you tell?” Gemini’s voice said but it was coming from the air and echoed around in every direction.  “This is what happens when you mess with my friends!”

Gemini solidified in the air, his body translucent and shimmering but there was no mistaking the twin. However, there was not only one. There were dozens of him floating in the air, each one poised to move or attack.

The Geminis raised their hands swords clutched tightly. “Leave Scorpio or you won’t get mercy from us.”

One of the air bodies of Gemini dashed forward with his blade. Scorpio raised his khopesh to block but the blade slipped past the weapon and sliced open his chest. Scorpio’s eyes widened in shock as another clone attacked from behind. Scorpio spun around his dagger slashing through the clone. The clone continued forward and his sword speared through Scorpio’s stomach. It felt like he’d been hit by a hammer.

Scorpio’s eyes flitted from one Gemini to another and he was wary however he started to chuckle and then laugh. His voice cackled along the wind as he threw his head back and laughed louder. “Now this! This is a challenge! And I guess I should step up my game too!” With that his energy attacked the air as it spread. It spread like a poisonous mist and Scorpio’s hair was standing on end as his constellation manifested. “Zodiac Scorpio.”

The burst of energy that surged forward threw everyone back. It dragged Vash to his knees, Raku against the wall and Aquarius almost fell over. However, it hit Gemini hardest. He couldn’t keep his concentration while spread out like this and suddenly he was skidding across the floor. His head slammed into a table and he was dazed.

Scorpio however was energized as he grinned. It was nothing like with Aqua or Cancer. Scorpio’s violent constellation was lashing out at everything that strayed too close. He leaped at Vash and Raku. Vash raised his weapon but Scorpio shoved him aside. Vash went flying and crashed into a table.

“Scorpio Venom.” Scorpio’s tail flashed before thrusting straight into Raku’s stomach. His body jolted and eyes widened before he went very still. Scorpio’s tail jumped out and swayed slowly as Scorpio laughed. “Goodbye, your majesty.”

“No!” The other three shouted but Aquarius was the one who acted first.

Her constellation erupted from around her as she thrust her hand forward. “Zodiac Aquarius!”

The sensation of two Zodiac with their full powers active was more than the pair could bear. Gemini was barely able to lift his head and watch.

“Pour Aquarius!” Water exploded from the around them and then slammed into Scorpio’s chest. He flew into the wall and the water wrapped around his limbs before icing over and freezing him there. She punched the air next and another horizontal geyser of water exploded forward and shot into his chest blasting him through the wall.

 Gemini crawled forward and placed his hand onto Raku’s neck. His pulse wasn’t moving. His chest wasn’t rising or falling either. He was completely still and Gemini’s eyes went wide.

Turning his head, he shouted “Aqua! We need to get back to Virgo! Raku’s not breathing!”

Aquarius turned her head instantly and she fought the urge to chase after the scorpion. Instead she ran to prince’s side making a puddle of water beside him.

“Aquarius Connect!” The water puddle turned to silver light and she picked Raku up. His body was beyond rigid and didn’t even move in her grip. She walked to the portal and then stepped through. She disappeared from sight but the portal remained open.

Gemini grabbed Vash’s arm and together the two friends slid through the portal. With a flash of light, it faded away and it was nothing but a puddle of water again.