Leo raised the flap of a bag and checked its contents. Several apple sized black balls were nestled together. She was careful not to be too rough with the bag but she glanced at the man who was overseeing the cart. There were dozens of bags like this one in the cart. And there were only about half a dozen carts like it that were being pulled along either side of the road along with about a dozen resistance soldiers guarding them.
It was the dead of night and the moon wasn’t full. It was closer to a new moon. All the odds were in their favor. They needed the cover of darkness to set things up. They were within the trees, hiding amongst the trunks. The supply train would be coming through in the morning. They were going to first intercept it and then take what they needed.
Leo nodded. “Alright, everything seems to be good for the moment. Carry on.”
She didn’t know how something so small as those balls was going to help them tonight. Then again, she wasn’t used to technology like this. It wasn’t her forte. If she couldn’t hit it she rarely wanted anything to do with it.
“Yo Leo.” The lion turned her head as Capricorn fell out of the sky. He landed lightly and smiled. “How’s everything on your end of things?”
“It’s going as planned.” She folded her arms. “But this makes me uneasy.”
“Which part? The setting up a night time ambush, the new toys or the fact that this is a big mission?” Capricorn laughed when she glared at him. “I get it Leo. It’s stressful.”
Leo nodded as she walked. “Do you believe the end is going to come anytime soon?”
Capricorn nodded. “I gotta believe in that or else reality sets in and that’s just not fun.”
Leo touched her pendent and glanced at it. Turning it around she looked at the symbol. Just seeing the representation of her brought some comfort. Leo opened her mouth to speak when there was a shout.
Kali came running toward the pair of them and she was sprinting. “Captain Leo! Captain Capricorn!”
Leo was groaning already. “Alpha, what is it now?”
Kali slowed down as she stood in front of them. “The train that we’re stopping. It’s coming.”
“What?!” Capricorn shouted. “It’s not supposed to be on the move until the morning.”
Kali took a deep breath and then turned around and pointed to the glow in the distance. “Tell them that.”
The two Zodiac followed the direction she pointed and then nodded. “Alright. Time to improvise.” Capricorn said quickly and punched his hand to his palm. “Everyone move into position! Not a drill! It’s go time a bit early!”
A tension that suddenly filled the air as each cart was brought into position. They staked out six spots with a good distance from one another. Kali was manning two of the carts while Leo and Capricorn had their own pairs to manage. Leo ran back and forth between the carts as she helped to dole out the bags.
She had one that was made special for her. She picked up one of the orbs and shook her head. “Let’s see if this works out.”
“Captain Leo.” A woman said as she ran toward her. “The bombers are all ready. We’ll be awaiting your command.”
This was a risky mission to begin with and to top things off they weren’t fully prepared yet. It was one thing if it was just her life on the line but when the fate of the entire movement was put in the line of fire it made her hesitate.
They turned their carts over and some troops hid behind them while others hid in the shadows. Leo was among those in the shadows but she was close to the road. She had to have her eyes on the train.
The entirety of the train was several wagons, all being pulled by a pair of horses. There were six soldiers escorting each of the wagons, two of them guiding the carts. That made eight total soldiers per cart. From the size of the glow there had to be at least a dozen of those wagons if not more. There were only about three dozen of them. She made a sound when she looked two wagons down the line.
Walking in the front of that wagon was Taurus. She could see the gleam of silver and gold of an axe against his legs. His hands were on both of his knees. His eyes were forward and, on the road, ahead. He may have seemed distant but he was studying the terrain. He wasn’t the leader of the army for nothing.
They didn’t know the Zodiac would be here. They had planned for it but still, it put a big wrinkle into everything. Not to mention there was a strange glow around him and she didn’t understand it. The wagons approached them slowly and the convoy was orderly. The first wagon passed Leo and Capricorn’s carts which were at the front.
Kali’s was at the end and she raised her hand in the darkness. It was a move that Leo could just barely make but she knew what to look for. She nodded and then tapped the shoulder of one of her soldiers. He turned to face her before nodding and opening his pack. He began handing out the spheres to everyone until they each had two.
Leo stood slightly and then rolled it across the ground. The others followed suit as they rolled theirs across the dirt. Capricorn’s group was doing the same a little further down followed by Kali’s and the last group.
As one they ducked low but drew their weapons. “Alright, here we go-“
The explosion that followed was loud. Smoke and fire flew up throwing everything into chaos. “Charge!” Leo shouted as she sprang forward from the shadows.
As one they surged into the smoke and attacked. They fell before they even knew what hit them. The resistance first job was to get to a wagon.
A small group dispatched the guards around a wagon and leaped into the seat. The rider shouted and tried to draw his weapon. The motion took too much time and he took a blade to the throat. Two went to the roof of the wagon and made sure it was clear. When they shouted that it was, the other settled into the drivers seat and then steered it off the road. Once it was clear of the road the four of them jumped off and split up to help others. It was a well-practiced movement.
Leo led her group forward but she had switched targets. Instead of going for the fourth wagon down the line she shouted for help as she went to third. She could see the captain of the army, the bull, standing atop the wagon while rallying his troops.
Gripping his axe with both hands Taurus began to turn the weapon in hand. It spun rapidly kicking up the air around them. Leo halted in her charge and raised her hand to cover her face in annoyance. The smoke around them was scattered however it only managed to affect a few wagons.
Taurus narrowed his eyes as he looked at Leo. “Hold fast! Our numbers are greater!”
“Don’t back down!” Leo shouted as she gripped her blade tighter. “We have the advantage! Follow my lead!”
She roared as she charged forward. Dragging her sword across the ground she leaped at Taurus. The bull gripped his axe with both hands before stepping forward and swung it.
The two weapons hit and the shockwave rippled outward from the pair of them. Leo flipped forward and landed behind him. She turned around and swung her sword hard. Taurus lowered his axe catching the blade against his. He stepped forward and rammed his shoulder into her chest sending her stumbling into the edge of the wagon.
With a grunt she kept on her feet and then stepped forward throwing a punch. She caught him on the jaw and sent him back a few steps. She lunged forward with her sword. Taurus raised his hand and caught the blade but it dug into his palm deeply. Grunting he dragged her forward.
“Charge Taurus!” His head slammed into hers the force almost enough to throw her off the wagon.
She shouted in the pain and stumbled backwards, taking all she had to remain upright. She stepped forward and punched him hard in the stomach. He didn’t budge from the blow but she wasn’t done. She grabbed her sword with both hands and flipped to slam both her feet into his head.
Taurus took a single step back and glared. He moved his fist slamming the back into her stomach and raising her off the ground. With another step he brought both his fist down above her head. She brought her sword up quickly to block the blow but he swatted the sword away. She took the blow to the head and held her ground despite the black spots in her vision.
“Heads up!” Neither Zodiac moved their gaze away but they felt Capricorn’s constellation barreling toward them.
The goat in question jumped from the smoke. Spinning around his leg swung through the air before slamming into Taurus’s side. Suddenly there was an explosion and Taurus was kicked off the top of the wagon and into the wagon in front of them. It collapsed on impact and gave them some breathing room.
Leo’s eyes were wide in shock while Capricorn was laughing. “What the hell was that?” Leo asked.
“Explosives. Had our boys create em for me.” He said with but his face grew serious. “We need you in the rear.”
“Why? Kali should be more than fine back there.” She growled and glared toward Taurus. She was poised to leap when Capricorn grabbed her shoulder.
“Taurus wasn’t the only Zodiac to come along with them. Sage is back there and our guys are having a little bit of a freak out. They need a leader over there.”
Leo hesitated but she understood. Nodding toward the carts, she sheathed her sword against her back. “Make sure our people succeed, Cap. And be careful.”
She jumped to the wagon behind her and then the next as she started running. Capricorn watched her go but then heard the sound of wood snapping and hitting the ground.
Turning around to face the sound Capricorn lowered himself and then started to stretch, one leg and then the other as he smirked. “Alright you giant bovine. Let’s have at it.” He said tauntingly before throwing himself straight into the smoke.
Capricorn landed on his hands and feet before jumping forward. An axe flew through the smoke and splintered the ground where he once was. Capricorn was running through the smoke trying to find him.
Taurus wasn’t able to see the goat either however he started spinning his axe quickly, scattering the smoke. Capricorn felt the wind and instead of waiting for the vision to clear he crouched ready to spring.
“Kick Capricorn!” He shot himself forward blurring the world around him. He slowed down just for a moment as his gaze sharpened to find the bull.
Taurus grabbed his axe with both hands, turning with the momentum to swing the axe straight at him. Capricorn saw it coming and put both hands forward.
“Capricorn Pierce.” His metal hands touched the blade and used it to vault over then kicked Taurus straight in the chest. Keeping momentum, he flipped backwards he kicking him under the jaw. Capricorn landed lightly and stumbled but was able to get a grin.
Taurus rubbed his jaw and grunted nodding toward him. Shrugging his shoulders, he gripped his axe and ran forward.
Capricorn raised his arms up but Taurus constellation surfaced and shook the ground. His knees almost buckled and as he righted himself it was too late. Taurus was on him with a horned charge that slammed into his chest and knocked him off his feet.
Capricorn flew backwards and landed on his back. Coughing he griped his chest tightly as he tried to get to his feet. Shaking his head he managed to at least get to his knees and coughed again. Some of the members of the resistance attempted to approach the battle.
“No!” Capricorn warned them and glared. “Stick with the plan. This is beyond you guys.”
Taurus walked forward slowly and the energy around him pulsated. Capricorn narrowed his eyes because he thought they were playing tricks on him. However the bull’s words confirmed his fears. “Zodiac Taurus.”
The energy slammed into the goat with enough force that he flew back. Skidding to a slow halt he landed on his hands and feet. He could see the constellation manifest around the bull and swore. “Alpha and Omega. Alright, this is gonna be a bit harder than I thought.”
Leo dashed through the smoke shouting orders at whoever she saw. She helped dispatch a few wagons but she was on the lookout for the archer. She was also looking for Kali. Her right hand and second set of eyes on any battlefield.
Leo burst through the smoke and confronted a skirmish between two of the resistance and three of the royal army. Leo didn’t even bother to draw her sword as she leaped forward.
“Roar Leo!” She punched the ground knocking the soldiers to the ground. She turned on her heel and grabbed one by the shoulder before throwing him into another. Leo was ready to attack another when she was shot.
She took the hit into her shoulder and the force from it sent her whirling backwards. Grunting she raised her hand to her shoulder and yanked the arrow out. Snapping it in two her eyes focused on the shooter.
Sagittarius was at the end of the train and she was just as blind as her soldiers. She could hear the sounds of the fighting despite being so far away however her face was calm. “Stay ready. They’ll be coming for us next.”
Her soldiers looked around nervously but they nodded and raised their shields and their spears. Sagittarius from atop her wagon drew another arrow and closed her eyes. “Aim Sagittarius.”
Her energy swept over the battlefield and with it she saw what her eyes could not. She could see the placement of her soldiers and the members of the resistance. She could see the smoke and the area it covered but it didn’t stop her vision.
She could see Leo reacting to her first shot.
With a smirk she fired another arrow. She guided the arrow through the battlefield, avoiding soldiers of both armies and keep its momentum as homed in on the lion. She was ready this time though because she caught the arrow out of the sky.
Leo growled as she snapped the arrow but another arrow was already on it’s way. Leo grit her teeth as her constellation flared. “Leo Ignite.” Leo dashed forward as her flames exploded to life. She ran toward the archer as her body was set aflame.
The arrows collided with her but they were incinerated instantly. Sagittarius felt Leo coming before she saw her in her mind. She drew three more arrows and took a steadying breath. She then spoke to her soldiers. “I would advise you all give me some room. I can’t guarantee your safety in the next few moments.”
She suddenly aimed a bit higher and spoke. “Sagittarius Volley.”
She let the arrows loose into the sky and almost instantly those three arrows became two-dozen before raining down. Leo didn’t see them until the first of them broke through the smoke. She growled and let it hit her but instead of burning away it hit her like a hammer.
Leo realized what was coming and she drew her sword before swinging it down roughly. The wall of flame that rose up incinerated the majority of those arrows however some still made it through and hit her legs sending her crashing into the ground.
Digging her sword into the ground she got to her feet shakily. The arrows that struck her feet in similar fashion had faded away as well. Growling in pure frustration at this ordeal she let her constellation expand more and more.
Another volley of arrows came forth and she tried to avoid them but it was like they had homed in on her specifically. She blocked some but others hit her arms and the rest her chest driving her into the ground. A third volley came and she opened her mouth to roar. Flames leaped from her mouth incinerating them in the air but it left her breathless and head against the ground. She heard her soldiers shout as arrows hit them and dragged them out of the line of fire.
“I need to protect them…” She said to herself before roaring. “Zodiac Leo!”
Her constellation exploded and she felt weightless. She felt endless strength running through her veins. Grabbing her sword the flames leaped across the blade and she charged forward. Each step felt like ten and she could even sense exactly where Sagittarius was.
Sagittarius felt the surge of energy and it threw off her concentration. Her eyes blinked open and she saw the glow of her flames approaching. Her pulse quickened in fear but she swallowed it instantly. She wasn’t going to let Leo beat her.
She gathered her constellation around her and focused it into a single point, almost as if she were going to fire an arrow. She took an even breath and then let it free. “Zodiac Sagittarius.”
Her constellation stayed inside of her coiled to the point of almost pain. All of her abilities were at her disposal in that moment. She could see everything and she knew that her arrows were not going to miss their target. She raised her bow and her constellation manifested an arrow for her. That arrow pierced through the smoke and it was like she was shooting pieces of her energy.
The arrow flew straight at Leo and hit her dead on. The blow threw her off her feet and she bounced as she skidded across the ground. She rolled to her feet but Sagittarius wasn’t giving her time to recover. She kept drawing back and shooting her bow rapid fire, each shot homing in on the lion.
“Leo Ignite!” Leo shouted as her flames jumped to life burning a bright silver. She punched the air and a torrent of fire leaped forward.
Sagittarius’s eyes went wide and she jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding it. The flames were licking against the ground and against one of the wagons. Many of the soldiers had taken the brunt of flames while some were fast enough to get away. Leo panted heavily as she looked at her handiwork and then started running.
Sagittarius in her leap had dropped her bow. Without time to find it she was forced to improvise. She reached over her shoulder and grabbed an arrow. She held it in front of her as she waited for Leo to charge closer.
The smoke was starting to thin or Sagittarius’s eyes had begun to adjust to the smoke. Either way she wasn’t going to miss. Before Leo even arrived she was attacked. Sagittarius turned and then ducked low as Kali’s blade flew over her head.
Kali hit the ground and rolled against her shoulder before attacking again. Sagittarius jumped back dodging the whirlwind of blades as best as she could but even she couldn’t avoid getting hit here and there. For a human she was very well trained. It was like fighting someone with four arms. Sagittarius jumped back as Kali’s blades sank into the ground.
Kali raised her head quickly and her red eyes were hot. It was like she had her own fire in them. Kali dragged the blades out of the ground and ran forward with another dual swing. Sagittarius jumped backwards before spinning the arrow in her hand and throwing it at her.
The arrow slammed into Kali’s chest and she was sent flying. She crashed into the ground unable to breathe for a second. She gasped and Sagittarius stared at her before drawing another arrow. Kali struggled to get to her side.
Suddenly Leo jumped out of the smoke, on fire as she thrust her fist forward. Sagittarius managed to narrowly dodge around the punch. Following it she threw the arrow point blank. The arrow hit Leo in the stomach with enough force to make her cough up blood. Sagittarius drew three more arrows before throwing them right at her.
Leo rolled to the side dodging them as Sagittarius ran forward. She drove her knee into Leo’s chest and then grabbed her shoulders. Flipping over her head Sagittarius turned before planting both feet into her back and driving her into the ground. Back flipping quickly she grabbed her bow and drew an arrow before.
“Stay down Leo.” The archer commanded her sights trained on her sister.
Leo turned around to face her and growled. The fire in her eyes hadn’t gone down one bit. “Do it Sage. If you have it in you then shoot me.”
The archer bit her lip, holding the bow at full draw. Leo’s gaze didn’t waver and neither did hers but she wasn’t attacking yet. She was just holding the pose. She let loose her arrow and it passed by Leo’s head, splitting her ear.
Leo didn’t flinch as she stood up. “You can’t do it. You’re not a soldier much less a killer.”
“Shut up.” She drew another arrow but before she could fire it a soldier came toward her.
“Commander the order. The order has been given to retreat.” He said hesitantly.
Sagittarius didn’t take her eyes off Leo as the man spoke but inside she felt relief. Relief that this fight with Leo was coming to an end. She backed away slowly but then lowered her bow. “Retreat. I will join you.”
The soldier nodded slowly before running to the others. “It seems this is the end of this Leo.”
Leo shook her head. “You aren’t a soldier Sage. This isn’t your war.”
“No. But that won’t stop us from fighting in it.” Her eyes grew distant for a moment.
Leo looked past her at the over turned wagons. “Tell Cancer to get ready. We’ll be coming for him after this.”
Sagittarius met her eyes letting her power fade away. “I’ll deliver the message.”
With that she turned around and started running to join the other soldiers. Leo watched her go and then exhaled heavily. She fell to her knees as her power slid away.
“Captain…” Kali said with a struggling breath.
Leo glanced at her and with a grunt she forced herself to stand. Limping over to Kali’s side she held out her hand. Kali grabbed it and then Leo dragged her to her feet as well. Kali leaned forward and then let her head slump forward.
“I’m sorry sir. I couldn’t stop her.”
“Shut up.” Leo grunted. “She’s strong. Stronger than I gave her credit for. You did good Kali.”
“Thank you sir. Our mission was a success.”
Leo nodded. “That is was. Finally we can take the fight to Cancer. Finally we can end this war.”
The Harlequin Library 