The Zodiac: Chapter 19

Virgo was quietly writing his thoughts and something that had been nagging him for days since. Something about a dream that he could swear he had been having but he would never remember the next day. He had the feeling for years but he never paid it mind.  Dreams weren’t always something someone could remember or should remember.

He was staying at the resistance hideout in Orrin. After Gemini and Aquarius left he had returned to the hideout. For the most part he helped the resistance organize strategies, cataloguing their supplies and even helping in the kitchen. He was doing anything and everything he could to help.

There was light that flashed through the hall and as well as his room. Virgo’s head shot up suddenly at the white flash and he turned to its source. Walking toward it he started when Aquarius almost ran straight into him.

Virgo stumbled backwards but managed to keep his footing as well as catching Aquarius from falling. “Aqua, what’s going on?”

“Raku’s been poisoned! Scorpio did it! Help him Virgo. He doesn’t have a lot of time!” She shouted and her pale eyes were wide. There was another flash that forced Virgo to cover his eyes again. Gemini and Vash stumbled out of the room.

Virgo glanced at them all before taking the very rigid shape of Raku from her. His skin was growing pale and his body was drying. Virgo took him straight to the room where they usually took the wounded. Not many people saw them but the few that did started to whisper among themselves.

Virgo laid the prince down on a bed and noticed how some of his limbs seemed locked. Vash rushed to his side however he didn’t get in Virgo’s way. His gaze flitted back and forth from his prince and the virgin. Virgo’s constellation surfaced and his eyes glowed white. Virgo placed his hand against Raku’s forehead and took a breath.

“Virgo Restore.” The energy radiated out from Virgo and covered Raku. The energy wasn’t visible but Aquarius, Gemini and even Vash could feel it. Virgo’s face showed strain and he gripped the edge of the bed tightly as his energy got stronger. Raku’s limbs slowly began to relax and they lay down naturally. The frozen expression on his face relaxed and turned into one of pain.

Raku started coughing roughly, his body convulsing against the bed. “Someone restrain him!” Virgo said raising his other hand. Gemini and Vash circled around grabbing his wrists and ankles.

Virgo walked around and placed both of his hands against Raku’s head. Raku’s eyes shot open and his body jerked upward. Gemini and Vash’s face showed their frustrations but Virgo’s face was very calm. He took a slow breath and then let it out just as slow.

Raku’s body relaxed as he fell back against the bed. He stopped struggling and his eyes even closed. He had a peaceful look onto his face and his head turned to the side gently. Virgo huffed as he leaned forward, putting both hands on the bed to keep himself upright. Panting deeply, he glanced at the others and then smiled.

“The poison is gone. At least the worst of it.” Running his fingers through his hair Virgo looked at the three of them. “What were you three doing?”

Gemini leaned backwards and leaned against the wall. He then slid down and was ready to collapse into his own bed for the time being. “Apparently we weren’t the only ones looking for these two.”

Aquarius let her power slip away and she was just her regular self without any glowing lights. She walked to Gemini’s side and then she sat down beside him. Resting her head against his shoulder she took a shuddering breath. Gemini wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Vash took the princes hand in his own and gave it a firm squeeze. “Stupid Prince. Don’t worry me like that.” He said and closed his eyes.

Virgo glanced back at them and then at his siblings. “You mentioned Scorpio was there. Why?”

“To assassinate the prince.” Vash said raising his head. “He’s been tailing us for a long time. We’d been able to evade him for the longest but he must have gotten sick of being discreet because he just attacked the prince in a crowded bar.”

“So we rushed over there and we had some harsh words.” Gemini said. “And then Scorpio went crazy. He used the power that you Cancer had. He used it and then attacked the prince before we could do anything to stop him.”

Virgo frowned. “How did you stop him? And for that matter how did his venom do this? Scorpio’s power at the most would paralyze the person he stung. This was destroying him.”

“I stopped him.” Aquarius said softly as she sat up. “The power enhances all of our other abilities. Maybe it made his venom lethal.”

Virgo stared at her. “I hadn’t considered that. If that’s true that makes things much more dangerous.”

Aquarius nodded. “That it does. “

Virgo gained a very distant look on his face and Aquarius frowned at it. Vash stood up and he looked exhausted. “So we wait for Leo and Cap to get back and then we can plan the end of this war?”

Gemini nodded. “That’s what its looking like.”

Vash nodded. “Alright. Alright. I’ll be staying with the prince.”

Gemini nodded as well but then started. “Shit. We forgot Speedy.”

Aquarius looked at him confused before it dawned on her. “Oh, you’re right.”

“We can bring her back in two seconds.” Gemini said and then glanced back at Aquarius. “Can you handle that?”

She nodded and got to her feet shakily at first but she was steady after a few seconds. “Let’s hurry though.”

The pair ran back to the bathroom where Aquarius opened a portal back to Greyhara. Where they were going to appear however was unknown to her. She wasn’t sure if the initial puddle she made was still going to be there. And in reality, they were both doing this as a distraction from things to come.

The town was buzzing and investigating the fight that had gone down. They were trying to make sure all the people who were hurt were taken care of. It was enough commotion for the pair to slip through the crowd and to the inn without trouble.

Speedy reacted to them instantly and she snorted at Gemini. He smiled sheepishly at his horse. “Sorry girl. Things went to hell.” He said stroking her neck slowly.

Speedy grunted as she looked at him and her tail swayed slowly. Aquarius went to her side and pressed her hand to her side lightly. Gemini got onto her back and with his help Aquarius joined him.

Speedy reared back for a moment but Gemini kept himself in the saddle before glancing back at Aquarius. “Let’s ride for a little while. Leo and Cap won’t be back for a while.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and then put her head against his back. “I’m fine with that.” She said softly.

Gemini turned Speedy around slowly and then they were running out of town. Once again no one paid them mind as they left. Gemini wasn’t focused on riding though. He was thinking back toward when he met Cancer the first time since the fighting. What could have changed him that much? That question plagued him so much that it drove him crazy.

Then what Aquarius told him confused him further. To get the power that they had, he had to visit Alpha. Or Alpha had to visit him. She asked what they wanted and if they gave her the true answer she would give them the last bit of their power. Their final inheritance.

Did Alpha ask him that? What did he tell her to make her believe him? And then it made him wonder, when she would visit him. When would he have the power to stand on the same level as him? Would he ever get to that level? Closing his eyes, he leaned forward and pressed his head against Speedy’s neck.

“Relax Gem.” Aquarius said pressing the flat of her hand against his chest. “We have time.”

Gemini frowned but he gave a slow nod. “I know. I know. I’ll work on it.”

She nodded against his back and then whispered. “Pour Aquarius.”

Water flowed from the air before swirling around them. It merged and formed beside them as it became a pair of water horses. The horses threw back their heads in greeting to Speedy. Speedy was surprised for a moment however she huffed a greeting in return.

The trio raced across the deserted ground. In the darkness it was nowhere near as hot. In fact it was far colder. Something about the cold made it easier to not think about the situation. He could just enjoy this moment.

“Aqua told me I’d find you in here.”

The twin raised his head quickly, eagerly as Cancer walked into the library. It was empty save for the twin and even Cancer was surprised. “Please Cancer. Anything. Talk to me about it.”

“Aqua said you were studying but I didn’t believe it,” he lifted one of the books and laughed. “No way you’re actually studying. We barely even have lessons anymore.”

“You barely have lessons,” he leaned back groaning. I’m almost eighteen and I’m still stuck in the library doing this crap. This is Raku stuff.”

“There’s benefit to learning to do these things for ourselves you know. Leaving it all on Raku’s shoulders wouldn’t be fair.”

“Oh save it. You’re the one who likes this kind of stuff anyway. Always trying to travel. How’s the great expedition up north going by the way?”

Cancer made a face, a dark look crossing his eyes, “The King didn’t approve it. Said that the risks were too dangerous for something of unknown reward.”

“Bump that. How are we supposed to know what’s out there if we don’t go looking?”

“Aqua said the same thing. I knew you’d both understand,” Cancer smiled at him and then hesitated. He looked back toward the door and then out of the window. Gemini noticed and leaned forward.

“What is it?”

Cancer blinked, almost like he was snapping out of his thoughts, “What do you mean?”

“You look lost. You okay?”

“Yes. I think. Look Gem can we talk for a bit. I need to ask you something.”

He leaned back nodding, “Go ahead.”

“Not here. Come with me.”

He waved him over and Gemini jumped to his feet eager to leave the library behind. The pair walked the length of the castle going up as far as they could. Cancer opened a door and they were on one of the spires, just a hair away from the roof. The sun was only just starting to set but the air was cool.

Gemini took a deep breath of it and sighed, “We used to come up here all the time when we were kids.”

“One of the best places to hide from the nanny and Leo when she baby sat us,” Cancer smiled. “Haven’t been up here in ages.”

Gemini leaned back against the railing and sighed. “So what’s bugging you?”

Cancer folded his arms and stood by the door. He looked down and again there was uncertainty on his face. Gemini saw the way his eyes wouldn’t focus on him or anything. Looking everywhere else.

Gemini reached out to him and squeezed his shoulder, “Are you okay?”

His dark blue eyes focused on him and he gasped blinking again. Shuddering he lowered his head and focused his gaze on the heterochromia of his best friend. “I am. Just. I’ve learned some things recently and they’re. Incredible. Do you remember those traders that came through almost four months ago?”

Gemini blinked confused but nodded, “Yeah they were cool. Crazy stories. Taught me and Cap how to dance.”

Cancer chuckled, “If you want to call that display you two did dancing sure.”

“Hey come on we had some sick moves,” he made a face and did a few quick steps from memory.

Cancer shook his head but continued, “They left after being here for a month or so. Except one didn’t. He was fascinated by Nerodala. He wasn’t from here and hadn’t been here in a long time. Things had changed for him. I think he was older than he let on. He knew things that I only read about in history books.”

“Okay so you found an old dude that was cool,” Gemini smiled but the way Cancer looked at him made him pause. It wasn’t anger or frustration. There was something like a dark glint in his eyes. A shadowy shine that made Gemini wondering if he was just seeing things. He rubbed his eyes and Cancer looked the same as always.

“Trust me Gem you had to have talked to him,” Cancer sighed softly.

“What was his name?”

“I don’t think it was his real name but he told me his name was Daze.”

That name made Gemini shudder. He’d never done that before but hearing his friend say that name made his skin crawl and him suddenly feel uncomfortable. He’d never done that to any other name but his instincts cried out to him.

“D-Daze huh?” Gemini asked trying to fight off the apprehension. “What’d he have to say?”

“So many things Gem,” he spread his arms wide and took a deep breath. Sighing he leaned against the railing and glanced back over at him. “Daze knew a lot about the Zodiac and even more than that, he knew things beyond our borders.”

“You mean up north?”

“Yeah. A place called Arkoria. And Reditus. It makes me want to travel so much more than before. Beyond just Xye and the other end of the ocean. But talking to him made me realize something.”

He walked over to him and leaned against the railing. “The Zodiac have never once tried to become the rulers of Nerodala. Most of them have never even shown interest. Except Cancers. We’ve always wondered about the leadership. Wondered why the Zodiac were also in the shadows. Have you ever thought about it Gem?”

Gemini glanced at him and frowned. He looked over at the railing, staring at Celestial and the glittering lights below he smiled. He could see people moving about, he could hear music on the air. Shaking his head though he glanced at his friend, “Never. I’m not much of the leader kind. But I can definitely see you on a throne and ruling. It’s definitely your type of thing.”

Cancer chuckled, “Really? You think I could be a king?”

“Totally,” Gemini looked at him properly. “You’re the smartest of all of us. Just as good as talking and negotiating as Sage. And I trust you. Not saying I don’t trust Raku, I do, but you’re my best friend.” He flashed him a wide grin.

Cancer stared at him, really stared at him and then stepped forward hugging him. It caught Gemini off guard but he hugged him back and laughed, “Okay you’re really worrying me now.” He laughed. “You sure you’re okay?”

Cancer nodded slowly, staring beyond him, staring over the edge of the railing. He shut his eyes tightly and squeezed him once before taking a step back. “Even if I wanted to I could never change who you are Gem. Always so good. Do you remember when we first met Gem?”

He looked at him confused for a moment but nodded, “Yeah. I mean, I’m sure we met when we were babies but I remember the first time we actually talked. It was after I lost my pendent. You found it and spent the entire day looking for me. We kept missing each other but Aqua was smarter than us.”

Cancer chuckled and nodded, “Yeah. Aqua’s always been the clever one. Ever since that day you’ve been by my side and I’ve been by your side.” He sighed and again that distant look entered his eyes. Rubbing his eyes he smiled at him. “Things are going to change in the future. But that’s also just the nature of life. And when they eventually change, I hope that I don’t forget days like today.”

He spoke in such a sad way. In the same way that someone leaving a carnival knowing it wouldn’t be back. The fun was disappearing and real life was going to come back.

Gemini looked at him strangely again and then wrapped his arm around his shoulders, “You’re weird Cancer. I feel like you’ve got tomes in your head that bury your thoughts. You need a librarian for your head.”

He smiled again and nodded, “Perhaps I do Gem. Come on,” he slipped his arm off and started walking to the stair case. “You still need to study and you’re not going to use me as an excuse when you get caught.”

“Oh come on Cancer don’t be that way.”

“Be nice and I might even help you a little bit.”

“Really? You’re the best. What would I do without you?”

“Hopefully you don’t have to find out.”