The Zodiac: Chapter 22

Gemini leaned forward, his hands on the edge of the crate. The armor that had been given to him was there. Shining pieces of steel and leather. He had tried it on and fought in it before. Over time it had become his armor. They had moved themselves to a small camp outside of the city as they prepared to move forward with the army.

Pulling out one of the bracers he moved it around as it caught the light. There was a gouge mark in it from when he decided to block one of Leo’s slashes. Sliding it up his arm he fastened the straps and then pulled them tight. Flexing his arm slowly he made sure it was secure before moving to the next.

Taking out the long chain mail coat he put it on like a shirt. First he pulled it over his head and then his arms through each of the sleeves. The mail was heavy but not enough to be a problem. It was strong stuff. Capricorn’s kicks hadn’t been able to get through it. Then again, the force still traveled through and Gemini winced feeling the memory of the pain. He made sure that his pendent was underneath the armor before he moved on.

Pulling out the chest plate he grunted at its weight. Spreading it open he put it on over his head and then shook it slightly. It was dented and battered in places along the back. That was from Virgo tossing him around with his telekinesis.  The priest apologized thoroughly afterward much to Gemini’s amusement. Going to the leather ties on the sides he tied those into knots one by one until they were secure against his chest.

His greaves were next. Bending down he placed it against his leg and then tied it around. The straps were still wet. He groaned at this but continued to tie them anyway. He remembered the moment. Aquarius had decided to flood the ground and then freeze it in place. It had been hell to get out of that quickly but he found a way. He always did.

His armor was in place. Walking to his bedside he picked up his sword sheathed in its scabbard. He drew the blade and watched as it gleamed in the light. The blade was comfortable in his hands. With a short jolt of his energy it was split into two identical blades, one for each hand or one for his halves.

“Split Gemini.” Where there was one there was now two. Through whatever energy that fueled them, their armor was also duplicated though it would only last as long as he did. Umbra and Luce looked at one another, a blade in their hands. They raised them and slid them against one another’s. The look on their faces was almost resigned.

“You ready?” Umbra asked his twin.

Luce nodded shortly. “Yeah. I think I am.”

They slid their blades away before sheathing them against their hips. Turning to face the front of his tent the opened the flap. As their feet crossed the threshold they merged together. Gemini brushed his fingers through his hair and then walked to find his siblings.

As he walked into the sunlight he saw that all of the resistance was buzzing around. Moving crates of armor and weapons. Explosives that had to go to the right owners and horses to track down. It was busy but it was also last minute. Things were done for the most part. All that was left to do was for the resistance to march to Cancer’s army and face the final fight. There wasn’t to be an ambush or anything of that ilk. It seemed unlike them but they did have their strategy.  

“Runt.” Gemini turned at the voice and saw Leo approaching. She was wearing chain mail and plate armor on her chest and legs. One of her arms was completely armed but the other was bare. That was her sword arm. Behind her was Speedy whose reins were in Leo’s hands. “I was wondering if I’d find you out here yet.”

Gemini laughed softly and then looked at her. She had a grim look on her face but her eyes were focused. He didn’t even have to ask her if she was ready. He knew the answer before the question even formed. Leo smiled and Gemini returned it. The horse stamped the ground impatiently.

“Guess she wants to be a part of this?” Gemini said walking to the horse’s side. He brushed his hand against her side and she threw her head back in agreement. “Shall we?”

“After you.” Gemini swung his leg over the saddle and settled in. Leo got on behind him and pulled the reins. Speedy snorted lightly as Leo guided her around and started walking forward.

They rode to the front of the camp and found that the area wasn’t vacant. Capricorn was there along with Libra. The two were amusing themselves with a sight-based game. Libra had made a fuss about coming along with them, so they had comprised and said that she could come along but she had to remain at Virgo’s side. Raku wasn’t going to be coming with them. Despite his recovery he was too valuable a person to risk in the fight. He understood. He didn’t like it but he understood.

Capricorn was wearing little armor, just extensions of his boots and gauntlets to cover his entire arms and legs. His chest however was left open at his own request. He did have a helmet though. It covered the back of his head and surrounded his forehead and the space above his ears. There was a metal plate across his mouth and nose as well leaving only his eyes bare. Libra was wearing light leather armor on her arms, legs and chest. There were three horses there. A dark brown horse, a lighter chestnut one and finally a bay.

Capricorn looked toward the two of them and nodded in greeting. Going down low he scooped Libra up and put her onto the back of the chestnut horse. She kicked at the goat her face red with surprise and embarrassment.

Capricorn got onto the back of the bay. His body showed just how eager he was though his eyes gave way to show how anxious he was as well. The goat bounced on the horse slightly and the horse felt it with a frustrated sound. Capricorn slowed down and remained still for a moment.

“Eager as always aren’t you brother.” Virgo said as he joined them. He was wearing his robes as always but Gemini could see the chainmail underneath them. He didn’t expect to do much fighting however he wasn’t taking any chances.

“Always eager to see the family.” Capricorn replied.

Virgo offered him a dry chuckle as he walked to Libra’s horse. Gently running his fingers through her hair, he smiled. “Are you ready little one?”

She nodded quickly and Virgo smiled gently. “Are you guys going to leave without me?”

They turned back and saw Aquarius running to catch up. She was wearing armor similar to Gemini’s though the leg armor was missing. She also had a helmet like Capricorn’s minus the mouth plate. She slowed down as she stood beside them.

Smiling sheepishly, she got onto the back of the dark brown horse and took the reins. “Everyone’s gathering in the middle of the camp in their groups. Last minute prayers, weapon cleanings, and drinks.” She told them. “I think we should say a few things to them.”

As a small strategy to make things simpler for them, they grouped each of their soldiers to a Zodiac member. Leo and Gemini were the lead. They would be in the thick of the fighting. Capricorn’s group had the most horses. The ones who were going be fast hitting and flanking. Aquarius’s group was the one that would provide assistance wherever it was needed. Finally Virgo’s group was the backline. Where the wounded would be treated but also where the archers would take up positions. There weren’t many of them but with this setup they hoped to divide and conquer the army.

Leo nodded. “I was planning on it.”

Pulling on Speedy’s reins they were running forward toward the large gathering of their soldiers. As Leo rode in front of them the conversations began to die out. She rode forward before slowing down at the head. She was on a slightly raised hill so that everyone could see her face.

Gemini looked at the various faces around them, all of them from different nationalities, genders and backgrounds. And yet as they looked at them he saw the same sets of eyes staring back at him. Determined to follow them into this battle and they were ready to give their lives for this.

“I look at each of you and I see many things. I see soldiers. I see warriors. I see fathers. I see sons, mothers, daughters. I see farmers and I see workers. But more than that I see people. My people. People who are willing to fight for what they believe in. People who will defend what they’ve spent their lives building up.

“I see fear when I look into your eyes. I see uncertainty but I also see determination. I see compassion. I see love and I see bravery. This war was caused by my family. I cannot ask some of you to sacrifice your families for this. This is the last chance any of you have to leave. No one here will judge you for your choice in that regard.”

She waited and looked at each of them. There was uncertainty on their faces however they did not move. Each of them remained standing and Leo couldn’t help but smile at these men and women.

“This fight will be difficult, the hardest we’ve ever fought. Stay with your groups and look to your group leader for command. If you can’t find them then make sure your allies are safe. This will be an order, one of the few I will ever give. If you see the enemy Zodiac you run. You go the other way. You do not engage. Call for your captain immediately!

“Are we ready to march forward? Are we ready to fight for our country? Are you ready to take back and protect Nerodala!” Leo drew her sword and swung it into the air. As the sunlight hit it she used her power and the blade caught fire. Speedy reared back at the flames but it only served to emphasize her position. There was a roar of agreement and a cheer from others. Leo stared at them with the fire in her eyes and she gave a nod.

“Was that necessary?” Gemini asked glancing back at her.

Looking down Leo had a smug smile on her face. “I can appreciate theatrics sometimes.”

Gemini smiled in return and they lead the column of resistance forward. The riders mounted their horses and walked on either side of them. This was it.

“Lord Cancer, a large force has been seen moving out of Orrin.” A soldier said as he ran toward the campfire. Cancer’s forces had made camp here the night before. Cancer turned to face the soldier who bowed his head to him. “We have reason to believe that this is the resistance coming to meet our own forces.”

“A wise assumption.” Cancer said with a chuckle. “Thank you for this news.”

Cancer wasn’t alone he was with Aries and also Taurus. All three were wearing full silver armor with very few spots where the chainmail underneath showed through. The large giant of the Zodiac eyed Cancer steadily. “Things are going as you predicted Aries.”

“As they often do.” Aries said.  “This is going to be it. They’re going to throw everything at us my brothers. Once we stop them here, that will be it.”

Cancer stood and glanced at his friends. “Come. Let us go and rally our troops.”

The trio of Zodiac stood though they didn’t put out the campfire just yet. Cancer strode forward and his constellation was seeping out slowly. It was noticeable even to the normal soldiers. The other Zodiac felt it and stood to face their leader.

Cancer strode to the very center of the campsite and then turned so that his gaze hit everyone before he began to speak. “Soldiers of Nerodala, you have been faithful and you have been steadfast in your actions with dedication. I could not ask for better warriors.

“The men and women you will be fighting shortly are very similar to you. They believe in their cause. They trust their commanders and they will fight to the very end. We have the better steel, the better armor and the better men. We will be victorious in our endeavor. There will be no stopping our forces. The goddess smiles upon us my friends.”

With those words he turned around and began to march toward the head of the camp. As he went forward he mounted a horse, as did Aries. Taurus on the other hand preferred to march alongside their soldiers. Pisces and Sagittarius watched him leave and then they each exchanged an uneasy glance. Pisces was wearing chest and leg armor. He had armor on the arm that usually housed his sleeve. Sagittarius however was only wearing light leather armor not intending to be near the front lines.

 Pisces turned his gaze in the distance. He knew the resistance was coming from that direction and they were going to meet them on the battlefield. Seeing Leo again on these terms was not something that he wished for. Not in the slightest.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and glanced at Sagittarius. She had an pained look but it didn’t do much to help. “This will be over soon Pisces.”

“One way or another.”

The pair finished with their armor before mounting a pair of horses. The horses were well behaved and quiet. They moved forward slowly before they were taken to stand beside Cancer. Scorpio was nowhere to be seen but that was preferred. The assassin didn’t like open wars like this but he wanted to get his fill of the fighting.

Cancer glanced toward Sagittarius and Pisces with a smile.  They returned the look with straight faces. They were silent as they rode forward when Pisces spoke up.

“When the fighting starts I want Leo,“ He said calmly to the shock and surprise of the archer.

Cancer turned to him raising his eyebrow. “Is that so? I thought that of all of our siblings she would be that last you would want to fight again.”

Pisces kept looking forward and simply shook his head. “She’s mine. Nothing against our large brother but I’m the only one who can match her.”

Aries looked dubious toward him but Cancer was amused. “If that is the case then go. On the battlefield, if you find our brave lion you can make her your pray.”

Pisces lowered his head. “Thank you.”

The ride was in silence only interrupted by the sounds of clinking metal from their armor and the soldiers behind them. The march to war was a quiet one.

Both armies marched forward across the empty fields. Rolling hills of grass with wide patches of bare ground. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the sun was hanging a little low. It was a beautiful day. Everything was bathed in a golden hue as the resistance entered.

Gemini’s eyes alighted on them first. He could see Aries, Aquarius, Pisces and Cancer all mounted on their horses at the head of the army with Taurus beside them. Cancer’s face was calm, almost amused, as if this was a normal day. The resistance was outnumbered two to one at the best of odds despite their number.

Gemini and Leo were at the front of their army, the others already split up to be with their groups. Speedy stepped forward nervously and Gemini placed his hand on the horse’s neck. He felt anxious as well. But now wasn’t the time to get cold feet.

“Everyone at the ready!” Leo shouted drawing her sword and raising it into the air. Gemini drew his sword alongside her. The hiss of swords leaving their scabbards echoed all around them.

“Forward.” Leo pointed her sword as Speedy began to walk. The resistance followed her lead, their footsteps falling into a steady beat as they crossed the distance between them. They were over two hundred yards apart. The dust they were kicking up however was visible to the stationary army of the kingdom.

Cancer raised his hand and Sagittarius saw the movement. She gripped her bow firmly with one hand before reaching back and fitting an arrow to the string.  “Archers ready!” She shouted and more than five-dozen men raised bows and fitted arrows to the strings as she had.

“Aim Sagittarius.” She said softly and closed her eyes. As the darkness set in, her second sight awakened and she was able to see this battlefield and every soldier in it. She was going to be the eyes of the army.

They held the position awaiting the order. Cancer narrowed his eyes at the approach of the army. Taking a slow breath, he nodded his head and swung his arm down. “Fire!” Sagittarius shouted and as one the they unleashed their arrows at the resistance.

Sagittarius changed the angle of her bow, going for a bit lower to the ground.  “Sagittarius Volley!” She shouted and released her arrow. It flew across the ground before it flashed and suddenly it multiplied into its own storm. There were volleys coming from two separate directions now.

Gemini’s eyes were able to catch the storm of arrows as they left the archers bows. Leo’s eyes however caught the flash of light that indicated Sagittarius’s power was involved. The arrows were moving faster than expected and would be on them in moments.

From well behind the army Virgo’s eyes were already beginning to glow. Sensitive to the flow of energy around them he felt the change as Sagittarius’s energy pulsed twice. His own swirled around him as his constellation flared to life. “Repent Virgo!”

Swinging his arm, the energy raced forward passing the soldiers and then leaping into the sky. The Zodiac felt it pass them and shivered before watching as the arrows of the soldiers were caught in mid air. They hovered there vibrating as if resisting Virgo’s trap. Virgo flicked his wrist and the arrows were sent flying straight into the ground.

That took care of Sagittarius’s attack but that left the regular arrows. “You ready for this runt?” Leo dug her heels into Speedy’s sides spurring the horse forward.

With the wind suddenly picking up and whipping around them Gemini couldn’t help but grin. “Always ready Leo!”

She spun her sword through the air slowly as her constellation began to rise. Gemini let his constellation pick up as well and he grit his teeth together letting it spread erratically. As one the duo swung their swords slamming them together.

“Leo Ignite!”

“Gemini Tempest!”

Leo’s flames raced forward before being spurred on by winds generated by Gemini. The resulting typhoon of fire incinerated the arrows barreling down on the army. The men made sounds of panic however Cancer remained still and calm.

Pisces from the back of the army watched and he couldn’t stop the smile at seeing Leo’s strength in action. But he had a role to fulfill. Drawing his chakrams forward he held one in each hand before throwing them forward.

“Flow Pisces.” The bladed disc flew forward circling one another as Pisces let his river of constellation flow after them. As they circled one another and went for a collision course with the fire he raised both his hands. The chakram’s stopped and floated.

“Pisces Control!” He shouted and the flames split. They flowed off to the edges of the army and harmlessly into the sky. Pisces was still as he held onto the power and watched until the very last of the flames were gone.

The attack was a long enough distraction for the resistance that they were charging. Cancer saw this and turned his head back toward Taurus. The hulking monster of the Zodiac raised his doubled bladed axe. He took a step forward before shouting, “Charge!”

The men roared with him and they ran forward. The ground began to shake as the two opposing armies raced toward one another. Spears, swords, axes and shields were raised until the distance between them shrank to nothing. They collided like two opposing rivers, an explosion of sound and then mixing almost seamlessly as men became corpses.