The Zodiac: Chapter 25

“Please lie still my friends” Virgo said holding his hands out over the injured soldiers in front of him. “This will be over soon. Virgo Restore.”

His eyes and hands glowed softly as he ran them over a man who was riddled with cuts. Slowly the cuts began healing over. They weren’t disappearing completely but they were closing up. When Virgo finished the man was breathing softly and he was well for the moment.

Virgo nodded and went to another and repeated the process. Libra was trailing behind him holding a basket in her hand and another one on her back. The one she was holding held fresh wrappings while the one on her back were the old and soiled ones. After Virgo healed them Libra would change their bandages.

The pair had been doing this since the first injured and they would continue until the battle ended. “Captain Virgo more wounded are coming!”

Virgo’s head jerked upwards as he turned toward the fighting. Aquarius and a small squadron of soldiers were coming forward. Many of them were carrying or being flanked by their soldiers. They were being chased by the army and as things stood, they weren’t going to make it to safety.

Virgo turned toward the group of archers that were stationed alongside him. “Ready your bows.” He ordered and turned to Libra. “Get behind me little one. I will need your aid.”

She nodded swiftly before stepping behind him and gripping his robes tightly. The soldiers behind him drew their bows and pulled back the arrows.  “Repent Virgo. Fire!”

The archers unleashed their barrage and felled some of the attackers but not all. Some were wiser or just more determined. That was where Virgos stepped in. With a raise and flick of his hand he sent these soldiers flying back into their fellows. His command over energy was much stronger than it had once been.

Raising his hand into the air again his energy wrapped around the resistance fighters and brought them forward. They stumbled at the sudden intervention however Virgo was pleased.

Running to their sides he placed his hand against Aquarius’s back. “This is a lot.”

She nodded. “It’s better than too few.”

She spoke the truth but at the same time it was disheartening. Virgo took a woman from Aquarius’s shoulders and walked to have her sit beside the others. The woman’s arm was broken at a bad angle but she was keeping her pain internal. She was being strong.

Virgo placed his hand on the woman’s shoulder. His energy flowed forward and into the woman. She jumped at the sensation and turned her confused eyes onto the priest. Virgo smiled pleasantly and the electric sting of energy turned warm and soothing. The woman relaxed and she didn’t notice that Virgo was slowly righting her arm in the socket.

When Virgo moved away from the woman, she felt the warmth fading from her. She reached out with her arm and then saw the result of the healing. “T-thank you. Thank you so much captain.”

“Just relax my friend. The energy will leave you sore.” With those words he was moving onto the next of their allies who was in need.

Aquarius watched the priest busy himself with their people and she just slumped down to the ground. She wasn’t cut out for war. She knew that before this started. She dragged her hand through the air and water flowed up her hand and fingers before wrapping around her arms. She forced herself to her feet again and stumbled.

“Need a hand there princess?” She turned her head and smiled as Vash came forward. She made a face at him but nodded.

“Come on, the fights not over yet.” She said and the water around her arms increased in volume. It flowed down until both arms as long tendrils of water.

They took a few steps forward when Libra screamed. Both of them whirled around and they saw Virgo stumble forward. There was a massive red splotch from his stomach and his chest. They saw him fall to his knees and then slump across the ground. Libra rushed to his side and her eyes were wide in fear.

“That was too easy.” Scorpio said as he lowered his sword and glanced at the resistance. His dagger tail floated behind him as he looked at them. It was dripping blood through it’s green gleam.

“No…” Aquarius mouthed slowly. “No!”

Her constellation flared out of and she rushed forward. Swinging one of her arms forward the tendril managed to wrap around Scorpio’s arm and threw him to the ground. The scorpion grunted, trying to get to his feet but Aquarius attacked again.

She thrust both arms forward sending a torrent of water into him, knocking him into the ground. She rushed forward turning one of the tendrils to an ice axe. She swung it down at him but she was in Scorpio’s field now. He blocked the attack with his tail while his khopesh flew forward and slashed across her stomach.

Her armor caught it but she felt the strength of the hit and it stole her breath. She grunted as Scorpio surged forward. His tail shot forward hitting the same spot as his sword. It made a sizeable dent in her armor and she thrust her hand forward blasting him off his feet with a surge of water.

Scorpio shouted as he was knocked off his feet and hit the ground. He wasn’t wearing much armor, just a scattered few pieces here and there. He could feel his chest and body aching but the pain just energized him.

Aquarius stepped forward and then shot her water tendril at him. One missed as Scorpio dodged while the other slammed into his shoulder. Spinning around he dug his tail into the ground to keep himself standing.

Vash came forward, his sword spinning between his hands. He slashed at Scorpio but the zodiac blocked it easily. He couldn’t block as Vash turned his body and made the rear blade slice across his chest. Gasping in surprise Scorpio thrust his tail forward.

Vash slashed his blade down catching one of the chains in the dagger. Scorpio was on him in an instant though and his sword cut across his Vash’s armor. The blade was strong enough to cut through the armor properly.

His dagger tail flew forward and grabbed Vash’s leg. It dragged him forward and into Scorpio’s waiting khopesh. Aquarius rushed forward and shot one tendril into the ground creating a puddle. She shot the other one flying past Scorpio’s head creating a circle in the sky. “Aquarius Connect!” She shouted and jumped into the first puddle and appeared behind Scorpio.

The tip of her tendril hardened into a solid block of ice before slamming into the back of Scorpio’s head. The blow sent him careening forward and his vision swam. He coughed, blood pinpricking the ground. Aquarius didn’t let up as she slammed the block into his back and forced him to his knees.

“Zodiac Aquarius!” she shouted as she continued to attack. “You killed him! You killed Virgo! You killed our, no my brother. You’re not our family. You’re just scum!”

“Not on your life princess. Zodiac Scorpio!” His constellation attacked them swiftly and made both Vash and Aquarius stumble backwards. That was all he needed as he attacked.

His khopesh struck at Vash who caught it in his blade. His tail however launched at Aquarius. Her eyes widened and her water shot up to catch the blade. Scorpio’s attacks were faster and far more coordinated as he struck at Vash.

Vash kept his dual blade in constant rotation to block the hooked sword. Scorpio leaped forward and hooked his sword against the handle of the blade. With a swift jerk of his arm he yanked the blade free from his hands and then kicked him in the chest.

He rolled onto his back and Scorpio turned on his heel. He dashed forward and then turned his sword around to attack Aquarius. His dagger broke out of the water and his sword slashed at her. She froze the edge of her tendril and blocked the sword but it shattered.

He flipped forward and slashed the sword down her back. The blade cut clean through the armor and she shouted stumbling away from him. Whirling around she shot the water tendrils at the scorpion but he danced around them.

He jumped forward and dragged his sword across the ground and sent a chunk of rock at her. The moment she looked closely though she saw it was a bomb. It exploded covering her head in smoke. His tail lunged from over his shoulder and struck her in the chest. It broke her armor into pieces and sent her sprawling against the ground.

He reached behind him and then threw several orbs at her. She threw her hands up and the water surrounded her before freezing. Each of them exploded one after the other, cracking the ice before finally shattering it and sent her skidding across the ground. Her constellation was waning and she was breathing erratically.

He pounced then his sword aimed to stab through her chest. Suddenly he was sent to the ground by Vash’s sword. The blade was stuck deep into the Zodiac’s back. He shouted in frustration and pain as he tried to yank it out but all he did was cause himself more pain.

She spread her arms and a trio of drills flew forward grabbing his limbs and enveloping him. She raised her hands up and Scorpio was lifted in a sphere of water. Scorpio looked at her, his breath stolen away. Water filled his lungs the moment his mouth opened.

Aquarius watched him as he began to drown and her eyes were steeled. She held him there, watching his limbs thrash around. She watched as his blood polluted the water from his open wound. She remained steady as his thrashing began to slow down and then eventually it ceased all together.

Aquarius went still, the steel in her eyes leaving. She was almost feinted. Her energy faded and her water crashed into the ground. Scorpio dropped to the ground in a heap. He was still and soaked in bloody water but he showed no indication that he was going to move again.

Her breath was coming in quicker burst and she had to fight to keep herself calm. She killed him. She’d killed her own brother and she felt guilty but at the same time she didn’t regret it. She had never enjoyed killing yet here she was almost relishing in it. That scared her.

“I broke your promise Gem.” She said regretfully. She turned to face Vash and he looked at her shocked. He joked and played with them but this was a reminder that they weren’t humans. They had powers that made him look small in comparison.

“Virgo.” She said softly. Turning around swiftly she ran back to the fallen priest and slowed down as she saw Libra.

The little girl was bent over his body, crying loudly and Aquarius could feel each of her tiny sobs. Here she was avenging Virgo’s death that she never even got to feel his loss.

Her heart felt hollow and walked forward before kneeling. She touched Libra’s back and the tiny Zodiac turned and threw herself at Aquarius. Her sobbing started anew and Aquarius saw Virgo’s face. What pain he felt as he died, turned peaceful in his final moments. Whatever was shared between him and Libra must have been enough. She felt her own eyes sting with tears and let herself crying with Libra.

Vash came to stand beside them. He looked at Virgo then turned away. He saw their injured people who needed his healing touch. He saw the fighting behind them and thought of everyone that might be losing their lives. He saw this all and was reminded that this is what this war was costing them. It had to be worth it. Not right now.

“Pisces Control.” Pisces hand darted forward however Leo grabbed his wrist and dragged him close to her flames.

Pisces eyes went wide and then forced himself out of her grip. He skidded behind her slowly his chakrams flying in the path that he made. Leo dragged her sword forward and smacked both of the weapons into the ground. They were stuck for a moment before jerking out and flew to Pisces side.

Leo hadn’t showed any signs of slowing down. She was just as strong, just as fast and just as fierce. She was probably more so than that. But her skin was worn raw, red and she wasn’t moving fast. She was moving like she was possessed, not like she was trained or practiced. He snapped back into the fight when she leaped at him.

The bull rushed forward with his axe in mid swing. It slammed into her sword and then sent her flying backwards. Taurus however showed the effort that block had taken. Pisces tapped the giant on the shoulder with a nod of thanks.

Leo growled and twisted her sword in hand slowly before rushing forward again. She dragged her sword against the ground as flames erupted up the length. Bringing her arm up she swung it sideways sending flames leaping forward.

Pisces eyes flashed and he watched the path the fire was going to take. Stepping forward he moved around the flames as if dancing. Each step was graceful and calculated. He lunged forward his chakrams leaving his hands. He shot them forward and they smashed into Leo’s stomach.

They took her off her feet and skidding across the ground. This fight was difficult. The two of them together were still just barely a match for Leo in her current state. Taurus charged forward his axe held at level. He held it up high and then swung down on her prone figure.  

“No!” Kali’s blades crossed as she stopped the bull’s axe. Her arms felt as if they were going to be pulled from their sockets but she made sure to keep the axe from going lower. “I will protect her.”

“You’re a brave woman.” Pisces said from behind her. “However, we can’t have you doing this consistently. Pisces Control.” He placed his hand on the back of her neck and she jolted. Slowly she lowered her swords and then ran backwards getting to the edge of the fighting.

Leo however she was on him in an instant. Her sword wasn’t in hand this time though. She punched him in the stomach hard and then once again in the head that drove him to the ground. She jumped straight up and kicked him in the jaw. Pisces flew backwards dazed his constellation blinking.

Shaking his head roughly he brought his chakrams back to him before running at her again. Leo roared running straight back at him. Pisces jumped and sent his chakrams forward. She followed his movement and the chakrams took her in the chest. They brought her off her feet and into Pisces waiting hand. He grabbed her around the throat and dragged her to the ground.

“Pisces Control.” He said slowly and Leo felt his constellation try to invade her body. She struggled against it and it sent a jolt up his arm. He’d never felt someone resist the control before. Grunting he shut his eyes as she roared at him. Her flames jumped up dangerously forcing the fish back.

Pisces skipped backwards as Leo got to her feet. She coughed trying to catch her breath. She felt pain and she couldn’t explain where it had come from. Pisces was in a likewise position holding his chest. The pain was something that escaped his ability to describe. He could only remember feeling something remotely like this when he was a child. When the previous Libra died.

Leo recovered swiftly and dashed toward her sword. She grabbed it and then spun around to send a wave of fire at him. Pisces saw the flames flow but his body couldn’t react fast enough and he struggled to dodge it.

Taurus stepped in front of him and made sure that his bulk would completely protect the fish zodiac. Taurus body was already glowing and healing. When the flames subsided Taurus charged forward. “I will contain her. You will save her.”

His axe swept forward and hit Leo’s arm. It sent her backwards and sprawling across the ground. Swinging the weapon around it slammed into Leo’s flaming sword. They were deadlocked again but another bout of pain stunned them all. Pisces grit his teeth and attacked, trying to fight through it the pain.

Running forward he slid forward and kicked her sword arm hard. She shouted and Taurus reached out stealing the sword from her hands. It burned his palm but he flung it away. It stuck into the ground as Pisces got to his feet.

He pointed forward, his chakrams circling around before sliding under Leo’s arms. He jumped backwards and the chakrams followed the flow dragging her into the ground. Taurus spun his axe around and brought it down, locking her legs against the ground.

Leo threw her head back and roared in anger. She struggled against the chakrams but they were steadfast in their ability to hold her down. Taurus put his strength on the axe to keep her legs equally restrained.

Pisces walked forward and then moved to sit on top of her waist. He reached down and placed both his hands on her cheeks. He stared into her glowing orange eyes before taking a deep breath. “Please Leo. Help me bring you back. The real you. Pisces Control!”

Leo’s body jerked roughly and she roared. The sound made Pisces wince but he continued to push his constellation into her. He felt the flow meet fire and it attacked him. It attacked like a cornered animal would but Pisces was persistent. The ebb and flow of his energy beat at her own and weathered the storm.

The pattern repeated as the flames were born anew, they would burn him but his own energy would soothe and quench. Visible burns were appearing on Pisces body but they were healing just as fast. The repetition of the process was draining for him.

Pisces vision was swimming and block spots were entering it. Virgo used to warn Gemini that if he used too much energy it could run out and he could die. Pisces never thought that he would be the one to go through the ordeal.

“Sorry Leo. I failed.” He slumped forward, his forehead pressed against Leo’s his breath coming in very short burst.

He felt warmth through the numbness in his skin, against his cheek and against his lips. It almost started to hurt and he jerked upwards. His eyes flew up and he gasped on the air his constellation flared into life.

“What… what was that?” He said his senses on ten.

He felt a pull on the front of his armor and then he was dragged down so that he was staring into Leo’s eyes. They were amber and he could see the fire behind them. A fire that was entirely and uniquely her.

“No one ever dies for me.  Don’t think you get to be the exception.” Leo said with a dangerous growl.

 Pisces almost felt himself go limp in relief that he started to laugh. “I would never dream of it.”

Leo smirked and put one hand on his back and pulled him down for a kiss. It was short and it burned. As they separated, they got to their feet. Despite their moment there was still a war being fought around them.

Leo looked at Pisces and Taurus and both of them shuddered. They put a hand to their heads and then let out grunts of pain. They both felt trembles of energy waft over them and then something disappeared. The pair looked at her with new eyes and then at the fighting. “Leo, Taurus. We need to stop this. Together.” Pisces said and wobbled falling down to his knees.

“Are you back to your sense?” Leo asked catching him.

“Maybe. The chains on me are at the very least broken for now. I don’t want to waste this moment,” he told her. She took his hand and he squeezed it tightly.

She flared her constellation brightly and nodded, “Let’s get this over with. When this is done we’ll discuss what happens next.”

“Agreed.” Taurus said folding his arms.

The trio closed their eyes and let their constellations fill them entirely. The extra energy was far more than any of them naturally could maintain and it pained them. Then suddenly they expelled it. They expelled all of that energy and it washed over the fighting soldiers. It made them pause in mid swing, back away from their opponents and turn toward the epicenter of the explosion.

“Cease your fighting!” Pisces shouted to them and his voice echoed.

Leo followed his words with, “Lay down your arms! This battle has ended!”

“Collect your dead! Treat your wounded! But the fighting is done!” Taurus shouted in ending and then all was silent.

Through the energy that poured over them the effect was subtle. Soldiers on both sides began to drop their weapons. Some forced others to drop their weapons while some had to be held back. Most sank gratefully to their knees and some began frantically to look for their friends.

Pisces sighed softly. His shoulders slumped forward and he shuddered. His and the others constellation faded away and he began to fall but Leo caught him. “This is going to be a difficult time ahead of us.”

“That it is.” Taurus said softly. “We need to pay for what we’ve done. But before that we need to find Cancer.”

“And Gemini.” Leo grunted. “I haven’t felt him since the fighting began.”

“Nor I. Is that why I can think clearly for the first time in years?” Pisces said as his eyes scanned the horizon. “Where ever they are, they’re not here.”

Leo asked and her voice was tinged with worry “Then, where are they?”