United Against Hate: Chapter 5

Her face felt numb. The kind from when she fell asleep at the table. Not the first time she’d done that in her lifetime. She blinked slowly and wiped drool from the corner of her mouth. Stretching her arms above her head, she started to sit up and cracked her back.

Her skin was a dark brown, features sharp from her eyes to nose to mouth. Her eyes burned a bright amber as was her heritage. Leo yawned flashing her sharp almost fang like teeth. But as she looked around she realized she wasn’t anywhere near the castle or where her work was being done.

The white expanse with the floating polygons in the air above her. The desk in front of her and the chair beneath her were new. She hadn’t ever seen something like this before. Then again wherever she was now she was sure it was at her mother’s call.

“Ah. Leo. It has been quite some time since we have spoken.”

Leo turned to the woman’s voice. She with her skin darker than Leo’s own and silver blonde hair. Her white robes, a thin veil covering her face, and smooth white hat. Even through the veil, Leo could see her pale white eyes and gentle smile. Leo sighed heavily her natural scowl fading at the edges.

“Hi mom.”

“Mom,” she giggled. “I do enjoy the ring of that.”

Leo rolled her eyes, “You say that every time I’ve come here.”

“It is true though my lion. I never thought that you would stop calling me Alpha. It was so impersonal.”

Leo folded her arms and stared at her mother. “Why am I here mom?”

“Straight to the point as always. How are your boys?”

“My sons?” Leo fought the urge to growl. “They’re well. Have you not spoken to them yourself?”

“They are young. And I want them to enjoy some semblance of a childhood. Though I guess they have grown up quite a bit now.”

“Yeah. They went to another country and almost got themselves killed,” she growled under her breath.

“Arkoria. So they did go there.”

“You knew?”

“No. I sensed something akin to your own power there. But none of the Zodiac have known about that country in generations. Even fewer have gone there. Even I have not been to that part of the world in many years.”

Leo smirked, “So you’re not all powerful and all knowing then.”

She smiled at her daughter, “Myself and Omega together. But we tend to keep our eyes on this part of the world. Our other children rule Arkoria. And then Reditus. Well Reditus is special.”

“Reditus? Arkoria? What are you talking about?”

Alpha’s smile softened and she shook her head, “Nothing that you need to be concerned with my daughter.”

Leo finally scowled properly, “What do you want? Why am I here? I was working.”

“Very dutifully from what I saw,” she said but her smile disappeared entirely. “Be careful. For many years Nerodala has enjoyed peace. But a darkness is coming to our lands. Something, someone, very dangerous is coming.”

Leo’s eyes widened and she threw her arm out, “What? Can’t you tell me anything more specific than that?”

“Unfortunately no. Not at this time. I am sorry.”

As she spoke the world around them began to crumble. Leo looked around quickly and shook her head reaching out. “No. You can’t call me here and leave with something that cryptic!” Alpha smiled sadly at her and Leo watched as her vision turned white and then she just disappeared.

Leo gasped as she woke up, back in her chair surrounded by the setting light of the sun. Rubbing her head and her face she looked away slowly. She groaned and then glared at the table and the papers in front of her. “Dammit mom. What the hell was that?”

When it came to Celestial and the country of Nerodala, there was a ruling order. Primarily it was ruled by the king or queen and that monarch was aided by their advisors. The current ruler was a man named Raku. Like many of the monarchs, he was born and raised alongside the Zodiac. And one of his most trusted advisors was none other than Leo.

Ever since the civil war, Leo had gone out of her way to help her people. From hearing the people’s ails alongside her king, giving him her perspective, to even settling problems in the country when needed. The throne room had one massive set of doors that went straight to the throne, a set of tables and a desk to the left of that, and a huge bookcase on the opposite side with a set of windows above.

Leo was at the desk, looking over reports from the day. Lots and lots of boring information that she would have preferred to shove off to her husband or Aries but she volunteered to take it so that her son and husband could have their trip. And she was fine with that until her visit from the Goddess herself. And now the door was open.

She looked up grumpily but that frown turned smoothly into a smile as she watched her husband enter the room followed by one of her twins. She relaxed in a way that she didn’t realize she had been holding tension this entire time. “We’re back,” Gemini said proudly.

She kissed Pisces taking his hand so that her gold ring touched his silver and then put her other hand on top of Gemini’s head lightly. “Did you have a good trip?”

“Lots of reading. Not many fish,” Pisces glanced at Gemini. “Though we’ve been raising a scholar apparently.”

Gemini looked away as his mother raised her eyebrow, “Really? I heard you’d been spending an endless amount of time in the library but I didn’t think you’d been devouring the books there.”

“Kinda. Just. I want to know about us. The Zodiac.”

Leo smiled and slowly got a distant look in her eyes. “You aren’t the first one of us to be very interested in the past. I guess it runs in the bloodline. Or maybe it’s right to call it the constellation.”

“The previous Gemini?”

“Him and Cancer. More Cancer than Gem but they were always together. Cancer dragged him around to show him everything he would find.”

Gemini’s smile softened at the edges as he frowned, “Cancer doesn’t really like reading about that stuff.”

Pisces and Leo exchanged a quick look. “I know. It’s a hard thing for him to face. I don’t blame him. He just needs some time. Speaking of, where is he?”

“Sagittarius got a hold of him so I’m pretty sure they’re shopping,” Leo motioned toward one of the windows. “So hopefully they’re on the way back.”

Pisces went over to the table and sifted through the documents. They’d been categorized as important on one side, waste of time on another and finally, a set marked give to Pisces. He raised an eyebrow then looked back toward Leo, “Have you been here all day?”

“We let a lot of things pile up,” she said. “And by we I mean the king.” She rolled her eyes.

“Come on Leo. He’s a person just like the rest of us. And it’s been a hectic few months. Between the outreach program with Lyria and whatever the heck that’s been in Xye.”

“What’s been going on in Xye?” Gemini asked curiously.

Leo sighed. “There’s been reports of strange lights and energy. Creatures coming out of the ground like living shadows. And someone half man and half metal preceding them.”

“You sure it’s not just Xye myths?” Pisces asked.

“They don’t have myths like that,” Gemini said getting both of his parents’ attention. “Sorry.”

“No continue,” Leo smiled. “You seem to know something on the matter.”

Nodding quickly, he smiled, “There’s a bunch of myths in Xye. The ape king. The dragons of the cardinal directions. Even the great race is a special story. But they don’t have any myths about metal men.”

“So whoever or whatever this thing is, maybe real,” Leo folded her arms and her face turned into a set frown.

“What is it mom?”

“Just that things might get difficult soon. I don’t want to jump to conclusions though. Maybe it’s something that I’m reading too far into.” She brushed her hand through her black hair and shook her head. Her stomach growled and she looked down and laughed. “Guess I’m hungry.”

“Knowing you, you skipped a meal or two,” Pisces sighed. “Come on Leo. Food. Now.” She opened her mouth to argue and Pisces shook his head. “No arguing. Isn’t that right Gem?”

Gemini nodded quickly putting his hands on the back of his head, “That’s right mom. We can’t be big and strong if we stop eating.”

“Oh you’re a smart ass now huh?” she ground her fist against his head lightly and smirked. “Been paying attention to me a little too much.”

“If you need food I can help.”

They turned around and watched as Cancer walked inside, stretching an arm above his head and holding out one of the extra scones. He ate the last bit of his own and smiled.

“Cancer!” Gemini darted over to his brother’s side and grinned. “How was your day?”

“It was good. Sage and me had a fun time,” he kept walking and handed the scone off to his mother who took it.

“You had fun with Sage?” Leo asked as she took a large bite of the scone. She put a hand on his head and he looked at her warmly. “Definitely a good pick Cancer. What kind of jam?”

“Strawberry I think,” Cancer shrugged. “It’s tasty I know that much. Would be really good with tea.”

“They are very good. Though I don’t share you and your father’s love of tea,” Leo agreed. She finished the scone and Pisces reached up wiping a piece of jam off her lip and sucked on it. “Thank you.”

He smiled at her because she was always different when her family was with her. Glowed in a special way that he loved more than anything. “Anytime. Though I do recommend that we get you real food. I don’t think me and Gem ate much either. We could all use something warm.”

“Then let’s go to the kitchen. I’m sure dinner’s still hot,” Gemini said clapping his hands together.

“Good idea brother.”

“Go on ahead you two. We’ll catch up,” Leo waved her sons forward.

Cancer looked at his father asking quickly, “Hey dad, can do more chakram practice tonight?”

“Assuming we’re not too full from eating? Sure?” Pisces smiled. “Now go before Taurus and Cap eat what’s left.”

They exchanged quick glances amongst themselves before running off. Leo watched them go long after they disappeared and sighed. “What is it Leo?”

She looked at him and her eyes grew serious, “I had a dream Pisces.”

“A dream?” Pisces raised his eyebrows but gasped nodding quickly. “Alpha?”

“Yeah. She called for me. She said something dangerous was coming to Nerodala. We need to be on our toes.”

“Dangerous?” Pisces repeated. “Was She any more specific?”

“You know how She is. Never clear about anything,” she scowled looking away. “She claims to not have known about our sons being in Arkoria either. Which I don’t buy.”

“Arkoria?” Pisces repeated. “What’s Arkoria?”

“I’ll explain in bed,” she shook her head. “If Cancer and Sage are back everyone should be home tonight, right?”

Pisces paused and thought for a moment. “Cap and Taurus came back earlier this week from their travels across the country. Aqua is preparing to leave but she’s still here. Libra has done her diplomatic missions. And the rest of us are here. That’s all twelve. Why?”

“It would be better if all of us knew than just the two of us Pisces,” Leo shrugged. “But beyond that I wanted to enjoy all of us together.”

Pisces looked at her surprised and then chuckled, “I didn’t take you to be such a softie Leo.”

“Quiet fish,” she mumbled looking away.

“For what it’s worth I enjoy all of us being together as well. As long as you need me, I’ll always be here,” he said and stepped closer wrapping his arms around her. She leaned against his chest and glanced down at him before turning and kissed him again. He returned it and smiled.

“I’ll always need my fish.”

“Let’s go before our sons start to wonder where we’ve gone.”

“I’d hate for either of them to stumble back on us.” She started to lean down and kiss him again when the glass of the throne room shattered. Both of them whirled around shocked and watched as a shape dropped down in front of them.

The intruder stood up slowly, a short black cloak wrapped around their shoulders. They stood slowly wearing a metal mask around her mouth, smooth and metallic. She stood with matted and splotchy black hair. Her skin was brown but in some places looked rough and raised. She had two narrowed eyes but were large on her face, one red like a ruby and the other green like catseye. Two triangular ears that were bent backward, rested on her head. She wore torn leggings and no shoes at all.

“You’ve got about five seconds to explain yourself before I kick you out of our castle,” Leo growled flexing her fingers like claws and the first wave of her constellation manifested around her.

“Leo,” the woman almost purred as she said it. As she stood Leo could tell the woman was short, barely 5 feet tall. “We were really hoping we’d find you first.”

She crouched low and sprinted right at them low to the ground. Leo jumped forward first but the woman leaped suddenly soaring over them. She landed deftly and darted at Leo’s exposed back. Pisces stepped up next and grabbed her wrist shoving it upward and she slid forward.

 Hissing she jumped back and kicked at him her claws tearing through the fabric of his shirt as he jumped back. He felt just the barest of that sharpness on his chest and winced. Leo ran past Pisces her fist raised. The woman back flipped barely getting out of the way of the blow as Leo shattered the floor.

The woman flipped around her eyes darting between both of them quickly and growled. Glancing down quickly at the ground she picked up a piece of the ground and chucked it at Pisces. The fish blinked shocked and jumped aside avoiding that and the woman leaped at Leo.

Leo caught both her hands catching the woman out of the air started to throw her when her claws dug into her hands. Leo let out a cry of frustration and the cry turned to a low growl of anger. She turned quickly and swung with her all strength. The woman’s eyes went wide as she was suddenly airborne.

But she flipped upward and something quick darted from under the cloak and wrapped around Leo’s wrist. Leo’s eyes widened and suddenly the woman was swinging back toward her. The woman came forward kicking Leo in the head, her claws scoring long red lines across her face. Stumbling backward she watched the woman hop backward whatever had wrapped around her gone.

“A tail?” Leo growled then looked at her hands. “Did I just pull fur off you? What the hell are you?”

The assailant licked at her hand slowly and Leo realized that skin was fur. She crouched and took a step forward, “Your worst nightmare.”

She didn’t get very far before her body went still. She stumbled and shook. She tried to move, her arms and legs vibrating with effort. Her heterochromatic eyes turned to the edge of her vision as she panted. “What. The hell. Is this.”

“Pisces Control,” Pisces said walking forward slowly, his arm extended. “You’re under my grasp and you’re not getting out anytime soon.”

“Nice timing,” Leo told him sighing. “She was definitely not something I was expecting.”

The woman continued to struggle and finally growled, “You’re in a bad spot Roxanne.” They said and the voice that came from her mouth was a distorted version of her own. “Let me give you a hand.”

She struggled again and let out a frustrated sigh, “Fine. Just don’t get in over your head Heine.”

Both of her eyes turned red and the mask around her mouth shook before leaping forward and covering her face entirely. And then she flexed and broke the hold on her. It was like glass breaking and Pisces’ eyes widened as she moved swiftly and punched him hard.

Pisces’ eyes changed suddenly turning black with ripples going from the center. He stepped as fast as he could going to the side but it wasn’t fast enough as he was still clipped. And that simple touch sent him spiraling across the room and into one of the doors.

“Pisces!”

“You should worry about yourself.”

The woman jumped at Leo and it was like she was an entirely different person. Better yet, an entirely different being. They felt rougher, darker, like the rusty edge of a blade. The mask filled her with a dread she’d never felt in her life.  Just being this close unnerved Leo, but she couldn’t let her guard down.

They came forward her claws curled into tight fists, bringing it down on the Zodiac’s head. Leo’s eyes burned with light as she squared her shoulders, “Roar Leo!”

Their fists connected and the air rippled.

The feedback from their colliding fist sent both women stumbling backward. Leo looked at her fist and flinched feeling the bruising in her knuckles and fingers. The other woman shook her hand out slowly, “You really are as strong as the rumors said.”

“What the hell are you?” Leo asked raising her fist up ready for more.

“A nightmare come true,” they laughed behind the mask but froze and looked past the door.

Pisces was gone and when she started to listen closely, she could hear a commotion coming. They scoffed and took a step back. “Looks like we’ll have to postpone this. We’ll be back Leo.”

They reached behind her back, underneath the cloak. Leo tensed ready for some sort of attack or bomb but instead, a black portal appeared behind them. The power that came from the portal was the same kind that they exuded, making Leo flinch back. They jumped backwards through the light and it closed instantly leading Leo alone.

She blinked, chest heaving she looked at her hand. She saw the bruised and bloodied knuckles and her hand shook, “Is this the darkness you warned me of mom? Or is something worse coming.