United Against Hate: Chapter 23

“So you all found nothing? At all.” Julie asked skeptically through an egg roll.

“Not a damn thing,” Roxie replied eating from her bowl quickly and reaching for fish still steaming on the grill.

“Something stinks and it’s not the fish.”

“What’s that supposed to mean Frost?” Cancer asked picking a shrimp up and taking a massive bite. The juices sprayed and he hissed.

“It means stop hogging all the goddamn fish!” Titanya shoved him to the side snatching a few more pieces and laying them over their bowl and chowing down.

“You really want me to spell it out for you. Not even Rox is that dense.”

“Just leave it alone for now,” Badou said sipping his tea.

The seven of them were circled around the very crowded table, a small fire under the iron frame. The shack was filled with the smell of grilling fish and vegetables as they ate a small feast. They shopped in the village and Badou insisted they make a big meal.

“It is an odd thing to bank a mission on,” Miles said going through his rice. “Nerodala. Xye. Most of these countries don’t naturally have magic. So a temple to a magical dragon? That must be some kind of local legend then.”

Roxanne glanced directly at Cancer and he caught her gaze before looking down at his food, “Yeah. Just a legend.”

Badou didn’t miss that exchange but shook his head. The three of them came back as they left. Cancer silent, Roxanne very upset with him, and Titanya just glad to be alive. Badou didn’t think twice or question any of it. Though they did seem jumpy when he asked them questions while shopping.

“So what’s next for us?” Titanya asked finishing their rice.

“What do you mean?” Miles asked topping off his tea and then offering it to them.

They snatched the jug and drank from the faucet then said, “We did the temple thing and it was a dud. What do we do now?”

“We wait,” Julie tipped her head back, finished her bowl, and wiped her mouth. “Daze hasn’t told us what to do next. So we’re just chilling around in Xye until we have a new assignment. Not like we can get Noria back yet.”

“Really? That’s super boring,” they let out an obnoxious burp. “I want to see what this world has to offer. At the very least the country.”

“You know for a demon you’re pretty human,” Frost looked at them.

“Not sure if that’s an insult.”

“Even Yanriel isn’t this talkative or eager to just stop and smell the roses,” Julie leaned her elbows on the table. “We wonder if it’s cause you’re in the driver’s seat.”

“The driver’s seat?” Cancer repeated. “Aren’t you all running around with daemons inside you?”

“Yeah but our friend Titanya is different,” Badou grimaced looking at them and the demon flashed a grin. “Is she still alive?”

“Shit probably. Hey Silva. You still in there?” they knocked their fist on their forehead and stood. “Still no answer. I’ll check again later. But in the meantime, your majesty, I’m gonna go stretch my legs.”

“Hey that’s not a great idea. We should stay together for the time being,” Badou said waving for them to sit again.

“Don’t worry. I’ll stick around the area.” Titanya stretched their arms above their head and walked out into the humid evening.

“What do we do about them?” Miles drenched the flames on the grill and shook his head.

Badou blinked quickly mouth full, “Hm?”

“Come on your majesty. We all know you’re thinking about her. We’ve all seen what happens when a demon takes control without the host being in control as well.” Julie looked out the door behind them. “That girl is going to disappear eventually. The demon’s going to eat her.”

Cancer looked at each of them as if they were joking. But the silence that stretched told him everything that he needed to hear. “How do we help her?”

Frost set down his bowl and crossed his utensils over it, “It’s hard. We’d have to bring the girl to the forefront for starters.”

Roxanne was already shaking her head, “But do we have a way to bring her out of it? We’re not close to her. Hell, we don’t think any of us even met her before Titanya was put inside her.”

“And there’s the question that no one wants to ask,” Yanriel said. “What if she doesn’t want to come back. What if she’s staying gone on purpose?”

A general grunt of acknowledgment went up amongst the assembled guardians and Cancer. But before any of them could suggest a course of action they felt a ripple of magic. One that made the beings inside them each open an eye and wake up while their human sides readied for danger.

Frost scowled and rubbed his eyes as they turned to stars, “Looks like we’re tabling this discussion. Daze is here.”

“Yeah he is. Behave everyone. Especially you two,” Badou said getting to his feet.

Frost rolled his eyes and Roxanne tsked as they all got to their feet. Leaving the empty bowls and utensils on the table they walked outside catching the last bits of the portal as it closed. Daze looked at the group of them his sword across his back. He looked even better than he did before. Younger still and more powerful. “Any word on the temple?”

Roxanne glanced at Badou before she came forward standing almost protectively in front of him. “We didn’t find anything. Just an old path named after a dragon. Local superstition.”

“Local superstition?” Daze repeated. He laughed and the wind lashed at them like tiny blades. “Do you think I’m a fool?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Roxanne growled.

“I think you know damn well what that means,” he narrowed his eyes at her and a black shape burst out of the ground grabbing her by the throat. “I don’t enjoy being lied to.”

“Roxie!” Badou turned immediately and light shined behind his eyepatch. “Drop her Daze.”

“Was that an order your majesty?” Daze asked as Badou’s core appeared. But the demon powered king didn’t back down. So Daze’s black blade pierced through the edge of the core and Badou’s eye widened and he sank to his knees holding his chest. The other guardians started to move but Daze shook the ground. “Stay where you are!”

“Badou!” Roxanne struggled against the creature hissing but she was quickly losing air. Her mask started to form over her mouth but gasped as Badou started to stand again. He had barely taken a step when Daze crushed down on the core and he howled in pain.  “Please… Badou… Stop…”

The seconds that passed were the tensest few moments of the guardians’ lives.  Daze stared down at Badou, watching him writhe. His eyes narrowed and he couldn’t help but laugh. “The future king of a country. The host to a God. The leader that the people will rely on for strength. And you’re nothing more than a dog.”

“Stop. Please,” Cancer said standing in front of Badou. “It was my fault. I asked them to not mention it. They’re only doing this because of me. If anyone should suffer it should be me.”

Daze nodded slowly and a tendril of darkness appeared out of the ground punching him in the chest. He flew back toward the shack but before he hit it, he was caught. Looking over his shoulder he saw Titanya.

Daze shook his head and Badou’s core disappeared, the pain ceasing. Gasping Badou leaned forward holding his chest but the glow didn’t leave his eyes. The tendril behind him disappeared and Frost moved quick to catch Roxie. She coughed rubbing her throat, dismissing the mask.

A black portal opened up behind Daze and he looked at each of them. Finally, his eyes rested on Badou. “Gather your guardians. We’re going to the temple. I’m going to harvest the soul of a dragon. And I believe that we’ll have company along the way.”

He stepped through it and the portal waited like a gaping mouth. Roxie stumbled to her feet and walked to Badou, “We’re fine.” She kissed his cheek then looked at Cancer. “Why did you confess?”

“Why didn’t you rat me out?” he managed to scratch out.

“Because that’s not what our king would have wanted,” she shut her eyes, ears flattening for a long moment. But she looked toward Badou taking his hand. “Are you okay?”

“We’ve been worse,” he looked at his guardians and then at Cancer. “We have to go, but you don’t.”

“What?”

“You wanted to hide the temple’s existence for a reason. We’re not going to force you to come with us. We can deal with what comes next.”

Cancer looked at him and then the others slowly. They gave him various nods of affirmation and smiles of reassurance. But he looked at Badou and saw the muted pain in his face.  “You’ve vouched for me. Twice now. And you made your promise without me even asking. I can’t abandon you.”

“We mean, you could,” Julie laughed. “No one would blame you.”

“We would.”

“You don’t count Yanriel.”

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Miles asked.

“Yes.”

“Let let me get my shit then,” Julie said going back into the shack. Julie went back inside, returning with a black short sword and red shield.

Badou looked at his guardians and then at Titanya and Cancer. They nodded to him and he turned rotating his hand as he walked through the portal. “Be ready for anything.”

The stars twinkled above, the moon illuminating the stone pathways of the temple. In the center sitting cross legged was the same man as before. His hands rested on his knees and his clothes darkened without the light. But he opened his eyes slowly and the serpentine pupils lit onto the man. “I take it you are Daze.”

“A correct assumption,” Daze replied. “And you are the dragon of a Zodiac few know about.”

Long nodded slowly and stood up. “I can sense the power that flows inside me, inside of you. But the power you have is stolen and bastardized.”

“Zodiac recognizes Zodiac,” Daze reached across his back and pulled the sword free. “Your power will be my ascension.”

“You seek to ascend? To what? Godhood?” Long raised his eyebrow. “I can see the turmoil in your heart. It has turned your soul black with hate and dissatisfaction. The power you crave will not do anything to quell the pain of your past.”

That made Daze sneer and glare daggers, “What do you presume to know about me dragon?”

“More than you attempt to hide,” Long replied taking a slow breath. “So much death and bloodshed. All for the sake of your rejection. I pity and sympathize with your pain. But I am not the one to offer you counsel nor advice. You have one chance to leave my presence before I remove you.”

Daze grinded his teeth together, “You speak very boldly for a Zodiac that will soon be dead.”

He leaped, his sword glinting in the air. He brought it down and Long crossed his arms above his head, his arm gaining blue scales. The sword hit the scales and it was like connecting with metal. Long grunted, showing fangs and stumbled backward.

Flipping his hands around Long grabbed the sword and jerked it to the side. Stepping forward he closed his free hand into a fist and started swinging. His fists moved like a windmill flurry of draconic fury, each one eliciting a pained grunt from the mage.

Daze ducked underneath a punch and swung at Long’s feet. Long’s foot shot forward catching the blade against his heel, another row of scales appearing. Flipping forward he rotated and swung his leg down on Daze’s head. White light shielded Daze and his free hand grabbed Long by the throat holding him aloft.

“Let’s end this before it begins shall we,” he said.

Raising his sword, the tip of it glowed as Daze prepared a killing blow. Long’s eyes glowed and suddenly Daze was shoved back. Wind and dust kicked up, blocking the light of the moon. Rain began to fall like tiny bullets and the wind turned into a gale.

Long floated on the air as thunder cracked and the wind roared. Spinning on the currents he threw himself at Daze fist first. Long’s fist crashed right into a shield. Long’s eyes widened seeing a newcomer and retreated from a wave of fire.

“For the record,” Julie said leaning forward. “We don’t like you. But for our king we’ll do a lot.”

“Oh I know,” Daze’s hand began to glow with black light. “I’ve counted on it many times.”

He thrust his hand forward and a bolt of black lightning struck Long’s chest. Catching himself on the wind, he spread his arms then thrust them both forward. The rain turned to a deluge nearly dropping her to her knees under the weight. Julie raised her shield blocking the brunt of it and winced. “Hey someone give me a hand here!”

“Right behind you. Just don’t get caught in the crossfire.”

Frost raised his hands and suddenly Long felt like he weighed three times as much. He stumbled, taking a shaky step forward. He glanced at his shaking hands and then his eyes glowed. A serpentine dragon of water manifested out of the air and rushed at Frost. Before it could attack, it exploded into a spray of water forming a perfect dome around him.

Frost flicked his hand, rocks from the ground jerking free and flying at the dragon. But lightning flashed forcing him to make another shield. His concentration broke on the increased gravity and Long flew out of the way of the rocks. Before he could mount a counterattack, bullets slammed into his chest each one drawing blood. Shocked he looked down as Cancer walked forward.

The two Zodiac’s gaze met for the barest of a moment and Cancer did everything he could to not look away. Titanya came forward and swung their hand down, black magic wrapping around Long and dragging him to the ground. Long landed on his hands and feet when gravity tripled again. “Got em your majesty.”

Badou walked toward him slowly his eyes glowing bright white and meeting the dragons. Struggling Long started to stand. “You really are strong,” Badou mumbled. “No wonder he wants you.”

“I will not be made a slave,” Long growled and the rain grew heavier as another clap of thunder echoed and lightning struck the ground. “I will die before I allow that to happen.”

“Then die you shall,” Daze said pointing the sword at him. The stars entered his eyes and Long suddenly went stiff. He tried to move, his body vibrating, but he couldn’t budge. Glancing at the gem in the stone Daze chuckled. “The power of the Zodiac really is something.”

Daze approached and lowered his sword slowly pressing it against the Zodiac’s throat. Before he could swing properly ice covered his sword and arm. Daze raised an eyebrow before being thrown off the ground by a blast of white energy.

Badou whirled around and watched eight shapes walk through a circle of light in the air. One by one the Zodiac and their allies came out with Leo at their head. She punched her fist into her hand and looked at them assembled before her eyes. “You must be Daze.”

Long got back to his feet, scales rippling across his body. That immediately got the attention of Daze but he couldn’t ignore the newcomers. Long narrowed his eyes looking at Leo and wasn’t sure if he could call her friend or foe.

“Leo of the Zodiac,” he said slowly. “It’s an honor to meet you of this generation.”

“What did you do to Pisces and Cancer? Where is my husband? Where is my son!”

“Oh?” he looked at his sword and stared at the orb that rested within it. “I believe the powers of Pisces are well suited to my needs at this moment.” He could feel Leo’s anger spike as she followed his gaze to the sword. “As for your son. Well Cancer. I’m sure you can answer that.”

Cancer’s eyes went wide as he stared at his mother and twin. Gemini looked at him and the relief that flooded him was tangible. He started to run over to him but Vincent put his hand on Gemini’s shoulder. “What are you doing Vince? It’s Cancer. We found him!”

“Read the room kid,” Vincent said drawing his sword from his hip slowly.

Gemini did what he asked, looking at his brother and the rest of Daze’s people. The way he stood with them, it was obvious that Cancer was not a prisoner. Cancer his katars tighter and his hands were shaking. Badou stepped in front of him and whispered, “You don’t have to do this. You can walk away.”

“Fighting your family isn’t easy Cancer,” he could see the previous Cancer behind Badou and even he looked concerned. “Think carefully before you make your choice.

Cancer stared at his past life and whether real or not he gave him a short nod. “I chose this. I’m not going to risk it fucking up because you were short handed,” Cancer shouldered past him and looked at his family. He took a slow breath and stared at his brother than his mom. “I’m sorry.”

“No,” Gemini mumbled.

“There you have it,” Daze looked at the assembled. “I would love to continue this conversation and watch your family unit continue to unravel but I have a target to subdue and you will only serve to get in my way. Badou you and your guardians take care of them. I want the dragon.”

Frost glanced at Badou, “Easier said than done. What shall we do my king?”

“We do what we’ve always done. Whatever it takes to ensure Noria’s future,” he raised his hand. “Guardians get ready and no holding back. We’d say let’s get this done fast but we get the feeling this won’t be easy.”

His mask appeared over his face in a quick flow of black sludge before turning smooth. Everyone else did the same their masks clinging to their faces and a sudden pressure wafted over the temple of the dragon.

Alison shuddered as Penny merged with her properly. Her eye turned black and the veins grew darker against her skin. “Be careful everyone. Those masks have made them infinitely more dangerous.”

“You don’t have to tell us,” Leo pulled her necklace off and it turned into her great sword. Gemini did the same as the sanguiknights drew their blades. “I don’t care what’s happened. I’m going to bring you home Cancer. I promise.”