The Forgotten Zodiac

Verolen opened his own eyes, looking at the sand underneath them, the palm trees beyond the sand, and then the boundless ocean behind him. His eyes stuck on the ocean, his voice pretty much dying in his throat. He scrambled back as a wave washed over his legs suddenly, the color draining from his face as the water soaked through his pants and to his skin.

Bermuda got to his feet, rushing over to Verolen and grabbing his arm. "It's okay, you'll be alright, you took us to a safe place," he said. "We're near my home. It'll be alright..." he murmured.

"No, no, no," Verolen shook his head. "We're on an island, Bermuda. Aren't we? Ocean...ocean. EVERYWHERE." He nearly shouted, grabbing Bermuda by the arms. "This isn't where I wanted to be!"

A soft moan from Arachne made Verolen jump and turn at once. He pulled her away from the salty water, hugging her close. "It's...it's okay. You're fine. Don't...just hold on, Arachne..." He murmured.

"...maybe Thuban and Adhara can help her," Bermuda said. "I'm not sure if gallr are affected by the magic block, they may be able to help her," he said, extending his hand to Verolen. "Come on, follow me," he said.

Verolen nodded and stood with Bermuda's help, looking back at the seemingly endless ocean in fear.

Of all the places, how could a misfire wind them up here? Of all the places...why? Verolen moaned inwardly as he recalled the dreadful events that had cost him pieces of himself, as well as an eye. That eye was back now, but the crackling of his lung and the creaking of fake fingers needing replaced reminded him fairly constantly what the Naiads had done to him.

"It's okay," Bermuda assured again. "They won't touch you while I'm here. You have my protection," he said.

Israel reached for Aries's arm, needing help to walk still. Eve hurried over and scooped up Verdi, cradling the little bunny in her arms while offering her other hand to Rush. "Aries, I need you to get Byrne, too," she said.

"Of course," Aries nodded, supporting Israel with her shoulder. With her other, she gently pulled Byrne into her arms, then adjusted her grip so she could hold onto Israel at the same time. Verdi whimpered quietly, his little fingers gripping Eve's shirt as tightly as he could. As though her arms was the last place of safety while the rest of the world was overcome by evil.

((Aw, Verdi.))

Israel leaned onto Aries, a soft sigh passing his lips. "Can I lay down soon?" he asked.

Eve cradled Verdi close, trying to encourage him to wake up. She shook him lightly, humming.

((The stuff they were feeding into him is nasty. ;3))

"Soon," Aries murmured. "We're almost there, Israel, hang on." She looked up. "Bermuda, how close are we?" She questioned, frowning.

"We're close," Bermuda said, poiting to the smoke rising into the sky from about a half mile away. "We're really close," he nodded once.

"Well, Israel is sort of...falling asleep here," Aries said, looking back down at the Siren.

Verdi finally jerked and opened his eyes, letting out a dismayed cry and trying weakly to get away.

Bermuda sighed, looking down at Verolen and Arachne, whom he was leading. "Well, I don't think I can carry him," he said. "If Rush can walk, he could maybe carry Verdi, and Eve could get--" he broke off as Verdi woke, frowning sadly at the Moot.

Verdi went limp after awhile, though he was still shaking horribly. "No more..." He whimpered, his voice a raspy whisper. "Ple-please...no more...go away..." Verolen turned and looked worriedly at Verdi, realizing something at once.

"I think he's blind or something," Verolen said, pointing out the glazed over look that poor Verdi had in his eyes. He wasn't focusing on anything, just staring straight ahead. Actually, the moot was hallucinating, thanks to the serum that had been fed into his bloodstream. Everything that he found scary had been forced into his vision again and again until it had been removed. And now, all he could see was people he didn't know who tried to drown him, now carrying him to a different place. Probably for more experiments with needles. Verdi started crying weakly, not knowing what else he could do.

Bermuda looked over his shoulder, frowning and going over to Verdi. He touched the Moot's head, frowning more. "We should hurry up, then," he said.

"Please," Rush groaned, apparently unwilling to move otherwise. His entire body burned and stung whenever he moved in the slightest, so it was easiest not to move.

((Oh, just skip to le town. :T))

((Agreed.))

Thuban looked up form the fire he had been stoking. "Who's there?" he called. "Quay?"

"No, it's us!" Bermuda called back. "We need help, would you get over here?"

Thuban rose to his feet, calling for ELtanin and Adhara to come as well. "Ah, yes, here, let me help you..." Thuban said, reaching out to Verolen.

Verolen recoiled at once, walking backwards. He wasn't about to let them get their grubby paws on Arachne, not in a million years. Then he looked closely at them and realized they were Selkies, not Naiads...

"Verolen...doesn't remember you. It's complicated," Aries sighed. "Verolen, give him Arachne. He can help." She insisted, walking closer. "She'll die if you don't..." She said quietly.

Verolen looked down at Arachne, terribly saddened by the thought. He then swallowed hard and nodded, walking forward again and allowing Thuban to take Arachne.

Thuban turned and started walking back to his hut, humming quietly as he tried to remember the tune to the Gallr of Bliss - a healing song.

Eltanin offered a small smile to Verolen, before going over and relieving Aries of Israel's weight. The siren sighed softly, falling asleep at once.

Adhara came over and took Verdi, humming quietly to him as well.

Verdi, who had been quiet for a few minutes, suddenly screamed and started biting at Adhara's hands. When that proved useless, he started wailing again. "Eve, don't let him take me!" He had only just realized who it was holding him, though he apparently didn't remember Adhara, nor did he realize where they were.

Eve darted foreward and took Verdi back into her arms. "Sorry," she murmured under her breath to Adhara, who shrugged and turned to help Rush walk.

"s'fine," she said.

Eve rocked Verdi gently. "I'm here, I got you," he said.