The Forgotten Zodiac

"I've never been," Verolen shook his head. "I think I've read a little about it, though. Is it true that there's snow on the ground all-year 'round? L'arc would hate it there," He chuckled a bit.

"Yes, it's true," she said, smiling. "but I suppose there's something in the air there that sharpens our abilities. certainly you've heard of the Kore? We are the people of the Shades," she said. "Perhaps you haven't heard of us, or certainly your father would have paid us a visit. You see, we can control Dark matter," she said.

Verolen blinked in surprise. "No, I've never heard of such a thing...is that why...Manny?" Verolen put it together quickly, then smiled. "I get it. You made Manny into what he is now. That's why he calls you 'mommy', right?"

"That's right," she nodded. "There are many small villages in the mountains where we live - mine was called Chthore," she said. "I was born there, and I live there for, oh, seventy years? Around that time, it is traditional to leave the mountains and travel somewhere - kind of a soul searching kind of thing. So that's why I left," she said. "It wasn't long before I stumbled across an Ether Shard, and I picked it up, and -- boom -- I found myself here."

"That's...interesting. Have you found your soul?" Verolen tilted his head to the side with a small smirk. "I never really payed much attention to those sort of things. I was always the favorite child; but that meant my father kept me in the castle and offered to let me help him torture people, but...I don't know. Do you remember when my father tried to bring my mother back? I'm not sure why, but...I think he left out the good parts of her. She wasn't ever really evil or mean. My real mother, that is. She was nice and gentle, and I think she's part of the reason why I didn't follow after my father. Arachne...always pretends to be oblivious and cute. I don't know why..."

Eve laughed. "I don't know yet," she said. "I think I'll know when I do, though." She listened as Verolen spoke, nodding when appropriate. "She's a good girl, as far as I can tell. I don't so much remember the time when your mother ruled alongside your father... of course, I am pretty far removed from all of that," she said.

"Yeah..." Verolen sighed heavily. "I think the tiny good part of my father died with her. As for Arachne...she just...gets herself into trouble really easily. And now she's missing a leg. I wonder how she's going to get along with that gone...she won't be able to play hide and seek with Gabe anymore..."

"You never know. She seems like a fairly strong person. I'm sure she'll adapt," Eve offered.

((Shoooort.))

"Yeah...maybe. Do you think I could make a fake foot for her? And if she doesn't want that, I should at least make her some crutches." Verolen scratched the back of his neck, thinking hard. Would Arachne even like a fake foot?

"I think that would be a good idea. It would of course be helpful. I don't think she'd mind. And your her brother - she knows that you just want the best for her. Right?" she asked, smiling with a tilt of her head.

"I don't actually know," Verolen sighed, shaking his head. "I'd have to replace it every month or so due to the fact that it'll rot or rust, and the fact that it may not even attach in the first place thanks to her magic-cancelling powers. I don't know if I want her to have to go through that trouble..."

"Ask her what she wants. Then you'll know," she said, taking Verdi back into her arms. "It's been nice talking to you, Verolen, but now I think I'll see if I can help Verdi eat something," she moved towards the exit of the hut. "If you don't feel like coming out, you can try and see how Byrne's doing."

"I suppose you're right," Verolen sighed heavily. Then he looked over at the sleeping Byrne, wondering whether or not to try and wake the human up. "Hey, Byrne," He said, nudging the sleeping human. "Wake up, Byrne!"

The human's eyelids fluttered lightly, before opening a bit. He saw Verolen and immediately closed his eyes again. "N-no... no more," he whimpered, trying his best to slide away from the demon. "I can't stand any more... leave me alone..." he pleaded.

"Hey, I won't do anything," Verolen said, frowning as he watched Byrne scoot back. He suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Byrne in a hug. "Just relax. I don't really know you, but...just relax, okay? You'll be alright. Maybe...maybe I could go find someone you know..."

Byrne was trembling, and stiffened in Verolen's grip. "What... what are you doing?" the question was voiced of fear, not of curiosity. "Where am I? What's going to happen?" he asked, not really expecting an answer... or at least, not one he liked.

"We're in Oceanica. And as far as I know, we'll be going home." He pulled away slightly, looking at Byrne curiously. "You okay? I mean, I know I'm not Sylas, but I'm not evil or anything...you'll be fine. Perfectly safe with me."

Byrne stared at Verolen for a moment, as if struggling to remember who he was, before it fimally clicked. "Your voice... Verolen?" he asked, blinking confusedly at the demon. "Where did you come from? How did I get here?"

"Uh...I came from the Manakete Palace with the others. We noticed you missing, and...well, we saved you, but we had to go to the Darklands because Arachne was blocking Bermuda's teleportation spell, and I tried to get us straight to the Manakete Palace, but...I don't have aim. And we wound up here." He explained to the best of his ability, frowning still.

"You... have no aim?" Byrne seemed to get caught on this terminology, and tilted his head in confusion. "Like, with a bow?"