The Forgotten Zodiac

"True," Nate slid out of the carriage after Luen. "I actually don't know if I can blow fire yet or not," He frowned, then walked towards the river. He breathed in and blew out at the water; a satistfying blossom of flames shot out, though it fizzled out upon touching the river's tide. "Ahh, wonderful. I'm definitely feeling better, then." He smiled and turned back to the others. "We gonna keep Welk asleep?" He asked, wondering if they were planning on bundling the sleeping half-cat into the carriage. Which, he had no problem with; Welk needed all the rest he could get.

"I would prefer to let him sleep for as long as possible." Seria said. She walked over and touched a hand to his forehead, then said "He's still a little fever-touched, but he's definitely recovering well. He's just exhausted." She glanced over at Werr, then turned to Nate and spoke directly to him for the first time in a day, though it was curt. "We should keep the carriage until Welk wakes, then be rid of it. It's better for us to travel lightly." Then she turned away from him, moving to pick Welk up.

"I know," Nate nodded. "This is a little ridiculous, though, Forin. Where'd you get the money to pay for this?"

Forin just smiled and pulled a small stone out of his pocket. A second later, it shifted and changed to a gold coin. "Humans are terribly gullible. These things have long since turned back into rocks; they only stay gold for an hour or so." He shoved the rock-coin back in his pocket. "Did you already forget what Diana revealed not so long ago?" Forin jumped out of the driver's seat and slid into the carriage, shifting the just-awakening Diana to sit between him and the wall.

Werr groaned. "I wasn't thinking about that...darn it, Forin, I told you not to steal!"

"I wasn't thinking abut that...darn." Forin grinned.

((Who said that last line? I can't tell.))

Seria shook her head, saying "That's going to get us in a lot of trouble, you know. We're already in trouble from the town and all of the stuff that happened there. We don't need more people angry at us." She sighed, then said "We'll find a way to return it, somehow. For now, we need it." She lifted Welk and carried him gently to the carriage, where Luen opened the door for her. She stepped inside and tenderly laid Welk down on one of the seats, then brushed her hand down his face. She then turned and jumped out of the carriage, choosing to move alongside it with Luen instead. "Werr?" she said, glancing over at the boy as she changed to cat form. "Where will you sit?"

((Forin. I'll make an edit, sorry.))

Werr looked back at the carriage. Nate, who had just finished moving the horses back into position and latching them in, had taken up the driver's seat, which was too small for more than one person. Welk was laying on one bench, pretty much taking up that entire row. Diana and Forin took up most of the bench, and Airlia had slid inside to sit on the floor, unable to fly fast enough to keep up with the carriage.

"Uh..." Werr blinked, scratching the back of his head. "I...can squeeze in next to Forin. It's fine," He shrugged, rolling up the bedroll and handing it to Airlia for her to hold.

Seria rolled her eyes, then said "Sit with Welk. It'll be good for him to have you close, and I need someone to keep a close eye on him incase he-"

"Werr...?" came the weak call from the carriage as Welk woke up, sitting up with difficulty.

"-..wakes up." Seria finished, shrugging. She trotted ahead of the carriage, moving to the left side while Luen took the right.

Inside, Welk was shivering and leaning heavily against the wall, holding his ruined tail in his hands. It was barely long enough for him to pull around to his lap, but he had managed to get it over one leg, at least. He had a few small tears dripping down his cheeks as he stared at his once-long tail. He couldn't flick people with it anymore, or use it to hold Werr's hand, or hold things in it, or...or... He shuddered and started crying softly, dropping his tail and putting his hands over his face, tilting his ears as far back as they could go.

Werr blinked and climbed into the carriage just as Diana started crying too. Diana was overly sensitive; She couldn't help but cry when someone was crying around her, especially someone she knew. Forin, in the meantime, whipped a knife out of his sleeve and pointed it at Welk. "Stop it! What are you, two years old? You're making my mistress cry. Congratulations, you've gained a battle scar. It won't be your last if you keep this up, kitty, I'll--"

Werr cut him off, wrenching the knife out of his grip. "You stop it, monster! Don't you have any compassion at all?! Don't go pointing weapons at my friend!"

"Put that down, human, you don't know what you're playing with." Forin growled at him.

"No! And I'm not giving this back to you, either, especially if you're going to be pointing it at my friend like that!"

Diana just wailed harder at the shouting match. Forin reacted by reaching forward and snatching the knife away from Welk again. "Don't be stupid, human! This weapon isn't to be handled by your kind. Now shut up, all of you!"

"What do you mean, not to be handled by 'my kind'?!"

"I mean it probably drained a year off of your life just by you holding it, fool!" Forin snarled at him. "Now shut up!"

"You just...tha-hat...you WHAT?!" Werr demanded in shock. A year off of his life? "Why the heck are you pointing it at Welk then, you--" He was cut off as Forin pulled a different knife from his belt, grabbing Werr's hand and cutting into a finger. Werr screeched at him, but only for a moment. After that, he collapsed into the seat next to Welk, completely limp.

"Done? Good." Forin growled, glaring at Welk as Diana buried her face into his shirt. "Quit crying."

Welk shuddered and pressed back from them all, horrified and frightened. He was easily more frightened when the door to the carriage suddenly slammed open to emit Seria, who looked ten times more furious then any of them combined. "WHAT is going ON in here?!" she thundered, rounding on Forin. She slammed a hand against his throat, holding him firmly in place, and before he could say anything, she spoke first. "If you don't settle down and grow a freaking heart I will take back the energy I gave you to heal yourself before! You will die instantly if I do that, because I'll remove all energy from your body, thus leaving none to let your organs function correctly! You will drop into convulsions and die here in the carriage! I've seen it happen to many a creature before, and several times at my own hand! It works on humans and summoned creatures. That is what it was made for." She dug her claws into his neck a little, then pulled back angrily. "You all make me sick!" she snapped glaring at everyone there. "All of this stress isn't good for you," She pointed at Forin. "it isn't good for her," She pointed at Diana. "and it isn't good for him." To Welk. "Welk is very young, Forin. Losing a tail is not a battle scar. A tail is one of the half-cat's most important features. Now all of you shut up and be still!" She touched Werr on his forehead and used a spell to wake him and give him the memories of what he missed while he was out, then grabbed Welk by a hand and said "Come, sweetheart. You're staying with me and Luen for now, until these idiots can learn some sense."

Welk looked horribly confused by the sudden turn of events and desperately wanted to stay with Werr, but before he could protest, Seria had gently dragged him from the carriage and slammed the door shut.

Forin looked furious. After Seria left the carriage, he made a move to go after her, but was stopped by both the carriage lurching into motion, and Diana, who was clinging to his shirt still. "Stop, Forin," She sniffed, starting to calm down. "Just stop it, please..."

Werr sat up, looking at the floor. He didn't say anything, nor did he look up at Diana and Forin. The summoned creature, however, could feel the anger that Werr was trying to hold back. Forin relaxed again, remembering his place. He couldn't be himself around anyone, he reminded himself in the stiff silence. He had shown his true face, and he had recieved threats for it. Which was completely normal; he was a hated monster, and he was hateful and cruel in return. Seria's threats had reminded him of that. It was time to go back to being little more than a silent servant. Much like Airlia, who shifted seats to sit next to Werr, wanting to get as far away from Forin as possible.

"I swear, that guy is just getting worse and worse..." Nate grumbled. He was starting the horses off at a slower pace than the night before, though it was still faster than just walking. "I'm pretty sure he hates everyone but Diana."

"Or Luen." Seria said, trotting along next to the horses with Welk at her side. "He hasn't been as mean to Luen as to the rest of us."

Luen blushed and looked down from the other side of the carriage, but didn't say anything. "I-I'm no different from the rest of you." he finally said.

"Hrm." Seria murmured. She sighed, then said "Well, we haven't made a real effort to understand him, either. I don't even understand why he had warmed up to you, Luen."

Luen glanced around, but said nothing.

They traveled for a long time in relative silence.

The journey wore well into the afternoon. Unfortunately, the carriage didn't have windows, so Werr and Arilia couldn't see the pleasant scenery. The road led through a small forest, but the trees were thin and spaced out, allowing a glow from the sun to filter through the leaves above. The breeze carried the air of fall along with it; apple trees and busy squirrels, rushing bees and falling leaves. Not quite to the falling leaves part, though. The world was quickly receeding back into the autumn seasons nonetheless.

To be perfectly honest, Nate thought it was all too soon. Over the last ten years, the seasons had shifted; spring and summer were shorter than he remembered as a child, while fall and winter were the longest seasons of all. It had been subtle, of course. It wasn't likely that many other people would notice it.

Eventually, the came to an abandoned-looking farmhouse. Nate decided that they would stop there, opening the gate to what used to be a horse enfencement. It still looked good enough to keep animals in, so Nate drew the carriage behind the house and unstrapped the horses, allowing them to walk about and start grazing. At last, he opened the door to the carriage, half expecting to see Werr dead on the floor with Forin sitting just as calmly as ever.

No, Werr was still very much alive, though he moved quickly to get out of the carriage, blinking in the bright sunlight.

Seria was sitting near the horse fence in cat form with Welk, who was laying on the ground in front of her, also in cat form. He was curled up close to her, depressingly licking his ragged tail.

Luen walked up to the carriage and peeked in, saying "Everyone out, if you please. Forin, may I speak with you alone?" He turned and trotted into the forest, glancing back over his shoulder to see if the summoned creature would follow. He flicked his tail around in a sort of wave, then trotted further in, disappearing into the woods.

Werr sat next to Welk and scratched him behind the ears, the most he could do to comfort his friend right now. Forin followed, but he didn't go alone. He would be a fool to leave Diana with anyone he didn't trust, even for a moment. "Now wait just a second," He caught up with Luen and grabbed him by the arm. "We go no further. I don't wish for a repeat of the last event that happened when we were alone."

Luen turned into a human and paused, saying "...Fine. At least we're not in sight of the others." He fiddled with his fingers for a moment, then sighed. "I...I just wanted to tell you that...goodness, I don't know how to do this..." He shook himself, then finally came out with it. "I want you to know that I understand how you feel. You can call me a liar or say I don't know what I'm talking about, but I do. You aren't the only person who's ever been trapped in another world, so to speak. When I was at Asmodius' palace, I always felt trapped and lost, like I didn't know why I was there. I had no purpose except for the bidding of my masters. But you're different, Forin. You are naturally harsh, I think, but...I like being friends with you. And Diana. You and Diana are the first friends I've had in a long time. I don't want her or you to be upset. So I do, honestly, understand you. I think your problem might be that, maybe, you haven't had many friends before. You have Diana, and that's good, but...maybe you need more than one friend to help you be happy." He looked down for a moment, then turned into a wolf and softly wagged his tail. "I'm sorry for what Seria said to you." he said. "I'm not saying what she did was wrong, but she could've done more tactfully. So...sorry." He hesistated, then tucked his tail between his legs and came forward, gently pressing his head against Forin's leg and closing his eyes for a moment. He fully expected Forin to say something mean or push him away, but at least he had gotten out what he wanted to say.

Forin was silent for a very long moment. He didn't look upset, but there was something in his stony expression that was seeping out into the open. It was a bit of wistfulness, mixed with sadness. "Trapped and lost, forced to do the bidding of a master? Not precisely." He finally pulled away, releasing Diana's hand and starting to pace. "I'm not lost, and this place is paradise compared to Tartarus, even with the fighting here. And Diana rarely gives me orders. She is the one person I consider to be my true friend, you have that right, though." He sighed and stopped with his back turned to Luen, his hands clenched tightly behind him.

"Diana is not my first master. I have had several; I'm an old creature, you see. My appearance reflects that of which my master would most like to see. Diana needed a companion, so I became like an older brother to her. But in the past, I have been a young child to a mother who's own kin died, an old friend to an elderly widow...and a terrifying beast to countless others. Enraged victims of numberous crimes. Miserable, tourmented souls, seeking revenge. I felt their suffering and came to this world. In truth, I've spend more time here collectively than I have in Tartarus. The pure misery and anguish of females is my bridge between this world and that. It's different for everyone; I was fortunate to have one that was so common to this world.

"But I stray from the topic. I change appearance upon different summonings, yes, but there are two things that do not change. Firstly, there is my nature. Which, as you have mentioned already, is harsh. Cold. Secondly, though, it is my orgin. You may not be aware of this, but Tartarus was a place where the worst of the worst were sent. There are many legends of it. All of them are bad. If I am recognized by a creature of Tartarus, and if those who recognize understand what that means, then I am immediately seen as hated in their eyes. In the past, I have been summoned for the sole purpose of my torture. I am a vile, wretched monster who deserves nothing more but to suffer...and some people want to make that suffering happen. I am aware that not all of you in this world are the same, but your world's hatred for me is returned with hatred of my own. And occasionally, I struggle to keep that hatred from leaking out...an example would be what I caused in the carriage this morning, or my comments last evening."

Forin rubbed his neck, feeling the scabs that had formed there from Seria's claws. "I apologize for my actions. It will not happen again." He didn't wait for an answer before turning away, starting back towards the others with Diana close behind.

Luen was silent, listening intently to the boy speak, then spoke again. "How about this, then." he said, pausing them. "When you next feel the need to expell your anger, do it on me. I'll remember this conversation and know that you don't mean what you say. You can vent your anger on me and it'll help you avoid making the others mad at you. You can yell at me and shout at me and anything else you like. I'll take no offense whatsoever." He spoke honestly, meaning everything he said. "I've been used like that before, so it would be nothing to me." he said, flicking his ears up.

Forin turned back to Luen, but not before wiping something off of his face. "I could never do such a thing. Diana likes you. To shout at you or anything of the sort would cause such sadness in Diana that I am forbidden by law of summoning for me to create. I...appreciate the thought, though." He sighed and moved off again, his head hung ever so slightly.

Luen watched him go, then sighed and turned into a human, moving to walk near the creature of Tartarus. It was sad for Luen to think about it. If Forin really was that old and held such angry feelings, had anyone besides a few of his summons ever given him to time to say what he thought? To let him feel loved? It struck Luen that perhaps Forin had never, from the time when he was first summoned, had ever really felt accepted and loved? The wolfling knew Diana cared for the creature, but there was a difference in that. She was his master, not someone who he had met through his travels.

Luen moved an extra step forward and gently put an arm around Forin's shoulders, moving quickly, before they would've come in sight of the others. "I'll listen." he said, resting his chin on the boy's shoulder for a moment. "Whenever you need me, I'll be there, ready to hear you out. To me, you are not a creature from another world. You are a living, breathing person that feels pain and suffers as much as anyone else out there. You are not less than anyone in this world. I hold you in high regard and respect." He then pulled away and turned back into a wolf, racing out into the open and towards the others.

Forin was silent and still for a moment. "Then you would be the first..." He murmured.

"Don't worry, Forin," Diana smiled up at him. "Things will work out. I like Luen, and Seria...though she was really scary back in the carriage..."

It was another few minutes before Forin and Diana returned to the camp. He cleared his throat and spoke, "I apologize for my actions and words. It was wrong of me, all of it. I am sorry, and I will make more of an effort to...eh...contribute, rather than cause harm." And nothing more. He walked past them to the back of the carriage, where he had stashed the food, grabbing a little for himself and Diana and crossing to the other side of the field to eat near the horses.

"...Well," Werr watched them, a bit puzzled.

Seria, still in cat form and laying near Welk, who in turn was near Werr, glanced up at them as Forin spoke. She wasn't angry at him anymore, though she hadn't completely forgave him for what he had said to Welk and Werr in the carriage. She was not, however, going to let that stop her from talking to him and treating him normally.

Welk hadn't eaten anything yet, instead choosing to doze off with his head in Werr's lap, still in cat form as well. Seria had healed any wounds left on his body and he wasn't very sick anymore, just a little warm. The only thing Seria would never be able to heal, of course, was his missing tail. She couldn't recreate limbs or digits. If they would've been there a few minutes after it had been severed, she probably could've reattached it. There was no hope of that now.

Welk suddenly shivered in his sleep, whimpering softly. His nightmares were rare, but when he had them, they terrified him. He shifted a little closer to Werr, squeezing his eyes closed tightly.

Seria reached out with a paw and gently bumped the other cat, watching him flinch awake.

Welk didn't say anything, simply sighing and pressing his nose against Werr, flicking his ears down against his head.