The Forgotten Zodiac

Naybrin crashed to the side, roaring in misery and rage, then shouted "YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM ME, MALICE! YOU HAVEN"T SEEN MALICE UNTIL YOU ENRAGED ME!" He ripped his claws through the ground, tearing huge scars into the earth itself, so consumed with hatred and sorrow that they threatened to overwhelm the great dragon himself. He ripped his claws through the ground again, lashing his tail violently from side to side, large, hot tears pouring from his eyes. "I don't understand!" he cried, slamming his paws into the ground. "I didn't even feel him die! Everything felt normal! EVEN NOW! BUT IT ISN'T!" He roared again, his great voice heard all across the entire land.

Sylas watched in shock and awe, unable to understand what Malice was saying. He did understand one thing; Naybrin was this upset over his son. His child, now dead, with a raging dragon looming over them. And Sylas couldn't utter a word to try and reassure or calm anyone down. He just leaned against Leo still, feeling at loss of what to do now. But nay, their mission was still clear. They still had artifacts to find. It was the only way to defeat Malice, after all...the only way to enact any kind of revenge.

((WHY YOU NO MUMBREZ. .3.))

((I have to write first before I can get on. I might not be able to today until later.))

Naybrin snarled and raged, tearing the land around them apart until it was vastly different than how it had been before. He was still taken over with anguish, but a new feeling sprang up; a cold, dark, feral feeling. He was firmly set on his goal to bring Malice to justice for what he had done. Nothing would sway him from his goal now. He had a one-minded determination taking over him. He bent his head around and snapped the three being left up into his mouth, so quickly that he accidentally cut Leo's leg on a huge, sharp tooth. He scooped up 'Werr's' corpse into his hands and took off, his anger and sadness nearly palpable.

((;3; Butbutbut...I has until 11:15, den I has to leaaavveee to school.))

Werr watched from his alley as Naybrin flew away. He couldn't help but wonder if Malice was going to get him at all. The terrible being could just leave Werr in this alternate plane of existence, where his friends would forever think him dead. Werr was still burdened by the miserable sadness, and probably would be for awhile.

((Also, were you going to bring in Malice, or no?))

((I knoooooow.

I am.))

A few moments after Naybrin left, Malice appeared. It was terrible, to look up at see Welk's face looking back at him, but with none of the perky, spunky happiness that the half-cat had had. Instead, the near-glowing white skin was twisted into a dark smile, and the black hair was wafting with shadows. Since they were on another plane, Malice's shadow cloak looked like a mirage, flicking and twisting as if alive.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," he said, leaning over the boy. "Poor child. If only you had minded your own buisness and had gone about keeping to yourself. But you didn't. And now you're here. ...What's this?" He suddenly bent down and grabbed something off of Werr's back, something that laid limply in his hand.

A certain teddy bear that had still been attached to the real Werr's back when Malice had swapped him out with the clone. He had forgotten to put a clone of the bear as well.

"I remember this," he said, grinning at the teddy. "It holds the soul of that fire mage half-cat. Well, I don't see a need to keep it anymore."

And a moment later, he had crushed the bear to pieces in his hand, killing it.

Werr watched numbly as the bits of cotton fluff and fabric fell to the ground from Malice's hand. "Welk..." He whimpered, crawling forward and picking up the ripped ear of the bear. He curled it into his fist and staggered to his feet, glaring viciously at Malice. "Y-you...sick, cruel..." Werr spat at Malice's feet, the aimed his fist at Malice's pale face. He didn't care what the dark overlord looked like; Naybrin's tidal wave of anger had driven Werr to this. Welk's face or not.

((ono It's okay if I get to talk to you after school, I suppose...))

((It's a big day today. I sent out my first letter to a book agent, hoping to get it published. If this agent says yes, then my book will be on its way to being in stores. That's why I was late for the Mumble this morning and why I'll have to talk to you later. .n. -huggles- At least I'll be there later and not never~))

Instantly, Werr's wrist was held tightly in Malice's clawed, long-fingered hand.

"Foolish little boy," he growled, his crimson eyes glaring and his mouth twisting into a sneer. "You think you could ever harm me? I thought you smarter than that." In a split second, he had jerked Welk's arm around behind his back, grabbing the back of the boy's neck and pinning him painfully. "Be grateful that I don't kill you here," he spat. "I wish I could, but I need you intact in order to get what I want from your stupid wind mage friend." He held the struggling boy close to himself, hissing near his ear. "And then, once I have what I want...I'll allow you to have the privalige of dying by my hand."

(( : D Best of luck to you, mine Trinneth~

And I only have one class today. A bit odd. I dunno if I'll be spending the full two periods there so I can ride the bus home. :T))

Werr cried out, half in pain and the other in anguish. He watched as people passed by, oblivious to what went on in the alley just a step away. Werr closed his eyes, suddenly wanting very much just to die and be done with it. If it meant Malice didn't get what he wanted, Werr would gladly put an end to his own life. But he couldn't; not in this position, with Malice holding onto him so firmly. It was impossible. Werr wasn't certain if Malice would ever make it possible. "I hate you..." He muttered, unable to do anything but struggle weakly against Malice's hold.

((Thank you~

Odd. What class is it?))

The dark overlord only smiled, whispering in his evil, snake-like voice, "I know." Then he dug his clawed fingers slightly into Werr's neck and chains formed around his neck, wrists and ankles, biting into his skin. Literally. Each digit of the chains had a mouth full of sharp teeth, and they all chomped down into his flesh, holding on with an unbreakable grip. Malice let go of Werr, knowing he wouldn't be able to do anything now. The chains around his wrists were tight together like handcuffs, and he couldn't hope to run when the chains around his ankles barely let him take a small step. Malice kept hold of one long, black chain, and Werr was shocked to see that the chains were attacked to him.

The chains were made of Malice's own flesh.

((Spanish II.))

Werr recoiled with disgust, but was unable to struggle. He could do nothing but allow himself to be dragged along, weak and alone. So dreadfully alone.

"Werr Rowe is dead. I sense this." Titus said quietly, his hand slipping around Galai's. "I sense great anguish and pain...sadness. His death is mourned greatly among all others."

"Werr...dead?" Toro blinked, then nearly cried. His cousin, one of his few family members left...dead.

Galai's other hand shot to her mouth, tears budding in her eyes. "No...it can't be," she said, horror seeping into her voice. "How? Oh, no..." She extended her sense outward and also sensed what Titus did, her heart sinking. "No...oh, no..." Tears dripped down her cheeks, falling quickly as her shoulders shook. She put her forehead onto Titus' shoulder, sobbing quietly.

"His friends need to know," Titus sighed. "Kiraki, you go out to the dragons near a place called Silver Lake. There, you will find Zephyr, Vaira and Boko. Tell them what has become of their friend. Toro, I believe the majority of them are here in the palace; track them down and tell them the same."

"Yes, sir." Toro murmured, turning and walking away at once.

"How will I get there?" Kiraki questioned.

"Take one of my carriages. It will get you there faster than any horse. Almost faster than Naybrin."

"Very well, my leige." Kiraki bowed and walked off, leaving Titus to comfort a mourning Galai.

Seria was working diligently in the infirmary, keeping watch over the patients, which consisted of mostly just Nate and Tasia. She had checked Nate over, making sure his injuries had healed, and she was now holding a hand over Tasia's womb, sensing the baby inside. Tasia laid quietly on the bed next to Nate's, looking over at him and smiling as Seria slid her fingers along her slowly expanding womb. "Everything seems normal," she said. "The baby is doing fine. Growing nice and strong, ready to come out and meet its daddy." She reached over and poked at Nate, smiling at him playfully. They still had a good, easy relationship as close friends, after all. "Are you hopeing for a girl or a boy?" she asked, smiling at him.

"I don't really care..." Nate said thoughtfully. "If it's a boy, I can teach it to be strong and fight. If it's a girl, I get the joy of watching Tasia raise her to be a beautiful young woman. So either one is good." He nodded, smiling at Tasia happily. That smile faded slightly as there was a knock on the door. "Toroph? Why are you crying?" He frowned slightly.

"You aren't hurt, are you?" One of the healers questioned quickly.

"No...it's not me who got hurt," Toro shook his head, rubbing his eyes and watching pearls drop to the floor and roll away. "Werr...my cousin...he's dead."

There was silence for a long time, that was finally broken by Nate. "May the gods have mercy on us all," He muttered, shifting closer to Tasia and holding her tight.

"W-what?!" Seria said, her hands darting to her mouth. She seemed to be in disbelief. She was the fourth member of their little group that Werr had met. First were Welk and Cynyr, then Nate, and then her. They had been through all kinds of things together. She had been the main healer in his castle for two years, after they had first beaten Obelisk. She had saved his life on many occasions.

And now he was...gone?

"It's not true," she said, moving forward and grabbing Toro's shoulders, giving him a shake that was small compared to how badly her own shoulders were shaking. Her blue eyes were overflowing with tears. "It's not true. It can't be!"

"It is," Toro sniffed, shaking his head. "Titus sensed it. I...I don't know what happened, but...Galai weeps in her throne room. Its starting to rain outside..." It was so. Clouds had gathered over Amnairus and Tartarus. This was rare, but the reason was obvious. First, the Divine, then Werr. Galai's weeping formed the rain and Titus' sadness bore the clouds to carry the tears. And they were starting to fall on the combined cities; something that happened once, maybe twice in a millenium. Incredible and miserable at the same time. "Werr is dead..."

"Then we must go and join the others. Our strength is needed now, more than ever..." Nate said quietly, shaking his head. "Cynyr can't hunt down the artifacts on his own. Not as we sit idly by. Seria..." He put a hand on her shoulder, letting out a sigh.

Seria sobbed and fell to her knees, crying quietly. Tasia bit her lip, hating seeing the healer cry, then bent down and wrapped her arms and wings around her, pulling her close to comfort her. Seria sobbed, putting a hand over her face and covering her eyes from sight as she sobbed uncontrollably. She suddenly thought of Cynyr and how badly he must've been suffering. She sniffed and sobbed a bit more, then slowly stopped, exhausted already.

"Seria..." Nate watched his wife comfort the healer. He, too, was upset, but he realized that the sooner they moved, the better. The time for mourning would be after this miserable war of theirs.

Toro left before Seria stopped crying. He had quickly decided that he hated being the bearer of bad news. Forin, Luen and Diana had been moved to the guest house again. Toro knocked on their door, a bit surprised when Diana opened it. She blinked at him, saying nothing but obviously expecting Toro to start explaining why he was here.

"Um...I have something to tell you..." Toro said quietly.

"Werr is dead. I am aware of this." Forin sighed from inside.

"Oh, you already...know?"

"I am a Tartaran. I have knowledge of the deaths of those closest to me." Forin answered dully. "We were just preparing to leave. Do the others know?"

"Um...which others should I tell?" Toroph looked from Forin to Luna, not sure who else he had to give the news to.

((Did you mean to say Luna there? Or did you mean Luen? I will post on the assuming that it is Luna you mean.))

"I don't think we should bother Jag and Lily," Luna said, looking over at Forin and trying to hide the tears in her eyes. "They're busy with their new son." She glanced over at a moan, noticing Luen, who was laying on a bed, his head held in his hands. "Why?" he said, shaking his head. "Oh, I was so m-mean to him...and I was going to a-apologize to him as s-soon as he got b-back. Oh, oooh..." He broke off into sobs, crying quietly.

((Yeah, I figured Luna would be in there, too. : P))

"Er...right. I think my job is done, then..." Toro sighed, stepping away and letting Diana shut the door. The girl moved back over to Luen, wrapping her arms around him.

"It's okay...so long as he doesn't haunt us, we'll be okay." Diana smiled. Forin had to wonder if the child really believed in ghosts or not. It seemed a bit strange that she would, but her words made Forin think about it.

"Doesn't matter. Ghosts can't do anything to us, I won't let them. Either way..." Forin sighed. "Luen...we have to fight in his stead. The Artifacts await us, after all..."