The Forgotten Zodiac

((Yes. xDD))

Cyprus trembled. What a horrible, wonderful idea...it was great, but terrible at the same time. Cyprus felt his emotions conflicting, but he couldn't seem to come to a conclusion on whether this all was good or bad.

Finally, he wandered outside again to overhear Werr talking to Welk about strategy. "Honestly, I don't understand what Yemara's getting at," He was saying. "I don't even know where her temple is, I mean--" He cut short as Cyprus squeaked out a few 'mememememe's.

Cyprus thought for a moment, then pulled something out of thin air and spread it out on the ground. It looked like a map of Herrace and Bulliete; the landmass was split in half down a line similar to Herrace and Bulliete's borders. The island itself was almost crescent-shaped, but fat and most of the map was green. Werr took one look at it and pulled out his own map, handing it to Cyprus; it was the same map, but with the cities and towns and roads listed on it. Cyprus laid one next to another and looked carefully at it, then pointed to where it overlapped.

Herrace's capital city, Vernine, overlapped a wide purple circle. Just like Bulliete, which had completely overridden the green circle on the other side of the map. Cyprus thought for a moment, then pointed to Werr's map; there was a little grey square given no title on it, just to the south of Vernine, inside the border of purple. Cyprus pointed at it insistently.

"Is that...Yemara's temple?" Werr blinked. Cyprus nodded, happy that he had been able to communicate some of his knowledge.

Welk bent and stared at the map for a moment, then said "So what are we going to do once we get there? Because I'm NOT sacrificing anyone to stupid old Yemara..."

"Well, that's not up to you," Naybrin said. "As a matter of fact, we will be sacrificing a young girl to her."

Welk's expression was a look torn between betrayal and horror.

"And I used to think you were a good guy, Naybrin," he spat. "Werr, you are not allowed to have a bond with him anymore."

"N-now hold on, I'm sure Naybrin didn't mean it like that." Werr calmed his friend. "And if I could remove the bond between us, I definitely would. It's not easy on Naybrin, I'm a bit...clumsy, as you know. I scratched my hand on the tree bark, and poor Naybrin had the same cuts on his hand...something as simple as that can affect both of us. It's pretty bad..." He sighed a bit, then scratched the back of his neck. "Alright, Naybrin. Let's hear your dastardly plan."

Cyprus examined them for a moment, then pointed at Isslia. She blinked at him, her jaw dropping. "Wh-wait, you're going to...t-to sacrifice me?!"

Cyprus nodded, smiling. She just stared at him in terror.

((You don't have to wear it every single day, you know. xDD But in case the wire breaks, don't worry. It's as simple as finding another chain or something and attaching it.

Oh, the ending made me chortle. But I won't spoil anything for you. I just dislike some of the characters. o3o

Watson was a little butt today. He tore up a pillow; so microbeads are everywhere around the house now. Little white pellets. They don't come out of my haaaair p3p But I'll live. Sooner or later, we'll get them all...WE'LL GET THEM, SO HELP ME.))

"Hold up, here!" Welk said, quickly standing in front of Isslia, anger etched into his face. "I'll cut off my wings before I let you so much as lay a fingernail on her! You'd better have another plan in mind, buster, or I'm going to-"

"Hold, please, half-cat," Naybrin said. "I must explan my ideas to you first. I imagine you'll be more inclined to help."

Welk exhaled hard, then slowly said "I'm listening," while reached gently backwards for Isslia's hand, clasping her fingers tenderly in his own.

"Spit it out, then." Werr sighed. He listened intently, then nodded thoughtfully when Naybrin was done. "It is a decent plan...remind me again why we can't just kill Yemara's magic, though?"

"Because if you do that, Cyprus will rot away," Isslia murmured after a moment of thought. "But...I'm scared. What if she...does something?" She whimpered, trembling unhappily. Cyprus stepped towards her, and Isslia ducked behind Welk again, now scared of him, too.

Cyprus frowned. "I...I can place a protection on you. So Yemara can't hurt you," He tried to tell her, but as usual, no one really understood him.

((Forgot to reply to that paragraph up thar.

I already switched the pendant to a pretty, strong golden chain I have. It was before without use, so I'm glad I can use it now. It belonged to my grandma, so that's nice.

I dislike all of the characters except for Harry, Ron (sometimes), Hermione, Dumbledore, Sirius, Hagrid, Ginny, and a few scattered others that I can't think of at the moment. I lothe Draco with a burning passion, of course.

Ahaha, Watson. xD -starts picking beads from your hair- We'll get them.))

Naybrin translated, and Welk flattened his ears, saying "This idea is insane and utterly crazy. I swear, if any harm comes over Isslia, I'll...I'll..." He couldn't seem to think of a proper thing to say, and it was obvious that he cared a lot for the shy dogling. He usually only got so angry over things concerning Werr or Cynyr. He turned and wrapped his arms around Isslia, surrounding her with his protection, then said "I'm sure we cold manage this, though. I won't let Diana die. Or Isslia." He put his mouth against her silvery gray hair, thinking hard.

((That is nice. Don't break it. .o.

I dislike everyone. Harry is retarded, Ron is even moreso, Hermione is a know-it-all, Draco is a pretty-boy, Hagrid is just weird, Ginny is practically a blonde, and Sirius...he's even more stupid.

I love the books, though. xD))

Isslia sat still, her trembling stopping as Welk hugged her. She watched as Cyprus poked a little closer, taking her hand in his. He closed his eyes for a moment, then Isslia whimpered and pulled away, squeaking a bit. She pulled her sleeve up, watching as a small blue pattern burned itself onto her arm. Cyprus' mark, a brand of divine protection and warding. "Oh..." She blinked at it, then looked up as Cyprus staggered away, suddenly feeling weak. He swallowed hard, checking his internal magic. He was running a bit low, sadly enough.

"Naybrin, I need to go sleep in my tree." He said quietly. "I'll track your magics and catch up with you as soon as I can. I'll need it, after all..."

((If he merges with Yemara while running low on magic, she'll take over his vessel, and that would be bad.))

((Aww. I love Harry and Sirius. They're all not that bad.))

Naybrin nodded, then said "Allow me to take you there, dear Cyprus. It will be no trouble at all." He peered up at the others, then said "I shall return to you all shortly. Prepare to leave by dusk. We'll be heading out as soon as possible." He shook his long light-blue neck, then allowed Cyprus up onto his back and walked off.

Welk stroked Isslia's back and said "I won't let anything bad happen to you. Hear me? Nothing."

((Sirius is okay. But in the Order of the Pheonix, he's really dumb. And so is Harry, in pretty much all of them.))

Isslia nodded numbly. Werr watched Naybrin go, then sighed. "We don't have that much time left, though...poor Diana will only have a day, at this rate. We'll have to get rid of Yemara, and then immediately go and find Diana..." He frowned, then shook his head. "No matter. If anyone can do it, it's Naybrin. In the meantime...I need a nap," He leaned against Lexi and tucked his fingers into Welk's shirt. Part of him wanted to know whether or not Luna was doing okay, but the other part of him knew that she would be fine. So he pressed his nose into Lexi's sweet-smelling hair and dozed off, weary from a restless night and a long day.

((.n.))

Lexi stroked the side of his neck gently, enjoying the feeling of close together they were, then settled down and stroked her fingers through her boyfriend's hair.

Welk pursed his lips, but said nothing of the thoughts raging through his mind. He sighed, then shifted forms and stretched out around his friends, resting his head on his paws. He spread his wings, curling one ever so gently around Isslia and the other around Werr and Lexi, which he used to pull them to his furry belly. He smiled when Werr's fingers automatically twinned into his thick, ruddy-red mane.

Isslia sat uncomfortably still, unsure of whether she should give into his advances or not. He was only trying to comfort her, she saw that much...but at the same time, she was scared out of her wits. Was he moving too quickly? Was she right to trust him? He had tried to protect her when they said they were to sacrifice her; he had completely rejected the idea in a matter of instants. And the question before...about whether or not she liked him. She...wasn't sure. It was as she said, she supposed; she wanted to, but she was horrified at the thought of being hurt again...

Welk shifted a bit and opened his eyes, glancing over at Isslia. He seemed to wilt, ever so very slightly, then said "You know...if you're ever nervous or scared of me, just tell me. I'll back off. I understand what you're feeling. About the fears you might have. And I'm telling you, I'm willing to do anything to make you trust me. Just...tell me, okay? If I'm out of bounds or too close or...anything." His warm, soft wing gave a slight twitch, as if waiting for the second she would tell him to take it off.

Isslia turned her untrusting gaze on him, then slowly relaxed. She didn't utter a word, instead leaning back against him and running her fingers through his feathers. Within minutes, she gave into the sleep as well, not even caring that they all were outside. It was comfortable.

"Thank you very much for the ride," Cyprus smiled, curling up among the branches of his tree. "Oh...you know, if we fail, and Diana is set to die...we can take her back here. Yemara can't kill her so long as she's touching the tree. Death does not trod here, he's not allowed to. Even he has limitations." He pulled out his map again, running his fingers over the paper. It was a map of how things used to be. Before the humans came here. He didn't mind...he had been away, of course. And now, his magic was secure and safe again.

Cyprus sighed and closed the map, getting comfortable enough to sleep. "I'll be up in a bit, Naybrin. Afternoon naps are wonderful, you should take one too." He smiled up at his friend.

The First King smiled softly and curled up under the tree, tucking his nose under the edge of his tail. He closed his eyes to doze off, but blinked when he felt a weird sense come over him.

Someone was watching them.

With a rumbling sigh and a clench of his claws, Naybrin stood up and stretched, giving his head a light shake. He walked to the edge of the grove of trees, then said "Well? Come out!" When there was no answer, he barked "Come OUT! Or I will light the tree you're in on fire!"

"A'right, a'right! I'ma coming, hold yer whiskey, gramps..."

"I know that voice," Naybrin said with a dusty sigh. "Keirstrider."

Keir tumbled his way out of a tree, grinning from ear to ear. "Sharp as ever, ol' boy," he said, patting Naybrin's flank with an approving look in his eye. "And with such nice scales, too..."

"Kindly remove your hand before I do," Naybrin said shortly.

Keir jerked his fingers away, flexing them once before shrugging.

"Come on, you should know better, Keir." Sylas chortled, stepping out of the underbrush. "It's good to see you, Naybrin." He smiled, adjusting his grip on the walking stick he had in hand. It hadn't been easy, getting from Kaislun to here, but he had managed.

((Soon, we should switch to Zephyr, Obelisk and Fawn.

Their house is actually in Herrace, see. It's safer there. Obelisk was using his powers to get himself there quickly when he had the day or evening off.))

There was an angry yowling sound from the bushes, then Leo bounded out with Dark clinging to his fur. "Get off me, you little flea!" the panther shouted, rolling around on the ground in order to knock the kid off. Dark, his bleary eyes rimmed with fear, said "There's that dragon out here, why are we walking towards it! And one of the demigods, are you mad!" He cut off and finally let go, scrambling to Sylas instead and staring at Naybrin and Cyprus from around the taller man.

Naybrin purred in an amused tone, watching as Leo stood up and shook out his thick black fur, then said "Might I ask why you are all travelling together...and here?"

(('Kaaaay.))

"Hush, Dark. The dragon is our dear friend, and I'm sure the Demigod means no harm...wa-wait, Demigod?" Sylas looked up into the tree, spotting the sleeping Cyprus. "Skies above, it is indeed a Demigod. Goddess above, what a sight. I thought their forms had been crushed..." He looked up at Naybrin, then decided to answer the question. "Well, Galai and Titus informed us that our sons were in a bit of...danger. Werr's still alive, I hope? The warzone can't have been kind to him..."

Naybrin pursed his lips and puffed his cheeks out for a moment, looking a tad comical, but they knew better than to laugh. "They're all still alive, I assure you," he said. "And they've encountered friends and foes alike. Their road has not been easily tread, of course. I think it good that you have arrived here to assist them. Leo, perhaps you can convince your son he needs help."

"Which one?" Leo asked automatically, but he knew which immediately. As danger-prone as Welk was, Cynyr seemed to be the one who was hurt more often, as he felt he could live through the attacks better than Welk could.

"You know," Naybrin said. "He needs assistance from dear Cyprus here, and he won't take it, not has he admitted he even has a problem."

"Fool..." Leo scoffed, but they heard the soft concern in his voice.

"I'll take you all back to them shortly," he said. "Cyprus said he would catch up on his own time. I have confidance in his abilites."

"Can't he teleport? And create creatures of whimsy in his mind, and bring them into reality? And call forth the forces of nature to aid him whenever he wants? I'm pretty sure he can talk to animals, too." Sylas sounded excited. He had never seen a Demigod in action before, and would probably be disappointed to learn that Cyprus had lost about half of those abilities since Yemara was still trapped in spirit, without a body.

Sylas seemed to remember that Cyprus was sleeping, then he relaxed and looked up at Naybrin. "I'm ready to go when you are. Are you still bonded with Werr, by the way? Oh...oh, right. I hope we're not being a bother by showing up here. I suppose you don't like answering so many questions at once. My apologies."

Naybrin smiled his wisened, age-old smile and said "Nonsense. In fact, I'll be happy to answer all of your questions on the way back. But first..." He turned to Cyprus and stared at him for a moment, then bent his head and deftly pulled one of his own scales loose from his body. He nestled it in Cyprus' hand, where it wouldn't fall, then turned back to the others and said "Let us be off, shall we?"

"I wouldn't mind gettin' me one o' them scales there, ya know..."

"I would enjoy silence from you, Keirstrider."

"...Old twit."

Naybrin only smiled and chuckled, then bent so they could mount him.