The Forgotten Zodiac

Cynyr cracked his knucles, growling "I'm perfectly fine with it. Let's end a criminal, shall we? A life for a life, a king for a king."

"B-but Werr isn't dead," Welk stammered fearfully.

"Yeah, but the people don't know that," Cynyr said, a slightly manical gleam entering his eyes. "All's fair in love and war. Except here, there's no love."

Welk frowned, then looked over at Isslia. "There is too," he murmured, remembering the soft caress of her fingers through his blonde hair, the touch of her lips against his. Then he remembered the equally soft and caring touch of Werr's fingers behind his ears, the feeling of Werr hugging him and comforting him in a way none could ever match.

Indeed, the panther was staring very intently at Ophile, with that sort of 'I-don't-care-what-facial-expression-I'm-using-you-know-because-you-know-me-better-than-that' glare. His gaze flickered to Lexi as she started crying, both upset and comforted by Nate's simple hug and Ophile's soft breath on her fingers. Cynyr looked away from her, back at Ophile. He moved his hand out, hesitated, then carefully laid his hand on Ophile's back. He had hesitated because he had a recent memory that he wasn't sure if he wanted to share, but it was too late now.

Ophile learned what Cynyr had whispered to Seria before they had left, what had made her so utterly happy. He was ready to try for a child again.

"Like I'll let them anywhere near you," Welk said, curling himself quickly around her. "I said nobody would ever hurt you again. And I mean that. They'll never get near you." He stroked her shoulders and back, sighing and just taking a moment to breathe in her scent. "I don't know if I should bring you with us when we go in or leave you here," he said, pulling back and staring into her eyes. "It's dangerous either way, really, because I want to keep you with me at all times. I just don't know..." He hugged her close again, stroking her hair and tucking her head gently against his neck.

Welk tilted his head at Ophile, then turned to Isslia and said "I guess that'll work...but no matter what happens, you can't be seen, okay? I don't care what happens to me, I'm not going to let anything happen to you." He nuzzled her, then, curious, carefully stood up and lifted her, holding the tiny girl easily in his warm arms. He set her, sidesaddle-style, on Ophile's back, tilting his head and blinking his eyes sharply as both went invisible.

Ophile chortled, then returned to the visible spectrum. "That's settled, then. See? It's easy," He trotted around a bit, then climbed into the carriage. "Off we go, then. To the capital city!" He proclaimed. Nate waited until Welk was in and the door was shut before setting off at a steady pace.

Welk took Isslia back, settling down with her by his side, then watched as Lexi slowly scooted towards Cynyr, who was unaware of her until it was too late. He was still stroking Ophile, who was one of the rare people that he had complete trust in. Lexi hesitated, tears still in her eyes, then cuddled up to Cynyr's side and pressed her face into his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him.

Cynyr froze at once, going completely rigid. He slowly turned his head, staring at her in shock.

Welk, mouth open in shock, moved his hand up and covered it, his crimson eyes fixed on the two.

Slowly, Cynyr put an arm around her shoulders, stroking her shoulders, and Welk knew everything was okay.

"There, there," Ophile reached over Cynyr and nosed Lexi's hand. "It'll all be okay. Werr is really resilient...he's nearly died twice before. He won't be too hurt. He has you, after all. He's way better off than he was both those times before."

"Werr will be okay..." Isslia murmured. "I haven't watched you two for very long, but...I know that he loves you. A lot."

Lexi sniffled, looking so utterly upset, but she slowly calmed down. She looked over at Isslia and smiled very softly, then stroked Ophile's head gently, releasing some of her stress by petting him. She then touched Isslia's arm, saying quietly "Thank you, Isslia...that means a lot to me..." She moved her hand back to Ophile, fondling his ears.

Ophile flicked his tail about happily, while Isslia smiled and nodded. "Happy to help," She said quietly.

"I'm going to break something," Obelisk said suddenly. "Remor is. He's going to have something destroyed, and...I dunno. I didn't get a very good look at his plans..."

"Do you think you could try and scout him out?" Naybrin said, tilting his head lightly. "I would understand if not, but it does concern me. What could he be up to? Also, have you gotten any readings on Werr? I can't help but feel he won't last much longer, the state he's in..." He was again sipping at a mug of Fawn's tea, having grown quite fond of it.

((I would totally illustrate a comic for you, y'know. >w<))

"He's on a downward spiral, that's for sure..." Obelisk nodded before pausing, trying to look into what Remor was up to. "I dunno. He's talking to someone, someone else is there...I definitely feel Snider. But I can't hear what they're saying."

"If my brother is involved, nothing good can come of it..." Cyprus murmured. "Snider...as you call him...is brutal and heartless and cold and painful and..." He cut himself off. All the thing he hated. He was a Demigod of life and warmth and gentle love. And now, he was also one of death and hate. It was tricky, keeping himself intact while balancing the two like a juggling act of some kind. He knew that Snider had done it by literally throwing aside the Demigoddess' powers of Order; he was almost pure chaos.

"Can you be rid of him?"

"I can't take on all the world's balances alone..." Cyprus murmured. "It's hard enough keeping these two balanced. This woundrous lie and horrid truth..." He curled his knees up to his chest and set the wonderful book down next to him. "But I've learned a lot from reading this. I think I can manage myself now."

"But you still can't be rid of Snider."

"The only thing I could think of that could possibly happen to make him better...would be to tilt the world's balance towards order rather than chaos, like it is now..."

"Which is impossible. Humans are bent upon war and disaster." Obelisk 'hmph'd.

"Yes...I suppose so." Cyprus said sadly. He stood as there was another knock on the door. The Demigod answered it, and was faced with a piece of paper, held up by a young boy.

"The Blood Hawks offer this house half their pay for this job, if you hand over Carlyle Buthis." The boy said, dropping the paper in Cyprus' hands. The Demigod blinked sadly at the child.

"You're hurting inside...come in, please," He pulled the boy inside by the arm, and made him sit. He pushed a cup of tea into the kid's hands, and then sat down across from him. Indeed, the boy looked troubled and grieved beyond belief. He looked almost sick, and the teacup rattled against the saucer as he held it. But Cyprus didn't pry, Obelisk did nothing but raise a brow curiously, and Galai was smiling, as usual.

He had no idea that he was faced with what were literally human-like gods.

((Haha, that would be awesome. I'm just not sure how to go about it. xD

But I'll at least start with putting it down in words.))

Naybrin tilted his head at the boy from his spot on the couch, blinking his eyes lightly. "Well," he said pleasantly. "You're a little fellow, aren't you? What's your name?"

"Oh Naybrin, let him be," Galai chimed, rushing over to hug the boy tightly (unaware of the fact that the move could be startling for him). "You little angel," she cooed, stroking his hair back. "Are you alright?"

Naybrin chuckled and exchanged a look with Obelisk that spoke Only Galai would do something like that.

((There you go. Write up a general storyline. Das the first step. >w<))

"Y-yes...I'm okay..." He murmured. "My name is Althos..."

"Althos, why are you upset?" Cyprus insisted.

"I'm...no-not. I'm not upset." The boy blinked at him sadly.

"You are. Tell us, please...we can help." Obelisk tutted. The child looked at him in confusion. "Your facial expression, heartbeat, dialated pupils, and shaking hands indicate that you're extremely afraid at the moment. Let me tell you, dear boy; you are in the company of whom some may consider gods. We are more powerful than any mortal, be it man, woman, or beast. We can help you."

"No, no, no...th-they'll hurt her if you get anywhere close...they'll hurt her..." He whimpered, practically wilting in Galai's arms. He felt...safer, with her around. But he was still scared.

"Hurt who? Who will they hurt?" Galai asked, stroking his back and shoulders over and over. She glanced over at Malice, who was sitting in the chair next to his father, watching Diana, Forin, Luna and Luen closely. Luen was stretched out across a couch by himself, still possibly the sickest person on the planet. Luna was braiding Diana's hair, occasionally tilting her silver-haired head back to kiss Forin. At least, she had been. She was now staring at Althos, concerned.

((Me too, Luen. Me too.))

Althos shivered, looking up at Galai quietly. "My mommy...th-they said that if I couldn't get you to turn in Carlyle, they would kill her..." He looked traumatized, to say the least. He curled up in Galai's grip, fearful, as Cyprus and Obelisk both stood.

"Who's 'they'? The Blood Hawks?" Obelisk questioned.

"We have to save her," Cyprus himself looked scared. He looked down at Althos. The boy had flecks of blood on his pants and shoes, and from the way he kept wringing his hands..."They already killed your father, didn't they?"

Surprisingly, Althos shook his head. "No...daddy's at work. Repairing the walls. I can't go to him, the bad man said that they'd kill me if I did..."

"Then who's blood is that?" Cyprus questioned, kneeling next to Galai in order to meet eyes with the child.

He seemed perplexed about Cyprus' ever-changing eyes and fierce gaze, but...he didn't feel as though he had a choice. "My sister...my baby sister's..." He whimpered. "She was only a week old..." He sat there with a numb expression on his face. He was terrified, even moreso at Cyprus' next facial expression.

Anger.

The ugly frown did not belong on the Demigod's face, but he wore it anyway. "Galai...I want to interfere. But I feel as though I cannot do this alone. How...how numerous are the Blood Hawks?" He directed his attention to Carlyle, who looked more upset than ever.

"Hundreds. They're assassins, at best. They're fairly spread out over the land, but....I imagine a hefty price was put on my head. You may be facing a large amount of them..."

"There were a lot..." Althos murmured.

((Byew. -nuzzles-))

"There may be a lot, but we are not normal beings, are we not?" Galai said, straightening. "I am not the Queen of Sunlight for nothing. Naybrin, you are the most powerful magic user alive, and there will never be another as strong as you. Cyprus, you are very powerful as well. You aren't a demigod for nothing. When we stand together, how can anything go against us? It's a risk, yes, but we are very powerful indeed. It's a risk I want to take."