The Forgotten Zodiac

"It's more of a lead than we had before, that's for certain." Obelisk agreed. He looked at the pair curiously, as though he wasn't quite sure what to say; he had an idea of what was going on between them, but he didn't want to pry. He didn't care too much, but Isslia's initial fear and rejection of Welk's care intrigued him. But he left it alone for now, thankfully minding his own business.

"If she's still at the castle, we can likely rule her out as a person of suspect. I doubt the bug buzzing about us would be stupid enough to stay in one place for very long." He tutted, then stood, carrying with him a familiar air of superiority and confidence. It was obviously toned down when Fawn entered the room, picking up the last of the dishes from breakfast. She beamed at him, looking curiously at the others. She promptly dropped the plate and cup when there was a loud scream from the guest rooms.

Obelisk was the first to reach the room, only finding Seria and a sobbing Diana. "What on earth is--" He didn't get very far before Diana bolted out of the room past him, running out of the house. She was still in her nightgown and without shoes, but she ran up the busy street a short distance, watching the dragon disappear into the distance and clouds with both of her friends.

She plopped down right then and there, sobbing miserably into her arms.

"How overdramatic," Obelisk watched from the window, turning back to Seria. "You've been charged with a handful, I'm guessing..."

"Diana, please!" Seria cried, running out and scooping her up. "They'll be back before you know it, and they'll have Luna with them. I promise it'll be okay, alright? Don't cry, please, they said they would be back." She held her close, saying "Diana, Diana, shh...they'll be back! It's okay, I promise..." She patted her on the back, carrying her back towards the house.

"No, no, no, no, they're gone..." Diana wailed, then shrieked at the sky. "Come back! I order you to COME BACK!" Of course, nothing happened. If Forin couldn't hear his order, how could he follow it? She didn't fight against Seria when she carried her back into the house, but she was absolutely throwing a fit. It wasn't fair. She had known of Luen and Forin's plans to go back to Kaislun, but she had thought they would take her with them. But they hadn't even said goodbye! They had just left her in her sleep, as though...that was it. Forin had known she would order him to take her with, so he had left when she was sleeping, so he couldn't get such an order.

So when Seria sat her down in a chair for breakfast, Diana started the most childish thing anyone had ever seen her do. She threw a temper tantrum. Throwing a cup across the room as a distraction, she slid out of her chair and curled up under the table, kicking the chairs and legs of the table and wailing loudly.

"Diana Hartlet!" Seria shouted, slipped under and taking the girl's hands to try and make her stop. "Stop this nonsense at once! They'll be back soon, and fighting like this will not bring them back any faster, do you hear me? Sweetheart, this is unacceptable behavior! Now I'm the one taking care of you while they're away, and I want to make sure you're okay. Please, Diana, stop nonsense!"

Seria swallowed hard and moved to continue trying to soothe the little girl, but she would have none of it. It was all Seria could do to avoid being hurt by her. Finally, with heated tears in her eyes, Seria had to back off. Diana was simply too worked up to answer to her, and the poor half-cat couldn't keep trying anymore. But before anything else could happen, things got better in a way none of them expected.

From further down the street, they became aware of a crowd gathering. Nobody was cheering or shouting, but it was still loud enough so that the hum of voices was heard. It remained for a while, until finally, someone broke away from it and headed for Obelisk's house, waving over her shoulder.

Though wearing what she deemed a 'disgise', it was dreadfully easy to recognize Galai, especially since she was wearing a brilliant, sparkling purple blouse with a pair of tan pants, complete with large flowers in her long, bright golden hair. She was also wearing the beautiful pearl necklace Titus had given her, which was set with his special black pearl.

"No, no, don't be bothered, dear, let me," she said when he attempted to take her thick coat for her. She slid it off herself, saying "No, I came to be of some assistance to you. There's troubled rumors brewing across the world, even reaching as far as Kaislun. We've gotten news that several of you have died or were slain in battle, that many have been kidnapped, and all sorts of other terrible things. I can see now that they were far from true, but we had to make sure. It was took a lot of convincing to make Titus let me come along, but in the end, we knew it was for the best. I simply must offer my help!"

"Well...It is likely true that the Alastorian scouts found no sign of Werr in the Bulliete castle. It may be that they're a little panicky at the moment and are assuming gainless things -- or perhaps Izan told them falsehoods." Obelisk tutted. "We were attacked recently, yes, but there have been no casualties. Miss Lexanna Jura could use your assistance; she's currently unable to move due to sensitive injuries sustained to her back, and--"

Diana's screaming picked up again, even though no one was in the room at all with her. "And we may or may not have a troubled young girl in a state of extreme emotional duress. But you don't have to deal with that, it's just a temper tantrum...oh, Galai, please meet my wife. Fawn Horace." Fawn poked around her husband, wrapping her arm up with his and holding a hand out to Galai. "She's mute, so forgive any confusions you may have when attempting communication."

"Oh, isn't she just beautiful!" Galai gushed, taking Fawn's hand and holding it tight. "My darling, I beg of you, do not allow me to hinder you in your lovely house. I will be more than happy to assist you in anything you should need help for. I'm as much here to learn as well as anything else. I'm very excited, this will be my first ever time living as humans do!" She hugged both Fawn and Obelisk in turn, then spotted Malice hiding behind a chair. Galai swept him up at once, hugging him tightly and raving on and on about him. "Oh Obelisk, is this one yours? He's the most adorable thing!"

Malice looked as though he didn't know to be content or scared. Probably the latter.

"Ah, well...that's Malice. Yes, he's mine. I'm sure you're aware that after his battle with your warriors, he was reverted to this. I adopted him, as I was fairly certain he wouldn't be treated very well anywhere else." Obelisk explained. Fawn smiled and nodded at Malice, and Obelisk said, "Son, it's quite alright. Galai is not only a forgiving woman, she's a very kind and gentle soul, as well. Don't be afraid of her." He encouraged, then looked around at the others.

Nate was still unresponsive in his chair, Seria was trying to deal with the grief of not being able to calm Diana, Werr was in his room with Lexi, Isslia and Welk were sitting together still (Isslia watching Galai curiously), and Allie was sitting with Naybrin, both of whom were communicating through minds with one another. Spy seemed like the only one very surprised to see Galai; he was running around her feet, his tail flicking about excitedly.

Galai kissed Malice's cheek and set him down (he wiped his cheek afterwards), then scooped up Spy and cuddled him close, saying "Spy, your family sends their love and wishes for you to return home very soon. Jagat said Cinnoa misses you." She kissed his forehead, then set him down in a chair and moved over to Nate. "You poor dear..." she said sadly, stroking the side of his face gently. "I have a letter - well, more than one, actually - from Tasia for you. Allow me." She moved her slightly-glowing hand out and stroked down his chest and abdomen, rejuvinating him instantly. She turned to greet Welk and Isslia, then. "Welk! It's good to see you again!" she said, smiling with he stood up to hug her, grinning. "Hey, Galai!" he chimed, sighing at the sheer energy that surged through him upon touching the immortal queen. "What'd you do with your wings?"

"They're safely tucked away," she said, parting with him. "And who's this lovely young lady?" She turned to Isslia, smiling away at her.

Welk took Isslia's hand and helped her stand, saying "This is Isslia. She's the love of my life." He settled one hand ever so gently against the small of her back, and she knew that he was ready to take it right away if she wanted him to.

Nate seemed to relax a great deal, closing his eyes and sinking into his chair a little further. He remained silent, but this time, he was listening to the memories that Galai had given him. His wife, pleading with him to stay safe and contact her as soon as possible. A faint smile was on his lips as he leaned back in his chair, easily getting a lot more comfortable.

Isslia seemed less comfortable. She bowed and did everything she could to not look at Galai's face. "You...you have the same sort of aura as Cyprus. Are you a goddess, or a Demigoddess? E-either way, I'm not worthy..." She turned and hid her own face in Welk's shirt.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, she's nice," he soothed, stroking her back gently. Galai cooed a concerned note, softly reaching out and cupping Isslia's chin, making her look up at her. Such kindness radiated from her expression as she stared at the girl. "I am merely a goddess of sorts, my dearest little one. A queen with a lot of magic, really," she breathed. "Please. Look at me. It is I who is not worthy of having someone as pure as yourself look upon me." She smiled a bit wider at the confusion on Isslia's face. "Yes, you have a very pure spirit, young flower. And you know, if you so wished it, I could heal your body so it was unaltered, untainted. I remember that I once offered this to Nate's wife Tasia, to remove the sin that stained her innocent young body, but she actually refused me, stating that she needed nothing done to her, for she was already healed through the love of her husband. I'll offer you the same, but it is your choice, of course, just like it was hers." She stroked Isslia's hair back, smiling again as Welk kissed the girl's forehead.

Isslia looked curiously from Welk to Galai, then thought for a long moment. Then she shook her head. "No...no thank you. Not yet. If Nate's wife could be healed through his love for her..." She glanced over at the Dragonian, who was still smiling away. "Then...I'd like to give Welk a chance to do the same."

"Galai...?" Werr froze in his tracks, staring at the queen. "Galai! Are you actually here?" He ran forward at once, hugging the powerful queen tightly. "Oh, Galai, I'm sorry I didn't visit before leaving...I was just so busy, I couldn't find the time to do it. Lexi...oh, oh, Galai, you have to help Lexi, please! She's hurt, she can't even sit up without a lot of pain, it's making her miserable, and I'm miserable too because of it. Please, Galai, I beg of you, heal her."

Galai hugged Werr back, beaming. "Dear boy, peace, peace! Of course I'll help Lexi, of course. Don't be upset anymore, it's alright," she said, stroking his hair ever so softly. "Shh, shh."

Welk nuzzled Isslia ever so lovingly, touched by her answer. He hadn't kissed her on the lips since the previous night, but he wasn't too concerned with it. He was content with just stroking her hair and shoulders, administering the tender little touches to her. Showering her with the affection she never had a change to receive. And she soaked it up.

Galai tucked a lock of Werr's hair behind his ear, saying "Come, show me to Lexi. Let me heal her."

Werr smiled brightly up at Galai, then took her hand and led her back into the hallway to the guest rooms. He opened the door to Lexi's room and poked his head in. His girlfriend was awake, which was good. "Lexanna, I have a surprise for you. Someone who can take care of everything. Everything will be better again." He walked in and sat down on the edge of her bed, smiling down at her.

Lexi looked up curiously, her eyes widening as Galai stepped inside. She immediately put down the book she had been reading and tried to sit up, but a small yelp issued from her lips out of pain. She slumped back, her eyes staring at Galai. She was easily able to look at Werr just as closely, of course, holding her arms out to him. "Werr..." she said softly, looking over at Galai again.

Galai smiled softly at her, saying "If you would allow me, I would like to heal your back, little Lexanna. Werr, you need to hold her close. You must be very careful, as I'm certain you know."

Werr nodded and leaned down, wrapping his arms around Lexi in a very tight hug. He slowly and carefully pulled her upright, not wanting to hurt her, but finding it impossible to avoid such a thing. Every little movement, every shift of his hands over her spine caused pain. "It's okay, Lexi, it's okay...Galai will fix everything with just a touch." He stroked her hair back, murmuring softly about how he was sorry (he still hadn't gotten over that) and general sweet things that one could expect to hear in such a situation. 

Lexi tried to keep quiet, but it hurt very, very badly to move. She whimpered and buried her face against his neck, holding on tightly to him. He was her only living support she had left in the world, and without him, she would crumble.

Galai gently unfastened the back of her nightgown and moved it aside, revealing her thin, pale back. She tenderly touched a hand to the girl's back, starting at the top of her neck and moving downwards towards the bottom of her spine.

Werr felt Lexi relax almost immediately, sighing deeply against his skin. Her tense, stiff form loosened and she was able to lean against him, hugging him tightly.