The Forgotten Zodiac

Keh. I found this on my jumpdrive.  Some really old... stuff that you might recognise. I used to type up replies before we got to the plot curve, and so some of it differs from what I actually sent. Also, you will see the cute little notations we used on Neo, because it's THAT OLD.

Here.

Israel leaned out of the window ever so slightly to catch the words of the two princes.

.“Do you think they know yet? One would assume…” Bermuda was saying.

.“No, that secret died with the passing of my mother and father.”

Israel blinked. Why hadn’t L’arc said ‘our’?

.“Even still, they should’ve figured out by now…”

.“Why should they? We’re of the same age, have the same rank and act as such, and we act brotherly in every right.”

.“But we’re not.”

L’arc slammed his fist down on the railing. “Why bring this up now? You’ve never said anything about it before, Adrian. We’re at war!”

.“That’s exactly my point. Digory, if I were to return home…”

.“Adrian, they’ll burn you!”

.“You don’t know what they’ll do. I know that some of the people of my kingdom have faith in me.”

Israel leaned in further. What were they saying? This wasn’t making sense…

L’arc now turned to face the other prince, grabbing him firmly by the shoulders. “Listen to me. We have enough forces. We don’t need yours. We can handle it. I’m not going to send you on a suicide mission just for a few extra troops that we wouldn’t need anyhow.”

Bermuda paused. “I’m thinking you’ll need them.”

.“I say not.”

.“My visions don’t lie, you know that. What I told you will happen if we don’t look for a way to stop it.”

L’arc’s hands dropped. “It just can’t be so… why would something like that happen? It’s just not possible…”

.“Have I ever been wrong?”

L’arc paused. He shook his head. “It’s a wonder you escaped your country alive. I see why people want to kill you.”

Bermuda raised his hands defensively. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I foresee the bad events, I try to warn others, and when they don’t heed the warning and the bad thing happens, they blame me. And there were so many bad things to fall upon my kingdom…” Bermuda sighed, looking off and closing his eyes.

L’arc put a hand reassuringly on Bermuda’s shoulder.

.“You’re in no worse standing with the forest. The forest creatures like you.”

Bermuda lifted his face. “Only because they don’t know who I am.”

L’arc let out an exasperated sigh, facing the railing of the balcony again. “What did you see?” he asked once more.

Bermuda’s expression darkened. “You are going to die.”

Israel drew his face back. That was a right good bit of interesting information. He found a smirk on his face. Knowledge was power. He could use this. He turned to sneak off. But Verdi was in his way.

“You’ll be leaving, then?” Minori asked, entering the room where the others were. L’arc nodded.

.”Yes, that’s right,” he said. “We’re going back to the forest. We still have a war to fight, you know,” he said.

Minori nodded. “I hope you all return safely,” he said. He turned. “To enable you to do so, I have something for each of you,” he said.

Gabe perked up. “Presents?” he asked, looking happy. Minori smiled lightly. “Yes, Gabe,” he said. “Presents for you all.”

He beckoned with his hand, and Apathy came in, holding an assortment of items. Gabe bounced up and down. “Me first! Mememe!” he said.

Minori laughed. “Alright, Gabe, here you are,” he said, handing the boy a spell book. Gabe stared at the gift with awe. “This is the tome of Valaura, Gabe,” Minori said. “It’s a very powerful spell. You protect your mommy with it, okay?” he asked. Gabe nodded, holding up the purple tome for the others to see.

Minori smiled. “Speaking of your mother,” he said, motioning to Aries. “I have this for you,” he said, holding up a slim sword. “This is a Rapier. I figured it would suit you,” he said, handing it over. He looked to the next person.

. “Verolen,” he said. He held out a new cloak. “Silver dragon scales are stronger then red dragon scales,” he said. He smiled. “But blood shows up on this one,” he added, laughing slightly. He passed the cape over to the demon.

. “Verdi,” he called next. He paused for the Moot to come forward. “This is for you. It’s a Specter Card. When you read what it says, it lets you use a strong magic spell to defend yourself,” he explained.

. “And for you, Sylas,” Minori said next. He held out a silver bow, and arrows with gold shafts and white tips. “These are the scales from a divine dragon. They will be very powerful against any demons you face,” he said.

. “Israel. Come here.” The laguz crept forward with his head bowed. “Yes, your highness?” he asked meekly. Minori smiled at him.

. “It’s alright, come here. I won’t bite you,” he said. Israel inched a bit closer. “Here, a laguz stone,” Minori said, holding out the red jewel to him.

Israel backed up. “Are you sure? Those are rare…” Minori smiled once again. “I have no use for it,” he said. Israel nodded after that, and took the stone from Minori, hanging it next the Ether shard around his neck.

Minori looked at the others. “Rush,” he said. “I didn’t really know what to give you, but finally…” he held out an item wrapped in cloth. “I found this for you.”

The item was an old book, full of demon script and translations. Minori looked embarrassed. “You probably don’t have a use for it… but you handle yourself pretty well without the aid of weapons…” he paused. “I didn’t know what else…”

“L’arc,” Minori said. He held out a hoary blade. “This is the blade Lisben,” he said. “It was blessed by the previous King, Kazue. It’s a very strong weapon. It won’t fail you,” he said. L’arc almost handed it back.

. “Minori, this is too much…” he said.

Minori interrupted. “Return it when the war’s over,” he said. “It’s not doing much laying around here. Use it, then bring it back if you so wish. But you can keep it. It’s a gift,” he said.

L’arc smiled and bowed. “Thank you,” he said.

. “Finally, Bermuda,” he said, waving the other prince to come. Bermuda put his hands out. “Now, you should know… I’m really not given to fighting…” he said.

Minori smiled. “Now, that’s odd. I thought the forest princes were bred to fight. At least, I heard that somewhere,” he said. “Do you not enjoy battle?”

Bermuda shook his head. Minori smirked. “Odd. There’s not been a royal from the forest that hasn’t taken part in some battle or another.”

L’arc didn’t like what Minori was getting at. He put his hand on the hilt of his new blade.

. “So, why don’t you like battle? Forest prince? Or are you not one?”

L’arc drew Lisben on Minori. The King didn’t even flinch. He laughed softly. “See what I mean? Foresters…” he shook his head. “Personally, I prefer the Oceanid Kingdom. I mean, neglect the backstabbing and all…”

Bermuda swallowed. “How did…?” he asked. He shook his head, backing up. Israel spoke up. “Didn’t the Oceanids have a war with the forest? Isn’t that why your dad is dead, L’arc?” he asked. L’arc whipped around.

. “That was none of Bermuda’s fault,” he said.

. “Which is what I heard,” Minori spoke up again. “Bermuda… Prince Adrian. Your throne was usurped, was it not?”

Bermuda seemed to tense. Minori continued to speak. “Because you stopped the war, didn’t you? The people overthrew you.”

. “I’m not given to fighting,” Bermuda said softly.

. “But certainly you know how to use this?”

Minori held out a healing staff to the Blue Prince. Bermuda took it into his hands, which, at this point, had been trembling.

. “This… This is a very rare stave,” he said, eyeing it. Minori smiled. “So you know how to use it, then?” he asked. Bermuda nodded.

. “Good, then,” he said. “I trust all of you to return unharmed.” he turned swiftly and left the room.

Bermuda sighed. “Aries, it doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know why I’m able to see into the future… the things I see always come true. And I always see horrible things… We got lucky with L’arc, I thought he was going to die when Israel was holding him over the cliff like that… but that normally doesn’t happen. B-back… in Oceania, I even foresaw my banishment. I did everything I could to stop it, but still… it happened. Not that I’m whining or anything, but… what use are these visions, you think? If I’m able to see things that are sure to happen… I wear myself out trying to stop them, and then, when they do come about, I feel guilty.” Bermuda sat down on the forest floor. “What purpose do they serve? To torment me?”

AAAND MORE.

Bermuda’s eyes suddenly flashed upward. “Someone’s coming,” he said, getting to his feet. He’d left his staff at camp. He drew out the small dagger he wore on his belt. “Who’s there?” he called. Three tall, hooded people stepped into the clearing. “En ole ninn hyveinn,” one spoke. Bermuda’s eyes grew wide with shock. He straightened up. His head tilted to the side, and he squinted, trying to get a better look at the men. “….in arura?” he asked. As if on cue, the three pulled back their hoods. One, the shortest, had the face of only a boy. The tall, thin one had piercing eyes, which looked mistrustingly at Aries. The strongest one had a kind, but sculpted face. He was looking at Bermuda. “Prince Adrian?” he questioned, a heavy accent on his voice. Bermuda suddenly sprung forwards, dropping his dagger on the ground. He hugged the stocky one. “Eltanin!” he cried. The large man patted Bermuda’s back. “Hello, little one,” he said. The two others smiled. Then all three looked up at Aries, glaring. “Who are you?” the one with piercing eyes asked.

“Don’t worry, she’s a friend,” Bermuda assured the other three. The cherub-faced boy’s glare immediately melted into a smile. “Aries, was it?” he asked, approaching the Viera. He peered at her inquisitively, then reached his hand up to touch one of her ears. The thin one darted forwards, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. “Careful, Quay!” he said, pulling the young one back. “You know how Foresters are…” he murmured, not taking in account that Aries was only an arms length away. Quay looked up. “But, Thuban, she looks so interesting!” he protested. He looked back at the strong one. “Eltanin, tell him to let me go look at the Viera!” he whined. “Or, or, Prince! Make him let me go!” he said. Bermuda laughed. “I’m sorry, Aries, we Oceanids are curious by nature…” Quay peered up at Aries. “Oh, she looks so cool!” he said again. “She does swords? I always wanted to do swords, but it’s hard to find iron in Rasalhague,” he continued on. “Can I hold your sword? Please? Please?”

Bermuda went back over to Aries. “I’m sorry, Aries, I didn’t know that they were coming so soon. I was going to tell you all before they came, but I forgot how fast Selkies could travel,” he said. Eltanin dropped to his knee. “We aim to please, sire.“ Bermuda smiled. “Please, you don’t need to stand on ceremony with me… I’ve been banished, remember?” Thuban shook his head. “Like that matters to us. Let the selfish naiads banish you. We Selkies are loyal to you,” he waved off the comment with his hand. “Well, anyways, Aries, this is Quay…” Bermuda pointed to the shorter one, who was still fooling around with the dagger. “The tall, polite one is Thuban,” Bermuda gestured to the one with the piercing gray eyes, who smiled at Aries. “I apologize to you on behalf of my brother’s rudeness. He’s never left Rasalhague.” Thuban bowed slightly. “An honor to meet you, Lady Aries.”

Bermuda smiled. “And this is Eltanin,” he said fondly, looking up at the man with the shaved head and strong arms. Eltanin bowed. “I apologize as well. For my thoughts… that is, thinking you posed danger to our prince,” he said. He smiled at the Viera.

Bermuda looked around. “That about does it for introductions. Should we go back to camp?” he asked. He was almost sure that Verolen would be upset by the presence of these three, but it couldn’t be helped. Besides, it was the Naiads, Bermuda’s clan, that had done the experiments on Verolen. The Selkies were an entirely different group. Not only did they look different, with their gray skin, hair, and eye tones, but their dispositions were different as well than the purebred Naiad. They were much kinder and more concerned about the well being of others, and much more loyal; as opposed to the apathetic nature of Naiads.

Bermuda was a Halfling, but one couldn’t really tell. His hair was more of a silver tone; not gray, but not blue, either. His eyes were blue. And he was compassionate, unlike his father. Bermuda’s mother had been a Selkie. His father had wed her in an effort to improve relations between the two clans. But they were as different as, well… oil and water, so to speak.

“You talk to spirits?” Minori asked, incredulous.

Eve nodded at once. “That I do, I do,” she said with a smile. “Why, just a little bit ago, I was talking to someone in the throne room… Kazue, he said his name was.”

Minori’s pallor drained. “Daddy? My dad’s still here?” he asked.

“Oh, he’s your papa? He kept saying he was the king. I don’t think he’s realized that he’s dead yet.”

“My dad’s… still here?”

“Yeah, we’ve established that.”

“I know. I just can’t believe…”

“I know.”

Minori sighed. “If only there were a way to bring him back…”

“But you’re the king now. He’s not needed here anymore, you’ve taken his place.”

“I need him! I’m not ready… I’m not ready to be king…” Minori put his face down on his pillow again.

“Oh. So that’s what this has been all about. You’re sad because you miss your dad.”

“…yeah.”

Bermuda woke with a start in the night. He sat up and put a hand to his forehead, noting that he was trembling a bit. There was sweat all over him. He pulled his hand back, watching the glow fade from the mark on his wrist. So that hadn’t been a nightmare. It was another vision. He’d had this one before. The visions didn’t come in full pieces, usually. But this one…

It had been the one he’d had before, a while ago, before they found out why Verolen was turning into his father. Because the vision had taken place so far in the future, everything was blurred out and muffled.

This time, he’d seen the whole thing.

Bermuda stood up and crept quietly out of the bedroom, having to step over Verdi as he went. He slowly made his way to the sanctuary. This is where it would happen…

Was it too late to stop this?

Bermuda shook his head. “I can’t… I can’t do this anymore… I don’t want to be here…”

L’arc broke in. “Bermuda, you really can’t just… leave in a situation like this,” he pointed out. Bermuda shook his head.

“I’m going to get my stuff. I’m teleporting home,” he said, feeling tears build up in his eyes.

“You’re just going to leave?” Byrne asked, looking shocked. “I thought we were your friends! You’re going to leave us with everything falling apart like this?” he asked.

Bermuda shuddered. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t… I really tried… I wanted to stop it… if I’d tried harder… it wouldn’t have come to this at all… I’m sorry, I messed up really bad. It’s my fault, all of this is my fault… I’m sorry, I’m going now,” Bermuda then hurried off, away from the group.

Israel looked at Verolen. “We’re… not just going to let him go, are we?” he asked softly.

L’arc had followed quickly behind Verolen. “Bermuda, I won’t allow you to leave! You’re my brother, remember? You have to stay!” he said to the other prince, quite worked up about this. Bermuda just stood there, gripping his staff. He seemed to murmur something, to the order of;

“I’m going now. I’m letting go now. You fix this. I can’t take anymore…”

And then the staff fell out of Bermuda’s hands and he collapsed.

Bermuda’s eyes slowly blinked open. “Woah, stop with the shaking…!” he said, sitting up. L’arc looked relieved. “Oh, good… glad you’re okay, Bermuda.” The blue haired prince blinked. “Bermuda…? Oh, I’m not him. Bermuda’s asleep right now.”

“Asleep?” L’arc echoed. ‘Not Bermuda’ nodded. “Yes, he’s sleeping, so, now, I’m in control of his body! Poor little friend, he was scared, that’s all.” L’arc shook his head. “I don’t understand…” he said. “If… if you’re not Bermuda, then who… are you?” he asked. The boy smiled. “Adahre, of course! Who else could I be, I’m the only other thing sharing his body!”

When had Eve gotten there? “Oh, you? I get it. Adahre. Guys, Adahre is Bermuda’s spirit! You know, the mark. Bermuda only shares half the deal. Adahre is the spirit he made the pact with!”

L’arc shook his head. “Bermuda didn’t make any pact…” Eve shrugged. “So then he was born with it. Means Adahre chose him. Only difference.”

Adahre nodded. “Oh, yes. I like Bermuda.”

“So… what are you, exactly? And how come you can take over Bermuda’s body?” L’arc asked. Adahre smiled. “Becaaauuuse!” he said, standing up and stretching. “I can take him over becausssse! I am the Spirit of Impressions! I done IMPRINTED as him! Hahahaha!” he said. L’arc blinked. Was it only him who thought Adahre was a little… off?

Adahre smiled, wagging his finger in L’arc’s face. “Ah, ah, no naughty thoughts! Not like I’d hurt him; I have to share this body too, you know! Ah! Ow!” he jolted suddenly, rubbing his arm. “Bermuda pinched me!” he whined. He froze for a moment like that, hand on his arm, upset look on his face, and an instant later, acted like nothing happened. “Hahaha! Wash your hands before eating!” he laughed. He ran around L’arc in a circle, then took off down the hall. “VROOOM!”

L’arc looked at the others. “At least we know that THAT’s definitely NOT Bermuda… unless he’s done hit his head….”

L’arc knocked on the door to Minori’s room. “Minori? Reetah will be up soon. Don’t you think you should be there when she wakes?” he asked.

There was a sob from behind the door. “Tell her I’m sorry!” he cried. L’arc sighed and stepped back. “Alright. I will,” he said softly. “Even though it’s not your fault…” Minori shrieked. “YES IT IS!” Bermuda covered his ears, growling. “Oh, this has to stop!” he said. He murmured a spell, and the door to Minori’s room flew open. He stomped inside. “Minori! Stop this!” he said. Minori looked up. “But… but… it’s my fault!” he sobbed. Bermuda sighed. “Sure. We all know it’s your fault, but no one wants to offend you. It’s YOUR FAULT, and we all know it. If you hadn’t recklessly gone into battle, Heather wouldn’t be dead. If you hadn’t sent Reetah alone, she wouldn’t have turned half rock! If you hadn’t been so foolish, you wouldn’t have handed Apathy over to Aton. If you hadn’t left your kingdom for the forest, maybe your dad would still be alive!” Bermuda listed everything that he knew had gone wrong and that Minori blamed himself for. He let a hiss be drawn out of his lungs as Minori burst into tears again. -c

Bermuda growled with frustration. “But look at you now. It’s obvious, you’ve made lots and lots of mistakes! But mistakes can be learned from. So move on, sit up, lift your head, and start acting like a King!” Bermuda shrieked at him. Minori looked a bit dumbfounded. He blinked a few times, then looked at his hands. He sat there for a while as Bermuda’s words sank in. He lifted his hand and rubbed his tears off his cheeks. “…you’re right,” he murmured. “I’m so--” Bermuda interrupted. “No! I forbid you from saying that word anymore,” he said. Minori smiled slightly, looking up. He gave a soft laugh. “O-ohkay.”

Bermuda woke with a start. Something was going on… his ears were ringing. He shook his head, trying to clear the sound from them. But it didn’t desert him. He looked around; could no one else hear this sound? It was getting louder. He covered his ears with a whimper. Still, the volume grew louder. He let out a scream as the noise split his hearing. He couldn’t even hear his voice over it…

L’arc jolted awake. “Bermuda!” He called, rising immediately at the other Prince’s screams. He didn’t hear the noise Bermuda did… just the shrieks from Bermuda that were caused by it. “Rush! Something’s wrong!” he called.

Bermuda leapt to his feet, trying to escape the noise. Arms suddenly grabbed onto his shoulders. He screamed once again. At last, the shrill noise ceased enough for him to hear the ones that had grabbed him.

“In the name of the Royal Court of Oceania,” a deep voice spoke, “You are under arrest.”-c

Bermuda yelped and struggled. “Under arrest? What crime have I done? I haven’t committed any crimes! I haven’t been back to Oceania since my banishment!” he cried. Now that he was able to hear clearly, he knew who these men were. They were the same senators that had mxrdered his parents and usurped his throne. He tried to pull away from them. They only laughed. “See, that is your crime. Your dear brother, Ashkii, was kind enough to tell us how you returned home just a few weeks ago. You’ve violated the terms of your banishment. You knew the penalty for such, did you not? Now, be quiet and hold still. We’re taking you back to Fomalaught,” Senator Lucien announced.

L’arc burst into the room, drawing his sword. “Release him!” he shouted. A knife was held to Bermuda’s neck. L’arc lowered his sword a bit, and his glare wavered. Lucien laughed. “We’re taking him back with us,” he said.-d

L’arc glared. Then he relaxed a little. “Bermuda, they can’t hurt you, right? Because of Adahre?” he asked. “They’re not allowed?” he asked. Lucien laughed. “Silly boy. We Naiads have been developing new magic that can split a spirit from his host,” he laughed as Bermuda’s face drained of color. “That’s right, boy. And once you two are split, the public will have no opposition about an execution,” he said. “We’ll hang you right by your brother.” Bermuda struggled. “No!” he yelled. Lucien laughed. “Don’t like that? Well, we could just kill you right here,” he said. His knife pressed against Bermuda’s neck, drawing blood. Bermuda screamed. L’arc looked down, feeling utterly helpless. If he moved, if he didn’t move, Bermuda would be killed either way.

Lucien laughed gleefully. “Die, you false prince! Join your parents!” The knife sliced cleanly, and Bermuda fell.

L’arc shrieked, dropping his sword and tackling the man. He shoved him away and gathered Bermuda into his arms, despair on his face. It was replaced by a look of utter confusion. Bermuda’s eyes were open and blinking, and his breaths came in even, albeit shallow gulps. The faint blue light that had started to glow around Bermuda when the knife met his skin brightened to full radiance. Then, Adahre appeared. He stepped through L’arc and stood before the senators. They laughed nervously.

“Lucien, looks like someone’s mad…” they murmured. L’arc pulled Bermuda closer; the other prince’s eyes were closed now.

Lucien rose with a laugh. “What’s he going to do? He’s powerless without Adrian serving as a vessel. He can’t harm--” Adahre broke in. “Ettah myiah sruce,” he hissed. Lucien laughed at him. “He can’t even speak our language, the stupid thing, without Bermuda to speak for him!” he said. The other senators joined in the laughter. “Why have we been revering those with spirits like this one in them?” “What malarkey!” they chimed in. The light around Adahre jumped around with anger. “Ettahtah sruche yanah!” he shouted. L’arc pulled Bermuda into the corner of the room; this spirit was getting angry. He looked up at Rush, wondering if they should flee the room before things got worse.

The senators continued to laugh, ignoring Adahre’s warnings. The light inflamed around the spirit, then shot out at one of the senators. He vanished. The laughter stopped as Adahre ‘evaporated’ two more of the Oceanid leaders.

Bermuda suddenly writhed in pain. He began coughing and sputtering around the wound in his neck. L’arc put his hand over the gash. “Aries…” he said worriedly. Eve was suddenly there, once again. “Adahre!” she called. “Enurida huundu sycha!” she screamed. Adahre’s head suddenly whipped around, hearing the cries of both Eve, and Bermuda now. The remaining senators, including Lucien, had fled. Adahre ran back to Bermuda, pulling L’arc’s hand off the wound and replacing it with his own transparent one. The cut closed under the healing touch, and then Adahre disappeared. The mark on Bermuda’s wrist glowed brightly, then faded as Adahre went back to him. Bermuda’s breathing was normal once again, but he wasn’t moving. L’arc looked up. “What… what just happened?” he asked.

Nine pages for you.

Of only my posts. -facepalm- For that, I apologise.

Yeahh, somewhat disappointed about that, but it was awesome for nostalgia's sake. :3

NU. I STILL LIKE IT.