The Forgotten Zodiac

"I...that's fine, then. Here is okay." Werr nodded, plopping down in his throne and pulling Lexi down beside him. It was a large seat, and he had shared it with her before. He wondered how Cynyr was speaking like this; Werr wasn't used to having the panther's voice in his mind. Naybrin's was common. Occasionally he would hear from Luna; she could speak with him when she was in trouble, but she had said nothing recently. She was with Forin now, naturally.

"Alright, Cynyr. I'm ready." Werr nodded.

Lexi curled up against the king, utterly exhausted. Her hands refused to let go of him, however; they remained wrapped around him, her fingers curled into his clothes, her eyes shut wearily. With his arms around her in return, she finally felt normal again.

Cynyr swallowed, then shifted forms and stood rigidly beside the throne, his gaze dull. Well...you remember this scar, he started, pulling down the neck of his shirt to bare the cruel mark to Werr. This mark...might not have been an accident.

He hesitated, then said I...I did it to myself. For power. D-dark...power. To become a Possessor. You know as well as I do that Possession is a forbidden art, punishable by death and frowned upon heavily by the 'Goddess'. But...I wasn't thinking about that, when I did it. All I wanted...was Seria back. I couldn't lose someone else I cared about! I couldn't...I couldn't go through Welk all over again. And...well, the Goddess doesn't exist to me anymore.

So I did it. I located a demon powerful enough to grant me the art, but it required sacrifice. I had to give something in order to get, so I cut out my own voice. Hacked it out of my throat with my claws. And after I got the ability, I went around looting powers from corpses. And I...

I...

...I lost myself.

The panther looked on the verge of rare tears, his arms wrapped around himself tightly. He looked so miserable and forlorn.

"But...you found yourself again, didn't you? You're here, aren't you? You found yourself and you saved Seria and Diana, and here you are." Werr insisted. "I...I know what Possession is. I....ordered the execution of one a few years ago. But he was completely insane, he killed around twenty people just because he could, not even for powers...you...ho-how many people did you kill? For...for powers?" He questioned, biting his lip. Yes, he could excuse Cynyr, but how just would that be? He rested a hand on Cynyr's shoulder, gripping it tightly as though to remind Cynyr where he was.

"Am I interrupting something?" Obelisk stepped through the front door then, holding what appeared to be a jar of yellow jam or something. "I fetched the medicine required. Is anyone else showing symptoms of Scarlet Fever? No? Good." He looked around, frowning. "What occured while I was away, exactly?

Cynyr ignored the arrival of the ancient being, instead saying to Werr I...I didn't kill anyone. I just looted from corpses. But...some part of me wanted to kill someone. It's like I suddenly craved fresh power, like a vampire craves blood. But...I never killed anyone. I contented myself with old power, kept myself away with thoughts of Seria and you...and Welk...

He dropped his head lower, his expression crestfallen.

The panther finally gave a small nod, saying I...worried you would cast me off for it. I guess I was mistaken. He finally smiled slightly, then ruffled Werr's hair and said Thanks, Werr, before taking panther form and just leaning against the boy's legs, flicking his tail calmly.

Seria chose to answer Obelisk. "Not much. I'm sure Naybrin can give you a mental review of what's been going on."

Werr smiled a bit. "Never, Cynyr. I would never just cast you aside." He scratched Cynyr behind the ears again, finding the motions comforting for himself as well as Cynyr.

"He just did, actually, thank you." Obelisk nodded at Naybrin. "But before I go and treat my wife's illness...Cynyr, you have something of mine." He stepped forward. "You are very much aware that you cannot use those powers. They would destroy you from the inside out, and force you to harm everyone around you. That being the reason you haven't tried yet, I know. But it's high time I gained what I lost. If you would be so kind--"

He didn't exactly get to finish his question. He collapsed in a heap, and most everyone else felt something very serious go very wrong. All magic users in the area immediately felt drained beyond belief, weary and tired as though they hadn't slept in weeks. It made it very difficult to move, much less cast any spells. The source of it came from the rafters above them. He dropped down into view, his lantern casting an eerie glow over everything.

Zex. He bowed before Werr, in a mocking sort of way. "Your highness."

"Tch...what are you doing here?" Werr growled, recognizing the emblem on the front of Zex's coat, which caught the light of his lantern as he straightened up again. Gossain. "I get it. You're an assassin of some kind..."

"Nay. I come not to kill."

"Then what--"

"You would be wise to stand and walk calmly to your dungeons, Werr Krow." Zex ordered. "All of you. We have already secured Jagat and his wife with your young. I assure you, no harm will come to them." His eyes fell on Seria. "Or her. I repeat myself; I come not to kill."

Cynyr snarled, his fur bristling as Lance and Kage entered behind Zex, their expressions set maliciously. Seria quickly stumbled backwards, putting her husband between herself and these intruders, where she knew he would keep her safe.

Kage's expression twisted in a way that made her shudder as he let his gaze rake her form, then he said "Without those pests in your womb, I imagine you'll be quite the prize."

Cynyr snarled and she hissed, keeping her arms safely around her belly.

Cynyr, though he looked about to fall over, snarled, but Seria laid a hand on his shoulder. She gave a weak nod, looking upset and afraid, but the though of her unborn children instantly forced her to go with them. She couldn't - wouldn't - let these suffer the fate of her first.

Cynyr slowly shifted forms, holding her tightly to him. He growled at the dragonian circling the group, hating every second of this.

Kage smirked at him, then turned to the stunned Nate, who was laying in Naybrin's hands. "Oh look, if it isn't my little toy's hubby. How's it going, Nate? I saw that you and that pink-haired doll of mine had a little one of your own. Wait until she's forced to bear mine, as it always should've been." He cackled, grinning darkly.

Zex rested his hand lightly on Seria's shoulder, steering her through a side door. Lance returned, kicking aside the gelatin mess the shattered bottle had left as she made her way to Werr and Lexi. "Come on, we don't have all day. Let's get you two downstairs. Zex said we have to be 'nice', so I suppose that means I shouldn't hurt you. Heck, I'll be generous, too. You can play in the same cell. Thank me," When Werr said nothing, she moved to slap him. But Zex had left his lantern on the floor in the center of the room; it hummed dangerously until she lowered her hand.

"Tch...let's go." She took Werr and Lexi by their upper arms, marching them away.

((Nate is still in the room, to be escorted by Zex next. o3o Goad away.))

Kage smirked at him, then turned to the stunned Nate, who was laying in Zephyr's hands. "Oh look, if it isn't my little toy's hubby. How's it going, Nate? I saw that you and that pink-haired doll of mine had a little one of your own. Wait until she's forced to bear mine, as it always should've been." He cackled, grinning darkly. "Yes, I'll have to pay her back for killing me. Perhaps I'll beat her first. Yes, yes, within an inch of her life. But before that, I'll let her watch as I kill her baby. Then you can watch as I have my way with her. I wonder if she'll scream for you while I defile her? Beg me to stop, beg you to save her. Too bad you won't be able to."

Nate swallowed hard, then narrowed his eyes. "We killed you once...we'll do it again. However you came back, you...monstrosity. I will not allow you to lay a FINGER on my dear Tasia. It will not happen. That boy...your superior said it won't...and I'll be the one to enforce that."

"You will. Thank you for volunteering." Zex returned, moving to help Nate out of Zephyr's hands. "I'm taking you to your wife, where you'll stay until we're gone."

"Thank you." Nate growled, but he was quite happy with where he was going. "Can I have my daughter as well?" He knew that it would be more for Zex to hold against him if he stepped out of line, but Nate was willing to sacrifice his chances of escape if it meant his family's survival.

"You may." Zex nodded, leading Nate away.

Lance returned as he was leaving. "You dragon folk are staying put here. That lantern's gonna watch you," She sneered. "You already know what's going on, don't you, First King?"

Naybrin and Zephyr both snarled, Vuker still curled against the First King's leg, but Naybrin spoke before them all.

"I know, little one. And I would warn you that what you seek will not happen. The future is in motion, and I can see doom on the horizon. There will come a twist in fate so grand and startling that not even those who call themselves Seers will be able to read it. This twist has tried to spin loose ahead of time, prematurely, but was stopped at each turn. Now, it is nearly ready to be born. So prepare yourself, little one, and let your leaders know that their effort is fruitless; doom cannot be stopped."

((You might can guess what he's talking about. Not sure. xD))

"Hmph! As if," Lance just shook her head. She left Vuker where he was, but finally came to Forin, Diana, Luen and Luna. "Come on," She started pulling on Luen's antlers.

"No, no, be nice to him!" Diana pushed Lance away, near tears. Forin pulled her away before Lance could retaliate.

"Don't. Luen will be fine. Just...don't..." Forin hugged her tightly. He then picked her up and started at Lance.

"I don't think so, boy. She's going with the women and children." Lance snapped, but Zex returned in time to interrupt her.

"If there is one thing you should never do, that is separate a Summoner from her Summons. Forin would much prefer to have Diana at his side, cell or not. We give no one drive to interrupt us, remember? No one. These lot all go in the same cell. Women and children..." He cast his dead gaze on the group, but paused and practically froze up when he saw Luna.

Lance stood there in skeptical silence, staring between the group and Zex. "Alright, enough of the staring. Let's go," She pushed at Forin, who started walking again. When she was gone, Zex was left standing there.

Vuker raised his trembling voice and questioned, "W-who are you?"

Zex seemed to snap out of it then, and turned to look at Vuker. "Dead."

((Oh, I should tell you that this Saturday and Sunday, I'll be at my aunt and uncle's cabin in the woods. It'll be cool, and I'll have my phone, along with maybe some internet, so. We'll be coming home on Sunday.))

Luna glanced over her shoulder at the others, her expression fearful, then had to look forward again as Lance forced them along.

Naybrin bit back a retort and slowly lowered his head down to Vuker, saying "They are all of a dead past, little one. They have someone they wish to bring back, so they do this terrible bidding. They are all dead, as the one says, and wish to be with a loved one again. It doesn't change my opinion much, however."

((WELL THAT WORKS, 'cuz most of my weekend will involve LOTS of cleaning. ;3; ))

"You are...mistaken, actually." Zex shook his head. "The ones we wished to bring back already returned to life. But...as a monstrosity that we were left to take care of, or leave to die again. It was at this point in time that we were branded. We sacrificed a part of ourselves to bring our loved ones back. And...it worked. Of course it did. But at a grave cost. Because of our sins then, because we fought so hard to reverse the flows of time, we were enslaved by the one we requested help from."

"But...but...you said you're dead..." Vuker stammered.

Zex pulled down his mask, much to Vuker's horror. "That's because I am, boy. Was. I was dead, and now I'm alive, brought forth by the power of a Titan to do his bidding. This is not my wishes. I don't want people hurt or killed or...anything like that, nothing, I don't even want to be here. But...here I am." He turned, pulling his mask back up. "If you want to be mad at me, first king, that's fine. But don't condemn me. I've tried..." He sighed, looking towards the back of the room. "I know you're here, Alexander. Come on out," There was no response and utter silence after he spoke. He sighed and walked to the throne, where he sat with a quiet groan. He kept his eyes cast downward, until something crawled up into the chair with him.

Spy. "Hi, Zex," He said very quietly. "My name is Spy now."

"That's fine...it doesn't matter." He murmured, stroking the chimera's fur. Zex looked up at Naybrin again. "This is the one I tried to bring back. This is the form he's reduced to. He...he's my younger brother."

Naybrin sighed. "I knew this," he said. "This little one's past is something well known to me, as is the pasts of each and every one of you. I cannot truly blame anyone here other than those that command." He flared his wings slightly, shifting his position in order to let Zephyr pace back and forth. The green dragon was tense and upset, and it flowed from him in waves.

"Really?" Spy blinked. "I didn't tell anyone...I thought they'd be scared of me for it. Most people are..." He snuggled up against Zex's shirt. "I was sad when you died, Zex..."

"Are you happy I'm back?" He questioned quietly, holding the chimera close. It was obvious that he truly did care for the furry little creature.

"Yes...but no. You're being forced to do bad things. Things that you don't want to do. How could I be happy for that?" Spy sniffed.

"You've learned much since my passing, I see..."

"Yes. Werr and Seria and Nate and Jagat have all taught me a lot. They...they're my family. In a way."

"I see...that's good. Good for you. I'm happy you found someone to take care of you." Zex murmured, closing his eyes. "But you should know, Spy...Veros sees into your mind. He knows what you do. The information I have on all of these people came from you. I knew how to divide them up because you observed the groups in this odd family of yours. I knew who would want to protect who, and..."

Spy flicked his ears. "So I really am a spy? They...they won't want to keep me, then..." Zex didn't reply, stroking the chimera still.

"Naybrin," Vuker spoke again, shivering. "I'm scared...these people...they're scary. I don't like it here," He leaned in ever closer to the first king's scales, tears sliding down his face.

The dragon lowered his head, brushing his nose down Vuker's back, then looked up at Spy. "Little chimera, do you think Jagat and Lily would cast you off so easily? You, who they have raised their child around? You are as much Cinnoa's family as their own. You would be a fool to misjudge their love for you."