The Forgotten Zodiac

Cynyr's claws closed around Nate's neck from behind, and he slammed the dragonian against the wall, his lips pulled back into a vicious snarl. Isslia was still asleep, now held by a tiny wind wraith, who obediently hovered a short distance away, rocking the dogling so she stayed asleep. Cynyr's claws threatened to draw blood as he pushed them harder against Nate's skin, growling Don't pretend to know my mind, Nate. You have no idea what I had to do, what I had to go through, what I gave up, and you'll likely tell me some far-fletched whim on how you do. I'll give you some advice; stay out of things you have no knowledge of, okay? He let go and turned, shifting forms while the little wraith followed dutifully behind him.

"No. You're right. I don't know what you went through, Cynyr. But I do know what you gave up. And I know it wasn't worth it." Nate said softly, rubbing the back of his neck. But he said nothing more, stooping to collect his books. He watched Cynyr walk away this time, and he sighed heavily as he turned and walked to his room.

((I had. The most evil. Idea. For Cynyr. Yet.

I might not use it, but then again, it's soooooooooooooooooooooooo neat/disturbing/FULLOFPLOTTWIST/UNANSWEREDQUESTIONS.))

The panther padded onwards, his gait suggesting his anger. The wind wraith flew past his head, still cradling Isslia in its see-thru, skeletal arms. The panther looked up at the wraith, frowning heavily. Nate's words were eating at him, making him think things he didn't want to think. He growled, dragging his claws across one of the walls, his sharp teeth clenched in his mouth.

((HE'S ALREADY BASICALLY REVEALED THAT HE'S ALIGNED WITH VEROS

HOW MUCH MORE OF A PLOT TWIST DO YOU NEED

WHAT IS IT))

Spy, the adorable little chimera-thing, was soon following Cynyr. He didn't say anything, and when Cynyr stopped to turn and glare at him, the Chimera just blinked and flicked his ears. Soon enough they reached Seria's room. Ophile was by the door, standing guard. Silently watching when Cynyr was not. He felt a sort of duty towards the half-cat and his wife, after all. This was one way of fuffiling it. Ensuring that Seria was safe while Cynyr was away. A simple job, but one that Ophile took quite seriously.

"All's well?" The wolf questioned quietly as Cynyr approached. "It's late. You should rest, you know."

((Do you reaaaallyyyyyyy want to know~?))

Yeah. All's fine. Perfectly fine. He didn't seem keen on talking, and when he went to pass the wolf, he avoided contact with him. Normally, he would've rubbed up against the wolf to be friendly. Now, he quickly ducked past him and into the room, the little wind wraith holding Isslia still. He padded over to Seria's bedside, looking down into his wife's sleeping face. She was peaceful and beautiful, her long hair falling over her shoulders like red wine down silk. The panther watched her for a long moment, then flicked his ears back and nuzzled her cheek softly, closing his eyes.

((YEAH I DO))

Isslia finally started to stir, opening her eyes. She yawned and rolled over, before realizing what was holding her. She fell out of its grip with a squeak of fear and transformed, landing on her rear. "Ah...I-I thought it was a ghost..." She sighed, then looked around. She immediately covered her mouth, realizing that Seria was still asleep. "Sorry!" She whispered, biting her lip and hoping she didn't wake her.

((OKAY

So my evil idea was, what if, for all these years, this wasn't the real Cynyr? A long, looong time ago, the REAL black panther was locked away by -insert someone here-, and the thing that was created in his place is just a knot of emotions and feelings that can dissipate at any time.

And the REAL Cynyr has no idea who any of these people are. : D

And I'm not going to use this idea, I just thought it was a weird idea all of the sudden. xD But I wouldn't do that, not when Seria's going to have babies.))

Seria stirred slightly at the noise, opening her eyes slightly. "Mm...Cynyr?" she called softly, blinking her long lashes.

"Shh, I'm here," he answered, transforming and sitting on the edge of the bed, bending his head down to press his forehead to hers. She sighed and relaxed, letting her nose brush his lightly and giving a tired giggle. "I keep forgetting your face was fixed," she exhaled, stroking his nearly scar-free cheek gently before falling back asleep.

He stared down at her, closing his eye after a moment. Finally, he reopened it and looked over at Isslia, lowering his hand down to help her up and perhaps bring her closer to himself if she wanted.

((YEAH NO))

Isslia accepted his help up, but she didn't really move closer. "Where's Welk?" She asked very quietly, frowning slightly. But then she smiled a bit. "Did he run off with Werr again? Those two spend so much time together...I'll go find him, don't worry." She shook her head, then quickly slipped out of the room. She almost immediately nearly ran into Obelisk. "Oh! Hi. Do you know where Welk is?"

"Returning from the Eternal Garden. You can greet him at the entrance, most likely." Obelisk shrugged. "Would you like an escort?"

"No, I'm okay. Thank you," Isslia bowed slightly, and Obelisk dipped his head in return.

((FIEN.))

Cynyr looked up slightly, watching as Isslia scampered off, then sighed and transformed, curling up by Seria's side and brushing his muzzle against her round belly.

*

Isslia caught the two as they reentered Kaislun. Welk was bouncing along as usual, Werr having chose to walk alongside him in order to not be shaken or jostled around. "-onder what'll happen with them both in the same room? I mean, the last time he saw her was before I was born, but maybe they'll get back together! Wouldn't that be great? Cynyr never got a chance to meet Briana, because he had a different mom." He saw Isslia and immediately grinned, bounding forward to meet her. "Issi!" he called, slowing as he neared her and rubbing his muzzle against her back.

Isslia smiled and wrapped her arms around Welk's head. "Hey, there you are. Obelisk said you'd be over here. Hey, Werr." She greeted happily.

"Hi, Isslia." Werr smiled. "How's it going?"

"Okay, for the most part...I passed a Tartaran. He said something kinda mean...but I'll be okay."

"What did he say?"

"He just said that I shouldn't leave the castle if I wanted to keep my tail intact..." Isslia rubbed her foot against the ground. "He said because I was a guest of Tartarus, they were allowed to attack us. And if I wasn't in the castle, I'd probably meet a pretty terrible fate...I guess he didn't want to be mean, he just...I dunno. The way he said it was scary."

Welk blinked at her, a growl working into his throat as he listened to her words. "Why, if I saw that guy..." he said, shifting forms. He wrapped his arms around Isslia, stroking her silvery-gray hair back gently. "You couldn't sleep?" he asked, glancing around. "I left you with Cynyr, you were safe there. Are you okay?"

"I'm okay. Cynyr went to go check on Seria, and I woke up being held by one of his wraiths. It scared me, so I left to find you. And here we are." Isslia nodded. "It's okay. I'm not worried about what the Tartaran said. I'm just a little worried about going outside, now..."

"As you should be. The Tartarans here are basically...revolting. They don't like the changes that have been happening as of late." Forin sighed as he passed, a bundle of books in his arms. Some of them looked like children books, while the others were thicker and older looking. He also had a few logs slung over his back, likely for toy carving. "Just watch your back, and don't go anywhere alone. If you do happen to be alone, call for Obelisk. He's literally the safest guy to be around right now."

"I thought he was." Isslia nodded. "He seems scary sometimes, but he's actually really nice."

"Yes, well. I should be getting back to Diana. You lot should go to bed, yourselves. Whether or not we're leaving tomorrow, we're likely in for a long day."

Luen, who was walking along behind the Tartarn, gave them a smile as he passed, pausing to give a tiny tug at a lock of Werr's hair and a little pull on Welk's new tail. He left Isslia alone, knowing she wouldn't want to be pulled on by him, and instead turned his muzzle up to rest on Forin's shoulder. His mechanical leg gave its light clicking sounds as he moved it, moving as he needed for it to accomidate his weight.

((I wish you would stop talking about me on the cBox.))

((We're worried, Trin. We're not scorning you or shaming you or anything. I don't say bad things about you. I said I'd be your friend even if you hated me. We said we'd pray for whatever tough times you were going through. If you want us to stop talking about you, okay. We won't talk about you. But we'll still worry.))

Isslia watched them go, then leaned against Welk. "We should go back to bed, he's right," She yawned a bit, then suddenly kissed Welk on the cheek. She moved a half-step away from him, though holding his hand now.

"Yeah, we can head back to the pile you guys made on my bed," Werr grinned.

Welk had an utterly elated look on his face, purring loudly and flicking his wail as if wagging it. "Hey, that pile is artistic," he said, following along behind Isslia like someone in a dream or trance. He flicked his ears, casting Isslia a beaming look.

"I'm sure it was," Werr chuckled. He and Isslia both tensed as a familiar large black owl approached from the other end of the hallway.

"I see you took my warning seriously," Drew said, clicking his beak at Isslia. "You looked scared when you ran off. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"Are you alright, Drew? That bat-face did a number on you..." Werr frowned.

"Fit as a fiddle. I know a few healers. Airlia as well, she's so sweet." He cooed, then transformed. He looked even more strange in a more humanoid form; black feathers instead of hair, a white half-mask with a long bird's nose, and a black suit with a silver tie. He seemed to have a face underneath the mask, but clearly didn't intend upon taking it off.

"You have a human form?" Werr blinked.

"Yes. It's very uncomfortable, though. Very cold." He chortled. "But I figured you might want to see it. I'm much faster in this form, and if you were to see me during a fight or something in this form, you'd be able to recognize me."

"WOW! You're HUGE!" Welk exclaimed, quickly turning a circle around the owl. "Sheesh, and I thought your owl form was cool..." He grinned up at the owl, then looked around him as Cynyr padded past in the distance, apparently just wandering.

Welk crouched and snuck a few paces closer, then all-out charged for his sibling, shouting "HI CYNYR," at the top of his lungs as he leapt onto the panther's back, sending both tumbling crazily over the ground. They landed in a hissing, spitting clump, with Welk shouting "Ouch!" while Cynyr mauled him.

"Welk, this is Drew, a very helpful Tartaran who--" Werr stopped short as the fight started. He thought it was pretty normal until Cynyr actually drew blood from Welk. "H-hey, Cynyr, get off him!" Werr yelled, pulling at the panther to no avail.

"Do you require assistance, Welk?" Drew questioned, watching in mingled shock. He wasn't quite sure what else to do.

"S-stop, you're hurting him!" Isslia wailed.

Cynyr finally let go, standing up with a growl as Welk scrambled back, bleeding from numerous scratches and cuts along his sides and front left leg. They glared at each other for a long moment, then Welk said "What's your problem?! You've never hurt me before!"

These are changing times, little brother, was the spat answer before the panther turned away. For a moment in the light, again, Werr could swear he saw demonic features parting the black fur, but when the light shifted a second later, they were gone.

Werr watched him go, brow furrowed. Drew knelt next to Welk, investigating the wounds. "They're not too deep. I suggest you find Airlia. And...be careful around him, in the future. Clearly he's not the same Panther that you used to know..."

"No kidding." Werr muttered.

Isslia knelt on Welk's other side, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his mane. "Are you okay?" She asked softly, shivering slightly.