The Forgotten Zodiac

The long, fluffy black tail flicked sharply, but that was the only sign given that Zex had startled the panther. He lifted his shaggy head and turned his dark gaze, peering over at the zombified boy. ...No, I'm not. Not in the slightest, pushed the grumpy voice into his mind as Cynyr folded one heavy paw over the other, watching him silently. Do you need something from me? Is that why you're talking to me?

"Actually, no. It's...quite the opposite," Zex murmured. "I was wondering if...if there was anything I could do for you. It's not easy being here...and if I can make your life a little nicer, I'll gladly help you with anything you want." He said, his usual generous nature taking over, easily tiding over his hatred for fish and Lance and Kage and air and the sun and bugs and everything else that was bothering him right now. He set it aside and focused on Cynyr, and was able to offer a smile, even.

The panther turned quietly, studying the boy before him. He wanted to snap and tell him to go away, but for some reason, he held back. ...Kid, you don't want to get involved around me. I'm no good for anyone. He stood, shaking out his thick black fur, and Zex saw the scar that laced his body. His face had been well-mended, it was true, but he had gained a load of scars that weren't from his time in the terrible organization that had first hurt him. Those hadn't been taken away.

Zex hardly batted an eye at them. He had his own scars and his own past, who was he to judge the half-cat on his? "You? Worthless? I highly doubt it. You have people who care about you...those 'Kaislun Champions' that I stole from...twice now...I bet they're not too happy about that. I hope they're angry enough to find a way to kill me."

He shook his head, saying You don't understand. This time, I really did mess up. I can't be forgiven for this...this thing that I've done. I'm as worthless as a bug, meant to be crushed underfoot. I can't...redeem myself, for this. There's no Goddess alive that could ever forgive something like this. He shook his head, rubbing his nose with a heavy paw.

Zex fell quiet for a moment. Then he laughed. Still grinning, he stifled his laughter and said, "I've met the Goddess. I can tell you with utmost confidence that if you ask her for forgiveness, and truly have remorse for what you've done, she'll give it to you. She's so very merciful...which is why I'm so...desperate to get back," He sighed, his eyes trailing up to the sky. "You can tell me," He looked back down at Cynyr, then rested a hand on his shoulder. "What did you--" His breath caught in his throat, and after a long moment, as though something had been locking his hand down, he managed to rip it away. He fell backwards and clawed at his own hand, scrambling away when he seemed satisfied.

Perhaps it was insanity, perhaps it was the fact that upon touching Cynyr, he sensed the dark mass within him. And that dark mass had attempted to attack him upon contact. But he definitely sounded insane in his next few sentences. "What the...you...wha...demons?!"

Shut up! Cynyr shouted, retreating backwards, almost stumbling with each step. You'll make it angry! He backed up even more, furious, and started to pace. Why else would I think so low of myself? Yes, I accidentally became infested with a demon. But it was just that, an ACCIDENT. I should never have become a Possessor, it's ruining my life, but I didn't know it would all end this way! I took a power that was too much for me, and it accidentally birthed a demon into my soul, and now there's no way for me to get rid of it without Veros' help. If I don't get rid of it, it'll eat my soul and then move onto the people I love most, starting with my pregnant wife!

He collapsed into a sitting position, almost on the verge of rare tears.

"I-it's okay, I didn't mean to...panic..." Zex looked down at his torn hand, shaking his head. He made a mental note not to touch Cynyr. "You know...even with all this, the Goddess will forgive you. A-and if you can make Veros promise to remove the demons, he'll have to do it. Titans always tell the truth." He looked back up at the panther. "It'll all work out in the end...it'll work out. It has to. Everything happens for a reason..."

He shook his head slowly, and the tears disappeared before they could fall with a wipe of his paw. No, he said tonelessly. The Goddess can't forgive me for this. Nobody can. I certainly don't expect Isslia or Lexi, Werr, even Welk to. I've hurt them too many times before, and this...this is just unforgiveable. He stood up and turned, clearly wanting to take his sorrow and pain elsewhere.

"Whether you want her to or not, she'll forgive you," Zex said quietly. "And here I thought all friends did all day was forgive each other for stupidity. That's what friends are for, right? Maybe I was mistaken...I've never really had a friend before, so forgive my confusion..." He sighed a bit, turning to walk back to the Koi pond. Which he hated.

*

Welk flew quietly alongside Zephyr, his mind clearly elsewhere. Werr was seated on his back, holding on tight to the lion's thick fur.

They were headed toward Gossain, with Zephyr carrying those that didn't have a transport means like Werr and Welk. The dragon was well prepared for the trip, having agreed prior to that he wanted to help.

Now, they just had to get there safely.

"Do you think Cynyr's okay?" Airlia asked quietly.

"Shh," Nate looked back at her and shook his head. It wasn't exactly the time to mention such things. Airlia looked down, running her fingers across Zephyr's smooth scales. There weren't many of them now; Werr rode with Welk, and Zephyr flew the others, carrying Nate, Airlia, Forin, Luen, Diana, and supplies.

Zephyr craned his head back, studying those on his back for a moment before saying "You know, this reminds me of our first little group. Of course, we had Cynyr and Seria with us then, with Jagat and Lily. But the memories are grand ones, of our first adventures, when we only just knew each other." He smiled, turning his gaze forward once more.

"They were simpler times," Nate chuckled. "Fly around, try not to die, do what Werr wanted."

"And now I have hardly any idea what we're supposed to do," Werr muttered, shaking his head.

"Come now, don't be like that. We've still got each other."

"We don't have Cynyr..."

"Oi, you can't be like this when we get to Gossain," Nate scolded. "We're doing our business and getting out. End of story."

Werr said nothing, instead lapsing into a coughing fit.

Welk's flying faltered for a moment at the coughing, as he quickly turned his head to try and see Werr. "You okay?" he asked, beating his wings sharply to try and regain some altitude. He was worried, and this portrayed easily along he and Werr's bond, filling Werr with a pinch more fear than he had already been feeling.

"I'm okay," Werr rasped, and Welk could feel a slight pang in his throat to match the raw patches in Werr's throat. "Just keep flying, I'll be fine. I...swallowed a bug or something," He said, a weak attempt at getting Welk to stop worrying.

"Just don't stop breathing," Nate suggested.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Werr called back dryly.

Welk frowned, saying "If you had ate a bug, Werr, I would've known. Dunno how, but...I would've." He let it go, however, instead choosing to arch higher into the sky, golden wings flaring, folding, shifting with the wind. If Werr concentrated, he could feel them on his own shoulders, the sensation of being the flier and not the passenger filling him.

Hey Werr? poked Welk's voice into his mind after a moment. When we get Isslia and Lexy and Cynyr back, I think we should all take a long vacation. We've been saving the world for a long time now, and I think we've earned it.

Werr blinked, then smiled a bit. He sent a reply along their close-knit bond. Yeah. I'd like that. I'm...tired. I've been through a lot for my age...and I never thought I'd say it, but...I feel old. He chuckled a bit at his own thoughts, casting his eyes upward. Are you worried about Isslia? He asked, though he could feel it. Welk was immensely furious. Don't be hasty when we get there. We have to find out what Veros wants, first of all...and we have to be careful not to get anyone killed.

There was a thin flicker along the bond, which Werr knew was Welk struggling, then he heard the lion sigh. I...I'll try. But...it'll be hard. I just...Veros can't have her because she's mine, and I want her back! I mean, I literally just proposed. He sighed sharply through his nose and Werr knew that if he wasn't on the lion's back right now, he would be barrel-rolling through the sky out of nerves.

I don't think he'll hurt her too badly. She's leverage for whatever he wants...Werr thought quietly, then tucked himself closer to Welk's furry body. All the same, we should try and get there a little faster.

"He knows we're coming," Diana whispered. "He knows. A-and they're doing something to 'the girls'. I don't know what."

Forin sighed. As much as he didn't like it, it might pay to have some insight on what Veros was doing. "If he says anything else that seems important, let me know, okay?" He hugged her gently from behind. She nodded, albiet shakily.