The Forgotten Zodiac

The infant lava bat still had a tight grip on the edge of his pocket, but now she gave a small, tired trill as Nate stroked her head. "You should keep her," Luen said, already pulling the hood of his long white cloak over his head. It had special latches that closed around his antlers, making it looks as though the cloak bore them and not his own skull. "I saw a man with one as a pet once, a long time ago. It was his most faithful companion. Rather sad in the end, as it took an assassin's knife for him and died, but...you know."

Zephyr smiled at the small bat, then said "I actually can conceal myself alone now. Naybrin gave me many things, including his human form." He shifted quietly, taking on the guise of a tall young man with dark, forest green hair and flashing red eyes, his mouth curled into a toothy smile.

"That works well then!" Nate sized up his dragon friend's human form, grinning. "It suits you. I don't want this little one to take a knife for me, but I suppose it shows their loyalty. What should I name it?" He questioned as they started walking.

"Annoying." Forin sneered.

"Hmm...Ania. Yes, that sounds nice." Nate chuckled.

The screecher peeked up out of his pocket, tilting her head sleepily at the name bestowed on her before tucking back down and falling asleep. Zephyr watched her with a smile before turning his own hood up against his face. He was wearing an outfit of extremely simple make, but it didn't seem to matter when your body was covered with a large cloak.

"Let's go," Welk said, his ears turned down against his head and his long tail still and unmoving between his legs.

Werr took the lead until they reached the city walls; then he dropped back with Welk at his side, lingering in the center of their line. They filtered into the city, forced to move in single-file due to the narrow entrance.

Nirvan was beautiful. It reflected the evening sun off of its white stone walls and streets. It was astonishing to know that this was the only city for this entire culture. It was huge, remarkably so, and clearly well organized. Nate managed to purchase a map from a nearby stall; the walls circled the city, and separated it to four sections. The purpose was obvious; if one section went down, citizens and soldiers could fall back to another section. "I wonder how old this city is," Nate frowned.

"Only fourty years. Gossain has moved, brick by brick, across the northern half of the contient. They're conquerers of many. Solius used to stand on this land, but it was completely razed and replaced."

Luen walked quietly along beside Forin and Diana, keeping his sharp emerald eyes open for any trouble. His long ears were flicked at a light angle, ready to catch any sound of a potential attack. He glanced sideways at Welk, watching the half-cat's body language for a moment. Welk was tense, anticipating an attack, ready to strike back in a split second, his entire stance showing that he was deeply upset and worried.

He's definitely right, Luen thought, his gaze softening. We all need a long vacation after this. We've become too used to being attacked and hunted, to having to fight to save our lives and the lives of those we love. Things should be simple and happy, not tense and dangerous.

"So they're warmongers." Nate said quietly as they passed an armory. One of several throughout the city.

"They are more...militaristic than others, yes. They strike hard and where it hurts, ignoring the outer cities and capturing the capitals before a counterattack can be launched. They have very brutal war strategies...and they seldom take prisoners." Werr said quietly.

"Let's just get to the castle. This way," Nate, following the map, led them towards the center of the city. There, they would find the castle.

There, they would find their friends and their beloveds.

Welk's pace quickly became more and more agitated, and it was only Werr's gentle touch on his shoulder that prevented him from charging ahead full-speed, fire at the ready to burn and destroy. Werr was that last fragile link that tethered the lion to sanity, that was the core of his happiness and joy. Without that core, Welk would wither away and die.

Not surprisingly, they had been expected. They had been watched since the moment they set foot inside Gossain. And as they walked into the castle, the large doors creaked shut behind them. The halls were mostly empty; the maids and guards had mostly been given the day off.

"Welcome to Castle Gossain, jewel of the city of Nirvan! If you follow the main corridor and take the large doors on the other side, you'll arrive at the throne room. I've been waiting such a long time for your arrival, king Werr. Come, come..." Veros' voice called them, his dark presence lingering just behind the throne room doors.

"We can still turn back..." Werr muttered. "I'm not playing games. If you want to leave, then leave. It's me he wants..."

"Don't be stupid," Forin hissed. "He has Luna. He wants trouble, that's what."

"If he only wanted you, he would have only taken Lexi." Nate nodded, half expecting to find his own wife behind those doors.

"Good point, I guess..." Werr sighed, then looked over at Welk. "You ready to face this...monstrosity?"

The half-cat was practically quivering as he stood beside Werr, his hands clenched into fists and his eyes narrowed to thin slits, ears tilted back against his blonde hair. Werr's hand slipped from his shoulder to his long tail, taking hold and looping it once around his wrist. The boy knew that the second he relinquished hold on the thing that now bound the two together physically, he would release a whirlwind of fire and destruction onto the place. He was the only thing holding back a demon of fire.

((MAGIC BLOCK INITIATED, BEEP BEEP BEEP))

Werr sighed heavily, then pushed the door open.

The room was dark and reeked of blood. It was too dark to see much further ahead than a few feet. Even spells wouldn't help; magic was blocked here. As they walked in and the door was shut, spotlights shone on three girls; Isslia, Lexi, and Luna. They were set up in a line, tied down to tables. They seemed...weakened. There were identical bandages on their wrist; they had been bled out and healed. They could recover, but for now, they had to worry about Veros.

He sat on the back of the throne, a silly grin on his face as the spotlights moved to focus on him. "Welcome, welcome!" He called, holding his arms out in greeting. "Welcome to Gossain. I hope the city treated you well? I don't suggest running up here right away. Your precious girls will undoubtedly die if they lose much more blood. So any attacks I have to make won't be directed at you."

((POOP))

Werr felt a sharp tug at his hand and knew that Welk had given a convulsed movement, going to lunge forward and halted by the firm hold on his tail. His limbs shook with rage, and Werr felt the powerful emotion bubble up inside himself, hot like lava and just as deadly.

It intensified when they noticed Cynyr sitting quietly in panther form by Veros' side, his now-orange eye staring vacantly ahead at them.

"What do you want from us, Veros?" Werr questioned, trying to restrain Welk's anger. "What will it take to return them?"

Veros grinned, looking...giddy. "I'm so glad you asked me. Because the answer is quite simple." He threw a knife at Werr, but it fell short. It skidded across the marble floor, bumping harmlessly against his boot as it came to a halt. Werr knelt and picked up the tool, frowning. "Blood. I require blood."

The spotlights switched to shine on them, and Werr could see the blood that was already on the floor. Painted out in a huge spell circle that wouldn't have fit in any other room in the castle. "The pure blood of virgins has already been spilt and given up to this spell. Now I require...a willing sacrifice. Death is not quite required...but royal blood is. Isn't that kind of me? I won't force you to kill yourself. Just bleed."

"So you can bring yourself back from the abyss where you belong? So you can wreak havoc on my land, my world?!" Werr hissed. "I won't play your game, Veros."

The Titan's smile vanished. "I had so hoped you would see sense...now my willing sacrifice must be unwilling. Forin," Veros strolled casually over to Luna. "I could very well use her...she's powerful. More than meets the eye, indeed..." He stroked her cheek gently, playing with a strand of her hair. "If you don't want to see her as a corpse...I suggest you convince Werr to become a willing participant in our game."

Forin gritted his teeth, curling his lip in anger. He stormed forward until he was in front of Werr. "If we do this...will you let us walk free, alive, and unharmed further by you?"

"You drive a hard bargain...convince Werr and I won't touch your darling Luna, you, Diana, or Luen at all. Ever. My magic will be completely harmless to you."

"Isslia and Luna too."

"All three of these girls will be immune to my power."

"Good." Forin nodded, then spun on heel and promptly punched Werr in the face. "We can deal with Veros later, right now we have our fiances to worry about! Don't be an idiot! He's not even asking for your life, all he wants is blood. Make it happen!"

Welk snarled and would've leapt right then - potentially for Forin and not Veros - if not for Werr's hand closing convulsively-tight around his tail. "How do we know this isn't a trick?" he spat. "They want something, you know they do, and I don't give a flying fart about the fact that Titans can't lie. There are loopholes in everything, and something about this just isn't...right!"

But he looked at Isslia, his heart clenching painfully, his gaze wandering to Cynyr for some sign that he was still with them, only to see the panther look away.

"...Werr..." he said softly, casting his fearful gaze at the king.

"W-we...we can't..." Werr touched his face. He then glared up at Veros again. "Why me? Why not the king of this place?"

"Ignorant fool. I wouldn't do such things to those who serve me. You were the closest aside from them, so I took advantage of that..." Veros grinned again.

"That's not the only reason. Answer me, Veros!"

"Titans may be incapable of lying, but that does not mean I have to answer your every question, fool."

"I won't do it, then." Werr growled.

"Then your beloved will die!" Veros snarled, pulling another knife from his side and slamming it down towards Lexi. He halted just over her neck, his eyes fixed on Werr as he slowly lowered the tip, allowing the weight of the blade to dig lightly into her skin.

Werr smiled slightly. "You...wouldn't do it. You'll lose your leverage," He chuckled, shaking his head.

"No?" Veros curled his lip in distain at Werr.

Then he stabbed the knife into Isslia's arm. "She has approximately five minutes before she loses too much blood to survive." He dug the blade out as the crimson liquid gushed out. She let out a small whimper, tears slipping down the sides of her face. Veros grinned down at her. "You can blame Werr for this, darling. Well, Welk? Will you allow her to suffer at my hands, or are you going to convince Werr to lose a few drops of blood for me?"

((There's a barrier between them and Veros/the girls, so Welk's charge won't help. : P))

((Booooooooodoesn'tmeanhewon'ttry.))

A scream rent the very air before them as Welk finally lost his head completely, tearing free of Werr before the boy could hardly comprehend it and racing forward in a sharp flash of movement that was exceedingly cat-like. Sadly, his attack was lost as a barrier flickered to life, preventing him from going close. He struck at it with his bare hands, roaring his savage anger like a being in pain, until a sharp jolt of energy from the shield sent him flying backwards, twitching a few times as electricity surged through him. He got right back up, however, shifting forms and lunging for the shield, blood pounding in his ears as raged filled his every cell, fiber and neuron.

"It's no use, lad, you'll only kill yourself trying to get in here. And that would work for me, actually. You willingly throw yourself again and again at the wall, causing your own death and the death of dear Isslia. Rather...romantic. I'd--" He stopped as Werr knelt and picked up the knife.

"Veros...promise me that you won't hurt anyone else. You'll leave!" Werr snarled.

"Do it, king of Alastor, and I will take my leave. I'll do nothing to stop you from taking your friends back." Veros nodded.

"R-right..." Werr brought the knife up to his wrist, but he hesitated. Something was bound to go wrong...

A surging, electric bullet was flung past Werr, which was Welk being hurled away by the force field again, the shock of it causing him to lose hold on lion form. He stood, returning to attack the shield again, until finally, he could only make it to his hands and knees, his body smoking from the damage it had taken. He coughed and smoke trailed from his mouth, but he still forced himself up into a standing position and rushed the barrier again.

Cynyr appeared in front of him - tall, dark, scarred - and caught his fist, his mind pressing in only on Welk's.

You're too weak, little brother. Stop before you die.

Welk was flung backwards with such force that the sound of bones breaking resonated throughout the room.

"Stop it!" Werr screeched, collapsing in a heap. "Fo...rin...do it..." He wheezed desperately. Forin knelt and slit Werr's wrist at once. Blood splattered against the floor, causing the spell beneath them to glow with the color of Werr's blood. He expected to look up and see Veros laughing, but it wasn't so. The man he had possessed had turned, and a twin was holding him. Ink had his face pressed against Riordan's shoulder; as Werr watched, what he could only describe as a horrid shadow emerged from the human's back.

"Finally! It took you too long, fool..." The shadow shifted until it took the form of a huge minotaur. From there, it shrank and took the black form of a human. Black, rubbery-like skin formed, but it struggled to keep its shape. It pointed at the darkness, and whipped its hand around; Obelisk slammed into the ground at the center of the spell circle, causing rubble to fly. Veros reached out towards the limp ancient one, but the sight of his own black arm made him stop.

"What is this...?!" He snarled, starting to lose his form. He was reduced to a shadow again, and let out a roar of fury. "What happened here?! This blood spell...it's not pure!"

"Stupid..." Isslia spluttered, struggling to maintain consciousness. "My blood...isn't pure..."

"No...how can this...you!" He snarled, slamming his shadowy hand down at her, but it passed right through the table and her. He let out another roar that shook the castle; he swept his arm out at the group; only two of them were caught by the attack, apparently. Diana and Nate. "Fine!" He snarled, batting Nate away from them. The Dragonian wasn't even able to scream before the Titan invaded him.

Veros laughed, now using Nate's voice. It wasn't a happy laugh, either. It was the laugh of insanity. "This...wasn't supposed to happen..." He glared at them.

"Hey!" Welk shouted, staggering upright despite his smoking and twitching body. "You s-said you wouldn't hurt our friends! Th-that we'd be allowed to take them back! Nate's our friend too! Give him back!"

Zephyr returned to dragon form with a thunderous bellow, hitting the remnants of the barrier with a blast of red magic that destroyed it completely. Welk rushed forward, managing to duck around Cynyr before the panther could react. Zephyr now threw out a blast of magic that resonated within the room, causing the ground to shake before settling. Welk grabbed Isslia and disappeared in a fiery explosion, proving that Zephyr had shattered the bonds keeping their magic away. Forin was able to get Luna while Welk went back for Lexi.

"I said I wouldn't hurt Forin or his friends, idiot! Nate wasn't listed." Veros growled, extending his wings. "This body is interesting...but I don't like it." He staggered towards the table, slamming his claws down near Luna. Dangerously close. But he didn't seem capable of touching her. He slid to the side and fell in front of Riordan and Ink, letting out a cry of pain that Werr was convinced belonged to the real Nate.

"O-oh no...Veros," Ink knelt and helped him stand. "Do you need to come back to me?"

"No, no...I promised your brother I wouldn't," Veros panted, wincing as he looked back at the others. "This is...unacceptable...this body may be weak, but I still have power!" He snarled, holding his hands out. Blue flames engulfed the ground immediately, and if Werr hadn't been crawling towards Zephyr already, he might not have survived. Forin, in the meantime, calmly walked through the flames and scooped up Luna. Then he turned and calmly walked away. The flames couldn't touch him. They bent to move out of his way, keeping in line with Veros' promise that Forin, Luen, Diana, Luna, and the girls would be unharmed.

Airlia, in the meantime, let out a terrified scream as her wings were engulfed by the flames.