The Forgotten Zodiac

"My reasons and promises are my own, not yours," Riordan said quietly. "And either way, it's far too late for me. There's nothing I can do now. Veros is too powerful, too smart. He's a Titan. Sure, I probably messed up. But even if I wanted to take it back, to fight this thing, I couldn't. Especially not if I wanted to keep my family alive and safe.

"It's too late for any of us, now."

And he turned away with a swirl of his robes, disappearing from sight.

"So you're not even going to try?! You would condemn the rest of the world for just your family?! GET BACK HERE AND TALK TO ME, YOU COWARD!" Nate screamed after him, starting to put strain on the chains again. But it was no use; with Veros weakening his mind and spirit, he was starting to lose his physical strength, too...

Riordan's quiet voice drifted back to Nate's ears as the king walked away.

"If your family were in danger, dragonian, what wouldn't you give up for them?"

*

Cynyr rubbed his eyes, wondering how much longer it would be until the endless pain stopped, until the demon inside him finally consumed his soul.

How long had it been, he could only wonder. It seemed like centuries had passed since the first infection, back when he began to realize something was wrong. Now the parasite was happily chewing away at his spirit, reshaping his body for its own.

((And Nate: I WOULDN'T DESTROY THE REST OF THE WORLD FOR MY FAMILY, NO

THAT'S JUST A LITTLE SELFISH

JUST A LITTLE))

It was a moment before he realized who was standing nearby. His tail curled over his paws, just watching quietly. Ophile's nose twitched as he looked at the beast before him. At least it still smelled like Cynyr. When he spoke, it was with a soft tone. No judgement or hate. "Forin told me you were down here. I would ask if you're okay, but...well...a better question. Is there anything I can do? Whether to help, or to...ease the pain, just ask and I'll do it."

((Psssssh.))

Kill me.

The grating, desperate voice wound into Ophile's head at once, a plea for help. I can't fight this thing any longer. Each piece of my soul that it eats is like a fire I can't put out, no matter how much water I throw on it. I can't take this suffering anymore! You can call me a coward if you want, for giving up, but it's not just that. This thing's already attacked Welk. Next, it'll go after Seria. It wants the babies, and there's nothing I can do to stop it.

Kill me.

Cynyr had never before begged to die, and it was painful to hear.

Ophile flicked his ears, then sighed heavily. "Seria? I...thought I had sensed something off...I'm not going to let this happen, Cynyr. I won't." He snorted, shaking his head. "You're...more important to me than that. I'll do what I can about Seria, but the others are strong enough to take care of themselves. And so are you! You just...need to..." He trailed off, not knowing what to say. "Just...don't forget who you are, Cynyr." He said before turning away.

Don't leave me! the panther practically screamed, panting hard, pupils narrowed to desperate slits. It's worse when I'm alone! Please, don't leave me, it fights harder when I can hear it! Tears blossomed in Cynyr's eyes as he begged. Forin wouldn't stay to let me explain that he was in danger from this as well. Veros is the only one able to NOT be eaten by this demon! That's why I tried to get his help. Forin's vunerable for his Shadow Magic, and after it kills him, it'll go for Diana because she's young and innocent!

He gasped, then whispered Don't...leave me...

Ophile opened his mouth, only to close it again. Some part of him insisted that he had to go tell the others, he had to warn Forin or something. Another part of him wanted to tell Cynyr that the shadow magic ran in any Tartaran's veins, and he was vulnerable to it, too. But he sighed and walked back to Cynyr's cage, sitting down in front of it. "Alright. Here I am. If you don't want me to, I'm not going anywhere."

Isslia opened her eyes again, but immediately closed them. She was tird. So very, very tired. A day had passed since she had last been awake, she gathered from a quiet conversation between Forin and Diana. But still, she was more tired than she had ever been before. She felt...thirstly, though. She couldn't sleep while thirsty.

Isslia pushed herself upright, rubbing her eyes and squinting in the harsh light of Amnairus. Water was on her nightstand, just waiting to be taken. She did so without much thought, downing it quickly and immediately curling back up for more sleep. But it didn't come back to her, sadly. So she was left lying in bed, staring at the white wall and quietly hoping Welk would jump into the bed with her and hug her again.

Welk. Welk! Isslia sat bolt upright again, looking around. There he was, sleeping peacefully. Alive. Isslia collapsed again, burying her face in the pillow. Good, that was good...

((So, because I realized we forgot about Ania in Nate's pocket - xD - I figured we needed a reason why Veros didn't sense her, and it could be that they have the ability to block magical/spiritual reception/sensing, another reason why they make such good pets.))

He was curled up in a timid ball, ears flat against his head, looking timid and tiny under the blankets, which were pulled up to his neck and tucked tight around him. Nearby, Lexi was finally awake, but she looked exhausted and as if she hadn't rested well at all. She was sitting in her bed and leaning against the wall, staring out the window without a sound, her long, curly black hair falling in a delicate wave down her back.

((I didn't forget. I just forgot to have Veros throw the 'stupid bitey thing' at the others. xDDD))

"Lexi," Werr said quietly as he entered the room with a tray of several milk glasses. "You're...you're awake," He set the tray aside, picking up one of the glasses and bringing it over to her. "Here. The healers prescribed milk and special tonic Allie developed. I mixed it with the milk. You should drink it, it's sweet," He offered the glass to her, smiling a little.

((Aww. xD))

She blinked and looked over at him, giving a very weak smile as she accepted the cup. She didn't drink from it yet, however, merely keeping her gaze on Werr, not looking anywhere else. The girl was tired, but seemed almost more mentally-weary than anything else. Though she wanted to go close to Werr, she didn't seem to want to move.

Werr shifted closer to her, and wordlessly dropped something in her cup. A straw. "That should make it easier, if you're feeling weak," He said softly, helping her hold it. He wrapped his free arm around her and closed his eyes. "Did...did he do anything? Other than...weaken you?" He asked, his voice trembling ever so slightly.

She gave a trembling exhale at his closeness, seeming to grow just a little bit smaller and tinier as she pressed close to him. "No," she whispered, pressing her face against his neck, hiding herself against his skin. "But if you hadn't come, I knew it was only a matter of time... He didn't want Isslia." She knew they were speaking of the dark dragonian, Kage, who was, quite literally, Nate's nemesis. "He knew, Werr. He made it quite clear. He wanted me and Luna, the only ones who've never been touched before. And every day that passed by, every hour that ticked away, his advances grew worse and worse and worse..." She nearly broke down into tears, a small sob hitching in her throat, and she sent a wave of cold fear and fury through Werr's mind with her next words.

"He...he forced a kiss on me..." She pulled her sleeve back to show the bruise where the dragonian had grabbed her, jerking her against the bars to savage her lips with his, then wearily put her face back against Werr's neck and cried soundlessly.

Werr frowned at this. So Kage had known of Isslia's impurity, while Veros himself did not? That was...unusual. Perhaps Veros wasn't telling his slaves the whole of his plans...or perhaps Kage was rebellious. Whatever the case, Werr was glad to have Lexi safe in his arms again. He let out a sigh and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, gently wiping Lexi's lips with it. "It's okay. It's okay, Lexi, there was nothing you could do..." He said gently, looking down at where the oddly shaped shackle had burned a mark into her skin. He looked back at her, and tilted her chin up so he could make eye contact. "I don't care what he didn't do. I'll see him dead before I rest peacefully again. I don't care what he did do...I still love you just the same. Do you understand?"

She stared up at him, tears dripping down her cheeks in full-flood as he touched the kerchief so gently to her lips, as if delicately wiping away Kage's taint. She then closed her eyes and pressed forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly, crying quietly against him before lifting her head to kiss him.

Werr held her close as he pressed his lips against hers, going from her lips to her cheek to her neck. "I love you. That's all that matters." He held her close, closing his eyes as he leaned against her and she leaned against him, holding each other as close as possible.

Isslia watched them quietly. She silently sat up and pushed the blankets off, drinking her glass of milk in record time. It actually tasted better with the tonic in it, but she didn't care; after she was done, she got up and transformed, hopping up into the bed with Welk and curling up under his arm.

Welk immediately curled his arm a bit tighter around her at once, his expression turning more relaxed. He even started to purr softly, holding her close. He was warm and comforting, and even as they lay quietly together, he stirred a bit. After a moment longer, he slowly opened his eyes. He didn't say anything, but he blinked and looked down slowly, seeing Isslia after a moment. He blinked again, then smiled slightly and gently kissed her forehead.

Isslia shifted and opened her eyes slightly, peering up at Welk sleepily. "Hi," She murmured. "I'm glad you're okay..." She pawed his face and licked his nose once or twice before burying her muzzle under his neck. "Are you okay?" She blinked at him with her big round eyes, looking...scared. If Welk wasn't okay...

"'Course I am. Never been better," the lion said, giving a weak smile. He kissed her forehead again, leaving his mouth and chin against her fur, closing his eyes. "Sheesh, Isslia..." he said, ever so softly. "...you have no idea how much I wanted you back. All I could think of was getting you back where you belonged; in my arms. You're mine, and I'm yours, and that's how it's meant to be. I just...I love you, Issi..."

Isslia was quiet, not wanting to draw more attention than nessisary to herself as she sobbed, feeling relieved and happy. But some part of her knew that Veros was still around. So was Kage, Lance, and that freak Zex. They could take her again, and...

No. Isslia pushed the thoughts out of her mind as she pushed herself ever closer to Welk, trying desperately to stifle her tears.