The Forgotten Zodiac

((Yep. So is Cynyr, so. In the end, the Goddess will fix both of them.))

The silver figure immediately shifted to Veros' desire, the details in the face forming very slowly, as if the figure was taking great pains to make sure it was perfect. There was a soft sigh as the mouth opened, taking in a very delicate breath, as if making sure everything was functioning correctly before finishing up and laying completely still.

((Okay.))

"It's...perfect." Veros slipped his cloak off, draping it over the naked form. "A human body, formed from a demon's power and a steel imp...this will be glorious. All the shifting abilities of an imp, powers of the demon..." He set about doing something or other with his hands, and glowing marks spread out underneath him. It was his own magic; Titan magic. He pulled his hands upwards, as though tugging on a rope attached to the ground. Slowly, a shapeless white mist seemed to emerge from the ground. It surrounded the body, which slowly opened its eyes.

"What...who are..." The form squinted, glaring at Veros.

"Good morning. It seems I required your help after all."

"...I figured you would." He grinned, shaking his head. "You can't beat them, can you?"

"Unfortunately...no. On your feet, Remor. We have much to speak of."

((Bllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhh Remoresstupid.))

*

Seria opened her eyes slowly, sighing softly as fresh tears bloomed in her bright blue eyes.

She was still horribly upset over Cynyr, and the pain she felt over it hadn't ceased or lessened. Not even here, in this perfect world that was so bright and happy, and not even with Cyprus and Airlia trying their best to comfort her and care for her.

And worse, Airlia could tell that the state of their mother's emotions was affecting the unborn babies within her.

Cyprus had taken severe damage. The Realm of Light had been merciless. But oddly enough, he didn't seem hurt or even aware of what had happened. But he was a child. Barely older than Diana, both in age, and apparently attention span. He had already made himself a garden, complete with butterflies, and a swing. And now he was working on an area filled with sand, perfect for making sandcastles, even with a bit of beach scenery.

Airlia watched him, very much amused by the process. It had been a sudden change; they had woken up to find him playing with toys, actually. He was cute as a kid, but clearly still had a sense of duty, as he had checked on Seria and her babies several times since starting to work on the beach.

"Why do you think he's gotten younger? Will he turn into a toddler?" Airlia questioned as she watched him, frowning lightly.

Seria gave a half-hearted shrug, wiping her eyes weakly as she tried to stop crying. She didn't bother sitting up, instead choosing to curl further beneath the blankets. Then a very odd thing happened.

With a wail, she gave a convulsed jerk and grabbed her head, digging her claws into her skull as she gave a sharp scream. "No!" she cried, her eyes wide and frantic. "No! No, no, no! Please, NO!" It seemed all she could do was scream and wail, tossing about on the bed as tears poured down her face.

"O-oh no...are you okay?" Airlia questioned,  kneeling next to Seria's bed. "Calm down, stop screaming!"

Cyprus stood and watched them, but his round eyes gave nothing away. He didn't speak, either; he just quietly watched Seria's grief. "Seria, please, please calm down," Arilia tried and failed to calm Seria's panicked screams. "At least...at least tell me what's wrong?"

((The Goddess should wake up soon. I want Zex to see her. >:3))

((Okey. Is Luna in here with them?))

"He's gone!" she screamed, wailing as though her heart had been torn from her chest. "He's gone, he's gone, he's DEAD!" When Airlia attempted to question her as to who was gone, she merely cried harder. Finally, after a long moment, she managed to gasp out, "He's gone...C-Cynyr...no...come back...n-no..."

((Yeeeep. Also, Cyprus will release them near the mountain pass, so they should be the first ones to see Sylas and the others come in. The soldiers, however, will be guarding the area. So we gotta be sneaaakyyyy.))

"G-gone? He....he can't be..." Airlia blinked in surprise, sliding off the bed and sitting down next to it, stunned. "That...that can't be..."

Cyprus, in the meantime, had wandered to Luna's side. She had been asleep in bed since they had arrived here, and hadn't moved since. He took her hand and sat down in a chair next to her, swinging his legs slightly.

((Got it.))

A few more minutes passed in relative silence, broken only by Seria's weeping. Then Luna's eyes opened quietly, blinking a few times before she slowly sat up. By the way a huge pressure seemed to fill the room, they knew immediately that the Goddess had arrived.

Aveta turned her head at Cyprus, saying nothing for a long moment, then lifted her gaze to Airlia and Seria, again saying nothing. Finally, after a short time, she said "We need to return to the outside world."

"Yes. I agree." Cyprus nodded excitedly. "Who...who should come with us? I think Seria and Airlia should stay here...I don't like the idea of making Seria walk anywhere." He frowned, sighing. "She can call me and I'll come back, but she really should stay..." He bit his lip, unsure of what to do.

"She may stay. You have already paid for bringing them here, Cyprus, and there is no reason to make them leave yet." Aveta touched his head gently, stroking his silvery hair back lightly as she stood. "Let us return," she said, her flute-like voice wafting softly as their surroundings shifted. "Simply call when you wish to leave and this place will allow you to part with it."

"O-okay...be careful, both of you!" Airlia called, but before she could hardly blink, they were both gone.

They emerged in a bit of a bad spot. They were right beside a tent, next to which was a tall flagpole that clearly showed the Gossain War Symbol. Cyprus recongized it anywhere. Over the last few decades, Gossain had been responsible for the deaths of many civilizations. War was one of his least favorite things, and here they were, seemingly right in the middle of one.

"Why did you bring us here? Don't we want to go to Werr and the others?" It was high noon by now, and the camp was bustling with activity. Sharpening weapons, shining armor, and preparing for war. This was a temporary camp. He was not entirely afraid, though; the Goddess knew what she was doing, he was sure. But the grinding sounds of steel and stone were impossible to ignore and unnerving for anyone.

"We will see them soon enough. There is a purpose in being here," she answered, taking Cyprus' hand and leading him along quietly. "We must be very careful here. If we are noticed, it'll be troubling to become unnoticed. Understood?"

"Okay." Cyprus nodded, following along in her footsteps as carefully as possible. Slowly, they were able to creep around the tents, lingering on the outskirts of the camp until they were able to duck into the underbrush and start slowly creeping away. "Now we're going the wrong way," Cyprus noted, still quiet. "We're going towards the trade road. Are we walking all the way to Gossain?"

((They can walk in on the temporary camp Riordan and the others have taken up.))

((Aye aye, Capin'.))

"Patience, little one. There are reasons for everything that happens, good or bad," she answered, walking along at a pace he could easily match. She had reasons for not returning him to his adult form; mainly that, as a child, the temptation to be worshipped (which is what got him before) was gone. As a child, he had a very innocent mind, but his sense of duty to Aveta remained, along with his desire to protect others. That was really all that was needed, after all.

He was, however, easily distracted. As they walked through the tall grasses on the hill, large grasshoppers kept flying out in a panic. And he went after as many as he could while still keeping up with the Goddess. And then a butterfly passed, catching his attention like a moth to a flame. He let out a laugh and took off after it, only to be filled with fear when hands reached out from the grass, grabbing him firmly.

Sylas pressed a hand to Cyprus' mouth, pulling him back. "Shh, laddie, there are feather-coats all over the place." He pulled him back a bit, turning him around. "Where'd you come from?"

"Sylas! Why are you here?" Cyprus frowned at him.

"Not important. Why are you..." He trailed off, Aveta catching his eyes. "Here. Luna," He tilted his head slightly.."You seem...different."

"No," was the answer they heard, followed by the sound of footsteps moving away.

Aveta lifted her head and stared in that direction, then sighed and returned her gaze to Zex. "As you wish," she said, and in a matter of half a second, what he wanted happened; instantainiously, his skin was made new, whole and clean, his body restored to a truly living state.

Again, all in a matter of time.

Smiling very slightly, the Goddess let go of him and stood, allowing him to stand as well.

Zex stood quickly, feeling his face. The horrid scar was gone. He reached down to feel his chest, then his stomach; all the old wounds and injuries had vanished. He felt his neck, then his own wrist. His pulse pounded underneath his fingers. He remembered to breathe, feeling the rush of air in his renewed lungs. As soon as he had collected his wits, he knelt before the Goddess, bowing his head in the utmost respect. He took her hand, kissing it gently.

"Thank you. I...can't even begin to tell you...how thankful I am."

"Think nothing of it, my child. I needed your help, as well as Cyprus', for a task I have in mind," she said. "I cannot tell you what I need of you quite yet, as for now, I require you to help guard this body I inhabit as a link between this world and myself. But... by way or either hint or warning, Cyprus cannot be a Demigod all on his own." She shrugged lightly, turning her attention to Ink and tilting her head.

Zex nodded and stood, taking on a salute instead. "I'll follow you to the ends of the earth, Aveta."

"Hello there," Ink smiled. "You're the Goddess. I'm Ink. Nice to meet you!" He said cheerfully. "This is my friend Sylas, and my brother Riordan is...back there somewhere," He glanced behind him, sounding slightly worried. "He's not doing very well. He's very upset. Oh, meet Null! He's nice, but scary..."

Null said nothing, only turning and moving off to join and protect Riordan.