The Forgotten Zodiac

"Aye, I'd heard of your skill. Word travels fast in times of war, even between worlds," Kendra said, smiling at him warmly. "When I set out to join the effort, I'd not imagined that I would end up with his particular ken. I'm honored," she said.

"Really?" Sylas blinked. "Er...what all did they say about us?" He wasn't really looking for an ego stroking or anything; he just wanted to know what Kendra knew about him, and what she was expecting him to be like.

"There are rumors that the Prince is immortal. Ah, our prince, Verolen. And I've also heard tell that the forest prince commands nature like none before him, as well as and adroit hand at swordplay. There is also a Seer that has the power to perform miracles, though I have not heard his name." She glanced up at Bermuda here, and he offered a shrug.

"True enough."

Kendra smiled and nodded, then turned back to Sylas. "Also, a Dark Angel with the ability to bewitch others with only his voice, and a flier who can turn the earth. And... if I may assume that these words speak of you... one with the ability to fell an entire army with only a bow and quiver."

"Ah...well, not all of that is true," Sylas rubbed the back of his neck. "L'arc is good at swordplay, but I wouldn't call it adroit. Verolen is immortal, kinda...he'll die, but he comes back to life somehow. But he can't swim and he's scared of water. I think the 'Dark Angel' is Israel. He's nowhere near dark, but he certainly acts pretty angelic. He's just a kid, really. And his Gladyrs are more of an emergency thing. The flier that can 'turn the earth' is Rush. He's out of comission right now...and, uh...yeah, I can take down a few guys with a bow and arrow. I...never miss. So I suppose, if I wasn't under attack, and they were at a distance, I could take a small group..."

Kendra nodded quickly and smiled. "I had not thought all of the rumors were be true, but I thought that your ken but resemble something of the words, or else the words would not have been said at all," she said.

"Yeah," Sylas nodded. "My skills do come in handy sometimes...not recently, though." He rubbed the back of his neck, smiling a bit. "I've been out of the fight for a little while now."

"That is understandable," Kendra said. She regarded him for a moment. "Do you need me to fetch something for you? I am able, and do not mighting having to get you aught you need," she said.

"Nah, I'm fine. Aries should be back soon--" Sylas started to say when the door opened.

"Here we go." The Viera swept in with a bowl heavy-laden with all kinds of fruits, including the ones gotten by Israel. "That greenhouse is amazing, Sylas, you should see it."

"When did they add a greenhouse?!" Sylas gasped. "I thought I heard something...and here I thought I was going crazy," He chuckled. "I'll go after eating."

"I'll come along. Just to keep an eye on you." Aries shrugged. "I don't want you alone, Sylas. You could collapse again, and that...would be bad."

"I understand. Thanks, Aries." Sylas nodded, digging into the fruits. He held the bowl out to Kendra. "Want some?"

Kendra smiled at Sylas and picked up a few strawberries."Thank you, Sylas," she said, eating a few. "I should like to go see the greenhouse as well. I've not heard of such a thing before, and I'd enjoy seeing the plants of this land. They are different from those that grow in the Darklands," she said.

"Some of them are," Sylas nodded. He smiled. "Israel and Verolen first brought me a blue pear. I suppose it's good for a demon to eat, but they're poisonous for humans. That was funny," He chuckled.

"He tried to kill you?" Manny frowned. "I would be mad..."

"Nah, it was just a mistake. It wasn't a bad thing; he was trying to help."

"Ah, a blue pear? Those are common where I live," Kendra said, nodding. "I doubt Eve has seen many. She is from the north," she said.

"The northerners are immured in the patterns of the earth. Many dabble in the occult and other deep magic," Kendra said. "Take your Eve. She is chthonic, and has powers over Dark Matter, serpents, and the ability to transfigure herself in the form of a basilisk," she said. "The Chthore clan is known for their powers over natural matter and creatures, though the abilities vary from person to person. It is said these abilities have been honed by living in the harsh north, where the people have nothing to sustain themselves other than their own abilities. There are often wars in the north, fighting over territory and means for survival. Only the strongest survive the wars. There are many clans in the north, each with a vendetta against another, and there is much strife. Many of the younger members of their society have deserted, after aquiring their powers of course, and move further south, though they often do not reach the lands of my ken.

"In the south, the people are much more unified. We have a continuous culture that has been created from generations of peace with one another, and a more well-established society than that of the north. As such, we are more rooted in tradition and custom than rugged warfare and survival means," she explained.

"I see..." Sylas frowned. "Growing up in a warzone must have been hard on Eve...I guess it's good that we found her, huh? Manny...I still don't know how she found him, but she's a good mother to him." He nodded thoughtfully. "I guess the forest would be more like your people, Kendra."

"Aye, possibly,"  she said. She smiled. "I should like to visit them myself. I suppose now I'll have a chance to do many things," she added, nodding to Sylas.

"Yeah," Sylas nodded with a happy smile. "I'll show you lots of things. I hope Treefort is still standing...and man, you should see the Tree of Seasons. Oh! And this year is a special year. We can talk to animals within the forests' borders. It's great."

"You can?" Kendra asked, a smile on her face. "I cannot imagine such a thing. I am looking forward to this visit," she said.

"Oh, man, it's going to be epic." Sylas grinned his silly grin, which was made even more humorous due to the fruit bits stuck between his teeth. When he was finished eating, he stood and straightened his shirt. He looked down at Byrne, then smiled again. "What better way to meditate than being among trees and greenery?" He snatched up the wheelchair in the corner (he assumed it had been meant for him), and gently touched Byrne's shoulder, hoping he wasn't asleep. "Hey, Byrne, you wanna go to the greenhouse? It's nice and quiet there."

Byrne jolted - at any rate, he was awake now. "Oh, ah... the greenhouse?" he asked groggily, rubbing his eyes with his regular hand while the other moved to support him. "I... yeah, sounds nice," he said.

Sylas nodded, smiling. He picked up his friend and bundled him into the wheelchair, tucking a blanket against Byrne's legs to keep him comfortable. "Let's go, then." He smiled, pushing Byrne off and away, following the sounds of singing flowers and happy grass.