The Forgotten Zodiac

"I do." Verolen admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. But call me if something happens, alright?" He hurried out, searcing the dark skies for Israel.

Israel had perched himself in a tree on the outskirts of the forest, in Forester territory but close to the human camp. He dangled his legs off the branch he was seated on, not really sure what he should be doing with himself.

"Israel!" Verolen called to the treeline. He couldn't see the siren, so he was trusting the fact that Israel usually came when he was called. "ISRAEL! I need your help!"

Israel's "usual" held true, and it was with a hurried flapping of wings that he located Verolen and flew over, touching down beside him. "You called?"

"I did. I need your help summoning Zex. I, uh...can't sing." Verolen frowned a bit. "It's high time Arachne was returned to us, don't you think?"

Israel visibly brightened at the mention of Arachne's name. "Yes, yes, of course, I'll help, yes, of course!" The siren chirped, practically bouncing with excitement. "Just tell me what to do!"

"Right. You just need to sing a Gladyr, but change the words around a bit." Verolen nodded, then told him the words he would need. "'I Summon thee, under the stars. I summon thee, Zexus Naar. I wish to speak with word or writ, obey the throne or contract nix.' That's basically telling him that we're not going to make a contact. That song is different. He...may not want to speak with us, but if he doesn't, we'll hunt him down. Sing it to the moon, alright?"

"To the moon?" Israel asked, pivoting around until he could see the moon. "Sure, okay," he smiled brightly, then seemed to grow a bit more serious as he composed himself for the singing of a Galdr. "'I Summon thee, under the stars. I summon thee, Zexus Naar. I wish to speak with word or writ, obey the throne or contract nix.'"

There was nothing for a long moment, and then a portal opened. It wasn't like a portal they had seen before; it was watery and made of a strange mist that seemed to shift and swirl. Until, of course, Zex stepped out of it. With a flick of his cloak, the mist dissapated.

He bowed, then straightened, his lips tightly pursed. "For what reason have you called me, sire?"

"Where's Arachne?" Verolen demanded at once.

"At home. With her father. I've been watching your endeavors; supposedly you were attacked by a mass of Dark Matter.That is. quite literally, the only magic that ever affects Arachne. If she had been there, if she had inhaled it...with no internal magics of her own, it would have been devastating to her system. Having sensed the release of Dark Chaos, I figured it would be safer for her at home, where he cannot meddle. And I was quite correct. You, of course, are free to pick her up at any time now. She's quite happy with your father, however. The Spell of Black was very effective. He shows genuine love and care towards her now, and she has a chance to be a child again. In destroying the Phantom's evil, you have brought forth the fathering side of him, and they both seem very happy. I imagine, though, she would be happier traveling with you." Zex sighed a bit. "However dangerous it is."

Israel seemed a bit unsure as to whether he had any voice in this conversation, but he hesitantly put in a "I want her to be safe," and looked to Verolen.

Verolen looked over at Israel, then sighed. "You're free to go, Zex."

"Of course. Call again when you wish to make a contract. Don't bother me otherwise." He bowed lightly, then turned on heel and left.

Verolen turned to face Israel. "Whether we leave her with my dad or not...I'll leave that choice to you. You're closer to her than I am, believe it or not. She likes you more. And...I trust you'll make the right decision."

((Either way, she'll rejoin the group when Dark Chaos brings the Darklands back to the real world.

What was his name, by the way? Dark Chaos....can't remember his naaaaame))

((I didn't care enough to remember, either XD))

"I... I couldn't," Israel stammered, looking nervous. "I don't want her to... be hurt, but... she should be happy," he said.

((WELL FRICK. I'mma have to go back and find it.))

Verolen smiled a bit. "You have a bit of time to decide. We're not leaving until tomorrow night. So you have a chance to sleep on it." He patted his friend on the shoulder. "Come on, then, let's go get some rest."

((SERRIS))

((GOT IT.

YOU REMEMBER THAT))

"Oh, I was actually going to... to go sleep in the forest," Israel said. "I found a little nest, and... is that okay?" he asked.

((SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS SERRIS))

"That's fine." Verolen smiled. "If something happens, though, remember; yell really, really loud." He chuckled a bit. "And I expect you back at the village not long after dawn, or we'll come looking for you."

"You got it," Israel said, smiling. His wings flashed out and he flew back over to the treeline, disappearing quickly in the dimming light.

Verolen watched him go, then turned back to the town. It was fairly quiet. Hopefully it would remain so throughout the evening.

L'arc awoke to Bird hanging over him. Not really doing anything; just watching. He didn't appear to have slept; the shadows under his eyes were visible and obvious, in spite of his mask. He blinked at L'arc, then waved a hand in front of the prince's face, as if to check if he could still see.

L'arc jerked. "Bird, whatareyoudoing?" he asked. The last words came out of his mouth in a rush, and if he hadn't really been awake when he'd first opened his eyes, he certainly was now. He sat back and put a hand over his heart as if to calm it, and took a deep breath. "Do you need something?" he asked.

Bird blinked at him in surprise. "I thought you were dead. Like when you fell onto my bed. I thought you were dead." His voice was heavy, and he didn't sound all that relieved. "Everyone else is dead, though...your friend Sylas..." He looked over to the cot where Sylas was. "I was too late to help you, but he was still alive when I came in. I tried to keep him from it, but he told me to leave him alone. I...I'm sorry, I should have persisted..."

He was sleeping, nothing more. His one eye closed, the rise and fall of his chest quite obvious. But Bird either didn't understand or didn't know the difference between death and sleep. No wonder he seemed so awfully tired all the time. Bird continued. "So when you stirred, I thought you might be turning into a ghost. I wanted to see what would happen..."

"What...?" L'arc, though feeling wide awake now, was still struggling to get his mind to wrap around what Bird was talking about. "We're just sleeping, Bird. That's all," he said.