The Zodiacs: Blood Of Angels

Chapter 51: Gemini

Gemini wasn't prepared just how strong the new and improved Pisces was. Ifreet thought he had him with a surprise pillar of flame, but Pisces vanished and appeared behind the demon, resting against a charred tree stump. With his little smirk and casual demeanour, Gemini couldn't really believe this was the same kid who needed to be accompanied while pissing in the woods.

"Over here!" Pisces called, raising an arm and waving up at the demon. Ifreet turned around and bellowed, lava falling out of its mouth. Pisces didn't waver and clenched a fist. He punched outward, dispersing a ray of pure light which pierced Ifreet's body and seemed to stun it. The demon didn't move, as a 4-foot javelin flew from behind Pisces and embedded itself in its shoulder.

Gemini heard footsteps thundering behind him and wasn't surprised at who he saw as he turned around – the other Zodiacs! From the trees far side of the clearing, Aries walked out his in his great red avatar, but Gemini could see he didn't possess the same aura of confidence he usually did. Gemini saw he was hurt, dried blood prevalent on his clothes. He walked with a slight limp, but nevertheless, he continued on stoically.

Gemini concentrated and caused another two Aries to sprout out in different directions. They all walked towards Ifreet, who was somehow barely holding its own against Pisces.

"The hell happened to him?" Gemini asked the approaching Scorpio.

"A transformation of sorts. How have you been faring?"

"Pretty rough. You guys don't seem so hot yourself," he noticed the numerous injuries on her, as well as a Taurus who could barely walk and was relying on assistance from Sag.

"We'll find a way to win," Scorpio tried to be reassuring, putting a hand on his shoulder. She squeezed it a little, before running past to help.

Gemini nodded, even though it seemed hard to believe. He drew his own sword and charged with her, creating as many copies as he could of them. Gemini struck at Ifreet, who was able to move its leg out of the way. It wasn't able to go far, as Aries had grabbed hold of it and was allowing Pisces and Leo to its vulnerable parts.

As all the Zodiacs hacked and slashed at Ifreet, Gemini half felt sorry for the monstrosity. It didn't ask to be created and it was being killed for the sins of its maker.

His sorriness evaporated at the thought of what it had done too Aqua, however. He slashed at any part of Ifreet he could, with as much intensity and for a period, it seemed like they were winning. Unfortunately, a bloodcurdling roar coming from behind them made all the Zodiacs hesitate.

Gemini whirled round to see Berial with a host of obsidian doglike demons with no eyes and crocodile like mouths.

"Oh crap," he muttered.

"Taurus! Sag!" Virgo pointed out at the two demonhunters who hadn't participated in the fight with Ifreet but were now being surrounded by Berial.

"Let's go!" Gemini called back to him, having no doubt that Leo, Pisces, Aries and Scorpio could handle Ifreet. It was like a second wind had hit Gemini and he leapt towards his comrades as fast as he could, no longer in fear of his own weaknesses.

Berial leapt to confront Gemini, one of its claws swiping for his face. Gemini blocked with his sword, and Berial retracted its claw as Virgo sliced at its wing. A column of ice sprouted between the three of them and Azula leapt into combat with Berial.

"Head to Sag and Taurus!" She called to both of, dodging a slash and replying with a thrust of her own.

Gemini ran past her and saw a dozen of the demon hounds – called Sivex if he remembered correctly – surround Sag and growl at her, one leaping trying to leap onto her. A lightning bolt pierced its rocky hide and sent it scrawling.