The Zodiac Cycle

1.8 Oh Boy

Ash stared at the two strangers that were trying to take Nolan with them as they stared back, dumbfounded. The mark had appeared on his 21st birthday, same for Nolan. As far as he was aware, about a week ago, both marks started glowing, both different colors, and now these two people show up, one with a mark herself, and claim that it's his and Nolans destiny or some crap to save the world?

He wasnt buying it.

"How about this," he offered, looking at the Elf girl. "you and I spar, if you can beat me, we will go with you willingly."

"Alright." She agreed without hesitation.

"Aren't you going to ask what happens if he wins?" The harpy beside her asked nervously.

"Dont need to plan for something that isnt going to happen." She crossed her arms cockily, which ticked Ash off.

"Hah, as if. When I win, you two will clean this base top to bottom while we consider your offer." Ash smirked, he planned to make them clean even the guns his group carried and give them toothbrushes to scrub the floors.

"Bet." She lifted her chin "lead the way."

Ash led the two down the hall outside of the conference room and into a door that led down a small flight of stairs. Upon entering another door at the bottom, Nolan close on Ash's heels, they arrived in a large underground pit area with plenty of room for a tussle.

"The longer I'm here, the sketchier it gets." The elf mumbled.

"Its a gang, what do you expect?" Nolan looked back at them.

"How did you even get here?" She asked him.

He looked over at Ash "I- happened upon it by chance."

"Why'd you stay?" The harpy asked.

"Cause it was the best chance I ever took." He smiled and looked forward, an unspoken string pulling Ash towards him mentally, though not physically.

The two boys had always been this way, as thick as thieves, if not thicker. Nolan was Ash's closest companion. They knew things about each other no one else did or ever would. Nolan wasnt the best fighter, but he was Ash's strength, he always had been. Ash often got a bit too aggressive, but he was Nolans foundation, he kept him grounded and stable.

Ash and the elf prepared themselves to spar. They agreed not to use weapons and positioned themselves. The wolf from earlier started them off.

The fight was over faster than it had started, with Ash pinning her to the ground till she tapped out.

After the spar, the group of four (the wolf left) took a tour of the base and the elf and harpy were forced to start cleaning, but not as much as Ash had originally planned. Nolan convinced him to just make them tidy the place, not deep clean it.

Once the two had started, Ash and Nolan found themselves going into a bedroom. Nolan laid back on the bed and Ash perched on the edge of the other side.

"Do you think its legit?" Ash asked the merman.

"I dont know." Nolan replied nervously, before turning onto his stomach and tilting his head at the other man. "But I know if they try the same thing the last guy tried you'll protect me, just like before."

Ash smirked at Nolan. He knew the guy was just trying to make him feel better by boosting him, and in all honesty it worked everytime, even then.

Ash flopped back and laid on his side, facing Nolan. Nolan leaned forward and landed a small kiss on Ashs nose.

"You wanna go with them, huh?" Ash asked.

Nolan smiled "you know me so well."

Ash laughed "I guess I do."

Nolan scooted closet to Ash and curled up against his chest, pulling the covers over the both of them. "Still sleepy?" Ash whispered into his ear.

He shivered and smirked. "Shhh, I'm asleep."

"Ah, right, right." Ash chuckled wrapping his arms around Nolans shoulders and felt himself doze off into a light sleep.

~~~

"Well, I've got to say I'm impressed by your skills." Ash patted Keith on the shoulder. "You, however," he looked pointedly at Amber "are lazy and arrogant, and a sore loser."

"I dont like you either." She replied bluntly.

"Oh boy," Keith sighed "perhaps it was a bad idea to get you two together this early on. Leo's and Scorpios never get along."

"Why's that?" Nolan asked from behind Keith, startling the bird. He was hoisting a backpack onto his shoulders.

"Well, typically, both are prideful and stubborn and Scorpios aggression doesent mix well with Leo's narcissistic tendencies."

"I am not aggressive." Ash glared.

"I'm not narcissistic." Amber growled.

"The first thing you did with us was challenge us to a fight." Keith pointed out to Ash "and I have no doubts you tried to hide your mark first thing to protect yourself." He added for Amber, who looked away. She didnt deny it and Ash snickered.

"But you," Keith turned to Nolan "I didnt expect the Cancer to be so... soft."

Nolan looked hurt. "What's wrong with soft?"

"Oops, forgot about the emotions." Keith scratched the back of his neck while Nolan pouted, Ash seethed and Amber- who knows what was going on in Amber's mind.

They all gave Keith a questioning look. "Cancers are prone to be the most emotional sign."

"That adds up." Ash chuckled looking at Nolan, who looked a bit embarrassed.

"Well then, with that out of the way, have you two decided on whether or not you'll come with us?" Keith asked the pair.

Ash and Nolan glanced at each other again and Nolan nodded.

"Really?" Keith seemed suprised "I didnt expect you to agree so easily.

"We've got all our stuff ready, give me a second and I'll make sure this place is going to run smoothly while we're gone." Ash walked away from the group.

"Somethings been bugging me." Amber piped. "Earlier, you said something about a guy that came in and attacked you." She was looking at Nolan "do you know who he was?"

Nolan thought for a second "not really. It was kind of sudden. He came alone and broke in with brute force. I think he was a vampire."

At this Keith stiffened. He set one hand on Nolans shoulder, completely serious, startling Nolan and Amber. "Did he have one red eye and one grey eye."

"W-what?" Nolan stuttered, taken aback.

"Answer the question!" Keith nearly yelled, putting his other hand on Nolans other shoulder.

"Yes! He did! Now please stop." Nolan shrugged Keith's hands off his shoulders and took a couple steps back, Ash appearing behind him looking livid.

"What the heck man?" Ash growled, wrapping both arms around Nolans shoulders.

"This isnt good." Keith crossed his arms, the fire in his eyes flickering with worry. "That man wasnt just any other vampire."

"What do you mean?" Amber asked calmly.

"That's was Zveck. He's the person that we need the Zodiacs to defeat. If he's the one with the second tracker, he could be trying to hunt the signs down."

"But he attacked Nolan, not me." Ash stated bluntly.

"That's cause you're no threat to him." Keith scowled "you're the Scorpio, the weakest of the signs, power wise. He seems to be going after the stronger ones first."

"Then which ones are the strongest?" Ash asked.

"Well, first is Leo, then Cancer, and third is..." he trailed off, then whipped his head aggressively toward Amber. "Gemini!"

Amber was stunned for a moment.

"Iris."