Serpents and Descendants

Prologue (pt 3)

Gemos and Nemina both shot out a hand, forcing Libra from the medical bay. Nemina remained in the bed while Gemos lifted himself from the floor and flew out behind him, maneuvering Libra's body through the corridors and out of the ship.

Nemina slumped her shoulders, drained from the simple use of her telekinesis.

Aquarius was already running out the door. He groaned when he heard Leo barreling after him.

"You've just got to be the hero, don't you?" Aquarius jabbed as they ran. "You should've stayed with Nemina and the baby."

"He's my complimental," Leo argued, his amber eyes catching the dim glow of the corridor's lights. "I can handle him."

"Not when he's been manipulated. Who knows if the complimental bond is strong enough to keep him from attacking you while he's in this state!" They took a left turn. "You wouldn't be able to fight him even if you wanted to. I'm sure that's what they're banking on." Aquarius shook his head. "Ugh! You don't think!"

Leo fumed silently. He knew Aquarius was right. "Just stay out of my way," he warned.

The polars emerged from the ship to find Libra on the ground. Standing above him was Aries' complimental, Sagittarius.

Gemos had his spindly hands up, ready to fight.

All was dead silent save for the wind whistling through the mountains.

Sagittarius stood tall, his skin shining in the light from the various moons above. "Libra has told me quite the story," he began, feigning ignorance.

Leo looked into his complimental's eyes. The blue ring danced playfully around his pupil, the manipulation still in full effect.

"I want to believe that none of it is true," Sagittarius continued. "That you haven't broken our oldest covenant." He attempted to take a step towards the ship, but Leo's eyes flared. A warning. Sagittarius lifted his hands and stepped back. He pushed his locks behind his shoulders, revealing his arrow-filled quiver. "You know that we must tell Aries."

Gemos' eyes glittered. "Sagittarius. I know we have our differences but..." He took a breath. "Please. She'll kill her."

Sagittarius narrowed his ember eyes. "This has nothing to do with our differences. You know that. You have broken a rule that-" He paused, collecting himself. "You know why this must be brought to Aries." He nodded to Libra, signaling him to speak up. He guessed that the equalist would do a better job of persuading his complimental and fellow air primes.

Libra attempted his classic charming smile, but it seemed as if the manipulation left behind the pieces that made it his own.

"We need you to hand her over, Leo." Libra took a smooth step closer to the polars, but Leo and Aquarius stood together, guarding the entrance to the ship. Libra chuckled and backed up. "Haven't seen you two this in sync for a few thousand years."

"Libra. Please. You have to fight it," Leo pleaded. "You know that you would rather die before you did something like this. Especially for Aries."

Sagittarius spoke in his place. "Perhaps his desire for order simply outweighs the strength of his polar link," he said smugly.

Gemos bared his teeth. "Bullshit!" he spat. "You know he wouldn't have done this if it weren't for Cancer's mind tricks!" He lifted a hand to attack, and in kind, Sagittarius pulled an arrow from his quiver and drew it, the creak of his bow screeching through the air.