The Zodiac Cycle

YES 3.22 Release

I stood up, my heart heavy, as I looked across the base, and all the bodies around the space. I had found all but three of the Zodiacs, and had no way of identifying who the Gemini would have been.

The dots on the Tracker had gone out, one by one, and the dread from the meaning of that had already hit. My worst suspicions had only been confirmed by the bloody battlefield I found waiting for me.

I looked once more at the dots, and noticed that there was still one dot lit.

The orange one.

I tried to make my way through the labyrinth of halls, searching for her. I went down several wrong ways before finding the right one, frustrated at the difficulty in navigating.

The only reason I knew it was right was the smudged trail of blood that led down it. I swallowed, the dread in my stomach growing deeper with every step.

The whole base was silent.

When I saw the two redheads, I ran over. I knelt by them, and cringed. Carson seemed to have taken the brunt of the attacks, but Amber's body was covered by his, so I couldnt see what injuries she might have.

I put two fingers against her neck, and felt a beat. There seemed to be an infinite amount of time between beats, only growing wider the more I waited.

I was breathing heavily, and the blood pounding in my ears drowned out the taps against my fingers. I had to do something, and fast.

I clenched my eyes shut for a moment, gathering the courage to push Carson aside.

I saw the wound on her chest and leaned back, sitting on my feet. There wasn't any way that she could survive that, especially not this late.

I was too late.

I looked at her face, as it reflected an almost peaceful sleep. The only disturbance were the wet streaks down her cheeks.

I reached out once more, and took hold of Amber's hand.

And I held it till the pounding from her skin, and the beats in my head faded.

Some Guardian I am.

I stood up, releasing her hand, and decided I needed to see if there was anyone in the base that survived.

I wandered slowly. I knew what I was doing, but it didn't seem necessary to rush anymore.

"Keith?" I froze, the voice coming from behind me sounding oddly familiar.

I turned to see a large man, with half black, half pink hair. He looked at me with those hot pink eyes full of pain. He held a spot on his torso, as if he was already bleeding, even though he wasn't.

"George?"

"Keith!"

I felt my eyes and cheeks grow wet with tears, as he jogged over to me. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked at me worriedly.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

I felt a lump form in my throat and tried to say something, but words failed me. I wasn't harmed, but I was hurt. I was healthy and breathing, but I was not okay. 

I was too late.

George looked around the halls around us, then pulled his hands off my shoulders. he lifted one of them to look at the back of his hand where his sign had been before. it wasn't there anymore, and he looked back to me.

"What now?"

~~~

Olive didn't know how she was walking, much less why she was alive.

After Stormy fell, she knew...

the Castle walls were busy with people preparing for Judgement day, and they all stopped when she appeared and stepped out of her way. It had most likely been something planned by Zach, for no one to get in her way. 

she got to the housing part of the castle, and the people quickly thinned out and disappeared. 

she found Sakura first.

the fox was laying motionless on the ground. she looked like she was sleeping. it was the first time Olive had seen her without the Gemini mark on her face. olive crouched beside her and lifted her into her arms. 

she held her there for a moment. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

she carried the fox with her, down the hall, to Iris's room. the door was still open and the room was a mess. Olive carefully set Sakura on the couch, covering her with a blanket, before looking around. 

she found Iris over by one of the walls.

when she reached her, Olive nearly vomited. 

lying on the floor beside the eagle was a bloody knife that looked all too familiar, and the mark carved on her face wasn't bleeding.

Olive picked Iris up. she was lighter than Sakura, and fit far better in Olives arms. Olive stayed there for what felt like forever, crying for the two people who didn't deserve this, they didn't deserve what Olive had done.

If only she had let go.