The Book of Gemma VOL. 2

38: THE ZODIAC TRIALS

That morning we had all gathered for a meeting around the large wooden table, Sage and Aqua sharing a chair, they still couldn't look Deecon or Hercules in the eyes. Pisces and Scorpz sit on opposite sides, giving flirtatious looks at one another. Capri and Cane sat there quietly while Tori basically yelled her small talk to them, shapeshifting into the animal she had seen this morning. Kyto and Aries lean back in their chairs while Aries head tilts towards my father, telling him something secretly amongst the chatter. Leo tries to get everyone's attention as he spats clever one liners to Tori.

I sat at the end of the table, Hercules to my left and he had remained silent, listening in on every conversation that the Zodiacs spat over one another. I rub my temples, I can already tell we are making a bad impression. Deecon sits to my right, lightly stroking the top of my thigh to calm me.

"Zodiacs?...-" I say at a normal volume, their howls still continued. Pisces clapping her hands together at Scorpz jokes, Cane's laughter roaring through the compound.

I tried again, "Z-Zodiacs?"

Again they continue, like I am a ghost in this room. Hercules let out a groan, already displeased with the room of immature God's.

I stand from my chair and slam a hand down on it.

"Zodiacs!"

They all fell silent, Tori shapeshifting back into a God, Cane gulping loudly as he sees the steam from my nostrils, Scorpz straightening her posture as she remembers how angry I could get. Aries smirked along with my father, as if they were proud I showed my anger at the disrespect they had shown to me and our guest.

I clear my throat as I sit back down, clasping my hands on my lap.

I splay out a hand to Hercules.

"As you know, I have given you all your tasks for the day. Hercules and I will be on the field today, to show him each and every Zodiac's greatest strengths. If he likes what he sees.. There may be a chance for the Greeks to join our fight.-"

I stand up, pointing to the map of Sky and Darus on the table.

"-We are not just fighting for our home and for the humans on Darus.. We are fighting to end the slaughter and torment that Vyx has caused for the people on Paradise and the generations to come.-" I raise one of my palms, using my power to glow my fingertips. I stare deeply into the shimmer of it as all their eyes fall into it too.

"-Vyx created us to wipe out any planet in our sight... to make us the monsters in every child's nightmare.. The Solar Destroyers... The Solar Suckers... The end of life.-" They begin to lower their heads in shame, Aqua wiping a tear from her eye.

"-I grew up with all of you.. Hating me.. Hating me for being chosen the favorite and hating me for the job we all were programmed to do.-"

Lib frowns up to me, thinking for one second I labeled her a bad friend. I loved my friendship with Lib growing up, there were moments though that I would feel her jealousy as my powers grew stronger.

"-And I began to hate myself. Thinking that I was a mistake for being created, that I would always be a plague to any world... And I think you have felt the same.-"

Leo places his face in his hands, trying to not show the saddened look on it, the one I thought would never let their armor crack.

"I do not blame you for hating me, you didn't know what I would do in this life here. You didn't know I would find light in this black hole of a life, you didn't know these mortals could give such love to our kind... and they have so much more to give to you, their protectors. When all of you.. Left me.. I grew up watching these humans evolve everyday, making mistakes after mistakes and yet I never left them for being frustrating... But the way they always pick themselves back up and try again is something I have looked up to through the years. The love they show not only for each other but for me is why I could never see them crumble, they always fight for another day.. I've made friends here.. Family here..-"