The Zodiac Kingdom

7

Aries was overseeing the progress of the troops, and they were doing well indeed. The underground cave was the most ideal place for those specializing in close range combat. Training under the power of passion is the most effective way to raise an army of soldiers willing to fight and die for their kingdom.

Aries paused in his thoughts. What happens when the war is over? Will they go back to hating each other, or will they still be united? He wondered at the outcomes of each. If they went back to how it was, what of the new found friendships between soldiers and new lovers? How would that work out? New laws would have to be placed and not to mention the red tape-

He stopped himself from over thinking it. They will cross that bridge when they get there.

He was just starting to look back at his troops when the ground shook with the force of a 4.9 magnitude earthquake. The troops immediately readied themselves for an attack. The lights went out and the troops headed to be back to back to prepare for what they could not see.

A purple blue mist seeped in through the blocked entrance and through whatever other openings there were. It was elegant but manifested itself into a sinister form. It became an army of exact clones to the army in training. In front a tall female manifested, and she seemed to be the embodiment of fear and confidence. Those in front held their ground but were clearly wanting to turn and run with their tails between their legs.

The woman smirked and scoffed, "So this is what I deal with? Pathetic! A true leader will lead the charge to get a goal they want, a coward would hide behind their pawns, and your gods are clearly cowards. Why should people like you have to sacrifice your lives for a god who wouldn't care? Join me, and you will never have to see this truth."

A few looked at each other before walking into the mist. There were only a dozen who did, but the other hundreds didn't budge.

"I suppose there are only so many descendants, pity," the woman sighed but immediately perked back up again, "I'll let you make the first move."

It was quiet for a moment, and then another. It seemed to be a standstill before a gunshot rang in the air, and all hell broke loose.

A clash happened between the two, and war cries were echoing throughout the area. Metal clashing to make sparks, arrows flying in the air, and ground becoming red were all feelings of chaos.

Aries was gathering his armor and weapon that was specifically made for him by Leo. Designed for only him to wear, the armor enchanted with the magic of a chain, bound solely to Aries was the Griffin chain.

The armor firmly bound itself into Aries and glowed red and gold. The aura glowed and made the cave seem to be under the sun.

Aries leaped down and started striking down enemies left and right. The mysterious army turned to dust once defeated. This perplexed many of them as they sure felt like real people.

"So the mighty king finally comes down from his perch, how noble," the leader said, "you really do live up to your kingdom's god." She chuckled, but it sounded hollow like there was no life in it.

"Griffin! Lend me your chains so I may banish her to the Abyss!" Aries held up his arm toward her as chains wrapped around her, binding her tightly.

She struggled for a bit, but then stood still. A smile appeared, growing larger and larger until it stretched from ear to ear. A sound made itself known. It started as a giggle, then escalated to a chuckle, to finally getting to a full laughter. It wasn't joyful - though perhaps it would have been out of place - it was blood curling and full of insanity. Everyone, including the enemy army, stopped to look at the scene playing out before them.

"You think your pathetic Griffin can hold me?" She asked, "Not even your good-for-nothing god can stop me! Your chain will fall to the side until it can make itself look good, but unless your chain can withstand the poison that runs through me, hell will look pleasant."

"Griffin! I call on you to destroy her!" A Griffin appeared put of the aura, manifesting itself into the size of a boulder. It flew up to the top of the cave, temporarily blinding everyone, before flying back down at a rapid speed.

Before the chain could reach her, another chain manifested itself. A shadowy figure burst out of black flame, holding a scythe 3 times bigger than the average person. Though the flames died down, features weren't recognisable beyond the claws holding the scythe.

The Griffin came to a stop on the ground, frozen in shock, before fading away. The King's eyes widen in fear and in disbelief.

"N-no, that's not possible!" Aries exclaimed, "You can't have possibly-!"

"Send him to Abyss temporarily?" She smirked, "Of course I did! He would die otherwise."

Suddenly, footsteps could be heard coming down the staircase to the cave. The leader smirked.

"The first key is in our grasp," she laughed, "This is too easy and so much fun!"

"Your highness?" Pisces asked softly from the shadows, "Is everything alright?"

The leader summoned a chain and quickly bound Aries so he couldn't move or speak, "This may be the last time you see her as one of yours," the woman said.

As soon as the prince's stepped onto the ground floor, chains shot out at her and wrapped around her tightly so she couldn't escape.

"I have what I need!" The leader exclaimed, "I'll take my leave now!" With a flourish of black fire, the leader vanished leaving no trace that they'd ever been there except for the missing princess.

"Dammit!" The king yelled at nothing in particular.

~

"One of the keys has been found!"

"But remember, this is not a game changer. There are two others, including myself makes 4 total."

"You know it was her idea to mess with the fates in the first place."

"I am well aware, but keep in mind that this key is the progression towards the 3rd ending, the secret that only you and I know of."

"And it shall stay so until the ending comes true."

"Outcomes are still very unpredictable."

"Yes, almost as much as you the princ-"

"No names, they can still hear you and sway the outcome to the worst possibility."

"Oh right."