Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 11

Winter Solstice
Scorched Arena, City of Augus

#Michael Firedrake#

Cheers. All I heard are cheers. I hold my breath, then release it. The people are hungry for blood. It made my stomach churn. My eyes searched for any sign of the duo.

There he is.

Braeden stood at the edge of the arena, looking out of sorts. Without Aria by his side, he stood out like a sore thumb. Our eyes met.

Frustration. Fear.

I found myself striding to his side. I am just curious, I convinced myself. I do not care.

"You're alone," I said as we faced each other.

Something beeped inside his pocket. A rainbow message.

Braeden sighed. "Now's not the time Firedrake. I have a call to answer."

"Go ahead," I replied, but didn't budge.

He stared at me dubiously before answering the call. Pulling the crystal out, the holograph floated right above us. On the other screen was Scout Leader Fireblaze.

"What's up?" He greeted.

I wanted to correct him and his manners, but that isn't my call to take. I closed my mouth shut instead.

"I've been calling you five times you brat," the famous demigod growled on the holograph.

"I was busy," he replied. "Aria didn't appear. She must be in serious trouble."

There was a slight pause on the other line, drowned by the sound of clashing metal.

"Is that Firedrake with you?" The Scout asked out of the blue.

Braeden glanced at me, quite surprised.

Scout Leader had been my foster father in the past. After I was claimed though, the Queen pulled me away, saying the Scout Leader isn't fit to foster three claimed zodiacs. A year later, she pulled Aria out of his care too.. It made our relationship quite strained.

"I am here Scout Leader," I replied.

"Thank the goddess you're there. I need a favor to ask," he said.

Okay? "Sure."

He faced me. "The Battle will start soon. I want you to take watch. An attack will be coming anytime today. Alert the guards."

I nodded.

"You," he barked at Braeden. "This is operation Alpha and Omega."

I blinked. Operation Alpha and Omega. That was a childhood set-up we grew up with. Always stick together. The scouting trio, they called us. Children our age envied us back then. Three strong zodiacs working as a team.

Now that I'm older I realized, it was a test drive. Sir Aiden is smart. Somehow he knew that we'll end up working together in the end.

"Do you hear me?" He asked.

Braeden nodded, face grim.

"Find Aria. Find her at all costs. Kill if you must. Operation Alpha and Omega starts now. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir!" -Braeden
"Affirmative!" -Michael

Scout Leader smirked at us.

"Don't die." And the line went dead.

Braeden turned to leave. I held his arm, stopping him.

"What is happening?" I asked.

"Do you think I'll panic if I know?" He snapped.