To Rule the World | A Zodiac Story

The Battle of Astri

The Battle Of Astri was the worst battle of the Pax War. The world went to ruins on that fateful day. Most of Flammae called it their greatest loss. Most of Solis called it their greatest victory. But, here in Commetes, we called it the greatest disaster.

A lot of bad things happened that day. Friends died. Innocents died. Even royalty died. But it didn't stop. It wouldn't stop. Flammae was convinced the would win, Solis was convinced the could beat them. My name is Capricorn Capernicus. For me, this battle was the end of the line.

Ursa And Capricorn hung out in the soldiers barracks. Suddenly, an alarm blared throughout the castle. There was an attack on Commetes. Every soldier rushed to get ready. Capricorn quickly put on his armor. He had soldiers to lead.

Ursa glanced at Capricorn as they marched out. "Til the end of the line?"

Capricorn gave him a coy grin. "And longer."

"That's good," said Ursa, looking forward. "Because if I don't make it, then you better throw me a good funeral."

"It'll be awesome, your ghost will love it," Capricorn assured him. "But, seriously, I promise you'll make it out."

"I fucking hate empty promises," Ursa muttered under his breath.

We marched out into the battlefield like good soldiers. Good pawns on a chess board. We seemed dispensable. I had Leo at my side. Together, we were going to kick ass.

The eyes of our soldiers were watching us as we marched through the fields. There had been attacks on the village. Children walked around us, fighting for Flammae. Most looked scared. Others looked terrified.

"Don't hurt the kids if possible!" I shouted to my men. "This is a capture, not kill mission!"

"Capricorn, What are you doing?" Leo hissed at me. "We're under attack. It's okay to have casualties."

"These are just children," Capricorn snapped at her. "Most of them aren't even fighting willingly."

Leo rolled her eyes. "This isn't the time to be a good man."

"No," Capricorn agreed, "it's time to be a right one."

There were a couple handfuls of adults running around. While the children terrorized the shops and streets, the adults handled most of the fighting. Leo's army took care of them. Meanwhile, mine was trying to take the kids.

I saw Ursa grab a child no older than eight. On my right we're a group no older than ten. We couldn't fight these children. It would be wrong.

"To your right!" Leo shouted, dodging in and saving Capricorn. She was forced to stab a kid in order to save him. Capricorn looked at her in horror.

Leo ignored him. "Yell at me later, we have a battle to fight."

The child dropped down in pain as a Commetes soldier grabbed them and got them to the cart, where they kept them.

"Behind you!" Capricorn yelled, pushing Leo out of the way. One of the adults had flung themselves on her. Capricorn stabbed him through the gut.

"Thanks for the save," Leo said, glancing at their surroundings.

"Call it even," Capricorn responded.

Around us raged bloodshed. Most of the shop windows were broken in. There was a clothing shop with families huddling inside. Every once in a while, I would see a Flammae child sneak in their to escape the war.

Down the street I saw a bakery. Inside of it, a girl held a sword. No one dared go near it. Behind that girl was a man who seemed oddly familiar, another one who looked more average, and a small boy.