Post-Apocalypse: Aries Will Fall

•○•○•Chapter 1•○•○•

I wandered through the newly abandoned streets. The debris was hard to maneuver around. The old paint from buildings was either scrapped off or full from dust. I am one of the few survivors of the attack. Of the Calamity. My wonderful home, Celia City, has been refused to broken buildings, dust filled air, and lost hope. I continued to wander for a few hours, gathering any salvageable materials along the way. Soon the sky turned a dull pink as the sun started to set behind the dust and mountains. I figured it was time to head back to camp so I started to lumber back. By the time I got to the camp, the sky had turned beautiful pale yellows, reds, and oranges. I entered the rickety, makeshift base.

"Aries! Welcome back!", Leo exclaimed happily.

"Hey bro, where are the others?", I questioned, looking around the lower half of the base before putting my heavy backpack down.

"Oh, they went out to look for the others. Cap said we have enough supplies now. Cap still thinks the others are alive.", Leo explained.

I nodded as I started to put all the materials I found away. My mind started to wander a bit. I remember how things were before the attack on Celia City. I used to live with the other Zodiacs in a huge house by the beach. We were happy and finally all together, all 12 of us. Unfortunately the attack had separated us. I got stuck with Leo, Capricorn and Taurus. I am happy that I am still able to see my brother, even if I see him injured and trapped. We found an old building that mostly survived the attack so we set up camp there. Here. Capricorn and Leo try to stay positive, still saying that the others are alive. I pretend that everything will be fine but I don't have much real hope. As for Taurus, well he has become nearly silent. Taurus will only talk to Leo if he thinks they are alone or if Capricorn and I are asleep.

"I... I'll be outside if you need me.", I said a bit dully as I walked outside. I heard Leo say something but I didn't care enough to process what he said.

I went went to what was left of Sunset Hill. It had always been a good place to get away from everything, before and after the attack. A sliver of the moon could be seen through the dust. Sadly, no stars could be seen. I truly wondered if anyone was still alive. I sat on the hill, looking over the destroyed city. I felt tears threaten to spill from my eyes but I blinked them away. As the moon rose higher, I city decided it was about time to head back. I formed a small, weak flame in my hand. I made my way slowly back to camp but paused at the entrance.

"Is she going to be alright?", Leo asked in a hushed tone.

"Yeah, Pisces will be fine. No need to worry Leo.", Capricorn responded quietly.

At that point I decided to enter quietly. Both Leo and Capricorn smiled and nodded at me as a greeting. That is when I saw Pisces on a blanket. She had bandages on her head, right arm, left wrist, both legs, and neck. Pisces was clearly out cold and very pale. Two things suprised me. The fact that Capricorn found someone and the fact that Pisces wasn't dead.

"So, where was Pisces?", I questioned.

"I found her near the far edge of the beach, left for dead. I am not sure what attacked her...", Capricorn explained.

"Oh. Great," I said blankly, looking around the room. "Hey, were is Taurus?"

"Um...", Capricorn hesitated. "Well Taurus kinda ran off. I couldn't catch him..."

"Why did he run off?!", Leo demanded to know, clearly worried.

Capricorn turned to me. Then he turned back to Leo.

"I think he said something about seeing Cancer", Capricorn responded.

"C-Cancer?", I could feel myself choke.
"Yeah, Cancer... At least that is what I think he said," Capricorn confirmed as he walked over to me. "But remember, Taurus could have been wrong."

I quickly walked out as tears filled my eyes. I hadn't seen Cancer since the attack. The possibility of Cancer being alive caused all kinds of emotions to flood through my veins. Excitement, frustration, fear, sorrow, love, even a bit of hope rushed through my bones. I have to find Taurus. I HAVE to find Cancer. So with that I ran.
And ran.
And ran.
I didn't stop running, not for a moment. Until I heard a voice. The voice was singing.

"I don't have anyone and I don't have anything. But that's ok, I'll just move on with my day", the voice sang in a morose yet bouncy tone.

"Hello?", I asked stupidly.

The voice stopped singing and took on a very serious tone, "Who dares come around these lands?"

"Just a mere traveler. . . Who might you be?", I responded calmly.

The voice was so familiar, yet I couldn't quiet place it. Unfortunately I couldn't see their face.

"The name is Libra.", Libra's tone turned to his normal friendly and bright tone.

I couldn't believe my ears. I hadn't seen Libra since the attack. Were they all alone?

"Libra, it is Aries. Um, stupid question but where exactly are you?", I asked since I couldn't see in the darkness.

"I happen to be right infront of your face.", Libra responded as they placed a hand on my shoulder.

I jumped a little for I hadn't realized Libra was that close. I promptly removed Libra's hand from my shoulder.

"Sorry Aries", Libra apologized as they ruffled my hair.

"Have you seen Cancer?", I questioned as I stepped back.

"Yeah, I saw Cancer. We talked a bit earlier.", Libra confirmed.

"Where was she headed?", I asked, my voice bright.

"Cancer was headed for Elm Avenue and Jackson Street when we spoke", Libra informed me.

I knew this city by heart, even if it was destroyed. I created a small flame and ran as fast as I could. There was a chance, a glimmer of hope, that Cancer was alive. I had to find her.

I ran till sunrise. I now realize that running and jumping over things for a long time is difficult. Once I finally got to the location I knew, this was gonna be interesting. I saw a small camp, seemed to be only 6 people. Three guys, two women and a kid I think. This was odd because only two days ago this place was empty. As I scanned the camp, I saw Cancer. Cancer was chained up and bloody. What the hell happened? Seeing that most of the people had weapons, I decided to be sneaky. I went around the camp to get closer to Cancer. Once I got close, I could see exactly how Cancer had been hurt. The cuts on Cancer's body were from an Air knife. Two men came over to guard Cancer, so I stayed hidden.

"I was gettin' some information outta the lass. She knows a few fire monsters.", one guy spoke with a rough voice.

"We hadn't killed 'em all yet?! Seriously James?!", the second guy said with annoyance.

"Not yet Kyle. But I am sure the lass will tell us all we need.", James replied, motioning at Cancer with an Air knife.

"Lucky us, eh? We also got somethin' offa her to kill 'em danmed Fire bastereds.", Kyle replied, twirling a Water knife around in his hand.

It was at that moment I realized, this was going to be harder then I thought. I knew it wouldn't be easy but seriously. These random guys are strong enough to knock Cancer out and have a Water knife. I have to save my one and only. No matter what. I was determined.