Zodiac Signs - Way of the Stars

Chapter 6: Unexpected

Capricorn wakes to the quiet sounds of shuffling feet in the other rooms. She gently raises herself to a sitting position, staring through her window and at the mountain that peeks over the trees like as if its a shy mound of stone.

They are going to leave soon. She changes into her casual clothing and double-checks her pack to make sure she had everything she needs. If Aries was here, she would have teased the earth-sign about being so careful, which she would have taken as a compliment.

After feeling satisfied with her package, she transforms the pack and its contents into energy and stores it within her soul - the same way the Signs store away their weapons. Rise had taught the Signs how to do that to make their traveling easier. After one last look around her room, she opens the door, walking out to the corridor.

Aries and Pisces are in the hall, conversing with each other about the situation. Aries's amber eyes glimmer with excitement while Pisces's deep blue eyes shimmer with worry.

"What will happen?" Pisces murmurs. "How will we survive?"

"We'll make our own path!" Aries waves her hand frantically towards the nearby earth-sign. "Right, Caps?"

Capricorn peers at the water-sign gently. "Of course. You're not alone, Pisces."

A small, fragile smile appears on Pisces's pink lips.

"We're going to be late." Libra walks past briskly.

Aries rolls her eyes with a half-smile and tugs on Pisces's arm. "Right, right. C'mon then."

They enter the Meeting Room. Moon smiles at them warmly when she sees them. Rise waves at them before turning back to talk to their own group of Signs. Sun stares blankly at the empty space where the lack of his own Signs are.

"We're all here except for Leo, Scorpio, Virgo, and Gemini," Moon explains as she sneaks an apprehensive glance at Sun.

"What's taking them so long?" Sun murmurs to himself. "Are they okay? Should I check on them?"

"Maybe they died," Aquarius deadpans.

Sun's face pales.

Rise gives Aquarius a reprimanding stare, before turning to the other caretaker. "Sun, there's nothing to worry about." They glance at the Signs gathered around them. "How about I send one of my little ones to make sure?"

"Ooh! I'll go!" Sagittarius volunteers immediately.

Moon clasps her hands together. "Yes, Rise, that's a brilliant idea." She glances at Capricorn. "My dear, would you be alright with checking on the other as well?"

Capricorn raises an eyebrow warily. "You told us that we're not allowed there."

Moon nods her head slowly. "That is correct." She pauses with a small, bittersweet smile. "This time, you are allowed to." A shaky sigh escapes her lips. "Since.. this is your final day here."

Rise quickly places a comforting hand on her shoulder as she turns away with a distressed look.

Pisces hugs her caretaker.

Rise nods towards Capricorn. "Go, now."

Sagittarius glances at Capricorn before heading towards the door on the other side of the room; the room where the others are.

They enter the corridor, which is empty except for the two of them, and a blonde Sign standing on one side.

Scorpio is leaning against a wall, presumably waiting for the others. The water-sign is quiet, seemingly deep in thought with those icy-blue eyes staring at nothing.