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Chapter 6

Breaking into the castle was easy for the four zodiac members. They skirted the edges of the castle making their way to the small culvert. It was easy for Leo using her strength to break the rusted grate down.

From there they began to trek through the filth and mud from the sewer system before finding relief at a door. It led into a long spiral staircase that brought them into the castle itself.

Gemini sighed in relief breathing in the fresh air. “Now all we have to do is find the dungeon” he looked down the hallway both directions. “But where were they?”

Leo shrugged checking around eager not to be found. Virgo closed his eyes breathing slowly. “This way” he said starting to walk down the left hand hallway. They followed slowly looking at their home glad to see nothing had changed. The walls were still the same brilliant white, covered in colorful tapestry ornate rugs across the floor. Seeing its beauty not changed in the years that had come made them all want to end this war all the sooner.

Virgo stopped in front of a door opening his eyes again. “Here” he said opening it. The door led down into a dark space that none of them could see the bottom of.

“You sure about this Virgo?” Capricorn said straining his eyes to see even the smallest piece of light.

Virgo nodded pointing toward the bottom. A small easily overlooked glow was flickering softly. “That is where the dungeons of the castle begin and that is where we’ll fine Libra and Aquarius”

The four descended the steps quickly not stopping until hitting the bottom. The hallway stretched to the left and to the right almost endlessly.

“Which way?” Capricorn voiced. No one spoke up so he started walking down the left hand path just out of instinct. The others followed.
The dungeon was what one would expect from such a place. The walls were a dull grey with plants snaking their way up. The cells were to the side most empty some containing skeletons of long departed inmates though some contained people that begged to be let out. Despite their want the four ignored them focusing on their immediate goal. Every three cells was a torch to light the way.

The four the walked slowly through the dungeon checking every cell for one of their friends. They didn’t find them. They got to the end and started turning around when they heard a small whimper. Gemini turned back and stared into the cell.

He started walking toward it and gasped slightly. Deep in the corner of the cell was the small purple haired form of Libra. He walked inside it breaking the lock with his sword easily.

“Hey…Libra…It’s me Gemini” he said softly holding his hands out. She ran toward throwing her arms around his neck wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Gem” she whispered softly tears running down her cheeks. Libra used to have short purple hair but it had grown long in the time she stayed here. She was very thin probably hadn’t eaten in days. She was also barely twelve years old being the youngest zodiac member.

“It’s okay Libra” he said smiling and hugging her back. All of the members had a bond with each other on some level and Libra’s bond with Gemini was very strong. He started walking back and looked at everyone smiling. “That’s one down guys”

They nodded smiling at him. Virgo stepped forward and Libra let go of Gemini and jumped into Virgo’s arms clinging to his back. “Okay since this is the end of this side Aqua’s gotta be on the other” he turned and started walking. “So let’s bring her back”

They started walking their pace quickened almost as eager to get out of the dungeon as they were to find Aqua. They passed the staircase made it to the third torch down before they stopped. “Crap” Gemini muttered gripping his sword.

Aries stood blocking their path forward ready to fight smiling softly his spear in hand.

“This is the end of the line you five” Taurus said cracking his knuckles. They spun around as the giant came from behind them cornering them “It won’t end like last time”

Aries smiled then dashed forward in front of Leo before they knew it. He took her hand and leaped in the air. “Run, Aries” he said and they both vanished leaving the four startled zodiacs to deal with the bull.
Gemini crouched gripping his sword hard. Capricorn did the same raising his fist ready to fight.

Virgo stepped forward holding a hand in front of them both. “I’ll handle him” he said. They paused but nodded and started running back whispering good luck to their friend.

“Heh. Virgo you know full well that you can’t defeat me” Virgo ignored him dropping Libra to the ground.

“Run along little one” he stood glaring at Taurus eyes white. “This is no place for you” he thrust both hands blowing him away with the strongest gust of wind he could make. Taurus flew back his feet making tracks in the stone floor.

He chuckled lowering his head. “Well well you’ve gotten stronger. Very well I accept your challenge. Let us battle”

*****

Leo growled as she looked around. She was in the ball room of the castle. The floor had been polished recently and in it she could see her own scowling face. She stood taking her claymore in her hands glaring up at the balcony. On the right hand walls were portraits of the landscape, the castle and the twelve of them. On the left was a window over looking the land.

Atop the balcony however was Aries. He stood smiling down at her before leaping down keeping his spear tight in his hand. Ebony staff, diamond blade and golden head guard and pommel the ram on the bottom. “Beautiful isn’t Leo” he said looking around the room.

“Yeah a real work of art” she spat out not taking her eyes off him.

“Come now Leo, we don’t have to fight my sister” he said in soothing tone. Leo just got angrier glaring at him.

“This fight happened the same time I ceased to be your sister. The moment you chose to side with Cancer!” she yelled dashing at him. She jumped into the air slamming her sword down above his head. Aries stepped back the blade crashing into the ground breaking it like glass. Leo looked up the tip of his spear flying into her head.

She grabbed her sword with both hands lifting her up spinning over the spearhead. She picked the claymore up in the process swinging it upside down into his head. Aries ducked then hopped backwards Leo already on the move.

He flipped back landing on the staircase leading up to the banister of the balcony. Leo moved forward thrusting her blade at him. He sidestepped it ducking as the blade crashed into the wall. He took that moment to lunge at her spear angled for her eye.

She dropped the sword falling on to her back kicking both her legs up. Aries jerked back clutching his chest. Leo lunged again fist cocked back ready to punch him in the face. Aries blocked it with his elbow jumping back taking his spear. Leo growled again her eyes glowing gold.

“Come! Leo!” Aries shouted not concerned. Leo charged at him leaping up the steps swinging her sword hard and fast. This was going to end with only one of them left standing.