The Last Celestial

Moon is Rising

"Who are you?"

That question pierced against Darlene's heart. She tried her best not to scowl, tried her best to prevent herself from crying Yet, the emotions she was strongly holding onto betrayed almost instantly. She thought Hyacinth was lost... then returned...

Is it all, nothing but a lie?

"Hyacinth..." Darlene whispered, her lips were trembling as tears from happiness and sadness filled her heart. She looked down on the baby she was holding on to, his little eyes full of wonder was staring back at her. This war was far from what she expected. Very far from the thing that she imagined would happen.

She was ready to die for the boy, yet she was saved. She saw Hyacinth die in front of her eyes, yet she was alive. She can't help but ask herself and the Celestial what was going on. Her head hurts so much that she feels like it'll explode. The temples on her forehead are pulsating so fast, that she can feel it.

"This is Landon..." She said, as if there's a need for an introduction. "Don't you remember?"

When Hyacinth shook her head and said "No..." Darlene's vision went dark, and her eyes rolled behind her head, feeling light headed. Good thing Rajesh was behind her to catch her as well as Andrew's reflexes was fast enough to catch the baby who slipped from her hold.

"Oh no..." Andrew yelped as he caught the baby who was crying loudly. "You're okay... you're okay. Uncle Andrew is here." Is what he said as he tried to calm the poor thing. "I'm here."

All of them now were staring at Hyacinth. There was still a blank expression on her face. As if she knows nothing and no one. Literally, she looked like she was out of place. She was staring everybody in the face, as if she was looking for someone she could possibly know, so that she can start to pick up the pieces.

Andrew was truly stupefied. He doesn't know what's going on. If this woman is truly Hyacinth --- Landon's mother, the woman Darlene was talking about, then why doesn't she know anyone?

"Do you at least know your name?" He asked a genuine question and not a hint of insult lingered in it.

Again, Hyacinth looked up at him with such a strange look on her face. "I don't remember..." Was what she said. "...everything is so unclear. I don't even know your faces."

"Can't you try?"

Hyacinth bit her lips and looked at Rajesh, looking like a lost lamb. He understands her, and doesn't want to rush her into remembering things. Especially since he saw how she was devoured by the creature of tar and coal.

Rajesh breathed out slowly, trying to talk to her once more. "It's okay, you can trust us."

Hyacinth opened her mouth, as if trying to find the right words to say. "...I do remember something. Something that seems like a dream."

Rajesh who was fanning Darlene, trying to help her calm down suddenly looked at Hyacinth and he was all ears and ready to listen. "What is it? Can you tell me?" He asked, his already wide doe brown eyes became even wider. And the expression on his face showed how peculiar this situation is for all of them.

"I saw a bull in my dream... A woman, with beautiful green horns. She was big and tall and beautiful... And she told me... that I was chosen."

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He stood in front of a mirror, checking how he looked while wearing the uniform of the guards assigned to Scorpio's relic. The moon is high, and it's already past midnight. He tilted his head and smiled, laughing at the situation he's in. Sometimes, the teeth he's hiding kept showing, especially if he's this riled up.

He hated how Elly is always watching his back. Almost watching every movement that he makes. Every training, every time he needs to go report to Nathaniel, he is always there. The only thing he is waiting for, is the perfect opportunity. Once it comes, he will definitely end the life of that man.

Hate was a weak word to describe how he felt. He absolutely despises the man.

There was a familiar knock on the door. He did not even need to ask who the person was for him to know. He used all of his self control just to stop himself from truly killing the man right then and there. Oh how he wanted to slit his throat and see blood splash all around, drip down his neck, chest until he's left all pale and left for dead.

"I'll be right there." He answered without much emotion, before marching all the way to the door. He unlocked it, and twisted the knob. It revealed Elly, standing straight and was impatiently waiting for him like he always does.

"Took you long enough." He heard Elly say with a smile. Sometimes, he wants to punch the man in the face, just to see how many rows of teeth he can knock out from that pretty smile of his.

"Sorry, I'm still not used to putting on the uniform." Was his ridiculous form of reply.

Elly nodded, and signaled that it was time for the line up. They marched towards the group, standing and waiting, and were divided in two rows. Elly and Phing were designated to guard and stand on the last row. Men and women were wearing the same thick uniform as them.

A substance strong enough to protect them from the venom of Scorpio was meticulously created by Elder Tahani and her husband Gareth. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to secure them from the deadly poison that the venom could bring.

"Attention!" Lucas, the leader of the troop called for everyone when he noticed that all was accounted for and they were complete and ready to go. "Ready to go, mission number 38. To the Scorpio's catacomb. Moon's rising is ready to commence!" He screamed on top of his lungs, then placed his right hand against his chest.

It was a sign of respect for everyone.

All of them answered in unison. "Yes sir!"

And then, they were ready to go and guard the relic for another day.

But as Phing marched towards the hallways and down to the catacombs, there was this disturbing smile on his face. The bug which was resting on his shoulder was usually green but now turned orange, a signal that it had a message to relay from his creator.

"Red Klaida." He said the enchantment that would activate the bug's power in a whisper so soft that no one heard him.

The bug shined bright red, and then it crawled inside Phing's ears until it could dig into his flesh.

A message was relayed and it made his dark smile a little bit more sinister. Sphinox is coming. And she is one of the most bloodthirsty creatures the Creator has ever made. The hairs on his body stood up from sheer excitement and anticipation.

He hadn't had a taste of blood in such a long time, so suddenly, he felt so hungry. And wanted to eat at this moment that he can't help but stare at Elly. This was the perfect moment that he was talking about.

And what's better than having a eight foot monster on his side, both of them feasting on what they can until they are filled to the brim. The thought of finishing Elly itself is already a reward. But now that Sphinox is on her way, there's a high chance for them to bring the Relic back.

"The Creator will be pleased..." He said, a little bit too loud that Elly overheard it, making the man look at him while they were marching down the spherical stairs towards the catacombs.

Elly gave him a look and then said. "What did you say?" He paused and then stared at Phing once more, as if the latter was studying his features. And he looked weary, and cautious. "...did you say something about the Creator? Aries and Libra? Or... the Scorpio?"

Phing smiled at him, and showed his perfect rows of teeth, his dimples showed as well, something that often happens when he is truly pleased. "Yes, yes..." He said, with an overly joyed expression. "...haven't you seen the moon? It's high above the sky and is perfectly rounded and on its full circle. The Scorpion Celestial must be pleased as people from all over the world are seeing the beautiful moon that he and his lover Taurus created..."

Elly's brow arched after hearing Phing's remark. It was spontaneous, and it surprised him. "So, you do listen to the discussions of the scholars?"

Phing shrugged his shoulders as they continued walking to the catacombs, as they had already passed through the stairs. "Who wouldn't listen. It's such an interesting story. I could still learn a thing or two about them. Especially Scorpio..."

Again, Elly was startled by Phing's sudden confession. "Really? Is it about his tenacity? Wisdom? Or his love for the Celestial Taurus?"

"None..." Phing answered with a bright smile. "None of those."

"Then what is it?" Elly asked.

"It's one of his characteristics, actually." Phing explained. "...it's his character, his morals and belief of never forgetting about the person who did him wrong, as he holds a grudge forever."

Elly hummed and nodded his head. He remembered that topic as it was discussed weeks ago, at the middle of their Spartan training. A part of him still finds Phing to be awfully suspicious. And as he stared at the wicked smile his friend --- best friend was showing, he couldn't help but ask the Celestial resting in the stars for more guidance.

Wisdom as vast as Scorpio, for him to see clearly what is really going on inside his friend's head.