Dragan Úna Aries's Story

Kaveh felt like a child sitting at the table of rulers, as if he were playing a game in his father's seat. He felt out of his depth, and dearly wished he had paid more attention to the political mechanics his advisers had so hastily tried to teach him before his departure. Though many of the rulers were close in age to himself, most had years of experience at the helm of their kingdoms. His gaze drifted around the table as the last rulers arrived, taking in the familiar faces and those he had only heard rumours about. It always surprised him how young Ophia's ruler, Nadya Irne, was, when she had been ruler of her kingdom since Kaveh had been old enough to fully understand his own father's role. He did not approve of her actions in the past years, but he felt pity more than anger towards his enemy. He would have hated living under such strict rules since childhood. His own mother had let him race across the desert dunes with his cousins in handmade sand ships, so long as he'd written his regular letter to the man sitting beside him.

As the king's words resounded around he table, Kaveh felt his mind start to ache. This was both an opportunity to fix the mess they had all created; to balance the world once more, but also a chance for Kaveh to prove that he was a worthy ruler... either that or a chance to fail spectacularly and force his kingdom to kick him off the throne. While the freedom of life before he had become Libra's ruler still made Kaveh ache with longing, he knew his pride - and that of his family - would never stop hurting if he allowed himself to be the last Mehrzan on Libra's throne. So, he listened attentively as the King described the ritual. Nodding his thanks to his guardian, Kaveh took the scroll and gazed over it, as if attempting to absorb the information.

'Fuck... this looks... what even is that word?' Kaveh's thoughts turned to confusion and alarm as he slowly tried to read the scroll in his hands. The language was old, the ink faded, and one portion had been crossed out and rewritten several times. It made his head pound and his feeling of inadequacy deepen. How could he ever hope to help his kingdom if something as simple as reading a scroll was too hard for him? Frowning, Kaveh rolled it up and returned his focus to the King's words, hoping that another look at the scroll later - when he was less distracted by everything else going on - might help illuminate the message better.

Kaveh was just in time to hear the first paired counterparts and, as the names were announced, he felt his heart sink. Golden eyes gazed across the table to the white haired man sitting under the looming figure of the fawn guardian. Aries would not have been Kaveh's first choice, regardless how many pretty birds the man sent him. The fate of his late brother always surfaced at some point when conversation turned towards the man.

Yet, before Kaveh could even think to protest, if he thought he could, other voices rose in dissent. Dante of Aquarius threw insults at the pretty pink-haired ruler of Pisces, the harsh words shocking to hear in such a formal setting. His voice was joined by the stern and accusatory words of Cancer's ruler, who seemed to believe everyone else was somehow complicit in the lose of Cancer's gem centuries ago. Akai's voice seemed almost to be lost in the noise, but Kaveh heard it. He felt sad for his friend, wishing she was not forced into such a situation either. Perhaps he too should voice his honest opinion, but then... he knew he had a lot to learn when it came to ruling a kingdom, and while his hesitation - and laziness - had thus far limited his rule, he thought that perhaps if he did this, it might make up for the months of inaction.

It was, in part, the voice of his closest friend at the table that swayed him. Eino spoke to his counterpart, Anemone of Sagittarius, in agreement. Kaveh glanced at his friend, thinking that Kaveh too should put his kingdom before himself for once in his life. Even as more voices gained strength around the table - the Gemini rulers clearly stating their opinion, and then the calmer tones of Capricorn's Faust speaking a moment later into the silence - Kaveh came to his decision. Taking the chance after Faust had finished speaking, Kaveh directed his gaze at Aries and spoke,

"For the sake of our kingdoms, I will work with you Aries."

To his own ears Kaveh sounded stately and regal, but then doubt set in slightly and he added in a more uncertain tone, "Though I do not fully understand the spell..."

Nadya Irne heard the king's words. She felt them sink into her soul and grasp at the guilt which weighed her down.

'I have seen your regret and thus wish to give you a chance to correct the wrong.'

Regret. Yes, she felt that, but at the same time her mind - stubbornness - rebelled against the claim. She was firm in her belief that, had Ophia not struck the final blow, the war would have continued for indefinite violent years. She sacrificed a slice of her humanity to destroy Chamaeleon, but to have the chance to restore her enemy... to make amends for her wrongs? She had not thought the possibility existed, but clearly it did. Yet... Nadya was hesitant. To complete such a ritual would surely be admitting she was wrong. How was she to explain this step to her people? Or stay strong in the face of her enemies when the king so openly exposed her hidden thoughts?

Nadya sat in silence as the voices around the table rose, mulling over her options wordlessly. She would have to work with the other rulers, both allies and enemies alike. It was possible that such a close relationship and access to their inner kingdoms would offer both dangers and opportunities she might not otherwise have. Not to mention the chance to be there as Chamaeleon's gem was restored. What would happen on such an occasion? Surely, the un-peopled land would be easier to claim in such a situation, even if it were only to claim back Ophia's rightful grounds that had previously been stolen from them.

The woman's thoughts were disrupted by the inane insults of an enemy, his words directed at the pink-haired ruler sitting to her side. Nadya's eyes narrowed as she took in Dante Aquarius, contempt clear in Nadya's hard eyes. She would not let the impostor speak badly of her friend.

"Clearly the King made no mistake when not addressing you as a ruler," Nadya said scathingly, "Such uncouth language does not befit a ruler of a kingdom. You have outed yourself as a brute."

Next, Nadya's gaze turned towards the eldest - save the king - at the table, and took in the appearance of the man who had once been an ally to her. His henchman stood beside him, and to both the men Nadya now spoke, "As for your gem, Lord Cancer, believe me when I say, if Ophiuchus had been responsible for its theft, your kingdom would look similar to the landscape around us after your betrayal. As it does not, I would prefer that you keep your accusations to yourself."

Her tone took on a softer note as she turned to the Gemini twins, their familiar faces a relief against the figures of her enemies. "Thank you for your offer, Cedric and Cellica. There may come a time when I ask for assistance, but for now I believe I should attempt this on my own." Their offer was kind, and had it not included the use of air ships, perhaps Nadya might have accepted. She thought, however, that she might ask them to accompany her to Cancer's land when it came time to visit Nuccolo's kingdom for Nadya's ritual. Surely allied support would be needed in such a hostile land.

Turning to the King, Nadya stood up, regal in the draping whites of her dress with her head held high. "I will perform your 'Ritual of Nubes Pilas'" She told the King, "But, is there a way to ensure my safety and that of my companions should I enter an enemy's kingdom?"