The greatest of legends were written down while sometimes, erased.
Just like the one who held the serpent.
The largest constellation once belonged to the great Ophiuchus, the serpent-holder who gracefully stood in the center of all constellations.
A contrasting fusion of fire and water!!
A sign which belonged to none while holding the powers of all, with an ability to wield the power of creation and destruction.
With the presence of Ophiuchus, all the twelve zodiacs were balanced, only until human greed had reached its peak.
The awakening of Ophiuchus was a catastrophe no one could dare think of.
The rare zodiac, when it arises, demands the vessel it deserves, the serpent trying to find its master.
A soul which could carry the power of creation and chaos.
And when it didn't, the imbalance was out of hands to control.
The world had to face the darkest of days. The skies were the canvas for all the constellations shining brighter than ever, an alignment never seen before.
Chaos was spread by the mages who had gone wild.
The powers of the zodiacs shift from each, stability losing itself over the passing of time.
"What happened then?" The kid questioned with big curious eyes, completely invested in the story his father was telling.
His father smiled as they rowed steadily through the calm water.
"Father, tell me!! What happened later?" the kid asked.
The man continued the story as he cast the fishing net into the lake.
That was the moment when the twelve zodiacs united, deciding to erase the serpent-holder. To cease Ophiuchus so no one could ever dare awaken him.
It is believed that after the battle against the mages who went wild, the zodiacs managed to turn Ophiuchus into a relic, completely erasing its history.
The zodiacs are now balanced with the presence of the relic, which is still believed to have the power of the serpent-holder, balancing the twelve signs, maintaining the harmony between the zodiacs.
"Father, does that mean the great serpent holder is gone forever?!"
The man laughed briefly, hauling back the net.
While the laugh only perplexed the kid's constantly rising questions.
"Will Ophiuchus ever return?!" His question hung in silence!!
************
Rain splashed heavily, the night turning somewhat eerie.
"Why are we here all of a sudden?" a concerned female voice echoed, probably worried about having come to a hotel in the middle of the night.
"I will...tell you once everything settles down!" Her husband said tensed, looking down at their daughter who was asleep, the girl's peaceful face caressing his heart. "Trust me!!" He assured.
The woman smiled, still unsure what was happening.
However, the sudden noise from outside worried them. What could be happening at this hour of the night?!
The man got up on his feet with a steady face, his grip firm around his sword.
"Do not step outside, and wait for me to return!!" With just that, the man stepped outside, paying no heed to his wife's request to stay back. Leaving them all alone.
She sat there in the agonizing silence, waiting for her husband to return. However, the increased noises only bothered her more until she decided to step out herself, to check what was happening.
Her heart sank into stomach when she witnessed her husband fighting with the king and the mages beside.
"No!!" Her scream echoed as she hurried to stop them. "Don't!!" She requested, holding her already severely injured husband.
"We do not intend to harm you. Step aside so you can not be punished for intervening in the royal business!!" The king warned low.
The woman gave a denying nod, kneeling, protecting her husband with her open hands as a barrier, "Your majesty, please!! Have mercy!!"
"What could my husband ever do to receive such punishment? He has been nothing but loyal to your majesty his entire life!!" She cried out.
Her husband pushed her away gently, standing on his feet, wielding his sword.
"No!!" The woman's request remained futile as she watched her husband fight back with the authorities.
The fight created chaos in the hotel, with people running away. The noise was loud enough to wake up the little eight-year-old girl, asleep inside.
Her little eyes searched for her parents, her calls being unanswered.
And taking tiny steps, she reached the door, peeking through the curtains, only to witness the nightmare of her life!!
Her father was exhausted in a fight with people she didn't recognize, his clothes torn, blood draining from them. Her mother was crying.
Within a second, the attack on her father was dodged by her mother as she stood in front, sacrificing her life instead.
The girl's heart almost stopped. "Mother!!" a low cry escaped her.
The man was devastated to see his wife collapse, holding her, kneeling down. She watched him for one last time before closing her eyes forever.
Tears streamed down, turning the man's heartbreak into anger, driving him onto the edge to fight back.
His attack could only fail for the speed wasn't matched, and the king's sword ended up deep into his chest, piercing his heart.
"Father!!" The little girl screamed, grabbing their attention!
The girl witnessed their gazes, searching for the sudden voice of her, in fear.
"Go check!!" One of the mages ordered the soldier who ran in to check!
The little girl watched her father falling back, lifeless. Her heart swore up with emotions she couldn't bear up with.
The soldiers began to check the entire hotel. She, taking a final look at her parents, ran off.
"There!!" a soldier's voice echoed, making her run faster for her life. Tears flew through the wind as she ran against it, her clothes drenched.
Entering the wildlife barefoot, her feet bleeding.
"We couldn't find any, your highness!!" One of the soldiers informed with a bow, panting from the run.
The king wondered who it could be. Anyone related to the man?
"They have a daughter, your highness!!" The king's loyal general informed.
The king sighed, "Try to catch her!" he ordered in a steady voice, turning to leave, but stopped momentarily. "If possible, do not harm the girl!"
While the girl was hiding in the woods, the rain never seemed to stop. And she cried along with the sky, remembering her parents.
The sudden sound of footsteps frightened her, and she immediately took whatever possible into her hands, in defense.
As she awaited the presence of someone, the now eerie silence bothered her, her heart pounding faster with every splash of rain against the ground.
Her grip around the stone she held tightening, her gaze wavering, searching for any possible threat.
"Do you think that could be a good weapon?!" A mysterious, firm voice threatened her.
The girl watched a person emerging into her view, a devilish smile taking over the person's face.