Zodiac Academy 9: Restless Stars

Chapter 73

“We stand on the brink of a new dawn!” I roared.

My voice magically carried across the Starfall Legion at my back and beyond, over the rows of Fae and Nymphs who stood ready in both Fae and shifted forms, lined up in perfect rows, fangs bared, and weapons raised.

“This battle will be the end of this ghastly war. It will be the rise of a new era in the kingdom of Solaria. The false Dragon King will ascend and spread his tyranny unchecked across our fair land, like a rot spreading from coast to coast. Corruption and cruelty will be his legacy, and all of our fates will be cast in shadows untold. Or. OR! We may just stand at the brink of a rising sun unlike any which has passed before us. We may be about to fall under the full and unchallenged reign of our true and noble queens, just as the fates always intended. They were born to rule us, surviving the brutal murder of their family, surviving the vicious cunning of the green Dragooon and rising, just like the Phoenixes they are, above any and every hurdle placed before them. They are destined to rewrite this brutal kingdom. They are destined to bring about a time of peace and prosperity unlike any we have faced before. They are destined to seize the crown, the throne and the hearts of our nation. And we, fair followers of their rising flame, are destined to carve that fate from the heavens this very day!”

A roar split apart the world at my back as I thrust my flail skyward, the glint of the rising sunlight making the spiked ball gleam like a star of the skies themselves.

I could feel the eyes of the heavens turning to us now. I could feel fate shifting its focus to us, the defenders of justice and righteousness, the advocates of the True Queens and the proclaimers of their upcoming reign.

“We stand before the face of an enemy mighty enough to make even the bravest, most steadfast of Fae quake in their boots,” I rumbled. “And yet still we stand, still we hold, still we roar!”

I cast one look along the endless lines of our brave and loyal warriors, from the Starfall Legion at my rear wearing the helm of blue and red, the ancient depiction of the Phoenix bird with its savage beak and battle-ready features, to the Wolves who headed up the flanks of our ferocious force. The right flank led by Seth Capella in his glorious white form, plates of beautiful armour strapped to his powerful body and the wind ruffling his fur in a rippling wave.

The left flank was led by Rosalie Oscura whose pack of vicious hellhounds bayed for blood. The Storm Dragon, Dante, was positioned in the sky above them, electricity crackling against his navy scales with a threat he would soon fulfil. Next, came the faithful Nymphs, ferocious in their shifted form, those deadly, fear-inspiring probes angled with desire at the hearts of our enemies.

All nature of Fae stood in formation. The Tiberian Rats gathered close to their leader, Eugene Dipper, who wore a helm of bronze, forged into the shape of a ferocious looking rat skull. Beyond them, a unit of Icekian Polar Bear shifters released bellows of contempt, the glimmering light of the Aurora Borealis shining within their glacia diamond armour, led by Imenia Brumalis whose lips were peeled back in a fearsome snarl.

Deep within our ranks, the Vampires lay in wait, ready to speed forward at the opportune moment and cut through our enemies, fangs bared, sharp and deadly. Overhead, all manner of flying orders bellowed and neighed, lightning parting the clouds as the Storm Dragon drew the vicous Oscura Clan into howls of desperate bloodlust.

Lionel’s feral army was scrambling to meet us in the gully between the mountains, our roars and bellows for battle drawing them from their beds. Unlike them, we were almost ready to charge, but they were moving fast, forming ranks, rows upon rows of Fae and Nymphs crying out for blood. Far more warriors than we had ever managed to gather. The element of surprise was important, but enough? Oh woeful wiggamoles, I doubted it could be. Still, we would fight with all the fire of a belching volcano and not go quietly beyond The Veil. No, ma’am.

In the belly of our courageous army, a chant began. One word, brutal, efficient and pure. Over and over, the drumbeat to which our feet would march and our swords would swing.

“Vega. Vega. Vega.”

My heart pumped with the courage of a lion and the strength of our army, not simply because I felt that way but because the Sirens among us, led by my dear Maxy Boy and his sweet papa, encouraged them to do so, their auras spilling over us, inciting our army for a win.

I placed a hand on the shoulder of the magnificent Shadow Beast where he bristled at my side, exchanging a knowing look with him. The last time he and I had been together on the battlefield, he had almost snaffed my snuff. Yet today we would wage war together, and he looked keen to repay his captors for their cruelty. He wore the fine armour I had worked to forge for such a fine beast, marking him the official steed of our queen Darcy, the plates of silver interlinked by blue details and the crest of the Vegas upon his headpiece. A fine saddle was strapped to his back, ready and waiting for my blue-haired queen to claim when it was time.

“Into the fight, eh, old chum?” I said just to him, and he chuffed solidly in agreement.

A grin split my lips unlike any other I knew. My death may have been waiting for me in the depths of that army on the far side of the rocky plain between these hellbent mountains, but if it wanted a taste of old Grus then it would have to jolly well fight for it.

With the thrumming of Vega in my ears, and the furious drumming of my heart calling out for battle, I knew it was time.

With my gaze set on the False King’s immense forces, I broke the line, leading the charge into battle with a furious cry filled with passionate rage. At my back charged the army of the True Queens, the loyal, the just, the true. This day we fought for freedom. This day we fought for righteousness. This day we fought for a new era to rise.

Long live the True Queens. Forever may they reign. In this world or the next.