Chapter 2
8:05 AM
"Nah, uh uh, girl! What you talking about, 'what needs to happen?'" she said, making air quotes with her fingers. Her hair is equally as wild as the brand-new revelation she received from "The Maiden."
"Serenity, don't you know who I am?" she asked in an ethereal tone.
Serenity looks disgusted and annoyed, all at the same time. Now ain't that something. Ain't she trying to help ol' girl? What gives, man? I guess we'll all find out soon, huh. Hahaha.
"No, I just know you're some creepy, weird-looking witch-like woman thing," said Serenity.
"Serenity! How could you tell me that? I'm your zodiac, girly, not anyone else's. If you don't have me, you're as good as dead. I ain't the highest spiritual being, but you have no power whatsoever," said The Maiden.
"Well, I don't care. Argasis or whatever his stupid name is is scary, creeps me out, and he's much too strong for us anyway," replied Serenity. The Maiden just looks disappointed at her.
"Fine, Serenity, so you don't want to accept your destiny. Even though I was sent here, you choose to frustrate the hell out of me, but okay. So what do you want to do, love?"
"I don't want no parts of this, even though it's my destiny," she said mockingly.
"Fine, I'll tell Dante. He said he spoke to your heart earlier, but I guess he lied."
"Yeah, I would say that too." The Maiden smiles.
"Y'all don't have much time…." She takes a deep breath. "But I'll let you do as you please. Before you know it, you will be tested via fire. Good luck. Argasis isn't going to stop his plans because you don't want to accept your destiny."
"He doesn't even know who I am." Serenity looks at her feet. Her toes, normally dotted and lined with acrylic and gel, are turning black—her right big toe.
"My toe!" shouted Serenity. She looks down in horror at her feet. "Something's wrong…" she whispers silently.
"Not my problem."
"No!! Don't go!" The Maiden scoffs at her.
"Humph. Nowww you want me here. What changed? You think I'm a healer or something? I'm a Virgo, not a doctor, but I gotta bounce to the zodiac realm."
"No, please!"
"Girl, if you don't quit all that cryin'. You'll see me when you need me. Selah! Toodles." She descends underground like a portal. The surface looks like a small lake, like if someone tossed a stone in there.
"Ughhhh, now I have no power. I'm so stupid!" She repeatedly slaps her hand against her head. "Dante!" she yells up to the sky like she's screaming into the void.
Silence. Serenity gets on her couch, head down in her arms, praying silently. She gets up, looking relieved.
"I'll be fine. I can't die. I'm chosen… right? Or was that negated when she left? Son of a biscuit, dude, ughhh." At this time, Serenity whines so much it makes even kids do a double take. Can't shoot yourself in the foot if you wanna live… or fight Zodiac villains.
Serenity gets up, throws her slides on with her gray sweatpants, oversized black-and-red jacket with a hoodie. She briefly looks back behind her to analyze her apartment. She knows what she put away and where it's at. She don't miss—not an item or thing. Not even an iota. She steps out into the cold. It's snowing hard as hell outside. Not a brown or green thing in sight for miles. Very unusual for summertime where the earth signs dwell in Drokeo Bay.
#
A mysterious-looking Black man is chilling by the lake, minding his own business. He's wearing a dark green cloak with the inside of it being black. Sunny blue skies. No clouds. Little breeze, and no clouds, so you know it's hot outside.
He has a curved part on the right side of his head—a fade, to be exact. 180 waves. His lips are full, darker complexion. His eyes are brown, chin beard. Standing 5'11", his frame is filled. He doesn't look weak nor chubby but strong, with a little beef on him, mostly in his legs.
The mysterious man is at Lake Obo. The water seems to relax the man. But I have a question. Who is this guy? We'll both be finding out. Let's see what's going on.
"Mhmm," Maine hummed.
A tall nine-foot being manifests far off in the water, its radiance elegant and its appearance divine. Maine watches in awe as it moves across the water like someone moving shower curtains after taking a shower—very unorthodox movements.
Maine stands up, looking at it intently. "Come out to me! Stop hiding and being scared!" Suddenly, the sky darkens. An ominous feeling takes over his heart, although he shows no emotion. He still looks calm and collected.
The white figure comes to him faster. The bottom half of its body, where there were legs, is now just one long, starry, bright white garment.
Lightning flashes.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The vibration from the thunder nearly gives Maine whiplash. A torrential rainfall ensues. Maine is getting wet now.
"Man, it is what it is. Life could be worse."
The bright white light is now in front of him and illuminating so bright it's blinding him. Maine is still trying to hold it together. Heavy rain and this mysterious spirit… I wonder.
A force field of projection starts to surround them, and now they're not getting wet. The bright white light finally dims to where it's bearable to be face-to-face with it.
"The hell are you?" asked Maine.
"I'm Dante the Starbeing. I come from the higher spiritual realm. Some call it Heaven, but our spiritual realm has zodiacs as well, although we are separated by a chasm," said Dante.
Maine looks confused. Raises his right eyebrow. Puts it down. Maine looks around him. The rain is coming down even harder.
"Who made the one up there upset?" asked Maine jokingly.
Dante smiles.
"As you know, rain comes on good and evil. However, Maine, I have an urgent message for you." He looks up in the sky. "Clouds! Stop your tears from flowing and smile! Rain, dissipate!"
The rain gets weaker and weaker, all the way down to a light shower. The sky turns sunny again, and the environment is just like how it was before. The force field of protection is gone.
"Incredible…" Maine said as he looked up in the sky.
"You can have that type of power if you wish," said Dante.
"At what cost?" asked Maine.
"It won't cost you anything. Just your loyalty," said Dante.
"Interesting, but you still haven't told me why you're here, Dante."
"I'm here to give you power in exchange for your help."
"I'm listening," Maine said intently. Maine sits on the grass, criss-cross applesauce, while Dante just floats in the air talking to him.
"What's your zodiac sign, Maine?"
"Virgo. Birthday is September 6," replied Maine.
Dante chuckles and laughs, his laughter sounding like coins hitting the bottom of a slot machine and hearty, like it came from a giant.
"Hahaha, what a laugh!" said Maine.
Dante wipes his eyes. He's in tears—of joy.
"Man, oh man, no wonder you look so analytical and serious! Is there a tender side to you, Maine?" asked Dante playfully.
"You already know the answer. Don't play around with me. You're a celestial being. Aren't you a Starbeing? Y'all laugh and stuff?" asked Maine.
"Of course we do. We're not robots! Just because spirits are more serious doesn't mean we don't have fun. Our needs are different, but we can relate as well. We don't have the full human experience, but we have those too."
"I've heard," said Maine.
"Let's have a heart-to-heart. No magic, powers, or legacy talk for now. Let's have a Starbeing-to-man talk," said Dante.
Dante morphs into his human form. He looks like a 60-year-old Black man but in the shape of a 20-year-old. Even his muscles look youthful. Sporting a mid-length beard with very little gray.
Brown sandals on his feet, white-and-gold T-shirt with a very dim, pulsating, illuminated white and golden glow. Very muscular and defined. He is built like an athlete. Most of his beard has an angelic glow forming on the curls of it.
Dread head, but only down to his shoulders. His gait is steady, big, confident steps ordered in his Father's image. Every movement Dante makes forward seems aligned. Every step is taken with purpose. He stands 6'2.
"Man, you still gotta show me up even in your human form? How did you do that? I respect it."
"Let's get to business. Maine, what do you want out of your life?" asked Dante.
"Let's walk and talk," said Maine.
"Wanna go out on the water for a stroll?"
"On the water? Like walking? You said stroll, bro," said Maine.
"Yes, walking. You never took a walk on water before?" asked Dante.
Maine looks more lost than a millennial without Google Maps.
"Yo, Dante, ummm… humans can't walk on water. I'm not divine. I'm just a human. An orphan at that."
Dante's eyes lock straight with his. This time, no laughter—serious as a heart attack. Maine straightens up his posture.
"When you talk to me, talk to me with respect. That is earned, not given."
"But I—"
"Not another word, Virgo. Stay in your place."
"What??" said Maine, confused.
"Just kidding, Maine!"
Dante laughs out loud, and this time even louder. The cymbals in his voice are really coming together now. Maine covers his ears because of the volume.
"Okay, that's enough joking," he remarked.
"Huh? A joke?" thought Maine.
"Yes, a joke. You thought I was playing when I said we can laugh. Then I played a joke on you. Hahaha."
Maine looks annoyed, then amused, with a smirk. He flashes his pretty white smile—shiny teeth.
"How did you know my thoughts? You know what, never mind. Very playful. I guess I should relax more."
"Yes, please, because after our conversation you'll have to inject more humor into your life. But let's walk on the water."
"How?" asked Maine.
"Same way I made the rain withhold its tears as it brings rain on good and bad people. But that's a gift from my Father, not of my own. We were already in agreement before that took place," said Dante.
"You know the spiritual talk is a little jarring, but I understand you," said Maine.
"Very soon you'll be like one of us, but not in form—power. Maybe even different. Now let's go."
He and Maine turn around to face Lake Obo. His pupils turn to a white-gold flame.
"Divine Art: Water Walk!"
Their feet are surrounded by a pair of sandals that are energy in form, opal and white in color. The straps are white.
"Walk," said Dante.
Maine closes his eyes and takes a step. The water makes a soft splashing sound, but his foot is planted on top of it firmly without falling in.
"One more step. You must always walk with faith. Then it will happen just as you believed it. My power only goes so far—you have to believe in it for it to work for you."
"Woah-woah-woah!" chimed Maine.
Maine finally finds his footing after almost falling backward.
"My turn."
Dante walks on it with ease.
"Let's go," said Dante.
"Coming!" Maine says, still getting his balance.
He finds it.
"Perfect! Got the hang of it already. Let's go."
They begin walking on the lake, talking.
"What matters to you?" asked Dante.
Maine looks as stoic as ever but still cracks the tiniest smile.
"Family. My sister. That's it, really," replied Maine.
"That's it, huh? Well, earth signs are family-oriented and remarkably consistent. Okay, who's your sister?"
Now, Dante already knows the answer because he is a Starbeing, but these things must happen for the prophecy to be fulfilled.
"My only sister is Serenity, but I've only seen pictures. She has no idea what I look like."
"How?"
Now Dante did not know this information because he's only told to watch or guard Serenity, but when he's not, he's protecting other people in Drokeo Bay.
The city of orphans. Some folks call it Zodiac Central, but Drokeo Bay and the City of Orphans are mainstays as far as names go for the city.
"Our parents died young. They never brought us together. She stayed with her mom. I did with the dad, but even then I was barely there. And he's not my biological one," said Maine.
"Wow. Tough upbringing."
"Yeah, but that's life. We all have a different role in life we bring to the table."
"Amen, Maine!" said Dante.
"Now what do you truly want from me? Spirits like you just don't come around for no reason. You were sent with a purpose, so tell me why you're here," said Maine seriously.
"Wow, someone is dead serious, but I see you're just not taking me as a joke, and I respect that. Look, your sister needs help."
"Serenity? You know her?"
"Yes, Maine, I'm a Starbeing. I've existed centuries before your spirit was formed. She has rejected her destiny of defeating the 13th zodiac, Argasis the 13th," Dante said seriously.
"Not good," said Maine sadly.
"That's why we have you."
The tracks of their feet leave small ripples in the water. The wind breeze kicks in. They're now smack dab in the middle of the lake. They both stop walking at the same time and look at one another.
"Me?" Maine points to himself.
"Yes. You must help your sister fulfill her destiny. No matter what, the prophecy is her killing him. Anyone else that tries will die by fate."
"Why her?" asked Maine.
And this is a good question. Why her? Why do only certain people have to carry a burden? Did she do something wrong?
"Because her inner growth depends on it. Without this, she will never evolve into the woman and person she is supposed to be. She will always be the one over Drokeo Bay after all is said and done. She will be the most powerful in the end, but her journey will be steeped in sorrow and cut short without power."
"So what do you want me to do?"
"Give you power to make her follow her destiny." Maine's eyes light up like Christmas lights.
"Tell me more," said Maine.
"I'll be giving you zodiac power based on your sign. Your natural element and power is earth, and you will have The Maiden."
"The Virgo? How do her powers work?"
"Well, that's up to you. You can create and cultivate your own techniques, train, and do whatever you want. But your Maiden will be different. She is uniquely yours based on where the stars were when you were born. You're the exception.
Everyone else will get the original zodiacs, but yours will have potential to be set apart in power, moves, and looks," explained Dante.
"Well, let's get it. Give me wisdom too. I'll combine that with my judgment. Can I have that?" Maine asked.
Dante smiles big and wide. He starts to jump for joy, then calms down.
"What?? Of course you can!!!" said Dante.
His excitement is palpable. It's like you can almost feel his joy and radiance—like being kissed by the sun.
Or being wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket when it's cold. Maine is smiling back, and his stoic expression is now relaxed, with an undeniable holy spiritual fire. This looks like a natural reaction. Nothing forced. Let's dive back in.
Dante calms down. Now he's standing still.
"Whoever asks for wisdom, it shall be given because you believe. I haven't met one person that has made this request with your conviction and what you want to do.
It's admirable, but more importantly, it's pleasing in my Father's sight, so I will ask Him on your behalf," Dante said.
Maine clenches his fist tight, staring at it. Dante puts his palm over it. Maine's hand can't be seen.
"Let's get it, Maine."
Maine smiles.
"I see what you did there," replied Maine.
Dante smiles. They both put their heads down.
"Oh, Father, I bestow Maine his zodiac power on his sun Virgo. Give him limitless potential, but he has to earn it. Give him The Maiden, his own unique one, to train and help Serenity his way. Give him wisdom that only comes from above, from You.
A sibling's love is special and generational, but also tender. Let him help, but only if it be Your will, Father. May the zodiac guide his spirit to make decisions in wisdom that will show their profitable fruits later."
He pauses.
"Star Power: Divine Power Transfer!"
The water below them gets violent, rises up, forming a water spout, and they're inside. They unlock hands.
"When this water spout goes out, you will be able to turn Lake Obo into desert ground. Try it. And use any attack names you wish. Remember, earth element and Virgo attacks for you. Goodbye."
He fades away as stars. The water spout dies. The water soaks him like a splash from a water slide.
"Let's try this. Earth Element: Rocky Terrain!"
The water turns into rocky ground mixed with desert sand.
"What?!?! Too cool!" shouted Maine.
Then his facial expression turns serious.
"So he wants me to get my sis on track, huh. Well, I can do that. And I'll do it my way."
He looks up in the sky. The wind calms down. He looks back from where he and Dante walked. All ground now.
"Serenity. I love you. It's time that you're tested and fulfill your destiny. Yeah. I'll help and do my role my own way. Argasis is coming. He won't and can't kill me. But I will die for her if that's what it takes."