~

Month 6

~

"Do you even know where we are?" A grumpy voice echoed off the valley walls.

"Do you even know how long you have been complaining?" Anna hisses back mockingly.

As they walk through the murky valley, Acnologia mumbles various tongues Anna couldn't understand. Many times throughout their journey, the woman had to resist the urge to slap the man upside the head. She could not believe that he wanted to help her with her quest, but yet then complain about it. You couldn't blame her for her attitude, can you?

"Give me an hour and I'll tell you", Acnologia smirked as he received a tired glare from Anna.

She let out a heavy exasperated sigh, "Now I know why I found you and not Igneel." She tenderly rubbed her temples.

Acnologia let out a short cackle of dead amusement, "Only you, woman, have the audacity to say such bold words against me."

Anna rolled her eyes before suddenly pausing in her tracks and looking around the oasis-like marsh that was more like a bog than anything. She blinked in confusion as she just noticed the weeds and grass were as nearly as tall as she was. When did they come into this? Wouldn't she have noticed tall grasses and the mud?

Before she could ask Acnologia anything, she hears what sounded like a small waterfall. It came from ahead, so naturally, Anna became curious and followed the sound.

Pushing past the tall weeds, Anna stepping into rippling crystal water with colorful pebbles and rocks at the bottom. The ripples mirrored a shining glare, which led the blonde to look up, her jaw-dropping slightly with widening eyes.

"Oi, woman!" Acnologia bursts through the weeds, his feet kicking through the water, causing semi-large splashes. "Approach with caution---what the hell?"

He caught sight of a woman. A woman who was balancing two large boulders with two identical magic runes that were glowing rather brightly. The boulders hovered, floating up and down ever so slightly.

Anna reached back at Acnologia, patting the air a few times before her fingers snagged his cloak, "I think she's Libra!" She half-whispered, half-yelled, both with excitement.

"The scale?" Acnologia suddenly became attentive, looking back at the woman, who began to float to the water.

"The balance, " Anna corrected.

"What's the difference?"

Anna didn't answer him.

"Salutations, humans." The woman said, interrupting both persons. She lowers her arms, which causes both boulders to lower to the earth. The ground and water tremble. The water roughly splashed over the weeds and above both Anna and Acnologia's knees.

Libra turned around, facing the dragon and woman. Anna was compelled by Libra's unearthly beauty. Her dark hair was twisted into an ox horn style. Her attire resembled a belly dancer's outfit, and she has numerous bangles on her arms and legs. Her lower face is cover by a cloth that is tied around her head and displays her sign. From both hands, like a puppeteer, she holds two scales, one on each hand.

"I know who you are, " The olive-skinned spirit says, approaching them with a stalkerish-like walk. "I know why you are here."

"You do? Then you know what I came to ask, " Anna faced Libra somberly. "Will you help me?"

Instead of answering Anna, Libra merely handed her two keys. Yes, that is right. Two keys. Libra's key and another Zodiac's key.

Anna gasped. "Pisces? You--"

"I took the liberty of fishing them from the depths of the sea. Best of luck to you, Anna Heartfilia." Libra curtsies.

With that, the spirit vanished from their eyes in a golden flash.

"That was easier than I thought it would be, " Acnologia comments, squinting his eyes in suspicion.

"I agree, but we mustn't ponder any longer. We still need Virgo, Capricorn, Leo, and Aries. Our journey is far from over." Anna clutched the keys tenderly before adding them to her growing collection of Zodiac keys.

"For my mental sake, I hope we find 'em soon."

Anna barked out a sarcastic laugh, "Your mental sake?"

"Yes, " Acnologia bit back. "My mental sake. You are a rather boring specimen. No wonder you have no life of your own!"

Anna gaped at him, retorting: "I have a life, thank you! I am too occupied saving this godforsaken earth and no one acknowledges my right doings!"

"For someone who wants to save this godforsaken earth, you sure are crabby." Acnologia egged Anna's mood on.

"Can we please just continue on our way?"

"After you~"

~

Month 7

~

Unlike their previous quests, finding either Virgo or Capricorn would be relatively easier, or so Anna hoped they will be.

Within the countryside, there lives an old philosopher. As she had asked previous towns of the whereabouts of either Virgo or Capricorn. Villagers and townspeople directed her toward this one man.

"How can we be sure this geezer is the one we're lookin' for?" Acnologia said, not looking at Anna as she reads a handmade map.

The woman held the map in different positions, puffing her cheeks and squinting. "I do not see how this map is legit. This gives us nothing but scribbly lines and unreadable words."

"The writing is backward, " Acnologia pointed out gruffly, gesturing toward one of the incoherent scribbles. "It's a rune. It was purposely written to guide travelers off the path of this philosopher guy."

"Oh! I see now!" Anna's eyes widen for a second before she splits a cheeky smile. "I never knew you could read runes, Logia!"

The man grunted. "Don't call me that, wench, " He resented what she had called him. "I've been around a while, I use to study these types of runes. It's a spell that hides the plantation with simple illusion magic. Instead of, Mountain Hyde, which is just a cover-up word for the real thing."

"The real thing? Care to share?" Anna lowered the map to her midsection.

"Mirage solvent!" Acnologia waves his arm through the air.

As quickly as he said the magical disperse, the trees surrounding them suddenly came tumbling down like a cascade of bubbly magic. Anna whips around frantically, amazed by Acnologia's crackdown on the illusion. She was impressed by his skills.

A grand, but vine-embraced manor and its dead garden were revealed. The house itself seemed like it was going to collapse with someone were to blow on the exterior.

"This..." Anna approached the manor through the tall and dry grass. "This couldn't be the philosopher's mansion---aahhh!" The busty woman suddenly dropped into the ground. Yes, dropped as if she fell into a rather deep booby trap dug into the ground.

"Anna---ARRGH!" Acnologia was suddenly swallowed into the earth as well, darkness engulfing them both, only hearing a shoveling noise as they fell.

!

"OOF!"

Acnologia toppled down onto a hard floor, face planting, which caused him to grunt out loudly. A cloud of dust fades from his body as he peels himself from the floor. Before he could get to his feet, he hears a faint screaming...which turns into loud screaming...which turns into acute pain on his back and him being smashed against the ground.

"HRK!" Acnologia face-planted again. His nose began to throb painfully now.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I—"

"Just get off me, woman!" Acnologia shoved Anna from his backside, causing her to fall roughly on the floor.

"Ouch..." Anna tenderly groaned. "You didn't have to throw me..."

"You didn't have to land on me!" Acnologia growled, glaring at the woman while straightened himself on his feet.

"I cannot control where I fall!" Anna scrambled to her feet, loudly dusting herself off. "Anyhow, where are we?" She observes her surroundings. It was an ordinary room. Perhaps it was a workshop or study? It was dark, save for the bright ray of sun breaking through the thick curtains over the seemingly large windows.

"I don't know."

Anna opened her mouth to say something, but suddenly two figures emerged from the ground, pieces of debris flying in all directions, be they seemed to avoid the travelers.

The newcomers were...strange, to say the least. The woman had vibrant pink hair and held no expression. She wore broken shackles on each wrist and a maid uniform. Her bright blue eyes were entirely focused on Acnologia and Anna.

"Who are you, intruders?" The second person spoke hostility. This person was not a person at all. He was very tall and appeared to be a...goat in human form, as he had horns curling from the sides of his skull. He wore dark-tinted glasses and it made him much more intimidating.

Anna wanted to cower away from the goat man's glare and rising power level, but she knew she couldn't afford to cower away from her mission. "I am Anna Heartfilia. I am searching for the Zodiacs: the maiden Virgo and the sea-goat Capricorn. I must obtain their keys."

"Why would a woman of your stature want such powerful Zodiacs?" An old, croaking voice coughs out, causing all eyes to fly toward an old man.

He was hunched over in a wooden wheelchair as he held a palette and was near a half-painted canvas. His hair is wiry and as white as sheep's wool. His skin was nearly as pale as his hair. He looked very sick and frail. He barely spared a glance at Anna or Acnologia.

"You're the philosopher my colleague and I have been seeking," Anna says, carefully though, the spirits were ready to attack it seemed.

"Pray do tell, why on Earthland would you come searching for an old, ill painter?" The old man dilatorily glanced at his unexpected guests. "Surely, it is not to take my servants and will."

Anna frowned, peering at Acnologia who reflected her expression.

"Forgive us, Father, " Anna said. "We acquire only but one request."

"Do elaborate, woman."

"We, I, must collect the Zodiac to cease a vile course of action that will be made by a cult, " Anna briefly explained. "I pray that the Twelve Zodiac will be able to help stop them."

"And let me guess, " The old man turns to Anna with an unamused glare. "You must be the beacon of hope this godforsaken land has worshipped and pled to save them from mass destruction."

"Well, not exactly in those words, but yes—"

"Virgo, Capricorn, you know what to do." He interrupted Anna with a dismissive wave.

The spirits go to grab the—now very unwelcome—guests.

"No! Please! Don't do this! Mephistopheles will be revived if I do not gather the Twelve Zodiac!" The shrill panic of Anna's strained voice

Both Zodiacs, even for being stoic, hesitated as they closed in on Anna and her companion. The dusty room stilled uncomfortably. They were locked into a pregnant silence. To the point that even Anna could hear the painter's old lungs wheezing with pitched breathes.

"Mephisto...pheles?" The painter suddenly is captured into a bloody coughing fit.

"Master!" The pink-haired spirit hurries to the man, swiping out a cream-colored handkerchief, which is snatched by dark blotched fingers. "You're in much pain..."

"I--I am alright, dear Virgo, " The painter wiped his bloody lips with the cloth. "This cult..."

"Has planned everything since months ago. I have little time left until the summer solstice arrives, " Anna explains. "I hope the Zodiac's Celestial magic will be enough to seal the demon back to when hence it came. If the demon is successfully brought forth, the world as we know it it will come to an abrupt end."

The world will end? The painter surely felt fear pang through his body. Of all the lore and texts he's read from, Mephistopheles was the worst of the worst kind of demon, or so it is printed. He held his handkerchief to his mouth as he coughed again.

"I know that all deities, good or evil, are connected with the Celestials, " Anna speaks again. "And I know only gods can kill gods."

"That it's so, " The painter looked at the young woman. "I haven't much time...please take good care of Virgo and Capricorn, and rescue us from impending peril."

From somewhere in his old clothes, the painter dug out the keys of his spirits. They twinkle in the dim light.

Anna's heart clenched painfully. He would have no one until all of this was over if she stopped Hestia and Evanora in time.

"I thank you, good sir. I promise to return your friends once the ordeal is dealt with." Anna bowed her head in respect as she took the keys, causing the two zodiacs to suddenly disappear into golden light. They were sent back into the spirit world.

"I shall hold you to your promise, lass."

~

Month 8

~

Leo and Aries. Anna was beginning to feel rather desperate to find the two. Time was against her, and she began to have anxiety build upon her shoulders. It was as if she were trying to carry a large, pudgy child that only continued to weigh her down into the dirt.

"Would ya relax, woman?" Acnologia grunted irritably.

"How can I? The solstice is--"

"Is not here quite yet, " Acnologia interrupted the blonde woman. "Seriously, woman, take a breather."

"I cannot until I've collected Leo and Aries. I need their help. We do not have much time left!" Anna hurries ahead of the dragon.

They had been traveling since the wake of the day. With the Zodiacs that Anna had been temporarily contracted to, they led her in the direction of vast plains with sheep and rams.

"What if the Zodiacs aren't enough to put the demon back in Hell?"

Anna's blood suddenly ran cold with Acnologia's question. It was a terrifyingly good question. What if the Zodiac's power wasn't enough? Everything she has done would be for nothing...no! The Zodiacs were the most powerful forces of Celestial Magic. They will have a solution that is cunning and efficient.

"Leo the Lion!" A firm voice squeaked out.

Both Anna and Acnologia looked around in confusion. It was a woman, there was no doubt. Was she in trouble or running away—or being chased?

A pink-haired woman wearing a fluffy white wool dress rushes away from a man with wild orange hair. He was grinning naughtily as his fingers nipped the woman's buttocks in grazes. He cackled wholeheartedly.

"Aries, my love, why do you run?" The man—Leo—asks shamelessly as if he hadn't done anything wrong.

"Wool ball!" The woman—Aries—spins around, attacking with large tuffs of pink wool that just looked like large cotton clouds.

It was them! Aries the Ram and Leo the Lion! They were here! Anna felt so much excitement build up within her chest.

"You shameless lion!" Aries huffs out, placing her fists on each hip with a scowl painted on her sweet face, the wool had disappeared now and Leo was lying on his backside with a look of satisfaction, smiling happily with a large blush burning up his face. "You are going to be a heartbreaker if you do not stop your womanizing."

"Ah, dear Aries, how is a man supposed to enjoy himself being by his lonesome?" Leo propped himself up into a sitting position.

"I am sure you will find ways, " Aries crosses her arms over her bosom. "You are the prince of the Zodiac. At least act like one."

"You wound me, Love, right here, " Leo placed a hand over his heart. "But, that's okay, your scorns and scowls only make me love you more by the passing minute!"

Anna blinked in confusion. These two were the Aries and the Leo? They looked more like a playful husband and wife. They certainly were and she had to approach now.

"Pardon me, " Anna warily approaches, making both of the Zodiac look toward her. "Are you the Zodiacs Aries the Ram and Leo the Lion?" She stops just a few meters away.

"Who wants to know, my fair lady?" Leo hopped to his feet, suddenly at Anna's side, holding her hand, pecking the back slowly.

Acnologia bit back a growl as he watched the spirit flirt with Anna so brazenly. Oh, how he hated lecherous weak-kneed nitwits. A vein bulged from his forehead in annoyance.

"I am not here for jollies, Leo the Lion, " Anna pried her hand back. "I am sure your fellow Zodiacs have told you? I need your assistance with a powerful foe."

"A powerful foe?"

"Yes, " Anna slipped her hand into her cloak and brought out her keyring, it is full of glittering, golden keys. "This foe devised to bring forth a terrible monster from its slumber and bring a true hell on earth. I believe the power of the Zodiac is enough to seal away the demon forever and prevent the world's end."

As she explained herself, Aries and Leo gaped at the ten keys on the keyring.

"You have them all!" Aries marveled, jaw ajar, eyes becoming like large brown discs.

"Well, not all of them, " Leo becomes rubs his chin. "You've been busy collecting our keys, I see. Impressive, I say. The last time I have seen Gemini, they were discarded from an abandoned ship."

"Stupid woman nearly drowned gettin' them, " Acnologia growled lowly, but loud enough for Leo to hear him.

Leo suddenly barks out with complete amusement. "You...HA...you have guts! Hahaha!" The lion spirit clutches his abdomen.

"Anywho, " Anna silenced them firmly. "Will you help me?"

"You are willing to sacrifice your life for those who may not even know you?" Aries asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Anna tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "I have no family. No husband, no children. I say I haven't much to lose."

"Bold words for a mortal, " Acnologia said with a creased frown. "You've got your life to lose."

"Rather one life over millions," Anna says. She looks at Aries and Leo once more. "Please. I'm begging you, help me." Anna then bowed.

Aries blinked, "Rise, please, we will help." She instructed Anna softly.

The blonde woman straightened herself, hope gleaming brightly within her doe brown eyes. "Oh, thank you! Thank you!"

At that moment, Aries swiftly passed Anna her key, "Don't give me any reason to regret my decision in helping you."

Anna nodded, clutching the key tenderly as if it were made of glass. She then turned her attention toward Leo, who had a smile plastered upon his lips.

"As the prince of the Zodiac, I am obliged to fight alongside my fellow celestials, " Leo outstretched his arm, in open palm, there lay his key. "I entrust my power, my key, and all my faith in you, Anna-san."

"Thank you for trusting me—eh? I did not tell you my name—" Anna was nearly blinded as the two spirits disappeared in golden magic and she had to look away.

"Well, that just happened..." Acnologia's mind swirled, trying to comprehend what just had happened.

"What truly matters is that there is hope for this world, " Anna smiles with appreciation while she adds the last of the Zodiac keys to her keyring. "And we now have the power to relieve everyone of this unbeknown chaos."

"I truly could care less about your measly species, I only want to take out my rival." Acnologia said monotonously.