Page 33 of Pisces Rising

Sagittarius tilted his head, concern creasing his brow. "What's going on, Aquarius?"

Sighing, she lifted her phone and said, "I think I'd better show you."

They watched as she walked through the dark, empty club and the main doors. A collective gasp filled the room when she turned the camera to face the street. "This," Aquarius said grimly, "is why I called you."

Pisces covered her open mouth with her hand and stared at the destruction in horror. Smoke curled up from the charred streets and rubble that was once buildings laying in heaping piles of smoldering debris. In the distance, a blanket of black smoke obscured the sky.

Sagittarius's eyes were fixed on the screen, his expression grave. "Gemini said she was going to paint the Earth black."

Aquarius turned the camera back to her face. "My club was spared because it has celestial protection. It's probably the same reason your island is still untouched. The Celestial was probably spared as well. But that two-faced witch either caused some kind of solar flare that truly scorched the Earth, or this is another one of her illusions."

Now, it was Pisces’ turn to be utterly devastated by what she saw—the humans, the animals, the very life on Earth—reduced to char. "I...I can't believe she'd do this," Pisces said, her shoulders trembling with the weight of humanity's suffering.

Aquarius gave her a moment to process the gravity of the situation before continuing. "So, as you can see, a meeting here isn't ideal. Let me bring them to you. I swear on all the stars, there won't be any trouble, and you'll get the answers to help you find that little witch."

Virgo momentarily considered her words, glancing back at Sagittarius and Aries. Both men reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Very well,” Virgo consented. “But I think, given the circumstances, you should bring Cancer with you as well. I'll reach out to Taurus, Libra, and Leo to see what's happening up in the stars."

"Good," Aquarius said with a nod. "We'll collect Cancer on the way. I'll get in touch when we need the portal." Just as she was about to hang up, she added, "Pisces, dear, don't fret too much about the state of the Earth right now. This could very well be one of Gemini's illusions." She gave a wink and ended the call.

Pisces hoped Aquarius was right because if the Earth indeed was in ruins, and it was all because of her, she'd need more than the Cerulean Tear to bring life back to the devastated planet.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Pisces emerged from the lab into the warm island air, the salty breeze caressing her skin. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the strange, dark hue that tinted the horizon, a stark contrast to the vibrant blues and greens of the island. A knot of worry twisted in her gut as she took in the ominous sight, the distant waves churning with an unnatural energy. "Look," she whispered, pointing across the water, her voice barely above the whisper of the wind.

Aries fell into step beside her, his presence solid and reassuring. He observed the darkness beyond the water, his brow furrowed in thought. "Try not to worry too much," he said, his deep voice gentle yet filled with a quiet strength. "Aquarius is likely right—this is probably just another one of Dark Gemini's illusions. She was known for playing those kinds of tricks long ago."

Pisces tore her gaze from the unsettling skyline to meet his eyes, searching their dark depths for comfort. "But what if it's not an illusion?" She chewed her lower lip, anxiety gnawing at her like a relentless tide. "What if she really did scorch the Earth?" Images of the devastation Aquarius had shown them flashed through her mind—the charred ruins, the billowing smoke obscuring the heavens, the eerie silence where there should have been life.

Aries stepped in front of her, blocking her view of anything but him. His broad shoulders and chiseled features filled her vision, his dark eyes boring into hers with an intensity that stole her breath. They were penetrating, still dominating, but tempered with a newfound softness. "Even if that's the case, we'll find a way to fix it." His thumb stroked her cheekbone, his touch gentle and electric all at once. "You will reclaim the power of the Cerulean Tear, Pisces. With that kind of power, anything is possible."

A flicker of hope ignited within her at his words, warmth blooming in her chest. Perhaps he was right—she had once wielded an immense force, one that could potentially restore life to the scorched planet...if that's what was needed. Straightening her shoulders, she nodded, letting his unwavering confidence in her abilities bolster her resolve. His faith in her was like a torch, guiding her through the tempestuous sea of her doubts.

"Come," Aries said, taking her hand in his, his palm rough and warm against hers. He guided her up the beach toward her small cabin nestled among the swaying palms, the sand soft and cool beneath their feet. "Let's get you inside and figure out our next move."

As they approached the little one-room dwelling, Pisces couldn't help but notice how the island itself seemed untouched by the strange, ominous darkness marring the horizon. Here, everything was as lush and vibrant as ever—the sapphire waves lapping at the golden shore, the verdant foliage dancing in the gentle sea breeze, the calls of tropical birds filling the air with a soothing melody.

A tentative smile tugged at her lips as she followed Aries inside, the rough wooden door creaking on its hinges. The cozy interior provided comfort and familiarity, the light filtering through the gauzy curtains, painting the room in a soft, golden glow. Maybe Aquarius was right after all, and this was merely one of Dark Gemini's twisted illusions, a smokescreen to hide her true intentions.

Aries marched into the bathroom, his footsteps heavy on the worn floorboards. The sound of metal creaked, followed by the rush of water against tile. When he emerged, she sensed a shift in his demeanor, a guard that hadn't been there before. "You're probably exhausted. Take a shower, and I'll find you something to wear."

Her gaze followed him as he walked out the door, his broad back disappearing into the bright sunlight. She couldn't help but wonder if the gaps in her recent memory might be the cause of his wavering, a rift between them that even the stars couldn't quite bridge.

The shower was the most celestial thing she could call to memory, the warm water cascading over her skin like a soothing balm. Even though she'd lived through Sag's mind, she was still finding it difficult to connect the dots between the images she'd seen and her physical body to reconcile the vast expanse of her celestial existence with the confines of her mortal form. Given what she'd been through, she wasn't surprised at how her limbs ached, her skin felt raw and sensitive, and there were small cuts on her feet that had already begun to heal, the skin knitting itself back together before her eyes.

Wrapping a towel around her as she walked out of the bathroom, the steam billowing in her wake, she saw a tray with a small pot of tea, some fruit, and pastries, and a small vase of vibrant blooms adding a splash of color. "Aries," she said with a smile, touched by his thoughtfulness. Then she noticed the folded black T-shirt on the bed, the only item of clean clothing in her possession. She eyed it, lifting it and letting it unfold, the soft fabric whispering against her skin. "You've got to be kidding me?" Aries said he'd get her something to wear. She expected it to be something a little more substantial, a little less...intimate.

With a sigh, she dried her hair, the damp strands curling around her face. She slipped on the oversized T-shirt, the hem brushing her thighs, and settled down to eat. Some time passed as she lay on her bed, her mind racing, sifting and sorting through every image and detail Sag had given her, trying to piece together the fractured mosaic of her memory. By the time she realized Aries wasn't coming back, the sun had set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

After peeking out her door, she walked barefoot along the sand to Aries' cabin, the grains cool and soft between her toes. The sound of the waves and the rustling leaves seemed amplified in the growing darkness, the island coming alive in a symphony of nocturnal sounds.

She didn't bother to knock, the anticipation thrumming through her veins, urging her forward. She simply pushed on the door, and it swung open, the hinges whispering in the stillness. There was Aries, sitting on the side of the bed, his forearms resting on his thighs and his head hung low, his dark hair falling over his brow. When the door clicked closed behind her, he looked up, his expression one of cool restraint as his eyes raked over her in his shirt, the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver down her spine. The corner of his lip lifted only briefly before his face turned stony again, a mask of control slipping into place.

"Thank you for the food," she said, stepping further into the room, the floorboards creaking beneath her feet.

"You're welcome. We forget you're working by mortal physics now. You need food to survive." His rough yet soft voice was filled with a tenderness that belied his stoic expression.

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