Page 27 of Total Lunar Eclipse
“Yikes,” Zahra shudders. “Well, Captain Planet was a cartoon with five kids that represented the five elements. They all wore rings colored rings in association to their element and when in danger, would yell, ‘Earth, fire, wind, water, heart!’. Then a voice would yell, ‘By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!’ and this blue dude with green hair representing Earth would show up. He was kind of like a Superman meets Mother Nature type of guy. And I guess ‘heart’ would be like ‘spirit’. . . I dunno, what do you think?”
“Just take us to Saturn and Mars,” Uranus orders instead, not impressed that yet another blue man is taking precedence in Zahra’s mind.
Zahra mutters scathing remarks under her breath and the Elements look confused.
I can only smile at the chaos and my brother.
It’s nice to see him be the fed-up twin for once.
CHAPTER 13
ZAHRA
I’m still grumbling about my twins when I pop us back into Bitchhole’s domicile. There was a slight tussle between them and my Elements, since I needed everyone to touch me to manifest us back to the tenth dimension. Now that we’re here, the twins look astounded at my capability. Things are a little weird between us, and I don’t think either of them has really internalized what I said about Nyam and Kane, or even about Caed and Lina soul-bonding with me.
They seem too preoccupied with the Elements.
I mention this.
Uran shrugs and Illu answers pragmatically, “We don’t know for sure about Sun. Jupiter’s powers were indeed amplified, but we don’t know why he didn’t feel Sun anymore. We don’t feel Moon, but it has never meant she’s gone.”
“That’s funny you should say that. I don’t feel Lina either. . . it’s like she can mask her bond.”
Another shrug from Uran.
“She probably can. In all our earth years, we’ve never sensed her, but know she’s lurking. She gained the upper hand over us when she cursed us. And if she’s been using the Minors’ powers all this time. . . who knows what she is capable of.”
I grimace at Uran’s words.
They’re scary and super discouraging.
Uran continues talking, oblivious to my distress.
“As for Jupiter, he’s part of you now. His physical form is lost, but not his soul. You basically bonded it to you when you took his essence into yourself.”
His words make me pause in our trek to the gem caves where the Minors are trapped.
“Could I restore him somehow?” I ask.
“Yes, but only at your expense. When one houses the soul essence of another god, their physical form must be given in exchange to bring that god back. Universal law,” Illu says.
I stumble and the Elements reach to catch me, but Uran pushes them back with a gust of wind. Illu is the one to stop me before I face-plant for the eleventh thousandth time. He’s watching my face closely and just seems to realize now he’s told me something he shouldn’t have.
“Didn’t Mars explain this to you?”
“No,” I say tightly.
“Must not have wanted you to know,” Uran comments absently.
Illu glares at the obtuse douche canoe, but he really only has himself to blame since he’s the one who spilled the beans. Damn, Caed’s ass is going to be sore from spending so much time bent over my barrel. Poor Uran is in for a surprise, too. The four Elements seem to instantly pick up on my vexation and shoot me sympathetic looks, since Uran won’t let them near me.
I lead us into the glittering caverns and the twins suck in a breath, feeling Lina’s presence. I should reassure them she’s not here, but I’m going to let them sweat for a minute. I yell for Caed and Khal to come out, instead. They quickly manifest in front of us and their eyes bulge when they see the Elements. Caed is the first to speak and addresses the issue with all the finesse of a man. Trust Tree Sisters, men can be smooth, but when it really counts, they always seem to fuck it all up, ya know what I mean? Like when you say you’re sick, but they tell you that’s your vagina’s not.
Oh, it’s sick, alright. Damned sick of you, assburger.
This is one of those times.
“Who the hell are these fucksticks?” Caed sneers. “And what the fuck are they wearing? Are those robes? Is it Halloween?”
