Solem Zekiah Du'Tritz

I woke up in a room with Alexiese, Commander Brick, King Alexandrov and a healer having a serious discussion. I looked around and realized I'm inside a glamorous office. I wonder whose office is this. I tried to sit up from the long sofa with my head spinning and buzzing words on my ear from the people with me here's discussion.

"She's awake." The healer announced. Alexiese then came rushing towards me and helped me to get up.

"Solem..." his eyes scanned me, worry is obviously written all over his face. Then I remembered what happened earlier. I touched my forehead.

"Warrior Du'Tritz." King Alexandrov says as he approaches me. I tried to stand up and salute but my knees feel like jelly and I almost fall to the floor but Alexiese grabs and hold me. "No need to salute. We're here for a private and urgent matter."

"Commander, Alexiese, what's happening? I can't understand." I confusedly looked each of them.

"Warrior, your one of the chosen. You are the vessel of the Alpha warrior and the Cardinal of Fire. You are now like Ariean, the first Aries guardian and hero." The healer said and the three of them bowed to me like I am a prestige person like the King.

"I don't understand... What?" my head was spinning again because of too much shock and confusion.

"The celestial guardians of our ancestors have chosen you." The healer added.

"Can you please explain me further? Because I still don't get what you were saying. Yes, I know Aries, it's a zodiac sign right, a constellation to be precise. But how does all that connect me to this tattoo? Why do I actually have this? I just answered a riddle a cloaked man asked and he then gave me a ring for prize... then I felt a scorching trail in my arms from my finger to my neck then..." I stutter while telling them what happened. "I-I don't understand..." I muttered under my breath.

"Solem, calm down please." Alexiese pats my back.

"How could I calm down Alexiese? I don't understand what the hell is happening here!" I exasperatedly said.

"Du'Tritz, another apocalypse will be coming. And the celestial guardians chose you to be one of the twelve warriors that will protect our humanity likely how the first twelve guardians protected us long time ago." Commander Brick tried to explain to me slowly. "We know there will be five apocalypses coming. It was written in a book by a Prophet. He wrote it in four copies for the four elements; the fire, water, earth and wind. Luckily, King Alexandrov has one of the four copies though it wasn't your element. He didn't believe these things until the first three signs showed up in three random peoples here in the domes. It was all reported to us so we made an intensive research about what's happening, until the King showed us the book of Penta-theory of signAl for the Water Sign's. We then concluded that the myth about the twelve guardians is therefore true upon history." Commander added. I slowly digested all he said in my head.

"Ms. Du'Tritz, I'm Healer Rose. One of the four keepers. Let me please explain to you further later. For now, please you need to rest. You've been too shocked on the happenings. Commander, Your Highness, lets please leave her for a while to rest and get back later." The Healer said which they all obeyed. Even the King obeyed on the Healer's advice. Only I and Alexiese was left in the extravagant room.

"Do you know all about this?" I asked him immediately.

"No. But I got some hints after I talked with Johann." He answered.

"So you really knew Johann?" I asked again.

"I... actually... sort of." He lowered his head. "But that actually doesn't matter. All you need to know is that he's a dangerous man."

"But he doesn't seem to me like one." I retorted.

"And that doesn't mean he's not." He retorted back. "I know him well Solem. So please just listen to me and follow my advice. Stay away from him, he's nothing good for you."

"Alexiese..." I sighed. "Fine."

Long time ago, the One Almighty created the world in just 6 days. The world he created is so perfect not until sins started to plague the lands of his creation. People started to commit unforgivable sins and the only choice left for the One Almighty is to recreate his world again, washing off humanity. But on the other side, because of His supreme kindness he left humanity with one last chance.

He dropped 12 angels from the skies, each would seek their vessels, 12 people with pure heart, loving soul and kindness like no other. The angels carry bravery that would come together with their vessels characteristics and so as to prove that humanity deserves a chance to stay in the lands of the One Almighty. The twelve heroes then, was given one gift each, each having indescribable powers that can help them through the battle. The world experience four apocalypses, but the 12 heroes were able to surpass all of it. In the last wave of apocalypse, the One Almighty threw black angels from the celestial prison in heaven and demons emerge from the ground.

The creatures brought chaos in the lands of the One Almighty, purifying the humanity as it dropped into half of its population every month, and in every strike. The 12 heroes never gave up and continued to fight for the survival of their kind, until the end comes and they are the ones left standing on top of bodies of thousands of monsters, demons and black angels.

When the 12 angels leaved their vessels body, the heroes lived normal like how the left of humanity did. And when the heroes died, the One Almighty put their souls to the skies. And made them constellation of stars to commemorate their bravery, thus lightning up the skies with 12 bright constellations namely; Aries the Ram, Taurus the Bull, Gemini the Twins, Cancer the Crab, Virgo the Virgin, Leo the Lion, Sagittarius the Archer, Scorpio the Scorpion, Libra the Scales, Capricorn the Goat, Aquarius the Water Bearer and Pisces the Fish. Each deity was derived from the animals they cared of until they died and the others who don't have pets derived their deity from things and/or their characteristics they've been known for like Gemini, Aquarius, Sagittarius and Libra.

In times again when the humanity commits too many unforgivable mistakes really out of hand, the One Almighty is believed to repeat the sequence of events of the chronicles of apocalypses and what does the first twelve heroes experienced to teach them lessons that will last for centuries. It was then called the Penta-Theory of SignAl as written by the Prophet Simon Wills. He was believed to live for centuries, passing off the four copies of the said book by the next keepers from the bloodline of the first keepers of the very first four cardinals representing each element of the twelve heroes from the ancient century.

"That's the summary of the Chronicles of Apocalypse." The healer said. "By the way, I'm Anna. From the Water Cardinal's seeker bloodline. I'm happy to meet the new Alpha Fire Cardinal." She laid her hand infront of me. I accepted it and shakes hand with her.

"I actually don't know if I am the one you're addressing to as the Alpha-what but I'll shakes hand with you because I'm glad to meet you." I smiled at her. "And thank you for making me understand what's happening patiently. You know I'm still shocked and confused but I'm digesting things slowly and as much as I can."

"Yeah, I actually know. Things like this aren't easy to understand. We are actually expecting you to take your time with this. But we can't stop and wait until you fully understand everything, Ms. Du'Tritz—" I cut her off.

"Just Solem please." I corrected her.

"—Okay Solem. We need to prepare for the upcoming apocalypse. According to the Theory written by Seeker Simon Wills, the fourth apocalypse is coming. Where Monsters and Demons will bring disaster to the domes, before the fifth wave of apocalypse comes and the black angels will be sent in the soils of Earth." Seeker Anna said. "You need to train, and oh! I just heard that your candidacy for the Raven Legion will be automatically accepted and will soon be formally annunciated after the next mission that will be tagged failed. The domes will mourn for you alongside with your fellow—" I stopped her.

"WAIT—WHAT? MOURN? What do you mean by mourn? I will be announced dead? I... wait. I don't understand." I looked at her to make her explain to me.

"Aren't you briefed by Commander Brick—oh yeah. Your vacation is still not done so you haven't attended the first briefing, I'm sorry I forgot." She scratched her head. "I'll just call Mr. Ce' Vieze to debrief you when he finished his appointments."

"I can't tell everyone about it right? Commander Brick once told us when we receive the card. But—can I atleast tell my sister? She'll be devastated if I will be announced dead. We have no parents left. And if she heard that I am dead, I don't know what will happen to her." I plead her.

"It's not me you should ask about that. You should ask Commander Brick or King Alexandrov instead." She answered while walking to the door. "I got to get going. I'll call Mr. Ce' Vieze to accompany you here. Bye." She waved goodbye.

"Thank you, healer Anna." I disappointedly answered.

I stood up and walked around the room/office. I looked around and realized that it was Commander Brick's office here in the Palace. I have read his name on the table plaque, and a picture on his desk together with his family. He has two children and a beautiful wife.

I wonder how was his family that their father is part of the legion and is serving for the palace for a long time now. I also wonder if Commander Brick frequently visits his family. Being in the legion is hard, especially when you already have a family. I remembered Selene's face when I told her that I am joining the legion and she will be left alone, even though Kristen and her family will look over here, she starts crying and begging me to stay with her.

Mom died after my graduation at the Central Academy of Practical Arts, and we never saw our father since were little kids. But still I have my reasons on why I entered the legion that even Selene didn't know. It was just a little sacrifice we do, after all it's never easy to leave your younger sister alone knowing that no one will take care of her. Everything I did for the past years is for her, and for my mother. I wish I could spend more time with Selene but I can't, especially now that there's another apocalypse coming and these tattoos in my skin appeared. I still need to understand what's about these tattoos so I can explain this thoroughly when I see Selene again.

"I love you, sister. But I have to do this for our family. Soon you'll understand me and why did I do these things." I whispered to myself, leaning in the window of Commander's office and observing the place outside; guards standing still, people working in the Palace talking, random people walking opposite ways outside the palace gate. Everything seems to be normal for us. No one out there except us even knows that another apocalypse will devastate our small city of domes, our sanctuary of survival, and the home of the last humanity standing.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

I turned around the door to see who knocked, and saw Alexiese entering. He immediately smiled upon seeing me. I gave him a thin smile.

"What's the matter?" he asked when we both sat down the sofa. He looks worried.

"I miss my sister." I honestly said. Slowly looking at him.

"Solem..." he looked down and held my hand with the ring alongside with the tattoo. "We were ordered to compulsory accept the entry to the Raven Legion now that you've been one of the chosen. The King decided that we can't tell the people about the upcoming apocalypse, they'll panick and many worst things could happen. I'm sorry that you can't see your sister again after the annunciation."

"Can't we decline?" I suggested, my eyes start to swell off tears.

"I'm sorry Solem." He sighed. "We'll actually have a meeting later after lunch to meet your fellow cardinals and those with tattoos like you who were chosen. Then later before dinner we'll meet up our fellow Raven Warriors. Everything's already settled. The annunciation will be after a week." He stared at me, deeply apologizing that we've been forced into this and we can't back out.

"Alexiese..." my tears started dropping. "I don't know if my sister could handle one more sudden death of another family member of us. I don't know if she can take it all by herself. I—" Alexiese hugged me and patted my back, stopping me from talking and comforting me.

"Ssshhh." He hushed. "I'll try talking to Commander Brick if we can do something about it okay?" he whispered to my ear.

"T-Thank you... T-Thank y-you Alexiese." I sobbed in his shoulder.

"What are buddies for, right?" he patted my back again. "Stay here, I'll get back after lunch. I will talk to Commander Brick about this." He stands up, breaking our hug.

"Okay. I'll wait you here." I replied. He then walked towards the door and I was left alone here again.

I laid my back in sofa and closed my eyes.

Selene... Mom...

"Always take care of your younger sister, Solem okay?" Mom smiled. She told me that since I was young and when Selene was born.

Did I? I don't even know if I ever had taken care of Selene after my graduation. I was busy seeking revenge for your death Mom. Im sorry.

I started crying again. It was a long time since I cried. The last time I remembered is the first years of my service in the legion, during every night of the first year. Then everytime I felt alone and missed Selene the next years. I wish there's another way, but I know nothing. All I always stitch in my mind is that all of this is for Selene and Mom's justice. I opened my eyes and touched the ring in my pointing finger. I then touched the ink trail from it to my neck.

"I wish this could help me bring justice to my mother's death." I sadly whispered. I walked back to the window I was looking of before Alexiese came here. Touching the ring and feeling it's presence on my finger.

"With those guards I can actually pass through if I'll decide to sneak and see my sister. I can—" then a voice abruptly shocked me.

"I think you should. They won't get upset with you don't worry. They'll actually understand if you do want to see your sister now." I looked around and saw a figure of a woman leaning against the sofa and facing me with crossed arms. She is petite and young looking, blonde haired with sharp eyes and a thin clean dark eyebrow's matching her sharp eyes. She looks like a ghost because of her gaseous form like the cloaked man that materialized from the mist and gave me the stupid poem. "I can actually hear what you say in your mind. And I'm no ghost, woman. I'm Ariean." She said, looking around the office of Commander Brick's office. She wears shattered clothes, mainly a battle suite that gone used into the battle of apocalypses.

"Y-Your Ariean? T-The—" she cuts me off again.

"Yep. One of the First Guardian's and the first Alpha Fire Cardinal." She continued to what I was about to say. "It's nice to meet the new Aries guardian." She smiled. A sheepish smiled that makes her eyes shaped like the rainbow.

"What are you?" I asked again, slowly approaching her figure.

"I'm a memory and soul. And only you can see me. I'm stored on the ring alongside with the other Aries Guardians memories after me. Although only me you can see and can talk to, but I have their memories on my head, so I—or—we on behalf of them can guide you through our own experiences." She smiled. I observed her right arm and saw that she also has the same tattoo in her forehead like me. "Aries guardians always choose the ring. Don't you ever get curious why only four gifts are offered?" she asked while roaming around the room.

"Why?" I asked while still looking and observing her.

"We Aries guardians are born leaders. Our hearts always shout for guidance in deciding things. Thus that ring helps to answer all our confusions and difficulties, and more likely stands as a compass for us. Among all the four Cardinals, it was us who lacks balance in thoughts because we want the best for everyone in a lot of things and ways possible." She explained, stopping at a painting in Commander's room. "Unlike the other signs who weren't cardinals, it was only the cardinals who were always offered to choose one gift to help lead their element, sometimes it was given to the second, but mostly it was normally given to the Cardinals. Powers were actually automatically surges to us the moment the mark shows up. The other signs are only given powers the moment the ink trail starts to etch on their skin." She added.

"I can't even understand why I've been chosen to be like you. I don't lead, I follow. I don't even have a pure soul that was one of the many criteria." She leaned on Commander's desk, looking at me straight.

"I'll tell you a secret." She smiled. "Aries guardians are the only guardians who weren't chosen with due to the set criteria's." she gets back then to looking and observing the surroundings.

"Then you..." I can't finish what I said.

"Books never had written and said what truly I was, Solem. Even Simon doesn't know what I was before the first apocalypse happened." She said, looks like she's remembering the past. "I also don't have a pure soul as likely as you, and I wasn't that kind when I was living. All I have is a loving soul and a nurturing instinct like a Cancer's. All I want is to revenge the death of my family because of the first set of apocalypse. And to survive, to lead the remaining lives to survive, to reach the end with my fellow guardians. I know you're having a trouble now embracing the fact that you're chosen, Solem. But soon you'll understand and see why you've been chosen. I know you think you've been being force into this, but you'll know in time what this all symbolizes. What you are and Why you're now wearing that ring and etched with that tattoo." She empathized. Looking sad as I was.

"I don't know what should I actually do—" She again cuts me off.

"Actually you do..." She smiled again at me. "Come and go see your sister. Everyone will actually understand." She said before she vanished, her soul travels back inside the ring. I just then realize that the ring has a stone, though I can't recognize what kind of stone it was because I see a lot of colors glimmering through it, and it is where the portal guardian of Aries goes in and out.

I think thoroughly for a moment before deciding to sneak out of the Palace to go back to dome 12 and