When the weekend came a few days later. Leon and I, walking side by side arrive to the star festival. Before us is a lot of bright lanterns and decorative lights dangling from one festive booth to the next. The smell of sizzling greasy food would make anyone's mouth water. People walking around dressed up in traditional clothing to match the festival while others wore more casual clothes.
"Well, here we are." I say, awkwardly, unsure on what to do next.
"What hole did all these humans crawl out of?" Leon says in awe, watching crowds of people walk around.
"Did you have to say it like that?" I ask with a groan.
"If this festival is going to be any fun, we should really eliminate some of this human riffraff."
I quickly stand in front of Leon, blocking his path. "Whoa, whoa. Eliminate? That's not a good idea."
Leon touches my shoulder, ready to snap his fingers, but I grab his hand before he can do anything.
"You seriously just can't make people disappear, Leon." I harshly whisper to him.
"This atmosphere would be quite enjoyable if there weren't so many humans here."
"I mean, I agree with you on that, but you can just get rid of people."
"It's festive, I'll give it that. Not bad for Earth."
"Well what are we standing here for let's go…go.." I scan the area. "Oh! Food!" I say, pointing to a booth.
Leon smirks. "Really?"
"Why not?" I shrug. "Festival food stalls have different foods…you may even find something you like as much as meatballs."
"Pfft, don't get a big head. It's not like I like them that much." He rolls his eyes.
"Oh, you so like them that much." I say, but not loud enough for Leon to hear as I think back to the party Karno threw and Leon snapped his fingers making meatballs appear.
"Hey, what's that?" Leon begins to walk over to a random booth.
I trail behind him curious as to where he's heading until he stops in front of a booth that has a tank of goldfish. I watch as a few children try to catch goldfish with little paper scoops.
"Oh, it's a game. Want to give it a try?" I nudge him.
The man in the booth excitedly greets us. "Hello! Use the net scoop to catch as many goldfish as you can until the paper breaks. "
I nod my head acknowledging the man as he speaks, but when the man hands Leon a scoop, Leon watches the fish intently. Looking very confused on what to do.
"Uh, you know, I think if you go like this," I instruct, gesturing with my hands. "it's easy to get the goldfish into the bowl, and you get to keep the fish if you win."
"I see." Leon eyes widen a bit as if he finally catches on, then laughs. "A goldfish catching goldfish. That's pretty funny."
I drop my shoulders in defeat. "If you're going to be a jerk we can move on. And for the last time, humans are not goldfish."
"They seem similar enough to us…" He stops to then look down at the tank full of fish. "Although…look."
Following his gaze, I look down at the goldfish swimming, they then start to gather in front of Leon as if drawn to him.
"W-what the—?!" I can't believe what I'm seeing as I stand there flabbergasted.
"It's the instinct of all living things." Leon starts to laugh with a different expression, one I've never seen before, a much relaxed, happier one. "They can't live without the gods' protection. What submissive, obedient creatures.
This is what makes him smile?! For real?! What a crazy, sadistic god!
Leon then is very calm. "…Not all goldfish are the same though."
"Uh huh?" I just roll my eyes.
"These cute little goldfish submit to me obediently…" He says, smiling more broadly as he looks at me.
"Did you say the word 'cute'? That's weird hearing that come out of you mouth." I say, and realize that he's still calling me a goldfish. "And quit treating me like a goldfish!"
The longer me and Leon stand here bickering, I notice the people around us begin to whisper to one another.
"Hey, do you see that?"
"Yeah, all those fish are hanging out in front of that guy."
"Hey, where did all the fish go?"
In a panic, I tug on Leon's arm. "Okay, can you hurry up and catch a stupid fish already so we can leave?"
The fish don't leave, and in fact more fish begin to surround Leon. And he doesn't even have to try and catch them as almost all the goldfish are his.
With my hand over my face, I peek through between my fingers, feeling people's watchful eyes on us. "Great, you caught the entire tank, now what are you going to do?" I ask him with sarcasm.
The man in the booth speaks up. "Um, I'm sorry but I can't give you all of them. Why don't you choose one?"
Leon shrugs. "Whichever one is fine. They're all the same."
"Okay? So just pick one." I lean over, looking at the fish. "Oh…"
"What?" Leon asks.
"Sorry, I just noticed how this one has cute puffy eyes and is very small." I point to the one who is being pushed aside by the other anxious goldfish.
Leon glances at me, then reveals his usual smug look. "Do as you like. But you have to take care of it."
"What? Why me?" I straighten myself up in surprise. "You caught it, its your fish!"
Leon responds by taking the bag with the little goldfish from the man and handing it to me.
"Uh…?"
"It's your job to look after your own kind." Leon says walking by me.
I chase after him. "And by that you mean goldfish?" I tried to be angry but I end up smiling.
Just then a boom rings out and I fumble the bag with the goldfish in total surprise. I look up to see the night sky go bright with sparks of color.
"Hey, fireworks, cool. Haven't seen fireworks since I was a kid."
"Oh…" Leon looks up, bewildered. "They look like flowers blooming in the sky. Not bad for a human creation."
"I guess the heavens don't have fireworks?"
"We don't have anything that doesn't exist in the natural world, gods don't need to fireworks to exist."
"Oh, well that sounds kind of dull . The fact that you have nothing but what you need for survival. Believe it or not man made creations can be fun, beautiful, maybe a little crazy sometimes." When I turn around, I notice that Leon is gone. "Leon?"
I face the direction of all the booths and stalls, searching among the crowd for Leon. "Leon?" I call for him.
I figured that I was paying to much attention to the fireworks and rambling on that with the crowd of people Leon and I were separated. And he went where there we less people, since he mentioned discreetly that he doesn't like crowds.
Making my way through, coming to the end of the long street of the festival, I bump into something. "Ah!" I fumble over my feet, and when looking to see, I find it's a man.
"Excuse me." The man says.
I get a good look at him. Long purplish-blue hair that comes down almost to his elbows, its tied back into a ponytail that rests over his shoulder ad down the front of him. He wears an expression of no emotion and crystal clear grey eyes. It's not until I notice the clothes he's wearing that It looks exactly what the Department of Punishments wear.
"Uh, sorry, but…you wouldn't happen to be a god, would you?" I ask, curiously.
His eyes go momentarily wide at my question. However, not even a second later he's looking at me, as if seeing right through me.
He puts on a dashing grin. "I most certainly am."
"Ah, okay. Glad we got that out of the way." I nervously say.
Then crowds of people who pass by start to talk and stare.
"Whoa, check out that costume!"
"Are they here to shoot a movie or something?"
"That's so cool!"
Well this is embarrassing, and I thought Leon stood out, uniform or not. I think to myself wanting to desperately get away.
"Well, uh…I'm Abbey." I awkwardly introduce myself. "Have you seen Leon? Are you looking for Leon?" I ask, figuring that the only reason another god would show up here is for another god, or maybe his job, or maybe he likes Earth. I wasn't sure but I had to say something.
The man knits his eyebrows. "Leon?" He pauses. "I see…"
"Uh…yeah?" I look around from where we stand. "Kinda' lost him but I'm looking for him right now."
The man takes a step closer. "I'm Zyglavis. Ruler of Libra."
"Whoa, so your Zyglavis?" I say bewildered. From what I remembered Karno and the others mentioning he's the head of Department of Punishments.
It feels like I should have a stamp card for whenever I come to meet a new god of the zodiac. And when I get all twelve stamped I get a prize or something.
With a strict expression, he says. "I've heard rumors, but it appears you truly are working with Leon."
I laugh. "Pft, more like working for Leon."
Zyglavis suddenly grabs me by the shoulders, pulling me closer to him as he looks deeply into my eyes.
I hold my breath as I stare back.
Zyglavis whisper but has a harshness to his tone. "You're the goddess who's awakened that wild lion…fascinating."
"Um…little to close for comfort there buddy..." I speak, uncomfortable with his situation.
The hell is wrong with this guy?!
I struggle to break free from his grasp, then a voice calls out.
"Well, look who's here."
My head snaps around to find Leon leisurely drawing near.
"What kind of game are you playing leaving my side like that?" He asks, smugly.
"Oh…uh…hey Leon." I innocently squeak out the words.
Zyglavis who's grip eases up. "Long time no see." He shoots Leon a shit-eating-grin.
I cautiously watch the two gods, my eyes darting back and forth to whoever speaks and I get more uncomfortable by the second.
"What do you want? You're not usually one for pleasure trips to earth. That goldfish is my tool. Get your dirty hands off her." Leon orders.
"Dirty? Are you saying that this human is more noble in dignity than us gods?
"I can't use my powers without that goldfish. It's a real pain how she's always wandering off on her own."
Even though Leon has this smirk on his face, I get a sense that he's surely not happy, and is in a bad mood. Makes me want to get away as soon as I can, but I can't tell if it's me he's pissed at or perhaps it's Zyglavis, remembering how Karno says that these two do not get along.
"You may have been exiled to earth but I can see that hasn't changed your attitude one bit. I thought you might have learned a little something from your experience…but, I see I was mistaken." Zyglavis speaks with confidence.
Oh boy, this is getting ugly.
"I see you're just as unpleasant on earth as you are in the heavens." Leon wastes no time to insult Zyglavis. "That goldfish is more troublesome than any other human on this planet."
"Wha—hey!" I shout.
"Way too much for the likes of you to handle." Leon smiles widely at Zyglavis, eyes burning with sureness. Then his face softens when he looks at me. "Abbey…come here."
Wait, did he just say me name? I stand stuck where I am, like a deer in the headlights.
"What are you doing?" Leon suddenly looking annoyed asks.
"Oh, uh…excuse me" I turn to Zyglavis, and I try to remove myself carefully from his grasp, but even with his hold that seems not that strong I can't seem to get away as he holds me in place. "Let go, please." Now I'm getting angry, ready to knee this guy in the stomach if it comes to it.
"So, the rumors are true, Leon." Zyglavis, not paying much attention to me, as his focus is still on Leon. "I heard that you'd been treating this human reincarnation of a goddess as your pet, but I see it's quite the opposite." Zyglavis lets out a low chuckle. "You tried to catch a goldfish, but instead the goldfish caught you."
A sadistic expression falls over Leon. "You sure like the sound of your own voice."
"Ladies, please, you're both pretty, can I go now?" I speak up, jokingly to relax this intense conversation. But my attempt fails.
"I've heard you're so obsessed with your goldfish that you're neglecting your duties. But then again you've always been a slacker when it comes to work."
"The guys from punishments are the ones neglecting their work. If you're going to complain, why don't you complain about the incompetence of your own subordinates.
The sounds of the crowds and the fireworks seem fade as my focus is on the two intense Gods.
"Consider this a warning, lion. Gods must love all humans equally. If this goddess is clouding your judgment…" Just then Zyglavis moves one of his hands to my eyelids.
"What are you doing, stop!" I snap my head back to get away from his touch. "You're weird."
"Taking her eyes won't change the fact that she is a reborn goddess." Leon says.
Taking my eyes?! Seriously? Are all God's this sadistic and crazy?!
"We won't know until we try." Zyglavis smirks.
"Oh, the hell you will!" I yell.
"Lay a hand on her and you'll regret it." Leon still smiling but his tone menacing, almost threatens Zyglavis.
"Because you don't want any harm to come to her?" Zyglavis, is back to being serious.
"I don't care, but you should let her go before I get serious" Leon takes a step closer.
Again, for a fraction of a second Zyglavis loosens his grip on me. I forcibly shake myself free and run to Leon, not looking back at the strange god.
Hearing and feeling a gust of wind whip around me I look over my shoulder to see something that looks like a big ball of fire heading right at me and Leon.
"Are you insane?!" I scream to Zyglavis. "Leon, watch out!" And the next thing I know, I jump in it's path, guarding Leon from getting hit.
"Abbey!" Leon shouts.
Not moving, I glare, fully prepared to get hit. Seeing the wild flames of the ball of power heading straight for me, has me seeing a quick flash of an entirely different scene. One where fire is all around me and I hear echoing screams of people's voices who sound so familiar. But I feel a sudden strong gust of wind snaps me back to reality and I see that gust of wind dissolves Zyglavis fireball in an instant.
I catch my breath with relief. Feeling beads of sweat roll down the side of my face, my heart racing, and body ready to go limp.
"You've always ruled over the scale is justice for humans. So, why would you try to hurt her?" Leon growls, something that would be heard from the depths of hell.
Zyglavis looking shocked, doesn't say a word.
I turn to face Leon and notice the color of his eyes have changed once again.
"Oh no…L-Leon." I call to him calmly.
Leon glares.
I've seen those eyes before. I can't let him lose it again…Something is telling me this is going to be a LOT worse than last time.
I make my way closer to Leon, soothingly talking to him. "Leon, please. It's all right now."
I get close enough to touch his arm, and the second I do it feels like an electric shock runs through the course of my body.
"Ah!" I rip my hand away from him, feeling the burning sensation in my palm. "What was that?" I pant, noticing that I'm suddenly out of breath again.
Leon's eyes turn to me and a look of realization crosses his face as he comes to his senses.
"Why?" He asks.
I shake my hand, the sudden pain going away and I look up at him, worried. "You okay?" I ask with a small smile.
Looking angry, Leon shoots me a frown. "You don't have to worry about a god…you..."
His expression and words may be harsh but it doesn't make me shudder or back down as I stare back at him with only what I call kindness and concern in my eyes.
"Just being my typical 'pain-in-the-ass' self." I light-heartedly say to him.
"I see what's going on here." Zyglavis says
Leon's eyes still glow that intense color, and looks up to scowl at Zyglavis. "What are you talking about?"
I feel as if I should step in and say something, but I know very well that my place as a human that butting into a conversation between these gods isn't a good idea.
Zyglavis, looking extremely disappointed, sighs. "You unleash your power when you think that goddess is in danger? Oh, Leon…" He shakes his head.
"As if you know anything about why I unleash my power."
"I will inform the heavens, the king, of what happened here today." Zyglavis reveals a wicked smile. "Prepare yourself. You're sure to be appropriately punished."
And with that Zyglavis lifts his hand. His fingers prepared to snap.
"Hey, wait a minute, you—" I begin to say, wanting a piece of this jerk.
But its to late as he snaps his fingers and vanishes. Right when he does Huedhaut and Teorus show up.
Teorus looking surprised, shouts. "Leo, what happened?"
Huedhaut looking concerned, speaks as calmly as he can. "We felt a huge spike in your power, you didn't…"
"Let's go back to the mansion." Leon, still scowling, orders all of us.
Huedhaut agrees with a nod. "Good idea. Let's go before this becomes an even bigger commotion."
I didn't even notice until Huedhaut had said so and I begin to see people already gathering around us.
"Yeah, we need to go now." I say with urgency.
"Teo, Hue, bring Abbey to the mansion" Leon orders the two gods.
"What…?" Teo tilts his head in confusion.
Leon looks away from me. "I can't touch you when I'm like this, Abbey."
"Oh…" I reply quietly.
Huedhaut steps in. "Understood."
Teorus whispers over to me. "Abbey, when we get back to the mansion, will you tell us what happened?"
I nod to Teorus. "Yeah, sure thing."
But I remain to stare at Leon, concerned, as his eye color doesn't seem to be returning to normal.
I recall Leon saying something about that when his power feels like its getting out of control he goes to look at the scenery through that mysterious door.
As other people would feel afraid and want to keep their distance from Leon, I more so can't believe it, as this is what his powers look like and how hard it must be for him to deal with it…alone.
Huedhaut offers me his hand. "Shall we go?"
I nod again. "Yeah."
When I grab his hand, thinking he was just to snap us out of here. Huedhaut suddenly wraps an arm around me, lifting me up in his arms.
"What are you doing?" I yell.
Huedhaut looks at me confused. "What do you mean?"
before I can say anything more, I notice something red out of the corner of my eye.
"Oh no…the goldfish…" I murmur.
Huedhaut asks. "What is it?"
I stare at the goldfish Leon gave me earlier, thrown from its bag, all it's doing is flopping around in desperation on the ground, struggling in pain. I turn away from it. Turning away from a helpless goldfish as I believe there was a time I was like that goldfish and I would like to believe I am no longer that now, however thinking upon the situation I'm in, I'm not to far off from being that goldfish, one that no one can touch or get near, not without hurting it. A gap, a distance, or a lost connection, call it what you will, but it's much like what me, a human, and god have in common.