Zodiac High

Chapter 90

Before we get started, I want to apologize for not posting a chapter yesterday. I have posted this one and its sequel in the today to make up for this. Also, we have made it to -100k- views! I want to thank all of you for your support. I could have not achieved this without you. Anyways onto the chapter: Pisces POV: An Atlantean Celebration {Part 3}
As the slow song for the second set of the chance dances begins while the lights dim, I bid Cancer farewell and find a seat on the right side of room. Just as Calypso predicted, many of the couples do the same as Cancer and I did. Only a few couples are left. This includes Aries and Gemini, who were lucky enough to be each other's partners twice, and Aphros and Calypso. My brother as well as Arête have left their partners. They asked two beautiful Atlantean girls to dance and were lucky enough to gain their approval. Asterope reconnected with her brother and has been by his side ever since the first set as they catch up. For the second dance, Scorpio and I were not able to find each other just as Caner and Libra were not able to find each other. Therefore, we swapped partners for the second set. I'm sure Cancer didn't mind. It was nice to spend time with my brother. I still can barely believe that we are siblings! Nonetheless, I was overjoyed to know that he was part of my biological family.
Anyway for the last set, Cepheus suggested we dance with Atlanteans to show our reverence for the customs. He described it as a way of diplomacy as well as way to gain the respect of the Elders. Because we are trying to do everything we can to gain the Elders' approval, we all agreed. However, I am very nervous. I have no idea who will ask me, but I know that I will not be able to refuse their offer—no matter if I want to dance with them or not. I am pulled from my thoughts as the lights get brighter and the slow music stops. Soon the plucking of a violin announces the third and final set of chance dances. I sit surrounded by beautiful Atlantean girls and watch my male friends awkwardly ask one of them to dance. Scorpio closes his eyes and walks from the left side blinded. He does not want to have any say in whom he picks to dance. I think that's really noble, sweet, and faithful of him. He continues to walk blinded, but he stops right in front of a girl. He opens his eyes and politely asks her to dance. She readily agrees.
I wait still. The violin has begun its second verse meaning that only twenty seconds are left. Maybe I wouldn't get asked to dance? Would that be such as great thing? Probably not as I might be the reason that we do not get Elders' approval. Nonetheless, I see the rest of my girl-friends have already found a partner. Every one of my friends are dancing with people none of us have ever met, while expect for Calypso and Aphros. They are dancing together again. Aphros has figured out how to take a human form once again. He stands on two legs instead of four as he dances with Calypso. I think that they make a good pair.
"M'lady, would you care to dance?" I hear a voice ask me. I turn to look at the man in front of me. He's about my age.
"Sure," I reply as he takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor.
"It's such an honor to meet you, Pisces. I am Nautilus," he states as we begin the first dance.
"It's nice to meet you too," I reply with a small smile.
"It's quite an honor to be dancing with you. I just hope I'm good enough to dance with you."
"You're doing a great job. There's no need to worry: I'm not that special. There's twelve of us. It's not just me."
"You're humble and beautiful. I don't see that everyday."
"You must stop that. I'm just like you, a normal teenager."
"Both you and I are not normal teenagers."
"How so?"
"From what it appears, your spirit is a lot younger and fragile than mine. Meaning that where you come from lifespans are a lot shorter than the ones here. Thus, while I am a teenager in this society, I'm probably at least a hundred years older than you."
"How old are you?"
"One hundred and eighteen."
"You're right: You are about a hundred years older than me."
"That's not only it. I'm magical as well. I am able to feel other's spirits. Thus knowing their true feelings, intentions, and facts about them."
"That's amazing!"
"Let's take your spirit. It's very fluttery. It's alive with love. Also, while your spirit is weaker than mine, it is still strong. I can feel it slowly healing from the loss of your ten years. However, your lifespan has been shorten making your spirit appears ten years older than you actually are."
"You can tell all of that from my spirit?"
"That and more."
"I hate to be skeptical, but how do I know I can trust you?"
"You can. I know how nervous and scared you were when you had to accept my offer just to get the Elders' approval. I know that you would not have accepted my offer without that pressure."
"I still feel unsure. I'm an open book. I am not good at hiding my emotions."
"Well, I know who your spirit loves: It's Scorpio isn't it?"
"I danced my only slow song with him. It's quiet obvious that we love each other," I add, feeling more and more nervous.
"Why can't you just believe me?" Nautilus pleads
"The last time I did that, I was almost killed," I retort.
"Well, it's the truth," Nautilus states, angrily.
"I'm sorry. I believe you, alright!" I reply in distress.
"Good. Let's go back to polite conversation," He replies.
We continue to talk. I keep my answers vague. I still feel tense around Nautilus. Not to mention, my scar is radiating in pain. I look around for Scorpio. As soon as we make eye contact, I can see he's just as tense and worried as I am. Something is not right.
I interrupt Nautilus as I mention, "Nautilus you seem very familiar. Almost like I've met you before."
"That's impossible. I've lived all my life in Atlantis," Nautilus lies.
"I know that is not true. My scar tells me otherwise."
"Your scar? The one you got from your precious Ms. Zodiac."
"How do you know about that?" I exclaim as I try to pull away from him; he keeps his grip on me.
"I know everything about all twelve of you," Nautilus states as he pulls me close to him, which cause my heart to race faster. Nautilus leans down to whispers into my ear. He says, "I'm Aapeli."
"You can't be."
"But, I am. I promise to not destroy Atlantis, if you pay a price."
"What price?"
"You let me take over your brain. You let me control your every thought, action, and word."
"How could you ask someone that?" I ask in disgust.
"I've already done it many times. I did it to Ms. Zodiac. And I've done it to all of your friends' dance partners."
"You mean they're having a same conversation that we're having?"
"In a sense."
"Can we work out another price between the two of us? Please?"
"Maybe. Let's go talk over here."
As soon as Aapeli says that, he tightens his grip on me and leads me to an outside garden. I know that my friends are all here, just that they are spread out throughout the garden.
"So, how about you give me your life? Just like Χρόνος, I too can take away years off of your life."
"That's even worse."
"And here I thought you were selfless."
"I am, but I know that if I let you in to my brain or give you my life, our chances of defeating you are finished."
"Fine. Have it your way. By midnight, tonight Atlantis will be in ruins."
"Wait!"
"My patience has grown thin. So what will it be?"
"Can I at least say goodbye to my friends?"
"Fine. But, you have til midnight. Meet me back here. And remember: I will be watching you."