Page 51 of The Last Aquarius
You do realize by renouncing your status you will return to being a simple mortal.
“I’m aware, and I’m good with it. I’ve already lived longer than most, and honor demands I keep my promise.” After all, his sense of integrity was what had him chosen in the first place.
It will take more than your gift to repair this broken planet.
“I’m willing to give you my life if it helps.”
You would die to keep your word?
He nodded. Ishtar had sacrificed for him. He could do no less.
Should I do this, not only will you lose your avatar status but the constellation known as Aquarius will be no more.
“What? Why?”
This is a great undertaking that will take all of me to accomplish. I cannot imbue two places at once.
Hence why the stars would weep, even if technically the Astraeus wouldn’t perish, simply transform.
“I’m willing to sacrifice if you are.”
A planet is much grander than a few stars or even a tower.
Wait, was that a jab at Nimrod?
Very well. I shall grant thee this last boon.
“Really? Cool. Anything I need to do?”
You’ve done enough, avatar. Because of your valiance, the ancient enemy is gone, and going forth, this planet shall be the vanguard against their return.
The Astraeus didn’t give him any warning as it began the process. Aquarius only knew it had begun because of the pain. The same pain he’d long ago felt when it filled him with its power. A power now siphoned away.
As he lost its protection, the cold immediately began to penetrate, stiffening his limbs. He fell to the ground but kept his eyes open, the helmet keeping his head from freezing for the moment. He watched as the brightest beam of light shot from his constellation and enveloped Mars in a rippling cascade of colors that brought a smile to his lips.
As his body shut down, he whispered, “Thank you.” And his last thought…
This is for you, Ishtar.
CHAPTER 18
Death proved to be dark,noisy, and uncomfortable. It surprised Aquarius, who’d imagined it more as floating in the void. Quiet. Peaceful.
NOT!
His afterlife burned, and his life flashed in that nothingness.
The moment of his birth—Take it away. I don’t want to see it.Ah yes, the mother who didn’t want him. According to the family who adopted Aquarius, she’d been unwed, which, at the time, in the late eighteen hundreds, was considered a grievous crime.
The baby and toddler years flashed by. Happy times.
As a pre-teen, he saw himself rolling a hoop, before a bully knocked him down and stole it. He’d not retaliated since he only fought when those weaker got attacked. Meaning the bully later got a fist to the face—several times—when he went after Aquarius’ younger brother.
There was his first crush. Amelia of the golden curls, who gave him sweet kisses but then married the banker’s boy.
He relived his first death, jumping through a hole in the ice to save the teen who fell through. While he’d managed to heave them out, the friends who carried the teen off to a warm placeleft Aquarius to die on the ice. He might have been bitter but for the second chance he received in that moment.
Then onwards to his life as a Zodiac Warrior, fighting monsters in the early years, but as technology evolved—from horses to cars, electricity and phones, to finally computers—he developed a fascination for it. He found ways to use the advances to make their missions more productive and safer.
