The Zodiacs (Volume 1)

"Oh, a shooting star!" The little girl immediately closed her eyes and make a wish.

"Do you know the story of the shooting stars?"

Once there was a star who couldn't gleam light, whatever she does. She was outcasted and treated as a shame. All of her friends has left her alone. Full of agony, she asked the moon.

"Why is that I'm the only one who's left behind? Why can't I shine? What do I lack?"

"Find the reason. Why do you need to shine? Why do you want to shine? Search for the answer. The key is within you."

She did what the moon adviced. She went on a journey, traveling around the world. Little by little, she found her resolve. The reason why she can't shine whatever she does.

"It's because I didn't understand the most important thing, right?" she asked.

"That true light never lies on the outside. A light that will never fade out. The light within us. Back then, I would always envy those who become full-pledge stars. I aimed to become also like them, without any destination nor valuable reason. But while travelling, I saw a lot of things that made me realize the truth about myself. Now, all that matters is that I could give strength to the everyone. To fulfill their wish. For us, for the people and for myself. The true light and meaning of our existence."

The moon smiled, never looking so proud. From then on, the star continued her journey. She gathered the dying stars and continued to shine brightly. And that's the story on how she became a shooting star.

"Just like the star, I was once lost. I am still confused but just like the star, I found my reason. I may or may not have fulfilled all of my dreams but the most important thing is that my own light will never fade out."

"I will fulfill those, then!"

The little girl's bright eyes illuminated the woman's unfulfilled dreams, shining brighter than the moonlight. She smiled.

The little girl looked up on the starry sky. "It says that our loved ones merge with the stars. Then, like the stars, would you continue looking after me?"

"You don't need to ask for because I will. Always."

That very night, the woman became one with the stars, always shining brightly as she promised the child.

Just like your name, you will be the one to illuminate light to the dying stars.

Mizuki...

***

Present, Year XI666

A woman knocked at the door.

"My Lord, are you still in there?"

"Come in."

The woman came in. A pitch black office room with dim lights welcomed her. A young man whose face is unknown to everyone stayed still, facing the window glass.

"My Lord." She bowed on the guy before her before continuing.

"What is it? It's not so like you to bother me this early."

Iniabot ng babae ang isang file, sa mata't mukha'y nababasa ang pag-aalinlangan. The guy scanned the file, face remained stoic. Silence filled the air for a minute or two.

"I see. So he's back on action, huh?" His eyes remained fixated on the file.

Suddenly, a smile crept on his face. His eyes are gleaming with thrill and excitement. The woman was taken aback. Her Lord barely show any emotions and yet she's there, totally frozen on the shocking momentum.

The guy turned around once again, now a face with lively eyes. He slowly opened the curtains. The sun's bright radiance shine through like a hope that is starting to rise.

"What shall we do, my Lord? This might create chaos---" He raised his hand that made her shut up.

"It's fine. It's about time." Lumapit pa siya lalo sa babasaging bintana at saka ito binuksan. The cool breeze brushes softly against his face.

"So he left it on his hands, I suppose," he silently muttered. The side of his lips curved upward.

"But knowing them, isn't this a bit too much? The balance would disrupt!" The woman argued.

"The balance has been gone for quite some age ago," he stated, feet tapping the floor. "Well, I think there's no need to worry."

The woman faced him unbelievably. "How could you be so sure, my Lord?"

His tapping feet, stopped. His face plastered a mischievous look.

He looked up the sky once again and took a glance on the file.

"That old, puny guild will undergo a massive change. One that might affect and influence the current world system. And that's... for sure."

***

Next up on The Zodiacs.