(The Epilogue is a final, 2 part addition to the Zodiac Living story - following the years after the conclusion of chapter 3. To follow the story from the beginning, click here: : http://www.ecocitycraft.com/forum/threads/the-zodiac-living-story.79704/) The 50 Year War Despite their detailed planning and the element of surprise, Libran’s army was little more than an annoyance for the heavily armed Zodiac forces. What began as an offensive attack, quickly reduced to a last stand within Libran itself. Though many fled, any who were unlucky enough to be within the city at the time of the attack were quickly disposed of as The Zodiac unleashed their newest weapon. Colonial 1 - the station which had been constructed as a place of peace and neutrality for all zodiac nations - came into orbit in the skies above the city, promising peaceful negotiations between the factions. In an act of misguided trust, Libran lowered it’s defences, and for the first time the people of the nation saw the true extent of Colonial-1’s capabilities. Once the station was in place, the churning sound of machinery began as the stations levels began to slowly rotate. The deafening sounds got louder, louder, until abruptly they stopped. For a moment, there was silence. The skies lit up a blinding white, as a powerful beam of light shot down through the centre of the station. As it hit the ground below it, anything and everything in it’s way turned to dust, and within seconds, the once great city of Libran was reduced to smouldering ruins. As he helplessly watched his fellow resistance fighters burn from his airship above the city, Admiral Keon Greeley vowed that Libran’s sacrifice would not be in vain… and he was right. Though Libran’s actions led to their own demise, the war that they started would continue. Over time, more colonies stood up against the oppression of The Zodiac, whilst others remained divided. Only Aquarion stayed silent, hiding as they always had amongst their ancient ruins. Though this move chose to be unpopular for both sides, it kept them safe enough to continue their lives in ignorance, and so life under the sea continued. Life on the land however was more unstable than ever. Over the next 50 years, more colonies fell, whilst Canceron’s grip over The Zodiac became ever more firm. No longer an alliance, The Zodiac Empire was formally born. A Sanctuary Whilst the rebellion had the numbers, The Empire had the technology, and quickly they took dominance once more. One by one, the rebel factions were wiped out, until all that remained was Aerilion. A city built by Canceron themselves, ironically Aerilion was the last bastion that could match The Empire’s firepower. Now home to anybody who was lucky enough to have escaped their own colony’s destruction, Aerilion’s fall would have ensured The Empire’s victory. As the armies of The Zodiac approached the gates of the floating city, they sent one final message; surrender, or be destroyed. In a battle that lit up the skies above Picon, Aerilion’s last stand began. As the fire rained down, and defeat was all but assured, Aerilion revealed their final move. To disappear. In an instant, the entire city vanished without a trace, and with it, The Empire was victorious. With nobody to stand in their way, The Empire took over what little remained of the former Zodiac colonies. But what of Aerilion? Did they transport to a new land? A new world? Nobody can say. What is sure however, is that the memory of The Zodiac Nation, however tainted, will live on forever.
