Chapter 20
☊ ♒️ 26° 40' 🏠 6
Serenity is sitting at the Drokeo River, spanning 5 miles.
Morning time. She's stretching, getting her muscles warmed up.
"Maryella trained me, and I'm ready for anything. Including Selene." Serenity said confidently.
Her hair blows into the wind. Moving a few inches. Walks on the river to take a stroll.
"So my brother is the one that hired the mutant orphans. He's the mastermind. I don't know how to feel about that." said Serenity.
Serenity has trained and trained, and she's ready for whatever comes her way. However…
Power comes with a price. For everything we do as people, control and power go hand in hand.
You can't have power without control, and control without power is meaningless. This is the sole principle of the zodiacs.
To have control over yourself is power. Power without control leads to crash out and erratic behavior.
But what do you do when you have power and control but no control over your desires?
You're consumed by your own greed and human nature. This is where the zodiac signs come in.
They govern the personality, body, mind, and soul. Without their life force, we are just ordinary people.
"Selene, come out! I know you're here! Stop being scared and bring your behind out here!" she commanded.
A translucent portal opens overhead. Inside the portal is Aries the Ram, and around the portal, Libra scales, baby.
The sun blazes, turns orange. A black woman emerges from the portal. Head first.
"Just who I wanted to see." Serenity said.
It's Selene! Currently, she's hovering in the air. Her eyes fierce and piercing.
Her south node irises pulsate like a heartbeat as she looks down on Serenity.
Poncho flaps in the wind as the breeze lifts her poncho up a little.
"What a sad excuse of a zodiac and a woman." Selene said heartlessly.
Takes her sweet time to descend to the river. She is standing 18 feet away from Serenity.
Serenity scoffs.
"Pfft. Who died and made you in charge? Your reign ends here today. You aren't supposed to be here!"
Selene can't help but crack a vindictive, cocky smile.
"The goddess of war is here. I am the first and the last. You go through me. I'm a perfect version of you, and isn't that rich coming from an Aries to a Virgo.
Since Virgos are the sign of perfection and perfectionism. I just didn't know I was so soft in this timeline. That's why I'm here to take what's mine." Selene explained.
Serenity clenches her fists until her knuckles turn as white as an Irish person in the winter.
Snarls. Breaths become heavier. Deeper. More desperate. It's fight or flight mode for Serenity.
Can she beat Selene? I don't know, man. She's crazy strong, and that's WITH Maryella's training.
This is getting juicy, and I'm all here for it. But does Selene have a point? I mean, she is Serenity, just… built different.
The river dries up. Just standing on Drokeo Bay's ground.
Serenity kicks up dirt with her feet. Dirt clouds rise like hot air balloons.
"Shut the hell up. I know your game. I don't give a damn whether you're me or not. You're wicked. I know I'm not perfect, and I accept that, but you're too far gone. You don't belong here." said Serenity.
Damn! That was a loaded statement! "You don't belong here"? Ma'am, this energy you bringing is potent.
But she needs to be careful. Selene is not the one to be played with.
Selene begins to speak to her in a condescending tone as if she's teaching her something.
"Serenity, are you familiar with Zodiac Law? The secrets of the star signs? Zodiac law outlined every weakness of every zodiac, but the book was destroyed in my lifetime. My reincarnation."
"Ooooh, I can't wait to kill this ignorant—"
"That means I know all of your weaknesses and strengths, and the best part is it was destroyed because of me." explained Selene.
"Stop telling me this. I don't care!!" Serenity belted.
"Oooh, hehehe. You don't care about what you have to say? Well, why don't we just get started. I am your superior. 1st House: Spirit!"
Middle of Selene's poncho glows deep vermillion, bright white, speckles of crimson light.
Moves like a campfire. It's her spirit in tangible form.
Expands until it covers her body. South node irises become dilated. Her aura at the moment is the color of her spirit.
Two south node symbols materialize in the air. Watch size. Latches onto her wrists. Tips of twists are crimson embers.
"This is my ascended zodiac state. I don't want to bore you on its abilities, but I'll give you a live demonstration, love." Selene commented.
Serenity gets into her fighting stance.
Selene takes a running start. Track runner form.
"You won't win, you demon," Serenity reflected.
Looks up.
Selene is in mid-air. Brings palms together.
"Ram Style: Goddess Ram Rush."
Aries insignia is drawn on her forehead like a chalkboard. Eyeliner begins to animate?
My goodness, most of it is coming off her face like it's alive! Moves like octopus tentacles.
They're as large as her now. Long. Stretched out. Horizontally. Each eyeliner line spans 6 feet in length.
Serenity observes. Keeps a straight face. Ready for anything.
"I call my animated eyeliner ram horns Priscilla and Kathleen. Watch your step with your weak ass. Don't be weak, Virgo Rising! Priscilla!" Selene commanded.
Priscilla is her left one. Kathleen is the other. Extends towards Serenity.
Side steps a considerable distance. It breaks through the surface clean.
Lodged in the ground. It burns the sand to ash. Caves it in, creating a WORMHOLE.
95 feet, mane. Moves as if it's an amoeba underneath a microscope.
Second one incoming.
"Hmph. Child's play, honey. This is just getting started. Maiden Style: Purity Bombs!"
Insides of hands glow light green and yellow. The light shines through her fingers like sun rays.
Focuses. Throws the first from the right elbow like a baseball pitcher. No windup.
Kaboom!
Makes contact with Priscilla. Blows up into itty bitty pieces.
"Kathleen!" said Selene.
Here she comes.
Serenity throws the other purity bomb. Raining pieces of Kathleen. This time around, green and yellow highlights are in the pieces.
Selene claps as if she is a proud father. Stops.
"Very good show… NOW DANCE FOR ME."
Her voice deepens a couple of octaves. It's darker. Less feminine, more rage.
"Radian Angle: 360 Degrees Of The Sun!" Selene announced.
Lifts one finger up in the sky to the sun.
While still maintaining its current state, a fourth of it turns clear. The first quadrant. Only the outline of the first is visible.
Just like a unit circle.
"1st Quadrant: 90 Degrees." Selene said emotionless.
The first quadrant spits out iron fillings. They create magnetic lines around them as they approach the surface.
Redirecting air flow in various directions.
Serenity moves out the way and starts to run away from the attack.
Incoming at a 90° angle.
Creates a small wildfire where it lands. Iron fillings move along the sand, following Serenity.
"2nd Quadrant: 180 Degrees."
Top half of sun is gone. More iron fillings come. Combines with the first quadrant. Doubling the amount.
Coming at Serenity at an 180 degree angle.
Serenity keeps the move on, not stopping. Jumping on boulders on her way to avoid the fillings.
As each part of the sun becomes clear, the sky turns blacker.
"Still waiting for my opportunity. This won't last too much longer." Serenity contemplated to herself.
Selene unravels more and more. Blood leaks out the corners of her mouth.
"You're getting me to bleed with excitement, Serenity! I love myself in this timeline, and you got moves! KEEP DANCING FOR ME!!! 270 Degrees. 3rd Quadrant!" said a clearly deranged Selene.
3/4ths. Gone. Triple danger. Coming at a 270° angle. Serenity runs up a nearby wall.
As the sky darkens, Selene's spirit burns hotter. Her aura intensifying. Expanding rapidly like a forest fire.
Still on her tracks.
"Almost my time." Serenity thought confidently.
"4th Quadrant: 360 Degrees. Let it be known my fire will always burn hot. My vitality will never die."
The sun is now clear. The lines separating the four quadrants begin to wiggle.
Expand. Become engorged with iron fillings. Thick as steel beams.
With no more light, it looks like nighttime in Drokeo Bay.
Stretch and make their way towards the wall Serenity is running on. All 4 combine into one massive line.
Comes like a shooting star. Front end mutates into an Aries head. On fire. Aries glyph on forehead.
"Battering Ram!" she yelled.
Jumps from the wall higher into the air.
Crash!
Obliterates the wall. Crumbles completely.
"Earth Element: Bark Projectiles!" Serenity said.
Winds right arm back like she's about to toss a frisbee.
Bark forms in her palm in the style of a frisbee. 5 strands of wheat are laid on the top.
Tosses it. Wheat becomes knives. Stick out as the bark spins its way to Selene.
"I don't have time for these games, earthie. Give me a challenge." Selene mocked.
Sun goes back to normal.
"Another one. Projectile."
Vice versa for her left side. Selene appears to be bored.
Outstretches arm. Yawns.
"Node Polarity: Magnetic Kinetic Nodes." Selene said.
Both south node wrist wraps detach from them. Grow into human size.
Releases a magnetic current. Filled with flaming iron fillings.
"Virgo, can you give me a challenge already? I was so excited, but now I'm bored." she said nonchalantly.
Pushes Serenity back as the environment around them is being eroded. She begins to sweat from the excess heat.
Bark projectiles get halfway through the current before being destroyed by it.
Magnetic current forms into life sized baseball bats, Libra scales, small south, north node glyphs.
Sun-like radiance.
"Remember her words and training. I got this." Serenity reminisced.
Selene lets out a battle cry.
"Begone!" Selene exclaimed.
"We're just getting started. I like to fight too. Maiden Transformation: Maiden Ceres Mode!" Serenity commanded.
Light green, yellow, and brown aura. Crown of wheat. Energy state. White, green, yellow, and red.
Virgo symbol in dark black. On stomach.
Virgo glyphs below each eye. Sage green. Emirates stardust. Glitters white and gold. Numerous glyphs swirl around her body.
Grow and decrease in size as they swirl around. Back and forth.
Mercury glyphs in pupils. Wind picking up behind her. Eyes glowing yellow.
Her signature embroidery blade manifests in her right hand. Yellow, red, white, and blue yarn tightly wrapped around the handle and blade.
Blade looks like a threading needle bare. Pommel has one long piece of red yarn through it.
Excess dangles. Sheaths it behind her back.
Deflects the kinetic nodes zodiac power with one swipe of the hand. Messes up the airflow, creating black holes.
Woosh!
The kinetic nodes are deflected. Ricochets off her knife-made hand.
Selene gasps.
Grinds teeth together.
"Where did you get this power?" questioned Selene.
"Fight me!" Serenity demanded.
Closes the gap between them. Exchange flurries of punches and kicks.
Selene is getting angrier. She can't land a hit on Serenity.
Begins to bleed out her mouth again. Starts to foam a little out the mouth.
"You can't beat me. I'm the original. You won't ever beat Argasis. Ram Style: Battering Ram."
As soon as Serenity hears Argasis, she freezes up. Confused. Nervous.
Selene turns into a flaming ram and rams Serenity.
Lands the attack, but Serenity is only pushed back a couple of feet. She's not terribly hurt.
"Don't talk to me about anything that's my destiny. Shut your mouth. Maiden Ceres Style: One Thousand Gaia Blades!"
A white cloud overcast expands over them. Maryella comes from out it, throwing grass sharper than butcher's knives.
Laced with brown, white energy.
Cuts up Selene real good.
"AGHHHHH!! UGHHHHH! EAUGHHH!" she wails.
Sends her flying downwards. Cuts all over arms, body, and legs.
Boom!
Creates a crater in the ground.
Serenity looks down at the massive cloud of dirt being lifted up in the air.
"I know she's not dead yet, but how the heck does she know Argasis? This can't be right. I need answers. I'll get them at whatever the cost." Serenity thought.
A wildfire erupts from where Selene is standing. It has a sinister smile.
Blue, orange, crimson flame. Above it is a smoky Aries head on fire. Makes eye contact with Serenity.
Speaks.
"I underestimated your power. Now it's time I unleash my full palette of abilities." it said.
Masculine male voice. Voice timbre of a ram bleating. Combined with Selene's.
Serenity gets goosebumps seeing it talk.
"She just won't give up. I'm enjoying this too mu—no, I mean she is. She's not me. My heart could never be that cold."
Selene talks from the cloud of dirt.
"Haahahaha! I finally have a worthy opponent to show my final form! Thank you. Now… watch… the. Fire. Burn!!!! Critical Zodiac Transformation: 26 Degrees!!!!" she blares through the Aries head.
Dirt cloud blows away.
Selene's body grows bulkier. Body thick with muscles. Female bodybuilder physique.
A glimmering, gold and crimson shield grows from the south node on her left wrist.
The center has a drawing. Paint brush stroke style with Aries's zodiac sign.
Blue embers are drawn on it as well.
In her right hand is a sword. Blade type. Scimitar point. Black. Volcanic fissures along it. Lava seeping out.
Golden grip. Consecrated with diamonds, bloodstones, and red jasper stones.
The grip of her sword is crafted as the Aries symbol. The design extends to the guard. Tips of guards are Mars glyphs. Deep vermillion.
Libra scales dangling off the pommel.
Has an illustrious glare. In the middle of her south node irises are small flames.
Number 2 in left eye. Left corner. Number 6 for her right eye. Vice versa.
Lightning strikes, striking then reappearing, manifest in her aura. Deep vermillion. Aries glyph on forehead. Dark black.
South nodes move around her energy like fish in a tank.
Serenity looks down at her in horror.
"This energy is disturbing me on a spiritual level. But I'm stronger. I won't back down. Not now. Not never!"
Selene laughs maniacally. Wheezing.
"Ahahahaha! You look so scared! How will you get anywhere in life while being a coward! You can't even face yourself, yet you expect me to back down?? Are you crazy!? My zodiac power and house abilities far exceed yours and the very value of your life. Argasis hurt Aries on Venus, and I'm going to kill him.
I'm the only one that's worthy to have his blood at my hands, and you're the only one standing in my way. I am the first. The Ram. Aries. And I won't let my weak reincarnation take that from me. Now die. Aries Node Polarity: Dazzling Onslaught!!" Selene relented.
Shoots a deep vermillion, south node, iron filling-filled beam from eyes.
Blows blue, crimson fire out of her mouth. Contains nunchucks with gavel heads. Forming a spiral.
Fuse.
Shield detaches. Now the forefront of it.
As it passes through the air, it drops the air temperature around it. Black holes in its wake.
Serenity is unfazed. Makes her announcement.
"This is the beginning of the end. Maiden Style: Super Stardust Cannon!"
A green, brown, yellow, white beam containing stardust, mercury glyphs rushes to clash with Selene's zodiac power.
Exterior is red-yellow yarn.
Collides.
Mercury glyphs, iron fillings, nunchuck gavels, and yarn scatter in every direction.
Sky starts to flash purple, green, vermilion, brown, then back to blue. Alternating like a strobe light.
Serenity has come a long way. Selene isn't too shabby either.
Past life vs current life. Could she learn something from her past life?
Selene is hell-bent on eradicating Serenity to defeat Argasis. That's a twist I didn't see coming.
Fighting to achieve the same goal, but for different reasons and doing it in a different way.
Selene has taken it upon herself to do the dirty work. Serenity has been thrown to the fire.
She can't lose now. What's better, the original or the variation of it? We'll find out soon enough.
Now back to the action. Let me get my popcorn ready. This is getting good. Sorry for the interruption.
Shockwaves permeate. Going up to the atmosphere.
Both are sweating profusely. Sweat drips from Serenity's eyebrows.
Grunts.
"Full Power!" Serenity and Selene say in unison.
Each beam expands 3x its size. Neither one is getting the upper hand. Detonate.
Kaboom.
Raining iron fillings, yarn, various mercury-Mars glyphs, stones, and embers.
These form and create an aurora in the sky, mixing with the colors brown, green, yellow, and blotches of red.
Takes over the whole landscape.
Selene is fuming. Literally. Out the ears.
"You brat!! I'll slay you, Serenity Rice!"
Selene's shield comes back. On the back this time.
Launches herself from the ground. Fire propels her. Blade catches fire from the volcanic fissures.
"That's what you want. Not so easy to kill, huh? Now get lost."
Serenity meets her halfway. Embroidery blade glows bright white. Sparkly.
"Selene!!!!"
"Serenity!!!!!"
Clash! Chink. Chink. Swoosh!
Exchange blows with their blades. Each contact sends sparks, glyphs, yarn, energy signatures, and fire in various directions.
At a standstill. Swords locked in. Each not budging. Teeth grinding. Grunting from Selene.
Serenity is smiling. Selene gets agitated.
"And just what is so funny? You aren't stronger than me." Selene said.
Serenity chuckles. Grins wide. Gaining confidence.
"Don't you see you've already lost? Or should I make it clearer for you?" mocked Serenity.
Fire in Selene's eyes grows.
"Just what the hell are you talking about." Selene spoke through clenched teeth.
"You've unleashed your full zodiac power. The difference between us is that your power comes from anger. Mine comes from having to protect my friends. The other zodiacs. You have no more of that fuel to draw from. That was the last meaningful drop." Serenity said.
They throw haymakers. Selene's hand covered in deep vermillion energy. Sage green for Serenity.
Fists collide. Shockwaves produce.
Now one would think Selene would have the upper hand. I mean, look at her body. Looks like she's on juice.
Lock eyes. Serenity gets cocky.
"So tell me, Selene… do you know the taste of defeat? My gut tells me you've never stomached the feeling. But I have, and it forced me to push beyond my limits. Like I said before. You. Don't. Belong here!!" Serenity shouted.
The sage green energy grows. Serenity is getting the upper hand. Selene can't overcome her.
"Just what are you?" asked Selene.
"The perfect version of you." Serenity responded.
Bam!
Connects to her right cheek. Flies back, whizzing through the air.
Cheek bruised up. Bleeding heavily from the mouth.
Catches herself. 15 feet away. They're floating in mid air.
At a standstill.
Selene gasps for air. Hand over chest.
"Give up, Selene. You've lost the battle. Accept defeat like a woman. You ain't no warrior in my eyes." Serenity said.
"AGHHH!! Don't you DARE question me or my fighting prowess. I'm Aries mastered. I've mastered war. You cocky brat, Ramification!" Selene shrieked.
Brings sword overhead. She rises 10 more feet in the air. Swipes down 3 times.
Produces ram horns, lava, mirrors, ram heads spinning like bowling balls. Crimson-vermilion energy trails.
"Embroidery Blade, give her something to remember. Shift!" Serenity said.
Turns into an 8-foot piece of red, yellow, blue, and white yarn. Holds two sewing needles threaded by her yarn.
Opposite end is identical.
"What are you going to do, stitch me to death!?" Selene taunted.
Life-sized embroidery hoop with silk material forms in front of the threading needles. Poking through the back.
Absorbs everything. Deflects it. Bouncing off like a trampoline.
Selene watches in rage as her move is deflected.
Swings her blade, creating balls of lava, iron fillings, and south nodes.
"Not a chance in Drokeo Bay." Serenity stated confidently.
Raises blade overhead. Twirls it. Each twirl unravels the yarn.
As it unravels, it creates a red, yellow, white, blue, and green yarn ball above. Fed from the sword.
Boulder size.
Serenity's aura runs through it. Sword is bare, showing the sewing needle-blade.
May her zodiac is drawn front and center on it. Swings the embroidery blade.
Yarn ball cuts through the lava, hits the south nodes as they bounce off of it, iron fillings absorbed in the fabric.
Then smashing into Selene. Stomach. Catapults backwards. Coughs up a little blood.
Stops herself before she gets too far.
"YOU."
Selene turns into a fireball. 120 mph.
"I've had enough. Maiden Style: Stitching Fate!"
Multiple threads of red, yellow, light green, white, and blue yarn come out the silk. Glows sage green.
"You won't do anything to me, Serenity Rice!!"
Becomes a towering wall of the yarn.
Rams into it. Fire dissipates. Selene is exposed. Wall unravels. Yarn everywhere.
Latches onto Selene. Begins to resist, but can't break free.
"Wh-why can't I move?" asked Selene.
"Because that yarn has drained the very last bit of your zodiac power. It has used your remaining fire to make itself stronger." said Serenity.
"That's not possible!!!" Selene wailed as tears came from her eyes.
"Oh yes, it is. I couldn't think of doing it before. Your power and fire was far too great. Now it's time for your fate. To finally unlock mine."
Embroidery hoop teleports behind Selene. Pulls her in.
Selene uses all her might to move. Struggling. Nothing. She's seething.
"I HATE YOU! I HOPE YOU DIE!!"
"Feelings mutual, darling. Cross stitch!"
Serenity holds two threading needles connected to the embroidery hoop. Controlling the others.
The yarn needles get into her poncho. Cross stitch her to the silk.
She is dragged along the surface. Poncho is sewn thrown through the back, then through the front again.
Serenity sews with her needles, but no material. Controlling Selene.
"Oh, what's that? I thought I was soft in this timeline. Running stitch!"
Serenity changes hand movements. Selene is being stitched on the silk, running stitch style.
"EAUGHHHH!!!!! ARGGHHH!!!!!" Selene lets out a blood-curdling scream.
The design of the embroidery is Mercury. Serenity lets go of the yarn. Holds a piece.
Ties itself in a knot behind the hoop.
"It's time. You may have been the first reincarnation of, but I am the last. It's over, Selene. Maiden Style: Ultimate Embroidery Sorcery!" Serenity said.
Yarn transforms into her embroidery blade. Then an 18-foot version of May. Become one.
Red-yellow yarn, energy body. Virgo glyphs below eyes. No internal organs.
Arm extends. Covering Selene in her yarn. Spider-like web.
With her other free hand, a swirling ball of yarn spilling with white energy.
Serenity has a sage green energy wheat-yarn ball with threading needles poking out.
"Now!" Serenity commands.
Teleport.
Lock eyes one last time.
"I learned from my past. If it's one thing I learned, it is that the past can make people bitter. True strength comes from handling everything with grace. Not just fists. This time around, it's with my fists. My zodiac power. Final strike!"
"Someone actually beat me. At least it wasn't anyone else but me. I'll be looking to come back. This isn't over."
"This is my timeline. You've taken your last breath. Ultimate Embroidery Sorcery!!!" Serenity belted.
Bang!
Green-yellow sunrays extend miles out. Come out of Selene's scars, mouth, ears, eyes. Sky shakes. Ground rumbles.
Attack goes through the embroidery. Yarn dangles.
Body is obliterated. None of her remains. Aurora in sky still remains.
Selene is dead. Serenity looks at her hand.
"I beat her. I overcame myself…" Serenity said.
Embroidery, May go away.
Serenity hears cheering below.
"Whoop whoop, our girl won!" said a voice.
It's the other 11 zodiacs! They're all here!
"Huh?" Serenity murmured.
Recognizes some of them. Face lights up with happiness.
"Daiyu, Katrina, Isaiah, everyone!!!" Serenity said euphorically.
Descends down.
Hugs Daiyu, Katrina first. Talks to everyone after.
"Are you all the other zodiac hosts?" questioned Serenity.
"Sure are." said K.C.
"How long y'all been watching me?"
"Since you got her in that embroidery spool thingy." said Samuel.
"Yeah, that was pretty cool how you beat yourself! She was going crazy, but you came out on top." said Adonis with his arms crossed, cheesing.
"Very good job indeed."
Now that was an unfamiliar voice.
Turn their heads around behind them. Same time. Oh no… it's Maine!!
Everyone is immediately on guard. Especially Serenity.
"You come one step closer, and we'll all kill you!" said Katrina.
Adonis starts to transform into the bull. Everyone gets into their fighting stance.
"I'm afraid that wouldn't be wise for any of you. I defeated the mutant orphans using 5 percent of my power. I easily defeated Katrina, my sister, and Daiyu with ease. Even in a 1 vs 12, I win. However, I'm not here to fight." stated Maine.
"No one cares!" shouted Serenity.
"You not caring will cost your life and every other zodiac's life. This is your last warning." said Maine.
"Stand down." said Serenity.
"What? Are you serious? He almost got us killed!?" said Isaiah.
"Yeah… but he spared me when he could've killed me. So what do you want, Maine?" asked Serenity.
He continues walking to them. Stoically.
"I don't want anything. I'm here to help all of you train to defeat any dark forces, including Argasis, when he comes. My goal was to never have any of you die. Simply to strengthen and test through trial by fire." Maine explained.
"I'm not buying it." said Syimphany.
"Then why don't you test my zodiac power and see how far you go. Please don't hold back."
"That won't be necessary." said Serenity.
Maine is finally with them.
All of them are uneasy. Yet no one will take him head on.
"Dante came to me and trusted me to train you. I have my own methods of doing this. We only have two years until Argasis comes back. In the meantime, I will help train all of you. New techniques and all." stated Maine.
He cracks a smile. A genuine one.
"For some reason, I trust you." said Rosco.
"Little sis, I'm so proud of you. You're on the way to fulfilling your destiny. We will overcome everything that comes toward Drokeo Bay. And don't worry, I'll explain everything more in depth later to you all. I know I look crazy right now, haha. Everyone, put your hands up." Maine joked.
Wow, Maine laughs now? He jokes around? Wow.
Everybody puts their hand in the air.
"Repeat after me. Zodiac." said Maine.
"Zodiac!" everyone said.
"Defenders!"
"Defenders!" they repeat.
"Unite!!" he yelled.
"Unite!!!" shouting in unison.
END OF BOOK 1