Chapter 1
Screams permeated the black space all around. The roaring of fires and whistling of hailing winds wove in with the screams. Then, from somewhere in the black space came a union of voices. "From here on out, not one but another. Until the end of days, let the mirror speak and be heard, show and be seen. Now on until the end of days..."
"Milady!" Reiko gasped as her eyes shot open to the unwelcome rays of light. She threw her hand over her face to shield them. "Milady!" Reiko groaned and removed her arm so her squinted eyes could search for the source of the voice. It was Gavian, dressed in her peasant-like gown of woven green maja wool. "My lady, it is time," the older woman said. Draped over her arm was a similar green top with a pair of simple brown slacks. Reiko nodded and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floor almost instantly. She stood, her nightdress caught up in itself around her waist. "Countess deLon!" Gavian cried in a scolding manner. "A lady should be modest!"
Reiko smirked and brushed her gown down. Then she took her clothing from Gavian. "You're right," Reiko said, "A lady really should be modest. Could you imagine the chaos if ladies were not ladies?" Already bored of her mocking, Reiko waved her hand and dismissed Gavian. The woman left the room, muttering to herself as she shook her head. Reiko sighed and slipped the simple pieces of clothing on. She walked to the window and leaned out of it, her gaze resting on Castle Gaia. There, five candidates for the honor of Sailor Senshi were already waiting, waiting for the sixth Senshi, the Senshi of Daichi. "It could be me," Reiko said. "I was right about the others. I truly did foresee their coming." Reiko closed the shutters and left her room, walking down the stairs to the main room. As she descended, she thought back to the ball before the first trials.
That night she had foreseen whom the six candidates were who would become Sailor Senshi. Gosha, the youngest candidate ever, from the Aria Highlands had indeed become Sailor Aria. Lady Asa Evana, the golden-haired, shortsighted candidate from the Shio Provinces, had become Sailor Shio. The daughter of a low-level, nobody soldier from the Kaki Islands, Sou Maron, had become Sailor Kaki at no contest. Princess Taika Delaru of the Mei Mountain Range had become Sailor Mei, and Princess Inkou Marli of the Hikari Mountain Kingdom had become Sailor Hikari. Now, Countess Reiko deLon's trial had come at last. The two other candidates from the Daichi Plains would go before her, and all three would have to present themselves before the queen, crown princess, and the Senshi. Though, Reiko was unsure if the young princess would be present. Something had happened at the trial of Lady Asa Evana, the most recent trial, and the young princess was taken away to her quarters in the castle. It didn't matter to Reiko, however, if the little girl was there or not. She simply had to impress the queen, Her Majesty Queen Taloral, and the head Senshi, Sailor Talor.
Now in the main room, Reiko walked past the empty table to the door, where Gavian waited with a very elderly man. "My Lady Reiko, as you sure you will forego a meal?" the old man asked.
"I am quite sure, Seymour," Reiko said. "I am in best shape on an empty stomach." Gavian and Seymour did not argue, and simply followed their lady out of the house. It was naught but a temporary house reserved for special guests, such as the candidates for Senshi positions.
It was a long walk to the castle, and a tiring one for Seymour, but neither he nor Gavian complained. They reached the castle door as a crowd began to gather to cheer on the candidates, or to simply see them. The other two candidates were not far behind Reiko. They arrived in carriages of grandness and wore extravagant robes over what Reiko guessed were extravagant "battle" outfits. The three candidates, with their two advisors each, were soon within the great hall of Castle Gaia. They were escorted to a waiting room, where the first candidate, Anyala leSerno, waited only a short while before being escorted away. The second candidate, Carak Jyou, removed her robe, revealing a complex outfit of many wrapped clothes that were held together by the jewels that were most likely from her family's vault. Reiko smirked at her correct guess. Then Carak began stretching and chanting word of good luck before she went into meditation. Gavian looked at Reiko and said, "Might I suggest you do the same? You do not know how long the trials will take."
"I will not," Reiko said simply. "I do not feel that I need to."
"I applaud your confidence," Seymour said. "We only have your best interest in mind."
"That is why I trust you two above all others," Reiko said with a sincere smile.
"Could you keep it down!?" Carak shouted. "Your quiet voices are not quiet enough! I cannot meditate!" Reiko turned and held back a laugh. Gavian rolled her eyes to the heavens as Seymour muttered a profane word. Carak Jyou was not the most polite of her clan. In silence, Reiko leaned against a wall. There were a few rumbles here and there, indicating that the trial was proceeding. Then, an escort came for Carak. The girl showed no nervousness, but Reiko could see it in her eyes. They waited another long while. There were no rumbles to indicate a trial. Reiko could only guess that Carak was not as strong as Anyala had been, or the trials were not as powerful. While being long, the wait was still not so long this time around, and soon an escort came for Reiko. She bid Gavian and Seymour farewell as they bid her good luck.
She was led down several halls and through many turns. Soon, she came upon a pair of doors she recognized. The doors led to the throne room. It was through those doors that she found the Senshi of Talor, all six of them, as well a both the queen and princess. Per due respect, Reiko bowed. "Your name is Countess Reiko deLon, correct?" said the black-and-orange-suited Senshi to Reiko.
"I am, Royal Sailor Talor," she replied. Sailor Talor nodded and looked to the queen.
"Countess deLon," Queen Taloral said, "You have been brought before us in an effort to inherit the right of power known as Sailor Daichi. Before we begin the trials, I wish to say that I was impressed by your... predictions." Reiko did not smile, though she wished to. "I was informed of your predictions after each decision was made for the position of Senshi. I must say, I was surprised to find that my choice had been forecasted. Already you have impressed me. Now, prove yourself worthy of it." Reiko bowed her head in acknowledgement.
"Your trial will involve the newly chosen Senshi of the elements," Sailor Talor said. She turned and looked at each of them. "They will test you as they see fit, based upon their expectations for the Senshi of earth." She turned back to Reiko. "I may test you as well, if I so choose. Do you understand?"
"I do," Reiko said.
"Very well," Queen Taloral said. "Sailor Mei, as the representative of the naturally dark elements of fire and earth, I shall allow you the first test. Will you take it?" Mei shook her head in her silent refusal. "Very well, you shall remain last. Sailor Hikari, as her opposite, will you proceed first?"
"I will, milady," Sailor Hikari said. The beautiful, golden-haired ex-princess of the Hikari Mountain Kingdom stepped down from her place beside the queen's throne. Her boots clacked on the stone as she descended the few steps. "Countess deLon," Hikari began, "How well have you mastered your native powers over earth?"
"I believe I have mastered them well," Reiko said, "Though there is always something to be said about improvement."
"What of your native power over plants?" Hikari asked.
"I feel my control over plants is more powerful than that of earth," Reiko responded, "but again, something is always to be said of improvement."
"I like your answers," Hikari said. "I shall test your basic mastery. I bid you, do not hold back." Hikari's eyes followed Talor as she stepped up to Hikari's previous place. Then, Hikari lifted her hands. A gentle breeze caused by the increase in energy around Sailor Hikari lifted her hair around her and caused her skirt to ruffle. A bright light surrounded her. Then, it collected itself into an orb in each hand. "Golden Sunray!" the Senshi shouted. The orbs became rings around her. She ran full-speed at Reiko. Hikari grabbed one of the rings and lifted it up and over her head. She twisted herself to the left and then released herself to the right, releasing the ring at Reiko. Hikari landed on one knee after a single twist and watched Reiko react.
Reiko dodged to one side, the ring missing her by far. She lifted her arm and brought it down on the ground of the throne room floor. She struck it with the side of her hand. The room quaked with such a force that Sailor Aria became off-balance and fell to the steps. The ground cracked from Reiko's hand and sped at Hikari, who had been caught off-guard by the force of the quake. She jumped from the splitting ground just soon enough to stop herself from being engulfed by it. However, her leg was caught and she slipped, almost being pulled into it. She looked over to Reiko, who was now standing with one leg on each side of the crack. She watched as Reiko jumped into the air in just the right way to spin. She had jumped far into the air, and soon vines began to break through the floor. The vines stretched to the opposite side of the crack and, with a speed no one could have predicated, pulled the sides together. Hikari screamed and tried to pull herself out in a panic, fearing being crushed. She gasped when it all stopped. She heard the thump of Reiko's boots as she landed on the ground. Hikari opened her eyes and saw that the sides were almost all the way closed. They were closed enough, though, to prevent Hikari from escaping.
"I know you said to not hold back," Reiko said, "but I did not think it would be proper to crush you."
"I- I understand," Sailor Hikari said. "I thank you for that, too. I declare myself through." Reiko glanced up at the queen, who nodded. Reiko clapped her hands and the ground pulled apart just enough for Hikari to climb out, with a hand from Reiko. Then, another clap pulled commanded the vines to pull the sides fully together, and then disappear.
Hikari went back up the steps and stood beside Sailor Mei. Queen Taloral looked at Shio, who nodded and stepped forward. "I, too, shall test your abilities," Sailor Shio said. She straightened her left arm directly up while she straightened her right arm down. "Ebbing Tide!" she shouted, bringing her arms around in a circle to occupy the place of the previous arm. Water-like energy surrounded her arms as she brought them to a point right in front of her. The water-like energy became real water as it swirled toward Reiko. Reiko braced herself and took the water head on. She slid back and went off balance, but found herself swept up in the water and swirling in it. With her ever-open eyes she watched as Sailor Shio swam at her, propelled by her pulsing aura. She put a hand forward and sent a jet of water at Reiko. Reiko barely dodged it as she crossed her arms. Vine-like strands of energy surrounded her. Soon, she was but a cocoon of energy that became real vines. Shio waited a long while before dispersing the water. It disappeared, dropping the vine bundle right side up. Shio took a step back and looked at it. Then, she shouted, "Jet Stream!" From her hand came a pulsating streak of water like that she had used underwater. The attack tore through the vines, dispelling them. She gasped when she saw that there was nothing there.
"Sisa, where did she go?" Princess Elementus asked. The other Senshi were asking themselves the same. Shio, quickly becoming hysterically worried, turned to the queen. It was then that the cracking of the marble floor erupted and echoed throughout the room. Shio turned and just barely saw the streak that was Reiko's silver hair before Shio felt her insides crumble together. She skidded across the floor and landed in a heap at the foot of the steps. "Wow!" Elementus shouted. "That was amazing!"
"Why thank you, young princess," Reiko said. "Sailor Shio, I thought for sure you would leave the water until I emerged. Did you not realize the vine I conjured?"
"Aquatari vines," Shio said through gritted teeth. "I should have known. You would have been a sitting duck, and I could have done more." Shio shakily got to her feet, and almost fell. However, Reiko caught her arm.
"I was sure you would leave me there for target practice until I could touch the ground," Reiko said.
"My mistake," Shio said. "I declare my trial complete." The queen nodded, though Shio was ascending the steps before that. She took back her place as red-haired Sailor Kaki descended.
"You have proven powerful in your native influence," Kaki said. "Now, prove your strength in physicality." Without stopping at the bottom of the steps, Kaki broke into a run and went to drive her fist into Reiko's face. Reiko moved her head and brought her arms up. In one swift, fluid motion, she grabbed Kaki's arm with both hands and threw her clear across the room. Kaki turned in the air and landed crouched on her feet, sliding back a bit. Kaki charged at Reiko again, but this time Reiko was charging back. They met halfway and began throwing punches, sending kicks, and throwing each other around. On and on they went, counting each other's blows and proving that they were equal in strength, speed, and agility. They also proved they were equally stubborn. Eventually, Queen Taloral stood and put a stop to it, freezing each in place.
"You have proved your point in physical strength, Sailor Kaki," she said. She released the two. "Do you have anything further?
Kaki looked at the queen and said, "I have but one more test." She turned to Reiko and said, "Let us both walk 10 paces from each other, and at the tenth pace turn and attack once." Reiko nodded wordlessly and turned. Kaki turned as well and began walking at the sound of Reiko's boots. At her seventh pace, however, Kaki formed a ball of fire and turned with plans on sending it at Reiko. However, a tangle of vines nabbed Kaki in the head and threw her against the steps. She used her fireball to burn the vines. "You cheated!" Kaki shouted.
"I foresaw your way," Reiko said mockingly. "I knew you, as a native of fire, would not play by rules, even by your own. Fire has no rules." Kaki was speechless, being incredibly impressed. "I simply cheated at the sixth pace, where as you were at your seventh."
"I declare my test complete," Kaki said in a hollow voice. She ascended the stairs as little Sailor Aria hopped down each step.
"If you're Sailor Daichi, you're my partner," Aria said, "and I have to make sure you're up to my standards."
Reiko smiled. "I see you traded the traditional high heels for a pair of dancer slippers," she said, observing the blue dancing slippers on Aria's feet. They had yellow laces that wove up almost to her knee and to the side of each ankle was a little white wing.
"I think it's my age that done it," Aria said. "You were right about my shoes, just like you were about me being Sailor Aria. You said I wouldn't be in tradition of Sailor Aria! Wow, I wonder if you were right about our powers being in tune, too."
"There is only one way to find out, Lady Aria," Reiko said. "Whatever test you put forth, I shall take. Remember, though, that if you want something to be true, in your mind it forever will be."
"Huh?" Aria looked at Reiko in confusion. "What does that mean?"
"If you want my prediction of our powers being in tune to be true, then it will be to you, even if to others it is not true," Reiko said. "Do not let my prediction cloud your judgment."
"Oh," Aria said in a long breath. "I see. You're really smart. I'll remember that. But, my test is to see just how in tune we are. So, try to complement what I do." Aria smiled. Reiko nodded as Aria stretched her arms out. A cyclone grew from the floor several feet in front of her. The only sign of it being there was the many feathers swirling slowly in it. The cyclone curved until its top was on the floor next to the bottom, creating a swirling arch of air. Reiko closed her eyes. From the ground inside the cyclone appeared vines of energy. There were three each, and they were spread apart from the center almost to the edge of the cyclone. The vines followed the edge of the cyclone and met at the top of the arch, where they intertwined in different ways. The vines then poked out of the cyclone as it became thin and went upright. The vines, supported by an unknown source, wrapped around the cyclone in even intervals, starting at the base and going up.
The Senshi and queen watched the cyclone and vines as they moved together in various ways. They eventually looked at Aria and Reiko, and were surprised to see both standing perfectly still, eyes closed, and arms at their sides. They seemed peaceful, almost angelic. Then, with eyes still closed, they went into the same fighting stance. The swept their hands in the same manner. Reiko sent a discus of energy into the air that formed into dirt with a wave of her hand. Aria surrounded it in feathers and swept it through the air. They put their palms together as the discus split in two. The feathers would leave one half, leaving it to be supported by Reiko's energy, while going to support the other half on Aria's energy. The discus then disintegrated. The two turned to each other and placed their palms facing each other. The palms were just a few inches from each other. Reiko's hair and clothing suddenly lifted as though with an updraft as the ground around Aria's feet cracked. Then, at the same time, Reiko lifted into the air as a column of earth lifted Aria.
"They're perfectly in tune," Sailor Talor said.
"I can feel their harmony," Sailor Hikari added. "It's radiating with unbelievable power."
"They are a perfect fit," Shio said. "They fit two pieces of a broken vase."
"It's unbelievable," Kaki said.
Queen Taloral remained silent. She turned to her little sister, who seemed to be in a trance, watching Reiko and Aria as though connected to them. Then, Princess Elementus seemed to awaken. She blinked and rubbed her eyes. Taloral looked back to see Aria and Reiko back on the ground, staring at each other.
"We are really in tune," Aria said. "I don't know what happened after I summoned the cyclone, but I could feel you. I could feel your movements, your presence, and even your breath."
"I, too, felt the same," Reiko said.
"I call my trial complete," Sailor Aria said with a satisfied tone. She turned and bounded up the stairs.
Queen Taloral turned to Mei, who was already heading down the steps. You have proved your power in physical strength, magical strength, and in harmony, Sailor Mei said. Being mute, the powerful princess of darkness spoke telepathically. However, without a strong mind, the rest is nothing. My test will be to test the strength of your mind.
"If you can get in," Reiko said. "With all due respect, to you and others before you, no one has yet been into my head, save for myself." Mei did not smile, and did not seem amused. Reiko, however, was not trying to be amusing. Mei blinked. Then the room became heavy for all. Elementus gripped her sister's arm, knowing the unpleasantness would not last, but would be unwelcome until it was over. Reiko observed the change with a neutral expression. They her eyes grew wide and her muscles tightened. She began to cringe as Mei repeatedly attacked the wall that encompassed her mind. She gasped as a headache began to grow. Then, she screamed a blood-curdling scream as Mei cracked Reiko's mental wall. Reiko fell to her knees and racked her mind, trying to force Mei out and away. Then she heard it. Screaming, crying, shouting, and the ringing of metal against metal... Reiko grabbed her head as she fought Mei back with everything she had. Then, a chunk of the wall disappeared, and Mei saw what she was not ready for. Mei gasped as she saw into Reiko's mind. There were people running, fire engulfing both structure and person. There were swords clashing all around. Then, there was a little boy, crouched behind an over-turned cart. He had black hair with silver roots. His left eye was closed and cut, his right eye was brown and reflecting the fires around.
"Get out!" Reiko shouted. Despite her over-all pain, Reiko had stood up and was approaching Mei. Mei, however, did not notice as the emotion connected to what she was seeing was trickling into her. Then, a whole new pain overcame her as Mei was pulled backward by her hair. "You want to see something, see this!" Reiko shouted. Mei gasped as the image changed. There was the grand throne room. The marble floors were reflecting like mirrors the flames that showed outside. On the steps leading to the thrones were five sailor Senshi, Sailors Talor, Aria, Shio, Mei, and Hikari. They were bleeding and gasping for breath. Someone somewhere was crying. At the foot of the thrones were two red-haired bodies, a small child and a grown woman, both in Senshi uniforms. At the base of the steps was a brown-haired Senshi in the uniform of Sailor Daichi. Mei made a squeaking sound as Reiko let go of her. Mei fell to the floor. There were tears in her eyes as she stared up at Reiko. Tears had already run down her face.
What had I just seen? Mei asked, limiting the question to Reiko's mind only.
What is to happen if things continue their course, Reiko responded, using Mei's connection. If Anyala leSerno becomes Sailor Daichi, the planet will fall into death and the princess and queen will perish.
So, you have to be Sailor Daichi? Mei asked.
No, Reiko responded. Anyala leSerno cannot. I have not foreseen the fate of Carak Jyou or myself being Sailor Daichi, though I have already foreseen my coming as the one. "You saw more than you wanted to," Reiko said aloud. "I would advise you watch your step if you attempt again." With that, Reiko pulled Sailor Mei to her feet.
I have nothing further, Sailor Mei said, in the way that all could hear. With that, she returned to her place.
Queen Taloral cleared her throat, unaware of what truly occurred, and turned to Sailor Talor. "Do you wish a test?" she asked.
"Only a few questions," Talor said. "Reiko deLon, why do you feel you should be Sailor Daichi?"
"Truthfully," Reiko said, "I feel as though I have something which no one else could ever contribute, no matter where they come from."
"And, what would that be?" Talor asked. "Surely it can not be your premonitions, for such things run in the lines of Shio. Anyala leSerno proved to be just as physically strong as you, as well as with her powers. She also proved to be more mentally capable than you are. Pray tell, what have you to offer that no one else can?"
Reiko looked up at the royal Senshi. "I have a source of ideas and imagination that no one else from this planet could ever have," she said. "I have gone through what no woman could ever go through, nor should ever have to. Perhaps my past makes me the least eligible because it is what keeps me awake, or perhaps it is what keeps me going day after day. Nonetheless, I have that which no woman, much less candidate for Senshi, could ever have."
"Why?" Reiko looked over at little Princess Elementus. "What makes your life so horrible?" she asked. "What makes you so sad and tired? What happened to make you so afraid to sleep, so afraid to trust?"
"Who said I am afraid?" Reiko asked with a smile.
"Your eyes," Elementus said. "You are scared of something. Something makes you hide, makes you run. What is it?"
Reiko looked at the little girl for a long time. Finally she said, "They are things which I promise that I shall protect you from, whether or not I become Sailor Daichi, for such things should never happen in the first place, and least of all to a child." Everyone was speechless, all trying to figure out what had happened to her to make her this way.
"I'm finished," Talor said quietly.
"Very well," Taloral said quickly. "Please escort Countess deLon to the waiting." A guard came up behind Reiko and gently took her arm, steering her toward the door.