Moonlight Dreamer by leris
- Writing is the best expression of immortality.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
Genre: Romance/Angst
Summary: A story of two hearts falling for one man. Fate and destiny imparting on a tale of love so strong it spans through time and space. Who will win? U/M.
"Praise is the boiling over of a hot heart…the heart is so warmed by righteousness and love that, figuratively, it reaches the boiling point."
--John Mac Arthur Jr.
Chapter 1 – Unknown Paths
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Flashes of power beamed through the pitch-black night, brilliant colors of yellows and violets painted the once peaceful skies that roamed above her, its murderous rapture awakening the dark corners of her frightened soul. Her fear had come to a realization.
It had begun; the fourth storm has come to greet the chaotic realm of Elysion.
She stared endlessly at the anarchic vision surrounding her. Her deep colored eyes capturing the immense dread she felt. The terror she knew to be the truth.
"I love him." She whispered, seemingly praying to the heavens to hear her unanswered wish. Yet the angels did not hear her. For if they did, the thunders would have stopped, the storm would have gone away, Earth would have accepted her. A bitter laugh escaped from her lips; such compelling words for an unfeeling woman…
Another cold wind brushed by her ghostly countenance. She was not alone in this cold chamber anymore. A sigh immerged from the silent background; irritation was edging its way to her face. One of the High Councils has visited her again.
"He isn't for you. The fates, they forbid." said the figure that stood behind her.
She felt the piercing eyes that met her back. The voice was but of an old woman reserved, yet demanding…closing her eyes, she let the awkward silence answer her strange companion; secretly telling the wind to make her go away…
Conscience ran through the old woman; it was evident that this princess loved her king.
Loved.
How rare was it for a woman, born and raised by the god of war to know love? How was it that such a fierce princess, whose murdered thousands of men be able to find solace and tranquility with her king? How was all this possible?
Maybe their love was destined to happen, a mere cycle that has been repeated through reincarnation.
Maybe.
Still, as she gazed at the form of the princess, she began to wonder. It was not at all impossible for this alluring creature to capture the heart of any man. She had been bestowed by the gift of beauty. She had violet eyes that peeked through the never-ending questioning mind, raven hair that easily danced with the passing midnight air, and fairy white skin that melted into the silk lacy gown she loved to wear. She was majestic in her own right, regal in her own provocative way. She was truly a daughter of the gods.
But now wasn't the time for such praises, especially when the fate of the kingdom rested upon ones' hands. Duties must always come first. Slowly she kneeled, face parallel to the cold marble floors, her velvet cloak spreading its length as it reached the ground.
"You must understand…" she began, guilt plaguing her old gray eyes. "Loving Endymion means saving his people… There is no other way…but for you to leave."
Princess Rei turned to face the visitor, her delicate features shrouded by the midnight shadows.
Softly she answered, " I have been taught of the prophecies ever since I was five; forcefully accepting a knowledge that remained unknown to me even as I was able to harness my newly found abilities. I did not quite comprehend it yet, for me it was just a story, just a myth…. Until the day I grew to the age of sixteen… Until the day I met him, Endymion, my beloved." Rei's voice was already quivering; she was not accustomed to being vulnerable. So, she halted her train of thought, deciding it would be unwise of her to expose herself at such moments. Subsequently, the anguish expression faded from her face, resulting to an almost genuine look of serenity.
Another clasp of thunder was heard outside.
Unconsciously, the Lady Council stood up, her gaze meeting the darkened form of the princess. She was bewildered to see the princess half-smiling at her, sarcasm hidden beneath her lovely face. She had thought for a second that maybe it was just a barrier, a sort of façade she kept up during her vulnerable moments. But her pride knew better, semi-gods like her don't have weak phases or helpless instances; no, they have trained for those years ago. Shifting her head in dismay, she choose the latter…unknowing of the consequences that lay before her.
"Love has no connections with this ordeal, it is only the king's and your obligation that matters." Stated the Council, her tone firm, her expression unidentifiable.
Princess Reisha glared at the woman. "Obligation?" she asked, obviously mocking, her enraged features obscured by the poorly lit room. "Have you no clue as to what I can do to you?"
Rain continued to pour outside.
"I know of your powers." Replied the old woman, apparently untouched by the threatening words Rei had spoken earlier. "And I know of the few men you have murdered among Endymions' court."
Rei merely sneered, "Murdered? Those men deserved their deaths… they have defied Endymion…for that, they have also defied 'me'."
The Lady Council was left stunned; surprised at the new information she has just received. At the beginning, when the mighty princess has just arrived Elysion, she refused to believe any ill truths said about her… putting in mind, that her king, would not bring home a malevolent woman…even if she was a direct descendent of the god Mars' lineage…But then, one by one, the kings court decreased, each mysteriously dying in their sleep or spontaneously disappearing in one of their hunts. All deaths were quietly blamed upon the peculiar princess; still, she was the one to have said nothing. However, a fierce storm raged through the land destroying hundreds and thousands of crops in its wrath…. It has been over a century since Elysion has witness nature's fury, 150 years to be exact. For a while, the people tried to keep quiet, cooperating with the king instead of rebelling, but then another storm came…. then another…. and another.
Someone must be held accountable…
"And I was the lovely criminal…" Rei spat, feeling utter bitterness as she spoke those words.
An expression of astonishment flashed through the councils' face.
Reisha, was able to read her thoughts.
"No." answered the old woman, her eyes softening as she came into a unique acceptance. "The revelations, had appeared before us… and they named you…." shots of guilt ran through her as she finished.
A drop of tear fell to the floor, Rei was unable to – anymore - suppress her outrage, her discontent…. her longing.
"I will depart at sunset." She said, turning away. "Make preparations for my escort tomorrow."
And with a bow of gratitude, the Lady Council left her… she was left alone again.
Alone.
She was to face her misery, and the anarchic vision surrounding her - alone.
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The assembly hall was an atmosphere of sumptuousness and luxury. There were elaborately carved pieces of ornamental embellishments and decorative objects abound. Encasing the room were rows of massive marble columns with composite capitals, while a chain of intricate chandeliers illuminated the coffered ceiling above.
It was wealth at its finest.
Usually, this place would have been where nobles and royals lavishly displayed their wealth, engaging into a general ambiance of indulgence and idle pleasure. But times have change, and the extravagant festivities that were once held turned into a mere show of fear and squabble.
Endymion sat on his throne, his midnight blue orbs deep in contemplation. He was disgusted. He watched in loathing as his imprudent court bickered at each other. If it were up to him, he would have only chosen four men as his council, but no, his father had to do otherwise…. He had to be the 'great' democratic ruler. It was a good thing he had died, or else, he would have killed his so-called father himself.
It was remarkably obvious that King Endymion, Ruler of Elysion, was one of the most powerful and outstandingly handsome mortal 'Gaia' ever produced. Evidently, his blood would reign supreme above all others. It was even rumored, that as an infant, he was able to control the elements of Earth at his command. When he would cry; heavy rains would pour, and when he was to laugh; a lighthearted breeze would pass those close to him. He was special; everyone knew that.
However, he grew up different of what the Elysion court had expected. He became a dark man, contrary of what they thought he would be. His father, the late King Hyperion despised him for that.
The feeling was mutual.
He felt no remorse when his father had died. No pang of shame residing in his mind as he ascended the throne.
King Hyperion expected a son that would illuminate his kingdom like the day.
But instead, the fates granted him a boy who was as sinister as the shadows of the night itself.
He had always believed that conscience was the weaker half of a person. So unlike his father, he did not govern his kingdom with hypocritical moral standards. In other words, he was ruthless. Be that as it may, he still followed the Book of Terrans; he had always thought it was a good set of laws and there was no need to change something that had been so effective to his people. Likewise, it would only be rather ridiculous and time-consuming if he had done that.
"It has been the fourth one!"
"We can't let this happen!"
"The Revelations, they're all coming true!"
Endymion sighed. Maybe changing the laws isn't such a bad idea. After all, who needs a room full of wealthy cowards anyway?
"Your highness, Princess Riesha is not the one for you. The heavens, they challenge your love for her! Even the skies show anger! Endymion, it is unacceptable for you to be with her!"
His mood began to darken. 'Unacceptable'. He had never thought of it that way. Reisha was by far the most exquisite woman he had ever met, and he would not let some old man taint her, regardless of his position.
"Unacceptable?" he asked, a scowl arising on his face .
Everyone grew silent.
"Tell me. Why is that?" his brows rising mockingly at the elderly aristocrat.
Beads of sweat started to fall from the nobleman's face, he began to shiver, not from the cold, but from the immense glare he was receiving from his majesty. He chided himself from being so damn imprudent; he should have known better, he should have kept his mouth shut…
"ANSWER ME!" Endymion roared; his patience was slowly withdrawing.
"I….uh….uh….I" the man stuttered. By now, everyone in the room had been overcome with fear. Their king was having another blood spree and it would be treason if they tried to interfere.
"Answer me, or you will face death."
Without hesitation, the noble started to beg for his life, his once proud state was reduce to a mediocre scene of a worn out man crying out of fear.
"I'm sorry your highness! I'm sorry!" wailed the old man. "Please forgive me!" He was fast approaching the king, when suddenly, a burst of fire came out from nowhere - engulfing the old man. He began to scream out of pain, the heat was intolerable; it was burning every inch of his soul. But as his screams became louder, his body was slowly, frighteningly reduced to ashes, and with a blink of an eye, the old man was gone ….. And so was Endymions' rage.
"I hate cowards. Just like parasites, they live off from other peoples' strength…. other peoples' abilities." With that, Endymion abruptly left the room, leaving the crowd flabbergasted and his four generals smirking with satisfaction. It is arguable, if anyone of them still had the 'storms' and the King's love affair in their minds.
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She sat there, staring at her reflection. Immersed in her own dream world. She wished everything differently; for everything to change. She had hoped the images would someday be gone. It was never, within a thought, that something she had considered to be as a gift can lead her to eternal torment.
Her porcelain face formed a scowl. Violet eyes shimmering with anger; she hated her reflection. She despised herself. Who would have known that Princess Reisha, Ruler of the temple of Mars, the Kingdom of War would succumb to love?
The mirrors' pieces fell to the floor.
At the mere age of five, she knew the skills her peers would have learned in there twenties. She had the prowess to shoot a bow with the fierce accuracy of an eagle's eye. History, Numerical Problems, Literature, all of whom she knew even in her sleep… Everything was child's play when she was to turn sixteen. It was now known that a god given gift of perfection had been bestowed upon her. She had everything.
Beauty. Intellect. Dominance.
Dominance. Yes, she was powerful. She knew her capability; the element of fire was at her hand. But love….
Fate had always played with her heart.
Streams of tears were now flowing freely from her face. She couldn't hide it anymore, the pain of loosing him was gripping her heart, taking away its heartbeat, killing her every second. She knew she had fallen in love. But what was she to do? When everyone and even her own conscience was telling her to leave him.
She was becoming weak….
I cannot become weak. I cannot.
Roughly, she wiped away her tears, unknowing of a man standing beneath the shadows of her chamber.
"They said you were leaving at sunset."
It was Endymion. The one person she did not want to see tonight.
"Why did you not tell me?" he continued.
She was unable to answer. What was she to tell him? It was hard to admit, but she was afraid. This was the first time she had made a decision without his knowledge; the first time since they met. She dared not to turn around and stare at his eyes, because if she did, if she tried to, all her plans would fail, and eventually she would succumb to her stupid heart… stupid, stupid heart.
"Is that it? Silence? I deserve to know on why a woman I was set to marry next week would desert me. I demand an answer!"
"STOP IT! You cannot keep asking me these questions!" she cried. "I never wanted to leave you! I never did!"
"Then you don't have to."
Rei became stunned by the sudden burst of emotions that met her; her mind and heart fighting for control. The pain was ripping her apart. Turning towards him, she prepared herself for what she was about to say and do, reminding herself that this was for the best.
"Look around you King Endymion! Your people are dying! All of them, praying for me to leave…. Telling me to go."
"But I won't let you go." He finished.
"I won't let you go…"
Then little by little, Endymion drew himself closer to Rei, his features softening as he inched nearer to her. He knew she was the only person that can take hold of him. She was strong, and for that he listened to her, admired her in every way. This was the most important part of their love, their companionship. Nothing mattered when they were together, not even their kingdoms could break them.
Oh how he thought wrong.
He held her tight as she sobbed in his chest, and for a moment they stood together, holding each other, the stillness of the night engulfing their forms. There was no deep understanding of what was to become of them. Tomorrow they would know. But for now, it was just he and she, a woman and a man, professing their undying love for one another.
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AN: This is my turn on the love triangle between Rei- Mamoru- and Usagi, only this time it is set in the likes of the Silver Millennium, and has the elements of mythology in it. I've had the plot line in my head for a couple of months already, it is only now have I decided to really put it into writing. So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter; more will come in the next few weeks, just keep checking in every now and then.
BTW, this is an Usa-Mamo fanfic, they were meant to be, it's just that I like experimenting with angsty plots revolving around the couple.
---Usagi a.k.a Serena will be introduced in the next chapter.
Draft: Friday, April 10, 2003