Chapter 2: Lament of the Moon
Author's note: Based on A Dirge of Robert Burns. Again spells adapted from Slayers.
The will of Elder Scrolls draws neigh,
And hails the Silver sheen;
Bids the runes due north sends driving forth
To blinding sleet and snow:
While bathed in gold, tumbling down,
the moon does dream,
By the Crystals roar, the sky turns bleak.
As Elysian falls into covert rest,
And pass the heartless day.
The sweeping blast, shall shadow cast,
The joyless fateful day,
When the Moon was taught fear, at the loss of one most dear
With all the pride of Selene,
A tempest's howl of grief, to soothe a soul,
Dream's tear's it seems to join;
A shadow falls, Silence reigns
Of light and dark their fate remains!
Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme
These woes to fulfil,
Beware, O queen of the nameless one,
For the Thorne of Dream,
Shall cast ruin or rebirth upon your name,
Do not deny, Fates great plan.
For it shall take what is most dear,
and destroy your reign.
Intermezzo
Serenity had broken into a sprint through the camp, holding back her tears as she raced away. To hurt and to proud to show weakness in front the soldier's. Who were casting her odd questioning looks at her sudden departure from camp. When Mamoru made it out of the Ger, she was gone from sight leaving only her glowing silver trail to guide him. Mamoru set his shoulders determinedly, and thundered after her floating ethereal path. He had to admit with some sense of pride that she could be quite quick and agile with those little legs of hers when she needed to be.
Heading into the total darkness of the looming trees on the outskirts of the sprawling army, Serenity finally allowed a few silent tears to fall. To exhausted to keep up her Guardian armour she allowed it to fade, leaving her once more naked as
she had been before the lake. In time her natural lunarian aura created a simple silver silk shift to cover over her bare form, a less powerful transformation of her Princess gown. The uneven path her bare feet trod upon was barely heeded as she was lost to her bleak thoughts. The conversation with her mother had gone as badly as it ever could have. At first they had argued about her campaign to conquer the Dark Realms. Serenity felt it wasn't right to force this world under her rule because of one demon's act of aggression. Her mother had relented that there was more a foot then killing her, that had just been a ploy to force the Queen's hand towards this course of action. Then the Princess had relented that she was playing into the great plot poisoning the relations between Realms. The argument had gone in circles till Mamoru arrived and her fate was chosen.
She moved into a stand of oak trees, their wide strong branches reaching over her head, a canopy of dark green leaves that obscured the night sky. She cast her tearful gaze up to their comforting embrace, instincts born and cultivated from her Mau upbringing drew her to the rough bark of the trunk. Feelings that great tree's provided protection and security flooded through her. With twitching muscles in her toned arms, Serenity brushed a hand down the bark feeling it's dusty texture. Her heart instantly soothed by the dry dusty feel of it, with a lingering sigh she leaped up to the lowest branch, swinging herself up into the tree effortlessly. Deftly climbing high into the tree's crown, concealing herself within its lush canopy. The murky night sky flowing over her head. Peeking though the branches as she settled herself in a sheltered alcove near the trunk. A set of branches clustered close together, Luna had taught her were called a cradle. A large branch ran under her bottom, while another set of more slender branches flowed at shoulder height on either side of her. She pressed her back against the trunk, flopping her arms over the flanking branches, feeling secure enough in this position to even sleep up in the security of this mighty tree. Casting her head back she scanned the murky black sky for any trace of the moon, but it was so overcast the vague navy orb was missing. Not that the Dead Moon provided her any comfort, even if she looked upon her own white moon in the Mortal realms it would only fill her with sadness now.
Feeling even more miserable, the endless darkness that surrounded her dragging at her flagging spirit even further. As she lazily brought her gaze down from the sky, her heart skipped in her chest as a surge of adrenaline jolted through her muscles. Two glowing green eyes glared back at her from a neighbouring tree branch. The eyes stayed focused on her as the dark shape leaped onto her thick branch. The heavy branch under her butt, swayed sightly by the sudden weight of a new occupant. A soft chuckle that was mischievous and almost musical in it's tones floated out from the slinking shadow.
(Sister...?")Serenity's voice wavered with uncertainty, still thick with deep sadness.
(Of course...) A gentle, soft voice responded. Then the shadow moved into her limited sight under the blanket of darkness. A grey, almost silver cat moved into view. With long luxurious fur along her flanks, the tips of her round ears ending in silver tufts. Her face gentle and sincere with warm turquoise eyes, her cheeks flared out in long wild tufts of fur. She looked like a great lynx, moving with a grace and power similar to her Mother...Luna. The lynx sat before Serenity, chuckling with good humour her furry shoulder's bouncing. As Serenity leaned forward embracing her around the neck warmly.
(It is good to see you...) She sighed into her soft fur, taking in the familiar scent of her sister's subtle woodland smell. She had been hunting in the woods for hours taking on it's scent. As she pulled away she took note of the three silver hoops adorning the side of one of her ears.
(Diana!) Serenity fingered her sister's new jewelry. (Luna's going to kill you, when she see's this.) She laughed in a light hearted, chiding sort of way.
Diana merely shrugged, smirking at her angelic sister. (Hear your did a particularly good job, pissing off your own mother.)
(She's not my mother...) Serenity turned away from her, the bitter words she always muttered when she was upset with Queen Serenity. Moving to dangle her feet over the side of the thick branch, flopping her arms over the upper branch near her shoulder and braced her chin on the very same branch. As if pouting.
(Sere...) Diana settled herself down on the branch, nudging her side with her powerful muzzle. Her shining greenish blue eyes searching the pain on her sister's face. Diana had just been born, when Luna became her Nurse Maid. The two girls grew up together for a few seasons, until Diana was old enough to attend the Mau Academy. Then she was sent back to their home world, only visiting from time to time growing up in their planets military institution. While Serenity was allowed the luxury of growing up with her rightful mother. Diana held no grudge, at least she tried not to. She truly loved her half sister, and had many wonderful memories playing with her and her cousin Mina.
(Why are you here?) Serenity questioned avoiding talking about her terrible fight with the Queen.
(About one hundred Mau, from the academy are enlisted with the White Moon Army. I just graduated so my Commander
sent me and my strike team to help with this campaign.) Diana sighed, thrumming her purr attempting to sooth her sister. Then she scrunched up her nose at her sister's slightly sour, unwashed smell. Her sense of smell highly attuned thanks to being a hunter and a warrior. (Sere...you seriously need a bath.)
Serenity giggled in humiliation, tucking her arms back down to her sides to conceal some of her smell.
(Oh goodness...) Diana huffed, tucking her head away from her sister on her reclined paws.
(Sorry...yeah. I do need a bath. It's been a crazy few days for me.) Serenity sighed.
(So word around camp, is you found a mate?) Diana returned to face her, raising a furry brow, her lips pulling back into a feral grin of interest.
Serenity chuckled, then sighed with longing. (Yeah, He is a wonderful man. Everything I would ever want in a Bond Mate. )
(Your serious, I thought it was just a rumour!) Diana thundered, smacking her on the back hard with a paw. Knocking the wind out of the small golden haired girl.
"Ophh!" Serenity breathed abruptly from the assault,her chest smashing into the branch in front of her. Then cast her over zealous sister a dark look.
Diana giggled, ducking her head in embarrassment over using a little to much power with her little sister.
(Sorry, Sere. Man, you aren't even matured yet. ) Diana rolled her eyes. (No wonder Queen Serenity lost her mind!)
(It wasn't because of that...at least that was only part of the reason.) Serenity cast her a rueful smile. (I managed to fall in love with the Elysian Thorne.)
Diana blinked completely stunned. Then she began to laugh, loudly and full of dark humour. (By Selene! Sere, You never seem to do things on a small scale when you mess up.)
(Not funny!) Serenity growled.
(Remember the last time I visited...You got into that big fight with Rei. Stole the Ginzuishou, hunted her down and launched her over the West Gate and into Seren Bay) Diana burst into roaring laughter, remembering how a few years ago her Sister retaliated back against the Raven' haired girls snide bullying remarks, by finally striking back even if it had been a little over the top. Rei's eyes had nearly popped out of her head, with alarm when Princess Serenity confronted her on the cobble stones outside the West Gate of the Moon Palace, thrusting the Silver Crystal from behind her back. A smug smirk on her face, the other girls and Diana standing in shock as she used the Silver Crystal's power to pick Rei up and rocket her off her feet and over the white stone gate. She had thankfully cleared the stretch of dockyards and various stone and mortar docks on the other side of the great white marble gate. As the group of young girls and one Mau had scrambled down the massive steps down from the Palace grounds and onto the docks they watched in horror as the screaming young girl with black hair soared out of the plain misty silver sky landing into the sparkling sea of energy about a mile off amid a cluster of boats with a small splash. Just narrowly missing the schooners and a massive cargo barge out on the bay.
(That was just stupid...and I was like, Thirteen at the time. I could have killed her!) Serenity ranted back, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She had been so scared she had seriously hurt Rei, when they had managed to commandeer a small row boat and sail out to where she was treading water. Rei never talked to her for a month. It was one of the lowest points in her youth. Her mother found out she stole the crystal and gave her stable duty for a whole month as well. She had to clean all the stalls and tend to the needs of all seven of the royal ponies.
(So she yelled at you, she is always yelling at you about something.) Diana sighed.
(This time it's much worse. Do you know who the Elysian Thorne is?) Serenity inquired.
(No, they don't teach us much more then fighting at the academy.) Diana shrugged.
(I know he is part of my Lullaby...but that's it. I should have studied the Elder Scrolls better.) Serenity sighed sadly, she was never the best student.
(Your Lullaby?) Diana sat up at that, cocking her head in confusion.
(Dusk is drawn, the Elysian Thorne is wreathed in rings of gold.) Serenity began, then smacked her hand against her forehead bitterly. (I should have known...his golden healing aura.) She groaned, thumping her head against the branch in
frustration. (Why are the Elder Gods punishing me!) She screamed to the heavens then finally succumb to the anguish falling into heart breaking sobs.
Diana pressed herself up against her sister, seeking to comfort her. Serenity wrapped her arms around her neck, bathing her fur with her bitter tears.
(She banished me...)She choked out around powerful sobs, her shoulders shuttering as she fought to breath.
(Oh...sister...) Diana purred, rubbing her head up and down her sister's face in sympathy.
In time Serenity calmed herself once more. Still not releasing her sister's thick furry silvery grey neck.
(I was never in one place for long, growing up. I see home as the place were you are loved, were you are with the ones you want to be with most.) Diana offered, with a heart felt insight she felt strongly about.
Serenity pulled back, a wide grin on her face. (Your right! I love him, I have a home on earth with him!) She nuzzled into her furry cheek in the Mau act of thanks. She was much happier now, with things resolved in her mind in a happy way. She would miss her childhood home, but she wasn't a child anymore and it was time to move on.
(The Queen's having a feast in your honour tomorrow and the Mau's are putting on a tournament...you going to cheer for me?) Diana asked, her eyes sparkling.
(No, Way!) Serenity laughed, taking in her sister surprised expression. (I am going to enter the competition this time.)Being Luna's half daughter she had a right to enter into Mau competitions.
Diana rolled her eyes, (You have got to be kidding me...last time you trained with me for all of a week before the last competition and you lost your first bout. Ran off crying...If I remember right?) She bowed her head dreading the second round of humiliation her sister was going to lather onto her when she failed again at another competition.
(I was six...) Serenity stuck her tongue out at the cat.
(Looks like your mentality hasn't changed.) Diana commented with a sly smile.
(Oh, I got some new moves this time. Sister.) Serenity smiled back at her, her blue eyes sparkling with an eager anticipation for the tournament. She would work out all her hurt and her frustration out on the battle field.
(Do you think she will make an announcement about casting you out of the kingdom?) Diana asked, worried about the threat to moral. They still had a long war ahead of them.
(I doubt it, it's not like I have been disgraced. Mamoru has her really scared, and since he is soul bonded to me. I can't and I won't leave his side, for her or for anyone!) Serenity growled.
(He must be something to get the Queen frightened. I've seen her in battle and she's like the wind of death out there, nothing scares her...So keep this all to myself then.) Diana nodded.
Serenity nodded back, her face reserved and cold.
(Oh, Selene! It's revenge of 'Pinky!') Diana rose to her feet, shaking her head in impending embarrassment.
(Don't call me that! I am now the chosen Guardian of the Moon. The Embodiment of Selene's great powers.) She cast back at her retreating sister. Hating that nickname she got in the last tournament with the other Mau cubs years ago.
Diana shot her a shocked looked, then laughed with good cheer leaping from the branch and disappearing into the trees beyond.
Serenity smiled proudly, basking in her sister's surprise and happiness for her. Feeling better about her future, she climbed down from the tree. Heading out past the trees, wading into the long grasses of the wide meadows. The grass was eminence and rose high over her head, like a forest of long blades of dry grass. Casting her face up to the shadowed sky, finding the barest hint of the stars sparkling through the heavy mists. A hot wind cast the blades in a wild rustling ,blowing up the loose silk skirt that trailed low over her slender legs and down near her knees. She shivered in spite of the warm wind, holding herself as she wandered aimlessly through the massive glade.
She was going to request a bath and some new clothes when she finally made her way back to the camp. Several yards away a large grey stone stood like a lone sentry amid the tall grass.
She climbed up onto a large stone, that jutted out of the ground. Crawling up to the top, she scanned the great hills of
high grass with wonder. Catching sight of a dark panorama in the distance,near the tree's edge just entering the thicket she was standing in.
Squinting her eyes she sought to get a sharper look, as a great hand lunged out clasping around her mouth and hauling her down into the concealment of the grass.
Serenity yelped in fright as two greenish leathery hands wrapped around her waist and her mouth hauling her off her perch.
"What the matter with you, Little Miss...you look'in to get killed?" Mot growled in her ear, as he pressed her flat against the ground.
Serenity fought against his grip, angrily slapping his hand away from her mouth and his restraining hand away from her waist.
"Were did you come from...?" She hissed, her heart thundering in her chest from sudden fear. The roar in her ears just beginning to dull, as she came down from the heights of terror.
"Settle down..." Set hushed her from the other side of her flank.
Serenity twisted her head to glare at the slender demon in his all concealing black outfit.
"I thought the blood wolves killed you?" Serenity kept up, defiantly speaking even after Set's miss matched eyes glared threateningly at her.
A sharp series of tones that sounded like unearthly laughter shattered the calm of the night. It sent shivers of fear through her body, her eyes flaring wide stunned by the strange sounds.
"Who are they? Why would they get so close to the White Moon Armies encampment?" She whispered, unable to keep quiet due to her fear.
"Shut it!" Set growled, giving Mot a stern glare to get control of the little princess. It had been his brother's idea to save this clueless royal once again from walking into danger and perhaps death. Now she was placing them in harms way with her inability to remain quiet.
Serenity clamped her mouth shut, her further words choked off by the authority in his voice. Set moved a few meters ahead, crouching low in the high grass, fingering the daggers on his leather belt at his sides. He closed his mis matched eyes, seeking out the energies coming from the strange demon's chattering near the forest edge.
Serenity watched, frozen on her belly, the dust floating off the grass started tickling her nose. Fighting to stay quiet as a sneeze threatened.
Mot cast her a strange fearful look, as her face scrunched up her nose twitching in rising discomfort.
"Don't do it...little miss." Mot cautioned, listening to the rustling in the grass, trapped in the heavy silence of waiting.
Then the sneeze irrupted from her echoing through the grass like a clap of thunder, thanks to the unnatural silence.
Mot slapped a hand over his face and groaned.
Set dashed back into their midst, his eyes wide in fear, clasping her hand and hauling her to her feet. Glaring heatedly back at her, as he dragged her through the thicket. Mot stormed behind them, the ground shuttering under this heavy foot falls. The area surrounding them erupting in a hail storm of glowing blue arrows, followed by more intense strange laughter from the creatures.
Serenity screamed in further terror, as they ran blindly through the night with a small army of unknown archer's shooting at them. She was to exhausted to call on her Guardian powers so she was once more at these demons mercy.
"Who are they brother!" Mot called, a great flat broad sword ringing forth from his back, intent on protecting their retreat by deflecting some of the arrows off his blade with sweeping arcs over his head. The laughter seemed to echo all around them, ebbing and flowing in volume as the creatures moved around and behind them in waves.
"I sensed them as creatures from the Deep Dreaming!" Set called back, yanking on her arm in frustration. "I would have been able to figure out who. If someone had better control over their little bodies!" He growled with distaste.
"Sorry..." Serenity panted, out of breath as she was pulled along at a great pace. Creatures from the Deep
Dreaming...that realm had fallen silent when Elysian had been cursed. The creatures sealed away never to be heard from again. If they were able to travel through the realms once more then the seal had been weakened or lifted?
"North...head north. My mother's army is that way!' She offered helpfully as the rain of arrows kept bathing the high grass around them.
Both Set and Mot laughed darkly, continuing their wild run south deeper into the meadow. "We used to work for The Keeper little one. Would rather take my chances with the Deep Dreaming monster's back there then your mother." Mot's laughing voice, fell into a loud roar as an arrow pieced his shoulder armour.
Serenity sucked in an ice cold breath, her blood freezing at the mention of The Keeper. Then cringed in pain as Mot cried out seeing the metal tip of the arrow imbedded deep in his shoulder. Feeling sympathy for him, as his dark red blood began to ooze out over his metal plates.
"Bugg'rs not giv'in up, brother!" Mot called in a hissing voice, ripping the arrow out of his shoulder in one swift motion. As if the weapon was merely a thorn that had pierced his flesh.
Then a golden light exploded back by the huge rock higher up on the hill, the unknown creatures shooting at them went silent their arrows falling away. Still the two demons ran on, dragging her with them wanting to put as much space away from the wild creatures and her Mother's army.
"No! I can't go with you...Let me go!" Serenity twisted her hand in Set's grip as he pulled her on.
"No little miss, you better off with us, then that there lot o' monsters." Mot agreed, lumbering behind her.
"I know that Golden Power, that energy. I have to go back!" She retaliated, grinding her feet into the earth to stop Set's forward momentum. Only to have her feet forced to stumbling forward by his greater strength.
"Damn it!" She screamed in panic, writhing in his tight grasp.
"Mot I am letting go, she is not worth this trouble, if she wants to die then let her die!" Set raged, releasing her hand.
Serenity turned on her heel, coming face to face with the demon mountain known at Mot. He had a stern fierce some glare upon his beastial face that froze her to the core.
"I will never let something so pure and beautiful die!" Mot growled.
Serenity cowered in fright, when confronted by his furious glare. He thrust the hilt of his massive broad sword downward on top of her golden head. Serenity whimpered in pain as it struck, then her world swayed and went dark. Crumpling to the dry grass, like a deflated balloon.
"Did I k'ill her?" Mot reigned in his anger, looking down at the heap of princess curled up on the ground. Her gold tails splayed over the dry grass behind her, her simple silver silk gown flowing over her slender form like a shimmering second skin.
Set huffed and crouched beside her, taking up a limp wrist feeling for a pulse. Finding a faint heart beat, her chest rising faintly knocked out cold. He shook his head bitterly, casting Mot a disapproving look as a trickle of blood flowed down from her forehead to gather along a slender golden eyebrow.
"Oi' I hit her to hard, Yes." Mot cringed in remorse.
"Yes..." Set sighed, rising to his feet. He understood how much his little brother had fallen in love with this Lunar Goddess, it was natural for the dark to be attracted to that which they can never have...the light. It was unhealthy...but natural.
Mot sheathed his sword, then tenderly took Serenity up in his great arms, carrying her small body close to his chest. In a protective pose, as a parent would carry a fragile young child. As Serenity was lost the powerful flow of the dreams of fate once more.