Burning Serenity: The Wayward Goddess

By Iset Black

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Chapter 4: Listless

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Kakyuu inhaled deeply as she massaged the fragrant oils into her temples, her wrists, along her collar bone. Minty eucalyptus and heady sandalwood overtook her senses. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the aromas as they danced around her. Slowly, Kakyuu drew her eyes open to behold herself in the mirror. Her hair fell in flames around her shoulders, traveling down her back in a cascade of orange and purple. Drawing one hand up, she smoothed a few errant strand behind her ear.

It had been a millennia since she had saw herself in such a state.

Several pots and glass jars lay out in front of her, each containing a different lotion or cosmetic agent. Gracefully, Kakyuu plucked one of the jars from the dressing table and dipped her fingers into it, producing a lavender-colored cream. She rubbed the salve into the supple skin of her face. Kakyuu reached for a few more jars. She dusted a rich red over her eyelids and expertly lined her lips with a wine-colored pencil.

"My love..." Kakyuu breathed heavily as she rimmed her eyes with kohl, creating a sweeping design as she went.

The tall figure loomed in the shadows of the room. Kakyuu dropped the pencil onto her dressing table and turned herself to face the shadowed person. "I haven't seen you in days."

The figure let out a deep chuckle and drew themselves out of the shrouded doorway. Seiya crossed the large room in a matter of steps, positioning herself at the foot of her Queen's chair. "It has felt like an eternity, my Queen..." Seiya drew Kakyuu's hand to her lips and kisses her knuckles.

Kakyuu smiled and slowly drew her hand away from him. "My love, for what do I owe this visit?" Her voice was saccharine as she spoke, almost too sweet.

A wide smile spread across Seiya's lips as she took a seat on the silk-covered couch next to her mistress. "Do I need a reason to visit?"

Kakyuu smiled as Seiya and turned back to her reflection. She gather her hair, securing it in a plait. Silently, Kakyuu secured her robe securely around her waist and drew a silken veil over her hair. The fabric shone golden under the dim lighting as she moved to sit next to Seiya. She reached for Seiya's hand and drew it to her chest, clutching it tight.

"My love, my light... I have granted the others desires. Yet, I haven't heard anything of your prayers yet." Kakyuu's amber eyes bore into Seiya's sapphire-hued optics. Seiya drew a hand up to cup her cheek, caressing her skin as she went.

"Princess..." Seiya was able to muster only a brief word before her hand fell from Kakyuu' grasp. She leaned forward into the embrace of her princess and held her tight. If Kakyuu truly knew what she desired...

Kakyuu drew her arms around the woman and held her close. A sense of uneasiness flooded her as she held her companion close. She closed her eyes, searching for the source of Seiya's unhappiness. Waves of sadness and longing overtook her body. Kakyuu clenched her eyes shut, drawing Seiya closer to her.

"You miss the Moon Princess."

Seiya's eyes shot open, her body jerking away from Kakyuu. She adverted her gaze from that of her mistress, sliding down the side of the couch and to the floor. Kakyuu watched as Seiya drew her legs to her chest. The duo sat silent for what seemed like an eternity before Kakyuu finally spoke.

"Come. Sit with me..." Kakyuu drifted off as she rose from the couch and drew her companion towards another room. Seiya rose from the stone floor, reaching for Kakyuu as she moved. Kakyuu laced her fingers with the soldier's, pulling her towards a curtained doorway. The pair moved to another room. A large glass water pipe sat in the middle of the chamber. The pair took seats upon silken pillows that surrounded the hookah. Kakyuu smiled as she took hold of one of the hoses, drawing the stem to her lips. She inhaled deeply and held her breath. Mango-scented smoke billowed from her nostrils as she exhaled deeply, a gentle smile spreading across her lips.

The pair sat silently. After a few long moments, a Seiya gave a strained smile as fruit-flavored smoke wafted from her lips.

"I need her."

The words of her soldier washed over her in waves of sorrow and longing. Kakyuu drew her eyes closed and searched for Seiya's psyche. If it was a genuine wish, Kakyuu would know. Almost instantly waves of longing, desire, sheer sadness washed over her. Kakyuu stifled tears as she passed the hose to Seiya. She drew her eyes open and cast her gaze down to look at the form of Seiya, huddled over the pipe. Kakyuu watched as Seiya took a long drag from the hose, exhaling the smoke in a deep-held breath. The smoke billowed between them, mingling with the heavy scent of the incense burners around them. Before long the room was shrouded in a haze of the mellow fruity smoke of the hookah, and the rich scent of patchouli.

A sigh escaped Kakyuu's wine-colored lips as she regarded her soldier. "Taiki wished for a library. Yaten wished for a private sanctuary. But this... what you desire..."

"Is impossible. But I implore you... my dear Princess..." Seiya rasped as she placed the hose to rest back onto the pipe. "To restore me to my Earthen form is all I ask."

Kakyuu drew back from Seiya, leaning to rest of the upon the cushions, her veil falling to her shoulders. "I cannot grant this wish, Seiya." Her words stung as she spoke.

Seiya's eyes wrenched shut as she listened to Kakyuu speak. Tears stung at her eyes, her heart stopped in her chest. She knew to ask for such a thing was purely selfish. But she had given of herself for thousands of years. Seiya had served the Kinmoku galactic chain since time immemorial.

Kakyuu moved to rest her hand upon Seiya's head, caressing her. A wistful smile spread over her lips. "The warrior's lock. You've severed it." The statement bore into Seiya like a thousand hot knives. Seiya said nothing as she drew her head up to look at her mistress. Kakyuu gave another small smile, dropping her hands to her sides.

"This world is healed. Our planet... our realm... is whole again. I cannot grant this wish you desire, dear Star Fighter. I have nothing left to give."

A shriek left Seiya's lips.

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TBC

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