Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or any of its characters, I just own my versions of the Zodiac Senshi, as well as Ophiucus (whenever he decides to pop up) and Bellona.
First Legend – Aries (part 3)
As the monstrous lumbering grew louder, a shape at last appeared in the general field of view. First, twisting, labyrinthine horns of shadow, followed by a central visage of the most extreme hatred and malice, carved completely in darkest shade. The body itself was enormous, twisted torso glittering like scorched glass. Beyond that, however, nothing visible revealed itself, save in the form of unreflective wisps of darkness. Once within the threshold of the sacred edifice, the creature howled wickedly.
"There's your beast, priestess," Phrixus spoke, tensing further. "It's been stalking this world for weeks now." Beside him, the ruby haired boy felt Bellona stiffen.
More loudly, clear and strong, he called out, "What manner of creature are you, and what is your purpose here?"
Guttural sputters issued grotesquely from the beast's mouth, forming syllables of speech. "I…IRA…WILL DESTROY…!!!" So saying, the malevolent shadow rapidly advanced, raising a clawed, gnarled arm as it raced with impossible speed for the pair, demolishing several rows of immaculate pews.
"Hey, Ira!"
The shade-creature halted, lifting its enlarged, horned skull in what appeared to be surprise. Equally confused, Bellona and Phrixus glanced about, cobalt and smoky diamond darting around the house of worship.
An instant later, the diamond gaze locked with a pair of bichromatic orbs, one amethyst, the other lightning blue.
Standing poised skillfully on a crimson beam, a young boy, less aged than Phrixus, gazed down, smiling indulgently. He was dressed in similar clothes to Phrixus, although all in striking aqua in place of deep claret. The child was a brunette, yet, on either side of his head grew two streaks each, one each on either side a perfect match for his dual-hued eyes. Against the fair skin beneath the electric blue eye rested a minute, violet star mark.
"Need any help, Phrixus?" The boy grinned brightly, calling down to the two defending the church. Not waiting for a response, the young one leapt, landing as an agile cat on the crystalline flooring beside Bellona, fixing the beast with a mischievous gaze.
Phrixus glared at the younger male in disbelief. The young priestess noticed an expression of familiarity cross the elder youth's face.
"Ganymede, what are you doing here?!" Phrixus demanded, not at all pleased. The boy named as Ganymede stared back in mild shock. "I came to help you guys out! Never expected you to take it so hard!" The young face grew serious. "Besides, there is no telling what this thing might be capable of doing."
"Do you have any idea what it is?"
"As far as I've been able to gather, some of my relatives have been calling it a "youma". Supposedly, they're made of shadows, but they rarely get this large. All are consistently bloodthirsty, however."
"Excuse me," the crimson-clad priestess inquired, traces of annoyance coloring her tone. "but who exactly are you?"
The young one beamed, "I'm Ganymede, a sibling of Phrixus here. Pleased to meet you!"
"Shouldn't we be more concerned with the creature?" The cobalt glare held great intensity. Flushing, Ganymede chuckled self-consciously. "Oh, that's right…"
Shrieking, the shadow youma commenced to rush forward once more. All three comrades leapt out of the destructive path, descending gracefully on the altar steps.
"I suppose it wants to play…"Ganymede's smile widened as he raised one small hand, slender digits curled somewhat. "Then we'll play!"
So saying, the palm of the boy's outstretched hand commenced to gleam, a thin swirl of deepest, star littered blue languidly writhing to life between the fingers.
Cobalt dilated dramatically, watching the ribbon of energy born in the hand of a child. This boy knows magic…and it feels far greater than my own… Bellona's mind whirled.
"Time to rest now, monster!" Ganymede yelled, deftly flinging the celestial, midnight ribbon towards the shade beast.
"I'm right behind you, Ganymede!"
At the shout, Bellona whirled, stunned to find vivid, scarlet flames nestled between Phrixus's palms before also being hurled. How did I miss that?!
Projectiles of fiery red and chilled blue impacted with their target, slamming audibly into the great black mass, causing the unknown life form to reel back, screaming in startlement. Roaring, the creature swiped, swift as a shadow exposed to daylight, toward the altar steps. Again, the trio fled from the lethal range, taking refuge behind a scarlet pillar.
"How could it still attack when wounded?" Bellona appeared more astonished than horrified at this.
After several seconds, Ganymede responded, "Look at its abdomen, where we struck it, and you'll see why."
Following the two-toned gaze, the young priestess gaze at the creature. Its rocky obsidian torso was painfully, but not fatally, singed.
"My attack did nothing to it," the young brunette explained. "However, fire seems to have some effect on it."
"That's the only amount I can summon right now," Phrixus spoke, quelling the inevitable question that would have come. "It could only hurt it, not destroy it."
"Perhaps, where spells fail," Bellona shifted further around the pillar.
Just a bit more…
"…weapons might do some good!"
Before Phrixus or Ganymede had time to react, the ebony haired priestess streaked away, faster than a crimson comet.
The beast, of course, was waiting for her, howling gleefully.
Racing and tumbling past pews and pillars, Bellona headed straight for the altar steps. More specifically, she was headed right for the altar itself. The brassy object glinting in the candlelight beside the ruby altar cover…
Diving for the dais, the priestess felt her slim fingers close deftly over cool, long metal as she rolled, landing breathlessly in a crouch, the lighter held tightly in her hand.
An enormous shadow quickly spread across the dais and washed over Bellona, her cobalt eyes widening in terror as she found herself staring into jagged, blacked crystal flesh, framed by keen curved blades rising from the flesh.
The dark skin suddenly burst scarlet spinel; the youma Ira roared in fury as its paw twisted with flames.
Turning, the shade blindly began to swipe and claw the surrounding air, intent on obliterating the two young men assaulting it relentlessly now.
Seeing the demonic youma occupied, Bellona schooled herself to focus, lifting the lighter like a small javelin. I'll aim for its underbelly. Maybe it will penetrate the skin and finally destroy it. All the same, it's worth a try. Bellona's body shifted into position. I can't let those two boys die. No more will die because of this monster!
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"Our powers aren't working on this beast, at least not lastingly" Ganymede muttered to Phrixus, twisting his body out of the way of yet another claw-swipe. "Apparently, neither does the sacred magic this temple is renown for."
"Of course it didn't; otherwise all those priests would still be alive now," the elder boy replied.
"What about transforming?"
"Out of the question. There's a civilian present. The Empress made it explicitly clear that we do not reveal ourselves while traveling."
The brunette agreed. "Maybe, but we need something more potent than just what we can access in this form…"
For once, as his expression altered, the smoky diamond orbs shone brighter than any diamond in existence. "Perhaps…" Phrixus pivoted, focus entirely transfixed on the girl standing ready to toss her brass lighter again, "The problem wasn't with the spells themselves, but its application." A rapid surge of fury sprung up, tearing fast through Phrixus's chest, in spite of his efforts to quell it. They just went through the motions of the ritual, but did they ever truly believe in its power? Were they just learning the words, not the passion?! There's no use for words if FEELING isn't put behind them. Action is meaningless without intent. Phrixus, fire welling inside himself, kept his gaze on Bellona. Well, now is the chance to redeem that. If she survives this encounter, she could teach these people anew. Allow them to open their hearts and rediscover the beliefs that lay sleeping within themselves.
The scarlet youth's features were grim. It all rested on Bellona now.
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Standing ready to attack, Bellona's muscles started to contract, commencing the process of movement, carrying out the memories of so many years of intensive practice.
"Bellona!"
At the very last second, the dark haired maiden brought herself to a halt, almost losing her balance as her weight, in the processes of coming forward, almost caused her to go into a fall. "Phrixus! What is it?!" She demanded, half in shock and half aggravated at the missed opportunity to destroy the demonic creature before them.
"Your temple's magic! You need to use it now! It will generate enough energy to kill this beast!"
"You can't be serious! The high priests of this temple couldn't even fight it, and many were far more adept than I am!" Bellona glared at Phrixus as though he had gone insane.
"Trust me, the spells will work, but you have to believe that they will! Don't just recite them as though they were just lines of vocabulary! Put your heart into what you pray, no matter what that prayer is!" Phrixus rapidly dodged another massive blow.
Bellona's gaze grew baffled. "How will that help? What should I even believe in exactly?"
"Bellona!" Phrixus's voice rose pleadingly, "It doesn't matter what, as long as you believe! The words will come!" The scarlet youth rested a smooth, warm gently against the maiden's forehead. Closing her eyes briefly, the ebony haired girl failed to notice a tiny spark of red flash against her skin as Phrixus pulled his hand away. The scarlet glitter rapidly dissipated.
"Phrixus…" Bellona murmured as the scarlet youth dashed away to aid his more eccentric-looking sibling. Setting down the brassy stick, she began to focus on Phrixus's words.
"As long as you believe! The words will come!"
But what do I believe in?
As though in response, floods of images surged through Bellona's mind. Images of a young girl, dressed richly in spite of her young age, laughing sweetly as she ran through the temple. Her own ebony hair, light as silk, flew in all directions, her ocean blue eyes scintillatingly mirthful.
My sister…That creature murdered her…
She gave me hope; she was the reason I carried on all these years…in spite of the harsh training…the long hours of ritual…she was my heart.
Almost subconsciously, Bellona raised her arms, bring her hands together and firmly entwining the fingers, save for the twin index digits, which she delicately steepled.
So, what do I believe in?
The young child of the memories beamed brightly, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the stained glass portal.
If nothing else…perhaps…I've always believed in her.
"Fire…."
The wraith glanced up, one massive, taloned paw arrested in its descent for Ganymede's head. Phrixus gazed, awestruck, at the young priestess, who was now washed in a deep ruby aura. The cobalt orbs blazed, flaming, glowing as the core of a flickering candle.
Screaming, Bellona brought the tiny fireball forward, entirely focused on the shadowy creature.
"SOUL!!!"
The minute wildfire exploded, sparkling immensely with force and strength, a fiery comet shooting rapidly. Its target as it sailed, reckless and deadly, through the cinnabar temple: the beast of shadows.
The youma's howls this time were almost too much to take, grating against Bellona's eardrums as the flames engulfed it, the conflagration wrathful and devastating. Scarlet flames danced furiously against the obsidian flesh, causing it to spark and congeal as the shade continued to scream.
A wave of exhaustion unexpectedly broke over Bellona, her cobalt orbs growing heavier by the minute. Barely awake, she could hardly feel a pair of slender arms wrap around her abdomen, clothed in satin robes, and lift her, dragging her away from the destruction.
I have found my belief…
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"I can't believe what I've done…" the maiden's voice broke with sorrow.
Before the ebony haired priestess, the scarlet youth and the aqua clad child, the cinnabar temple stood, damaged and scorched. Several pillars of support had collapsed, the entranceway had crumbled to dust. Although most of the temple remained standing under the brilliant moonlight, the very front of it had been almost irreparably demolished.
"Maybe your people can rebuild it?" Ganymede offered, his youthful features sincere.
Bellona briefly gazed at Ganymede, then turned her attention to his sibling. "Is it finally dead?"
Phrixus nodded, certain. "The youma is destroyed. Your attack was too powerful for it to cope with."
Bellona nodded tersely. "Then…all those people are avenged. Peace is restored to this kingdom." Appearing satisfied, she pivoted back towards the ruined church. Softly, she heard Phrixus's baritoned voice speak, "You were very brave, and strong, Bellona, to vanquish that creature."
Bellona almost snorted with disbelief. "I did not accomplish that alone. As much of the honor should go to you two strangers."
"To use it, you must have found something to believe in. Something holy above all else for you."
The cobalt orbs darkened slightly, introverting. "I thought of my younger sister. She was one of the monster's first victims. She had been playing in the temple one night when she disappeared." A single liquid tear flowed down a pale cheek. "She had come to visit me, in order to get a taste of her future duties." Bellona murmured softly, in the hopes Phrixus would fail to catch the words, "Whenever a princess of this planet comes of age, she must serve in the temple for several years, in preparation for inheriting the throne. She is the one thing I can honestly believe in with all my heart and soul."
"Do you believe in gods, Bellona? The gods the priests support and require that your people pray to?" the baritone voice came again, light and softer than feathers.
Bellona stood, thoughtful for a moment, before responding to the question posed by her fellow. "I…I have been raised from birth to believe in the gods, in spite of never having encountered them in my own life, or any evidence of their existence. Many of the elders speak of having been their great-grandchildren, but, in all honesty, I have seen nothing to support the claims, even the ones made by my own family." A wave of unease washed through the priestess at the silence that came in reply to her words. "It's not that I want to seem heretical, but…I've just never really noticed anything godly in my life at all. I've only went on faith up until now." Bellona's expression showed a subtle glimmer of hopefulness. She, in truth, had faith, even though she was able to acknowledge that she had never had the proof to validate the belief. Such a notion could hardly be entirely unhallowed, could it? "And yet…" she continued, "perhaps they were by my side tonight. I don't think I could have stopped that creature if not for them…or for the two of you."
"Perhaps…" a familiar, yet decidedly feminine voice answered, "the gods have reasons for not appearing personally in any form but words. Yet…maybe they should, once in a while, keep up appearances with their people, the ones they care for most. It's only fair."
Bellona turned slowly, surprised at the presence of someone new to appear this night. The sight that met her eyes caused her to gasp audibly.
Standing before her, in Phrixus's place, stood another: a young woman in the garb of a Sailor Senshi. A ruby mantle swirled around her slender, graceful form, accenting the crimson skirt and collar, a snowy, winged chest bow nestling a small, gold and scarlet brooch embossed with a small symbol; a line splitting down the center, the tops curling to form minute horns. Scarlet combat boots with various buckles barely touched the velvet, carpeted stairs, framed by volumes of hair the color of bleeding rubies. Eyes reminiscent of smoky diamonds gaze back at Bellona in serenity and slight pride. Beside her, where the young Ganymede had been stood another Sailor Soldier, clad in aqua, her bichromatic gaze friendly and sweet, though with a visible, intelligent spark behind them.
"Hello, Bellona," the ruby haired Senshi greeted.
In reply, the priestess dropped, frightened, to her knees. It can't be…I would know this energy anywhere! It's the one, the Goddess of Bravery and Righteousness! The protector of Honor and the Guardian of the Pious… Bellona let out a heaving breath, shaken as the truth started to sink in. She was here this entire time…oh, gods, what she must think now!
Slender, satin gloved fingers cupped Bellona's chin, causing the cobalt-eyed maiden to raise her head. "Do not be afraid of us, High Priestess. You aided us, and have shown the greatest piety and bravery of anyone I have met on any planet. We are the Sailor Soldiers who rule this galaxy, and the guardians of all the worlds within it. My truest name is Sailor Aries." The scarlet Senshi smiled kindly.
"I'm Sailor Aquarius, by the way!" The aqua Senshi interjected, also smiling.
"In return for your deeds, we intend to give you something. You need not think of it as a reward; it is merely something that you deserve to have." Sailor Aries stood back, allowing her fingers to gently glide away from Bellona's quaking jaw. It was then that Bellona, even prostrate on the rocky ground, noticed movement beneath the scarlet mantle draped about Sailor Aries's figure.
Drawing back the generous cape, a petit figure came into view: a little girl, dressed richly in a ruby gown, grinning broadly and adorably.
"Dysomnia!" Bellona gasped raggedly, in absolute disbelief. As though made mobile at the sound of her name, the young girl raced towards her elder sister. Bellona's arms clenched tightly around the petit child, her cobalt gaze obscured by streams of joyful tears. After moments of impossible happiness, Bellona heard the soft, beautiful voice speak a final time.
"Perhaps one day, we'll encounter each other again…" Sailor Aries unleashed a breathtaking smile, as she and Sailor Aquarius began to depart "…Princesses of Mars."
Bellona opened her gleaming eyes, overflowing with absolute awe and gratitude.
Unleashing one final, bright smile, Sailor Aries and Sailor Aquarius silently vanished in a flurry of crimson and electric blue sparks.
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"Well, Aries, I guess now people on Mars finally going to recover their faith in us!" Aquarius beamed, walking side by side under a star-choked sky, cloaked in brilliant ivory auras, towards a stronghold composed of rainbow hued crystal. "Now that she's seen us, Princess Bellona will see to that." The smile melted into a thoughtful frown. "I wonder if the Empress will reprimand us for showing our true forms."
"Perhaps…" Sailor Aries's full mouth descended in a deep frown. "However, as to the origins and purpose of that shadow creature…I have no guess at all. Those things should not be present in our realm at all." This one was gigantic, yet not so strong…but what if there are more of those beasts? What if this was just the first strike? Smoky diamond eclipsed with darkness.
Aquarius nodded, her eyes equally grave, "We need to solve that mystery, and soon. This cannot be a good omen."
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In classical mythology, Bellona is the Roman name for the Greek goddess of War, Enyo. She was the sister of Ares, the God of War (Ares was called Mars by the Romans). Dysomnia is another goddess, whose name I think means "lawlessness"; Dysomnia is also the name of the planet Eris's moon. Although I'm trying to follow the manga version, Sailor Mars's "Aku Ryo Tai San" is spoken in Japanese in the manga, which technically wouldn't make sense when spoken by a Martian. So, used the anime attack instead. :D
Also, in Latin, "Ira" is the word for "Rage".
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