''What have you done?'' Serenity demanded, trying to hide shakiness of voice under layers of anger and determination. Her hand stung, every nerve of the skin was on fire. She could feel an injury forming under pale alien fingers. Her feet were rooted to the ground. She was surrounded with darkness and corpses. Her loyal subject were cruelly vandalized. They dedicated their life to kingdom and payed the ultimate price.
''I got you flowers'' squealed Eris with unnaturally high pitched voice. While holding princess' arm with one hand, she showed the other which was hidden behind back. In hard grasp were gleaming beautiful flowers, snowy peonies. Serenity recognized them, they were from her own garden. Princess took the offered bouquet with free trembling hand, choked frightened gasp escaping her lips. There was a law, broken under penalty of limb amputation, that all flowers in the Moon kingdom were under protection of Moon Queen. They were only professionally cut on their last good day, sunrise away from wilting back to dust.
These petals were still raw and young, very far from their full blooming day. They were plucked, just like the guards around them - painfully shoved from life to nonexistence. She couldn't stop cerulean eyes from watering, but her voice caught a surprisingly firm tone. She was afraid, but also resolved to prevent any further harm. ''Leave. Now.''
''How rude! Is that the way to greet guests on Moon?'' Martian howled, her eyes wide in mock horror. Hood fell from her head only to reveal young face. To Terrans, Eris would appear but a child - a girl of a twelve, maybe thirteen. Just like her brother Ares, they both had dark blond hair. She kept it wild, tangled and waist-length, enveloping heart-shaped face. There was a sea of freckles not just over her small nose, but whole skin of profile. She would have been deemed charming had she not red eyes that screamed insanity, had her lips been anything but perpetually molded in cruel crooked smile.
Princess was out here alone with this looming shadow. All guards were knocked down and everyone else was too busy having fun in the Great Hall. Majority of senshi were on a mission out in the galaxy, she remembered with heavy heart. Nobody would come looking for her. Masquerade balls were only balls where she didn't have to present herself, nor open the evening with a dance. She got the privilege of anonymity, not to disrupt the essence of ceremony. The anonymity that she used to cherish, now put her in life threatening situation.
Serena knew better, Eris was trouble. Unpredictable and dangerous. They were never on intimate terms, Ares would never let such thing happen. Vagabond of galaxy, black sheep of the family - she was bad news. He warned her to stay away from his sister, never to trust her. There was a rumor she experimented with dark magic - worst kind of magic since the beginning of the times.
''My, my'' Eris gasped, loosening grip on arm only to get a fistful of gown. Princess yelped as waft breezed over tender flesh. There were burnt pieces of Serena's skin sticking on Eris' palm, but she ignored it, not even flinching, not seeming put off. Ominous clouds silently rolled over their heads, shielding them from the night sky. The air turned chilly, the ball music in the background became louder along with laughter of the party goers. The party seemed to be in highest spirit. Serenity recoiled, clutching aching arm near her stomach. Red open flesh wound throbbed on porcelain skin. ''What a beautiful dress. Pity it's such an ugly color. I would have ripped it off of you right now if it was black.''
''Why did you kill my men?'' Serena demanded once again, gaining courage all of a sudden. The flowers seemed to give her strength and peace, the smell of roses on mask endowed her with silent valiance.
''I did not kill them'' Eris sang, dancing to the music, her black robes swishing wildly around her. ''I merely slowed down few remaining brave pawns. Just a causality, a small price to pay for your audience.''
''You should have left a calling card, made an appointment -''
''A calling card?'' Martian cackled, throwing her head back. Despite cruel smile, her face turned furious as it lowered down. A threatening ball of fire materialized on her palm that reflected perfectly in her iris. Serenity took a step back, clutching arm and bouquet, crippling fear fighting the power of flowers. The evidence of Martian wrath was all around her. ''Don't mock me! As if you'd let me come ten feet within this planet. Luckily, I had help from inside. They did the job, one must at least admire the ingenious way of handling it.''
Eris snorted and rolled her eyes, as if the way was anything but ingenious. Serenity stifled a gag at the burnt bodies, not being able to fathom how could she ever admire the scene in any way. She couldn't help but to wonder who this help was? It couldn't be anyone among Moon people, could it? What if... What if that someone wasn't from Moon kingdom? What if they were from other planet? Like Terra?
A pale face with raven black hair flashed in her mind, his blue eyes drilling into her essence. Endymion. He was the only person that (very probably) knew about her relationship with Martian God. He probably read the whole letter for heaven's sake and was adamant in tauting her with it. It was clear he couldn't stand her, he made an effort of showing it the first time they met. He fit the profile; dangerous, mysterious, brooding. Fickle. Someone that Eris could get along. Was his arrival to Moon kingdom just a coincidence?
''I know Ares filled your mind with muck whispers and lies you aren't even aware of. Of his goals, of his conquests - you know nothing. He wants to keep you away from the truth. So I am here to play the role of magnificent Aequitas, bringing balance and aiding Destiny. Don't give me that startled, disbelieving look. Ease your mind, I have my own agenda. In the end, I shall get my prize.''
''Isn't suffering of other people prize enough for you? And you dare savage your brother's name?! Ares is as true as your heart is dark!'' Serena shot back, feeling all of a sudden self-conscious of her relationship with him. It was as if she was ready to move mountains for him a lifetime ago. Somewhere along the way, doubt crept up and nestled in her chest. Now, all she could feel was emptiness at the sound of his name, emptiness at the word that used to get her elated in a second. Ares. Did she even love him? Wasn't distance supposed to make the heart grow fonder? She wasn't confident of her own words and she was sure the ambiguity could be heard in her voice.
Princess shook her head, deciding to set her feeling aside for more pressing matters.
Something red blurred past her head, raising few strands of blond hair in wake. A rose seemed to shoot out from darkness from behind, piercing the freckled skin. Fire extinguished and Eris growled in pain.
''Isn't it past your bedtime?'' asked a voice from the dark, his voice as smooth as silk, yet as deep as an earthquake rumble. A figure stepped out in light and paused in front of Serenity. Had he not revealed himself, nobody would even know he was there. He blended perfectly with the night sky, as if made out of same matter as a shadow. He wore black suit that shone cobalt in spotlight, decorated with golden buttons and clasps holding floor-length cape in place. Underneath, he wore white shirt and bow tie, his white gloved hand holding another rose ready to strike.
Princess wanted to know who her savior was, but white mask hid his identity along with black cylinder hat. All that could be seen from behind was fine line of his jaw.
''Stay away'' she forewarned, her heart suddenly aching at the thought anything bad happening to this novelty man. His demeanor seemed too casual, his stance too confident. Black cape flapped silently in breeze, strangely comforting sound to her ears. ''You'll get hurt.''
His trained eyes never left Eris, even as she bent down to pick up bloodied rose with fascinated look on her face. It was almost as if he was avoiding Serena's gaze. But that couldn't be it, could it? After all, she was wearing a mask too. There was no way he'd know who she was. She imagined corners of his mouth turned upward for a second.
Martian goddess laughed loudly as the fallen rose disintegrated into dust carried by the wind, holding her stomach. She looked straight at masked man as if seeing to his very core. Smile was still fixed on her face as she flicked her glance back to princess and to masked man again. ''So'' Eris whispered with dazed eyes, but loud enough they could hear her. ''The war has finally begun. The Fates set wheels in motions. Nothing can stop it now.''
Serena's brows knotted at this monologue, especially at the way masked man's head bent down for a millimeter. A loud piercing sound spread through sky and soon ground shook violently for few moments. Unbearable heat and thick choking smoke hit her back. Instinctively, she jumped forward, crashing into masked man. He was quick, his reflexes flawless. He turned around as fast as lightning, but few things in galaxy were actually ready for this particular Princess. She tackled him to the ground and barely escaped a ball of fire zooming over them. A breath hitched in her throat at the terrifying sight looming over.
Behind them stood great black Pegasus, it's eyes red as fresh blood, fire launching out of wide nostrils. It was almost twice the size of a regular horse. It pounced threateningly, spreading it's colossal onyx wings and sending gust of hot wind towards them. The heat stung their skin and eyes. It was like a creature out of nightmares, something talked about in dark and in whispers. His nostrils and hooves were bloody, pure hate in the inferno of it's eyes. Wet skin of body shone as it moved, strong muscles underneath evoking dread at the idea of the destruction they could cause.
''Buttercups'' Eris barked and Pegasus sauntered over to her, not before inflicting another menacing look towards them. Dirt sank under his feet, sizzling quietly.
''Buttercups'' masked man muttered in disbelief, his whisper ticking Serena's ear. ''You gotta be kidding me.''
His weight pressed over her, pinching her to the ground. She could feel every muscle of his hidden under layers of clothes and it made worms in her guts squirm. White peonies lied scattered around them, still emitting the compelling energy. She cleared throat uncomfortably as warmth spread over her cheeks. Serena saw a glint in his shadowed eyes as they focused on hers. His lips seemed to part.
There was a moment that seemed to last forever, consisting only of their labored breathing, their scents intermingling together. It was interrupted, too soon, with his annoyed grunt.
He rose swiftly and elegantly, stretching his arm to help Princess up. She hesitated for a second, wondering what just happened? Absence of his body left her cold and stupefied. Pegasus snorted once more and she hastily took his gloved hand and scrambled up, inching towards his body - not for protection, not out of fear. There was greater instinct that pushed her to him.
''Surrender'' his clear and mighty voice rang through night. He produced a red rose from out of darkness of his cape and twirled it threateningly. He just challenged a powerful wicked Martian goddess and her massive blazing stallion with - a flower. He was brave, she noted. And maybe just slightly foolish. ''Surrender and suffer the consequences for you crimes. The justice will be swift and merciless.''
''Sorry to leave you in the middle of grand beautiful speech, but my ride is here. If you're looking for a culprit, look within your quarters.'' Eris licked the blood off the open wound on her arm and whistled to Pegasus. The dark horse bowed and she climbed on his wings and over the torso. She put the hood back on, gripped the dark mane, but didn't take off. Dark stallion pranced around, snorting fire with impatience.
''You're being played with, my darling little doll'' Ares' sister looked up, two embers dancing in darkness of the robe. She cocked her head very slowly, her voice unnaturally somber. One of the nearby soldiers moaned in pain. ''Someone else is rolling the dice for you. From now on, all choices you make are about life and death. You will live caged or you will die free. That will be the price of your love. I am not afraid of my destiny. Are you?''
Shudder passed through Serena's body at the cryptic speech, especially since it came from lunatic that almost killed her. Did she just foresaw her death? Before she could say or ask anything, Eris kicked her heels and Pegasus rushed through the grounds. It spread it's wings and disappeared in the night sky, carrying Eris and all the answers away.
''I thought she'd never shut up'' masked man said through gritted teeth as the flapping died out, one of his shoulders hunched. His eyes scanned her injured arm. ''We need to get help. You're hurt.''
''I - I can't leave my men'' Princess rasped, music in the background never-ending. While it elicited a surge of excitement just an hour ago, all it did now was leave her with an empty, frustrating feeling. She kept her eyes up, not wanting to look at her disfigured arm. Death. Death was something that was inevitable, but very far away. Her mother was thousands of years old and would live at least as twice of already lived lifetime. Serenity, her daughter, was gifted with same longevity by birth-right. Talking of death as it could happen soon was something unthinkable, something ludicrous. She never thought about premature death. High pitched sound of glass bell rang in her ears. There was a mist of haze spilling over her eyes, but she shook her head to get rid of it. ''I have to help them. They don't have much time. I've lost too many already.''
Without waiting for his reply, she bent down to pick up flowers, her eyes watering while mind processed all the trauma and shock. She had never experienced such tragedy, such brutality. Up until now, she was raised to live in a glass bell while everyone else risked their lives for her. Guards were either dead or close to dying, they skin was singed, their face set in frightened grotesque cramp.
Serenity didn't even see her savior mimicking her movements until he asked ''These flowers... They're not ordinary?''
''No'' she sniffled, blinking away the tears, too preoccupied to entertain the thought how odd it was that he did not know that. All Moon people knew what these flowers were and what they were capable of. Serenity was still trying to shatter glass bell around herself. She was just introduced to the idea of 'risking life' in a brand new, but painful light. She was submerged to bloodshed and gore, kicking and screaming for air.
It was as if she was blindfolded and led through life by an invisible hand. Tonight, cover over her eyes fell and exposed the reality. As the ground was left free of plucked flowers, she set each peony on the body of a soldier and masked man did the same. Effect was immediate. Soldiers moaned in relief, some of them even managed to move a muscle. ''This will buy us some time. Soldiers will draw energy from the essence of blossoms.''
''They fought bravely and died honorably'' he comforted and succeeded in it. She paused in the middle of task and looked at him, small flame of hope vibrating in her bones. ''It is more than most of us hope to get. We need to get you safe, Princess'' he urged, his voice shaky. Sweat trickled down his face behind the mask in big beads. He licked his lips and set the jaw. ''We can't take any more risks.''
''How did you know it was me?'' she asked quietly, lowering down the last peony on blackened armor. Serenity straightened and gazed at him suspiciously behind rose mask. It was as if dark veil lifted from her eyes only to reveal an army of flickering ghastly shadows.
She never took the mask off, never said it was her. How could he know? Was this a trick? Was he a spy? Who else wandered this far off in grounds during the major event of Lunar year - no companions, no date? Eris mentioned a traitor. Was this another betrayal in rise? She thought how she shouldn't trust Martian goddess, but her instinct warned her otherwise. For some reason, sinister words got branded in her mind for eternity. Masked man kept quiet, staring back at her with unreadable expression and only confirming her suspicious.
''I order you to answer me!'' she cried, hands bulled up in fists, frustrated and quite afraid of his silence. Her voice echoed through the night, parting the clouds of the sky only to reveal stars etched in darkness far away.
''I heard-'' he slowly started after a moment of stillness, but his sentence was cut short with distressing groan full of pain. Cloaked figure fell hard on knees, clutching the left shoulder. Masked man's top hat fell on the ground and rolled away, revealing a glossy dark hair.
''What's wrong?'' she half-angrily, half-anxiously demanded explanation, but didn't move. Maybe this was another trick too. Maybe this was a fully planned scheme. Princess stood her ground and stared down at him. It took all of her willpower to do so. His suppressed groans tore through her soul, she wanted to run to him and help him fight agony and pain. Serenity scurried over to one of the guards and tried to pick up the fallen sword, ignoring the loud voice in her head that screamed to aid him.
I will make my own choices, she heard herself chanting mentally.
The sword was too heavy. It moved but slightly at her strongest push. With a frustrated sigh, she dropped the weapon and noticed a dagger near her feet - completely covered in blood.
I will not die.
She swallowed a bile in her throat and picked the sticky, but elegant handle. Gripping it tightly, she took measured steps and knelt next to shivering man. She inhaled deeply and set the point of blade at his throat. She couldn't afford any mistakes today. It was time to take some matter in own hands. ''Now, tell me again. How do you know who I am?''
''I heard Mars goddess call you that'' he seethed, the sleeve of his left arm almost completely damaged. She could see burnt skin in open patches and her heart fell at their feet at the sight. Serenity raked her mind to remember if Eris indeed addressed her by name or tittle. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn't recollect proof of neither confirmation nor negation of his statement. ''You know, your murder face doesn't look too convincing. You need to practice on that.''
He chuckled to himself and she pressed the blade harder to his throat. Their eyes clashed in silent ferocity and warm shiver went down her spine. Her body leaned towards him, as if it couldn't get close enough, and she uttered the words with difficulty, ''Your wound. Explain.''
''Pegaus'' he continued, breathing heavily, all signs of humor gone. ''You didn't tackle me fast enough.''
Serenity nodded somberly, remembering how she ended up on the ground. He seemed to turn their bodies in air and in the process took the fall. He protected her. He took the hit for her. Dark Pegasus was a dangerous creature, his fire was laced with venom and oftentimes - it was fatal. She swallowed and put the dagger in her left arm, pain shooting through her injured limb. ''Just a precaution.''
Serenity acted as if she was letting him live tonight, but in real - she couldn't make herself hurt him. He wasn't fooled.
''Bit late for that'' he muttered, looking over at the pile of bodies around. ''Don't you trust me?''
''No'' she answered too promptly, clenching her fist around the handle. She answered no, despite the fact that he saved her life tonight - twice.
Masked mad nodded in satisfaction. ''Good. You shouldn't.''
She stared at him, wondering about this comment. Shouldn't she trust him? He did save her life after all. Who knows what Eris could have done tonight if she wasn't stopped. Her heart warmed all of a sudden. He looked up at Serenity, catching her staring at him and she withdrew her glance. ''You're not going to last long. Or your arm at least. I know a place.''
Her mysterious savior fixed his mask, securing it in place. He rose shakily and clenched his teeth. ''I'll follow you.''
Princess shook her head and approached the man with unfaltering step, coolness of blade still pressed to her thigh. With a tentative look towards his face, she planted her left bare milky shoulder under his healthy arm.
''What are you doing?'' he stiffened, breathing heavily. His breath was warm on her cheeks.
''I'm carrying you'' she explained, waiting for him to lean himself on her. She felt something in her guts stirring at this proximity. It wasn't that she was never close to a man before, a stranger, a hero that randomly saved the night - it was something about this particular man that pulled her to him. With hidden coloring cheeks, she thought how she was glad to have a reason to get close to him. ''You'll never get there alone.''
He opened his mouth to say something, but she was quicker and unyielding. ''Don't fight me on this. You know I'm right.''
Hesitantly, he nodded and bit his lip to suppress whatever he wanted to retort. Serena felt his weight press on her body, making her knees buckle. A groan hitched in her throat. They stumbled over grounds, his grunts the only sound in the eerie calm. Her heart beat violently as she calculated how much further away until their safe point, whole body shaking with exertion. She could feel his suit was soaked with sweat, maybe even blood. Her arm was pressed over his back that radiated feverish warmth. The music in the background was getting louder as they got closer to that part of castle. Soon, another noise started mixing with it - a melody of gurgling water.
''What's your name?'' she asked curiously, wanting to keep him focused, wanting to keep him alive. Serenity wondered if he was an acquaintance of hers, a friend or one of beaus. It wasn't impossible that he was from other planet. Masquerade ball was celebrated with the purpose of making all guests equal, regardless of their origin. Majority of galaxy was welcome.
Until this year, Terra was not. Her eyebrows knotted. Something changed Queen's mind to welcome Terrans under her roof. A decision that cost them innocent lives. A betrayal unlike any other, but not too unexpected. They were fools for trusting them.
''Tuxedo Kamen'' he answered curtly, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed.
''I don't mean your masquerade pseudonym.''
''I know.''
''Don't you trust me?'' she threw back his own question at him, her left eyebrow raised.
He laughed, a soft musical sound that quickly turned to fit of coughs. Panting, he struggled to say ''I don't trust anyone.''
Her heart skipped a beat at his laugh, striking a note of distant familiarity in her chest. The sensation was over too quickly. Dreadful crimson stain on his lips caught her attention. She shuddered involuntarily. Pegasus' venom was getting to him and it was only matter of minutes until it stole his last precious breaths. Tuxedo Kamen's weight got heavier and she pressed closer to him, silently praying that he lived. She thought how she'd like to hear him laugh again.
Serenity looked up at the stars and, if Tuxedo Kamed died, vowed to hate Endymion until her dying breath.