Sparta
When Xerxes wrote again to Leonidas he demanded: 'Deliver up your arms,' When Leonidas wrote back he replied: 'Come and take them.'
Endymion knew Serenity's tiny figure was hidden from the view of their unwelcomed guest. Endymion looked down at Serenity to study her facial features as the question once again boomed throughout the room. She knew who the owner of that voice was… as did he.. and for some reason she seemed terrified.
Endymion craned his head to the side to see a cloaked figure hobble into the room. His eyes narrowed in complete disgust over their visitor. "Who are you to think that you can barge into my palace and demand anything!" Endymion voice turned cold as he turned around, making sure his cape concealed Serenity's body, to face the approaching figure.
"I know she received an invitation from you! I also know she's not at her home! Where is she?!" The figure all but hissed underneath his cloak as three more cloaked figures gathered behind him.
"And what do you want of her?" Endymion asked curiously yet his voice still held the chill of his anger.
"She is to be used as the next Speaker of the Gods." The figure said as his hood slipped back revealing a disfigured monster. The monster's face was discolored in certain spots as if he had been badly burned. The rest of his face was mangled either from childbirth or from the physical force of a beating. "Come now Prince… just hand her over," it hissed.
"Nay, she is currently vying to become the next Queen of Sparta. You will have to wait and see if she fails." Endymion replied as he eyed the monster in front of him. The monster and his comrades were well known oracle readers who lived atop a nearby mountain. The creatures would use young girls as their method to speak to the gods. Endymion baulked in disgust at the thought of Serenity becoming their slave and tool...
"Nay to you dear Prince… I will not wait… I had to wait until she was eighteen… now that she is of age to become a Speaker of the Gods… She is ours!" The creature took a few brave steps towards the seething Prince. "I know she is behind you… I am no fool… Show yourself Serenity… or cower behind your ruler!"
Before Endymion could tell Serenity otherwise, she stepped out from behind his looming figure. "Looking for me creatures of Hades?!" Serenity said with venom.
"Your mother wouldn't hand you over willingly but now she is not here to protect you!" said the monster as it distorted his face trying to bring an air of confidence to his face.
"Take some other girl." Endymion cut in.
"Nay, Prince, don't you remember… we have first pick… over the most beautiful women in Sparta. In exchange we help relay oracles to you and the council…Now..we have chosen." The thing looked quite pleased with itself as it reached a disfigured hand towards Serenity. "Come," it purred as his small black eyes consumed her figure in hunger.
"I'd rather die." Serenity hissed and didn't move an inch.
"You should have more respect for the Gods considering who your father is…" The monster said.
"My father would strike you dead before you touched me… I know what you do to those poor girls once you get them on that mountain!" Serenity was boiling with rage. The audacity of these creatures!
Endymion winced at the thought of what these creatures would do to Serenity if they had the chance to bring her to their lair. Endymion had to shake the queasy feeling that gripped his stomach at the thought of them 'having their way' with her.
Pushing those thoughts away in complete disgust, Endymion took a step in front of Serenity. "Creatures go back to the hole you crawled out of… Serenity isn't going with you."
"You can't stop us Prince!" The creature screeched as it lurched towards them. "The child of Apollo will be ours!!!"
Stunned at what the vile creature had claimed, it took Endymion a moment longer to grab his sword as the monster came forward.
Before the Prince could unsheathe his sword, he heard a rush of air from his side. As he looked back up he saw that the creature had staggered backwards clutching an arrow that had pierce his heart… if he were to have one.
Finally the disfigured creature crumpled to the ground screeching with the fear of death's approaching figure. The other cloaked monsters rushed to their comrade's side hissing in anger.
Serenity trembled with relief and slight fear. She knew that she had killed one of them… but what of the rest? Would they wait until she left the palace or would they come in the night and try to take her away? … She stopped her train of thought in disgust… she would either kill them all or kill herself… She would not run away from this situation anymore.
Endymion turned a stunned gaze towards a shaken Serenity. She was clutching the bow in her hand and had already taken out another arrow for precaution. She looked beautiful… Her cherry red lips were pursed together in contemplation of her next action… Her blue eyes never left her target but glistened with unuttered rage. The Prince found himself completely captivated with her once he gave her features the attention they so rightly deserved. She looked like a goddess.. her body arched in an elegant stance.. her arm raised slightly as it held her bow and arrow next to her face. He would have dwelled on her features longer but the weight of the current situation fell heavily into his sudden awareness, shaking him out of the stupor Serenity had put him in.
Endymion finally spoke, "Who taught you the art of archery?"
"My aunt…" Serenity replied, her eyes never leaving those vile creatures.
"And who is she…" Endymion questioned, needing to hear the answer from her lips…needing to hear her confirm what that monster had claimed.
"Artemis…" Serenity replied before finally glanced up at Endymion for a brief second to assure him that she was, in fact, not lying.
Endymion was once again lost for words so he turned his attention on the intruders. "Beasts…leave this place! And take your dead with you for we will perform no burial rights on his God forsaken body!"
The creatures once again hissed at the Prince's command. They then surrounded their fallen fellow demon, hoisting his unmoving body up to leave. One of the cloaked figures stepped forward bravely, as Serenity pulled the arrow to the bow.
"Spartan Prince, beware!!… Because of your false judgments… we will curse your name to the gods! You will never again receive a message from the gods through us!" With that the creature left ushering his fellow demons to follow.
"GUARDS!!" Endymion roared.
In a matter of seconds guards flooded the throne room. "Follow those creatures out of the palace…make sure they leave… set up guards around the palace to insure they don't return!"
As quickly as they came…the guards had gone. Endymion finally turned his attention to Serenity who had finally put down her bow and replaced her arrow.
"Welcome to the palace, daughter of Apollo…." With that Endymion turned and retreated from the throne room. "Jadeite, see to it that Serenity is escorted to her room safely in order to prepare for the ball."
Jadeite nodded from his watchful place in the corner before stepping beside Serenity and gently nudging her towards the doors. "That wasn't so bad was it, Serenity?" Jadeite said trying to easy the tension from the room.
Serenity let a trembling sigh escape her lips, when she felt that the Prince was out of earshot. "Jadeite, thank him for standing up for me…" Serenity whispered hoarsely as she tried to suppress her anxiety.
Jadeite's heart melted for the girl, poor thing. He just nodded and led her to her room. Before Jadeite left her to her thoughts, he assured her that those creatures wouldn't be back and that the palace would be heavily guarded. "And Rei will be by in a little while to check on you."
With that he disappeared behind the door. Once alone, Serenity threw herself onto her bed and sobbed as she clutched her lyre to her chest for comfort. "Oh, Father.. I do not wish to do this anymore…"
Author's Note:
I'm sorry this chapter was so short...the next few will be longer!!!
DUN…dun..dunnnn…So! Apollo's her father.. I'm glad to see that some readers had already picked up on my hints! Congrads! Now…as for the person at the door…that was nearly impossible to guess but I enjoyed reading your responses! Oh and for those of you wondering what I was taking from the movie 300…well that's it… those horrible monsters/oracle readers! To my knowledge the real Spartan's didn't have them but I thought they would be a nice touch to my story!
Next I would like to address the questions/comments about the quota of reviews I must have in order to update… Ok…I don't have a quota…I'm just one of those people that are highly motivated to write and post faster with more reviews! I am trying to post every week…but if I see that I don't have very many readers anticipating my next chapter…I feel as though I have more time to write and can therefore postpone posting. Thank you for your questions/comments…I have no problem answering them!
Honestly I would like to thank all of the people who reviewed…This chapter wouldn't have been posted so soon without your comments! The response I've had to this story has blown me away…Thank you.
Manga Girl234- In the next chapter you'll learn more about Beryl… and her role in my story..But yes she will pose quite a problem.. dun dun dun.. Thanks for the review!
Inspire16- haha…well does this chapter answer your question about how good Serenity is with her bow and arrow…(and I've always wanted to give archery a try too) Thanks for the review!
Purest Shadows- Thanks for the review… I am really trying hard to make this story original… Thanks again!
Daisy31- Yay! I'm glad you caught all of my hints and were able to guess correctly! I also hope this chapter answers your question about how good Serenity is with her bow and arrows… What can she say…She's been trained by the best! Thanks for the review!
Forquer- Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews (They honestly make my day!). And to answer your question… they did have ballrooms..but they were more so banquet rooms. The banquet rooms would be used for celebrations, dances, feasts..ect. Good question though! I know this chapter was shorter.. but I'm trying to make the next few longer! Thanks again for the review!!!
Mojacko1984- Wonderful guess in regards to the father! I'm glad you were able to pick up on my hints! I would also like to thank you for the wonderful comments you made! I'm really trying to post weekly... so I really hope you enjoy this chapter…even though it's somewhat short (I'm trying to make the next ones longer!) Thanks again!!!
To my other Reviewers- Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews.. I would not have posted this chapter as soon as I did without your encouragement. Oh..and I loved hearing your guesses! Thanks again!
I hope you like this chapter… again… I already have chapter 5 written… so again I will try to post next week if I see an interest/anticipation for the next chapter… If not.. I'll post two weeks from today!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon nor do I own any rights to the movie 300.