Important Note from the Author:
I'm just going to be honest. I got lost on this story. I have ideas written down, but the flow was not going the way I want, so I decided to step away for a while. Now, here I am, giving this story another try. Thank you for supporting me by sticking with me.
. . . . . . . . . .
If There Be Light, Then There Be Darkness
Written by Princess Kayla
Inspired by Naoko Takeuchi's "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon"
Chapter Seven – Truth Within a Legend
. . . . . . . . . .
Suddenly, a light flashed on her forehead and revealed a small crescent moon. "My name is Serenity, and I am from the Moon."
Completely confused, Beryl took a step back. 'From the moon' - was this woman delusional?
She studied the odd-looking, young woman. Not only was her hair the unique color of shimmering silver; it was pinned up in an unusual style - two buns on each side of her head. However, the mark on her forehead captured Beryl's attention more than anything. Perfectly centered, the crescent moon sparkled whenever the moonlight broke through the clouds.
Uncomfortably, the woman touched her forehead. "It is a birthmark," she admitted, obviously sensing that Beryl was fascinated by it.
"I have never seen a mark like that before," Beryl stated.
"Oh, I thought..." She stepped further away. "Maybe I should go..."
"Wait." Beryl reached for her, startling the woman. "Please listen to me...what did you say your name is?"
She bit her lip nervously and spoke slowly, "Serenity."
Beryl sighed, "Very well, Serenity, please listen to me." Serenity remained still, considering the situation as Beryl began to plead, "Please, I beg you not to tell anyone about this orb." She lifted up the light with a panicked expression.
"I do not understand," Serenity said honestly, "Why is your gift so wrong?"
Beryl's eyes widened; this was the first time someone outside of her family called her magic a 'gift.' She was in awe of this strange woman and her lack of fear. "You have seen this sort of thing before?"
She nodded, "Many times."
"Where?" Beryl could not believe what she was hearing and wondered if this girl from a clan of sorcery.
"On the Moon," she said directly.
An uncontrollable chuckle of sarcasm slipped through Beryl's lips. "From the moon? What does that mean?"
"Exactly what I said," Serenity's tone held frustration, "I am from the Moon. It is my home."
Beryl searched Serenity's expression for any trace of deception, but there was nothing. "Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yes."
As she looked up at the sky for a glimpse of the moon, Beryl wondered if she was dreaming all of this. 'If sorcery and magic are real, would it be so farfetched for this woman to be as well?'
"What is your name?" Serenity asked, gently.
Meeting her eyes, she answered, "My name is Beryl."
A sweet smile pulled at Serenity's lips, "It is my pleasure to meet you, Beryl. You are the first person from Earth I have ever spoken with."
"How is that possible?"
Serenity pulled at her cloak, awkwardly, "Actually, I am not supposed to speak to anyone from Earth." She swallowed and stepped back, "I am not supposed to be on Earth at all, but..." With a deep breath, she stated, "But...it is just so beautiful here."
Suddenly, Beryl recalled the words of Nephrite and Zoisite. That day when they stood before the statue of Selene, the men had told her that there were rumors of evil beings on the moon, which sought to take control over mankind. Remembering the story made Beryl's heartbeat quicken.
However, as she looked at this young woman in front of her, she found it hard to believe those stories. "I have heard that those who live on the moon wish to steal the energy of human beings."
Serenity was taken aback. After staring at Beryl for a moment, she began to laugh. "I have heard similar stories about the people of the Earth."
Beryl could not help but smile; it was uncontrollable. Something about this woman made Beryl calm and peaceful. She did not understand why, but she felt herself wanting to believe Serenity. If she really was from the moon, she did not fit any of those ridiculous legends.
"Why are you here...on Earth?" Beryl asked her.
Serenity gave a bashful look, "It is actually forbidden to come here, but I have never been good at following the rules." She triggered another smile from Beryl. "The Earth is so full of life and beauty while the Moon is so...well, dreary," Serenity explained, "I have stared at your planet my entire life; I just had to find a way to see it all up close - to touch the grass and smell the flowers." She rested against the nearby tree. "You are so incredibly lucky to live in such a world."
Beryl's brow furrowed in disgust. Her world was ridden with the fear of exposure and the loss of her family. The only good thing in her life was her Prince. Truly, he alone was enough to make living on Earth bearable.
Beryl put those thoughts aside and questioned, "Why are you forbidden to come here?"
Serenity straightened herself, obviously anxious. "We are meant to live as observers of your planet, never revealing our existence. Associating with your people could have dire consequences."
"What does that mean?"
"In all honesty, I am not sure. I have been told this all of my life," Serenity claimed, "It confuses me truly. It does not seem fair to only observe your world and not involve ourselves with it."
"But, you have decided to go against those rules," Beryl said in more of a statement than question. Serenity simply nodded in response.
Glancing down at the magic orb in her hands, Beryl considered Serenity's statements. "This magic you are seeing is forbidden on Earth," she confessed, "I believe I am the only one remaining who has the power to conjure such things."
"Why is something so beautiful forbidden?" Serenity asked with a sadness that surprised Beryl.
"There was a time when some used magic for evil purposes, but not all did so," Beryl explained, "My family practiced sorcery for the good of the people. However, associating with any sort of mysticism results in punishment. You are charged as a 'witch' and can be arrested or even put to death." A hard lump formed in her throat. "My family was murdered under false accusations," she swallowed painfully.
Serenity gasped and put her hand to her mouth. "That is so horrible."
Beryl's eyes widened when she noticed the tears running down Serenity's pale cheeks. She wondered why this woman, who she had never met before, would have such an emotional response to her story. It was a compassion Beryl had never witnessed in her life, and it unnerved her.
Beryl stiffened as Serenity reached out and touched her arm. "Beryl, you should come to the Moon with me. There you will be accepted as a sorceress. No one shall judge you." As her tears dried, Serenity smiled enthusiastically, "Many of my people possess gifts like yours. Some can control water, fire, lightning, and more. You will find solace there."
Beryl stepped back in shock. 'Is this woman serious?' Beryl thought uneasily, 'This just cannot be real.'
Detecting Beryl's discomfort, Serenity apologized, "Forgive me; my companions tell me that I let my emotions elevate too quickly." She gave a soft grin, "I cannot help but hurt when someone else does."
Beryl grimaced; she did not like someone invading her emotions. Besides, she was not 'hurt.' She had placed all her pain faraway where it no longer affected her life. At least, that was what she believed.
"Please come with me. Just for a little bit," Serenity extended her hand, "I want you to see that you are not alone in your abilities."
"This is insane," Beryl admitted harshly, "If you are who you say you are, and you come from such a place, show me your abilities."
Serenity frowned, "Sadly, I do not have any gifts." Beryl could not help but roll her eyes. "But, please," she begged, "Believe me. I am not misleading you."
Again Serenity extended her hand, waiting patiently for Beryl's acceptance. As Beryl stared at it, she considered the situation. If this woman 'from the Moon' was lying, Beryl could use her abilities to defend herself. However, if by some miracle, this whole thing was true, Beryl wanted to see others like herself - wanted to know that she was not the only one.
Keeping her guard up, Beryl gradually took Serenity's hand. A grateful smile sparked on Serenity's face. "We will only be gone for a short time. I will have to return you to the Earth before the moonlight leaves this place," Serenity explained as she pulled a small key out from the pocket of her cloak. Holding it up in the air, she spoke a strange incantation, "Guardian of space and time! Tear apart the sky and open the Door of Realms! Guide me to my destination! Light my path and deliver me home!"
The air around them shifted, and Beryl immediately regretted her decision. But, before she could step away, they were engulfed in a blinding flash of light. All she could do was hold tight to Serenity's hand.
A sudden jolt, a shift in gravity - Beryl held her breath.
"Beryl, you can open your eyes."
Feeling the atmosphere around her return to normal, Beryl took several deep breaths and finally opened her eyes. She was overwhelmed with awe as she took in the sights around her. Beneath her feet was a rocky, crystal-like ground. Unrecognizable types of trees surrounded them. They appeared to be almost reflective, casting a strange sort of rainbow color. She gazed above to the sky and was amazed by the size of the stars, so much closer than she had ever seen...and there like a dream, the Earth floating in the distance.
"Can this be real?" Beryl let her thoughtful question slip from her mouth.
Serenity smiled gently, "I told you, Beryl; I was not misleading you." She stepped towards the trees, "Please, follow me."
"Wait..." Serenity watched as Beryl squatted and touched the cool, rough ground in her hands. She could feel it; she was not hallucinating.
After a moment, Beryl collected herself and followed Serenity, a genuine inhabitant of the Moon.
She let her lead through the trees and onto a marble pathway. "Now, I need you to be very cautious. We cannot let anyone know that you are from the Earth. If someone learns that I have been to your planet, and even more that I have returned with you, I would never be able to visit the Earth again." She showed Beryl the small key that she used before, "This key does not belong to me; it is one of four. I 'borrowed' it for a bit." She grinned mischievously. "Thankfully, no one has noticed yet."
"How long have you been coming to the Earth?" Beryl questioned as she studied the strange place she was in.
"I have only been a couple of times so far," she stated, "I have to be careful when I travel. The key draws power from the moonlight, and if I attempt to travel when your sky does not shine with our light, I could get stuck between worlds."
Beryl inferred that Serenity meant the time of the new moon, when the sky goes dark for a few days. Providentially, on this night, even with a cloudy sky, the moon was full and provided enough light for this journey. That fact made Beryl wonder if her meeting Serenity was fate.
"Serenity!"
They stopped when a shout was heard nearby. "There you are!" Three uniquely dressed women approached. They were each dressed in odd uniforms - short skirts and ribbons of different colors. Beryl had never seen anyone like them.
"We've been looking for you," the woman dressed in blue smiled. Her hair glistened like the blue of the ocean.
Long raven black hair swished around her, as the woman adorned in red stepped forward. "Where have you been?" she scowled gently.
Serenity avoided the woman's intense gaze and mumbled, "I went out for a walk."
"You should have told us so that we could have escorted you," the fiery woman scolded.
"Mars, do not be so harsh with your tone," the tallest of the three interrupted. As her green skirt and auburn hair blew in the sift wind, Beryl noted the scent of perfume. There was no foliage around them, but this woman smelt of flowers. She touched Serenity's shoulder gently, "We cannot help but worry about you."
"Please do not, Jupiter. I am completely fine," Serenity smiled.
"Who is with you?"
Startled, Beryl and Serenity turned around to see another woman, golden haired and dressed in a similar uniform of an orange color. Beryl became uncomfortable under the woman's studying gaze. Then, Beryl noticed a sword hanging at the woman's side and a chill ran down her spine. Seeing a sword was not uncommon when working in a castle, but this blade left Beryl unsettled. She could not place the reason.
The woman approached, crossing her arms over her chest. "I am Venus, Leader of the Guardians. Who are you?" Intimidated, Beryl took a step back.
Unexpectedly, Serenity took Beryl's arm. "This is my new friend, Beryl," she said, surprising Beryl beyond words. She could not believe the title Serenity had given her - 'friend.' That was the first time the label was ever been in reference to her.
"She is from the nearby village," Serenity continued, successfully keeping up with her charade. "We met along our walk in the woods. She is very gifted with magic."
"Really?" Venus inquired with a hint of suspicion.
"Yes," Serenity responded, "She can alter light."
"Show us," the woman in blue said eagerly. She gestured to herself, "I am Mercury by the way, and this is Jupiter and Mars." She motioned to the others.
Beryl's anxieties heightened. Serenity was the only person who had witnessed her abilities and that was only a little over an hour ago. After so many years of living in hiding, she was asked to reveal herself in front of others. It felt like she was stripping all her clothes off, exposing her most intimate parts.
Serenity leaned close to her and whispered, "Beryl, do not be afraid. Remember, you are not the only one with gifts."
Beryl searched Serenity's eyes and only saw kindness and sincerity. Slowly, she took a moment and breathed out the familiar words, "Accendat lumen." Upon command, the orb of light appeared in her hands.
"How lovely," Jupiter commented, a reaction Beryl did not expect.
"What about this?" Mars stepped forward and with a flick of her hand a flame appear in her grasp.
Beryl's mouth dropped open in astonishment. This was the first time she had seen another do magic besides her mother and grandmother.
"See," Serenity grinned. "Mars has the ability to control fire," she explained, "Actually, they each have powers over elements."
"Can you only affect light?" Mercury asked.
Beryl shook her head and let the light fade away. After glancing at each of the women, she directed her attention to the sky. "Ventus," she whispered.
Suddenly, wind began to blow, surrounding Beryl. It spun faster and faster around her until she lifted a few inches off the ground. It was a difficult spell and as quickly as the wind came, it was gone.
As Beryl's feet returned to the ground, Serenity gazed at her in awe, "You can fly?"
"Not really," Beryl shook her head, "I do not have enough power."
"Do not underestimate yourself," she encouraged, and for the first time, Beryl felt fully accepted for who she was - a sorceress.
Abruptly, a bell rang loudly in the distance. Beryl looked towards the direction of the sound and saw a remarkable marble castle, gleaming against the starlit sky. She was shocked that she had not noticed it before; it was even more remarkable than the Golden Palace.
"It is time for our meeting with the Queen," Venus interrupted Beryl's daze. "Serenity, your mother will be expecting you to be there."
Serenity glanced at Beryl with apprehension, and she spoke another fib, "I told Mother that I would return for dinner. I will follow after you later. I want to walk with Beryl for awhile longer."
"Let us come with you," Jupiter came to Serenity's side as the bell rang again.
"No, Jupiter. That is quite alright," Serenity declined, "I will be safe with Beryl." The expression on Venus' face told everyone that she was not comfortable leaving Serenity alone with Beryl - a stranger. Serenity stepped to Venus and took her hand, "You have your duties to get to. Do not worry." Serenity pulled a small compact from her cloak pocket, "Look, I have my communicator. If I need you, I will contact you immediately." She then hugged her.
Venus resisted the embrace for a second and then sighed. Wrapping Serenity in a hug, she replied, "I should be able to say 'no' to you after all these years, but you still get your way."
Serenity stuck her tongue out at her playfully, but Venus copied the action. They both laughed, and for a moment, they could have been mistaken for sisters.
The bell rang once more, and Serenity let Venus go, "Now be on your way. I will see you later."
"Be safe," Mars directed.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Beryl," Mercury smiled as she followed Mars, Jupiter and Venus towards the castle.
Amazed, Beryl watched them leave. She found everything so hard to believe.
"Now you see," Serenity grinned, "You are not the only one with magic." Eagerly, she took Beryl's hand, "Like I said, you will be accepted here. We can make you a home, and you can feel free to use your abilities."
For a moment, Beryl wanted to agree and leave the Earth behind. However, as she thought of what she would let go of, she remembered the one thing that she could not live without.
"I cannot, Serenity," she let go of her hand.
Sadness covered Serenity's face. "Can I ask why?"
Beryl gazed up at the Earth floating freely in the sky. "The love of my life is there. I know he should not," she paused for a moment, "But, he means more to me than living freely with my powers."
"Oh, I see." Serenity looked up at the Earth as well and whispered, "It must be a miraculous thing to be so deeply in love with someone."
Beryl turned her face to the ground, thinking about how meaningless she was to the Prince's standards. "However, he is the Prince of the Earth, and I am a lowly servant."
"The Prince?" Serenity said with amazement.
"Yes, but we have shared moments together," Beryl did not care that she was exaggerating the times she had been with Endymion. "We meet in the palace gardens. He is unbelievably handsome. He told me that it pleased him to meet me." Her heart began to race as the memory of his voice filled her mind. "I work in the castle library, and he has come to visit me."
She remembered him covering her mouth to prevent her from disturbing the Historian. However, as she recalled the moment, her imagination ran wild. "He placed his hand to my lips. I could almost taste him. When he speaks to me, I feel as if I am the only woman in the world." She let out a long sigh of bliss.
"A forbidden love?" Serenity sighed as well. "That is so romantic."
Hearing those words, Beryl was overcome with a burning passion for the Prince. Their love would be forbidden, but unlike her sorcery, she did not care. She belonged to Endymion, and he belonged to her. "He is my Prince," Beryl claimed aggressively.
"You must truly love him," Serenity acknowledged. "I have never been in love before, but if I had the passion you do, I would not want to leave my home either." She nodded, "Let us return to the Earth."
Beryl agreed and they made their way back into the forest of glittering trees. Once concealed within the sanctuary, Serenity used the key, but this time calling forth its power to take them to the Earth.
In a flash, they had returned to the outskirts of the palace gardens. Serenity exhaled sadly as she looked back at the Moon. Its light was dimming as day was approaching. "I cannot stay," she frowned, "But, I hope to return and to see you again, my friend."
Again, she referred to Beryl as her friend, but this time, Beryl accepted it. "When will I know you have returned so I can come see you?"
Serenity's brow furrowed in thought. Then came a spark of an idea; she lifted the small compact from her cloak and extended it towards Beryl. "This is a communicator. Even though I am far away, I will be able to hear you," she explained.
"But, it is yours," Beryl hesitated.
"Do not worry. I tend to loose things," she winked playfully, "I will get a new one."
Gradually, Beryl accepted the compact, "Thank you."
"Oh, Beryl," Serenity startled Beryl as she wrapped her arms around her. "I am so very glad we met."
Stiff in her grasp, Beryl did not know how to respond. She had never met anyone like Serenity in her life. This uncomfortable feeling was not connected to all that Beryl had learned about the moon; it was rooted in the fact that she had never seen such immediate affection. It scared her.
Serenity pulled away. "I must go now, but I will return again soon. I want to know so much more about your world, and..." Serenity paused with a silly grin, "And about your Prince."
Beryl's heart fluttered. To be able to share her love story with someone sent a wave of excited over her. So, despite her mind telling her to proceed with caution, Beryl accepted Serenity's proposal.
. . . . . . . . . .
Final Note from the Author:
I will return with the next chapter as soon as possible. I hope everyone has an amazing new year!
