Disclaimer:
Sailor Moon copyrights February/March 1999 and all its characters are the rightful property of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Kodansha Ltd., Bandai. English adaptation copyrights 1995 DIC Corporations.

"Love: the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."
Mark Twain

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I was crying. I think I must've been crying for a very long time now…
I felt his lips with my own and poured my soul into that kiss. But he was so cold, and so rigid, and I felt sobs rising in my throat once more.
So it was awhile before I realized that there was a tiny pulse at the side of his neck where my forehead was pressed. It was almost too much to hope for…
I reached out and held his hand for a moment before pressing my forefinger to his wrist. There wasn't any pulse…oh, no…oh wait! There is a pulse…faint and not steady, but a pulse nevertheless. I sobbed again in relief, pulling him closer.
"Serena? Darien?"
I didn't hear whomever that had called at first, but I turned and looked behind me when I heard them. It was Horton and Linda!
I exclaimed in surprise and relief, and begged them to take us back to their village. The two dragons agreed heartily and Horton went ahead to tell Olivia and London.
I climbed onto Linda's back with Darien, and held him close as we flew up into the air.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Olivia and London was rushing outside their houses when Linda descended onto the stone road. I blinked around numbly, forgetting for the moment why I was there.
Olivia picked up Darien and I jumped down from the back of Linda. Holding him close to me like my own soul – and indeed he is – I broke down into tears once more. I must look very messy; dragons gathered around me, and Athena and Hermes flew hooting to snuggle closer to us.
That's right…they had actually stayed in Queen Marie's palace…so they probably left and come back to here…
I felt exhausted and grieved. I told of our story to the dragons with a choked voice, often having had to stop to stop myself from breaking down again.
The dragons were sympathetic, and many went away to get water, medicine, food, etc.
I thanked them, and managed to lay my Darien on the bed that we once had been on. I tore open his shirt and looked for bruises, but there were none; I tore down his pants, but there weren't any, either. Growing frightened and dreading what it had meant, I washed him with warm water that Horton had nudged into the room. The owls were quiet and perched on the bed beside my Darien.
Afterwards, I changed him into a fresh change of clothing (magically, apparently) and pulled the blanket around him tightly. I bent down and kissed his cold lips sweetly.
The owls didn't turn away. It probably was so usual between us that they didn't feel uncomfortable anymore. I held his hand, considering what I should do to try and save him.
"Wash up," Olivia said from the doorway. "Darien wouldn't want your bruises all dirty. He would want them clean and bandaged and given care to; food and drink and medicine's ready, and I'll bring them in here in a moment."
"Thanks," I said mindlessly. She was right. Darien wouldn't like me if I didn't at least take care of myself. He loves cleanliness.
I cleaned up and changed before sitting back by his side once more. Olivia came in with food and drink and bandages and so on. I had many cuts from the physical violence when I was getting the Crystals. After I'd applied some cool and pain-relieving gel and bandaged them, I returned to my Love. Hermes pushed the food tray toward me, but I had no heart and stomach for them yet.
I kissed his cheek and took out the ruby pendant. It might help…it'd once helped to heal him…it's at least worth a try…
I took out the two Crystals. They were dull and looked like any other worthless gems in the world. But all the same, I felt energies radiating from them, and put them inside Darien's jacket pocket. That might help. I climbed up to the bed and settled in beside him.
He must've gotten tons and tons of internal wounds. My heart tightened at that thought, but I closed my hand around the chains of the pendant in determination. I was going to heal him and bring him back to me.
It was difficult work, since I didn't know where to start and had to do every single part of him. It was also exhausting, for I was basically transferring my own energy into his body. Yet that might not be enough. His pulse was now steady, but it wasn't at all to my liking – it was too faint to be called healthy.
Exhausted and hungry, I munched down some food and drink and curled up at his side, falling asleep, with the owls perched at the headboard watching out for us.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I felt like I had fallen from an airplane without a parachute when I woke up again. For a moment, I forgot where I was and why I was there, and snuggled closer to him. In a moment, though, I had sat up and was clutching his hand tightly.
"Darien?" I whispered, stroking his cheek.
He was warmer, and looked more like sleeping than in a faint, and that relieved me for a bit. I checked out his pulse, and it seemed as though he was in better condition than he was.
I yawned tiredly and fell into his arms once more.
Please, Sweetheart…come back to me…I miss you. Please come back to me…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When I woke up again, it was dark outside, and I pressed my cheek to his chest. He felt warmer and more alive. I felt like I've fallen from a cliff.
Carefully and reluctantly I left his arm and considered what I should do next. Maybe another round of healing…
Athena nipped at my finger painfully, and I jerked out of my trance. I knew what she was saying – I was too tired to do anything else for the moment, and she also told me that Darien wouldn't like it at all.
Darien…it seemed an eternity ago that I had last tasted his kiss… I held him in my arms, tears pricking at the back of my eyes once more. "Darien," I sobbed his name. "Darien. Come back to me, please…I'm begging you…please…Love, please…"
If he doesn't wake up soon, I might not make through this.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Several more days passed by slowly. I felt my soul dying away, and tried to heal him with the ruby every time, but it didn't seem to help much.
I was beginning to despair, and broke down often in the loneliness, even with him by my side.
Hermes and Athena were harsh upon me, and they often had tried to drag me away from my Darien. I was so angry once that I had caged and locked them away.
I snuggled to him once more and pressed my face to his shoulder. "I love you," I whispered to him. "Is that not reason enough for you to come back?"
He was so silent, and I felt tears flowing down my cheeks once more. My skin was always dry and my cheeks were always puffy, because I'd been crying so much lately.
"Rena…"
I pressed closer to him, still chanting my declaration of love for him –
He's awake! I looked up abruptly, thinking that it was perhaps too much to hope and ask for…but…
He was indeed awake! I couldn't believe my eyes!
Before I could utter a word, he had flipped me over to my back and was kissing all my tears away. Oh it felt so wonderful! "D-Darien," I stammered, not believing my eyes.
He looked at me tenderly, stroking my cheek. "Love, don't cry," he said softly.
I flung myself into his arms – well, I was already in his arms, but – and cried joyfully. "Darien…oh I can't believe you're back! I love you so much!"
He slid his fingers into my hair and kissed my cheek and chin, murmuring soft and soothing words of comfort and love. "I'm sorry that I kept you waiting for so long…I'm so sorry…but I'll make it up to you, I promise," he then pressed his lips to mine, and I lost my mind.
When we separated, he was smiling and looking at me lovingly. "You're so wonderful, Princess," he said softly, and kissed me again.
I felt light-hearted and light-headed, and clutched him tightly.
As we separated again for breath, he let his full weight to fall on me and held me close. I stretched out to reach every part of him, glad and relieved and happy, and kissed him lingeringly.
"You shouldn't have used so much energy," he told me.
I had no doubt that we were linked emotionally and psychologically, so I didn't bother.
"And you should've eaten and rested as you were supposed to. You shouldn't have stayed awake all the time…it's not good for your health," he kissed my hair, and I smiled.
"You're back." That's all that was needed.
He held me tighter and we both fell into the first restful sleep in days.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He was kissing me awake…I kissed him back, sliding my arms around his neck, smiling already. Isn't it wonderful that he's back?
"Hey," he said when we separated.
I smiled shyly, but touched his face eagerly, glad that he was back. "Hi. How do you feel?"
He smiled and looked at me tenderly, then bent to kiss me again. We were tangled up in each other's arms, and it was so hard to move away from him, even an inch.
"I love you," he told me.
"I love you too," I replied; joy dancing in my heart.
He smiled, stroking my hair. "You need some food in you, and so do I. Come on," he sat up, squeezing my hand a little.
I nodded obediently, swinging my feet to the side of the bed. Instantly, thousands of sharp needles stung into my body, and I gave a surprised and painful gasp. Darien slung his arms around me, kissing my shoulder, letting the warmth of his embrace and love soak into my soul.
Grateful, I smiled at him over my shoulder and rewarded him a sweet kiss. His eyes were glazed when I drew away, and I felt like the Queen of the Universe that I could make him lose his mind with just my kiss. Darien smiled at me and leaned in to kiss me once more.
We washed out and changed before going into the kitchen to get some food to eat. Hermes and Athena swooped in beside us, hooting happily, and I gave them both pats on their backs in our thanks.
Then, the owls stretched out their wings and flew away, probably to spread the news that my Darien was awake. Meanwhile, though, I had questions for him.
He caught my gaze and understood me. "I tried not to faint at the beginning," he said tenderly, bringing me into his arms. "But…it didn't really work…I heard your pleading and tried to come back, even though that took a while and some energy. And most of all, I felt your tears. Here." He lifted my hand and pressed it to his chest, where, through his shirt, I felt the beating of his heart. "You healed me, Love. But on too much expense on your part," he kissed my cheek softly. "I'll have to try and make it up to you somehow. How are you feeling? You were badly bruised and I think you were bleeding," he took his hands from my shoulders and moved them down to my back and waist.
I wiggled with a giggle, blushing furiously at his astonished expression. "I'm ticklish," I confessed.
"I know you're ticklish, but I didn't know you were this ticklish," he really began to tickle me, and I fell on my back, laughing so hard that tears had escaped my eyes.
After a moment, he stopped and tucked me carefully into his arms once more. "You asked me if your love was not reason enough for me to come back."
I looked up, surprised that he had heard it and even remembered it.
He smiled at me lovingly and I felt myself blushing. Come on, girl, what's wrong with you? Just stop blushing already!
"Your love is worth anything, Rena," said my Darien earnestly. "Anything. Everything. It's way enough a reason for me to come back. I knew that you'd watched over me, and that was already enough."
I smiled and leaned in to kiss him. "That's a pretty speech," I teased.
Darien grinned. "Not as pretty as you."
I blushed deeper.
"How do you feel, though?" he embraced me sweetly, his arms tangled around my body.
I smiled shyly. "I'm fine. I'm fine."
He looked as though he didn't believe me, but Olivia and London came rushing in at that moment, followed closely by Horton and Linda.
"It's so wonderful to have you back again!" London exclaimed, hugging us both.
"Oh but we were so worried!" Olivia said, pushing her husband aside to hug us. "Did you know, Darien, that our precious Serena here absolutely refused to leave your side?"
Darien met my gaze, and I blushed, bowing my head.
"It's so good to have you back! You've got to ride me some time!" Linda squealed, grinning.
I turned to the dragon, grateful for the change of topic. "Sure! How about tomorrow?"
Linda nodded eagerly, and Horton jumped up and down in joy. Then he went closer to my Darien, examining him, touching his arm and face carefully. "It's good to see you up and about, Darien," he said.
Darien smiled and nodded. "London and Olivia, Horton and Linda, do you think that we can be possibly alone for today?" he kissed my soul with his and I relished the feeling happily.
"That would appear to be a little difficult," London replied, laughing. "But we will certainly try to keep the others entertained about what has happened lately. We're all still in a haze about what happened between the time that we'd left and when you came here, for Serena was much in a very tearful state when she told the story."
"Come on, London. Shut up. They've had enough of us. You're free," Olivia turned back to us. "Go before everyone else come bustling into this house and trample it to the earth. Go! Come on, children, leave them alone for today!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I curled up at his side, looking up to the sky contentedly.
"Don't cry again," he whispered, kissing my hair.
I looked up to my Love in surprise, and he stroked my hair tenderly. "Don't cry again, promise me that," he repeated, but I was too surprised to answer yes.
"Your tears hurt me," he admitted with a rueful smile. "I feel your every tear in my heart, tearing me apart, my soul struggling to get to you and comfort you. So don't cry again. Please. Just for me?"
His eyes were shining hopefully, and I couldn't refuse any request that he asks of me. "I promise," I smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you," he bent and kissed my lips softly, tenderly.
I sighed in bliss.
When he drew away with a small smile and hid his face in my hair. "Love?"
"What is it?" I replied, snuggling closer to him.
"We need many answers. Do you want to start them now or do you want to start them tomorrow?" he whispered against my neck, and I smiled, holding him closer.
"Tomorrow. Definitely tomorrow. Today's too good to discuss unhappy things."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I was reluctant to leave his embrace, so we rode on his Star Distance together.
"I'm glad that you're back," I told him for the millionth time.
"I know. Me too." Bending down, he kissed me softly, and I melted in his arms.
As we descended in front of Olivia's house, there was a big roar of welcome in the air around. It seemed as though every single dragon within one thousand mile radius came.
I laughed joyfully and stepped away from my Darien, allowing him to be hugged by dragons everywhere. I climbed onto Linda's back, and felt myself being squashed by hugs from dragons that I don't even remember meeting.
As the hug-a-thon ended, Darien looked around for me and caught my smile on Linda's back. He flew up on his Star Distance, and lifted me to ride with him.
He kissed my hair and hugged me close, murmuring loving and soothing words to me. I smiled and pressed my cheek against his chest, huddling closer.
"Why don't you show us how you kiss?" Horton suggested as the two owls perched onto our shoulders.
"Horton," Olivia warned.
"What, Mother? You told me that humans kiss, but how do they kiss?" Horton blinked up innocently to his mother.
There was an excited ripple of agreement all around, and I met his gaze shyly. "Shall we?" I asked, a small smile on my face.
He caressed my face with tenderness, and murmured softly, "I can never refuse a kiss from you."
I blushed and wanted to hug him and hit him at the same time. Isn't it embarrassing? But then again, who cares about embarrassment when he's leaning in to kiss you…
I raised my face higher, closing my eyes. As his lips touched mine, I felt a zap of electricity running wildly in my veins, and moaned quietly. He kisses very finely, and I would never get enough of them…
I pressed my face to his shoulder when we drew away from each other for a breath of air. "I love you," I whispered to him, and he kissed my soul tenderly in reply. I felt joy and bliss in my heart, and cursed at the thought this all had to end soon, because we needed to move on and destroy Vanson.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Darien?" I asked him as I stood at the window.
He came up and brought me into his arms. "What is it? Do you need anything?"
I smiled at him. "Yeah. I do."
"What do you need?"
"Your love."
There was a moment of silence as he nipped my neck and shoulder. "Do you want more of my love?" he said finally.
"Yes," I whispered softly. "I think…I sometimes think that I'm going to lose you in this… And I don't like that thought at all…"
He turned me by the shoulders and looked into my eyes. "Shut up."
I sighed and nodded. I know that he sometimes had the feeling as well. "When do you think that we should leave and chase after Vanson again?"
The two owls came in at that moment and perched on my shoulders. Darien frowned unhappily and shoved the owls away. I laughed at the expressions on the owls' face and gave them pats on their back in apology. "I'm sorry. I'm sure that Darien doesn't mean harm."
"I do," he replied sternly. "Serena is mine and mine alone. You are not allowed to touch her while I am near her, do you understand?"
The owls gave him dark looks and nipped my cheek gently before taking off again.
"I think that was a bit too harsh," I said, pushing back a lock of hair from his forehead.
He stared at me for a long moment and then kissed me, at first gently and softly, but after a while, he was kissing me as though this was our last kiss before death.
He hugged me fiercely, holding me close to him, suddenly sobbing into my hair. I hugged him and stroked his back, kissing his face.
"I can't lose you, Rena," he told me. "I just can't. You're too precious. I'm your addict. Please, don't go. Promise me that you will stay by my side and love me."
"I promise." I said without hesitation. "I promise, Love. Don't worry, I won't go anywhere soon, or without you." I held him closer.
He kissed my soul with his and curled his soul tighter around mine. I kissed him back, and then we went to some much-needed sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The sun was shining through the window when I woke up. I looked around, but Darien wasn't by my side anymore.
I was just wondering where he was when he came into the room, and smiled lovingly at me. "Don't be mad. I had to ride Horton. He kept bugging me."
I pushed back the sheets and went up to him.
"Don't tempt me," he warned, but his arms were already dangling around me.
I laughed and cuddled closer, closing my eyes. "You feel nice," I said. "You're the best person in the world."
He hugged me closer. "I know." He answered simply and bent, kissing me softly on the lips.
"Did you know that a good kiss burns eight or nine calories?" I asked him when we separated for breath.
"No, but it's always good to know…I suppose…"
I smiled and snuggled closer.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We asked Olivia of the news of the scorpions the next day, and Olivia told us all that the dragons knew. The scorpions were camping at the mountains where we'd gotten the Crystals. They were making very small progress because of the rough terrains and lands they had to march through. We decided to go that afternoon.
As I was packing up all our things together again, Darien sat at a corner, watching me intently. I looked up and smiled into his eyes.
The owls flew in and perched on my shoulders. "Hi, guys. How are you doing?" I asked them, continuing my packing.
They hooted very well in answer. Darien stood up and ran his hand through his hair. "Listen, Owls."
The owls looked at him darkly.
"Sorry. Athena and Hermes. There we go," he sighed and shook his head. "Listen, guys, I'm sorry for what I did last night. I was just…in a deep conversation with Serena."
If the owls were human, they would've grinned. They flew to perch on his shoulders and nipped his skin affectionately. "Well, do you guys want to come with us?" I asked the owls and closed the pack.
They hooted yes. "All right, then. We're starting this afternoon."
The owls hooted again happily and flew away to enjoy their time alone.
I sighed and turned. Darien wound his arms tightly around me, hungrily kissing me, and I kissed him back. Lately, he seemed…troubled, bothered, by something… I knew that it had something to do with Vanson and me, but as to exactly what it was, I had no idea. He had concealed and protected me from that information. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but I hesitated now and again, fearing what he would say to me, or if he'd tell me at all.
"Darien…"
"What is it, my Love?"
"What's wrong? You're troubled… Tell me, what's bothering you? Maybe I can help," I offered sincerely.
He hugged me tighter. "Nothing's wrong, Lovely. Everything's fine."
I wasn't about to give up that easily. "But you're bothered. I can see it quite well."
He sighed and kissed my hair. "Nothing's wrong, my Love. I just have some thoughts on my mind."
I wasn't convinced at all. "Tell me, Darien – "
He kissed me softly, effectively stopping my flow of observations of him. I knew what he meant, and dropped the subject.
"Just know I'll always be here," I whispered to him.
He hugged me tighter in response. "Any luck with the Crystals?"
"No. I can't figure out how it's supposed to work, either." I sighed and closed my eyes. "And what about that brooch that you gave me? What part does it play in all this?"
"I'm not sure," he said. "But we'll know soon. Come on, let's eat our lunches with Olivia and London and the dragons before we go."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We said our goodbyes to the dragons and ascended his Star Distances before flying away with the owls. I was sad, but it was inevitable, and I felt that I would see them again soon, before this War is over.
"I hope the scorpions are okay. Do you have any idea of how we're going to find Vanson?" Darien asked me, kissing my hair.
I tightened my arms around him. "I don't know. Maybe the scorpions have some news of him."
"Yeah," he agreed.
I sighed and pressed my face deeper into the material of his shirt. "We're so clueless," I said softly. "We don't know where to start, where to end, what might be the consequences, etc., etc. All we know is to chase after Vanson. This isn't good."
He hugged me tighter in response.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It took us a long time to fly there, and the air was chilling. When we saw the camp of the scorpions, a wave of inevitability and helplessness fell upon me full. I clutched his hand as we dismounted, and went to meet them.
The scorpions were very happy to see us. They had thought that we had perished in the quest to find the Crystals. My only regret is that we haven't had yet found the way to access the Crystals. We were the ones who made them; we should be able to unlock their mysterious magic and use them. But without the memory from the last lifetimes, we were unable to do anything.
The scorpions had once said that we knew exactly what we were doing with our magical abilities, yet we didn't. Right now, I felt like I was expected to do something that I would never be able to achieve. The fate of the worlds rested solely on our shoulders, and time wasn't on our side, either.
"We need to go inland," Darien said to me softly.
I smiled. "Okay. Starting tomorrow at dawn?"
"Yeah. The scorpions said that they had some unfinished business of their own, and would be off for a while. So we're going east alone."
I nodded and dropped my head against his shoulder. "I love you," I said to him.
"I love you, too," he stroked my hair and pressed kisses to my face.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I was in deep thought the next morning as we flew eastward, toward some unknown destination. He draped his jacket around my shoulders, keeping me warm, and kissed me softly on the lips.
I smiled at him. "Did the scorpions say how far inland we're supposed to go?"
"No, they didn't say. But they did hint that we'll know."
I fell silent and cuddled closer to him. "Love?"
"Hmm?" he kissed my hair and nuzzled at my neck.
I wanted to tell him that if we didn't make through this war, I would always love him and would watch over him. But I couldn't say it. It seemed as though we were dying already. So I just smiled at him and told him that I loved him.
He smiled and nodded. "I love you, too."
I fell back into his arms.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The landscape was beautiful, but I think I would've enjoyed it more if there weren't a War that was expected before us. I climbed down his Star Distance tiredly at the end of the day, long after the sun had set, and stood there unblinkingly.
I think I might have worried my Darien a little. He took me into his arms, comforting me. We spent the night in uneasy turns of slumbers, and the morning dawned ominously.
I could feel that we were nearing our destination. I could feel that he felt it, too. We hadn't spoken much lately, but understood each other's thoughts and often communicated without moving our mouths.
I nudged my love toward him through our link, and he smiled back before replying with similar emotions.
I cuddled against him as we set off again, toward wherever our instinct told us to go. I took out the Crystals, but they no longer radiated energy and looked like any other crystals in the world. Flustered, I took out my ruby pendant, and it no longer held any power, either. Dismayed, I looked up to him, but he only kissed me and gave no answers.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was some time after sunset that we arrived in a small village. It was closely guarded and had a gate that was locked, forbidding entrance.
It was after many calls that we had before a man came out, carrying a lantern. My heart sank.
"This is the place," I whispered to him.
He squeezed my hand.
"Did you not see the sign reading no entrance between sunset and sunrise?" the man demanded.
"No, because it's too dark!" Darien snapped back, for we had expected more welcome than this.
"No stranger is allowed in, not when it's dark and dangerous," the man said.
"Will you be so kind as to tell us why no stranger is allowed?" I called sarcastically.
"Lately there's been some strange events happening: robbers, thieves, murderers, and all that kinds. We think it's the Darkness. No stranger is allowed!" he said and turned, hurrying back into his watchtower.
"Save us, Endymion and Serenity!" I shouted, waiting for the man's reaction.
The man stopped uncertainly. "What did you say?" he asked.
"I said, 'Save us, Endymion and Serenity!' Why?"
The man did not answer for a long moment. "I'll be back," he said and hurried into the darkness.
A few moments later, the light in the nearest house lit up, and another man came out, more heavily built and had a stern look on his face, judging from the frowned brow in the light of the lantern. Soon, like a spreading disease, news had traveled far and the lights in houses began to light up, one by one.
"Who are you and what is your business?" the heavier man demanded.
"Before we answer that, you must answer a question of our own," Darien called.
"There's no need for me to answer your question – "
"There is, if you want to destroy Vanson," I bit back, and heard many gasps from the background. What terrible power does the name hold? It's just a name. "Tell us, what does the name Serenity mean to you? And Endymion?"
The heavier man turned and talked urgently in small voices with some men behind him. At last he turned back to us. "They are our saviors. Legends tell that they will be reincarnated and will save us once again," he said.
Darien and I looked at each other. "What do you expect of them, then?"
"As I said, to come and save us."
"What if we tell you that they are here, right before your eyes?" Darien said.
There was an eerie silence. Then men and women and children poured forth, trying to glimpse their legendary saviors through the enclosing darkness.
"That's not possible," the heavier man said sternly.
"Did the legend not say that they would be reincarnated and come back to life? Did the legend not say that they would come to save you again?" I called, and felt my ruby burning up again.
"Show us proof that you are who you claim to be!"
Darien sighed. "My goodness, this is taking way longer than I expected," he whispered to me, and no one else heard. We took out our ruby pendants and held them up high, and the red fires spilled forth like a warning of danger.
We saw the man turn again to talk with the villagers behind him. "That's not enough!" he said. "Anyone with wizardry is able to imitate Their Highnesses' pendants. Show us your Crystals and show us your use of them, if you claim to be Their Highnesses."
I exchanged a worried glance with him, but took out the Crystals. To my surprise (and probably his, as well), the Crystals were burning brightly with a silver and golden light, and lit up the whole village with its light. It was so blinding that I had to cover my eyes. After a moment, the light died again to a soft glimmer and flew back into our hands.
The gate unlocked slowly, and, with our hands clasped together, we went in.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After some time of questioning and with a stomach full of the first warm meal we had in days, we went to sleep in a bedchamber of the mayor's house.
I snuggled closer to him, unable to sleep, and listened to the quiet beat of his heart.
"They kept repeating The Abyss," he whispered to me.
I nodded. "What is it, anyway?"
"Maybe we should ask them tomorrow morning. We'll check that out first thing, and then see from there," he kissed my ear, and pulled the cover closer around us.
"Sounds like a plan to me," I replied sleepily. "It's wearing into Spring. I hope I can enjoy the weather and the landscape soon."
"Yeah," he agreed and kissed me goodnight.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"The Abyss," the mayor said in horror. He was the heavy man that had talked with us last night. "The Abyss!"
"What is it?" I insisted.
"The Abyss," he repeated and his face was tortured with a horror that made me pity him. "It's a chasm at the top of the mountain behind the village. It's said to have the power of making one forget everything one has come to know. If you fall in there, Your Highness, it'd probably be the next millennium before the Darkness is destroyed. It's said to be a very, very long fall, and you won't remember anything afterwards, not even your name or where you are or why you're there. So you waste away and just die."
"Thank you, Mayor," I said gently and stood up.
"Well, you heard him," Darien said to me outside in the sun. "We should check it out."
"Yeah," I nodded. "Come on," I mounted my Star Distance and we flew away.
We climbed the altitude slowly, often circling the peaks, and spoke little. The wind grew chilling as we climbed, but he wrapped me in his jacket, and I smiled at him gratefully.
"He's right," I said, arching my brow. "It is at the top of the mountain."
"Yeah, and it feels strange. It feels more mischievous than evil," he took my hand and held it tight. Then we began to descend slowly down to the brink of the huge chasm. There was one single rope bridge that crossed the crack, but it was not maintained, and the wooden landings were rotten and broken. "We might need this bridge sooner or later," he commented.
"Yeah. I heard from the mayor – or one of his men – that some servants of Vanson are coming this way. Certainly they want to conquer as much land as they can, and capture us, if possible. They're like Orcs of Mordor in Lord of the Rings," I said, and we dismounted at the brink.
It looked ominous, and looked very deep. The cliff of The Abyss was steep, almost vertical, like a huge knife had cut it. There was also a swirling cloud within, and we couldn't see after a few feet into The Abyss.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After we came back from The Abyss, we told our wish to the mayor that all villagers should pack up and be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. The mayor said that they would do so.
Darien and I went back to The Abyss with wood and rope every day, making a new bridge, since the old one could not be used any more. I felt a terrible fear as a rusting hammer, found by the old bridge, was accidentally dropped into the chasm. We didn't hear it touch the bottom of The Abyss that day.
As days grew and waned, we also began to gain knowledge of the Crystals, using it briefly at times but needing also longer times to rest after using them. Faint memories drifted back, often through the form of dreams, but they were not the keys of unlocking the Crystals. They were rather of our sweet times together, avoiding the outside world, lost in our own Paradise.
Four days later, scouts about the lands rushed back and reported that servants of Vanson were on the move. We ordered immediately that everyone should get ready and leave, with the mayor leading the way, across The Abyss.
Some stumbled and were in fear as they flung cloaks about themselves and took up their bags. We reassured them as best as we could.
I took out my Crystal and held it in my hand for a moment. "Show them the way," I whispered softly, and the Silver Crystal flew from my hands toward the start of the company, lighting up with silver as it went.
Darien stopped beside me. "We'll have to cut off the bridge after everyone's through. At least the scouts said that no flying thing is yet here. And even if there are, the villagers could hide within that huge and magnificent underground palace at the foot of the mountain."
I nodded. "There seem to be a lot of underground palaces around, eh?"
"Yeah. Maybe we made them before to ensure that all villagers will be safe while we fight Vanson."
We brought up the rear of the company, and Darien flew away on his Star Distance to spy out how the servants of Vanson are doing.
Many fine archers and shooters were on the most outer edge of the company, just in case that they had the need to fight. I prayed fervently that we'd make through this.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I helped some children and the old cross the new bridge (the old one was cut). The new one was much wider and five men could walk abreast but merely touching the ropes.
Half the village was past when Darien warned me of danger through our link. I flew toward the mayor and told him of our situation.
"You're sure you know where the palace is? Have you forgotten from this morning?"
"Yes, I know, Your Highness," the mayor replied earnestly.
"Lead the villagers there. Don't come out unless either Darien or me come to get you. There is enough food and water stocked to last you some days, but use it as sparingly as you can. Good luck, Mayor."
"You, too, Your Highness!" the mayor called back.
I told my Crystal to stay just a moment longer and that I'd call out if I needed her. Then I flew toward the back of the company to meet Darien.
"They're within sight of the gate," he told me urgently. "Even though it's closed, they'll probably catch up with us within an hour. Only half the village is across."
"I'll start flying them across," I suggested.
"All right. I'll try to keep them off for a while. Be careful," he kissed my forehead and was gone once more.
"Hold on tight, and close your eyes," I told a woman with a small baby in her arms.
"All right," she stuttered and clammed her eyes shut tightly.
I urged my Star Distance across the chasm and helped her dismount. "Your husband will be with you in a moment," I told her, and she nodded, clutching her baby.
Slowly, the villagers filed through the bridge as I flew some of them, usually in whole families, across the chasm and into the darkening day.
"They're through the gate!" he shouted through our link, and I heard clearly the sounds of arrows and fire burning.
"Hurry! Hurry!" I urged the rest of the villagers forward. "Don't look back! Don't look down! They're through the gate, but Darien is keeping them off for the moment. The village is already burning up. Hurry! Come on, hurry!"
I felt urgency burning up inside of me. There were still some thirty to forty villagers not yet across, and I flew back to Darien, helping him setting up barriers between the servants of Vanson and us.
It was the darkest hour that I had ever known yet. Since the village was already in ruin, I summoned a bow from a nearby house and took a shot toward one of the servants of Vanson. I don't know if I got him or not, since the fire was so blinding.
"Go! Check out how they're doing!" I shouted to him.
Darien's eyes met mine. "Be careful," he kissed my soul with his and was gone.
I looked around in desperation. They were tearing down the barriers we made. I lit the grass with flames right below me, so that they were halted and trapped, except from going backwards.
"How are they doing?" I asked through our link, slowly circling above the bad guys.
"Ten more men. Four of them are barely able to walk: seniors. I'm flying them through."
"Good – " I was cut off from my sentence as an arrow of fire brushed against my Star Distance and lit up the broomstick in fire.
I gave a yelp and went down, crashing into the earth. Stars were dancing in my eyes, and my head felt like it could explode.
"What happened? Are you okay?" Darien asked urgently.
"I'm fine. Just a drop," I groaned in pain and sat up, waiting for my eyes to adjust and refocus.
The men of Vanson were breaking through the fire. I looked with emotions at my Star Distance, now burning. It had carried me thus far, and was destined to perish in battle. I bowed my head and gave it a silent thanks and reverence, and stood up to face them. I hope I looked brave.
I blasted several deadly spells toward the men, and some staggered and fell and was never again seen walking. I held my ground steadily, at least at the beginning, but I gave away slowly, and had to dodge rains of arrows.
"How are you doing?" I asked him through our link.
"Almost there. A small girl tripped over a rock and her mother's trying to comfort her right now. They'll be on the bridge soon. Yeah, they're starting to cross it."
"A little help right now would be appreciated," I said and was flung back into a large boulder. Oh, crap, that hurt.
He flung deadly spells toward the men and rushed to me. "Are you okay?" he brought me into his arms, soothing my tense and wounded body. "It's okay. I'm here."
I choked with pain and sat up. "Watch out," I pushed him away from me and the spell hit me straight in the face. I groaned in pain. My head was splitting, and stars were dancing in my eyes.
"Let's retreat," Darien said after moving some boulders into their way. I limped after him.
"Where's your Star Distance?"
"Fell in battle with honor," he replied. "A very fine broomstick it was."
"Yeah, mine too. Silver Crystal!" I called, and the Crystal sped toward me from across the bridge. "The woman's almost across. Yes, she's safe. All the villagers are at the other side now. Why are they watching? Go!" But they would not, and watched us with wonder and fear for our safety.
"This is a perfect time to acquire the power to use our Crystals," he said to me, holding out his Golden Crystal.
"Yes, a very fine time," I gasped, clutching my arm. I highly suspected that it was broken.
Darien held aloft the Crystal that was gathering power. I leaned against the pole of the bridge, exhausted, and stars were dancing in my eyes again. There was a light, and the Golden Crystal hit the start of the men of Vanson with a deadly force that must be reckoned with.
At least a dozen of them fell dead. But thirty more replaced them, and I turned toward him in urgency. "We'll have to run across the bridge and cut it off ASAP. Go! Go! Go!"
He put me in front of him and we started across the bridge. But my head was splitting, and I fell to my knees, panting in the almost unbearable pain.
"Honey," he whispered in my ear, and gave me his strength.
"Go on," I told him. "Go. Just go. I'll be right behind you. Go on."
He shook his head.
"Just go!" I screamed at him.
He seemed very reluctant. But at last, he started, and looked back to me often. I took out my Crystal. "Well, this might not be the last time I have to use you, but this is a very good time to work," I held it close to me for a moment, and held it up, now shining brilliantly.
"Rena!" he called out to me in absolute horror.
I released the power within my Crystal and the deadly force killed many more of the men. I fell to my knees again, exhaustion stealing over me. I wasn't prepared for this kind of energy draining!
"Rena!" within the chaos, I heard his call again, loud and clear, and his footsteps.
I opened my eyes and sat up. The rest of Vanson's men were closing in. I summoned an axe from nearby.
Raising the heavy axe with great difficulty, I managed to cut the poles, and cut off my only way across.
"Rena!" his call echoed in my ear.
"I love you," I whispered to him, and kissed his soul with mine.
I just managed to stand up, though still staggering, and the last three men of Vanson's came on. With my last strength, I retreated until the soles of my feet were resting upon the empty air. The three men threw themselves at me, but with a quick reflex, I made my way through their empty catches. Their cries of fear echoed in the chasm as they fell.
I closed my eyes tiredly and felt myself slipping. The rocks gave way finally, and I plunged head first into the crack.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I'm done with this chapter! Yes! Feedbacks, please! My e-mail box feels very lonely lately!

Crystal Selena