The guards and the other ladies that had been in the large throne room had been dismissed so Hotaru and Kura were alone. The Emperor pulled her onto his lap and loosely hung his arms around her waist. He kissed her bare shoulder tenderly. Hotaru felt Silver shiver with fear from the lack of distance between the Nox Light and Itself.

"Did you like your first day at court, my Sage?" Kura lightly ran his finger over her lips. "Would you be up to having more days here, by my side?"

"I want to see. Let me take this off so I can see things for myself." Hotaru reached up to take the blindfold off. Kura caught her hands and made her lower them gently.

"You don't need to see with your eyes." Kura cupped her face with his had. "You just need to feel with your heart."

The Emperor captured her lips with his, pull her close against him. Kissing an Emperor was like kissing any other man with experience. He knew how to make her knees weak with a kiss. He knew how to piss her off with a kiss as well. Kura held her in a way that made her feel safe, loved and his only desired. His touch made her think of the times she had seen her father hold her mother. Hotaru knew it was a touch to be treasured. It was a touch of love and tenderness. It made her melt.

Kura pulled away and then held her like they were dating. Was this how he held all his harem girls? Probably was. She pushed slowly away from him and got to her feet. Kura reluctantly let her walk out of the throne room. Hotaru continued out of the room and down the halls. She had no idea where she was going but she had to see with her own eyes to find out for sure.

Hotaru untied the blindfold and looked around the hall she was in. Remains of living souls passing sparingly through this part of the castle shined before Hotaru's eyes. And then she heard it. A soft eerie melody she couldn't put in to words was calling her. Hotaru felt like she was choking and ripped the collar from her neck. Her chest was heavy and yet her soul felt free. She had to follow that melody. She had to find the cause of this feeling.

Her heels didn't make a sound as she hurried down the hall, to a set of heavy double doors. Hotaru tried to push them open but they wouldn't budge. She used every ounce of physical strength she had and finally got a space big enough for her to slip through. She slid through and pushed the door closed behind her.

The room was empty expect for a pedestal. On top was a cushion and on top of that were several pieces of crystal shards with a churning silver light shining from each. Their light seemed so familiar, so warm. Hotaru reached for one timidly. A blast of energy hit her before Silver's frightened warning.

Hotaru hit the ground harder than she ever had as a senshi. The familiar footsteps of the Emperor Kura echoed in the large room. She pushed herself up and glared at him, her back scuffed and lightly burned.

"I hate to say that I had been preparing for this day but I was none the less. I had a feeling that Dimensional Wuss, Janus, would send his infamous Protector after me when I found these shards. That's how I knew I had to keep an eye on you personally." Kura said as he slowly strode towards her. "Of all the people he could've chosen, he had to pick the only one I'd ever truly fall in love with. These shards allowed me to have as much power as I needed to keep you in line. I love power but I fell in love with you. You were power embodied. Too bad I have to kill you now. I'll preserve your body in a lovely crystal coffin while the Wraith Silver keeps you from decomposing or growing old. I'll kiss you and love you for the rest of my life. And no one will take you away from me."

"You're right, Kura. I am power embodied." Hotaru got to her feet and faced him. "I am the Silence-the last of my corrupt breed. I am the Senshi of Silence-the Fallen Messiah. And I am not afraid of you!"

Hotaru fired a surge of energy at the Emperor, slamming him back into the wall. Kura got to his feet and drew his sword. Silver reacted, shortening Hotaru's skirt to a more fight-easy length. Both charged forward, their Living Weapons ready.

A bright flash of light signaled the clash of the Nox Light and the Wraith Silver…