Chapter 14
They waited on the fringe of the sacred grove of trees, that surrounded the temple. Observing the squat old, balding priest finishing up his daily chores. Before retiring within the long traditional living quarters set at the back of the temple grounds. A simple home of rice divider's and wooden beams with a clay tiled roof similar to Mamoru's house just further up Sendai hill. The old man mounted the stone steps up to the front foyer, pulled the divider aside and disappeared within.
The last of the suns vague light dimming unto night. Leaving them shrouded in the deep dark shadows of the trees. Allowing the soft gentle waxing moon to rise over the lush canopy before creeping silently over the cobble stones towards the Offering Hall that was attached to the Main Hall in which the priest lived. Mamoru took the lead ducking low as she crept around the outer bamboo platform that rimmed the halls. Her long dark pony tail swishing back and forth, the white hello kitty t-shirt a beacon for Rei to follow.
Rei chuckled lightly at how jerky and clumsy Mamoru moved as she attempted to be stealthy, having no training in the art at all. Rei had been trained along the lines of a hunter, so knew how to track and move silently. She wasn't as fancy about it as Mina was as an assassin. But she had her own art for it.
Soon toeing ahead of Mamoru as they circled around the back of the temple, catching sight of the orange glow of the fire flickering behind the flimsy rice paper of a divider at the far end of the temple.
Mamoru was soon trying to mimic her movements, moving on her toes as Rei nearly flew along the bare ground. Leaping with ease up onto the wooden platform and pushing the divider aside softly. They entered the prayer room solemnly, drawn with reverence upon the roaring flames held within the iron floor pyre.
Rei adjusted Usagi old leather duffle to hang low over a hip, before powering up into her Guardian form in a flash of crimson light. Standing before him in her dark red armour with the black shoulder pads and dark accents upon her leather vest. The deep red bird of prey hilt of her sword gleaming in the firelight as if communing with a kindred spirit. Her cape was forgotten in this transformation, instead two grand rust coloured wings burst from her back.
Mamoru stood in a state of rapture, unable to pull her eyes off the mystical sight of Mars in her Angelic form.
"If you stare any longer, your eyes will burst into flame." Mars commented sarcastically, retaining her focus upon the sacred fire. The hot wind cast by the flames, playing with her long ebony hair. Tossing it about her shoulder's as if within a lover caress. The warm light flickering over her elegant face and dark hair warming her features and giving her a very mysterious aura.
Mamoru quickly cast her golden eyes downward in shame, it was unseemly to pay such adoration to Rei. She was just recovering from rejection. Giving her false hopes was something she didn't wish to do.
(Mamo-chan, Rei has a sharp tongue, don't let it bother you.) Usagi sighed in his mind, hearing her snide comment, and feeling she had to smooth things over.
Mamoru laughed softly, his sweet girl totally missing the true nature of his shame.
Mars re-tuned her soul to sync with the energies of the flames own spirit, slowly approaching the inferno as if it was a wild animal that might bolt at any sudden movement. This was her element and she understood it on a primal level as a living source of life and death. A brutal predator if not treated with the proper respect, would consume and destroy without remorse.
The shimmering light within her deep violet eyes began to dance in tune with the Fires flickering aura.
As she reached the edge of the roaring inferno, she squinted in slight pain. Enduring the intense heat as she channeled her powers within it's core forming her link to the Astral Plane. The fire surged, turning a silvery blue the colour of the soul, as a vortex swirled within it's depths. Mars turned and passed the wide eyed, extremely nervous Mamoru a small satisfied smile before merely walking into the flames.
As she entered her portal of fire, the intensity of the light stung her eyes. Narrowing her violet eyes to compensate she continued into the vortex of blue flame. The heat of the flames tickled against the bare skin of her face, a comforting
friend biding her welcome within the heart of her element. There was an unnatural wind within the fires core, it played with her long flowing hair causing the dark strands to dancing merrily around her shoulders. Illuminating her dark tresses within the eternal blue glow. The walls of blue fire roared around her, echoing within her own soul now connected so seamlessly to its elemental heart. A sense of peace and comfort washed over her, the fire knew her, protected her would never harm her. She was it's friend, it's mistress and master. The fire spirits now tamed and under her command, dancing around her giggling and playful.
The tongue of blue and silver flame billowed around her accepting her fully. Taking one calm breath after another Mars moved beyond the fire's grasp and into the endless fog of the Timeless Void.
The sudden change in atmosphere felt like a slap across her face, by a cold freezing wave of air. Opening her eyes, Mars found herself surrounded by the swirling grey clouds of the Astral Plane, the endless void of nothing surrounding her below. Spreading her rusty red coloured wings wide she caught the wind with a powerful snap, twisting in the air to survey the swirling vortex of blue fire hovering high above. Waiting for Mamoru to fall into this higher dimension.
Mamoru swallowed, and took a deep breath squeezing her golden eyes shut in fear as she made the ultimate leap of faith into the fire. Expecting all the laws of nature to be true and to feel her skin heating up and burning away. The cool tranquility that greeted her as she fell through the flickering blue flames both awed and alarmed her. As quickly as the walls of blue flame enveloped her, they faded behind her. As the murky embrace of billowing clouds surrounded her. She couldn't calm her heart from pounding as she was met with an endless free fall within the thick clouds. Her white shirt pressed tight against her breasts, cracking in the eternal wind roaring in her ears. She tried to cry out at first, not seeing Mars anywhere. Wondering if the woman was going to let her fall forever.
Then like a shooting star of red flame, she dove towards her from off to the left. Mars had her wings tucked tight to her side, arms out stretched, fingers reaching. A smart ass smirk plastered over her elegant face, as she suddenly grasped Mamoru's hands. To which Mamoru had thrust over her head, her heavy black duffle bounced off her back knocking her wind out of her. Her ponytail fluttering in the wind. Holding tight to Mars, as her wings then spread wide, pumping hard against the wind correcting their plummet and levelling off.
"Nice catch..." Mamoru commented breathlessly, still not used to hearing the soft tones for his new voice.
(She did that on purpose...) Serenity stated bitterly in his/her mind.
Mars for her part laughed loudly, enjoying the feelings of exhilaration of her flight. It had been way to long since she been able to release her Goddess form.
They soared through the clouds mass, for an undetermined amount of time. Mamoru's arms were beginning to ache as she hung from Mars grip. She figured Mars might be feeling the same strain, yet wasn't letting on. Her violet eyes scanning the eternity of mists below, searching for something hidden.
Several more minutes past with no sign of anywhere to set Mamoru down. Mamoru glanced up noticing how Mar's face was beading with sweat, her arms trembling from the growing strain of holding her.
"How much farther!" Mamoru shouted up, her stomach now churning with anxiety. Mars couldn't keep this up much longer, her fingers were white and soon would merely just release from lack of circulation.
Mars never responded, her eyes darting about desperately, searching. As Mamoru stared up at the Goddess of Fire's growing distress, completely helpless and growing more frustrated.
Serenity felt all the nervous frustration and anxiety of the situation. Her soul could save them, she needed to gain an exit out of this golden light...
The feeling of Serenity asserting herself was a strange almost liquid sensation, as her soul surged out from the golden light, almost rudely pushing Mamoru's aside. Forcing him to reseed into the light of dormancy. Mamoru's soul cried out in alarm as he was sucked into the light.
"Mar's let go...I'll fly on my own." Serenity called up, her voice echoing out from Mamoru's new body. Golden eyes now faded and replaced by her Cerulean blue.
Mars glanced down twice, stunned by the change in eye colour.
"What the Hell...Serenity! Go back to sleep, or fade away..or hide. Give Mamoru back his body!" She raged, as the dark haired girl, with the long pony tail beneath her merely glared up at her in growing irritation.
"You can't keep this up forever...and I can't see the Timeless road either. So let me use my wings at least for now. I will go
back into the golden cage after we are all safe on the road to heaven." She stated twisting her hands free of Mars grip.
While Mars valiantly tried to hold on, but her arms and finger's were numb and it was a useless attempt.
Mamoru's new female body fell away into the clouds, then from beneath the grey mist. Mars saw a strange glow of Silver and Gold. She dived into the fog, finding with mild humour her princess transformed into a strange mixed version of Moon and Mamoru's armour. Clad in Mamoru's dark blue plate, with her own white leather tunic over top barely covering the now more form fitting silver girdle. The armour itself had become more feminine with a chest piece of interlocking plate similar to Jupiter's. With the silver shoulder guards, and silver belt from Moon's version. Both of their swords hung on either side of her hip, with the Moon disc now hooked at her back. One silver hilt glowed on her left, while the dark black obsidian hilt with gold cross guards sat on her right. To massive dove white wings had exploded from her back, the feather tips dusted a dull brown.
"Serenity you are going to ruin your own chances to be healed!" Mars hovered before her, all concern over the mixed unstable transformation forgotten as her temper took control.
"I am not! You can't just carry me all over the Astral Plane, at some point you would tire and then we would be caught in a temporal current and swept away!" Her blue eyes were flaring with irritation at how irrational she felt her friend was being.
"If Pluto senses your aura, we are screwed...and I am not looking for the Timeless road!" Mars shouted back, as Serenity dove away, not wanting to hear any more of her tirades.
(Pluto?) Mamoru asked quietly, surveying himself with relief as he found his soul still resembled his true self. Nude and pure, with a broad male chest and the right equipment between his legs. A part of him was greatly comforted that his soul remained unchanged.
(The Guardian of Time, she guards this dimension. Makes sure only the worthy are allowed entrance to the Celestial Realm.) Serenity explained with a sad sigh, she was now not worthy. If Pluto caught them, dieing or not she would cast Serenity back to earth with out further thought. A soldier sworn to a serious duty far greater then all the others.
Mar's growled in frustration, her princess was so stubborn! It was alarming but not surprising that Serenity could gain control over Mamoru's body. The new vessel was created to house both souls, so either soul could become dominate. It would be an inner power struggle between the two of them until everything was sorted out.
Mars beat her wings at a staggered rate, keeping pace with Serenity. While passing her glares of frustration. "I am searching for the Ancient Cherry Path..." She stated with a hiss.
Serenity gave her a double take, " Are you insane! That isn't even a path...it's barely a thread of energy now. " She cried, her voice cracking in fear.
"And the best way to sneak onto the Celestial Moon." Mars crossed her arms over her dark leather vest, her violet eyes staring with stern determination.
Serenity mulled it over, her eyes growing thoughtful.
Mamoru's soul was curious, listening raptly to their conversation as he waited in the golden light. He had been quite disgruntled at first as Serenity had basicly commandeered his new body. But soon relaxed knowing she just wanted to help Mars, seeing how hopeless their situation had been.
"We don't have a choice..." Serenity muttered, casting her eyes down to the murky clouds as she beat her wings to proceed forward.
Mars merely nodded, this argument over, then followed a few paces behind looking in the opposite direction.
(What is the Cherry path?) Mamoru asked quietly.
(It was the first road to the Celestial Realms, used in the ancient time during the Seren Dynasty. The first Moon kingdom.
The ruin's I used to escape too. Out in the Serendais Desert, was the Ancient Moon kingdom.) Serenity explained.
Mamoru interest was peeked. Serenity chuckled, she had enjoyed her history lesson's so had ample knowledge concerning the Ancient Kingdom.
(Over a thousand years ago, my ancestor's conquered the Moon.) Serenity began.
(So you aren't Lunarian?) Mamoru questioned shocked.
(Yes! My people have ruled over the Moon kingdom for nearly a century!) She retorted, her pride wounded by the unjust insinuation she felt was in his feelings. That she wasn't a pure Lunar native, so shouldn't call herself a Luanarian. It was something she had always been a bit touchy about.
Mamoru felt her anger and quickly retracted his feelings. (Gomen, I didn't mean to make you feel unworthy or anything. There has always been conquers, and in time their descendants intermix with the native population to the point that they become part of that nation's bloodline.) Mamoru sought to calm her anger with logic and understanding.
(My heritage is pure...the royal family is not allowed to breed outside of our royal line.) Serenity sighed, knowing on some level that she would never be a pure Lunarian. But in her heart she had always felt connected to the Moon, and Selene the Goddess of the Moon had graced her with her powers that must mean something.
(Hence, your mother's intense hatred of me.) Mamoru chuckled bitterly.
(Yes.) Serenity giggled back.
(That kingdom traced back to a Baron of Mars, and Duchess of Venus. In that time people were not allowed to marry outside of their prospective planets. But these two sought to change all that. They accepted banishment to the Moon. Which at that time was considered a lifeless rock or so they thought. They built a palace with their loyal servants and soldier's at arms. In time they conquered the Seren Natives already living on the Moon, casting them out to the Serendais Desert. Were they live in various tribes till this day.) Serenity began her ancestor's tale, with a tone of respect and reverence to the hardships they had to go through. So they could be allowed to bond and love each other. Finding many things in common with them now, that she had been banished for her forbidden love.
(So who destroyed the old kingdom?) Mamoru asked.
(No one knows...) Serenity mused. (I spent my youth exploring those ruins trying to find out what happened to them.) She sighed. (The Cherry path leads to a ruined portal gate within the ruins)
Mamoru nodded.
"There!" Mars exclaimed, diving past Serenity.
Serenity folded her wings and dove after her, the clouds breaking around them as they plummeted through the void. Slowly a thin wisp of glowing pink thread winded through the clouds. They levelled off just above it, heading deeper into a dark cloud mass that was crashing and thundering together.
Mamoru held his breath as the two Goddess's moved into the storm, the dark thunder heads looming around them. Crashing around their weaving bodies, as Mars and Serenity preformed several arial spins and dives to avoid becoming trapped within the concussive blasts of the clouds hitting together. The wind roared a mighty force in itself, making both goddess struggle to beat their wings hard enough to not be pulled out of the storm. Mars took the lead with Serenity trailing behind her energy waining against the rushing air. Sweat began to bead on her forehead as a wave of nausea swept over her, she moaned in agony for the first time since Mamoru had pulled her soul from her body. She felt the poison coursing through her soul and body once more.
Mars cast her eyes back over her shoulder, knowing it would only be a matter of time before she would sub come to the poison again. This was the worst time possible for her to give into her sickness.
"Serenity! Stay focused, stop being so lazy! Push yourself a little bit! You have got to make it to the portal you can die later!" Mars shouted out snidely.
"I am not lazy and I am not going to die!" Serenity screamed back, her tempter flaring Rei was so uncaring and cruel.
Rei chuckled, getting Serenity furious was the drive the princess needed to keep going. Just to prove her wrong, she would fight harder in a fit of rage.
"Com'on slow poke...!" Mars taunted, pulling down her lower eyelid and sticking out her tongue.
Serenity screamed in fury, beating her dove white wings hard. Squinting her eyes, as the swirling grey clouds began to sway in her vision. Gritting her teeth she steadied her fraying nerves, as the searing pain of the poison began to burn along her skin. A bone aching agony throbbing deep within this new body. She screamed in both rage and misery, the crescent moon glowing to life on her forehead seeking to stabilize her failing soul with more energy.
Mars sensed the flare of her primal energies bathing her soul's new vessel. She cast her head back, eyes deeply worried, dark hair flying wild in the vortex of the storm.
"Stay with me, Princess!" Mars bellowed, reaching her arm back as Serenity finally fought the wind hard enough to gain beside her.
"Stay with me...Little Sister!" Mars cried, tears of trepidation in her eyes. As Serenity squeezed her eyes shut, sobbing painfully as the torture of the sickness began to consume her. Mar's clasped her outstretched hands, holding tight.
Mamoru had been focusing all his healing powers from the core of this pure golden light out towards his body to keep her alert so she could fight against the poison long enough to get to the portal.
"Fight it! Fight!" Mars shouted in a panic, seeing the swirling vortex of silver energy encased in an elegant white stone archway. Filled with Lunarian glyphs, etched along the flowing pillars of the grande archway. It hung like a glowing white beacon just a few yards away.
"Almost there princes...Oh crap!" Mars exclaimed. As a tall woman shimmered into view before the portal. Dressed in a long flowing deep purple robe with a heavy cowl. Dark green hair fluttered on either side of the cowl, her head bowed, hidden from view as she gripped her garnet rod before her. The blood red stone embedded in the head of the shaft glowing brightly.
"Halt!" She shouted into the storm. Her voice low and husky, vibrating with power, as she spun her rod before her in a threatening gesture.
Mars narrowed her eyes, growling low in frustration they were to close now to just give up.
"Sorry Pluto!" She bellowed back, then spun Serenity around in a powerful arc. Serenity screamed in fright, as Mars wiped her towards Pluto like a living missile. In a crack the whip manoeuvre.
"I hate you Rei!" Serenity screamed in anguish, tears flying from her eyes as she saw Pluto's startled face rushing towards her.
"Flaming Mandala!" Mars cried out over the roaring of the wind, and thunder. Circling her dark gloved hands before her then thrusting them palms outwards towards the Mysterious Guardian of Time. Pulling forth her element from her soul, sending a barrage of fire balls towards her.
Pluto was now faced with a twin assault, with a ringing of steel Serenity released both of her swords. Crossing one of darkness and the other of light before her. Folding her wings back, allowing the momentum of Mar's throw to carry her towards Pluto. Coming up beside her was a screaming inferno or red flames, casting her right side a glow in orange light.
Pluto had no choice, she ducked Serenity's physical torpedo attack, to meet the fire balls head on.
Serenity soared over Pluto's head, the Senshi's cowl falling free showing the ancient Senshi's elegant face with deep violet eyes and long dark green hair. Serenity cast her gaze over her silver shoulder guards, watching in awe as the woman spun her garnet rod deflecting the fire balls with ease. They exploded haphazardly into the storm clouds behind Mars. Who floated for a moment, taking the distraction of her attack as it was intended. Diving towards the portal past Pluto, with a speed borne of desperation.
Pluto spun with her face full of shock, as both Serenity and Mars were absorbed head first into the liquid silver of the portal. Then a small satisfied smile spread on her dark cherry lips, her violet eyes sparkling with humour.
"Good luck...Princess." She muttered, then shimmered away. Satisfied she had played her part well, to keep her loyalties hidden. She may have pledged her allegiance to the current Queen, but her duty lay beyond the petty power struggles of mere goddesses. She reported to the Elder Gods, and they bid her to let young Serenity pass. The future depended on her success against the Keeper.
The fine grey sand of the lunar dessert over took her in seconds, as she exploded through the shimmering stone gateway unto the unforgiving ground. Serenity soared in the most undignified manner, the pale stone carved ruins of columns and arches surrounding her. Arms and legs flailing as she was out of control. Smashing into the sand face first, her back bending wretchedly backwards as her legs sprawled high over her own head. Her wings disappearing on the warm, dry winds in a fluttering of dove white down feathers. Her long dark hair flying wild over her shoulder's as it had loosened from it's pony tail in mid flight. A grey almost silver coating of dust covered her form fitting white t-shirt. She could only gag and groan in agony as the sand of the moon choked her. Filling her mouth with it's near crystalline grainy silt.
Raising her face from the sand in indignation, spitting and cursing. Her arms shaking, barely able to stand her own
weight. As Mars landed gracefully in front of her, hand on her hips glaring down at her sternly. She crouched down, just as Serenity managed to pull herself up to a somewhat sitting position.
Her deep red wings shimmering away as if surrounded by an incredible heat wave. Leaving her once more in just her red leather armour, and long flowing cape and cowl. Her dark quiver of arrows and ruby red bow appeared braced on her back.
"You are so stupid..." She shook her head in disgust. Dark hair swaying around her shoulder's.
"Back off...Mars!" Serenity screeched, glaring up at her one time Senshi's self righteous indignation with a dangerous gleam in her blue eyes. Her whole body was on fire, she grimaced crying out sharply as her nerves caught fire.
"You nearly got us caught, before we even made into the Celestial Realms...you idiot! Why didn't I force you to go back into the Golden aura...I could have you know!" Mars ranted in her face, her pain only intensifying her anger. "Pluto sensed your soul! She nearly had us!" Mars kept digging her barbs deeper. Wanting to draw emotional blood, due to her great fear. Over her nearly failed mission to save the one person she loved most.
Mamoru's soul flared in anger, wanting to protect the woman he loved from this verbal assault that was tearing into her self worth with a vengeance.
"If I didn't take over this body you would have never made it to the Cherry Road." Serenity glared back, her voice a wavering hiss as she sought to control the pain.
"I would have been just fine..." Mars muttered stubbornly, casting her head to the side her pride bruised. While Serenity began to laugh bitterly knowing better. Groaning and biting her lower lip as another wave of agony and dizziness washed over her.
"You are now tainting his body...give it back before he..." Mars rolled her violet eyes in frustration, finally burning her princess with her final verbal assault.
"She is infected...For Selene's sake your killing this body with your dieing spirit!" She exploded out at her in fear and irritation that she would never place herself first. Always putting other's needs ahead of herself even her own life. Finally Mars sighed, as a grim clarity formed in her Princess's eyes. Her rage cooling into shame and regret instantly.
"Baka...I was only trying to help..." Serenity's blue tint faded from Mamoru's eyes. The golden glow once more taking it's rightful place.
"Jeez..Mars. You can you even spell tact. Do you have to be so blunt and uncaring with what you say to her." Mamoru growled back at her, in his new softer voice. Needing to protect his beloved from one of her own precious friends. Her face heated with rage, glaring up at the Fire Warrior with frustration.
Mars narrowed her eyes standing up stiffly. Cursing herself out, over letting her rage get the better of her once more.
"She is crying terribly...right now. I can't believe how callus you talk to her, I swear one might think you hate her." Mamoru rose to her own feet, dusting off her jeans and shirt while commenting coldly towards her.
"You know nothing about us!" Mars shouted, striding away angrily.
"I know you just hurt her very deeply...again! She feels horrible about nearly poisoning my body with her spirit." Mamoru relented, approaching her with a somber attitude. Pushing the anger down deep, knowing this was just Rei's way. He would not just forgive her, yet he couldn't blame her either. He handled such stress much the same, lashing outwards others in cold unfeeling ways as well.
"I love her more then you could ever know. " Mars breathed, casting her a brief glare over her shoulder. Before giving moving away, pulling up her dark cowl from her long cloak. Heading off into the barren hills of grey sand. Her thoughts falling back into grim memories of a lonely bitter childhood, saved by the generosity and kindness of mischievous little golden haired princess.
Mamoru sighed heavily, comforting his true love through their link, as she wailed in heart breaking sobs within the golden healing aura hidden within his new body.
Serenity was a kind, sweet soul who felt things so very deeply. Easily spinning from one extreme emotion to another be it hot anger or bleakest despair. Right now she felt stupid, and selfish and completely reckless. What was she thinking taking over Mamoru's body for so long, if she was going to die, she did not need to kill her one true love as well! Huddling in her golden healing cocoon, she cried brokenly.
Mamoru trudged behind Mars, as they moved through and beyond the ruins of the Old Seren Kingdom. Consoling her with his words of comfort and reassurance. That the poison within her soul had not bled beyond his control to heal. His new body was tingling and slightly aching but his healing aura was quickly taking care of the symptoms. As Serenity fell asleep, his healing womb soothing and lulling her into a deep sleep. Her soul faded into a dormant pulse within the back of his mind.
Leaving Mamoru casting her gaze about the unassuming dunes that stretched on forever. To the glowing white sky above that shimmered with a silver shine. The only blemish on the horizon was the dark grey pillars and broken walls of the Old Kingdom they left behind. The Celestial Moon seemed other worldly, utterly serene and more then a tad boring. Mars kept her distance for a long time as they made their way deeper into the expanse of dessert. The clear white sky above began to dim as the hours past. Falling into a faint lavender and maroon glow, wisps of clouds that couldn't be seen in the brightness of day began to mill upon the rolling horizon of sand.
Mars slid her gaze to the side, catching Mamoru poking and prodding her breasts for the thousandths time. Rolling her eyes in growing frustration and embarrassment. Her cheeks slightly rosy, Mamoru's curious and continuous fondling of his new body was making her nervous, and her belly was heating up again with attraction by being alone with him/her.
She had thought she had dealt with these unwanted feelings, killed them so to speak. Yet again, with Serenity once more out of picture. Left alone, strange thoughts of wining Mamoru over past through her mind. To which she quickly squashed with a vengeance!
Catching him once more tweaking her nipples, with a confused expression plastered on her face. Was making her extremely uncomfortable.
"So were are we headed..." Mamoru commented dryly, squinting as another gust of hot wind cast a cloud of sand in her eyes. Her hands falling to her sides once more., breasts bobbing slightly.
"To the village of Starlight...that is just at the boarder's of the White Moon's Kingdom. There we should be able to get a couple ponies, from the Boarder Warden's barracks." She stated softly. "We just need to cross the Serendais Dessert and avoid the Lunar Tribes, first " She finished with a shrug.
Mamoru groaned, knowing damn well how this was going to go.
A few hours later, with the luck holding out in its true and aggravating fashion. They came across a set of crimson hide tents, built in the same Ger type style as the Queen's command tent had been. Round hide covered huts, with black and silver's symbols painted upon the red hides. Several barren wagons and various ponies milled around the make shift village.
"Great..." Mars growled, they had hundreds upon hundreds of miles of sand and they managed to stumble almost blindly into a Lunar Nomad tribe.
Mamoru wasn't at all surprised, her jaw clenching as she searched the camp below for signs of life. It seemed completely empty and lifeless. Mars sunk low, upon the crest of the dune they were on. Hissing in fury as Mamoru kept standing dumbly staring down at the camp.
She lunged out with a hand grasping her around the hem of her white shirt dragged her down to the sand with a startled yelp. Her deep violet eye squinting as she caught sight of the dark tattooed symbols, tanned into the crimson skins upon the tents.
"Hmmm, They are Ashrete's people." Mars commented with a deeply reflective tone.
"Is that good or bad?" Mamoru responded back in a hushed growl.
"Depends on his mood." Mars sighed, rising to her feet and hauling Mamoru back up with a hand.
"We'll circle around..." She searched the barren waste land for any kind of marker to figure out were they were. She didn't want to get to close to the Sacred Crystal Gardens, that Ashrete's tribe protected.
Mamoru nodded, following after her back into the dessert.
They wandered for another good hour in the faceless sand, as the sky fell into the subtle darker hues of twilight. The first of the stars twinkling to life at the very height of the sky.
"Strange..." Mamoru mussed, staring up at the stars thoughtfully.
"Hmmm?" Mars had been walking beside her, casting her admiring looks from time to time, as the soft light of near
darkness had cast a romantic allure over Mamoru's new more gentle features.
"I never saw heaven as such an average, kinda sterile place." He commented dryly.
"This is not heaven..." Mars remarked with a thin smile over her shoulder.
Mamoru's now fine boned, gentle face, twisted into confusion.
"The Celestial Realms is but a high plane of existence." Mars stopped for a moment to allow Mamoru to keep pace beside her, as they began to descend down a steep dune. Their feet slipping and stumbling as they attempted to remain some what upright as they made their way down.
"But I thought..." Mamoru continued, reviewing Serenity's previous lecture over the layer's of existence.
"Compared to Earth, or the Dark realms...yes this would be considered a heaven. But it is not the heaven you read about in your human mythology. " Mars began, stumbling onto the hard packed grey silt at the bottom of the hill.
Mamoru scrambled after her, as she strode quickly into the near darkness of the stone gulley. The plain of stone that stretched out before them made the starlit sky seem overpowering. Dwarfing the land before them as a blanket of twilight, hiding the landscape just beyond their eyes in deep shadows.
"It is filled with magic, much like Elysian used to. Filled with God, Goddess's and mystical creatures beyond comprehension." She continued as Mamoru raced up beside once more. She turned with a knowing smirk, her dark cloak billowing and dancing with her dark hair as she confronted her.
"Your Heaven or Hell lives only within you." Mars tapped her finger's sharply against Mamoru's heart.
Her own heart jumping at the feel of her infatuations sudden rapid heart rate pounding against the skin of her finger tip.
Mamoru's midnight blue eyes searched her's, lost in the spiritual revelations bestowed upon her.
Mars tore her eyes away, unwilling to allow those deep blue eyes to affect her for to long.
Moving on swift feet far ahead, scanning the shadows for threat, her boots clicking on the compact earth.
Mamoru let her stride ahead with out comment, sighing heavily as she caught sight of the longing that still lay within her dark violet eyes. He/she had never encouraged the Fire warrior's affection, at least not intentionally. Now that he was a woman finding she was still attracted to this new body the same way was a bit unnerving.
(Mamo-Chan...) Serenity's bleary voice echoed from within the inner core of his new body.
(Feeling better?) He inquired softly.
Serenity was silent for a bit, her soul beginning to hum with the familiar energy surrounding the flat stone basin they were entering.
Mamoru was curious why Serenity had grown quiet, then just ahead Mars stopped in her tracks eyes growing wide in sudden fear. Just beyond looming in the half light of dusk was a vast wall of natural stone.
"Crap..." she muttered bitterly, just noticing the stone warrior effigies standing guard on ether side of the narrow crevice. One statue was a tall slender man, in hide armour with long flowing hair that trailed down to his hips. Flanking the other side of the crack in the stone wall, was a shorter more slender woman in long robes that bunched over her feet with long flowing hair as well. The male statue held only a twisted staff, while the woman merely a woven basket. Their blank eyes stared out as if judging the world beyond them. Silent and timeless, they stood guard.
"What?" Mamoru hissed, senses primed for combat as she felt threat surround them in the shadows. With out thought she called forth her Senshi powers. In a glow of gold and silver, as if the sun had illuminated the deepening shadows Mamoru transformed once more into her white and navy armour.
Mars's felt the surge of power as well as saw it, turing in both shock and alarm.
"No!" she cried.
(NO!) Serenity screamed in terror in their mind. As her own Senshi energies were syphoned away and merged with that of Mamoru's as they transformed. Tainted fragments of her spirit, poisoned energy from her elemental powers were once more coursing through Mamoru's body.
As quickly as the white leather tunic and navy plate appeared, a wave of incredible nausea over whelmed her. Mamoru groaned, retching and crumpling to the stone. The dual swords of silver and gold hilts flared at her hips, responding to the poison.
Mars was about to retreat to her side to help, as she suddenly caught sight of several shadows moving towards them from the rocky outcropping of stones set just before the break in the rock wall.
"Crap..." She hissed, igniting an arrow from her quiver, as she unslung her ruby bow from her back.
Their small area was glowing in fierce orange light as she knocked three arrows onto the energy string of her bow. Violet eyes squinting to track their quickly approaching adversaries.
Serenity quickly took control by pulling back her powers, sealing them up behind the golden glow. Leaving Mamoru once more in her civilian clothes, flat on her stomach coughing and gagging as the pain and dizziness faded away once more.
"ohhhh...that sucked..." She moaned, rising up on shaking feet.
"Well, things are going to get far worse, really fast." Mars whispered back darkly.
As seven men moved into the flickering light of her fire arrows. Each wearing plain red leather vests and breeches, accented with silver swirling runes. Long flowing hoods attached to their hide tunics hung low, only glowing deep blue eyes could be seen. Each man held a twisting staff, carved from a type of petrified wood.
They circled around them, standing silently. What could be seen of their expression in the strange half light of Mars fire looked stoic or grim.
Mar's recognized them instantly as Gate Keeper's, their red hide and silver marking's placing them in Ashrete's Tribe. The eldest, a tall almost wiry man took a step forward. Long golden hair peeked out from the sides of his hood, waving in the now howling breeze. Echoing from the break in the huge stone wall a few meter's beyond their confrontation.
Mars could feel Mamoru pressence coming in close to her elbow. She had moved in close uncertain as to what to do. Mars whispered to Mamoru to stay calm and stay silent. As she could feel the hot waves of aggression still humming over Mamoru's skin.
"I will assume you got lost...Senshi of War." The elder tribes man stated with a deep whispering voice that seemed to echo around them.
"I seems that way..." Mars responded bitterly, knowing damn well she had been heading in the complete opposite direction from here. She was a well trained Soul Hunter and the best tracker in all of the Silver Millennium. There was no way she would ever just get lost! A greater power had intervened, twisted the tapestry of distance and location warping both of them to this sacred place.
Mars relaxed her bow and arrows to her side, the flame like glow on the arrows tips fading away. Casting them all back into the murky twilight shadows of the closing night.
It was then he struck her fast and hard across the face. Mars took the slap in stride, her face snapping to the side, cheek pink and swollen from the man's strike. Instantly, Mamoru had pushed in front of her being only slightly taller then both the man and Mars. Glowering down at the him, arms coiled to engage in hand to hand combat.
"No! Mamoru.!" Mars grabbed a clenched fist, glaring at her from the corner of her eyes. Never dropping her sight to the older man before them.
Mamoru darted her eyes back from Mars to the man, blue eyes on fire with restrained rage.
"Stay calm...this is my penance for trespassing here." She finished, her jaw shaking as she held in her anger.
Then the man struck Mamoru hard across her own face. The night rang with the sharp sound of the slap. Mamoru took the hit, with a cold detached calm. Not understanding what was going on, but placing her faith in Mars. She clenched her jaw, held her teeth tight to keep back a moan of pain. Averting her now watery eyes towards the ground. Stunned at how poorly she was taking the man's assault. As if by the change in his body, the ability to absorbed the physical and emotional part of the strike was blurred. Her mind was whirling with the injustice of having to stand there a be slapped. She wanted to lash out now, both physically and verbally yet she had to maintain control.
(Calm down, Mamo-chan...it will be alright.) Serenity's voice called out, sending waves of comfort and understanding for how he felt. (We trespassed on Scared Ground. The people of the White Moon are not allowed near the Gates of
Heaven.) She explained softly.
Her explanation did little to alleviate the humiliation of being slapped, so Mamoru merely raised her head defiantly to glare at the older man.
The six men behind their attacker, stood calmly leaning on their staffs.
"This man has quite the temper?" The leader asked, chuckling as he took in Mamoru's female appearance with growing curiosity.
"How do you know I'm a man?" Mamoru responded in his female voice.
Whispers now broke out among the men behind them.
"You are more then what you seem mortal." He commented, his cerulean blue eyes narrowing in further contemplation.
Mars swallowed the lump in her throat she had hoped Serenity's soul was dormant enough to remain hidden. But that seemed a mute point now.
Serenity was now terrorfied, cowering meekly within the gold light of Mamoru's consciousness trying to become smaller and disappear. How would they even be able to sneak into the kingdom if this one tribesman could sense her. The spiritual wards that protected the White Moon's boarders would surely be activated.
"Come, let the spirits of the dead rest. We have much to discuss b ack at camp." The man cast Mamoru one last strange and unreadable glance before departing. His men trailed behind them, leading both Mars and Mamoru away from the valley of stones back into the dessert beyond.