Chapter 25
The morning past with Seiya drawing the very upset Usagi to the floor of the kitchen. They had their backs pressed against the wooden cupboards. As she leaned into him, trembling and sobbing releasing all her misery over Mamoru's disappearance in Seiya's comforting arms.
"I barely slept last night, I wasn't even thinking when I started the coffee pot. It's was just something I used to do everyday for him. When I saw the coffee pot filling and could smell that bittersweet scent. I was reminded to him." She sobbed, her voice cracking. As Seiya rubbed her shoulder with his hand, his arm draping around her back.
"I thought I could do it...that I would be just fine by myself. But I'm not alright..." She muttered, bowing her head and brushing away more stray tears. Drawing her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs, pressing down the flowing silver silk fabric of her pants. She rested her head heavily against his chest. The crown of her head trapped beneath the crook of his chin, as he petted a hand tenderly down the side of her face. His fingers curled to brush her cheek softly, as she snuggled up against his side.
"I'm not that strong really, I want to be." She sighed, craning her head back to stare up at him with a mournful pout. The wet trails of tears, drying on her face.
"You are as strong as you need to be." Seiya smiled reassuringly down at her;
"I've been a real ass so far, I over stepped and made you feel like your were betraying Mamoru. I'm sorry." He apologized clasping a large hand over her forehead, drawing her back against his chest soothingly. She sniffed and nodded, agreeing fully.
"I want to depend on me...Seiya, no one else." She stated fiercely.
"Alright. " Seiya agreed.
"So I will start giving you a little money from my cleaning job to buy my comics and my new bed from you. " She nearly commanded, her voice strong and stern.
"Alright, Odango." Seiya agreed again, laughing. "But can I still pack your bento's?" He offered with a hopeful look.
"Yes...I'd like that." Usagi beamed up at him.
They held each other for a long time after this heart felt talk, once again reseting the boundaries of their blossoming 'friendship'.
"Ok, enough wallowing. Lets go have some fun!" Seiya climbed off the floor, hauling Usagi up after him.
She gave him a strange confused look, as he gently nudged her down the hall and into her room.
"Get dressed Odango and grab your flute." He called from the other side of her closed divider.
An hour later and he was leading her off the sidewalk, dressed in a cute heavy long skirt of powder pink, with a frilly underlay. A long sleeve white blouse with a matching fuzzy pink sweater vest and her lime green pea coat over top. Her flute sticking out of the front pocket in her coat. While he sauntered beside her slighting underdressed, in his dark suit jacket and pants, with the slightly undone navy dress shirt. His guitar in it's black leather case, slung over his back with a wide strap. He led her over the wide faded wooden bridge into Ichi-no-hashi Park. A large park that wove around the Azabu Juban expressway and into Minato-ku. The bridge ended at a wide gate with dark tile adorning a pagoda archway. They moved under the gateway, and into the waving shadows of the tree lined paved trails.
He was busy texting on his phone, letting his cousins know were he was headed to setup their makeshift stage for the afternoon. Usagi was happy enough to enjoy the fall scenery, the subtle colours in the trees were fascinating to her. The cool breeze was gentle, carrying the scents of moss and fried food.
In time the path drew into a large cement oasis with a large fountain in the middle, surrounded by benches. On the far side she caught sight of Yaten and Taiki setting up his digital piano. Yaten had his base guitar leaning against a nearby bench, while several people milled around nearby watching them. Waiting and anticipating the music soon to follow all this work of setting up the instruments.
Yaten noticed them first, waving happily. He and Taiki were both dressed the same as Seiya as if they were trying to match one another. All in dark pants and jackets of various shades and blue shirts. While she was nearly glowing beside them in her long pink skirt and bright green jacket. Blushing at how she stood out so badly, she retreated to a nearby bench to try and fade into the landscape for a little while. Nervously she fiddled with her flute in her lap as the boys tuned their guitars, and set up the two amps Taiki had hauled into the park. Bitterly casting Seiya glares, that he should have told her about this unspoken dress code.
"Alright good to go! Get your pretty little butt up here Odango!" Seiya called, waving her over. She didn't move, just stared at him raising her eyebrows in contempt.
Seiya sighed, slumping his shoulder's and trudged over to her. Sitting down beside her, wondering what was wrong and why had been getting the death glare from her for the last hour.
"Why didn't you tell me to wear similar colours as your cousins. I stand out like...like..." She couldn't think of anything and began to stutter, her nerves getting the best of her. She had illogical thoughts that this was some kind of setup to make a fool of her. She had no trouble being on display, but not when she felt like she was being made a spectacle of. When they played at the festival it was casual, they didn't have matching outfits like now.
"Like an angel." Seiya finished, cupping her cheek and staring at her with such deep affection. Her breath hitched, swallowing hard she blushed and turned her face away not wanting to linger within his loving gaze when she just did not share those feelings.
Seiya sighed almost tragic in it's tone. "I wanted you to stand out, to draw the crowds. Hell, even if you dressed in the same colours you would still stand out. The light you shine when you play, or whenever you do anything its just so bright. You will always stand out, as the beautiful shining star that you are." He patted her cheek fondly, before rising from the bench and ending his pep talk.
"Now get over here, you pain in the ass!" He laughed, waving her over.
Usagi giggled, then dashed off the bench eager to play music with her one time band. To enjoy herself in the company of the one man she wanted to spend her time with the most. He wasn't Mamoru and no one would ever replace him. But he was growing in her heart in his own way, more every day. More then a friend, but never a lover. A rock for her to draw strength from, a much needed and cherished companion in her time of need. She knew that a kind of love was blossoming for him within her heart. A love she would never be able to name, or bring voice to yet would always feel. For this charming, some what pretentious and childish young man who was so much like herself.
Soon they were playing, free styling, laughing and bouncing melodies off one another. The hours past in the blissful simple joy of music, the open guitar case Seiya had left on the outskirts of their little make shift stage quickly began to fill with yen. As people stopped to listen approvingly, to the three dapper boys and their bright enthusiastic flute player. Who seemed to draw the crowds as if by magic, swaying, and skipping around the boys weaving a spell of happiness and cheer with her tune. The piano and guitars were merely accenting her prowess behind the airy instrument.
As the sun began to set into the trees, casting the low flying clouds into a painter's glow. They called it quits for the day. Seiya was amazed had how much they had raked in, thrusting handfuls of yen bills in her face. As she sat once more on a nearby bench, laughing happily at his excitement. Yaten and Taiki took their share, stating there were meeting up with some other friends at a local club later that night and the money would be put to good use.
Seiya bantered back about using it to get Yaten laid, since the little runt desperately needed it to become a real man. Yaten had flipped him the bird, getting really annoyed at his older cousin's constant cracks about his size and masculinity. While Taiki laughed agreeing with Seiya on that point.
Usagi stayed out of it, she had endured listening to this kind of teasing towards Yaten before when she was preparing for the festival with them. She merely sat silently, knowing it was all in fun. That these three were quite close, like brothers with a history that dated back a long time. The teasing was similar to what her Senshi engaged in with one another, every now and then she would be the target or the instigator. It was bitter sweet hearing them bickering, with her sister's so far away, their fate unknown as they fought her mother's war.
"Want to go to the club tonight? I could finish harassing Yaten, we can dance, enjoy some beats. It would be fun." Seiya asked, draping an arm over her shoulder as they left the park.
Usagi shrugged, non committal to the idea. She had patrol tonight, she had skipped it last night being to upset.
"Ok...that was enthusiastic." He commented dryly.
"I've never been to a club." She stated, mounting the steps up into their transit bus for home.
Seiya shook his head, then climbed in after her carefully moving sideways to avoid his guitar strapped to his back to get caught on the a narrow stairs.
The bus was very crowded, with only standing room. Seiya pushed awkwardly through the throng, finding his little odango clutching an iron pole in the main aisle near the back. As the bus lurched forward, he was tossed forward towards her. Lunging for the pole, he gave himself a wide stance just in front of her so he wouldn't bump into her. It never mattered as her sweet face bounced off his chest anyway.
"Gomen." She called over the roaring of the bus. As she wrapped her arms around the pole more securely, the buses momentum pushing her into the steel. He adjusted himself so he was behind her, casting protective looks around the suffocating crowds of strangers. Making sure none of the young men standing around them tried any sneaky touches on Usagi. For her part, she was to busy adjusting her stance and hanging onto the pole with a death grip. The buses lurching and sudden surges of speed making her rock back and forth as if on some small boat amid a storm. She continually was slamming into his stomach, casting him sorry looks as she valiantly tried to keep her feet. He could only cough, and stagger his legs, attempting to adjust himself. Every time her little body collided with his, the sudden impact of her butt or her breasts against his groin or chest arousing him more and more. It was embarrassing, his face was rosy, he knew she could feel his length every time the bus lurched. He couldn't hide it, but was unwilling to leave her side in the suffocating mass of humanity. So he would grin nervously down at her as she would blush and apologize for falling into him yet again.
After several stops the occupants had thinned enough for them to find a seat. Usagi sat against the window, staring out at the rushing glow of city lights. Seiya casting her odd looks, now that the day was ending. Falling into the quiet twilight just before night took hold, her mood was cooling along with it.
"Would you have done it?" She asked quietly, finally speaking of the elephant that had been ignored back during their fated diner. When they had run into each other again after many months.
"Nani?" Seiya chuckled, oblivious as to what she was thinking about.
"That night, at the party when I was practically throwing myself at you in the trees." She turned to him, her soft blue eyes so clear and pure it stilled his heart.
"Well, I was really drunk...and so were you?" He admitted, nervously rubbing the back of his head. Not wanting to go there so soon after repairing their relationship...as it was.
"Still, would you have done as I asked?" She inquired, dreading the answer but knowing it anyway. She doubted she would have ever revealed the truth to Mamoru of what happened that night. It had been only a kiss to pass between them. Yet she had been so scared, so desperate. She wondered herself if Mamoru hadn't called out to her if she would have gone through it with Seiya. For that moment, she felt she had no choice. She had to make sure she couldn't be used as a weapon against her own people. She had been willing to prostitute herself, to betray her love for Mamoru. Just to keep everyone safe.
Seiya searched her innocent eyes pleading for a honest answer, with a resigned sigh. He thumped his head back against the bench.
"Yes...I am not that strong." He cast her a rueful smile, finding her staring back blankly absorbing his sincerity. "I like you Odango...more then anyone I have ever met. I will always wish for more between us. " He admitted, dragging his eyes away from hers. His heart clenching, at the absence of love for him in her eyes.
With a grim smile she returned to face the window, nodding in understanding.
"And that is why, Mamoru wins my heart. " She whispered to herself, he had a strength and honour that had allowed him to see beyond her pleas. To see the pain, and the fear and draw her to his chest in comfort that night and nothing more.
Mamoru's armour had faded, as Mot carried him away from the battle leaving only his head and hands covered in the blood of the fallen. He had carried him tirelessly over miles of burnt prairie. Back to the grey sand of the shoreline just past the ruins of Lilith. Dropping his unconscious body before the lapping waves of the dark ocean. Sneering in near laughter at the puffy white shirt and forest green pants he wore. This ridiculous change from an untouchable beast of death upon the battlefield back to a weak, frilly dressed man brought an uncommon smile to the Horde Demon's face. It wasn't a pleasant look, his sharp fangs and leathery lips pulling back, came off as something fierce looking.
Casting his leather sickly green face up to the wind. Howling off the rocky outcroppings at the edge of the beach, sensing his brother's dark shadow watching over him as always.
"Brother, are you certain of this path?" Set called down to him, the wind ripping at this dark cloak. His thin well toned body covered in dark pants and tunic, the half mask the shielded most of his face from the world pulled up tight over his nose. So only his mis matched eyes of red and gold could be seen narrowing in scrutiny at his ever idealistic brother.
"We chose our side, brother. To late to back out now." He gave him a stern look. Then nudged Mamoru's head with the toe of his boot. "We bid the Keeper good hunting months ago. Killed every bounty hunter he sent our way. I refuse to let him use me against the Little Miss. I am no ones weapon, not anymore." He growled, "I train weapon's now...to kill that bastard." He tapped Mamoru's head again with his heavy black boot a bit more forcefully this time. His gore covered head flopped back and forth limply in the sand, collecting the grey silt and matting in his hair.
Mamoru groaned, rolling away from the assaulting food. Upon trembling legs and arms, as he moved up into a crawling stance. His head felt heavy and thick with foggy memories of blood, teeth and bone.
The bitter acidic smell of brimstone still clogging his senses, making his eyes itchy.
"Urgh, what happened?" He moaned, his voice a strained husky whisper. As if his throat had been burned. Head hanging low between his arms, the dried blood upon his skin feeling sticky and unsettling.
Strangely the innocence of his statement brought Set to laughter. The shadow of a demon, crouched low upon the decaying grass of the hilltop at the back of the beach. His raspy voice carrying bitterly on the wind. Mamoru lifted his head and scowled in his general direction, falling back on his butt, clutching his aching head in his hands. The contents of his stomach seeking to leave his body, protesting the quick movements.
"Clean, yerself up. Then I'll explain." Mot stated in his curt, growling voice.
Mamoru merely nodded, never having met this demon but to drained not to trust that the beast meant him no harm, at least not yet.
He slowly made his groggy way to the water's edge, washing his hands and scrubbing his face and hair. While Set and Mot began gathering fire wood from across the beach. As the darkness of night descended, he made his way from the cold water to the flickering warmth of the fire set up further up the beach.
Hunkering down across from the flickering light of the fire he regarded the two demon's calmly.
"Who are you?" He spat. Remembering them from the creek back on Earth, knowing they were in league with Serenity's kidnapping long ago. Having heard stories from her, of how the huge beast of a man had tried to protect her from Diamonde, then later when they had thought to protect her from their little shadows. He knew that she considered them friends, but he did not.
"Oi, aren't we a bold little pup." Mot chuckled, taking a bite of a huge chunk of dried meat.
"He's the dark prince of Elysian, Brother." Set proclaimed in a mock pompous manner. Sitting beside the living mountain of armour, his cloak and cowl wrapped tight around his wiry form. Only his eyes pierced the darkness, glowing in the mirrored state of all animals. His companion's eyes shared the same abilities to see in the dark.
"Oi, I better be careful then, brother. He might give me nightmares in me sleep." Mot roared with laughter.
As Mamoru scowled bitterly at their teasing, wishing he had enough energy to transform and pull his sword. With his head still throbbing and every muscle screaming when he moved, he merely pulled his knees up under his chin waiting for their banter to die down.
"It's been a long few months..." Set answered tiredly.
"And a long story we won't bore you with. Needless to say, what is left of our people are at your disposal, Prince. We only wish to help Queen Serenity push the Keeper back into his prison and keep him there. Our realm is lost, the Abyss has swallowed it whole same as your Elysian." Mot sighed, tearing into his meat with a vengeance.
Mamoru rubbed his temples so very frustrated by their morbid speech.
"Is there really no way to save this Realm?" He sighed.
"None that we know of. Tartarus is growing out of control all over." Set responded.
"All thats left is vengeance, before we all turn to stone and fade away. " Mot's gravelly voice answered.
"Tartarus?" Mamoru believed his understood what they were talking about, but needed some clarity.
"The dark crystal's out there. They are growing out of control from one end of the realm to the other." Set explained.
"The Hell Thrall." Mamoru nodded, understanding that the crystal monoliths were just like Eden back on the Moon.
"Hai,Since the Keeper can only leave the Abyss in spirit only. He is seeking to bring the Abyss with him as he travels upward toward the Celestial Realm. Those crystals are feeding off of all the life here, replacing it with a tomb of silence. Feeding the Keeper's power, making him stronger." Set nodded, snatching what remained of the dried leather from Mot with a scowl. Mot merely shrugged his shoulder's
"You should have said something, I would have saved you more." He responded to his brother's dark look.
"No, you wouldn't you lousy glutton." Set growled back, pulling down his mask and slipping the scrap of meat into the narrow slit he called a mouth.
Mamoru's eyes widened in shock at the mockery the man called a mouth. He had no lips at all, just a leathery lopsided line, what was left of his chin was one huge scar. Their was little left of his lower greenish toned face. His cheeks and chin looked as if some sculptor had left his face unfinished, leaving the clay lumpy and unformed. Set caught his stricken look, Mamoru was not fast enough to cover it up. Thrusting his mask back up, he stood bitterly and left the fire. Heading away to the earthen overhang of the prairie that crested the back of the beach.
"Gomen..." He mumbled, catching Mot's dark glare.
"Aie, well. Can't be helped now." Mot groused, throwing a couple logs on the fire.
It crackled and sparked as the new fuel was caught in the inferno.
"What happened to him?" Mamoru cast the lone demon a pensive look, finding the man standing on the crest of the blackened hill of grass gazing out over the bald landscape. The wind buffeting his dark cloak, as he wallowed in his bitterness.
"He wandered into a human village as a toddler. Us, Horde Demon's we live in the shadows, the deep forests and mountains of the Spine. But the Human's they crowd around us, building closer and closer to our hearth caverns. The human's they fear us, especially the ignorant ones. He was set on fire, by the time he made it back into the forest to put it out in the stream the damage was done." Mot answered softly, giving Set a meaningful look.
"Our story is a long one, prince. Be that as it may. I am Mot and that their brooding mass of wretched flesh is my brother Set." He finished, casting his gaze up to the cold blanket of stars. The navy ghost of the dead moon glaring down upon them both.
Mamoru took his leave with a nod, he owed these would be men nothing as of yet. But he had the magic to heal Set's scars, the physical ones that is. His trust in Serenity, in her vouching of these Demon's goodness, in their deeds of honour towards her already. Invoking this act of kindness from him. He approached the shadow man quietly, following the demon's gaze out towards the destroyed grassland. Finding a scattering of white tents in the far distance, that was the living remnants of the White Moon's reinforcements. Just beyond that were a scattering of fires that were the Horde army. Suddenly feeling the watching eyes once more, the familiar essence of authority and fondness now attached to that invisible gaze.
"I could heal you. If you want, I have the powers to make you as you were." Mamoru offered casually, then waiting in the silence to follow for an answer. That never came.
"They will fear you now. As I am feared." Set commented matter factly, not looking at him.
Mamoru frowned, he had no memory beyond losing control of his powers then finding himself covered in blood. That in itself was a testament to the kind of monster he had become on the battlefield.
Mamoru couldn't respond, as Set turned to him in the ever deepening darkness his eye's glowing in that eerie mirrored way.
"You lost control of your Pure Demonic side. " He answered with a tired sigh, heading back to the fire. "Human's of all Realms are intensely afraid of us." He waved over his shoulder, wanting him to follow.
Mamoru's face twisted in confusion for only a moment, before resolving in bitter acceptance. He had known deep down that there was more to him then just the dark power of Dream Magic. Ever since the hidden aspects of his past started coming to light. He was able to piece together, little by little that he had some link to the pure Demon races. But he had figured it was because the Keeper had cursed him as an infant, making him the Elysian Thorne. He understood that since he came from a dark realm he was demonic to some degree.
He had always felt things more intensely, his passions towards lust, rage and battle much more developed then the more pure emotions he might possess. But to have a link to the most evil of beings..the Keeper? To have that kind of beast living inside of him was beyond his comprehension right now. Always he was seeking to maintain his control lest it consumed him. Honing his self control towards the more impure emotions and impulses that ran through his mind. He had thought he had mastered his darker half, yet as soon as he started falling in love with Serenity. He was finding his feelings harder to control. She had truly unlocked something dangerous within him.
"So I am not just cursed by the Keeper, then?" He settled himself before the fire again, giving voice to his concerns.
"In a way, yes. You have lore unravelling in your head, perhaps it is just a curse, but perhaps its more." Mot stated, leaning forward as he crossed his legs, the metal plates of his chest armour clinking together.
"During that battle, you called upon the power's of the Keeper and became a Pure Demon. A powerful force of death and destruction." Set explained.
"You guys are not pure demon?" Mamoru stated with a bitter smirk.
"No, were are lesser demon's born of the Dark powers of Death, our progenitor was the Elder God Osiris. As was all creations here in the Dark Realms." Set dug into the fire with a stick, sending choking smoke and sparks his way.
"Only the Keeper's children can call upon the powers of the Pure Demon. Hence your, ice blue eyes when you call down his power." Mot stated.
Mamoru groaned that was the last thing he wanted to hear,
"That can't be true...I was cursed by him that's all it is." He retorted, attempting to convince himself as well as the two brothers. Then began leaning over his knees suddenly unable to breath, as the bitter reality of it all began to suffocate him. The thought that he was linked to the Keeper genetically turned his stomach to such a great degree he nearly felt himself begin to gag. Realizing that he had the potential to become pure evil, was tearing him up inside. Brushing his hair down flat with his palms, he was having a hard time letting it all sink in. Punching the sand hard with a fist he stood up, beginning to pace needing to release some of the tension building in his muscles. He had known...damn it! He had been convincing himself since then that he harboured only the Darkness of Morpheus, and a curse placed within his head by the Keeper. More pieces of his past came into place. But in the Queen's tent, she had accused him of luring little Serenity into the Keeper's grasp. Was that the dream of her falling into that freezing pit of darkness? Was he truly some puppet of the devil? Was he truly some child of the Keeper?
Mamoru bellowed into the night, every god and goddess had created their own Realm, their own people? Why not the Keeper?
"So I came from the Abyss?" He stopped, now confused. He was supposed to be the son of the Elysian King? Who was from a people created by Morpheus?
"No, nothing but Pure Demon's can live in that forsaken realm." Set chuckled, falling silent at Mamoru's piercing gaze.
"Then how am I connected to the Keeper!" He growled back. "Is it a curse or am I some spawn of his!"
"We don't know." Set admitted bitterly.
"Did he create his own race of demonic humans...how if only Pure Demon's can live in his realm? " He was wearing a groove into the sand, his head pounding for answers.
"There have been other Keeper born children throughout history." Set started. "Be they cursed or truly linked to his powers we don't know. When the connection is found, they are usually killed out right. So finding someone who can draw upon the powers of the Pure Demon is rare at best." Set sighed.
"Either way, curse or not. You have a real nasty Demon in you, my boy, and you need to tame it!" Mot bellowed, needing him to get control of himself and focus on what was important.
Mamoru slumped to the sand with a long lingering sigh of resignation, the complications he had to overcome just kept
mounting. With a curt nod towards Mot, the Horde Demon gave him a grunt and a nod back.
"I had to over come my own Demonic rage. I refused to be just a beast, I trained that little army down there as well. My people shall prove before our world ends, that we are not monsters!" Mot growled, his eyes burning with determination.
"I shall teach you to control yours. So you will be a thinking beast on the fields of war." Mot insisted, throwing him a piece of dried meat from a nearby leather pack. Mamoru caught it, glancing over to the dark bluff of burnt grass were the army lay, wondering if his old friends had seen this Pure Demon side of him as a child?
As always, the feeling of being watched lifted. It seemed that every time he was being confronted or met with a cross roads, he was under some kind of scrutiny. Narrowing his dark, nearly midnight eyes he contemplated Eden's final words. He was being tested...in all the small and grande ways that a man could be tested. Perhaps he wasn't as free of that Immortal power as he had first assumed?
"So, Odango. Do I get to keep your earnings today then?" Seiya chuckled, wrapping a companionable arm over her slumping shoulder's. She was so tired, and the fading light of day was sapping what little energy she had. She had barely slept last night and now she was paying for it. Barely shuffling up the last few feet of the their dirt walk, she absently waved him off. Pulling the divider aside and slipping inside the house. Seiya shook his head laughing. "I guess we won't be going dancing then tonight either." He called as she disappeared down the hall at the back of the living room. Having already dropped her coat and shed her boots at the door. Retreating away in nothing but her pink skirt, with her white blouse and matching sweater vest over top.
A while later Seiya was preparing himself a small sandwich in the kitchen, debating briefly if he should make one for her. Finally he opted to go ask her if she wanted one, sliding her divider aside, he found her curled up on Mamoru's old sleeping mat. Having pulled it out and set it up on the floor between the man's old dark wood dresser and his sister's old bed. He was upset but not shocked that she wasn't using the bed, thankful at least the girl was curled up in the fluffy white comforter's he had provided her. One pillow was beneath her head, while she clutched the other tight to her body. Curling around it as if it was a large stuffed animal, fast asleep.
Seiya admired her for a few minutes, she looked so serene snuggled in so tight in her blankets. Her golden hair falling free behind her. A stray thought of getting her a stuffed animal crossing his mind, quickly discarded when he remembered his agreement and the fact that, he noticed she already had a small pile of them. That she had piled on the bed, along with a very large purple panther leaning against the bookcase headboard. Now filled with all her manga. She was using her bed, just not in the ways he would have wished. Sighing in slight frustration, he decided he was going out dancing with his cousins. Let his odd little odango have her quite evening at home resting.
The evening past away into the depths of night, Usagi rose rested and ready for patrol. She quickly played her song to the moon. Biding her sister's and Mamoru a safe journey home, that she was missing them all like mad and wanted to see them all very soon. Transformed into her white leather armour, and short silk skirt. Her long white leather boots crunching smartly on the gravel, her sword bouncing at her hip a comforting weight along with her disc on it's hook upon the other hip. Her silvery blue cloak snapped behind her as she leaped into the night over the stone perimeter fence. A tiny little shadow had sensed her, then began to trail her into Azabu. He followed her scent as much as the soft glow of her armour in the distance. The silver runes painted upon her arms and thighs a magical beckon that seeming to have an inner power all their own.
For late on a Saturday night, the city was alive more then usual. Moon was soon hard a work, taking care of a few muggings in Juban park. Stumbling upon a jewelry store robbery, while in route back to Sendai Hill. A small family owed place, with a simple crimson awning, the etched glass of the front window smashed in. The alarms inside blaring into the night, as she leaped from roof top to roof top. Attracting her attention, she quickly darted off the roof of a nearby cafe, rounding the street corner. Finding a group of high school boys, dressed in grey work overalls, with red bands on their forearms. Steel toed boots, and crimson bandanas over their foreheads. She knew instantly that they were gang member's. It was another Yakuza hit, she leaped onto the dais just inside the broken window. Scattering the necklaces and jewels to the dimly lit floor of the retail store beyond. Legs in a wide stance, hands on her hips. The street lamps out front on the street, casting her silhouette in a foreboding shadow.
"Alright, boys. Funs over." She shouted. Her voice echoing over the siren of the alarms, drawing the three boys from their task of smashing the glass display's at the back counter with their pipes.
They turned in alarm, eyes flying wide as they met face to face with the bane of the criminal element in the city.
"Moonlight Angel." The lead boy shouted, then screamed lunging for her, his pipe over his head. His small gang flanking him to take her on. Moon leaped over their heads, smirking that her reputation was spreading through the underworld.
As they neared the front window, she made a forward flip to land behind them. Releasing her sword, with a ring as the leader's pipe was swung in a back hand to try and catch her upside the head. She raised her sword over her head, deflecting the attack with a clang. Laughing and cracking smart ass remarks, as the fight ensued. Moon always having the upper hand, being stronger and faster in her Guardian form.
The young high school boys had been commanded to destroy the business were quickly subdued. Their bats and iron poles no match for her sword work. She was untrained and still clumsy with her attacks, yet mere humans still stood no chance against her in Guardian Form. They gave up easily enough after she ended up causing more property damage then they did in the scuffle. She was oblivious to that fact, as she dragged their unconscious bodies out the front door one at a time. Tying them up for the police with a scrap of rope she found in the back stock room.
Slapping her gloved hands together as if to clean them she smiled smugly down at her newest capture. As the sound of mild clapping echoed out over the silent street. Alarmed, she whirled around, hand on the hilt of her sword. Finding a tall, reddish toned brunette sitting arrogantly upon the cement edge of a nearby roof across the street. Dressed in blood red leather armour, her hair braided in a single long whip like style. Her legs crossed over the roofs corner fascia, deep emerald eyes boring into her. She clapped her bare hands together. In a slow pondering rhythm the bespoke of sarcastic arrogance.
Moon glared up at her new threat, waiting to see what this woman was going to try.
"So Selene has finally found someone worthy of her gifts." She chuckled, slipping off the roof to land across the street from her. The woman's armour was so tight to her skin, it gleamed in the lamplight, as if her whole body was covered in the life's blood of her enemies. The sight of it was unsettling, Moon swallowed nervously.
"Who are you!" She shouted across the street.
The woman merely shrugged. "An ally, an enemy...it really depends on how you look at it." She smirked. Beryl had been tracking Moon's energy over Juban for the last hour, catching her soul's energy trail back in the park. She knew she was the Lunarian who had shacked up with her prey. This untrained Guardian was her, way to getting close to the Thorne.
She had no idea what happened to Endymion, but this little girl would be a means to an end. Or another plot to exploit, to aggravate her Master. Either way she would have her fun.
Blacky who had been tailing his queen, staying out of the way and out of sight. Crouched over the peek of the slated tile of the arched roof of the jewelry store. He growled low in his throat, as he sensed the Immortal that had been lurking on the roof of their sovereigns home months ago. His little beady black eyes narrowed with growing agitation as he watched the vile creature merely talking to his glorious Queen.
Moon cast her an uncertain look, crossing her arms over her tunic. Waiting impatiently for a real answer.
Beryl laughed lightly at the little girls attempt to look annoyed, even in her Guardian armour it came off kinda sweet and cute. Lunarian angels never could look very threatening to her.
"I am a Guardian, same as you my dear." Beryl smiled warmly, striding briskly across the street to stand casually before Moon.
"Guardian of Whom, which planet are you aligned to?" Moon countered, her voice curt and crisp.
Beryl sighed, and chuckled again. "I am the Guardian of the Dead Moon. My deity is Osiris." She bowed. Falling back on her long forgotten self, the life she had once known when she was alive. Before Ruin had found her broken and dieing on the battlefields of the Dark Realms. In some long forgotten war, between her Realm and the Celestial. He had given her a choice then, a pact for her soul, her body. That she could have her vengeance upon the White Moon for their destruction of her home realm,her pride and her honour as a Guardian. For her defeat, since she had failed her people in defending them. It was an easy decision and thus started her new life as an Immortal. Osiris had taken his power back, the moment she committed her soul to Ruin. Ashamed of her petty anger, and bitterness, her lack of honour. She should have accepted her fate. Her personal weakness in character, in that pivotal moment would forever haunt her. After the Immortal war she had her fill of killing the people of the Celestial Realm. The thousands of years of servitude there after, in which she had lost the rest of her humanity. Killing any who fought against the Keeper's plots, even her own people. Now she was just tired, seeking anyway to entertain herself seeing only an endless future ahead of herself.
Moon raised her eyebrows in shock. She never knew the Dark Realms laid claim to Guardian powers, that Osiris had shared more of his power then just the magical connection bred into the people of the Dark Realms.
She was about to ask more questions, as the night was shattered in a crescendo of screams. Moon was off in an instant down the street, her mind reeling at the thought of Heart Snatcher's. Her whole purpose of patrol was to hunt down those
four Dark Realm Rebels before they killed more innocent people. She just never seemed to catch up to them fast enough. With her heart crashing against her chest, she pumped her legs for more speed. Noticing out of the corner of her eyes the Guardian in red leather, leaping from roof top to roof top across the street. She was following her into battle, the next few minutes would determine if she was trustworthy or not.
Misery cowered in a broom closet, her small body shaking in fear. The air was stale and acidic in this little makeshift cage. Surrounded by the wood handles of brooms and mops, she hugged her knees barely breathing. This house had truly become a living hell for her, she couldn't escape! She had been able to use the shadows to fade within it's walls, but now those beloved shadows had betrayed her. They refused to let her fade outside again, taking her against her will all over the house. She had been hiding out in one spot or another avoiding the evil occupants, not knowing what vile things they would do to her.
It had been quiet out in the hall for nearly an hour, so Misery settled her fear and lightly pushed the door open. The light of the hall crept slowly into her concealing darkness, illuminating the dust in the air and snout of her nose. As she pushed just the tip of her face out through the crack in the door, sniffing to make sure no one was coming. Finding no lingering scents of the human's, she lightly tip toed out of the closet. Scampering down the wide brightly lit hallway, filled with quaint pale wooden doors that seemed to blend into the wood of the walls. The upper portion of the mansion was one long wide open hall filled with rooms. The rooms themselves were large mostly bedrooms, with outer walls made up of windows that filled the space from floor to high beamed ceilings. Beautiful crystal encrusted light fixtures were embedded into the high roof of the hall and in the bedrooms. The house always gave off a pristine, luxurious quality that was quiet unsettling to poor little Misery.
She was tip toeing down the hall when a small creak caught her attention, alarmed and having no where to go. The shadow quickly turned the knob of the closest door and ducked inside the dimly lit room beyond. Her chest heaving for breath as she found herself now, in a strange nearly black room with dozen's of lamps set up on an olden style, gothic dresser, chest, or on a vanity. Also scattered upon many shelves all over the room. Squinting in the dull, almost starlit room she found a small child's cot. Also carved from dark wood in a gothic style. With lavender sheets and a black comforter. In the corner of the room was a crowd of stuffed animals, and dolls, their glass eyes staring blindly towards the room.
The creak again sounded behind her, Misery dashed for the mound of toys hoping to hide in the obscurity there. Diving into the pile, with only her bulbous head revealed. She sought to be still, and calm her breath.
Silently a very small girl entered the room, dressed in a long lavender nighty. The round neckline and long sleeves accented with small ruffles in a darker purple. She was a slight thing, with wide innocent eyes of the darkest blue that they looked almost black. Her dark hair hung short, around her slender shoulders. Framing her almost elven features, with high cheek bones and a little pointed chin that made her look very aristocratic.
Misery swallowed hard, she could feel the aura of the Keeper enshrouding the girl. As the little thing moved on bare feet towards the dark cot. Silently climbing under the covers, rustling for a bit before rolling over, eyes closed to face the corner full of dolls and stuffed animals. Misery cocked her head to the side, she could sense the gloom and loneliness the child embodied. A life of ill luck, and endless misfortunes seemed to follow her. The shadow found a strange kinship with the deep sadness of this little girl. Blinking and uncertain she remained hidden, as the girl settled down for sleep. Unwilling as of yet to trust a child whom seemed so bonded to the powers of the Dark God Ruin.
"Hello...are you an angel?" A sweet yet melancholy voice echoed through the Shadow's turbulent thoughts.
Misery never moved, never breathed or blinked. Staring dumbstruck now at the little girl, who had now opened her dark eyes staring hopefully at her. They merely gazed at one another for countless minutes, neither willing to make another move.
The little girl then gave up waiting, silently tossed her blankets aside, slid off the bed and crept up slowly to the mountain of plush toys. Coming face to face with Misery. Still Misery would not make a move, valiantly trying to stay anonymous even though her cover was horribly blown. How was this little girl able to pick her out of all these stuffed animals and dolls in the dark!
The little girl then reached into the pile, her small hands grasping Misery just under her arms and lifted her out. Misery went limp, still attempting to be just a stuffed animal.
"Your a silly angel." She responded. Carrying Misery back to her bed, propping her up on her cotton pillow case. Then sat on her knees before the pillow, as Misery slumped herself against the dark wooden back board as if boneless.
"I know your real." She smirked, then with out warning slapped Misery across the face with everything she had. Giggling
with pleasure, when she noticed Misery's beady little eyes tearing up at the pain. Then suddenly she cracked Misery again with her other hand, across the opposing cheek. As the little shadows, head snapped back at the force of the strike. The little girl began to laugh even more gleefully, enjoying the hurt crossing Misery's face.
"Stop pretending to be dead, I will stop hitting you only then." She sighed, tucking her hands between her thighs. Staring eagerly down at Misery, as if she had just received a new toy for christmas.
Misery groaned and bowed her head, having no choice but to give into the creepy little girl. Thinking bitterly.
Fuck my Afterlife!
Glossary
A brief history of war between the Realms:
Rise of the White Moon as a Kingdom after conquering the Lunarian tribes.
The solar kingdoms fell to waring with each other, reason unknown as of now.
The pact with the Lunarian tribes for the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou, the White Moon became the strongest power in the Celestial Realms. Creating a truce of force, with all other planets forming the Silver Millennium.
The War of Fear: Celestial and Dark Realms, the fall of the old White Moon Kingdom. Details to be announced.
The Immortal wars: Lunarian people and the Immortals. The Keeper's first attempt to escape the Abyss.
The Fall of Elysian: The second plot of the Keeper to escape the Abyss.
The Fall of the Dark Realms: His plot increases in strength.
The plot of vengeance will continue...
How demonic is demonic? What is the Hierarchy of power.
There are levels of Demonic power, as there are levels to the powers of light.
Each realm and people who were born in that realm can call upon the magic of that realm. Those of royal blood are more powerful since they are higher beings closer to the Elder Gods, and Goddess, or to the lesser elemental Gods and Goddess.
The least powerful demons are from the Dark Realms. Known as Lesser Demons such as the Horde. Their are humans that can call upon the powers of Osiris. Since he is the twin of Gaia, his Realm is the dark mirror of the mortal Realm.
Then the Dream Demon's are only slightly more powerful, they live in the Dreaming, Elysian and the Deep Dreaming.
Only the ones from the Deep Dreaming look like Monsters.
The demons within the Dreaming can be anything given life by Morpheus from the dreams of Mortals.
Elysian Demons are more powerful, they are of human body since Morpheus coveted his sister Gaia's concept of Mortals.
Then the Abyss has all Pure Demon's the most powerful evil forces in the Universe. They are nightmares given flesh, who's sole purpose is to ravage and consume all life. They are the Monsters, that monsters fear!