A/N
This is part one of a two chapter update! My brain is fried so that's all, good luck.
Interlude: Eclipse
Bleak.
It was the only word in which to describe the home of the Black Moon Clan. A bleak castle built upon the barren land of Nemesis. How Eclipse had come to this conclusion with such profound clarity in so little time, she could not say. That was another side effect of being a blank slate. One did not require memories in order to comprehend the world around them; most of the time instinct was more than enough. Instinct and observation. Prior memories hadn't been needed for her to conclude that the word bleak best described the aesthetic of this place; it was merely a natural assessment of her surroundings.
And so through instinct and observation — and not a single memory — Eclipse had spent the past day gathering more than enough information to begin making such deductions.
She deduced, for example, that she was not in any significant danger here.
Eclipse knew she was missing memories. In her mind there was only the silver haired prince, the darkness before him, and beneath that darkness… nothing. Nothing that belonged to her, at least. No memories, no home, no family, and no name. Even the reflection in the mirror looked off. A gaze that was too sharp, expression too icy; a black, inverted moon where she swore the crescent should have been golden and upright. At times she would catch a glimpse of her reflection from the corner of her eye and startle at finding blonde locks. These features added up to present an ever-so-slightly distorted image. A stranger, unfamiliar and unimportant.
This was suspicious in and of itself.
Eclipse had no doubt that the self-proclaimed prince had a hand in her memory loss. Hell, he was the most likely culprit. Yet even then she found she did not fear him. This lack of fright did not stem from misplaced gratitude or anything of the like. Eclipse had not sprung into the world fully formed; she clearly had a past, something which had been taken from her, and so Demande's gift of a name, a title and power, were by no means an incredible feat. She would not be impressed by him making up for what Eclipse suspected to be his fault to begin with.
No, the reason she did not fear him was because it just wasn't possible to do so.
One would have to be well and truly obtuse to not see how every action he took was for her benefit; it was so painfully obvious, in fact, that even the legally blind would notice. In defiance of his holier-than-thou demeanor, Demande had gone out of his way to ensure her care and comfort. He had escorted her throughout the castle, answered all questions truthfully when she deemed to ask, provided in depth explanations on his decisions, and had laid out the circumstances of the Black Moon Clan's current situation as plainly as possible while also having taken care to navigate the conversation so that he never had to speak a mistruth. Eclipse had caught on rather quickly and, after some thought, had found the prospect entertaining. Demande did not wish to lie to her.
Really, he'd made it all to easy for her to get what she wanted.
One might think Demande a difficult conversation partner given how apt he was at avoiding topics he didn't want her to focus on, but they'd be wrong. Sometimes avoiding one subject left you vulnerable to another; one, perhaps, that did not seem so threatening. That was how Eclipse manipulated him into telling her all his hopes and dreams without having to give anything in return. All information is useful in the right hands, and it didn't hurt that she found him fascinating, and so terribly easy to engage with (they played off one another well, even if she was in fact using him for her own gain). Luckily, Eclipse did not have to open herself up in order to keep Demande talking. She was in no position to share herself with him, and they both knew it.
He made no attempts to feed her any story behind her memory loss either. Eclipse played along, only asking questions she deemed important, and in turn Demande remained a perfect gentleman. Every look, breath, and graze all but screamed his intentions.
In his eyes, Eclipse was divinity given flesh. An existence to be worshipped in his own, quiet way.
It was impossible to be afraid of such a person, especially so when she knew the strength running in her veins was a power beyond what he wielded. Adding in the devotion and her own freedom to do as she wished… Well, suffice to say Eclipse was not overly concerned with her loss of memory or his part in the matter. The truth would reveal itself in time, and until then she was perfectly content to continue her own observations.
Her current musings fell on the cause behind this castle's state of atrophy.
Though they were not exactly living in squalor, the castle was certainly less than befitting of a so-called prince. The structure (western, some part of her mind supplied) had been built using a drab grey stone, almost medieval in its design. While there were windows, the corridors remained absent of décor, most of the rooms had been left empty and untouched, and the ones in use were sparsely furnished. There had been no attempt to cover up the exposed stone on the interior; no drywalls covered by intricate wallpaper, or plush carpets over tiled floors. No detailing to be found in any of the architecture, either. Plumbing was available, but electricity… well, that was a different matter. From what she understood the castle ran on magic energy. Unfortunately Demande was not knowledgeable on the subject, having arrived long after the castle had been built.
The Black Moon Clan did not lack for wealth — she had seen the vaults herself when the day had been young — and yet extraordinarily little effort had been put into remodeling. There were no tapestries, paintings, or portraits to lighten up the corridors. No curtains or shutters either, though it was always either night or evening on Nemesis. In the dining quarters one would find tableware of pure silver, ornate dishes, and comfortable chairs, but no further décor. The bedchambers were better. Plush mattresses and silk sheets on a four-poster bedframe, a wardrobe of finely tailored garments, one writing desk and a table for tea, an attached bathing area with an endless variety of perfumes, lotions, oils, and soaps. Large windows overlooking the barren landscape of Nemesis stories below. These were expenses for the benefit of comfort, ones that did not extend beyond their personal living quarters.
Only the throne room had undergone serious renovation.
Black marble covered the stone beneath, leaving only the walls of the large hall exposed. Silver veins danced across the floor, bringing to mind the broken threads of a spider's web. A navy carpet edged with black moons split the hall from its main entrance all the way up the four steps of the platform, atop which the throne, and Eclipse, now waited.
The throne itself was simply an overly large, metal chair with little embellishment and more comfort than expected. The cool metal pressed against the bare skin of her shoulders in an already chilled castle. Artfully inlaid into the stone wall behind the throne, in perhaps the only sign of wealth frivolously spent, loomed the symbol of the Black Moon Clan. The mural had been made with Black Crystal, Nemesis' natural resource and the same gem surrounding the diamonds of the diadem upon her head. Beyond this hall the castle was as decrepit as the rest of Nemesis.
She was pulled from her thoughts as a servant approached with a tray of refreshments. Eclipse eyed them momentarily, then waved the servant away. "That will be all."
The silent servant retreated down the steps, past the bent heads of her new companions and into the shadows to wait until the next time it was called for. Eclipse watched it go with distaste. In place of true servants, the maintenance of the castle fell to odd creatures called droids. Each one was unique. They appeared to be part machine, part dark energy. Different, she mused, than that which she herself possessed. On her first encounter with them, Eclipse had immediately found herself wanting to erase their existence from the galaxy. She'd refrained from doing so, but the sentiment remained. Later, upon closer inspection, she had noted a third ingredient. Human residue.
While mildly curious, she hadn't cared enough to make any inquiries.
Some realities were better left untouched. She focused only on matters of importance, of which the droids — and their creation — were not. Though the state of the castle seemed trifle, it had given her the necessary insight in order to surmise Demande's other intentions. With no resources save for its mineral, Nemesis was nothing more than a temporary headquarters. It would be discarded once the Black Moon Clan succeeded in their ambitions. He did not appear to fully grasp just what lay beneath the surface of this planet.
Even now, lounging upon the throne with her cheek propped on a fist, Eclipse could sense it. The curl of shadow attempting to penetrate her mind, pitifully weak and desperate to reclaim what it had lost. With barely a thought she batted away the fragment of Wiseman, leaving what remained to scuttle back in the darkest shadows in the depths of this dilapidated castle like the sad, lowly being he was. Only a few remnants lingered from his defeat the previous evening, clinging to the center of Nemesis and the strength of the Black Crystal that she had yet to fully claim. She would have to get that squared away, and soon.
Perhaps Demande's ignorance was for the best.
For someone who appeared to be so sure of what he wanted, he had a peculiar way of going about it. She wondered how much longer it would take for him to realize the hypocrisy of his actions. Without Wiseman to whisper sweet nothings in his ear and filling their heads with garbage, that moment may be closer than she thought. Just as Eclipse began to grow bored, the delightful clacking of heels met her ears.
Finally!
The green haired woman stepped onto the carpet, muffling her footsteps upon entry. Eclipse examined her. A scandalously short black dress, elbow length gloves, and matching black stiletto boots. The sigil of the Black Moon Clan adorned her brow. Aside from the uniform black earrings, she also wore a gaudy necklace of emeralds, each one the size of a child's fist. Esmeraude did not look like much. Maybe that was the intent.
Esmeraude swept her gaze across the hall, taking in the backs of her comrades, lined up and knelt before the platform. She looked at Demande, shoulders squared with pride, standing at Eclipse's side, before come to rest on Eclipse herself. She did not miss the way those eyes widened. In shock… and familiarity. Like Petz. Interesting.
Unlike Petz, however, Esmeraude appeared to be able to use her words.
"What is the meaning of this?" No pleasantries, not a drop of respect. There was nothing but ire in her tone. The poor fool hadn't realized what she'd just walked into.
Though it did not show on his face, Demande's mood had soured due to the spectacle earlier. Having spoken of Esmeraude's strength and loyalty, he seemed to be counting on everything being smooth sailing from here. So, out of pity for what was soon to be a disappointed prince, Eclipse graciously ignored the look of contempt curdling Esmeraude's features.
However, she had made note of that greeting.
"Esmeraude, welcome back." Demande said, charming even when miffed. Eclipse watched their exchange, only partially listening as Demande went on to explain the coronation ceremony, smoothly side-stepping Esmeraude's faux passe. Then, with the naivety of one unaccustomed to the sting of denial, he gestured to the floor beneath Esmeraude's feet. "Please welcome the newly appointed Queen of the Black Moon Clan, Eclipse. Kneel and swear your fealty as the rest of our companions have so that we might move on to other matters."
Ah, he was becoming inpatient.
As Esmeraude's face flushed with anger, Eclipse made a small effort to stop her lips from twitching. Demande's confidence, while unimpressive, was almost endearing; as was the thrill that ran through her whenever her name rolled off his tongue.
"You expect me to kneel to her-"
"What I expect is obedience, Esmeraude." He interjected darkly, quickly.
Eclipse spared him a glance, noting the tips of his ears reddening in embarrassment — another hiccup in his perfect ceremony — before returning her attention to the woman in question. This one… this one most definitely recognized her. Could Eclipse loosen her tongue enough to reveal those secrets? She saw no reason why she couldn't but… well, she had already formed an opinion of Esmeraude. It wasn't flattering.
Then again, if she knew something then Eclipse was willing to bet that most of them did. In that case, Eclipse's energy would be better served targeting someone with a bit more intelligence; someone smart enough to pick up on the details, whilst keeping their mouth shut. Demande was truly naïve if he believed he could continue to keep her in the dark. As much as she enjoyed his company, Eclipse found that she also enjoyed knowing things. The pursuit of knowledge, in this situation, was not something she would yield on. Later, she would have her way.
For now… Esmeraude had been here for all of a few minutes and already Eclipse had grown tired of her attitude. She leaned forward. "Tell me, Esmeraude. Is it customary to greet your prince in such an uncouth manner, or does this show of disrespect stem from a desire to separate yourself from the rest? What about you is so special, enough so to warrant this remarkably blatant display of impudence towards the leader of the Black Moon Clan?"
Esmeraude sputtered, lips parted in preparation for a retort she could not seem to form. Eclipse held up a hand, silencing her, and continued. "You appear to be struggling to find an appropriate response, so allow me to assist. Turn around and look at your companions- go on, Esmeraude, look. Prince Demande insists that your presence is an asset to the Black Moon Clan. Prove him right. What can you deduce from your surroundings?"
She looked.
Eclipse wondered at her perceptivity, given everything Esmeraude had missed upon entering. It would have been more difficult to not notice the deafening silence of the rest of the Black Moon Clan. Their pale complexions and averted gazes, the utter stillness of each one despite having been kneeling on the floor for well over an hour know, and the swollen, tear stained face of Calaveras. Did Esmeraude finally see, or had she still failed to grasp the atmosphere once more?
"…Where is Petz?" The question was aimed at Demande.
Eclipse did not care.
"She's right here." A smirk formed at Esmeraude's confusion. Slowly, she slid her gaze to the blackened mark marring an otherwise pristine marble floor and was pleased when Esmeraude followed the movement. "Petz is right there. Or what's left of her, anyway." She waited for the other woman to refocus her attention, but Esmeraude remained still as stone. "There are consequences, Esmeraude, in raising a hand to your superior. Mild disobedience and poor manners can be corrected in time with a stern hand and some patience. However, to flat out attack someone without the explicit permission of your leader? Petz would still be here had she the simple ability to read a room or the patience to listen to Prince Demande before acting on her own accord. I was left with no choice but to remove her from this realm."
It had been unintentional.
The very second their eyes locked, Petz had thrown a wave of black lightning. Having felt the sudden build up of energy, Eclipse had simply reacted without thought, palm coming up to halt the lightning and instead shooting a beam of darkness that not only ripped through the approaching attack but disintegrated Petz where she stood. There hadn't even been time for her to scream. The resulting shock of those in the room had been utterly delicious.
Eclipse could get used to having such power at her disposal.
A hand swept lovingly past her shoulder, spilling blonde locks down her back to pool on the throne behind her. Eclipse brought her attention to Demande, his fingertips settling on the back of her neck. He spoke without breaking her gaze. "Violence against my queen is no different than violence against myself. I will not tolerate such treason. Heed my words, Esmeraude; I have no desire to see anyone follow Petz into the afterlife."
Silence.
Eclipse did not have to look in order to know what Esmeraude would do next.
Kneel, or die. When faced with the choice, people like her could always be counted on to fold. There were those who accepted submission as though it were the kindred spirit to survival. As if the very act of bowing their head, complacent, would earn them anything worthwhile.
She saw green hair lower itself from her peripheral vision. Demande, caught in her stare, did not acknowledge the movement. Eclipse broke into a slow smile.
The throne room fell back into silence.
Interlude: Saphir
"Explain it to me again." Nails raked softly along the edge of the painted table. Eclipse paced idly up and down its length, gaze trained on the illustrations and chess pieces positioned throughout. The war room was not small, yet the constant motion of their new sovereign as well as the aura around her seemed to all but swallow the space. Or, perhaps it was the presence of Rubeus and Esmeraude on either side of him — uncomfortably close and, more to the point, as far from Eclipse as the room allowed — that gave Saphir the wonderous sensation of feeling boxed in.
He suspected neither one wished to be within eyesight of her at the moment. Unlike Calaveras, however, they did not have an excuse to withdraw. This left Saphir in the regrettable position of sharing his side of the table; the side conveniently located near the only exit.
At the head, Demande reiterated the situation once more. "There has been no activity within the Crystal Palace per Esmeraude's report. The Silver Crystal of the twentieth century is either inactive, or back in its time along with our Silver Crystal, both of which will be heavily guarded by the Order of Elysion, whose location remains unknown."
Eclipse reached one end of the table and spun on her heel. She was clearly bothered by something, but had yet to voice it. Saphir filtered through his brother's words — vague enough to tell him that she had been briefed long before they'd entered the room — but did not see anything worth her ire. Her eyes bounced from Esmeraude to him and then to Rubeus before falling back onto the map. Calculating.
"How is it plausible that despite being a millennium ahead, the Black Moon Clan has little to no information regarding the Order of Elysion in their formative years? The very people that will go on to be the foundation of Queen Selene's court — your greatest enemies — and somehow, you've all gone this long unaware." Though her tone was light, they all heard the words she left unsaid. How pathetic.
"As I mentioned earlier, the majority of information on the Order of Elysion has been kept from the public since the beginning of Queen Selene's reign." Demande said, entirely unfazed. To Saphir's dismay, his expression was rather amused. "While there are points in history in which we can expect their appearance, no other information about their whereabouts can be found. We do not know where their current headquarters lies, under what alias they spend their days, or even who their families are."
"And I suppose there will not be an event in the near future that we can expect to find them in the midst of?"
"Unfortunately, no. We cannot risk jumped to that time either."
She clicked her tongue. "How tiresome… and neither Silver Crystal can be tracked unless they are being actively used."
"That's correct."
Eclipse pursed her lips, coming to a stop at the center. "So either this Sailor Moon or the traitor Berthier in currently in possession of one. The Silver Crystal of the twentieth century, to be exact."
There was a sudden stillness on either side of him. Saphir carefully did not react, choosing instead to defer to his brother. Demande spared the three of them a warning glance Eclipse did not see. "I told you, Sailor Moon has been taken care of. We do not need to worry about her involvement anymore."
"So you say, but if she is as remarkable as you have claimed, and also not dead, then I have no choice but to err on the side of caution. Gravely wounded or otherwise." At the sigh she received, Eclipse relented, "Fine, then Berthier likely has one of the Silver Crystals."
That caught Saphir's curiosity, and he had to wonder if part of her was subconsciously retaining information from before her transition, and then unintentionally leaking it to them. Eclipse picked up on the littlest tells alarmingly well, from what he had seen. He weighed the pros and cons before deciding to add his own input. "You appear quite certain of your theory. Why narrow it down to only those two?"
"They fought alone." She answered. "Two against… six, was it? Now, maybe Sailor Moon was acting in arrogance. Its possible, but arrogance is built over time; not just by praise but also by continuous victory, by having proved one's self. People that act on the basis of their own arrogance don't tend to live long. Sailor Moon still has to make a name for herself, right? So, I'd wager that it was necessity, not arrogance, that pushed her to do so. They fought two against six because there was no one else able to fight alongside them. In that scenario we're left with two possibilities. Either they brought a third person — someone inexperienced in combat — with them…"
"Or they came alone." Saphir finished thoughtfully. There were other possibilities, of course; Eclipse had just dismissed them based on probability. The way she brought up her own name made him uneasy. Just as he decided to move the conversation away, Eclipse grinned. A small, sly grin of the cat that ate the canary, before leveling Saphir with a look that chilled his blood. He had a feeling he'd done something he shouldn't have, though he could not say what.
It was gone as quick as it came, and her attention returned to the map as she added, "Depending on the severity of Sailor Moon's condition, they may still be hiding behind the walls of the Crystal Palace, but I doubt it. Returning to the twentieth century would have been the safest option; strength in numbers, a hidden place to lie low." Eclipse cocked her head and picked up one of the pawns. "Why is there a white piece on Earth's moon?"
Demande waved a hand dismissively. "That is the Moon Palace, guarded by an even stronger barrier than the one on Earth. It is where the other princess resides, along with a few unimpressive aides. You needn't pay that one much thought; she may be older but there's been no appearance from her in the public eye for years now."
Again, Saphir was uncomfortable with the direction this was going in. He was a master at maintaining a poker face, but without having been present for whatever conversations had taken place last night and earlier in the day, he had no way of knowing what she'd been told. He would have to speak to his brother, though he was still loathe to do so. Demande had flat out ignored Saphir's plea to tread with caution. He was the only one of them that did not look at Eclipse with abject horror. Even Rubeus had immediately known not to try his luck. Still, Saphir did not think it would be much to ask what his brother had revealed to her. He would just have to phrase it correctly.
Said abject horror had grown curious. "You told me Queen Selene only had one child. If she had another, and left her to rot then why not make use of that one? Such resentment could be quite the motivator."
Saphir wondered when they'd had time for this kind of conversation, given the way his brother had dragged her all throughout the castle this morning.
"That is because the child does not belong to the queen." Demande plucked the white pawn from her hand in a playful motion. To Saphir's surprise, Eclipse allowed it. "The royal family of the Moon Kingdom never produces more than a single heir to the throne — rather shortsighted of them, really — and Queen Selene already has that heir in her child with King Endymion. Princess Helenia was sent away by Queen Selene to the Moon Palace under the pretext of studying. The Moon Palace was previously used as an academy for particularly gifted individuals for centuries, but when it was decided that Princess Helenia would be staying there for the foreseeable future, the staff and students were ordered to transfer to one of the sister academies on Earth. Nevertheless, you'll find the princess is not someone that can be persuaded to join our cause. Her allegiance to the Crystal Empire is absolute."
Eclipse raised a brow. "Enlighten me."
"It's simple, really." Demande's smirk was tinged with bitterness. He returned the pawn to its rightful place with a decisive tap. "Princess Helenia's mother was a close companion of Queen Selene, and a well known warrior of the Crystal Empire. The Destroyer, Lady Nyx."
"Otherwise known as Sailor Moon." Her eyes shifted to Saphir. "If Earth is so precious to her, why has she not tried to defend it?"
"We aren't certain." He answered, wishing she'd asked anyone else. Saphir waited a beat, but Eclipse did not shift her gaze elsewhere. A seed of uncertainty began to sprout. She was testing him. He didn't know what for, or why, only that she was. He continued, "Truthfully, Princess Helenia is an unknown variable. It's unclear who her father is, how much power she possesses, and what her proficiency at exercising it is. Intel on her is as strictly guarded as the Order of Elysion's past. Wiseman was capable of much, but even he could not gather such information. No one has seen the princess use her powers. She may not even have the skill to fight. She may be hiding in fear, or the Moon Palace may be her prison. Regardless, she presents no threat."
Finally, she broke their stare.
"By herself, I'd agree. Sadly, however, the princess is not on her own. The queen and her court still live, and now we know the Order of Elysion can travel through time. With both Silver Crystals in the Order's hands, we have to assume it'll only be a matter of time before your dear friends awaken. Pretending otherwise would be foolish." Ire colored her tone. "Almost as foolish as, say, decimating Earth."
Demande pinched his brow. "Wiseman said-"
"I do not care what that worm said." She snapped. At his right, Esmeraude jumped at the heat behind her words. "The methods he employed set the Black Moon Clan back. How was that not obvious? If even one of you people had any foresight or complex thought, you'd have realized there are far more efficient methods beyond an all-out assault on Earth. The entire human race dead and somehow not a single one of the queen's court was eliminated. I cannot fathom how the Black Moon clan managed it. Earth would already be yours if you had used their civilians against them. A school of children would have made fine bargaining chips. If anything has been gained from Wiseman's methods, I have failed to see it. I do hope you have a plan in the event of Queen Selene's awakening."
She was not entirely wrong.
Nothing had been gained from the first two attacks, and by the third Saphir's confidence in their plan had all but disappeared. Only Demande's unwavering belief had kept them going. Saphir was not even sure he could consider the last battle a decisive victory. Both Queen Selene and her court remained unconscious for the time being, but with the barrier around the Crystal Palace there was no way to finish them off, and the Silver Crystal vanished with the crown princess. Wiseman had given them something, however. Eclipse, for better or worse, was here because of him.
Demande offered her a sly smile. "I have something in mind for that very scenario. For now let's focus on pursuing the Silver Crystal. I'm curious as to what you'd suggest?"
"…We have nothing the enemy wants, and therefore no way to lure them to a terrain of our choosing. Let's change that." She tapped the table. "All accessible pawns have been removed from this time. Luckily, we aren't limited to the thirtieth century."
Demande's gaze brightened. "You want to take hostages from their time."
"And bring them to Nemesis. The Order of Elysion will take their time in confronting us unless we force their hand."
Rubeus spoke then, projecting far less caution and a little more interest. "The Order would be stupid to give up the Silver Crystal for some hostages. It's the Silver Crystal we're talking about. No way they'd do it."
"Oh, I think they might," Eclipse cooed, "If an innocent died for every half hour we're made to wait; upon delivery of the terms of course. We will not negotiate or engage. If the Order attacks, a hostage dies for every blow they deal. The Silver Crystal will not be far from their reach, so there's no need to make allowances. Any extension of time will only give them further opportunity to come up with a plan. It also wouldn't hurt to wound two or three of them; instill a healthy dose of fear while ensuring that they consider their circumstances before even considering a counterattack. A few hostages will have to die no matter what — two, in the time it will take them to arrive on Nemesis if they immediately act — but that's just how these things go sometimes."
"Huh," He hummed. "That's an interesting way to go about it."
"It's just a suggestion." She glanced back to Demande. "Do with it what you will."
"I see no fault in that plan." He said. Then, he turned to Saphir expectantly.
Saphir squared his shoulders, warmth rising in his chest in the way it always did when his brother sought Saphir's input. "I agree as well. With some finessing we can cover most of our bases and add a contingency plan."
He did not mention exactly what sort of finessing would be required. As soon as Eclipse was gone, Saphir would bring up the issue of her wording. Her plan would work well enough, and they'd put a contingency in place. He would also be sure to have something further prepared in the event that Eclipse proved his suspicions to be correct. He did not like the way she referred to the Crystal Empire and the Order as strictly their enemies, and not her own.
"Wonderful." Eclipse stepped back and captured Demande in a stare that would have shattered a lesser man. As it was, his brother merely held her gaze with an intensity that made the rest of them uncomfortable. Eclipse appeared pleased. "There's another matter I wish to attend to, if we're done here. Saphir shall accompany me while you finish planning out the details."
And just as like that, the warmth was gone.
He obliged to the unhurried pace Eclipse set, following half a step behind at her side.
It was the gentlemanly thing to do, after all. Moreover, it permitted him to study her in a way he had not dared to thus far. Saphir was glad for the opportunity, because as they cut through the castle and began the descent into its lower chambers, his observations proved useful.
Eclipse did not hesitate.
She did not pause before intersecting corridors, and her gaze never roamed as though to check her surroundings. Each step was sure. She was leading them through a castle she had only toured once. Either she had memorized the layout, or something else was at play here. Soon torchlight replaced windows, the air grew stale and earthy, and their path brought them down a spiraling staircase. They passed the dungeons, and Saphir's suspicions were confirmed.
"Wiseman was never really on your side." She began suddenly, her words bouncing over the soft echoes of their footsteps. "You already knew that though, didn't you?"
He kept his gaze on the stairs. "…What gives you that impression?"
She laughed sweetly, a sharp contrast from her wicked demeanor. "He didn't like you. I doubt you ever openly disagreed with him, but the fact that you refused the Black Crystal earrings was more than enough to incite caution."
Had Demande told her about that?
No, not unless she had asked, and Saphir didn't think she had. The Black Crystal she wore served to do much more than enhance her abilities; it was keeping Eclipse under Wiseman's magic even in death. The likelihood of his brother partaking in a discussion regarding the Black Crystal was slim. He would have avoided the topic.
Eclipse, as though sensing his line of thought, raised a hand. Dark energy danced between her fingers. "Do you know how his powers worked? Wiseman controlled others through their fears and weaknesses. The earrings leech off one's insecurities, magnifying their most negative emotions and nurturing those feelings in order to feed off them. In exchange, it releases a bit of its own energy, thereby allowing the user to fulfill their desires. The stronger those negative emotions get, the more energy the user receives. A cycle of addiction that makes those under its influence easier to control."
He stared at her profile, what little of it he could see in the faint light. "You speak of Wiseman as though you knew him."
"Oh dear." She smiled coyly. "Did I forget to mention I saw some of his memories? Perhaps that isn't the right word for it, they aren't memories so much as impressions… His emotions and interactions, then. The innermost self of the being that called itself Wiseman. In order to control someone, your will must be able to overcome their own. I confess I do not know what my weakness is, only that it was not something that could be used against me. My fears, however…" That smile sharpened. "Well, he tried his best. I suppose it complicates matters when one's fears and weaknesses are not intertwined."
She knew.
His steps did not falter, nor did his expression change. Eclipse knew of Wiseman's attempt to brainwash her, but to what degree? Was she aware of their involvement? Did she recall being Sailor Moon? Each second brought a new sense of distress. Had his brother mentioned what story she'd been fed regarding her memory loss, Saphir would know how to react. Saphir acknowledged then the possibility that he was walking to his death. Maybe this had been her plan all along, playing the role to deceive Demande while slowly picking them off one by one. Four members of the Black Moon Clan had been taken out by her own hand.
As they passed under the light of another torch Saphir scanned her form. While he knew from experience (i.e. Esmeraude) that it wasn't difficult to hide weapons on one's person no matter the scarcity of their clothing, it didn't appear as though Eclipse had any such thing on her person. With the power she wielded, there'd hardly be any need for it. If she intended to kill him, Saphir would only have one chance to escape. His natural affinity for wind magic might hold her off, but not for long. He wouldn't have the element of surprise, either.
What did he have, then?
Saphir knew every inch of this castle. Alone, he did not believe he would be any match for the Destroyer, but if he managed to find the others- no. That wouldn't work either. Without definitive proof would his brother even listen? She wasn't likely to strike him in view of Demande. If he could get Rubeus and Esmeraude on his side…
"You're awfully quiet." She commented.
"Apologies. I was lost in thought." He went over her words once more. She had suspicions, but she did not know the truth. The plan she'd concocted was too good to be anything other than what it was. She wanted the Silver Crystal just as much as they did.
The staircase came to an end before a large wooden door. Saphir's heart jumped, but he kept his features polite and moved around her to hold the door open. The hinges creaked, and cold air rushed to meet them. He was saved from having to form any further excuses when her attention caught on the massive crystal jutting out from the ground. Eclipse disappeared through the doorway into what was not a large hall, but a natural cavern. He followed, leaving the door slightly ajar.
In here, all sound reverberated to an unnatural degree.
He despised coming here, though it was unavoidable due to the nature of his research. Saphir would have never allowed his brother to wear even a sliver of Black Crystal without first learning all that he could of the gemstone. It had been the only understanding between himself and Wiseman. He turned a blind eye to the sage's experimentation and eventual creation of droids and in return Saphir was given free reign to analyze the Black Crystal. Neither would interfere with the other so long as they minded their own business. It worked well enough. However, Saphir had found that he did not do well when down here for too long. Something about the constant noise bouncing off the walls, and the air that gradually began to thicken like tar in his lungs.
Then there was the monolithic Black Crystal.
It towered over them, thrice their height and almost buzzing with a headache inducing energy.
"Prince Demande has already brought you here, yes?" There was a secret exit opposite of the door they'd come through. He would have to cross the cavern, but it was doable. Saphir was the only one aware of it. If she attacked he could dodge, perhaps trick her into dealing damage to the cavern, and flee through the other exit. In the time it would take her to figure out how to open the secret door, he would be long gone.
"He did." Her answer was breathless. She wasn't focusing on him at all. Eclipse circled the crystalline structure, examining it with a look in her eyes he did not quite understand. Quietly, she murmured, "It's alive."
A chill swept up his spine. Saphir assessed the Black Crystal, but sensed nothing past that slight hum it emitted, easily drowned out by the sounds of their movements. She whispered a greeting, one not meant for him. Despite himself he asked, "What do you mean by alive?"
"If you could sense it, you'd understand." She answered vaguely. Eclipse slid him a look similar to the one from their first encounter. Predatory, inhuman. It was all he could do to hold her gaze, to keep his legs beneath him. "Do you know why Wiseman lost to me? It wasn't a mistake on his part. He tried his best, but he was weak. Weak men can never hope to conquer, only endure. Even then, Wiseman could not manage it; his will could not withstand my own. The rest of the Black Moon Clan have found fulfillment in the power they receive from the Black Crystal. It allows them the illusion of control over their lives, their futures, that they do not truly have. Any freedom that can be taken and given at another's whim is not freedom at all; it is, at best, subjugation wrapped nicely with a bow. Freedom requires power, and it is not something that can be given or earned. True power is that which you must rip from the hands of the unworthy and claim for yourself. It must be taken by force."
"Why-" His voice broke, "why are you telling me this?"
"Your brother is special, Saphir. I have no desire to bring him harm or ruin; quite the opposite really. However, what the two of you fail to realize is that the course you are on will not bring the happiness you so crave."
"You believe you know us so well?"
"Yes. I do." Her gaze did not waver. "One conversation was enough for me to understand. The Black Moon Clan's motivation stems from contempt of Queen Selene and how she reigned over Earth. When you succeed in triumphing over her and return in time as planned, neither of you with be happy with the results. The two of you shall find failure in your triumph, and I will not stop it. I will not bother. All that matters to me is what you can do for me here and now. As thanks for what you will tell me I shall give you a piece of advice. You live in a fantasy, Saphir. Separate yourself from it, or perish in the willful ignorance you have created for yourself."
Dread pooled, greeting him like an old friend as the word burrowed into his heart where he knew they would continue to haunt him. She was not attacking. Saphir could not bring himself to flee or strike. Not with that gaze trained on him. "What is it that you wish to know?"
"The truth. Who am I, really?" She did not wait for an answer.
Eclipse placed her hand on the core.
It was difficult to comprehend what happened next as darkness erupted, sweeping through the cave and relieving Saphir of his senses. He could not feel the cold air filling his lungs, or the floor beneath his feet; not the shakiness of his knees nor the pounding of his blood. Saphir no longer had a body, only a consciousness veiled in endless nothingness.
A spike of bloodthirst, followed by a voice that would have left him on his knees had he a body. The words were gibberish, but the intent…
Hatred. Envy. Rage.
Then, nothing.
He found himself back in the cave, choking on air and curled on his side. A figure stood above him. Wisps of dark energy trailed off Eclipse in waves, leisurely receding. Her gaze settled on him, deadly, triumphant.
"I believe I asked you a question."
Interlude: Eclipse
The nightgowns were perhaps the comfiest items in her wardrobe.
Despite the exhaustion weighing on her, Eclipse took a moment to focus on the gown, appreciating the soft cotton material, neither tight nor restrictive. The sleeves were just long enough to slip past her hands, with a neckline just above the collarbone and a hem that tickled her calves. Modest, practical. A garment made solely for leisure.
For her.
Eclipse stifled that thought, tucking herself into bed and beginning slow, deep breaths as another dizzy spell overwhelmed her. She'd expected taking control of the Black Crystal would present more of a challenge than absorbing Wiseman's power had, but this… This was hell. Like she had discovered three new senses and they were all on fire, burning beneath her skin. In consuming this power Eclipse had seen the truth of Wiseman, and after facing off that abomination today she was left sorting through all the extra information to piece together something coherent without going absolutely mad. By now, she had most of the picture, and she could say without a doubt that there was not a single soul in the galaxy as pathetic as Wiseman.
He'd been human, once.
Human, angry and cruel enough to not take notice of the malevolence that had possessed him early on, and why would he have when such hatred suited him so well? The fool had thought himself a master of deception for his manipulation of Earth's rebellions, and later the Black Moon Clan, yet had failed to realize when he himself had become the puppet of another's will. While Wiseman had fallen victim to her own power, the force possessing him had not.
Death Phantom, it had called itself.
The malevolent entity was the combination of Wiseman and… something else. Something that had recognized her, and had showed fear. Not for long, hardly more than a millisecond, but Eclipse had felt it. It had not wanted her to see what it was. With the human part of Death Phantom gone, Eclipse had found herself in a bit of a mess. The other half of Death Phantom, while clearly afraid, refused to yield Nemesis to her completely. It had tried and failed to coax her. She may not have won, but now the majority of the Black Crystal was under her domain. Whilst Eclipse could not move the planet as she wished, she did have control over how much energy Death Phantom could use from the Black Crystal. There seemed to be other deposits on the planet, but none nearly as valuable as the one beneath the castle.
There was little satisfaction to be found despite this victory. Perhaps because of the splitting headache, or the sensory overload.
It seemed Wiseman's earrings had more use than he'd let on.
Now that she was fully tuned into the Black Crystal, Eclipse could see in ways she hadn't been able to before. Anyone wearing the earrings was exposed to her. How much dark energy they channeled, the amount of negativity within each of them, and, if they were close enough, a hint of their emotions. She liked to think she would have become acclimated to her new skills had this been the only issue.
It was not.
Death Phantom had a strong grip on Nemesis, much stronger than Wiseman.
It continued to wage war against her, leaving Eclipse no choice but to partake in what was beginning to feel like an endless mental battle against the being. Each time her eyes closed, eclipse found herself in an abyss. To her left, a face made entirely from shadow stared with empty eyes. Waiting. To her right, an aura of light, and a figure outlined in the distance.
She could force both back, but it would do nothing. The two times she did their presence in her mind brought unimaginable pain, akin to the collision of two stars.
Little could be done about it at the moment. For whatever reason, it seemed that neither she nor Death Phantom were able to destroy one another. It had only attempted a full out attack the first time, recognizing something within immediately after. None of her blows did the damage that she had hoped. Death Phantom knew why, and seemed unwilling to share its revelation. Their wills remained fixed. They could push and pull, gain ground, but not outright finish one another. She suspected their impasse was the motivation behind the aura of light. Death Phantom was determined to see her walk into it. Eclipse would sooner destroy Nemesis. She knew the figure, waiting patiently, gaze expectant.
Sailor Moon.
Yet despite her appearance, she never spoke.
She wasn't real. The figure was nothing more than a representation of the memories missing from her mind. Saphir had told her everything she needed to know. Her kidnap, and their own failure.
Eclipse hadn't been bothered by the truth.
It changed nothing, she had simply been interested in learning her circumstances, and now that she had it wouldn't be used against her. Now that they lay before her, not a single part of her desired those memories. She had a feeling that, should she accept them, the power of the Black Crystal would be lost to her. Eclipse could not imagine anything worth that sacrifice, but the knowledge did bring with it good news. If she had been part of the Order of Elysion, then her former comrades were unlikely to attack her unprovoked. There would be hesitation.
She could make use of that.
A knock sounded from the door. Eclipse called for the person to enter.
Demande stepped into the room, a candlestick lighting his way.
"My brother informed me that you would be retiring early this evening." He left the door slightly ajar, strolling further into the room before stopping. He set the candle down on the table. "Are you unwell?"
"Just a headache." His concern was cute.
"I see." Demande cleared his throat, and softly inquired, "May I..?"
He was asking her permission before coming closer. Amusement colored her tone. "Yes."
She followed his movements, curious to see how this would play out as he approached the bed and sat on its edge. The bed dipped beneath his weight. Eclipse knew now that Saphir was a coward. While he loved his brother, he knew Demande may not listen to reason, and so Saphir would not say anything quite yet. So long as Eclipse was careful to emphasize her indifference to their plans, he would continue to stay silent for the time being. She was prepared should his mind change — she'd made no secret of her desires, after all, and had no problem reiterating them — but whatever course of action he chose made little difference to her. With their gap in strength, his options were few. "Have you decided on a plan then?"
"Yes. We can talk about that later, though. I simply came to check in when you missed dinner." His fingers twitched, as though to touch her, but he did not do so immediately. She removed her hand from under the covers, sleeve sliding up with the movement, and left it palm up. An offering. Demande traced blue veins delicately in quiet contemplation. Each brush seemed to loosen the tension Eclipse had not realized she'd held. She sank slightly into the bed, feeling more relaxed. There was a word to describe this, and after learning what she had, the taste of it in her mouth was bittersweet.
Touch starved. That is what she was, and part of her could not help but think how telling it was.
Saphir only told her what he knew, which hadn't been much. Still, between him and her own inner musings Eclipse understood enough. There was a reason she did not want those memories. When she first woke as Eclipse, she'd been overwhelmed with emotions, what little she comprehended of herself, and what she could do next. Eclipse had been drawn to Demande the moment she laid eyes on him, but in the second prior to that... In that small moment of time where it was just her, the fresh flow of power in her veins, beyond the dozens of unnamed emotions feelings there had been… relief. Maybe it had been the power high that had left her so overwhelmingly comfortable in her own skin.
Maybe it had been something else.
After a while, Demande finally said, "Though it is not much, I do hope you've found the accommodations to be agreeable. We won't be here much longer. Soon, we shall be buried beneath all the luxuries of a queen, and we will not know what to do with ourselves." That brought a chuckle out of her. They were of similar opinions on the castle then. "What do you look forward to most? A stroll through the gardens, perhaps?"
She thought of the desolation outside her windows. "Gardens would be nice."
"What would they look like?"
"Like late spring." She began lowly, thoughtful and glad to focus on something so less complicated than the wreck within her brain. "Soft grass, and tall rose bushes. Red creeping thyme. A terrace to hold tea parties. Side paths with steppingstones that lead to hidden gazebos and swings, all surrounded by wildflowers. A greenhouse during the colder months. Lilac and cherry blossom trees lining the main path. A balcony overlooking it all. I'd sit there each morning and watch the sunrise, so it must face east."
Not that it mattered. Her dream wasn't aligned with his own. Eclipse had what she needed now that the Black Crystal was under her control. If she wanted to, she could leave them and the order to fight one another, sweeping in to finish whoever was left. So long as she was able to claim the Silver Crystal for herself, Eclipse did not particularly care what means she used to get it. Demande would give it to her, of course, but if things became messy she would not hesitate to rid herself of him.
Eclipse liked Demande, and his loss would be felt, but she would do it.
"Sunrise? Not sunset?"
"I prefer sunrise." The words came as a surprise even to her, but they fell true. "If I remember why, I'll tell you."
Her eyes fluttered shut. The tracing ceased, and a moment later he was petting her hair. His voice turned teasing. "Should I sing you to sleep?"
"That depends on how dreadful your singing is."
"I'll have you know my voice is wonderful. You would be lucky to hear it." Though his tone shifted to affronted, Eclipse was not fooled. A snort escaped her, and she opened an eye briefly to show him what she thought of his words, and then snuggled back down into her sheets, ignoring how pleased he looked to get a reaction from her. He continued to pet her, and, as she began to feel the lull, he spoke once more.
"My mother used to sing to me, when I was very young." His whispered confession was so low she nearly did not hear it. After an uncomfortable second in which she wondered whether she should feign sleep, Eclipse internally sighed.
He had never mentioned her.
Not during their candle lit dinner last night where he spilled his greatest ambitions, or this morning when they spoke of other things. Part of her, the part that was beyond the realms of tired, did not care to listen. However, rationale won out. He was offering her one of his weaknesses on a silver platter. Who was she to resist such temptation? "What happened to her?"
"The rebellions of Earth happened." He said, neither resentment nor grief in his voice. Demande offered the information quietly, matter-of-fact. "After she was- after my brother and I fled the Crystal Empire with those who no longer wished to live under their tyranny…"
Her eyes were open now, silently urging him on.
Demande combing his fingers past her bangs and watched as they fell with the gaze of one that was not entirely present. "I did the same for my brother. I would sit at his side and sing the same lullabies that our mother used to for me. He was much younger when it happened, young enough that I worried he would not remember her properly."
"How old…?"
"He was six." This too was said with little emotion, as though he were commenting on the weather.
Her head spun. From what she knew, Saphir was three years younger, so Demande would have been nine years old during the rebellions. Nine, fleeing the only home he ever knew with the burden of having to be a caretaker. He would lose it if she revealed that Wiseman was responsible for those rebellions. That his goal had never been anything past utter destruction.
Demande, and his brother, had been the pawns of a pawn.
Eclipse told herself he'd turned out okay. Life was cruel, and it would take what it could of you until the moment you fought back. This was a weakness she could and would use in the future. Having revealed it to her was a mistake on his part, and Eclipse would not take responsibility for his lack of awareness. Those who failed to use every weapon at their disposal could never hope to stand on their own two feet. Demande was walking down a path that led to his own destruction, and she would not stop him.
Even if a tiny part of her whispered that she could.
She was suddenly reminded of the nightgown she wore. She close her eyes and turned on her side to face him fully, knees brushing against his hip. "If this is a roundabout way of telling me you wish to practicing your singing, then I might allow it. Provided you do not wake me, that is. I do not enjoy having my sleep interrupted." When his hand paused on her head, she nudged it. "I did not say you could stop."
"Apologies. I shall stay until you are asleep." Already the sensation of his hand combing through hair lulled her. Demande was never anything but gentle with her, and some small part of her took a vicious glee in his continued attention. Perhaps this feeling held some clue as to why she could not bring herself to remember the past. The sheer satisfaction gained from his displays of devotion, growing greedier each time… She must have lived with a relentless loneliness.
There was nothing for her as Sailor Moon.
As she drifted off, something soft caressed her cheek.
"Sweet dreams, my queen."
Interlude: Saphir
The dagger weighed heavily in his palm, burdened by all he had to lose.
Eclipse could not be allowed to live.
Wiseman's mistake had been fatal. He overstepped in believing he could gain control over what they already knew to be a living, breathing omen of destruction. The sage should have known better, Demande should have known better. Sailor Moon had been a forced to be reckoned with even before she gained that infamous moniker; there was a reason people called her the Destroyer, why no other civilizations in the known universe were willing to cross the Crystal Empire. Saphir, too, was just as guilty for having stepped back and allow this to happen.
They had all forgotten the kind of person it took to leave a legacy that like hers.
Wiseman died from his own greed. A single moment of anger had left Petz a pile of ash. Saphir couldn't allow his brother to face a similar end by her hands. He could not continue to sit back and watch.
The door was already slightly ajar when he neared her chambers. A soft glow indicated she was not quite asleep. He approached on silent feet, back pressed to cool stone, the hilt of the dagger a heavy reminder of everything they stood to lose. The candlelight was so faint that it barely provided enough light for Saphir to peer in.
His heart stopped dead at the scene before him.
Eclipse was fast asleep, features unguarded and the movement of her chest beneath the covers even. His brother, sat at the edge of the bed with his back to Saphir, didn't appear to be touching, or even looking in her direction. Instead his head was angled toward the window. The sounds that left Demande were so soft, and so very familiar. For the first time in years, his brother was singing- no, it wasn't singing, there were no words.
He was humming.
Saphir stepped away from the door and pressed himself back into the wall, stricken as the melody wormed its way into his mind, a haunted memory from the past.
He could not remember the last time his brother had bothered.
It was then that he understood. Demande's obsession would never fade; it was not a passing fancy he'd eventually grow out of. Nothing Saphir could say would make him turn against her, not now.
His brother had fallen in love.
Eclipse could not remain as she was, or they would all suffer for it. But he could not kill her himself. He could not do that to his brother. Saphir slid to the ground, dagger in hand, weighed down by the lullaby. She would betray them eventually if he did not strike first. If his brother was to survive Eclipse, Saphir needed to set the conditions of her demise.
Her end could not come from within the Black Moon Clan.
A/N
Did I make Prince Demande more gentlemanly than his character is? Yes, yes I did. If one of my darling readers is going to build a ship out of this chapter, which will undoubtedly happen (don't think I've forgotten the UsagixMakoto comments), then its going to be with a fine specimen, and not some rapey creep. We do not stan.
Thoughts? Questions?
Please Review!
P.S. I may or may not have done a final proof read before posting. I didn't. One day, but not today. Stop reading this and click the next chapter already.