Divinity: Fates and the Afterlife
Chapter Fourteen
A/N A special thank you to SerenityMorrison and kera69love for your review! Let's keep the good vibes flowing! Thank you for your support. Happy weekend.
O—o—o—o—O
In the depths of a calm garden, sitting on a stone bench by a marble fountain a woman looked up the night sky. Her long silver hair flowed in the breeze like an aura around her whole frame, caressing her smooth, perfect alabaster skin. Dressed in the finest silks, one hand played randomly in the water while the other rested on her lap.
She was sobbing, and in obvious pain, her bare shoulders shook with every breath she took completely unaware she was being watched; she lowered her head and sighed heavily. A man stood close to the gates, watching her in silence with lust in his eyes as he admired all the magnificence she represented, the perfection he had in front of his eyes and how this perfect image of a woman was not crying for him, but for another man.
With a frown, he looked up at the vision in front of his Goddess and hated the image. With deep regret in his chest, he lowered his head and took a moment to process what he had just realized as he tried to cope with knowing he had lost her while but there was another part of him that felt nothing else but hatred and an intense necessity to inflict her pain for betraying him. He was obsessed with her but also felt betrayed because he was there first, he saw her first, he had her first. He felt insulted by the sudden turn of events because she chose another man over him when he was the first to lay eyes on her, when he was already so close to making her his, as his wife.
He couldn't accept being defeated and so, he had to conquer what belonged to him. It was then and there when he knew what he had to do to completely eliminate every obstacle in his way, in order to get to her. She was a treasure, and to get it, he had to tear down many obstacles in his way without caring about anything else.
The woman in the distance suddenly felt she was being observed and slowly turned to look over her shoulder. Her crystal blue eyes no longer showed sadness but anger; she was angry and he knew he was the reason behind that anger, he was the responsible for her sudden change in attitude. That beautiful face, those big, innocent eyes hungry to discover new things and places, those rosy lips aching for a kiss. She was a vision, an un-achievable and beautiful creature and the sole reason to his madness.
Both locked eyes for a moment without exchanging any words. Both knew what the other was thinking by just looking into their eyes making of this, the last moment of peace between the two. He half smiled and turned on his heel leaving the Goddess alone and entered his study where his right hand was already waiting for him, "Ah look, what we have here..." he muttered with sarcasm at the man.
The soldier looked at him and pursed his lips, waiting for his authorization for him to come into the office. "There are things I need to inform you, things you might find interesting."
Athamas frowned as he took a seat on his majestic chair, "Is it done?" He looked down at the papers on his desk before proceeding to sign. The man by the door and right hand lowered his head and nodded "Yes."
Where he felt remorse, now there was satisfaction. Something inside him made him feel powerful, feeding his spirit like fuel thrown into the fire. The image of the crying Goddess somehow made him feel invincible—in control. Guilt and remorse still screamed in the back of his mind, her face so full of deception still hurt him but it also gave him indulgence enough to continue with his ambitious plans.
O—o—o—o—O
The man himself now sat there again, at the top of the stairs of a phantom Kingdom. The one he once ruled from the inside. Surprised he found this place completely restored and thinking how the Gods must have had mercy of its memory. He didn't know had happened or why they decided to pay tribute to the memory of a Goddess that was no longer alive but the wonder was still, creeping in his mind. Was it the same place? Was there anybody living inside? Was she really there? —he thought.
In front of him, a shadow appeared, its yellow eyes gleamed as its face finally appeared before the man "I have found the girl." Athamas looked up at the entity and frowned, "Where is she?"
The shadow, who now looked more like a living corpse turned with unnatural mobility and pointed up at the blue planet. "There."
Athamas' narrowed his dark green eyes and with a deep sigh, he stood up and walked towards the dark figure, "Capture her and bring me the sword." he muttered dryly. The shadow bowed his head in respect and disintegrated into thin air, leaving the blonde General alone with his thoughts again. Athamas growled and looked up; hating the blue planet has been a custom for him and now he had the chance to take full control of it, no matter the cost, no matter the consequences. Since the fall of the Silver Millennium, he bowed to find the girl before Ares or any other God could and finally continue with his plan and finished his task given.
With determination, he wrapped his fingers on the hilt of his sword and walked to the entrance of the White Moon Palace and towards his new destination.
O—o—o—o—O
Back on Earth, Megumi ran out of Minako's apartment building and onto the streets without knowing any destination, and without looking back, once again. Desolated, she felt that the more she begged for an answer, she wasn't getting anywhere; she couldn't flee, she couldn't disappear like she normally would to in another planet in search for her answer. She was trapped in this cruel dimension, and now she could not find her way out no matter how much she tried, no matter how much she cried, no matter how much she pleaded. There was nobody to listen, nobody that could actually understand.
She finally found a more secluded area without much people around and without the deafening noise from the objects she could not even put a name to describe them. Megumi felt useless and her presence in whatever dimension she was did not have a single meaning to her. There was nothing she remembered, nothing she found familiar. Not the scent, not the light, not the energy. She was alien to this new generation. Tired and frustrated, she stumbled and fell on the ground and began to cry and curled her trembling fingers around the object by her side. Anger took over her, and with teary eyes, she cursed under her breath. "Cur fecisti mihi?!"
(Why did you bring me here?!)
She hung her head, defeated. Her spirit was tired, she no longer knew where to run, where to hide. She noticed there was a couple sitting on a bench several feet away from her and could hear the giggles coming from the girl while the young man with her whispered something in her ear. Megumi turned and looked at them laugh and being playful to each other, making feel nostalgic.
The girl sitting on the bench suddenly began to cough, worrying the young man "Are you okay?" he looked at her with concern, "Aiko-san! What's wrong?!" the girl in question nodded when suddenly started to choke out of the nothing. The young man stood up and tried to pat her back "Aiko-san! Aiko-san! What's the matter!?"
The girl, known now as Aiko, fell on her knees with her head low and stayed in silence for a minute. The man kneeled next to her, trying to comfort her "Ai—" she suddenly grabbed him by the neck and started choking him as she chanted some words in an ancient tongue. "Aiko..." The young man whispered before losing consciousness. "Hanc cum domino nostro corpore turn devotus miles" the girl hissed until he surrendered to her grasp and power and with an unnatural motion both spotted Megumi who was still on the ground, just a few feet away, "Ibi es." (There you are.)
Megumi gasped with horror and stood up, taking the object with her she turned to run away. The two possessed bodies dragged themselves towards her. The poor girl felt trapped and in panic, she tried to scream for help but it was like if the park suddenly had gone mute and vacant. She turned to find an exit when more possessed bodies stood in front of her, blocking her way; soon enough, she was surrounded. Megumi looked at them shaking with fright while her trembling arms hugged the package close to her chest, hoping to it to react.
The man possessed looked at her with gleaming eyes, "Do you think you would be able to escape from us for too long? Sooner or later, we were going to find you." Megumi frowned, "Diu quaesieritis me non refert, si comprehendere me. Et implere universa quae ego locutus sum missus."
The spirit possessing the young man chuckled and crooked his head to the side, "That will not protect you from being killed like you were supposed to, years ago."
Megumi widened her eyes, realizing who the man talking back to her actually was. After all this time she now recognized that face. It was the face of hatred, of revenge. "Murderer," she muttered with anger. "It does not matter how long you search for me or if you capture me. I exist to fulfill a promise and I will complete my mission."
"Mission?" the man snarled with a creepy smile, "You have no mission, you were just asked to do something nobody else would. You are just a God's pawn. Where is your protector now eh?! Where is your all mighty savior!?" he laughed "Oh, I know. He is dead."
Megumi could no longer fight the tears and held the package close to her heart. The young man grabbed the object in her hands and pulled away "Hand it over to me!" he turned to the other morphed bodies and pointed his finger at Megumi, "Kill her. Her body is no use for us."
One of the shadows dragged across the ground and grabbed her legs, while the other crowded around her, making her fall to the ground, feeling devoured by pure malice. Megumi tried to fight them with the little strength she had, but their grasp was too tight and too murderous for her to handle. The air around her began to thicken as the smell of sulfur dragged her to the memory of her endless journey. Her eyes began to fight against the heavy energy taking over her "Please... help me... somebody..." she whispered as she slowly began feel pulled down to the ground.
"Please..."
"Death Scream."
A flash of intense light engulfed Megumi, disintegrating the shadows that were choking her. She looked down and saw the people once possessed on the ground, unconscious. She looked up, her eyes then met a pair of garnet colored ones and shook her head with startlement, "I knew I saw somebody at that park the other day." Sailor Pluto said softly as she swung her garnet rod and held it behind her, taking a resting stance, "I sensed you were close." her voice sounded relieved and turned to wave her hand at Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn. "Don't run away," Sailor Neptune said softly and kneeled in front of her to help her stand from the ground. Megumi's eyes gleamed with tears but before she could manifest her gratitude, Sailor Saturn walked towards her and looked her in the eyes, "I remember your face." The young Senshi greeted her and gave Megumi a warm smile, "It's too bad we had to see each other again, under these circumstances."
Megumi widened her eyes in shock when she looked into her violet eyes and the large staff she was proudly holding with her right hand. "Tu es..." (It's you...) she whispered with disbelief.
The White Queen's face turned pale when she realized who was walking from the Palace's gates towards the main court. She turned confused when everybody gasped with horror when they recognized her attire. The White Queen's throat went dry when she realized it was not her daughter the one coming their way but one younger girl with hair darker than the night and mystic violet-colored eyes. Her alabaster skin contrasted with the morbid colors of her uniform. By everyone else's expressions, she could not help to feel hopeless, abandoned and betrayed.
"Queen of the White Moon Kingdom, I wished to meet you under other circumstances... but it seems I am always an uninvited guest." She looked at the Monarch with a sad smile on her youthful face.
Queen Serenity shook her head with horror, frantic to save what was left of her once, peaceful Kingdom, "We can fight this war, there is no reason to destroy everything! Why bring death when we can always protect life?!" Megumi watched the Lunar Queen slowly crumble in pain and frustration before the young Senshi, her tears rolled down her flushed skin, her lavender eyes were red and puffy from crying—she could tell. Uncertainty was slowly killing her as this girl, later on, brought down her Silence Glaive and sent everything to oblivion.
"Vos autem non," (You were there) Megumi finally broke the silence, she was shocked to see the same girl in this day and time, after so many years of wandering through the universe.
Saturn nodded, "Sadly, I was witness to that murderous night. One that still brings sorrow to my heart and it makes my soul feel heavy with pain, you must remember her, the Queen, begging me to find a way to save them all." Saturn's gaze was filled with sorrow at the mention of their past and how things ended. Megumi didn't realize she had started crying, it was as she was back in time, living the horrific events all over again talking to the girl in the black uniform. She looked at the other soldiers behind Saturn but before she could ask, Neptune clarified things for her, "We were all aware of the situation, we all lived that night and we all carry that pain in our hearts." she reached for the girl's face and wiped one of her tears to show her compassion and comfort, "We have been looking for you."
Uranus frowned, "Can you understand us?"
Megumi stayed silent and lowered her gaze. "We cannot explain our reasons." Sailor Uranus continued with a dry tone in her voice. Saturn looked at Megumi with sad eyes and turned to the other girls, "We want to help you," Sailor Pluto said in her usual, soft tone. "We are here to take you with us and protect you from whoever is after you." Megumi shook her head and looked up at the Senshi of Revolution. This was the second time she was helped and rescued, she felt guilty for leaving the blonde girl behind and somehow, she wanted to let her know she was thankful and now safe, but after these incidents, only people with power could come forward and fight and actually keep her safe without putting more innocents in danger. If the guardian she met so many years ago was here, maybe—just maybe, could they had been sent there too? Is somebody responsible for their presence in this world?
"What is your name, girl?" Sailor Uranus interrupted her thoughts, her tone had changed to a more friendly, approachable one. The girl looked at her and bit her lower lip, still hesitant to answer. Sailor Neptune came close and put her hand on her shoulder, "Please come with us, let us help you."
Megumi looked up with hopeful eyes and nodded and without looking back she turned on her heel and followed the three Senshi. Sailor Neptune looked down at her mirror and sighed softly, "It has begun."
O—o—o—O
An hour later of exhaustive search Minako sat on a bench in a park close to her apartment. After Luna called her to let her know the girl had run away she excused from work as soon as she could and went straight to look for her, hoping to find her at the same place she found her the day before sadly and with no success, she went onto look at her surroundings, including alleys, shopping districts, parks, playgrounds until she finally stopped at the one closest to home.
With a heavy sigh, she leaned down and rested her arms on her lap. She felt frustrated for not being able to do much for her and the worst part was that she knew she could do at least make her feel safe, she could defend her. Her own misfortune with her career and some details from her personal life had been pulling her back from her main focus and for that, she felt guilty, very guilty because it was obvious that somehow, in a way this girl was related to them, the truth was in her eyes and she didn't listen. Her phone vibrated and immediately looked for it in her pocket and noticed it was a message from her mother,
Whether you like it or not, you still have a mother at home. There is a package from your father, stop with your auditions and come pick it up. It's been here for three weeks—Your mother.
"Of course, what else you would be calling for?" Minako muttered annoyed, "Ugh," she put it back into her blouse pocket and blew her bangs, exasperated, "I don't have time for that right now."
"Minako!" The blonde turned, hopeful "Luna! Did you find her?" The black cat shook her head, "No, we searched everywhere and there is no sign of her."
"Not even a clue she could have left behind? The thing she used to carry around, anything?"
"No—nothing."
Minako sighed and leaned her head back, "I'm sorry." she whispered sadly, Artemis sat in front of her and gave her an understanding look, "It is not your fault Minako, you did not lose her—she escaped."
"It all happened so quickly, it was very strange." Luna commented, "She was sleeping and all of the sudden began screaming, crying and when we least expected it, she ran away." Minako frowned and shook her head, "And now what do I do? I need to find her. I don't know if there is something or someone after her."
"We will keep looking for her," Artemis patted her leg with his paw in comfort, the blonde squinted her eyes with anger, "If I hadn't had that stupid meeting... stupid Saruto—stupid." Minako cursed under her breath. "I need to keep looking for her, I need to find her... I can't—"
"Let's take another round and see if we can find her and go back home, it's getting dark," Artemis said softly, trying his best to make Minako feel less guilty about the situation. "Tomorrow we will have a clearer vision of what happened and will have a talk with the girls—if they are available."
Minako looked at the white cat with wide eyes, "Even Usagi." Artemis answered before she even asked. He knew her too well, and she was looking at him with hopeful eyes silently pleading him not to call her, but despite her wishes, the truth was that after all, she was a Senshi too and their Princess. "There is not much point in hiding this information from her." the white cat continued.
"Yes but what if we don't have anything to prove? We need solid proof. Until then, I suggest is when we take action. I may be her friend but you and Luna must understand that I am her guardian too, and as guardian, I am going to protect her until we need to take different, more drastic measures."
Artemis widened her eyes, the Senshi inside her has sparked after so many years and it was surprising to see her back on track. Of all the girls, she was the one more eager to leave that part of her on a second ground. It was impossible for all of them to leave it behind completely, but she didn't want to feel like she split into two persons with two different lives. It was a conflict that lasted at least a year, if not more, the cat remembered. He understood why and respected her decision up to one point; she had been A Senshi and has been chasing evil creatures way before Usagi and the rest of the girls did. She fell in love, got her heart broken and then the turmoil under the name of Alan came along before and nothing had happened until this last one that suddenly vanished into thin air out of her life, causing her to cry her heart out and question her integrity almost every night. In this Earth, she had been an agent for justice for a longer time. She traveled, trained and had to mature much faster than the rest of the girls. She met disgrace, malice, and evil since too young and now, once her life was somewhat normal, she had to go back and do it all over again.
The fate of Aphrodite's daughter, was beyond the duty of just reunite those souls in love. But to fight for peace, in the name of love. Once she regained her memories, and Venus finally awoke, she took her Princess' place in order to keep her safe and to grant her the normal life she always wanted. She sacrificed herself in order for her Princess to fall in love, while she fought in her place. Because that is who Venus truly is, a woman who rather sacrifice herself than to leave the ones she cares and love suffer before her eyes.
Artemis finally understood. She, the soldier of love killed a woman in order to defend her Princess. She went against her will many times and even became an unwanted guest due to her strong determination and harsh tactics to separate her Princess from her lover; she lived all that turmoil, just to keep her safe. Because she was her friend.
"Very well." Artemis simply said. No more questions asked. Luna, knowing his strict personality and almost unbreakable authority was surprised he was taking it this way and not discussed the blonde's decision. The white cat turned to her and nodded, "Venus is right." he nodded at Luna, letting her know he didn't agree with Minako, but with Venus, he did.
Minako stood up and walked back to her apartment in silence, that until her phone vibrated again. Rolling her eyes she sighed, guessing it was her mother again. She took her phone from her pocket and saw it was a message from Usagi that simply said:
Miss u.
The message was short, simple but with a lot of meaning to Minako. Her lips curved into a soft smile, this was the reason she had to be strong. This was why she vowed to do anything she could to give her the future she always wanted a millennium ago. It didn't matter if she had a crappy boss or if she didn't have a boyfriend, she was her friend, her ally, her sister from another mother as they constantly used to say and to her, it was all that mattered. Her fingers tapped the small keyboard on her phone, sending the same short, simple but with a lot of sentiment message to her friend.
Miss u 2.
O—o—o—o—O
Casanova Akira entered the room where Ahlstrand Mikael and the rest of the excavation team was studying some samples they took from the discovery. She put on her white coat and went to stand next to Mikael "Anything new?" Mikael took his round glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly, "With these, everything is new." he sighed, "There are things we cannot even decipher, it's crazy."
Akira took a sample and pulled the magnifying glass closer to her and observed the stones and gems they brought back from the cave, "There is so much detail in everything," Mikael looked at her, "You sure found a whole case here. The media is dying for a scoop."
"We already gave them a scoop." Akira smiled with excitement, "We need as much evidence as we can."
"Evidence, of what?"
"That all of this goes way before our own time. This is really ancient."
"Yes," Mikael nodded, "But these are nothing like we have found on previous occasions. We don't have anything to compare it with. We don't know just how ancient this is." Akira grabbed a round medallion and traced the embossed clean lines, "I still believe this comes from divine creatures—I still believe this is what my father based all his life work."
"And this why his work was always criticized and people thought he was crazy. Akira, that is a crazy statement to give—people will think you are crazy too, they are already commenting it. It's all over the news."
Akira frowned, "And you? Do you think my father was crazy?"
Mikael sighed, "No. I did think his work was a little out there but I never considered him a delusional person." Akira pushed her magnifier aside and looked at her partner, "Then let them talk. We won't say more until we have enough proof." she looked at it and put her laptop on the table, "Look at what I've found." she began showing Mikael a long slideshow of comparing images from hieroglyphs taken from different sources involved in mythology and smiled, "I don't see where you are going." Mikael said dryly, "Ok," Akira pressed her mouse button to the next picture, "And what do you say about this?"
An image with the same symbol appeared on the screen, surprising Mikael "What the..." he looked down at the medallion and then back at the picture on the screen, "It's a symbol, for Earth. The one to be said the Titan of Earth had engraved in her armor. The same one that it is said to be the symbol to the Royal Family of Earth. There is a whole story about it." Mikael sat on his stool and brought his hand to his chin in a thinking position, "This is..." he blew his bangs with amazement.
"I know, but here is the evidence." her eyes sparkled sparked with excitement, "There is more to our existence. All the stories my parents had told me as a child, might be true. My father's name could be cleared from all speculation and criticism."
"You want to go public with this?"
"We already had an interview and this has already been brought up to the table. This is a good start to clean my father's name." Akira bit her lower lip, a sign that she already has made up her mind about something. Mikael rubbed his face and shrugged one shoulder, "This is huge... and complicated,"
"And wonderful." Akira smiled.
"Akira, have you thought of the possibility that this could be from a tribe inspired in mythology?" Akira frowned, "You don't believe what I am telling you, even when I have proof." Mikael sighed and put his glasses again and looked at the computer screen one more time, "I want to believe all this but, it all sounds too—"
"Stupid?
"Magical."
"I do want to go public with this—when the time is right, I want to go public with this."
Mikael sighed again, Akira looked at him with pleading eyes, "Look, if this wasn't a huge deal all these people around us wouldn't be here helping us decipher what we found down there. People need to know that there is more than meets the eye."
Mikael turned and grabbed his agenda, "There is this T.V. Station that wants to score an exclusive with us. I have the contact with one of the producers, are you interested?" Akira looked at the name and pressed her lips tight together for a second in thought, "Do you know when would that be happening?"
"As soon as we have everything prepared." He looked at her, "Akira, you must be aware of the consequences of doing this, this will put you under the microscope and not only you but the whole team. Either this can build a whole new career for you or destroy it completely." Akira contemplated the situation and stayed silent "Think about it." Mikael put his glasses aside and looked at her, "This will change our lives forever, it is changing our lives already." He stood up and patted her shoulder before he left the room.
Akira turned to her computer again and saw the picture she had of her with her parents as a screensaver and sighed softly, "What should I do Papa? Nobody believed you all those years ago, and now... all those stories are apparently true..." she leaned her head on her hands, covering her face. "Tell me Papa, what should I do?"
O—o—o—o—O
Minako closed the door to her apartment behind her and went to take something to drink when the doorbell rang with a loud buzz, catching her off guard. "It's kind of late... who that might be?" she whispered. Minako bit her lower lip, hoping it wasn't anyone else that could distract her from the situation at hand and went to open the door, her blue eyes widened in surprise when she saw Rei standing in the hallway, "W-What are you doing here?"
Rei walked in without asking for her friends' permission and took her shoes off, "You never made it to the shrine and Yuiichiro was driving me insane." she put her purse on the small table at the small reception and turned to look at her "Is she here?" Minako sighed heavily and shook her head, "She escaped."
"What?"
"This afternoon, she escaped."
"Why? What happened?" Rei sat on the couch and looked around, "Where are Luna and Artemis?"
"Out. I think they went to the control room and see if they can find something on this girl."
"Is it that serious?" Rei frowned, taking the glass of water Minako served her as a courtesy. "I think so, it was very strange. Tomorrow we will look for her again, we couldn't find her anywhere." The priestess narrowed her eyes as Minako kept talking, "She said something I couldn't understand… but," she looked at Rei "I feel there is more behind all this."
"I couldn't go to the shrine because my boss went all bipolar on me, I had to go, otherwise I wouldn't have a job right now and sadly, that crappy job pays my bills."
"So, how did she escape?" Rei frowned, completely understanding the situation with Minako's pedantic boss. The blonde sat next to her on the couch, "I asked Luna and Artemis to keep an eye on her, and they did, but they say she had a nightmare or something like it, freaked out, and ran off the apartment." Minako waved her hand, "I couldn't even see what she was carrying with her."
Rei sighed "So, what happens next? Are you going to tell the girls?"
"Most likely—once I find her." Minako leaned back on the couch and pursed her lips. "But with the wedding and all, I cannot tell either Usagi-chan or Mamoru-kun."
Rei pursed her lips and looked away, considering the situation, "I think it would be easier to talk to Mamoru." She looked at the blonde, "But I understand what you mean." she widened her eyes and leaned on the couch as well, puffing air out of her mouth "There is something in the air... I am not in peace." She turned her head to look at her blonde friend, "So, the plan is to wait for her to appear again?" Minako nodded, "That, or until something else comes up. If she freaked out and ran away it may be because she is being followed. The question is: by whom?"
O—o—o—o—O
At the other side of the city, Ami was waiting for the spreadsheet she was always given at the nurse's station to check out for the day. As she looked down at her complicated schedule, she hoped for Mamoru or Motoki to arrive anytime soon so one of them could sign the paper and be free for the night. That day, in particular, had been one with many challenges, first of all, she didn't assist either Motoki or Mamoru and it bummed her. It was not that she disliked working with other doctors in the hospital but they constantly encouraged her to be more in touch with the patients giving her enough confidence to participate in the cases and to come up with a better diagnostic. That is what she liked the most of working with Mamoru, he constantly put her to the test and always proved her how close she was to achieve her goals at the hospital as a resident. She knew she had a long way before she could be where he was now, being one of the youngest doctors to work hand in hand with a medical staff led by the head of each medical department from neurosurgeons, cardiologists, oncologists to orthopedists as an internist. Since he has to be in every case, he is often called to analyze and give his opinion to offer a solution and lead the case to a proper specialist after taking all the necessary tests that will eventually describe the disease; it was a great opportunity for her to watch and learn from all that experience.
"A penny for your thoughts?" a familiar voice caught her attention and turned "Ah, Satomura-san."
"How was your day?" the young man pointed the piece of paper Ami was holding in her hands, "Ah… busy but not so bad." Ami smiled softly and put it in one of the bins over the desk, "I will write my new schedule on the board tomorrow." she told one of the nurses, "Sure, Mizuno-san."
Ami smiled and took the binder with one of the cases she assisted the day before while walking towards the elevator. Akashi looked at her and tried to break the uncomfortable silence that had fallen between them since the strange conversation they had at the cafeteria, "Um, Mizuno-san…" he said softly and then noticed the binder she was reading, "I see you are reading one of his cases." his voice suddenly shifted from his usual friendly tone to a more reserved one, and tried his best not to show too much indifference. Considering what happened earlier that day Ami made a pause and looked at him, really not knowing what else to say, "Huh?"
Akashi pointed the papers in her hand, "That is one of his cases."
Ami blinked and looked at the name he was referring to "Oh, yes… I assisted him yesterday with this case and I wanted to see if there was any progress with the patient, in case he asks." she smiled at him softly and looked down at the many notes Mamoru made about the patient's tests results. Akashi leaned his back on the elevator wall, while it slowly took them to the floor Ami had requested, "Do you know him well?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know, more than one usually knows somebody in this place."
Ami frowned and shook her head "Well, I did tell you he is my friend."
"I don't know… it is almost as if you are waiting for him to call you to assist him in any of his cases." Akashi crossed his arms. Ami pursed her lips, "Well, I do but because he trusts me." Ami closed the bin with the information and turned to look at him while pushing up her glasses with her index finger, "He is not waiting for me to fail so he can put me aside and keep doing his job alone like many would do."
Akashi looked at the bluenette and turned his head the other side, facing the elevator opposite wall. His face reflected on the metal lining showed a wave of emotions he didn't know he even had. Frowning, he thought about his chances and right when the doors of the elevator were about to open, Akashi turned "Do you want to go out?"
Ami widened her eyes and turned, her blue eyes expressed what her lips could not verbalize. "You know…" Akashi rubbed the back of his neck "Like, for dinner, maybe a movie? —I don't know."
Ami blinked surprised. Not that she never dated someone before but she wasn't asked a lot. Mizuno Ami always was the genius girl everywhere she went, and that was an automatic pass to not having too many people to talk to. It was like she was never got the chance to prove she is more than just a high score on her resumé and studies and even when she had her own friends, who were as strange as her, it was even more complicated when people find out that she of all people, is daughter to one of the best doctors in the hospital. Ami could not deny her attraction for Satomura Akashi, since the very first beginning, there was something that put them in their way but never, in a million years she believed that he would feel the same for her. "You—" Ami muttered and frowned, "—Want to go out with me?"
"Is it a bad thing?" Akashi arched his brow quizzically. Ami shook her head and looked down; her cheeks could be easily compared to a pair of red ripe apples "N-No."
Akashi frowned and thought about the dark-haired doctor, "Are you dating someone right now?" he wanted to know. He wanted to be sure if there was something between them, more than just being friends. Ami looked at him and shook her head "N-No." The young doctor half smiled with satisfaction and nodded. He turned to wait for the elevators doors to open again and shook his head, immediately regretting his poor attempt to ask her out, "I'm sorry I—"
"Yes."
Akashi turned to look at her, still blushing "Yes, I will go out with you." Ami looked up and smiled at him. Akashi widened his eyes "R-Really?"
Ami was about to say something when the doors opened again, this time, the bluenette stepped out of the elevator, leaving him behind, "Well I have to go now, I will see you tomorrow." she smiled again and waved her hand at him. Akashi reacted seconds after and stopped the doors from closing and leaned forward to look for her "I'll call you." Ami turned to look over her shoulder and nodded, then continued walking without saying a word. As she came closer to the nurse's station on the first floor, a very familiar voice greeted her "Ah... that is interesting."
Ami widened her eyes and blushed, turning to her side she saw Motoki singing some papers and a prescription for a patient who was ready to leave the hospital, "You finally spoke to him—good for you." Ami sweat dropped, "Mamoru-kun made me."
"Good. So, you guys are a thing now?" Motoki smiled widely, Ami blinked startled "W-What?"
Motoki smiled at the nurse and turned his full attention at the young bluenette, "Come on, you guys are totally on the same page." he closed the distance between them and arched a brow, "Has he asked you out?"
Ami's blush intensified and tried to look away, giving Motoki the cue to confirm his suspicions. "Ah, young love." he chuckled, and continued working on the prescription, "I am eager to see what happens next."
"About what?"
Ami's crimson blush intensified when she spotted Mamoru standing next to Motoki, reviewing a patient's chart, his lips curved into a playful smile when noticed Ami's apple colored cheeks, "Did I miss something?"
"Osuna guy made a move—and she said yes," Motoki chuckled, "Finally."
"He is just a friend; you guys are the biggest gossipers I know." Ami said softly and shrugged her shoulders, looking down, "It's nothing serious, we are probably just going to get something to eat and that's it."
Mamoru turned and looked at her, his expression changed from a playful one to a more serious. He noticed something hidden in the way she was speaking, almost like if she was restricting herself from being happy. He narrowed his eyes and frowned while pushing back his glasses, "Mizuno-san, I need you to come with me."
Ami blinked surprised by the formality in Mamoru's voice and nodded. Motoki turned and arched a brow, "I have the results from the studies made on this patient. Mamoru frowned, "Furukawa?" he grabbed the folder and opened it, his azure eyes surfed through the information quickly, "You were right…" he heard Motoki say, "I don't know how you do it, but… you were right, again." Mamoru sighed heavily and shook his head "All the signs were there."
"Yes, but one usually knows after you run the tests and get the results… you don't get a suspicion that accurate in just one consultation." Motoki raised both brows in amazement, "You sure are something else," he let out a chuckle, "It's like if you could read people's…" he trailed off and widened his eyes "Well—actually,"
Mamoru shook his head "I get it, Motoki." he looked at him, and then at Ami "We have to talk to them. Can you call them for me, please?" Ami nodded and turned for the phone at the nurse's station but Motoki interrupted "That won't be necessary, they're here." he patted his friend's shoulder in support "I know how much you hate these situations," Mamoru nodded and rubbed the bridge of his nose, "It's not just this, it's another case I've been working on that has been taking more time than expected." his voice sounded heavy with concern. Motoki nodded and crossed his arms, "Ah, Hikasawa's case, so I heard… what's wrong with the patient?"
Mamoru spaced out for a minute before continuing, "It's a tumor, but it has ramifications complicating the whole situation. Surgery at this point is a matter of life or death, 50/50 chance of survival. Hisakawa is leaving it as a last resort and wants to try new alternative treatments to see if the tumor can shrink its size and then remove it by operating." Mamoru shook his head and sighed "And that is where I come in, he wants me to run all the studies necessary and carry out those tests and treatment and if there are any results, I will be advising them during the surgery with the neurosurgeon's team." Ami stood next to Mamoru, "They're at one of the consultation offices."
Mamoru nodded and turned to Motoki "Do you have consultations? I need you to come with me and help me explain the situation, you are the specialist with whom I will transfer them to continue the treatment."
"I do have consultations but I can ask Inoue-san to take care while I am attending this matter. I'll catch up with you in a minute," Motoki said and left a couple of binders to the nurses, while Ami followed Mamoru to the office on the third floor. Mamoru pushed the elevator button in silence and waited for the doors to open, once they were inside Ami finally felt more relaxed and noticed the band aid on her friends' hand, "What happened? Are you okay?"
Mamoru turned to look at her and frowned, slightly confused, "Huh?"
"Your hand." Ami pointed the band aid, she immediately imagined Usagi had something to do with it since it had kittens and colorful bows all over. "Oh," Mamoru looked at it and smiled softly, "Nothing serious, I broke a glass by accident last night while I was working and cut my hand when I started cleaning the mess. I was distracted."
Ami arched a brow playfully, "You broke a glass because you were distracted, really? That doesn't sound like something it would happen to you."
Mamoru chuckled, "Well… I think it is the Usa effect, I might be a little too influenced by her."
Ami broke into laughter at the truth of his words. Mamoru's smile soon faded when remembered the true reason of his accident and considered to mention something to Ami, but he stopped when caught her smiling while looking at her phone. Reality hit him, they were all leading normal lives now. It was like if their past had happened in an alternate universe, away from this hectic yet, interesting lifestyle. Mamoru felt guilty and distressed because this was not just to try to protect Usagi, which was his first priority, it was about looking after the girls, who were his friends as well and sisters to his bride to be. He fought an internal battle to keep whatever was happening to him as private as possible. All these forebodings, he had to deal with them alone until he found the reason behind them, why was he being summoned and yet, nothing has happened? —He thought. "It's true then," Mamoru smiled softly while staring at the numbers on the elevator change slowly, "So, he finally made a move."
Ami blushed softly and put her phone back in her pocket, "He only asked me out. It's nothing serious." she chuckled softly, "Motoki is taking this out of proportion."
"Motoki will always take things out of proportion. It's his thing," Mamoru chuckled, "But," he looked down at her "He is right, he likes you and you should give him at least one chance." Ami pouted her lips and exhaled heavily, "No buts." she heard Mamoru say, interrupting what she was about to respond. She widened her eyes surprised "How…"
"I will only tell you this, Dr. Mizuno," Mamoru looked at her and arched his brow, "Don't follow my footsteps."
Ami widened her eyes with surprise, "W-What?"
"I find a great deal of myself in you Ami-chan. I was always at the top of my class, great scores and always got labeled as the genius boy whenever I was, but in the end, I was alone. I know you want to be taken seriously and want to be successful with your career but you haven't realized that you already have accomplished that, you need to live your life as well. You need to have a life outside these white walls and endless hallways. So, as your friend, and your supervisor in this hospital I suggest you go out with him and have a proper date."
Ami looked at him perplexed, surprised by his words. She never in a million years imagined Mamoru as a lonely man. Sure, she did know about his life at the orphanage and knew he had a tragic childhood, but since she met him, she always thought his loneliness was more of a lifestyle to him than anything else. She even admired that of him, despite always being alone, he acted cool and was cool to others and even was admired by others because of the mysterious vibe around him. He never showed a single sign of solitude and sadness and even had the time and energy to play sarcastic games and jokes with Usagi when they were younger. Ami lowered her head and looked at her feet, with a small smile on her face. She loved his words and was grateful to have a friend like him on her side. "You are more than just my friend or supervisor... you are my Prince."
Mamoru widened his eyes and looked at her, surprised. After all this time, she still saw him as a Royal, just like they secretly saw Usagi. Despite having ancient, Royal blood, he never actually felt like they owed him anything, he never had a Royal attitude towards them because they all fought for the same cause, they were all soldiers. His eyes watered a little by her words, he was moved by her noble character but his stoic persona didn't want to show it completely. "And, just to be clear, the cafeteria doesn't count as a proper place to have a date." Mamoru interrupted her thoughts, "Frozen meals and salads won't do the trick—"
Ami widened her eyes and broke into laughter right when the elevator doors opened, unaware that there was a very surprised Akashi pressing the button to go up. His brown eyes went from Ami to the tall man next to her and frowned. His body immediately froze in his place and stiffened at the sight of her laughing her heart out with this man.
Mamoru stepped out of the elevator and looked at him "Satomura-san, good evening." without a response in return, Mamoru walked towards the office in silence where his patients were already waiting for him. Ami stopped laughing abruptly and looked at him walk away, then at Akashi. Mamoru's words echoed in her head and decided to follow his advice. With a smile, she took out her phone and looked at him "Oh, Satomura-san, I—"
Akashi turned to look at her with a stern face, not really doing a good job at hiding his jealousy, "I thought you were leaving." Ami opened her mouth and pointed at the direction Mamoru went "Oh, that—yes, but, I was asked to go to a final consultation... well, not exactly a consultation but you know, the case we reviewed with Chiba-san."
Akashi pressed his lips together "Yeah..." he searched for his phone in his pocket with a serious, annoyed face that caught the bluenette off guard, "Are you okay?" Ami frowned. Akashi pushed the button on the elevator and turned to her, "It's okay to just say no, Mizuno-san."
Ami's frowned deepened, "What is going on?" The young doctor sighed heavily and shook his head, "You have a thing for him."
Ami shook her head confused "For who?" then her eyes widened in surprise once she realized what he was trying to say "Mamoru? I-I mean… Chiba-san?"
Akashi noted the drastic change of words she made and narrowed his eyes "You even call him by his name with no honorifics and you tell me there is nothing going on?"
"It's not what you think," Ami said softly and sighed, tired. "I'm sorry if I am giving you mixed signals, but you should be sorry for thinking wrong things about me," she frowned "Fine; if you want to cancel—" she turned and pressed the elevator button again for him. This time, the doors opened in a perfect timing for her to leave, "It's okay," she turned on her heel without saying anything else to him, leaving him speechless by her sudden reaction and watched her follow Mamoru's direction before closing the doors in front of his face.
O—o—o—o—O
Michiru sat on the couch and put a white porcelain cup with hot tea on the coffee table, in front of Megumi. Her calm and sophisticated personality gave her confidence enough to reach for the cup and take a sip. Thinking about the blonde that saved her previously, and who didn't get the chance to thank for her help.
"It's herbal tea, it will calm your nerves."
Megumi put the cup on her lap while holding it with both hands; she took a moment to look around and noticed the big difference between this place and the small apartment where she stayed with her blonde savior. The room was spacious, the furniture was modern and it smelled like a field of flowers with all the little candles lit by the fireplace. She looked down on her feet, feeling the soft, plushy fabric of the carpet and sighed softly "Quam pulchra..." (How pretty...) she whispered.
Michiru tilted her head "Did you say something?"
The girl looked up at Michiru and shook her head, then again lowered her head, leaving Michiru hanging with her question. "You can talk to us, we are here to help." she said softly, "We want to know who you are so we can help you better." Haruka frowned and sat on the coffee table, her hazel eyes looked at the girl with a stern face, "If you don't speak, we can't do much and I personally don't have the patience to be waiting for an answer."
"Haruka!" Michiru snapped. Haruka sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "Why is there so much mystery around her? It's clear she can speak," she turned to the girl again, "Can you even speak our language? Do you even understand us?"
"What is your name?"
"The girl will not speak if you keep raising your voice like this." The blonde looked up at Setsuna, who was standing behind the sofa. "She will speak to us eventually. When the time is ready, she will tell us what we need to know."
Michiru nodded and looked at Hotaru that sat silently in the corner, Buddha style. Her violet eyes stared at the girl, barely even blinking. Hundreds of questions flooded her mind, starting how she managed to survive her own attack. How the Gods didn't realize she was alive, how come nobody searched for her? She did not know much about the girl, only that she happened to be there at that precise time when she was sent to shut down the entire White Kingdom. "Why didn't you tell me Father?" she asked softly, catching Megumi's attention. Haruka frowned and turned over her shoulder "What?" Hotaru never moved her eyes from the girl "I was never told about her. That night—none of us knew what was happening,"
"What are you talking about Hotaru?" Haruka turned on the table, now facing the Senshi of Silence "You were never told about what?"
"Her," Hotaru said in her usual calm voice, "She was there the moment the Moon Kingdom was being attacked."
"What?" Haruka widened her eyes and turned to face the girl on the sofa. Michiru turned to Hotaru, "Do you remember?"
Finally parting her gaze from the girl, she looked at Michiru and nodded, "I happen to remember every time I am summoned and reborn—which are not too many." Hotaru closed her eyes, "I was only given the task but I never knew reasons beyond the situation I was taken care of," she looked up at Haruka, "But Setsuna is right, she will tell us when she is ready, in the meantime it's better if she stays here while we find some more answers on our own."
Megumi looked down and closed her eyes as well, tightening the grip on the object close to her, Haruka noticed. "What is that you hold so close to you?" Megumi shook her head and tightened her grip on the weapon. No matter how safe she was, or if she was with heavenly soldiers, she found it hard to trust anyone at this point. Her mission was clear, she had to find the next owner of this treasure of hers, and if she wasn't summoned to go and travel off again, she had to wait.
O—o—o—o—O
With a steady step, he entered the dark halls of the Underworld until he reached for its Palace. A guard stopped him with a heavy, sharp weapon pointed at him with no introduction or hesitation, "You cannot cross to this realm." Athamas looked at the giant guard and chuckled with sarcasm, "How come?"
"Nobody is allowed unless the God of the Underworld himself grants you his permission."
Athamas' eyes darkened, losing all spark of color and raised his brow quizzically, "I have known the ways of the Underworld for a long time, and so, the God to this realm. I do not need a permission to cross when I have been here before. So, step aside."
"Even if you want to enter this realm, you will get lost in one of the many stages. This place is a maze."
"What are you? His dog? Move aside." Athamas waved his hand but the sharp edge of the guard's weapon was barely millimeters away from the Andromedian's throat, "Those who try to cross these Gates, must be eliminated." Little chance the guard had when what appeared to be a tar-like substance began covering the man in front of him. Realizing later, that it was not tar, but troubled and angry souls from this mere realm. "What?" The guard asked perplexed, before being devoured by the corpses leaving only rotten flesh and bone on the ground, next to his weapon. Athamas looked down with a mocking expression on his face, "Like I told you," he raised his hand, taking control of the soul he just claimed from the guard, "I have been here before."
Inside the palace, Ares paced back and forth in the throne room while Hades looked at him from his dark throne of bones and onyx, "What are you doing here Ares? After your assault, I should take your damn soul and throw it into the river—what do you want?"
"I have been told of your position with the situation I have been reporting lately at Olympus to Zeus," Ares looked at him with a stern face. He was never too close to the God of the Underworld, they never agreed on anything, they never shared any opinion or had anything in common and when he decided to support Serenity, he was the first to rise against him. "If it weren't this serious, I wouldn't be here—believe me." Hades looked at his brother with a stoic face, never showing a single spark of interest "Serious?" He chuckled with sarcasm, "Interesting."
"Zeus has agreed."
"Zeus will agree to anything as long as he washes his hands off any matter. That is how he is and I could not care less about your little crusade of justice or whatever it is that you are doing," his grey eyes darkened, showing his magnificent power, "You have gone against the laws of Olympus for centuries now, there is no reason for me to support you for tribal things."
"Several Kingdoms have been corrupted by corpses from this realm Hades, can't you see?!"
"Impossible." Hades raised his hand, "This realm is hermetic, nothing can come in and nothing can come out and Tartarus goes even deeper," he frowned "If there was any unusual activity I would know right away—Asteria guards the Gates."
"Really?" A male voice interrupted both Gods. Ares turned over his shoulder, while Hades surprised, stood from his throne. Athamas looked at both men with a smirk on his face, "Is that surprise I see in your face God of the Underworld?"
"How did—" Hades was interrupted by Athamas "—Found my way to enter and actually find your throne? Well..." he walked inside the room and looked out the large stained-glass windows, his dark eyes looking outside. "I know this realm too well. I have been here, studying every move, every soul that comes in, everyone that has to cross the rivers and fountains of your little divine helpers." he turned to look at him, "No seal can keep what is inside the depths of this realm."
Hades widened his gray eyes "Who are you!?" he summoned his long scythe from thin air and prepared himself to attack. Ares took a step forward, "You demon..." He drew out his sword and pointed it at Athamas, but just as he appeared, he disappeared before their eyes. Hades frowned with anger and growled furiously, "Where did he go?!"
"He was a vision—he was not real," Ares muttered and turned to Hades, "Do you believe me now, Brother?"
Hades looked at Ares then summoned his power to open a shortcut to the Gate that would lead to them to the deepest part of the Underworld—Tartarus. A long bone and stone staircase appeared, inviting them to go down. "After you," Hades muttered and waited for his brother to take the lead and go down the stairs with him following behind in silence. The deeper they went, the strongest the smell of decay and sulfur filled their nostrils and lungs; Ares looked at the walls and noticed they were made of pure carcasses from dead people, there were even bodies still trapped in between the corpses moaning and screaming in pain for help, "Purgatorio" Hades muttered, "Those who have not managed to escape their own self-inflicted hell."
Ares turned over his shoulder with a distressed face, showing his fear and disgust for the realm his older brother was given to rule. The Lord of the Death continued gown down, showing no interest or mercy of those souls clearly pleading for his attention. "This is where all those with an unfinished business end up. Those who take their lives... those who did not reach for redemption. Their souls cannot support Lethe's river and they are slowly left here, where they spend the rest of their lives reliving their past." Ares felt a knot in the pit of his stomach, knowing exactly they were at the place where Gaia was sentenced to spend the rest of eternity, once her mortal body ceased to exist. With frightened eyes, he dared to look up, wondering if he could see her there, trapped between rotten flesh and bone, crying for mercy as well. He wondered with pain in his heart if she was still complete, or was just another corpse who had lost its sanity.
"She never got here," Hades muttered as if he could hear Ares' thoughts. The Lord of War stopped midway and turned to face Hades, "What?" Hades stopped too and sighed, "Gaia, she is not here."
Ares shook his head in disbelief, "What do you mean she is not here? You said—you sentenced her! Where is she then!?"
"I do not know."
Ares' grip on his sword almost dropping it "What?"
"She was sentenced the moment she became a mortal but when she died, her soul never walked these halls. She never got here, somebody must have gone for her—it is the only logical thing for me to think. Her treason only amplifies with each year that passes and escaped her sentence, I will find her and I will bring her down here, where she belongs."
Ares turned and looked down, into the deep dark pit the stairs led to "Then... the seal," he turned, terrified, "The seal on Tartarus," he turned and followed Hades down the stairs, passing from Purgatorio to Hell, then to Tartarus. Two enormous stone Gates stopped them from continuing his path, letting them know they have reached to the last of the stages of Hell. Hades turned to the God of War and sighed, "This, is the deepest part of the Underworld. Darker than Hell itself. This is where evil and demonic spirits are kept. Once you enter, Ares, do not listen to anything that will be told to you—do not believe anything you see, just continue your path forward. His prison is at the very end of Tartarus."
Ares felt hesitant if his presentiment was true, if that seal was indeed broken then it would mean the end of everything. Olympus would be the first place to be annihilated under his watch, Hades turned and raised his hands, summoning a dark spirit to appear, "Master..." A female voice echoed in the distance, soon manifesting in front of both Gods. Hades turned, "Asteria—"
Asteria, a Goddess in black uniform bowed her head in respect, "Have you called for me, Milord?" Her void looking eyes soon shifted from Hades to Ares, "Lord of War—I did not see you. This is a surprise."
Ares narrowed his gray eyes, he knew Asteria and he knew the caliber she had in power. A Titan who made a bargain with Hades himself to have control of the Fates inside Hell, Commander of The Army of Shadows and Hades' right hand. Different in power to Saturn, but equally threatening and dangerous. "I am going in—open the Gate."
Asteria bowed her head and turned, raising her hand up she frowned and summoned for her dark power, "I call upon you, Demon Guard—Cerberus, I command you to stand before me and lend me your powers." Almost immediately, a loud growl echoed between the giant walls and a giant demon dog with three heads appeared "Master." He growled and looked at Hades, "The Gates of Tartarus must be Guarded, take my place—Cerberus." he said in a low tone.
"Yes, Master." the demon said with its dark and low voice. Hades carved a symbol with his scythe and seconds after, the gates slowly opened. When Ares walked inside, he was surprised to see how somber it was, very somber and dark. A cold chill went down his spine as he continued to walk deeper into the halls of Hell. Suddenly the voices began, little echoes and whispers caught his ear "Do not listen." Hades warned, "They have finally noticed we are here."
"Lord of the Dark Kingdom is here..."
"The Reaper has joined us..."
"The Reaper, it's the Reaper!"
"Oh, Grim Reaper... has brought a soul for our amusement..."
"Ares..."
"Ares..."
"Ares..."
Ares stopped once he recognized the voice calling his name "Is it?"
"Ares... find him..."
Ares widened his eyes "Gaia?" he turned over his shoulder but saw nothing. Hades stopped and frowned, "Ares! It is an illusion—they know how to trick your mind, do not listen. Demons are playing with your mind."
Ares shook his head and continued his way but soon was distracted by a woman's figure in front of him, catching him off guard. Widening his eyes, he turned both ways calling Hades "Where... where have you gone?!"
The woman started walking towards him, her face was untraceable. Suddenly, the halls weren't dark anymore but there was this hazy atmosphere that still confused him. Ares closed his eyes, trying to concentrate and ignore whatever they were trying to do to him. Then, a familiar scent caught his senses, making him snap his eyes open, "Whatever tricks you are trying to play on me, it will not work."
"The seal..." the female voice echoed "Ares..."
Ares lowered his head "Gaia..." he breathed, his heart was slowly taking over his reason as he never thought he would ever hear that voice, calling his name again. "Look for him... help me..."
"What do you want me to do?!"
"Help me find him..."
"Find who?!"
Soon the haze and smoke started to fade away leaving Ares confused "Gaia... Gaia!" Desperate, he turned but was back in Hell, walking behind Hades. His little frenesí only meant one thing now, the more confused and troubled his spirit felt, the more he knew were close to their destination. Hades stopped and carved another symbol on another Gate, making the ground rumble with intensity as they opened. He turned to Ares and narrowed his eyes, "This, is Tartarus." He turned and pointed the dark hallway in front of them with his scythe like the Grim Reaper he was, "At the end of this hallway, we will have reached the deepest part of Hell—are you certain you want to cross?"
Ares nodded and walked inside, immediately noticing the hundreds of thousands of tormented spirits laid on the ground. Laments and screams echoed the hallway as he walked, Ares could hear his boots splashing dropplets the blood that drained from the scattered bodies; with horrified eyes, he stopped and looked at the dark stone gates in front of him. The horror itself didn't come from the gates itself but from the cracks on them. "No..." he muttered with horror.
Hades' eyes widened when stood next to Ares "This cannot be happening,"
Ares shook his head, his heart stopped beating for a moment. He felt like his spirit was leaving his body when he heard the lament of a man, holding to dear life to the stone walls "The light... from the sun..." he said with torment. The god of war turned and saw a man in a what looked like the remains of a military uniform, and his eyes soon widened with horror, "That man..." he walked over to the man and crouched in front of him, startling Hades in the process, "What are you doing?! You must leave the corpse there!"
Despite his torn clothing, his thin physique and bad shape he could recognize his face and also noticed the carvings in his hands. Ares looked at Hades with a horrified expression "Do you know who this man is?!" Hades asked still confused.
Ares turned to face the man on the ground and nodded with a heavy heart, "Yes—this is the Terran King." His gray eyes narrowed with sorrow, "Gaia's mortal lover."
I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters