Divinity: Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter Thirty-One

Ares entered his office in Olympus and sat behind his intricate crafted, marble desk. His hands rested on his chin as he thought about his decision on waking the one being he was not supposed to acknowledge, the one that was not even supposed to exist; the son of his dear friend and platonic love—Gaia. Looking down, he thought about the many options he could have taken to approach the situation but why did he decide to break an oath?

Memories from their past slowly began to flow like a mad river spreading across the ground, making its own path as he remembered a specific moment in time.

O—o—O

"Saturn has used the power of the Underworld, the Moon Kingdom has fallen to its demise," Hades said as he put some parchments on the large desk in front of him for his two brothers to revise. "I will be taking care of the fallen souls from here—Serenity's first, of course."

A very distressed looking Ares sat silently across the lord of the underworld in silence, his presence had been requested as soon as the news of the lunar queen's death echoed around all their realm, this is the part of his jurisdiction he hated so much and it pained him to even talk about it, much more because the lunar queen was his dear friend. His eyes were red from crying, and they were so filled with anger and frustration—of grief and horror. With a clenched jaw and a broken heart, he listened to the Higher God's dictum to what would happen next to the fates of those who fell under Saturn's power that night.

"How many are we talking about?" Zeus' dry tone showed he was also feeling distressed by the whole situation. Nobody expected the always peaceful lunar goddess would fall into such disgrace and to such horrible causes. "She was a treasure to Olympus and the Universe, she was dear to everyone; there was nobody she could not charm with her beauty and kindness, nobody she could not help and support. In the end, her kind heart was what condemned her."

"Enough to keep us occupied for days if not weeks," Hades said in a low tone and looked at his older brother, "But the Fates are still deciding where the Terran divines should rest. They did not die with the impact but their life is now hanging from their thread and it depends on the sentence—the question here is in what valley their souls shall be taken, I need to have a word with the Judges of the Underworld."

Ares looked up but remained silent and let the truth unravel in front of him. He was too distracted grieving the loss of another dear friend to even look at the reports or to even make one. Zeus sighed, "It is hard for me to think they are responsible for what happened—but that family has brought and caused too much distress in this realm that I do not know what to do anymore."

"There is something else we must address," Hades' cold stare turned to Ares for a moment, then at Zeus again "Serenity's actions."

"What do you mean?" Zeus frowned.

"She summoned the power of the crystal, souls have escaped Lethe's river."

"Meaning?" The lord of thunder said in an aggravated tone "What are you saying Hades?"

"Serenity did not die by Saturn's Silence Glaive. She sacrificed herself by granting life to others—her daughter, to be specific," Hades narrowed his gray eyes, "The interesting part of it all is that she sent her to the planet we cannot protect."

"Earth?" Zeus narrowed his deep gray eyes, this time catching Ares' attention. "Why would she do such a stupid thing?!" Hades' eyes darkened and quirked a brow, "She also protected the souls of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter—and of the son of Gaia."

Ares' eyes widened in shock and turned when he heard Zeus roaring with anger "What!?"

"Serenity sent them to Earth and now, they will reborn in a new era—I do not know if she made a pact with Chronos to do such thing but given his disappearance, it is very likely, it is, after all, his jurisdiction." Hades sighed and leaned back in his gold chair, next to Ares. Zeus frowned and shook his head in disbelief, "No—this cannot continue. It is like a plague," he looked at Hades and to the rest of the High Gods who have been awfully silent during the meeting. Apollo finally broke his silence and looked at the parchments on the long marble table, "He will eventually regain his memories—it is impossible to hide a truth of such caliber, he will wake up and what will happen to this realm then? Must we expect war again?"

"Why would you do that, Serenity? Why?" Zeus muttered angrily as he shook his head and turned to Hades, "Can something be done to avoid more collateral damage? To avoid the hybrid to awaken?"

Hades looked at him with a cold, stern face "He still has not been granted a reincarnation, his soul still wanders somewhere among the stars and the corridors of the Time-Space Continuum—none of them have, I have no control over them as we speak, not until they are born and perish once again."

Ares looked at the gods with shock thinking Serenity could have survived the fall of her empire but decided to give up all of her life force to her daughter and Gaia's son. This was too much to process, and it surprised him that even Chronos approved the white queen's decision by supporting her actions.

"Once he is born, the Fates can look for his soul and take care of the string that ties his soul to his body. Until then, it is when I will be able to bring it to the Underworld and lock it where it belongs." Hades said dryly.

"Have you found Gaia?" Zeus said, narrowing his dark gray colored eyes, "Have you found her soul yet?"

Hades sighed heavily with both shame and disgust, "No—it is nowhere to be found in the Underworld. I still have shadows looking for her, Charon rummaging through the rivers and Asteria looking in the deepest parts of Inferno but still, nothing has come to any resolution."

"The Goddess of Fates and Falling Stars," Ares muttered dryly. The only reason why she would be summoned to aid Hades with something was when he did not want to get his hands dirty but Asteria was a two-bladed sword, she was deadly accurate in her predictions, very strong and also could compete with a sailor senshi in terms of discipline and training; she was no ordinary goddess but also had her own motives to participate in every quest she has been part of. Her participation or aid was never a coincidence, and she was not known to be kind-hearted or one who knew the meaning of mercy.

"Chronos is nowhere to be found either," Zeus frowned and threw a few parchments on the table with anger, "But that, I cannot control—the Gates of Time and Space are remained shut and are now protected by Pluto." he turned to Hades "We have to bring back the Golden Crystal before it is too late, before he awakens."

Poseidon frowned and leaned forward on the desk, "What are you suggesting?"

"Helios' as the Titan he was, created a dynasty as powerful as him," Zeus said with regret, "He earned a place in this table but as important and reliable it was to us in the past now it is corrupted, we cannot allow that dynasty to continue, not anymore, we must put an end to it—Hades,"

"Yes, Brother?"

Zeus frowned, "Cut the string of fate on Gaia's hybrid child, cut the root of the problem as soon as possible."

Ares' eyes widened and turned to Zeus, "What?!" Zeus turned to Ares with concern, "Are you objecting, brother?"

Ares looked at his oldest brother with shock and shook his head with disbelief, "You label them as a curse yet you have seen it is not the case. One cannot stain a whole family—you are being lunatic."

"Lunatic?" Zeus growled, "Is it not enough that we have a rotten soul in the Underworld and a rebel mocking our laws by hiding somewhere under our noses? And not only mocking the law but challenging us! That hybrid creature dared to cross to our realm and look at what happened to the Silver Alliance. He destroys everything he touches, he touched Serenity's daughter and brought destruction to her as well—he, just like that whole family is corrupted with the curse of those with Titan blood, like a disease."

"One blessed with some sort of power we yet do not have—that creature is destined to wake up eventually. Once he does, he will want revenge, that is who they are!" Poseidon said, convinced of Zeus' allegations.

"Just like Chaos once did." Apollo said dryly and turned to Ares who exalted with frustration, "Chaos' rebellion and war has nothing to do with the son of Gaia."

"They have the same power—can't you see Ares?!" Hades raised his voice, something he almost never did, "When you have that kind of power, you only need a hint of anger to turn your whole belief system around."

Ares felt a new sense of duty. He could not accept the fates of those who did nothing but to survive in a world of threatening and challenging rules, as his daughter. The lord of war stood up and turned to leave, startling the others "Ares?" Zeus called to him but the blonde god continued walking in silence until he reached for the door and turned over his shoulder, "There are bigger problems approaching us with the fall of the Silver Alliance and Serenity's death. My duties are that and that only—I am not here for your selfish acts of revenge, I am here to protect those who need to be protected." with that, Ares turned and left the room without giving any of the high gods any opportunity to speak.

As he walked down the long corridor, he felt a new sense and meaning to the words he just said: 'to protect those who need to be protected,' and remembered the many times he once was in the same position as Zeus when he challenged Chronos when he defended Gaia and her dynasty against their allegations once she left to live her life as a mortal woman. He once judged them with no remorse or mercy but in the end, he realized they were a family that no matter what, continued fighting to survive and that despite Gaia's lack of power she tried to nurture and maintain the good in her family.

He realized the amount of ambition lurking in the immortal world and he did not want to participate any longer. Serenity's death opened his eyes and all he could do now was to protect her legacy in his own way.

Years passed and Ares finally learned they all had reincarnated into a new era; Earth was a different place now and so were they and took the vow of looking over them in silence, aware that the higher gods were too but for different motives. Time was coming short and he had to do something since the order to exterminate what remained of the terran dynasty was given.

Ares looked with horror as Hades' sent his minions to do the work and immediately traveled to Earth behind the gods' back. Now, it was up to him to do something to prevent more unjust atrocities so he waited for the time to come. The god of war immediately located Hades' pawns as he saw a dark blue car approaching in the distance—it was unmistakable, the energy of those blessed with ancestral power. He turned and saw one of Hades' shadows appeared from the underworld and began cracking the pavement to make it unstable for the man behind the wheel, controlling the vehicle. His brown eyes widened with horror and disbelief when he saw an unnatural creepy-looking figure in the middle of the road staring back at them with fiery eyes. "W-What..." the man muttered and pressed his arm against his wife sitting in the passenger's seat as a protective reflex.

He brusquely turned the steering wheel to the opposite side to try to evade the demonic creature but one of the wheels exploded making them turn several times before falling off the high cliff. Ares ran towards the creatures and pierced his blade on the shadow creatures killing them instantly and looked down in horror at how the vehicle tossed among the rocks until it landed on the ground, completely destroyed. The god of war jumped down with frantic urgency and he could hear his heartbeat echoing in his mind one beat stronger than the last one for every second he came close to the wrecked vehicle on the ground.

Ares stopped on the passenger's seat and saw the mother trying to reach for her crying son's hand "Don't let go—please... don't let go." she said between loud and desperate sobs, "Whatever happens—do not let go."

The woman slowly began to lose consciousness and died minutes later, the father, who was behind the wheel, died instantly with the impact but the child was still alive. Ares turned when he heard him crying and trying to break free from his seat belt when he noticed the strong smell of gasoline coming from inside the vehicle warning both child and god that there was a leak and that it was just only a matter of seconds before the car could be caught in flames. The lord of war kneeled next to the child and punched the window next to him and pulled him out of the vehicle with cuts and bruises all over his face and body.

Six-year-old Chiba Mamoru opened his blue eyes and looked at him with confusion; it was clear that the boy was not entirely conscious; he had a trail of blood running from his head all the way down his neck and the left side of his face was swollen from the impact with the window. He had scratches all over his body and a piece of glass impaled in one of his legs right below his left knee. His breathing was heavy and hoarse; he was trying to say something but his inability to move and his weak body was beginning to give in—the boy was dying.

Ares held Mamoru in his arms and pulled him close to him in a protective embrace, "I will not let them have you—" he breathed in his hair as he tried to calm the boy's nerves, "I will not let them do such atrocious thing just to feed their ambition..." The lord of war closed his eyes and began summoning his inner power and slowly transmitted some of his energy to the almost lifeless body in his arms. He could feel Mamoru's warmth slowly return to his body and moved back, gray eyes met sapphire blue as he rested his hand on his forehead "Do not fear, I will protect you..."

The sounds of sirens were heard close, Ares turned and saw the paramedics and police officers approach the vehicle and turned to the young man, who fell unconscious in his arms and combed some blooded pieces of hair away from his face with his fingers, "Even if it the last thing I do—I will protect you. You were reborn for a purpose and when the time is right... we will meet again... until then, do not let go. I believe in you, boy, do not let go." He heard one of the paramedics talking with urgency to another in the distance, "There is a wounded child in the scene!"

Ares turned to see the paramedic coming closer and lay Mamoru on the ground and immediately went back to Olympus where he knew Hades was already giving his report to Zeus about the situation.

O—o—O

Ares leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily as he rubbed the bridge of his nose while thinking how his reputation has been tainted ever since the moment he decided to help Serenity in her mission of bringing back the terran planet to the Alliance. As he expected, the High Gods were quickly informed that the child survived the planned attack but they could not do much once Ares gave his report on the matter when he was sent to witness it with his own eyes, unaware that he already had and that it was because of him that he survived.

- O -

"The son of Gaia has no recollection of his previous life. He was not born with the blessing of the Golden Crystal or Helios' heritage for that matter—he is no privileged child. His eyes hold no ancestral power; he was born a plain mortal child and as such, he is condemned to live as a mortal man for the remainder of his life."

- O -

A knock distracted him from his thoughts and saw Goddess Hera standing at the door with a curious look on her face, the blonde widened his eyes and immediately stood up to welcome her, "Hera..."

"May I come in?" Her rich, warm voice echoed in his quiet study; Ares nodded and extended his hand with politeness, "Yes, please, of course..." he walked around his desk to welcome her and offered her a seat across from his, the elegant goddess in red robes smiled and shook her head with grace, "I am alright, I spend too much of my time sitting on a golden throne—I feel like I need the stretch."

Ares smiled softly but said nothing as he returned to his seat behind his desk. Hera was a kind-spirited goddess, a believer in love just like Aphrodite and Serenity, and because of that, they all shared a close friendship. With a nature so maternal and kind, it lifted many questions among the divine realm as to how a goddess like her could ever share her life with a man like Zeus who was so opposite in both character and beliefs but the truth was that Zeus loved her, he loved her deeply, and despite his often cold and authoritative portrayal to the rest, he was kind and lovable to her.

"What can I do for you, Hera?" Ares chuckled with slight sardonic hints, "Ah, I think I know—it has to do with my decision to awaken Gaia's son, is it not?" Hera looked at him surprised; her hazel eyes widened at the mention of the terran titaness' child, "Did you?"

"You do not know?" Ares quirked his brow with utter disbelief, "Your husband is enraged because of it."

"Your brother gets enraged for mostly anything," Hera sighed as she rested her arms on the chair offered to her, "His patience has become thinner over the years," she looked at him and decided it was best to take that offered seat in across from her brother in law, "But, why did you?" Ares gave her a complicit smile, "You know why."

"I better rephrase my question, dear brother—how could you?"

"I do not understand."

"You said he had with no privileges, no power—no blessing. Born a common mortal." Hera said softly and frowned with curiosity, "How did you manage to wake such power within him if he was supposed to be born with none?"

"You know more about this than you are trying to pretend, Hera, you know he awakened some of his power not too long ago—as to how that is still a question to me. But he did, somehow," Ares crossed his arms in front of his chest, "You must know by now that it was a decoy I made to let him live. He indeed was born with his ancestral heritage," Ares sighed, "But as to why I awakened him? Well, it was necessary."

"You have called for every Polemarchos in the universe and rebuilt the Celestial Army, why did you have to call him too?" Hera showed plain and honest confusion to her brother in law's antics, Ares leaned back in his chair, his grey eyes never leaving her warm hazel ones, "Because whether they like it or not, he too holds that rank and title."

"You just opened Pandora's box, Ares," Hera shook sighed softly as she leaned back in her seat and crossed her legs, "You may have awoken more than you asked for—how are you going to manage such power if it goes out of control? This is no ordinary family you can manipulate to meet the standards of our realm, dear brother, this is Helios' dynasty we are talking about—the one he perfectly crafted with pride and love and that somehow self-sabotaged itself with time until it was cursed with ambition and neglect,"

"That box was never fully closed, Hera." Ares sighed softly "I am aware of that, I just find it surprising how you are here talking to me about it instead of judging my actions with rage,"

"I never had anything against Gaia—in fact, I have always believed she lead a very unjust life," Hera said softly, "The girl was never given an opportunity to choose what to do with her life, she was asked to follow everyone's demands pushing her to the very limit. You turned that girl into a trained assassin that later on fed the stigma of her heritage; you put a great weight on her shoulders, Ares. I have tried to talk to Zeus about it but his duty as leader of Olympus always comes first," the goddess looked down sadly and shook her head, "She was a wonderful woman and I never thought of her as an evil creature nor her child."

"Then, why are you here?" Ares frowned with confusion, Hera smiled "Because they got married and I thought you would have liked to know,"

"Who did?" Ares's eyes narrowed. Hera gave Ares a kind and warm smile, "Gaia's son and Serenity's daughter, of course," Hera leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk, "They asked for the blessing of marriage—which is my jurisdiction—and since you have shown great interest in them over the years, I thought you would like to know."

"So, he did not abandon her, that is good to hear," Ares said with relief as he remembered the young man's reaction when he learned the truth about him and his family. Hera arched a quizzical brow, "Excuse me?"

"Serenity always wanted her daughter to marry Gaia's son," Ares nodded his head and sighed softly, "And it would not surprise me that Gaia wished for the same thing,"

"Do not punish yourself so hard for this Ares," Hera smiled and extended her arm to pat his hand softly, "I know you want to preserve her dynasty because of that love you still have for her." Ares looked at Hera with wide eyes, Hera tilted her head and continued, "You cared for her since she was a child, you looked after her—trained her, helped her become a supreme warrior, this my dear Ares, goes far beyond common love. This is a silent promise you made to Helios as his apprentice, and also, as her mentor and friend. Whatever blossomed afterwards, well, that is something only you can understand, maybe it was just the sense of losing her… of knowing you were not going to see her, anymore."

"I took her for granted, Hera, that is what happened."

"Well, you are now atoning for those mistakes you made in the past by giving her son an opportunity to prove himself,"

"I now see through Serenity's perspective, Hera, I see there is malice wherever you want to find it. Evil beings walk among good ones, not all evil is trapped in Inferno or Tartarus like my brother so wishes to believe. They have focused so much of their time in trying to destroy a dynasty that can actually be an aid to us, that thirst for power has only nurtured their ambition and it will not stop until one of them gets destroyed." Ares shook his head, "I may call every polemarchos to fight Chaos if he ever escaped from that prison, but the only one who I believe can stop him, is one of his own kind and that is what frightens them the most—that is what lies behind their unbreakable desire of wanting him dead. They sealed Chaos with fear—even Gaia did. Her heart was confused because it was her brother and she loved him, she loved whatever good he once nested in him and she wished he had kept. But her son—he loves Serenity much more than his own nature, that is a fact, and to keep her safe he will fight any threat that comes near her, even if it comes from someone who carries the same blood in his veins."

"What you are trying to say is that you think Helios' dynasty can give a turn and become what once was and step out of Chaos' shadow, is that it?"

Ares nodded "Chronos thought so too, but I was too blind to understand it back then, but I do now." He smiled softly, "So tell me, sister, did you grant your blessing to that union?"

Hera looked at Ares and chuckled at the mention of being called sister. She had a soft spot for her little brother in law no matter how much Zeus stressed over his sometimes erratic and brash decisions, "Of course I did. Whenever I see love, I send a blessing." The goddess of marriage reached for the blonde's hand, "That is why I did not bless yours, there was no love in either of both parts."

Ares arched his brow, Hera leaned back and stood up "I saw her Ares, she is not in her best shape."

Ares frowned "What do you mean?"

"Her eyes hold anger and deception," Hera said softly "Be careful, there is no greater threat than one who holds revenge in their heart." Ares narrowed his eyes, "Where is she living now?"

"I do not know for sure, but her aura has darkened." The goddess in red and gold robes turned to look at him with a worried look, "If she wants revenge, it will not be long before she finds someone who can help her. Like you said, there are vicious spirits in this realm... not all of them are tied to the Underworld."

"Eris has always been like that, Hera, you know it. The thing is that it is up until now that we have gone our separate ways that you finally got no notice of it." Ares muttered, "But I appreciate your concern."

Hera walked back and cupped Ares' face in her hands, "You have sacrificed so much over the years for the sake of others, for the sake of your daughter."

"I have done my share of wrongdoings Hera, I am no saint, but my daughter is the only good part coming from me." Ares smiled sadly "I have kept contact with her through all these years, through Phobos and Deimos and other means—her existence is the only good and beautiful thing that came out of such horrible union."

Hera stepped back and turned on her heel, "I think the same of the Amazon girl," she turned to look over her shoulder at Ares, "I will not defend my husband's actions, Zeus has done horrible things in the past and abandoning that girl is one of those things I will ever forgive of him doing, but she grew up to be one fine lady and soldier. Do not be a stranger dear brother, I missed seeing that lovely face of yours..." turning on her heel, she exited the room leaving Ares alone.

The lord of war leaned back in his chair and smiled softly, "See Serenity? Your daughter married the best warrior for her—just like you always wanted. I hope you are happy, little flower... wherever you are," he closed his eyes, "I hope you are very happy with the news."

O—o—o—o—O

After the ceremony, came the photography session with the bridal court, friends, and family. In between many changes of poses and people for the portraits, Mamoru would give his wife loving glances and a few winks in between takes that surely made her feel like the only girl in the world. This was the happiest she's ever been, finally the first day of the rest of their lives came true and she couldn't wait was was to come next. Once the sessions were over and done; she looked up at him with a wide smile when she felt his fingers lacing with hers as they walked down the aisle towards the church's front gates. Usagi waved happily at the guests clapping and cheering as she walked out of the garden and smiled widely at Motoki who was walking behind them with Reika, Setsuna, Hotaru, Haruka, and Michiru.

Jadeite was the first to come close to the inner senshi and smiled proudly, "We finally witnessed what we never imagined we would." Rei turned surprised and smiled "Yes, it sure was something very special."

The blonde offered his arm to the priestess and grabbed her bouquet "Please, allow me to help you with that."

"T-Thank you," Rei blinked and blushed, surprising the other girls for their sudden and very friendly approach to each other. Zoisite crossed his arms and chuckled "Well, look at that," he clicked his tongue "He has proven to be braver than any of us."

Makoto smiled and waved her hand at Nephrite who quickly followed Jadeite's steps in helping her with her bouquet "You look very beautiful, I must say." He said in a charming tone, making Makoto blush "Thank you."

Zoisite was next in coming close to Ami but immediately noticed she had everything under control leaving him with zero excuses to start a conversation; Ami smiled softly and waved the bouquet in front of her, "I can handle the bouquet." She said softly, startling the blonde "I-I can see that," he scratched the back of his neck "Well, this is strange." Ami chuckled "Why?"

"I want to be useful, somehow," Zoisite looked at her, "I believe all I can offer you now, Milady, is this arm of mine for you to hold." Ami blushed, "That is all you can offer me, right?"

Zoisite looked at her puzzled "Y-Yes?"

"Well in that case—I'll take it." The bluenette giggled and grabbed his arm and walked down the aisle all the way back to the church's entrance, "Thank you."

Kunzite looked at his fellow friends and growled with frustration by how Minako managed to sneak out before he could even attempt to be a gentleman and offer her some help; the action caught Megumi's attention and turned to look at him with worry, "General Kunzite, are you alright?"

Kunzite's gray eyes were still fixed on Minako who walked from one side to the other, helping Usagi's mother, cousins, and talking to her friends and his friends but for some reason, avoided all contact with him. "I am alright," he finally answered and turned to look at her "I believe it is just us two, then," he offered his arm again to the young maid, one she took with grace and walked out of the garden in silence. Megumi remembered the tension in the blonde's words when talking about the shitennou, especially the white-haired general but thought it was best to keep any comments to herself, at least for now.

O—o—O

Outside the church, Mamoru leaned down and kissed Usagi on the lips again and smiled, "Are you happy?" He asked softly while looking at her with the most endearing look in his azure eyes. Usagi nodded and caressed his cheek with her hand, "More than you can imagine. I can't believe this is happening."

"I can't ei—" Mamoru widened his eyes when their sweet moment was soon interrupted by an urgent Minako striding their way, "Okay, where to now?" She asked softly and took the bouquet from Usagi's hand to help her move with more ease before the crowd caught up to them and stall them with more greetings, thinking this was best to leave for the reception, but both bride and groom noticed there was an air of unsettling urgency in her voice. She turned and held Usagi's arm gently as they walked down the stairs all the way to the car, "Let's go down carefully—don't you trip on me Tsuki—oh, wait, you're Chiba Usagi now, you already signed the papers that confirms and makes your union official." She smiled and turned to a blushing Usagi, "I guess I am Chiba Usagi now, huh?"

"No turn back now," Mamoru said softly as he opened his car to help her get in, Minako giggled when she saw her friend struggle with the long veil "Let me help you get that off... I don't think you will want to walk around with that veil on your head all the time."

Usagi chuckled and leaned her head back to allow her maid of honor to take the veil away, "No... I could trip and fall and who wants that, really?"

"I will carry it around in case the photographer wants to take more portraits," Minako was taken by surprise when Usagi wrapped her arms around Minako and pulled her into an embrace and sighed happily, "I don't know what I would do without you—you could rule the world,"

Minako chuckled and shook her head, "Oh no sweetie, that's your thing..." she pulled away after a few minutes "Okay so, where to now?"

"The reception," Usagi said softly and widened her eyes "Oh wait, Megumi, where is she?"

"Here, here!" Megumi said softly as she waved her hand at the couple as she walked towards them with Kunzite walking behind. She looked at Usagi with teary eyes and smiled widely, "I am beyond happy for you, Your Highness,"

"Sweet Megumi, thank you," Usagi pulled her close in a loving embrace and looked at her with a knowing smile on her face once she pulled back, "Go hug him now, he's free."

Megumi blushed and nodded as she walked towards Mamoru with a big smile on her face, "Y-Your Highness..." she trailed off nervously "I-I just want to wish you all the very best—" before she could say anything else, Mamoru wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace full with gratitude "You being here means the world to me, Megumi, thank you." He whispered in her ear, making her blush and pulled back to give Kunzite a chance to congratulate the couple, "It is truly an honor to see you two finally achieving what you promised to yourselves all those years ago."

Mamoru smiled, "Thank you Kunzite." The white-haired general turned to Usagi and chuckled "Princess, I must say you got yourself a challenge with this man," Usagi widened her eyes and chuckled "Oh, I know."

"Thank you," Mamoru sweat dropped "How sweet of you two,"

"Okay so—you need to go to the reception now. We will meet you there in a bit." Minako said, interrupting the conversation between Kunzite and Usagi and helped her get inside the car with the same unusual urgency than just minutes before, "Now, you don't want to be late for your own reception, it's your party!"

Usagi pulled Minako closer and frowned "Mina-chan, are you okay?" Minako nodded with excitement, "Of course! I am your Maid of Honor and my job is to make you be where you are supposed to be in time—now go!"

"B-But the girls..." Usagi said as Minako helped her with the trail of her dress, "I will handle it—leave it to me—go, go, go." She closed the door and turned to Mamoru, "She's coming with me, you go before it gets too late!" She patted his arm and stepped aside and watched the newlywed couple driving away; she turned and took Megumi with her, again, completely ignoring Kunzite's existence. The white-haired general frowned when he realized his brothers had left with the other girls and sighed heavily already knowing this was probably just a lost cause.

"Traitors," Turning on his heel, Kunzite began to walk away until he was stopped by Haruka, "Oi, where are you going?" Kunzite frowned and looked at the blonde behind the wheel accompanied by Michiru, Hotaru, and Setsuna, "The reception,"

"Do you know where it is?"

"I was given directions, I will find my way,"

The sandy blonde looked at a very stressed out Minako and a very miserable Kunzite and arched her brow with a knowing smile, "Ah, I see," she smiled, "We are on our way there so you are more than welcome to join us, there is one spot available in this car."

Kunzite frowned at Haruka but remained silent, leaving the blonde take control of the conversation again, "Look, I know we don't know each other and that we did not have the best of introductions but we will have to get along since we are both guardians so, we either get along or just continue ignoring each other, although I prefer we get along—it's easier for both of us."

Kunzite looked at her with slight surprise considering how defensively she acted that night when they came to aid the prince in battle. He sighed in defeat and nodded, "I believe you are right, my name is Kunzite, by the way." Haruka smiled "Haruka," she bowed her head "Or Uranus—choose whatever, to me, it's the same."

Kunzite nodded as he stepped into the car in silence, not really minding anymore if his ego was being kicked all over the ground by the blonde senshi or his fellow brothers but he couldn't help to think this was going to be one long night.

O—o—O

After a long drive due to the hectic traffic, the bridal party had finally arrived at the small garden where the reception had already started. Both the bride and groom decided they did not want anything too big and wanted to keep it more intimate. Of course, there was going to be live jazz music as an important request and present from the maid of honor herself but it was mostly going to be what in Usagi's words would be: a dinner party with a fancy and elegant twist.

Usagi looked out the window and smiled at the many paper lanterns hanging from the bushy trees that led through the long path up to the entrance of the garden. She found this place by casualty one day she assisted Mika with one photo shoot for the magazine and found out it could be scheduled for intimate celebrations if done with time and with the proper arrangements but what she had loved the most about it was the privacy around it. Nobody would ever imagine that after the long-pebbled path would be a secret garden with a small pond full of lilies, trees, and greenery everywhere and an endless variety of scented flowers, "Look how pretty Mamo-chan!" she tapped the window with her perfectly glittery nail and smiled with pure bliss, "They look like little stars."

Mamoru smiled and parked the car right in front of the entrance, "It does," he said softly and turned to look at his wife, "You look like a star." Usagi giggled, "Really?"

Mamoru nodded and leaned closer, "One that I will keep shining forever," he held her hand and kissed it softly, "At last, you are mine and mine alone, Moon Princess..." Usagi blushed and leaned closer, "At last, you are mine, Terran Prince," she kissed him softly on the lips and sighed, startling him in the process, "What is it?" Mamoru blinked, Usagi rubbed her nose with his Eskimo style, "Did I tell you just how incredibly handsome you look tonight?"

Mamoru blushed softly and shook his head, "Thank you, but it's not compared to how beautiful you look in that dress,"

Usagi trailed the line of his jaw and kissed him softly again, her crystal blue eyes never leaving his deep sapphire ones, "Can we just skip all this and go home?" She smiled with mischief, "I don't want to share you with anyone, anymore." The comment made Mamoru's blush deepen even more, "Usa, this is meant to end early anyways."

"Well..." Usagi gave him butterfly kisses all over his cheek, "You and I both know it won't."

"You put so much effort in this event,"

"For you, I can elope,"

"There is one delicious chocolate cake waiting for you inside," Mamoru wiggled his brows playfully and flashed her a handsome grin, "Just remember that."

"Ohh!" Usagi's crystal blue eyes widened at the mention of the cake like two glittering orbs "The cake!"

"Mako made, so, it's needless to say it's beyond good."

"I bet is heavenly good, it's chocolate,"

Mamoru chuckled and nodded, "I'll help you get out of the car," he stepped out and walked to her side to open her door. She took his hand for support as she slowly made her way out and giggled as she turned to him, "I'm glad Minako took the veil off."

Mamoru smiled as he helped her take the rest of her long skirt out of the car and closed the door careful not to tug on her gown. They started walking down the enchanting path towards the garden holding hands as they slowly caught the music playing in the distance, "We're almost there," Usagi said softly and turned to her new husband and pulled on his arm to stop him, "Oh right, I forgot… before we go in, I must warn you about something." Mamoru arched his brow and turned to look at her a little confused, "Aren't we a little late on that Usako?" Usagi smacked his arm and chuckled "No! My family—it can be a little overwhelming, I just want to ask you to please be patient."

Mamoru smiled and tug her hand to continue walking until they made it to the entrance, Usagi sighed, "Mamo-chan, I really need you to be patient, I'm not kidding,"

"Usa... it's okay, I—" Mamoru tried to finish his sentence but as soon as they walked inside the garden he was interrupted by his new father in law, "Finally the bride and groom have arrived!" Tsukino Kenji said happily while raising his glass and a large crowd began coming their way.

"See?" Usagi tightened her grip on her husband's hand and smiled nervously; Mamoru blinked surprised genuinely surprised, "Oh..."

O—o—O

At the other side of the garden, Minako walked back with a glass of rosé and sat next to Rei, "Hey you!" The priestess said but soon was surprised by the blonde's large gulp of her beverage "Uh, are you alright?" Minako put the glass down and nodded "Perfect," she turned and look at her friend with a brow quirked with curiosity, "Why?"

"You seem a little..." Rei frowned, Minako frowned, "A little what?"

"Off,"

"Off?"

"I'm sorry, I'll rephrase, you look upset."

Minako sighed softly "I'm fine, I'm fine." She pursed her lips, "It's my best friends' wedding and I just want everything to run smoothly—I take my job as maid of honor very seriously, you know? I want them to have an unforgettable night."

"Why it wouldn't run smoothly?" Rei frowned and turned to the table opposite to theirs "Ah... I get it." Minako took another sip of her wine this time with much more grace and less hurry, "Whatdo you get?"

"You just can't stand him, don't you?" Rei said with amusement and took a sip of her wine, "Aren't you the soldier of love?"

Minako gave Rei a side glance her and huffed, "It's not that I can't stand him—I just..." she tried to find a good set of words that could explain what she has been feeling since Kunzite came back into the picture—her picture. "He is not like Jadeite and the others, that's all."

"Isn't that what made you like him in the first place?" Rei asked confused, Minako sighed heavily "Rei-chan, he has other things in mind and me too. He hasn't been as charming as Jadeite when he offered you to help you with anything—it's different."

"Do you want him to help you with anything?"

"You know what I mean..."

"No, honestly, I don't."

"Ugh, you… you don't understand. It's complicated."

Rei gave her blonde friend a sad look and turned to the opposite table where the shitennou shared a table with Motoki, Reika, Naru, and Umino. Jadeite immediately caught her eye and raised his glass of wine and smiled at her, one Rei found very difficult to return, "I don't know how to avoid breaking his heart." She said softly, almost with guilt, making Minako turn with surprise "What do you mean?" She turned her head and saw Jadeite smiling at Rei and turned to her friend with wide eyes, "Wait, Why are you going to break his heart?"

Rei pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders "You know my position Minako, I just can't go around starting new relationships when the ghost of my last one still lives with me."

"Well, that is for your own selfish purposes." Minako took another sip of her wine and asked the waiter for another glass; Rei widened her eyes and turned to look at her blonde friend, "What?"

"Well, am I wrong? You admitted it, you know what you have to do and yet—you haven't." Minako frowned and looked around, "Wasn't he supposed to be here, by the way?" Rei scoffed and took a sip of her wine, "Yeah, right. like I would have considered to bring him to a wedding as my plus one—of course not!"

Minako propped her chin on her hand and turned to the married couple walking from table to table greeting what she imagined were Usagi's family with a big smile on their faces, "Look at them, they're so happy." Rei smiled and nodded, "I know, I was scared that you know—something might have happened."

"Yes… but," Minako sighed, "Nothing can tear those two apart—their souls are glued together, no matter what."

"What are you talking about and what's with the gloomy faces? This is a wedding! And not just any wedding but our friends' wedding, cheer up!" Makoto and Ami sat next to Rei and Minako at the table. Rei turned and chuckled, "We are not gloomy, we are just admiring those two."

"Usagi-chan looks so radiant," Ami said with a dreamy tone in her sweet voice, "I remember when she found that gown—I cried."

"Ami, you always cry at weddings." Makoto said jokingly; Ami widened her eyes "That is so not true!" Her powdery voice raised with indignation, "When have I ever cried at another wedding?"

"Well, for instance, you cried your eyes out at the ceremony." Minako chuckled.

"Minako, you cried too—but in our defense, we all did." Makoto smiled and took a sip of her wine, "I mean, it was practically impossible to remain in one piece with those vows—goodness gracious..."

"The moment Mamoru's voice started to break with emotion—I knew I couldn't hold it any longer because he is the last person you would expect to cry!" Minako sniffled again making the others laugh, "Ugh, I knew these two were going to ruin my emotions today!" She turned again to look for the waiter that promised to bring a new glass of wine, "I need a drink,"

"So, any of you know where are they going for their honeymoon or if they are leaving for a honeymoon?" Rei asked curiously; Ami was about to mention something about what has been happening at the hospital but soon they were interrupted by no other than the always charming and playful Furuhata Motoki "Hello ladies, how are you girls doing tonight?"

Makoto turned to look at him and smiled, "Well, look at you all handsome—wearing a suit and all." It wasn't any news that Makoto had a crush on Motoki for years, they constantly flirted with each other but both of them knew it was a relationship that was not bound to happen. The sentiment was always tied to the memory of a former boyfriend, one that constantly broke her heart—even in her dreams. After she started culinary school, she met Yokinishi Masaru, the man who would later become her boyfriend for almost 5 years, but after many arguments, he moved away and she preferred to keep the situation to herself, trying her best not to talk about much about him to the girls. Ironically, Motoki was the only one who knew the whole truth behind it all, maybe because he was the one that never sugar-coated things for her like the girls sometimes did and during that time she needed the brutal honesty he could offer her. After realizing they could not go any further with any attempts at becoming an item, they realized they cared too much for each other to leave things behind, instead, they scrapped all the what 'if's' and harvested a very honest and close friendship that was still intact even when they did not see each other as they used to anymore. Motoki chuckled and flapped his lapel with pride, "I can be charming when I want to, and also, I had to play the part as best man,"

Makoto chuckled "Reika is one very lucky lady," she saw her stand behind her husband and waved her hand "Hi Reika-san."

"Mako-chan! How are you? It's been so long!"

"You know, very emotional—it's been quite a day." Makoto smiled, Motoki laughed, "I told Mamoru he was going to cry but he wouldn't believe me."

"Yeah but—hecried not sobbed likeyou did," Makoto broke into laughter "We were all going crazy looking for a tissue, gladly Usagi had one." Motoki sweatdropped, "Okay, in my defense, I didn't sob."

Minako threw her head back in laughter and pounded the table with her hand, "Oh my god! I have completely forgotten about that!" She looked back at him with a huge grin, "You were bawling your eyes out! You could not even find your way to finish your vows."

"That's not true!" Motoki raised his hands defensively.

"I take—your hand in—" Ami began mimicking a sobbing Motoki and chuckled, "To take—your—haaaand—" she looked at him with a smile on her face "That is all we could understand,"

"Oh my god, I would give anything to see that again." Minako said between laughs, Reika giggled, "We have it on video."

"Ahhhhh!" All four girls yelled excitedly, catching everyone's attention including the shitennous'. Kunzite peered at Minako talking and laughing so joyous and felt a wave of jealousy taking over; while he wondered in his own anger why she could not laugh that way with him around.

"Go talk to her."

Kunzite's gray eyes widened and turned to Jadeite, who was sitting next to him with a glass of red wine in his hand, "You are never going to leap from point A to point B if you do not do something about it."

"What makes you think I want to do something about it?" Kunzite muttered bitterly, Jadeite arched his brow, "Well then, stop trying to look like you do," he took a small drink of wine and savored it with joy, "Besides, they have met other people—it is only natural they will be friendly with those we do not know. Also, he is very fun to talk to, do not act so conceited, I know you are much more reserved than I am but you need to start being a little more open minded."

"I am surprised to even hear you talking like that," The white-haired general turned to him, "What has gotten into you?"

"See, I may look carefree, handsome and all but I do reason things," Jadeite arched his brow "All we can do now, is to at least keep things peaceful until we figure out what comes next."

"About that, we need to move out from the shrine." Kunzite said dryly, "I got an offer from the tall Sailor Senshi—Uranus. She can lend us a place to stay and it is not that far from Endymion's apartment." He frowned at Jadeite's boyish grin, "What?" Jadeite chuckled, "Look at you, socializing with the other senshi—and not just with any senshi, she looks though."

"You left me alone, so I took her offer in giving me a drive to the reception," Kunzite narrowed his eyes, "Anyway, she has the same interest we do in terms of protecting the royal couple," he took a sip of his wine and savored the deep and rich woody notes of the beverage and looked at his younger brother, "If we are here, we might as well cooperate together."

"Where is Megumi going to stay while Endymion is away with Princess Serenity?" The blonde asked and looked at the young maid giggling with the girls and being part of their cheerful conversation, "She has bonded very well with them."

"I did not ask Endymion but I imagine she will stay with one of them," Kunzite said softly as he took another sip of his red wine, "I suppose she will want to give the newlywed couple some much needed privacy once they return from their wedding travels." Jadeite turned on his seat and smiled at the couple happily greeting their guests, "I always thought they belonged together," he chuckled, "I was not too fond of the idea of breaking them apart—or him marrying Beryl," he took another drink of his wine and gave his older brother a side glance, "Do you remember that?"

"How can that be forgotten?" Kunzite arched his brow, "It was driving me insane..."

"I think it drove us all insane," Jadeite sighed, "I suppose we need women to keep us sane; they are without a doubt a miracle from heaven, regardless of their origins."

"I suppose you are right," Kunzite sighed as he looked at Mamoru smiling at Usagi as she continued to introduce him to more members of her family, "I was not pleased with that idea either, Jadeite, but the circumstances obliged us… during that time, we did not have much of a choice. Even if we had to argue with him all the time."

"Do you think it has to do with us, what he asked us to investigate?" Jadeite frowned while still staring at the happy couple in the distance, "Do you think it has to be somehow linked to the past—his past?"

Kunzite pursed his lips and took a sip of his wine, "I believe everything at this point is linked to his past but we will have to look further into this matter while he is away." His mysterious stare never left the couple as they moved around from table to table, "And if it turns out to be, well, we will have to take that matter into our hands... after all, there is a duty we must fulfill—that is why we are here."

The Divinity Series is rated M. Intimacy, violence, and cursing may occur.

I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters.

AN: Thank you for your lovely messages, Flareup4Ratchet & Become's one with the story, thank you for your good vibes. Also a special thank you to Guardians314 for her undying support. It's because of messages like these that I feel motivated to continue working on this story. I hope you like this one too, have a wonderful week everyone!