Divinity: Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter Forty-Eight

Kunzite kicked the bedroom door to walk inside with urgency as he carried the prince in his arms with the help of Nephrite; in all their way back from the battle scene to Usagi and Mamoru's apartment, he still didn't show any signs of consciousness and it was mortifying Usagi. The general laid him on the bed and looked down at his master with a worried look, "Dammit Endymion... what the hell did you do?"

"We need to treat his injuries right away, he is bleeding too much," Zoisite said from behind. The blonde turned to walk back to the living room to look for Mercury and seconds later Jadeite joined them in the bedroom, "He is very pale..." Jadeite muttered with worry and turned to Nephrite who also had a troubled expression on his face. The white-haired general kneeled next to the bed and exhaled heavily, "Where is Princess Serenity?" he asked softly, the short-haired blonde crossed his arms, "With the Senshi, why?"

Kunzite shook his head and closed his eyes for a moment but before he could continue talking Usagi walked in her civilian clothes and made her way to the bed with worry and saw the trail of blood still trickling from Mamoru's forehead and tried to wipe it off with a trembling hand but Kunzite stopped her "Princess,"

"Mamo-chan..." she leaned her head on his chest and closed her eyes, "Wake up... please, wake up..."

Kunzite, Jadeite, and Nephrite went to stand in the back to give the princess some space but silently were thinking about the gravity of the situation being Kunzite the most worried of them all. Minutes after, Ami walked into the room with Zoisite behind holding an emergency light to let her take charge of the situation like the doctor she was; she turned to put her hands over a rattled Usagi to comfort her and to alert her she was there, "Usa-chan... I need you to wait for me in the living room, I need to treat Mamoru's injuries," she said softly, "I promise I will not take long,"

"No, no! I don't want to leave him!" Usagi cried desperately as she clung to Mamoru's bloodied white shirt and vest, "I can't leave him! He's not responding and he's cold... why is he so cold?!" she sobbed with panic, "He's never cold!"

Ami bit her lower lip and turned to the shitennou and silently asked for a little help. Kunzite immediately took charge and walked over to Usagi and put his arms around her shoulders to hold her for a couple of minutes and pulled her back gently, "Princess..." he whispered in her ear to take her out of her hysteria; Usagi looked so fragile that made him feel that if he was not careful enough they all would be worrying for both royals instead on just one. "No..." Usagi shook her head but she was too weak to even put up a decent fight against the general who was holding her tight in his arms; her teary eyes looked down at her husband being carefully undressed by the other shitennou. While Zoisite worked on taking his tuxedo jacket, Jadeite was carefully unbuttoning his vest and shirt and Nephrite was slowly unpinning his cape off his shoulders.

The whole scene started to play in slow motion before Usagi's eyes like a horror movie. The panic was there, but none of them verbalized it, instead, they kept their jaws clenched as they analyzed the gravity of the situation. Megumi walked inside with a bowl of warm water and sterile gauzes while Ami took the liberty to go to their bathroom to find a first aid kit she was certain Mamoru with being the kind of doctor he was, had very well stocked.

"Princess, it will be better if we give them some space," Kunzite's deep voice reached Usagi's hazy state of mind and slowly shook her head, but again, her body felt like if it was disconnected from her brain and could not follow her wishes but before she could object she was taken back to the living room where the other girls were waiting with a worried look on their faces. Minako widened her eyes and ran over to her and wrapped her arms around her for support as she slowly led her back to the sofa. The blonde looked up and noticed neither Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, or Hotaru were no longer there and frowned, "They went to monitor the city—Setsuna-san will go to the Gates of Time and Space to search for leaks in the corridor that might have allowed this woman and Athamas to cross to into this world." Makoto said softly, "Michiru-san asked us to keep them informed about Mamoru's condition."

Rei walked back from the kitchen with a tray with a pot of hot water and enough cups for them and prepared one cup of an herbal tea she brought from the temple she knew could help soothe her friend's nerves. She sat on her knees in front of the coffee table and put the steaming cup in front of Usagi with much delicacy, "Usagi... please, drink this."

Usagi pulled back from Minako's arms and looked down at Rei with a tear-stained face, "I don't..." she shook her head and rubbed the mascara off her puffy eyes brusquely, "I don't want tea, I want him to wake up—I need him to wake up!"

Rei sighed softly and placed her hand on Usagi's knee, "Usa-chan, he is going to be alright. Ami is treating him, he will be alright." Usagi exhaled deeply and shut her eyes, "He is injured because of me..."

"Usagi," Minako widened her eyes, "Don't say that,"

"This is my fault—if I haven't—" Usagi leaned down to hug her knees and cover her face, "I promised him I would be strong and look after myself, I promised him I would be careful! I insisted him so much to teach me how to fight, I insisted him so much to trust me and I failed him!" she said between choked sobs, "There's blood everywhere! He doesn't move... he is barely breathing, I hardly heard his heartbeat... I'm so scared..."

"Don't blame yourself for this Usa-chan, I am sure it's something he wouldn't like to hear," Makoto's words snapped Usagi from her sobbing trance and looked up at her, "Whatever he said, it's not true."

"Think about both sides of the spectrum Usa-chan," Minako said softly, "Remember why you disliked him so much."

"And think about how different they are," Rei said softly and took the cup, "While Athamas always tried to make you feel small and guilty for everything, Prince Endymion always challenged you to think outside of the box—and as a result, you decided to never be a tragic Princess, ever again." she handed her friend the steaming cup, "Mamoru had his reasons to interfere between you and Athamas and if he did what he did it was because at that very moment it was the best and quickest solution—Father once told me that it's a warrior's duty to take drastic measures when you run out of options."

The mention of Rei's divine father fitted like a glove into their current situation, Usagi noticed with wonder how her friends were also dealing with the process of accepting their true selves just like she and Mamoru did. Talking about the past no longer felt painful but more like a continuation of their journey for a future, she promised to build with her terran prince once he returned from war all those years ago. Minako turned to look at Kunzite and blinked when Rei's words paired with what he told her the moment they jumped down the stairs from her apartment building when escaping the shadows. The white-haired General crossed his arms and arched his brow to confirm her thoughts.

"Also, Usa-chan you have to admit it was pretty badass when he gave that demon-woman a taste of her own medicine when he pulled the chains and shoved his knee on her stomach to break free," Makoto said in a lighter tone to try to clear the gloomy mood around them, at least a little. Rei smiled at her, understanding what the Amazon girl was trying to do and nodded, "It took us all by surprise—even Haruka-san stood there gaping with amazement."

"I didn't know he could fight like that! It was awesome!" Makoto nudged Usagi's shoulder gently until she made the princess give them a faint smile in response. Minako smiled softly and turned to Kunzite let him know he could leave Usagi into their care so he could go back and check on Mamoru and the rest. Once inside, he saw Ami finishing bandaging Mamoru's chest and asked Zoisite to help him rip the fabric around his wounded leg so she could take a closer look at his injury. Her brows knitted together when she saw it was more serious than she thought and turned to the shitennou, "I am going to need to give him several stitches. The wound is deep and he has lost a considerable amount of blood—that is why he is so pale."

"What can we do?" Jadeite asked desperately, Ami sighed and began cleaning the brutal punctuations and cuts around his ankle that went all the way up to his knee and turned to a very pale Megumi, "Megumi-san, could you please bring more warm clean water?"

"I-Is he going to be alright Lady Mercury?" Megumi asked with a trembling, weak voice. Ami turned and nodded, "I am doing everything in my power to keep him out of danger, I promise."

Megumi bowed her head and quickly turned to change the water in the bowl that was now tainted crimson red. Ami sighed and turned to Jadeite and Nephrite, "Could you check that case if there are any surgical needles and thread? If not, I will have to—" to the bluenette and everyone's surprise the lamp on Mamoru's side flickered back on meaning the power had gone back. Kunzite walked over to the window and saw the city slowly began to go back to normal again, "It's coming back in the city, this only means that the portal has been closed."

"I do sense a different, clearer vibe," Jadeite said softly as he walked back with a black case in his hands, "This is all we could find in his clothes room,"

Ami put the bloodied gauze on the bowl Megumi brought back and found more gauzes that eventually was going to need, different kinds of antiseptic, ointments, band-aids, antibiotics skin adhesives and, like a child in a candy store her eyes gleamed with relief, "Oh, thank goodness he does have one for emergencies." she opened the small surgical kit including needles, scissors, a small scalpel, a needle holder and a pair of forceps. She turned to Zoisite and Nephrite and took a deep breath, "Can you please keep cleaning the wound while I prepare the needle?"

Both generals nodded in silence and followed the young doctor's instructions, Nephrite turned to Jadeite and asked for more clean gauzes as he continued applying pressure to stop the bleeding, "I did not know he could do that..." he muttered with clear awe, Jadeite looked at his comrade and frowned, "What?"

"We knew he was different. We knew he had the Queen's blessing but..." Nephrite narrowed his eyes, "The way he gathered and manipulated that amount of energy, I suppose I never expected to witness it." he moved back, giving Ami enough space to work. "This must be what Her Majesty was referring to when she assigned us the mission to look after him," Jadeite frowned, "That is why she did not want him to learn the truth. To protect him... from them... and from himself."

Ami narrowed her blue eyes and started to close the largest wound across his leg with tiny, delicate knots. Her hands moved with extreme delicacy around the area as she closed the small sutures. Her mind focused on the proper care and the gravity of the problem but also on the way he fought against the dark woman; it was admirable how he managed to only get these wounds and despite being serious it could have gone worse, much worse. She agreed with Nephrite, she didn't know Mamoru had the ability to manipulate such amount of energy the way he did and how he evaded to almost perfection each of her attacks she was more than familiar with her shady tactics and brutal strength. Ami blew her bangs softly and cut the long thread and began wrapping a wide bandage around the entire sutured wound to speed the healing process, mentally praying for him to come back to his senses for his and Usagi's sake. She turned and cleared the area, putting all the blooded tools away in a tray for sterilization and took her latex gloves off; her eyes landed first on the young maid and gave her a small smile, "Thank you for all your wonderful help." Megumi bowed her head, "You have my eternal gratitude, Lady Mercury, thank you for saving my Prince."

Ami sighed softly, "We still need to wait—the first 72 hours are critical," she turned to the shitennou, "But since he is not just any regular patient, let's hope he comes back to us sooner than expected." she turned to look at her friend and mentor with worry and sighed with mortification, "You have to—for Usagi-chan."

-O-

"Iam repetere post me et,"

"W-What?"

"Iterare quod sicut docuit vos—et Latine quaeso, Tua Nobilitas,"

(Repeat what I just taught you—in Latin please, Your Highness,)

Twelve-year-old Prince Endymion frowned and peeked his eye open at the High Priest sitting next to him both, sitting Buddha-style at the temple, close to the praying tower inside the palace's grounds. The always calm and peaceful looking man in white tunics took a deep breath, "Non possum te audiunt orantes,"

(I cannot hear you praying,)

Endymion sighed, his frown deepened as he chanted the newest addition to his long list of holy prayers taught by the *sanctum priest, "Lapis sacro voco virtutem tuam pro tutela cæce, munda tuo soli, servare malum contra eam impugnare malum, lavabit tenebrae—" he stopped abruptly, catching the priest's attention who turned to look at the young prince struggling with the words, "Impugnare malum, lavabit tenebrae—occurret, potentiam tuam ostende,"

"—Occurret, potentiam tuam ostende," Endymion rolled his blue eyes and blew his long dark bangs, "Hoc est quidquam tam vanum," (This is pointless)

"Quid est?"

(What is?)

"Haec Obelix, haec—non videre punctum huius,"

(This Obelix, this—I do not see the point of this,)

"Non serves ad plus quam tu potest imaginari, Tua Nobilitas—aliquam sit amet pacificis quos vesci licitum servare mentem, ut praestare expectata."

(It serves more purpose than you can imagine, Your Highness—it is important to keep a peaceful and clean mind to perform as expected.)

"To perform as expected?" Endymion shook his head, "To perform as expected for what?"

"Et Latine quaeso, Tua Nobilitas," (In Latin please, Your Highness) Obelix said in a fatherly tone. It was his daily lecture of both cultures but as expected, the young prince sometimes found himself trapped in boredom, "Et Latina lingua nostra est velut mater Regali prosapia, oportet te scire esse perfectum. Est pars quae non sunt,"

(Latin is our mother tongue and as Royal, you must know it to perfection. It is part of who you are.)

Endymion sighed, "Part of who I am..." he muttered with annoyance, then winced when he felt the priest's scolding look on him and pursed his lips, "Et ego partem... quam ego removes? Cantantium ego ignoro tamen omnem orationem qua cotidie,"

(Part of who I am... what am I anyway? I have been chanting all these prayers every day and I still do not understand for what,)

"Ut manifestum est animo et spiritu—aliquam sit amet enim manere coniuncta ad hoc planeta et salutem et felicitatem in ora pro suis diis,"

(To keep a clear mind and spirit—it is important for you to stay connected to this planet and pray for its safety and prosperity to the gods,)

"What gods?"

"Et Latine," Obelix corrected, again. Endymion rolled his eyes and sighed heavily with annoyance "Quos deos?"

Obelix, the *sacred priest, always looked impeccable in his gold and ivory tunics contrasting beautifully with the dark color of his skin and the pale grey color of his long hair always styled in a sleek half updo. He opened his honey colored eyes and took a moment to think about the best possible answer he could give to the young monarch. The moment his queen had been fearing was slowly making its way to their lives with all the existential questioning from Endymion. He was entering the complex phase of his teenage years and everything now was followed by a why, a whom, a what, and a when, giving the poor priest a few options left to justify his daily lectures. "In deos, qui habitas ascendas statim et caelus," (The gods who live up in the heavens,)

"Huh," Endymion blew his bangs again, "Ego sum maxime orantes est aliquis? Quia non audierunt..." (Am I praying to someone in particular? Because they do not seem to listen...)

Obelix took a deep breath and exhaled, "Why are you so anxious, young Prince?" Endymion fidgeted in his seating position and sat straight again, "I am not."

"I may be old but I am not blind," Obelix frowned, "You have been fidgeting all morning."

"How is this going to help me in the future?" Endymion said softly and turned to Obelix, "I come here every single day at dawn so you can teach me all these new chants and prayers I do not see the purpose in learning—I know I must know them but..." Obelix arched his brow, "But?"

"I do not feel anything different—I do not see anything happening. All remains the same. Why am I doing this?"

The priest looked up at the skies and smiled sadly, "Ad te solum confugimus ad tempus a Deo, Chronos, quaesumus, ut eas voluntas gubernantis duxerit ad Dea Terra pro nobis ad eam sana sumus eius assidue orare Deum Helios praesidium." He turned to the young prince who was looking back at him with curious eyes, "Ut orando humilitatem nostram, et corpore et animo confirmat. Dat tantum nobis opus pace."

(We pray to the God of Time, Chronos, for granting us his guidance, we pray to the Goddess Terra, to be healthy, we pray to God Helios, for its constant protection—praying is our way to remain humble, it strengthens our body and soul. It gives us much needed peace.)

Endymion looked at the man stand up and walk towards the garden, "Obelix?"

Obelix turned to look at him over his shoulder, "Scio vota tua, ut fiat miles, sed non plene facti rationem si crescunt cum ad ambitionem quoque et potestate. Cor humile et bellator bonus esse possit pugnare contra mala Forti animo ita succedunt."

(I know of your wishes to become a warrior but you cannot fully become one if you grow with ambition based on ego and a thirst for power in both, mind and heart. A good warrior maintains a humble heart to grow a strong spirit so it can fight against evil and succeed.)

Obelix turned to fully face the prince and gave him a warm smile, "Cum adversa ferit illa momenta quae ad pacem nos progredi oportet. Videlicet quod ad iter nostrum nos protegat illos."

(When adversity strikes, these moments are what are going to bring us the peace we need to move forward. It will clear our path and protect those we hold close to our heart.)

-O-

Mamoru widened his eyes when realized he was having another regression on his previous life and he looked around with disbelief on how real it was to feel the sun warming his skin or the cool breeze playing with his hair. The high priest looked up and saw beyond from where the young prince was sitting and smiled, this time, with melancholy, "Have you realized the truth, My Prince?"

"Obelix..." Mamoru muttered with surprise, his blue eyes gleamed with unshed tears at the sight of the holy priest of Elysion, "You're alive..."

The high priest tilted his head up and hid his hands under his tunic like he always did, "No, young Prince—I am just an illusion."

"So then, I am dreaming again?" Mamoru frowned, Obelix shook his head, "No, I would not say you are dreaming,"

"But you're here."

"Yes, I am here, but at the same time I am not." The priest extended his arms; Mamoru's brows furrowed deeper, "I never fully understood your riddles,"

"I am here because somehow, your subconscious brought you back to this particular moment between us—Helios is the High Priest of Elysion now, and it is because of him, that you and I are meeting again. I asked him to grant me permission to cross this plane since my physical body ceased to exist a long time ago. My spirit is all that is left, Your Highness." Obelix looked into Mamoru's eyes and gave him a soft smile, "My soul is linked to his, that is how we Celestial Priests work." The man narrowed his honey-colored eyes, "I can see it now. Your soul is tainted with trouble and remorse—anger, so much anger and fury. You have unleashed some of the power within you, but as expected, you are facing its consequences as your fate currently lays suspended between life and death,"

"Suspended? What do you mean? What is this place?" Mamoru shook his head; Obelix arched his brow "Welcome to Purgatorio, Endymion." Mamoru widened his eyes with shock, "Purgatorio?"

"I remember explaining this to you in your younger years," Obelix tilted his head, "Every time you re-visit a scenario from your past you are defying the laws of nature by crossing to this suspended realm—if it makes you feel somewhat relieved, you are not dead but you are in a deep level of unconsciousness,"

"What?!" Mamoru turned to look around, realizing that in fact he was suspended in an unnatural dimension, "No, no, no, no, no..." he shook his head with panic written all over his handsome face, "No... no... I need to go back to my time! I need to go back to reality!"

"You cannot leap through planes as you please, Endymion," Obelix arched his brow, "You channeled your inner power—summoned and chanted an ancient prayer to use the Golden Crystal, but like I told you before, one cannot function when your soul and mind are tainted with poisonous emotions. The Crystal put you in this trance as a way to protect you from dying,"

"The power I did not know I had but you all did," Mamoru muttered bitterly, "You knew about my mother's past and you never told me, every time I came to you to tell you how strange it was for me to see and feel all these emotions and sensations, the sparks flying from my hands... you knew it was because of this and you never told me the truth."

"Your aura is disturbed with anger,"

"Of course I am angry! What did you expect?!" Mamoru frowned, "All of you hid this important thing from me and treated me like a damn piece of glass! Like if I wasn't worthy of knowing the truth! Do you have any idea of how stupid this makes me feel?"

"Your mother had her reasons, Endymion." Obelix tilted his head low, "It is true, I knew about it—we all did, but Her Majesty's wish was to give you a normal life, is that too much of a crime?"

"I didn't even have that normal life you all presume and defend so much. Back then, I was born with a royal title... that fact itself cancels all normality. All I did afterward was to follow the protocol a monarch must follow to meet the standards of a crown I never liked wearing over my head." Mamoru shook his head and turned to look the fountain trickling crystal water at the center of the court between the palace and the temple where he currently stood with the sun setting in the distance, giving all these beautiful hues of golden, orange and magentas painting their faces, "Why can't I see her?" he asked with obvious hurt. Obelix took a deep breath and exhaled softly, "For the same reason you are in Purgatorio, Endymion, you are corrupted. Seeing her would only ignite your frustrations and heartbreak even more."

"Bullshit," Mamoru hung his head low and closed his eyes; Obelix widened his eyes "Endym—"

"I need to go back to my wife, Obelix, she must be very worried, this isn't a game... I am wasting time," he sighed and turned to the priest, "Things are happening Obelix, we are under attack,"

"I know,"

"Then you understand why you need to help me go back,"

"I cannot do that, Your Highness."

"Obelix..." Mamoru frowned and rubbed the bridge of his nose with exasperation, "This is no longer my time! This is no longer my life! Stop trying to force this damn past on me!"

"And yet you were selfish enough to summon the power of the Golden Crystal, how convenient." Obelix looked back at him with sharp defiance in his honey-colored eyes, "You claim this is not who you are, you deny your heritage and dynasty, and yet, you still want celestial aid," he shook his head with a sarcastic smirk, "Have you forgotten everything that I taught you? This is not how divinity works Endymion, you know it very well."

"I didn't know I was—" Mamoru felt a lump in his throat, like the priest had predicted, he was angry and heartbroken and if he wasn't careful with his next choice of words, his whole belief system could shatter like a piece of glass, "I didn't know I had this..."

"Dea Lunae et uxorem," (You married the Moon Goddess,) Obelix said softly, startling Mamoru "W-What?"

"Tu nupta sit viro," (You are a married man, now,) Obelix looked at the blur of the prince's younger self and walked past him disintegrating the image of the young boy sitting at the top of the stairs like smoke. Mamoru nodded, "Yes, I am. That is why I need to go back."

"Et Latine..."

"Obelix..."

"Et Latine,"

Mamoru sighed with annoyance, "Mihi necesse est ire ad illam vitam in se periculum et se defendat non sum ratus, cum capti inter dimensionibus."

(I need to go back to her; her life is in danger and I am supposed to protect her and not being trapped between dimensions.)

Obelix licked his lips, "Well, at least you have yet not forgotten how to speak in your native tongue," he sighed, "You cannot go back under such conditions, you are not even half the man I helped your mother raise and train."

"Thank you, how thoughtful of you," Mamoru mumbled sardonically and looked away, "Whatever that means,"

"It means that you have not yet fully awaken to your full potential, Endymion. Have I not said it enough for you to understand? You are corrupted and to protect you from dying the crystal reacted the same way and put you in a deep sleep." The priest crossed his arms, "No matter how much you try, you will not wake up until you fully regain your strength and take full control of the power that now weakly pulses inside of you. You cannot do anything as you are right now."

"Obelix, Serenity is in danger—I can't be here sleeping while she is in another dimension thinking I am close to death!"

"The Moon Princess will be safe as long as she has the pendant with her. No harm will come to her, also, the Shitennou are there too, I know they will not leave her side, I learned they crossed to the mortal realm... I am glad, they did not deserve such tragic fate,"

"Ego postulo video vidi illam, Obelix." (I need to see her, Obelix.) Mamoru pleaded softly. Obelix sighed softly, "You will, once you understand that no matter how many lives you try and cross to live just to forget and start over, you will always be Endymion, Prince of Terra, and who someday will step in to take the throne as King. Stop denying your nature, stop denying your family—stop denying her."

"I am related to Chaos, Obelix."

"Chaos does not define you, young Prince." Obelix said dryly, "And if you must know so your soul can find peace, Chaos was not born evil. It was a choice he made—just like your mother, who chose to live a mortal life alongside your father."

"You knew him, Chaos?"

Obelix nodded, "Of course I did—he was the first to take control of Terra, chosen and trained to be a Polemarchos by Helios and later by Ares. He was a promising warrior of the Olympian Army—he was the next in line to take Helios' place and serve as a political and strategic advisor to the alliance that was being created at that time, but as I said to you during many of our lessons, if a warrior's soul is not in peace and if you do not keep your feet on the ground and remain humble, it will only meet misery. He chose to be who he is Endymion, you need to let that go—do not attach yourself to him or any of the life choices he has made."

"He is my mother's brother, it's impossible to ask me not to feel attached to him." Mamoru frowned, Obelix arched his brow, "You are Gaia's son, not Chaos',"

"And yet they want to take me to the Underworld,"

"The Gods have been misguided far too long, their laws are obsolete, yes, but, there are theirs. It is not much you can do about it now, much less in this poor state of yours. You need courage and strength to fight the Olympians and you are far below of having any, you are not even a worthy opponent as you are right now." Obelix shook his head and let out a long sigh, "There is no point in hiding you the truth any longer, you said you have awakened but it clearly does not show. You probably know little to nothing about the dynasty you are part of," the priest sat on the edge of one of the stone steps and looked up at the dark sky, "In ancient times, when Olympus had yet not existed, the divine world was ruled and guided by Titans—known as The First Twelve: Mnemosyne, Thethys, Theia, Phoebe, Rhea, Themis, Oceanus, Hyperion, Coeus, Crius, Lapetus, and Chronos. Their legacy with time expanded and with that, another generation was born: Eos, Lelantos, Leto, Asteria, Atlas, Prometheus, Epimetheus, Menoetius, Metis, Astraeus, Pallas, Perses. your great-grandfather Helios and much to everyone's surprise, Selene." Obelix sighed, "It was a strong alliance, yes, but it was also very chaotic and murderous. Ambition was too powerful and Olympians wanted to change the course of things by gaining their strength and take the control the Titans had been misusing over the divine realm. That movement itself unleashed a disastrous war that caused the assassination of many deities on both sides and in the Titan's imprisonment in Tartarus where they still remain as void and tortured spirits."

"What role do we play in all of this?" Mamoru frowned angrily, Obelix took a deep breath, "Helios was one of those Titans that fought during the Titanomachy, and in his search for peace, he created an alliance along with Chronos to protect those who remained. Being the well-respected warrior and strategist he was known to be, he managed to reach a peace settlement with the Olympians that later gave him the position of strategist and political advisor and led the creation of the first generation of Polemarchos while Chronos with his high power and control over the Gates of Time and Space, took the role of Ancient God, or, High God, giving them and their descendants an important rank in Olympus." The priest stood up and began walking down the long stairs to the court, "Walk with me, Endymion,"

Mamoru followed seconds after and sat on the edge of the large fountain. The sound of trickling water was their only companion, unlike his days on ancient Earth, there were no fireflies floating around, there was no wind echo—there was no Moon. Their lighting source was only the thousands of candles lit around them, each one meaning one prayer to the gods. "Up to this day, some gods are still reluctant and some are ambitious, they have a difficult time understanding those descending from Titans. Unlike them, and due to their ancient power, they are given other jurisdictions and granted more complex powers that every descendant of their dynasty must always protect with its life and carry on until they find the next chosen protector and meet their end. Helios' dynasty protects the sacred stone created to hold the mighty Sun's pure energy—unlike other treasures, the Golden Crystal has an aggressive power that sweeps everything to its purest form until it completely vanishes it, which makes that crystal and the sword of golden blade two valuable treasures to those who want great power. That sword is blessed, crafted by Zeus' trusty blacksmith with Helios specific instructions but since your divine grandmother, Nut, was not the next chosen protector, both crystal and weapon ended in the hands of her children," he turned to Mamoru and gave him a sad smile, "Your mother was chosen to guard the crystal with the help of that sword. That was Chaos' first motivation to break the peace treaty between Titans and Olympians, unleashing another divine war."

Mamoru looked down at his hands and narrowed his eyes in wonder and thought, he was confused and amazed at the same time. How could he be related to such strong line of divine beings and how his entire life had been a truth half explained. "Ares confessed what happened to Gaia," he muttered, "How she defied the laws of nature..."

"Goddess Gaia, no," Obelix exhaled and brought his hands together, "Your mother. She inherited Helios' character. Strong-willed and a little too defiant, this made her relationship with Goddess Nut a turmoil. Goddess Nut wanted a Lady, and instead, she had a warrior; they had different takes on how life should be and it always led to bitter arguments. There was no doubt Goddess Nut loved her very much, but, that was not the life she would have liked her only daughter to lead and it frustrated her greatly. With Chaos gone, your mother had to step in and follow her duty in protecting the sacred crystal and Earth and took her obligations very seriously, just like you did for Elysion. She was always involved with everything that happened on her beloved Terra, constantly blessing and listening to the prayers of its inhabitants. It was her decision to have a sacred shrine on Earth and due to that, I was soon commissioned by Lord Chronos to serve her as Sacred Priest and advisor from a very young age." He sighed softly, "Yes, Goddess Gaia defied the laws of nature and broke a taboo by falling in love with Prince Eros—a mortal man, but you cannot really condemn love. Lord Chronos fought for her rights and he always looked after her due to his close friendship and loyalty with Helios. Because of his influence and ability to negotiate, she was granted a mortal life, but, with no relations or any rights to her life as Goddess, stripping her from her titles, duties and divinity—Gods have a very long-life span, mortals do not, and the transition she made was the real culprit of her weak health, it was not because you were born, Endymion."

Mamoru's eyes widened, Obelix noticed his sudden change and continued, "I know you always felt responsible for her lack of health, but if it was not for you she would have given up a long time ago. She did cry when she realized you were chosen to be the next Guardian of Earth and owner of the Golden Crystal because all she wanted was to live a peaceful life with you until her passing. With you being chosen by Helios, everything changed, and as much as she tried to give you a normal childhood, fate and nature had to follow its course and soon, you felt it—the warrior's calling."

Mamoru sighed and stood up, still trying to process all the information the priest was giving him. He ran a hand through his dark hair and shook his head, "You mentioned Selene in the story, does it mean Serenity is linked to Titans as well?" he looked up, trying to search for a moon that sadly was not there to clear his troubled mind. "Is that why the Silver Crystal exist?"

"The Silver Imperial Crystal has other origins. Goddess Selene is considered part of the second great generation but neither she or any of her descendants have Titan blood. The Moon Goddess was one courageous Olympian that believed both races could co-exist in the same universe in peace and she fought for those ideals alongside Helios and Chronos crafting a close friendship and loyalty towards each other while bonding the first Alliance, one that included Earth. The Silver Crystal was created by the strong, purifying power of the Moon, making it an ancient, sacred treasure as well. Its close link to the Golden Crystal is what makes it its valuable companion—the Golden Crystal can react if the Silver Crystal is being used and it works the other way around as well, that explains why you were always able to transmit your strength to the Lunar Princess in battle against dark forces and vice versa. Their power put together is incredible, but if you put them against each other, the Golden Crystal can burn the light of its Silver counterpart with ease if used for malefic purposes due to the aggressive and savage power of the Sun."

Mamoru frowned, "And Asteria? She is a Titan too then,"

"Asteria is a complex being." Obelix took a deep breath, "After the war between Titans and Olympians ended and was settled to form an Alliance, she was of those who believed themselves as superior beings and was against the peace treaty between two races and became part of a league of titans known as the rebels. When they were defeated as well, she made a deal with Hades and became the guardian of one of the Gates of the Underworld and the Goddess of Fates and Fallen Stars. The lives of those sentenced and who have crossed to Thanatos are taken by her and if worthy, she collects them for Hades' Army of Shadows."

"She is a Polemarchos too, then."

"Asteria has great power—one that can easily give a fair fight to strong warriors, she is vicious in battle but she is not a Polemarchos."

"Well, that is not what she says,"

"What?"

"I fought her,"

"What?" Obelix's eyes widened, "You fought against Asteria?"

Mamoru looked over his shoulder at the priest, "That is why I am trapped in this place—she was going to hurt Serenity. That is why I prayed to use the power of the crystal, I wished for it to protect her first, instead of me."

"Endymion!"

"She's my wife, Obelix! What did you expect me to do?!" Mamoru turned with anger crossing his handsome face, "It was a drastic measure, I know, but it was all I could do at the moment. Serenity is my priority and I was not going to allow them to do her any harm."

"You cannot risk yourself that way, I understand your position but if you cease to exist the fate of Earth does too. You cannot be this reckless, Endymion, I taught you better than that!" Obelix frowned, Mamoru let out a sarcastic chuckle, "It is interesting how you scold me for this and not find it strange how come a Titan stepped foot on Earth looking for me."

"That troubles me too," Obelix's frown deepened, "Why was she there?"

"She said she is on a mission to bring me to the Underworld, where I apparently belong." Mamoru crossed his arms, "All these strings of fate and pieces of our past are piercing through this era and all the way to the afterlife." He frowned with shame, "Obelix... when you told me to call for my power that night, I put Earth to sleep. I reversed its history and wiped everything that once existed. I erased our existence from the mind of those reincarnated and buried our ruins deep underground."

"I am well aware of what you did," Obelix said with a dry tone; Mamoru arched his brow surprised by his serious and defiant stance, but continued, "I went to the Moon with Chronos' help and later learned that the Lunar Commander, Andromedian by birth, was the responsible for the mysterious deaths in Elysion and the Four Cardinal Kingdoms." This new piece of information softened the priest's facial features, changing them to ones of surprise "What?"

"His intrusion triggered Metallia's awakening and soon after what happened with Beryl, she was released causing what well—you know what it caused, there's no need to go into that all over again." Mamoru sighed, "I was fighting two enemies, both with similar plans and similar power. This Commander managed to survive the fall of the Silver Millennium and has joined forces with Asteria; a very similar scenario to what happened in Elysion in ancient times is happening all over again,"

"She must have other intentions..." Obelix muttered in thought, "Why would she join forces with an Andromedian... that is out of my understanding."

"The Andromedian wants to have control over Serenity and he wants me dead," Mamoru said dryly, "Asteria says she is accomplishing a task given to her, by whom? We still don't know."

"Asteria is a double edge sword Endymion, she will not perform something unless it is something that will benefit her too. That is why Hades granted her the power to control the troubled souls of the Underworld—it was a bargain she could not ignore." Obelix said and stood up and looked into the prince's deep blue eyes, "I can see the power within you, your eyes have always given away your divinity, but you cannot return to the living realm until you have fully wake and master the power of the Golden Crystal and accept who you really are."

"I have the sword with me, isn't that enough?"

"Well, if it is enough then tell me, how come you could not call for its power and use it in your battle against Asteria?" Obelix crossed his arms as he was scolding the prince to a mocking point. His own frustrations slowly took over his always calm character, "Tell me, High Prince, I am eager to know,"

Mamoru clenched his jaw like a child being deprived of his favorite toy, angry at himself too for his own incompetence. The priest was right and he was not taking it too well; Obelix arched his brow, "Ah, not even the sword awakens to your command—well, you are farther behind than I thought." He sighed, "How disappointing... why not finish dragging your family's honor into the mud with this poor imitation of a warrior Prince, hm?"

"You are crossing the line..." Mamoru frowned to what Obelix shook his head with anger, "You cannot protect anything in this state of yours, even if you have recovered the sacred sword—without you fully aware and in acceptance of your power and responsibilities that sword is worthless! You are useless! Face the truth Endymion! Stop thinking this all can be solved with bits and pieces of magic made from your own conclusions! Stop trying to change a discipline that was created and imposed by a league of warriors wiser and stronger than you, thousands of years ago!"

Mamoru felt Obelix's words as a dagger piercing his chest, this was the first time the priest raised his voice at him and even dared to challenge his abilities. The truth hurt and he was beginning to feel hopeless and defeated; he hung his head low and remained silent, wishing for this moment to end. Obelix went past him without turning to look at him, "Your ego is the only thing that remains, and, to be honest, it is not even worthy of my attention—I do not work with egotistical beings, I am surprised the crystal granted you the blessing of keeping you alive."

"You don't understand!" Mamoru growled angrily at the priest for his harsh words. "You have no idea what your lies have put me through! You don't know everything I went through in this present era!"

"Do not justify your anger and weakness with your existential dilemmas." Obelix turned, taking Mamoru by surprise, "Your name is Endymion De Terra—Chiba Mamoru was a name given by the woman who gave birth to you in this era and it was a marvelous decoy so the gods would think you were no longer blessed with divinity, giving you the pun of local guardian. Truth is, you are the Guardian of Earth and the rightful carrier of the Golden Crystal, the sacred stone with the blessings of the Sun—you have Helios' blood running through your veins." He pressed an accusing finger on Mamoru's chest, "Yes, both names are linked, but it does not matter how much you try to ignore your descendance, every time you say your name—either name, you are accepting your fate as Guardian. That is how strong your bond to this dynasty is." His caramel eyes narrowed, "By denying your heritage, you are denying and cursing your mother and father's nature and all the obstacles they had to go through to build the foundation of Elysion and that is something I cannot forgive. You do not deserve to be married to Goddess Serenity. You are no match for her, a weakling like you cannot be linked to a beautiful and powerful being as her."

"Enough with this damn inquisition!" Mamoru growled with anger, "What the hell do you know?! You don't know anything about me! You just spent your days lighting stupid candles and praying to gods who never gave a damn about us! Your power lies in wasted prayers and look where it led you! You're dead!"

Obelix slapped the prince across his face with the back of his hand, "If you continue with this nonsense, you will die too! At this point, I do not care if you are the crowned Prince of Earth, I do not care if you were trained to be a skilled Polemarchos; I do not care if you reincarnated and became something else in the process. Whatever it is, I demand respect from you!" He frowned, "Open your eyes Endymion and stop acting like an infatuated child who only wants to do whatever comes easier! I have seen enough of your mortal life to know where you stand and you are far from being a man worthy of your royal title. Back then, you fought your mother's wishes and left to train for the army and gave your people a valuable example of discipline and loyalty of servitude—you went to war, you dealt with death on many occasions, you put a whole planet to sleep but you did it with courage and with unbreakable determination, where is it now?!" Obelix pointed a finger up at the prince, showing his authority, "Life is not easy, open your eyes and realize that there is much more at risk than this baffling existential caprice of yours, yes, you were put through heavy trials in this life—you have suffered very much, yes, but you also came through it all—you survived; you wanted to become a warrior and stop being a liability to others? Then dismantle your damn pride and tainted ego and start acting like one! This man... I do not recognize him. You are not my Prince. You are not the boy I witnessed become a man..." Obelix shook his head with deception, "What a disappointment."

Mamoru widened his eyes as he looked at the priest slowly walk back to the temple like a ghost looking for the well-being of those that got trapped in this endless limbo he was now part of. He needed to get out of there, he needed to go back but as Obelix said, nothing in him granted him enough energy or power to escape this suffocating maze of emotions and truth. "Serenity..." he muttered with sadness and worry as he looked up at the moonless sky and took a deep breath.

-O-

"Serenity..."

Usagi's eyes snapped open and realized she had fallen asleep on the sofa, she turned and saw Minako sleeping next to her with Rei and Makoto curled on the other sofa. She turned groggily from her deep sleep and saw the light filtering through the curtains, letting her know it was another day. She turned in the direction of the kitchen and found odd that there was no noise or the characteristic smell of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air and it was then when she realized what had happened the previous night. "Mamo-chan..." she turned quickly and walked towards their bedroom and noticed the door was half open. Pushing it aside slowly she was met with the image of the four shitennou sitting by the window with their head low, indicating they too had fallen asleep sometime during the night; Ami was cuddled in Zoisite's arms and Megumi had fallen asleep on the floor by the bed, next to Mamoru.

Her eyes soon landed on the prince bandaged all over his chest; his always impeccable tuxedo was now torn and stained with blood over a chair. The image of seeing him laying between bloodied sheets and in an unconscious state was too much for her to bear, this was probably the first time she had seen him so vulnerable to everything, so unprotected and weak. Her eyes could no longer hold her tears and began to roll down her flushed cheeks as she made her way to the bed and nestled next to him with tremendous care. She bit her lips, trying to fight the urge to put her arms around his waist like she always did every morning and just cuddled her head on his shoulder. Usagi gathered the courage to look up at him and traced the lines of his handsome face with a feathery touch and paid close attention to all the small bruises and cuts on his forehead, his brows, and lips. With the gentlest care she leaned forward and combed his hair back, like she knew he liked it and closed her eyes, "Why did you do it?" she whispered between soft sobs, "Why did you risk your life this way for me?" she shook her head, "Can't you see I can't be alright if you are not with me? I know you would have said that you did it because you love me but I love you too and we were supposed to do this together... you promised me that nothing would happen to you... you promised me, Mamo-chan." She leaned closer and rested her head on his, "I love you... I love you with every cell of my being and I know you love me too, so please... wake up..." her sobbing started to become heavier, "There are still so many things for us to do, our dream home is waiting for us to fill it with new precious memories... please, Endymion, wake up... come back to me, like you promised you would..."

O—o—O

Back in the living room, Minako opened her eyes and rubbed her sore neck a couple of times before realizing Usagi was no longer sleeping next to her. The previous night, Rei had to put a sedative Ami had given her with discretion before she went to treat Mamoru's wound to put in on her friend's tea and help her sleep; it took a lot of effort to make her drink the tea but in the end, they succeeded. She turned and walked over to the bedroom and widened her eyes when she found her sleeping next to her husband, "Usagi-chan..." she let out a sad sigh then turned to Kunzite, who was slowly waking up. He winced and waited for his eyes to get used to the light in the room then turned to Minako and stood up to greet her with the most tender of kisses, and looked at her "Princess Serenity?" he asked softly, and turned to follow Minako's finger pointing at the couple on the bed, "I don't how long she's been there..."

The image of the lunar princess guarding his prince's life was too endearing, Kunzite immediately thought about the many discussions he had with Endymion about how his romance with her was just a caprice due to her divinity but now it was more than clear that it was pure and true love. It was too beautiful to see the dedication and loyalty they had for one another, transcending the laws of time and nature. "Come, let us give her some privacy, after all, she is his wife and she has every right to be with him in private." Minako nodded and gave the general a soft smile, taking him off guard "What?"

"It's strange to hear you say those words when we were the ones who did the impossible to keep them apart, even if it was for their sake." The blonde shrugged one shoulder, "I just wished she didn't have to go through this..." she sighed tiredly, "I thought this was all over."

Soon after, the other shitennou woke up and slowly stood up, with Zoisite helping Ami stand from the floor. "Minako-chan..." Minako repeated the gesture and motioned her head to the bed for her friend to see, Ami took a deep breath and nodded "I see..."

"Let's go back to the living room," Minako whispered so she wouldn't disturb Usagi, "It's only fair she wants to be with him..."

Megumi opened her eyes and turned to Minako and shitennou and stood up, not before bowing her head in respect, "Good morning Megumi-san." Ami turned to the others, "I will check up on him quickly, I will join you in a few minutes." she turned to the terran maid, "Megumi, can you help me?"

"Certainly, Lady Mercury," Megumi walked back with Ami to the bedroom.

"I will go and make us some coffee—I know Mamoru has plenty of that," Minako said in a much lighter tone to try to lift the heavy fog of uncertainty in the air and walked to the kitchen followed by Kunzite and the rest of the shitennou. The sound of cupboards opening and the coffee machine brewing a strong batch of coffee was all Rei and Makoto needed to come back to reality, the Amazon being the first to cut the silence, "Is there enough for me?"

Minako walked back from the kitchen to the living room with a cup for Makoto who, gladly took immediately, "Cream, milk, and sugar are on the table," the blonde said as she took a sip of the invigorating hot beverage, and hummed with pleasure, "Thank goodness Mamoru is not one of those men that scrimps on coffee—this is good."

"How is he?" Rei asked and smiled at Jadeite in gratitude as he handed her a cup of that same hot beverage, "Mercury is checking up on him," Nephrite said softly and took a seat on the rest arm of the couch, next to Makoto. Rei widened her eyes, "Usagi-chan?"

"She is there too—she is sleeping next to him," Jadeite said softly, "Breaks my heart to see them like that,"

"I didn't feel her move," Minako took another sip and leaned back on the couch, "But I do understand how you feel."

Minutes after Ami walked back to the living room, followed by Megumi. All eyes were now on her as they waited for a prognosis of the prince's state, "He's stable, his wounds are not infected." Makoto arched her brow, "But?"

"There are no signs of consciousness." Ami sighed, "He is completely out."

"Which means?"

"It means we have to wait—it's too soon to come up with a diagnosis, the first 72 hours are critical..." Ami said and turned to Zoisite, who was handing her a cup of coffee, "Thank you..." she blew the steam and looked down at her beverage, "It also means we all just have to keep our hopes and guard up, because Asteria or Athamas will not back down from this point forward."

"This is going to be too hard on Usagi-chan," Makoto bit her lower lip, "This was all so unexpected."

"I will stay here with them—I want to be at Her Highness' service," Megumi said softly and looked down, "Whatever it is... I will do everything in my power to support her."

All senshi and shitennou smiled at the young maid in gratitude, "You are so sweet and loyal to them, Megumi, thank you." Ami patted the girl's shoulder, who in response nodded effusively, "I know my Prince is going to be alright... I just know it."

"He gave that woman a fair fight and he also used the power of the crystal, that probably exhausted his energy," Jadeite said softly, "I have never seen him access that kind of power..."

"His heartbeats are slow but steady," Ami said and looked at her friends, "I would almost dare to say he is in some sort of hibernation—what Jadeite said is very possible, the crystal might have maxed his energy and he is slowly gaining it back." Minako turned to look around and frowned, "Wait, where are Luna and Artemis?"

"They went to patrol the area and see if there are any abnormalities, Lady Venus," Megumi said softly and smiled at Nephrite who walked back from the kitchen with a cup of coffee for the young maid. "T-Thank you, Lord Nephrite."

"Just Nephrite, Megumi—we have known each other for too long to keep the formalities," the northern general said and turned to his comrades, "We should let them go and get refreshed," he turned to Makoto, and the girls "We will stay here in case something comes up."

"We need to change the sheets and his clothes..." Jadeite pursed his lips, "We cannot leave him or the Princess lay on a bloodied bed."

"We will do that once the Princess awakes," Kunzite said and turned to Minako "She's in good hands." Minako smiled softly and nodded, "I know she is," she put the cup down and stood up "I will take your offer, but when I come back it will be your turn to go get changed."

"Fair enough," the first in command said and went to get another cup of coffee. Minako turned to Rei, Ami, and Makoto "I will see you soon."

"I will go with you," Rei put her cup down and soon was followed by Ami and Makoto "Me too." Ami turned to Zoisite and smiled softly "I will see you later today, I also need to make my rounds at the hospital and also to justify Mamoru's absence at the hospital."

"What are you going to say?" Rei frowned and turned to Ami, who bit her lower lip in thought, "That he had an accident, I will have to talk to Motoki and tell him what happened, he needs to know the truth, also, having another doctor around would be very helpful."

"That is true, I agree. Well, I am going to take the day off... I am not in the mood to see my boss' fugly face," Minako muttered as she went to look for her purse, Makoto chuckled "Lucky, I wish I could say the same..."

"You're going to the restaurant?" Minako arched her brow, Makoto sighed "Half a day—just to make an appearance." The blonde sighed, "You are one courageous lady." She turned to Kunzite and placed her hand on his cheek ever so sweetly and kiss him softly on the lips, being this the first time to show loving affections in public and silently confirming their relationship status to the others, "Let me know if anything happens."

"Will do," Kunzite smiled and nodded, and with that, the blonde and her friends walked out of the apartment, leaving the shitennou alone with Megumi. "Well, while we wait... I will go get myself another cup of coffee," the white-haired general turned to the kitchen only to walk back seconds later, startling his comrades, "Well, that was quick..." Jadeite arched his brow, Zoisite cracked a soft chuckle, "His face is pure confusion, what is the matter Kunzite?"

Kunzite sighed, "Does any of you know how to use that machine?"

"Oi," Jadeite frowned and blew his bangs, "We may be old, but, come on..."

"I will take care of it," Megumi took the dirty cups sitting on the coffee table, including Kunzite's and the other generals and walked back into the kitchen, surprising the four men, "Megumi, you know how to use that?" Nephrite asked with genuine surprise. The young maid shook her head and smiled, "No, but it is worth the try—we all need more coffee and if I managed to conquer the dust demon, I can conquer this machine too."

"Dust demon?" Nephrite frowned, "What is that?"

"Do not get me started—let us better focus on how to get more coffee out of this," Megumi turned and put to brew a new batch. All four generals smiled and nodded in agreement "We sure do Megumi, we sure do." Kunzite muttered, hopeful for a brighter day.

The Divinity Series is an M rated story, violence, cursing and intimacy may happen.

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