Divinity: Fates and the afterlife

Chapter Seventy-Five

"Second room to the left,"

Makoto sighed with relief as she walked with him down the hallway; she stood by the door and put a hand on his shoulder to stop him briefly, "Okay, I need to ask you something,"

"What?" Motoki blinked, startled. Jupiter took a deep breath, "Please, don't freak out."

Motoki frowned, finding her warning a little bizarre, "Why?"

Makoto sighed shook her head, "Just... don't freak out,"

"Mako, I'm a doctor, I've seen a lot of morbid cases, it's—" Motoki turned to slide the door open and looked at Usagi kissing Mamoru's swollen jaw. His green eyes widened with genuine shock when he saw his friend was all bruised and with cuts everywhere, not to mention with his hair unusually long and tousled, "What the hell happened to you!?"

Endymion and Serenity shared a quick knowing glance before looking at a very shaken Motoki walking inside the room shaking his head with expectancy. He turned to his wife and kissed her on the lips with a feathery touch and looked into her eyes lovingly, "Could you give me a moment with him? It won't be long,"

"M-Mamo-chan..."

"Please?"

Usagi felt a bolt of anxiety crawling in, she tightened her grip on his arm and felt her eyes burning with tears, "You promise me you won't go anywhere?"

Mamoru noticed. He felt it—the jolt of fear and desperation running through her body. Despite having their auras dormant, and gone back to as much normality as possible, he could feel her heartbeat fasten and her breathing turning quick and forced. Things were far worse and mortifying than he had initially thought. She was dealing with much more than just post-traumatic stress. Her kidnap and stay in hell, Athamas' abuse and several attempts to rape her, the miscarriage and their long separation had taken their toll on her. Usagi was emotionally exhausted by dealing with several stages of psychological trauma and try to keep herself afloat, and this was the harrowing result. He could feel it all and what was worse, he could see how she was slowly crashing down and quickly reacted by pulling her into a secure hug and kissed her temple, "It's okay, Usa, it's okay. I'm here."

"Please tell me this is not a dream..."

"I promise you it's not a dream. You're awake,"

"You're really here?"

"Yes, I'm really here,"

Usagi took a deep breath and exhaled, "I don't... I can't..."

"I'll be right here when you return, Usako. I swear." He pulled back to look into her eyes, "It's just for a little while, yes?" Mamoru cupped her cheek and watched her slowly nod with resignation. Usagi turned to get up from the futon and went to Motoki, who had also noticed the unusual behavior in his friend. She looked at him and gave him a quick but very tight hug, "I'm so glad... thank goodness you're okay, Onii-san. Thank you so much for coming,"

"Always, Usa-chan, I'm so glad to know you're alright too," Motoki felt a sting in his heart at her lack of response. Usually, she would have given him a smile or a little nudge, even told a little joke but nothing came, not even a nod. He pulled back and patted her shoulder gently, "I'll take care of him, don't worry."

The silver-haired princess nodded and walked out of the room with Makoto and Ami, who knew this was a moment they needed to have alone. Once the door was closed, Motoki turned to his friend sitting on the large futon and frowned like a big brother expecting a credible answer from his junior, "Well?!"

"I've been... busy..." Mamoru said between grunts as he tried to sit up straight. Motoki sighed and went to sit next to him, letting his duffle bag roll off his shoulder before putting it on the floor, "Busy getting your ass kicked?" He muttered as he started inspecting the cuts on his brow, cheek, his broken lip, and the swollen bruise on his jaw, "Seriously, what the hell happened to you Ma—" he frowned and pursed his lips, startling Mamoru, "Motoki?"

"No, no... I am not talking to Mamoru here," Motoki shook his head and pointed an accusing finger at him, "But I can't remember the name—the one I know is your real name, so I'll just keep pointing at you until I remember,"

"Good luck with that,"

"Shut up,"

"Motoki, seriously, you can call me Ma—"

"No, no—no,"

Mamoru crossed his arms, "You do realize you sound like an angry mother trying to scold a kid by using his whole name, right?" he narrowed his eyes, "Come on, Motoki, stop it. It's odd."

"Well, maybe I am. All this makes me very upset and you're the only one here to deal with my rage..." Motoki squinted his eyes, waiting for his friend's answer while he kept his finger straight pointing at him, forcing a sigh of defeat out of Mamoru, "Endymion,"

"That—" Motoki blinked with awe, "—Is a very damn cool name,"

"Uh..." Mamoru gave him a puzzled glance, "Thanks?"

"Seriously? That's your real name?"

"Mamoru is my real name too, Motoki."

"You know what I mean..." The blonde flicked his hand, "So... does it have a meaning?" He pursed his lips with dying curiosity, Mamoru arched his brow in a quizzical fashion, "Seriously, Motoki? Now?"

"Hey, this is all new to me despite knowing you for years. I recently found out you're freaking royalty," Motoki gave him an inquisitive glance, "You're so fucking full of surprises and it sounds too fancy to not have a meaning, so, come on, tell me,"

"Ugh," Mamoru rolled his eyes, "You can be so intense sometimes..."

"Well, you know me, I'm all about intensity," Motoki arched a brow, Mamoru sighed heavily, he was too exhausted to argue. Too exhausted to even try, "Sunset,"

"That's what it means?"

"Long story short: yes,"

"Seriously? All that means something so... simple?"

"Yes. Sorry to disappoint you,"

"Who gave you that name? An astral being?"

"The Titaness of Earth—so... yeah... I guess she's an astral being. If she's Helios' granddaughter..."

"Titaness?"

"Yes,"

"Wait, Titaness?"

"Yes,"

"You're a Titan?"

"No," Mamoru closed his eyes for a second, realizing he had said more than he would have wanted to, at least for now, "I was born—" he sighed, "Again, long story short: Yes—well, kind of."

"As in Titans from the myths you read in books?"

Mamoru sighed softly, "Yes," he frowned, "Wait, you're familiar with all of this?"

"Reika, man... she knows the whole shebang like the back of her hand,"

"Of course, I would expect it from her but you? But I am also aware she's a skeptic of all of this. She's a woman of science."

"Well, supposedly, you too, and here you are,"

"Touché,

"I know, it's not like her to avail these sorts of things. But she's been very invested in this matter ever since the idea of an ancient cosmic monarchy came to the light."

"I see..."

"But also, it's been all over the news," Motoki looked at his friend, "The archaeologist... she's fighting for your rights," Mamoru frowned with surprise, "What do you mean?"

"She's been talking non-stop how you are the protector of this planet and how you saved her life and also her father's... in the past? Something about finding a secret journal he had well-hidden with all these entries and notes describing a place he remembered living before and that you—Sunset—existed as the rightful Prince of Earth."

Mamoru widened his eyes with shock "Wait, what?"

"Dude..." Motoki tilted his head with confusion, "You haven't heard any of this?"

"No," Mamoru paled, still very much shocked with the news. Motoki gave him a strange glare, "Seriously, Mamoru, where have you been all this time?"

"Let's just say that I've been very far... far away,"

"Someplace I wouldn't understand?"

"Yeah... not for now at least," Mamoru frowned, "Has she said anything else?"

Motoki sighed softly, "Well... she mentioned that for what she read in her father's secret journals—as in more than once, describing his visions of a past life as a military man. I can't remember the name... she gave a name..."

"Casanova..." Mamoru muttered, trying to place the name with all his military peers, "I can't place that surname... it doesn't ring a bell so I can't imagine who he might have been. Obviously, his name changed with time." He shook his head and looked at his doctor friend with slight concern, one Motoki quickly picked up as he wrapped the thick velcro of his sphygmomanometer around his friend's left arm and started taking his blood pressure, "Don't worry, she hasn't said anything about you being Chiba Mamoru. But she's been showing proof of your existence—solid proof. Things she found down on those ruins that are perfectly paired to the things she discovered from her father's secret essays and journals. You're becoming quite a legend,"

Mamoru pursed his lips, not really sure how to take the news. This could complicate things, and what more, this could attract some unnecessary attention that would create more problems than solutions because he was well aware that finding out about people with divinity living on Earth was not a pill easy to swallow, much less monarchy with divine ancestry. With a nervous, but very cautious approach, Mamoru looked at Motoki, "And the response?"

"People are desperate, they want to believe... some are still hesitant, others hopeful. It's a cloud of confusion out there. They wonder that if you really exist, then why all is this happening. They want to put an identity—a face to this monarch or, protector. They don't know which term they are supposed to use when talking about you." Motoki bit his lower lip and gave his friend a much more serious glance, "Please, help me understand so I can help you," he narrowed his eyes, "Who are you?"

"I'm the same person you've been knowing for years, Motoki. Yes, I may be someone with... let's say, divine ancestry, but I was reborn and I'm not much different from what you see. Mamoru is my civilian name, Endymion my ancestral name, the one I take as a royal, but I'm the same person. It's like translating one word to a different language. That's all."

"So, it's not a Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of thing?"

Mamoru let out a weak smile, "No, it's not. I don't stop being one to become another so I don't care how you wish to call me. Of course, with everything that's been happening it's easier for everyone to call me Endymion but, I'm Mamoru. I'm still the guy that got his ass kicked and needs your help." He arched his brow, "I'm still your friend—I hope."

Motoki let out a hearty chuckle, one so full of sentiment and comradery; he turned and bumped Mamoru's shoulder with his fist in a brotherly fashion and sighed heavily, "The best. You're too cool Chiba Mamoru, or should I say, little ray of sunshine setting in the horizon?"

"Shut up," Mamoru sighed, "Ah, I knew telling you the truth would come and bite me in the ass sooner than later..."

"Well, you know me... I'll stop—for now," Motoki chuckled and exhaled heavily, allowing the gloomy truth of his condition to settle in, "But seriously, how the hell did you end up like this? 120/80—you're good." He took the velcro off Mamoru's arm, "They're still at it, aren't they? —These gods..." He gave his friend a weary glance, "This sudden and very strange weather... the quakes... it's all related to you, isn't it?"

"It is what I am fighting and trying to control," Mamoru clenched his jaw when he felt a shot of pain when Motoki helped him take the yukata enough to expose his upper body to examine the bruises on his chest, arms and back and check for any broken ribs when he touched the sore area around his wound, "I am trying to prevent from going it worse but things are complicated,"

"And you're exhausted,"

"Hmm..."

"Wait..." Motoki frowned when he finally noticed the gauze soaked with blood and widened his eyes, "So, you really got your ass kicked... Ami told me you were wounded but I didn't think it was something like this..."

"It could have gone worse..." Mamoru watched Motoki putting on a pair of latex gloves and leaned closer to examine the wound, "Mamoru, you got stabbed,"

"Yes,"

"And you've lost a considerable amount of blood,"

"Most likely,"

"It's not most likely, it's a fact—have you seen how freaking pale you are right now?"

"No,"

"How the fuck are you still conscious? This must be awfully painful,"

"It hurts like a moth—well, you get the idea,"

"Yeah, no shit... damn," Motoki frowned and looked at Mamoru, "You are a different species, Chiba Mamoru."

"Ha," Mamoru let out a weak chuckle when he understood the reference behind Motoki's playful comment, "Yeah... so I've been told,"

"Fortunately, there aren't any vital organs damaged, nor any major vessels jeopardized—I see it's a deep wound but you still managed to keep it from getting it worse. There is no infection," Motoki continued studying the wound for a few more seconds and drew back, "But I still need to clean and suture it to help it heal faster and to control the bleeding,"

"Go for it,"

"It won't be nice,"

"None of this is nice, Motoki."

"You got that right,"

Mamoru took the gauze from Motoki and kept putting pressure while he got everything ready. He knew this was going to be too graphic for Usagi to see, which was another good reason why he asked her to wait for him with the girls but the most important, the one he really wanted to dig deeper soon after came to the limelight as he watched his friend put on a new pair of gloves and a mask to cover his mouth before he took a more comfortable position to put the injection with anesthetic into his muscle.

"Thank you for helping her, Motoki." He squinted his eyes and gritted his teeth as he felt the solution going in. Motoki took a deep breath, knowing right away what Mamoru was talking about, "She told you..."

"I knew, but not from her..." Mamoru said between clenched teeth and exhaled, "She just told me and how you helped her with her tests and finding a specialist,"

Motoki nodded as he slowly kept pushing the last of the anesthetic solution and turned to throw the syringe into a bag to throw away later. The young doctor gave a few seconds to wait for the anesthesia to do its work and quickly grabbed the needle and surgical thread; he blinked and gave him a surprised glance before starting, "Wait, you knew?"

Mamoru nodded and looked down at his friend doing his surgical work with impeccable precision and care, "After I woke up from the coma, I found boxes of pregnancy tests hidden in the bathroom and later on, she started giving me all these secret hints that eventually led me to understand what happened to her but I was waiting for her to be ready to talk about it,"

"She was beyond petrified when she told me," Motoki said carefully as he saw another tiny knot with the thread, "She thought you were going to get mad and leave her—which I told her it was never going to happen,"

"Thank you," Mamoru clenched his teeth and grunted, Motoki arched his brow "Felt the needle?"

"Yeah..."

"Sorry, man... it's local, you know it's not that strong..."

"Yeah, I know... don't worry, I can take it. It's more the needle than the pain, actually,"

"Ah right... you have a thing with needles," Motoki started working on the next knot, "Childhood trauma,"

"Childhood trauma,"

"That's odd for a Titan, you know?"

"I was born human—both lifetimes, the titan thing has nothing to do with it,"

"Still, it's amusing,"

"Also an irony for someone who's a doctor, but, here we are." Mamoru sighed and closed his eyes, "...What was the medical diagnosis?"

Motoki glanced up at him quickly and then back at his work, "I asked Watanabe-san to take the case,"

"She's the best in the hospital," Mamoru gave his friend a faint smile, Motoki responded the same, "Yes, I knew you would have agreed with me on that—" he took a small pause to work on the knot and continued, "According to the results from the samples took and from how her blood tests came out, it all points that there was a hormonal disbalance—mismatched chromosomes. There was a genetic fault that caused an abnormality in the embryo. Watanabe-san told me it was most likely the embryo—"

"Never had a heartbeat,"

"Never had a heartbeat," Motoki nodded, "That's right. By the time she checked her and did the ultrasound, she saw there was no product inside, but dilation and curettage were still needed to take samples and dismiss other much more serious factors and also, take the remains of whatever remained. Fortunately, despite not getting medical attention right away, there was no infection so it was a fast procedure with no complications. She was given a list of recommendations to follow and meds to take but..." Motoki cut the thread once he finished with the last suture and pulled back with a heavy sigh, "By how things are, I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't follow them."

"Yeah..." Mamoru lowered his gaze, "That sounds very possible..."

"I'm very sorry, Mamoru." Motoki noticed the sadness washing over his best friend, "For you and Usa-chan. I am truly sorry for your loss. In all my time working as a doctor... this is the first time I've cried over a loss, it really got to me. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you two." The blonde gave his friend a very empathic glance, "How are you?"

"Heartbroken. I can't find my nerves of steel to deal with this. It's difficult to process. Difficult to believe... hard to accept." Mamoru pressed his lips in a tight line and patted his friend's shoulder, "Thank you, Motoki. For everything."

"She may be Sailor Moon, the kickass heroine, but she's also my little sister, it was my duty as her oniisan."

"I know, Motoki, that's why I'm relieved to know she went to you for help,"

"How is she now? She was very distressed when she talked to me about it," Motoki started to clear the area and put everything inside the same small plastic bag, including his latex gloves. Endymion took a deep breath and put his yukata again to cover his chest, "She feels responsible... she's scared that it will happen again or that I may want to walk out of the relationship if she doesn't get pregnant. But that truly is the least of my concerns. I care for her and I know it will take time for her to regain confidence, but I'll do everything I can to support her and help her heal. I know all that has happened has taken too much toll on her and she's exhausted—physically and emotionally."

"I noticed," Motoki nodded, "She's dealing with traumatic stress,"

"Worse, it's much worse," Mamoru sighed, "And I'm the one responsible for it. I should have been there... all this..." He rubbed the bridge of his nose, finally purging the emotional tension he had been keeping under control for his wife's sake. He shook his head, trying his best not to break in front of his friend but the pain was too wrenching to be kept under control. Motoki leaned closer and gave Mamoru a fraternal hug of support and allow his friend to be vulnerable and shed the emotional strain for the loss of his baby and all that has happened to them. "It's okay, Mamoru, you have to let it out too. That's what friends are for. This is so damn painful, you're allowed to cry too, my Brother." Motoki said lowly, him also being caught in the sadness to hear his always calm friend break into heavy sobs.

"Motoki..." Mamoru took a couple of breaths to regain composure and looked up with glossy eyes, "We'll take care of all this mess but... but... if anything happens to me—"

"Don't you fucking dare," Motoki pointed a finger at him, "Don't you fucking dare think that way, do you hear me?!"

"I know I can count on Kunzite. I know I can count on Jadeite, Zoisite, Nephrite... the girls..." Mamoru stared at him, tears still streaming down his face. If there was someone besides Usagi that had seen Mamoru in his worst, it was Furuhata Motoki. The only friend he trusted wholeheartedly.

"But you..." Mamoru half-smiled, as if ashamed of his current condition. "You became the friend I needed when I felt my most alone. When I couldn't trust anyone; when I was my most confused. Beyond the wealth, beyond the power, you made me see that everything I did was well worth it—you helped me find her, the girl of my dreams. Not the divine princess, but the girl that would bring sense to my life. I fell for Usagi the very moment my eyes bore into hers. Since the very first day I met her, you helped me make it happen—to be with her. I wouldn't be this happy if it wasn't for you, Motoki, and I can't thank you enough for every single thing you have done and you still do for me—for us."

"Why the hell are you like this?!" Motoki felt his green eyes burn with tears, "Ah, goddammit Mamoru—you, En—ah fuck, I forgot again..."

"Endymion,"

"Damn you, Sunshine!" Motoki pushed him back and rubbed his eyes to dry his own tears. Mamoru cracked a choked laugh and did the same while drying his tears with his sleeve, "Jerk,"

Motoki sighed and shook his head, "Douche,"

"When I say you are family, I mean it. Usagi knows this—as her oniisan, please..."

"Mamoru,"

"I have caused her too much fucking pain, Motoki, too much," Mamoru said with a quiver in his voice, "And she doesn't deserve it—any of this. This isn't what I promised her at the altar..." He rested his head on his hands, his fingers curling tight in his hair as he closed his eyes, expressing his frustration, "I can't lie to you Motoki, I'm scared—I'm very scared of losing her to this madness. I don't even know where to start... I don't know how to help her. I failed her."

"You didn't fail her. But, the best way to start making amends is by not thinking something is going to happen to you." Motoki sighed, "You need to stay. Stay to keep up your promise to her. Forget about anything else, just focus on being present and fight with everything you have to make things better—to make things right. Make all this worth. All this pain, all these wounds can't go unnoticed, they have to pay." Motoki patted his friend's shoulder, "I know you're scared, you love her. She's your wife. It's perfectly normal. But right now, you have to be strong for both. Women are so freaking amazing. But yours is not just any woman, and she's not going through common stuff. She needs help, yes, but she also needs a rock to grab on, one stable ground to stand on and you are that stable ground. You are her rock, Mamoru."

Mamoru took a deep breath, still with his head low and his eyes shut, "I know..."

"And if you feel like breaking, that's when I come in." Motoki pulled his friend closer and shook him a little, "That's what bros are for. If you feel like weeping, I got tissues,"

Mamoru shook his head "I'm good, thanks."

"Ah, come on... I've seen you cry before, come on, let it out," Motoki's voice took a much serious tone, "You need to shed that guilt so you can move on. You can't swallow everything, that's not healthy."

"None of this is healthy, Motoki." Mamoru sniffed, slowly releasing his hair and looking up. His cheeks flushed for so much crying as he leaned back. He rubbed his hands over his face to dry his tears and cleared his throat, "Thank you for everything, Motoki." He turned to his friend, "You also need to take care and be with Reika. I'll do everything I can to keep you out of danger,"

"All I ask is not to carry everything on your shoulders. This sounds so fucking epic but I know it's a very serious matter." Motoki tried to keep the lightness of his humor to make this conversation less emotional but every single word Mamoru was telling him hit him like a ton of bricks because he could see it—the power manifesting within him. He noticed the change of color in his eyes and he finally decoded the meaning behind the 'mysterious' vibe everyone always said he had, but he also could see how aside all of this, he was still his best friend and how much in pain he was right now.

"I won't ask much else because I know there will be things far too complicated for me to understand. I know all of you are on a different level than the rest of us—than me. You have powers no one else has, but I don't care Mamoru. You are my best friend. I don't care if you're royalty—whatever you are—I don't fucking care. I care for my Bro, so you better kick their asses." He gently smacked his friend's cheek twice in a brotherly fashion and moved back, "Reika is determined to help too in any way that she can, so she's working with the archaeologist to do serious damage control."

Endymion widened his blue eyes, "What? Wait... she knows?"

"She's convinced now more than ever that you exist—I know, her, the skeptic, science girl. But after all that's been happening, she finally accepted it, but she doesn't know it's you." Motoki sighed, "Although, I think I will have to break my code of loyalty to you guys and tell her who you are, once this is all over."

"Of course, it's only fair." Mamoru sighed "But right now, keep the secret a while longer for your safety." He frowned, "You need to be with her, Motoki."

"I am. We've been staying with her parents at one of their houses on the outskirts of Tokyo—she's safe but she's stubborn and to make things more interesting, I am stubborn too. We talked about this Mamoru. This isn't something I simply decided on my own; we both agreed I am needed here—I don't have the powers you do, but I can protect and save of people in other ways, this is my way to fight this battle with you."

Mamoru smiled, "I value your courage and I thank you. Thank you for your support and for not seeing us like strangers," Motoki chuckled, "Nah, to me you are all a bunch of awesome people—your Bros too." His smirk slowly faded with worry, "Mamoru, be honest with me... what do you think will be the aftermath of all this?"

Mamoru shook his head, still perplexed himself with the bomb of information he still had in his mind to process, "I honestly don't know, Motoki."

"What will happen to you?" The blonde made his question more specific, "It's kind of a given that you won't return to your ordinary life as a doctor working in a hospital from 8 to 8—you're past that stage."

"I don't know, Motoki," Mamoru gave his friend a weak smile, "Maybe I will. Perhaps not with the same structured schedule, but..."

"That's not going to be easy," Motoki frowned, "You are much more than just that, dude."

"I'm still me,"

"Yes, but you are also doing this amazing thing on the side,"

"Motoki, I—" Mamoru's deep blue eyes widened by the blonde's unexpected interruption, "Listen, Mamoru. I know you worked really hard to be where you are as a 'regular' citizen, trust me, I totally understand. But you need to realize that you are a doctor in a much bigger scale. You heal and take care of the whole planet and that's something no one else can do but you. What are you so afraid of?"

"I am not afraid, Motoki." Mamoru took a deep breath, "I just don't want to make the same mistakes,"

"I think you were given enough time and experiences to learn how not to repeat them, as an orphan kid, as a lonely guy, as a thief, and later a masked hero—your priorities and ethics are now very well set and grounded," Motoki gave him a confident smile, "You're not alone anymore. You can finally put your trust in many hands, not just mine's but the girls, your fellow friends, and most importantly, Usagi's."

Mamoru's lips curved in a grateful smile, faint but charged with emotion. Motoki's words fitted like a glove, he knew what to say because he also knew what it was like to be alone in a room full of people. Motoki knew what it was like to feel a man that somehow was never good enough to do or become someone; from the loss of his father to his strained relationship with his step-father and the things he had to do make way for him to be a different person from what he was expected to be. What his family wanted him to become, and actually succeed. Unlike him, Motoki opted for a much more positive take on life and even when sometimes he faked it, he always had a smile on his face. Always.

He was from a family that worked hard so they didn't have to worry about money and while they owned two successful businesses, he was not even close to matching Reika's nor Mamoru's status and wealth but he never felt intimidated or less than them. He never showed off his own success, he never tried to prove anything, and he never felt like he needed to compete with them.

Motoki always sensed Mamoru was not an ordinary guy. Since the very first day he watched him deal with Usagi's overexcited rants that quickly picked up as poor attempts to mask the heavy crush she had on the dark-haired young man, he knew there was something about him, that at the time, he couldn't put his finger on but eventually found out the heavy baggage of life experience and wealth he was carrying over his shoulders. Later on, it came the truth about a secret identity he created to look for answers he still needed to find.

People always asked him, his friends—Endou, included, and later on, Reika, how come he—a college student—was such good friends with a high-school student. Why he treated him more like an equal, rather than a senpai looking after a *kōhai and his answer was always the same: He understands.

Mamoru understood life and Motoki really wanted to learn how to do it too. The young man didn't act his age, he always had this elite personality and controlled behavior in check. He was often misunderstood as arrogant, pompous, even conceited, and it was easy to figure out why. He rarely ever raised his voice, he was always on his own and before he started dating Usagi, he never got himself involved in any social events, in fact, he avoided them. He knew when to say no and he wasn't afraid of the outcome. To everyone, Mamoru was cold, but in reality, he was the perfect example of an introvert and surprisingly to many, he was very easy going once one got to know him.

To Motoki, Mamoru was a master of patience and respect and since the moment he crossed words with him, he was instantly intrigued by his quiet personality. He always wondered how him being two years older than his younger comrade couldn't see life the same way. Mamoru may not be the most expressive person but he had a level of compassion and empathy that went far beyond any of his other friends had. With time and without really trying much, Mamoru started to open up and become more of a brother than a friend to him. Unlike his college friends, whom he still cares about, Mamoru was always there showing his support without really expecting anything in return.

When he had a bad day at the arcade or the parlor, Mamoru was there to cheer him up and even stepped in to help him when he was short on staff—especially on Valentine's day, when Motoki knew he could take advantage of his good looks to lure more customers to the parlor despite knowing his friend didn't like the exaggerated attention. Mamoru put his pet-peeves it in the back of his mind and did it anyway—for years—for him. When he had trouble studying for his exams, Mamoru was there to teach him fast reading and memorizing techniques to improve the quality of content in his essays. When he had a bitter argument with his step-father, the first person he'd call would be Mamoru because he always had the words he needed to hear, good or bad, he always knew how to bring him peace of mind and put his feet on the ground.

Mamoru always understood. When he graduated med-school; when he secured his residency and later when he got his fellowship at the hospital. When he wanted to take his relationship with Reika to the next level. When he got engaged; when he got married, and even when he got involved in a brawl in a bar a couple of years ago, of all of his friends, the one he called for backup was Mamoru, and later, at 3 in the morning, they were having coffee and lounging in one of the booths at the empty crown parlor with bruises and a broken lip laughing and talking about what happened.

Mamoru always had his back and he was always there to celebrate his achievements or to scold him when he showed any lack of sensitivity or thought with his life choices. Strangely enough, the kōhai had taken the role of senpai, despite the age difference. Over the course of ten plus years, Mamoru gave Motoki the confidence to stay true to himself and in the end, he did it—he taught him how to understand life. Now, with all this knowledge, mastered patience, and great love and respect for life, Motoki had to stay strong and be there for his friend because now, it was him who needed help. A man that despite having the world's fate in his hands—literally—was his one true and loyal friend.

No wonder why he had this unbreakable patience and sense of responsibility—he thought to himself as he watched Mamoru battling to keep his long fringe away from his face. He pointed his finger at him and paired his narrowed eyes with a frown, "Wait a minute... is this why you became an internist?"

"What?" Mamoru blinked startled, "No,"

"Yes, you did!" Motoki grinned. Mamoru sighed softly, "Honestly? I chose to be an internist because the schedule was less strict than the one of a surgeon, like you."

"Nah, you knew this the whole time," Motoki squinted his green eyes with wonder, "You knew this was a metaphor as who you were in reality. This was all part of your plan..."

"My plans are as volatile as a leaf in the wind, Motoki. They are always changing—any of this wasn't a plan of mine. Trust me." Mamoru cracked a light chuckle as he leaned his back on the wall and slowly crossed his arms, "After this, another chapter starts, yes. I can even dare to say that I will try to give Usa a much normal life as possible but..." he shrugged his shoulders again, "We haven't crossed that bridge to figure things out, just yet."

"Well, yes, that I get. But, what do you want?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"What I want?" Mamoru sighed, "I just want all this to be over."

"Okay, and then?" Motoki looked at him with interest, Mamoru shrugged one shoulder, "Find a way to adapt this change into our lives in the most positive way possible. I know it won't be the same as before, I know some things will have to change but..."

"You want to still keep some kind of anonymity—of normalcy—so to speak."

"Yes,"

"Sounds fair," Motoki puffed some air from his cheeks, "Do you think it could be possible?"

"I don't know, it's much worth the try," Mamoru pursed his lips, "If there are still many people among socialites that know who Chiba Mamoru is, but doesn't have a single idea of what I look like. I think I can go down that route and work things out. At least to give me time to think about how to make a smooth transition and not something that just happens overnight."

"That's a good point—mature as expected from you." Motoki nodded, "But, what if you have to make public appearances as a royal?"

"Do I look like a royal to you now?" Mamoru arched his brow; Motoki glanced him up and down and shook his head, "Not with that beat-up face, and that oddly long hair, no,"

Mamoru cracked a weak chuckle, "Thanks,"

"Well, it's the truth," Motoki leaned closer and turned Mamoru's face to the side to pay a closer look on the prince's bruise on his jaw and broken lip, "This is the first time I've seen you like this," he squinted his green eyes, "Man, you got really smashed up," he looked at his friend as he leaned back, "I really hope you left whoever did this to you worse looking,"

"Yeah... well..." Mamoru sighed, "I won't go too much into details,"

Motoki pursed his lips, "That kind of gives it away," he exhaled with slight annoyance, "Ugh, you never change, you're too damn prudent."

"Hm," Endymion touched the cut on his lip with the tip of his tongue and made a grimace "To answer your previous question. Did you ever suspect Usa was Sailor Moon before you found out the truth?"

"No,"

"Did you ever recognize me either with the tuxedo or as Endou?"

"No," Motoki shook his head and frowned, "Glad you brought him back, by the way,"

"Yeah..." Endymion pursed his lips with shame, "Sorry about that."

"Meh, we weren't that close anyway," Motoki chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, "He started dating a girl that took most of his time not long after all that happened, so we ended up losing contact,"

"That girl being Nikita,"

"Yeah... Nikita," Motoki blushed, "That devil woman... she really went under my skin,"

"Just your skin?" Mamoru grinned with mockery, "Come on, Motoki,"

"Don't get me started with you. Mr. Chieko," Motoki cracked a laugh at Mamoru's change of color in his cheeks, "Ah, I hit a nerve, huh? So, you were saying?"

"Unlike you with Nikita," Mamoru narrowed his eyes, "I never slept with Chieko,"

"You didn't have to. She did more than enough to leave you all messed up for quite some time," Motoki crossed his arms and waggled his brows, "As I told you, we all have a past,"

"Yeah, sure, Mr. Carcass,"

"That's me, alright,"

"So, Endou—this will set the perfect example," Mamoru narrowed his eyes, completely ignoring Motoki's triumphant grin, "Did you ever connect the resemblance between me and who I was as Endou?"

"No,"

"And did you find a resemblance when the girls weren't using their senshi uniform?"

"No, not that I can..." Motoki widened his eyes with genuine awe, "...Remember..."

Mamoru tilted his head and gave him an assertive glance. Motoki gaped his mouth with shock, "Hold on... does it mean you can make us forget?"

"No,"

"Then, what is it? You can conceal that power?"

"Something like that—it's an energy called Aura-the ancestry attached to our soul. When the girls transform, they unleash their divine aura to become senshi and use their powers—the same applies to me."

"So, what? It's like a trick to keep that power concealed?"

"No, it's more like keeping it dormant to stay low-key."

"Is it possible?"

"More than concealing, it is how divinity works on people." Mamoru leaned his head back, "Deities cannot be seen unless they choose to communicate or to be noticed. If I let my—" he air quoted, "'Presence,' or in this case, 'Aura', go fully active and we met, and then later that day when I am not doing it anymore, you wouldn't think you spoke to the same person. You would think of me as someone else because we would be in a different level of reality. My presence manifests in a different way when I am in such a state."

"Whoa..." Motoki scratched his head, "So it's more like a subtle illusion, kind of memory,"

"Something like that,"

"And Usa-chan can do that too?"

"Yes, better than anyone," Mamoru nodded, "All of us can do it; it's a simple technique. We just keep our auras dormant."

"So... right now..."

"Right now, I am keeping it as much low-key as possible. I can't fully put it dormant because I am monitoring other things going on."

"How can I tell?"

"With you works slightly different because we aren't hiding anything from you. After you found out who we were, we didn't even bother. That's why you could tell it's us anytime we 'transformed'. I know you can see the difference."

"Yes, I can. But that also explains why people can't quite figure out your identities despite all of you showing your face—well, with the exception that you did wear a mask."

"Yes, but also to be fair, it is quite hard to remember a face you barely get to see but to put it simply, yes, that is how it works."

"Damn..."

"Divinity is complex. it's an ancient ritual; that is why there are shrines but no one could actually see the deities so easily... not unless they allowed it."

"That is a very smart move, Mamoru. Although it may need a lot of thought and strategy, not to mention coordination." Motoki let out a soft sigh; Mamoru shrugged his shoulders, "I know, but I think it's a better solution than actually considering wearing a mask to keep the anonymity every time I am in public—if I need to be, that is. I think creating a false identity is worse than just keeping a low profile. I want to keep things in the clear but I don't need the attention, I don't want a shrine of worship, I don't want to become a celebrity—I don't care about any of that and neither does Usa. We just want to move on with our lives in peace and make an appearance when it's highly needed." The prince rubbed the bridge of his nose when he started feeling a strong headache coming, "I know my place Motoki. People will have questions, and it's likely it will be necessary for me to stand under a spotlight and that's fine, but I have a duty I must excel at, and I know I can do it without much old-fashioned royal fanfare following me behind like a ghost. It's a dream, I know, but again, it's something we won't know how to handle until we get to cross that bridge."

"It sounds very plausible," Motoki crossed his arms, "You're smart, you'll figure things out."

"Let's hope."

Motoki took a deep breath and started to notice the exhaustion in his friend's appearance. He turned to put his things in his duffle bag and that is when he noticed the sword and attached blade leaning on the wall next to him and it hit him. In just a fraction of a second, it made him understand the gravity of the situation and what was needed to be done for all this to be in fact, over. For Mamoru's words to actually become a reality.

For a moment he managed to put his brotherly view of Mamoru aside and actually see what Endymion was really about, what his name actually meant and stood for among the things he was doing for their sake and it shook him. Not sure why, the blonde doctor felt an itch, and undying curiosity to get to see the weapon closely as if he was still trying to come to terms with all the things he had been discovering about all of them over the last couple of months. Maybe he couldn't believe that it was an actual murder weapon because he had never seen Mamoru using one, he didn't know he could. Maybe it was the wonder of seeing something he was sure had a divine connotation with his eyes, the things his wife was still trying to study and understand.

Motoki slowly leaned until he was just inches away to touch the hilt of the long and elegant sword when Mamoru's hand grabbed his wrist to stop him. Motoki slowly turned to look at his friend, who had his head low and eyes closed. It took him a few seconds to open his deep prismatic blue eyes and turned to him with a warning look on his face, silently asking him not to touch it.

Motoki drew back, still taken aback by the unexpected action from him and frowned, "Is it yours?" His voice finally put all jokes aside and it was left with pure concern and amaze. Finally allowing himself to see past the strong bond and camaraderie between them and talk to him with the respect he deserved. Mamoru gave Motoki a single nod and noticed the dread in his friend's green eyes, "Yes."

"And... have you—"

"In said ancient life, I was trained to excel with weapons and martial arts and had the discipline and teachings of a military man in order to serve and protect that kingdom the archaeologist found in ruins. The same one she is trying to defend and wish to come back to its former glory. I faced death more times you can imagine, I know the smell of gore. But despite being the path I chose for myself, I was a man lost in the aftermath of a war that found love and redemption with a goddess, and not just any goddess—the best of all." Mamoru made a short pause, "Ever since I woke up in that hospital room, I felt confused for not remembering any of that life I chose for me in the past but somehow, I still felt trapped between two realities with one being a complete mystery. I always felt something was missing until I found Usagi—my girl of the hair of moonbeam. It all came back to me but now, there is a difference... I know my purpose. I finally know who I am and why I was granted to be reborn. It's a second chance to live with freedom." His blue eyes landed on the sword carefully leaning on the wall, "That weapon has mystical origins and it immediately reacts to whoever touches it... it can burn you. My duty is to use it the same way the divines that wielded it before me did to protect those they held dear. Usagi is my life, all of you my family. There is a planet that needs to be protected and that is what my name means—to guide and to protect. Like the sun setting in the horizon until the moon can come up and bask us with its soothing and cleansing light."

Motoki felt a chill down his spine, the low tone in the prince's voice was enough proof to believe he was strong enough to set things right. He was proud, he felt proud to be by his side while all this is happening, while his life is set to be changed, once again.

"You let them know this planet isn't theirs to take," his green eyes gleamed with unshed tears, "And you better stay safe to look after my little sister, do you hear me, Endymion?"

The prince smiled and gave him a sure nod, "I will, Motoki."

"And also, kick their asses for me too, will you?"

"Of course,"

Motoki quickly switched again, bringing back a much more familiar ambiance, "But, really do it."

"Promise," Mamoru chuckled, "It's weird, you calling me Endymion."

"Why? You prefer if I didn't?"

"Nah, it's cool. It's just... I don't know, it's you."

"This is me being serious."

"I get it, but again, it's you."

"I am actually kind of getting a hold of it. It makes sense why everyone calls you Endymion when things are this serious."

"Well..." Mamoru shrugged his shoulder, "To me is the same. It actually started with Usa calling me Endymion after I came back from the coma, but now I realize everyone jumped on the train for some reason, I don't mind it, but I know this might be so damn confusing and too much to process for you,"

"After a while, I caught the hang of it, don't worry. I'll switch it too from time to time, just to keep things interesting. Actually, I think I should get myself one of those fancy names..." Motoki chuckled. Mamoru laughed, "Alright, sounds fair."

"Ami told me Usa-chan's name is Serenity,"

"Yes,"

"She's not just Sailor Moon, right?"

"No. She is the Goddess of the Moon,"

"Damn," Motoki narrowed his eyes, "You sure are an amusement to fate,"

"Oh, you have no idea." Mamoru sighed, "It's a very long story,"

"Well, I'll have all the time in the world to listen to it once this is all over. Trust me, I do want to know."

Mamoru chuckled, "You got it." Motoki arched his brow "Beers?"

"Where?"

"Where else? My favorite bar ever, of course,"

"The small one in that back alley by your old apartment?" Mamoru laughed, "You still don't learn, do you?"

"Well, if I need a wingman to throw some punches, I know I can call you. Just make sure not getting stabbed..."

Mamoru chuckled, "Sure," he took a much more relaxed breath and exhaled, "Man... I could really use a beer right now,"

Motoki blew his bangs, "Me too. There's so much to talk about,"

"Yeah," Mamoru nodded, "I also wish I had a chance to go back to the apartment..."

Motoki nodded, "I suppose you would like to have some clean clothes,"

"Yes," Mamoru pursed his lips, "But it's also because there are a few things I would like to keep safe—the clothes, well Rei already gave me this... so... I might take her offer and become an apprentice at the shrine for a while,"

"How much more comfortable can it get than that?" Motoki laughed, infecting Mamoru with his joyful chuckles, "It's actually pretty comfortable,"

"Okay," Motoki crossed his arms, "So, what is that you want to keep safe?"

"The watch Usa gave me for my birthday last year, I don't want to lose it. My wallet, phone—mostly personal things."

"Ahh yeah..." Motoki widened his green eyes, "The cosmic one, right? That is one hell of a watch," Mamoru nodded, "It is, like the mugs,"

"Who would have thought Chiba Mamoru was a sentimental man when it came to things like these?" Motoki narrowed his eyes, Mamoru smiled, "Those aren't just things for me. They mean something very special,"

"Don't worry Bro, I'll go get them and keep them safe," Motoki patted his friend's shoulder "I still have your key hidden somewhere in my apartment. I had to make several copies because Usa-chan always asked me if I had a spare one because she had lost hers..."

"Yes," Mamoru sighed, "By now, half of Tokyo must have found a key to our apartment,"

Motoki laughed. He admitted to himself that he was deeply glad none of this other part of his life had changed a bit of who he is. He could see it, the same genuine and simple personality underneath the layers of mystery that have always characterized Mamoru. It surprised him how any of this made him lose ground or focus, or how he didn't show any specks of weakness or even fear. Sure, he was worried but who wouldn't? —he thought. Mamoru had the weight of the world over his shoulders, and even when hurt and with a long road ahead of him, he looked like he could see the experience in his eyes and in the way he spoke his words with caution and straight to the point. This is something he has done before, a very long time ago, it was crystal clear.

O—o—O

"I feel like It's been a long time since we ate something," Makoto turned to Nephrite, then to Rei "Should I go cook us some proper dinner?"

Minako propped her chin on the hand she had resting on the coffee table and let out a soft sigh, "For the first time in I don't know how long, that actually sounds like a very good idea." She turned to Usagi who was taking a slow and elegant sip of her tea and smiled with relief. It had taken a while for her to calm down but she was finally feeling a little more like herself. Ever since her return from Inferno, which, in Minako's mind it was not something too easy or simple to put aside, Usagi had a thick cloud of remorse hovering over her that is was becoming harder to fight the more time it passed. In the middle of somberness, every now and then she found peace, but now, with the prince back, it also came resolution.

Makoto nodded and turned to Rei, "Got anything for me to make?" Rei smiled gladly, "The kitchen is all yours, Mako-chan, go do your magic. There should be enough to make a hearty stew—we could use the heat since it's too cold outside,"

"Sorry about that, Rei. I am still working on it,"

Megumi widened her eyes and quickly turned to find the prince standing in the corridor, "Your Highness!"

All eyes were fixed on Mamoru, who was leaning on Motoki's shoulder for support as they walked into the living room. Usagi widened her eyes and sprinted to his aid, "Mamo-chan! Why are you up?!" She whispered with worry; Mamoru found the pout on her rosy lips adorable, "You didn't come to me, so I decided to come to you. I swore, didn't I?" Usagi's eyes gleamed with tears and gave him a warm smile; Motoki turned to his little sister, "He's stubborn, he wanted me to come to get you,"

"Him? No..." Jadeite waved his hand as he pushed himself off the ground to go to help the young doctor, "But he is so well behaved... like a teddy bear,"

Motoki grinned with enthusiasm, following the gag along, "Right, right... he is a little ray of sunshine,"

"Hey, that too!" Jadeite smirked a toothy grin as he helped the prince keep his balance allowing Motoki to step aside.

"I forgot how similar you two actually are..." Mamoru narrowed his deep blue eyes while staring at Motoki, "I should have never told you what it meant..."

"Sorry, Bro," Motoki chuckled, "I had to go for it. It was-right-there..."

Jadeite and Nephrite helped Mamoru take a seat on the carpet between Minako and Ami, who wasted no time in examining the wound Motoki just stitched close. Usagi giggled and turned to Motoki, "You're talking about his name, right?" The doctor nodded, "Yeah, he told me..."

"Furu-chan," Usagi held his arm, "I—"

"Let me say something first," Motoki tapped Usagi's nose gently, "I know you're the Moon Goddess, and I always thought you being Sailor Moon is the most awesome thing ever—but to me—nothing changes. You will always be my little sister, just as much he's always going to be a brother to me." He sighed, "I would say little because he's younger than me but we know he stole the role of older brother way long ago."

"Yeah, that's so true..." Usagi let out a soft chuckle, "We're too much for him at times,"

"That we are," Motoki smiled, "But, in our defense, he's a lot to handle too."

"Motoki-oniisan, I really have no words to express my gratitude for everything you have done for us," Usagi said softly as she looked into his green eyes, "We will make things right, I promise."

"I know you will, Usa-chan," Motoki rested his palm over her head, "I believe in you." He peered a quick glance at his friend talking to Kunzite and the others and sighed softly. "He always has had a strong sense of responsibility but there is no doubt that you are his rock. You keep him grounded, but you also encourage him to dream and that's amazing; you are his safe haven."

Usagi widened her eyes with awe, "Motoki-oniisan..."

"Please Usa-chan, leave the guilt behind. You two need to move past it but you have to do it together. He's mourning and hurting too. But it's not fair for neither of you to stay in this emotional slump. You need to take care of each other. You need to keep dreaming because it's what will brighten the future for the rest of us, but most importantly, it will set you free."

Usagi felt her eyes burning with unshed tears and nodded slowly. She leaned closer to him and took a deep breath, "I know,"

"Do they know?" Motoki pulled her closer and rested his arm over her shoulders, Usagi sighed softly, "Besides you and Mamo-chan, just Ami-chan and Minako-chan."

"Are you going to tell them what happened?"

"I don't know. I don't think I can go over the topic again, not for now at least. It's still very painful and I feel is something I can only talk with Mamo-chan,"

"Totally understandable, and I think you should." Motoki nudged her gently, "He wants that—he needs that, Usa-chan. Give him that right, let him help you."

"I will," Usagi leaned her head on his shoulder, "I love you, Furu-chan. I don't know what we would do without you. You stay with us even when we are a total mess,"

"I love you too, Usa-chan. To me, it's always been so awesome that you allowed me to be part of this secret. I am very grateful and lucky to count you all as my friends." Motoki kissed her head in a brotherly fashion and nudged her again, "So, tell me... that sword he has in that room... can he really use it?" Usagi blinked and looked at him, "You saw it,"

"It was in its sheath, I tried to grab it but—" Motoki gave her a curious glance when he saw her shaking her head nervously, "Oh no, no, no, don't touch it—it can seriously burn you."

"He told me that," Motoki frowned with curiosity, "But he didn't tell me why..."

"It is a direct conduit between him and the Sun. He passes energy into it and uses it to fight the darkness and impurities with its strong light. The fire coming from it is sacred, so it's best if no one touches it because it can ignite and cause a disaster. Plus, it's freakishly sharp and heavy, despite its sleek appearance."

"Really?"

"Yes,"

"You've held it before?" Motoki widened his green eyes, Usagi nodded with melancholy, "Yes... once... a long time ago. It didn't end well."

"Ah,"

She gave him a weak smile, "But, he taught me once how to fight with it..."

"Wow..." Motoki blinked, "You two sure are something out of this world."

Usagi regained her position with her head on his shoulder and let out a soft sigh, "Mamo-chan is very strong Furu-chan. He has proven it many times before and not just in terms of physical strength." Her arm held his tightly, "And that sword... he doesn't know how to use it... he masters it. It really is something to see him using it."

Motoki smirked with pride and nodded when he thought of their previous conversation, "Damn it, Chiba Mamoru," he shook his head, still showing awe and wonder, "You're really fit to do this and make it look cool."

O—o—O

Endymion stopped by the coffee table to sit down, not before greeting Setsuna who happened to be the closest to him. She looked at him with so much curiosity settled in her deep garnet eyes and took a deep breath, "I have so many questions I want to ask you..."

"Yes?" Endymion turned to her, Setsuna exhaled, "I sensed the keys I gave you at the gates were used but I couldn't understand how it wasn't you."

"It was me, Setsuna." Mamoru nodded, "I used them—I prayed for you and your father to listen... but, I didn't use them for my benefit."

"You found him..."

"Yes,"

"He's was the second key,"

"Yes,"

"Did Hades send you back?"

"No,"

"Then who—"

"Serenity did."

Setsuna sighed with relief, "I am more than glad to see you here, but that does not justify the risk on your actions,"

Mamoru gave the soldier of time a complicit smile, "Aren't we enough risk just by the fact of being who we are?" The underline of his words gave a much deeper meaning to the context of their little argument, it was something only they could share, something only they could truly understand. A silent bond, one that gave Setsuna all kinds of feelings rushing under her skin. She couldn't fight the slight blush tainting her cheeks, a sign that she was more than just overwhelmed and it cursed it in silence because she knew better than anyone that whatever it was, it was not a wise thing to pursue or pay attention to.

"You better than anyone understands this," Mamoru said softly, most for them to listen than the rest to understand, giving true value to their conversation. Setsuna let out a soft sigh and nodded, "I do, I truly do... I can't argue that with you."

"There is more to this conversation but..." Mamoru smiled, Setsuna nodded, "I know. One thing at a time,"

"Thank you, Setsuna, for everything."

"Thank you for keeping your word. She missed you."

"And I missed her, terribly."

Mamoru smiled and turned to Michiru, who responded to his silent greet with a warm smile and noticed the tension in Haruka's face as she tried her best to look somewhere else. Choosing to ignore the slight awkwardness between them, Mamoru turned to cup Hotaru's cheek gently, "I'm glad to see you're alright, Hotaru-chan,"

"It's the other way around, Mamoru-san, we were very worried." Hotaru smiled as she stood up to help him keep his balance as he slowly sat on the floor, a gesture Mamoru found truly endearing from the young senshi since she always seems to be taken as someone cold and distant when in fact, she was incredibly sweet and mellow. The senshi of silence, dressed in her usual dark choices of clothing, this time tunic dress and knee-high stockings, shook her head, "I have no words to justify what—" she shook her head and took a deep breath, "I am awfully ashamed for how things hap—" her violet eyes widened when she felt his hand pinching her cheek gently, "It wasn't you, Hotaru-chan. It was something I had to do. I was aware of the consequences but I had to limit any sort of explanation to avoid more problems at the time. I thank you for your support, I couldn't trust anyone for such task but you and I will forever be grateful—and please, leave all protocol aside, you don't need that with me. None of you do..."

Everyone was feeling the familiar warmth settle back in, everyone but Haruka. With Mamoru's comment, she felt a strong sting in her chest and it was not because she didn't feel glad that he was back, but on the contrary. It was more because she knew there was unfinished business, something it didn't end when she apologized to Usagi. Michiru had been reminding her something she had clear that she needed to do but strangely, for the always upfront and fearless woman Haruka was known to be, she didn't know how. She didn't know how to approach the prince, she didn't know how to take his kind and friendly invitation to address him without any protocol lines, without putting his royal status before anything else. With her it was different, there was a stiffness, a slight tension in the air that wasn't making it comfortable for her to even look at him. She wasn't afraid, she was ashamed because the more time it passed, the more she realized the stupidity behind her void actions.

"How are you feeling, Mamoru?" Minako took his friendly invitation without hesitation and looked at the prince with worry while he was trying to find a much more comfortable position to sit. He crossed his legs Buddha style and let out a slow breath, "I'm alright... sore..." he pursed his lips and blinked at the blonde's stunned look on her face, "What?"

"You have a stab on your side and you're just sore?" Minako squinted her eyes with disbelief, "Like I am ever going to believe your casual take on this,"

"I don't have a right to complain, Minako." Mamoru sighed, "Not when I know she's gone through so much worse,"

Minako gave a slow nod and pursed her lips, in the way he looked at her it was clear what he was trying to say and leaned closer to pat his shoulder and give him a quick hug, "I'm terribly sorry for what happened..." she whispered in his ear and moved back to avoid any suspicions, making it seem more like one casual and sisterly hug loaded with sentiment and a bereavement meaning. Mamoru nodded and squeezed her arm quickly to answer her heartfelt gesture; following this, he tilted his head over his shoulder and arched a curious brow when he spotted the Mauian advisors standing by the window, "So, are we ever going to talk about Artemis and Luna's drastic change or is it just me wondering what happened?"

Minako cracked a light chuckle, "Ah, yeah... about that... you're kind of late to the party,"

"Figures..." Mamoru smiled, "I'm am not surprised,"

"You got to keep up, my friend," Minako clapped her hands, "You. Gotta. Keep. Up."

Artemis exchanged a complicit smile with the prince, remembering the conversation they had not too long ago about his wish to be able to take a human form. "I do," Mamoru's smile widened, "You look good, Artemis," his eyes moved to Luna, "You too Luna, gracious as always."

Artemis gave the prince a respectful nod, "Thank you, Mamoru."

"I have to admit it's still a little strange," Luna smiled softly, "But it's a nice change."

"It's good to see you doing alright," Mamoru smiled and leaned close to Minako, "Serenity's crystal?"

"Totally,"

"Got it."

Mamoru took a deep breath and slowly let it out, feeling much grounded to whatever was happening. He looked up at the girls and shitennou, trying to end the pause he made when he asked to be alone, "I don't have enough words to express my gratitude for everything you've done but mostly for staying by Usa's side at all times. It's clear that there are still many questions lingering in the air: where I have been, what happened to me, what did I do and why I didn't return with her and Saturn. The situation at hand is urging me to put this aside for some other time. All I can say is that this isn't Hades' plan; what's happening now on this planet is where my focus is going to be from this point on." He turned to look over his shoulder at Motoki standing next to Usagi and narrowed his eyes, "But to do this, I need your help. We need to work as a team if we want to come out victorious from this."

Motoki widened his green eyes; he wasn't expecting to be considered to be part of this plan since he was literally powerless and way back in terms of skill like they all have proven to have but the determination in his friends' eyes and the security in which he spoke was proof enough that he was counting on him too, regardless of anything and if he was talking to him too is because he had something valuable to put into the whole plan. He was in complete awe. This was the first time ever he was part of these meetings he knew they had; he felt important, he felt dependable and needed. Not because he didn't feel like it before but this time it was like he wasn't just Motoki, their friend, but Motoki—their accomplice and peer in battle, he felt like he was one of them. He knew he needed to put his training as a doctor and his nerves of steel to the highest test and keep a wide-open mind to digest what he was about to hear. He wasn't afraid—he was ready for this. He wanted victory and for his friends to fight for that normalcy in their lives.

The blonde doctor walked more confident of being part of the team and took a seat next to Rei on the sofa while Usagi went to sit next to Mamoru on the carpet, filling the gap between him and Minako. Her heart skipped a beat when she felt his hand searching for hers and laced their fingers in a secure hold; a silent but powerful way to calm her nerves and assure her he was not going anywhere.

"Ares probably broke the news to you, Chaos is out." Mamoru narrowed his deep blue eyes, "The reason why he's free is the wound on my side. The seal he was cast on meant that it could only be broken by one touched by the light of the Sun—which means only from his own line of blood could set him free; of course, Chaos knew this and manipulated the Andromedan's lack of self-control to do the work for him."

"Athamas?" Rei widened her amethyst eyes with horror, "Wait... Athamas did this?"

"The Andromedan has been under Chaos's influence way before he even met Serenity." Mamoru turned to look at his wife for a second before turning to the girls and generals, "Chaos feeds from those with troubled pasts and minds, one speck of negativity is enough for him to latch on and put anyone under his influence—he had enough to feed him a lifetime."

"And with him roaming free..." Makoto frowned with worry, "This means he is going to manifest here."

"It also gives a sense that he has taken control of the Underworld..." Hotaru said softly and turned to the prince, "Is this why I cannot establish any contact with Hades?"

"I have not much knowledge of the extent of damage in the Underworld. The rim that divides it from Tartarus is close to being nonexistent and for what Ares informed me, he has Olympus under his control as well as other planets and stars. Hades is trying to keep containment but it's clear Chaos has allies and that he has an army of demons following every command, the Andromedan included." Mamoru knitted his brows in thought, "Ares alerted all Polemarchos. The army is already fighting against the shadows. He is working alongside Hades and Zeus to keep it from expanding but Chaos is a force of nature and he is not benign." Mamoru turned to Jadeite and Zoisite, "How is the status on the barriers?"

"Steady," Zoisite answered quickly, "No abnormalities have been detected,"

"It has kept civilians out of the zone of damage," Jadeite frowned, "The area is highly contaminated,"

"I am taking care of the pulsations and the flow of energy on Earth, the aftermaths of the sudden activity registered in the last month are still a high priority." Mamoru turned to Rei, "I am monitoring the status on a low profile, hence the lack of change. If I drastically allow it to return to its normal levels it may cause catastrophic disaster and also, catch their attention."

Rei nodded, "I understand, the fire is disturbed—it doesn't give me much information to use to our advantage,"

"The same with the skies," Nephrite jumped into the conversation, "The stars are not willing to talk. I am not getting any coherent information. I tried contacting Omega but there is a vacuum, I cannot see or listen to anything. It is unresponsive and it is usually my first choice for quick information,"

"Nothing appears on the mirror, either," Michiru looked down at her golden talisman and frowned, "There is no reflection,"

"We will tackle the enemy with a net that depends on strategy and teamwork—we need to rely on what we have at our disposition now, which is, our power and our trust put on one another." Usagi gave a quick glance at everyone. Mamoru turned to look at her with nothing but pride and love reflecting in his alluring eyes; this was the woman he knows, the unbeatable Sailor Moon. Usagi tightened her grip on her husband's hand and continued, "Each and every one of us has different strengths and skills we must take advantage during battle. We must not yield to Chaos' manipulative powers—I know this firsthand." She turned to Artemis, Luna, and Megumi, "If anything happens, it would be necessary for you to go to the moon palace and stay at the prayer tower—I will need your support from there,"

"Kunzite, Zoisite, Jadeite, and Nephrite—you will take your cardinal points." Mamoru turned to the first in command and right hand, "Order to follow a command of retaliation without fault. You will take my place in land—Zoisite follows your lead and will put Nephrite and Jadeite's strategies on a short-term course of action." Kunzite nodded, "Yes, Master."

"Without an army, things will escalate quickly. We need to think fast and we will need to act without any hesitation. A speck of doubt will be valuable fuel for Chaos." Mamoru conceded a serious and trustful glance at everyone in the room, surprisingly for Haruka, she was included. The prince started to gather information from the shitennou and the events that happened in his absence to corroborate Ares' information and start working on a counter plan. With extreme detail, Mamoru proved his skills as a strategist as he meticulously broke down the different causes and effects in case of another invasion and what would be the core to tackle and who would be the best to perform each task always reminding them that there was a certain limit and when it was necessary to obey a code to retreat.

The senshi impressed by his level of knowledge paid close attention to the indications that slowly gave shape to a very intricate but viable plan. They went on what they should consider as red flags and what would require immediate action for both monitoring and counter-attack. At this point, it all boiled down to the fact that this war was something they would have to fight alone. They didn't even know when or how things were going to be affected now that Endymion had taken his stance on not leaving Earth to serve Ares in Olympus with the rest of the celestial army but he was sure that war had begun and that Earth, would be on the line of battle due its misconception of being a rural and weak planet.

As the evening fell upon them, mostly because of the hour ticking in Rei's living room clock and not because they were able to tell by looking at the sky, Mamoru paid close attention to every question and concern from the girls and shitennou and even allowed Motoki to put his two cents on the matter and explain the situation he has been going through at the hospital and what he'd seen on the streets. The strange cases and diseases, the violent wave of anxiety and panic and what he has been doing to prevent another breakout.

Mamoru knew it—he felt it. The more he connected his energy to monitor earth, the more he could sense the desperation and the painful pulsations coming from deep underground. Earth was crying, it was suffering, and even when it didn't look like it, Mamoru was suffering too. Darkness was thick as tar and it was taking a lot of effort on his part not to break while he did contention and damage control. He silently prayed for the storms to ease and the oceans to recede. He prayed for the ground to stay still and the winds to lower down—he prayed to earth to be calm, he prayed to Obelix and Helios in the name of Elysion. But he also prayed to his mother, to help him stay strong.

After what he experienced in Tartarus, Endymion understood what Chaos represented, what it was—who was behind that name. He knew he was viciously coming close with much more hatred than he ever imagined it could be harbored in someone. At this point, he had to be true to himself and think of all the things that happened that eventually led him down this moment and he saw it clear; the faith that was put in his hands.

Twenty-one years ago, he woke up in a hospital bed having no recollection of his life; alone, confused and scared. It took a lot of discipline, self-encouragement, and guts to carve his way into the world. A world he later learned had a line of warriors that had the duty to protect and help it exist; he didn't understand the challenge, even so, he took it and, in that journey, found the truth. He found emotion, he found redemption, and he found love. Now, with all that knowledge in his power, he had to make things right. He was ready to step into the future and give his wife the life of peace and happiness he has promised for more than two thousand years.

It was time.

The Divinity Series is rated M. Cursing, violence, gore and intimacy may occur.

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

A/N: I want to point out, (because it can be confusing to some) that the sudden switch between their names is intentional and it will happen randomly throughout the story. It is also to make it more natural and mark whenever they are being normal civilians or divine deities.

Also, part of the conversation between Endymion and Motoki is hinted to some comments happening in "To the Moon and back to where we belong" from the collection of chapters, Divinity: A day in the life.