Hello! This will be quite an eventful chapter. ^_^
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
PLEASE EMAIL!!!! ^_^ me and tell me what you think of this story or chapter.
My email address: ml_eclipse@hotmail.com
Usual disclaimers: Sailor Moon and all its characters and likeliness
belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha/Toei. English translation is made
possible by DiC and now Cloverway/Bandai (?).
= thoughts
[ ] = author's note
Rated: PG
Please enjoy!
============================================================================
A Shepherd's Kiss
========================= By Cosmos ==================================
Chapter 12: Inescapable Confrontation
The immense crimson orb burned a trail of red before him as if reflecting
the wounds covering his flesh. Perspiration drifted down his face as he
struggled with every painful step down the unyielding dirt road. The
smooth metal chains bit into his wrists, sending wave after wave of pain
through his exhausted body. He dragged his feet like an old man
struggling against the tides of death. His eyes were glazed over with
fatigue and hopelessness. His heart felt hollow and his soul was on the
brink of defeat. Seeing him now, it was impossible to recognize this
poor soul as the same person who had fought so valiantly only three days
earlier.
"We'll stop here," a dark figure on horseback suddenly commanded.
He felt a slight tug on the chains that forced him to cease in his
unrelenting ordeal of walking. He immediately slumped down onto the
sandy ground heedless of the hot setting sun burning his body. His mouth
was parched as a result of enduring five hours without water, and his legs
felt as if they were being crushed with a large stone. His body was
screaming for him to stop…to simply yield to the welcoming calm of death,
but his soul refused to grant him that easy way out.
One of the soldiers glanced over at him with pitying eyes. He suddenly
stood up and walked over with a canteen of water in his hand. He bent
down and said softly, "Here. Drink some of my water. It will ease the
pain."
Endymion opened his eyes and looked at the soldier with a tired face. The
soldier noticed how weary this man has become. From the look on his face
it appeared that he might die soon, but the look in his deep blue eyes
surprised the Green soldier. Although his body was giving up on him, his
spirit was still as defiant and strong as ever. Despite the coldness in
the prisoner's eyes, the soldier kept his offer of the water.
"Please, just sip some water," he insisted then added softly, "This is not
a way to die."
Endymion cocked an eyebrow at him surprised by the kindness this young
soldier was showing him. The soldier was no more then seventeen by the
fresh look of his face and innocent heart. Nodding his head, Endymion
took the canteen into his trembling hands and struggled to place it to
his lips. He felt the younger man's hands on his helping him to drink.
The liquid rushed down his dry throat in a welcoming coolness, greatly
easing the pain in his dehydrated body. He drank hungrily gulping the
precious water down in great quantities when suddenly he felt a force
knock the canteen from his hands. His eyes snapped to another face jeering
down at him.
"What the hell are you doing, Alec?!" the young soldier asked angrily.
"I should be asking you that!" his comrade replied. "Why are you wasting
your water on this pathetic excuse of a being?!"
"He was thirsty," the young soldier replied furious by the other's unkind
action. "If I don't give him any water he would die!"
"Then let him," his comrade replied indifferently. "We have no use for the
likes of him." Looking hatefully at Endymion, Alec, who was a year older,
continued, "If it weren't for these stupid rebels then there would not have
been a war, and my brother would not have died. It's all your fault, jerk!"
Endymion looked at him calmly, sympathy reflecting in his eyes.
Momentarily, Alec felt a pang of sorrow for this poor prisoner, but his
grief and anger soon displaced any emotions of pity. Clenching his hand
into a tight fist, Alec let loose a punch directed for Endymion's face,
but a hand intercepted his attack.
"Enough!" the voice of a young woman commanded.
"Major Silica?!" Alec gasped.
"What were you trying to do here, soldier?" Silica demanded.
"I…," Alec stuttered. "I was only trying to stop Keeno here from giving
the prisoner water."
Silica turned her cold expression on Keeno, "Were you giving him water,
Keeno?"
The young soldier's gaze fell apologetically and mumbled, "Yes, Major.
I was."
"And why did you do that?"
"Well," Keeno said hesitantly, "he was extremely thirsty and I…Please
Major, I couldn't just let him die!"
Silica remained silent for a moment. Her emotionless gaze rested on
Endymion, who was looking hazily toward the distant horizon too exhausted
and mournful to care what his fate would be. Suddenly she said in a low
voice, "Give him some more."
"Pardon?"
"I said give him some more water, Keeno," Silica said slightly annoyed,
"I hate to have to repeat myself."
"Ye…Yes Major!"
Endymion looked up suddenly and caught her cold gaze. His tired eyes
questioned her but she simply walked away without answering.
"But Major," Alec followed her, "why waste our water on an Era soldier?
It's all their fault so many of our people have died in this war? Why show
any sympathy to them when they have none for us?"
"You have much to learn, Alec," Silica said, her voice solemn. "We all
have our roles to play in this war. We kill those who wants to kill us or
who obstructs us from reaching our mission, but remember that the person
you are fighting against also have their parts to act out as well. Much
like you." Silica turned and walked gravely away, leaving the words to
burn into his mind.
Shortly after, Silica announced, "Let us move on. The deadline is two
days away and I want to deliver my cargo by then."
"Come on," someone said behind him while tugging on the chains, "move it."
Endymion struggled to gather his legs under him and stood. Using all his
strength and determination, he began to drudge forward once more. It would
be a long time before he would be able to rest again.
The quiet thuds of a horse's hooves on the moss-covered forest undergrowth
echoed throughout the night onto the first rays of early dawn. Steel blue
eyes stare out from beneath a black cap observing every little detail of the
path she was riding on. How many days have it been? she thought as she
urged the horse to a slow trot noting that the sun would soon be in full
view. Three? Four? Looking toward her left, she saw the rim of the
golden sphere peeping over the horizon. Damn you! Serenity thought,
If it weren't for your light, I could move a lot faster. Let me see, I
have been riding three nights and two days…hmmm…at this rate I'll reach him
within two days. She gave an impatient huff, "Too long. Two entire
days…what will happen to you during all that time?" she asked the empty
air. "Will I reach you before it is too late?"
"Wait here," Silica commanded as she got off her horse and walked up to an
immense door barring passage into a magnificent manor. Taking the
ivory-colored knob into her hand, she turned it and stepped inside.
Endymion glanced up to see where he was taken. Here? he thought in
surprise, Why? Does she know? But…but how?
Before long, Silica returned with a grim face. She walked up to Endymion
and took hold of the chains. Momentarily, she made no motions of taking
him inside as she was commanded to do. Instead she stood looking down at
him with an unreadable expression. A strange light glowed in her eyes;
perhaps she was feeling pity for him. She knew very well what kind of fate
awaited him inside those heavy doors. Silica frowned. This was not
something she agreed entirely to, but she was given a command from a person
she must obey. Reluctantly, she pulled him to his feet and led him inside.
He followed her silently without struggling at all. He was too exhausted
to do so, both physically and mentally. She led him down a few flights of
stairs toward a dark room. She flicked the lights on. The room opened to
his eyes. He saw that it was quite a large room, perhaps a second ball
room of some kind, but instead of silk draperies and grand windows, this
room had only one large window that opened to the secluded forest
surrounded by gray walls decorated with metal handcuffs instead of silk.
Silica dragged him toward one of the cuffs at the center of the left wall.
She snapped the cuffs onto his hands, which were pulled above his head.
She stared at him a moment longer before turning to walk away, leaving him
hanging at the wall.
Before she reached the door however, she heard him whisper hoarsely, "Wait."
She stopped with her back still on him.
"Tell me," he said, "why do you do this? I can see it in your eyes that
you do not want to carry out these orders. So why obey them?"
She remained silent for a moment before replying softly, "Because I have
to," and continued out of the door, which locked behind her.
Endymion bowed his head hopelessly. A sad sigh escaped his lips as he
thought, Serenity…will I ever see you again?
"Hurry," Serenity urged the horse, "we are almost there."
The shadows of twilight glided into the empty room and surrounded him as if
to seclude him from the rest of the world. His dark bangs fell over his
closed eyes gently sweeping back and forth in the invisible wind that
managed to sneak into the room through cracks around the old window.
The area where his wrists were cuffed bled continuously and the numerous
wounds covering his body felt incredibly sore and painful. His navy-blue
sleeveless shirt was soaked through with sweat and blood. Several areas of
the shirt across his chest were torn as well as the lower part of his black
pants around the calves. Below him on the ground, droplets of blood dripped
down from his wounds to stain the dark gray concrete floor. Once in a
while, a painful groan would escape from his pale lips, as his wounds
became excruciatingly difficult to bear.
His agony was suddenly interrupted by the unlocking of the door and the
introduction of a dark presence. He opened his eyes and struggled to lift
his head in order to view the stranger that had just entered the room. To
his horror, his dull blue eyes met blood red ones.
A sinister smile adorned her pale white face as she gazed at him with great
satisfaction. "So we meet again," she said in the same slippery tone.
"Sooner than you would have expected though."
"Lady Snafu," he whispered the name with disgust, "what do you want?"
Lady Snafu, who is a year his senior, simply smiled and gave him a short
mocking laughter. "What I want is to see you get punished for betraying me."
"Betraying you?" he asked in faux surprise. "What have I done to betray
you?"
"Don't play dumb with me, shepherd," she said, annoyance rising in her
voice. "I know perfectly well who helped my two workers escaped. I knew
you freed Serenity, so stop pretending to be the innocent victim."
This time it was his turn to smile, "Well, well, well. I guess…you
finally…caught up with me." He struggled to speak,
"But…I know you…couldn't have figured it out…on your own…so who….told
you it was…me?"
"Let's just say I have some very *faithful* followers."
His eyes instantly narrowed with anger. Her hint was fully understood.
Faith! he thought furiously.
"I see you didn't know before?" she asked slightly surprised. "You are
such a fool, Endymion, to have placed your trust on such a pathetic girl.
Well, now you learn to never trust anyone. Friends or foe, all betrays."
"You are…wrong…Snafu," he managed to speak, "I did not…betray you…because…I
was never…loyal to you in the first place."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, but a smile rose to her lips instead. "I
have noticed that. You always did have such a rebellious look in those
beautiful blue eyes." She stepped closer toward him and placed a cold
hand on his chest. "My, my," she drawled as she rubbed the wounds on his
flesh, "we have been in quite a battle haven't we?"
He winced painfully as she scratched his wounded chest with her long
nails, ripping more of his shirt in the process.
"Am I causing you pain?" she asked wryly, "Perhaps I should help ease your
agony away instead." She leaned closer to him with her crimson gaze placed
desirously on his pale lips. He struggled to push her back, but she held
his body tight against her own as she leaned closer for a deadly kiss.
With his hands chained above his head and being physically tired, he could
not give a greater struggle. She was strong and her grip on him was
inescapable. His eyes widened with fear and disgust as he felt her cold
lips upon his. Her tongue tried to pry open his lips to invade into his
mouth but he kept it shut, determined to struggle against her. He
strained his neck to turn his head away from her but she held his face in a
vise-like grip preventing him from doing so. Her other hand ran across
his wounded chest creating waves of agonizing pain through him. His eyes
looked down on her white head with hatred and fear burning brightly in
them.
Suddenly, an intense light flashed outside of the old window to his left,
followed by an extraordinary explosion sending shards of glass flying
toward them. Quickly an incredible force slammed into Snafu's side,
before she could react, sending her reeling toward the far end of the
room. Free from her grip, Endymion spitted with disgust in an attempt
to rid his mouth of her fowl kiss. Hearing the crunching of glass under
foot, Endymion quickly turned to look at the dark figure silhouetted by
the magnificent face of a large pale moon.
"Who are you?" Snafu growled as she struggled to regain her feet.
A cold smile rose to the stranger's lips as she replied, "You of all
people should know who I am."
Crimson eyes widened with recognition of the inhospitable voice.
"So," she sneered, "you have finally gotten the courage to return and
face me."
The stranger stepped through the shattered window into the room, which
was dully lit by a small light by the door. The pale light illuminated
her beautiful features that were as cold as they were lovely.
"Serenity…?" Endymion whispered with surprise.
"Serenity?" Snafu asked in surprise. "Is that your real name?"
Serenity gave a mocking laughter as she replied in a cold tone, "Now you
know…master."
Snafu scowled in anger.
"Hand him over, Snafu," Serenity demanded in an icy tone, "and I may spare
you."
Snafu smiled tauntingly as she wiped a trickle of blood from the corner
of her mouth. "You want him?" she asked darkly, her hand beginning to
glow with power, "then come and get him." She let loose her attack on…
"ENDYMION!!!" Serenity cried out in shock as she watched the dark energy
fly straight for him. "NO!!!!" She rushed to stand in front of him in
order to block the attack.
"Serenity, no!" he cried as he saw her slender form shielding him.
Holding both hands out before her, she released a powerful attack of her
own. It collided with the incoming energy causing a tremendous explosion
a short distance from her. The force of the collision slammed Serenity to
the wall beside Endymion. The black cap flew off her head and her silver
hair streamed down. The impact knocked the wind out of her and she
collapsed to the ground. Snafu turned to shield her eyes from the
explosive light shining brightly within the dark room.
Once the light died down, Snafu turned to see Serenity struggling to
stand, blood dripping down the corner of her mouth. Before she was
able to fully regain her feet, however, Snafu attacked again.
"Serenity look out!"
"Huh!" Serenity gasped as she saw the dark crimson ball of power hurled
toward her. Before she could react, it hit her right in the chest
sending her flailing toward the door. She smashed into the structure
with such force that the wood cracked beneath her. "Aaahhh!" she cried
out in pain.
"I told you not to try and defy me," Snafu said. "No one defies me and
live!!!" she screamed insanely.
She attacked again, but this time Serenity dodged it in time. Quickly
regaining her foot, Serenity did a backward flip toward the wall as the
energy whizzed by her head beneath her. When her feet touched the
vertical structure, she immediately pushed off and flipped forward to land
squarely on her feet leaving the attack to explode harmlessly by the wall.
Her eyes snapped toward Snafu's face. Blue flames of rage burned in them
of the degree that made Endymion's eyes widened in surprise at seeing the
intensity of such hatred.
"My turn," Serenity said in a deadly tone. Holding her palms faced toward
her opponent, she cried out, "Silver Beams…Annihilate!!!"
Her hands glowed with a tremendous bright power. Suddenly, beams of light
in the form of daggers emerged from her palms and flew toward Snafu at an
incredible speed. Too numerous to avoid entirely, Snafu attempted to
immobilize the full attack by releasing a powerful crimson energy sphere
at the incoming light, but her counterattack could only destroy a small
amount of Serenity's light daggers. The rest continued on its course to
pierce into its target through the arms and stomach.
Snafu crumbled to the ground holding her wounded abdomen as she coughed
up great quantities of the crimson liquid. Her dark eyes glared up at
Serenity as she struggled to overcome the pain and regain her stance.
She held onto the wall stained with her blood for support as she stood
trembling before her opponent.
Serenity watched with dark eyes at the scene before her. No feelings of
pity or sorrow could be felt within her cold heart. This was her payment
for the cruelty she received under Snafu's enslavement. But the hatred
burning in her ice-blue eyes revealed something much more than simple
vengeance for what Snafu did to her. Momentarily, Serenity could feel no
emotions other than anger and malevolence. Her heart has now been taken
over by the hatred she has withheld for so long. It appeared that she had
allowed herself to succumb to the darkness within her soul. In the end, it
seemed that she had finally lost her battle against the darkness raging
inside her.
Snafu growled at her angrily as she raised her hand above her head in her
last effort to defeat her mighty opponent, "Oblivion…Overtake!" she
screamed. A great swirl of energy formed over her head as a rush of dark
wind rushed out from her.
Endymion turned away in order to shield his face from the sharp blades of
the swift wind. He opened his eyes slightly to see Serenity remain
motionless in the same standing position as she glared hatefully at Snafu,
her long silver hair flying violently around her.
Soon, a whirlwind of dark energy formed in front of Snafu twisting and
turning in its maddening rush toward Serenity. With eyes narrowed to
mere blue slits, Serenity cupped her hands together and whispered, "Moon
Soul…Fly…"
Within her hands beams of energy shot out through the cracks between her
fingers as a form took shape. Opening her hand slowly, Serenity released
one of her most powerful attacks. Amazingly, it was a small butterfly
created by the bright light of her powers. Flying swiftly, the seemingly
delicate creature flew unharmed past Snafu's dark twister and landed on
her forehead. Snafu's eyes widened in surprise as she felt an incredible
power invade her mind as it burned its way through her entire being.
"Aaahhh!" she screamed as the intruding power took over her body and
quickly destroyed her. In a bright flash of hot light, Snafu
disintegrated into nothingness, only her dress was left unharmed as her
flesh was burned away.
Endymion watched her death in shock. When Snafu fully disappeared, he
turned to look at Serenity almost in fear of her incredible powers.
Serenity watched the empty space where Snafu was with emotionless eyes.
Then she turned her attention toward the young man chained by the wall.
Gazing into his gentle blue eyes, her own gradually softened to a light
hue, yet the coldness remained. She walked slowly toward him as she
quickly glanced over his body with its wounds. She frowned slightly by
the horrid condition he appeared in.
Reaching up, she unlocked the cuffs while whispering, "Consider my debt
paid in full."
He looked at her in surprise. A sudden sorrow washed over his eyes as he
gazed at her cold expression. She noticed this change.
With his hands released, he attempted to stand on his own. She reached out
to help him balance, but he pushed her gently away. His action surprised
her and she recoiled in shock. "You owed me nothing," he whispered
solemnly as he struggled toward the broken window. Taking several slow
agonizing steps through the opening, he fainted in exhaustion on the
grass-covered ground outside.
Serenity went over and stood watching his bloodied form on the ground with
eyes that were filled with sorrow. "I am sorry," she whispered to him
as her eyes filled with tears, "I'm so sorry." Two droplets of tears
drifted down her doleful face. She raised a hand and wiped them away
without notice.
She bent down and pulled him up. Supporting his unconscious body with one
hand, Serenity struggled toward the horse. After heaving him upon the
animal, she jumped on and snapped the horse into a full gallop. As she
rode into the darkness of the forest, another figure stepped through the
doorway into the room. Her pale-gray eyes widened in horror at the
destruction and death before her. Her shocked gaze caught the dark dress
stained with blood and cried out in anguish, "NOOOO!!!!!!"
She ran toward the outfit and grabbed the gown into her trembling hands
as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. Her eyes narrowed with
rage as she glanced wildly around the room. "Who did this?!" she screamed
with fury. "Who murdered her?!"
Her eyes caught a silver reflection from the door. She strolled over
and examined the broken structure with care. She quickly noticed several
strands of silver hair stuck to the splintered wood. "You!" she cried,
"You killed her!" An inferno of hatred raged in her gray eyes as she
glared out the broken window toward the forest. "You will pay for this,
Serenity!" she howled in anguish to the moon, "Your life for my sister's
death!!!!"
[Another cliffhanger! ^_^ I just love doing that. ^_^ You know who spoke the
last line?
School will begin in a week so I'm trying to finish this story when I have
the time to do so. That's why you'll find this week and next week with
two new chapters. The week after with the fifteenth chapter will be the
last.
Chapter thirteen coming next week! "Blood of Mine"
Chapter fourteen coming next week! "Secret Memoirs"]
===========================================
Copyright (c) 2000, Cosmos.
I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
PLEASE EMAIL!!!! ^_^ me and tell me what you think of this story or chapter.
My email address: ml_eclipse@hotmail.com
Usual disclaimers: Sailor Moon and all its characters and likeliness
belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha/Toei. English translation is made
possible by DiC and now Cloverway/Bandai (?).
= thoughts
[ ] = author's note
Rated: PG
Please enjoy!
============================================================================
A Shepherd's Kiss
========================= By Cosmos ==================================
Chapter 12: Inescapable Confrontation
The immense crimson orb burned a trail of red before him as if reflecting
the wounds covering his flesh. Perspiration drifted down his face as he
struggled with every painful step down the unyielding dirt road. The
smooth metal chains bit into his wrists, sending wave after wave of pain
through his exhausted body. He dragged his feet like an old man
struggling against the tides of death. His eyes were glazed over with
fatigue and hopelessness. His heart felt hollow and his soul was on the
brink of defeat. Seeing him now, it was impossible to recognize this
poor soul as the same person who had fought so valiantly only three days
earlier.
"We'll stop here," a dark figure on horseback suddenly commanded.
He felt a slight tug on the chains that forced him to cease in his
unrelenting ordeal of walking. He immediately slumped down onto the
sandy ground heedless of the hot setting sun burning his body. His mouth
was parched as a result of enduring five hours without water, and his legs
felt as if they were being crushed with a large stone. His body was
screaming for him to stop…to simply yield to the welcoming calm of death,
but his soul refused to grant him that easy way out.
One of the soldiers glanced over at him with pitying eyes. He suddenly
stood up and walked over with a canteen of water in his hand. He bent
down and said softly, "Here. Drink some of my water. It will ease the
pain."
Endymion opened his eyes and looked at the soldier with a tired face. The
soldier noticed how weary this man has become. From the look on his face
it appeared that he might die soon, but the look in his deep blue eyes
surprised the Green soldier. Although his body was giving up on him, his
spirit was still as defiant and strong as ever. Despite the coldness in
the prisoner's eyes, the soldier kept his offer of the water.
"Please, just sip some water," he insisted then added softly, "This is not
a way to die."
Endymion cocked an eyebrow at him surprised by the kindness this young
soldier was showing him. The soldier was no more then seventeen by the
fresh look of his face and innocent heart. Nodding his head, Endymion
took the canteen into his trembling hands and struggled to place it to
his lips. He felt the younger man's hands on his helping him to drink.
The liquid rushed down his dry throat in a welcoming coolness, greatly
easing the pain in his dehydrated body. He drank hungrily gulping the
precious water down in great quantities when suddenly he felt a force
knock the canteen from his hands. His eyes snapped to another face jeering
down at him.
"What the hell are you doing, Alec?!" the young soldier asked angrily.
"I should be asking you that!" his comrade replied. "Why are you wasting
your water on this pathetic excuse of a being?!"
"He was thirsty," the young soldier replied furious by the other's unkind
action. "If I don't give him any water he would die!"
"Then let him," his comrade replied indifferently. "We have no use for the
likes of him." Looking hatefully at Endymion, Alec, who was a year older,
continued, "If it weren't for these stupid rebels then there would not have
been a war, and my brother would not have died. It's all your fault, jerk!"
Endymion looked at him calmly, sympathy reflecting in his eyes.
Momentarily, Alec felt a pang of sorrow for this poor prisoner, but his
grief and anger soon displaced any emotions of pity. Clenching his hand
into a tight fist, Alec let loose a punch directed for Endymion's face,
but a hand intercepted his attack.
"Enough!" the voice of a young woman commanded.
"Major Silica?!" Alec gasped.
"What were you trying to do here, soldier?" Silica demanded.
"I…," Alec stuttered. "I was only trying to stop Keeno here from giving
the prisoner water."
Silica turned her cold expression on Keeno, "Were you giving him water,
Keeno?"
The young soldier's gaze fell apologetically and mumbled, "Yes, Major.
I was."
"And why did you do that?"
"Well," Keeno said hesitantly, "he was extremely thirsty and I…Please
Major, I couldn't just let him die!"
Silica remained silent for a moment. Her emotionless gaze rested on
Endymion, who was looking hazily toward the distant horizon too exhausted
and mournful to care what his fate would be. Suddenly she said in a low
voice, "Give him some more."
"Pardon?"
"I said give him some more water, Keeno," Silica said slightly annoyed,
"I hate to have to repeat myself."
"Ye…Yes Major!"
Endymion looked up suddenly and caught her cold gaze. His tired eyes
questioned her but she simply walked away without answering.
"But Major," Alec followed her, "why waste our water on an Era soldier?
It's all their fault so many of our people have died in this war? Why show
any sympathy to them when they have none for us?"
"You have much to learn, Alec," Silica said, her voice solemn. "We all
have our roles to play in this war. We kill those who wants to kill us or
who obstructs us from reaching our mission, but remember that the person
you are fighting against also have their parts to act out as well. Much
like you." Silica turned and walked gravely away, leaving the words to
burn into his mind.
Shortly after, Silica announced, "Let us move on. The deadline is two
days away and I want to deliver my cargo by then."
"Come on," someone said behind him while tugging on the chains, "move it."
Endymion struggled to gather his legs under him and stood. Using all his
strength and determination, he began to drudge forward once more. It would
be a long time before he would be able to rest again.
The quiet thuds of a horse's hooves on the moss-covered forest undergrowth
echoed throughout the night onto the first rays of early dawn. Steel blue
eyes stare out from beneath a black cap observing every little detail of the
path she was riding on. How many days have it been? she thought as she
urged the horse to a slow trot noting that the sun would soon be in full
view. Three? Four? Looking toward her left, she saw the rim of the
golden sphere peeping over the horizon. Damn you! Serenity thought,
If it weren't for your light, I could move a lot faster. Let me see, I
have been riding three nights and two days…hmmm…at this rate I'll reach him
within two days. She gave an impatient huff, "Too long. Two entire
days…what will happen to you during all that time?" she asked the empty
air. "Will I reach you before it is too late?"
"Wait here," Silica commanded as she got off her horse and walked up to an
immense door barring passage into a magnificent manor. Taking the
ivory-colored knob into her hand, she turned it and stepped inside.
Endymion glanced up to see where he was taken. Here? he thought in
surprise, Why? Does she know? But…but how?
Before long, Silica returned with a grim face. She walked up to Endymion
and took hold of the chains. Momentarily, she made no motions of taking
him inside as she was commanded to do. Instead she stood looking down at
him with an unreadable expression. A strange light glowed in her eyes;
perhaps she was feeling pity for him. She knew very well what kind of fate
awaited him inside those heavy doors. Silica frowned. This was not
something she agreed entirely to, but she was given a command from a person
she must obey. Reluctantly, she pulled him to his feet and led him inside.
He followed her silently without struggling at all. He was too exhausted
to do so, both physically and mentally. She led him down a few flights of
stairs toward a dark room. She flicked the lights on. The room opened to
his eyes. He saw that it was quite a large room, perhaps a second ball
room of some kind, but instead of silk draperies and grand windows, this
room had only one large window that opened to the secluded forest
surrounded by gray walls decorated with metal handcuffs instead of silk.
Silica dragged him toward one of the cuffs at the center of the left wall.
She snapped the cuffs onto his hands, which were pulled above his head.
She stared at him a moment longer before turning to walk away, leaving him
hanging at the wall.
Before she reached the door however, she heard him whisper hoarsely, "Wait."
She stopped with her back still on him.
"Tell me," he said, "why do you do this? I can see it in your eyes that
you do not want to carry out these orders. So why obey them?"
She remained silent for a moment before replying softly, "Because I have
to," and continued out of the door, which locked behind her.
Endymion bowed his head hopelessly. A sad sigh escaped his lips as he
thought, Serenity…will I ever see you again?
"Hurry," Serenity urged the horse, "we are almost there."
The shadows of twilight glided into the empty room and surrounded him as if
to seclude him from the rest of the world. His dark bangs fell over his
closed eyes gently sweeping back and forth in the invisible wind that
managed to sneak into the room through cracks around the old window.
The area where his wrists were cuffed bled continuously and the numerous
wounds covering his body felt incredibly sore and painful. His navy-blue
sleeveless shirt was soaked through with sweat and blood. Several areas of
the shirt across his chest were torn as well as the lower part of his black
pants around the calves. Below him on the ground, droplets of blood dripped
down from his wounds to stain the dark gray concrete floor. Once in a
while, a painful groan would escape from his pale lips, as his wounds
became excruciatingly difficult to bear.
His agony was suddenly interrupted by the unlocking of the door and the
introduction of a dark presence. He opened his eyes and struggled to lift
his head in order to view the stranger that had just entered the room. To
his horror, his dull blue eyes met blood red ones.
A sinister smile adorned her pale white face as she gazed at him with great
satisfaction. "So we meet again," she said in the same slippery tone.
"Sooner than you would have expected though."
"Lady Snafu," he whispered the name with disgust, "what do you want?"
Lady Snafu, who is a year his senior, simply smiled and gave him a short
mocking laughter. "What I want is to see you get punished for betraying me."
"Betraying you?" he asked in faux surprise. "What have I done to betray
you?"
"Don't play dumb with me, shepherd," she said, annoyance rising in her
voice. "I know perfectly well who helped my two workers escaped. I knew
you freed Serenity, so stop pretending to be the innocent victim."
This time it was his turn to smile, "Well, well, well. I guess…you
finally…caught up with me." He struggled to speak,
"But…I know you…couldn't have figured it out…on your own…so who….told
you it was…me?"
"Let's just say I have some very *faithful* followers."
His eyes instantly narrowed with anger. Her hint was fully understood.
Faith! he thought furiously.
"I see you didn't know before?" she asked slightly surprised. "You are
such a fool, Endymion, to have placed your trust on such a pathetic girl.
Well, now you learn to never trust anyone. Friends or foe, all betrays."
"You are…wrong…Snafu," he managed to speak, "I did not…betray you…because…I
was never…loyal to you in the first place."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, but a smile rose to her lips instead. "I
have noticed that. You always did have such a rebellious look in those
beautiful blue eyes." She stepped closer toward him and placed a cold
hand on his chest. "My, my," she drawled as she rubbed the wounds on his
flesh, "we have been in quite a battle haven't we?"
He winced painfully as she scratched his wounded chest with her long
nails, ripping more of his shirt in the process.
"Am I causing you pain?" she asked wryly, "Perhaps I should help ease your
agony away instead." She leaned closer to him with her crimson gaze placed
desirously on his pale lips. He struggled to push her back, but she held
his body tight against her own as she leaned closer for a deadly kiss.
With his hands chained above his head and being physically tired, he could
not give a greater struggle. She was strong and her grip on him was
inescapable. His eyes widened with fear and disgust as he felt her cold
lips upon his. Her tongue tried to pry open his lips to invade into his
mouth but he kept it shut, determined to struggle against her. He
strained his neck to turn his head away from her but she held his face in a
vise-like grip preventing him from doing so. Her other hand ran across
his wounded chest creating waves of agonizing pain through him. His eyes
looked down on her white head with hatred and fear burning brightly in
them.
Suddenly, an intense light flashed outside of the old window to his left,
followed by an extraordinary explosion sending shards of glass flying
toward them. Quickly an incredible force slammed into Snafu's side,
before she could react, sending her reeling toward the far end of the
room. Free from her grip, Endymion spitted with disgust in an attempt
to rid his mouth of her fowl kiss. Hearing the crunching of glass under
foot, Endymion quickly turned to look at the dark figure silhouetted by
the magnificent face of a large pale moon.
"Who are you?" Snafu growled as she struggled to regain her feet.
A cold smile rose to the stranger's lips as she replied, "You of all
people should know who I am."
Crimson eyes widened with recognition of the inhospitable voice.
"So," she sneered, "you have finally gotten the courage to return and
face me."
The stranger stepped through the shattered window into the room, which
was dully lit by a small light by the door. The pale light illuminated
her beautiful features that were as cold as they were lovely.
"Serenity…?" Endymion whispered with surprise.
"Serenity?" Snafu asked in surprise. "Is that your real name?"
Serenity gave a mocking laughter as she replied in a cold tone, "Now you
know…master."
Snafu scowled in anger.
"Hand him over, Snafu," Serenity demanded in an icy tone, "and I may spare
you."
Snafu smiled tauntingly as she wiped a trickle of blood from the corner
of her mouth. "You want him?" she asked darkly, her hand beginning to
glow with power, "then come and get him." She let loose her attack on…
"ENDYMION!!!" Serenity cried out in shock as she watched the dark energy
fly straight for him. "NO!!!!" She rushed to stand in front of him in
order to block the attack.
"Serenity, no!" he cried as he saw her slender form shielding him.
Holding both hands out before her, she released a powerful attack of her
own. It collided with the incoming energy causing a tremendous explosion
a short distance from her. The force of the collision slammed Serenity to
the wall beside Endymion. The black cap flew off her head and her silver
hair streamed down. The impact knocked the wind out of her and she
collapsed to the ground. Snafu turned to shield her eyes from the
explosive light shining brightly within the dark room.
Once the light died down, Snafu turned to see Serenity struggling to
stand, blood dripping down the corner of her mouth. Before she was
able to fully regain her feet, however, Snafu attacked again.
"Serenity look out!"
"Huh!" Serenity gasped as she saw the dark crimson ball of power hurled
toward her. Before she could react, it hit her right in the chest
sending her flailing toward the door. She smashed into the structure
with such force that the wood cracked beneath her. "Aaahhh!" she cried
out in pain.
"I told you not to try and defy me," Snafu said. "No one defies me and
live!!!" she screamed insanely.
She attacked again, but this time Serenity dodged it in time. Quickly
regaining her foot, Serenity did a backward flip toward the wall as the
energy whizzed by her head beneath her. When her feet touched the
vertical structure, she immediately pushed off and flipped forward to land
squarely on her feet leaving the attack to explode harmlessly by the wall.
Her eyes snapped toward Snafu's face. Blue flames of rage burned in them
of the degree that made Endymion's eyes widened in surprise at seeing the
intensity of such hatred.
"My turn," Serenity said in a deadly tone. Holding her palms faced toward
her opponent, she cried out, "Silver Beams…Annihilate!!!"
Her hands glowed with a tremendous bright power. Suddenly, beams of light
in the form of daggers emerged from her palms and flew toward Snafu at an
incredible speed. Too numerous to avoid entirely, Snafu attempted to
immobilize the full attack by releasing a powerful crimson energy sphere
at the incoming light, but her counterattack could only destroy a small
amount of Serenity's light daggers. The rest continued on its course to
pierce into its target through the arms and stomach.
Snafu crumbled to the ground holding her wounded abdomen as she coughed
up great quantities of the crimson liquid. Her dark eyes glared up at
Serenity as she struggled to overcome the pain and regain her stance.
She held onto the wall stained with her blood for support as she stood
trembling before her opponent.
Serenity watched with dark eyes at the scene before her. No feelings of
pity or sorrow could be felt within her cold heart. This was her payment
for the cruelty she received under Snafu's enslavement. But the hatred
burning in her ice-blue eyes revealed something much more than simple
vengeance for what Snafu did to her. Momentarily, Serenity could feel no
emotions other than anger and malevolence. Her heart has now been taken
over by the hatred she has withheld for so long. It appeared that she had
allowed herself to succumb to the darkness within her soul. In the end, it
seemed that she had finally lost her battle against the darkness raging
inside her.
Snafu growled at her angrily as she raised her hand above her head in her
last effort to defeat her mighty opponent, "Oblivion…Overtake!" she
screamed. A great swirl of energy formed over her head as a rush of dark
wind rushed out from her.
Endymion turned away in order to shield his face from the sharp blades of
the swift wind. He opened his eyes slightly to see Serenity remain
motionless in the same standing position as she glared hatefully at Snafu,
her long silver hair flying violently around her.
Soon, a whirlwind of dark energy formed in front of Snafu twisting and
turning in its maddening rush toward Serenity. With eyes narrowed to
mere blue slits, Serenity cupped her hands together and whispered, "Moon
Soul…Fly…"
Within her hands beams of energy shot out through the cracks between her
fingers as a form took shape. Opening her hand slowly, Serenity released
one of her most powerful attacks. Amazingly, it was a small butterfly
created by the bright light of her powers. Flying swiftly, the seemingly
delicate creature flew unharmed past Snafu's dark twister and landed on
her forehead. Snafu's eyes widened in surprise as she felt an incredible
power invade her mind as it burned its way through her entire being.
"Aaahhh!" she screamed as the intruding power took over her body and
quickly destroyed her. In a bright flash of hot light, Snafu
disintegrated into nothingness, only her dress was left unharmed as her
flesh was burned away.
Endymion watched her death in shock. When Snafu fully disappeared, he
turned to look at Serenity almost in fear of her incredible powers.
Serenity watched the empty space where Snafu was with emotionless eyes.
Then she turned her attention toward the young man chained by the wall.
Gazing into his gentle blue eyes, her own gradually softened to a light
hue, yet the coldness remained. She walked slowly toward him as she
quickly glanced over his body with its wounds. She frowned slightly by
the horrid condition he appeared in.
Reaching up, she unlocked the cuffs while whispering, "Consider my debt
paid in full."
He looked at her in surprise. A sudden sorrow washed over his eyes as he
gazed at her cold expression. She noticed this change.
With his hands released, he attempted to stand on his own. She reached out
to help him balance, but he pushed her gently away. His action surprised
her and she recoiled in shock. "You owed me nothing," he whispered
solemnly as he struggled toward the broken window. Taking several slow
agonizing steps through the opening, he fainted in exhaustion on the
grass-covered ground outside.
Serenity went over and stood watching his bloodied form on the ground with
eyes that were filled with sorrow. "I am sorry," she whispered to him
as her eyes filled with tears, "I'm so sorry." Two droplets of tears
drifted down her doleful face. She raised a hand and wiped them away
without notice.
She bent down and pulled him up. Supporting his unconscious body with one
hand, Serenity struggled toward the horse. After heaving him upon the
animal, she jumped on and snapped the horse into a full gallop. As she
rode into the darkness of the forest, another figure stepped through the
doorway into the room. Her pale-gray eyes widened in horror at the
destruction and death before her. Her shocked gaze caught the dark dress
stained with blood and cried out in anguish, "NOOOO!!!!!!"
She ran toward the outfit and grabbed the gown into her trembling hands
as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. Her eyes narrowed with
rage as she glanced wildly around the room. "Who did this?!" she screamed
with fury. "Who murdered her?!"
Her eyes caught a silver reflection from the door. She strolled over
and examined the broken structure with care. She quickly noticed several
strands of silver hair stuck to the splintered wood. "You!" she cried,
"You killed her!" An inferno of hatred raged in her gray eyes as she
glared out the broken window toward the forest. "You will pay for this,
Serenity!" she howled in anguish to the moon, "Your life for my sister's
death!!!!"
[Another cliffhanger! ^_^ I just love doing that. ^_^ You know who spoke the
last line?
School will begin in a week so I'm trying to finish this story when I have
the time to do so. That's why you'll find this week and next week with
two new chapters. The week after with the fifteenth chapter will be the
last.
Chapter thirteen coming next week! "Blood of Mine"
Chapter fourteen coming next week! "Secret Memoirs"]
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Copyright (c) 2000, Cosmos.