Title:Book 2: Battle of Avalon
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
~ speaking with an element
23/3/02
Yes, unfortunately with the closing down of The Portal(which is very sad),
I haven't found a place to post all these stories yet.
(ASMR is so confusing). But I have a FF.net account, so most of my stories
will be posted there I guess. :| *Ciao*
Recapturing:
The dragons were enslaved by Nepherenia and Raye is in anguish.
But something is wrong with Endymion and Serenity. What is it?
~ Chapter 2: Vessel of Avalon - Serenity ~
"Prince? Serenity?" called Jadeite with a hesitant voice. Their faces
were serene. Almost creepy. An eerie silvery glow was coming from them.
"What's wrong with them??" asked Malachite in a hostile tone as he
noticed Mina, Lita and Amy having an almost identical look of calm and
bliss on them. Raye was the only one that seemed unaffected.
Raye stared at the ground, her violet eyes wide in shock. Raven strands
of hair floated around her face. Her hands gripped the soil on the ground.
They were taken!! Squeezing her eyes shut, Raye tried to block out the
screams of the dragons that had filled her ears, still ringing in her head.
She had failed to protect them. Some Mistress of Fire and Dragons she
turned out to be.
Suddenly, she noticed the silvery tendrils of power reaching around her.
Trying to comfort her. To take away her pain. It was the same power she had
felt and pushed away moments ago. Now, wanting nothing more than comfort,
Raye succumbed to the gentle embrace of the silvery power that soothed her
and lulled her into a calm blissful state.
Malachite's eyes hardened as he saw Raye's expression change from one of
pain and anguish to one of blissful calm.
He glared at the silent Prince and Elemental.
"My Prince! What are you doing??" questioned Malachite. He wanted Mina
back. He knew it was rude to shout at his Prince, but he couldn't help it.
Malachite saw Serenity reach out her hand towards the other Elementals.
The women moved towards her like adoring fans, peaceful looks on their
faces. Like people mesmerized.
Malachite feared it was a trick by Nepherenia, rushed at Serenity only to
encounter a wall that blew him backwards. Endymion's eyes were glowing a
silvery gold. Two auras, the gold was his and the silver was Serenity's.
Endymion's face was a mask of anger and hatred, staring at Malachite.
"Endymion.." whispered Zoiscite.
Endymion's ugly expression fell away as he turned his attention to
Zoiscite.
The Elementals stopped in front of Serenity. Serenity turned to glare at
Endymion.
"We do not have time for this nonsense. Cease at once, Fiery One."
entoned Serenity.
Endymion turned to Serenity. "He tried to harm a child of mine. I was
merely protecting her as her soulmate is supposed to." said Endymion.
"This child belongs to all of us, Fiery One. Besides, the man is the
chosen mate of my other child." reminded Serenity.
"Indeed, Light One." replied Endymion.
Serenity turned back and touched each Elemental on the forehead.
Raye, Mina, Amy and Lita awoke and blinked at each other, confused.
"What happened? I feel as if I have awaken from a long dream." said Lita.
"Mal! What happened to you??" asked Mina rushing to him and kneeling by
his side. "You're hurt."
"He did it." said Malachite looking at Endymion, confused by his
conversation with Serenity.
"He deserved it. Rushing at my child like that."
"Child? Serenity's pregnant??" asked Lita confused. Amy blushed at Lita's
lack of tact and subtleness.
Serenity and Endymion shook their heads. "Serenity is our child." entoned
both of them.
"The Elements..." breathed Amy in awe.
"Our creators." gasped Raye.
"Yes, that is correct my child." smiled Endymion at Raye's words.
"You are the Fire."
"And you are the Light." gasped Mina looking at Serenity.
"Actually, I'm the Watery One right now." laughed Serenity demurely.
"My element!" exclaimed Amy.
"I don't understand! How can this be?" asked Lita.
"This is almost exactly as the time we inhabited our Child's body to give
the four of you increased abilities." explained Endymion.
"But how?"
"Serenity is the Vessel of Avalon. She can be our host. And she is a
child of all Elements while the four of you, are different." said Endymion.
"Raye, a child of the Fiery One.
Mina, a child of the Light One.
Lita, a child of the Earthen One.
And Amy, a child of the Watery One." said Serenity with a smile.
Lita rolled her eyes. "We really have to get new names for you, you know.
You can't go about calling yourselves the Ones.." sighed Lita.
"Do not be impertinent, my child." reprimanded Endymion.
Lita stuck her tongue out at her Element that had taken over Fiery's place
in Endymion's body.
"But..how come Endymion is part of it? How is it you speak through him?
He is not an Elemental." asked Amy.
"Endymion is Serenity's soulmate. He is in truth, far beyond us. He is
Avalon itself and is in short our master. But as he is bound to a child of
ours, we can speak through him."
"We are here to help you, our children." said Serenity and Endymion.
"But Serenity and Endymion?" asked Mina.
"They are here, child of Light." smiled Endymion's body.
"We will help you reach the Crystal City and our two chosen ones will be
returned control of their bodies. Nepherenia has already injured 3 of us.
A part of the Light cannot be controlled by her. If she does, she may very
well use everything against you." said Serenity in a serious voice.
"We are ready to follow, creators." swore the Elementals.
The four men frowned. "We follow wherever the women go as well as our
Prince." spoke Malachite, still wary of the Elements, unsure whether the
Fiery One was about again.
Malachite nudged Jadeite. " I do not envy you your Raye's Creator. He has
a nasty temper. Beware your creator-in-law." teased Malachite.
"Be nice, mate of my child." boomed Endymion's voice. The Light One.
Malachite glared at Endymion and tugged Mina to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nepherenia had already taken to the air, aided by her newest recruits.
The dragons of Avalon.
From the skies, Nepherenia laughed as she saw the floating haven of the
Princess of the Skies. Nepherenia landed on the Floating Island. Kayala
materialized to meet her mistress.
"Mistress." greeted Kayala.
"Your progress Kayala." demanded Nepherenia.
"The Mer-Princess has abandoned her city and the Sapphire Palace and has
taken her people to sacred grounds of magic. The Seadras will not venture
there. The Sky Princess has barracaded all her people in the
Palace of Gales." said Kayala.
"Incompetent fool." hissed Nepherenia. They are but lesser beings in
partial control of a certain element."
"I beg your forgiveness, Mistress." whispered Kayala.
"I will have the Floating Island as my base of operations. I want the
insolent Princess of the Skies subdued and brought to me."
Turning to the dragons, Nepherenia pointed towards the Crystal City in
the distance. "Attack the city, my winged pets."
The dragons with their black eyes flew towards the city.
Serenity and Endymion stopped. Their eyes were still glowing, marking the
presence of the Elements inhabiting their bodies.
"Creators...what is it?" asked Lita.
"We must hurry. Nepherenia has sent the dragons against the Crystal City."
said Serenity with a frown.
"We must use the Light One's power to take us there. It is taking too long
to get there by foot. We feared our power would be too great for our child's
body to manage, but we have no choice now." said Endymion.
"Creators..." whispered Amy.
"Form a circle around us, children." ordered Endymion.
The 8 of them formed a circle knowing it was no use to protest. If they
lost the Crystal City, everything would be lost. The Crystal City had been
built on top of the highest point of magic on Avalon. The focal point of
all magical energy in Avalon.
Endymion and Serenity held hands and a silvery gold light started to
envelope them. The aura expanded until all 8 were enveloped in it.
They didn't feel or hear anything. They could feel no air blowing about
them. The silvery gold aura was the only thing they could see, feel... it
was everywhere.
Then, everything returned to normal. They were back in normal reality.
There was air, smell and sound.
Jadeite blinked. They were in the Palace.
"By the Ancient Ways! Where did you come from??" gaped King Terrance.
"Endymion!! You're back!" exclaimed Queen Gaia rising from her throne.
Malachite blinked. He could have sworn it had only been a second ago they
had been standing outside on grass still miles from the Crystal City.
"We used the Light One's abilities. Light is everywhere and we can travel
in the blink of an eye. The child of the Light One is able to do it, but
not with the scale of the Element itself." smiled Endymion.
"Endy? What are you talking about? I don't understand you! And why are
your eyes glowing??!" demanded Queen Gaia.
"I am not Endymion, mother of the chosen. We are the Elements of Avalon.
Your son and his soulmate's bodies are our hosts." answered Endymion in his
monotonous voice.
"Endymion??" gaped Queen Gaia confused.
"His body is what you see your Majesty, but not Endymion's spirit." said
Zoiscite, wanting to calm his Queen down. She was a thing to be feared in
her anxiety over Endymion.
"What??!" exclaimed King Terrance. "Remove whatever it is from my son's
body right now. Bring him back!"
"Your Majesty, we cannot do that. The Elements communicate to us through
the Prince." said Jadeite.
The elements are elements! They cannot speak!" exclaimed King Terrance.
"Your mortal King has unsual thoughts, protectors of the chosen, mates to
our children." said Serenity.
"He's sceptical to the existance of the Elementals." explained Nephlite.
"Ah.." exclaimed Endymion and Serenity in understanding.
"Hear us, mortal rulers of Avalon...We are the Elements and without our
aid, Avalon will not survive. Neither will your son or our children."
King Terrance blinked at Serenity's words.
Suddenly, there was a terrible shaking and loud screeches accompanied by
the screams of the citizens of the Crystal City.
"What?" gasped Amy.
"Creators! What is happening??!" cried Lita turning to look at Serenity
and Endymion. They were both glowing brightly.
"The dragons have arrived. The Light One is creating an energy barrier
to keep them from destroying the city. The Fiery One is attempting to reach
their minds." answered Endymion emotionlessly.
"If the Fiery One is unsuccessful, it will be up to his child." said
Serenity.
"Me??" gaped Raye.
Silence from the two.
The terrible screechings were so loud and the Palace still shook with the
tremors of the dragons swiping at the energy dome that had enveloped the
city.
"I can see the barrier." said Mina pointing at the skylight of the throne
room.
"I see it too." said Amy.
Suddenly, the barrier flickered.
Serenity and Endymion stumbled.
"Creators!!" exclaimed Lita.
Serenity clenched her fist, her shining eyes blazing with intensity.
"Our child's body cannot handle the magic I am using. Her body is growing
weak and with a physical anchor, I cannot use my magic to it's full
intensity. Serenity and Endymion will reclaim their bodies. We must leave,
we cannot continue to communicate to you. To protect you, our children.
Fair thee well." said Serenity and Endymion as the glow left their eyes
and the two fell to the floor unconscious.
Nephlite gazed up at the skylight as the barrier strengthened. Becoming
more solid.
"Serenity.." said Raye.
"Prince.." called Malachite.
"They are exhausted." said Zoiscite. "They need rest."
Jadeite and Nephlite nodded, helping the unconscious Prince while Lita
took hold of Serenity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dragons screeched and blew flame at the barrier to no avail. The
Element of Fire could only reach the minds of a handful of dragons. Soon,
there was a raging battle in the sky as the dragons fought against each
other.
In the Palace of Crystal, Raye the Mistress of Fire and Dragons winced.
Raye felt each burn and each swipe of a tail. Sweat dotted her forehead.
She could feel the dragons in pain as they battled kith and kin. It would
be a tragic day remembered by all of the dragons.
Raye grimaced as a particularly loud wail erupted in her mind. She
caught her bottom lip with her teeth, clenching her fists.
Jadeite who had returned after settling his Prince in his chambers, saw
the pained expression on his beloved's face. Cursing, Jadeite came up
behind her and caught hold of her shoulders with his hands.
"Raye, stop it." he commanded in a low tone.
Raye was silent, her eyes squeezed shut and her fists clenched so tightly
her nails had cut into her palms.
"Beloved...stop it. You are hurting yourself. Release your link with the
dragons." growled Jadeite, his hands tightening on her shoulders.
"Can't...I...won't, abandon them again." hissed Raye through clenched
teeth. By Avalon's words, it was so painful!! Her head felt like it was
pounding, waiting to explode.
"I won't let you hurt yourself because of this, Raye. This group needs
you." swore Jadeite as powerful magic amplified by the Dragon Medallion
ran through his arms and into Raye.
Raye felt the pain and the agony and suddenly...there was nothing. She had
been locked out. Jadeite had erected a mental barrier in her mind.
Raye whirled around to face him...
"Let me go back!!" hissed Raye.
"No."
"Release me from the spell!! I will not abandon them again!" cried Raye
hysterically.
"No. I won't do it. I won't let you be in pain. We still need you, Raye.
And there's nothing you can do now to help your dragons. Sharing their pain
won't help them or help Avalon stay out of Nepherenia's grasp."
*He is right, my child..*
*Creator...*
*I am with you, child of mine.*
*Please...what am I to do?? I cannot let them suffer.*
*The dragons will be fine for now. The dark ones are still under
Nepherenia's control. The dragons I have freed will weaken them and you can
then reclaim them.*
*Creator, I am afraid.*
*Everyone is afraid now and again, my fiery child...it is natural. You
must be on your guard. Nepherenia plans evil.*
*I will be, Creator.*
*He is calling you, child...*
"Raye...Raye!! What's wrong??!" asked Jadeite shaking her.
Raye blinked. "Nothing, Jadeite. I'm sorry I shouted at you." she sobbed.
"I'm just so scared!" whispered Raye as she buried her face in his chest.
Strong arms came around to envelope her. Comforting her.
"Shhh...everything will be fine."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amy sighed as she watched the Fire Elemental sob softly, hugging Jadeite.
"What's wrong?" asked Zoiscite, coming up behind her.
"It's strange. It almost seems like it was only yesterday your group
stumbled upon our existance."
"Things have passed at quite a pace." agreed Zoiscite.
"Perhaps, if we had hidden our existance. Not come out to help the village
from that wild magic outbreak, perhaps Avalon would not be in the state it
is in now. A sacrifice of one village for a whole dimension."
"Don't say that. I would rather have all the destruction around me and
know you rather than have a peaceful existance and never have met you."
whispered Zoiscite enveloping her in a hug.
"Tell it to them..." whispered Amy sadly as she pointed to the citizens
of the Crystal City running about in screaming terror.
They stood there for a moment in pregnant silence.
"Zoiscite..."
"Hmm?"
"Un viadai ama."
"Amy?"
Silence...
Zoiscite stared down at the blue haired woman in his arms in confusion.
He had not understood her words. They had been in the ancient language of
Avalon. A language that had been long lost by the ancestors of Avalon. But
he had understood the wealth of emotion behind them. He looked down once
more and saw a rosy blush on the nymph's face, a secret smile on her lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mina.."
Mina opened her eyes from her practice. "Malachite?"
Usually, it would be disconcerting to see the one you loved, sitting
cross legged in mid air surrounded by a bright yellow orange aura.
"What's wrong? Has something happened?" asked Mina as she floated down.
"Nothing has happened. But it's been over an hour since Serenity and
Endymion fainted. I was just..." said Malachite helplessly.
Mina smiled. "You're not always this inarticulate."
Malachite raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know what that means??"
Mina glared at him and sent beam of light to bind him in place.
Malachite laughed.
The Moon medallion flared, releasing it's own magic to combat Mina's
magic. Mina frowned. "That's not fair."
Malachite caught her to him and grinned. He could not help it. Even with
Avalon threathened as it was, he could not help but smile at this golden
woman of light that he loved.
"Nothing in this world is fair, my beloved."
"You're disturbing my practice."
"Right." he smiled.
"Idiot."
"Are you talking to someone behind my shoulder?"
"Malachite!!"
"Alright!" he laughed.
Silence...
"Mina, do you think we'll really beat this??"
"Of course! We have to!!" exclaimed Mina confused.
"I don't want to lose you..." whispered Malachite sadly, hugging her
tightly to him.
"What brought this on?" asked Mina surprised, touching his face. Her
fingers came away wet with his silent tears. "Mal?"
"I feel selfish, Mina. I've never been selfish in my life. I feel selfish
because I would rather you not fight and be alive than to lose you to save
Avalon. I'm so weak..."
Mina stared at him quietly. "I'm selfish too, Mal..."
Malachite looked up at her.'
"I too want to spend the rest of my days quietly and peacefully with you.
To keep you to myself. But I know, if we don't fight...we won't have a
future together. We wouldn't have any peace." sighed Mina.
"You're stronger than I, Mina."
"We're stronger together." smiled Mina, clasping his large hand in hers.
Malachite looked down at their hands, linked together...for all time, and
felt some measure of peace. He smiled.
"I love you." he whispered.
"Un viadai ama."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nephlite and Lita sat in the bedchamber where Serenity and Endymion were
resting. Only the sound of steady breathing could be heard in the room.
Lita was sitting on the large bed next to Serenity, holding her hand. Why
had they not awaken yet??
Nephlite who sat on the opposite side of the bed, watched the variety of
emotions that flitted across his beloved's face.
Lita swallowed and turned her head to the sounds of battle outside. The
screech and snarl of the dragons as they battled each other. The moan of
the plants. The pitiful whimpers of the people, cowering in their huts and
houses. Lita heard it all.
A lump rose in her throat, threathening to choke her. Everything was on
a tail-spin. Her whole world crashing down upon her. A sob left her throat
as tears left her emerald eyes.
Lita looked up when a warm large hand cupped her face and wiped away the
tears trickling down her face. Lifting a tear stained face to the owner of
the hand.
Nephlite stared down at her face. Her long eyelashes were wet and shining
with the tears clinging to them. Her emerald eyes seemed more luminous than
ever. A sob left her mouth as she buried her head into his abdomen.
He stood there, a hand in her mass of chocolate brown curls, holding her
head to him as she cried. He stared down at her in understanding.
"Don't let me go, Nephlite. Don't ever let me go..." whispered Lita.
"Hush...I am here. I'm never leaving you. I love you." soothed Nephlite.
"Dear Ancients, why?? I don't know if we're strong enough to beat this,
Neph. My papa died fighting her.."
Bending down and grasping her face in both of his hands, he stared
fiercely at her. "You're not your papa. We're not your papa. We'll beat this
thing, Lita. We will!! We're going to have a future. All of us together,
remember?? We'll find a way, love." whispered Nephlite furiously.
Lita nodded. "All of us, together. I love you.."
Nephlite smiled, nodding. He rested his forehead on Lita's, smiling still
holding her face as Lita leaned into their tender moment as well.
A noise broke their reverie...
"Is...anyone-...-there??" came a slow frightened voice.
Both of their heads shot up, turning to the couple who had been lying on
the bed for the past hour or so. They were awake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nepherenia glared angrily at the city encased in a shining dome of light.
She watched as the dragons fought amongst themselves. Some of them had
escaped her spell and the others fought them to get to the dome.
"The Elements." hissed Nepherenia, the word sounding like a curse on her
lips.
"Mistress?" questioned Morgana.
"This is the Elements doing." snarled Nephrenia. "The dome is their
handiwork!! The element of Light."
Morgana who stood behind Nephrenia, stared at the bright shining dome that
was keeping the dragon's out like a barrier.
"No matter...once I take some of the magic from that element, I will make
all who stand in my way, suffer. Where is the magic of the element of Light,
Morgana?" demanded Nephrenia, turning to her minion.
"A rainbow, Mistress. A special rainbow found at the falls beyond this
mountain." pointed Morgana at a ominous grey peak.
"Very well, we will go now."
"Of course, Mistress."
Nephrenia and Morgana disappeared towards the mountains, searching for
a lost valley, once the dwelling of the Elementals of Light as well as
Water. The water flowing there was another source of magic like the previous
waterfall.
*And I shall have them all..*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The people gathered around in the throne room. Nephlite and Lita had
called together a meeting of great importance. The King and Queen sat
patiently and worriedly on their thrones. Amy and Zoiscite were holding
onto each other for support, Mina stood in Malachite's embrace while Jadeite
was sitting, watching Raye pace the floor.
The large and heavy oak doors swung open with a loud resounding bang.
Zoiscite winced. Only someone with strength could open the doors that way.
Lita, Nephlite, Serenity and Endymion hurried into the room.
"Serenity! Endymion! You're awake!" cried Mina breaking away from her
lover's arms. Relief evident on her face.
"No time for pleasantries, Mina." said Serenity seriously. Lita and
Nephlite both had grim expressions on their faces. Something was wrong...
"What's wrong?" asked Amy softly.
Serenity met Endymion's eyes. He nodded and clasped her hand in his,
giving it a comforting and supportive squeeze.
"The Elements have told me, Nepherenia is headed towards the Sacred
Mountains. The original dwellings of the Elementals of Light and the
Elementals of Ice." said Serenity slowly, pinpointing Mina and Amy with her
blue eyes.
Mina's eyes widened. Amy lifted a hand to cover her mouth. "What? How?"
"It seems, Nepherenia is trying to asorb a portion of the elemental magic
of Light." nodded Endymion. "Both your elements originate from the Sacred
Mountains, Mina's at the a special valley at the mountains and Amy's at the
top at the snow peaks. Lita's the Sacred Forests which the Forest of Aeden
was a part of. Raye's the Lair of the Dragons." explained Endymion.
Amy nodded. "Yes, I recall that in our teachings. Our ancestors rarely
grouped together as living in close range proved....shall we say, quite
combustible. They only came together to battle wild magic outbreaks,
occasional demons and when the Council of Elders came together."
"What do we do?" asked Mina.
"Nepherenia still has to search for the Rainbow of Life. The Elements said
Morgana never found it. She only knew the general location." murmured
Serenity.
"We could get there as we got here." suggested Jadeite.
"No, with the barrier protecting the city, it would be too dangerous. The
barrier too strong to waste expending energy over and we cannot ask that
the barrier be opened even slightly with the dragons out there. Besides,
there is no way Mina would be able to handle such a risky spell." chastised
Zoiscite.
Raye had been standing quietly in the room for several moments now.
Jadeite turned his attention to the unusually quiet elemental. His brows
knitting over his eyes as she looked as if she were in a trance.
"Raye?"
~Do you understand, my child?~
~Yes, creator. I do.~
~You realize what is at stake?~
~I do. I will not fail again, creator.~
~Then be ready, my child. You will only have one chance at this. If you
are not able to regain control of the dragons, you will have lost this
battle before it has even begun, and you and your comrades will perish. Are
certain you are willing to risk this chance and sacrifice everything?~
~Yes, creator. I have to do this. I will not abandon them again.~
~Then you go with my blessing. You must know the exact moment to strike.~
"Raye? Are you alright?" asked Jadeite, standing in front of her.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped to his. An emotion fluttered across her
features before it disappeared. She moved past him and out proceeded to the
open balcony that led to the outside of the Palace.
"Raye! Where are you going?!"
Raye did not answer.
In the air, the dragons still battled each other for supremacy. Raye took
a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to descend into the minds of the
dragons. Every dragon was linked to each other and so, they were linked to
her.
Her friends rushed out and stared at her.
"Raye? What are you-" began Mina. As she moved forward, a ring of flame
leapt around the Mistress of Fire and Dragons, flaming into a barrier of
impassable burning flames that leaped and danced around her.
"Mina!"
"Amy! Can you-" began Jadeite.
"NO!" exclaimed Serenity, catching hold of Amy's outstretched wrist. Her
blue eyes burning into Amy's own, Serenity had a deathly glare. "DO...NOT."
"What? Why?" asked Lita.
"You cannot interfere in what she is doing now, lest you want her to
perish. Raye had gone too deep to bring her out safely without killing her.
Any disturbance to her right now, like cooling her fire with your ice, will
surely be the death of her." explained Serenity.
Raye did not hear the voices of her friends. She only heard the whistles
and rumbles of the dragons. They were hurt. They were in pain. They wanted
to be free. She almost felt sweat bead down her head. She only had one
chance at this. Only ONE.
This was it. The central nexus of the link that bound all the dragons
together. She had to unweave the black strands that were slowly polluting
the link. She had to strike now or forever lose them.
But what if this was the wrong time to strike??
Raye knew what would happen, but she had no choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity watched, a sadness in her eyes. Her hand gripped Endymion's
harder for support and comfort.
Suddenly, Raye was screaming, the dragons were screaming. The ones that
had been under Nepherenia's control, fell heavily to the earth as the ones
in the air, landed beside their fallen kind, nudging them with their long
snouts. Curious whimpers and whinnies filling the air.
Raye had fallen back into Jadeite's arms. A tired look on her face.
As she heard the sounds, she smiled wearily. "They're fine now."
Serenity nodded. "Then we can leave."
"WHAT???"
"We have to get to the Sacred Mountains." reminded Endymion.
"Now??"
"Yes. Look," pointed Serenity at the barrier. A gap in the top of the
dome had opened. A way through the barrier.
"But, how??" questioned Mina.
"We need your ability, Mina." said Endymion.
"But, I can't handle what the Elements did!" cried Mina.
Malachite stared at the pair, his Prince and Serenity, aghast. "You cannot
be serious! Zoiscite said so before! It could kill her!"
A smile appeared on Serenity's lips. "No, it won't. I will be channeling
the magic. Mina is to act as my focus and Endymion will be my support and
strength."
"Serenity...you can't."
"I can. Just ask Endymion, I wield more magic than you know. I can do
this. I am the Vessel of Avalon, Mina. I just need you to guide me, to light
our path to the Rainbow." pleaded Serenity. "We have to."
Reluctantly, Mina nodded. "Alright."
"Thank you." smiled Serenity as she held out a hand to for Mina's.
"What about Raye?"
"Bring her here." said Serenity. "The rest of you must form a circle
around the four of us."
The group obeyed. Endymion knelt on one knee, taking his place behind
Serenity to hold her arms. Serenity who was kneeling, looked up at him with
a smile as she clasped Mina's outstretched hand in one hand and in her free
hand, cradled Raye close to her.
Her expression nearly took the breath from Endymion. Her gaze was filled
with love and trust. They both nodded and closed their eyes, concentrating.
By the doorway, the King and Queen of Avalon watched them with heavy
hearts. They were going to face a powerful foe whose abilities were unknown
to them. There was even a chance they might not return.
The pair watched as the group disappeared in a flash of white light.
*Please, come back safely.* prayed Queen Gaia as King Terrance pulled
her closer to his side, both of them looking towards the heavens as a flash
of light flew across the sky like a shooting star.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Review! Email! What do you think will happen next, as the group heads to
the Sacred Mountains to battle Nepherenia. Will they triumph will they fail?
Will the fourth element fall? Find out in the next chapter. :)
Up Next! ~ Chapter 3: Evil and Chaos ~
13/6/02
Edited: 15/6/02
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
~ speaking with an element
23/3/02
Yes, unfortunately with the closing down of The Portal(which is very sad),
I haven't found a place to post all these stories yet.
(ASMR is so confusing). But I have a FF.net account, so most of my stories
will be posted there I guess. :| *Ciao*
Recapturing:
The dragons were enslaved by Nepherenia and Raye is in anguish.
But something is wrong with Endymion and Serenity. What is it?
~ Chapter 2: Vessel of Avalon - Serenity ~
"Prince? Serenity?" called Jadeite with a hesitant voice. Their faces
were serene. Almost creepy. An eerie silvery glow was coming from them.
"What's wrong with them??" asked Malachite in a hostile tone as he
noticed Mina, Lita and Amy having an almost identical look of calm and
bliss on them. Raye was the only one that seemed unaffected.
Raye stared at the ground, her violet eyes wide in shock. Raven strands
of hair floated around her face. Her hands gripped the soil on the ground.
They were taken!! Squeezing her eyes shut, Raye tried to block out the
screams of the dragons that had filled her ears, still ringing in her head.
She had failed to protect them. Some Mistress of Fire and Dragons she
turned out to be.
Suddenly, she noticed the silvery tendrils of power reaching around her.
Trying to comfort her. To take away her pain. It was the same power she had
felt and pushed away moments ago. Now, wanting nothing more than comfort,
Raye succumbed to the gentle embrace of the silvery power that soothed her
and lulled her into a calm blissful state.
Malachite's eyes hardened as he saw Raye's expression change from one of
pain and anguish to one of blissful calm.
He glared at the silent Prince and Elemental.
"My Prince! What are you doing??" questioned Malachite. He wanted Mina
back. He knew it was rude to shout at his Prince, but he couldn't help it.
Malachite saw Serenity reach out her hand towards the other Elementals.
The women moved towards her like adoring fans, peaceful looks on their
faces. Like people mesmerized.
Malachite feared it was a trick by Nepherenia, rushed at Serenity only to
encounter a wall that blew him backwards. Endymion's eyes were glowing a
silvery gold. Two auras, the gold was his and the silver was Serenity's.
Endymion's face was a mask of anger and hatred, staring at Malachite.
"Endymion.." whispered Zoiscite.
Endymion's ugly expression fell away as he turned his attention to
Zoiscite.
The Elementals stopped in front of Serenity. Serenity turned to glare at
Endymion.
"We do not have time for this nonsense. Cease at once, Fiery One."
entoned Serenity.
Endymion turned to Serenity. "He tried to harm a child of mine. I was
merely protecting her as her soulmate is supposed to." said Endymion.
"This child belongs to all of us, Fiery One. Besides, the man is the
chosen mate of my other child." reminded Serenity.
"Indeed, Light One." replied Endymion.
Serenity turned back and touched each Elemental on the forehead.
Raye, Mina, Amy and Lita awoke and blinked at each other, confused.
"What happened? I feel as if I have awaken from a long dream." said Lita.
"Mal! What happened to you??" asked Mina rushing to him and kneeling by
his side. "You're hurt."
"He did it." said Malachite looking at Endymion, confused by his
conversation with Serenity.
"He deserved it. Rushing at my child like that."
"Child? Serenity's pregnant??" asked Lita confused. Amy blushed at Lita's
lack of tact and subtleness.
Serenity and Endymion shook their heads. "Serenity is our child." entoned
both of them.
"The Elements..." breathed Amy in awe.
"Our creators." gasped Raye.
"Yes, that is correct my child." smiled Endymion at Raye's words.
"You are the Fire."
"And you are the Light." gasped Mina looking at Serenity.
"Actually, I'm the Watery One right now." laughed Serenity demurely.
"My element!" exclaimed Amy.
"I don't understand! How can this be?" asked Lita.
"This is almost exactly as the time we inhabited our Child's body to give
the four of you increased abilities." explained Endymion.
"But how?"
"Serenity is the Vessel of Avalon. She can be our host. And she is a
child of all Elements while the four of you, are different." said Endymion.
"Raye, a child of the Fiery One.
Mina, a child of the Light One.
Lita, a child of the Earthen One.
And Amy, a child of the Watery One." said Serenity with a smile.
Lita rolled her eyes. "We really have to get new names for you, you know.
You can't go about calling yourselves the Ones.." sighed Lita.
"Do not be impertinent, my child." reprimanded Endymion.
Lita stuck her tongue out at her Element that had taken over Fiery's place
in Endymion's body.
"But..how come Endymion is part of it? How is it you speak through him?
He is not an Elemental." asked Amy.
"Endymion is Serenity's soulmate. He is in truth, far beyond us. He is
Avalon itself and is in short our master. But as he is bound to a child of
ours, we can speak through him."
"We are here to help you, our children." said Serenity and Endymion.
"But Serenity and Endymion?" asked Mina.
"They are here, child of Light." smiled Endymion's body.
"We will help you reach the Crystal City and our two chosen ones will be
returned control of their bodies. Nepherenia has already injured 3 of us.
A part of the Light cannot be controlled by her. If she does, she may very
well use everything against you." said Serenity in a serious voice.
"We are ready to follow, creators." swore the Elementals.
The four men frowned. "We follow wherever the women go as well as our
Prince." spoke Malachite, still wary of the Elements, unsure whether the
Fiery One was about again.
Malachite nudged Jadeite. " I do not envy you your Raye's Creator. He has
a nasty temper. Beware your creator-in-law." teased Malachite.
"Be nice, mate of my child." boomed Endymion's voice. The Light One.
Malachite glared at Endymion and tugged Mina to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nepherenia had already taken to the air, aided by her newest recruits.
The dragons of Avalon.
From the skies, Nepherenia laughed as she saw the floating haven of the
Princess of the Skies. Nepherenia landed on the Floating Island. Kayala
materialized to meet her mistress.
"Mistress." greeted Kayala.
"Your progress Kayala." demanded Nepherenia.
"The Mer-Princess has abandoned her city and the Sapphire Palace and has
taken her people to sacred grounds of magic. The Seadras will not venture
there. The Sky Princess has barracaded all her people in the
Palace of Gales." said Kayala.
"Incompetent fool." hissed Nepherenia. They are but lesser beings in
partial control of a certain element."
"I beg your forgiveness, Mistress." whispered Kayala.
"I will have the Floating Island as my base of operations. I want the
insolent Princess of the Skies subdued and brought to me."
Turning to the dragons, Nepherenia pointed towards the Crystal City in
the distance. "Attack the city, my winged pets."
The dragons with their black eyes flew towards the city.
Serenity and Endymion stopped. Their eyes were still glowing, marking the
presence of the Elements inhabiting their bodies.
"Creators...what is it?" asked Lita.
"We must hurry. Nepherenia has sent the dragons against the Crystal City."
said Serenity with a frown.
"We must use the Light One's power to take us there. It is taking too long
to get there by foot. We feared our power would be too great for our child's
body to manage, but we have no choice now." said Endymion.
"Creators..." whispered Amy.
"Form a circle around us, children." ordered Endymion.
The 8 of them formed a circle knowing it was no use to protest. If they
lost the Crystal City, everything would be lost. The Crystal City had been
built on top of the highest point of magic on Avalon. The focal point of
all magical energy in Avalon.
Endymion and Serenity held hands and a silvery gold light started to
envelope them. The aura expanded until all 8 were enveloped in it.
They didn't feel or hear anything. They could feel no air blowing about
them. The silvery gold aura was the only thing they could see, feel... it
was everywhere.
Then, everything returned to normal. They were back in normal reality.
There was air, smell and sound.
Jadeite blinked. They were in the Palace.
"By the Ancient Ways! Where did you come from??" gaped King Terrance.
"Endymion!! You're back!" exclaimed Queen Gaia rising from her throne.
Malachite blinked. He could have sworn it had only been a second ago they
had been standing outside on grass still miles from the Crystal City.
"We used the Light One's abilities. Light is everywhere and we can travel
in the blink of an eye. The child of the Light One is able to do it, but
not with the scale of the Element itself." smiled Endymion.
"Endy? What are you talking about? I don't understand you! And why are
your eyes glowing??!" demanded Queen Gaia.
"I am not Endymion, mother of the chosen. We are the Elements of Avalon.
Your son and his soulmate's bodies are our hosts." answered Endymion in his
monotonous voice.
"Endymion??" gaped Queen Gaia confused.
"His body is what you see your Majesty, but not Endymion's spirit." said
Zoiscite, wanting to calm his Queen down. She was a thing to be feared in
her anxiety over Endymion.
"What??!" exclaimed King Terrance. "Remove whatever it is from my son's
body right now. Bring him back!"
"Your Majesty, we cannot do that. The Elements communicate to us through
the Prince." said Jadeite.
The elements are elements! They cannot speak!" exclaimed King Terrance.
"Your mortal King has unsual thoughts, protectors of the chosen, mates to
our children." said Serenity.
"He's sceptical to the existance of the Elementals." explained Nephlite.
"Ah.." exclaimed Endymion and Serenity in understanding.
"Hear us, mortal rulers of Avalon...We are the Elements and without our
aid, Avalon will not survive. Neither will your son or our children."
King Terrance blinked at Serenity's words.
Suddenly, there was a terrible shaking and loud screeches accompanied by
the screams of the citizens of the Crystal City.
"What?" gasped Amy.
"Creators! What is happening??!" cried Lita turning to look at Serenity
and Endymion. They were both glowing brightly.
"The dragons have arrived. The Light One is creating an energy barrier
to keep them from destroying the city. The Fiery One is attempting to reach
their minds." answered Endymion emotionlessly.
"If the Fiery One is unsuccessful, it will be up to his child." said
Serenity.
"Me??" gaped Raye.
Silence from the two.
The terrible screechings were so loud and the Palace still shook with the
tremors of the dragons swiping at the energy dome that had enveloped the
city.
"I can see the barrier." said Mina pointing at the skylight of the throne
room.
"I see it too." said Amy.
Suddenly, the barrier flickered.
Serenity and Endymion stumbled.
"Creators!!" exclaimed Lita.
Serenity clenched her fist, her shining eyes blazing with intensity.
"Our child's body cannot handle the magic I am using. Her body is growing
weak and with a physical anchor, I cannot use my magic to it's full
intensity. Serenity and Endymion will reclaim their bodies. We must leave,
we cannot continue to communicate to you. To protect you, our children.
Fair thee well." said Serenity and Endymion as the glow left their eyes
and the two fell to the floor unconscious.
Nephlite gazed up at the skylight as the barrier strengthened. Becoming
more solid.
"Serenity.." said Raye.
"Prince.." called Malachite.
"They are exhausted." said Zoiscite. "They need rest."
Jadeite and Nephlite nodded, helping the unconscious Prince while Lita
took hold of Serenity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dragons screeched and blew flame at the barrier to no avail. The
Element of Fire could only reach the minds of a handful of dragons. Soon,
there was a raging battle in the sky as the dragons fought against each
other.
In the Palace of Crystal, Raye the Mistress of Fire and Dragons winced.
Raye felt each burn and each swipe of a tail. Sweat dotted her forehead.
She could feel the dragons in pain as they battled kith and kin. It would
be a tragic day remembered by all of the dragons.
Raye grimaced as a particularly loud wail erupted in her mind. She
caught her bottom lip with her teeth, clenching her fists.
Jadeite who had returned after settling his Prince in his chambers, saw
the pained expression on his beloved's face. Cursing, Jadeite came up
behind her and caught hold of her shoulders with his hands.
"Raye, stop it." he commanded in a low tone.
Raye was silent, her eyes squeezed shut and her fists clenched so tightly
her nails had cut into her palms.
"Beloved...stop it. You are hurting yourself. Release your link with the
dragons." growled Jadeite, his hands tightening on her shoulders.
"Can't...I...won't, abandon them again." hissed Raye through clenched
teeth. By Avalon's words, it was so painful!! Her head felt like it was
pounding, waiting to explode.
"I won't let you hurt yourself because of this, Raye. This group needs
you." swore Jadeite as powerful magic amplified by the Dragon Medallion
ran through his arms and into Raye.
Raye felt the pain and the agony and suddenly...there was nothing. She had
been locked out. Jadeite had erected a mental barrier in her mind.
Raye whirled around to face him...
"Let me go back!!" hissed Raye.
"No."
"Release me from the spell!! I will not abandon them again!" cried Raye
hysterically.
"No. I won't do it. I won't let you be in pain. We still need you, Raye.
And there's nothing you can do now to help your dragons. Sharing their pain
won't help them or help Avalon stay out of Nepherenia's grasp."
*He is right, my child..*
*Creator...*
*I am with you, child of mine.*
*Please...what am I to do?? I cannot let them suffer.*
*The dragons will be fine for now. The dark ones are still under
Nepherenia's control. The dragons I have freed will weaken them and you can
then reclaim them.*
*Creator, I am afraid.*
*Everyone is afraid now and again, my fiery child...it is natural. You
must be on your guard. Nepherenia plans evil.*
*I will be, Creator.*
*He is calling you, child...*
"Raye...Raye!! What's wrong??!" asked Jadeite shaking her.
Raye blinked. "Nothing, Jadeite. I'm sorry I shouted at you." she sobbed.
"I'm just so scared!" whispered Raye as she buried her face in his chest.
Strong arms came around to envelope her. Comforting her.
"Shhh...everything will be fine."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amy sighed as she watched the Fire Elemental sob softly, hugging Jadeite.
"What's wrong?" asked Zoiscite, coming up behind her.
"It's strange. It almost seems like it was only yesterday your group
stumbled upon our existance."
"Things have passed at quite a pace." agreed Zoiscite.
"Perhaps, if we had hidden our existance. Not come out to help the village
from that wild magic outbreak, perhaps Avalon would not be in the state it
is in now. A sacrifice of one village for a whole dimension."
"Don't say that. I would rather have all the destruction around me and
know you rather than have a peaceful existance and never have met you."
whispered Zoiscite enveloping her in a hug.
"Tell it to them..." whispered Amy sadly as she pointed to the citizens
of the Crystal City running about in screaming terror.
They stood there for a moment in pregnant silence.
"Zoiscite..."
"Hmm?"
"Un viadai ama."
"Amy?"
Silence...
Zoiscite stared down at the blue haired woman in his arms in confusion.
He had not understood her words. They had been in the ancient language of
Avalon. A language that had been long lost by the ancestors of Avalon. But
he had understood the wealth of emotion behind them. He looked down once
more and saw a rosy blush on the nymph's face, a secret smile on her lips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mina.."
Mina opened her eyes from her practice. "Malachite?"
Usually, it would be disconcerting to see the one you loved, sitting
cross legged in mid air surrounded by a bright yellow orange aura.
"What's wrong? Has something happened?" asked Mina as she floated down.
"Nothing has happened. But it's been over an hour since Serenity and
Endymion fainted. I was just..." said Malachite helplessly.
Mina smiled. "You're not always this inarticulate."
Malachite raised an eyebrow. "Do you even know what that means??"
Mina glared at him and sent beam of light to bind him in place.
Malachite laughed.
The Moon medallion flared, releasing it's own magic to combat Mina's
magic. Mina frowned. "That's not fair."
Malachite caught her to him and grinned. He could not help it. Even with
Avalon threathened as it was, he could not help but smile at this golden
woman of light that he loved.
"Nothing in this world is fair, my beloved."
"You're disturbing my practice."
"Right." he smiled.
"Idiot."
"Are you talking to someone behind my shoulder?"
"Malachite!!"
"Alright!" he laughed.
Silence...
"Mina, do you think we'll really beat this??"
"Of course! We have to!!" exclaimed Mina confused.
"I don't want to lose you..." whispered Malachite sadly, hugging her
tightly to him.
"What brought this on?" asked Mina surprised, touching his face. Her
fingers came away wet with his silent tears. "Mal?"
"I feel selfish, Mina. I've never been selfish in my life. I feel selfish
because I would rather you not fight and be alive than to lose you to save
Avalon. I'm so weak..."
Mina stared at him quietly. "I'm selfish too, Mal..."
Malachite looked up at her.'
"I too want to spend the rest of my days quietly and peacefully with you.
To keep you to myself. But I know, if we don't fight...we won't have a
future together. We wouldn't have any peace." sighed Mina.
"You're stronger than I, Mina."
"We're stronger together." smiled Mina, clasping his large hand in hers.
Malachite looked down at their hands, linked together...for all time, and
felt some measure of peace. He smiled.
"I love you." he whispered.
"Un viadai ama."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nephlite and Lita sat in the bedchamber where Serenity and Endymion were
resting. Only the sound of steady breathing could be heard in the room.
Lita was sitting on the large bed next to Serenity, holding her hand. Why
had they not awaken yet??
Nephlite who sat on the opposite side of the bed, watched the variety of
emotions that flitted across his beloved's face.
Lita swallowed and turned her head to the sounds of battle outside. The
screech and snarl of the dragons as they battled each other. The moan of
the plants. The pitiful whimpers of the people, cowering in their huts and
houses. Lita heard it all.
A lump rose in her throat, threathening to choke her. Everything was on
a tail-spin. Her whole world crashing down upon her. A sob left her throat
as tears left her emerald eyes.
Lita looked up when a warm large hand cupped her face and wiped away the
tears trickling down her face. Lifting a tear stained face to the owner of
the hand.
Nephlite stared down at her face. Her long eyelashes were wet and shining
with the tears clinging to them. Her emerald eyes seemed more luminous than
ever. A sob left her mouth as she buried her head into his abdomen.
He stood there, a hand in her mass of chocolate brown curls, holding her
head to him as she cried. He stared down at her in understanding.
"Don't let me go, Nephlite. Don't ever let me go..." whispered Lita.
"Hush...I am here. I'm never leaving you. I love you." soothed Nephlite.
"Dear Ancients, why?? I don't know if we're strong enough to beat this,
Neph. My papa died fighting her.."
Bending down and grasping her face in both of his hands, he stared
fiercely at her. "You're not your papa. We're not your papa. We'll beat this
thing, Lita. We will!! We're going to have a future. All of us together,
remember?? We'll find a way, love." whispered Nephlite furiously.
Lita nodded. "All of us, together. I love you.."
Nephlite smiled, nodding. He rested his forehead on Lita's, smiling still
holding her face as Lita leaned into their tender moment as well.
A noise broke their reverie...
"Is...anyone-...-there??" came a slow frightened voice.
Both of their heads shot up, turning to the couple who had been lying on
the bed for the past hour or so. They were awake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nepherenia glared angrily at the city encased in a shining dome of light.
She watched as the dragons fought amongst themselves. Some of them had
escaped her spell and the others fought them to get to the dome.
"The Elements." hissed Nepherenia, the word sounding like a curse on her
lips.
"Mistress?" questioned Morgana.
"This is the Elements doing." snarled Nephrenia. "The dome is their
handiwork!! The element of Light."
Morgana who stood behind Nephrenia, stared at the bright shining dome that
was keeping the dragon's out like a barrier.
"No matter...once I take some of the magic from that element, I will make
all who stand in my way, suffer. Where is the magic of the element of Light,
Morgana?" demanded Nephrenia, turning to her minion.
"A rainbow, Mistress. A special rainbow found at the falls beyond this
mountain." pointed Morgana at a ominous grey peak.
"Very well, we will go now."
"Of course, Mistress."
Nephrenia and Morgana disappeared towards the mountains, searching for
a lost valley, once the dwelling of the Elementals of Light as well as
Water. The water flowing there was another source of magic like the previous
waterfall.
*And I shall have them all..*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The people gathered around in the throne room. Nephlite and Lita had
called together a meeting of great importance. The King and Queen sat
patiently and worriedly on their thrones. Amy and Zoiscite were holding
onto each other for support, Mina stood in Malachite's embrace while Jadeite
was sitting, watching Raye pace the floor.
The large and heavy oak doors swung open with a loud resounding bang.
Zoiscite winced. Only someone with strength could open the doors that way.
Lita, Nephlite, Serenity and Endymion hurried into the room.
"Serenity! Endymion! You're awake!" cried Mina breaking away from her
lover's arms. Relief evident on her face.
"No time for pleasantries, Mina." said Serenity seriously. Lita and
Nephlite both had grim expressions on their faces. Something was wrong...
"What's wrong?" asked Amy softly.
Serenity met Endymion's eyes. He nodded and clasped her hand in his,
giving it a comforting and supportive squeeze.
"The Elements have told me, Nepherenia is headed towards the Sacred
Mountains. The original dwellings of the Elementals of Light and the
Elementals of Ice." said Serenity slowly, pinpointing Mina and Amy with her
blue eyes.
Mina's eyes widened. Amy lifted a hand to cover her mouth. "What? How?"
"It seems, Nepherenia is trying to asorb a portion of the elemental magic
of Light." nodded Endymion. "Both your elements originate from the Sacred
Mountains, Mina's at the a special valley at the mountains and Amy's at the
top at the snow peaks. Lita's the Sacred Forests which the Forest of Aeden
was a part of. Raye's the Lair of the Dragons." explained Endymion.
Amy nodded. "Yes, I recall that in our teachings. Our ancestors rarely
grouped together as living in close range proved....shall we say, quite
combustible. They only came together to battle wild magic outbreaks,
occasional demons and when the Council of Elders came together."
"What do we do?" asked Mina.
"Nepherenia still has to search for the Rainbow of Life. The Elements said
Morgana never found it. She only knew the general location." murmured
Serenity.
"We could get there as we got here." suggested Jadeite.
"No, with the barrier protecting the city, it would be too dangerous. The
barrier too strong to waste expending energy over and we cannot ask that
the barrier be opened even slightly with the dragons out there. Besides,
there is no way Mina would be able to handle such a risky spell." chastised
Zoiscite.
Raye had been standing quietly in the room for several moments now.
Jadeite turned his attention to the unusually quiet elemental. His brows
knitting over his eyes as she looked as if she were in a trance.
"Raye?"
~Do you understand, my child?~
~Yes, creator. I do.~
~You realize what is at stake?~
~I do. I will not fail again, creator.~
~Then be ready, my child. You will only have one chance at this. If you
are not able to regain control of the dragons, you will have lost this
battle before it has even begun, and you and your comrades will perish. Are
certain you are willing to risk this chance and sacrifice everything?~
~Yes, creator. I have to do this. I will not abandon them again.~
~Then you go with my blessing. You must know the exact moment to strike.~
"Raye? Are you alright?" asked Jadeite, standing in front of her.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped to his. An emotion fluttered across her
features before it disappeared. She moved past him and out proceeded to the
open balcony that led to the outside of the Palace.
"Raye! Where are you going?!"
Raye did not answer.
In the air, the dragons still battled each other for supremacy. Raye took
a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to descend into the minds of the
dragons. Every dragon was linked to each other and so, they were linked to
her.
Her friends rushed out and stared at her.
"Raye? What are you-" began Mina. As she moved forward, a ring of flame
leapt around the Mistress of Fire and Dragons, flaming into a barrier of
impassable burning flames that leaped and danced around her.
"Mina!"
"Amy! Can you-" began Jadeite.
"NO!" exclaimed Serenity, catching hold of Amy's outstretched wrist. Her
blue eyes burning into Amy's own, Serenity had a deathly glare. "DO...NOT."
"What? Why?" asked Lita.
"You cannot interfere in what she is doing now, lest you want her to
perish. Raye had gone too deep to bring her out safely without killing her.
Any disturbance to her right now, like cooling her fire with your ice, will
surely be the death of her." explained Serenity.
Raye did not hear the voices of her friends. She only heard the whistles
and rumbles of the dragons. They were hurt. They were in pain. They wanted
to be free. She almost felt sweat bead down her head. She only had one
chance at this. Only ONE.
This was it. The central nexus of the link that bound all the dragons
together. She had to unweave the black strands that were slowly polluting
the link. She had to strike now or forever lose them.
But what if this was the wrong time to strike??
Raye knew what would happen, but she had no choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serenity watched, a sadness in her eyes. Her hand gripped Endymion's
harder for support and comfort.
Suddenly, Raye was screaming, the dragons were screaming. The ones that
had been under Nepherenia's control, fell heavily to the earth as the ones
in the air, landed beside their fallen kind, nudging them with their long
snouts. Curious whimpers and whinnies filling the air.
Raye had fallen back into Jadeite's arms. A tired look on her face.
As she heard the sounds, she smiled wearily. "They're fine now."
Serenity nodded. "Then we can leave."
"WHAT???"
"We have to get to the Sacred Mountains." reminded Endymion.
"Now??"
"Yes. Look," pointed Serenity at the barrier. A gap in the top of the
dome had opened. A way through the barrier.
"But, how??" questioned Mina.
"We need your ability, Mina." said Endymion.
"But, I can't handle what the Elements did!" cried Mina.
Malachite stared at the pair, his Prince and Serenity, aghast. "You cannot
be serious! Zoiscite said so before! It could kill her!"
A smile appeared on Serenity's lips. "No, it won't. I will be channeling
the magic. Mina is to act as my focus and Endymion will be my support and
strength."
"Serenity...you can't."
"I can. Just ask Endymion, I wield more magic than you know. I can do
this. I am the Vessel of Avalon, Mina. I just need you to guide me, to light
our path to the Rainbow." pleaded Serenity. "We have to."
Reluctantly, Mina nodded. "Alright."
"Thank you." smiled Serenity as she held out a hand to for Mina's.
"What about Raye?"
"Bring her here." said Serenity. "The rest of you must form a circle
around the four of us."
The group obeyed. Endymion knelt on one knee, taking his place behind
Serenity to hold her arms. Serenity who was kneeling, looked up at him with
a smile as she clasped Mina's outstretched hand in one hand and in her free
hand, cradled Raye close to her.
Her expression nearly took the breath from Endymion. Her gaze was filled
with love and trust. They both nodded and closed their eyes, concentrating.
By the doorway, the King and Queen of Avalon watched them with heavy
hearts. They were going to face a powerful foe whose abilities were unknown
to them. There was even a chance they might not return.
The pair watched as the group disappeared in a flash of white light.
*Please, come back safely.* prayed Queen Gaia as King Terrance pulled
her closer to his side, both of them looking towards the heavens as a flash
of light flew across the sky like a shooting star.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Review! Email! What do you think will happen next, as the group heads to
the Sacred Mountains to battle Nepherenia. Will they triumph will they fail?
Will the fourth element fall? Find out in the next chapter. :)
Up Next! ~ Chapter 3: Evil and Chaos ~
13/6/02
Edited: 15/6/02
