Orion Saga

Part 2

Celestial Battle

Chapter 8: Premonitions

The perspiration on her brow increases as she sits in front of the crackling flames. An uneasy feeling has been keeping her distracted; and the young priestess is determined to find out the cause.

Within the flames, there are figures. Each of them menacing. Seven women and a couple are traveling among the stars until they reach earth. When they do, she watches as she and the other soldiers begin to fight the first of many battles between them.

The violet eyes open. Staring into the flames, Rei speaks aloud. "Something evil is definitely coming.

*~*~*~*~*

"So we're starting."

Maia nods at Alcyone. "Atlas and Scorpius decided the best way was to surprise her."

The Pleiades gather together and walk into the main hall of Atlas's palace.

*~*~*~*~*

"King Perseus?"

The man glances up from the table and the picture in his hand. "Yes."

"Sire." The chamber man bows while standing in the door way. "Scorpius is here."

"Send him in."

The man leaves and Scorpius returns in his place. He walks over to the king and stands in next to him. "We'll be leaving within the hour. The Pleiades are ready."

Nodding, Perseus looks down at the table. "Alright then." The man looks up when he feels Scorpius's hand on his shoulder. "We'll avenge her Perseus. I know it won't bring her back..."

The steely gray eyes are fixed on Scorpius and his voice is emotional. "I know. Thank you for doing this."

Nodding, Scorpius turns to leave.

*~*~*~*~*

The translucent brown eyes first open to see the blanket. Looking up, she sees Samaru's face.

Samaru wakes up to feel his beloved nestling into his encircling arms. She speaks with a regretful tone in her soft voice. "I wish we could stay like this forever...but my family will wonder where I am."

He nods, glancing at a nearby clock. "You're right. I wish you didn't have to leave either. Especially now since..."

"We're finally together."

He nods and looks at her. "We can talk again tomorrow. I have something to give you then."

*~*~*~*~*

Zentora looks at Samaru as they stand in front of the door to her family's apartment. Samaru leans in close to her and the two of them share a lingering kiss. When their lips part, he smiles. "Till we meet again."

"Good night." Zentora watches him leave before walking into the apartment. She finds her parents sitting on the couch looking at her expectantly. "Um, hi."

Martin looks at his daughter. "I saw you kissing that young man."

In the back of her mind, she is thankful that he hadn't come out into the hall to embarrass her. "We did."

Nyumi runs over to her sister. "Is he your boyfriend?

Zentora nods at her little sister. "Yeah...he is."

*~*~*~*~*

The young women are sitting together watching people pass back and forth. Minako listlessly dips her straw into her drink With her hand propping her head, she sips it slowly. Makoto and Ami both look at her. Rei meanwhile, is off in her own world.

"Mina-chan?"

The blue eyes glance up at the sound of Ami's sweet voice. They rest on her for a few minutes, but she does not answer.

"Are you alright?"

All Minako can think of is Nuriko. Her thoughts wonder from her listless friend to Zentora.

Makoto's green eyes are pensive. "If you need to talk about it, Mina, you know we'll listen." When the blue eyes close, Makoto realizes. "You're thinking of Zentora-chan again."

Angry eyes stare at the straw. "So what if I am?"

"Don't you think it's time you let it go?"

Minako glares at the taller woman from her spot across the table. "I-"

"You're angry. I understand that. But what's it doing for you?" She notes the hardened look in Minako's eyes. She knows there's no point in talking to her anymore.

Ami had been watching Rei and sees that her friend is looking at the table with blank eyes. She breaks the tense silence. "Rei-chan?"

Ami calls to her again before she answers. "Yes, Ami?"

"Is something wrong?"

Rei rests her chin on her hands. She thinks of the images that she has just seen. She was worried to tell her friends, but they'd need to know. In her latest vision, there was a battle and there were deaths. Even though she couldn't see who they were, she knew they were sailor soldiers. She looks at her friends.

"I had a vision."

*~*~*~*~*

Atlas and Scorpius arrive on earth with the band of warriors. Standing together, they all take in their surroundings.

"What's this place like?"

Alcyone nods at the question from her blind sister. "Crowded." She looks around at the people moving through the streets of the bustling city. "I'm not sure if Orion will be found so easily."

"We will find her." Tygeta's charcoal eyes stare blankly ahead.