BY
COMMANDER
GALOS
CHAPTER 5: TEACHINGS
OF THE MIND AND SOUL. PART 1.
Serena was nervously looking around her surroundings. The
whole place was dark, only a few chaffs of light illuminating the corridor they
were walking on. In answer to her anxiety, she heard that deep, grave voice of
the Ethereals resonate in her head.
(There is nothing to fear, young one. Perhaps to your
untrained senses this place looks foreboding. But once your mind and soul are
in perfect harmony, you'll appreciate its beauty.)
Wincing a little at the volume, she answered. "I hope so…
and please, would you mind lowering the volume? You are giving me a headache.
And my name is Serena, not young one!"
(We apologize, young one.) This time, the voice wasn't as
strong, but still made her shiver. (But as for your name… that is still
debatable. You have to earn it back. As you are, you still can't understand
what lies behind your chosen name.)
Serena fumed for a moment at that answer. (Well, who do they
think they are? That I haven't earned my name? They don't know what I've been
through!) She yelped when she got an answer to her thoughts.
(We know, young one. We know all that is needed of you. That
is why we've been waiting for your arrival, because you need to know as well.)
"Could you please stop that!?!?" Serena almost screamed in
outrage. How dare they to read her mind without her permission! "My thoughts
are mine! You have no right to peek on my head for your entertainment, you
know!?!?"
(That's not our intention, young one. That is the way we
are, and no humor is involved. That is the way the Universe is. Everything is a
part of a great whole, and the truth of all things shines brightly in the end,
no matter what. There is no case in keeping secrets, since all is known sooner
or later.
(Consider this your first lesson.)
In that moment they arrived at their destination: A
non-descript wooden door.
(These will be your living quarters for your stay. Get refreshed
and rest for this day. Your training will begin tomorrow.) Without saying
anything else, the three Ethereals that had escorted Serena walked down the
corridor, being swallowed by the shadows almost instantly. Only the sound of
their robes swooshing on the hard floor indicated their movement.
Sighing to herself, Serena rearranged her duffel bag to rest
more comfortably on her shoulder and opened the door. What she found inside
made her cringe: the place looked like a monk's cell! A futon on the floor, a
small wooden table with a chair on one side, a small wooden cabinet to place
her things… and that was all. A small window on the wall next to the futon was
the only source of light.
Feeling suddenly tired, Serena just dropped her duffel bag
next to the cabinet and lay down on the futon. Without bothering to take her
clothes off, she closed her eyes. (Just.. a little nap, that's all. I'll close
my eyes for… one… little… )
She was soundly asleep before she could finish that thought.
In a closed room with no doors or windows, twelve Ethereals
were standing inside twelve circles of light, the rest of the room in shadows.
Not a sound was heard, however a discussion was taking place. The mental
conversation was fast, with no discernible way to distinguish who was
'talking', but that didn't matter in the long run. In the middle of the
gathering, a ghostly image of an asleep Serena floated, slowly turning to allow
the presents to look at it at all angles.
(The time has come, brothers. The one that we have been
waiting for has finally arrived.)
(Yes. There is much to do, and little time. Do you think she
will be ready for the time of truth?)
(She has a great spiritual strength. She still doesn't know
it, but inside her lays a great power. A power strong enough to alter the
destiny of countless lives. It is our duty to teach her how to use that power
responsibly.)
(I agree with you brother. She needs guidance, and that is
what we will provide for her. And as for being ready, that is something only
she will be able to tell. Her soul is old, but she is still a child. And as
such, she needs to be nurtured and guided.)
(I know you already noticed it. But there is a wound on her
soul.)
(Yes. But there is nothing we can do about it without
changing who she is. And to attempt that is tempting fate… ruining everything
we have worked for during the last eons.)
(She is tainted with what she has learned in the outside
world. She has lost focus on what is important. It will be a titan's job to get
her back in touch with what she really is.)
(She will, there is no need to worry about that.)
(And how can you be so sure, brother?)
(If you focus your attention on her, you will notice it as
well. The purity of her heart and soul is beyond what the prophecies had
announced. Despite everything she has gone through, that trait remains strong.
I have confidence that everything will proceed smoothly.)
(Then there is nothing more to discuss. We will start her
education as soon as she awakens.)
The light circles vanished after that, the room submerging
once more in total darkness.
* * *
*
Serena woke up the next day feeling refreshed. Curled on the
futon, she lazily opened her eyes, but making no attempts to move. Languidly,
she thought
(Hmmm… I wonder what Luna will make for breakfast…)
When she moved her arm to look at the clock on her
nightstand, she finally noticed that her hand was touching nothing but cold
stone. That alone immediately woke her up. Sitting on the futon, she looked
around, disoriented. For a moment she was afraid when she noticed her
surroundings, that is, until the previous day's events came back to her.
Standing up, she looked around for her duffel bag to get a fresh change of
clothes. Locating it on the floor next to the cabinet, she was about to open it
when, from the corner of her eye, noticed a small bundle on top of the table.
Curious, she turned around and moved next to the bundle. It was white and
neatly folded. Grabbing it, she began to unfold it. In a moment, she noticed
that…
"A robe???" and that it was. A robe, identical in design to
the ones the Ethereals wore, except for the color; it was a pearly white.
Running her fingers across the surface, she marveled at the softness of the
fabric. Holding it close to her nose, she took a deep breath. The robe had a
faint smell of lilacs. "Well… when in Rome…" Undressing and getting a fresh set
of undergarments from her bag, she then donned the robe. Once more, she
marveled at the way it fit her frame. "Mmmm… I could get used to this." Having nothing
more to do, and feeling hungry, she went to the door, intent on finding the
kitchen. Her surprise was immense when, upon opening the door of her cell (as
she was considering it), she almost hit an Ethereal waiting just outside.
"Oh, sorry! I didn't know you were there!" Getting no
answer, she decided to be polite. "Aaaah… good morning."
(Indeed it is, young one. Follow me; your training will
begin now.) The Ethereal then began to move towards the right.
"Hey! Just a moment!" when the Ethereal stopped, Serena
asked. "When are we going to eat breakfast? I'm hungry!"
(That will come later. Come, there is no time to waste, and
there is so much you need to learn.) Without saying another thing, the Ethereal
resumed its way, much to Serena's displeasure. They walked for some time amidst
the shadows and lights of the corridor. Serena tried to make out details of her
surroundings, but gave up after a few minutes. The darkness was too
impenetrable for her eyes to look through it. After what she felt were hours
they finally stopped in front of what she imagined was a wall. "We… we're
here?" Serena asked, puzzled.
(Indeed, young one.) In response to that thought, the wall
'flowed' open revealing an arch. Serena had to close her eyes, for they had
been accustomed to the darkness surrounding them. When her eyes stopped tearing
she finally saw where they were.
They had arrived to the outside of the citadel, somewhere
different from where she had arrived in the first place. The forest surrounding
them looked like the ones found in colder latitudes back on earth, the
atmosphere a little cold but not uncomfortable. The Ethereal then began to move
into the forest, followed by Serena. After an hour of walking, she finally
asked. "What are we doing here? And when are we going to have breakfast?" as if
to support her last question, her stomach growled demanding food. Serena
blushed in embarrassment.
(That is precisely why we are here, young one. One of the
first things you have to learn is to gather what you need. Nothing given can be
truly appreciated. The only things that can be valued are the ones gained by
ones' effort. I take it you received survival training during your stay at the
Academy, don't you?)
Serena's expression clouded at the memory; the experience
hadn't been a pleasant one, not by a long shot! As part of their training, the
instructors took the whole class to one of the desert ecosystems on the
ringworld... and left them there. For four months she and Luna had to survive
eating bugs and reptiles, as well as drinking from cactus and other plants. By
the end of that training, she had lost ten pounds, but gained a lot of
experience in surviving on harsh conditions.
"Yes, I did… and that's something I don't want to go through
ever again!"
(And what did you learn from that?)
"That roasted snake tastes like chicken?" If another
Ethereal had been there, the unusual sight of one of his kind developing a
rather respectable sweatdrop would have greeted it. Since Serena had her gaze
on the ground, she didn't see it.
(Besides that. It seems that your training was deficient.
Now, look around you and tell me what you see.)
Turning around, Serena looked at her surroundings. "Well, a
lot of bushes and trees. What am I supposed to see?"
(That is the problem with you, young one. You are looking,
but you are not seeing) sensing her confusion, the Ethereal explained. (You
have grown accustomed to what can be provided to you, forgetting what your
ancestors knew all along: everything you might ever need is always around.
Think of that for a moment, and then look around once more.)
Doing what the Ethereal had told her, Serena frowned, deep
in concentration in an attempt to understand those words. Still thinking about
that, she absently looked to her right to a nearby bush. It was then that she
noticed some birds picking at something on its branches. Her curiosity picked,
she approached the bush to examine it. When she looked closer, she finally
noticed that it was a bush of wild blueberries. She mentally slapped herself for
not noticing it in the first place. "This is what you mean? That if I'm hungry,
there is something for me to eat if I look around?"
(That is only one way to see it, young one. That same
principle can be applied to everything you do. Go ahead; pick what you need,
but only what you need.)
Serena didn't wait for another invitation, beginning to pick
on the fruits with enthusiasm. She was careful to leave the green ones on the
branches, picking only the ones that looked mature. Once her hands were full, she
began to eat her prize, the slightly acid flavor tickling on her tongue.
(We do not attach ourselves lastingly to anything that has
not cost us care, labor or longing.)
"Huh?" Serena looked at the Ethereal, puzzled by that last
thought.
(Something that a human dramatist thought on your planet a
long time ago. When you think about it, you can see the truth in that
statement. Tell me, what do you appreciate more, those wild fruits that took
you some effort, or a bag of the same on some shopping place?)
Serena had to think long and hard on that question. If she
had been asked before coming to this strange world, she would have obviously
said that the latter. Now, in light of her recent achievements, she had to
rethink that statement. While she thought, they walked among the trees,
undisturbed.
* * *
*
Makoto entered her apartment, a sad look marring her cute
face. Absently walking to the kitchen to drop her bags, she began to think of
what had happened during the last four weeks after Usagi's... disappearance.
The next day after that news flash, they had gathered at the
Hikawa Shrine to try and make heads or tails of what they had seen on
television. They still had a little hope right before Rei attempted to do a
fire reading to see if Usagi was right. Their hopes had been cruelly crushed
when, after three straight hours nothing appeared.
Oh, how had she insisted that Rei had made a mistake… that
is, until Rei finally told them with tears in her eyes that she couldn't sense
Usagi's presence anywhere. The sacred fire not wanting to reveal a thing was
just a confirmation, in Rei's words.
Unconsciously she rubbed the faint scratches on her arm.
Those had been caused when Luna, in an un-seeming display of grief, attached
herself to Rei's robes and began screaming at the young priestess to try again,
that Usagi had to be all right, that she had been captured by the enemy, that
she couldn't be… she had tried to pry the black cat off Rei's robes, earning
some scratches from her efforts, and ruining the robes in the process. It took
her all her effort to keep Luna from hurting herself and others, along with
Artemis' harsh words to calm the black cat. After that, once she released her,
Luna bolted out of the shrine.
That scene had marked a harsh time for the Senshi as a
group. Apparently, Rubeus had gotten word of Usagi's disappearance, and began
sending his forces in groups. The strain to prevent Chibi-Usa's capture by one
or more of the Four Sisters was starting to get to them. The battles had been fierce
and draining, sometimes ending with the enemy retreating with their droids
intact.
She had dived into the battles with an almost suicide frenzy
each time, screaming like a wounded banshee each time she attacked. But this
last battle had hit too close to home for her comfort.
Makoto and Chibi-Usa were shopping for supplies. The small
child's school was having a parent-child gathering, and she had been asked to
prepare curry. Since Ikuko was too busy, she asked Makoto for help, which the
thunder Senshi was glad to give. It was when they were entering the meat
section that things got awry. Apparently, the Dark Moon Family forces had
chosen that precise place to infuse dark energy into the city. A quick call for
the rest of the Senshi later, the fight was on.
They had been successful in driving the possessed customer
unconscious and evading the explosive fruits the droid had been tossing their
way when Catsy said something that drove Jupiter over the edge.
"Heh… looks like without that Moon brat you all are nothing.
Not that that would have made a difference, really. No wonder my lord Rubeus
killed her so easily if she had you as support."
Those words did it. Jupiter had been fighting her own
feelings of guilt and inadequacy for the last weeks. Hearing those same words
from the enemy was the last straw. She stopped for a couple of moments, her
arms hanging limply by the sides and the bangs of her hair covering her eyes.
When she looked up, the look on her eyes made even the Sisters take a step
back.
"You… you have no right to talk of her like that…" Jupiter's
voice carried an emotionless quality, and her eyes appeared to be emitting a
light of their own. "She… she was my friend. A great leader… and a greater
warrior than anybody. You have NO RIGHT TO SPEAK OF HER LIKE THAT!!!
"JUPITER THUNDER DRAGON!"
What happened next, she couldn't recall. All she remembered
was that she wanted to completely destroy those who tarnished Usagi's memory
with those words. When she regained her senses, the scene in front of her made
her gasp: the Sisters were gone, and all that remained of the droid was a
smoking pile of ashes. Equally, the floor and ceiling on that part of the store
was a complete ruin. Fortunately, she had kept her attack in check, otherwise a
lot of people could have been hurt… or worse.
That encounter had taken place three days ago, and still
those words haunted her. Gloomily, she had to accept that part of them were
true, at least in her mind. Rubeus had attacked Usagi when she was alone, and
she hadn't been there to help her. Worse, when her friend hadn't appeared at
first, she felt resentment and a twinge of fury at the blonde. It was when Ami
made that call for her to see that news report that everything made sense… and
her world came crashing down around her.
During her ruminations Makoto had been storing her shopping,
and was down to the last bag. When she finally noticed the last package, she
leaned on the kitchen table and stared at it.
It was a package of blueberry muffins.
"Usagi… you loved to eat these back at the meetings… you
always fought with Rei to get one before anybody else… you were happy as long
as there was food…
"Usagi… I miss you my friend… I wish… I wish…"
Overwhelmed by memories and raging feelings, Makoto
collapsed down on her knees, crying bitter tears. All the time, she clutched
the muffins next to her chest.
* * *
*
A whole three months had passed for Serena, consisting in
long walks in the forests. At first she was confused of the meaning for those
strolls, but by the end of the first month she accepted them. The conversations
that she and the Ethereal that was teaching her sustained were somewhat…
unique. The strange being sometimes spoke straight to her, but most than not he
left her to decipher what he meant with those words.
A side effect of those walks was that Serena now paid more
attention to her surroundings, being more alert to what was going on around
her. On this day, she noticed that the forest creatures were busy preparing for
the upcoming winter. Squirrels were coming and going, collecting nuts and other
edibles for them to eat during the cold season. Further ahead, she could make
out the buzzing of a beehive, its inhabitants busily at work.
She was at the moment walking towards a small water hole in
the forest. The Ethereal had taken her there on her second day to teach her the
benefits of a soothing environment for her body and soul. Another thing she
used it for was to get cleaned…
The place had a small waterfall, the water itself not cold, more
like tepid. At first she contented herself with just washing her body with
plain water. When her hair was starting to suffer the lack of proper cleaning,
she asked her teacher if they had something to help her with that.
(As I told you before, young one. Everything you need is
already there. You only have to open your eyes.) The answer was.
It had been by accident that she stumbled with the soap
plant, as she called it. That day, she accidentally broke a branch of a plant
that looked like miniature bamboo, with small leafs on the top. The plant grew
near the waterfall, always covered with the fine mist. When Serena tried to
wash out the sap that clung to her leg, she was surprised to notice that it
gave foam. A little experimentation in later days showed that the sap was a
natural soap. ((A.N: Yes…there IS a plant like this. Although it grows in South
America.)) It wasn't long before she enthusiastically cleaned her golden
tresses.
On this particular day, she was enjoying the feeling of
water down her body while she was swimming next to the waterfall. She was
relaxing on a nearby boulder when her ears picked up a faint rustle. Opening
her eyes, she saw a deer about to drink. She watched as the beautiful animal
drank peacefully. Smiling to herself, she couldn't contain herself and called.
"Hi." Upon hearing her voice, the deer stood up immediately, instantly looking
at her. Serena felt a pang on her chest when she noticed the apprehension and
fear reflected on the deer's eyes.
"Please, don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you." Serena
said, speaking softly. Still, the deer didn't relax; even more, it took a step
back.
(You know that this animal doesn't understand your words,
young one?) The mental words startled Serena for a moment.
"Well, yes… but… I just wanted to let it know that I don't
want to harm it…" Serena said, a little sad.
(You have to remember young one, there is always a balance
around you. Trying to force your presence into that only creates an imbalance
that has to be shunned. In this case, you talking to a being that don't need
words to convey its needs.) Serena looked down at the water, feeling depressed.
She felt the need to go next to the deer and pet it. It would have been nice to
do it, she thought.
(I think you are ready for the next step in your learning,
young one.) The words came to her head, making her look up. (You already know
how to properly sense the world around you with your senses. Now you need to
know how to sense it with your heart.)
"And how am I going to do that?" Serena asked, puzzled.
(First, step under the waterfall.) Once she was under it,
the Ethereal continued. (Now, listen to the water. Let its sound wash away
other ones.) Once more closing her eyes, Serena did as instructed. She found
the sound more relaxing than before, the gentle roar of the water washing away
other sounds, until it was everything she could hear. (Very good, young one.
Now, just let your feelings free. Look into your heart for those feelings of
well-being and happiness that you have buried in yourself. Let them spread out
of you, allow them to reach and touch your surroundings.)
Taking deep, calming breaths, Serena followed the
instructions, letting her feelings free. She lost meaning of the passing of
time, concentrating on her own inner being. Unknown to her, her moon sigil
began to glow softly.
The moment she felt herself being calm and relaxed, she
allowed those feelings roam free, unconsciously using the sound of the water as
a carrier. She wasn't prepared for the amount of new sensations that came to
her in that instant.
She could clearly 'feel' the gentle breeze going through the
trees' leaves, the gentle lap of the water lapping on the shore. A sense of
tranquility surrounding her, that she identified with a great deal of surprise
as what the plants around her were feeling, gently touched by the sunrays and
being nurtured by the water and soil.
And something else.
She perceived a sense of fear and reluctance nearby, mixed
with curiosity. Extending her nascent feelings, she immediately identified the
source as the deer that she saw earlier. Opening her eyes, she looked in its
direction, allowing her own feelings of tranquility and peace touch it gently.
To her surprise, the deer relaxed, and sat down next to the shore.
Feeling a little bold, Serena stepped out of the waterfall,
not losing her grip of her new mental state. She was pleased noticing that the
deer didn't react negatively to her approaching steps. It wasn't long before
she was kneeling next to the animal, happy for her accomplishment. Tentatively,
she extended her hand to pet it, and to her great surprise and pleasure, the
deer licked her hand. Embolden, she began to pet it gently, happy by her own
accomplishment.
If anybody had been around, a lovely scene would have
greeted such person. Next to a waterfall, a deer was being petted by a naked
blond, a golden crescent moon sigil glowing softly on her forehead; the sun
coming down the canopy overhead, creating a series of light shafts that gave an
illusory feeling to the tableau.
Serena was gently shaken out of her mental state by the
Ethereal's 'voice'. (That is enough, young one. You have to return now.)
Sighing to herself, Serena kissed the top of her fingers and gently pressed
them on the deer's forehead. Standing up, she went to dress up. When she
finished, she looked back, and sighed once more when she didn't see the deer.
(I am very impressed with you, young one. I didn't expect
for you to do it on the first try.)
"Your instructions were simple, Sensei. It was easy." Serena
answered, starting to walk back to the citadel once she was fully dressed.
(Sensei?) Serena smiled at sensing the curiosity on the
word.
"Yes. That is how a teacher is called where I come from. You
have been a very good teacher to me, as well as the others. I hope you don't
mind me calling you that."
(Not at all, young one. In fact, I'm honored of you thinking
of me like that.)
In a whim, she asked one more thing. "Speaking of teachings,
are there more wise words for me to mediate on today"
(Yes, young one. And it relates to what you started today.
(The mind has exactly the same power as the hands; not
merely to grasp the world, but to change it.)
"And what does that mean?"
(Think of what you just did today, and you'll see.)
Serena did just that, all the way back to the citadel, and
for the next days.
* * *
*
Minako kept looking at the blank pages in front of her. She
had been trying to finish her homework for a couple of hours, but her attention
kept wandering to the battle that she and the others had waged in the
supermarket. More precisely, her mind kept running over and over the words that
Catsy had said.
Those words had hurt much more than any hit received by the
droid. The worst part for her was that, in her opinion, they were the truth.
"Hey, Mina-chan, if you are waiting for our homework to
finish by itself, you are for a nasty surprise." Artemis said from his place on
Minako's bed. Seeing no response to his light jab, he sighed, this time
adopting a more serious tone of voice. "Mina-chan… you have to snap out of
this. You'll only end up sick."
"Artemis… do you think it's my fault?"
The white cat looked at his charge, surprised by the
suddenness of the question. "What do you mean?"
Minako didn't answer immediately; instead she spent a few
minutes staring at her wall all the while absently chewing on her pen. Or it
should be said that she was seemingly staring at something beyond the wall,
something only she could see.
"I mean… do you think it's my fault that Usagi had to die?"
Artemis tensed immediately upon hearing those words. He was
well aware, as well as Luna, of the fragile mental state all the Senshi were
exhibiting, but was equally aware that there was really nothing he could do
about it… besides offering his support.
"Mina-chan… "He began, cautiously choosing his words. "It
was not your fault, nor the others'. It just… happened, that's all."
Turning in the direction of the white cat, Artemis was
shocked seeing the expression on Minako's face. Her eyes were teary, and her
appearance was one of utter despair. "But Artemis, if I hadn't said those
horrible things to Usagi, she wouldn't have been so depressed! She would have
defended herself! She… she… " At this point, her voice dropped, becoming almost
a whisper; however her words were clearly heard. "She… would be alive now."
Leaving the bed, Artemis jumped into the girl's lap and
looked straight into her eyes. "Minako… it wasn't the fault of anybody. It
could have happened regardless of what was said. These are the risks of your
duty, and Usagi understood that. It could have happened to anybody."
"But… if happened to her…" Minako said, closing her eyes.
With that action, a couple of tears ran down her cheeks. "I should have
listened to her… I should have supported her… it was my duty to protect her,
but all I did was… was break her heart even more. I had to doubt her… " At that
point, she grabbed the white cat and embraced him tightly to her bosom, burying
her face on his fur.
"I… I feel as if I killed her myself!" she then began to cry
again, as she had been doing almost daily since that night.
Artemis sighed once more, and tried to give his young charge
as much comfort as he could. But on a dark corner of his mind, he couldn't help
but feel the same: That the girls, in their incomprehension, had been partly
responsible for the loss of the princess. As soon as the thought popped on his
mind, he squashed it ruthlessly and concentrated on the task at hand.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Author's notes:
Oh man! I can't believe it took me this long to write such a
small part! But RL has been especially tough on me these last months. I want to
apologize for taking this long to send this complete version, but things just
happened.
I want to thank all those readers who took the time and
effort to review this story on Fanfiction.net and lend me some ideas of how to
proceed. Without their continuous support (and nagging in a couple of cases!) I
don't think I could continue this story.
And as always, a very special THANK YOU goes to my good
friend and pre-reader Yohann DeSabrais. My friend, without your support and
suggestions, this story wouldn't be as good as it is today!
And as for the time jumps I make in the story… they have a
purpose. No, it's not a mistake from my part. Some of you readers have guessed.
As a reminder, keep in mind that Usagi/Serena is living now on a parallel
world! I can't say more without giving away the rest of the plot. Sorry about
that.
Well, time for me to start the next chapter. Keep reviewing
people!
Ok, that's all for now… later!
Silver Tears
By: Commander Galos