Title: Spoils Of War
Disclaimer: The use of characters is used purely for the enjoyment of this fan fiction and I am in no way making any profit in this.
A/n: I am aware that some of the mythology isn't all right here since mythology itself is complicated with too many deities So to prevent any confusion, please take this story as it is and don't expect it to be perfect.
WARNING: Rape done in the end part, don't read if you are offended.
Chapter 2: A Lesson To Be Taught
The sky became dim as Apollo finished riding his chariot of fiery horses that gives light to the world. Artemis then would take his place, riding her silver chariot pulled by silver stags to give the guiding light of the moon to the dark earth below.
Night has fallen and by the sole light of the moon, Serenity could have her heart's desire if it is justified. Be it revenge.
"What happens then?" Serena whispered to Lita as they were being led away to separate tents. A pained look came across Lita's face.
"We sell our souls." She whispered back seriously prepared for the ultimate sacrifice.
Serena knew what she meant. She said nothing but clenched her fist. "This charade has gone on long enough." She thought grimly.
Her eyes drifted upwards and saw the light of the moon above as it took its rightful place in the night sky.
"Shall I flee? I'd hate hearing Lily's 'I told you so'." She thought scowling to herself. "Or shall I hide myself under the magic of the moonlight and become invisible?" Serena ran her choices in her mind.
Softly she heard a whimper. She slipped a glance at her new friend's face and felt terrible sympathy for her and the rest of the captured women.
"I cannot leave until I do my part." Serena thought decidedly. She saw a tear escape Lita's eye and the infinite sadness there. Serena would risk a lecture from Zeus himself just to spare her friend some pain.
"I must do something!" She thought determined. "But what?" Her mind whispered several ideas on how to punish these cruel mortals.
Secretly, subtly but effectively, they must learn from this lesson and not go on rampaging another city after this.
"Yes…A lesson must be taught. Tonight!" Serena thought her mind formulating a plan. "Until then…I just have to endure." Serena whispered to herself as she was pushed inside a large tent.
***
"A toast! To victory!" One man shouted as he gulped the ale on his goblet. He was half drunk already but couldn't care less. Tonight was a night of festivities and merriment to celebrate their conquest and for their future ahead.
"Aye, To victory!" The other soldiers cheered on heartily.
Darien drank from his own cup his thoughts a million miles away, or particularly a few steps away towards his tent.
It was custom for the men to share their drink and celebrate their victory over limitless drinking of the enemies wine and later ravishing the captured women of the fallen kingdoms. It was a callous tradition and degrading to the women captured.
"Darien, you're not your usually jolly self tonight." Jadeite spoke, grinning foolishly already drunk.
Thoughts of the beautiful girl waiting for him in his tent fled for a moment from Darien's mind as he smirked. His friend nearly toppled over trying to sit beside him.Iit was such a rare site for his highest general to let himself get drunk even on a night of celebration.
"And I believe you're more drunk than you meant to." He helped his friend sit and gulped down the ale let in his mug.
Jadeite scoffed. "We are celebrating! I can't be drunk! With beautiful women waiting for us, why would I risk passing out in a night filled with pleasuring promises?" He mocked, pouring more wine on his mug.
"You wanted the other girl right?" Darien commented his voice low, watching his friend drink mercilessly.
Jadeite shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I'm only a lowly general and your brother is king!" He said mockingly with distaste. Suddenly as though stone cold sober, his eyes glanced around the festivities. "Your brother is not here."
Darien gave a nod. "Have you forgotten? He thinks he is far above associating with us lowly folks in our gathering. He'd rather get started on his newly recruited harem." Darien watched his friend's expression with interest. "I pity the virgin women he has chosen. My brother is not a gentle lover than most."
"That's an understatement. Deamando is known to be brutal!" Jadeite scowled, his action that of a man who has drunk more than he can handle. His hand had gripped the hilt of his sword unconsciously as though he planned on attacking Deamando anytime soon. He started to get up, became a bit tipsy on his feet but with a determined look on his eye. Darien watched half amused, half worried.
"I'll kill him if he hurts her." Jadeite muttered words without thinking. Words, he'd probably forget the next day. And as they say, a drunken man isn't accountable for his actions.
Jadeite collapsed on the floor drunk. Darien gave a snicker as others turned to look at their direction.
After several minutes of staring at his friend's miserable condition, Darien finally gave an exasperated noise and leaned down to help him.
"Alright, you're going to owe me for this my friend." He said grunting as he sling Jadeite's left arm across his shoulder and supported him with his weight. "Let's get back to your tent and hope that other pretty girl you picked could also play nurse." Darien muttered.
***
She passed by unnoticed as she slipped quietly away. She was transparent as the air and her careful footing didn't give her away. She only let down her guard once she was safely out of distance and then she allowed herself to become visible.
"Something of earth."
"Something of fire."
"Something of water."
"Something of air."
At that, she gathered it all in her magic pouch given to her by the fairies. She sniffed at the night air and followed an invisible path towards the lake. Laying all her gathered elements on the ground directly inclined where the moon casts its shadow on the water.
Humming and twirling around, making a circle round the things she had assembled on the ground. Therefore trapping them. Skipping light steps, her hand moving in circular motion, her hips gently swaying in rhythmic movements to a tune known only to her and part of nature.
Soon after she stopped, her breathing was heavy, her heart pounding but the wind was cool and she didn't perspire from her active movements as she would on daylight. She sat heavily on the ground, her legs tucked beneath her.
Her eyes became glassy as she sat still in concentration. They were directed towards the sky; specifically the moon and then she close them. She felt her spirit leave her body. Her pulse rushed with excitement and she was a bit scared too for this was the first time that she has done this.
***
Deamando's tent was well lit, and furnished. It was also filled with chests of gold and silver and jewels and other rich objects that they have plundered from the city. Rei recognized a mirror, which she used to use for scribing stolen from the temple.
"I will be brave. I will not let him see me break." As she said the words to herself, her stomach growled in protest. She was damn hungry! He was tormenting her too. Eating there leisurely with food fit for a dozen hungry soldiers, best wines that were taken from the temple, and women who were disgustingly over him catering to his every whim.
"Foolish girls." Rei thought in disgust. Her wrists were still tied and she could do nothing but stare at him in contempt. She was seated across from him, barely clad and shivering, eyes that were ready to cry but still full of spirit.
"Would you like some of these, defiant one?" Deamando drawled out offering cooked pigeon to her. He smirked, his eyes blazing in triumph as she eyed the plate hungrily though she tried to hide it.
Rei stubbornly kept her silence looking away from the temptation.
"Leave us." The silent command was answered at once. One other woman, who didn't know any better, shot Rei an angry envious look. Her heart thumped faster as one by one the women stood up and left, leaving them both alone.
Deamando finished drinking his goblet of wine and he wobbled when he stood up.
"He is drunk. Is that good or bad?"
He leered when he came closer. She matched his gaze unwavering. She didn't even flinch when he was right in front of her. His drunken breathe nearly making her vomit.
"Touch me and you assure yourself a tragedy." The words flowed out from her lips unconsciously.
Rei's eyes widened as she said it, as though someone else was speaking for her. "Do not invoke the wrath of the gods unto you violently. You made a mistake when you destroyed this city. Leave now and do no more."
"I believe in no gods. How impudent you are! I shall enjoy it tremendously having you."
He cupped her face with one hand painfully, that his fingers would certainly leave a harsh red mark on her cheeks. His other hand roughly grabbed her left breast. He kissed her hard and ravenous, thrusting his tongue forcefully on her, drowning out her cries and pushed her unto the floor. He purposely cut her tied wrist to and took more pleasure at her feeble attempts of escaping.
Rei was basked in horror as she realized that she could do nothing. Tears stung from her eyes and it fell down freely. All her strength left her and she no longer made a move of protest.
He ripped her already torn robes and undid his own clothing. He trapped her on the floor and plunged into her ruthlessly, his hands squeezing her breasts cruelly.
"I can do nothing." She thought with an ache of helplessness. "He's so strong. Oh It hurts! It hurts too much! I'm going to die! Has the gods forsaken me?!" Rei cried out in her mind. On the contrary, she was no longer moving, or screaming. She was desolate. It was as though her spirit left her body and she watched from atop the mutilation done to her dignity.
A hand clasped hers as her spirit wept. A beautiful woman seemingly glowing, with golden locks falling from her face, her eyes filled with compassion. At first she thought it was an angel…and then she recognized the woman with the other women captives that morning.
She stroke Rei's tear-stained cheeks. "I'll take the pain away." She whispered as she clasped Rei's hands tightly and gestured to the scene below.
Suddenly, she disappeared and it no longer hurt anymore.
***
"Aaaahhhh!!!" Serenity had settled her spirit unto the priestess' body and was now feeling the pain. The man atop her took delight that she was screaming once more. Serena cried too. "Now I know how they all feel, that's why these men must be punished!" She thought grimly.
Deamando groaned as he found release and fell unconscious on top of her.
Serena closed her eyes for the moment glad that it was over. Then, silently she weaved her curse.
"I curse thee, and all of thee. To suffer, to feel thrice the pain, to death and to damnation. May he and all of his kind and all who took part on the slaughter be condemned to an end that is worst than death. This is my wish and it is thy will. Grant it!"
She spoke this in barely a whisper. Fervently spoken, it was as though all of heaven and hell heard it.
Serenity knew her tasked was done and she summoned her spirit away back to her own form, carrying the pain so that the girl would be spared of it.
***
"A curse!" Rei breathed. She was filled with awareness as she settled back unto her body. She pushed Deamando's body away disgusted and stood up quickly looking for something to wear.
"She took the pain away." Rei felt only the slightest pain, not even a quarter than what she had experienced in the beginning. "Thank you." Tears of gratefulness fell but she wiped them away as she prepared to flee.
Meanwhile, Serena was feeling numb. Due to her sacrifice, she was now feeling most of the aftermath. Washing herself on the river repeatedly, she knew that there was more to be done. "I cant leave…not yet."
Dark clouds almost black covered the clear sky, and it was as though a thick mist settled among them. Screams were heard and no one knew why. After a few moments of unforgiving silence, a hundred men died.
A/n: I would like you to answer the poll. Say YES, if you like nice and long chapters or NO, if you prefer them to be short and sweet. It would help how this story progress later on.