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.
Chapter 4: Apollo's Punishment
Sweat trickled down her bare arms and she was breathing heavily as she trudged along the deserted forest path. "Too hot. Water…Water…" Rei closed her eyes, stopping and pausing for breath. She had been moving forward ever since her moment of escape.
It was too much, exhaustion began to override her and before long she slumped to the ground unconscious.
***
Jadeite was tracking her ever since that morning. He wiped the sweat on his forehead and grumbled a bit about the uncanny heat. He should have found her by now. He should have, but here he was stuck at a crossroad with no inkling on which path she took. It was as though the earth itself was covering her tracks.
"I just want to help her. God knows I wont give her back to him."
"Right or Left?" Jadeite moaned aloud. A soft unexpected breeze blew rustling the leaves of the trees on the right. "Right it is then." Jadeite mumbled and proceeded with his horse.
She woke up a little after midday. She shivered despite the heat remembering her nightmare. She blinked back tears as she struggled to get up. "I'll never let another man use me like that again." She vowed with fervor. "I'll commit myself to Artemis if I survive my escape."
***
Up in the gloried heavens it was too, scorching hot with Apollo's anger. "What did these foolish mortals think when they ruined my city? Violated my priestess? Drank from my sacred cups?" He ranted. It was rare to find this particular god in a bad mood and now the storm is erupting.
"Now, now Apollo, these renegades believe in none of us. They don't believe in our fury." Athena spoke hoping to placate.
"Yet you seek to protect one of them!" Apollo roared.
Athena smiled mysteriously. "You must admit my charge has an interesting character. He is quite noble."
"Noble?! He is one of them! He shall not escape my wrath. Did you hear her cries? It was atrocious and most damaging to my ego as her protector. My wrath shall befall all of them." With those parting words he disappeared.
Hermes made a 'tsk' sound behind her. "Human affairs." He muttered and left as well.
Aphrodite was sitting on the window ledge. She turned towards them. "An interesting situation." She flashed them briefly a beguiling smile with an excited twinkle in her eyes that made them groan at the possibility of future amusement due to her creation.
Ares was unfeeling about the whole matter. "Let them fight their wars. And let them shed their blood. As the god of war it would be entertaining to watch."
Artemis meanwhile was torn. "I empathize with my brother yet I disapprove of useless killing. Not only does his wrath kill his enemies but the rest of the world as well."
Zeus, king of the gods then appeared with flair. "I have been aware of the situation. And I do understand Apollo's fury. So, I entrust the task of damage control to the rest of you gods. Save those deserving to be saved and let those who deserve to die, die."
Athena was delighted. "I trust you would allow me to save my young prince?" She asked respectfully with a bow.
"I've always trusted your judgment Athena." Zeus acknowledged. Athena interpreted it as a yes. After further agreements and decisions the gods left the Olympian palace with their missions at hand.
***
Darien rode back and forth the long procession, checking if there was anything wrong. So far he concluded, they were moving at a very slow pace.
Serena saw him coming nearer and without a thought she broke off from the pact and approached him. She handed him her flask. He looked at her with surprise then supreme gratefulness and drank greedily from the flask.
After drinking, he looked at her as though she was an angel. She looked away. She was responsible for all these heat in a way.
"I got the water before we left." She volunteered the information though he didn't ask.
"It was foresighted of you to bring water before we left. If I had known that the heat would get much worst, I should've instructed each and everyone to supply water any container that they can find." Darien praised her subtly.
She gave a nod and prepared to fall back in line. "Wait." He stopped her. "Ride with me?" He asked, though it sounded more like an order as he held out his hand to her.
Serena frowned. "What about my horse?" She backed away reluctant.
"I assure you, some poor soul in that long line would wish to sit atop that fine horse." He said moving towards her.
Riding with him, Serena was forced to go with him in his duties riding back and forth. They once had to get down and help a cripple soldier in his troubles. She was beginning to admire him for different things. The capable way he led the group, making sure that everyone was all right showed that he was a compassionate man.
"You've become an enigma to me your Highness." She murmured softly as she looked down from atop the horse. Darien was squatting on the ground soothing a young child and passing the flask to the child's lips.
He caught her staring at him. She gave him a tight smile and frowned. "You shouldn't have traveled at this burning weather."
"I have no choice. I am merely a lowly prince following the whims of the heir." He spoke as he slung one leg and mounted the horse. He took the reins away from her and they traveled forward.
"It's a wonder how your kingdom is still alive if it is in the hands on that man you follow." She made no point to hide her disgust.
"Well, my father is still alive and my brother is still in training." Darien acknowledged.
"I think you would make a better king." Serena spoke on impulse.
Darien chuckled. "I think you're beginning to like me the way you are speaking now." She spurted her denials. He laughed harder.
Serena grumbled but finally admitted. "Maybe I do am starting to like you." Darien's spirit rose. "But it still doesn't change anything. You are destined for death." She murmured. Her words hung between them like a barrier.
***
Rei finally arrived at a village. It was a sullen deserted village and Rei momentarily wondered if there were actual people living there. A young good-looking man with dark hair walked out of one of the little huts and crossed the muddy street. Rei was so relieved that her knees buckled beneath her.
"Are you alright?" A pair of concerned brown eyes stared down at her. He was fanning her with a leaf. Rei struggled to speak the word yes but found her throat too dry to speak. She made a motion with her hands to her throat.
"I see. Here drink some water." The man offered her a cup.
"Thank you." She gasped. The man smiled. He offered a hand to help her up. "May I know the name of the damsel I rescued?" He asked his eyes alight with pleasure as he looked at her and appreciated her as any man would.
A surge of unexpected nausea overrode her. "Is there anything wrong?" He asked worried as he forwarded. She instinctively took a step back. "No, no. I'm fine." She shook her head. "This is ridiculous. He isn't going to hurt me." She smiled for his benefit.
"I am Rei." She bowed. "And I am Seiya. The bard of this town." He smiled. Rei found this hard to believe and pointed it out. "Well would you believe that I am also a knight?" He asked eyes laughing. He led her back to his hut putting his earlier duties aside.
Night finally descended and they rejoiced the sinking of the sun. It was still humid hot, but they took comfort anyways.
Jadeite too arrived at the village. He was tired as well. He felt it in his gut that she was here, so close. "She won't leave till its morning." He thought. He then went in search for an inn.
In the middle of the conversation, Rei froze. "He's here. Goddess, he's here for me." Rei paled at her unanticipated vision.
Only virgins were gifted with visions. Rei knew she wasn't one any longer. Yet she sees. Faintly, but the gift was still there. How can this be? And by what reason did Apollo make an exception of his rules?
"Everything is done for a reason."
A/n: Sorry for the long wait. Review please. Thanks a lot.
Email me at: NaruKami@anonymous.to.