Thank-you so much to all those who reviewed my last chapter and previous
chapter! It makes writing this story so much more rewarding. So without
further ado, next chapter.
Disclaimer: An old boot and a half eaten Mars bar is all I can offer. Please don't sue me!
Chapter Four – A Fight, a Name, a Pact.
Serenity woke up abruptly and stared wide-eyed at her surroundings. For a second, the environment she found herself in confused and bewildered her, but then the past day's events slammed into her memory. The marriage proposal, the escape and that damned arrogant Eartian. She wrapped her arms around her and shivered involuntarily. Suddenly, she felt cold and very much alone.
Wait.
What was that noise? Serenity pricked up her ears. Yes. The faint rustling of feet on leaves and a soft, threatening growl. Serenity wrapped her arms tighter around her body. If it was a pack of wolves it posed no threat but .... no, it could not be .... better go wake the Eartian anyway ... Just in case.
Serenity walked over to the man's tent, poked her head inside and promptly blushed. The Earthian was as naked as the day but for a blanket thankfully covering his torso. Serenity took a few moments, seeing as she may not get another chance, to really study the man.
Yes, he really is quite handsome is he not? I suppose it would be easy for a man like him to get whatever woman he wants, and he knows it! Serenity smiled. He looks like a little boy when he sleeps, curled up like that. So very endearing! Pity about his personality though. What a waste of man flesh! Serenity covered her mouth to stifle the giggle at that strange thought.
There was one lock of jet black hair covering one of his eyes that Serenity itched to brush away. Temptation almost won but then she remembered why she was here in the first place. She removed her head from the tent.
"Sir knight, are you awake? Sir knight?"
There was not a sound from the tent. Suddenly an evil thought crept into her head. She briefly poked her head back into the tent and removed the pole holding it up. The tent collapsed on the Earthian and after a few moments, the tent cloth began to move. Endymion eventually found the entrance and climbed out. Tossle-haired and still half asleep, he asked irritably,
"Whyja do that?"
Serenity covered her eyes, her face red with mortification. "Please Sir Knight! Have some dignity and cover yourself properly."
Endymion grumply, though unashamed of his state of dress, sifted through his now destroyed tent and retrieved his breeches.
"Now answer my question. Why did you do that?"
Despite the fact that Serenity was still holding the tent pole, she put on her most innocent face and asked,
"Do what?"
Endymion uttered a grunt of annoyance. "I do not have the patience for this." He then proceeded to crawl back into his demolished tent and away from the evil woman standing outside his door.
Serenity grinned. "Oy wait! I was merely jesting. Are all Earthians this irritable or is it just you?"
Endymion started making sobbing noises. "Then what is your will? Why did you destroy my tent and wake me up at this unsightly hour?"
Serenity smiled at his childish display. "I came to warn you. Some growling in the woods woke me up. More likely than not, it is probably just a pack of wolves but I thought it would be a good idea to tell you to be on alert ..."
"You woke me up to tell me about a pack of wolves." Endymion raised an eyebrow clearly unimpressed. "They are nothing to be worried about. They stay away from human camps."
"No you baka, shut your mouth and listen. You know how I said that this clearing was a Realm of the Faerie?" He nodded. "Well these 'realms' are not just the living quarters for faeries, they are a safe haven for earthbound, Norray creatures. The only creatures or people who can cross into the realm and stay in it are those who have an innocent intenion in mind, such as finding a place to stay for the night ...." Serenity paused as realisation hit her.
If that fact is true then this Earthian could not have possibly wanted to .... take advantage of me. He was telling the truth. She knew, deep down, from the first that he was not that kind of person, however, she now began to see him in a new light .... "He is still a moron though."
Endymion scratched the back of his neck, mindful of Serenity's poignant silence. "If that whole 'innocent intention' rule is true then how come you tried to kill me?"
Serenity blushed. "I was just bluffing. I only wanted you to leave. I would never kill another person."
Endymion grinned. "So all that threatening to cut off my 'vital parts' was just a bluff?"
Serenity smirked. "Yes. I know how much you men like those things." Realising what she just said, she clapped her hands over her mouth in horror. Endymion laughed and she blushed crimson.
"Arg! You distract me from my point Sir Knight! What was I saying ... Oh yes, no mythical creature can enter this realm, except the faeries of course, because of all the powerful charms and spells the faeries used to protect the realm. However, there are exceptions. Only really powerful creatures can breech the spells on this place. Some of them do not have malicious intent but some do and those are the ones we have to watch out for. Take for instance the ..." The sentence died in her mouth and her eyes grew wide as saucers. Endymion spun around to see what she was staring at.
Just beyond the edge of the clearing stood three giant black dogs with glowing red eyes and sharp, bared teeth. A low menacing growl was emitting from all of them as they stared at their 'prey'. Both travelers felt the subtle change in the air as the atmosphere grew cold and heavy. Serenity eyes widened with naked fear and subconsciously clung onto the Earthian's arm for dear life, only barely registering what she was doing.
"Selene save us! I do not want to die now." She prayed in her own language. "I only just started to live. Papa I am so sorry I was never the daughter you wanted me to be!" She shut her eyes tight and willed the creatures away, that they be illusions of the mind. She began to tremble.
Endymion was still bewildered. "What are they?" He nervously ran his hand through his hair, starting to worry because of the distressed state of the once calm and collected girl.
"You are jesting surely? Those are the Grim Hunters, the Death Hounds. They are the most feared creatures in all Titan." Endymion still looked confused so she elaborated. "They are the offspring of the Cerberus, guardian of the gates, but unlike their predecessor, they are not restricted to the underworld. They are Malagnant Mythali! Anybody who sees them does not live to tell the tale. If you fight, they will kill you faster than you can blink. If you run, they will hunt you untill they kill you or you die of exaustion. There is no escape." She paused and cold dread filled the pit of her stomach. "I am afraid we will both die tonight." Suddenly they eyes of the Death Hounds began to flash red.
"Oh Selene! They are breaking through the spell barrier!" She shut her eyes and her grip on Endymion's arm became almost unbearable. Endymion himself took a few moments to regester what she said while staring at the hounds. His brows knitted in frustration. There was no way some mutt was going to scare him, not matter how big they are.
"Listen!" Endymion demanded. "This is foolish! I will not be intimidated by a giant dog! Surely there is a way to defeat them."
Serenity shook her head at his blatant ignorance. "No. That is the dilemma. There is no conceivable way to defeat them. They are immune to magic charms and spells cast by human and most mythical creatures. And that is not all, they react quickly, they are fast and rumors say they can also read minds. Fighting is futile."
With one bright red flash and a sound like the cracking of glass, the Death Hounds were through the barrier and slowly advancing on the two travellers. Endymion growled and Serenity made a sound like a wounded animal.
"Listen, do not worry, fair maiden, I will take care of this. You should grab the horses and make a hasty escape." He released himself from her grip and retrieved his sword. "I will protect you."
Serenity snapped back to reality and glared daggers at him. "Do I look like another helpless female? If you fight, I fight!" Endymion inwardly smiled. She did exactly what he thought she would do. Too late to grab her Katana from her equipment, Serenity spied the tent pole on the ground and picked it up.
This will have to do.
The hounds slowly advanced, swaying slightly as if in a trance, each step in sync with each other. Serenity held the pole in front of her and prepared herself for the first and probably the last battle she would ever fight.
"Do not look directly into their eyes." She warned her companion. "They will render you completely numb and unable to fight."
The leader of the pack suddenly pounced and aimed for Endymion. He quickly ducked as the hound flew over him. Barely had it hit the ground before the hound turned around and pounced again, going for the same target. Endymion sidestepped this time but the hound gouged his shoulder with one of its giant paws. He winced with pain but showed no other signs that it affected him much. He readied himself for the next attack, despite his now profusely bleeding shoulder.
Serenity did not get to see the outcome of that next attack because the second hound in the pack suddenly pounced, aiming for her. Ducking down she aimed a shot at the hound's stomach with the pole, landing a powerful blow to the hound's underbelly. It yelped and landed clumsily on the other side of Serenity. While it recovered, the third hound took its place and attacked her.
Fast as lightning, before she could blink, the hound had clamped his giant jaws around Serenity's left arm. Pressing down, she felt the searing pain of his teeth biting into her flesh and muscle, though the adrenalin in her veins prevented her from feeling the full extent of the pain. She began to feel faint, her knees buckled and she broke out in a sweat. Thinking fast, Serenity gouged one of her fingers into the hound's eye, blinding it. It yelped and let go of her arm.
Feeling faint-headed, Serenity looked around clumsily. Everyting was hazy and swirling. Next thing she knew, the second hound had pounced on her and pinned her to the ground with its front paws. The weight of the hound on her shoulders was almost more than she could bear, yet she shut her eyes tight and refused to look at the great black assasin on top of her. Its hot panting breath rolled down her body, giving her shivers down her spine. The weight increased until she thought her collar bone was going to break.
Despite her dire situation, she could not help but think sardonically, So this is how it ends. Having a giant sweaty thing on top of me, with bad breath and a terrible temper. I bet he is a better kisser than Diamond. A lone tear trickled out of the corner of her eye at the thought of who she may never speak to again.
Suddenly the weight was abruptly lifted from her. Serenity chanced to look up and was greatly relieved to meet the gaze of the Earthians. He offered a hand up and she gratefully took it with her good hand. Never had she been so happy to see anyone in her whole life as she did now. If the danger right now wasn't so imminant, she probably would have thrown curtesy to the wind and hugged him. She settled for a weak smile.
The battle had taken its toll on Endymion. He was panting heavily and suffered the pain of many scratches, bruses and gouges. He was also limping slightly. He offered her a wide grin. Serenity felt a moment of rage. He was enjoying this! She almost had her head bitten off and he was grinning as if he had not a care in the world. Of all the nerve ....
The hounds had changed tactics. Instead of fighting individually, they were now fighting in a pack and was currently circling the pair, waiting for the right time to attack. Both fighters stood back to back and cautiously watched the pack. Serenity could now see that the hound who had grabbed her arm was now bleeding uncontrollably from a now empty eye socket. It growled menacingly at her. She could also see that the hound the Earthian was fightling suffered from a few sword wounds itself.
"I am afraid I do not think we will be able to survive this. Selene preserve us!" She sighed despondently. Endymion rolled his eyes at her pessimism. She closed her eyes.
If only there were a way out of this. I have too many things left undone. This is not how it should be. For the love of Selene, save us! It is not right I should die before I have even reached eighteen. I want to live, I need to live ....
All of a sudden, Serenity felt something stir within her very core, like the stiring of a great fire. This warm, yet pleasant, feeling spread throughtout her until she felt like her whole body was humming with pent up power. "What is happening?" She thought vaguely. Serenity began to emit a white glow. Endymion turned around in confusion as to what was happening and promptly gaped. Serenity threw back her head and began to lift slightly off the ground. The sound of a gong rang from deep inside simultaneous with a bright white flash coming from her.
The hounds stopped circling suddenly and looked to the sky. After a momment, they exchanged looks with each other, then miraculously, began to move away into the forest, leaving the travellers alone.
Serenity abruptly stopped glowing, fell to the ground and promptly fainted.
Waking up to the sound of a crackling fire, Serenity groaned and slowly opened her eyes. Turning her head slightly, she became aware that she was lying on a blanket next to the fire that the Earthian had built. The Earthian himself was sitting on a fallen tree on the other side of the fire. He was staring at her with a very strange expression on his face. Slowly she sat up, wincing at various pains and combating a dizzy spell.
"You are awake." He stated.
Serenity rubbed her eyes. "How long was I asleep?"
"About an hour." She nodded and stared at the fire, noticing for the first time that her wounds had been bandaged. Endymion noticed she was staring at her mended arm.
"It should be fine. The wound was deep but clean. It was a good thing that hound did not bite your sword arm. In time it should heal fine, however, I am afraid it will scar."
Serenity grinned. "I get to have scars? I have always wanted battle scars." Endymion raised an eyebrow. Once again, her apparent lack of femininity baffled him. I do not believe I have ever me a woman who actually wants battle scars.
Both travellers, having nothing else to say, lapsed into a silence.
"Thank you." Serenity said eventually.
"For what?"
"For fighting, for saving my life, for dressing my wounds."
Quite taken aback by her change of attitude, he replied, "I believe I owe you thanks too. You did wake me up, most uncouthly, to warn me of them. And you did save me from those vicious faeries."
Serenity grinned. "I guess we are even then."
Endymion grinned but soon turned serious. "What did you do back there, that floating off the ground? Was that what you call magic?"
Serenity's eyebrows creased in deep thought and she shook her head. "No. I have no idea what the was. In a way it felt like magic, but unlike anything I had ever felt before. It was strong. Very strong. I could feel it coursing through every vein in my body.It was much stronger that mere mage's magic. Almost like ... but no ... that cannot be."
"What is it?"
"Well, it almost felt like I was using the Maryku, magic of the gods. But that cannot be! The only way anyone is able to wield the power of the gods is if they have been blessed by a god or goddess then given a talisman of power. I have neither blessing nor talisman so that just cannot be. Besides, the gods are very selective of who they decide to bless. A god or goddess only blesses a chosen deciple once every 500 years or so, if at all. And only a select few can harness the magic of the gods. It simply cannot be."
"Well dear heart, I am at a loss."
Serenity frowned. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? These silly nicknames have no effect on me whatsoever."
Endymion gave her an infuriating grin. "If they do not affect you at all then you would not get as angry as you are now. I think deep down you secretly love them."
"Surely you are jesting! How could anyone like being called ridiculous, demeaning and degrading names like 'dear heart'?"
"I found that many women I have met seem to love it."
Serenity snorted. "Fine! How about you go talk to them and leave me alone."
"They are not as fun to tease as you." Serenity gave him her most disdainful glare. He continued unfazed. "But if you hate them so much, can I at least have your proper name? Or do angels have no names?"
Serenity looked incredulous. "That is the worst courting line I have ever heard!"
"Who ever said I was courting you. Do you want to be courted by me?"
Serenity turned red. "W ... What? No! Of course not!"
"Then why should it matter what I call you? I pose no romantic threat to you."
"Yes but it does matter! I do not appreciate being called degrading names!"
"They are not degrading. I happen to think they are rather endearing."
"They are not!"
"Tell me one name that I have called you that is so-called 'degrading'?"
"I ... well ... that's not the point!"
"What is the point? I am confused."
"The point is, I do not like being called names."
"You are a hypocrite. You call me Sir Knight all the time."
"That is because I do not know your name."
Endymion grinned, knowing he had just won that small battle. "And I do not know yours. Now are you going to tell me your name or shall I continue to call you dear heart? Because I personally enjoy watching your cheeks flush with anger."
Serenity blew up. "What?!!! I am NOT your peverse form of entertainment. How would you like me to run you through with my katana? I would find that highly entertaining!"
Endymion raised an eyebrow. "You are bluffing. You said you would never kill another person."
Serenity gritted her teeth together in anger. "I would be willing to make an exception this time."
"Stop stalling and tell me your name." Endymion demanded.
"No. Tell me yours first."
"I am flattered you want to know." Serenity crossed her arm over her chest.
"Fine. My name is ... um ..."
Serenity snorted. "Your name is Um?"
"No it is not."
"Do you not know your own name?"
"If you give me a moment, I shall tell you. It is Darien."
Sorry Grandfather, but I will have to use your name. It would be back to the palace in a flash if I told her my real name.
"And yours dear heart?"
"My name is ..."
Serenity panicked. She had not thought up a fake name yet. He cannot know my real name. He would know instantly who I was. Serenity has been a royal family name for centuries.
"Usagi."
Endymion, now Darien, grinned. "Usagi? Is that not Lunarain for rabbit? Your parents called you rabbit?"
"Well ... no." Serenity thought quickly. "My parents, before I was born, were certain they were going to have a boy so they called me a boy's name. Usagi is the name my best friend Motoki gave me." It was, in part, true. Serenity's parents did want a boy but were delighted nonetheless when she was born. And the 'Usagi' nickname was, of course, true. Motoki was always exclaiming that she was the living personification of a rabbit. Fast, mischievous and cute.
Darien frowned. "I do not understand. You do not want me to call you nicknames, yet you let this boy Motoki call you names? Is her your lover?"
Serenity laughed. "My lover? No. Are you jealous?"
"Insanely. If I sould ever meet this boy, I shall run him through. I do not take kindly to competition dear heart."
Serenity, now Usagi, frowned. "I thought you said you would call me by my real name. You know it now."
"I made no such promise. Besides, I refuse to call you by a nickname that another man has given you." Darien thought for a while. "I know! I shall call you Koneko, my little spitting kitten."
Usagi rolled her eyes realising that she was back to square one with the name calling problem. "That is great! Now if you beg your parents hard enough, maybe they will let you keep me."
Darien smirked as a dirty thought entered his head. "Mmmm ... I will tie a pink ribbon around you neck and you can sleep in my chambers. Shall put you in a basket right next to my bed."
Usagi blushed crimson. "Hentai!"
He had heard that word before. "What does that mean?"
"It means you are a disgusting pervert and I would never dream of setting one foot in your house let alone your chambers."
Darien smiled smugly. "We shall see Koneko, we shall see."
"No, we shall see nothing. Come tomorrow morning, which happens to be in a few hours, I will pack my belongings and be on my merry way."
"Surely not dear heart! Not after all we have been through today. What if those ... things come back to finish what they started? Would it not be safer for both of us to stay together." In fact, the real reason why he needed to travel with this girl was because he had no conceivable idea where he was in the forest and where he needed to go to get out.
Usagi glared at him distrustfully. "Well, I do not know. Truth be known, I do not trust you very much."
"Then sleep with your sword. Where are you heading?"
Usagi paused. In truth she had not decided on a destination yet, only that she wanted to see the ocean. However, heading north towards the Mars province, which also boardered the White Forest seemed like a good place to head.
"To Phobos in the Mars province I suppose."
"Okay, how about we both travel together through this wood then part ways in Phoebus. Does that satisfy you Koneko?"
Usagi stared at him, thinking the proposal over in her head. Finally she stood up slowly, walked over to Darien and yanked a couple of hairs from his head. She then turned around and began to walk back to her side of the clearing, wincing slightly with the pain of movement.
Darien rubbed his head. "Why did you do that?"
"Collateral." She called over her shoulder.
Darien shook his head and mumbled something about crazy women and strange fetishes.
Author's Notes:
Cerberus – (Greek mythology) The three-headed dog that guards the gates to the underworld (think Fluffy from Harry Potter). Kinda like an ancient bouncer with teeth. If you aren't legally dead or haven't paid the toll, you are in trouble.
Malagnant Mythali – Nasty creatures with magical power of some sort.
Kindelant Mythali – Same as above explanation, but nice. These terms will be explained in length in the next chapter.
Maryku – It's a Japanese word that means someone who possess magical power (don't quote me on that). In my story, if someone has the maryku, they have been blessed and have certain powers from a god or goddess.
Katana – Japanese for sword. I think I have explained this before
Phobos – In Greek mythology, Phobos (Terror) and Deimos (Fear) were squires to the war god Ares, though it was sometimes believed that they were his sons. In this story, Phobos is a bustling marketplace in the Mars province.
Koneko – Japanese for kitten. I think I need to ease off all the explanations. Even I am starting to get confused.
Oreka
Disclaimer: An old boot and a half eaten Mars bar is all I can offer. Please don't sue me!
Chapter Four – A Fight, a Name, a Pact.
Serenity woke up abruptly and stared wide-eyed at her surroundings. For a second, the environment she found herself in confused and bewildered her, but then the past day's events slammed into her memory. The marriage proposal, the escape and that damned arrogant Eartian. She wrapped her arms around her and shivered involuntarily. Suddenly, she felt cold and very much alone.
Wait.
What was that noise? Serenity pricked up her ears. Yes. The faint rustling of feet on leaves and a soft, threatening growl. Serenity wrapped her arms tighter around her body. If it was a pack of wolves it posed no threat but .... no, it could not be .... better go wake the Eartian anyway ... Just in case.
Serenity walked over to the man's tent, poked her head inside and promptly blushed. The Earthian was as naked as the day but for a blanket thankfully covering his torso. Serenity took a few moments, seeing as she may not get another chance, to really study the man.
Yes, he really is quite handsome is he not? I suppose it would be easy for a man like him to get whatever woman he wants, and he knows it! Serenity smiled. He looks like a little boy when he sleeps, curled up like that. So very endearing! Pity about his personality though. What a waste of man flesh! Serenity covered her mouth to stifle the giggle at that strange thought.
There was one lock of jet black hair covering one of his eyes that Serenity itched to brush away. Temptation almost won but then she remembered why she was here in the first place. She removed her head from the tent.
"Sir knight, are you awake? Sir knight?"
There was not a sound from the tent. Suddenly an evil thought crept into her head. She briefly poked her head back into the tent and removed the pole holding it up. The tent collapsed on the Earthian and after a few moments, the tent cloth began to move. Endymion eventually found the entrance and climbed out. Tossle-haired and still half asleep, he asked irritably,
"Whyja do that?"
Serenity covered her eyes, her face red with mortification. "Please Sir Knight! Have some dignity and cover yourself properly."
Endymion grumply, though unashamed of his state of dress, sifted through his now destroyed tent and retrieved his breeches.
"Now answer my question. Why did you do that?"
Despite the fact that Serenity was still holding the tent pole, she put on her most innocent face and asked,
"Do what?"
Endymion uttered a grunt of annoyance. "I do not have the patience for this." He then proceeded to crawl back into his demolished tent and away from the evil woman standing outside his door.
Serenity grinned. "Oy wait! I was merely jesting. Are all Earthians this irritable or is it just you?"
Endymion started making sobbing noises. "Then what is your will? Why did you destroy my tent and wake me up at this unsightly hour?"
Serenity smiled at his childish display. "I came to warn you. Some growling in the woods woke me up. More likely than not, it is probably just a pack of wolves but I thought it would be a good idea to tell you to be on alert ..."
"You woke me up to tell me about a pack of wolves." Endymion raised an eyebrow clearly unimpressed. "They are nothing to be worried about. They stay away from human camps."
"No you baka, shut your mouth and listen. You know how I said that this clearing was a Realm of the Faerie?" He nodded. "Well these 'realms' are not just the living quarters for faeries, they are a safe haven for earthbound, Norray creatures. The only creatures or people who can cross into the realm and stay in it are those who have an innocent intenion in mind, such as finding a place to stay for the night ...." Serenity paused as realisation hit her.
If that fact is true then this Earthian could not have possibly wanted to .... take advantage of me. He was telling the truth. She knew, deep down, from the first that he was not that kind of person, however, she now began to see him in a new light .... "He is still a moron though."
Endymion scratched the back of his neck, mindful of Serenity's poignant silence. "If that whole 'innocent intention' rule is true then how come you tried to kill me?"
Serenity blushed. "I was just bluffing. I only wanted you to leave. I would never kill another person."
Endymion grinned. "So all that threatening to cut off my 'vital parts' was just a bluff?"
Serenity smirked. "Yes. I know how much you men like those things." Realising what she just said, she clapped her hands over her mouth in horror. Endymion laughed and she blushed crimson.
"Arg! You distract me from my point Sir Knight! What was I saying ... Oh yes, no mythical creature can enter this realm, except the faeries of course, because of all the powerful charms and spells the faeries used to protect the realm. However, there are exceptions. Only really powerful creatures can breech the spells on this place. Some of them do not have malicious intent but some do and those are the ones we have to watch out for. Take for instance the ..." The sentence died in her mouth and her eyes grew wide as saucers. Endymion spun around to see what she was staring at.
Just beyond the edge of the clearing stood three giant black dogs with glowing red eyes and sharp, bared teeth. A low menacing growl was emitting from all of them as they stared at their 'prey'. Both travelers felt the subtle change in the air as the atmosphere grew cold and heavy. Serenity eyes widened with naked fear and subconsciously clung onto the Earthian's arm for dear life, only barely registering what she was doing.
"Selene save us! I do not want to die now." She prayed in her own language. "I only just started to live. Papa I am so sorry I was never the daughter you wanted me to be!" She shut her eyes tight and willed the creatures away, that they be illusions of the mind. She began to tremble.
Endymion was still bewildered. "What are they?" He nervously ran his hand through his hair, starting to worry because of the distressed state of the once calm and collected girl.
"You are jesting surely? Those are the Grim Hunters, the Death Hounds. They are the most feared creatures in all Titan." Endymion still looked confused so she elaborated. "They are the offspring of the Cerberus, guardian of the gates, but unlike their predecessor, they are not restricted to the underworld. They are Malagnant Mythali! Anybody who sees them does not live to tell the tale. If you fight, they will kill you faster than you can blink. If you run, they will hunt you untill they kill you or you die of exaustion. There is no escape." She paused and cold dread filled the pit of her stomach. "I am afraid we will both die tonight." Suddenly they eyes of the Death Hounds began to flash red.
"Oh Selene! They are breaking through the spell barrier!" She shut her eyes and her grip on Endymion's arm became almost unbearable. Endymion himself took a few moments to regester what she said while staring at the hounds. His brows knitted in frustration. There was no way some mutt was going to scare him, not matter how big they are.
"Listen!" Endymion demanded. "This is foolish! I will not be intimidated by a giant dog! Surely there is a way to defeat them."
Serenity shook her head at his blatant ignorance. "No. That is the dilemma. There is no conceivable way to defeat them. They are immune to magic charms and spells cast by human and most mythical creatures. And that is not all, they react quickly, they are fast and rumors say they can also read minds. Fighting is futile."
With one bright red flash and a sound like the cracking of glass, the Death Hounds were through the barrier and slowly advancing on the two travellers. Endymion growled and Serenity made a sound like a wounded animal.
"Listen, do not worry, fair maiden, I will take care of this. You should grab the horses and make a hasty escape." He released himself from her grip and retrieved his sword. "I will protect you."
Serenity snapped back to reality and glared daggers at him. "Do I look like another helpless female? If you fight, I fight!" Endymion inwardly smiled. She did exactly what he thought she would do. Too late to grab her Katana from her equipment, Serenity spied the tent pole on the ground and picked it up.
This will have to do.
The hounds slowly advanced, swaying slightly as if in a trance, each step in sync with each other. Serenity held the pole in front of her and prepared herself for the first and probably the last battle she would ever fight.
"Do not look directly into their eyes." She warned her companion. "They will render you completely numb and unable to fight."
The leader of the pack suddenly pounced and aimed for Endymion. He quickly ducked as the hound flew over him. Barely had it hit the ground before the hound turned around and pounced again, going for the same target. Endymion sidestepped this time but the hound gouged his shoulder with one of its giant paws. He winced with pain but showed no other signs that it affected him much. He readied himself for the next attack, despite his now profusely bleeding shoulder.
Serenity did not get to see the outcome of that next attack because the second hound in the pack suddenly pounced, aiming for her. Ducking down she aimed a shot at the hound's stomach with the pole, landing a powerful blow to the hound's underbelly. It yelped and landed clumsily on the other side of Serenity. While it recovered, the third hound took its place and attacked her.
Fast as lightning, before she could blink, the hound had clamped his giant jaws around Serenity's left arm. Pressing down, she felt the searing pain of his teeth biting into her flesh and muscle, though the adrenalin in her veins prevented her from feeling the full extent of the pain. She began to feel faint, her knees buckled and she broke out in a sweat. Thinking fast, Serenity gouged one of her fingers into the hound's eye, blinding it. It yelped and let go of her arm.
Feeling faint-headed, Serenity looked around clumsily. Everyting was hazy and swirling. Next thing she knew, the second hound had pounced on her and pinned her to the ground with its front paws. The weight of the hound on her shoulders was almost more than she could bear, yet she shut her eyes tight and refused to look at the great black assasin on top of her. Its hot panting breath rolled down her body, giving her shivers down her spine. The weight increased until she thought her collar bone was going to break.
Despite her dire situation, she could not help but think sardonically, So this is how it ends. Having a giant sweaty thing on top of me, with bad breath and a terrible temper. I bet he is a better kisser than Diamond. A lone tear trickled out of the corner of her eye at the thought of who she may never speak to again.
Suddenly the weight was abruptly lifted from her. Serenity chanced to look up and was greatly relieved to meet the gaze of the Earthians. He offered a hand up and she gratefully took it with her good hand. Never had she been so happy to see anyone in her whole life as she did now. If the danger right now wasn't so imminant, she probably would have thrown curtesy to the wind and hugged him. She settled for a weak smile.
The battle had taken its toll on Endymion. He was panting heavily and suffered the pain of many scratches, bruses and gouges. He was also limping slightly. He offered her a wide grin. Serenity felt a moment of rage. He was enjoying this! She almost had her head bitten off and he was grinning as if he had not a care in the world. Of all the nerve ....
The hounds had changed tactics. Instead of fighting individually, they were now fighting in a pack and was currently circling the pair, waiting for the right time to attack. Both fighters stood back to back and cautiously watched the pack. Serenity could now see that the hound who had grabbed her arm was now bleeding uncontrollably from a now empty eye socket. It growled menacingly at her. She could also see that the hound the Earthian was fightling suffered from a few sword wounds itself.
"I am afraid I do not think we will be able to survive this. Selene preserve us!" She sighed despondently. Endymion rolled his eyes at her pessimism. She closed her eyes.
If only there were a way out of this. I have too many things left undone. This is not how it should be. For the love of Selene, save us! It is not right I should die before I have even reached eighteen. I want to live, I need to live ....
All of a sudden, Serenity felt something stir within her very core, like the stiring of a great fire. This warm, yet pleasant, feeling spread throughtout her until she felt like her whole body was humming with pent up power. "What is happening?" She thought vaguely. Serenity began to emit a white glow. Endymion turned around in confusion as to what was happening and promptly gaped. Serenity threw back her head and began to lift slightly off the ground. The sound of a gong rang from deep inside simultaneous with a bright white flash coming from her.
The hounds stopped circling suddenly and looked to the sky. After a momment, they exchanged looks with each other, then miraculously, began to move away into the forest, leaving the travellers alone.
Serenity abruptly stopped glowing, fell to the ground and promptly fainted.
Waking up to the sound of a crackling fire, Serenity groaned and slowly opened her eyes. Turning her head slightly, she became aware that she was lying on a blanket next to the fire that the Earthian had built. The Earthian himself was sitting on a fallen tree on the other side of the fire. He was staring at her with a very strange expression on his face. Slowly she sat up, wincing at various pains and combating a dizzy spell.
"You are awake." He stated.
Serenity rubbed her eyes. "How long was I asleep?"
"About an hour." She nodded and stared at the fire, noticing for the first time that her wounds had been bandaged. Endymion noticed she was staring at her mended arm.
"It should be fine. The wound was deep but clean. It was a good thing that hound did not bite your sword arm. In time it should heal fine, however, I am afraid it will scar."
Serenity grinned. "I get to have scars? I have always wanted battle scars." Endymion raised an eyebrow. Once again, her apparent lack of femininity baffled him. I do not believe I have ever me a woman who actually wants battle scars.
Both travellers, having nothing else to say, lapsed into a silence.
"Thank you." Serenity said eventually.
"For what?"
"For fighting, for saving my life, for dressing my wounds."
Quite taken aback by her change of attitude, he replied, "I believe I owe you thanks too. You did wake me up, most uncouthly, to warn me of them. And you did save me from those vicious faeries."
Serenity grinned. "I guess we are even then."
Endymion grinned but soon turned serious. "What did you do back there, that floating off the ground? Was that what you call magic?"
Serenity's eyebrows creased in deep thought and she shook her head. "No. I have no idea what the was. In a way it felt like magic, but unlike anything I had ever felt before. It was strong. Very strong. I could feel it coursing through every vein in my body.It was much stronger that mere mage's magic. Almost like ... but no ... that cannot be."
"What is it?"
"Well, it almost felt like I was using the Maryku, magic of the gods. But that cannot be! The only way anyone is able to wield the power of the gods is if they have been blessed by a god or goddess then given a talisman of power. I have neither blessing nor talisman so that just cannot be. Besides, the gods are very selective of who they decide to bless. A god or goddess only blesses a chosen deciple once every 500 years or so, if at all. And only a select few can harness the magic of the gods. It simply cannot be."
"Well dear heart, I am at a loss."
Serenity frowned. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that? These silly nicknames have no effect on me whatsoever."
Endymion gave her an infuriating grin. "If they do not affect you at all then you would not get as angry as you are now. I think deep down you secretly love them."
"Surely you are jesting! How could anyone like being called ridiculous, demeaning and degrading names like 'dear heart'?"
"I found that many women I have met seem to love it."
Serenity snorted. "Fine! How about you go talk to them and leave me alone."
"They are not as fun to tease as you." Serenity gave him her most disdainful glare. He continued unfazed. "But if you hate them so much, can I at least have your proper name? Or do angels have no names?"
Serenity looked incredulous. "That is the worst courting line I have ever heard!"
"Who ever said I was courting you. Do you want to be courted by me?"
Serenity turned red. "W ... What? No! Of course not!"
"Then why should it matter what I call you? I pose no romantic threat to you."
"Yes but it does matter! I do not appreciate being called degrading names!"
"They are not degrading. I happen to think they are rather endearing."
"They are not!"
"Tell me one name that I have called you that is so-called 'degrading'?"
"I ... well ... that's not the point!"
"What is the point? I am confused."
"The point is, I do not like being called names."
"You are a hypocrite. You call me Sir Knight all the time."
"That is because I do not know your name."
Endymion grinned, knowing he had just won that small battle. "And I do not know yours. Now are you going to tell me your name or shall I continue to call you dear heart? Because I personally enjoy watching your cheeks flush with anger."
Serenity blew up. "What?!!! I am NOT your peverse form of entertainment. How would you like me to run you through with my katana? I would find that highly entertaining!"
Endymion raised an eyebrow. "You are bluffing. You said you would never kill another person."
Serenity gritted her teeth together in anger. "I would be willing to make an exception this time."
"Stop stalling and tell me your name." Endymion demanded.
"No. Tell me yours first."
"I am flattered you want to know." Serenity crossed her arm over her chest.
"Fine. My name is ... um ..."
Serenity snorted. "Your name is Um?"
"No it is not."
"Do you not know your own name?"
"If you give me a moment, I shall tell you. It is Darien."
Sorry Grandfather, but I will have to use your name. It would be back to the palace in a flash if I told her my real name.
"And yours dear heart?"
"My name is ..."
Serenity panicked. She had not thought up a fake name yet. He cannot know my real name. He would know instantly who I was. Serenity has been a royal family name for centuries.
"Usagi."
Endymion, now Darien, grinned. "Usagi? Is that not Lunarain for rabbit? Your parents called you rabbit?"
"Well ... no." Serenity thought quickly. "My parents, before I was born, were certain they were going to have a boy so they called me a boy's name. Usagi is the name my best friend Motoki gave me." It was, in part, true. Serenity's parents did want a boy but were delighted nonetheless when she was born. And the 'Usagi' nickname was, of course, true. Motoki was always exclaiming that she was the living personification of a rabbit. Fast, mischievous and cute.
Darien frowned. "I do not understand. You do not want me to call you nicknames, yet you let this boy Motoki call you names? Is her your lover?"
Serenity laughed. "My lover? No. Are you jealous?"
"Insanely. If I sould ever meet this boy, I shall run him through. I do not take kindly to competition dear heart."
Serenity, now Usagi, frowned. "I thought you said you would call me by my real name. You know it now."
"I made no such promise. Besides, I refuse to call you by a nickname that another man has given you." Darien thought for a while. "I know! I shall call you Koneko, my little spitting kitten."
Usagi rolled her eyes realising that she was back to square one with the name calling problem. "That is great! Now if you beg your parents hard enough, maybe they will let you keep me."
Darien smirked as a dirty thought entered his head. "Mmmm ... I will tie a pink ribbon around you neck and you can sleep in my chambers. Shall put you in a basket right next to my bed."
Usagi blushed crimson. "Hentai!"
He had heard that word before. "What does that mean?"
"It means you are a disgusting pervert and I would never dream of setting one foot in your house let alone your chambers."
Darien smiled smugly. "We shall see Koneko, we shall see."
"No, we shall see nothing. Come tomorrow morning, which happens to be in a few hours, I will pack my belongings and be on my merry way."
"Surely not dear heart! Not after all we have been through today. What if those ... things come back to finish what they started? Would it not be safer for both of us to stay together." In fact, the real reason why he needed to travel with this girl was because he had no conceivable idea where he was in the forest and where he needed to go to get out.
Usagi glared at him distrustfully. "Well, I do not know. Truth be known, I do not trust you very much."
"Then sleep with your sword. Where are you heading?"
Usagi paused. In truth she had not decided on a destination yet, only that she wanted to see the ocean. However, heading north towards the Mars province, which also boardered the White Forest seemed like a good place to head.
"To Phobos in the Mars province I suppose."
"Okay, how about we both travel together through this wood then part ways in Phoebus. Does that satisfy you Koneko?"
Usagi stared at him, thinking the proposal over in her head. Finally she stood up slowly, walked over to Darien and yanked a couple of hairs from his head. She then turned around and began to walk back to her side of the clearing, wincing slightly with the pain of movement.
Darien rubbed his head. "Why did you do that?"
"Collateral." She called over her shoulder.
Darien shook his head and mumbled something about crazy women and strange fetishes.
Author's Notes:
Cerberus – (Greek mythology) The three-headed dog that guards the gates to the underworld (think Fluffy from Harry Potter). Kinda like an ancient bouncer with teeth. If you aren't legally dead or haven't paid the toll, you are in trouble.
Malagnant Mythali – Nasty creatures with magical power of some sort.
Kindelant Mythali – Same as above explanation, but nice. These terms will be explained in length in the next chapter.
Maryku – It's a Japanese word that means someone who possess magical power (don't quote me on that). In my story, if someone has the maryku, they have been blessed and have certain powers from a god or goddess.
Katana – Japanese for sword. I think I have explained this before
Phobos – In Greek mythology, Phobos (Terror) and Deimos (Fear) were squires to the war god Ares, though it was sometimes believed that they were his sons. In this story, Phobos is a bustling marketplace in the Mars province.
Koneko – Japanese for kitten. I think I need to ease off all the explanations. Even I am starting to get confused.
Oreka