One More Month Later…

Serenity ran to the courtyard as the shouts and screams of her palace guards rang out around her. Beryl had attacked the palace and destroyed half of her kingdom. Beryl's minions were everywhere, killing even the innocents. Serenity could feel her heart breaking with each body she encountered. Duo was waiting for her in the courtyard, as he'd promised he would be. As she attempted to make her way over to him she suddenly felt a bruising grip upon her arm. She was turned around forcefully to come eye to eye with Endymion. Anger and rage burned within the depths of his midnight eyes, sending a chill down her spine. Something about him was very wrong.

"You foolish slut!" She was shocked as he slapped her across the face. "No one crosses me and gets away with it!"

Duo caught sight of Serenity just as Endymion smacked her. Anger roared up within him as he began to make his way over to his brother, wanting to kill him. Serenity remained in his bruising grip, listening to the curses he hurled at her. Little did she know that Beryl had caught sight of her as well, and knew what she held inside of her.

"I don't know what you're talking about Endymion!" The sounds of battle seemed to suffocate her, drowning her. Suddenly, as she glanced over his shoulder, she saw a form she had prayed she never would. Beryl came towards them out of the ensuing chaos, grinning maliciously.

"You and my brother! I know you're carrying his child!" Serenity's jaw dropped at his statement. There was no way he could have known. When Beryl put her hand upon his shoulder he turned to her in familiarity, further shocking her.

"There's no time Endymion. Kill her now." Her voice was calm and commanding yet deadly all at once. Serenity couldn't believe her ears.

"Endymion, no. You can't be!" Endymion turned to her with a glare that could have killed her on it's own and a sinister smirk.

"Yes dear Princess. I am the mole that you and Queen Selenity have been searching for. Once you're dead this kingdom will be mine and mine alone!" Shoving her away so that she stumbled he drew out his sword and prepared to run her through.

"No!" Serenity watched as Duo ran into his brother's side, knocking him onto the ground. Turning quickly to her he helped her to stand. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." She gasped as she caught sight of Beryl running towards them, Endymion's sword in her hand. "Watch out Duo!"

Shoving Duo as quickly as she could she gasped as a stinging sensation spread across her face. Opening her eyes she shook as she reached up a hand to see what had happened. Ahead she could see Beryl and Endymion quarreling over something. As her fingers touched her face she felt blood dripping down the side of her nose and cheek. Duo held her in his arms, comforting her. From the feel of it Beryl had sliced her face from her left eyebrow to her left cheekbone in a diagonal. It hurt more than words could express. The next thing she knew Duo was ripping off his sleeve and wrapping it around her head to keep the blood out of her eye and in an attempt to stop the blood.

"Serenity, are you going to be alright?" She could hear his fear in his voice as she vaguely nodded her head, still in shock.

"Stop Endymion. He's the one who's trying to kill mother and I." Glaring, Duo stood to face his brother who was still arguing with Beryl.

"Endymion! Your fight is with me." Beryl and Endymion turned to him with a glare. Beryl smirked as she extended her hand, giving Endymion his sword.

"You asked for it." As Endymion began to battle Duo, Beryl saw her opportunity and took it gleefully.

While Duo had so nobly gone to fight and protect his Princess he had also left her wide open for an attack. Maneuvering herself around them she came up behind Serenity, ready to put her plan into action. Serenity was standing off to the side, watching the fight as best as she could. The bandage around her eye was already soaked with her blood. Gripping her hair she wrapped her arm around Serenity's neck to keep her from moving or even screaming.

"Endymion! Now!" Before Duo could register what was going on Endymion had already pushed past him. He watched in shock as Endymion plunged his sword into her chest with enough force to make it come out her back. When he withdrew it he threw the sword to the ground laughing haughtily as Beryl released her. Serenity looked down at herself, her mouth slightly open as the blood trailed down the front of her dress.

"Serenity!" Rushing forth he caught her body as she crumpled to the ground. Tears coursed down both of their cheeks as he shakily put a hand to the side of her face.

"I'm so sorry Duo." A rasping sob escaped her as she lay in his arms. Frantically he brushed her bangs out of her eyes as he kissed her.

"Shh, it's going to be alright Serenity. We'll get your mother and you'll be okay." Tears ran down his face as he realized his words held no truth. Softly she shook her head, raising her hand to place it on the side of his face.

"I'm sorry you'll never get to see your child Duo." His eyes widened in shock as he choked back a sob. "Please forgive me…" A pained, watery smile came to her face as her tears made trails on her porcelain skin.

"It's okay, it's okay. I love you so much Serenity." Kissing her once more he gently caressed her face. As she struggled to take another breath he could hear the blood bubbling in her lungs. He allowed a sob to escape as he realized she was slipping away.

"I love you too. And…I guess I'm the one who won't make it through the war." Ruefully she smiled, her eyes dimming. Duo released a cry of anguish as he felt her strength fading.

"No! You can't leave me! I can't live without you!" Yet his cry was too late. "Serenity!"

As her body went limp and her hand fell from his face he began to sob. Cradling her body to his he rocked back and forth, unwilling to face the truth. Behind him Endymion's malicious laughter began to permeate his soul. His rage flared within him, consuming him. Placing Serenity's body on the ground he turned and lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. Out the corner of his eye he could see Beryl and Queen Selenity battling. All at once time seemed to stop as Queen Selenity's voice rang out in his head.

"This is my gift to you my young King. I only regret not being able to give you my daughter's hand, as I should have. I never knew of the danger I was putting her in. So here is the completion of your training, the ranking for which you were born. You shall become the Shi no Tenshi, an angel of true importance. I ask that you guard her soul wherever it goes. Accept this offer and defeat those that have betrayed and ruined this time."