"As what is ugly and evil is apt to change and grow milder with time."
-- Polyphemus and Galatea --
Prince Demando of Nemesis, Queen Neherenia of Nyx, Mistress Nine of Rhamnusia and Pharaoh Zircon of Erebus were congregated in a circle table facing each other and were developing a plan to shun the stirring of the Silver Millennium.
"We've tried unsuccessfully to locate those gems. We even had The Elders pursued. Still, nothing is going according to plan. Queen Hera is getting too impatient." Pharaoh Zircon pointed out. He was a wrinkly old man who always had his long staff with a winged sentient eyeball hanging on its pointed end with him. He was the eldest of them all, the first offspring of the planet Erebus and about as aged as Queen Hera.
Prince Demando, a striking man with his silver mane and purple eyes who were one of the descendants of the Kuroi Tsuki Kingdom who resided on Nemesis ancients ago, swirled his wine in his glass and seemed uninterested with the conversation. "If Queen Hera has no way of getting out then I will rein the Black Eye as her replacement."
Mistress Nine of Rhamnusia, with her long mauve hair and matching purple eyes, was beautiful yet devious in every way. She was the fourth descendant of Mistress Rhamnusia and Pharaoh 90 who were eradicated during the war in the Silver Millennium. Now she was taking revenge for her people and her ancestors. "Are you out of your mind Demando? You can never rule your own kingdom much less our galaxy. I should be the one to reign for I have more familiarity and power." She said evilly, the black star sign on her forehead flashing precariously.
"Enough! I should rule for I am the oldest of this group. None of you can measure up to me." Pharaoh Zircon disputed.
Queen Neherenia, the fifth descendant of Queen Nyx of Nyx Kingdom, let out her most vicious cackle. Her long cerulean-tinted raven hair was put up in four odangoes atop her head and her cat-like eyes were filled with glee. "You?! Why, Zircon, you're too old to rule. You can scarcely rise by yourself. As well, I have the most power from all of you. It is only expected that I rule for I am already queen."
Just then, Ao no Safiiru, Prince Demando's brother, appeared in company with Midori no Esmeraude, another member of the Kuroi Tsuki Kingdom.
Mistress Nine glowered at the two arrivals. "How dare you disrupt this meeting?! You have no business coming here until we say so. Now leave!"
"Forgive me Mistress but we have urgent information that I'm sure you might want to hear." Safiiru said, bowing.
Prince Demando glanced at his brother and waved a hand for dismissal. "Go ahead and say whatever is it you come to say Safiiru and leave us."
It was Esmeraude who answered. "Forgive me my prince but we want to inform you that the prince of Earth, Prince Endymion, along with the Yoningumi are already in Uranus and looking for the Taakoizu."
Pharaoh Zircon stood up and glared at the two. "How would you know? We tried in vain to trace those gems. How could mere mortals find them? Even The Elders were having a hard time about it. You must be mistaken, my dear."
"I assure you there is no mistake my lord. The Elders gave them a scroll to help locate the missing gems. And as for knowing, Prince Demando sent us to espy once we noted that they've been trying to locate them."
Queen Neherenia arched an eyebrow at the prince. "Oh really? Now, now, Demando, why is it that we haven't been informed of such matters?" She said apprehensively.
Prince Demando simply shrugged. "I didn't inform you my sweet for we weren't so sure about it."
"So sure! You just want the celestial gems for yourself you insolent brute! How dare you!" Screeched Mistress Nine.
"Safiiru, Esmeraude wait for me in the palace. Go!" He shouted when the two hesitated. After they departed, he stood up from his seat and walked towards the three.
"It's simple really. I didn't notify you immediately for we might have spies among us." He shrugged. "The Elders may possibly send emissaries of their own and once they find out we've been tracking the telluric then our plans would be all for nothing. Also we don't know whether they have one of the gems yet."
Mistress Nine gave an unladylike grunt. "Bah… that's rubbish. No one will dare to enter in the Black Eye galaxy."
Prince Demando walked towards her and caressed her cheek. "Ah… do not underestimate The Elders, my sweet. They are nearly as powerful as the celestial warriors once they are found."
"Don't touch me." Mistress Nine growled.
Demando chuckled and walked away from them disappearing through the darkness.
Queen Neherenia smoothed out her hair and spoke. "The previous queen made The Elders after all. I'm not surprised they are that powerful. Though I'm sure they don't match my power or any of us for that matter. Now if you'll excuse me I'll go back to my own kingdom for there's a foul smell in this room." She retorted making Pharaoh Zircon choked with fury before disappearing as well.
"Why that insolent bi--"
"Now, now Zircon. I think you should concentrate on killing the prince of Earth. If you want to rule, then I suggest you find a way to annihilate them." Mistress Nine said before also vanishing.
Pharaoh Zircon glared after them. "I'll show you. I'll find those gems and conquer the galaxies. And I won't spare anyone's life before me." He growled before disappearing as well.
The Earth Generals and Prince Endymion reached the village Stephano at nightfall. Once again they surveyed their surroundings but couldn't find any traces of life at all. They only spotted small huts made of bamboos and everything was too silent.
"What is going on? Are we even on the right place? It looks as if there is no inhabitants living here at all." Jadeite declared.
"Yes, I believe we are in the right place. Before we enter I saw a sign that read 'Stephano Village' by a tree." Nephrite responded.
Just then Kunzite spoke and extended his daisho. "Be on your guard everyone."
Everyone skimmed around making an effort to perceive an evil presence close by.
"Possibly a creature was here before us. That's seemingly a cause why there's no people whatsoever." Endymion stated.
They all dismounted on their horses and strolled around. They heard a clatter from one of the huts.
An old man peeped at the window and scrutinized the four comers.
"Konbanwa." Prince Endymion greeted the old man.
The old man looked at them once more and when he found they were of no threat, he unlocked his door and faced them.
"Yes? What do you want?" The old man's sharp eyes demanded answer.
"Pardon for the intrusion sir but we are looking for someone. I believe his name is Prospero. Perchance you might help us as to tell us where he lives." Endymion prolonged.
"Never heard of him. Now I suggest you find some place to stay by the end of nightfall before he comes." The old man exclaimed.
"Who?" Kunzite demanded.
"The creature that creates destruction in this village. Caliban. He was a beast formed by the witch Sycorax. He always comes at hours of darkness and slaughter people. Children or old nothing matters as long as he feeds." He informed them.
"Thank you for your help sir." Zoisite bowed and the five men turned around and started walking away.
"What do you want of old Prospero?" The old man suddenly questioned halting them on their tracks.
The five of them turned their attention back to the old man who glared back at them intrepidly.
"We have some questions that need answers and we believe he is the only one who can help us." Nephrite informed of the old man.
The old man nodded. "I sense you are not of Sycorax's minions. Very well I'll tell you where he lives. Walk to the very end of this road until you come across a river, the River of Ariel. Do not be worried for it is very shallow you can cross over easily with your horses. From the very end of that river walk some more to the north until you find a large cave. That's where Prospero dwells. Good luck on finding him and be well."
They thanked him and once again mounted on their horses and went to the direction of the River of Ariel.
They were halfway on the road when Endymion became aware of a shadow following them on the forest from a distance. He didn't inform the generals for it would be alerting the shadow to boot. So he kept quiet knowing that the four of them would sense the shadow as well.
"So, how long do you think till we reach the river?" Endymion conversed.
Kunzite was leading with Zoisite and Jadeite beside Endymion and Nephrite was behind them.
Kunzite suddenly stopped on his trail. The four followed his lead and also stopped.
"You've sensed it?" Endymion whispered.
The generals tilted their heads in understanding, not daring to make a sound.
Then, a rattle of leaves and a growl signalled them of its arrival. The generals drew their weapons out in expectance.
A beast displayed before them, black wings on his back and two horns crowned on his head. Lower half of his body was of crocodile and the higher half was of dragon. He was as tall as the horses the generals boarded on, but ugly and ferocious. He snarled before them, smoke coming out of his nostril.
The four generals guided their horses backwards when the beast advanced on them.
"Good God! What kind of creature is this?" Endymion bellowed, shock and incredulity written on his face.
"Stay back Endymion! That must be Caliban the old man was talking about!" Zoisite shouted.
"Ugh! What an ugly beast!" Jadeite commented with pure disgust.
Caliban, who seemed to understand what was being said before him, roared once more and lunched himself on Jadeite who used his hand to blast him away.
Yet Caliban wasn't easily deterred and attacked once again the one nearest before him who happened to be Endymion.
Endymion tried to defend himself with his sword but the horse he was mounted on was terrified of the beast and tried to knock the prince off the ground.
Zoisite levitated himself between the prince and the beast and used his nanchukus to wound him.
Jadeite attempted to shoot the beast with his arrow but Zoisite was on the way so he settled on his wing instead.
The beast groaned in pain and clawed Zoisite on the chest and was thrown back along with Endymion from a tree.
"Zoisite! Endymion! Are you both all right?" Jadeite shouted and once again unleashed four arrows towards the creature.
Kunzite and Nephrite took a strike with their own weapons to the beast while Zoisite and Endymion took their time to mount on their horses.
Caliban opened his mouth wide.
Nephrite's eyes widened. "It's going to breathe fire!" He shouted. The five ran off as far as they could.
Fire shot forward through the beast's mouth going straight towards the generals and the prince.
They kicked their horses faster and Caliban went after them still breathing fire.
Kunzite looked back. "Go! Don't stop until you reach the river. I'll divert him." He instructed and took off to the right leaving the others no choice but to follow his orders.
Kunzite hid behind the bushes until he saw the creature running after the others. Then he kicked his horse and followed Caliban behind. Kunzite held his daisho on his left hand and sliced the creature's tail. Caliban howled in pain and turned around so unexpectedly with his mouth still breathing fire that Kunzite was forced to jump down from his horse and rolled to the ground to avoid the scorching inferno. Caliban faced Kunzite with his blazing red eyes. Kunzite took his other daisho with his right hand and faced the creature with no fear evident on his cool grey eyes. The two eyed each other, not one was willing to back out.
"I am Caliban. A servant of Sycorax. I kill those who sought Prospero." He growled.
"So the beast can speak after all." Kunzite murmured and positioned his daisho in front of him.
Once again Caliban unleashed fire and Kunzite leaped into the air and into the creature's back. Caliban wiggled around trying to dislodge Kunzite. Kunzite thrust his daishos into his back and Caliban bawled so loud it trembled all the way through the forest.
Then the creature fell down.
Kunzite, with a pant, took his daishos and stood looking down at the creature. Then, at last when he assumed the creature was dead, he walked back towards his horse and cleaned up the blood in his daishos.
Without him noticing, Caliban moved his head towards Kunzite and drew a mouthful of air. Before he could unleash another fire however, a sword came out of nowhere and sliced him through his neck.
Kunzite whirled around and drew his daisho once again but all he saw was the creature without his head. He frowned and looked about but he could see no one other than himself. Then he boarded himself on his horse once again and went to rejoin the others.
"He's been gone too long. I think we should go back." Endymion stated.
"No. We'll wait a minute more. He might come back any moment now." Nephrite said.
At that point Kunzite came riding in with his platinum flaxen hair flowing in the wind.
He stopped abruptly in front of them.
"Glad you're still in one piece Kunzite." Zoisite commented. His breastplate was torn apart and his torso was bleeding.
"Have any one of you gone back there?" Kunzite enquired them.
The other four glanced each other and shook their heads.
"No, why? What happened?" Jadeite asked, eyeing the platinum warrior.
"When I thought I killed the beast somebody came and killed him instead. I wondered if any of you came back and aid me."
"No. We were waiting for you here as you ordered." Endymion answered.
"Hmm… Then we must be in our guard at all times. Whoever killed that monster might want us alive or killed. Let's go and looked for a safe area to camp out. We must continue our journey at day when it's much safer." Kunzite continued.
"I'll take the first watch then. We'll alternate every two hours to get some sleep." Nephrite said and lit a flare to guide them towards the forest.
Five figures watched the five men from a distance. The two were Ao no Safiiru and Midori no Esmeraude of the Kuroi Tsuki Kingdom. They've been ordered by Prince Demando to watch the telluric gather the missing gems and snatch them away once they were located. The other two were the same people who've been watching Jadeite and Nephrite from the City of Setebos. The lone one who stood much further away from the others, was a female warrior. The Amazon of the jungle. It was she who slaughtered Caliban and she had a feeling that these five men were linked to her in someway.
They ate their meals at the crack of dawn and put away their eiderdown before mounting on their horses once more.
Once they've attained the River of Ariel Nephrite dismounted on his horse and sampled the sparkling water.
"Hmm… I think it's quite all right to drink them. Do any of you want to take a sip or clean up before moving on?" He said glancing at the others.
In so saying, the four of them cleaned up themselves and drank some water into the River of Ariel. Zoisite walked on the water, assessing how deep or shallow it was. When he made sure there was no danger he signalled for the others to go on.
Before they could take one step however, they gasped when a brilliant light blinded them and when it vanished a water sprite was floating in front of them.
"I am Ariel the chi of this river. You may not pass until you've proven yourself that your purpose to my master is not evil."
"The old man did not mention about this." Jadeite groused.
Endymion stepped forward and bowed to the sprite. "I am Endymion, the prince of Earth and you have my solemn word that we cause no threat to Prospero. We come here for solely selfless reason."
"And what would that be?" The water sprite asked hollowly.
"The celestial gems." Zoisite replied.
"Do you find yourselves worthy of seeking the celestial gems? They were made by the hand of a god and you are nothing but mere mortals." Ariel persisted in a still hollow voice.
"We hunt for the celestial gems to awaken the Silver Millennium. Surely the gods themselves aren't opposed by this?" It was Nephrite who answered.
Ariel focused her empty eyes towards him. "And what of you? What do you know about the gods?"
"I may not know much but I am certain that they wish for the Silver Millennium to reign again." Nephrite answered.
"We don't have much proof other than the scroll The Elders gave us. Will that be enough?" Endymion retrieved the scroll and showed it to the sprite.
Ariel took no notice of the scroll.
"The Black Eye assailed the Earth not too long ago. If we don't gather the celestial gems then the cosmos will be damned in the hands of our adversaries. We've been told that the celestial gems are powerful enough to annihilate evil." Kunzite affirmed.
Ariel studied them. "Very well. I will let you pass. But if your intention is nothing but pure evil then the gods themselves will punish you let me assure you of that." Then she disappeared into the river letting them go.
-- The story is Copyrighted © by dloveheart 2002 --
(some characters excluded)