Serena lay awake in the King- sized bed, the covers pulled up over her neck. She wasn't sure as to whether it was the temperature or just her body's lack of energy. She groaned as she ran her fingers over the silky material. It wasn't as if she hadn't tried to go to sleep. After all, a fabricated dreamland would be her only comfort next to the harsh reality that she had encountered that day. She pulled at the green T- shirt that Stanton had given her to sleep in, smiling at the memory.
"It matches your eyes", he had whispered lovingly into her ear and given it to her before he left her to rest.
Ball after ball. Fist after fist. Her anxiety grew with each sharp tug, until finally she slowly eased up from her place on the mattress and focused her attention to the foot of the bed where Vanessa was sleeping. Hoping that Vanessa was just as restless as she felt, she wrenched at the daughter's sheets, but Vanessa made no movement. Disappointment loomed over Serena's eyes. She had wanted to discuss the sacrifice that they had both discovered earlier. How would they do it and when? She trembled a bit, regardless of the cold or her lack of energy. Her choice would mean that she was to abandon Stanton. Would he let her? She shook off the inquiry. Of course, he would. He would do anything for her. Deciding that she couldn't wait any longer, she flung the sheets from the sleeping Vanessa.
"Vanessa", she started, impatiently. "I'm sorry but-"
She stared awestruck when she found no one there. Jumping from her place on the bed, she stumbled across the room to switch on a tall, silver lamp. As the dim, yellowish light crept across the walls, it was apparent that she was alone. Her eyes darting in several directions, she realized that it was impossible for anyone to hide. From the little furniture that did accent the room, were only small cabinets and chairs, not nearly large enough to veil a teenage girl. The space beneath the bed was much to narrow and surely Serena would have felt it if someone had tried to creep underneath her. From the looks of Vanessa, she was much too weak to use her power and even if she had been stronger, opposing forces would have seen to it that she didn't.
"Vanessa?" She called. There was only haunting silence. Serena stiffened a bit, chills creeping up her spine. Then just as she was about to run and find Stanton, she heard faint footfalls beneath her.
"Vanessa?" Then grabbing one of Stanton's black, leather coats, she threw open the door and dashed down a black marble staircase. When she had finally made it to the base, she ran out of the front door and into the freezing night wind. Puddles were scattered across the grimy roads and clouds were dark and menacing, evidence of an evanescent thunderstorm. She could make out a slender silhouette standing in the distance, drenched tresses pouring down her shoulders. A sodden blue T shirt pressed tightly around her bodice, her long slender legs, stretching out from underneath. Serena started to call out for her, but as if sensing her presence, she darted from the iron gate and sprinted off in another direction.
"Vanessa!" Serena screamed after her. Realizing that she would receive no response, she reluctantly stepped out into the eternal night. No stars speckled the ominous heavens, nor an iridescent moon. The only light shone from various fire lit lamps flickering in the darkness, their flames licking at the night wind. The buildings differed greatly in size, as some were grand and large brick structures, whereas others, like Stanton's, were small and minute, resembling many abandoned Los Angeles apartment buildings. Their only similarity is that they all donned the same dark malevolence and the foreshadowing of doom. But regardless of its wicked aura, masses of residents danced in its essence as if to celebrate the evil in their midst. People and other less distinguishable beings, no doubt regulators piled the streets in some sort of celebration. Many wore elegant, reserved clothing, whereas the younger crowd was more chic or stylish and looked as if they were ready to break loose at Planet Bang. Serena took on a crimson blush when she realized how out of place she must have looked in her ripped, leather jacket and green T, her hair pulled back in a lavender scrunchie. Then, considering the rest of the population, she didn't care as much. As she made her way down a crowded street, pushing past bunches of conversing people, a verbal chaos, a sudden flash of light struck the ground before her. She stumbled and tripped as she backed away. From it spilt oozing, clear discharge. She made a face as it formed into a puddle at her feet.
"Are you alright?" a voice queried from above her. "You look like you need some help". Serena gradually looked up to see a young girl, no more than eighteen, holding a hand out to her. The girl's raven black hair danced wildly behind her in the wind, forming a shadowy halo and giving her the appearance of a dark, yet stunning Goddess. But in spite of her beauty, Serena pulled herself from the ground without her assistance. "I'm fine". She tossed a few strands of her scarlet bangs back and gave the girl a dry smile.
"Not from what I just saw", the girl smirked, her nose crinkling to bring more attention to her septum ring. "You looked as though you never even heard of the Fusion".
"The what?" Serena turned to her, now interested. She leaned her head forward to retie her hair and nodded, provoking the girl to proceed.
"Are you serious?" The girl's eyes widened, laughter working its way through her tone. A few of the girl's friends were now staring at her, all dressed in multi- colored minis and tube tops, various piercings covering their faces and any other visible spots on their bodies.
Serena nodded, tossing the new ponytail around her shoulder. "Tell me".
The girl gave her a questioning look, but refrained from any more mockery as it was obvious that Serena wasn't in the mood for games. Folding her arms, she took on a more serious expression. "The Fusion. It's the synthesis of Nefandus with the outside world and one of the last steps to the triumph of our King, the Atrox".
One of the girls sniggered from behind them. "Where was she on orientation day?"
Serena ignored her. "Sythesis?" She didn't like the sound of this. "But what will happen once the two dimensions are combined?"
All of the girls began to cackle at once, a hideous cry. Shrill, deranged, and void of all positive emotion. "Don't you know?" The prettiest of the three started again, a mad glow in her cat- like yellow eyes. "With the daughters vanquished, their world is defenseless. The molecules here will crush it completely. The glitches you see here are only preparation for the Fusion".
A tiny gasp rose from Serena's throat and she could sense a bad taste arising in her mouth. No doubt the taste of fear. But she wouldn't panic. She glanced about the gloomy terrain. So the puddles on the ground weren't just the residue of a passing rain.
"Can it be stopped?" Serena asked and then immediately knew that she had made a mistake. The girl cocked eyebrow, suspicion twisting her features.
"Do you mean to defy the Atrox?"
Serena bit her tongue, afraid of what would come out. Eager to find Vanessa and entrust this newfound information, she simply nodded and turned the other way, hoping that they would dismiss her.
"Wait", one of the girls called, her black and purple hair billowing in the breeze. "Who are you?"
Serena stopped to ponder on the question as she wasn't very sure at the moment herself. Her purpose had been bruised and muddled, her former life abandoned. What was she but a fallen star? A tarnished dream? A lonely, forgotten child left to sit and tremble in the rain? She ventured into the depths of her soul in attempt to pull out who she truly was. Then turning to the girls, a forced smile on her lips she replied, "A Goddess, A Daughter of the Moon". And before they could recover from their shocked states, she walked off, clear, freezing liquid biting at her bare feet. She remembered something that Maggie had once told her.
A Goddess is indestructible.
Through the thickest storm and the darkest shadow
She stands tall
Even when all hope seems lost, she is an eternal force
With the moon in her eyes
And the sun in her smile
She stands tall