Lord of Darkness
Chapter 14
A Startling Discovery, Part One
_____________________
Yeah, I _finally_ got around
to updating this story again.
I'm so sorry to all my faithful
readers who had to wait so long
for an update, but I was busy.
All of you who have suffered
through Senior Year with AP
Calculus, AP Physics, AP Government,
AP English, and incompetent teachers
know what I'm talking about.
Not to mention tests and finals.
But since you're all so great,
I'll release you from my ramblings
and let this begin.
Oh, and one more thing.
To all Sere/Endy fans: Yes, there
will be some romance scenes, but
it will build up gradually, some
in each update, but chances are that
I won't spend an entire chapter
on them.
' ' - Thoughts
This chapter is dedicated to Rei fans.
Most characters will make an appearance,
but in this one, Rei is in the spotlight. It
will mostly told from her perspective.
____________________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 14
A Startling Discovery, Part One
____________________
Rei looked up from where she had dozed to see
the chamber door open slowly. A quick check told her
that it was just past Dawn, still too early for anybody
to be awake.
'But I guess it's obvious that _he'd_ be awake.'
She thought wryly as she recognized Kunzite. The
silver-haired man hesitated a bit in the doorway, but his
anxiety overcame his cautiousness as he stepped next to his
third-in-command. His voice was lower, more desperate, than
Rei had ever heard.
"How is she?"
The blue-haired healer made no sign that she'd heard
him, and Rei was startled to see that her eyes were closed.
'Poor thing, I guess that healing cost her more
energy than she let on.'
Her violet orbs re-directed their eagle-sharp gaze onto
that hated head of white hair and muscular form. She had never
imagined that she could loathe anyone with such a passion, but at
that moment, she would have cheerfully strangled him. She despised
him, from his cape - the sign of his status - down to every strand
of hair that graced his unshaved chin. Zoicite's soft voice brought
her back from her happy fantasy of tearing the First General limb
from limb.
"Much better. She should be awake soon. But I'd recommend
a few more days of bed rest."
Something akin to relief and love flittered across his usual
emotionless steel eyes as he gazed upon the sleeping girl, but it
left as quickly as it had come, causing Rei to wonder if she'd imagined
it. She stood up quickly as Kunzite made a motion of stepping
closer to Minako. Her voice was low and dangerous, colder than
Ami's ice cubes.
"General, if you should take one more step forward, I'll
have no choice but follow through with my warning."
And her flashing violet eyes told everyone present that she
indeed would try to roast him. Kunzite stared at her for a moment,
subtly probing the anger in her aura. A second later, he inclined his
head. It wasn't that he couldn't protect himself, but Rei was volatile
when she was angry, not to mention the fact that Minako, no matter
how weak and broken her spirit was, would blame herself if any
harm came to her best friend on her behalf, and he certainly had no
desire to witness another mental breakdown. Besides, as the princess's
friend and servant for fourteen years, Rei had more right to make
such a demand than he would ever have.
A soft rustling of robes alerted Rei that the healer had
awakened due to the noise. Ami stretched lightly, rubbing her eyes. Her
features showed no surprise to see Kunzite standing there, with Rei facing
him, her fists clenched at her sides. Her calm voice broke their staring
contest.
"Kunzite, she should be awake soon, and I'm certain that she'll
be ravenous when she wakes up. Please inform Serenity and Endymion, should
they be awake, that they may see Minako if they wish, and entreat Makoto
to prepare these foods for her."
She quickly scribbled something down on a piece of paper, and
handed it to the First General who scanned it with a raised eyebrow.
"Shouldn't she have more solid nourishments? Half the stuff here
are liquids!"
Ami shrugged her slender shoulder lightly.
"She hasn't eaten for roughly the past two days. If she takes
in too much solid food, her stomach won't have time to adjust. She'll
get even sicker. We have to gradually build up her immune system."
Kunzite raised an eyebrow.
"It's been only two days."
Rei glared at him.
"That's two days - six meals - too many, in case you hadn't realized,
General."
Her voice was close to a snarl, putting special emphasis on the
word 'General', reminding Kunzite of the difference in status between
him and Minako.
Not a single muscle twitched in the First General's face as he
faced the angry girl - woman - in front of him. He bowed, his voice
mocking, though his expression still remained blank.
"Of course, Lady Rei. How could I ever dare to question your and
Lady Ami's judgment? Since you are so experienced, would you mind to peruse
this" he waved the sheet in her face, "and add your suggestions? I could
take over your duty watching over Mina-chan."
Rei's snarl grew in intensity, almost to an inhuman level. Zoicite
unintentionally tensed, his muscles taut. Something's was very wrong with
Rei. The rage seemed to be rolling of her body in submerging waves, but
there was something else, something with a feeling of foreboding that
he could not place - and did not like. Kunzite took a step back as he
noticed that Rei's eye color had changed. Instead of the flashing purple,
they were an endless black. With a feral growl, she lunged for Kunzite's
throat, only to be thrown back by an invisible shield. The moment the First
General had felt the darkness in her, he'd constructed a force field around
the other occupants in the room, quickly knowing without thinking that
Rei was unstoppable. However, now as he stared at her crumbled form lying
limply on the ground, her shoulders shaking with barely suppressed sobs,
he wondered if he had acted too harshly. Slowly, the released the force
field.
"Lady Rei?"
The young woman made no sign that she'd heard, her bangs
effectively shielding her features. At last, she sighed, and stood,
still not facing them.
"Forgive me. It won't happen again. Please, do not speak to
Minako about this; I know she will be worried. I need to go and talk
to Nephrite. If Mina's condition changes, please notify me immediately."
Her voice was choked, though the last request came out as
crisp and as sharp as ever. Ignoring the curious, if somewhat bewildered,
stares she was receiving, Rei wordlessly swept out of the room, her
movements unusually heavy. Ami watched her retreating back with a
concerned look as the dark-haired girl nearly ran into a wall. A sigh
escaped her lips as Rei rounded a corner and was gone from sight.
She turned to Kunzite, asking him once again to see Makoto. This
time, the General left without any protests.
______________________________
Rei groaned, massaging a throbbing temple. She could feel a
massive headache coming, and the 'transformation' just a moment
ago certainly did not help matters. She leaned against one of the
marble walls, her hand quickly grasping the pretty necklace - a
present from her mother on her twelfth birthday - as a wave of nausea
hit her. The brilliant amethyst, the centerpiece of the necklace,
was comfortingly cool in against her burning palm as she felt her
vision go black. Her eyes slid close, her lips silently forming
the words from an ancient prayer of the great Battle Lord:
"Oh, great God of War, glorious, magnificent Ares,
forefather of my soul. Hear your child in her time of need.
O, Ares, give me your strength and your unbending will
Allow me to conquer myself, with your divine help.
The darkness consumes my heart, banish it with your words,
The evilness fills my mind, destroy it with one stroke!
Purify this maiden, your obedient child and priestess,
the humble servant of your temple, hear her plea."
The amethyst glowed a vibrant violet, coloring the
air around her, cackling with energy. A startled cry escaped
her mouth as a streak of purple energy melted sharply into
her body. She fell to her knees, both arms clutching her stomach,
fighting for every breath as she felt something tearing at
her insides. She gritted her teeth, determined to make no
sound, to let the princess rest in peace. The energy around her
formed into arrows, piercing her body all at once. Though there
was no physical evidence, Rei felt as if she'd been hit dead-on.
Throwing back her head, she let the screams of agony pour forth,
no longer able to hold them back. The walls echoed with her
painful cries, permeating every hidden crevices of the palace.
And in Minako's room, two people cast worried glances at each
other, still watching silently over the sleeping princess.
________________________
Jadeite cursed Kunzite silently, furious at the First
General for playing with Minako's heart so lightly. His brow
furrowed at he slowly walked toward the North Wing. He had
know Kunzite since they were little kids, and he held a
healthy dose respect for the older man, but for some reason,
he just couldn't envision the silver-haired man as a playboy.
What was that about Minako that changed him so much? The rest
of them, himself included, had changed for the better ever
since she accepted Endymion's proposal to become a General.
His thoughts were cut short as a bone chilling
scream ran out. Jadeite felt his heart freeze; he'd knew that
voice anywhere.
'Rei!'
Had he been thinking coherently, he would have been
astounded with the speed he moved. Something inside him,
something primal, an hidden instinct, told him to protect
the girl at all cost, even if it meant losing his life. And
Jadeite, unable to resist its call, answered. As he ran,
he swore to do unspeakable horrors to the one responsible
for the soul-rending screams that tore at his heart.
He skidded around a corner just in time to see
Rei utter one last despairing cry before falling to the
ground, her raven hair spilling beneath her head: the
epitome of tragic beauty. He knelt by her side, gently
shaking her unresponsive body. Her head rolled from
side to side, causing Jadeite to panic.
"Rei, wake-up!"
'If Kunzite finds me like that, he'll think I hurt
her, and ... I'd hate to think of the result.' He thought
frantically, almost believing it, too. The hurried pounding
of footsteps barely registered in his mind as he held Rei,
not knowing what to do, but refusing to just leave her. A
barely audible gasp made his head shot up faster than sound
could travel.
Serenity stood there, a hasty robe thrown over her
slender shoulders, a small hand covering her mouth, her expressive
blue eyes especially brilliant in her pale face. A dark
portal shimmered into existence behind her, and Endymion stepped
out with Nephrite. The Dark Princes froze in mid-stride, and
an audible sharp intake of breath could be heard from Nephrite.
Endymion raised an eyebrow.
"What happened here?"
Jadeite only shrugged, his eyes still not leaving Rei's
face. A cry caused everyone's head to snap toward the end of the
hallway. Minako, supported lightly by Ami, was walking toward them,
looking much healthier, if still somewhat weak. Serenity looked
thunderstruck.
"When did you get out of bed, Mina-hime?"
Everyone gaped at her, surprised that she had, seemingly,
popped out of nowhere. Nephrite blinked.
"Did you just appear out of the earth, or what?"
Minako shook her head, walking towards Rei's prone form.
"Rei-chan's screams woke me up."
Jadeite glared at her, and what he saw in her face made
him furious, and he lashed out at her.
"Aren't you even the slightest bit worried that Lady
Rei is like this while no one here has the a damn clue as to
what happened to her?"
Minako's eyes held Jadeite's blazing azure ones steadily.
"Yes, I am worried."
She stated matter-of-factly, with an air of calmness that only
infuriated Jadeite more.
"But there's is no way I can help Rei by losing my head. Yet,
I believe I know what may happened here. Ami, did Rei ... act very
violent the last time you saw her? You said that she left just before I
woke up, so you probably were the last person to see her."
Ami nodded, suppressing a shudder as she remembered how Rei had
tried to literally kill Kunzite.
"She looked like she truly wanted to murder Kunzite, and her appearance
had dramatically changes. Her eyes were a deep black, and her anger had hints
of darkness in it. When she attacked us, she was aiming for Kunzite's throat."
Minako nodded quietly, and Ami heard a soft mutter
"I really can't blame her for wanting to kill him."
The princess knelt next to Rei, and ordered Jadeite without words to
release her. The blonde general refused. Minako shot him a purely impassionate
look and stated with an air of one commenting on the weather,
"General, do you realize what would happen to you if Rei woke up and
found your hands all over her?"
Jadeite blushed scarlet, stammering protests, but Minako's words had
the desired effect. He let go of Rei in an automatic reaction to explain that
he had merely hoped to help the raven-haired girl. Ami gasped, and Minako's
arm shot out faster than thought, catching Rei's head before it hit the ground.
"Hmph, Rei dear, when you wake up, I'll have no choice but to put
you on a diet. Oh, and Jadeite, I told you to release her, not to drop
her unceremoniously on the ground. You wouldn't want her to awake and then
strangle you for giving her a massive headache and a lump, would you?"
Without waiting for a response, she motioned for them to move
back. Closing her eyes, her hand passed lightly over Rei's body, golden
light flowing from her fingertips. After a moment, Minako removed her
hand, her brow furrowed.
"As I thought."
She did not explain her words, but slowly stood up, still in
deep thought.
"Endymion, please call Kunzite and Makoto immediately. My room is
the closest, so Jadeite, take Rei and move her there. Tell Makoto to bring
a bowl of water scented with lavender, rosemary, and jasmine, as well salt,
walnut pounded into a fine powder, and raw chicken stomach, ten of them. Ami,
I'll need poppy juice, pine needles, and spinal cord of a rattlesnake, the needles
of a hedgehog, and the fangs of a cobra, all grounded to fine powder. Also bring
the petals and roots of black roses, as well as the leaves of the moonlight herb."
Ami had listened with increasing horror.
"But Minako, almost everything you just named is poisonous!"
"But do you have them?"
"Well, yes, I do, but..."
"Rei is having vision from the greatest priestess ever, the
first priestess who served Ares, a lady long dead, but she was incredibly
powerful. It was foretold that the girl able to have visions – if she
survived, of course – would bring great changes to the world, and save
more than this universe's whole population."
No one spoke after that, trying to silently absorb what Minako
just told them. An impatient
"Well, what are you guys waiting for? Get moving, already, unless
you would like her to die!"
set everyone in motion. Even Endymion, the crown prince, complied
with Minako's orders. Ami sighed softly. Minako was finally well again, and
now it was time to save Rei's life.
************************************
Okay, I divided this into parts since I didn't want to overwhelm you with
too much reading, and I'm sorry that Jadeite didn't quite yet reveal what
he wanted to talk to Rei about. However, it will be revealed before 'A
Startling Discovery' is over. Sorry if it seems a little out of the blue
for now, I promise it will have reverance in the end.
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See this pretty box, here? Click on the 'Go' button next to it, and leave
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Chapter 14
A Startling Discovery, Part One
_____________________
Yeah, I _finally_ got around
to updating this story again.
I'm so sorry to all my faithful
readers who had to wait so long
for an update, but I was busy.
All of you who have suffered
through Senior Year with AP
Calculus, AP Physics, AP Government,
AP English, and incompetent teachers
know what I'm talking about.
Not to mention tests and finals.
But since you're all so great,
I'll release you from my ramblings
and let this begin.
Oh, and one more thing.
To all Sere/Endy fans: Yes, there
will be some romance scenes, but
it will build up gradually, some
in each update, but chances are that
I won't spend an entire chapter
on them.
' ' - Thoughts
This chapter is dedicated to Rei fans.
Most characters will make an appearance,
but in this one, Rei is in the spotlight. It
will mostly told from her perspective.
____________________
Lord of Darkness
Chapter 14
A Startling Discovery, Part One
____________________
Rei looked up from where she had dozed to see
the chamber door open slowly. A quick check told her
that it was just past Dawn, still too early for anybody
to be awake.
'But I guess it's obvious that _he'd_ be awake.'
She thought wryly as she recognized Kunzite. The
silver-haired man hesitated a bit in the doorway, but his
anxiety overcame his cautiousness as he stepped next to his
third-in-command. His voice was lower, more desperate, than
Rei had ever heard.
"How is she?"
The blue-haired healer made no sign that she'd heard
him, and Rei was startled to see that her eyes were closed.
'Poor thing, I guess that healing cost her more
energy than she let on.'
Her violet orbs re-directed their eagle-sharp gaze onto
that hated head of white hair and muscular form. She had never
imagined that she could loathe anyone with such a passion, but at
that moment, she would have cheerfully strangled him. She despised
him, from his cape - the sign of his status - down to every strand
of hair that graced his unshaved chin. Zoicite's soft voice brought
her back from her happy fantasy of tearing the First General limb
from limb.
"Much better. She should be awake soon. But I'd recommend
a few more days of bed rest."
Something akin to relief and love flittered across his usual
emotionless steel eyes as he gazed upon the sleeping girl, but it
left as quickly as it had come, causing Rei to wonder if she'd imagined
it. She stood up quickly as Kunzite made a motion of stepping
closer to Minako. Her voice was low and dangerous, colder than
Ami's ice cubes.
"General, if you should take one more step forward, I'll
have no choice but follow through with my warning."
And her flashing violet eyes told everyone present that she
indeed would try to roast him. Kunzite stared at her for a moment,
subtly probing the anger in her aura. A second later, he inclined his
head. It wasn't that he couldn't protect himself, but Rei was volatile
when she was angry, not to mention the fact that Minako, no matter
how weak and broken her spirit was, would blame herself if any
harm came to her best friend on her behalf, and he certainly had no
desire to witness another mental breakdown. Besides, as the princess's
friend and servant for fourteen years, Rei had more right to make
such a demand than he would ever have.
A soft rustling of robes alerted Rei that the healer had
awakened due to the noise. Ami stretched lightly, rubbing her eyes. Her
features showed no surprise to see Kunzite standing there, with Rei facing
him, her fists clenched at her sides. Her calm voice broke their staring
contest.
"Kunzite, she should be awake soon, and I'm certain that she'll
be ravenous when she wakes up. Please inform Serenity and Endymion, should
they be awake, that they may see Minako if they wish, and entreat Makoto
to prepare these foods for her."
She quickly scribbled something down on a piece of paper, and
handed it to the First General who scanned it with a raised eyebrow.
"Shouldn't she have more solid nourishments? Half the stuff here
are liquids!"
Ami shrugged her slender shoulder lightly.
"She hasn't eaten for roughly the past two days. If she takes
in too much solid food, her stomach won't have time to adjust. She'll
get even sicker. We have to gradually build up her immune system."
Kunzite raised an eyebrow.
"It's been only two days."
Rei glared at him.
"That's two days - six meals - too many, in case you hadn't realized,
General."
Her voice was close to a snarl, putting special emphasis on the
word 'General', reminding Kunzite of the difference in status between
him and Minako.
Not a single muscle twitched in the First General's face as he
faced the angry girl - woman - in front of him. He bowed, his voice
mocking, though his expression still remained blank.
"Of course, Lady Rei. How could I ever dare to question your and
Lady Ami's judgment? Since you are so experienced, would you mind to peruse
this" he waved the sheet in her face, "and add your suggestions? I could
take over your duty watching over Mina-chan."
Rei's snarl grew in intensity, almost to an inhuman level. Zoicite
unintentionally tensed, his muscles taut. Something's was very wrong with
Rei. The rage seemed to be rolling of her body in submerging waves, but
there was something else, something with a feeling of foreboding that
he could not place - and did not like. Kunzite took a step back as he
noticed that Rei's eye color had changed. Instead of the flashing purple,
they were an endless black. With a feral growl, she lunged for Kunzite's
throat, only to be thrown back by an invisible shield. The moment the First
General had felt the darkness in her, he'd constructed a force field around
the other occupants in the room, quickly knowing without thinking that
Rei was unstoppable. However, now as he stared at her crumbled form lying
limply on the ground, her shoulders shaking with barely suppressed sobs,
he wondered if he had acted too harshly. Slowly, the released the force
field.
"Lady Rei?"
The young woman made no sign that she'd heard, her bangs
effectively shielding her features. At last, she sighed, and stood,
still not facing them.
"Forgive me. It won't happen again. Please, do not speak to
Minako about this; I know she will be worried. I need to go and talk
to Nephrite. If Mina's condition changes, please notify me immediately."
Her voice was choked, though the last request came out as
crisp and as sharp as ever. Ignoring the curious, if somewhat bewildered,
stares she was receiving, Rei wordlessly swept out of the room, her
movements unusually heavy. Ami watched her retreating back with a
concerned look as the dark-haired girl nearly ran into a wall. A sigh
escaped her lips as Rei rounded a corner and was gone from sight.
She turned to Kunzite, asking him once again to see Makoto. This
time, the General left without any protests.
______________________________
Rei groaned, massaging a throbbing temple. She could feel a
massive headache coming, and the 'transformation' just a moment
ago certainly did not help matters. She leaned against one of the
marble walls, her hand quickly grasping the pretty necklace - a
present from her mother on her twelfth birthday - as a wave of nausea
hit her. The brilliant amethyst, the centerpiece of the necklace,
was comfortingly cool in against her burning palm as she felt her
vision go black. Her eyes slid close, her lips silently forming
the words from an ancient prayer of the great Battle Lord:
"Oh, great God of War, glorious, magnificent Ares,
forefather of my soul. Hear your child in her time of need.
O, Ares, give me your strength and your unbending will
Allow me to conquer myself, with your divine help.
The darkness consumes my heart, banish it with your words,
The evilness fills my mind, destroy it with one stroke!
Purify this maiden, your obedient child and priestess,
the humble servant of your temple, hear her plea."
The amethyst glowed a vibrant violet, coloring the
air around her, cackling with energy. A startled cry escaped
her mouth as a streak of purple energy melted sharply into
her body. She fell to her knees, both arms clutching her stomach,
fighting for every breath as she felt something tearing at
her insides. She gritted her teeth, determined to make no
sound, to let the princess rest in peace. The energy around her
formed into arrows, piercing her body all at once. Though there
was no physical evidence, Rei felt as if she'd been hit dead-on.
Throwing back her head, she let the screams of agony pour forth,
no longer able to hold them back. The walls echoed with her
painful cries, permeating every hidden crevices of the palace.
And in Minako's room, two people cast worried glances at each
other, still watching silently over the sleeping princess.
________________________
Jadeite cursed Kunzite silently, furious at the First
General for playing with Minako's heart so lightly. His brow
furrowed at he slowly walked toward the North Wing. He had
know Kunzite since they were little kids, and he held a
healthy dose respect for the older man, but for some reason,
he just couldn't envision the silver-haired man as a playboy.
What was that about Minako that changed him so much? The rest
of them, himself included, had changed for the better ever
since she accepted Endymion's proposal to become a General.
His thoughts were cut short as a bone chilling
scream ran out. Jadeite felt his heart freeze; he'd knew that
voice anywhere.
'Rei!'
Had he been thinking coherently, he would have been
astounded with the speed he moved. Something inside him,
something primal, an hidden instinct, told him to protect
the girl at all cost, even if it meant losing his life. And
Jadeite, unable to resist its call, answered. As he ran,
he swore to do unspeakable horrors to the one responsible
for the soul-rending screams that tore at his heart.
He skidded around a corner just in time to see
Rei utter one last despairing cry before falling to the
ground, her raven hair spilling beneath her head: the
epitome of tragic beauty. He knelt by her side, gently
shaking her unresponsive body. Her head rolled from
side to side, causing Jadeite to panic.
"Rei, wake-up!"
'If Kunzite finds me like that, he'll think I hurt
her, and ... I'd hate to think of the result.' He thought
frantically, almost believing it, too. The hurried pounding
of footsteps barely registered in his mind as he held Rei,
not knowing what to do, but refusing to just leave her. A
barely audible gasp made his head shot up faster than sound
could travel.
Serenity stood there, a hasty robe thrown over her
slender shoulders, a small hand covering her mouth, her expressive
blue eyes especially brilliant in her pale face. A dark
portal shimmered into existence behind her, and Endymion stepped
out with Nephrite. The Dark Princes froze in mid-stride, and
an audible sharp intake of breath could be heard from Nephrite.
Endymion raised an eyebrow.
"What happened here?"
Jadeite only shrugged, his eyes still not leaving Rei's
face. A cry caused everyone's head to snap toward the end of the
hallway. Minako, supported lightly by Ami, was walking toward them,
looking much healthier, if still somewhat weak. Serenity looked
thunderstruck.
"When did you get out of bed, Mina-hime?"
Everyone gaped at her, surprised that she had, seemingly,
popped out of nowhere. Nephrite blinked.
"Did you just appear out of the earth, or what?"
Minako shook her head, walking towards Rei's prone form.
"Rei-chan's screams woke me up."
Jadeite glared at her, and what he saw in her face made
him furious, and he lashed out at her.
"Aren't you even the slightest bit worried that Lady
Rei is like this while no one here has the a damn clue as to
what happened to her?"
Minako's eyes held Jadeite's blazing azure ones steadily.
"Yes, I am worried."
She stated matter-of-factly, with an air of calmness that only
infuriated Jadeite more.
"But there's is no way I can help Rei by losing my head. Yet,
I believe I know what may happened here. Ami, did Rei ... act very
violent the last time you saw her? You said that she left just before I
woke up, so you probably were the last person to see her."
Ami nodded, suppressing a shudder as she remembered how Rei had
tried to literally kill Kunzite.
"She looked like she truly wanted to murder Kunzite, and her appearance
had dramatically changes. Her eyes were a deep black, and her anger had hints
of darkness in it. When she attacked us, she was aiming for Kunzite's throat."
Minako nodded quietly, and Ami heard a soft mutter
"I really can't blame her for wanting to kill him."
The princess knelt next to Rei, and ordered Jadeite without words to
release her. The blonde general refused. Minako shot him a purely impassionate
look and stated with an air of one commenting on the weather,
"General, do you realize what would happen to you if Rei woke up and
found your hands all over her?"
Jadeite blushed scarlet, stammering protests, but Minako's words had
the desired effect. He let go of Rei in an automatic reaction to explain that
he had merely hoped to help the raven-haired girl. Ami gasped, and Minako's
arm shot out faster than thought, catching Rei's head before it hit the ground.
"Hmph, Rei dear, when you wake up, I'll have no choice but to put
you on a diet. Oh, and Jadeite, I told you to release her, not to drop
her unceremoniously on the ground. You wouldn't want her to awake and then
strangle you for giving her a massive headache and a lump, would you?"
Without waiting for a response, she motioned for them to move
back. Closing her eyes, her hand passed lightly over Rei's body, golden
light flowing from her fingertips. After a moment, Minako removed her
hand, her brow furrowed.
"As I thought."
She did not explain her words, but slowly stood up, still in
deep thought.
"Endymion, please call Kunzite and Makoto immediately. My room is
the closest, so Jadeite, take Rei and move her there. Tell Makoto to bring
a bowl of water scented with lavender, rosemary, and jasmine, as well salt,
walnut pounded into a fine powder, and raw chicken stomach, ten of them. Ami,
I'll need poppy juice, pine needles, and spinal cord of a rattlesnake, the needles
of a hedgehog, and the fangs of a cobra, all grounded to fine powder. Also bring
the petals and roots of black roses, as well as the leaves of the moonlight herb."
Ami had listened with increasing horror.
"But Minako, almost everything you just named is poisonous!"
"But do you have them?"
"Well, yes, I do, but..."
"Rei is having vision from the greatest priestess ever, the
first priestess who served Ares, a lady long dead, but she was incredibly
powerful. It was foretold that the girl able to have visions – if she
survived, of course – would bring great changes to the world, and save
more than this universe's whole population."
No one spoke after that, trying to silently absorb what Minako
just told them. An impatient
"Well, what are you guys waiting for? Get moving, already, unless
you would like her to die!"
set everyone in motion. Even Endymion, the crown prince, complied
with Minako's orders. Ami sighed softly. Minako was finally well again, and
now it was time to save Rei's life.
************************************
Okay, I divided this into parts since I didn't want to overwhelm you with
too much reading, and I'm sorry that Jadeite didn't quite yet reveal what
he wanted to talk to Rei about. However, it will be revealed before 'A
Startling Discovery' is over. Sorry if it seems a little out of the blue
for now, I promise it will have reverance in the end.
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