A/N: SQUEE! I love you all! Thank you so much for the reviews! I was so excited when I saw that ppl were still willing to read this :) And I'm so glad ppl liked the last chapter—I've been dying to write the whole Relena/Heero scene for ages and was so happy to finally get it down on paper :P And Duo/Dottie—gotta admit that one kinda just jumped out and attacked me–I never planned on writing their kiss scene yet, but suddenly BAM they were kissing and I was like–huh? Stop that!—but ohsawell, guess I've tortured them all enough that they deserve some lovin'
Anywho, enough rambling–thank you for the reviews! I really appreciate 'em!
Dawn and Moon Wars
Chapter Twenty-Three
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters.
When compared to the vast untamed lands of the world, the Dawns Lands were mere pinpricks of civilization—a last feeble hope of mankind to become something more than their barbaric ancestors. The gods had laughed when the first humans had begun to arise from the land—exchanging amused, parental glances as their creations scrambled to find some meaning in their existence. It had entertained them to watch the humans strive to build kingdoms in the image of their heaven, fighting and squabbling over land in the hopes of gaining some form of immortal power. They were such frail creatures, these humans, whose highest aspiration could be to live in the hearts and minds of future generations…
In the beginning, the Mother and Father—simple names chosen by their foolish children—had watched with a sense of mild compliancy, finding their actions entertaining but incredibly plain. They had dusted their hands across the occasional life, inflicting destiny and fate with barely a blink of the eye—they had thought nothing of the growing power among the humans, thought nothing of the so-called magick that began to sift through the bloodlines… And when the humans began to bond, creating a magick beyond any previous endeavors, the gods had smiled and nodded—thinking how charming of the humans to try and imitate their godly power.
Then had come the Great War, painting the sky in streaks of gold and black---freezing the oceans and turning the land into rolling, waves of flames… The gods found themselves looking away from their grand invention, the humans a distant memory as they turned to one another—struggling to put back the Balance that IT had disrupted…
Old rivalry, ancient anger—terrible pain and terrible actions, a war of no morality for morality was a mortal trait and belonged not in the persona of gods… And once the Balance was restored and their attention once again placed upon the world they had created—they found the actions of their silly, foolish mortals not nearly as amusing as before… The mortals may not have realized their responsibility in the Great War, but the gods knew and the gods resented and the gods grew angry…
They tried to destroy their chaotic children, but found the task tedious and dull… Why should they be bothered to punish their wards—why should their great and magnificent power be used for such a menial act? And in the darkness IT continued to roam and annoy and twist the hearts of mortal and immortal alike—and She blamed Him for IT because She would not take the blame for something so obviously His… And He knew IT belonged to Both and that killing their precious children would do nothing to appease their pain. And IT mocked and sifted and clawed and She could not stand ITs mocking laughter and She could not stand His lack of action, His obvious reluctance in doing Her will…
So, She lashed out and She tore into the world they had created and because He had found the destruction of the humans so unappealing, She took matters into Her own hands… She would not have the blood of humans on Her hands, but She would make sure He suffered for Her efforts—so She appeared before their children and shook the land and tore the heavens in two and She enchained those that wore His image. The humans would live, but they would live on Her terms…
When He saw what She had done, He flooded the world with His tears and tore His bond from Her---He would have nothing to do with Her till She put things right and so He left, looking toward the rougher, more violent lands of their world and He revoked all ties to Her. And IT cackled and rolled in laughter, amused to see gods bickering and apart because of ITs actions…
And the world turned, time rolling over its people, and while the ages seemed endless to the mortals, it was merely the turning of a night in their immortal eyes… But as the centuries grew, She began to miss His presence and so She called for Him, but He still wept for His lost children and seeing His pain, She wept and sought to change Her past deeds…
But it was not as easy as She thought it would be, for in the darkness IT continued to roam and Her children and His children were wrapped in layers of ITs power… But there were still a few that remain untainted, that called upon Her will with open, pure hearts, so She watched and wove a web of power over their mortal lifelines—placing Her hands firmly against their souls, till a Daughter of Her power could be born—a being that could destroy ITs delicate threads of control…
And yet Her Daughter's soul called out to other pure, untainted hearts---twisting outward, wrapping around their souls with warm, open arms and She could only watch in amazement as Her Daughter called to her warriors…
And IT watched from the shadows, deeply amused by gods and mortals alike.
"RELENA!" The tiny shelter seemed to shake at the intensity of Hilde's sudden battle-cry, as the woman threw herself forward—lunging to her feet in a way that could only be described as supernatural. It broke through the tense silence that had surrounded the group since the revelation of Midii's dilemma, pushing the other inhabitants into equal states of awareness and shock. Sally shot forward at the blood warrior, a horrified gasp breaking past her lips, as the room suddenly seemed bathed in unnatural light—illuminating Hilde's features to her stunned eyes.
Eyes as crimson as the blood the warrior so heavily relied on turned to stare back at the healer—locks as velvety blue as the night sky swung wildly, seeming to graze the ground as they whipped about the woman's features. The very air around the warrior crackled with the scent of violence, staining the air red as Hilde turned away from the healer, eyes seeking out some distant vision. Once again she threw back her head and screamed, "RELENA!"
It was the last sound any of them heard before they were overtaken by the wave of spiritual magick. Like fog it crept into the shelter, wrapping around their forms till all they could see was a flash of gold upon white…
Sally stumbled away from the warrior, her hands raised as if to shield her from the sudden onslaught of magick. It twined around her arms, pulling her into its grasp with an immortal strength. The healer had no choice, but to accept the power—feeling its warmth surround her gloved hand till she felt it would burn at the intensity. Her vision seemed stained by white—its presence blinding her—but somewhere amidst all this white she knew, she knew something was there… Something called to her…
The room shone with the onslaught of light, so brilliant and beautiful as it encased their skin like silken feathers—a hurricane of sensation that snuffed out their once bright flames, tossing ember and ash into the air… Yet, not a speck of black touched their awed flesh—no taint could exist within this wave of pure, spiritual magick. It danced through the shadows, a glorious light erupting inside their tiny shelter, like the dawning of the sun at the tip of their fingers.
And throughout it all, a voice whispered in their ears, a soul calling to their own—a question that had to answered, a summoning that had to be accepted… An awakening of power that broke over their tiny little hut, tearing into their senses until one by one they fell to their knees… Overcome with the presence of their one true Queen…
The sleeping inhabitants of the Galaxy Court were suddenly yanked from their peaceful dreams, as a wave of light flooded the dark fortress—blinding those that were awake and seeping into the dreams of those that tried to resist its presence. Men and women stumbled from their homes and from the castle's depths, eyes wide in awe or horror, as they stared up into the once dark, night sky. The world seemed washed in golden warmth, as if some brilliant star had exploded, sending out waves of radiance…
It lasted only seconds to the curious onlookers, fading like the last's rays of a sunset—leaving the air tinged with heat that seemed to drape across their skin like the softest of silk… Slowly, one by one, the people dispersed—the reality of their situation once again weighing heavily upon their shoulders—and yet, some walked away with a fire burning inside their hearts… Something had been awakened by the mysterious light—a need to fight, a need to protect…
And Millardo eyed them from his balcony, watching them with stern blue eyes… Unlike his subjects, he understood the meaning behind the sudden power surge—his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned his sight toward the city's outer walls. Somewhere out there lied his sister, a woman that despite her role in this war he had still wished to protect, to somehow have at his side while he molded the world in his image, and yet now… Now, something had happened, somehow Relena had managed to fully release her royal powers, the magick of a true Dawn… He had never imagined that she might have the ability to reach out so far, reaching out toward her people's hearts in a way he could never have predicted…
She was no longer a mere little girl… She was a woman of great power, a Dawn in search of her kingdom… And a woman of such power would not meekly accept her role as his beloved, yet caged sister… A woman whose power could be felt so far away would not be able to merely bow and obey…
As the light of Relena's power died out, Millardo turned from the sight—his eyes clouded and sorrow-filled… Perhaps Relena did not understand what her release of power meant, but he did… A woman with that kind of power would not sit back, as a stranger conquered her country… She would come for him, she would fight for what was hers… And she would have the power to pose a threat to all he strived for…
Relena was a threat… Relena was the Dawn… Relena had to be eliminated…
Millardo placed a hand against cold marble, bowing his head, long strands of moon-colored hair hiding his face. His shoulders slumped, an invisible weight only he could see and feel overpowering his strong body till his knees shook and slowly he fell—collapsing against the hard floor with barely a sound. When he had begun this terrible war, when he had planned and plotted, he had known it would come at a terrible price… And yet… Perhaps that man had been right, perhaps his days within the Dawn's Court had softened him… Those happy, carefree days… Where slavery had been a word not truly understood, as he roamed the corridors alongside Lucy… Those sweet, joyful moments when he had held Relena in his arms and heard her laughter for the first time, such innocent purity…
If it had not been for those moments he might have been able to close his heart completely… He should have killed Relena a long time ago, but her sweet childish laughter still rang in his ears… It had been in that moment he'd realized she had no more choice over her life than he did… They were both at the whim of the Court—those arrogant, cruel hearted women who played with their lives…
When his mother had banished him, unable to stand the notion of his death, he had realized then and there that she did not deserve the crown placed upon her head… He was grateful for her kindness to himself, but it was a kindness royalty could not afford… And now, here he was, repeating the mistakes of his mother…
"I wanted to protect her…" Meaningless words, meaningless ideals… Millardo's forehead touched the ground, one hand clawing at the wall, "Protect her…from the world…from people…like me…"
But now… She had left him with no choice…
"I will not destroy her."
No choice…
"I cannot."
I will.
"No!"
Yes.
The shadows twisted and slowly Millardo pushed himself off the floor, inch by inch till he stood straight and tall—his eyes shimmering in the dark. He had never wanted to hurt his sister, but he was no longer just her brother… He had a duty to his people, a duty to his country… And he would not repeat the mistakes of his mother…
He would do what had to be done.
Lost among the sudden commotion, one lone figure remained motionless as the brilliance flooded the capital. Quatre's eyes were distant and haunted, as he stared at his hands—occasionally running a finger over a calloused tip, remembering the gentle pressure of his lute's strings. In the back of his mind, memories of his teacher's mild voice explaining the complex design of music distracted his mind—old lessons, old memories playing over and over. It had been pure accident or perhaps some twist of fate that had led the mysterious instructor to pass by that day…
Born into a noble family, Quatre had been sent away at a young age to start his "training"… Even now, the memory of the glint in the nobles' eyes, as they had watched him---hungry and predatory, as they took in his golden blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes—haunted his mind. At the tender age of eight, he had known his fate would most likely turn down the path of pleasure—something other slaves both envied and pitied.
What a pretty face." Sharp fingers dug into his chin, tilting his face left and right at her whim. She smirked, "It's truly a shame the Dawn passed that dreadful age limitation law… Such a pretty, pretty boy…"
His future had seemed dank and dire, a life of sharp fingers pressing into his skin and ugly voices whispering in his ears, and then it had all changed one morning… A simple gift that had led to a new path, a new world away from the fingers and voices—away from the tawdry world of pleasure and shame… He had eagerly accepted this new destiny—a world of beautiful music and awed applause, where he could find some sense of escape in the lilting tune of his instrument. He had found freedom and inspiration in the simple strumming, amazed at how a few strings could brighten the entire world with their mesmerizing sound…
It had been music that had saved him from a terrible fate…
And yet, the last time he had filled the air with his music was the same time he had attacked the Dawn…
The voices and fingers he had once looked upon with such fear now rested within his self. He was now the monster they feared, the vision they would strive to escape from…
Light erupted around the bard, blinding his vision till all he could see was that snowy brilliance… It broke through his mind, coating his thoughts with its purity till Quatre felt tears slide down his cheeks. In his soul, a voice called out to him—a power, a presence, a queen…
"What have I done…?" Eyes as clear blue as the morning sky widened in horror, staring into a radiance that he knew he didn't deserve. "Dear gods above, what have I done!"
Who will you be loyal to, sweet bondling?
Slowly, the light began to fade—leaving Quatre alone in the dark hallway, sitting still and silent on the cold marble floor. "I don't understand…"
Who will you betray, little bard?
Something terrible had happened… Something terrible had taken hold of his soul, torn into his state of mind… Leaving him lost and mad---lost in the scent of lilacs, lost in the madness of a forsaken King… His precious music had been twisted into something impure and tainted. He had lost himself in a rage and power that he had never felt before in his entire life—even after all, he had encountered, he had managed to hold onto a sense of kindness to his fellow man and the occasional gratitude to a woman that broke past the stereotype. A part of him could even remember being happy, smiling warmly at Trowa as his gentle music filled the air. There had been a sense of family between he and Trowa, a brotherhood that had made the cage seem a bit larger and a little less suffocating…
But then he had discovered something beyond family, beyond brotherhood. His heart had been awakened by the enchanting song of a noble-sorceress, opening up a new world, a new path involving a type of love he had never imagined… And it was love, no matter what he or Dorothy might say—he loved the sorceress… His soul called out to hers—a bond that should have been beautiful beyond belief, but something had gone terribly wrong. His mind twisted by the scent of lilacs, a psychotic obsession burning through the bond—a darkness, an insanity pulsing along their link till his mind became clouded by madness…
Quatre slumped forward, hiding his face in his hands, tasting the bitter saltiness of fresh tears on his lips. His lips moved, mumbling incoherent thoughts, as the light tore through the fog of dark magicks and even darker desires. "Had to be done, had to, had to… To protect, must protect… I had to… Had to be done, had to protect, but… Oh, gods… So much… Have to protect, have to harness… Too much… Oh, gods… She has to know, she has to!" Suddenly, he stiffened, eyes widening behind his fingers, "Not yet! Not yet! She has to know!"
The light was gone, but the Dawn summoning continued to throb within his veins—and yet, it was nothing compared to the darkness still lurking… Even as Quatre lunged to his feet, panic tore through his mind—visions plaguing his mind, as he stumbled forward… Kind, blue eyes watching him with such motherly devotion, his instructor's nimble fingers playing a complicated tune, locks of gold swirling in the wind… Each memory steadily swept away by the oncoming flood of possession…
Quatre let loose a strangled wail, grasping his head as he fell forward, one last feeble hope dying on his lips as he reached out blindly…
Before falling into the darkness once again…
Encased in the Dawn's golden rays, Dorothy and Duo stood locked in a moment, an eternity stretching out before them as they remained pressed against each other. Clawed fingers delicately wrapped around strands of flaxen hair, holding the sorceress in place as Duo deepened the kiss she had begun. Gold wire and jewelry littered the ground at their feet, as Dorothy's nimble fingers freed his braid from its confines—running her fingers through it in a gentle, soothing manner till Duo nearly purred against her lips. Her other hand lay trapped between them, pressed firmly against his chest—she could feel his heartbeat pounding beneath her fingertips, a wild, frantic rhythm.
Fire burned between their lips-the taste of chocolate and honey almost too intoxicating…Waves of Dawn magick rolling over their forms—dancing across their skin, leaving sparks of electricity coursing through their veins… Some distant part of Dorothy knew that something important was happening, that the golden warmth surrounding them was not a mere manifest of their emotions, but a summoning of such purity that it encased the world… And yet, she could only focus on the taste and scent and touch of Duo Maxwell—a King coming before her Queen's precious summoning…
Hot, rough flesh grazed across her thigh, silk gathering into Duo's eager hand as he pulled at her nightgown—his lips suddenly gone from hers, as he placed them gently against her throat. Teeth nipped at her delicate skin, causing her to tighten her grip on his hair—her eyes seeming to drown in silver… Duo grinned against her skin, golden magicks running through his veins, as he looked into her all too Elysian eyes. Around them, Relena's power flared—burning more and more brilliantly with every passing second, till the world around them seemed burned away by the intensity. The air crackled with the presence of power—leaving both breathless and light-headed.
"Duo… something's not right…" Dorothy's head rolled back, her breathing heavy as he placed light kisses up the side of her neck. Her hand had managed to slide beneath his tunic, sliding against his stomach—fingernails lightly grazing the muscles, causing a shiver to run through the prince.
"Emotional…magicks…" Duo nipped at her ear, causing a shuddering gasp to break past Dorothy's lips. "Too powerful…" He moaned, as Dorothy arched slightly against him—causing his face to fall in the crook of her neck, hot air puffing against her flesh as he panted.
"Relena… Something's happened to her…" Her hand moved around, sharp nails scaling down his back—suddenly, Duo moved, hands pressing sharply against her back, lips once again on hers. It was not as gentle as the kiss Dorothy had pressed against his lips, but harder, more aggressive---devouring her…
Around them, the world erupted in flames—that strange, immortal power of Relena's tearing into the air, shaking the foundation of the castle as it combined with their Elysian magicks… And something much more primal and ancient… Then it was gone, disappearing in a flutter of sparks till they stood illuminated only by the sparse moonlight…
Slowly, Dorothy pulled away from Duo—her hands shaking as she took a step back and another, till she was pressed against the window—struggling to put some sort of space between her and the Elysian. In front of her, Duo's head fell forward—those long, chestnut strands hiding his features from her gaze as he tried to control his harried breathing. Dorothy's head fell backwards, leaning against the cold glass, her chest still moving up and down at a frantic pace, "What the hell was that?"
Duo didn't look up, his voice low and hoarse as he spoke, "I told you magick was in the air… Your Dawn just released enough energy to satisfy a dozen sorcerers—an emotion-driven surge in power… A summoning to her people, to hearts that accept her…"
Dorothy's eyes flashed, that odd silver coloring still overpowering her human gaze, "That doesn't explain THIS!"
Amethyst set in molten silver froze her in place—not for the first time, the sorceress was hit with the realization of just how inhuman her companion was… "Emotional magicks are unpredictable, most likely we were hit with a backlash of the Dawn's own emotions, overruling our own in the process…"
Silence spread between them, even as sounds of confusion and wonder built outside… They had not been the only ones affected by Relena's odd surge in power—people might be panicking, they would need their King… Suddenly, the silver bled from Dorothy's eyes, leaving them human and vulnerable before his Elysian gaze. She turned away, eyes peering into the night, "If you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep…"
Another pause, as Duo's hands clenched tightly—nails digging into his palms. Dorothy waited for some form of response from the prince, waited for some sign…something… But her only response was the sudden slamming of the door, as he stalked away causing her to wince and turn, eyes wide as she took in her chamber's sudden emptiness…
Silently, she walked across the room, approaching her bed with an almost dazed expression. Sitting serenely amidst her discarded layers of clothing lied the golden coronet he had worn into her room… Almost reverently, she lifted the crown—running her hands over its intricate details, with a somewhat pained expression… Had it been merely a backlash of power? Had they been so overwhelmed by the combination of their own powers that Relena's had thrown them into such a frenzy?
Or…
Dorothy gasped, as pain suddenly shot through her heart, the crown falling from her numb fingers as she grabbed at her chest. The pain lasted only seconds, fading as quickly as it had come—but something lingered within her mind, calling to her heart in a way completely different from Relena's summoning… This was much more personal, a note of terror and panic ringing throughout her soul… A call for help…
Eyes wide, Dorothy turned toward the window, seeing not the night sky, but a single fallen figure—his eyes closed in the sleep of unconsciousness, pain etched along his features and the stain of tears still fresh upon his cheeks—and one hand reaching out toward her, in some feeble attempt to cross the miles of distance between them…
"Quatre!"
Kiss, prince, summoning—all were forgotten, as she flew off the bed, throwing her hands out to the ethereal vision before her. It was a wild, emotion-driven action, rational thought thrown aside in her feverish panic. Everything she had experienced because of Quatre's possessed state of mind seemed suddenly forgiven, as she took in his pain-stricken face—the hopelessness set along his features. It tore at her heart, her soul, and at her cry the bond between them pulsed…
Pulsing, twisting, tearing through the veils of reality till there could be only chaos…
Dorothy reached out and grasped Quatre's hand.
Heero's ears throbbed with the intensity of Relena's sudden cry—his arms tightening around her glowing form, struggling to keep her upright as Dawn magicks rolled from her to him, surrounding both in a light too bright for mortal eyes. The sound emitting from her throat was like nothing he had ever heard before—not a scream of human proportions, but more a Call—like some unknown, ancient language held in a single note of sound. It pierced the sky above them, tearing into the night—exploding outward till the night sky disappeared in a flood of brilliance.
And beneath it all, Heero heard the sound of shattering glass—pieces of metal and jewels falling to the ground, as the collar suddenly broke into a hundred tiny glittering shards. It rained the ground around them, whatever magicks it had possessed unable to withstand the onslaught of Dawn power… The ground sizzled wherever the pieces fell, burning little holes into the earth—sinking further and further into the ground… Seeking out the home they had been stolen from, the tainted magicks that had twisted something beautiful and pure disappearing under Relena's assault.
Slowly, the strange scream died on her lips—fading into the air, haunting his ears with its memory. Gold became sapphire and the most serene smile Heero had ever seen adorned Relena's features, as she met his gaze. Around them, that intense light began to fade, drawing into Relena's body till she seemed more gold than flesh. Heero's own dark gaze narrowed slightly, his nose twitching as he caught the wild scent of chaos in the air—gone in the instant he found it, a tantalizing ghost of magicks he could not even be sure had truly existed.
"Heero… I know what I have to do…" Her voice seemed terribly fragile and delicate, each word seeming to shimmer in the air like glass baubles—so easy to break, so beautiful to behold, so much like the human woman in his arms. Looking into her tender gaze, Heero found himself suddenly afraid—those eyes had always held a wisdom and pain too great for her young age, but now… It seemed as if she held the weight of the world, a terrible burden and responsibility twisting her spirit—she was so incredibly brave, so caring, and so dedicated… And in that moment, he feared—not for himself, but for her—for this woman who would gladly lay her life down for a greater cause, who would accept death if it brought happiness to her country….
And as he feared, he also despised the humans she'd die for with even more intensity—because he knew they would allow her to bear this burden, they would allow her to die for their own selfish wants…
Selfish wants…
They would treat her as nothing more than a sacrifice to gain what they desired… Just like…
Gentle, earnest fingers tugged at his arms, still so tightly wrapped around her form, and he blinked—realizing Relena was striving to free herself from his grasp. For a second, his grip tightened even more, refusing to release her to the world, to the reality of her situation… Here he could protect her, here he could shelter her… But it was a useless hope—a thought spurred on by fear and madness… And, unwillingly, his arms went slack, allowing her to pull away and face the crowd.
Beneath unruly bangs, he watched as she straightened—her body shaking slightly from the extent of energy she had only minutes ago released, but yet she managed to stand straight and tall. He could not see her face as she turned to the Freemen, instead his gaze fell upon her layers of honey-colored hair, watching as it fell down her back, waving back and forth… His fingers twitched at the memory of silken locks held tight within their grasp—a memory of ghostly lips pressed against his own… A tremor ran through his form, hands closing into painful fists—eyes hardening as he lowered his gaze to the cold earth.
He could not allow this.
"Since the moment the Capital fell into enemy hands, I have found myself lost… Wandering the earth, unsure of my place in the world—unable to truly comprehend the heinous act that tore both mother and throne from my life…" Relena spoke, as if in a dream—her voice quiet, yet confident… Words that rolled through the silent crowd, reaching every ear in a way that no wild shouting could ever have accomplished. "I could not understand why anyone would do such a terrible thing, would attack and kill innocent people just for the sake of claiming a throne, a kingdom… What reason could possibly give meaning to so many deaths?"
"A part of me feels almost indebted to the Moon, if he had never attacked the Capital then I would never have learned the truth… I would have continued on blindly, unaware of the damage my line has inflicted upon the earth—upon the people… But while this knowledge may be owed to him, I cannot forget the terrible tragedies he has committed… My hands are nowhere near pure, my soul is not innocent—I have committed so much evil in the name of ignorance and arrogance and yet…"
"Despite this I know I must go on, I must continue---I must try to right the wrongs I have committed… I owe at least that to the souls I have hurt, to the people I have led astray… Perhaps, the Moon is right… Perhaps a reversal is in order, perhaps slavery is a worthy punishment to the cruelty women have displayed to mankind… And if it were merely myself, I would gladly lay my life down and accept such a punishment…" Behind her, Heero stiffened, baring his teeth in a silent growl…
"But my life is not mine to give, as rightful ruler to the Dawn Lands, I cannot merely bow down and accept death… While such an action may redeem my soul, I cannot focus only on my own wants and desires… If the Moon's reign continues, he will surely continue this treatment and, just as I and my ancestors have done, will harm innocent blood." Slowly, Relena's voice began to grow in volume—eyes blazing with bottled emotion. "One day it will be our daughters in chains, our grandchildren weighed down by slavery! THIS MUST STOP! We cannot go on ignoring the future! We cannot allow a reign of pain and terror to continue! Neither Dawn nor Moon has the right to enslave your children, your friends, your families!"
Relena stopped, breathing in deeply as she struggled to control her growing fervor. Her head dropped, chin nearly touching her chest, voice a whisper on the wind. "I do not want to fight, but I did not start this war… But one way or another, it must come to an end… Peace must be reclaimed, souls put to rest… The lands, the people—both male and female—must be protected… But I am only one person….and I need… I need your help…"
Once again, Heero stiffened, but this time his eyes widened with shock. In all the time, he had spent with the young Dawn, she had mentioned the reclaiming of her throne rarely—and in only a half-hearted whisper… He had realized the bloodshed and pain that would have to come if she were to truly work toward saving her kingdom, but she had shied away from such realizations. In the back of his mind, he had suspected that she might never rally the strength to see such an effort through and yet now… She asked these people for help—refugees from her country, men and women she might have once ordered dead had the Moon never appeared…
"I need an army…"
Time stretched out before them, as the crowd remained eerily silent—young faces pale and terrified as they took in the Dawn's words, while the old merely shook their heads—eyes distant and knowing. Heero tensed, as something moved through the crowd—two figures breaking through the gathering, standing before the Dawn with indecipherable gazes. The scent of chaos magick once again tickled his senses and he growled warningly at Rosalie as she stepped forward—a clothed bundle within her hands. At the sound, she sent him a disapproving glare, "Mangy beast, this is not your concern."
Heero took a step forward, eyes dark and dangerous, "She is my concern."
Rosalie opened her mouth, but an aged hand quickly silenced her—Agatha's icy gaze freezing both panther and chaos witch. "Enough." The counselor turned from the two, her steady and intense eyes set on the woman before them all. "You ask us to go to war for a nation that has turned its back on us."
It was not a question, but even so Relena could not help from treating it as such. "Yes." The Dawn's eyes met with the elder woman's easily, overcome with a strange sense of familiarity as she looked into Agatha's proud features.
Agatha's eyes narrowed, "And die for a Dawn that has forsaken us?"
Relena never wavered before the woman's inspection, "No. I ask you to live, to return to your homeland, to teach a Dawn that has lost her way… I ask you to lend the land your strength, your spirit---the last thing our dying land needs is more blood staining its soil…"
"And yet many will still die… Many will lose their lives protecting a land they have not seen in years…" There was no kindness in the counselor's tone, but a cold impenetrable truth. It tore across the tiny space between Dawn and Freemen, ripping into Relena's heart with its harsh reality of war…
"Yes… Some will die… Even I might die and that is why I need you all so terribly… Whatever the cost, whether it be my life or the Moon's or both, the land must be revived and only YOU can do that." A gasp went throughout the crowd, as suddenly Relena fell forward, kneeling before Agatha. "Please, save our people."
Agatha remained silent, as she stared down at Relena's bowed head—her eyes heavy with the knowledge of age and power… Slowly, she raised her right hand, motioning toward Rosalie—the chaos witch stepped closer, ignoring the dangerous glare of Heero on her form, as she unwrapped the bundle within her hand.
"It is not my decision to make. War is a ruler's decision." There was a heaviness in Agatha's voice, her form seeming to slump slightly with every word. "It is a decision I am glad I do not have to make."
Relena jerked, as something settled upon her head—eyes shooting upward as Rosalie backed away, empty cloth held within her grasp. Slowly, almost fearfully, Relena reached upward---fingers grazing against twisted bands of metal only to have her hands pushed aside by Agatha, the woman's wrinkled hands pulling the young woman off the ground, one palm lightly caressing her face. "You are the Queen we have prayed for, we are yours to command."
Heero watched as the old woman took a step back before slowly lowering to the earth, bowing before the crowned Dawn. At the sight of such a respected and wise woman kneeling, one by one the Freemen fell to their knees—pledging allegiance to the crying woman standing only feet from him… If he had wanted, he could have reached out and touched her—wiped away the tears pouring down her young, beautiful face… And yet, she had never seemed farther away than this moment, surrounded by the kneeling forms of her people, a Queen come to power…
He could not stomach the sight and Heero looked away, eyes locking on the lone form of the moon shimmering above… Wherever the human Moon lied, Heero wondered if he felt a sudden stab of fear---it would be a fear well trusted, for even the Panther knew a new path for the tumultuous Dawn Lands had come into existence…
The Dawn now had an army.