Sorry about the wait I went and redid most of the chapter, adding a few thousand words, Enjoy.
The Heart Remembers Chapter 41
She didn't make a sound but Endymion knew the moment she entered the room. He didn't turn around or acknowledge her presence in any way. He had no doubt that she knew that he was aware of her presence and of why she was here. She had felt it the same as he, the instant when everything had changed.
He felt her come up behind him and he waited for her too speak, but she kept her silence, she knew him well and understood that out of the two of them this revelation would be harder on him to bear and that he needed this time to come to terms with it.
He bowed his head; the weight he was forced to bear grew heavier by the minute. The gift he had just received was a mixed blessing, and one he didn't know what to do with. There was no conceivable action he could take that would not risk the lives of everyone on this planet. He couldn't afford another mistake, he had gotten lucky before, if Malachite and Nephlite hadn't stepped in when they had then everything he had worked for all his sacrifices would have been for naught, he would have sunk into an endless darkness and he would have taken his beloved Serenity with him.
And now after all this time, he's come home. "Zosite." he whispered. My friend, my brother how I rejoice in your return and yet…his mind and heart were troubled, there was joy and relief but with them were pain and sorrow. You have suffered so much, and your trials are not yet over.
"We always believed that he might still be alive."
"I hoped." he confessed, "I prayed, but I never allowed myself to think about what he might be going through." I was ignorant of his pain, blind to his suffering, how can I ever hope to be forgiven?
"It's not wrong to picture one you love, happy and safe…even when it's more then likely that there not."
He squeezed his eyes shut as he thought of the horror he had gone through. "If I had only known what he was going through-" she placed a comforting hand on his arm, "You would have only suffered more then you already have, and what purpose would that have served?"
"He's suffered more then any man should."
"We have all suffered thanks to the Negaverse."
"But he suffered alone!" Endymion shouted, he swung around to face her his face contorted with rage and pain, his eyes bright with self- hatred and unshed tears "All this time he was right beneath my nose and I didn't know, how could I not know?" He roared as he staggered beneath the weight of his grief.
She gripped him by the arms, fearing that he might collapse under the weight of his anguish, guilt and self-loathing. "You have to stop blaming yourself for things, that you had no control over. You did everything that you could to find him. What happened to him, was not your fault, it was his fate as harsh as that may sound, how else can you explain his reappearance now, right when we need him the most?"
Endymion grew still. He took the time to gather his thoughts and to reign in his emotions. He didn't know how much more he could take, with everything that was happening with Serena and now Zosite, he didn't know how much more he could bear, pain and guilt were slowly eating away at him. But blaming himself wasn't going to change anything she was right about that, he couldn't afford to drown in his sorrows, his friends needed him Serena needed him. He was thankful for her support but this was the last time he would allow himself to lean on her, he wouldn't falter again.
It took just one look from him to have her lowering her hands. While his eyes remained bleak, they were also determined, and she knew that he was no longer in danger of losing control. He had been their rock for so long, when Serena had become ill they had all leaned on him and looked to him for guidance, and now their fate and the fate of some many others rested on his shoulders. Whatever decision he makes they will follow, it really was the only thing they could do for him.
He took a deep steadying breath, "What are you planning and what do those plans have to do with Zosite?"
She shook her head "I have no plans as of yet, too many things are still unclear," and for once she wasn't exaggerating, the future was uncertain and the answers she sought lay just beyond her reach, she didn't know what was to come, she was blinded, left floundering in the dark, just as they were. "But his presence can only make you stronger."
"Yes." he agreed quietly "but as you know the knowledge he possess in the Dark Prince's hands could be disastrous for us all."
"He did not betray you in the past," she stressed "he will not betray you now. Have faith in him my lord."
He turned away from her. "I have never lost it," he assured her "not in him, nor in the others. I just worry that before this is over he will only suffer more," his hands clenched into tight fists, "and once again I am powerless to prevent it."
……………………
Mercury lagged behind Jupiter and Nephlite as they made there way back to the Temple. She wanted to give them some time alone before they rejoined the others, and she also wanted to use this time to get her head on straight.
Tonight she had been hit with some very hard truths, seeing Jupiter and Nephlite together had reopened old wounds, her thoughts were troubling and her emotions chaotic. She couldn't face her friends in this condition, they would know that something was wrong and right now they had enough to worry about.
She just hoped that she hadn't already given herself away, Nephlite was a hard man to fool, he had eyes which seemed to miss very little, and she knew that for an instant back there some of what she was feeling could have shown up on her face. She hoped that if that were the case he wouldn't go blabbing to the others. Hopefully Jupiter would keep his mind and others parts of him busy, so that she would be nothing but more then an after thought.
She still couldn't get over it, Nephlite and Jupiter? How could she have missed it, the kitchen full of sweets should have been her first clue. And it saddened her somewhat that she hadn't noticed but more then that it hurt that when she looked at them and saw their happiness she couldn't share it, because the only thing she felt when she looked at them was pain.
It wasn't that she thought that they didn't belong together or anything like that, it was just that seeing her so happy and in love…hurt. And she knew that was a horrible thing to feel which of course made her feel even worse. But it was the truth, seeing them left her feeling sad and empty inside. It was so obvious how they felt about each other, they surely had to know.
She could see it in the possessive way held her hand. And when he thought she might be a potention threat he didn't' hesitate before placing himself in front of Jupiter and the look on his face in that moment spoke louder then any words, it clearly said that he wouldn't allow anyone to harm a hair on her head not while there was still breath left in his body.
She could see it in the way they looked at each other, the way Jupiter touched him without thought, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
After years of searching, dreaming and coming to believe that it would never happen Lita had finally found someone who could love and accept her for who she was. She would never have to hide apart of herself away from him, he would know all her secrets and she his.
It was what she deserved, and she hated the fact that she couldn't be happy for her, she wanted to be, she truly did, but the warmth of their love left her feeling cold, like ice.
Would the wounds she suffered in the past fester inside her forever, will she never know the joy of love again? If she couldn't even be happy for one of her best friends then she didn't see how she could find that happiness for herself.
But oh how well she remembered it, being in the throes of love, the sweetness of it, and the simply joy it brought, the feeling of contentment that filled your very soul and stayed with you every minute of everyday. The memories pained her but it was the loss of that feeling that haunted her, which was why even now she couldn't move on, why she couldn't share in her friends happiness now that she had found true love at last.
She didn't want to carry this pain around forever. He asked her not to cry. He swore even as he broke her heart that it was for the best, and that one-day she would understand. She was still waiting. He said that hurting her was something he never wanted to do, but he wouldn't take back the words, he wouldn't stay with her. Why? Perhaps knowing the reason would set her free so that she could finally start to heal, but his reasons for continue to elude her.
The day started out like any other, it was a time of peace and because she was in love, every day was better then the last. She had no inkling that on a sunny Saturday afternoon her happiness would come to an abrupt end.
It was twelve-twenty in the afternoon and Amy was sitting comfortably on a park bench, happy and content she literally glowed from the inside out, garnering many admiring looks from passerbies; which she remained oblivious too. But her attention was not focused on what her friends would have assumed, which was the book laid open on her lap, instead her mind was occupied with other thoughts, all of which centered around a certain young man who she happened to be crazy about, and who was now twenty minutes late for their date.
She didn't mind that he was late, she was content to wait for him, she understood better then most that some things couldn't be helped and being late for a date was one of them. As a member of the sailor Scouts she was frequently late for dates and on some occasions had to actually leave right in the middle of one. They were at peace but there always something that needed to be done. He never complained, he understood her and accepted her for who she was, how could she not do the same.
They had met during at time when the Sailor Scouts were searching for the five rainbow crystals in the hopes of finding the Moon Princess; the crystals had been sent to earth during the last infinite battle of the Silver Millennium and were thereby hidden inside the bodies of five humans.
He had been the carrier of one of those crystals and because of that had inherited, certain abilities; one of them was being able to see into the future. Once the crystal had been removed his abilities had diminished some- what; but had not disappeared altogether and he continues to use his gift to help others. He uses it to bring people together and to save lives, and if there was anything that was too much for him to handle alone he called on the sailor scouts for assistance. I guess it didn't hurt to have one of them as your girlfriend.
It was great dating someone with whom you didn't have to hide apart of yourself away, who you could be completely open with, and trust your secrets with completely. Being with him she had never been so happy, she had everything a girl could ever want, she had a wonderful mother, terrific friends, Greg and her books. Life was sweet. Smiling brightly she looked down at her book and began to read and soon was immersed.
"Amy."
Amy looked up from her book smiling, marking her progress in the book with a bookmark she closed it and placed it flat on her lap. But her smile faded as she got a clear look at his face, she could see that he was upset. "Greg, is everything alright?"
He nodded his head, but look on his face seemed to grow even more somber. He stuck his hands in his pockets and remained standing even though there was plenty of room for him on the bench. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."
Amy waved vaguely at her book but her eyes never left his face. "Greg what's wrong?" He froze. Amy reached out and laid a hand on his arm, feeling how tense he was caused her concern to grow.
Greg hunched his shoulders and lowered his head but not before she saw the desperate look in his eyes.
Amy shot to her feet and her book fell to the ground, she ignored it.
Greg swooped down to pick it up, and in doing so pulled his arm out of her grasp, leaving her holding nothing but air, had that been intentional was he trying to tell her that he didn't want her touching him right now? She grew devastated what could have happened, when he called her this morning and suggested they met in the park for lunch there was nothing in this voice to indicate that something was wrong, so something must have happened after he called, but what?
He stood up and held her book out to her. Amy looked at him, and then at the book he was holding and then back at him again trying to figure out what was going on inside his head. She reached out to take it and their fingers brushed against one another's. He flinched like a scaled cat and jerked his hand back.
Amy felt her breath catch in the back of her throat, as a heavy weight settled in her chest. Now she knew, he didn't want her touching him. The knowledge wounded her. What could have happened? On the phone he had been so warm, she could hear the tenderness in his voice, almost see the smile on his face, the same smile that graced her face.
He looked at her face, and then quickly looked away again. "Amy there's something I have to tell you."
Amy drew in a deep breath. Something was wrong, something was seriously wrong and she had to squeeze her hands together to stop them from trembling as she found herself very afraid of what he was going to say. Suddenly she didn't want to hear what he had to say, as something inside her warned her that whatever it was he had to say she wasn't going to like it. She opened her mouth to speak, what she planned to say she had no idea, anything, anything to keep him from giving voice to the words that she instinctively knew would change her life forever.
"We can't see each other anymore."
She starred up at him open mouthed and at first too stunned to respond. "I…don't" she cleared her throat and blinked her eyes rapidly determined not to cry, "I don't understand."
He looked at her with haunted eyes, "What we're doing here?" he gestured between them "It can't go on. We have to stop seeing each other."
"What? But why?" She cried out in confusion and pain, " You have to know how I feel. I lov-"
He moved quickly and placed a finger against her mouth forestalling her next words. He leaned in towards her. "Shhhh" he murmured "Don't say it, if you say it I wont be able to walk away, and I have to walk away, for both our sakes."
She looked at him with wounded eyes, eyes that beseeched him not to do this, to take back the words that were breaking her heart. "I don't understand, did I do something wrong" he shook his head no rapidly "Then why?" she cried, "Why are you doing this? I thought we were happy." I was happy and I thought you were too, I couldn't have been wrong about that.
He gave her a sad smile "I don't know what to say, I have no answer that will satisfy you I just know that this is the right thing for me too do. I know that one day you'll understand," he made a move as to leave and she quickly grabbed his hand, "no you can't go, not like this, not after…" she fought back a sob "not after everything we've been through together, not after everything we've come to mean to one another. I deserve to know why."
"Knowing won't change things Amy."
"Please!"
"The only thing I can tell you is that this is for the best, if we stay together it will only bring you pain in the future"
"But I'm hurting now." she sobbed
Greg swore and pulled her into his arms and when he spoke his voice cracked with emotion. "Don't cry. Please, I can't stand to see you cry. I never wanted to hurt you and believe me this is so hard. Don't ever think that walking away from you was easy. When you look back on this day remember that you weren't the only one hurting and that I did what I had to do and what was best for the both of us."
Amy shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks he was saying goodbye and she didn't understand why, he had to know how she felt and she knew in her heart that he felt the same way. This didn't make any sense. "No please."
"We were never meant to be Amy, soon you'll realize that and when you do I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I never meant to hurt you this way, it's the last thing I ever wanted to do."
He placed a kiss on her forehead "Be happy Amy, Goodbye." he pulled away from her and she let him go. What else could she do? How could you hold onto someone who didn't wish to be held, at least not by you?
Clutching her book to her chest she watched him hurry away as if he couldn't stand to be near her for one more second. Once he was out of sight she collapsed back onto the bench.
She was alone, she never realized how alone she truly was until this moment. When one was good at pretending or when one could so easily lose themselves in books or other things that could take their mind and heart to other places, they sometimes fail to realize how truly lonely they were.
Well now she knew, one goodbye and it all became so painfully clear; she hadn't realized that she had been blindly searching for something all this time. She wanted to feel love, to be in love, to find that someone made especially for her. Romantic dreams for such a serious girl. It's no wonder that she had yet to find it.
She curled up into a tight little ball on the bench. She thought she had found that with Greg, instead he showed her that one would be better off pretending, that she would be better off pretending. It was better to lose yourself amongst the words on a piece of paper. It was there that you could forget how lonely you were. She wouldn't feel the emptiness in her heart, and know that something was missing.
Life would help her forget, she opened her book and caressed the pages, and her books, her books most of all will help her forget.
Mercury shook her head and quickly wiped away the traces of her tears she didn't want anyone to see that she had been crying.
Why couldn't she forget and move on? People recover from broken hearts all the time, why couldn't she? If by some miracle Greg came back into her life, professing his love and begging her forgiveness, would the ache in her heart then fade away. She wasn't sure. Had he made the emptiness in her heart disappear or did he simply make it easier for her to ignore? She didn't know but if that were the case then what she was searching for she might never find. What then was she fated to be this way forever, only half alive, jealous of others happiness unable to share in it, what a shallow, empty existence that would be.
She didn't want that life, and as scared as she was, she was doubly afraid for Serena, who unlike herself had found that special someone that her heart and soul yearned for, and it was very possible that when this was all over she could lose him forever.
……………….
"How are Serenity and Rini?" Artemis asked worriedly, he and Luna had been busy skewering the city, checking things out and hadn't had the chance to step in and check on them.
"They're better" Endymion assured them "they should be up and about as soon as tomorrow."
"Thank goodness," Luna sighed, she had feared that Serena's appearance might have hurt them some how.
Uranus stepped forward, she and Neptune had just returned from the Negaverse's new palace and she was ready for some answers and this time she was going to get them, because it seemed like every time they were about to pin Enydmion down and finally get some answers something always seemed to happen and he became indisposed. She didn't want to wait any longer; she wanted answers now before something else happened. "We need to know what happened when Serena was here, and what it had to do with what happened with the Dark Prince."
Endymion frowned, "I would have thought that Nephlite and Malachite would have answered most of your questions."
"They told us the basics, but they couldn't give us any details because they're in the dark as well. They have more questions about what happened then answers."
"I see," he murmured quietly. With everything that's happened perhaps it was time to tell them everything.
"Uranus and I went to the Dark Prince's Palace," Neptune interceded she knew that Uranus wanted to just dive right in for answers but Endymion needed to know what they had found, perhaps he would find it odd as well. "We just got back a little while ago."
Endymion arched a brow at her, curious. "Do you have anything to report?"
Neptune shook her head, "There were no signs of activity, none what so ever." Which was strange, and troubling. They didn't seem the kind to go into hiding to lick their wounds. They seemed more the kind who came back more stronger and vicious then before. They knew who they were they knew where to find them so why hadn't they made their move yet what were they waiting for?
"Hmmm." he murmured he didn't share her concern about the Negaverse inactivity, no doubt the dark prince was still trying to figure out just what happened with him. He knew that he would get around to them sooner or later after what happened before he was betting on sooner. "Anything else."
"Artemis and I canvassed the city" Luna announced "but there are no signs that anything else has been disturbed or that the public is being affected by what's going on other then the obvious, everyone is talking about the palace and how it just sprung up from out of nowhere, most people are staying indoors waiting to see what happens next but otherwise nothing unusual is occurring.
Endymion nodded his head. "Good, I'm glad that your staying on top of things, each delay is costly, but we should be thankful that the public is as of yet unaffected by what's going on, it wont last, but it helps that we don't have to worry about it at this point."
The door opened, Nephlite and Jupiter walked in followed closely by Mercury who closed the door behind her as she came in. Endymion frowned, where was Malachite? "Where's Malachite?"
"He's not here." Mars answered abruptly and made an effort not to look at Venus.
Endymion's frown deepened "Where is he?" He didn't like the feel of this.
Mars shrugged her shoulders trying to act nonchalant. She didn't know for sure that Malachite had gone to see Zosite all she had to go on was what Venus had told her.
"It doesn't make sense." Nephlite spoke "After what happened today he would have wanted to stay close."
Endymion agreed he was about to assign Uranus and Neptune to go find him when Venus said quietly "He went to see Zosite."
Everyone turned to stare at her.
Venus hid her emotions behind which she hoped was a blank face and told them what she knew, that she saw Malachite leaving asked him where he was going and he told her that he had to go and see Zosite.
"What was he thinking?" Jupiter exclaimed, "Does he really think that the Dark prince is going to let him just waltz right in and see Zosite. Besides from what little Jedite said it sounded like she was in trouble for disobeying the new…Queen" she finished softly. At the time the words hadn't registered, but now they knew he had meant Serena, that she was the new Queen of the Negaverse. How could that be, how could their princess now be the enemy?
This information greatly disturbed Endymion though for reasons they were as yet unaware. After what happened today the Dark Prince would be in a foul and dangerous mood, fear of the unknown would only have made him more unpredictable and far more dangerous. He had almost lost the battle and his life today and if he had any inkling that Malachite was in anyway responsible for his near defeat then there was no telling what he might do to him.
"He's thinking more with his heart, then with his brain."
Endymion looked over at Nephlite and their eyes met in instant understanding. "We might not have much time."
"I'll leave immediately."
"Bring him back," Endymion stressed strongly "no matter what it takes." their eyes held, and then Nephlite nodded before turning to leave.
"Wait." Jupiter cried and grabbed his hand, "You can't honestly be thinking about going after him alone. The Dark prince isn't about to sit back and watch while you waltz into and his place and then waltz right back out again with Malachite. He might even now be lying in wait for you."
Nephlite turned and to most of the room astonishment drew Jupiter into his arms. "Malachite is in danger I have to go."
"Then let me come with you" She beseeched as she clung to him unashamedly. Let me stay by your side.
"It will be easier to sneak in if I'm alone. Don't worry I'll be in and out before you know it."
Jupiter drew back to look up at him. "Don't give me that, this isn't Beryl's castle, you don't know your way away around or how to get in without being seen. You don't even know where to begin looking for him. Two people have better odds of finding him before getting caught then one."
"I can find him, I know I can." he assured her with absolute conviction. There was something inside him, something that told him that he would be able to find malachite wherever he was. Maybe it had to do with the power they had conjured up earlier, perhaps they were now linked in someway. He had yet to fully understand he just knew that he could and would find him.
He turned his head to look at Endymion "There's something you should know before I leave, that first night I was here when I communed with the stars, I learned that Serena had fallen into darkness and that Beryl would soon cease to exist." He heard Jupiter strangled gasped and without taking his eyes off Endymion began rubbing her back in a soothing manner much like she had done to his earlier. He gaze turned thoughtful. "Tonight I felt a disturbance and this time when I conveyed with the stars they showed me disturbing images, of blood, death and darkness, only as far as I could tell these were not necessarily images of what was to come." He studied Endymion expression intently "I also felt something awaken, a new power, but whether this new power will be friend or foe I couldn't say, but its presence and its importance was undeniable."
"A new power, what could that be?" Artemis wondered aloud. Didn't they have enough to worry about?
"If you have any more visions or feelings about this I want you to come to me immediately" Endymion informed him.
Nephlite hesitated a moment before agreeing, he had the feeling that Endymion knew more then he was saying, but then wasn't that what he had always believed. When he returned with Malachite he would get the answers he sought. He looked down at Jupiter and raised his hand to cup her cheek, "I have to go."
Jupiter placed her hand over his blinking back the tears that she refused to shed, he would come back, she had to believe that, she couldn't lose him, not now, not after waiting a life time for him.
She opened her mouth to speak, a thousand words left unspoken until now trembled on her lips, but his lips silenced her before she could speak as they captured hers in a telling kiss. When he finally raised his head he whispered, "I know; you don't have to say I word. When I come back we'll have more time for words but for right now, kiss me, kiss me one last time before I go."
Jupiter did as he asked, and everything faded away in that kiss until there was nothing left but the two of them, and when the kiss finally came to an end she watched him walk out of the room and had a odd sense of déjà vu as if they had played this scene out before which was impossible but the barren feeling inside her wouldn't go away she knew that nothing but his return would make her whole again.
Mars raised a hand to her throat; she couldn't take her eyes away from the astonishing sight. Her head was spinning with this new development she couldn't believe it, first Venus and now Jupiter, what on Earth was going on? She looked at Venus to see how she was taking the change in Jupiter and Nephlite's relationship and saw that she was no longer n the same spot she had been in moments before.
Frowning she looked around and spotted her by the window she stood with her back to the room but even from where she was sitting she could see how tense she was. She seemed to be holding on by a mere thread.
Now that Nephlite had gone after Malachite it brought up a lot of questions, like what if Malachite didn't want to come back or if Nephlite did succeed in bringing him back was it possible that Zosite could be with him. She knew if she was thinking these things then so was Venus and it was tearing her up inside.
She wished there was something she could so for her, but right now there wasn't anything she could do, later when there was time and when dreams were aplenty perhaps she could find the answer to her broken heart. It was a tremendous task, but at least she knew where to start.
……………………………….
He slipped quietly into the room although tonight he didn't believe he would find her asleep, not tonight of all nights.
He spotted her almost immediately; she was standing with her back to him, starring out the bay windows at the night sky. As always the mere sight of her was enough to take his breath away.
He crossed the room on silent feet. Coming up behind her he placed his hands on her bare shoulders and brought her up against him, she tensed and then recognizing his touch relaxed in his hold and leaned back against him.
He slid his hands down her arms, and she shivered as his touch caused goose bumps to race along her skin.
He closed his arms around her and the two of them stood there in complete silence, reveling in the others presence. Neither of them wanted to be the first one to speak. But nether the less the silence couldn't go on forever, soon the air became charged with unspoken words, and the tension could be felt in both of them. Finally it was she who broke the silence.
"You're leaving?" she made it sound like a question although she already she knew the answer.
"Yes."
She let out a shaky breath. "When?"
"Tomorrow, at first light."
"So soon." she cried but then shook her head, immediately regretting her words. "Don't. I know that you can't stay, you have your duty."
"And you have yours." he reminded her soberly wishing that things were different. He turned her around in his arms and the sight of her tear filled gaze hit him hard. "I have no choice but to leave." he watched a tear fell and it nearly broke his heart, he raised a hand and gently wiped her tears away. "And I have no choice but to come back. You've bewitched me, in more ways then one, I had no idea that love could feel like this, that it could happen so quickly and yet I feel as if I've loved you forever. If the future of all our people weren't at stake I would never leave your side."
"I know," she whispered and gazed at him with all the love in her heart. And she did know, she had known from the moment their eyes had met that they were meant for each other and yet she couldn't shake this feeling of loss, he wasn't leaving her forever but why did it feel that way.
"You're shaking," he muttered huskily drawing her closer.
"I'm sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't cry." she said, "We both knew that this day would come. We can't change who we are, I have to stay and you have to go, our people need us, the attacks can't be allowed to continue."
"We'll find the ones responsible." He assured her, and then I'll come back to you. "They hide in shadows and they strike without provocation. The tension is rising, the people are afraid. Terrified and having no one to blame they're beginning to point fingers at one another. All of our attempts to uncover the real nemesis behind these attacks have been thwarted, and suspicion and blame is born out of that failure. It becomes hard to know whom we can trust."
She raised her head to look up at him, "Just promise me that you'll come back. Promise me."
He lowered his head. "I promise." he swore, before kissing her.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and she raised her arms and placed them around his neck. When he finally broke the kiss, she said huskily "Stay with me tonight."
His hands moved up her back, his fingers found the laces to her dress and he wasted no time in undoing them. He lowered himself to his knees pulling the dress down along with him.
Once the dress was pooled down around her feet, she stepped out of it. He looked up at her from his spot on the floor and the heat in his gaze caused her to sway. He was on his feet in a flash; reaching out he caught her and swept her up into his arms. He kissed her hungrily, desperately and she responded in kind with her own hunger and desperation.
Come back to me.
I will come back.
Love me.
With all my heart and soul.
He laid her back against the bed and stood up. He watched her watching him as he undid the buttons on his shirt. The look in her eyes caused his hands to tremble, she was the only one who could do this to him, shake him up with just a look. Once he was done with the buttons he shrugged his shirt off and let it fall to the floor.
"I gave you that shirt," she teased.
He gave her a wicked smile. "Why do you think I went through the trouble of unbuttoning it first, if it hadn't been a gift from you my love, I would have torn it from my chest like the beast I am."
She laughed. And he smiled; it was good to hear her laughter, it chased away the shadows from her eyes and brought peace to his own heart. He kicked off his shoes.
She waited for him to finish and then she held her hand out to him, her eyes burning bright with love and desire. Take away the pain, and the feeling of loss that clings to me, although I know these feelings shall not entirely fade until I hold you safe in my arms again.
His hand found hers, and as she pulled him down to her, she raised herself up off the bed to met him, "Malachite." She sighed breathlessly
"Malachite!"
Malachite shook his head, as his vision blurred and became distorted, when his sight finally cleared he turned and saw Zosite standing in the open doorway. In that moment his sense of loss nearly overwhelmed him. He didn't know what was real anymore; he could almost believe that this was the dream.
Zosite stepped farther into the room "You look-" haunted. She shook her head and put on a bright smile. "Never mind." She walked over to him and into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and tried to forget the look that had been on his face, it and been such a look of pain and loss. Her arms tightened around him. Malachite I can still feel you slipping away, even now, when I standing here in your arms, it still feels as if you're somewhere else. Are you with her now, are you thinking of her, wishing it were her arms holding you close? She didn't think she could bear it. Malachite your all I have I can't lose you, I wont.
"Zosite." He murmured and pressed his check against her hair. I don't deserve you. I can know you can feel the distance growing between us and I want to tell you what's in my heart but… I can't, because I don't know myself. Perhaps I'm afraid to know. How could I ever tell you the truth if I learned that my heart has betrayed you and yearns for another; and one who seems to exist only in my own mind?
And even if Nephlite was right and what he was having wasn't hallucinations but actually memories of his past that Beryl had repressed for her own sick reasons, it would change nothing. He had been in Beryl's service for too long, she couldn't still be alive today. No, the only place she could exist was inside his head, she wasn't' real.
He felt his heart skip a beat. She wasn't real he insisted ignoring the pain those words caused him. Zosite was real, she was real and with her they had a chance of a life together. He couldn't throw that chance away over a woman whose name he didn't know or just couldn't remember, and for all he really knew, really was just a figment of his imagination.
And what about Venus, is she another figment of your imagination?
The thought came from out of nowhere hitting him hard. And with the thought came the memory of their kiss, he remembered the feel of her in his arms, the sweet taste of her lips, the sound of his name on her lips. Damn! He was so screwed. "Zosite," he pulled her arms from around his waist, he took her hands in his and looked down at her. She looked up at him with wide eyes and he could see a hint of fear begin to creep in, but he had to do this. "We have to talk."
…………..
"Where is he?" The Dark Prince barked impatiently.
"Please your majesty he'll be here any minute now."
Darien placed his burden down on the bed and stepped back. Once he let go of him the man calling himself Zosite began tossing and turning on the bed. He hadn't gotten a single coherent sentence from him since he had told him his name. Filled with restless energy for which he had no outlet he began to pace, the small creatures who had followed in his wake, stood no more then three feet tall and were an unimpressive shade of grey, they cowered as the Dark Prince paced the room, the air became thicker with tension for each second that passed. They found themselves wishing they could make themselves even smaller.
The prince was in a dangerous mood, never before had they'd seen him in such a volatile state, he was always in control, almost cool in his temper, not hot and ready to blow like this, this was more like beryl and her famous fits of temper, where no one was completely safe from her wraith, especially those closest too her at the time, so just in case he felt the need to take his anger out on something or someone, they wanted to make themselves as small and as unobtrusive as possible, to limit the chance of it being one of them.
As if reading there thoughts the Dark Prince suddenly stopped in his tracks and speared them with his gaze, causing them to let out little squeaks of terror.
Darien hardly noticed as his mind was on other things. He turned away and walked back towards the bed, his patience was dwindling fast, he wanted answers; no he needed them, ever since the man had told him his name he had been filled with a kind of restlessness that would not subside and which was growing by leaps and bounds.
His temper was about to snap when the door opened and the attendant walked in, he was taller then his assistants by at least two feet but he was also an unimpressive shade of grey with big round black eyes that took up much of his face.
The attendant took in the prince's dark expression and forced himself to keep moving further into the room. "My apologizes my lord when my assistant informed me that you had a prisoner that you wished me to see I just assumed he would be waiting for me in the dungeons."
Darien ignored the unspoken question it was nobody business why he decided to put the stranger in one of the guest rooms instead of one of the dungeons. "See to him." He snapped his patience at its limit.
The attendant quickly approached the bed to observe his patient, his eyes widening as he took him in.
Darien noticed his expression and all but pounced on him. "Do you recognize him?" the Prince demanded.
"No my lord." he answered but that uniform…he finished silently and then shook his head, no, it couldn't be. "Perhaps you can tell me what you wish of me my lord."
"He has information that I want."
The attendant nodded his head and tried to contain his excitement this was the chance he had been waiting for, this is what he needed to prove himself invaluable to the Prince. It was perfect he couldn't have asked for a better chance then the one being given to him, here he asking him to do a task of which he excelled at and had been eager to resume. With Beryl his talents had been wasted once she got her hands on her precious Nephlite she couldn't see past his face, Beryl was always one who liked to surround herself with beautiful people, especially men.
He was far from what humans would call handsome and because of that she had lost all interest in him once she had Nephlite's and learned what he could do. He had always cursed him for having that face and the abilities that matched if not in some cases surpassed his own. But now Nephlite was gone, turned traitor if the rumors were to be believed and since no one has spotted him since Beryl's demise he was either dead or was in fact now working with the Sailor Scouts. Either way he no longer stood between him and what he desired above all else, and that was the chance to use his special gifts.
He was known as the attendant, he had no other name, but that title had been known to strike fear in the hearts of many who heard it. Once upon a time he was as much feared as Beryl herself they would talk about him only in whispers, they knew if they displeased beryl what awaited them, most would say they would prefer beryl she might rage but at least she would be quick, the attendant was known to spend days even weeks with his subjects, very few lasted longer then that.
He excelled at torture but he was best known for retrieving information
He could squeeze information out of even the most stubborn of subjects, or make you forget your own name, he was the best at what he did; the generals were proof of that. He smiled, even now he still gained satisfaction from the thought, Nephlite had taken from him but he too had taken from Nephlite and what made it all the more sweeter was that Nephlite still had absolutely no clue.
But that all that hardly mattered now, since he was just one subject away from regaining his former status. Besides he rather not dwell on that particular skill, since one of his most successful subjects now had the power and authority to do with him what he will and while he had not personal over seen his transformation, he was the one who had built the machine responsible, he shot the Dark Prince a quick glance, but that was all in the past, no need to dwell on it or what his fate might be if the dark prince ever found out, no indeed, no need to think about it at all.
He approached the bed and barked at his assistants "Don't just stand there bring me my equipment, we must give him a through physical, he looks to have been through some sort of trauma." As he assistants flew to do his bidding he returned his gaze to the dark prince. "Perhaps you can tell me something of him my lord. How did he come to be in this condition?" in a roundabout way he was asking the Prince what he had done to the man before he had been brought to him.
As he listened to the dark prince explain the situation and what he desired he found his hopes dwindling what he was asking of him might not be possible. And to think beryl had this one buried under her throne room, her cruelty mixed with her ingenuity always made his heart flutter. "I want no one else to know about our guest, is that understood, no one," the Dark Prince continued.
The attendant nodded knowing from experience not to question instructions. "My lord" he began hesitantly, "we can't be sure how damaged his mind is; it could take days; weeks, perhaps even years before he might be able to tell you anything. There's also the possibility that his mind will never recover from his ordeal" silently he added it would take a miracle. "There is a technique I could use that would most likely gain the information you require but his mind would not survive the procedure. I recommend this if there is some urgency involved and you have no desire to preserve the subject."
The dark prince didn't respond and after a few minutes the attendant began to grow nervous and he took a closer look at the subject wondering why his lord was hesitating, was there something about this subject that was significant and he just wasn't seeing it. His eyes once again lighted on his clothing, he could remember seeing something similar but he couldn't quite place where.
Just then his assistants burst back in the room, dragging and carrying his equipment. He frowned knowing that he couldn't reprimand them now, not in front of the prince, it would look unprofessional. Besides no doubt it was the prince's anger which made them reckless with his equipment; something he would over look for now.
"Bring it here." he snapped "and then help me remove his clothes."
The assistants hurried to do as he commanded. Once the equipment was set up and the subject stripped they backed away and hurried off to a near by corner to stay out of the way and too await any further orders.
The attendant leaned over the subject who had ceased his tossing and turning and now lay quite, He turned his head towards the dark prince "My lord I really must knoww…arghhhh" he gargled as the subject who had laid so passively seconds before now held his throat in a tight grip.
The subject yanked him down to his face and snarled. "What have you done to them? Tell me!" he roared.
The attendant could do nothing but swing helplessly in his grasp, he could hear the excited yelps of dismay from his assistants but nothing from the prince, why wasn't he trying to stop this madman before he killed him.
"Tell me what I want to know?" the subject roared again and began to shake him back and forth like a rag doll. He felt that in any moment his neck would snap and his life would be over.
"Zosite!"
The subject froze, his heated gaze left the attendants face and focused on something over his left shoulder, presumably the owner of that voice, it seemed the dark prince had at last decided to save him from certain death. The subject was obvious a lunatic and more then likely beyond even his abilities. There was some things, some horrors that the mind could never recover from.
"Let him go." The Dark Prince commanded
Zosite tilted his head to the side and studied the Dark Prince, starring at him his fevered eyes seemed to clear somewhat and the rage dissipated leaving behind confusion and pain. "Answers. Need answers."
"Yes as do I, but first things first, release him."
The attendant found himself dropped unceremoniously to the floor, and even though he found himself out of that crushing grasp he found still had trouble drawing a breath. It was then that he noticed that each time he exhaled he saw a small poof of white smoke. Alarmed he raised his hand to his throat and found it to be as cold as ice. He scrambled quickly to his feet and moved away from the subject who was frowning at the Dark Prince in puzzlement. "What…did…you…do…to…me?" the assistant croaked
Darien walked over to him and the attendant fought not to cringe as the dark prince raised a hand to his throat. He came away rubbing his fingers. "Frost." Darien muttered thoughtfully "Interesting."
The attendant fought not to gawk. Interesting was that all he had to say, he had nearly gotten his neck broken by that maniac, his throat was sore and it hurt to breath, didn't that register anywhere in his mind. Wait he did call him off, who knows what would have happened if he hadn't…. wait a minute. What did the Dark Prince call him? His eyes started twitching, he thought about the uniform and the condition in which he was found and still couldn't quite believe it. Even Beryl wouldn't have been so reckless, she wouldn't have kept such a dangerous foe alive, but he couldn't deny what he had heard and the evidence of his own eyes.
What could Beryl have been thinking, to keep him buried under the ice for all these years, he told her to destroy him, and as much pleasure as she received in knowing that he was right below her feet it didn't outweigh the risk involved. He was too dangerous, even more so then before, if the dark prince ever found out….
"Whatever you learn you will keep it amongst yourselves" the Dark Prince informed him his eyes still on the melting frost on his fingertips.
The attendant fought to keeps his hands from shaking and hoped the Dark Prince couldn't hear his knees knocking together. "What about the Queen my lord, what shall I tell her if she enquires?"
"My wife knows nothing about this, I shall inform her when I deem it necessary. She does not concern you, no one else is to know about him, no one."
The Dark Prince went to leave and then paused inside the doorway. He turned back to the attendant with a look in his eyes that made him want to fall to his knees and beg for mercy. "You will do well not to fail me attendant." The Dark Prince said in a soft murmur that had the attendant shivering despite himself "I will know his secrets, you will ensure that he recovers enough to tell me everything I want to know." He stated in that same soft tone before turning on his heels and existing the room.
The attendant watched him leave and once he was out of sight turned on his assistants and snapped "You heard the Prince he wants him well enough to talk and we had better not fail him or we wont live long enough to regret our failure." He had no choice if it was possible he had to restore the young mans mind, he would give him a few days to allow his mind and body to heal on its own and then he would get to work. Even if this is who he feared it was he had no choice, whoever it was who had first said, better the devil you knew then the one you didn't, obviously never had the misfortune of meeting the Dark Prince.
………………………..
"Moonlight suits you." Jedite said as he twirled Serena about the upper deck, the passengers and crew aboard the cruise ship were all below deck sleeping peacefully thanks to him. Neither he nor his Queen had been in the mood for company.
Serena felt laughter bubbling up in her throat as he dipped her back over his arm. She batted her eyelashes at him "Are you flirting with me Jedite?"
"Oh no my lady" he looked down at her with eyes that twinkled mischievously as he mockingly protested "I would never dream of practicing my wiles or wasting my considerable charms on you.
She arched an eyebrow at him. "Oh really?"
He gave her a knowing look "Believe me my lady I know when to use my smooth tongue and when to bite it."
Serena laughed and laid her head against his chest. "Still," she chided gently "a lady likes to know that an attractive man appreciates her." Even when her heart belongs to another she finished softly thinking about Darien, and thinking about him and how they had left things saddened her. She hated the tension between them, she just wished she couldn't understand his anger, she knew he had every right to be upset with her; but it was the depth of his anger, which had surprised, and yes scared her.
She could feel the sting of his anger and the depths of his pain. What could she have done to hurt him so badly? Yes, she had kept the fact that her memories had returned a secret, but she had always meant to tell him, and yes, she didn't tell him of her plans to visit Endymion but to her that didn't explain his extreme reaction and volatile emotions to her satisfaction. No, she sensed that something else was troubling him, and whatever it was, it was tearing him up inside.
She hated knowing he was in pain and she hated it even more thinking that she might be in some way responsible.
"Why don't you go to him?"
Startled Serena glanced up at him and saw that he knew exactly where her thoughts had taken her.
"The two of you can't fix whatever is wrong between the two of you if you don't sit down and talk."
Serena gave him a halfhearted smile and tried to hold onto the warm feelings he had invoked inside her this evening and not give in to her despair, she would get to the bottom of this mystery and everything would work itself out, she had to believe that. "When did you become so wise in the matters of the heart?"
"I've never been in love." he admitted "Until recently I cared for no one but myself, but now…" he struggled to find the right words, the only thing he ever cared about was himself, now that Beryl was gone and he was no longer her general but a knight, yes he thought starring down at Serena intently, he was a knight, her knight, hers and…his?
The Dark Prince, a man who literally despised him and if given the chance would end his life in a blink of an eye. But it didn't matter; he was his knight, now and forever. Now and forever, the words seemed to echo inside him and he could hear himself saying them only this time his voice was joined by others, as they all swore together, now and forever.
He stumbled.
Serena let out a small cry as he all but fell into her. She tethered back on her heels and thought she just might fall when suddenly his weight was lifted off her and she found herself standing on solid ground again with his arms bound securely around her. "I'm sorry," he mumbled "so sorry."
I'm Sorry, I'm sorry, his arms tightened around her as he fought to regain his composure but it was difficult he felt as if he were suffocating on emotions, regret, pain, anger and despair, they were choking him. He wanted to scream, to rage, too pound his fists into something, to feel her arms around him once again, to beg for forgiveness. But he asked for too much there could never be forgiveness not for his sins, not from her and not from-
"Jedite!"
Jedite bent over gasping for air, he was getting to know this feeling well, but at least this time he didn't have to worry about frostbite. Once he caught his breath he stood up and went over to lean against the ships railing.
In that moment he completely forgot about his companion as he tried to wrap his mind around what had just happened. It was similar to what had happened earlier today, he'd been hearing voices then too, but it had been one voice and he found himself feeling emotions that were not his own. This time he heard many voices and the feelings he experienced seemed to belong solely to him.
But he could never remember feeling such pain and loss before, the sense of rage, he was slightly familiar with, at times it had been the only thing to fill his heart but these other emotions he had no idea where they stemmed from, he just knew that it started innocently enough with one phrase, now and forever, then they seemed to take on a life of there own and he could hear himself repeating it over and over again in his mind and then the other voices joined his and together they all swore, now and forever.
Who did the voices belong too? They seemed familiar some how but as hard as he tried he couldn't come up with a name or even a face. And why had the phrase now and forever affect him that way he must have said the those at one point in his life before now, never before had they wrung such a reaction. Could it all be tied in with the weird visions he was having and the owner of that voice who had invaded his head earlier? He didn't know and it was frustrating the hell out of him. If he didn't figure this out soon a padded cell would be the least of his problems.
He had so many questions and no real way of getting answers, it was nerve racking. There had to be something he could do, someone one he could look to for help in figuring all this out. It didn't take him long before he thought of someone. He winced. Asking him for help could be asking for trouble, but did he have a choice?
"Jedite I asked if you're alright."
Jedite looked up in surprise, he had completely forgotten she was there, he grew instantly concerned. What did she see, what did she suspect? Did he have a sign hanging from his forehead that read, hearing voices?
She looked at him in concern "Are you all right?" He nodded his head and she looked at him skeptically, but refrained from calling him a liar. Something was definitely up with her Jedite, something that he didn't wish for her to know? Interesting.
Desperate to change the subject, Jedite fought to remember what they were talking about before his little episode "You were asking me about my love life, I don't have one." I want to feel her arms around me again, to beg for forgiveness. He shook his head those had been his words, his sentiment but he had no idea what it could mean, whose arms did he refer too, whose forgiveness did he seek and why? He had done plenty of rotten things in his life, had hurt a lot of people but this seemed personal.
"I've never been in love," he muttered quietly speaking more to himself then to her. There was no one, not now and not in the past. There were no one's arms he longed for; he had always been alone, ever since the beginning. It was all he knew.
There had never been time for love, not in his quest for power. He had always viewed love as a weakness one to be exploited and avoided at all costs. He had learned from others mistakes, take Zosite and Malachite for example their love had wrought them nothing but pain and would no doubt be their downfall.
"You don't wish for love, you long for nothing but power?"
He turned his head, avoiding her gaze, although unsure why he felt the need to do so. "My thirst for power has waned, I find myself content in my service to you my lady."
"And love?"
He was silent for a moment unsure why he was even thinking about it, he didn't know what to say, didn't know what she wanted to hear, he opened his mouth and had no idea what he was going to say. The words just flew out of his mouth. "Love has never found me, I can't say that I've missed it, having never known it." He studied the deck intently wondering where these words were coming from. "It has always been an emotion I've wanted no part of, seeing it as a weakness, but that can't be true can it?" He asked pondering his own question. "You and the dark princess have survived everything that has been thrown at you, your love gave you the strength you needed to go on, to keep fighting."
"Love can be a weakness," she admitted startled he looked at her. "I know that Darien is my one weakness, there is nothing I wouldn't do for him, I would give my life to save his." She starred at him intently "He is my weakness and my strength. One can find strength in ones weakness Jedite. When love does find you, I want you to remember that."
Jedite fought not to fidget under her gaze. That look in her eye; it was as if she knew something which he didn't and it made him extremely nervous.
Serena bit back a smile, she had such plans for Jedite he wasn't going to know what hit him, thinking about all her plans for him got her thinking about something else that up until now had completely slipped her mind.
She turned her back to him "Jedite do you ever get the feeling that there's somewhere else you should be?" she asked quietly
Jedite thought about it a moment, yes he did have that feeling at times but over the years he had learned to ignore it and chose to focus on bringing Beryl and the Negaverse back. But why was she asking him such a thing?
"Jedite I'm waiting for your answer."
Jedite looked at her in surprise and found that she was still standing with her back to him. "I'm sorry my lady my mind was wondering?"
"Jedite isn't there some place you're supposed to be?"
Jedite frowned at her tone, something about seemed off, it made him uneasy. He hadn't felt this way around her since that first day when she and the Dark Prince came and defeated Beryl.
"I don't want you to think that I'm ungrateful Jedite because that would be a lie, I'am grateful for everything you've done today, and because you saved Darien's life I see no need to punish you in anyway" she turned her head to look at him and he was startled by the look in her black eyes, "But from now on I really must insist that you obey the orders I give you.".
Jedite cleared his throat, fighting back his nervousness. What had brought this change about? Her eyes they were now dark and merciless. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head. "My Queen, please tell me how I have displeased you?"
"You're not where your suppose to be, I ordered you to remain at the temple until sent for. Now tell me how you came to arrive at the battle at the exact moment my love needed saving."
Jedite swallowed hard, she couldn't be thinking that he had anything to do with that sure he hesitated before helping the Dark Prince but in the end he still saved his.
"I'm waiting Jedite."
Jedite raised his head. "You told me to return if our presence was discovered, and you also told me that we were not to engage the Scouts in battle." She was before him before he knew it, clutching his chin tightly in her hand "Are you telling me that you fought with them after I specifically told you not to."
"No my Queen not I."
She released him abruptly. "Zosite? Would she even dare?"
"It's true, she attacked Venus and Malachite."
"Malachite?" she murmured. Interesting, now what could have made her ignore her warning and turn on her beloved Malachite.
"Yes I arrived as just as the other Scouts did, they arrived in time to save Venus but Zosite seemed obsessed with destroying her, even out numbered she was determined to finish her off. I had to step in, I brought her back to the palace, it was then that I heard the sounds of the battle and went to investigate."
Serena was quiet as she absorbed this information and the implications; it seemed that Zosite had been very angry with poor Venus, angry enough to attack Malachite as well and ignore her orders. She turned her head away so Jedite wouldn't see her smile. It seemed all of her plans were coming to pass. "Is there anything else that you have failed to mention?"
Jedite wished he could disappear, if she didn't know about Zosite then there was a good chance with everything that has been going on that she didn't know Malachite was in the palace either. He told her and waited to feel the heat of her anger.
"Return to the temple Jedite, make your presence felt. I want them to know you're there. Don't return unless I call you or you have something of value to report. I have other things that require my attention at the moment." She had to settle things with Darien; together they had to come up with a plan to stop Endymion, and she had a little something in store for Zosite. She wasn't going to know what hit her. "And… thank you, for tonight." With those words she left him.
Jedite stood and turned around so that he was looking out at sea, he watched how the moonlight caressed the water, something was happening inside him, seeing her change like that and in an instant, it gave him a nasty feeling in his gut.
He didn't know what to make of it, she was still his Queen but he just now realized that she had two aspects to her personality, the one he had spent half the day and most of the night with and the one he had seen just moments ago, and the problem was that he seemed to prefer the earlier of the two.
Why, oh why did his life insist on becoming more and more complicated?
………………
His head jerked upright in the bed, his fevered gaze clearing as he focused on the small grey creatures; who were screeching at the top of their lungs and scurrying for cover as if something frightening was happening. What were they afraid of? He found himself wishing they would shut up and get him a glass of water. His throat was parched and he felt as if he were being baked alive. He looked around, nothing seemed threatening to him; he looked at them and found them huddled together in a corner on the opposite side of the room. They were looking at him with terror filled eyes as if they were gazing upon something fearful to behold. Him? They were afraid of him?
"What's going on? Where am I?" He didn't recognize this place. Did he live here? He didn't know, he couldn't remember, but he remembered the feeling of being trapped, imprisoned, isolated, it had nearly driven him mad, perhaps it had. Was that why they were frightened was he a danger to them, to himself? He gripped his head. He couldn't remember.
He began rocking back and forth on the bed and as he tried to force himself to remember, the fever that raged his body once again consumed his mind and threw him into chaos.
All he could hear were the screams, his screams and screams of his comrades, his brothers. He pressed his hands to his ears but he couldn't drown out their cries, not realizing that the screaming he was hearing was not only inside his own head.
His screams filled the room scaring the assistants who had never before witnessed such a sight. He was surely out of his mind and his screams were horrifying, the stuff of nightmares.
Just then the attendant rushed into the room, without breaking his stride he quickly hurried over to the patient and quick as grease lightning jabbed him with a needle. It took maybe ten seconds at the most for the screams to die down but it seemed more like a lifetime. Soon after the screams died down his body stilled, only the harsh sound of his breathing a testament to what had just occurred and even that settled down and they had to focus on the rise and fall of his chest to be able to determine that he was still alive.
The attendant turned on them "You fools." he snarled, "anyone nearby could have heard his screams." if the dark prince had been nearby and had heard the screams, all their gooses would have been cooked.
The assistants cringed. While they were afraid of the patient they were terrified of the attendant, they had not served under him when he had been Beryl's interrogator but they knew the stories, had seen the results in some cases, which alone was enough to give one nightmares. "Sir, perhaps we should restrain him in some way, there's no way we can handle his outbursts any other way."
The attendant frowned at them, while he was disgusted with them at the moment they did have a legitimate point he rubbed his throat, and one he should have thought of himself. It had been too long; he was out of practice. He should have restrained the patient immediately. "Why didn't you fools do so already, do I have to do everything myself" he barked to their astonishment. "Don't just stand there gawking, get over here and help me with him.
They all but tripped over themselves in their rush to do his bidding. Now that the patient was subdued the only thing scary in this room was the attendant himself.
………………………
Too say that Nephlite was baffled would be an understatement, he couldn't believe how easy it had been to enter the Dark Princes palace. He was wise enough to expect a trap but his instincts were whispering something else. And what they told him troubled him more then if he were walking into a trap.
It seemed the dark prince feared nothing and no one and he was afraid that he might be right in his assumption. Being here in this palace, which had been created with the dark prince's own power he could feel how strong he truly was. How could they stand against such a power?
Focus Nephlite he admonished himself. You're here to find Malachite and bring him back with you, nothing else. don't worry about the dark prince unless you have too. He focused his thoughts clearing everything else from his mind, thinking only of Malachite. Malachite where are you?
He could sense something but he wasn't sure if it was Malachite, the energy seemed familiar, and it was close, real close.
Nephlite focus!
Nephlite's eyes snapped open, he looked around and found that he wasn't were he had started and his feet had started walking on there on there own leading him to where, he had no idea. But that voice. Endymion? He shook his head he couldn't be sure but….? Deal with it later Nephlite you'll never get the answers to the those questions if you keep dawdling around in the open like this.
He closed his eyes and tried again, until he finally found him. He knew it was him for sure this time, he could feel it. He turned to head back the way he had come when he froze. There it was that feeling again. It wasn't malachite he anywhere near here, no this was someone else. The vibes he was getting from them were incredible, it was as if his psyche had been stripped bare and was leaking out all over the place. But it was more then that there was something else that was drawing him to this individual. Something about his energy that was familiar somehow, he curiosity was definitely roused. Who could it be?
He sucked in a startled breath as suddenly a damn burst inside him and pouring out was scrambled thoughts and raw emotions. Confusion, pain, hate, anger and despair. He broke the connection and found that he was trembling. Well that was a reckless thing to do, last time he connected with someone without taking the proper precautions had been with Beryl and he nearly died with her. You would think he would learn his lesson. Shaking his head at his own stupidity he turned started down the corridor only to stop at the sound of a man's gut wrenching screams. It wasn't any of his business, this wasn't why he was here, but each stepped he took away from those screams was like walking in quicksand.
He had no choice, he turned around and headed towards the source of those screams.