Prince Sky floated about as if in a dream, heedless of any others. He had not eaten for two days. His beautiful face was sallow and wan, and his silvery cerulean hair was dull and stringy. He had not been the same since he had discovered his twin sister dead. She had been lying next to him when he had finally fathomed the truth, cold, the life drawn out of her.
On the subsequent night, Prince Sky had had a very peculiar dream. He had dreamed about his parents whom he had not seen for at least a year. Star had been in his dream as well. The dream had felt so real, as if he were really there with them.
"Sky," she had said, "don't worry about us. You have an obligation to fulfill…I'll take care of Mother and Father, don't worry."
Sky had looked from Star to his parents. "But…now I'm alone…I'm alone."
Star's eyes had filled with tears as she gazed at her brother. "You're not alone, Sky. I'll always be here…and someday, Mother and Father will be able to return."
"What? You know where they are?" Prince Sky asked, his eyes dilating.
Star nodded. The tears spilled out of her resplendent eyes. "Yes, Sky, I know. Now I know much more than before, but I can't tell you much. I wish I could tell you everything so you could understand what's going on but you'll have to find out for yourself when the time comes. It's not going to be easy, Sky. It's not going to be easy at all. There will be times when you will feel like giving up, but those times are the times when you must gather up your pride and not allow yourself to give up. The fate of many depends upon your choices and actions."
Star had paused and smiled sweetly. "I want you to remember, my beautiful twin brother, that I will always be watching over you. You must never give up hope. It was the one virtuous entity that escaped from Pandora's Box."
Her image blurred slightly and faded bit by bit.
"Wait!" Sky cried, reaching out towards his sister. "Don't go yet! You can't leave me like this, Star! What do you mean about my choices determining the fates of many? Please, explain! I don't know what to do anymore…I'm lost, and alone! So lost…" Sky trailed off as Star's image disappeared completely.
He reached up to wipe the sweat off his brow and when he touched his face, he discovered that his cheeks were covered with tears. Had he obliviously been crying this whole time? He didn't know, but he knew that he didn't know what to do now.
Sky breathed heavily. After that he had begun his brooding about the palace, nobody daring to inquire about his condition. Yet now, he had been able to fathom nothing.
What had Star been talking about? Of course, as Regent of Torus his actions and decisions would affect the lives of many, but he had a feeling that was not the point that Star was trying to get to, because he had known that before. She was trying to tell him something else, something that only she could have known, for her intuitive powers were much stronger than his were.
Could she have known when she was still with him? How could he even know if she had known then? But if she hadn't told him what she knew in the dream…then she must have left some evidence somewhere. Somewhere, in a most obvious place so that he could find it.
Sky blatantly walked over to his desk, where there were many files strewn about. He shuffled through some papers, briefly scanning the components of each. Nothing he hadn't seen before. He heaved a sigh of exasperation and dropped the papers back down on the desk.
Find it…find it…
Sky jumped and turned around. There had just been a voice in his head speaking to him! And it wasn't Star's voice…it was soft and husky yet insistent. The voice filled him with an unanticipated sensation of longing.
Find it.
Find it? Find what? Sky's heart pounded dully.
Once you find it, everything will fit in.
Sky slowly nodded in understanding, comprehending what the voice was telling him. Whoever's voice that was wielded much power…power he didn't understand…but power enough to completely change his outlook and make his heart fill with a dull ache. He had to find something, something that would prove to be the key to unlocking Star's hidden message.
He went over to his secret drawer, which only he and Star knew about and opened it, sifting through his most precious belongings. Could Star have put the evidence in there? There seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary in it. Sky's jaw was set taut in determination. He shoved the drawer shut and sighed. Sky looked upwards. Please don't talk to me again, he implored the voice. You make me feel so…uncertain of who I am.
Look again where it most likely will be.
Sky's heart jumped again. He then furrowed his brow in thought. What could it be, and where would it be? He walked back to his desk and gathered up his files and looked slowly and carefully at every one of the covers. One of them was unlabeled. Sky put the rest of the files down and opened that one file. Inside were a whole bunch of unfamiliar documents, and one packet that had a royal seal of Torus on it.
This must be it, Sky thought. He brought the papers up to his face and inhaled deeply. Yes, there was definitely Star's scent lingering on the papers that she had sorted out for him to see.
Sky picked up the document with the magical royal seal on it, the one that ensured that only royalty could possibly open. He pressed his finger to it gently and it automatically faded away, the title of the document being revealed.
"For My Twin Brother"
The landscape remained constant and became repetitious after a long while of walking. Zeth periodically glanced back to make sure that all his comrades were keeping up, and once in a while someone would be lagging behind, the exhaustion getting to them.
"I'm so sick of walking around like this!" Cat griped, snapping her whip to the side. There was a squawk as a Being bird fell to the floor, dying. Cat whipped around and swiftly whipped another monster that was charging up behind her. It drew back and retaliated by throwing a fire spell towards Cat, but Adrian intercepted and absorbed the fire magic before it could hit her. "Thunder Strike!" Cat shouted, aiming her Thunder spell on the monster. A bolt of lightning violently struck it down and it landed on the ground with a thump. Cat turned back to Zeth.
"I'm so sick of fighting these monsters that look identical over and over again!"
Zeth shrugged. "At least you're the one winning all the battles, be appreciative about that at least."
Cat's mouth slowly formed into a pout. "Fine!" she whined. "But Zeth, I really want to hurry and find the last Jewel so we can get on to finding that Crystal of Tenebatos!" Stars appeared in her eyes. "Then, we'll go find the Royal Twins of Torus! Hmm, I hope the Royal Prince is-ahh! Ow, Zaria, that smarts!"
Zaria looked away nonchalantly while Cat glared at her, rubbing her foot. "What was that for?" Zaria didn't reply, and Breanna rolled her eyes in her usual manner. Adrian's skin turned a shade paler, and he looked like he was morphing into his vampire mode. Zeth laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down, 'Driana," he murmured mildly in a most soothing tone. Adrian's skin bronzed again.
Cat disregarded Adrian's reaction and walked on carelessly, putting away her whip. She turned around to the others and struck a martial arts pose, reminiscent to Breanna's fighting stance. "I'm so good now that I don't even need my whip nor any magic to help me kill the monsters," she declared arrogantly.
A monster came up behind her, its teeth bared, but Cat stuck her fist to the side and contiguously knocked the monster out. A self-satisfied grin formed on her lips. "See?"
She pursed her lips and put her hands on her hips. "I'm getting a lot better, I'm sure you can all see how I'm improving. You know, it's really amazing how-" Cat continued to babble on relentlessly, not letting any of the others get a syllable in.
"What in the world is wrong with you, Cat?" demanded Zack. "Ya can't come being a bigheaded pain in the neck now, okay? We have a mission to carry out and you're here being petty and egotistical for no reason in particular. It's your own blunder that you didn't respond to Adrian beforehand! That was your perfect opportunity, and you didn't take it, so there obviously is nothing more to say, is there?"
Cat was taciturn. Zaria walked over and put her hands on Cat's shoulders. "Zack, that was kind of severe," she murmured. "Don't worry, Cat. Right now we just need to focus on finding that final Jewel, and then we can focus on searching for the Crystal of Tenebatos."
"Right, Zaria Zog!" Kupo asserted. "Cat Cog, be cheerful! Need energy fight Jewel! No listen Zack Zog. Zack Zog MEANY!"
A small smile appeared on Cat's lips. She turned towards the others. "Sorry. I guess I was being kind of immature for no reason in particular," she said, eyeing Zack. "But now I'm ready. We're all ready to proceed, are we not?"
"Hell yeah, we are," Breanna interjected. "Can we get a move on? I'm starting to miss the comforts of one of those castle guest room beds."
Cat grinned. "Okay guys, let's go then!" She turned to Kupo. "Lead the way, Kupo!" Kupo fluttered its wings happily and flew forward, leading them to the next tower. Before it reached the door it stopped abruptly and turned around to face them all. "Fuuko Fog, this Jewel the worst! This Jewel very powerful, other Jewels all terrified of this one! You sure you want see Ruby Jewel?"
Fuuko looked at Zeth. He had a resigned smile on his face. "It's inevitable, might as well get it over with," he said, shrugging. "Let's go." He walked ahead and pushed the door. It didn't budge. He tried kicking it. It still wouldn't budge. Finally he heaved his entire body weight onto the door and simply bounced off. "Hey, what's wrong with this door?"
"Let me try." Zitan stepped forward and pulled the door open.
"Oh," Zeth said, abashed, raking his hand through his hair.
Zitan had a smug look on his face. "So much for being General Tide," Zitan muttered, barely loud enough for Zaria to overhear.
Zaria slowly turned her head in Zitan's direction, her eyes slightly narrowed. Zitan was looking ahead of them, and his eyes were that queer shade of light green again. Was something wrong with her brother? He had been behaving somewhat peculiarly lately.
"Zitan…" Zaria said quietly, "Is everything all right with you and Zeth?" Zitan's head snapped around towards Zaria, his eyes wide.
"Rynn," he whispered shakily, his lips trembling. His eyes widened even more. "W-what am I saying?" he exclaimed, backing away from Zaria, shaking his head violently. "S…s…stay away from me, Zaria!" he cried, wrapping his arms around himself and leaning downwards. "I don't know what's come over me…I…"
"Zitan! If something's wrong, you have to tell us!" Zaria cried, frightened. "You're my brother, and-"
"I'm not your brother, I'm your twin!" Zitan shouted, whirling away and running into the tower. Zaria was frozen in shock.
"Don't go in yet, Zitan!" Breanna shouted as he ran through the door.
"Come back, Zitan Zog!" Kupo cried, leaping from Fuuko's arms and flying in after Zitan.
Cat turned towards Zaria. "Zaria, Zaria, what do we do?" she cried in burgeoning panic.
"Yes, what do we do?" Zack echoed.
Zaria merely stood there, shaking her head vehemently. "TWINS!" she screamed. "NOOO! It can't be this way! NOOO!" she cried fervently.
"Look, I really don't know what's going on, but we have to follow Zitan," Adrian said, spreading his wings.
"I'm going too," Fuuko said quickly, starting off.
"What's wrong with Zaria?" Cat asked fearfully, her eyes tearing. "What's wrong, Zeth?"
Zeth's expression was stricken. "I don't know…I really don't know…"
"What are we going to do?" Zack exclaimed.
"Here's what," said Breanna, taking charge of the situation. "Someone stays here with Zaria until she comes to her senses, but the rest of us have to go and battle the Jewel. It's unavoidable." She turned to Zeth. "I really don't think you should be the one for this job, Zeth…they'll need you in during the battle, anyway. Let me stay."
Everybody ran into the tower except for Breanna and Zeth. He fixed his eyes on Breanna, his emotions mixed. "Bree…are you really sure?"
Her expression was unusually gentle. "Yes. Go."
Zeth took one last look at her and bounded towards the tower. Meanwhile, Zaria had crumpled down to the floor, still shaking her head. She had wrapped her arms around her body and was having difficulty breathing. Breanna bent over Zaria and helped her up.
"Zaria," she said softly, cupping Zaria's face in her hands. Zaria looked up at Breanna hesitantly with fearful eyes.
"I know too, Zaria," Breanna murmured. "Because I was there."
Zaria's eyes widened, and her mouth slowly formed an "o" shape. "You…couldn't have been," she whispered.
Breanna's eyes filled with obvious pain and clouded over. "I was. You saw me. You remember me now, don't you."
Rynn opened her eyes. The sky was a bright, illustrious teal. She sat up and stretched, yawning, but then blanched as a discomfort shot through her chest. She looked down at her bandaged wound that had been given to her in her last battle with General Tide. She lifted her hand and placed her fingers on the wound, closing her eyes.
Did he really mean it when he said he wanted to see me again? What if…what if he's actually trying to trick me into something?
Rynn didn't want to think about Tide, but she couldn't get his face out of her mind. Why did he have to torment her so? She…she…wasn't supposed to be doing anything except what she had been sent down to do. She had been sent down to lead the Humans in war and that was that, plain and simple. She wasn't supposed to develop affinities with anyone, particularly a Being.
Why? Why? Why! Rynn groaned and managed to pull herself up, still clutching her wound with one hand.
First you injure me, then you try to act like you are good by healing me, she thought angrily. That's no way to treat the Moon Maiden Artemis!
She took a deep breath and walked out of the confines of Human territory. She would go see General Tide and settle the score once and for all.
"I-I remember the day that I first saw you," Zaria whispered. "But I don't recall anything else about you."
Breanna's expression turned grim. "Think harder," she muttered. "I thought back, and I remembered, so you will too. You can remember, Rynn Locke. Don't you remember Tide?"
Rynn could see him standing among his Being comrades, with all his familiar mannerisms. She remained in hiding, watching him carefully. The way he smiled, how his silky hair would fall in front of his brows, his gentle, complacent eyes, everything about him…why was it making her waver so? Rynn retreated into the shadows, her fingers going back to the wound his sword had left, but his hands had cured. Why was she feeling this way?
She felt a hand on her shoulder, and almost screamed, but managed to stifle it in time. She whirled around and her gaze stopped when she saw a beautiful young Being warrior maiden with acrimonious, flashing eyes. Her eyes widened as she stepped back. Rynn was terrified, for she had transgressed one of the rules she herself had set up: NEVER BE CAUGHT IN AN ENEMY STRONGHOLD. The Being warrior maiden stepped up to her as Rynn stood frozen in her tracks.
"Ter pen krai, lae ma tum arai tee nee!" the maiden demanded.
"What?" Rynn asked, flustered. Then she remembered. She spoke the universal language of humanoid creatures, as did many prominent Beings, but obviously this young warrior maiden's natural tongue was the language of the Beings.
"Bok ma si! Tum arai tee nee!" the maiden repeated.
Rynn shook her head. "Chan mai khao jai," she said, one of the few phrases she knew in Being language. I don't understand.
The maiden continued to glare at her. "Teed!" she shouted, grasping Rynn's arm and pulling her away into another secluded area, still in the Being stronghold. "Ma nee noi si!"
"Oh, what are you saying?" Rynn cried, allowing herself to be pulled. She couldn't cry for help, she couldn't do anything! Moments later she saw Tide approach them. He looked anxious. Rynn quickly moved behind the maiden.
"Arai ah," he remonstrated, speaking to the Being warrior maiden. Then he spied Rynn behind the maiden. "Rynn…" his lips mouthed her name.
"Ter ru jak khao ror?" the maiden demanded.
"Yes, it's me," Rynn said quietly. "Tide, Tide, whatever is she saying? I came like you said…but she found me first," Rynn burst.
"Rynn," Tide said again, before he motioned for the maiden to let go of Rynn. The maiden pouted and released her unyielding grip.
"Chan-" the maiden began.
"Enough, speak the universal language," Tide instructed her. The maiden pouted again.
"Fine, but Teed, who is this wench and what in the world is she doing here? Her appearance suggests a different level of life."
Rynn flinched at how the maiden had said "different level of life".
Tide simply glared at the maiden. "Oh for goodness sake, enough!" he exclaimed. "Stop getting so suspicious all the time, Meryuu. Just because we're supposed to wed doesn't mean you possess me."
Rynn's head reeled. What? Tide was engaged to this vexatious vixen? And yet he still…
Rynn was undeniably enraged now. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and the moon on her forehead began to gleam. "General Tidal Alexandros Endrocius of the Beings," she muttered in an ominous tone.
"Wait, calm down!" Tide exclaimed, rushing towards Rynn and clasping her to him. "Please, be quiet or we'll all be discovered," he whispered in her ear.
"Teed, what in Hades dost thou thinks thy is doing? Methinks you should halt further action," Meryuu demanded.
Tide released Rynn and turned back to Meryuu. "Sheesh, Meryuu! Our parents aren't here! We don't need to put on any asinine act when we're not at home! Just leave me be! And please, when you speak in humanoid, call me Tide, not Teed!"
"Fine, if thou wish it that way," Meryuu said sulkily. She threw a foul glance in Rynn's direction and sauntered away.
Tide turned back to Rynn, his eyes full of warmth and kindness. "You did come after all," he said lightly. She looked up at him angrily.
"I shouldn't even be thinking of you, much less be here," she said unfeelingly.
"Oh, Meryuu is just the daughter of another Being general who is of a distinguished bloodline, and we were supposed to marry," Tide said, shaking his head. "But I will wed who I please, and it will not be Meryuu. She only thinks that because…because she craves the power that she will obtain if married to me."
"Oh, is that so?" Rynn asked disdainfully. "Really Tide, you don't know who you're up against in this. I am the Moon Maiden Artemis, and I-"
"Stop throwing that excuse in my face over and over," Tide interrupted, shushing Rynn by placing the tip of his finger on her lips. "I am the General Tidal Alexandros Endrocius of Being Sector Six," he teased. He shook his head again. "Rynn, Rynn, Rynn. All I could think of since I last saw you was your angry yet beautiful face glaring at me in the battlefield right before I double-slashed you. If I could take it all back, I would never have harmed you."
He reached out and placed his fingertips on the diminutive cut he had left on her left cheek. Rynn snapped her head to the side, away from his touch.
"Don't touch me like that," she muttered, a tear sliding down her cheek. She hurriedly wiped it away. "It still hurts, you know!"
Tide laughed airily. "Rynn, I know that if you had not wanted to have anything to do with me then you wouldn't have stayed this long."
Rynn remained silent, but she thought she could see a dark figure in the shadows behind Tide as he fidgeted, removing something from his neck. She closed her eyes and let the breeze blow her hair back from her face.
"What makes you think you have any right to even look at me? I…I am the Moon Maiden Artemis, and you are…just a Being." Rynn finished feebly. Tide didn't say anything, but simply pressed a heavy chain into Rynn's fingers. Rynn looked dubiously up at Tide, who had the gentlest smile on his face.
"What are you trying to pull?" she muttered, gazing down at the chain. Tide laughed. He took the chain from her hands and put it on her neck. At her throat hung a small charm in the shape of wings. Wings of light.
"I'm not a Being. You shouldn't put some Being insignia around my neck. I'm the enemy," Rynn murmured, her resolve weakening.
"Even if you were Hell itself, I'd still want to hold you, Moon Maiden Artemis," Tide said softly, his expression turning woeful. He turned those radiant eyes of his towards her again.
"I don't want to hurt you, Rynn, and I don't want to have to fight you anymore, either. Why is it that every time I see you I can think of nothing but wanting to keep thou here with me?"
Rynn's expression was grave. "Tide…I really don't think-"
"Hast thou ever heard of something called love at first sight?" Tide asked her, his eyes still transfixed on her. Rynn looked away.
"No."
"Then let me tell you what it is. It's when you already have a nice life, everything set out properly for your future, and then all of a sudden when you think that finally you have everything you could ever want, you realize that you truly have nothing even though you seemingly have everything, which is all the result of seeing one person." His eyes looked pained. "Rynn, I had everything to lose, and everything I had became nothing to me the moment I saw you in that battlefield, waving thine cumbrous sword. At first I was afraid. How is it possible that anyone could ever make me feel this way, especially one that is a Human? I felt like if I could nullify you then that longing would go away, but as soon as I got nearer and nearer…I wanted to do nothing but toss aside all that I am and to keep you sheltered from harm. That feeling frightened me acutely…so I did what I meant never to do…I slashed out at thee, giving thee an appalling wound. I know that it's hard to believe, but that wound signifies just how strong my love for thee is."
Rynn kept her face away from Tide's view as her eyes welled up. He really did have affection for her! She understood completely, for it had been the same for her…so that was what it had been. She had been fortunate enough to fall in love at first sight…or was she? Being in love with the…enemy? Because that was what Tide was. He was the dastardly adversary. This was one union that couldn't be.
"Tide…I can't love you. You can't love me. We can't let this happen!" Rynn cried, pushing him away from her. She pointed behind him. "And there is someone who can tell you precisely why, Tide!" She turned and ran away as fast as possible, ran back towards the Human camp.
"Rynn!" Tide called, but to no avail. She was gone. He closed his eyes, trying to hold in his pain. When he reopened them, he found himself staring into the dusky eyes of Meryuu.
"I see," she remarked. "O Tide, hast thou no scruples? Thou belongst to me, and only me! When did this maiden Rynn come into thy life? O woe, woe! The mighty Tide hath diminished thyself to the level of thy precious Humans," she spat.
"Meryuu, stop talking like that," Tide muttered wearily. "It's none of your concern."
"'Tis indeed nothing except my concern!" Meryuu flared. "Thou art my impending consort and caretaker, I shall allow thou no longer to think of thy Artemis!"
"You can do nothing!" Tide shouted, angry now. "Is all you think of ways to destroy others' lives, Meryuu? If so, then I guess I misconstrued you earlier! I considered you a comrade, someone to be trusted, but I guess besides being a pushy semantic you are also not one to be allegiant! If that is the case, then do what you will, but I will no longer be a part of your life, Meryuu. The name Meryuu shall be erased from my memory, never to be spoken of again!"
And with that, Tide ran off in the direction of the Human camp, leaving Meryuu standing there with tears sliding down her cheeks. How could he have done that to her? Wasn't she his bride-to-be? And when exactly had this Rynn girl come into the picture? Her depression slowly became replaced with anger, a need for vengeance.
"So be it, Teed. Thou hath wronged me to turn to one such as Rynn Locke when thou art mine. Thine eyes shall not be able to gaze at Artemis much longer, as thine lips will never have a chance to graze hers. Thou hath wronged me greatly, and thou shall pay for it. If thou cannot be mine, thou cannot be the Moon Maiden Artemis's either! The lives of Rynn Locke and Tide Endrocius are finished."
Meryuu flipped her hair and stalked away, feeling contented. She would find a way to end Rynn Locke and Tide Endrocius from ever consummating their love. No one could scorn Meryuu, daughter of a Being General, and ever get away with it.
Zaria opened her eyes and groaned. "Breanna…you're not telling me this…no…"
"Yes I am, Rynn," Breanna said darkly. "It is I, Meryuu."
Zaria shook her head slowly. "No…this can't be happening…no. You can't be Meryuu, because Meryuu is a Being!"
"Oh Zaria, we both know that Tide was reborn as a Human…and so was I. I guess the Beings don't consider me very important, because they don't even know about me…" Breanna shrugged.
"But we're not enemies anymore, are we?" cried Zaria. "You never truly wronged us…we hold no resentment! Although your anger might have been strong, your sense of morality was stronger!"
Breanna bowed her head. "Was it?" she asked quietly.
"What?" Zaria replied in disbelief. "You were the one who…"
Tide raked his hair with his fingers, distraught. "Look Rynn, if we can think of any way to stop what has already begun, then maybe we will be able to live as enemies, but-"
"Don't talk anymore, Tide," Rynn whispered, placing her palms on his heart. "With every word you speak, my love for you grows more and more. It is already too late to stop what has already begun…the most we can do is to stop it from progressing any further."
"Rynn…" Tide murmured, tears stinging his eyes. Now when their love had truly blossomed, he knew that it was wrong to love her, as she knew it was wrong to love him.
Rynn released her devoted grip on him and pushed him away delicately. "Go before it really is too late, for I fear the consequences will be dire if I let this devotion I feel expand any further in the breaches of my heart."
"Rynn," Tide repeated, turning around to face her.
She quickly cast her gaze downward. "I beseech thee, look into my eyes not, for I need not for your darts to inflict any further wound on me." She slowly looked up at him, her eyes full of anguish. "They already have, though we both know that it is forbidden."
Tide reached out for her but she moved away. "I can not allow myself to be vulnerable to your touch, lest all our honorable pledges be retracted," she said gently. Why, oh why did he have to be enamored of her so? And even more important, why did she return that devotion?
"Let me hold you one last time, Rynn," Tide said unexpectedly, reaching for her again. Rynn instantly pulled away. She shook her head and opened her mouth as if to say something, but decided not to and dashed away, leaving Tide standing alone again.
Meryuu, whom had been watching all the while, scanned her thoughts. Should she? Could she? Did she really want that much for Tide not to be with Rynn? Meryuu felt her heart twist in her chest. But what if Tide really did love Rynn with all his heart? If you loved somebody…didn't you want what was best for him or her, and not yourself? Could she really go through with her original plan, leaving Tide miserable? Meryuu felt her resolve wearing down. She couldn't do it. Meryuu ran into the darkness, hot tears burning their way down her cheeks.
Rynn once more approached the meadow where she had met Tide so many times. This time though, she had not come for that reason. This would be the last time that she would ever come here. Rynn held a small slip of paper clutched in her hand. She laid her free hand on the wound that Tide had left on her chest. The wound still had not completely healed. Would it ever heal, especially after she would leave Tide behind? But…it was for the better, for both of them. No longer would she be tied down by her love for General Tide of the Beings. No longer would she tie down anyone.
"Oh Tide, there's so much I want to say, and no way to say it. When will we ever be able to meet again…? I'm afraid never, my beloved," she spoke quietly. She gazed upwards towards the sky. She had promised herself that she wouldn't cry.
"If I should leave this lonely world behind…my voice will still remember our melody," she whispered. "The time has come for my suffering to end. I know the pain that you will feel, for I feel it too. I feel your pain reaching me already, but that is precisely the reason I must go."
She placed the slip of paper on the ground and gently laid her precious moonstone on top of it. Rynn gathered her wits and braced herself for what was to come. She held up her sword in front of her.
"Forgive me," she muttered, thrusting the sword towards her body. Everything went black.
Am I alive? Am I…alone?
Tide closed his eyes as he held Rynn tightly. He slowly got up from the ground, and rolled Rynn over so she was lying on her back. Oh, Rynn, how could you even consider taking your own life? Tears unconsciously ran down his cheeks. Don't you care about how I will feel if I ever have to behold you not alive and breathing? Or do you not love me as much as I love you? Tide gazed at the Moon Maiden Artemis. He had been forced to knock her out in the process, but at least he had stopped her in time. His tears of sadness turned into tears of frustration. Why, why couldn't they have met under different circumstances? Why did fate have to taunt them so cruelly?
"I will protect you from everything, even yourself," Tide murmured to Rynn's slumbering face. "Rynn, Rynn, you are my everything. I knew the moment I saw your eyes flashing angrily as we clanged swords that you were the one that I was born to protect and cherish. The day you are gone will be the day that I must cease to exist, for I live to love and protect you."
Rynn stirred slightly, and finally awoke, her eyes peering at him. "Awww," she groaned as she sat up, rubbing her head. She looked around. "I'm dead and in heaven already, right?" she said longingly as she looked away. She pulled her gaze back towards Tide. "You weren't supposed to stop me," she muttered, glaring at him. "You, out of all people, should know that this is the only honorable way out. As a commander, honor is what matters most. You should understand that."
"Don't preach about honor to me, Rynn," Tide said harshly. "You know that I have promised to keep you safe from harm, and if I ever let you get hurt or hurt yourself then I will be breaking my vow. Even if I were to die after that, I would be devoid of honor." His voice softened. "Besides, you know how it feels, don't you? And if you don't, then I'll show thee."
He swiftly unsheathed his dagger and held it up to his own throat. "I dare you to stop me," he said challengingly.
"I shall not stop thee, for I have made no such pledge to you," Rynn replied haughtily, looking away.
"Then so be it," answered Tide, pressing the blade harder to his flesh as he closed his eyes. "Oof!"
His dagger had been knocked out of his hand and he had been knocked over as well. He was lying on the grass and Rynn was right above him, her long strands of hair hanging down and brushing his face. Her face was obscure in the shadows.
"Don't," she muttered, as Tide felt a droplet of moisture fall onto his cheek. "Tide…I beg of thee, noble general. Don't make me care for you any more than I do now."
She moved away and raked her fingertips through her messy hair. "There is no way that we may be united peacefully. We must forget about everything as soon as the war is over and one side wins."
"Then I pray that the war will never end!" Tide cried, sitting up.
"Don't be selfish," Rynn murmured as she picked up her slip of paper and her moonstone. She placed the moonstone on her forehead and it sunk in, completely disappearing underneath her skin.
"This moonstone is my essence," she explained to Tide. "As long as I have it, I will be under the good graces of Princess Louvia of the Moon." She tried to hide the slip of paper beneath her back, but Tide reached forth and snatched it away.
"Ah, so thou doth love me after all!" Tide exclaimed, scanning the letter. He looked back towards her. "You had me worried." Rynn shrugged as she contemplated, unable to run away from what she knew was inevitable.
Finally she threw aside all her apprehensions and concerns and flung herself into Tide's arms, burying her head into his shoulder. "My heart is on a precipice, ready to plunge at any moment. If you refuse me, I shall surely die," she rasped. "My heart has been devoid of love my entire human life. I never had a true family or anyone who truly cared for me and needed me to care for them. I beseech thee, just hold me this once, and after you do, leave me here to die. I do not want to be your undoing, General Tidal Alexandros Endrocius. Let me be anything but your undoing…"
"Before anything else, allow me to make you Rynn Endrocius…for I know I shall love Rynn Endrocius as much as I love Rynn Locke, if not more."
"I shall give thee anything but my Locke-hood," Rynn responded. "I must honor my vow to my princess."
"If only…" Tide murmured. "If only."
Rynn closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Tide, I have something important to tell you. It's about my name."
"Thy name is as precious as thine eyes that make me shiver so, Rynn," Tide replied poetically.
Rynn shook her head vigorously. "Rynn is not my true name, Tide. My real name is not Rynn."
Tide's dreamy smile was wiped off his face. "What?"
Oh, should I tell him this? This is bound to be the seed of my undoing…yet, I must tell this one person.
"My…real…name…must not be revealed to anyone!" Rynn cried forcefully. "Promise me you will not tell anyone, Tide, for if you do, if you do, I will cease to exist. That is the only way I can be destroyed, Tide."
His eyes remained wide open, staring at her in abject consternation.
"…My true name is…Ryonn Rinsae Locke," Rynn revealed. "It is that name that can be used to summon my inner moonstone, which would in turn signal my end."
"Ryonn Rinsae," Tide whispered, feeling the omnipotence of the name as his lips formed the syllables. Tears streamed down his cheeks. "Ryonn Rinsae."
His gaze became earnest and he had the fire of determination in his eyes as he spoke to her. "No matter what, you shall always be Rynn to me. Rynn, Rynn, and only Rynn. Ryonn Rinsae might be important, but Ryonn Rinsae is nothing compared to Rynn."
"Just as thy title of General Tidal Alexandros Endrocius means not half as much as thy name of Tide," whispered Rynn, falling apart.
Meryuu had not moved a muscle this entire time. She had been listening adamantly for the key information that would bring down Rynn Locke, the Moon Maiden Artemis. Ryonn Rinsae Locke, huh
After many nights of thinking Meryuu's grief at her loss of Tide had developed into bitterness as she realized that he had never actually truly cared for her. As you wish, Meryuu thought. Maybe if they both were made to pay for their capricious actions, they would both realize how they had wronged her so. In that way, she wouldn't be hurting one of them more than the other, and they would still be equal.
"And…and…my twisted way of thinking told me that I was right in thinking what I did," Breanna murmured. "I…I…" she stuttered, faltering.
Zaria was silent. This was too much to take…this was too many memories to be remembered, too many revelations to be realized. Breanna was…Meryuu? And it was because of her that…they had died?
"What did you do?" Zaria whispered. Breanna looked away again.
Meryuu stood in front of Miefe's private camp, taking a deep breath. "You know you have to do this," she muttered to herself. Yes. She had to. She knew that if she didn't she would be bitter for the rest of her life…bitter that she hadn't been able to do anything to preserve her own dignity.
She nerved herself and flittered into the camp, her eyes darting around furtively. She tried to stay unnoticed, but almost immediately she was spotted by one of the guards. He flew over to her in a huff.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded. "Only authorized persons may enter Miefe's camp!"
"Ah…I…uh…" Meryuu stuttered, but then the guard's face softened as he recognized her. "Meryuu!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. He did look more than slightly familiar.
"Dolph," Meryuu murmured softly. She turned away. "Leave me be, Dolph," she whispered dejectedly, hurting as she braced herself. "I'm not for the likes of thee. I have been promised to the one and only General Tide Alexandros Endrocius of Being Sector Six. You are but a guard," she finished coldly, turning away.
Dolph's pupils shrank. "So that's all thou hath ever seen me as, Meryuu? Simply a guard?"
"Simply a guard," Meryuu replied firmly, flouncing away. She paused for a moment before turning away again. "Stop me if thou will," she challenged him. "Let's see how hard thou heart hath become, Dolph."
Dolph lowered his hurtful gaze. Meryuu, Tide and Dolph had once been great friends…until the war started, when they had been separated. He turned away from his beloved childhood friend.
"So be it, Meryuu," he said heavily, trudging back to his post. "Divine Ones forgive me, but I can not harm one I love, even if it means hurting someone else. For I see the look in her eyes. She wants revenge."
If Dolph had not loved Meryuu so, Rynn and Tide might have not been killed. He made no move whatsoever to forestall Meryuu from wreaking the greatest havoc of all, and he knew that. "Love makes us blind," he whispered, his own eyes being blinded by the liquid droplets of his own pain. How much he felt that pain encompassing his entire being.
Meryuu no longer had any obstacle to hinder her from seeing Miefe, except for her own dank conscience, which was still quite an obstacle. Meryuu hesitated for a brief moment, and was almost seen by one of the few guards of Miefe's camp. Although Miefe's camp did not have many guards, all of them who were there were elite guards whom had been specially selected and whom had gone through special training. What she had said to Dolph was true, that he was but a guard, but that comment could be taken in many ways. For a Being, being one of Miefe's guards was one of the most honorable professions there was, especially during wartime. There was not a job that a young male being coveted more, except of course, being a general such as Tide.
Meryuu deeply regretted saying such brutal words to Dolph, but there was nothing she could do to take those words back now. Nothing she could do. Except do what she originally came here to do. See Miefe…and get rid of Artemis for once and for all. Yet she still felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.
You're not betraying anyone, Meryuu chided herself. In fact, she was performing her very duty! She was a Being warrior, and the main enemy of the Beings was Artemis! The only reason Tide had gotten so close to her was because then he would be able to make a short work of her easily in a second, with not much trouble. Yes, she was doing the right thing.
Or was she? In her heart, she knew Tide would do no such thing. He was an honorable warrior, none of that conniving underhanded business involved.
Meryuu continued on her way to Miefe's quarters with a heavy heart, although she moved deftly as a feather. The sickeningly sweet scent of wisterias crept up into her nostrils, making her feel increasingly unsure about her decision, about herself. Meryuu knew the scent well. It was from Miefe's consort, Wisteria. Her original name was Lantha, a very simple Being name wit the meaning of "a million eyes", but as soon as Lantha had reached this planet and smelled wisteria, she demanded everyone to call her Wisteria and to provide her with as much wisteria as she pleased. Nobody dared refuse Lantha anything, for she was the leading consort of Miefe, and an exquisitely beautiful one at that, so Wisteria she became. Wisteria could control an entire army of Being soldiers simply by giving them one of her special smothering looks and uttering a few simple syllables. In a way, she was almost as powerful as Miefe with her regal beauty, and held that same power over Miefe, but it still didn't prevent him from having other consorts who were lowly of background, so Wisteria quickly was dubbed the leading consort.
Very many also feared as well as adored Wisteria, with her sharp and agile movements, her startling flicks of the wrist, and her overpowering voice and demeanor. Her moods changed instantaneously, so she was always given the best in fear of one of her deathly tantrums that could frighten anyone.
Her long luxuriant purple hair reached the middle of her back, the curlicues somewhat flat and untamed, yet they framed her ivory face and diminutive features perfectly. Her eyes were a startling cornflower blue, and when she directed her gaze at you it felt like you were being torn apart by lasers, but it was exquisite agony. She was not tall and statuesque, but demanded all authority by her imperious presence.
Meryuu had seen Wisteria in person but a few times, and certainly didn't know her personally, but knew enough of her to fear her. Now she would have to face Miefe with Wisteria nearby, and she knew that she was definitely in for a terrifying experience.
Meryuu continued along her hidden pathway, as the scent of wisteria grew stronger and stronger, her fear intensifying by the minute. She could conceive Miefe's expression when he found out that Meryuu had sneaked into camp. He knew her quite well, but he always made it clear that he required none of his rules to be broken.
She approached the main chamber, the chamber that Miefe was in. There were guards on the outside; guards that Meryuu recognized from back home, but she didn't dare approach them.
She very quietly flew upwards to the top of the door, where there was a grandly designed air hole, and she painstakingly squeezed her body through it into the chamber. As soon as she was inside, she nearly dropped to the floor, but managed to stay aloft. There were no guards in Miefe's private quarters, but the scent of wisteria was so strong that she could barely breathe. She slowly descended and approached a set of doors. Her wings flickered as she struggled to pull it open.
"What do you think you're doing?" a sharp voice boomed from behind, a voice that Meryuu recognized all too well. She turned around slowly to see one of the most ravishing Being females she had ever seen in her life glaring icily at her. She stepped back fearfully.
Wisteria marched up to her, her wings flickering with anger. They turned a quite becoming shade of plum as they did so.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" she demanded, her delicate features distorted with anger. "How did you get past Dolph without me being notified?"
Meryuu opened her mouth without a sound coming out, her voice being choked up.
"Speak up this instant or I'll call the guards on you!" Wisteria shrieked.
"I'm here to speak of a matter of great importance with Miefe," Meryuu managed, her voice small.
Wisteria laughed harshly. "You? Who are you, anyway? And what makes you think that what you have to say would mean anything to anyone of importance?" she sneered. "I suggest you remove yourself from the premises before I decide that you're not important enough to live," Wisteria finished, her eyes narrowing.
"But I have news of the Moon Maiden Artemis!" Meryuu shot back testily.
"And what of it?" Wisteria said, unperturbed. "There's plenty of things to know about the Moon Maiden Artemis, but that doesn't mean anyone needs to know. All we need to do is exterminate her, and then we have this planet." She scowled. "I don't even know why I'm wasting my precious time speaking to one of such lowly importance as yourself."
"I'm not just anybody!" Meryuu protested, her eyes filling up with tears. She was feeling increasingly nauseated by the wisteria scent. "I'm Meryuu the-"
"I don't care!" Wisteria screeched. "I'm through with you, so just leave!"
"What is this?" a deep voice boomed. "Wisteria, calm yourself and watch your language. Who is this you're speaking to?"
Meryuu turned abruptly and found herself gazing at the most feared Being of all Beings, Miefe.
"Meryuu!" Miefe exclaimed, recognizing her immediately. Wisteria was speechless as Miefe gave her a complaisant look.
"Miefe 'tis thee, finally!" Meryuu cried, greatly relieved.
"Well, the vapid creature wouldn't say who she was," Wisteria muttered, turning away.
"STAY!" Miefe demanded in such an austere voice that even Meryuu cringed. Wisteria pouted but did as he demanded. Miefe turned back to
Meryuu. "You have news of the Moon Maiden Artemis?" he asked, getting right to the point.
Meryuu nodded. "Yes, very important news, my lord," she replied unwaveringly, placing her guilt in the back of her mind. "I have unlocked the key to the downfall of Rynn Locke."
"And what might that key be?" Miefe asked in a manner redolent to Wisteria's. Wisteria stood by, smirking.
Meryuu cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "It's through General Tidal Alexandros Endrocius, Sector Six," she answered weakly, her voice cracking. There. She had done it. She had betrayed Tide to the Beings…but only because she wanted to help him.
Miefe's eyes flashed with anger and his entire face was contorted.
Him and Wisteria make a good couple, Meryuu thought to herself.
"Tide," he spat. "I knew it." He laughed in a way that made Meryuu's blood run cold. "I knew someday his heyday would finally arrive. This is what I've been waiting for," he continued, his eyes narrowing into slits.
"Come now, Meryuu, you must tell me the rest."
Meryuu gulped down the anxiety that was rising in her throat.
"General Tide…hath…been associating with Rynn Locke," she croaked. "I hath been observing their secret rendezvous for awhile, but not long ago today I came upon a piece of information that might grant us our long awaited victory," she continued, her voice growing stronger. "The secret name of Rynn Locke hath been revealed."
Wisteria's eyes grew rounder and rounder as Meryuu spoke. "Rynn Locke has been associating intimately with Tide?" she finally cried, furious. "Why should an inept creature like her be able to capture the heart of such a general?"
Looking away, Meryuu tried to ignore Wisteria's candid comment.
"Silence, Wisteria," Miefe muttered. "Continue, Meryuu."
"Her name is Ryonn Rinsae Locke, my lord."
Miefe smiled. "Ryonn Rinsae," he pronounced, and then nodded. "Yes, I can feel the life force in that name." He laughed again. "Now we shall indeed be able to take down Artemis, along with General Tide," he declared. "My final wish has been granted."
"No, my lord!" Meryuu cried. "Tide must not be taken down with her! Only Rynn! Tidal must be spared, I beseech thee!"
"Yes, spare Tide," Wisteria echoed, her expression looking earnest for once. Wisteria's support only seemed to irk Miefe more.
"All right, as long as you go talk to him and get him to cooperate, Meryuu." Miefe said grudgingly, turning away. "Come back in two days, Meryuu. Two days. By then we must be ready to take proper action. I bid you leave."
"I bestow my deepest gratitude to thee, kind sir," Meryuu said, bowing deeply. She turned to Wisteria to do the same, but was stopped.
"Not so fast," Wisteria said with a smirk on her face. "I won't be departing your company just yet. Did you think I would let you have him all to yourself? I'm going to go see Tide too," she explained. She turned to Miefe. "See you in two days, darling!" she cried gaily in Miefe's direction. Miefe merely shook his head, not even turning back. Meryuu was crestfallen. She had wanted to go speak to Tide herself, hopefully to convince him that coming back to the Beings' side was the right thing to do, but now Wisteria was coming along. She would ruin everything. But there was nothing Meryuu could do.
She shook her head. "Allow me to lead the way, Lady Wisteria," she said quietly.
Zaria pursed her lips. "Oh yes, now I do remember Wisteria," she murmured. "She did seem to dislike me greatly."
Breanna laughed callously. "Zaria, it was way beyond dislike. It was purely spiteful jealousy, because that's basically all that was underneath all of Wisteria's pretty face. A mean-spirited soul full of jealousy and hate. Just like Miefe."
Zaria's expression saddened. "If only…" she said softly.
"There are so many things that could have been prevented if only I hadn't meddled," Breanna finished for her, smiling. Zaria looked up at her. "It's not all your fault, Bree."
"But a big chunk of it was because of my possessiveness," Breanna replied just as softly.
All of a sudden there was a loud boom from inside the tower. Breanna snapped her head in that direction. "We gotta go now," she muttered, standing up. She looked back down at Zaria. "The others."
Zaria seemed torn. "But…the rest of the story," she murmured. "There's still so much more for you to tell me."
"That can all be done later after this," Breanna said quietly. "Yes, there is still much to be told. But maybe everyone should hear this."
Zaria nodded. "Yes." She lifted her chin up. "Yes, they all should," she agreed, standing up. "Let's go."