Chapter 15: Execution of Lies, Return of the Soul

It was three weeks since Amy discovered what had happened to Koaru, and she didn't know what to do. According to the guard, he was to be publicly executed for several severe crimes in three weeks, and the execution day was now. Amy had gone to Queen Serenity, who was outraged at the actions done by King Mercury, but she had no power over him. Greg was to be released after the execution, but no one really cared. Amy hadn't said anything to her father, but she couldn't look him in the eye anymore, fearing that he would know. It was now the hour of execution, and a large crowd gathered around the guillotine, curious as to who was to die. Amy had tried to hire mercenaries to free Koaru, but they all refused, saying that is was too dangerous. Amy felt no hope, and locked herself in her room, not wanting to watch.

Koaru was dragged, and I mean dragged, to the guillotine, cause the torture he had endured had left him limp and unmoving, but alive. King Mercury looked at Koaru as the guards sat him before the device. "Boy," he started, "You are to be beheaded for the following crimes: The first is-" Koaru mumbled something, and the King paused. "What did you say?" Koaru raised his head, glaring at Mercury. "I said, my crime was loving and caring for your daughter, and having powers that threatened you own." King Mercury had had enough. "Off with his head!" The guards slammed Koaru's head down and locked him in place. The executioner readied the blade to drop, and King Mercury asked, "Any last words?" Koaru smiled, "Yeah," he said, and instantly the demon eye on his shoulder glowed, and the chain like marks spread again. Koaru then set fire to the head lock, and burst out of it's hold. Koaru looked at King Mercury and said "My last words are, 'I Promise!' " With that, he vanished.

Amy was overwhelmed with joy at the sound of Koaru's escape. It had been a month, and high spirits were in the air as Serena and her friends readied themselves for the Moon Princess' 14th birthday party. But on top of there being a large number of guests coming, the entire army was on full alert for King Soul.

Meanwhile, on the Black Moon, King Soul was trying to figure out how to have Serena marry him. He paced the throne room of his castle, thinking, then a voice was heard. "Soul, you really should think faster, you have less then four hours...hmph." King Soul looked into the shadows. "Be quiet sister. I have a plan, but, I need one of your curses."

Serena enjoyed her party to the fullest. She received many gifts, all which she loved, and, (what she was willing to bet was sent by Koaru) a target board. Serena reached to open her last gift, a small box with a purple bow, and noticed that it was missing a card. She figured it was also from Koaru, and opened it. Inside was a crystal necklace, which many people remarked was beautiful, and she quickly put it on. However, as soon as she closed the clasp on it, the crystal struck through her skin, and she screamed. Many people rushed get the necklace off, which had started to glow purple. After a final tug, Artemis managed to pull it off, and Serena dislodged the crystal and threw it. They all knew who sent it, King Soul.

The next day Queen Serenity took Serena to Venus to have Queen Venus examine the wound. Queen Venus put Serena into a trance and used her powers to examine the wound. "It is a curse." she said after a while, and Serenity gasped. Venus looked at her, worried. "It is a Lagurte Orodima curse, a heart altering curse. King Soul is trying to force Serena's heart to him, instead of Nicholas." Queen Serenity asked sadly, "Is there anything that can be done?" Venus looked at the curse again, and found nothing of a loop hole. "There is one hope, though..." she said, and Serenity looked up, "Not all curses can be broken, but they can be scratched."