Mercury
The wise Knight
Iida Tenya - Koios (titan of knowledge)
Mizuno Ami - Tethys (titaness of fresh waters)
Note: I lost track of how many times I rewrote this chapter, I had all the others complete weeks before this one! Anyway, I hope you'll like it.
Koios, knight of Mercury, was descendant of a noble family of mixed mercurian and uranian heritage.
He was proclaimed so at a young age for one goal: to keep company and help in her duties Princess Tethys of Mercury, later known as Sailor Mercury.
When Queen Serenity arrived in the Solar System, Koios' family had been loyal to the Royals for generations, ever since the first branch of the family left Uranus to move to Mercury.
After all, every historian knew most the Uranians left their Planet often, requested as they were for their advancement in technologies, especially mechanical, by the entire System, often paired with similar but, usually, more theoretical, studies of the Mercurians. The collaboration was fruitful for this very reason.
Other than for their technological prowess, Koios' family, in particular, was renown for offering excellent knights: loyal, faithful and righteous, as well as honourable and reliable. A set of skills that caught the attention of the mercurian Royals and drew them to their direct service.
In a few generations, the family acquired, through marriages, a good part of mercurian blood and enlarged with heirs who had all the outstanding traits and education of the two worlds and quickly became the backbone of Mariner Castle.
Koios was the youngest of the family, and he grew up perfecting his abilities, mental and physical, along with his liege.
A few lunar years older than she was, he was one of the few of her same generation who managed to keep up with her ever-growing mental prowess.
When she moved to the Moon upon invitation from Queen Serenity, so did he. It was customary that each Princess had her own right-hand and that's what he became for Tethys, with the blessing of her Royal parents, in agreement with his own family, and such was the reason why he was bestowed the title of knight so young.
It was a duty of great responsibility for someone who wasn't even a full decade old. Koios vowed his whole being to be up the task, intensifying his studies and training, all while Tethys became Sailor Mercury under the tutelage of Queen Serenity.
Despite their important duties, they still challenged each other in mind games, discussed theories and ideas and they were soon tasked to help Princess Serenity, who was a little younger and definitely not as bright as a mercurian, in her studies.
Koios, despite he loved and sometimes missed his family, couldn't be prouder to reside at the Moon Court and have those tasks. It helped that the Moon Court had regular schedules, order, elegance, discipline.
Until the Prince and Princess disrupted it with their ideas, that was.
Princess Serenity was vibrant and life around her could be full of surprises, while Elpis had hidden smarts to challenge any mercurian. The young Moon Prince was renown for his strong spirit too, not to mention his iron will to become a warrior like the legend told King Hyperion was.
It was admirable, if not for the fact Elpis had none of the power of the famed long-lost spouse of the Queen.
But Elpis had the brightest smile and no one had the heart to deny his wish, especially when the young Prince worked hard everyday to make his dream come true, as Koios would gladly remind to anyone who dared to doubt his friend.
The inner circle of the Court around Elpis and Serenity was made of several young people: other than the Inner Senshi, there were Hypnos and Antheros, who were the aid chosen for Sailor Venus; Meleager, who Koios already knew in passing since the boy's mother was mercurian too; the multiple sparring partners sent for Sailor Jupiter, plus her siblings and some cousins, more often than not sent back and forth from Jupiter so her training could be more flexible; the headstrong Cratos, who came from an ancient martian family; Asteria who was equally sweet and strong, and a few more.
There were the children who visited and the ones who resided at Moon Castle. Koios made a point in meeting them all, deeming it part of his task to help Tethys. As such, by the time they became young adults, it was a rare occurrence there was someone in the Court he didn't know at least the name of.
For instance, the young man - Koios esteemed about his own age - with black hair and dark armour who wandered in Princess Serenity's garden was a total stranger to him.
Koios had seen him from the rear of the library, while perusing an unused section where he happened to be in to search for some neglected tomes he was in need of for a study, and his eyes fell to the window overlooking the garden, two stories down.
The young man had black hair and was dressed in rich clothes, dark blue and black with golden and silver embroidery and a long cape, signs of distinction for sure, but Koios was wary for he never saw such cut in clothing, not even worn by the rare emissaries of the Outer planets.
Forgetting his search, Koios rushed out to inquire the stranger of his whereabouts and so forth, only to be stopped by Mercury before accessing the garden.
«Currently, no one can enter this area» she informed him.
«My lady, I believe there is a breach of security of the most urgent kind...»
«I'm aware. We're dealing with it already» was the reply, but her eyes worriedly ran to the gate.
Koios was taken aback «Do we know the identity of that man then?»
«We do. At least, the Princess and my fellow Senshi do»
«Is the Princess in there?» he got alarmed «Shouldn't we go posthaste...?»
«Please, Koios. As my right-hand and as my friend, I need you to trust me» was her request.
He blinked a few times, uncertain of what was transpiring from the overall situation.
«As your Lieutenant General, I should uphold my duty to protect and obey you. As your friend, I repose my trust in your judgement» he stood, stiffly.
«As I do in Serenity's» she added, looking at the gate again, this time with a small sigh «That man is our Princess' personal guest. You have to tell no one of his presence here yet, it's a matter among Royals»
Once again, he was puzzled. Nevertheless, he didn't ask more questions, standing guard with Mercury, not without another glance back.
When Serenity came out of the garden, along with Venus, Koios couldn't help but wait for the stranger to reappear as well, but he didn't. He was gone, as if he was never there in the first place.
The answers came on their own, a lot of time later.
The expedition to Earth was an order of the Queen, approved by the Council. There was no reason to refuse to follow Prince Elpis in it, albeit Koios felt there was something wrong with his friend.
When confronted, a little before they left, the Prince stuttered «Ah, it's just... going on Earth and all...»
The other nodded to himself, believing to have understood «I can imagine you're excited at the prospect of visiting Earth for the first time as per your long-living wish, but I have to remind you to keep your composure for we are there to be guests and offer our help, not as common visitors»
«Y-yes, I know that, Koios, believe me, I do»
«Then what?»
Elpis sighed «Promise you won't get angry and won't tell a living soul»
Koios knew that phrase, Elpis used it to coerce him to cover for some mess he - or, more often, Serenity - made ever since they were little children.
He sighed: despite his moral compass, he always gave in to his friends' requests «What is it this time?»
«I already went to Earth. In secret. Serenity too»
Koios could feel a vein pulsing on his temple «What else?»
«Uhm, we met Prince Endymion. But it's alright, the girls know and came with us the last times and he's a great person...»
«Times. As in multiple visits?!»
Elpis' voice was very very small when he answered: «Erm... yes»
The knight took two deep breaths, eyes closed, pinching his nose.
«Fine. I am calm and collected and I have one more question» he got up, face to face and: «What in the Holy Stars were you thinking?!» he almost shouted the last part, making the other flinch.
«We didn't cause any harm! If anything, this situation allowed Endymion to ask our help before it was too late»
This gave him pause «Too late for what?»
Elpis' face turned sour «The monsters that roam on Earth right now could be the same kind that destroyed our previous home, when I was little» he looked down, clenched fists «If I can avoid that from happening again, I have to. That's why going to Earth now is so important. Not only for Earth people, but all of us too»
A wave of sadness invested Koios and he understood, this time for real. Elpis' good heart couldn't stand to see anyone suffer, let alone suffer from a pain he already withstood.
Alas, this deserved a reprimand, no matter the good intentions!
«It was a dangerous thing to do»
«I know»
«And us going on Earth now may not mean the Golden Kingdom will actually accept our help, or that we'll be able to offer the help they need»
«I know that too... but I have to try»
Blue eyes softened «Yes. You're right. That's why I'll stand by your side, my friend»
Elpis started to cry again, this time out of gratitude «Thank you, Koios. I'll be counting on you»
Koios surely didn't think helping with this ordeal would turn into such confusing, not to mention busy, times. After all, he had very seldom been on real battlefields, both because Silver Millennium was generally peaceful, and his own duty kept him in the vicinity of the Castles, which were never reached by fights.
At first, they had to meet with the Golden Kingdom's high spheres and exchange the information they had, then it was time to start an investigation on large scale to figure out what the monsters were, where they hid, who could be behind the attacks once established there was, indeed, a pattern and many more issues.
All of this in close collaboration with the Shitennou.
Now, the Shitennou were men trained to think a certain way, in alignment with their people and their Prince, which wouldn't be problematic had they shared their Master's openness to Silver Millennium as a whole.
The point was: they didn't quite think that way. There was an edge of hostility, the same kind the Golden Kingdom's Court had shown, aimed at those of them with the more "non-human" traits, what in Silver Millennium were called unicities or powers and were a common, almost expected, occurrence in every planet but Earth.
Was it envy or fear, it was hard to establish.
Elpis didn't seem to notice any friction between his friends and the Earth Generals, or perhaps he expected them to be diplomatic and behave... if only the four had been as obliging towards them and were not intent in giving the newcomers the cold shoulder or push their buttons to elicit their reactions!
The only upside was that they were more gracious than the rest of the Golden Kingdom's Court, meager consolation, truthfully.
Anyway, the news of the arrival of the Inner Senshi was welcomed by their Lieutenants. Koios, in particular, couldn't wait to sit with Tethys to discuss their discoveries and strategy over a chessboard, their preferred way to deal with complex situations.
But Mercury and her entourage were deemed most suited to work along General Zoicite, whose first act upon seeing her had been to fervently kiss her hand in front of everyone, causing a scandal and the beginning of lots of rumours on the nature of the tie between the Silver Millennium Court and Prince Endymion's inner circle.
voices which, turned out, weren't completely without foundation.
And gone were Koios' hopes of Mercury's arrival to be the harbinger of some peace, at least for him.
It took some time for Koios to be able to ask, in private, the question that had roamed in his mind for months. He had to wait for them to be alone, an occurrence General Zoicite seemed to never want to happen.
«My lady, the man Princess Serenity hosted, not long ago, was Prince Endymion, wasn't he?»
Tethys nodded over the maps she was putting in order of need «They met when Serenity came to Earth, a few years ago»
«So are the rumours true?»
«They do entertain a romantic relationship, if this is what you're asking» she confirmed.
He shook his head, struggling to keep his voice low despite his surging worry «Tethys, the risks were too high. There was no warranty of his or his people's loyalty towards the Moon Royals. Why did you allow it?»
She paused from the task at hand to give him her full attention «Their union could mean the end of hostilities between the Golden Kingdom and Silver Millennium, Earth could enter the Union in full rights. It was only logical to favour it»
Koios frowned «Provided the Prince has no ill intent for the future either»
Mercury tilted her head «You've met him, does he strike you as the kind of man who'd do that?»
«N-no, but...»
«Elpis trusts him too. Moreover, Venus is certain he loves Serenity. It has to be enough evidence» she concluded.
Sailor Venus was unable to esteem the love aimed towards her, but she assured she could perceive the bonds between other people. Some said it was a blessing, others a curse. Sailor Mercury used to affirm such a thing was hardly possible, but Venus was their leader and her instinct was often aimed in the right direction. Besides, a lot of things were hard to explain, that didn't make their existence impossible.
Still, love is an irrational force, chaotic, ineffable. It can't be checked, controlled, or measured.
It's strong and weak at the same time.
And more mysterious.
Especially to those who rely on their minds rather than on their hearts.
«What about the Generals?»
Mercury rose a brow «We do find them agreeable. But we all have the best interests of our charges at heart first and foremost» she added in conclusive tone, going back to her previous occupation, the sign she considered the conversation done.
He bowed «I see. I won't bother you any further with my concerns»
She paused again and put a cold hand on his «Please, don't. We always talked about any issue, I have no wish for this to change, Koios»
On a rational standpoint, he understood her words, and knew there was no lie in it. In his heart, though, he felt that was no longer the case. A shadow had interposed itself between them and they didn't understand each other the way they used to.
He stood quiet, obedient and loyal but ready to intervene. It was what he was best at, what a knight was supposed to be, no matter what his feelings were.
The situation escalated quickly, in a short time the monstrous armies from the north of Earth had started to descend, forcing masses of refugees down and bringing devastation. The troops from the joined armies did all they could, often with good results, despite the hostility of their own gentry for the "skypeople".
In such situations, quickness was a prized ability, for only the fastest ones could bring the information they gathered or the orders to give in time to save several hundreds of innocents.
Koios voluntarily shed his heavy armour of knight to become a messenger, along with the several spies of both Earth and Silver Millennium.
It was a relief to be able to use his ability in full, even with the weight on his heart for leaving his Lady alone in what could become enemy territory at any moment.
The spies were widespread enough to give him updates as frequent as possible, the small solace for what he believed was guilt at leaving his place and turned soon to be a presage he had been unable to acknowledge.
The greatest offence, the worst crime possible was that of a knight who breached his vows to his master and, by proxy, to all the subjects who should have been under his protection.
The kind the Shitennou had committed against Prince Endymion and people of Earth by siding with Beryl.
The Silver Millennium army had to retire, disgracefully and with heavy losses on both sides, from Earth after that horrible event.
The first thing Koios wanted to do was to run to Tethys.
True, first and foremost, he had his duty as Lieutenant of the Silver Millennium to uphold, but had he followed his instinct instead of reason, some of this pain, the somber aura that coated the Moon Castle in the wake of the retire, could have been lessened, if not avoided. So to her side, he fixed himself, standing sturdy and unmoveable while they reported to the Queen.
When they were finally dismissed, with the image of Queen Serenity's frown at the back of their minds, no one was able to speak for the longest time.
Koios knew Tethys needed time and space to reflect, but he also knew she wouldn't speak of her feelings without being prompted.
For the first times, she hid behind her duty, a common behaviour for both of them. She, he believed, had her confidants in her Senshi sisters, who were as upset as she was.
But days were turning too long, the Earth too darkened and the Moon too deep in despair for him not to feel it was his duty to try and ease her heart, and the only way he knew was to make her speak.
It took some probing and she gave a lot of reasons - the guilt and sorrow over the losses, the fear for the next phase of the war that she could anticipate would happen on their beloved Moon, and so forth... - which, albeit true, couldn't be the full reason behind the redness in her eyes and paleness in her cheeks.
And at some point, she let herself fall on a settee, a heaviness in her he never saw before.
«My Lady, I am here for you. Please, tell me what plagues you so I can offer my help» he prompted again.
No reply. He tried to think about what he knew, following the line of his presentiments and intel.
«Is it something Lord Zoicite did, is it?»
Marcury didn't meet his gaze «Something he said. When he turned on me he... He said such cruel things...» she restrained a sob, the dam finally has broken «Not lies, those I was prepared for, but truths I didn't want to admit. The truth on how I am»
Anger boiled in his veins, for how could that miserable Earthling dare to hurt his Lady! He was going to pay, with his very life, he swore on his honour as a knight: Zoicite would die before the war would be over.
«What could have he possibly said to you, my Lady?»
«That I am cold. Heartless, even. That I have only my mind and I'm not loved or could be loved for this reason» at last, she broke down in tears, a veritable stab to his heart.
Those tears soothed his temper, replacing his anger with the will to console her: «Do not think such words hold a shred of truth. Those very tears are proof of your kind heart, the one that Earthling without an ounce of honour wanted to strike. Your Senshi sisters love you, the Princess loves you, and so do your parents and subjects. You are much loved»
At the new shook of her head, he went down on his knee, decisive to do what he didn't have the courage or chance to do before.
«It is the truth, my lady...» he paused, deciding quickly. There were words long overdue sitting in his mind, and in no other moment she could benefit from them like the present.
He took her hands, gently, allowing her to withdraw if she felt so «Tethys, for as long as I can remember I've loved and admired you most fervently. Your brilliant mind and your gentle heart, for I know for certain you possess both, make you the most wonderful of creatures. Although I only recently realized the true extent and nature of such feelings, I held them for the longest time. You are loved by all who truly know you, and by me over them all»
Her large blue eyes widened, glimmering with new tears «You... I...»
«I have no expectations for an answer» he assured with a smile that he hoped was serene «The content of my heart is unchanging independently from reciprocation, my love and loyalty are yours, no matter what, as your knight and subject, and as your friend. My wishes are solely to reassure you there is much love aimed towards you, there has always been and always will be»
She sat quietly, trembling eyes still on their hands the only sign of her inner turmoil. Koios, instead, was calm, more than he thought he would be after such confession.
In truth, he had sorted out the feelings in his unruly heart long before and a confession was the last act to achieve peace of mind. From that moment on, he had no secrets with her and it gave him a calmness he didn't believe he could achieve.
«Even with such love, you stood quiet? Wasn't it painful?» she asked, softly, almost shy, a tiny bit of colour coming back to her cheeks.
«It was» he admitted «It still is, but my feelings are my own and I wouldn't deny them anyway»
Hesitantly, she brought his hand to her forehead in apology «I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you...»
«You didn't» he assured again «You had no obligation towards me»
«Sit by my side» she pleaded, and he obeyed, seeing something new was on her mind, «You said I had no obligation towards you, but this may change soon»
He straightened his back, listening to the rest.
«My family insists that we null the voices about my involvement with Zoicite. They want me to get engaged as soon as possible, to clear the air. I didn't want to tell you this way, most certainly not under those circumstances but...»
«I am among the candidates» he understood, and didn't it sting that fate wanted to give him her hand but for all the wrong reasons and in the worst of ways?
«The very first» she confirmed, then sighed «You shouldn't feel compelled to accept only out of duty. We expect the war not to last much longer, we have time until then, maybe afterwards too»
«If I accepted...» he threaded «Do you think you'd, one day, love me, or would that union make you unhappy?»
«I do not know. I cherish you as one of the most precious people in my life, but there is too much pain in my heart now to make any promise. Venus says time helps to heal and forget... even then I don't want to burden you with a perspective that may or may not come»
He nodded, content with the honest answer «I understand and respect it. We shall see what awaits for us in the future»
She smiled at him, but he could see she was lost in thought. From experience, he knew it was better to wait for her to speak up on her own accord.
«Did you know about Serenity's idea?»
The sudden shift in the topic was to be expected, after such a pause. He listened as she elaborated on that.
«She wants to propose the Queen to re-institute the titles of Housekitennou, to replace Endymion's guard with people of Silver Millennium. Knowing her Majesty, she'll agree»
It was, indeed a good course of action, given the current situation and Koios said that much.
«When it will be announced, you'll be most likely offered a place in it, Koios»
«Is it your wish for me as well?»
«Not quite» was the reply, timid but sure «Alas, it is the logical course of action. Endymion needs all the help and support possible, even more so if, after the war, he and Serenity will marry and he'll become High King. No one knows the workings of Silver Millennium like you and the other Lieutenant Generals do, hence why I believe the choice will fall on you and the others»
«What about you?»
«We'll work side by side, instead of me being your liege, we'll be equals in rank. On a rational standpoint, there are no downsides»
«And for the duration of the war? It's my duty to protect you and I neglected it for far too long during our permanence on Earth»
It was an irrational question to make: her planetary power alone was more than enough to protect her and it was foolish of him to even think he'd be necessary. More gently, she assured him her Senshi sisters would be by her side and she by theirs, that the priorities were others and he had to take the time before the official announcement to think about it all.
He did as requested, took time to announce his decision until, shortly after, he was directly inquired about it.
He had made a different call than expected, one that surprised Tethys along with many others, but was supported by his family.
«Why Kyanite? The title of the Housekitennou of Mercury is Kalunite» she mentioned with tilted brows.
«I studied the history of the Housekitennou a few years ago, if you recall. Traditionally, some titles were exchanged between Planets with some regularity, in cases of crossed marriages and so forth. Kyanite was the title shared between Mercury and Uranus, I deem more fit accepting that one instead, to honour my family's roots»
Which was true, but there was one more reason, one Koios hoped Tethys wouldn't keep into account: when the titles were created, at their beginning, their use was as temporary titles for before Kings married Planetary Queens and took their namesakes; the idea of using them to distinguish the ruling Kings - who used the name of the respective Planet - from the High King's protectors came later on and despite the fact this was the tradition that people remembered, the first use had had a longer history most scholars were aware of.
It was both to keep his hopes alive and for him to remind himself he was depositary of a longer-standing tradition he had to put every effort in honouring.
Mercury had, eventually, given her blessing. Afterwards, Mars had insisted for the title of Kalunite to be given to Meleager, who was half-mercurian.
Other titles were given to suit the needs of the current moment: the new guard, after all, had mostly mixed blood, some of them didn't even come from noble families. Somehow, it felt like a renewal, something to carry into the future.
Provided a future was still in the cards.
The Terrans took some time to attack.
After Mercury suggested to destroy every passageway ever known between Earth and Silver Millennium instead of just blocking them, which included the secret one Serenity and Endymion used to meet and the new ones created for the Silver Millennium's troops to join the Earth forces, they had some weeks of respite.
It gave them time to get ready, but the simple fact the Dark Kingdom managed at last to create its own passageway to strike should have been enough anticipation of their enemy's power.
Beryl's army attacked at the edge of Mare Serenitatis, outside the fortifications. Against their own people first, because that was where most the Terran refugees resided.
The Housekitennou and Inner Senshi were all in the Moon Castle, with the Prince and Princess, when Queen Serenity joined them with the news.
«They arrived» she merely stated, grave and somber «I'll try to keep this evil energy at bay. I leave out here to you»
«Yes, your Majesty» they said before she left.
Elpis had shared their reply, but who knew him could say his answer was half-hearted, that his mind was elsewhere. The great screen of the main computer, which Mercury had lit to survey the situation, showed the structure out there.
The Moon Prince's green eyes were stuck to it, spilling his reasonings for everyone to hear: «Our forces are mostly dispatched around the Castle for this very eventuality. Atlas is out there with them and the secondary walls had not been touched. Notwithstanding, we do not know how much strength the enemy disposes of...»
It was evident what the feeling in the room was: they wished to go out and be of help, but couldn't.
It was Cratos who uttered what they all were thinking, even if in his less than mannered way: «We can't stay holed up here like cowards!»
A discussion followed, between the arguments they were to obey the Queen's orders and uphold their duty to protect Endymion and the opposite they'd be needed outside with the thick of the army so the enemy couldn't reach inside.
Then Prince Endymion spoke: «Go. It's your people. I couldn't protect mine, but you can. I alone am not more important than all of them»
A noble feeling, no doubt. Hierarchies, although, required for them to stay.
«We're supposed to stay by your side. It's the reason the High Queen gave us those titles» Meleager pointed out.
«You'll be more of help stopping the army out there, before they can get inside and do more damage» Endymion replied.
«We'll stay here anyway. We can't leave Serenity» Venus added after a look with the other Senshi.
«Endymion is right. You go, we'll be fine» the Princess added with her gentle smile. She was terrified and couldn't hide it, even so, she found the strength to give them that gift. If only had they known it'd be the last they'd see!
Out of habit, Koios looked at Tethys, finding in her the same worry and determination as their Princess and nodded back at her.
«Gentlemen, we have our orders. Let's make Silver Millennium proud of us»
In hindsight, every wrong move they made would have been ridiculously clear and avoidable.
But hindsight is worth nothing.
The rest of Silver Millennium armies had been unable to reach the Moon because the Dark Kingdom had used their blocks against them, it had been foolish of them to not destroy the passageways immediately instead of showing they could be sealed first. The enemy had learned to replicate the seals and made it impossible for more help to arrive.
The troops were badly distributed, and that too could have been fixed that morning, had they thought the enemy would have attacked their "traitorous people", as the revolted Terrans addressed the ones loyal to Endymion who refuged on the Moon.
The Housekitennou would have never left the Moon Castle, had they known the frontal attack was only to drag them out and leave the Royals to fend off for themselves.
When Elpis realized that and said so in the middle of the battlefield, Koios' blood ran hot with shame and anger, and he ran, ran, ran to alert the others and then back inside the walls where he knew the Senshi were given their all to protect the Prince and Princess.
Jupiter had been the first line.
They ran past her trademark devastation, hoping that was all, that they wouldn't find more signs of fight forward.
Foolish hope: the next was a large path of ice, the glowing whiteness of the Moon Castle reflected on it and on the impaled or frozen assailants. A veritable cemetery of ice and cold, at the center of which the largest block trapped Zoicite.
It was with no small amount of satisfaction Koios passed past it, the man had what he deserved at least. Koios only wished he had been there to assist Tethys in her revenge.
But...
There was no time for exultation: the enemy forces had not stopped there and Elpis lead them with the speed of worry, almost with desperation.
The only consolation they had, Koios told himself, was that the Senshi weren't among the fallen on the battlefields.
A short-lived hope.
Venus, like her sisters-in-arms, had killed the last of the Shitennou. Alas, no trace of victory could be found in her.
A terrible presentiment made them run in, to find all their worst nightmares realized in a single place.
Serenity and Endymion were dead, hand in hand.
Deafened to all, Koios looked for Mercury, finding her only a bit forward, as close to death's door as her sisters around her.
He let himself fall on his knees, by her side, and examined her situation.
There was copious blood on her forehead, under and over her tiara, running down her face in streams intermitted with the clean lines of tears on her cheeks.
«Tethys» the shout came out wrong, blocked halfway in his throat as it was, strangled like he felt his heart was «Please, answer me»
Her blue eyes softened when she looked his way «You are alright... thanks to the Holy Stars» then she grimaced «Serenity... We failed her»
«My lady...» he took her hand, not knowing how to console her.
«Leave me here» she whispered «Go back to the fight, they need you»
«You can't ask me this. You have to live on, my lady, and it's my duty to stay by your side»
«I don't have the strength to go on» she admitted «Maybe I never did»
«Don't say this. You said I had to wait for your heart to heal... if you die, what will be of me?»
«You'll always be one of the best men I have ever met. No more pain for my sake, Koios. Be happy on your own» she said softly, gently, as she did so many times when they sat - seemed so long ago! - in the library, pouring over their studies, side by side.
The streaks cleaned from the blood on her face multiplied with Koios' own tears to wash them out. He brought her hand to his forehead in apology as he lied, shook by sobs, begging her not to leave.
She squeezed back, one time, before her remaining strength was consumed, her eyes closed, the hint of a smile on her lips, as if she was sleeping.
Only then he let her go, getting up with tears drying on his face, eyes consummated by a boundless will of revenge.
Nearby, the fight was going on, and he rushed into it.
For their homes, for their families, for all they had lost and for all they had left, he had to fight.
It didn't matter that he couldn't live beyond the moment Queen Serenity sealed Beryl in the darkness she belonged to: like a good knight, he had been happy to give his life for the ones he swore to protect.
There were worse deaths.