Minako awoke from a long, disorienting dream. For the first time in this lifetime, the path before her was clear, defined, and she reached for it with a zest she had not felt since the fateful accident that led her here. Before them was the gate locking away the royal princess she was created to serve. The hundreds of years Venus lived, serving the Moon Goddess and loving Mars, implanted themselves in her mind; not in an overwhelming deluge, but more like the sudden flick of a switch. Darkness to light, void of foggy uncertainty.
Crystal clarity revealed her purpose, her role as their leader, and most importantly, her unwavering love for the personification of fire and war beside her. Their endless bond shone a bright light on their current situation. Minako knew why they were here, and what they were looking at.
"I am the Second Catastrophe. Defeat me, or die in the attempt."
The violet spectre of death before them was not Sailor Saturn. Not exactly. Like the vision of Venus that had been locked away in the pillar for centuries, this was a manifestation of Saturn's will. A failsafe. If the planetary guardians could not shed their mortal prejudices and inhibitions, then the Second Catastrophe would be upon them. The cycle would begin anew.
Minako spared a glance at Rei beside her. Serious, dusky orbs stared back with renewed purpose and determination. Like Minako, Rei was filled with the memories and strength of her Isu ancestor. The assassin was the same, yet different. The newly restored crystal inside of Mina's chest swelled with affection. The inexplicable attraction Minako had felt for her since the day they met multiplied by a hundredfold.
An unsubtle, glaring message from her Isu counterpart resonated in her mind. If you fail now, you lose her.
Hand pressed against the warmth radiating from her chest, she vowed never to let that happen. Embracing her position as first of the Isu and commander of the guardians, she stepped forward.
"No one is dying today!" Minako raised her fist. She willed the Holy Sword of Venus into her grasp, and it appeared in a bright orange blink. The lightweight metal, engraved with Isu writing, was unlike anything on Earth. She now knew it was crafted from Venusian ore and enhanced with magic from the Moon Goddess' silver crystal. The characters down the length of the blade now made sense to her as well.
Creating Order From Chaos When Nothing is Absolute.
The wisdom ingrained on her sword gave Minako pause. At first she didn't understand what about it bothered her.
When the realization hit, she almost laughed. The sword was as duplicitous as she was. It bore precepts from both organizations. Order from Chaos. Nothing is true. The Templars and Assassins both existed to protect and ensure the survival of humanity, except they could never agree on how to best fulfill that mission. The Templars insisted on creating a unified order of society, to the point of control and brainwashing with Pieces of Eden. The Assassins believed in the polar opposite: free agency, without Isu intervention.
The answer lay somewhere in the middle, MIna realized. She wasn't a traitor to the Templars. She was a unifier. She understood the tenants of both doctrines, and was the only one capable of unifying the two orders. But first she had to prove she could unite the galactic warriors around her.
Minako's chest swelled with Venus' energy. Protecting the Moon Goddess' lineage was part establishing order within the constant chaos. The Silver Crystal had limitless potential to subvert the laws of nature, yet it was also necessary to ensure balance in the solar system.
Neo Queen Serenity had the Silver Crystal. Both she and her chosen partner, a human man, were waiting beyond the barrier, somewhere within the Lost City of Atlantis.
"That's right." Rei stepped forward, fiery bow in hand. Rallying cries bearing similar sentiment rang out in the empty cavern. After casting a quick smile at her lover, Minako turned to her only friend beside her. Ami was holding a lyre made entirely of water. Under normal circumstances it should have been a strange sight, like Rei wielding a bow of fire. Yet, with Venus' fully formed crystal inside of her, nothing felt strange, including their uniforms; white bodices furnished with bows and short skirts.
Makoto also wielded a weapon composed of pure elemental energy. Lighting crackled in her fist, jutting out like the Spear of Leonidas she had earlier. The representatives of the outer planets still had their transformed talismans, giving little to no hint as to the dangerous powers they contained. Pluto, the most distant and mysterious planet of all, gripped her silver rod with a vacant expression across her narrow, stunning gaze.
As expected, Haruka and Makoto were the first to rush into battle. Minako had no doubt in her mind that Haruka and Michiru had shared a silent plan. Ami and Setsuna, however, were more keen to observe the scene than to leap in. Mars turned to her with an expectant glint in her eyes, as if asking for permission to follow in their heels.
Minako gave a curt nod, which was all Rei needed. She sprinted ahead, only a few paces behind her allies. Mina took a deep breath, trying to develop a functional plan while burying her worries. The gravity of Saturn's threat resonated within her. Though the memories and supernatural powers of their Isu ancestors fused with their own, Minako did not know the limits of their reformed bodies.
"Take this!" Makoto screamed while sending an arc of lightning at Saturn.
Haruka's leaping form accompanied the concentrated storm, adding to it with an attack of her own. "Space Sword Blaster!" Projectiles of light poured from her talisman in deadly beams, aiming straight for Saturn. Makoto's lightning was drawn to the beams, enhancing the already deadly attack. Though she anticipated the outcome, Minako watched with bated breath as the scythe swung, sending a violet streak of energy to slice through the attack and send Jupiter and Uranus flying.
Unfortunate enough to be a few paces behind Makoto, Rei took the brunt of her weight as they fell. She crossed her arms to minimize the impact, but went crashing to the floor beneath Makoto. Her fiery bow disappeared when her concentration wavered. Minako couldn't stop the concern from rising in her chest, but she held firm. Rei was strong and capable. A little tumble was nothing. And besides, Rei would be annoyed as hell if Minako worried about her instead of formulating a plan.
Minako scoured her newly-acquired memories for any and all information on Saturn. Each of her deadly attacks played out in Venus' memories. The Isu did not battle amongst each other, unless they were training, and Saturn was never present for those. Venus did battle alongside Saturn during the long months of war leading to the First Catastrophe, however, and remembered her moveset well. Saturn was nearly untouchable; a veritable goddess, ranking high above the other Isu in battle prowess. The harbinger of death and rebirth was a sight to behold, and not a force to be reckoned with.
Trying not to let Saturn's apparent invincibility deter her, Minako joined the fray, shouting the only idea that came to mind. "Surround her!"
Michiru and Setsuna appeared to have already formulated the same plan, for Michiru was circling Saturn's left, gracing her with one of those looks that was somehow both elegant and smug. Pluto was advancing upon Saturn's front, so Minako decided to join her. A few paces behind Pluto, Minako gripped the Holy Blade's handle in both hands and ran.
Witnessing the taciturn scientist in the heat of battle was an unexpected, marvelous sight. Setsuna rose the garnet rod high above her head. The round jewel shone, reflecting the violet light of Saturn's attack before swinging down to meet the sharp scythe. The two warriors traded blows effortlessly, flying around the battlefield while purple and maroon streaks of light sliced the empty space throughout the cavern.
Minako studied the pacing of Saturn's swings. Both Saturn and Pluto wielded large, cumbersome weapons. They swung them quickly and effortlessly, but Minako was confident she was faster. And if she could time it right…
"Venus Love Me Chain!" A chain of pulsating magical hearts circled her body. The energy palpitating from them washed over her before shooting towards her opponent. Pluto deflected Saturn's scythe into the chain's trajectory.
"Mercury Aqua Illusion!" Ami's usually docile voice commanded from the distance. Foggy mist shrouded the area around Saturn and Pluto just as the chain was set to make contact with the scythe. In the time it took for her to blink, the fog was less culpable, but she was a split second too late. Saturn's weapon was restrained by the chain, but her other hand was on the chain and a haunting grin possessed her pale lips.
"Come," Saturn whispered. Midnight eyes bore into hers, sending a chill down her back before she was yanked forward.
Before Minako could react, a flash of gold light descended upon her chain, severing it in half. As she tumbled into Haruka's arms, a streak of fire sailed overhead.
"Thanks," Mina grunted. She could barely see Haruka's stormy eyes through the thick fog, but she imagined the fastest Isu was rather enjoying herself right now.
"No problem." Uranus' thin, but firm, arms released her as they were forced to recoil from Mars' explosive arrow. Saturn's form became absorbed by the inferno until it was time for another element to consume her.
"Deep Submerge!" Michiru's voice called out above the roar of Mars' flames.
"Now!" Uranus commanded. In a flash of light she was gone, shooting towards Saturn. Neptune's deluge poured over her, washing away the flames. Minako failed to see the point in sending Rei's attack away until Jupiter pitched in.
"Supreme Thunder!" Lightning danced along the waterfall, carried by Neptune's attack. Minako commended their teamwork and quick thinking. The electrifying waterfall drenched and momentarily stunned Saturn.
Minako gestured to the other three with melee weapons. Joined with Uranus, Jupiter and Pluto, the four surrounded Saturn from each cardinal direction. Minako and Haruka rushed in first, with Minako facing the stoic spectre and Haruka approaching from the west.
Uranus' bejeweled blade connected first. Saturn deflected the attack with ease before swinging into Minako's advance. Despite grounding herself to the best of her ability, her feet shuffled backwards. The short delay was enough for Haruka to connect two more downward blows to the scythe. Saturn parried the first, then twisted her curved blade, forcing Haruka to drop her weapon. Makoto and Pluto swung their larger, slower weapons while Saturn was distracted.
"Silence Wall." Saturn extended a palm toward their synced attacks. A shimmering amethyst barrier appeared, repelling their weapons and sending the pair flying. Minako and Haruka used the opportunity to attack.
Minako raised her right hand into the air. "Crescent Boomerang!" Ancient Isu magic responded to her call, forming a golden crescent in her outstretched palm. She threw the magical boomerang at Saturn, created a diversion for Uranus to land an attack.
"World Shaking!" As Uranus conjured a ball of energy in her fist, Minako heard a familiar voice calling from behind.
"Burning Mandala!" Eight rings of fire flew in from the distance, fortifying Uranus' sphere as it raced toward Saturn. The combined attack burst in gold and flames as it collided with Saturn from behind.
Mina knew better than to hope the attack caused any damage. She signaled her boomerang to circle back toward Saturn's face once more. Makoto and Pluto both recovered in the meantime and relaunched their assault. Saturn was somehow faster; swift enough to keep pace with all of their attacks. She dodged the returning crescent boomerang, battled both Jupiter and Pluto with ease, and avoided every fiery mandala ring Mars shot in her direction. Minako watched as Uranus conjured her blade and raced in with Neptune at her side.
Instead of joining them to expend more energy with no plan, she retreated to where Ami was standing. With a visor over her eyes and a tablet in her hand, Mercury was scrutinizing the battle and typing all of her findings on the small monitor.
"Find anything?" Mina panted while catching her breath.
Mercury's azure visage froze in stern consternation. "No."
"No weaknesses?"
"Nothing. Both my observations and memories are coming up blank," Ami sighed. Minako sensed the disappointment resonating from behind the visor covering her eyes.
"Damn." Mina crossed her arms. The brief moment of stillness brought with it a wave of pain as the scratches and bruises she'd earned in the last few minutes made themselves known. "So you got them, too? The memories of your Isu ancestor?"
"Yes." The flat acknowledgement made it clear to Minako that Ami had no desire to discuss it. Not that there was time for conversation anyways.
They needed to find a way to defeat Saturn, and soon. The battle was only minutes old and they were already exhausted. Venus watched from a somewhat safe distance as the battle raged on in flashes of colored lights and magical attacks.
"Dead Scream." A lavender sphere of energy shot from the tip of Setsuna's rod, drowning out the sounds and colors of the battle. Neptune and Uranus combined their wind and water powers with it, creating a dangerous triple attack that would have obliterated any other opponent.
Jupiter and Mars leapt high into the air, landing beside Mercury and Venus. The heat of battle did nothing to quell the affection and desire pulsating from the crystal in Mina's chest. Mars was in her element and never looked more stunning. The purple bow decorating her chest hung by a thread, and her pale skin was scuffed. Midnight eyes connected with hers for a brief moment before turning back to their enemy.
The magic fumes of the trio's combined attack faded away, revealing the violet spectre as she appeared before, albeit with a faint snarl of annoyance. Otherwise, she seemed unharmed, as Minako expected. Mars started to rush in again, but Mina grabbed her forearm, holding her back. An eerie silence cast itself upon the battlefield in the metallic cavern, telling Mina she wanted Rei beside her for what was to come.
"Enough." Saturn raised her glaive. The outer scouts recovered from their failed attack and raced towards her. Jupiter and Mars protectively covered Mercury and Venus. Minako wasn't about to let Rei take a hit for her, but there was no time to react. Winds circled the enclosed cavern, whipping her hair into her eyes. Between the strands of her wild, flying hair, Minako could see the three closest to Saturn being knocked from their feet. Purple ribbons materialized out of the ether, circling the Isu of death.
"Death Reborn Revolution."
The three words were paralyzing. Ribbons of death flew in all directions. The ground beneath them crumbled. Rei turned to look at Mina over her shoulder, besetting her with the stubborn gaze she fell in love with.
Then everything went black. Only pain overrode the ringing in her ears. The searing ache she felt when stabbed by the Holy Blade was mild in comparison. This pain- this vibrant blossom of sensations tearing her apart- was everything. Everyone's screams and the exploding pillars were nothing while her body was being ravaged by Saturn's attack.
And when that was over, there was nothing. Minako heard and felt nothing. The peaceful silence of oblivion washed over her yet again. It was familiar, now: the comforting darkness. Welcoming and enveloping and endless. She sank into it for an undetermined amount of time, finding it somehow more addicting than the last.
An orange light blinked. It almost went unnoticed. Then it winked in and out of existence again. A flashing beacon guiding her back to her purpose.
The closer the light came, the stronger her awareness and her desire to return became. Venus had so much more to accomplish. Her goals were Minako's now. She'd found her purpose in life, and it wasn't to become a world famous pop star. That was only a means to an end.
"Wake up!"
This wasn't the first time Minako was awakened by the sultry Siren. There was a time, it felt like ages ago now, when the melodic voice pierced through her morphine coma, introducing her to the Templar Order.
"Minako… Minako…"
The light expelled the darkness and violently filled her lungs with air. Minako gasped and opened her eyes. The orange light that overcame her disappeared, replaced by a sea of aquamarine waves. It took too long for her sight to focus on the pair of azure eyes scrutinizing her.
Kaiou Michiru. The Templar Augur. Sailor Neptune. A woman who was as equally charming as she was intimidating. Michiru's gaze remained unchanged from the day they met in the hospital. No sooner had Minako thought on that fateful day, did other memories begin to flicker in her mind's eye. Teal fabric pouring from her body as they danced together at a soiree. Neptune chanting beneath her breath while pressing her palm into her mirror, imprinting visions for her successor. And, most vivid of all, color splashes across a canvas behind Neptune's perfectly still silhouette, appreciating the burning Venus dawn.
Though Venus and Neptune crossed paths sparingly, there was a lifetime worth of memories Minako didn't have time for. Of all the things she could have said, the idol gave a woozy smirk. "Didn't realize we were on a first name basis, Michiru."
Without a word, Neptune offered a hand, and helped pull Minako into a seated position. Head swaying, Mina pressed her free palm into her forehead and sighed. Moving hurt. Breathing hurt. The serenity of Neptune's presence eased some of her pain, but the nausea was persistent. She felt like death, but she was alive.
Saturn's attack left them crippled. They wouldn't survive another round. A hand pressed against her back, presumably Michiru's, steadying her. A plan. They needed a plan. No, she needed a plan. Venus was the leader, after all. But she couldn't think. She couldn't even stand. Minako looked past Neptune, to see the entire cavern in disarray. Haruka was helping Ami and Makoto up. Uranus looked worn, but otherwise fine. The other two looked like shit. Mina imagined she looked just as awful. The tall, imposing pillars were now piles of rubble.
Hovering above them was the reaper, radiating purple energy. Her hollow eyes stared through each and every one of them, patiently waiting. Minako remembered the last moments before she lost consciousness. The outer scouts had been the closest. How did they come out unscathed?
"Pluto's Garnet Orb protected us," Neptune explained away Minako's skeptical glare.
"Pluto…" Minako turned to look for her. The only place she hadn't looked was behind her. She hid a grimace as painful needles pricked up her spine. The outlier was kneeling before a prone form.
Rei shielded her. Protected her from the cataclysm. If she felt like she was on the brink of death, then Rei…
Adrenaline and panic brought Minako to her knees. Every cell in her body ached and Michiru called out to her, but Minako forced herself towards her prone lover. Each time her knees hit the jagged, broken floor, she winced. Movement was agony, but imagining Rei dying to protect her felt worse.
"She'll be fine," Setsuna said. Mina heard the words, but couldn't take any stock in them. She had to see for herself. Rounding Pluto's right side, she took no time to look at Rei before collapsing across her chest.
Faint as it was, the vibrant heat of the fire crystal thrummed inside of Rei's heart.
"Thank Venus," Minako sighed while Pluto helped her into a seated position. The spike of concern brought her back to her senses. Rei's uniform was shredded, stained from the lacerations in her skin. Red blood. At least she now knew for certain they were still human; though she wasn't entirely comforted by that truth. Like herself, and probably the others, Rei was kept alive by the mystical power of her crystal. "Rei, please wake up."
Knowing her shrine maiden was alive did little to stop the tears from stinging her eyes.
"You already said no one is dying today."
Hearing Rei's hoarse voice caused the bothersome tears to pour down her soiled face. Midnight eyes squinted up at her, trying unsuccessfully to hide both her pain and relief. Despite their hopeless situation, Rei was actually smirking at her.
"Yeah. And since when do you listen to me?" Minako quipped while smearing tears against her cheek.
Flustered, Rei harrumphed and turned her head. She grimaced in pain. Minako decided not to draw attention to it. Relieving as the banter was, there would be no more of it if they couldn't defeat Saturn. Not only would their lives be forfeit, but so would the rest of humanity.
"What is she doing?" Makoto asked from Minako's left. She turned to see the brunette approaching with Haruka as her crutch, while Michiru assisted Ami. It was a miracle the other two inner soldiers could walk. Their conditions were identical to Mina and Rei's. Ami's boots flapped open, hanging on by mere threads. Mina assumed Michiru's heels must have snapped, because she plodded along barefoot beside Ami, mindful of an arm that belonged in a sling.
"Affording us one last chance," Ami deduced.
"How generous," Makoto rolled her eyes.
Rei groaned while Setsuna helped her upright. Haruka and Michiru shared a weighted glance. Venus' memories told her a serious, silent conversation was currently being held between the two. When Minako came upon the two of them in Michiru's mansion, she never would have guessed the true depth of their relationship. Like Venus and Mars, their love spanned planets and lifetimes. In truth, Minako was envious; they found each other much sooner than she and Rei had. It was as if their crystal fragments were more aware. More determined. Another fated pair of Isu lovers, divided as assassins and templars.
Haruka cleared her throat and turned towards her. "What's the plan?"
Tenoh Haruka, an esteemed figure amongst the assassins, asking a rookie popstar-turned-templar for direction. Of all the supernatural things Minako had witnessed in the last year, perhaps the most shocking of all was this sudden unification of sworn enemies. Their reality leading to this night was a distant dream. The assassin sisterhood and templar order, once the very creed they lived by, paled in comparison to their duties as protectors of the Moon Goddess and the galaxy she created. Even stubborn Rei, an assassin who wanted to steal her Piece of Eden and murder her in the process, was now awaiting her command.
What iwas/i the plan? They had already disregarded their previous inhibitions and worked together as one entity. They also proved themselves to their predecessors and inherited their crystals. What else was there? What other failsafe would Saturn have conjured up?
"Venus…" Rei cleared her throat. Minako turned to see an expectant stare. "First of the Isu. Leader of the Moon Goddess' army."
None of that was news. Minako was on the verge of telling Rei to blurt it out already, but as she opened her mouth, the realization hit her.
First of the Isu. Leader of the army. Venus found her worthy. They all managed to work together, but it wasn't enough. She had to prove herself a leader. The type of leader that her comrades would follow to their death. She had to show Saturn that their trust in her was infinite. Could they put their lives in her hands, without hesitation? Minako knew Rei would; she had already proven as much. But the others… Even if they could forget their hatred of the Templars, that didn't necessarily mean they would follow an order that would ultimately lead to their deaths.
It was time to find out.
Mina winked at Rei before turning to the others. "Do you trust me?"
"Certainly," Michiru affirmed, while the others nodded.
"Good. Because we're gonna have to give it everything we've got. Literally." Minako turned to Pluto, who immediately assisted her in getting to her feet. She hardly felt presentable, but at least she was standing. "Follow my lead."
If this didn't work, well, the world would be destroyed one way or the other. Minako clutched her chest, feeling the rejuvenating pulse of the crystal within. The crystal keeping her alive. Combining the power of all of their planetary crystals, the very objects keeping them alive, was their only hope of defeating Saturn. Minako prayed the rest of her comrades were willing to sacrifice their lives at her command.
Venus, lend me your power. I've finally found where I belong. Who I belong with. Please… This has to work. For everyone's sake.
Orange light burst from her chest. Confidence straightened Minako's gait. She felt strain in her chest as the crystal responded to her will. Minako looked to her target. Saturn tilted her head, amused, and also impatient. Preparing her counterstrike, the dark harbinger of death sprinted straight for her.
"'Venus Crystal Power!" Full stride, Minako yanked the crystal from her chest. Her energy waned and her knees nearly buckled, but she refused to drop until she knew the others were following her lead. A tangerine beam shot from the crystal at her opponent. Saturn raised her blade, but it did not deflect the magical attack.
"Mars Crystal Power!"
Relief washed over Minako when Rei joined her. A blazing scarlet beam accompanied hers, causing Saturn to flinch. It had the exact intent Minako hoped for. The energy of two crystals wouldn't be enough. If the others didn't assist, they would be sacrificing their final lifelines for nothing.
"Mercury Crystal Power!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
The cries of each ally pouring the remainder of their crystal's energy into the final attack made Minako's heart swell. They were all in. And they all trusted in her.
"Neptune Crystal Power!"
"Uranus Crystal Power!"
"Pluto Crystal Power!"
The colors of the rainbow assaulted the spectre, shrouding her form in a sphere of reflecting light beams. The chaos was astounding. Minako had never seen anything like it: pure energy, the spectrum of the rainbow, creating a cage of turmoil. She could no longer see Saturn, only the colorful lights, beautiful and blinding, sapping all of the energy from their bodies.
As sudden as it began, her crystal went dull. The vibrant gem turned to stone. Minako tried casting Rei one last smile, but there was nothing left to give. The dull crystal fell to the floor with a clank, and Minako followed.
Silver light washes over my intimate darkness. It's full of warmth, compassion, and knowledge at a cosmic scale. Venus' memories tell me exactly what this strange, revitalizing power is: The Silver Crystal, bestowed upon the Moon Goddess at the beginning of creation. Combined with the Galaxy Cauldron, it gave Venus and the other Isu, planets, and stars, life.
It pulls me away from oblivion into the chaotic, confusing state of living. I abruptly remember my lips when a soothing, chaste kiss is pressed against them, breathing new life into my body. A tingling sensation spreads from our lips through my face, as if recreating every feature from nothing.
Once I feel my eyelids I snap them open and I'm blinded by Her Majesty's shining aura. Silver strands of hair curled into buns on either side of her head spill down both sides of her frame, splaying around us in a senseless pattern. Wayward strands cover my naked form, neither itching or tickling me. It feels like her kiss; healing and comforting.
Solemn eyes, dusty grey and blue like moonrock, stared into mine. The intensity of her gaze gives me chills, but I can't blink or look away.
"Moon Goddess?" This has to be a strange dream. The Moon Goddess is dead. Venus watched as she drew her last breath. Maybe I'm in heaven. Shit, am I dead for real?
"Venus… You have finally found your home amongst Mercury's creations."
Her voice is wispy and soft, but I think she sounds genuinely happy. I can't form coherent thoughts or words that won't sully the moment. I'm lost in her ethereal eyes.
"Fulfill your purpose. Protect The Legendary Silver Crystal and my daughter on Earth."
And lead the other planetary warriors. And maintain peace in the galaxy. It's all so much…
But the serenity I feel while in her presence makes those concerns feel so far away…
"Yes, Your Majesty," I whisper back.
"This burden you bear. Do not shoulder it alone."
Right. I have comrades. Assassins and Templars. Rei: my second in command and, as strange as the revelation feels as it comes over me, my soulmate. I never believed in that sort of thing, even though I sang a lot of songs about it. But after Venus became a part of me, I realized my feelings for Rei were more than a temporary fling born of intrigue and lust. The love I was beginning to admit I feel for her is so much more than I could even begin to understand.
"You can count on me, Your Majesty." And I believe she can. I passed the test. We proved ourselves worthy of our crystals. We worked together to defeat the Second Catastrophe. I don't know what the future holds, but this time I'm not alone.
A soft smile decorates her immaculate face. An outstretched palm reveals the Legendary Silver Crystal; a blooming lotus overflowing with limitless capabilities and cosmic power. I realize I am cradled in her arms, swaddled in the amazing light of the Silver Crystal and their radiant aura.
"My sweet Venus," she sighs. One hand strokes my cheek while the other lowers the Silver Crystal to my chest. It is brillant. Overwhelming. She kisses my forehead. My eyes burn with tears.
The physical realm banishes her light.
"Awaken, Venus."