Part 2- Somewhere in Between
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Nehellenia
~*~

The day her mother died was the turning point in Nehellenia's life. The days of laughter, dogging her mother's heels and warm embraces were long gone. The sweet memories of her life before died that day as well. No one knew the circumstances of her death, something that had never happened in the history of the Moon yet the whispers of the court always came back to her. Nehellenia remembered nothing of that day, only that she was found next to her mother's body.

Conversation followed her everywhere. Courtiers and servants alike murmured behind hands or elegantly painted fans at the implications. How could the Queen, protected by the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou, die in such circumstances? It was blasphemy, they whispered as their eyes followed her. A betrayal of the highest order. Nehellenia tried in vain to recall what happened but to no avail. The events of that day left her mute and marked in a way that no other Lunarian had ever been. Three crescent moons adorned her forehead, one golden and two of silver. It made her stand out more than her alleged involvement in her mother's death.

Eventually her speech was restored and she returned to court. The stares and rumors followed her everywhere she went but she kept her head down, ignoring them during the day. It was only when the night fell that she cried herself to sleep, the torments of her peers and the constant voices in her in head pushing her towards insanity. The presence was still there, whispering vile things to her and sometimes she could hear her mother, but she knew it was only the presence trying to manipulate her.

Her father never spoke to her again, preferring the silvery companionship of her sister. Nehellenia craved his acceptance, but knew deep down that something had shattered inside her. The King showered Serenity with gifts of gowns and jewels, praising her beauty to all who would listen. Nehellenia was left behind, a pale flower of dark beauty in the cold night yet when she looked to herself in the mirror all she saw an unnaturally formed body and an ugly face, a long purple tongue hanging from her horrified mouth.

She blackened every mirror within her wing of the Palace, a dark and desolate place within the shining halls, as she retreated from contact with her family and peers. She attended court functions but her face was a mask she hid behind. Nehellenia watched with jealous eyes as her sister flowed gracefully from task to task, growing ever more beautiful as she grew into the shape of the woman she would become. Nehellenia coveted that beauty, the ease that Serenity had in her own skin and the world around her. Soon her tormented thoughts circled around only to that- beauty was the key to end her suffering. If she was beautiful, her father would love her. If she was beautiful, her sister would love her and if she had been more beautiful, her mother wouldn't had died.

She grew into a vain and fickle young girl, trying every new tonic or regiment to attain that goal of everlasting beauty. She visited otherworldly witches to purchase their brews and enchantments to ward off aging, for it was that slow decay that burned away beauty, but nothing could slake her thirst. Nehellenia muttered under her breath as she slathered a cream made of the milk of an ass, the newest discovery towards anti-aging, on her already smooth white skin, yet her eyes only saw the blackened and wizened skin of an old crone.

"No, no, no," she mumbled as she paced back and forth in her room as she frantically worked the cream onto her skin.

Her hair was a tangled mess and she wore a threadbare shift as her mumblings became a wordless conversation with herself. She stopped for a moment as she spied Phoebe at her door but resumed the relentless pacing. Phoebe slowly crept into her room, her maroon eyes taking in the empty bottles of creams littered across her vanity table and the complete disorder of the princess' room.

"Nehellenia-hime," she said, her words only receiving the barest of flickers the dark haired girl's eyes. She hardened her voice. "Nehellenia-hime! Your father and sister await your presence in the throne room."

"Hai?" she said absently, her pacing never slowing. Phoebe took the princess by the arms and gently shook her, using a hand to brush away her tangled bangs as she looked pityingly into her eyes.

"The Earthian delegation is here, Nehellenia-hime," she said gently, squeezing her shoulders lightly. "Your presence is required."

"Oh? Oh…" she murmured.

Phoebe sighed and pulled the strange princess towards her wardrobe and dressed her quickly. She hummed as she ran a brush through the tangled hair and she placed her hands against her face, looking deep into her eyes and suppressed a shiver at the triple crescent upon her brow before pulling her into a warm embrace. Nehellenia sank into Phoebe's arms willingly, savoring the human contact and Phoebe felt tears fill her eyes. She pulled back and smiled down at her, running a hand along her tangle free tresses.

"Come, Nehellenia-hime," she said gently, pulling her from the darkened room.

Phoebe led the disturbed princess from her unlit wing and into lightened halls of the Palace. Nehellenia cringed as the sunlight touched her, and she pulled the purple silk cloak that covered her black and cream gown tightly around her so her skin would be spared from the damaging rays. Phoebe patted her hand reassuringly as they stood before the throne room doors and took a step back. The doors opened of their own accord and the duo entered.

"Princess Nehellenia-hime, Princess of the Moon and Silver Millennium!"

The nobles that lined the silver hued carpet that ran up to the dais that held the vacant throne of the Moon bowed or curtsied as she passed. The Queens of the Silver Millennium tipped their heads in respect and the Princess' curtsied, their faces stiff with forced courtesy. Only her father and sister stood beside the empty throne as she stopped before them and curtsied.

"You're late, girl," her father murmured as she stepped up beside him, his back straight and exacting in his condemnation.

"Papa…" she replied, tears in her eyes but he stayed her with a look. "Please accept my apologies, Otou-sama."

The herald cried out again as the doors opened once more to admit the Earthian party. The Queen and King were a lovely dark haired couple yet they seemed uneasy in the presence of such a beautiful race of people. The younger prince looked around in wonder before his father smartened him with a soft word. The prince lengthened his walk and bowed deftly before the Lunarians.

"Greetings, your majesties," King Tsukuyomi said, his voice echoing around the vaulted room. "Welcome to the Moon."

"Arigatou," the King of Earth responded, his Lunarian unsure. "It is our greatest pleasure to be here for this momentous moment."

"The pleasure is ours," Tsukuyomi replied, switching to Earthian easily. "It was ever the dream of my late wife to join our two houses. She would have been proud to greet you here today and welcome you to the Silver Millennium."

"Our thanks, King Tsukuyomi."

The King of the Moon gestured to the Venusian Queen, the Royal Ambassadress, and she recited from memory the treaty that would enter the Earth into the Silver Millennium. Nehellenia started when she heard her name announcing the betrothal of herself and the Prince Attalus Danaus but she looked blankly ahead. She was merely a political puppet but she couldn't help return the curious gaze of the handsome Earthian prince. Her heart contracted within her breast, not from that ever elusive feeling of love but of fear. Was this the fate she was destined for?

The presence stirred in her prison for the first time in many years. She dreamed slow dreams of torment, sending them to her heir; feeding the darkness within her heart but her strength had waned since she faced the White Moon Queen. Her death was a satisfaction but she was stilled denied her rightful kingdom. Yet something had awakened her slumber. She could feel her connection to her heir quicken as another limitless power moved towards her chosen mortal. It did not have the same taste of the Maboroshi no Ginzuishou, with its silvery brilliance. It shone almost as bright yet it was more subdued. It felt… golden. It wasn't the prize she coveted but it would do, for now. The presence chuckled darkly to herself and began to plot her next move in this intergalactic game of chess.

Serenity
~*~

Serenity smiled serenely as she stood next to her father as nobility of the Silver Millennium mingled with those of the Earth. The Earthian King and Queen had brought a fair sized retinue to the historic meeting and not all of them spoke Lunarian. As the heir apparent to the throne it fell to her to act as translator when the Queen of Venus was busy translating for others and even though her feet ached and her face hurt from smiling she nodded her head to the Prince of Jadeite, welcoming him.

"You mother would be proud, my little beauty," her father murmured, bowing his head to speak into her ear. She felt Nehellenia stiffen next to her.

"Arigatou, Papa," she replied, her eyes fixed on the crowd before her. Prince Attalus approached and held his hand to her sister. She watched as the troubled girl followed the prince and began to dance, a little awkwardly. "Papa. Do you think it's wise to continue with this betrothal? Nehellenia is not… well."

"Your mother worked hard to set this into motion. It would dishonor her memory to withdraw," the King softly, and then muttered under his breath. "And the little chit will finally be gone from my sight."

"Papa!"

"My apologies, my darling. It is only the sorrow that your mother could not be here to see this through that speaks out of turn," he said, yet his eyes said differently. They followed the dark haired princess with hatred.

Serenity sighed but quickly suppressed the frown that crossed her face as the Queen of Neptune stopped for a quiet word. She patted the elder woman's hands as they spoke but her mind never left that of her sister. The day that their mother died changed everything for her. Changed everything for them. She could no longer look at the dark haired girl with a smile in her heart and a fond look on her face. Her young shoulders were not ready to take on the responsibilities the Queen's death had left behind and the resentment had built a stone wall around her heart.

At fifteen she was old enough to engage in the game of courtship but she could only watch from the sidelines as her royal court were wooed by the most eligible of nobles from the Silver MK and beyond. Yet the future Queen held herself aloof, politely rejecting each request for her hand. She knew her father grew tiresome of her refusals but her heart shattered the day she lost her mother… and her sister.

Serenity gave a last sweet smile to the Neptunian Queen as she took her leave and stood straight next to her father. Her eyes, just as his, followed Nehellenia as she waltzed clumsily. She was secretly ashamed that she blamed Nehellenia for ending their tranquil life, whether she had landed the killing blow or not, but she could not force herself to look upon her sister with a warm heart.

Soon she would be gone and she would forever be spared of the visage of the reason she could no longer feel. Serenity smiled adoringly up at her father as he took her hand, the only constant that melted the ice around her heart. The attending court sighed with content as she laid her head upon his shoulder. So long as she had him, she would be have the courage to break free of the past and live once more in the sunlight.

Nehellenia
~*~

The ball lasted well into the Lunarian night, the gleaming guests laughing and dancing as they enjoyed the largess of the Royal Lunar family. Nehellenia danced several times with the Prince and each time just as awkward as the first. Her forced solitude had left her graceless with the expectations of societal norms but the Prince was solicitous and patient as he tried in vain to get to know his future bride. Her answers were short and abrasive, not because she was nervous in his company but due to the rise of the murmurs of the presence within her mind. It seethed and hissed, demanding her attention and as soon as she was able, she rushed from the ballroom with no explanation.

Her purple cloak billowed out behind her as the murmuring of the shocked nobles were silenced by the door slamming shut behind her and she traversed the silver corridors of the main wing of the palace. Her hair, which had begun to resume it's tangled form, bounced with each step as she practically ran from the room and from the people who could never understand her. The voice had gained volume and was shouting to turn back, to claw out the golden energy shining from within the prince. She grasped at her temples and fell to her knees, moaning as the voice became an echoing scream in her skull as she whimpered.

"No! Stop please... Leave me alone!"

"Nehellenia!" came the sharp voice of her sister from behind. Nehellenia whipped her head around and her whispered silently White Moon as the voice inside her head stilled. "You do the crown disservice by rudely leaving your betrothed without taking proper leave. What am I to do with you, sister?"

"Leave me be," she replied in a toneless voice as she stood and turned her back towards her sister. Serenity circled her until they were face to face and squared her shoulders.

"It would be far less of a burden if I were able to do so, "she said dispassionately. Nehellenia flinched under her words. "However, it is my duty to the Silver Millennium to ensure this treaty with the Earth thrives. It is the legacy of our mother and you act as if though does not matter. Is this how you wish to honor her memory?"

"Do not speak another word to me, sister, of our mother. You and Father have made it very clear how you both feel," Nehellenia sneered as Serenity blanched. "I will marry your Earthian prince and submit to your political machinations, and I will be gone from your royal presence soon enough. Until then, LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Nehellenia felt the presence with her swell out and almost take form as she screamed at her sister before she turned on her heal and ran out into the Lunarian night. She followed the ever familiar pull towards where the dark side of the Moon met the light. She fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, as she wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. The presence within her was merciful silenced as her heart broke.

It was as though her mother died all over again. The memories, and lack thereof, assaulted her fragile mind. She had known for some time that her Otou-sama and sister held her responsible for the Queen's death but never had they made their feelings known so openly. The only family she had left had left her empty and barren like the dark side of the moon. The presence made ready to leap to the chance to influence the young girl but she caught the scent of another chaotic aura heading towards her heir and remained silent.

"Why do you cry, beautiful girl?" came a rasping voice within the shadows. Nehellenia's head whipped up but she could only make out a wizened form in the darkness.

"W-Who are you?"

"Nothing but a withered crone waiting for a Queen to lead her." Nehellenia choked on her pained chuckle and pointed towards the white domed castle.

"There's your queen, in all her glory, "she said resentfully.

"Yes," the voice said thoughtfully. "The stars read that she will be the greatest Queen the Silver Millennium will ever know, yet she will still be second to the Queen of the Crystal Millennium. She is good as she is pure and the crystal of the Gods will bow down to her yet she is not the one I have been waiting for. You are the Queen I have been searching for."

"You're wrong," Nehellenia said dully. "I am just the throwaway princess, fated to just be a pawn in my sister's path to glory."

"I have watched you, girl. Watched as you shred your heart in this same spot over and over again. You are more than just a chess piece, beautiful girl. You are the Queen the darkness has been waiting for."

"S-stop," Nehellenia stammered, as the presence surged within her at those words and she began to cry anew. "You know nothing about me. There's no darkness within me. Only the light, only the light!"

"As you say," the crackling voice said with amusement as it faded it further into the darkness. As the figure withdrew a beautiful hand mirror appeared before Nehellenia. "When you feel your dreams ebbing, my beautiful girl, look to this mirror and they will always be within reach. When you are ready to become the Queen of the Dark Moon, I will be waiting for you."

The presence chuckled at it's good fortune. Who would have guessed that one had survived all those years ago. She had left that elderly crone for dead on the battlefield, the battlefield, with her winged staff laying broken beside her, the centre eye darting back and forth in confusion. Perhaps she should have gone back for her but her own defeat was far too great to concern herself of one of her many followers, they were fodder for the cause after all.

Perhaps madness was not the most direct route to influencing her heir. It left her alone and vulnerable, with no allies to count on.

Perhaps the illusion of love would be of far greater use and the heir already had the perfect suitor within her grasp, whether she knew it or not. The presence could still taste that golden flavor, sweet and powerful. It was not the same as the Ginzuishou but it would lead her down that path. With the golden power she could rise to only a fraction of the power she wielded all those years ago during the war with the Senshi but it would be enough to get what she coveted most. Yes, she thought. Just enough.

Nehellenia
~*~

Nehellenia returned to the castle and sank into a terrible despair. The presence within her thankfully relinquished it's iron grip yet the words the old crone uttered resonated within herself over and over. Queen of the Dark Moon. Nehellenia was at war with herself, a war she would surely loose if she was left to her own devices. Thankfully her duties as the future bride of the future King of Earth slowly consumed her. There were lessons and etiquette to be learned. The traditions of the Earth were much different from the Moon, yet they spoke to her. She spent most of her time now on the vibrant Earth, in the company of her husband to be and began to flourish.

The troubled girl began to disappear. Oh, the vain and fickle girl remained, and her search only widened for the newest tonics the Earth could provide her to remain young and beautiful forever. Attalus showered her with gifts, traveling to the ends of the Earth to fulfill her every whim. He praised her beauty and intellect yet Nehellenia still only saw the old crone in the mirrors, just the throwaway princess. The only mirror that showed her as a beautiful young woman was the hand mirror the decrepit shadow had gifted her with. She spent hours gazing at herself, memorizing every little facet of her beauty so she could hold onto her sanity longer.

The Prince of Earth made her heart speed up, yet it was fleeting. It was as though her heart was trying over hard to love this young man. He was kind and generous to a fault and an astute student in the ways of the monarchy of Earth. He would be an excellent King, one that would usher in a new and prosperous future for his people by entering the Silver Millennium when they were wed. He was handsome and adored her, it should be all the dreams of a young woman coming true. And she wanted this to be her dream, she tried and tried yet it was as though she was being forced into it without her consent. It was as though their whole relationship was fabricated and neither one of them knew.

Still the months flew by and eventually years passed as Nehellenia turned sixteen. A grand fete was held in the Elysion Court, her future home, and for the first time ever, a Lunarian monarch stepped onto Earthian soil. Her father still remained cold and uncaring towards her but her time away from the Moon had cooled her heated relationship with her sister. Their exchanges were terse but the undertone of forgiveness could be heard beneath their words. Once she and Attalus were married, Nehellenia knew that they would be sisters once more. Yet tragedy was always to be her boon companion. Only a month had passed since her birthday and she was once more studying Earthian lore with her teacher, a priest named Helios, when she her world was shattered once more.

"Enter," Helios intoned as a knock on the door interrupted their studies. The Queen herself entered and both student and teacher rose and made obeisance.

"Nehellenia-hime," she began, her chin trembling ever so slightly as she took the girl by her shoulders. The young girl only saw sorrow and pity in the Queen's eyes and began to shake her head. "My child, there is dire news from the Moon. The King... Your father is dead."

To be continued...