Endymion gazed lovingly of his village of many. He stood at the doors of his living quarters waiting patiently for the man he had called to get his horse, a wait he didn't mind one bit for every minute he stood just looking over his people the more comfort he received from them. The Sunsire Diolon loved his subjects and the land they lived upon. Rolling and sometimes jagged hills were overgrown with tall oaks, ash, beech and arrow wood trees as well as a variety of animals to keep everyone from going hungry. It was perfect.

No sooner had he stopped to take in the air of the day was his horse prepared and ready to mount. The Diolon hoisted himself atop the great creature then road off to the front of the crowd that had started to gather to say farewell to their loved ones. He looked to his right hand men and watched as they kissed and hugged their wives and lovers. Before long the men had finished and mounted their horses and joined Endymion. The Sunsire Diolon waved his people goodbye and saluted to the elderly, women and children that would be left behind.

Dressed in her black short robe with red fringe, Reisha watched with a stone face as her cousin and lover saluted their people and took his leave along with all of his other men, save Zoimish who was no better on a horse than he was facing his friends and Diolon. Her eyes swelled up with tears and she clenched her fists when the sounds of stomping horses had faded to nothing. She turned to face the large doors to the royal living quarters before childishly running inside sobbing. Throwing herself onto her bed of red silk she let tears leave stains upon her cheek and pillows as the door to the room opened and her personal maid came rushing in to hold and comfort the Diolan.

"He said nothing, Makotin! Nothing! He said nothing when he left this morning and he said nothing when he left for battle!" She paused for her weeping had become so fierce that it became hard for her to take in any breath. "If he loves me, Makotin, then why does he not speak to me as if he does."

Makotin shushed her charge and ran her long fingers through the Diolan's hair. "You are still young at only 16 circles and don't understand the ways of an older man. The ways of your cousin. He loves you, my child," She stopped wondering if she should go on. "But... not the way you want him to."

***Within the Village of the Mahal***

The open square quickly filled with the people of the village as the horn that had been heard from the lake sounded yet again. Women clung to baskets and their children to their robes while the younger men rode in to the village on their great horses. Everyone looked anxiously to a hut that had various white, purple, and blue banners and ribbons hanging from posts and the door way while more and more people of the Mahal Tribe entered the clearing.

When Serenity, Malickee Setsune, and Hotarm arrived the square was quite over loaded and it was a struggle to get to the front of the crowd. The moment they pushed through the people the door of the hut swung open and one by one a group of five slowly, dramatically, walked out to be seen by all.

All five were men except one who held herself with more pride then had ever been shown by the Malickee. The woman was gorgeous and elegant in her teal and navy colored robes for their was no other woman that could surpass her beauty other then the Diolan herself. She was young, maybe 24 circles, yet that took none of the wisdom that she held in her mind. With a gentle swipe of her small hand and a motherly smile to all she slowly started, "People of Mahal, we the elders of this tribe so deemed by the Diola not three years ago before her tragic death until the Diolan has reached her 18th circle, have come to find this idea of war quite frightening. We have no want for violence, but if you," She paused and looked to those who listened. "If you so wish not to take to a safer and farther location from the Totark then so be it. Those who wish to train and withstand out ground please step forward."

There was a brief silence as everyone looked around for those who would step up and as moments passed no one thought that they would take the side to fight until one stepped in front of the female elder and went to his knee. "Michiran, I wish to fight."

Tears swelled in Serenity's eyes as Kunzim kneeled in front of the elder. "Oh, Kunzim," She gasped to herself in a soft whisper. "Why are you so eager to die?"

"I wish to fight," said another voice from the back of the crowd. The voice was deep but still female; there was no one present that did not recognize it as the Sunsire. Horunas stepped forward and kneeled next to Kunzim.

"I wish to fight." A few more men appeared from the core of the crowd and then a few more. "I wish to fight. I wish to fight. I wish to fight. I wish to fight." The words were repeated and repeated until Serenity almost couldn't take it. Within a matter of minutes all men young enough to hold a weapon and ride a horse were in front of the elders making their presence known.

"Then it is settled." Tears stained Michiran's face as she looked deeply into the eyes of the Sunsire but found no passion other then the will to fight. "Sunsire," She wiped the salted droplets from her face. "I hope that you will do well in training these fine men to defend Mahal?" After receiving a look of determination and an acceptance of the responsibility the elder glanced back to all the other faces that shined with fear for their loved ones and pride for what they were doing.

Serenity turned to the Malickee and wrapped her arms around her waist. She sobbed into Setsune's shoulder with more emotion then ever before. Kunzim would be going to war and he might never return.

"Please, Diolan, try to look strong for them." Setsune spoke softly into Serenity's ear as she stroked the soft white locks of long hair on her head.

Serenity had no wish to look strong. She had no wish to do anything but stop Kunzim from entering the dreadful training and war that he was seeking. "Oh Kunzim... Kunzim, Kunzim, Kunzim." She sobbed even harder and held on with more force to Setsune as she repeated her love's name over and over.

"Please, Mahala, let us forget that war might be upon us soon." Michiran smiled at the Diolan with much sympathy, for she felt the same way as with the Sunsire as the Diolan with Kunzim. "Imbolc will be hear within fourteen moons. The preparation of the Goddess to receive her lover..." She smiled knowing that most unmarried men and women of 14 circles or more loved this celebration more than any other for it was a celebration that would hopefully lead them to their soul mates. "Women of Mahal... Prepare for this sacred tradition and may this Imbolc be the greatest this land has ever seen."

Serenity, even through her tears, smiled at the thought of Imbolc. The circle before she had found Kunzim in a light that she had never seen in a man as his eyes changed in the way only men looked at women when they found them quite appealing. She would try to forget this war until it came and when it did she would have pride in Kunzim like all the other women had had when their husbands had stepped forward. But for now she would join the others in Imbolc.

***Within the Camp of the Totark***

Endymion shot up from the pallet he slept in as sweat streamed down his naked chest and back. He breathed deeply as he tried to recall the dream that had just jolted him awake so quickly. It had been the same one. The same dream he had been having for what seemed like eternity for he could not remember a time in which he had not known it, in which he had had a descent night's sleep.

The dream always started the same way. It was peaceful and serene. There was no cause for alarm as everything was perfect, but for some reason or another it had always ended in violence and corruption. Within it there was a woman. She was gorgeous, nothing he had ever seen before, with her long brown hair and pail white skin. Her eyes were of the deepest blue as they shined in the moonlight and her white garments glowed.

He had never found the woman in the same place. She was either on a large rock, on the beach or maybe in a field of long soft grass and she always invited him to sit with her. And like he had never experienced the dream before he sat with her. She held him in a warm embrace and whispered sweet things into his ear until she would suddenly stop and look at him with the most serious face he had ever laid eyes on. "My lover... My son. Although you and I must separate for some time we will be together again for all eternity. For I will come again to be by your side and we will kiss these lands and make it good." She took him into her arms one more time then slightly kissed him on his brow before saying her farewell.

Endymion had not wanted her to leave his side. Within her arms had been the only place he had ever truly felt safe, felt warm, felt loved, and when ever she was not there his heart was of ice and winds as chilled as the winter solstice blew through his soul. But like all of the dreams he would find blood on her perfect white robes and wounds about her body. There was never any visible reasons for the cuts and punctures but they were always there and they always bled too quickly and too much. The woman would not scream. She never cried. She would just give the most frighteningly sad look and her body would disintegrated in the wind as if she had never been present.

Tears would fill his eyes as his lover disappeared, but no sooner had she gone would his own pain start. Cuts much like the ones on the woman's would form. Pain tore through his being as he screamed and cried. His body was being torn apart, burned, and disemboweled all at the same time and he had not the strength of his lover. For I will come again to be by your side and we will kiss these lands and make it good.

***Within the Village of Mahal***

Light disappeared over the forest covered horizon as birds found their nests to sleep the darkness away. A warm breeze blew over the hills and lake while the fireflies casually glowed blissfully. Everything was perfect for this night of Imbolc for not one thing had ever surpassed it's calmness, it's serenity.

Young men of Mahal buzzed with excitement and ran around rampant as they lit colorful lamps, straightened their fine clothing, and finished preparing a fire pit which now glowed with a powerful flame that was not aloud to be extinguished until dawn. Around the pit stood about thirty chalices of wine for all of the couples to share for their first or maybe second time.

The boys were as thrilled about Imbolc as the women, although, they hadn't shown it until that very morning. All of the elders were aware of this, but never let on. During this night, some of the men were looking forward to finding their romantic notion of soul mates, as most of the women were, but others were hoping for a little less than a proposal of marriage. To be with a woman for the first time or, maybe, for their hundredth time was the goal of the majority of the males present. Of course, they wouldn't be letting the women know of their plots; thus they waited patiently and prepared to act like perfect gentlemen when the girls would finally make their appearance.

The ladies were frantically running around the large meeting lodge where the elders made council as they looked for small earrings, scarves and shoes that had been thrown around all day. It was a long time tradition for the women in the Mahal Tribe to spend the entire day of Imbolc picking out clothing and accessories for the night time celebrations, but this night seemed more important to them all. This was the Imbolc before the men would be going to war and coming back with more honor then their families had seen in centuries.

None of the women had had a moments rest since the announcement fourteen moons ago. War would be upon them and it made no effort to hide the fact. Men had been training with swords, bows, and knives every day and had not talked about anything other then fighting. While the women of the tribe proudly carried water and cloths to their tired husbands, brothers, fathers, sons, and lovers. Tonight was a night to celebrate and to let go of all the hardships that were about to come.

Serenity had spent all day looking for the right dress and all day not one had pleased her. She had looked for sashes and jewelry and yet again not one of them had made her light up with delight. So in utter dismay she threw herself onto a large pallet in the center of the room and sighed with frustration as others twirled around in front of their friends and sisters, showing off the beautiful robes of millions of colors that had been chosen for this night.

Michiran in her lovely teal and silver gown floated through the cloth covered door and clapped her hand for all of the girls attention. "My dear sisters," for that was what she called all the women on this day. "The festivities are about to begin. The Sun has just set and the men are waiting for you to begin the ritual before the night long celebration. You have spent all day preparing for this... Please take your positions." She watched as every one of the young women gathered into one single line.

"Diolan... Why are you not dressed?" The elder's kind eyes radiated onto the younger pale form. She looked to all the white robes that had been spread throughout the room and smiled as she understood. "My dear, you must get dressed. So..." She paused and walked to the other side of the meeting house where a large, plain, wooden box sat. "I have chosen a most special dress. Malickee Setsune says that tonight everything will change and you must be ready. Here..." She opened the box and lifted a white robe more beautiful then any other. All the girls gasped at it's beauty and instantly turned green with envy. Not only would the Diolan have the most beautiful face in the village but she would also have the most beautiful clothing.

Serenity smiled and hugged the elder with pure affection. "You are the best cousin a girl could have, Michiran, and I thank you." She looked up at her relative and beamed as she took the garment into her moon light hands. Slipping it over her naked body she looked herself over in a looking glass. The neck rippled down her chest right above her plump breasts and the sleeves hung off of her shoulders. It reached down to her ankles and was just long enough to see her bare feet when she walked. Perfectly white with a silver sash tied around her waist made her feel like the goddess herself. "Oh, It's gorgeous." The Diolan made for the back of the line of girls when she was instantly stopped by the elder.

"You're not finished yet." She walked back to the box that had held the fine robes and took out a few tiny wire like silver bracelets, anklets of the same style and then one last piece of jewelry. A crescent moon hung from a thin silver chain glimmered in her palm. "This was your mother's before she died. It was said to have belonged to the goddess at one point and from then on has been passed from the Diola to the Diolan. It will one day belong to Mahala again but for now it is yours."

Serenity gaped at the lovely shinning moon as the elder hung it around her slender neck. She brought her hand onto her chest to just feel it's calming aura before she was shooed into place at the end of the line.

Horns sounded and the cloth door was lifted as the girls of the tribe made their way out before the glowing fire the Imbolc celebration. Drums started to beat in a rhythmic melody and the horns joined in in a lovely heart pounding song to signify the beginning of ritual. The beating went right down to the core of every villager present and there was not one who did not feel proud to see their girls perform the one ritual they had during the circle.

Before the fire sat a large alter styled table which held a lovely white alter cloth, a silver crown of thirteen red candles along with many other candles of many different colors, a silver chalice of wine and one of water, a stick of sage, and a plate of sand from the shore of the lake near by.

Serenity stepped gracefully up to the alter and smiled to all of her people. Four girls instantly were at the Diolan's side as she glanced to each one of them. They would be the ones to hold the symbols of the Quarters* and were all dressed appropriately.

The first to approach her was dressed in a light yellow. Her soft brown hair was let free of any ribbons or pins and allowed to blow in the breeze. She wore no shoes nor jewelry, letting her natural, beautiful, and free self show to all that were present.

The Diolan picked the stick of sage from the many items on the alter tables and held it before the girl. "Spirit of the East, Ancient One of Air, we call upon You to set us free and teach us all that you know. Bring us to the pure and cleansing breeze of your instruction, Spirit. We welcome You to our circle, enter and be with us. Welcome, Ancient One of Air. Blessed be." Serenity kissed the girl on both cheeks then took the stick of sage before going to the bonfire and lighting it. She stepped to the Eastern Quarter of the circle and stayed there.

A second girl practically bounced to the Diolan with a large smile placed upon her face. She was but maybe 14 circles and obviously excited to be both at her first Imbolc ritual and to have been chosen to represent a quarter. She was dressed all in red and her hair was tied up in a bun which only let a few of her shorter bangs loose.

"Spirit of the South, Ancient One of Fire, we call upon You to warm our minds and hearts. Bring us the pure and cleansing heat of Your protection, Spirit. We welcome You to our circle, enter and be with us. Welcome, Ancient One of Fire. Blessed be." Serenity took a large red candle from her many then kissed the child's cheeks before giving it to her to light and stand in the Southern Quarter.

Michiran approached her next. She was as elegant as ever in her teal robes and her hair done perfectly in it's silver ribbons. Serenity admired her for she wanted to be like her cousin more then she wanted anything in the world. Elegant, peaceful, strong... all qualities she did not possess but was bent on having one day.

"Spirit of the West, Ancient One of Water, we call upon You to cool our souls in your ever plentiful lakes, streams, and oceans. Bring us Your eternal serenity, Spirit. We welcome You to our circle, enter and be with us. Welcome, Ancient One of Water. Blessed be." The Diolan kissed her cousin then gave her the chalice of water. Michiran took her place to the West of the circle.

The last of the four girls starred at the ground not able to lift her eyes to meet the Diolan's. She played with her fingers and twisted her hair nervously as her green robes carefully touched the earthen ground. She took a breath and stood perfectly still, as if she were made of pure stone.

Seeing the girl's nervousness, Serenity smiled and held her hand out to stroke the girls cheek to comfort her. "You don't have to be shy, Darling. The Goddess will not judge you." She stopped and turned to take the plate of sand. "Spirit of the South," She went on." Ancient One of Earth, we call upon You to strengthen us for what ever is to come. Bring us the pure and cleansing stability of Your lands, Spirit. We welcome You to out circle, enter and be with us. Welcome Ancient One of Earth. Blessed be." The girl received two kisses and a plate of sand then made her way to the Northern part of the circle.

***Within the presence of the Totark***

Endymion rode his horse to the edge of the tree covered cliff and starred down onto the village of the Mahal. His eyes were drawn to a strong glowing light that illuminated from the center of the small gathering of structures. So much so that he couldn't drag them away from the glowing light until his general, Jedine, rode up beside him and broke the silence.

"Endymion, that's it. The Village of the Mahal." He smirked as he looked to his Sunsire Diolon. "Seems they're holding a little celebration." His observation, although obvious, had not occurred to his leader.

Endymion shrugged as his eyes ripped away from the bonfire below. "Makes no difference. Tell the men to start heading down the cliff." He stopped as a shooting star ran across the sky. Puzzled he went on. "Oh... And Jedine, Not one woman nor child is to be touched by blade or fist. We are not the savages here... They are."

***Within the Village of Mahal***

The Imbolc ritual had gone of as smoothly and as peacefully as it had ever gone. After the Goddess had been thanked for her presence each girl had taken one of the chalices of wine that had been set out and taken a sip. Legend had it that what ever man took a sip out of a woman's cup twice was her soul mate and would be her destiny for all eternity.

The year before The Malickee had been the one who had performed the Ritual. Serenity had taken a cup from the many and after a long night of celebrating had found Kunzim sipping out of her Chalice. This year she had taken a sip from the chalice on the alter where she had performed her duty as future Diola. She had left it on the table where she would collect it later that night and give it to Kunzim for his second long awaited taste.

With a hard yet somber face the man of the Diolan's affections made his way to Serenity. He stopped and stood in silence before her then took her hand into his. "Serenity," He stopped and bent down to kiss her feather soft lips with his colder larger ones. "I'm sorry... For what I said 14 moons ago... It's just... What happened before that... I was angry... And when you came up to me and started to talk about the Goddess... You made me even more angry. Please forgive me?" His eyes did not soften as if he had really wanted her forgiveness. The words he had spoken had rang true yet something in his stance, in his eyes, in his tone said so much more.

"My darling, Kunzim, I forgive you a thousand times and will forgive you another thousand times to come." She stroked his face and kissed him on the forehead. "I, the Diolan of Mahal, will love you for more then eternity." They looked each other in the eyes, his sharp stone hard ones and her's, soft and serene.

The song that had been playing for everyone stopped along with all dancing around the bonfire. Chatter sounded from all and constant laughing was heard all around. Then suddenly without any notice fewer and fewer were talking. Fewer and fewer giggles to neighbors and more and more turned to look to the south. Within the bush and the trees were quiet roars of beasts. Finally it was silent in the village and the roars came louder. The sound of pounding drums were now heard with the roars. And before any one person had even time to run from the strange sounds came great men out of the shadows like demons on their large horses. The roars had been their cry of attack and the drums their horses hooves upon the firm ground.

Serenity screamed and grabbed for Kunzim who made no attempt to comfort her. His eyes changed from stone to anger in an instant and before the Diolan had time to call his name and hope for protection he had gone to find his sword to raise against their attackers.

Screams were heard from every corner of the village as men fought and died from both sides. Serenity covered her ears to stop the ringing of the name that seamed to be everywhere. Totark, Totark, Totark.

In an attempt to get away from the madness the Diolan ran towards the Elder's meeting hut. She had only a few feet to go when a large black stallion reared in front of her. Looking up with terror stricken in her eyes she saw a man of pitch black hair and broad shoulders. His features were strong and quite handsome. His eyes were beautiful in the moon light as determination reflected through ever blue flecks of light. She stopped and screamed then ran in the opposite direction hoping to loose the handsome demon. But before she even had time to make it to her own quarters another beast atop a horse grabbed her by the waist and held her tight. Darkness overcame her blue water eyes as she fainted in the man's grip.

***

Endymion's horse reared as a white siren nearly was trampled under it's great feet. She stopped and looked at her for a moment as a flash of his recurring dream surprised him. He couldn't help but jolt when the young woman screamed in horror and ran in the opposite direction. He had wanted to follow her. But had been forced to stop when he saw so many of his men falling to the ground, blood running from their fatal wounds.

He was about to call the men to retreat when a blow hit him from behind and sent him flying towards the hard earth below him. Dazed, he got to his feet and shook his head before catching any sight of his attacker. His white hair glowed in the moonlight and his heaving chest showed a toned and strong body. The Sunsire Diolon knew him. He had been the one that had defended the Mahal's hunting party so strongly. He had been their leader.

The white haired man smirked as the leader of the Totark made efforts to recompose himself. He was not one to hit a man when he had no weapon nor was in the state of mind to be able to defend himself. So he waited. He waited until the damned demon stood up straight and looked him in the eyes before he threw him another blow. This one, however, had not hit his target.

Endymion raised an entertained eyebrow at his white haired foe when he had made efforts to take another swipe. Another strike was made and another until his assailant was too tired to make anymore attempts. Endymion smiled and walked up to his enemy that was now hunched over and breathing quite hard. "Next time we meet... Make sure you can kill me." With that Endymion grabbed onto the reins of his great stallion and hoisted himself up.

The Sunsire Diolon trotted over to the great alter that had been erected earlier that day and took the chalice of wine that still sat there. "Men!" He yelled to all those who still lived. "Fall back!" He took a swig from the chalice then threw the rest to the ground. He road a few yards into the woods before turning back to look onto the village he had just attacked. The fire that had been there was no more. And all was dark.

*** Well then... this is one long Chapter. I mean... Last chapter was long, but most of it was the legend that had to be told. This chapter actually has stuff going on in it. I hope you all liked Chapter Three! It took me long enough to write and I enjoyed writing it. I want to apologize for the uneventfulness... ::thinks:: that's not a word... but oh well... the uneventfulness of the last two chapters and prologue. Oh and thanks for waiting this long for Endymion and Serenity to even look at each other. I promise next chapter they'll actually talk. PINKY SWEAR!

Anyways for all of you who like Sailormoon Fan fiction you can now find me and a bunch of other spiffy writers at www.Dawn-Mist.org! Check it out! And if you write Sailormoon fan fiction sign up to be an author there! They need more!

I guess that's all for now! Review, Review, Review!

Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again!