Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or any of its characters, I just own my versions of the Zodiac Senshi, as well as Ophiucus and Bellona. Okay, because of my fieldwork, I can only update this story every weekend; if I won't be able to, I will leave an update in my profile. :D I didn't even have time for my birthday! XD

First Legend – Aries (part 2)

Two days later…

Thousands upon thousands of candles illuminated the atmosphere, their incandescent flames causing the temperature of the small chamber to rise rapidly. Moving stealthily from each thin pillar of wax, a dark haired girl, dressed in attire denoting her prestigious position as high priestess of the temple, rapidly finished her duties for the evening, lighting the final candle with a petit flame atop a gilded rod. Cobalt orbs sparkled deep amethyst in the firelight, shrouded by shadow and anxiety.

Within the past few days, so many people have gone missing. The maiden's thoughts swirled with an anxiety cleverly masked by her impassive expression. What could possibly be going on? It's as though the gods…At that, Bellona forced herself to cease the continuance of that thought. It would be absolutely heinous to think something so blasphemous. Even so…sometimes she was inclined to wonder. Incidents such as what was happening now had been occurring on other worlds as well, according to scattered rumors, during a time when the universe was supposedly at peace. That could hardly be interpreted as fortuitous. Especially when she had gone missing along with the others. Firelight blurred and darkened as a ruby sleeve wiped fiercely against the maid's eyes, willfully banishing the saline drops.

"Are you the priestess called Bellona?"

Recoiling, the raven haired priestess glanced around anxiously, apprehension palpable and naked, painting her entire visage. Finally, after several tense moments, she detected movement from a shadowed corner close to the great altar. Keeping her glare focused on the spot, her grip tightened imperceptibly on the gilt rod in her hands.

From behind a pillar stepped a slim youth, claret hair longer and far more striking than Bellona thought hair could possibly be on any creature alive. What she could see of the male's smooth skin resembled fair orchid blossoms. In spite of being dressed in the manner of a common pilgrim of this nation, in plain crimson trousers and sleeveless tunic, the boy carried a distinct grace, raw power emanating from his frame. Most startling of all were his eyes: a smoky, glittering gray, like diamonds formed from ash. Right now, this young man was smiling softly at her, in spite of being in violation of the temple laws.

"Excuse me!" Bellona exclaimed, anger, accompanied by light suspicion, coloring her tone. "The temple is inaccessible at night! Visitors are forbidden to enter now."

Cloudy diamond remained calm and focused on the young priestess, although the youth's voice sounded genuinely apologetic. "Forgive my intrusion; I'm a stranger to this land and had no knowledge of the custom. However, I'm afraid I'll have to disregard it for the time being." The gentle baritone grew grave. "I have heard rumors around the city that something horrifying is happening here."

Bellona's suspicions crystallized. "What do you know of it?" she muttered softly, cobalt gaze cold, never once leaving the crimson haired boy. "And for that matter, who are you?"

"You can call me Phrixus, if you like," the young man replied, "Sadly, I do not know much about what's going on here, but I have come to help investigate the matter and end it."

The ebony haired girl gave a light chuckle, still wary. "End it? Impossible. You're far too young to do much. Even soldiers couldn't withstand that…" Bellona prompt closed her mouth. Better not to give this stranger any more information. He could just be out of his mind. Or worse…

Phrixus smiled gently, "Oh, I know that. Not soldiers, or women…or for that matter, skilled priests." The diamond gaze reflected a mild hint of sympathy.

Bellona stared, unblinking, for several moments, then raised the gilded lighter high. The soft, guarded voice raised, she inquired, sharp and cold, "It would take a demon to understand what a demon can do, wouldn't it?"

Without a second's pause, she flung the rod, deftly as an arrow, towards the scarlet trespasser. He's as good as dead, Bellona's thoughts resounded with a trace of pride. All of the clergy of this temple were highly trained as warriors, hardly surprising on this world. Strength was of high priority, as was piety and bravery.

None of her training and beliefs had prepared her for what would come next, however.

Even as the deep blue orbs watched, Bellona's mind still failed to fully comprehend it all as it happened before her. By all rights, the youth should have been struck, fatally so, by the speed and force of the pseudo-javelin she had launched at his form. He should have been struck squarely through the chest; the lighter might have additionally sailed cleanly through his body altogether, brass rod and marble pillar colliding in loud cacophony.

Instead, the cobalt glances were witness to Phrixus, unexplainably grabbing the rod in mid flight, twirling it upright to rest at his side. In the same motion, also unexplainable, he had apparently leapt across several empty pews, over the velvet altar steps and sacrificial table, and landed gently and without incident, on top of the stunned priestess, clamping an orchid-pale hand firmly over her lips. Another arm, slim yet strong, wrapped around her torso, pinning down her arms.

Taking advantage of his current position, until Bellona was finally able to realize what had happened and retaliate, Phrixus spoke, rapidly and softly, "Please listen to what I have to say: I sincerely came here to help this planet. Something far beyond any of you or the priests and priestesses has come here, and none of your abilities alone will be able to stop it. I came solely to stop this thing, but I cannot do it unless I have your cooperation. I especially need your assistance, Bellona, as the temple's highest ranking priestess." The scarlet haired boy took a quick breath to refresh his expended lungs. "Additionally, you have a strong reason to be involved in this: your sister was taken by this creature."

Those last words served as liberation for the priestess, releasing her from her stupor as she regained the strength to struggle against the insistence grip. Phrixus let her go, lunging back smoothly. Cobalt blue sparkled furiously, though the maiden remained motionless where she stood.

"You could only know that if you were that demon!" She shrieked passionately. "You killed her!"

Phrixus's shimmering glare stopped Bellona's words, and the priestess was once again exposed to the aura of power emanating from the youth, now far stronger and somewhat blistering in its concentration.

"I did no such thing…" the baritone strains remained soft, yet Bellona winced almost imperceptibly at the voice. "I was appointed by someone of very high authority to aid you, girl."

At that, a measure of Bellona's outrage slid away. Shock dawned softly in the cobalt orbs. "You mean…the King appointed you to stop that demonic thing?"

Halting Phrixus's reply, the ground beneath the temple commenced to shudder violently and malevolently. Both the young stranger and priestess pivoted rapidly towards the entrance of the holy church.

"It has awakened…" Breathing heavily, reflective of her mounting apprehension, Bellona continued her vigil of the ornate, open portal. "Its presence is always followed by quaking earth…"

Unheard by the one at his side, Phrixus muttered, "What kind of creature is this…?"

"Prepare yourself!" Bellona shouted, coming closer to the scarlet boy. "This creature is deadly to all it sees!"

Following suit, Phrixus huddled closely to Bellona, smoky diamond absorbed with the temple doorway as the sound of thunderous shuffling rose, overcoming the tranquility of the night…

To be continued

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Really sorry for this being so late. :(