A/N: Well folks, this is when things start to fall apart. Fair warning: CHARACTER DEATH. Also, no matter how many times I read through each chapter before I post, I still miss some mistakes. So frustrating. All well.

"My Lady! Lady Tera!"

I turned towards the shout, pausing to allow a messenger to draw close. He stopped in front of me, leaning over to rest against his knees as he regained his breath. I waited patiently for him to recover, curiosity and worry warring in my chest.

"My Lady," he began, straightening, then bowing his head. "The portals from Saturn are open. Your presence has been requested immediately."

I frowned, confused at the sudden summon. "The warriors have already returned?"

"Refugees are coming through the portals now, m'lady. I do not know if they have returned."

"Very well," I set off down the hall that led to the Court of Portals. "Forward your message on to Queen Serenity."

"At once, m'lady!" The messenger took a deep breath and ran back down the hall, his path leading deeper into the castle.

Events were proceeding faster than we were prepared to face. I had hoped we would have at least a few hours before the portals were reopened, but it seemed Beryl had other plans in mind. I couldn't help but feel as though this war was spinning out of our control, and no matter how we tried to plan or adjust, we were simply thrown to the mercy of its whims. Every step we took seemed to bring the kingdom closer to the edge, and I had no idea how to stop its progress.

I could hear the chaos echoing down the hall, the sounds of panicked masses as they were ushered to safety. The shouts of men and women and the cries of frightened children swirled around me, and I quickened my pace, finally stepping out into the large courtyard.

There were people everywhere, a stark contrast to the nearly empty courtyard I had left just a short time before. I took a moment to take in the chaos, finding a rhythm to the shifting masses.

I could see three open portals through which a steady flow of people moved. Each line was then ushered through an exit of the courtyard, either to be placed in a shelter or medical bay. Soldiers dotted the yard, their stances tense as they gently funneled the civilians out, nodding in response to some spoken question or reassuring an especially upset citizen.

Another sweep of the courtyard showed the presence of the medical teams. I was grimly pleased to see that multiple teams had responded to my request, and yet saddened to find that even those extra hands were overwhelmed.

"Lady Tera!"

I waited in place as a large man drew up to me, his head bowed in greeting.

"Commander Hunstrad," I replied, my focus on the main portal before me.

"M'Lady, we barely made it here before the first portal opened. By this time, a majority of Saturn's citizens have been evacuated. This is the last of their people."

"And the Queen and Princess?" I asked solemnly.

"They have not arrived. I am sure they have insisted on waiting until their people are safe. General Sanada has stayed behind to assist them."

I nodded, my chest tightening anxiously. "Were they attacked?"

"Yes. As far as I am aware, the soldiers of Saturn are holding the line, which has allowed us to get as many people out as we have. Our own soldiers are ready to assist from this side if needed."

I frowned at this information, troubled by its implications. "How was Saturn's army not overrun? They have managed to hold the line for this long?"

He blinked at my question, a puzzled look crossing his face. "I'm not sure, m'lady. It seems there was a reduced force involved in the assault, though we do not know for what reason."

"I see, thank you." I gave him a grateful look, dismissing him to continue his duties. As he turned away, I allowed my expression to fall, my mind racing with possibilities. Why would Beryl attack with a smaller force this time? Did she believe Saturn required a reduced force to overtake, that she had been overestimating our armies up to this point? Or did she somehow find out about our plans to retreat? If that were the case, then we now had the added worry of a possible information leak. However, the only time such information could have reached her was during our brief recess just a few short hours ago. Assuming she would have attacked with her entire force as before, it would have taken additional time to change her battle plans according to the new information, which would have given us enough time to evacuate safely.

I frowned and inhaled a deep breath, frustrated with my thoughts. Regardless of speculation, there were more immediate needs, and I returned my attention to the task at hand.

I approached the center portal slowly, ignoring the masses as they spilled out. I stopped suddenly, knowing instinctively how close I could get without disturbing the watchers.

The Warriors of Virtue were gathered around the opening, helping the citizens and soldiers alike pass through, while watching frantically for their missing leader.

I watched as the tide began to thin out. I could see clearly through to the other side from my position. The last throes of battle were dying out, and I could barely make out figures in the churning dust of Saturn's surface. Suddenly, the Princess of Saturn leapt through the portal, pulling a large figure behind her. She was screaming into the pathway, tears streaming down her face.

I followed her gaze, and a cold horror washed over me as I realized what was happening. With a shout, I ran for the portal.

"Close the portals! Shut them NOW!" I screamed. Several sets of startled eyes met me, but they did not react to my shout. The noise of hundreds of people had drowned out my words.

I threw my hand forward as I ran, projecting my field outward and severing the ties the watchers used to hold the portals together. The scene in the portal before me wavered, but in the middle of the chaos, I saw her.

Queen Cronus of Saturn stood in the open field, her black hair dancing around her as the violent winds ripped at her body. I locked eyes with her, my chest aching with dread. She smiled at me, and released the weapon she held in her hand. A wave of power exploded outwards, racing towards the portal, but at the last moment, the passages closed, leaving a strange silence in its wake.

She had dropped the Silence Glaive; Saturn was lost.

I slowed to a stop, panting slightly from my sudden outburst and took in the scene before me. Medical teams had swept in as soon as Princess Hotaru had leapt through the portal, and were attending to the person she was clinging to. Tears were streaming down her face unchecked, and she rocked back and forth, crying out as she clutched his hand to her chest. I could just barely make out his black hair, but it was enough.

I felt my stomach lurch, my head felt light, the world around me distorted and sounds were muffled. I couldn't focus. Something needed my attention, but it kept slipping through my fingers.

I could hear someone crying, screaming, shouting. I had to do something about it, but I couldn't remember.

Hotaru…

I tried to focus on the girl, keeping my gaze locked on her black hair.

He had black hair…

In a flash, my mind cleared, and I remembered my duties. I could not afford to fall apart now. I had to push through my own shock; there were others who needed me.

I could hear voices screaming, and focused on the blonde head as he leaned over the fallen warrior, his hands pressed against his chest. He was crouched between the medics, offering his own help to their care.

"Please Ryo, don't do this, please!" He muttered frantically, his eyes wide with fear.

"Oh god," Another voice cried, drawing my attention to a frantic Touma, his own horror written on his face.

"Come on man!" Shuu grabbed the General's free hand, clasping it against his chest. "Please, don't do this to us!"

"Seiji?" Shin laid a hand against the man's shoulder, his face pale and drawn.

The warrior in question shook his head slowly, and leaned back on his heels as he hid his pale face with his hands, uncaring of the blood that soaked his gloves.

The effect was immediate, and I watched as faces crumbled, their tears falling unchecked as they all tried to grasp what had happened.

General Sanada was dead.

I blinked away my haze and quickly stepped forward. There would be time enough to grieve; now was the time for action.

I reached for the sobbing child, pulling her yielding form from her hunched position. "Come with me, little one," I said gently. She barely protested as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against my body.

Once she settled against me, I looked down to the medics.

"Treat him as a Lord of the Moon. Prepare him accordingly." I said as firmly as possible, shoving my emotions as far from the surface as I could. "Report to Queen Serenity once you are finished."

"Yes, m'lady." They immediately turned to the warrior, their expressions displaying their own grief and sympathy. They gently gathered his body, arranging it on a stretcher before rising, holding him almost reverently between them. The commanders rose as well, standing protectively around his fallen form.

I turned my attention to the remaining warriors, and felt my heart lurch painfully, seeing my own grief echoed in their faces.

"Report to Prince Endymion. Take one of the medics with you; they will show you where he will rest."

"Like Hell we're leaving him-" Shuu immediately growled, his expression fierce in his pain.

"Shuu!" Touma interrupted him with a firm hand on his shoulder and met my gaze.

"You must give them time to attend him." I said firmly, feeling Saturn's daughter tighten her hold on my waist as I spoke. "I can promise you, he will be treated with the utmost respect."

He must have found something in my haunted look, as he nodded vaguely to me and gathered the others. They each laid a hand on his body, obviously reluctant to leave their leader's side, but they soon turned and made their through the crowd.

Shock, they're all in shock…

Once they disappeared, I steered the trembling girl out of the courtyard. I walked quickly, trying to keep a steady pace as she stumbled alongside me.

"Where are we going?" She whispered.

I glanced at her, slightly surprised she had pulled herself out of her shock.

"We're going to see the Outer Queens. I'm going to leave you in their care. I must report to Queen Serenity."

She choked back a sob, clinging to me so tightly her knuckles were white.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice quavering. "I tried to save him. I tried so hard to save him."

I clamped down on my feelings and pulled her closer, slowing my pace slightly.

"I know, princess, I know." I replied.

As we navigated the corridors in silence, I realized there was a chance all the Queens were together, but where would they gather? I made a decision and adjusted our route.

After a few more twists down deserted hallways, we arrived outside a set of doors, similar in style to those along the rest of the hall. I pushed the doors open without stopping, praying my choice was correct. A quick glance around the room confirmed my suspicion; they were all here.

Queen Naraka rose gracefully from her seat, a frown set on her face.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" She demanded. Anu and Salacia frowned at me from their seats, but said nothing.

"Hotaru!"

The girl in my arms jerked in the direction of the voice, and I released her. She ran into the waiting arms of Princess Michiru, burying her face in her dress. Princess Haruka stepped behind her from the back room, looking curiously at me.

"Saturn has fallen," I said without preamble. "I'm leaving Hotaru in your care for now. I must report to Queen Serenity."

Naraka paled at my words and gasps echoed around the room. Michiru pulled the small princess closer, whispering soothing words in her ear.

"Cronus?" Salacia whispered, a hand held delicately over her mouth.

I shook my head, lowering my gaze. I heard her breath catch before she fell silent.

"I see," Naraka said softly. She narrowed her eyes at me. "What of the warriors?"

I opened my mouth to respond and found I couldn't speak. My words stuck in my throat, my hesitancy solidifying my fear that if I spoke the words, it would be true.

Naraka sensed my hesitancy and stepped forward, her dark eyes reflecting compassion and pity.

"Who has fallen?" She asked gently, her whispered voice echoing loudly in my ears.

I squeezed my eyes shut against her question, feeling my control slip. "Please," I replied brokenly. "Don't make me say it."

I waited blindly in the silence, unsure of what to expect. I twitched when I felt her fingers against my chin, and complied as she gently lifted my face. I opened my eyes reluctantly, meeting her own eyes.

"The young general?" She murmured. I did not speak, knowing she could read the answer on my face. I wondered briefly how she could have guessed, but I quickly pulled my wandering thoughts back to the present.

Her eyes slid closed, and she inhaled deeply to cover her pain. "We will all mourn his loss," she intoned solemnly, releasing my face as she stepped back. "He will not be forgotten."

"I must report to the Queen," I repeated, barely recognizing my own wavering voice.

"Of course," Naraka bowed her head, and I bowed back stiffly and left.

I don't remember the trip to the throne room. It felt like I blinked; one moment I was outside the Queen's chambers, the next I was standing in the throne room.

I walked past the empty throne and proceeded through the small concealed door behind it. I took the stairs slowly, letting my footsteps echo off the walls. As I reached the top, I saw her kneeling on the far side of the room, her back to me. Her hands were clasped in prayer as she bowed her head to the towering crystals.

"My Queen," I said softly, stepping fully into the room. "Saturn has fallen, and we've lost Queen Cronus. She used the Silence Glaive to buy us some time."

"Time…" She echoed, sounding lost.

I frowned at her tone. "Serenity-"

"We have run out of time," she repeated, her voice echoing in the small room.

"What do you mean?"

She finally stood and turned to me, and I felt my eyes widen with shock. I traced the tear streaks on her face with my eyes, taking in her red eyes and forlorn look.

"Lady Cronus died for nothing," she whispered bitterly. "Beryl split her forces during the battle and sent a group to each of the Inner Planets. We have lost five planets in the span of a few hours."

I felt the world shift suddenly and grasped the wall quickly.

"Impossible…" I breathed, hardly aware that I had spoken aloud. My mind raced as I tried to comprehend the loss before a single thought came into focus. The Generals...

"We are all that is left."

Her words startled me out of my thoughts, and I focused on her face, the only point in the room that wasn't spinning. I followed her gaze and understood.

"The Crystal."

"The Crystal is our only hope." Her face seemed to crumple, her composure breaking. "I don't even know how to use it. We've never been in a situation like this."

I pulled myself together once again, moving into the room. My Queen needed my support; grief could wait a little longer.

"Have faith. The Crystal is as much a part of you as it was with every Queen before. It will respond to your will." I smiled at her as best I could. "I have no doubt you will find a way."

She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"You're right. I must focus; I cannot allow her evil to continue to spread." She met my eyes, her face set with determination. "We will stop her."

I nodded, then sighed heavily. "My lady, I have other news."

She must have sensed my turmoil; she stepped around the pedestal and drew close.

"General Sanada...fell in battle defending Princess Hotaru. She managed to pull him through the portal before it closed, but…" My throat seemed to tighten and I couldn't speak.

She laid a gentle hand on my arm. "Oh my dear Tera," she consoled.

I broke. That's the only way I could describe it. I ripped off my mask, tossing it away and buried my face in my hands, releasing the sobs that had pushed at my composure. I was vaguely aware of her holding me as we sank to the ground. I clung to her, a distant part of my mind comparing this to my own experience with Hotaru not even an hour earlier. Had it only been an hour? It felt like an eternity.

I don't know how long I cried. Every heaving sob made me feel like I was dying, but she never let go. She continuously rubbed my back, drawing nonsensical shapes, one flowing into the next. Finally the tears dried up, leaving me exhausted and empty. I leaned against her, grateful for her unwavering support.

"I've never seen your face," she said gently. "Why have you hid such beauty?"

I could only shake my head against her, too worn out from my release to think clearly.

"Your eyes are quite remarkable," she continued, rocking me gently. "Faded with time, I suppose, like your hair. I never realized just how time has weighed on you. They were purple once, I imagine."

My eyes? I nodded vaguely. Yes, she was talking about my eyes.

"What color was your hair?"

I tried to think through my foggy mind. Why was she asking me about my hair? What color? It was...my hair was… "Black," I whispered hoarsely.

"Hmm, I can hardly imagine it. The silvery grey is so fitting." She hummed.

I felt my eyes grow heavy, leaning more and more on her. I was exhausted, mentally and emotionally. I wanted nothing more than to lay down and sleep, and in the safety of her arms, I accepted the darkness.

I don't know how we made it to my room. Looking back, there were a lot of thing I don't remember about that night. Maybe it was the shock of losing so much, the heightened emotions, or the uncertainty that hung over the kingdom.

I do remember laying in my bed, feeling lost and more alone than anytime before. I remember drifting in and out of sleep, haunted by blue eyes and lilac alike.

In between my moments of sleep, I found myself thinking about the personal implications of this war. After all, in the beginning, did I not oppose the unifying of the kingdoms? Did I not wreak havoc on the worlds in retaliation? I did not destroy worlds; after all, they were the same people I had fought alongside just a short time before.

With a start, I realized this was the end of the Kingdom. Whether we lived or died here, the Moon Kingdom was shattered. I had seen its creation, and now I was watching it end.

A part of me would have rejoiced at this at one point. Not the death and destruction, but the crumbling of the principle. The planets returning to their separate pages. But now, after all the years of watching and learning and understanding, I can't imagine a system with the pieces standing alone. It simply felt right that all planets should stand together.

If I was to be honest with myself, I had felt this way for a while. Getting used to the Queens was one thing, but peace...Peace was easy to fall in love with. And now that peace was gone.