Chapter Twelve
A Shattered Heart! Eitai's Worst Fears
Sailor Aion stood by the Time Gate with her gloved hands clasped in front of her. Her crystal eyes stared pleadingly into the dark eyes of the person before her, but she said nothing. There was nothing that she could say, nothing she could do, to escape the fate before her. The crisis that had threatened to destroy the galaxy had passed, the senshi once again policed the cosmos and kept it safe from harm. Chaos had disappeared, and the Sailor Wars were finally at an end.
Sailor Pluto gripped her staff, her face emotionless as she prepared to return her double to exile. They had fought together, side by side, as the senshi battled against the devastating forces of Chaos. They had watched their sister and brother senshi succumb to the darkness, and had been by Sailor Galaxia's side as she told them she would deal with Chaos once and for all. Their friend had disappeared, and Pluto and Aion had comforted each other in their sorrow, mourning the loss of the greatest of all the senshi.
But Chaos had gone, and Sailor Aion was no longer needed in this world. There was no place for her here anymore.
"Please," Aion whispered as Pluto raised the garnet orb on her staff.
Pluto said nothing as a vortex opened behind Aion. She gasped and held out a hand imploringly, but the vortex was strong and it quickly swallowed her whole.
Lost and suddenly alone, Aion tumbled through timelessness. She had been abandoned again, thrust aside to let life continue without her. She was a puppet, scarcely a human at all, and would soon be forgotten. The cold of the Void settled onto her skin, replacing the warmth she had received from the sun for an all-too brief period of time. She cried out, her voice absorbed into the thick emptiness of the Void. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she cried out again and again, desperate for anyone to hear her.
Eitai woke up with a sudden jerk and wiped the tears from her face. She was sitting in the comfortable living room of the apartment that had once belonged to Setsuna, the same senshi who had locked her in the Void. She was breathing heavily, her heart pounding in her chest, and she blinked a few times to get her bearings. She was not in the Void, she was on Earth.
"Eitai, are you all right?" a voice next to her asked.
She turned to see Kami kneeling on the floor next to her chair, a hand rested gently her arm and a worried expression was on her face. Eitai took a few deep breaths and smiled. It had been a nightmare, but it had also been a memory.
"I'm fine," Eitai said. "A bad dream."
"You were crying out," Kami told her, rising to her feet. "I thought you were in trouble."
"Just fine," Eitai repeated, leaning back in her chair. Her pulse had settled back to normal and the memory was fading back into obscurity. Still, Kami continued to regard her with concern.
"Maybe you need a break too," Kami told her. "You've been through more than all of us."
"It's my duty," Eitai replied simply. "But maybe I will go for a walk. There are a few things I need to pick up from the store."
Kami shook her head. "No shopping. Do something you enjoy. Watch a movie, have a picnic, read a book. Stop taking care of us for a few minutes."
Eitai smiled. "But I enjoy taking care of you. It's nice to have someone to spoil."
Kami sighed. "Do what you like. I'm going to take a shower and then curl up in a chair and read all afternoon."
The expression on Kami's face indicated that there was something she would much rather do than read, someone she would rather see, but it was too soon. Eitai watched her leave, wondering how long it would take for her and Tansei to forgive. Pushing the last traces of the dream from her mind, Eitai rose to her feet and headed for the door.
The sky was a bright blue with a few fluffy white clouds sailing past. The breeze was warm and gentle, making it extremely comfortable to be outside. As Akumu walked along the stone paths through the dense, vibrant gardens, she realized every day since she had arrived here had been the same. It was always a beautiful day.
While Elios was occupied with his duties in the temple, Akumu would wander around the grounds and try to relax. The realization that she had not caused Jun's death, and that she was in fact an important part in the battle against Hodur, had calmed her down considerably. She was learning, under Elios' watchful eye, how to use her powers as Noctis rather than in her uncontrollable form of the Fury. She was also learning about her past, growing up in these very gardens.
The bell rang at the temple, and Akumu turned to go back the way she had come. Only the initiated were permitted inside, but whatever they did in there, Elios often emerged tired and hungry. It had become a habit of theirs to eat lunch together when the temple bell rang, and Akumu would always be waiting for him in the courtyard.
Today, however, an acolyte approached her and bowed to her. Akumu looked behind the girl to see if Elios was waiting elsewhere, but the young priest was absent.
"Forgive me, Mistress," the girl said hesitantly. "Master Elios sends his regards, but he has retired to his room. He says he will join you at supper."
Akumu rose to her feet. "Is he sick?"
The acolyte stepped back inadvertently. Akumu could tell she was afraid, and with good cause. The first afternoon she and Elios had tried to control her powers, she had turned into the Fury and it had taken the remainder of the day to calm her enough for her to transform back. Most of the people who served Elios were terrified of her.
As the acolyte stammered a response, Akumu brushed past her and into the palace. She headed up the great white staircase and burst into the room where Elios slept. The priest was sitting up in bed, as if he had been expecting her. He appeared pale and drawn, and the golden horn on his forehead did not shine as brightly as it often did. Still, he smiled as Akumu approached and invited her to sit down.
"What's wrong, Elios? Are you hurt?" Akumu demanded, sitting on the edge of his bed.
He smiled. "Just tired, Akumu, but it's nice of you to worry. I'm sorry about lunch."
"Forget lunch," Akumu said. "Why are you tired all the time?"
Elios lowered his eyes and Akumu instantly regretted asking the question. It seemed the answer was a painful subject for the priest of Elysium. She reached out and put a comforting hand on his, only to find his skin cold to touch. He raised his head to look at her with sad eyes, yet the smile remained on his face.
"It's Elysium that tires me," he explained. "I must maintain it myself, and Hodur is trying to find a way in. I can sense him."
"But didn't you say only the pure of heart could enter here?" Akumu asked.
Elios nodded. "I pray I never see the day when evil enters this place. The Land of Dreams could easily become a world of nightmares."
"We have to stop him. Hodur. What can we do?"
"Nothing yet. We have time still. When you're ready, I'll set you on the right path." Elios yawned and pulled his hand away from Akumu to cover his mouth. "But right now, if it's okay with you, I would like to sleep for a while."
Akumu leapt to her feet, instantly embarrassed about barging in. She began to apologize, but Elios waved it aside good-naturedly. As he lay down to sleep, Akumu tiptoed out of the room and closed the doors quietly behind her.
The air was thick and wrapped around her like a smothering blanket. She kept her eyes closed, knowing that if she opened them she would see nothing but darkness and the occasional pinprick of light. Her body floated as if on the surface of a deep pool, but her mind was always awake, always aware. Voices came to her from the darkness, memories and emotions that were not hers. She would feel pain, happiness, loss, and anger without ever knowing the cause. She would see the world through eyes that were not her own, and she would save the galaxy using a strength she did not possess. The memories were infrequent, however, and long periods of time would pass when no one thought of her, and nothing was brought for her to experience. During those lonely times, she would be alone with her own thoughts and no one else's, experiencing only the emptiness of the Void.
Eitai raised her head sharply, barely aware that she had been lost in thought. She was seated on a stone bench near a busy intersection, people milling about her without noticing her and the air alive with the buzz of conversation. She sat back and smiled to herself, watching the people of Tokyo going about their daily business, caring only about the minor issues in their lives and not the fate of the planet. Eitai envied them still, knowing that once her task had been completed she would return to solitude. Her smile flickered a threatened to vanished as her thoughts drifted back to her isolation, when she heard someone call out her name. Blinking and turning her head, she saw Minako running towards her, her long blonde hair streaming out behind her as she moved, one hand raised to get her attention.
"Eitai-san!" Minako exclaimed breathlessly as she slide to a halt in front of the older woman. "I'm happy I found you!"
Eitai smiled in amusement. "What can I do for you, Minako-san?"
Minako winked and took Eitai by the hand, pulling her to her feet. "I have a surprise for you. I was just at your apartment and Kami-chan told me you'd be around here."
"What surprise?" Eitai questioned as the blonde girl pulled her down the street.
"A day at the hot springs!" Minako announced. "I won tickets in a singing contest a few months ago. We've been so busy lately, I forgot all about them, but they expire today."
Eitai stopped, suddenly hesitant. Minako turned to look at her as Eitai shook her head. "No, I couldn't."
"Why not?" Minako asked.
"I can't go far. What if I'm needed? What if Hodur manages to … if he … no. I can't. I'm sorry."
Minako frowned. "All you do is worry about others, you know that? You need time for yourself too, Eitai-san. The world won't end if you relax a bit."
"It might."
Minako laughed and took Eitai by the hand again. "One afternoon. I'll have you home before dinner, I promise. You'll like it when you get there."
Reluctantly, Eitai followed the girl, but her mind was on the city. She had been awakened for a reason, otherwise she would have staying locked in the Void. The threat to the Earth must be real, and she had to be there when it happened. Why else would she have been released?
Kami tossed her book aside in frustration. She had tried to relax and read for a while, but her thoughts kept drifting to Tansei. Lying to him had been one of the hardest things she had ever had to do, and she had done more than her share of tough things. She hated to think that he was in the city somewhere right now, alone with his anger, not thinking of her the same way she thought of him. It ate her up inside. The arrival of Minako had been a welcome distraction, but she had waved the invitation to the hot springs aside. Eitai would benefit more from the relaxation, she knew. She told the other girl she was off to visit Akumu in Elysium, and insisted that she find Eitai. Knowing the senshi of eternity, she would not have wandered too far from the apartment.
After Minako had left, all desire to continue attempting to read had disappeared. Kami stood and paced around the unusually quiet apartment for a while, wondering in passing where Kiki had gone. She knew Akumu would be fine with Elios, and that the remaining inner senshi were safe for the time being while Hodur recovered from his encounter with her sister. A smile passed over her lips as she pictured the god of darkness cowering before Akumu, although she knew from her sister's account that he had done nothing of the sort.
Finally giving up on pacing, Kami headed to the door and slipped on her shoes. If nothing else, she could walk around the city instead of wearing down the carpet. Deep in her heart, she hoped she would bump into Tansei so she could apologize to him, but she wasn't even sure he would talk to her. With a deep sigh, she left the apartment and exited onto the street.
Not far from where she walked, a pair of bright purple eyes watched her go. She was sure of this one. She would not – could not – make the same mistake again.
Eitai stood nervously to one side as Minako presented her vouchers to the attendant. The trip to the spring had been nice, she was forced to admit. They had taken the bus up the side of a mountain, Minako chatting good-naturedly the whole time. Eitai listened patiently, enjoying the steady stream of chatter and learning about the lives of the young senshi she had to protect. Minako even spoke of Makoto and Ami, although her voice wavered a bit at the mention of their names. When they disembarked at the spring, she was once again in a jubilant mood and danced around Eitai as they walked to the gate. A smile passed over Eitai's lips as she thought of another who had danced around her at the beginning of their journey, just happy to be alive and free.
"Eitai-san, what a surprise!" a melodic voice exclaimed.
Turning, Eitai found herself looking into the faces of Michiru and Haruka. The aquamarine haired senshi of water was elegantly dressed in a pale pink robe, her hair piled up on top of her head and pinned in place. She rested her hand lightly on Haruka's arm, the blonde racer dressed in a dark blue man's robe. Eitai bowed to them politely, and they returned the courtesy.
"I fear I've been abducted," Eitai said with a smile, gesturing to the counter where Minako was in deep conversation.
Michiru and Haruka followed her gaze and smiled knowingly. "It's good to see you out of the city," Michiru said. "Perhaps you and Minako-chan will join us? We have a private pool reserved for the day."
"That would be great!" Minako exclaimed, suddenly materializing beside Eitai. She turned to the older senshi and showed her a brochure. "Look! They have nature walks and natural caves to explore, and gardens.."
"No cave," Eitai said abruptly, "please."
Minako seemed a little shocked by the outburst, but her easy grin quickly returned. "Okay, no caves, but there are lots of other things to do here."
"But first," Haruka interrupted, "let's go to the spring. I could use a hot bath with three pretty ladies."
Michiru laughed and blushed slightly, tugging on Haruka's arm to lead her away. Eitai and Minako followed behind them, but Eitai still felt hesitant about indulging herself like this. It felt wrong to her, somehow.
"Sailor Aion! Focus!" the old man barked.
The five year old senshi kept her face a mask and nodded slightly. She was standing in a garden, balanced on one foot, with her arms held over her head and her palms together. A bead of sweat appeared on her forehead, the only indication of her extreme concentration.
"You still cannot hear them!" the man snapped. "Harder, Aion!"
"I can't!" the child cried, her façade breaking as tears leaked from her eyes. "It's too hard."
Suddenly losing her balance, she toppled over and hit the ground hard. The old man stood over her menacingly as she pushed herself upright and rubbed her sore back. The man sighed deeply as Aion looked up at him with large crystal eyes.
"Enough. Return to your cave and meditate."
Aion nodded and the man turned to walk back to the large village on the hillside. She waited until he was lost from view, before turning herself and walking down a winding dirt path that led to the dark cavern she called home.
Akumu flew through the air as Noctis, her black feathery wings flapping soundlessly above her as she looked down on Elysium. Next to her flew a white pegasus with a golden horn on his forehead, galloping across the clouds as if he were in a field of grass. Having finally mastered her ability to transform, Noctis was please with her progress. She had not transformed into the Fury in days, her anger firmly under her control now. She could become the goddess of night at a whim, although it still left her drained of energy and ravenously hungry.
Soaring through the sky, she noticed a dark area on the horizon. Where the sky was blue and sunny in Elysium, it was black and full of sparkles. She did not feel afraid of it, but she could feel a power similar to the one she felt in Elysium emanating from over there.
"Elios, what is that place?" she asked the pegasus.
"Erebus," Elios replied with a shake of his equine head. "It is the place of judgement and gateway to the world of nightmares."
"Gateway?" Noctis repeated, hovering in midair as she stared at the horizon.
"The souls of the dead are brought through Erebus," Elios explained. "They are ferried across the rivers, and judged in the castle. The virtuous souls are sent to Elysium to live in their dreams. The damned souls are send to Tartarus and are locked in nightmares. The dangerous souls are sent to Orcus to do penance for the crimes they committed in life."
"Is that where Hodur will attack?" Noctis asked.
Elios hesitated a moment. "Yes. He will try to break through the gates."
Noctis regarded the distant dark land for a moment longer. It seemed so far away, yet more real to her than the eternal spring of Elysium. The gateway to the lower world, Erebus. It felt familiar to her, somehow, and she felt a pang in her stomach like homesickness for this place she had never seen.
Below her, Elios was returning to the ground, lazily floating on an air current while waiting for Noctis to catch up. With a final lingering look at the dark land, Noctis flew down to join her friend.
At dinner that evening, Akumu ate as if she had never seen food, much to Elios' amusement. She was increasing in power and control, he observed silently to himself as he regarded the girl. In the short time she had been wit him, she had learned so much about herself and her abilities. Elios smiled proudly at the child his sister had cared for, the daughter she had never had. With Akumu here, it felt like his family had been partially restored, although nothing could replace the emptiness Jun had left in his heart.
After she had eaten, Akumu sat back in the large comfortable chair and closed her eyes, sighing contentedly. Elios watched her for several minutes, convinced she had fallen asleep. He was about to rise when he heard his name spoken softly.
"Elios?" Akumu murmured without opening her eyes.
"Yes?"
"Why did you and Jun take care of me? When I was a baby?"
Elios paused, deep in thought. He waited so long to answer that Akumu opened one eye to see if he was still there. She saw him seated with his elbows resting on the arms of his chair, fingers tented in front of his face, and his expression lost in thought. She struggled to sit up, finding herself too tired to move far, and opened both her eyes to wait for the answer to her question.
"The simplest answer to that is because your sister asked us to," Elios said finally. "But I'm afraid there's a more complicated answer, too. Has your sister told you much about your past?"
"Not much," Akumu was becoming more awake now. "She told me I was Noctis, and that I was the darkness in the world. I know from Hodur that he was once my disciple, but if I was – am – a goddess, why am I mortal now?"
Elios sighed. "It's late. Perhaps we should talk about this after you've rested?"
Akumu shook her head. Elios smiled gently at her and folded his arms on his lap, elbows resting lightly on the arms of his chair. Akumu snuggled deeper into the cushions where she half-sat, half-lay, but her eyes were wide open and alert.
"It was your choice to become mortal," Elios told her. "After the devastating Sailor Wars, when Galaxia had taken Chaos into her body to contain it, we were all worried what might happen if Galaxia lost control. You volunteered to watch her, but to do so, you had to become mortal.
"Galaxia was living with a friend of hers, and she agreed to take you in. We were going to reduce your age to about thirteen, so you would be able to react in case of an emergency, but something went wrong. The spell you cast on yourself turned you into an infant and wholly mortal. Nearly all trace of Noctis was vanished, save what Lucis hid deep in your Star Seed."
Akumu was rapt with attention now. She had learned from Galaxia herself what had happened to her when she was a baby, how Galaxia had fought against the Chaos within her and finally succumbed, how her guardian had been the first one taken and transformed into Sailor Lead Crow, how she had been left alone.
"The plan to watch Galaxia was futile now, as you were too young to do anything, but they took you anyway and Lucis checked in on you when she could. That was how she discovered that Galaxia had been completely taken over, when she found you crying and abandoned.
"So, Lucis brought you here, knowing Jun had always wanted a child. She knew you would be loved and safe, and that the timelessness of Elysium would keep you an infant for a long time, until it was safe to reawaken Noctis' powers."
Akumu nodded and felt herself drifting into sleep again, no matter how hard she tried to stay awake. Her powers had materialized and transformed her into a senshi, not a goddess, because she had become mortal. She had also given up those godly powers when she vowed to remain with Chibiusa in Crystal Tokyo, although Elios would not know of that future yet. He had yet to meet the pink haired girl who would keep him safe, yet steal his heart.
As Akumu slept, Elios stood quietly and drew a blanket around her. The garden where they sat was warm and safe, and he knew Akumu would move to her room when she woke. With a deep sigh, Elios looked from the sleeping girl to the garden around him. It still lacked Jun's familiar presence, one that he was certain would never return. Unconsciously, he turned to face the direction of Erebus, and startled himself when he realized what he was doing. The Gates would need protection, he knew. He glanced back at Akumu. He only hoped she would be ready in time.
Eitai stood by the fence of the private spring that Michiru and Haruka had reserved for their use. The others had already entered the pool, soaking up to their necks in steamy warm water. Still, Eitai was timid. She could not feel comfortable relaxing with other women, even if these women were warriors like herself.
"Eitai-san!" Minako called. "Come on!"
Michiru regarded the older woman who looked so much like Setsuna. She smiled warmly and gestured to the steps leading into the spring.
"Why not sit with your feet in the water, at least?" Michiru suggested.
Grateful for the excuse not to enter the water, Eitai sat on the stones and dangled her feet in the pool. The water was warm and inviting, and she relished the sensation as it swirled around her ankles. It reminded her of the serenity of the Void, the warm peacefulness of oblivion.
Aion floated on her back, her entire body submerged except for her nose and mouth. Her eyes were closed and the water lapped around her gently. She was ten years old, and had been instructed to float in the hot spring for hours each day to prepare herself for her ultimate destiny.
She could hear the memories of the villagers, as she had been taught. She knew which were the thoughts of her mother and her sisters, although she could no longer remember what they looked like. It was as if she were blind, her senses destroyed by the water around her. Suddenly, she sensed another person nearby, and she righted herself, splashing water as she did so. The sounds of the world came back to her sharply, and she winced in spite of herself. The old man stood at the side of the pool, watching her.
"Enjoy the quietness," he advised gruffly. "Centuries will pass before you hear a sound."
Eitai suddenly leapt to her feet, moving away from the pool in horror. Her eyes were wide with fear and she gripped the robe that covered her with one hand. Minako moved towards her, an expression of concern on her face. Haruka glanced about for signs of danger, but saw nothing. Michiru watched impassively.
"I – I'm sorry," Eitai stammered. "I don't know what came over me."
Minako shook her head. "That's okay. Not everyone enjoys the springs. Why don't we go for a walk instead?"
Eitai's expression relaxed and she smiled slightly at the suggestion. Minako left the spring, glancing at Haruka and Michiru over her shoulder.
"Go without us," Haruka said. "We'll catch up."
As Eitai and Minako left, Michiru giggled. "Alone at last?"
Haruka smiled wolfishly. "For a moment."
"Is that all it'll take?"
From the trees surrounding the pool, two figures watched. They both concentrated on the spring, although neither was aware of the other. As Eitai and Minako left, they melted back into the shadows and continued to observe.
Kami was aware that someone was following her. The girl wasn't doing a very good job of hiding it, either. Every time Kami entered a shop, the girl was there. When she would stop for a drink, or to rest, the girl did too. Finally, Kami led her to an isolated spot where she hoped they could talk. If the girl was working for Hodur, however, no one would be hurt in the resulting fight.
Kami waited patiently for the girl to enter the clearing. Kami pretended she was looking at some flowers as the girl snuck up behind her. At the last possible moment, Kami whirled around to face the surprised stalker, her face a mask of anger.
"What do you want?" Kami demanded. "You've been following me all day!"
"I had to be sure," the silver haired girl replied, regaining her calm demeanour.
"Be sure of what?"
"That you are dead."
Kami hesitated. She had no idea what she was expecting from the silver haired girl, but it certainly was not that. Sensing she now had the upper hand, the girl slipped a transformation pen out of her pocket and held it over her head.
"Hypnos Power, Awaken!"
A wind picked up beneath her, blowing her hair and clothes around as she held up the pen and kept her gaze firmly on it. Two gates appeared behind her, one of ivory and one of iron. The gates opened and white cloud blew out of them, wrapping the girl so only her hand and wand were visible. As the gates closed and vanished, taking the white clouds with them, the silver haired girl was gone and in her place stood a silver haired senshi. Kami stared in amazement as she suddenly realized whom she was facing.
"Sailor Hypnos," she said quietly, but the other girl did not hear her.
"Hypnos Soul Reveal!" the senshi exclaimed, pointing to Kami.
A beam of red light shot from her finger and struck Kami in the chest. Kami grunted in pain, but held her ground as the senshi focused her powers. Beads of sweat appeared on Hypnos' brow and Kami gritted her teeth against the pain. Finally, the beam faded and Sailor Hypnos blinked in confusion at the girl before her.
"I don't understand," Hypnos said. "You are dead, but you are hollow."
"I'm not dead," Kami told her almost gently. "I was never alive. I take this form to move about the mortals, but my mortal self did die long ago."
The senshi fell to her knees. "I was mistaken again. That cannot be."
Kami knelt next to her. "Why don't you transform back into your disguise and tell me your name, and I'll explain everything to you. We may have need of you and your sisters before this war is over."
Hypnos looked sharply at Kami. "You know of us?"
"Perhaps I should introduce myself first," Kami stood and took a few steps back from the kneeling Hypnos. She allowed her mortal guise to fade and stood before the senshi as her true glowing self.
"I am Lucis," she said. "The worlds are in danger, Sailor Hypnos of Erebus, both your world and mine."
Eitai and Minako walked silently down the small stone path. It led away from the resort and into the surrounding woods, intending to relax visitors by taking them away from the stress of civilization. For Eitai and Minako, however, the stress seemed to increase with each step. The older senshi was looking around fearfully, as if expecting someone to leap from the shadows at any minute. She was normally so calm and collected, that Minako was worried something was wrong, and she began to regret inviting Eitai to the springs in the first place.
"If you want, we can go back," Minako suggested.
Eitai blinked and turned to the girl, a shocked look on her face. Slowly, she smiled and laughed a little.
"I'm sorry. I'm not acting like myself," Eitai apologized. "It's just this place reminds me of my childhood."
Now it was Minako who had a shocked expression on her face. She had not thought of the senshi of eternity as having a childhood. She had appeared so suddenly and had fought so hard to save them all, Minako assumed she had always been the warrior she was now.
"I didn't have a happy childhood," Eitai continued. "I was taken from my mother when I was three and forced to live in complete isolation."
"That's awful," Minako said sympathetically.
The two girls sat on a bench a little further down the path. The bench faced a small cave that held a shrine in its depths, and Eitai found herself staring at it as if mesmerized. Minako followed her gaze, wondering what she found so interesting in the black cave, but she could not see what Eitai saw. Eitai saw herself as a child, crying in a cave, knowing no one could hear her and no one would come.
"I lived in a cave like that one," Eitai said. "They brought me food when I slept, but I never saw anyone when I was awake. Not for two long years. When I was five, the shaman of our village came to me and told me of my destiny."
Eitai's gaze lowered to her hands on her lap. She was gripping the fabric of her robe tightly as the painful memories of those years of isolation came back to her. She had no idea what her fate would be, did not know she would be immortal but alone. It was a fate that was thrust upon her, and not one she would have ever chosen.
"It's all right, Eitai-san," Minako said softly. "You're here now. You don't have to return to the Void if you don't want to. Usagi-chan won't let you if she knows you want to be free."
Eitai smiled and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I know. Usagi has a large, kind heart, but this is one fate I cannot escape. The world needs a senshi of eternity, one who will live only to help the world in times of despair. When I arrive, it means war. When I leave, it means peace. Nothing can change that."
A stone rattled down the path and the two girls looked up to see Haruka and Michiru standing a respectable distance from them. Michiru smiled, but her smile was sad, and Haruka looked angry.
"Very touching," a hissing voice interrupted.
All four girls were together in an instant, looking around for the source of the voice. Haruka and Eitai recognized it instantly as belonging to Hodur's servant, Vali. Eitai and Minako moved closer to the cave's entrance, searching for the shadowy figure. Suddenly, the ground began to shake. Minako fell into Eitai's arms and held onto her as they fought to keep their balance. They lost sight of Haruka and Michiru as the two girls tumbled into the forest. A grinding sound above them made Eitai raise her head in time to see a few massive boulders falling from the top of the cave. With an exclamation, she pushed Minako aside and felt one of the rocks hit her shoulder. Ignoring the pain as best she could, she tried to escape but was struck again and again by the rocks until there was nothing but blackness.
"Eitai!" Minako cried.
She knelt in front of what used to be the entrance to the small shrine cave, clawing at the heavy rocks that had separated her from her friend. She feared the very worst – that Eitai had been crushed by the falling boulders when she had pushed Minako aside. She saw another pair of hands beside her and realized that Haruka and Michiru had scrambled out of the forest and were helping her clear the debris. They were left to work in peace for a few moments before a jagged bolt of electricity shot through the stones and forced them back, clutching their hands to their chests. A figure materialized between them and the collapsed cave, smiling smugly as if he were enormously pleased with himself.
"Vali," Haruka snarled.
"One down," Vali counted, "three to go. Your Seeds will be mine."
The three girls transformed into their immortal senshi forms, readying themselves for battle. Vali waited patiently for them to finish before firing a sphere of dark energy at Neptune. She flew backwards and struck a tree, the black energy wrapping around her and holding her in place. Uranus used the opportunity to attack, her space sword flashing as she lunged at him. He dodged, his own dark sabre materializing in his hand, countering Uranus' blows. Venus lashed out with her Love-Me Chain, trying to ensnare the enemy's legs and cause him to trip. Vali had a large smile on his face as he avoided being struck from two fronts. It looked as if he were enjoying the game.
"World Shaking!" Uranus called, launching her attack at the demigod.
Vali had been preoccupied with Venus and did not see the attack until it was too late. It struck him full in the chest, and he staggered back a few steps.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!" Venus added, tossing her powers at the weakened Vali.
This also struck him and he cried out in pain. When he raised his eyes to face them, he did not look amused any longer. His face was contorted with anger and he yelled as he shot two long bolts of black energy at his enemies. Uranus and Venus were both hit and gasped in pain as the electricity coursed through their bodies. As it subsided, they fell to their knees. Vali moved to stand over them, one hand clasping his injured arm. He smiled wickedly and prepared to end the fight.
"Powers of the Beast!"
A large white wolf leapt from a nearby tree, landing on Vali and knocking him to the ground. Uranus and Venus struggled to their feet and watched the battle, unsure of how to help their saviour. The wolf bit at the demigod, racking him with its long claws while it tore at his flesh with its teeth. Finally Vali managed to get one of his arms between his body and the wolf, and he sent a ball of energy into its stomach. The wolf whimpered as it was shot backwards, landing on the ground near the tree where Neptune was prisoner. The wolf shape melted away to reveal the still form of Sailor Loki.
"You will die first, wolf," Vali decided, moving to stand over Loki.
Uranus moved first, knocking Vali down with a flying tackle that sent both of them into the trees. Venus ran to Loki's side, checking to make sure the girl was still breathing. She also tried to free Neptune of the strange bonds that held her, but found she could not break Vali's spell. They could hear the sounds of fighting from the forest where Uranus had knocked Vali aside, and Venus plunged into the undergrowth to help her friend.
A terrible scream filled the still air. Venus hesitated for only a second before running faster than she ever had before. It seemed that their battle had taken them impossibly deep into the forest, and that she had been running forever with only the memory of the scream to guide her. She broke through a clearing to see Vali standing over Uranus' body, a Star Seed twirling gently on his palm. Venus stared in shock and shook her head disbelievingly. Not Uranus; she was so strong, so determined. Anger clouded Venus' mind as she faced the smugly smiling Vali. She held out her hand and a bow appeared, with an arrow already present at the string.
"Love Unfaithful Revenge!" Venus called, letting the arrow fly.
Vali held up his hand and a black shield appeared, sheltering him from Venus' attack. He laughed at her and she shot him again and again, tears of rage pouring down her face. She heard crashing behind her as someone walked through the bushes and Loki came out behind her. The mischievous senshi looked so much like Uranus that it only made Venus angrier, and Vali more amused.
"Power of the Beast!" Loki summoned, transforming herself.
This time Vali would not be fooled. He scooped up the body of Sailor Uranus and vanished with her and her Seed through a dark portal. Venus shot an arrow after him, but the portal closed and he was gone. Loki transformed back into herself and turned to leave.
"Haruka," Venus wept. "Oh, poor Michiru. She'll be devastated."
They returned to the path where Neptune waited, having been released when Vali departed. She was clearing the rocks from the cave again, but looked up as the others returned. Her eyes swept over the two distraught senshi and she knew immediately what had happened.
"Haruka," she said softly.
"I'm sorry," Venus replied. "I was too late."
Neptune allowed the tears to flow freely down her cheeks as she smiled at Venus. "You did what you can."
"Eitai!" Loki called as she began to dig at the rubble, ignoring the other two senshi. She moved with great speed and determination, almost as if her life depended on finding her friend alive.
Eitai came to herself and found she was encased in darkness. Her first fleeting thoughts were of the Void, but she realized she sat among hard rocks, which were never present in her exile. She also felt pain, her head was ringing and her arm hurt, but she found she could move. Gently, she pulled herself away from the collapsed entrance and moved deeper into the cave. She could faintly see the shrine by the dim light that peeked through the rocks, but all she could recall was her youth in the cave outside her village.
Unbidden, the cave transformed into her former home in her minds eye. She could see the small pool of mineral-tasting water that she used to both drink and bathe. Her animal skin pallet lay on the ground nearby, and the remains of the fire she used to keep herself warm. She sat down, wrapping her arms around her shoulders and holding herself close. She was alone again, alone and scared like she had been as a child.
"Minako-san" she called. "Haruka-san! Michiru!"
She waited and called out again, but no answer came. She waited for the rocks that entombed her in the cave to be removed, but they did not budge. She could feel the walls of the cave closing in on her, threatening to crush her and complete the task the falling rocks had failed to do. Her friends were not answering, perhaps they had already left and forgotten her. She should not have felt surprised at the thought. She was always forgotten by the senshi she saved, by the world she sacrificed her freedom to protect. She was alone, always alone, in the cold and the dark, like she was now.
"Eitai!"
She raised her head at the distant sound. She had probably imagined it, her friends long gone and mourning her passing. The sound came again, and she turned to face the front of the cave as a pillar of light came streaming in from a removed stone. Blinking in the sudden brightness, she saw Sailor Loki kneeling by the hole, her face full of worry and relief. Behind her Eitai could see Sailor Neptune and Sailor Venus. Together, they removed enough debris to allow Eitai to climb out, and she was immediately caught in a tight embrace from Loki.
"Are you all right?" Venus asked, looking over her anxiously.
"I think so," Eitai replied. "I've got a massive headache, though."
"And your arm looks pretty bad too," Neptune remarked.
Eitai glanced down and saw her left arm was covered in blood, and the skin had been scraped. She leaned on Loki for support as a wave of dizziness struck her, and the blonde senshi began to lead her up the path. They were a sombre procession, the injured and the morose, and they walked to the resort without speaking.
Hodur held his newest Seed in his palm, enjoying the glow it emitted as it spun. Vali stood before him, looking very pleased with himself as he basked in his master's praise. A lone shadow lingered behind Hodur's throne and out of view, watching everything in silence. Hodur allowed the Seed to return to its host, floating in front of the senshi and supplying just enough energy to keep them both alive. A dead Seed was useless to him, and so his collection expanded. Now he had enough to make a desperate strike for powers.
"It's time," Hodur said. "The Gates are undefended and ripe for the taking. We can use the power we've collected to unleash the wrath of hell on the unsuspecting world."
Vali grinned. "Sounds like fun."
"Then you shall lead the forces," Hodur promised him. "When the Gates of Erebus fall, head to the prison of Orcus. We'll find our army there."
"And none will stand in our way?"
Hodur waved his hand to dismiss the thought. "A handful of weak senshi. Gather their Seeds while you're there. They will have no one to protect them, with the guardian of Elysium already mine."
Please let me know what you think of this story! I'll only continue if I know people are reading!