Chapter 4
Etheria, the past
Queen Lunamera sits at an ornate glossy black dining table with her three daughters and Count Marzo eating a dinner as grand as the Argonian kingdom. Every kind of food imaginable rests on the table, waiting to be devoured. The queen resides at the head of the table with her lover close by. Marzo digs into his food only occasionally taking the time to converse with Lunamera while the Star Sisters sit on the other end in silence.
In between each bite of food Lunamera studies her girls, eyeing them carefully. Cunning eyes of a predator rest behind the hard shell of plaster on Lunamera's face as a garish swirl of color patterns around her eyes. She narrows her focus on Jewelstar, the shyest daughter, "You aren't eating your food Jewelstar."
Addressing her mother simply, Jewelstar explains that she has only been eating a small amount. Her hunger is not that great. Starla and Telescopa sit in silence. Lunamera cuts into a piece of bloody raw meat, sighing before taking a juicy bite, "Well my shyest little one, it is not right to waste your food. We wouldn't want to throw all this out."
Jewelstar nods while following her mother's orders. She prepares to take a bite of food so as not to appear wasteful, but hesitates, "Mother?" Lunamera nods while chewing. Jewelstar continues, "With so much food on this table, could I please deliver it to some of the Argonian people who are unable to find food?" The kingdom of Argonia is a splendid section of Etheria, but there are still problems. Not everyone has the ability to be prosperous. There are some who are in more unfortunate circumstances, Jewelstar is aware of this. All three sisters are. Since they can never leave the kingdom, they have certainly learned their fair share of the intricate details of the kingdom's population.
Lunamera is not thrilled with such questions regarding any excess food, "Now why would you ask me such a thing? You know my stance on this topic, have we not discussed it before?" Lunamera waits for an answer while Jewelstar remains silent in anxious fear. "Well Jewelstar? Answer me." The queen tilts her head in a mocking way. Starla and Telescopa quickly toss a look to each other as Count Marzo continues to eat.
"I know your position mother…" Jewelstar is going to say more on the matter, but her mother interrupts her, "Very good Jewelstar. Then you know I abhor the idea of rewarding those who cannot reward themselves. It is such a travesty that people in this kingdom do not have certain amenities that the rest of us possess, but they simply need to exert more. Work harder. Contribute to this kingdom and they too will find the comforts of a good life." Feeling confident in her version of the truest facets of life, Lunamera goes back to her plate of bloody meat.
Jewelstar refuses to stay quiet though and instead continues on her own version of the truth, "Mother I politely disagree. There are people in this kingdom who do work hard and still struggle. Families that cannot provide enough food or shelter for their families; there are others who are sick or old. Too many people go without things that are not simply amenities. They are necessary to survive. Argonia is not meant to do this, to leave people hurting. I beg of you, let me bring some of this food to those in need." Jewelstar pleads with her mother as Starla tries to calm her sister down. She can tell that their mother is getting angry.
Slamming her utensils onto the plate, Lunamera flinches as she feels a few drops of blood from her dinner splatter up on her face. Count Marzo pauses from his food, finally aware that the tension in the air could easily be cut into two. Lunamera glares towards the lightly frosted candy coated colored hair of her daughter, "You sound just like your father."
Feeling a surge of confidence rush into her veins, Jewelstar stares right into her mother's eyes, "And if he were here right now he'd agree. He'd be embarrassed by your attitude towards your people as well as that man sitting right next to you!" She points a finger towards Count Marzo. Anger etches across Jewelstar's face as she essentially acknowledges that her mother has been having an affair with the magician.
Lunamera can only sit there, stewing in her silence. Marzo is ready to say something, anything that will defend any purported union between him and Lunamera, however he remains quiet. Rising slowly from her chair, Lunamera glides effortlessly towards Jewelstar, "My dear daughter. I believe you are right. It is important that we feed those who are unable to feed themselves. Open your mouth." Jewelstar shakes her head in fear as her mother wraps a hand around the light pink ponytail high atop her daughter's head. Yanking Jewelstar's head back, Lunamera snaps, "Open your mouth."
Tears form in Jewelstar's eyes as her lower lip trembles before slowly hanging her mouth open. Starla refuses to watch this. Standing up from her seat she screams for her mother to stop. Glaring at the blond, Lunamera lifts her free hand in the air and magically commands Starla back into the seat before hurling the chair against the wall. Starla can't believe the power her mother possesses.
"Now listen to your mother. I refuse to allow my daughters to tell me how to run my kingdom! Eat your food!" Grabbing a chunk of vegetable and rice pudding in hand, Lunamera shoves the food into Jewelstar's mouth. Frantically trying not to choke with each piece of food that is shoved into her mouth, Jewelstar moans in pain as the tears begin to fall freely. Her sisters look on in horror. Starla can only scream for her mother to stop as Telescopa looks on in terror at what their mother is doing.
As if driven by madness, Lunamera scrapes more food into her hand before shoveling more into her daughter's mouth. Jewelstar soon finds it hard to breathe while trying to swallow the sheer amount of food in her mouth. "You're hurting her!" Starla screams while unable to leave her seat. Count Marzo observes the chaos around him with a curious eye. He isn't sure how far Lunamera is going to take this insanity.
Jewelstar begins to choke though Lunamera is blind to her actions. The queen is driven by a sharp range of emotions all of which are targeting her daughter. Starla continues to scream as she fights to free herself from the magical bonds holding her prisoner in her dining chair. The only one who is able to react is Telescopa. Snapping from her fear, the tall daughter extends her arms quickly as she flings a silver serving platter at her mother. The platter lands across Lunamera's face cracking some of the pale plaster mask covering her face. Cracks begin to form.
Letting go of Jewelstar, Lunamera quickly looks around her surroundings and the mess of food in her hands. Jewelstar is trying to breathe while food gurgles up her throat and down her chin. She can't stop crying. Starla feels the magical forces dissipate around her. Rushing to her sister, Starla and Telescopa both help Jewelstar up.
Nearly ready to strike again, Lunamera is silenced by Marzo, "Let them be Mera." The way he refers to her makes the sisters sick. They watch their mother leave the dining room as Marzo prepares to follow. He looks back to the young women, "Clean her up and deliver whatever you want to the people of Argonia, courtesy of the queen." In a moment he is gone to find Lunamera.
"Are you all right sister?" Telescopa graces her palm across Jewelstar's cheek. Coughing before speaking, the shy sister shivers, "Thank you Tele. You saved me." The two sisters hug as Starla looks on, "She nearly killed you. I don't understand what has happened to our mother. Something is not right with her; and the way that the Count fawns over her, it is disgusting. Father must know this."
Telescopa nods before adding, "What did she do to you Starla? How was she able to toss you to the side like that?" The sisters all look at each other. Starla sighs as she looks towards the doors to the dining room, "I believe that was magic. She used magic on us." All three stand close to each other suddenly feeling unsafe in what is supposed to be the safest place on Etheria: their home.
High into the snowy mountains of the Kingdom of Snows, Solaria and the rest of the Guardians of the Gemstones have three tents built up in the ruins of a village that was meant to provide them answers regarding the barbarians. The tents are made of a special material with metallic fibers woven in to protect them from the harsh weather. Flags bearing the Argonian crest stick out from the top whipping through the wind. Each tent is a specific color and can fit two people comfortably. Resting in the blue tent is Saphire and Rubee. The day has been long and rough so both warrior women are each in deep sleep.
A luxurious pale pink tent resides near the blue tent. Onyx and Jade are both inside catching up on the events of the day. Both women feel as if their journey into the frozen section of Etheria has been a waste of time. Aside from a battle against Vultura, the Guardians and King Kroma have not gotten any closer to finding out where the barbarians are located and just who the mystery Dragon Queen really is. "Or is it possible that we only went on this journey so that our Golden Girl could dally around with the king?" Jade asks looking at Onyx for an honest answer. Onyx can only shake her head, "It is not up to us to poke our noses in business that does not involve us. I only wish we could get back to the castle and away from this strange land with these strange bugs…" Onyx brushes off a strange looking bug from her bare leg. Both women continue their discussion.
In the final tent dripping in royal red, Solaria rests next to Kroma under a heavy blanket. They are nude fresh off a session of lovemaking that does not sit well with the Golden Girl. "We shouldn't be doing this. I should have brought a fourth tent or at the very least shared a tent with the other Guardians." Kroma rubs his hand through Solaria's long blond hair. He can only smile at their recent bout of ecstasy, "You can't keep feeling this way Solaria. We aren't doing anything wrong."
Propping herself up on her elbows, Solaria lowers her face before looking back up at her forbidden lover, "This is wrong Kroma. You are betrothed to my sister." Kroma can only shake his head, "I may have joined my hand with Lunamera's, but it is my heart that you will forever have. You are my true queen." Solaria bites her lower lip, "I am a disgrace to the kingdom. I know that there are those who talk."
The king does not understand, "Do you mean the Guardians?" Solaria rolls her eyes trying to keep him up, "We are in the same tent Kroma. We always share the same tent on our adventures. The Guardians have long known that there is something forbidden between us and they have never said a word. I fear that others are taking notice though. I do not wish to hurt my sister."
He grabs hold of her left hand and kisses it gently, "No one is going to get hurt. Besides, your sister does not care for me. I know she has some unique relationship with that weasel Count Marzo. I see it every time they are in a room together." The wind picks up outside as Solaria stands up naked in the soft light of a glowing lantern in the corner. Kroma can only marvel at her body, the curves strong yet soft. He wants her all over again.
Instead Solaria begins sliding her golden armor on. "What are you doing, come back to me Solaria." She shakes her head, "This is not right Kroma. No matter what my sister is doing with Marzo or any other man for that matter, it does not make what has happened between us any better. I care for you and these adventures we go on allow us to spend so much time together, but we are here to find answers." She motions between the two of them, "This other stuff, it is getting in the way. I want us to find the person who wants your daughters dead." Grabbing her white and gold cape in a swooshing effect; Solaria steps out of the tent and into the cold biting environment of the Kingdom of Snows.
Kroma rests back looking up at the tent ceiling wondering just how he is going to figure out his life; nothing makes sense. He loves Solaria. She is the strongest women he knows. Her grace and beauty rests in his mind every single moment of the day. All of this is a distraction though, he knows. They are all in the Kingdom of Snows for a reason. The king wants to protect his daughter more than anything, even than his love for the most remarkable woman in the universe. Kroma continues to lie there in the tent, swatting off some annoying bugs.
Outside in the freezing cold Solaria stands still looking at the ruins of an icy city that is no more. She wonders about the people that once lived among the ruins. Hoping for some sort of answer regarding her nieces Solaria focuses on what the Guardians have seen thus far on their adventure. Her thoughts are interrupted as she quickly turns towards the sound of approaching footsteps.
Clad in a pink and golden cape, Onyx approaches her friend. "I thought I saw someone out here. It's cold." Onyx shivers dramatically for effect. Both women laugh. Solaria simply explains that she could not sleep; too much is on her mind regarding the barbarians.
"Is that all though Solaria?" Onyx looks to her friend for honesty. Shaking her head sadly, Solaria sighs, "How could I become this person? I love him Onyx. It is dangerous though to love him." Onyx nods, "We know. I know this isn't ideal Solaria, but the other Guardians and I support you. We are all here for you." Solaria nods grateful for her friendships. The women continue to talk about the barbarians and just where their adventure will take them next.
In time the two women decide to stave off their conversation for daylight, the cold is too much. Saying their good nights, Onyx and Solaria head off towards their tents. Onyx has to walk a little further and as she does she can make someone standing outside her tent. Believing the image to be that of Jade, Onyx focuses more closely and notices that she is looking at a man. A large muscular man with long dark hair and a stance that looks menacing. Something is covering his face. Onyx does not like this and rushes as fast she can through the snow to make it to the tent. She screams out for Jade, hoping the Guardian is not in trouble.
As Solaria prepares to step into her tent, she hears a loud scream from outside that takes her away from coming back to Kroma; which is a shame because King Kroma is struggling to fight for his life as a swarm of various bugs and insects begin crawling all over him, forcing him to stay on the ground. He tries to scream but the bugs enter into his mouth muffling his screams and distorting his mind.
A strange looking woman stands in the tent with large moth wings on her back. Her hair is a deep purple with a shock of wavy pink. Marks appear on her face as she grins at the struggling king. Raising a finger to her lips, the lady offers a sinister, "Shh…"
Back outside, Solaria rushes towards Onyx. She can see that there is a struggle going on but she can't make out what is happening. Before Solaria can get any closer, she notices a woman stalking through the snow towards her. A tall woman with blond hair braided into massive pigtails lumbers forward with a furry cape draped over her body. Black twisted markings travel over her left eye down her nose and swoop out under her right eye. She looks crazed, ready for a fight. Throwing her furry cape open the blond known as Wild One reveals a blue suit of armor and swirls of black markings over her legs that match the one across her face. Howling out a banshee yell; Wild One charges towards Solaria with sword ready to fight in the dropping temperature.
Meanwhile, Onyx struggles against the hulking Ogra, a skull-masked barbarian warlord with a deadly hand at using a battle axe. He is no match for the swift footed Onyx. Flipping around the giant, Onyx tosses one of her swords through the air, hoping to make contact. "Jade!" Onyx continues to scream dodging an attack by Ogra before catching her returning sword.
Inside Kroma's tent, the wicked winged witch of the night known as Moth Lady laughs loudly as she watches Kroma squirm under her bugs. "Do you like my little friends? It feels euphoric to communicate with Etheria's tiniest little creatures. I control you now." Sneering ever so slightly, Moth Lady looks around the empty tent, "I can see you have been busy King Kroma. A shame really." King Kroma spits out some of the bugs, trying to find words. Moth Lady can tell he has something important to say. Controlling some of the bugs around him, Moth Lady listens to Kroma demand to know what is going on.
"Are you the Dragon Queen?" He asks staring at the fearsome witch before him. Moth Lady throws her head back in a fit of cackling laughter, "Oh no. I simply serve the Dragon Queen. And you and your harem of Warrior Women are getting into trouble. Just give us your daughters King Kroma and all this can go away." She grins maniacally at him, waiting for an answer. Kroma refuses to give up, "My daughters will never be harmed by you or anyone else. Now give up your Dragon Queen and be spared." All the Moth Lady can do is grin as she approaches the king closer.
Out in the freezing temperature of the Kingdom of Snows Solaria and Wild One clash in an epic battle of strength and courage; Solaria can feel the chill tearing into her bones but she won't stop until Wild One is vanquished. As the two of them fight across the mountain, Ogra continues to go after Onyx.
Trying to be faster than him, Onyx soon finds herself in his clutches. He lifts her up tossing her into the pink tent. It is there that Onyx finds the fate of Jade. Tied up in rope, Jade shares a panicked look with Onyx. Doing her best to save Jade, Onyx feels herself being picked up again and hurled into the snow by Ogra.
Grinning from ear to ear, the barbarian grabs his axe and leans over Jade. He is ready to kill her and nearly does until Onyx screams out in anger. Hurling her sword into the air, it circles around on a journey to return to its owner. Before that can happen though, the handle slams into the skull mask over Ogra's face. Cracking the mask, Ogra falls backward into the snow. His nose bloody with pieces of bone in his eye, he turns around facing Onyx in a fit of rage.
Swinging his arm high into the air, Ogra prepares to slam his axe into the sword maiden. The fates have other plans as bolts of light rip across the night sky. Yelling out in the near distance, Saphire and Rubee race in ready to join in the fray. Rubee fires one of her fire tipped arrows that makes a direct hit into Ogra's shoulder while Saphire releases bursts of distracting bright light.
Wild One quickly gives up on her fight with Golden Girl once she can see that Ogra is in danger. Letting out another banshee yell, Wild One swoops in to get Ogra out of the fray. Wild One unleashes another battle cry hoping that Moth Lady can hear. Soon the two rush off as the Guardians free Jade.
Solaria approaches the Guardians of the Gemstones, "Where have they gone?" Onyx explains that their brutal barbarians ran off. "We were confined in our tent." Rubee explains, glad that Saphire and her both were able to free themselves. Suddenly Solaria turns, "Kroma." She rushes through the snow away from the Guardians.
Hoping that her lover is safe, Solaria throws open her red tent and gasps as she walks in on Moth Lady standing over a bug infested King Kroma. Moth Lady tilts her head with a sneer, "If you must know her identity King Kroma, the Dragon Queen is right under your nose." Solaria rushes to capture Moth Lady but is too late.
Cackling a wicked laugh, the witch disintegrates into thousands of bugs quickly escaping from the tent and out into the frozen night. Solaria rushes to Kroma's side as he gags from the horrors of Moth Lady. "Are you all right my love?" Solaria panics as Kroma is silent. The king looks up at his golden girl unsure what to say. He stared at his near death only moments ago at the hands of a wicked witch and her words are all that can stick with him. The Dragon Queen is right under his nose…
Alone in her room, Queen Lunamera paces across her room awaiting the arrival of Count Marzo. Soon the magician walks in and the two rush towards each other in an embrace. "Where are they?" She asks recalling the dinner from earlier in the night. Marzo can only shrug, "You're daughters have left for all I know. I wanted to give you some time, have you composed yourself yet?" He traces a finger across the plaster on her face.
Brushing away from him, Lunamera trembles slightly, "I could feel so much power coursing through my body. The magic you have been teaching me… I could have killed them. I could have harmed my daughters." A look of shock crosses her face. Marzo nods before speaking carefully, "You almost did."
Carefully taking a seat in front of her vanity, Lunamera shakes her head, "This whole time I thought I needed help. But I think I can do this now." Marzo looks at his lover and sighs, "What are you trying to say?"
Daring to tempt the fates, Lunamera shares in the unthinkable, "Forget the work of the barbarians. I will be the one to do it. I will be the one to finally kill my daughters: the Star Sisters." Marzo is pleased to finally hear Lunamera speak her own truth, "Are you sure you want to do this? It can't be tied to you Lunamera. There will be too much at stake."
Ever the one to formulate a plan, Lunamera can only grin, "No, I'll do it myself. I will require your help though Marzo." Nodding at her words, Marzo kneels between the queen's legs, "I will forever serve you, my Dragon Queen." Opening her mouth in delight, Lunamera leans back in her seat as Marzo begins to take care of all her needs.
Falling into a passionate celebration, Lunamera and Marzo feed off each other well into the night and even further as the sun comes up marking the start of a new day. The heroes are gone chasing after dead ends while the Star Sister's biggest threat is right there inside the Kingdom of Argonia. The Dragon Queen's plan is finally going to begin.