Note from the Author:
So, I updated with three shorter chapters today. There will be more to come - hopefully sooner than later. Thanks for sticking with me.
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If There Be Light, Then There Be Darkness
Written by Princess Kayla
Inspired by Naoko Takeuchi's "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon"
Chapter Six - A Startling Greeting
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Beryl's heart ached, overwhelmed by her love for her Prince. Clearly, he never revealed her secret, and she never told anyone about his coming to the library that night. However, thirty-seven days had passed - she had counted every single one. Her distance from him was driving her mad. In desperation to see him, she had used the silver coin to contact Jadeite. She believed by spending time with the general, she would find herself in the presence of her Prince.
However, that had not yet happened.
Instead, something else happened - Jadeite now considered Beryl's calls for him as an affirmation of her feelings for him. He convinced himself that while Beryl was distant when they spent time together, she was simply reserved and uncomfortable with displays of affection. So, he would stand with her, as close as possible without touching her, and breathe in her scent. He treasured ever moment with her.
Beryl cared little for him. Jadeite was the stepping-stone to her true desire. For that reason alone, she did not reject Jadeite's obvious infatuation.
"Jadeite, how are the other Shitennou?" Beryl asked as nonchalantly as possible.
"They are all well," he replied with a smile, "and as immature as ever."
"What of the Prince? You have not spoken of him recently," she asked as they approached the door to the library.
"The King has the Prince under extreme counseling."
Beryl was confused. "Counseling?"
"Yes, his Majesty meets with the Prince to teach him the specific responsibilities a king must know when on the throne. Normally, these sessions are once a month, but the King has been pushing for two to three times a week. The meetings have prevented us, his royal guard, to have anytime with him, other than standing at our posts." Jadeite explained. "I believe Endymion has felt closed in."
"I was not aware." Beryl remarked, overwhelmed with worry for her Prince's wellbeing.
"I believe he, whenever he can, tries to get outside. Fresh air helps him." As they arrived at the library doors, Jadeite bravely took Beryl's hand and admired her soft skin. "I suppose this is goodbye for the evening. I hope to come again when I can, but please remember that you can contact me at any time."
"Thank you." She took her hand back and reached for the door, "Goodnight, Jadeite. Be well." She entered the library and closed the door behind her.
She pondered over the things Jadeite had told her as she walked to her quarters through the aisles of books. Once inside, she sat down on the bed, her thoughts on her Prince; she wished she could steal him away and give him that freedom he longed for.
Suddenly, she pieced an optimistic puzzle together with random thoughts. Her Prince sneaking into the library at night, his freedom through books, the Rose Sanctuary... That was where they first met, a place of solitude for him to read. 'Perhaps,' Beryl contemplated, 'he would slip away to the Rose Sanctuary at night with one of his books - maybe the book on Elysion that she had given him.' It was a stretch, but she wanted to believe it was true.
So, she waited for the night to deepen and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. She winced at the sound of the door to the library closing behind her. Looking down, she realized that her shoes were a hazard. She slipped them off then hurried down the halls as softly as possible. Remembering the path Jadeite had taken, she walked within the shadows, hiding from the guards who stood tall at their posts.
Relief overwhelmed her once she reached the door to the gardens. Looking from side to side, she opened the door just enough for her to get out. The moonlight and stars were dim, especially because of the clouds that drifted in front of them. She hurried through the hedges past that fountains and statues. She glanced at the sculpture of the Goddess Selene and noted that even in the night, it still seemed to gleam.
She kept moving on, avoiding any guards that were walking the grounds. Finally, she found the pebble path and slowed her pace. Beryl was surprised to see the iron gate open. 'He is here,' she thought with great hope. Anticipation growing, she straightened her dress and smoothed her hair. She stepped into the garden, smiling.
The smile faded when she saw that the sanctuary was empty. 'I had such hope that he would be here.' Disappointed, she turned around and exited. Her steps were slow as she made her way back down the path.
Her eyes must have been glazed over because when she looked down at her feet she noticed that she was walking on grass - the path was gone. She looked around and did not recognize anything. 'Oh, no...' she thought as she noticed that the clouds had darkened the sky even more.
Beryl glanced about her, searching for anyone nearby. She found no one. Gently, she clasped her hands together and whispered, "Accendat lumen." Magically, her hands began to glow. She pulled them apart, and a small orb of light lifted from her palms and floated before her. "Guide me." The orb drifted forward. Down the side of the gardens, it led her.
"Beautiful!"
Beryl jumped, grabbed the orb and swung around. Heart racing with fear, she scanned the darkness in desperation. "Is someone there?" she asked. No answer. "Show yourself." She waited.
Cautiously, a shadowed figure leaned out from behind a tree. Beryl squinted, trying to make out who she was looking at. The person stepped all the way out from behind the tree towards her.
"Who are you?" Beryl questioned.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to..." Beryl took in the soft feminine voice. "Please forgive me. The light is just so beautiful."
Beryl did not know what to do. This lady had seen her magic. Would she tell? Beryl was overcome by fear. "Please, you cannot say anything about this."
"What do you mean? Is something wrong?" the figure asked and Beryl was surprised. This lady should be frightened. Just like the people of Beryl's old town, she should be running away, screaming in fear.
"You are not afraid?" Beryl questioned.
"Why should I be? I love seeing such artwork."
'Artwork?' Beryl was highly confused. She looked down at the orb glowing in her hands and then back to the mysterious lady, "Come closer. I can barely see you." She watched her take a step back. "Wait. I will not harm you. I promise. No one has ever seen my magic before, and that startled me."
The lady replied, "I have seen magic."
Beryl was shocked, "How? I am the only one."
"No," she stated quietly, "Not where I come from."
"Where is that?" Beryl was overcome with the thoughts and emotions she was experiencing. 'Am I not the only remaining sorceress?' she wondered.
"Please, tell me." Beryl let go of the orb and it floated over to the lady, its light reflecting in shimmers off her cloak. The lady was startled and took another step back. "Please!" Beryl reached for her, "Do not go! I have always thought I was the only one. Please, help me understand - to know what you know." The lady stopped, obviously torn between staying and leaving. "My name is Beryl," she said, "I live here in the kingdom." She begged her, "Please, where are you from? What is you name?"
The lady twisted her hands together, an anxious gesture. "I... I am not supposed to say. I have spoken too much already."
"And, so have I. This magic is my secret, and you are the only one who knows." Beryl stated quietly. She let the lady considered her statement, and weakly asked again, "Now, please, tell me..."
Several silent minutes passed until, finally, the lady whispered, "My name..." She paused and Beryl swallowed the hard lump that had formed in her throat. As the lady lifted her hands to the hood of her cloak, she finally answered, "My name is Serenity." She dropped the hood, revealing shimmering silver hair. Suddenly, a light flashed on her forehead, and a small crescent moon was revealed. "And, I am from the Moon."
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Final Note from the Author:
There you go – the introduction to Serenity. That's right; I did not follow the usual Endymion and Serenity meet first. There is more to come. Pardon any grammatical errors and please send me encouraging reviews. - With love, Kayla -