A/N: Happy Holidays everyone! First of all, my apologies for long time between chapters. Second of all, I did some edits and minor changes on the previous chapters. Chapter 5 and 6 in particular had some more dialogue added between Haruka and Michiru.
A note of warning, the chapter is unbeta-read.
Revlis El'inmilnum
Chapter 7: Time
In all the romantic adventure books she had ever read growing up (her favorites always included colorful pictures) the journey had always been the meat of the tale. It was where the characters encountered harrowing challenges and were pushed to the limit. It was where somebody had to be saved from certain doom, somebody made a decision they would regret, and somebody discovered a dark secret. That being said, Usagi was actually quite happy that their three week journey traveling northeast from Bunaju did not read like one of her books. They had a couple of close calls with Arethian soldiers in a few villages the past through, but for the most part, staying away from the main roads had let them stay away from any possible unwanted encounters.
That is not to say that everything was easy going either.
Traveling is rough, Usagi concluded, especially considering that they were avoiding major roads, which slowed their progress and kept them away from most towns and villages. They did manage to get proper traveling clothes; thick, well-woven tunics and leggings, but it didn't solve all their comforts. Most mornings she woke to cold, unforgiving ground and had to force her stiff body into moving. If they were lucky, they had food. If not, they could only hope they would encounter a village that day or Makoto or Rei would be able to hunt down a meal. Though Usagi would almost rather go hungry then eat rabbit. She had always hated eating rabbit.
Aside from the practical reasons that made the journey difficult, Usagi remained haunted by her mother's final moments. It replayed over and over in her head, and she was sick to find that it was hard to move past her mother's death to better memories. She continuously relived it, and each time she saw the light fade from her mother's eyes felt worse than the one before.
Even still, her mother's advice kept resurfacing in her thoughts just outside of her death: 'You cannot win as you are now, but find the Guardian of Time. Do not judge the Wind and the Sea...'
The Wind and the Sea…Uranus and Neptune. They were supposed to be deities, guardians of the kingdom, yet they stood by Ochas's side. They had attacked the city, the very center of Revlis El'inmilnum and her kingdom. They had attacked her friends, people she would give her life for. But she was not blind in seeing that something was strange in the way they had acted. Even she could tell that the situation was not as easy as black and white and her mother's words echoed in her thoughts…And everything seemed to come back to her mother. Prone on the floor of the throne room, blood as red as the carpet, breath shallow and slow…
She would wake at night sweating, knowing she had just dreamed her mother's death only to play through the memory again. And she would feel obsidian eyes on her, the dark power intangible, but nonetheless strangling.
It was the worst when none of her companions were distracting her, even if it was one of the many verbal clashes, and Usagi inherently felt that they were the only thing keeping her together right now. She would be utterly lost without them, drowning in the deaths of innocents, citizens, her kingdom, and her mother.
However, Usagi knew that underneath the casual conversation and typical teasing, everything was still not normal among her friends right now either, though she was at loss in explaining exactly what was amiss. They had talked circles into their current situation, never getting anywhere with theories whether the subject was Ochas's motives or Arethian military power. The worst was when they got into Uranus and Neptune, the traitorous deities of the kingdom, which perpetually disintegrated into a nonsensical shouting match. While the Arethian invasion might have instigated the abnormalities in their interactions, it was not perpetuating it. That was collectively all their own doing, and Usagi did not know how to eradicate it. Thankfully, the situation was somewhat eased by their new traveling companion...
Usagi jumped as she felt a poke in her ribs. "Ouch!"
Minako smiled and took the horse's reins from her, "Stop spacing out, Usagi. Let's set up camp for the night."
"You're one to talk." Makoto jabbed good-naturedly.
"I'm always focused." Minako replied, feigning hurt.
"Sure, sure." Makoto said, clapping a hand on Minako's shoulder before moving past her.
A shy, almost hesitant giggle turned Usagi's attention away from Makoto and Minako's antics and she eyed her new companion with a smile. Hotaru had a sweet, gentle laugh and Usagi was sad that they had yet to hear much of it. Not that there had been all that much laughter from any of them. Wounds were still fresh. So many Revlis dead – her mother…Usagi immediately stopped that train of thought.
Hotaru ceased laughing once she realized that Usagi was watching her. It was peculiar watching that face turn from innocently amused to impassive in a blink of an eye. Completely clamming up, she bowed her head and darted away. Usagi sighed, staring after Hotaru as the girl followed Rei for their nightly duties of collecting firewood. Perhaps sending Hotaru with a rather aloof and increasingly distant and edgy Rei for gathering kindling and wood was not the best of ideas for getting the girl to open up, but it was the way their nightly chores had naturally divvied up since leaving Bunaju.
Usagi set about doing her part in preparing camp, which consisted mostly with helping Ami unpack the saddlebags and spreading out their sparse bedding. Meanwhile, Minako tended to the horses and Makoto prepared for dinner, which tonight luckily consisted of provisions they had picked up at a town the previous day. Usagi's stomach growled at the thought of food, which earned her a wry glance from Ami. She was anxious for Rei and Hotaru to return with firewood that way dinner could get underway. Truthfully, Rei could maintain a small campfire for days without breaking a sweat or much concentration, but it was better to avoid the hassle and allow for proper rest.
They remained quiet as they set up camp, but often Usagi would catch herself or one of the others staring into the wooded depths of Xhyndria Forest. They were actually in what is considered as part of the forest at present, but tomorrow marked when they would cross into its truly ancient grove. None of them knew what to expect where the magic and myth lay thick. Travelers, already rare to Xhyndria Forest, avoided this most ancient of areas where the shrine Charon was supposedly located. Tomorrow they would have to leave their already barely discernable path for the foliage and vegetation of the epicenter of the forest and hopefully not get lost in the process.
Makoto broke the silence, her voice coming out in an almost reverent whisper as she stared into the ancient woods. "This forest…it's so alive. Can you feel it?
"Makoto?" Ami ventured. "Dinner…?"
"Ah…right. Sorry."
Ami watched Makoto curiously for a moment as she went back to work laying out before whispering to Usagi, "And she was teasing Minako about spacing out. She's gotten more and more preoccupied the deeper we've traveled into Xhyndria."
"What was that? I heard my name." Minako questioned, coming up behind them.
Ami and Usagi both started, and then turned around to glare at their offender.
"What?" Minako asked, confused.
Before either could respond, they heard the tell-tale signs of feet carefully picking their way through the forest. They all looked up to see Rei and Hotaru enter their small campsite, each with a bundle of firewood in their arms.
Usagi smiled to see Rei turn around and say something to Hotaru who was following her. Hotaru's purple eyes lit up and she nodded slightly, biting her lower lip. A ghost of a smile stretched across Rei's lips in response, a rare enough sight to warrant Usagi's heart to beat a little faster. She had been worried about Rei since her magic had become twisted and dark those days following their flight from Talrysc Kotyo, a mutated version of warm and passionate fire she normally wielded. Rei had yet to show that magic since, but they had luckily avoided any encounters that would bring it forth. That didn't mean everything was alright with Rei…far from it.
Rei was avoiding her, and it hurt. Usagi had tried to talk to Rei, tried to fix it, whatever it was because she had no idea what she had done to make Rei so…impersonal towards her.
She couldn't explain though, why she still felt Rei's eyes on her, protective and caring. That much made Usagi happy, even if she didn't know why every time she turned to meet that gaze, those dark eyes looked away. She missed Rei's warm presence. She could still remember that comforting hand clutching hers, a lifeline that night her mother died.
"Usagi." Minako's voice cut through her thoughts. "Usagi!"
"Ah!" Usagi shrieked, startled. "What!?"
"Will you stop looking at Rei long enough to hand Makoto the pot you're clutching?" Minako replied calmly.
Usagi blushed, suddenly aware of the cool metal in her hands and the eyes of everyone else on her. "Um…yes! Sorry Makoto."
"Don't worry about it." Makoto replied, taking the offered pot, getting dinner immediately underway.
Usagi nodded, but her gaze was on Rei who was staring back, regarding her curiously. This time it was Usagi who looked away first, the blush on her cheeks more apparent than ever.
Minako watched them both unnoticed. She sighed, her shoulders slumping low, and then bustled over to essentially help Ami help Makoto make dinner.
Intent on their own problems, none of them noticed their silent observer who only wished her magic could heal more than physical wounds.
Makoto worked diligently with Ami by her side and Minako in the way in preparing dinner, and in short order, a pleasant, mouth-watering smell wafted through their campsite. Hotaru had kept up her role watching her traveling companions, her eyes darting between Makoto, Ami, and Minako cooking, Rei peering into the now dark forest as guard, and Usagi stealing glances at Rei. Her stomach grumbled at the smell, reminding her that their light lunch had been hours ago and distracting her from her meticulous observing.
Somewhat embarrassed, she almost missed Minako's giggles. "You're almost starting to sound like Usagi over there Hotaru. I know you've heard her stomach growl like a dog by this point, but she might just have some competition with that."
Usagi caught the conversation, and pouted, "Minako!" Predictably, her stomach gave a particularly loud rumble at that moment.
Minako smiled genuinely. "Never mind Hotaru, Usagi's still lunar cycles ahead of you."
"Dinner's ready." Makoto announced with a pleased expression. "Come on, Hotaru. You can have the first serving."
Hotaru looked to Usagi first, still having not been broken of the habit of deferring to the princess of Revlis El'inmilnum or any of the others for that matter. Usagi, to her credit, very obviously looked up and away, ignoring Hotaru glance.
Minako rolled her eyes good-naturedly at Usagi's acting attempt and stole Hotaru's small traveling bowl that served as a plate out from under her. Ignoring the girl's indignant gasp of "hey," Minako chatted casually while filling the bowl with steaming contents from the pot. "You're in for a treat tonight Hotaru. Makoto doesn't get to make sukiyaki all that often, but hers is very probably the best in all of Revlis El'inmilnum."
"Sukiyaki?" Hotaru replied, peering at the food in her bowl once Minako handed it back to her. "It smells good…but I've never have actually had it before."
"Really?" Makoto responded in disbelief.
"You've never had sukiyaki before?" Ami echoed.
"How could you never had had sukiyaki before?" Usagi said, eyes wide as Minako returned her own bowl of food to her.
"I..." Hotaru looked at a loss for words now that everyone was pressing their attention on her. "I've just never had much of a chance."
The words hung in the air, and Hotaru inherently knew she had opened a can of worms.
Minako, naturally, was the one who pursued the subject instead of letting it drop. "What do you mean?"
Hotaru slowly looked over her companions, running her hands around her bowl. Minako and Usagi were watching her with open curiosity, momentarily ignoring their food, but there was only compassion and kindness in their eyes. Makoto, the last to obtain her food, finished filling her own bowl and sat back, managing to retain her manners and only appearing politely interested. Ami glanced at Hotaru and smiled softly, encouraging, and settled closely against Makoto. Rei remained turned away from their campfire, maintaining watch, while perched on a particularly thick log and holding her own bowl of sukiyaki. Hotaru licked her lips, feeling a faint fluttering of nervousness. But these five individuals, regardless of their station in life…they had treated her with nothing but kindness and acceptance and they already knew her strange power that frightened others so…
"I…I don't know my own birthday." The first words came slow, but soon everything came tumbling out. Hotaru had never talked about herself like this before to anyone. It was cathartic. "I know I'm roughly fifteen, but I couldn't tell you exactly when I was born. All I know is that I was found by a merchant caravan, but I don't know where or when. They took care of me for only a short time, and I'm grateful that they kept me alive. When they reached Patusei on their trade route – who knows how long they had had me at that point or why they chose Patusei of all places to leave me – they took me to the local temple ministry."
"Oh, that's good!" Usagi exclaimed.
Hotaru drew in a breath, about to issue a response. Thinking better of it thought, she caught herself and cast her gaze downwards, collecting her thoughts before looking up to meet Usagi's eyes. "Princess, what's the main temple ministry like in Talrysc Kotyo?"
"Hmmm…" Usagi took a moment to swallow her food and consider her several visits to the temple ministry, which her mother had always encouraged as a service to their people. "Always busy. The clerics typically have a number of programs going on to help those people in need. They serve one meal a day that any person, rich or poor, can have for free. And of course, there is the orphanage section of the temple ministry. There are hundreds of parentless children that are given an education, a place to stay, and three meals a day. There's also dorms that may be stayed in temporarily for free if you don't have anywhere else to go and you can pay a small fee if you stay there longer."
"That sounds nice." Hotaru responded wistfully, looking into her bowl of food. She took a small bite, eyes widening at the pleasant flavor.
"Is Patusei's…?" Makoto prompted.
Hotaru swallowed, and spoke softly, "Have any of you ever been to Patusei?
They all shook their heads, but Minako spoke up between mouthfuls, "It's on this side of the mountains, near the Zanoam River right? Closer to the Arethian border than to Talrysc Kotyo?"
"Minako, have you been there?" Ami asked, her brow furrowed and placing her finished bowl of sukiyaki on the ground near the fire.
"Um, no actually. I was just checking my geography." Minako responded. "Sorry, Hotaru, go on."
"When I was there, Patusei had seen its better days." Hotaru said slowly.
"Patusei's prosperity has decreased since relations with Areth soured following the upheaval in the ruling family twenty years ago – since Ochas became king." Ami jumped in, sitting up straight. "Patusei used to be quite large, not as big as Bunaju much less Talrysc Kotyo, but nonetheless significant. It benefitted from drawing on trade routes from both Revlis El'inmilnum and Areth as well as serving as a center for a number of the mining villages in the mountains. In fact-"
"Ami," Makoto interrupted gently, leaning forwards to put both hands on Ami's shoulders. "Let Hotaru tell her story." She whispered into Ami's ear, drawing the other girl against her and leaning backwards into a reclining position.
"Right." Hotaru said. She placed her bowl of sukiyaki on the ground, suddenly not very hungry despite the rather delectable taste. "I was too young to realize then…but the way I understand it now…Patusei's temple ministry dried up with the prosperity of the town. When people earned less, they gave less and the temple ministry lacked money to run its programs or provide like it's supposed to do."
"But all registered temple ministries receive funds from the capital!" Usagi exclaimed, and then hesitatingly, "Right?"
"They do, but it isn't much." Ami answered for Hotaru.
"It wasn't much, and the high priest was pocketing whatever donations came in from the public." Hotaru revealed.
There was a collective intake of breath. Government corruption was thought to be a thing of the past in the palace at Talrysc Kotyo, a characteristic of the era of city-states in the peninsula, or a feature of foreign courts and officials. Usagi felt sick at the thought.
"Bastard." The low murmur surprisingly came from Rei though she showed no obvious signs of listening.
"A high priest? And no one knew?" Makoto added.
"Not until I found out." Hotaru said. The others could feel a hint of both disgust and bitterness in her voice, so unusual in that it was the first they had ever detected such emotions from the girl they had been traveling with for almost three weeks.
"What happened Hotaru?" Usagi asked quietly.
Even after almost three weeks Hotaru was still confused by her companions who had grown up with everything they could have ever wanted and it still astounded her that she was traveling with the princess of Revlis El'inmilnum. Princess Usagi and the others were like nothing she had ever imagined, though she was unsure of what she actually expected the high nobility of Revlis El'inmilnum to be like; regardless, it was nothing like this. In the beginning, Hotaru thought they were kind out of sense of repayment for her healing of Minako and the extraneous circumstances they were in from the Arethian takeover. She knew better now.
She knew them, and their problems. She knew that Ami and Makoto were deeply in love, but afraid of what that actually meant, so uncertain and still so new to it. She knew that Rei was in love with the princess, and so, so desperately angry, confused, and scared and probably much more. She knew that Minako was in love with Rei and had no idea as to whether to wash away those feelings or hide them, but knew she just didn't want anyone else to see them. And she knew that Usagi woke crying at night, and that there was something emitting from the very essence of her being that was equal parts warm and kind, loving and powerful.
And Hotaru realized they all wanted to know her too. So she spoke, and it was much easier now compared to when she began her story.
"I guess you can say I grew up in the Patusei temple ministry, but it was never much of a home. The high priest there was a man by the name of Siihuco. He ran the temple ministry strictly and cut costs at every corner. It didn't help that Patusei was already struggling to begin with. In the orphanage, everything was regimented and punishments were doled out with every misstep. Even in lessons, getting an answer wrong was not a good idea. Meals weren't much at all, though they did always feed us at least twice a day. The clerics weren't all bad people, but the priests, and especially high priest Siihuco, were always watching, always ready to make somebody an example. I...I almost ran away a number of times and I did ran away a couple of times, but they always found me. When we weren't in lessons, Siihuco had us working the temple ministry farmland or…well, he basically used us parentless as a small workforce – you get the idea – "
"What about the inspections? Every temple ministry is inspected every twelve lunar cycles!" Usagi interrupted looking horrified.
"He just covered it up. Right Hotaru?" Rei interjected.
"Yes." Hotaru nodded, "It wasn't hard, he always knew when they were coming, and everybody was too scared to say anything. Siihuco was too well established and well respected in the community. I…in any case I didn't make many friends in the orphanage. Something about me, I now imagine it's my magic – you've seen it – always scared others away so I was shunned even among the other parentless. Plus, as you probably know, I'm kind of quiet." Saying that suddenly made her dreadfully aware of the attention placed on her again, but she continued on, clearing her throat.
"When I was about twelve, it was around three years ago actually on Saturn's Day of Repentance; it was my turn to clean the priests' offices and that included Siihuco's. It had been a long day already from all the extra services for the holiday and I didn't get started till late. I saved Siihuco's office for last. It was much bigger than the half-dozen offices of the other priests and I was just hoping he would already be asleep before I got to it. As you've probably guess, he was not the nicest of men, though he could put on a good show. I just wanted to avoid running into him…Everything was fine until I heard footsteps approach. I don't know why I did it, I was supposed to be there, but I wanted to steer clear of him at all costs so I hid. The only place to even try to hide was underneath his desk so I dove there with my cleaning supplies. Siihuco was with another priest, I recognized them both by their voices. That's when I found out that he and the other few priests were stealing the little donation money the temple ministry received unbeknownst to everyone, even the clerics."
Hotaru paused for a moment, touched with a bit of humorless irony. "It's funny thinking how scared I was right then when there is so much more to be scared of now."
"Hotaru…" Usagi motioned, but Hotaru pressed on in her story.
"The other priest left, and Siihuco came around his desk to grab something and found me. He was furious. He pulled me out from underneath the desk and slammed me against the wall. He didn't yell, but whispered threats, cursing me, telling me Saturn would destroy my soul and consume everything I loved. When he pulled back his fist to hit me, I don't know what happened, but somehow I made a barrier. It glowed deep purple and threw Siihuco away from me. He crashed into the desk and when he stood, his face was ashen white. I let the barrier fall, confused at his sudden change. He knew rudimentary spells as a wind mage, and I had never shown magical inclination before; there was no reason for him to be that scared. I'll never forget that look on his face or what he said, 'Saturn's already taken your soul you cursed child. That's magic of the deity of ruin and destruction. Serenity above, you need to be killed! Destroyed!' I ran before he could do anything, before he could lose his fear and follow up on his words. I ran right out of the temple ministry into the streets of Patusei and kept going. I've managed to survive just continuing on to the next best place these past three years. I just happened to be in Bunaju when the Arethian takeover was complete. I never stay anywhere long; I don't want to risk discovery, but I try to help when I can. At least some good comes from my magic."
"That's why-? We all know there was something strange to your magic Hotaru, but I thought there was something familiar too." Ami said with eyes wide in revelation. "It's just as Saturn's power is described in ancient texts. Deepish purple, teetering on the brink of unleashing complete ruin, that swallowing feeling of fear when it's used – for good or bad."
"Ami, shush." Makoto gently chided.
Ami blinked, realizing what her words implied, and then rushed to clarify. "But Hotaru we're not afraid of it."
Hotaru's eyes were closed, her arms wrapped around her torso as if she was trying to make herself as small as possible. "Maybe you should be. There's never been anyone who has had magic akin to Saturn's. Saturn, the deity of ruin and destruction…"
"I believe in you Hotaru." Usagi replied, moving so she could sit next to the girl. "I know you're not out to destroy the world. You may have that power, but that doesn't mean you are going to live up to Saturn's name. You're…you're just special. And look what came with it! You saved Minako's life! She was going to die! But you saved her, with Saturn's power."
"Yeah, I mean, Saturn might have a bad rep with being the harbinger of ruin and everything, but look at what day you realized your magic too. The Day of Repentance is meant to be a plea and a promise to deity Saturn." Minako added. "Besides, anything that kept me around has to be a good thing."
"I don't know about that." The words just slipped out of Rei's mouth, the teasing almost natural, like before the Arethian invasion.
"Rei!" Minako protested.
Usagi giggled first, followed by a full chuckle from Makoto. Ami's smile spilled into a laugh, and even Rei couldn't help the quirk to her lips. As Minako's raucous protests turned into laughter, Hotaru found herself giggling along with them.
Ami rubbed their horse's nose fondly as Makoto checked the knot that kept it tied loosely to the tree. Satisfied with the knot, Makoto glanced over to where Usagi was making a fuss with her horse. "Usagi, make sure that knot is loose enough for her to get out if we don't make it back."
"Right, Mako. I got it." Usagi replied taking a break from cooing at her own horse.
Hoisting a saddlebag onto her shoulder, Makoto patted their horse, "Hey big guy, thanks for taking us this far. We'll hopefully be back for you. If not, you get out and run."
The horse neighed in response, nudging Ami who smiled at the affection. "You over-indulge him."
"Of course not." Makoto replied, wrapping an arm around Ami's waist and placing a brief kiss to her temple.
"Is everyone ready?" Minako asked, having finished packing and checking her horse was tied loosely enough to break free once it got too hungry or scared. She fingered the hilt of her sword, strapped across her back to keep it out of the way, suddenly anxious.
They would be going blind into the ancient forest and she knew Xhyndria would not be forgiving. They had to leave their horses. With no path and the trees and vegetation growing and inhabiting together so closely, taking their horses was just not feasible. Who knew what dangers laid in the dark depths where sunlight barely penetrated the foliage? They had no map to go by and no way of knowing exactly where the shrine Charon would lie. They would have to rely on instinct or sheer luck.
Or maybe something else altogether. Minako glanced toward the princess, a faint flower of hope and trust blossoming in her heart.
"Let's go." Rei replied. Minako couldn't help but stare at her. Rei was focused on the ancient woods, brow furrowed in concentration, and dark hair fluttering in the restless breeze. A quiver full of fresh arrows and her taunt bow was strapped to her back and a dagger at her waist. Minako swallowed the odd mixture of apprehension and desire at the sight.
Turning toward the rest of her companions, she regained her sense of self-control. "Makoto, do you want to trail blaze? You seem to have something for the forest."
"Me? Well...sure. Why not?"
"She's right you know." Ami added stepping up next to Makoto and touching her arm, "There's something about you and this forest. It's quite peculiar, and almost earth mage-like."
"Ami, you can hypothesize all you want later. Let's get going and find Charon. And hopefully Pluto." Makoto answered.
"Fair enough." Ami replied lightly, falling instep behind Makoto.
Makoto turned around to smile at her and survey the others as she stepped into the most ancient of Xhyndria Forest. Hotaru was following behind Ami, looking up at the trees with a hint of wonder. Minako was next, eyes darting around furtively in a rare display of nervousness. Rei was…stopped in her tracks. And where was Usagi?
Makoto halted just as Rei called out for her to stop.
Usagi was still standing in the middle of their campsite from the night before. She blinked slowly, her lips slightly parted, and her fingertips resting against her temples.
"Usagi?" Rei ventured, taking a couple of steps toward the princess.
Usagi's eyes closed and then snapped opened. She blinked rapidly, her hands falling back to her sides. "There's something in there…in the old, deep part of the forest. I can feel it."
"Is it Pluto? Or Charon?" Minako asked.
Usagi shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. It's magic though, and different from the rest of the forest. I think I can find it."
"It would be the most probable explanation." Ami said reasonably. "Unless if there is something else there that is deliberately trying to thwart us."
Rei took a few steps forward, "Do we want to risk it though? I can't pick up any sort of reading so I honestly can't say. There's too much magic in this forest, it's interfering."
"I can always heal anyone if something goes wrong." Hotaru found herself speaking up, something she wouldn't have done before last night. She winced at the macabre assumption behind her words when all she wanted to do was reassure.
"We do have our own personal little first aid station." Minako said with a smile in Hotaru's direction, and then pressed onto the princess, "Usagi, what do you think?"
"I think it may be our best option. It doesn't feel evil or bad." Usagi replied with a hint of assertiveness.
"It's definitely more to go on than what I could have done trudging through the trees." Makoto acquiesced.
"I…I guess I'll lead then." Usagi said, slightly surprised at the notion. She walked past Rei catching her eyes for a heartbeat and made her way to the front of the group.
"Alright Usagi. You got this." Makoto said reassuringly as the princess past her. "If you think for one moment we're going to run into something big, bad, or ugly let us know."
"Right." Usagi replied. She closed her eyes, feeling the touch of magic ancient and powerful. There was something dark there too, just around the edges, that reminded her too much of Ochas. She purposely neglected to tell her friends, and a small sick part of her wondered if she would lead them to their deaths. Shouldering past those feelings, she decided she would warn them if that dark feeling increased. Instincts focused on the pull of magic, she set off, winding her way through the trees.
Only Hotaru really saw the primordial section of Xhyndria Forest as Usagi navigated them through it. Minako and Rei were on full alert, twitching at every birdcall or distant crack of wood and ready to wield both weapons and magic against any possible foe. They were uneasy with the shady passage and the thick trees that surrounded them, which left too many areas hidden to the naked eye. Makoto was elsewhere with almost a faint, but pleasant buzzing in her head as she felt nature live and breath around her. They would pass through a patch of sunlight that leaked in from gaps in the leafy canopies and she would breathe in the sun and the forest, a wistful smile stretching across her face. Ami was preoccupied; either dwelling on the distant Makoto or wrestling through any material she had ever read that was on Pluto, Charon, or Xhyndria Forest, knowing though that each step brought them closer to answers. Usagi focused solely on that faint bit of magic that was different than the forest around them and gradually getting stronger. She wound her way through the trees, afraid that if she lost concentration for a moment, the call would be gone forever.
Usagi didn't know how long she walked. Time passed, but who knew how much. The others followed quietly except for the thud of their feet hitting the ground and the rustling of their persons brushing against vegetation. Eventually it began to grow darker, the shade becoming murky as the lunarrise came closer. Usagi's heart began to pound, the feeling of magic not of her own coursing through her veins in time with her heartbeat as it grew stronger. And then suddenly ahead, setting rays of sunlight washed into her vision as the trees parted to reveal a clearing. She could make out a stone structure through the trees and a flare of hope flourished inside of her.
"Hey everyone," Usagi broke the spell of silence that had surrounded them, "Look up ahead."
They gathered closer together as a group, peering through the trees. Makoto blinked, trying to gather her senses. "Has a whole day really past by?"
"Yes…surprisingly. And most curious. I hardly noticed the passage of time myself." Ami answered. She touched a nearby tree, almost expecting something different, but only feeling the rough bark.
"It feels familiar." Hotaru said softly. "The echo of magic I can feel from the clearing. I don't know why that would feel familiar to me though."
"Pluto's the deity of time. There's no one else like her. Maybe it's a familiarity in the foreign you both possess." Ami replied, moving to stand next to Makoto.
"Let's hope she's there too." Minako interjected. "Otherwise…"
"She's there." Usagi said abruptly. She took one step forward, then another, and had almost picked up her feet for a sprint to the clearing when a hand snagged her wrist.
"Usagi, wait." Rei said, peering suspiciously at the clearing. "Let's not rush into things."
Rei's hand was warm on her wrist and Usagi couldn't help but stare back at her, losing that mental grip she had on the foreign magic. Not that it mattered now with whatever her instincts had led her to right in sight. She did still feel it though; the strange magic that she hoped was Pluto and the dark rim that was all too similar to Ochas.
"But there's no need for us to sit here and plan our grand entrance. I say we just go. Pluto has always been loyal to the royal family." Minako said. "I doubt she'll strike us dead regardless of our entrance. At least I hope not."
"Do we even know for sure if that is Charon?" Makoto said, "I hate to play devil's advocate but…"
"No." Usagi said adamantly, hoping her voice didn't betray her slight doubt. "No. She's there. Pluto's there."
"Well, that settles that." Makoto answered. "I'm with Minako, I say we just go."
Everyone turned to Rei, knowing she was the only dissenting opinion. The fire mage sighed, "Okay. Let's go."
Usagi smiled, squeezed Rei's hand, and began a controlled approached to the clearing with the others threading their way alongside of her. A faint sheen of pink colored Rei's cheeks as she stared after the princess, but upon realizing where she was looking she immediately averted her eyes to the ground in shame. She jumped as she felt a hand clap on her shoulder with an accompanying voice. "Come on Rei."
Rei sighed again and turned toward Minako. She managed a quirk of her lips toward the beaming light mage…but… As they quickly caught up to the rest of the group, Rei realized there was something off about the wide smile she had been given. With one last glance to the now somber Minako, she put the whole situation out of her mind. There were more important things to concentration on.
Usagi took the first cautious step into the clearing, breaking through the trees to catch the last rays of sunlight. The clearing appeared like a vestige of the peace they had left behind long ago, except for the shudder of dark magic she felt at the edge. With a small, bubbling brook and green grass dotted with wildflowers, it looked like something out of one of her old picture books that rested back in the palace. The structure was of no remarkable size, but as soon as Usagi saw the curious symbol etched into the stone above what looked like the entryway, she knew it was Pluto's shrine Charon. The grey stone shrine had numerous open archways that reminded Usagi of one of their summer houses on the coast, though the light was as such that she could not see inside.
When she appeared, Usagi at first just blinked, unsure if she was just imagining the figure that stood before her. It looked as if she had just melted into the clearing from the shadows of the shrine. She was tall and striking, almost exotic with dark green hair, crimson eyes, and smooth honey skin. However beautiful she was, she currently looked haggard. She leant slightly against a curious looking staff, her shoulders slumped. Though she appeared composed and impassive, there was exhaustion evident in her gaze. When she spoke, her voice was a rich alto. "Princess Usagi of Revlis El'inmilnum."
"L-Lady Pluto?" Usagi questioned.
The woman nodded, her soft voice surprisingly carrying across the short distance. "Yes."
There was a collective sigh of relief from the group. They had made it and somehow, despite everything that had befallen them, without great calamity.
Pluto spoke again, this time her voice was waylaid with weariness, sorrow, and apprehension, "Forgive me for not giving you the proper respect Princess. Though I fear the fact that you are here can not mean good tidings. I am currently…unable to do much at all, but please, you are all welcome and for the time being safe in this place."
They exchanged glances, all suddenly quite weary now that the adrenaline of the moment had subsided. They approached Pluto and stopped again before her, this time close enough to see deep circles under her eyes. Minako took the initiative, falling on her formal court training that was almost second nature. She stepped forward and bowed her head in respect, "Thank you Lady Pluto, Guardian of Time." She looked up, meeting the crimson eyes, and swallowed, suddenly nervous. "I think we all have much to share."
A slight smile worked its way across Pluto's face, the first any of them had seen. It almost seemed to erase her fatigue. "We do, Minako of House Aino."
Minako's brows narrowed in suspicion. "Wait! How do you know my name?"
"Minako! Don't offend the Guardian of Time!" Rei hissed.
"It's fine. I doubt I'm quite what some stories make me out to be." Setsuna answered. She half-turned back toward Charon. "I'm sorry, but I must…" She trailed off, and then readdressed them. "Come rest inside."
With that Pluto turned to walk back inside the shrine, but she faltered, her body near giving out even with the extra support from her staff. Makoto reacted in a blink of the eye, immediately by her side with the Guardian's arm over her shoulders.
Usagi looked on worriedly, "It's Ochas isn't it? He's been here…"
A flash of surprise danced across the group, and Ami, ever curious, was the first to press questions as they followed Makoto and Pluto into the shrine. "Usagi, how did you know?"
"I could just feel it on the edge. He's done some sort of magic." Usagi replied.
"How did you know it was him?" Ami pressed.
"I don't know. I mean, no one else has magic quite like him." Usagi answered, "It's almost like you can touch dark."
The last to enter the confines of Charon, Hotaru shuddered unnoticed and wrapped her arms across her middle, a sick feeling in her stomach.
"…Tangible darkness…" Ami murmured with her mind already processing and digesting the information.
Makoto helped Pluto settle onto a divan, hardly believing she just aided the deity of legends, the Guardian of Time, into her own shrine. The room they found themselves in was large with colonnaded arches stretching across either side, which led outside. The floor was made of stone, much like the rest of Charon, with the middle of the room forming a sunken rectangular depression that was lined by two steps all the way around. Thick carpets covered the floor and made the room less imposing. The ceiling was flat, but darker gray stones had been used to create the curious symbol of Pluto into its surface. Rei took the liberty of lighting the unlit torches that rested on the stone walls before sitting on the steps of the depression. The others chose to rest closer to Pluto on cushions and divans. Hotaru hesitated and then drew alongside Rei, still ill at ease.
Pluto seemed to regain some of her statuesque composure once she was seated, "Forgive me for that display. I hope nothing ever led you to believe I was omniscient or omnipotent, for I am far, far from such." There was bitterness to her words, and shame. Usagi's heart suddenly ached, realizing that despite the legends and myths, the woman before her was very, very human too. Pluto's crimson eyes landed on Usagi as if aware of her thoughts as she continued speaking, "Princess, you are correct. Ochas has been here. He took something very important of mine, which he has been using to draw my power from. He then repaid me by placing a seal on me and Charon that prevents me from leaving. I've been working night and day to break it, but truthfully, the whole situation has left me rather…" She paused, searching for a word,"…depleted."
"That explains why you never came!" Ami exclaimed, "In the past, Pluto has always appeared before the House of Serenity in times of need."
"And my failure, I perceive, has come at the worst possible time." Pluto said gravely.
"Lady Pluto, my mother is dead." Usagi said the dreaded words. It was so absolute and painfully easy to say. She felt a cold fist wrap itself around her heart, and her next words stuck in her throat as she tried to blink away the tears.
Pluto closed her eyes, murmuring something – a prayer? – under her breath. Minako, casting a meaningful glance at Usagi, continued with her voice low and somber. "Ochas and Areth have completely taken over Revlis El'inmilnum including Talrysc Kotyo. Not only that, deities Neptune and Uranus are on his side! We don't have many options right now…but we thought that you…"
"My failure persists." Pluto answered. Though she seemed to remain emotionless, something about her whole being screamed defeat, but only Ami had caught the small jolt of surprise Pluto gave at the mention of Neptune and Uranus. That told Ami more than any of her other words. "As of now, with this stifling seal, I can not help. I can not read the Time Stream or even walk outside of this clearing. I am powerless."
To hear a deity of Revlis El'inmilnum proclaim utter helplessness and vulnerability sent a collective shudder through the room's occupants. More than that…the one window of opportunity they had was shut.
In that moment however, the princess of Revlis E'inmilnum stood up with no trace of weariness or defeat. "I can break the barrier. Or, I can at least try, but I'm sure I can do it! Magic has never come easy to me, but if I can't do this one thing…"
"I believe you, Princess." Hotaru, who had remained relatively quiet, spoke with such conviction that Usagi immediately gained more confidence. With her purple eyes on Usagi, she missed the crimson stare with questions in the depths leveled at her by Pluto.
"We can help too." Rei said with conviction and her body flared with magic. It was a warm red aura and not the twisted dark blaze, Usagi was pleased to see. It was but a second later when a bright yellow, rich green, and cool blue joined the flare of red, casting a rainbow of light in the shrine. Hotaru almost added her deep purple magic, but hesitated and then completely stopped herself. She did not want to throw in her foreign magic and destroy the concentration of power centering on the princess.
Usagi almost at first felt consumed by the additional power, feeling for the first time the true extent of her friends' power. Then she could feel her own magic, struggling to burst forth as if from a dam, advanced by the reel of friendly power issuing forth from her friends.
At first it appeared as if Usagi was just bathed in a radiance of light. The light grew, her muscles tightened, and she threw her head back. Then it exploded forth like endless rays of sunshine in all directions with Usagi as the source, meeting the dark seal and washing it out. Pluto felt the seal resist with a flicker of darkness, but it was consumed along with the rest of the seal. It was like being released from actual physical bonds and her body tingled pleasantly, finally free.
The flux of magic vanished, leaving Usagi in its wake panting and exhausted, but it was done. Ochas's seal was broken.
Rei had sprung to her feet and was there to catch Usagi when her eyes rolled back into her head. She gently guided her down, the others crowding around as Usagi's eyes fluttered back open and settled on the fire mage. "Rei, I did it."
Rei offered a beautiful, broken smile, "You did it."
Ami's hand went against Usagi's head and then to her pulse. She sighed with relief, "She'll be fine. She just needs food and some rest. Here, Makoto, help me sit her up."
Usagi fended off their fussing and managed to sit up on her own. Pluto, still marveling at the absence of Ochas's dark and heavy magic on her being, climbed to her feet with the beginnings of her vitality restored. Then, with everyone's eyes upon her, she prostrated herself before Usagi. "Princess, I do not know how to begin offering my thanks."
Before she could continue, Usagi interrupted with a bright and friendly smile, "Lady Pluto, you can start by getting up and calling me Usagi."
The Guardian of Time raised her head, meeting the welcoming gaze of the Princess. She found the smile waiting for her so infectious, she couldn't help a small one of her own, "Then call me Setsuna."
"Lady Pluto, forgive me, but that's an archaic name. Were you…Were you by chance ever just like us." Ami couldn't resist asking as everyone began to settle back down.
"I was Ami. Long, long ago. I was nothing but an average human. And please, all of you call me Setsuna." She answered and rose to her feet, "Ah, I'm sorry, it's been a long time since I last hosted anyone that wasn't out for blood and I've completely forgotten my etiquette. I have plenty of food to offer, the forest is an excellent provider, though I only have preserves left at the moment."
Usagi's stomach grumbled at the mere mention of food. She laughed with small embarrassment, her face turning red. "Heh, that would be great."
Setsuna nodded and vanished deeper into the shrine. Ami watched her go, suddenly dumbfounded that this was one of their deities – the legendary Guardian of Time – and they were interacting with her like she was one of them. The whole situation seemed to be the reverse of what it should be. Pluto was being completely deferential to them and especially to Usagi. Granted, from what Ami knew, the Guardian of Time always swore direct allegiance to the line of Serenity. In her own way, Pluto directly served the queen of Revlis El'inmilnum. To see her first almost powerless, and then witness her fetching food for them…it warped the standard. Oh, but there was so much to ask her, not the least of which concerned Pluto's own power.
Setsuna returned with dried venison and flatbread. At the sight of food, Usagi's stomach wasn't the only one that growled. Setsuna sat back on the divan, watching them. Usagi, Minako, Rei, Ami, and Makoto – they were all just how she saw them to be back when she could still glimpse the future. And she could sense it, the expansion of their power. It was a slow build up of magic wrapped around their souls so similar yet so different from hers. Their power was still growing and transforming too. Wait…she concentrated more closely, feeling a distinct twisted distortion in Rei's magic. It was wrong, so wrong. Then on the periphery, she felt something strange, yet familiar. Her eyes landed on the curious final member of the group, the shy dark-haired girl, who she had never glimpsed in the Time Stream before. That meant she was either insignificant, something had masked her from Time, or they were following another future that had spun out. Feeling the magic in the girl, Setsuna knew it wasn't the first option. Then luminous purple eyes met her crimson ones for one brief moment, and the familiarity she tasted in the power clicked into place. Most curious…
Setsuna always had thought Saturn was like her, the sole possessor of their respective magics, but it was there plain as day. Hotaru held Saturn's magic, and had vast quantities of it. Setsuna had only ever met Saturn once long ago, but she knew that girl certainly was not Saturn masquerading as a normal girl. How to explain Hotaru then…?
"Plu…I mean…Setsu-um-Lady Setsuna, aren't you going to eat?" Minako asked, interrupting her thoughts.
"Just Setsuna is fine Minako." She replied. "I don't have to eat much to sustain myself, and I've already eaten today."
"Amazing." Ami said, eyes shining, "How do you maintain proper energy?"
Setsuna thought about her answer for a moment and then decided upon a very simple one. There were more pressing matters to attend to then her livelihood. "My life is intertwined with magic. You have to understand, I am mortal, but my body does not age. I can die just as easily as any of you from sword or sickness."
Usagi's eyes were as wide as the full moon outside. "Wow! How old are you?"
"Usagi, that's rude!" Minako chided, but her expression betrayed her own curiosity. "You never ask a lady her age."
Setsuna allowed a small chuckle, "I'm very, very old."
"And the other Guardians? Uranus and Neptune. Are they the same?" Rei's sharp question brought the almost jovial atmosphere crashing down. Usagi and Minako looked down, the reason as to why they were there suddenly returned like a slap across the face. Makoto frowned at Rei who had the presence of mind to recoil and look ashamed.
Setsuna appraised the fire mage with a level stare. Oh yes, there was something very wrong with Rei's magic. "You said Uranus and Neptune had joined Ochas?"
"Yes." Makoto was the one to answer, "Though we all agree that there was something very odd about the way they acted."
"They weren't happy." Usagi added. "They attacked us, but they weren't happy."
"Why did they join him though?" Minako said, raising her voice, "They are supposed to protect the kingdom! Why are they helping him?!"
Setsuna, Pluto, the Guardian of Time, spoke softly in the ringing silence that followed, "Let me tell you a story…"
Michiru bid goodnight to the stable-master after checking on Zephyr's preparation for the journey the next day. Seeing the big stallion was comfortable and well-rested on the eve of the expedition put her at ease as well. Though she hid it from Haruka, partly only because Haruka was preoccupied with the implications of the journey as well, Michiru felt edgy about the upcoming separation. The Deep Aqua Mirror was hinting at something and kept showing her flashes of Queen Serenity and then various images of palace scholars, mages, and high nobles. Michiru wasn't sure what it was trying to say, and she felt woefully inept.
She made her way through the palace to their apartments, putting the anxiety out of her mind and went through a mental checklist on preparations for the journey. She and Haruka would be going separate ways, helping powerful Revlis mages reinforce spells on the ancient sites that tempered the weather and seas. Or, at least, that's what they had been told. They each would be traveling with an impressive retinue of powerful mages, the head palace scholars, the queen's chief political advisors, and a few high nobles. Though Michiru couldn't say she was looking forward to traveling with some of these people; she had a few longstanding disagreements with a number of them.
She arrived back to their apartments without incident, only to walk in and find Haruka terrorizing a servant that was attempting to help her pack.
"No, no, no. Why would I even need that?" Haruka's voice was lace with agitation.
"My apologies Lady Tenoh." The servant squeaked. "I'll set it aside."
They both looked up when Michiru let the door fall shut behind her. Forgetting himself, the servant stared at her as if she was some sort of guardian angel, relief evident in his eyes. Michiru resisted an amused smirk, as he suddenly remembered and hurriedly bowed in greeting. "Welcome Lady Kaioh."
"You may leave." Michiru said not unkindly.
"If that is all you require of me." The servant bowed again and looked as if he couldn't get out of there fast enough.
As he went by her, Michiru touched him on the shoulder, effectively stalling him. His eyes went wide as she spoke in a low, conspiratorial voice. "I apologize if Lady Tenoh was of any difficulty."
The servant gaped at her for a moment, obviously overwhelmed. Remembering himself again, he stuttered out a response. "N-No. N-None at all."
Regaining his sense of movement as her touch left him, he scrambled out the door as fast as possible, face awash in red.
Haruka eyed Michiru with evident displeasure. "I suppose you enjoyed that. He was a complete dolt though. Wanted to pack up just about every damn thing in this place." She scoffed, "As if we'll be gone forever."
Michiru knew the warning signs when Haruka was in a foul mood. If the body language wasn't enough, the cursing usually did the trick. With her arms crossed, she stared at her half-packed trunk. Michiru did think it almost looked comical with clothes and other random objects scattered every which way around their living area, but she knew that this was not a moment Haruka would appreciate laughter. She sidled up next to her, wrapping her arms around Haruka's trim waist and resting her head between Haruka's shoulder blades. After a moment the wind mage sighed, her body relaxing and uncrossing her arms. She turned around in Michiru's embrace, giving her a light kiss in greeting.
"Are you all packed and ready for tomorrow?" Haruka questioned, moving away from the comfort of those familiar arms to make sense of her own packing.
"Yes, everything of mine is prepared to go at first light." Michiru answered. She chose a seat that had the fewest amount of items on it and watched Haruka pack.
Haruka sent her a sidelong glance, "No chance there was any word from Serenity today?"
"No." Michiru sighed slightly, "I'm afraid not. Truthfully, I'm more worried about her roaming across the world than what she thinks of this curious little adventure we're undertaking."
"I feel the same. It's much too late in the pregnancy to be traveling. She'll be leaving any day now..."
"I know." Michiru said worriedly. Her tone changed as she regarded their disarrayed living area once again, "And about traveling…Was it you or the servant that made this mess? Seriously, it looks like the entire contents of our cabinets, closets, and more have made its way out here."
Haruka answered with a crooked grin and resumed rifling through said items to see if she needed to include anything else in her baggage. Michiru watched her in silence, more than content, and knowing she was going to miss the quiet moments like this during the separation.
After some moments Haruka sighed and eventually just closed her bag, giving it a solid kick for good measure. She looked over to Michiru, a slight smile playing across her face, "I'm going to miss you."
"It will only be a lunar cycle Haruka, and then we'll be back together. And Serenity will have returned by then too." Michiru rose to her feet and began organizing the various pieces of clothing that were scattered around the room.
"Ah yeah…" Haruka ran a hand through her hair. She let it fall back to her side, her shoulders slumping with it, perfectly adopting the mannerisms of a petulant youth. "I don't see why I can't just go with you and then go to the mountain. We haven't been separated for this long since…"
"Since we've been together…yes."
"More than a full lunar cycle…agh…" Haruka growled something under her breath which Michiru thought sounded an awful lot like 'I need a drink.'
"If we traveled together that would double the journey. And while I certainly wouldn't mind, a lot of the people accompanying us would."
"Michiru, they don't really need us and we should stay in the capital anyway. We can just let them go by themselves." Haruka said with frustration.
Michiru didn't respond for a moment as she continued to clean. Deep down she wondered if Haruka's frustration originated from more than just at their prospective separation. Perhaps the wind mage was receiving feelings about the mission similar to Michiru that made her feel ill at ease. If Haruka was picking up such vibes without the aid of the Deep Aqua Mirror, maybe Michiru really did need to reconsider this entire operation…No. She clamped down on those thoughts. She was just being paranoid. Setting that aside, she finally responded to her expectant partner. "But we told Serenity we would help as much as we could while she was gone. If they need us for something, it's the least we could do to honor our Queen's words."
"Hmph."
"Oh, stop." Michiru said. She walked up to Haruka and shoved a load of clothes into her arms. "It is only a lunar cycle and then we'll be back together."
Haruka went to one their closets and just dumped the articles of clothing there. Servants would come by after they left to clean the place, anyway. Looking back out into their living area, she saw that Michiru near had the whole room clean. Haruka hummed from the back of her throat appreciatively as she watched her lover pick up the last few items. A grin played across her face briefly in a sure sign that she had put her frustration behind her for now. "You don't seem to care all that much about being away from me. And you know it'll take longer than a lunar cycle."
Michiru caught the sudden mood change, "Stop pouting love. Of course I'm going to miss you." She paused, setting the rest of the items she picked up at the end of one of their lounges. When she continued, her voice had dropped into a low purr. "Do you want to spoil our last night together for awhile…or…would you like me to show you how much I'm going to miss you?"
Haruka quickly decided not to play along, instead she held at a hand, feeling her heart already beating faster. "Come here you."
"Hmm…" Michiru answered, taking the offered hand, "That's the Haruka I know."
"Well," Haruka laced their fingers together, "I suppose it isn't that long of a time in the grand scheme of things."
"Exactly. Ah, what would Serenity say if she heard you being so optimistic?" Michiru said, her free hand teasing at the collar of Haruka's shirt.
"Michiru, love?" Haruka pulled her closer, secularly wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Yes?"
"Shush." Haruka whispered, and then crushed their lips together in a searing kiss.
Haruka remembered a brush of soft lips against her cheek early the next morning and then Michiru was gone, off to that tiny rock out in Ym'dea Eesp. Her own party did not depart until mid-morning that day. Now here she was two weeks later, climbing Suwdin G'nrih, almost to its crown. The other mages had yet to brief her exactly what magic they would be weaving once they reached the summit, but Haruka really could care less. Her thoughts rested either on Michiru or Serenity. If she delved into the memory enough she could still feel the pleasant tingle of Michiru's lips against her cheek and other things too…While that was more than pleasant to turn to during the long days of traveling, she also constantly worried over Serenity.
Perhaps it was all this inner dwelling that let Haruka miss what was right in front of her for most of the journey. Her traveling companions grew increasingly antsy and apprehensive the closer they reached Suwdin G'nrih. By the time they reached its base, even she finally noticed that something was amiss. She put it aside as they climbed up the narrow path, marveling at the ancient magic that kept the path warm and clear even as snow masked the mountains around them. Besides, a fair number of the group had to focus all their efforts on the hike, lacking the perfect physical conditioning that she and a minority of others possessed. In any case, they were probably just nervous at the success of the spells they had to cast. Appeasing the storm gods and taming the weather was an important task for the well-being of the kingdom after all. Now almost at the top, she cast Michiru and Serenity out of her mind, deciding she would be better served by figuring out exactly what she would be doing.
Haruka singled out a mage she was familiar with, a man who was high up in the ranks of mages that served the kingdom. "Hey Komu!"
He grunted a response, eyes staying on the path as Haruka bypassed a couple of panting, scholarly mage types to reach his side.
"So what's the deal? What kind of magic are we going to be messing with up there?"
The weathered lines on his faces grew tight as he grimaced, casting a sidelong look at her. "Ah…you'll be better off waiting to find out once we get up there. Besides, I don't think I'm the best one to explain it to you."
Haruka shrugged, letting it go. She would find out soon enough.
It wasn't long before they rounded a curve, and the most curious structure came into site. So this was Miranda. Among Serenity's own books was one that covered ancient sites of the peninsula, and she had read about the curious shrine and seen rudimentary sketches of it before. No one was really sure when Miranda was constructed or why, but here it was with spiraling sand-colored stone towers and large, open archways and windows. Stopping in her tracks, she felt a few people brush by her as she gazed at it, suddenly consumed with foreboding, though she couldn't place why.
"Eh Haruka? You coming?" Komu said gruffly as he walked by.
She didn't give an immediate reply, still staring at Miranda. The wind brushed around her almost audibly whispering its caution. By this time, the rest of her traveling companions had past by and climbed the carved steps into the shrine's entrance. Komu alone waited just a few paces ahead, his face hard and stoic. Beyond him, the remainder of the group peered at her anxiously from the entrance.
The wind was doing more than whispering now. It blew hard against her, as if trying to actually push her back down the slope. "Easy." Haruka murmured, holding out a hand in front of her. The wind immediately stilled, and Haruka, going against every instinct, took a step forward. The dull thud of her feet hitting the ground felt final. Exhaling, she spoke to herself, "Let's just get this over with."
Komu caught her words and nodded, "Yes." He gestured her ahead.
Haruka hesitated once more as she reached the top of the steps, unsure of what exactly she should do at this point with everyone else seemingly milling around. As if to solve this immediate problem, one of the mages that she was relatively unfamiliar with approached her holding a water skin. "Water?"
Haruka managed a smile, "That would be great." She took the water skin, and without a thought, drank some of its content. Having got her fill, she handed the skin back and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She frowned at the odd taste left in her mouth from the water. "Hmm…where did you get that water?"
The mage didn't answer her. Instead she backed away slowly, clutching the water skin tightly to her. Haruka was suddenly aware of everyone's eyes on her. She tried to take a step forward, but her limbs went rigid and didn't seem to want to move. Her head was beginning to feel too heavy for her neck, her eyes drooping. She tried to speak, but the words get stuck in her throat. She managed a hiss of a syllable, but that was all. Blackness crept along her vision just as muscle control completely left her. She surrendered her consciousness as she collapsed; her very last thought was of Michiru.
The first thing Haruka was aware of was the constriction that squeezed around her soul, her magic, and her physical body. It was heavy and almost a painful, dull throb. She groaned, and forced her eyes open. She squinted against the intruding sunlight. Her body refused to do much more and she stifled another groan. As she tried to make sense of her surroundings, a voice intruded. She was sure it was rather soft-spoken, but the noise pounded in her head.
"Haruka Tenoh of the Wind, you are now bound to the shrine Miranda in order to serve Revlis El'inmilnum and House of Serenity."
Bound? Bound? Haruka thought wildly. What did that mean?
"As possessor of the ultimate power of the skies, you will aid in ushering in an era of peace and prosperity for the kingdom. As successor and inheritor of ancient powers akin to the great Senshi Uranus, you will protect this kingdom and the House of Serenity, guiding the storms and the wind. You are Uranus, Guardian of the Skies, deity to Revlis El'inmilnum like Pluto is Guardian of Time."
Haruka's mind raced. Like Pluto? A deity? The name Uranus was more familiar, an ancient word meaning 'of the Wind,' that she heard people use in reference to her before. And what about...?
"Michiru?" She managed to croak.
"Is Neptune, Guardian of the Seas, deity of Revlis El'inmilnum." The voice answered.
Like hers, but what did it mean? Finally, Haruka managed to turn her head, her eyes fully open. She was still in Miranda judging by the sand-colored stones and the rich blue carpet she was rested upon. And standing some paces away were two members of her traveling group – one of the head scholars and one of the high nobles. Her head lolled and her eyes traveled past them and through the entrance to see the rest of the group gathered outside. They were staring in at the proceedings and her gaze centered, for some reason, on Komu appearing as stoic as ever.
Haruka realized the scholar was still talking.
"…you will remain here for the ensured safety of Revlis Ei'inmilnum."
Remain here? What did he mean by that? She struggled to move again, this time finding it easier. Her body still ached all over. The constriction she felt when she first awoke even more numbing now. It was like a tourniquet wrapped around her entire body. She managed though, pushing her self into a seated position. The scholar and the noble both scurried backwards at her movement as if frightened. As well they should be, Haruka didn't have the slightest idea what was going on.
"Uranus, you are bound to this place, to protect Revlis El'inmilnum and the House of Serenity!"
That was the noble whose panicked screech made Haruka's head hurt all the more. Haruka forced some words out, her throat dry and scratchy, "Bound? …the hell?"
"For the safety and insurance of the kingdom, you are to remain here separate and distinct from us mortals." The scholar said calmly, sending a warning glance to the noble.
"Remain?" Haruka responded, now trying to climb to her feet.
"Ad infinitum." The scholar remained. The noble had gripped his arm, and was steadily trying to back them both out of the room.
Her body still protesting, Haruka forced a couple of inebriated-like steps. "What?"
"You are too powerful for us mortals. To best serve and protect the kingdom you are to remain here."
It all seemed to finally click for Haruka. Speaking came easier now, "Too powerful? You're telling me I'm something like Pluto or Saturn?"
The scholar nodded hesitantly.
"So you're…locking me up here?"
The noble fled at those words, her fright at Haruka's reaction proving too much. She ran out of Miranda down the steps to join the rest of the group.
"And Michiru?"
The scholar was considerably braver, but he was beginning to sweat too. His eyes darted around nervously. "The same at the shrine Triton."
"Is this some sort of joke?" Haruka asked dangerously.
"No."
"No?" Haruka whispered, taking menacing steps forward. "You're telling me I'm to remain here indefinitely because I threaten you? And the same is meant for Michiru?"
"Everything is done in the best interest of Queen Serenity and Revlis El'inmilnum?"
"Does the queen know anything about this?"
The scholar shook his head, and started to step backwards.
"You want me to stay here on this forsaken mountain alone in order to serve my queen and country? I was doing just that back in Talrysc Kotyo."
"It's to ensure the greatest possible chance of survival for the kingdom."
"And what else?" Haruka pressed. There was something missing from the equation. Nothing seemed to make sense.
The scholar hesitated and then continued, carefully not looking at her. "To make sure deity Saturn, Guardian of Ruin, is never summoned."
"What does that have to do with me?" Haruka said lowly.
The scholar didn't answer as he started to back away slowly. Haruka strode forward, her muscles finally somewhat cooperating, but she had to fight against the painful-numbing of the constriction. Losing all patience as the scholar cowered, she roared, "What does that have to do with me or Michiru?!"
A sharp gust of wind accompanied her shout. Strong and unforgiving, it collided into the scholar and sent him flying. He landed in a thud at the bottom of the steps that entered Miranda. Haruka went after him, hobbling to the top of the steps. Komu and another man went to the scholar, hurriedly dragging him backwards.
Hastening down the steps as best as she could, Haurka resisted a groan of pain each time a foot hit the ground. The pain only fed her rage. "After everything we've done! After helping to make this kingdom! You want us to remain locked away because you're scared of our power!"
Then she stopped as if she had run into a wall. On the last most step she fought the binding and the erected invisible barrier that kept her from advancing any farther. The barrier bent slightly as she fought against it, but try as she might with magical or physical force, it didn't give, much less reveal a crack. Eyes widening in realization, she finally understood the constriction she felt wrapped around her. It was a complex, intricate layering of all different types of magic that tied her life and very essence to the shrine Miranda. A spell she could never break because of its knots of dissimilar magics. Livid, she fought against the barrier as the Revlis turned as one to make their way back down Suwdin G'nirh.
Komu trailed at the end of the party. He turned once to look back at her just before he rounded the corner that would take him from sight, his stoic expression unbroken. Then he was gone.
Haruka released one last hoarse yell. It was one not of fury, but of anguish. "Michiru!"
Elsewhere, far to the south, across mountains, and plains, and sea, Michiru whispered her own torment, "Haruka…"
Fin Chapter
A/N: Well, some questions are answered, but many more remain. A couple of plotholes will be filled next chapters.
Also, I'm really curious on hearing opinions on Mamoru/Usagi/Rei/Minako(/Setsuna!?) if you might have one. I keep going back and forth on two possible resolutions for our characters' relationship woes. Regardless there is still a lot more drama ahead.
By the way, sukiyaki is a type of Japanese dish typically made with thin sliced beef and a variety of vegetables in a pot.
Anagram Corner!
Last chapter's anagram was Bunaju, which as I'm sure you all figured out was Juuban.
This chapter's anagrams are:
-Zanoam (hint: both a Sailor Moon and real world something)
-Patusei (hint: think solar system)
-Siihuco (hint: a SM someone)
That's all for the Anagram corner!
Pronunciation Guide:
Aliaxga: ally-axe-guh
Areth: eh-reth
Asliro: as-lee-row
Bunaju: boo-nah-jew
Hawkai: hall-kai
Ochas: oh-chas or oh-kass, depending on accent
Onom: oh-numm
Patusei: pay-two-say
Revlis El'inmilnum: rev-liss el-in-mil-num
Siihuco: see-who-co
Suwdin G'nrih: tsu-den gee-ray
Talrysc Kotyo: tal-risk co-tee-oh
Xhyndria: zen-dree-uh
Ym'dea Eesp: eem-dee-ah esp
Zanoam: zan-no-um
Next Chapter: A checkup on Mamoru, Luna, and Artemis (what you forgot about them?), Usagi plus others embark on a new quest, and Haruka and Michiru want to have a throwdown with Ochas.