Chapter 8

To say the city was in ruins would have been an understatement. The buildings that stood looked like a mere skeleton of its original form. Venus' steps are a little slower than mine. She's looking more intently than I am. No city should look like this.

"Where are all the people?"

I was thinking the same thing. "Let's hope they're just hiding."

Rubble shifts to our left. I charge my fists while Venus readies her chain. A crow emerges and pecks at a couple of discarded grocery bags. Venus relaxes, but my guard never falls. We continue on through the ancient streets of Tokyo. It's been a long time since I had walked this way.

"How long has it been since Ken died?"

I don't know why, but the question stops me in my tracks. "Why?"

Venus turns slightly. "Didn't he used to live here?"

"Yeah, he did." I wouldn't have noticed the apartment complex if she hadn't said anything. It's strange. The windows are broken, light is absent, but that same old ugly sign still sits on the lobby door. I can't help but smile for a moment, something that doesn't go unnoticed.

"You two would have been good together."

I continue forward. "Only you thought that, Mina."

She shakes her head. "No, not just me. Raye thought so, and so did Amy-"

"What does it matter?"

She pauses. "I'm... just trying to make conversation."

I can see the hurt in her eyes, but I have little sympathy for it. The sight before us is the future for this planet if we fail. Buildings can be rebuilt, but once life is gone there is no returning it. I don't doubt that Mina cares, but she doesn't understand. She's uncomfortable with the silence. I can tell by the unsteady pace of her footsteps. "Eight hundred and ninety-three years."

"What?"

I sigh. "He's been dead for eight hundred and ninety-three years."

It takes a moment for her to respond. "Lita..."

"But that's just in this life. I don't know what happened to him in the past."

"What are you talking about?"

I close my eyes. "Don't worry about it. I'm just talking to myself."

She grabs my arm and spins me towards her. "Enough of this. We grew up, fought, and even crushed on guys together. Just stop a second and explain this to me. I want to understand, but you're pushing me away."

"Artemis said that he already spoke with you-"

"Yeah, he said that there's a very good reason for your... change, but I don't see it. Your mannerisms... your words... your powers... It's like I never knew you."

"You're mistaken."

She turns. "How?"

"I did know you."

"Then why are you-"

I walk around her. "But you don't know yourself. That is the difference between you and I. I know how I was then and how I am now."

"We're friends-"

I nod. "In this time, but not during the Silver Millennium."

She hurries over. "Tell me everything."

"Mina..."

"I want to understand, but I can't if I don't know everything."

I turn. "Minako."

"What?"

"That was your name."

The Hikawa Shrine. It's been a long time since I had seen this place. The others used to complain about the sheer quantity of steps that we'd have to climb, but I like it. That's why I used to train in the mountains when I was younger. Nature can provide its own obstacles for us to overcome.

I feel the roots of the trees pulsing beneath my feet. The forest possesses a wisdom that I'm not sure anyone else hears. Venus has slowly fallen behind. She's almost four whole paces back. Her eyes are glued to the ground. It wouldn't surprise me if she doesn't believe a word of it. Two crows caw over the archway. I bow before stepping under it.

"What are you doing?"

I sigh. "Phobos and Deimos are the guardians of Mars. It is proper to show respect to our protectors."

She hesitates before performing a slight bow. The sky is more red over here. I pause the moment I feel the dark energy. Venus goes to speak, but stops as Rubeus appears in front of us.

"And how is it that you two senshi have escaped your self-made prison?"

Venus steps forward, chain in hand. "You should leave."

He smiles. "And why would I do that?"

"I'll make you."

He begins charging his fists. "Will you now?"

I step towards Venus. "This is sacred ground. We shouldn't fight here."

She shakes her head. "He is the enemy. We don't have the luxury of picking our battlefields."

"Then let me-"

"No. I have this."

I step back. "Venus..."

She smiles. "You said I was a decent warrior, right?"

"This isn't a game."

She nods. "I know. See if there are any survivors. I will be his opponent."

Rubeus throws a fist full of dark energy. Both Venus and I quickly jump to the side. "Enough talk."

I go to speak, but Venus is already charging forward. Their impending strikes clash within moments. Both Phobos and Deimos caw louder. I pause before heading forward towards the main temple. Perhaps I should have faith in Mina.

"Ha ha ha ha ha." That laugh.

I allow the thunder to bellow overhead. "So are you my opponent then, Emerald?"

"No, I'm afraid that honour belongs to these fine young women. I'm just here to watch Rubeus."

I take one step before the four sisters appear around me. With this, Emerald fades in front of me. "I don't want to kill any of you here."

None of them say anything. It's strange. That's when I hear the crack of a whip. Avery's attack strikes to the left, I compensate by moving to the right, but the moment I move all I feel is the burn of lightning. My anger starts to surface.

I can't help but smile as I turn to Prisma. "You would attack me with lightning?"

She readies herself. "Wiseman was right. Your arrogance will be your downfall."

The four of them converge as I close my eyes and summon the storm over our heads. Lightning strikes each of them. "The storm is my comrade."

I'm forced back as that damn whip strikes me across the face. The four of them stagger and ready themselves. I can feel the new cut across the bridge of my nose. It takes only a couple of seconds for it to heal. I reach back and pull my swords from their sheaths. I can still hear Phobos and Deimos in the distance. Their warning fades to the back of my mind.

I move quickly between the various attacks of fire and ice towards Prisma. As the oldest, I should defeat her first to demoralize her sisters. I feel my blades slicing through her side like it were nothing. Catsy shouts and lunges with fire in her eyes. I allow her to grab me as the lightning strikes my body. She falls as I face Birdie.

"Catsy!" Her ice catches my right shoulder, causing me to drop one of my weapons. "You're going to pay for that!"

I summon the roots beneath the ground. She struggles in their grasp, but I continue to tighten their grip. Avery's whip pulls my other sword from my hand.

"Ah!" That's Venus.

My concentration is broken for a mere second, but that is all it takes. I'm hit hard to the ground. Still, my wounds heal without consequence. "We can continue this for as along as you want."

It's just Avery and I now. There's rage in her eyes. In the distance both Catsy and Prisma struggle to their feet as Birdie breaks free from the roots that constricted her body.

"Just leave this place." I've given them more than a fair share of chances to back down. That is when I hear the crackle of lightning surging around Prisma's fingers. She turns towards Venus and readies and attack. Her sisters do the same. "Don't even think about it."

"I bet she'll be more fun to play with. What do you think?"

"Don't you dare turn your back on me!" There's no respect or honour for their opponent. That pisses me off more than anything. All my self-control is gone now. Lightning crashes all around us. The four of them turn their attention back to me. I can't help but smile. Their steps pound against the earth. I close my eyes and bow my head. "My servant, I call upon you once more." The thunder roars louder than before. "In the name of Jove, I summon you my thunder dragon."

So much energy hits my body as the great dragon appears from the lightning I release. Their steps suddenly halt in place. My dragon bows his head.

"What is this?"

I turn to my opponents. There's no stopping me. "Send them to oblivion."

One roar and the monster is loose. Screams, they are louder than anything else. With this action, Hikawa has officially become a battlefield. Both Phobos and Deimos call out in response. There is blood, much more than I thought there would be, but it doesn't matter. My attention returns to Rubeus, who stands over Venus with energy in his hand. Her chain rests around his arm. His attention, however, is on the great dragon at my side.

"What have you done?"

I step forward. "These are the consequences of war. If you value your life you will retreat."

He clenches his fists. "How dare you-"

I reach down and collect my swords. "You've lost this fight. Step away from her."

He smiles. "You think you've killed them don't you? The dark crystal will bring them back."

At that moment the four bodies seem to fade until there is nothing. He looks at me as if he's just won. "Maybe, but I'm sure that dying in this way hurts like hell."

His smile fades. "I will enjoy the day you die."

And just like that he disappears. Venus struggles to sit up. Her left shoulder looks dislocated. I take one step before dropping to my knee. "Lita!"

My dragon disperses and all the energy surges back into me. My body shakes until it's all over. When I open my eyes again, Venus is kneeling in front of me. "Are you alright?"

She nods. "Yes, but I should be asking you that question."

"You need to pop that back in."

"Yeah, I know."

I pause. "Do you want me to help you?"

She shakes her head. "No, I think I have it."

I watch as she grasps her shoulder and pulls in one swift motion. She screams, but only for a moment. Her eyes water as she stands. "Mina..."

"Jupiter, I want you to be honest with me."

I nod. "What is it?"

She sighs. "The end of days. Was it a worse than this?"

"No."

She turns. "And Minako, what did you honestly think of her?"

For a moment, I don't have an answer. I see that look in her eye. She's determined to get an answer from me. "She was cruel, arrogant, and naive. We opposed each other at every turn."

She nods. "And is that how you see me?"

I sigh. "No."

She steps forward. "I might not be able to understand, but I am still your friend, Lita."

"Yeah, I know."

I still hear those crows. Realization hits me as I step back. There will be consequences, and I will accept them without protest.

The five of us used to spend hours in the temple. It was our home away from home. Mina knows how often we'd try to study. Between that and our weekly meetings, I recognize this place as a safe haven, but now we enter with blood drying on our skin and weapons in our hands. Raye would scold us if she were here. This was her home more than ours.

I place my hand on the sliding door, but stop as I feel the intense heat. I look to Phobos and Deimos who merely stare. It seems that I shouldn't enter this place. "You should search the temple. I'll stand guard out here."

She pauses. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I just think it would be better if one of us stays on the lookout."

She nods. "Alright. I won't be long."

I watch as she slides open the door and walks in. I reach out once more, but I feel my skin burning beneath my armor. "So Ares does not trust me. That's fine."

I return to the arch and look up at the sky. It is at that moment that both Phobos and Demos glide to the ground in front of me.

"You have brought blood to the sacred temple."

I bow. "It was not my attention, but this is war-"

"War still has it's place. You should know that, daughter of Jupiter."

I kneel down. "Are there people seeking refuge in the temple."

Both crows look to each other. "Yes, and they have the divine protection of Mars."

"I understand."

At that moment Venus runs out of the temple. "Jupiter, I need your help."

My eyes widen as I look back to the crows. They do nothing as I run towards the temple. "What is it?"

"You should see for yourself." I hesitate before stepping inside. Venus notices my slight cringe. "Are you alright?"

I shake my head. "We should hurry."

Every inch of my skin feels as if it's both burning and healing in rapid succession. "Jupiter?"

"I can't stay here for too-"

That is when I see what she had called me for. There are soldiers, lots of them, all seeming to be asleep inside. That isn't what catches my attention. Endymion rests amongst them with countless wounds. I go to move, but the pain is excruciating.

Venus watches as light burns appear on my skin. "My god."

"I can't be in here."

She nods and helps me back outside. "What the hell is going on?"

I close my eyes. "This ground is sacred to the Princess of Mars. It is protected as a haven for those who need help. I killed on these grounds."

"But Rubeus said they would-"

It doesn't matter. "I spilled their blood without mercy. It's why I told you to be careful."

She watches as the burns heal. "What do we do then?"

I turn. "You'll have to help them yourself."

"Wait a sec-"

"There's no time, Mina."

She nods. "Alright, just wait here. I'll figure this out."

I'm left standing underneath a dark sky. The wind faintly brushes against my skin. Anything could happen now. In the distance I can still see the palace barrier holding. We do have to hurry.

"Why did you give the order to kill those women?" The voice in my head. I haven't heard it in a while.

"I have no excuse."

A pause. "You need to be more careful, Makoto."

I bow my head. "I know."

For the first time in a long while I feel useless. Blood continues to stain the stone steps and I am left to do nothing but wait. There's movement inside, that much I can hear, but another thought crosses my mind; Endymion. Why is he there? I thought he was taken by the enemy. Something isn't right. I'll have to make sure my guard never falls.