2.) Blood Follows
There are places in the heart that do not yet exist; suffering has to enter in for them to come to be.
- Leon Bloy
ARTEMIS
I glanced over at Rei as the shuttle neared the moon, she hadn't moved in hours as she was deep in meditation. The mystery of Rei was starting to reveal itself. The typical Martians weren't renowned for their spiritual habits, their worship of Ares solely consisted of blood sacrifices. And that was just another way to say they killed people.
Rei on the other hand seemed to be invested in various 'spiritual' undertakings, it certainly explained a lot about her current predicament.
The last time I was on Mars, about twenty-five years earlier, the Martians had been in the middle of another civil war. From what I had gathered, the mysterious death of Cycnus' wife had triggered a religious cleansing against an insurgent faction on Mars. This cleansing had sought to eradicate the sect due to a series of religious differences and to this day, deviations from the set standard of worship were viewed as treason.
I glanced towards Rei again, assessing her carefully. She couldn't be much older than twenty, certainly she was younger than twenty-five... Add that to the fact she seemed to stray from the typical Martian conventions or customs I was willing to bet that she was somehow affiliated with the religion that had been driven underground years earlier.
I flinched as the intercom turned on in a burst of static. I found myself ignoring the words as I watched Rei open her eyes and take a deep breath before she rose fluidly from the ground. As she sat in the seat across from me I opened my mouth to speak, my words would not organize themselves. Rei looked over at me, studying me carefully.
"You have more questions." She stated.
"They're probably rude and impertinent." I replied, I swore I saw Rei smirk upon hearing this.
"If you're out of line, I'll tell you as such."
I glanced at her. I knew that the Martians were generally an upfront people though usually they expressed their displeasure through gutting you. Rei smirked again, it was as if she knew what was going through my mind.
"What was your question?" Rei asked.
"I was just curious about what you were doing earlier..."
"Is that a veiled attempt at finding out my religious affiliations?" She replied. I flushed slightly. Had I truly been that obvious?
I cleared my throat.
"I was unfamiliar with what you were doing, I didn't know that Martian spirituality had changed so much. The last I heard deviations from the norm were punishable by death. The Bonehunters..." I started, Rei cut me off.
"Sometimes the terrorists are actually your freedom fighters. It all depends upon the side you take. Some on Mars embrace what the Bonehunters symbolize, while others, the vast majority, choose to reject it."
"And are you a...?" I asked, not bothering to finish my question. We both knew what we were talking about, there was no need to name it.
Rei did not reply.
After we landed I watched as Rei gathered her meagre belongings and disembark from the shuttle. I shielded my eyes as I followed her out onto the lunar soil. Before me the heart of the Lunar Kingdom stretched as far as the eyes could see. I smiled softly, this was starting to feel like home.
"Now Artemis." Luna chided. "Keep on this way and you'll be praising the dirt you walk on."
I smiled, turning to face her.
"I hardly support the idea of dirt kissing." I muttered with a grin, pulling her into a hug. "Good to see you Luna."
"It's nice to have you back Artemis." She replied, returning the embrace.
"Master Artemis!" One of the pilots called out. I looked over. "Did you see where those two Martian servants went?"
"Martian servants?" I asked quickly. There had been no Martian servants...
"Yeah, the two who got on while we were on Mars. Just wanted to see if either one of them was available for drinks later on tonight..."
I rolled my eyes. Venusians.
It was terrible of me to believe in the stereotypes, especially since I called Venus my home, but some Venusians couldn't help but conform to the misconception. I shook my head, obviously this particular Venusian was having a hard time keeping it in his pants.
Luna looked like she wanted to say something so I muttered something about proper manners and how royalty should take precedence over a mere chauffeur. Luna and I turned away from the shuttle to find Rei, just as a large bird landed on her shoulder. My eyes widened as I watched Rei interact with the raven. She seemed to have an odd affinity with the birds of death...
As Luna and I approached the bird took off, Rei followed it with her eyes for a few moments before looking back to me.
"Theoroi." She greeted with a stiff smile.
"Rei, I'd like you to meet Luna. She's an adviser to High Queen Serenity, as well as a teacher or mentor for Princess Serenity."
"It's an honour to meet you, Mars Rei." Luna said. Rei nodded.
"Well now that we have the introductions out of the way, shall we be going?" I asked. Rei nodded,
MINAKO
I glanced out the balcony doors as I heard a familiar voice out in the courtyard. I could just see Artemis' retreating back as he made his way through the garden with Luna. A third person was following a few steps behind, listening intently to their conversations, this woman was a stranger to me.
I leaned in the doorway, studying the trio. Well, not so much the trio as the woman I was unfamiliar with.
The woman in question stalled, straightening slightly. I tilted my head slightly at her sudden halt. She turned slowly, looking in my direction as if she had sensed my eyes on her.
I was struck dumb by the very person I had been so focused on moments earlier. For a second I thought the world stopped turning when my eyes found her face. The raw beauty embodied by this woman had ensnared my body and mind.
I was caught unaware by the feelings within me, the wild lust and infatuation, as my breath caught in my throat and the Bard seized my mind along with the madness of the gods. A primal passion from the dawn of time.
Just as I was coming to terms with the lust and attraction within me, the apparition turned away and continued after Artemis and Luna as a pair of birds took wing.
"Damn it." I swore softly, letting my head rest against the door frame. "Lust at first sight, that can't be a good sign."
Just then there was a knock on my door.
REI
I was at the entrance to my room with Artemis and Luna. They seemed to be eager to speak of something out of my presence, so I ignored the standard protocols.
"I'm fairly certain that you two have far more important things to do than give me the grand tour." I stated. "I'd hate to waylay you from your more pressing duties."
Artemis met my eyes for a moment, before nodding. His partner, Luna, did not seem so ready to relinquish her duties. I studied the two of them as Luna replied with some courteous answer to my statement. Artemis seemed rather eager to be off. I looked to Luna and gave her an offhand reply about a wish for solitude.
"Accompanying you to the Moon had been a pleasure and an honour, Rei." Artemis said with a smile. I nodded.
"You as well Theoroi." I told him. I turned the door handle and entered my quarters.
I looked over the rooms. They were simple in design and decor, probably to emulate the Martian castle. I wouldn't know for sure though, I had little firsthand knowledge of the castle's private rooms on Mars. I'd usually occupied a room in the soldier's barracks or a cell in prison.
I knelt down and undid my boots, stepping out of them on to the hardwood floors. I walked further into my quarters, pausing when I reached the bedroom. I ran my hand along the intricately carved black marble fireplace which seemed to be the focal point of the room.
In front of the fireplace was a thick red carpet which spread along the floor towards the bed, beside which rested my bag. I removed my sword laying it on top of the mantle before lighting a fire in the hearth.
ARTEMIS
I was eager to visit my charge despite my duties to Rei due to the Lunar customs of hospitality. While we escorted Rei to her room, I listened to Luna explain some of the Palace's daily schedule. Rei was mostly silent, as was I.
I hated to be away from Minako. Luna understood this, relating my relationship with Mina to her own with Princess Serenity. Yet Luna would never understand what it was like to actually befriend her charge, Serenity was too young to truly see Luna as anything but her mentor. Minako was closer in age to me and we shared a strong friendship, fuelled by the years we'd spent with each other.
Luna cleared her throat, drawing my attention to her. Upon catching the amused look on her face I glanced around, finally realizing that we were at Rei's quarters. I gave a strained smile before looking to Rei. We were supposed to help her settle into her new home but I wanted to abandon my duties and visit Minako.
"I'm fairly certain you two have far more important things to do than give me the grand tour. I'd hate to waylay you from your more pressing duties." Rei said as she laid a hand on the door handle. I looked over at her and saw a look of understanding in her eyes. Her statement was directed at me.
She knew I had duties closer to my heart that needed attending. I nodded my thanks for what one could call a dismissal. I was about to depart when Luna's hand settled on my arm. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, she was ever attentive to protocol and detail.
"Are you positive you don't require our assistance, Mars Rei?" Luna asked, using Rei's Lunar title. Rei cocked an eyebrow but otherwise ignored the Lunar custom.
"In all honesty, I would much rather retire to my rooms alone for a while. I would like to rest shortly before the commencement of my duties." Rei replied shortly.
Luna seemed almost startled by the bluntness of the Martian's reply. I smiled, her mannerisms were becoming familiar to me... almost comforting.
"Accompanying you to the Moon has been a pleasure and an honour, Rei." I told her.
"You as well, Theoroi." Rei replied, opening the door to her rooms and disappearing inside.
I turned on heel and walked away with Luna trailing after me. She eventually quickened her pace so she could walk beside me.
"I wouldn't go to see Minako just yet." Luna cautioned. "Eros arrived a short while ago. I'd hate to see you take the brunt of Minako's rage. Best leave Eros and Aphrodite to deal with her."
"Aphrodite? She's here?" I asked, she had planned on coming to the Moon later on, after her daughter and Rei had time to... get used to one another. Had Lady Aphrodite's plans changed while I was on Mars?
"No, she's not but I expect she'll be receiving a very angry wave." Luna commented. "Why do you ask?"
"I just found out some concerning information about Rei, I'm unsure as to whether or not Aphrodite or the High Queen are aware of the... issues." I replied. It certainly would have been reassuring to talk to Aphrodite face to face.
Luna studied me carefully.
"What is it?" She asked cautiously.
"Perhaps a more secluded area would be best? The topic is...sensitive." I suggested. Luna nodded.
"My rooms are close by, is that secluded enough for you?" She asked. I raised an eyebrow. Why did I get the feeling that we weren't on the previous topic anymore?
I grinned.
MINAKO
"I'm WHAT!?" I demanded, surely Eros hadn't said what I thought he said. He couldn't have said...
"Betrothed Mina. You heard me. Mother arranged it years ago, she thought she was doing you a kindness by, you know, letting you live your life without knowing about it."
"But why now Eros? Why did she suddenly have to send you here to tell me?" I asked, wishing it didn't sound like I was pleading with him.
"Because your fiancée is on her way here." He replied, innocently looking over at me. "Or did I neglect to mention that detail?"
I rolled my eyes, no matter how old we got he always would be my brother.
"Yes, you forgot to mention that." I snapped back, he was infuriating.
"Lighten up, it's not like this whole marriage thing means 'to have and to hold', it's just politics." He said as he flopped down on my couch. "You can have all the affairs you want if it's just politics."
I sighed and sank onto the couch next to him. He caught my look.
"Oh come on Mina, you can't be telling me you've been looking for a 'soul mate' during all that messing around?"
I bit down on my lip and looked away.
"Seriously?" He asked, sitting upright. "Geez Mina. What the hell do you want to find a soul mate for? All they do is cramp your style, which you have in spades I might add..."
"I don't want my marriage to be just politics and all that bullshit!" I yelled at him as I rose to me feet.
"I wanted it to mean something..." I whispered as I turned my back to him.
"Guess this would be a bad time to mention that you're betrothed to a Martian then, huh?" Eros asked in a small voice. I whirled around.
"I'm WHAT!?"
LUNA
Eventually I turned to face Artemis, he gave a slow, relaxed smile.
"So back to our previous topic..." He said, his eyes soft.
"What was it you were saying?" I asked, studying him carefully.
"Well, it's Rei." He mumbled, his thumb drawing lazy circles on my shoulder blade. "I noticed some peculiarities while in her company."
"And...?"
"There have been assassination attempts on her as well as a 'theoretical' death sentence ordered by her father. I also have reason to believe Rei's affiliated with a renegade cult on Mars and isn't Cycnus' legitimate daughter..." Artemis said, when he met my eyes I could see the hesitation in them.
"I don't understand." I said honestly. I wasn't sure what to think about any of this. How could Rei be an eligible 'fiancée' if she wasn't a legitimate child of Cycnus? And if she was his child, how could Cycnus place a death penalty on her head? It also brought forth the question of why he didn't execute her.
"I have a theory, but that's what's been bothering me." Artemis mumbled. "And it's why I wanted to speak to Aphrodite..."
"What is it?"
"Well..."
ARTEMIS
I knocked on the door softly, flinching as it was almost torn off its hinged with the ferocity of which it was opened. Minako stood glowering on the other side.
"What?" She asked testily. I shifted uneasily, knowing she'd pick up on it. She sighed in what I assumed was frustration.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked her. She stepped aside, allowing me to enter her domain. I stepped warily over the threshold, imagining the conversation we were about to have.
She sank down onto one of her couches, I stood awkwardly, unsure of whether to sit beside her or across from her. Minako looked up at me, there was pain in her eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Your mother ordered me not to."
"I know that. I was asking why you weren't the one to tell me. In the end..." She asked, there was a pause. "It would have been better coming from you."
I sat down next to her, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. She relaxed into my body, her face turning against my chest. I could feel her pain, the betrayal, the loss, the... annoyance. I glanced down at her. She rolled her eyes, trying to fight back tears.
"Eros is an ass." She muttered.
I tightened my arms around her, knowing tears were about to fall. I felt her shoulders shake. I gave a soft sigh, I would have to talk to Eros later.
"That's what siblings are for Mina, to make your life hell." I said, coaxing out a shaky laugh.
"Why weren't you the one to tell me?" She asked, brushing a hand across her eyes as she pulled out of my grasp.
"I had to go to Mars..." I offered weakly, I knew the common perception of Martians. This would not be a fun conversation.
"So it's true... She is a Martian." Mina muttered, scowling. I nodded. Minako made a soft noise of disgust. "I thought Eros was just making it up. I hoped he was just making it up."
Her voice was sounding defeated and saddened. I couldn't bring myself to look at her and see the pain in her face as well as feel it.
"Mina, it's not so bad. She's not so bad. For a Martian I'd have to say she's quite exceptional." I said giving her a smile I hoped didn't appear too forced.
"Oh, so she's only murdered hundreds instead of thousands?" Minako asked bitterly. I let out an exasperated breath.
"Minako, I've tried to explain this to you before. The circumstances on Mars are different than the ones on Venus. Things have to be that way over there. If they weren't, the situation would be much worse. The Autokrator has to rule with an iron fist, else their world, their civilization, would fall to ruin." I told her sternly. We had covered this before. "Just as their form of rule would never work on Venus, ours will never work on Mars. We need to reconcile our differences with Mars, peace will never work without it. That's what these weddings are about."
"Gods above, Artemis. Why are you being so pushy about this?" Minako demanded. Somehow we had both risen to our feet during my mini lecture. I was about to reply when she continued.
"All I wanted was a little understanding." She muttered, when she looked at me I could see anger in her eyes. Great.
"Just think about what I've said..." I told her, then catching the look on her face I continued. "But if you truly hate her after you meet her, you don't have to go through with it. Your mother wouldn't make you marry without love for your partner."
After having said my piece, along the fact Minako would no longer look at me, I left the room. For some reason the last thought during that discussion had been of Rei. If Minako didn't go through with this wedding, Rei lost everything, including her life theoretically.
I sighed as the door shut behind me. Minako had been looking to me for understanding. She had been looking for comfort and I'd lectured her. I turned on heel, raising my hand to knock on the door, to go back in and apologize.
"Artemis!" Luna's voice called from down the corridor. I turned, watching Luna walk towards me. As she stopped before me her eyes flicked between the closed door and I.
"The discussion didn't go as you'd hoped?" She asked quietly.
"I ended up lecturing her." I muttered. Luna laid a hand against my arm.
"I'm sorry." She murmured. I looked towards her, taking some solace in her understanding gaze. I gave a small smile.
"So what was it you called me for?" I asked.
I shifted uneasily before the High Queen. She was studying me closely. I felt like a child who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Though when considering the severity of my accusations, I was getting off lightly.
"And you found all this out while on your trip to Mars?" She asked, her voice soft by carrying an air of command about it.
"Not exactly, the term I find to most aptly describe it would be 'conjecture'. Based on my experiences and feelings, it is the only option that seemed logical." I replied. High Queen Serenity nodded, then sighed.
"While it is true that Rei is not Cycnus' legitimate daughter, she is without a doubt his blood-kin. We have tried to keep this information confidential to protect Rei's interests within the Empire, or rather, amongst the aristocracy of the Empire." Serenity told me. "However the rest of this information is new to me. How sure can you be about Rei's religious ties? Or of the assassination attempts on her? Did you witness anything that needs to be brought forward?"
"That was the other part of my... theory." I replied. Serenity motioned for me to continue. I glanced at Luna, who nodded her encouragement. "I hesitate to bring this to you for it incriminates Cycnus."
"Whatever you say is an interpretation of available facts Artemis. It is merely something we will consider." Serenity told me. I nodded and continued.
"As you know, affiliation with the religious group known as the Bonehunters became outlawed a little over twenty years ago, about 3 years after the death of Aerid, his wife. Rei's birth also happens to coincide with the Purge. If my suspicions are correct then Rei would have been conceived by one of the Priestesses, this accounts for Rei's religious inclinations as well as Cycnus' dislike for her." I paused, taking a moment to see how they were receiving the news. I wasn't being yelled at for impertinence at least.
"We heard of Rei's existence sometime after she turned five. I do not believe Cycnus knew of Rei's birth and only learned of it when he was tracking down the remaining members of the cult. Rei was living evidence of Cycnus' shame, laying with a Bonehunter priestess, and she is irrefutable evidence. She inherited the powers of the Royal blood line, Cycnus couldn't deny it." I stopped talking, I couldn't continue.
If I was right, it meant that Rei had most likely watched her father murder her mother. She was a shame upon her entire family. To earn execution, one would have to shame their entire family publicly. I swallowed. If I was right, Rei was to die merely because of who her parents were.
The Queen did not press me for more information, she seemed to have a solid grasp on what my theory entailed.
"That is all very plausible Artemis, there is just one thing I cannot quite figure out..." The Queen let her voice trail off. I looked up, meeting her eyes, hopefully she had thought of something I hadn't to dispel this story I'd painted. I didn't want to be correct in my line of thinking, not this time.
"What I cannot fathom is why Aphrodite brought forth the marriage proposal." She said.
"What?" I asked. In my surprise I had forgotten all protocol, Luna was glaring at me. I'd probably pay for this later...
The queen looked directly at me.
"Yes, securing the treaty by marriage was Aphrodite's idea and she specifically requested that Rei be wed to her first born daughter." There was a pause. "This was before the Lunar court even knew of Rei's existence."
MAKOTO
"I will not be the one to fetch that savage from her rooms." I snapped. "I am no one's servant, let alone hers."
"This would be an easier transition if you allowed yourself to have an open mind about... everything." The Mercurian told me in a patronizing, know-it-all tone. I gave a grin, making it as toothy as possible. She took an involuntary step backwards.
"Well, since you have the cranial capacity for such a 'logical' point of view, you should be the one to go get her. Especially since you're 'higher evolved' and all that." I told her, smirking. I turned my back and gave a wave. "Have fun."
I stalked off down the corridor, leaving her alone in the hallway.
AMI
I sighed. Was everyone going to be this stubborn and xenophobic?
I turned and walked in the direction of the Martian's quarters. Once I reached the door, however, I stalled as I brought my hand up to knock. What if what they had all been saying was true? What if she really was a barbaric savage?
I shook my head, trying to clear myself of those thoughts. They were completely irrational. I had no reason to fear that of which I had no experience.
I took in a breath as I prepared to knock on the door, just at that moment the door swung open. I jumped back, the Martian seemed unsurprised by my appearance before her.
"Yes?" The Martian asked in Lunarian, only a slight accent marred her speech, causing her question to take on a growling tone.
"I... uh, came to see if you wanted to accompany me down to the trials?" I replied, trying not to stutter in my surprise. She nodded, stepping out of her rooms.
I found myself glancing down at her waist, from which hung a dangerous looking blade. My eyes flicked upwards, a bow rested neatly in one hand and a quiver was slung over one shoulder. I did my best not to study any of her other weaponry too closely.
"I'm Ami." I paused, searching for the word which adequately summed up my position. "A dignitary of Mercury." I said, trying to give a small smile while hoping that she had at least a rudimentary knowledge of Mercury and its planetary workings. I hoped she at least knew that Mercury didn't have a 'royal' bloodline.
"I figured as much. Mars Rei." The Martian replied, giving her Lunarian title. I paused at this, wondering why she hadn't giving her Martian title instead.
We lapsed into silence as I lead the way to the training grounds. Artemis stood waiting for us, along with Makoto. As we approached I saw Artemis give Rei a friendly smile, which she gave a stiff nod to. We stopped in front of them and I found myself looking around for the Venusian, Minako.
"As you've probably noticed, Minako has been detained but we can start without her." Artemis announced. "Now as you're all aware, this little competition is for the command of the Senshi. These fights are as close to 'anything goes' as we can get without worrying about one of you killing the other, so no killing blows. You're allowed to use hand to hand combat or weapons, whatever you prefer."
"Who fights first?" Makoto asked, hefting her double bladed spear easily. Artemis glanced over at her.
"Well, you arrived here first so I think I'll pair you with... Rei." Artemis said. Rei stepped forward as Artemis took her bow and quiver from her.
"Whenever you're ready..."
The words have barely left his mouth when Makoto attacked. Rei stepped fluidly out of the way, catching the weapon deftly in her bare hand. She kept a firm grasp on the weapon as she stepped inside Makoto's reach. A fist I barely saw struck Makoto across the face, knocking her back and wrenching her weapon out of her grasp. Rei cast the spear aside and followed through her blow with a kick to Makoto's chest.
Makoto caught the kick, managing to force Rei off balance. Rei turned her tumble to the ground into a roll to her feet. Before I knew it, Makoto was on her back with Rei's knife at her throat.
I looked over at Artemis, who hurried forward and stepped between the two as Rei had stepped back.
Makoto made it to her feet and opened her mouth angrily.
"That was very good you two." Artemis said in a placating tone, sensing that things were about to escalate and take a turn for the worse. Rei gave a look of disinterest, turned her back, and walked to the sidelines.
"Call me when I'm needed, Theoroi." She said in a low voice, Artemis nodded. Makoto watched her walk away, glaring at Rei's back. I had the feeling this would be brought up again in the future.
"What did I miss?" An energetic voice asked as I heard someone skid to a stop. Artemis and I turned.
"Ah, Minako, you just missed the first fight. Nothing too important." Artemis replied.
"It's already over? I'm not even ten minutes late yet." The blonde protested. Artemis shrugged, the action seemed to indicate a familiar bond between the two of them.
"Minako, the next match is between you and Mercury. Are you prepared?" He asked, the two of us nodded. After a few seconds of fighting I had a clear conclusion in my mind as to who should win this match. It was unclear who the better fighter was at this particular moment in time, but I was well aware of the fact that I tended to analyze my opponents, preferring to take my time and wait for the right opportunity to attack. My style made sense, as I was smaller and less powerful than many of my opponents. Minako was more the type to take charge of the situation and leap into the fray.
I knew that I wasn't the right type to be the leader of this group. I also found that I didn't care who became the leader. I just knew I wasn't supposed to be the one.
I allowed my weapon to be knocked from my hand. My eyes met Minako's and we each gave a tentative smile, as if unsure of what to do next. Minako bent down and retrieved my sword.
She had far more potential as a leader than did either Makoto or I. Now it all came down to her and Rei.
MINAKO
"So it seems that that last battle is between Minako and Mars Rei." Artemis said, seemingly calling someone with his last two words. After a few moments a woman walked up behind me. I turned to see who my opponent was.
"Minako, this is Mars Rei." Artemis said, seeming a little reluctant to introduce us.
My heart nearly stopped as I realized that my fiancée, my betrothed, was the woman I'd seen in the garden earlier. She was a Martian.
My mind rebelled at the mere thought of her, she was nothing but a barbarian. A cold and callous individual. Every fibre of my being resented this. My free will had been taken from me and I was expected to embrace this archaic practice of betrothal.
How could I be expected to accept this when it went against my core values as a Venusian? How could my mother accept this? Without choice there could be no love. I couldn't bring myself to like this woman; my mind wouldn't allow myself, despite what my body wanted.
Artemis backed away from the two of us, I looked back towards the Martian and felt disgust as I watched her sink into a ready position.
REI
I had the opening. I had the opportunity but I didn't take it. I couldn't.
I met those deep, vibrant blue eyes again and I couldn't bring myself to do it. There was a fire in those eyes, one so achingly familiar it stole my breath away. It was so familiar because it was the fire I had always wanted but could never have, could never obtain.
It was the spark of life, of the enjoyment of life, and what everything living was.
In my hesitation there was the shame and humiliation of not having the courage to finish it. But also in that hesitation there was an odd sort of clarity, a sudden realization.
I had found the line I would not cross. I had found my limit, the one person I could not harm.
Could not hurt.
Could not kill.
I had found an existence I valued more than my own. On Mars finding this limitation to your survival instinct cost you your life. This limitation was your death but I couldn't end that fire, even in practice.
If I were on Mars, this hesitation would have killed me, as it was I had to roll to my feet after receiving a hard blow. She had won. She had beaten me.
I glanced at Minako as I sheathed my sword. The fire in her eyes had flared the moment the blow had landed. I recognized the force which drove her attack and the change in her eyes, it was anger. I looked away from the intensity with which she watched me. I was fairly certain she despised me.
AMI
The common room was quiet as we filed in. Minako sat down at the table, pointedly ignoring Rei. Makoto seated herself across from Minako, as I took the chair beside her. Rei and Artemis were the last in. Rei hung her sword next to the door, upon what seemed to be Artemis' orders, then she proceeded to lean against the wall.
Artemis cast her an unreadable glance before launching into a lecture about our duties to the Princess and the Moon Kingdom. We were soldiers, the personal guard to the princess. After he had said his piece, Artemis departed, leaving us to sort out our individual duties and schedules.
All eyes turned to Minako, albeit somewhat reluctantly. It was obvious what we needed to work on as a group. We would never be able to function properly together if we all hated one another.
In the middle of the discussion and breakdown of our duties a loud cawing broke out from the rafters, a pair of large ravens took wing. The Martian pivoted away from the window just as it shattered, spraying glass across the common room.
REI
Two men clad in dusty red had entered as the window had broken, each had a pair of blades. I stole a quick glance towards the doorway where I had left my weapon upon Artemis' request, there was no way to get to it at the moment. Hopefully I'd get the opportunity soon.
Upon turning my attention back to the intruders I noticed they were members of the Crimson Guard, my father's warriors, the elite. Our assessments of each other took barely a second before they began their assault.
I ducked under the first swing of a sword, only to be met with a knife headed straight towards my face. I managed to catch his arm, stopping his swing before I rammed my shoulder into his chest, which forced him against the wall.
I heard the air exit his lungs as well as the cracking of his ribs. Using his pain as my advantage I adjusted my grip on his arm. I braced myself and used my new found leverage to break his elbow. There was a strangled gasp.
I released his arm and sent a quick blow to his knee, which collapsed under his weight. I let the man fall to the ground, turning just in time to dodge a knife which would have severed my spine. As it was, the knife managed to tear through my side. I twisted away from the knife as my opponents made to gut me instead of paralyze me.
I converted my twist into momentum for a sweeping kick at the back of his legs, knocking them out from under him. As he tumbled to the ground I grabbed for one of the dropped knives. Just as I grasped a knife, his sword made its way towards my head, I parried quickly. The knife was torn from my grip and I was forced to retreat back a step. This allowed my opponent time to get back to his feet.
I lowered myself into a ready position, watching his movements carefully. His shift of weight and the flick of his eyes gave away his intention, I ignored his feeble attempt at a feint and dodged the oncoming thrust seizing his wrist. I pulled slightly and pivoted quickly, driving my elbow into his neck roughly. I released his wrist, his unconscious body sank to the ground. I sighed, releasing the tension within myself.
MINAKO
A loud cawing broke out from the rafters, I had a split second to be annoyed with Rei and her ravens before the window seemingly exploded as the glass showered inwards. I raised an arm to shield myself from the spray of glass as two reddish shadows entered the room one after the other. The first on swung a sword at Rei, who managed to duck underneath it, catching his arm as he sent a knife towards her face.
Rei threw herself within his reach and shoved him square in the chest with her shoulder. I heard bones splinter as he connected with the wall, pinned roughly by Rei. She adjusted her grip and in one violent motion she shattered his arm at the elbow then sent a sharp blow to his knee. His leg crumpled under him.
The casual violence with which she took him down shook me. This fight was beyond my level, even discerning what she had done was difficult. The cold assessment of her assailants' actions was coupled with a heartless execution of her movements.
As Rei let her first attacker fall to the ground, the second intruder lashed out with his sword. As Rei dodged the stroke the warrior reversed his grip, drawing his knife back towards himself in an attempt to hit Rei's abdomen. Rei twisted away from the knife as it drew back along her stomach. A small spattering of blood hit the floor as Rei dropped to the ground, unleashing a vicious blow to the back of the man's knees, knocking him to the floor.
Rei dove for one of the dropped knives that had clattered against floor. Her block of the next stroke was perfectly timed despite the fact that the blade was ripped from her fingers as she and her opponent made it back to their feet.
There was only a split second of hesitation before the two of them attacked each other. It happened so fast I barely saw the red clad man swing his sword at Rei. She somehow managed to grasp his wrist, controlling his movements.
The next thing I knew, Rei had pulled him close and sent a blow to his neck. The man fell to the floor with a dull thud. I glanced at Ami and Makoto, all three of us were still too startled to move. Ever since the shattering of glass had broken our relatively calm meeting, we had been frozen in awe and bewilderment.
Upon realizing this I began to think about the encounter between Rei and I on the training ground. The most recent display of her talent and technique had made the difference in our abilities apparent. She was out of my league, I was no competition for her.
A raw anger swelled with in me, a hatred so unbridled I barely registered the fact Artemis had entered the room and was talking in a hushed tone to Rei. Artemis shared a look with Rei, a look I didn't understand, nor was I looking to.
Artemis summoned a squad of Palace Guards, who dragged off the unconscious intruders without fanfare... or surprise. Anyone would have expected this from a Martian. Artemis had a murmured conversation with Rei before departing again.
The four of us were alone again and I felt the urge to kill something rising. Before I knew it I had crossed the room, drew my arm back and punched Rei across the face.
My voice rang in my own ears but I didn't understand or know what I was saying.
The Martian didn't react at all to what I had said or done. All I could register was my anger and the pain of betrayal.
In the shock of my own thoughts my arm went back again. I was ready to punch that look of calm disdain from her face, but somehow my punch never landed. The Martian held my arm firmly, stopping my blow with little effort.
I felt ready to jerk out of her grasp and reach from my sword, however my voice reached my own ears.
"Why did you let me win?" I heard myself demand. I hated myself, and her, for the question. Or the need for the question.
The Martian's expression did not change.
"Because I had to." She replied infuriatingly. Then she was gone before I could even ask what she meant.
I swore loudly as I spun away from the door. I couldn't bring myself to follow her, I couldn't stand to see the disgust in her eyes.
MAKOTO
Minako's fist slammed into the Martian's face, I fought the urge to laugh. It was good to see the barbarian get what was coming to her. The Martian met Minako's steely gaze unflinchingly.
"You let me win." Minako accused. The Martian did not reply and through omission Minako got her answer. Minako's fist went back again, I could fully understand the raw anger in her. The Martian had disgraced her, had called her weak by letting her win.
This time however, the Martian caught Minako's fist before it struck. There was a moment where Minako just glared at her. A raw fury showing on her face, she looked ready to rip her arm from the Martian's grasp and draw a weapon.
"Why did you let me win?" Minako demanded furiously.
"Because I had to." Rei replied shortly, releasing Minako's arm before turning and leaving the room. I flinched back slightly as Minako swore loudly. She was one person even I knew not to piss off. What ever happened next, the Martian deserved it.
REI
I brushed a hand over my eyes in what was either annoyance or exhaustion, I couldn't be sure at this point in time. Deimos cocked her head slightly in question, I sighed. I was fairly positive she wouldn't just leave me alone if I remained quiet.
"I'm just thinking things over, Dei. It's nothing to be concerned about." I told her. She cast me a sceptical look. I could hear her response echo through my head, even though she hadn't replied verbally. Her sarcastic remark had trailed off into a question about Minako... and my feelings about her.
I looked down at the chess board in front of me, mulling my next move over in my head.
"It's just... As soon as I had seen her, I was lost. And now I become a prey to a host of emotions." I replied. "I don't know how else to explain it. It's as if it all makes sense now. Everything I've been searching for, without even knowing I was looking, has been found in her."
I moved my knight to put the opposing king in check.
"And she hates me." I finished much more morosely than I had intended. I rested my chin on my hand as I surveyed the battlefield before me, trying to anticipate Deimos' moves and thoughts. She seemed distracted though. I flicked my eyes over to hers.
Through Deimos I felt a disjointed, fumbled stream of thoughts. Aphrodite, Ares, Consorts. Soul mates. Without meaning to, I groaned. I had realized what had happened. I was forever bound and indebted to Minako and it was unlikely that she would even realize that she had ensnared my very soul.
Footsteps were approaching the common room, I looked towards Deimos who merely gave a chuckle. Small black eyes met my own as she rested on the chair across from me. The door swung open. I kept my eyes on the board, realizing I could have won in three more moves. I tapped my cheek as I contemplated the 'conversation' Deimos and I had.
AMI
I walked into the lounge, pausing as I noticed the Martian sitting across a board from a raven. My eyebrows crinkled towards one another. What was she doing? It looked like she had been talking to the bird... but that was crazy, wasn't it?
Then again she was a Martian and thus an unknown element to me. I understood Venusians and Jovians, but Martians were a foreign people to me and most of the galaxy. The Martian glanced over at me at the exact moment the raven took wing. I approached her, glancing down at the checkered board in front of her.
"What is this?" I asked, trailing a finger along the artfully designed tablet.
"It's a board game." She replied. I bit down on my lip. What had she been doing sitting across from the raven?
My eyes skimmed across the game, it seemed to consist of manoeuvring pieces around to achieve some objective... I had the feeling it was a strategy game, from what I'd learned of Martian culture even their free time was invested in the arts of war.
"Would you like me to teach you?" The Martian, Rei, asked as she gestured to the seat across from her. The seat the raven had previously occupied. I hesitated slightly, eyeing it warily.
"Yes, thank you." I replied as I sat down. This team needed to start the bonding process somewhere. It might as well start with the two of us...
I listened intently as the Martian explained the game. There were 32 pieces in total, spanning across two colours and six different classes which could move in a variety of ways. I catalogued all the information carefully and was already envisioning a game in process.
REI
An hour and a half later I finally had Ami at a stalemate. It was only her first game and she had played me to a standstill. She truly was a prodigy. I looked up to her face.
"Well played." I said, offering a small smile. I had a feeling if we ever played again I would be the one struggling to comprehend the nuances of the game, not the other way around.
"Really?" She asked, a smile growing on her face at my compliment. How could one so talented still need such reassurances?
"Yes. I've never seen anyone else pick up the game so fast." I told her.
"So what's it called?" Ami asked, it was just then that I realized I'd neglected to mention its name.
"We call it Chess."
"It's a strategy game, is it not?"
I nodded.
"It was devised as a war game. Each piece stood for a certain type of unit."
Ami nodded, studying the pieces again. Then her eyes came up to meet mine again.
"Care to play again?" She asked. I smirked, I knew a challenge when I heard one.
Instead of responding verbally I began to set up the pieces. A momentary look of child-like glee passed over Ami's face before it settled back into her standard expression of detached scrutiny. This caused me to frown, I guess we were all wearing a mask in one way or another.