Mars wanted to destroy something—burn it to a crisp, turn it to ash, decimate and consume like only flame could. Her irritation gnawed at her, and she couldn't pinpoint why. A strange shadow lurked at the edges of her mind, hinting at things she didn't want to admit. It was as if the anger was trying to mask a deeper unease, something she wasn't ready to face. So, she decided to blame Jadeite.
Besides, the irritating and annoying Heavenly King probably caused it all anyway. There he was, his smug, handsome face grinning like a fool about to receive godly glory. Idiot. Huffing, she slammed the chest of sacred herbs down. The chest buckled and made a cracking sound. Inwardly, she flinched. Perhaps she should try to control herself more.
"I don't want to be here either," he said.
"At least we have that in common," she muttered.
Jadeite smirked again, an expression Mars wanted to wipe off his face. "What do you mean? We have a lot in common, our auras for one. You're intense and I'm determined. I can go on and on."
"I'm intensely determined to stop your stupid chatter."
He only chuckled and returned to his work.
This sacred site honored the ancient god of fire, Kōjin, and was one of Earth's most revered. A place where the veil between realms was thin and the very air thrummed with ancient power. It would provide Mars a worthy space to communicate with the fire spirits.
There was no way to escape the ancient history of this location. Scattered stone debris, weathered by ages under the sun and tormented by the wind, lay about. The soft scent of lingering ash and smoke filled the air. The slight caress of the wind breathed myths and legends as it moved across her skin.
Night had fallen, casting everything in silvery moonlight and deep shadow. The towering trees surrounding the clearing whispered secrets to one another, their leaves rustling softly in the cool night breeze. Animals and birds stayed away, driven off by the latent power of this place.
Timeworn columns lined the stone circle, the sacred carvings all but lost to the elements. Instead of an altar in the center of the circle, only scorched stone rested. Old runes glowed faintly in the darkness, remnants of the countless rituals performed here over the ages.
As Mars took in the powerful surroundings, a wave of concern washed over her. Serenity had been unusually quiet and distant lately, her usual brightness dimmed by some unseen burden. Mars couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
There were even subtle shifts in her aura, an almost iridescent shine that caressed the edges of her potently bright light. What had happened in the last few days to influence such a change? On top of her assigned duty, she'd come here to seek answers. How could she protect Serenity from a threat she couldn't see or understand?
Jadeite paced around the circle, his red aura flaring as he prepared the space for the ritual. It was always a little disconcerting that their auras were the same color. But she refused to think it was anything other than a coincidence.
Mars took a deep breath, the crisp night air filling her lungs, and the scent of earth and greenery grounding her. She glanced around, trying to find some solace in the serene beauty of the sacred site, but her gaze kept returning to Jadeite.
He stopped to smell a blossoming moonflower.
Mars glared at Jadeite, her fingers twitching with the urge to summon her flames. "Do you ever take anything seriously?"
Jadeite leaned in closer, his breath ghosting over her skin. "I take many things seriously, Princess. You just haven't figured that out yet."
She swallowed hard, fighting the shiver that threatened to run down her spine. "Don't call me Princess."
"Then don't make it so tempting," he whispered, his eyes locking with hers in a silent challenge.
"Can you please work faster? I'd rather not be here all night," Mars grumbled.
"Sorry, Princess, but I'd rather do a good job."
"Stop calling me that!" A bit of flame burst from her hands.
"Why? You're a princess of Mars. 'Princess' is a perfectly good title."
"You're not using it as a title, you're using it as a nickname. You don't have the right to give or refer to me by a nickname."
Jadeite smirked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, excuse me, Princess, but I didn't realize titles were off-limits."
Stars, he was irritating! But even as she seethed, a part of her couldn't help but feel drawn to him, to the undeniable magnetism he radiated. It was as if the fire they were about to light had already sparked between them, an unspoken connection that defied her attempts to ignore it.
Every time her eyes met his, a thrill burst across her chest, like he was her own personal flame. Then there was something about how the moonlight danced across his skin, like it was worshiping him. Even the way he moved was enticing—confident and yet dramatic at the same time. Every motion was captivating and enticing. Now she knew why the others were making such a big deal over their partners.
Jadeite, with his effortless charm and self-assured manner, seemed to thrive in this ancient, powerful place. As he moved confidently around the circle, Mars couldn't shake the feeling that this ritual was more than just another task. The sacred fire they were about to light would reveal the truth they needed. There was an electric charge in the air, something that transcended their shared duty, crackling with a promise of destiny.
Finally, he waltzed over, without a care in the world, power still thrumming around him.
"Too bad your queen ordered you to be here," he said.
She snorted. "Your king is the one who demanded you be here. I'm more than capable of reading the fire myself."
"Likewise. As a female, you might do more harm that good."
She lashed out and kicked his leg. He hissed and rubbed the spot. They glared at each other as they continued to put the final touches on the sacred fire. He piled the bits of Starwood bark, solar rose thorns, and laid the galactic myrrh. She handled the essences, sprinkling Elysian sage, moonflower petals, and etherium dust across the fire.
With the preparations done, he sat by her side. His knee pressing against hers. For a moment, she thought about scooting away, but there was something comforting about his close presence. So, she remained still.
"Are you finally ready?" she asked.
"I am, are you?"
"Yes."
"Let's begin."
Mars closed her eyes and release the fire that always simmered inside of her. Her voice remained steady and filled with power as she spoke the sacred words. As the incantation flowed from her lips, Jadeite spread the ritual spells, his hands moving with practiced precision. The fire in the center of the circle roared to life, vibrant and intense mesmerizing flames and shadows erupting outward.
The shapes danced across their faces, making him seem like a god. Lest she be entranced, she quickly looked away. Thankfully, the fire provided an excellent distraction. The tantalizing feeling of heat rolling across her face was a welcoming comfort. But with a start, she realized that the warmth felt like his body pressed against her, both unsettling and strangely reassuring.
Every time their skin accidentally brushed, a jolt of flame surged through her, a tantalizing spark she couldn't ignore. Flames danced higher, reflecting the shimmering tension between them. As they sat in silence, the sacred fire crackling before them, Mars found herself drawn to Jadeite in a way she hadn't expected. His strong and unyielding presence was captivating, much like the fire crackling before them. The rhythmic rise and fall of his breath, the subtle scent of his skin mingling with the aromatic herbs—they all combined to create an intoxicating aura that enveloped her.
Then the fire lit upon his eyes, and she'd never seen anything so beautiful.. The gray almost exploded in vibrancy, with a thousand threads of luminous sparkles now visible. From this moment on, everyone else's eyes would be lackluster and mute. No one could ever compare to him.
"Calm your thoughts, Princess."
Mars closed her eyes, attempting to steady her thoughts, but the heat radiating from Jadeite's body made it impossible. She could feel his gaze on her, intense and unwavering.
"What?" she snapped, her eyes flying open to meet his.
He smiled, a slow, sensual curve of his lips. "Nothing. I'm just admiring the view."
She scoffed, but her pulse quickened at the implication behind his words. "Weren't you just chiding me for slipping out of meditation? Now who's the one? Focus on the fire, not on me."
"Perhaps my meditation is watching the flames dance across you," he murmured, his fingertips grazing her arm as he reached for the sacred herbs, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.
Words caught in her throat as the flames jumped, bathing him in a brilliant cascade of reds and oranges. Then, thankfully, they settled, hiding him in half-shadows once more.
"It can take hours before the fire answers our questions and reveals the future," she said.
"Yes, and it will take longer if it's competing with your thoughts."
Shifting one last time, she settled and sucked in a deep breath. The sacred fire roared and swirled, its flames reflecting the unspoken connection between them. Mars closed her eyes, attempting to steady her thoughts, but the heat and proximity of Jadeite made it impossible.
Almost smiling, she realized she enjoyed being with him. Every interaction he challenged her and faced her head-on. He stood before her like a true warrior, embodying the strength and honor she admired.
The fire began to whisper to her, its flames flickering secrets only she could understand. There was a magnetic pull between them, a connection she couldn't deny. Each time their eyes met, the bond grew stronger, and her resolve wavered.
The sacred fire mirrored her inner turmoil, its flames dancing with a passion that echoed her own growing feelings. She tried to banish the thoughts, but the fire's whispers only grew louder, telling her what she feared to admit: she was falling for him.
"What's going on, Mars?" Jadeite's voice sounded distant, almost unreal.
What was going on?
The fire continued to burn, speaking of the role of gods and bonds. In her mind's eye, a vine of flame emerged from her chest, a physical representation of her essence. A similar vine sprouted from Jadeite's chest, eerily alike in color and appearance.
The sight was mesmerizing. The vibrant vines swayed and twirled gracefully, their crimson leaves shimmering in the firelight. A gentle rustling filled the air, accompanied by the faint fragrance of fresh earth and blooming flowers. But what truly captivated her was when the vines intertwined elegantly, forming a seamless dance of unity.
It took her a moment to realize what it was—a fated bond. No! She dismissed it, convincing herself that the link was only because they were sitting before the sacred fire together, nothing more. Yet the whisper of doubt remained, adding another layer to the already complex web of emotions she felt.
"Do we need to take a break?" Jadeite's voice snapped her attention away from the connected vines flowing from them.
She rubbed her head, squishing her palms into her eyes. "This… It's…"
"Focus on the flames. Let them guide you."
"Tell me you saw it, felt it."
"Yes, but it's just the fire. It can't be. It's the magic of this space, of the flame."
"Of course. Yes. It has to be."
"The gods wouldn't allow a fated bond to develop between mortals and immortals," he said. "That would go against everything."
"I know."
He placed a hand on her back. And stars, she loved it.
"Do you want to continue?" he asked.
"We have to. I doubt the king or queen would be happy with the results so far."
A charming grin spread across his face. "Though I'd love to see the look on their faces."
Just as she was about to respond, the fire flickered and grew darker, shadows twisting and writhing within the flames. A chill ran down her spine as the vision took shape. Now the slight warning that echoed through her mind earlier screamed.
In the depths of the sacred fire, a vision formed, dark and twisted. The flames no longer danced with warmth but contorted into grotesque shapes, pulling her into their nightmare. Everything transformed into malicious shadows of themselves. The once pleasant, cool air morphed into a blistering snowstorm, the icy shards cutting into her skin like a thousand needles.
Dancing shadows twisted into dark entities, their forms pulsing with an oppressive and suffocating energy. The soft moonlight shattered into harsh, jagged blades, slicing through the air with a sickening hiss. A thousand sensations assaulted her skin, each one more powerful and painful than the last, as if the very fabric of reality was being ripped apart.
Mars found herself trapped, unable to escape the horrifying landscape that engulfed her. A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in a darkness so dense it seemed to devour all light. Dull orange eyes glowed with a sinister light, boring into her soul with a hunger that made her blood run cold. Fiery red hair billowed outwards, each strand pulsing with a stifling energy that threatened to consume everything in its path. The entity moved with a serpentine grace, its form shifting and writhing in a grotesque dance of pure evil.
Around the host, four shadowy figures stood, their forms barely visible amidst the swirling darkness. An unsettling familiarity clung to them, a connection that Mars couldn't quite place but that filled her with a deep, primal dread. They seemed to be bound to the host, their essences intertwined in a twisted, perverted harmony that amplified the suffocating darkness.
As the entity reached out, the darkness responded, warping and distorting in a sickening display of power. Raw, unbridled energy emanated from its form, a force that sought to devour and destroy, leaving nothing but a bleak, lifeless wasteland in its wake. Black roses with thorns dripping with blood snaked up her limbs, constricting and biting.
Mars thrashed against the invisible bonds that held her, desperate to break free as the darkness closed in, its icy tendrils wrapping around her throat, squeezing the very life from her body. Terror exploded in her chest, an all-consuming, soul-shattering fear that threatened to unhinge her mind. The Dark Kingdom had found a host, a willing vessel for its malevolent power, and this being possessed a spiritual strength that rivaled even the guardians themselves.
Emotions poured from the entity in a twisted, distorted flood—love, a vile, corrupted mockery of the purest emotion, now transformed into a weapon of obsession and destruction. This host, consumed by a perverted love, had become a conduit for the Dark Kingdom's insatiable hunger. Their affection warped into a curse that threatened to engulf the entire world in darkness.
In a burst of brilliant light, the Moon Kingdom appeared, a beacon of hope amidst the overwhelming darkness. But as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, the once-beautiful landscape melting into a barren wasteland. A horrific sight unfolded as the ground cracked and split, emitting an unholy, blood-red light from its gaping wounds.
The silver spires of the palace crumbled, their glittering beauty reduced to nothing more than dust and rubble. The air filled with the anguished screams of the dying, their final moments of agony echoing through the desolate landscape as the moon's light was swallowed whole, plunging everything into an eternal, suffocating darkness.
She tried to move, tried to break free from the vision, but it held her in its grip, forcing her to witness the horror. Flames burned hotter, searing her skin, but her eyes stayed rooted. Everywhere darkness pulsed, its power suffocating. Deeper she fell into that inky nothing, deeper into the nightmare.
A force pulled her back, and she gasped as Jadeite held her tight. He calmed her, cooing soft words and tracing a finger down the side of her face. She spluttered and struggled to breathe, but he kept a steady grasp on her.
Finally, when she had the strength to open her eyes, he was there, concern written across his beautiful face. "Are you okay?"
Struggling, she barely could shake her head. "No. The Dark Kingdom…"
Jadeite's grip tightened every so slightly. "A deadly curse."
Still unable to calm her quivering muscles, Mars shuddered. "We can't stop it."
"No. I know you'll defeat it. You're powerful and strong. You're a truly magnificent force."
She looked up at him, his face so sincere, so honest. But the truth the sacred fire had told her was undeniable.
As the weight of the revelation settled upon her, a chill seeped into her very bones. The idea of a fated bond with Jadeite, a connection that defied the laws of gods and mortals alike, sent a mixture of fear and exhilaration coursing through her veins. Her gaze stayed on him, searching his face for any sign of the same realization, the same earth-shattering understanding of what this could mean.
But even as her heart raced with the implications of their bond, the prophecy of the Moon Kingdom's fall loomed over her like a suffocating shadow. The images of destruction, of her home reduced to rubble and ash, played over and over in her mind, a relentless reminder of the darkness that threatened to consume everything she held dear.
Their eyes never strayed, staying locked together as if attached permanently. Through the strongest connection gods offered, he became inexorably tied to her soul. Because the fire never lied.
Jadeite and she had formed a fated bond.
The Moon Kingdom would fall.