Elysion, the sacred heart of the Golden Kingdom, shimmered with an otherworldly glow. Lush, vibrant gardens stretched into the distance, vanishing in a haze of sparkle and golden gleam. Ancient temples dotted the landscape, their marble pillars entwined with fragrant vines and brilliant golden flowers. The soft murmur of hidden streams filtered through the space, inviting anyone who wanted to listen. Everywhere, traces of power and prayer lingered, dancing in the air and mingling with grace.
Endymion clenched his fists, trying to ignore the dull ache spreading through his body. His muscles felt strained, as if they were bearing the weight of the Earth's suffering. Every step sent a jolt of pain through his legs, making him wince involuntarily. The connection to the land was both a blessing and a curse, and right now, it felt overwhelmingly like the latter. The Dark Kingdom was gaining too much, and he was suffering for it.
He stood on the steps of the central shrine, gazing out at the serene sight. Unable to help himself, he withdrew the locket and clutched it tightly. It ticked away, like nothing in the world had changed.
The moon slowly cycled through its phases, reminding him of what he was denied, of what he couldn't have, of what the gods had forbidden. Serenity. Just thinking her name was like a knife to the heart. A hundred million slashes of the sharpest blades. Yet, he knew it would be worse if they were together.
Even so, he clung to a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Helios would tell him that not all was lost. That they still had a chance to be together.
"My Prince," Helios said, stepping up next to him and offering a bow.
"Helios," Endymion greeted his old friend.
Helios appeared as a young man with golden eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages. His short light-blue hair framed a face of serene beauty, accented by a red, teardrop-shaped gem on his forehead, outlined in silver. Atop his head, a golden horn glinted in the soft light. His pale skin was almost luminous, contrasting with his white robe, pants, and shoes. The sleeves of his robe were slightly transparent, their ends rimmed in navy-blue, with light blue at the tops. A navy-blue belt cinched his waist, and a light blue collar completed his ethereal appearance.
"Why have you come to see me? Things on the surface require your attention."
Endymion let out a breath. "I've come to ask some questions."
Helios nodded and gestured toward the path leading into the garden. "Let us walk. The tranquility and prayers here may offer some clarity."
Endymion's chest tightened with every breath, the air feeling heavy and oppressive. It was as if the very atmosphere of Elysion was pressing down on him, mirroring the turmoil on the surface. The constant pressure behind his eyes hinted at a deeper pain, one that was not just physical but spiritual. He knew that the Earth's distress was manifesting in his own body, a reminder of the bond he shared with his kingdom.
Together, they descended the steps, their footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stone. They took a stone path that led to one of the many wonderful gardens in Elysion. For a time, they walked in silence, Endymion searching for answers in the familiar surroundings.
The vibrant garden was brimming with life and magnificence. Ancient columns stood like silent sentinels, fragrant vines and brilliant golden flowers entwined with stone. A gentle hum of life filled the air, a symphony of rustling leaves and distant bird song.
In the garden's heart, a magnificent fountain bubbled, its crystalline waters cascaded in a harmonious dance. Tiny rainbows danced in the sprays of water, sending light rippling outwards. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
A sharp pang shot through his back, causing him to pause and steady himself against a column. The cool marble offered a brief respite from the burning sensation, but it was fleeting. Helios noticed his discomfort and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, but even that simple gesture couldn't alleviate the relentless pain. Endymion forced a smile, determined to keep his suffering hidden, but the effort was taking its toll.
Helios motioned to a stone bench next to the fountain. Close enough that if he wished it, Endymion could drink from the refreshing waters.
Helios turned to face him, his eyes glittering. "Ask your questions, my prince. Thought I know what you'll ask."
Endymion's grip tightened on the locket as he looked into Helios's eyes. "Is there any hope? Is there a chance that Serenity and I can be together?" His voice cracked, a mix of desperation and despair.
Helios frowned, a sad expression passing across his features. He placed a hand on Endymion's shoulder. "You fear the answer, my friend."
Endymion looked away. Serenity would love it here, she'd love it more than anything, the energetic life that flowed from every corner, the ancient power that lingered in the air, the crisp stone. She'd love all of it. "I do," he finally said.
There wasn't a point in lying to Helios. With their deep connection, he could always detect falsehoods. Not that Endymion wanted to lie, usually. Now was one of the rare times that he wished he could lie. Lie to himself. Lie to the world. Lie to the gods.
"Then why ask?" Helios smiled.
"Because I have to know the truth, even if I'm afraid of it."
Helios sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes to soak up the sun. "Then I'll tell you the truth, and you'll blame destiny and hate yourself."
Endymion clenched the locket tight, begging the universe for a boon. Yet, he knew it wouldn't come, but at least these last few moments still held hope.
"The Golden Crystal is a divine artifact, and therefore bound to the will of the gods," he replied softly. "If you choose to defy them, it will sever any connection. The consequences of Princess Serenity choosing your love are even worse. The Legendary Silver Crystal is the most powerful object in the entire galaxy. There's no question it would reject her if she went against the gods. Since Serenity is a physical manifestation of the moon, and the Crystal bound itself to the moon, they'd all cease to exist."
The world seemed to freeze with those words. Endymion didn't realize the consequences would be so extreme.
"If the protective power of the Moon Kingdom vanished, the Earth would lose much and become susceptible to those with evil intent. I know you're aware of how much protection the Silver Crystal offers Earth. Then you have to consider the loss of the moon itself. The tides would cease, disrupting marine life; the Earth's orbital stability would be compromised; and the planet's rotation speed would increase. Life as we know it would dramatically change."
With each word he uttered, the small shred of hope inside of Endymion's chest grew smaller and smaller until it snapped out of life. There was no way he could consider betraying his people, his planet, in such a way. Not only would it be monumentally selfish, but it would devastate the planet he'd sworn to protect.
"So I can't be with her."
Helios gripped his shoulder and squeezed. "No, you cannot."
"Why did this happen, Helios? Why did the gods allow us to be fated souls? Why did they connect us in such a way to only deny us that connection?"
Helios chuckled softly, dipping his fingers into the water behind them. The ripples spread out, shimmering in the light. "Those are a lot of complicated questions, my prince. Some of them I don't have answers to. But I can tell you this connection isn't meaningless. The gods don't weave such bonds lightly. Perhaps there are things at play here, beyond our understanding."
Endymion wanted answers! He didn't want meaningless words spoken to offer vague platitudes.
Helios looked up at the sky; the light glinting off the gem in his forehead. "Sometimes, the threads of fate are part of a larger tapestry, one that we can't fully see yet. The pain you feel, the love you share—it's all part of something greater. Trust that your bond with Serenity has a purpose, even if it's not clear now. The cosmos often holds secrets that reveal themselves in time."
"How can that be? Mortals live a handful of years, but Serenity is an immortal goddess. She could live for eons. How am I to find her again?"
"Destiny works in ways that we cannot comprehend. We don't know, and can't know, her fate or yours. All I can say is you've chosen correctly for now. But there will come a time when you can make a different choice, and you will. One day, you will be happy, with more love and joy than you can ever imagine."
"I hope you're right," Endymion said.
Helios grinned. "I am right. I don't spend hours in prayer for nothing. Speak of prayer. It's time for me to return. Someone is waiting to complain."
Endymion glanced up and saw Nephrite lingering just out of earshot.
Helios stood, his gaze intense. "Great trials await you and Earth, my prince. The curse that's been placed on you and her will alter everything you know, but with that comes a new opportunity. So don't hate destiny too much before the end comes."
When the priest moved off, Nephrite approached. Endymion knew the look on his face. Helios was right. Nephrite was about to complain, probably about more than one thing. Endymion couldn't help but smile. His Heavenly King could be so predictable.
"Why have you come here?" Nephrite asked.
"For many reasons. Why have you come?"
Nephrite huffed and slid to the stone bench beside him. "You've been gone for hours and we were worried you'd fallen into a fountain."
Endymion snorted. How absurd!
"I've come with bad news. The Dark Kingdom has taken another key spiritual point, the Temple of Kōjin."
Endymion cursed. "They've taken the fire temple? Neither Jadeite nor Mars will be happy about that."
"Jadeite has already expressed his anger. He and Mars have been working to undo some of the damage, but the results aren't looking good. You know how strong that temple is. The Dark Kingdom has gained ground rapidly these past few days, and we seem powerless to stop them. They've corrupted more mortals, and now seem to press closer to the castle."
Endymion let out a breath, trying to ignore the sharp pains and the tightness in his chest. Before long, it would be impossible to continue his normal duties. Perhaps he should mention it to Helios before he left.
"Prince," Nephrite said, his voice heavy, "We all feel that if it comes to open battle, this rebellion will be hard to defeat. They've gained too much."
"I understand, the Golden Crystal isn't powerful enough to defeat them if it comes to all out war. Too many of the citizens have turned to the darkness. The powers of dreams have diminished too much. But we don't have to fear."
"Oh?" Nephrite raised a brow. "I'm thinking we do."
"The Silver Crystal and the Moon Kingdom won't abandon us."
"Are you so sure about that?"
Endymion looked over at his king and scowled. "They will not abandon us. The White Moon dedicates itself to protecting Earth and its citizens. But we need to make sure that the Dark Kingdom does not threaten the Moon Kingdom. We have to do our part to make sure they're safe, so they can protect us in turn."
"I can't believe that you still hold so much trust in the Moon Kingdom. Princess Serenity has abandoned you. They've set these rules about who can love who."
"Oh?" Endymion looked over at Nephrite.
He exhaled and picked at a nearby flower. "I'm in love with Jupiter, as much as she infuriates me. I love her. Every moment we're apart, I feel like a part of my soul is dying. When we're together, I feel such an indescribable joy that it takes all my self control to leave."
Endymion didn't want to hear anymore. Not when he knew the suffering his friend was going through.
"It's not just me either. The others are expressing similar feelings. Jadeite even confided in me that he and Mars are fated souls."
Endymion sucked in a sharp breath, the pain in his lungs biting so deeply he almost cried out in pain. "What? What did you say?"
"When they were reading the sacred fire, Jadeite sense the threads of a fated soul bond between him and Mars."
"Does she know?"
"Yes, he tried to say it was the power of the fire, but he's confident she didn't believe him."
Endymion ran a hand through his hair, thinking furiously. What was happening? "Do you think you and Jupiter formed one?"
Nephrite nodded. "Based on what the others have told me, based on what's evident between you and the princess. Yes, I believe that we've formed that bond, too."
He hissed out in frustration. Why would the gods do this to them? Making him suffer was one thing, but now knowing that his Heavenly Kings were going through this also? That was beyond cruel.
Unable to stop himself, he laughed. "How absurd. We've all formed bonds against the rules."
"The stars work in mysterious ways, and perhaps these connections are not in vain."
"I don't believe that. I can't believe that. The gods want to torture us. Just because we're mortal and cannot go against them."
Nephrite sighed, his eyes reflecting the weight of their shared burden. "We cannot know the will of the gods, but I still think these bonds are for more than just this lifetime. The stars speak of the future, of the importance of these connections."
Endymion clenched his fists, his knuckles white with tension. The pain in his muscles mirrored the agony in his heart, a constant reminder of the price they were all paying. "If only we could understand. If only we could see what lay ahead."
Nephrite placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps one day we will. Until then, we must endure. We must find strength in each other and in the bonds we've formed, even if they are forbidden."
For the first time in his life, Endymion considered giving up completely. Losing himself in the depths of the forest to never be seen again. The world and the struggles seemed too much to bear, too much to ask his friends to bear. As tempting as the thought may be, he knew that he'd never. It wasn't in his nature to surrender.
But the struggle seemed too great. Yet, he'd persist and fight his hardest because that's what he demanded of himself and what the Earth deserved. He'd been born with a sacred star seed, placed in a position of guardian of Earth. It was his responsibility to fight against those who would corrupt his home.
"I don't know if we'll defeat them, Nephrite."
"I don't know if we will either. All we can do is try our hardest. The stars recognize a battle well fought, and we'll be rewarded, in this life or the next."
"Let's return," Endymion said. "I sense there is much work to do."
"Kunzite and Venus are infiltrating the cave tomorrow. We must help them prepare."
"Yes."
As they made their way back, the tranquil beauty of Elysion seemed to implore him to fight for love and hope, even if those feelings seemed distant now. But he would still fight, not just out of duty, but because he believed in the promise of a better future. The pain he carried and the love he held for Serenity fueled his resolve. Even when hope felt like a distant dream, he would continue to stand strong—for his kingdom, for his people, and for the love that defined his very soul.