Endymion could feel her somewhere ahead, and the desperation clutching her chest made it almost hard for him to breathe. How she could withstand this, he didn't know. She was light and goodness, nothing like the hostility found here.
The battlefield was a chaotic swirl of shadows and flashes of steel. With a sudden lurch, he nearly slipped on the grassy field, now a muddy mire of blood and debris. How could he find her in this mess? There was no reprieve from the battle. Gone were the pleasant smells of the green field, replaced by the metallic stench of blood and smoke. Screams of the dying and the clash of weapons echoed around him, a cacophony of chaos that threatened to drive him mad.
Each step was a struggle, his muscles burning with exhaustion and fear. The moon's bright light cast eerie shadows that danced around him, making it even harder to see clearly. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing with Serenity's fear and his own growing panic. Sweat mixed with grime dripped down his face, stinging his eyes. The weight of the locket against his chest pressed heavier, a constant reminder of what he stood to lose.
Somehow, he had to make it to her.
Serenity could feel Endymion somewhere behind, his determination and fear mingling with her own. How he could endure this, she didn't know. He was strength and resolve, a beacon of hope amidst the brutality.
The battlefield only seemed to contain a turbulent clash of darkness and steel. Losing her footing, she stumbled, sliding on a puddle of blood. The land that she loved was now a hellish landscape of blood and ruin. How could she find him in this nightmare?
No matter where she looked, there was no escape. Instead of the soft smell of grasses, there was only blood and mire. Gone were the soft calls of birds and the chirp of insects. Cries of agony and the relentless clash of weapons threatened to drown her, bury her in the overwhelming symphony of suffering.
Every step was a struggle, her body aching with the strain and fear. The moonbeams pressed tight around her, their glare casting ghostly figures that twisted and turned. Now it was hard to distinguish where her panic and his desperation began and ended.
Somehow, she had to reach him.
Endymion parried a blow from an oncoming soldier, their swords clashing with a metallic ring that reverberated through the air. With a lightning-fast flash, the enemy sliced along his arm. Hot blood soaked his sleeve. Snarling, he twisted his wrist, redirecting the enemy's blade and thrusting his own forward. The soldier staggered back, and Endymion pressed the advantage, his movements fluid and precise.
He ducked under a wild swing, his sword slicing through the air in a deadly arc. Blood sprayed from the wound, and the soldier fell to the ground. Endymion didn't pause, his eyes scanning for the next threat as he fought his way forward.
Serenity wielded the Moon Rod with fierce precision. "Moon crisis!" A burst of moonlight shot from the rod, striking down an approaching enemy with a blinding flash. She twirled the rod; the light swirling around her like a protective aura. When another soldier lunged at her, she swung the rod like a quarterstaff, the hardened stone connecting with a satisfying thud.
The soldier crumpled, and she spun to face the next attacker. Light flared from the rod again, blasting through the darkness and sending enemies sprawling. Clenching her teeth, she once again scanned the field for him.
Endymion watched as those teasing bursts of light continued, flaring brightly and casting everything into sharp relief. For brief moments, the entire battlefield was illuminated, shadows stretching and contorting with each flash. Then, just as quickly, everything plunged back into darkness, the stark contrast making the scene even more disorienting.
"You can't keep this up!" Nephrite shouted, parrying a blade.
His Kings were still protecting him, sustaining their own injuries. Endymion now sported several bleeding wounds across his body. But they meant little; he had to save her.
"You're going to die for a girl!" Jadeite yelled, dodging a blow before sending the attacker staggering back with a quick thrust of his blade. "You're going to kill us for a girl!"
"We have to return to the unit," Kunzite said through gritted teeth. He held back two attackers with his blade before shoving and cutting them down.
Zoisite twisted, slamming his blade into the chest of an attacker. "This is getting dangerous, Prince. Your life is important too."
Serenity was losing hope. She'd been fighting for what felt like eons, and still, she was no closer to finding him. Surrounded, she fought with the Moon Rod, her movements a desperate blur of energy and determination. The moonbeams flared around her, deflecting most blows and creating a shimmering barrier of light. Yet, the sheer number of attackers began to overwhelm her.
With each cry of "End the White Moon!" the attacks became worse.
Each impact against the moonbeams sent shudders through her, the relentless assault wearing down her defenses. Suddenly, the moonlight faltered, and a blade sliced through, biting into her arm. A sharp, searing pain jolted through her, so intense it momentarily paralyzed her.
The moonlight flickered in response, the purity of her protection now flawed just enough to let the darkness seep in. Another blow landed, harder and more vicious, and she staggered. The world around her blurred, her vision darkening as malevolent energy invaded the breach.
The rapid thump of her heart became more audible, each beat echoing the fear in her heart. Darkness clawed at her, pulling at the threads of her being, whispering tales of her destruction. When the surrounding light dimmed, the memories from the cave resurfaced.
In desperate anguish, she surged back into movement, frantically lashing out at anything that moved. No matter what, she refused to go back there, experience that horrible pain again.
Endymion knew instantly that she'd been injured. The bright flair of pain and the sudden flash of terror was undeniable. The surge of violent emotion nearly sending him sprawling to the ground.
"Endymion!" His Kings shouted in unison as they rallied around him.
Unable to contain the raw spread of torment, he faltered. "Serenity," he whispered her name, hoping that he was mistaken. He had to be wrong. She couldn't go through this again. She couldn't suffer because of him.
"There!" Zoisite shouted, and pointed.
Endymion snapped to attention and knew instantly he'd found her. A group of rebels pressed tightly together, shoving and pushing their bodies to get closer. The sinking feeling in his chest deepened, accompanied by a wave of agony that tore through the bond, leaving him gasping for breath.
The searing pain struck him, radiating through his arm, his heart, his soul. Anguish clawed at his insides, raw and unrelenting, as he felt her fear and suffering. Every beat of his heart cried out for her, every breath a prayer for her safety. She was hurt and alone, surrounded by enemies. The thought ripped through him like a thousand blades, each one cutting deeper into his soul.
Tears burned the edges of his visions, blurring the hellscape before him, but he surged to his feet. He'd protect her, even if it was the last thing he did.
"Save the Moon Princess!" Nephrite shouted, brandishing his sword.
"Do we have to?" Jadeite muttered under his breath.
Kunzite shoved aside a minion. "Now!"
Serenity fought to keep the darkness at bay, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with her bare hands. The moonbeams flared, desperately trying to protect her. Memories of the cave came back to haunt her—the crushing despair as the darkness overwhelmed the light. Now, on the brink of being consumed again, the terror was palpable.
"No," she whispered, gritting her teeth against the pain. "I won't let it end like this."
But the darkness was relentless, seeping into every crack and crevice of her defenses. The weight pressed down on her, smothering her light, her hope. The Moon Rod felt heavier in her hand, each movement more labored than the last. She could feel the evil presence of the Dark Kingdom all around her, their hatred palpable. It burrowed into her soul, promising death.
"Endymion," she cried out, her voice raw with desperation. "Please, help me."
Darkness closed in, dragging her back to that miserable place she'd been before. A surge of something trickled through the bond, but it wasn't enough. Her strength was failing, and darkness was winning. She could barely lift the Moon Rod, her vision blurring as exhaustion and terror took hold.
She stumbled, falling to her knees, and the last of her defenses crumbled. The darkness surged forward, engulfing her.
"Serenity!"
Endymion and his Kings surged forward, cutting through the throng of rebels with a renewed ferocity. Their blades flashed in the moonlight, striking down any who dared to stand in their way. The closer they got, the stronger the bond pulsed with Serenity's pain, driving Endymion to the brink of madness.
"Get away from her!" Endymion roared, his voice a thunderclap amidst the chaos. His sword cleaved through the air, slicing into the rebels who surrounded Serenity.
Finally, they broke through the last line of enemies, revealing Serenity in the center of the fray. Endymion nearly lost it at the sight of her. The once radiant glow was dim, the usual glow of the moonlight flickered weakly. Mud and blood stained her pristine white dress, clinging to her in a way that spoke of the brutality she had endured.
"Serenity!" Endymion cried, his voice cracked with a mix of relief and horror.
The sound of her name on his lips brought her back. It was resplendent, watching him emerge from the darkness, his armor and sword gleaming in the moonlight. She wanted to say something, offer a touching sentiment to describe her feelings. But it was an impossible task.
Unable to do anything, she remained there, lying in the muck and grime, enduring the relentless assault of the darkness.
He fought his way to her side, his sword a blur as he struck down the last of the rebels. The Kings formed a protective circle around them, holding back any further attacks.
Endymion dropped to his knees beside her, his hands trembling as he reached out to touch her. "Serenity," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the clash of metal and the screams of pain. "I'm here. You're safe now."
Her eyes were heavy, heavier than she'd ever remembered. "Endymion."
The fight was too much. The secure comfort of his arms was too overwhelming. The relentless surge of darkness was too overwhelming. The world fell away as she succumbed to the warmth of his embrace.
When her head lulled against his chest, he nearly lost all composure. But he had to remain for her, to get her out of this wretched place and somewhere safe. He could feel the darkness seeping into her through the bond and the unnaturally cold feel of her skin. An all-consuming panic clawed at him, but he forced himself to calm. They needed to get her to safety.
He could feel the darkness seeping into her through the bond, corrupting the pure connection she had to the moon. Panic clawed at him, but he forced himself to stay calm. They needed to get her to safety, to the command tent where they could tend to her wounds.
"Kings! Let's move!" Endymion commanded, lifting Serenity carefully.
The Kings closed ranks around them, their swords ready to fend off any who dared to approach. Only isolated pockets of resistance remained as the hoard of dark minions thinned. The remnants of Endymion's troops wove through the lingering groups, sending them scattering. As he retreated, the moon's light seemed to dim, casting the battlefield in a somber twilight.
"I wonder where the guardians are," Zoisite said, casting a glance above to the moon.
"Must be important if they left their princess unguarded," Jadeite said.
"We'll have to contact Venus," Kunzite said. "Because something tells me they are unaware of her injury."
Nephrite scoffed. "How could they not know?"
Serenity stayed tucked up against his chest, not moving an inch as he carried her through the desolate field. The Kings stayed close, their weapons held at the ready, but no one approached. Endymion kept glancing down at her, hoping to see any change. But no amount of moonlight or begging did anything.
The walk back to camp was a terrible agony. Every moment that passed was another one fraught with horrible thoughts and an uncertain future. He didn't know how long it would take her to recover, if she could recover. Unable to stop himself, he held her just a little tighter. Each step felt like a lifetime, the weight of his fears pressing down on him with crushing force.
Her pale, lifeless form in his arms haunted him with every heartbeat. A powerful desolation clawed at his chest, a relentless grip that threatened to choke him. He whispered silent prayers, begging Elysion to spare her, to bring her back to him. The world around him blurred, the camp's distant lights a mere flicker against the overwhelming night. It seemed too far away to get the help she needed fast enough.
With each heartbeat, he felt the bond between them, fragile and tenuous, as if it could snap at any moment. Tears burned his eyes, dripping cold despair down his cheeks. He pressed his face against her hair, clinging to the hope that she'd be okay.
He couldn't lose her. Not now. Not ever.
Finally, he carried her into his tent, her limp form feeling far too light in his arms. Laying her gently on the bed, he glanced around, hoping for answers. Where were the guardians? Where was the Moon Queen? Frustration and helplessness gnawed at him, and he ran his hands through his hair.
Zoisite kneeled beside her bed, placing a hand across her forehead. Endymion wanted to rip his hand away, snarl at the intrusion. But he calmed himself. Zoisite would know what to do.
"She has too much dark energy inside of her," he said.
Nephrite stepped up beside him, dirt and blood marring his face. "We need to get word to the Moon Kingdom. They need to know what happened."
Endymion nodded, his throat tight. "Do it."
Zoisite nodded, already preparing to contact his moon guardian partner. "I'll reach out to Mercury. If there's anyone who can heal her, it's her."
As Zoisite left, Endymion turned back to Serenity, his hands shaking as he started to clean her wounds. The sight of her blood on his fingers made his heart ache. The idea of her suffering like this again made so many unspeakable thoughts run through his head. Seeing the aftermath of the cave was worse enough. Why would fate subject her to even more suffering?
A tiny voice whispered in his mind that it was all his fault.
"Where are the guardians?" Kunzite muttered, pacing the tent. "They should have been here."
"I don't know," Endymion said. "But I don't have a good feeling."
"The Dark Kingdom would have planned this out," Nephrite said. "This was too of an attack, too coordinated."
Endymion cursed under his breath, frustration boiling over. "They would have known she wouldn't stay away. Not with everything happening."
Endymion continued to clean her wounds, each pass of the cloth revealing more blood. With every swirl of red in the water, his heart ached. It amazed him how deeply he felt for her, how wholly committed he was to her well-being. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. She was a part of him, and he couldn't imagine life any other way.
"Incoming," Nephrite warned.
Endymion tensed, bracing for another attack, but it was Jupiter who burst into the tent. Nephrite intercepted her before the lightning bolt she held could strike.
"Whoa there," Nephrite said, dispersing the energy.
Jupiter shoved him back. "Get your hands off me."
Venus stormed in next, and Kunzite grabbed her arm before she could punch Endymion. "How could you let this happen?"
"He's been doing everything he can," Kunzite said.
Jadeite pointed at her. "You should look at yourselves first."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mars shouted as she rushed in. "Are you blaming us?"
Jadeite shrugged. "We weren't the ones who left her unattended on the moon."
Mercury slid into the tent, her eyes searching for Serenity. She pushed past the others and kneeled beside Serenity. Zoisite held her bag as she pulled out various items. "We need to stabilize her before moving her."
Mars pointed a finger at Endymion, a tiny burst of fire sparking from her fingertips. Jadeite stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You had one job, Endymion. Protect her."
Endymion didn't respond, his attention focused on Serenity.
"I think you mean you had one job," Jadeite said. "Where were you?"
Venus let out a breath, pulling at her hair. "The Dark Kingdom attacked a moonbeam portal. If we'd lost, they'd have a direct route to the moon."
Endymion's head snapped up. "Did they succeed?"
"What do you think?" Jupiter scoffed. "We kicked their ass."
Nephrite grinned. "Sounds like fun."
Mercury sat back, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "Let's get her to the moon."
Jupiter shoved everyone aside, but with the utmost care, lifted Serenity carefully into her arms. Endymion didn't resist, only silently watching in agony as she carried Serenity away. One by one, the guardians and the kings left. But before Venus stepped out, he grabbed her arm.
Kunzite tensed, but did nothing.
"Will you tell me when she recovers? Please?"
The thought of going without knowing sent fear shooting through his soul.
Venus eyed him once, before nodding. "I will."
As the tent flaps closed behind her, Endymion collapsed onto the empty cot, his body trembling with exhaustion and fear. The sight of Serenity being carried away, her life hanging by a thread, haunted him. Every second that passed without her was an eternity of pain, a gaping void in his soul.
He tugged at his uniform's collar; the air suffocating him with the weight of his failure. Tears splashed down his cheeks, blurring his vision as they silently fell. He pulled out the locket and clutched it in his hands.
The gold shone brightly against his bloody hands, almost as if he was the one who had tainted her, ruined her life, brought this horror upon her. He gripped it tighter, his ligaments protesting the force.
"Serenity," he whispered, his voice breaking.
The loneliness and guilt were unbearable, gnawing at him like a relentless predator. He'd never known sorrow could go so deep, an extreme emotion he hadn't realized existed.
Now, he was left to grapple with the devastating realization that, without her, his world was nothing but darkness and despair. He had brought this on her, ruined her perfect world, and he hated himself for it.