The Silver Millenium Stories
Here, I will be publishing short stories concerning Silver Millenium. So far, there are two short stories which are renewed and improved: "Darkness Before Dusk" and "Sculpture Garden". The older, stand-alone version of these stories are removed. Only English version will be published, the original, Polish ones, are only available on a request.
Darkness before Dusk
World: Sailor Moon
Time: Silver Millenium Era
Characters: Haruka and Michiru
She stood motionless at the foot of the ancient fortress, which, just a few hours earlier, had witnessed the greatest tragedy of her life. The dark landscape around her pulsed with remnants of memories, like the echo of a battle long past. A strong wind, carrying tons of dust and debris, mercilessly tossed her short, blonde hair. Her eyes, once full of life, were now empty, devoid of expression, as if her soul had been stripped of all emotion. She knew that what had happened was inevitable, written in the books of fate, yet inwardly, she still rebelled against this inevitability. The fields surrounding the fortress swarmed with armed soldiers and grotesque demons, whose hateful eyes glowed with the power of their leader, the Queen of Darkness. The woman felt no fear. The jewel-encrusted sword rested confidently in her hand, as if it was an extension of her will.
"Everything started suddenly, though everyone in the Silver Millennium had known for centuries that this moment would come. It was written in the holy books, taught by the wise masters. Evil had come from the blue planet, to reclaim lost immortality and power. The demon army, thirsting for blood, had turned the harmonious state into a world of death and despair."
The night sky, glittering with thousands of stars, seemed to reflect the unchanging nature of the universe in the face of human tragedy. A gentle wind rustled the branches of the shrubs and trees that lined the palace veranda, while a hidden fountain filled the space with a soothing murmur, as if trying to comfort the tortured souls gathered there. A young, green-haired woman stood on the marble balcony, gazing at the blue planet rising above the horizon, which that night was exceptionally vivid, almost as if it were carved from flawless crystal. Her fingers traced the cool, smooth surface of the balustrade, and a soft, melancholic song escaped her lips, dissolving into the night air.
"You can't sleep again..." she heard a quiet voice that echoed from deep within the garden. A moment later, she saw the silhouette of a woman with short blonde hair, approaching her. As she drew closer, her figure became clearer in the moonlight, and on their faces, shadows of doubt and sorrow were reflected.
"It will begin soon, won't it?" the blonde asked, her voice tinged with hope, though her eyes spoke of something else. The green-haired warrior lowered her gaze, avoiding her companion's eyes.
"You already know," she replied softly, as if each word cost her great effort.
"Pluto has returned to the Gates, and that means it will all be over soon. We too must return to our castles... forever," the blonde's voice trembled, as if struggling against the weight of the thought.
The green-haired woman closed her eyes, hiding the tears that threatened to fall. She couldn't look her beloved in the eyes — something was eating away at her, something too painful to reveal. The agonizing silence stretched between them, broken only by the steady murmur of the fountain. Finally, the blonde placed her hands on her companion's shoulders and gently, yet firmly, urged her to meet her gaze.
"Why don't you want to talk, Neptune? After all..." the blonde tried to understand, to sense what was hidden behind the silence. The green-haired woman finally lifted her gaze.
"Uranus, no..." her voice broke with every word, as if each one brought her closer to the edge of an abyss.
"Let's not return to the castles, please... let's not go back there!" There was desperation in her voice, a desperation she could no longer suppress.
"What are you saying? That's the order. We can't disobey. I know it's hard, that we can't fight, but..." Uranus tried to reason with her beloved, but her voice sounded too sharp.
"It's not about that!" Neptune interrupted her sharply, her words bursting forth with pent-up emotion. "Don't you understand what going back means for us? We'll be separated, maybe forever. Is that what you want?" She began to tremble, hugging herself as if trying to shield herself from the inevitable.
Uranus stood still for a moment, battling her own pain and inner turmoil. Finally, when all the rational arguments were exhausted in her mind, she embraced Neptune, pulling her close.
"But if we don't return... we'll die," she whispered, her words falling like stones into an unknown abyss. "You know we can't stop them."
Neptune pressed herself against Uranus's chest, her body shaking with sobs.
"We'll die, but together," she said, and tears that could no longer be held back began to stream down her cheeks. "And if... if there's another life..." her voice broke with despair, "...then surely we'll be together again."
"Neptune..." Uranus whispered, her voice trembling, as if in those simple words lay everything she felt.
"So, what do you say? Are we staying?" Neptune asked, her eyes full of hope, bordering on desperation.
No more words were spoken. Their lips met in a silent, painful kiss, in which all their emotions were contained — love, fear, pain, and hope. Against the backdrop of the darkening park, they looked like two marble statues merging into one, in a timeless moment that could last forever. The wind whispered softly, tearing leaves from the trees, and the murmur of the fountain mingled with the distant rustle of the meadows surrounding the palace, creating a melancholic melody of their last moments together.
"War... The war between Earth and the Moon... Darkness engulfing the Silver Planet, the overwhelming might of Metalia leading vast armies... The diabolical laughter and madness of Queen Beryl, drowning every city in terror... Her eyes, paralyzing with fear the defenders of the Silver Millennium... Pillars of fire consuming thousands of homes, casting a crimson glow that stretched for miles... The march of the Generals, once allies of this world, now its executioners... The burning symbols of the Silver Moon... A dying civilization, the dawn of a new order."
The fortress, shrouded in the deep shadows of night, was illuminated only by the flickering flames of torches embedded in the walls. In the distance, the ominous rumble of an approaching enemy army could be heard. The sounds of marching and the echo of the Earth Kingdom's hymn, carried by the wind, reverberated against the castle walls. At first, they were barely audible, but they grew louder, more menacing with each passing moment.
At the summit of the fortress's tallest tower, a lone figure stood — a blonde woman with short blond hair clad in the attire of a knight. She gazed out into the darkness, her eyes fixed on the horizon, as if waiting for someone. The cold wind howled as it swept through the ancient stone walls, playing a mournful melody that seemed to resonate with the sorrow in her heart.
Suddenly, the air before her shimmered and rippled, distorting the space. A portal, dark and foreboding, manifested as a black vortex. From its depths, a man emerged, dressed in a military uniform, his long chestnut hair cascading over his shoulders. Uranus watched him, a mocking smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"I see you managed to convince them. It's incredible how much they trust your prophecies," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. The man, his face obscured by the shadows, slid his hands into his pockets and stood still, allowing the darkness to swallow him whole.
"I didn't have to do much convincing," he replied coolly. "I merely suggested that the army should take the route that passes by this fortress. For Kunzite, it's a mere thirty-minute delay in capturing the capital. Besides, these aren't prophecies — they're the will of destiny. Even your decision to seek my help was predetermined." His voice was calm, almost detached, as if the horrors unfolding around them were of no consequence.
"You have such faith in your stars," Uranus retorted, her words laced with scorn.
Nephrite smiled, a faint, enigmatic curve of his lips. "This world was once so beautiful. I remember when I first came here with Endymion..." he began, his voice softening as if lost in a distant memory. He stepped closer to Uranus, and the flickering light of a nearby torch revealed his entire figure.
"Spare me the sentimental talk," Uranus snapped, her voice sharp and cutting. She didn't want to hear about the past, not from him. Not now.
Unfazed, Nephrite waved his hand, and another portal began to materialize before him. "You'll get what you want soon enough," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "This brief delay will give the Queen the time she needs to prepare the Ginzuishou. Soon, everything will end."
As he started to fade into the shadows of the portal, Uranus took a step forward, a desperate question burning on her lips. "Wait! I have one more thing to ask you." She reached out a hand, as if trying to hold onto something that was already slipping away.
Nephrite paused, turning to look at her, a diabolical gleam flickering in his eyes. "Yes?" he asked, his tone almost teasing.
"How can you bear the weight of double betrayal? First, you betrayed Queen Serenity, and now Metalia? How do you intend to live with that?" Her voice was filled with both anger and a deep, sorrowful curiosity.
The demon laughed, a sound devoid of any true mirth. "Live? Soon, none of us will even remember what that means. Besides, there are no sides anymore — no light or darkness. It doesn't matter who wins; the outcome will be the same. Serenity and Metalia are merely puppets in the hands of fate. It's the will of the stars. Remember this: the stars know everything."
He looked up at the night sky, now filled with countless stars, twinkling like cold, distant flames. For a brief moment, Uranus saw something unexpected — a tear glistening in his eye, reflecting the starlight above.
"I pity you, demon," she thought, her heart heavy as she lowered her gaze, unable to watch him any longer. Nephrite disappeared into the swirling darkness of the portal, and as the air settled once more, the wind resumed its playful dance with Uranus' short blonde hair, carrying with it the echoes of a tragic fate that could not be avoided.
I won't regret it
Cause we walked this path together
Before love was born, beneath the stars
We were destined to be soldiers*
Uranus and Neptune stood on the wall, gripping their talismans tightly. They watched as the forces of Queen Beryl drew closer, their hearts beating as one, in perfect unison. They knew they had to act without hesitation. Any moment of doubt could ruin everything. They had to become one — one body, one soul.
"You can unleash the immense power of your talismans. When they resonate, the energy will be so great that it could wipe out an entire city. The wielder will be obliterated, which is why you must never concentrate their power," they recalled Pluto's words, often repeated during their training. They never imagined that one day they would actually have to test it in reality.
"Neptune, are you sure this will stop them?" Uranus asked, her voice trembling with tension.
"I don't know, but it might weaken them enough for the Queen to destroy them with the Crystal. The new reality cannot be written by darkness," Neptune replied, her voice filled with determination, though a shadow of uncertainty lingered in her eyes. The girls exchanged one final glance. Their talismans began to glow with a sacred light, ready to unleash their destructive power.
A few demons took to the air, attacking the woman-warriors with venom-tipped spikes. The whoosh of membranous wings and the terrifying roar echoed off the fortress walls. One of the blows struck Uranus, sending her crashing onto the hard ground below the fortress. Pain shot through her left leg, and her mind was in turmoil. She slashed blindly with her sword, trying to fend off the attacks. Demon blood spilled over the walls, their bodies smashing against the stone.
"Neptune! What are you waiting for? Unleash the power of the talismans! Quickly! Before it's too late!" Uranus shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.
A swing of the sword. And another. Demons fell dead, one after the other. Uranus turned to face more enemies. Beryl's enraged soldiers charged toward her, the clash of their swords and the shattering of armor filling the air. Men fell dead to the ground, but the girl didn't notice the demon behind her. His sword glinted in the darkness, and time seemed to stand still. The shattering of glass, the fading sacred glow of the talisman, red blood, and a cascade of emerald hair. Neptune's delicate body fell to the ground.
"World Shaking!" Uranus cried, releasing a spell that tore the soldier's armor to shreds. Without a second thought, she threw her sword into the ground, creating a massive energy barrier that separated her, her friend, and the fortress from the rest of the world. Uranus fell to her knees beside Neptune, her hands trembling as she clutched her tightly. "Why? Why did you do that? You had the chance to end it!" Her voice broke with despair, and a stream of tears welled up in her blue eyes.
Neptune looked at her, her beautiful face stained with blood. Struggling to form the words, she whispered, "I couldn't... I couldn't let you die in such a dishonorable way, I just couldn't..."
"Don't cry anymore," Uranus whispered, holding her close. But despite her efforts, she couldn't stop her own tears from falling.
Uranus sat in one of the fortress chambers, keeping a constant vigil by her beloved's side. Neptune lay on the floor atop a plush carpet, her wound carefully bandaged, the bleeding finally stopped. But the blood loss had taken its toll, and the girl remained unconscious. Her green hair, scattered around her, framed her fragile, pale face. The blonde stared at her with tear-reddened eyes.
"Neptune, I can't fight anymore. I can't stand before them all without you. It would be meaningless. You promised we'd leave together. Why can't you keep your word?" She rested her head on Neptune's chest.
"If you're not by my side, I'll lose my mind, truly. Don't do this to me," she sobbed again, her voice breaking under the weight of despair. The air in the chamber rippled, and suddenly, Nephrite appeared. The dim light of a magical lamp cast an eerie, otherworldly glow on his face.
"How did you get in here? The barrier from the talisman is..." Uranus stood up, alarmed. The general leaned against the stone wall.
"...impenetrable. Perhaps for ordinary soldiers and demons. But you seem to forget, I'm not just anyone. I'm elite, both in the light and the dark." He adjusted his hair, his and the girl's shadows dancing on the walls, morphing into strange shapes.
"I came to tell you that by tomorrow, or maybe the day after, it will all be over. The palace will soon fall. Kunzite and Jadeite have already taken most of the territory. The Inner Senshi are supposedly dead. Just as I read it in the stars. Incredible, isn't it?"
"Why did you come here? To gloat over my pain? I could kill you at any moment, you know that!" Uranus's voice trembled with uncontrolled anger. The recent events had left her with nothing to lose. All she wanted was to rest. Nephrite remained calm, unfazed by her outburst.
"You're worse than Zoisite," he remarked with a touch of irony. "I simply came to say goodbye to you and your emerald angel." He glanced at the unconscious Neptune.
"Her hair, like the meadows surrounding the palace, right?" he said with a note of sadness.
"I'll tell you what the stars revealed to me recently. Your hearts are saved. You'll be reborn one day, happy, because you follow the light. As for me..." he hesitated, "even though I'm the victor, I'm condemned. For eternity. But the stars will stay with me, no matter where I end up. Isn't that wonderful? It was worth spending my life with the stars — they never betray you. They always stay by your side, no matter which side you're on, unlike people..." He made a gesture as if looking up at the sky, but this time he saw only the old ceiling of the castle chamber.
"You're insane," Uranus replied.
"Yes, but that's fate's decision too," he laughed before disappearing into a black portal. Uranus sat down on the carpet next to her friend once more. She gently caressed Neptune's face and then played with her hair.
"Did you hear that, Neptune? We're saved. One day we'll be happy. And I heard it from one of those who brought us to the point where we must die. Does any of this make sense?"
Neptune's eyes fluttered open. She grasped the hand that was stroking her hair.
"Of course it does," she said with a sad smile. The blonde opened her mouth, unable to utter a sound. Neptune slightly lifted her head, squeezing her friend's hand.
"Since the day I met you, I've always been in heaven..." Uranus struggled to hold back her tears.
"The Kingdom of Darkness can take everything from us — our home, our power, our lives — but it can't take our love. And that's probably what Nephrite is most jealous of," Neptune continued, her voice weakening as the effort exhausted her. She rested her head back on the carpet.
"Neptune, we'll still be able to carry out our plan. Just rest for a moment," Uranus said, visibly relieved. But her beloved shook her head.
"No, my time is running out. I can feel Metalia's power from that sword destroying my body. But..." Neptune looked at Uranus more sternly, "Uranus, you have to finish our plan alone. Swear that you'll do it..."
The blonde wiped away her tears and leaned over her friend.
"I swear." She leaned closer, bringing her head to Neptune's. She smiled softly. "Let me give you courage one last time," she whispered as they began to kiss.
"Complete the mission. Save our future."
Uranus ran out onto the chamber balcony. The icy wind swept over her from all sides, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to scream, to beat her fists against the wall, to shout out her pain. She wanted to be as far away as possible from the place where she had just said goodbye to Neptune. She looked down at the river flowing beneath the fortress, considering the plunge. "Serenity, Pluto, Nephrite, anyone," she silently called for help from her friends and allies. The entire world seemed to collapse upon her. She fell to her knees, tears quietly streaming down her face.
After a while, she composed herself. She returned to the chamber and looked at her fallen companion. She smiled. "I'll save our future, my love." With renewed resolve, she ran toward the fortress exit.
She watched as the hordes of soldiers and demons marched past. Gripping her sword, she prepared for the attack. One last glance at the fortress, the night sky, and the Moon's meadows now occupied by foreign invaders. "I'm coming to you, Neptune," she whispered. The sword began to glow with a brilliant light. The enemies charged at her with a roar. The entire battlefield was engulfed in an intense light.
"One day you will be reborn happy, because you follow the light."
"Thank you, Nephrite"
This fate, to be so very beautiful,
The tears I cry are made to shine,
shine as bright as ever before.**
Haruka Tenou woke up drenched in sweat, her heart pounding, her breath uneven. She quickly scanned the room, trying to calm her racing thoughts. It was the middle of the night, and the faint light from a nearby streetlamp filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting soft shadows across the room. The stillness of the summer night was only interrupted by the distant sound of music playing softly from a nearby apartment. Haruka glanced at the clock on the bedside table, its glowing display reading 3 a.m.
"Three in the morning… I probably won't get back to sleep now," she murmured quietly, feeling the weight of her dream pressing down on her. She turned her head toward Michiru, who was peacefully lying beside her. A gentle smile crossed her lips as she watched her lover sleeping. Haruka reached out, brushing her fingers through Michiru's soft, sea-green hair, then lightly touched her face. Slowly, Michiru stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she was gently pulled from her sleep by Haruka's touch. Her gaze, soft and warm, met Haruka's.
"Haruka, is everything alright?" Michiru asked with concern, sitting up slightly and looking at her with curiosity.
"I had a dream… about a distant past," Haruka replied, her voice soft, as if the dream still lingered on the edge of her consciousness. She gazed off, trying to hold on to the fleeting images that had filled her mind. Her words were heavy, touched by a sense of something long gone, but powerful enough to leave a mark. "But it doesn't matter anymore," she added after a pause, shaking off the lingering thoughts. She pulled Michiru into a close embrace, needing the reassurance of her presence.
"What are you doing?" Michiru asked gently, as she leaned into the embrace.
"Just tell me where you want to go tomorrow, what you want to do, and I'll make it happen. Whatever you wish for, I'll make it come true," Haruka said with a soft smile, though there was an earnestness behind her words, a silent promise to give Michiru anything she could.
"Why the sudden generosity?" Michiru asked, amused but curious, her eyes twinkling.
"Because I have an angel with me," Haruka whispered, her smile growing wider, her gaze full of love and gratitude for the woman beside her.
The two of them held each other close, finding comfort in their shared warmth. The music from outside drifted through the quiet night, filling the air around them. The song that had been playing ended, and a slower, more serene melody began, perfectly matching the stillness and intimacy of the moment. For a brief time, the world seemed to stand still, allowing them to just be — together.
I want to thank fate
That you and I could meet
Breaking the false silence
Together we'll win back true peace*
The End
The short lyrics used in the story are fragments of English translations of the following songs:
*Senshi no Omoi
**Unmei was Utsukushiku