Darkness coiled and writhed within the icy throne room of the Dark Kingdom, feeding on the despair and fear that permeated the very air. No light dared to encroach on this area. The breathing darkness hungered for more power, more devastating destruction. Always seeking to destroy. Even light had no power against it. There was only the artificial illumination of shadow that provided the scant tendrils of illumination that spread through the space.
Shadows danced along the stone walls, whispering secrets of descending chaos and ancient evils. At the heart of this umbral domain sat Queen Beryl, her form a conduit for the darkness. A willing slave. And for that loyalty, the darkness rewarded her with just a taste of the power it controlled.
Jadeite kneeled before her, his head bowed in submission. The darkness savored the acrid flavor of his failure, relished in the tangy saltness of his defeat.
"Twice you have erred. Twice. How many more times will you fail me, Jadeite?" Beryl's voice cut through the air like a poisoned blade. "Twice you have failed to gather energy for our great ruler. Are you prepared for the consequences?"
"I am," Jadeite said.
The darkness knew the truth behind his words.
If darkness could laugh, it would. This puppet wasn't prepared for the consequences. Couldn't be. As a corrupted beacon of light, there was only so much it could endure before shattering into oblivion. This minion was only a disposable pawn. An expendable resource, one that would be discarded without thought when the time came.
A delicious wave of fear washed over Jadeite, and the darkness savored it, drinking in the tremors that ran through his body. It coiled around him, tightening its grip, revealing in his desperation.
"My Queen, I—"Jadeite began, but the dark swallowed his words.
From the shadows, another figure emerged, tall and imposing, but nothing like the supreme power of the darkness. Nephrite, his long hair cascading like a river of blood in the dim light. Yet another of the corrupted four.
While useful, they were almost a disgrace. Merely tainted ones.
"It's expected," Nephrite purred. "His minions are only clay dolls. Naturally, they're insufficient and weak. Like their creator."
Jadeite snarled, sending the darkness skittering towards the hatred oozing. Hostile rivalry was so delectable.
"Queen Beryl," Nephrite continued, ignoring the scathing looks from his brother. "Please allow me, your North American Commander, Nephrite, to complete the task."
Beryl laughed, a sinister sound that echoed through the ice and cut the wind. "I have little hope that you'll succeed where your brother failed. Endymion trained you and yet you lack all of his qualities."
"I swear," Nephrite said. "I will efficiently gather plentiful energy to offer to our great ruler. Even more, I will offer you the Legendary Silver Crystal and bring you glory."
The darkness rippled with anticipation, feeding off the heightened emotions from these two warriors. What a supreme pleasure it would be to see them tear each other apart, to bathe in the chaos of their conflict. And to think, millennia ago, they were close companions, striving for good and honor. Now look at them.
More figures stepped into the cavern. Zoisite and Kunzite. The four former Kings of Heaven only eyed each other with barely veiled hated and distrust. How far they'd fallen.
Jadeite leaned against a stone pillar. "Could it be these Sailor Guardians are seeking the crystal as well?"
A brief murmur spread across the gathered minions. The darkness spread a little further, waiting for the answer. For even it had limits to its reach. The appearance of these Sailor Guardians had caught it off guard, and that in itself was disconcerting. But how they'd so easily brushed aside the darkness was even more alarming.
"Queen Beryl," Zoisite asked. "If we may pose a question."
"Continue."
"What exactly is this Legendary Silver Crystal?" Kunzite asked.
The darkness trembled at the mention of the crystal, craving the immense power that the crystal contained. It hungered for it, yearned to corrupt and twist it to its will. Then, the darkness would reign supreme for now and all time.
Beryl's eyes narrowed, her gaze hardening to match the unyielding stone that surrounded her. "The Legendary Silver Crystal is no mere gem. It is the source of all energy, the very essence of creation itself. Its power is beyond mortal comprehension—limitless, unstoppable. Whoever wields it will command the forces of the universe, bending reality to their will."
As the darkness fused with her, her red eyes glowed with a sinister brilliance. Eerie light spread through the cavern, tainting the already poisoned area. "No mercy will be shown to those who interfere with the ambitions of the Dark Kingdom. Far-East Commander, Jadeite, I give you permission to pause your search for the Legendary Silver Crystal. This is your final chance."
The darkness surged at her words, its fibers reaching out, grasping at the promise of such a gift. It could taste victory on the horizon, the sweet nectar of a universe plunged into eternal night.
"I understand." Jadeite bowed again. "I will eliminate those pesky Sailor Guardians with my own hand. I'll vanquish them from the world."
"You know what will happen if you fail," Beryl said.
The darkness coiled tighter around Jadeite, savoring his terror. Anticipating the delicious agony of his punishment if he didn't complete his task. It didn't know which would be more pleasing, the Dark Kingdom's victory over the guardians, or the pleasure of ripping this minion apart.
The sacred fire danced before Rei Hino, the flames a living, breathing entity. The flames danced, flickering shadows against the wooden walls, their rhythm steady as her breath. More shadows moved across her face, casting the world in shades of past and present. Her raven hair cascaded down her back, a waterfall of midnight against the crisp white of her Miko robes. Around her the scent of sandalwood and incense hung heavy in the air, a fragrant offering to the kami.
Her eyes were distant, lost in the depths of the fire. To her, fire was more than mere flame. It was a bridge between worlds, times, a conduit through which the gods spoke. She'd always been able to hear their voice through it, listen to the soft murmurs that it spoke, and in turn interpret the visions that moved in its depths.
But today, the fire was restless, its energy swirling with a tension she couldn't ignore.
Her breath came slow and steady, each inhale drawing in the flame's essence, each exhale releasing her attachments to the material world. In this moment, she existed between realms, a bridge between the physical and spiritual.
A sense of foreboding filled the air, heavy and undeniable. Still, the orange and red rippled, yellow surged, blue relented. Then, in its depths, a face emerged—a man. Handsome and familiar, with short blond hair and eyes that seemed to peer into her soul.
Her heart leaped. A jolt of recognition coursing through her body. She knew him, somehow, somewhere beyond the veil of consciousness.
Who are you?
Why do you haunt me?
What were we to each other?
"Calm your thoughts, Princess."
Something hot flashed across her chest. Those words stirred a deep, haunting recognition, sharp and poignant. They were visceral and real.
But the vision began to fade.
No!
She grabbed at it, but it was impossible, like trying to grasp smoke with bare hands. The more she reached for it, the quicker it dissipated. Frustration and something that felt too much like loneliness bubbled up within her.
Rei forced herself to breathe, to let go of her desire to understand. The kami taught that harmony within oneself comes from letting go of desires that cloud the spirit. Still, she struggled until the vision faded completely.
Rei opened her eyes, her heart heavy with unnameable loss. The echo of the man's face lingering in her mind like the afterimage of a bright light. She bowed deeply to the sacred fire, offering gratitude for its wisdom, even if she couldn't fully comprehend it.
"Who are you?" she asked the silence. "Why do I feel like everything is going to change?"
The cool morning air greeted her as she stepped out into the shrine courtyard. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold.
Phobos and Deimos cawed a greeting from their perch on the torill gate. She acknowledged them with a bow of her head. Their presence was a comfort, a reminder of the constancy of nature amidst the chaos of human existence.
"Ready for breakfast?"
Rei threw a handful of seeds for them, and they swooped down, their feathers gleaming in the early morning light. Lost in their simple joy, she found peace in their uncomplicated existence. Crouching down, she spread more seeds, the soft sound of life pattering against the stone.
"I have a special treat for you today, some cheese." She held out a small piece, watching as they eagerly pecked at it, their caws of approval bringing a faint smile to her lips.
Approaching voices broke the spell. A group of schoolgirls were making their way up the shrine steps, their uniforms marking them as students from the local high school. Rei tensed, recognizing some from previous visits. Phobos landed on her shoulder, his weight the only comfort she'd find.
"There, that's her."
"The one who's the weird psychic?"
"Yeah! Lost rings, wallets, whatever! She just guesses where they are and she's always right."
Rei didn't want to listen, didn't want to hear it.
"Wow… that's kinda creepy."
The words cut through her like a blade, reopening old wounds that would never heal. She hadn't asked for these powers, hadn't wanted to bear this burden. But no one understood that. They only saw her as something other, something to be feared and avoided, until they wanted to use her.
As if to prove her point, another group of girls passed, only to veer sharply away when they spotted her. Their whispers carried on the morning breeze.
"Creepy."
"Witch."
"Freak."
Each stung like a physical blow.
Loneliness settled over her like a heavy cloak, its weight almost unbearable. At that moment, she knew the truth: life is suffering. The ache in her heart was a testament to the pain of existence, the struggle of being different in a world that valued conformity.
Rei watched the girls laugh and chatter amongst themselves, and she couldn't help but feel the vast chasm that separated her from her peers.
Unwilling to inflict more pain upon herself, she turned away, busying herself with shrine duties, trying to lose herself in the rituals and routines that had been her solace for so long. That would forever be her solace. But under it all, loneliness persisted, a constant companion in a world that seemed determined to misunderstand her.
As she swept the courtyard, her thoughts drifted back to the man in her vision.
"Why do I keep seeing you?"
"What is it trying to say?"
Those questions echoed in her mind, unanswered and unanswerable. Like the flickering flame, she was searching for enlightenment, for understanding. But unlike the flame, her path remained shrouded in mystery, each step forward only revealing more questions.
Casting a quick glance at the sun, she'd need to leave for school soon. To face another day of sidelong glances and whispered comments. But for now, in the quiet of the shrine, she allowed herself to simply be—a girl with an extraordinary gift, seeking her place in a world that she didn't fit in.
"You can do it."
As expected, the day passed in a blur of whispers and sidelong glances, each moment another brick in the wall separating her and the others. As the afternoon sun bathed the shrine in golden light, Rei found herself once again in the familiar embrace of her home. The sacred flame, ever present, welcomed her return, its warmth a balm to her weary soul.
Those golden rays danced across the stone path, reminding the world that everything dies only to be reborn again. A chorus of young voices broke through the silence. A group of elementary school girls had gathered in the courtyard, their laughter contrasting to the solemnity of the shrine.
For now, they remained untainted by the prejudices of the world, but soon they'd join the others in their blind misunderstanding.
"Rei-san! Rei-san!" A small voice called out, full of enthusiasm. A vibrant young girl with glossy hair bounced up, her eyes shining with youth. "Can I say hi to your ravens? Please?"
At least in this moment, she was free from the weight of her isolation. "Of course, Mii-chan. Would you like to feed them dinner?"
Mii clapped. "Yes, please! Are they going to have curry rice or miso soup?"
Rei laughed. "Ravens wouldn't like soup, though they might like curry rice. But it's not good for them."
"What do they have?"
Together they walked towards the gate where Phobos and Deimos perched.
"Fruits, like grapes, cherries, apples. Seeds, and even meat."
"Ravens eat meat?"
"They do. Just like us, they need the nutrients found in meat."
"I understand," Mii nodded. "I love chicken!"
"Look," Rei said, gesturing to the ravens. "They're messengers of the kami, guardians of this sacred place."
Phobos swooped down, landing gracefully on Rei's outstretched arm. Mii gasped in delight, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Can I touch him?" she asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
Rei nodded, guiding Mii's small hand to gently stroke the raven's glossy feathers. The other children inched closer, drawn by the magical moment unfolding before them. For a fleeting instant, Rei felt a connection to these young souls, a bridge across the chasm that so often separated her from others. But as quickly as it came, the moment passed. The distant rumble of an approaching bus signaled the end of their visit.
"It's almost time to catch your bus," Rei said.
As they walked to the stop, Mii's hand found its way into hers, a small gesture of trust that seemed so infrequent. The other girls followed, chattering like swallows. The bus rounded the corner, its headlights cutting through the gathering dusk. As it pulled to a stop, a sudden jolt flashed through her body. As if the sacred flame had burst from its confines to dance along her skin.
Automatically, her eyes found the driver, and the world seemed to tilt on its axis. He was handsome, unnervingly so, with short blond hair and eyes that peered into her very soil. She knew him. That was beyond question. And with a start, she realized it was him—the man from her vision, from her dreams.
"You."
Their eyes met, and for a heartbeat, she was something else. Recognition flickered in his gaze before it vanished behind a cold stone exterior. Then the world continued on, oblivious to the implications.
Mii waved through the window. "Bye, Rei-san! See you tomorrow!"
Rei raised a hand in farewell, her mind still reeling from the encounter. As the bus pulled away, she couldn't shake the feeling that something momentous had just occurred, something that would alter the course of her life.
The walk back to the shrine was short, yet it felt long. Frantic thoughts spilled across her mind. Racing faster than the flickering edges of the fire.
"Have you heard of the 666 demon bus?"
The words collided with her and brought her to a standstill.
"Yes! So scary."
"Makes sense that it stops outside of the Hikawa Shrine."
Those words turned to ice in her veins. Now the soft cast of the darkness felt wrong, tainted by an evil that would seek to overthrow the world. Shivering, she darted up the stairs and into her fire reading room. She closed her eyes, reaching out with her spiritual senses, seeking guidance from the kami. But the fire was silent. It showed her nothing.
No matter how long she sat before the flickering light, the gods were silent. The ominous feel continued to grow, something was terribly, terribly wrong. Still, the flames danced before her, offering no answers, only the promise of trials to come.
Without a doubt, she knew that the future would bring suffering and death.