Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Embers of a Flame ❯ Sorrowful Slumber ( Chapter 7 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: himitsu-no-hi 
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.15.2002 | Updated On: 12.28.2002 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 207 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Angst | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.15.2002 | Updated On: 12.28.2002 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 207 | Status: Work In Progress
The Embers of a Flame ~ Chapter 7
By Himitsu no Hi
A few weeks after the birth of the Moon princess, another celebration was taking place. In honour of the service and devotion given by Harmony, first Queen of Mars and Warrior of Fire, the Royal families, officials and friends of the Silver Millennium had gathered together on Mars to remember the great woman on the tenth anniversary of her passing. The grand Martian ceremony hall was filled with music and laughter as guests arrived by the minute despite the expected onset of the summer storms, in fact only three were missing from the celebration after it had commenced.
Eris had sent word to Ares warning him of the party and ordering him to stay away from the function room throughout, she was well aware of his ill feelings towards many of the guests and did not want him to spoil a celebration in honour of her mother. Ares simply had not replied, he was however, one of the three not in attendance. The Martian queen herself had not yet arrived in the hall and when questioned servants or maids would reply that she would be along momentarily, in truth she remained in the sacred fire temple for a long time after the party had begun. Queen Serenity was the final person absent from the celebrations. It had been decided that the princesses should have a separate party to themselves, as adult gatherings were often boring for the children; and so in a small room just off from the main hall a mini banquet had been set out for them. It was here where Serenity had remained for a while, watching over her little princess as she played with the others, already her daughter had grown to the size of a two year old and the other princesses doted on her.
Princess Serenity sat on the floor giggling with delight as Princess Makoto of Jupiter chased after the blonde Venusian princess who had just spilt her juice over the tall brunette. Princess Ami of Mercury picked up a sandwich and offered it to the young princess as Rei mumbled something about 'immature and silly behaviour.'
The Moon princess' eyes lit up at the offered sandwich,
"nkoo" she smiled to Ami but before she could even taste the delicious present she was pulled from harms way by Ami as Minako tripped on Rei's foot and went sprawling to the ground. Minako picked herself up from the floor and frowned as she peeled the squished sandwich from her dress. All eyes turned to the moon princess who instantly began wailing at the top of her lungs, arms outstretched for her lost present. Rei grumbled as she picked up a biscuit and shovelled it into the crying princess' mouth. Serenity's tears ceased as she sucked on the chocolaty treat. Minako sighed thankful it was all over before throwing the sandwich over her head. The squished savoury landed atop of the Martian princess, successfully snapping the temperamental princess' last straw,
" Mi-Na-ko!!" Rei growled her hands curling into fists as the blonde yelped and took off running once again.
Queen Serenity smiled as she watched the princesses they reminded her so much of her own senshi and herself at that age, it was such a shame they had to grow up. Responsibilities and power took all of the fun from her gatherings these days, something always happened to throw a dampener on their mood. A stray thought of the shadow woman's curse filtered into her mind momentarily. The queen turned at the sound of the door to the room opening and smiled as Eris slipped quietly inside. Rei immediately stopped chasing Minako as she caught sight of her mother,
"Mama!" she cried happily, running into the open arms of the Martian queen. Eris smiled weakly at her daughter as they pulled away from the embrace; she looked ever the part of the beautiful and refined Queen of Mars; it was however, an image of tragic beauty. Her Lilac eyes seemed to be memorizing ever part of Rei's face as she gazed unmoving at her daughter,
"Mama?" Rei tilted her head a bemused expression gracing her features,
"I love you fire bird...always."
"I love you too Mama," Rei grinned seemingly taking no note of the sadness in her mother's voice. Eris passed her hand gently over Rei's cheek and then stood and turned to face Serenity, her expression now serious and businesslike
"Serenity, can I speak with you for a moment...?"
Serenity nodded to her friend as she stood and they moved into the hallway to keep out of the princesses' hearing range.
"Serenity, I need you to promise me something," Eris voice shook slightly as she spoke,
"I need you...if something ever happens Serenity, if something, Ares, he isn't who he used to be Serenity, darkness has..." Eris' hand reached up to the ruby necklace, which hung around her throat, it had belonged originally to her great grandmother and had become to her a symbol of her mother's love, calming and comforting. Her eyes closed for a moment as she tried to compose her thoughts. Serenity reached out and took her fire senshi's hands in her own, her smile shone as Eris' eyes opened to look at her once more, encouraging her to continue,
"Serenity, I have been given such confusing visions lately and have been before the sacred fires for many days, many days but they will show only what I fear and nothing more. A terrible darkness has settled upon the Martian palace, I feel that it has been here since my childhood perhaps long before, but now more than ever it swirls around me as if to choke my breath," Eris voice was barely above a whisper as she continued,
"Serenity, if the darkness should triumph, promise me, promise me that you will protect my daughter, take Rei away from here, her destiny need not be as dim as..."
The desperation in the Martian queen's eyes caused a sudden pang of concern and foreboding within the Moon queen's heart,
"Eris what do you mean...what is going to happen I can help...the others we can..."
Eris shook her head frantically,
"No...no this darkness is mine alone, I will not involve the light in such matters-it will be okay...I regret nothing. Now promise me..."
Serenity tightened her hold on Eris' hands, gentle eyes gazed into lilac turmoil, offering peace and strength,
"I promise...Eris, I promise."
Eris sighed in relief, her shoulders slumped and her head bowed,
"Thank you..."
Violet eyes watched curiously as the scene between Moon and Mars unfolded. Rei had noticed the melancholy in her mother's mood and although their words were lost to the air she knew as Serenity pulled her mother into a warm embrace that only more sadness could follow...
A sudden roar erupted from the Ceremony Hall, causing Eris and Serenity to break quickly from their embrace. Rei slipped quietly back into the room as the queens hurried past her to the party. Biting her lip the Martian princess nodded to herself before edging herself out after them.
The other princesses too deeply involved now in a pillow fight did not notice the absence of the young senshi of fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Martian ceremony hall had become deathly still; the band had fallen silent upon the entrance of the disorientated Martian king, who had begun to shout madly at the gathered crowd until his gaze met that of Aphrodite,
"Inanna, why did you leave me?" Ares spoke sorrowfully, staring into the tearful blue eyes of the Venusian Queen,
"Ares she is not Inanna for the final time take your hands off my wife!" Eros bellowed glaring daggers at the Martian king. Aphrodite flinched at the sound of her husbands raised voice,
"Stay out of this Eros it is not your concern!" Ares glared back, tightening his hold on Aphrodite's wrist. Ares' blue grey eyes softened as they turned to gaze on Aphrodite once again,
"Inanna, you know how much my heart belongs to you why do you deny the feelings you have for me, sweet gentle Inanna why did you hurt me so much...why..."
Tears ran freely down Aphrodite's face as Ares held his broken heart out on his sleeve to her. The other guests stood around the trio mixed expressions on their faces, some of pity, some of anger and some of impatience,
"For kami sama sake Ares! How many times!" Eros groaned pulling out his sword. Aphrodite turned to Eros a disappointed look in her eyes, the Venusian king sighed and lowed the weapon. Aphrodite turned once more to Ares, taking his cheek in her hand as she whispered gently to him,
"Ares, Inanna, my dear sister loved you with all of her heart and I know that your heart aches still for the loss of your soul mate, but it is time for you to let go... Inanna is dead Ares, she died a long time ago in the accident, the fire on the Moon kingdom and..."
"No!!!" Ares yelled pulling away from the blonde haired queen, his hands raised to his ears refusing to listen. He turned slowly eyes clouded with tears as he scanned the crowd of guests for someone who could help him, who could tell Inanna the truth. He stopped as his gaze met that of Eris. The Martian queen stood emotionless before him,
"This is all your fault fire demon, you destroyed everything, you and your 'powers.' You think you are so special because you control the fires, that you are, you are..."Ares roared, his eyes now burning with hatred. Aphrodite reached out to him, afraid of what he may do, but in his anger he brushed her aside,
"Ares..."Eris began, only to be cut off by her husband,
"No Eris, your time will come..." he glowered at her before backing slowly out of the room, with one final glance to Aphrodite he was gone.
"Eris...?"Aphrodite whispered into the silence that followed. The Martian queen glanced up towards the senshi of love,
"Please, everyone, I apologise for the interruption," she looked to the band, which immediately began to play once again,
"Enjoy the remainder of the celebration..."
Eris smiled weakly to Aphrodite before making her own way out of the hall. The Venusian queen turned to Serenity for instruction, but the Moon queen simply shook her head.
"...I promise Eris ... Farewell"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rei peered silently into the grand hall as the scene played out, her heart pounding as her father stormed from the room closely followed by her mother. They would argue again now she supposed-but for some reason this time it felt different.
"Ah I see the little fire bird is sneaking in where she doesn't belong again..."
Rei jumped at the sound of that terrible voice, spinning around she found the grey woman standing closely behind her,
"Did you forget what your father said happened when people are caught spying...?"
Enyo's head titled to the side a sly grin etched upon her face,
"Maybe..."she began moving her face closer to Rei's, "he'll punish someone else for your crime hum...?"
Rei felt her blood boil as the images of the vision she'd had the night of the moon princess' birth flooded her mind and the courage and the passion she had found since her last encounter with the grey woman returned to her,
"Or perhaps I will punish you...evil monstrosity for invading our home!"
Enyo broke her unnerving stare and began to laugh manically,
"Brave words for such a small imp...but I wonder how brave you will be when mama and her little soldiers can no longer protect you..."
At that Rei lunged forwards, her small hands reaching out to attack, but as her fingertips grazed the rough fabric of Enyo's dress the Graeae vanished into thin air.
"Fire bird..."
Steadying herself against the wall, Rei calmed her breath as the feeling of heart breaking anxiety returned to her-in the weeks after her arrival home from the Moon Rei had tried to coax the sacred flames into telling her more about her vision, but they would only replay the same images over and over-perhaps today she would fully understand their meaning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Outside the summer storm was well underway, unyielding rain battered the hard earth as the merciless wind whistled through the trees of the forest bending nature in a twisted rhythm.
Eris hair whipped about her face, unfurled from it regal styling, as she ran quickly through the palace gardens into the bordering forests, it did not take long for the Martian queen to find her fate.
"My time is now Ares." She called over the howling wind. The king turned to face his wife, she appeared before his soulless eyes, the form he hated most,
"Well if it isn't sailor Mars herself, queen Eris - destroyer of lives..."
Enyo emerged from behind Ares, her arms draping over her brother's shoulders as she spoke. Eris recoiled at the image before her; even in the fires the grey woman had never appeared so grotesque.
"What is the matter Mars, don't you remember me?" Enyo laughed, "or is it that I still disgust you after all these years..." her grin became more sinister as she traced an invisible pattern across Ares' chest.
"She's confused dear brother...perhaps she really has forgotten..."
Eris stared hard at the woman by her husband as the initial shock of her words sunk in,
"You were born on Mars...?"
**Flash back**
"It is their decision Harmony, we know that having such a child would not interfere with the marriage arrangements for Eris and Ares, but they worry the girl will bring them disgrace...and quite frankly I believe their decision is correct,"
A four year old Eris watched quietly from a crack in the door as her father paced before her mother's desk,
"The child is a demon, born with the hair of an old woman, a single eye that lolls between both sockets!"
Harmony fixed her husband with her violet gaze,
"Cadmus, Enyo is still a child...all children are born in innocence, it is not right to abandon her..."
**End flash back**
"So you are the Graeae child," Eris began, "The one my mother wished to save..."
Enyo flinched, untangling herself from Ares,
"No...Harmony is the one who abandoned me...the one responsible for all of our pain...Ares your patience has served you well, our plan has reached fruitition, now is the time destroy our pain. Destroy the one who killed your love, your Inanna!"
On command Ares' hand lifted his sword and moved towards his wife. Eris remained unmoving as he advanced towards her - she finally understood the darkness, which loomed over her - in a way Enyo had been right; they had all been cursed by Harmony's eventual allowance of an innocent life to be lost to the darkness.
"Now I will end that curse," Eris muttered. Her palms drew together as if in mediation and then slowly her right hand outstretched she cried,
"Aku Ryo Tai San!"
The force of the charm knocked Ares to the ground, his sword sliding along the soakened earth. Eris turned to Enyo, all fear and worry gone from her features; a total clarity remained as she drew an invisible Mandala in the air before her,
"You use your words to pollute the minds of others, distorting them to serve you but alone you are nothing. You evil creature, using your own brother's guilt and sorrow to turn him against those who truly care - My father was right Enyo, you are a demon..."
Silent words slipped from her tongue, the mandala glowed with a spiritual light,
"Evil - Be gone!"
"Enyo!" Ares cried as her heartless body dissolved within the light of the sacred circle. He stumbled to his feet before charging in a blind rage at Eris, pulling the necklace from her throat he knocked her to the ground before she could speak, his fists beating into her small frame,
"You witch! You fire demon! You've taken away everything, all I had you've take it...all"
He moved away gasping for air, tears streaming down his face as he stared at the woman who lay before him, her eyes offered him only sympathy, no pain, no anger no regrets.
He groaned as he moved backwards to retrieve his sword, his thoughts still not completely his own he prepared to end this pain, to destroy the one who broke him. As his hand touched the cool hilt of the weapon he felt her hand upon his shoulder.
Eris turned Ares around to face her, grasping hold of the hand, which held his sword so that she could speak before he attacked,
"Ares," She began softly, tears forming and spilling slowly over the brim of her eyes, "Open your heart to me again Ares, we were happy once, a long time ago, remember? We were so happy, but Inanna died and you blamed the senshi for not saving her, you blamed me for the fire...it wasn't our fault Ares" Eris voice was little but a whisper, almost lost in the wind as she spoke, "I was the one who pulled her from the flames Ares, I never told you that, I never told you what her dying words to me were... 'Eris do not let Ares suffer,' she said, 'let him know that I love him always...mend his heart Eris, let him feel no pain.' But you would not let me into your arms let alone your heart, you blocked me from your pain, you blocked out your daughter who wanted nothing more than to love you Ares, you became cruel and stubborn and now you will destroy everything, even the dying wish of Inanna?"
Eris' words fell on unwilling ears; Ares pulled his hand from her grasp, his heart as cold to her as winter and eyes as unyielding and uncaring as stone,
"Burn...in Hades Eris."
The Martian queen gasped as the cool metal of Ares' sword sliced through her flesh, as her vision clouded, she reached her hand up slowly to Ares' cheek,
"Light always conquers darkness...I forgive you Ares - my dearest love," she uttered. Ares pushed her from his blade shock and realisation suddenly setting into his features as Eris sank to her knees,
"My sweet, brave ...fire bird..."
Her eyes closed as her body fell to the earth.
"MAMA...!!!"
The heart broken scream pierced to the soul of the Martian king. He looked up to see his daughter, her party dress crimson like blood was torn and stained with mud, her raven hair swirled about her paled face. Ares looked to the ground where his wife lay in a pool of blood mixed with rain, he gasped looking to his own blood stained hands as he backed away, confusion settling in his mind.
Rei watched as her father moved away through the trees, a familiar look appeared in his features; a look of danger or perhaps it was fear - a mixture of hurt, guilt and denial. Rei waited until she could no longer feel his presence before moving closer to her mother's limp form. Slowly she knelt down and reached forward to brush the ebony strands of hair from her mother's face,
"Mama," she called gently, "Its okay mama, he's gone now, we're okay..."
Rei shook Eris softly as the tears, which welled up in her eyes mixed with the rain as they slipped down her cheeks,
"Mama, wake up...wake up..."
Rei sat back, glancing down at the queen's body, her outstretched hand passed slowly over the open wound,
"Mama..."she whispered gazing at the warm blood that covered her tiny fingers. Her heart felt empty. With nowhere else to turn Rei curled up beside her mother, the familiar warmth and love that normally radiated from her now lost, Rei's sobs lulled her into a sorrowful slumber as the summer storm continued heartlessly on around her.
By Himitsu no Hi
A few weeks after the birth of the Moon princess, another celebration was taking place. In honour of the service and devotion given by Harmony, first Queen of Mars and Warrior of Fire, the Royal families, officials and friends of the Silver Millennium had gathered together on Mars to remember the great woman on the tenth anniversary of her passing. The grand Martian ceremony hall was filled with music and laughter as guests arrived by the minute despite the expected onset of the summer storms, in fact only three were missing from the celebration after it had commenced.
Eris had sent word to Ares warning him of the party and ordering him to stay away from the function room throughout, she was well aware of his ill feelings towards many of the guests and did not want him to spoil a celebration in honour of her mother. Ares simply had not replied, he was however, one of the three not in attendance. The Martian queen herself had not yet arrived in the hall and when questioned servants or maids would reply that she would be along momentarily, in truth she remained in the sacred fire temple for a long time after the party had begun. Queen Serenity was the final person absent from the celebrations. It had been decided that the princesses should have a separate party to themselves, as adult gatherings were often boring for the children; and so in a small room just off from the main hall a mini banquet had been set out for them. It was here where Serenity had remained for a while, watching over her little princess as she played with the others, already her daughter had grown to the size of a two year old and the other princesses doted on her.
Princess Serenity sat on the floor giggling with delight as Princess Makoto of Jupiter chased after the blonde Venusian princess who had just spilt her juice over the tall brunette. Princess Ami of Mercury picked up a sandwich and offered it to the young princess as Rei mumbled something about 'immature and silly behaviour.'
The Moon princess' eyes lit up at the offered sandwich,
"nkoo" she smiled to Ami but before she could even taste the delicious present she was pulled from harms way by Ami as Minako tripped on Rei's foot and went sprawling to the ground. Minako picked herself up from the floor and frowned as she peeled the squished sandwich from her dress. All eyes turned to the moon princess who instantly began wailing at the top of her lungs, arms outstretched for her lost present. Rei grumbled as she picked up a biscuit and shovelled it into the crying princess' mouth. Serenity's tears ceased as she sucked on the chocolaty treat. Minako sighed thankful it was all over before throwing the sandwich over her head. The squished savoury landed atop of the Martian princess, successfully snapping the temperamental princess' last straw,
" Mi-Na-ko!!" Rei growled her hands curling into fists as the blonde yelped and took off running once again.
Queen Serenity smiled as she watched the princesses they reminded her so much of her own senshi and herself at that age, it was such a shame they had to grow up. Responsibilities and power took all of the fun from her gatherings these days, something always happened to throw a dampener on their mood. A stray thought of the shadow woman's curse filtered into her mind momentarily. The queen turned at the sound of the door to the room opening and smiled as Eris slipped quietly inside. Rei immediately stopped chasing Minako as she caught sight of her mother,
"Mama!" she cried happily, running into the open arms of the Martian queen. Eris smiled weakly at her daughter as they pulled away from the embrace; she looked ever the part of the beautiful and refined Queen of Mars; it was however, an image of tragic beauty. Her Lilac eyes seemed to be memorizing ever part of Rei's face as she gazed unmoving at her daughter,
"Mama?" Rei tilted her head a bemused expression gracing her features,
"I love you fire bird...always."
"I love you too Mama," Rei grinned seemingly taking no note of the sadness in her mother's voice. Eris passed her hand gently over Rei's cheek and then stood and turned to face Serenity, her expression now serious and businesslike
"Serenity, can I speak with you for a moment...?"
Serenity nodded to her friend as she stood and they moved into the hallway to keep out of the princesses' hearing range.
"Serenity, I need you to promise me something," Eris voice shook slightly as she spoke,
"I need you...if something ever happens Serenity, if something, Ares, he isn't who he used to be Serenity, darkness has..." Eris' hand reached up to the ruby necklace, which hung around her throat, it had belonged originally to her great grandmother and had become to her a symbol of her mother's love, calming and comforting. Her eyes closed for a moment as she tried to compose her thoughts. Serenity reached out and took her fire senshi's hands in her own, her smile shone as Eris' eyes opened to look at her once more, encouraging her to continue,
"Serenity, I have been given such confusing visions lately and have been before the sacred fires for many days, many days but they will show only what I fear and nothing more. A terrible darkness has settled upon the Martian palace, I feel that it has been here since my childhood perhaps long before, but now more than ever it swirls around me as if to choke my breath," Eris voice was barely above a whisper as she continued,
"Serenity, if the darkness should triumph, promise me, promise me that you will protect my daughter, take Rei away from here, her destiny need not be as dim as..."
The desperation in the Martian queen's eyes caused a sudden pang of concern and foreboding within the Moon queen's heart,
"Eris what do you mean...what is going to happen I can help...the others we can..."
Eris shook her head frantically,
"No...no this darkness is mine alone, I will not involve the light in such matters-it will be okay...I regret nothing. Now promise me..."
Serenity tightened her hold on Eris' hands, gentle eyes gazed into lilac turmoil, offering peace and strength,
"I promise...Eris, I promise."
Eris sighed in relief, her shoulders slumped and her head bowed,
"Thank you..."
Violet eyes watched curiously as the scene between Moon and Mars unfolded. Rei had noticed the melancholy in her mother's mood and although their words were lost to the air she knew as Serenity pulled her mother into a warm embrace that only more sadness could follow...
A sudden roar erupted from the Ceremony Hall, causing Eris and Serenity to break quickly from their embrace. Rei slipped quietly back into the room as the queens hurried past her to the party. Biting her lip the Martian princess nodded to herself before edging herself out after them.
The other princesses too deeply involved now in a pillow fight did not notice the absence of the young senshi of fire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Martian ceremony hall had become deathly still; the band had fallen silent upon the entrance of the disorientated Martian king, who had begun to shout madly at the gathered crowd until his gaze met that of Aphrodite,
"Inanna, why did you leave me?" Ares spoke sorrowfully, staring into the tearful blue eyes of the Venusian Queen,
"Ares she is not Inanna for the final time take your hands off my wife!" Eros bellowed glaring daggers at the Martian king. Aphrodite flinched at the sound of her husbands raised voice,
"Stay out of this Eros it is not your concern!" Ares glared back, tightening his hold on Aphrodite's wrist. Ares' blue grey eyes softened as they turned to gaze on Aphrodite once again,
"Inanna, you know how much my heart belongs to you why do you deny the feelings you have for me, sweet gentle Inanna why did you hurt me so much...why..."
Tears ran freely down Aphrodite's face as Ares held his broken heart out on his sleeve to her. The other guests stood around the trio mixed expressions on their faces, some of pity, some of anger and some of impatience,
"For kami sama sake Ares! How many times!" Eros groaned pulling out his sword. Aphrodite turned to Eros a disappointed look in her eyes, the Venusian king sighed and lowed the weapon. Aphrodite turned once more to Ares, taking his cheek in her hand as she whispered gently to him,
"Ares, Inanna, my dear sister loved you with all of her heart and I know that your heart aches still for the loss of your soul mate, but it is time for you to let go... Inanna is dead Ares, she died a long time ago in the accident, the fire on the Moon kingdom and..."
"No!!!" Ares yelled pulling away from the blonde haired queen, his hands raised to his ears refusing to listen. He turned slowly eyes clouded with tears as he scanned the crowd of guests for someone who could help him, who could tell Inanna the truth. He stopped as his gaze met that of Eris. The Martian queen stood emotionless before him,
"This is all your fault fire demon, you destroyed everything, you and your 'powers.' You think you are so special because you control the fires, that you are, you are..."Ares roared, his eyes now burning with hatred. Aphrodite reached out to him, afraid of what he may do, but in his anger he brushed her aside,
"Ares..."Eris began, only to be cut off by her husband,
"No Eris, your time will come..." he glowered at her before backing slowly out of the room, with one final glance to Aphrodite he was gone.
"Eris...?"Aphrodite whispered into the silence that followed. The Martian queen glanced up towards the senshi of love,
"Please, everyone, I apologise for the interruption," she looked to the band, which immediately began to play once again,
"Enjoy the remainder of the celebration..."
Eris smiled weakly to Aphrodite before making her own way out of the hall. The Venusian queen turned to Serenity for instruction, but the Moon queen simply shook her head.
"...I promise Eris ... Farewell"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rei peered silently into the grand hall as the scene played out, her heart pounding as her father stormed from the room closely followed by her mother. They would argue again now she supposed-but for some reason this time it felt different.
"Ah I see the little fire bird is sneaking in where she doesn't belong again..."
Rei jumped at the sound of that terrible voice, spinning around she found the grey woman standing closely behind her,
"Did you forget what your father said happened when people are caught spying...?"
Enyo's head titled to the side a sly grin etched upon her face,
"Maybe..."she began moving her face closer to Rei's, "he'll punish someone else for your crime hum...?"
Rei felt her blood boil as the images of the vision she'd had the night of the moon princess' birth flooded her mind and the courage and the passion she had found since her last encounter with the grey woman returned to her,
"Or perhaps I will punish you...evil monstrosity for invading our home!"
Enyo broke her unnerving stare and began to laugh manically,
"Brave words for such a small imp...but I wonder how brave you will be when mama and her little soldiers can no longer protect you..."
At that Rei lunged forwards, her small hands reaching out to attack, but as her fingertips grazed the rough fabric of Enyo's dress the Graeae vanished into thin air.
"Fire bird..."
Steadying herself against the wall, Rei calmed her breath as the feeling of heart breaking anxiety returned to her-in the weeks after her arrival home from the Moon Rei had tried to coax the sacred flames into telling her more about her vision, but they would only replay the same images over and over-perhaps today she would fully understand their meaning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Outside the summer storm was well underway, unyielding rain battered the hard earth as the merciless wind whistled through the trees of the forest bending nature in a twisted rhythm.
Eris hair whipped about her face, unfurled from it regal styling, as she ran quickly through the palace gardens into the bordering forests, it did not take long for the Martian queen to find her fate.
"My time is now Ares." She called over the howling wind. The king turned to face his wife, she appeared before his soulless eyes, the form he hated most,
"Well if it isn't sailor Mars herself, queen Eris - destroyer of lives..."
Enyo emerged from behind Ares, her arms draping over her brother's shoulders as she spoke. Eris recoiled at the image before her; even in the fires the grey woman had never appeared so grotesque.
"What is the matter Mars, don't you remember me?" Enyo laughed, "or is it that I still disgust you after all these years..." her grin became more sinister as she traced an invisible pattern across Ares' chest.
"She's confused dear brother...perhaps she really has forgotten..."
Eris stared hard at the woman by her husband as the initial shock of her words sunk in,
"You were born on Mars...?"
**Flash back**
"It is their decision Harmony, we know that having such a child would not interfere with the marriage arrangements for Eris and Ares, but they worry the girl will bring them disgrace...and quite frankly I believe their decision is correct,"
A four year old Eris watched quietly from a crack in the door as her father paced before her mother's desk,
"The child is a demon, born with the hair of an old woman, a single eye that lolls between both sockets!"
Harmony fixed her husband with her violet gaze,
"Cadmus, Enyo is still a child...all children are born in innocence, it is not right to abandon her..."
**End flash back**
"So you are the Graeae child," Eris began, "The one my mother wished to save..."
Enyo flinched, untangling herself from Ares,
"No...Harmony is the one who abandoned me...the one responsible for all of our pain...Ares your patience has served you well, our plan has reached fruitition, now is the time destroy our pain. Destroy the one who killed your love, your Inanna!"
On command Ares' hand lifted his sword and moved towards his wife. Eris remained unmoving as he advanced towards her - she finally understood the darkness, which loomed over her - in a way Enyo had been right; they had all been cursed by Harmony's eventual allowance of an innocent life to be lost to the darkness.
"Now I will end that curse," Eris muttered. Her palms drew together as if in mediation and then slowly her right hand outstretched she cried,
"Aku Ryo Tai San!"
The force of the charm knocked Ares to the ground, his sword sliding along the soakened earth. Eris turned to Enyo, all fear and worry gone from her features; a total clarity remained as she drew an invisible Mandala in the air before her,
"You use your words to pollute the minds of others, distorting them to serve you but alone you are nothing. You evil creature, using your own brother's guilt and sorrow to turn him against those who truly care - My father was right Enyo, you are a demon..."
Silent words slipped from her tongue, the mandala glowed with a spiritual light,
"Evil - Be gone!"
"Enyo!" Ares cried as her heartless body dissolved within the light of the sacred circle. He stumbled to his feet before charging in a blind rage at Eris, pulling the necklace from her throat he knocked her to the ground before she could speak, his fists beating into her small frame,
"You witch! You fire demon! You've taken away everything, all I had you've take it...all"
He moved away gasping for air, tears streaming down his face as he stared at the woman who lay before him, her eyes offered him only sympathy, no pain, no anger no regrets.
He groaned as he moved backwards to retrieve his sword, his thoughts still not completely his own he prepared to end this pain, to destroy the one who broke him. As his hand touched the cool hilt of the weapon he felt her hand upon his shoulder.
Eris turned Ares around to face her, grasping hold of the hand, which held his sword so that she could speak before he attacked,
"Ares," She began softly, tears forming and spilling slowly over the brim of her eyes, "Open your heart to me again Ares, we were happy once, a long time ago, remember? We were so happy, but Inanna died and you blamed the senshi for not saving her, you blamed me for the fire...it wasn't our fault Ares" Eris voice was little but a whisper, almost lost in the wind as she spoke, "I was the one who pulled her from the flames Ares, I never told you that, I never told you what her dying words to me were... 'Eris do not let Ares suffer,' she said, 'let him know that I love him always...mend his heart Eris, let him feel no pain.' But you would not let me into your arms let alone your heart, you blocked me from your pain, you blocked out your daughter who wanted nothing more than to love you Ares, you became cruel and stubborn and now you will destroy everything, even the dying wish of Inanna?"
Eris' words fell on unwilling ears; Ares pulled his hand from her grasp, his heart as cold to her as winter and eyes as unyielding and uncaring as stone,
"Burn...in Hades Eris."
The Martian queen gasped as the cool metal of Ares' sword sliced through her flesh, as her vision clouded, she reached her hand up slowly to Ares' cheek,
"Light always conquers darkness...I forgive you Ares - my dearest love," she uttered. Ares pushed her from his blade shock and realisation suddenly setting into his features as Eris sank to her knees,
"My sweet, brave ...fire bird..."
Her eyes closed as her body fell to the earth.
"MAMA...!!!"
The heart broken scream pierced to the soul of the Martian king. He looked up to see his daughter, her party dress crimson like blood was torn and stained with mud, her raven hair swirled about her paled face. Ares looked to the ground where his wife lay in a pool of blood mixed with rain, he gasped looking to his own blood stained hands as he backed away, confusion settling in his mind.
Rei watched as her father moved away through the trees, a familiar look appeared in his features; a look of danger or perhaps it was fear - a mixture of hurt, guilt and denial. Rei waited until she could no longer feel his presence before moving closer to her mother's limp form. Slowly she knelt down and reached forward to brush the ebony strands of hair from her mother's face,
"Mama," she called gently, "Its okay mama, he's gone now, we're okay..."
Rei shook Eris softly as the tears, which welled up in her eyes mixed with the rain as they slipped down her cheeks,
"Mama, wake up...wake up..."
Rei sat back, glancing down at the queen's body, her outstretched hand passed slowly over the open wound,
"Mama..."she whispered gazing at the warm blood that covered her tiny fingers. Her heart felt empty. With nowhere else to turn Rei curled up beside her mother, the familiar warmth and love that normally radiated from her now lost, Rei's sobs lulled her into a sorrowful slumber as the summer storm continued heartlessly on around her.