ORPHEUS
Setsuna stood upon a vast sandstone plateau gazing out over an impressive landscape far below. Then looking into mauve skies, wondering how far Orpheus was from Earth she sighed with contentment. Free at last to be her true self and discover who she really was beyond that old role as Guardian of time. She certainly didn't miss her duties and old responsibilities and wondered how she'd lasted as long as she had.
Prince Enki explained how he and the cats had found her. They had picked up powerful energy signatures coming from a similarly constructed crystal portal to that on the moon and decided to investigate. It was quite a shock when Setsuna realized where she was. She had traveled light years beyond the solar system.
"Setsuna, You see, the people of Mars, Jupiter and Mercury – all the planetary kingdoms within your star system are completely oblivious to each other's existence, believing these destroyed by Queen Beryl's forces," Loki, the second new Mauan she'd met since her arrival explained.
She considered this carefully.
"Hmmm, I never lost the knowledge of my world. Why?"
"As former guardian of time, you weren't likely to return to your kingdom, as was required under the agreement each temporal priestess or priest accepts upon initiation as mistress or master of time. So, only you remember. Our enemies didn't expect you to lose the responsibility for the garnet rod…so in effect it's somewhat of a mixed blessing, you see," Morgana added.
The Mauan cats told the story of a legend concerning a crystal girl who was the queen of the Sulean Senshi, linked to the old order that once ruled Terra and Orpheus long before the separation of these two planetary sisters. She is known as The Oberisku no Shoujo.
"I see now, I hadn't been aware of her existence, but there was more I could have learnt if I dared to look, but again I would have been expelled from my duties. I guess that is a moot point now."
---
She sat demurely upon a stone seat carved from a chunk of burnt-orange Orpheusean rock, one of several arranged in a circle surrounding a magnificent octagonal white marble altar within the celestial temple dedicated to the goddess Liata. The structure lay open to the sky and was beautiful at night, as she had spent some time here in quiet contemplation star gazing with either Loki or Morgana by her side. She breathed in the fresh mountain air and smiled, watching Enki.
Raising his hands, he began his incantation. Setsuna wrapped the velvet cloak tighter around herself.
She was mesmerized as five luminous orange tubes appeared before her, making up the powerful circlet, these rising eight feet into the air. The tubes vibrated in sympathy with Enki's chant.
Setsuna's eyes widened as a beautiful city appeared before her. Enki took her outstretched hand, and with the cats close behind, they crossed the threshold.
They stood in a glorious courtyard of flagstone, amid buildings fashioned from marble, granite and crystal. She took in the vast public square, noticing with surprise how deserted it was. She was impressed by the spectacular zodiac motif at their feet, the symbols unfamiliar to her, quite ornate.
Enki led her to a pedestal with a luminous circular pink crystal touchpad and asked her to place her palms upon its smooth surface.
She began to feel gentle vibrations pulsing through her hands. In an instant, she acquired a working knowledge of the Orpheusean Horoscope. She marveled at how easy it was to accumulate knowledge via this technology.
"Where are all the people?"
He smiled surreptitiously, placing an index finger upon her lips. He took her hand, making her blush a little. They walked in companionable silence with the cats leading the way.
Setsuna found Enki most compelling, the truth was, she was quite attracted to him.
‘I know he is the one meant for me after all this time…I have found him, my eternal love.'
Enki, in his black uniform with its silver trim, smiled down at her. He was almost seven feet tall, lean and his violet eyes, hair of gold and strength of character, not to mention his sense of humor captivated her.
"This is my home, Odina, the city of artisanship and love," he said, giving her a tender look before turning away.
"You're an artist?" Setsuna questioned, gazing upon the megalithic structures and impressive botanical gardens interspersed between majestic monuments.
"Of sorts," he replied, lifting a silver orb as its shimmering light flashed.
After the luminous glow subsided, Setsuna beheld a city filled with thousands of people going about their daily lives.
"What just happened there?" Setsuna asked, both fascinated and curious.
"You were scanned, to make sure no negative viruses were implanted on your person, or in your bio-energetic field," he explained with a wry grin.
Setsuna's eyes doubled in size, "Don't tell me. You had to be sure I wasn't a plant by the Alliance?" she thought this made perfect sense, but felt a little offended, thinking she'd won his trust.
"Of course I trust you, Setsuna," he said, smiling.
She laughed, "I should have guessed you could read my thoughts. I will have to be careful what I think about, now, wont I," She smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes, looking him up and down as his face reddened.
"Touché, you've got me there," he laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Let's go."
---
"I'd like you to meet my family, Setsuna."
Enki took her hand and they walked along the long concourse into a vast chamber of wonders. Queen Freya stood smiling before them, her emerald ankle-length skirt adorned with gold floral motifs sewn into its fabric and matching top showing off the luster of bronzed skin, contrasting with her cascade of blonde hair, that fell in a sumptuous plait, giving the woman a striking countenance. She was truly beautiful. Enki was proud of his mother and she could see why.
Setsuna was then introduced to his sister, Magenta Dawn. The adolescent girl possessing an open innocent face, yet wisdom and the unmistakable fire of Senshi magic came off her in waves.
The Queen and Princess embraced Enki and did the same with Setsuna. Aki, the youngest was a vivacious thirteen-year-old blonde child with large silvery-blue eyes and a penchant for storytelling.
After being treated to a lavish meal, a walk in the gardens with Enki and his sisters and mother, she retired to her assigned bedchamber, a beautiful room with a stunning décor of lavender and gold tones. Tired and content, she surrendered to the sumptuous soft bed that spirited her away to a deep and wonderful night's sleep.
Setsuna woke to find Loki staring at his reflection in the mirror, and he turned to greet her. The Mauan hopped up on his hind legs, placing his front paws upon Setsuna's knees, and leapt onto her lap. She stroked his soft fur and rubbed his ears.
"I hope you slept well last night, Setsuna," he said, jumping onto the floor, rubbing against Setsuna's bare legs and feet. His fur was so soft and warm. It made her giggle.
"Yes thank you, Loki," she said, smiling.
"We're going to be working closely with you, Setsuna. There are things you need to know." The creamy-ginger Moon Cat tilted his head and looked at her for a moment, purred, then continued, "it's not going to be easy, but Enki has faith in you and really likes- Whoops," Loki crouched and sat like a moneybox as if waiting for her to place a coin into an imaginary slot on his back, and began washing himself. "Sorry, I think I let...myself out of the bag." Loki blushed.
Setsuna laughed, and once more ruffled his soft ears. "It will be yours and my secret, Loki. I must admit, he is as Usagi would say, quite…dreamy."
FOUR YEARS LATER
Setsuna sat in her room reading as music, played by palace musicians, drifted into her chambers, as did the fragrance of Ixia flowers, a bloom similar to Tuberoses on Earth.
Later that morning, Lady Myola appeared with a woman from Setsuna's home world. Daphne, the high priestess of Chronos on Pluto, stood beside the crystal monarch, in her white ceremonial robes with their floral motifs, her long black hair falling to the backs of her knees. She bowed to Myola and rushed forward to receive the tearful and overjoyed Setsuna, the former teacher and student sharing a moment of reunion after such a long separation.
"Child, how you've grown, and how proud I am of you, my daughter."
Daphne's greeting was warm, no reproach, no lecture on her failure to hold to the code Setsuna had sworn to uphold, all those centuries past.
"But why, Lady Daphne?"
"The pledge is but a challenge, it holds to a duel code, and that you had to discover for yourself. You see, your sacrifice opened you to a deeper, more profound truth, and this was your reward, to be freed of the responsibility as Guardian of Time. Your Star Seed has blossomed. Your reign as monarch of our home has begun. I will bestow the rod to its next bearer and you are free," so saying, the garnet rod appeared in Daphne's hands. "I am happy to say, you have fulfilled all my greatest hopes and for your actions, you are rewarded."
Daphne beckoned prince Enki forward, "My lady?"
"I see young man; you have the heart of a warrior and will make a fine monarch and future king, so I wish to give you both my blessing, for so beautiful a sight it is indeed, to see two souls reunited after so distant a time apart. I wouldn't expect either of you to remember. But know this, both of you. The gods are well pleased and shall bless your union."
Daphne smiled at the two young lovers and nodded as she excused herself and spoke briefly with Lady Myola and Freya before she vanished in a flare of indigo light, cradling the Garnet Rod.
An hour later, Freya returned wearing her gold fuku with its sapphire trim, holding an amber power staff – her face aglow with love and pride.
Myola hugged Freya and smiled at Enki and Setsuna. "All be well with you both and many children, my dear ones," she said, offering a brilliant smile before vanishing in a blaze of violet light.
The Orpheusean Spring (months later)
Setsuna's emerald locks poured over her comely figure to mid-thigh in a silky curtain. She smiled at her reflection as Loki rubbed against her legs, watching their images in the smooth crystal mirror as she played absent-mindedly with the beautiful necklace and the quartz raven nestled between her breasts that caught the light. She looked stunning in her short lemon-green skirt, its hem glittering with tiny jade stars; the bodice embroidered with Orpheusean emeralds was certainly eye-catching.
Morgana stood in the doorway winking at Loki as he rubbed noses with his purring companion; this, their customary greeting. They trotted side by side, and followed Setsuna as she moved at speed across the vast atrium.
Enki called out his greeting and quickened his step, lifting Setsuna off her feet and swung her in a circle as she laughed with joy as he kissed her. They stood staring into one another's eyes. Setsuna studied his features, noticing the luster of star gems, on his uniform indicating his rank amongst the Orpheusean Shitennou and his regal status as crown prince. Enki then kissed the flawless skin of her throat, working his way back to her sweet mouth. Their lips meeting once again as their kiss deepened.
"Let's do this!" she said, and he smiled.
"It shall be the grandest royal conjoining ever. I love you, my Setsuna!"
"And I you, my dearest!"
---
It was not long after the conjoining of Setsuna and Enki that Aki had vanished just before the warship commissioned to take her to Earth was due to leave. Freya knew her youngest daughter, now sixteen, was already on Earth and had evolved into a being much like her biological mother.
