The Dawn of Serenity Chapter Fourteen He had dreamed again. Shing scarcely thought about his bruises, or the strain the heavy buckets were putting on his thin shoulders -- his thoughts fluttering within the warmth and bright landscape of his dream – as it continued to linger within his mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about the beautiful woman who ran with him through open fields of high grain. Remembering her hypnotic smile, and how she laughed like sparkling water tumbling over smooth alluvial rocks -- her hand felt so smooth in his. He often lay there after as sleep slowly left him, wishing he could stay in the beautiful world of dreams for just a bit longer. Now, however, his dream lived in the waking world; a small light of hope shown in the dark. He smiled to himself, his heart beating in excitement. "You…!" Shing was jolted out of his daydream, almost dropping his buckets. He looked up and felt himself freeze. Before him towered Jadeite, his blue piercing eyes blazing. Shing had never seen a Queen's Lord this close up before. They were the living ghosts that haunted each one of them, enjoying the high life within their towers of gold. Shing always wondered what these Four powerful Lords had done to gain their lofty status above even that of the youma -- what was it exactly in their lucrative past granting them such a prize? "Sir-sir," Shing stuttered. "Come with me," Jadeite ordered. "But -- my work-" "Leave it." Quickly, Shing obeyed and followed on Jadeite's heels. He led him through twisting halls to the bowels of the palace, a place where few humans ever ventured freely. The air within the dungeons burned his eyes and throat, making his stomach turn. Jadeite, on the other hand seemed unfazed, so he pushed on, fearing Jadeite’s reaction to his weakness. Shing could hear distant howls and screams echoing off the cold granite walls that shook him to his bones. He was greatly relieved when Jadeite finally led him into another section and silence became a gracious companion. He kept pace as best he could as a succession of chambers flew by in an excited blur. Shing almost ran into the lord when unexpectedly, he came to an abrupt stop. "Do you know anything about medicine?" Jadeite demanded, surprising the younger boy. He pointed to the kit on the table, and Shing remembered seeing such a thing at Aleksei's once. He had watched as Aleksei's sister cared for Ben’s injuries, always marveling at the magic these remedies possessed. "A little," Shing replied cautiously, but Jadeite didn't seem all that impressed. "This is for burns," Jadeite said, holding up a thick tube. Thus began Shing's impromptu lecture and induction into the healing arts. +++++ Jadeite stared at him expectantly after he had finished. "Do you understand?" "Yes sir," he nodded, even though his stomach fluttered nervously. "Good. There is a bucket of warm water here as well. Use it to clean her up before you administer these. Now go into the next room. This door will shut behind you and the door to her cell will then open." 'Her?' Shing thought as he crossed the threshold. Like Jadeite said, the doors indeed performed their dance of captivity, and Shing soon found himself face to face with the woman of his dreams. She was huddled in the corner, knees drawn defensively to her chest, her muddied hair covering her face. Her pale arms and legs covered in scrapes, burns and cuts, but despite her current state, she was just as glorious as the first time he had seen her. Slowly, he approached her and quietly placed his items at her feet. He could tell she was looking these over skeptically. She lifted her head; her hair of gold shone despite its disheveled condition, and like a parting curtain, revealing her gorgeous eyes. Shing found himself forgetting everything Jadeite had taught him. "Umm, I'm here to clean and treat your wounds," he blabbered out nervously. She seemed to hesitate for a moment, before slowly extending her arms towards him. Silently, he set to work, gently sponging the caked blood and dirt from her skin before tending to the wounds themselves. She never cried out, or spoke, only stiffened when he brushed over a serious gash. He did his best to be careful, considering how nervous he was. Beneath her injuries, her skin was soft and as he treated a cut on her face, he found himself blushing at their close proximity. "Are there any that I've missed?" She turned her back to him, and slowly lowered her head so her hair fell away from her neck. A horrid burn in the form of a circle festered there, and Shing gasped as he realized the pain she must be experiencing. As gently as he could, he tended to it, and for the first time he heard her whimper. "I'm -- I'm sorry," he muttered and tried to go as fast as he could. "There, done!" She turned back towards him and he could see relief in her sparkling eyes. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips and he thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. A loud banging sound outside surprised them both, and Shing knew it was time to go. He gathered his things and then stood quickly, but paused in front of her. He felt as if he should say something, anything. "Well, it was -- um, nice to meet you." Shing sighed, mentally kicking himself. He scampered to the door, feeling her eyes on him. With a hard clank, the door opened. "Thank you." He turned, and found her once more huddled in the corner. +++++ Jadeite waited for him and obediently, he handed back the kit and bucket. "Come now." Jadeite said, and led him out of the stifling dungeons and into the open palace and back to the very place where he first found him. "Good job," Jadeite praised him, surprisingly. "Come back tomorrow at the same time." "But, sir...my job...?" Shing stared at his buckets still lying in disarray on the floor. "This is your job now until further notice." "Okay." "Take this." Jadeite handed him a rectangular card with an engraved J carved into its glossy surface. "Flash it at the guards and they will let you through. They will be waiting." "Okay," Shing replied, apparently unable to think of anything better to say. Jadeite nodded, and wordlessly walked away. Alone, Shing could only stand there, shocked beyond all belief at how his day had turned out. He couldn't believe he had seen her again. Who was she? he wondered. It was then Shing realized he hadn’t even asked her name. "There you are!" Shing gasped, recognizing that sharp voice. Before he could move a muscle, Emshaud's tail wrapped itself around his throat. "Where have you been? Didn't you learn your lesson yesterday?" "I -- he-" Shing watched the world go by in a hazy blur before he felt the impact as he was thrown against the wall. "You will pay for making me look like a fool, you worthless worm!" Shing clamped his eyes shut and saw his insignificant life passing before his eyes, and realized he didn't want to die. He suddenly felt himself falling, and with a thud, he collapsed upon the cold ground. He couldn't hear a sound and couldn't tell if he was still alive or not. Cautiously, he opened one eye, and at the sight before him, both of his chestnut colored spheres opened in surprise. Emshaud was held suspended in mid-air, a look of fear plastered on his reptilian face -- a look Shing had worn seconds before -- the youma finding himself at the mercy of dangerous blue eyes. "Jadeite..." Shing breathed the name of his unlikely rescuer. Jadeite held Emshaud aloft with one hand, his arm outstretched to its full length. The big snake wriggled, but it seemed to require no real effort at all on the part of Lord Jadeite to hold the slithering mass of Emshaud aloft. "What do you think you're doing, Emshaud?" Jadeite barked. "I -- the boy ran away-" he choked out. "I have employed him in my service. He is my worker now, and if you ever touch him again, your life will be mine. Do we understand each other, you filthy animal?" "Yes, yes my lord." Jadeite dropped him, and like a dead weight, Emshaud crashed to the floor. "Now leave!" Jadeite shouted, and Emshaud bolted out of sight with his tail between his legs. The lord smirked with satisfaction, before sweeping his eyes to Shing's small frame. "Are you all right?" "I -- I'm fine, sir," Shing answered, and stood up on wobbly legs. "Good. I'm getting sick of seeing these repulsive beings wandering around this palace. It's not right, somehow." Shing then observed something fleeting passing over the lord's eyes, but he could barely register it before it was gone, as if caught upon the wind. +++++ His room was a cold and stark tomb, but he could think of no better place to live that suited his sensibility. It was located deep inside the palace so no windows or distractions of the Earth could bother him. He took pleasure in the silence. Nothing moved out of place, or hindered him. Everything was immaculately clean, and a new pressed uniform was presented to him every day. He was perfection for his Queen, and he would have it no other way. The others were only the fingers—mere extensions of the Queen’s true power, but he was her right hand. His pen moved slowly, smoothly flowing over the coarse paper in intricate strokes of precision. His pale eyes, impassable and hard, moved with his hand, as did the fortunes of the kingdom at his whim, for he was charged with guiding it while the queen enjoyed playing with her pawn. He would not fail her, nor had he for almost a thousand years now. He knew nothing but blind loyalty and devotion. As he completed his task, the door opened, breaking the seal of his calm disposition and he dropped his pen in annoyance. "My lord, I'm sorry to interrupt-" "What is it, Danburite?" The resurrected soldier approached the desk and bowed reverently, his loose white hair falling into his clear eyes. Amongst the rubble left by their coup many long years ago, they had found their wayward foot soldier, cowering and whispering the name of a golden goddess. "I thought you would like to know, the remodeling of the Crystal Hall is incomplete. Apparently, Emshaud is having trouble with his slaves, or some such nonsense. It won't be ready for tonight's party," Danburite announced. Kunzite sighed irritably. "Move it to the Van Hall. This should have been brought to my attention well before this, Danburite." "It's only a meaningless party, Kunzite. At least it will be online for the Resurrection Gala in a month." "It is still a design of Her Majesty and should reflect her in a positive light." "Yes, of course." "Now-" "Why am I doing this?" Danburite protested. Kunzite raised a fine brow. "Pardon me?" "I'm a soldier, not a hostess. I shouldn't be lowering myself like this." "You are my liaison to the Black Moons. I, the right hand of the Queen, trust you to keep the peace between us, and if that means planning a party -- meaningless parties -- then, so be it. You have an important job. Do not tempt me to take it from you." Danburite sighed in frustration and nodded curtly. "I understand. I just -- I can't stand those sisters!" Kunzite smirked. "When we find Serenitas, I promise you will be on the front line." "Good. I'll hold you to that," Danburite said, throwing Kunzite a wry smile and turned to make his exit. "And Danburite…" he called after the disgruntled military man. "Yes?" "Get rid of Emshaud." "As you wish, Lord Kunzite...." +++++ They gathered within the dark corners of a dingy brothel beneath the palace lights. Loud music vibrated beneath their feet as employees entertained their patrons. A firm hand rested on her slim warm leg, his fingers moving closer to the short hem of her skirt. She watched him from under smoky eyelashes and he watched her as she bit down upon her playful smiling lips. He pictured her long hair replaced by vibrant strands of white silk, her deep smoldering eyes turning to the crystal clear ones he had so long desired. He imagined her whispering in his ear, begging him to-- "What's going on?" He turned to the others, their figures bathed by the red light outside. Together, nine in number they were, and all that was left of their powerful race. His brother stood beside him, quiet and calculating as always with his dark eyes. "Every day I see this place dying, and every day I have to spend here I lose my mind a little more. I cannot stay here any longer, or I will go mad. Esmeraude has been doing our dirty work for us." He turned back towards her then, running his fingers over her cheek. "The Shitennou are growing weaker, and everything is now set in place for us to make our move." "Our sleeping army has but to awaken at our command," Saphir added. “Yes, I too can’t stand this place any longer...” a dark figure with a long braid running through her hair drawled as she twirled a pendulum in her slim hand. "Kunzite is still a problem," Rubeus put in. "Only for a little while longer...." "When do we strike?" A tall woman with dark copper hair asked, clinging to Rubeus' side like a lovesick dog. "After the Gala next month. The power will soon be ours, and we will finally be free." +++++ He was never a big fan of social gatherings. He had avoided them as much as possible long ago in the past, but his station didn't provide him much solitude. The endless waltzes and fake smiles did not fade with her new empire either. It was a tradition he would never escape it seemed. At the beginning, the steps had been full of life as youma, generals and queen alike bathed in the glorious darkness surrounding them. It had been toxic, this endless night and its allure. Even he had danced with his face to the dark sky in rapture. Now, the steps were a vacant ritual as hollow dancers moved to the harsh and discordant rhythms of threading strings. He could see it all so plainly now. This world was dying, and everyone else with it. How had he not seen it before? "This is all so meaningless," a familiar voice echoed his sentiments. Zoicite stood close by, his eyes sweeping the crowd. "Have you noticed the Moons?" Nephrite took a sip of his wine, easily finding Rubeus with his fiery hair. He stood with four sisters that hung on his every word. They had been the only Lunarians willing to switch their allegiance to the Dark Kingdom so long ago, when the Earth was once more turned. The Black Moon family had been more than glad to accept their pledge, enjoying the ratio they now held over the Shitennou’s head. The Queen had seen to the rest of their troubling race, banishing them to the farthest planet in the solar system to live out the rest of their miserable lives. He had been surprised she didn't kill them, but it is true, there are things far worse one could face. "They have been watching us," Nephrite answered. "What do you think Demando is planning?" "I'm not sure, but we know his distaste for Her Majesty’s decision to stay on this wretched planet is eating him alive." "He could be a threat." "We have other problems to deal with," Jadeite's voice cut in. They watched as he plucked a wine glass from a passing slave girl and gulped it down. "Her." "Do you really think...?" "It can't be possible, Zoicite, it can’t possibly be her. I have been to see her; they are right where we left them a thousand years ago," Nephrite shook his head. "Who knows, maybe after all this time...?” Zoicite argued. "We need to tell Kunzite." Both Jadeite and Zoicite emphatically shook their heads at Nephrite's statement. "I don't know if that's wise, just yet." "He's going to find out eventually. We cannot keep things from him." "From who…?" Slowly, they turned, finding his piercing eyes staring at them expectantly. "It's nothing, don't worry yourself about it," Jadeite smiled and took their leader by the shoulder. "This is a lovely party, Kunz, did you plan it all yourself?" "Danburite and the sisters did, actually." "Well, that explains the color coordination. Are they all colorblind?" Kunzite could see through his friend's mischievous grin, and opened his mouth to speak, but the words never came out. "Lord Kunzite," a scratchy voice interrupted. A scuttling youma with claws bowed before them. "What is it?" "The Queen calls for you," he announced. "All right," Kunzite nodded reluctantly and turned back towards the others. "I will talk to all of you later," he said, but this was more a disguised order. They watched as he disappeared into the throng of endless youma, trying to find meaning in forgotten steps. Zoicite sighed. "What are we going to do?" +++++ As nobles lost themselves in music and wine, Shing huddled at the Elders feet. This elder was thin and tall, his white hair covering his pale eyes. The eldest and the last of their esteemed company sat at the back of the room, their ancient eyes watching the crowd of children quietly. The cold wind had brought them all inside tonight, and Shing had only seen all three of them together on very few occasions. They were almost as mysterious as the Queen’s Lords themselves, for none could remember a time when the Elders hadn't been around, or where they had come from to begin with. "What would my young ones like to hear about tonight?" the Elder in front of them asked. "About the animals!" "No, I want to hear about the flying metal birds." "What about the wars?" "What about the princess!" "Yes, yes the princess!" Unfortunately, for the boys present, they were outnumbered by the excited girls giggling in the room, nodding their approval. "Oh, that tale again…? Well all right." They soon fell quiet around him, gazing with wide receiving eyes. "Long, long ago, there was a beautiful kingdom. It soared high in the air, far beyond the clouds. All the people of that kingdom knew was the beauty of the open skies, and knew nothing of this dark world. They were content with their lives, and wished not to explore beyond their happy home -- except for one -- one day, their curious and beautiful princess ventured beneath the blanket of clouds, she marveled at our world of dark light, and pitied and feared it. But she fell in love with its tragic prince the moment she first set her fair eyes upon him. But she, from the light, and he from the dark, and their love was not supposed to be. She could not live without him though, and gave up her place in the heavens to join him." He paused briefly, taking in the excited young eyes of his audience, smiled, cleared his throat and pressed on with his story, "Her sacrifice was just enough to save our world. The world was bathed in tremendous light and the dark clouds parted. For the first time the sun nurtured the land and trees grew, and mountains rose. The evil was pushed far beneath the ground and life bloomed in every corner of this world. Together, the prince and princess lived happily and everyone thrived. But it was not to last. Evil wanted its revenge. It seeped through the ground, slowly at first. The prince and princess and her soldiers, the Sailor Senshi, fought each evil in turn, saving the world countless times, that was until the greatest evil rose to face them. They fought so bravely against the Queen, for they had come to love this world, but the evil won out. It covered the land once more, breaking it and burning the sky. And thus we fell into this world we know, void of beauty and heroes to save it." "Tell us about the Sailor Senshi." "They were beautiful women, agents of love and justice. Each held strength of an element; each held a fiery devotion to their princess and one another." "What happened to the princess and her friends -- did they die?" The Elder paused for a moment or two, his hazy eyes seeming to remember an old scene. "No one knows for sure. Perhaps they returned to their world above the clouds." +++++ The next day, Shing rose excitedly from his bed and raced towards the dungeons. He didn't dream, or sleep much for that matter. He had truly found something in this world greater than a dream. He had made sure to dress in his best clothes and nervously smoothed back his hair as he stood before her cell door. Quickly, he stepped into her damp cell and finally found himself before her once again. Shing's heart sank as he found her huddled in the same corner as before, instead of waiting his return. As he approached, his smile faded completely. Every cut, scrape and burn he had tended shone even brighter today -- all his work had been cast aside, the bandages piled up in a bloody mess. He set his bucket and kit down, and kneeled before her. "What happened?" She stirred at the sound of his voice, and slowly turned to face him. Her eyes were glazed with tears and pain. "They tortured me again." "But...why did they have me help you if they were only going to hurt you again?" Shing demanded. "So I would feel it all over again." A shuddering sigh escaped her lips, and Shing felt sick to the stomach. "That's horrible! And they want me to help now, just so they can do it again? Well, I won't!" he pledged vehemently and rose to his feet. "No!" Her hand gripped his firmly, and Shing found himself blushing like a new bride. She gazed up at him, her face pleading for him to understand. "You have to do what they say. If you don't, they'll punish you and I -- I can't be responsible for that! Please." "But-" "Please, it'll be okay." A feeble smile tugged at her cracked lips, and Shing sighed. Wordlessly he nodded and slowly grabbed for his things. As Shing brushed over her injuries, with every small cry, or motion of pain she made, he felt his young heart break. His mind reeled with frustration. How could anyone want to hurt someone like her? Whatever he had felt for Lord Jadeite saving his life faded only to anger. That man was torturing his new friend, torturing a helpless woman for no reason besides the fact she was an Underling, and he needed answers only she could give. Jadeite hadn't saved him because he was human; he had saved him because he needed him, too. Tears began to collect at the corners of his eyes, but he couldn't let them fall in front of her. "Why don't you give them what they want?" he asked childishly. "I cannot," she shook her head. "They want something that I -- I do not have anymore." Shing finished his ministrations and sat there for a moment with shaking hands. He watched as she reached out with her own, embracing his in a caring grip. The door banged once more, heralding their last moments. "Do not worry for me. Go, I will see you tomorrow." Numbly, Shing nodded and once again gathered his things. He turned away from her then, wiping his betraying tears away before they could fall. "Wait," she called after him, and he did her bidding. "What's your name, anyway?" "It's Shing," he answered, and she offered him her slender hand. Shing took it willingly, loving the way it felt as she shook his own gently. "Nice to meet you, Shing," she smiled. "And yours?" "Minako...."