"We were reincarnated to find our master, Prince Endymion. But while our memories hadn't returned...We were ensnared once more by that thing. We sold ourselves into slavery."+
As the elaborate timepieces stationed at various points around the palace told him, the hour was growing late. Not many subjects walked the crystal halls at this hour. Nevertheless, he maintained his poise. Keeping a mask of indifference upon his face proved to be an arduous task, and the lord felt the weight of the long day pressing hard upon his shoulders. Some had noticed his heightened agitation and sharpness of his words to the occasional wavering tone in his voice, but those under his command dared not question their Lord.
He passed the guards as he made his way into the deeper recesses of the palace. In a matter of minutes, found himself virtually alone within these dark chambers. He slowed his pace, allowing himself to relax. His exhalations escaping quivering lips -- hands clenched at his sides. He needed to find release.
Eventually, he came upon a set of strong metal doors that despite his rank, the guards would always double-check and confirm his identity. With an unearthly groan, these finally opened-- then closed behind him, and he found himself alone, at last.
The massive walls, ascending to lofty heights overhead while the stifling darkness smothered the sheen of its druse interior -- a piercing light shone at its center, but did little to illumine the vacuous chamber, as if it were embracing the darkness. He could hear the power calling to the night. He approached reverently. Inside the dark red light was the source of his relief. The crystal was no bigger than his hand, but it held more power than he could ever imagine. Its outer petals tinted black and morphed into a beautiful shimmering gold center. It circled slowly about him, caught in its prison of light.
Kneeling before the altar, he bowed his head and closed his eyes. He reached into himself, channeling the dark power that filled his body. Whispers without names caressed his mind, and out of them all, he could hear her voice calling his name. His brow creased as he focused on the crystal before him. The beam of light wavered for the briefest of moments, and he gasped as the crystal's power flooded him with rejuvenating streams of dark energy. He drank it in greedily, reveling in its intoxicating allure as her voice grew ever dimmer within his mind.
When he opened his eyes, they were steady once more, and no sign of hesitancy was indicated in those auburn pools. He smiled to himself, content with the small victory. This time it would not return, he was sure of it.
"Having trouble, my lord?" He turned abruptly, spotting her graceful figure set against the amaranthine backdrop easily enough. Her emerald-green hair swarmed about her hips, but he was drawn to the rose-colored smirk upon her full lips.
"Esmeraude...."
"Nephrite…" She mocked with a bow and glided her way to his side.
"What do you want?"
"I was just in the neighborhood. Why are you drawing power from the crystal?"
"I do not answer to you." He huffed and rose abruptly.
"I'm just worried about you," she pouted. "That's the second unscheduled dose you've taken in the last three weeks."
"Don't worry yourself over me," he said dismissively and stormed out of the chamber.
"You should worry about yourself, Lord General," her voice followed him tauntingly.
He made it only a few feet out of the room before another figure came sweeping down the hall in hurried steps. Sharp blue eyes unreadable, but after so many years together, he could see beneath the surface to the underlying agitation.
"Jadeite, what is it?" Nephrite asked raising an eyebrow.
"We have a situation. One of my Hunters brought back...shall we say…interesting prey."
"An Underling...?"
"Even more than that -- find Zoicite and meet me at Interrogation as soon as you can."
"All right," Nephrite nodded. Jadeite's strong hand stopped his motion, and he couldn't help but be surprised at the uncertainty floating on the surface of his sapphire pools.
"Hurry."
+++
The world was changed.
It had been almost a thousand years since he last saw a sunrise and felt the warm wind upon his pale face. He couldn't remember when last he heard the rhythmic song of the ocean or the feeling of sand between his toes. He missed those things the most, although he could never figure out why. Lately, his thoughts only focused on those blurry memories of a far off past, a life snuffed out by a cold, evil torrent -- by him.
During the Resurrection, it had been his job to scour the dead lands for remaining life. He and his fellow soldiers swept the Earth like wraiths, destroying anything they could find, leaving frozen tundra in their wake. In each place they had haunted, he took a sample of everything he could find, fragments of life that would no longer exist in the coming new world. He kept them locked away in his lab, but she had allowed some of these things to re-surface.
This hall was a crypt to a past that no longer existed. Slowly, he walked down the isles, his eyes passing over everything, paying it due homage. He glided by ancient utensils made of metals and clay, their smooth engravings and pictures faded over time. A few out dated appliances such as televisions and radios were next, followed by strange outfits with meaningless words upon them.
He realized he was not alone as voices chorused excitedly ahead of him. A group of teens romped through these halls in the dwindling hours of night. Each youth was a different size, shape and color. Humans once cowered in fear of their malevolence, but now, humans groveled beneath them in status. Youma had replaced humans as the dominant species on the Earth as their Queen spread her treachery to every corner of this sphere. Only a select number of humans -- himself included -- held any station in their eyes.
He watched as they stopped in front of a blue kite. Its worn edges frayed after the passing of time it had endured and had managed to survive the destruction of the beautiful park where it once flew freely in peaceful skies. The teenagers stared at it, unsure what to make of the strange device.
"Stupid humans," a youth with bright orange skin proclaimed, making a disapproving face. "So ridiculous with their contraptions…."
Once they had scampered off, he stared at the kite for a long time. It would never fly in the free breeze again, or taste the rain-filled clouds in summer. He pictured it flapping in the wind, its long string held by a graceful woman's hand, and a smile in the owner’s blue eyes -- He shook his head, and continued on his way, plunging deeper into the secrets of the hall -- the next chamber far larger than its predecessors, housing ancient items of unbelievable grandeur. Rusty cars and buses lined the obsidian walls. Cranes reached towards the gray granite ceiling, even a small Ferris wheel stood dormant, it no longer shone or moved as it once had. He had no more time for cold, artificial things today, however.
Another room exhibited rare animals no longer found anywhere else upon the ravaged surface of the planet. They were his pride and joy. It took years for him to develop the technology to reproduce their cells, but the hall chorused with his success. Colorful birds sang to each other while a large elk stomped at the ground. He lingered here longer than the first two chambers, checking over panels, their insistent beeping music to his ears as data was continuously processed.
A door stood between himself and the next vault. It loomed cold and hard against the dark walls. There were no locks or handles, only a cool metallic surface that refused to give up its secrets to anyone without consent. Unaffected by its omnipotence, he faced it without fear. At his presence, the obtrusion lifted obediently, ushering in its master.
Once inside, the door slid shut soundlessly behind him. This small room, for a second or two was bathed in darkness. He heard a clicking sound in the darkness, and after a moment blinked as another door opened before him, and instantly, a bright, warm light sprang to life. He crossed the threshold stepping into the magnificence of a vast high domed sanctuary. His senses were overwhelmed by the sights and smells encompassing the vast chamber.
Before him, a lavish garden full of mighty trees to the smallest of flowers met his eyes. Every shade represented the world lost to its color beyond these white walls. He shielded his eyes from the bright artificial sun shining above and slowly made his way to a large open gazebo. Such splendor would never be allowed outside these walls. This place was a private wonderland, a gift from a Queen to her beautiful obsession. As he neared the apex of this incredible chamber, he found he wasn't alone.
"Nephrite," he greeted. His companion sat aloof, his eyes scanning the brightly colored fields.
"Do you dream, Zoicite?"
Taken aback, the flaxen haired general could do nothing but stare at first. "But, you know -- none of us dream anymore."
"The wind brings whispers from the slaves. They say the young ones still dream."
"It can't be true. Elysian was destroyed, you know this. It couldn't stand against the darkness."
"This place..."
The water system sprung to life, showering parts of the garden like a light morning mist. The colors of light refracted in the air like summer fairies caught in the act of play. The artificial wind was soft and warm. He believed that if he listened hard enough, he could hear the sound of birds singing their melodic tunes. "I couldn't understand why she would allow this place to exist. But, perhaps I do now. It is beautiful."
"Nephrite, what is this all about?"
"It's nothing," Nephrite shook his head, stood up and faced the other man. "Jadeite has something important to show us. We shouldn't waste anymore of his precious time."
+++
Jadeite stared at the woman seated before him as if she were a ghost. The interrogation room was dark; the only light, positioned towards her, shone directly into her eyes. She was unable to see him, but could sense his omnipotent presence. She was strapped securely to the chair, her hands fidgeting as the metal straps clamped tightly around her wrists. Two more straps secured her dirty legs, while a band held her head in place. The back of her neck rested against a sphere of cold metal. For something so small, it brought fear even to his mind.
The light magnified the luster of her golden hair, and he felt his heart tightening in his chest at its magnificence. He turned to the darkened window to his right, knowing his companions were only a thin barrier away, and they too were experiencing the same sense of apprehension and doubt he was. Taking only a moment to steel himself, he turned to his captive.
"Where is Serenitas?" his voice boomed through the room, causing her to jump.
"What? No friendly banter first?" she laughed nervously.
Jadeite sighed inwardly, and pressed a small button in his hand. The cold metal sphere pressing on the back of her neck tingled before a wave of electricity coursed through her body. She screamed out in shock and pain.
"Where is Serenitas?" His voice echoed in a cold monotone once again.
"You know the answer we all give you. It won't change with me."
He sent a stronger jolt this time, its merciless current rushing through her body making her teeth chatter violently. The after effect of this last surge lasted far longer than did the first. After he let it pass, she began panting, tears streaming from her blue eyes and trickling down her cheeks.
"Where is Serenitas?"
She cringed as he spoke, but she did not falter. At her silence, he answered with another jolt. The current paralyzed her to the point where she was no longer able to scream. Her body burned, sending her into agonizing spasms. As he watched her convulse, the knot in his chest grew ever tighter. He had never felt this way before when interrogating a prisoner. For years, he had been an unwavering extension of Her Majesty’s justice and her law. This woman was different, however. Those he had tortured previously were nameless faces, but she -- she had a face the General of the Dark Kingdom could never forget.
On impulse, he turned the power up to its highest setting, enraged by his mixed emotions. She cried out, and gripped the arms of the chair until her scraped knuckles began to bleed. Then something happened that Jadeite would never forget. Amongst the blue lattice of electricity circling above her head, a golden light started to glow, a stunning corona enveloping her physical outline. He could hear the electricity buzzing strangely, like a struggling bee trapped in a swirling wind. All at once, the power exploded. Jadeite shielded his eyes protectively as he felt the electricity prickle the back of his neck, and the strange golden energy now burning within his heart. It took hold, squeezing the breath from his lungs. He looked up, and gasped at what he saw. She sat there, flames of golden fire flowing off her form. Her power reached out to the far corners of the dark room, destroying the darkness that he thrived in. The flames traveled closer to him, and he found himself retreating in fear of their touch. Then, a large boom shook his senses as the power was cut and the light flickered out.
Darkness consumed the room for a few moments before the red emergency lights flickered on. Jadeite lifted his eyes and found her shaking form still restrained in the chair. She peered right into him, his shield of darkness shattered, exposing him. The red lights had changed her eyes, and now she stared at him with frightening scarlet spheres, her entire form bathed in blood. He gasped, as memories of an ancient battle cut through his mind.
"Who -- who are you?" he sputtered. She only stared at him in confusion and pain, her expression bringing back the sounds of ghostly voices and scenes he shouldn’t be remembering. He shuddered, as an unearthly fear took hold coming from this woman strapped to a chair. Then, without looking back, he gathered himself, and fled the room and those haunting eyes.
+++
"There, that should do it."
Aleksei stretched his shoulders tentatively as his sister placed the last of the bandages securely. It was secure all right, but not limiting, a fact that would make his job the next day a little easier to deal with.
"Thanks Rin. I tried sleeping on it, but it was just keeping me awake. I knew I had to come and find you."
"You should have found me right after it happened," she chided. "Did you think it didn't need treatment?"
"The thought had crossed my mind -- that was, until I discovered I could barely move it at the end of the day," Aleksei grinned sheepishly.
"What did you do to get this anyway?" she questioned, a hint of irritation in her eyes.
He shied away from her dark gaze. "It's nothing."
"Aleksei," she raised her voice condescendingly.
"Shing got into trouble today. I had to help him."
"In trouble with Emshaud...? You could have gotten yourself seriously hurt Alex!"
"But I didn't. I think the old snake is going soft."
His sister sighed, before shaking her head in disbelief. "It's a good thing I'm able to procure their advanced medicine for your heroics. This shouldn't bother you too much tomorrow, it'll heal soon enough."
"Your gifts come at a price..." The small timepiece in the room sounded out the thirteenth hour, and he stared at her expectantly. "Don't go."
"Alex..." she sighed and turned towards the door, "you know I must. Goodnight little brother, I'll see you tomorrow. Try not to get into too much trouble."
+++
She only stopped long enough to return her kit to her bedroom before traversing the cold halls that led to his room. Quietly, she entered his chambers, fearful of disturbing her lord from his work. He kept late hours, and it had taken her a long time to adjust to his schedule. He worked most of the night and slept the morning away. But, she mused, there wasn't very much difference between night and day in this world.
A small fire burned in the hearth, illuminating the chestnut hair of her lord. He sat in a plush chair, his back to her. The fire outlining his hair, turning its edges a frightening red, like the smoldering coals themselves. Slowly she approached and stood beside him.
"My Lord," she curtsied. Silence met her greeting, and she began to fear he didn’t hear her -- so intense was his gaze as he stared at the fire, but it had consumed him, so lost was he in its spell.
Her voice -- even after a dose of dark energy -- still managed to invade his mind; there seemed to be no escaping it. "My Lord?" she repeated louder this time, and Nephrite came to his senses. He looked up at her, and she was surprised at his unfocused glare.
"Irinushka," he whispered after some time had passed.
"My Lord, are you all right?" she asked.
"Leave, Irinushka.... I do not desire your services tonight. Go home." he barked bitterly.
"As you wish," she answered, and obediently headed for the door.
"Irinushka, wait." Abruptly she turned, finding him on his feet. For a moment, his eyes held what she thought to be fear, but it was gone seconds later.
"My Lord...?"
"Please -- come and sit with me."
Confused, but knowing better than to disobey, she came to join him, taking a seat in an adjacent chair. The fire cracked loudly as they sat still in the quiet night. Irinushka cast her eyes over his face, seeing emotions stirring beneath his smooth skin, as she had never seen in him before. Her lord was dominating, confident and mysterious, but this man seemed everything but.
"How...how do you live, Irinushka?"
"I-I beg your pardon?"
"The state of your life, how do you live in this palace?"
'Horribly,' she wanted to shout at him, but between the lips of her thin smile she uttered, "I live fine."
"You are lying."
It wasn't a question or accusation, but fell from his lips as only the truth. She stared at him for a long moment. "I live better than most humans. I virtually have free reign of the palace, fine clothes and ample food. I get time to myself during the day and even get cared for."
"Because you are mine," he stated simply, "and the other humans, how do they live?"
"Well..."
"Speak freely, Irinushka," he read her mind again.
"They live trapped and miserable in hovels befitting dogs. There's barely enough food or medicines, the only peace they find is when they sleep. All of us are nothing more but animals for the slaughter to youma, to you. Why are you asking me this? Don't you know how this world works? You live like kings while the rest of your brethren-" She realized she was getting heated, and abruptly closed her mouth, choking on her angered words.
"I have known. But, until now, I -- I never realized," he admitted.
"How...?"
"I, I don't know."
She had always resented this man. She had been forced to give him every secret part of her, had been forced to bend to his will whenever he called. She was but a thing to him. However, she resented him because of moments like these, when he appeared human and vulnerable, and no longer an extremity of the Queen. She couldn't hate him, because something seemed to lurk within the shadows, some hope to which she clung. More and more these past weeks, these episodes occurred more frequently, and this time she planned to find out why.
"Lord Nephrite, what is troubling you so?" She could tell he harbored hesitancy and was reluctant to divulge his private thoughts, and reached out to cover his hand with hers. "My lips belong to you. I cannot betray my Lord. You would not have asked me to stay if there wasn't something..."
"Tell me Irinushka; tell me the truth," he turned to her then and passionately grabbed her arms, "is it true, the slaves dream?"
"I, I-"
"You are mine, remember?" He urged, putting more pressure on her forearms.
"Yes, it's true. The children dream, but not many adults. Please, do not tell the queen, she'll-"
"I dream," he admitted, and slumped back into his chair.
"You -- you dream?" she repeated, surprised.
"For a few weeks now, it's always the same thing. She’s haunting me..."
She was shocked to find his voice wavering like a banner in the winter wind, and his eyes reflected the fire’s quivering flames. He looked away from them suddenly, and took a deep breath to steady himself. The fire burned within his eyes, but what he had seen in Interrogation as the room exploded in golden light frightened him even more.
"Who is...she?"
"I don't know. But I feel as if I should remember her. She wants revenge. Do you want revenge, Irinushka, for what I've done to you, for what we've done to everyone?"
She sat for a long time with her hands folded in her lap. For a moment, her fingers tightened around one another as she fought her initial rage to get at the true answer. The life of a slave was filled with malice towards their owners, but something was deeper than the hate.
"No," she finally admitted. "I just want to be free."
At her confession, Nephrite sighed, and his eyes closed. Outside, the wind banged insistently against the crystal walls as a night storm began to rise.
"I cannot offer you your freedom, for I have none of my own."
+++
The door shut soundlessly behind her. A single light shone dimly in the large room and by its luminescence, she slowly made her way across its length. Along the way, she reached down, slipped her black boots off and cast them into the void of night. Her gloves were almost a second skin, but it felt good to have her fingers free of their encasement. Nimble fingers worked to unclasp the heavy necklace of emeralds from around her neck, and the long zipper of her dress as it released her allowing the revealing dress to fall to the floor with a whoosh. It wasn’t long before darkness embraced her exposed skin.
Gently, she pulled back the silken sheets and sighed as they gently danced across her body in fluttering waves. She rolled to her side, enjoying the feel of the sheets as she kicked her feet into a comfortable position. Once satisfied, she smiled and slowly closed her eyes.
His hand reached out towards her slim waist possessively, and his strong arm pulled her closer to his form. The warmth of the sheets could not match the touch of his bare skin, and she found herself lost in the luxuriant contact.
"Where have you been?" His voice sounded displeased, but the blur of sleep wore away his resolve, and the sweet wine she smelled on his breath still lingered. In the soft light, she could see his white hair traveling like snowy rivers across the purple pillowcase.
"I'm sorry to wake you so late, but I was stalking some prey. Nephrite visited the chamber again."
"I see." She heard the wry tone in his voice.
"They're growing weaker; I see it in all of them now. Something spooked them in Interrogation. I do not know what, but for the first time I saw fear in their eyes. Day by day, she is losing her hold on them. Now is the time to strike."
"Tomorrow we shall worry about anarchy, Esmeraude."
"And what about tonight, my prince...?"
"I have other plans."
His fingers pushed deeper into her silken flesh, and swiftly he pulled her graceful form onto him.
