The Dawn of Serenity Chapter Fifteen Quietly they shuffled through the endless tunnels beneath the dead ground. They snarled in the darkness, sniffing the air with their elongated snouts. No weapons or armor clanked to give away their position. Hard claws and brittle planks above their fur were enough to protect against whatever the Order could throw at them. They were silent assassins, searching for their illusive targets with sparkling eyes that pierced the darkness. In the Soldier Youma's collective mind, they could hear the voice of their lord beckoning them on, but they hardly needed the push. They were wild animals after all with a lust for human blood calling to them at every hour. There were always scouting parties, but never one as large as this one with this many Soldiers. Lord Jadeite pressed them hard; he did so as if a burning rage consumed his heart, or some sort of ravenous ghost bit at his heels. Something was happening, and beginning to shake the palace to its deepest, darkest roots, and they could sense his desperation. Abruptly, the mass of Soldiers stopped, sensing a change in the dank air within the tunnels. Something was approaching. They stilled themselves, melding into the shadows, and listened intently. Here in the catacombs, the world was usually a silent grave, but like a ghostly limerick, a voice echoed from far below. They stared at one another, unsure. This was no utterance of a cowering Underling. This voice held power, and before meaning in the words of foreboding reached their ears, a bright light suddenly illuminated every facet of the tunnel. Their eyes widened, but they scarcely had time to blink before a large violet sphere hurtled towards them. It tore through the ranks of the Dark Kingdom's most advanced Soldiers as if made of waxed paper, leaving nothing in its wake. Only the echoing howls ricocheting off the cold rock walls. The crackling sphere continued its deadly ascent, colliding with a crook in the tunnel, sending showers of lavender sparks falling like exploding fireworks to the broken ground. After the fiery display, the labyrinths fell silent once more, keeping their secrets another night. +++++ Jadeite paced the stone floors of the dungeons continuously. Nephrite wondered if the other man might leave a ditch in his thunderous wake. Truth be told, the dark-haired general felt like joining him. The last two weeks were filled with secret plans, turbulent dreams and endless confusion. The three general’s privy to the Underling's existence seemed to suffer the most, but somehow sensed they were not the only ones affected by an ailing mind. Youma whispered amongst themselves in the halls about the increasing number of rebellious Underling attacks, while greater numbers of slaves dreamed of a freedom they had never known. It was only a matter of time before the shockwave reached the ears of a higher power. This they feared most. Nephrite turned his attention from his nervous friend, to one of the monitors above the bleeping and dancing lights on the control panel. Even after two weeks, as if by the grace of some ethereal assistance he didn't quite understand, her hair managed to sparkle. It unnerved them all, to the point where both himself and Zoicite had to restrain their comrade from ripping it strand by strand from her battered head. "We've tried everything," he heard Jadeite say. "Thus far I've tried all Zoicite's technology, but none of it can pry into her mind and see inside. As for his torture devices, none of these will work either, as for my interrogation technique, these have proven less than effective. It's like she shuts off after a certain point and nothing gets through -- no words, no pain, nothing. I could cut off her arm and I don't think she would notice. I've never met anyone like this before. The only lead we have is the location where my Hunter found her." "It's six in the morning. I hope you didn't bring us here to tell us something we already know?" Nephrite commented dryly. "No. This morning I decided to send the best Soldiers we have into the tunnel she came from, hoping they would find something for us to work with. I should've consulted both of you first but -- this woman is frustrating me more than you'll ever know." "What did they find?" Zoicite asked. Nephrite could feel the emotions flowing from Jadeite's seemingly placid eyes. Nephrite reached out with his mind and was surprised to find Jadeite's thoughts open to him. He saw the answer as clearly, as if he had been there. "Something found them," Nephrite answered for him. All Jadeite could do was nod and remained silent for a long moment. "I was connected with them when it happened, surveying their collective progress. The energy sphere came from nowhere, the only warning, a whisper moving upon the air. I've not felt such power before, but then..." He lifted his eyes to the monitor, watching her every move in awe. "Somehow it felt familiar." "What are you saying, Jadeite?" Zoicite asked. "He's saying if we think this woman is who we think she is, she might not be the only one. Is that right?" Jadeite nodded at Nephrite’s assumption. "But you told me it was impossible! We have visited their tomb and seen for ourselves." Zoicite protested. "She has everything -- the same features, an inhuman power she used to destroy my interrogation chamber. She has the same name as her former incarnation for crying out loud!" Jadeite stormed across the room, throwing his hands in the air. "Kunzite will soon know about the Soldiers -- their disappearance will not go unnoticed for long. He’ll come here demanding answers that we don't have." "Who knows what his reaction will be when he sees her," Zoicite added. "If only we could break into her thoughts..." Jadeite stopped mid-step as if the marionette had pulled hard on his strings. For the first time in two weeks, Nephrite witnessed the clever smirk of his friend return as Jadeites eyes turned towards him. "We can't. But maybe you can." +++++ Shing slowly pushed back the simple hand woven blanket, but made no move to rise from his small cot. It was an immense change to his routine of two weeks past, when he barely slept, wasting no time getting to his golden-haired goddess. But sleep remained elusive, but no longer due to excitement. The last two weeks had taken their toll on his young mind. All his life, Shing had been oppressed – having learned to grow up living in the shadows of this dark society. Never before had he been forced to work so close to its evil though. Everyday he cleaned up its festering wounds -- looked into the eyes of pain and suffering, and everyday she told him it would be okay. He no longer believed her. He wanted to. He wished he could wake up and see Minako smiling at him, her beautiful hair and skin soft to the touch. He wanted to live in a proper house with the family he never knew. He wanted to taste sweet air and feel the sunshine on his skin. He wanted so many things. But most of all, he wanted her to be free. He couldn't give her that however, and at night, he cried for his helpless new friend. Listlessly, Shing rose like a tired dawn beneath angry skies, and looked at the timepiece beside his bed. He had two hours to pass and knew he would never manage to fall back to sleep. His stomach spoke up suddenly, demanding his attention. It was a cry he was used to for so long, but he realized trying to scrape up a decent breakfast would occupy his bleak thoughts for a little, and slowly slipped into his shoes. The sky rumbled outside, promising another trouble-filled day ahead. +++++ He had observed her many times through the monitors, but seeing her in the flesh did terrible things to Nephrite's nerves. Jadeite brought her out of her cell, and none too kindly threw her into the nearest chair. She stared up at the omniscient group of men before her, confused and intimidated. Nephrite couldn't blame her for that. "Are you ready to tell us where Serenitas is yet?" Jadeite asked. "We will let you leave if you give us what we want." "What, and give up the new pad I have?" she jerked her head towards her dark cell. "I've already picked out curtains." A swift backhand from Jadeite was enough to wipe the smirk from her lips, but the mischief remained in her gleaming eyes. "How many more of you are there?" he asked. "I'm not very good at math. I only know the Order is large enough to kick your ass." Jadeite growled and ferociously kicked her square in the chest sending the chair and its captive toppling to the floor with a loud bang. "That's not what I meant! How many more Senshi are there?" he yelled. "Senshi?" she repeated, dazed from the shock of her fall. "Jadeite," Nephrite placed a calming hand on the general's shoulder, and gently pulled him away. "Let me handle this now." She watched warily as Nephrite approached and casually placed his foot upon her overturned chair. He knew she was used to the presence of Jadeite, and to some extent-- Zoicite. But he was a new threat to her fragile world. He would use this to his advantage. "Do you know of the Sailor Senshi? Not the bastardized version told to young ones, but the truth." Nephrite questioned. "Yes," she answered after a pause. "They were beautiful soldiers, I will give them that. I sometimes wish Destiny hadn't pitted us against each other -- just think of the things we could've accomplished together. We defeated them twice; both by nasty tricks I might add, but in a fair fight…the Senshi would, and have defeated us." "We don't like fair fights," Jadeite added. "No, no we don't. Now picture this, Minako. After years of unchallenged rule, we come face to face with an image from our past, a possible wrench in our fine oppressive machine, and she sits here, feigning ignorance, or true ignorance. We have no way of knowing the truth." "What -- you, you think I'm a Sailor Senshi?" Minako, finally understanding his intention, practically yelped in surprise. "The Sailor Senshi has this annoying habit of reincarnating. We thought we had a sure-fire method of fixing that, but... You resemble one of them, the leader of the Sailor Senshi in fact. And you torched our Interrogation room. Did you know you had such power? Have you been wondering how you managed to do that?" "I-Well..." Nephrite could see panic swarm her trembling body as she dropped her gaze to the floor. "And you hold the same name as her, Minako. As you can imagine, we've taken a special interest in you. It's not only because you might know the location of the illusive Serenitas, but knowingly, or unknowingly, you could be the greatest threat to our rule we have faced in a millennia." "And I thought it was my good looks. Why are you telling me all this…?" He threw her a wry grin, somewhat pleased she regained her usual banter, convinced it would ultimately betray her. He moved closer, looking into her eyes. "I want you to know exactly why you're going to die." She shivered under his cold stare, gulping down the air she unwittingly forgot to release. "We are growing tired of your games. If indeed you have nothing to offer us, and refuse to give us what we want, we will destroy you as with all the Underlings before you. I will now give you a chance to answer me freely. After this, there will be no more. Do you understand?" She answered with silent affirmation, her hands squirming in her dirty lap. "The past is inescapable it seems, and has decided your fate whether you realize it or no." "It's almost funny how things keep circling," Zoicite reflected. "But completely, unnecessarily annoying," Jadeite, murmured. Nephrite spun around quickly, pinning them both with a steely stare more than capable of making the deadliest of Youma cower beneath its intensity. Once satisfied no more interruptions were forthcoming, he turned back to Minako. "I will ask you one last time…where is Serenitas?" Her eyes darted to each man in the room before settling back upon her interagator. Against all logic, Nephrite held out some hope she would answer, but could see her reply shimmering within the depths of her clear eyes. "Go to hell." Abruptly, he pushed down with his propped foot, and like a spring, the chair returned to its upright position. He reached for a chair and placed it before her – their faces only inches apart. He captured her eyes with his and wouldn't let go, and began to push his power into her mind. She gasped, realizing intension and what this meant, and slammed her eyes shut against him. He gripped her arms tightly, squeezing until her eyes were forced open with the pain. "I've been there, little girl," he said, his voice echoing within her mind. "It's your turn." +++++ Shing managed to find a suitable morning meal -- if it could be called that – begrudgingly, he plopped down onto one of the splintered benches in the servant's dining hall. He was virtually alone this hour, for most slaves were already busy at work. Sleeping in was the only perk to his newfound job, and the others were sure to give him a hard time about it. He eyed the gooey porridge with immense distaste, but forced himself to swallow the concoction, knowing he would need his strength. "Well hello there, young one." Shing turned with a spoonful of cereal in his mouth, finding the eldest of the Elders standing beside him. Surprised, he nearly choked on the porridge. She chuckled. "Can I join you?" "Uh, y-yes…of course!" "Help an old woman sit down, would you?" Shing obliged, quickly taking her wrinkled arm and gently helping her to her seat. "Ah, thank you, Shing." "You know my name?" "Yes, as a matter of fact I do. You've become quite the talk of the inner circle, actually." "M-Me...? Why for?" "That's what I wanted to discuss with you, actually. How is your new friend?" She could tell by the way Shing's face dropped that he had nothing but bad news for her. "They continue to treat her in the same way. I wish she would give up and stop all this!" "This Minako sounds like a strong person, Shing. She is doing what's right by standing by the Order. What do they want from her?" "She has told me they ask her constantly about Serenitas, but she says she cannot give them the answer they want," Shing sniffed back his frustrated tears, knowing he would never forgive himself if he cried in front of the Elder. "I'm just tired of seeing her in pain. I wish there was something I could do." "There is." The Elder put her arm around his shoulders, gently placing her head against his. "Be her friend. Be there for her as you have done thus far. Her story is spreading through the servant's quarters, and it is a story of hope of which we have seen very little of late. We need you to keep her strong. Can you do that, Shing, no matter how bad things might get?" "I'll try." "Good, good," she nodded, and ruffled his hair. "You've been very brave, my boy, very brave indeed." "Well, thank you. I should be going now." Shing began to get up, and collected his plate. "Jadeite will be expecting me soon." "Of course, and Shing, come and see me sometime this week. I would very much like to hear about what is happening with your friend." Shing nodded numbly. The Elder watched him leave. When Shing was out of sight, she sighed. "Do not give up." +++++ Her mind was a labyrinth, far more confusing than the tunnels beneath the city. Nephrite swam through endless dead ends – scenes to distract his mind from the true task. She was well guarded, far beyond any methods he had seen with their usual prisoners. Her barrier was easy enough to dismantle with his years of experience, but the three powerful barriers that emerged bore the signatures of someone else entirely. Her mind was a well-crafted creation, and it had taken two hours and all his strength to find and finally break through the last barrier in his way. He found himself amongst an endless sky of glistening stars -- a sight he was accustomed to seeing daily. But these stars shimmered in a different way. He felt as out of place as if he were in a nursery. Her lithe fingers were wrapped around two golden ropes ascending into the heavens, connected to nothing and everything. Her bare feet kicked and pumped as the simple swing sent her flying through space. Her golden hair swayed with her yellow and black laced dress, the fabric rippling like waves on the ocean. "Found you." He declared triumphantly. The swing slowed its pace until her feet touched down on whatever plain of existence they now found themselves. Gracefully, she rose and faced him. He suddenly found himself alarmed at the sly grin upon her pale lips. "Did you now?" An unfamiliar voice answered. He felt a sudden dizziness take hold of him at its deep and ancient effect. Nephrite sighed inwardly, realizing he wasn't any closer to her than before. Her blue eyes and features were the same, but he could see something beneath her translucent skin, like something was wearing her, using her. He closed his eyes and tried to unravel the illusion. He was met with an impassable barrier that his powers, tired and impatient as they had become, could never hope to pass. Nonetheless, he pushed on; summoning everything he had to break down the wall. It was then the whispers began to breeze into his ears -- familiar and haunting whispers. He could feel the heat on his skin, and smell the smoke as it coiled up towards his nostrils. Suddenly, within his mind an inferno fired up all around him, threatening to consume him. In the fire, he saw her dark silhouette begin to take form and felt his heart beating like the wings of a thousand frightened birds. With a startled cry, Nephrite flung his eyes open, finding Minako, or whoever it was, watching him with a knowing grin. He could still feel the heat on his skin. His mouth tasted like ash. "Who -- who are you?" "The better question is; who are you, Lord General? I know who I am, but do you truly know who you are?" Whispers flooded his mind once more, and with a shake of his head, he bore them away as best he could. "Who are you!" he shouted over the whispers. "A misunderstood enemy, you could say." The voices vanished, leaving only her smoky words. "You're a leader of the Order, aren't you?" She curtsied deeply, her long blonde hair flowing over her porcelain shoulders. "Yes, I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Nephrite. I do know much about you, especially your sins." The starry scene around them warped to a cool night on a distant satellite. He watched as he approached a quiet grove of trees and sat beside the woman in their midst. She melded with her earthy surroundings, and he viewed himself placing a pink flower through her luscious brown hair. She smiled at him and gently rested her head upon his broad shoulder. A ripple shook the stars, a prelude to a shift of scenery once again. Lightning and fire burned upon the horizon, and he could hear the screams of a dying people crying out for their savior. He looked down at his feet, finding a lifeless soldier in green, with a pretty pink flower laced through her hair. He remembered the scene, remembered the battle so long ago. Somehow, it was different this time, and as he stared into her lifeless green eyes, he felt as if his knees would give way under his weight. Nephrite growled angrily, forcing her illusion to shatter with what power he had left. The stars fell silent once more, but he could still smell the scent of blood lingering in the air. Her illusions were stronger, much stronger than he cared to admit. Nonetheless, he smiled, and with great effort fought to prevent his foe seeing his frustration. "I feel at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I have yet to learn yours." "And you never will, if the battle goes ill." She shook her head and advanced towards him, her curvaceous hips swaying as she stalked her prey. "Battle?" "Make no mistake; it was no magic of your own that got you here. You failed to break through those barriers we erected; my comrades are much stronger than you think. I allowed them to grant you passage, because there are things that need to be said between us. Release our daughter." "You should never have let her go in the first place," Nephrite countered. "Who is she?" "I know who you think she is," Minako said coolly. Nephrite felt her entering his mind. The scene around them changed once more; this time he beheld another ancient battle as good fought a dying war against evil-his evil. One warrior stood above them all, golden hearts flying in an explosion of final hope. The image vanished as quickly as it appeared and the cold dark stars shone again. "For years we have wondered if Minako's strange abilities were somehow linked to the epic Sailor Senshi. She might be some ancient princess beset to right your wrongs, or she might simply be a normal young woman on the verge of human evolution. It is long overdue, anyway. We know not for certain, and neither does she. She will never tell you where Serenitas is either, or if there are more like her, for she simply does not know." "How can she not know the location of Serenitas?" Nephrite demanded. "Do you think the Order has not thought of employing every means at their disposal to protect itself?" As she approached, the crafty look in her eyes made him wish he could put more distance between them. However, he found himself planted firmly to the spot. With a quiet gasp, he lifted his eyes to find hers inches from his, the expression on his face one of perplexity. Slowly, she moved closer, brushing her lips across his cheek. He shivered at the contact, and waited with bated breath as her mouth found his ear. "Serenitas is an ideal, a wish, a dream, a hope. It cannot be found, it can only find you. Minako cannot betray it unless you change her wishes, her dreams. Do you have that power, Nephrite, when you cannot even control your own dreams?" Her voice turned to smoke against his skin, and the stars burst into angry flames, consuming the black of space entirely. She pulled away from him, but there was no longer a smirk on her lips – only lips forming a knowing sad line that spoke volumes. He looked into her eyes discovering their color had changed, but before he could register their hue, she spoke the dreaded words that haunted every waking moment and stalked his nights. "Wake up." Her entire frame erupted into bright-red flames, as an unnatural, horrid scream rose from her smoldering face. His eyes widened as she extended her arms quickly, pounding his chest with the palms of her hands, igniting the fabric of his uniform. "Wake up!"