Agapé - Seiya x Usagi // Sailor Moon // Chapter Two
Agapé
Written by: Mikami
Chapter Two
The Call to Conquest
The white-hot flash of light was blinding and almost incapacitating as it seared the platform in a rigorous column. Seiya could feel the sickening sensation of his insides being pulled apart and stretched to their limits. He couldn’t scream or breathe. His voice was lodged sharply in his throat, blocked by bile that he was ready to choke on. The thudding bolts in his head grew tenfold as his heart rate increased to the speed he was being thrust. It was tantamount to getting clubbed in the chest when his feet finally hit the gritty feel of another platform underneath him.
Seiya’s blurry vision swam with the erratic movements of his comrades’ teetering limbs. A silver-haired weight leaned heavily on his shoulder.
“I never in my entire life will get used to that,” Yaten grumbled sickly.
Seiya gave him a weak smirk and peered at Taiki. It quickly turned into a grunt when he discovered the tallest Templar was recovering faster from the brutal trip. Taiki was already stepping down into the receiving chamber, ready to meet with the Moon Empire’s ambassador to Earth.
The balding, ash-blonde man was much smaller compared to Taiki, wearing robes of dark plum and lined with a golden trim. A rich, tan leather belt held together the cream and gray tunic that hung over his shoulders. He greeted them with the formal extension of a hand, which was thickly studded with jeweled rings.
“Gentlemen,” he said, giving a nod. “The Moon Empire welcomes you.”
Seiya killed a sarcastic laugh trying to wrench its way through his closed mouth. The irony of those words flirted with the antagonist inside him. The dark-haired Templar had been here before but back then was clearly not welcomed in his purpose to assassinate the Emperor.
“My name is Pellamas, the newly appointed ambassador of relations to Earth,” he spoke.
Yaten couldn’t help but sense his politeness to be rather cold. It was no surprise; he was sure the Moon would be apt to displaying forced hospitality to any state from Earth.
“My duty is to make sure everything goes smoothly during your stay here and that the atmosphere remains…warm,” he said with deliberate pause. The catch in his tone was a barely concealed sliver of disdain.
“As warm as it could possibly be taking into account how frigid Moon hospitality is at this point,” Seiya commented without reserve.
Pellamas’ lip twitched to ward off an incoming sneer as he peered at the outspoken soldier in front of him. A false smile spread slowly back onto his face as he motioned to the exit of the chamber.
“Come,” he responded. “I will escort you to the guest villas.”
Pellamas stepped in front and led them past the receiving chamber. The Templars fell into step behind, following suit, as Taiki had time to examine the spherical walls in which they had just arrived. The room was a stainless white-almost blindingly so. In the middle was a raised, circular platform that spanned half the floor space. Taiki had a sneaking suspicion that it may have been entirely silver. There were strange engravings that rounded the surface; the designs so intricate in nature, it flourished too beautifully for a platform’s purpose.
The receiving chamber’s doors opened up to a sparse hallway, only made elegant by the marble-like material for its structure. Their footsteps echoed loudly upon approaching the exit and the Templars discovered they had arrived in an entirely separate building.
The ambassador continued down the shallow, rounded steps where a lavender-based tile lined the white stone walkway toward another circular platform at the end.
It only took a moment for Seiya to realize that the structure in which they stood was a high-rise perched upon a narrow and pointed plateau. His sight was greeted by the visual embrace of the Moon Empire, expanding elegantly as far as the eye could see. Many more towers and large buildings were set on the same cliff rises, using the landscape of the Moon to weave in harmonious structure. It was rare to find a cluster in the city that seemed to have a flat base-spires, domed buildings and arches sloped evenly in an opulent formation of white stone.
“If you please,” Pellamas’ voice brought Seiya back. He motioned toward the silver platform and he joined Taiki and Yaten.
When Pellamas also stepped up, the elliptical engravings flared a glowing blue and cast a column of light to envelope them. Its arms reach upward into the sky and faded, as the Templars found themselves among completely different surroundings.
“The transport warp is only operational for citizens of the Moon and functions only under the use of magia,” Pellamas explained, quickly stepping down from the new platform. “If the need to use it arises, we will be sending you an escort.”
Yaten looked back at Seiya as Pellamas promptly guided them through a marble colonnade. The white pillars loomed above them, generously sculpted with curved embellishments. It opened into a courtyard where various tiled paths entwined together between shapely pools of water. In the distance, Yaten could see the rise of the palace, so grand in its stature, he concluded that they were only facing a fraction of it. Like a small orb, the sun peeked from behind one of the palace’s primary domes.
Up ahead, the courtyard segued toward the open stairway of one of the guest villas. It was more than enough to be called an estate, reaching both vertically and horizontally in one illustrious complex.
Pellamas stopped a few feet away from the cascade of shallow steps.
“This is where I leave you,” he said. “Her Majesty, Queen Serenity requests for all participating citizens of Earth to join a formal reception this evening before the tournament commences. An escort will be acquiring you in a few hours time. Between then and now, you may do whatever you wish as long as the peace is kept.”
Seiya felt himself smirk and he eyed Taiki, who nodded at Pellamas in agreement.
“You sound unsure,” said Seiya.
The ambassador gave him a bitter smile. “We’ve let you walk in here fully armed. The fact that we haven’t confiscated your weapons is a sign of good faith. Do not cross it.”
The Templars watched as Pellamas turned on his heel and left them at the foot of the villa. His small figure disappeared through the intricate courtyard and vanished behind the marble columns.
“That was probably the warmest welcome we’ve ever had from them,” said Seiya, heading through the open doors.
“Compared to an onslaught of lightning-based arrows, yeah,” Yaten added.
“They said our things were brought here immediately after we arrived,” Taiki said, strolling into the massive front foyer. He looked toward the arcing staircase and found three travel bags resting near the first step.
“It’s not like we’re staying here for long. Enough with the introductions, let’s just get this over with,” sighed Yaten. He sauntered into the next room and found himself a divan to sit on. He removed his charcoal trench, content to just lounge in his waistcoat, tie and white pinstripe shirt.
“It’s the first time we’ve been near the heart of the city,” said Taiki, drifting over to the window. He pulled back the length of gossamer curtain to peer at the section of city still visible from the courtyard’s walls. “I’ve always admired the Moon Empire’s sensitivity for beauty.”
Seiya removed his black leather gloves and set them on the crystal table. He looked at the towering spires of the city just over Taiki’s shoulder. It was almost ten years since one of Crystal Tokyo’s first infiltrations into the Moon’s Empire. Back then, their access to the Capital was by drop ship and not aided by magic. The cloaking apparatus generated by the newest stealth technology at the time was able to dodge the Capital’s magus wards. Instead of using the warp platforms as they did now, the Templars used gatling harpoons to fly through the treacherous cliffs.
“A few of our old allies decided to tag along,” Yaten mentioned. “Rion was quick to cut to the chase when the Chairman asked him who the state of Sagramor was sending.”
“There’s nothing like a little healthy competition. Besides, they won’t be that upset if they lose. They’re expecting something close to partnership if we win,” said Seiya, flashing his teeth.
“Typical of them to try to leech on what strength we have. Remember that time that they had an arsenal shortage? They used more of our stores than what was allotted…fucking bastards,” Yaten muttered.
Taiki stood back from the window and joined Yaten on the divan.
“Who could forget that?” the tallest Templar said. “Anyway, one of the most important aspects of this tournament is that we know our opponents. We’ve fought and bled with them every day for more than a decade, so it shouldn’t be a mystery to the way they carry themselves.”
“I highly doubt that whoever made details for this is going to allow us to use Earth’s standard choice of weapon,” responded Seiya matter-of-factly. He suddenly quirked an impish grin, “But it would upset quite a few people outside the arena wouldn’t it?”
“Wishful thinking,” Taiki said back.
Seiya looked down at his hands, his eyes tracing the black curving symbols marked sharply on his palms. “Yes indeed.”
He looked up to meet Taiki’s gaze a moment later and then casually took a seat opposite him and Yaten across the crystal table.
Taiki smiled a little in spite of himself. There was something slightly unsettling when it came to Seiya’s aptitude for combat. He remembered the eight-year-old boy long ago, standing by himself in the line for enlistment held at the heart of Crystal Tokyo. He recalled the recruitment officers turning him away because entrance to training began at age ten. But there was something about Seiya that changed their minds and they were later glad that they followed their instincts.
“I don’t like to admit it but Gauvain has a good chance of winning,” Seiya stated.
Yaten flinched in disdain. “There’s nothing about being a butcher that makes him good at any form of battle.”
“But his raw power is part of what keeps the Metalia Syndicate a bane of our existence,” replied Seiya.
“It’s almost unfortunate that tournament rules don’t require a fight to the death. Offing Gauvain would prove useful in putting Metalia in their place,” said Taiki thoughtfully.
“That’s what the Chairman insinuated before we left, but he figures it’d just be best to follow tournament etiquette and play nice,” Seiya answered him flatly.
“Gauvain will be doing the opposite of that,” said Yaten, glancing at the time on his watch. “What time did the ambassador say we had to be at the reception?”
“A few hours?” Taiki suggested. “I guess we’re just waiting around until that escort comes by.”
Without a hitch, Seiya remarked, “All these formalities are just foreplay in inspiring the heat of competition among the Earth allies. The Moon is going to get their amusement at our expense.”
The side of Yaten’s mouth lifted upward in sly fashion. “So give them a good show, because after that the Princess is going to be in Earthen hands and they’re going to have to kiss our asses.”
The dark-haired Templar laughed, “You don’t have to worry about that. I hope your ass is clean.”
As evening descended on the Moon Capital, the Templars had occupied themselves with exploring the rest of their guest estate. The villa had more than ten vacant rooms, to which Taiki mentioned as being needlessly extravagant despite his admiration for its hypnotizing decor. The first room they’d been sitting in was one of the three common rooms that were scattered around the manor. The largest one was on the second floor and held a grand piano that was beautifully crafted in ebony.
Seiya chose a room in the east wing that was closest to the winding staircase. The double doors opened under an arch, leading to a wide rectangular room. The walls were indigo but the endless blue was outfitted with flora and fauna embellishments of gold. The patterns lined the top and bottom of the walls and eventually came up to weave a network around the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
He set down his travel bag and rummaged through its contents. However, he decided not to bother setting anything in the bureau. Seiya looked toward the bed, finding the matching drapery and the array of carvings on the large headboard too ornamental compared to his condominium back home. There was such a stark contrast to both the Moon Empire and Crystal Tokyo-the city-state was fashioned with minimalist, modern design. Its prodigious skyscrapers and their polished stone interiors drew inspiration from functional and fundamental elements.
Lying back on the bed, Seiya closed his eyes and tried to clear his thoughts. Before they were warped to the receiving chamber of the Moon, Seiya tried to find Endymion once more before departure. The Prince was nowhere to be found and Seiya had a feeling he was using that time to be with Kakyuu. He couldn’t blame him.
An escort arrived to the Templars’ guest villa a few hours later just as Pellamas promised. The servant wasn’t as cold as the ambassador but remained just as formal when he greeted them outside the door.
“If Her Majesty’s guests are ready, we should be proceeding to the hall immediately,” he said with a bow.
There were no questions asked when Taiki, Yaten and Seiya followed him to the same silver platform at the end of the marble colonnade. The blue carvings ignited and swallowed them whole, sending them to another area near the palace grounds. Taiki looked up to see that they were facing a different fraction of the distant palace.
“It’s this way, please,” the escort motioned.
They entered the grandiose hall, illuminated by a plethora of lanterns. The vaulted ceilings boasted crystal and glass arrangements, swirling over the crowd of guests below. The sound of bustling and laughter reached Yaten’s ears when they arrived at the tournament’s formal reception.
“At least we’re not late,” the silver-haired Templar noted as their escort left their side.
Yaten’s words barely registered as Seiya’s attention was caught by the recognition of fellow Earth citizens. It was fair to say that seven of the participating states in the room already had various relations with Crystal Tokyo. The eighth was the Metalia Syndicate.
The chatter and noise was brought to a halt when the ambassador Pellamas called for the guests’ attention. He was perched on a second floor balcony behind a railing that lined all five sides of the pentagonal hall.
“Esteemed guests of the Moon Empire, I bid you a fondest greeting once again,” Pellamas announced. Out of the corner of his eye, Seiya spied Yaten scowling privately.
“But I will give the honor of addressing you as noble warriors and once gallant antagonists, to Her Majesty, Queen Serenity.”
An entranced hush blanketed the grand hall as all Earthen eyes stared past Pellamas to greet the vision of a surreal woman in white. The fluidity of her movements encompassed grace, allowing her to appear to be floating toward the balcony. The bodice of her snow gown was studded with pale jewels. A scatter of silk fell at her feet and trailed behind, while a simple spray of diamonds accented the slope of her neck. Her white tresses flowed in waves down her back. No crown adorned her head, save for an arrangement of opals above feathery bangs. In the middle of her forehead was a crescent moon. It was the symbol of her royal lineage.
“Welcome all,” she spoke. “My deepest gratitude is bestowed upon your answer to the call of peace. My veneration for the understanding that a war must end, only flourishes when I see our strongest rivals, now turned allies, participate in a tournament of truce. Seeing you now, my assurance is strengthened that our future will speed us all to a new era between our peoples.”
The First Lady of the Moon spoke eloquently with such an enchanting manner, it was almost impossible to catch the subtle spark of pain in her eyes. Taiki knew better; a sliver of pity entered his face at the thought of what the Queen had lost and what else she was soon to lose.
“Champions of Earth, one amongst you will gain your state an ambassadorial position with the Moon Empire. You will be a gate of contact that will bring us and all Earthen bodies together and through you we will learn of each other like we have never before.”
Queen Serenity raised her hands. “I ask that you enjoy this evening as a pledge of faith and I bid you speed of victory in your upcoming conquest.”
Calls of admiration echoed loudly from every corner of the hall, along with scattered applause. The Queen received the acknowledgement gracefully before stepping back from the balcony rail. Her white silken gown trailed behind her illustrious form when she turned to depart.
At once, the chatter returned between the guests and the reception resumed in lighthearted fashion.
“Crystal Tokyo,” said a low, gritty voice.
The Templars turned their attention to the nearest white pillar and found a bald and burly soldier striding toward them. He flashed a smile of silver teeth and flexed his artificial, steel hand.
“Rion,” Seiya grinned widely. He closed the distance quickly to grasp cold, inhuman fingers in a hearty shake.
“I’ve been waiting to see you three,” he said excitedly. “I couldn’t imagine the Chairman keeping his nose out of this one.”
“We were wondering when you were going to turn up, even though something like this isn’t your scene,” Yaten smiled.
Rion motioned bluntly toward the trays of hors d’oeuvres carried by servants. “I’m just here for the food. Have you seen Marrok or Balfour? They’ve been expecting you too.”
“Not yet,” Taiki replied. “I had no idea they’d be sending Marrok to watch over you. I thought he retired from his post.”
“He did. But for the state of Sagramor he wouldn’t mind taking a bullet to the nuts,” Rion laughed riotously. His lively jade eyes landed on the dark-haired Templar and a knowing twinkle flashed in his gaze. “It’s you, isn’t it?”
Seiya arched an eyebrow.
“You don’t have to be smart to figure out that you’re going to be dancing in the arena tomorrow,” Rion said. “The Chairman is so predictable.”
“Hey, if predictability works,” replied Seiya simply.
“It might not work as well when it’s missing its two favorite toys,” Rion shot back, eyeing the well-hidden double harness that he knew was under his black overcoat.
Seiya shrugged nonchalantly, “We’ll have to wait and see. If the luck of the draw lands you and me in the arena, just promise you won’t hold back.”
“Done,” Rion grinned toothily. “But with my luck, either of us are more likely to match up with Gauvain.”
“Speak of the devil,” uttered Taiki, looking past a cluster of people. His pointed gaze drew the attention of their group across the pentagon room. They recognized Gauvain’s long, copper ponytail, his scarce eyebrows and blue eyes so pale, they bordered on milky. His bulkier torso made him appear a little too top heavy for his narrow waist and spindly legs.
Yaten’s olive eyes narrowed sharply when he spotted a familiar face deep in conversation with the representatives of the Metalia Syndicate. Pellamas was engaged in distracted chatter with one of Metalia’s primary figures-the flame-haired Beryl.
“Looks like the frigid exterior has melted,” Yaten commented suspiciously. “He seems to be feeling quite at home with Earth now.”
Taiki and Seiya exchanged glances with Rion as they surveyed Pellamas’ rapt attention to Beryl’s haunting gestures. The tall and slender, redheaded woman was known for her cunning and strength. While she catered to the position above her, she wasn’t without her own power. Her guidance was sought after by the hopeless and wretched, seeking a means to better their situation by joining the brotherhood.
Metalia had no city of its own-they were nomadic and power-hungry.
Seiya observed as Pellamas planted a kiss on Beryl’s hand before covering it with his own. He bowed before he released her and promptly left her company. At that, Beryl was seen turning toward Gauvain, leaning into him and conveying something that was only for his ears. The smile from her scarlet mouth reached her wasp yellow eyes as a svelte hand came up to idly finger the long pearl strands between her breasts.
“Trying to make a good impression by playing with politicians,” Rion snorted.
Yaten shook his head and huffed, “But politicians are useless in the arena.”
“Whatever they were discussing, it couldn’t be a bribe,” Taiki suggested. “The Metalia Syndicate has nothing concrete to offer. No land or resources.”
“They have manpower and some influence, but only on those who are more susceptible to brainwashing and control,” said Seiya, watching Beryl leave Gauvain’s side and sauntering away through the crowd.
“Sounds like you’re jumping to conclusions,” commented Rion.
Taiki regarded him seriously and slipped his hands out of his pockets. “You would think differently if you were dealing with them. They haven’t been playing in Sagramor’s backyard.”
“Metalia hasn’t moved on from the Septra plains and intends to stay,” Seiya said. “Normally there would be little to work out if another district was established in our jurisdiction, but the fact that it’s them had the Chairman going directly to the point-”
“That they needed to get the fuck off our territory,” finished Yaten evenly.
“Maybe we are jumping to conclusions, but the thought of Beryl making friends in high places and establishing favor with the Moon whether or not they win, isn’t a farfetched theory,” Taiki elaborated to Rion.
The burly man put a hand to his chin.
“Have they done anything to disturb the peace?” he asked.
“They know they’re not welcome because of their reputation but they’ve been sighted in neighboring towns not far from Crystal Tokyo. They’ve been coming closer,” Seiya explained. “A couple of weeks ago there was a false alarm that got the Chairman all paranoid. Somebody reported seeing a handful of Metalia acolytes in the city but they were mistaken.”
“He had us search until our nerves were shot,” Yaten mused, trying to spot where he last saw Gauvain. “After that the Chairman called out Beryl and we’ve been dealing with this ever since.”
Rion swept his fleshless hand over his hairless crown and uttered, “Seems like there’s more trouble ahead. Leave it to the Moon Empire to complicate things because now you’ll have to win.”
When Yaten finally spotted Metalia’s champion in the crowd, he stood talking to a woman with long blonde hair. It cascaded down her back in golden silk waves, only interrupted by a red ribbon. Her draping lavender gown embraced her figure in a fond manner and her bright sapphire eyes were lit in conversation. Yaten could only surmise that Metalia was trying to make headway with any figures with status, though he wasn’t sure whom that blonde woman was representing. A citizen of the Moon Empire, yes, but she clearly wasn’t a commoner; the look of royalty was all over her.
Gauvain’s hand had taken hers in polite gesture and Yaten wondered if that woman ever stopped to think about how many souls met their demise because of that very hand.
“You boys need something to drink. It’ll loosen you up before tomorrow,” Rion suggested, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Seiya smiled at his comrade’s suggestion and motioned for him to lead the way. Yaten was right on his heels.
“You go ahead. I’ll be there in a while,” Taiki said. His two companions shrugged and walked off.
The crowd seemed thicker than when they arrived. The tallest Templar looked around and noticed the addition of more Moon nobles and royalty joining the formal reception. It was hard to believe that a convergence of two eternal enemies was happening before his eyes. He felt he needed some air.
Taiki swerved around a cluster of people and dodged a line of servants with refreshments. Turning a corner to the exit had him colliding with a smaller, softer figure.
“My apologies,” he said, peering down at the brunette projectile.
Vivid emerald eyes looked up to meet his as her pinked lips parted.
“Think nothing of it,” she replied and maneuvered her way around him. Lifting the skirts of her marigold gown, she left the scent of roses in her wake as she disappeared through the crowd.
Taiki felt himself pause, before turning on his heel and continuing out of the hall.
High above the guests, in the corner of the second floor balcony stood an arrangement of white pillars. The glowing pools from the lantern light didn’t reach the shadows cast by the smooth, stone structures and therefore provided the silent observer with a sanctuary.
Usagi’s hand drifted aimlessly down the curved marble surface, watching guests move about in the hall. In the beginning she sensed the tension-people of the Earthen states flocked together in recognition, their crowds dotted sparsely with members of the Moon’s royal court. However, her mother’s introduction seemed to loosen the grip of anxiety and both sides were starting to mingle.
She briefly saw the newly appointed ambassador, Pellamas having a word with a strikingly beautiful Earthen woman with scarlet hair. She was statuesque in her formfitting gown of deep violet. Her demeanor seemed so alluring, as was the inherent grace emanating from every pore of her body. Usagi pondered if every woman from Earth possessed her attributes.
Princess Serenity II couldn’t believe that her closest friends and personal guard had the audacity to consort with the Earth citizens as if it were the most natural thing. They hadn’t forgotten what the situation was but curiosity won over and they were now amongst the animated crowd. She saw Minako, the Princess of Venus, having a word with a copper-haired man-whom she saw accompany the scarlet woman to the reception. The blue-headed Princess Mercury, was last seen with Rei, Princess of Mars, being introduced to the representatives of the Earthen state of Sagramor. Even the steadfast Princess Makoto of Jupiter was observed passing by a tall, ponytailed man on his way out of the hall.
The anger simmered down into the pit of Usagi’s stomach, causing a dull ache to resonate through her limbs. She was emotionally weary and tired of the constant dread that sat on her shoulders. There wasn’t a moment of the day when she didn’t wish desperately to be someone else. When she heard that first of the Earth states were arriving, she thought seriously of running away. But what good would it really do? There was nowhere to go.
Usagi felt trapped when she gazed down into the crowd. She hated every one of them and their hunger for power, while wondering which among them had the lunacy to try winning the keys to her father’s Empire. She remembered one of the rules declaring that the head of the Earth state themselves might choose to compete if they desired, or send a person of rank in their place. If all eight had their governors present at the reception, Usagi feared that she might have already seen the man she was to be given to in marriage. Disgust coiled tightly within her. All of them looked the same-eager to win.
The sound of footsteps stopped behind the Princess but she didn’t turn around to acknowledge the disturbance. A moment later, a warm hand appeared out of nowhere and laid itself gently on her shoulder.
“Usagi,” Princess Venus said tenderly.
“I want to be alone, Minako,” was the reply she received from the grieving Moon royal.
“I know you do…but I thought it would be better if you had a little company, since you don’t intend to come down. You shouldn’t be alone like this, especially-”
“When I’m leaving my home and everything I’ve ever known forever?” Usagi said, disheartened.
Minako heard the bite of anger in her tone and leaned against the white pillar beside her. She sighed softly as her closest friend kept her face turned away.
“You know, it’s quite strange being among them,” said Minako after a long pause. “During the war they were just a faceless enemy, and now that everything’s different, we’re all seeing each other for the first time.”
“It’s hard to hear you say that. You’re not the one being given away,” Usagi replied quietly.
“I promised you that I’d always be there. You have to believe me when I say that you’re not alone in this.”
Minako’s hand reached out and found Usagi’s. Giving her a tight squeeze, she gave her a reassuring smile even though Usagi’s gaze was still averted.
“I’m so afraid, Minako,” the Princess’ voice dropped to weakened whisper. Her hand trembled as she grasped back.
“So am I,” her friend replied.
For a long while they held onto one another for strength. The silence between them was punctured by the sounds of the reception going on below. Usagi heard someone laugh loudly. Closing her eyes, she turned her head toward her friend and then opened them to find Minako’s consoling facade.
“The Earth has sent their strongest,” Minako uttered with consideration. “One or two of them I think I recognize.”
“Was it the one you were talking to?” asked Usagi, recalling the man with long, copper hair.
Minako shook her head and appeared thoughtful. “No, I’ve never seen him before. He approached me graciously and introduced himself as one of the participants in the tournament. His name is Gauvain.”
“And what state is he representing? I saw him escort a woman with red hair to the reception.”
“He didn’t mention a state, just that he was agent of an organization who called themselves the Metalia Syndicate,” Minako replied. “The woman he was with seems to be an important figure, but I haven’t met her.”
“I saw Ami’s curiosity get the best of her,” said Usagi.
Her friend smiled. “Sagramor. There are three of them. The two generals, Balfour and Marrok, and the third is their chosen competitor, Rion. I never knew Earth was capable of making limbs out of metal alloy. His entire hand felt lifeless and cold but it moved like a human limb. It’s extraordinary how Earthen people are so resourceful without magia.”
“And Makoto?”
“She was late. I saw her briefly when she came in but I didn’t know who she was talking to.”
Usagi wanted to smile for the sake of her friend’s efforts but found it an arduous task. Minako was a kind-hearted soul, warm and open-minded. Like many other citizens in the Moon Empire, she welcomed peace with relief after being war weary herself for many years. Even though her duty was first and foremost the protection of Princess Serenity, it wasn’t out of sorts for Princess Venus, or the rest of Usagi’s guard, to be called to the battle.
“Where’s your mother?” asked Minako.
Usagi rested her head against the white marble pillar as her eyes drifted to the intricately molded ceiling.
“She left after the acknowledgement,” Usagi replied simply. “She couldn’t bear mingling with citizens from Earth, not after what father requested.”
The Moon Princess stepped toward the balcony once more, peering out from behind the pillar to watch the guests. The ones Minako discussed had moved around and were in different areas of the grand pentagon-shaped room. Now, they all seemed to be comfortable enough to enjoy Moon hospitality further.
Usagi leaned forward a little more, her hands grasping the railing as she surveyed the people directly below her. She discovered the elegant, scarlet woman was heading toward a spot closest to the balcony. Her wasp yellow eyes were trained on a target-a young man with obsidian hair, tied back in a long, cascading ponytail. Even from above, he seemed tall to the Moon Princess; his black ensemble made him appear long and lean but the angle at which she saw him obscured any coherent part of his face.
More than ten feet below the second floor, Kou Seiya had the provoking feeling that he was being watched. It stirred in his bloodstream and hit every nerve ending, writhing through his spine and trickling into his consciousness. His gaze weaved through the guests that were closest to him.
No, he thought, craning his head upward instead.
Up above, he saw the balcony that Queen Serenity had previously occupied, except he stood more to the left end and closer to the wall. Where the railing hit the corner was a festooned arrangement of white stone pillars. Behind them was nothing but shadows.
Seiya narrowed his eyes.
Usagi abruptly stepped away from the railing as her heart leapt into her throat. The deep thudding inside her chest filled her head and made it ache. For that split second, apprehension exploded in her stomach when she saw him turn his head upward. All she caught a glimpse of were his eyes, which were a boundless cobalt blue. They were piercing…and reckless.
She glanced at Minako and her friend sensed the change in her demeanor.
“I’ve had enough,” the Moon Princess asserted.
Minako nodded her head in understanding. “Alright. Let me come with you.”
Usagi agreed as they both made their way to the second floor’s alternate exit.
Underneath the balcony, the dark-haired Templar stood examining the obscure area behind the marble pillars. He was sure he had seen some movement.
“It’s a pity this rendezvous of ours came in the middle of the reception and not at the beginning,” came a smooth, velvety voice from behind his shoulder.
Seiya’s mouth lifted in an unfriendly smirk as he turned around to meet the woman with flame-red hair. Beryl approached him with her usual air of haughtiness and a taunting smile on her lips.
“I was occupied with something more important,” he said unkindly.
“I doubt it was any more important than seeing your only competition. This tournament isn’t about eight of the Earth states, it’s really only about two,” Beryl declared.
Seiya’s hand twitched at his side, his wrist resting against his concealed weapon. “So I was right in my first assumption that you’re as arrogant as I thought.”
“Likewise,” said Beryl. “Kardeiz Gamma has relied on you too heavily for so many years, what’s he going to do with you when you finally fail?”
“Failure is an alien word,” Seiya replied, flashing his teeth.
“You’ll be acquainted with it soon,” Beryl assured him. Her hand slipped to the pearls at her neck as she eyed him in contempt.
“You mean in the way that you’re familiar with it? Highly unlikely.”
Seiya didn’t appear to be taking her threat seriously and the realization made the mocking curve in her red lips vanish. Not only was the Templar exceedingly difficult to terminate, he was infuriating as well.
“I didn’t get a chance to talk with Gauvain yet,” Seiya’s devilish grin widened. “Indulge me. Is he afraid?”
“Gauvain will meet you in the arena. I guarantee it,” she said severely.
“Whatever strings you pulled with Pellamas, I hope it works out. I’ll be waiting.”
Seiya watched the derisive smile come back to light Beryl’s face.
“Excellent,” she said.
Wasp yellow eyes brightened in further amusement when she spotted Kou Yaten and Kou Taiki materialize behind their companion. “How’s babysitting?”
“We’re here to escort Princess Serenity II back to Crystal Tokyo when the tournament ends,” Taiki replied in a frigid tone. “Just be thankful that a fight to the death isn’t a necessary rule.”
“But there’s nothing that says it isn’t allowed either,” Yaten added callously.
Beryl threw her red head back and laughed. “Talk is cheap. Let’s see you put your weapon where your mouth is.”
“Oh, we would, but seeing as how peace is still a fluid concept right now, everyone in here would get their panties in a twist,” Seiya said as the corner of his mouth lifted higher.
“But you would do it. You wouldn’t hesitate to kill every Moon citizen in here if Kardeiz Gamma commanded it.”
“Plans have changed, Beryl. Once the alliance and the contract is spoken for, you’d better get the fuck out of our district,” Seiya responded, smiling cruelly.
“Tomorrow decides everything, Templar,” Beryl said spitefully. Anger lined her forehead as her hands stiffened at her sides. “You will see.”
The scarlet-haired woman abandoned them in the wake of her hatred of Crystal Tokyo. Though she was provoked by the cold exchange of words, the event didn’t mar the fluidity of her stride. She disappeared into the crowd, the train of her violet gown trailing behind her.
“I was anticipating that the entire evening,” Taiki expressed when Beryl departed.
“Standard trade of verbal blows with the Metalia Syndicate,” Yaten said. “Check.”
Seiya chuckled as the three of them headed across the room. The exit to the hall was in their sights and the Templars had planned to retire for the evening. Outside, various escorts were waiting to take them back through the warp transfer.
“The Queen never made another appearance. It’s surprising since it’s her that’s heading the entire operation in place of her husband,” Yaten considered.
“And the Princess was completely nonexistent,” Taiki said. “Though I can’t say I blame her. A hall full of former enemies, all with the possibility of taking you back with them to a distant world can rattle some emotions.”
They met their escort as they crossed the threshold into the night. Wordlessly, Seiya glanced back at the balcony.