Hello everyone! This is going to be a Silver Millenium epic and will be an attempt to focus more on the generals and senshi. Of course, Serenity and Endymion will play a huge role as well. Also in the spotlight will be Queen Serenity and her relationship with Chronos. I think this will be pretty different from others with a mix of history, ethnicity and fantasy. Sailor Moon does not belong to me, but to a lot of people with LOTS of money (something I have very little of)! But the story ideas are mine. Please don't take them without permission. Revolutions of Change - Book 1 By Moon Goddess - goddessmoon1@hotmail.com Part I - Lady of Love Mina smiled as she drew the golden veil over her face. The intricate earrings she wore dangled against her cheeks as she turned and bowed to the other women as they in turn bowed back to her. A middle-aged woman drew her hands together and spoke for the rest. "We await your return, Great Lady!" "And on the eve of the next rise of Venus, I shall return." With that, she gathered some of the fabric of her ghagra* in her hand and ascended up the long flight of stairs away from the fountain in the royal gardens and the women she taught. 'Some day,' she thought, 'there will be freedom and equality.' She carefully wound her ways through the halls, wary of the guards, and found her way to another flight of stairs leading to the underground structure. With its three entrances as its only source of light, it seemed dark and mysterious - almost like an eerie cave. Yet, today it was different - almost alive. As her sandal hit the base of the steps, she gasped. White rose petals covered the floor. Many candles illuminated the bright walls and bursts of color came from the tapestries and freshly cut flowers. Fear laced her eyes. What if she was caught?! She whipped around and began to climb back up the stairs, when she heard several male voices speaking at the top. She bit her lip and ran back down. For a woman to be caught alone in the palace! Of course, she could handle herself in the face of danger, but what could she do here? It was forbidden to lay harm upon any man or woman on Earth. Guards blocked all three entrances. In a panic, she glanced down the long hall formed by two rows of tall columns. At the end were two large statues guarding a much smaller one in the middle, where the hall ended. Food, linen, gold and silver surrounded the statue. 'It must be some sort of god.' She quickly made her way toward the statue and bowed with her face to the floor, as was the custom. 'If she stayed like this, perhaps no one would notice her.' She dared not lift up her head as she heard a deep voice belonging to an older man. ------------------------------------------------- * A ghagra is a part of the traditional clothing of an Indian woman and is a pleated or gathered skirt reaching to mid-shin/ankle length. ------------------------------------------------- "Welcome to Kandariya Mahadeva,* oh Great and Mighty Prince!" He bowed, curling his legs beneath his body and pressing his face to the ground. Endymion eyed his friend just to the right. 'Was that really necessary?' He mouthed. Kunzite's eyebrows shot up, and his face jerked toward the man prostrated before them. He sighed inwardly. This was the 70th nation in a year and he was tired - tired of palaces, tired of fawning nobles and officials - tired of it all. What Endymion needed was some time to himself. Never the less, he stood regal and proud, his voice calm and steady as he answered the man. "We accept your welcome with grace and great gladness. May your peace and joy be long lived." The major domo was finally on his feet, smiling and praising and blessing the prince with every word. Ah, the old man would never change. Kunzite smiled and let out the breath he'd been holding. He knew the prince was tired and wasn't alone. He was also sick and tired of the whole tirade as well. But it was necessary. Still...he was home. There was no place that made him feel so complete and strong as here among the desert sands, brush, and the occasional oasis. The air was mixed with the scent of warm sand and jasmine. Yet it crackled with something new...something different. Hmm...perhaps I have just been away too long. It was then that he happened to glance down the hall and saw a very feminine figure, bathed in gold silk and satin, bowed before the statue. A woman?! Here?! Alone?! 'My gods, is she insane?!' He thought incredulously. Kunzite glanced nervously at the babbling official, then at the prince, and then eyed the many guards. This could make for a very precarious situation that he didn't want the prince to confront just yet. If she were to be caught, by local law, it would mean punishment and a severe one at that. Kunzite placed a hand on the old, white bearded man's back. "Bhavata,** my friend, your hospitality moves us beyond words, but I'm afraid the Great Prince is tired and requires rest. Come, show us to our rooms." "Oh, oh! At once, mighty lord!" He quickly bowed his turbaned head and clapped his hands. A mixture of attendants and guards swarmed around them and they all turned and began walking down the hall away from the stature and the forbidden presence of a woman in such a holy place. Just as they were about to round the corner, he stopped and turned around, extremely curious to catch a glimpse of the woman who dared risk such a cruel punishment. ------------------------------------------------- * Kandariya Mahadeva is a temple in India built in the 10th century. Obviously I'm distorting history on this. **The Name Bhavata means dearly loved. ------------------------------------------------- Mina let out the breath she'd been holding as the voices grew faint and she heard the boots of the soldiers begin to round the corner at the end of the tremendously long hall. Her movements were quick and trained and she rose and moved from pillar to pillar, hiding for a brief moment behind each one. Thank goodness! She was almost at the stairwell. The last few men were rounding the corner and she took her chance. There were no pillars to cover the four-meter distance from the last column to the stairs. She gasped and froze as one of them turned to look straight at her. Quickly, she pulled the material of her veiled head to cover her face below her eyes. ------------------------------------------------ What was intended to be a quick glance became a long stare when he was met by a pair of bright yellow eyes surrounded by a creamy complexion and a sea of gold silk. After a moment, he regained his senses, smiled and bowed, all the while never removing his gaze from hers. ------------------------------------------------ She was as stiff as a board as the handsome stranger stared at her. It was odd. Although wearing traditional garb, he looked nothing like the local men. Rather than having a crop of short, dark hair, and a beard - long white strands fell about his shoulders. Light, gray eyes betrayed his surprise amongst a cleanly shaven face. But it was soon exceeded by hers when he smiled warmly almost mischievously and bowed, ensuring her safety. Beneath her veil, she smiled and returned his gesture by bowing in gratitude. Then she quickly turned and made her way up the stairs and out of sight. ----------------------------------------------- He stood in silence for quite some time. There was something about that woman. What was it? Obviously she was very well off. Her attire alone gave that away - the brocade on the silk, the tassels and beads on the edges of the fabric. But who was she? He could see the invisible thread linking them together...and a strong one at that! Perhaps they were related. He shook his head. Now was not the time for such distractions. He quickly strode through the maze of hallways and up an illuminated, airy staircase with windows displaying the vast array of stars. He walked down a corridor lined with a red, silk runner and walked purposely into the prince's room. Endymion stood at the entrance to the balcony, his left shoulder leaning against a column. Without bothering to turn around, he asked, "Who was she?" Kunzite reeled at the first words out of his mouth, then smiled. "Ah, I see you're getting better. As to the girl, I have no idea." He walked to stand next to the prince and noticed that he was staring up at the stars. The prince turned and studied his face silently for a few moments. "Then why were you so worried? I could feel your fear." He looked away and out across the dunes. "There are many things that you do not yet understand." "Then tell me." At Kunzite's silence, Endymion sighed. "You do not help me by telling half-truths. So far, I have seen what you have wanted me to see, yet there is fear and worry behind your eyes. Zoisite taught me to read the human character well." "My prince..." Kunzite began slowly, uncertain of how to put his thoughts into words. "At this point, you must gain the trust and loyalty of the nations. More will come with time. But to begin towards unification..." "I cannot rule over a people that I do not understand." He interrupted angrily. "Be patient." Kunzite smiled. "They see a 17 year-old-boy who has been no more than a myth or legend, passed down through the centuries. First, they must see that you are real." He watched the prince's eyes darken and felt his consciousness turn inward. "Don't try to remember." He silently broke into his thoughts. "It doesn't matter." The prince whispered. "There is nothing... but a void." After a moment he lifted his eyes to his friend's. "All I remember is waking and seeing your faces. Before that... nothing." He was speechless to say the least. How could he explain something he didn't understand himself. "I know. And I can't even begin to explain why things happened the way they did. We were called to the Holy Land, where you rested and woke you." Endymion looked back up at the sky, this time staring at the moon. "Then...do you think all the legends are true?" 'I most certainly do.' He said to himself, but he couldn't tell Endymion that only to possibly raise false hopes. The young prince was so withdrawn and lost half of time. It was sad, really. He didn't remember a day before the age of 12, when he'd awoken. Kunzite was 16 when he'd been summoned to Elysion and ever since he and the other 3 of 'the chosen of Earth' had found him, he found himself watching over and protecting him like an older brother. He turned to look straight into his prince's eyes and for the first time noticed touches of dark circles and redness. "You've been having dreams again." He stated. "Tell me. What did you see?" He asked urgently, his voice laced with concern. Endymion sighed and sat among the many pillows on the floor. He was silent and then began to shake his head slowly. "There are so many images. It's hard to tell whether I'm dreaming or not. Sometimes...I see Earth...and then peoples' faces. Then...things change and I see...I don't know...other places...far off places, I think. They're like here...yet...they're not." Kunzite was silent for a long time. "The ceremony isn't for another 6 complete lunar phases. You should go and see Jadeite before you return home. Perhaps he can help you. He always keeps the sacred fire burning." As he spoke he noticed the prince's eyes glaze over as they began to focus on an imaginary object. His lips began to move, speaking inaudibly. Quickly he put his hands on Endymion's temples, trying to see into his vision. Burning...there was fire everywhere. He could feel the heat on his face. But it wasn't like regular flames - these were pure red - like the color of blood. Instantly the vision cut off and Kunzite eyes flashed open as Endymion whispered. "The Great Fire...Mars..." ___________________________________ In the darkness of the wee hours of the night, Kunzite stood in the observation tower, staring out at his homeland. He sighed. There were times when he felt just as lost as his prince. He had been raised to be a mighty lord of the desert by Bhavata. It was the only life he'd ever known. All that changed, when one day he awoke from a dream to find himself in another land...one teaming with warmth and light of the sun...a place where there was no night...only the day and light. And now...he had a mission. But...where would it lead? There were so many questions but no answers! He could see how the people were woven together by ties of loyalty, affection, love, and...even hate. It was an odd gift - to be able to see the invisible threads connecting one person to another. Though now it was proving to be quite useful. He could already see the beginnings of bonds of loyalty to the prince. Kunzite opened his eyes and glanced straight up. 'Hmm...Venus is visible this night.' He thought. 'The Lady of Love, herself, casts her light upon Earth. May she be gracious and generous in bestowing us good fortune.' ___________________________________ To be continued in Part 2: The Great Fire Thank you and plese send me all your comments and suggestions.