<simone@coastal.net.au>

A fan fic by Caleyndar.
Rating: PG (refernce to drugs).

Notes: This chapter is an introduction to the characters
and the setting. It does not invole a lot of "Sailor Moon"
characters yet; only Darien. Please be patient. This chapter
also has very little relation to the storyline of "Sailor
Moon". Once again, please be patient. The story line will
reveal itself in later chapters.

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me; only the
few I make up. The story, however, is mine.

The Name Endymion...

Part One: Innocent Life...

Chapter One...

        The wooden box lay there, the sunlight reflecting
off the gold and silver designs on it, an ever changing
pattern as the sunlight shifted through the leaves of the
swaying branches. It was beautiful, and it's splendour
would have appealed to me had my spirit not been so low,
my soul not crushed by knowledge I wished I did not know.
        I glanced away from the box, away from the
identical symbol on it that was also on my forehead. My
eyes landed on the mirror, and I could not help but stare
at my reflection, at the symbol that shone out from my
forehead. The sparkling silver crescent moon, the brilliant
blue and green Earth within it, both shining with it's own
inner light. The striking symbol had been there since I
was a child, but whether or not I had been born with it,
I did not know.
        My eyes dropped down to lock themselves on
it's reflection. Their brilliant blue matched that of
the Earth in the symbol, and seemed to hold a power I
did not understand. They looked cold now, filled with
hatred and anger. My usual spirited nature had changed;
it was now cold and detached, not wanting any of the
world to touch me, less it hurt me more. I did not feel
sad, and I wondered at that, but not feeling it. I
should have been, finding out the truth; that I was
adopted fifteen years ago, after I had been found
abandoned, with only the wooden box.
        I sat down on my bed, and ran my hands through
my jet black hair. I didn't know what to think. It was
my fifteenth birthday, and I felt as if I had been
beaten. Strangely though, I was glad I had been told
the truth. It explained many things; the way my
physical appearance differed from my younger sister's
and my parents, and the symbol on my forehead.
        A breeze blew through the open windows, and I
could hear the sound of birds singing beyond it. The
sky was a splendid blue, and only the faintest traces
of clouds trailed though it. The day seemed to beckon
me, and I wanted to be out in it, to lose myself it in,
to forget for a moment my pain.
        The box sparkled in the sunlight again. It
wanted me to open it. I looked at it again, but did not
touch it. In a way, I was afraid of what it might
reveal to me. Afraid that it's contents may hurt me
further. Perhaps another day, when I could comprehend
that I was adopted, and that my younger sister and my
parents were not really who they seemed, I would open
that box.
        I stood up, and pulled open the door to my room.
My younger sister was there, her angelic face peering up
at me. I could not help but smile at her innocence.
Lifting her up, we walked down the stairs together and
into the kitchen, where my father and mother stood,
smiling, trying to hide their concern. I shook my head
slightly, trying to say that I was alright, that the
truth did not hurt me.
        But in reality, it did. Deeply, more than
anyone could guess.
        They smiled, their fear vanishing. They produced
a large cake, and told me that my present was waiting
for me at my riding school. I looked up at them when
they said that, asking with my eyes if what I thought
was true. My mother gave me a small nod, and a genuine
grin lit up my face, my recent concerns dissipating
from my mind and soul.
        After the four of us cut the cake, and each
ate a piece, we drove down to my riding school. I leapt
out when we arrived, pulling my younger sister out
behind me. She laughed as I hurried her along, heading
straight to the stables. Suddenly, I stopped, staring
almost hypnotically at the sight I beheld in front of
me. I lifted my sister up, so that she too could see him.
        He stood there, staring back at us with liquid
bronze eyes. His silver forelock hid the white star
marking on his head, and partly his questioning eyes.
He extended his velvet soft black nose to smell my
outstretched hand. I felt his warm breath before he
jerked back, looking at me still.
        I smiled, and setting my sister down, slipped
into the stall with the young gelding. He retreated into
the far end of the stall, his eyes two bronze disks of
light in the darkness. His silver mane and tail glistened
in what little light there was, and his jet black coat
seemed not to be there at all. There were no other
markings on him except for the star, and I thought him
to be perfect in every way. His eyes wandered over me
now, as I stood there, watching him. Slowly, but with
confidence, he stepped towards me, until he was feeling
my face with the soft whiskers on his nose.
        Gently, I touched his neck, and he did not
retreat from my touch. My fingers brushed back his silky
soft silver mane, and played over his strong black neck.
I had never seen a more beautiful horse in my life. And
he was mine, just as I now belonged to him.
        My parents came then, asking me if I liked him.
I did not answer, and only hugged the gelding who seemed
surprised by my actions, but did not back away. I saw
them smile out of the corner of my eyes. They told me
that all his tack was stored in the small tack room
directly next to his stall, and that all the detailed
had been taken care of; his feed, his boarding costs.
None of this really concerned me. Only the fact that I
loved him, and that he accepted me mattered.
        All other pain was gone. For the moment at least.
I let myself drown in my peace, my contentment. Perhaps
another day, when I could bear it, I would dwell on the
issue once more. But not now. Let me have this moment
of tranquillity and bliss.
        Soon after my family left, saying that they
would come back later to take me home, I led the young
gelding out of his stall, and out into a large paddock,
where I worked him on the lunge, so that I could see his
perfect and very smooth paces. His legs were beautiful
and sleek, without a single flaw, and his hooves were as
black as ebony, and enduring as diamonds. He had great
stamina; barely out of breath when I asked him to stop,
his black coat glistening only slightly from his sweat.
        Grooming him was unlike grooming any other horse.
He would stand there, watching you as you brushed out
his coat, almost as if he was fearful that you would
place a mark on his flawless body. And his mane and tail
was softer and more like silk than any other horses' I
had touched. It's silver colour contrasted greatly with
his jet black coat, and gave him and almost ghostly look.
        As the day neared it's end, I took him back to
his stall, placing a light rug on him before kissing his
soft nose. He was so beautiful to me, and I loved him
deeply. It would have been impossible to find a more
perfect horse, and I would be hard pressed to find a name
for him that was as beautiful as he was. The wind blew
more strongly as evening came, and there were more
whispers in it. One of them was meant for me, sounding
in my ear like the soft rustle of autumn leaves. It
whispered a name; Wild Spirit. And that was what I
named him.
        When my mother came to take me home, I regretted
having to leave him. Only the knowledge that I would see
him again tomorrow made leaving him bearable. On the ride
home, we passed by a bush thicket, and I had the precise
feeling that someone was watching me as we drove past.
How that could be, I did not know, for I saw nothing but
the darkness of the night reflecting off the dull leaves
and the bark of the trees, and hear nothing but the
secretive whispers of the wind.
        I slept restlessly that night, seeing again in my
mind the wooden box, and eyes staring at me from those
bushes. The box would open, and an evil darkness would
come out, taking over me, destroying my very soul. And
the eyes would laugh, enjoying my destruction.
        The sunlight landed on my eyelids, sending a
bright red light into my mind's eye. I opened them
unwillingly, blocking out the powerful life giving light
with my hand. The sunlight told me it was still only
early in the morning, but I motivated myself to rise
anyway, for I had a very special friend to see. I changed
into my riding cloths, and ate a quick breakfast before
packing my bag and writing a note to my parents before
I left, riding my bike as quickly as possible to my
riding school.
        Wild Spirit was not the only reason for making
me want to leave so soon for the school. It was also the
fact that today was my usual lesson day, and my best
friend would be there as well. It pained me to an extent
the reason for his riding; merely because he met alot of
girls that way. Never the less, I enjoyed his company,
for not many other boys rode there. Nick owned his own
horse, a beautiful Arabian mare by the name of White
Angel. She had a very light grey coat that looked to be
white, thus the name. Anyone could tell that Nick loved
her, though he tried not to let it show.
        The bike ride took approximately twenty minutes,
as it did every time. I passed by the bush land, and was
glad that I felt nothing from it. When I arrived at the
school, I dismounted and parked my bike up against a
tree, locking it rather carelessly with a chain. I ran
by the arena, waving a greeting to my instructor before
running the rest of the way to the stables.
        Wild Spirit looked up from his biscuit of hay
when I arrived, gazing at me with his bronze eyes. I
slipped into the stall, took off his rugs, and groomed
him whilst he returned his attention to eating. When he
had finished, I clipped a lead rope to his halter, and
led him out of his stall to an area just outside, where
I had more room to tack him up. Before I led him out to
the pre-riding arena, I made sure his bandages were
secure around his legs, so that no harm would come to
his flawless legs.
        As I led him out, I could feel eyes turning to
us. Wild Spirit was a vision, which his royal blue and
black riding gear. He even held his head up, as if he
too knew how wonderful he appeared to those around him.
I tethered his lead rope to the fence when we arrived at
the pre-riding arena. Nick was already there, with his
lovely light grey mare.
        He smiled his charming smile when I approached,
brushing back his golden blond hair from his sky blue
eyes as he stood up and greeted me. "So, that's your new
horse?" He gestured to Wild Spirit. "By the looks of it,
he must have cost a fortune."
        "My parents gave him to me for my birthday," I
replied, feeling the pain in my heart when I said the
words parents. "And you know money doesn't matter to
them."
        "What did you name him?" Nick asked.
        "Wild Spirit," I answered. "Anyway, I haven't
heard you wish me a happy birthday," I said, putting a
hurt tone into my voice.
        Nick laughed. "I'm sorry, Darien. Hope you had a
wonderful birthday. I've got a present for you. It's not
much, but I thought you could use it," Nick said, bending
down and pulling out a large box from his riding bag. He
handed it to me, a smile still on his handsome face.
        "Thanks, but you didn't have to," I said, taking it.
        "Hey, money doesn't matter to me either," Nick
replied with a smile. "Come on. Open it."
        I tore the wrapping paper and opened the box.
Inside was a brand new black riding hat, and a pair of skin
tight black leather riding gloves. I smiled when I saw them.
My other riding hat had a few dents in them from my
numerous falls, and my gloves were torn in more than one
places due to horses bolting on me and my attempts to stop
them. "Thanks, Nick. I'll wear them today," I said,
slipping the gloves on. "Well, after the lesson today, you
want to go for a trail ride or something?"
        "Why the hell not? It's a wonderful day without a
cloud in sight. Besides, White Angel needs the exercise,
and it wouldn't be a bad idea to expose Wild Spirit to
these trails," Nick answered.
        I left Nick to tend to his horse and returned to
Wild Spirit's side.
        The manager of the riding school, and the student's
instructor, came over to me. He was a young man, tall, with
sandy brown hair and pale blue eyes. "Nice, isn't he?" he
commented. "He's a pure bred Thoroughbred, sixteen point
two hands, and only four years old. He still needs some
work, but that shouldn't be a problem for you. Besides, it
looks as if he's taken a liking to you."
        "Yes, I suppose he has," I replied, smiling.
        Tom left me standing with Wild Spirit to talk to
Nick. They conversed for a few moments before he looked
over to me and said we could get on our horses and enter
the arena for our lesson.
        I took of Wild Spirit's halter and mounted him. It
felt wonderful to be sitting astride him. The saddle was
very comfortable, and Wild Spirit was just splendid. With
the slightest of signals, Wild Spirit responded to my every
command, being the perfect horse.
        He was young, however, and started at anything that
was knew to him, like one of the many German Shepherds that
Tom kept. He reared up, pawing the air when one of them
dashed in front of our path. Instinctively, I leaned
forward, whispering soothing words into his alert black
ears, and gently, pulled down on the reins, until Wild
Spirit calmed down and settle on all four of his finely
formed legs.
        Nick rode over on White Angel, looking a little
concern.
        "Wild Spirit just saw one of the dogs," I explained,
stroking my horse's sleek neck.
        "Well, you handled it pretty well," Nick commented,
still looking a little shocked. "Let's go into the arena
and see how Wild Spirit handles that."
        We walked our horses into the arena, and once we
were inside and the gate was closed, I signalled Wild
Spirit to trot. It was very smooth, even when sitting to
it. I serpentine down the length of the arena, seeing how
he handled turns and my signals. He was very responsive
and collected throughout it. I then cantered him, and felt
as if I was in heaven. Not only did he look perfect, but
his paces were perfect. He always cantered on the right
leg, and did not once speed up or low down unless I asked
him to. I pulled him to a halt in a canter, and he did as
I asked, leaning back on his hind legs a little. I smiled,
and walked him to where Nick sat apon White Angel, watching.
        "I think Wild Spirit handled that pretty well," I
said, halting him in front of Nick and his horse.
        "I'll say," Nick said, almost as if in awe.
        Tom came into the arena then, along with two other
girls on two of Tom's lesson horses. Besides from them,
there were no other riders in this lesson. We did fairly
basic work outs for the warm up, and then moved into some
more complicated movements. The two girls were fairly good,
and did everything that was asked of them. Nick was riding
like a finalist in some world wide competition, collecting
White Angel constantly, and making her extend her legs out
to look graceful. Wild Spirit did well for his first lesson,
and I was very happy to be riding him.
        The lesson soon ended and we dismounted. We all
watered our horses in turn, and then tethered them to the
fence. The girls left then, but Nick and I stayed in the
pre-riding arena to loosen our horses' girths and to pick
out any stones that were lodged into the space between
their hooves and their shoes. We then sat down under a
tree, exhausted, when we were done.
        "Well, what do you want to do after lunch?" I
asked, glad to be sitting down on the soft grass. "Trail
ride through the mountains, or ride down to Luke's place
and see what he's up to? David would probably be there are
well."
        "I don't know. Do you think Dawn would be there?"
Nick asked, a dreamy look on his face.
        "Maybe. Most of our peers at school who rides goes
there in the holidays. After all, Luke has one of the best
jumping courses around, and the biggest paddocks to ride
around in," I replied.
        "True. Okay, we'll go over to Luke's place after
lunch," Nick said.
        We got our bags and at our lunches. I slipped of
the gloves Nick had given me before starting to eat though;
it was hot, and they did not help. I also set aside the
black hard hat, and shook out my damp jet black hair which
had been mattered underneath.
        "Only one more day, and it's back to school for us,"
Nick spoke up.
        "And only a week before that pointless IQ
competition, and one month to the camp," I added. "Why are
they making us take that IQ competition anyway?" I asked.
        "Who knows. The school probably has nothing better
to do. At least the camp should be good. Five days and four
nights, no parents, and we can take our horses with us,"
Nick replied. "Well, I'm finished. Let's go, shall we? We
have to get back before four, since I'm leaving at about
five."
        "Yes, alright," I said, standing up and dumping my
rubbish in the bin. "Come on then. The ride itself takes
half an hour, you know. That means we only have about two
hours there." I led Wild Spirit out of the paddock and
mounted him. Nick did the same.
        We were soon trotting along side the road. Luckily
for me, Wild Spirit seemed accustomed to traffic, and did
not shy at any vehicles that passed by. Most of the land we
passed by was covered by tall trees and scrub, and a few
paddocks and houses. There wasn't alot to see until we
reached Luke's place, a large horse stud, which included a
very extensive jumping course, and a few trail back in the
mountains, as well as a number of  large paddocks which
were currently free of horses.
        Nick and I rode past Luke's house, which was empty
as his parents were away doing business, to the jumping
course. The only other people around were the stables hands
who looked after the horses. Luke was sitting his own horse,
watching someone go around the course.
        "Hey, Luke," Nick greeted our friend.
        "Hi Nick, Darien. New horse? Very nice," Luke
commented. "David's on the course right now, and I think
Dawn and Claudia is out in one of the paddocks," Luke said
to Nick, knowing full well that Nick had a crush on Dawn.
        Nick grinned, and rode off.
        "How's Skywalker been?" I asked, referring to
Luke's bay Quarter Horse gelding.
        "Moody, as usual," Luke answered. "David is getting
better at the course. I think he's finally forming a bond
with his horse. But Wolfkiller is such a suck up horse,
even if he is one good jumper."
        David came back then, riding the seventeen point
two hands tall Trakehner gelding. "So, how did I go?" he
asked, pulling his tall horse to a stop in front of us.
        "Better," Luke said. "Could do a bit more work on
controlling him though. You cantered out of control once
or twice after you jumped. Hey, Darien, you want a go?"
        "Yeah sure," I said, shortening my long reins and
riding Wild Spirit out onto the cross country jumping
course. I pushed him up to a canter and we went over the
first jump. I leaned forward slightly, and we landed
perfectly over the other side. Wild Spirit seemed to like
jumping, and we went through the course without any major
mishap, though Wild Spirit did shy once at the water jump.
        I rode him back to the others and an extended trot,
and stopped him before them.
        "Pretty good," Luke said. "My turn now," he said,
and rode off on Skywalker.
        I turned Wild Spirit around so I was standing next
to David.
        "Is Nick with Dawn and Claudia?" David asked me,
watching Luke still.
        "Yes. I think he's wasting his time though. Dawn
thinks Nick is shallow and full of himself. Unless he acts
more serious, he doesn't really have a chance," I said.
"But then again, I could be wrong."
        "It's the truth though. Dawn likes the more mature
guys. It's too bad since almost every guy in our grade
likes her," David said. "Well, except you," he added,
looking at me. "In fact, you have never liked a girl, have
you?"
        "The right one just hasn't come alone yet," I said.
"I don't like getting hurt. Besides, I don't see the point
in falling in love so young. I've got my whole life in
front of me, and the whole world for me to explore. There's
plenty of time to get my heart broken."
        "Haven't you heard the saying 'it is better to have
loved, and lost love, than to never have loved at all'?
Besides, you don't know that your heart will be broken,"
David said. "And you know you could have practically any
girl you want. I mean, with your looks and all. And not to
mention that symbol on your head. Alot of girls like that.
They think it's interesting and beautiful."
        I sighed. "I don't want a girl to like me merely
because of my looks. That would be shallow and vain. And
nothing would come of a relationship based entirely on
lust except heart break."
        David shook his head. "You need to loosen up a bit.
Luke's holding a party next weekend. You should come and
get drunk or something," David said. "Nick's going, and so
am I."
        "You know I don't drink, or take drugs. And I don't
particularly like parties all that much either," I replied,
a smile on my face. "I find them completely unsatisfying."
        "Yeah, whatever. The girls are going to be
disappointed," David said.
        When Luke came back, the three of us rode over to
the paddock where Dawn and Claudia were riding in. Nick and
White Angel were following Dawn everywhere, and Nick was
reciting love poems to her. Luke and David laughed. I just
looked on, shaking my head. Claudia trotted her horse, a
dark bay mare by the name of Galaxy, over to where the
three of us stood. She was laughing as well, and barely
had the energy to direct her horse.
        "Please Dawn?" Nick's voice carried over to us.
"What do I have to do?" he begged.
        "Go to hell!" Dawn replied, pushing her horse into
a fast gallop up towards us.
        "Why don't you like me?" Nick asked, galloping
after her. "Tell me! I'll change!"
        The two of them sprinted past us, barely realising
we were standing there. Wild Spirit, seeing the two other
horses racing, suddenly reared up, turned on his hind legs,
and galloped after them. It was only my reflexes that
allowed me to grab onto the reins and hang on for dear life.
        The wind rushed through my loose hair, and I leaned
forward, over Wild Spirit's neck, and we started gaining
on Nick and Dawn. Behind me there was thunder, as Luke,
David and Claudia followed on their horses. Wild Spirit
passed White Angel, and I looked up to see Nick glance at
me, a grin on his face. I smiled back, and urged Wild
Spirit on, and we soon came up next to Dawn, and then
galloped past. We neared the top of the paddock, and the
fence, and I leaned back, expecting Wild Spirit to slow
down. But without warning, he sped up, and then I realised
that he meant to jump the high fence.
        The fence loomed closer with each bound, and just
before Wild Spirit took off, I positioned myself into the
jumping position. We soared through the air, almost flying
due to the speed we had been galloping at, and we landed on
the other side. Without missing a beat, Wild Spirit
galloped on, until I finally pulled him up to a halt.
        I turned Wild Spirit around, and saw the others
still on the other side of the fence, the expression on
their faces were that of shock. Wild Spirit and I walked
slowly back towards them, our breaths short and fast from
our wild gallop.
        "That was a six foot fence," Luke said, his eyes
wide. "You have an A grade jumper there," he added, looking
at me and then at Wild Spirit. "Most of our stallions can't
even jump that fence."
        "You'll find Wild Spirit is full of surprises," I
said, smiling.
        Nick and I left at three thirty in the afternoon,
as we had to be back by four. We said farewell to our
friends, saying we'll see them on Monday at school. Luke,
David, and Claudia groaned, but Dawn merely waved us
goodbye, thankful that Nick was leaving.
        We rode back to our riding school without much
conversation. Nick was silent with thought, no doubt
thinking up some plan to get Dawn to like him. I was just
happy and content, and trying very hard not to let other
issues concern me for the moment.
        I untacked Wild Spirit and rugged him up when we
arrived back at the school. Wild Spirit seemed glad to be
back in his stall, tired from a full day's ride. I made
sure he had fresh water in his stall, and then gave him
his dinner of oats, corn and chaff. He dug in as soon as
I had emptied it into his feed bucket. I watched him for a
moment longer, playing with his mane.
        The sun was near the horizon when I said goodbye
to Nick and started my ride home. I was tired also, and my
mind was wandering, hardly paying any attention to the dark
road in front of me. The stars were beginning to show in
the east, and the sky seemed to be on fire as the sun set
in the west. The silver moon was already high in the sky,
making it's long journey around the world.
        Suddenly, a felt a strange presence, the same
presence I had felt last night, of someone watching me. I
realised I was riding past the bush thicket. Light was
almost completely gone from the sky now, and I think I
felt a touch of fear.
        Without warning, my bike jerked, as if someone had
pulled it sharply. I almost fell off, and hung on with all
my strength, trying to steer it. It was pointless; the bike
swerved off the road, and crashed into the bush thicket.
Branches and leaves whipped my face, arms and neck. I tried
breaking, but the bike would not stop, as if someone was
pushing it from behind, or pulling it on a invisible string.
        I could see nothing; only feel in leaves and
branches rush past me. Darkness was all around me, and
above me. No star or moon light penetrated through the
thick canopy of dark leaves and branches over head. My
bike suddenly struck something on the ground, and I flew
over the top of it, flying through the dark air. And then
nothing. No pain, only darkness every where.

End of Part One, Chapter One.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Name Endymion...

Part One: Innocent Life...

Chapter Two...

Notes: The Character "Armand", is from the "Vampire
Chronicles", written by Anne Rice. I will be using some of
her characters in this fan fic. They are not mine.
        I am sorry for the slow start into this story,
but I thought it nessary.

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me; only the
few I make up. The story, however, is mine.

A fan fic by Caleyndar.
Rating: PG.

        The stars shone down on me, and the moon was
smiling at me, peeking out from it's blanket of ghost like
clouds. The dark trees towered over me, almost as if
peering down at my small form.
        Feeling was slowly returning to my shocked body,
and the recent events were coming back to me as well. I
slowly sat up when my body allowed it, and looked around
at my surroundings. I was sitting in the middle of a small
clearing. My bike was leaning up against a tree, seemingly
undamaged, with my helmet hanging off the handle bars,
and my bag on the ground next to the front wheel. I felt
myself over, finding that I was unhurt. My forehead still
possessed the symbol with it's blue Earth and silver moon.
        I stood up, my body tense, ready to defend myself.
As far as my eyes could tell, there was no one near me,
but my senses told me other wise. I could still feel the
presence of that being around me, watching me. I wanted
to shout out to it, to demand that it show it's face.
        A stick broke underfoot. I turned around fast,
facing the being who had caused the noise.
        And a young man with an angel's face stood before
me, a soft smile on his lips, his large brown eyes, staring
into my own. His features were that of a boy, yet he was
dressed in a man's suit, and looked to be older, wiser to
the world and what it offered.
        "Endymion," he said, his lips moving almost
seductively as he formed the word. He bowed briefly,
before speaking again. "It is a pleasure to finally meet
you. After fifteen years, the whole galaxy thought you
were dead. Except, of course, those who knew exactly
where you were."
        "I'm not Endymion," I managed to say at last.
        "So you have to yet opened the box," the young
man stated. "But there is no use denying it, Darien. You
are Endymion. That symbol on your head tells all." He
paused, as if wondering what to say next. "And I am Armand.
Let's say I am a friend for now. I am here to teach you
your legacy; your powers, which exist only in your line."
        "I was adopted," I said darkly. "I have no parents,
I have no line. Let me leave. I care nought for your words,
or who you say you are."
        "You know what I say is true. The symbol apon your
head makes it true, as does the wooden box with the exact
same symbol sitting in your room of your home," Armand
said, refusing to let me leave. "Besides, what else can
you do? If I do not teach you to control your powers now,
mark my words, they will come to you, and you will not be
able to control them. And then, you may hurt those you
love; your adopted family, your friends, even your beloved
horse, Wild Spirit."
        "How do you know so much about me?" I demanded.
        "I know alot of things," he replied, smiling.
"I know all about your real family, your real parents. In
short, I know more about you then even you yourself does."
        "Tell me about my real family then," I sneered,
angry.
        "Don't waste your anger on me, Endymion. You could
use it on much more worth while things," Armand said.
"And as for telling you about your real family, I will
not. Not until you accept what I say as the truth, and
you agree to let me teach you." He paused, and then smiled
darkly at me. "Of course, you don't have to. But then,
you'll never know what you want to know, and you'll never
be able to control you powers. And that would be a
tragedy," he laughed, a cruel, evil laugh.
        I glared at him, hating him immensely.
        He stopped, and looked at me with his brown eyes.
"I'm being cruel, am I not? I apologise. I can not help
what I am, and by my nature, I am alas cruel, and very
much evil," he said, sighing. "Come. Sit down. I have
much to tell you. About your past, your future, and your
powers. And the night is short, whilst the story long."
He walked to the edge of the clearing and sat down on a
fallen tree, gesturing for me to sit by him. I did so,
but wearily. "Before you were born, I was already over
eight hundred years old. And has much as I was sick of my
eternal life already, I loved the peace that existed, and
the galaxy we both are now in. But then you were born."
Armand looked at me, watching my reaction in a way which
did not seem unlike that of a predator watching it's pray.
        "So I was born. And what does it matter whether
one insignificant life was born or not?" I asked, sarcasm
dripping from my voice. "And how can you possibly be over
eight hundred years old?"
        "Immortality, Endymion. A terrible curse. But to
put it plainly, I am a vampire. And yes, I drink blood,
and no, I am not restricted by night and day. I can go
out in full sunlight if I wished," he said, looking bored,
as if he had said those few words millions of times. "But
to continue, your life is not insignificant. On the
contrary, your life is perhaps one of most valuable in
this galaxy. And when you were born, a war broke out. The
beginning of your life in this universe destroyed millions
of others. It wasn't your fault. It was the greed of
others for the power you hold locked inside of you. As a
result of the war, you were hidden, in an attempt to end
the war, thus you are here, on this planet named Earth.
But the war did not end. It rages still. Your parents
were killed shortly after you were brought here to
safety," Armand finished softly, all cruelness in his
voice gone, replaced by something that might have been
pity, sadness. He looked at me with his large liquid
brown eyes.
        "My real parents are dead," I whispered to myself.
"Then what does it matter whether or not I learn my
powers?" I asked, anger flaring up in me again.
        "Because until recently, the powers were dormant
inside you, for you were too young, your mind too
undeveloped. But the power now grows, and demands to be
set free. You may not feel it yet, but it is there, and
becomes stronger everyday. And those who wanted you from
the moment you were born will want you once more, for
your power could control the universe," Armand explained
patiently, as a teacher does to a child who does not
understand.
        "Then why should I trust you? Why should I trust
anyone if what you say is true?" I demanded, standing up
in my confusion and rage.
        "You have to trust someone. And I have no reason
to want more power, now do I? I am immortal. I have
eternity ahead of me. And I have my own powers, which are
enough for me. The only reason I am helping you is because
I feel sorry for you. No one deserves what you will soon
go through, and I am only trying to lessen the blows you
will soon be dealt. If you are trained in your powers, at
least you will be able to use them to help you," Armand
replied, standing up also.
        "And what will I soon go through?" I questioned
darkly.
        "As I said before, those who killed your parents
will want your power. They will seek to control you, to
use you for their own greed driven obsessions. Now will
you let me help you or not?" Armand asked. "Go home now.
It's late. If you want my help, come back tomorrow night,
after your day at the riding school. I will be here. And
read what lies within the box, and bring the weapon that
it contains as well. The letter there will explain all."
        I said nothing, and did not look at him, but
walked over to my bike and strapped on my helmet and swung
my bag on to my back. When I did looked back already he
was gone. All that he had said now swam in my head,
confusing me more. I barely knew where I stepped as I
made my way back to the road through the thick scrub, and
rode home.
        It was very late by the time I arrived home. The
lights were still on; my parents had waited up for me,
concerned for I was so late arriving home. I explained to
them that I had crashed on my bike, and it had taken me a
long time to fix the chain and the twisted handle bars.
I walked up to my room without eating, and in a trance I
showered and climbed into bed. But I did not sleep.
Everything I had been told repeated itself in my head.
That my parent were dead, that I was the cause of
millions of deaths. And that my name is really Endymion.
        Something snapped inside of me, and I could not
stand it anymore. I took the wooden box from where it sat
on my window sill, and in the moon light, I opened it.
        A letter laid inside the silk lined wooden box,
and a long silver weapon. The letter was parchment, with
a seal in silver on it, which bore the same symbol on my
forehead and on the box. I broke it, and felt as if I had
opened Pandora's Box, and set evil loose into the world.
Carefully, I unfolded it, fearing what it would reveal to
me, the secrets it held.
        I read it carefully;

My Prince Endymion,
                        I regret that I am not able to
tell you this in person, but time is short, and you are
but too young to understand what I have to say to you.
Your kingdom is at war, and your mother, Queen Giai, has
asked me you take you to safety, thus you are on this
planet, Earth. When all is well, I will come for you, and
you will take your rightful place as Prince of the Earth
Kingdom. Your father, King Ares, has asked me to give you
this weapon, and your mother has requested that I pass
this message on to you; forget not the power within you.

        I closed my eyes, and set the letter down.
Everything Armand had said was true. Until I had read
that, I doubted it. But now, I had no choice but to
believe. This was what I had feared. The knowledge weighed
down on me, crushing me. Compared to being told I was a
dopted, this was ten times worse. Why was this happening
to me? All I ever wanted was to be normal, to be human. I
never asked for this. My mind was screaming, and I wanted
to scream. Yes, open the window, and let all my pain empty
from my body through my voice.
        I did not do it. I merely forced the pain away,
and replaced the letter in the box. I sat there, silent,
thoughtful. An hour passed before I moved again to take
the weapon out of the box. The moon was beginning to set,
and it appeared like a huge silver disk sitting on the
dark landscape.
        The weapon was light, a long silver cylinder
encrusted with jewels and gems, finished with intricate
designs of gold. On it was also the symbol, staring up at
me in the dull light. Strangely, it felt so right there,
clasp in my hand. It felt as if it belonged there, always,
fuelled by the power within me. I looked at it, tracing
it's patterns with my eyes, wondering what I should do
with it now.
        And then, without realising, I pressed the
controls, and a brilliant silver blue energy blade flared
up from the handle. I swung the blade, feeling it's energy
as it sliced through the air. My movements were smooth,
as if I had welded the weapon since I was born. Without
pausing, I pressed another control, and a twin blade
extended itself from the other end of the handle. I
twirled it in my hands, almost becoming hypnotised by it's
swilling silver blue light. Suddenly, I stopped, and held
the weapon away from me in one hand, parallel to the
ground. I pressed the controls again, and watched in silent
wonder as the twin blades contracted back into the handle
as if they had never existed.
        I held the weapon up, looking at it again. It
suddenly disappeared. With a single flash of blue light,
the weapon no longer existed in my hand. I narrowed my
eyes, and concentrated, wanting the weapon to be back in
my hand. Another flash of light, and I was once again
holding the silver weapon. My powers were indeed beginning
to surface. I made the weapon disappear again with a mere
act of will, and then closed up the box.
        My eyes landed on the mirror, showing me the
reflection of a boy, sitting on his bed, looking sad,
depressed. His blue eyes shone with something that was
not unlike an inner strength, but was really inner power,
shinning out through the windows of his soul. The symbol
on his forehead shone with it's own faint glow. I hated it
suddenly, and I wished it wasn't there. I wanted it gone.
        Another flash of blue light. I looked back in the
mirror once my vision cleared. My reflection no longer
showed the symbol. My forehead was clear; no striking
symbol showing under the strands of black hair, no silver,
blue or green catching the light. I smiled softly to
myself, wondering what else this new found power would
accomplish.
        I shook my head, surprised at my own attitude
towards my power. It seemed in this moment of clarity
that every time I used it, I found it additive, as if I
wanted more. It would be so easy to use it to change my
life, so easy to manipulate people. Would I dare? I
pressed my lips together and vowed that I would not,
silently, within my heart.
        Time passed, and I was soon asleep. It was
strangely dreamless, yet restless. Everything I had gone
through the day before was still clear in my mind; the
sleep had not washed them away. I left the house that day,
reminding myself that the power within me would never be
used to hurt others.
        Nick met me at the riding school as usual, and the
first thing he asked was what had happened to the symbol.
I lied to him, saying I didn't know, that it had
disappeared over night. My tone of voice told him to
leave it at that, and reluctantly, he did so, turning his
attention to his mare.
        The day passed without my realising it, and I was
soon riding home, and turning into the bush thicket,
riding towards the clearing. Dusk was apon me when I
reached the small cleared space within the bush land.
I dismounted from my bike and leaned it up against a tree
before unstrapping my helmet and setting my bag down.
I then seated myself on the same fallen tree trunk as
yesterday, and awaited for the arrival of Armand.
        I looked up suddenly from the ground at which I
had been staring, into his angelic face. He smiled at me,
and touched my forehead with his icy cold, yet delicate
long fingers. "A wondrous power, is it not? And a wise
move. Without the symbol, only those who are trained and
have a certain power can single you out in a crowd of
humans," he said, and sat down beside me.
        I did not reply, but materialised the weapon in
my hand with a flash of blue light.
        "Well, you have out done yourself. Your powers
are developing rapidly. I trust you know how the weapon
works? Show me," he said, smiling softly at me again.
        I complied, as if I had not will of my own. Like
the night before, I touched the controls, and the blade
flared to life. I swung it, watching the blade cut through
the air. Throwing it, the blade swirled through the air,
and cut a small tree down with a brilliant arc of blue
light. I willed it to come back into my hand, and it
swung around in mid air and flew as if by magic back to
me. Switching it to the other setting, I twirled it in my
hands a few times before shutting it down.
        "Perfect," Armand said. "Many of the powers, you
will learn by yourself, as you have discovered those you
have already shown me. But let me show you another little
trick. A very destructive power, and a very beautiful one."
        An hour passed. Perhaps more. I was not concerned,
really. I could easily twist my adopted parent's minds to
make them think that I had arrived home on time. And I
didn't even have to ride home; I would teleport there,
bike and all. But this was nothing compared to the power
Armand showed me. A deadly power, more destructive that
my hand held weapon.
        My body glowed with a blue light; the sign of my
power. My eyes flashed briefly; and then a glowing ball of
blue lightning energy formed in my hands. I let it grow,
fuelling it with my emotions, and all my physical and
mental power. Then I threw it against a tree. It exploded
in a splendid bright blue flame. When everything cleared,
nothing was left where the tree stood except a blackened
patch on the scorched ground. I closed my eyes, feeling
the power within me.
        In my room, I threw myself down on my bed, my mind
screaming at me. What was this power doing to me? I had
just lied to my parents, using the power to make them
believe me. And what was I doing, wanting to use them so
much? Did I not care anymore about the people around me?
All I seemed to want to do was to use my powers, to grow
stronger in them. Please, please don't let it take control
again. I did not like the person I became with the use of
these powers.
        Dawn. The sunlight shone on my face, and it felt
so good, like it was purify me, taking away the evil side
of myself. Outside my window, birds sang; a wonderful,
peaceful tune. I smiled, glad to be my old self. I would
not have to see Armand for a full day. At least until
then, I could be myself. And perhaps, if I was strong
enough to resist myself, I would not go to him tonight.
        I dressed in my school uniform and quickly ate my
breakfast. Within half an hour, I was at the bus stop, my
bag on my back, awaiting the arrival of the bus which
would take me to school. I felt good today, glad that no
one would stare at me any longer, for I had hidden the
symbol with my powers. The bus ride was for once peaceful.
No little kids ran up to me and asked me questions about
the symbol, no one stared at me. For the first time, I
felt almost normal, human. Only I was not.
        Nick met me at the gate, a dreamy expression on
his face.
        "Thinking about Dawn again?" I asked, punching
him softly in the arm.
        "What else?" he asked, barely looking at me. His
eyes were looking down the road, in the direction that
Dawn's bus came.
        "I suppose you're going to Luke's party. But the
question is, is Dawn going?" I asked, leaning up against
the fence, grinning at him.
        "Yeah, she sure is," he replied, though it seemed
that he was talking to himself.
        I rolled my eyes, and shook my head, grinning
still. "And I suppose you are going to get drunk
and make a perfect fool out of yourself," I said.
        "Yes, exactly," he said.
        I laughed, realising he wasn't even listening to me.
        Nick suddenly snapped out of his day dream, and his
eyes brightened, and a huge smile appeared on his face. I
looked down to road to see Dawn's bus coming. It pulled up
in front of the gate, and the students pushed their way
off, never caring about the others in their mindless rush.
Dawn was one of the last to get off the bus, and when she
saw Nick standing there, she looked as if she wanted to
retreat back onto the bus.
        As soon as Dawn stepped of the bus, Nick ran up to
her and tried to embrace her.
        Dawn shoved him off. "You are such an immature
brat!" she yelled at him and stormed off, her blond hair
flying out behind her.
        Having forgotten me, Nick followed her like a puppy.
        I was about to follow, but something stopped me,
and made me look back towards the bus. A girl was the last
to descend the steps of the bus. As her foot touched the
ground she looked up.
        Into my eyes.
        Something slammed into my heart, and I could hardly
breath. Emotions rushed through me, causing me to feel as
if I would faint. In that split second that my eyes had
met with her large clear sky blue ones, I had lost my
heart. I felt myself drowning in her eyes, and we must
have stood there, staring at each other for minutes, if
not more. Time had no meaning.
        She suddenly widened her large eyes, and an
expression of mild shock passed through her lovely features.
The world tilted around me, and I realised I had sank down
onto my knees.
        "Are you alright?" her lovely, voice asked me; the
voice of an angel. Her silky golden hair done up in an
unusual style of two 'meat balls' framed her beautiful
face, and those deep eyes. The hair fell down in two
golden streamers all around her, the length of it almost
reaching her knees.
        I looked up at her face, and this time, the beauty,
the innocence, the tranquillity of it was too much for me.
I fainted. The vision of her faded as the darkness took
over.

End Part 1, Chapter 2.


