In a secret place, the Dark Moon Crystal flared. Though not intelligent in a manner most people would understand, the relic had some degree of awareness, in light of the number of lives and souls that had gone into its forging, and in accordance with the covenants it was bound to.
First among those was to see to the health and well-being of the royal line, and its servitors. Noting that one of those servitors had undergone the True Death, and that the surviving Princess of the royal house was not yet totally secure in her power (by wielding its own), the Crystal was empowered to act. The Princess must have four guardians, therefore she would.
If the Crystal had been smarter, or had a wielder to direct its power, it would have chosen a safer, saner option. But it was not, and did not, and thus it was acted in the following manner.
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For untold years, she had lurked in the dark. Consigned to the void, confined by the power of the Crystal which had not been able to destroy her, nor take all her strength, but instead bound her to this dead place, where it could steal her power at need or leisure.
Had she been anyone, or anything else, oblivion would have claimed her. But she was more than undead, she was undying. Her spirit, and thus her strength, would exist forever. She was the first, the source of the vampiric power that flowed in the blood of Serenity and her chosen. She had many names, all of them whispered fearfully in the dark, but those who spoke of her referred to her only by the name of the world to which she was bound. She was Saturn.
In the endless silence, she winced as the Binding drank her essence again. Her power was being used again, as it had not for - years? Centuries? It did not matter. Another of her bastard children would soon walk free, while she remained confined. Or was she? The taking seemed less focussed this time. Less sure. Had her binding weakened over the passing of time?
She would wait for her strength to restore itself, then test anew the bonds which held her. And if they crumbled, she would would be free to wreak her vengeance on the sorceress who had dared to challenge her, at last.
Saturn let a small smile curve her lips, and whispered, "Free..."
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Venus was conscious of hurtling into a darkness the likes of which she'd never known, a darkness akin to the torpor she'd spent a millennium immersed in, but deeper. In that darkness, she brushed something, and whatever passed for her soul shuddered at its touch. Then there was light, a deep, crimson burning that spread throughout her body, drawing her back to the world of the living.
The blonde rose from the floor of her club feeling strangely invigorated. The building was now empty and covered with yellow tape. How much time had passed? How had she survived? And where was that delectable-looking hunter? She had plans for him, after what he'd done to her. Oh, yes...
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(Posted Sat, 29 Jan 2005 15:34)
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