CHAPTER 10
Sleep is a pool from which emerging is more difficult then
entering. He heard the thunderous roar and felt the cold force
of his liege's power on which he opened his eyes to stare at
the ebony ceiling of his sleeping chambers.
He held himself perfectly still. It was all a dream. No
matter how wonderful, nothing but a dream. The war would not
stop.
Hades turned right and smiled wistfully at the sleeping
figure beside him. She was still young and trusting, not
knowing that maybe next minute, next day, her life would
flicker out like a burnt out candle.
He planted a light kiss on her forehead and ... murmured
slightly. Hades silently got up and put on a robe before slipping
out of the room. He walked on, curtly acknowledging the submissive
nods of the others. Zombies, he thought contempuosly, only
fawning fools.
Entering the throne room, he gave a courtly bow towards the
dark shadow in front of him.
"Has Belletrophon returned, my liege?"
"THE FOOL RAN! RAN!!!" the shadow was quivering with anger.
"He failed and ran away like a COWARD!!"
"Ahh...where is he now?" Hades asked.
"Where he belongs, the dust! At least the fool finished
his main task!"
"Then...has he completed his other...little task?"
"...The one called Helios had a vision of my Queen. Belletrophon
used his life essence to pinpoint her location. Soon, we will be
reunited and begin a new kingdom." The dark shadow abruptly turned.
"Send Callisto, tell her to seek out my Queen and destroy the Glaive
Holder."
"Very well, my liege." Hades turned to leave.
"Ah, also inform her to be on the look out for two meddling
senshis. Belletrophon failed mainly because of their interference.
Kill them also!"
Hades gave another bow and stroded out. Once outside, he sighed
and ran his hand through his dark locks. Strange how much he
hated violence yet was the one to send another to their death.
For a moment a strange lethergy came over him. He almost
remembered green fields, laughter and happiness. Was that before
he came here? He pondered. All he remembered was that he had
served the Shadow King for an eternity. Almost like he was born
serving. Who was he?
Hades sighed again. He had no past. Only his allegiance to his
king was his main role in this world. Without a moment hesistation,
he entered a darkened corridor to seek out the Huntress, Callisto.
================================
"Where did you go last time?"
They were both at the park in the afternoon. Adelaide smiled
and tugged her companion's red locks.
"Ouch! Stop that! You haven't answered my question!"
"I returned home."
"What do you mean? Our home is here now." Mika blinked in confusion.
"Our former home, Mika. There were a few things that I had to do."
"Oh." A few minutes pass in complete silence. Then Adelaide saw
Usagi and did a double take. She was worse than the last time they
met. Her face showed obvious signs of grief and weariness. Not strange,
considering....
"Mika, do me a favor."
"Huh?"
"Go to the Chiba residence and talk to Mamoru Chiba."
"What! He's a married guy, for landsakes! Have you lost your
marbles?"
"Your language has become a bit flowery." observed Adelaide.
"Flirting was never your strong point anyway. Just go and talk to
him. He'll probably need a shoulder to cry on, remember?"
"I get your drift...Hey! Where you're going?"
"That one." Adelaide pointed at Usagi. Mika's eyes widened
slightly and she too left.
Mamoru opened the door and saw a grinning Mika standing on his
front porch.
"Hi, Mamo-chan, you don't mind me calling you that do you? You
sure look terrible, you need more sleep and rest. There's sleeping
bags under your eyes....blah...blah..."
Mika forced her way in with the pretense of a friendly visit.
Mamoru lost his dejected look for a moment and appeared a bit
flustered. He hadn't expected to see Mika. Not that he minded
much though.
"Cool living room, you sure have a large house. Delly and me
are cramped up in our apartment."
"Delly?"
"That's Adelaide, she hates that pet name. She's a bit on the
weird side, too cooped up. But don't tell her I said that. Of course,
before that incident she was more carefree."
"What incident?"
"Huh? Oh the one where our...I'd rather not talk about it." a
flicker of sadness flashed pass Mika's face. Mamoru nodded understandingly.
They talked long into the night, even Mamoru didn't notice anything
strange when Usagi did not return home. All he was interested in was
Mika. Soon, he told her about the loss of some one dear to him and how
he felt. Mika had remained silent for a few seconds before patting him
on the back. Somehow, that simple action unlocked the barrier in his
chest and tears began falling. He cried even as Mika hugged him and
muttered soothing words...
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