Levana Ceri (Moon Love)

Chapter 9

 Chapter 9

 "Princess..."

 Serena frowned in her sleep.

 "...Princess..."

 The voice sounded so far away. Nearly a whisper. Ethereal...but getting stronger.

 "Meatball head...wake up, baby." Darien, his voice was worried, nearly frantic. Serena turned her head towards Darien's voice.

 "Princess Serenity." Fire burned in her belly then she felt as if her insides were trying to blow out of her body. Serena opened her mouth in a silent scream.

 "Serena!" Darien's voice echoed through her before she felt herself ripped out of his hands.

 Serena awoke with a gasp. She sat up quickly and looked around. Fog surrounded her, thick enough to nearly blind her. Standing up awkwardly, Serena tried to figure out where she was. It was very cold. Serena rubbed her chilled arms and took a step forward, intending to hopefully find a way out of there. Serena swallowed hard as panic nearly consumed her. Where was she? Where was Darien? What was that voice she had heard...it had been very familiar.

 Taking a deep breath Serena closed her eyes and laced her fingers together and covered her stomach. A warm pulse flowed from within her, warming her chilled body. Serena focused on that warm pulse and a soft glow emanated from her laced fingers and spread outward, chasing away the fog and lighting a circle around her.

 Serena smiled. She was finally learning how to harness the Imperium Crystal's power.

 "Well done Princess. I was curious if you had learned to use the crystal yet."

 Serena's eyes flew open in surprise. A small purple light hovered in the air before her. Serena turned away from the light in pain when it suddenly flashed, blinding her before it was gone. Turning back to the spot Serena nearly laughed in relief. "Hotaru!"

 Sailor Saturn stood before her with her constant companion Silence Glaive by her side. Saturn held the weapon easily enough, though the true power of her deadly weapon was terrifying. If the head of Silence Glaive were to ever touch the ground, the world’s death and destruction would follow. Everything would cease to exist. Saturn was greatly feared and often shunned by others. She represented everything they all feared, and her often silent demeanor and deep eyes that could look directly into a person’s soul and dissect you were very disconcerting and condemned her to a life of solitude. But to Serena, Sailor Saturn was her dear friend Hotaru Tomoe.

 "Hotaru, I'm so glad to see you. I'm very happy you're ok." Serena said as she quickly embraced the young girl before releasing her and stepping back with a smile.

 Sailor Saturn tilted her head slightly in question. "Are you truly pleased, Princess?"

 Srena blinked in surprise. "Of course I am. How can you ask me that?"

 Saturn smiled gently. "I wonder."

 Serena bowed her head in shame at the censure she saw in Saturn's eyes. "It's been hard for me."

 "I'm sure it has Princess."

 "Don't call me that."

 "It is what you are. It is your birthright and your duty."

 Serena raised her head and glared at Saturn with watery eyes. "I know. It’s nothing I asked for or ever wanted." She said with resentment.

 "But it is yours nonetheless." Saturn said with finality. She examined Serena from head to toe as if measuring her worth. Saturn raised her left hand and a black orb appeared and hovered over her hand. "I have something to show you. Come Princess."