Levana Ceri (Moon Love)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

 Serena quickly made her way down the hall, hoping to find Darien and explain. She didn't know exactly what she was trying to explain or how she would go about it, but that she needed to speak with Darien was imperative. If she could just see him...the words would come, she just knew it.

 Suddenly Kunzite appeared before her in a burst of smoke, blocking her path and Serena immediately bent over and began coughing.

 "My apologies princess." Kunzite said with remorse.

 "I really wish everyone would stop calling me that." Serena choked out while still coughing.

 "You cannot deny who you are. Calling you anything else doesn't change that you are the Moon Princess...and that Master is the Prince of Earth."

 Serena froze in her bent position and raised shocked eyes to meet Kunzite's unwavering stare. "What did you say?" Serena whispered.

 "Master...Darien...is the sole heir and guardian of Earth." Kunzite informed her.

 "B-but that's impossible! Earth has never been a planet of power, why would it have a guardian? No one has ever told me that Earth was protected or that it had royalty-"

 "That's because no one knows." Kunzite interrupted her rambling.

 "Why?" Serena asked in confusion. To be recognized in the system as a planet of power came a long way in gaining respect and allegiance from the other planets. If her father had known, he would've allied himself immediately with Earth.

 "Let me ask you something princess. When you think of your kingdom, what comes to mind?" Kunzite asked her.

 "Peace. Comfort. A place where only beauty lies and ugly things do not linger." Serena answered honestly.

 "Spoken as a true princess of your bloodline." Kunzite nodded approvingly. "Now let me tell you what others think when they think of your kingdom." Kunzite stepped closer until he was a step away from Serena and she had to look up to meet his eyes from his towering height above her. "Power, Serena. The Moon Kingdom is the wealthiest and most powerful of all the planets in our system. It’s a paradise of peace and love. But it also has the power to destroy and defeat any who attempt to attack it. Any threat is taken care of with humiliating ease. That's the kind of power people can only dream about. Of all the planets I am truly glad that it is the Moon Kingdom that holds possession of the Imperium Crystal. Your people praise mercy and honor. They will willingly die to preserve it. Of all the races I've come across, your people are the only ones I can say with confidence are not corrupted by absolute power. Because that is what your kingdom has whether you choose to claim it or not."

 "You make us sound like dictators." Serena said.

 "No princess, I make you sound as the noble beings that you are. You only ever use your power to protect yourselves against any threat, and even then you always show mercy. You never use it to impose yourself on others. That's why the other planets flock to ally themselves with you. You are loved but feared as well. It’s better to be allies than to be your enemy." Kunzite said.

 "What does this have anything to do with-?" Serena began before Kunzite interrupted her curtly.

 "What do you think of when you think of Mars? When you think of Jupiter, Venus or Mercury? Again...you think of a powerful kingdom. Mars has some of the greatest warriors this system has ever known. They are bred and trained for combat. They love to fight and find what little excuse they can to fight."

 "That's not true!" Serena immediately defended Raye’s home planet.

 "Since allying themselves with you, which I might add was a bitter pill for the people of Mars since they consider your kingdom weak for its mercy, they've had to restrain themselves. But they still train and still hold their combat tournaments for honor and bravery. To die in battle is considered the highest honor for them. Because of this many fear to take on Mars because of its no prisoner taken alive policy. Jupiter also trains for combat but unlike Mars who is more than happy to use a bomb and fire at a distance, Jupiter’s people believe that the only true form of fighting is to fight on even ground and in hand to hand combat. Their belief in equality and fairness rivals none. Mercury is known for its people's high intellect. No problem is too complex for them. Venus is the only other kingdom I know of that so resembles the Moon Kingdom, the only thing they’re lacking is the Imperium Crystal." Kunzite said.