*******************************************************
**Priestess Of Light**
By Brickgirl
Brickgirl@hotmail.com
Rated: PG
Disclaimer: All these characters but a few belong to me.
**Part 2: Flight**
*******************************************************

The youma holding Taika hissed in confusion at the light emanating from
the symbol of Mars on the Princess? head.  The glowing light expanded, a
beam catching the demon in the chest.  It screamed as the light burned
through its body, quickly reducing it to a pile of ashes.

The two youma who had battled Kierke uneasily backed away from the girl,
clenching their blood-stained claws, but they had forgotten Andora.  She
whispered a spell, a small ball of blue fire growing in her hand.  She
hurled it at the two youma.  They were gone before they knew what hit
them.

The priestess stepped over to Taika who lay unconscious on the floor.
Her life energy pulsed strong, so Andora left her for the moment and
went to Kierke, kneeling by the fallen knight?s side.

His breathing was shallow, ragged.  Andora could hear the effort with
which he drew in the air.  She gently touched his head, feeling the
sticky blood that oozed from his temple, the blow which must have
finally brought him down.  Between the grievous head wound and the
amount of blood he had lost at the claws of the youma, there was almost
no chance of him surviving.  Unless . . .

<<This is a war,>> a cold voice inside of her said.  <<You can?t be so
soft.  People die.  You have to face that.  They both would be dead if
you hadn?t been there.  Take the girl and go, before Octavia sends
reinforcements.>>

She bowed her head.  No matter the risk of staying, she couldn?t just
leave him here to die.  Taika would be heartbroken . . .

<<Fine, do it for the girl, but this is the last time.>>

Andora grasped Kierke?s head in both hands and closed her sightless
eyes.  Power burned through her as she whispered a chant.  She could
feel the energy reinforce his life force.  His breathing strengthened.

Andora cut off the spell, feeling slightly dizzy.  The knight was
completely healed, in a deep sleep that would last until morning.  She
was exhausted from the energy drain, but there was still one more task
for her to complete.

Making her way slowly to Taika, she placed her hand on the girl?s
forehead.  Magic churned inside of the Princess, a hungry fire roaring
to be free.  The magical signature around Taika almost screamed to
Andora here, and Octavia would have no trouble seeing it from as far a
distance as she was.  That was how the empress had found them.

Andora supposed it was probably her own fault.  Her own presence had
awakened the power within Taika far faster then she had anticipated.
Her own knowledge of the power within the girl had kept her from sensing
how fast the walls around her magic had broken down.  However, it would
easily repaired.

Using as sparingly little of her own magic as she could, Andora built up
a series of shields around Taika?s power.  It would do nothing to
inhibit the girl?s abilities, but rather, would serve simply to hide her
presence from anyone who might try to seek her out following her
energy?s presence.

Like Octavia.

Andora staggered to her feet.  She contemplated carrying the girl back
to her bed, but immediately dismissed the idea.  Defeating the youma and
creating the magical shields had been child?s play, but bringing back
another from the borders of death, especially after such a hard journey,
exhausted her.  She was not quite back at full strength yet, to work
such powerful magic as she had.

She managed to find her way back to the pallet in the corner and
gratefully sank into it.  She closed her eyes, letting the even darker
black of unconsciousness sweep over her mind.  But before it did
scattered bits of memories of both the past and the future danced
through her thoughts, a thousand voices screaming in pain, an immense
figure cloaked in darkness and evil, tears falling from eyes the most
unusual shade of maroon, and somewhere, beyond it all, a tinkling laugh
and a warm embrace.
__________

Octavia leaned back, closed her eyes, and sighed.  She had kept loose
tabs on the youma attack, and was disturbed with what she had sensed.

It wasn?t the fact that the attack had failed.  She had almost been
expecting that.  Sending three lower-class youma against power of that
magnitude, even with someone who wasn?t trained to use it, and it was
likely you would end up with three less youma.  No, this was simply a
test to see what kind of forces she might be facing.

The fact that she could no longer sense the mysterious person?s presence
was a bit more bothersome, but still not anything to worry about.  She
knew from experience that those of exceptional power usually did not
stay hidden for long.  Sooner or later, they would reveal themselves,
and either serve her or be crushed.

No, it was something else that she had sensed, something vague, and yet,
somehow . . . very familiar.  A presence, fainter, but possibly more
powerful then the one that had first attracted her attention.  Whoever
it was, they were very well shielded.  It was only by chance that she
had noticed it.

She could have sworn that recognized it.  A force, a person she had
known long ago.

But try as she did, she couldn?t remember.

?Oh well,? she muttered, pushing the thought from her mind.  It was
pointless to worry about it now.  She had a feeling that sooner or later
. . .

?Did you say something, Empress?? Losna asked, walking into the room.
The advisor looked somewhat weary, her blue gown slightly wrinkled.

?Is Theia giving you trouble?? Octavia asked.  Losna?s six year old
daughter was known to be . . . a handful at times.  Though Octavia never
would have admitted it, especially to herself, she had a sort of
fondness for the child.

It had been six years ago, when Losna was pregnant that she had first
approached Octavia begging for a position in the palace.  Unwed, she had
exiled from her small village and sought a place to raise her child.
Octavia was never one to act on pity, and would have killed the woman on
the spot, but from the start, Losna had shown herself to be both an
excellent tactician and a brilliant diplomat.  Not that Octavia had much
use for the latter.

Losna had never spoken of Theia?s father.

?No, I just . . . haven?t been sleeping well.?  Octavia nodded, already
bored.  ?Have you had any word on the youma attack??

?They failed.?

?Shall I have another group . . . .??

Octavia cut her off with a lazy wave of her hand.  ?No.  It isn?t
necessary at the moment.  You?re dismissed, for now.?

Losna bowed and exited the throne room, leaving the Empress of Earth
searching her memories for any pieces of a familiar presence whose
identity continues to elude her.
__________

The next morning, no one said any word of the attack the previous night.
Kierke and Taika packed their belongings with a practiced speed, seeming
to not remember the specifics of the events during the attack, only
knowing they were no longer safe.  They were gone before the sun was
above the trees, leaving behind the small cottage in the in the woods.

?Where are we going to go?? Taika asked several miles into the woods.
Her hair still hung in the heavy braid down her back, but she had
exchanged her dress for a shirt, breeches, and a worn pair of boots.  A
long bow and quiver hung easily from her shoulder.

Kierke sighed.  ?I don?t know, Princess.?  He led the gray horse, who
was carrying all the belongings they could possibly take with them.

Andora walked easily beside them, the night?s rest having completely
restored her strength.  ?I suggest that we head towards the kingdom of
Tuogane.?

The other two stopped to stare at the priestess.  Kierke found his voice
first.  ?Tuogane?  Are you crazy?  That is where Octavia?s stronghold is
located.  Including a very large portion of her army.?

Andora gave a slight smile.  ?Exactly.  Octavia depends on fear to rule.
Moving towards the danger is a move she wouldn?t expect.?

?I still think . . .?

?I think it?s a good idea,? Taika cut in.

Kierke looked at her, his face unreadable.  ?Fine,? he finally said.
Tugging on the horse?s reins, he moved farther up ahead on the trail.

Taika moved in step with Andora, who seemed to have not noticed the
knight?s reaction.  ?I suppose I shouldn?t have been so abrupt,? she
murmured softly to the priestess.  ?He greatly dislikes being told what
to do, even by me.?

Andora nodded silently.  Taika paused, drawing in a breath, as if unsure
of what she was about to say.  ?About last night,? the Princess said
hesitantly, ?I don?t remember much of what happened.  I remember the
monsters, and you casting light with your staff, and,? she paused again,
swallowed, ?and I remember Sir Kierke . . . dead, or almost dead.?  Her
last words were a whisper.

Andora continued walking silently, not responding to the inherent
question.  Growing impatient, Taika finally asked her.

?Did you heal him?  Did you bring him back??

Andora tilted her head upwards.  Anyone else would be studying the sky.
?Yes,? she said finally, as if it pained her to do so.  Her voice
however, still maintained its icy calm.

Taika blinked away something in her eyes.  ?Thank you,? she whispered
hoarsely.  ?I don?t know what I would have done if . . .?

Andora turned to face the girl, her blank eyes locking onto the
princess?s violet ones.  ?There?s is something you have to understand
Taika.  Whether you realize it or not, we are in the middle of a war, a
war with the fate of this planet at stake, and possibly much more.  Yes,
I did save Kierke?s life, this time, but performing such an act was not
my place.  People die in war, Taika, and you are going to have to be
prepared for such an eventuality.?

Taika?s reply was soft, but her voice laced with steel.  ?I already know
this, Priestess.  Kierke may not know it, but I remember the death of my
parents quite vividly.  I was only four at the time, but I stood there
and watched the youma cut them to ribbons.?  She spoke the words
unflinchingly, a fire burning deep inside her eyes.  ?I realize that I
may have to watch more die, and I may even die myself, but I will do
everything in my power to keep that from happening.?  She adjusted the
bow on her back.  ?And if I can?t do anything, then I will deal with
it.?  Throwing her braid over her shoulder, she move ahead to walk
beside Kierke.

Following behind, Andora smiled faintly.
__________

By the end of the day, they had emerged from the forest and entered the
lowlands.  In the distance, the Black Mountains stood silhouetted in the
setting sun.

?We should reach the mountains within a week,? Andora said as they set
up camp a few hundred yards from the road.  ?This late in the summer,
the first snowstorms will be . . .?

?We?ve crossed the mountains before,? Kierke said shortly, tearing a
piece from the large chunk of bread in his hand.  He was obviously still
uncomfortable with the idea of heading straight into the lion?s den.

Andora nodded, nonplused by the knight?s curtness.  They ate in silence
for a while, until Taika spoke.

?I?ve been wondering, Andora,? she said, swallowing a mouthful of stew.
?I made a study of religion about five years ago.  I know the different
orders of priests and priestesses are differentiated by the color trim
on their robes, but,?  She gestured to the pale silvery-blue accents on
Andora?s white robes.  ?I?m not familiar with that shade of blue.?

Andora took a sip of water before answering.  ?This color signifies the
Order of Selene.?

Taika almost choked on her food.  ?The Moon Goddess??  Andora nodded.
?But I thought the Order of Selene ceased to exist several hundred years
ago.?

Andora smiled.  ?As far as I know, I am the only current member of the
Order.  Five hundred years ago, the Order had nearly a hundred members,
but they mysteriously disappeared.  Some say that they actually traveled
to the moon where they reside to this day.  Other stories tell of their
destruction at the hands of a powerful demon.?

?Do you know what happened to them?? Kierke asked, seemingly fascinated
with the tale.

Andora paused.  ?I suspect that the truth is more complicated then
either story,? was all she said in response.

?But if the Order of Selene no longer exists, how did you come to be one
of them?? Taika pressed.

?Though worship of them may no longer continue, gods and goddesses do
not cease to exist.  You could say I was called.?

Taika was perceptive.  ?By Selene herself??

?Perhaps.?

Kierke broke in.  ?I still don?t understand what you wished to talk to
Taika about.?

Taika shot Andora a puzzled look.  ?You never said you needed to talk to
me.?

?Taika, I sought you out for an important reason.  How much do you know
of the legends of the Planetary Kingdoms??

The Princess shook her head, obviously confused.  ?Not much.  Apparently
a thousand years ago each of the planets of this solar system had their
own civilizations.  They warred with each other until they all died out
except for Earth.  That?s all I can remember.?

Andora nodded.  ?You are almost right.  It was only the Inner Planets at
war, and there is no record how it began or it Earth was involved at any
point.  The civilizations did not merely die out, they destroyed each
other.  Earth is the only planet in the system that naturally supports
life.  The life on the other planets was made possible by a series of
very complex and delicate spells that were destroyed during the wars.?

?But what does any of that have to do with me??

?Have you heard of the Planetary Senshi??  Thalia shook her head no.
?For every planet in the galaxy that has any sort of civilization, there
exists a warrior possessing great power, a Senshi to guard and protect
it.  Sometimes the power is passed down through generations, sometimes
not.  On some planets, there are always Senshi to protect it, sometimes
the power remains dormant for centuries, only to reawaken when it is
needed.  Some planets have more then one, and some senshi have duties
far greater then the protection of their planet.  No one knows why this
is so, only that it is.  Above all, the Senshi are meant to be a great
force of Light in the universe.?

?So were they involved in this great war between the Inner Planets??

?Legend says that they joined together to try to stop the war.  However,
they perished in the effort, suggesting that there were much darker
forces behind the war then anyone ever suspected.?

Taika sighed.  ?I still don?t understand why you tell me all of this.?

?Even though the Senshi were killed and the kingdoms on the inner
planets destroyed, a prophesy remained that someday, the Senshi of the
Inner Planets would be reborn on Earth, and they would give rise to new
civilizations on the Inner Planets that would exist in a period of
peace.?

Taika raised an eyebrow.  ?And you are one of these Senshi??

Andora laughed.  She laughed so hard that tears ran down her cheeks from
her blind eyes.  Taika and Kierke looked at each other and shrugged
helplessly, neither knowing what the priestess found so funny.

?No, silly girl!? Andora managed to gasp.  ?YOU are the Senshi!?

Taika gaped at the priestess.  ?You can?t be serious!?

Andora had resumed her previous calm.  ?But I am, Taika.  You are the
Senshi of the planet Mars.?

Taika shook her head.  ?No, it can?t be.  I?m no warrior.?

?You are much more then a simple warrior.?  Andora moved next to the
girl and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.  ?Your destiny will not
be an easy one, Taika, but with the power inside of you, you will be
able to face it.  And I will do everything I can to help you learn to
use that power.?

Taika looked at Andora, her eyes filled with a thousand unreadable
emotions.  She suddenly remembered last night, the burning energy she
had felt roar through her before she lost consciousness.

She knew that the priestess spoke the truth,

Kierke moved over towards the two.  His face was also an unreadable
mask.  ?And just what does this destiny of hers entail??

?First we must find the other four, the Senshi of Mercury, Venus,
Jupiter, and Earth.?

?And then?? Kierke asked.

?The Senshi must defeat Octavia and her army, before . . .? she trailed
off.

?Five all-powerful, legendary warriors against one overzealous tyrant??
Kierke was incredulous.  ?Is that really necessary??

Andora?s expression darkened.  ?It may not be enough,? she said bluntly.
?Her army is much larger and more powerful then you realize.  And
Octavia is much more dangerous then you could possibly imagine.?
__________

<<octavia . . . lisssten>>

?Yes??  The Empress sat up straight in her seat.  The Voice had never
sounded so, urgent before.  It had always whispered bits and peices of
information to help serve her, guide her.

This sounded more like an order.

<<octavia . . . you need to begin gathering your troopsss>>

?But if the army withdrawals from the kingdoms, the people might . . .?

<<that isss of little consssequenccce>> the Voice interrupted.  <i have
a much more important missssion for you>>

?And what might that be??  Octavia was beginning to grow angry with the
Voice?s tone.  She was, after all, Empress of Earth.

<<one that will bring you more power then you could ever imagine>>

She leaned back, began to smile.  This was more to her liking.  ?Tell me
more.?

<<i cannot now . . . sssoon>>

Octavia was annoyed with the answer, but decided it would do for now.
?All right,? she said, lazily waving her hand as if she were addressing
someone in the room instead of a voice in her mind.  ?But,? she said,
with a hint of malice, ?you had better be right about this.  I am
running the risk of losing territory.?

<<trussst me>>  The voice was as smooth and seductive as silk.

Octavia hesitated.  A question suddenly occurred to her, one that, for
some odd reason, hadn?t occurred to her in the past twenty five years.
?Who are you?? she asked the Voice.

Laughter rang through her mind, light, musical, and unmistakingly evil.

<<you may call me . . . metallia>>

*******************************************************
*******************************************************

Sorry that there wasn?t much action this time, but hopefully things will
pick up more in the next part.  Working on this story is fairly
interesting for me, because I honestly often don?t know what is going to
happen next.  I do know enough to assure you that there will be more
then a few surprises . . .

In order to encourage more people to right to me (as I love e-mail),
from now on, every person who sends me comments on a part, I will send
them an advance copy of the next part as soon is it is done, before it
is posted on ?A Sailor Moon Romance? or pretty much anywhere else.  And
it has to be more in-depth then ?I liked it, you are cool? (though feel
free to gush ;-p)  Don?t just tell me that you liked it (or didn?t), but
tell me WHY you liked it (or didn?t)  Specific comments are always more
helpful then gushy ones.  So write me, and get the next part early!  The
address is Brickgirl@hotmail.com

I also wanted to thank Rhyaniwyn and Devon Smith for the very kind
review of ?A Soul Reclaimed? they did some months back.  They said some
very kind things, and I felt bad about never properly thanking them.  Be
sure to check out their page, The Sailormoon Fanfic Review, at
http://persweb.direct.ca/devons/review/  I think that reviewing fanfics
is a great idea if not difficult endeavor, and wish them the best of
luck!

Well, that wraps it up for now.  See you all in a week or two!

_______________________________________________________________
Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com