Standard Disclaimers apply.
Ai, Inanna and Harold are mine.
The rest are not. ^_^
This is a very short story. 3 pages only. ^_^
C&C are welcome
====
Balto
====
"I will go to Star's End, to our promised sanctuary, to our
promised rest. I will diminish - but I will remain Hikaru."
- Hikaru Shidou, Pillar of Cephiro, Third of the Nine
The wind came from nowhere.
Ringing into existence with the reverberation of a
hammer striking hot metal, it carried the heat of a star
that had not been known to the inhabitants of this icy
wasteland for a very long time. Warm and gentle, its caress
lightened deaden spirits and echoed of promises long
forgotten and ancient lost prophecies. Lazily, the wind
swirled, seeking a course, pausing briefly before blowing
northwards.
**********
The wind blew through the enchanted valleys and
through the commons of the ancient Isenthor cathedral, its
gentle caress awakening the great winged beast from his
slumber. Eyes alert and wary, he scanned his surrounding
with all his senses - both physical and magical.
A young child, a girl of not more than six, ran
helter skelter into the commons from the side door,
laughing as she ran. Silently, the magical beast rose and
was greeted with a warm hug and several kisses from the
enthusiastic girl.
"Kero-chan, did you feel that?" The girl exclaimed,
her arms wrapped around the Sun Guardian's neck.
"Yes, my dear Ai, I did. Something momentous is
happening, a passing of an age." Keroberus replied,
nuzzling the child affectionately. He cared for all the
little ones that his mistress adopted into her home, but
young Ai was special - for the blond child reminded him
much of his mistress so many centuries before.
With some surprise, Keroberus felt something wet on
his face. Puzzled, Ai put a hand near her cheeks, a
startled expression on her angelic face.
"Kero-chan, you're crying! Are you sad?" She
exclaimed. Absently, Keroberus pulled his great head away
from the grasp of her tiny hands, blinking his tears away.
"Yes child, I cry. But not because I am sad." The
great beast replied. It is something I hope you will never
experience, small one, because for the first time in so
many years, I feel an emotion that I had not felt so
strongly - hope.
**********
The wind swirled through the leaves of the enchanted
forest, disturbing the meditation of those that sought
peace of mind in one of the more sacred groves.
With one smooth motion, the strange pair opened their
eyes and stood as the wind blew through the small clearing.
The man looked young, yet his once jet black hair was
now snow white, ancient alien-looking eyes betraying great
power and wisdom. His movements bespoke of great strength
despite his deceptive wiry build.
"Something is happening. Something wondrous." He
spoke softly, his voice contemplative.
The woman was equally youthful in appearance, yet her
uncommon beauty betrayed alien origins. Her crimson hair
easily flowed past her slender waist, and around her eyes,
the faint traces of age lines betrayed her true age.
"It is a passing of an age." She said. "An old power
for good and order rises once more in the south. Soon, the
Winter will make way for the Summer and the world will once
again see an Age of Men."
"Then, it is time." His voice was quiet.
"It has been agreed a long time ago - I will go to
them, and give our aid and perhaps offer some guidance."
She looked at him thoughtfully and then smiled.
"What title should I use, Master of Eldarein?"
He smiled in reply and said, "That had also been
agreed upon, a very long time ago. You will go as the
Emissary, Lady Inanna."
Inanna considered this and nodded her understanding.
**********
The wind blew through the Plains of Ruins, where the
cities of Man had once towered high into the sky and soon
it reached Kusan, Bastion of the West. It swirled around a
gleaming spire and faded away as a gentle fey power bid it
to do so.
The two women who stood on the balconies of Kusan's
highest spire felt and knew the significance of the warm
wind.
"Why did you do it?" The one who spoke wore the
clothes of a traveler beneath dark robes. She was petite
and fragile-looking - no thanks to her snow white hair
which she had maintained in a utilitarian short manner and
a pale flawless complexion. Her dark violet eyes were
questioning and curious at the same time.
"There are men and a great number of intelligent
creatures who serve darkness in the Plains, my old friend."
The other turned and arched an eyebrow at her companion,
her long raven dark hair a stark contrast to the white of
her old friend. "Among them number several Old Ones - who
can read the signs and portends as well as any among our
friends and comrades."
"It would avail the Summer Queen little and blunt our
purposes, if those who serve darkness would find and strike
down the ones who would assist the dawn of this new age."
"Forgive me, I have forgotten."
She turned and laid a comforting hand on the shoulder
of the shorter woman. "Among us all, you have endured
much." She paused and a gentle smile appeared on her
ageless features.
"Will you leave Kusan to go to her aid? Will you seek
peace among your family?"
The petite woman considered this and then, slowly
shook her head. "No. It is no longer my place to be among
them. My return would give them joy but it would be brief.
My continued presence will cause them much pain and
anguish."
"Nay, I cannot return there. It is, after all, the
path not taken."
She closed her eyes in thought and when she opened
them moments later, she had arrived at a decision.
"I will follow Miaka, Hikaru and Saffron." She smiled
sadly as she continued on, intoning the ritual words, "I
will go to Star's End, to our promised sanctuary, to our
promised rest. I will diminish - but I will remain Hotaru."
Then, there was a fey power, subtle but noticeable.
Hotaru's slim shoulders slumped and she closed her eyes,
the weariness of centuries seeping through her slim body.
The taller woman stepped forward and embraced her shorter
friend gently, understanding on her face.
"Then I wish you well on the journey ahead, Hotaru
Tomoe, daughter of Souichi, Princess and Senshi of Saturn."
Hotaru returned her embrace and whispered her reply,
"May the kamis give you strength in the days ahead, my old
friend, Lady of the West and Mistress of Kusan."
**********
The Hidden City is no longer hidden; those who
slumber no longer sleep. The ice retreat, the snowstorms
abate. There is much warmth and I see spires of crystal and
wondrous constructs raised by lost arts. More importantly,
I see the dais and the Throne from where the Summer Queen
will reign over her realm. I see her face, beautiful,
flawless, and serene. That is her name, the name of the
Summer Queen - Serenity, Queen of the World.
**********
The knocking grew louder.
"Illuminate." Light emerged from the crystal upon the
end of his staff, and he quickly shuffled down the stone
stairs to greet his visitor
Evening passed quickly and the darkness of the night
settled upon the small valley amongst the mighty mountains
of the Calamitous Peaks. Not many men or women were brave
and able to withstand the harsh wintry climate of the Peaks,
and many who had these qualities prefer the sanctuary of
enchanted realms - Kusan or Isenthor or Eldarein.
Yet, one man had done it, forging a sanctuary with
arcane abilities. He wore voluminous robes of black - a
vanity of his - and bore a hint of irritance on his boyish
face as he used his magic sight to see who was at his door.
"This is indeed a surprise." He murmured to himself
as he recognized his visitor. Composing himself, he opened
his door and was confronted by a pair of alien blue eyes.
He had forgotten how beautiful she was.
"Well, Harold Isenthal, are you going to let your
teacher in or let her freeze in the open?" Inanna asked, a
bemused look on her flawless features.
And so it begins.
------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes:
For now, this is only an one-shot. ^_^
Obviously, I have read too much fantasy books,
watched too much FOTR over the holidays,
and re-read LOTR over the last month. ^_^
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all,
C&C is, once again, welcome.
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