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Shadows and New Wind (cont'd) “Know thyself!”
It was so dark. For a moment, she feared that she had gone blind. However, as her eyes became accustomed to the absence of light, Mara realized that she was in a large cavern of some sort. ‘Where am I?’ she wondered, turning to study everything around her. ‘Where’s the battle? The Sailor Soldiers? Athene?’ “Know thyself!” The command echoed weakly off the cavern walls. “I know who I am! I’m Mara Lynn Adams!” The words finally faded, leaving her in silence. “I am no one and nothing else.” A soft voice floated out of the shadows. “You are wrong.” The man smirked as Sailor Athene’s attack hit the wrong target. He could not believe that both Boreas and Zephyr failed against these girls. Within a few moments, he would bring Hecate to the master and receive his reward. “Wind Bluster Blast!” Flinging debris, the gale roared through the alley. Athene narrowly dodged a broken board, while Aurora took shelter behind a utility pole. The two Sailor Soldiers exchanged worried looks. “Can you see Mara?” Athene called, fighting to be heard over the wind. Aurora shook her head. “Where’s Sol?” Glancing back at their enemy, Athene shook her head. She knew that she and Aurora would not be enough to stop him. Without Sol, they wouldn’t last much longer. “Who’s here?” Mara demanded, whirling around. A figure strolled forward, holding a staff. The curved, silver blade gleamed weakly in the shadows. In the crook, where the blade joined the staff, rested a large, blood red stone. Despite herself, Mara reached out to touch the stone. She wanted the staff. She knew that. However, she didn’t know why. “You know that this staff belongs to you,” the ethereal voice said. “Take the Moon Stone Glaive. Use it well for the right purposes.” Mara hesitated, her hand still outreached. She still wanted it. Yet, she knew if she took it, there would be no turning back. Aurora coughed as she pushed herself up from the pavement. A flying trashcan had caught her in the chest a few moments early. She knew that something was pretty bruised because each breath hurt. “Ready to give up, girl?” the man taunted. Aurora shook her head. “You wish.” “Sudden Revelation!” Athene tried to capitalize on the man’s distraction, but he seemed ready for the attack. With surprising agility, he dodged the attack and sent a strike toward Aurora. It was wide from the start. However, Aurora then realized that she wasn’t the target. The jet of wind sent a huge dumpster rolling toward her. There was no time for her to move before it crushed her against the wall. “Sol Nemesis Nova!” The bright ball of energy slammed into the dumpster, knocking it off its trajectory. With an explosive clamor, it crashed into the utility pole. Sol ignored the event, placing herself between the man and the two younger Sailor Soldiers. The Sun Staff flashed dangerously in the sunlight as Sol held it defensively in front of her. “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.” The man smirked. “I’m Eurus. Are you happier knowing the name of your destroyer?” “I may be more of a challenge than you bargained for,” Sol replied. “I’m the Celestial Phoenix, the guardian of the this system. I’m Sailor Sol.” He rushed at her, trying for an advantage during her speech. In a sweeping motion, Sol brought her staff up and blocked his punch. She smiled at the surprised look on his face as she whipped the staff around to knock him in the ribs. Aurora and Athene hovered at the edge of the perimeter, watching the two as they battled. Eurus was by far stronger physically, but Sol’s speed usually kept her just beyond the reach of his blows. However, one well-aimed kick connected with the side of her jaw, sending Sol flying. Athene raised her hands to send an attack. Seeing the motion, Eurus blasted her and Aurora with a strong stream of wind. The girls slammed into a wall, leaving a dazed Sol to face Eurus on her own. “Why do you hesitate?” the voice asked. The figure still held out the staff to Mara. “It belongs to you. You can feel it.” “But why is it mine?” The question startled her. Mara hadn’t realized that she had asked it aloud. However, she knew she needed the answer. “It is a part of you, the part that has hidden so deeply and so long, you have almost forgotten.” Mara finally managed to pull her hand away. “Almost?” “It’s awakening. It will give you great power. How you will use it is up to you and you alone.” “Could I help the others? Could I stop the battles?” “You can accept the power and try. You have no control over fate and its dictates.” Mara reached out her hand and took the staff. “Deep Nightmare!” The attack caught Eurus off guard. Screaming in pain, he grabbed his head and fell to his knees. Sol quickly found her feet but froze when she saw her rescuer. Panting, the man looked up. A girl dressed in a black and gray sailor outfit leered down at him. “Who are you?” he asked, aware that the curved blade of her staff was precariously near his throat. “I am the Warrior of the Dark Moon, the Mistress of Shadows,” she replied, her black eyes staring down at him. “I’m the one you seek. I’m Sailor Hecate.” “Hecate?” An evil smile graced her lips. “You act so surprised. Now, tell your master that I will have no part in his plans. If he has any intelligence, it would all end here.” “This is not finished,” Eurus growled. “You’ll see.” Then he vanished. |
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