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Surprises The roar of the wind echoed throughout the room as she was dumped unceremoniously on the floor. Celeste lied briefly on the unyielding stone, trying to force air back into her lungs. Then, she remembered who had brought her here.
She grimaced as the rough stone floor cut into her hands when she pushed quickly herself to her feet. She was already in a fighting stance as she scanned the chamber for any sign of Notus. However, there was none. Celeste relaxed but only slightly. There was no sign of Mara either. Yet, she would have been surprised if she had been taken to the girl too quickly. Aeolus had plans for Mara and apparently had plans for her as well. He would want to them to play out. He had waited too long for them to be fulfilled to let the opportunity slip through his fingers. Celeste just wished she knew what those plans were. “You have returned quickly, Notus.” She gave a quick bow. “I didn’t have to wait. Sol was already at the harbor when I arrived. She’s now in the lower chamber as you had ordered.” “Excellent.” Aeolus stared at her thoughtfully for a moment over his folded hands. “Yet, something troubles you.” “I’m confused, my lord. We have finally the girl after months of searching. Why bring Sol here as well? Why chance everything with the other woman’s presence when we are so close to succeeding?” He rose to his feet, towering over Notus. “You surprise me. After all this time, you still question and doubt me. I’m very disappointed.” “No, my lord, I only wish to understand why we . . .” However, his glare robbed her of her voice. She had never seen him this way, even during his rages with the other Winds. “You had accomplished what none of your comrades could. You brought finally me the girl, the key to all my plans. You should be rejoicing, Notus, not questioning me.” “I meant no disrespect.” “Liar,” he spat, turning her blood to ice. “However, you did accomplish your missions. Of course, with that, you have outlasted your usefulness.” “Master!” His gaze turned even colder as he distanced himself from her. “That will not do you any good, Notus. But you will have your answers. You may think of them as a final gift.” He snapped his fingers and a figure emerged from the shadows. The girl was dressed in a darker version of her sailor uniform. A black circle blazed on her forehead, matching her black, emotionless eyes. However, that was not what held the older woman’s attention. In the girl’s black-gloved hands was her glaive. The razor-sharp blade shined even in the gloom of the throne room. “Sol is here to serve as a test for Hecate. If Hecate can defeat the Celestial Phoenix, she has more than enough power for what I need. You, Notus, will merely be a warm-up for her.” Aeolus stepped away from the women, enjoying Notus’ panic. “Don’t take too long, Hecate. You don’t want to keep our other guest waiting.” The girl’s empty eyes never left Notus. “Of course, Master.” As the Dark Senshi approached, Notus could hear Aeolus laughing. There was no wind to betray his arrival. However, she was immediately aware of his presence. Despite her instincts screaming for her to attack, Celeste forced herself to wait for him to make a move. “So, at last, Sailor Sol, we meet.” She could feel him circling around her. “I must say I’ve been surprised by how much trouble you and your little friends have caused me.” “Where’s Mara?” “My, you are direct.” He was still circling, just beyond the shadows so she could not see him. It was grating her nerves. “I don’t have time for your games.” “Actually, you do,” he replied evenly, “if I say you do. I hold all the cards here, Sol. You would do well to remember that.” “You wanted an exchange. Here am I. Where’s Mara?” “Surely you’re not that stupid.” Celeste could feel his eyes roaming across her as he laughed. “You honestly thought you had a chance to get your ward back. Amazing.” “What have you done with her?” “I merely helped her fulfill her destiny. You, Sol, were trying to prevent that. You’re always fighting against fate. And what has it gotten you? Pain and suffering and death.” “You know nothing of Fate.” “And you seem to learn nothing even after all these millennia.” She was suddenly aware of another presence in the chamber. It was familiar but she couldn’t figure out why. Aeolus stepped out of the shadows, interrupting her thoughts. He leered at her. “Maybe you will carry this lesson with you to your next life.” “I’m ready, Master,” a deadened voice stated and Sailor Hecate stepped forward. “Here is your ward, Sailor Sol. Her face will be that last one you see in this lifetime. You know your task, Hecate.” Hecate turned her black, lifeless eyes to Aeolus. “I do.” “Then do it.” Aeolus disappeared once more into the shadows. Whether he truly left or was merely watching, Celeste couldn’t decide. Her attention was on Hecate as she tried to figure out what she was going to do. For only a moment they looked at each other. The girl’s eyes were black and soulless, making Celeste’s heart ache. The Dark Senshi seemed to have taken the girl over completely. ‘Is there nothing of Mara left?’ She brutally shoved the thought aside. She came here to save the girl. She would not fail. “Hecate, I’m tired of waiting,” Aeolus prompted. The Dark Senshi sprang into action. She swung her blood-stained glaive at Celeste. The blow was aimed at her throat and the redhead barely had time to dodge. “Mara!” The glaive sliced through the air again, this time barely missing Celeste’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do this!” The girl shook her head. “Yes, I do. Master commands it.” Celeste caught the glaive behind the blade. The two women fought for control of the weapon, but Mara as Hecate was just too strong for Celeste. A vicious jerk flung the older woman across the room. Scrambling to her feet, Celeste pulled out her brooch. She had hoped that it wasn’t going to get to this, but she didn’t have a lot of choices. As Hecate charged at her, she knew what she had to do. “Sol Star Crisis Power, Make-Up!” |
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