Chapter 5: What Once Was Lost

“Step, step, step, turn. Step, step, step, turn. She’ll be okay, turn. She’ll be okay,” Paul thought, pacing in the hallway outside Leda’s room. It had seemed like an eternity since he had carried her in there, only to be pushed out by the palace medical staff and Hotaru.

“She’ll be okay,” he said aloud, trying to reassure himself. Dido had left to find Cassandra as soon as Leda had been entrusted to the medical team, and Elara was assisting Hotaru. He knew that Elara and Hotaru would do everything in their powers to help Leda, but he could shake a feeling of dread.

Sighing, Paul quit his pacing and leaned against the cool stone wall. Hotaru had promised to get him as soon as they were finished with Leda’s initial treatments. That had been a good half-hour ago. “Let her be okay,” Paul prayed.

As if an answer to his silent prayer, the door opened and the medical team quietly filed out. Finally, a weak Elara entered the hall, smiling at Paul. Without his knowledge, he leaned eagerly toward her.

“Hotaru said that you can go in, now,” she said softly, the smile fading. She swayed and Paul reached out to steady her.

“Elara, are you okay?” Paul asked, fully noticing the lines and pallor of her face.

Elara nodded. “I just gave Leda and Hotaru a energy boost,” she explained. “I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

“I’ll take you to your room,” Paul said, moving into a better position to support her.

Elara shook her head. “Go see Leda, Paul,” she ordered.

“After you’re laying down for a nap.” His tone warned her not to argue.

Nodding, she let him lead her down the hall to her room.

* * * * *

Paul knocked softly before opening the door. It was a small but elegant room, with the bed opposite a large window. Hotaru looked up from her vigil by the bed and smiled at Paul. Wordlessly, he crossed the room and stood beside her.

“How is she?” he asked, trying to mask some of the emotions surging through him.

Hotaru’s sympathetic smile grew. “She’ll be okay. Elara and I managed to heal most of the physical damage. Except for a few minor bruises, she’s great.”

“Emotionally?” he asked, his eyes never leaving Leda’s face.

“I don’t know,” Hotaru sighed. “She had given up hope just before you got to her. Apparently, she suffered some kind of interrogation by the Empress before being handed over to Nadomus. Those two did a number on her.”

Paul gritted his teeth. “It’s my fault.”

“This is no time to be discussing blame,” Hotaru said sternly. “The important thing is to help Leda. We managed to convince her that she was safe before she fell asleep, and sleep is probably the best thing for her right now. But she will need lots of love and support as she recovers.”

“You know I will do everything I can to help,” Paul said, “if she lets me.”

Hotaru shook her head. “Just be there for her, whether she wants it or not.” Hotaru stood up and smiled down at Leda. “She’s a fighter, Paul, and she’ll fight to come back to us.”

“Thank you, Hotaru,” Paul said.

Nodding, Hotaru walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

* * * * *

He just sat there, watching Leda breathe evenly in her sleep. It still amazed him how closely Leda resembled her mother. Except for her gray eyes and a few inches of height, Leda could have been Lita’s twin. Even their names sounded alike.

He took her hand and held between his, thanking the force responsible for this second chance. Sighing, he looked back at her face. The bruises and scrapes that he had encountered on Charon were gone, thanks to the combined efforts of Hotaru and Elara.

Yet, the question of her emotional state still plagued him. “She had given up hope just before you got to her,” Hotaru had said, sending chills down his spine.

‘What if Nadomus had gotten back to Leda before they rescue? Would the situation had turned out tragically different?’ Paul closed his eyes and tried to stop that line of thinking.

The rustle of sheets instantly snapped him to attention. A moan escaped Leda’s open lips as her head turned toward him. Then, her eyelids began to flutter and finally open.

It was a moment before her tired eyes focused on him. “Paul?” she whispered, not trusting her sight.

He leaned closer to her, smiling gently. “Yeah, I’m here, Leda. You’re safe now.”

“Safe where?” she asked, her voice now stronger. With her eyes locked on his, she rose to a sitting position, waiting for an answer.

“In the palace at Crystal Tokyo. We brought you back from Charon a day ago.”

Leda closed her eyes and sighed. “Another day of my life gone.” Shaking her head to clear away such thoughts, she looked at Paul ago. “Who’s we?”

“Me, Elara, and Dido.”

“Dido?”

“I forgot. You don’t know about her and Iphigenia.”

“No, I don’t,” Leda said curtly. Paul smiled at the familiar spunk.

“Well, do you mind telling me, or are you just going to smile at me?”

“I would be very content to sit and smile at you, but, then again, I know your temper.” Ignoring Leda’s warning look he continued. “Cassandra arrived in Serenity and Endymion’s throne room with two other women. She warned us to protect you, but the warning was a little too late because Elara and the others had just arrived from Jupiter.”

“They left Jupiter defenseless?!”

“Calm down, Leda. We were debating on what to do when Cassandra suggested that Haruka and the others minus Elara returned to Jupiter, while Elara, Dido, and I went to rescue you. Apparently, Cassandra is the leader of the Guardians of the Cignus System.

“According to Cassandra, Nadomus and this Empress are old enemies. Dido is the Guardian of Compassion and controls the space portals, like Setsuna controls the time portals. Iphigenia is the Guardian of Memory and she said something about being the keeper of the past.”

“Did they say anything else?” Leda ask.

“They wouldn’t. Cassandra said that they couldn’t tell us everything we wanted to know.”

“Why did they bother to help Jupiter and rescue me?”

Paul shrugged. “I honestly don’t know, Leda. But Cassandra said that you were valuable to the defeat of the Shadow Moon.”

Leda stilled before burying her face in her hands to sob. “I didn’t want this. I didn’t want this.”

Paul sat on the bed beside her, holding her tight against his chest. “You didn’t want what, Leda?” he asked tenderly, stroking her hair.

Slowly, she raised her tear-filled eyes to his. “I don’t want another responsibility. What more do they want from me? Haven’t I done enough? Hasn’t my family suffered enough?”

Paul wiped away some of the tears, trying to find the words to comfort her. “We don’t know what Cassandra meant and she wouldn’t explain. But I promise you this, Leda, whatever happens from now on I will be there with you.”

“You don’t mean that,” she said icily and tried to pull away from him.

Paul held his grip. “I was a fool, Leda. I tried to save us both pain and we both got hurt further. I almost died when I had a vision of you being captured. Nothing means anything to me unless I can be with you, Leda.”

The sincerity in his eyes slowly melted Leda’s anger. “I need you, too, Paul,” she whispered.

“I know it’s going to take sometime for things to heal between us, Leda. But I will always love you. I want you to know that.”

She smiled. “Ditto.”

“Ditto?” Paul gasped in mock amazement. “After all that, I get just a ditto.”

“I love you with all my heart and always will,” she said solemnly.

“That’s better,” Paul said, causing them both to laugh. Then, slowly, he kissed her, revealing the emotions that had be held in check for too long. Yet, before things got too heated, he reluctantly pulled away.

“Do you think you could step outside for a moment?” Leda said after a pause.

“Kicking me out so soon?” Paul joked.

“No,” her voice turning serious, “I’m going to get dressed and then we’re going to see Cassandra. I wanted to know what I have to do with the defeat of the Shadow Moon Empire.”

“Are you sure you want to do this now?”

“If I wait, it will drive me crazy with speculation. Besides, if it’s bad news, shouldn’t we get it over with?”

Paul sighed and tucked a stray lock of Leda’s hair behind her ear. “I hope it’s not bad news, Leda. I think you’ve have had enough to last anyone a lifetime.”

“Either way I have to know, Paul.” She leaned and gave him a brief, but thorough kiss. “I’d better get dressed now.”

“I’ll wait for you outside.”

Leda smiled. “I know you will.”


What Once Was Lost “Step, step, step, turn. Step, step, step, turn. She’ll be okay, turn. She’ll be okay,” Paul thought, pacing in the hallway outside Leda’s room. It had seemed like an eternity since he had carried her in there, only to be pushed out by the palace medical staff and Hotaru. “She’ll be okay,” he said aloud, trying to reassure himself. Dido had left to find Cassandra as soon as Leda had been entrusted to the medical team, and Elara was assisting Hotaru. He knew that Elara and Hotaru would do everything in their powers to help Leda, but he could shake a feeling of dread. Sighing, Paul quit his pacing and leaned against the cool stone wall. Hotaru had promised to get him as soon as they were finished with Leda’s initial treatments. That had been a good half-hour ago. “Let her be okay,” Paul prayed. As if an answer to his silent prayer, the door opened and the medical team quietly filed out. Finally, a weak Elara entered the hall, smiling at Paul. Without his knowledge, he leaned eagerly toward her. “Hotaru said that you can go in, now,” she said softly, the smile fading. She swayed and Paul reached out to steady her. “Elara, are you okay?” Paul asked, fully noticing the lines and pallor of her face. Elara nodded. “I just gave Leda and Hotaru a energy boost,” she explained. “I’ll be fine in a few minutes.” “I’ll take you to your room,” Paul said, moving into a better position to support her. Elara shook her head. “Go see Leda, Paul,” she ordered. “After you’re laying down for a nap.” His tone warned her not to argue. Nodding, she let him lead her down the hall to her room. * * * * * Paul knocked softly before opening the door. It was a small but elegant room, with the bed opposite a large window. Hotaru looked up from her vigil by the bed and smiled at Paul. Wordlessly, he crossed the room and stood beside her. “How is she?” he asked, trying to mask some of the emotions surging through him. Hotaru’s sympathetic smile grew. “She’ll be okay. Elara and I managed to heal most of the physical damage. Except for a few minor bruises, she’s great.” “Emotionally?” he asked, his eyes never leaving Leda’s face. “I don’t know,” Hotaru sighed. “She had given up hope just before you got to her. Apparently, she suffered some kind of interrogation by the Empress before being handed over to Nadomus. Those two did a number on her.” Paul gritted his teeth. “It’s my fault.” “This is no time to be discussing blame,” Hotaru said sternly. “The important thing is to help Leda. We managed to convince her that she was safe before she fell asleep, and sleep is probably the best thing for her right now. But she will need lots of love and support as she recovers.” “You know I will do everything I can to help,” Paul said, “if she lets me.” Hotaru shook her head. “Just be there for her, whether she wants it or not.” Hotaru stood up and smiled down at Leda. “She’s a fighter, Paul, and she’ll fight to come back to us.” “Thank you, Hotaru,” Paul said. Nodding, Hotaru walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. * * * * * He just sat there, watching Leda breathe evenly in her sleep. It still amazed him how closely Leda resembled her mother. Except for her gray eyes and a few inches of height, Leda could have been Lita’s twin. Even their names sounded alike. He took her hand and held between his, thanking the force responsible for this second chance. Sighing, he looked back at her face. The bruises and scrapes that he had encountered on Charon were gone, thanks to the combined efforts of Hotaru and Elara. Yet, the question of her emotional state still plagued him. “She had given up hope just before you got to her,” Hotaru had said, sending chills down his spine. ‘What if Nadomus had gotten back to Leda before they rescue? Would the situation had turned out tragically different?’ Paul closed his eyes and tried to stop that line of thinking. The rustle of sheets instantly snapped him to attention. A moan escaped Leda’s open lips as her head turned toward him. Then, her eyelids began to flutter and finally open. It was a moment before her tired eyes focused on him. “Paul?” she whispered, not trusting her sight. He leaned closer to her, smiling gently. “Yeah, I’m here, Leda. You’re safe now.” “Safe where?” she asked, her voice now stronger. With her eyes locked on his, she rose to a sitting position, waiting for an answer. “In the palace at Crystal Tokyo. We brought you back from Charon a day ago.” Leda closed her eyes and sighed. “Another day of my life gone.” Shaking her head to clear away such thoughts, she looked at Paul ago. “Who’s we?” “Me, Elara, and Dido.” “Dido?” “I forgot. You don’t know about her and Iphigenia.” “No, I don’t,” Leda said curtly. Paul smiled at the familiar spunk. “Well, do you mind telling me, or are you just going to smile at me?” “I would be very content to sit and smile at you, but, then again, I know your temper.” Ignoring Leda’s warning look he continued. “Cassandra arrived in Serenity and Endymion’s throne room with two other women. She warned us to protect you, but the warning was a little too late because Elara and the others had just arrived from Jupiter.” “They left Jupiter defenseless?!” “Calm down, Leda. We were debating on what to do when Cassandra suggested that Haruka and the others minus Elara returned to Jupiter, while Elara, Dido, and I went to rescue you. Apparently, Cassandra is the leader of the Guardians of the Cignus System. “According to Cassandra, Nadomus and this Empress are old enemies. Dido is the Guardian of Compassion and controls the space portals, like Setsuna controls the time portals. Iphigenia is the Guardian of Memory and she said something about being the keeper of the past.” “Did they say anything else?” Leda ask. “They wouldn’t. Cassandra said that they couldn’t tell us everything we wanted to know.” “Why did they bother to help Jupiter and rescue me?” Paul shrugged. “I honestly don’t know, Leda. But Cassandra said that you were valuable to the defeat of the Shadow Moon.” Leda stilled before burying her face in her hands to sob. “I didn’t want this. I didn’t want this.” Paul sat on the bed beside her, holding her tight against his chest. “You didn’t want what, Leda?” he asked tenderly, stroking her hair. Slowly, she raised her tear-filled eyes to his. “I don’t want another responsibility. What more do they want from me? Haven’t I done enough? Hasn’t my family suffered enough?” Paul wiped away some of the tears, trying to find the words to comfort her. “We don’t know what Cassandra meant and she wouldn’t explain. But I promise you this, Leda, whatever happens from now on I will be there with you.” “You don’t mean that,” she said icily and tried to pull away from him. Paul held his grip. “I was a fool, Leda. I tried to save us both pain and we both got hurt further. I almost died when I had a vision of you being captured. Nothing means anything to me unless I can be with you, Leda.” The sincerity in his eyes slowly melted Leda’s anger. “I need you, too, Paul,” she whispered. “I know it’s going to take sometime for things to heal between us, Leda. But I will always love you. I want you to know that.” She smiled. “Ditto.” “Ditto?” Paul gasped in mock amazement. “After all that, I get just a ditto.” “I love you with all my heart and always will,” she said solemnly. “That’s better,” Paul said, causing them both to laugh. Then, slowly, he kissed her, revealing the emotions that had be held in check for too long. Yet, before things got too heated, he reluctantly pulled away. “Do you think you could step outside for a moment?” Leda said after a pause. “Kicking me out so soon?” Paul joked. “No,” her voice turning serious, “I’m going to get dressed and then we’re going to see Cassandra. I wanted to know what I have to do with the defeat of the Shadow Moon Empire.” “Are you sure you want to do this now?” “If I wait, it will drive me crazy with speculation. Besides, if it’s bad news, shouldn’t we get it over with?” Paul sighed and tucked a stray lock of Leda’s hair behind her ear. “I hope it’s not bad news, Leda. I think you’ve have had enough to last anyone a lifetime.” “Either way I have to know, Paul.” She leaned and gave him a brief, but thorough kiss. “I’d better get dressed now.” “I’ll wait for you outside.” Leda smiled. “I know you will.”


Chapter 6: Convergent Destinies Jupiter's Gone