Out of the Darkness and Into the Light

          --- Written by Selena (s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu).
              http://www.geocities.com/selena_moongoddess

          ---The characters, name, and places in Sailor Moon, 
             both the manga and the anime, belong to Naoko 
             Takeuchi, Kodansha Comics, DIC, and Mixx.

Chapter 2


************************
Faintly, he hears something...the fuzzy noise of chirping birds 
becomes clearer and with it, brings the hot, blinding rays of the 
sun, in all its glory, to rest in his face.  Bruised and broken, he 
had been left for dead.  Dizzily, he sways from side to side, as he 
struggles to walk.  His clothes are torn and stained with his own blood.  

Darien stumbles toward the sound of running water.  He stares at his 
reflection in disdain.  His face is puffy and swollen; his left eye
black, and nose covered in dried blood.  With an agile motion he 
splashes his bloody knuckles through the water causing it to 
dissipate.  "Damn you!" He screams at himself, in hatred.  'He's 
right.  You aren't worth anything.  You can't even stop a spineless, 
snit of a man from nearly killing you!  Coward!  I wouldn't even 
fight.  I just let him do this...Damn! Damn! Damn!'  Mysteriously a 
golden dagger appears at his side.  He picks it up by the ornate 
handle.  On the metal, in black script, words in a foreign tongue 
are embedded.  Slowly he takes the dagger and slices a cut across 
the palm of his hand.  "No more..." He breathes.  "On my blood I 
swear, I will never let this happen again...I am free...Never will this 
happen to anyone else...as long as I live..." He clenches his fist and 
the fresh, red blood drips down his arm.  He closes his eyes and 
whispers, "Never..." Darien stares into the water again and sighs 
deeply.  'A new life...a new start...' 

To the best of his ability he washes the stains from his face and 
clothing.  A short time later, his long, black hair tossed and 
rumpled and clean clothes tattered and torn, he sets off to find the 
nearest village.  

In near by shadows, a lone, hooded figure watches in silence and in 
an instant magically disappears.


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


In the veil of a moon cast night, a silver light flashes in a deep 
part of the forest, surrounded by lush greenery and foliage. Three 
cloaked figures appear in the midst of the scintillating light 
before it fades.  The tall, regal figure in the center pulls back 
her hood, revealing her awesome beauty.  The woman has pale, creamy 
skin, full red lips, and smoldering gray eyes.  Silver tresses fall 
from two balls of hair, one on each side of her head.  A white, 
crystal tiara bars her forehead.  In a stern, commanding tone, she 
calls out into the black of night,  "You summoned me?!  Now, what is 
so important that I must break my vow?!"

A deep male voice answers from the shadows.  "I expected you to come 
alone, Majesty."

She raises a brow.  "These are dangerous times.  Now speak, for I 
know you are in urgent haste."

"I've found him."

Her eyes widen.  Cautiously, she asks, "Are you sure?"

A white bearded, middle-aged man appears from the shadows.  Once in 
the light, his skin glows subtly a faint golden color.  He wears a 
white robe with tassels and ornaments adorning the front.  A golden 
sash girdles his waist.  Ominously he says, "Someone has been 
receiving dreams...sacred dreams, channeled through the Holy Tower.  
There is only one who can receive them."  He looks out toward the 
darkness of the forest.  "He is in pain.  Today, all of Earth heard 
his cries for the first time.  I found him here."  He turns back to 
her with a cold stare.  "But you already knew he was here, didn't 
you?"  He asks her bitterly.

She casts her eyes downward.  "For quite some time."  She says 
quietly.

The man's brown eyes flash in anger.  "And you said nothing?!  Good 
God!  Serenity, what were you waiting for?!"  He points at her 
accusingly with his right hand; the left clenched - almost cutting 
off circulation. 

Calmly she looks directly at him.  "My duty is to watch, guide, and 
direct.  But never am I to interfere.  The course of human history 
on this planet follows its own path.  By the laws of the Gods, I am 
forbidden to contact you."  Her eyes hardening and her complexion 
turning to stone, she says icily, "However, if you must know, I am 
prepared to do *anything* to ensure the safety of our Universe."  

He clenches his teeth, his intense glare burning through her. "Could 
that ever include killing him?"

With a voice of steel, she answers him simply.  "If needs be."

The man's face turns red and his blood begins to boil. 

Quickly she holds up her hand in a gesture of peace.  "Eros, before 
you go into a rage, perhaps you ought to listen."

He nods, stuggling to hold back his anger. 

"Luna, Artemis, stay here."  She commands, turning to her to 
companions.  In an instant, the hoods fall to the ground with no 
trace of the humans that once occupied them.  In their place, stand 
two cats, one of ebony, the other of snow.

Serenity and the man walk into a deeper part of the forest.  The 
only light is that radiating from their being.  After a moment in 
thought, she regards him.  " I have watched him for a long time, 
Eros.  His every thought dwells upon hate and revenge.  You heard 
his rage.  It consumes him and perhaps will also consume his soul as 
well.  If that happens, it will only be a matter of time before 
Metallia twists and perverts his anger.  Then he would be an warrior 
of evil-and a mighty one, were she to awaken his full power."

"Don't you see?!  That is why I needed to take him home...to train 
him...to raise him...and guide him in the proper direction!"

"It is too late for that now.  It was too late the day he arrived 
here from Nemesis."

"But I can change him!  I can bring him to Elysion and teach him.  There his 
powers can awaken and he can learn to be true and just.  
This planet needs him!"

"If you awaken his powers now, he will be open for attack.  Metallia 
will waste no time.  If your sons were grown, that would be 
different.  But they are mere boys, just as he is.  They are just 
beginning to discover and use their abilities.  He needs 4 *men*, 
fully trained and prepared, to guard him.  Right now, there is no 
love in his heart.  He must *not* know.  The boy must remain in 
ignorance if we are to succeed.  There is only one choice.  Let me 
take him to the Moon."  She begs.  "There, away from Metallia's 
influence, he might be able to conquer the evil inside him, and 
replace it with love.  Only then, will his powers awaken on their 
own; and he will stand as a good, powerful man, ready and able to 
defend Earth and uphold the sacred laws of the Gods!"

The man slumps his shoulders in defeat and looks at her with sad 
eyes.  He sighs deeply.  "I do not like this.  He belongs *here* not 
in the fantasy world of the Moon.  What exists there does not here."  
Eros's voice becomes heavy and thick with emotion.  "If it were not 
that I feared losing him, I would *never* even consider letting you 
take him.  But my mission is to protect him.  I will let you do as 
you please *for now*.  However, when he does fully awaken, you must 
promise me that you will return him to us."

Serenity smiles warmly.  "I promise."  She places her hand on his.  
"You're doing the right thing, my friend."

He looks at her sadly.  "How will you accomplish such a feat?  And 
how will you ever get him there without him knowing a thing?" 

"The fates have brought us thus far.  We have only to wait.  The 
answer will come."


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


A booming, crash of thunder sounds in the distant sky.  Heavy rain 
gushes from the heavens.  In an abandoned shack, he awakens with a 
start.  Thump...thump...thump.  'Footsteps.'  Darien jumps up and darts 
to the nearest window.  A cloaked figure, seeking shelter from the 
thunder and rain, quickly approaches the door.  The white horse, 
guided by its owner, wears an ornate saddle and crimson ties are 
intertwined in its mane.  But as it turns to the side, a brand mark 
of a black crescent moon mars its flank. His heart falls to his 
feet, and he can feel the sweat poor down his face and soak his neck 
and back.  "Oh my God..." He whispers.  'No!'  He grits his teeth.  He 
runs into the pitch, black shadows and crouches down against the 
wall.  Darien pulls the dagger from its sheath and waits...

Selenity enters the house and using all her might against the 
strong, prevailing winds, closes the door and leans against it, 
panting and out of breath.  'I'll never make it back now!  I'm just 
too tired.'  She thinks worried.  All of a sudden a glinting object 
catches her eye.  Before she can react, it sails toward her.  The 
pointed tip of the dagger flies toward her.  Frozen in terror, her 
chest heaves up and down and her mind draws blank.  She clenches her 
eyes shut.  The steel blade lands just above her shoulder, catching 
the cloak it its grasp.  She can't think, can't breathe.  Slowly she 
opens her eyes.   A dark shadowed face is directly in front of her 
own.  Through the darkness, she can see only one thing...the blueness 
of his eyes.

Darien moves toward her until he is only inches from her face, and 
pulls the dagger from the wooden door. Holding her hands above her, 
he brings his nose to her covered face  "Who are you?"  He whispers 
with hatred in his voice.  His grasp on her wrists is like that of 
iron.

Her breath goes rapid again.  'Oh Gods...oh Gods...Please!  Please don't 
let him hurt me!"  She is so afraid that every limb in her body 
fails to respond, her throat goes dry, and tears stream from her 
wide, fearful eyes.  In a meek, terrified, voice she squeaks 
brokenly, "Please...please...I...I...didn't mean...to...to..."

He freezes as he stares into her tear-filled indigo eyes.  'It...it's 
not him...' Darien closes his eyes.  Time stands still.  The fever 
coursing through his veins breaks.  The darkness and blind rage fade 
out of his system.  Outside, the storm has ended.  The clouds break 
to reveal the glowing light of the Moon.  Snapping out of his daze, 
he opens his eyes to look into hers once more.  'God...what am I 
doing?'  His mind screams.  He immediately releases her from his 
grip and shakes his head, in an effort to understand what just 
happened.  

Selenity quickly backs away from him, still desperately trying to 
regain her breath and composure.  

Darien glances at her, all thoughts of revenge and murder now gone.  
"I...I'm so sorry...I didn't ...I thought you were someone else..." He 
stammers.  Noticing how frightened she is, he holds up his hand.  "I 
won't hurt you - I promise."

She pushes her back into the far wall as hard as she can.  "Just 
stay away from me."

Slowly, step-by- step, he advances toward her, holding out his hand.  
"My lady...I won't hurt you."  His tone is gentle.

Selenity finds herself staring at the warmth in his wondrous eyes. 
In the darkness and shadows they burn brightly.  She looks at him 
innocently, her deep indigo eyes shining with both fear and relief. 
Hesitantly, she takes his hand.  

As she stands, he sees her radiant features as the moon casts its 
light upon her now uncovered face.  Her pale skin seems to have an iridescent 
glow and long rain-drenched, silver curls fall gently 
around her face.  'She looks like an angel.'  He thinks.  Then 
Darien sees her lavish gown, ornamented by pearls, woven lace, and 
heavy embroidering.  "You're a noblemen's daughter aren't you?"

Withdrawing her hand, she looks at him, trying to discern his 
intentions.   She narrows her eyes.  "Why do you ask me this?  I 
want nothing from you.  And...if you truly meant what you said, please 
let me leave and continue on my way.  I'll disturb you no further.  
I'm sorry I intruded upon you."

"No!  Don't say you're sorry.  It's my fault.  You can't leave now.  
It's too dangerous for you to be here alone."

In a burst of courage, she replies haughtily, "You were the only 
danger I have encountered.  I don't need your help!  Just let me 
go!"  She begs, tears threatening to fall.

"You don't understand..." His head snaps up when he hears the sound of 
a herd of galloping horses.  "God no!"  He whispers as he stares out 
the window.  The men stop in front of the shack.  A tall, fair-
haired man dismounts and walks over to the white horse.  "It's him."

"Who?"  Selenity asks.  

He puts his ear to the door.  "This is my horse.  The thief must be 
inside.  Gather your weapons and get the imbecile who dared to steel 
it!"  The man turns toward his party and smiles wickedly.  
"Gentlemen, there is going to be a new resident to the tower this 
evening.  Be sure to prepare the rack.  I want this one to suffer, 
whoever he is."

Darien jumps from his position and grabs her arm, pulling her into a 
dark corner of the room.  

"What do you think you are doing?"  She asks angrily, struggling to 
get out of his grasp.  "Let me go!"

"We have to get out of here now!"  He looks straight at her.  
"Otherwise, we're both dead..."

The urgency in his tone of voice scares her.  Trustingly, she lets 
him lead her to a hole in the back wall, covered by rags sown 
together.  He removes the covering and escorts her out.  

"Come on.  This way."  

As they quickly head into the forest, a man screams behind them.  
"Look!  Over there!  After them!"

"Run!"  Darien yells.  After running for some distance, he feels 
sharp pains course through his stomach.  He gasps.  'I have to get 
her safe.'  Knowing they could not run fast enough from the men on 
horseback, he pulls her into the bushes.  The galloping horses flash 
by them.

Selenity sits in shock.  'How could this happen?  Mother was 
right...This place is crazy...' After catching her breath, she turns to 
face the strange boy.  She gasps when she seems him lying next to 
her, unconscious.  She checks for a pulse but can find none.  "Oh 
Gods!  What do I do?"  'I can't just leave him here.' Biting her 
bottom lip, she decides that she has only one choice.  Quickly, she 
gathers him in her arms.  "Moon Teleport!"  She shouts.  In a flash 
of light, they both disappear. 


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

To be continued...

^_^  Well?  Watcha think?  I'm dying to know  So please send any flames,
comments to j2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu.  The best parts are yet to come!  Bye!