Chapter Ten
FaerieKnight79
Verified Pixie
- Location
- The Internet
There are two ways to bind a soul, and they work differently. The first is a binding of one's Nature. This can only be done when an entity's Name is known. The other is a binding of Duty. Normally these two types do not mix. Bonds of Duty do not continue past death and rebirth. Bonds of Nature however can, if the bond is worded carelessly. If not worded properly, such a binding locks a soul's Nature for all time. When this is done, only the one who originally bound the soul may release it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Ranma ½. This work of fiction is for enjoyment only, and I make no money off it.
Author Notes: A little information about Lady Nox and dream faeries. In this world, Lady Nox is a near god level faerie. She rules the land of dreams from her palace within an area of Faerie officially called the Forest of Night. While nominally she is part of the Seelie Court, Nox is in truth neutral force that maintains the balance between the two faerie courts. Dream Faeries are her messengers. It is their job to deliver pleasant dreams to those who deserve them, and nightmares to those who harbor guilt be it real or imagined.
Rei
She felt the impact of wood against the back of her head, and knew no more. When she finally came to the shrine maiden looked around in confusion. Where am I? This isn't the wood. Her body felt odd, to say the least. The false hide covering the girl felt out of place. It's material was too course. Absently she removed the offending garments.
"Now, who would do such a thing?" She wondered aloud. "Oh, I guess Tameria is here too. I wonder what is up with these skins? Surely the princess didn't dress us, did she?"
Since she had no other given tasks, the youth decided to check for omens. Her eyes closed briefly, and her spirit dove into another world. One she considered as much her home as the wood she'd grown up in. With a warm smile she walked across the dream glade.
"Hi there!" The youth called.
"It's Garnet! Garnet's back everyone!" a child cried out.
Winged figures, no more then six inches tall surrounded the teen called Garnet. The name felt natural. It was her's after all. Or once had been. Everything was confusing to her still. She was Garnet, a changeling given to her princess by the Lady Nox. She'd spent her childhood learning at her Lady's feet. She'd danced with the dream faeries in the stream of mortal slumber. She was Princess Rei, Senshi of Fire and defender of royal family. She was Hino Rei, shrine maiden and sometimes defender of love and justice.
Or was she? Garnet didn't really know anymore who she was. She could remember three lives, each seemed important. But the oldest memories felt truer. The fact she had come to this glade showed how true they were. But was she still Garnet? She could remember dying. She remembered dying multiple times. The first time though hadn't hurt. It had been like falling asleep. The others, Garnet suspected she would have nightmares about them.
"Who ever heard of a dream dancer having nightmares?" She asked no one.
She'd remembered what Lady Nox had called her. She'd said Garnet was a dancer of dreams. The way Lady Nox had said it, Garnet thought it was important. Far more important then her station in life. As to what that station was, Garnet was having trouble figuring it out anymore. As a changeling, she knew she was little more then a pet given to her princess. She's back, I can't believe she's back.
But she was a princess. Changelings couldn't be princesses. A princess ruled others, and that wasn't allowed of changelings. She was a shrine maiden. That seemed easy enough to fit into her sense of self. Shrine maidens served those who came to the shrine. She was a Knight. This too felt natural. Her queen had tasked her with defending mankind from the Unseelie. A task which should be done. They had won the war. Why did Garnet live again? She knew only one way to find out.
"May I speak with the Lady?"
While waiting for an audience Garnet allowed herself to be pulled into a dance. It had been a long time since she'd experienced a faerie dance. She hadn't been part of one since that night. The last night of peace before The War. That war didn't really have a name. It never had. And Garnet did so miss joining in faerie dances. It would be a good way to relax. Then the youth laughed softly.
"I have an idea! There is another who needs to dance too. Let's bring my friend Minako to join in. Although she might be thinking of herself as Meleena at the moment."
Ordinarily the dream faeries would have ignored the girl. They had their jobs to do and were kept fairly busy most times. Not always though. Sometimes, such as now they would throw wild parties and have fun. At such times duty and obedience didn't cross their minds. Dream faeries after all were incapable of holding onto more then one concept at a time.
For once though one of the sprites bowed to Garnet. This felt odd to her. Then her host was off in search of the mortal so requested. I hope she didn't wake up yet. That would be a shame. Minako could use some fun. Come to think of it, so could I. It's been a long time since I relaxed. She felt the magics of the circle take control, and didn't fight it. Not that there was much choice in the matter.
Once inside a faerie circle during a dance, humans couldn't stop dancing until either an outsider pulled them out, or they were allowed to. She knew this very well, and accepted it. It was a fact of life when among the fair folk. And young Garnet could remember centuries among them. While she had physically been sixteen when Queen Mab chose her as a knight, the girl had been a changeling for eight human lifetimes before that. Such happened when Lady Nox took an interest in a changeling.
Perhaps this then was why the youth thought of herself as Garnet, instead of this life's given name. She had more memories as a changeling then as the human miko. And with those memories had come skills she'd lost in her current life. As the girl officially named Rei danced she reflected on who she really was.
Once I lived here. This is my home, as much as Grandfather's shrine. Maybe more so. Once I could slip in and out at a whim, not just project myself. I hadn't had to do this since I was seven. I hope Nox lets me see her again. It's so much better then waiting for a vision. I wonder if I'll be allowed into the chamber again? I remember that being more reliable then her sendings.
Her thoughts continued as Garnet leaped and twirled. She'd lost track of how long she'd been dancing. Garnet had also forgotten her request of a dance partner. So it came as a surprise when a woman with long blond hair and a yellow ball gown appeared. The woman seemed surprised to be here. She seemed even more surprised when the magic of the circle took hold. This caused Garnet to laugh.
"Don't fight it, Meleena. Or is it Minako? There's no harm in us joining the dance. Sides, we should talk. What do you remember?"
Minako for her part was very confused. One moment she had been entering the royal ball. The next she was in a forest and compelled to dance. But it wasn't any dance she was familiar with. Her head was pounding, and things felt really off. Not to mention Princess Rei was dressed oddly and calling her an unfamiliar name. And yet, the name felt familiar. She considered Rei's words, and a slight frown crossed her lips.
What I remember?! Was all that kept going through her head. "I shouldn't be here," Minako said. "I should be at the ball. What if there's trouble?"
This caused Garnet to shake her head sadly. An impressive feat considering the enthusiasm of her dancing. "That already happened, Mina-chan. We died that day. You are dreaming right now."
Lucid dreaming was not possible. At least, that's what many experts claim. There are however five sailor suited warriors of love and justice who would dispute that claim. For four of them, they were wrong. So it was that when Minako was informed she was dreaming, she didn't believe it. Instead she studied the situation.
"In that case, we must be like two keys in a rod," Minako said sarcastically.
Garnet blinked at what she'd just heard. Sure her friend had just mangled another saying. But it had been remarkably apt. From what she could remember, it normally took two outsiders to 'awaken' a dreamer to that fact. As such, she didn't really expect her friend to believe. Not yet. The dance was starting to wind down however. And a messenger had just brought her information. As the compulsion to dance finally ended Garnet waved Minako over.
"This is an honor, the Lady wants to meet you too. I'd sought an audience because she once was my master, and may be able to help now. Please, try not to embarrass me. And don't insult the Lady. That would be an extremely bad idea." She told the senshi of love.
"How bad an idea?" Minako asked, blinking at what was just said. "Wait Rei, your master?!"
Garnet replied "Please, call me Garnet. The last person I saw insult the Lady spent the rest of his life as a fly. And yes, the Lady was once my master. But that was a long time ago in another life."
"Just who is this 'lady'?" Minako asked, still blinking.
"The Lady Nox," She replied. "Her full title is 'Lady of the Eternal Night, Mother of Creation, and Bringer of The Void. She stands as a balancing power between the King and Queen. Or she did before the war. It is said the Lady is older then the universe it's self. She once told me the end and beginning come from her."
Garnet took her friend's hand and began to lead through the woods. Soon they came to a lake. The water was as black as the night sky and filled with points of light. In it's center of the lake was an island. This island held a castle built of shimmering crystal. It's spires were too tall for their narrow construction to support. Yet they didn't collapse. At the edge of the lake was a row boat.
Garnet walked over and pressed the palms of her hands against a tree stump that sat near the dock. "In the name of the Queen and King I come. This humble servant requests safe passage to the Isle for myself and my friend. May the Lady of Eternity grant her blessing."
From the stump arose two amulets. They were made of silver, with gold chains attached to them. On the amulets Minako could see a mobius strip. Within the loops of the strip were a pair of eyes. Garnet took one amulet and placed it around her neck. The other she offered to her friend.
"Do not remove this until either you are allowed to by the Lady, or we return to this shore. It will protect you while traversing the sea of ages."
The statement shocked Minako so badly that she began to shake. Her friend was treating this all like it was deadly serious. And anything that could pull her from the palace to this wood must be powerful magic.
"Lets get this show on the road," Minako said softly. In her stunned state, she forgot to mangle a saying.
The two climbed into the boat. Garnet took up the oars, and began to row. The distance seemed impossible to traverse with such a craft. To any sane observer they would have thought the trip should take years at best. Longer with the pace being set. That however was disproved rapidly by their progress. What had at first seemed an impossible to cross distance shrank with each stroke of the oars.
-Meioh Setsuna
Musings of a Time Traveler
Musings of a Time Traveler
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Ranma ½. This work of fiction is for enjoyment only, and I make no money off it.
Author Notes: A little information about Lady Nox and dream faeries. In this world, Lady Nox is a near god level faerie. She rules the land of dreams from her palace within an area of Faerie officially called the Forest of Night. While nominally she is part of the Seelie Court, Nox is in truth neutral force that maintains the balance between the two faerie courts. Dream Faeries are her messengers. It is their job to deliver pleasant dreams to those who deserve them, and nightmares to those who harbor guilt be it real or imagined.
Rei
She felt the impact of wood against the back of her head, and knew no more. When she finally came to the shrine maiden looked around in confusion. Where am I? This isn't the wood. Her body felt odd, to say the least. The false hide covering the girl felt out of place. It's material was too course. Absently she removed the offending garments.
"Now, who would do such a thing?" She wondered aloud. "Oh, I guess Tameria is here too. I wonder what is up with these skins? Surely the princess didn't dress us, did she?"
Since she had no other given tasks, the youth decided to check for omens. Her eyes closed briefly, and her spirit dove into another world. One she considered as much her home as the wood she'd grown up in. With a warm smile she walked across the dream glade.
"Hi there!" The youth called.
"It's Garnet! Garnet's back everyone!" a child cried out.
Winged figures, no more then six inches tall surrounded the teen called Garnet. The name felt natural. It was her's after all. Or once had been. Everything was confusing to her still. She was Garnet, a changeling given to her princess by the Lady Nox. She'd spent her childhood learning at her Lady's feet. She'd danced with the dream faeries in the stream of mortal slumber. She was Princess Rei, Senshi of Fire and defender of royal family. She was Hino Rei, shrine maiden and sometimes defender of love and justice.
Or was she? Garnet didn't really know anymore who she was. She could remember three lives, each seemed important. But the oldest memories felt truer. The fact she had come to this glade showed how true they were. But was she still Garnet? She could remember dying. She remembered dying multiple times. The first time though hadn't hurt. It had been like falling asleep. The others, Garnet suspected she would have nightmares about them.
"Who ever heard of a dream dancer having nightmares?" She asked no one.
She'd remembered what Lady Nox had called her. She'd said Garnet was a dancer of dreams. The way Lady Nox had said it, Garnet thought it was important. Far more important then her station in life. As to what that station was, Garnet was having trouble figuring it out anymore. As a changeling, she knew she was little more then a pet given to her princess. She's back, I can't believe she's back.
But she was a princess. Changelings couldn't be princesses. A princess ruled others, and that wasn't allowed of changelings. She was a shrine maiden. That seemed easy enough to fit into her sense of self. Shrine maidens served those who came to the shrine. She was a Knight. This too felt natural. Her queen had tasked her with defending mankind from the Unseelie. A task which should be done. They had won the war. Why did Garnet live again? She knew only one way to find out.
"May I speak with the Lady?"
While waiting for an audience Garnet allowed herself to be pulled into a dance. It had been a long time since she'd experienced a faerie dance. She hadn't been part of one since that night. The last night of peace before The War. That war didn't really have a name. It never had. And Garnet did so miss joining in faerie dances. It would be a good way to relax. Then the youth laughed softly.
"I have an idea! There is another who needs to dance too. Let's bring my friend Minako to join in. Although she might be thinking of herself as Meleena at the moment."
Ordinarily the dream faeries would have ignored the girl. They had their jobs to do and were kept fairly busy most times. Not always though. Sometimes, such as now they would throw wild parties and have fun. At such times duty and obedience didn't cross their minds. Dream faeries after all were incapable of holding onto more then one concept at a time.
For once though one of the sprites bowed to Garnet. This felt odd to her. Then her host was off in search of the mortal so requested. I hope she didn't wake up yet. That would be a shame. Minako could use some fun. Come to think of it, so could I. It's been a long time since I relaxed. She felt the magics of the circle take control, and didn't fight it. Not that there was much choice in the matter.
Once inside a faerie circle during a dance, humans couldn't stop dancing until either an outsider pulled them out, or they were allowed to. She knew this very well, and accepted it. It was a fact of life when among the fair folk. And young Garnet could remember centuries among them. While she had physically been sixteen when Queen Mab chose her as a knight, the girl had been a changeling for eight human lifetimes before that. Such happened when Lady Nox took an interest in a changeling.
Perhaps this then was why the youth thought of herself as Garnet, instead of this life's given name. She had more memories as a changeling then as the human miko. And with those memories had come skills she'd lost in her current life. As the girl officially named Rei danced she reflected on who she really was.
Once I lived here. This is my home, as much as Grandfather's shrine. Maybe more so. Once I could slip in and out at a whim, not just project myself. I hadn't had to do this since I was seven. I hope Nox lets me see her again. It's so much better then waiting for a vision. I wonder if I'll be allowed into the chamber again? I remember that being more reliable then her sendings.
Her thoughts continued as Garnet leaped and twirled. She'd lost track of how long she'd been dancing. Garnet had also forgotten her request of a dance partner. So it came as a surprise when a woman with long blond hair and a yellow ball gown appeared. The woman seemed surprised to be here. She seemed even more surprised when the magic of the circle took hold. This caused Garnet to laugh.
"Don't fight it, Meleena. Or is it Minako? There's no harm in us joining the dance. Sides, we should talk. What do you remember?"
Minako for her part was very confused. One moment she had been entering the royal ball. The next she was in a forest and compelled to dance. But it wasn't any dance she was familiar with. Her head was pounding, and things felt really off. Not to mention Princess Rei was dressed oddly and calling her an unfamiliar name. And yet, the name felt familiar. She considered Rei's words, and a slight frown crossed her lips.
What I remember?! Was all that kept going through her head. "I shouldn't be here," Minako said. "I should be at the ball. What if there's trouble?"
This caused Garnet to shake her head sadly. An impressive feat considering the enthusiasm of her dancing. "That already happened, Mina-chan. We died that day. You are dreaming right now."
Lucid dreaming was not possible. At least, that's what many experts claim. There are however five sailor suited warriors of love and justice who would dispute that claim. For four of them, they were wrong. So it was that when Minako was informed she was dreaming, she didn't believe it. Instead she studied the situation.
"In that case, we must be like two keys in a rod," Minako said sarcastically.
Garnet blinked at what she'd just heard. Sure her friend had just mangled another saying. But it had been remarkably apt. From what she could remember, it normally took two outsiders to 'awaken' a dreamer to that fact. As such, she didn't really expect her friend to believe. Not yet. The dance was starting to wind down however. And a messenger had just brought her information. As the compulsion to dance finally ended Garnet waved Minako over.
"This is an honor, the Lady wants to meet you too. I'd sought an audience because she once was my master, and may be able to help now. Please, try not to embarrass me. And don't insult the Lady. That would be an extremely bad idea." She told the senshi of love.
"How bad an idea?" Minako asked, blinking at what was just said. "Wait Rei, your master?!"
Garnet replied "Please, call me Garnet. The last person I saw insult the Lady spent the rest of his life as a fly. And yes, the Lady was once my master. But that was a long time ago in another life."
"Just who is this 'lady'?" Minako asked, still blinking.
"The Lady Nox," She replied. "Her full title is 'Lady of the Eternal Night, Mother of Creation, and Bringer of The Void. She stands as a balancing power between the King and Queen. Or she did before the war. It is said the Lady is older then the universe it's self. She once told me the end and beginning come from her."
Garnet took her friend's hand and began to lead through the woods. Soon they came to a lake. The water was as black as the night sky and filled with points of light. In it's center of the lake was an island. This island held a castle built of shimmering crystal. It's spires were too tall for their narrow construction to support. Yet they didn't collapse. At the edge of the lake was a row boat.
Garnet walked over and pressed the palms of her hands against a tree stump that sat near the dock. "In the name of the Queen and King I come. This humble servant requests safe passage to the Isle for myself and my friend. May the Lady of Eternity grant her blessing."
From the stump arose two amulets. They were made of silver, with gold chains attached to them. On the amulets Minako could see a mobius strip. Within the loops of the strip were a pair of eyes. Garnet took one amulet and placed it around her neck. The other she offered to her friend.
"Do not remove this until either you are allowed to by the Lady, or we return to this shore. It will protect you while traversing the sea of ages."
The statement shocked Minako so badly that she began to shake. Her friend was treating this all like it was deadly serious. And anything that could pull her from the palace to this wood must be powerful magic.
"Lets get this show on the road," Minako said softly. In her stunned state, she forgot to mangle a saying.
The two climbed into the boat. Garnet took up the oars, and began to row. The distance seemed impossible to traverse with such a craft. To any sane observer they would have thought the trip should take years at best. Longer with the pace being set. That however was disproved rapidly by their progress. What had at first seemed an impossible to cross distance shrank with each stroke of the oars.