------------------- -- *-*-*-*-*-*-*-* -- -* T I T A N S *- -- *-*-*-*-*-*-*-* -- ------------------- Written by Avanla Mireille Book One, Chapter One - "Another End's Beginning" -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Once upon a time in a land far far away, there lived a mighty emperor who ruled wisely and passionately. His wife was the jewel of the kingdom, fairer and kinder than any women known. She gave birth to three strong and healthy children; Natan, the heir, Anvier, the jokester, and Serena, the rose. Natan was a strong boy, with dirt blonde hair and observant hazel eyes. Anvier was two years younger, with a more playful countenance; bouncy brown hair and blue eyes. Serena was much the copy of her fare mother, golden honey hair and dazzling dark blue eyes. She was eight years younger than the eldest. They lived a prosperous life and had many great plans for their future. But fate would have it another way, for there would always be someone jealous of the glory and prosperity of a swelling nation. So a month before Natan was to marry, the nation of Imperial Emperor Dios de la Teratariarc the fourth was attacked and overtaken. Little Serena... I was only nine years old, and now the last remaining survivor of the de la Teratariarc blood. My life ceased to be 'normal' from that moment on, and never again would I see the light of happiness...not without a price at least. After my family was murdered I ran away into the forest, far away from that horrible man. And that is where our story shall begin.... -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- 'Run', was the only thing that registered through the small girl's head, as she kept up her grueling pace through the treacherous forest. Leaves stuck in her hair, thorns scrapped at her porcelain face, but she kept on moving, like two ravenous black wolves were on her tail. Suddenly from beneath her a cage sprung up and she was tossed into the air. "No!" She screamed, flailing around in the net. Tears burst from her eyes and she held her head in her hands. "NOOOOOOOOooooooooooo!!" Her screams of pain echoed through the forest as finally, everything came crashing down on her and soon she collapsed in the net, falling fast asleep. Before Serena opened her eyes, she heard the rustling of a broom and the crackling of a warm fire. Fear instantly knocked the breath out of her, as she lay positively still. Gaining courage she opened one eye, and then the other. She was in a small room, the walls the color brown and the smell of leaves and cinnamon. She moved her head slightly and saw the embers of a burning fire. A woman wearing a burgundy dress with a white apron around her waist stood by it, sweeping the fallen leaves into the fire. Long, curly dark brown hair came out of the white bonnet she wore. Serena sat up quietly and cleared her throat. The woman turned around and smiled at her, her kind brown honey eyes alight by the fire. She placed the broom by the fireplace and bent down to take the pot boiling on top the fire off. She picked it up with a towel and brought it over to the table beside Serena's bed. "G'day m'little bunny. You've been asleep for I'd say, a good seven hours." She said. "Where am I? Who are YOU?" Serena said, raising a shaking hand to her forehead. "My name is Emily, and you are in the middle of Tulb Forest. We found you in one of our nets this morning. Now what are you doing in this dark forest all alone little bunny?" She said, placing her hands on her hips. Serena stared up at her for a moment before tears broke free from her eyes. Emily shook her head and sat next to her, cradling her in her arms. "Aww, little miss, what troubles you so?" Emily cooed and looked down at the head of golden hair. She suddenly saw a necklace around her neck and five heavy golden rings attached to it. Emily reached down and picked them up and gasped, retracting her hand. "Why, you're the little Princess Serena! Oh dear, how did you find yourself out here? Nonetheless, I am greatly pleased you made it out alive. Oh- pray be still while I fetch m'husband!" Emily said as she scrambled out the door. Serena then noticed that is was raining outside, for the door was left open and soft raindrops splattered on the stone slab outside. Serena wiped her tears dry and looked down at the rings collected at her neck. Gently she picked them up, and fingered each one. They were the rings of her family, which she had collected off their dead and cold bodies. A single tear escaped her eye and rolled down onto her mother's ring. Suddenly through the door came Emily and a huge, tall, broad-shouldered man. He had a long brown beard and long matching hair that had two braided sections in the front. He shook his head free off the water droplets, and they fell from his head to splatter on the floor. His brown eyes absorbed her with a hunter's glare and she stiffened, but did not look away. She was taught never to give in, for she was an Imperial Princess...was. 'What am I now?' She thought and swallowed. 'An orphan, that's what I am.' "Little bunny, this is my husband, Broc." Emily introduced, and he shook his head. "Broc here is the leader of our small little village." "Hello, princess." He said. "Hello." She whispered weakly. "Here sweetheart, have a drink." Emily said and fetched her a cup of water. She handed it to Serena, who gulped it down. "Of course! You must be starved. Hold on a moment while I fetch us some fruits and rabbit." She said and went off into an adjoining room. Serena slowly looked back up at Broc, who hadn't taken his penetrating gaze off of the small princess since he walked in the door. She couldn't stand it anymore and let a small tear escape her eye. He finally blinked and cleared his throat. "Did none of your family survive?" He asked. "No." Serena said and looked down at her empty cup. 'Just like my life.' She thought. 'Empty.' "None." He grunted and walked over to the fire place, banging his fist against the mantle. He rubbed his hand over his eyes and sighed dishearteningly. He looked back down at Serena and shook his head. Serena looked back down at her rings, placing them on her fingers even though they were too large for them. "How old are you again?" Broc asked. "Nine years." Serena whispered with her head still bowed. "Nine, only nine." He sighed. Suddenly through the open door came a boy not much older than Serena. She looked up at him, and sapphire blue fell upon golden brown. The boy pulled back his hood to reveal dark brown, almost black hair that was cut short. However, a small section in the back was allowed to grow, and draped braided over his shoulder. They continued to stare at each other until Broc cleared his throat. "What is it, Seiya?" Broc asked. "There's a man here father, he looks to be a noble." Both Broc and Serena were intrigued by his reply, and both started out the door. Serena lingered at the door and placed her hand on the threshold. A man on a brown horse pulled up close to the house, a black cape hiding his figure. He jumped off the horse and threw back his hood and Serena gasped, letting silent tears of joy fall down her face. He started frantically asking the people for something and then turned towards her, his worried eyes replaced with relief and tears. "Princess!" He sighed happily. Serena choked back a sob and ran full speed into his awaiting arms, where he picked her up and held her close. "Oh Princess, I'm so glad you're alive!" "Maxxel!" The small princess cried, burrowing her face into his chest. "Who are you?" Broc asked. "I am Maxxel Freccia, the king's advisor..was, the king's advisor." Maxxel sighed. "How long has she been here? Where did you find her? Who are you?" "So many questions." Broc chuckled and Maxxel shook his head. "I am sorry sir, but the night has brought many troubles upon me." Maxxel said. "I understand, as it has for all of us. My name is Broc Dunsterk, and this is my village. We found her about eight hours ago in one of our hunting nets." Broc answered. "I see, is that your house?" Maxxel asked, and when he got a nod vanished into the warm house. He placed Serena back on the bed and knelt in front of her. He sighed, wiping away the hair from her face. He picked up her chin, forcing her to look at him and managed a smile. "I thought I'd never find you." Maxxel shook his head amazed. "I never thought I'd be found." Serena sighed. "Everything is not lost my little princess, do not give up hope just yet!" He said. "You are our hope, so you must be strong." "I am nothing but alone." She shook her head and threw the blanket over her, turning away from him. "Leave me!" Maxxel backed away immediately. He sighed in frustration and ran a hand through his black hair. He looked in the mirror at his reflection. His face was taunt with worry, his green eyes filled with fatigue. He'd been searching since the morning, checking every town and village this side of the mountains for her. The sweet smell of rabbit reached his nose and he turned to see Emily setting up the table. She looked up at him and smiled. "The poor child. She's lost everything in just one day, and at such a young age too." She said as she made her way over to them. She leaned over the cot to see Serena fast asleep. "Well since she is asleep I suggest you eat what I have prepared, for you look not better than she. I will prepare a bed for you too. Come, sit." Maxxel gave one last glance at Serena before following Emily to the table. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- "Dios, what are we going to do!" The Empress Ilene shouted, her long blonde hair tied at the nape of her neck, a green night dress clinging her form. Her husband, Imperial Emperor Dios de la Teratariarc paced in front of the long window, the sky alit with crimson fire and the sound of metal against metal coming from the valley below. He grasped his brown goatee, placing a hand on his hip as well. He suddenly stopped and walked up to her, placing his hands around her slim waist. "I don't know love, I don't think there is anything we can do." He hung his head and she stared at him with startled blue eyes. Her husband never gave up, no matter what. She sighed, reaching out to lift his chin. Her eyes burrowed into his hazel ones, seeing the complete defeat written within. He slowly brought his lips down to hers, savoring what they knew would be their last embrace. Suddenly Irene was aware of the tugging on the back of her dress and reluctantly pulled away and turned her head down to look upon the little blonde head of her daughter. Blue eyes looked up into blue, and Irene managed a smile for her little one. "Mommy, are they going to come for us?" She looked back at her husband and nodded gravely. "Yes they are." She said and knelt before Serena, grabbing her shoulders. The king sighed, picking his daughter up. Irene followed, standing beside him and holding his arm. "But they will not get you my darling." Dios said. "We must hide her, she is our only hope." "But what about Natan and Anvier?" The empress said puzzled. He turned to her and gave her a grim look, and at once she understood. "Oh dear Lord..." Suddenly the door bust open, causing all of them to jump in their skins. But at the door slumped Anvier, his hair was matted with sweat and blood, his clothes were stained and ripped. A deep gash loomed at his side and he gripped it, falling slowly to the floor. But before he even reached it Empress Irene was at his side. "Anvier! Oh my son, this can't be happening!" She screamed, placing him in her arms. "I tried mother, I tried." Were the boy's last words, before his hand fell limp to his side. "Oh no..." She cried, hiding her face in his hair. Another figure approached at the door, however this time is was Natan, the eldest son. He looked down at his mother and his fallen brother with sadness and anger mixed as one. He shook his head, looking back up at Dios. "They have broken are line." Natan said, delivering the words Dios feared the most. "It won't be soon before they find us, they were right on my tail." "Can't you bring any words of comfort?" The empress cried, looking up at her only son. Dios put down Serena and came from behind her, forcing her to stand. She turned around in his embrace and cried into his chest. "Only that our suffering will be over soon." He whispered, looking back into his son's eyes. "Shut the door and bolt it, it will buy us some desperate seconds." Natan did as he was told and now stood in front of the fire place. Dios knelt down to Serena and cupped her cheeks in his large hands. "Now Serena, you must listen to me good. There is a way for you to escape through this secret passageway that we made for just a time as this." Dios said and pushed on the back wall of the fireplace. It gave way, to reveal a small elevator lift. "This leads to the river. All you have to do is pull down this switch and it will take you down to ground level. There you must wait till dusk, then you can make your move into the forest." "But you are coming with me, right?" The little girl shook, feeling hot tears in her eyes. Dios gravely shook his head, embracing his daughter tightly. Tears threatened to fall but he forced them away with his hand. He pulled back and smiled at her. "No my dear, we must stay. There is not enough room for us on the lift and it would take too many turns for us to reach the bottom. By then they would have us." He said, wiping away her tears. He stood up, allowing Irene to kneel down. "Now listen," She said desperately. "No matter what you may hear you must stay absolutely still and quiet and wait for them to leave the room. The elevator is too loud to operate while they're in the room. Promise me you will not come out, no matter what." Serena nodded her head, not comprehending the whole situation. "Good girl. I love you so much!" Irene hugged her child tightly and quickly stood up, turning away. Serena looked over at her big brother, who smiled down at her. He placed his hand on top of her head and ruffled her hair. Serena laughed amongst the chaos, taking comfort in her big brother. He bent down and kissed her gently on the forehead. "Be brave little sister." He said and she nodded. "Now in you go." Dios said, scooting her in. "Now remember, be absolutely quiet." He said and shut it till there was a little slit. He sighed, staring at his daughter one last time. "Goodbye Serena." "Goodbye Papa." She whispered as he closed it, and darkness fell upon her. Suddenly a great banging erupted from outside, and the family rushed back towards the window. Dios wrapped his arms around his wife and son, holding them close. As the door was broken down, Serena slowly cracked open the fire place, not being able to stand being closed up. In the door walked seven strong and broad-shouldered men, the eighth being smaller but by no means less intimidating. He stood in front of the others, both his hands on his hips. He smiled ruthlessly. "Well well, if it isn't the old Emperor." He chuckled, then looked down to Anvier and sneered. "Looks like I have you cornered." "Looks can be deceiving." Dios said. "You will not get away with this Rosmund." "You look around Dios," Rosmund motioned with his hands. "I have already won! You have lost! And soon, you will loose everything you hold dear. Your son to my sword, and your wife to my bed! Get them!" Dios sneered at his last remark, readying his sword to attack. Natan and he fought through the line of the seven men. Four came down on Natan and soon cut him down. He yelled the name of his fiancée with his last breath. Irene screamed his name and a piece of her heart broke. She turned to her husband and saw that he was cornered, defenseless, and without a hope. One soldier grabbed for the gun strapped to his side and aimed it at Dios. "No!" Empress Irene yelled as she ran infront of the bullet. The shot rang through the silent room, echoing in Serena's ears. "No, IRENE!" Dios shouted, catching her falling form. "You idiot!" Rosmund shouted and slue the man who had shot her. He looked down at Dios and Irene, to see her lying limp in his arms. "I never meant any harm for her." Dios looked up at him only for a moment, before turning his gaze down to his wife. "Irene..." He breathed, as her hand fell limply to the ground. With a sob he kissed her forehead and placed her on the ground, grabbing the dagger at his side in the process. "You beast!" He lunged out at Rosmund, to only be attacked by the other two guards. They stabbed him continuously, until he did not move anymore. Lightening streaked outside, as Rosmund smiled down at his dead body. Serena looked down at the floor, seeing the spilled blood coming towards her. Natan's, Anvier's, her mother's and father's all collected in a river. Everything else faded away besides the lightening and the blood. In Serena's mind she was spinning, spinning while the screams of her family echoed around her. Rosmund's cold laugh resounded around her, chilling her to the bone. "No!" She shouted, cupping her hands over her ears. "NO!! NO!! NOOO!" "Hey!" "NO!" "WAKE UP!" Serena bolted upright, sweat beading down her forehead. "No no no no!" She screamed, unable to comprehend where she was. "Hey, it's okay!" She was suddenly aware of a hand on her shoulder and looked over into the boy Seiya's eyes. Serena looked around frantically, to find herself on the cot, although this time sunlight shined in through the open door. She gasped, placing her hand over her mouth. "Hey, it was just a dream, relax." "No, it wasn't a dream. It wasn't!" Seiya pulled her into a hug and she let herself relax in his arms. "It's alright." He cooed, rubbing her back. "You're safe now, my father says. Rosmund won't come after you because you're just a small girl. But even if he does we'll protect you." Serena sniffed back her tears and looked up at the boy. "You will?" "Yeah." Seiya nodded, offering her a little smile. Serena smiled a genuine smile for the first time in days, and gave him a warm hug. "Thank you Seiya." She said. The boy smiled and stepped back, extending his hand. "Do you want to come outside now? It's a beautiful day." Fear clenched at her heart again and she darted nervous eyes to the door. "No, no thank you." She whispered, backing up on the cot. "Alright then." Seiya shrugged. "I have to go collect fire wood. I'll be back in awhile then we can play a game or something." And with that he skipped out the door. Serena watched wearily, fatigue and pain washing over her body. She wanted these feelings to go away, she wanted to go outside, really she did! But outside meant people, people she didn't know, people that could hurt her. She snuggled back into the covers and laid there, eyes never leaving the door. It would be two weeks before the princess would venture outside. It was a warm day, a blue sky peaking through the dense canopy of tall Redwoods. She looked up into the glorious sun, covering her eyes with her hands. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the light, and she looked upon the quiet yet busy village. It was based on a small hill, with scattered houses located all the way to the base. Slowly she walked up to the dying fire where Broc, Maxxel, Seiya and an older gentleman were located. Seiya noticed her first and smiled at her, standing up. "You've finally come out!" He said. "Are you okay now?" "I guess." Serena shrugged lightly. "Father, can I take Serena into the forest? I promise I won't go past our region." Seiya asked and Broc fingered his beard before nodding. "That's fine, Maxxel?" Maxxel looked down at Serena and into her big blue eyes. "Yes, it's fine with me too. Just be careful." He said. "We will! Common Serena!" Seiya smiled and grabbed her hand, leading her into the woods. "Where are we going Seiya?" She finally asked as they skipped over a bridge. She let go of his hand to make him stop. "We're going to my secret place." Seiya said. "Common, it's not much further!" He grabbed her hand again and led her into some deep foliage, with leaves the sizes of the cot she had slept on. They climbed up the roots of a very large tree where they jumped off onto a rock nearby. He led her down the side a little hill to where a little cave was located. He pulled her in and the sound of water echoed through the cave. A little light came through a place in the side of the rock, casting shadows against the towers of stalactites and stalagmites. Seiya lit a torch and placed it in a holder. A little river was located in the cave, and ran down into the rocks. Two chairs were placed on a little platform to the left, with a little fireplace and toys scattered about. "This is where I come to think and be alone, somewhere where no one has been." Seiya said. "Well, until now that is. You're the first person that's seen it." "Why would you let me see it?" Serena said as she ran a hand down a stalactite. "Well, because you need somewhere to hide." Seiya said and she turned to him and smiled. "Thank you Seiya." She said. "How old are you?" "Well I'm eleven, and you're nine right?" Seiya answered. "Yes I am." Serena nodded. "You seem alot younger than an eleven year old." "How's that?" Seiya raised an eyebrow and she shrugged. "You just act younger than you are." She answered. "So you're saying I'm immature." Seiya crossed his arms. "Well I happen to think you act way too old for being only a small girl of nine." "That's better than acting like a child." Serena crossed her arms. "You're just jealous because I'm smarter than you farm boy." "Am not." Seiya said incredulously. "Are too." Serena said, sticking out her tongue. "Are not!" Seiya threw his hands down, walking towards her. "Are too!" Serena humpfed, throwing her head back. "Are-" Seiya stopped and laughed. "Look at us, arguing like we're old friends or something." "Well," Serena said, uncrossing her arms. "I'd like us to be good friends someday." "Yeah," Seiya smiled down at her. "I'd like that too." -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-