Disclaimers and author's notes are at the end of interlude #2.





	Sleeper

	By: Masked Maiden

	Interlude #2: Elysian





Somewhere between the boundaries of heaven and Earth was the sacred paradise 
known as Elysian.  It was all that remained of the Golden Kingdom, a luscious 
and tranquil land that was once ruled by King Jove and Queen Tellus.  Its 
guardian was Elios, the boy priest who was anointed with the Spirit and 
appointed by the queen at a young age.  For over two thousand years Elios had 
protected Elysian, along with the dreams of the people who lived on Earth.  
He loved the ancient land, as it was his home.  Yes, there were days when he 
wished his mission was completed so he could return to Earth, and there were 
days when it felt like there wasn't much to protect.  However, embedded deep 
within in his heart, Elios knew that the dreams of the Earthians and the hope 
for a brighter future were enough to sacrifice his years of immortality, and 
even his life for.

But today, something was troubling him.  It all started some hour past 
midnight, when Elios was suddenly jolted out of his slumber.  It wasn't 
because of a nightmare or a prophetic vision; Elios hadn't had any visions 
since Nehelenia was defeated.  He had to place the blame on a… Well, how 
could he put this into words?  It was as if a dark emotion had taken a 
physical form and clutched Elios' chest, its grip like a vise that tightened 
each time he gaped for air.  And out of stark fear, Elios did not (and could 
not, for that matter) fall back asleep.  The visitor stayed for the night, 
and it eventually faded away as the sun rose, leaving a very rattled and 
bewildered priest behind.

Times like these required a moment of peace and quiet… and a good cup of tea.

Elios briefly spoke with the temple maidens Maenads and Mendes, informing the 
ladies that he would be in his bedroom for most of the morning and that he 
did not want to be disturbed.  The maidens noticed the dark bags under Elios' 
eyes and were concerned.  But when the priest left the sanctuary, they 
laughed to themselves and joked that he was probably going back to bed.  
Instead, Elios went back upstairs, took the chair at his desk and dragged it 
onto the balcony.  Then he sat down with his favorite blend of chamomile tea 
and silently pondered to himself, enjoying the scenery before him.

The temple was built on a body of land that was surrounded by a large pond.  
(Well, Elios liked to call it a mini-ocean, for the word "pond" did a poor 
job at describing it.) On the other side of the water was a woodland area 
where most of the fauna resided.  A bridge on the east side was the only 
thing that connected the woodlands and the temple.  In few words, the scene 
was mesmerizing, if not breathtaking.  Elios could stare at it for hours.  
The calm serenity of the still waters and the green foliage on the trees 
seemed to ease his mind, and he was able to think more clearly.

That dark emotion… It made him recollect back to the time when Nehelenia had 
placed the black rose curse on Prince Endymion, who was now known as Chiba 
Mamoru.  When Endymion was cursed, so was the Earth.  When the Earth was 
cursed, so was Elysian.  And when Elysian was cursed, so was Elios.  The four 
were all separate, though they shared a common link.  Nothing could affect 
one without affecting them all.  When Endymion was cursed, a dark emotion 
knocked Elios down to the floor and entered his chest, gradually weakening 
him and making him one of Nehelenia's captures.  

Elios couldn't ignore the similarities.  The dark emotion was almost 
identical to the one that had invaded him almost eleven years ago.  While 
this dark emotion didn't invade him, it did attack him, and that alone made 
him fear for Mamoru's life…

A gentle breeze ruffled Elios' blue-white hair and sent a chill down his 
spine.  When the breeze died down, the there was the clinking sound of a 
staff tapping the marble floor could be heard from behind.  Footsteps 
followed, letting Elios know that his surprise guest was walking onto the 
balcony.  

"Such a lovely day.  Isn't it, Shounin Elios-sama?"

The fear that crept beside the boy priest's heart dissolved, and a smile 
appeared on his face.  Only three people ever addressed him by his official 
title: King Jove, Queen Tellus, and Sailorpluto… Elios casually turned around 
in his chair and saw that the sailor soldier standing beside him.  He opened 
his mouth to say a word of salutation; however, when he looked into her 
solemn magenta eyes, the fear returned.  This wasn't Sailorpluto who was 
currently known as Meiou Setsuna.  No… this was the Sailorpluto of Crystal 
Tokyo, the guardian of the Time Gateway.  To know that Sailorpluto was away 
from the Time Gateway was similar to knowing that the Priest of Elysian was 
away from the temple… Neither left their posts unless a threat was 
approaching the ones they had sworn to watch over.

"I take it Diana-chan's watching over the Gateway," Elios said, breaking the 
uncomfortable silence.

Sailorpluto faintly smiled and nodded.  "To think that a feline is the only 
creature I trust to guard the Gateway when I'm away."

"And I also take it you're here for a reason."

"I wish this was just a social call, but it isn't.  There is something 
approaching the Earth, and I'm going to need your help."

======
End of Interlude #2


05.27.03


Disclaimer: Sailormoon and the characters of "Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon" are 
property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation, Kodansha, etc.  "Sleeper" is 
inspired by the novel "The Most Important Little Boy in the World" written by 
Dean Briggs.  It is property of the author and Word Publishing.  I do not 
have ownership and I do make any profits from the use of Sailormoon or the 
novel in this fan fiction.


Author's Notes:
King Jove and Queen Tellus: If I ever write this certain fan fiction that I 
have plotted out, you will probably get to see these two characters.  But for 
now, I'll tell you where I got their names.  Jove is another form of the name 
Jupiter, a Roman god.  I'm not really going by mythology, though; I just 
liked the name.  Now, as for Tellus, it's another form of the name Terra.  
Terra is another name for the goddess Gaea, who is the goddess of Earth.

Shounin Elios-sama: As far as I know, Elios is only referred to as Elios in 
both the anime and the manga.  But because I'm quite fond of your friendly-
neighborhood priest, I wanted to give an impressive title.  (Okay, I know 
Priest of Elysian is a very impressive title, but it's also a mouthful!)  
Shounin is Japanese for "holy priest."  I thought that most suited him.  And 
as everyone knows, the suffix "san" is a tern of respect.

Ah yes, the tea… As I'm also currently writing a Slayers fan fiction, I'm 
focusing on two characters (Xelloss and Filia) that fancy tea.  Since Elios 
seems like a tea person, I'm continuing the tea tradition through this fan 
fiction.  So there! ^-^


Email: masked_maiden@hotmail.com
Web Sites: (a miracle romance) http://miracleromance.cjb.net/
           (into the new world) http://intothenewworld.cjb.net/