~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In the Fields of Elysian ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chapter Four- "The Seach for the Phoenix" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In the light of the early morning, before the golden sun even broke free from the horizon the six travelors set out on their journey. "Be careful, the power of Elysian will be with you." Elios had said before they departed from Sandara. "So, which stone are we supposed to look for first?" Endymion asked as they rode their horses down a dirt road. Avanla opened the map and looked at it. "You will find the stone of fire on the Plains of Orinda. It soars through the sky, on the wings of a flame." Avanla answered and furrowed her brow in anger. "I hate these stupid prophecies, why do they always have to talk in riddles? Why can't they just tell us?" "So I guess we're off to the Orinda Plains then." Jedeite commented as they came to a fork in the road. "Where to Avanla?" "This way to Orinda!" Avanla smiled as she steared her brown mare onto the right road. "How far is Orinda?" Endymion asked, as they rode into a valley. "Oh, about a days ride away." Nephlite answered. "A day?!" Endymion yelled. "Yes, horses don't go as fast as your cars do." Jedeite said, rolling his eyes. He leaned over closer to Nephlite to whisper in his ear. "I can't believe we have to serve this guy." But Nephlite's attention was elsewhere, as he concentrated on the sounds he heard around them. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, but he had a lingering feeling that they were being followed. "So Endymion, what is the outside world like?" Zoisite asked as the sun shone down on them in the middle of the sky. "Much more complicated than this world." Endymion answered. "And less beautiful. All you see in the horizon are tall skyscrapers." "It sounds very exciting though." Zoisite said. They entered a forest, with huge trees to shade them from the hot sun. "Well we've been traveling for the whole day so far, we can take a break here." Kunzite said as they pulled up to a lake with a waterfall. Endmyion slowly got off his black stallion and moaned. "Ouch...." He said, walking funny. "I'm going to go uh, ya know. I'll be back." "Don't go too far, and if you see someone don't talk to them." Jedeite warned as Endymion stumbled away. A couple minutes later he emerged from the woods and sat down by the waterfall. He sighed and splashed some cool water on his face. He looked up and saw that the sun was beginning to descend. Suddenly he heard laughing and looked around, but there was no one there. He shook his head and looked back over the lake. He heard it again and sighed to himself. "There it is again." He said and looked around. "Down here!" A small voice said and he looked down to the pink flowers beside him. "Who said that?" He asked. "I did!" The voice laughed as the flower moved slightly. "The flowers talk here?" He shook his head. "No silly!" Suddenly something flew out of the flower and hovered infront of his face. He focused on it to see a miniature girl in a pink and yellow dress. Her yellow hair was hidden by a pointed pink hat and her small eyes were yellow too. Her fragile see through wings glinted silver. "Who, who are you?" Endmyion asked surprised. "My name's Madel. What's yours." She asked. "Endymion." He answered. "That's a very handsome name." She smiled and whistled. Suddenly two more of them appeared from a blue and green flower. "My name's Garland." The one said, who was dress in green with purple hair and eyes. "And I'm Delilia." The blue one with ice colored hair and eyes said and bowed slightly. "You're very gorgeous." "Why thank you." Endymion smiled. "Come play with us!" Garland said, grabbing his shirt and pulling on it. "What are you?" Endymion asked. "They're Flower Fairies." Endymion turned around to see Avanla standing there with her arms crossed. "Leave him alone you little enchantresses. Beat it!" They gasped and flew back into their flowers, which closed quickly. "What did you do that for?" Endymion asked surprised. "1st of all, Flower Fairies are known for putting people under spells and making them do whatever they want. And 2nd, DON'T tell anybody your real name! There are bounty hunters all over the place looking for you, and these little brats could've been working for the Negaverse." Avanla answered. "Oh, I see. I thought you were just jealous that I was giving them my full attention and not you." Endymion smirked as he got up. She walked towards him calmly and knocked him over into the lake. He splashed into it with flailing arms. "Yeah, I'm madly in love with you." Avanla rolled her eyes as he surfaced. "Common your highness, we have to leave now." Endymion laughed as he pulled himself out of the lake and shook his head, walking slowly behind her. "You really are fiery spirited." He whispered, not meaning for her to hear him. "You bet I am." She said and he looked up surprised. "And a good eavesdropper, too." They met up with the group and after a few minutes were on their way again. They traveled continuously until the sun dipped over the horizon and the sky became dark. They found a small clearing in the middle of a forest and set up camp there. "How far are we from Orinda now?" Endymion asked as they sat by the burning fire. "We should be there by noon if we get a early start tomorrow morning." Nephlite answered. "How big is the city?" He asked and Kunzite laughed. "Orinda's not a city. The land is a long plain, guarded by the sorceress Orinda. She is the protector of the Phoenixes, the type of birds that live on the plains." Kunzite replied. "Phoenixes, I've heard about those in fairy tales." Endymion said. "Fairy tales are very real." Jedeite said. "And I think I saw some in this dream I had." Endymion said, grasping his chin in a thoughtful pose. "A dream?" Avanla repeated as she dished out the food. "Tell us about it." "Well I had it for 3 weeks straight before I came here. Now I don't have it anymore, in fact I don't have any dreams." "That's because you're in the land of dreams, while you're here there's no need to dream." Avanla interupted. "Please continue, it might help us to find the stones." "Okay, I was walking through this forest, that was surrounded by mountains on every side. It was night time, and two moons hung in the sky. I saw a deer sprint before me, and these little things like fire flies, but they were much bigger. I also saw these birds in the sky that had a tail of fire following them. Suddenly I heard this sweet melody, it sounded like a harp or something. The music took over my body and I was forced to walk to this lake where this woman stood floating over it. She was dressed in silver and white, with long white hair and blue eyes. She had at least, 6 foot silver wings and flew off when I made a noise." Endymion watched as they became uncomfortable when he talked about the woman. "She had a crescent moon on her forehead, right?" Zoisite asked. "Yeah." Endymion answered and they sighed. "Can you tell me about it?" "Yes, the place where you were sounds like Dragon's Lair, a place north of here." Kunzite said. "The little white things you described are a type of fairy found in the land of Govad, called Anemone Fairies." Nephlite said. "The birds you saw are the Phoenixes we're looking for." "And the music you heard was that of a Siren, they live in the watery land of Alton." Jedeite said. "What's a Siren?" Endymion asked. "Sirens are women in your Greek Mythology who used their voices to lure men into wrecking their ships against the rocks of their island. The Sirens here do the same thing." Zoisite answered. "Oh I remember now." Endymion said. "What about the woman?" "The woman is not an angel like you think, more like a demon. She's an inhabitant of the Forbidden Moon." Avanla said and pointed up to the silvery moon. "Once every year the earth and the moon pass each other in our skies. And when they do some of them get caught in a moonbeam and are sent down to Elysian, some come at their own free will. The women Lunarians usually seduce our men and slowly kill them by kissing them. Usually the men Lunarians die, because they do not find a suitable mate in time. You see, a Moon Child's kiss can either bring life or death. Moon Lunarians depend on the life of humans when they leave their world. If they find their soul mate down here they can live happily ever after with each other. If they don't, Moon Children will just feed off the souls of people to stay alive. That's what happened to your father Endymion." "She didn't look evil to me." Endymion said. "And my mother loved my father, I'm sure of it." "That she did." Kunzite said. "But it didn't matter, she needed his soul to live off of. She said they were destined to be together for a reason, but they weren't soul mates." "And you said she had silver wings?" Jediete asked. "Yeah." Endymion responded. "Why?" "Well, the color of their wings tells us what rank they are. White wings are civilians, and silver wings are royalty on the light side of the moon. On the dark side black wings are civilains and golden wings are royalty. Your mother was a royal from the dark side. And it seems that the Moon Child in your dreams is a royal from the light side. Your dream woman would fetch a good price." "A good price?" Endymion said confused. "Every year when the Lunarians are sent down to earth, a massive hunt for them ensues. Whoever gets the biggest wing span or the highest rank is consider the big mocho hunter." Avanla said in disgust. "It's awful, but Elios can't control it. The next Celestial Eclipse is in a few weeks or something actually, I'm sure you're very excited about that Jedeite." "You bet, get rid of those filthy Lunarians before they get the chance to suck the life out of people." Jedeite smiled. "Well, it's late and we must start out very early tomorrow, so let's get our rest." Kunzite spoke up as he covered himself up with a blanket. Endymion stared up at the starry sky and then to the moon. His thoughts lingered back to the woman in his dreams as his eyes closed, releasing him into a dreamless sleep. As the sun was high up in the middle of the sky the weary travelors reached the plains of Orinda. They got off their horses and walked onto the dirt plains. Instantly Endymion felt a power eminating from the ground. It filled his body and passed through him and then was gone. "What was that?" He asked. "That was my wall of protection." A new voice said and they looked up to see a woman floating above them. She wore a dark crimson dress with feathers on the bodice and two long slits that went up to her upper thighs. Around her arm was a band of gold with a Pheonix embedded into it. Her hair was black and tumbled down her back like waves on the ocean surface. Her eyes matched her dress and stared down at Endymion. "I am Orinda, guardian of this land and the phoenixes, what brings you here?" She asked and floated down to the ground. "We're looking for the Elemental Stone of Fire." Avanla spoke up and something flashed in Orinda's eyes. "And what would you want with the Elemental Stone?" She questioned, walking closer to the group. "We're on a mission to save the world. We need to collect all the Elemental Stones and the prophecy said to find the Fire Stone here." Avanla answered, holding up the scroll. "Can you tell us where it is? We mean no harm to the Phoenixes." "Hmmmm," Orinda walked closer to Endymion and looked into his eyes. He felt something similar to the invisable wall they'd walked through and couldn't help staring into her eyes. "You have a pure heart, I will tell you where to find the Fire Stone. But first you must give me your weapons." "WHAT?!" Jedeite yelled. "No way, we--" "Do as she says Jedeite." Endymion commanded and turned to face them. "But--" "NOW!" Endymion yelled. They slowly complide and threw them to the ground. Orinda lifted her hands up and the weapons floated towards her. In a puff of smoke than vanished and she smiled at them. "When and if your mission is completed, you will get your weapons back." She said. "So tell us where it is located." Avanla said annoyed. "You will find the Fire Stone on the Golden Phoenix. It lives high up on Fire Mountain." Orinda pointed to the only thing that peaked over the horizon. "The Fire Stone is sealed in a locket around the Phoenix's neck, and the seal can only be broken by the royal family of Earth." She looked to Endymion and smiled. "Welcome back Prince Endymion. Go, you must reach the mountain before dusk, when the Phoenix will leave. Good luck." And with that she vanished in a flash of red. "How did she know I was Endymion?" He asked as they got on to their horses. "She looked inside your mind and found the answers she was looking for." Avanla answered. "It's a good thing you're a noble person Endymion, or she would've killed us probably." "That's a comforting thought." Nephlite rolled his eyes. They rode at full speed until they reached the base of the small mountain. The sun was beginning to set as they made their way up to the top, climbing as fast as they could. "Only a little bit further, I can hear the Phoenix." Nephlite informed. They came upon a cave that went into the heart of the mountain. "Be careful, I gather this Golden Phoenix won't like it very much that we're entering its lair." Kunzite warned. At the end of the cave they came upon the bird and stood there in awe. The Phoenix was larger than a small airplane and it rested in a large nest. It's feather's were deep red and faded into a shimmering gold. It's fiery tale cast a glow around the cave. "Okay, get the locket Avanla." Zoisite whispered. "Why me?" She argued, backing away to the exit. "I'm not going near that thing!" "You don't have to idiot, use your telepathy." Jedeite rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah..." She blushed and stuck out her hand. The necklace around the bird's neck began to move, as she narrowed her eyes in concentration. Suddenly the Phoenix's eyes opened and it let out a shrill shreak. "Uh oh...!" It spread its wings knocking Jedeite and Avanla into a wall while the others backed away. It turned towards Jedeite and Avanla and its eyes began to glow red. "No!" Jedeite screamed, scrambling to his feet leaving Avanla alone, unconscious. "Avanla!" Endymion shouted and ran infront of her. "Stop it!!" The bird folded its wings back into place and stared at Endymion. They both stood in silence, not doing anything. "It knows who you are Endymion, get the locket!" Kunzite said. Endymion cautiously walked up to it and slowly reached out his hand towards the locket. He grabbed hold of it and pulled it off quickly and scampered away. He looked down to the locket that held the symbol of fire on it, surrounded by signs in a language he didn't know. He ran his fingers over the symbols and suddenly they began to glow a pale gold. The light suddenly exploded and Endymion sheilded his eyes with his other hand. Once the light died down he looked to see that the lid had vanished and inside rested a triangular, red crystal stone. The symbol of fire was embedded into it in gold and it shined brilliantly. "Your mission has been completed." They looked up to Orinda sitting on the Golden Phoenix's back. She slid off of it and petted its neck lovingly. "You are the true prince of earth and I pledge my loyalty to you." She bowed deeply. "My army of Phoenix's and the power I possess will always be on your side." She manifested their weapons and they floated back into their awaiting hands. "Thank you Orinda." Endymion nodded, smiling and turned back toward Avanla. He crouched down and shook her slightly. "Avanla, wake up." She moaned softly and opened her eyes. "Owe....." She mumbled, rubbing her head. "Common." He helped her stand and they began walking out of the cave, followed by Orinda and the Golden Phoenix. Once they reached the exit, blackness met their eyes. "I can't see a thing!" Zoisite complained. "Don't worry, you have a good set of eyes there." Orinda smiled and pointed to Nephlite. "But my Phoenixes will help light your way." Suddenly a multitude of Phoenixes came over the other side of the mountain, with their tales burning bright into the darkness. "Now be on your way, once you make it out of my land the moon and the stars will light your way once again. Have a safe journey." Orinda said and vanished. "Thank you Orinda." Endymion called out. They had no trouble making it out of the Plains of Orinda and soon found themselves resting in a cave hidden by tall rose bushes. "Once we get our settings right and get a good nights sleep, then we will be on our way to find the next stone. Avanla?" Kunzite said. Avanla miserably pulled out the scroll and looked at it. "It's upside down dear." Nephlite whispered to her and she sighed, flipping it around. "I knew that." She said. "You will find the next stone, the Earth Stone, in lands of Emerald. It is guarded by the ones who worship it and only through sacrifice will you achieve it." "Hmm, sounds like the Vert Forest to me doesn't it?" Jedeite said. "Yeah, whatever.." Avanla grunted, throwing the blanket over her head. "Goodnight." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~