Love’s Journey

Nova’s Tale – Part 2

I am Prince Nova Nuelin, one of the most, no, make that the most powerful male in the Silver Kingdom but an angel has defeated me. I looked up at the visage of that angel as she appears before my eyes. Others may not realize the love that I have for this young girl, who I never met, but it was there as wide as the largest ocean on Earth. Her name is Mina, that’s not here official name, that one is Her Royal Highness Minako Aino hi Nuelin but everyone in the royal family just call her Mina. It may seem strange for someone not of noble blood to think of us as so informal when we talk with each other but sometimes it just helps thinking of the other person instead of someone’s title or position. Take Serena’s name for instance, official her name is Usagi Tsukino hi Nuelin but everyone call her Serena after her grandfather who was King Seren like we call the Queen, Serenity after her and mine father. I think the reason that we are so informal with each other is because we have to be formal with everyone outside the royal family. You can only take Your Highness or Your Grace for so long then you try to avoid everyone and be around people where you can be yourself. I guess that’s why Serenity, Serena and myself are so close to each other. We can be ourselves around each other with no expectation and no formality.

Serena caught me staring at the picture of Mina that I placed in my room. She came in quietly and I didn’t feel her when she entered the room. “Nova,” she quietly said as she came up behind me on my bed, “who is that?” I felt her arms wrap around me and pulled me down to the bed. “She’s Princess Mina of Venus and she will be your aunt one day.” I felt her arms lost some of their strength, “My … aunt … how … when?” I sat up in bed and Serena sat beside me. She looked deeply at my eyes, “No, you’re not kidding. Is she one of your visions?” I opened my mind and touched Serena’s and allow her to see the visions that I saw concerning Mina and mine life. “My aunt, Aunt Mina. I like the sound of that name. When are we going to meet her?” I felt Serena’s hand come into mine, “She will be here for our birthday. I have taken measures with your mother to have Mina’s parents and Mina here for the birthday ball that we are having to celebrate our seventh birthday.” Serena kissed me on the cheek, “Nova, are we doing the right thing, I mean, we are not even seven yet but we’re training for war. Most children our age as worrying about what doll or toy to play with and not how to defeat a monster.” I looked at her blue eyes and held her close to me. She is my strongest supporter but she’s still a little girl. “Serena, my dear niece, I know it’s hard but if we don’t prepare then we may lost the battle.” I felt her arms held me closer, “We need to mature faster than most to gain our power and Mina will join us soon.”

Serena slowly released me, “Join us?” she asked softly “you don’t me that she’s one of us?” “Yes, my love, she’s the third one that we waited for to join our group. She’s Sailor Venus, the sailor of love and she shall be our champion in the future.” Serena was silent for a moment, which caused me to look at her. She usually isn’t silent for any length of time. “Nova, can you see the future? I have always wanted to ask but I’m afraid of the answer.” I thought for a second about my answer, “Serena, I can see some of the future but it’s like looking through a dusty window. I see bits and pieces of what may happen.” “What may happen?” “Yes, sometimes I see two even three different outcome of the vision. It’s like living in different timelines and you keep shifting from one line to another.”

A knock on the door stopped my train of thought. Serena answered the door and one of Serenity’s messengers spoke, “Your Highness, I have a message for His Grace.” Serena allowed her to enter our suite. She came to where I was seated and bowed deeply, “Your Grace, the Queen wishes that you come to her chamber. It is a matter of urgency.” With those words, she left the room as silently as she appeared. “Well, Serena, I guess we can discuss the flow of time some other time. Your mother seems to be waiting for me.”

I gather my High Guard jacket from a chair near the door. I had just come back from asking Jadeite to find an object for me. An object that I have never seen except in a vision of Mina but I knew that was important for me to find in the near future. Jadeite is exceptional in discovering secrets and has an eye for information that others would overlook as trivial but when he puts the whole picture together it makes sense. The object that I needed him to find is the King’s ring. An engagement ring from the first king to his bride and I wanted that ring for Mina because I saw it in my dreams. He will find its location; I have total confidence in him.

I came out of my thoughts at the outer door to Serenity’s chambers. I knock on the door and a footman opened the door and asked me to wait while he announced me. Serenity must be in audience with someone or they would have immediately allowed me to enter any room in the chamber. She never denied me access to her, we are very close but she does limit access whenever she was seeing someone but would always tell me what happened when we ate dinner with Serena. We never had secrets from each other but we do keep some secrets from Serena. She knows only a small part of Serenity and mine plan for the Negaverse and we both agreed that we were keeping her on the outskirts of our discussion. I wish that I had the rapport directly to Serenity’s mind that I share with Serena but she’s not one of the Sailor Warriors so her mind is closed to me.

I waited about ten minutes when the doors to her audience room opened and three nobles of the major houses came out. The three represents the houses of Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus. Three houses that they represent are strongly tied to the Silver Kingdom through fealty to the Queen. They bowed deeply as I rose from my chair and each extended a hand towards me. It took me by surprise but they have greeted me as per Kanly Law asking that I confirm that I have no intention of war against the three. I extended my hand and pressed my palm against each outstretch hand to give them my pledge that I hold them in high standing as equals and in great respect. I could hear audible sighs from each and as Kanly Law required, I embraced each and spoke their names in friendship. They repeated my signs of respect and smiled as they left. I look at them as they gathered their cloaks and left. I heard Serenity behind me, “I’m sure that’s a great load off their shoulders.” I didn’t know what she meant but she motioned for me to enter her bedroom.

Serenity removed her robes of office and sat down her bed. She patted a spot next to her and I sat there by her side. She placed an arm across my shoulder as I settled down beside her, “Nova, you don’t know how much everyone fears you.” I looked puzzled at her as she continued, “Those three came to me to petition that I take control over your affairs so that I could control your ‘weapon’ project.” I was startled by her revelations but didn’t say a word. “I don’t know how they found out about your new spaceships but they have learned of their existence and all the houses are afraid.” “Sis, they can’t be afraid of me?” “Nova,” she said as she stroked my raven hair, “they are more afraid of you than anything in the universe, even the Negaverse because you are an aberration to them. They are unaccustomed to a child, and yes you are still a child to them, controlling a force as powerful as the High Guard and with the ability to employ warships that bears weapons beyond their understanding.” So that’s what the ritual was about outside. They were extending their hands to me for my pledge to honor them as equals. Kanly law is very important and the doctrine of vendetta extends to all aspects of war between houses. They were submitting themselves and through them their houses as allies to me. I guess that if I hadn’t accepted their gesture that they may have dropped to their knees and swear fealty to me so they wouldn’t have to face me in battle. I understood their dilemma; I probably would have done the same if I were in their places. I am something out of place in the universe. Sometimes I feel so alone even when I’m in a crowd. It’s hard to be me but I have to continue the way that I’m going to try to build the future for everyone. I may not get much help but one day I may be able to look back and say that I did my best. Serenity drew me close to her and placed my head on her shoulder and softly sung to me like she did when I was an infant. She understands my pain even if she doesn’t understand fully what I’m doing. She will support me with all her power and prop me up with her love.

“Ok, Nova, let’s move onto another subject. I received a letter from Ameri. She has agreed that we need to reunite our families again and is coming on Serena and your birthday to attend the Birthday ball. I think that I can get her to agree to spend some more time with us.” I started to ask her about Mina but she beat me to the punch, “Yes, my brother, she has accepted my invitation for Mina to attend the ball. Your little princess is going to be here in a couple of days.” I smiled and hugged my sister, “Sis, do you mind if I send my yacht to pick them up? There is an asteroid that may endanger Venus in a couple of decades that can be safely destroyed now instead of endangering the planet in years to come.” I felt her breath on my neck as she kissed my cheek, “Nova, you always are thinking of others. If everyone knew you like Serena and me, they wouldn’t have any doubts about your intentions.” She held me close to her until it was time to start dinner. She decided that we were going to get Serena and cook dinner together as a family. We had a wonderful time enjoying each other’s company.

Serena held my hand as we walked slowly back to our suite. Serenity has developed into a fine cook over the years may be out of the necessity of have two small children in her care. She insists that the royal family cooks for themselves so she training Serena and myself. Serenity doesn’t trust anyone with out food, no, she’s very cautious when it comes to her family and I can see her fears. With the Negaverse’s ability to hide in any form, she can’t trust anyone except her family.

As we approach the door to our rooms, I noticed Jadeite by the door. Serena kissed me on the cheek, “Go ahead, I know that it’s important.” The door was slowly shut behind Serena by Jadeite who rushed to me when we were alone, “My Lord, I found where the King’s ring is located.” I quieted Jadeite and he followed me to my planning room. I activated the wards for the room because I wanted whatever was said in the room to stay in the room. “Prince, I have found the monster that killed the Queen’s husband. I found out from others in the battle that the monster took something from Marc’s pocket before he ran from the area. That something was the ring that you ask me to find.” I sat down heavily in a chair, “Jadeite, where is it?” Jadeite unfurled a map from inside his shirt, “Here, my lord, near the mountains near this river on Earth. He fled there after the battle and has not left the cave. Shall I prepare the yacht?” I thought for a second, “No, I need the yacht to retrieve House Venus from that planet and to destroy the asteroid. Prepare me a shuttle, a one man shuttle.”

Jadeite started to try to talk me out of my decision but resigned himself to my wishes and left the room. I stayed at the table for five minutes while I collected my thoughts. No, I can’t tell either Serenity or Serena. It’s better not to open any old wounds. I will face the creature by myself and gain the satisfaction of retrieving the ring. Slowly I stood up and my mind reached towards Mina on Venus. I saw through her eyes, she was staring at a portrait of the royal family, more specifically; she was deep in thought about me. I could feel he thoughts and emotions and saw her dreams of becoming one with the royal family. May be she has some ability to see the future or it could be a dream of a young girl about her prince.

I slept well that night and awoke the next morning and penned a message to my family telling them that I need to be away for a couple of days on personal business. Before I left to travel to Tycho Base, I sent my yacht to Venus to retrieve my love and her family. Serena had sent a ball gown to Mina some month before for her birthday. I sent a present to her on the vessel. I hope that she will like it. Jadeite met me at the base and prepared me for my trip. Three days later I left my home world and traveled once again to Earth but this time is not as a visiting noble but an avenging angel. I will bring back the ring and avenge my brother-in-law.

The trip to Earth was uneventful. I slipped under all their defenses and landed a half-mile from the creature’s base of operation. I don’t know what to expect but I had prepared myself for any possibility. I carried with me only my sword that I forge from the heart of a dying sun. A sword made from a shard of ancient exploding star, a nova that graced the stars over ten thousand years ago. It was my only weapon other than my own powers. I walked up the grassy knoll to the entrance of the cave. I don’t know why but I called out, “Slime, drag yourself out of your hole and face me.” After I waited for a couple of minutes, I realized that it wasn’t coming out of its hole and I slowly made my way into its darkness. The darkness pressed down upon me like a cloak but I continued on towards my goal. The dust of many years rose from my footsteps. The foul creature must not have used this passage in many years because the dust was thick on the floor. I saw a light ahead and prepared my most powerful spells, my most powerful offensive spells. I poke my head around the corner and look into its lair.

I looked upon the visage of the beast and saw the gleaming skull glaring back at me. The monster has been dead for many years and its flesh had rotted from its bones. I stared at the vanquished beast and felt despair in my heart. I think that if I had fought the beast my heart would be lightened but this was a disappointing victory. I approached the creature’s bones and saw a sword embedded in its rib cage. The sword bore the mark of the Silver Kingdom and the name of my sister’s husband. His sword took the life of the creature that killed him. How ironic that they took the life of each other in battle but I need to find the object that I came over two hundred thousand miles to retrieve. I took my sword and used it to search the rags that still draped over the skeleton. It hit something hard and suddenly a gold ring fell to the floor. I picked up the ring and looked at it closely. It is not very impressive, a simple gold band with a deep yellow stone. I put the stone in my pocket and heard a noise behind me.

I spun around and found myself facing a woman in her late twenties dressed in black. She came closer, “You have increased your power more than I would have thought, my brother.” I knew whom I was facing, she was my sister Beryl who disappeared shortly after my brother-in-law was slain. “I haven’t come for a fight since we are not destined to fight. Even if I would attack you, I don’t think that I have the power to defeat you. I only came to tell you something.” I didn’t want to hear anything that she was going to say but she was my sister and I had to at least give her some respect. “Proceed, I will hear your tale.”

“Thank you, young one”, she said as she sat on a rock and pointed her hand to one that was opposite her where it seemed that she wanted me to sit. “Nova, I never could express my love for Marc because of his marriage to Serenity but his death broke my heart. I left the moon and came to Earth to find the creature that killed him. I found it in this cave gloating over my lover’s blade that I grabbed the weapon and stabbed its steely length into the murderer’s foul body. I changed that day. I was not the young princess anymore, my heart turned black and I gave myself to the darkness.” She sighed but then drew herself up, “It’s when you lose all hope that Chaos enters your soul. It has taken over me completely so please don’t try to bring me back from its embrace. Let me alone and I promise I will not act against you as long as you live. I just wanted to see you and look in your eyes. I may not get another chance to be near you.”

She started to rise but I went to her and held my hands to her. She took my hands and pressed them against her breast. She clasped me to her chest and kissed my head. She started to leave but I needed to say something. “Beryl, you may not believe me but I have a vision of you, Serenity, and me standing on a distant planet looking at a billion stars in the sky. We are holding hands, the three siblings of our father. We are happy together.” She looked in awe at me, “I pray that you are right. Goodbye my brother.” I saw her shadow disappear and engulfed her. She had left the cave as quietly as she came. I reached for the ring in my pocket. May be I received a great gift than the ring on this day. I made a voyage to find my love’s ring and found another’s love for me. I pray that my vision is true; I love my sisters, both of them.

I sadly boarded the shuttle to return to the moon. I had in my possession the object I came for but I also left part of my heart behind in the darkness of the cave. I checked in with Jadeite on my homeward trip. He informed me that the princess and her parents had arrived safely and was in the Queen’s chamber. When I arrived at the palace, Jadeite met me with a clean uniform that I quickly change into as we walked to my sister’s room. I knocked on her chamber door and Serena cracked open the door and when she saw me she opened it widely. I think that they were talking to me and Prince Rema took my hand in his but my eyes were on the most beautiful being in the heavens. I approached her and took her hands in mine. I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it gently. I looked up at her blue eyes and saw the blush on her face. Life is going to be interesting with her around.

So ends the second part of Nova’s tale. He met his true love and his sister that turned her back on the Silver Kingdom. Next, we will look at a turning point in Nova’s life after Mina left to return to Venus in Nova’s Tale, Part, “Discussion with a Queen”.