.

The Ostiary

El3v3n

All characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi or Kazuki Takahashi.

Story Summary: A thousand years ago, a demon named Zorc Necrophades terrorized the Earth. The Kings and Queens of the Earth born races managed to seal him away for what they thought was for good. Trouble begins brewing on the horizon again as Fairy Queen Serenity, (or Bunny as her close friends call her) returns to Earth from where the fairies made their peaceful home on the Moon to sort out this mess. She runs into confliction, however, when she's forced to revisit old romantic feelings she had for a certain 5,000 year old vampire…

The Old Land

"Why blood you ask? What a peculiar curiosity." Came a hushed voice shrouded in darkness. A low chuckle followed as the silhouette of the spoken thoughtfully crossed into the moonlight shining softly through the room's western window. Dressed trimly in black; his slim appearance was deceitful of the powerful feats such an ancient creature's body was capable of.

"Why not water or the sweet fruit that the Earth provides?" He sounded sarcastic but lushly in baritone. His crimson eyes beamed toward her eerily luminous in the dim allowance of light. Suddenly, his mouth pulled into a cruel smile revealing that which had earned him such a monstrous reputation. She involuntarily shuddered at the sight of his perfect white teeth decorated with a pair of dangerously sharp fangs.

"Blood is the same to me as it was 4,000 years ago; the source of all power." He breathed while looming over her with his tall form. The petite woman gingerly reached her hand upwards and entangled her fingers within the former's exotic hair. He rumbled pleasantly upon her touch and smirked once more as he met her hesitant gaze.

"However, I now find its retrieval boring and its taste, while momentarily delicious: a different sort of bland in a never ending stretch of time." The tri-color haired male rumbled, pulling backwards and standing fully upright as she lowered her hand.

"So I suppose if I must have a reason to draw upon its sustenance," he whispered turning away from her laughing, and once again vanishing into the shadows. "Then I'll sink my teeth into another for you, new Queen of the Old Land."

The golden light cast from the sun shone brightly across a marble floor upon the breaking of day. It swept quickly past the sheer curtains billowing softly in the breeze as it illuminated sparkling flecks of dust that were normally invisible any other time of the day. With a loud gasp, the room's sole occupant rose from where she slept upon an enormous bed in a panic. The woman's breaths racked against her ribs as ocean colored irises remained widened and full of fear. Slowly, her body began to calm as she relaxed her palms against the bed. Releasing a small chuckle, she wiped a strand of her sleep tumbled and golden hair away from her forehead with the back of her wrist.

"Only a dream," she mused feeling somewhat childish after reacting with such panic to a harmless nightmare. Yet, something within her felt different. Her stomach tumbled upon a memory; one in which she had sealed to the back of her mind for hundreds of years. Although her thoughts and dreams were often well intentioned and beyond control a wave of ominous change had spread across her. The vague feeling of a warning left her pensive and unsettled.

A soft rapping upon the bedroom's door once again startled the flaxen haired dreamer as she quickly leapt from the bed and reached for a silvery robe. Hurriedly slinging the shimmering material around and fastening it to her slender form she opened the twin doors at the room's entrance. The man in the doorway with thick brown hair and large round glasses promptly bowed and straightened his royal blue suit upon standing.

"Please, forgive my intrusion your majesty!" He pled with the pink tinge of a blush traveling across his face. The Queen merely smiled as she moved her long and un-styled hair away from her face with a nod.

"It's quite alright. How are you this morning, Umino?" She asked pleasantly.

"I normally would never disturb you at such an hour my queen, but a message has arrived for you." Confusion etched across the woman's face as she regarded the messenger.

"Is there some emergency?" She asked worriedly.

"No-well, I mean I'm not sure, but I think-" the short man gulped looking both left and right before returning his eyes to her. "I think it's a message from the Old Land." He whispered under his breath. The Queen's pale blue eyes widened as a rush of memories clouded her thoughts.

"Queen Serenity?" Melvin questioned worriedly after a few moments of no response. With a brief shake of her head, Serenity awoke from her trance and returned her attention to the beckoning steward.

"Leave it on my desk in the Lunar Chambers? I'll be there shortly." She requested and timidly shut the doors of her domicile as Umino took his leave.

After dressing, Serenity the Second, sworn and honored Queen of the New Land Lucere: home to those of true Fae descent traveled into the Palace's Lunar Room where she approached her desk with a certain degree of reluctance. Spying the unassuming envelop a flood of sentiment overwhelmed her senses as her fingers came in contact with the parchment. The simple object tingled at her fingertips exuding warmth from the Old World's sun. She could almost smell the intoxicating scent of what the atmosphere used to be. Her eyes fluttered shut as she could almost hear, with a whisper on the wind, the sound of softly calling birds and the crashing of waves from a long forgotten sea.

"What was it like there?" Serenity heard a murmur causing her eyes to flash open. At the room's entrance Umino stood timidly, and immediately dropped his head at her glance. "I'm sorry your majesty. I was born in the lunar atmosphere and have never been to the Old Land, but sometimes I feel myself longing to know what it used to be." The Queen slowly breathed a sigh as she held the envelope firmly in hand.

"When the sun fell from the sky each day, nothing but terror reigned the night." She spoke gravely as the happy light fled from her eyes. "The other creatures of the Old Land turned from the gifts the Earth bore for them to the blood and flesh of each other to satisfy their hunger and desires. As they ravaged the land as they pleased; hatred silenced the lovers because no peaceful creature dared wander or sing into the darkness." Umino hung his head in defeat but perked up upon hearing a small laugh.

"But when the sun rose; the smell of the air and the beauty of all that was uncovered by the light was incomparable to anything else I have ever witnessed." She reassured earning a small smile from the man. "It's normal to wonder about the land of old, because even though this world was created from my mother's perfect and peaceful dream…all beings, no matter what they are, will yearn to be in the place they belong." The Queen finished earning a nod of acceptance.

Turning her attention back to the ominous envelope she maneuvered her fingers at the paper's seal. Wincing at its sharp edge against her fingertip, Serenity pried open the flap and freed the letter within. Blue eyes with the occasional fleck of silver quickly scanned across the fine penned calligraphy.

Queen Serenity of Fae Lands Old and New,

I hope my inquiry has not fallen untimely upon you. My request may come as strange but let me reassure you now that I make it with the most earnest importance. I must beseech your presence upon the hour of midnight this evening at the Gatehouse of Elpis Castle. I am afraid sending a provisional in your stead will not suffice as the matter, concerning the Treaty Eirene, is a grave subject in need of your attention. Worry not for your safety as I guarantee my company as the only other that will be here to greet you.

Regards,

Grand Vizier Shimon

A chill washed over the Fairy Queen as the written human words sunk into her understanding. It had been almost one thousand years since she had set foot in the Old Land and while that last experience had been one filled with its own pleasantries they were minor when compared to the nightmare that had preceded them. Her scattered thoughts of the particular enemy that had once tormented the Earth flashed within her memory when suddenly a sound rattled her attention.

"Mommy!" The Queen averted her gaze looking downward to a petite girl with cotton-candy colored hair pulled into pigtails and two cone shaped buns on the crown of her head. Her red eyes beamed in worry as she pointed toward her mother. "You're bleeding Mommy, you're bleeding!" The girl screeched in terror and clamped a hand over her mouth.

Serenity blinked and turned her eyes to the letter where she noticed a tiny drop of blood at the tip of her finger. A violent shudder traveled her spine as the bright red bead teased a few dark memories of bloodied violence from the depths of her mind. Briefly, she put the injured fingertip into her mouth and when she retracted it the red abhorrence had vanished.

"Just a paper cut my dear. No need to worry, Small Lady!" Serenity said with a smile as she lovingly looked down toward her daughter.

"Ok," the small Princess sighed and replaced her exasperated expression with a wide smile. Putting her hands upon her waist she spun around showing off her beautiful light pink dress that was puffed out and adorned with frilly lace at its base. "What do you think?" The small girl asked sweetly. The Queen smiled as she relinquished the letter to her desk and bent down to meet her daughter's eyes.

"It's absolutely the loveliest dress I've ever seen. Make sure you thank Mina for such a lovely gift at your birthday party this evening!" Serenity reminded. The young girl responded with a squeal of glee as she embraced her mother happily.

"Will there be cake and lots of sweets?" Serenity the Third (or more affectionately nicknamed "Rini") asked hopefully. The Queen laughed happily.

"There will be far more than you'll be able to eat! Hopefully there will be enough left for me too!" She announced with a wink eliciting a giggle from the pink haired girl. "You better hurry to Miss Ami for your schooling today, because the sooner you get your studies done the sooner your celebration will be!" Serenity reminded with a wag of her finger. With a gasp, the now five year old scuttled to the exit of the room and flashed Umino a smile.

"Happy Birthday, Princess!" He said as Rini scampered off to begin her day. The golden haired Royal watched her retreat with hidden concern and slowly turned her gaze wistfully to the mere piece of paper that held an arsenal of haunting implications.

The day had passed in what seemed to be an instant as the sun left the artificial atmosphere sustaining life on Earth's lone moon. The contents of Shimon's letter weighed heavily on Serenity's mind as she sat before her vanity; carefully fastening precious jeweled earrings to the lobes of her ears. Her strapless cream colored dress, accented with sparkling gold just along her bust, hugged onto the curves of her body elegantly. Moving her attention to the golden tiara she delicately lifted the precious heirloom that had once belonged to her mother and placed it between the two soft buns styled at the sides of her long twists of hair. As her eyes steadied upon her reflection a black swirling haze formed within the shining glass. Serenity's gut wrenched as her troubled blues filled with the vision of a black figure with insidious red eyes and a mouth filled with nefarious jagged teeth. At the side of its head protruded two devil-like horns.

"Zorc," her mouth trembled as an image of the villainous beast from the past formed within the mirror.

"The Door of Darkness will once again open and release my power into the world," A booming voice roared in Serenity's ears. Standing from her seat she took a step back; keeping her horror filled eyes affixed to haunting glass.

"Human hearts have birthed my shadows where they will cloud the heavens with their blackness once more! I shall flood the Earth with terror…you cannot hide; I will destroy you, all of you for what you've done to me!" The monster screeched in hatred. Serenity yelped and spun around when she felt a hand fall upon her shoulder.

"Gee whiz sis, it's just me!" a male voice sounded as the Queen focused her eyes upon her fair haired and hazel eyed younger sibling. Quickly turning her gaze back to the vanity she froze upon seeing the image had now disappeared. "Hey, you alright?" Turning back around, she quickly relaxed.

"Yes, sorry Jou. You scared me!" She breathed earning a laugh from the tall Fae Prince. A moment later their first cousin Minako, a fair haired and beautiful woman donning an elegant golden gown entered through the French-style doorway of the Queen's chambers hand-in-hand with the girl of the hour.

"Mommy!" Rini yelled in delight while running up toward her mother. "Look what Uncle Jou got me for my birthday!" She cried happily extending her wrist where a delicate silver bracelet adorned with diamonds was clasped. Queen Serenity smiled as her brother knelt down and brought the Small Lady happily into his arms.

"Nothing but the best for my little girl!" Jounouchi, who went by Jou for short, said with a goofy laugh that elicited a blushing smile from the Princess. Serenity was in a daze as she regarded her small family. Jou, her much younger brother by almost a hundred years, had grown handsome over time. His masculine square jaw denoted his maturity but his brown eyes, inherited from their father, held a certain degree of mischief as the Prince was known to be a bit wild at times.

"Everything alright, Bunny?" She heard Minako voice her nickname and shifted her gaze. "You look like you've just seen a ghost!" The blonde said with a laugh. Serenity nodded her head and plastered on a smile, albeit still shaken from what had happened just moments before.

"Oh yes Mina. I've just had a long day today. That's all." She reassured and turned to the birthday girl who had now been set on her feet. "Let's go to the ballroom. Shall we?" Jou straightened his sports coat as they exited into the Palace hallway. Turning back to Rini where she walked holding her mother's hand he grinned and gave her a thumbs up.

"How 'bout we find me a pretty girlfriend tonight Rini. Whatd'ya say?" Rini giggled as the elegant Queen shook her head.

"You've given up on Rei I take it then?" Mina asked with a raised eyebrow. Jou sneered toward his cousin and readjusted his jacket haughtily.

"She'll come around one of these days." He muttered as the foursome entered the ballroom with a chorus of cheers from the guests within.

The royal birthday celebration progressed heavenly with dancing and enough sweets to cause a cavity epidemic. Serenity played her role properly, chatting with the members of her court as her daughter and the palace visitors had a merry time. Even with the pleasant smile on her face, the Queen's mind turned back and forth between the incident at her vanity and the letter from Shimon, the keeper of the treaty between the Earthly races. Although the thought of the demon Zorc Necrophades being free to once again to wreak havoc terrified her; a very different memory of the Old Land swarmed the very front of her mind even though she tried her best to banish it.

Exiling his name from her lips and avoiding all Earthly encounters for the past one thousand years would never be enough to erase his burning crimson eyes from her recollection. If he in fact was not the oldest creature to haunt the Earth at nearly 5,000 years of age he was arguably the deadliest. The man who was once a warrior king in his mortal life had earned the distinction of a ruthless and powerful killer beyond it. She had witnessed, first hand, this unique prowess of his when she and the other kings of the Earthly races had worked together toward a plan to banish Zorc Necrophades, a demon out for the destruction of all creatures indiscriminately, for what was supposed to be forever. With all the stories and terrifying attributes attached to his name one single truth rang to her of the most importance:

This creature, one in which the bravest men would preferably slit their own throats before facing, had once been unshakably and irrevocably in love with her. She had often wrestled with herself on whether she truly returned his sentiment, because in the truest form of irony he was her race's most lethal enemy. He and the members of his kind ruled the night and although they combed the darkness primarily for human blood he had admitted to her that the neck of a fairy was even far more delectable. The one, who went by Yami informally, was better known by the masses as Nosferatu Rege, the Vampire King and the closest to one that would ever be.

"Rini, we have a surprise for you outside!" The blue-eyed Mina called happily catching both the Queen and Princess' attention. Following the pink-haired girl to the balcony she pushed her conflicting thoughts to the back of her mind as she smiled upon the girl's enamored face.

"Wow…" Rini beamed as she stared in wonder at the beautiful pink and white fireworks that lit up the sky. The young princess laughed happily as her closest family surrounded her. "Thank you, everyone!"

"Happy Birthday, Rini." Serenity said softly to her daughter as the light show's finale sparkled excitedly into the night.

As the evening finally drew to a close, mother and daughter bid everyone goodnight. After Rini had changed into her white sleeping gown she crawled into her bed and awaited her mother to turn off the light. Gently blowing out the candle at the girl's bedside, Serenity leaned down to place a kiss upon her only child's forehead.

"Sweet Dreams, little one." As she turned to leave she paused upon her daughter's voice.

"You're leaving tonight, aren't you?" Rini asked quietly. Whirling around, she caught the princess's eyes in shock.

"Don't be silly. Where would I be going?" She asked as her daughter sat illuminated in the light that reflected from the blue Earth outside her window.

"To the Old Land." The bubble gum-haired girl said anxiously, gripping onto the covers around her. Serenity's mouth dropped open as she re-approached the bed.

"How…?" She began as she met the girl's sad gaze. Kneeling before the Small Lady she placed a hand onto hers. "Rini, I must go somewhere tonight but I'll be back before you wake." She reassured in absolute confusion. "Who told-" She was interrupted as the girl sat up quickly.

"Mommy, when you go to the Old Land-" Rini paused for a gulp, "will you see any vampires there?" She whispered. Serenity's eyes flew open.

"No, no vampires." She said with a shake of her head. With a quiet nod, the girl laid back down in her bed.

"Ok Mommy, I won't tell anyone." the girl replied as she yawned and shut her eyes. Staring at her resting form for a few minutes in complete bewilderment the Queen finally stood and took her leave from the room.

Upon entering her own quarters she was again startled by the sight of her cousin Lady Mina, leaning against her vanity with crossed arms.

"So, when were you planning on informing me of this?" The tall blonde asked while mockingly waving the white envelop that had traveled from Earth before her. Narrowing her eyes, Serenity took a step forward in an attempt to snatch the message away only to be thwarted as Mina crossed it behind her back.

"You're going through my affairs now? Isn't that treasonous?" She bit angrily as the woman merely glared back at her.

"I could smell it the moment I came within a few feet of your office. Any creature born in the Old Land would have known…" she trailed as she handed the simple piece of paper back to the Queen. "I will go in your place." She announced bravely as Serenity responded with a shake of her head.

"You read the letter. Shimon requested my presence in the stead of a substitute." She threw her hands up in exasperation. Mina placed her hands upon her own hips indignantly.

"How is this any different than sending a representative for you as usual to report on the treaty's status?" The Royal cousin squeaked.

"I'm assuming you did read the letter?" The blonde Queen asked with a raised eyebrow. With an agitated sigh, Mina marched to the Queen's closet and pulled two white cloaks from where they hung.

"Then I'm going with you!" She announced tossing one of the garments toward her queen. Serenity grumbled under her breath as she fumbled the catch.

"I guess I don't really have a choice?"

"Nope!"

With a little magical expertise, the two blonde cousins snuck away from the palace and traveled to a particular spot upon the Moon's surface. Hidden beneath her white cloak, Mina held a finger to her lips and blew on it softly until it began to radiate a glowing pale yellow. Standing on her toes she traced a dome shaped doorway in the air and took a step backward.

"Obviam modo!" Mina said aloud as the traced area began to resemble water with a rippling appearance. As the Fae Queen took a step forward she suddenly paused as Mina opened her palm and in a flash of light a long sword appeared in its sheath attached to a leather strap. Serenity looked worriedly toward her companion from beneath her hood.

"Is that really necessary? Shimon did assure me he'd be the only one to meet with me." The Queen protested as Lady Mina swung the magical stone sword she had named the "Holy Blade" upon her back.

"I think in all these years of peace you've forgotten why we fairies live on the Moon in the first place." Mina remarked darkly and with a nod from Serenity; they entered into the portal.

Upon entering the foggy darkness that embraced the Earth, Serenity's senses were overwhelmed with a longing familiarity. Although she enjoyed the scents at her nose and the cool breeze that caressed her face beneath her cloak her feelings were dominated by fear. The Old Land when covered in darkness held uncertainty and terror in all that remained unknown and hidden within it. To feel fear in the absence of sunlight was a feeling naturally ingrained within her and all fairies a like. With a deep breath, Serenity extended her hand and formed a tiny ball of light in her palm as the two traveled onward to the pale outline of the Castle of Elpis in the near distance. Upon finally reaching the grand Castle's gate, the two gave each other a questioning glance.

"You're not worried about-" Mina paused, "running into tall, dark and handsome are you?" Mina said expertly avoiding a particular name.

"Please, Mina." Serenity pled as she vanished and materialized inside the enormous enclosed building beyond the massive gate.

"Right," the Lady grumbled as she followed her queen in suit, "see, speak and hear no evil."

As the two reached to lower the hoods that hid their faces, Serenity spotted a man of short stature with spiky gray hair and a tall blue cap worn upon his head.

"Hello Shimon," Serenity called softly as her light orb evaporated in the candlelit foyer. The petite man quickly turned. His mouth promptly fell open as his amethyst eyes widened.

"Dearest Serenity," he breathed in wonder; a few drops of moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes. He rushed toward her and held her delicate hand in his as he looked upward to her blue-eyed gaze. "Dare I say; you are more beautiful than ever before and as elegant as your mother." He whispered sincerely. Pain swept through Serenity's expression at the mention of the late Queen as he relinquished her hand.

"Ah, Lady Mina," he said in somewhat annoyance as he cast his gaze to Serenity's cousin. Mina narrowed her eyes toward the old man. "I somehow knew you wouldn't trust her with me alone."

"Don't take it personal. Our sovereign means everything to me and the Fairy people." The Lady announced proudly. Shimon laughed heartily and brought Mina into a surprising embrace. Smiling, the woman returned it.

"Yes, yes I do understand. It is good to see both of my fairy champions once again." Shimon broadcasted proudly.

"Not to sound rude Shimon, but what grave circumstances have you called upon our company for?" Serenity asked worriedly. As the treaty's guardian opened his mouth to speak the second and western door to the castle's gatehouse swung open and a valiant silhouette strolled into the enclosure.

"Shimon!" The voice called boldly as the figure crossed into the candlelight. Serenity's eyes flew open wide as her eyes filled with a tall man dressed in black armor and a long cape at his back.

"Endymion?" Both Mina and Serenity asked aloud in unison. Quickening his pace, the young human King approached the small group.

"Queen Serenity!" He announced in excitement as he approached and happily placed a kiss upon the beautiful fairy's hand. She couldn't help but blush as his vibrant blue eyes met longingly with hers. "It's so lovely to see you. I still often think about I and my court's visit to the Moon a few years ago, thank you again for the invitation. Your advice and wisdom has been invaluable for my Kingdom." He said joyfully as he returned her hand. Grand Vizier Shimon dropped his gaze to the ground as he felt a certain blonde's glare upon him.

"I'm glad to see the meeting I arranged proved to be fruitful." The short and gray haired man said softly and grinning toward the human King.

"Endymion, what are you doing here?" Serenity asked in confusion. Endymion blinked and looked to Shimon who again turned his gaze to the ground with a low whistle.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing. I never thought I'd see you visit Earth!" He said charmingly with a smile. Suddenly, a flash of gold from a small gated window to the Fae Queen's right caught her gaze and a loud rumble of the ground's surface followed. A few booming steps were heard from outside as both fairy women turned quickly around to the eastern gate where the steel doors went flying open with a loud crash against the stone walls. Mina gripped onto the handle of the sword of her back reflexively as Serenity's mouth fell open at the gigantic golden skinned dragon that boomingly strolled into the enclosure.

"Shimon it's been years, old friend!" The great Dragon King Ra spoke jovially as he suddenly came to pause. Endymion quickly drew his sword and took a step backward as the mammoth creature focused his widened red eyes onto the two fairies.

"Mina, Serenity!" The great dragon announced in complete and utter shock.

"A dragon!" Endymion hissed.

"It's alright King Endymion; lower your sword and we'll discuss this as promised." Shimon reassured as Endymion reluctantly pointed his weapon to the ground.

"Shimon…" Mina condemned in a low bellow. The Fae Queen quickly turned her gaze to the shorter man as her mouth dropped in pure anxiety. Feeling her gaze upon him, Shimon lifted his sheepish purple-hued eyes to meet her afflicted scrutiny.

"No," she begged in absolute panic.

"I'm sorry, Serenity," he responded simply and turned away from her. The Lady and once warrior Mina quickly unsheathed her Holy Blade as a loud howl sounded from outside the now opened gate.

"God damn it Shimon! How dare you order me here in the presence of that cretin!" An enraged masculine voice shrieked as he stormed into the enclosed castle gatehouse. The tall, lean looking man bared his teeth and flung his short brown hair in anger. He suddenly came to a stop, sending his gaze immediately to Ra who looked astonished upon him. His eyes grew wide and his mouth clicked shut as he shifted his eyes toward the two fairies where Serenity kept her back turned to him as she stared in horror upon the guilty Shimon.

"Not him," Serenity whispered in vain as her plea fell upon silence.

A dark and unholy laugh from her back sounded just beyond the gate entrance that sent an icy chill along her spine. Echoing footsteps clacked into the silent air as Serenity felt her insides wrench in apprehension. Her body trembled as she remained frozen in place; daring not to move.

"As amusing as it is always to see you, Seto." A deep and blackened voice echoed into the cavern. "I must share his sentiment in not wanting to be in this close proximity to such a vile creature. Honestly what could have-"the suave sounding man paused as the sounds of his impending steps came to a halt.

"Good evening, Yami," Shimon said slowly as thick and silent tension spread about the room.

"Serenity?" The vampire demanded in a guttural whisper. Looking toward her shaking hands, she somehow found the strength to move as she quickly whirled around. Her long flaxen hair followed elegantly around her cloaked body as her gaze met with a pair of surprised and widened red eyes.

Author's Note: This is a revised version of the original chapter. No content was changed, just some fixed spelling mistakes and some clutter-words removed.

Love,

El3