The Ocean of Stars (Closed for ScarredSoul and I for now)

[Sky Jade]

The Space Cruiser made it's way through the sea of stars at five times the speed of light. The vessel was made for exploration and this one was called Goranova. She had been in commision for a little under a year and had yet to see combat. It was a heavy crusier-class so it was heavily armed and could hold it's own in battle.

It has been over a hundred years since Earth setup the first space colony on Mars,so the human race had been ever expanding throughout the galaxy. However humanity had only explored a tiny fraction of the galaxy, but they came in contact with several other races. A few were hositle, though many were friendly towards us. Exploration was the current mission of the Goranova and she was currently heading towards an uncharted portion of space.

"Captain, I've picked up a faint signal from the small planetoid two hundred light years away."

"Alright, plot a course to the plantoid. Can you tell if it is currently inhabited?"

"No sir, I cannot tell yet."

Chester sighed as he sat in front of the weapon system board on the bridge, listening to his father the captain. He took a moment to brush a few strands of blueish-white hair from his face, brown eyes looking at the blank screen. His father had been a hero in the war between the humans and the Galorions, a race who had released a plague that was deadly enough to wipe out the human race, twenty-two years ago. The war lasted about four years and he was born right as the war ended. He wanted to be ordinary, but he was always being compared to his father. For once he had wanted to be recognized for his own merits.

"I am not reading any signs of life from the area the signal is emitting from, but the atmosphere is compatible with Earth's, sir."

"Alright, I will go down there with a investigation team. I want two security officers, Chester, and Rosealin as well."

The captain looked around for a moment before he headed off the bridge to the transporter room. Chester blinked and then followed after his father. The group beamed down the the planet, on a cliff near the target area. Rose took a moment to check her datapad.

"There is a strong signal coming from that dome sir, shall we check it out?"

"Yes. Chester, wait a moment."

Chester was about to follow Rose and the two officers when his father called to him. He turned s his father held out his laser pistol.

"I want you to have this son. Use it in case something happens."

"Are you dad? This is your gun after all."

"Yes, I am sure. You will have more use for it than I will. Come on, let's go see what's going on."

Chester and the captain went down the cliff and along the path towards the strange dome. It was massive and grey, though it didn't look like there was any visible opening. Rose was currently in front of it, scanning over a portion of it. A few feet away was a small console light object. A few lights were blinking on top of it, as well the five buttons beneath it.

"Well, what did you find?"

"The material is unknown and my sensors are unable to penetrate it to see beyond the wall. No visible signs of an opening either."

"Maybe this does it?"

Chester asked as he moved to the console and punched the five buttons in a random sequence. There was a few beeping noises and then a crack appeared in the skin of the dome. The cracked shot upwards from the ground to a hieght of ten feet before a doorway slid to the side.

"You shouldn't have touched that yet, but let's go inside slowly."

Rose shook her head for a moment before the two security officers went in first, followed by Rose, Chester, and the captain. The area they moved into was pretty large. The ground angled upward at an angle for a few yards before leveling out. There were also ares where large rocks jutted upwards, as if the dome had crashed there. On the right side of the hill was a large upright rectangular slab.

"There's not anything in here of use. The signal eminates from here, but I don't see any devices."

"Alright, spread out and search, but be careful."

The group split up as they began searching. Chester hmmed as he examined the ground, heading towards the upright slab. His foot hit a rock, tripping him. He rolled a few feet, stopping in front of the device.

"Ow...That hurt."

"Careful son."

Chester nodded as he stood up, dusting off his uniform. As he did, a strange humming noise filled the area. He blinked as he felt energy swirling behind him and turned to seen yellow energy flowing over the slab surfaces. There was a flash of light and then Chester was gone.

"Where did he go?"

"Everyone search for him."

They tried to activate the slab, but it was silent. A fewseveral hours, they went back to the ship to try and find the captain's son, but no luck yet....

 

[ScarredSoul82]

It was Spring in the provience of Nanten, the forests and fields were lush and green and the air smelled of nectar and honey.
Nanten was a peaceful province, dedicated to farming and worship, protected by treaties and codes-no one wished to incur the wrath of the Divine.
The main temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Earth and Light Skelia was atop a hill outside the capitol.

The Priestess' were few in number, for the Lady was very selective of those she would call into her service.
One of the younger High Priestesses, Liya, a young virginal maiden served not only as High Priestess of the Temple, but also as one of the Queen's advisors.


"Good morning my lady," the novice priestess bowed, and gave the threefold kiss. "Did you sleep well?"

Liya stretched and nodded, folding back the goosedown comforter, "times of change are upon us, Evee. Last night the Goddess told me that one of our prophecies is about to be fulfilled."

The girl's eyes lit up, "thats wonderful news my lady. Should I send a messenger to alert the Queen?"

Liya shook her head, "no, it is too soon. I have some research I must do. Prepare my horse, I'm going to venture into the forest for a few days by the sacred spring."

"Yes my lady," Evee bowed and exited, and Liya began to get dressed.


Once she had clothed herself in the simple white shift dress of a novice to help conceal her identity she loaded a small leather saddle bag with supplies and headed off into the forest.

 

[Sky Jade]

Chester winced as he dropped a couple from from the air, hitting the ground hard. He rolled over on his back as he looked up at the blue sky. He took a deep breath for a moment, the fresh air filling his lungs. He definately wasn't at home. The air seemed to be too clean, and the sky too blue. He sat up slowly, taking account of himself. Nothing seemed broken at the moment, so he was good there. He stood up carefully as he looked around for a few moments.

He wore a pair of black jean pants, the red uniform shirt with an insignia of the Earth Federation over his right breast, and a brown leather jacket. On his feet were a bair of black combat boots. The only thing that wasn't issued was the leather jacket, but his father had let him wear it anyways.

"I don't recognize this place from any of the worlds we've visited, so I must be on an unexplored one. I wonder if anyone is here."

He moved to the edge of the cliff and looked down at the lush forest. It seemed to go on in every direction, but he thought he could make out some signs of civilization further out. Directly down below the cliffs were several pools of water. They looked a little odd to him since they almost seemed to form a pattern of some sort. He was too busy studying the forest that he didn't hear the creature coming up behind him till it was too late. The strange ape-like creature roared as it raised it's hands to attack.

"AH!"

Chester dodged out of the way of the attack, dirt flying into the air. His movement sent him closer to the egde, a few tiny rocks falling into the pools below. The creature roared again as it leaped at Chester once more. He didn't have anyplace to go, so he ended up falling off the cliff with the ape. He quickly drew the laser pistol and fired it as the beast. The creature roared with pain as the laser pierced it through, the white laser shooting into the sky. The bright laser was able to be seen clearly in all directions.

Chester landed half with the lower half of his body in a pool. The ape ended up rolling off to one side as the laser pistol clattered from his hand onto a few rocks. The back of his head hit a rock hard. His vision was blurry for a few moments before he passed out.

 

[ScarredSoul82]

It was half a days ride to the sacred pool of Ile-Goddess of Wisdom. Fortunately, due to the diplomatic protection given to those who dedicated their lives to their faith, Liya made her wat to the pool without a single hostile confrontation.

The sacred pool had emerged when a great quake had shaken the forest a millenia before, destroying the great library whose ruins now littered the grove surrounding it.
This was a favorite place of Liya's to come and ponder the word of the Goddess, or to just be alone...

It was a beautiful place, the crystalline pool was surrounded by dense forestry. The ground was carpeted with soft green moss and littered with wildflowers and bits of of the ancient ruins.

It was in this place that Liya had first heard the call of the Goddess...
It would be eight years ago next month since she had begun her moon cycle and heard the Goddess' words...

Beautiful maid, come dance in my house.
See the things that I see.
Share my laughter, joys and heartaches.
Know my secrets.
Have no fears.
You are one of my chosen people.

The beautiful song had filled her ears as the water washed over the rocks by the pool.
She'd been a simple farmer's daughter then, washing clothes in the stream adjacent to the pool. Her heart had been filled with so much joy on that day....she was free to be independent and share the word of the Goddess with the world...

Now she sat beside the same pool, but this time with a troubled mind and a heavy heart. She knew the prophecy that would ensure her people's salvation was about to be fulfilled, and for this she should be filled with joy...but she knew that there would be a long hard road ahead. Peace wasn't something that could be achieved overnight....

She stripped down, and stepped into the cool clear water. Waves lapped against her bare ankles as she moved fromt the shallow shoreline into the deeper water. She shivered, her nipples hardening as she emersed herself in the cool cleansing waters...
She'd just closed her eyes and allowed the soothing sounds of the water against the rocks take her when she heard a loud crash in one of the smaller nearby pools.
Worried that someone might be hurt she grabbed her cloak, since there was no time to fully clothe herself, wrapped it around her slender form and rushed towards the pool.

Upon arriving at the side of the pool she found the unconscious form of a young, strangely dressed boy.
She quickly pulled him out, though he was in the shallow portion of the pool so he was in no real danger, and checked his breathing.
He was breathing normally, she sighed a deep sigh of relief, but he had developed a nasty looking bump on his head from the rocks.

What had he been doing out here?
She quickly ran back over and fetched her dress, and taking advantage of his unconscious state she changed back into her shift and covered him with her cloak to keep him warm.
She'd also retrieved her saddlebag and she began to clean his wound with some of the healing salve she kept with her in case of emergencies.

"I hope he'll be alright..." she murmmered.

 

[Sky Jade]

Chester moaned for a moment as his finger flexed reflexive. He was in a dreamlike state as Liya treated him, muttering softly under his breath.

"No...that hurts...father...I'm here..."

He tossed his head for side to side for a few moments before settling down once more. It was a little while before he tried to open his eyes, his vision blurry for a few moments.

"Wha...where..am..I.."

He blinked a couple more times before his vision cleared for him to be looking up at the blue sky for the second time today. He felt his head throbing a little where he had hit on the rock. He blinked for a moment as he felt something sticky and pulled his hand for to see the strange medicine. He sat up quickly, only serving to make him dizzy for a moment. That did stop him from doing a double take upon seeing the beautiful priestess Liya.

"Wha...am I dreaming again?"

 

[ScarredSoul82]

"Shhh" she cooed, "be careful, you don't want to hurt yourself any further. Lay back down and rest, you must've had quite a nasty fall."

She reached out and stroked his cheek, "you're a stranger to our lands...I can tell from your strange manner of dress. Are you from Beltha, or Laodin Provience perhaps? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
Her voice and touch were tender, you can tell that she only wants to help...

 

[Sky Jade]

He winced for a moment as he felt a sharp pain in his side. He must have pulled a muscle as well. He nodded gently as he laid back down as she suggested. He closed his eyes as she carressed his cheek gently.

"Beltha? Laodin? No, this place is unfamiliar to me. I'm from Earth."

He shook his head softly at her questioing of food or water.

"No, but thank you for the offer. Where am I? And who are you?"

He lifted his hand up and laid his fingers against her hand that carressed his cheek to make sure that it was still more than a dream.

 

[ScarredSoul82]

Liya tilted her head to the side slightly, confused.
"Earth? Where's that?"

She paused, "I am Liya, High Priestess at the Temple of Skelia, our Lady of Earth and Light. You are in Ileothian Forest, just outside the Nanten Provience."

She smiled, "may I have your name?"

 

[Sky Jade]

"Earth? It's there I think..."

He pulled his hand from touching hers to point at the sky, in a random direction. He dropped his hand after a moment.

"My name is Chester Robinson. I'm the weapons officer on the Goranova."

He frowned for a moment as he suddenly realized he wasn't sure how to get back to the ship. He laid his hand on one of the pockets of his jacket and felt the familiar bulge of his communicator there. He would have to try contacting the ship later.

"That's a pretty name Liya."

He tilted his head a little to look up at her with his brown eyes, studying her features.

"High Priestess? Temple of Skelia?"

 

[ScarredSoul82]

Liya blinked still confused as he pointed to a star in the Heavens and called it home.
"Are you a God? My lord, to call such a place your home is madness."

She shook her head and chuckled, "Yes, I am a High Priestess though I may not look it. Do you not have lords and ladies of the cloth in Earth? As for your ship m'lord...it is more than likely docked at the seaport in Beltha which is about 200 miles east of here. I could put together a party to escort you safely there..."

She found herself blushing as he complimented her name...she wasn't used to flattery...

 

[Sky Jade]

He chuckled softly as she called him a god.

"No, I'm not a god...At least I'm not sure."

He sighed and shook his head softly at the mention of his ship possibly being here.

"No, I don't think they are there...I..I just appeared there."

He pointed to the cliff that seemed to be at least thirty feet up. His vision blurred for a moment again and he placed his hand on his forehead.

"Gah..My head...feels like it's on fire..."

He closed his eyes for a few moments before the pain ebbed away slowly.

 

[ScarredSoul82]

Her smile and her eyes widened as she remembered the prophecy...

And he shall fall from the sky, and the people shall not know him...but he is sent from Skelia, and he shall save her people from Darkness...

"Oh my..." She had to get him back to the temple....

"Come I shall fetch my horse, we should get you back to my temple and get you cleaned up and tended to properly. If we leave now we can get there before dark..." Her voice was filled with concern.

 

[Sky Jade]

He gave a small chuckle in response.

"That sounds good. I really don't feel like laying on the ground all day."

He shifted into a sitting position and then stood up carefully. He winced again and held his side. Maybe he had a broken rib, but he couldn't tell at the moment. He turned around to face Liya, a breeze playing with his blueish-white hair, making it dancing over his eyes.

"You are very beautiful."

He smiled and nodded.

"Then I guess I shall accompany you to the temple. It is starting to get dark."

 

[ScarredSoul82]

She nodded, "my horse is just over this way by the sacred pool of Ile."

She offered him her hand and helped him stand. And they headed back towards her mount.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the pool as they moved, and while she had never been one for vanity she found herself admiring the beauty of her long silky hair, the color of fresh orchids-white with violet and pink undertones, fair skin and penetrating violet blue eyes...she'd never noticed these things about herself before...until he'd said something...
She found herself blushing again.

"You are well enough to ride?"

 

[Sky Jade]

"Yeah, I don't think I will sustain any injuries for it."

He watched her from the side of his eyes as they walked. She was beautiful, from the way she walked, to the way she spoke. He looked at her horse when they around it and chuckled for a moment.

"I hope your horse can carry us both."

He waited till she climbed on before he did. He reached forward and wrapped his arms around her waist lightly so he could at least hold on.

"I'm ready to go."

 

[ScarredSoul82]

She smiled, "Veda is more than capable of carrying both of us. Though he may not be able to run as fast as he's used to," she stroked his long white mane.
"Aline, Veda...make haste." The beautiful white stallion moved quickly through the wooded path back towards familiar pastures.

And while Liya would have loved to stay at the pool longer as she had intended, the Goddess was being quite forceful with her message...the possible savior of her race had practically landed in her lap...such events were not to be taken lightly, and her own desires came second to the will of the Goddess.

"When we arrive in Nanten and get you cleaned up you must tell me of your homeland...it odd that I would not know it, I consider myself quite well versed in most subjects of knowledge."

 

[Sky Jade]

He nods softly.

"I'll tell you what I can about where I come from. Though I'm not the greatest at telling such things."

He looked around at the forest as they rode, but even though it was beautiful it wasn't enough to keep his attention from her. He leaned forward a little, smelling of her long silken strands. She smelled very sweet, better than anything he had smelled before. He shifted a little and pulled a hand back for a moment. He brushed her hair to one side, revealing her slender neck. It was more of impulse as he leaned forward and kissed the side of her neck softly, feeling her smooth skin beneath his lips.

The fighers against her stomach began stroking soft circle against the fabric of her dress.

 

[ScarredSoul82]

She felt his touch and shivered...no man had ever touched her in that way before...
She'd sworn virginity until she was chosen to lay with the God as the physical representation of Skelia herself.
She moaned softly despite herself..

"It is forbidden..." she whispered. She could see the lights of the perimeter walls in the distance.
"We near Nanten...you must behave yourself..."

It wasn't just him she was worried about...she felt it too...so she rode harder...

 

[Sky Jade]

"Must I? Alright."

He smiled for a moment and gave her one last kiss on her cheek before he leaned back, leting her hair fall back into place. He watched as the lights came closer. He put both of his arms around her as they rode faster into Nanten.

"Magnicifent...."

 

[ScarredSoul82]

Nanten's perimeter walls were white stone, 200 feet high and 30 feet deep. Vines producing a sweet smelling white flower climbed up the sides, and were the walls only adornments.
Atop the walls were several towers that housed the guards that were posted there, inside each on burned a bright flame, the kindling, infused with sacred herbs burned white illuminating the surrounding area for almost half a mile, a gift from the Sun god Thekor.
The gate was a large ornate door made of heavy dark wood engraved with scenes depicting the creation of the world and Skelia's gifts to her people.

As they neared the gate, Liya slowed the horse to a halt.
"Ilo'he nada velarnar, Liya iya lohai Skelia!" She proclaimed.

"Welcome Liya, High Priestess of Skelia, Keeper of the Faith and the Old Ways...we bid you welcome." Came the reply and with a groan the gate opened and they were allowed to pass.

Liya brought Veda to a trot as they passed through the gate,
"Chester, welcome to Seika, border town on the eastern front for the Nanten provience..."

Just inside the gate was the main plaza of the small town, and a small festival was underway...bonfires lit-smelling of sweet herbs, garlands decorated all the surrounding buildings and a small band played as the younger villagers danced around a small shrine that Liya recognized as Ayanna, maiden goddess of Spring.
She smiled and bowed her head in recognition to the priestess' of Ayanna, a small sect who in turn bowed deeply to show their respect.

"So what do you think of our humble provience thus far, Chester?"

 

[Sky Jade]

Chester looked around as they rode, taking in every detail. His eyes went everywhere carefully, a small smile on his face.

"It is all beautiful Fiya. I cannot wait to see the rest of the city."

He took in the different scents and sounds as they rode through. He bowed his head as well in respect when Fiya did. His fingers moved a little against her taut stomach for a moment. He wondered what other surprises were held in store for him.

 

[ScarredSoul82]

They didn't stay long in Seika, as they still had a ways to go before arriving at the Temple.

As they rode the moon rose higher in the sky illuminating their way as they moved out of range of Seika's fires.
The feel of his warm body pressed against hers stopped her from shivering in the cool evening breeze...

Finally she caught sight of the Great Hearth that remained forever lit inside the Temple as tribute to the Goddess and she knew that they were almost home.

She urged Veda on faster, and they made it to the base of the hill within the hour...


Evee and several other of the novice priestesses had been alerted of her arrival before hand and were waiting for her at the stables where they dismounted, dirty and sore from a long day of riding.

Each of the novices took turns bowing and giving their superior the threefold kiss before Evee finally spoke.

"Welcome home my lady, we've prepared baths and food for you and your guest as you must be tired from your journey. We hope your quest to the sacred pool has brought you the answers you seeked."

Liya nodded, "thank you girls. This is Chester, he is a stranger in our lands and is my guest. I expect you to treat him with the same honor and respect as you would show me. Now if you please I am weary and I wish to free myself of this layer of grime so I take my leave...please show Chester to his quarters and get him settled...I will meet with him later."

 

[Sky Jade]

Chester's jacket kept him warm from the evening cool, but feeling Liya pressed against him made him feel even warmer. He closed his eyes as he enjoyed the ride to the temple, only opening them when he heard voices. He looked at the novices and smiled. There was beauty all around him. He was beginning to wonder if he ever wanted to leave this place. He slipped from the horse after Liya introduced him to the other priestesses, smiling to them.

"It's an honor being here. Which way to get cleaned up?"

One of the novices smiled and led him to a small bathing area, where everything was ready for him. He cleared his throat for a moment and smiled.

"Thanks, I think I can handle things from here."

The novice nodded and turned away. She stopped for a moment and turned back, blushing softly.

"Do you need me to help scrub your back sir?"

Chester blinked and then chuckled, shaking his head. She was cute, but he didn't want to take too long in the bath.

"No, that is ok. Thanks for the offer though."

She gave a bright smile at the compliment and headed out. He sighed for a moment before he stripped down completely, putting his clothes in a pile on a bench that was there. He grinned softly as he foundt himself aroused from earlier of trying to seduce Liya. He saw a bucket and grabbed it, filling it with cold water.

"I need to cool off a little."

He closed his eyes before he dumped the cold water over himself. The cold water felt good, but he didn't notice the change in his body till he spoke. His voice came out soft and very feminine-like.

"The feels...better..huh?"

He opened his eyes to look down and suddenly foundt himself with c-cup breasts. He had become a she. Her hair turned a red color and flowed down to the middle of her back. Her pubic hair was a deep red and strangely neatly trimmed around her pussy.

"AH!"

She screamed loudly for a moment. One of the novices heard the scream and came running down the hallway, yelling.

"Miss? Are you ok?"

Chester looked around quickly for a place to hide, but her only choice was the hot spring bathing pool. Hopefully the steam would hide her body. Chester quickly jumped in, hissing a little at the intense heat. As the novice came running in, Chester brought his arms up to hide breasts that were no longer there. He blinked and quickly felt himself to make sure he was back to normal. Definately a boy, even with his regular short, blueish-white hair. The novice stopped when she saw Chester and had a look of confusion on her face.

"Umm..is everything ok sir? I thought I heard a girl scream."

"Everything's fine. I had stubbed my toe and I guess the room made it sound like a scream."

The novice seemed to accept the explaination as she nodded and left. Chester sighed, wondering what the hell had just happened.

Why was I a girl then? and now a guy? Wait a minute..Was it because of the water?

He sighed and went about bathing.

 

[ScarredSoul82]

Inside her chambers Liya changed out of her dusty shift, the evening air was cool on her bare skin and almost instantly her rosy nipples hardened.
She shivered and headed for the steaming, scented bath that awaited her in the adjacent room.
Two young novices were already waiting for her, clad only in short shifts that only hit the midthigh, one held a bottle of scented oils for her skin and hair, while the other held the abrasive sea sponge that would scrub her clean.

"My lady, you are weary...let us wash and care for you." Spoke a young blonde girl with doe-like blue eyes.

Liya only nodded and stepped into the marble pool.
The effects of the water were almost immediate, her muscles relaxed and her legs trembled-ready to give out had she not found the long bench to rest upon.

The girls began to bathe her, caressing her soft supple skin with slender nimble fingers, removing any trace of dust and grime from her being.

When they were done they took their leave and left her alone to soak and relas...and Liya found her thoughts drifting to Chester....

Could he really be the one the prophecy spoke of? It didn't seem possible...though he did fit all the criteria....

But that was not all she thought of...
She found herself thinking back up the feel of his skin against hers...his lips against her flesh...
She sighed and found herself doing the forbidden as her hands slid south and began to stroke the tender flesh between her legs.
Her breasts rose and fell as waves of heat and pleasure ran up and down her body-

"My lady?" A young voice interrupted and her eyes flew open, ashamed.

"Yes Kya?"

"Your guest...he hurt himself, nothing serious...but I thought you should-"

"Thank you Kya," she interjected, "I shall dress and see to him immediately. Leave me please..."

The girl's face had flushed scarlet, obviously she felt as though she had insulted the High Priestess...so she simply bowed and rushed out.

Liya rose shakily out of the warm water drying herself quickly and running a comb through her hair, putting it in a long braid while she changed into a silk shift the color of violets with a matching velvet bodice....and an amethyst choker.

Once she had dressed she headed towards the quarters that they had set up for their guest...and knocked...

 

[Sky Jade]

He had just pulled his pants on when he heard the knock at the door. He wondered if it was the novice again, coming back to see if he needed anything else. He decided not to put his shirt on and just grabbed his jacket pulling it on. The floor was cool against his bare feet as he made his way to the door and opened it slowly.

"Yes......."

His words died in his mouth as he caught sight of Liya standing in front of him. She looked radient in her outfit. He gulped softly for a moment and then smiled, opening the door wider.

"Please come in."