Chapter Text
There are three Kingdoms: Heaven, Hell, and Ocean.
Since the Age of Myth, man clad in armor bearing the 88 constellations appear. Serving a goddess that rules Earth with benevolence and equity, these men could strike Earth and Sky with the speed of sound and light. The Saints of Athena. Their bodies explode with the power of the infinite Cosmos, destroying the planet's atoms unveiled by the writer Epicurus—according to him, atoms made everything. In modern time, a shadow cast gives rise to anxiety—as the Cosmos can shudder the balance of the worlds and the universes. Those divine denizens that humans felt obliged to revere…the human consciousness, which desperately and eternally reaches for truth and understanding, wished to crumble apart.
The daughter of Heaven's King, Zeus—Athena was given Earth to rule.
"Take care of yourselves and be strong. Believe in yourself." It was like the words of a mother to her younger children as she breathed her last in a hospital bed. As she died and slept in a coffin, Athena recalled memories with Kouga and the others. She remembered Kouga resting in her arms as an infant. Her face and touch were a piece of unforgotten light. At that last shard of light, even she gave a placated face. Her reign on Earth has ended.
Hades. Lord of the Many Dead. The greedy Underworld King wanted to bear an iron fist against Earth and its disloyal humans, reigning in dominion to quell his flames. But the daughter of Demeter—a Goddess of Harvest, Wealth, and infinite anger—set her King aside to remember his important place in the universe: To control death and to punish those who cheat death. However, as of now, he was only a half-awakened soul.
The King's Queen managed to urge the punishment of one man: Seiya. Rather, Seiya and his defiling brothers: Shiryu, Hyouga, Shun, Ikki. However, because he could only sit and lay in the internal night of Hell, Hades only depended on the oaths and words of his subordinates. Perpetual sacrifices appeased his soul and his mood. Eventually, Hades will return to his rule in the Kingdoms. However, he stated that Earth remains if Athena is dead. Unprotected, without a ruler.
"I want to see how I can govern a new generation of humans. If there is no King, then even worse Gods will come and claim Earth." He also knew that this was enough provocation for Athena's Saints to come. He can claim their lives in retribution.
At the time of Athena's death, it seemed that the calamity on Earth began to slow to a halt. Did time pass like a calm before the storm? Those Shadows, who suddenly infiltrated humanity across the globe, began to retreat. At Barren Island, the youngest Gold Saint—the Leo Saint Shir Khan—fell to his knees, weighed down by the pain called failure. Looking down at a defeated-looking Gold Saint was enough to keep Ikki silent.
"You may put on the airs like a lion, but you are nothing but a cub who has failed his Goddess." As the sky carried a voice that looked down upon another, the hunched-over Shir held his face, sobbing. His archrival on Barren, the voluptuous Shiva, laughed with a teeming hubris after she and her companion prevented Shir and Ikki from entering Hell. Along with thumbing her nose at a child—albeit a powerful warrior child—Shiva also swore to take his life.
In Sri Lanka, a green explosion engulfed a flowery garden that was encompassed by moving Shadows, creating peace. Silently, with a shade falling over his face, the Capricorn Saint pledged revenge. The Gods mocked him; the brutal removal of innocent mortals and of Athena at such short notice.
It was Sextans Agatha who said it was a prognosis that Hades's revival would happen. The Bronzes would fail she stated, but why did it come true?
In Dodona—
The first thing Pegasus Kouga saw was a pink and orange sky like dusk. Stars dotted above; when he lifted his upper body, he noticed floating clouds beneath him.
The next thing he saw was a blindfolded girl. Within interstellar surroundings, confusion had long set in; Kouga could've sworn that he faced the end in the Underworld and doubted his life, but he was given a moment of chance to open his eyes. He did not want to die. At least he figured, if he could live, then much time had to pass.
"Welcome Pegasus," said the blindfolded girl, with a pleasant cadence, none other than the silver-haired Sextans Agatha. "This is my Safe Zone."
The next thing Kouga saw was golden wings, and it was enough to sprout him back onto his feet. He cared little for the reason why he could stand, nor did he notice familiar faces from the corner of his eye. Eden, Yuna, Ryuho, Souma, and Subaru lay unconscious or in a near-death state amid a shattered mess. Their Cloths were broken like collapsed glass, including Kouga's.
"Seiya you bastard!" He spoke while collecting heavy pants. "Why did you bring us here? Why didn't you save her?!" Ahead of him was a winged Gold Saint staring right back at him passively. It took all of Kouga's secret strength to pull his face into a furious scowl. What probably awakened him and fueled him was the memory of Athena's last moments, seeing the Gold Saint of Cancer carry her away as if to give up the oath of saving the world.
"Answer me!" Kouga demanded. A couple of meters stood between him and the Sagittarius Saint; they only reached out with their eyes. Kouga was only answered with a single bat of the eyes.
"Just because you're angry," Seiya began, "doesn't mean you can say those things to me."
"Don't be full of yourself because you're a former Saint of Pegasus or a Gold Saint! How else can I vent my frustration?!"
"You get even."
"Not when I feel so useless. And now, now I won't forgive you!"
Before there was another word, Sagittarius Seiya raised his hand and caught a punch from Kouga. Sextans Agatha opened her mouth, but held in a gasp. It was contrary to belief that she should see what unfolded, but she didn't interfere and submitted to a focused silence. She grasped the anger of Athena's strongest guardians. and then was touched by Seiya's next words.
"We Saints never fight alone, even if it's one one-on-one," said Sagittarius. He never released Kouga's shaking hand. "We still think of each other. I think of Athena, my brothers, my teacher…my rivals and friends…my sister. Therefore…"
That was when Seiya's face changed, channeled with ferocity, while still holding on to a bit of composure. A golden flash blinded Kouga and he flew into the trunk of a forest tree.
"Kouga, if you want to understand, then raise a fist towards me! That's the only way to mitigate your anger," said Seiya.
High above was the night sky.
The interstellar zone had disappeared. The three Saints were transported by Agatha's Doppler Shift technique; as she distanced herself from the two, did she agree with the clash? As useless it might be; Agatha was well aware of both a Gold Saint's power, and Seiya defeating a Giant of famous myth. A conformer of the stars, Sextans felt that neither Pegasus Saints would be perturbed with despair or passion. In her years of wisdom, incapable of battle, she must've felt it was a necessity to witness or to have this type of passion from young boys. But now, that passion was directed into a reminder of what was clear—a failed essay in duty.
Kouga sipped a breath through his nose and gritted his teeth. Ahead of him, he saw the image of his forced contempt, but why for his comrade? He was confused and did not know how to release it. It was his contempt for having Athena's magnanimity to fall before evil. He hated losing, and thus, he quickly took Seiya's invitation.
"Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken!" Without his Cloth, he threw his arm out as if in a real fight, his red eyes shining.
Striking the Gold Cloth, the punches are malformed and broken into filaments, becoming tiny stars in different directions. Seiya only partially raised his arm. A negative thought forced itself into Sextans Agatha's mind: the belief of an unfair, one-sided battle that would disparage Kouga. But again, Kouga hated giving up, and his eyes flared again. A high-lunging arm flew over where Seiya once stood, and the forest was bathed in flashes of light from each attack. Now, Agatha felt worried as she watched both; did Kouga fight Seiya as if he were an enemy? She began to mumble to herself, "Saints execute the enemy with thoughts of justice." That was the fate of the stars, despite knowing that anything could change.
"With Athena's death, was hope and fate abandoned among us?" She continued to talk to herself and she quickly wondered why a cynical thought had risen from her. She felt the Star of Pegasus pulsating between Stellar Death and stability. Perhaps it was best described as hanging on the phase of collapse, but it could not be determined when. Regaining stance, Sagittarius Seiya pulled back an arm and opened his hand.
"Oh no you don't!" Kouga screamed; along came the largest flash of the night. A giant comet flew towards Seiya, blinding him. A moment after that, head-on, Pegasus Kouga saw what he could only describe as a storm. Long, straight-laced lances of light headed towards him, and his only defense was to dodge. Kouga curved forward, a beam ripping through his limbs and chest. The distance between them instantly vanished. Because of the Sui Sei Ken unleashed on Seiya, or rather returned, the attack on Kouga left little to no openings. Golds were as fast as light, if not more. The same ability Seiya used to defeat the thousand-armed giant. It shared the same concept as a thick wall of a punching bag, decreasing acceleration and absorbing force, and it damages the opposite side because the absorption is reflected. To defeat that wall, to defeat Seiya, the hit must be completely overwhelming. More importantly, it had to be a physical attack; it also depended on the defender's mental fortitude.
It would be one-sided after all, Agatha thought. What did Seiya hope to accomplish? To insert sense into Kouga? Even though, Seiya himself as a Bronze Saint had fought against the most dangerous of enemies, from Gods to Gold Saints, without fear. That was an indelible archive in the stars that Agatha knew about.
"Faith?" To fall on the ground and get back up again – a fallen warrior who knew defeat, etched it within oneself, and increased their ability. As she contemplated, Agatha saw a one-on-one fight to convince one and the other that victory could come true.
Cursing Seiya's indomitable Cosmos, Kouga struck against another tree trunk and crumpled to the ground. The clear victor, a man with gold wings, slowly and coldly approached Kouga.
"Destiny and the world might be crazy. Maybe humans and God want to rectify it, but I believe in the world that I live in. There is good and evil in all, and second chances. When we, Athena and I, fought Hades, we carried what he lacked. He had no love for humans."
The younger Saint saw someone who looked at him with the same manner as a pest. Kouga's body stirred with anger, rising back to his feet. This desperate gesture made Seiya halt and watch in silence. Does he loathe himself? Is it me? Seiya thought, which led to his next words.
"I do not pity you Kouga. All I know is that you have the fiery heart to fight for Earth. That is why you stand today."
Kouga's face exploded in fury, his jaw contorting as he screamed out all of his emotions.
"THEN WHY DID SHE DIE?!" It was the emotion of feeling weak. The emotion of pushing so hard to the limit, just to collapse at the finish line and seeing everyone else walk over him and advance far from reach. As for his question, the Sagittarius Saint had no answer.
But, a voice from open space fell upon all three Saints: "A mighty Cosmos, but you bicker among yourselves?"
Agatha gasped. "The Oars! She is relaying a message." Seiya looked up and around, and Kouga's entire body trembled.
"Fools conjured by mishaps and mocks. Weakness. Athena won't stop breathing if there is evil in the world!" The Oars, also known as Jason's Galley, the very thing Seiya was seeking. The Boat of Dodona known as Argo, is said to traverse any divine space and void, a necessity to Athena's plan.
"Away hench, Pegasus!" A searing resent from the boat faded into space; such biting insults were like an untrustworthy elder who desired to be left alone in her home. Sextans Agatha bowed his head in chagrin.
"Kouga. You cannot stand any longer." Soon after her words, Kouga grumbled a low, rancid "shut up" and got back up. He pushed his leg once and threw out another punch. Seiya was right in front of him, and his arm was locked in mid-air. Seiya hooked Kouga's elbow joint with his palm, and the strength of a giant froze Pegasus from his elbow to his shoulder. Whether he froze in shock or from Seiya's technique, he was uncertain. Kouga's elbow retracted a bit. Seiya grabbed the balled fist with his other hand and Kouga was fiercely flung to the side. The Bronze Saint rolled off his feet and fell onto his side with a loud thud.
"To answer your question, Pegasus," Agatha said, "It's because fate can change."
The stubborn Pegasus Saint could no longer ignore his situation; Agatha supposed he only had two minutes, moving like a savage monster and washing his Cosmos everywhere in hopes of crushing Seiya. Kouga's ears managed to pick up Sextans's words before fading out of consciousness, perhaps to finally meet his Stellar's end.
"Athena's spirit is eternal."
Eternal, as a Goddess should be, but the mortal vessel Saori Kido was last seen in Limbo. A place where average humans could not reach. Surely, the media would pick up on that: "Graude Foundation Conglomerate leader, Greek connoisseur, host of Galaxian Wars tournament, and secluded princess, Saori Kido, disappears?!" If it was many years ago, how would have the evil Pope Saga reacted? Rather, how did that come to be? Days will pass and Tatsumi will have to placate the media.
After the scuffle, the Bronze Saints were teleported to the Graude Hospital by Agatha, channeling her Cosmos to a familiar place. She has saved people from the sea, refuges, injured Saints, those who died afterward from their training injuries. Nevertheless, miracles can happen even through medical intervention, she said, and even stars need oxygen. Agatha and Seiya watched the bedridden Bronze Saints morosely, exchanging some words.
"They cling to life, but it is up to them. If Athena was here, her warm Cosmos could awaken them."
"Those with fiery hearts and courage mend the future. I still believe it. He asked me 'Why did she die?' I was stunned, but because he was flustered, what would he have thought if I said 'to create a miracle?'"
"I often give thought to what happens to those who lost the Holy Wars, for those to repeat every reincarnation. The gods lose various soldiers and end up failing themselves, but what happens to the survivors? The dead, including the gods, bequeath their duties of justice to the next generation. There is always evil."
"When I first started training as a Saint, I thought it was an unrealistic fantasy. I was following the goals of a now-dead old man, just to find my sister. But, was it my fate to fight evil and protect the world? Because that old man felt so strongly about it?"
At Seiya's loose questions, Agatha turned her face towards Kouga. "You told me that Pegasus saved you once with his light."
"Yeah, he did. He and his friends went through adversity, and defeated the darkness and even Saturn. This time, he felt like he truly failed. But, nothing is luck or coincidence. Athena is eternal after all." Seiya spoke as if to sip his words through the ears of the comatose. Then, his head bowed, his front bands shading his eyes.
"Even though, there's a chance where I may not see Miss Saori again. Still, as long as I breathe, if the unrighteous Gods continue to fight, I will fight back. That is the legacy of Athena; also, the legacy of Aiolos, entrusted to me by Mitsumasa Kido."
"Your words encourage me, Sagittarius," said Agatha. "With that all said, what of the Bronze Cloths?"
Seiya did not return an answer, but both Saints realized that they were still entrusted with a mission. Except for Subaru, whose Cloth was in Sanctuary, the others were in tatters, and the leading repairer was a young assistant of the deceased Kiki. The broken Cloths were left in Sextans's Safe Zone. Another thing that puzzled Seiya was Subaru himself, his condition matching that of the mortal Saints. Before reaching a solution, without warning, they had to rush to Pope's Chambers: Taurus's star was fluctuating. They teleported again.
Materializing through a wink of light, landing at the base of the carpeted steps before the Pope's throne, Seiya and Agatha found the Pope seated tensely on his throne. The atmosphere seemed clear and familiar, but the Cosmos could read a past battle. Ordinary, except for the different-sized pits that covered the Pope's body. The only thing that moved was the skin on his face; his fingers subtly trembled.
"Lord Pope!" exclaimed Seiya.
"Shut your ass up and listen." The Pope's rigid jaw slowly moved, a low, aggravated voice.
"I'm not dying from this. I want the Leo kid and whoever ain't dead right here." Despite his situation, The Pope gave out a burly grin. When he demanded it—the moment his shadowy adversary had disappeared and he felt the pierce of Athena's Cosmos meeting an end— the summons were absolute. Every agent in Sanctuary was already cast out to get Capricorn, Leo, Pisces, Libra, Aquarius and Virgo. Libra and Gemini were in a predicament, however; Cancer was obviously a traitor, and the stars of Taurus and Scorpio were emitting some kind of activity.
Sagittarius and Sextans knelt in front of the Pope throne. It was clear that there would be another gathering, and while the Bronzes remained in the hospital, action would be executed.
"Lord Pope, could you tell us what happened?" Seiya asked.
"It was Kiki."
"The Aries Saint?!" Seiya's voice was coursed to inquire, but he was quickly cut off.
"Listen up! We ain't shedding tears now. For Athena, we got a war to win. If we don't, we're falling to the gods' schemes." With absolute resolve, The Pope would ensure Athena's goal was realized. What was the point of devising it just to abandon it? It was for the sake of facing Hades, and it was Hades's mistake to underestimate the humans.
"Look at my body. Are you damn Saints or not?"
At the meeting, Leo and Capricorn would express their anger and uselessness, desiring to make up for their lack of action. Matter of fact, little Leo was so angry that when he returned to Greece, he saved Integra from her predicament, her objections notwithstanding.
"Who are you, brat?!"
"This is our home! Get out now!" He gave no chance for the enemy to ramble-a body covered in darkness was propelled high into the air by a storm of light. Shir returned on his own; Ikki remained on Barren Island where the Phoenix Cloth resided. As a parting, Ikki simply stated, "Go. When the time comes, I am going to Hell, with or without you." In other words, learn of the next steps; Leo imagined that Ikki would meditate in patience, finding promise in his sleeping Cosmos.
For the Pope, another surprising guest arrived. Also, a letter:
"I know Hell better than anyone. Soon, come and join me."
Back on Naxos Island, there was a mingling with the Goddess Demeter: Two Saints and her two remaining Terrae joined her in her own chambers. They knelt before an Olympian and a Demi-God. As expected, Arion makes a stand to placate Demeter's grief. Despite reaching her goal, she still needed to wait patiently…and with a cost. However, there was something that Arion could not help but bear in mind.
"If Hades is revived without a human vessel, then he cannot engage in a Holy War," he said.
Confirmed by Asklepios, who laughed at the remark of Demeter's demigod representative, Hades had recently revived with a human soul and the war was the consequence of his death. With Athena gone, Earth is left without its guardian and The Underworld King is considering a restart of his war with the Saints.
"Gods are fickle just like the creatures they created," the Demi-God continued to be Hades's mouthpiece.
"It may be out of line of me to speak, but you plan to spill more blood after being revived? And invite the Saints against you once more?"
"I have Athena's body and soul. They will come for me after everything."
"Lord Hades, you are not the victor of the last Holy War, thus, not Earth's leader. We welcome your return and nothing more."
"Not Earth's leader?"
"That's right! The one who has a word in this decision now should be the King of He—."
"Zeus, you mean?" After those words, a curve crossed over Asklepios's mouth, trembling as he held in laughter. Demeter sat on her throne quietly, facing the back of Asklepios. He was indeed in the mortal world unchained, but still in ragged clothing. Shaina's Cloth remained in between his hands. He behaved like its owner as he sat cross-legged on marble flooring.
"As long as Naxos is safe," the Mother Goddess said, "I'll oblige."
"Mother, does Hades intend to cleanse the world?" Pan finally spoke, her pleading eyes reaching Demeter. She couldn't help but contain a little fear inside of her. The rest of Earth couldn't fall to destruction as she and the rest of the Naxos population were left outside bloodshed. Ignoring destruction within their own sanctuary; to her, that lacked dignity and Naxos couldn't reach the world. She knew that was her beloved mother's wish.
"What about your political post?! The Saints are defeated because of Viento! We no longer need violence." She added, to which she was quickly interrupted.
"That is incorrect Miss Pan," Asklepios said, his smile slanting underneath his concealing bangs. "Contemplate carefully, Demeter. You have til the revival. Can't wait to hear your answers. I'm sure you mean well, Goddess. Matter of fact—how would you like to rule the world?"
"What?!" Demeter's eyes widen.
"You're clearly qualified," Akel spilled his own thoughts.
-To be continued in Part II-