Crimson Stars

by Clarissa_23

Summary:

Follows 'Ice Flower.'

Saga is back in the Sanctuary and a human too. But the memories of his crimes continue to haunt him.

Aiolos will do everything to convince Saga that he is deserving of love and forgiveness. But can Saga accept a love from a person who he had killed before?

Meanwhile, a shadow begins to haunt the Sanctuary and threatens the current peace of the world and one saint of Athena is about to pay for performing a big taboo.

Chapter 1: A Mad Ritual and an Insane Saint

Notes:

Well, here's the part 2 of Ice Flower! I hope you guys will join Saga, Aiolos and the others' journey again!

Hey, can you tell what is right or wrong? What is the difference between good and evil?

 

Because I've been wondering about it for so long. 

 

I was one who is supposed to protect people but I was the one who kept on taking their lives.

 

I can no longer remember how many hate-filled eyes and venomous curses have been thrown my way. How many times have I been called a 'murderer'? How many people have lost their lives in my hands? 

 

But none of those mattered to me. No matter how many times my soul cried out and how much my heart bled, as long as that person remained safe and alive, I'm content. 

 

Because that person is my most important person in the world. 

 

For that person, I can kill as many people as I need, make them disappear out of the blue or even silence them by threatening their families, friends or lovers.

 

For that person, I can commit any heinous crimes and destroy other people's lives in a heartbeat. 

 

I've broken many vows, split hundreds of lies through my teeth and betrayed people who've trusted me with their lives.

 

The blood that I've spilled is already as deep as the river Styx.

 

I would do everything for that person. Anything he needed or asked from me.

 

So, why is he still crying?

 

Why do his tears mirror the emptiness in my own heart?

 

Oh Goddess Athena, what have I done?

---

 

The God of Time watched, with eyes full of pity, as the child he considered his own prepared the stage for the ritual that would grant him his biggest wish and would also lead him to a new life of never ending torment.

 

He shook his head in dismay.A pity, he had liked the brat. He had like his grit, iron determination and courage to do whatever he wanted, even at the cost of his own soul. It was also a pity that Athena had never once looked at and  appreciated a Saint under the brat's constellation, for out of the Twelve Zodiacs, the brat's constellation was the most stubborn and crass while also being the most loyal and fragile. 

 

Inside the hardened shell was a heart of glass that was going to break at the slightest touch. 

 

"Hey old man, come out from wherever you are hiding or else I'll start shooting down the pillars around this hill."

 

Shaking his head at the boy's rude manners, he stepped up from behind the pillar he was using to cover himself. He should've known that the boy who had the highest sensitivity towards a divine presence among the Order of Athena would sense this despite how he had hid it.

 

The god approached the boy, who was standing in the middle of the altar. Six pyres were lit and encircled the stage, giving the whole place a fierce glow. The boy was also wearing his Gold Cloth. The god had no doubt that the boy intended to awaken the Cloth's sleeping powers and use it alongside his own Cosmo in the ritual.

 

The god scrutinized the boy from head to toe and saw neither regret or hesitation in every corner of his body or in his aura. Good. Hesitating would only give this boy more grief. And the god had already seen how much grief the boy had accumulated in his short lifetime. 

 

One gauntleted hand gripped the forbidden artifact which would be the center of this mad, mad ritual.

 

"Are you prepared to do this?" the divine being asked the mortal just to make sure.

 

The smirk that the young man gave him in response was full of insolence. "Old man, why are you asking a question which you know the answer to? Come on, please don't start nagging right now." The young man groaned.

 

The god rolled his eyes. "Hmph! I'm only here just to witness your foolishness. Go, the stars are about to line up in the right direction. That is the only chance you will get in a hundred years. Though with Nemesis going crazy against Poseidon's children, I doubt you will get more than a week. "

 

The young man's eyes crinkled in amusement yet there was an emptiness behind his eyes. "Thank you, old man. For helping me and for coming here." He lowered his eyes as a deep flush colored his pale neck. The boy had never been transparent with his own feelings. "I...I really thought that I wouldn't be able to see you again after I've left your realm. I'm ha–I'm glad that I can see you again, even for the last time. Thank you."

 

The divinity harrumphed again, though he was very pleased to hear such words coming out of that crass mouth. 

 

The young man seemed to have belatedly realized what he had just said. He paled and immediately turned his back towards the god, shoulders shaking with mortification. "I'm going to start the ritual now so you better just watch and not make a sound, you shitty geezer!" he said in a rough tone.

 

The young man took a small golden dagger from his side and slashed his hand. A large amount of blood spilled from the gaping wound and dropped inside the artifact, which seemed to glow and wake up from its thousands of years of slumber at the taste of fresh blood of a Saint. The god watched with fascinated eyes as the golden sand inside the artifact slowly turned into deep crimson, a sign that its power was awakening, ready to perform what it had been made to do.

 

As the young man called on the power of the artifact, his own Cosmo and the Gold Cloth, the Starhill vibrated and the sky overhead became overcast, a sign that Athena and the other gods were beginning to realize what her Saint was about to do. 

 

The chant ended and the artifact spun and spun until it broke, the crimson sands inside of it swirling around the Starhill like a giant whirlpool covering the body of the young man, the god and the whole world. 

 

Thunder struck the sky and the wind howled. 

 

But Zeus was already too late.

 

And Chronos, the God of Time, let out a mournful sigh. 

---

 

Inside the lonely cell where her brother Apollo had chained her, the despondent and grief-stricken goddess wept.

 

Notes:

Well, that was a rough start. I swear everything will be explained soon.

Any guess on who is the Saint who turned back time in this chapter? 👀

 

This universe are mixed of the classic anime/manga, Heaven's Overture and Rerise of Poseidon with some elements and characters from the novel Gigantomachia. And because the Rerise of Poseidon manga is still ongoing, I'm going to take liberties with it and change some things to go with my story.

Chapter 2: A 'date' in Rodorio Village

It was another blazing hot day in the Sanctuary. The wind that was coming from the Aegean sea was piping hot and the vast blue sky was devoid of clouds. It was already mid-morning and Aiolos felt like he was drowning in his own sweat despite wearing only pants, gray tank tops and sandals to protect his feet from the hot cobblestones.

 

Huffing under his breath, the young man who was celebrated as Athena's perfect saint and protector climbed the seemingly never ending stairs towards the pope's place. One by one, he passed through the other Zodiac palaces standing between the Sagittarius Palace and the pope's. He didn't need to ask the guardians of Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces, for those three young men were outside the Sanctuary and doing their own things to make the weather bearable for them. 

 

It did not take long before he arrived in front of the giant door of the pope's palace. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and stood straight. The two guards standing in front of the door looked at his flushed face and perhaps taking pity on his state, opened the gigantic door without a word. 

 

Smiling haplessly, Aiolos thanked them and entered.

 

The halls inside the pope's palace was much cooler than the outside and it didn't take long before  Aiolos's body cooled down and he was breathing regularly again. He started walking towards the small office right next to the pope's. 

 

In truth, Aiolos didn't need to come to this place on that day. Shion had given him, along with the other saints of Athena, a permission to take a break and go amuse himself in a place anywhere outside of the Sanctuary. But he didn't want to leave before finding a certain man who had ignored Shion's magnanimity and decided to bury himself underneath a mountain of work. 

 

Aiolos, who had seen how that man had worked himself to exhaustion several times since he became Shion's secretary two months ago, decided that enough was enough. The other Gold Saints have already left the Sanctuary, no doubt to look for a place to unwind and go on a date with their respective lovers and the Sagittarius Saint would not let this man overwork himself to death. 

 

It would've been easier if only Kanon were present, but the current Gemini Gold Saint was currently in the Caribbeans with Misty and other two Silver Saints investigating something which Aiolos had been forbidden from finding out. Kanon was the only who could prevent Saga from dying of overwork, though his methods ranged from weird to the extremes.

 

At least he hadn't resorted to drugging and kidnapping Saga from his office yet, a method which Shura, Aphrodite and Deathmask have used once, only for the three of them and Saga to end up with injuries and the trio being punished by cleaning the gutters inside the Sanctuary by Shion. 

 

Aiolos was smiling softly at the memory when the door to Saga's office opened and the aforementioned man walked out, carrying a tall stack of documents in his arms.

 

Aiolos' expression brightened at the sight of his best friend who was also his first love. "Saga!"

 

His loud and unexpected call must have startled the other man, for Saga almost tripped on his feet and the mountain of documents in his arms wobbled. Luckily, the documents remained firmly in their place and Saga quickly recovered his composure. He turned his head towards Aiolos who was now marching towards him.

 

"Aiolos," Saga greeted softly. He lowered his eyes, his eyelashes fluttering. "What are you doing here?"

 

Aiolos beamed. "Saga, I am here to invite you to go out with me to Rodorio village. I heard that there is a new Italian restaurant there. I want to try their specialty with you."

 

But Saga was already shaking his head before Aiolos could even finish his speech. "I'm sorry Aiolos, but I have more work to finish today. I can't go with you."

 

Aiolos had already expected the rejection but hearing it made him feel a little forlorn. "Well, you can finish all of it tomorrow! Didn't Shion tell you to take a break today like me and the others?"

 

Saga sighed heavily. "He did. But I want to finish these papers early. I'm so sorry, Aiolos. But I really cannot go with you today. You can go with Aiolia–"

 

"Aiolia is in Japan with Marin to visit Seiya, Shun, Hyoga, Shiryu and Ikki."

 

"You can invite Shura–"

 

"Shura is in the capital with Deathmask and Aphrodite picking some stuff for their sleepover in his house tonight."

 

"Muu–"

 

"Muu is visiting Aldebaran's hometown with Kiki and Alden and wouldn't be here until tomorrow."

 

Small cracks were beginning to appear on Saga's invisible shield. Aiolos smiled wryly. 

 

The mountain of papers began to wobble as its carrier struggled to maintain his composure. "You can invite Shion," he suggested in a weak tone. Then, he seemed to remember when he'd last seen their esteemed pope and he blushed hotly. 

 

Aiolos grinned. "Do I need to remind you where Shion is right now, Saga?" he asked in an amused tone. Their pope who had served as their parental figure was never discreet. He was also very loud. Aiolos had to leave Dohko's house in China as fast as he could before he could hear more.

 

Saga's blush deepened. He sighed again. "I wish I was blind," he murmured mournfully.

 

Aiolos chuckled. "That would be no good because I really like your eyes. They remind me of a lush forest I saw when I was very young. I will become really sad if your eyes lose their beautiful colors." 

 

Saga lowered his head, making his long blond hair hide not only his eyes but his whole face. "I was just kidding, Aiolos," he said weakly. 

 

Aiolos nodded. "Thank Athena for that! We don't want Shaka to get mad at you for trying to steal his gimmick, do we?"

 

Saga's shoulders shook faintly and Aiolos glimpsed a hint of a smile behind the long golden tresses. 

 

Saga raised his head and turned back to Aiolos, a faint smile on his lips. "No, we ordinary mortals must not make our resident Buddha angry. Shaka can really be a handful sometimes. And since Ikki is in the middle of preparation for his finals at school we can no longer depend on him to calm Shaka down for us."

 

Aiolos chuckled again. "Shaka is not that bad," he protested, half-heartedly defending the absent Virgo Saint.

 

Saga arched an eyebrow. "Maybe for you. You weren't there when he took my and the others' senses two weeks ago because according to him, us walking around the Sanctuary grounds was interrupting his meditation."

 

Aiolos snorted. Yeah, he could imagine Shaka doing such a thing. The Virgo Saint could be a brat sometimes. But Aiolos knew that deep inside the thorny cage was a sensitive young man who just wanted to serve Athena wholeheartedly. 

 

He looked at Saga. His friend's pale countenance and dull eyes have been replaced with such cheer and vitality and Aiolos felt his heart grow warm. He had missed this. He had missed hanging out with Saga, the two of them passing their free time talking and bantering. For the last two months since the twins' birthday party, Saga had been avoiding Aiolos. The former Gemini Saint had been doing it discreetly, but Aiolos had immediately realized it. Shion, Athena and Kanon have all advised him to give Saga some space for the time being and let him get used to living in the Sanctuary again. Kanon had been a lot ruder than the goddess and the pope, his words coming with additional threats of bodily harm, but Aiolos understood the other man well enough. 

 

Aiolos was aware that Saga seeing him everyday only added to the weight of the other man's guilt. The past and Aiolos' murder were still having over them, a painful reminder that their relationship would never be the same as it had once been before. He didn't want to add to Saga's pain anymore and he also didn't need to be reminded of his death once again yet Aiolos could hardly bear to stay out of Saga's life. So despite throwing his whole attention to his training to become the next pope, Aiolos still kept an eye on Saga. 

 

And after he had seen Saga nearly kill himself from overwork, Aiolos could no longer stand by and ignore the problem in front of him. And his feelings for the other man, once painfully buried underneath his heart, sprang up and completely took over him.

 

Aiolos' gaze turned soft. "Saga, I'm going to ask again. Will you come and eat lunch with me to the Rodorio Village? We can go shopping after we finished. And of course, I'll treat you."

 

Saga lowered his eyes again. "I–" helplessly, his gaze turned pleadingly towards the sheets of paper in his arms, as if asking them for help. 

 

A mischievous idea snapped inside Aiolos' mind. With a boyish grin, he called upon his Cosmo and turned his legs as light as a feather. Then, without any warning, he ran towards the other man, snatched the mountain of paperwork from his arms and entered the office and locked it behind him, ignoring Saga who was yelling his name in irritation. He put down the wobbling documents down Saga's desk, put a paperweight on top of it and left the office, locking it again behind again. 

 

Saga's face was red again, but for a different reason this time. He crossed his arms and glared at Aiolos, who was grinning from ear to ear while using one finger to twirl a keychain carrying five different keys over and over again. Now Saga wouldn't be able to enter his office again unless he managed to get back his keys, break down the door or go to the nearest shop to order a duplicate key.

 

Saga saw Aiolos' pleased grin and sighed. He began rubbing his forehead, as if to soothe a headache caused by Aiolos. 

 

"Fine, " he said, tiredly. "I'll take a break today. I was going to eat in the kitchens after I finished my work anyway. But it's your treat."

 

Aiolos grabbed his right hand and squeezed it. "I promise to treat you to everything you want, Saga."

 

Saga looked down at their clasped hands for a second before quickly averting his eyes. Aiolos grinned and without a warning, tightened his hold on Saga's hand and started running towards the door, pulling the other man with him.

 

Fourteen years ago, Saga and Aiolos used to run down the stairs of the Zodiac Houses together, laughing their hearts out and enjoying the sense of freedom that their speed gave them. Now, a lifetime later, Aiolos hoped that Saga would feel the same feeling of happiness and be convinced that he deserved to continue living with Aiolos and the people he loved and cherished.

 

 

The two of them stopped first in the Gemini Palace so Saga could remove his office attire, a long-sleeved flowing white robe which reminded Aiolos of the outfits used by the priestesses of Athena, take a quick shower and dress up in a casual blue T-shirt, jeans and sneakers. The simpler clothes only managed to highlight the other man's otherworldly beauty and Aiolos found himself mesmerized.  

 

Then they quickly walked down the long winding stairs and passed through the empty Taurus and Aries Palaces. After greeting the guards stationed at the entrance of the Sanctuary, Aiolos turned his eyes to Saga, grabbed the other man's hand again and teleported themselves to the back entrance of Rodorio Village without warning. After they arrived Saga just rolled his eyes and shook his head, too used to Aiolos' antics by now that nothing seemed to phase him anymore. He still took his hand back the moment they entered the town.

---

The village of Rodorio hadn't changed much despite Athena's attempt of modernizing it. It still had its old rustic charm and still looked like the whole town came alive straight from a fairy tale book. It didn't take long before Aiolos and Saga found the newly established Italian restaurant. They entered the shop, which had a few customers and ordered as soon as a waiter approached them with a couple of menus in his hands. To get a little revenge on Aiolos, Saga ordered the most expensive set of meals in the menu and a whole bottle of a pricey wine. But Aiolos only chuckled, amused at the unexpected streak of childishness from the usually solemn and mature Saga.

 

After they finished eating and Aiolos had paid from his wallet, they both left the restaurant feeling full and more than a little drunk. Instead of going back to the Sanctuary they made another turn and entered the marketplace, where every kind of goods and stuff were on full display. 

 

Saga saw a big blue sea dragon plushie which reminded him of Kanon so he grumpily picked it up and coerced  Aiolos to pay for it. Then his eyes picked up another big plushie, a golden winged horse which reminded him of Aiolos and definitely not a certain 'pegasus' so he picked it too. And it seemed that the shop had other animal-shaped plushies in the stock too: a red crab, an aquamarine fish, a goat, etc. 

 

Half an hour later, Saga left the store feeling content while carrying several bags and followed by Aiolos, who was now several euros poorer. 

 

Aiolos was happy to see Saga enjoying himself. How long since the last time he had seen a genuine smile on the other man's face? He wished that the day would not end so he could see Saga relax and enjoy life more.

 

Then Saga saw a bakery shop with its cakes and other confectionery on display behind a glass case. He narrowed his green eyes at one particular sweet. It was a blueberry cake, looking both pretty and delicious. 

 

The cake's innocent appearance seemed to offend Saga.

 

"Do you want me to buy it for you?" Aiolos asked innocently.

 

Obviously insulted by Aiolos' question, Saga shot him a dirty look. 

 

They bought the whole cake.

 

The two saints of Athena wandered all over the marketplace, buying and eating so much food to the point Aiolos began fearing for his six packs. In the middle of their excursions, Saga's arms began to ache so he opened Another Dimension and sent everything he had bought, using Aiolos' money of course, to his room inside the Gemini Palace.

 

Aiolos asked Saga a question which had been in the back of his mind since leaving the bakery. "Saga, can I ask you a question?"

 

"Hmm mmm."

 

"Do you like blueberry cakes?"

 

Saga looked down and scowled. "I hate it," he snapped.

 

"Then why did you ask me to buy it?"

 

The scowl became deeper. "Kanon loves it. He loved the cake so much so every year I kept baking a whole blueberry cake for him to eat on our birthday. But eating the same cake on my birthday became tiring after some time but I cannot tell Kanon that I wanted to eat chocolate or strawberry cream cakes for our next birthday. I didn't want Kanon to be sad since he only had me back then. Now every time I saw a blueberry cake it reminded me of the years when Kanon was all alone and when he only had me but I still failed him."

 

Aiolos was stunned. He hadn't thought of what life had been like to the twins in their childhood. Or how Kanon had felt while living in the shadow of his older brother for long. With a sick feeling in his stomach, Aiolos realized that there were many things he didn't know about Saga yet. 

 

Saga's expression dampened. He seemed to have sobered after being reminded of the bittersweet memories of his childhood with Kanon. "Never mind, let's forget about it. I'll eat the cake later and maybe Kanon will still want to eat some too. And Aiolos?"

 

"Yes?"

 

Saga smiled faintly and his hard green eyes turned soft when his gaze met Aiolos'. "I want to thank you for bringing me here. I didn't want to admit it but I was feeling really tired today. I really appreciate your invitation, Aiolos."

 

Aiolos reached for Saga's right hand and squeezed it. "You're welcome, Saga. I would do the same again, if you would let me."

 

For a moment, a spell seemed to descend over them as the golden glow of the setting sun bathed their heads. They stared at each other's eyes, their gazes speaking words both of them were too afraid to voice out. 

 

Thump. Thump. Thump.

 

Were those the sounds of their beating hearts?

 

"Oy, oy, if the two of you are going to fuck, then go and look for a room. But first, remember to use protection. I know Saga isn't going to get pregnant but we can't be so sure–ow!"

 

"For Athena's sake, Carlos, shut your fucking mouth up, you pervert!"

 

".....I have never met these people in my entire life..."

 

Saga and Aiolos immediately jumped out of each other's reach. Aiolos groaned while Saga glared venomously at the intruders. 

 

Aphrodite was berating Deathmask while pulling the other man's ears while Shura looked like he was desperately wishing for the ground to swallow him up.  

 

"They were about to confess to each other, Carlos. Read the room, you bastard!"

 

"What room are you talking about, you stupid fish? We're in public! I need to speak before those two start humping each other in full view of other people! You should be thanking me for preserving the dignity and integrity of the Sanctuary of Athena!"

 

"Bastard! Pervert! Die, you asshole!"

 

Shura pressed his face to his hands with a heavy sigh.

 

Saga looked one breath away from sending the three into Another Dimension.

 

Aiolos threw his head back and started laughing out loud.

 

Chapter 3: Nightly Talks

The stars began dotting the sky when  five Gold Saints returned to the Sanctuary from the village of Rodorio. 

 

Aiolos swept his Cosmo throughout the place and was greeted by the cosmos of other gold saints and their pope who've all just returned from their vacations. Aiolos couldn't help but grin mischievously at the slightly grumpy aura of Shion's Cosmo. He wondered if Master Dokho had tired him a lot today. He could ask Master Dokho, of course but he was afraid that Shion might find out and throw the two of them down the Starhill. 

 

Aiolia's Cosmo nudged at him with barely hidden curiosity as if asking him where she's been all day. Aiolos gently brushed him off and promised to tell everything tomorrow. Grudgingly, Aiolia's Cosmo retreated to a gentle hum. 

 

After inviting them to a gathering in Pisces Palace that night and promising an unlimited supply of alcohol and foods, Shura, Aphrodite and Deathmask waved goodbye to him and Saga as they left the two older saints behind at the gate. 

 

"Are you going?" Aiolos asked Saga as they walked under the stars. The night air had already chased away the heat of the day and the place was pleasantly cold. 

 

Saga nodded. Because he'd already burned off the effects of wine from his system though using his cosmos, his green eyes were clear and sparkling. His handsome face was a picture of contentment and for the tenth time that day Aiolos was glad that he decided to invite him to spend a relaxing day in town. 

 

"I will go. I've already promised Deathmask that I will attend his late night party and he will surely break into the Gemini Palace if I don't show up," Saga said with a shrug.

 

Aiolos shook his head with a grin. Knowing Deathmask, what Saga had said could very well happen. Though none of them wanted Kanon's wrath upon their heads if the younger twin saw any hole in his home after he had worked hard renovating and decorating it after being given the Cloth by Athena.

 

Saga's younger brother had quite a temper in him. Aiolos' mind went back to two months ago when Saga had refused to live in the Gemini Palace with his brother for the first and the last time and a quarrel broke out between the twins. The quarrel had only stopped after Shion had barehandly carried the two Geminis and thrown them down the tallest cliff behind the Sanctuary. In the end Saga had no choice but to live with Kanon again.

 

Speaking of Kanon, Aiolos hadn't felt the younger twin's Cosmo answering his own when he made a sweep over the Twelve Palaces so he was probably still overseas which would only mean that Saga would be all alone tonight after leaving Pisces. 

 

A part of him rebelled at the thought. He didn't want Saga to be alone anywhere.

 

Because if Saga was alone, then there was a chance that he would disappear again...

 

Aiolos shook his head. What was that? Why was he being clingy to Saga tonight? Saga was his own person and he could very well take care of himself. He didn't need anyone, not even Aiolos, could watch over him 24/7. And suggesting such a thing does nothing but hurt Saga's pride.

 

"You know if you're already tired of my presence being next to yours, then you don't have to ask and I'll leave on my own," Saga said, sarcastically, his deep voice jolting Aiolos out of the increasingly depressing thoughts in his head. 

 

Abashed, Aiolos scratched the back of his head. "I apologize. I was just thinking of something, Saga. Believe me when I say that I really like having you with me tonight."

 

Saga shrugged and turned his face away. "It's alright. You don't have to apologize, Aiolos."

 

Aiolos lowered his hand, suddenly feeling frustrated. Why is it so hard for him to tell Saga what he really meant with his words? The two of them used to understand each other very well in their youth. 

 

Aiolos looked ahead and saw that the two of them were already at the foot of the stairs leading up towards the Twelve Zodiac Palaces. Wordlessly, they began climbing up, the silence making Aiolos feel colder as it went on. 

 

He eyed his companion at the corner of his eyes. A wall, thicker than the one Saga and before, stood between the two of them and an aura of sadness seemed to rest on the other man's shoulders. 

 

'Saga, if only you would trust me then I would do anything to lighten the load in your heart. I'm sorry for failing to see the darkness surrounding you years ago, for not being able to help you despite being your best friend. If only you would give me a chance this time, then I...I..."

 

"See you at Aphrodite's place, Aiolos," Saga said softly, standing in front of the door of the Gemini Palace. 

 

Aiolos paused and blinked. Have they already passed the Aries and Taurus Palace'? Then how did he fail to register Muu's and Aldebaran's presences? What kind of senior is he for failing to greet them while passing through their homes?

 

"Muu and Aldebaran saw that you were deep in thoughts so they decided not to disturb you," Saga explained as if he'd read Aiolos' thoughts. "Don't worry about them. They're not mad at you. And they'll be attending the party so you can explain yourself to them later, Los."

 

The gentle way Saga had said his nickname made Aiolos smile a little. He breathed in relief. At least he hadn't offended Muu and Aldebaran. He liked the younger men both. Aldebaran was the sweetest thing on Earth (like a golden retriever) while Muu, despite having a nasty streak of vindictiveness, was always courteous and nice to everyone who was not named Hades unless you offended him. ( Like a cat.)

 

"Will you be alright?" he blurted and winced. Okay, he needed to stop being clingy.

 

"I will be fine, Aiolos," Saga said with a quizzical look on his face. "Really, you don't need to worry about me. I'm actually worried about you. You seem out of sorts since we returned here. Are you sure you're feeling fine? I can get inside and bring you water and aspirin."

 

Aiolos shook his head at the offer. "No,I'm good. See you in Aphrodite's place later, Saga."

 

"See you, Aiolos."

 

Instead of leaving and continuing on his way, Aiolos' feet became rooted on the spot as he stared at the other man in silence. There were many things he wanted to say to Saga, so many thoughts he wanted to give words to and so many regrets and hopes he wanted to air. But instead of letting those words out, he just nodded grimly and turned around.

 

Saga stayed standing in front of Gemini Palace's entrance, watching in silence as Aiolos climbed up the stairs until his figure disappeared.

Aiolia was waiting for Aiolos at the entrance of his house with his arms crossed and a dark scowl on his face.

 

Aiolos breathed heavily and reached out to muss up his younger brother's hair. Aiolia grumbled a little but didn't stop him, letting his older brother mess up his hair to his heart's content. 

 

It was almost a year since the two of them have been resurrected by Athena but sometimes Aiolia couldn't believe that his older brother was back into his life again so he was afraid that if he pushed him away, even for a little bit, then Aiolos would disappear and never return to him again.

 

"Brother, where have you been? Did you visit the Italian restaurant I told you about yesterday?" Aiolia asked after Aiolos stopped assaulting his head. Using his fingers, he combed the messy dark blond hair back in a semblance of order.

 

Aiolos grinned. "I did! The foods there are all delicious! You should take Marin to a date there next time! I'm sure she will love it!"

 

Aiolia blushed. "Marin and I aren't dating, brother," he denied in a low tone.

 

Aiolos' eyebrows rose up in surprise. "You two are not dating? Then what did I see inside your room four days ago? I can remember clearly seeing you and–"

 

Panicking, Aiolia put a hand over his older brother's mouth before he could finish his sentence. With a quick chant, he used his Cosmo to erect a transparent soundproof barrier around them "Stop! Somebody might hear you, brother!"

 

"Mhmrrmmhhrh." I'm sure that the two of us are alone in a fifty mile radius, Aiolia.

 

"You don't understand brother, the stones, trees, hills and cliffs have ears here in the Sanctuary," Aiolia hissed.

 

"Frrrmmhhrmmmrrr...?" I'm sure that right now Deathmask is with Shura and Aphrodite inside the Pisces Palace and Shaka is not the kind of person to gossip. What are you so worried for, Lia?

 

Aiolia's expression turned stern as he prepared to lecture his older brother on the dangers of living among the nosiest people on earth. " Listen to me brother, if you're not very careful, then no secrets of yours will remain a secret as long as you are living in the Sanctuary. I'm sorry that I failed to warn you after we returned here but I didn't have time because we were in the middle of rebuilding and renovating our homes. 

 

"There are three rules in keeping secrets in the Sanctuary. Rule number 1: do not talk openly about your secret with anyone here. If you do and you and that person are not careful then everyone, from Pope Shion down to the servants cleaning the gutters will hear about it in under three hours. Rule number 2: Don't ever trust anyone in the Sanctuary with your secret. Many of the people are talkative gossips and they couldn't be trusted to hide your secret for you for longer than a week. And I am being generous. And rule number 3: Do not ever trust Milo. He's the worst of all us here. If he caught a whiff of whatever you are hiding, he'd likely found out what it is and spread it all over Athens in under a day. No matter what may happen, never ever trust him, okay?"

 

Aiolos' slowly nodded, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

 

Aiolia stared at his older brother's face until what he saw satisfied him and removed his hand from Aiolos' lips.

 

"Now, brother, Marin and I aren't dating. We're just friends and co-workers. We are absolutely not dating, you hear me? I like her but not in that way and she only went with me in Japan so she could see Seiya. No matter what you have heard or seen, we were not dating. "

 

Aiolos' mind went back to the day he found a framed picture of Marin on Aiolia's bedside table and the pair of black lacy underwear on his bed and started nodding. "I believe you, little bro," he said with a big grin and mussed up Aiolia's hair again.

 

Annoyed, Aiolia slapped his grinning older brother's hand from his head. He'd just finished combing the unruly strands in order!

 

Aiolos watched fondly as Aiolia grumpy combed his hair back again. His little brother was now a handsome responsible young man who was having his own love affair. Though he couldn't understand why he and Marin would desire to hide their relationship. One of the laws that Athena had abolished after returning from Elysium was the law forbidding romantic and carnal relationships between saints. Aiolia and Marin could even show themselves in front of Athena and ask her blessing for marriage and the goddess would gladly give it to them. 

 

But all Aiolos could do for the two young lovers for now was to support them in silence and keep their relationship a secret. Though he wondered how many of the Gold Saints already knew about it before him. After all, both Aiolia and Marin weren't really discreet.

 

Aiolia huffed. Then he glared at Aiolos and crossed his arms again. "What about you, brother? I know that you took Saga in a date–"

 

"It's not a date," Aiolos denied, level-headedly.

 

Aiolos snorted. "You took Saga on a date in Rodorio Village today. Did the two of you have a good time? I'm sure you brought him to the restaurant I've told you about," he said, sarcastically. 

 

"Are you mad at me, Lia?"

 

"No, I'm not mad at you, brother. Though I wish that you have better taste. Really, of all the men and women in the Sanctuary, you chose Saga?! He's a boring old man, brother! I bet dating him will make someone cry because of how boring he is. I'm sure the only thing the two you have talked about while eating your food are the Sanctuary's budget for the upcoming festival dedicated to our esteemed Goddess and how much the confetti will cost in the current economy," Aiolia ranted, face full of disgust.

 

Aiolos smirked. "Why Lia, don't tell me that Shion gave you the job of overseeing and managing the upcoming festival?" he teased.

 

He was proven right when Aiolia's face turned blue and red simultaneously. 

 

Aiolos patted his brother's back in sympathy. Nobody wanted that job. That job was enough to suck the soul of anyone who took it. Many brave saints would rather face an army of Specters instead of willingly messing with it. But none of their misgivings could move Shion's sadistic heart even a little.

 

Aiolos thought of thousands of tourists coming to join and watch the festival and shivered involuntarily. He wouldn't want to be in Aiolia's place when that day comes. 

 

"Just ask me if you need help, Lia," Aiolos said. 

 

Aiolia snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure you'll be a big help as long as you are not drowning under your own work or chasing after Saga," he said, his tone a little bitter.

 

Aiolos frowned in concern. "Lia, do you still hate him?" He loved his brother and he didn't really want to imagine choosing between him and Saga. 

 

"No. I don't hate that bastard at all. I've forgiven him for what he did to me when he was still acting as the fake pope. I'm just mad that after we've all banded together to go down the Wailing Wall and then later we were given the chance to live and serve Athena once more he decided to pull that stupid stunt and disappeared from our lives. Hah! I wish I could sock his face three times but Shion would be displeased with me if I did. 

 

"But go ahead and date him if he is who you really want. You're an adult after all and I'm just your little brother. I can hardly control your decisions. And frankly I don't care as long as you and Saga won't suck each other's face in public like Milo and Camus, those fuc–annoy – perverts!"

 

Aiolos stared at Aiolia's face which had become as red as a beet and wondered how many times his poor brother had accidently walked upon the Sanctuary's shameless lovers  making out or doing more in barely hidden corners of the buildings surrounding the training area. Poor Aiolia. 

 

As if on cue, the two aforementioned shameless lovers appeared from behind them, having just passed Deathmask's place holding each other's hands and wearing matching blue T-shirts with the words 'He is my soulmate⇒' printed in big gaudy letters. Of course, the arrow on Milo's T-shirt was pointing at Camus and vice versa. Milo and Camus were also both wearing matching hats; each hat was decorated with a large pink heart which flashed with each second. Aiolos turned his eyes away for fear of losing sight because of the blinking lights. 

 

The moment he caught sight of Aiolos and Aiolia, Milo started waving cheerfully. "Los! Lia!" he called out. 

 

Camus nodded in silent greeting, his cheeks a bit flush. 

 

Aiolia groaned but he still pulled down the soundproof barrier. He turned towards the two Gold Saints who've been the bane of his existence since his resurrection. "What do you want, Milo?"

 

Instead of becoming angry at the rude greeting he received, Milo laughed, his face flushing with joy. "Oh don't be like that you grumpy cat! No woman likes men who are angry all the time. What would your girlfriend Miss Marin say if she saw you like that?"

 

Aiolia's face paled in horror.

 

Aiolos started coughing.

 

Milo grinned like a predator smelling a big juicy prey.

 

Camus only shook his head at his boyfriend's antics. ' Idiot ,' he thought, fondly.

 

A few minutes later, Aiolia was trying to strangle a laughing Milo and Aiolos was trying, in vain, to stop his little brother from committing murder since Milo kept pushing Aiolia's buttons.

 

Camus stood on the sidelines, watching silently while drinking a cup of iced coffee. 

 

---

Unbeknownst to the four of them, a formless shadowy figure quietly passed their figures and began climbing up the stairs towards the Virgo Palace.

 

Notes:

I''m so tired. Writing in Aiolos' POV and then Aiolia showing up kicked my ass. I hope the chapter isn't rough a all.

Chapter 4: Typhon, the Father of Monsters

The moment Aiolos' figure disappeared from his sight, Saga turned around and entered the Gemini Palace with heavy footsteps.

 

Alone, he walked through the cold marble pillars until his feet reached the door leading to the inner parts of the Palace. He pulled a key from his pocket and used it to unlock the door.

 

Inside was dark and quiet; Kanon was still doing his mission and he wouldn't be home until next week so Saga would have the place all to himself until then.

 

He switched the lights on and walked straight to the bathroom, entered and slammed the door behind him. He stood in front of the sink and began washing his face. 

 

He stared at his reflection at the mirror. Small droplets of water slid down the corners of his face to his chin. One droplet hit the floor, scattering uselessly.

 

Saga began to examine his reflection. The pair of blue, almost green eyes which stared back at him was accusing, demanding him to explain what he'd just done.

 

He pressed his forehead at the cold mirror and closed his eyes.

 

Saga wasn't stupid. He'd already realized that Aiolos felt love for him. A love that was different to the love between brothers or friends. Aiolos loved him as a man. 

 

Once, Saga would've felt glad and blessed to be loved by an outstanding man like Aiolos. And Saga wasn't blind. Fourteen-year-old Aiolos had been a charming boy with hair the color of golden wheat and a pair of green eyes that reminded Saga of summer fields. He'd been taller than his age suggested, taller than Saga in fact and with a pair of tanned arms that have always felt warm whenever they were holding Saga through joy or sorrow. 

 

Saga had been aware of his own infatuation with the younger man. Who would have blamed him? Aiolos had been such a nice, earnest and handsome young man whose righteousness and sense of justice always shone like the rays of the sun making him feel safe and Saga had once believed that one day the two of them could have something more than friendship.

 

But that was before. 

 

Before Saga lost against the evil in his heart and committed a grievous sin. Before he betrayed and tried to kill the goddess he had sworn to protect and killed the man he considered as his own father. 

 

Before he had sent Shura, Deathmask and Aphrodite to kill Aiolos and plunge the whole Sanctuary in an era of false peace, where Aiolos' beloved younger brother had lived in shame and torment for over a decade.

 

It was bad enough that he dared to act as Aiolos' best friend like nothing had happened. He couldn't–shouldn't–dare ask for more. Aiolos, whose whole aura shone bright white, shouldn't be with someone like Saga who was tainted black from deep down. Aiolos deserved better than him. Someone who was innocent, righteous and fought for justice without a shred of sin.

 

Unbidden, the tears gathered at the corners of his eyes and he choked. 

 

His mind flashed with the image of Aiolos as his heart broke once more. Yes, he couldn't have the younger man. Not now or ever.

 

---

The pub was dimly lit. There were many customers inside, no doubt salary men and young women who stopped by to have a good time before they returned to their homes. 

 

Kanon sat at one of the tables inside, drinking a bottle of light beer. Sitting a few chairs away from him, Misty was in the middle of flirting with several young ladies who couldn't resist the young Frenchman's charm.

 

Misty said something in French in a sultry tone. One of the girls, a redhead with striking freckles, giggled.

 

Misty winked and all of the girls around him blushed.

 

Misty looked very charming tonight. The Lizard Saint had dressed to follow the latest fashion and his blond hair was tied in a high ponytail, giving women –and men –a glimpse of his white neck, teasing everyone who dared to peek on the alluring skin and making them lower their ingrained defenses. The Frenchman's beauty was enhanced by a light touch of make-up and the light flush on his cheeks thanks to the semi-alcoholic drink he'd consumed just ten minutes ago for the mission. He also managed to use the dim lights to his advantage. It was only thirty minutes since Misty started but he'd already gained some personal numbers, names and other information (useful and not) which could help them finish their ongoing mission.

 

Algol and Asterion were both out and searching for information about the strange and suspicious activities that have been happening around the Carribeans lately, from missing people cases to some sightings of strange creatures. It seemed that the cases were important enough for Shion to send one Gold Saint and three Silver Saints to investigate. However, Kanon and his team still haven't found any crucial sign to determine what was truly behind those activities and whether or not something divine was involved. He hoped that tonight would be different.

 

Speaking of divine beings, Kanon's instincts blared in alarm the moment he sensed that person arriving at the door of the pub, followed by two very familiar and very hostile individuals. Misty had already sensed that person, too, for his blue eyes turned sharp. Ignoring the girls around him, he turned his eyes toward Kanon, who made a silent sign for him to continue farming for more info. Misty pursed his lips and nodded. He turned back to his female friends with another gorgeous smile.

 

That person looked around for a brief moment before his eyes met Kanon's. That person smiled in relief(?) and turned to speak with his companions behind him. Kanon couldn't hear what they were talking about but nevertheless he found himself straight up on his seat and raising his guard up. No matter how many times he'd pretended that those people no longer have any effect on him he knew that he was only lying. However, unlike that one time when Julian's and Io's unexpected presence caught him off-guard, he had no plans of letting himself be beaten up. Athena and his stupid brother were both relying on him and he was in the middle of a high-priority mission so he couldn't let himself be beaten up again.

 

Julian Solo, together with Isaak and Sorrento, approached Kanon's table. "Long time no see, Kanon," the young Greek billionaire greeted politely, "can I sit with you and your friend?"

 

Kanon swallowed hard before he nodded. In his peripheral vision, Misty tensed but didn't bother to turn and greet their unexpected guest. The Silver Saint was nervous but he was doing a good job on not showing it aside from a few drops of sweat on his nape. 

 

Julian sat on the empty chair right in front of Kanon while Sorrento and Isaak stood behind him. The two young Marinas were both shooting daggers at Kanon, who took another swig of his beer to calm down his heavily pounding heart.  

 

Julian's eyes swept the whole place, an amused smile on his lips. "I admit that this is the last place I'd expect to see you in, Kanon," he said in a low, measured tone.

 

Kanon raised one eyebrow. "Really? I can say the same thing about the three of you. Last time I checked, you all are not old enough to enter a place like this," he countered in a stern tone. 

 

Mortified, Sorrento blushed. Isaak turned beet red with rage. "You bastard! How dare you speak to him like that?!"

 

The owner of the Kraken Scale looked like he was about to go on an angry rant but Julian stopped him with one hand.

 

"So, what do you want to talk to me about, Julian?"

 

Julian exhaled. "Kanon, Poseidon wants to speak with you and he asked to find you. But I thought that you'll be happier to see me again."

 

Kanon winced. 

 

At the older man's lack of reply, Julian smiled sadly before closing his eyes. A split second later and Poseidon was in control of the young Greek's body. A cool and strong energy, like the ocean's waves, swept through the room but it was felt by Kanon and the other people who were sensitive to Cosmo. And when the boy opened his eyes, a thin gold ring appeared around his irises.

 

Kanon fought the urge to knelt in front of the god before him. "Lord Poseidon," he greeted, warily.

 

Kanon's wariness seemed to amuse the God of the Oceans. "Kanon, my dear Sea Dragon General, how are you doing these days? Is Athena taking good care of you?"

 

"That's none of your business, my lord," Kanon said tersely. "Listen, I am sorry for deceiving you and waking you up from your sleep before the right time but what I am doing with my life as Athena's saint is, I repeat, none of your business. So please just say what you want to tell me and be done with it."

 

For a brief moment both Sorrento and Isaak became frozen in shock and disbelief after hearing Kanon's audacity to speak with a god, and the one they serve, with a disrespectful tone. Then both of them seemed to recover at the moment and were now looking ready to jump over the table and kill Kanon. However, before a murder could take place inside the pub, Poseidon suddenly threw his head and started laughing in amusement.

 

Kanon tensed up. 

 

Poseidon stopped laughing. His ringed eyes, once full of hilarity, turned serious. "Kanon," he began with all seriousness, "have you heard of a titan named Typhon?"

 

Of all the things Poseidon had come to talk with him, that name was far from what Kanon had expected. He frowned. Of course he'd heard of Typhon, the God of the Giants,  Father of all Monsters and the biggest enemy that the Olympian Gods have ever faced. Typhon had been one of the topics he'd learned while he was being raised inside the Sanctuary with Saga. He remembered how much his younger self had  onced admired Typhon and desired to be as powerful as the titan. Saga, however, had looked at him like he was the weirdest creature on Earth after he'd boasted that he would become as strong and powerful as Typhon. It hadn't taken long for him to find out why.

 

Poseidon saw his reaction and nodded. "I see that you know who Typhon is. But since you became one of  Athena's chief warriors after defecting from my side then I shouldn't be surprised after all."

 

'I've never been by anyone's side but mine,' Kanon forced down that thought that suddenly sprang in his mind before he could blurt it out. There is always a limit on pushing a god's patience. For the sake of Misty and the other people inside the pub Kanon would refrain from testing Poseidon's patience.

 

Fortunately, it seemed that Poseidon couldn't read Kanon's mind. "Thousands of years ago, my brothers, sisters and I had fought against Typhon and after a grueling battle after another and many losses and sacrifices, we have won. Then my brother Zeus had sealed him in Mt. Etna in the country now called Italy. However, after thousands of years my. brother's seal began to weaken until it broke a year ago. I heard that the same young Bronze Saints who fought against me before have also witnessed Typhon's power until that monster was sealed by another young man. 

 

"The seal that the young man used is supposed to stay strong for another thousands of years. But I am afraid that it suddenly became no longer enough. I can feel Typhon's power leaking through the new seal, Kanon, and loath as I am to admit it, but if Typhon were to break his seal then none of us will be able to do anything to stop him. Not even Athena herself.

 

"And if Typhon were to emerge with his full power, then nobody will be safe from him, including you and your brother."

 

The rings surrounding Julian's–no, Poseidon's eyes glowed and suddenly images of events from a long forgotten era flashed inside Kanon's mind. He saw a blood-red sky, smokes and ashes everywhere, hundreds of terrifying monsters attacking cities and killing and devouring countless helpless humans, all screaming in horror and pain. 

 

A giant monster with inky black hair, a pair of blood-red eyes and sharp knife-shaped teeth stared at him. The monster's upper body was fully human but it had a long snake tail starting from its navel to downwards.

 

Its red eyes looked straight at Kanon and the younger Gemini Saint saw all the evil and malice in the whole world from its blood red depths.

 

'Typhon,'  Kanon thought, frozen in terror. 

 

The terrifying scenes ended and Kanon found himself breathing hard and sweating heavily after his experience.

 

"What do you want me to do then?" Kanon asked, his throat dry.

 

"I need you to arrange a meeting between Athena and me. Your Pope can come to the designated meeting place too, of course. I don't like it, but Athena and I will have no choice but to cooperate if we both want to live. We need to stop Typhon."

 

"Is that all?"

 

"No. Kanon, I need you to keep an eye on the Sanctuary too. Because the vital key in breaking Typhon's seal can be found right inside that place."

 

Chapter 5: A Cancer's Old Memory

Deathmask was seventeen years old when he became aware of Kido Mei's existence and subsequently gained his first and only student. 

---

He'd just come back from a mission overseas: an African warlord had begun working with a Chinese triad to create the modern day slave empire in the African continent and began kidnapping young children and killing their parents. But there was a catch; these children were also gifted in the use of Cosmos. The leader of the Chinese triad was a former Silver Saint turned rogue and was planning to use everything that he'd learned in the Sanctuary to train those children to take over the criminal world. Of course, Saga didn't like that so he had sent Deathmask to take care of the problem.

 

It had taken Deathmask three weeks to find the trial's headquarters. The rogue saint had been easy to kill and his underlings were the typical useless goons who had all writhed like worms as Deathmask wrenched their pitiful souls out of their bodies and sent them straight to the purgatory. Next he had to find the African warlord, kill him and his pathetic soldiers and free the children, who all had started crying loudly after he had destroyed their makeshift prison and freed them from their chains. The children's cries had been so loud that he was in a constant state of irritation until he managed to drop them off in front of a police station and hightailed out of the country before anyone else could see him.

 

His blood was still simmering and he was contemplating on whether he should go to the middle of the Amazon forest to unwind and spend his anger against the giant trees when he heard Saga summoning him again.

 

Knowing that trying to ignore Saga would only end up in vain, Deathmask groaned loudly before he turned towards the direction of the Sanctuary. 

 

He arrived late at night and found Saga still up and disgustingly wide-awake inside the Throne Room. But like the perfect soldier that he was, he still knelt in supplication in front of the fake Pope and bowed his head. 

 

“Greetings, Pope, the Holy Servant of the merciful Goddess of Wisdom, Athena.” Deathmask tried to hide his sarcasm as hard as he could, meaning: none at all. “I am happy to report that my mission has gone successfully. Which means that I've killed everyone who needs to be killed, destroyed all evidence which can lead to the existence of the Sanctuary and saved the kids and handed them to responsible adults. Yay for a happy ending!” 

 

Saga stared down at his head and Deathmask lamented that he couldn't see if his bitching had an effect on the older man because of the fucking stupid mask that Saga was wearing. It looked stupid and outdated and he didn't care if it was helping Saga hide his treason and whatnot, he'd attempt to destroy it when he had the chance. 

 

“Cancer Deathmask,” Saga intoned in his normal voice which meant that he was currently dealing with the regular Saga and not the crazy one. No wonder Saga hadn't smited him yet for being annoying and disrespectful. The other Saga had a god complex bigger than the galaxy. 

 

“Yes, sire?”

 

“Congratulations on successfully completing your mission. Your reward shall be sent to the Cancer Palace later tonight. You have made me proud and proven that my trust in your ability isn't misguided.”

 

Deathmask stamped down the urge to preen at the compliment.  He was already seventeen years old. He was an adult, damnit, and he wouldn't blush and giggle like a little kid whenever his older brother praised him. The Cancer Saint's reputation would be in shambles if the other saints inside the Sanctuary were to find out about it.

 

So he kept his face blank. “Thank you, sire. It is my honor to serve the Holy Servant of Athena using my strength and abilities. I will write the report the moment I arrive back in the Cancer Palace and hand it to your office later. Is that all, sire? May I now be excused?”

 

“No, Cancer Deathmask. You must stay, for I have a new mission for you.”

 

Deathmask swallowed hard so the groan building inside his throat wouldn't get out. He also kept his eyes on the polished marble floor so they wouldn't roll out of their sockets. Great. Another mission and when he really wanted to crash on his bed and sleep for days. What had he done in his past life to be born as the Cancer Saint in this one? And couldn't Saga be less of a slave driver? 

 

He swallowed down his complaints before they could spill off his lips and make Saga angry. Aphrodite might loved Another Dimension and saw it as a personal playground but Deathmask preferred to have all his senses removed by Shaka instead of going to that place ever again. He didn't want to lose the contents of his stomach again, thank you very much. 

 

“This servant is always at your service, sire.”

 

Saga nodded. “It is always a pleasure to hear those words from you, Cancer Deathmask. Then I will go straight to the point: Your new mission is to take a student and train him to obtain the Coma Berenices Cloth. This child is Kido Mei and I order you to train him in Sicily until he is ready enough to win the Cloth against the other aspirants.”

 

Deathmask's head shot up, his eyes widening in shock. “But sire, I don't have the qualifications and experience to become a master. I don't believe that I can train that child how to become strong enough to obtain a Cloth, especially one that is unranked. Please rescind your order, sire.”

 

“Cancer Deathmask, this decision of mine to hand Kido Mei's training on your hands is something that I have contemplated for five months by now. And after going through the choices available to me, I believe that you are the person who is most qualified to teach Mei Kido and prepare him in becoming the Saint of Coma Berenice.”

 

Deathmask groaned. Saga was using that tone again, one that was a clear sign that Saga had made up his mind and nothing Deathmask could do would change his mind. Great, now he would be stuck with a snot-nosed brat for five years. A snot-nosed brat whom he had to live with and train for half a decade and make sure that he would be the one to obtain an unranked Cloth. Deathmask was so happy that he could dance. 

 

“As you wish, sire.”

 

“Good. I trust you that you shall do a good job with Kido Mei. Remember this, Cancer Deathmask, there will be the day that we shall need Kido Mei's cooperation against Athena and the other gods who will try to take the Earth from us. Teach Kido Mei everything you know and turn him into a weapon we can use and I'll make sure to give the proper rewards for this mission. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes, sire.”

 

“Good. You're now dismissed, Cancer Deathmask.” 

 

---

“Hello! Are you the Cancer Saint, Mister Deathmask? My name is Kido Mei and from today I will be your student! Please take care of me!”

 

Deathmask grunted. It was only two minutes since he met the snot-nosed brat who would become his student but he was already getting a headache. How had Camus managed to handle two of these things? Was the Aquarius Saint crazy or did the endless snow tundra in Siberia have frozen the useful cells in his brain?

 

Mei didn't seem to take his silence as a rejection, though. The ten-year-old Chinese-Japanese kid continued to yap about every subject in the world, the languages he was using seemingly switching from English, to Chinese, back to English before switching to Japanese and then Greek in a single breath. The brat was lucky that Saga had forced Deathmask to learn every language available to mankind, dead or otherwise, and didn't let him sleep until he'd mastered them all.

 

The two of them were going to live in a small one-story building in a coastal town in Sicily, right next to the blue sea. The moment their sailboat had reached the town, his nose was immediately insulated with the smell of fishes, cooking meats and the unwashed bodies of fishermen coming back from a long day of fishing.

 

The sun overhead was blazing hot and he couldn't help but wince when its death rays touched the skin of his bare arm. He'd wished that he'd prepared himself for the climate before he and Mei had taken the boat to travel to this place. Speaking of a brat, Mei didn't seem bothered by the various smells or the heat unlike his new Master. The ten-year-old boy was looking everywhere with a wide-eyed look of wonder in his eyes. Everything seemed to be a new experience for the boy who had been raised as the heir to a billion-dollar empire. No wonder since his father had kept him locked up and secluded from other boys of his age in their billion-dollar mansion where his only friend and companion was a girl who was also the reincarnation of a goddess and two years younger than him. 

 

“Be careful not to fall,” he warned the boy when the plank connecting their boat and the port was laid down in front of them.

 

Mei beamed, his expression as bright as the sun and Deathmask almost squinted for fear that he might become blind just by looking at it. 

 

“Don't worry about me, Master Deathmask! I'll be careful not to fall! I swear on my father's honor that nothing shall happen to me under your watch—WAAAAAA-AAAHHH!!!!!”

 

Deathmask groaned when he heard the loud tell-tale splash of a ten-year-old free falling straight to the shallow water.

 

---

Deathmask had only lived with Mei for four days but he was already exhausted. 

 

Don't misunderstand, Mei was a good kid, which Deathmask had learned from day one. He always listened to Deathmask's words, followed all his instructions to a tee and hadn't blown anything while using his Cosmo during training yet, which wasn't something  he could say about the children training inside the Sanctuary. 

 

Mei was a smart, clever and resourceful child and he had never once cried or complained about pain or exhaustion during training and Deathmask knew that he was lucky that out of the other trainees, he had gotten Mei. He also liked the fact that the boy wasn't a picky eater and he'd eaten all of the food that Deathmask had cooked for him with gusto. 

 

However, the child had one fundamental flaw:

 

He was prone to getting into dangerous scenarios, even in the most ridiculous ones. 

 

One afternoon, Deathmask and his student were walking side by side near the coastline. Deathmask was feeling particularly annoyed after he had to save his student from a flock of seagulls and got pecked in the process too. He didn't know what Mei had done to earn the avian animals’ wrath and he didn't really want to know. He only hoped that his student wouldn't start picking fights with birds ever again after he badly lost. 

 

He peeked at his student through the corner of his right eye.

 

Mei's arms, legs and the left side of his face were covered in bandages because Deathmask was feeling uncharitable and had refused to use his Cosmo to heal the boy's wounds. It didn't really matter; Mei could live with little but of pain for a few days and hopefully he would learn his lesson at the end of it. 

 

However, the usually talkative child who always had a grin on his face, even when he was completely exhausted and his small body couldn't get up from the training field after Deathmask was done with him, was currently silent and had an unusual serious expression on his face. His eyes were staring at the blue sea even though his body was following Deathmask. Looking at him now, Deathmask was suddenly struck with an uneasy feeling. And another feeling which he couldn't name and something that he hadn't felt in his life before.

 

“Hey, watch your steps, you brat,” he snapped at the kid, who seemed to have been startled by his loud voice.

 

Mei immediately turned his head back towards Deathmask, his green eyes wide and his mouth hanging open in surprise.

 

The strange feeling left his stomach. Deathmask nodded. Everything was back to normal now. 

 

Mei lowered his head in a fraction, his spiky bangs covering his eyes half-way. 

 

“Sorry, Master Deathmask,” the boy asked, sheepishly.

 

Deathmask harumped, although he was no longer feeling irritated. “You are a future saint of Athena. You shouldn't lose yourself inside your head and keep your focus every second of a day. You'll never know when your enemies are close enough to ambush you otherwise. If you become distracted even for a second, then your life is forfeit. Remember that, brat.”

 

Mei nodded. “Thank you, Master Deathmask. I'll remember this lesson of yours for the rest of my life,”the boy said earnestly.

 

Deathmask harumped again, although he could feel a warm glow of pride building in his chest.

 

Maybe having his own student wasn't that bad at all, he thought.

 

---

With a grim press of his lips, Deathmask watched as his blood mixed with the water running from the faucet and flushed down the sink. 

 

It was the third time that he had coughed blood that day. Fortunately, none of the other Gold Saints were aware of his illness yet. All of them, even those who still harbored some resentment towards him, would undoubtedly raise a fuss and alert Shion or Athena about it and then his secret would be revealed to everyone in the Sanctuary.

 

Deathmask couldn't let that happen.

 

The world was at peace now and he shouldn't shake that peace. Even Poseidon was ready to meet up and talk with Athena. He wasn't sure what had convinced the irascible god to become amicable towards the same goddess who had sealed him inside a jar dozens of times but Deathmask couldn't afford to worry about it, could he? And the expression on Kanon's face when Athena asked him to accompany her to Atlantis had sent him in a stitches.

 

 Good luck to that bastard.

 

Humming an Italian song under his breath, he began washing the blood and spittles from his hands. Where should he go visit later? The Pisces Palace where Aphrodite was tending to his rose garden? The Virgo Palace so he could annoy Shaka into cooking something sweet for him or the Gemini Palace so he could irritate Saga out of his self-inflicted agony over his love life? 

 

Hmm. Where should he go now?

Chapter 6: The Twins' Resolve

Saga helplessly stared at the collection of animal plushies sitting on his bed. When he'd impulsively bought during his not-date with Aiolos, while using Aiolos’ money of course, he hadn't thought beforehand on what to do with them after he returned to the Gemini Palace. 

 

Frankly, the only reason he'd bought them was because the plushies reminded him of the younger Gold Saints and he needed something to do to distract himself from staring at Aiolos’ lips. He might not have dreamed of starting a romantic relationship with the Sagittarius Saint but he could no longer deny how attractive the adult version of Aiolos had become. 

 

And how easily Saga felt himself becoming drawn to him just as he'd been when they were only teens. 

 

But he knew that it was a dangerous move. No matter how much he turned the world upside down, it didn't change the fact that he was the reason why Aiolos had died young and missed thirteen years of his life. 

 

He and Aiolos were friends again and he should learn to be both grateful and content with that. 

 

Breathing harshly, he pushed back a lock of hair that was obstructing his vision. He returned his focus towards the innocent plushies on the bed and thought of a way to drop them on their correspondent Gold Saints without him being caught in the act. The plushies were all very cute and hopefully Deathmask wouldn't send his fat crab plushie to the Netherworld, Aphrodite wouldn't turn his giant clownfish plushie into a target practice for his poisonous roses and Kanon wouldn't burn the rainbow-colored sea dragon doll into crisps right in front of him while making eye contact.

 

He gathered the plushies and hugged them to his chest. A small smile formed into his lips. When was the last he'd given the younger Gold Saints a gift? He'd used to give them gifts when they were all trainees just so they would experience a little bit of comfort and happiness in the middle of their harsh training. It had been Aiolos’ idea at first but Saga had run with it. Shion of course let him be because the older man knew how lonely a Saint of Athena's life could be. Saga had a feeling that Shion only wanted to indulge him because Shion loved him. 

 

Then he'd allowed himself to be consumed by darkness; Shion and Aiolos were murdered and Athena was thrown out of the Sanctuary and from that day Saga had stopped giving the younger saints gifts and started sending them into increasingly dangerous missions. 

 

Saga sighed in melancholy. Saori had once told him that he could never correct all the mistakes he'd done in the past and could only make up for them in both present and future but sometimes he caught himself in a morose mood that he couldn't help but to reminisce about the past. 

 

“Of course you can't forget about the past. It is what has shaped the ‘you’ in the present. But you can learn from it and become a much better person. A person whom you can be proud of,” Shion had told him one quiet afternoon. Back then, he'd broken down after reading reports of Deathmask's and the other Gold Saints’ missions which he couldn't remember giving to them, so it must've been the ‘other Saga’ who gave them. Those missions were not only dangerous but also heinous and stomach-churning that at first he couldn't believe that the ‘other Saga’ would send the fourteen-year-old saints to them. 

 

“Saga, they all love you. They might not show it right because they're all older and more reserved but I know for the fact that they all trust, admire and look up to you even now. Just do your best for them this time. What Athena has done for all of us, for bringing us back to life and giving us all a second chance, is not something to be wasted. Just respect this chance which she's given you and stop living in the past. Because if you do, I know that you'll finally be free from the chains which are keeping you from moving forward.”

 

Saga sighed at the memory. Indeed, he was beloved by many people despite all of his past crimes and mistakes. He knew that and was thankful for being so blessed by the Goddess Athena. 

 

He narrowed his eyes. Perhaps it was time for him to stop wallowing in guilt and self-hatred. He must atone for what he'd done in the past but to do so he couldn't keep running anymore. To run away from everyone again was an insult to Athena's generosity and the forgiveness that his friends were kind enough to grant him. 

 

He must stay, face every single one of them and act like the brave and virtuous Saint of Athena that they all believed him to be from today and onwards. 

 

---

 

Meanwhile inside Poseidon's Temple, Kanon felt a chill creep down his spine.

 

‘What the hell? What was that bastard Saga up to right now?’ he thought with a shiver. That bastard better not be thinking of something either nefarious or really stupid like the gimmick he did with the whole mind altering thing or Kanon would beat his ass again just like what he did in Manila. 

 

He took a peek at his Rolex watch and groaned when he saw that only ten minutes had passed since he and Athena arrived in Poseidon Temple. He swore it felt like he'd already spent a whole day in this dastardly place. The glares that he could feel pointed at his back also didn't help with making him feel gladly received by the divine host and his army. 

 

When he and Athena had arrived in the underwater temple, Poseidon who was wearing Julian's body had greeted him like a long-lost friend and warmly hugged him. Mermaid Thetis had been shy at first but she eventually warmed up enough to give him a smile in return to his greeting. 

 

The Marinas, however, had looked like they were thinking of different ways to torture, maim and kill him. They were all frosty and even downright hostile. Kanon knew that only the divine presences of the two gods were keeping them from all jumping on him and started bisecting him.

 

And Kanon knew better than to resent them for treating him that way. He'd done them all a great harm, after all.  He'd not only betrayed them but also led the majority of them to an early death. He should consider himself lucky that they were keeping themselves content by just murdering him with their eyes and not by attacking him like Io had done in Manila. 

 

Since Poseidon had excused himself and asked Athena for a private talk inside the temple, Kanon had been left behind to stand beside one the marble pillars at the temple's entrance. The Marinas were all lined up a few feet away from him, no doubt to watch over him and stop him if he tried to do something funny. Well, they could watch him as much as they wanted since Kanon wouldn't be moving away from his post. He trusted that Athena was wise and strong enough to deal with Poseidon by herself in case the God of the Seas showed treachery. She didn't need him to hover over her shoulders like an overprotective mother. 

 

He crossed his arms and leaned back on the pillar. He decided to ignore the sharp daggers that were being pointed at his back and began to think. 

 

There was no doubt that the topic that Poseidon and Athena were discussing at this moment was about the many human disappearances in the Carribeans and the sudden emergence of even more strange than what they had all expected. They'd already finished subduing and sending back the monsters which had escaped the Tartarus. Even Pandora had checked and then told them that they got them all. So where all these creatures which kept on showing up on different corners of the world came from? 

 

His mind went back to his own talk with Poseidon inside the bar and a sick feeling entered his stomach. No matter what may happen, they couldn't let Typhon get out of his seal. The result would be catastrophic and he wasn't sure if the whole world as he knew it would survive the titan's wrath.

 

It may sound selfish of him but Kanon really didn't want to let go of this peaceful world that Athena had kindly given him. He has everything he ever wanted in his life: his freedom, friendships and trust of the other saints and while he may sometimes wished he could beat the guy up to vent his anger Kanon was still grateful that he and Saga have been given a second chance to become a real family. Saga might act stupid sometimes but Kanon knew that after getting him back he might not survive losing him again. 

 

He hoped that Poseidon and Athena could quickly find a method to prevent Typhon from escaping his seal again. Because the alternative wasn't something he looked forward to.

 

---

The discussion between Athena and Poseidon lasted for one and a half hour. When the two of them emerged from inside the temple, they were both wearing serene expressions which told Kanon what he needed to know. 

 

He straightened his back and bowed to his goddess who gave him her hand in response. Kanon held and kissed it reverently. 

 

The Marinas all knelt before Poseidon.

 

“I take it that your discussion with Poseidon bore fruit, Athena?”

 

Athena nodded. “You thought right, my dear Saint. Poseidon and I have come into an understanding on how to prevent Typhon's reemergence. We only need to find those who are working in the shadows and seeking to unseal Typhon. You remember the disappearance cases in the Caribbeans?”

 

Kanon nodded. He wasn't really surprise that a group was eying to unseal Typhon. Humans have always been acting very foolishly since the dawn of time. He could pretty much guessed their motive on why they wanted to free Typhon from his seal. 

 

“Good. This group is behind these disappearances and the sightings of creatures which could be anything but Typhon's lesser children. Unlike Typhon's stronger children, these lesser children don't have either intelligence or will but their instincts make them follow Typhon's will to death. However, we need not worry about them because a Bronze Saint can easily dispose of them. What we need to worry about is the group.”

 

“I believe that they are humans who are seeking power and are planning to use Typhon to get what they desire,” Poseidon said, looking at him. “They believe that they have a method to control Typhon and make him do their every bidding. But for them to get ahold of the titan they need the key to unseal him.”

 

Kanon could feel a deep ache brewing inside his temple. “And you've already told me that the key is currently inside the Sanctuary.”

 

Poseidon laughed sheepishly. “That's just my hunch. I'm still not sure if ‘that' is really the ‘key's to unseal Typhon. Even during the short amount of time he managed to free himself and wreck havoc, he was still weakened by the seal Zeus had used to contain him. It will take the right ‘key’ to fully free him from his new seal and I'm sure that that group is currently looking for it, wherever it might be.” 

 

“And that's why we need to find the true ‘key’ before they can,” Athena calmly added. “So I'll trust the search for the 'key' with Seiya and the other Bronze Saints while Shion, Aiolos, Saga and the rest of the Gold Saints shall stand guard in the Sanctuary. As for you, Kanon…” she paused, seemingly hesitant to say the next words. 

 

Kanon had a sudden uneasy feeling.

 

Poseidon grinned mischievously,  his ringed eyes sparkling in glee. “You shall return to me and become my Sea Dragon General once more. No ifs and buts. Athena has already agreed to loan you to me, my dear Kanon.”

 

Kanon froze, horrified. He couldn't believe his ears. What did this damned god just say?

 

Faintly, he could hear the Marinas’ shocked gasps which were quickly followed by vehement protests. But he ignored all of them as he began to inwardly freak out.

 

He was doomed. 

 

Chapter 7: Nightmares

Right after her return to the Sanctuary, Saori summoned all her Gold Saints to come up to the Pope’s Throne Room.

 

Saori sat upon the Throne, her expression calm and tranquil. Shion stood behind her chair, his expression stoic. Before she called for her Gold Saints to come to her, she and Shion had already talked about everything that she and Poseidon had discussed in Atlantis and even though what he’d heard troubled him, he shouldn't show it to anyone else. As the Pope of Athena, he must always remain calm and clear-headed even if only on the outside so he could effectively lead the Saints against the calamity which was quickly descending upon their heads.

 

 

One by one, Shion felt the Cosmo of each of the Gold Saints coming near. Saga, as always, was the first to arrive and was quickly followed by Aiolos. The two had donned their respective Gold Cloths and Shion couldn't help but sigh. The two mischievous boys he’d raised and loved like his own sons, before Muu, had already grown up into a pair of handsome and heroic young men. It felt both bittersweet and refreshing at the same time.

 

Aiolos was talking about something about Aiolia, his expression a mixture of pride and excitement. He had one hand upon his companion’s shoulder. Saga listened to him with a smile, his sparkling green eyes never leaving the younger man’s face. 

 

Shion shook his head. What a pair of fools! If only they could learn from their juniors but alas, the two were too stubborn for their own good.

 

Upon seeing Saori waiting patiently at the Throne, Aiolos snapped his mouth shut and removed his hand from Saga’s shoulders. Saga’s back went as straight as a pillar and his expression turned serious. After kneeling in front of Saori and offering ceremonial greetings towards both goddess and pope, they separated and went to their respective positions according to their constellations.

 

Sixth-three seconds later Shura, Aphrodite, Milo and Camus arrived. The four Gold Saints were in the middle of helping the Amazons in teaching the trainees how to spar using both their physical bodies and Cosmo when they heard Saori’s summon so they quickly cleaned up inside the Scorpio Palace and immediately climbed straight towards the Pope's Palace. After greeting Saori and Shion, they dispersed and went to stand on their places. 

 

Four minutes later Muu, Shaka and Adebara arrived via Muu’s teleportation. Since the three were in the Himalayas to investigate a series of kidnappings, Shion was quite surprised to see them arrive early. Despite being the youngest Gold Saints, the three of them have proven their merits and Shion couldn't help but feel proud of them. 

 

He was proud to see the young boys whom he all loved like his own grew up to be exceptional young men despite all the past trials and tribulations because of the gods’ machinations and Fate’s cruelty.

 

Now he only hoped that Kanon would be able to do well under Poseidon’s authority. But the God of the Seas seemed to be very fond of Kanon, despite being betrayed and used by him. As for the Marinas…well, Shion hoped that Kanon could once more enter their good graces. 

 

For both his sake and their own.

 

A couple of minutes later, Dohko strolled inside. The Libra was whistling cheerfully and Shion couldn't help but be suspicious at what was behind his old friend’s high spirits.

 

Now they just needed to wait for the last Gold Saint to come so they could start their meeting.

 

---

 

One minute…Three minutes…Seven minutes…

 

Shion felt the beginning of a migraine in his temple. His magenta-colored eyes flew towards the clock at the top of the heavy doors and nearly cursed out loud. It had already been fifteen minutes since Muu, Shaka and Aldebaran entered the Throne Room and he and Saori had been waiting for over twenty-five minutes for all of the Gold Saints to answer her summons! 

 

So where, in the name of Hades, was Deathmask?! 

 

Saori’s expression was still calm but Shion could sense her growing impatience. Even Saga and the others were beginning to grow restless. Aphrodite started to fidget, his beautiful forehead creasing in worry for his friend.

 

His murderous instincts going strong with each second that he didn't see the figure of the Cancer Saint in front of the door, he summoned a single strand of his Cosmo and sent it to the Cancer Palace. His eyebrows furrowed when he felt Deathmask’s Cosmo answer but it was very weak, like a flap of a butterfly’s wing.

 

Suddenly feeling sick in his stomach, he let his Cosmo dispersed. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat.

 

“Athena, may I speak up?”

 

“If you wish, my dear Pope.”

 

Clenching his jaw, he turned his eyes towards Saga who, together with the others, were watching his every move. It was carefully hidden behind the veneer of a good soldier, but Shion still saw the complicated emotions in his eyes. 

 

Saga was worried about Deathmask.

 

“Saga,” he began, his voice thundering inside the large Throne Room which was steeped with tension, “I want you and Camus to go down the Cancer Palace and check on Deathmask. If there is nothing wrong with him, bring him up here but if there is one, use your Cosmo to call me immediately.”

 

His lips pressed tightly together, Saga nodded and together with Camus, immediately followed his order.

 

Feeling drained, Shion sighed and closed his eyes.

 

---

It was dark. Why was it so dark? Not even the Yomotsu Hirasaka and the Underworld were this dark.

 

Where was he? 

 

Lost and disoriented, Deathmask continued to walk, inside the darkness never seen before. 

 

How did he get here? He was just inside the Cancer Palace and cleaning the dust and dirt off his Gold Cloth where he suddenly smelled a sickly sweet scent and he blanked out. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in this place.

 

Feeling unnerved and irritated, he called out his Cosmo so he could use it to teleport back to the Sanctuary. However, his Cosmo didn’t answer. He called it out again but there was nothing, not even a small stirring heat. 

 

“Fuck!” he shouted in frustration, bunching up his hair and pulling them. It hurt, which could only mean that he wasn't dreaming. 

 

There was nothing he could do but to walk straight ahead and hope that he could find the exit of this place before the one who dragged him from the Sanctuary decided to return and to kill him.

 

But the more he walked, the more his heart beat uneasily. It was simultaneously hot and cold and he was sweating uncomfortably all over his body. 

 

He wiped a sweat from his brows and helplessly looked around. How much time had passed since he started walking? His eyes could see nothing but the neverending darkness. 

 

A single thought entered his mind. At first he thought that it was ridiculous but slowly he started to believe it. A rage that he hadn't felt since his resurrection rose inside his chest. Whoever kidnapped him from his home was toying with him, the Cancer Gold Saint of Athena! 

 

Deathmask was in the middle of making up revenge scenarios (bloody, painful revenge) in his mind when he suddenly heard a voice which had all the hairs on his body stand straight.

 

“Master!” 

 

His face turned as pale as his hair, his body swirled in circles and his head kept turning left and right as he looked for the source of that voice.

 

“Master Deathmask!” the voice cried out as if in pain.

 

His heart was beating harder as desperation overcame his body. He started running frantically, searching for where that agonized call was coming from.

 

“Master Deathmask!”

 

“Mei? Where are you? MEI!!!!!!”

 

“Master Deathmask…”

 

 

 

“...please help me…”

 

 

---

 

“CARLOS!”

 

With a guttural cry, Deathmask jumped up from his bed, wrapped his fingers around his attacker’s neck and squeezed hard.

 

“Carlos, stop!”

 

He heard someone choke. A pair of steel-like hands grabbed his own. These hands squeezed Deathmask's and one by one, they removed his fingers from around his attacker's neck. Gritting his teeth, he started struggling and refused to let go of his enemy but immediately felt a strong force bear down on him. Gasping, he let go and dropped down on the soft surface. 

 

His head felt like it was being split into two. He screamed and thrashed about but someone grabbed his shoulders and shook them roughly. 

 

“Carlos, for the love of Athena, open your eyes!” someone ordered in a familiar voice full of authority. 

 

Recognizing the voice and the tone but not the man behind them, Deathmask slowly opened his eyes, his heart racing with fear. 

 

His eyes met a pair of concerned green eyes.

 

Saga was kneeling in front of him, gripping Deathmask’s shoulders so hard it was painful. Confused and still disoriented, Deathmask’s eyes moved fleetingly back and forth and found Camus kneeling on the floor next to the bed, a hand gingerly holding his neck as he coughed. 

 

Reality sinking in, Deathmask gasped. He looked at Saga who was looking at him as if he couldn't recognize the younger man. He looked back at Camus, whose face was a little red and whose neck had deep finger marks. 

 

He blacked out. 

Chapter 8

The more he spent time in Atlantis, the more Kanon wondered how he would ever survive long enough to go back to the Sanctuary.

 

He’d missed Atlantis. The scenery in the underwater kingdom looked as beautiful as the last time he stepped a foot on it. It seemed that the Marinas and Thesis had already finished rebuilding the place even before Poseidon broke off his Seal once more and took control of Julian’s body again, though this time with the full expressed consent of the young millionaire.

 

The Seal that Athena had used on Poseidon would’ve remained unbroken for another couple of centuries but nobody had expected Julian to retain 44% of Poseidon's Cosmo and after the God sensed Typhon’s presence on Earth, used Julian and his Cosmo to break the Seal and emerged once more. But this time, not as Athena's enemy but as an ally.

 

Of course, they’d also used the money that Kanon and Julian had left in a bank using Isaac's name. Kanon could see it in every new decoration, new villa and pavilion and the unexpected but pleasant modern alterations inside Poseidon's main temple which made Atlantis livelier and more like home.

 

The Marinas had been doing well since their resurrection and Kanon was proud of them. It would've been very hard to just suddenly wake up alive and confused after dying and without someone to lead them. It would've been especially harder to live an ordinary life after living as a mythical god’s warrior but all of them managed to do it, even Thesis who was studying to become a theater actress. Kanon had been surprised when he heard that news from Julian but he was happy for her nontheless.

 

The other Marinas were also beginning to show interests in living and working in the outside world and with the full support of both Poseidon and Julian, Kanon could foresee great and fruitful endeavors for all of them in the future.

 

Now, if only most of them would stop trying to murder him with their eyes…

 

Annoyed, he pinched the bridge of his nose. 

 

While Sorrento had begrudgingly begun to tolerate his presence and even agreed to work together with him, even accepting him as the Sea Dragon General, in the future and Krishna seemed to be slowly on his way on forgiving him, Caça, Isaak, Bian and Io still looked like they were just barely holding back from jumping him and beating him to death. Kanon knew that only their loyalty towards Poseidon was stopping them from hacking him to pieces and frankly, he was beginning to lose his patience. 

 

While he had missed the place and considered it home once, he never really wanted to stay in Atlantis. He also didn't want to become the Sea Dragon once more, the title and the Scale reminding him of his biggest sin and as both as Saint of Athena and as Saga's twin brother. It also brought him endless shame for trying to destroy the world and playing with human lives. So yeah, who could blame him for not wanting to be reminded of his dark past and evil actions after his death and resurrection?

 

But Poseidon had insisted that he don the Scale once more and Athena had asked it from him and who was he to refuse considering that an evil and very powerful Titan was threatening to emerge in this world once more and destroy all of them? A potential world-ending war was on the horizon and he needed to swallow his pride and face his shame and sins to be able to fight with all of his strength and ability. 

 

Now, if only these little brats would just stop acting like you know, brats, and start acting like true warriors worthy of Poseidon's Scales.

 

“Listen,” Kanon snapped, glaring down at the four with a patience that only a schoolteacher had, his displeasure evident to anyone who looked at his face,” I know none of you like me and I know that nothing that I can do will ever make you forgive what I’ve done. I’ve deceived all of you and led you to your deaths and I apologize for it. But this has to stop. Poseidon is back and unlike in the past he and Athena are working as allies now. So whether you like it or not, you are all not just going to work with me but also with the Sanctuary. So stop being a brat and start acting like deserving warriors of Poseidon!”

 

He didn't realize that in the middle of his rant his tone had turned into the one he’d used to use on them when he was training them to fight or when he was teaching them about other things they needed to learn to become a great warrior of Poseidon.

 

He gritted his teeth and braved for the worst.

 

Io’s and Baian’s faces turned red, Caça cringed and Isaak looked like he'd just eaten something sour. But none of them seemed to want to argue with him, which was a better result than he had hoped. 

 

“Fine,” Baian spat, glaring at Kanon as if Kanon was an insect whom he wanted to crush underneath the heel of his feet. “ We will work with you as Lord Poseidon wished us to. But remember this, Gemini Kanon, we will be watching every move you make if we find you doing something suspicious and you betray us again, we will make sure that you’ll pay, the Sanctuary and Athena be damned!”

 

Kanon clenched his jaw. 

 

After shooting him another venomous look, Baian turned around and left, the others following behind them. 

 

Kanon closed his eyes and took a long breath. He opened his eyes and stared at the retreating figures of the young Marinas and used his Cosmo to reach out to Isaak.

 

“Kraken Isaac, I need to tell you about a matter I believe is important to you.”

 

“Shut up, Kanon. I don't want anything with a traitor like you. It’ll be best if the two of us don't talk to each other until the war begins or else Lord Poseidon would be disappointed with us.” The boy's tone was rough but Kanon heard an undercurrent of resignation from it. 

 

“Even if the matter I was going to talk with you is about Camus?”

 

He saw Isaak’s shoulders stiffened before his feet became glued to the ground. Io noticed it and also stopped to talk with Isaak but Isaak only shook his head and then he and Io started walking once more.

 

Kanon tried to talk through their Cosmo connection but Isaak violently cut it, making Kanon reel from the backlash. 

 

Feeling a headache coming, he pinched the bridge of his nose. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

Enjoy reading! Comments and Kudos are appreciated!

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of Stars Aligned; Fates Entwined