Good day, everyone,
first I want to thank you that you have decided to read my very first Saint Seiya fanfiction, which I have published on . Hopefully you will enjoy it. First I would like to warn you that there might be a crossover with the classic series, Episode G and with Lost Canvas. Therefore, please make sure to read the manga chapters of the Lost Canvas series too.
Then I would like to thank Draconic Mage for beta this chapter. I really appreciate your help.
Now, please enjoy my story.
Disclaimer: I do not own the series nor the characters.
Chapter 01: The approaching danger
The temple of Athena was covered by a warm cosmos. Looking up and recognizing that presence, the Saints who had remained in the Sanctuary during the Holy War hurried to the temple. Finally, their Goddess and the Bronze Saints had returned. Marin picked Seika up in bridal style, because she was unable to keep up with the running tempo of the trained Saints. Arriving to their destination, their smiling faces became dark. Seiya's body rested on Athena's lap, still and lifeless. The other four Bronze Saints stood behind the Goddess, looking at the fallen Pegasus Saint with saddened expressions too. Tears appeared in Seika's eyes. She removed herself from Marin and walked to her brother trembling.
"Seiya," she stammered, falling to her knees and looking at Seiya's face. "Seiya, please wake up. Seiya."
The Saints and Athena could only looked away, not able to bear that sad scene.
"Seiya, please wake up," his sister pleaded. "Seiya, Seiya! Finally, finally we've met again. Please, Seiya! Open your eyes!"
Her moaning was interrupted by a heavy earthquake.
"What? What's happening?" Shaina asked, looking around, clearly alarmed. "Didn't we defeat Hades?"
The sky was painting itself in black and purple colour, causing the sun to be replaced by a blood red shining moon.
"That is-" Athena's eyes widened, staring at the change.
"Athena, that's the result of your foolish attempts to save this world."
Everyone shot their glares to Shun, whose skin had become pale and eyes empty.
"It can't be… Hades!" Ikki exclaimed angrily, grabbing him on his shoulders. "Release my brother at once!"
Turning his attention to the Phoenix Saint, the God of the Underworld looked at the furious human indifferently.
"Don't clamour," he ordered coldly. "No matter what you do, you're only going to hurt your own brother's body."
Seika tightened her hug around her brother, staring at Hades with widened eyes and a shocked expression. Although she did not understand what had happened, she knew that something was not right.
"Hades, leave Shun's body," Athena stood up, looking determined. "Is that your work too?"
"Foolish Goddess, you have become too human," Shun's possessed body turned to Saori. "If you had sealed me like you had done with Poseidon, then it would have been fine. You've destroyed my true body, however, removing my underworld from existence – the hell and Elysium."
"And? It's good that way!" Jabu defended their Goddess, moving to stand protective in front of her. "What do you wanna say to that?"
Ignoring the Unicorn's presence, Hades looked away and closed his eyes. That gesture made the blood in the human boy's body boiled. Jabu took one step, ready to beat the God up – whether it was Shun's body or not. However, only one disapproving sentence by Athena was sufficient to stop the Saint's attempt.
"Hades, please tell us," Athena said, trying to persuade the God to tell them more. "What's happening?"
"The underworld wasn't just the place where the dead souls go to rest," he reopened his eyes and looked at the Goddess, "It was also the place where the 12 Titans and the other enemies of the Olympic were sealed. By destroying their sealing place, you've just set them free."
"WHAT?!" the Saints exclaimed, alarmed.
Even Athena widened her eyes and was so shocked that she was unable to speak.
"Do you realize your foolish attempts now, Athena?" the God of the Underworld continued to mock her. "I'd wish I could leave you to your fate, but that isn't only your problem anymore, but for all twelve Gods of the Olympus."
"And that means?" Shiryu wanted to know, stepping forward too and preparing himself for the worst case.
"In other words, you foolish human, I'm forced to lend you my power too," Hades told them, causing the Saints to look at him in disbelief and distrust. However, the God continued, ignoring their glares. "The twelve Titans can't be easily defeated. We need to seal them away in divine items, but it isn't so easy. If we only make a wrong move, then we might destroy their body."
"Isn't that what we should do?" Jabu wanted to know, raising an eyebrow.
"No," Athena interrupted. "If we destroy their bodies, then their souls will go to the Olympus and-"
"And they'll have direct access to Zeus," Hades completed her sentence. "Therefore, we need as many human forces as possible."
"But the Sanctuary has suffered grave loss," Marin tried to explain the divine entities. "We aren't able to provide such a force."
"You seemed to have forgotten something," Hades closed his eyes, not believing how dense the Saints were. "As there's no underworld, the possibility is high that some of your dear friends have returned to earth too."
"Then, Roushi is here too?" Shiryu wanted to know and Hyoga added: "And my master Camus?"
The two of them looked each other in joy, looking forward to meeting their teachers again.
"Who's going to believe you?!" Ikki interrupted, still angry about the fact that Hades had possessed his brother's body. "Everything might be a lie to backstab us!"
"At least one of you thinks a little bit," Hades smirked and looked at the Phoenix Saint. "However, you can be at ease. I'm not planning anything this time. In order to prove you this, I'll give you a present."
The God walked over to Seiya's sleeping body, which were still in the arms of Seika. Looking at the woman, he indicated to her to move aside. However, she refused, not trusting the God. The silence between the God and the human was suffocating; causing that nobody dared to speak a single word.
"Do you want that your little brother to wake up?" Hades caught Seiya's sister's attention that way. "If yes, then move aside."
Seika looked at the God in disbelief. She hesitated but moved aside in the end. Walking forward to the fallen Saint, the ruler of the underworld raised his hand, concentrating his cosmo in it. Suddenly a red mist surrounded the wound in Seiya's chest, but also started to disappear as fast as it had appeared.
Athena and the Saints looked at Seiya in surprise, seeing his Seiya's fingers twitching slightly. The eyes of the boy opened slowly, and blinked several times before they adjusted to the sun light. Then he was fully awakened and saw the delighted face of his sister.
"Nee-San?" he whispered, still believing that he was dreaming.
"Yes, Seiya," Seika ensured him, throwing her arms around him. "It's me."
"Nee-San," Seiya buried his face in her shoulders, sobbing silently. "Finally, I've found you."
The siblings continued calling to each other, crying in joy. The others observed the situation, allowing them the privacy they deserved while they shed tears themselves.
"How lovely," the God commented as he was the only one who was disillusioned by the displayed scene. Everyone shot their glares at him. "If you have so much time to cry, then perhaps it might be better to get on work."
"That voice… Hades!" Seiya exclaimed, standing up protectively in front of his sister and raising his fist. "What are you doing in Shun's body? Get out of there!"
Not wasting a single second, Seiya rushed forward to beat the God up. Hades simply closed his eyes, not showing any defence. Suddenly, the eyes opened once again, showing some life in them once again.
"Seiya?" Shun's usual voice was audible.
However, it was too late. Before Seiya recognized Shun's voice, his fist made contact with Shun's face and the Andromeda Saint fell to the ground.
"Seiya?" Shun rubbed his cheek, looking at Seiya in confusion.
"Heh? You're Shun again?" Seiya looked at Shun with the same confused expression. "But just a second ago, Hades was-"
The Pegasus Saint did not have the chance to finish his sentence, feeling a violent and aggressive cosmo burning behind him. Turning around slowly, Seiya faced an angered Ikki, whose eyes were not leaving him. Before the Saint could apologize, the older's fist buried into Seiya's face, causing him to fall to the ground too.
"Even if you just woke up," Ikki told the younger boy, "I won't forgive you for hitting my brother."
"Nii-San," Shun reproved his brother, standing up and holding his arm. "Seiya didn't mean it."
"He did," Ikki insisted, looking away.
Seika walked over to her brother, asking him if he was alright. Then she crouched down, helping him to stand up again.
"He didn't." Shun was being stubborn too. "Please forgive him."
Unable to refuse his brother, Ikki gave in and claimed that he would turn a blind eye only for that time. Jabu rubbed his own cheek, thinking that he would have earned that blow when he had punched Shun.
Then the Andromeda Saint looked up to the sky, receiving a worried look from his brother who wanted to know what was wrong.
"Perhaps we should free Poseidon too," Shun said suddenly. "His power would be of great help."
"Are you nuts, Shun?" Hyoga put his hands on Shun's shoulders, shaking him literally. "He's our enemy!"
"No, it's not me," the green haired boy tried to explain. "Hades has suggested it."
The blond haired Saint stopped shaking the other poor boy.
"You can talk to him?" Ikki wanted to know, receiving a nod from his brother. "Why doesn't he speak for himself?"
"Yes, he said," Shun stopped for a while before he continued. "He said… that… that he doesn't want- I mean he's tired and can't talk himself anymore."
"Shun, you were always a bad liar," his brother told the Andromeda Saint. "What did he really say?"
The green haired boy gulped nervously before he gave in, telling them what the God said literally.
"He said that he doesn't want to see or talk to us Saints," he quoted. "He has already enough of us for a while. We should just hurry up and gather some forces."
"That bastard!" Seiya exclaimed angrily, walking to stand in front of Shun. "Tell him he should come out himself and try saying it again!"
"Seiya, calm down," Seika pleaded her brother, pushing him back to give Shun a little bit more private space.
Sighing at the scene, Athena turned to look at the sea. Hades was right that Poseidon would be a strong ally if he agreed to join them. However, she doubted that the Emperor of the Sea had forgiven them and would be prepared to support them. In order to discuss the matter in better surroundings, the five Bronze Saints moved to Athena's temple while the others were guarding the Sanctuary. Actually, Jabu intended to follow them, but a single word of his beloved Goddess was enough to silence him. Seiya told his sister to go with Shaina and Marin, because she was safer with them.
"He has helped us in our battle against Thanatos," Shun told them. "So, he might cooperate."
"However, we would free him from the seal and who knows what he's going to do afterwards," Shiryu explained, voicing his worries.
"If we don't defeat the Titans, then there'll be no 'afterwards' says Hades," the Andromeda Saint transferred the message to the other Saints.
"Shun, I hate that Hades uses you as messenger boy," Seiya murmured, annoyed.
Laughing nervously, Shun scratched his cheek, not knowing what to do. Athena agreed to that suggestion to the Saints' surprise, although they understood why it was necessary. However, their Goddess ordered them to find the other Saints who had returned to earth first. Through Shun Hades conveyed the information that the souls of the dead who were able to return on their own would go to places, which their soul felt drawn to.
"We'll see everyone again," Hyoga rejoiced, looking at the others who shared the same thoughts except of Shun.
Sadness was written on the face of the green-haired boy, his eyes casted down to the ground. Ikki noticed immediately that something was wrong, and asked his brother what was bothering him.
"Hades said that there's a possibility that some of our friends' souls were already reincarnated in other bodies like animals, plants or even in other human's body without memories," he told them, "That's why we won't see all of them again."
"What did you say?" Hyoga exclaimed, alarmed. "Then what are we going to do?"
"Calm down, Hyoga." Shiryu put his hand on the Cygnus Saint. "I might not like the idea myself, but we need to face it."
"But what bothers me most is that Hades is talking to you Shun," Seiya changed the topic abruptly. "He said that he doesn't want to talk with Saints, but you're a Saint, Shun. Why is he talking to you?"
Closing his eyes, Shun delivered the message to Hades before he opened them again with a surprised expression.
"What is it?" Ikki wanted to know and his brother replied: "He cut off our connection."
"That coward!" Seiya exclaimed angrily, "He ran away from the question!"
"Seiya, calm down," Athena told him, rising from the throne she was sitting and raising her hand.
However, the Pegasus Saint seemed not to be listening anymore as he started to shake his friend once again.
"It is always so lively in the Sanctuary when you're here."
The five Bronze Saints turned to look who that familiar voice belonged to.
"Shaka," Athena said, delighted, bringing her hands to her face.
"Shaka!" the boys called the Virgo Saints, rejoicing and forgetting the previous issues.
"So he didn't lie this time," the Cygnus Saint turned to the others, "Then the other Gold Saints like my master Camus will come back too!"
"And Roushi too!" Shiryu added. "Actually we don't need to search them. They'll come back on their own."
"You're right," the Pegasus Saint agreed. "We'll be united in no time!"
"It seems that I've missed something," Shaka interrupted the boys' conversation, raising an eyebrow. "How comes it that nobody is surprised that I'm still alive?"
"I see," the Gold Saint replied after receiving an explanation. "So that's what is going on."
"But Shaka," Seiya looked at the owner of the Virgo Cloth, puzzled, "From where did you come? Haven't you needed to pass Shaina-San and the others to come here?"
"I was in my temple," Shaka explained to the curious boy.
"Then why did you take so much time to come here?" the curiosity of young Saints was still not satisfied.
"I've just woken up," the older one replied calmly, "Furthermore; I did need some time to order my thoughts and to realize where I was. I thought I was in a new enemy's territory who has laid an illusion to me."
"You're cautious like always," Ikki commented, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.
"Yes," Shun agreed with his brother. "And when the other Gold Saints have returned, we don't need anything to fear about."
"I'm afraid that I need to disappoint you," Athena closed her eyes as she said that.
Everyone shot their sigh to the Goddess, not understanding what she was talking about.
"I agree, even if we're the strongest among the Saints, we're still human." The boys turned their attention back to the Virgo Saints, "Without the guidance of the underworld emperor our souls might end up in different shapes – like some of will be rendered to older men or invalid. It's also possible that we might even lose our memories."
"Damn it!" Seiya hissed angrily, looking aside. "Why doesn't Hades do something about it? He is the God of the Underworld after all! He should be able to solve that problem with the tips of his fingers, but no – he rather hide in his hole, refusing to answer our questions."
"I believe you're judging him wrong, Seiya," Athena reproved the Saint, not looking very pleased. "Hades has just lost his body. I'm sure it was very straining for him to find Shun and to enter his body. He's as tired as we are. As he doesn't have his own body too, I doubt that he's in the condition to do such deeds."
"Damn it!" Seiya cursed once again, punching the ground with his fist without damaging it though. "Why does it always end up like that?"
"However, Shaka," Shun looked at the Gold Saint who observed the situation calmly with his closed eyes, "how comes it that you're completely alright?"
"It's only a turn of destiny," the adult replied, smiling weakly.
Eventually Athena decided to return to Tokyo so she could use the Graude Foundation's information network to discover the locations of the other Gold Saints. Shaka decided to remain in the Sanctuary since it would be unwise to leave that place unguarded. On the flight back to Japan, Seika begged Athena to allow Seiya and Seika to go the orphanage where Miho was. She had not seen her friend in a long time and her would like to see her again. Naturally Athena granted her permission, telling Seika that she would like to visit her too. Leaving the women to themselves, the boys started their own conversation.
Arriving in Tokyo, they waited for a limousine to pick them up before they headed to Miho. After they had left the airport, Ikki disappeared mysteriously once again. Assuring Shun that his brother would return soon, the other four Saints and the two women entered the vehicle, heading to Miho. They were just about to enter the street of the orphanage when a crowd of people stopped them. Exiting the car, they wondered what was wrong.
"Seiya-Chan!"
The Pegasus Saint looked at the ground, seeing Miho on the ground crawling to him.
"Miho-Chan!" Seiya hurried to his friends, helping her to stand up. "What's wrong?"
"The children," she tried to tell him. "they are in danger."
"It can't be!" Shiryu's eyes widened.
"The twelve Titans?" Shun looked at her, puzzled.
"Those bastards!" Seiya exclaimed angrily, running into the orphanage after he passed Miho to Hyoga's care.
"Seiya," his sister called after him, but was ignored.
The Pegasus hurried to the orphanage, hearing the whining and beggings to be saved from the children.
"Stop, you Tit-" he stopped abruptly when he had seen the scene.
"Don't whine around, you Specters!" Deathmask yelled at them, holding one of the children in the air. "I know perfectly fine that I'm in the underworld. Do you think you could trick me, taking the disguise of a child?!"
Too shocked to say anything, Seiya stood rooted to the ground.
"Don't underestimate the great Deathmask-Sama!" the Gold Saint said continued to yell ."Now, show your true face or should I kill you just like that?"
The Bronze Saint snapped back to reality, realizing that Deathmask was serious. Hurrying to the child's side, he caught the older man's fist in time. The Gold Saint looked at Seiya, surprised, but his expression was soon replaced by anger.
Jumping back to increase their distance, Deathmask hissed: "Now you even take the forms of Saints? You've fallen pretty low Specters…"
"I'm not a Specter!" Seiya exclaimed, bringing his hand up to his chest. "It's really me, Seiya!"
"Nonsense!" the Gold said retorted, concentrating his cosmo in his fist to release a deadly blow.
"Stop it at once," a calm, but demanding voice ordered.
Turning around, the Saints saw Athena, holding her staff and the other Bronze Saints standing behind her.
"Athena!" Deathmask's eyes widened. "No, it can't be. She shouldn't be in Hell. I see. Now you take even the shape of our Goddess. Don't fool around!"
Without wasting a second, Deathmask rushed to Athena to release his cosmo. However, he stopped just in time before his fist made contact with Athena's face. Recognizing the warm and kind cosmo of her, his eyes widened even more and he fell to his knees.
"Athena," he looked up to the Goddess, failing to veil the hope in his eyes. "Is it really you?"
"Yes," she smiled amicably, looking down to Deathmask. "It's really me."
"I-" the Gold Saint did not know what to say, looking away ashamed.
"It doesn't matter anyway," Seiya interrupted them. "Let go of Makoto!" He pointed at the child, Deathmask was still holding.
"Pff, you think you could order me around, brat?" Deathmask retorted, raising his hand, which held the boy, switching back to his usual self. "Just try to make me!"
"You bastard," the Bronze Saint cursed.
Before any of the two could say something, Seika suddenly appeared before Deathmask with a stern expression.
"Deathmask-San, put-him-down," Seiya ordered in her sister voice, emphasizing each word with the movement of her index finger. "Now."
Not complaining at all, the adult obeyed, letting go of Makoto at once. Seiya just caught the child in time before he fell on the ground.
"Seiya's sister is sometimes really scary," Hyoga told his friends, who nodded in agreement.
After Deathmask had calmed down, the Saints moved to a private room, explaining the latest occurrences and their future plans to the Gold Saint. The adult crossed his arms and closed his eyes to reflect on the information, which he had just received. However, in the end he claimed that he did not care as long as he could kill his enemies. Touching his forehead, Shiryu muttered that he had not changed. Then the five Bronze Saints enjoyed themselves, playing with the children. A new war was going to rise and there would no opportunity to enjoy such a relaxing time for a while. Consequently, they were going to make good use of it. Only Deathmask did not agree with them, not wanting to play with the children or sit besides the women, drinking tea.
The pleasant time for them ended soon and they headed to China as Shiryu wanted to see Shunrei before he entered the battlefield once again. Seika stayed at the orphanage with Miho, because Seiya thought that it would be safer for his sister than coming along with him and Athena headed back to the Sanctuary with Deathmask. The Gold Saint doubted that a computer could be any service of them and he claimed that a Goddess should stay in her temple. Leading the way, Shiryu took a closer look at his surroundings. He could finally see again and looked forward to telling his friend the good news. Suddenly the scream of a woman echoed through the village and the Bronze Saints hurried to the person in need. Then they saw Shunrei, running in their direction. Calling her name, the girl stopped and looked at Shiryu. The Saint welcomed her with a hug and asked her why she was running away.
"Shiryu, it's terrible," she said, burying her chest in Shiryu's shoulder. "I was taking a shower under the waterfall when suddenly two men appeared before me."
"What?!" Shiryu exclaimed angrily, feeling disgusted that those men harassed her in that way. "Where are they, Shunrei? I'll deal with them."
"Shunrei, wait!"
Everyone looked at the direction from where their voices came. There, they saw Douko and Shion in their younger bodies covered in blood. Due to their wounds, they seemed to be unable to run properly.
"It's me, Roushi," the Libra Saint tried to catch breathe. "It's fine now."
"Liar! Roushi isn't that young!" the girl yelled, wrapping her arms around Shiryu in fear. "Shiryu, please save me!"
Shiryu looked at his master shocked for his action. However, Douko and Shion looked at the young Saint quizzically, not understanding what Shunrei was talking about. Then the owner of the Dragon Cloth asked his master what he had seen at the waterfall. The Gold Saint replied honestly that he had not seen anything properly, because blood had entered in his eyes and he could only discern Shunrei's face. Then they turned their gaze to Shion, who gave the same answer. Afterwards, the oldest Gold Saints wondered if there was something they did not know. Realizing that those wounded men had no evil intentions, Shunrei shook her head and told them that everything was fine, claiming that it was her fault for overreacting.
Returning to the Five Old Peaks, Douko sat down in his usual place, conversing with his friend Shion and the younger Saints while Shunrei was preparing dinner. After exchanging information, Shion suggested that it would be wiser to return to the Sanctuary and to form groups to search for the others, instead of running around in the world. Seiya attempted to tell them that they found them accidently, but a gesture of Shiryu was enough to silence him. Eventually, their discussion was interrupted by Shunrei, who told them that dinner was served. During their meal, Shion asked the Bronze Saints what condition their cloths were in. Opening their Pandora Boxes, it was revealed that they had returned to their original form and did not have a single scratch. Douko moaned slightly, complaining that his Libra Cloth was strangely nearly reduced to dust and that Shion's was completely fine. The cloth was not damaged when the Gold Saints had assembled to produce the sunlight in the underworld, but must have been somewhere else. However, he could not determine where. The Bronze Saints looked at Shiryu, knowing whose fault it was and wondering how the Dragon Saint was going to explain himself. In order to cheer his friend up, Shion suggested visiting Jamir first before they returned to the Sanctuary. Having decided their next move, they enjoyed their meal and went to bed early.
After the sun, which was also painted in blood red colour, had risen to the sky, the Saints headed to Jamir. Shunrei intended to come with them, but Douko begged her to wait for them in China. Along the way Shion suddenly stopped, receiving strange glances from his fellow companions. Looking at them, he replied that he could feel Mu's cosmo. Consequently, they hurried their pace to his tower, but were welcomed by a giant monster. It was an ugly entity with fifty heads and one hundred arms. Recognizing them, Douko called it a "Hekatonkheires". The monster raised its arms and struck the ground, where the Saints were standing. Jumping aside, they avoided the attack.
Calling their Cloths, the Bronze Saints donned their armors and faced the monster. However, while they put on their protections, they had attracted its attention. Therefore, it shot down its arms at them. Shion activated his "Crystal Wall" in time to protect the younger ones from the attack, creating a transparent glass-like barrier between them. However, the technique strained his body too much and the previous Aries Saint lowered to his knees. Crouching down to his friend, Douko realized that Shion's wound had been reopened. Consequently, the old master ordered the Bronze Saints to take care of the monster. Repeating his same words in a mocking manner, Seiya wondered how they would be able to defeat such a thing. Shun summoned his chains to trap the Hekatonkheires. However, it snapped the chains easily and shot twenty of his arms at the Andromeda Saint, who reacted too slow and was hit.
Calling for their friend's name, the other three could only watch Shun falling down the hill. Seiya looked at the monster furiously, swearing revenge for his friend. Collecting his cosmo, the Saint released his "Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken", launching several punches at it. However, the Hekatonkheires did not even seem to notice that he was attacked and simply swung its arms, hitting the three remaining Bronze Saints in the progress. Douko told his friend that he had to help the younger ones and that Shion should rest there. Standing it up, Douko jumped in front of the monster to distract its attention from Seiya and the others. Once again the Hekatonkheires struck at its opponents, but the Libra Saint simply jumped aside, avoiding the attack. Analyzing its attack patterns, the old master concluded that that Hekatonkheires was Kottos – the Striker. As it always repeated the same techniques, Douko was able to defeat it easily with his "Sho Ryu Ha", sending the monster up to the air as an image of a dragon consuming its prey. However, the Hekatonkheires was able to free itself from the technique and fled through a dimension hole. The old master intended to chase after it, but was called back by Shion, who suggested tending to the Bronze Saints first. Agreeing with him, he started to search for them.
Eventually, he was able to gather the four Bronze Saints together. Fortunately, their wounds were not deep and they only needed some rests. Looking up to the sky, Shion wondered where Mu was. He had felt his student's cosmo some minutes ago. However, during their battle with the Hekatonkheires he had suddenly disappeared. It was not in Mu's nature to abandon his friends for his own safety.
"Where are you, Mu?" Shion asked himself in the thought as he looked at the constellation of Aries.
Afterwards they headed inside their headed inside Mu's tower to repair Douko's cloth. They had noticed that a thin dust layer had developed during their absence. Narrowing his eyes, Shion started to doubt that the cosmo he had felt belonged to Mu. It was uncharacteristic of Mu to leave the tower untidy. He turned around when he had felt an encouraging hand on his shoulder and was received a warm smile from his old friend. Smiling back, he turned his gaze back to his work. The blood red tainted moon rose again and the younger Saints had fallen asleep while watching Shion. The Aries Saint had finished his work and presented the Libra Cloth to its owner. Since the Bronze Saints and Shion were exhausted, Douko suggested resting for another night before they headed back to Sanctuary. Agreeing with his friend once again, Shion took a seat. However, his eyes widened as he looked out of the window. Douko was confused and had wanted to ask what was wrong before he felt the same cosmo from before. It was without a doubt Mu's and he was not that far away in a Saint's point of view. Standing up, Shion had announced that he would try to catch up with his student and left without waiting for Douko's answer. Douko gave the younger boys a last gaze before he ran after his friend. Seiya and the others were not small children anymore and could take care of themselves.
Shun was the first one who woke up in the morning, and he immediately noticed the Gold Saints' absences. Moving to Seiya, he tried to wake him up, but the Pegasus Saint was stubborn, turning around to give his friend his back. Therefore, Shun turned to Shiryu, hoping that he would have more success with him. Fortunately, he had and his friend stirred and sat up, asking what was wrong. After Shun told his friend his worries, the Dragon Saint widened his eyes and looked around, noticing the absence of Shion and of his master too. He stood up and woke up their other two friends who were still asleep abruptly and far less gently than Shun, who could only watch helplessly.
During their search for the two Gold Saints, Seiya yawned, wishing that he could have slept two or three hours more. Shun and Hyoga could only sweat drop when they had heard Seiya's complaints. Suddenly, they were able to feel a powerful cosmo, which made them stop. Looking at each other, they confirmed that all of them felt the same cosmo. It was similar to Mu's and its location was in the Sanctuary. Nodding at each other, they increased their paces.
Arriving at the Sanctuary, they tried to detect the exact location of the cosmo. Eventually, they found it and ran forward. A smile appeared on their faces when they saw a white cloth floating in the air.
"Mu!" Seiya cried out as he grabbed the man's hand.
Turning around, they faced Shion's surprised expression. The former Aries Saint wanted to know what was wrong and why they called him Mu. After telling their pathetic excuse, Shion raised his hands to send them the Bronze Saints flying. The young Saints made contact with the ground, trying to stand up while Shion scolded them for not being able to distinguish the cosmos from their own comrades. Douko, who had watched the scene, could not help than to laugh and to hold his stomach during the process. However, Shion agreed with them that he could feel Mu's cosmo nearby. As they were unable to pinpoint him, they headed to Athena's temple.
After they had just arrived in the Aries Temple and had been greeted by Kiki, they suddenly heard the voice of a boy. One of the guards appeared from the shadows, scolding the stranger for entering the Sanctuary. However, the child insisted that he was not fooling around and that he had to meet Athena in that moment. Consequently, the guard raised his hand to punish the child, but was stopped by Shion. Acknowledging the Gold Saint's presence, he let go of the boy and returned to his post. Crouching down to the boy, Shion called him hesitantly "Mu". The boy's face had turned completely red before he turned away, giving a weak nod. Everyone widened their eyes and yelled "What?!".
Eventually, they went to Athena to deliver the news. Even she was surprised to see the child version of their Aries Saint, but she decided to remain silent. Although Mu was dissatisfied with his current body, Shion was quite delighted, recalling good old memories with his small student. Kiki jumped cheerfully too as he had finally found an opportunity to play with his master. Mu always tended to tell him that he could not play with him, because he was too old. At that moment, Mu was even younger than Kiki and that excuse would have no effect that time. Unfortunately, Mu's power had been reduced to the level when he was still five years old. Although he was already very talented in his young age, his current power was only equal to a Silver Saint.
During the following days, Shion, Douko and Athena locked themselves up in the Pope' s hall, trying to create a plan how to find the remaining Gold Saints faster and more effectively. Mu was told what had happened and went to Shaka to discuss the current issue with him. He had wanted Deathmask to join them; however, the older man simply laughed at Mu when he saw his current shape. Not bothering to talk with him any longer, Mu walked up to the Virgo temple, ignoring the Cancer Saint. Seiya and the others passed their time, discussing in which shape the other Gold Saints could have ended up in.
Suddenly, Shun looked around, receiving strange stares from his friends. Then he had realized that Hades was talking to him and had nodded before he delivered the message that they should go to Athena. Not waiting another minute, they stood up and made their way to the Pope's hall. The guards told them that Athena must not be disturbed and that the Bronze Saints should turn to leave. Giving up, they intended to walk down. However, Hades took over Shun's body and sent the guards flying. The men made contact with the door, shooting it open. Shion, Douko and Athena looked at the door's direction alarmed, seeing Shun behind it. The God of the underworld had disappeared after the door was opened, leaving Shun behind. At first he had received a lecture from Shion, but Athena was able to explain to Shion that it was not Shun, but Hades' work.
Afterwards, the Andromeda Saint played messenger boy once again, acting as the communication organ between the Saints and the God who had been inside his body. Hades told them to head to his castle, because the possibility was high that Pandora's soul was drawn to that place. As they needed the 108 beads rosary to reawaken the Specters, which was in her possession, the God ordered them todepart at once. However, Shaka was sceptical to follow that guideline.
"Around Hades' castle is still the barrier, which limits our cosmo. Even if we have his word that we won't be harmed, the Specters might not believe us when we tell them 'Hades and Athena have formed an alliance' and may attack us," the Virgo Saint tried to explain. "Even if we Gold Saints went to the castle, we wouldn't be able to hold off all 108 at once."
Looking at each other, they realized that he had a point. However, Hades still insisted for them to go and promised them that an attack from the Specters would not take place. Not trusting his words, Seiya turned to him, demanding an explanation. Shun was unable to answer though, because Hades' voice had suddenly left once again. The Pegasus Saint was furious, believing that the God did it on purpose. However, Athena repeated herself, telling the boy that Hades was simply exhausted and that holding such a communication was still too straining for him.
Following Athena's orders, Shaka, Douko, Mu and the Bronze Saints went to the castle, hoping that Hades' words were the truth. On their way they spotted strangely formed stones in the scenery, wondering what it was. Seiya moved to touch it, but received a slap behind his head by Douko, who told him that he should not touch something he was unfamiliar with. Suddenly they heard the clashes of thunders and the breaking noises of rocks, which were covered by a huge cosmo. Following their senses, they arrived at the scene. The first thing what had caught their eyes was a giant, which body was covered by snake scales and in its hands were a mace and a spear. It was a Gigantes. Before they could do something, the monster was trapped by dark lightening. Coming closer to the scene, they saw a woman in her middle twenties floating in the air. Her upper body and her forearm were covered by dark armour, which shone like the underworld jewels, and she wore a long black dress beneath, which had long sleeves. The long dark haired women swung a trident like she was performing a dance, summoning thunders from it. As she turned her gaze towards the Saints, the Bronze Saints recognized Pandora at once. Hearing a young man's voice, they looked at the opposite direction after they had heard the words "Galaxian Explosion". The body of the monster was reduced to dust and disappeared along the wind. The man wore no armour; his figure was adored by jet black hair. Realizing that it was Saga, the Saints moved to their fighting stances, preparing to fight against the possessed Gemini Saint.
"Be at ease, it's me," Saga replied, turning to them and revealing that his eyes had their usual colour.
Relaxing more, they moved closer to Pandora and the Saint, wondering why the two of them were in such a state.
"Without the guide of Hades-Sama, our bodies, minds and souls will result in a state, dictated by the coincidence when we return to Earth," the woman told them. "In my case I've ended up in that body with all my memories of the past. Saga returned to the body when he was still 16 years old. If Athena had purified his soul beforehand, he would have reappeared as his other half."
Seiya looked at Pandora distrustful, stepping back. She noticed the Saint's action and ensured him that he did not need to be alarmed, because she had received a message by Hades and was aware of the current situation. As Saga was with her the whole time, he did know what had happened too, although he was still surprised to see a small Mu.
Interrupting their conversation, Pandora demanded they release the souls of the 108 Specters, giving Shaka the beads rosary. The Saints accepted it, but hesitated to do his task though. He still believed that it would be dangerous to release them within Hades' barrier and suggested to move outside first. However, Pandora insisted to do it right away. Otherwise she would use her trident against them if it was necessary. Trying to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, Saga turned to his fellow companion, asking him to do the lady the favour. The Virgo Saint sighed and raised the beads slightly. Suddenly another force surrounded the rosary beads and the souls of the Specters left it, but floated around the air.
Opening his eyes, Shaka wondered what had happened. Then they notice that the souls were directed toward the strangely formed rocks around them. Openings, which looked like mouths, appeared within the stones, sucking in the souls. Pandora looked horror-stricken at the scene, ordering the Saints to do something. However, even they did not know how to stop that, however.
"I don't care, just do something!" Pandora yelled, her face turning pale white from shock. "There's no underworld anymore. If their souls are consumed, then they'll stop existing at all!"
Feeling pity for the woman, Seiya gathered his cosmo and launched a strike against the rock, but the attack was reflected and he hit the ground in the process. Suddenly Shun's hair turned pitch black and his eyes became empty. Looking at the Andromeda Saint, they noticed that Hades had taken control over the body once again. The God raised his hands and the course of some souls escaped the float and landed in front of them. After the task was done, Shun's body fell backwards only to be caught by Pandora. However, Hades had already left and Shun returned to his senses.
They looked at the souls, which started to take their own forms. In front of them stood the Specters Rhadamanthys, Minos, Aiacos, Charon, Lune, Pharaoh, Myu, Raimi, Cheshire and a black haired woman with whom the Saints were not familiar with. Hades' proud army was reduced to 10 soldiers, enraging Pandora. The Specters who did not know what had happened, looked around them and wondered what was wrong. However, Pandora's anger silenced them, however they decided to ask their questions later. Screaming her complaints, she demanded to know the cause of it.
Suddenly, the strangely formed rocks started to crack, attracting their attention. A hand rose from a stone and several human-like entities stood up. Looking shocked at the scene, their eyes widened and their face turned pale. Sniggering could be heard by some of them.
"Long time, no see, Saints," one of them greeted them. "Hopefully you haven't forgotten us."
"Who are you?" Douko asked, proving them wrong.
Then a sneer could be seen as a man with short dark blue hair stepped forward. He was as tall as Douko and wore dark armour, similar to the Titan's Soma. His face had a big scar, which went from the left down to the right cheek.
"Don't dare to say that you've forgotten me," he said, pointing at the scar in his face. "After you've given me that scar some days ago!"
Thinking for a while, Douko widened his eyes even more and muttered: "It can't be… You're one of the Hekatonkheires!"
A grin appeared on the others, some of them starting to crackle again. They could not believe their eyes. Hekatonkheires were supposed to be giant monsters with fifity heads and hundred arms.
"Yeah, right," another one replied. "However, we've consumed some of the Specters' souls. So we've received the ability to take human's forms."
A dangerous cosmo surrounded Pandora, whose eyes looked daggers at the laughing figure and tears flowed down her cheeks.
"You sinful beast! How dare you to do that to mine and Hades-Sama's army?!" she tried to say between her sobbing and the trembling of her body. "That's unforgiveable!!!"
Without waiting for their mistress' orders, the Specters moved on their own, attacking the newborn humans to avenge their comrades. However, a light surrounded the Saints and them. It was a warm and kind cosmo. Before they could blink they were teleported back to the Sanctuary. Realizing where they were, Pandora glared daggers at the Saints, demanding to know why Athena had interfered in their matters. They were unable to avenge their comrades who would never be able to return to them. Shaka stepped forward and told her with a cold voice that they were not able to beat them in their current state to begin with. The Specters had just been reborn and still needed to rest.
"Do you intend to waste their lives too after Hades used all the remaining power he possessed only to save them?" the Virgo Saint wanted to know.
Pandora widened her eyes before they were filled with tears once again. Allowing the woman to cry to her heart's content, the Gold Saint lent her his shoulder. The Specters remained silent too, struggling to let their anger out too or to ask the other Saints what was going on at the moment.
After they had calmed down, they went up to Athena's temple. They were greeted by a smile, which had a mixture of kindness and sadness. The Goddess knew what she had done. However, Pandora became sensitive enough, not to scold the woman in front of her. Consequently, Athena welcomed her Saints back and Hades' army to the Sanctuary. She offered them a private quarter within her territory, but Pandora declined the offer, claiming that she and her followers would find their own resting place.
"Don't dare to be disrespectful towards Athena," a voice from the shadows ordered.
Demanding the man to show his figure, Pandora raised her trident once again. However, the person stepped out voluntarily from his hideout, revealing that he was the Capricorn Saint. A smile appeared on Shiryu's face and the Dragon Saint ran forward to greet him.
"Who are you?" that question stopped the young boy from his actions like time had stopped. "Do we know each other?"
Everyone looked at the Gold Saint shocked. Only Seiya was not paralyzed by the situation and he moved forward.
"Stop joking around, Shura!" he yelled. "It's us!"
"Tenma?" the Saint raised an eyebrow. "You still haven't corrected your temper?"
Repeating the name strangely, Seiya started to shout even louder. First he told the older man that his name was Seiya and that it was good name, which he liked to be addressed with. Furthermore, he demanded to know who the Capricorn Saint was if he was not Shura. The man introduced himself as El Ciel. Remembering that name, Douko stepped forward to greet his comrade from the last Holy War. The younger ones looked at each other, confused and wondering what was going on. Then Shion entered the scene, explaining the Bronze Saints that El Ciel was the Gold Saint of Capricorn 243 years ago.
"Is it really necessary to tell that to them, Pope?" a cold and calm voice asked. "All of this is written in the old books of the Sanctuary. I'm sure that the Bronze Saints weren't only taught to fight."
Stepping forward too, a younger version of Camus appeared before them.
"Camus!" Seiya said. "Although you've become younger like Saga, you didn't end up as a child like Mu!"
Clearing his throat, Mu had signalled that he did not like what Seiya said and received an apologetic look from the Pegasus Saint.
"Should I know you, Bronze Saint?" the Aquarius Saint asked calmly, veiling his surprise perfectly. "My name is indeed Camus, but I can't recall meeting you before."
"That's a lie!" Hyoga said alarmed, stepping in front of him. "Please tell me that you still recall me, master! It's me, Hyoga!"
The Gold Saint remained silent, not knowing how to answer without hurting the feelings of the boy who was as old as him. Recognizing that Camus did not recognized him; Hyoga fell to his knees and buried his fingers in the carpet, lowering his face to hide them from everyone's view.
Although they had been able to gather eight of twelve Gold Saints, including Shion, they had also made a terrible discovery. Even if they had gathered all of their forces, there was still a long way to go before they could challenge the twelve Titans and their army.
Hopefully you have liked my chapter. If you wrote a review, then I would be very delighted.