Disclaimer: Iris belongs to the Goo Goo Dolls. And SS belongs to Kuramada-sensei, who needs to make the series come out faster.

Notes: So, this will be a series of songfics. As you can tell by the title, it will include one of Shura, one of Camus, and one of Saga. I have all three songs chosen already, but only Shura's is actually done. Saga's song will be "Bring Me To Life" by Evanescence, and Camus has "Pain" from Xenosaga. I'm considering doing the other three Goldies who used the Athena Exclamation, but that will depend partially on the inspiration I have, and partially on how many reviews I get for the first three. So drop me a line on what you think.

Shura – Iris

She was there. She was always there. Shura felt her presence on the other side of Sanctuary much too clearly. He was about to commit a worse sin than he had ever dreamed of—knowingly breaking Athena's law. He did not mind that he would be disobeying Hades, because Hades had only been a vehicle, what Shion had used to get them all back to earth.

And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow

In the end, though, it would be worth everything, even losing his soul and his Saint's status. He knew that all of them, by simply being Athena's Saints, would give up their eternal souls just to make it to Athena tonight. Athena knew they were coming, and would understand their pain. She was just like that.

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

Shura had never had anything until he was chosen to be a Saint. Athena had brought him friends, strength, power, and a reason to fight. His soul was already tainted. He would never go to Heaven, but Athena had shown him part of it through her kindness. That was why he fought. And now, he was using the forbidden attack because he could not—would not—go back to Hades without first seeing Athena.

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life

He could not feel anything anymore. Shaka had taken away four of his senses, and he could not see or hear or feel, only speak. And in the moment the attack roared from their hands towards the Virgo Saint, Shura could only sense the moment wash over him, and he suddenly thought that Athena had given him life.

Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight

And Shura knew, he and Saga and Camus only had one day to make their way to Athena. They had to get there, somehow, some way. Everyone would die someday, everything would end someday, and none of them had any regrets. Probably sooner rather than later, their souls would be imprisoned by a furious Hades, and it would all be over. But as long as Athena had protection, they would rest better.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand

And still, Shura hoped that no one would watch this act. The three of them would not regret it, but he would still rather not be judged by those who had no idea. The rest of the world would not know why they were doing this. They would be called traitors and liars, and no one would know their reasons.

When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Oh, Athena, I'm sorry. He had committed the broken act of killing Shaka with a forbidden tactic. Oh, Athena, please, please, you will understand us, will you not?

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies

He wanted to weep for his goddess, for Shaka, for his own contaminated self, but as he faced Milo, Aiolia, and Mu, his eyes stayed dry. As the conversation proceeded, he knew. They had lied all along, but their lies had been partial truths. They would do anything they needed to get themselves before Athena. Anything. Even killing their own friends. Even killing the person he had sworn to watch over.

When everything seems like the movies
Yeah, you bleed just to know you're alive

It all felt like a made-up story. Unreal. Things were happening all wrong. Athena was not supposed to die. It was not supposed to happen like that. Almost reflexively, Aiolia punched him in the face. The taste of blood appeared in Shura's mouth as he hit the ground, making him finally realize it was all real.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand

He wanted to hole up in the ground again, so that no one could see his traitorous face. No one would ever understand. He had killed his own best friend, and now he had forced his goddess to suicide. What more could he possibly do to make everybody hate him more?

When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Oh, goddess. I'm sorry. Please, somehow, forgive me. He stared brokenly at the slim body lying on the cold stone. Saga was kneeling over her, choking with dry sobs and cries of anguish. Athena, it's me, it's your Shura. All I wanted was to protect you, and make up for my mistakes. I never…none of us ever wanted you to die… Oh, goddess.

I just want you to know who I am