I. Open your eyes to a nightmare
For many years, hundreds of years, back even during the Age of Myth, Man clad in armor bearing the eighty-eight constellations appear. Their fists were fast as sound and light, crushed stone and steel, and their kicks tore the sky. While these men carry a legend common from an epic, there was something else that they had: hope in their hearts. Hope. Living among the ugliness of human life, and to affront evil, Man's emotions elevate and their bodies explode with the power of the stars – Cosmos!
It was these characters who protected the beloved Earth: The Saints! Since the time of Saori Kido's recognition as the Goddess Athena, many entities of darkness have affronted Earth,and met their fate.
There was the God of War who nearly blanketed life with darkness in twelve hours – Mars. The dastardly God of Darkness who tried to consume light in Mars's stead – Abzu; the marionette Goddess who stood on the polar side of her sibling – Pallas; then, the God who, like the arms of a clock, waited patiently for his turn in rule – Saturn.
Threats continue to creep behind peace, waiting to spring out unnoticed.
"Hey Eden, look at this!" Many months passed since the withdrawal of Saturn. Kouga was a boy who didn't have family, and his friends were few in number. The only friends he made embraced one another as comrade in arms. It was the fate of a Saint, learning only the hardships of facing war. Outside of that was a refreshing change.
Kouga's travels brought him to a crowed town in Greece. He felt like a weight was lifted off from him, and a childish energy took over his body. He could now use his hands differently; they were hardened from fighting, and it lightened his heart to just open a magazine.
"Eden!" The lively red-haired boy bolted up to his friend and pushed the magazine up to his face.
"What is it?" Eden spoke dryly. It was his characteristic to maintain a cool, contemplative bearing. From an elite upbringing, Eden strove to become strong and couldn't shake off the habit of being a detached loner. Aiding Kouga many times in the past, it still took him a long time to understand how to connect with others, and to find significance in the world. He remained the quiet type in opposition to the emotive Kouga.
"Let's go the museum!" Koga suggested with a smile. Eden hummed as he looked into the magazine, seeing photos of nude statues in twisted poses, carrying javelins and discus. Some figures were dressed in rippling ankle-length chitons; there were also drawings of pottery. Eden refrained from asking Kouga about a reason, his eyes looking across tiny inked descriptions about the statues.
"Kings, Gods, and athletes." Eden muttered.
"Yeah!" Kouga looked into the magazine. "It's the museum of Thrýlos, and it has artifacts from long ago there. That can be our next destination."
Kouga's travels had been fruitful after the Pallas-Saturn war. The more days passed, the more he wanted to engage into a life of a boy, into his natural curiosities that were mired by fighting as a Saint. He could see that the world, in which Saori Kido protected, had many things that were important to one of million lives. There was more to Earth. He could see what the Gods he had faced abhorred, and that each "thing" had years of backstory.
Eden didn't smile, and his serious face deepened. "To think that mankind has been through much bloodshed to make these statues."
"Oh come on!" Kouga quickly swung his arm over Eden's neck and glowered. He would not accept any of his former rival's gloominess.
"Let's go the museum!"
"Alright, Kouga." Eden complied in his ever-so calm manner. It took, however, the luxury of peace to get him to finally address the Pegasus Saint by his true name; to finally make him realize that they were friends. The two boys padded through the crowd. The villagers moved their own way, while the boys reached a side street. Kouga had his face in the magazine.
"Ah—!" Suddenly, Kouga lost the light of day. He heard Eden call his name, and he was yanked into the darkness of the alley. Eden sprinted after his comrade, but he didn't have to go far. He stopped behind the red-haired boy, bracing himself.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" Kouga raised a fist. In front of him was was a guy no less than suspicious. The alley enclosed with shadow blanketed the stranger's features. The mystery deepened further from the thick hooded mantle that the stranger wore.
"It's been a while, Orion, Pegasus." The stranger said in a grave, masculine voice. Hearing the familiar title connected to his Cloth, Kouga felt an agitating squeeze in his stomach. He lowered his fist.
"Who are you?" Kouga asked. The mantle's hood was pulled down, revealing a man with a rugged face and bright purple hair. Seemingly older than Kouga and Eden with his goatee, he had a wild look to him; sharp, narrowed eyes that bore down on prey before a killing strike stared at Kouga. Kouga felt like he was facing an enemy.
"I am one of the Silver Saints of Athena, Hound Miguel," The Saint said with a jarring smile.
Despite Miguel's looks, both Kouga and Eden sighed in relief. They both were acquainted with the Silver Saint before. Kouga had fought Miguel on one occasion as an enemy, and even though they came together as allies and fought against Pallas's soldiers, the Hound's bellicose looks instantly made the notion of him being a soldier of justice waver.
"How did you find us?!" Kouga asked in surprise; frankly, he wanted to know why the Silver Saint was here, and doubted it was out of coincidence.
"My nose," Miguel let out a little laugh and pointed to his head. Mounted on it was a helmet shaped like a dog's head; it was a part of his Cloth representing Canes Venatici, latin for the Hunting Dog.
"Listen kids, sorry to disturb your fun, but you're needed back."
Kouga's heart shook hearing those words. Eden didn't say anything; he immediately felt the substance of the Silver Saint's words and knew what he meant. Kouga wanted to be in disbelief. He wanted to know if something happened, or was going to happen, and more importantly: did he have to return to the duty of a Saint? He stared at Miguel breathless, and the Hound Saint only needed to say a few words.
"Lady Athena wants you."
Miss Saori, the words in his head cleansed Kouga's anxiety, or rather it pulled him with chains of loyalty. The idea of seeing Saori warmed him. He hasn't seen her in a long time after all, his adoptive guardian, whom he'd do anything for. Without hassle, Kouga and Eden followed the Hound Saint out of town. Kouga tucked the magazine into his shoulder sack.
Outside the boundaries of the town were two others. Miguel was accompanied by Bayer, the short, bespectacled Silver Saint representing Boötes the herdsman, and Menkar, the burly Silver Saint representing Cetus, the whale. Both of them wore mantles as well.
"Got 'em," Miguel said to his companions, slapping a hand on Menkar's shoulder, "and off to the Sanctuary we go."
"And here I thought I had to rein you in, Pegasus." Bayer said with a wide grin, eyeing Kouga. He then gave a chattering laugh that only reminded Kouga of the days of Mars's war when the Bronze Saints were branded as traitors. Bayer opened his mantle, revealing the ribbon-like strands on his arms. They glow a fiery red; it was only a tease and the Saints walked as a close group without trouble. Eden leaned towards Kouga's ear and whispered.
"They're an uncouth bunch," he said, nodding his head, "but Lady Athena highly acknowledges them." Kouga easily believed it. He felt like he was in the right hands, but curiosity troubled him.
"Why were you guys looking for us?" Kouga asked. In his mind, he also wondered why they were dressed in cloaks. Cloths were indeed suspicious; so was carrying Pandora Boxes to store Cloths when not in use. The Cloths were donned only for training or battle, but after observing Miguel and Bayer closer, he could tell that the Silver Saints were armed for battle.
"It's because something is up, kid." Miguel was as discreet as his cloak. Bayer only nodded, uttering a hum of agreement.
"But surely, no one wants to bother the God-slaying Pegasus, right?" Menkar said with a laugh. "Aren't you lucky?"
Grimacing, Kouga felt disgust from the words. The title of "God Slayer" left an impression in him, reminding him of his painful journey as a new Saint, and the existence of the Dark Cosmos that plagued him and nearly had his friends killed. It agitated him; the Silver Saints' ambiguity that is, incorporating it with some cheery mood, the same kind of cheeriness that Kouga left behind in town when he wanted to visit the museum. All the while, he felt this undercurrent of worry. He definitely sensed that he had to battle again. The tension grew as he headed towards the Sanctuary.
Kouga and Eden's travel towards the Sanctuary went by without problems. Eventually, they reached the boundaries beyond Athens, and the outer premises of the Sanctuary. Kouga remembered the ruined stone temples at the foot of the mountain roads he descended. Greek ruins stood as shadows of battles long past and left an impression of warriors in long-scale combat. An orchestra was filled with Saints and soldiers in training. Kouga, Eden, and the Silver Saints reached the base of the Twelve Zodiac Temples. As they climbed the stairs, the wounds of memory returned.
The first house was vacant. Its guardian was titled the Gold Saint of Regeneration and Craft. During the Invasion of Pallasbelda, Aries Kiki died against Hyperion, one of the commanders of Pallas. He did so to protect his friends from the fatal backlash of Athena Exclamation, the Saints' strongest attack.
Mr. Kiki, Kouga thought of the Aries Saint and what he had done for him and everyone else. The sorrowful reminder told him that such events would repeat themselves, and it felt that it would be soon. Most of the other Temples ahead were also empty; Kouga and Eden couldn't help but wonder where Seiya, Integra, and Fudou were.
"Kouga!" A voice called above the Saints' heads. Everyone looked up as they approached the Pope Chamber. Kouga's worry was set aside, and he broke into a wide smile.
"Miss Shaina!" He rushed up the stairs; it was another face he hasn't seen in a long time. A face covered by a stoic mask comparable to the faces of the Greek statues in Koga's magazine. The mask was a common trait among Female Saints to keep them steady on a warrior path, and to avoid bewitching both enemy and ally. Shaina, the Silver Saint with the snake bearing constellation of Ophiuchus, was a long time friend of Seiya and Kouga. She was also Kouga's master.
"Welcome back," said Shaina.
"What's up?"
"Speak with Athena about it."
Kouga frowned at his tutor's words. Shaina's dignified character, side by side with how blunt she was, sent a little crack into Kouga's barrier of intimacy. Even thoough he wanted to know why he had to return, for once he did not want to greet familiar friends beside the notions of "war" and "combat", but only as Kouga. Shaina told the Saints that Athena was at her temple and led them pass the Pope Chamber. They escalated the stairs behind the Goddess temple, and reaching there, they saw Athena in front of her colossal statue.
"Miss Saori!" Kouga whisked himself in front of Eden and the others, looking ahead. Next to Athena was Sagittarius Seiya, who looked upset.
Shaina gasped in surprise. In front of the Goddess and the Gold Saint was another woman. Having her back turned to the Saints, the stranger looked over her shoulder.
"The destroyers of law have come." Her voice was a slow bass, and her choice of words was careful. Her waist-length hair shined like winter snow. With her grace, her presence felt overbearing. Kouga's lip tightened; his tendency to burst out in haste was bound by one look from the woman's piercing green eyes.
Who is that? Kouga took a few slow extra steps. He was curious, but didn't reach far. The woman's forehead was highlighted by a viny pattern, and Kouga had a feeling he was about to approach someone out of league with him. Eden stepped next to his friend. His eyes narrowed.
"That Cosmos," he said, "I felt it before." Kouga looked at Eden, surprised. He had a funny feeling in his gut when he saw the woman, but didn't think too deeply of it.
"Kouga, Eden, you're here," Athena's voice was soothing as usual; it was not hidden that she longed to see her Saints and "adoptive son". Despite the inexplicable tension, she gave out a gentle smile.
"I am glad. I'm glad that you're safe." Now Kouga, hearing relief from Athena, definitely knew there was something wrong.
"Miss Saori! What's the matter? Who is that woman?!" Kouga finally asked. Athena's face turned melancholy.
"That must be our malefactor," said Shaina. She advanced ahead of Kouga and Eden, the other Silver Saints following her. Her stride was confident.
"There have been reports of Saints being attacked," she said, "when Athena sent us to investigate a new presence during the Winter equinox. Some didn't return." Shaina's words confirmed to Kouga, to his dismay, that there was a new conflict for the Saints.
"I was attacked as well. When I was, among the fighting, I thought I saw a strange shadow, or maybe an illusion of a woman with long white hair. You fit the description!" Twitching her hand, an electric current flicked between Shaina's sharp nails. Her intent was towards the mysterious woman. She then halted as she felt a touch.
"Hey, don't worry Shaina," Hound Miguel said, having placed a hand on Shaina's shoulder, "we'll handle this!" The Hound Saint's grinned widely. A bellicose guy was someone of his word, and he moved right in front of Shaina, followed by Bayer.
"Here's the reins!" Bootes Bayer raised an arm and the strands across his wrist writhed around Miguel's own wrist. Fire streaked across the ribbons, setting it ablaze.
The white-haired woman only let out a humph. "This only makes things a lot easier for me," she said.
"Menkar, Bayer, let's charge!" Miguel ordered with lively confidence.
"Be careful guys," Shaina said.
The woman turned to fully face the Saints. She was not fazed at the slightest.
"Besides, I do need the key." Coming from her dry, fearless voice made her words ominous.
"And the key's life," she continued, "needs to be empty first." After her words, there was a soft sound, the cracking of stone or metal. Everything was still; only the wind blew.
"Guo!" A hoarse gurgle from a voice.
"S-Sh…" Koga's words were stuck. He widened his eyes; Eden had the same expression, completely shocked. Miguel's grin did not wane, as his fist engulfed in flame slipped through the cuirass of Shaina.
"Uooooo!" Collecting his breath, Menkar lunged behind Shaina and fastened her with both of his heavy arms.
"Kaitos Spouting Bomber! Ha!" With that one cry, Menkar heaved her and the Ophiuchus Saint was propelled fast into the air. Shaina grunted loud, surprised by the cosmic force that suddenly shot through her back. Her gut then reversed; at the same amount of force and speed, she was dropping. A whistling sound of her falling cut the air.
"Shaina!" Seiya cried out, and lunged towards the Silver Saints. He soared past the unknown woman, and suddenly his body spiraled into the other direction.
"Guah!" Seiya struck a column next to Athena's statue.
"Don't interfere, Sagittarius Seiya, or should I say Pegasus Seiya?" The woman said calmly, her black mantle rippling from the gust she felt from Seiya passing her.
Shaina's body crashed hard into the stone ground, sending up dust and the noise of pounds of marble being destroyed in an instant.
Menkar grinned, and then laughed. "Heh heh, Shaina how does it feel being crushed by one-hundred and eighty tons of gravitational pull?" The Whale Saint crossed his arms, looking smug. When the smoke cleared, Shaina was seen spread-eagled in a crater.
The white-haired woman closed her eyes and softly uttered, "Good."
"What do you three think you're doing?!" Eden sprung forward, and threw a punch at Whale Menkar. He was without his Cloth, but that didn't hinder his resolve as a Saint. A companion was harmed, and Athena was betrayed right in front of her eyes. Menkar turned and grabbed Eden's fist.
"What?!" Eden observed Menkar's cloth underneath the mantle. His silver Cloth sparkled, and was warped into a pitch black hue.
Kouga felt his mouth trembling. He lost feeling in his legs and his knees dropped to the ground. He couldn't move, and his eyes were fixed on the crater. The body in the crater was motionless, and it shook Kouga's hope. He hoped to avoid the situation, and hoped that everything would turn out for the better, but it all seemed unlikely. The sight of it all sent a tremor inside his chest, and his eyes became welled with heavy tears.
Unable to contain his emotions, Pegasus Kouga, with a face expressing fear, let out a scream of anguish. "MISS SHAINAAAAAAAA!"