Chapter Two
Degel attempted to check his heart, but Kardia fled the scene before he could even announce his presence. He didn't need to be checked when he could feel his heart burn and feel the pain course through his veins - a normal pattern that happened each day, nothing out of the ordinary. And it seemed, after two days of fleeing from the Aquarius, that Degel took the hint and did not bother to ask of his health.
But, what bad timing to deny a friend's request when the pain rose and left him unsettled - and in the middle of a meeting! He flashed his eyes towards the Pope, watching his hand rise and addressed the upcoming war.
"My fellow Gold Saints, the time will soon arrive when the Holy War will commence. Towns have been struck by Hades's Specters, and soon their invasion will be set on destroying the Sanctuary, along with retrieving Athena's head." His hand gripped the end of the armrest, as the Pope's face became serious, giving a speech of how they must prevail in each battle that came their way. The Scorpion tuned him out and tried to relax his body from collapsing on the red carpet.
Though, whether in his mind or reality, he felt his body go numb and the air in his lungs did not proceed to leave his mouth. He brought his hands to his throat, his eyes searching frantically for aid. It became apparent that he could no longer support his body when his legs tumbled, dragging him to the floor and alerting the others of his fall. His left hand was his support to lift his upper body as his right gripped his throat. His vision started to delude him, that with a bit of strength, his body reacted to release the pressure from his throat.
A burst of blood escaped from his lips as he coughed frantically, letting more blood to splatter on the ground. His coughing did not stop for awhile, but when it did, he was fearful to meet his comrade's gaze. But he would rather face their surprised expressions then look at his own blood, the red liquid smeared on his palms. Casting his eyes to his fellow mates, he could sense that they were worried.
"Kardia," The Pope called for his attention, but he did not respond. Instead, he glanced at Degel's face, who shook his head, and cast his eyes away from Kardia, rejecting to help. It made the Scorpion realize how much help he needed from the man.
"Kardia!" The Pope's demanding voice echoed in a distance, as he did not oblige to look upon his direction. Kardia simply looked away from Degel's face to stare at the ground, hating the comparison between his blood and the red carpet. He was enraged at the sight, questioning the reason why the Gods had given him this accursed disease.
"Kardia!" His eyes widen to the Pope's outburst, as if his shout broke him out of a daze. And blinking his eyes twice, he realized that the Pope did just that, taking notice that he was standing on his two legs, with no blood evident on his hands. His attention turned to those around him, finding their watchfulness on him.
"Kardia, is something the matter?" questioned the Pope, where at last he directed his attention on him.
"No-o," he replied. The Pope did not press the matter, even though he was a bit curious to his strange behavior, as he continued on with the meeting, proceeding to place his eyes more on the Scorpion. While the Pope ensued his speech, Kardia pondered on what had just occurred.
He glanced toward Degel's direction, finding his eyes closed, his facial expression relaxed with his infamous upside-down smile. If only his eyes were open for him to see Kardia's pleading eyes outstretching for him, asking for his help. Yet, he faced another problem: how to ask him. He couldn't just march up to him and say, "Sorry for being prideful, now cure me." No! No way would he do that! He just needed to find another way and fast.
Revision: 20, May 2011