4 years later.

It was finally time.

Today is finally the day Athena rises with a new generation of Saint. Ready to face anything, even death, for the sake of protecting peace, love and justice.

Years passed since Soul started his journey as a Gold Saint. He slaved himself for four to finally get to this point.

All the twelve Gold Saints, donning their Gold Cloths and white capes on their backs, stood outside the Pope's hall, waiting to get the Pope's permission to get in.

"Can you feel that?" Twenty-year-old Soul asked The Old Master, Dohko, who was standing next to him.

"Definitely. That's Athens's Cosmo" Dohko was a great help to Soul in the last pairs of years. With all of his experience, he assisted Soul's training and witnessed the growing of a very strong Saint.

The golden doors of the hall opened, signaling the Saints to make their entrance.

With it, all twelve of them stood in a row before the Pope -who was standing next to Athena's Throne- who has yet to make her entrance.

"Noble Saints," The Pope was wearing his white satin robe and a golden headpiece over his head. "Today is the day, where a new era starts! I, Pope Stein, this era's representative of her Highness Athena, shall lead this army of brave men and women to victory. Old Saints or new Saints, that don't matter; what matter is that since all of you are present in this holy place wearing a sacred Cloth, you should swear loyalty and fidelity to Athena. As well be ready to put your life on the line for her and this world."

The Pope looked at every single one of the Saints that stood before him, seeing determination and devotions in their gazes.

"Her Highness and I believe in the Cloth's choices hence believe that you, Saints, are going to make a difference, so don't let us nor your Cloths down." By the time Pope Stein finished talking a feminine voice was heard from behind him.

"I'm sure they won't."

"Your highness!" As soon as the Pope exclaimed and turned to face the Goddess, all twelve Saints dropped on one knee, with their heads bowed down, in sign of respect to their Goddess.

There stood Athena is all her glory, spreading her calm and loving Cosmo around the hall, welcoming her new Saints.

Wearing a silky white sleeveless dress, midsection covered in a golden corset filled with diamonds, the Goddess had a chocker made of gold and stones married an upper arm bracelet made from the same material.

Athena walked -her signature staff in hand- to her throne, sitting down.

Right before her eyes was the twelve strongest Saints of her Army.

"Saints, present yourselves to your Goddess." Pope Stein said from where he was standing next to Athena's throne.

As commanded, each Saint presented themselves and their Constellation;

"Aries Mu." Said the man, with long violet hair, Donning the Aries Cloth. The Gold Saint of skill and rebirth. Known for his ability of telekinesis and Cloth repair. A survivor of the previous Holy War.

"Taurus Aldebaran." Said the man, with long grey hair, donning the Taurus Cloth. The Gold Saint of power and destruction. Known for his strong form and even stronger heart. A survivor of the previous Holy War.

"Gemini Elizabeth. Gemini Patricia." Said two women, with blonde hair, donning the Gemini Cloth. The Gold Saints of duality and fate. Twins Known for fusing their bodies into one making them one body with two minds, hence double the Cosmo.

"Cancer Black*star." Said the man, with blue hair, donning the Cancer Cloth. The Gold Saint of death and creation. Known for separating souls from bodies and sending them to the underworld.

"Leo Aiolia." Said the man, with brown hair, donning the Leo Cloth. The Gold Saint of intelligence and stability. Known for his tactics on the battlefield and speed. A survivor of the previous Holy War.

"Virgo Kid." Said the man, with black hair and three white strips on one side, donning the Virgo Cloth. The Gold Saint of damnation and salvation. Known to be the man closest to God

"Libra Dohko." Said the man, with red hair, donning the Libra Cloth. The Gold Saint of balance and harmony. Known as 'The Old Master.' and his experience as a Saint. A survivor of the two previous Holy Wars.

"Scorpio Azusa." Said the woman, with short black hair, donning the Scorpio Cloth. The Gold Saint of discipline. Known for her deadly Antares attack and her venomous needle.

"Sagittarius Soul." Said the man, with Ivory hair, donning the Sagittarius Cloth. The Gold Saint of wisdom and loyalty. Known for being the youngest Gold Saint, and his ability to awaken his Cosmo from a very young age. His sagacity and faithfulness since ancient times are also on the list.

"Aquarius Justin." Said the man, with blonde hair, donning the Aquarius Cloth. The Gold Saint of eternity. Known for being the master of ice and his skills at making frozen coffins.

"Capricorn Hiro." Said the man, with blonde hair, donning the Capricorn Cloth. The Gold Saint of sharpness and solitude. Known for Excalibur who lives in his right arm, and heart as sharp as a sword.

"Pisces Tsubaki." Said the woman, with long black hair, donning the Pisces Cloth. The Gold Saint of deception and guidance. Known for her beautiful yet deadly and poisonous roses.

The Pope took a step forward.

"Each and every one of you shall guard their Zodiac House, hence not letting any intruder pass. And shall now swear fidelity to her Highness, Athena!"

"We solemnly swear to protect Athena, love, justice, and peace."

All twelve Saint said in unison, meaning every single syllable.

"Over the millennia, the Earth, our home," Athena said, standing up from her throne. "Has been threatened many times by gods and evil enemies. But justice always found a way to victory. This is why, we are gathered here today. My incarnation -unfortunately- means that evil has risen somewhere in the world, but I, Athena, the Goddess of War shall stand up, with you brave Saint by my side, to fight against evil."

Athena started to walk down the four stairs, to be the same level as her Saints, ash-blonde locks -that goes past the small of her back- waving graciously with each of her moments.

"Battles will be tough, but I guarantee you that we will make it through each step of the way, together." The Goddess, while walking back to sit on her throne, raised her Cosmo level, engulfing all the presents with her positive energy.

"Raise your heads, Saints." The Pope ordered, "For you shall be the upper example for the rest of the Saints."

When raising their heads, they took the chance to look at her Divinity for the very first time.

Athena, as well, gazed into the eyes of every single one of them, stopping at a pair of Crimson ones who looked back at her with fire in them. Unconsciously, her hand made its way to the necklace that has been around her neck for years.

"You shall take your departure," The Pope, unaware of what's happening, said. "If anything goes on, report as soon as possible."

Without another word said by anyone, all twelve Gold Saints stood up and walked to the golden doors.

Once outside, Dohko couldn't help but feel a change in Soul's Cosmo.

"Soul," Dohko placed a hand over Soul's Cloth shoulder part. "Is everyone alright?"

"Yes, I just got something on my mind. Nothing to worry about." Soul looked at Dohko with a smile over his shoulder

"Mhm" Dohko did not buy it, but did not want to push the young man.

After that all the Gold Saint made their way down to their temples.

Soul sat down on the ground leaning on one of the outer pillars of the Sagittarius house, sun hitting his face.

Holding his necklace in his fist close to his face, Soul thought about his encounter with Athena. The eyes, the hair, the necklace. He's sure it's her.

Sensing another person's presence, Soul stood up -wings extending- and placed the necklace back around his neck.

"Who's here?" Soul softly asked, not feeling any danger radiating for this person's presence.

A middle age woman, with bright blonde hair walked out from where she was hiding behind a pillar.

"Lord Soul?" The woman said.

"Yes?" He approached the woman, "what brings you here ma'am? Anything I can help you with?"

"I'm Marie, Athena's servant." Marie told him, looking at his Cloth in awe hence be it her first time to see a Gold Saint up close. "And she personally asked me to bring you to her; said Her Highness wants to see you."

"Of course,"

Since the Sagittarius House was the ninth temple, they had to go through three more house, all while Marie telling Soul how she was the one to somehow raise Athena.

"When Athena was brought to the Sanctuary eight years ago, she was just ten years old, unaware of what fate had in store for her." Marie said with a smile on her face. "The Grand Pope entrusted me with Athena when she was just a child. As she grew up, my love for her as a mother grew as well."

Entering the Pope's temple -where the Pope's hall was located- they started walking until they reached the familiar golden doors.

"Her Highness always used to talk about that certain boy, who always was there for her back in her old hometown. Guess she found him again," Marie smiled knowingly at the Gold Saint who looked at her with an unreadable expression. "I shall take my leave now, Lord Soul."

And with that the woman left Soul alone standing before the doors. With a sigh, he pushed the doors open and walked it, doors closing on their own.

Soul walked in straight up, eyes glued on the maroon colored carpet.

He stopped right before the two pairs of steps that led to the throne of Athena and dropped down on one knee, head bowed.

"Solitude." Said the Goddess, making all the guards to leave. "Sagittarius Soul, raise your head."

Obliging, Soul raised his head.

"Maka." The Gold Saint whispered, not knowing how to approach the Goddess that was once his friend.

Athena, Maka, looked deep into the red eyes that she missed for years now.

Athena stood up from her place and walked down to where Soul was kneeling.

Kneeling down herself, she placed both of her delicate hands over the Saint's face.

"It has been a long time, Soul" Maka smiled.

"Indeed," Soul whispered back, "look at you, Maka. All grown up and a Goddess now."

Maka smiled. The universe works in a very bizarre way, she thought. Who knew after eight long years, they'd meet again.

"And you as well," The Goddess stood up, helping the Saint on his feet as well. He was so tall. Her head barely reached his shoulders, making her look up at him. "You're a Saint now. Remember when you told me once that you wanted to become a strong warrior?"

"Yeah, your knight in shining armor," Soul chuckled at the memory. It was so long ago yet feels like yesterday. "I guess it was meant to be."

"I guess." Maka smiled. A smile Soul always wanted to see splatter on her face. "On that faithful day, when Dohko came to take me, I never thought I'd ever see you again."

"Dohko?" Soul asked, a hint of shock laced his voice. "Dohko was the one to find me when the Sagittarius Cloth came to me. That old man."

"It seems like fate had it all planed out for us; wanting us to meet again, under such circumstances." Maka looked at Soul deep in the eyes. For a mare minute, she was sure she saw a galaxy in his burning eyes. "Have received the ring I left you?"

Taking his hands in hers, she inspected his fingers, not finding the trace of said ring. He let out a small chuckle before she was able to question him again.

He let go of her hands, but not before giving them a gentle squeeze, dragging his own hands to his neck, fishing the necklace that was beneath the Cloth. He took it off and showed it to her, the ring shining brightly at the light.

"Due to all of my training, I couldn't wear it on my finger and risk it getting damaged, so I wore it as a necklace, just like you did -still do." Soul fondly smiled at the woman when she grabbed the ring that was around her neck, looking at him with her big green eyes. "Do you want it back?"

Maka took it from his hand and tried to put it on him. Noticing her struggles, he bowed down a bit so she can reach. Smiling at the action, the Goddess placed the necklace when it belonged, around her Saint's neck.

"I'm not taking it back. It's yours." She simply said. "I gave it to you before all of this happened, I'm not going take it now. Hopefully it'll guard you when you need it to."

"Maka," Soul whispered and gripped the ring.

"The battles that are to come won't be easy." Maka walked two steps back, "and I apologize in advance for everything that you will endure. I've known you for a long time, Soul. You are a kind hearted person, and now you're forced to fight, but unfortunately nothing can be done."

"Maka, Look at me." Soul moved forward until he was looking straight down at her. "This is my fate. And I'm not the kind of person to run from what was written for me in the stars. You're not forcing me to fight, Athena. Do you think that I'll just sit and mop around when I know that you're in danger? Whatever happens, I'm ready to fight and put my life on the line to protect you and this Earth's love and peace."

Smiling. The Goddess took one of his hands in both of hers and let her calming Cosmo envelop them.

While entering his temple around sunset time, the Sagittarius Saint felt a familiar Cosmo around.

"Hello to you too, Dohko." Soul said and smirked when the Libra Saint showed himself from behind a pillar.

"I heard that you went to meet Athena. What's wrong?" Dohko jumped right into the subject.

Soul walked and stood beside him, looking at the beauty of the Sanctuary during sunset time.

"Say Dohko," the Sagittarius Saint said, still looking at the horizon before him. "Does the place where I used to live remind you of anything?"

The Libra Saint was confused as how will this answer his question of why Soul was called to Athena, but he thought of it either way.

"Well, before I met you, I came to the orphanage where your mother used to work." Dohko answered him after a while.

"Was it eight years ago?"

"Yes, it was. " Dohko wondered for he got this piece of information from, since no one knew about it aside from the Pope. "Soul, stop with the hints. Where are you trying to get?"

Smiling, Soul turned to face the old man.

"The little girl that you brought to the Sanctuary eight years ago -Athena- is a childhood friend of mine."

"What?" Dohko asked as got closer to the young man. "Are you being serious?"

"Why would I joke about something like this?" Soul had a more serious look on his face now. "The girl who I knew since I was seven is now the Goddess of War."

"Is she the one who gave you the ring that is around your neck?" Dohko asked, putting all the pieces together.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry Soul." Dohko apologized, not knowing why he was. "I couldn't possibly know that-"

"Dohko, I'm not blaming you." Soul turned his head and gave Dohko a small smile. "This is how it was supposed to be. You have nothing to be sorry about. Who knows where Maka would be if you didn't bring her here or where would I be if you did not come to me that day? I'm guessing it's our destiny."

"You've really grown up, Soul." Dohko looked at the man he met four years ago, when he was just sixteen.

"It's a part of living." Soul replied with a smirk on his face.

Both Gold Saint stood at the entrance of the Sagittarius temple, looking at the sun setting down on the Sanctuary.