Chapter 8

By: MysticFantasy (taken over from MimiYamatoForever)

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Aldebaran gently reached behind Mu and brought him into a sitting position.

Lyfia watched as the doctor gathered a spoonful of the medicine from the wooden bowl in his hand and carefully poured the light green liquid into the saint's mouth.

Aldebaran leaned Mu's head back slightly and the doctor massage his throat enough for the liquid to be swallowed, then Mu was laid back down.

Everyone watched in silent tension to see if the Aries saint was cured. Several tense moments passed and with each passing moment, everyone felt more and more afraid that the medicine was not as effective as beleived.

But their worry and fear was quickly dashed when the darkened light of Mu's cosmo quickly became gold again before flashing brightly for a second and then vanishing.

When the light cleared, they saw that the Aries cloth was now standing beside the bed and Mu was in his regular clothing. The pain that had been on his face was now gone and he almost seemed at peace.

"I think it worked." the doctor exclaimed happily and quickly moved over to the next.

One by one, Lyfia watched as the doctor administered the medicine to the others and her relief and joy grew when the same results that happened to Mu happened to the others.

It worked. Lyfia thought happily. The medicine worked! They're going to be ok!

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[]

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Hours had gone by since the Gold Saints were cured.

They had each been moved to seperate and private rooms for their recovery as well as the others who had given their cosmo to help their commrades.

Nurse maids had helped clean the saints and change their clothing before letting them rest peacefully in comfortable beds.

Lyfia had wanted to hurry to Aioria's side but Aiolos had beat her to it. She thought it best if Aiolos looked over his little brother so for now she was taking the time to rest from going to the Underworld. After eating a hot meal, she had taken a short nap and freshened up when she woke.

Heading to where the Gold Saints were now residing in the guest wing, Lyfia found herself the center of gratitude from the Gold Saints that were awake.

Milo and DeathMask were just waking and a few of the others were just lying on a bed to regain their energy and cosmo.

Each one that Lyfia spoke with was curious to know how she got the Hearts Desire and each time Lyfia had to explain that it was a secret she would always have to keep. While some of the men were upset they would never know the secret of the healing flower, they were still understanding that she couldn't tell what it was.

After spending time with them, she was finally able to make her way to the room where Aioria was. She was about to knock on the door when it opened and revealed Aiolos in his casual clothing.

"Oh, hello Aiolos." Lyfia greeted.

"Hello Lyfia," he greeted as he exited the room and closed the door. "I'd like to speak with you for a moment if that's alright."

"Of course." Lyfia said with a smile.

"I would just like to offer my deepest gratitude and thanks for what you did for Aioria and the others." Aiolos said. "I haven't been in their lives long but they are all dear to me, especially my brother. I'm very happy that we will be able to continue to remain together. I know that the whole ordeal was tasking for you. Especially when it came to the obtaining the Hearts Desire. Not being sure of how Aioria felt toward you must have been a little nerve wrecking."

Lyfia looked surprised at the archer who lightly chuckled.

"It wasn't hard to figure out." he said through a smile. "But don't worry. I won't tell anyone."

Lyfia smiled. Aiolos was truly greater than she had been told by the other Gold Saints.

"He's waiting for you." Aiolos said and allowed Lyfia to enter the room.

Lyfia gave Aiolos a final smile before entering the room. At first sight, she had thought Aioria was sleeping but when he moved she smiled that he was awake.

"Lyfia," Aioria greeted as he slowly sat up.

Lyfia quickly closed the door and hurried over to his side.

"Don't strain yourself." she advised as she got him to at least sit leaning back onto the pillows. "You need to rest."

Aioria lightly chuckled but stayed where he was. He was still tired from the effects of the poison. From what his brother told him, he could only guess that he and the others had just managed to be given the antidote before their cosmo had been completely drained and their lives lost.

And they got that antidote because of Lyfia. She had willing volunteered to go to the Underworld and ask Shun himself to have a chance to get the flower that would heal them.

She had seen dead souls, passed by the prisons, heard things she wouldn't be able to forget so easily, asked for the flower by the ruler of the dark kingdom and was able to obtain one.

"Do you need anything?" Lyfia asked. "Some water? Are you hungry?"

"I'm fine, Lyfia." Aioria answered with a smile. "I'm the one who should be asking if you're ok. You did go to the Underworld after all."

"Oh, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Lyfia said. "Although, there are a few things that may stay with me a while."

Aioria reached for her hand and held it in his.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of that." he said. "Maybe if I had noticed something odd going on at the dinner..."

"Aioria, don't blame yourself." Lyfia stated as she covered his hand with hers and leaned closer to him. "No one knew what was going to happen and I was willing to do whatever I could to help you and the others. I just wish I had been able to get the flower sooner."

"I know you did as best as you could. I've been to the Underworld myself and I know it's not an easy place at all. You were able to get the flower and bring it back to us in time to save us. I don't know how I can ever thank you enough."

"Guess you know how Asgard feels." Lyfia teased and they both chuckled before going into a comfortable silence.

"I'm so happy that you're alright, Aioria." Lyfia said. "I was so worried about you."

"All thanks to you, Lyfia." Aioria replied.

"Oh good goddess!"

"Just kiss her already!" muffled voices declared from where the two suspected was behind the door.

"Milo! DeathMask! Get back to your rooms!"

A few shuffling noises were heard before it was silent once more.

"Sounds like Milo and DeathMask are feeling better." Lyfia mused.

"And Saga is doing a good job keeping them in place." Aioria added. "But perhaps...they finally have a good idea?"

Lyfia felt herself blush even more and allowed herself to be brought closer to Aioria.

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[]

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"I'm happy that the saints are recovering quickly." Hilda said as she and Athena stood on a balcony overlooking the village. "I feel awful that they went through such a thing."

"They are strong and healthy." Athena said. "Thanks to Lyfia helping to get them the medicine they needed, everything will be alright."

"Lyfia is a very strong person herself. Willingly going to the Underworld to get the Hearts Desire. I don't know very many people who would do such a thing. I believe that she has become close with the saints. Leo Aioria in particular."

Athena smiled. It was easy to see that the Leo and the young woman were very fond of each other and this situation just seemed to prove it.

"I hope they will be happy." Hilda said. "It's not too often that happiness like this happens in our line of duty."

"That is true." Athena agreed. "I hope that they do not pass this chance to be happy."