From this chapter, there will be three or four chapters about Sage and Pandora's past. Please enjoy!
Changed in plane clothes Cheshire gave him, Sage was sitting in front of the fire place in the kitchen. Fire was out long before and chill from stone floor was creeping over his body. But he sat still, eyes fixed on empty fire place, thinking of the last Holy war and what happened after that. The war ended September 23rd in year 1500. That day he and his brother, Hakurei, cried till they exhaust themselves. Thry knew how many friends and comrades died to win this war. However, even before tears dried from their cheeks, two had to work on. Burial of deads, finding new Saints and soldiers, reconstruction of Sanctuary and appointing new Grand Pope.
" Brother, are you serious? Do you really mean it? "
Sage asked again and again, pale from surprise and looking almost scared. He was holding Pope's clothings. Hakurei answered back packing not even looking at his brother.
" Yes. I mean it. I'm not a kind to take charge. There is NO ONE to complain anyway. And, I cannot forgive those gods! "
Hakurei was tembling rightly with Athena's sword clutched in his hands. She was no more than twenty. When they thought it was all over, when they relived believing Athena, themselves, comrades and that boy who once used as Hades' body could live as normal people, in peace, maybe happily ever after like a fairy tale. When they were excited by those thoughts, all were taken away.
" Damn those gods... " Cursing with low growl barely audible, Hakurei stood up with sword tied to his belt.
" I will teach disciples in Jamir and find whatevef information I can about twin gods. "
" ...I... I see, Please take care, big brother. "
That was the last word they had. Hakurei left sanctuary with nothing much like a farewell, leaving Sage alone in the Pope's throne room. When Sage finally realised his muscles were aching with tense, he just opened his arms and dropped clothings on the floor. Helmet and robe, rosarios hit stone making loud noise, echoing. When echos died away bids from snapped rasario made a rolling noise. Sage looked down at the scene emotionlessly.
What's the use?
There was no Goddess to courtesy in the robe, not even a person who would scold him. Besides, he was the Grand Pope now. Pope's clothings were now his belongings. Stepping on the robe, Sage strode to throns and sat there. When the Holy was started there was used to be twelve Gold Saints lined up, waiting for Pope and Athena's order. But now the throne room was empty, silent, without life as much as a mouse. Sage sat there abset minded. When Sage came back, sky was dotted with stars.
" It's already night... "
He didn't expect an answer. Rubbing his arms for some warmth he headed to the Star hill. He read stars for whole night to get a hint for new saints' whereabout. He had to do it even though he was alone. Find and teach Saints preparing for next war. He was the Pope. Saint who serve Athena and fight and trying with his all might for peace and welfare of earth. He left sanctuary after reading stars for three nights without sleep, traveling around world to find new saints.
It took long time. He traveled at day and read stars at night. When he found one with talent, he traveled back to sanctuary taking diffrent route to find othet with cosmo. On the way to sanctuary Sage trained them as much as possible. When they arrived, Sage spend two or three months teaching them properly. When he thought trainees were ready, he left with them to find other trainees. He repeated whole process dozens of times. During that time Sage contacted to Hakurei as often as possible to discuss tactic against twin gods.
After almost ten years, sanctuary was reconstructed to it's minumum facilities. Sage was tired, exhausted, drained from continuing journey. He was still young, only in mid thirty. However he was to the point of mental breakdown. Sleepless nights came more often and every sleepless night, Sage blamed himself constantly about every small problems in sanctuary. He hated to work, he hated to worrying about Holy war. Then something came to him.
Maybe, just maybe... What if I could prevent the war?
Sage started to working on the thought.
Why the war start at the first place? Hades reincarnate in humanbody to fight Athena.
He choose the one with purest soul. Then could we find and kill the one?
He ignored the idea quickly. It was too risky considering not knowing when Hades might reincarnate and too cruel.
But what If we can find Pandora's reincarnation?
Sage knew Pandora was the one who wakes up Hades. Find and kill Pandora's reincarnation, that looked more promising and easier than kill the one who might be Hades' body.
From that day, Sage left most of his work to senior saints and began to read stars again.
