Hi, HI! Here's new chapter. Thanks for your reviews. I'm glad that your like this story Anime 300 and LegendarySuperNamek.
Is a bit short but, so is time to read!!
CHAPTER 10: REACTIONS
When Seiya went to see Athenea he stumbled upon a golden human wall. She had strictly prohibited anyone from entering, while she was with the amazons. He used a bit of common sense and didn't proceed further. But looking at all the Golden Saints closely he could figure out that at least some of them already knew what was going on in there and it wasn't worth trying to investigate. They always show such tight secrecy that the only thing left for him to do was to wait.
If the news that Athenea gave the amazons was hard to swallow, it was even more difficult for Shaina who was conscious all the time Artemis spoke to them. She could see the surprise reaction June had, and Marin's fear. She could understand it, she herself tried to reject her, but at the end she had to obey Athenea's orders, she composed herself and gave in.
"Did I really just give in for that?" Shaina thought. "I think I'm trying to make myself believe that. Feeling Artemis power flow thru my body is an overwhelming sensation that now almost feels normal". But, what is it you're really after, Artemis? What will happen to me from here on after?"
Shaina could only think. Artemis had taken total control over her body, and even thou she asked to be conscious all the time; it wasn't pleasant to be in a discussion where she could not express her own opinions.
Athenea spoke again, interrupting her thoughts –Now that you have been warned, I expect your full cooperation.
-Thanks sis– Said Artemis - But it's late and too many things have passed. I suggest all of you rest up and we will gather again in the morning. I want to get to know all of you better.
-And where… will we gather? –Said Marin, trying to control herself.
-At the old amazons training grounds off course, at dawn. You may leave.
Marin made a forceful bow, so did June. Misha and Cagglio had no problem to do so before leaving.
-I hope there are no more problems sister- Said Athenea with a smile.
-I hope not.
But Shaina thought otherwise. Marin's reaction told her that it won't be easy for the goddess to get along with them. She never thought Marin would react that way, or maybe she doesn't know her very well.
Marin left the place furious, and even thou she almost bump into Aioria, she avoided him completely and even started walking faster, so fast that June had difficulty trying to catch up.
-Wait up Marin! - Yelled June and finely she stopped.
-Sorry June, but I can't stand being here one more second.
-I can see that, I could also see that you were not as surprised as me. Do you know something I don't?
Marin could see Misha and Cagglio come out and Aioria getting closer –I can't talk about it here. Do you have a place to stay?
-Well, not really… I thought my stay here would be short.
-You are welcomed in my home. But let's hurry up.
June followed her as fast as she could, she was also angry besides being amazed. She also felt betrayed. All her training had become worthless; all she ever believed was a lie. She was given away like an object or a slave…
Misha saw them leave in a hurry and felt sad. –Ah, they're gone, and I wanted to get to know them better.
-You'll have time for that later; we have much work to do. –Said Cagglio.
-Like what?
-Fix everything. Tomorrow everything must be ready for Artemis. So hurry up, we only have one night.
-And what exactly are we doing?
-You're asking too many questions, besides… it's a surprise –Said Cagglio upon seeing Kanon waiting outside like everyone else.
He immediately felt the cold stare she gave him and got upset when she got closer. –Well, well… I heard about your return and thought it was only a rumor. You haven't changed a bit.
-Neither have you… If Shaina hadn't told me what has happened, I could have sworn you were your brother and you would still be locked up in your cell, rotting away. But as you can see, I'm still very much preserved. It's one of the many rewards for being completely loyal, you traitor.
Misha was amazed; the Golden Saint that seemed to know her master was the same one that was making fun of her the day before.
-It seems you haven't heard the news… Said Kanon with a smile – It's been a long time since everyone knows I'm no traitor, Otherwise I could not carry this cloth with pride. I did what I had to do. What about you?
-After your brother almost killed us, I had to hide for ten years. But since I did it to complete my duty, I'm not ashamed.
-Really? –He replied- Wonderful… even thou a lot of time has passed, you're still very loyal. No one has made you give up, huh?
-Of course not; I'm not like you. Neither you nor your brother could resist the temptation for power. I am not someone that people should be careful of.
-No… You could be even worse. –He said with a smile.
Cagglio clinch her fist so hard, her nails penetrated her palm. Misha was just looking on dumbfounded.
-Mistress…
Kanon look down –Is this one your apprentice? I can see you no longer have the capacity you once had; your pupils don't provoke fear like they used to. And you pretend to protect your goddess with this worthless little amazon?
Misha replied -Hey, That's twice you've made fun of me, and…
Cagglio grabbed her arm –Come on, you must never listen to a single word this man says.
-But…
-Move it – Cagglio pushed the girl and they left in a hurry.
Kanon looked on as they left, showing a smile of triumph and thought "Poor girl… she has no idea the type of bitch she has for a master".
-You shouldn't provoke her –Said Mu- She's dangerous.
-That harpy started it… -Said Kanon –Didn't you hear her?
Mu only shook his head.
Meanwhile, Seiya made his way inside in a hurry as soon as he saw the amazons come out. He was baffled to see Shaina was still there talking to Athenea with such confidence.
-Saori, Why didn't you let me in before?
Shaina turned around to see him and her eyes showed a violet reflection he never saw in her before, because she had brown eyes.
-You should not give so much trust to this… saint, sister. Look at how he talks to you.
-Well he has, and if you want to talk about giving someone too much trust, Cagglio is a good example too.
Artemis smile vanished before putting her mask back on –Just remember what happened to me sis, the reason I'm in this predicament.
-That was because of the stubbornness you showed back then… my situation is different from yours.
-If you say so Athenea… If you say so. Well, I'm leaving now.
-Why don't you stay here? It's been a long time and I would really like to talk…
-You must first talk with your Saints- She interrupted –And I'm not going to intervene. After that, I'll be at your disposal.
-One more thing sister. What do you want me to do with this? –She pointed to the cloth.
-Destroy it, bury it, I don't know. It was my prison and I don't want to see it again.
Artemis left, showing much confidence, all the Golden Saints saw her pass and greeted her respect, she was an ally for the time being, but could turn to be a foe if provoked. Only Milo keeps his eyes on her until she was no longer in sight, he was trying to see Shaina, not Artemis. But even Shaina's way of walking was gone. It was like she had disappeared.
-Sao… Athenea, what's going on here? –Asked Seiya once Shaina had left.
-I'll tell you, but first tell all the Golden Saints to come in –She responded.
They all came in and then she started talking.
-Well Seiya… You asked me a question, now I'm going to answer. Who you just saw leave this room was not only Shaina of Ophiucus, but my sister Artemis as well.
His eyes were wide open before speaking –The… The goddess Artemis?
-Yes, from now on she will be living among us, on the limits of the Sanctuary. So I ask you to respect her and her amazons because…
-Her amazons? –He interrupted –What do you mean by that?
I mean that from now on they will all serve and protect her. The amazons will no longer be under my care because I have returned them to her as a sign of respect and good will. On her part, she will give me her support. I repeat, I ask you to respect them to avoid any conflicts. I suggest that avoid contact with them except only if necessary.
-But, if I want to talk to Marin or…
-As long as you don't provoke them like this morning, it's ok.
Seiya replied: It wasn't my fault… She did something to Hyoga and…
-And cured him. Thanks to Artemis he will be fine. She helped him even if he didn't ask her to do it. You, on the other hand, acted in a violent manner.
Seiya was about to answer when she indicated him to keep quiet.
-I understand your reaction, but Artemis has a short temper and any provocation can start a war. That why I'm specially asking you to be more discreet. Now I have other matters to attend and you have a friend to visit, it's possible he may wake up any moment. Don't you want to be there when that happens?
-Yes, Hyoga will be happy if he sees me there.
-I also ask you to tell your friends everything I just said. It's important they all know and understand my orders.
-All right, but… Can I talk to you later?
Athenea smiled –All right, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. Is that alright?
-Yeah, It can wait. See you!
Once Seiya was gone, Athenea took a deep breath. She could see her Golden Saints waiting to hear her words. –So it's settled, my sister will concentrate on training her amazons and leave me alone for a while. It's no guarantee, so what I just told Seiya goes for all of you. But I'm more confident in every one of you, that you will not provoke them.
No one responded, even thou some knew that following that order would be very difficult to carry out.
-Mu… - She continued, while looking at him directly –How are the repairs going?
-Good, your highness. I hope to finish soon.
-I can see that you are exhausted, don't overdo it, or you'll be weak if when I need you.
-But then my work will take longer.
-Do not worry about that, I rather lose some cloths than lose you. Besides, I have a new task for you that you may like. I know you desire to analyze the cloth that held my sister captive all this time. This is your chance, I want you to examine it and tell me everything about it. But you can start tomorrow. Tonight you'll get some sleep. That's an order.
-I also have some petitions to ask all of you, so listen carefully.
Just as she thought, by that evening everyone in the Sanctuary knew of the presence of a powerful guest. Thou few knew who it was and what she was doing there. In the mean time, the infirmary was filled with visitors because they all wanted to see Hyoga and figure out what happened there this morning. Jost was having difficulties keeping them all out, like his master Milo ordered while he went to see Athenea. They didn't know when Hyoga would wake up.
Hyoga woke up a few minutes later and felt strange. He didn't know where he was, the last thing on his mind was when he was injured in his chest. He removed his bandages and saw that there was only a small wound, which didn't make sense. A small wound like that couldn't have caused him all the pain he remembered, and he knew how to resist pain. Just who help him? Who cured him?
-You're finely awake Hyoga –Said Jost.
Hyoga recognized the boy and now knew where he was.
-Hello Jost. Tell me, was it your master that cured me?
-In a way… maybe… I don't know. –The boy started to laugh.
Hyoga tried to get up. –I need to get out of here.
-No! No! –Said the boy, anxiously –If you leave, my master will get mad. Besides, there are some friends waiting for you outside.
-Who?
All the Bronze Saints entered the room, he was happy to see them and talking came soon after.
-Man, you sure gave us a good scare – Said Ichi.
-But you seem to be very resistant, you're better now –Said Jabu.
-I think so –Said Hyoga looking at his surroundings – Shiryu! What a surprise.
-Of course, I came as soon as I found out you were injured –Said Shiryu –You spoke with me earlier. Don't you remember?
Hyoga tried to remember, but nothing came to mind. Everyone was staring at him, waiting for him to answer.
-I'm sorry, I don't remember.
-That's good, because you were only saying crazy things –Said Ikki.
-Really? –He answered, astound that even Ikki was there. But it was strange that Shun was not there, everyone else was there, except him.
Shun was waiting outside. Jost went out and saw him waiting at the door.
-What are you doing here? Everyone's already inside.
-I don't know how he will react, after what happened before, I don't know if…
-Don't worry about it and just go in –He said and pushed him inside. As soon as Hyoga saw him, he smiled. Shun smiled too, he didn't freak out like before and that made him happy.
-Where you been Shun?
He sighs in relief. –I was just outside. How are you feeling?
-Good, I feel a lot better now that I've seen all of you here.
-It's a good thing everyone is here –Said Seiya- He entered the room –Because what I'm about to tell you will surprise you.
-What?
-Athenea asked me to give you the news.
Jabu was baffled –Athenea… Since when are you so formal Seiya?
-Since when I found out to whom that great cosmos we felt this morning belongs to. The goddess Artemis is here.
-Who? – Many shouted.
-That's impossible –Others said.
-And that's not all –He continued- She's inside Shaina's body…
What!? –Everyone shouted astounded, but now they understood the sudden change in her. It wasn't easy to see who was the most surprised, but Hyoga began to have a clearer picture of what he dreamed about. Shun was looking at him but didn't know what to say. So that's why Athenea's been so serious lately. While Seiya continued to explain, Hyoga started to get more worry.
When Marin and June arrived to Marin's cabin, she turned on a lamp and June could see the chaos there. A recently repaired hole in the wall, and all the broken furniture.
-What happened here Marin? Don't tell me it was here where you were attacked… In your own cabin?
-You know then.
-Shun told me when we bump into each other when I got here. But you look a lot better.
-I'm starting to wish otherwise.
-I don't understand…
Marin took off her mask –It seems that Shaina and… That goddess had something to do with my recovery. And I don't like the idea of having to owe them that.
-You also don't like the idea of having to serve them.
-And you do?
June shied –Well of course not! It's so sudden and absurd. – She sat down and removed her mask – To think that Shaina is now Artemis and we now have to obey her… it's like been in a nightmare.
-Unfortunately it's not, but I'm afraid there something else behind this.
-Why do you say that?
-Do you recall what she said, that I was attacked because broken pact between them?
-Yeah, something like that.
-Well I'm going to find out what that pact is about, I'm not just going to seat around doing nothing. Besides, I don't trust that goddess. I'm going to need your help.
-You're right Marin. If you need my help, you can count on it. - Answered June.
-Then this is what we're going to do… - Said Marin.
Milo was walking down the steps thinking. He still remembered what Athenea asked of him, he had to find out exactly what Artemis did to cure them so quickly. She wanted to know just how much of it was because of the goddess herself. He also had doubts about the other order he got, even thou Marin and Hyoga seem ok now, she asked him to keep an eye on them. "Well, at least now I have an excuse to talk to Shaina".
Milo hurried up to Shaina's cabin, he was about to knock on the door when it was opened abruptly.
-Well, well… The Scorpio Saint…
When he heard a different voice he knew he was talking to the goddess.
-Ah… I.
-You came here to talk to Shaina, didn't you? –She step aside- Come in, I owe her that.
Milo confirmed that her gestures and the way she walked were different while she offered a sit. He accepted and they both sat still for a few seconds, thinking what to say, when suddenly a familiar voice spoke: You wanted to ask me something?
-Eh? Is that you Shaina?
-Yes… Artemis said you wanted to ask me something. What is it?
-How did she know?
-She has a habit on entering the minds of others. There's no reason to lie.
Milo stared at her, not to surprise. He took a deep breath. –Can you talk freely or is she still here?
-I'm afraid I can't get rid of her that easily. I accepted her.
Milo clinched his fist upon hearing this; he didn't want her to see his reaction –Why did you do such a thing?
Shaina looked at him firmly, she could not answer immediately, all thou she was about to say "Because Athenea ordered me" But she could not speak badly of her in presence of Athenea's most faithful Saint.
-Why did you accept her Shaina? Can you please tell me?
-Because I couldn't resist it anymore, and I gave in. Athenea also asked so politely that I couldn't refuse. Was that what you wanted to ask me?
-No, I just wanted to know how you were doing, this morning, everything happened so fast that I didn't have time to ask.
-I could tell you that I'm fine, but the truth is that I'm not, ever since I went to look for that damn cloth.
-Artemis was there, wasn't she? So she was the one that cured Hyoga and Marin…
-Yes, I'm sorry. I should have told you.
-Don't worry about it, their injuries were out of my knowledge, and at least I can say that my pride was not beaten down since a goddess was needed to cure them. But, can you tell me exactly what was in that mixture? I'm sure there was something else in it that helped in the process. No merit taking from Artemis of course.
-Well, yes… there was something else.
-I thought so… but you're not going to tell me, right?
-It's still an amazon secret.
Milo only smiled and took her hands –So what are you going to do now? What is she up to?
-I have no intentions on bringing harm to Athenea, if that is what you 're worried about –Artemis spoke again and took her hands away from his – If my sister has any doubts, it would be best if she would ask me herself and not send one of her messengers.
Milo gulped while Artemis stood up.
"What happened to you Shaina? –Thought Milo – "Won't I be able to speak to you like before? Will I be able to know if you are all right or not?"
-It would be best if you leave now, Saint… I appreciate your concern for Shaina. But I would appreciate it even more if you would no longer look for her. And you know the reason why better than anyone.
-I understand- He responded and stood up.
When he opened the door, Artemis said: Midnight flowers…
-What?
-That's the missing ingredient… I am telling you this in retribution for all you did to help Marin. And also that you no longer have an excuse to look for Shaina. Don't worry, I'll take care of Marin from now on, you just take care of the other one.
-Thank you… He whispered and left.
Shaina saw him leave, the one with the title of most faithful to Athenea, and what he said confirmed it when he risked himself to speak to Artemis. Milo would never argue Athena for what had happened, he would always obey her. For a moment, she wanted to be just like him, have the capacity to obey blindly, but she couldn't.
"He's not as obedient as you think"
"Why do you say that? You don't know him like I do"
"I wouldn't like to have someone who obeys me without question by my side; because that tells me that she couldn't think for herself. Athenea would also reject someone like that on her side. Besides, if you knew him as well enough as you say, you could see what his feelings truly are".
"His feelings?"
Artemis laughed "It's better this way, now get some sleep… tomorrow will be a long day".
"Alright…"