Love You, Kill Me Complete

by Jenny DeVic

Seven year old Shun is sent to the second worst training ground to earn the Andromeda Cloth. He should be fine though. After all, what does the future Saint of Princess Andromeda have to fear from the Saint of King Cepheus?

37. 4G: Betrayal: The Labyrinth of the Queen

17 Years Ago on Andromeda Island

Albiore stood on the shore trying to get used to his new Cloth. He attempted to take a step forward only to fall over from the weight. His body landed with a heavy thud, causing the sand to fly in several directions. He took a hand and attempted to push up his body before crashing back down.

How does it feel, new Saint of Cepheus? Are you still having trouble wearing the thing that will protect your body for the rest of your life?

"It's very heavy." He wiped the sand that had crusted over the mask on his face before attempting to sit up for his Mentor. He reached over to his side and pulled the hinge to release the chest piece on the front. His trainer beneath was drenched in sweat. "So far," he looked down. "I can go up the hill wearing the boots, shin guards, and lower torso flaps." He placed his hand on the side. "It's the chest piece. Most of the weight is in it. I can carry it with a lot of cosmos, but when I wear it, I feel really off balanced."

It's perhaps your alignment of your stars.

Albiore placed his hands on his thighs, "…my…alignment?"

Yes… you could even call it compatibility or perhaps trust. When one becomes a Saint, your soul aligns with the constellation you represent and connects. I suggest you simply not think about it and accept that over time, the amount of cosmos you need to function in it will decrease and weight will lighten. In time, it will feel no different than the skin that stretches over your body.

"That's good to hear. I thought that perhaps I wasn't meant to come here." Spoke the boy as he took his water satchel and got a large gulp of water. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but I feel I don't deserve to be called a Saint, especially if I can't wear the entire thing yet."

Do not be discouraged. You've found all the pieces; you are the new Saint of Cepheus.

Al looked up. "It feels too easy though. All I did was walk up to the Andromeda Cloth, retrieved this mask and search the island for the rest. There were decaying body parts attached to them, but compared to many of the other tests of the Silvers, mine and Cassandra's felt…"

Saint of Cepheus, as you have experienced, the Cloth you will wield is not so easy to wear. Even though for many Saints, the Start is the most difficult, it just so happens that for you and the Saint of Cassiopeia, it is the journey. However, this is the first that I've ever seen anyone even wear half of the Cloth at this point outside of the Mask.

Albiore smiled at the compliment. He bowed his head, unsure of what direction. "Thank you." The typical rule was that Mentors would help trainers during their probationary period but already both his and Cassandra's came about as soon as they found their Cloths. He supposed that since he was considered a Saint, than he was technically a trainer too. He looked up toward the sky. He knew he was not supposed to know who his Mentor was but that didn't stop him. Where are you from?"

I am actually, from around here, Saint of Cepheus.

He was surprised he even got an answer. "How long have you been a Saint?"

I have been one for a long time. Why so curious, Saint of Cepheus?

The Argentinean shrugged. "I just wanted to know a little more about you. My Father says building relationships is important. Besides, you'll only be around for three years."

The three year probation period is my choice. Sanctuary requires three years, and that is only because many are just disinterested in doing such a thing. I believe it is very important along with Mentor of the Saint of Cassiopeia. So, I will stay as long as it is needed. Now, if you want to know more about me, may I ask you a few things? How are you getting along with the Saint of Cassiopeia?

The boy flinched. He kind of thought that whoever his Mentor was, he'd ask him the same things Aldebaran would ask like what was his favorite food or what he likes to do? But, his Mentor did seem to know quite a bit about him. "She's nice. I had three sisters so it's good to be around a girl who isn't bossy or nags every time they're on their period." He chuckled as he lifted the mask off to get a little fresh air. Sometimes he swore it smelled of blood, but it would go away after a while. His guess was that maybe all Cloths were like that due to them being alive.

You should still be careful. Women are all the same. They start off kind and friendly with a touch of flirtatious to make you feel like they are the most special thing in the world. Sex is a damn good weapon. Once you live with them long enough, they can't maintain such a heavenly demeanor and before long, they will cheat with others, giving the title of God in Bed that they've bestowed upon you and passing it along to someone younger while feeding you poison in an attempt to off you.

The eleven year old boy scratched his head at his Mentor's sudden bitterness. It was worse than when his oldest sister, Camila, got stood up at the movie theater.

Al, how's your meeting going?

The boy sighed. "Good," he generically replied. "How are you doing with your Cloth?"

A couple of miles away, on the coast, Cassandra sat in her trainer while staring at the long trail she made dragging the net-skirt on the sand. She stuck her swelling feet into the sand after trying to walk in the high heels that came with the Cloth. "So far the high heels, everything else is too difficult. Every step I take, the skirt would slap my legs and I'd fall down. What about you?"

Pretty well, except when I have the chest piece on.

The girl sighed. "That's good. I wish I could wear more than just the shoes, and my crown attached to my mask… but I don't really think I can count that." She lifted her toes as the wet sand slid down the arches of her feet. "I'll let you finish your meeting. See you at lunch time." She looked at her shoes. She always found it funny that Lemurians were the ones to invent high heels. To them, while they were uncomfortable, since women tended to use their feet to attack, they designed the high heel as a means for Amazons to efficiently kill their opponents in one blow. Tales of the feared footwear of the Amazons spread wildly. In the War against Poseidon, stories of legions of Mariners being massacred with only a button sized hole in the center of their foreheads. The hypnotizing sound of clicks that were produced by bottom sole of their shoes was enough to cause the army of one General to flee in fright. It had been documented that many male Saints would clamor to Lemurians begging for them to change their footwear so they too may slay with stilettos.

Over time, Lemurians never expected that it would take off as a fashion statement, thus the "killer heel" that Amazons took pride in was reduced to some fashion model joke.

You seem troubled, Saint of Cassiopeia.

Cass pulled in her knees. "It's nothing major. Just trying to get used to walking," she sighed. Do you have any suggestions?"

I have none to speak of, Saint of Cassiopeia, for I have never worn such things in my lifetime.

The Amazon looked down. "You haven't? But all Amazon Cloths have them. Were you a Maiden?"

I was neither an Amazon nor a Maiden. A Mentor can come in all shapes, sizes and forms. I am far more dignified than that. However, I sense your distress transcends that of your footwear. Please enlighten me, Saint of Cassiopeia. I am your Mentor and your friend.

"Just a little jealous that Al can almost wear his entire Cloth and I can't go very far in shoes. It just seems like he's better in…everything." She stood up and stepped into her shoes. "But he did get Gold Level Training and as they say: it is better to lose every time in practice against a champion than to win all the time to a loser." She took a couple of steps, pleased that she hadn't wobbled yet.

If his level is too high, perhaps you should bring it down a little bit, Saint of Cassiopeia. You prepare the food. Open your Pandora's Box and check the bottom compartment.

Cass did as she was told and lifted the lid. She took her hand and searched the bottom before she found a small knob and lifted it up to find a box filled with various vials.

The one on the left is good. Add a little each day, and watch him slow down to a more appropriate level. If he starts throwing up, simply stop, and a few days, his body will clear it out and you can pass it off as a food poisoning, Saint of Cassiopeia.

Her eyes widened before she slammed the hidden compartment shut, resisting the urge to call her Mentor mad. Unfortunately, as a Saint, who couldn't even wear her Cloth right now, she had no rank to stand up to her superiors, "I thank you for your suggestion. But I would rather beat him without any aid." Cass watched her hand move on its own. Her finger flicked the opening open before her hand reached down and grasped it.

Saint of Cassiopeia, allow me to demonstrate. With a touch of my own Cosmos, allow me to show you how it is done.

"Cass, you ready to go back up?" Waved Albiore as he carried his Pandora's Box from a distance.

Cass bit her lip, "stop it!" She shoved the bottle back and slammed it shut. "How did you do that?"

I'm more powerful than you think. As your Mentor, I have to be. My goals are to ensure you are capable of training others, see that you align you with your constellation, and to keep you safe. I know your friend's Mentor quite well. He is coldhearted and he in turn will transform into something as equally coldhearted. He waves at you now, but he will leave you to fend for yourself and die in the end. You are still naïve, and I carry much experience. Do not turn away from my warning, Saint of Cassiopeia.

O|=======================OUTSIDE THE LABYRINTH============================|O

66 Days Until Shun's Birthday

Five Minutes before Aiacos and Daidalos' duel…

Valentine sucked his breath as he pulled the trigger. Suddenly the Master's body appeared holding the Queen in his arms. "You are good," spoke the Master as he tossed him back his bullet from his hand, amazed that the man managed to target him at light speed.

The bodyguard stared at her blood, broken arm. He stared various thin scratches particularly at her neck, waist and limbs. "She must have run into Minos," he thought as he watched the kids gasped at the bloody Saint. "She's lucky to be alive. Minos must have been toying with her otherwise the rest of her body would've been cracked in every possible spot."

"What happened!" cried June while Spica took one look at the arm and began to throw up from the various bones sticking out.

"June, I don't have time. Find some cloth, rip it into strips. Shun, grab some empty shell casings from. Mr. V, Spica make sure there isn't anyone outside. Go get some air and drink water." he spoke as he took his chain and transformed it into a surgeon's knife.

Shun nodded as the others went off to the bodyguard. He rushed to his side and picked up the empty shells returned to see the Master making cuts into her arm. "You're not going to chop her arm off?" he asked as he handed them to him.

The Master took his hand and broke a bit of the tip. "No, I'm just going to repair it enough so it won't have to be amputated," he said as he heated the metal to a bright color for sterilization before turning them into a handful of pins and screws. He gazed at the damage. "Cass, turn away," he waited for her to turn away before he numbed the area and began to make careful cuts, at light speed, before he began to set the bones back into place with the pins and screws.

"I couldn't even touch him," she muttered as her head rested on the dark sand.

"Don't worry about it," he spoke as he looked down and before his hand hovered over her arm, sealing the cuts and reduced the pain quite a bit. He grabbed more shells and transformed them into a long rod before tying it against her arm. "Don't use it to fight. Your bones are still broken and fragmented and this is only a temporary solution, until you can get some proper treatment at Sanctuary." He helped her up to her feet before escorting her to a rock.

She touched it, cringed a little bit, but thankful to see it looking normal once more. Open fractures were complicated, even for the Golden Touch, but she could attribute Albiore's knowledge in broken bones and how to fix them to the three years he spent in the Taurus Temple. "I wish, I could've… hit him just once…" she muttered. "Al, what about your arm?" Her eyes gazed at the slightly darker color of his hand.

He sighed. "The effects haven't kicked in, so I'll be fighting at a hundred percent." He leaned down to her ear eying the children as they tended to the sick Spica. "I'll just have to beat him fast enough before they affect me. If not, I'll have to get creative." He gave her a quick kiss on the ear before the children could look at them. He hurried toward Mr. V as he stood at the opening. He stopped and turned his head. "How have been the attacks?"

Mr. V pointed outward. "Sparse. Unfortunately," he pointed at the spots of the bodies, "I think they are checking my range of attack. The only ones I've killed were simple pirates, but I've seen some in some in full gear who have been dodging my shots. The best I've done was wound a man's shoulder. They retreated when they saw you. These men looked well trained."

Daidalos could see concern and hear the weariness in his eyes and voice. Mr. V couldn't hold the front forever and even though Cass was back, her defensive net, though strong was only meant to protect her and not five other people. His fear was that they'd try another attack similar to the oil attack. Whoever they were dealing with knew that oil would drip through and stick on their weapons. The difference was that they were at the Labyrinth now. "Shun come over here," he called for the boy.

Shun heard his teacher and rushed over. "Master, do you need anything else?"

The Cepheus Saint knelt down. "I do. Shun, I have a favor to ask." He looked around and brought his forehead to the child and messaged him his concerns.

Shun's eyes widened. "Master, but… I…" he couldn't believe it. His teacher was telling him to take his test early if necessary. "But Master…"

"Shun, if the men are as good as Mr. V says they are, then you all can't move forward. Everyone is cornered here. This is a weakness… remember what we talked about if there is a weakness?" he asked as he squeezed Shun's shoulders while staring hard at him.

Shun nodded, "yes… if I have a weakness, I must turn it into a strength." He then nodded his head. "But that's not what I'm worried about. If that's what it takes to help my friends, I'll do it. But what about you, you sound like you won't return!"

He sighed. "Shun, we're just planning ahead. They're simple pirates and they got lucky with Saint Cassandra," the Master lied. "If I am back before they attack, I will relieve Mr. V of his duty here. If I return after, I will shake your hand and congratulate you for earning your Defensive Circle End and afterwards, I will use it to chain your feet together for a week in retribution for you leaving your Offensive Triangle End back at the Rendezvous."

Shun smiled embarrassed at what he did, but glad to hear the Master's terrible dry sense of humor on him. "Master, are you going to let them swim away like the others?"

He wished he could take their ammo and watch them run away with their tail between their legs. "These pirates are a little stronger. If I have a choice, I will… let them swim away. After all, most pirates are just fishermen and young men just trying to find ways of earning money. But, Shun, don't worry about me. Just remember, if you must take your test, the others can't help you on answers. But, I don't have to tell you not to cheat; you have more than enough integrity to do so." In truth, the Master was more worried at how Cassiopeia will act with Shun having four others in tow, and as long as they don't do anything, they will be okay. "Remember, don't give up, trust your instincts, and good luck, Shun." He spoke as he blinked away.

Shun looked down and grabbed his pendant underneath his trainer. He hoped he won't have to do his test, but he should go and pray now while it's still quiet. He found a small corner in the old ruins. He took his hands and created a floating ball of cosmos and pulled out his Silver Star Pendant. "Dear God, please watch over my brother at the orphanage and the others as well. Watch over Mommy in Heaven and thank her for the lovely Shooting Stars, even if their timing is a little poor and inconvenient, and bless Daddy, where-ever-he may be, my Sister Pandora, where-ever-she-may-be, Ikki on Death Queen Island. Watch over Hyoga, Issac, their Bear Trainer and all their bears in Siberia. They will need lots of love with their Master gone. Bless, the Crystal Saint in Elysium, whom Master says is not a traitor despite his tombstone saying so, bless Saint Milo, I'm sure he didn't mean to kill the Crystal Saint on purpose, Bless Mr. Ptolemy in Doggy Heaven, Bless all the pirates who are dead now. I know they are pirates and are trying to kill and steal from us, but I'm sure they did enough good things to be able to go to heaven too. Please keep watching me, June, Spica, Master Daidalos, Saint Cassandra, Matsuda and Mr. V. I hope I won't have to do my test, but if I do, please let me do well. I know studied hard and paid attention to Master Daidalos lectures no matter how boring they were. Yours Ever, Amen."

Shun gave his pendant a kiss before allowing his ball of cosmos to extinguish.

Not too far from a cliff, a Japanese man watched the blue streak of light. He pressed his body hard against the large rock hoping that the Saint doesn't see him. Over the past years he had been watching, this place from a boat with his three Somalian fishermen. He had been calculating their movement, using information from Mr. Matsuda Ido. He had been studying when they leave the island, how they left the island and their responses to any attacks in general. So far, he's heard that several pirates and two of their men had infiltrated the Star Dust while all attempts to get the Andromeda Cloth had been a failure. However, unlike that Cloth, the ones that had been documented in the Labyrinth had no form of protection. If he could get those, the mission can be declared a complete success.

O|========================JAPAN (SIX MONTHS EARLIER)============================|O

Mitsumasa Kido quietly read over the final draft of the plans. The Japanese Man and Dr. Asamori quietly sat next to him, equally anxious over the world's most powerful man's thoughts. "Excellent work, Mr. Tobita."

Mr. Tobita humbled bowed, "Thank you, Mr. Kido. I have put endless hours into this."

Mr. Kido nodded. "I hope your wife and your three sons aren't complaining."

"They'll be fine. Daichi, Sho and Ushio are so busy with sports and video games that I doubt they noticed." He laughed as Mr. Tobita relaxed back.

The businessman nodded coughing quite a bit. "Although, are you sure this will succeed? One Saint, can devastate Armies. In fact, many so called disasters, including one here in Japan have been discovered to have been caused by the power of Saints."

The Japanese man grinned. "Mr. Kido are you familiar with the Thirty Six Stratagems?"

The old man nodded. "Know them, I memorized them!" The Thirty Six Strategems were based on either The Art of War, or the wisdom of Zhuge Liang.

"Very good, then let me summarize the plan through them. Number 16…

To Catch Something, First Set it Free: The Cepheus Saint cares deeply about the sailor. If we kill him, we would only anger him or possibly not draw him out at all. We will wound the sailor enough and force him to call for help. We will then follow up with Number 18 which is…

To Capture the Bandits, capture their Leader: We will kill the Cepheus Saint, thus leaving nothing but children on the island as well as one other Saint. With Strategem Number 28…

Lure them onto the Roof, then take away the Ladder: We will send the pirates from the South first. Based on intelligence, they will retreat to the section on the island they call the Rendezvous. Once they are on their way, we will send the pirates from the West side of the island. They will be desperate to reach this Rendezvous but will be attacked from two sides. Before they can reach there, we will take the Rondezvous and now they are cornered from three sides. Even if they are fast, they cannot possibly avoid gunfire and explosives from three sides. We've conducted simulations that if the pirates fire from all directions, they cannot outrun the bullets. They would either have to be struck head on or somehow have a way to fire back. Based on our research, we know that Saints would never wield a gun. They have too much pride. But in case they survive, we have a back-up plan which is a combination of stratagems 3 and 9…

Kill with a Borrowed Knife: The pirates are too desperate for the riches and treasure.

Observe the Fire from the Opposite Shore: If the pirates do happen to get some stardust and Cloths, we will grant them their reward. With all the constant fighting, even the Saints will grow tired. The weapons we give them will be strong and powerful that even a Saint would feel through their Cloths. Once the pirates are almost dead, and the Saint and or children are tired, my specialized team will come in. Using the anti-Saint technology that Dr. Asamori has created for the Steel Saint project we will wipe them off and easily collect all three objects with no further resistance whatsoever."

O|========================ANDROMEDA ISLAND============================|O

Mr. Tobita looked down. He spotted a few of his other men ready to move out, two of them holding the other anti-Saint machines from the Steel Saint project. He took out an experimental white glove with a machine attached to it. It was a part of the experimental Earth Steel Saint weapon and pressed the button. He smiled as he watched the earth tremble causing Mr. V to fall on his hands and knees behind his rock. He marveled at the wonderful technology. As the area trembled down below, he returning his attention back to his rifle. He looked through his scope. To think, that all the problems that occurred in their plan because of minimum wage security guard. He watched the man on his hands and knees as he pointed his rifle downwards. "So long, Mr. Valentine, thank you for all your years of carrying Miss Saori's bags and attending her tea parties but your services are no longer required." He pulled the trigger watching the bullet strike the bodyguard in the shoulder.

O================================================================================O

Love You, Kill Me

Part Four: A Better World

Chapter 27: Betrayal! The Labyrinth of the Queen!

O================================================================================O

"Garuda Flap!" Aiacos wings came forward. Steel-piercing streams of winds cut forward toward the Silver Saint.

Daidalos threw up a Rolling Defense, while holding his hand in front of his eyes to protect them from the sands that clouded the air, before he watched the black shadow flash inside the barrier. Aiacos appeared inside. Daidalos dropped his technique and side stopped the following uppercut before leaping back a few steps. "He uses air in his techniques," he thought as the Judge, threw several jabs and punches. "This isn't good. I thought with how bulky his outfit appeared, he'd rely on strength and I can dodge easier," he thought as his hand reached down and grasped Aiacos' hand and punched forward into the Surplice straight for the heart. His fist smashed forward with a loud sonic burst following after. Daidalos grimaced before he pulled back. He looked down at his gauntlet. The center had a large crack.

"You're making me regret wasting my precious time, Saint of Cepheus. And here I thought that after you disarmed my fellow Judge, you were actually worth taking the time to put on my Surplice and the honor of having a one on one duel with one of Lord Hades' Elite." " Aiacos took his hand and brushed off the dust caused by the breaking of Daidalos' Cloth, "pathetic."

The Argentinean stared at him as he maintained his defensive stance. Even if his body hadn't felt the effect of the Curse, Aiacos' Surplice was still a level higher than his own Cloth. Not only that but it covered nearly every part of the Judge's body. The only section that wasn't is the crotch, inner thighs and the upper part of his arms. If he couldn't end this quickly, he was going to have to do it efficiently. Fewer techniques, more dodging, and a touch of trash talk. "You're disappointed? Think about me? I thought with Hades losing the last war, his standards in Judges would've gone up a little bit. Instead I felled a Judge in one move, and the other couldn't hit worth a shit." He pulled part of his broken gauntlet off. "Do you see this?" He revealed his swollen hand. "Behold the work that a mentally challenged little girl can do that one of Hades' Elite could not!"

Aiacos gritted his teeth as charged forward. Daidalos side stepped and began dodge the flurry of swift kicks and punches, each one causing the island to quake.

O|========================OUTSIDE THE LABYRINTH============================|O

Red blood sprayed from his chest as Valentine grabbed his upper left shoulder as the force pushed him down to the ground. Valentine's eyes turned toward his rifle. His hand reached down only for a bullet to strike his palm.

"MR. V!" cried Spica as he and the others ran over.

"STOP!" Valentine shouted. He looked around. "He's using me as bait." Valentine's eye caught the tiny rifle end in the rocks on a high cliff. His hand grasped the spurting blood coming from his shoulder. He stared at the gun as it lay there in front. He turned his head only for another bullet to fire at the trigger section. "He's in the rocks at the cliff," he whispered before he leaned his forehead against the ground for a brief moment before raising his head back up.

Matsuda took his camera and raised it up. His eye turned toward the low battery light before gazing through the viewer. "There are a few men out there." He gazed at the small device that one was holding and knew exactly what it was. "They are well armed and some mysterious devices with them." He struggled to think of what to say without raising any suspicion over him and Mr. V. "They look fairly elite. I don't think they are pirates."

Cass looked over at the man. "We can't let him lay there. That wound looks like it struck a major vein. Spica, give me your ax. We'll use it to distract them. I'll use my net for additional cover, and June, use your whip and get Mr. V to safety. Is that clear?"

Spica looked at his weapon. "Saint Cassandra, let me use it." The boy turned up. "You're arm is in bad shape." He bowed his head, "I've been training for this. If you focus on protecting me, I'll do the rest."

She nodded at the boy's courage. "Alright. I will defend from the sniper and you will attack from the front." Cass turned her head. "Shun," she waited for him to raise his head. "Go get the left over bandages in the back. The faster we treat, Mr. Valentine, the better off he'll be." Cassandra used her free hand and pulled her skirt free. She knelt down for the boy to grab her shoulders before piggy backing from behind. She took one moment to ensure that June was prepared before she blurred over at Mach 2 speed.

Cass stopped at the front of the entrance. She used her good hand and held her net, repelling the bullets from side to side. Spica leapt from her back and landed on his feet. His light blue eyes gazed at the man as he held the rifle. The boy swallowed hard, as he gathered his strength and courage into his weapon. "BOOTES BASH!" He cried as he smashed it into the red sand. A sonic blast of cosmos followed, blinding the men and removing a thick layer of the old bloodstained sand.

Cass knelt down and picked him up before holding her net to protect the two. She leapt backwards protecting the boy as they returned back into the safety of the Coliseum.

Inside, Mr. V laid safely on the ground with June and Matsuda opening his uniform to reveal the wound. His eyes widened as a black object was tossed to them. "Grenade!"

Cass turned, wrapped her net around it and fell upon the weapon. Her body lifted up as the object exploded beneath her in the barrier before she rolled off and opened the net, revealing a pile of smoke before she crawled up to the man to look at the wound itself.

Shun stared as the man simply gazed at the ceiling while she examined the blood that came out. "Is he going to be okay?" he asked as she began to apply some bandages.

"The good news is that the bullet didn't strike any important valves to the heart nor the lung." She looked at it, "June, there is a small powder that was inside the medical kit that your teacher brought in. Bring it here." She looked up as the girl did so. She opened it up and poured it straight in. "Mr. V, this is some QuickClot, this should stop the bleeding," she grabbed the bandages from Shun and pushed against the wound.

TAT TAT TAT!

The group ducked as bullets shot at them. To their horror, the men were running up closer.

"Shun, keep pressing this!" Cass commanded as she got up. "CASTING NET!" she called out as she threw it out blocking the bullets before using her Trident Chain End and shot it around the obstacle at one of the men.

To their shock, the man pulled out a blue gloved hand with a white disk at the end of it. He pressed the button and watched as waves appeared around repelling the Trident and the net. Shun and the others cringed as the waves surrounded the place. Cass clenched her teeth as she leapt forward and shoulder smashed the man.

The other soldier quickly pointed his gun at the children and unleashed a wave of bullets. Cass leapt down and held her net, shielding the others from the blows. The two men retreated back.

Shun sat back up as his hand continued to press down on the bullet wound.

Spica rubbed his temples. "What was that? It felt like my eardrums were going to blow up!"

Matsuda's eyes widened hard. "It's anti-Saint Technology. That weapon is for the experimental Marine Cloth for the Steel Saint project. It creates Sound Waves. The earthquake we felt earlier was probably from the Land Cloth. They even have another for the Sky Cloth that can absorb attacks."

Everyone began to stare in shock at the sudden revelation. June was the first to speak? "What's a Steel Saint? I've never heard of such thing."

The Cameraman sighed. If he didn't tell them, they won't be able to fight back. If he's vague enough, than perhaps no one will suspect anything. "A group is trying to make their own version of Saints. I've heard about it when I was researching this place. The weapons they are trying to create require no cosmos and have various technologies that are specifically made to counter Saint Techniques as well as create their own army of… Saints." He could see the fear in everyone. "Look, from what I've heard, it's no different than body armor…."

"Are they insane! One Saint alone can destroy entire cities! It will change war itself! The world was nearly destroyed two hundred years ago back when there were only eighty eight Saints and a hundred eight Specters. What will become of this place if every country has their very own Army of them and using them against other countries!" Cass rasped.

Valentine shifted his eyes. "Then the world will end. The human race will destroy itself with the very type of people that had sworn to protect them," he spoke. "The only way the Earth won't be destroyed is if there were no more humans, or if someone guided them, holding their hand before they doom themselves."

June leaned down. "Mr. V. You shouldn't say such things," she knelt to his ear and lifted her mask to whisper in his ear, "you sound like a Specter."

"I apologize," he lied, just as the ruins began to shake before the men came up once more.

Cass leapt up and used her to protect the others, "go! Get Mr. V out of there!" she gasped in horror as the one with the sound waves unleashed them, causing her eyes to lose focus. She gritted her teeth as she tossed it aside and moved at Mach Two and punched the man through his midsection. She turned to the other, only for the man to pull out a red glove with a strange vacuum on the front. He pressed the button, causing her cosmos to be absorbed into it before he pressed another sending her flying back to the others.

The dying man on the ground took his gun and unleashed a spray of bullets. Shun was helping Matsuda and June evacuate Mr. V. "EEP!" He squeaked as he felt something nip him in his behind as he continued to carry the man past the old prison bars and cages before reaching the end.

Spica turned his head and gazed upon Shun's bum in a not-so-gay way. "Holy shit, Shun, you got shot in the ass!"

O|========================SOMEWHERE IN THE DESERT============================|O

Aiacos' knee came up and attempted to slam the Silver into his chest.

Daidalos' blinked backwards and proceeded to parry another combination of punches. He took his hand and caught both of Aiacos fists.

The Judge narrowed his eyes. "GARUDA FLAP!" He cried as he pulled his hands back and sent the Silver Saint flying into the air and knocking his head piece off. Aiacos' foot reached out and marked an X upon the sand. "3, 2, 1!"

The King struck the ground, creating a large crater in the center of the island.

Aiacos raised an amusing brow as he watched the man raise his body up. "What are you doing?" He flew down into the hole, "I've made your grave, you're supposed to stay on it!" he shouted as he began to rapidly stomp on Daidalos' back. STOMP…STOMP…STOMP…STOMP…

O|========================OUTSIDE THE LABYRINTH============================|O

Shun sighed as he lied down on the ground with his pants down. "Thank you for doing this, Matsuda." He said as the cameraman man applied the cold alcohol on his right cheek. Even though he was wounded, he didn't want any of the girls or Spica to gaze at his bum no matter how cute the nurses called it back at the orphanage. He felt several bandages being taped upon the spot before he got the okay to pull his trousers up. He turned toward him, gazing at his tired face. "Don't worry Matsuda, we'll make sure you and Mr. V are safe from those pirates." He said as he hugged the man.

Matsuda looked down. Truthfully, he wasn't sure if he would be safe even if he did survive. He reached over and reciprocated the boy's hug. "Shun, I heard you praying earlier… thank you for praying for me."

Shun smiled. "Oh, no one was supposed to hear my prayers. But if you like my praying, I'll make sure to include you in all my prayers from now on!"

Matsuda nodded. "That would be nice," he spoke as Cass carried the three Cloth Boxes of Bootes and Pisces Austrinus with June following afterwards with the Chameleon Cloth Box.

"We managed to get the Cloths before them." June spoke as she dropped her heavy load, "but they're getting closer. They even replaced the one man with…" suddenly the cavern shook causing dust to drop down from the old ceiling. "We can't stay here! It's too unstable." June cried as she watched Mr. V, now shirtless with a large bloody bandage across his chest and shoulder on his left side crawl out of the way of falling pillar.

Shun turned his head toward the ground as he relayed the message the Master gave him. "Master Daidalos says that the Labyrinth is made up of solid igneous rock. He said that it would provide protection against explosives." He looked toward it. "The traps can even stop the pursuers, just like it has when the rioters were going after the Queen." He looked around as the others nodded at the solution proposed. He turned around as Cassandra stood there silently. "What do you think, Saint Cassandra? Master told me it is my choice to take it early if I want to." He watched as suddenly the meshed eye slots had a small glow to them.

"Is that so, Trainee Shun Amamiya?" she folded her arms and approached him. "Did he tell you that it is one way? I bet he left that out."

Shun was surprised by her sudden change of tone. "No, actually he said he knew that. But he said that it's too risky for us to get out of here. Not all of us will make it if we try to get out of here, but there is a good chance if I do this." He shook his head, "I don't want any of us to die or get anymore…"

Suddenly, she took her hand and smacked him across the face. "Silence! Did you see what happened when that…" she pointed toward June and the Chameleon Cloth, "…thing tried to save everyone! She condemned us all to die! Had she left all alone, the worst that would happen is one less Princess and the island in ruins. However, we would've still been able to rebuild and continue to rule! Instead everything will die. That is what the Saint of Cepheus did not mention! He knows that..."

June stared in horror as she rushed in between Shun and the Saint of Cassiopeia. "He said he wants to take it!" suddenly, the Saint grabbed her by the neck and lifted June up. June coughed as the woman's nails dug into her neck with the heavy Chameleon Cloth pulling down. Still the girl grasped the fingers and pulled them apart, "You must… administrate….it!" She turned her head toward him, "Shun demand to," She coughed as blood began to flow from her neck, "demand to…take it!"

Shun rubbed his bleeding face, still shocked at the turn of her behavior. "LET HER GO! I'M GOING TO TAKE THE TEST!"

The Queen looked at the girl and chucked her aside like a piece of trash. June fell to the ground as the Chameleon Cloth, eye-cups and all scattered all over the place. Spica and Shun rushed to her side as she grasped her bloody bruised neck. "Very well, Trainee June." She marched over toward the side of the wall and pulled it off to reveal a mask on the other side.

"June, what's wrong with Saint Cassandra? Why is she being so mean?" asked Shun. He touched the side, of his face, confused why the one who always seemed so kind and was always treating them could hurt him as such.

June turned her head. She couldn't risk getting the others hurt, and they still needed to get to safety. "Shun, we won't help you on your test. You focus on that, we'll follow behind," she spoke as she stared at the Queen as she coated the mask for Shun.

The Queen turned to the others as the mesh underneath continued to glow. "If any of you whisper, hint in anyway. I will personally chop you up and feed you to my pet. If Trainee Shun Amamiya chooses wrong in any way, you all must share the same fate. If any of you back track during the test, you forfeit your right to come along and will be dealt as you truly are… trespassers." She hands the mask to him.

Shun looked at the face. He turned it around, staring at the sad looking face on the other side. He needed the mask in order to see the questions. He turned to the others as he placed it on. He felt the mysterious powder adhere to his face. He tried to adjust it, only for it pulled his skin. Suddenly, his head felt dizzy before he went down on one knee. A headache came about but he tried to dismiss it. He wavered a bit as he approached the wall, hearing his friends following afterwards. He turned to his sides to see June, Spica on one side with Matsuda and Mr. V on the other. He turned his head and gasped at the first question.

"The Mask you wear is covered in Lemurian Glue, while nontoxic to them; it is very deadly for humans. In ten minutes, you will begin to lose your five senses, and in five more you shall die. At the end of the test are the antidote and the Defensive Circle Chain End. If you are a coward, take the left path and throw yourself into the lava. If you wish to live and continue the Path of the Andromeda Cloth, travel right."

Shun gasped as he struggled to focus on the blurry words.

Spica turned to June. "June, do you know what it says?"

June shook her head. "No, but Spica, just trust in Shun to complete the test," she muttered as the group turned to the Saint of Cassiopeia cackling loudly at Shun's reaction.

O|========================THE UNDERWORLD============================|O

"Lady Pandora, I've brought him!" cried Bennu Takato as he flew through the portal and into the Guiddecca Palace. Inside, Balrog Rune, Minos' subordinate waited beside Pandora as the Bennu Specter came in and laid the Judge down. Immediately, Takato pulled off his goggles, cut his hand and began the process of reattaching his arms while humming a small tune. "The left arm's connected to the… shoulder bone. Doot doot doot…."

Minos turned his weary head. "Takato, for the love Hades…" he muttered.

The Specter looked up as he was allowing his hand to bleed. "Sorry, Sir," he chimed before continuing to align the limb into place.

Pandora turned her head downwards watching as Rune placed a hand on his Master's forehead in comfort. "Minos, our King sends his deepest sympathies. If he would've known that one as mighty as yourself would befall such a pitiful fate, he would've never dreamed as to put you in such a duty. Please, speak the name of the Saint who has performed this cruel act, and we shall see he be placed in the deepest level of Tarturus."

Minos looked up, "to hear the King's compassion for my well being sooths the scars in my heart. As of now, Aiacos duels the cowardly man responsible. He is the Saint of Cepheus on Andromeda Island and I feel that he will soon know the frozen waters of…"

"WHAT!" gasped Pandora, interrupting the Judge. "You were fighting with him? You can't! Do you even know who he is?"

O|========================OUTSIDE THE LABYRINTH============================|O

Mr. Tobita and several other men stared at the empty slots.

"Looks like they took the Cloths, Sir," spoke one soldier as he came up to the Chameleon slot and gazed at the wall painting behind it.

The Japanese man turned to the ground at the spurts of blood. He took his hand and gestured over while pulling out his rifle. He pointed downwards and began to trail the small drops of red, following it down the path. "This way, according to intelligence, this is a one way."

"Good, that bitch killed Hajime," spoke one soldier as he recalled the moment earlier. He was standing there firing and the next moment, Hajime got his stomach got punched out. "I haven't seen any bodies. I know we got a couple of them. If they are carrying their wounded, they shouldn't be too far away."

Mr. Tobita looked around. "Everyone," he turned around and faced the group of seven. "I know it's been a long night, but stay on your guard. There hasn't been too much information other than them calling this place an oven and it has traps." He looked over as one raised their hand. "Go ahead."

The man took a step up. "Why do they call it an oven?" He asked as he placed a finger against his face, rubbing the chamaflauge paint a little bit.

"Some stupid shit about Le-mur-fuck-wads and baking Cloths. Don't worry about it. If they are crawling through it, we can too. Stay on your guards, watch for the traps, so we can get home with something. Let's move out." Spoke Mr. Tobita as the squad headed down the prison chambers.

O|========================SOMEWHERE IN THE DESERT============================|O

Daidalos twisted his body away from Aiacos' foot before leaping out of the twelve foot diameter of the crater. He turned to his Cloth to gage the damage, feeling several small cracks lined all over the place while Aiacos' still appeared untouched. He gritted his teeth as he turned to his arm, as he began to feel the curse crawling inside his veins.

"Where is your bitethat you had earlier… hmm?" Aiacos pestered as he folded his arms. "You took pride in your accomplishment… perhaps our fight now shows that you best him based on surprise and luck? Behold, once you're thrown into a duel where such aspects play no part in victory your lack of a fighting prowess becomes quite apparent." The Judge than heard a slight chuckle coming from the battered man. "What's so funny?"

Daidalos looked up. "I just find it a little funny that you'd be so arrogant to say such a thing. There you are, bragging about how well you are doing when the truth is that I've broke my family's creed just to become a Saint. I think of nothing but fighting or how my students can improve their technique. Unlike Saints who must fight and perfect their mind and bodies to either earn the right to wear their Cloths or build it up over time, Specters are simply those who are destined and receive those abilities as soon as they put on their Surplice for the first time."

"Your point?"

Daidalos tucked the stray blond hairs in front of his eyes behind his ear, as he prepared to add a little more trash talk. "The only way you earned that Surplice is by having a pulse. Just like your friend, you would've been long killed by me if you weren't wearing…."

"Oh please, Garuda Flap!" He waved his arms half heartedly as he again sent the Cepheus Saint into the sky. "Enjoy more time to think about fighting in the stratosphere." He spoke as he drew another X into the sand with his foot. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot waiting. Suddenly, a cut appeared in the dimensional fabric appeared, before a chain came out. It snagged Aiacos by his arms before Daidalos reappeared and slammed his feet into the Judge's shoulders breaking them before leap-frogging behind and round housing the back of his wings, cracking them with the force popping Aiacos' helmet off onto the ground.

The Judge spun around, "I can't believe it! He wanted me to use my attack! He used the power and momentum and combined it with his own to damage my armor!" he muttered to himself before looked at the Saint. He watched as the man clutched his arm and sweating hard. "Ah, that's right, he was cursed earlier," he spoke out loud. "And to think, for a moment I thought I was afraid I'd have to put actual effort into this!" Aiacos threw his hands out and snapped the chains around his arms.

O|========================LABYRINTH============================|O

Shun grabbed his head as he struggled to focus. He stared at the floor in front of him. It seemed like every part of the floor was a recession. He took his foot and tapped the board before pulling away. A large spear stuck straight up slid straight up causing his eyes to widen. He turned around gazing as the others were navigating in the spots where he was at.

June turned her head at Shun as he waited there. "Shun! Keep going!" She hugged the side.

Shun nodded as he reached the third question. He looked up and sighed. It was just like the last question prior hand.

If you wish to give up, take the left path and throw yourself in the lava. If not, proceed to the next trap laden area.

"(This way, watch out.)" Spoke a Japanese voice from far away.

Shun turned his head toward the Saint of Cassiopeia, "Saint Cassandra, please, can you put a net or something?"

Instead he heard nothing but laughter. "Why? It adds a little more challenge to what you and your friends called a piece of cake test? If the glue doesn't kill you, the traps will, and if not the traps, the men behind will catch up and finish you all off." The Queen folded her arms, "it's almost fitting and nostalgic." She reached over and touched Shun's neck, her hands were ice cold as if she was nothing more than a doll. "Despite your fear, your pulse is slowing down. You've wasted four minutes on the first two questions. Remember, you will not die for another eleven minutes. But it doesn't matter, for you will have no sight to see the answers in six," she grabbed him by the trainer and dragged him over to the pit of lava. "Are you sick of my test? Why not take the easy way out?" She laughed.

Shun could smell the smoke of his boots as the leather began to dry up. He shook his head no before he swung out of her grasp and hurried down the hall. He looked down at the panels on the ground. He needed to hurry up. All this time, he kept on turning back to make sure everyone was okay, costing him so much time. He moved forward, side stepping the odd looking panels. He wanted to shout back at them, but if he did that the men farther down will hear them and they'll be able to catch up.

Shun reached the other side and turned around as the others just now entered it. "Everyone, just hurry up and avoid the odd ones that look a little discolored." His breathing quickened as he waited a little bit for the others in the group to follow.

Spica gestured for the others. "Matsuda, come on, Shun stepped there, its fine."

"I'm trying," he swallowed hard as he attempted to stretch his foot to the spot that the boy was pointing too.

June turned around and gave a thumb up trying to encourage the cameraman, "come on, Matsuda, you're doing well for a civilian, but we have to hurry before they catch…" before she could finish a bullet passed through the air. "Hurry, guys!" she clapped on the safe side of the hallway.

Shun hurried over to the next question and gasped at the first real question he had..

In the ranks of Athena, which group has maintained their name since the Holy War with Poseidon? Take the right path if the answer is the Silvers. Take the left path if the answer is the Golds.

Shun turned to both sides as the others followed behind.

"Why are both sides lava?" asked Spica as he stared at both paths as smoke filled both paths with the red liquid flowing beneath.

"Perhaps Trainee Shun Amamiya, was going the wrong way the entire time?" spoke the Saint of Cassiopeia as she stood there listening to the melody of men shouting from a distance?

Even June felt nervous. "Shun what were the questions that you answered?"

"SILENCE!" Suddenly the Queen released her trident at June. The girl quickly took out her whip and smacked it away before it could strike.

Shun turned to the others. All he had been asked was if he wanted to give up and he certainly wasn't going to do that. Shun looked at both sides. "Listen to the tiny voice…" he muttered recalling the wisdom that his teacher spoke of. He knew that every choice he had taken was correct. "The Gold Saints were called Zodiac Knights in the beginning, while the Silver Saints were called Silvers because they were international slaves who worked in the Silver Mines in Greece." He sighed as he turned away from the right side and toward the left path. "Follow me!" Shun rushed toward the left and jumped off into the smoke and warm red fluid.

He forced his eyes to stay open as he passed through the warm smoke, until he landed in the tepid fluid. To his surprise, while it was warm, it wasn't lava at all. Soon afterwards, a flurry of other bodies dropped down to into the pool of orange. Mr. V raised his head, his silver hair, now dyed to that of a carrot. Matsuda kept his camera up, June wrung her hair, while Spica, the short eight year old simply plunged beneath the surface before swimming to the top, spitting the stuff out. "Ack nasty! It tastes like orange kool-aid without any sugar."

June waved her finger, "Well, be glad it's not hot lava!" she said as she followed Shun up the ladder to reach the next question. She turned her head as Shun stood there shocked. "Shun, what's the matter?"

Shun stood there amazed. "You all… really did follow me?" he muttered.

June placed her hands on her hips. "Shun, do you understand. You're the leader. We're going to follow you and whatever you do, you are correct. Have faith in yourself, okay?"

It was such a weird sensation; regardless if he was wrong or not, everyone jumped into the lava without any regard to their own safety. He had always followed everyone else and did what he was told. He was told to trust the Master or whoever was in charge. Now in a way, he was in charge. He felt a boost of self confidence as he raised his hand to the others and gestured them to follow toward the ladder to the next question. Perhaps he may not survive this, but he was determined to make sure his friends get as far as they can away from the men following afterwards.

O|========================SOMEWHERE IN THE DESERT============================|O

Aiacos attempted to dodge the next punch of Daidalos only for the Saint to anticipate and strike him with his fist, cracking the right upper part of his armor even more. Aiacos filled his fist with the dark spectral energies and blasted it straight at the Cepheus' Saint's face.

Daidalos dodged it, feeling the air brush past the lobe his ear and burning some of his hair. He punched once more, finally breaking the rest of Aiacos' right shoulder pad, revealing the black body suit he was wearing earlier.

"Galactica Illusion!" he shouted.

A sharp gust of razor winds blasted in front of him. Daidalos immediately leapt back. Ominous eyes stared at him back at him as the Judge summoned the deadly cosmic streams from the strange dimension. With his chains scattered, he looked down toward the ground. He quickly raised his hands, using the air around to form a barrier around himself feeling the cosmic streams penetrate in certain spots, cutting his face and exposed parts of his body where his Cloth had broken off. He spread his legs to create more stability while ignoring the curse in his arm. Suddenly, a bitter taste filled his mouth as he felt something crawling around his throat. He spat it out as he stared hard at the approaching Judge.

Aiacos simply strut forward the eyes from the other dimension blinked wildly as he forced the effects to press as hard he could. A smile curled around his lips as he the dark energies surrounded and pounded down on the man with delicious streaks of blood showing up from time to time. "Well, Silver Saint Daidalos of the Army of Athena, Golden Ranked… I will be honest. You have proven to be an interesting diversion. After years of being undercover, it was nice to fight again. I will always remember you as my first opponent in this Holy War. After this, I look forward to slaughtering the rest of your fellow…"

Suddenly a streak of blue light shot out from the top. Daidalos reappeared on the other side. "You almost got me there, but you forget that in every hurricane, there is always an eye in which to escape from. Now that I have gathered all the winds you've attacked at me, feel the effects of your own attack with that of my own!" his hands glowed as the dark cylinder of air began to turn dark blue. The bottom narrowed downwards transforming into a mini tornado that he promptly sent back at the Judge.

Aiacos screamed as sand and sharp cosmic streams sliced at his body, cracking his Surplice even more. He flew up in to the sky and hovered above, "Damn you, why won't you just die!" the Judge cried. Aiacos threw his hands into his hair. "This should've been an easy fight? He throws my techniques back at me! I can't fight him in hand to hand combat!" He gritted his teeth. "He should be dead! I refuse to die at the hands of some second rate soldier…." He thought.

Daidalos struggled to stay in his stance. He looked at the various cuts all over his body. Along his arm, dark blue drops were falling along with his blood. He looked up into the air as the man floated in the air. He looked at his hand. The curse had advanced a long time ago. He can feel it circulating through his body. If he doesn't finish this fight, he will do what he said. He will kill Cass. He will kill the children and the others. He must finish this fight soon and he must win. "I'm a dead man." He thought as he looked down at his arm. He picked up a broken length of chain and transformed it into a basic dagger similar to the ones he used to make back in the House of Taurus. "Too much cosmos and I may lose consciousness," he thought as he watched Aiacos fly down to the ground. He had one last move, and he must make it count.

He took the dagger and tilted it, flashing its silver blade into the Garuda's eyes, taunting him for one last strike.

The Judge flew to the ground with his hands smugly crossed. He examined the man. His Cloth was cracked so badly that it was barely holding on to his body. He could see it in his eyes, that the Saint was about ready fall over and die. He can see that the Saint wishes to die fighting and not from some curse; a desire that he will gladly fulfill. Aiacos charged forward at the speed of light, watching the man doing the same with his last bit of strength. Aiacos raised his right hand aiming it straight for the Saint's heart only for the man to dodge, causing it to penetrate into his right side.

For a moment the two stared at each other.

Aiacos looked down and smiled. His hand had gone straight in one way and out there while Daidalos had thrust the tiny dagger into Aiacos' right shoulder. "My blow is bigger," he spoke with the smug taste of victory in his voice.

The Argentinean turned his head and smiled back, "But mine actually hurts! THUNDER WAVE!" He shouted as the thousands of volts shot out from the tiny tip, through the main arteries and down into the Judge's heart.

Aiacos screamed as he felt the electricity coursing through his veins and circulating through his blood stream. He grabbed his heart as he felt it stop before falling down to the ground.

Daidalos fell to the ground. His body trembled as he struggled to stay conscious. He looked at the fallen Judge as he lay there, smoking coming out of his body. Daidalos knew that he could never completely break enough of Aiacos' Surplice to beat him. When he first struck Aiacos, he ended up hurting himself due to the handicap of the curse.

As he told Shun, if you have a weakness, find a way to transform it into a strength. Afterwards, he knew the only chance had at winning was to allow the curse to take over parts of his body, robbing it enough of his sense to be able to function and focusing his cosmos into one large internal attack while following a defense/counterattack strategy. But most importantly, he had to win. Aiacos threatened his loved ones. When he heard how he was going go and kill everyone else, he didn't care where he drew his cosmos from, but must protect them. With those thoughts, it almost felt like there was no miracle he couldn't create. Almost as if Athena herself was supporting him.

Of course, there was the drawback that now he had no hope of curing himself of the curse with stardust anymore. He looked around. His sight was so blurry. The shooting stars look like sea foam in the sky, while his ears just couldn't stop ringing.

He wasn't sure how much he'll be able to continue before turned toward the direction of the labyrinth. He could barely walk. If he must, he will crawl. Maybe he'll get to see Shun earn his Circle Defense End?

A minute later, Bennu Takato appeared in the sky. "Ah Lord Aiacos!" he cried as he gazed at the fallen body that lay in the sand. He turned to the body and shook him before he took his feather and dropped his healing blood upon the Judge. He watched the man stir a little bit before he looked down. "Don't worry, Sir, I know the newer not-so-gay style of CPR!" he said as he pushed against the man's chest at intervals before the Judge opened his eyes.

Aiacos looked around as he clutched his chest. "Where is he?"

"Over the hill, Sir!" pointed Bennu Takato.

"Good, his head is mine!"

The Specter held up his hand. "Lord Aiacos, Lady Pandora told me to tell you that you are not to attack him any further, and you must return back to the Underworld for further treatment."

Aiacos turned his head, "what's so special about him?"

O|========================LABYRINTH============================|O

"Aaagh!" screamed the soldier as the spear that shot from the floor pinned him to the ceiling. The soldier screamed as his body began to slide down the pole before he fell to the ground. His hand struck another panel that caused a flurry of arrows shot from the wall and struck him silent.

The others looked down for a brief moment before continuing onwards.

Mr. Tobita and the others stared at the two paths of lava. "How did they get past this?" He muttered as he listened to the sounds of children up ahead. He pulled out his goggles and gazed at the two paths. First he tried the inferred mode but the smoke was interfering with the readings. He pressed the button for night vision and saw that both sides had a ladder that lead to an opening. "Kaede, Osamu, Shinji, you guys take the left path. Me, Ryuu, and Sora, we'll take the right." Mr. Tobita pointed a hook gun above the entrance to the next path. He pulled a little bit before he attached it to side and climbed upside down to the hole with the men following after.

Kaede looked to the left and did the same thing. He began to climb, down, quickening his pace, as he felt the instruments on his belt melt from the heat. He reached the other side while Osamu and Shinji began to climb down. Suddenly the rope began to singe. Kaede stuck his head through the hole. "Hurry!"

"We're trying!" cried Shinji.

*SNAP*

"OH MY GOD!" cried Osamu. "NO!" he screamed as the two men fell into the lava, before immediately combusting into a pile of flames.

Kaede brought his hand to his face before turning around. Suddenly a bright red light appeared with two golden eyes staring back. "AAAGGH!" He screamed as he fired his rifle, before a set of teeth came forward and grabbed him by the neck, and crushing his windpipe. The body fell lifelessly as the creature dragged it into its hole. The creature turned its head as the Queen appeared beside it. The creature looked up and nuzzled its head against his Master.

"What are you doing here? Do not waste your time with these intruders. I appreciate you protecting your Queen, but Trainee Shun Amamiya is almost to the end. You must be there if he gets it wrong," she whispered as she took a cloth and cleaned the blood at its lips.

The creature looked up and hurried down the hidden path.

O|====================================================|O

The Golden Line is called this based over the fact that all twelve Original Gold Saints were Blond Haired, Blue Eyed and of Greek/Italian descent. Go left if true, go right if false.

Shun stared at the question as his body began to feel numb, his face sweated hard. "I don't…uh…" he turned to the others and heard the men approaching. He only had a couple of minutes before his senses will go out. "The… Golden Line…" He thought hard. The questions were getting trickery. The Master said that it was written as such, but he mentioned that historians proved that all Gold Saints were in fact Greek or Italian. "Let's go right." He hurried forward, doing his best to avoid the traps, suddenly; a sense of dizziness came about. Shun fell forward and landed on a panel. He quickly rolled off just as a spear shot up, grazing his face.

June turned her head at the boy. She turned toward the Saint of Cassiopeia and leaned down. "Come on, Shun, you're almost there! Keep going!" she cheered as she clapped her hands.

He stood up and swallowed hard. He turned back to the Queen at the slight glow beneath the eye pieces of her mask. Perhaps if he completes the test, Saint Cassandra will return back to normal? He rushed over to the last question. In front of him, instead of two paths, there were too doors.

Who was the Slave Girl? Go Right if it was The True Princess of Andromeda Island and later the Chameleon Saint. Go Left if it was a nameless slave who should've died.

"What slave girl?" muttered Shun. He scratched his head at the question. "But, the Master never talked about a slave girl?" he muttered out loud.

"Shun sweetie, remember our talk during our tour?" spoke Cass as she took a step forward.

Shun gasped as her voice returned to a sweeter tone. Pleased he too joined in her cheerful manner. "Ah, I see!" It all started to come back to him. "You said there was a girl that was going to die in the arena and she inspired Erechtheus to start on the Andromeda Cloth." He looked at the two answers. He thought back at the play that was performed for the children of the Heart of Sasha Orphanage. In the play, the Chameleon Saint seemed like she really wanted to help Princess Andromeda. He began to wonder if perhaps there was even more to them. The slave girl was mentioned to be a concubine, and Amazons were originally those during the first war. The boy looked up, "I think the slave girl was a princess. I think she was the Chameleon Saint who probably was from the island and wanted to help her family. Because June is helpful, and if she shares the same traits as the original, I think she came back to save her home and the others." Shun smiled as he placed a hand on June's shoulder.

The Queen stared with her glowing eyes. "Then you choose the right path, very well Trainee Shun Amamiya." She stepped aside and opened it up.

"Shun, we must hurry!" called June as Shun nodded and led the way. Mr. V, Matsuda and Spica followed afterwards, turning toward the Queen before entering through the door.

The Queen took the door and slammed it shut behind them.

Spica gasped at the various remains laid all around. "What is this, some kind of tomb?"

Matsuda looked down. "Spica, those are chicken bones."

"What are chicken bones doing in here?" asked Spica.

"I had to keep my pet well fed, here on this cursed island!" The Queen turned her head. "You chose wrong, Trainee Shun Amamiya. For you see, a Princess can only be if she is recognized by the royal family, even by birth. I hated her, I tried to send her to the coliseum to die, but she just wouldn't. Perhaps her true father cared about her, but she was a blemish to the royal family if they found out she was born before my official coronation?" her voiced echoed in the room.

June turned around, "Saint Cassandra, what are talking about! You're not really the Queen! You're a Saint who is aligned with the constellation."

The Queen laughed. "Is that what you think? You fool, well it doesn't matter, your friend picked wrong, and now my pet shall devour all of you!"

Shun took a step forward. Sitting on a stone chair, next to a giant water bowl, was a large African lion wearing a strange armor over its body with the Defensive Circle End and a long chain in its mouth.

O|========================SOMEWHERE IN THE DESERT============================|O

Daidalos felt something kiss his face. He opened his eyes to see a pair of eyes in front of his face. "Misty, is that you?" he muttered.

The black Doberman's tongue hung out of before it barked out.

"There you are!" Dante rushed over and pet his dog. "Good girl, you found him quickly," he spoke as he stroked the dogs head and turned to the broken Cepheus Saint. Daidalos looked up as Dante came to his side, "I got your radio message. We looked all over the Rendezvous and thought you all were dead. But fuck, what happened to you! Tell me that a bunch of fucking pirates did this." He asked as he lifted the man up.

Auriga Capella, came up. "Dal, are you alright!"

He shook his head, "no… there was a Specter, his body…" he turned around toward the crater where they battled at. "What… where…" his vision blurred so badly he couldn't even see Dante's ugly mug up close. "The kids, Cass, the Kido representatives… they're in the Labyrinth. Shun's maybe taking his test…."

Dante nodded. "Capella, stay here." He turned to Miss Misty and whistled, "Up here, girl!" he called out as he held his hands. "With this storm, I'm gonna need your nose. We got to get there quick just in case." The dog leapt into his arms before the two sped away at Mach 4 speed.

O|=======================LABYRINTH============================|O

"I knew it! There really was a monster on the island!" spoke Shun as the large cat turned its head at the group.

June shook her head. "No, that's not a monster, that's Saint Cassandra's pet lion. They normally keep it in Ethiopia inside the house. His name is Simba! He really likes those little cat treats where they are shaped like fish but taste like chicken."

"Wait, so the Master won't let us get a dog, and yet all this time they have a lion? That's not fair! I knew I saw pet hair on the couch at the Ranch!" shouted Spica before Mr. V took his hand and covered the eight year old's mouth.

The lion roared causing the group to back off.

"What is that thing it's wearing?" asked Matsuda. "Is it a Cloth?"

June shook her head, "no that's Lemurian technology. Animals used to fight Saints too, but because animals had difficulty adjusting their body temperature, they created a special Cloth so they could adapt to all sorts of weather, as well as a little protection." She brought her hand to Shun's shoulder, "Shun, you have to get the Circle End and then you pass the test. Maybe Saint Cassandra will snap out of it."

Shun approached the animal. He stared at the Defensive Circle End as it swung freely in the cat's fangs. Suddenly, a tingling sensation came about him. His body felt numb.

"…Sh…n… are you…" spoke June as her voice began to fade.

The boy gazed around as darkness began to settle in.

O|====================================================|O

"Lead the way, girl!" called Dante as the Doberman leapt magnificently through the halls. Saints had always understood the problems that could occur with heavy meteor showers. When their ability to use communicate through the cosmos fails, an animal's instinct easily made up for it. Dante watched the pattern, easily side stepping the traps in the Labyrinth.

Miss Misty ran up to the two section with two lava paths. She turned her head and barked a few times before leaping down into the orange water and swam across with Dante following afterwards.

The duo hurried through the path toward more corridors. Dante turned his head as three Japanese men faced him.

Miss Misty leapt forward and grabbed Mr. Tobita's hand and pulled the man.

"(What the hell?)" Murmured a soldier as he pulled out a pistol before a large chained ball struck him in the chest.

"Don't you fucking dare touch my dog!" barked Dante as his thick chained wrapped fist slammed right into Mr. Tobita's face, knocking him out, before Dante took his foot and slammed it into the last man's chest. He whistled and pointed forward.

Miss Misty barked some more before rushing through to show the path he needed to take.

O|=========================?===========================|O

Shun breath hard in the darkness. "What happened?" he thought. He almost felt like he was floating around. He turned his head toward a tiny light.

You lost your five senses. That is what happened.

Shun looked around as he came closer. He muttered as he came closer. He turned his head as the light began to take form. Suddenly, a woman with long blond hair, wearing the Chameleon Cloth appeared in front of him. "Oh, you're so pretty, who are you?"

She looked at his surprised look. "I was listening inside the box that June was carrying." She spoke as she waved her eye cups boobs at him. She stood up and approached the nine year old boy. "I am what you call… an epiphany… a vision… I thought you could use one with my mother acting the way she is."

Shun turned his head. "But where is June? Where is everyone?"

The Chameleon Cloth turned her head. "They're in terrible trouble. If you don't do something soon, the lion will kill you and my Mother will come in and eliminate everyone else."

Shun gasped. "But what can I do? I don't have my chain end. How do I fight a lion? I… can't even fight pirates."

She looked up. "Shun, before I became a Saint, everyone expected me to die in the Coliseum. My own Mother threw me in the ring and tried to kill me with her own animal, just the way your Father did with you and the orphanage regardless if you realize it or not." She took his hands into hers. "You know the cosmos. You know the cosmos is not limited to what's in your hand. It is everywhere for you to command, even the air around you. If you want to protect your friends, let your heart show you how, and you will save them! Now Shun, I must go. The rest you must do on your own, it is your test after all."

The green haired boy watched as the girl began to crawl back inside her Pandora's Box. "Why are you helping me?" he asked.

The Chameleon Cloth turned her head. "I heard your answer, I felt your heart. You were the first person who saw me as who I was, no matter if the historians never recorded me or what others say about me. Even Cloths have feelings. For the first time in six hundred years, I have felt… touched. Go get them, hero," she pulled her mask off and winked before a blinding flash followed suit.

O|=========================LABYRINTH===========================|O

Shun stared at the darkness. "The cosmos… is everywhere…" he muttered. He focused hard. Suddenly, blurry white outlines of the others began to form before him. But wasn't he supposed to be blind? He turned his head at the large object with the bright red in the center. "Lion…" He looked at the Defensive Circle End as the chain waved back and forth. "The chain… that's my weapon…" he reached out his hand as the Defensive Circle End began to glow. "AAGHH!" He cried as he reached out his blurry white hands. Soon they began to glow, before the Circle End jerked out of the lion's mouth and flew into his hands.

The blurry outline of the lion charged forward. Shun turned, looked down and raised it into the air. He watched as he circle began to spin around.

"What is he doing? How is he able to perform Rolling Defense?" cried the Queen as she watched the chain spin around Shun and the others deflecting the lion's attacks. She reached for the handle with her trident in hand before a large ball shot out. She turned her head as a fist appeared and punched her into the stomach.

Saint Dante caught the Amazon as she fell forward. "Sorry to do this to you Cass, but I can't let your Cloth do that." He said as he placed her down and opened the door. He looked up and saw Shun with his hand in the air with circle end surrounding the group. "Shun, she saw the Circle Chain End, you passed!" he called.

Spica turned his head, "Saint Dante, what about the Lion?" called Spica as the creature continued to swipe its claws at them.

Dante turned his head and snapped his fingers, "DOWN, SIMBA!" he commanded. The lion stopped and quietly laid down on all fours.

June turned her head, "Shun, come on, let's get that off of you before your die." Shun dropped his technique, while June grabbed his hand and took him over toward a small impression in the wall. She dunked his head into it. The Lemurian Glue loosened from his face before the mask fell off. She pulled him back out.

Shun's wet face stared blankly for a moment. His skin began to tingle as sensation returned. His nose began to pick up the scent of kitty litter in the corner, while color returned to everyone around him. "Ikki… I passed…" he spoke as he gazed at the circle end smiling. He looked at the others. He had protected his friends, just as he had wanted too.

"Shun, that was so awesome! I bet Leda would've said the same thing if he was here!" cried Spica as he hugged Shun.

"Congratulations!" spoke Mr. V as he gave a nod.

"Way to Go, Shun!" Matsuda gave a thumb up while using the last of his battery power on it.

June threw her hands on her hips, "Shun, I knew you could do it!" She tilted her head. "But what was up with you earlier? You started fading out and then you started hugging the Chameleon Pandora's Box behind me!"

Shun looked around. "I did?"

"Shun, everyone kept yelling: Shun,turn around, there is a lion charging at you." Muttered Matsuda as he rewound the footage and showed him the camera.

The boy looked at the footage and sure enough, there he was, holding the box muttering incoherent nonsense. Shun walked toward the door and saw the Amazon rising from the floor, holding her stomach. He watched as she spotted him before she scooted away. "Saint Cassandra!" Shun rushed past the chicken bones and came up to the woman as she hugged her knees with her hands at her mask.

"Shun, I'm so sorry… I… almost got everyone killed…" she sobbed.

Shun looked up. "What happened? Outside, you were so kind and tried to protect us. But when you came here, you were so… different. You slapped me, you choked June, and you said many hurtful things."

The Amazon pulled her hands from her face and brought one to her chest. "Shun, the Andromeda Cloth is not the only one with a high level of sentience, but the difference was that while the Andromeda Cloth seeks an owner, the King and Queen desired to live again." She turned her head. "At first, they pass themselves as other people. They pretended they were 'Masters' who were training us to wield our Cloths. They spoke to us quite a bit. They guided us, and through us wearing them, I wore her crown, and Daidalos the face, we aligned with their stars… we became them and at times they took over… so in a way, they may live again."

Shun could tell that she was ashamed. He reached over and held her hand. Soon Cassandra continued, "after the Ring of Poseidon struck Andromeda Island… or New Lalibela back then, there was a coop and the people overthrew the ruling family of the island. The Queen and her pet lion searched for a place to hide and went inside the oven through the old Coliseum opening. A group of rioters followed afterwards, each one getting killed along the way. The Queen and her Lion rushed to end of the Labyrinth. While they were safe, in a way, they were also trapped. Time passed, and slowly, the Queen went mad… the lion also became hungry. They say, as she was being eaten, she continued to curse the rescue of Princess Andromeda by her… other daughter, the Chameleon Saint. Even though, I and Daidalos do our best to resist, the problem is that because she was buried here in this Labyrinth and her hatred so deep, once you said that you would like to start the test, I felt her spirit take over. I did my best to stop her and at one point, I was able to awaken. But she soon took over once more."

She raised her masked face at the boy. "Shun… I'm so ashamed of myself. Please understand, I never meant this to happen. I even tried to make the test easier, by having all the correct answers be right."

Shun flinched. He did notice that every turn he made was the same. "It's okay. I knew that it wasn't you. You are very kind, and I know that you wouldn't do anything like that to June or me." Shun reached down and hugged her. "I'm glad you're better now, and everyone is okay in the end."

O|=========================SOMEWHERE IN THE DESERT===========================|O

Capella's eyes widen as he slapped Daidalos' face. "Daidalos! Wake up!" he pulled off the Cepheus Cloth and tossed it aside as he struggled to bring the Saint back to consciousness. "Come on! What's wrong with you? Wake up. WAKE UP!"

O|=============================================================================|O

Chapter 28: Sins and Confessions

Now that Daidalos is about ready to kick the bucket, he decides he needs to tell June something. Sanctuary also shows their concern by sending some fitting replacements to take over his Cloth. Meanwhile, Shun and Matsuda have one last talk. Down in the Underworld, Shun and Pandora hold a discussion over the so call World Domination Plans.

Finally, Shun turns ten years old.

Last Chapter of "A Better World" (?).

Coming May 8

Have You Ever Felt the True Power of the Cosmos?

O|=============================================================================|O

One obstacle I had was that I had to have the pirate attack and give Shun's test (not to mention, the World Domination plot point). The problem is that those are two huge story plots and in the end, I decided to merge them together. It actually worked out better than I thought.

I did include the Steel Saints… sort've, mainly because while I didn't really like them, I had t admit their technology actually did a good job at taking down Silver Saints. So when it came to the big question as to how do you get regular people to compete with Saints, I decided to include their weapons in this to even up the fight.

If you notice, there is a question on whether this will be the last chapter of this Part. This is due to the fact that if you haven't noticed, many old plot threads are being resolved throughout this one as well as the fact that this is the longest of the Parts in the entire story.

Thank you for all the reviews and support. As usual, if you see any problems, let me know ;)

Jenny D

UPDATE : Fixed the Italic problems and changed yaoi to gay. :)