More than Gold is (not) Complete

by Jenny DeVic

Book of Sagittarius: What would happen if Mitsumasa Kido chose to carry Aiolos back to Japan instead of his Cloth?

49. Gemini Finale Part 2: Moonlight Densetsu

HOUSE OF SAGITTARIUS

ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO

"Aldebaran, there is a tool with a narrow rainbow tip on it. Can you pass it over?" spoke the Lemurian inside the deep hole in the main chambers.

The Brazilian looked at the various equipment laying on the tile, surprised that the Lemurian carried such larger tools in his shop. They were last used when Sanctuary introduced modern plumbing into the Houses, a task that took nearly thirty years due to how thick the walls were. He lifted the half-meter object that looked like a magical rainbow jackhammer with a unicorn tip and tossed it over. The tool flew until Mu's natural telekinesis held it in the air and floated it down into his hands.

Aldebaran turned his head away as silvery clouds of dust puffed up from the hole. That was when he heard the familiar heavy hooves and turned to see the cloaked figure riding the sandy stallion. "Ah, you finally made it!"

Aiolos lifted his hood off as he took in the familiar view of the main floor of the place he had sworn to protect. "I'm amazed I got here too. Took quite a bit to convince my guards to let me come here by myself."

"Well, that's because you are still a wanted man," Aldebaran chuckled.

The archer gave him a burst of obligatory laughter in return. He was the traitor and the Pope, meaning he couldn't be like Saga and move as a Gold in front of the door guards, and the Papel Guards who knew who he was, won't allow him to go either. However, he knew both Shion and Saga were able to talk them into letting them go by themselves within the Houses, but perhaps he was not permitted such a luxury was that he couldn't walk. He set such doubts in the back of his mind. His time was short here and rather than waste it on doubting himself, he should make use of it on answers. "You said that Mu may have an idea of what happened in this place?" He couldn't forget it. One moment they were in his House fighting Shura, the next they were in an underwater cavern before returning to his House.

The dust stopped and Mu proceeded to answer. "I did! I was examining some old records and sure enough, the House of Sagittarius was one of the few Houses where the floor had remained untouched." The dusty blacksmith flew out holding a large glowing blue cylinder with ancient Lemurian runes upon it. "Quite a rare find!"

The light emitted by the object practically blended in with the archer's eyes. In a way, it reminded him of a sacred lantern. "What is it called?" Aiolos asked as he guided his sandy stallion closer at it.

But Mu shrugged as he gazed upon the beautiful object. "I am not sure. My theory is that this was brought directly from the continent of Mu before it sank. Whatever the name was called, is lost in history. But, these runes are activated by cosmos, and apparently, there are three more with one in each corner." He raised a hand and filled it with his rainbow cosmos before running it over the object.

The trio watched as the main floor of the House of Sagittarius transformed into a heavily dense forest, thick with fallen logs and leafy canopies that blocked out what could be a false sun.

Aiolos was the first to react. "It looks so real…" he inhaled a bit. "But it doesn't smell like the woods near my home." While he could see the shimmer of moisture upon the hooves of Zephyr, it lacked the scent of decaying wood and earth.

Aldebaran turned downwards and spotted a walnut shell. He pinched it, cracking the exterior as easy as the snap of his fingers. He picked out the nut and popped it into his mouth. "It has no taste." He took the other half and passed it to his archer friend.

Aiolos bit into it. "It's like the water from that cave we were in. There's no flavor or minerals. Is that thing causing an elaborate illusion?"

Mu pulled his cosmos away from it, but the illusion continued. "Very! I hypothesize that these were used to create not just the most elaborate illusions for training, but used to fortify the defenses of the Houses themselves by tricking the enemy." He twisted and examined the side, tilting it a bit. "However, I'm not sure if there is much fuel left, and whatever the material this is made of is decomposing a bit. Unfortunately, I have no idea or means to fix it and I imagine that once one breaks down, the others won't work quite right."

Aldebaran easily recognized the hidden sadness his friend had. He knew that Mu and many of the Lemurians that were best were doing their best to preserve what was left of their fallen continent. "At least it served us well," he spoke as the room returned to its normal empty state.

Aiolos agreed. "It did. I don't think I would've made it there alive if it didn't activate." He folded his arms, "but those voices...did it cause them too?"

"No, definitely not. It is a well-made device, but the cavern that you all experienced must have been an event that extends beyond the grave. Your alignment with your stars is strongest here. It wouldn't surprise me that those who held your Cloth prior and were aware of the device was what spoke to you."

Aiolos looked toward his bow, one of the few pieces of his Cloth that he could still handle. They say that when a Gold Saint dies, a piece of their soul remains in the Collective to not only avoid being tortured by Hades but is supposed to serve as a means of guidance. However, he had only heard it once and that was when he earned his Cloth. He wished he understood it better, but it was just one of the hundreds of mysteries in Sanctuary. "Whatever happened, I am grateful," he smiled as he looked to the others. "But not just to them, to all of you. I would've never been able to survive if it weren't for you. Thank you….everyone!"

Mu and Aldebaran reciprocated a smile back. Aldebaran especially. It was one of the things he missed about when Aiolos wasn't there. The archer may have a tough and strong exterior, but his sincerity and gratitude were always present and an aspect that he shared with whoever he kept company with. "Likewise. Who knows how long Saga would've pretended to be the Pope in the Chambers if you didn't come back."

At that moment, Aiolos' face saddened a bit as he thought of his friend. It was one of the first decisions he will have to make, but unfortunately, it would also be the toughest. "Speaking of which...I should get back up there. I'll see all of you later. Feel free to come up and see me while you're in the upper levels of Sanctuary."

With that, the archer turned Zephyr and exited.

The moment he felt the wind against his face, Aiolos quickly threw the hood that he nearly forgot about back on. He rubbed the sweat on his face, a feeling that seemed to show up anytime he thought of the Gemini and how to go about punishing him. "Goddess…" he gently cursed to himself as he quickened his pace back to the Chambers.

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

Once he returned to his new home at the top of Sanctuary, Aiolos took a set of canes and hobbled over toward the balcony. He still had his wheelchair, decorated with every Hello Kitty and Sailor Moon character sticker on the back, but if was to strengthen his legs enough to walk without assistance, he had to use them more, even if it's slower and a lot more cumbersome.

As he grew closer, he spotted the familiar sight of his younger brother, arms crossed, and staring hard at the sleeping Gemini. Aiolos swallowed hard. "That pillow better be under his head and not over his face," he called out, half joking-half serious.

Aiolia turned his head, watching his brother hobble a bit toward him. "Oh trust me, if I had any intentions of ending his life behind your back, I would make sure I leave a good set of handprints around his neck to do so," he spoke, also half joking-half-serious. He stepped back to allow his brother to sit in a chair that was placed at Saga's side.

Once Aiolos set the canes next to him, he turned toward the sleeping face, his body now wearing his trainer clothes with Aphrodite's petals covering his chest with his arms resting on either side as if laying in a coffin rather than a cozy bed. As long as Aphrodite's roses were upon him, it kept the Gemini in a deep sleep that provided time to figure out things. "Khris...what I am going to do about you…" he muttered.

Aiolia rolled his eyes and tightened his fists. Calling a Saint by their former name was considered either a form of endearment that was reserved for only those closest to the person or an insult, determining the connotation. He still can't believe that his brother still called Saga that even after all that was done. Thank the Goddess that his brother is straight otherwise he would be worrying that Aiolos may actually have feelings for that madman. "There is no shame or dishonor in having him executed. He hurt and killed a lot of people in the last five years. That's not including destroying your reputation where the shit on the ground gains more respect over the mere mention of your name in Rodario. Don't get me started on what he's done to me."

Aiolos sighed and drew his hands on his face. "Brother, I've spent the last forty-eight hours delving into all of that. I'm well aware of the things he's done. But at the same time, he was cursed, and he wouldn't have done those things if he wasn't." He turned and could see the jerk of his little brother's head. "Don't think I'm not sensitive to what he's put you, Mu, and Dohko through. He's not going to go unpunished, but I won't have him killed for his crimes either."

For Aiolia, he knew it was a losing battle to convince his brother, but still, he gave it a shot. "Your Holiness," he addresses stiffly. "Hear me out. Let's say we do wake him up. You tell him he won't be executed. Everyone who had any die by his hand is going to be fucking pissed, like Dohko or me. You will make those who support Saga happy, but Saga wants to die! I could put money that he will try suicide again within the first week. If he does that, not only will everyone like Aphrodite and Deathmask will be upset, they are going to blame you. Besides, he has an ego the size of Mount Olympus. Do you think he would take the time to get on his knees and fucking repent for all he did? Oh, let's not forget how fucking strong he gets when his eyes are red and his hair is grey."

Aiolos nodded sagely, allowing his brother to say what he needed to. After all, one should never interrupt a lion mid-roar. But he answered back without any hesitation in his voice. "If he had the chance, yes, I think he would do everything he could to repent. But he can't have that chance if he's dead." He watched Aiolia, frustration painted on his face, shoot toward the door. It was painful hearing the heavy slam afterward since his brother had very likely suffered mentally far more than he has. But as Shion always told him, being Pope meant there will be times when you can't please everyone nor should one try.

Aiolos shut his eyes and took a deep breath before he turned back to the Gemini. Despite the two of them coming from completely different backgrounds, they always enjoyed chatting with each other. Of course, later on, they became so close that there was more fun to be held from not saying anything at all. It a pity that their conversations while the Gemini dreamt were hardly romantic lately. "I know I nearly killed you earlier when you made me think Aiolia was dead." His eyes turned downwards.

"Frankly, I suppose deep down, I still want to plug an arrow into you for doing it," the archer somberly admitted, aware that even he sheltered dark thoughts in his own heart as all humans do.

Suddenly, the Gemini's face soured and his eyelids pinched tightly, his body writhing a bit while his head turned back and forth as if trying to get away from something in his dreams. "Shhh," Aiolos whispered as he grabbed Saga's hand and squeezed it tightly to let the dreaming man know he was not alone, waiting until the jerky movement stopped. Curiously, he leaned forward, rested his hand upon Saga's forehead before he took his thumb, and lifted an eyelid until he revealed a glowing red pupil. Aiolos turned his head and bit his lip. Any argument from anyone stating that Saga was faking the curse should be busted. Saga was talented, but he can't cause illusions in his sleep. "Khris…" he whispered as he stroked the Gemini's head. "Oh Goddess…"

He reached over and clutched the Gemini's head. Aiolos knew he shouldn't go near the petals or else he'll end up getting knocked out by the pollen. However, at that moment, he didn't care. "You're safe. Just know that despite all that happened, I really do believe if you had a second chance, you would do everything you can to undo the damage this curse has caused." He sighed. "But Aiolia is right. I'm worried that if you wake up, you're just going to throw yourself off that balcony just as you did when we met each other again. I've never had such selfish thoughts, but I wish there was a way to get rid of your suicidal thoughts for you."

He reached over and moved a few stray hairs away from his eyes, feeling the smooth silky dark blue locks between his fingers, just like the old days. His mind wanders, but five years of uncertainty still lingered as well memories of Futaba, the closest thing he's ever had to living out a typical relationship, as well.

Fighting was so easy. Just beat the shit out of each other and the one still standing gets a point.

Love was just so complicated. That was one thing that Aiolia figured out long before him with Marin.

The archer felt dizzy before he felt his head top half collapse on the Gemini's chest. He wasn't worried. The worst that can happen is that whether it be a servant, a guard, or his brother, they'll figure out that he got too close to the petals which is exactly what was going on.

His eyelids felt heavy, but at the same time laying like this felt nice and nostalgic, just like the days when the two of them had a relationship and would relax after a good sparring session.

It was nice.

Quiet.

Peaceful.

Another moment that the two were robbed of when the curse destroyed his body and Saga's sanity.

If only there was a way to make all things right again.

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

Gemini: Defying Gravity

Finale 2: Moonlight Densetsu

BOLD: Cursed Mode

Italicized: The Dead/Spirits

BOLD and Italicized: Ares

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

PRESENT

COLLECTIVE OF SAGITTARIUS

"It's alright to be scared. We were too when we saw how close you were to succumb to it," spoke the half-horse Gestalt, as he and nearly every Sagittarius that wore the Cloth appeared in the room.

Saga darted his head back and forth. The darkness that had proliferated the place had lifted, perhaps due to all of the gold Cloths of Sagittarius reflecting upon each other.

Aiolos, on the other hand, paid no attention to the other predecessors. Instead, he focused on the rough yet humble tone, comparing it to the same voice from years ago after he completed his test to earn his Cloth.* The more he spoke the more it became clear. Of course, he also did it to avoid being rude, focusing on his predecessor's face to avoid gazing upon the lower horse half. "Are you the guardian of this place?"

*Sagittarius And Gemini: 5Eb The Event Finale: Aiolos

Gestalt shook his head no. "No, not at all. We all regard each other as equals. However, as one who has fought in the last Holy War and knowing that you will do the same, I requested to perform the oath. But," he turned his head downwards and gazed upon his lower half, covered in velvety brown horsehair with a pair of black hooves. "I can only guess that from your travels you can mistake me as one."

Saga nodded. "It seems like you were a victim of semantics. More people must have believed you were half-horse instead of you thinking you were half-horse."

Gestalt's head lowered a bit. "Indeed I am. It is not easy being the butt of Sanctuary's jokes over the past couple of centuries...not that I deny that I deserved the title of dumbest Saint to ever live."

For Saga, a ping of guilt filled his conscience. "I apologize. I too contributed to your equestrian dilemma. At least it seemed this place alters the appearance and not the heart of the Saint. Thank you, for saving my friend back then."

Gestalt waved his hand. "No need to apologize. Honestly, the infamy gives me more form than many of my friends here since it makes me more well known. I do switch to human legs every once in a while, so it's not all bad."

Saga turned to the figure next to him, perhaps the only other one he recognized in the sea of Sagittarius, gazing at the man with a thin red ribbon and a smooth clean-shaven face. "What about you? There is no Sagittarius Sisyphus, he's only a book character. Are you the guardian?"

He shook his head no. "I was born a few years after that time. I was actually the Sagittarius after my Uncle took over after Gestalt. However, I guess because I had brown hair like Sisyphus, a bunch of people started theorizing that the Lost Canvas novel was real and they began to associate me with him and one day, I found myself with a red ribbon tied around my head, and my looks improving too. Before my skin was blemished from the pox and now it is as smooth as butter. My history shifted from having a rather long, peaceful, and boring tenure to one filled with exploits of fighting Gods and Hades. I was surprised, but we all know how the myths liked to merge people in history."

"Aren't you concerned about losing your past to a piece of fiction?" questioned the Gemini.

Not-Quite-Sisyphus shrugged. "Not really. My old life consisted of being picked from an orphanage as a baby, training every day for half of my life, and training my replacement for the other. At least Sisyphus' tales are exciting beyond sitting and dying of old age in a cold stone fortress."

Suddenly, Aiolos grasped his head as he felt the fire in his body begin to flare up once more before he felt Not-Really-Sisyphus kneel and place his cosmos-filled hands upon him.

Saga rushed next to his friend and placed his hand on AIolos' back. "How are you doing?"

Aiolos felt his eyes flicker back and forth from red to blue before they steaded back to their normal color, his body growing dizzy. "I was fine earlier. But that heat...it's horrible."

The Gemini shook his head. "He doesn't have much time! Who and where is the guardian? We are here and we summoned the Cloth!"

But Gestalt gestured over, his four hooves trotting over toward a circular window. "He only comes out under a full moon," he spoke as he pointed upwards.

"Moon?" Aiolos muttered as he turned to the Gemini who lifted him and carried him over to the centaur. That was when he spotted the mysterious window in his House. It was circular and faced the sky and back in the world of the Living, it always featured a bright full moon through it.*

*Faithful Traitors

For Aiolos, he always found it quite fascinating, but never delved deeper beyond its meeting, assuming it was just another one of hundreds of Sanctuary's secrets that was destined to remain forever a secret. He turned his head upwards, and oddly enough, the moon was only halfway there.

Saga looked up as well. However being that he was alert the entire time outside, he was certain he didn't see anything but stars. But he supposed that didn't matter. There was something even more important. "How long will it take?" If this moon took the same amount of time as a normal one, he will find some way of teleporting up there and pulling the damn thing into position to get the guardian out.

Fortunately, Gestalt had some good news. "This is the Collective of Sagittarius. It is not dictated by the laws of space and when the guardian comes, it typically takes about five minutes. If all of us could summon him faster, we would." He tilted his head, causing his four hooved feet to rotate his body to face their guests once more. "Aiolos, we have a bit of time. Do you care for a chat in your mind?"

"What?" questioned the archer.

But Saga understood. "He's asking for permission to enter your mind to talk."

"Why can't we talk here?"

"He may have things to show you that he can't do over here. Besides, any meetings in the mind involve time dilation where aside from the five seconds it takes to initiate the thought and the five seconds to end the thought, you two can converse forever," Saga elaborated. It was a subject he was far too familiar with, not just back with his tutelage over mind techniques, but his experience with Shion when the two entered the Room of the Golden Orb.

Aiolos turned his attention to the centaur. Even though he felt dread about another person in his head, so far, even in death, Gestalt and the others had been helping him when they could. Besides, it must be something that takes more time than they have."Alright." He paused for a moment. "Do you know how to do it...enter my mind?" This was Gestalt, not Shaka or Saga after all.

Gestalt nodded. "I do. Such a thing would be extremely complicated if I was alive and had a physical body. Because I am dead and all that is left is my soul, entering your mind is about as easy as opening a door, as long as you don't reject it."

Aiolos looked up as his finger touched the center of his forehead before the room went white.

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

THE MIND OF AIOLOS

Aiolos opened his blue eyes to find himself laying on the ground, staring at a bright sky as the long grass waved over him. He sat up and immediately his legs responded as they used to, sharp, strong, and quick and not slow and weak. While he was grateful that thanks to Shaka's treatments that allowed him some movement, it was the simple pleasure of leaping back to a standing position that made him feel whole again. He turned his head to see that he wasn't the only one who was a bit different. "Looks like we can both use our legs out here!" he laughed as Gestalt, now in a plain faded white trainer with dark brown pants and his own golden bow shouldered on his arm.

The Roman nodded, shaking his windswept jet black hair with a pleasant smile. "Yes, we can. But, there were times when I would shift back to my lower human half up there, determining who was the storyteller in Rodario. At least here I can control my outward appearance and just like you, take full advantage of it."

The current ninth guardian agreed, his feet bouncing a bit like a kid. It may be immature, but it felt so good too. At least he had enough dignity to avoid dancing around. "So what was it that you needed to tell me here? Is it about the curse?"

"The curse? By the bolt of Zeus, you know more about the curse in the last three months than I in the last two centuries of being dead. No, we are here because it is something a bit more personal. Something that has been driving me crazy, and a fellow brother of the bow and beast, it is my duty to correct you," Gestalt turned his head, clenched his teeth, and produced a high-pitched whistle.

Far off in the distance of the field, a dark brown mare galloped toward the two before it slowed down and lowered its head toward the former Sagittarius.

Aiolos wasn't sure who he was more starstruck from his predecessor or the animal in front. "Ah by Athena, is this the famous Tanya you gave up your human legs for?"

Gestalt pulled out her favorite type of apple and watched her practically swallow it whole. "It is! What do you think?"

Aiolos rubbed his hands through her fur. "She's absolutely beautiful! If I were you, I would've given up both my top and bottom half as well! She's bigger and more muscular than Zephyr! Is she really just a mare?"

"Of course she is! She's not only strong and large, but she excels in the cosmos. That's why I brought you here. I've seen how you handled your horse. While Dohko did a fine job with teaching you mounted combat, his only experience was merely raising them, and he never had any experience in battle on top of one. There is quite a bit to refine and some basic skills that you have yet to utilize."

Aiolos' eyes widened, for it was true. Much of the training he had done with Zephyr was mostly experimentation. Dohko had told him that Gestalt was well known for his handling of horses. But he lowered his head a bit. "My real horse is back in the world of the living. We have to deal with the curse and Ares."

Gestalt thought of that too, especially since he was certain that Ophiuchus Asclepius was the one to corrupt Odysseus in the first place. He placed his arm around his beloved Tanya. Even if she was just a memory given form here, he still missed her with each passing time. "I've thought of that. It's been in my mind since the two of you entered the Collective. But only ten seconds will pass during this, and chances are, a second opportunity will not come. I can't tell you more about the curse that the guardian can't answer, but I can at least do this. Besides, think of it as another bit of motivation to get back to the Living."

It was a good point. With that, Aiolos took his fingers and whistled for Zephyr, or at least how he remembered his faithful sandy stallion. Zephyr charged from the distance before stopping in front. Goddess, his stud looked more like a pony at a fair compared to the Legendary Tanya, but he still loved him as if he was a part of his soul. Aiolos mounted the horse and almost immediately, as he normally did, Zephyr let out a snort, seemingly demanding that he give some cosmos so that it could travel at lightspeed.

Gestalt pointed over ready to teach as his father did for him. "Right there. You're training your horse in the two extremes of the cosmos: high for battle, low for simple riding, but you aren't showing Zephyr how to detect slow rises and falls. The result is your horse is far too tense and impatient all the time. Not only that, but the more your horse is used to a higher level of cosmos, the more it expects in battle."

Aiolos looked down as Zephyr produced another snort. "I always thought it was just a part of his personality."

Gestalt nodded. "It is. I can tell that you picked out a real hot-blooded one. But like a trainee...or even your brother...there are plenty of benefits in teaching it more patience. Zephyr is demanding cosmos, you give it slowly no matter how much it complains. Don't be surprised if the real one buckles a bit in protest like it was stuck in molasses, but eventually he'll get the idea and will adjust. Trust me, you'll notice a big difference when he rides as smoothly as if you mounted the wind."

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

Time is strange within one's mind. As Saga always told him, a dream is a form of Geminism in that it can seem like an eternity and instantaneous at the same time.

Who knows how long he was there, but for Aiolos, it was time well spent. Small things like how to grant cosmos to a horse from afar in order to save a precious fraction of a second to major lost secrets like a recipe to combine a special paste that all riders brushed on their steed's hooves to prevent them from slipping on the tile.

It had been a very long time since Aiolos was under the tutelage of another. Not just that, but perhaps it was because they both aligned with the same constellation, just like Seiya, he felt a kinship like an older brother he never had.

Gestalt turned toward the distance. His intention was only to work on the way Aiolos drowns his horse in his cosmos. However, he enjoyed his successor's eagerness and after being a joke for the last two hundred years, it was nice to feel respected once more. "That's about all I can say. There's more, but since you are the Pope, you should have access to my journal. We can't stay here too long. Time doesn't pass, but I don't want you too relaxed when you face whatever the guardian wants to do with you. Are there any other questions you have before we go back?"

Aiolos bit his lip and clutched his golden bow. "There is something I would like your opinion on. It's about my Cloth. I'm nervous, I don't like the idea of sending Seiya out there as the next Sagittarius right before Holy War. He's so young and by the time the Holy War will hit, he'll only be about thirteen-"

"Don't sell me a dog…" Gestalt slipped in old slang, "-You're worried because his aim isn't very good."

Aiolos followed it up with a combination of half laughter and a sob. "Oh Goddess, how many times can I tell him to fire at the target on the tree, only to end up with the arrow winding up sticking in the roof of my Brother's house? " It wasn't even an exaggeration. He was certain he's caught Aiolia reinforcing it to protect his precious Marin. "Why do I have the feeling that Poseidon could stand in front of him and he would still miss?"

Somehow, based on his time of observing Seiya through Aiolos' eyes, did Gestalt have a feeling he was right? But he knew that was only part of the reason he's hesitating. "There's more to it than your potential successor."

Aiolos swallowed hard and closed his eyes. "I'm not in the best shape, but if I work hard, I feel like I can be. But…" he turned downward. Here he was his old self. He could use lightspeed, his feet tapped so quickly that it reminded him of why everyone called him lightning feet or lightning fists. He and Gestalt even took time to spar, because, over the centuries, the fact that beating the living shit out of the other was still the best way for a Gold Saint to get to know the other. Gestalt was good, he may have had the lower half of a horse for a long time, but his upper body was just as strong. In the world of the living, he felt so slow, and whether he liked it or not, everyone is always asking to help him get from Point A to point B. "I'm worried that if I am wrong, there will either be a broken Sagittarius to face Hades or an ill-prepared one for Holy War."

Gestalt quietly nodded. He figured that was the main reason. "As they say, it's never easy for a person to take up a dead Saint's Cloth, but it's even harder when a surviving Saint has to retire from it. If you want my opinion, I say keep the Cloth for now. However, continue to train Seiya. Perhaps you will become strong enough to wield your Cloth to its max, but be prepared were unlike me, don't be afraid to leave the past behind if it comes down to it."

Aiolos looked up. "Are you talking about Tanya?"

"That I am. It was selfish to cling to her memory.

It was foolish to live those years thinking that being half-horse was honoring her. Honestly, when I was half horse when I was alive, I didn't feel any closer to her." His black locks fell over his shoulder as he and Tanya's head lowered. "I truly deserve the title of dumbest Saint of all time."

But Aiolos shook his head. Not after all his predecessor taught him. "You're as much the dumbest Saint, just as I am its greatest traitor." He watched his predecessor smile. Gestalt was a very introverted man, but one could tell that he was having just as much a good time out here as he was. "Come on, before we go, let's go visit a dream bar and I'll buy you a dream drink."

"Ah, good to know some things never change over the last couple of centuries. After we're done chirping-merry, can have some dream entertainment? Contrary to popular belief, I don't love Tanya that much."

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

COLLECTIVE OF SAGITTARIUS

For five seconds, Sagittarius Not-Quite-Sisyphus raised an eyebrow. Being dead, they were all familiar with their ability to enter someone's mind. As spiritual as it sounded, in practice, it looks a bit silly with Centaur Gestalt frozen in place and eyes shut, his finger pressed firmly upon Aiolos' unconscious forehead like a pair of statues. He turned his head when the other Gemini from the Living world was running over to the pair. "What are you doing?"

"Getting ready for him to return back!" Saga hurried behind the archer and wrapped his arms around the archer's chest within five seconds. He had enough return trips from the Room of the Golden Orb to know how much regaining consciousness sucked if you weren't lying down comfortably in the beginning. "5...4...3...2...1," Saga counted before Aiolos' body violently jerked, his own arms squeezing tighter to absorb it. He slowly let go as Aiolos relaxed and rubbed his own eyes. "How was it?"

Aiolos looked around, adjusting to the dark reality around him, seeing Gestalt back in his half-horse spiritual form once again. "Green and endless fields." He turned upwards and frowned. Saga was right. He felt like he was training for at least five days, but when he looked up at the window, not even five minutes had passed, the moon barely out of place.

Saga watched Aiolos grit his teeth and threw his hands in his brown curls as another round of the curse was burning him up again. All they could do was wait and it was driving him mad. He turned to the other two Sagittarius and raised his head. Time was gold and he shall spend it wisely! "Has the Guardian here ever talked about the curse? Anything?"

The two turned to each other before fake Sisyphus faced him. "Trust us, everyone here has tried. He just kept to himself and was hoping for Aiolos to come, even if none of us knew how the Living would even come to the place of the Dead in the first place."

Saga should be disappointed and frustrated, at least he would've been a while back before his therapy. But rather than fall into sorrow and back into the hole, he closed his eyes, his mind may be sharp before, but it felt keener and quicker. "His silence speaks louder than words. I suspect it's not the fact that the Guardian knows nothing, but rather he knows everything."

A bright silvery light beamed through the glass and everyone turned their heads.

It was said that the higher a Sagittarius is, the more power his arrow would have. Just like in The Pegasus Run story, a bright white crescent moon, that was no larger than the figure resting serenely upon it lowered gracefully. His white feathery wings were tucked, as he clutched his gigantic bow as if he was leaning against the trunk of a tree high up on the canopies. His short hair was pitch black, a stark contrast to his near porcelain white skin, his sharp gold mask covering his forehead to the bottom of his nose prominently glowed. "Welcome Saint Aiolos." He turned his silver eyes toward the side. "You too, Saint Saga. I am Sagittarius, the Guardian of this Collective."

The cursed archer looked up and swallowed hard. The words stuck in his throat, he lowered his head and offered a sincere bow, at least as best as he could.

Saga gazed at the glowing figure. It seemed that all the First Gold Saints don't have a Greek name with their Zodiac title, lending truth that they must have all left their actual names behind while the successors would add a new Greek name to differentiate one from the other.

Even though Aiolos needed to take the test, they still needed answers. Saga's senses told him that even if the archer succeeds and passes, this Guardian would sooner leave and never come back. He must be concise with his questions because time was still important, but not too daring as to give off the impression that he was some sort of interrogator. Everyone's mistake in questioning the Guardian seems to be that they must be far too direct. He on the other hand has dabbled in politics and knew that people like the First Sagittarius require seeking answers through the undertones. "Thank you for coming at last. It is an honor to behold the face of one of The Firsts. May I ask, are the stories true? Did you truly serve Artemis first despite being a man?" He starts off safe as one should for such delicate matters.

The Guardian turned toward the Gemini in the back. "I still do. She is my Goddess, but Athena is still the sister that my Goddess asked me to guard with my life. Men are permitted to serve Artemis as long as they forgo their masculinity just like how your Amazons forgo their femininity." He took his nimble hand and touched his mask.

"Ah, no wonder you have become synonymous with the moon," Saga added with a bit of a jovial tone.

The guardian's silver glowing eyes turned a bit more focused. "Partly, but one could say that you don't need to be a follower of Artemis. I would say the moon has become synonymous with the cruel faith that seemed to be bestowed upon my fellow Sagittariuses: dead, yet somehow it is always shining its light upon those we sworn to protect."

"Yes, that does make sense," Saga spoke as his tone became more firm. "You gave up your life to save her Cloth and thus protected Athena. Well, Aiolos here, he continued and honored your original task, nearly losing his own life to protect her as a baby. But he didn't do it out of maintaining your tradition of guarding Athena in the name of Artemis, but because he is a selfless man and it was the right thing to do even at a significant cost. He still wants to do it, but the curse impedes him. If you wish to honor your goddess, I suggest you simply just cleanse the curse from his body. Be done with it." It was bold, but he was quite good at when to flash his horns and when to pull back.

The Guardian sat up, his wings resembling the metal ones of the Sagittarius Cloth but were white and feathery like that of an angel. His silver eyes produced a hard stare at the blue-haired guest.

Not-Quite-Sisyphus looked toward the Gemini and touched his forehead. "You need to ease up here. No one knows what happens when the living dies here, and it's best not to find out."

"And I don't intend on being the first. Trust me, I know what I am doing," replied Saga through the cosmos. "You side with Artemis, not Ares. She asked you to protect Athena, and the best way to honor your pledge is to permit Aiolos through."

For a moment, the Guardian gave a hard stare at Saga but relented when the Gemini flashed back a narrow glare as if daring him to do his worst. The first Sagittarius turned away. He was several centuries old and he knew that over time, Geminis had hardly changed, they still approached those higher than them like Icarus flying toward the sun. "If Saint Aiolos wishes to end the curse, he will take my test."

Saga watched the guardian flip the bow with the string facing upwards, the other hand open and ready as if warning him to hold his tongue. He does so, but only because he received the answer he needed. He knew the First Sagittarius wouldn't give Aiolos a free pass, but by virtue of not giving a reason, it was a sign that the Guardian is being forced to carry out a test. It seems Ares may have a hold over him, but how and why?

Aiolos turned to the Guardian as he stood in front of him. After flinching a bit from feeling another round of heat from the curse did he take his bow and used it to prop himself into a standing position as if it was a cane. He has a feeling that whatever must be done, the Guardian wasn't going to let Saga carry him around nor summon Zephyr to help him through. He was nervous, but it wasn't like he had a choice. "What do you want me to do? I'm ready."

The Guardian, sensing his successor giving off a less hostile tone than the Gemini, quietly shouldered the bow. "In this place, I and my fellow Golds are primarily shaped by the collective memory, tales, and myths of Sanctuary and its followers. Do you remember my tale?"

Aiolos nodded. "Of course. I have to practically memorize and tell it during festivals back when I wasn't a traitor. In short, when a Mariner General couldn't smash Athena's Cloth Statue, he tossed it into the ocean, knowing that while our Cloths could survive their depths, our bodies were still human. You being the closest dove right in. You reached it before it could sink completely, and you perished."

The Guardian gently nodded. "My time as the first Sagittariuswas not very pleasant and sadly extremely short. Many didn't trust me, but they had good reason. They asked about my time serving Artemis, but I pledged to her to keep silent about her secrets. Only when my body floated to the top clutching Athena's Cloth did others accept me. So for your test: A race, to see who's loyalty is greater to Athena.

The Guardian looked up. "I wonder who will bring back the Goddess' Cloth first?"

A miniature statue of the Goddess Athena appeared in his hand before he held the sacred object high in front of his masked silvery eyes. "Don't worry. I've considered your condition. Unlike some of my fellow Golds, I would never be one to grant you a test, that you were unable to complete. I will offer you a head start. Will you take my test, or would you rather stand outside the Collective and become the fifth Sagittarius to fall to the curse?"

Aiolos' eyes widened as he thought back to his Cloth, now covered in blood and four of his predecessors more animal than man. "Yes, I'm ready."

"Good...now...deep breath…" He watched Aiolos' chest puff up a bit before dropping the statue.

Aiolos watched the object pass through the tile before he too sank into it and found himself underwater in the middle of the ocean. His eyes struggled a bit to adjust to the azure water around, air bubbles dancing and obscuring his sight in every direction. He forgot how much saltwater stung, ignoring the pain and trying to figure out where to go in the limited time he had, ignoring the temptation of swimming to the top to get a better breath of air. He turned his head toward a very light glimmer before shouldering his bow and using both arms to begin swimming downwards toward it.

"LUCAS!" screamed Saga as he ran to the spot where the archer stood. The once solid mother-of-pearl tiles were now transparent, and underneath their hard surface was nothing but water. He banged on the floor but for some reason, each thud was silent, lacking the heavy echo from before. His head darted as the guardian stood there, glaring at him as to not use any techniques to aid his friend. The Gemini frowned before he along with the other Sagittarius attempted to view the underwater scene beneath all their feet and hooves. Saga shook his head nervously, as he watched Aiolos' curls wave back and forth, his cheeks and lips puffed up, indicating that water was very real.

Down below, Aiolos continued to swim as fast as he could, using his cosmos to put all his power into his arms. As his cosmos lit up, the glowing eyes of several Mariner Soldiers floating gleefully began to light up. "SHIT!" he thought to himself as he increased his speed.

Up above, Saga's fists tightened as he watched Aiolos being closely followed by several grunts of Poseidon's army. He watched the archer switching back and forth from closing the distance between himself and the statue while throwing a few cosmos punches that blasted like missiles to ward off the enemies.

Aiolos, feeling exhaustion take over, turned away from the grunts before he chose to focus fully on grabbing the Cloth of Athena. He quickened his pace, gaining inch after precious inch before his hands clenched around the miniature Goddess' stone waist before immediately darting upwards to the surface.

Saga clenched his fist and gritted his teeth in tense excitement. "Come on! HURRY!" he cheered as he watched Aiolos making his way back up. "You're almost there!" he screamed hoping his shouts reached him.

But the Guardian shook his head. "Not for long!" he spoke before he dropped through the tile and entered the waters.

Aiolos' blue eyes widened as the Guardian's golden armor and wings charged forward toward him. He turned to the side as several Mariner Soldiers were speeding toward him, their sharp teeth beaming like a group of hungry sharks. Worst of all, his chest felt like it was going to blow up. He may be a Saint, but a man can only hold his breath for so long. He turned toward the Guardian as he headed to him with vicious speed. At that moment, Aiolos grabbed his bow, took his red bandana, and quickly tied the statue around a golden arrow before shooting it at the Guardian. He twisted his body toward the Mariner foot soldiers and began wildly firing as much as he could, feeling the power of each shot causing a bit of air to escape from his body until finally, he couldn't hold it any longer.

Blinding light followed before his heavy body went from complete weightlessness to collapsing back upon the sacred tile he was on earlier, his trainer pouring water all over with bits of algae still clinging to his arms.

Saga rushed over, nearly sliding on the large puddle of water and seaweed as Aiolos unleashed cough after wretched cough; heaving and violently gagging up mixtures of salty water and saliva. The Gemini took the back of his palm to pound the archer's backside to help expel the remains. Goddess, he hated to say it, but he sounded worse than anytime Hera and Neptune had a hairball.

The Guardian's masked face stared at the two, his hand clutching the golden arrow with the statue wrapped around the red bandana. He waited until Aiolos was okay before he spoke. "You shot the statue toward me. Why?"

Aiolos slicked back his wet curls in an attempt to keep his hair away from his face. "The mission was to get Athena's Cloth back. If I held on, the Mariners would've caught me, and the Cloth would be lost forever to the sea. Better to entrust it to you. Besides, just because you called it a race, didn't make us enemies."

No, it didn't. The truth was while the Guardian heavily implied the first one to bring back the Cloth would be the winner, it was never the point of the test. The goal was to see what he would do. Does he toss the idol, knowing it is not the real one to save himself from truly drowning? Does he swim away from him? Does he take a chance and fight? Of course, he would sacrifice himself and trust the statue to him. He already did it once with the actual Athena. It almost felt like this was less of a test and more of reaffirmation, not that he had any choice. He could feel his body glowing and sparkling. "Well done."

Saga and Aiolos were silent, their hearts beating quickly in anticipation, but still, they hold their breaths in fear of another obstacle will block them from succeeding.

Was the cure they searched for finally within their grasp?

Even the other Sagittarius who watched quietly from afar came closer as they all whispered in delight that such a day shall come.

However, the Guardian did not walk over to the current Sagittarius, but rather to the blood-soaked Cloth itself. As he did so, the sparkling dust that was over his body was seemingly magnetized to the bloody Sagittarius Cloth. Gradually it was beginning to fade. There he took the Athena idol and it magically shifted into the cursed dagger before laying it in front of the Cloth.

He turned to the others, despite his mask, it was clear he was half nervous yet half relieved.

When he raised his hands and pressed them against the Cloth, his shimmering body began to transform into stardust faster, cleansing the blood off.

The joy in Aiolos' face faded for this was not the Guardian's body, but in the Collective it was his soul, and it was his soul that was being used to purify the curse. "Wait, if you leave here, you will either fade away forever or be sent to the Underworld! STOP!" he screamed.

The Guardian turned his transparent head, his mask had faded so much that his long-hidden facial features, including a scar between his eyes, could be seen. "Your friend is right. You are a Selfless Fool." He shook his head in disagreement. "No, this is the only way. Besides, it's all our fault the curse exists in the first place."

Saga gritted his teeth. He knew back from the Panda that these First Golds knew something. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOUR FAULT?"

The Guardian felt a bit lightheaded as the red blood washed off. "Libra can tell you. He started it. But we followed along." He watched as the Cloth of Sagittarius began to glow brighter as his own hands were fading. "By the way...There is no First Holy War...we called them...The Holy Wars… It didn't take place over ten years. It took place over a thousand."

Now it was Gestalt's turn to be shocked, his hoofs struggling not to kick up from the news. "Are you saying that there was more than one First Sagittarius?"

But the Guardian, his feathers gradually falling away like tears revealing the true metal Cloth he wore in his time, shook his heavy head no. "I was it all that time. It was terrible. Every time we died, the Thirteenth resurrected us. Same with the other side of Poseidon. So we just continued...back and forth. You would think we would have created a peace treaty after the first time died and resurrected, but hate doesn't go away just because you get a second chance. Rebirth is always an opportunity for revenge.

War with death is tragic, and the War eventually ends.

When you take away death, War becomes a game.

Never allow War to become a game.

Now, take the dagger and the Cloth to go back home." The guardian muttered as he began to drift into his final thoughts.

It will be nice for the world to see the Sagittarius Cloth for how it was truly supposed to look like. Back when he was told by his Goddess Artemis he had to help Athena, he saw it as a punishment, like the Goddess of the Hunt didn't want him. He was a loner in the Shrine of the Moon because he was a man, he was untrusted because he was a stranger in Sanctuary. He hated wearing it back then, but watching his successors wield it with pride, alone on his own moon, he finally sees how beautiful it really is.

"Goodbye," was all the strength he had left to say, before the last of his feathers fell and he vanished, leaving the Sagittarius Cloth glowing brightly once more.

Everyone was silent for a moment before they all did whenever they lost a comrade and came down to a knee before offering prayer and safe travels. One final honorable goodbye to the First Guardian wherever his soul may go.

After a few minutes and everyone stood up and it was time to move on. Saga turned to his friend and gazed at his face, specifically his blue eyes. He looked cured but had so many setbacks that he was still not quite right. "Is it gone?"

Aiolos swallowed and paused. "Yes...I think it is." Even he wasn't sure. What if all of this was some weird dream and in reality, he was back in the stardust prison or the woods again. He stood silently, waiting. "My mind. I can't describe it, but it feels...focused again. I can't hear any strange noises or voices. It's quiet." He choked up a smile. This was real.

It's real!

"Oh Goddess, it worked! I'm okay!"He felt like the first time he was released from the hospital and felt the warm sun and smelled the fresh air.

Saga reached over and hugged him tightly. He too can hear a difference in his tone. At that moment, the Gemini cried...hard, practically showering Aiolos' curls in tears. Three months ago, it seemed there was no other hope than for him to die, yet here they were, the curse was finally gone! Once he took the collar of his light blue trainer and wiped his face he finally told him the one thing he wanted to say for a long time. "That was the dumbest thing you ever did."

Aiolos was also full of tears. "Yeah...it was...but it was worth it!"

"Selfless fool…" muttered Saga.

Aiolos shook his head. "...enlightened idiot…"

And Saga laughed as he squeezed him harder. It's been a long time since the archer called him that. It had been a long time since he felt this happy and it wasn't because of the pride of breaking the centuries-long curse, but simply because his best friend was saved. The Gemini turned his head. "Speaking of worth it-" he muttered as he turned to the group of Sagittariuses that had surrounded the newly cleansed Cloth. Seeing his friend reacting just as curiously, he lifted him with one arm while Aiolos used his bow to keep himself steady as the two moved toward the luminous object.

Aiolos' stare couldn't leave it. While the Gold Cloths were impressive before, this one was far more radiant, especially compared to the other Sagittarius Cloths in the room. It was the exact same one that the Guardian wore, but somehow, it looked more impressive, probably because they all knew it was real. The most obvious change was the large red stone in the center of the chest, crimson, but one that felt more like the color of bravery and not the dreaded curse. When Aiolos picked up the headpiece, he noticed the metal was a lot thicker, yet weighed the same. The gold metal was embossed with elaborate details that were once flat and hard to see. But most importantly, it seemed more alive.

Saga felt the same way. He didn't think Gold Cloths could evolve since there was no record of any dramatic transformations like the Bronze or Silver ones experienced. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah...too bad I can't wear it," Aiolos muttered the awful truth.

Gestalt turned his head, knowing how sensitive his successor was about the matter. While he told him to leave the past, he also didn't want him to give up hope either. "There's still time. When you're strong enough, give it a shot, but if that day doesn't come, I am certain you will choose the right one to honor it."

Aiolos nodded before gazing at the headpiece and setting it back on top of the Cloth's far more elaborate form. He looked around the statue and frowned. Where did the Pandora's Box go? Without it, Saga was going to have a hell of a time carrying both him and his Cloth especially if Saga was forced to run. He rested his hand on top of the red gem, when he had a strange feeling, an urge, a calling, telling him to just say its name. "SAGITTARIUS!" He yelled before the Cloth glowed again, wild ancient Lemurian runes circling beneath it and shrunk into a metal plate that fit the size of his palm."Woah."

Saga's eyes widened. The Cloth really did change. It not only felt more powerful and looked stronger, but it was even more portable too. But did it really evolve, or was it that the curse had held back the Cloth's real potential? Damn, if only Mu was here. Nevertheless, this was a good thing, considering he had no idea to lug both his friend and a box on his back like a mule. But that wasn't the only thing that needed to be brought back. His eyes locked at the golden dagger, his blood draining from his face at its glimmering and always sharp edge. "He said that it was the only way we can go back home."

"...Yeah…" Aiolos whispered with just as much uneasiness. Even if he wasn't cursed anymore, there was still the lingering uneasiness going back into that state.

"Don't worry, you won't have anything to fear from it."

It was an unfamiliar voice that spoke, but it was full of joy, cheer, yet heavy weariness. Everyone turned as four Sagittarius were standing before them, their hair was disheveled, eyes tired but was every color except red. Right on one of their hands, was a slight hole from when Aiolos' golden arrow pierced his hand earlier.

Not-Quite-Sysphyus flew gleefully to the quartet before wrapping his arms around one with messy blond hair. "UNCLE! THANK THE GODDESS! YOU'RE CURED!"

The formerly cursed Sagittarius sobbed heavily. "I am...hundreds of years...the nightmare is over for me. The fog has even faded a little too. Still thick, but at least we can see our feet in our section."

Aiolos turned to Saga. "See, I told you...it was worth it." The archer reached over and picked up the dagger, ready to come home to finally have a happy ending. But the moment his hand touched the warm metal, a burning sensation filled Saga's chest.

As he did a long time ago, the Gemini collapsed on his knees as his eyes felt as if a pair of claws were digging in his pupils before jagged tentacles were squirming into every vein and artery in his body.

"SAGA!" Aiolos dropped the dagger hoping it would help, but it was too late before the Gemini turned to him with crimson red eyes that caused the tears that fell to reflect the harsh light. "NO! HOW!? You didn't even touch it!"

But Saga, his body trembling, as he felt the shadows pressing upon his soul once more, had a feeling this may occur when the Panda told them the conditions on ending it. "You stole my curse, but you never cured it. When it left you...it came back to me." His head felt terribly hot, a new burning sensation that he was certain that Aiolos experienced while he was down here.

Aiolos snatched the Gemini's face, his blue eyes burning with determination. "Not for long! We're not going home until we march to the Collective of Gemini and cure you too! We know how to fix it, we'll do it again!" Memories flooded of all the terrible things he did as well as all the times he himself couldn't distinguish the nightmares from realities. "We came here to end it, let's end it! Alright, Khris?"

Saga felt his red eyes shift back to blue. He still felt hot, but his far more elaborate training allowed him to feel a little uncomfortable and not like Aiolos who struggled to even function here. "...Lucas…"

"He makes it seem like it is so easy to leave this place."

The hot blood in Saga felt as if it turned ice cold. "Ares...barely five minutes of coming back and already you're back to whispering sweet nothings in my head," the Gemini sneered.

But Gestalt shook his head. "Saga...he's not whispering in your head. I heard him too."

Aiolos turned his head toward the entrance as he too heard the familiar voice, deep as the sea yet empty as space. "Oh Goddess. He's right outside. Has he ever showed up?"

"In here? Not this close and definitely not within our Collective," spoke one of the Sagittariuses.

"It doesn't matter. There's only one way down, and he's blocking it," Saga felt his fingers dig into his own arms as he could feel the curse refamiliarize itself. He shut his eyes and as he did for so many years he focused hard to block the voices that were slowly knocking the door to his consciousness.

Aiolos turned to his predecessors and toward the invisible barrier. Earlier those that were cursed couldn't enter. Was the opposite true for those in the Collective of Sagittarius? No harm in throwing out the question. "Any chance any of you all can provide us with some cover?"

Gestalt shook his head no. "We are here because you summoned the Cloth. We will disappear when you leave and the protective barrier around here prevents us from sending out any support, otherwise, we would've done so when you two were first attacked." His hooves backed up a bit in sadness. He turned to the entrance knowing that one of Athena's most dangerous enemies was just past there. "I'm sorry. We would if we could."

"You don't have to apologize. Thank you, for all the help," Aiolos leaned on his bow so he could hold out his hand. Gestalt took it and the two gave a warrior's embrace, not out of love, but to exchange strength. "I'm guessing this part of the chambers is what awaits all Golds after their time with their Cloths ends. What's it really like in the Inner Chambers here when I die?"

Gestalt shook his head. "You'll find out eventually, I just hope not too soon."

On the side, Saga drew his hand to his head. An impending sense of doom that was greater than anything anxiety could throw at him was burning within. He suspects it was Ares' way of drawing them out, further raising the plausibility that perhaps the God of War can't enter this place, or at least through the Main Corridors. But how did Ares get this far if that was the case? Nonetheless, he walked over to the new Sagittarius Cloth. It was beautiful as if it was meant for a god to wear.

A pity he was the reason Aiolos can't put it on.

No… he had lived over ten years of hell like that and now that he had reached some stability, he will not allow himself to slip into that state once more.

They'll make it out. If he can solve a centuries-old curse, he will throw all his energy into helping his friend walk once more when they get back.

Saga helped the archer back on his back. The two approached the entrance, Saga feeling his friend's body grow tense as he sensed him getting his bow ready. He himself kept a good grip on his friend's legs, and while he could still pull off his techniques, he won't hesitate to just run past as fast as he could.

They reached the entrance where the barrier was, the place where the eerie fog was blocked by the invisible force.

That was when he was in view.

Of all the things, he could cloth his body in, of course, it would be the robes of the Popes with all the elaborate ceremonial necklaces and one of the most detailed blue stoles around his neck and shoulders. On top of his large helmet was the Colchian Dragon, the animal as sacred to Ares as the owl was to Athena, yet foolishly, neither the false Pope, the real Pope, or even previous ones ever questioned it.

His strong body at nearly three meters tall, covered in thick muscles, was as black and shiny as pure obsidian, a contrast to the heavy crimson glow in his eyes that was devoid of pupils.

But most strikingly was the long grey hair that flowed all the way down his back. Not only because it reminded the golds of all the times Saga was possessed, but it appeared as if it was constantly burning and growing, ash scattering in the wind like snow.

Arms crossed, the god on fire stood there silently and so did the two Golds for a least a couple of minutes.

In chess, the first move was always the most important.

Aiolos and Saga turned to each other, gazed at the other's face before coming to the unspoken conclusion to step forward. It was better now than wait and risk Ares gathering reinforcements. Saga moved past the invisible entrance when a bright light flashed.

The archer jerked his head and sure enough, the moment the Cloth Plate in his pocket passed through, the others returned wherever they were at and now it was time they returned home as well.

"So after hundreds of years, Athena finally decided to take my curse seriously." Ares shook his helmeted head. "Apparently, the plan of sacrificing one of the Gemini twins wasn't working well at all."

Saga's jaw clenched tightened. Ares whispered those thoughts right before he killed Shion, and they lingered years later. He had made peace with it and he won't succumb to his lies again. "That was never Athena's plan, and you know it!" he yelled, his voice echoing in the vastness of the Collective.

"True." Ares agreed quite curtly. "Killing...sacrificing..that is the nature of man and the Zodiac demonstrates they are a perfect representation of that," he sneered, his already heavy voice pounding at the words harder as if the mere mention of the Golds disgusted him.

Aiolos' eyes narrowed. He could feel Ares' cosmos and despite him not exerting any effort, it was extremely strong and quite frightening as if he was facing the mouth of an active volcano ready to burst. Still, he asks the one answer that only the God of War could give. "You wear the robes of one of Sanctuary's most faithful servants. Why the curse?"

"Hmph, servant...is that what I am seen as? I am a GOD! Some of my brothers and sisters offered tokens and mere scraps to aid Athena. I was the only one from the Pantheon that supported Athena's cause for man and joined her when Poseidon unleashed his crusade to flood the Earth...but as her equal. Her Golds betrayed me...now nobody in the Pantheon trusts her." He tightened his fist, his flaming hair unleashed a burst that unleashed a flurry of ash before it calmed down once more. "Curse? If I had it my way, there would be no curse. Athena and the other Golds would be a relic of the past, buried in the depths of this mountain, their armor reduced to rust, with nothing but rubble and goats feasting on the grass on top instead of the Houses that occupy it today. But, Zeus decreed that such a thing was not possible against another of the Pantheon. Zeus demanded a test that had a solution. He told me that I must offer a hint. Only because of him, did any of you make it this far."

Saga shook his head. "You just chastised Athena for not being seen as an equal to her, yet you submit to Zeus, kissing the ground and bowing your head at his command! You are a hypocrite!"

"Zeus is the All-Father. Nobody defies the All-Father. Not even I would defy the All-Father. 'Never' defy the All-Father." He warned.

Aiolos fingers were white from his grip on his bow. "So why are you here if you hate us that much?" He shook his head as he watched the god just stand there. "You're not the type who would just talk."

"You're correct. Unlike Athena, I had and will fight alongside my comrades. But today, I come here, to congratulate you two. You are the first Gold Saint to complete one of the Twelve Collectives," his grandiose voice reverberated, his thick hands clapped together in mocking praise before he gestured toward the distance.

Aiolos and Saga turned and there stood a glass Fire Clock that was exactly like their own, except all but the Sagittarius spot was burning with a crimson fire.

Saga stared at the clock. He could tell Aiolos was trying to read or at least memorize the symbols that were too far for him to see. Of course, Ares wouldn't come here to truly honor but to taunt them as he did in their heads. All the joy felt in the Collective of Sagittarius drained. "Everyone has to get cursed to beat the curse?"

Dark laughter followed. "That's right. You two thought that everything was finally over. All you had to do was cure a single Gold and everything will be fine." He shook his head. "Zeus made me give out a test, but rest assured I have carefully planned the steps to ensure nobody will ever complete it."

Saga felt sick, his body nearly buckling. This wasn't supposed to happen!

Aiolos felt the same way and if he wasn't sitting behind Saga's back he almost wanted to throw up. "Oh Goddess…" he muttered.

"Mmm-hmm." The God of War musically grinned for any warrior worth his salt knew that the loss of a battle meant nothing as long as the war will end victorious. "You want to know more? I'll tell you more since the First Golds were too weak-hearted to say or your predecessors were too stupid to figure out. With every defeat of each Guardian, the power of the curse becomes more concentrated. You thought you saved your friends? You have placed them on a path and doomed them all. Do you want to know a Gold Saint with even worse mental defenses than a Sagittarius?

...

…

...

….A Leo."

"BASTARD!" In a fraction of a second, Aiolos twisted his bow and shot an arrow straight into Ares' forehead.

Saga had flinched and shut his eyes when he felt Aiolos' cosmos flash so hard that it felt like he was struck by a bolt from Zeus himself. He was not surprised. Ares committed the grave sin of fucking with Mother Hen, and it was only on those rare times did he ever feel the raw and terrifyingly power of Aiolos' cosmos. He looked up and gasped to see Ares standing still with the golden arrow still implanted. Gods may be powerful, but their bodies were still vulnerable, explaining why some took great care to protect them. Now it was the Gemini's turn to belittle the ex-Pope. "Coward! You state you came here in person to congratulate us, yet you send an illusion!"

But Ares laughed, the arrow shaft waving in the air. "I am no illusion, nor a coward. You can't kill a god..." he reached for his jaw area and removed the lower half of his metal face to reveal the lower half of a skull.

...who is already dead."

TO BE CONTINUED

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

Coming around April 11

The odds are not looking good when the undead God of War sends his nearly-immortal Ophiuchus Saint and three reasons why the two Gold Saints have little chance of succeeding.

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

Author's Notes: If you are wondering about the creepy cover, this is the chapter that explains it. I wanted something where when readers see it, they could think it is Saga, Cursed Aiolos, or just about any Pope. The skull reveal shows that the one you've been looking at all along is Ares, and it shows how far back I had planned for the first in-person confrontation.

By the way, I would like to thank Yamielsun for doing the cover.

Same thing with all the Tuxedo Mask hints. Maybe Athena loves Sailor Moon so much because, in her past life, the Sagittarius from the Shine of the Moon looked a lot like him?

I thought of the Collective as a means for the present Saints to interact with Saints of the past without time travel. It also allows me a chance to flex my love for fantasy on the Saints so that we don't have a typical Gold Saint meets Gold Saint. With the dead Saints being able to enter the minds of the living, it allows for interactions that aren't possible in the world of the living.

So what do you think? Like it? Hate it?

Read and Review,

Jenny