Saint Seiya Golden Brigade Chapter 9: Together until the End
By Bluestar076
Hello everyone! Bluestar here with a new chapter! After getting back on my stories and after making some Fate/Twin Roses chapters, it was time I would get back on one of my other stories! Speaking of which, as we continue with the battles between the Saints and the Berserkers, today we'll see a more intense and particular match! Much like in the more recent chapters of Fate/Twin Roses, we'll see three different battles, but unlike the cases so far, I'll split the whole event in two different parts, in order to give much more space to each battle and to make them more enjoyable to read. Plus, with these two chapters, I would like to make a different type of battles than the usual ones we see in the regular series of Saint Seiya, much like I've done in the previous two battles. While it's still a story that holds the same spirit of the franchise, I would also like to do something different at the same time, in order to make it more interesting for you readers. Not only that, but this chapter was surely a big ride! Since it went through a lot of changes! And to be honest, while I have a general idea, I still think I need to organize myself better with this story since there are things I still need to make clear in my head. But I'll still try to make it possible, don't worry! In fact, I was even surprised that I was able to give some sense to the episode itself, even though I'll admit, I've made a retcon for the first time, but I think it's normal though. With this said, we can dive into this episode! As always, I hope you enjoy!
Note: I do not own Saint Seiya. All rights and characters belong to Toei Animation and Masami Kurumada.
Chapter 9: Together until the End
As soon as Athena and her 12 Gold Saints arrived at New Babylonia, the first clashes between the warriors of justice and the brutal soldiers of Ares started. The Berserkers turned out to be fearsome opponents even for warriors who could reach the seventh and the eighth sense and that could move at the speed of light. But despite this, the Saints were still able to find a breach in their enemies moves and were able to overcome their situations. But this was only the beginning. Not only there were still 16 remaining Berserkers to defeat, but Ares himself still needed to make his move. The first historical enemy of the goddess Athena was known for his immeasurable strength that some said to even reach that of Hades. The real troubles still had to come.
And as the streets of New Babylonia started to get filled with soldiers and watchmen, even the Berserkers started to move in order to block the way to as many Saints as possible. In particular, three of them were checking the city from the top of a building. Unlike the other Berserkers, these ones seemed to be much younger, having around the same age of the Saints. The first one was a boy with hot pink hair partially collected in some braids on the back of his head, pink eyes and even had sharp teeth. He was wearing a Cloth colored in purple that had the shrugs with three fangs on both sides, the knee warmers with two long claws and even two red eyes as a decoration (Much like Shiryu's former Cloth). On the chest, the Cloth had two large eyes and a large open mouth as decoration, and even a red gem on the necklace. The helmet also looked like the head of a predator.
The second Berserker was actually a pale skinned girl with long lavender hair and blue eyes. Her cloth was colored in a crystal-clear blue color and had long downward shrugs. Her cloth also had a pair of long wings and a helmet that had yellow eyes and three tips. Most of the body was covered by the cloth, leaving only the neck and part of the shoulders exposed.
The third and last Berserker also had pale skin and had both eyes and short hair colored in black. Despite having a regular build, his cloth seemed larger than the other Berserkers' ones. It was black with some yellow stripes and had two large shrugs with several scales that made them look like two large bushes full of spines. The leg covers had some fangs on the shoes and the helmet looked like the head of a large animal with yellow eyes as well.
These three Berserkers were inspecting a street of the city, until one of them was caught by something. "Hey! Did you hear that? Goncharov's cosmo faded as well. Did he got defeated too? Damm...these idiots are tougher than i thought..." He wondered.
"Are you serious!? This would mean that four of us are already out…" The girl said.
"Calm down, both of you." The third Berserker suddenly said, getting the attention of the other two. "If they got defeated, they surely had overestimated themselves and didn't count on the possibility to lose. Don't forget that we're talking about the twelve strongest warriors at the service of Athena. Five of them are also the ones who struck down someone like Hades." He told them. "A result like this was expected, and Lord Ares knew that."
"Well, yes. But don't forget that Dynamo and the others were tough as well. Aren't you a little too cocky now, Eizoku?" The first boy asked, revealing the other's name.
"I'm calm because I am well-aware of the danger the Saints of Athena can represent, but I'm also aware of my skills. Therefore, I know how to deal with them. Remember that they are our main goal if we want to help our lord and if you want to get out from your situation, so you cannot let your minds be obfuscated by someone else's errors. All you should care about is to fight." Eizoku answered with still a cold tone. In that moment, he turned around over the horizon, as he sensed something. "Speaking of the devil…it seems that we have visitors."
"Now that I think of it…I'm sensing a cosmo as well…" The girl said. "And that's not the only one…" The first boy added before getting ready. "So, they decided to move in groups? Clever choice, but it's clear that they don't know New Babylonia. It seems I'll have a large banquet today..."
"That can only be better for us. The more Gold Saints we take out, the more chances to take Athena's head we'll have." Eizoku told the others. "Remember to be careful and study them, if you don't want to meet a terrible end. And knowing you, it's clear that you don't want." With those words, the young warrior jumped down.
"Why does he always have to talk this way? Sometimes, he can be so annoying! Cocky bastard." The girl commented, once he left. "Well, he always had been like this, Arashi. Though I honestly don't like him as well..." The first boy said, revealing also the armored woman's name. "So…more than one Gold Saint are on the way. Are you feeling ready?" He then asked.
"Absolutely. Don't try to overdo as always." Arashi answered him with what seemed to be a friendly tone before jumping down as well.
"Oh, in that case it's just me being myself, dear little sister!" The boy answered. He then made a smirk with his sharp teeth and looked down. "Guess it's my turn now! Time to make those goldy dudes regret to come here!" And then, he started to follow his comrade, moving towards a new battle.
"Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken! / Scarlet Needle!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Meanwhile, Seiya and Ignis started to move around the city as well in order to reach Ares's palace and stop him. Unlike some of the other Saints, who ended up in the more external areas of the city, those two ended up landing directly on the streets of it, and they started to clean up the roads from Ares's henchmen and simple soldier.
"Phew…and others are out of game." Ignis commented. "Ever since we landed after the destruction of the blimp, they kept on attacking us. Ares sure does like to make sure that this city is under control, despite no one lives here!" Seiya added.
"As much as I like some quiet…it kinda makes me uncomfortable. Who knows when someone strong could attack us?" Ignis then said his opinion about the city's appearance and atmosphere while looking around. "In that case, let's keep our eyes open. As long as we have energies, we can take them out." Seiya answered, making his new friend nod.
With that said, they started to proceed, and for a while, the place seemed to stick with its nature of a desert town, as regular soldiers didn't appear again. This gave the two Gold Saints a moment to breath and proceed on a regular pace. "I can't sense the presence of the others…ah, dammit! That explosion of the blimp came out with no advice and forced us to split up! Who would have thought that Ares saw this coming!?" Seiya complained.
"Well, what did you expect? After he sent his soldiers at Tokyo, he surely knew we would have attacked him, as much as I hate how things went." Ignis answered.
"I know, but…it's just annoying! I remember that we had a clearer road with other enemies! Though when I've arrived at Hades's castle, we've risked a lot against Rhadamanthys...anyways, at this point, the best we can do is to get reunited with the others. I just hope that Lady Saori is fine…" Seiya then added.
"That, and head directly to Ares. Even though we'll probably have to deal with a lot of stuff. And…so far…I couldn't see or sense no one else either…I remember that we all jumped down in different directions." Ignis said. "And I shouldn't be worried for Athena. I'm sure that she can defend herself as a goddess. Plus, I remember that Valentina was with her! So, they're probably sticking together."
"She has the tendency to be too kind sometimes, as she loves humanity so much…therefore, she wouldn't risk offering herself to an enemy, like she did in the past. But maybe you're right. I'm overthinking. Plus, if she's in trouble, I'll make sure to save her again, right?" The Saint of Sagittarius continued.
"That's more like it! For the moment, let's keep going then-" Ignis was about to resume the traveling, but he got interrupted by a sudden explosion that was generated a few miles away from them. "What the!?" Both him and Seiya exclaimed.
When they both turned around, they could see that the explosion came to what seemed to be a dark corridor, where there still was the smoke. After three seconds, they could see someone getting thrown from there and crash against a wall. When they came closer, they could see a deceased man with a modern armor with several burns all over his body.
"Who did this…?" Ignis asked while Seiya sensed something behind them. "Ignis! I can feel a cosmo! Get ready!" He advised. The Gold Saint of Scorpio immediately turned around and was ready to throw his Scarlet Needle, with his friend standing ready as well to shoot one of his attacks.
Then…iron footsteps could be heard, implying that someone was coming closer. The two Gold Saints stood still with their attacks charged in case an enemy would have appeared. But luckily, this didn't seem to be the case
As soon as the figure started to be recognizable, the two Saints could see a Gold Cloth like theirs. In fact, the person they saw left them surprised: it was Priamos.
"So, you were about to attack me? Nice thought. But don't worry. It's me." The Saint of Gemini jokingly told them.
"Priamos!" Both Gold Saints exclaimed. "It's nice to see you, buddy! Are you ok?" Seiya asked.
"I'm fine, thanks for asking. Though unfortunately, after I jumped off the blimp, I lost sight of Shiryu. We were together back in the airship. I've ended up wandering in some of the streets of this town while trying to reach Ares's lair." Priamos answered, adding an explanation on what he did.
Seiya felt a little bit blue for Shiryu, or the others in general. "Have you seen Lady Saori or anybody else?" He then asked. "No…you are the first ones I've met ever since I landed on this city. They're probably on the same situation as ours, so don't feel sad, we can handle it." The Gold Saint of Gemini continued.
"I know. Ignis here already assured it to me." Seiya said, pointing at the other Gold Saint, who smirked. "Now that there's three of us, we should be fine, right? I can already see us reaching Ares's lair in less than five minutes!" Seeing the situation, Ignis felt already a thousand times better after seeing this sudden reunion and was already going far with his imagination. Though Seiya and Priamos weren't of the same opinion, since they looked at him with a sceptic face. "Now you're exaggerating." The Gold Saint of Gemini told him.
"Oh, don't say it like that! We're beings that can move at the speed of light, remember? Are you saying that you are not sure of your own possibilities?" Ignis asked him.
"Wha-? No! I'm not saying this! What are you suggesting?! We should just be more cautious! Of all people here I'm surely not weak!" Priamos exclaimed, confused.
"Then we'll be fine! Come on, we cannot make Lady Saori wait! We have a job to do!" Ignis concluded before starting to run forward.
"H-Hey! Wait! Gosh, how can he be so carefree!?" Priamos asked while turning on Seiya. "I think he's just calm! Plus, he's already better than Chirin, that's for sure! Plus, sometimes it is worth to take some risks. I'm coming, Ignis!" Seiya answered before starting to follow the keeper of the eigtht House. Priamos was just left there, still confused. Since he didn't know them better, the only thing he could do was to facepalm and follow them at a regular pace.
The three of them continued to walk with no dangers approaching. This made them doubtful about this city's nature. This calm wasn't reassuring at all, so Ignis tried to break the ice by continuing their chat. "Now that I think of it, was that guy you took out before a Berserker?"
"No. He was a regular soldier. Just a bigger one. As much as I wished to, it wasn't a major enemy that we have to face." Priamos answered, disappointing the other two Gold Saints. "Ah dammit…that means that we still have to see what these Berserkers are really capable of…" Seiya said.
"I was able to face Bismarck back at Tokyo, so I could take a glimpse of what these guys can do. And trust me…they are tough. I've risked a lot during that battle to make sure that Shun and Ikki could defeat them." Ignis told them, mentioning his past battle.
"Not only that, apart from your case, the best we could do in that circumstance was to make them retreat. And I think they were holding themselves…especially that Circe woman…" Priamos added.
"Good grief…as if things weren't already worse…" Seiya commented in the end with a puff. "Hmmm…speaking of which…where are we?" He then wondered, looking around.
The three Gold Saints then stopped walking and noticed that they were in front of what seemed to be a local cafe. The area around the structure was large with a simple streetlamp with two lamps that was illuminating the way and two buildings on the side that almost looked like two giant walls.
"Wow…I would almost say this looks like a dead end." Ignis commented. "Surely not for me! We can still climb on the buildings! It's still an open space this, not a palace." Seiya retorted.
"And what about the café, in front of us?" Priamos then said, looking at the structure with suspicion. "Hmmm…the more I stay on the city, the more I wonder the reason why Ares would decide to create such a place. Maybe that bar is a trap…"
"So, you're not suggesting to go inside?" Seiya asked. "Not yet. I still want to make a check first." The Gold Saint of Gemini answered to him before making a few steps forward.
Priamos was now standing only a few centimeters away from the building, standing in complete silence. "My constellation is specialized in both space and illusions…maybe by using my cosmo I can figure out something from it." He thought carefully on what to do, and then…he closed his eyes, releasing his golden cosmo.
"Hm? What is he doing?" Ignis asked to Seiya. "I think…he's trying to see through the bar." The Saint of Sagittarius answered back. "Maybe he's doing the same thing Shiryu did when we were at the House of Gemini during the staircase of the Twelve Houses…and if that's so, he made a good point…this place could still be an illusion, and through the cosmo, we Saints can sense things we don't see even with the eyes…" He then thought.
Priamos kept on concentrating his cosmo energy to search for answers and make sure if that place was a trap or less. As someone who wanted to make things sure for some reason, he needed to have an answer…and then he got it.
He suddenly felt as one with the place…and could see some of the palace interiors…and noticed something he didn't like at all. This made him have his eyes wide open, gasp, and turn around on his two companions. "SEIYA! IGNIS! JUMP BACK!" He then advised in a state of alertness.
As soon as they heard him, the two Gold Saints did so as fast as they could, but unfortunately, that didn't change much what was going to happen.
Not only the cafè, but also the nearby buildings, suddenly got destroyed by an ambush of Ares's soldiers, who jumped right towards the three Athena warriors, as if the buildings were some sort of trojan horse.
"GET THEM!" Despite being weaker, the soldiers had the number superiority at the hand, and for a moment, they were able to attack in bulk the three Gold Saints, managing to make them fall down.
It was like a group of ants that attacked a bigger animal, the soldiers continued to attack mercilessly, and even if they were weaker, the Saints could still feel their attacks.
"NGH! I think we should do something quickly!" Ignis exclaimed to the others. "Dammit! I should have noticed sooner!" Priamos added. But while those two were frustrated, Seiya seemed to know what to do about it. "I wouldn't be that worried if I were you! Don't forget what our Cosmo can do!" He told the others, as his body started to be surrounded by a golden aura.
"Uh!?" The soldiers exclaimed, not knowing what was waiting for them. "WOAAAAAAAH!" Seiya released his energy in a golden pillar of light that drove away the enemies and freed both him and his friends.
"Phew! Thanks man! I remember we can do that! So, I guess we're ready to have a party here, right?" Ignis said, thanking his friend and ready to deliver the Scarlet Needle to the soldiers. "It's not something I would say especially after what just happened, but I'll stick with it!" Priamos added. "Then you know what to do guys! LET'S GO!" Seiya concluded.
"Dammit! They've got free! What do we do!?" One of the soldiers asked to another once he saw the approaching Saints. "Don't worry, we've got them at this point! Stick to the plan!" The other answered, apparently knowing what he was doing.
"I don't think you're seeing what's gonna happen to you guys! But, in case let me show you! Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken!" Seiya shouted at them before throwing several punches at the speed of light with his signature move. The other two followed him with their own attacks. "Scarlet Needle! / Galaxian Explosion!"
It didn't take too long that the soldiers got blasted away by the attacks. But despite being in pain, they weren't panicked.
This was what they wanted.
"You've…fell right into it! We'll see…what's gonna happen to you! They're all yours…" The soldier said before getting thrown away.
"Uh!?" The three Gold Saints exclaimed in unison. But the answer didn't wait…and soon they could realize that maybe that wasn't the last surprise that was going to wait for them.
"Saimin-Jutsu."
A female's voice echoed throughout the street and in an instant, the Saints of Athena got paralyzed by a strange purple energy that prevented every type of movement.
"NGH! W-What!? What's happening!?" Seiya shouted, bewildered. "You got to be kidding me! This was a double trap!? I can't move! It's almost like my Restriction technique!" Ignis added. Priamos tried to move but nothing. It was like his body was frozen and that he could only move his head. "This cannot be the trick of a simple soldier…shit! They were able to hide their cosmos…but they were here from the start!" Priamos then deduced, almost feeling stupid for not understanding a small trick.
"Y-You mean…?" Seiya asked. "Yes…The Berserkers! They are here!" Priamos shouted. And he was right.
Three beams of light dashed quickly and attacked the three Gold Saints, making them fly away and crush down to the ground. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"N-Ngh…" Seiya slowly raised his head and saw them. "Oh God…it's not only one…" He spoke. Both Ignis and Priamos saw them as well and gritted their teeth. "Tch…when they attacked Tokyo, we were the ones who attacked in groups made of three…but…it seems that they've wanted to do the same now…" Priamos said.
Eizoku, Arashi and the third warrior were glaring at them. Three whole Berserkers were waiting to surprise the Saints with their strategy, and now they were about to continue the job in a more direct way. "They're also in three…this is gonna be a tough one!" Ignis commented.
The guy with pink hair seemed to be pleased with what he was seeing as he laughed. "It was about time! We were waiting for you Gold Saints, and for our turn to fight! So…how did you like our little surprise? We can't have a good fight if we don't have a nice entrance." He spoke.
"You're calling this an entrance!? If that's the case, let me tell you it was horrible!" Seiya shouted back. In that moment, a wounded soldier stood up and looked at the Berserker that was standing in front of him. "Gh…Sir Kaze…the plan succeeded…" He spoke before dying.
"You've done well! Leave it to us, now. We'll deal with them." Kaze answered back with a thumb before turning around to the three Saints. Eizoku, on the other hand, gave a closer look at the Cloths the three young boys were wearing and recognized them. "Hmmm…Gemini, Scorpio and Sagittarius…guess we've had a nice pick." He commented.
"A nice pick, you say? I wouldn't be so sure. Or perhaps you want to see what happened to your friend Bismarck!?" Ignis answered, feeling frustrated and getting the needle ready.
"Chill out. I wouldn't start so rashly, especially after seeing that you couldn't figure out what we were planning to do. But don't worry, from now on, we'll have a fight like you guys are used to." Arashi immediately countered, leaving the Gold Saint of Scorpio taken aback and annoyed, judging by his eyes that were incredibly wide open. "NGAH! DON'T YOU DARE!" He shouted.
"But before that, I think it's a must to give a proper presentation…don't you think?" Eizoku told the others, who nodded. The three Berserkers then released their cosmo together so that they could show what they were made of.
"T-This cosmo…they seem strong enough even without releasing their seals…" Seiya commented, a little bit worried. "There's no doubt…they are tough…"
"Don't get panicked right now…if we want to win against these three we cannot waste time for these thoughts…" Priamos told him.
"My name is Kaze! And I'm the Berserker of the Weasel!" Kaze then said, introducing himself. "I'm Arashi! Berserker of the Great Owl." Arashi added. "And I'm Eizoku, the Berserker of the Wolverine. And we could see as you Saints started to put out some disturbs in our town..." Eizoku concluded.
"And we think it's only natural that it's up to us to protect our stronghold, don't you think? How about it? You think it's time to show you what kind of rules we have here in New Babylonia?" Kaze asked.
"Oh really? You have the courage to say that after attacking innocent people!? Don't make me laugh!" Seiya answered. By hearing that, the three of them lowered their glares for a moment, but then looked back at them. "It's really nothing personal! It's just that we also have a duty to follow. But I think that is enough for us! Are you ready to fight?" Arashi asked.
"No need to repeat yourself, Arashi…We're ready as ever to stop you." Priamos replied, getting ready to fight. "Agreed! Get ready to see the power of the thirteen stars and the golden arrow together!" Seiya added. "So…how shall it be? Wanna take this personally or make an all-out rumble?" Ignis then asked.
"Although I like the idea, seeing what is supposed to be the strongest among the Gold Saint in front of me…I'd rather have him all for me. Let's see how you're going to entertain me, Gemini." Eizoku answered, glaring at Priamos with his fist closed tightly. The Gold Saint of Gemini simply looked at him carefully, though he didn't like to get these attentions.
"Oh, I don't mind. It's all yours. I was actually interested in you, Sagittarius!" Kaze told him before pointing at the one he wanted to fight. "You must be Seiya, am I right?" He asked.
"That's right, the one and only! Do you perhaps need an autograph?" Seiya ironically answered. And this led to the remaining two fighters who looked at each other.
"It seems that we'll be opponents, sweetheart. I hope you are ready to feel the fire of my constellation!" Ignis told him. "Oh, is that so? In that case, I think I'll just have to use my wings to get rid of those flames! Don't you know that wind also works with fire?" Arashi answered with his same tone. "SHE ANSWERED ME AGAIN!" Ignis exclaimed with a ridiculous expression.
"I suppose there's nothing left to say…are you ready…Saint of Athena?" Eizoku asked. The six warriors looked at their respective opponent…getting ready to throw into it.
This would have probably been a battle of big proportions, but both sides knew that, and they were ready to deliver any type of damage needed. The Saints wanted to go on and make sure that they could defeat Ares before he could put his hands on the world, while the Berserkers wanted to make sure that their Lord couldn't have any more troubles or deities that could stand in their way…and maybe…they were also fighting for someone else. Their fists were tight, as if they were thinking of something…in particular.
Either way…on both sides…they've had their motivation to fight…and they were not going to throw them away…so without a second thought…they all dashed towards their respective opponent.
Several dashes of light started to appear in the buildings that surrounded the plaza, and the road started to get filled with holes generated by the impact of their attacks. The match was now officially started.
"PEGASUS RYU SEI KEN!" Seiya shot several attacks at the speed light against the Berserker of the Weasel. But surprisingly, Kaze seemed to be fast enough to pass through them while being careful to not getting hit. It wasn't the first time that someone was about to defect this attack, but still, Seiya was impressed by this feat. "Tch! He's fast! He's not just all talk then!" He thought.
"WREAH!" Once he was at the right distance, Kaze tried to attack the Gold Saint with a double punch. Seiya was able to defend himself at the right time by blocking the attack with his hands, generating a shockwave that folded some streetlights.
"Guess the voices I've heard about you weren't fake! They've told me that you were able to attack Hades right in his face, so it would be a shame if you fell down that easily!" Kaze commented before attacking the Saint with a punch. Seiya could feel the blow and had to let go. "Ngh! You're right and I've almost risked my life for that! And I'll attack you the same way I did to him! Don't think I'll let you harm other people like your friends did in Tokyo! If you want my fist right in your face all you have to do is tell me!" He answered before delivering a heavy punch right into Kaze's face, just like the Berserker said.
"NGH! Oh, don't expect me to do less, in that case! We're just getting started!" The warrior of Ares shouted. He quickly grabbed Seiya's arm and threw him backwards. Not expecting this, the Saint of Sagittarius found himself being thrown away and he could notice that Kaze was already running towards him, surrounded by a glowing purple energy. "Dammit! He's coming!"
"HOW ABOUT THIS!? BLOODY HUNT!" Once the distance was shorter, Kaze jumped towards Seiya and attacked him with his nails that became long claws made of energy.
"AAAAAAAAGH!" Seiya got attacked from the chest to the belly in a large x and sent to crash against a brick wall. But after everything he's been through, this wasn't enough to scare him and he immediately stood up, ready to deliver his counterattack. "ATOMIC THUNDER BOLT!" After jumping out of the wall, Seiya aimed at Kaze and attacked with several bolides made of lightning.
"What the-!? GH!" Not expecting this, Kaze got attacked and was forced to recoil. He was ready to attack him again with his claws, but once again, he got caught by surprise, as he could see that Seiya took just a few seconds to reach him. The Berserker could see that the golden warrior was having his wings wide open. "Are you kidding me!? He used the wings to get faster- GAH!" He couldn't finish the phrase that he got punched in the belly. In a way, Seiya intended to pay him back the attack. "Don't forget that we Gold Saint can move at the speed of light! It's still a long road for you, Kaze!" He exclaimed.
But the Berserker didn't seem frustrated and made a smirk. "Oh, are you sure about that!?" He exclaimed before shooting a powerful blast made of energy to push the Saint away. Seiya immediately took his golden bow to shoot three arrows of light that aimed at Kaze like missiles, and the Berserker, as answer, used the claws made of energy to pierce through them while reaching the Gold Saint.
Seiya widened his eyes as he was ready to defend himself while Kaze used a double punch to throw him to the ground. "How about the bis, now? Bloody-" He was about to use his special attack again, but to his surprise Seiya swiftly moved behind him, even if he was still on the ground and grabbed him from that position. "What!?"
"Didn't they tell you that the same technique doesn't work twice on a Saint!? PEGASUS ROLLING CRUSH!" The Gold Saint of Sagittarius immediately jumped up high and crashed Kaze into the ground.
"NGHHH! You think you got me with just this!?" The Berserker immediately exclaimed, furious than before, before suddenly disappearing.
"Uh!?" The Gold Saint of Sagittarius exclaimed, as he suddenly felt like he was holding thin air. He immediately stood up and looked around to be sure to see him. And then, by looking at his right, he could see his enemy, directly approaching him with his hands wide open. "Shoot!"
"BLOODY HUNT!"
"PEGASUS RYU SEI KEN!"
The two warriors started to deliver fast and outstanding blow one after another, while seemingly being at the same level. The Gold Saint of Sagittarius was astonished to see that once again, this man was able to reach his level of speed. "Dammit…It seems that he doesn't want to let go of the grip…in that case, I will not be less!" He thought while continuing. The exchange of blows continued without relentlessly and without mercy, as both warriors wanted to find a break in the opponent's fury. Various shockwaves followed, and even some cracks started to form around them in the floor and on the buildings nearby.
It was in this clash that caused all these damages that a faint yell of panic could be heard. "Uh!?" Seiya exclaimed, as soon as he heard it while moving the head elsewhere.
"Where are you looking, Saint!?" Kaze exclaimed, delighted to see his enemy getting distracted, this having an occasion to strike. "WREAAAAH!" He immediately tried to stab the Saint's face with his bare hands, but Seiya immediately noticed him and moved away from him in time. But even if he missed, The Berserker of the Weasel seemed delighted by this, as he kept that smirk with his pointy teeth on his face. "Just perfect…" He spoke. In that moment, he quickly put his hand on the ground, touching it with his palm, and from that point, a large spiral made of red energy started to come out. "FATALITY TRAP!"
"W-WHAT!?" Seiya exclaimed, as he witnessed the technique surround the entire area. Even if he tried with the wings of his Cloth, he couldn't escape and got hit by the attack that sent him several meters away.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Seiya crashed against the wall of a building and laid down for a few seconds before standing up and noticing that his enemy was slowly moving towards him with a malicious smile. "G-Gh…incredible…this seems completely different from when I faced Ivan back at Tokyo. Hell…this guy here seems even stronger than most of the enemies I've faced in the past. Even without having to release one of the seals in his body, like Shun and Ikki told me, he's able to reach this level…it seems that using the cosmo at the seventh sense isn't enough for someone like him. Plus…what was that scream I've heard before? I'm sure I've heard it…does that mean there's actually someone aside from them here!? I thought that this was only their stronghold…what the hell are you planning, Berserkers?" He thought, trying to collect all the points he had seen.
"Eheheh…so, Seiya, what do you think? Did I keep your expectations high?" Kaze asked to him. The Saint gritted his teeth while staying careful.
"I can sense that you are trying to understand what we are really capable of. The attack of Tokyo was just a preview of what you could have witnessed if you dared to oppose us, even if we lost one of us. You Saints of Athena always think that you can have the upper hands against your opponents just because you're on this 'side of justice', but I bet that you never consider what your enemy can think, or if they actually have a purpose on their own." Kaze spoke. In that moment, a red aura started to rise from the Berserker's body. This sight made Seiya in alert.
"Shit…his cosmo is growing further…" He thought.
"Well…let me tell you something…we of the other side, have, too, something we want to achieve. And just because you want to bring stability to this planet…it doesn't mean that you can deny other people's wishes!" Kaze exclaimed.
Somehow…his way of speaking confused the Gold Saint of Sagittarius. What did he mean with…wishes? Was there…something else on this guy in particular that motivated him to defeat the Sanctuary, apart from serving Ares?
"Wishes? What does he mean?" He thought. But unfortunately, he couldn't have the time to think about it or ask something that Kaze was already starting to approach him faster. His movements started to get more wavy and scathing, almost like he was seeing the Saint as a prey he laid his eyes on.
"Therefore, I hope that with this you'll understand what our cause can truly be!" He shouted. At this point, Seiya couldn't let his mind get distracted by other thoughts, though he promised to keep them in mind, and started to rise his golden cosmo as well. "I'm sorry, but even if you have personal reasons to fight for Ares, I cannot let you pass unnoticed if you're trying to harm those who cannot defend themselves! You may be strong, but I can show how stubborn I am WHEN I WANT TO DEFEAT SOMEONE!" He declared.
"THEN COME AND GET ME!" Kaze shouted, as he jumped towards him to reach him faster. "GLADLY!" Seiya answered, as he wide opened the wings of his Cloth to dash towards Kaze.
The two ended up clashing once again and tried to push further and prevail with their hands. "GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
At some moment, Kaze tried to let Seiya lose the grip with a kick on the head, but the Saint lowered his head and pushed him away by putting more strength, helping himself with his spiritual energy.
"GAH!" Kaze ended up getting thrown in the air, while Seiya was already preparing his next attack. "BURN COSMO! REACH THE EXTREME LIMITS! ATOMIC THUNDER BOLT!" He immediately shot a massive number of electric balls at the enemy.
But Kaze didn't want to let him get the upper hand so easily, as he looked at the attack with sheer determination. "Oh, don't think I'll let you do it!" He quickly reached a building and touched its wall to release a spiral of red energy. "FATALITY TRAP!" The attack immediately made the balls disappear, though one of them was actually able to pass through the technique and attack him at the belly. "NGH!" Kaze fell to the ground and then tried to move towards Seiya, but for some reason, he couldn't move of an inch. "H-Hey! What is going on!?" He exclaimed, as he tried to struggle in order to move.
"Shadow Arrow…it worked! NOW!" Seiya exclaimed, as he started to run towards the opponent. Now, it was his turn. After immobilizing the warrior of the weasel by shooting an invisible arrow at his shadow, The Gold Saint of Sagittarius didn't waste any second and immediately started to charge while holding another attack. "I sense something strange in him. I'll force him to speak if necessary!" He thought. "PREPARE YOURSELF, KAZE!"
The warrior of the Weasel could only look as his enemy was running faster and faster, until he delivered his blow.
"PEGASUS SUI SEI KEN!" Seiya shoot a sphere of white light, while Kaze tried to block it with his bare hands. "GH, BLOODY HUNT-" He tried with his strength, but even if he was able to resist for some seconds, he got inevitably fully hit by the blast and sent several meters away. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Seiya could see as the blow formed a large crater in one of the buildings and a large pile of smoke. And in that moment…it happened again.
A different voice, yet someone who was panicked by the sudden damage of the construction. At this point, Seiya had no doubts: someone was in here. Someone that wasn't a soldier of Ares, waiting for a surprise attack. Not all buildings were just for show and were empty.
But as soon as he tried to check for himself, he could hear the Berserker standing up again and then see him slowly get up and come out from the pile of smoke that came up. "Anf…anf…anf…dammit…I didn't expect such thing…it seems that he wants to get serious as well. Is it because of his sense of justice, or devotion to his princess? Screw that…screw all of that! I don't intend to get down because of him…YOU HEAR ME!? YOU CAN GO SERIOUS HOW MANY TIMES YOU WANT, I WON'T RENOUNCE TO MY GOAL!" He yelled.
"There he goes…he spoke out-" Seiya was going to comment, but interrupted himself when he heard the surrounding environment tremble for a moment. Apparently, nothing happened, but he could sense it. And knowing it made him start to sweat. "…The seals…"
"Anf…let's see how you can handle this…WITH TWO OF MY SEALS REMOVED!" Kaze shouted as he quickly disappeared after showing the inch of a movement.
"Uh!?" Seiya looked around, but unlike a few moments earlier, he couldn't get ready for him to appear, as the Berserker instantly appeared in front of him, almost sounding like he got teleported right in front of him, ready to greet him with a tough punch at the belly.
"BLARGH!" The Saint couldn't do anything to defend himself and suffered on his body the heavy blow, spitting blood because of that. And Kaze wasn't done there.
"BLOODY HUNT!" The Berserker of the Weasel immediately started to attack the Saint repeatedly with his nails turned into claws, before blasting Seiya away with a double fist. "WREAAAAH!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Seiya got thrown away but regained balance and was able to hold himself to the ground with his hand. He recoiled a lot, but he was still able to raise his head up and glare at the enemy.
"Still holding up?" Kaze asked. "Anf…I don't know what type of person you are…but I can see that you are certainly hiding something…not only you…but this city in general. And…even if I face them, I always try to see the point of view of my enemy, even if you don't think I do. I already told you…even if you have personal reasons, as long as you serve evil, I will make sure that you won't stand up again…I am a Saint of hope, it's my duty to take you down!" Seiya proclaimed, as he put himself into his standard fighting pose.
"Then I guess that I'll have to directly chop your head…I don't intend for anyone to get in my way…GET IT!?" The Berserker answered, as he was ready to throw himself again towards the enemy.
"YOU CAN COUNT ON IT!" Seiya shouted with the same tone. The two immediately started to attack each other again with more strength and velocity.
"What can you possibly understand about me, Seiya!? If you really say so, then you should see why I'm doing this, but judging by your actions it is clear enough that you don't! And don't think you can convince me with those words of yours!" Kaze told him while keep on attacking.
"In that case, I'll make sure you tell me! Not only what you want, but also the truth about this city! If not with words, I'LL MAKE SURE TO PUNCH YOU ENOUGH TO SPIT IT OUT!" Seiya answered with the same tone.
"AHAHAH! I LIKE IT! THEN COME AND GET ME!" The Berserker exclaimed as the two continued.
Meanwhile, a few meters away from their battle, Ignis was chasing Arashi in the roofs of the city, while the Berserker girl was flying ahead.
"Are you perhaps trying to get me tired, Berserker? Because you're making it all wrong in that case!" The Gold Saint of Scorpio exclaimed before shooting several needles from his nail.
Surprisingly, with agility and elegance, Arashi was able to dodge most of the needles and even deflect one with her bare hand, surprising the Gold Saint.
"W-What!? She took away a star of my constellation all by herself!?" Ignis exclaimed. "Please, don't try to misjudge my actions. My intent was only to brought as high as possible…at my territory!" Arashi exclaimed, as she wide opened the wings of her Cloth. A particular feat was that her wings had two vents that almost looked like the eyes of an owl. These vents started to quickly rotate, as the girl started to charge energy, making the Saint worried and prepare another attack.
"You may be one of the Gold Saints, but you should remember that for an owl, a scorpion always remains nothing more than a prey, and maybe with this, you'll understand it as well!" The Berserker exclaimed before starting to spin at high speed.
Ignis, on the other hand, decided to come at her while exposing his nail, ready to deliver more attacks. "PERHAPS IT'S YOU WHO SHOULDN'T UNDERESTIMATE ME! SCARLET NEEDLE!"
"MIKADZUKI NO KYUSHU!"
While Ignis tried to attack the Berserker with more of the needles of his constellation, Arashi dived down while still spinning.
Despite being able to get close to her, Arashi's force was clearly superior since she went down with all of her body, running over him. "AAAAAAAAAGH!" Ignis was going to fall down from the building, but before it could happen, Arashi immediately grabbed him from the arms with her legs. "If you keep on doing attacks like that, you won't go anywhere! GEGEN'NOTSUKI NO SHOTOTSU!" From that position, she then rolled again and violently threw Ignis to the ground.
"ACK!" The Gold Saint ended down with a strong impact that form a crater, "Gah…anf…anf…I never expected her to be that strong…she clearly must be stronger than Bismarck…she can even dodge my Scarlet Needle easily…I need to get to her in another way…" He thought, sounding still confident in his skills, as he raised his nail. "And maybe…I know how to do it. I've already decided it when I first started my training to become a Saint…I won't become a burden! I'll make sure to make them memorized!" He continued. But then, when he raised his head up, he could see something unpleasant. "UH!?"
"AHAHAHAHAHA!" Arashi was already diving against him from up high with the intent to crush him on the ground. This sight made the Gold Saint of Scorpio grit his teeth and quickly jump backwards to get out of there, making his opponent land to the floor in a violent way. But the girl didn't seem to be annoyed by this and quickly raised her head and started to generate psychic waves from her eyes. "Saimin-Jutsu!"
"RESTRICTION!" Ignis answered with his own paralyzing waves, which clashed against the Berserker ones, ending up in both attacks getting neutralized.
Once the waves disappeared, the two warriors ran against each other and started a close melee-combat, delivering blows as fast as they could. The Gold Saint of Scorpio thought that he was going to have the upper hand in this, since he used to be skilled when it came to speed, but to his surprise and horror, Arashi turned out to be quick as well, as she threw several hand cuts, that the Saint was only able to dodge.
"What's the matter now, Saint? I thought I was the one who shouldn't underestimate you! Yet you are still struggling to get on my pace! Do you want to make me things easy? I wouldn't mind!" Arashi told him, making the Saint furious and grit his teeth. "GRRR! DON'T YOU DARE!" Ignis shouted before giving an heavy punch that managed to hit the Berserker and force her to recoil.
"Gah! What the!?" Arashi shouted before seeing that Ignis was already increasing his cosmo.
He was still panting and having a clear disadvantage against the enemy, but hearing those words coming from her, somehow gave Ignis the resolve to glare at her straight in the eyes.
"His power is increasing…is this the famous Seventh Sense?" The Berserker of the Great Owl wondered as she got ready to defend herself in case of an attack. Seeing that reaction of his started to make her stand on the defense.
"Listen well, Ares's little dog…do not try to play easy or insult me. Even if you are faster and stronger, I STILL HAVE MY HONOR TO DEFEND! I STILL HAVE YEARS OF TRAINING ON MY BACK AND I WON'T LET A WHINY GIRL LIKE YOU TO INSULT ME LIKE THAT!" Ignis shouted with a lot of voice.
Though this reaction actually made Arashi confused. "Is…Is he doing this…just because I'm insulting him?"
"You think you can outsmart me? THEN LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN STILL HOLD THAT SMIRK OF YOURS WITH THIS!" Once he was ready, the Gold Saint of Scorpio charged his cosmo and all of his nails started to become red and small flames appeared from them and soon surrounded his arms, almost as if he was holding two blades of burning flames. A vision that was enough to astonish her opponent.
"W-What!? What happened with his arms!?" Arashi shouted.
"BURN MY COSMO! SCORCHING NEEDLES!" The Gold Saint of Scorpio immediately started to charge against him at full speed, swinging his flaming arms with both agility and strength, putting the Berserker in difficulty.
By seeing this sudden change, Arashi widened her eyes and put her arms in front of herself in order to defend herself from this new technique, but once she defended herself, she could feel the heat of the flames harming her body. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The pain forced her to open her arms and leave an open spot for the Gold Saint of Scorpio.
"TAKE THIIIIIIIIS!" By seeing this chance, Ignis immediately started to hit Arashi with a barrage of attacks that looked like a sequence of several sword hits that damaged the Berserker's cloth, making the flames slightly reach even her skin.
"GHHH! T-THIS MAKES NO SENSE!? WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THIS POWER!?" Arashi exclaimed while trying to resist.
"Don't you know that the scorpion is an animal that is used to the scorching sun and sand of the desert? Through my cosmo I can empower that heat into my arms, that is equal to the glowing flames of the sun! Just like the one we Gold Saint represent and that is coming through you! I WON'T LET THOSE WHO STAND IN MY WAY MAKE FUN OF ME! I HAVE MY PERSONAL REASONS TO FIGHT! NOW GET LOST!" Ignis answered before delivering a double blow with his arms at Arashi's belly, making her fly several meters away. The impact of the blow even left a trail of fire as the Berserker got thrown away.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Arashi crashed her back against a wall and fell down. As she raised her head up, she could see that the Gold Saint of the eighth house was already approaching her with a golden aura that was flowing from his body.
"Kh…what is this crap!? Just a few moments ago he was the prey of my attacks and now he's answering with this strength!? Just what is wrong with this guy!?" The girl exclaimed, starting to get frustrated by this behavior.
"Don't you think it's quite simple, Arashi? Didn't you think that I could take your words on a personal level? It may be stupid, but I'm one who takes one's words pretty much seriously, especially with what I've been through the past ten years. I have my own reasons to stand up against you and your lord and a promise that I intend to keep! Just like Seiya and the others did their efforts in the past years…I'LL MAKE MY OWN PART THIS TIME! SO DON'T THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME THAT EASILY!" Ignis exclaimed. It was unusual for him to talk that way, as he was a softer and livelier person. But when it came to someone that tried to attack him on an emotional level, he couldn't stand that type of behavior, mostly because every time that he heard something like that…made him remind of something he swore.
"You can start to be calm, now, Aurora! I know we had to go through a lot but guess out! Now that I'm joining the Sanctuary, we'll finally be able to live out a normal life! It's what we always wanted right?"
"Are you sure you won't be overwhelmed by all of this? You know what it means to be a Saint of Athena…"
"Nah, don't worry! You know who I am, I'm always ready for challenges like that! I'll make sure to become a Saint like those five Bronze ones who freed the Sanctuary! Plus, I'm sure that you'll be there to support me, and that's enough to make me stronger! You know you can trust your big brother, Aurora!"
"…Ok! I want to believe you!"
"That's my girl! Don't worry, we'll always be together!"
"…That's right…I have someone to return to…so if you think you can kill me that easily…you are dead wrong!" Ignis said before putting himself on a battle pose.
"…Oh…so that's how things work for you, uh?" Arashi then suddenly asked…like what the Gold Saint said…touched her as well.
"Uh?" Ignis asked.
The Berserker started to slowly stand up with her head still lowered. But even if she still wasn't doing anything, The Gold Saint could already feel the pressure growing. His head started to sweat, and he made sure to be ready to answer in case of an attack.
"You have your own ways? You have someone to return to, you say? And tell me…do you really think that you are the only one that can say those things? Or perhaps you are so invested in that desire of justice that you consider me an entire vile being!?" The girl continued. Immediately after that, the Gold Saint of Ignis heard a thump noise that could immediately understand. "Crap…the seals…" He thought.
"Do you really know what fighting for a wish really means? Or perhaps you think that everything for you is granted just because you stand on the side of the so-called 'goddess of peace'? And tell me…if she really cares about humanity…THEN WHY PEOPLE LIKE ME STILL EXIST! EXPLAIN ME THAT, SAINT! AND LET ME SEE IF YOU REALLY ARE SURE OF WHAT YOU SAY! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT REALLY MEANS TO BE INSULTED AND DESPISED!" Arashi continued as she started to increase her partly released cosmo. "And if you want to know why…I'LL LET YOU HAVE A TASTE WITH THIS! MIKADZUKI NO KYUSHU!" She then immediately started to spin and dive with violence against Ignis, attempting to crush him on the ground.
But the Gold Saint didn't want to let that happen. He gritted his teeth and immediately counterattacked with his flaming arms. "GRR! SCORCHING NEEDLE!"
The two attacks clashed, generating a powerful shockwave that damaged the surrounding environment causing a crater and cracks on the surrounding buildings. Someone could see it like a real scorpion that was trying to clash against a great owl. The Gold Saint could believe that he heard someone screaming from inside them, like what happened in Seiya, but unlike him, he had to focus on his enemy, who was now more resolved and ruthless than before, even if he wasn't going to recoil. "GRRRRRRRRRR!"
"HOW'S THAT? AM I STILL WRONG ENOUGH FOR YOU!? OR MAYBE IT'S YOU WHO SHOULD OPEN YOUR EYES!?" Arashi continued, starting to get more furious.
"YOU ARE THE ONE WHO SHOULD OPEN YOUR EYES! EVEN IF YOU HAVE YOUR PROBLEMS THAT DOESN'T JUSTIFY YOU TO SERVE A GENOCIDAL DEITY!" Ignis countered.
"AND TELL ME, WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING ELSE THAT CAN HELP YOU!?" The Berserker continued, and it was this particular phrase that actually stunned the Gold Saint.
"W-What?" Suddenly…flashes of his own past started to flow in his mind…of when he was in a similar situation.
Young…and alone…with no one to help him. Was it really possible? Did she…ended up in a similar situation?
This thought paralyzed Ignis for a moment, and Arashi could see the spot just like he did with her before and pushed through with the attack. "DIE NOW!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ignis got fully hit by that massive charge and could feel like his body got suddenly crushed by a giant truck. The support of his Gold Cloth was what saved him from more serious damages, but even this wasn't enough to hold the large amount of pain he felt from that attack, that made him spit blood from his mouth and sent him straight against the top of a building and then fall to the ground with a violent bang. He could feel his body tremble even if he was still able to move.
Sure, he had seen Seiya and the others fight…but now he had the chance to feel the energy of a powerful enemy directly on his skin. "G-G-GAH…S-She's starting…to get serious…dammit…I made her furious…this…this feels completely different from Bismarck…kh…" He spoke, as he slowly got up. "True…much like their name says, the Bererkers are warriors that abandon themselves in rage in exchange of an outstanding power…just…like she's doing…" He then looked at her straight in the eyes.
They were beautiful...and yet…the only emotion that transpired from them…seemed to be anger…that was going to grow bigger. Where did that anger come from? What did she had to go through for acting like this? Ignis couldn't know it…but he couldn't hide a small sense of curiosity from her. Strange…curiosity for an enemy…but he couldn't think about that for too much, or he could have gotten killed. As long as he could…he needed to answer to her attacks. He made a promise and he intended to keep it. So he stood up and his nail was already starting to form.
"So you intend to still fight…even after seeing what I am capable of?" Arashi asked while her cosmo was still visible. Ignis took a deep breath and then made a mocking smile. "Absolutely! It's still my duty to punish the bad girls like you! How about you show me more of those attacks?" He exclaimed, turning back to his lively attitude to calm himself down…or maybe…because he wanted to be confident that he could defeat that powerful opponent…even if she showed to be a terrible enemy to face.
"…Right…the bad girls…if that is what you really think…THEN HOW ABOUT YOU COME AND GET ME, BASTARD!?" Arashi answered. Then, her cosmo started to assume a different form, some sort of energy that started to surround her and protect her. The cosmo took the shape of a real owl that started to flap his wings.
"Ah! An aura that surrounds her body…it reminds me of Bismarck's Anklage Der Mariannen…" Ignis noticed. He smirked again. "Therefore…I can try something similar I made with him…COME AND GET ME ARASHI! I'M COMING STRAIGHT FOR YOU!" He then shouted as he started to run with his nail exposed, like a scorpion that is going to sting his prey.
"WITH PLEASURE! MIKADZUKI NO TSUBASA!" Arashi started to immediately dive against the Gold Saint of Scorpio, who immediately attacked by shooting needles made out of energy, the signature technique of his constellation. "SCARLET NEEDLE!"
Needless to say that Arashi didn't have problems to attack Ignis and make him fly away again. Even with all of his energy, it was hard to resist to an attack like that. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Once she hit him, Arashi stopped, eager to see her opponent laying on the ground. "There…I hope that will make you under-" She was going to talk, but stopped herself when she suddenly heard a stinging pain coming from her left flank. "AGH! W-WHAT!?" She immediately checked and noticed three small holes on her Cloth. "W-What!? What's with these holes!? N-No way…" She immediately turned around to see Ignis, who despite everything, still stood up.
"Anf…anf…Scarlet Needle…and that is only the beginning of what you'll experience…it was a well-played hazard…now that I've started, I'll make sure to attack you with all fifteen needles of the Scorpio constellation…and I'm ready to get my bones crushed if that is what it takes…" Ignis explained.
"H-He was able to hit me with the needles as soon as I've touched him with my attack…kh…this guy keeps on surprising me…and keeps on pissing me off…" Arashi thought. "You can keep babbling all you want…I'll make sure…that you won't stand up anymore!"
"The same goes for me…it seems that we both have dear and personal goals…so I wonder…which one of us…which one of us will be able to keep it?" Ignis answered in her tone to keep that determination and hope to win. The two then glared at each other and attacked again.
They were both mad to each other, and they both wanted to show how much they cared for their purposes.
In the meantime, on the same place not far away from the other matches, the third pair of fighters were struggling with no small energy.
Eizoku was delivering heavy and quick fists one after another against Priamos, who didn't seem to have difficulties to block or dodge them. The Gold Saint of Gemini quickly grew tired of that situation and made the enemy jump away with a direct hit with his hand, that released a shockwave that made the earth crumble. And he was not done there.
As soon as Eizoku touched the ground, Priamos went directly with the next attack and the Berserker suddenly started to feel like he was getting dragged from behind. "Uh!?"
"Another Dimension!" Priamos immediately opened a space gate in order to throw the enemy inside of it. Eizoku did his best to keep his feet on the ground, but the pression of the interdimensional gate was stronger, and he got dragged away in the end.
"Gaaaaah!"
As soon as he saw his enemy disappear into nothingness, Priamos closed the gate, feeling calmer. "He shouldn't be able to move as he pleases in a place like that. Now, maybe Seiya and-" Sure of his victory, he was already focusing on helping his comrades, but he had to change his mind as soon as he saw something coming straight for him from above: a rope with fangs made of iron.
"What!?" Priamos quickly put his arms in front of himself as a form of defense, but the fangs stuck into his arm, making it bleed. "Gh!"
A second later, Eizoku appeared from above, coming closer to the Gold Saint thanks to the rope that turned out to be attached from his shrug, revealing it to be a cheap weapon. "HIYA!" Thanks to the item at his disposition, The Berserker of the Wolverine reached Priamos in a matter of seconds and gave him an heavy punch at the belly. "AGH!"
Then, from that fists, three more fangs of iron came out, which stabbed Priamos, and in the end, Eizoku lifted the Saint by using the wound to throw him away.
"KH!" Despite being thrown, the Gold Saint of Gemini was able to regain balance and shoot an aura blast before landing on the ground.
Eizoku grabbed the blast and with some struggle, he was able to deviate against a building, causing an explosion behind him. That Berserker turned back to glare at the Saint with a cold stare.
Despite his temper, Priamos sweated for a moment at the sight of that stare. "Absurd…how were you able to come out from the Another Dimension?" He asked.
"It seems that being the Saint of the strongest constellation among the twelve Gold Saint got you carried away. True, if I hadn't been careful, I would have been dragged out, but it was actually easy. All I had to do was to use my cosmo to make a road for myself and then head straight for you. The power of the soldiers of Ares can hold more surprises than you might think." Eizoku explained before standing in a martial art pose. Priamos felt himself endangered as soon as he saw him in that way. "All my life I had waiting for an opponent like you…I have mastered my technique in the martial arts so that I could satisfy my thirst to meet a punch as powerful as mine. And now I have it…the Gold Saint of Gemini…I hope you won't end up disappointing me." He added before licking his lips.
Priamos bit his lower lip. Not only this man was able to escape from one of his techniques, but he also intended to get serious because of him. Therefore…he needed to be extra careful. Being a Gold Saint wasn't enough at this point.
"So it's me that you want…in that case…" Priamos said before assuming a fighting pose as well. "I accept your challenge! I'll make sure that you won't underestimate me any further!" He proclaimed with a firm voice.
"Just what I wanted to hear. In that case…let's duel." Eizoku concluded before quickly dashing towards him. Priamos answered with the same speed and got ready to attack.
The Berserker of the Wolverine opened his hand, from which a large group of fangs started to appear and started to make it spin like two pinwheels. The Saint of Gemini could feel his cosmo increasing.
"Taotiè Zhi Who – Di Yi Shu -TU GU!" With outstanding speed, Eizoku started to attack with the rotating hands that looked exactly like two clawed paws of a wolverine with the intent to skin alive Priamos.
The Gold Saint of Gemini answered by attacking at the same speed. An easy task for him, considering his strength, so even if his enemy was holding a lot of surprises, at least he was able to keep up with him. He wasn't going to disappoint the Sanctuary with the expectations from the new Gold Saint of Gemini.
While answering with strong and firm fists, Priamos had to feel the fangs of iron carving into his hands and thus, feel an annoying pain in his skin, but if he wanted to maintain the pace and then surpass this enemy, he had to endure it. The two continued to clash their attacks at the same energy until Priamos was able to push the Berserker away with a double punch at the chest. "WREAH!"
Eizoku got pushed away and when he raised his head up, he could see Priamos already delivering his next blow: a swipe of purple energy coming from his hand. "Spacial Rend!"
"What!?" Not expecting this, Eizoku tried to defend himself, but before he could do that, the blow was already there to fully hit him and push him away. "Agh!"
Aware of the fact that he couldn't leave him any free second, Priamos immediately started to run towards him and deliver another heavy punch, planning to crush him on the ground. "HOAAAH!"
The Berserker saw it coming and knew how to counter it. He stood still with his feet, making a loud noise and then prepared himself. "Taotie Zi Who – Di er Zhao – Zhiming Hengsao!"
As soon as Priamos was in front of him, Eizoku answered with a spinning kick powered by his cosmo that hit the Saint's neck. "GAH!" Priamos got thrown away while spinning at an outstanding speed, but once again, he regained his balance in time and jumped at a wall and released another swipe made of purple energy. "Spacial Rend!"
This time, Eizoku decided to face it directly, as he threw a punch against. Despite getting damaged nonetheless, he was able to open a road to himself and run directly towards the Saint of Gemini.
Priamos was getting more and more astonished as he witnessed this enemy finding always new ways to get to him. But he wasn't going to give him what he wanted and faced him face-to-face.
"Taotiè Zhi Who – Di Yi Shu -TU GU!" Once he was close enough, Eizoku immediately started to attack him with his special combination, with Priamos answering properly. The Saint of Gemini increased his cosmo to make sure that he could answer to these devastating combos. And the effort was soon shown. Eizoku could witnessed his arm covers starting to crack as he had to defend himself from Priamos's attacks. But…instead of scaring him, this sight could only please him, as it made him remember of all the times he was able to do such thing…and wonder if there could be someone that could do the same at him.
And now…that person was fighting against him.
"Yes! This is what I've been looking for! Keep going, Priamos! Don't you ever stop for a single reason!" Eizoku shouted.
"Even if you have these skills with kung fu, you desire for more even if this meant your end. Did the devotion for Ares and the thirst of blood maddened you that much!?" Priamos asked, as he continued.
"Ares? I think you have misunderstood. True…I am thirsty…BUT NOT FOR BLOOD!" The Berserker shouted before blocking Priamos's arms, creating an opening for a strong punch aimed at the belly of the Saint.
"BLARGH!" Priamos ended up spitting blood as he got pushed away. After seeing this, Eizoku immediately ran and then jumped high before heading down against the Saint while getting surrounded by his dark red cosmo. "TAOTIE ZI WHO – DI SAN ZHAO – GONGJI LIEWU!" Eizoku started to spin at maximum speed before delivering a dive kick that made Priamos crash to the ground. "GRAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"It's true that I am thirsty…but for battle! Becoming a Berserker is only the first step to make in order to finally reach the perfect opponent that could break my bone! That could make me realize how strong I became through time!" Eizoku then explained. "Yes…I won't be weak as before…I aspire to get higher and higher! THIS IS MY DESTINY!"
Priamos couldn't stand this opponent anymore. His words were just nonsense for him…and he started to get filled with a strange burst of anger. "JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!" He yelled before grabbing Eizoku's leg and throw him away.
"Wha-!? UH!"
Priamos immediately stood up and increased his cosmo to deliver his most powerful attack. "GALAXIAN EXPLOSION!" The Saint immediately generated a myriad of meteors that aimed directly at Eizoku to ravage him with a violent explosion.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Priamos panted heavily and his stare seemed deviant, almost as if he started to develop a desire of seeing his enemy laying dead to the ground. "ANF…ANF…there…learn your place, miserable trash-" Suddenly he gasped like he woke up and hold his head with his hands. "AGH! NO!" He breathed heavily. "No…I…I won't let it take control…I…I can take him down…I just…need to keep my composure…" He said to himself as he looked the pile of smoke he generated.
Eizoku came out from it, still standing, even if in a bad shape. Part of the helmet was gone, and the left shrug and arm cover was destroyed. Even his head was bleeding…but that cold stare of satisfaction and desire didn't fade.
At this point…after seeing an attack like this…his excitement could only increase. One of the most powerful attacks of the Sanctuary…and he could feel it directly on his skin. A dead situation…that couldn't make him die.
"…Wonderful…so…at long last…you are finally showing your fangs, Gold Saint…man…it's painful…yet feels…SO…good…" He spoke.
"N-No…don't say it…" Priamos answered. It was almost as if he was saying it to himself. Even his eye started to twitch.
"This is exactly what I've been waiting for. I can see that you keep high the expectations from your constellation…but at the same time…it almost looks like…you are holding yourself." The Berserker continued. Priamos gritted his teeth by hearing this.
"How strange…I am a Berserker…a servant of your enemy…someone who is putting the lives of billions of human beings on the line…yet you are trying to control your attacks? Are you perhaps…taking me as a joke? No…I'm sure that there's something else. But let me tell you one thing, Gemini. There's no reason why you should hold up against me. Any type of reason you have for doing this…I simply wouldn't care. All that I care…is to see if I'm able to pass through this!" Eizoku then explained.
The Saint of Gemini could feel the earth shake for a moment and immediately understood what happened as soon as he saw Eizoku's cosmo grow bigger. "He…removed some of his seals…"
"You are my ambition, Gemini. All that I could ever ask. The passage I need to become the ultimate warrior and be able to defeat my enemies without fear anymore! No…I won't fall back like in the past…I'LL MAKE SURE TO GET PAST THROUGH YOU, SAINT! COME AT ME NOW, SAINT!"
Priamos gritted his teeth and started to increase his cosmo as well. "Lady Saori had decided to give me a second chance by making me one of his beloved Saints…and I won't let this trust of her get wasted. Someone whose sole wish is to smite everyone who steps in their way just to prove themselves that they are strong makes me sick…but…if this is really what you want…then hope you won't regret it. BECAUSE I'LL MAKE SURE THAT YOU WON'T STAND UP AGAIN!"
The two of them dashed against each other and resumed the battle, more ferocious than before, an unusual thing coming from Priamos.
""Taotiè Zhi Who – Di Yi Shu -TU GU!"
"ANOTHER DIMENSION!"
Another explosion followed up.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"WREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Seiya and Kaze were going as wild as they could while continuing their struggle to the death. While the Sagittarius Saint was still concerned about the motivation that moved the Berserker's heart to fight like this and the screams he heard before, he couldn't afford to withdraw, considering the strength of that man, especially now that he removed some of his seals.
"Congratulations for resisting all this time! Beheading you might be a shame after fighting you for so long!" Kaze exclaimed as he continued.
"I wouldn't be that sure! Don't think that I get foiled by the same tricks multiple times!" Seiya countered with the same tone as he kept on throwing fists at the speed of light."
"Oh really? FATALITY TRAP!" Unexpectedly and by surprise, Kaze put his palm on Seiya's chest and generated the red spiral of energy in close contract to wipe him away.
"WHA- GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Without a chance to predict that attack, the most devoted Saint of Athena got thrown away and used his wings to regain balance and fly up. But when he looked down, he could witness with horror that Kaze was already running through the façade of a building to reach him faster. He even started to move on all fours in order to reach him faster. "KEAHAHAHA!" Kaze then jumped leaving a crater on the building and dived against Seiya.
"AH!" The Gold Saint blocked him for an instant. He was lucky that he could move at the speed of light or who knows what could have happened.
"The weasel is a predator that can chop down even animals that can fly. SO IT WON'T BE THAT HARD TO SKIN OFF YOUR WINGS!" Kaze exclaimed.
"GRRRR! IN THAT CASE YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT I'M AN ANNOYING BIRD! SO GETTING ME FIRST MIGHT BE HARD!" Seiya retorted as he punched Kaze in the chest before shooting his main technique. "PEGASUS RYU SEI KEN!" The Gold Saint immediately started to throw several blows to push Kaze down, succeeding.
"GRRRRR!" The warrior of Ares couldn't do anything to block this and fell. As soon as he touched the ground and stood up, he could already feel the Gold Saint blocking him from behind. "AH! SEIYA, YOU BASTARD!"
"IF YOU'RE GOING ALL OUT THEN I DON'T SEE WHY SHOULDN'T I! PEGASUS ROLLING CRUSH!" Seiya immediately lifted all of his body alongside Kaze and generated a tornado of golden energy that crashed inside one of the buildings, finally arriving at the inside.
"GAAAAH!" Kaze fell down as Seiya jumped away from him. The Berserker was starting to feel the attacks he was receiving despite his adrenaline rush and his Cloth was starting to crack.
"Anf…anf…I'm finally inside…" Seiya commented as he looked around. And then…he had the confirm of his thoughts, as soon as he heard a small voice.
"M-Mom! What is happening!?" It was a child's one. This made immediately turn Seiya around and Kaze wide his eyes.
Behind the Saint, there were standing a small crowd of terrified people. Among them…there was a small child with black buzz hair and red eyes and her mother, who had smoother hair. "I…I don't know, Kotaro…but, stay close to me…" The woman said, starting to get scared.
"I…I was correct! There really is someone here! The idea of a desert town is a lie!" Seiya exclaimed. "Shit…It seems now that I have to make sure you won't get near them!" Kaze commented.
"Hey, Kaze! What's the deal with these people!? What are you guys plotting!?" The Saint shouted, naturally furious.
"HELL IF I KNOW! I wasn't the one bringing them here! All I knew is that they were caught by orders of Ares? Do you really think that attack in Tokyo was just to search for Athena!?" Kaze answered.
"You…don't know?" Seiya asked.
"W-We don't know as well…only that a large man…clad in a silver armor came to us and said…'you'll serve as fine vessels'…we don't even know how we got here. We…we just got kidnapped…" Kotaro's mother said while holding her child tightly.
"We…really have no clue…I just wanna go home…" The kid added. Seiya looked up to the rest of those people and could see that they were concerned as well.
This vision couldn't make him not hold his fist tightly. Especially…when it made him remind of when Ivan tried to threat his little friends from the orphanage and his dear friend Miho.
He could understand why Ares was so mad at Athena and her Saints…but he couldn't stand the fact that his rampage could involve even regular civilians that had nothing to do with their conflict. It was just gratuitous wickedness.
"…You don't have to worry, lady…nor anyone else. I'll make sure to bring you to a safer place…as a Saint of Athena." He told to the people. They were confused…but the idea of someone that was thinking about their sake was a good start to feel calmer. But the enemy was of a different opinion.
"Ohi…Saint. I appreciate your thought…but you can start acting like a paladin of justice another time…how about we finish what we started!?" Kaze asked.
"You said before that I shouldn't brag myself just because I am on the side of justice…but…how can you even say to be on the right side when your master is kidnapping innocent people!? HOW CAN YOU BE IMPASSIBLE TO THIS!?" The Saint shouted.
"YOU THINK I WOULDN'T CARE!? OPEN YOUR EYES FOR ONCE!" The Berserker shouted back, stunning Seiya. "Uh!?"
"Listen…I really don't know what's bugging in Ares's mind…but what I do know…is that he swore to give us a more comfortable future…A LIFE THAT IS WORTH LIVING! YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT SHIT I HAD BEEN THROUGH! I'm sure you were never forced to live in the dirt…on the road…without nobody to take care for you except for one person...WELL I'M TIRED OF ALL OF THIS! I'LL CREATE A NORMAL LIFE FOR BOTH ME AND MY SISTER! AND I DON'T CARE WHO I HAVE TO SERVE TO MAKE IT COME TRUE! IF IT'S NECESSARY I'LL EVEN BECOME A SERVANT OF THE DEVIL!" Kaze shouted out, implying…something more on his motivations…
A paralysis.
Seiya could feel his heart stop for a moment…and his mind got filled with images of both his past…and a possible interpretation of Kaze's past.
What did that guy say? A sister? Did that Berserker…have a sibling that was waiting for him?
"S-Sister? What…what are you talking about?" Seiya asked while trembling.
"Don't try to play it dumb with me now…I told you that there are more reasons than you might think for me fighting…ever since our parents died…me and my sister could only rely to each other in order to survive…I still remember that…we were just five years old at the time…" Kaze started to explain, remembering memories of a distant past…of when he and his sister were only wanderers without a home.
"We used to walk through the streets of Japan for endless hours…just for the hope to find at least something to eat…and a comfy place where to spend the night…we didn't have a family, nor friends…nor anyone that could take care of us. Just…the two of us…to warm each other…and hope that something could have happened to live on this shitty world…and we didn't have the supervision of a deity on us…we could rely only on our single strengths…that is…until we met him…"
"Ares…" Seiya whispered.
"To be honest…I didn't have a nice opinion of him when I first saw him, nor a bad one…for me…standing on his side wouldn't care even in the slightest…what was important…is that we could finally have a change…something that could help us…something that could make us…feel alive." The Berserker continued before opening his eyes. "Get it? It's not just because you are on Athena's side that I need to fight…it's because you are standing in my way…on finally getting the life me and my sister have been waiting for…so if you keep…on fight…then I'll just have to leave nothing about you behind…" Kaze concluded, glaring at the opponent with his teeth on display that almost looked like fangs.
At this point…the Gold Saint realy didn't know what to say about this opponent. Sure…it wasn't the first time he met an enemy that made him feel empathy…but every time it happened…it was always a strange feeling. In fact…this made him remind of the God Warrior Thor, the one he defeated during the battle with Hilda at Asgard. Even he, despite being an enemy, was someone that fought to protect a dearly beloved.
And not only that. In that moment, Kaze touched him in particular. Seiya closed his eyes…and when he opened them…he could see a reflection of himself in the Berserker. After all…his situation was similar…
"SEIYA!"
"SIEKA! DON'T LEAVE ME!"
He could still remember the day that he got separated from his sister to start his training at the Sanctuary. And only recently…he could hug her once again…he had to spent many nights…thinking of her…and where she was at the moment. So…it was natural for him wonder…
Was Kaze…having the same situation? Was he…like a mirrored version of himself?
Seiya closed his eyes…and held his fist tightly. "…Now I see. And…in the end…I can't totally blame you for what you're doing…but…I can say that it's still wrong…" He spoke.
"…So you intend to keep standing in my way?" Kaze asked.
"Yes. It's my duty as a Saint of hope to save everyone…including you." The Gold Saint of Sagittarius replied. By hearing this, Kaze was confused…yet annoyed. "What did you say!?"
"You've heard me. You are a victim that lost his way…and Ares took advantage of your situation to use you as a tool. But…you don't have to worry…I'll make sure to save you and everyone else that is trapped here! Me, Lady Saori and the others…are here for this sole purpose!" Seiya exclaimed as he stood on a fighting pose.
Kaze remained in silence for a few seconds…and then made a small laugh. "Aaah….ahahahahahah…a…victim, you say? Bravo…you got it…I am a victim, yes…BUT I AM A VICTIM OF THE RULES OF THIS FUCKING WORLD!" He shouted before shooting the spirals of red energy of the Fataility Hunt.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"BEHIND ME! QUICK!" Naturally, Seiya threw himself in front of the prisoners and blocked the attack with his hands and his cosmo, managing to neutralize it in time. But just as he was able to do so, he could already see the enemy running towards him with violence. "AH!"
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" As fast as he could, Kaze pushed Seiya up from the building with an uppercut, sending him to the roof.
"W-What will happen to him?" Kotaro's mother wondered. "I…I think he'll come back! I wanna believe in that!" The kid answered.
"AGH!" Seiya fell to the ground and when he raised his head he could already see The warrior of the Weasel run towards him with two fists ready. "AH!" Seiya immediately answered by blocking them, releasing a strong impact that extended itself throughout the whole environment.
"WHO NEEDS THE COMPASSION OF SOMEONE LIKE YOU!? I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT! ALL I WANT IS TO FEEL AT PEACE!" Kaze shouted as he pushed through.
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! YOU ARE BLINDED BY YOUR OWN RAGE! AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THAT! BUT YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE WRONG PATH! YOU CANNOT GET YOUR OWN FREEDOM BY DEPRIVING THE ONE OF OTHER PEOPLE!" Seiya answered with the same tone before pushing away Kaze and attack him with a barrage of blows at the speed of light. "PEGASUS RYU SEI KEN!"
The Berserker got hit by some blows, but his determination was high enough to make him do careful movements and dodge the rest. After moving through the meteor fist, he dashed and reached his enemy, much to Seiya's horror. "BLOODY HUNT!" He then proceeded to pay him back all the blows he gave him attacking him with a barrage of violent and merciless blows.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"I'M COMING STRAIGHT FOR YOU, SEIYA! GET READY!" Kaze shouted before jumping towards him.
"AGH!" Meanwhile, Ignis got crashed down once again by Arashi, who didn't lose time to dive against him again. "MIKADZUKI NO KYUSHU!"
"SCHORCHING NEEDLE!" The Gold Saint of Scorpio promptly answered as his arms got soon covered up in flames and clashed against the Berserker's whole body. The impact generated a large amount of energy that converted in a Big Bang.
"GRRRRRRRR!"
"DAMMIT! STOP STANDING IN MY WAY!" Arashi shouted, getting more and more annoyed.
"NEVER! I DO NOT INTEND TO STAND BACK AGAINST YOU! I INTEND TO WIN! Y-You…Won't…" Ignis answered while trying to block her, but in the end, it was Arashi who came out, as she was able to attack Ignis and push him away. "AGH!" But at this point, The Gold Saint didn't want to hear to let her win, even after he discovered that she was hiding something. So he quickly regained balance and jumped high to the point where he was above her and delivered two more blows. "SCARLET NEEDLE!"
"GAH!" Due to the attack, Arashi fell down and this gave to Ignis the chance to try a dive kick to crush even further. "Perfect! Now all I need to do is to-" The Gold Saint of Scorpio was about to deliver more Scarlet Needles thanks to this advantage, but he didn't consider what Arashi could still do.
"GRRR…SAIMIN-JUTSU!" Arashi quickly raised her head and generated some psychic waves from her eyes that paralyzed Ignis, blocking every possibility of movement. "GH! D-DAMMIT!" Ignis exclaimed.
Arashi took the chance to take him off and then attack him with the owl aura attack. "MIKADZUKI NO TSUBASA!"
"GAAAAAAH!" Ignis got wiped away once again against a building after he couldn't move due to the Berserker's previous attack. His situation was getting worse, as this girl didn't want to leave him a moment to breathe. Then, when he stood up, he heard some noises and noticed that there were actually some frightened people inside the place where he crashed his back. "Uh!? W-What!? There are people here!? Wasn't this place supposed to be desert!?" He exclaimed, more confused than before. But he didn't have the time to think about it that he heard something behind him and when he turned around, he noticed Arashi that was already heading towards him with the Mikadzuki Tsubasa.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"O-OH NO!" Ignis gave a quick look at the civilians behind him and thought of something to do in order to defend them. When the girl was in front of him to squash him against the building, Ignis put his hands in the shape of an X and started to concentrate his energy to make it clash against Arashi's one.
"GRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Y-YOU WON'T DEFEAT ME!" Arashi exclaimed in an almost desperate tone. The Gold Saint noticed it, but kept on to resist. "GRRRRR! Y-YOU SHOULD KNOW AT THIS POINT WHY I'M DOING THIS! YOU MAY BE DESPERATE BUT I WON'T MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU! IF YOU WANT TO WIN! I…I WON'T GIVE UP! AND NOW HAVE A TASTE OF YOUR OWN POWER BACK!" Ignis answered. Then, by expanding his cosmo he was able to repel Arashi's attack against her and push her away.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Arashi got the counterattack and her Cloth started to have several cracks. Ignis saw this as the perfect occasion to end this. He generated his red nail and started to quickly move around Arashi to replenish her with the missing points of his constellation. "SCARLET NEEDLE!"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Arashi got one hit after another and at the fourteenth needle, she flew up high, almost unable to answer. And right in that moment…
"DIE! FATALITY TRAP!"
"Burn my cosmo…REACH THE MAXIMUM LIMIT! ATOMIC THUNDERBOLT!"
Seiya and Kaze were unleashing their powerful blasts that generated a gigantic destruction among the surrounding buildings and panicking the prisoners inside of them.
"AAAAH! K-KOTARO! STAY CLOSE TO ME!" The kid's mom told him. Kotaro did the same…but somehow, he looked less pessimistic than her mother. "AH! D-DON'T WORRY! THAT GOLDEN BOY SEEMS STRONG! HE CAN DO IT!"
"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Both warriors were doing his best, and Seiya was on the point to unleash the seventh sense and even the eighth if it meant to win.
"Seiya, you can do it...I have faith in you."
"Seiya, I'm with you take him down!"
The Gold Saint imagined the voices or both Lady Saori and Seika on his mind to help himself focusing better. He wanted to think that they could be safe if he was able to go through this. "Lady Saori…Seika…GIVE ME STRENGTH! WREAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"DON'T THINK YOU CAN SURPASS ME NOW! YOU MAY HAVE HARMED THE GODS BUT I CAN STILL-" Kaze was going to counter his sentence and continue, but his stare focused on something else…something…that terrorized him.
Arashi that was flying away. "A-AH!"
The other Berserker opened her eyes and crossed Kaze's ones. She raised her hand, as if she was trying to call him while Ignis was jumping to deliver the final blow. "BROTHEEEEER!"
That shout froze both Seiya and Ignis. While the former discovered the truth…the latter found out something unexpected.
Two enemies…that were siblings.
"ARASHIII!" Shouting as if he was desperate, Kaze interrupted his attack and got away from Seiya's trajectory, only to jump towards Ignis and attack him with the same ferocity of the animal of his constellation, due to him…harming Arashi.
"BLOODY HUNT!"
"W-WHAT!? GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ignis got suddenly run over by a continuous barrage of scratches, punches and kicks made by Kaze, which made him lose blood. Even if he was wearing the Gold Cloth, he felt an outstanding pain like if his limbs were suddenly bitten by more predators at once. Unlike what happened with Bismarck, he could feel the pure rage of a Berserker on his body that crushed him instantly.
"IGNIS!" Seiya cried out. But Kaze wasn't the only one to react. Now that she was free from Ignis, Arashi immediately glared at Seiya and threw herself to attack him. "GH! DON'T THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY FROM THIS! MIKADZUKI NO TSUBASA!" She immediately surrounded herself with the aura of the owl to run over the Saint.
"OH NO! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Not expecting this sudden attack, Seiya got fully hit, and Arashi took the chance to grab him and throw him violently to the ground with another technique. "GEGEN'NOTSUKI NO SHOTOTSU!" After that, she could land normally but fell on her knees and had to pant heavily due to her loss of blood caused by the Scarlet Needle. "Anf…anf…anf…N-No…I cannot…still…go down…" She said to herself.
"ARASHI!" Kaze exclaimed as he ran towards her and held her tightly. "Are you ok? What did that son of a bitch do to you?" He asked.
"Kaze…don't worry…I'm…I'm ok…even if in a bad shape…I can still fight…" The other Berserker answered. "I'm…I'm grateful that you came to my rescue…"
"Hey, Arashi…you know how it goes…we'll…we'll always look at each other…like we promised…" Kaze answered. "I won't let them…harm you any further…" He added. The two of them then stood back-to-back and glared at their opponent, determined to end the battle once and for all. "I'll do the same, brother. I'll…protect you." Arashi added.
"Gh…" Seiya breathed heavily as he stood up with Ignis. The two Saints were on opposite sides, both glaring at the two Berserkers. "T-That attack was devastating…I've never seen anyone attacking with such brute strength and speed…" Ignis commented. He could see carefully and notice that Arashi was now standing near Kaze, as if she was trying to protect him. This made him remember of the word she had just used.
Brother.
It was just like with him and Aurora back before he was going to become a Saint. The two of them…standing near each other to protect themselves. Knowing that he was fighting two siblings that were in a similar situation…actually upset him. He knew what the duties of a Saint in order were to protect Athena and the world…but he couldn't have never imagined…that he had to go through this. "…So…this was your big secret…he's…your brother…" He spoke.
"Got a problem with that? The main reason you are seeing me in front of you…it's because of him…he…tried so much to make me stay in health for so many years…this…is the least I can do to repay the care and love he gave to me…" Arashi answered. This could only please his brother, who smirked and looked back at his enemy. "You, see? This…is my sole reason to fight…like I said…even if I have to serve the devil, I wouldn't care…all that is important…" He said before giving some gentle strokes at her sister, who liked it. "I…I won't abandon her…not for a single reason…"
Both Seiya and Ignis didn't know what to say. It was incredible to see two servants of Ares, the god of war, the one who represented barbarity and violence the most…acting like two genuine human beings who really cared for each other…two brothers that tried to survive…just like…
"This voice! It was…Seiya!? SEIYAAAAA!"
"Don't exaggerate with your job, alright? In case, I'll be there for you!"
Yes…it remembered them…of both Seika and Aurora. Their own sisters. The bond between siblings…one of the most powerful feelings that could ever exist and that could surpass even death. It was incredible to see that, no matter the faction or if one stood with good or evil…this bond could still exist.
This…made the two Gold Saints tremble…and sigh. For them…see those two people who showed so much love…under the hand of Ares…was sad. They had been lucky…and for a cruel twist of fate they ended up in the hands of a devilish being. They…they couldn't just stand there and watch…they…they had to make sure…that those two siblings wouldn't have to fight…and thus…suffer anymore.
"I…I understand…Arashi." Ignis suddenly spoke out.
"Uh?" The girl asked.
"I understand as well, Kaze. You…just proved me…how big your bond can be by just standing close to each other. Therefore…it's because of this proof…that I need to do…what we must…" Seiya added before increasing his golden cosmo.
Ignis followed him, ready to throw the fifteenth and final star of his constellation. "You…are just like us in the end. Orphans who had to rely on themselves…and ended up in a terrible situation. So please…let us help you…" He spoke.
"…Help us, you say? No…we know how to survive…all that is needed…is for us to live…and see what awaits us once we'll have defeated all of you!" Kaze insisted on his opinion…and decided to lay it all on the line.
"What do we do?" Arashi asked. But the other Berserker was still confident and smiled at his sister. "Hey, hey…there is absolutely nothing to fear…because…together…we are unstoppable…all we have to do…is to unleash our full power…together." He answered.
His words were enough to move the young girl and make her nod. Another thump could be heard, bigger than the previous one. That was the sign. They removed all of their seals…and unleashed their cosmo at the maximum power.
"Kaze! Hang on to me!" Arashi asked to his brother, who did so. The girl then raised the wings of her Cloth and started to fly…as their cosmo grew bigger.
"T-Their power is increasing! Hey, Seiya! You think we can do this?" Ignis asked to his companion worried. But Seiya was still convinced. This was their last chance. "We have to…if we want to save those civilians…and also them."
Ignis looked down, and since he was of the same opinion…he nodded. He still had his red nail activated…and even burned up his arm to use the Scorching Needle as the decisive blow. "Then…I'm ready."
From Athens, in a moderate house, a young brunette girl with brown eyes was on her knees, praying at the window. "Seiya…please be safe…I'm with you…"
And even at the sanctuary, another girl with light pink eyes collected in a horsetail and red eyes, was looking at the sky, hoping for her brother to stay ok. "Ignis…I've heard where you went…please…be careful…"
"The owl and the weasel are the predators that rule every wood…" Arashi started. "On their own…they are lethal…together…they are unstoppable…and true death machines…" Kaze added…their contorted cosmo merged…as the aura in shape of an owl got surrounded by red spirals.
"Burn, my cosmo…reach the highest limit…." Seiya started, as his cosmo increased. "Become hotter…become the incarnation of fire…and aim at the heart…" Ignis added. Both of them opened their eyes and were ready to deliver this attack.
Not to defeat them…but to save them from the grasp of Ares.
"ARE YOU READY!? THIS IS YOUR END! FATALITY HUNT! / MIKADZUKI NO TSUBASA!" The two Berserkers went up straight with their best shots. But the two Saints were no less and determined as never before, they intended to finish it.
"TAKE THIS! ATOMIC THUNDER BOLT! / THIS IS MY FINAL GIFT! THE FINAL STAR! SCHORCHING NEEDLE ANTARES!" While Seiya gave his best with a massive fist of golden electric energy, Ignis threw himself with one final stab of fire.
The attacks clashed with each other generating an outstanding Big Bang impact that made the environment tremble and the civilians tremble with fear.
But the four warriors weren't going to quit…and kept pushing forward…trying to get a desperate victory. Kaze and Arashi for proving that they could live on no matter what while Seiya and Ignis to continue their duties as Saints…and to show them the mistakes they made…so that they could move on properly.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" A huge roar came out from all of them, and their bodies started to tremble. They could cease from one moment to another…but they weren't going to quit…not for a single reason.
"GHHHH! ARASHI! KEEP GOING! WE…CAN…STILL…DO IT!" Kaze shouted. "GAH! DON'T WORRY! I WON'T LET GO! NOT FOR A SINGLE REASON!" Arashi answered.
"GHHHHHHHHH! IGNIS! RESIST! WE CAN DO IT! JUST KEEP PUSHING!" Seiya exclaimed. "COME ON…YOU DEFEATED EVERY TYPE OF ENEMY…YOU CAN DEFEAT THEM AS WELL! I WON'T ABBANDON THE OTHERS! BURN MY COSMO!"
"GHHH! DON'T WORRY SEIYA! IF YOU KNEW MY PREDECESSOR, THEN YOU SURELY KNOW THAT ANTARES DOESN'T QUIT THAT EASILY! I'LL BURN MY WHOLE BODY IF IT'S NECESSARY! LET'S GOOOOO!"
All of them kept on pushing, making the earth crumble…the Saints could let go at any moment…but…they could feel something…
Two hands…holding their own ones.
"Come on…let's do it together…" It was probably their imagination…but they could hear both Seika and Aurora's voices.
The two Saints opened their eyes and gave the last push to prevail. "NOW! WREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
And with one final push…they were able to surpass their enemies' blows…and aim at them.
"W-WHAT!? NO! WE WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN! BROTHER!" Arashi shouted. "DON'T WORRY! WE CAN STILL-" Kaze tried to resist but…
They already done it.
"GAH!" Ignis's nail stabbed Arashi's chest, while Seiya's fist pierced through Kaze's Cloth.
"YOUR BOND WILL NEVER END, THAT'S TRUE! BUT LET US SHOW YOU…HOW IT MUST BE DONE!" The two Saints shouted as they pushed with their blows, wiping their enemies away and make them fly a few meters distant from them.
The two Berserkers got run over those outstanding attacks, as their Cloths shattered in thousand of pieces…they lost…but even as they were defeated and blew up…they could still hold each other's hand.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
A large explosion followed that disappeared just a few seconds later…and the two Gold Saints could still stand…even if tired. The most important thing…was…that they prevailed.
"Anf…anf…anf…hey…Seiya…we…we did it." Ignis told the other Saint. "Y-Yes…I don't know how…but…I've heard…someone dear's voice…" Seiya replied.
"You too? Well…that's nice to hear…guess that…we really make a good couple…don't you think?" Ignis said. "Eheh…if you say so…" The Gold Saint of Sagittarius replied before looking around. "They must be here somewhere…let's…find them."
The other Gold Saint nodded, and they started to run to find them.
Kaze and Arashi were there…lying on the ground…their Cloths were destroyed…and there wasn't even a smallest way for them to continue on fighting. Yet…somehow…they were still able to breath. Maybe…this was their last moment.
"A-Arashi…please…try…to…resist…" Kaze said with a low voice as he crawled towards her.
"I…I can't move…I…I feel my blood going away from my body…and…all of my senses…paralyzed…this…this is the end…right? We're…we're about to…leave this world?" Arashi answered. Her voice was sobby…and tears started to go down from her eyes.
In the end…Kaze was able to reach her head…and hug her. Arashi was too weakened to move a muscle of her body…but she could still feel the sweat heat of her brother.
"E-Even so…we don't care…right? What's important…is that we still are together…we can…move on…at the same time…" Kaze spoke out, as he started to cry as well. "It's…what we promised…"
Her body was suffering…but she did her best to raise her arm and hug him as well. "Kaze…I'm…I'm sorry…I…couldn't be stronger…if…if it wasn't for me…we could have won…"
"DON'T SAY SUCH THINGS! The blame lies with both…I…I consider myself a dumbass as well for letting that idiot prevail over me…if…If I focused more…" Kaze answered immediately, not wanting to let her sister have some blame.
"We…we both tried our best…ah…I…I can almost feel…the spirit leaving my body…this is it…we're…leaving…" The girl continued.
"Yes…at least…we can leave…this shitty world…and stay…finally at peace…even if…not in the way we hoped…it's still ok…because…I still have you…" Kaze added.
As life was fading from them…they could still remember…everything they had been through…ever since that moment…
"K-Kaze…what are we going to do? M-Mom…and dad…"
"D-Don't worry! It's…it's ok to be sad! I'm sad, too…I can feel that I'm terribly going to miss them! But…it's ok! We can still…warm up each other!"
"Like…this?"
"Yes! Like this!"
"Brother…I'm…hungry…"
"Don't worry! I've found something for us…somehow."
"Does…does that mean…that we have to keep on living…just like this? I don't know how many times we got rejected from other people…they…don't want us."
"We're still here though…so…something will surely happen…I'll make it sure! Don't worry!"
"…Thanks…knowing that…makes me feel more optimistic…"
And then…when they were around 17 years old…they received his visit…from the crimson spirit…from the one who would have been reborn a few years in the future…the one who would have given a change in their lives…but a dear price.
"As I have been waiting here in the universe…I could hear your voices…and I was impressed by how strong your sheer will was. I can see that what you are searching…is nothing more but hope…the hope that things will go better. Well…this is your lucky day. I can make that wish…come true."
"You…You can?"
"Yes. All that you need to do…is to come with me. Join my side…and I'll show you what must be done…for a better life."
They didn't know what that spirit was…or why of all people he chose the two of them. True…it didn't seem like a good offering but…
At that point…they didn't have nothing to lose…at least…he offered them a better life. For them…it was almost natural to accept like they did.
In an instant…their bodies were covered in strange armor…and they could feel their inner power…get stronger.
"It's…incredible…"
"What is this feeling?"
"There…with my cosmo and my blessing…you have the power to finally get the change you have wished for. And now…together…we can move on…to a better future…"
Back then…that offering didn't seem bad…but…in fact…now that they were both dying…they had to reconsider that. Maybe…now that it was all over…that…was their only mistake.
"Brother…you think what I'm thinking?" Arashi asked. "…We should have said no…but…at least…it's all over now…we…won't have to suffer anymore…" Kaze replied, as he held the girl tightly. "Let's…let's move on…together…"
"Y-Yes…I won't stop to love you…even in the afterlife." Arashi concluded.
The two Berserkers closed their eyes…waiting for the inevitable. Their long journey of life was ending…but at least…it could end…with them together…it was…finally over.
…Or was it?
A few minutes passed…yet…they could feel that they were still breathing…they felt like…they were still there…but how? Weren't they…dead?
They…both opened their eyes…and…it was what they thought.
"W-What?" Arashi asked as she saw that they were still in New Babylonia. "We're…not dead? But how?" Kaze added. They were still badly injured…but they were still breathing…and their hearts were still beating.
As they wondered, they felt someone touching their chest…and when they looked down…they saw something that shocked them.
Both Seiya and Ignis were pressing on their vitals points.
"W-What? What…What are you doing?" Kaze asked.
"We are pressing on the vital points of your body to stop the hemorrhage. With this…you can still live." Seiya explained. "You in particular, Arashi. Since I've attacked you with all fifteen needles of the Scorpion you could die a horrendous death. Surely, you can thank me later." Ignis added with a smirk.
"But…but why? Why are you doing this? We…We were enemies…we tried to help Ares! Why…are you helping us? We…we don't deserve it…" Arashi asked, not understanding.
"…Is that what you truly think? Plus…it's what I said earlier…I would have saved you as well. I…I can see it clearly now…" Seiya answered. Then…something that surprised everyone happened.
The Saint…started to cry. "You are not evil…you…were just desperate…to live out. Even if you were serving under Ares's command…you were trying to do your best to stay together…this was what you cared the most. I…I have a sister too, and I can clearly understand how you feel. I've been…through a similar situation. Two people who can show genuine love like you…don't deserve to die."
"…He's right. I have a sister as well. I can see now why you were trying so hard. You…just want to live out, right? I've just recently became a Saint…so there's still a lot I have to learn…but I surely learned an important thing…we need to save those who suffer…no matter what. Just like you two." Ignis added.
"You have a sister?" Seiya asked. "Yes! Her name is Aurora! And she's a jewel!" The Gold Saint of Scorpio added with a wink.
"Well…that's good to know! Mine's name is Seika…" Seiya said, happy to hear that he shared something in common with him.
Arashi and Kaze couldn't still understand entirely but...they were still moved…tears started to fall from their eyes again. Now they could truly understand.
Finally…someone that had mercy…someone that really tried to help them. Now they could see it.
Joining Ares…was their true mistake…because it made them…get almost killed. But now…thanks to what were their enemies…they could see a new hope.
"Does…does that mean…that…you want to give us…a second chance?" Kaze asked. Seiya smiled back. "I'm sure of it. Lady Saori…always gives a second chance. Even though you'll still have to pay for your crimes." He replied.
Commotion…this was the only thing Kaze and Arashi they could think. Commotion…and gratitude. They could still live on…and still together. "B-Brother…"
"A-Arashi…"
The two siblings held each other tighter than before…
…But…
"Is that so? What a shame. I wished for a different outcome." A voice suddenly said from behind the four of them.
"UH!?" Both Seiya and Ignis turned around while the Berserkers recognized the figure.
"What!? You!?"
"Y-You are-"
There wasn't even time to think that…
SPLAT!
A few meters away from that scenario…the third battle was still taking place, with Priamos that was under pressure for how things were going, while Eizoku was injured…yet still thirsty.
"You know you won't be able to escape from it, Gemini. I'm sure you're hiding something from me. And If you won't show me…then I'll just have to spit it out from you…" The warrior of the Wolverine said while assuming a kung fu pose. "Even if it meant that I'll have to kill you." He said with a cold stare.
"There's no need for that…I'll make sure to end this before that. If it's my true power…then I'll be glad to show it to you…to end this." Priamos answered while assuming a fighting pose. But his mind was actually of another opinion. "I…I will do it…I'll…maintain calm. I won't make him surface…"
The two warriors increased their cosmo as they were ready to resume the battle…and while this happened…Ares himself was witnessing from his palace…and he seemed pleased with what he was seeing. "It seems that history repeats itself…don't you agree…Gemini?" He spoke.
But he wasn't the only one who was witnessing the battle.
On the roof of one of their arena's buildings…there was someone else: a young girl that was wearing a Cloth that didn't seem to belong to neither the Saints…nor the Berserker.
This woman as well…looked quite enjoyed.
