Thank you for satying with me! Here is another update. I'll soon post the next. Please don't forget to leave your comments!
After the lunch, Dokko and Mu were showing Aioros around, walking back the road of Cape Sounion, when they spotted Kanon in the shore, with the water up to his waist amidst the brave waves and struggling with some ropes he was pulling out of the sea. They could clearly feel his cosmos at work, but…
– What is he doing? – Asked Dokko to nobody in particular
– Should we help? – Asked Aioros at the same time
– I don't think we should… – Replied Mu – I can't feel any danger, and there's no wind to cause such violent waves, he might be the one causing them.
They continued to approach, unsure if they should help or not, when the sound of a cart coming down from the opposite direction called the saints attention. A young woman was driving, and she stopped very close to where Kanon was, turning the back of his cart to him and waiting patiently until he noticed she was there.
Then a burst of Kanon's cosmos made a wave rise and crash very close to her, dragging some barrels into the water. Whatever happened afterwards was not so clear to the other saints, but after a big wave engulfed Kanon and the barrels, everything turned rather peaceful. After a moment, another wave pushed Kanon and the barrels to shore.
– Isn't that the girl from the restaurant at the plaza? – Asked Dokko
– That sure is Elena. – Confirmed Mu
The woman then opened the back of the cart and climbed up ready to help load and secure the barrels. The woman was really excited as opposed to Kanon who looked rather gloom. She presented him a notebook and a pen, and Kanon seemed to review something and make a few notes, as the girl went back up the cart and brought back a big basket. As he returned the notebook, she surely explained the contents of said basket. Kanon maybe asked something, and the woman made some notes to her notebook. Then she jumped up her cart bidding farewell and retook the road. Kanon just nodded and a large wave took him back into the sea, basket and all.
The three saints couldn't help to think he avoided them.
– Good afternoon, gold saints – Greeted the girl when she approached them – Sorry I don't stay to chat, I'm in a hurry, but you are welcome to the restaurant anytime!
– oh, thanks, Helena! – Replied Dokko
– I wondered what just happened… – Said Aioros retaking the road on the opposite direction
– No idea
– Are they following us? – Said Kanon, who was sitting next to the lady
– No. They don't. Your illusions are great, lord Kanon. But why did you avoid them?
– I don't get along with them.
– Really? That's a shame.
– Thanks for the escape
– Anytime!
Kanon was jealous of Mu showing Aioros around. The number of bittersweet memories rushing to his mind was almost unbearable. He looked down at the basket and he had to resist the sudden urge to throw it out of the window just to take it on something. Hopefully they'll reach the bar quickly.
Kanon was mad and this one time there was nobody to take it on anymore. Who was that man? How will his presence change the dynamics in the Sanctuary? What would it mean for Saga?
Maybe going out with Shura wasn't such a bad idea, there was little he could do than letting life unfold…
As agreed, Kanon arrived at the bar around 9, the band played, the mood was pretty much cheerful, and sure found Shura sitting alone in their usual table in a corner closer to the door.
– I see you started the party without me – Greeted the Gemini pointing out at the glass the Capricorn had – So, what's the big idea? – Kanon took a seat
– I told you I have many issues to deal with, – Shura placed a paper bag in front of his friend. A peace offering – I simply didn't want you to be one of those. I can't have Aioros, Saga and you mad at me at the same time.
– Why would Aioros be mad at you? – Said Kanon unwrapping his dinner – You covered for him all along – And taking a bite out of it, no questions asked
– Because I got to do everything he wanted to do while he was caged in the garden
Kanon couldn't have guesses that "everything he wanted to do" included enjoying Saga's company and attentions. The Gemini just nodded wondering how sane the Sagittarius would be after being imprisoned behind open doors for so long, almost a year.
– And Saga?
– Same as you. Because I knew all along and I didn't tell
– It was your job not to tell
– We all know it, that doesn't make it any easier… You must go talk to him; he is not alright.
The way Saga acted really disturbed Shura
– I don't know what to tell him, I ignore what kind of relationship they really had, what happened then or if it can be fixed. I truly don't know anything about Aioros other than he could pose a problem if we ever ended in opposite sides of a conflict
– Then go let Saga talk to you. Because after this, he won't talk to me for a while. – To tell the truth, Shura felt so ashamed he wouldn't be able to face Saga for a long while, but he wasn't 100% sure Saga would straight forward reject him or avoid him. – And we still need to review the files. Aphrodite and Camus went ahead and already made some adjustments.
– You brought me here to work? The nerve!
Shura ran his fingers through his hair, unequivocal proof that he wasn't in a super good mood either. – Come on. There're free drinks, good music, truce dinner and enough privacy to finish it in half an hour… I don't want to add people to the list… – Yeah, the Capricorn had no interest of dealing with a pissed off Pisces and an anxious Aquarius
– Yes, yes. – Kanon had already grabbed the documents – But if you wanna get wasted afterwards know we shouldn't do it in here
– up to your place?
– Alright, but be ready to refill my stock, preferably this week
Saga was still working some numbers in the studio when he heard some knocking at the door.
– Come in… – He said – Just give me a minute…
He finished making some annotations to the large book in front of him and closed it with a sigh
– You need to improve the lighting here unless you want to start using glasses.
Aioros words made Saga turn to the window, it was night already. The dim light in the studio was not the appropriate to keep working.
– I shouldn't be working so late for starters… – He rubbed his eyes, finally acknowledging how tired he was
– What kept you in here? – Aioros approached the desk
– The usual. – His proximity made Saga uneasy. He stood up and placed the book on a shelf – I'm assuming you got a tour around – he then went back to clean the desk
– Yes, Mu and Dokko showed me the place. – Well, for Aioros it was perfectly clear Saga wanted to place some distance between them, the desk width at the very least – So many things have changed… – And he didn't only mean the surroundings, but Saga didn't pick the topic
– Seiya is supposed to be living at Sagittarius by himself, yet I doubt he does. Which makes me wonder if the private chambers are in order for you. Did you check that out?
– Yes, Aioria and Marin made sure they were taken care of occasionally, and I just got all I need thanks to Dokko, so I think I'm ok
– Mmm… – Saga picked his agenda, checking his to do list for next day and making a few –other notes – So you'll spend there the night, good… – Was he relieved…? Of not having to deal with Aioros overnight? Aioros hesitation called Saga's attention – Is there anything else you need? – Freaking hell, he shouldn't have made eye contact…
– Well, nothing. I just wanted to visit you… – Those eyes…
– Ah? What for? – Saga tried to sound casual but failed miserably
What kind of question was that? What did he mean what for? Aioros had been imprisoned in the garden almost a year, watching Saga come and go as a tortured soul, wishing to help him, yearning for his acknowledgment, despairing in silence…
– Come on, it's weird that you act so cold to me. I mean… – Wasn't the feeling mutual?
Saga's exhaustion as he turned to the chair and desk was obvious to Aioros. Maybe it was not such a good idea to…
– Come – Saga stood behind the chair – Sit down, please.
– Saga… – Aioros wanted to avoid talking about responsibilities, papacy and duties. He hadn't gone there to disturb what little stability there was. He just wanted to visit his friend and have a chat like in the old times. But the melancholy in Saga's eyes left no room for resistance. Aioros sat down and Saga pushed him to the desk. There was another large book in front of him, Aioros recognized it. It was the popes' diary, it contained most rites performed, including those required for the Panathenaia. Not that it was a step–by–step manual, but rather a tale of what has been previously done and comments by most popes. Rites were meant to please Athena, having her around allowed great flexibility.
– I've studied this so much I can quote it almost verbatim. Every pope made things differently, they all followed a general formula and very loosely, but still succeeded. You know why?
– Not really
– Because the point to all rites, the very core, is to please Athena. Every pope tackled the events however they felt like it, simply because they knew how to achieve that goal. It came naturally. The Panathenaia is upon us and I'm clueless. What does that say about me?
– Saga, that could also mean anything can do
– Do you honestly think so?
– How could you possibly doubt it? – Aioros opened the diary where Saga had placed his own notes. they weren't difficult to locate, they were only papers stuck between the pages, as if Saga wouldn't dare write on the book itself. – For what I've seen, you have placed a great deal of effort on putting things together. You were working just now, in less–than–ideal conditions, to get things right. Have you had any dinner yet?
– If intended results are not acquired, the effort was only a waste. – Saga disregarded Aioros' concern – Nothing is got out of good intentions, but sadly that's all I've got. I have not the least idea of what I should be doing. I'm just shooting in all directions hopping to hit something by sheer statistics. This is no way to lead…
– Saga, perhaps you are overthinking stuff… – Aiorors closed the book
– I'm almost at the point of being thrilled by the idea of an invasion that allows me to justify my existence by obliterating someone into oblivion… Almost! Because unfortunately, for the enemy to reach me they would march on your corpses and that defeats my purpose
– I doubt any pope got their duties all figured out when they were thrown into the fry.
– Don't you like to give it a try? – Said Saga, and Aioros felt something sliding around his neck. He took it and was greatly surprised to see the pope's necklace – You have always had in you the perfect way to please and serve Athena. You even spent almost a year confined in a little garden…
Aioros grabbed Saga's hand – Saga, you are right where you belong, we both are. I didn't came here looking to trouble you. On the contrary, – The archer tried to turn to look at the pope who still stood behind him – If there's anything I can help you with…
But suddenly, Saga couldn't bear to hear him. That good boy selfless act of him… mainly because it was not an act. Aioros was not the kind of person to fake a disposition to be in good terms with people. Most likely he was sincerely offering his support but to Saga it was more like he was being pitied. And Saga abhorred that possibility.
– help… – Saga's gentle touch over Aioros' lips silenced the archer – Do you want to help me? – Despite the pope's voice was soft, the Sagittarius couldn't help feeling a bit intimidated by being looked down upon – help me do what, exactly? – Saga's other hand followed the beads across the archer's chest, it made Aioros' heart run wild – What can you possibly accomplish like this? – Saga leaned down to reach Aioros' ear, the archer flinched when he acknowledged he had moved away – You can't hide from me the fact you fear me, Aioros. – Whispered Saga and he backed off. – No number of apologies will take us back to the way things were. – Saga moved aside, inviting Aioros' to leave with a gesture and looking away.
Having Aioros like that deeply affected Saga. His closeness, his warmth, so close and he pulled away. how Saga yearned for his strength and support, the one he had so many years ago and crushed in the most horrible way possible…
For a moment Aioros stared blankly at the man before him. More than being dismissed for the night, it felt as if Saga set him free to go and bid him farewell.
Before the Pope could realize what was happening, the Sagittarius stood up and kissed him. Deeply, desperately. On an instinctive reaction, Saga backed against the wall but that did not dissuade Aioros. As the archer cupped the older twin's face in his hand, his advance was cut short by a trembling hand on his chest
– Saga… – Aioros only saw a great pain and confusion in the blue eyes staring back at him
– What are you doing? – The pope was breathless
– Retaking what we left, I hope
Aioros smile brought tears to Saga's eyes. "Am I hallucinating?"
Down at Gemini's temple, Shura had already crashed on the nearest sofa available while Kanon tried to straighten the place. They had been drinking hard and even when the Capricorn had intended to help, his friend rather dismissed him to avoid a mayor chaos. Still, he was not nearly as drunk as the time Mu had to help keep him among the living.
All of a sudden, a weird feeling assaulted Kanon… a familiar uneasiness began crawling up his spine. He turned to Shura and grinded his teeth when he confirmed his friend was out cold. So, he looked around trying to pinpoint the source of…
– That archer doesn't waste any time… – Kanon leaned on the counter, his knuckles turned white while grabbing the edge of it. – Hangs out with Mu all day, and now crashes with Saga. Can't he stay in his own pants for descen… – he bit his tongue. Aioros had been a whole year imprisoned in the gardens. So close to Saga and yet so far. And Saga had been missing him dearly, prey of guilt and who knows what else. Whatever Kanon had to say was out of place. They both deserved a break… but what about him?
"Momus is gone, why is this still happening? Why do I have to know? Don't I deserve a break too? Is Saga even aware of what is happening? No way he is doing this on purpose… is he? Dear Athena, when will this stop?" For a moment there, Kanon considered to reach out for Saga and let him know what was happening…
Up in the pope's studio, Aioros was unable to leave as his better judgement urged him to. He was still seating at the chair and Saga was working him marvelously. Those lips, that tongue, were almost as the archer recalled them. Almost, because they were not teens anymore.
– Saga…
Calling for him caused him to stand up and get rid of his tunic. Curses, Saga was a work of art by himself. Aioros was mesmerized, he couldn't help to reach out for him, but…they were on the pope studio, were they really…?
His brain stopped operations as soon as Saga kissed him again. What in the world…? Was he…? No way! When did he lowered his pants? Saga was sliding down on Aioros, to sit on his lap.
– Saga – It was the same, the same and yet… He hugged Saga dearly, trying to regain his breath, but he didn't quite get the chance as the man on top of him began moving up and down.
A sudden anger began building on Aioros chest, although it wasn't directed to Saga, but to everything else. What the hell had happened? He was regarded as one of the most powerful saints in history, why had he run away? why couldn't he see what was going on? Why couldn't he help save his love or himself? He had been played; he hadn't been up to the tasks thrown in front of him. He was killed needlessly, dumping his duties on others even less experienced that he was. And because of that, a civil war split the Sanctuary and had almost destroyed it before they faced the Holy War they were supposed to serve in. The enemy almost won before they marched to war…
He suddenly took Saga and laid him on the desk.
– Aioros!
– Saga!
The former Gemini grabbed hold of the edge of the desk as the Sagittarius increased the pace of his thrusts. For a moment there he wondered if said desk would endure the rough treatment, and then he wished it destroyed along with everything else, if it would mean he would regain the archer's love and trust. Instead, he felt the only thing that was going to break was his heart…
Trying to avoid that, the pope reached out for the archer and pulled him closer to kiss him as they both came… but afterwards somehow, he was unable to look Aioros in the eye. He couldn't have known the feeling was mutual…
For a moment there, Saga projected on Aioros his own need for comfort and so he caressed his head. Act which reminded the archer to move away so the other man could stand up and gather his stuff. They pretty much dressed up in silence
– Let's go – Said Saga fixing his tunic and putting on the sash while making sure there were no evidence left of what had happened there.
Still somewhat stunned, Aioros took off the necklace and returned it to Saga, who had forgotten all about it. He put it on as Aioros exited the studio. Saga turned off the light and closed the door behind himself
– See you later… – Said Aioros a tad unsure of how later that would be. He had finally found out what was that feeling that had latched in his heart, that turned awkward most interactions with Saga: guilt.
Saga just nodded and walked away in the opposite direction towards his private chambers
Down at Gemini, Kanon had locked himself in his dorm, firm on his decision of not interfering with Saga. His astral projection took him to wander alone in an empty, ruined and dark Atlantis.
"Kanon…" his brother reaching to him through cosmos was disturbing. He didn't think twice to appear in the pope's living room. But as he approached the door to Saga's private chambers, Kanon realized he was not in there. The lights were off, where would he be? He paid attention and thought he heard people talking outside. he turned to the terrace and found the door open, so he walked outside. "Fog?" it took a little while for him to realize they were too high for fog, so it must be a low cloud. But it didn't really make much sense in the middle of summer to have such dense low clouds…
He wasn't expecting to see his brother standing in the darkness, holding the handrail as if his life depended on it
– Saga! Are you alright?
He nodded – Come over, please
The astral projection had already vanished when he said that and the gate to another dimension was opening. Kanon stumbled through it and reached his brother.
– Did you notice…?
Kanon nodded – What happened?
– A mistake… – Kanon was about to go find Aioros to beat him to a pulp, but Saga stopped him – Don't get me wrong. He wasn't even mean to me. – Kanon relaxed a notch – I'm not sure what I was looking for, but it's clearly not there. It's over…
– Saga… – As Kanon put a hand on his brother shoulder, he noticed Saga was very cold and even wet from standing outside in the cloud.
– What happened to you? – Said Saga when he saw his brother's eyes
– Jealousy attack, I'm sorry. – Kanon leaned on the handrail too – I saw Mu giving Aioros a tour around in the morning, and then this… I was trying not to freak out but… well, I had too much rum stashed – Saga nodded. – You look like you could use some too.
– Sure…
– Really?
– Yeah, take me out of here…
– Oh, not you again
As Aioros worriedly reached Pisces gardens, Aphrodite's voice assaulted him
– Aphrodite…? – What a terrifying déjà vu. The Pisces saint was fully armored for combat, standing right where Aioros faced him 14 years ago… – What are you doing there?
– Waiting for a call to war that I haven't heard so far. – Despite talking to the archer, the Pisces eyes were trained on Starhill – So, if I were you, I'd hurry up and leave before something else happens.
– What do you mean? – out of curiosity, Aioros turned around and got greatly surprised to find a low cloud veiling Athena's temple. – Where did that cloud come from?
– Well, I'm not exactly sure but every time I see it, it's because something awful just happened.
"Just happened?" wondered Aioros
– I saw it for the first time right behind you so many years ago, – Aphrodite couldn't take his eyes from the cloud as he approached Aioros – It was there every time Arles sent us out, and it was also there every time the twins fought. Now it is there behind you tonight. Are you sure you want to be fooling around in this particular spot at this particular time, archer?
– Am I in danger? – Aioros wondered if the events of 13 years ago would somehow repeat
– I don't know. For all I know everybody is. Otherwise, Athena would be resting in her chambers – Aphrodite leaned back on a column from the stairway. Only then Aioros noticed the barrier that was protecting the Sanctuary.
"Athena is alert and on the defense of this place?"
– There it is… – Aphordite looked back up
– What is?
– Listen…
– Thunder? – Aioros paid attention. there were no lightning coming from the clouds
– Is it? – They kept listening… Aphrodite wasn't convinced
– No, that's not just thunder
– It sounds to me like someone is speaking, – Aphrodite began playing with a white rose. The casual movement distracted Aioros from noticing the bush of white buds slowly surrounding the Pisces saint – maybe giving a speech, but the acoustic is rather poor… or like some people shouting at each other from great distance. You hear the voice, but you can't make the words… – Aioros couldn't help but to agree with his comrade – Well, Momus is gone, so he wasn't directly causing it. The only other constant I see is Saga. – Aphrodite side–glanced Aioros as he took the white rose to his own lips
Then Aioros recalled seen that weird cloud before, although back then he didn't think much of it. He would usually find it shrouding Gemini temple, especially since Shion announced his retirement and the imminent war. "Something awful just happened… Saga…"
– Anyways, look at the time! It's not that I don't enjoy your company but leave. At. Once. I don't want you here. Not with that could sitting on Starhill like that. – But instead of going into the temple to get down… – You just came down, and you are willing to go back? – Aphrodite casually leaned back
– I can't leave like that; I won't make the same mistake twice… – Aioros wondered if Aphrodite would keep him from going up – What will you do?
– What I've always done, mount guard. From all the saints, I'm the one physically closest to Athena and her pope. I guard both the way up and the way down. I haven't been given any reasons to act differently right now.
But just when the archer intended to keep going…
– Huh? – Aioros could no longer pinpoint Saga's cosmos. "Has he just vanished?"
– Seems like someone beat you up there – Indeed they felt a weird cosmos distortion and a moment afterwards the cloud began dispelling.
– Saga is not up there anymore… – Aioros was confused
"Kanon…" Aphrodite smiled behind the white rose. Then he took off the gold cloth and his cosmos pushed the bushes back to the garden. – Good, one more night to rest then. Let's enjoy it! … aren't you coming?
But Aioros wouldn't move from the spot.
– Did you lost or forgot something? – Aphrodite was annoyed
– This is not right… – Aioros said more to himself
– What is right nowadays? – Aphrodite's words cut Aioros' train of thought – The very word sounds odd.
– Saga, you are damp and freezing cold. – Said Kanon softly once the twins appeared on his dorm. "How is it possible? It's summer!" – Go take a shower, you'll feel better – Kanon took some clothes for him and lead him to the bathroom. Saga just followed in silence. – have you eaten anything? – The lack of answer was taken as a no. Once in the bathroom, the younger twin left the cloths and a towel ready for his brother and managed the faucets – There, I'll be waiting in the kitchen. – Saga began undressing as Kanon went out. – Call me if you need anything.
At the kitchen, Kanon went to the fridge, but he had little to offer his brother. There was but a single package and a covered bowl aside from some milk, his lunch and breakfast for next day. Kanon took them and began heating them up in the stove. All the while, Shura was still out in the sofa.
Saga came out at the same time the food was ready. But he only stayed in the doorway
– Have a seat – Said Kanon while he served the food – It's ready… – The older twin just did as told as the younger brought him some white rice with black beans topped with weird looking banana slices, and also a suspicious looking meat mix on a huge leaf – Sorry for the weird diner, but I wasn't planning to come back to the temple at all during the festival so I did away with food to avoid coming back to clean unknow life forms out of the kitchen once it was all over. Trust me it all tastes better than it looks. Especially the zacahuil, pork meat and peppers mixed on corn dough… I'm not making it any justice, just try it. – Saga did, and… well, Kanon just smiled at his surprised expression. – Don't ask me specifics, because I'm clueless. I'm simply addicted to it.
– You were saving this for later, right? – Saga turned somber
Kanon blinked surprised by the question
– Yes, but I'd rather let you have it. You look like you need it more than I want it. Besides, I can always get more.
Saga nodded – Where? – And kept eating
– Nowhere in Mexico
Saga just nodded – And this? – he got the joke, but he was too tired to even smile
– Cuba is unrelated… what happened to your hand?
Saga looked at his right hand like not knowing what Kanon was talking about. The knuckles were starting to swell, and there was a cut – I think I hit the handrail
Kanon only halfway heard him. He had stood up looking for the first aid kit he always kept in his room – Any repairs needed upstairs?
– No, I don't think so.
As Kanon tended to his injured hand, Saga offered part of the food, but since Kanon's hands were busy, Saga just fed him
– Seriously, we already ate. – only then Saga noticed Shura in the sofa – Have all you want.
As Saga kept eating, he couldn't take his eyes from Kanon. The younger Gemini had cleaned and disinfected the wound and applied some balm to control the swelling and the pain. He then checked if anything was broken or out of place, but it was unlikely, so he ended up bandaging his brother's hand before concentrating his cosmos to help the healing as he had learned by spying Aioria and Mu at the clinic
– I can't recall the last time I saw you smile like that…
By hearing Saga's soft voice, Kanon blushed up and let go of his hand
– Was I?
Saga nodded
– Don't get me wrong, I don't enjoy you being wounded like this but rather… Saga?
As Saga looked down to the now empty dishes, tears began rolling freely down his face. He then looked at his injured hand
– I never thanked you for all the times you patched me up. Even now…
– Yes, you did. – Kanon placed a hand on Saga's shoulder to get his attention – You got me medicines, food and cloths, and even took the time to teach me how to be a proper saint even when I made it a very difficult task. I'm sorry I was so stubborn, fear messes judgement good, I should have stayed by your side
– I'm sorry for all the times I hurt you, for all my wrongdoings…
– Saga…
Shion woke up worried and disoriented. He looked around, not fully knowing where he was. It felt like the Sanctuary atmosphere but what room…? the guests room? Oh, yeah, he had been living there for a while now. The whole place was in silence, but there was something off. He quickly dressed up in white tunic and went out.
There was not a soul in the halls of Athena's temple. He reached the gardens, still on high alert. He quietly moved through them, completely like a shadow despite his age. And reached Athena's statue at the end. Something was happening… He moved still silently but no longer trying to hide, through the stairs behind the statue to the observatory. The highest place in the Sanctuary. Athena was there, Shion was certain of that, so he went in, looking behind to calculate the time, it should be around 4 in the morning. The observatory itself was empty, so he went to the back, went outside and climbed to the ceiling. There he saw his goddess looking down to the Sanctuary and in full battle armor, holding the Aegis in one hand and Nike in the other.
– Athena, my goddess!
– Oh, Shion, sorry to disturb you at this hour
– What is going on? Can I be of service?
The holy girl looked away into the silent night below
– It's ok, Shion, you may go back to sleep
– Excuse me but after finding you here dressing like that I would find it difficult to sleep again
The gentle smile in Athena's lips must have been the saddest Shion ever saw
– I'm worried about my brothers, that's all. Although they are younger than me, through the ages they have always taken care of me instead of it being the other way around. I thought of watching out for them for a change.
Shion looked down at the landscape, not fully understanding who she meant. Was young Saori talking about the Japanese kids? Or was Athena talking about his divine siblings? Were there any currently in the Sanctuary?
– As a daughter of Zeus, I've had several siblings, either gods or semi–gods. but there is a particular pair who always stood out from the rest. My beloved Dioscuri
Shion turned to Gemini temple which wasn't lit for the night. "That's odd", even at his worst Kanon hadn't forgotten to lit the altar one single night since his arrival.
– only Pollux is son of my father but both him and Castor are equally more my brothers than anyone else. I was supposed to watch over them as I did for so many other of the gods offspring until they could reach their place, usually among the stars… but to them I was much more than a guide, a teacher, an aid or a protector. I was truly part of their life. By spending my time with them is how I learned to appreciate the lives of mortals. It's thanks to them that the cloths that harness the power of the cosmos exists. It was their gift for me
– Were the cloths their doing?
– They went to incredible lengths to enable the artisans of Lemuri to create them out of the hyper metals the twins risked their lives to get. Gemini was the very first cloth to be completed, and it got its powers from their blood. As Castor was a mortal man, Gemini was meant to allow him to fight along Pollux
– Was he the first saint?
Athena nodded
– But his time to die brutally arrived… When Thanatos claimed his life, per our request Hermes refused to take him to Hades. Maybe that's how the holy war between Hades and me began… Most heroes, martyrs and aids of the gods were granted immortality while still alive. If they died, they were given some form of reward and a peaceful rest at Elysium. Pollux gave Castor half his immortality after he died, so they could stay together.
– But he wasn't brought back to life as expected, right?
– No. both would spend eternity some time down here on Earth and some other time up there among the stars, so… Hades and the Nixes held a particular grudge against the twins
– Because they would never descend into the land of the dead
Athena nodded
– Things only got worse when I decided to join them. I wanted to stay with them, I wanted to live like people do, and enjoy the world as it was. The other Olympians were scandalized, because unlike the twins I was a full goddess, why would one such as myself forfeit her status? And as I was born in this world, the holy war began to brew. Castor, Pollux… They are not gods like me, every face–on with the enemy has been more brutal than the last, their souls are pretty worn down, more so than the rest of my saints… every time we won, I managed to free the souls of my saints from the land of dead so we all could meet again someday. After our final decisive victory over Hades, I was able to bring everyone back to the lives they had. I had hoped it to be a rightful reward and for many it has, but my Dioscuri are still being tormented.
– Saga and Kanon?
– Yes… I was hoping to find either Nemesis or the Erinyes somewhere around and I was hoping to be able to deal with them myself on my brothers' behalf, but I haven't seen them. – Only then Shion noticed that the whole Sanctuary and even the nearest villages were covered by Athena's barrier as the goddess held the Aegis close to her heart. – I can only assume they are suffering under the weight of so many lives they shouldn't have lived, so many battles they shouldn't have fought, so many horrible traps they shouldn't have survived. I'm starting to fear that … the Dioscuri blessing has been tainted, turned into a curse…
Shion grew alarmed. How was it possible that…?
– Shion, please do me a favor and take them into the temple – Athena's gaze was fixed on the Gemini temple – They are up on the roof, on the west side.
– Right away
Despite the weird request, Shion teleported to the place. "Asleep on the rooftop?". As Saga was dressed up in plain cloths, surely Kanon's, Shion at first had difficulties telling them apart under the moonlight. One of them had covered his eyes with his left arm, and that hand had a bandage. Given the care on which the job was done, Kanon must have done it and Saga must be the one injured. Saga's bandages were rather clumsy, and neither would bandage themselves. But what happened? Saga wasn't hurt earlier. And what's with the dark bottle Kanon had in his hand? It was rather large to be antiseptic. A stained paper bag under Saga's foot was evidence of dinner, or snacks at least. As Shion got closer to wake them up, he understood Athena's request. They weren't simply asleep; they were drunk senseless. There was no way they would safely make it to bed themselves.
So, Shion took them to what he assumed would be Kanon's room, after confirming the other room remained empty and locked. Upon stepping out to get rid of the garbage, Shion noticed someone asleep in the couch. He approached carefully and recognized Shura. "So he fell first…" Although he didn't look as trashed as the other too. "He might help in the morning". Shion left, thinking of covering up for Saga in the morning and wondering what might have happened.