"Time to stand! Race to Naxos!"

Demeter was gone, soaring the sky through her carriage. She left the apex of the temple, leaving Athena, The Pope, and their Saints in an overwhelming silence.

Pegasus Kouga was on his knees. He couldn't hear anything, having broken down from mourning. The boy repeatedly asked in his mind what had happened, why did it happen, and was this truly happening. All he could feel was the cold body of his master in his arms.

"It's tough isn't it?" The Pope strode slowly towards Kouga, and then his voice growled.

"Get up, Pegasus!" His hand suddenly gripped the collar of Koga's shirt, and with a rough tug, the two were face to face. "There is little time to mourn, do you understand?"

Kouga only replied with a sniffle. His face were wet with tears, and twisted from the sadness that harbored him. From his voice, The Pope was not distressed from the whole ordeal unlike the youth.

"I guess this is something you really haven't faced before, huh? Hate to break it to you but there's no time for burials and such. If you want to honor your friends then you must prevent the calamity first."

Kouga blinked his eyes at the words. "But…"

"There's no time! Go to Naxos. This is very serious!"

"Wait." Athena walked in, eying the two. She also gazed at Eden, relaying her next words. "This is indeed an emergency. Kouga, Eden, before Naxos, you must reunite with your fellow Saints."

Kouga sniffled again, still trying to comprehend the situation in his mind. When the Pope put him down on his feet, he wiped his face with his arms.

"I will send Safar to Pallestra, and Hermes for Integra. Everyone, even the Gold Saints, will need to reunite. If the worse should happen, then we must be heavily prepared."

The Pope looked at Athena and his voice rode. "Those two greenhorns?!"

"They should know their duties," said Athena. She then looked at Kouga. "Kouga, you and Eden should get Shun and Yuna at the southern village border. Please? Then, gather at the Athens Port." The Goddess's voice both held resolve and a small level of sorrow. She wanted Kouga to restore his spirit; she then looked at Seiya.

"Seiya, we must let Shiryu know. Also, I will send a messenger to Tatsumi and Haruto." The Goddess said. Sagittarius Seiya began to move towards her, the Pope, and Kouga. He didn't give Athena any eye contact; there was not one complying gesture, unbefitting of the Goddess's most ardent guardian.

"Kouga," Seiya whispered and reached out. His hand touched Kouga, and a large flare exploded in between them.

"Guh!" Kouga was suddenly propelled backwards from a force. He lost his footing and slid across the marbled ground.

"Seiya!" cried Athena. The Goddess looked at the Gold Saint with concern.

"What was that for?!" Eden sided with Athena, giving Seiya a glare of disapproval. Seiya's entire face looked fierce.

"Are you angry Kouga? Are you sad?" Seiya spoke as he again stomped towards his successor. "Shaina was your master and friend. She was also my friend." The Gold Saint stood over Kouga, who was splayed out on his back, stunned from the energy.

"After what we've been through," Seiya continued, "I never saw you as the type to drag yourself. If you feel the emotions that I've mentioned before, then unleash them. If you felt what you saw was unjust, then it is time for you to stand up."

Kouga was grabbed by Seiya this time, and was lifted back onto his feet.

"I don't want to see you in this sorry state."

Athena let in a small breath. However subtle it was, she now understood the feelings that were resonating from Seiya. Shaina was the one who clashed fists with Seiya many times in the past; in the same amount, maybe more, she stood by his side and helped him. She protected his sister, and would face Gods to make certain of his path to victory. Seiya would be the very one person that Shaina felt feelings for the most. At least, the one living.

Seiya looked back at the Goddess Athena and nodded his head. He made way for the stairs that led into the Pope Chamber. The Pope let out a huff of annoyance and followed. Eden called out to his friend and ran up to him.

"Kouga, come, you heard them. Let's get Yuna and Shun. Athena wants us together."

Kouga panted, and curled his hands into fists. He began to shake. He was trying to put thhe pieces together from Seiya's words. "At first, I felt some fear. I didn't want to fight again. Being with all of you, I felt a happiness that I didn't want to lose. That's pretty selfish, isn't it Eden?"

Eden sighed before giving out an answer. "'All'? I think we act and give our lives for what we believe in. Isn't that important?" He turned his back on Kouga and began to head for the stairs. His mind was decided.

"Resolve is strong. I think Seiya was trying to say that you know what to do, and can do."

It wasn't long until Kouga left Athena's Temple and the Sanctuary with Eden, ignited by fury and determination. He didn't want to fight at all, but inside he felt the urgency of the situation. Witnessing the death of Miguel, Bayer, Menkar and Shaina in such swiftness, seeing Demeter's relentless expression after what she had caused, after Seiya's message and Athena's prompt command, Kouga had to move. The southern village was a place where Yuna and Shun dedicated themselves to aid war orphans. It was proposed by Yuna herself, and it helped heal her from a tragic past of losing lost ones. Shun simply agreed as his medical practices were put to good use.

However, they were not expecting some strange company. A pair in dark cloaks. Upon entering, one cloaked man chanted a casual poem. The other raised his arms, and the ground beneath began to rumble and crack open.

"Doom, doom. My precious dove shines perched within the graves of men. Like silver petals in a garden," said the poet.

The other man grunted. "You talk too much. Can I really trust you to do this?"

"Muwah?"

"Death must spread, like a sweet fragrance. Including...your dove's."