The stars signal an obstacle

They did not notice, but the Five Bronze Saints entered a temple called the "Garden of Catasterismi". Its name upon the cornice was followed by the phrase "Thine Path in the Sky", suiting its domed observatory-like visual.

"It looks like the guardian isn't here. So, what is that?" Kouga gawked at the stone in the middle of the court. Ryuho offered an elementary reply that it just looked like a "shiny rock", but it still felt significant as his eyes were lured to it. An argent, amorphous rock with a crystal shimmer, a pair of cloth strips wrapped around it like a hung scarf. It vented an oscillating sound, akin to a Spring breeze before a storm. Yuna wondered if it was a light source as it prevented the second Garden, which was devoid of windows, from being completely drowned in shadow. The darkness and near quiet ambiance was still unappealing, but there wasn't any form of malice or fear.

The term Catasterismi represented a string of narratives, over forty of them, that tell of the starry sky that we all know well. With popular renditions written by Gaius Julius Hyginus and Claudius Ptolemy, these astral myths told of how the galaxy and its bodies were made. The narrative had many arrangements; the brother of Athena, Apollo was mentioned to have high influence; also, the sisters called the Pleiades, and the life and death of the hunter Orion was also written. Therefore, the second temple was simply called the Garden of Stars.

"Let's just pass it by and go to the next Garden." Eden gave a simple solution and started to walk. There was no time for stone gazing.

"Yeah, it's just sitting there," said Souma, side glancing it while he strolled by. "All…menacingly."

"Is it menacing?" Before the Bronzes could move far past the stone, they heard footsteps tap, along with a new voice reverberating through the court. It came from the end side, and they forced themselves to stop and await the guest.

"It's the Boron Stole, one of the battle garments belonging to Demeter's Four Terrae."

"I heard that there were invaders on the island. Crossing fists with Pan, my little sister at heart, don't think you'll pass any further, Saints of Athena."

The man was first a silhouette, and then the Bronzes hear a snap of the fingers. The wheeze from the Stone intensified and unleashed a flash. A harmless wave careened through the temple, and ionic pillars slowly came into view. Their fluting shined like ice, reflecting light inside the entire interior, from the pillars to the dark, glazed surface everyone stood upon. Similar to a Planetarium, the walls and ceiling projected constellations, enforcing more light. An imitation of the distanced sun, and the brightest falling stars unveiled from the ceiling, brought dawn to the entire temple court. The Bronzes could seem themselves and where they were at its clearest. They scattered in front the glimmering rock and distanced themselves from it. In addition, the identity of the new arrival appeared, standing abreast the rock.

The light washed over a young man with eyes of amber sap, and the clothing of citizens from town. Kouga felt air get trapped into his throat; he suddenly remembered his travels from last year, including his first time on Naxos.

Despite clashing against a gaze of pure antagonism, he instantly recognized the face.

"Ginga?!" One of two popular names associated with Naxos's Astoria.

"The guy from the bookstore?!" Eden was with Kouga on his travels, easily coming to an understanding. Despite his austere front, he too was touched by Jorie and Ginga's charm, and it was left in his memory for some reason. However, the blue-haired fellow from the bookstore radiated an aura that was opposite of his usual cheery demeanor.

"Kouga, when you said that you wanted to meet Demeter, I didn't think you had the wrong intentions in mind," he said.

"Ginga, why are you here?" Hearing his friend's words delivered with contempt, Kouga could not determine his own feelings. He did not wish to expect a bad sign and took into ignorance. There was the other thought that maybe Ginga was exploring the Gardens, being well-versed in their lore and the rest of the island. That was the reason why he would know about the stone.

"I guess it may not look like it to you," Ginga said, folding his arms across his chest, "but I'm here to stop you. I don't look forward to a scolding and beating from Maegara and Demeter." The words slid out from his mouth with naturalness; there was no deception and it seemed to slap Kouga, and well informed the others, that he was an obstacle.

"Ginga, wait!" Kouga pleaded. " Please listen. You seem to know what's going on. If that's so then you probably know of Demeter's plan to revive the Underworld."

"That is correct." Ginga replied

"But if she does, the Earth may be destroyed. But tell me, is that what she wants? Is that what you want?" Kouga spoke in haste in hopes to reason. Ginga closed his eyes in a short moment's contemplation.

"Don't get me wrong Kouga," he replied, his antipathy lifting a bit. "I don't want this beautiful and ugly world to be destroyed, but I want my mother to be happy. I can't see her harmed." He then turned to look over to the rock.

"Boron, showtime!" Suddenly, the rock exploded and its amorphous, jagged form floated and took hold onto Ginga's body. It formed as an argent armor. It mostly covered him akin to the Cloth of the Gold Saints, but there's a sleek, streamlined feature. Like the tails of comets, the fabric that wrapped around the stone tapered near the end, hung by the alar shoulder guards. A crown with ailerons fitted his head and cheeks; small folded wings adorned the back.

"My purpose is to protect her, my mother. I protect her full intentions."

"Even if it means destruction?!"

"Even! This is your last warning – leave. If you don't, I will strike you all down. And I do mean all of you."

"We have no choice…" said Ryuho. He rushed forward and lifted his shield arm. He expected a frontal assault and took it upon himself to be bait. "Everybody go!"

"No matter what, Kouga, we got to move ahead. Quickly!" Yuna said, followed by Souma. It looked like a triangular attack, with Souma and Yuna passing over head. Ginga pushed weight into his hip and leg widely, and threw his arm out like a fast baseball pitch. Did it seem like an attack? Ryuho felt a breeze; Souma and Yuna suddenly screamed.

They flew right into an explosion and were propelled backwards like missiles. They hit the wall and were pinned above the Garden entrance, held there for seconds by a body of tailed, compressed gas. Their bodies vibrated as the jetting gas kept them fastened against the wall. Another similar explosion, and Ryuho flew right into Eden. Lionet and Aqulia dropped to the ground once the attack faded. Kouga stood completely surprised.

"Those were warning shots," Ginga said as he straightened his posture. "Not sure why my attacks look like comets. Stars and comets aren't even the same. Did you know that comets are made of ice shards and they mirror light from the sun? So they aren't hot and bright at all!" Ginga shrugged, a dubious look furrowing his face. He looked more like the guy from the bookstore. Despite the situation, he couldn't relinquish that trait of curiosity and astonishment of the world, whether upon and above it.

"But, comets can be super fast!" He continued to ramble. You can expect them to be faster when they start diving to a sunny doom in space. Kind of like falcons!"

In another attempt, Souma, Yuna and Ryuho rushed towards Ginga, who spread his posture open. Was it going to be another explosive attack? Souma unleashed a Burning Fire, a torrent of flame towards its target. The Terrae pushed out one hand and the flame swallowed him, but the flame cleaved in half, tapering behind the target. An orb formed into Ginga's palm; as it was re-directing Souma's attack, it started to grow bigger. Ginga backed away from the sphere, leaving it suspended in the air, and waved his other hand.

"Guah!"Souma and Yuna were again caught in an attack. This time, they were shot backwards but battered mid-air by unseen strikes. Ginga felt a strike against his chin; Ryuho took for the flank and a Rozan Shoryuha grabbed the Terrae, taking him off the ground. He quickly recovered with a flip as he floated downward feet first. Soon as he touched the surface, Ginga's arms and waist were grabbed. Ryuho made way for Yuna and Souma, who were on the ground. He helped them back onto their feet, noticing their exhaustion from taking an offense. Eventually, they caught their breaths and ran to the end of the court.

"Hey! Why are you running?!" His grapple was brief; he elbowed Eden to push him away and waved his arms towards the runaways. Explosions appeared near Yuna, Ryuho and Souma, but they managed to get out the court before getting caught.

"Aw crap!" Released, Ginga grumbled and turned to the remaining Bronzes, anger clear on his face.

"I'll be your opponent, Ginga!" Kouga stood before his friend in a prepared battle pose, but without his Cloth. Eden wasn't far behind; in fact, he had set the Pandora Box of Pegasus near the entrance.

"Kouga, stop!" Orion warned. "Your Cosmos isn't back yet."

"This is only a limit that can be passed. We're getting through no matter what," Kouga retorted.

"What do you mean 'not back yet'? Are you insane?!" Ginga grimaced, pointing to Kouga. You can't fight me like that."

"We stalled you for our friends to get by," said Kouga, "and it's only fine for friends to take each other on."

"And Jorie calls me 'bullheaded'. You sound like you guys got a chance."

"Always! While we have faith in the Cosmos, Ginga."

"Oh yeah? Don't get cocky because you guys are really unlucky to meet the one after me."

When they rushed, just like before, they didn't consider to stop and look at the description of the the third Garden: "Androktasiai; Thine Decline is Life". Inside was just as dark, and the three Bronzes wondered if it would it light up the same way as Ginga's. No, this darkness was far more unappealing compared to before. Once they reached the court, no time was wasted. Someone definitely waited for them, looming in the shadows, cackling.

"So you passed Ginga? Is he really that generous or is he foolish? No, I must praise him for this." Ryuho, Yuna and Souma knew simply that they were in the third Garden, and whoever stood in their presence was their next foe. They only told the Terrae that they were getting through no matter what and that they wouldn't be stopped.

"Imbeciles! You think you're out of the park? Even though I desired that he let you pass and come to me, do you think that your friends will make it out alive?"

"What do you mean?!"

"Do you not know what Ginga is called?"

Back at the 2nd Garden, Ginga illuminated the interior with a great light. Eden screamed out for Kouga, who blinked and missed the next move. It was too swift; next he was collapsed onto his knees, and Ginga pulled a fist away from Pegasus's abdomen. He jumped away and stretched out his arms. As this was happening, in the third Garden, a smirk crept upon the shadow Terrae's mouth, answering the question.

"I guess the fool forgot to introduce himself. That's unlike him. Fine, then I'll tell you. One of Demeter's four mighty guardians, Boron Ginga, bears the title 'The Terrae of Universal Supernova' (普遍超新星のテラ). In other words, the wielder of the galaxy."

Behind Ginga and suspended high above were small bright silver globes numbering in the hundreds; there was also the large one created from Lionet's Burning Fire. Their creator only spoke a portending phrase.

"Get ready for an astral Collision!"