Hermes in the hot seat? The Golden Gavotte!
(ヘルメースに圧迫を加えるか？！ 黄金のガヴォット！)
"Do you realize what I had to go through to get this Cloth?
The Mother Goddess's goal seems to be in reach, and she would be damned to make it so. Boldly she stood among two figures and demanded entrance to a prison – her mind was far from lost or rerouted. Her anger was still there, if not amplified from the Bronzes' interference. In order for Demeter's goal to advance, she needed the Cloth to be an empty vessel and deliberately planned for Shaina to be killed during the Winter skirmishes against Athena's Saints. Since she failed to fall, Kouga's master had to meet her fate at Athena's temple.
With a tranquil profile, the look of a beauty that seemed to gird herself for an important event, Athena sat on her throne in the Pope's Chamber. In front of her were three Gold Saints, knelt down at the base of stairs.
"The gathering of all twelve Gold Saints determine an earth-shaking destiny" she said, and paused. Her inflection lowered, which seem to indicate worry growing within her. "It's usually preordains a wide-scale war with much causality. With their spots gradually filling, it is a sign? It makes me a little uneasy."
"However, Taurus, Scorpio, Pisces, and Aries," Virgo Fudou began, "there is no sign of their successors. Kiki's lost is truly unfortunate."
"Pisces would be someone with immeasurable self-confidence," Seiya said, "possibly sadistic and also immune to demonic roses."
"I don't think Pisces must follow that fate to a tee, Seiya," said Athena. "If Hyouga arrives, I'm sure he will accept the Cloth of Aquarius. Despite the situation, we will always do what we must."
"The foolish stars seem to read something more, something far in the future." The doors entering the hall opened, and The Pope was the first to enter. Following his heels was Libra Shiryu. By his throne, the Pope stood by the Goddess's side.
"For some reason," he continued, "Antares is pulsating. It's like a stubborn heart that never gives out," he said.
"The brightest star of Scorpio," Athena said. "What could this mean?"
"Also," The Pope added, a rumble in his voice. "No one can have Taurus without the resilience and guts of one hundred armies." His words made Athena smile wryly.
"Lady Athena, I have arrived." Shiryu's composed voice was smooth, providing nothing below certainty that his duty will be fulfilled. It was true; Athena knew him too well as one of the Legendary Bronze Saints that served her as since her awakening. Shiryu joined the other three Saints on a knee, next to his long time brother Seiya.
"The only ones who are late are Gemini and Cancer," said the Pope, turning to the door. "I know that Leo kid ain't coming am I right?"
Athena answered. "Yes, I gave him a very important task. I communicated with him moments before and he said that he needed more time."
"Lady Athena, one thing," Fudou spoke, slightly lifting his head.
"Yes?"
"To be frank," he said, opening his different colored eyes. "I advise not divulging too much of your plans when Cancer arrives."
"What?" Shiryu was obviously surprised. "Does that mean he is being suspicious?"
"It's not only that he's taking a while to bring Gemini, it has to do with his current actions." The more was said, the more confusion it brought upon everyone.
Sagittarius Seiya held his words; he trusted that Fudou was more perceptive than most, and for some reason, his thoughts were conflicting. He reflected back to his first encounter with the Twelve Temples and the former Pope. Therefore, he could not shake off the possibility of some betrayal. His impression of the new Cancer was by far reassuring. Hermes was a bit too honest and lax, and sometimes smiled at inopportune times, but was a good person and agreed that any threat to humanity should be vanquished. He often moved on his own, and knowing that caused Seiya not to quickly step in for Cancer's defense. Still, he didn't want to fortify his beliefs in the worst situation. Athena also knew this quite well.
"Is that so? Then let's put some pressure on him when he arrives," the Pope suggested.
"If what you say is true then will he talk? How will we know that he'll be truthful?" asked Athena.
"When I listened to him," Fudou explained, "I don't think he was completely beating around the bush about his suspicious actions."
"I know the Cancer Saints have been idiosyncratic, but they serve for what they believe in deeply. Connecting with him, I am sure he seeks the right thing, even if he takes a swerve in his road." Athena's confidence made Fudou's lips tight; he wondered if the goddess was too naïve and willing to surrender to deception.
"However, you can perceive things that many do not. While I do not wish to leave out Integra, I will garner a part of trust in your words and begin the meeting. We need to make haste after all due to the severity of this situation. Speaking with Hermes is inevitable."
There was no raise of opposition as the Gold Saints remained in their knelt postures of submission, albeit tight loyalty. No matter what would happen, they would see through Athena's victory and safety. Fudou compiled and leaned down his head again, closing his eyes.
"At this moment, The Bronze Saints are sent to Demeter's temple on Naxos Island to retrieve the Ophiuchus Cloth. It once served as a catalyst for another being; in regards as to how it's specifically used, and how it's a 'key to the Underworld', my father Zeus severed its information from me and other Gods, so that we don't run afoul with one another. I believe to even speak of it would spread its charm," The Goddess paused, and her expression became dire to reflect her next words.
"and perhaps sentence me to death."
All of the Saints furrowed their brows at the statement. If that were true, would that mean Demeter was committing a great crime? Or even worse, were Gods collaborating in breaking the taboo? Making an exception? A thought entered Athena's mind. Was it possible that Demeter knew because of her relation to Hades? Whichever the case, Athena explained her point and moved on to the next: how to counter what may be a devastating situation.
"I have been thinking over this for a while, even before Demeter appeared before me. One mission that I'll provide is the closure of active Hell Gates, which is necessary to prevent any belligerent souls from seeping out of the Underworld." Athena's words already made sense to Fudou, who figured via Hermes and by meditating in the Underworld that this was confirmed true. This may have been a threat trembling in the shadows.
She continued.
"There has been various demonic activities, such as Barren Island where Leo is. I have tasked him to find the fissure to Hell and to diminish the evil slipping from there, along with aiding one of our own." She paused and guided her eyes towards a Gold Saint with red hair. By his knee was his helmet, adorned by long goat horns.
"Capricorn Safar, your home region has a gate as well does it?"
His dry lips moved and out came a bear voice from a deep cave. "Yes Lady Athena." He opened his eyes, showing vivid green irises locked on the Goddess. An undivided attention. "Many Eastern people go there to honor the dead and to pray for good crops, but there has been rumors of strange activity."
Shiryu suddenly spoke up. "Hades is gone, therefore I am confused. I would hear strange dark voices in Rozan, calling out a name, but I would find or see nothing." Safar responded that his "emerald arm" trembled whether evil manifests. Shiryu wondered if Hades was resurrected and if Specters were reappearing, but his held such a thought to come out verbally. Hearing Athena and Safar, he now wondered if his home region was too experiencing "strange evil spirit leaking".
There was a loud sound at the doors.
"Hey hey, sorry I'm late! We're here." That cheery voice was never unfamiliar. Fudou's head snapped back quickly; at such an astute action, Seiya couldn't help but follow him.
"Fudou, are you sure?" He whispered to Virgo.
"We have to watch him." Fudou looked down at his hand, which made Seiya realize that he materialize a hemp rope around his arm.
"Touching these ropes, the truth will come out. If his vice is strong, he'll be destroyed." Sagittarius Seiya looked disturbed by Fudou's drastic actions, and more biased thoughts entered his mind. Hermes's predecessors magnetized towards the strong. He was told that Schiller was particularly into killing others; Deathmask was for destroying any fresh or old soul for the sake of "justice", even smiling among a massacre. He heard a story of another who was wicked on the surface but was a trickster, not abiding to the purity of Athena's "justice" and used deception to defeat the enemy.
The doors opened; indeed, the bespectacled Cancer with his wide smile appeared. He scratched the back of his head to feign his embarrassment for being late. Following behind him was indeed Gemini Integra. In contrast to Cancer, she was eerily silent.
"You're late you green crab." The Pope's burly demeanor contained no restrictions as he reproved the Cancer Saint. "Some temerity for you to joke when the situation is serious."
"Hey, it's not my fault. Integra and I faced some problems. A rough encounter."
"What part of 'pick up' don't you understand?" As The Pope rallied on with his criticism, Athena eyed Fudou and Seiya, who exchanged words. She noticed Fudou's dire change in face, and decided to take prompt charge.
"I think that we can all agree that sealing the Hell gates are of first priority due to Fudou and Hermes's information. I also spoke with Fudou as to what his task might be. These are really preparatory tasks for the protection of Earth if Hades were truly to be revived. Even if he won't, we can't let his vile influence touch anywhere."
Everyone gave the Goddess their attention once more.
"With that said, there is the next step - Seiya and Shiryu, you will go to Dodona and plead a pact with Jason's galley."
Sagittarius and Libra's eyes widened. "You mean!?"
Cancer was just about to kneel with the others, after Gemini, but his legs seized up. Behind his lens, Hermes's eyes shined at the ambition. He smiled wryly, "Surely Lady Athena, is that all necessary?"
"Truly," she said matter-of-factly. "As a prophet, Argo spoke to me about an evil that would reach even the stars. It said 'when that time comes, you will need my strength'. It was one time, and since it's quite rare, I was told to always take any message from Dodona seriously. Dodona is guarded by Sextans Agatha. Seiya, Shiryu, I can truly depend on you two."
"Yes!" Shiryu and Seiya uttered together with a mutual determination that was clear. But instantly, Shiryu raised his eyebrows.
"Actually Lady Athena, Seiya should go before me. I just need to confirm something back in Rozan."
"What is it?"
"As we all know my master, who has passed, guarded the Tower of the 108 Dark stars. I should see to it that the seal's strength is well preserved. Besides, my recent nightmare and the voices that I've been hearing, I must put my concerns to ease, plus assure Shunrei's safety. Seiya, I will definitely rendezvous with you."
"Very well." Athena nodded in approval, and finally, her eyes fall onto the late Crab.
"Hermes, now that you are here, a few things," she began, "including as to what Fudou brought up to me in addition to the Underworld."
Hermes's mouth bent into a smile. It was calm and sincere, perhaps appreciative of Athena, but some thought it radiated the same energy as when played a cruel joke on another?
"The Underworld beyond Yomotsu Hirasaka is unstable, and souls are seeping out to the mortal world correct?"
"That's correct my Lady. The gate to Hell apparently leads to some form of 'Limbo'. Souls suffer from lack of purgatory so they only float around. Pretty bad fate I'd say. Some souls got pretty angry and left the path to Hell." Athena nodded to Hermes's explanation. It confirmed that her approach to the situation was mandatory. No matter its state, she assured herself that the dead must be guided properly, but she fretted over Hades, who no longer sought himself as a pure death god, placing the conquest of Earth over all at every reincarnation. Thus, she wanted to thwart his revival.
In addition to the seals, she must speak more with Virgo in private about his idea. Intentionally, she hasn't divulged those details; so far, the plan about the galley was a shock to all. At this point, she wanted to choose her words carefully.
The goddess of war and wisdom stood up from her throne.
"Now Hermes, another thing, and I ask you generously—I have been told that you have been acting strangely. Rather than retrieving Integra, you've been moving on your own. You also tried to obstruct the movement of the Bronze Saints heading to Naxos. May I ask what this might be referring to?"
Hermes winked an eye close and flattened his smile. Such an expression read an "oops", some kind of recognition to a mistake, or perhaps Athena pushed a radical false belief out in the open. That demigod snitch! Fudou must've exaggerated everything, Cancer thought, but, was he considerately loud with his actions?
"Of course. Rumors are things that people tell, Lady Athena." He mocked. With that said, one of the Gold Saints buckled. He stood up and uttered a spell.
"Shogyo Danzai!" The rope wrapped around Virgo Fudou's wrist suddenly spun to life, and flew towards Cancer. He was caught, the hemp rope wrung tightly around his torso, limbs and neck, putting him into a grip stiffer than a titan's. Hermes's jaw clenched with tension.
"The only thing that comes out of your tongue is truth. Speak." Shiryu, Safar and Shiryu all stood and first gazed at Virgo, surprised at his outburst, and then to Cancer. The quietness of the Pope Hall collected a level of tension, and then it all exploded upon the arrival of Hermes. Integra wasn't as quick to stand but surely turned to watch.
"Hey man, I was kidding!"
"I don't think you were. These ropes will test your purity. If there's any decision of betrayal or any wicked acts on your part, you will die."
"Alright alright!" His voice was hoarse. He could feel the grip right up to his brain. He felt trapped, curled in a 16 x 12 x 8 tight iron box with little holes for air. "While going out to get Integra, I met with Demeter while she was on her way back to Naxos." Hearing the words, Athena approached Cancer slowly, but with confidence. She truly wanted to hear his words. Seeing her pass, Seiya reached out with a hand but held his back any words. Was this wise?
"Then what happened?" She asked, imploring for his toleration.
"To see why she was doing what she was doing. Unlike Hades, despite their relationship, Demeter is not into conquest. So, I've decided to make a deal with her."
"A deal?"
"Before she agreed, she told that she didn't want my help because she revived the Gold Saints. She's still tight lipped about everything. Heh, I couldn't even pass as an envoy."
"The Shogyo Danzai is reacting to you strongly, Hermes. Are you sure that it's just an act of watching her? Especially if she doesn't trust you." When Athena said that, Fudou twitched his fingers. Hermes pants as the ropes around slightly loosened.
"I do want to know – did she agree with you?"
Hermes said nothing; taking another step closer, Athena hammered further.
"Or rather, how did she agree with you? What deal or pact did you make with her? And why?" At such questions, despite his discomfort, Hermes's smirk returned.
"Demeter's actions have grown violent. Whatever her goal is, it's in Hell. So, I told her about its situation, and agreed to help her revive it."
Everyone gasped; the answer elicited a bit of surprise from Athena, her eyes flashing. "I am afraid to say that I sense no deceit. To do this, maybe you agree that its revival will stop the leaking?"
"Of course. After that, I got Integra. She was a little roughed up but OK."
"So Demeter won't tell you why she wants to revive Hades?"
"I have a theory since I've been snooping around her. I plan to go back to Naxos to do more snooping, but it may have to do with her close associates because of what one of the Bronze Saints said."
"Just know, the consequences will lead to the revival of the Underworld's leader, who desires the world's destruction, if not my death entirely."
"Speaking of Bronze Saint," Fudou interjected, "why did you plan to trap Orion Eden into the Underworld? Or maybe even kill him?" After that, the Shogyo tightened. Now Seiya narrowed his eyes. The details that were unwinding into the light made his heart palpitate. Very suspicious. He tried to think back as to what Athena said and to believe in her, but would the Cancer's so-called "idiosyncrasy" stretch too far?
"Agh-To get her to trust me!" Hermes grumbled the words through a squeezing throat. "So I thought of trapping Orion's soul and showing Demeter."
"You didn't answer my earlier question Hermes," Athena pressed further, slightly distraught by the idea of Cancer taking life to appease another Goddess, "how did you get Demeter to trust you? What deal did you make?"
"I…"
"Was it to kill Kouga and the others?"
"No!"
"Then why is the Shogyo reacting to you? Answer me Hermes, as a Gold Saint, show pride in your actions." For the divine rope to react, there must've been some divine evil dwelling within Hermes's heart; Athena's concerns grew. Was it necessary for Cancer to commit these actions for the sake of reconnaissance and individuality? She sensed something deeper, but couldn't touch it.
"I said that—" Suddenly, the Shogyo snapped into pieces, flying swiftly into different directions. The hemp hit the temple walls, and then started floating in the air. Gemini Integra, known for her burning heart committed to Athena, has been quiet the entire time. She raised her hand to her cheek level and flicked her fingers into a snap. Was Hermes's judgment about to be quickened?
Suddenly, the Pope and the Gold Saints sans her, Athena, and Hermes began floating in the air. The entire atmosphere turned dark, and rays of light appeared underneath their feet, forming an endless running grid. At the far end of the grid was a horizon, the edge of a galaxy. One in this space could see the bodies of stars and planets.
Athena looked around and noticed that she was in a spatial void. She turned back to Hermes, hearing his impish cackle. In the void, he stood like it was nothing, an air fluttering his hair like a comfortable Spring breeze.
"If I may answer now," he spoke, "I said..that I would help her make a funeral, Lady Athena."
In a speed of light, an array of gigantic planets appeared, soaring through the void as the floating Saints were magnetized into the galactic orbit.
A laugh from behind the universe taunted them. "All of you die! Explode!"
The Pope, Seiya, Safar, Shiryu, and Fudou each fell onto a celestial body, and a clap louder than thunder could be heard through even the vacuum of this projected space. They seemingly disintegrated into nothing, disappearing in sunlight and out of sight.
Hermes skipped up to Athena, smiling cheek to cheek, and leaned next to her. The short secret that was breathed into her ear – what was something that could make even Athena freeze in words? Her thoughts, perhaps dizzy, wondered why the Danzai rope was about to crush the Cancer Saint?
"You should see the look on your face, Lady Athena," he said with a satisfied face, which nearly burst into laughter. "But don't worry, I am truthful when I mean that it's for the good of the world. Besides, I would be the best agent to conduct a funeral right? The better the funeral, the better the outcome!" The Crab stretched out his arms in exhilaration.
Athena looked around, and in her heavy confusion, she just noticed that she was standing, or rather floating, inside another dimension. Immediately, her head turned to the motionless Gemini Saint, who had her head bowed. She was still as a statue, unharmed. The ability to cross and transport others to dimensions was well known to belong to Gemini.
"Integra?! Are you Ok?" The Goddess asked.
"A little roughed up but she is quite fine." Hermes's response to the answer was then followed by a feminine laugh. From behind the static Integra, a hand lengthened out from a tear in space, and slid across the Gold Saint's cheek. Integra lifted her head and her red irises flashed at Athena.
"Oh, I see now," said the female voice. "Despite my hate for you, we are strongest when together. Strongest when we love, strongest when we hate."
"That is…Gemini's controlling technique," Athena's shock never left her.
"Right you are you ridiculous goddess. How easy it was to trap you, or perhaps I'm just very clever?"
"Plans are best when many work together," Hermes said with a nod of his head. "Now Lady Athena, come with me."
Giving Athena some distance, the Cancer Saint lifted a finger above his head, igniting his Cosmos. The gridded dimension was completely absorbed into full darkness; somehow, four figures stood in a space without stars or any form of light. Were they still in a void or vacuum? Somehow, they could still see one another. A person had stepped from behind Integra, and Athena thought she was seeing two, but her consciousness quickly took notice. It looked like Integra, but her Cloth was painted with a glossy dark color. After all that has happened, and taking the mannerism in account, it all made sense.
Athena said only a couple of words. "Gemini Paradox."
The dark twin who had died during the war of Pallas, having joined the Pallasites, was also revived with, apparently, her vicious personality. Athena could only think of how pitiful Demeter was to go so far as to manipulate Paradox's inner feelings. She predicted that Integra was under Paradox's control, which surprised her. She never thought she would see the Demon Fist at work again.
"I want to see the despair on your face when you realized that you failed Athena. That despair will be delicious when I return to destroy you." After Paradox spoke her promise, she snapped her fingers next to Integra's temple, the control over her sibling fading. The good-natured sibling muttered Athena's name with a flavor of confusion and sorrow. Her voice carried a regret for what she has done, reverberating in Paradox's ear. The evil sibling felt an ecstasy from it, and it made wonder over what to do next after Hermes sent Integra away. What of the fate of the other Gold Saints, especially after being left in Another Dimension? Paradox promised in her mind to see to Athena and Integra's destruction, but she had to make ascertain first that there were would be no preventions to Hades's revival. Therefore, she left the sight of Hermes and Athena for another destination.
"She is surprisingly patient and loyal," said Hermes.
"What is the meaning of this? Were you so deeply involved in Demeter this whole time?"
"Like I said Lady Athena, I'm doing this as the best choice for humanity."
"Despite what you say, this is betrayal."
"I'm sorry?" Hermes rubbed the back of his head and pouted his lips.
Suddenly, the darkness exploded. A sunny glow generated behind the Goddess, bending into a giant spiral. A spinning entity darted past Athena's side and towards Hermes. The Cancer Saint raised his arm and caught a golden punch.
"There you are Hermes! You bastard, where are you taking Athena?! I won't allow this!"
Hermes may have had the smile of a clown, but could not contain his surprise. Perhaps he smiled out of exhilaration; he pushed his arm forward and forced back the attack, spreading distance between him and his assailant.
"Hello Sagittarius." Hermes greeted. "Isn't this all interesting? Did you follow us somehow?" It was indeed Sagittarius Seiya, who Hermes and Paradox thought they had left in Integra's Another Dimension. Having been familiar with Gemini's abilities, Seiya explained that he imitated his Cloth's Golden Arrow, which often destroyed all forms of evil and barriers, to follow Athena's Cosmos. Seiya also explained that he is familiar with touching the Underworld, and that The Pope saved the others from the Explosion. He will cross Hell and even the barriers of the moon to save the Goddess.
"I didn't want to believe it," he said, "even with Fudou's heavy suspicions, but it's almost fate that there are obstacles among each another."
"Then you are content with this situation, Seiya?" asked the Crab. "Deep inside, seeing Fudou's reaction, you might've thought that something could be wrong."
Seiya said nothing, perhaps indicating what Hermes said was correct, to which the Cancer Saint added, "Oh by the way, this is the 'Limbo' that I was talking about, which lies beyond Yomatsu Hirasaka and into the Underworld."
Obviously surprised, Athena and Seiya were prompted to look around, and wondered how and where they were even standing? This Limbo was nothing but darkness. Hermes also explained that if they wandered long enough, they would probably meet up with sleeping souls, stuck without purgatory or judgment to where they should go.
The Crab could not rid of his smile. "Seriously Athena, for you to send Safar to the gate, and to have some odd plan with Fudou, you probably believe within yourself that it's hopeless to stop the revival of the Underworld. Not only that, there is also your plan for Argo. That just guaranteed it. In a way, you are extending this little war because of your fears. There is no such thing as absolute justice. Absolute good, absolute evil. Hades must come back."
Seiya backed away and covered Athena with his wing to shield her from the Crab's sight. "Nothing will prevent Hades from destroying the Earth. Not when Athena is his boldest foe since Mythological times. How is this saving anyone?"
"Oh Seiya, why are you so worried about peace? You are a Saint. A knight, a warrior. Do you not fight? There is no such thing as 'absolute peace 'either. If there's no order among the dead, the dead will just rage upon the Earth. However, Demeter doesn't care about these things. No, if I go by what that Orion Saint said, I predict that there's really only one thing she wants."
"Why go to such lengths? I don't understand why inequalities, why all of this, mean so much to you, Hermes. Especially as a Cancer Saint. You are on our side."
"That's right." Athena finally spoke. Hermes's strange behavior was only extending the interrogation. "You know of the evils of humans quite well. You know of war, barbarism, death since youth, and tried to heal it. Thus, the stars chose you to make it right. But it can't be this way. Do not create unnecessary tragedies."
Hermes shrugged his shoulders. "Hey Seiya, if Hades has to turn sword to Athena's life again, why don't you just do something? Just like always. That's the only way to determine who is the strongest. Only the strongest can protect. That's right…you'll dominate with the powers of justice and love, am I right?"
Seiya held his next rebuke, putting extra thought from Hermes's words, and it became a more scathing criticism. "Do you think this is something to look forward to?!"
"If that's how you would like to see it." The Crab shrugged again. "Sorry Seiya, even though we're friends, I'll have to leave you hanging."
"I thought you had better sense, but you're just going on by a personal prediction. Are you some kind of coward!?"
"Nah." Such a simple answer. Seiya's instinct to attack Hermes and snatch Athena, to take her back to the Temple, somehow, was thwarted. Even though Athena was caught up in a strange plan, Hermes's words seem to suggest that there was something else happening. Seiya wondered if he could possibly know. Furthermore, after all the shenanigans, what was in it for Hermes himself?
The Crab chuckled. "But I will admit – watching this all unwind is interesting. Perhaps that's all that matters. Even though, I do like Lady Athena."
The nihilism of life, both mortal and divine, for gratification was enough; Seiya did not see this side of Hermes before, but for the reasons he had thought of before, he could not be surprised. The Shogo Danzai was correct. It was enough to well up his sadness, and his anger, and it showed in a burst of Cosmos exploding around him. For the sake of Athena, he prepared for a battle.
"You have no kind of righteous motivation for your current actions, for endangering Athena. Despite your words, I must make your face consequences. Prepare yourself, Cancer Hermes!"
"I'm afraid not Seiya. I have a walk with Lady Athena and I'm not going to be fighting today."
"What's that?! Fight for the evil that you believe in!"
"Hoh, cheeky." Hermes crossed his arms. He didn't seem concerned in fighting at all, his eyes turning away to look elsewhere.
"It looks like a beast is here?"
Seiya didn't pay it any mind at first, but a tingle clawed at his senses. His brain twinged, telling him that something vile was approaching. Somehow, in this strange space called "Limbo", all could hear the sound of steps falling onto a surface. An ashen gray fog appeared, blanketing the appearance of a faraway silhouette. Athena watched for a moment, but then quickly eyed Hermes as a strange thought entered her head. She wasn't sure why she considered it; maybe the Crab was making her second guess everything and giving her wild conjectures.
"It is not possible that he wants Earth's destruction. This is not like when I first met you. Don't tell me – Hermes, are you trying to take on Hades by yourself?!"