A/N: It's almost 2022. In most cases, I create a "fan trilogy" but couldn't gather my thoughts. My year has been difficult, but working on DoE has been fun. Rather than a new elaborate chapter, which I will save for January or February, I'm posting down some very short chapters before the end of the year. Enjoy your Holidays and more importantly, care for oneself.

Gaiden 1: The Bright one who disappeared

(外伝1 行方をくらました輝く者)

Demeter's Guardians, one of the Four Terrae, The Universal Supernova – Boron Ginga. A gentle, inquisitive man who worked at a bookstore; that, and his kindness bursting like fireworks, charmed his Goddess. He always questioned his role as a warrior. Why fight on an island with a decree of pacificism? When donning his Stole—his armor—it seemed to flip that rule on its head.

In an era of antiquity, it was endorsed by the Gods that they too battled one another, along by their followers. The Boron fighter rose against the insurrection of the Titans to assist Zeus, Demeter's brother. The Mother Goddess had just escaped the intestines of Cronus, and was offered protection in Oceanus's home, while in turn, she sent her strength among four individuals. Demeter was particularly chauvinistic about herself and her region promoting the growth of the world, but it was always her anger and vindictiveness that led drastic measures against her.

Just like now.

Among Pantheon and mortal, the defiance towards Gods grew more favorable. Demeter became a target to the vile, thieves, the like. A typical world. Perhaps, it was Athena that would pull out the Terrae's full power. However, Ginga's mind was wracked with feelings of incompetence and guilt. His Earth Goddess was powerful, in mourning, yet he didn't have enough to stop Athena's Saints. A dream cursed him as he concerned himself over the fate of Naxos.

When his eyes flew open, the first thing he saw was the hole he made in his temple roof. His body was heavy, but his thoughts burned – "I must find Kouga and the others." He believed that they may have crossed over to the third Garden, where his diabolical sister was. She would easily handle them, but there was spite inside his body. If it was not freed, by the defeat of his enemies, he wouldn't accept himself as a guardian. He would not be able to free his fear either. He wasn't sure how he was alive, but he got onto his feet and made way for the exit, until a voice called him.

"Wouldn't go after them if I were you. You're clearly weak."

A careless voice. Ginga was directed towards one of his pillars, seeing black hair and a body of gold. He was met with a teasing smirk, impish eyes behind spectacles. The Terrae had never seen such a man before, but when demanding an identity—and promptly given it with a chortle—Ginga flew into a rage.

"Bastard! You're one of them!" Ginga's punch was caught easily, and his shots from Cosmic Collision soared into the figure and dulled, cracking into nothing like black holes.

It was the Gold Saint of Cancer, Hermes. Stating that he was assisting Demeter would not hamper Ginga's anger, but a familiar face would. Froze him in place.

Jorie, the girl from the Bookstore, being held by the neck. She materialized out of nowhere and into Hermes's palm. The Gold Saint offered a proposal.

"Heh. I figure to fully placate Demeter is to bring her beloved ones to Athena's funeral. You'd like that would you?"

As in, to join witnessing the Underworld's revival? Hermes had infiltrated the Astoria Bookstore and had this sick, whimsical idea to send Jorie to Hirasaka. She and Ginga were delivered to the land of Limbo, chained in darkness until it was time to release them. To think the Crab would be strolling in town and on the beach after that, and Arion did not catch wind of it with his spying image apparatus.

What no one realizes is that this would lead to a path of hurt for Ginga.