More than Gold: The Centaur Wars

by Jenny DeVic

Book of Sagittarius: What would happen if Mitsumasa Kido chose to carry Aiolos back to Japan instead of his Cloth? Book of Gemini: What would happen if Saga never committed suicide? Book of Centaur: The Golds are all alive. Can they finally unite while taking on the enemies of Athena?

16. Sagittarius 3D: Faithful Traitors

Chapter Twelve: Faithful Traitors

O|=========|O

THE WHITE RABBIT

FIVE YEARS AGO

"I can't take it anymore...why won't they leave us the fuck alone, Galan!"

The tears that flowed down the eleven-year-old's face never seemed to cease, but today they were far worse. It's been three months since they heard Aiolos attempted to kill Athena and despite it being obvious that Aiolia had nothing to do with it, so many notes of hatred were tossed or dropped into the House of Leo's main chambers.

He's read them all and he's burn them all. Profane and filled to the brim with threats from cutting off all his toes to feed to pigs to shaving off a few layers of his stomach to allow the crows to peck at, they were things he wouldn't dare expose to even hardened warriors, much less a child, but yet some do escape his sight. That's the problem with having one eye in that he lacked the depth perception needed to fully scour the floors. It's gotten to the point that the cruel words have now poisoned the child's vocabulary and he's slowly becoming just as hateful as the crowds that demand his brother's blood.

He placed his good arm around the child and cradled him. Ever since the path of being a Saint was lost to him, he had to trade the military for a path that was more maternally. "For many, anger feels better than sadness… so it can proliferate one's mind for a long time, especially if nothing's been found."

By nothing, he knew he meant they still haven't found a single piece of his brother. Aiolia rubbed his sore face. The outer tips of his eyes were red with rashes from his tears. "Why did he do it? Why did he attempt to kill Athena?" Aiolia gave a throaty gasp.

It was the hundredth time the child asked him and he had a feeling that he will continue to do so, but his answer will always remain the same. "I don't think he did it." Galan himself faced the older brother before and despite being sentenced to death, Aiolos twisted every rule he could just so he could spare him save for an eye and limb. Not only that, but the reasoning didn't make much sense either. He was one of the very few who he told that he was placed in line to be the next Grand Pope even if he did so with a bit of reluctance.

Galan knew Aiolos trained hard for the Holy War. If he became the Grand Pope, he wouldn't be able to fight with his brother and friends, and that was a prospect that he could not live with. He also felt the other Saint was a far better fit especially when it came to the more political side and was confused why the Pope still chose him over the other.

Galan could only answer that sometimes the best person is not the best fit, but it was a difficult position to argue since he didn't know Saga as well. "Do not listen to anyone out there. Anyone who says he's cold-hearted and a traitor to the ways of Athena-" He turned to his metal arm at the side. It was wrapped in cotton to at least give the appearance and feel of gentleness, but the strong scent of oil and grease to keep it functioning and lubricated betrayed it. "-is a fool."

The door of the House of Leo flung open as a papel guard began marching toward the two.

Galan tossed a cloth for Aiolia to clean his face while he approached the man. "What is it? I told you, no more questioning for today. Aiolia is exhausted and needs to rest."

But the Papel Guard shook his head. "I'm sorry, but Saint Saga of Gemini has come to see you."

The caretaker darted his head. "Me?" Galan turned back to the door and the two went to a knee as the Gemini turned down to them and immediately gestured for the two to stand back up.

He stared at the Saint with a nervous expression. Typically they would either take off or just avoid wearing their helmets within Sanctuary unless they were traveling outside of it or it was an important matter.

Saga could read the man like a book. "The crowd...wants blood."

"Send them to the colosseum and tell them to leave us alone," Galan waved his hand.

But Saga shook his head no. "I've had two incidences on two separate nights. That door guard of Sagittarius was heading back to his family when he was ambushed by the mobs. There were so many stab wounds that his body fell apart when they lifted it up."

Galan's blue eye closed while the other side, despite the orb being lost, wrinkled a bit out of habit. "He was the last one, wasn't he? Poor man." He shook his head and turned up. "The other?"

Saga's eyes narrowed a little. "The hospital. It was a child that he was using his golden touch to heal a minor head injury. The child kept a red headband in his drawer and a nurse saw it. The crowd got the word and tried to drag him out. He was lucky. His screams startled Jamian's crows and he was able to chase and peck their bodies apart and get the boy back into an undisclosed location."

Galan's head stiffened a bit as the Gemini reached over and the cold metal of his gauntlets pressed around his face, feeling his fingers seemingly examine his features.

"Your eye is a bit lighter blue than his. Blond hair… but if we shave it… dirty it up…. no one will be able to tell." he reached over and grabbed Galan's arm and pulled it up. "But your build… strong arms and back...as expected with a Leo...but not the shoulders as a Sagittarius… but fairly close." He turned his head toward the metal arm and an eyebrow raised in delight. "Oh...this is perfect…" He then reached into his pocket and daintily dropped the bloody arrow pendant that once belonged to the Saint of Sagittarius around Galan's neck.

Galan gasped as his serene look transformed to anger before he took his fist and swung it with his bright yellow cosmos before Saga cooly stopped it. Still, Galan gritted his teeth as he pushed forward. It had been a long time since he's expressed his cosmos and not only that, but this Saint was clearly on the same level as Aiolos… or at least if Aiolos would stop holding back.

Saga's eyes shifted toward the fist and at first, gave an amused chuckle. "You too align with lightning…. even better…" before he tilted his chin. "The crowds are outside Sanctuary and have a thirst to rip up the first thing given to them." His other hand reached up as the metal fist came towards him to which he smoothly halts. "Listen well… and listen carefully...I have no time for a thousand-day war. I don't have time for a thousand-minute war." Saga leaned forward and stared straight into Galan's gaze. "You will wear that necklace, you will wear a fucking red headband. You were gravely injured by Capricorn and you will stand before the crowd...and then...the show will begin."

Galan shook his head no as he summoned his strength, tightening his grip.

Saga bit his lip. "Good potential in you...a pity the Gods chose another fate. Thankfully, I am here to grant you a new one." He pulled away and ripped the metal arm off. Straps of leather fell to the ground. Aiolia gasped and gritted his teeth before he charged forward. Saga rolled his eyes, flipped the limb and used the metal hand to strike the Leo on the face, leaving a large slash mark on his cheek. The cosmos messages that were being sent to Saga about what was going on with the crowds were numerous. He turned downward as Aiolia charged once more at him. His hand easily parried the fist before he grabbed him and slammed him down, his large forearm pressed hard under the Leo's neck while holding both the frantic arms.

"Do you understand the danger you are in or how delicate the situation is? Right now you are the crying little brother who did nothing wrong. You need to maintain that. If you start throwing your fists around, you betray their perception and they will not hesitate to kill you too!" Saga stared at the brother he promised Aiolos that he would protect. Aiolia shook his head no as the child heaved and thrashed. He felt a great warmth and knew exactly what was coming. He immediately leaped backwards dodging Lightning Plasma before he shot forward, this time he slammed the child onto his stomach and pushed his hands against the ground, making any sort of electric flow grounded and useless. "If they will go after a sick young child, a trainee is fair game." Saga barked as he stared at the blood that rolled along Leo's cheek. Saga turned toward the servant. "One brother… or the other. One will receive peace, the other must rest in peace."

But Aiolia's fierce eyes sharpened as he screamed and frantically attempted to push his hands on the floor in an attempt to push the Gold off him. Suddenly, he paused and gasped as he turned toward Galan as he was struggling to tie the red headband on himself with one hand. He sobbed, his words struggling to escape as they choked his throat. "Galan...no...don't leave me!"

In a rare moment of surrender, Galan muttered, "Aiolia...he's right." He lifted his blond hair up to get the red ribbon on more comfortably. He knew the path of the traitor and walked it once. However, Sanctuary was able to keep private since it was an object. This was different. Part of the Pope's Chamber was blown out. The Goddess went missing for a while and every man, woman, and child scoured the lands in search of her and the kidnapper with the red headband.

A shame. Aiolos used to walk around and when people saw it and even if they didn't know he was a Saint, knew he was a good person who donated some of his kills since he really didn't have to worry about food while training or volunteered at the hospital. Right now, even wearing the color red could be enough to draw looks of disgust and anger. He was surprised that Saga actually used one of the archer's original ones and didn't just rip off a shred of scarlet fabric and roll it up. He could tell. Aiolos was very particular on the type of fabric since he did wear it all day and before he would, he took the time to sew the edges to prevent fraying.

Why he wore it and was meticulous about it, not even Aiolia knows.

As soon as Saga pulled back, Aiolia ran over and wrapped his arms tightly around the servant.

Normally, he would discourage it, finding it a bit on the sappy side, especially for a nine-year-old. But with the knowledge that he was never going to see the sunrise again, his good hand reciprocated even with a bit of hesitation.

"I hate him…I wish he never was my brother." Aiolia muttered.

They were terrible words, but it was not hard to see why. Every day, more and more of Aiolia's world was collapsing around him and now he will have to become the next domino to topple. It was pointless to try and argue with him why he was wrong. The only person who could convince him otherwise is the archer himself, who could at least explain himself. It was a long shot, but there was no body and Aiolos was a tough son of a bitch. Surely he was out there and even if his body had been reduced to ashes, his spirit was ironclad and they say that if a Saint's soul was strong enough could do things beyond the grave.

But this was no time to rely on such things. He only had his broken self and a couple of minutes.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the old pendant that Aiolos made for his brother. He was never the type for noble speeches, but he wanted to be sincere yet he wanted to be himself. "This… is the last time I can fetch this for you." It has become almost a game. Aiolia would get angry, curse his brother and throw it somewhere and he would be forced to scour the grounds for it. Sometimes it was easy, other times it would take hours. But considering that the Leo could chuck it at the moon and smack Artemis with it, he assumed the boy did it as a means of demonstrating anger, but not quite ready to truly break the bonds of brotherhood quite yet.

His trembling hand held it out. The pendant danced around, betraying the stoic look on his face and revealing how frightened he was of the mob that will tear him apart. He gritted his teeth and forced it into the child's hands. He gripped Aiolia's palm so tightly the color nearly drained, but the boy didn't mind, clearly lost in their final moment.

Aiolia swallowed hard and gripped his hand back as tight as he could, burning his cosmos into it as if giving a part of his spirit while a small smile finally broke on Galan's face and he returned the favor with his own.

Leo to Leo

"Alright, let's go," he spoke as he pulled away and hurried out.

The doors shut. The House of Leo was so lonely.

Aiolia stood there frozen. Before he unleashed the loudest scream as if he needed something to break the silence. He paced and screamed, the volume echoing in its walls. He ran and beat the door before he ran to the other side and struck the other all the while frantically shrieking past the point his voice gave out. When no more words came, he took his body repeatedly slammed it as hard as he could into the walls as if the pain could bring relief. His hands clawed into the stone, his nails cracking and breaking until he finally sunk down, heaving and sobbing.

He took his head and bashed it against the side. Maybe if he did it enough times, the nightmare will end?

He wanted to die.

What was left out there for him?

Many Saints and trainees did it, so why not?

This world, fucking sucks and anything outside of it was surely better than this hell he's living.

He turned toward the pendant and set it down.

He was so lonely and he just needed someone.

He wanted out of there just so he could go back to his friend and talk to her, but he was forbidden. He had no pictures, for Prototypos didn't believe in them, preferring their hearts. The red on his hand was just like her hair. "Marin…" he muttered. "I...want to see you again. Everyone is either dead or ashamed to be near me."

What has he done in the eyes of Athena to become the poison that he was now?

Those closest to him were corrupted or killed. Saga was weird now. Kanon was missing. His brother was a traitor, dead, missing or all three. Galan is next and now he feared something terrible will happen to Marin if she gets too close.

But he missed her so much and valued and desired her company more than ever.

"When we see each other… please don't be ashamed to see me too." He prayed.

O|========|O

GREEN TIGER

...Aiolos, meet me... alone...

The message through the cosmos was low yet firm.

The moment he, Athena, Zephyr, Aldebaran, and Mu were in between the House of Virgo and Libra, the Old Master passed it to him and quickly blocked him off as if any replies must be done between the two of them.

The Sagittarius gave a whistle and the others slowly ceased their movements. "One of you, take Athena and move on to the middle of The House of Libra and Scorpio."

Mu folded his arms. He had a feeling that his report from the House of Cancer about the confirmed deaths of the Hidden Daggers had something to do with it. "I can take her," he spoke as he raised a hand and used his telekinesis to lift her up from the top of the horse and cradled the goddess in his arms. "You've held her enough times, my friend."

But the Brazilian shook his head. "There is no such thing as enough times when it comes to children. I can carry her for the rest of my life and be content with that."

"I have legs, I can run too! The ground is not made of lava after all!" Athena sassed as she rested a hand on the left horn of the Aries Cloth.

But Aiolos, smile he did, paused. She was very precious, but she's grown too. His protective side shouted for him to tell her that if Mu kept her close, he could easily pull her out of danger, throw a shield or whatever needs to be done. But at the same time, she wasn't a baby anymore and that was hard. He took a deep sigh. Her cosmos was far greater and mastered than he would ever achieve in a lifetime. All that is really stopping him was how cherished she was… much like his cub of a brother long ago. "Alright." He watched all three of them lasered their eyes to him. "This is a good time. Mu, Aldebaran, let her try to run faster out here."

He watched her glow and it was beautiful like silk floating around her. She bent her legs and narrowed her eyes, watching her imitate his students who attempted the speed as well. She shot forward like a white blur but immediately tumbled after two steps, causing all, including him to gasp and nearly pulled himself off of Zephyr.

Mu knelt down and while others couldn't use the healing touch on him, he was more than capable of helping his human companions. "Are you alright, my Goddess?"

Athena pushed against her scraped bleeding hands, small tears coming from her eyes. She nodded but was disappointed. "I-I...don't want to hold us back." She watched the Lemurian touch each palm and watched the skin patch up. The farther they travel the Twelve Houses, the more dangerous it became. With only the House of Libra and Sagittarius performing any sort of safety in part to their emptiness, the climb has gone from treading with caution to downright dangerous.

Aioros turned downwards. He wished he could just come down and kneel next to her, just like how he used to when his little brother was younger, but unfortunately, he didn't have time, and it wasn't as easy or as natural as it once was. The best he could do was just leaned down and rest a forearm on his thigh. "You're not holding us back. There are things you can do that none of us can and we are all grateful for it." He smiled a bit. "Besides, you're not the only one who has to practice on how to run. Maybe," he looked down. "We can learn it together after this?" He raised a brow. "But it may take forever before I catch up to your lead of three steps."

She looked up and smiled back. "We'll see." She walked over and Mu picked her up. "In between the Libra and House of Scorpio then?"

"Yes." He lowered his head to bow, an old habit that was difficult to break, but as she normally did, interrupted it and simply hugged him. He watched Mu carry her over and Aldebaran take the rear just a few steps away until they go through the House of Libra with ease. He took his hand and ran it through its mane. "Let's get this over with, Zephyr," he spoke to his partner with the same reluctance he once had when he had to explain to his mom that Aiolia was covered in ticks because he chose to rush through the tall grass instead of walking around and using the long path.

He looked down. Thanks to Shaka, he was able to move his legs. He couldn't walk or stand, but when dealing with a horse, it was a dream. He could cue him when and where to go a lot quicker than the cosmos since the horse still needed time to process the signal. It felt far more natural since it was the way he was taught how to ride and how he showed Aiolia when he was young.

Even at lightspeed, the distance to the House felt exhausting. He could sense the Old Master's great cosmos pulsing toward him. At such a high level, the Old Master could easily suppress it to that of a mouse, but right now, he was demonstrating his displeasure for his actions earlier. He reached the top and took a deep breath before he motioned for Zephyr to move forward, only to encounter resistance. "Come on, it's okay. He's only mad at me, not at you," Aiolos whispered as he urged the stallion to move. A couple of gentle squeezes later the two passed through. The main room wasn't quite as dark as Cancer, but nowhere near as bright Virgo. His eyes turned toward the small wedding tea ceremony shrine, erected a long time ago, but still maintained to this day. He could tell since the tea itself was still clear with a sharp scent.

Why didn't you do it?

The cosmos boomed in his head. But it was not that of the gentle guardian by the waterfall, instead, it felt like a very boisterous young man.

His head darted toward the exit as a large pillar of light beamed into the room, causing his hand to block its light from his face. There before him, a black imposing shadowy figure, covered in the Cloth of Libra stood, arms folded with an emerald green cosmos emulating from his body.

He killed… your brother. Yet you...still let him...live.

WHY

DIDN'T

YOU

DO

IT?

He shouldn't be scared, but his heart was betraying him as he could feel it racing in his chest. But the firm tone, the way he could feel the Old Master's cosmos surround the room and pulse with each syllable was enough to make his grip on his bow sweat. He switched hands and wiped it a bit while gathering his courage. "Too many questions need to be answered, and Saga can't speak with an arrow through his head. Besides, I already told you, killing him breaks the Zodiac." There was an uneasy pause.

He doesn't have to say anything. His body would be a good enough apology.

"Don't say that!" Aiolos snapped. "Old Master, you can't let your anger...get in the way of justice," he gestured toward the still figure.

You can't let friendship get in the way of common sense.

Aiolos shifted his eyes downwards and closed his eyes as he brought the soft top of his fist and brought it to his lips and gently pushed it forward as if in thought as well as rekindling an old memory. Maybe it was more than friendship, but regardless, he won't let that get in the way either. "I'm not. Far from it. Do not criticize my one shot to kill him, when he's missed multiple opportunities already." His tone slowed, emphasizing the suspicious nature of Saga's inactions were.

He paused to give the Old Master a chance to answer back. Instead, the bright green cosmos simply burned over the Cloth, it's bright flame illuminating the twelve weapons on its back to emphasis the force that stood before him. Aiolos continued. "He could've ordered Deathmask to kill me back in the House of Cancer and he knows how to bypass the blocks on teleportation in the twelve Houses yet despite being unable to walk, here I am…" He raised a hand and dropped it as quickly, causing Zephyr to trot a couple of steps. "In the seventh. My group still healthy as ever, minus a traitorous Leo," the last part, he shouted with increased volume. If Saga and crew were listening, he wanted them to know.

He killed the Pope. He tried to kill Athena. He tried to kill you.

I had to tell Shunrei and Kento the truth that I learned.

Throughout his visit to China, while there was an air of pleasantries, he could sense the Libra's attempt to guide and later bluntly stated for him to just end Saga's life. He was thankful that at the time, Old Master just let it be and allowed him to make the choice even if it wasn't the one he expected. "Yes… he did those things," Aiolos openly admitted and turned downwards staring at the thick strands of Zephyr's mane as memories weighed a bit in his heart.

He remembered Shunrei. She was so sweet and reminded him of Athena herself. Shiryu doesn't realize that he's struck gold twice by the fact that he received one of the most reverend Masters of Sanctuary… as well as being around someone who will most likely blossom into a lovely woman someday.

Kento. Despite him not having a fraction of the cosmos of a Gold Saint, Kento was willing to fight his brother as well as serve as a valuable link between communicating with him and his students in Japan. He was one of the few men he could speak actual fluent Greek which helped him alleviate a sense of homesickness and sense of isolation he felt at times as a foreigner in a strange, but peaceful land.

In his mind, he can easily picture that even if the Old Master didn't give the details about how they died, Shunrei would be sobbing endlessly and Kento, being a bit sensitive himself, was either doing the same and holding her or struggling to hold it back until he was alone to break down by some river alone.

The Sagittarius turned back up and faced the black gaze of the faceless figure knowing what he would say next will stir up alot of anger. "I knew Saga for a long time. What happened back then… that's not him!"

Not him? He's a Gemini. Listen young man and listen well. The Gemini have always been this way. There is a good side and an evil side. I know, I've seen many generations of them and many times they are either the reason each generation of the Zodiac fails or they've impeded the growth of the circle.

Saga is no different. You spoke of preserving the Zodiac, yet Saga nearly destroyed it when you were nearly killed.

Aiolos shook his head.

Hatred was such a powerful force. He knew, because it made him act in a way that frightened him in retrospective of it.

"Old Master, with deep respect, please listen to yourself! You are in pain and it is affecting your judgment, but I understand. The True Pope did not deserve what happened to him nor anyone else." His heart thundered as he firmed his tone. "Saga will face the consequences. Anyone involved will face the consequences. But to just outright assassinate is not the way of Athena and I can't bring order back to Sanctuary with such methods. If I am wrong… and Saga really did do this out of petty jealousy…I will be his executioner… if it is something else as I suspect… we'll deal with it appropriately. Perhaps this method is much slower. But that is justice. It must be slow and methodical ...and fair even if the precursors were not."

The Libra Cloth collapsed to the ground. A sudden break in the cosmos, perhaps out of realization or even out of embarrassment. His opinion on the Libra Saint had not changed. In China, he could sense that despite the wrinkles, softer tone and slower gait, there was still that warrior spark in his eye that glimmered that he didn't care how decrepit he became, he was going to do something if there was injustice in the world.

He took a deep breath and exhaled exhaustedly. They were heavy words and as a man, he must stick by them. He felt certain he was right, but he was not a hundred percent certain and the idea that he must go through with it if he was wrong turned his stomach.

Of course, in his heart, no matter what he decided on, assuming he survives this, he won't satisfy everyone. The True Pope always talked about it with Saga and him in that no matter what he says or does, someone will be angry or find it unfair. The role of Pope was a lonely position, but that was something he couldn't allow to occupy his thoughts until all was said and done.

He infused his cosmos in Zephyr and moved out of the House of Libra, the group all waiting for him where he expected them. Once there, he moved over toward the balcony and peered over. This was where things became tricky. He narrowed his eyes and focused on the two arrows he fired earlier. He then pulled another golden arrow, stuck a Sailor Mars sticker on. This time he arched it upwards. He always hated blind shots, but this one he's going to have to estimate where the front of the House of Gemini was and then fired it. He waved his hand and urged the others that they were ready for the next House.

O|==========|O

PINK SCORPION

"Shit...no door guards…" cursed the archer in his head as he slowed the horse down. "But the doors are open," he further thought as the others began to gain the same vibes. He looked down at Athena as her troubled blue eyes could sense their anxiety. Mu and Aldebaran softened their stances ready to strike if need be.

Between the cracked doors, a light red glow began to break through as the familiar echo of metal boots striking the marble followed. There, donning his Gold Cloth was Saint Milo of Scorpio.

The House of Scorpio was unique. Unlike the other Houses that relied on searching the world and reading the stars to find the next Guardian from various countries, those of Scorpio was of a single lineage, passed from father to son since the Age of Myth. Such a system afforded those born into it with several advantages. They were knowledgeable in the lore of Ancient Greece and were heavily connected with the nobles of Sanctuary. Those who were next in line were heavily trained from birth the way of the Scorpio and Sanctuary making them the perfect loyal personal assassins for the Pope.

In a sense, the Saint of Scorpio was seen as the Prince of Sanctuary and in some ways held more sway in certain matters than even the Pope himself. While many outside of the Zodiac may not know his real name, his sign commanded respect and fear since the only reason he would ever pay a visit to them as if they must be erased from the ranks of history.

Milo's ice blue eyes methodically scanned the group until they locked toward the blood-red bandana, the red tails gently blowing in the wind. A small smirk cracked. He had waited for a long time for this and he will savor the moment. "You're alive," he whispered. "How...fortunate." He rested his head against his hand, scarlet needle prepped and following the curve of his chiseled face.

"In astronomy, the Twelve Houses represent the Zodiac but in astrology, the stages of life itself." He turned his gaze toward the others. "The House of Aries… is the house of Beginnings... The House of Taurus is about Self-worth and Growth… my technical neighbor Virgo… Personal Health and Wellbeing...your brother...the House of Love...myself is the House...of Sex and Death…. A delightful yet fitting combination…." he chuckled before he returned back toward Aiolos. "You are the House of Journeys….I thought it was because you hardly ever spent time in your Temple when you were here. Yet the focus is long-distance travel… so tell me…" He narrowed his eyes and zeroed in on the target. "Where have you been for the past five years?" he articulated ever word as the sharp red nail tapped his temple. His eyebrow, once a natural blond, now dyed purple raised as if any delay in an answer was not welcomed in his regal presence.

Aiolos found it curious that the one deemed to hunt down who committed treason unaware of where he was at. He calmly raised his chin and locked eyes back at the Scorpio, as if daring him to just get it over it. Still, there was no reason to hold back an answer. "Up until three days ago, Tokyo, Japan." He watched Milo's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. What was going on?

"Japan?" the Scorpio repeated, the cool nature slowly cracking away into distress.

Aiolos calmly nodded. "Yes...Japan."

"Dammit…" Milo quietly cursed before he chucked his headpiece to the ground and did an about-face and stomped back inside his House.

All three Golds and the Goddess turned to each other. "What's going on?" were the first words that Aldebaran cracked.

"FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!" crooned a long curse from inside.

It was enough to cause them all to hurry onto the main floor where pieces of the Cloth littered the tile. Once inside, gone was the majestic Saint that greeted them and there, slouched on a leather bench in the reading corner was Milo, stripped down to a tight pair of teal trainer pants, the back of his head hunched on the arm, his dyed purple hair hanging loosely over the edge.

Furniture, aside from the five-foot path that must be left open for those who must travel through the House at light speed, was still in its place. The main protocol was that in battle, if possible, clear it all out. Most of them simply just keep the area empty and invite their guests into the Inner Chambers. Milo apparently didn't have any intention of battling, or simply didn't give a shit if his things got damaged.

"Uhhh…. Mrs. Schfurwatt!" the Scorpio called out, still staring straight at the ceiling. "Bring out the fishbowl and the good stuff. We have guests with the french man on his way," he gestured with his Scorpio Needle before a goblet, with a bowl that was twice the size of his hand, was placed in his grasp. He waited for the old woman to fill it halfway before he brought it to his mouth and gave a good long gulp. He then turned his head. "Sorry, I'm a bad host right now. If you're bored, the Frogs of Aristophanes collection is right here. I warn you, half of the Harry Potter series is out on loan, but we also have the classics." He took another heavy drink as he pointed out to several worn editions that were clearly centuries old. "We have some Aristotle...but I find him a bit dry...and full of himself… some smutty Ovid if you prefer something overly flowery to delight the inner housewife in you...Plato is always good….fuck Socrates…he's overrated and pretends to be smart by asking nothing but questions over and over… read fucking Plato ...because at least he answers shit." He finished his goblet. "OH ZEUS… STRIKE ME NOW FOR I SHALL TELL YOUR WIFE OF YOUR DEEDS FROM THE LAST THREE NIGHTS!" he hollered.

Having never seen the Greek in such agony, Mu came forward and rested his hands together. "Milo, what's wrong?" spoke Mu. He turned his head as the Scorpio gestured with his glass, causing the red wine to swish over. "Aiolos?" he asked before Milo nodded to confirm. But Mu tilted his head. "I still don't understand."

"He pouts like a small child because he lost...big."

Standing at the exit, still dressed in his dark green trainer top with a pair of black pants was the Saint of Aquarius, his arms folded and body cooly leaning against a pillar.

Aiolos turned toward the pair of waterproof sealskin boots at his feet. While too small for most, he could clearly see a couple of beads of moisture that clung to the edge. "He must have just gotten here from Siberia," he thought. "He probably used the Blugard teleportation dias and that's why we didn't see along the way." Only Aquarius Saints were privileged to it since they had the triple duty of not just to their House, but Blugard and training those that align with the rare ice cosmos trait.

Camus turned his head to the old caretaker. "Mrs. Schfurwatt, the curtain," he spoke in a quiet concise manner.

"Of course." The elderly woman, clearly past her eighties, but still in surprisingly vibrant shape, gave a courteous smile to others as she passed and stood before a royal violet cloth that was clearly covering something despite no window behind it. She pulled the crimson rope cord to reveal a large chalkboard.

Mu wrinkled his nose and tilted his head in confusion. "I do not understand! Is there something bewitching about rows and rows of probability and geography?"

But Aiolos and Aldebaran easily recognized it. "Wait… you two were taking bets at where my body was?"

"Actually, there were about twenty others who are in it too. Although the number was twice as much when it first started, they have since dropped out over concern that you may have decomposed at this point," clarified Mrs. Schfurwatt as she attempted to explain as modestly as she could.

"I was so fucking certain he was in Dodona, Greece. My sources told me that the features matched along with the cosmos," Milo muttered as his body absorbed further into the leather.

Camus produced a small, but rare public smile. "You shouldn't have hesitated with your bet, Milo."

"Yes, and you shouldn't have hurried over here and caused your panties to twist and bunch up between your cheeks," the Scorpio retorted.

Aiolos turned his head. "So, how and when you figured it out?"

Camus' gaze met the archer. "I suspected something the moment Hyoga spoke of Fists, Stick and a can of soda… an evaluation technique that is uniquely your own. That was when...I decided to go all out." He strolled over and placed one hand on top of the bare shoulder of the Scorpio and the other outstretched and open.

Milo reached into his pocket and pulled out a gigantic wad of Euros and slapped it in the Ice Saint's palm. Camus took a quick look before he snapped twice and Milo sighed and pulled out a few extra hundreds and shoved them in after being caught.

"Goddess...that's a lot of money…" muttered Aldebaran as he and the others stared at the thick pad.

The old woman took notice. "Oh...if you think that was impressive, you should see the Where's Kanon board. It is nearly quadruple in size and applicants. We still have a couple of open slots if you desire."

"Fuck me… I should've suspected something when Leo changed his bet to Japan a couple of years back," moaned Milo as he leaned his head against Camus' resting hand before he rolled back away. "Maybe he'll actually use it to wine and dine the red… if he ever gets the courage." That was when the Scorpio sat up with a plotting hand to his chin. "Actually… now that the Where is the Real Sagittarius Corpse board is over with… a, when will Leo Man up to Marin board, wouldn't be half bad to start," he mused.

"Well...now that my corpse is here before you… what do the two of you intend to do about it," Aiolos bluntly asked. He had to if he didn't want this to drag unnecessarily longer than it has.

Milo gestured over toward a familiar table.

Aiolos gazed at it, recognizing it from his training for Pope. The white marble table was dated back as far as the first Holy War. On top was an elegant silver platter with a glass jar next to it. It was a simple system. The Pope would write on a piece of paper, typically with the name and date of who he wanted to be eliminated. The Scorpio would perform the deed and burn the paper afterward. The jar was for names in que or has yet to be completed for undisclosed reasons.

Before the event, he could only recall three times when the True Pope used it in the ten years he studied there. But right now, in the five years he's gone missing, the jar was very full with pieces overflowing the very top. He wanted to run over and see what Saga wrote, but he knew that the matter was only between the Scorpio and the Pope himself and Milo would highly object to him snooping.

"I haven't received anything about any of you. The Fire Clock is still unlit and since it is obvious you are all here… I'm not going to bother," Milo waved his hand nonchalantly.

But Mrs. Schfurwatt turned her head. "But Milo dear, there should be a new one on the platter. It dropped while you and the others were outside earlier."

The words caused everyone to perk up. Mu and Aldebaran gasped, while Aiolos immediately pulled Athena behind him in case she needed cover. Camus' head flinched, but his stoic expression remained as the body that his hand rested on was no longer there.

Milo had already lightspeed over and unrolled the tiny paper.

Each shift of Milo's eyes caused a small bit of anxiety. Aiolos bit his lip, hoping they would get out of there without a battle. Milo may not be the strongest, but he was concerned about his ability to pierce through Gold Cloths. Milo may not have the range as he does, but unlike his bow that he had to aim, Milo doesn't have to worry about such trivialities since Scarlet Needle never misses...period.

"Stand by, until further instructions," Milo spoke out loud, well aware of the tension to qualm it. "Mrs. Schfurwatt, I'm hungry. Fetch those delightful mini-cannolis that you made this morning with the melted chocolate drizzle."

The Sagittarius relaxed his bow and a small chuckle escaped. Milo hadn't changed. Saints were supposed to heavily limit their sugar at this point, but as the Scorpio grabbed the plate and dunked and tossed them into his mouth, just as his unofficial title as The Prince of Sanctuary. As long as he followed the official orders, he did whatever he wanted without a care in the world. He looked down as Milo strutted over and picked two up. "Try this, she's the best cook in the Twelve Houses," he offered one to Athena and watched her take it and savored the creamy taste. As kind as he was, he carefully used this time to take a few hidden glances toward Camus. Despite the stoicism, Camus tended to have a slight stare when he was thinking. He knew since when Camus was learning Greek, he did the same thing when he was struggling to recall the language.

Despite the inaction, Aiolos knew that Camus could bide his time since his House was up ahead. At the same time, Milo wasn't out of it either. Just because the Scorpio was told to wait meant nothing. He could easily see the dangerous combination if they were heading up and Milo was sent another order to come up from behind, which could leave them very vulnerable and surrounded. He turned his full attention to Camus. Sometimes straightforward was the best approach as well. "How about you?" he asked.

Camus' deep blue eyes shifted upwards, before slighting away. "It's quite a rare situation," he switched to speaking with his cosmos. "He's technically not the Grand Pope, but neither are you."

"The Old Master and Mu say that proof can be acquired from the True Pope himself," Aiolos replied using his cosmos back.

"I value proof, but right now you seek favor with empty hands." Camus tilted his head. "I suppose right now, it is a matter of who I would prefer as the Pope. You are more methodical, open, but slower to the task. Saga is quick, radical, but more hidden as his nickname "The Magician" can att-"

Milo appeared in front of Camus and shoved a mini cannoli in his mouth before he took his finger and licked the smooth white cream off it.

Mu leaned over toward Aldebaran. "Why is Camus making that strange face," he whispered, confused by the contrasting human emotions.

Aldebaran sighed and whispered back to the sixteen-year-old Lemurian. "I'll tell you when you're older."

Camus pulled a cloth and cleaned his mouth before he turned his attention back to the Sagittarius. "I will need some time to think and should take my leave." He paused. "By the way, don't tell Milo about Saga impersonating as the Pope."

Aiolos watched as Milo served others without much of a care in the world. He did notice that Milo hasn't changed much. Camus may not seem like it, but he was a very compassionate person. In regards to Milo's earlier discussion about how each of their Temples represented a different aspect of Life in astrology, the House of Aquarius was the House of Friendship and his attempts to keep his friend out of this mess, proved it. He gave a reassuring nod and Camus reciprocated it back. It was at this moment, he felt that with Camus in a more receptive mood, now was the time to ask. "How is Hyoga doing?" Aiolos questioned causing the Ice Saint to pause. Perhaps it had nothing to do with the position of Pope or the fight at hand, but it was important to him. When the Old Master suddenly left, he missed his chance for Shiryu, but he suspected that he was in good hands."

Camus closed his eyes and folded his arms. "He clings to your letters."

Just like he was five years ago, Camus can be quite curt in his answers. "Are you suggesting I stop answering him?"

But Camus raised his brow, seemingly realizing that perhaps he was giving off the wrong impression. "Actually… if you survive, I want you to keep it up. I've tried putting away the letters once only to realize that it is better... healthier...that he communicates with a living man… then a dead woman." He gave a small bow with his head. "I will see the four of you at my House. We can discuss… or trade blows later… or perhaps something different." With that, he seemingly vanished in a light blue blur of speed.

O|==========|O

WHITE HORSE, BLACK HORSE

"That took longer than I thought it would," shouted Aldebaran as the group ran down the stairs.

Aiolos couldn't have agreed more. Apparently, despite it not being allowed for security reasons, Milo enjoyed having parties at his House instead of using a house or a building outside of the Zodiac for large social gatherings without any consequences. A plate of mini-cannoli was nice. But after Camus left and the impression that the others would do the same. Suddenly, a cheese plate with roasted olives. Once Mrs. Schfurwatt discussed preparing and baking some tyropitas, he and the others hurried out. At that point, part of him wished they would've just fought since a good Great Horn would probably be enough to take Milo out. At the same time, creating bonds would be greater in the long run along with the fact that while it would not be obvious, connecting with Milo tended to mean that Camus would follow.

"I'm full, do you want the rest?" asked Athena as she turned to him and held the small wooden bowl.

Aiolos picked it up. As wonderful as Mrs. Schfurwatt was toward anyone who came in Milo's House, she was Italian and nobody left there, not on their feet, but rolling around on their stomachs. He could tell by the slight pudge that she had enough and picked up the bowl to make the noble sacrifice that all Sagittarius Saints were known for and ate the generous serving. He will admit it was good even if his own full stomach diminished the actual flavor of the dish. Plus trying to find a fresh version of Greece's iconic fruit in Japan was like trying to find a Rodario who had never had a hortopita. He moved the horse over toward a flat part of the stair's rail and set it on top. All dishes had their corresponding Zodiac sign on the bottom and the servants will typically take them to said Houses in passing.

He turned over the edge and gazed at the familiar view. He forgot how high his House truly was. The buildings of Rodario resembled mere blocks and toys from there. The forests from afar where he lived as a child were like moss and to the west was the sea where the coastal citizens lived at. The Sagittarius wings typically either used to glide since it used a fraction of the cosmos and physical effort than straight-up flying or used a combination of a strong jump since the power of the bow multiplied greatly when fired from a higher altitude than the target. While entering Sanctuary required him to pass through the houses as any other Saint must, the wings did afford him the luxury of just jumping off the sides of Sanctuary and reach where he needed to go faster. Perhaps that is why the Sagittarius is often associated as the bodyguard. Images of some stupidly loyal man with wings leaping off the edge of a mountain that would kill most probably stuck out to the history keepers.

Perhaps indirectly, all those times he would just leap off the sides have built up his inner cosmos to help protect him from the fall he took during the Event.

It was an ability he took for granted and unfortunately, he wasn't certain if he would be able to fly like he did since it required a lot of back strength. He guessed that he could, but it would hurt a lot at this point.

He continued to stare and Athena couldn't help but take notice. "So this was your view?" she asked.

He continued to gaze into the distance. "Every morning… every night." He took a deep breath and turned to Aldebaran since he would have the most knowledge. "So...how bad is it in my House? Are the pillars strewn with vulgarity? Excrement at the inner chamber doors? Wooden voodoo dolls with little red headbands and pins in every extremity?" he nervously cracked through his cosmos. Surprisingly Aldebaran shook his head no.

"Your House is just as sacred as it ever was. When it first happened, it was flooded with paper notes and the occasional waste here and there. But after the first year, it faded and people realized they were better off taking out their anger on you with your body down below," his words through the cosmos faded at the thought. The idea of ordinary men, women, and children frightening Saints may sound odd, but it was a case where if normal human struck a Saint, it was a scene of intense bravery while if a Gold did the same it was an act of cowardice and only served to rile them up further.

Aiolos sighed as he thought back when he first returned. It was still hazy perhaps in part of the cornucopia of drugs he had to take even if he refused a large amount of them. What did stick out was the skeleton of Galan, erected as a warning. He still had nightmares on what could the crowds have possibly done to him. He thought of returning there, but it meant returning to the path that wasn't often visited by tourists and arouse suspicion as it did the last time he went. He will come back and he will see he received the burial he deserved. If they don't succeed, he'll probably join him and their bones can both bleach in the sun until there was nothing but dust.

Galan betrayed Athena's and his trust and stole her blood. An extremely valuable source to upgrade Cloths to their max temporarily. He's never seen it being used since he was fortunate not to experience any dangers that warranted it but knew it was a hard hit in terms of the strength of Athena's army. He was sentenced to die and Galan had the idiocy to think that he would slaughter him in cold blood. He quietly gave a sad chuckle.

Death to traitors the people called out during their fight.

But he really was too soft.

People thought he was nuts and on top of that, still entrusted him with being with his little brother once being both a gold level trainee, a candidate for the Pope, and surrogate mother/big brother got to be too much. In the end, Galan protected the thing that mattered most to him.

Aiolos narrowed his eyes as a thought suddenly came to his head. "But why Galan?" If the idea was to pass a person like him, why pick the man with one arm? If they wanted to make it look like he was tortured, tearing off someone else's limb for a Saint was like tearing off a piece of paper. Did Saga do it to spite him and torment his little brother or did he have another purpose?

The thoughts vanished as he felt the familiar warmth of his House. Perhaps most of the world had rejected him as the Saint of Sagittarius, but the collective… the pieces of souls from past Saints of Sagittarius did not.

Not much is known about the collective of each of the Zodiac except that once a person wears the Cloth, a small fragment of their soul becomes a part of the Cloth and the House itself. Supposedly, they were what dictated whether a person could be rejected by their Cloth. Not much is known since it involved things past death itself, a fate he narrowly avoided five years back. His eyes turned upwards to see the arrow engraved at the front face, a proud symbol of all those of his Cloth.

He looked down nervously. A cool shiver came over him as if something was not right. This was his House and because of it, this was the place that his alignment was the strongest and he was more in touch with the spirits of past Sagittarius Saints. Something was stirring them and he wasn't sure what.

He pulled out a golden arrow and slapped the Tuxedo Mask sticker on it. He then took his pinky finger and then produced a slight cut before he smeared blood all over its face as a warning. He guided Zephyr over the edge and shifted his eyes before he fired it, watching it land a bit closer to his target than he anticipated, but he didn't have the time to be more precise with his aim.

He moved past the entrance, since, as expected, the doors were wide open since there was no guardian, nor servants or door guards, even if he kept his household fairly simple back then. The main floor was cool, fairly bright, and familiar. He reached over and touched an old pillar and ran his fingers, feeling the spot where he once accidentally caused a golden arrow to ricochet against the floor and left a deep scratch in its stone. His head turned upwards toward the small circular shaped window.

Sagittarius has always been seen as the bodyguard for Athena, yet the first Saint of Sagittarius was synonymous with Artemis for men at the time were as welcomed with the Satellites as women were with Saints… before Amazons at least. The window was proof, because every night no matter what the calendars predicted, half, quarter, waning, waxing… the moon was always full and bright through it as if the Goddess of the Hunt checked on him every evening.

He turned to the inner chamber doors. It was very tempting and it was home, but still, they all had to continue since all that could happen was a bit of useless reminiscing here and there. He had a future to build after all.

"Aiolos! Over here!" called out Aldebaran as he guided him over. "This wasn't here before!"

The Sagittarius agreed. Over on the west side, was a false wall made up of traditional stone and brick. He could tell that it lacked the shimmer that most enchanted rocks held. The Taurus gestured for him to do the honor and he gladly did. He raised his bow with a light arrow and struck it dead center, causing them to reveal a message that was not there before.

YOU SHOULD'VE STAYED DEAD!

Aiolos' hand grew cold. That was sacred stone and no normal human could've carved into it. That was when he felt a huge slam strike him, with Zephyr brayed wildly as a mass of hexagons lit up clearly blocking off some tremendous force. His head jerked toward the large Taurus as only he had the arm span and strength to pick up and push the trio while the heat of Excalibur burned half of his cape off along with a single horn.

As they moved, Aiolos' jerked his head toward the ground. He grabbed Athena and pushed himself to dismount quickly and fell to the ground, tucking and rolling a bit to keep her from slamming into the floor. It may not be comfortable, but it was far easier than being crushed by the mounted beast. His eyes turned and he took his bow and used the tip to push himself away from the hot blast that singes part of her dress, causing the goddess to wail from the frighteningly concentrated and painful heat.

Aldebaran landed on top of Zephyr as it landed on its side. He felt its wild kicks slam into his Cloth and while it didn't hurt, the noise caused his ear to ache. His eyes widened as another hot flash roared toward them before he and the others felt a wild tug.

Mu's hands wildly gripped the air and telekinetically pulled the fallen crew away and tossing them aside like toy blocks. His head darted as another beam was so close. He raised Crystal Wall, but unable to fully complete it, the barrier shattered after barely half a second, but it was long enough for him to move out of the way.

Aiolos could feel his Goddess trembling in his arms. Her clammy hands were shaking so hard he thought she was having a seizure. He squeezed her hard, trying to use pressure to calm her down.

It was quiet, but only because their adversary wanted a moment to speak.

The Zodiac was considered equal. Every sign of the Zodiac had an Opposition Star to remain balanced. For someone like Aldebaran, Pisces was extremely deadly against his attacks since the poisonous scent bypassed all his defenses. Even Shaka as formidable as he was, most of his attacks were useless against Mu for the fact that he was not human and they relied on human concepts to succeed.

Standing before him was his Opposition Star. Capricorn had the range to reach him. The heat of Excalibur easily melted his golden arrows before they could strike and the time it took for him to even fire one, even as efficient as he was, is still slower than it took for Shura to wave his hand. A Sagittarius needed height to strengthen the power of the bow, but Capricorn was just as nimble and can merely scale the cliffs to negate such an advantage.

This would only leave his lightning-based attacks, an area that he tirelessly focused on for a situation like this… or used to. The problem was that those moves were inaccessible now since they required the muscles of his lower back. Even if he used it, it was very painful and just like when he was being tested by the Kido Foundation, he knew the power behind them wouldn't be nearly enough to grant a fraction of a pause to his adversary.

He was twice the height as he had been the last time they encountered each other and infinitely stronger than he was then as he is now. While his own body was broken from the event, the Capricorn merely blossomed over time.

His facial features were so polished and clean that they could cut just as well as the technique he wielded. His Gold Cloth, always buffed and polished every morning glowed so brightly it could blind him. His training in Excalibur, if it was like he was as a child was highly disciplined. Five years ago, Shura merely earned the title of Capricorn Saint not too long when they first fought and right now he had become synonymous with it.

While he was declared the traitor of Athena Shura was revered as a hero and as the hero, he was here to right the wrongs and eliminate the evil he had failed to do a long time ago.

Aiolos turned his head. The exit and entrance to Sagittitarius were both too far to reach. A flash of light came at him once more, but it was so close that there was no time to roll again. Instead, his self-sacrificing instinct took hold and Sagittarius immediately threw Athena toward Mu and Aldebaran before it struck dead center at him. He expected his body to tear in half only to feel the blast of a small blaze that left a slight burn line right down the middle of his trainer, armor, and a bit on his red headband. A second later, after realizing it was a dummy blade used for training with others, did he expel the air from his lungs and blinked.

Shura gracefully motioned his hand downwards. "It's about time you stop hiding behind babies and little girls," he spat as he rested his hand on his hip.

He jerked his head at Athena as she clutched her chest while sobbing uncontrollably with Aldebaran just as Mu helped the horse to his feet.

Fear transformed into anger.

"I don't hide behind them. My body is their shield to protect from a man who recklessly slices at them."

Shura's eyes remained focused on his target as the echo of Athena's cry rang in his ears. "I didn't see her earlier. I had mistaken the long fabric of her dress as a mere decoration for the horse." His voice shifting from the bravado of a knight to a humble and rather apologetic sixteen-year-old. He pauses and then switches back. "I held back a bit at the last second. If I was overly reckless, you both would've been split in two. Consider that your first warning of this fight." He turned his head. "Here is the last: I only want him. Mu, Aldebaran, go and leave and take that false Goddess with you." He narrowed his eyes. "Now stop laying around and get up!" he commanded, unaware of Aiolos' condition.

But Aldebaran simply set Athena on the horse and then flashed in front of Aiolos. He knew the two had things to settle, but they were so close to the Pope's Chambers and the two of them had to reach the top. Besides, Shura was being a little pompous and if there is anything a Taurus was good at, it was teaching manners. He crossed his arms across his broad chest and narrowed his eyes. "Shura of Capricorn, I Aldebaran of Taurus challenge you to a duel." He watched the Capricorn frown."What's wrong. You have a problem with hurting a child and but no qualms with a man with no Cloth?" he laughed half jovially and half-seriously. He thought about telling him, but Aiolos was pretty sensitive about the matter and he doubted Shura would show pity on him even if he knew considering how much pressure that was placed on the Capricorn to finish the job.

Aiolos pulled himself up to at least a sitting position. Goddess, he was glad Shaka took the time to do what he did, otherwise, he'd been dead by now. He grabbed his bow when he started hearing a distance whisper. He wanted to focus on the Capricorn, but somehow it felt familiar like his Cloth. His eyes trained on the others and noticed that only Athena was turning to him as if she could hear it too. It was quiet and thus he closed his eyes and focused on the two words that kept repeating as if the collective of Sagittarius was giving him instructions before he darted upwards back to the others.

Shura gave a slight head jerk. It was clear that Aldebaran was going to try and stall so that the others could go free. He will not allow it! "I have no time for a duel when I am on a mission that should've ended five years ago!"

"Aldebaran!" Aiolos spoke through the cosmos before Shura darted his head.

"If you have anything to say, they should have to read your lips and not your mind!" barked Shura before he returned to the Taurus. If they think they were going to pass secret messages through the cosmos, they were sadly mistaken.

"You broke off my horn," Aldebaran slowly gestured when he noticed Aiolos taking his fist and quietly aiming it downwards. He carefully kept his eyes mostly on Shura to avoid any suspicion. "And now I need to pay you back," he said as he targeted a finger toward the headpiece upon the Capricorn's head.

This time though, Shura sighed and shook his head. A Gold Saint had to accept a duel from another Gold Saint for refusing risked being seen as cowardice and lose respect among the Twelve. "Fine…" he reluctantly whispered before he raised his head. "Saint Aldebaran of Taurus, Gold Rank and Second of the Twelve Houses of the Zodiac." If they were going through fancy titles, they might as well do it right. "I Saint Shura of Capricorn, Gold Rank and Tenth of the Twelve Houses of the Zodiac accept your challenge. "But," he whispered and brought his hand to his face and narrowed his face. There was nothing that stated a duel couldn't have another fight going at the same time and he gladly welcomed the challenge. "I am still bound by duty to complete my previous mission and therefore," his hand's fierce glow lit up the ambition in his eyes. "The traitor is still fair game as long as we fight!" He shouted. "EX-CALIBUR!" He shouted as the sacred blade's light started tearing the ground in front of the Sagittarius.

But due to the cue, Aldebaran was prepared. "GREAT HORN!" Rather than using it at the attacker, instead he focused it at full force right below him. The idea that Aiolos wanted the Brazilian to use it in that matter was insane, but he understood his House better than anyone. To everyone's shock the whole floor shattered, but the manner it did so was cryptic. Typically, the floors were built to withstand the daily training of a Gold, but the way it dissolved was supernatural as if it was made up of nothing but sand.

Aiolos fell down the pit, his body helplessly flipped, screaming for Athena as he watched her and Zephyr tumbled together followed by Aldebaran and Shura twisting around in confusion. Suddenly, a bright glow appeared, and he jerked his head at the Lemurian as he used his telekinesis to lift his body.

Mu raised his hands as his eyes struggled to stay open from the amount of dust all over them. He caught everyone with his mind and began to raise himself and the others toward the ledge that led out of the House of Sagittarius and the bright exit. Even Shura in his confusion didn't even fight him off, clearly understanding that it was his only way out of this too. The moment Mu's feet touched the ledge, a bright golden glow surrounded and suddenly the floor magically reappeared right under him before he could carry the others out. "What the!" he gasped, shocked that it appeared as if nothing happened. But where were the others that he was carrying!

He took his fist and started striking the floor, but it was still in perfect condition as if Great Horn was never performed on it.

"STARDUST REVOLUTION!" He screamed uncharacteristically, only for the attack to harmlessly bounce off. "STARDUST REVOLUTION!" He tried again with even more force but still, nothing would happen. Without even bothering to call out the name, he focused his attack in a single spot frantically before he collapsed onto his knees, completely spent.

He drew his hands to his temples, and focused his telepathy as deep as it would reach deep below, but couldn't even find a single spark. Instead they only cosmos he felt were the traces one would detect in solid rock. His jaw dropped as he sat there, the strands of lavender clung to his confused wide-eyed expression.

O|==========|O

THE RED PHOENIX

Earlier at the Old Family Home (After the end of Chapter 8: Lionheart II)

Aiolia sat at the edge of the childhood bed holding the flower bracelet that Athena gave him. He threw his hand on his face as guilt was swallowing him whole when the sound of something striking the steps echoed at the doorway. He turned his head and gasped. "Fuck man!" he gasped as his older brother laid on the steps leaning on one arm and waving on the other. "You didn't have to drag yourself up here. Just," he waved his hands. "Wait until I came back down."

"You looked upset and as your brother, old habits die hard." He felt his body slip before his arms caught himself before he fell down the old stairs. "They just get harder to do," he grunted as he began to pull himself more toward the top before Aiolia leaned down and picked him up and set him up over the bed, his legs hanging loosely but naturally. "What's wrong?" He watched his little brother sigh and take a spot next to him, his face very troubled.

Aiolia was a bit divided. He knew his brother wouldn't go through with it, but he had to say something. "When I came back from Japan, Saga was here at the house," he spoke watching Aiolos' eyes light up at the name. "He told me that when we enter Sanctuary, he wanted me to travel to the House of Cancer and that was it." The only part he left out, was the reason why Saga told him to do so.

Aiolos turned to him. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

Aiolia told him the truth no matter how difficult it was to admit. "Because I was afraid. Honestly, I should've said something the moment he left, but I couldn't. Not only that, but it was my fault that they figured you were in Japan." He shook his head. "I messed up and just seeing Aldebaran and Athena down there, I'm worried that because I kept screwing up, they're going to get killed. Athena will get killed. You're going to get killed. I'm going to fucking get killed. They'll go after every silver and kill them they'll kill those kids in Japan….and they'll fucking kill Marin and…!" his voice triggered faster and faster into an uncontrollable volley.

He felt his brother's hand reach over and place it on his back as if everything was right in the world. The Leo pulled his hands over his face. "I feel like because of me...we're all walking into a fucking trap."

Aiolos rubbed his brother's back. He's been doing it since they were first orphaned and while it's grown a lot more difficult since it used to be soft and tender and not rock solid like a thick layer of marble he will continue to do so. "The Twelve Houses, while it is our home… is still a fortress. As nice as it would be to sneak all the way to the top, we probably won't travel farther than Cancer before someone figures we are coming. Him knowing ahead of time won't make much of a difference, but us knowing that he knows and expects you to do something could."

Aiolia raised his head. He was a bit confused. "You're okay with me doing Saga's plan?" Aiolos nodded. Aiolia gasped and shook his head. "Why? You're going to play in his hands?"

"We… are going to make him think we've played into his hands." Aiolos bit his lip as he struggled to think of a way to explain his old friend. Chess would've been a wonderful analogy, the way to move valuable pieces like prizes for the other player before an unsuspecting piece moved in for the fatal checkmate. But his brother wasn't into that stuff and it was best to talk about it differently. "Saga cosmos relies on him crafting illusions and bending the environment to his will. If things are going his way, he will be a little less on guard. So yes, let him feel like things are going his way."

Aiolia was still not convinced. "You act as if you know him, but you don't."

Aiolos barely shifted his eyes. He was tired of people acting as if Saga was some Rosetta Stone that needed years to understand. "Did he use the words breadcrumb trail while whispering?" He watched his brother flashed a bit of a surprised look.

Right then and there, he watched his older brother took his legs and positioned them like he was some marionette before his gentle face produced the same twisted mischievous look and pose that Saga gave him right before he told him his plan.

"Okay I get it, now readjust yourself. You're creeping me out" Aiolia blurted until he forgot how hard it was. Aiolia reached over and grabbed his brother's knee and moved it out of its cross-legged position.

Aiolos smiled a bit. Saga can be a ham in times like that. He could tell there was more Aiolia was hiding, but if he was trusting him with this information, it meant whatever he was hiding wasn't putting him or others in danger. What to do with it will be tricky. "Then you will do as he says. Go to the House of Cancer, after that, you will figure out what to do."

This wasn't exactly what the Leo was expecting. "Are you crazy? I just told you, he wants me to go to the House of Cancer by myself and you want me to just go along with it?"

The archer nodded. Sometimes when people were afraid, they will repeatedly question until that person changes their mind to ease their emotions. "Yes, and I know it sounds a bit scary, but you'll be fine," Aiolos spoke back. He could see the nervous look. He doesn't blame him. Ever since Saga...changed, Aiolia never really acted the same around him like he was always wary and it made him wonder if Saga, in turn, pushed on him more as if to keep him away.

Aiolia lowered his head. "Okay… after the House of Cancer, then what? What do you want me to do?"

But Aiolos shook his head no. "I can't say… you can't know."

Leo produced a pathetic look. "We're brothers."

The Sagittarius' mirrored his glance. "You know, there were a pair of brothers in Japan named Ikki and Shun. They reminded me of us. The older had to watch and protect his little brother. When I watched them, I knew the little brother was capable of great potential… even greater than his older sibling. But the older sibling, out of love, shielded him from the horrors and pain and I knew if I didn't stop him from it… it would stunt the younger. So I would get him to stop and sure enough, the little brother flourished and the older brother… both of them… realized it is okay to step back… and he should've stepped back more."

Aiolia shook his head. "Maybe in the beginning, but don't listen to Saga. I remember him referring to you as a mother hen, but I…" At that moment, his eyes turned toward the old Athena statue. It was banged up. It was a sacred symbol, but they pretended it was everything from a Gold Saint to a warrior. He shifted toward the window where they could see the woods where they hung out for hours and even if it made their parents mad, days even. Sometimes a couple of bad years were enough to make him blind to the life they spent together. "I just liked hanging out with you and was a little upset when you started hanging around Saga more later on," he spoke in an earnest tone that he hadn't used in years. He felt his head being petted. Aiolia turned his head to his older brother. "But stepping back, doesn't mean hiding shit, alright? Why can't you just tell me what you're thinking so I don't feel like I'm going in blind?"

"Because you have to look like you're going in blind." Aiolos paused before dropping his head. "I-don't like hiding it either, but that's what a real mission feels like. You will go in and they don't tell you everything, but rather everything you need to know. When Galan stole Athena's blood, I was told by the True Pope, a man who emanates kindness, that the prisoner requested me. Only when I got there did I find out who it was.

It was hard.

It was unfair.

But that was what being a Saint is about.

But it's not because I don't trust you, because I do." He reached over toward his brother's shoulders. "Saga will be watching you and I like a hawk. Let him feel like he's in control and then..."

O|==========|O

PRESENT

HOUSE OF LEO

"Aiolos?" muttered Aiolia as he raised his head. He gasped as his body felt a sudden cold shiver as if he was truly alone. But it felt more hidden than gone. He wasn't sure why. He bent his body trying to take a look in the sky to see if Sagittarius had fallen or not, but he was unable to.

Coming into the Twelve Houses was hard. He had to pretend he never told his brother like he wanted him to die. If he didn't do it good enough, he risked getting killed by Deathmask in the House of Cancer and if Saga's plan worked, his brother would hate him forever.

All this waiting was driving him insane. It was getting to the point where he wondered if his brother really did have a plan or not or he really did curse him for faking his death. His hands were so sweaty and his knees were killing him from being in this position for so long. Why wasn't anything happening? He guessed that the group was probably between the eighth and tenth houses by now. Why the hell was he being left behind?

Maybe his brother faked him out and was using it as an excuse to keep him safe?

Or maybe he was upset about him working with Saga and had found a way to get him killed?

No, he shouldn't think like that. His brother loved him too much and passed the layers of hate that had built up over time, he loved him too just as much.

He had long pulled out one Shadow Arrow and it felt pretty good like a tremendous amount of weight was pulled from him. But there was still another, and fuck the amount of cosmos Aiolos put in it was huge like he was imprisoning Zeus himself. His older brother knew his limitations. He did it all the time. He would throw a shadow arrow and expected him to pull it out. It would take forever, but he got it eventually. Really the hard part was just getting the right grip.

Now he gave him two of them and probably with the other was that it was placed so he couldn't reach it. He tried using the flower bracelet from Athena and hoped that if he made the two touch, it would cause it to dissolve, but apparently, not everything the Goddess did was a miracle. He wasn't sure how long Aiolos' shadow arrows lasted, but at least it wasn't like he was in Camus' ice coffin.

His heart sank as he felt a familiar cosmos approach him. It was slow-moving as if wounded, but the closer it came, the tenser his fingers became and the more desperate he was. He couldn't even turn his head all the way around due to his position, but the silhouette all but confirmed it. He swallowed. His brother's cosmos vanished and he couldn't get out of this. When Saga told him once that a male lion was slow and heavy with the weight bearing down on him, it couldn't get any more literal than this. "Hey Deathmask," he casually called out. The voice was fairly silent. He could hear the steps slow even more much like a hunter who found his prey. He would know… that was how he and his brother moved while hunting for boars even he just preferred to smash the bacon to bits. He turned his head and stared straight at Deathmask's dusty face.

Maintain eye contact.

Don't get mad.

Be casual, but not overly friendly.

It was one bit of hundreds of random pieces of advice from his brother that he would casually spit out. He used to laugh at it and told him how useless it was. No Gold Saint worth their Cloth would get captured.

They would rather fight to the death!

Lightning was indeed capable of striking the shortest tree.

"Where's your Cloth at?" It was the obvious thing to ask since he was fully armed the last time they met.

"Mu he," before he could finish, he grimaced at his side. "He put that shitty card to keep us from putting it on and I can't get it off."

Aiolia nodded. "Yeah… I know what you're talking about. He put one on mine every time I got my cloth damaged."

Deathmask took a deep breath. "Same here. It sucks. Plus they leave smears and they're a bitch to buff out."

The Leo chuckled a little. Small talk was good and important. He didn't want to do it too hard since he didn't want to sound fake. He turned his head toward Deathmask's hand as it gripped around his side. "Ribs?"

The Italian turned downward. All Golds had different levels of healing abilities and he was next to none. However, it also meant he had much higher talents in other areas. Sometimes it sucked, but other times his more hidden talents were quite useful. "You think?"

"I think so. I can actually heal it if you need it." He gestured his head toward the arrow. "But I need some help getting out of this situation." An uncomfortable silence followed. He watched as Deathmask's face switch from a little relax to a bit more serious and stoic.

"What is it?" he questioned before he paused. "Oh no...no no.," he muttered. "Come on, DM," he spoke using the old nickname. He watched him slowly approach him. Leo focused his eyes on him. "I did everything he said. So you go around and eliminate traitors and crime under his orders, but if you eliminate someone who isn't a traitor, that is called murder no matter who fucking makes the call." Aiolia stared at his eyes. "Do the right thing, pull the shadow arrow, let me get out of here."

Deathmask folded his arms. "Relax, I haven't gotten any word yet, although who knows what he's going to say. This is Saga after all." He paused and tapped his finger. Aiolia had been a good neighbor. Plus being locked up for a year sucked. He knew, he had the same punishment before. But he didn't want another Gold Saint to turn either. "Tell you what, let's make a deal since you did do as Saga asked," he spoke even if he's still unsure what exactly Big Blue is up to. "If I pull the arrow out, you will turn around and leave Sanctuary and you can come back after we finish off the traitor."

Aiolia swallowed hard. He didn't expect that. "He's my brother, I can't leave him," he spoke as his head drooped back down.

"You're going to have to if you want to survive, man," said the Italian. "Siding with the weak will get you killed here. That's Sanctuary and if you're not strong enough to handle it, it will eat you alive. Your brother's body will be doomed to feed the crows. Either you take the deal and leave, or wait here and risk the wrath of Sag-"

*SLAM*

Aiolia jerked his head to the side where Deathmask's body fell right next to him. The House echoed with the rhythmic graceful clicks that made his heartbeat a bit faster and could only come from one person.

The sound pauses and with the scratch of stone, he felt the pulsing tension from the shadow arrow disappear after being released, causing his face to nearly strike against the stone before catching himself.

Wild red hair blew in the wind like a fierce flame. "Three years ago, I rescued your brother, and now here I am saving you," a familiar voice teased. Freed from his bonds, he stood up and turned.

While the glow of a Gold Saint's Cloth represented the sun, the Silver shine was to be the stars.

Her black leather gloves gripped the worn handle of her katana before she swung it around with the blunt side resting on her armored shoulder that bore the eagle wing of her Cloth. Four golden arrows hung at her sash.

"What would you two Gold Saints do without me?" she spoke as the mirror sheen of her mask reflected the rare genuine smile of the Leo as the last of their group of five with Athena was complete.

O|===========|O

October 25-27

Lionheart III

Author's Note:

Hope you enjoyed the all the surprise guests in this one.

His part wasn't long, but I tried to balance Deathmask here more. In this fic, I try to emphasis that these Saints have different types of personas in battle vs when they are casually speaking. Since Deathmask wasn't there to fight Aiolia, he's a lot more casual than when he was in his House fighting the others.

I try to get each chapter done in two weeks, but for some reason, this one just flowed quite quickly. If you're wondering why the House of Sagittarius is doing, check out Episode 64. Thanks to my friend Thrudgelmir for providing me a copy of the episode so I can refer to it. Speaking of episodes, yes I had just heard about Netflix officially getting the episodes and dubbing them in English. Although it is kind of late since we're near the top, but I'll take what I can get.

Feedback is always welcomed

Important Announcement: This fic was originally written as a gift and now has basically received about alot more depth than the intended "just finish it". Anyways, since SESA is no more, I thought I would provide gift prompts.

So read carefully, for December I will be doing thirteen prompts/short stories/drabbles to anyone who wants one. The slots are a first-come-first-served. Just like SESA, I wrote anything Saint Seiya related even the more mature content. As of writing, there are still nine slots left. All you have to do is just contact me, tell me what you want, and I will put you on the list. If you don't want your name, just let me know and I'll leave it blank. I will accept no more when either the list is full or until the end of October.