Bonus: Mu's Reaction after the Death of Shion
Author's Note: I was talking to a friend about the last chapter. One point they made was why there wasn't Mu's reaction. Now originally Mu's reaction was going to be reserved for the next chapter where the perspective is altered. But after the conversation, I got to thinking and I thought, why not. What was meant to be a couple of pages turned into ten. Aiolos' chapter will probably be delayed, but I liked how this turned out. Enjoy!
The glow of the glyph lit up, revealing the hidden door to the Inner Chambers of the House of Taurus. The Brazillian walked side by side his small caretaker, his face distressed, and hers of concern.
"The air will do you good, Master," the middle-aged woman comforted the ten-year-old, although most would mistake him for her husband due to his immense size despite her being more than four times his age.
Aldebaran nodded his head and approached a sturdy stone bench. Unlike his fellow Golds, much of what he owned must be made with durability in mind, making him feel more like a caveman with all the stone furniture that decorated his House.
"Here, and make sure you drink every drop," she spoke as she opened up a large thermos, unscrewed the lid, and poured a steaming cup of Valerian Root tea. "You'll sleep like a baby!" She watched his lips turn downward. Despite his size, she doesn't care how much he pouts about its taste. It's good for him. "DRINK!" she shifted her voice from gentle to one that would be valued among the captains of the foot soldiers.
Aldebaran signed in resignation, his large hand, picked up the filled cap as if he had a thimble between his two thick fingers. He looked down and began to sip, sensing that his caretaker must have added other roots that made him think he was drinking peroxide. His deep brown eyes trailed her as she hurried back down, most likely to finish up her daily cleaning. He waited until the door faded back into a hidden wall before he poured the cup back in the thermos. He knew not to pour it in the plants or the side since she tended to check over there, looking for the discolored stone.
Indeed, she had grown quite aware of his tricks to avoid the various things that she deemed would help her boy grow big and strong...frankly he wouldn't mind if he could shrink at times so that he wouldn't feel out of place in the village. Although he had to admit, he did enjoy the salacious looks of women, their eyes full of hunger and desire. Many would come up, stroke his thumb, and told him to come to their place if he ever felt lonely. At least he won't have to worry about finding a girlfriend if he ever found the right one.
It must be his handsome unibrow they were after.
Aldebaran left the top open of his thermos. He held the sides, focused his cosmos and boiled the insides and smoothly turned it over, the remains now a fine powder that will be carried by the wind or a broom, indistinguishable from fine dust. He should send a bottle of wine to Milo in gratitude for the advice.
After that, the bull leaned on his thighs. He may not have to worry about the disgusting drink, but the dream from last night still haunted him even though it wasn't all that frightening.
He was walking in Sanctuary and he was knocking on certain doors for an answer to a question that he could not remember.
He struck the Gemini, and no one answered. He walked forward and suddenly he tried Cancer, nobody came.
He closed his eyes and suddenly found himself at Sagittarius. The door was open but nobody was home. Finally, he tried the Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, and still, nobody would answer him.
He woke up sweating, and he wasn't sure why. If anything it seemed like a very strange dream, but it was not scary, especially those he's had in the past. But it was very memorable as if his own mind was forcing him to remember every detail, much like the day his dead family was about to be taken away and the coroner told him that it will be the last time he will see them.
Coo Coo*
The Taurus turned his head and spotted a large bird and a nest tucked on top of a pillar in the corner of his Main Chambers.
O|==============|O
Mu grasped a brush, made from the long white hairs from the vermin of the sunken Mu continent known as unicorns. The Lemurian knew they were seen as majestic by humans, but only due to their beauty and magical qualities. What humans don't realize is that unicorns were extremely drawn to virgins, and a unicorn would either pester said virgin like one of Saga's cats seeking a fish, or they would ignore the person completely, causing many brows to raise. Not only that, but their hair would cause many to sneeze and thus most Muvians preferred the hypoallergenic griffin.
He dipped the unicorn brush into a silvery fluid and carefully painted the emerald green cloth, ensuring he didn't miss a single inch nor layered it unevenly.
Every twenty years, regardless if the Cloth was used or not, they still needed to go through the process simply called: Relayering. The way he often explained it to other humans was that it was very similar to how one would exfoliate one's skin. Mu was simply stripping a layer of the Cloth, the layer that was filled with excessive scratches or spots where the Cloth over healed, producing lumps that only blacksmiths like himself would notice. The stripping of this layer would simply cause the Cloth to rebuild the most external layer, practically producing a brand new Cloth.
Unfortunately, it was a very long process.
Even if he worked nonstop, determining the original damage and amount of pieces, a Bronze Cloth could take three days, a week if it was an Amazon. For a Silver, it would be a week if it was an Amazon but two weeks otherwise. Golds took at least a month. As his Master would often curse the fool who felt it necessary to plate every single feather on the Sagittarius Cloth. When it came to Golds, he often had his friends bring them in sections that way if such an attack occurred, they weren't totally naked in battle.
Relayering was stressful, but it was worth the extra thirty percent increase in strength that the process brought, and best to be done during peacetime.
Suddenly, a light blue glyph flickered, indicating someone was in his Inner Chambers. Mu shut his eyes to read the large cosmos and smiled pleased to sense that it was merely one of his dearest friends and neighbor. But it felt odd that Aldebaran would approach him at this hour. He set his unicorn brush down into the fluid and waved a hand to use his telekinesis to open the door just as the Taurus approached it. "Welcome, what brings you here at such a late hour...oh…" he scoffed as he stared at his hands with a nest and a grey pigeon on top. "Ohhhh…" Mu's tone slowed and lowered as he brought his hands upon his hips while the bird's tiny head pulled back in her thick feathers.
Aldebaran looked downward. "She was in my House. I was surprised one started nesting in my place and I was worried that with the way I trained, the shockwaves would shatter her eggs."
Mu ticked his tongue like a fretting mother. "Her name is Coo'Coo, and from what I heard from Cooooooo, she is quite the rebel of her tribe. The situation is quite complicated, long story short, she fell in love with the son of a rival tribe leader who lives on the East side of my House while her own tribe belongs on the west side."
"Coo Coo!" the bird cried out.
Aldebaran turned downward, "what did she say?"
Mu, well versed in Pigeonese sighed. "She said: I had chosen to elope with my mate away in the House of Taurus. If our families must squabble, I shall start a new tribe that believes in equality and tolerance. Verily, it is better for my squabs to live knowing that one shouldn't be judged no matter what section of a House they choose to nest in. As I quote Pericles: Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it."
The Brazillian raised his unibrow. "She said all that with two words?"
Mu nodded. "Indeed, they are one of the smartest creatures in the world and know how to make their language concise yet, somehow communicate all their needs. Go ahead and set her over there in the corner. She and her nest of eggs can stay here in my workshop tonight and I will," he let out a deep sigh, "play the role of mediator." He shook his head in dread as he must handle what he would describe as the avian form of Romeo and Juliet. There will be a great deal of squawking, pecking, and fowl language tomorrow, but it must be done.
Despite the serious tone and gaze, Aldebaran couldn't help but laugh. It was the sort of thing that would be seen as madness unless one had grown up to be the Aries' neighbor. He did as he was told, placing the bird and her nest down with the tenderness of a feather. He turned to see Mu returning to his delicate work. He was well familiar with what the blacksmith was working on and softened his large feet in order to leave as discreetly as possible.
*CRACK
The sound caused the Taurus to flinch and jerk around. That did not sound good, and indeed it wasn't. There, Mu, one of the most gifted artisans of the Zodiac, second only to the Pope, had clumsy snapped the gauntlet in two. Such a thing could not be the result of some family drama between birds, and the glassy-eyed gaze solidified this. "MU!" the Taurus shouted as he lightspeed right in front of him. Even with him standing right next to him, Mu didn't even react. At that moment, Aldebaran snatched the thin chisel and hammer and set them down, pulled the apron off, and guided him over toward a wooden bench to sit down. "Mu, speak to me! Are you alright?"
At that moment, the Lemurian's mind seemingly returned to the world. "It is...my Master."
Aldebaran swallowed hard, knowing that it was a subject that had been troubling his friend. "Have you found out why he has been blocking you recently?"
But Mu's green eyes seemingly shrank. "No… my master was blocking me, but now, there is nothing. Simply nothing. The psychic tether, a sacred link that can only be shared between pupil and Master, has vanished." Knowing that he had yet to speak to the Taurus about it, he continued his explanation. "The only way such a thing can be broken is if they choose to break it….or they are gone." Either way, Mu's eyes welled up before the Taurus' thick arms wrapped around him. He was so blessed to have such a wonderful neighbor. "I can't turn away, I must seek him!"
At that moment, the hug was pulled back before a hearty hand slapped down upon the Aries. "I agree. And I shall come with you."
Mu smiled.
"Coo Coo!"
The Lemurian turned his head. "I'm afraid not! You must stay here and keep your eggs warm. Your squabs depend on you and nothing will cause me no greater guilt than for them to grow cold." He turned to the broken Cloth piece. "Although, I feel so ashamed for such a careless action."
But Aldebaran merely guided him toward the door. "I wouldn't worry about it. It is from the Dragon Cloth, and chances are, the user would only wear it half the time."
O|=================|O
The Aries and Taurus lightspeed through the two houses before they suddenly halted at the third house. Aldebaran folded his arms puzzled. "What the?" he muttered as the House of Gemini's two-temple security feature was up. "I was certain he didn't have this up before I left for your House."
The Lemurian bit his lip. He wondered if the breaking of the psychic tether and raise of the security were linked? Mu approached the large tile that featured the House of Gemini's symbol. "Saga?" He called out loud while transmitting his words through the cosmos.
"What do you want!"
Mu was a bit surprised. He had never heard the Gemini act so coldly...except after when Kanon went missing at times. "I'm sorry it is very late," which was hardly an understatement since it was now three in the morning. "I am worried about his Holiness and wish to pass. Also, have you heard from him?"
"Did he summon you?"
Mu tilted his head in confusion. "No he hasn't, but I felt something…"
"HOW DARE YOU! IF HE DIDN'T SUMMON YOU, YOU ARE DEFYING HIS DIVINE WILL!"
By the Goddess. Saga, at times quick to temper or quick to sulk, but he had never acted like this to him before. It is true he wasn't summoned nor had a planned meeting or lesson, and such a thing is considered offensive. "Saga, I am worried about him." He paused. Perhaps he was too consumed with his own needs he wasn't thinking of the feelings of the one listening to him, especially with it being so late at night. "Saga, are you alright?"
Little did Mu realize it, but perhaps it was the way the Lemurian eerily mirrored his Master's soft and gentle nature, but at that moment, the security of the House of Gemini where one side led to a safe passage and the other would be Eternity, ready to banish anyone into Another Dimension, vanished and the House was fused back into one.
At that moment, the link broke and he too stopped answering. The Lemurian was grateful that it was safe to go through, but still, Mu turned his head toward Aldebaran. "Even Saga is not acting himself. He just blocked me off too."
The Taurus, even if he couldn't hear Saga's reply, could tell something didn't feel quite right. "Yesterday, Saga was rushing through. I asked what was wrong, and he stated he was having a terrible day. He didn't say why except he needed to be alone. Aiolos was chasing around for him. I asked what happened, and he indicated that he couldn't say why either."
Mu paused. "Aiolos isn't the type to hide such matters without reason. My guess is that it was related to Sanctuary business." It was a wise move. Sanctuary was full of secrets that even he was not privy towards and his Master was hard to press on maintaining such. If anything that should not be spoken about is heard and Shion finds out, he would punish the Sagittarius and Gemini by forcing them to run up and down Sanctuary for every soul that whispers it. While the Zodiac is wise not to allow such things to slip, the guards and servants on the other hand would see it spread quickly like a flame upon a river of petrol.
Mu stepped off the tile and began approaching the House of Gemini. "Perhaps whatever happened yesterday, he still hasn't gotten over."
Aldebaran turned his head. He couldn't help but notice that Mu spoke his words without total certainty as if he was questioning himself.
O|==================|O
The two continued up the Houses. It was six o'clock in the morning. With door guards too tired for idle conversation and the early risers for training still tending to daily hygiene or breakfast, their path was easy and empty.
But then they came about a strange sight, at least for anyone who was not familiar with the normal routine of the Zodiac. Aphrodite, one who valued sleep above all those among them was awake and fully armored in his Cloth and approaching them.
How strange. Mu wasn't sure what it was, perhaps it was the somewhat unusual sour look on the twelfth guardian or that he was one House away from his Master, but he didn't feel quite right. But if there was anyone who could provide perspective about what was going on, the Pisces would be it. "Oh, greetings Aphrodite. I am surprised to see you here so early."
The Pisces raised a brow. "Why is that? The day is mine and I am free to choose what hour I ready myself." He took a deep breath, sensing he was perhaps too defensive, and judging by the sided uncomfortable glances, he shook his head and needed to start over...quickly. "Forgive me. It is indeed, very early and I am not used to being up before the cocks would crow." He gestured with one hand toward several benches and stone tables at the entrance of his House and took a seat before his other fingers were snapping rhythmically to allow his servants to rush over.
Aldebaran and Mu did so and were surprised when a procession of servants came out with pitchers of cold wine and water and plates of meats, cheeses, olives along with a dish of hummus and vegetables.
For a moment the Brazilian felt like a King, surprised at how fancy and thin everything was sliced and folded. But servants do not have the cosmos or speed to prepare something so quickly. "Did you know we were coming?"
But Aphrodite shook his head no.
In peacetime, the House of Pisces is more of a hotel than a fortress. Guests couldn't stay in the Pope's Chambers so they would turn to the Twelfth House for rest. One would think it would be an inconvenience but the tradeoff was that it did permit him to have things that would be regarded as luxuries inside his abode to suit their expensive needs. From Silk Isfahan rugs, crystal one-way windows to permit natural lighting in the halls while granting privacy, so much silver to the point that he could upgrade the second rank of Athena's army into Golds, and both electricity and modern indoor plumbing. Perhaps he didn't have as much privacy because of the coming and going of guests, but it was worth it to have a means of satisfying his expensive tastes as well as having a microwave for his daily serving of hot muesli.
"Remember, any traveling diplomate must climb these twelve Houses. They are not like us, nearly all of them barely have the stamina to give their purebred dogs a daily walk on the marble stone of Delphi. Therefore, I must ensure my House is always prepared for the company of high ranking." Aphrodite pauses his face paled, "for whatever surprise his Holiness brings to me."
Aldebaran notices a long trailing stare. "Aphrodite?"
The Pisces shook his head and chocked down the wine in his goblet. "Oh, I was just thinking…" his eyes searched. "Calypso! By the Brazen Bull of Phalaris, it is the morning! Where is the coffee!? Where is the cream!" Aphrodite cried out, practically frantic as if dancing on needles. He turned his wide eyes. "Do either of you like cream? Are cows considered sacred in Lemurian culture?"
Mu shrugged. "Some Lemurian villages find them to be noble creatures to be worshipped, and others prefer them medium-rare." Not wanting to be too burdensome, he grasped the water. "I just want this, and I'm certain Aldebaran always drank his coffee black." He watched the Taurus nod and quickly took the copper coffee pot and poured himself a much-needed burst of caffeine. As kind as Aphrodite was, answers were much preferred. "I am here to seek my Master. I wanted to make sure all is well. I haven't heard from him and the psychic tether between us has been severed," he spoke with serenity and concern, clasping his hands. But as he spoke, he could see that Aphrodite's sky blue eyes were demonstrating that he was paying attention to every word, yet it was clear that his mind was trailing elsewhere as if thinking of what to say while he was still speaking to him.
"He is fine."
"He's fine?" questioned Mu.
"Yes, he's fine."
Aldebaran, whose eyes were less focused on the conversation, merely spoke about what he felt was a bit peculiar. "Why are the roses out?"
Perhaps it was the Taurus' greater height, but Mu stood a bit and sure enough, he managed to catch the slight bit of red on the other side. "Why are they out?" Mu questioned.
At that moment, Aphrodite felt it was necessary to inject some truth, for, without even a trace of it, things may fall apart. "The guards and servants have been… dismissed. Therefore I must ensure his safety. It is a hassle since I must withdraw the hundreds of roses for every appointment and place them back afterward, but it is necessary."
Mu frowned. Dismissed. How strange. Logically it made sense for him, since his Master, before the cosmos block, seemed occupied about finally stepping away from the position. But still, things were just so strange, and he felt something just wasn't right. "I must see him," he stood up and was ready to move through when Aphrodite stood before the doors.
"Mu, you are the Vanguard, know that you are the first of Sanctuary's defense and concern yourself for the safety of the Zodiac, but I am the Rearguard and my only duty is that before the Pope and the Goddess when she revives. It is my sacred duty to never allow any harm to come about him and if any harm was to come about him, I will be a blemish to my predecessors and my honor shall crumble into ashes," he spat before tossing his helmet to the ground. "The POPE IS FINE! IT IS CLEAR HE DOESN'T WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU RIGHT NOW! If you are to show any respect to the voice of Athena then stop being so defiant and know your place!"
The sudden outburst left a long awkward silence. Mu's eyes widened, never expecting such words from the one who would often allow his doors to the guest rooms to be open for those who were too exhausted after the twelve Houses, who would provide all visitors the most beautiful of bouquets in the summers when the blooms were at their widest and brightest. The Pisces before him seemed like an entirely different person.
Mu thought hard. He could surely charge forward and easily make it to the top, especially with Aldebaran at his side.
"Mu, you may be his pupil, but you, like the rest of us require either an appointment or a summoning."
Everyone turned, and at the bottom of the stairs, was Shaka, dressed in his robes, his hands clutched.
The Lemurian turned his attention to the Buddhist. Who knew how long he had stood there, but he was certain that it was long enough to hear what has transpired to.
"You both traveled far. Would you two join me for some tea?" Shaka casually asked.
Mu folded his arms, unsure of what to do. On one hand, he was so close, but at the same time, Shaka was another of his dearest friends, and despite his aloft nature and sometimes blunt tongue, he truly cared about the Zodiac, many times unable to profess it. If there was one lesson that his Master always professed, it was to always trust Shaka.
The Lemurian turned back to Aphrodite, and while he could see an immense tension in the Pisces' jaw as he did its best to hide the clenched teeth, he could also see the grave concern in the Swede's eyes too, as if urging him to follow the Virgo.
And so he does. "That sounds lovely, Shaka." He turned back to Aphrodite, for he will not allow him to think that it is him merely giving up. "Aphrodite, pass his Holiness this message that I seek an audience with him as soon as possible."
"He's very busy," spoke the Pisces.
"I know...and I am very patient..." Mu turned away. "Thank you for the offerings." He tapped the Taurus and the two made their way down the steps.
Aphrodite proceeded to begin to pick up the cups and plates. Typically, it was the duty of his servants, but he chose to do so as if to produce an excuse to keep an eye to ensure the other's don't turn back. Once they were far enough, he dropped the dishes, causing them to shatter before dragging himself into his Main Chambers and shut the door before he exited out into the red garden before him.
The moment his skin felt the sun, he peeled the chest piece off his Cloth. Underneath were several splatters of blood, the slash wound of a dagger throbbing. As one who dabbled in poisons, he had no abilities to heal, other than providing antivenoms. Instead, he had to confirm in Camus and ask him to come over and tend to his wound before it is infected. Goddess, he was certain the French man would be full of questions about what happened.
Aphrodite sank to one knee in pain, but also grateful at how things turned out. Saga was too unpredictable right now, it was best Mu not take one step into the Chambers.
They needed Mu.
If Sanctuary was to maintain its strength, the blacksmith had to stay alive.
The Pisces turned toward the rose bed, and in the middle of it was the body of a Papel guard who would not tolerate being bribed to leave the Chambers peacefully. A shame, he quite liked him, but Sanctuary will crumble if rumors of a dead Pope would spread if by the hand of one of the ones sworn to protect him.
Sacrifices must be made to maintain the strength of Sanctuary. Turmoil will only invite invasion.
At least he only had to keep up the charade for a week.
O|===============|O
After tea, the trio headed back to the front of Sanctuary. Having one guardian gone was bad enough, but having the two main Golds away without even a Silver Saint inside was nerve-wracking. While neither Aldebaran nor Mu would admit it, they didn't like for both of them being so far away from the front.
The Lemurian returned back to his workshop alone after bidding the Taurus farewell and giving many thanks for coming along with him.
Alchemy was the merging of science and magic, a thing he normally found as a beautiful convergence of fact and faith.
But such a convergence was exactly what he felt at the moment and not in a good way.
He made the trip in the hope of answers, but now he was left with more questions.
There was definitely something not right, but what can he do about it?
Strangely enough, before the block, his Master gave him an odd piece of advice… at least odd at the time.
Don't be afraid to stand up against your friends, but if you must, do it with absolute certainty.
At the time, it felt out of place. After all, they were all sitting together in an IKEA parking lot chatting away on one of Milo's many couches. He had no qualms with anyone. In fact, he felt so blessed to be surrounded by many wonderful friends.
But something changed.
A bad feeling clenched his heart. The problem was, those he suspected, had never given trouble for his Master or shown ill will.
But that, along with the other strange occurrences tonight were all merely suspicions. He didn't have anything solid, not yet at least. He wasn't even certain what to do even if he had proof.
After all, he was a blacksmith and a Saint.
But he was no detective.
His vocabulary was ten times that of any human scholar, but he was uncertain of how to approach everyone else on such matters without fracturing the Zodiac.
But he was only ten years old, and he did what anyone his age would do.
He sat in his chair, pressed his hands into his face, and sobbed in frustration and sadness for a few minutes. Privately in his heart, he hoped his Master would sense his sadness as he always did, and provided comfort and more wise words that seemed to pour endlessly in troubled times.
He could've charged right at Aphrodite and entered on his own. A mere gesture of his hand and he would be there in front of the throne of the Pope's Chambers. But such actions would be frowned upon by his teacher.
He dried his eyes, and somehow, the moment of sadness did provide a little relief.
His eyes turned toward a sketch of a large tower in Jamir, the home of his Master.
He had been there many times and envied the workshop inside, for Shion had metals that he didn't know were still around, his tools were kept in peak condition.
Afterward, Mu's head turned toward the various Cloths surrounding him. He drew a hand to his face. He felt so dreadfully ill here, but at the same time, he was needed here. Not just that, but he was also the Vanguard. If he left, the role would shift to Aldebaran, meaning that the Taurus would find it difficult to ever leave his House.
Besides, Shion taught him to take each move like one would craft a cloth: slowly and precisely, to take unnecessary steps in doing so would warp the metal in ways that cannot be undone.
The temperature of the metal must be perfect, the chisel carefully positioned before the strike is made.
A plan, simple but plausible, came about. He will finish the relayering of the Cloths. It will perhaps take a year, maybe two. The increase in the protection for Saints was important and he knew it was something that his Master would too.
In the meantime, he can collect some answers as to what was going on.
While he performed his duty, he will simply wait for an answer to the message he had passed toward Aphrodite. If he does not hear from his Master in a week, he will inquire about it once more.
Again.
Again.
And again if he must.