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?

35. The Event Finale 5Eb: Aiolos

Sagittarius And Gemini: 5Eb The Event

Finale: Aiolos

Six Years Ago

"A cloudy day," the five-year-old Leo trainee observed. "The sun won't be in his eyes today." He then pulled a leaf from an olive tree and laid it in his hand, watching rock back and forth but never leaving his palm. "The wind is steady, too." Aiolia wasn't an archer, but his brother trained him enough in it to understand the various factors that went into the perfect shot.

But the elements were not enough. He and his older brother had spent all morning in humble prayer to Athena. Unfortunately, it wasn't an exaggeration. By nine o'clock, Aiolia was bored and ran out of relatives to ask for strength, but he knew it was important and just named characters from the Iliad in hopes they weren't made up and had a spiritual form to draw from.

Aiolia sat with the other trainees of the Zodiac on the wooden bench, as they gazed at his brother who had pulled back the string of the gold bow of Sagittarius for well over ten minutes. He turned to the others who sat as quiet as mice while holding various objects for blessing and luck. Everyone had either worn a green trainer or tied a green ribbon on their hand, a color that meant victory in ancient greek culture. Aphrodite wore a turquoise ring that he borrowed from one of his servants since it was the gemstone of the Sagittarius.

Aiolia then turned to the Gemini Twins. They planned to acquire lucky rabbit feet. However, when Saga found out the rabbit feet were real in the gift shop and not made up of fake fur and latex, he wussed out. Instead, they caught a rather large one that was the size of a small beagle, the one that had been ravaging the candlemaker's mother's garden, much to her delight. Now the two lovingly stroked its fur as if it was one of their cats. Of course, who can blame them? Rabbit fur was so soft and Aiolos was so good at sewing its pelt into a splendid pair of slippers.

So why all the need for luck?

Well, that had to with the fact that the Sagittarius Cloth test was infamously ridiculously hard.

Similar to how Odysseus had to fire an arrow through twelve ax handles, Aiolos was expected to fire over the twelve Houses of the Zodiac and right through one ax handle, with a two-inch diameter hole. But he not only had to fire through it, but he had to do so without knocking it over, the ax itself carefully balanced on top of the banister.

Saga and everyone else tensed every time it seemed like the archer was about to make the shot, and relaxed whenever he eased ever so slightly. He once heard Mu compare such a shot to crafting Gold. If he uses too much, the force would tip the ax even if shot through the hole.

The Leo stared at his brother's steady hand and could see his fingers rubbing a bit, indicating he was making some final adjustments to his aim. He held his breath, his face turning a slight pink from a lack of air as the arrow finally flew. Suddenly, he felt his neighbor, Deathmask's hands grasp his shoulders in an attempt to get a better view.

The golden arrow cut through the air toward the target, before striking the center and causing the ax to tumble along with the Sagittarius.

"AAARRRGGGGGHHHHHH! NO NO!" Aiolos folded, his shoulder and arm burning with pain, before he fell backward, his arms spread out, the gold bow leaving his hand and bouncing on the ground a couple of times. He groaned. Normally he would not lose his temper, but with this being his third attempt, even he was losing his patience. "Fuck me."

"It was a good try, Aiolos," comforted Milo as he reached his hand out behind him while several of the Zodiac began handing him several Euros. While the test was hard, there was no chance of anyone dying and thus it was more of a spectacle. He pocketed his winnings and looked up. "There is always next time!"

The devastated archer laid there, staring at the clouds as they hovered in the sky before the view of his sunny blonde five-year-old brother hovered over. "You'll get it," he encouraged before he reached down and pulled him up by his good arm. "But now…" He trailed as he handed him their father's hunting dagger that Aiolos had entrusted him to hold.

Aiolos let out a deep sigh as he grabbed its worn leather grip and stuck it in his belt. Afterward, he stood up, retrieved the golden bow, and carried the sacred weapon over, and knelt before the Pope. "Sorry for my temper, Your Holiness."

Shion shrugged. "Gestalt somehow managed to snap it in half after his first try. I spent three months trying to repair and get it back into its balanced form. As long as you don't do that, all is well."

Aiolos nodded and he tried to present it properly, balancing it horizontally with his hands only for it to suddenly tumble, his sore arm giving out. But the bow didn't land, instead, Shion merely raised a hand and used his telekinesis to cause it to gently float.

The Lemurian watched as the Prototypo turned up to him. That was when, despite his fading vision, he noticed a tiny delicate tear roll out of the corner of his eye. Even though the archer was quite humble, even he could see the frustration that lingered, a sense of pressure of being declared one of the top trainees in Sanctuary yet here he was failing repeatedly in front of his peers. "In my years in this position, I have never seen more gifted hands wield this as you have. It is not a question of if you can do this, but when. I do not need to ask you to have faith in your heart, for it has always been overflowing with it. Take time to reflect upon today, and when you are ready to try once more, know that I will find time bare witness and you have many friends who will seek to support you."

"Thank you, Your Holiness," the trainee replied, trying to fill his words with nothing but gratitude, but sadness still lingered in them. He watched as several Papal guards and foot soldiers escorted him back inside the Sanctuary before he gestured over for everyone to follow him. In blinding light, all twelve of the children headed back to Sanctuary over toward the House of Sagittarius.

Outside the Main Chambers of the ninth Temple was a large stone that was so big that the entire group could pile on top of it. The Noble Sanctuary Historians have declared it "The Stone of Sagittarius", but the predecessors of the ninth House along with everyone else lovingly dub it "The Loser Rock".

Aiolos gaze looked up to those in the past. "How the heck did Saint Gestalt do it in two turns on top of a horse?" he thought. He knew animals were heavily used in the past by Saints, but anyone who ever tried using cosmos on a horse tended to frighten it and cause them to buckle. He sighed and took his father's hunting knife and scratched the third tally next to his name. He was hoping to at least tie with the "dumbest Gold Saint who ever lived."

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

A couple of days later in the Pope's Library

"Did we really have to eat the rabbit?" asked Saga as he sat in his usual chair with two piles of papers in front of him.

Aiolos looked up, "You lost Rock, Paper, Scissors two out three times to your little brother and I was having a very bad day, so yes, we had to eat the rabbit. Besides, you had to admit the seasoning that Shura suggested was quite good."

Saga sighed. He should've known better than to bring a nine-kilo bunny anywhere with a pair of brothers who fought over raw porcupine liver. "By the way, Kanon loves the fur hat that you crafted from it. He has been wearing it the whole time during our training sessions."

Aiolos paused his pen, "it's over 32 degrees Celsius right now." But the Gemini produced a wrinkled brow. The Sagittarius produced a light chuckle. Even though the two Gemini ages were separated by mere seconds, the younger brother's greatest delight would be the torment of his elder. "I'm sorry," he lightly laughed. "But it would be rude to give the hat to anyone else since he was the one who caught it."

"It's alright. I do not feed my little brother's mischief and knowing him, he will grow tired of it and place it in storage until winter." Truthfully, if such a comment did raise the archer's low self-esteem, it was worth it.

Saga returned to staring at the original bill approved last month. While the official copies are stored in a room in which only a Confirmed Pope may have access to, a copy must be crafted for reference for the Library. Unfortunately, because a Copy Machine was considered a luxury for even the Pope, all reproductions must be done by hand, spelling errors and all. When the Old Man told them there were some not-so-exciting parts of his position this was certainly one of them. It was a task he hated with a passion due to the lack of thought involved.

However, he did allow Aiolos to pick whatever duty to work on today, and if the Sagittarius chose it, he will honor it. He guessed that while Aiolos did not find the task enjoyable either, it was something that allowed one's thoughts to drift to other places. "Are you still thinking of how to beat the test for your Cloth?"

Aiolos pen paused once more. "I'm not sure. The truth is, there isn't anything more I can do about it other than try again."

At that moment, Saga couldn't believe what he just heard and from whom. "What do you mean? Surely there is something you can do! Those axes are the same ones that regular foot soldiers use. We can set one at a similar height and distance and you can take all the time to practice."

Aiolos slammed his pen on the table. While he knew that his friend knew the basics, he'll have to delve a bit deeper into what makes a good shot. "I can hit the center, that's not the issue. An arrow that flies in the arrow doesn't stay straight. It waves up and down or sides to side determining how you hold it. Most importantly, it has a spin to it. Because the hole is in the shape of a square, the arrow must enter the hole in a way where the fletching, the back fins of the arrow, enter diagonally to fit without touching the sides. The problem is, the arrow is spinning. I can control the amount of power behind it and where the center goes, I can't control when the spin turns just right so that the widest parts of it are perfectly diagonal." The archer took a deep breath.

Now it was Saga's time to frown. "That is preposterous. Are you telling me that the only way to win the Cloth of Sagittarius is to hope and pray that the arrow spins in a way to fit? That is ridiculous. The Goddess of Wisdom would surely not base a test on luck and probability!" He stood up. "Come! We need to find the Book of Sagittarius and see for ourselves the exact wording." But then the Gemini looked around and wilted. "Except we'll have to dig in this mess that the Old Man keeps leaving."

Aiolos nodded. As much as the two find the old Pope kind, unfortunately, the Lemurian relied specifically on memory of where things were and not organization. No matter how many times Saga resets the books back to their proper spots and order, it only took about a day for the old cookbooks to get mixed up with the Goddess edicts once more. But trusting Saga's intuition, he stood up and began to slowly walk the aisles determined to find it. "He had to have read it recently…" he trailed.

Saga stood up and began to follow. "He's required to. The Pope must read the conditions before any test he has to administer in order to prevent a false awarding of a cloth."

That was what the archer wanted to hear. He then began to walk past several aisles darting his head left and right with an occasional pause. Until he came to a stop and turned. He walked over toward a pile and pulled it out, the leather book with the Zodiac symbol of Sagittarius burned on the front.

The Gemini was stunned. "How did you do it? Please tell me you didn't smell Shion's scent like some sort of bloodhound."

Aiolos laughed and shook his head no. "Of course not." That would be horrible since unfortunately, Shion smelled like mothballs every time he was near them. "Part of the art of tracking is that you must see from the perspective of what you wish to find. Our Holiness is old, so therefore once he finds what he is looking for, he will go in search of the nearest chair to rest his bones upon." He then sat down upon it. "Since he relies on memory, he is not going to put it back where he finds it. He is going to place it on the nearest shelf." He then pointed to the massive pile.

Saga was quite impressed, but not surprised. Aiolos had the rough look of a simple foot soldier, and it certainly didn't help that both he and his brother's typical casual wear reflected as such, down to the crude tan leather armor, but his mind was as sharp as any strategist. Rather than words, the Gemini offered applause before gesturing him over to the table.

The two sit side by side as Aiolos flipped through the various pages until he reached the details of the test. Rules were meant to be bent to his will after all. If Athena was the Goddess of Wisdom, surely she would find some means of including a clever way to earn the Cloth. Despite the conditions being short, Saga leaned forward studying them, placing a hand at his chin and squeezing it thoughtfully before he slammed his hand downward. "I got it."

Aiolos, eager to see what Saga noticed that he did not, leaned forward to his friend. "What is it?" Saga pointed out to him a particular line: The whole golden arrow must pass through the unaltered opening of the standard single-bitted ax used by the heavy cavalry of Athena. "That is exactly what I have been doing."

But Saga waved a hand. "Do you see how vague this is? In every other test of the Zodiac, the Goddess' decree on how the conditions are explicit. But here, she is precise on the manner of the ax, but not in the arrow. Therefore while we cannot widen the hole of the ax, we can melt and reshape the back of the arrow's fletch so that it is much more narrow as long as we don't cut off any of the gold that makes it up."

Aiolos jaw dropped. "Holy shit...you are brilliant!" He spoke as he squeezed all the life out of his friend while hope filled his own. "I can ask Mu to tend to that. It will make aiming a bit trickier, but I can adjust."

It was certainly crazy, but it was possible. But he was not surprised. If anyone could find a loophole in a document while legally taking advantage of it, it was Saga.

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

House of Sagittarius

Six Years Later

"Aiolos?"

The teen rubbed his eyes before he sat up from his bed as he heard the voice of his best friend. "Mmm, how did the meeting with the Pope go? Did he tell you why he chose me over you for the position?" he spoke through the cosmos while reaching over for his deceased mother's old tortoiseshell comb that once belonged to her mother and her mother before that. He then proceeded to groom his curls, plucking any lint that may have strayed into them.

"He did."

Aiolos placed the prized antique back down and grabbed the red headband from the stone hand of his miniature statue of Athena. "How did it go?" he asked as he tied securely in the back.

"As well as-"

The archer's hands froze when there was a significantly long pause. "Saga?"

"As well as anyone in my position." Another long pause followed. "Aiolos, I'll talk to you later. It is important."

The message cut off before he could reply. Aiolos sat there a bit surprised. He could sense his cosmos was a bit shaky, but perhaps what was said last night must have been a bit more cutting for the Gemini than expected. Worry began to creep in, but he shook it off. If Saga was being a bit suicidal again, he would've never bothered to make contact.

"Good morning, Master!" the old servant spoke as he entered the room and dropped off two piles of finely pressed trainers, making sure that one pile was the archer's and the other was his Master's friend.

"Good morning, Homer! Any news? Announcements?" the archer asked curiously if the others were aware of what happened.

"I'm afraid not, other than the plumbing in the House of Cancer is still broken." Homer folded his sunspot-ridden arms in thought before he shook it once more. "No, that's about it. Sanctuary is still Specter and Mariner free and just as quiet as ever."

"I see," Aiolos replied. At least that answered whether or not Shion made the announcement. He is not surprised. Just because he was named the successor doesn't mean the Pope it should be known.

After getting dressed Aiolos headed to the sink. That was one modern thing he would gratefully accept. Nothing sucked more as a child than to help mother drag buckets of water from the river, especially with how hilly the trail was. He washed his face with nice not water before grabbing a fine blade on the side that belonged to his birth father, a deer, and a bow and arrow engraved along the handle. While he promised his brother their mother's comb when he turned ten, this blade was too sentimental for him to part with. He eyed the dull edge and then grabbed a whetstone to sharpen it back up before proceeding to shave.

Afterward, he sat in the breakfast nook, and after polishing off four bowls of The Breakfast of Saints that consisted of oats, barley, and rice, he moved on to his main dish of sausage, with only a knife next to the plate since like all sons of foot soldiers, he was raised to just simply use the blade.

"Aiolos?"

The archer stopped mid-cut. "Saga!" He was glad that the Gemini did return as promised, but once more, his emotions seemed shaky. "Is everything alright?"

"Don't worry about it."

His lip wrinkled since his words didn't answer his question. "You know you can tell me anything."

"I know...you are my friend and I am grateful for that. I was a bit side-tracked by Deathmask that's all. Anyways, I tried to tell you earlier, but the Pope wishes to have an audience with you. Do not discuss it with anyone!"

Seeking to ease the tension, the Sagittarius lightened his tone. "I had no intention to. I am not some bored middle-age handmaiden. Unless I take up the promising offer of becoming one to Gigars' daughter." He smiled as he could sense Saga's cosmos easing back to normal. "Is it alright if I finish my sausage before coming over?"

"Oh Goddess, what creature have you drained of life for your breakfast this time?"

Feeling a bit plucky, he poked the piece with the tip of the blade and pulled it off with his teeth. "How about a game, it's called guess the animal? I'll give you three tries." He chuckled as he chewed.

"Mmm lets see, if you are willing to turn it into a game, then it can't be something as common as wild pig or deer. How about Kri-Kri?"

"Nope, besides those are endangered." He wasn't sure how it wound up in the woods by his old House. He guessed that it may have been illegally captured and somehow escaped.

"Yes they are, but you and the cub ate it before and even turned it into jerky to give it for Christmas."

Aiolos rolled his eyes. "It was an accident. It was dark and I thought it was just a rather large goat. It was already dead when I was able to better identify it. If I wanted to resurrect it, clearly I have joined the wrong army to do such a thing." Even though he was not ashamed of admitting it was quite delicious. "What is your next guess?"

"Alright...how about...seal meat?"

"It is not that either, Saga. But I am intrigued by it. I heard it has a nice fishy taste and is quite fatty too." Aiolos leaned forward. "One more guess. Make it count, friend." More silence, but at least it is more due to being in thought, and not Saga wasn't breaking his cosmos away.

"I should've known...it's Mouflon, isn't it?"

"Congratulations! It was from an old ram. Would you like some as well?" Aiolos pleasantly answered only for Saga's cosmos to darken once more. "Saga?"

"I'm not hungry. Just please come over after you are done. He needs to talk to you."

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

Aiolos walked up the eighty-eight stairs. Unsure if he needed his Gold Cloth, he still put it on. Better safe than sorry, and he could always remove it if things were more casual than expected.

At each of his sides were red roses. Even though Aphrodite had their tops closed before he proceeded onward, the fact that they were out made him a little uncomfortable. His head turned to the two men, his pace slowed as he struggled to recognize either of them.

When the Papel Guards spotted him, they bowed before walking over and pulling the heavy doors open.

Again, Aiolos couldn't help but stare a bit more. Why was this bothering him?

Little did the Sagittarius know that his gut was telling him that Shion had always used his telekinesis every single time for guests. As the archer proceeded forward, this oversight is one he will later regret five years later when he returned with the true Athena.

Before he could step into the Main Chambers his foot felt something large. He knelt and moved his foot before picking up a small jade bead. He stared at its craftsmanship. It was either done by machine, or by a Lemurian. But it was a bit warped. He took off his gauntlet and carefully rubbed the surface to see a bit of black come off his fingers "Burnt?" he muttered before he brought it to his tongue and licked the surface. "...burnt...stone?" he muttered. He stared at it for a few seconds before he clutched it in his hands.

Aiolos entered the Main Chambers, he couldn't help but notice the place had seemed to be redecorated, the older tapestries from above had been removed. He spotted the Pope sitting upon his throne leading him to the impression that the meeting was formal. He proceeded to kneel. "Greetings, your Holiness. Saint Saga of Gemini has informed me that you require my presence." Aiolos will admit, hanging out with the Gemini had certainly helped him learn how to speak more formally during these times. "Is it about what you wanted to tell me yesterday?"

"Partially, but there is something else," the Pope spoke with a slight stutter. His masked head darted upwards. "Shut the doors! All of them! Quickly!" The jeweled eyepieces of the mask glowed red for a moment before reverting. Thankfully, Aiolos had his head down. "Excuse me," the Pope muttered as he began to do some deep breathing.

"Of course, your Holiness."

Beneath the mask, Saga was sweating heavily. He could tell he was being far too tense right now. He had to ease up. The mask disguises the one speaking, but it won't hide his inflection. There were two people in Sanctuary he feared speaking to while under the guise of the mask: Aiolos and Mu. Mu would certainly know he was not the Pope if he ever saw him. All he could do about the Aries was simply keep him away and avoid him. Aiolos was human, and if the two of them were fooled when Shion left for a couple of days for treatment for his illness, surely he can repeat it once more. If his plan were to succeed. He must keep his speech slow, wistful, and full of peace. "Aiolos of Sagittarius, I have decided to alter my decision about you as my successor.

...

...

...

...

I have decided…

...

...

….

…

…

…

To give up my position, sooner. By the end of this week, you shall transition to the position of the Grand Master of Sanctuary!"

Aiolos eyes widened. "Your Holiness, I am honored...but…" his words choked in his throat for a moment. "It's not that but… why now?" His eyes then realized what it could be. He raised a hand, "You're not….S-"

The Pope leaned forward, "I'm not who?"

Aiolos tilted his head. "Sick are you? Everyone was worried when you contracted pneumonia. Did something else happen? Are you alright?" he called out, worry filling his heart for the Pope's health.

The Pope relaxed, fearful that Aiolos was going to say his name. "No, in fact, I feel like I am a new man! I have been cooped in here like a hen, laying her daily egg for two centuries. I wish to go on a pilgrimage… a very very long pilgrimage, before my health, prevents me. I want to see how the world has changed since I last traveled. But this must remain between the two of us!"

"What about Mu?" Aiolos found it very odd that by the sound of it, he was excluding him.

The Pope was prepared for this. "He is my trainee. I will tend to Mu. As his Master, I ask you to respect this."

Aiolos nodded. "Yes, Your Holiness." It was all he could say, even if it felt a little odd. "Your Holiness, does Saga know as well since you did speak to him yesterday?"

The Pope paused and flinched so suddenly that it was like a rock had just slammed into his helmet. "Yes, yes. Saga knows too."

Aiolos nodded. "Good to know, Your Holiness, I shall keep this between the three of us." He turned toward the doors. "Your Holiness, with the sudden change of the guards…."

"The-servants-as-well." The Pope quickly spoke, holding his hands. "For the transition, a new household has been provided, as my predecessor had done for me beforehand," Saga lied.

Aiolos nodded his head, but deep down, it felt so strange. Too many secrets are held in the Pope's Chambers. Those that were picked were given a choice, well aware that the position was a lifelong commitment. Then again, there hasn't been a new Pope for over two hundred years so what experience could he draw upon with such a matter?

The Pope began to slide out of the seat, taking his time as if every bone in his lower half ached." Shall we get started?" He noticed Aiolos' eyes were shifted in thought. His heart raced a bit. Did he give himself away? His fist tightened as dark thought raced in his head."Oh Aiolos...if you wished to live...at least play stupid or something. Aphrodite was nearly killed. Deathmask as well each time...so close... I don't know how much I can hold back….if you find out…" he darkly thought.

The archer turned upwards, "Your Holiness, before we go over these texts, do I have some say as to how I would like it done so?"

The Pope simply nodded up and down like a puppet, still trying to calm the fire in his blood.

"Alright. If you don't mind, I would like to go see Saga. Do you know where he was at?"

"I asked him to work on a bill that is due tomorrow." He turned his head away, sensing the heat returning. "He had a very very bad day yesterday and we both agreed that staying busy as a bee was the best medicine for him. Why do you ask for Saga?"

"It's about this week and I would like to talk to him about it first before I bring it up to you. Is that alright?"

The Pope gazed at him. Such earnest eyes and a tender smile that Aiolos seemed to squeeze out for him. He felt the heat of his curse ease. "He is in his usual place here…. far far in the back. After that, please come back here so we can get started."

He spoke as he gestured for him to rise.

Once he was permitted to stand, Aiolos approached the Pope. "Before I go, I found this," he said as he held out the jade bead. "There is ash on it and something would have to be very hot for it to cause that on a stone. Your Holiness. Did something… happen?"

The Pope's mask stared hard. Little did Aiolos know, his fist was clenched under his sleeve. How the hell does he explain this, "it's fine. Thank you, for finding this."

Aiolos gazed back. The Pope didn't answer his question, but he was being polite. If it was any other person, he would be deeply troubled. But this was the Pope, a man who was so kind and he was being so rude by questioning such a simple thing. His father was a foot soldier and his father before him. He was taught to respect his commanders. And so Aiolos answers him with the words that he would later regret, five years later. "Your welcome, Your Holiness." And like a good soldier, bows his head and heads off, dismissing one of the few pieces of clear evidence that there was a struggle between Shion and Saga.

Once Aiolos was far away, the Pope took a deep breath and used Another Dimension.

Aiolos slowly walked down the familiar hall, taking care not to use lightspeed in fear of knocking over the priceless antiques and paintings that were displayed along the sides. After passing several long aisles of books and copies of past legislation. He smiled a bit as he spotted the familiar dark blue hair as Saga sat at the table. He was surprised at how sweaty the Gemini looked in his trainer despite how cold the library was. Although he will admit he looked quite delicious like that. "Saga?" he called out and watched him look up. "Goddess, your eyes are so red! Did you get any sleep last night?"

It was true. Saga had turned to a mirror on the wall, and his eyes were red...even when he wasn't evil. Although, he did like it in the fact that it gave the Sagittarius an excuse to stroke the side of his face tenderly. "I tried, but it was very difficult. I told the Pope that I just need something to take my mind off yesterday, and he gave me all of this."

Trying to confess his crime and killing himself before the statue of the Goddess had failed miserably. Who knows how many would die if he tried that with the curse believing in self-preservation. A new plan was put into place. Aiolos takes over as the Pope, he will serve as the assistant. The Pope is off on some grand adventure. As the assistant, he will discover that the Pope hasn't granted an update. He will then use Another Dimension to transport the body and discover that the Pope died on his excursion. Everyone will weep, a funeral is conducted out at sea, and Sanctuary is preserved. Perhaps it wasn't the most honest plan, but with the Holy War not too far, it was better to do this and leave Sanctuary mostly intact than for it to fall into chaos or worse, a Civil War.

Saga smiled back. "Is there anything you need, because I really should get back to work, and you should really go back to the Pope," he spoke as he reached for his pen, only for his hand to be stopped by the one encased in a gold gauntlet.

"No," Aiolos shook his head. "We should really go back to the Pope."

At that moment, Saga could feel the heat return. He slipped up so many times, did he figure it out? He didn't bother to turn his head. Aiolos and everyone else in the Zodiac was so used to seeing his red eyes that they were convinced it was just another aspect of being a Gemini. As long as he didn't do it as the Pope, all was well. "What do you mean." His eyes returned to blue when he felt the gold fingers touch his chin ever so gently.

"It is exactly what I mean and something I had on my mind afterward. We will attend, together. You may be my assistant, but don't forget you are also second in line. Saga our generation is going to face Hades and we have to prepare for any situation, including if I were to fall during the next Holy War… or even before that. Who knows, I could die tomorrow!"

Saga shook his head. "Oh please don't say that."

Aiolos nodded. "My point is this. If the Pope is going to leave for his pilgrimage. I want you there with me. There may come a time when you will have to step up, and if there is a chance to hear it straight from his Holiness, there is no reason for you to have it repeated second hand from me." At that moment, he could honestly kiss him, but the two of them agreed to avoid such things in the Pope's Chambers so that Shion didn't walk into something serious.

Saga's eyes widened. At first, he wondered if Aiolos was attempting to trick him as if forcing him to be in the impossible task of playing both the Pope and himself at the same time. But judging by how earnest he was, it was clear that he wasn't. "Oh Aiolos, you don't have to," he gestured over toward his tender pile of bureaucracy and the two liters of lukewarm coffee that he used to help him function after a night of no sleep. "I am quite happy here."

But Aiolos removed his gauntlets and grasped his friend's hands, surprised at how cold and clammy they were. "Saga, yes you were declared my assistant, but you are my best friend, and we've always treated each other as equals...there is no reason for that to change. Therefore, every meeting this week, no matter how big or small, every tip the Pope gives, I want all three of us there together at all times." He turned and gazed at his blue eyes. "It's like we said as kids, this is going to be:

The best reign ever."

Saga took a deep breath. "Oh Aiolos...you sweet fool…you want the best reign ever with the world's worst best friend," he thought before he looked up. Goddess, what is he going to do? Suddenly, there was a loud cry echoing. There was only one baby around there now, but what would Athena be doing there in the library?

The two hurried over toward the opposite corner, hearing the sound grow louder and louder, and there standing in her long white dress and hood was a bright blond-haired Maiden clumsily clutching the crying Athena.

The Maiden gasped as she spotted the two. "Oh, I'm sorry! She wouldn't stop crying even after I changed and fed her. Her room is so tiny so I thought if I took her somewhere bigger, it wouldn't echo as much."

Was she stupid? This was not some dog that one would take outside for a leak upon a tree. "The Goddess is not supposed to be taken out of her Chambers without the Pope's permission!!" gasped Saga.

Aiolos grabbed Saga's shoulder to ease his anger even if he was right to be so. "Who are you and where is Maiden Leto?"

She gasped, lowering her head in a bit of a bow as Athena cried. "I-I am Maiden Helen. The Pope hired me this morning and I came here...I-I-don't know-what-I-don't know…" she muttered and stuttered, finding it difficult to speak as the baby wailed.

Saga shook his head. He didn't recall seeing Maiden Leto either. He remembered grabbing a few foot soldiers and promoting them, but not her.

Maiden Helen's eyes welled in embarrassment. One was obviously a Gold Saint and she was certain that the blue-haired one maybe one too judging by his body. "I am doing my best! But she won't stop crying!" She shouted to be heard over the wailing. She shoved the baby into Saga's hands.

Saga looked down in shock. He tried to rock her gently and shush her, but he too had no experience in such matters and Athena simply cried louder. He was so tired and the cries just gave him a headache. "I can't! I can't make her stop!"

"Here, pass her over," Aiolos spoke as he grabbed Athena. He sat her up on his lap and then began to give a few hard pats, causing the baby to burp while a flood of old milk came out, splashing his Gold Cloth before she finally stopped.

"Was she choking?" asked Maiden Helen.

"Oh no, not that serious. She probably had a giant air bubble." The archer grimaced a bit as he felt the combination of saliva and milk seep through the cracks of his armor. It was extremely gross, but at the same time, a bit cute as well. He lifted the Goddess, her cheeks dark red but a relieved grin curled her mouth. "You should tell them that you ate too much and too fast, didn't you?" Aiolos face began to animate a bit filled with an over the top surprised expression. "Did that feel good?" He nodded his head. "Yes, it did." He was about to pass her back when she began to cry once again.

Aiolos turned her around holding her up, keeping her eyes even with his. "See… you cried so much you tired yourself out." He spoke as he could see the telltale signs of Athena gripping the sides of her face.

The archer closed his eyes and found it odd that he couldn't send a message to the Pope. He shook his head and turned to the Gemini. "Saga, can you run to the Pope and let him know I may be late? I should help Maiden Helen." He asked before he turned to Maiden Helen. He gazed at her face. Judging by her expression and the way she held Athena, it was clear she had never held a baby in her life. "I may be very late."

Saga turned to him. "How about this. Why don't you help the Maiden and I will pass on what he tells me to you," he tried to say as the baby screamed.

Aiolos nodded before he turned back to the crying baby. He can't believe Maiden Leto wasn't there. The Pope had him and Saga hire a caretaker for the Goddess and she was perfect. He felt she was very knowledgeable while Saga described her as Mary Poppins, whoever that was. He slowly began an easy rock and gave a pleasant whistle, only for Athena to cry harder. "Oh, you don't like that? Does it hurt your ears? Well, now you'll have to hear me sing." He does so, his voice goes slow and easy.

Thum thum thum goes the hammer,

Tick tick tick is the chisel.

Craft me a cloth made of brazen bronze,

But the one I want is silver.

Aiolos pauses for a moment as the baby stops. "Ah, so serenades work… that's good, because this is a song that my little brother liked that can be repeated over and over.

Thum thum thum goes the hammer,

Tick tick tick is the chisel.

Craft me a cloth made of sturdy silver,

But the one I want is gold.

Thum thum thum goes the hammer,

Tick tick tick is the chisel.

Craft me a cloth made of glorious gold,

Oh, too much work, let me go back to being a bronze.

He repeats the song, singing and rocking all the way.

The Maiden, her face exhausted clasped her hands. "Thank you so much!"

Aiolos nodded as he paused his song. "Could you do me a favor? Remove my left thigh armor, please." He said as he gestured his leg.

The Maiden was a bit surprised, but she knelt and pried it off, the backside covered in copious amounts of spit-up.

"Thank you," Aiolos spoke before the baby began to cry. "Okay, how about this song…"

Sail, Sail, goes the ship,

High above the sky,

Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily,

To Elysium we fly!

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

Saga sat in the small office where he had laid the Pope's robes, mask, and helmet upon the small bed that he recalled Shion used to stretch his weary bones. He turned his head toward the pile of books with a piece of paper that read: TO SAGA. The Gemini gritted his teeth. "You knew, Old Man…" He bit his lip. "You knew you were going to die because of me!" It was too obvious. Lemurians found books and writing to be primitive, and yet, Shion conveniently wrote large amounts and left all the aspects that neither he nor Aiolos had learned from him.

Even now, Saga was still confused. It was clear Shion could've allowed him to die or at the least, no longer be a threat, but yet Shion would rather succumb to the stab wound he inflicted and ensure he lived.

But why?

Hell, it was clear he knew the future, so why not fucking tell him? What's the worst that can happen if he found out? If he knew the future, he would easily steer it towards a better one! If someone was to die, he would prevent it! If something bad will happen, he will avoid it!

Shion made it sound like knowing the future was what killed him in the first place, but he was certain he would not make the same mistakes that the Lemurian made.

But what did it matter, now that he was in this mess?

It was such a beautiful plan to explain the Pope's death while not throwing Sanctuary into chaos, but Aiolos had to be himself…a good loyal friend. He thought he could play the Pope for a week and stay in the library whenever Aiolos needed to talk to him. After that, Aiolos can be the official Pope and the two could have their beautiful reign.

They could tend to Sanctuary as they dreamed.

Undo the corruption that has taken hold of Rodario.

Find ways of lowering the death rates of trainees.

Provide services for those who have the moods.

Fight together in the Holy War. They will most likely die, but at least they can try to ensure their friends lived.

But they would be together.

Saga drew a hand on his face. He fucked up, all because he wanted a higher title...because he felt second… with the one man who always treated him as his equal.

Saga turned his head as he heard the singing continue. It was quite enjoyable and he could tell that Aiolos quite enjoyed it.

Aiolos could calm her down when he could not.

Because she is the Goddess of Wisdom. She knows what you did to the Pope.

Saga grabbed a vase and smashed it on the wall before he drew his hands to his face.

There was not enough cosmos in the world for him to successfully play the Pope and himself at the same time without Aiolos realizing what was going on for an entire week.

At that moment, one last idea came to his head, before he wiped a tear from his face.

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

HOUSE OF SAGITTARIUS

Aiolos leaned against the ledge of his bath. Like many of his friends, he would often combine his required time to meditate with a good long bath just to make something that was normally boring more comfortable and something that was meant for relaxation with productivity.

*SMACK

A familiar white towel landed back on the Sagittarius' face.

"No peeking," a cheeky voice teased.

Before he could pull off the cloth from his eyes, the Gemini was already in the water next to him. He could feel his lips press against his in a welcomed kiss before Saga lifted the towel from his eyes and tossed it to the side to keep it dry.

Saga turned toward the center of the steaming bath, "so after fifteen years, you finally decided to add some sort of decor in your House."

Aiolos knew exactly what he was joking about. He turned toward the center where he set his pandora's box in the water with his Cloth in its statue form on top giving the impression that he had a fountain. He will admit it looks nice like that. "A long time ago, Mu recommended to me to set it up like that so the steam will cause the pores to open up and to get rid of the smells." While Cloths will self-repair, they, unfortunately, didn't self-clean. One time, when Aiolia was seven, he stashed his yogurt inside of it to keep it out of the sun, a fact that was not discovered until three days later.

"But she only spat up on your leg, didn't she?" asked Saga.

"Well, while you were with the Pope, I, unfortunately, didn't realize Maiden Helen did not know how to properly pin a cloth diaper either. Even though Athena's blood and hair are sacred, I am fairly certain her urine isn't as divine."

Saga rested his elbows on the ledge, his navy hair floating on the surface. Saga knew that nobody laughed after being pissed on. "Admit it, you enjoyed every minute of it no matter how filthy it was."

The archer raised a brow. Maybe a few years ago he did feel a bit embarrassed managing what was deemed among his friends as a woman's work, but now he took it in stride. "That's right, mother hen is back with a fucking vengeance."

Saga burst into laughter, hearing the old nickname he gave the archer. "I really shouldn't have called you that." He watched Aiolos wave a hand in the air as a sign to not worry about it. "No really, I shouldn't have called you that. The Maiden gave me the goddess first and I didn't know what to do," he mumbled a bit.

"It's fine. She didn't know either. It takes practice, hell I still remember when I was young, I didn't know what to do when Aiolia was firstborn. When I was four years old and my father took me outside to belt me for telling my newborn brother to shut the fuck up when he kept screaming for fifteen minutes due to gas," he laughed as he recalled trying to defend himself by saying he heard his friends saying it so he honestly thought it was okay to yell it at the Leo.

"Do you think she rejects me?" Saga suddenly asked.

His face softened. To his surprise, Saga looked extremely serious and frightened as if the experience was some sort of divine judgment. "Of course not. Babies can be very finicky, and once you figure certain tricks, they can be finicky but fun as well." He folded his arms. "Here, I'll tell you what. Tell me what the Pope told you about the book, and I'll trade some tips so that you too can mother hen like a pro."

Saga felt himself sink a bit in the water. "About that...I was granted permission to take a leave away from Sanctuary by the Pope."

"Wait what!?"

Saga turned his head toward the shocked Sagittarius. "I've decided that I have to go out and find my brother."

"Did another tip come up?"

Saga shook his head no. "Remember, when the Pope talked about finding things for me? Well, I thought more of it and realized I need more than going over bills and legislation. I know I've made some searches in the past, but now that all the Houses have been technically filled and while we are still in time for peace, I would like to make a more concentrated attempt to find him."

As much trouble as Kanon was, his plot of killing the Pope was somehow the lesser of two evils over actually performing the deed. It was all a part of his new plan. The Pope goes on his pilgrimage, Aiolos becomes the Pope, and he leaves. He will either find Kanon and Sanctuary will have a new Gemini or he will return and help out with Holy War. The most important thing was that Sanctuary is not thrown into chaos. Perhaps this was what he should've done in the first place, but he didn't want to leave his love.

Aiolos had made him very happy and was perhaps the only stable thing in his life.

Besides, no matter how wrong Kanon was for what he did and how much he loved Aiolos, deep down…

...he truly wanted to find his little brother above everything else and hoped he was safe and sound.

Saga couldn't even look at the face that he loved. "I'm sorry."He then felt the archer's strong arms wrap around him, his chin leaning against his forehead.

"Don't apologize. If Aiolia went missing, you could bet I would do everything to find him."

Saga nodded. "So true. If something did happen to Aiolia, I wouldn't doubt that you destroy the Pantheon for him."

Aiolos smiled. "Maybe…" The archer took a deep breath. "Take all the time you need. All I ask is that you keep in touch," he whispered. "When do you plan on leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Aiolos squeezed him tighter, saddened. The two had always shared a vision of life together in the Pope's Chambers. It had shifted over the years, but the concept was that they would be together. "That's plenty of time. Shall we make it count?"

Saga sighed. Goddess, he could breathe in the smell of his soft chestnut hair for all eternity and that would be his Elysium. It was like he was being comforted by an angel. "Yes, we shall." Of course, if he wasn't so stupid, they would've had far more.

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

Pope's Chambers

The Next Day

"One day, six more to go," Saga wearily muttered as he placed the helmet and mask back on. While it was a bit easier now since Aiolos had seen him off at the bottom of Sanctuary, there were a few loose ends. Part of why he told Aiolos that it would take a week was due to some preplanned meetings that couldn't be moved.

The Gemini felt his eyes grow red as he recalled Mu drilling Aiolos and himself about what was going on with the Pope. He could see that the archer stuck to his word as he typically did, and kept the pilgrimage a secret, but Mu was fairly insistent that he asked to provide him an audience.

Mu knows something is wrong.

Mu knows…

A knock followed. "Holiness?"

The Gemini's face frowned. "Aphrodite?" he quietly muttered. The Pisces was one of the first to find out. He almost killed him, but luckily Deathmask was nearby...

Ten-year-olds are soooo easy to manipulate.

He turned toward his clawed hands. Somehow his heart still didn't fully trust that Aphrodite would hold on to his secret. He placed the helmet and mask on, the distorted voice it made eased his tension and granted him some semblance of...

….peace.

"Why are you here?"

"Your Holiness, I came, because there were no guards posted outside your door."

"No guards?" Saga repeated in confusion. Where did they go?

"As your Rearguard, the normal procedure is that during a meeting, I am close that way someone can assist the Pope in case of an attack," the twelfth guardian spoke through the door.

Saga fists tightened, but not as much as earlier. Perhaps it was due to the way Aphrodite did not use his name and his inflections, that he was making sure to let him know that the secret was safe and he was willing to play along. "I have a meeting in ten minutes."

"Of course. I'll be as silent as you need me to be, to the point that you will not even realize I am there."

The Gemini nodded. His eyes shifted toward the doors. Honestly, he was one of the last people who needed a guard except as a mere formality. However, the status quo must be maintained. He gestured a hand for the Pisces to take his place next to the doors while hurried over to the throne.

Aphrodite quietly watched as a rather large and portly man with light grey hair that was oddly finer and thinner than that of the Goddess herself. He had seen enough of these to know the routine. The two start with pleasantries and of course, every guest must come up with a joke to describe the endless stairs. By the goddess, he really should write them down, for he was certain it would sell more copies than the Iliad or the Odyssey among those of Sanctuary.

The noble then reaches his hand out, smiling as if his beady eyes were a pair of pearls. The Pope walks over, grabs a folder, and then hands it over.

Aphrodite prepared to open the door for the gentleman to exit when suddenly the man turned right back around stomping.

Well, this was certainly different!

Aphrodite continued to watch, curious at what was to happen next.

"Your Holiness, there must be a mistake! Would you truly reject a proposal that seeks only to have a place for those who fight in the name of Athena to recover from illness?" he spoke as he waves the papers with a large rejection stamped upon them.

Saga, narrowed his eyes under his mask as he sat on the throne, his fingers gripping the arms. "The idea itself is quite wonderful. It would save on the cost of keeping them in our hospitals and the idea of a home setting would give them great comfort and perhaps speed up their recovery." He shook his head. "A pity that your greed is the difference between a proposal that could save many, and one that only seeks to sentence them to death!"

At that moment, Aphrodite craftily raises a brow, seeing something he had never witnessed in all the times he was required to stand duty in the Chambers under Shion.

The noble's face grew bright red, not used to hearing such things. "How dare you..." he started only to flinch in fright as the Pope slammed his hands so hard on the arms of the throne that it caused a great thunder in the room.

The noble swallowed for a moment, never experiencing such boldness that could nearly cause him to wet his pants. He softened his tone. "Your Holiness, please I do not understand what you are talking about. I would not climb these twelve Houses for any other reason than to ensure the betterment of those who serve Her. Where does the problem lie?"

Saga looked down. He took a breath, trying to mirror Shion's gentle tone as best as he could. "The food budget is too low."

The bald man turned to the page and gave a wild smile. "Ah yes, you are correct. Forgive my accountant for the oversight. He is due for retirement anyway. I shall have the food budget doubled...no….TRIPLED for such an error! All you have to do is reconsider."

"Do you say tripled?" Saga mused. He turned to him. Goddess, he was so sick of nobles like him. Perhaps what would come next wasn't what Shion would do, but fuck it. If he was only going to be Pope for six more days, he's going to make it count. "Oh how fortunate...the people who sacrifice their lives so that you are not a Skeleton soldier with the undead, will go from living off the budget of a few cups of water a day to now include a slice of bread," he sneered. "How dare you! Do you honestly believe you can offer medicine with a side of malnutrition?" Saga leaned forward and folded his hands. "Here...I'll tell you what… if you wish for me to reconsider... You may do one of two things:

A: Raise the budget high enough to ensure that each one that enters this program has enough daily nutrition to feed a man and not a duck.

B: Prove that your budget will suffice by living on it yourself for three months and demonstrate that you are still in the peak of health!"

Aphrodite fought off the urge to laugh as he watched the noble bow pitifully and hurry out of the Main Chambers. Judging by how quick his feet were, he would think that he would run back out of the Twelve Houses. However, judging by his portly belly, he suspected that when he returns to his House, the man will be requesting a guest room.

Saga turned his head toward the Pisces. "I apologize that you had to witness that."

But Aphrodite shook his head. "I was quite impressed, Your Holiness. I'm surprised he ran off so quickly and not argued as much as typically did." He took a deep breath.

Saga folded his hands. "He tried to press, expecting a man of clay, only to discover that I was steel. The only one who should perform any bending at all should be the one offering the proposition and not the one granting it."

At that moment, Aphrodite felt the fear in his heart slowly disappear, and slowly replace with something else. "You chose Aiolos as your successor and not Saga, Your Holiness?"

"Yes, I did."

A cry of a baby began to echo in the room.

The Pisces nodded and returned his gaze to the Pope. "A pity. He was not a perfect Saint, but I believe Saga would've still been the better of the two. May the Goddess be with you, Your Holiness," he spoke as he took his leave.

Saga sighed as the crying became louder. He drew his hands over his face. Back when Maiden Leto took care of the Goddess, the place was so quiet that one would forget that a baby was there in the first place. Now she cried during every waking moment. He wasn't an expert, but neither was Maiden Helen. He walked over toward Athena's Chambers and watched as Maiden Helen was running through various toys and tactics as the baby's tears were endless.

The young lady had tossed her hood, drenched in spit-up, tears, and sweat on the floor. "Your Holiness, I don't know what to do! Do you think the Sagittarius could come back?" she pleaded.

Goddess, he wished he could simply message the archer through the cosmos. Saga grimaced, but something should be done. "Go to the House of Pisces and ask the Saint of Pisces to contact the Saint of Sagittarius over here."

Helen ran off, more grateful to get away than to actually be so helpful.

"Fifteen minutes. It should take her about fifteen minutes," the Gemini thought. He picked her up and rocked her as she continued to cry. He rubbed her back, rocked her. "Sing...sing...sing…" he muttered. He attempted to sing one of the old hymns, but he typically whistled them, and right now his lips could not do it loud enough to overpower her cries. "Sing...sing…." so he sings the one that stuck out the most.

Mama, just killed a man

Put a gun against his head

Pulled my trigger, now he's dead

Mama, life had just begun

But now I've gone and thrown it all away

Mama, ooh

Didn't mean to make you cry

If I'm not back again this time tomorrow

Carry on, carry on

As if nothing really matters

She lowered a bit, but the moment he stopped she screamed loud once more.

Too late, my time has come

Sends shivers down my spine

Body's aching all the time

Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go

Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth

Mama, ooh

I don't want to die

I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all

The Gemini gritted his teeth as she cried. He turned toward her red face sobbing. "Athena...do you know?" He felt his body shake a bit in tension when the heavy footsteps caused him to ease once more.

"Your Holiness, here. She is quite heavy for her age and her weight may ache your arms." Aiolos spoke as he dropped his Cloth box and picked up the Goddess.

Saga gazed, as like magic, somehow the Goddess shifted from tears to cooing as Aiolos rocked her a few times.

He wasn't quite sure, but for some reason, he felt deeply bothered by how quickly the archer managed to soothe her.

She hates you.

"Excuse me," the Pope murmured, shielding his eyes away from the giggling and laughter of Athena. "Come to my office when you finish here," he slinked off.

Saga drew his hand to his face.

She hates you for what you did to the Old Man.

Your touch disgusts her.

"It's not true! Aiolos raised his brother and knows how to hold babies," Saga reasoned as he walked down the hall, his hands trembling. "Goddess, where the fuck are those door guards ...why is Maiden Helen there and not Maiden Leto….and why the hell am I talking to myself!?"

Saga crawled into the throne. "Six more days. Aiolos will be the Grand Pope. He can cuddle and sing to Athena all he wants. Even if they find out about the old man, who cares if they give chase afterward! I can go anywhere with the snap of my finger. The world is mine to go as I please!"

The Gemini took his helmet and smacked himself. Where the hell did that come from? Did he say that out loud? He slinked back into the throne.

All of this guilt was weighing upon him, making the curse far worse. He gripped his scalp. The last time he felt like this was when Kanon disappeared."Six more days," he muttered as if it granted comfort. Still, he was a bit worried.

"Your Holiness?" she waited until the Pope turned his masked face at her. "The Sagittarius Saint…he asked me to tell you that it could be an hour before the Goddess will nap once more. He suspects it is constipation as to why she has not been very cooperative as of late. He says that he will massage her tummy and combine a delicious puree in the kitchen to feed her and allow her blockage to pass and grant her relief. He said that once that occurs, she should sleep quite soundly." She wrinkled her brow. "His words, not mine."

The Pope shook his head. "No, that sounds exactly what he would do. Ah...Mother Hen truly is back with a fucking vengeance...not that he ever left….poor Aiolia, " he chuckles. How strange, even just thinking about the archer was enough to soothe him a little.

"Excuse me? Mother hen? I don't understand," the Maiden spoke.

"Do not worry about it." He drew his hands to his mask. "Tell him to take whatever time he needs to bring comfort to our Goddess." He then pointed to the small room. "There are six books in a pile. Grab the top one and give it to him. Tell him to head back to his House and read up. Tell him I will see him tomorrow morning."

"Yes-yes-yes," she frantically repeated and bowed. She knew her first impression hasn't been the best and sought any task to validate her reason to stay there, no matter how small it may be. "If he asks for a reason?"

The Pope sighed. "Tell him...I am unwell...and if he wants to pray for good health."

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

HOUSE OF SAGITTARIUS

Aiolos stared at the book in front of him. It felt odd, for he rarely ever saw Shion's true handwriting with the Lemurian either having others tend to the task like he or Saga. It seemed so mechanical. Each letter appeared equally pressed to which he could not tell where each stroke of the pen begins and ends.

Aiolos reached over for a nice glass of ouzo and carefully sipped it while his eyes never left the page. And while he found the topic interesting since it delved into an area he found himself a bit weaker in, the fact that the book existed was a bit maddening. It was the first time in the many years he served as a Pope Candidate that he was given any reading material personally scribed by his Holiness.

"You look very stressed, Master."

Aiolos turned his eyes toward the bald elderly servant as he rested a wrinkled hand on a cane. The archer sat his glass back down and stood up. "I just…" He threw his hand on his head. "I don't know." He folded his arms. "Have you ever had a time...where so many small things don't seem right? But yet, because they are small, it makes you wonder whether they are truly minor issues that should be rightfully ignored and not over-think, or are they small, but they add into something far greater that is worth paying attention to?"

Homer pursed his lips. "Depends. Could you enlighten me on these small matters?"

Aiolos drew his hand to his chin, trying to figure out how best to explain it. "They say, only during the heat of the moment, when a crisis comes...that is when you find out who they truly are." His blue eyes looked up. "Several things came, and while I hesitate to call them world-changing… Neither of the two who I am thinking about, is acting how I expect them to." For the archer, Saga seemed so calm and resigned when he spoke of leaving for his brother despite how edgy he got when the subject came up. For the Pope, he had never witnessed one of the most tranquil Lemurians he's met act like he's on pins and needles. "Does that make sense, Homer?"

The servant produced a wide smile. "Yes, more than you think." He then began to laugh heartily. "Oh by the way, I just received a message and Sanctuary wants you to watch the baby again."

The archer chuckled but sighed. "Poor Helen." But he's been in that situation many times being forced to watch his little brother by himself. "Alright, tell them I will be there in ten minutes."

But Homer shook his head. "The baby is here." Aiolos watched the old man gestured for him to follow through the doors. The Sagittarius did so, hurrying through and flinching when he came across two bassinets. His jaw dropped. "Homer, by the ferry of Charon, what is going on?"

Homer raised a hand. "Isn't it obvious. Pick a baby. That's all."

Aiolos approached the two. "Athena?" he muttered as he spotted the all too familiar violet hair. He turned his head. "Aiolia!?" The baby boy turned his bald head, with his brilliant blue eyes and chubby cheeks. He gazed at the familiar crocheted off white onesie that was crafted by his late grandmother and resembled a large potato sack. "You cannot expect me to take one and leave the other behind? I refuse and will grab both."

"I'm afraid you cannot, Master. Pick one to watch over. Don't worry. The other will be taken care of…

….the wolves are very hungry.

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

THE REAL HOUSE OF SAGITTARIUS

"AAAAHHH!" Aiolos screamed as his body rattled, hands twitching violently from the moment that it knocked over the glass of ouzo, the ice long melted hours ago. "Shit…" he muttered as the alcohol began to melt the ink. He stood up and grabbed a small handkerchief and gently dabbed the page to prevent the words from morphing into something unrecognizable. Once most of the liquid had been absorbed, he paused and rested his hands on the table.

"Master, are you alright? What happened?" Homer spoke as he stumbled forward, his leg limping.

The archer shook his head. "A dream…," he muttered as he sank into his chair. "It was so fucking real," he took his hand and pinched it, just to ensure that this reality was his own.

The servant pulled his handkerchief and began to assist in the cleanup. He turned over and noticed how very pale Aiolos was. "Was it that frightening?" He watched him nod, gazing at his Master's dilated pupils. "Master...are you sure it was just a dream?"

"You think it is more?"

Homer nodded. "I've watched over many Golds. One thing I've learned is that because they are very in touch with their cosmos. Such dreams should not be dismissed... because afterward many learn that it was a vision… and highly regret not taking it seriously sooner."

Aiolos stood up and leaned his hands against the table. He has been a bit nervous with Maiden Helen watching over the Goddess. But she wasn't the only one. Shion seemed to be a bit strange.

But why did he dream of his brother?

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

?

The snow whipped around, blowing wildly around the Gemini. Saga opened his eyes trying to use his hand to shield his face only to find himself unable to move.

What's going on? Where am I?

Where is this place?

Why can't I move?

Why is it so cold?

Saga gritted his teeth, trying to burn his cosmos, only to find himself unable to do so.

He turned his head to see a figure in the distance, her long violet hair and silk white dress gently waving back and forth. His eyes turned toward the familiar glow of her staff. "Athena?" He muttered.

"She doesn't want to look at you, traitor."

He turned his head as a dark figure with black and silver armor and three pairs of wings approached him, a large sword in hand. "Hades?" he hissed before he looked down and gasped, finding his body frozen underwater. "What is going on?"

The God of the Underworld smirked as he came forward and knelt and stroked the Gemini's head as if he was some stray mutt. "Your destiny, Saint...although I should say Saga since you are clearly unworthy of such a title," he softly spoke with silk grace, devoid of any warmth. "You know the stories that the Priests speak of during service. A Saint who betrays Athena will be turned away from her… denied the right of the Collective. Any warrior without a God or Goddess' blessing, whether they be Saint, God Warrior, Satellite, or Mariner, will find their way here to the River Cocytus where all traitors reside...to be at whatever whim I and my Judges choose," he spoke as his armored finger twirled a large lock of his blue hair before yanking it right out of the scalp.

Saga struggled to try to break free, blood dripping down his face, but nothing worked. "No, it wasn't my fault! I am cursed!"

Hades laughed. "Do you think I care if you're cursed or not? Besides, you have no excuse, Saga. It read your heart."

"I didn't want him to die!" The Gemini screamed as Hades took his finger and drew a heart on the front of his forehead in his blood.

"Doesn't matter. I am not the one who decides who joins the Collective for Saints. Your Soul has to go somewhere, and since it couldn't go to the Collective, it will come here, like all traitors."

Saga frowned. "All traitors? If this place is for all traitors, where is my brother!?"

Hades laughed once more. "As I said...Any warrior without a God or Goddess' blessing, whether they be Saint, God Warrior, Satellite, or Mariner, finds their way here to the River Cocytus where all traitors reside...for all eternity..."

Saga turned his head back toward the distance, watching the back of her hair whip back and forth in the snow. "Athena! ATHENA! Please! Please! I didn't mean to kill him! It twisted my anger! I didn't want to kill him!"

Hades rested an arm on his knee. "Don't worry, Saga. Ignore the tales, for I am a kind, God. You know Athena once asked me if we could have a treaty where after she killed all of my poor Specters and gave me quite an embarrassing loss, she asked if I could resurrect all the Gold Saints." He turned toward Saga's head. "I told her no because what do I have to gain? I can resurrect my army every couple hundred years anyway, while her followers dwindle with each generation. It is only a matter of time where I will be victorious."

Hades' head turned toward the growing crowd of Specters approaching, eagerly waiting for revenge for the last Holy War.

But now that I think about it, I may take her up on that offer.

For all eternity Saga, you shall be the first Gold Saint I resurrect back to life...

Over…

And over….

And over….

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

The Gemini screamed, his hands splashing wildly in the bath. He heaved as he turned toward his arm. He had fallen asleep so long in there that his skin was white, extremely wrinkly, and the water that was once steaming hot had now turned lukewarm. He climbed over the ledge and threw the towel around his shivering naked body tightening it as close to his skin as possible.

He laid there and softly sobbed. The curse won't let him kill himself nor admit his crime so easily. Besides...

A Saint who betrays Athena will be turned away from her… denied the right of the Collective. Any warrior without a God or Goddess' blessing, whether they be Saint, God Warrior, Satellite, or Mariner, will find their way here to the River Cocytus where all traitors reside.

The worst part was that he tried so hard to keep his hands clean. For Saints, there was a term called "crossing the line" in which once they make their first kill….the rest felt so simple.

He felt so trapped, miserable, and very frightened.

"Shion, how dare you. You save my life and damned my soul for your death!" Unlike any other theology, the Underworld was very real. A powerless Saint tossed inside of it was like throwing a baby seal in a cage full of starving sharks. Sometimes he wondered if his attempts to try and right his wrong were fruitless.

Shion said he must stay alive for a purpose.

Well...fuck Shion's purpose. This was his life to be done with as he pleased!

He turned his head toward his Pandora's box. He took his hand and flipped the top to allow all the sides to fall and reveal the statue form. His fist tightening. "Why do you still allow me to open you!?" Saga stared at it silently. "WHY DO YOU NOT ABANDON ME! I AM UNWORTHY! I AM UNWORTHY!" he screamed as if yelling to Zeus himself.

He grabbed the helmet and threw it, knocking all the pieces everywhere. He turned toward the front of the helmet. If he was denied, it should feel so heavy that the weight of the earth was crushing him, yet it was still as light as a feather. Perhaps Shion's tales of how Cloths worked was a lie as well. He took the helmet and tossed it into the bath.

After getting dressed, Saga dragged himself down the halls. "So quiet…" he muttered. It was during this time when those of the household would be given a chance to relax and gossip. He turned his head toward Athena's Chambers. He paused before turning toward it.

Inside was full of various folded cloth nappies, outfits, and toys. His head shifted toward the Goddess as she peacefully slept soundly inside her bassinet, just like Aiolos said she would. The Gemini wondered if Aiolos was given a choice if he would serve as the Pope or take Maiden Helen's duty?

He then stepped forward until he was in front of the Goddess. He stared at her soft face and serene look. At that moment, Saga pulled out the cursed Gold Dagger…

…

…

….

…

…

...before kneeling before her bassinet.

He was done.

He was very done.

One can only wear a mask of illusion before they have had enough.

How can anyone become a serial killer and live with the guilt of taking a life was beyond him.

He was at his breaking point now and it was better he does it now and sees whose face he will gaze upon in the afterlife than to contemplate the horrors in endless nightmares for the rest of his life.

Saga lowered his head as he laid the dagger in front of him like a samurai before seppuku and clasped his hands in prayer.

"Goddess Athena, forgive me, for I have sinned and conducted one of the worst crimes one in the army can commit...and that is to betray my Holy Pope by taking his life. I have been faithful since me and my brother's flower bracelet ceremony that formerly baptized us, however, it is clear that I have deviated from such. I cannot bring back the Pope from his eternal sleep so all I wish is that with your great cosmos, provide me an opportunity to right this wrong, by giving me a chance to end my life in retribution for what I've done. I don't know if it will grant me salvation and a chance to join the Collective where all my Gemini predecessors reside, but at the very least, it is the right thing to do."

She won't forgive you.

She doesn't love you.

Saga's eyes widened as the voices of the curse echoed. "She loves all...even her enemies. She is the embodiment of love."

A Goddess has her limits.

"...no…"

Did you see how she cried for your traitorous hands touching her?

She accepts Aiolos for he is a true Saint...and you are not worthy of such a title.

"...I'm...sorry…" he whispered as the seemingly hundreds of voice chorused in his head.

You are a murderer…

You are a monster…

And when you die, you will not be welcomed in the Collective with your predecessors…

Eternally damned to be frozen in the River Cocytus, tormented by the Specters of Hades….

She can never look at you with her eyes.

She will never look at you with love.

She denies it.

She denies you.

...

...

…

Suddenly, all the voices fade and one that could be described as fiery and black as a dark hole spoke, as if it was from somewhere else and not Saga's heart.

Yet she won't deny that she is 'not' the God of War

Saga's hair changed to white his eyes as red as blood. He stood before the bassinet and raised the dagger unaware of what was going on.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Aiolos gasped as he halted the blade's path with one hand and grabbed the Pope's wrist with the other. "How is he so strong?" the archer thought as he felt his cosmos burning brightly. Shion's cosmos may still be strong, but his body had degraded over time. His blood dripped upon the Goddess, causing her to wail. He shoved the Pope aside and snatched her in his hands right before the dagger came down tearing the bedding that was beneath her. He clutched her body into his, dodging the wild swings before he spotted an opening and slammed his foot into the Pope's chest and bashing him against the wall, causing the mask to pop out of its sockets revealing the face for who it truly was.

"SAGA!?" he gasped, his voice cracking with utter shock, causing the Gemini and himself to freeze in place. He thought he took a leave of Sanctuary to go find Kanon. Why was he here? Why was he trying to kill Athena?

Where is Shion?

Cursed Saga touched his naked face and strands of ash-grey hair…"You weren't supposed to see me!"

"Saga! What are you," Aiolos eyes widened as he could see his hands rise up. The archer turned away. He knew the reach of the attack and it was more than enough to consume the damn chambers.

LIGHTNING BOLT

Aiolos screamed as he slammed his fist to break open the wall the rest of the way before charging forward toward the exit. He could have blocked it and only received superficial bruises on his arms, but that crushed Athena like a dropped egg on concrete. As he felt the radial blast behind him, all he could do is focus his cosmos and hoped for the best, which was a couple of cracked ribs.

Cursed Saga skittered back and forth screaming, not realizing the words he unleashed will destroy the life of the Sagittarius and anyone even associated with him.

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

Saga opened his blue eyes, his head resting on the soft goose feather pillow. He rubbed his face and stretched his arms before pushing the dark red sheets away from his naked body. "What happened.." he muttered as he reached over and grasped the robes staring at the large tears upon the sacred fabric. He turned to the side to see a workbench and several Lemurian tools. He drew his hands to his face. All this time, he simply rested in the guest room near the small office. Did he actually sleep in Shion's private bedroom?

Saga turned toward the counter and noticed something blue and familiar. Laying on the table was the shattered remains of his Tele-Pod, the same one that Shion fixed for him long ago. Was he this angry at the Lemurian during one of his blackouts?

He needed some clothes.

He hurried toward a door and flung it open and gasped as a pair of bodies fell out. "The missing door guards," he muttered feeling his naked body turn. He grabbed another door only to cause another, draped in white cloth, to fall out. His shaking hand grabbed and turned it over to reveal the pale remains of an elderly woman with glasses. "Maiden Leto…". There she was, all this time. She had been shoved in there for so long, green slime was leaking from her mouth. Saga turned his head and threw up from the smell.

His head gazed farther and gasped as he saw more white cloth, ripped to pieces. "Maiden Helen…" he gasped. She wasn't the best but didn't deserve to die. He turned his head toward the other closet door, wondering if her body was shoved in there too. He dared not open it. Instead, all he could do was apologize profusely. "I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! How could I!"

Rather than go through more closets, he just grabbed his old torn robes and slipped them on. He hurried over to the large office and noticed some pages with several seals. Saga paused and snatched them up. "Oh no…" They weren't just typical bills, these were official papers that declared Aiolos as a traitor for trying to kill Athena. Saga's eyes widened. "What have I done?" It wasn't all. Right below, was one of the greatest insults a Gold Saint could have, second to having their Cloth abandon him: He had revealed Aiolos identity to all of Rodario, with a sketch of his face next to it, each one with his red bandana brightly highlighted, as red as blood.

His mouth curled with a wide wicked smile, his eyes narrowed and slightly shadowed, eyebrows arched. Somehow, they twisted Aiolos' handsome gentle features. It was him, but it wasn't like some alternate reality version of him.

How sad. Even in a place where a candlemaker is one of the top shops in the village, they had a clear understanding of the power of propaganda.

"What have I done?" his voice hoarse...a mere whisper. His plan had failed. Aiolos wasn't the Pope...he was the opposite. A name that cannot be spoken of without spite.

His eyes turned toward the other details. "Attempting to replace the Goddess Athena with an imposter...extremely dangerous, report and eliminate on sight. All those who attempt to assist will be charged with treason." Such dangerous words. How could he write such a thing?"

Saga drew his hands to his head, as fragments of what had occurred last night began to appear. "Shura…" he muttered. "Oh, Goddess...I'm sorry…"

This wasn't supposed to happen.

"Your Holiness!" Called a voice through the door.

The Gemini spotted the mask and helmet in the corner and snatched them, placing them on, feeling a sense of peace, the gradual heat cooling from within. "What is it," he called out through the other side.

"A few updates on the hunt for the traitor and the false Athena he carries."

Saga leaned against the table.

This was never supposed to happen.

Saga wanted to confess...but he knew better. The bodies that stink up the dead Lemurian's former chambers were proof of that. Just thinking of it made him ill. Besides, he needed to find out what was going on and only the Pope was privy to such high-level information. "Come in," he spoke as he stepped over toward a wooden chair, pulling and tugging at his robe to hide the rips and spots that exposed his bare skin. He watched the soldier come in and bow. His white uniform was clearly caked in four or five layers of dust, an indication that he and hundreds of others were sent out in great haste and were not permitted to leave without results. Another man, well dressed, but yet drops of blood stained his cuffs. "Well, how goes the search for...the suspect in question?"

The Captain nodded. "Your Holiness, I am reluctant to say, but despite our mighty Commander heavily injuring him, we have yet to find the traitor nor the imposter he intended to use to replace our Goddess with." He went from a bow to dropping on his hands. "Your Holiness… we did recover part of the Cloth of Sagittarius, but the bow is missing."

The Gemini paused and suddenly, the dread that weighed him began to fade. "Oh...how horrible…" He reached out and rested his hand upon the Captain. "You have worked very hard. Even though we are without the suspect, I trust you will accept my full gratitude for all your efforts and will be rewarded properly." His eyes gazed upon the bloody bag at his side. If he hadn't thrown up earlier from the discovery of Maiden Leto, he would've done so now...a terrible thing when he had a mask latched upon his helmet. "What is that in your pouch?"

The Captain reached down and passed it to the Pope. "A few artifacts that we suspect are his."

Saga looked down and nodded. "I shall hold on to this."

"Your Holiness, I am unsure if that is wise. It is evidence that could help us track-" he paused as the masked Pope glared at him. "-but it isn't that important and if you desire to hold onto them, then so be it."

The other man stepped forward eager to make a good impression. "If you desire trophies, Your Holiness, then may I show you this. I have written statements by the traitor's younger brother that perhaps may lead us to his eventual capture, "he passed the book forward and watched the Pope accept them graciously.

Saga thumbed through them. "This is quite a bit."

"It is. He was silent at first, but because the traitor's brother was a Leo, after a bit of declawing, it was far easier to make him speak," he reached into his pocket and produced a small white case.

Saga lifted the lid and his eyes widened as he stared at what looked like two whole bloody fingernails. "What is this!?" he screamed before he threw the case on the ground. "You tortured him!?!" Saga knew the Sagittarius too well. Aiolos will gladly sacrifice all he was for others. But to do such a thing to his little brother was like telling Zeus he had a tiny dick.

The man was terribly shocked. Last night the Pope was demanding that every course of action be taken to see that the traitor was found and now it was like he was a totally different person."Forgive me, Your Holiness, but certain actions must be taken if we wish to have results! The traitor's brother is certain to have contact with him and by bending him, we in turn will be able to regain the trail."

It was certainly true. If there was one reason as to why Aiolos would return to Sanctuary, it would be for his brother, especially if he learns that torture was being utilized. But Saga promised to take care of Aiolia as if he was his own brother and even when conflict with Kanon was at its worst, he would never resort or allow such a thing. "What is your name, sir?"

"Agenor, Your Holiness."

"Very well, Agenor. Thank you for these results, but I will have Shura find you another duty. Because the brother is a Saint, I believe a Gold Saint shall be assigned for his interrogations, therefore, Saint Gemini will be in charge of such manners." While it will be very difficult to separate Aiolia from the situation, perhaps downright impossible. However, he can at least mitigate his treatment, but already he sensed that the cub will have many mental scars.

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

RODARIO

Saga, dressed in his Gold Cloth, the cracks still haven't healed from his encounter with Shion with a black stocking over his head to protect his identity, followed by the Captain outside of Sanctuary, needing to see the spot for himself.

He struggled to avoid turning toward them, but it was impossible. Several villagers have erected pyres with straw men with cheap red headbands burnings in massive flames. Saga stopped when he spotted a familiar building, the clinic that Aiolos had treated many, was burning as well, the words "Traitor" painted in red. How sad, they can't reach the House of Sagittarius so the people of Rodario inflict their anger at other things, even if its only purpose was to heal those that most needed it.

"COME BACK!" shouted a woman.

Saga turned and watched a young boy with a white cloth draped around his body. "I won't let you cut it!" he screamed.

"I have to! I love you! I want you to stay safe!" screamed a frazzled mother with a pair of scissors.

The Captain turned his head. "We had several teens mistaken for the traitor, Saint Gemini. Some were beaten up fairly badly, but we had a couple that was killed before we could help them."

The Gemini nodded. Long hair was highly revered in Rodario. Aiolos himself desired it too, but his curls made it extremely difficult. His head turned toward the body of an old man laying on the ground. He stared hard at the bloodied bruised face. "It's Homer," he muttered, recognizing the large mole that was the size of a pea on the left cheek of the servant in the House of Sagittarius. He turned toward his neck, and it was clear that a rope was tied around it, his body dragged down the street. He guessed that he heard about the declaration about Aiolos and rushed out to find him, only to encounter a mob needing someone to lash their anger at.

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

The two had finally reached the site where thousands of broken rocks laid about, a place typically reserved for people to learn to awaken their cosmos at.

The Captain stepped forward, "Saint Gemini, it is over-"

"-I know where it is at," Saga interrupted. "Now leave me. I would like a little privacy." He waited until the soldier stepped away before he began to approach. The Clothbox was removed and now stored in the Pope's Chambers. It was clear that Aiolos must have burned his cosmos for something. It could be to heal, perhaps to go a little farther or even to deliver a message.

Saga focused harder and could sense a very thin trail, perhaps Aiolos trying to conceal himself as best as he could. He did not take flight, but if tales of Shura's attack were true and a direct hit was struck, it would be a miracle if he survived it, let alone be able to move at all. But there was another thing that stuck out about the area, and that was his cosmos had severely thinned where the pool of blood was, suggesting someone carried him. Yet after a distance, it totally disappeared, as if he was spirited away. Suddenly, the dark melancholy that weighed his heart began to lift.

Now he was certain, Aiolos truly was alive somewhere.

He turned and lightspeed back to the front of Sanctuary. From there, he could see the twelve Houses, but most notably was the site itself.

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

SIX YEARS AGO

Nine-year-old Aiolos approached Pope Shion and knelt. "Your Holiness, I Aiolos, trainee of the House of Sagittarius wish to prove my worth to wield the Cloth of Sagittarius by taking the Ax of Odysseus Test.

"Trainee Aiolos of the House of Sagittarius, I grant you permission to attempt the Ax of Odysseus. May the Goddess be in your heart and grant you victory so that you may join the Golden Zodiac," Shion dictated before he reached down and passed him the Golden bow and the modified arrow that passed his approval for use. Once the Lemurian was done with all the scripted dialogue that he was forced to say before any such test, he closed his eyes. "Good luck, Aiolos."

The archer turned to the arrow. It took a week, but Mu was able to figure out how to adjust the fletching and the tip to narrow it without removing any of its weight nor affecting its balance too much. He took a breath and turned toward his friends, all dressed in green, Kanon holding another bunny in his arms. He started with scanning for the ax. Even if he could see better than others, the opening still resembled a pinhole. He took a deep breath and pulled back the string, measuring the force of the wind, micro-adjusting his aim, and the amount of power needed to avoid applying too much force before firing.

Everyone stared into the distance, hearing the arrow whistle over the Houses, expecting the gentle thud of the ax only to hear nothing at all.

Silence followed as everyone turned to each other. "So did the arrow go through the hole?" asked Aldebaran.

Shion turned his head. While the ax didn't fall, the question of whether Aiolos was able to aim correctly could only be answered one way. "I guess we shall find out." With that, Shion lightly used his telekinesis to cause himself to float a bit and ease the pressure of his knee and move away from the box.

Aiolos stepped forward. He took his hand and used his cosmos to ease the pain in his shoulder. He stared at the winged centaur. If his aim was true, he should have full power over his Cloth and can summon it at will. His head turned to his friends, all of them silent and anxious, except for Shaka who allows his consistent serene nature to mask his present feelings.

He raised his hand and directed it toward the box as if taming a wild beast before him. "Sagittarius!" He calls out.

His heart skipped as the top flew open before the statue of the winged Centaur floated, its light radiating so bright that it was like a miniature star. Yet somehow, it did not blind him and he continued to stare at it.

Aiolos, do you swear to uphold the vision of Athena of a world, guided by peace and love?

The trainee was shocked to hear it speaking to him. "Yes, I do."

Will you use the gifts that will be bestowed upon you, to protect the world and never use such gifts for personal gain?

To his surprise, the voice changed as if someone else was speaking to him. "I will."

Aiolos do you swear to take Athena as your one true Goddess and rescind all ties to Artemis?

At that moment, the archer frowned, for he had never sworn or prayed to her in his life. But he always did see her moon through the little circular window in the House of Sagittarius. But still he will not argue with it. "I do."

Very well, by the order of the Collective of Sagittarius,

Declare you: Saint Aiolos of Sagittarius, Ninth Guardian of Twelve Houses of Sanctuary

May the Goddess Athena Keep you.

"And to you," Aiolos finished with the traditional saying before the Cloth broke apart and assembled on his body.

He turned downwards in awe to see it upon his body.

Shion watched the others as Aiolos slowly turned toward his friends. Even after two hundred years and witnessing it dozens of times, it was still a pleasure watching the initial shock and joy of one's face when they realized they have truly made it and joined the long illustrious line of the Zodiac. Everyone asked how he manages to handle being the Old Man, and it is moments like this that grant youth to his tired bones. He smiled as the others charged forward screaming and cheering, and of course, the great burden that all Sagittarius must endure: everyone wanting to touch the wings.

"How does it feel?" the Lemurian asked after the screaming and cheering stopped and Aldebaran had set the Sagittarius back down on his feet.

Aiolos' mouth opened for a moment and no words came out. He then tried again. "It's amazing...I-I.." He stuttered before he looked down trying his best to describe it. "It was so heavy carrying the box, but it's so light that if I didn't have my trainer underneath, it's like I'm wearing nothing."

"That is how you should feel," spoke Mu, as he and Shaka were the only two to have earned their Cloths already. "It means, the Cloth has fully accepted you and you two are perfectly aligned."

Shaka suddenly walked over and directly next to Deathmask. "That's right. If you feel any heaviness, that is a sign and a warning from the Collective that you are not honoring your vows and should rethink one's actions."

"What a wonderful day! How about we celebrate and eat the rabbit?" called out Kanon as he lifted the eight-kilo behemoth.

"Brother, do you still have any leftover Shura's secret eleven herbs and spices from the last rabbit," mused Aiolia.

"Well, it's technically not my recipe. I just remembered it from a restaurant in my childhood that my servant managed to duplicate," admitted the Capricorn.

Saga frowned as he turned toward his friend. "Aiolos, I know today is your day, but can we please not eat the rabbit today. My brother only brought it to torment me."

Aiolos turned, fairly aware that was the purpose of Kanon going through the trouble of finding one as well. Little brothers were precious, but as he knew too well, at times, they can be a pain in the butt. "Don't worry, I figured that out the moment he carried it in. Besides, I wouldn't have earned my Cloth this quickly if you hadn't thought of the arrow modification. Thank you, my friend." He flashed a quick smile to avoid being noticeable to others.

"You're still the only one among us who could've fired it like that, friend," Saga stealthy smiled back.

Aiolos turned back to the others. "I'm actually in the mood for something from the bakery. How about one of us head back down the square to Demeter's and pick some stuff up."

"Master, I'm here!"

Aiolos turned around, "Homer? What are you doing here?"

The old servant carried a large woven basket filled with several goods. "The Saint of Virgo told me to head to the bakery and pick out several things."

Everyone turned toward the six-year-old Buddhist in shock.

Shaka shrugged, his eyes still closed. "They would be fresh from the oven, and his test would've been complete by now," the sixth guardian spoke as he walked over and picked up the bag of his favorite warm vegan chocolate chip cookies.

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

PRESENT

Saga reached for the bloody bag and pulled a stained pendant that the Sagittarius wore around his neck. It was made from the arrow that he fired upon to earn his Cloth on that day. He guessed that whatever happened in Athena's Chambers, it broke off since it was found in the gorge below it.

The True Pope had betrayed him and was dead.

His brother, his other half, had betrayed him and was missing.

The Goddess was missing...most likely forsaking him.

She will never look you in the eyes with love.

But he betrayed Aiolos, and yet...he was still alive.

Saga knew in his heart, because that shiny bit of optimism that the Sagittarius had always tried to fill him with, was still there. Not only that, but there was no body.

While the event was still hazy, Saga knew his abilities and if he truly went all out, Aiolos and Athena would've been ashes in that tiny room or floating alongside the rings of Saturn.

He couldn't kill him that night when they were alone and he couldn't do it either in the tower.

"You're still alive, friend." A smile curled around his lips. "You may have the Goddess, but I have the cub."

With that the Gemini took the pendant and aimed it directly at the balcony, a new plan formulating in his head. "After the long journey home, Odysseus returned to Ithaca. There he proved his might with his bow before he killed the suitors who dared to deny him and took back his title as the true ruler. I'll be waiting, friend. HA HAHH HAHAHA HA!" he burst into a roar of laughter before he kicked his heels and jumped into Another Dimension to return to the Pope's Chambers.

Once inside he turned toward the papers. He sighed reluctantly. There was still a Holy War and who knew how long it would take for the Sagittarius to return. Besides, Rodario was in chaos, and frankly, thanks to quite a bit of mismanagement and underestimating the greed of nobles, Sanctuary was honestly quite broke. Unless something was done soon, while he may not be as good at managing the military, he knew that if he didn't fix their budget soon, they would be fighting off Specters with sticks and metal pans strapped to their bellies.

The Gemini picked up the helmet and mask. Goddess, he hated this. He had to walk like a turtle at stairs, eat mostly vegetarian, hunch down all the time that made his back ache at the end of the day, and every clock in the place was Lemurian and he had to deal with a thirteenth hour on all of them. Not only that, but he was not confirmed, nor should he. Although, he wondered how long that would last. Wondering if the curse would ever cause him to just take what did not belong to him. "Aiolos is still alive," Saga muttered, as reassurement.

But the wheels of bureaucracy must keep turning. If he had to play the old man he would ensure it was the greatest fake reign he ever had. He will ensure the people gain the services they need. He will put money back in the treasury. Children will always have their bread.

When Aiolos returns, even if he intends to die, he will ensure his friend has a government that is free of corruption and was righteous once more.

"Oh there you are, Your Holiness. I was wondering where you were at."

Saga turned his head as Helen stood by the door leading to the baths. "Maiden Helen?" He gasped as she stood there dripping wet, no towel to be seen. "I thought you were dead!" He thought his cursed self shoved her corpse in a closet. " What are you doing there like that?"

She raised a brow and placed her hands on her bare hips. "Dead?" She laughed heartily. "Not after last night. I was more alive than ever!"

Saga blinked his eyes. "Did we…"

The formerly chaste maiden turned her head. "Don't you remember? You said you just had a messy break up with your boyfriend, your hand was sore, you had a very bad night, and needed some sympathy." She said, her shiny wet tits bobbing up and down with each word.

The Gemini's mouth dropped a bit. Judging by the way she looked without her bulky white robes and the fact her melons were bigger than his biceps, it was very clear that his cursed side did not choose her because she was good with children.

Oh Goddess, forget trying to for the best reign ever… he'll be lucky if this doesn't become the most fucked up.

END OF THE EVENT ARC

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

Coming around July 12

Cursed Aiolos is not pleased with the results of Saga escaping. Meanwhile, the Gemini and Galan take Athena to Delphi where they try to figure out what to do next. To compound his issues, a grumpy blond-haired man who smells like Whiskey and Britishness, joins him and his Lemurian Psychologist in the Room of the Golden Orb.

Author's Notes: I'm kind of happy at how this turned out. Originally, these were all broken up flashbacks that were to appear throughout the next arc, but it is nice for them all to be together. The hard part was that a lot was cut out. I thought about including Deathmask and Aphrodite's part but it would really cause the chapter to balloon.

One flashback that I've tried many times to figure out how to incorporate was the one where Aiolos gets his Cloth. What would happen is that it wouldn't relate to the present material, so it would often get cut out. So now, I finally found a way to insert it while still making sense.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this arc. It was a lot longer than expected, but it was fun. I tried to add a few fun twists since it is a story that's retold quite a bit.

Read and Review, see you all in a couple of weeks.

Jenny