DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN SAINT SEIYA CHARACTERS. SAINT SEIYA IS UNDER THE AUTHORIZATION OF MASAMI KURUMADA

Chapter One

"Ouch!"

Camus fell to the floor again. It had been the fifth times. He'd tried to stand up, and he didn't believe that it needed very huge energy just to straighten his back. He tried to take a step…two steps…three…four…

And his knees fell again to the floor.

"What's happening to me…?" he whispered.

It had been two weeks since Athena sealed the Goldies' powers. Most of them suffered serious damages in parts of their bodies as the effects of their powerless states. The damages were caused by the attacks they had received in previous times. When they still had the powers, they still could stand it very well. But now that they had been normal people, their reactions towards such severe attacks were the same as normal people too. Nevertheless, the Bronzies didn't get significant problems for they didn't have big powers as the Goldies: in the previous times the Bronzies often got beaten that they had been accustomed with pains. But the Goldies couldn't stand having no powers, because they hardly suffered injuries, and when they had to feel the effects of the previous attacks, they were far weaker than the Bronzies.

As the days went by, Camus felt that his body was getting weaker and weaker. He'd thought that the chaos only happened in short-period, as Shun had said, but the reality proved otherwise. These days he always had to wear fur-coat though the weather temperature was quite high. Hyoga felt the same way, but he never wore fur-coat, only put on a jacket, and he did it when the temperature had been in 10 degrees Celsius. Camus wore fur coat though it was 20 degrees Celsius, because he couldn't help the coldness he felt. And when he'd not finished with that bizarre trouble, he had to face another one: the lameness in his legs. Since a week ago he'd felt there's something wrong with his legs. He couldn't walk too far, for he felt extreme ache in his knees. Today was the culmination: he couldn't help to fall down after taking five steps.

Camus sighed. He tried to wake up again, explored his energy, then walked to his bed in difficulty. He sat there and massaging his knees. This wasn't very strange phenomenon actually. His fellows were feeling the same ways though each had different symptoms. Saga said he began to feel the difficulty of speaking. His twin had different complain: he always felt like his body was being stabbed. Today he couldn't wake up from his bed. Aiolia's condition got worse, for right now he couldn't bring something weighed more than one kilo. His brother's condition was much better, though. Dohko had the same feeling as Camus; he couldn't walk well, but it wasn't because of aches: he was sure that it was affected by his bones whose age already more than 200 years old. Meanwhile, Shura now couldn't move his right arm even an inch. Deathmask didn't feel anything strange in his body, but his mind got disturbed: he always felt there were thousands death faces which laughed at him. Now he locked himself in his bedroom, refused to get out for he said he would feel worse if he met his fellows. Aldebaran…well, all of them know that now he was very weak and very light in weight. The same as Deathmask he also refused to get out because he was so ashamed. Aphrodite was very easy to faint when there were flowers near to him, especially roses. Those who didn't feel significant problems were only Mu, Aiolos, and Milo. And the one who had biggest and the most worrying problem was Shaka. Camus' condition was nothing compared to him. Shaka was unable to wake up since the third day, and a week ago he began to be unconscious. He never opened his eyes again afterwards.

"Sensei?"

Camus turned his head. He saw Hyoga walked towards him. "Ready for breakfast?" asked Hyoga.

"No, I want to see Shaka first. But…"

"Your legs get hurt again?"

Camus nodded, smiled slightly.

"Come on, I'll help you to go to his bedroom," Hyoga then helped his master to stand up and circled Camus' hand to his neck.

"Thanks, Hyoga," said Camus as they walked slowly to Shaka's room. "You've been so helpful."

"It's okay. All do the same way; Shiryu also helps Roshi when he needs him. And I'll help my fa….my teacher when he needs me."

Camus then gave his rare smile to his son…his student.

They arrived at Shaka's room after several minutes. Some Goldies had been there.

"What happens?" Milo asked puzzlingly seeing Camus was leaning to Hyoga's arms. He got himself close to his best friend and examined his condition.

"Nothing," Camus answered, encouraged Milo and the others who had also looked at him anxiously. "Just my legs, it's nothing at all. So how's Shaka?" he asked as he sat to the chair Milo brought him.

"He's still sleeping," said Ailoia, looked at Shaka in desperation. Shaka was lying on the bed, sleeping, and he looked serene. But his breath was somewhat weak.

"We've got to bring him to hospital soon," said Mu, put his fingers on his forehead. "I think he is coma."

"I think…I know…why…he is…that weak," said Saga slowly, gazed at Camus. Camus also gazed at him, and there was no coldness again in his deep blue eyes. Those eyes were empty and full of sadness.

"No, it's not your fault," said Aiolia. "It's been long time ago, just forget it. I know Shaka won't ever blame you as well."

"He's the only one who got Athena Exclamation," said Saga in low voice. "And he's the only one who ends like this."

"This is not the end," Mu replied. "Don't say something like that."

"Well, I think you guys are right," said Milo. "Let's call ambulance. We'd better bring him there as fast as we can. And we'll take you as well," said Milo, looked at Camus.

"I'm fine, Milo," Camus replied with his usual cold voice. He stood up, but soon he fell again to the floor and Hyoga caught him in reflex. "Sensei…"

"Yes, you're absolutely fine," said Milo sarcastically.

"Come on, Camus," said Saga. He also circled Camus' hand to his neck as Hyoga did in the other side. Camus frowned his forehead, seemed not to believe that he didn't have any strength to stand up. They then headed to hospital together, while Mu and Aiolia stayed and waited for ambulance to bring Shaka as well.

SAINT SEIYA

"What happens with him?" asked Milo to the doctor after he examined Camus for about four hours. After arriving in the hospital, Camus didn't manage to stand up again, though he'd been helped by Saga, Hyoga, and Milo together. He had to sit on wheelchair then. Now he sat beside Milo, while Saga and Hyoga stood behind them.

"Well…," said the doctor after several minutes. "Sorry I have to say this. But Mr. Camus," he looked at Camus, seemed struggling to look at him straight in the eyes. Camus, meanwhile, stayed calm and cold as usual.

"You are paralyzed," said the doctor finally.

Saga and Hyoga looked as if they had been slapped. Milo stood up in reflex.

"What?!" he gasped. "What are you talking about?"

"He'd suffered serious injury in his nerves since long time ago, and it ends to the inability of walking," said the doctor simply.

"It's impossible," Milo looked at Camus, who seemed unaffected at all by the bad news. "Can't you do something to recover his legs, doctor?"

"Well…the operation for this kind of case only has 3 percents possibility…"

"Please cure him," said Milo. "Don't worry about the bill, I'll do anything."

"I know, Mr. Milo, but the problem is…"

"You can do some transplantation to exchange his nerves, can't you?"

"Milo…," said Camus.

"I will do anything," said Milo to the doctor. "You can take my nerves."

"Milo," said Camus.

"You shut up!" snapped Milo. "How come you still seem this cool?! You're paralyzed! I repeat: you are paralyzed!"

"I know," replied Camus calmly.

"I don't care about what you say, Camus. Now doctor, if my nerves can cure him, you can do the operation right now."

"Mr. Milo, there's no such of operation for this kind of case. We can do that in another case, maybe, but here—"

"Then amputate me! I'll give him my legs!" said Milo. His eyes suddenly glistened with tears. "If it can make him able to walk again—"

"Milo," Camus tried to stop his friend, but Milo kept talking. "I'm sure you can do that. Or…whatever the method is…I want you to cure him! Make him able to walk again—"

"Milo, listen to me—Milo!" Camus grabbed his friends' hands. He looked straight to his eyes.

"I'm alright," said Camus after several minutes. He then looked at Saga who was still stricken, and Hyoga, whose face was now full of tears.

"Don't cry, Hyoga, I'm fine," said Camus in unusual soft voice, holding his student's arm. Then Camus turned his head on Milo again. "And you. There's no medical treatment for my legs, Milo. I tell you, my paralyze is caused by Aurora Execution and Shaka's Ten Bu Huo Rin. But this is not anybody's fault—Hyoga, I don't blame you at all. And Milo…those attacks are very powerful, lucky I'm at least still alive right now."

"Then what about me?" Milo asked with a very low voice. "I was also attacked by Rhadamanthys' Greatest Caution, but why it's only me who doesn't get any serious injury, damnit?! You and Shura are paralyzed, and Shaka's coma, do you think I can breath well seeing my friends in such condition?!"

Camus opened his mouth to say something, but Milo soon walked away and exited from the door and banged it. The Aquarius Saint took a deep breath and returned to look at the doctor. "So…"

"Won't it be any operation?" Hyoga asked in a broken voice, caused Camus to roll his eyes. "Hyoga…"

"There's an operation, as I've told you," the doctor said. "But it is a very complicated one, and most of the patients end in deaths. Only one of hundred patients who made it. Honestly I don't suggest you to do that, Mr. Camus."

Camus nodded his head slowly.

Several minutes later they exited from the room. The other Gold Saints approached them.

"So how is it?" asked Aiolia.

"I'm paralyzed," answered Camus flatly, caused the others face frozen.

"The same as me," whispered Shura. He was right. He was paralyzed in his right arm. Aiolia was also nearly paralyzed because he was only able to bring something which was less than a kilo. There was no medical treatment for his hands.

"Probably if we get our powers back, we will recover soon," said Shura.

"I don't know," sighed Mu. "Athena has come back to Olympus Mountain and she has no duty again in this world."

"How's Shaka?" asked Camus suddenly.

The other gazed on each other.

"He's got long-term coma," said Mu quietly. "The doctor said we can't predict the time of his consciousness. He can wake up two years later, or even ten years later."

Saga left his place hearing that. Camus' eyes got empty again.

"Shihyou," Hyoga was kneeling in front of his teacher. His eyes were still full of tears. "You told me that your paralyze is not my and Shaka's fault. So it means Shaka's coma is not your fault either."

Camus nodded slowly. He smiled slightly, encouraged by his student bright blue eyes. "Thank you, Hyoga."

"Camus, I've just seen Milo in the garden," said Shura. "He seems very gloomy, seems like he needs you."

"Yes, you definitely can cheer him up," said Aiolia. "After all, you are his—"

"What?" replied Camus. "Don't start again, Aiolia."

Aiolia and Shura laughed, and Mu chuckled. Camus couldn't help to smile also. It was a miracle that they could still joke in that kind of situation, when some of them had had no ability to move some of their organs again.

"I'll come to Saga," said Mu after the laughter gradually stopped. Camus nodded.

"You'd like me to take you to Milo?" asked Hyoga after Mu left.

"No thanks, Hyoga. I can head there alone," answered Camus.

"Yes, they need to be alone, Hyoga, do not disturb," said Shura, replied by Aiolia's laugh.

"Shut up," snarled Camus coldly. But once again he couldn't help to smile. "How many times I should tell you that I still like girls?"

"Probably until the next Holy War," chuckled Aiolia.

"Yes, right," said Camus. He then smiled at Shura and Aiolia.

"Hey, you're smiling," said Shura, seemed amazed.

"You'll make hundred girls fainted with that smile. Luckily you rarely do that," said Aiolia. He knelt in front of Camus. "You're alright?" he asked.

"Yes, I am," answered Camus. "I got better after hearing your compliment."

Aiolia and Hyoga laughed, while Shura grinned. "You're joking also," he said. "Did Athena erase your coldness as well?"

"I'd been able to joke since long time ago, Shura," said Camus. "You only think that I can't speak well."

Laughters again.

"You're alright?" asked Camus to Aiolia and Shura after several minutes.

"Yes," said Aiolia. "Lucky me…I won't work hard anymore with these hands. But Aiolos doesn't like it. He's got no problem with his health, but he slammed down the doctor's door and ran home after knowing that I can't be cured."

Camus nodded slowly. "Yeah…"

"I wonder Milo feels the same way?" asked Shura.

Camus nodded once again.

"That's why I'll go home to see bro," said Aiolia, stood up. "Shaka will be watched by Shura and Mu. Saga will take his turn at six in the evening."

After Aiolia left, and Shura entered Shaka's room, Camus also ordered his student to go home.

"But I want to be here," said Hyoga.

"I don't," said Camus. "You've been here for hours. And I know last night you didn't sleep because you always checked my room every 30 minutes."

Hyoga blushed. "How do you know that?"

"You're not the only one who didn't sleep, Hyoga. Now come back home. I'll be there soon, ok?"

Hyoga knew that it would be useless to disobey. So after embracing his teacher (Camus felt frozen when he did it), he headed back to home.

Camus took a deep breath after his kid left. "Fine," he sighed, moved his wheelchair forward. "Now's only a scorpion left."

He arrived at the hospital's garden ten minutes later. There he was. The Scorpio stood in the middle of the carpet-like green grass, his long blue hair waved gently by the wind blows. Even though Camus was only able to see his back, he could almost imagine the pain on his face.

"Hey," called Camus.

Milo seemed unaffected by the call.

"Let's go home," said Camus. What else could he say? As usual, he still didn't know what to say in this kind of situation.

Milo turned around. He stared at his best friend. Then silence between them for very long time.

"How can you be so calm?" asked Milo finally.

Camus shook his head. "I don't know."

"You won't be this calm if it is me or Hyoga who's paralyzed, will you?"

"Maybe."

"So stop preventing me."

Silence again.

"Hmm…Shaka," said Camus suddenly. He gazed on the grass. Why did he feel sad again right now…? He'd been able to act calm in front of the others, but why he couldn't hide his feeling when he was with Milo…?

"Shaka…?"

"He has long term coma, probably he'd just wake up years later," Camus answered. He tried to look tough, but he couldn't prevent the sad look in his face. His cold mask melted as he kept thinking of Shaka's severe condition.

Milo approached his friend and knelt in front of him.

"He'll be fine," he said.

Camus nodded slightly. He saw Milo grabbed his legs. There was extreme agony in Milo's face right now.

"And I'll be fine as well," said Camus as he patted Milo's back.

"Why not me…?" Milo whispered.

Camus let Milo laid his head on his lap then.

"Why do you think it's a disaster?" asked Camus as he grasped Milo's shoulder. "You have to be thankful with your condition."

Milo didn't reply. He only managed to drown his face on his best friend's lap.

They kept staying there in the middle of the hospital park, touched by each other's sincerity and sadness that they almost forgot to come back to Kido's mansion.

To be Continued