Hello, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone. We are now beginning the second Arc of Crimson Bonds, the Saint Traitors Arc, and there will be a few surprises. The same disclaimer applies, my mutual friend has worked over Christmas on this and her efforts are appreciated. And remember, I shall be updating every Wednesday every two weeks starting now. Tell us what you think.

"You're supposed to be dead!"

The tall man gave a small smile.

"Is there somewhere private where we can go and sit and talk?"

Saori announced the fight between Seiya and Shiryu a tie and called the conclusion of the wars for that day. As soon as the stadium was cleared out, Saori led them inside her study. The participants followed close behind. Soon Saori, Tatsumi, the eleven war contestants, and the three young strangers were safely behind closed doors.

"I can't let you steal my cloth, Aiolia. I'll be needing it."

The stranger who spoke was tall, with dark brown hair and green eyes. He looked like an older, darker version of the man who had tried to steal the Gold Cloth. He walked over to Saori, knelt before her, and took one of her hands into his own.

"Sagittarius Aiolos, my lady. Ready to serve you."

Everyone in the room gasped. Why would a stranger appear suddenly and declare he was ready to serve Saori?

Saori put her hand on Aiolos's shoulder and everyone noticed a change in her. It was almost as though the girl were glowing.

"Thank you, Aiolos."

Aiolos stood up and the stranger with black hair and dark eyes stepped forward. He also knelt down, said his name was Capricorn Shura, and declared his loyalty to Saori.

"I suppose you're looking for answers?" Aiolos smiled warmly. "I know you deserve them. The last thing I wanted to do was to abandon my little brother, but I had no choice."

Aiolia looked as though he were fighting to keep himself in check. His hands were clenched in shaking fists at his side.

"This young girl is the goddess, Athena. Thirteen years ago, when she was just a baby, a false Pope moved in, killed Pope Shion, took his spot, and then tried to kill Athena. I was able to stop him from killing the girl and passed her off to a Japanese business man who was walking past. He took her and raised her - you came to know him as your grandfather."

Saori nodded.

"You really expect me to believe she is Athena!?" Aiolia demanded.

"I didn't believe it, either" Shura spoke up. "I was sent to kill Aiolos and Athena when he took her. I thought your brother had gone crazy-until I saw her. She had a glow around her, even as an infant."

"They said you two died. They said that Aiolos was a traitor and Shura died stopping him."

Aiolia was breaking down. He obviously wanted to believe his brother.

"Oh, I probably would have died." Aiolos agreed. "Shura doesn't play. But when he saw Athena, he understood who she was and got me help. We've been in hiding ever since."

"My master mentioned a Fake Pope a few times while I was training on Andromeda Island" Shun offered shyly.

Daisuke nodded.

"So did mine."

Saori sank into her chair.

"So. The time has finally come."

She spoke as though she was not surprised, as if she knew what was going on all along and was simply waiting.

"I'm afraid so, my lady. But you are not alone. There are others at the Sanctuary that will assist you."

Aiolia raked his fingers through his light brown hair. He looked as though he were gathering up his resolve.

He walked up to Saori, tears glimmering in his blue eyes, and knelt in front of her.

"Leo Aiolia at your service."

To avoid raising suspicion, Aiolos insisted Aiolia take his cloth and return to the Sanctuary with it. Aiolia would then talk to the Saints in private and rally the troops to Japan.

The group realized they were taking a huge risk with their course of action, but couldn't see any other way to gather up Athena's army. In the meantime, Saori would relocate to a cabin in the woods with Aiolos, Daisuke, Jabu, Seiya, Shiryu, Shun, and Hyoga. Ikki, Nachi, Geki, Ban, and Ichi would remain at the Grade Foundation with Tatsumi and Shura in case trouble showed up there.

Saori also canceled the rest of the Galaxian Wars.

Days went by without any word from Aiolia. Daisuke could tell his sister was starting to get anxious.

He couldn't explain it, but his sister's anxiety caused him amusement. She was nervous about assuming her role as Athena and he liked that.

Then, finally, the day arrived where people started to arrive. The very first person to show up was a girl named June. She stated she was the Chameleon Saint and had come to pledge allegiance to Athena on behalf of herself and her master.

Shortly after June's arrival, Aiden showed up with Xander. A few days after that, Gold Saints began to arrive.

By the end of the second week, Saori had not just the Bronze saints, but three Silver Saints and eight Golds on her side.

That was when things got interesting.

"There should be more Gold saints here" Shura commented on a day he stopped in for a visit. "Only eight of us are here. There should be twelve of us."

Aiolos sighed.

"There's something I've been keeping from you. The False Pope is a Gold Saint. It's possible some of the Gold Saints are serving him."

Shura looked as though Aiolos had punched him. His dark eyes flashed with hurt.

"Why would you keep that from me?"

By now, the others were gathering around to see what was going on.

"It wasn't something you needed to know at that time." Aiolos replied.

"So who is it?" The Scorpio saint, Milo, asked eagerly.

Aiolos shook his head.

"Now's not the time."

"W-why not?" Aiolia demanded. "Don't you trust us?"

Aiolos smiled at the two.

"With you two? Not really. You two will run back to the Sanctuary and end up getting hurt or killed."

"Wow, so this person must really be close to home" the Taurus saint, Aldebaran, said.

"Tell us!" Milo pleaded. "We promise not to run off."

Aiolos sighed again, but with the eager Gold Saints all staring at him, he knew he was outnumbered.

"The False Pope is the Gemini Saint. It's Saga."