Disclaimer: I don't own ss chara…

Chapter 13

Poseidon's Assistance

"May I repeat once again?" asked Julian with his eyes staring unfriendly at the Gold Saints. He wore his usual white suits, his wavy ocean-blue hair still touched his shoulders, and his face was still as attractive as before. "You attacked me with Sagittarius arrows," he added. "You launched those freak assaults at me, you mocked me, you didn't show any graces at me, you tried to kill me, you've broken my precious pillars, one of you tried to trick me, you struggled to lock me in an antique vase, and now you want to ask for my help??"

Saga, Kanon, Shaka, Shion, and Dohko were a bit shrunk. Though Julian was younger than them (aside from he was the reincarnation of Poseidon), they hardly dared to look at him straight in the eyes.

Julian chuckled. It was so obvious that he really enjoyed the Goldies' nervousness. "Better you go home now," he said. "Don't let lord Hades catching you talking with me."

Shion stood up. He didn't come all the way to Greek to meet Poseidon only to get any dishonor or humiliation. Indeed Julian was right; if Hades came home earlier, the possibility they would be kicked to Guidecca was beyond anybody's imagination. But he didn't want to go home with empty hands. At least he would try his best in order Julian would lend the money they need.

"Julian…," said Shion curtly. "Forgive us then…"

"Forgive?" cut Julian, in a tone which said that the word "forgive" was only appropriate to be said if they only did awfully tiny mistake, for example stealing his candy.

"Yes, forgive us," Shion now a little bit bowed his back. He gave a sign to his fellows to do the same. Shaka was really unwilling to bow his back, until Shion glared at him and made him gave up.

Poseidon narrowed his eyes. He wanted to kick all the filths out of his mansion, yet he was also curious to know the next words Shion and co would tell.

"We don't have any choice," Shion said then. "We…we have to ask for your assistance. You'd ever assist the Bronze saints when they were doing battle in Elysion—"

"Do you happen to know why I did it?" Poseidon cut. "Because I don't want Hades to steal the world I want to conquer."

"I don't care about your reason. In my vision, also in Athena's and the Bronze Saints's, you helped the righteous and that's enough."

When Poseidon didn't say anything, Shion continued. "We need large amount of money to buy the mansion back. We hope you'll be willing to lend us—"

"Why should I help you?"

"Because there's been one person died…," said Shion with almost broken voice.

"Really?" now Poseidon sounded interested.

Shion nodded and looked at the floor. "M…Milo…Milo of Scorpio."

The room was ringing with silence for a while. Though neither Shion nor his inferiors wanted to show any sadness in front of Poseidon, they just couldn't help it. It's been only a day since they heard the news about Milo's death, and grief still stabbed their hearts like thousands ruthless daggers.

"Did Hades kill him?" asked Poseidon.

Shion told him everything about the cursed pendant.

Poseidon sat on his throne afterwards. He looked at nowhere, made Sorrento wondered about what his master was thinking about.

"Let's assume that I'm willing to help you," Poseidon suddenly said. "What will you give me in return?"

The Gold Saints looked at each other. They'd thought about it; Poseidon would never assist them without any guarantee.

"What do you want from us?" asked Dohko.

Poseidon immediately looked straight to Kanon's eyes.

"The Sea Dragon Kanon," he stated.

"WHAT?" Saga burst out.

"He must be here to serve me."

"No way!" snarled Saga as he moved in front of his twin. "You'd better taking me!"

"Saga!" snapped Kanon.

"I don't have any business with you, Gemini Saga," cut Poseidon coldly. "For me your brother has done the biggest sin of all: tricking a deity. He should feel lucky for I only want him to be my servant, not sinking himself into floods."

"How many will you give us, Poseidon…sama?" Kanon asked before Saga bursting out again.

"How many do you want?" Poseidon asked him back with a very light voice.

"As long as it's enough to get Kido's mansion and twelve temples back"

"That's not a big problem."

"Ok then," Kanon stated. "Deal."

"No!" snapped Saga.

"Yes, Saga, yes!"

"Are you insane?!"

"Probably."

"What's on your mind anyway, Kanon?!"

"Milo."

Silence.

Kanon looked at Saga and his fellows with the toughness they'd never seen before.

"I'm doing this for Milo," Kanon continued. His face was impassive, yet all could hear thick grief in his voice. "I don't have any purpose except to make my friend's death worthwhile. I don't want Milo to die in vain. Poseidon only wants me to be his servant—if it could kick Hades out of the house, why not?"

"Kanon…"

Kanon didn't say anything. He stepped to Poseidon, then bowed his back. "I'm ready to serve you. But I have to let you know that I'm not Sea Dragon. As Milo said in the battle against Hades, he doesn't see me as an enemy. He sees me as the protector of Gemini temple, a comrade. I'm Gemini Kanon. I'm proud to say that I am Gemini Kanon."

Saga and the others gazed at Kanon warmly. They couldn't believe they saw a man who often took a bath in Shion's bathtub by using a towel embroidered with Saga's name…

Poseidon's mouth curled into smile. "I won't waste my time to make you christening your name," he said as he stood up and paced calmly. "But you have to know, once you agree to serve Poseidon, you can't come back to Athena's dwelling again. You're allowed to visit Kido's mansion or twelve temples once a week, but you can't stay overnight. No matter how long you want to stay in one place or another, you'll leave it before midnight. Even if you don't want to leave, you'll leave. Before midnight. You certainly will."

Kanon wasn't affected. He only nodded his head.

Meanwhile the others stayed uneasy with Poseidon's rule. Now…Poseidon's abode was in Greece…while the Goldies lived in Kido's mansion in Japan. Indeed some of them visited Sanctuary sometimes, but it wasn't too often. Shion and Dohko were the only Golds who frequently visited twelve temples. If Kanon worked for Poseidon and wanted to visit Kido's mansion, he of course needed to take a flight for hours, and it was a miracle if he could come back to Greece before midnight…

Poseidon has really thought about it. He chose a way in which Kanon couldn't stay too long with his fellows.

"Fine. No objection at all then," said Poseidon. "Bring my check book here, Sorrento."

Sorrento obeyed his master. He left the hall for a while, then came back bringing a receipt-shape book. After receiving it, Poseidon wrote something on it.

"Come here, Aries Shion."

Shion stepped forward to approach Poseidon. Without any word, he received the check Poseidon handed him.

"Is it enough?" asked Poseidon.

"You give us ten million Euros," said Shion, replied by everyone's gasps.

"Why not? I have to do something to kick Hades out of the world I want to conquer, don't I?"

Now it was Shion's turn to smile.

"You won't conquer anything, Poseidon."

"Why?"

"Because it's not your style. You have something Hades doesn't. As long as you have it, you won't have any heart to harm anybody."

"I'm interested to know what's the thing in me that Hades doesn't have."

"Ask Sorrento," said Shion, glancing at Sorrento. "He's been your most loyal servant for long."

Poseidon sat on his throne and looked at the Gold Saints in annoyance. "Saints of Athena are always too philosophical," he murmured. "Anyway, have you finished? I've given the things you want, now it's better for you to leave my mansion, before I change my mind."

"Kanon," Saga, Shaka, and Dohko marched at Kanon. Saga immediately held his brother's arm firmly.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Poseidon suddenly said. The Goldies looked at him with narrowed eyes. They were wondering about another irritable thing Poseidon would do. "My trident, Sorrento."

When Sorrento left the room again and came back with a familiar trident which he soon gave to his master, everybody began to held their breaths.

What would Poseidon do with the trident…?

"Come here, Kanon," Poseidon ordered. Now there was a trident in his hand, which made him looked very much impressive.

Reluctant, Kanon stepped closer to his new master. The others gasped when Poseidon aimed the trident to Kanon, but they breathed in slight relief, for the next thing Poseidon did was only clinging the head of the trident on Kanon's head, and he did it quite gently.

Afterwards Poseidon affirmed,

"Thou art Poseidon's servant. Poseidon wouldst be the master thou obeyest. Poseidon wilt give cruel punishment to thee when thou defy him."

The trident was shining for a while, showering Kanon's head with glow. When the light was off Poseidon set the trident aside from Kanon's head, and smiled slightly at the Gold Saints.

The Gold saints didn't need any explanation. They could understand by themselves: Kanon has been bounded by the trident to be Poseidon's servant forever…

Saga was unable to say anything anymore. He approached Kanon and immediately pulled him into his arms. He really couldn't believe this…he's lost his junior…and now he lost his twin as well...

"Don't worry about me, Saga," Kanon said. A slight smile appeared on his face. "You'd better be glad—there won't be no one who dared to use your towel again," he tried to make a joke, but Saga didn't reply him.

While the others were looking at them in sadness, Shaka was more interested to take a look at Poseidon. He wanted to examine Poseidon's expression when looked at Saga and Kanon's brotherhood—would his reaction be the same with Hades's?

In fact it was so difficult to interpret Poseidon's mimic. There was no loath in his eyes when he saw Saga hugged his twin earnestly, but there was no warmth either. It was flat: no emotion, no response. Poseidon's expression looked like a piece of white paper which needed to be filled in or coloured.

"This mansion is as luxurious as Kido's mansion," Kanon encouraged his brother again. "There will be so much delicious food here…"

"You'll be back to Kido's mansion again," said Saga slowly.

Since Kanon didn't want to disappoint his brother by saying he would never be able to leave Poseidon's abode, he only replied him with, "I hope so."

The group were bidding "see you again" and "take care of yourself". Dohko clapped Kanon's shoulders and never stopped smiling encouragingly. Shion in opposite couldn't give any encouraging words—his face was so gloomy, yet he acted the same way with Dohko: clapped Kanon's shoulders, sometimes patted his back.

"Watch over Saga, will you?" Kanon said to Shaka.

Shaka smiled and nodded, "Absolutely."

The group left the mansion after Shion said curt "thank you" to Poseidon. When they have been outside, Saga could never stop gazing at its gate, as if he didn't want to leave it until the next ten decades.

"He will be alright, Saga," Shaka encouraged.

"Poseidon is indeed Athena's enemy, but he's not Hades," Dohko continued as he patted Saga's back.

Saga nodded slightly.

Smiling.

"That's right," he said.

Suddenly he ran passing his fellows. "Let's go! We must arrive at Kido's mansion soon!"

The others at first were baffled with his sudden movement.

But finally they beamed looking at him and followed him with the same enthusiasm and spirit. Running!

Just like before in the battle against Hades,

I'm so proud to have you as my brother, Kanon…

Xxx

In the other side, Milo and Saori were in an airplane which would bring them to Greece. It was a very perfect timing: they took a flight to Greece when Saga and co have taken a flight to Japan. Hyoga told them about the Goldies's activities all the time (though he still couldn't conceal his disappointment to Milo), that's why Milo and Saori could arrange the best time to do their plan. Both of them were also informed that Shion has been successful borrowing Poseidon's money.

"It means they soon will give the money to Hades to buy the mansion back," said Milo. "Then Hades will leave the mansion. If he leaves, we have to track his new abode so that we can steal his pendant."

"Don't worry, Milo," replied Saori encouragingly. "He will be easy to be tracked. By me," she added.

Back then, Milo was forbidden to leave the hospital by those worried doctors, but he kept struggling to get their. When he'd already got their approvals he and Saori immediately packed their things and heading to the airport. The sooner they got the Helm of Invisibility, the better. After they got the helmet, they would soon go to Poseidon's abode to borrow his trident.

Milo sat near the window, Saori sat next to him. Right now his eyes were sparkling when he told Saori about the silly things happened in Kido's mansion couple days ago.

"…finally Deathmask discovered that it wasn't Saga who often occupied Shion's bathroom, but Kanon who used a towel embroidered with Saga's name."

Saori could never stop laughing.

"You should watch the Bronzies's expression when looking at the chaos created by us, Princess," chuckled Milo. "They said we're no different, even worse than kindergarten students…well they're absolutely right, with Saga shouted at Kanon and Kanon shouted at Aiolia and Aiolia screamed at me…and Shaka destroyed the table and swearing to us…"

"Shaka??"

Milo laughed. "Yes, Shaka…"

Saori laughed heartily with her Scorpio saint. When the laughters gradually stopped, Milo said warmly, "We miss you so much. We wish you were there."

"I wish the same thing," smiled Saori. "I really want to be with all of you…but you know I'm not allowed, except in the special day like New Year occasion or the like…

"There's also so much thing I haven't done to the house from which maybe can trouble you. I haven't even asked the laborer to fix the ceilings in the corridor near the library."

Milo blinked. "The ceilings?"

"Yes, the ceilings is brittle and fragile, don't you know it? It needs to be renovated at least twice a year," said Saori. "It's been that way since my grandfather was still alive. Well, it's a normal thing, the mansion's age is quite old anyway…my grandfather had owned it since he was young."

"The ceilings with the chandelier?" Milo asked again. Yet he suddenly remembered; before Hades occupied the house, there had been no chandelier there. "Oh, I'm sorry…I mean after Hades is there, a chandelier is attached to the ceilings," said Milo. "Hades must have ordered his laborer to do it."

"What…?" Saori sighed. "The ceiling is fragile enough without a chandelier, let alone being attached by it. Hades is always miscounting simple thing like that…I think he didn't check the condition of the house before re-decorating it."

Milo blinked several times. His startling blue eyes looked like a lamp which was switched on and off and on and off.

"I have a guess…," Saori sighed again. "The ceilings collapsed, didn't it?"

"Y…yes…"

So it wasn't Rhadamanthys who broke the ceilings…it wasn't anyone…

The ceilings collapsed because it was indeed brittle and fragile…

"Hmmm…," Milo cupped his chin thoughtfully. He didn't know why he somehow felt slight guilt towards Rhadamanthys right now.

After they arrived at Greece, Saori and Milo immediately headed to Olympus mountain. Sometimes her eyes caught Milo holding his chest, and she stopped with asking, "Are you alright, Milo?"

"Yes," Milo smiled. "Only small relapses."

Saori's expression turned sad as she encircled her hand around Milo's back. "We'll walk slowly, alright…?"

Milo smiled again and nodded slightly.

It took quite long time for them to get to the mountain. When they've arrived, Saori took a deep breath and grasped Milo's hand so tight.

"Don't release your hand from mine, Milo."

"Okay…"

Saori closed her eyes.

Suddenly white lights showered them, and a minute later, they popped in a place Milo had never seen in the whole of his life.

It was full of fogs and white and full of soft substances Milo associated with clouds. Is this the Olympians' dwelling?

"Hermes!" Athena soon called. "Hermes, I need to talk to you."

There was no answer. Athena tried again. "Hermes…! Her—" she stopped calling when she felt her hair adornment was pulled harshly from her head. She then saw it floating in the air.

"Hey, show yourself!" snarled Milo as he snapped the adornment and returned it to Athena.

There was a chuckle.

All of a sudden a man popped in front of them.

Let's say that his face looked like Hypnos, but with very mischievous feature.

"Human!" Hermes gasped as she stared at Milo. "Is he dead?"

"No, Hermes, he's still alive. He's my saint, Milo of Scorpio," Athena said, a bit sternly.

"Oh, too bad," replied Hermes. He yawned and sank himself on a throne which hadn't been there before. "Methinks of wandering to the underworld…it's so boring here…"

"Hermes, I really need the Cap of Invisibility right now," said Athena to the point. "Would you please hand it to me?"

"You're no fun, Sis, you've possessed those nike and shield, now you want to have that helm as well?" mumbled Hermes.

"I borrow it not for fun, I need it to destroy Hades's pendant so he can come back here."

"Huh?! Come back here?!" Hermes gasped again. "Come on, Athena, nobody in this mountain likes him, I always think that he's too…underground. I think he's better staying in the Earth for good, what do you think?"

"He must come back here," Athena said firmly. "Earth is not his place, Hermes. Now give me that cap."

Hermes grumbled again. "Alright, alright…," he finally sighed. He clicked his fingers, then suddenly a cap appeared in front of Athena. "Here it is."

"Hermes," said Athena in a low voice. "This is policeman cap."

"Oh, sorry," grinned Hermes mischievously. He clicked his fingers again, and the cap flipped into a panama. "Wrong again," chuckled Hermes as he clicked his fingers again. The panama soon turned into a bonnet which usually worn by the women in the era of 50's.

"Hermes, I have no time for this…"

Hermes laughed out loud. How he loved seeing his half sister's irritated expression…

Meanwhile Milo couldn't stop sighing in frustration. No wonder Hades chose to live in the Earth…

"The kidding's done!" beamed Hermes finally. "Don't worry, sis, I'll give the helm soon. But there's something I want to tell to your saint. Scorpius, you lost something. Err…I stole it, for the exact…"

Milo was baffled, trying to find out the thing Hermes has stolen. He then widened his eyes when discovering that he didn't wear anything beneath his unbuttoned checked shirt.

"That's not funny, Hermes!" Athena snarled, her face was totally blushed.

"Ow, my sister's blushing," Hermes giggled. Milo's t-shirt was in his hand. "That's not surprising, your saint is very handsome and muscular indeed…"

"Just give me the helm!" stated Athena, still blushing.

"And my T-shirt, please?" asked Milo. He looked slightly blushed as well.

Hermes laughed so hard that he almost rolled on the fogs. He clicked his fingers, and suddenly Milo has worn his T-shirt again. He could hear Saori breathed in relief.

"I wish our dear Aphrodite were here…she certainly wouldn't let your Scorpio saint go away…," he grinned. Once more he clicked his fingers, and the Helm of Invisibility finally popped in Athena's grasp.

Helm of Invisibility was made of gold. On its surface there was an image of Cerberus, Hades's three headed dog in the era of myths.

"Ah…," murmured Athena. She then put the helmet on her head to test it, from which she immediately became completely invisible.

"Princess Saori?" murmured Milo, looking for his princess.

Second later Saori popped up. She has taken the helmet off.

"Thank you, Hermes," she said, finally managed to smile at her half brother.

"No problem."

"I'll return this soon."

"Don't worry about it, that's not mine anyways. But, err…I have a little request."

"What is that?"

Hermes winked. "Don't be nervous, Scorpius won't sting you."

"Shut up!" Saori's beautiful face turned scarlet again, while Hermes almost rolled on the clouds because of his laughter. Milo only shook his head, but he couldn't help to smile when looking at his princess: Athena could turn quite different when facing her irritable siblings.

"Come on, Milo," Saori took Milo's hand after several moments. "By the way, how's your heart?"

"No problem," smiled Milo, although the fact was otherwise. Saori seemed able to see it. "You need to have a rest for a while," she said. "We'll go to twelve temples."

"What?"

"Hades never checks it," said Athena. "He won't know we'll stay there. You need to have a rest before we head to Poseidon's mansion."

Milo smiled once more, his eyes were warm. "As you wish, Princess."

Saori nodded. She looked at Hermes before teleporting with Milo.

"Thank you, Hermes," she repeated.

"You're welcome," at last Hermes smiled sincerely.

Xxx

Next: Even If It's Only for a Day