Chapter 15

The Youngsters Begin

Rhadamanthys twitched in his sleep. His forehead shaped a frown. He felt someone, or something, was annoying him.

He opened his eyes slowly, and growled seeing Biki pecked his cheek. That bird so often disturbed him in recent times and it made him definitely irritated.

"Would you go away, you winged rat?!" he snapped and hurled Biki away from his cheek.

Biki flew in the air, but he didn't leave Rhadamanthys's room. Instead he cheeped several times and made circular move, as if he wanted to give Rhadamanthys a sign.

"What do you want? You've had your master who's so ready to rub your feather—or do you want me to be your new master?!" Rhadamanthys scowled again.

Biki of course couldn't speak as Rhadamanthys did. He only flew to the door and floated there, still cheeping, waited for Rhadamanthys to follow him.

Rhadamanthys sighed in annoyance. He snapped his blanket away, wore his kimono, then followed Biki to whatever the bird would bring him. Though he was extremely disturbed by the bird's presence he couldn't help to feel curious. Last time Biki brought him to Hades's gallery he never acknowledged. Right now where would Biki bring him?

He got the answer several minutes later.

"We're about to go to lord Hades's gallery again?" Rhadamanthys asked when he acknowledged the corridors he passed.

Biki cheeped. Rhadamanthys knew it meant "yes".

"What for?"

Biki didn't answer. He didn't make any sound when they've been near to the gallery, and he also flew slower than before. It affected Rhadamanthys's steps—Rhadamanthys stepped slower as well, guessing maybe there was someone in the gallery.

When he got closer, he heard a hum. A hum that raised the napes on his neck…

Rhadamanthys, very very carefully and silently, opened the door a bit to steal a look at what happened inside. His forehead frowned seeing his lord was doing painting.

Yes…how could Rhadamanthys forget it…? No wonder Hades owned a gallery in this house; two hundred years ago his incarnation Alone had been a very talented painter, and of course it affected his soul as well.

Only…Hades always took Alone's talent for granted…

Rhadamanthys watched Hades painted Athena and Poseidon's pictures by looking at their photographs which were hanging on the wall. Hades then took a cup of thick red liquid from the table next to him when his paintings had done. The red liquid was, no doubt, blood. And seeing the deep scratch on Hades's palm, it was surely Hades's own blood.

"Death is salvation….my dear siblings…," jeered Hades as he liquefied his paintbrush with his blood.

Horror never left Rhadamanthys when he realized about what his lord would do with his siblings' paintings…the scene two hundred years ago suddenly flashed in front of his eyes, as if it just happened a minute before: Alone, who was possessed by Hades, liquefied his paintbrush with death bodies's bloods, then painted X symbol on Tenma's painting, right on Tenma's throat…

Then the real throat of the real Tenma was immediately fatally wounded and dripping real bloods…

So Hades kept Athena and Poseidon's photographs not because he adored them…but to kill them…

"I regret this…," sighed Hades. "I do not want to do this, you know…. But you always block my ways…and so with this I do not become the traitor of my vow, do I, Athena? You only forbid me killing your saints," he jeered again. "Not you."

Hades's paintbrush finally touched Poseidon's neck. He would do further if Rhadamanthys didn't interrupt.

"Lord Hades!"

Hades turned around.

Rhadamanthys was completely frozen…

Why the hell he dared to interrupt his master…? Where did he get the courage to do that? Why didn't he let Hades spilling the blood on the paintings…?

"You are able to see this gallery," said Hades in a low voice.

"P…pardon?"

"I thought nobody can see this gallery except me. I have made this room invisible by the attribute I stole from Tartarus, but why are you able to see this room?"

"I don't know, milord, I…"

I what? Think, Wyvern, think…!

"I looked for you…I saw that you weren't in your bedroom, then I decided to explore the whole corners of this mansion, and I found you here…," stammered Rhadamanthys finally.

"Why are you so eager to see me?" Hades asked in sadistic tone.

Good question. Why…?

Then he heard a cheep from Biki. It was barely audible, but Rhadamanthys could hear it clearly, and suddenly the specter let out a name.

"Virgo Shaka."

What?! Rhadamanthys was completely anxious and confused…the name suddenly came out of his mouth without any reason why…he never meant to mention Shaka's name, never…but he did it…. Why?

"Virgo Shaka?" asked Hades.

"V…Virgo…Shaka—"

"What is he doing? Does he make a terrible disaster like his friends did?"

This time Rhadamanathys didn't answer—he had lost all words to reply his lord. Yet Hades interpreted Rhadamanthys's silent as yes.

Hades then exited the gallery and walked straight to the Gold Saints' room. Rhadamanthys followed him after he glanced at Pandora's photograph.

In the middle of his walk, Rhadamanthys has just been aware Biki has vanished…he wondered where the bird was now…probably he has perched on his master's shoulders…probably Biki needed to give him some strength before Hades killed him…

xxxxxxxxx

Far away in Greece, Kanon and Sorrento were completely horrified. The situation in Poseidon's mansion was hurly-burly, for everybody was shocked seeing a little blood suddenly spilled from Julian's neck.

"Milord…my lord…are you alright, my lord??" asked Sorrento for the hundred times as he wiped his master's neck with probably ten meters of bandage.

"This is only a scratch, Sorrento, for heaven's sake!" said Kanon's shrilly.

"Shut up, you guy who-don't-know-where-you-should-put-your-loyalty-to!" said Sorrento with unusual annoyed voice. "Do you want lord Poseidon to die?!"

"Maybe you won't believe it, but I don't want lord Poseidon to die! You untalented musician!! You only make the situation worse with worrying him to much!!"

"Just cut that out and return to that Cave Dominion or whatever it is!"

"And why you don't lock your mouth as well, you pinky head?!"

"No thanks, and better you get out of here NOW!"

"What if I don't want to?!"

"I'll give you a lesson you'll never forget!"

"Yeah, try it, you think I'm afraid?!"

"ENOUGH!" snapped Poseidon.

Kanon and Sorrento shrunk.

For some seconds they could see an image of a big man wearing a gold scale and trident behind their lord.

Poseidon took a very deep breath, then shook his head and put his hand on his temple. His neck was still bleeding, but only a little. No, he wasn't afraid, he didn't even feel any significant pain, yet he was still shocked upon the fact that his neck was suddenly wounded and dripping blood. Luckily the scratch didn't hurt the territory of his veins.

He then called his two servants to cure him. Maybe they could also give him some explanation about this horrifying incident. But too bad, he didn't get what he wanted, for Sorrento was too panic and Kanon was so irritated in Sorrento's 'exaggerate' reaction.

And both of the ex-marinas started to quarrel. Again! Ever since Kanon worked there, he and Sorrento never stopped yelling to each other, made Poseidon desperately wanted to shoot himself. He couldn't believe a virtuous and calm person like Sorrento could be so annoyed by Kanon's presence.

"Sorrento, Kanon is right, this is only a scratch. You don't have to worry too much," said Poseidon. "And Kanon, I'll be very grateful if you stop snarling at my most faithful servant."

Kanon a little bowed his head, while Sorrento looked at him with glare.

"Hades is really a bastard…," murmured Poseidon after silence for a while. "I'd never thought he can be such a devil…I bet the pendant has turned him to be more and more inhuman…"

"We have to do something, my lord…," said Sorrento anxiously. "I'll be ready to go to Japan and finish him so you won't meet danger again…. I've been informed that Athena's saints are not successful buying back the mansion, so he must still in Japan right now."

"You don't have to go anywhere, Sorrento. You're one of my precious possessions; I won't let you do anything that'll trouble you."

"But…"

"Just by looking at the wound on my neck," stressed Poseidon, "…feels like Hades was interrupted when he wanted to kill me. If he hadn't been interrupted, I'm sure I would immediately lose my head and didn't have any time to have this delightful chat with you."

The words started to haunt Kanon…

If it were true, who interrupted Hades then…? Was it Saga…? His fellows…? Were they alright now…?

Kanon still felt extreme uneasiness when Mermaid Thetis entered the hall fifteen minutes later.

"My lord," said Thetis after bowing her back. "There is someone who wants to meet you."

"Who is it?"

"Athena."

Kanon and Sorrento widened their eyes in surprise.

Poseidon oppositely narrowed his eyes.

"Athena?" he asked.

"Yes, my lord. She is accompanied by a man."

"Who is he?"

"I beg your apologize, my lord, I have no idea," answered Thetis.

"Fine, bring them here."

Thetis bowed her back, then exited the hall to pick Athena and "the man" up.

A minute later both of them appeared in front of Poseidon and his two servants.

Poseidon's mouth curled into a smile.

"Athena," he said.

"Poseidon," Athena replied impassively. There was no smile on her purple lips.

"Maybe you're willing to shake my new servant's hand?" said Poseidon as he pointed Kanon, who gazed at Athena with such longing and tender expression.

"I've acknowledged you've recruited Kanon," said Athena, her face finally softened when she looked at her saint. "But I assure you he won't ever change his allegiance."

"Touching," smiled Poseidon. "Anyway, if you don't want Kanon to introduce himself, maybe you are not objected to introduce the man beside you?" Poseidon scrutinized the feature of the man standing beside Athena, who were black robe and covered his hair and face with the robe's veil, just looked like a clairvoyant.

"What's your name?" Poseidon asked the man.

"Lava," the man answered, mentioning the first word that popped up in his head.

"Lava," replied Poseidon as he raised his eyebrows. "Is it like…Scarlet Needle Lava?"

"No, it's different," the man said quickly.

Damn…why I choose that word to be my name…?!

"Thetis," Poseidon called.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Please frisk this man."

"He doesn't bring anything, Poseidon!" cut Athena.

"I have to make myself sure, don't I?" Poseidon smiled again, and he watched silently as Thetis searched for something hidden around the man's body…

…and as Thetis pulled the man's veil, which revealing long attractive blue curls and wonderful blue eyes.

Sorrento and Thetis's eyes widened at once. But Kanon's eyes almost jumped ten kilometers away.

"YOU'RE STILL ALIVE?!!" his voice thundered in enragement.

Milo gulped.

He didn't believe he could be caught in the act this fast…

"Ummm…," he stammered. "Technically—"

"YOU SON OF A ^(&%$###$##&*#*^)#*#!!!" Kanon screamed. He soon grabbed the huge globe from the shelf at the corner of the room then hit Milo over the head with that globe.

"Ouch!! Kano—"

"Everybody thinks YOU'RE DEAD!!!" Kanon snarled and never stopped hitting Milo. "AND SO DID I!!! YOU THINK WHY I AGREED TO BECOME POSEIDON'S SERVANT?! IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU!! I DID IT FOR YOU, YOU BIG-MOUTHED INSECT!!"

"Just—ouch! Listen to—auch—me—ough—first, Kanon—"

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING!!! YOU'VE RUINED MY LIFE!!!"

"Kanon, stop it…!" begged Athena, trying to pull Kanon's hand, but of course it was so useless. "You should be happy Milo's still alive…!"

"Forgive me, Princess Saori," said Kanon, still struggling to make Milo "paid" for what he had done. "His prank is not funny at all and FOR THAT, I REGRET THAT HE IS STILL ALIVE!!"

"Please don't say such words…," said Saori, encircling her hand around Milo's back. "This isn't like what you've thought, Kanon…"

"It's alright—ouch…Princess—ouch!...Saori…ough…!" Milo still stammered, he started to get dizzy because of the globe's punch. "Kan—argh! Damnit, Kanon—ouch! At least give me some—time to—explain…ouch! If I'm dying because of this, you'll pay!"

"I DON'T CARE!" shouted Kanon. "JUST RETURN TO COCYTOS OR WHATEVER SO YOU WON'T CAUSE ANY TROUBLE AGAIN!"

Milo whined under his breath. For the second times he couldn't believe Poseidon could recognize him this fast…. Back then, Saori said that he had better not to accompany her; the reasons were of course his illness and the risk that his secret would be exposed. But how could he let Athena facing Poseidon alone? He insisted accompanying her and wore the robe, without considering that the outfit would be completely useless.

Meanwhile Poseidon still watched them in silent. He seemed enjoying this delightful scene, until finally he asked Kanon to stop, for there was still something bothering him, that was, why Athena came to his mansion.

"Enough, Kanon," said Poseidon lightly.

Kanon didn't even hear Poseidon's order. He still hit Milo's head, as he truly thought that it was a very acceptable thing; of course everybody would be very angry if they agreed to become the servant of their goddess's enemy for the sake of someone who was bullying them.

"Kanon," Poseidon warned. "Have you forgotten I can do anything to your beloved goddess if you dare to neglect my order?"

Hearing the word "goddess" made Kanon's hand became slower and finally stopped. He was so silent when Milo rubbed his head with closing one of his eyes and looked at him with his pure blue eyes.

"I'll explain…," said Milo then.

"Let's save our time," cut Poseidon impatiently. "Kanon, come back here. Athena, I want to know why you dare to step on my precious mansion."

Athena took a deep breath. When Kanon has been standing at Poseidon's side, she started to talk.

"We need to borrow your trident."

"For?"

"For destroying Hades's pendant. He must come back to Olympus Mountain so the other deities can watch him."

"Deal."

His answer made the people in the hall blinked. Poseidon could easily agree on that request…? It was so not Poseidon entrusting his most beloved attribute to his enemy.

"What a coincidence," Poseidon smiled. "I want to destroy the pendant as well. He tried to kill me."

Oh…now everyone understood.

"But Poseidon-sama," said Sorrento suddenly. "You forbade me to finish Hades, but you permit Athena to. Forgive me…but I can tell I can do better that her."

"I've told you I won't ever risk my servant's life, Sorrento," replied Poseidon. "Beside, who said I will let Athena facing Hades alone?"

"Pardon, milord…?"

"I'll accompany her. Honestly…I don't believe she will treat my trident righteously—"

"Save your breath!" Milo snapped as he stepped forward, but Athena soon grabbed his waist.

"So you're willing to destroy the pendant with me, Julian?" asked Athena, after Milo has been calm down.

Poseidon stood up, then stepped to Athena. "In the case of defeating Hades, we've always been partner since the era of myths, haven't us?" he smiled when he paid out his hand. "Besides, I have to express my gratitude. You know, owing someone is something I really detest."

"Gratitude?"

"Honestly I feel so honored, because one of your saints had fallen in love with my previous incarnation, Lady Seraphina."

Milo blinked.

Seraphina…?

Camus had ever mentioned her name, but he couldn't recall when it was.

"Aquarius Degel," added Poseidon. "He really cared of Seraphina, who was the sister of his close friend Unity. Though he was so stricken when knowing Seraphina was Poseidon's incarnation, and Unity was one of Poseidon's marinas, and then he, Degel, fought Poseidon and locked himself and Seraphina inside Freezing Coffin…it's alright, I still feel thankful anyway."

Oh…so that's it…, murmured Milo in amazement. He turned his head to Kanon and Athena, who looked mesmerized as well.

"Love can change the world, can't it?" Poseidon teased.

Athena looked at the man in front of her, then shook his hand firmly.

"Alright," she stated. "We destroy the pendant together."

"Milord, please let me come with you," Sorrento approached his master. "You can't be alone!"

"Please let me come as well," added Kanon, though different with Sorrento, he wanted to come simply to protect Athena.

Poseidon sighed. "Ok, as you will, but I don't want you to interfere once me and Athena facing Hades."

"Oh, Princess," Milo suddenly remembered something. "Who'll steal Hades's pendant? It will be me, won't it?"

"No, Milo, I've thought about it. Your condition gets worse and worse; once we've landed in Japan, you've got to go to the hospital soon."

"But…"

"You've been so faithful," Athena smiled as she grasped Milo's arm. "You never leave me. You've done very well, Milo, now it's time for you to have a rest. Go to the hospital, ask them to cure you. When the pendant has been broken, I'll take you to the Graud Foundation for the surgeries."

"But I can't let you steal Hades's pendant on your own," said Milo slowly.

"You forget something," said Athena. "We still have our bronzes saints."

"Bronze saints?" Kanon frowned his forehead in uneasiness. "It's too risky…"

"They have rights to defeat Hades, the same as us," Athena stressed firmly. "Besides, my Gold Saints have suffered enough…now it's time for the youngsters to finish this task."

All were silent for a while, until Poseidon ordered Thetis to hand him his trident and his travelling black coat. When the trident has been in his hand, he told Athena, "Maybe you can minimize this. It'll be so awkward to bring a trident in a plane which full of ordinary people," he glanced at Athena's neck. She wore a nike-shaped pendant and Poseidon was sure it was her staff which has been minimized into a necklace.

Athena nodded. She held the trident, and seconds later it was showered with lights and changed into a trident-shaped pendant.

"Let's go," said Poseidon coldly after he encircled the pendant around his neck.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"…that's the thing, Kanon, I have to pretend so I can fully help Princess Saori to do this mission," explained Milo when they've been on the plane. Kanon was sitting beside him, while the rest were sitting on the next rows.

When Kanon didn't reply, Milo took a deep breath and looked at somewhere else. "I understand if you can't forgive me—"

"You fool," replied Kanon as he encircled his hand around Milo's shoulders and hit his head lightly. "Honestly I'm glad this is not a prank."

Milo chuckled, and finally Kanon did too.

"So, regarding that I have known you're still alive," said Kanon then, "I'll gladly tell the others about this good news when Hades's pendant has been destroyed."

The sparkles in Milo's blue eyes faded a little. He took a deep breath before replying. "I have to deal with some surgeries, Kanon," said Milo. "And I don't have any idea whether it'll be successful or not, I guess I have to stay pretending until the surgeries are done. Because it'll break everybody's heart if you inform them I'm still alive, yet they have to hear a bad news again if the surgeries are failed."

"It won't be failed, Milo…"

"Who knows? Even Degel couldn't cure Kardia."

"Because Kardia was stupid," said Kanon flatly. "He knew he was fatally ill, but he kept addicted to fighting and fighting without thinking about the consequences. Just like someone I know."

"Shut up," Milo hit Kanon's stomach with his elbow. There was an "ouch" and a giggle from Kanon afterwards.

Milo smiled slightly, then chose to talk about something else. His heart disease was always being a mournful topic and he didn't wait to make it long.

"So how does it feel to be Poseidon's servant? Again?" asked Milo.

"Hmmm…how does it feel…it's not a hell like Cave Sounion, at least…my bedroom is bigger than that in Kido's mansion…the foods are delicious, especially the desserts, the salary is more than enough…," Kanon smiled slightly and gazed outside the window for a while. The sky was bright blue. The clouds in the surroundings reminded him of cotton candies.

"But still…it doesn't feel like home," he said quietly.

Milo nodded a bit. "I understand."

Afterwards they didn't have any words to say. Kanon, though, sometimes glanced at Milo's chest. He swore he could hear his slow heartbeat.

"Umm…," said Kanon then, made Milo turned his head on him. "Why Scorpio saints always got heart disease, I think it's because Antares lies in the heart of Scorpio constellation. Antares made the heart temperature of Scorpio saints become hot and hotter, even boiled. It needs a substance, special substance to neutralize their hearts so its temperature won't be too high."

"What is it?" asked Milo, although he had guessed the answer.

Kanon smiled at him and shook his body lightly.

"Ice," he answered.

Milo beamed, and Kanon was glad Milo's heartbeat now has turned normal.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Arriving at Narita the next day, Saori hugged Milo so tight, then kissed his cheek.

"I want that kiss too, Princess," said Kanon hurrily, made Milo and Saori laughed. Even Sorrento couldn't help to smile.

"Later, Kanon," chuckled Milo. "Princess Saori kissed me because I have to head to the hospital now."

"I swear I'll do my best to destroy the pendant," said Saori, replied by Milo's nod. He then took a look at Kanon and said, "Don't you want to hug me also, fake Gold Saint?"

"No thanks. I'm sick of hugging someone."

But at last he pulled Milo into a hug as well. "Good luck and get well soon, you bunch of moron…"

Milo replied his embrace and gazed at the floor. His vision was getting blurry, but he has promised he wouldn't shed any tears again. No more.

"Thanks," he murmured.

After the embrace ended, he nodded a bit to Poseidon and Sorrento, then waving his hand to both Saori and Kanon…and at last turned around, heading to the hospital.

He finally parted from the others…

Saori didn't realize tears began to stream down her cheeks. In recent days she has been a kind of mother for Milo. She guided him, she nurtured him…and now they have to stay in the different roads…

"Come on, Miss Kido," said Poseidon quietly. "We don't have much time."

Saori wiped away her tears, then nodded and with Kanon, followed Poseidon who has stepped away with Sorrento beside him.

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A/N: Hello…! I'm really really really sorry for the late update…gosh, it takes much longer than I've expected…! But I'm done now…(sob)…well you know how I feel…I'm so sad because I have to bid this fic farewell…

Anyway…I'm done, yes, but I haven't type the next chapters to the computer. I submit the 15th chapter first, then I will submit the 16th chapter tomorrow, and the 17th one the day after tomorrow. The last one is the 18th chapter.

Please R&R…please give me support to bid this fic farewell…(sob)…

And once again thank you, thank you thank you thank you so much for those who have read and reviewed…. Thank you for all…