Punch through a path! Kouga's strong eyes towards a Mother goddess (Part 2)

(道を切り開く!)

Demeter snapped her neck back fast and looked up, seeing Hermes and another body in midair. Something rattled her senses.

"A Primordial Cosmos…why here?! Who are you?!"

The other body was nothing more than a boy in a casual dress. Blue hair and red eyes, it was a simple rebellious brat, but he fearlessly faced Hermes, and did not crumble against the strength of a Gold Saint or before the presence of a Goddess. Both traitor Saint and boy landed a distance apart; the boy raised his hand and a bright red burst of energy enveloped Kouga. Suddenly, the roots and poppies from Pegasus's body began to regress, and life and breath returned to him. Kouga tilted his head up and took in a large clump of air. That was when the strange atmosphere disappeared. Staring directly at the kid, Cancer Hermes frowned as he was perplexed, while Demeter scowled.

"Who am I you ask?" Raised the chirpy, assured voice of the boy. "Hehe, I am a Saint of Athena."

"Reinforcements huh?" Cancer rushed forward and again, the boy raised his hand, tapping Hermes's punch.

"Stop the clock," the brat said. Hermes may have gone to sleep. He wasn't sure, but the face of the red-eyed child blacked out for a moment. Then, his ears heard: "Start!"

Hermes's life returned and the first thing he felt was pain. The boy's foot was thrown into his face from a high roundhouse. The Gold Saint was thrashed behind Demeter, landing on his back like a useless sack. Holding his face, Hermes lifted his upper body and shot a furious glare through his spectacles. That ain't a Saint, he blurted. The kid's strength belied his looks. It took the Mother Goddess a moment of contemplation before she spoke up.

"Are you mocking me?" Her eyes narrowed, a sip of fury in her voice. "To take the face of a human, a figure who boldly disrespects us. And even more so, the face of a Saint. You are derelict in your pride, you who started the last Holy War and failed-Saturn."

"You have a bold, scary temper after all," the boy said, cracking his knuckles. "Even though you face the son of a Primal."

"It matters not. Why would you defy me?! Surely, it's some selfish reason to start a Holy War and obtain the Earth for yourself."

Kouga was regaining realization of the situation and looked over his shoulder. His eyes widened at the sight of a face he hasn't seen in about a year. It was the face of a friend, formerly, but so quickly, did his body feel confusion and dread.

"…Subaru?!"

"Hehe, long time no see, Pegasus Kouga. My hot-blooded brother." The boy itched the bridge of his nose while smiling. The cheeriness of the boy baffled Kouga; he did not have the high-handedness of the last Divine enemy he fought and thought tricks were being played on him.

"Why are you here?! Did you just save me?!" Indeed— why was the form called Subaru here? The boy who was the vessel of a dangerous God who nearly destroyed humanity. That God was called Saturn, the ruler of Time and Space. He put a lock on his memory and took steps on Earth to observe the humans before unveiling his true identity. This "Subaru" went on many adventures and fought with Kouga as an ally, even though he was just trying to reach Pallas and steal the energy of two goddesses. After he and Kouga fought, Saturn admitted that he underestimated, and respected, the courage of humans and spared Earth. Outside of Athena, it's what few Gods allow themselves to do. Once more, Saturn brought himself on Earth as "Subaru" but he seemed to retain his memories and quite a bit of strength. What was he up to?

"You said you wouldn't return to Earth!" Kouga said.

"I return because you inspired me Kouga. Remember? It was you, your friends and Athena. The strength of love. Something that most Gods lack in understanding unless they walk in actual shoes and step on Earth." Subaru gestured a hand at Demeter. "Surely, it was euphoria to try to take over Earth and challenge the strength of humans, but Demeter is so pathetic, she's willing to ruin anything for her selfish needs. Reminds me of someone."

"Saturn, do not think that I won't raise Hell upon you," Demeter said. "I will not tolerate even your pompousness. You step into my temple and will show respect."

"Oh Demeter, would you like to face two youths with the Primordial Cosmos?"

At Subaru's words, Demeter's face lift with shock. It quieted her, meaning it was a serious threat. In fact, it sounded so matter-of-factly. Pegasus having the same power as a God? It dawned on her, even though she tried so hard to mentally deny it, that there was a reason why Arion was defeated. However, it made no sense. Subaru lifted a finger high above his head.

"Tch. You goddesses. Even Pallas! Someone as capricious and selfish as Pallas cannot comprehend true love and fiery hearts. Gonna have to teach her. I had to tell her to send her vassal to help Athena's goal."

"I said stop mocking me. You mean to tell me that you take a human form out of respect, and you do this out of sympathy or care?" Demeter tapped the floor with the end of her staff. "Out of a whim? You would interfere out of a whim?!"

Subaru dropped the smile and said, "Demeter, in order to see you placated, we Gods always have to make deals with you." Then, the boy turned and took steps away from Hermes, Demeter and Kouga. All the while, Kouga slowly rose to his feet. Subaru ended up near the open doors of the temple. Standing there, then turning his head to gaze at the Mother Goddess.

"You say I do things out of a whim. Sure I do. For now, I want the Earth to remain safe. I'll admit that I enjoy watching the humans, who express their amazing growth."

Demeter titled and crossed her staff in front of her, a loud veil of green light consuming her; Pegasus Kouga's punch struck a barrier between him and Demeter.

Subaru's smile returned. "And Kouga's strength is proof of the significance of Earth. Show her, Kouga! Show me again why I want to raise fists against you."

"You are nothing, Pegasus!"

His body outstretched, flowers bloom around Kouga once again. Just with the same amount of speed as they bloom, they turn black, wilt, and die. Demeter couldn't help but think of the worst: Is Saturn going to let this Saint kill me?! Why?! The Mother Goddess waved her Staff with all force from her arm, propelling back the Saint.

Ahhhhh! Next move, fast as lightning, and Kouga felt the explosion of gigantic rocks landing upon him. The same boulders that fell on Amor and ended his life now weigh upon Kouga's limbs. More came, rushing at him like a stampede. Rocks of various sizes smother him; the surface of the hardest rock in the universe felt like a thousand giants. Kouga felt his flesh thinning. Did he become elastic? Did he lose his bones? There are anecdotes that those who incurred Demeter's wrath were transformed into animals and pinned down to Hell by rocks—this was no exception. She feared no one, not even Giants born from the true God of Earth. Kouga's senses could not compare the force of Arion's Tri X Cluster—probably inspired by his beloved Goddess—to Demeter's own.

It was far beyond the blades of Pan's strings and fabricated weapons, far beyond the heat of Ginga's soaring stars. Facing Demeter, the attacks went to an indescribable enormity.

Flexing in his arms by the elbows, squeezing his hands into fists, Pegasus Kouga stood trembling on his feet, held tough against the ground. The rocks continued to embrace him. What was supposed to happen next? The last time he felt like he was going to die was against the true form of his rival, Subaru, or the God of Time Saturn.

He heard Subaru's voice. "My hot-blooded brother, you can do it! Even if you must face death, you can do it!"

But pain or some sensation from another dimension assaulted Kouga's body. His thoughts were about to burst apart. Unlike the poppies from before that were eating at his energy, it was a rage attacking him. While he had thoughts or a brain left, he tried to console himself: Carve a path! What Pegasus says is hardly a farce, he could have confidence in that.

He could stand. Against Demeter's devastating rage, he could still stand. As he felt like he was plummeting towards death, like he was sinking, a tactile presence touched him. It was like a prick on his fingers. He angled his arm back and the rocks suspended in mid-air, floating within a large blue projection. Subaru, Demeter, Kouga, and Hermes stood within a deep blue universe. It looked like the night sky. The constellation of a winged horse appeared, and Kouga, looking exhausted, straightened his posture and pulled his arm and thigh back. Suddenly, the Cloth of Pegasus broke off his body.

Subaru's eyes widened. "Kouga took off his Cloth! No, the Cloth of Pegasus is rejecting him? Why?"

Kouga's determined eyes stare directly at Demeter.

Subaru laughed and crossed his arms. "Don't forget Kouga, you can do this because you are not alone. Remember—" As the little Time God paused his words, Demeter's own face was covered with the emotion of fear. Her eyes widen.

She saw Kouga preparing to punch her. Then, four battered-looking bodies stand by his side, their hands on Kouga's shoulders. At this display, Subaru finished his sentence.

"You also have hot-blooded brothers and a sister that fight by your side."

"Carve a path! We will go through even Hell for Athena!"