Hark! Kneel! The Harvest of Hell!
(聞く! ひざまずく! 地獄の収穫!)
Asklepios recoiled in his crouched posture. Everyone was within the cone of his austere glare.
"You Gods always cause grief," his words churned through a groan from his stomach. Did that include the humans that serve the Gods as their warriors?
Above Limbo—back in the living world—many were useless against their fate. Where was Heaven? The Heavens were blotted with clouds suffused with darkness. Like rainclouds that block out the sun—the more water condensed inside, the darker the clouds became.
"Uh oh!" was the first impression from a boy watching this display. At Barren Island—a tiny land west of Andaman and Nicobarin the Indian plate— its only known active volcano came alive. The two known residents of Barren—a boy and a scarred man—stood there in awe. Anyone with common sense, and the instinct to take flight in the face of danger, wouldn't marvel at bright magma bumbling out of the mouth and flowing towards them. But it wasn't magma. The movement of force was the opposite of magma; what was seen was a blue-white vortex slowly sinking into the volcano's mouth. Maybe the best word was either "funneling" or "collecting".
"There is a fissure under Barren Volcano," the boy began a soliloquy, "that leads to Hell, but only the influence of a God can cause demons and spirits to emerge through the magma chamber, beneath the sea floor, and its ash layers. You will rarely see them til now. With its ash clouds, it's difficult to approach close." The scarred man only replied with a gruff sound; he wondered why he would meet a child at such a dangerous place.
Suddenly, the child's voice peeped with excitement.
"But we can do it. Ikki?" The boy turned to the man, and a beam across his prepubescent face opposed the situation. "It's time to go."
"Idiot, do you not have a sense of fear?"
"Sure I do, but fear is something to conquer. Even if it's a little bit."
"Even if it's against a God?"
Shir Khan mused over Ikki's memory; seeing the spectacle at the volcano made him wonder if the Phoenix was truly awakened, even though facing the grievous dangers may provide the best results. Not too long ago, an agent of Sanctuary gave Leo the word that Athena was in Hell, which left the boy quite confused. He wondered when it was his time to act; his time to challenge his valor against something more fearful than a tiger's fangs. Or maybe an enemy that had the strength of fifty tigers. Remembering that he had amends to make, Shir reached his answer.
"Yep! Parents fight evil to protect their young. If it's to protect something, you'd be surprised. It's like your spirit is filled with brotherhood. Spirit, man, and animal are the same. "
"What are you babbling about?" Ikki scowled. He tried to bring the pieces together from Shir's words; the kid did not sound like his age.
"Ikki, do you know who Hades is?"
A groan. Something cracked in Ikki's head and he clapped a hand on his face. Shir did not realize the flashback that entered Phoenix, suddenly conjured by his body, still healing from being deconstructed. They poked at his mind in seconds—brief scenes that flicker from one to the next. He wasn't sure if he had imagined himself, but one that stuck out the most of a giant silhouette standing amidst the red and purple skies of dusk.
"The Goddess Athena said that he is one of her greatest enemies. I want to help her with all my courage." A gap of silence stood between the two until the scarred man spoke.
"Should I go there? Something tells me I must."
"The volcano? Why?"
"Because…I hate it." At the words of Phoenix, Shir uttered a sound of confusion.
"Something there must be destroyed. Something relentless."
Shir watched Ikki's eyes fixed on the volcano with diligence.
"OK! Let's get to it!" Shir's cadence rose at the same time his hand did. Ikki was suddenly blinded by a sunny flash. It was from golden light spilling out of the cave at the volcano base. A checkered orange cloak, which was worn by the boy, floated in the air, having been discarded. In the next moment, the boy was wrapped in genuine gold plating from head to toe. A white cape flowed; a helmet reminiscent of a lion's mane, and to see it upon the smiling boy's head, Ikki was frozen stupefied. The display—the light and the boy's new image— pierced through his hippocampus, and for reasons he could not realize, he saw himself wearing the same Cloth.
"Leo…?" The Phoenix mumbled through his teeth, which tightened as his body stiffed. When he regained control of his legs and feet, he followed Shir to the base of the volcano. Rather, they moved behind it. There was a clump of rocks with a paper tag on it; in Greek, the name "Athena" was penned on it.
"As Barren's Demon Slayer, I feel like I'm making everything worse." Shir touched the tag with his gauntlet and the clump of rocks collapsed.
"But everything is worse already," Shir looked over his shoulder, flashing a grin at Ikki. "Right?" After the rocks fell, the open cavity that appeared shone with red and icy blue rings curving downwards. A cloud of ash emerged and billowed out, causing the little Gold Saint to back away a few steps.
"What are you so excited about?" Ikki crinkled his face again.
"Maybe because I feel heroic and I will defeat the bad guys. Just that, I'm not sure we can return with our bodies and souls intact. Ready Ikki?"
The scarred man closed his eyes and huffed. "I'm not following you anywhere."
"That's OK."
Whether Ikki found Shir a fool, or if his body acted out of fear, he was not sure. He recalled the Gold Saint's words that only they could enter the volcano, and tucked hidden inside was a sense of trust. Shir expected a long fall; he did not know where the cavity would lead him, but a voice called out before he stepped in.
"You're not going anywhere, Leo!" The voice was not Ikki, but something echoing deep from the opening to Hell. Shir Khan backed up even further, and swinging up and out was a dark, ribbony substance. It landed in front of Ikki and Shir, and molded into shadowy figures; they could only be discerned as human or human-like with hot white eyes. The eyes glare with hostility, freezing Shir and Ikki in place.
"Prepare to die, Saints of Athena!" When those words were aimed at him and the Phoenix, Shir suddenly remembered the Goddess.
"Shir Khan, no matter what, do not go into the Hell pit at Barren. It's dangerous even for you." He remembered not just her warning, but also her eyes of grace and perhaps concern. Like a true boy, Shir turned away from her looks of solicitude, looking at the ground instead as he tapped it with his toes.
"How come? It's the enemy's den right?"
"The living does not belong there. On the other hand, the dead and the demonic should not thrive among the living. Please make sure that any evil from the volcano is thwarted, Shir."
"Okay, got it." It seemed simple enough; do not give into some cat's curiosity and end up dead in Hell. It would be her and Sagittarius Seiya that told him that he may lose his body and soul without divine protection. Shir suddenly giggled.
"Hee. Maybe she meant 'not yet'."
"Your best path is death," hissed one of the shadows. "Listen, Prince of Tigers, there is only a cruel fate to face down in Hell."
"Are you trying to scare me? I was told that Athena is down there," said Shir. His arm raised; he closed his hand into a fist and his knuckles glittered. Right after, so did the cave he, Ikki, and the Shadows stood in. A fiery gold dyed the surroundings, the darkness cut apart, by swift threads of light. The threads were straight like bullet tails, ricocheting in all directions. Ikki gasped in amazement—above the little Shir Khan was the projection of a fierce, roaring lion.
"So, I must go!" Shir Khan still held the title of Barren's Demon Slayer. The shadows melted within the rays of light. Both the young Shir Khan and Phoenix Ikki reaffirmed something in their minds—entering the abyss, they knew that they may not return. Before considering death, Shir first believed to avoid the regret of not doing anything; as for Ikki, he knew that he will revive in Hell…just like before. Something else, aside from justice, further resolved them to take the plunge. Justice was at the helm, but neither the Phoenix or Leo would reveal their deepest sentiments. Not when combat was likely ahead. Unfortunately, the cave Shir and Ikki were in was very ideal for their enemy, and they ended up being swarmed.
Little did anyone know—and certainly not with the same gusto as Shir—that these shadows were appearing all over the world. They appeared at any given time, even under the sun, where shadow could still prosper. Stretching from a static body that blocked light, such as a tree or building, these things erected from said body's shadow and could walk in daylight in the shape of an undistinguishable person. Two arms and two legs. They looked plain, but an average human would find them intimidating. Otherworldly, and how did they serve as a threat? These Shadows all had one job function: whatever they touched, they consumed. Humans would not realize it in seconds. A punch to the head left a man or woman without a face, and a brain, in a bloodless display. When a body dropped, it led to a frantic panic akin to a sudden natural disaster.
From the Middle East to the tropical gardens of Sri Lanka, Capricorn Safar and First class Pallasite Titan were approached by the same Shadows. However, those Shadows bifurcated into pieces, and the bizarre pair-up was met with a woman with platinum blonde hair. Despite wearing a long coat over her simple tunic, her breathless beauty—fair complexion, flowing hair, and pure, soft sea-green eyes—was as magnetizing as the power she displayed. It was from her fingertips that a wild gale kicked up petals and lilies, attaching to the Shadows, and sending them to an end. If those things were real, would there be organs and bones spilling out in traumatic shapes?
"We are the darkness that brings forth these evil spirits." Those cryptic words came out a near whisper; even from her piercing eyes, it felt like cold gloom spilling out. She continued.
"Our power has caused this. Those figures of darkness who speak of the end—I hated their stench and drove them off. The world is evil, true, but Gods have lost their luster when they carelessly sacrifice their own creatures. No matter how many sins were committed."
"Who are you? What's going on?" asked Titan, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. An arm was raised in front of him to hold back the Pallasite. He was forced to look at the Saint next to him.
"Her Cosmos," the Gold Saint of Capricorn, Safar, said, "is the same as mine. Am I right?"
Titan's eyes widened. "You mean, a Saint?!"
Without answering, Safar stared at the woman.
"When our powers collide," she said, "the Gods sense us. Now they are causing a massacre to awaken the Dead one."
A counter?! Safar and Titan could not conceal their shock. Safar couldn't help but wonder if what he and Titan had been doing was pointless; was Johan's sacrifice pointless? Immediately, he suggested going to Hell and save Athena, but the woman stated that's probably what the enemy wants, and they would be at a disadvantage. Rather, they would be steeped in an enemy force that they could not comprehend.
"I can't let her die!" Safar raised an outburst. In his heart, he said "I had already failed her once". How was the Capricorn Saint the best knight to Athena if she was killed without doing a thing? Especially now that there was a path laid before him to reach her. But while Limbo existed, there was no guarantee where the living would end up, or if Safar could find her.
"We must defeat these evil shadows who kill people indiscriminately. Send a message," demanded the woman. Only then they could make way for their Goddess. That was when Titan suggested that his sword—a perfect sword given to him by God— could seal the gate and halt all its activity within Sri Lanka, while the Saints hunted the Shadows. With calm, relaxed breaths, she could move. Her fingers threaded the flowers; sometimes, she closed in and swathed the air with her hands.
"I will never revere Gods who do not forgive." From those words, which seem to teem with purity and justice, she moved forward and killed those Shadows.
"You are not worth my mercy or my tears."
Sagittarius Seiya was still with Sextans; if the Golds moved on their own to save Athena then were the oars of Dodona even necessary? Or was it beyond their expectations? Or would they play in Hades and Demeter's hands?
"Something is happening," said Agatha. Seiya harbored such surprising patience.
"Sagittarius, the stars of Pegasus, Aqulia, Dragon, Lionet, Orion. I'm not sure where they went."
Seiya shook as he began to remember Sextans's words that the Argo would not easily lend help; it would take a "great disaster to fall upon Earth" to stir that ship. Boiling inside, he wondered what he was waiting for. However, Sextans would assure him that despite the reading of stars or fortunes, the universe was enormous and free. Anything could happen. In fact, it was like a roller coaster in a drama; Sextans's words kept changing as she relayed news about the Bronzes' stars, how they kept fading and coming back, how "Powerful Cosmos" appeared. Since she couldn't see an exact image or see a future, her words were still ambiguous.
Thus, Seiya thought to himself: Hades does not need to be revived, Kouga and the others will succeed. They can. Athena will create a miracle.
"Here is something I will promise you, Sagittarius: I will allow you to use my device to save someone." Agatha cupped her hands together, and an emitted spark revealed an arrow-shaped mural instrument. In between its framework were smaller intersecting beams; a ruler is lined on the lower edge with a movable slat attached to it. At each end, the slat was tipped with a ring. The bottom ring hovered over the numbers representing the degrees of angles.
"You can use this to bring him, her or them here to the dimensional Safe Zone."
"A retreat device?"
"Yes, transportation. Without fail, across sea and space." Sextans replied. "Do not peep into the upper ring. Once you think of a star and look into the ring, you will transport it immediately. As long as someone isn't dead or 'completely vanished'."
"What about Athena?" Whe Seiya asked that question, Sextans Agatha gave out a cute smile.
"That's the other way around. She can reach us, but I can't reach her. Gods don't have stars—after all, they are the creators or rulers of the Universe. As her Saints, of course, we can feel her Cosmos."
"You said that the Oars will need many of us, right? Are you saying that this thing will help create a gathering?"
"Yes. But it's a matter of when is the right time. Only Jason's Galley can will the right time. Aggravating. Oh—"
"What's wrong?" Sagittarius Seiya's brow twitched as he watched Agatha's expression. Her eyes were shielded by a sash, but nothing could conceal excitement. She breathed.
"Antares and Phoenix are boiling like a crimson fire."
"Ikki?!" Easily read by his face, Seiya could not hold in his surprise. Sextans had told him when she sensed 'the activity of stars", it meant that their "activity" was burning brightest or were quite active. They were releasing energy; in particular, the Bronzes were going through a flux. If "fading", they were entering a state of death. But not necessarily at Stellar's End.
"So is Leo, Capricorn, and Pisces. And then, there is…an unknown one."
"Unknown?"
"I have theories: While there can be new stars in the universe, born like children, there are the ones that are unknown or obscured. Not cataloged; these are stars from the time of the Ancients."
Seiya's eyes narrowed. "What could that mean? For an aura like that to suddenly appear?"
"God's will."
"If you can sense it, then that means it's one of us?! An ally?"
"It could be, but I wonder what this all means? There are many fading stars and I can feel souls moving about. Everything is going in another direction, whether for the better or worse. If only Argo or Athena could speak to me. I'm sorry Sagittarius, for being useless."
"It's okay. Besides, everything is not always determined accurately. That is what you told me right?"
"Yes."
"And I know a thing or two about breaking pre-determined fate."
"It's not possible for that foolish Mother Goddess to have such power." Someone had told the Pope the current situation: Shadows appear, and the deceased are increasing. Virgo Fudou and Gemini Integra were in Pope Hall, and Gemini assured that the rest of the Saints would fight back against the new threat, thwarting the damage. If not completely, they could mitigate it; she had faith in her Bronze and Silver Saint companions. Accompanied by Andromeda Shun, Aquarius Hyouga—the real one at that, after having mourned Haruto and returning his Wolf Cloth—left for a location called Heinstein Castle. Hyouga stated that was the way he and his brothers entered Hell in the last war with Hades, but it was perilous without protection.
"Our Cloths were protected by the blood of Gold Saints," he said. Therefore, the Gold Cloths were the best chance. Also, Fudou shared his own absurd plan, which would lead him to depart from the Hall, leaving the Pope and Gemini alone.
"That damn Demeter and Hermes," the Pope mumbled while slouched on his throne. Most of his Gold Saints were away from the Sanctuary and he stubbornly insisted that he was powerful enough to protect himself. But even Fudou was concerned at the turn of events.
"Are they trying to separate us?" The Pope thought out loud. Integra contemplated those words; in Athena's absence, she stood by the Pope. There was no such thing as an empty Sanctuary, or an abandoned Twelve Temples, she said confidently. The Sanctuary would still be protected. The Chamber seemed to melt in low light from the Pope's gloomy thoughts. At first, he did not notice the shade from the curtains, the wings from his peripheral, slowly stretching onto the rug leading to his throne. Underneath his metal mask, the Pope gnashed his teeth. The Pope Chamber suddenly roared; the curtains rippled and the air somehow distorted. It couldn't be described as any more than a straight-laced breeze, but it packed a fatal punch. Any normal human being in its way would probably lose hearing and die on the spot, unrealizing their broken bones and slipping into a state of vertigo.
"Show yourself!" The Pope demanded.
Within this flustered wave was a tall and wide shimmering panel. Behind it were Shadows; after the attack calmed, one of them took slow steps toward the Pope. Except for their fuzzy white eyes and human figures, the Shadows had no distinguishing features. Without light, shadows weren't cast, but there was also an umbra, blocked-in darkness completely shielded or devoid of light. Easily imagined by a room without electrical lights, windows, or lamps. However, when this Shadow walked forward, perhaps when a sunray above touched it, a cape appeared. It flowed from the back of a true body belonging to a man. He wore a sacred garment with a deep, sleek outer layer.
"I should expect such a tough, bull-headed greeting from you," he said.
"What do you take me for?" Despite his mask, the Pope's scowl could be realized even if partially. "Did you think you could defeat me—by abandoning your rank as well?!"
Towing a group of Shadows behind, the man in the black armor stopped around twelve meters from the throne. The meaning behind the distance was either for safety or surrender. Tender but fearless violet eyes reach the Pope.
"I've come to explain everything to you, and…to take your life. A life that lacks a kind heart."
The Pope and Integra would eventually learn that they faced the darkest of the dark – An Umbra. Gemini Integra moved in front of the Pope, resolved eyes staring at the face of the new enemy. That man, or assassin, was then joined by another of the same sleek body.
"What do you mean the dead swells?!" Back in Limbo, Demeter sounded like she was in a panic. There was still the incredulous wave that struck her body when Akel mentioned Ginga.
"Souls. Cosmos. Limbo will be saturated and encumbered by souls. Not just from the dead, but also the uninvited living. As they do, Hades's soul trembles." For the first time, as if invigorated, the Demigod sprouted up from his crouch and stood on his two feet. He moved ahead Shaina's Cloth.
"Are you saying that…the revival will be early?" The Mother Goddess's voice lowered from the knot of disbelief in her stomach. Were seven days cut into perhaps an hour or a minute? From Demeter's words, Athena stared at the Demigod with disbelief; her Saints could only watch helplessly, their faces contorted as they struggled against the chains tightened against their bodies.
"I'm sorry, Demeter. You invited a situation where everyone is devoured by violence."
The Mother Goddess and the Demigod—the son of Apollo—were eye to eye. Asklepios's eyes reflected the clearest Summer sky in between his soggy gray bangs. In Limbo, those eyes contrastively sparked with the most life.
"You will watch this spectacle," he said in a dreary tone, edging on anger and a bass arrogance, "watch as the humans clash desperately. For your family. Why don't you keep your promise? Cross those borders, Goddess. Kill everyone and everything for your happiness? Do you want to see who triumphs from this chaos?"
Demeter whispered, "What is truly happening?"
A smile appeared. "Hades's spirit will rise not only due to the increase in dead, but also his most hated enemies coming forth. He can smell them all, can he? Now, he will come," said the Demigod. From what Demeter could surmise, she assumed that Hades was getting agitated by the Cosmos of Athena and her Saints. Also, if Limbo swelled with dead, this could all come to fruition and force Hades to act. Was it enough? To become a welcoming atmosphere? Asklepios turned and walked away, stretching out his arms with renewed vigor as if little care in the world.
"Let's kneel to his royal presence. If only for a short moment."
Demeter took in a low, shallow breath and looked to Dark Meadow. "Release Athena and the Saints."
There was no hesitation; the dog Specter nodded and raised his hands. At winding speed, Kouga and the others were freed, dropping onto the invisible ground within the Limbo darkness. At a far distance, something flickered into view. It was caught by Kouga, grasping his attention. He looked around, and he seemed to catch the outline of horizons. The image waved in and out of view, and Pegasus thought he was in an illusion. Then, he looked at Asklepios and Demeter. A towering arch slowly faded into view above the Demigod's head.
"What is going on? Why were we released?" Orion Eden reached Kouga's side.
"Fools." Demeter finally spoke up, but with her back turned. "No, I am a fool as well, am I? You were released to prepare yourself. Athena, and her worthless Saints, get ready to witness the arrival of a King."
After those words, Limbo grumbled loudly. Lionet Souma looked down as he felt his feet above a strange texture. A familiar surface that reminded him of a usual walking road on the sidewalk or a mountain path. Pebbled land flicked in Souma's view; it made him wonder if Limbo was taking some kind of shape.
"Kouga!" Eden's eyes became intense as he looked over to Pegasus. "Regardless of what they say, this is our chance: Let's get Miss Shaina's Cloth and get Athena out of here." A nod of agreement, and in a blink of lightning, Eden and Kouga lunge and their hands reach out for the Ophiuchus Cloth. They weren't sure about the conclusion, but Eden figured that Athena was a pawn within the Gods' plan, and taking the Silver Saint Cloth would prevent a full resurrection. That would be confirmed as Asklepios reacted for the first time. One finger lifted and a flurry of white needles swished past the two Bronzes like a gust of hail. Eden growled in frustration; everything in his body was being attacked by rapid protein dystrophy. When he dropped, his fingers—too weak to lift, and with his core muscles shut—his fingers were inches away from Shaina's Cloth. Lacking strength in his chest and pelvis, his spine and lungs would also weaken, and led to his cognition and movement being discombobulated. The spine was connected to the brain; along with his sudden physical weakness, Eden's mind turned to hopelessness. It was the same as dying for an unknown reason and at an abrupt time, passing out and not regaining consciousness to see familiar faces. Fear emerged, then hopelessness. Pegasus Kouga's own body took a large shock, throwing him backward.
"I need that," said Akel. "That Cloth will be the key to restoring my power. I'm owed that much."
"What did I tell you before? You will know the despair of uselessness," Demeter added more insult to injury. "Don't see this as an opening to attempt as you please. Athena can't be saved."
"Won't know unless we try, right?" With just one usable arm, Lionet Souma was chirpy as usual. "Sorry, I'm a bad listener."
They weren't sure how to get their Goddess out of a land bordering life and death, but all they had was faith in their Cosmos. Yuna, Ryuho and Souma rushed for Athena, and their path was immediately intersected by the grin of Cancer Hermes.
"Get out of our way, traitor!" yelled Souma. "Turn around and fight the real enemy!"
"Why would you want Athena to die?!" Ryuho pleaded for understanding.
"Heh, don't you dummies know anything about Athena? She is the kind of person to save the world. If more people are dying for Hades's resurrection, then she probably can't help but feel sorrow. Right?" Cancer's eyes swerved as he looked over his shoulder.
"But who or what is causing this?" said Athena with a stern look. "If demonic activity is on the rise, the answer can only be other Gods."
"You all are terrible!" Pegasus Kouga returned to his feet and made a leap for Asklepios; did his anger drive him again?
"Subaru, get Miss Saori out of here!" he called out to Equuleus, who swiftly made for Athena's side as well, but then was met with Dark Meadow. Everyone had a barrier except for Asklepios, and somehow that gave Kouga confidence, but what did pummeling the Demigod accomplish? He wanted to knock him over and clear an opening to get the Cloth. With the way it violently glowed, his former mentor's Cloth was the catalyst needed for the resurrection. Kouga thought he either had to get it away from Akel or, if possible, destroy it. Miss Shaina was gone—was killing a Cloth allowed? Without Akel and his astounding powers, it was pointless; without the Cloth, it was pointless. Eliminate the possibility of both!
"Pegasus Sui Sei ken!" An enormous meteor appeared, advancing in a straight line for the Ophiuchus Cloth and Akelepios. Miss Shaina, I'm sorry!
As Kouga apologized in his heart, the sky of Limbo roared with light, and then broke apart.
"Huh?" Kouga wondered if his attack was useless against both the Cloth and the Demigod. That was inaccurate – his attack dissipated before it reached either. A swath of air bifurcated it, leaving a small, corona-orange spherical anomaly in mid-air. A hiss, in rising decibels that got louder, until it became a deafening thunderclap. That sphere swelled and disappeared in a second or less; instantly, Kouga's body bucked, and he had no idea what happened. From the others, who could only spectate, Kouga was grabbed by his neck. Curls of smoke poured out from his entire body. He nearly lost the light in his eyes as his head was completely lolled back.
Soon after, a tree of energy sprouted from the Ophiuchus Cloth. Limbo sunk into a blinding light; did it indicate the end of the reach for Heaven?
"Due to this banquet of universes and souls converging into Hell, I can only project the Holy One here. Momentarily. He says, 'I will take Athena now.'" It was the voice of Akelepios. When the light died down, the Demigod was back in his crouch behind Shaina's Cloth. It glowed dimly behind a cold blue halo.
"Do not avert your eyes, Pegasus. Behold Hell's King." The grip on Kouga's head was like a steel clamp. He regained consciousness, heard a voice, and did not register the stranger that was holding him from behind. Kouga only remembered seeing sharp violet eyes from a young man with black-gray hair. Black and gray together could compare to thin storm clouds making way for a dull sky. What impressed Kouga the most was the amount of pressure that shoved him down to a knee. The stranger only held him with one hand. Was it Ginga, he had thought. No, aside from the different appearance, the words from before were from a voice like biting, murderous ice, but also respectful. With his head being pulled up, Kouga couldn't help but look in a fixed direction.
Next to Athena was a tall incandescent figure, looking down at her. Her head was leaning back as the tip of a palm took her chin.
"You," Athena whispered. Limbo was submerged into a strange silvery fog that gave it a presence beyond death. Somehow, it was calming, leaving everyone to hold their breath. The darkness had disappeared, and a tall arch appeared from a distance. But, everyone's eyes were on Athena and the strange projection next to her. When the fog dwindled, sliding away, it revealed a dark sky with reddish clouds. Below were hills and craggy rocks; obscured plains stretched as far as the eye could see. Everyone stood on a brick road leading to the arch. What the current generation of Bronze Saints did not know was that this was a true world. With flower fields, rivers, high cliffs, lava rivers, forests, waterfalls, mountains, swamps, artic fields, deserts, and it was all under a Chthonic God.
It was only for a moment.
"The opposite of Olympus is Tartatus," the figure said to Athena. "This ugly Limbo should not exist."
"Hades." As Athena sighed his name, she had forgotten that she was not in chains. Everyone else was magnetized by the projected body which, despite carrying a lofty name of a God, was only displayed as some blue wiry spirit. However, that spirit had long hair and two pairs of wings from his back. The strange power or charm being emitted was convincing. To make it more convincing was seeing a man reach for the spirit's side and then prostrate silently. It was Dark Meadow; Subaru was on the ground knocked out. Cancer Hermes stepped away, giving Yuna, Ryuho and Souma a view of the bluish-looking Hades.
"That's the King of the Underworld?" Ryuho said.
"Were we…too late?" Yuna's voice was tinted with a sense of failure.
"That guy said something about 'projecting him momentarily," said Souma, who eyed Asklepios. "Does that mean he's not corporeal?" Considering these Bronzes were not from Seiya's time, nor witnesses of the last war, they were not fully aware of the demands needed to revive the Underworld King. The truth was that Souma was correct—Hades needed a week to return to himself, body and soul, and the Hades that they saw now was ethereal.
"Athena, a deep resentment for you burns inside of me. I cannot forgive you. When I return to my land, once it revives, I will take everything from you. But first…" A partial turn of his body and ethereal Hades flicked his arm back. Everyone's eyes swished in the opposite direction of Hades to follow something; something cleaved the air as a beam of light.
And it transformed into a blue, double-edged sword; everyone was at a standstill. No one trembled. The process of speed could not be followed. Furthermore, the process of making sense could not elaborate on what was falling backward.
"Hermes?!" Yuna nearly shrieked. A strange, anguished sound gurgled from the Gold Saint of Cancer as the double-edged sword that Hades threw was pierced above his clavicle. As he dropped onto his back, his Cloth's helmet bounced across the rejuvenated pebbled ground, it was all a sign of the door opening to the uncivilized Black Deal. That temporary image of Hades became more imposing. Everyone will soon learn how greedy he is.
