(Prologue)
In the days of ancient legend, when gods roamed the earth and brought with them suffering upon mortals, there was one deity, who possessed the power to annihilate. Athena, the goddess of warfare and wisdom. However, instead of succumbing to the temptation of destruction, she chose to shield us from harm. Brave and valiant knights from all corners of the world pledged their loyalty to her cause, as they learned to harness the celestial energy known as Cosmo. With fists raised high towards the heavens, they engaged in epic battles against those who sought to bring about Athena's demise. As time passed, the gods retreated into the realm of mythos, fading from the forefront of human consciousness. Yet, exactly 18 years ago, Athena was reborn as a benevolent child. A knight adomed in resplendent golden armour sacrificed his life to safeguard and together they descended upon the earth. It was in that moment that humanity discovered her, cradled in the knight's embrace, a mortal girl imbued with the might of a goddess. Since that fateful day, humanity has embarked on a quest to seek out a new generation of knights. These chosen few will assume the mantle of the Knights of the Zodiac, charged with the sacred duty of protecting Athena and the earth itself.
(Chapter one)
Seiya's hands started twitching uncontrollably as he perched on the bench, waiting for his turn to step into the ring. While he sat there, lost in thought, he couldn't help but question his decision to be there that night. A nagging feeling compelled him to attend, but he couldn't quite pinpoint why. Was it his genuine love for cage matches? Or was there a deeper motive behind his presence? He didn't know why he'd come tonight, he just had. Perhaps it was the pressing need for money, or perhaps it was the gnawing hunter that drove him to come here. Life as a street orphan certainly didn't provide an abundance of food. Speaking of which, his stomach was tied up in knots. When was the last time he'd had a decent meal? He couldn't recall, and that was saying something. Before he could devie deeper into his introspection, the creaking sound of a door being opened joled him out of his thoughts.
Standing in the doorway was a man adorned with tattoos, covering his arms and even etched beneath his cheeks. Seiya turned his head to meet the man's pericing gaze, feeling the knots in his stomach tighten even further, rendering him unable to even blink. ''Hey, kid,'' the man said, gesturing for Seiya to follow him through the door. ''You're up next.''Seiya let out the heavy breath he'd been holding and stood up. His eyes never leaving the face of the tattooed man before him. Unaware to Seiya's knowledge, he'd seemed to have caught the attention of man, curiously staring into his back, as Seiya left the room.
The music in the club thumped, pulsating throughout the building, infusing it with vibrant energy that only came alive at night. Each time Seiya stepped foot into this place, he couldn't help but be taken aback. How could so many people be captivated by the dangerous spectacle of cage boxing? Was the thrill of witnessing near death experiences truly so enjoyable to them? Thankfully, Seiya had managed to steer clear of such perilous situations, and he fervently hoped it would stay that way. Yet, with each passing night, as he found himself returning to the arena, the fights seemed to grow more and more ferocious. It was a cruel irony, considering Seiya's slight stature. Despite his efforts to build muscle and the training he had undergone before his sister's abduction, he lacked the seething anger that seemed to fuel all the others. ''Anger makes one strong,'' he would hear constantly from those eager to impact their so - called wisdom. But Seiya couldn't care less about their opinions. He had managed just fine on his own.
The air hangs heavy with the acrid scent of booze, mingling with the low hum of conversations that reverberate through the room. Seiya manoeuvres through the throng of bodies, a sea of people pressing in on his left and right. No corner escapes the suffocating crowd. Cracked leather stools line the worn wooden bar, while flickering lights cast in an eerie yellow and purple glow across the space. Seiya's gaze meets the bartender's and he can almost hear the unspoken words, ''Good luck, kid, you'll need it.'' The bartender absentmindedly wipes glass after glass with a rag that appears to have never seen the inside of a washing machine, its age evident in its tattered appearance. At the end of the bar a man in his late thirties stands out, impeccably dressed, James, they call him. Everyone knows his story. Beaten, mercilessly on his first visit, he now seeks solace in the bottom of his glass, perhaps longing for death to spare him the piercing gazes he endurers. His weary eyes scan the room, eventually landing on Seiya. Seiya quickly averts his gaze, determined to forge ahead towards the ring. Towards the battle. As he pushes through a cluster of strangers, congregating in the center, a firm grip clamps onto his wrist, abruptly yanking him back. Seiya inhales deeply, fighting to rein in his emotions. It's not worth causing a scene before the match. Better to save his fury for the ring.
Seiya's eyes dart between the two men, his hand tightening around his reclaimed wrist. On his right, stands a brown - haired guy, who he instantly recognized as Andrew. He's dressed casually today, in his everyday attire. A light blue jacket followed by grey coloured jeans. Seiya had seen him multiple times now to recognize him, even from a distance. Andrew was easily picked out in a crowd. If only Andrew was the opponent he was facing here tonight. There was an undeniable air about Andrew that set him apart from the other fighters in his grim arena. Maybe it was his refusal to display an array of tattoos, or perhaps it was the energy he exuded. Just as Seiya contemplated the enigma that was Andrew, a new voice cut through the tense atmosphere. A voice he despised. Cassios, the owner and the formidable boss of the cage fights, sneered his words. The mere mention of Cassios sent shivers down Seiya's spine. This man held all the power, and crossing him was a dangerous game. Cassios was known to manipulate fights, to orchestrate brutal matchups that could lead to a fighter's demise. ''You win this fight,'' Cassios taunted, his voice dripping with malice, ''and maybe, just maybe, you'll earn a shot at me someday.'' Seiya's stomach churned at the thought of facing Cassios in the ring. He knew he had to treat carefully to ensure he stayed on good terms with the man who literally held his fate in his hands. However that didn't mean Seiya couldn't have a little bit of fun every so often.
Seiya's eyes rolled in exasperation as he attempted to break free from Cassio's grip. But it was no use. The relentless pull on his shirt yanked him back for the second time, leaving him feeling trapped and irritated, as his eyes met the ground, no way would he meet Cassio's eyes. ''Hey! Listen to me,'' Cassios bellowed, his voice dripping with urgency. ''No more of that dancing around, you hear me? You better put on a damn good show this time.'' As Cassios leaned in close, Seiya couldn't help but notice the unpleasant scent of his last meal lingering in the air above them. Dismissing it with a playful shake of his head, Seiya braced himself for another push. Cassios's hand forcefully pushed against his chest, creating a physical distance between them, abruptly ending their conversation. But before parting ways, Cassios managed to deliver one final sentence, one that sent a surge of rage coursing through Seiya's veins. ''Make sure you fight this time, asshole.'' Seiya's entire demeanour shifted in an instant. The playful glint in his eyes vanished, replaced by a smouldering intentisity. The blood in his veins seemed to boil, fueling a fire within him. He clenched his fists, determined to prove Cassios wrong and show him just how wrong he was to underestimate him. What he was doing there was far from dancing. That was him. Truly him. The stage was set, and Seiya was ready to unleash the full force of his power.
''The moment you've all been waiting for, has arrived! bellowed the announcer, his voice reverberating through the arena, sending shivers down the spines of the massive crowd that had gathered for the highly anticipated match. Meanwhile, two figures, clad in shirts adomed with intertwining patterns of black and white, emerged from the shadows, their grim expressions mirrorwing the brutality of the fight they had just witnessed. Blood stained their faces, as a result of the ruthless battle that had unfolded moments ago. As the fallen fight disappeared from view, the announcer's voice boomed once more. "'Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the one and only, undefeated, champion of the Octagon - Jaki the Beast!'' Simultaneously, a woman adorned in crimson stockings, her arms adorned with intricate designs, emerged, hoisting a colossal sign above her head that read ''Round One'' The crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers and chants, their voices blending into a deafening chorus of adoration for Jaki. A man, bare - chested and drenched in sweat, commanded the center of the cage, his tousled hair, clinging to his forehead from the intensity of his exertion. Seiya had witnessed the previous fighter get escorted away, his body battered and marked with the stains of battle. However in Seiya's gaze fell upon Jaki, not a single scratch marred his formidable frame. The realisation struck him with a jolt of fear - Jaki with an imminent threat, a force to be reckoned with.
''And now, ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for the electrifying contender who has gracefully pirouetted his way through his last two fights. Let's give it up fro the enigmatic street kid, Seiya!'' The crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and jeers, their words lashing at Seiya like venomous snakes. But true to his nature, Seiya chose to let his silence speak volumes. Stepping into the ring, his eyes locked with his opponent, Jaki, a formidable force in his own right. The taunts and insults hurled his way only fueled the fire burning within clenched his fists, determined to bury the seething anger that threatened to consume him. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Seiya playfully masked his emotions, flashing Jaki a smile that unsettled his adversary. A smile that hinted at secrets and strategies unknown. The referee's voice cut through the tension, his words hanging in the air like a warning. ''You both know the drill, the rules are non-existent. Anything goes until one of you surrenders, or falls unconscious. Should you give up, banishment from the Octagon awaits. Clear?'' Before Seiya could even respond, Jaki lunged forward, a blur of motion. The force of his attack sent the referee hurtling through the air, a mere afterthought in the chaos that ensued. Seiya found himself thrust into battle, his instincts taking over. ''Here we go,'' he whispered to himself the thrill of the fight coursing through his veins.
Jaki's fury surged through his veins as he leaped off the ground, his arms propelled toward Seiya with a vengeance. But in a blinding display of agility, Seiya effortlessly evaded each strike, leaving Jaki grasping at thin air. Determined not to be defeated, Jaki relentlessly launched attack after attack, his punches furled by a growing rage that threatened to over take him. Yet no matter how hard he tried, Seiya's lightning fast reflexes allowed him to dodge every blow with uncanny precision. The realisation hit Jaki like a thunderbowl - Seiya was on a whole different level. Frustration etched itself deep into Jaki's face as his punches intensified, each one carrying the weight of his mounting anger. Sensing the danger, Seiya swiftly retreated, creating distance between the two of them, only to have Jaki end up right back in his face. The crowd erupted with thunderous boo's and outrage as Seiya showcased an array of martial arts - each technique a testament to a lifetime spent mastering. However Seiya knew it was all thanks to his sister, Pat. Patricia. He owed this fight to her. Kicks soared through the air like lighting bolts, finding their target with unforgiving accuracy. Fists landed with bone - rattling impact, drawing gasps from the crowd, as Jaki tried to land one more blow against Seiya, however one again, Seiya had proven he was the more skilled one.
Seiya's movements became a breathtaking display of skill, each strike and block flowing seamlessly into the next. The onlookers held their breath, captivated by the spectacle unfolding before them. Within the cage, time seemed to stand still, creating an arena where only the bravest souls dared to enter. The rush of adrenaline surged through Seiya's veins, flueing his unwavering determination. He would not falter, even in the face of danger. From above, Cassio's voice pierced through the air, urging Seiya to fight rather than what he was doing. ''Dammit, fight!'' he shouted, frustration evident in his tone. ''Hey, I said no dancing!'' Cassios grumbled, taking a drag from the cigarette dangling from his mouth. Seiya couldn't help but smile as he continued to create distance between himself and Jaki, for the second time. with a burst of energy, he ran up against the cage, gripping onto the nearest lining for support. Propelling himself forward, Seiya's leg connected with the edge of Cassio's face, knocking the cigarette straight out of the boss's mouth. As he landed smoothly, Seiya returned to his fighting stance, ready for whatever came next. Seiya's heart pounded in his chest as he witnessed the unexpected turn of events. In a split second, Cassio had leaped over the edge and landed right in the cage. The realisation hit Seiya like a lighting bolt to the chest - Cassios was now his new opponent, replacing Jaki. The crowd erupted in a frenzy of applause and cheers, their excitement palpable. Despite Cassio's unorthodox move, the spectators seemed thrilled, revelling in the audacity of his actions. After all, Cassio was the boss, and no one dared to challenge his thoughts. Jaki, clearly infuriated that Cassios had stolen his match, emerged from the shadows. His eyes gleamed with a vengeful determination, fixated on Seiya. However, before Jaki could make his move, Cassios unleashed a powerful kick that connected with Jaki's face, sending him crashing to the ground. The sickening sound of bones cracking echoed through the arena, leaving Seia paralyzed with shock. The air crackled with tension as the crowd's cheers transformed into a chorus of gasps. Seiya couldn't help but wonder what he had gotten himself into, trapped between two formidable opponents. The stakes had just been raised, and he knew he had to summon every ounce of his strength to survive the impending battle.
The crowd erupted in a frenzy, their voices echoing throughout the arena. "'Cassios! Cassios! Cassios!'' they chanted, their excitement palpable. Seiya felt a knot tighten in his stomach, a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He knew he couldn't ignore the enraged Cassio anymore. ''Hey, calm down, big guy,'' Seiya attempted to reason, his voice trembling. '' I was just messing around, you know?'' He desperately hoped his words would pacify the furious Cassio, but before Seiya could fully comprehend what was happening, Jaki, not sure how he was still able to move, sought retribution for Cassio's theft of his match. Just as Jaki lunged towards Seiya for the second time, Cassios, fueled by adrenaline and rage, delivered a second powerful kick, this time to Jaki's chest. The impact was bone crushing, the sound of breaking bones reverberating through the air as Seiya winced, his heart pounding in his chest at the sheer force of Cassio's blow. In that moment Seiya realised he not only had gotten Cassios angry by messing with him so much that night, but he'd been underestimating Cassio's strength. And as he surveyed the crumpled figure of Jaki, he couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and fear for the formidable Jaki - the Beast.
''Ballet's over, kid.'' Cassios said. Seiya's mind screamed at his body to back up, but before he could, Cassios brought his leg up, connecting with a hard kick right to Seiya's chest, literally stripping his body of all oxygen. The ground was stained with blood now as the crowd gasped as Seiya scrambled to evade the fury of punches that rained down upon him. Each strike from Cassios landed with bone crushing force, rattling his entire frame. Blow after blow, he staggered, his will waning. Yet his spirit refused to surrender. As the crowd's shouts of joy intensified, Seiya found himself cornered, having nowhere to go, as pummelled after pummelled came on him. Sweat mingled with blood, dripping onto the unforgiving cold floor beneath him. Oxygen was a luxury he could no longer afford, his lungs burning with each gasp for breath. Forced against the steel bears of the cage, he fought to retain his footing, to resist the overwhelming tide of pain. But Cassios was relentless, what Seiya was learning, he was an unstoppable force fueled by anger, if you made fun of him in any way, he'd never let you walk away with it. With each punch landed, the tide of battle began to shift inside of him. Seiya's entire body suddenly jolted with an electrifying sensation, as if a dormant force had been unleashed within him. The tingling surged through his veins, igniting a fire that burned with unimaginable power. But before he could fully comprehend this newfound energy. Cassios seized him by the head, his grip unyielding and merciless. As the words formed on Seiya's lips, they emerged in fragmented whispers, each syllable punctuated by the brutal blows, raining upon his battered face. ''Cassios...wins...every...time...'' Seiya gasped, his voice barely audible amidst the deafening chaos that surrounded him. A wicked smile crept across Cassios's face, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. Savouring the moment, Cassios paused, his grip on Seiya tightening just enough to remind him of his crushing defeat. He turned towards the frenzied crowd, a triumphant roar erupting from his lips as he thrust his fist up into the air. The spectators erupted into a frenzy of wild cheers, their adoration flueing Cassios's insatiable thirst for dominance.
Although Cassios seemed to have the upper hand, the victory alone was not enough. Seiya was taken aback when he suddenly felt weightless, Cassios's hands firmly gripping him. One hand rested on his shoulder, the other supporting his leg just above the knee, ready to slam him onto the unforgiving ground. Seiya could almost imagine the bone - shattering impact that would surely follow. In the moment however, a familiar voice whispered something in his ear, his sister's voice. ''Are you ready to give up?'' she asked, echoing the words she had always whenever he was on the brink of defeat. But Seiya had always defied her expectations, rising to his feet time and time over. As time seemed to stand still, an unexpected surge of strength coursed through him. The air grew heavy, almost suffocating as Seiya collided with the cage floor. In that instant, a brilliant explosion of indigo light erupted, engulfing Seiya, Cassios, and the mesmerised crowd. The very atmosphere trembled in response to the discretion of clear power. Seiya crashed onto the hard ground, his body now limp, unconscious. The force of the blow had sent Cassios hurtling a few feet across the arena, colliding with the cage walls in a comical display. If Seiya had been conscious, he might have found it amusing. But the arena fell into an eerie silence, save for the enigmatic figure lurking in the shadows. A smirk played upon his face, a silent observer revelling in the chaos. Despite his injuries, Cassios refused to be deterred. He limped forward, his determination driving him to his feet. With a triumphant raise of his clenched fists, the crowd erupted in a thunderous cheer. ''Yeah! Cassios!'' a voice bellowed, its volume enough to jolt Seiya back to reality. Gasping for breath, he scanned his surroundings, confusion, clouding his gaze. Summoning what little strength he had left, Seiya rose to his full height, defiance etched into his every fiber. ''You never know when to give up, do you:?''' Cassios hissed, his voice dropping with contempt. Seiya met his gaze head on, a glimmer of defiance in his eyes. ''No, I don't,'' he retorted, his voice steady. ''And you won't be the last to remind me.''
Anger erupted on Cassios's face, his features contorting into a mask of fury as he lunged towards Seiya. But Seiya, ever so vigilant, anticipated his adversary's move and swiftly retaliated with a punch of his own. The impact was resounding, a testament to Seiya's unwavering strength and resolve. However, before Cassios could endure further humiliation, Seiya pivoted with astonishing agility, his body propelling off the cage wall, like a nimble ninja. The crowd gasped in disbelief, their eyes widening with horror as Seiya gracefully landed outside the confines of the cage. With a determined glint of his eyes, he wasted no time and swiftly spirited away. ''Hey!'' Cassios's voice echoed, filling with frustrated rage. ''We're not finished, Seiya!'' This if far from over!''