Saint Seiya Golden Brigade

by Bluestar076

7 years after the defeat of Hades and 3 years after the time travel, Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun and Ikki start a new life as five of the new Gold Saints put in charge to protect the world. But at the same time, new threats come to put it in danger. So it's up to a new generation of Gold Saints to stop them in a new adventure! (Rated T for Violence and high language)

10. The Curse of Gemini

Saint Seiya Golden Brigade Chapter 10: The Curse of Gemini

By Bluestar076

Hello everyone! Bluestar here with a new chapter! And so, here we are, the third story of mine that reaches the tenth story of mine! Considering my deficit of concentration, it almost seems something unexpected to me a result like this. But despite this, and after getting more free time than before, I want to try and be optimistic and be able to continue forward with these stories. One day, I'll make sure that the other two stories remaining will reach ten chapters and forward. I hope that I will be able to finish these stories in the future, but for now, let's dive into today's chapter, which will be pretty relevant. Not only because it will regard my favorite constellation among the ones of the Gold Saints, but also because something special will happen! Speaking of which, I couldn't help but notice how much this first arc had changed over time XD! I'll be honest when I started, I didn't have clear ideas and various changes had been made, all because I've got inspired by the wrong thing (which was the setting of Ninja Gaiden Sigma) but now I managed to find a way to make it continue (After 10 chapters, way to go Blue).

Anyway, it's time to go! As always, I hope you enjoy it!

Note: I do not own Saint Seiya. All rights belong to Masami Kurumada and Toei Animation.

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Chapter 10: The Curse of Gemini

If Priamos had to describe his life before becoming a Gold Saint…he would have said that it was like staring at an abyss with nothing inside of it. No mere trace of anything…and not even a single sound.

Only a gigantic, endless pit of emptiness. Mainly because…throughout most of his life, the only thing he could see…was merely the dark.

Priamos still remembered the night when his mother died on her bed due to cardiac arrest. Up until that moment…she was the only family he had ever known. He never met his father and didn't know if he had any siblings out there in the world. All that was left was her…and that night…she was simply gone.

He could remember the door that slowly opened behind him to reveal a priest who looked at him with a reassuring smile.

"You must be Priamos…right? I'm deeply sorry for what had just happened to you. This isn't something a child should experience…" He spoke.

Priamos turned his head, and the priest noticed something strange in him. The child had eyes of two different colors: one yellow, the regular one…but one red. But this sight only happened for a second, and the eyes were normal again.

The priest thought that he imagined it so didn't give it much thought. "With this said…you need to decide on what to do now. You can either choose to go to an orphanage…or you can come with me to the Sanctuary. I'll try and do my best to take care of you. What do you say?

Priamos didn't know if he had the strength to answer. He lost the person he loved the most…and now he was alone…and forced to choose which path to take. He wondered why fate decided to be cruel to him and make him decide on what to do for his life so early. He was just five years old at the time…he still wanted to think to play like a child…but…he needed to choose.

On one side…to wait for a new family…and hope that he could regain what he had lost with someone else, while on the other one…to be on hold with what seemed to be a trustworthy person in a completely new environment.

The Sanctuary. His mother told him something about that place. About how it was the residence of the goddess Athena, and how it was the home of many orphanages like him…children who became men who were proud warriors.

If he recalled correctly…they were named 'Saints'.

Proud warriors that wore special armor and that could destroy mountains with just a fist. His mother always described them as heroes who strive to bring peace.

He didn't know why…but something in his head made him want to pick up the second choice. Maybe…staying between those fighters could have led him to a better life…it could have been the chance…to forget what he had experienced at that moment. He didn't want to suffer the loss of her dearly beloved…he didn't want to hold on to that sorrow forever.

He wanted to smile again, even if his mother was gone. And he didn't want to wait for that. Therefore…he opened his mouth.

"I…I want to go with you…at the Sanctuary."

The priest made a gentle smile. "That's wonderful. Pack up your things. We will land tomorrow after you have given your last goodbye to your sweet mother." He spoke.

And so…it happened.

After staring at her for one last time, Priamos embarked on a journey to change himself, promising to be strong and be able to tolerate every type of pain.

But…if he knew what was waiting for him…he would have chosen the other possibility.

As he promised, the priest took care of him and hospitalized him in his small house. Much like many other children who ended up on the Sanctuary, he started his training to become a soldier, and maybe in the future, he could have become one of these famous Saints.

For three years, his life was based mostly on a daily routine made of waking up, training, studying with his foster father, and some hours spent in some leisure.

But then…one faithful day, when he was eight years old…everything changed. Priamos remembered that it happened during training with another guy. During a spar session, that other apprentice ended up beating Priamos more than any other opponents he had faced before, and he was on the verge of fainting out.

"AGH!"

He ended up lying down, apparently without moving, panicking the other guy.

"Ah! Priamos! Hey, Priamos! Are you ok?" He ran towards him to make sure that he was all right. The boy didn't seem to answer, and his opponent feared that he would have knocked him out. But then…he noticed something changing in him.

And right at that moment, Priamos raised his head and looked at his rival. "Y-Yes…we can still fight…TAKE THIS!"

"A-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The next thing Priamos remembered was the sounds of his fists badly injuring the body of the other boy…and the sound of soldiers coming close to stopping him.

"HEY! STOP AT ONCE!"

"GET HIM!"

"A-AH! LEAVE ME!"

He couldn't explain why…but it was an instant raptus that started to appear in his head. He apologized and promised to be better, and to control himself…but the same scene happened again, and again…and again.

Whenever he was in a state of almost collapsing due to his training…that instinct came up…and everything went blurry both in his eyes…and in his mind, to the point that the other soldiers had to hold him blocked somewhere.

One day…Priamos heard a discussion between the priest and one of the soldiers. And what he heard didn't make him feel better at all.

"Are you sure this is the case?"

"It happened several times in the history of Sanctuary…and they all started in that way. I'm afraid that the kid has already been taken victim of that curse."

"It's not a curse…he already lost his mother…I can't afford to make him lose more…I'll try everything I can."

"I can understand…but if it gets worse…you know that there's no other choice."

"I…I know…"

After the guard left, the priest went to check on Priamos. The kid had a hopeful look on his face that almost shattered the old man's heart. He knew that there wasn't much to do about it. But he didn't want to let him down.

"What…what did they say?" Priamos asked.

"…Well…it's hard to explain…" The priest started. "You see…you have been born under the guidance of a particular constellation…its name…is Gemini…"

"…Gemini?" The kid asked, still not so sure of what he intended to say.

"Yes. One of the stars that rotate around the sun. But…unlike the other ones, this star has a particular feat…it tends to have two faces. Two sides that not everyone can see. One side is the one that we all see, the one that gives the appearance…the one that gives an identity. While the other one…Is the one turned around…the one that tends to hide and show up when it's more suitable. And it is the side that keeps the parts that the first sides don't want to show to anyone else. These two coexist as one…and no one can live without the other. They are like Siamese twins, and you seem to hold both." The priest continued.

"Are you saying…that there's another side of me?" Priamos kept on asking questions. The priest felt guilty about hearing so many questions. As a child, he couldn't know the real truth behind it. So, the least his father-like figure could do…was simply answer.

"Yes…some sort of. It's that side that shows up and gives you all that troubles…"

"I don't want to cause any more trouble…I…I just want to continue my training…" Priamos continued.

"That's why we are here. We shall focus more on mental training, to make sure that we'll be able to keep that side of yours at bay. There are so many unfortunate children in the world, and you are among them. But…I don't want you to suffer more than you already have. I promise…I'll stay close to you…so that you can live your life better." The priest swore.

Priamos didn't know what to say. After hearing what he had done, he wondered if he deserved all that grace from him. But still…he was glad…that he was able to find someone like him. He simply stood up and hugged him.

"Thank you…"

But…despite all the efforts made…that side…that second face of him…didn't disappear…and it got worse through the years, causing havoc whenever Priamos was at the limit of his energies.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAH! AH! AH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Eventually…this lack of control…led him to the sense of void…he always felt.

"PRIAMOS! STOP!" During one of his episodes, when he was twelve, the priest tried to calm him down. But in this attempt, he came too close.

Blinded by his instinct…Priamos had to witness the horror of loss…once again…and this time…because of himself. As soon as he regained consciousness…he saw his hand that was impaling the body of the priest.

"A-AH!? NO! NO! THIS IS NOT TRUE! ISOCRATES! HOLD ON!" He shouted out of despair.

But despite this…the priest continued to smile. And looked at him serenely. "I-It's alright, Priamos…it's…alright…don't stop…fighting…" After saying this…he closed his eyes for the last time.

"ISOCRATES!"

Déjà vu. The boy already had witnessed a sight like this. It was already difficult to lose his mother once…he couldn't stand the idea of losing a paternal figure as well.

Once again…he lost the only figure he could rely on. His family. And this time…he did it with his own hands.

Luckily, the Sanctuary didn't see that act as a malevolent one and didn't sentence Priamos to death. Still…his bursts were delivering several damage to the other soldiers and they cost the life of a man, leading them to the decision that he couldn't run free.

Because of this, he was put in one of the several cages of the Sanctuary, under surveillance. He wasn't treated as a prisoner, but he didn't care how he would have lived. After everything he had been through…he couldn't care less.

He lost everything because of that…curse. That other side tormented his heart. His mother was gone…his foster father was gone…his training comrades couldn't see him.

This time…he was alone. And everything he had seen…was simply the void. The darkness of the cell…the darkness of his heart…to the point that he started to talk with it. To that other side.

"…Why are you doing this to me? Don't you feel satisfied enough? Why do you keep pursuing me? Even after taking everything I held dear away from me…you're still here?"

"You're still thinking of that? It was an accident, OK!? I didn't want to kill Isocrates either! It's just in my nature, you know that it's just that part of me! Or…should I say…you."

"…What do you mean…"

"You know exactly what I mean. We're the same. Even now, you're talking to none but yourself. Why can't you just realize it? I am you."

"NO, YOU'RE NOT!" Priamos shouted as he punched the wall, leaving a large crack in it. He started to breathe heavily and sweat. It was just too much to bear. Not only to live out with this part of him but to be even mocked by him.

Priamos felt like nothing worse could have happened. Some soldiers thought of him as a demon. And after all of this…he thought that maybe they were right.

And so, years passed…the world continued without him…and he felt more and more empty. That cell became his home…and the only world he would have known…were those three walls and what lay behind the bars.

But then…something changed.

Two encounters had changed his life entirely.

One was when he was still in a cage…and had the visit of someone he didn't expect to see. It all started when he heard some footsteps echo throughout the prison. Nothing new, but once he raised his head to see who he was…he remained surprised.

A man wearing a white robe with golden decorations. He had blue long hair and black eyes. This man simply stared at him.

Priamos never met him…but he could feel that he seemed…entirely different from anyone he had ever met at the Sanctuary.

"How ironic…it almost looks like I'm looking at a mirror." The figure said.

"Who…Who are you?" Priamos asked.

"Just someone with your problem…and maybe even less fortunate than you." The man continued with the same neutral expression. "I heard a rumor that there was someone dangerous within these cages, so I wanted to see them personally."

Priamos felt mocked and glared at him with an annoyed stare. "…What can you possibly know of what type of problem do I have? You seem living a wealthy life with that uniform of yours. The only one who could understand me left a long time ago. Now the only thing the others see in me is only a demon! I'm just someone who has to bear an eternal curse all by himself so that others don't get hurt! Just…like…Isocrates…"

The man didn't change his expression. He simply closed his eyes and started to raise his golden Cosmo, leaving Priamos jaw-dropping.

"W-What the!? This cosmo is huge! It…It almost seems like two different enormous energies!" He exclaimed.

After that, the man made his Cosmo disappear. "Yes. Indeed, you are a demon. And no one can ever change that. But I can indeed see the situation you're in. Because I'm also in that same situation. In that same nightmare."

Priamos listened to him in silence.

"We, who have been born under the same star, have to carry on the burden of coming to light with two different sides. And the best thing we can do…is to live out, aware of that. It is something that will torment us forever. But…nothing prevents us…to try and resist to it." The other person continued.

"R-Resist?" Priamos asked.

"Yes. You may not see it that way, but this cell gave you an opportunity. Take advantage of this isolation to toughen yourself. Don't try to get rid of that side of yours, but try to hold it with the chains of your heart. Do it while you're still in time…and don't let that side of you take complete possession of your body." The man answered. "Once you'll be able to do it…you'll finally feel free from the curse that we share. The curse of Gemini. And who knows…maybe the goddess Athena will have the mercy to forgive you…" He then started to leave.

"The curse of Gemini...Ah, wait!" Priamos then called out.

The figure stopped and turned his head around.

"You…seem to know a lot about it…why can't you help me?" The prisoner asked.

"…This suggestion is the best I can give. It's…too late for me. I shouldn't even wear this robe. I…shouldn't even be still alive…" The man asked before leaving.

It was strange, but Priamos felt like that one single encounter changed him entirely. From that point on, he did what that man told him to. And, even with difficulties, even if by reached points where he ended up bleeding severely…he slowly started to feel inner peace with himself…and feel in control.

But…even so, that side of him still existed. And kept on rising whenever he was at the limit, even if he was able to control it properly.

Years continued to pass with him inside that cage…needless to say, he never saw that man again.

The black was still everything he could see…until…the second important event occurred…many years later.

Priamos was staring at the ground as always…until he heard the noise he didn't expect to hear: the bars…opening.

"Uh!?" He raised his head and noticed the cell suddenly getting opened. The door was open…was he…was he getting freed by someone?

When he came closer…he saw two figures. One of them was wearing a white robe like the man he met at that time. At first, Priamos thought it was him, but as soon as he came closer, he saw a different man, one with green hair and two signs on the front.

While the other one...was a girl with purple hair and a scepter in his hand. Priamos just needed to sense her Cosmo…to figure everything out.

"Ten years in this prison and you still managed to maintain a sane look. Poor boy…you surely must have suffered…" The man in the white robe said.

"Don't worry…it's all over now. We'll take care of you. Your name is Priamos, correct?" The woman asked.

"A…Athena?"

---

And now...after having that raptus of violent instinct, Priamos thought of everything he had lived before because of those instincts. Now that he got a second chance to live, he couldn't waste it.

The Gold Saint of Gemini was breathing heavily as he tried to keep his inner balance. But it was hard since he had to deal with someone that he wanted to become like that just to have the pleasure of fighting a strong opponent.

"What's the matter, Priamos? Your movements have become less frequent than before. Am I putting enough tension on you that you can't fight?" Eizoku asked with a smirk.

This attitude of his was starting to make the Gold Saint mad, as he stood ready. He couldn't let him take advantage of him, but at the same time, he couldn't let himself lose control because of him.

He needed to take him down as soon as possible and rely on his Cosmo before things would have gotten worse.

"Oh well…in that case, I hope you won't mind I'LL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT!" Eizoku exclaimed as he started to run extremely fast towards him, like an engine.

This time, Priamos couldn't see this coming and was unable to prepare a counterattack.

"Taotiè Zi Who – Di Yi Shu -TU GU!" Eizoku immediately started to attack him with a barrage of physical fists that slowly started to overwhelm Priamos, as they continued.

"GAH! GH! His power and speed have increased! I can't see what is up to with this strength! Is this the true power of a Berserker that had removed his seals!?" Priamos thought while getting attacked repeatedly. In the end, the Berserker of the Wolverine pushed him away with a strong palm attack, making him fall to the ground.

"AGH!" Priamos fell with a big impact, and as soon as he raised his head, he saw the enemy already jumping in front of him, ready to finish him off with a dive attack. "TAOTIE ZI WHO – DI SAN ZHAO – GONGJI LIEWU!"

"GRR! GALAXIAN EXPLOSION!" Just before Eizoku could reach him, Priamos delivered a destructive rain of meteors upon him, managing to fully hit him and sweep him away.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Even if barely, The Berserker of the Wolverine was able to land on his own two feet. His body was bleeding severely, and his Cloth were starting to get more and more cracks. But this didn't stop him. It was the second time he got that destructive attack that could have obliterated him. But being so close to death wasn't frightening him. Rather…it made him excited.

"HEH…" He made a large grin, as he started to raise his Cosmo. The Gold Saint could hear a large thud as the Berserker did this.

"This noise! Kh…I see…" Priamos commented as he knew what was going to happen. He heard of it from Shun and Ikki.

"Magnificent, Gemini. You are trying to restrain yourself but the blow that you just threw at me proved otherwise! You too, can't escape from the ectasis this battle is giving you! DO NOT BE AFRAID! I WANTED TO FIGHT AGAINST YOU FOR THIS WHOLE PURPOSE! LET MY BLOWS REACH YOUR VERY SOUL!" Eizoku shouted before disappearing in the blink of an eye, panicking the Gold Saint.

"TAOTIE' ZHI WHO – DI YU SHU – TU GU!" Eizoku reappeared while dashing at maximum speed, ready to surprise Priamos with a burst of furious and violent attacks.

But the Gold Saint of Gemini saw this coming and raised his Cosmo to reach his speed and answer with his barrage of punches and kicks. "GRAAAAAAAH!"

What followed was a violent match between the two, with their cosmos starting to merge and form a spiral of energy in the sky, while their clash started to destroy the surrounding environment, including the bar building that was standing behind them.

"Incredible! Even after I removed three of my seals, you were able to keep up against me!" Eizuoku exclaimed as he continued to attack.

Priamos was no less. "Have you forgotten that we Gold Saints can move at the speed of light!? It didn't take too long to reach your speed! And I surely won't be crushed down by the same attacks!" He shouted.

The struggle between them continued, becoming more violent. The two of them started to deliver ruthless fists at each other, and even if they were covered by their armor, their skin started to shred and bleed.

"GHHH!"

"AGH!"

Both warriors started to lose blood from their mouths and spit away one tooth from their mouths. They started to hit at the most sensible muscles, hoping to make the other lose balance and open a break into the other. This kept on for a while but in the end…

"WREAAAAAAAAH!" It was Priamos who ended up being able to push away Eizoku, who was sent some meters away. The Gold Saint wasn't going to give him any moment to regain and immediately started to concentrate his Cosmo for a finishing blow. He could feel the agitation flowing up in his body and was extremely worried about what consequences this could have brought and he wanted to end the battle as soon as possible.

"My spirit cannot be broken that easily, Eizoku! If you thought I would have played along with your games, YOU ARE DEAD WRONG! GET READY TO BE BLOWN AWAY FROM THE POWER OF THE 7TH SENSE!" The space started to distort around them, as Priamos was ready to deliver the final attack. "BEGONE! ANOTHER DIMENSION!"

The outer space started to slowly suck up Eizoku from behind, almost assuring an end to him, but the Berserker still didn't want to yield yet. Not before he had seen what he wanted. "HEH!" He stood still by planting his fist on the ground and started to increase his already powered-up Cosmo.

"W-What!? He's resisting the Another Dimension!?" Priamos exclaimed, bewildered.

"Why so surprised!? I've already done it once, I CAN DO IT AGAIN!" Eizoku answered as he threw himself up with the same fist. As soon as he was in mid-air, he started to spin and aimed at Priamos with a diving kick. "TAOTIE ZI WHO – DI SAN ZHAO – GONGJI LIEWU!"

Due to the minimum distance between the two, Priamos was unable to dodge it and got inevitably hit. Eizoku smashed him on the ground by hitting the neck of the Saint with a kick.

"GAH!" Priamos felt the blow and started to falter. But still, he did his best to not entirely succumb, nor to himself or himself. And as such, he started to get surrounded by a golden aura, wanting to respond. "BECOME ABLAZE, MY COSMO!" He then released a small explosion made of energy that forced Eizoku to jump away.

The Berserker was starting to get tired, but he still had a lot of air to use. Even if he was wounded, he could see that his opponent was still holding himself.

Priamos, on the other hand, stood up and breathed heavily while glaring at his opponent. "Anf…anf…anf…anf…still haven't given up, do you?" He sarcastically asked.

"I feel honored. To think that I would have resisted this far against the strongest Saint at the service of Athena…sometimes I underestimate myself. But even after all of that, I can still see that you are not giving everything you've got. This behavior of yours is starting to annoy me…" Eizoku said.

"You're so insistent on that. Why do you want me to use my full potential? As a servant of Ares, your only thought should be striking me down! What benefit will you ever get by pushing me to the limit!?" Priamos asked, getting more and more frustrated.

"It's because I am a Berserker that I ask for more! We are the warriors of the god of war, whose main purpose is to destroy everything we see. Through the battle, we clean the road for our lord! Perhaps it is you who doesn't understand! But it's only natural that you would think like that. Saints of Athena despise all those who disrupt peace and mankind, right?" Eizoku answered.

"That is because you are willing to step over countless innocents just to take your hands on Earth! It is your master that doesn't understand. But the same can't be said about you. If you are willing to move aside, I'll spare you and hope that you'll find a better path in your life." Priamos countered, still insisting on his position.

This answer could only delight Eizoku. "We both know that this cannot be a choice, Priamos! Plus, as someone who always fought in his life, I would find this quite of an insult."

"Someone…who always fought in his life?" The Saint asked.

The Berserker nodded. "Yes…it always had been like that. Even if was born in Japan, my parents were originally from Hangzhou, China, and my father was the sole person who ever grew me after my mother died. He couldn't stand the fact that he lost his loved one. I could see the grief in his heart kept growing bigger and bigger. And as such…he ended up throwing his frustration at me. He was a skilled kung fu teacher and decided to teach me that martial art, with the promise of making me stronger and not cry for anything." He started to explain, as images of his past life started to flow in his mind.

Even if many years passed, he could still perfectly remember the situation he was in. The dojo he was trained in, all the mannequins and the wood fences he broke with his fists and kicks, and his father, who stood as a solid figure to not show his clear sorrow.

"As soon as he started to teach me…I immediately felt something. When I could see the results I was making, I realized how the battle had always been a part of me…and how much I've wanted to improve myself more and more. I've started to fight people over people, just to see what level I could have reached. But…even if I did improve…I almost felt…as time was immobile…nothing seemed to change in me. I…I was feeling bored. And I soon found out why. I fought a lot of people…but there wasn't anyone that could have made me feel…interested. Every fighter seemed the same. They came…I challenged them…and I simply won. Nothing more…in the end…even the life I was living started to bore me…as I became more apathetic." Eizoku continued. At that moment, he could think of the last time he talked with his father. The reason it was the last time…was simple.

"What are you talking about, Eizoku!? How can you say this life doesn't entertain you!? Aren't you glad to see how far you have come!?"

"I've already told you, Father. Of all those guys I've faced, there wasn't anyone that could entertain me properly. The way of life you want me to have, one of the monks…doesn't interest me anymore. If I'm stuck in here forever, I won't have what I'm looking for. Someone who could thrill my sole being! I'm glad for what you did to me. You taught me how to be strong and ready for the enemy. But…I think this is where we'll part ways. I'll find my battles to make…and I'll do it without you around."

"DON'T BE SO ARROGANT! What can you do all on your own!? Being a monk should be like a privilege! To become free of their own emotions is what a fighter could ever aspire to! Be at peace with yourself! This is why I trained you this way! So that you could live your life devoid of any regrets!"

"…Are you talking about the fact that you tried to make me forget that your dedication to your art made my mother die?"

"WHAT!?"

"You thought I didn't realize it, do you? I could see all those times that Mom begged you to use the money that you gained from your dojo to help her find some medicine…but all you did was keep on living your life while completely ignoring her. You're trying to forget the pain that her death caused you, but you blame everything…except for yourself, who caused that pain."

"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…THAT'S ENOUGH! I WON'T LET YOU SPEAK ABOUT ME THAT WAY AGAIN! I'LL INTENSIFY YOUR TRAINING UNTIL YOU'LL BE A COMPLETE-"

That day…he could remember how his father tried to silence him and make him become a complete monk, free of any form of feelings. But Eizoku wasn't going to let that happen, and he knew what had to be done.

"Sorry…but I have other plans…goodbye, Father."

SPLAT!

"Finally, I was able to make him shut up after so many years…by chopping his head off with one blow," Eizoku said.

Priamos was horrified. "W-What!?"

"That poor fool turned his art into an obsession to the point that he didn't care anymore about anything or anyone. And those few times when he showed care, he ended up being a complete hypocrite. But I didn't want to isolate my heart from any type of emotion. On the contrary, I wanted to feel the excitement that could be felt only with a tremendous battle! Once I was finally free from him, I started to travel, finding the opponent who could have made me satisfied. I admit, that even after I was free, I was still bored. I was able to fight in the way I wished for…but still, that fighter that could have put me to the task never came. I've met Kaze and Arashi throughout the way. They were interesting, but surely not my type. But then…everything changed…when I met him." Eizoku continued.

Priamos already understood who he was talking about. "Ares…"

"Yes…the day he approached me…I could already feel that he was completely different from any other person I've ever met…I wondered how strong he could have been…but at the same time, the idea of challenging him terrorized me. I could feel he could have cut me in two by doing so. It was almost like a rabbit that stood still in front of a snake. I wondered what he could have ever wanted from me…but then I heard him talk…" Eizoky answered.

"You, of all people I have met this far, are the one that is more suited for the battles. During the time I've observed humanity, waiting for my return on Earth, I got the chance to observe as you kept on traveling, searching for worthy opponents. And your skill in kung fu is…remarkable. I am almost impressed. Only a few were able to impress me to that level…and you are among them."

"W- What are you trying to say? I still don't understand what you want from me!"

"I could feel that your soul was in turmoil. All that effort…all those fights…and you still couldn't find that incentive that could make you feel alive in a battle. But, lucky for you, I am a generous god…and I can give you that."

"G-God!?"

"I am the god of war himself. And in the past centuries, I've always been followed by the most fearless and brutal warriors of them all. People lived only to feel the thrill of the battle and crush their opponents. You, my boy, have the right capacities to become one of them. Just some more time, and I'll come back to this planet to take what is righteously mine. And I can share that pleasure with you. I can make you…finally, search…the opponent you've been waiting for. You can be among the warriors of this generation…that will walk on Earth on my side…and you can show what you're made of to the most powerful opponents this planet has seen! All you need to do…is to accept my offer to touch me…what do you say?"

The god of war, that day, reached out for Eizoku's hand. The boy was speechless. After everything he had been through, he didn't expect to have such an important event in his life. Even if he started to travel free of any form of oppression, he was starting to accept the fact that maybe what awaited him was a repetitive and boring life.

But now…he was standing there, in front of a god, a being he didn't even know could exist. And there wasn't anything that could have made him doubt about that. It was enough to see him understand that he was telling the truth.

Maybe…he was right…following this path…could have freed him from boredom…and finally granted his wish. This was everything he had waited for…

In silence, Eizoku looked at Ares's shadow…and put his hand on it.

Soon, dark red energy started to flow on Eizoku's body, and the god was pleased to see the change.

"GAAAAH! THIS…THIS ENERGY!"

"Welcome aboard…Eizoku…you'll be one of the last generation of Berserkers. Because once I return to this planet…there won't be any need to find new soldiers. YOU AND THE OTHERS WILL BE THE ONES THAT WILL GUIDE ME TO VICTORY!"

"Once that energy ended up flowing in my body…I could feel that I was changed. For the best, though. But I wasn't terrified or anything else. Rather…I felt amazed. I never thought so much power could have flown in me! I…felt grateful to that god, even if I never knew him. And to this very moment, I feel very grateful to him. That is because…my search was finally done. I got the chance to meet up with the enemy I've been looking for…" Eizoku finished explaining and then pointed at Priamos.

"You."

The Gold Saint of Gemini stood on guard and started to get more annoyed. He could feel that there were some similarities between the two of them. Both had lost their mothers when they were very young, and their life had been signed by another person. But despite this, he couldn't feel any sort of empathy for this person. Not after hearing what he said.

"…Perhaps your dream did come true in the end. But this brought you to a terrible mistake." Priamos spoke.

"Hm?" Eizoku wondered, as he kept on looking at him.

"You tried to become different from your father, who wanted to become like an empty shell, devoid of any form of emotion. And I didn't see anything wrong with that. But…by following this path, you ended up becoming the complete opposite…and became even worse than your father! You've ended up becoming a murderer who is emotionally unstable and can't find a pit of satisfaction! You said that you found in me the answer…but I highly doubt it. Once you take me down, you'll start to feel the desire for more…and nothing will ever stop you!" Priamos explained before raising his Cosmo again. "J-Just like…" He then spoke about something but immediately interrupted himself. The Berserker could notice a moment of doubt in his eyes.

"But that won't happen. Someone like you cannot even be considered human. I'll put an end to your brutality! And I intend to do so by making you realize the mistake you are making!" Priamos then stated, ready to resume the battle.

Eizoku couldn't help but smirk. "I admire your spirit…but I can see on your face that it won't happen that easily. Ares gave me the chance to meet the enemy I always wanted to fight, so it's only fair that I return the favor. But if the fight ends like this, with no changes, it would become bitter, don't you think?" He replied as he stood in a fighting pose.

Priamos was starting to sweat even more and his body was starting to yield. He knew that if he broke through his limits, he could have had a chance to defeat him and end the fight. But the risk was too high. At this point…his mental health would have given up.

He could have not allowed it. He didn't want to allow it.

"I'll finish this right now…He won't come out!"

---

"G-GH…"

"A-AGH…"

Blood started to fall, as both Seiya and Ignis took the blow that was destined for the two defeated Berserkers. Apart from the tiredness they felt from the battle, they could feel the inexorable pain on their chests, as the hands of their assailant were still there.

"N-No…" Arashi spoke.

"Y-You…why did you do that!?" Kaze added, referring to the one who attacked the two Saints. Another Berserker.

"K-Kh…guess we won't have a moment of relief, will we?" Ignis sarcastically said.

"D-Dammit…it all happened in a blink of an eye…t-there was another one…" Seiya added.

"…Oh?" The third Berserker asked. "How curious! As far as I've heard, you Saints are known for being able to sense the enemies even from kilometers away by just sensing their cosmos. Does it mean that my presence was so swift that you weren't able to sense it? I gotta say…I'm disappointed!" He then said with a happy tone, as if he was the most carefree person in the world.

But right then, Seiya and Ignis could feel something. "A-Ah! This cosmo! It's…it's tremendous! It's completely different from the other Berserkers I've fought!" Seiya thought. "It had…been a while…since the last time I've sensed someone like him…"

"Oh well! I don't want to take this forever!" The new warrior said before, with lightness, was able to throw away both Seiya and Ignis.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The two Saints crashed against a building, with the civilians who looked at the scene terrified.

"Misters!" Kotaro shouted while her mother held him tightly, fearing that something horrible could have happened to him.

Even if exhausted, Seiya stood up and took his usual combat pose. He then looked at the kid with a reassuring smile. "No need to worry little one…we Saints always defend the innocent one…as long as I live, they won't lay a finger on you!" He spoke.

Somehow, Kotaro felt relieved but kept on watching the scene with tension. "Saints…"

"H-Hey…Seiya…are you sure you can keep up?" Ignis asked to be sure.

"There's no other way, Ignis. He came for us and probably for both Kaze and Arashi. If we don't answer, he'll kill us in a matter of seconds!" Seiya replied.

This made Ignis smirk and stand up as well (even if he trembled by doing so). "Heh…don't worry, I knew it from the beginning. I just wanted to be sure, considering all the wounds we got!" He told him.

"Hey! Remember that I've resisted against both Poseidon and Hades! This is nothing!" The Gold Saint of Sagittarius jokingly said, even if he was feeling utter pain at that moment.

"Hmmm! Yes, now you're starting to act better! Too bad that I have the task to kill you. I would have wanted to know more about you two and probably the rest of the Gold Saints. But, you're starting to make a mess here in New Babylonia. Some Berserkers have already fallen and we cannot surely let our guests escape." The Berserker said still with a cheerful tone.

Seiya held his fist tightly as he glared at him. "I can't stand him!" He thought. "It's better if you don't act all that cocky, Berserker! And maybe it's time you give us some explanations! Why are there people inside the buildings of the city!? And who are you!?" He shouted.

"Calm down! One question at a time! There's no need to be so hasty. First off…it may have come as a surprise to you, but those people are essential to our dear god. They are the source of energy that he needs to complete the plan to have the whole world surrender to him. Their life energy is essential to feed this whole town! We could also say…that they will be the first ones to witness the new world that will be created!" The individual started. But this was enough to alarm the two Gold Saints.

"W-WHAT!?" Seiya shouted.

"What are you saying!? You're using innocents as food!? JUST HOW MESSED UP YOU CAN BE!?" Ignis added.

"I don't have to add more! Let's get to the second question! And I'm glad you've asked for it!" The Berserker said, standing in a pose. This individual was a young man with bright skin that almost seemed yellow, long blonde hair that reached his legs and crimson-red eyes. His most notable trait though, was his Cloth. It resembled a dragon with two large wings and his helmet remembered the mouth of said creature. The cloth was golden, just like the ones of the Saints, but of a different tonality. As if he was a fake light that only brought despair. He also had a pair of large draconic wings.

"My name is Deimos. I am one of the 20 Berserkers and a loyal servant of the god of war Ares. I am the warrior of the Golden Dragon." He then presented himself. "I've decided to go for a walk in town after I've sensed some havoc and the cosmo of some of our companions has started to fade away." He then turned around. "Including those two…" He said with a creepy grin.

Both Kaze and Arashi sweated, as they knew what type of warrior he was.

"Deimos…his Cloth is very similar to that of Ivan…could it be that they are connected in some way? No…maybe it's just a coincidence. I don't know why…but I feel something unsettling about him…almost as…he spread an air of death!" Seiya thought as he started to see him better.

"It surprises me that those two got defeated, but I guess I couldn't expect less from the strongest warriors at the service of Athena. What a shame…they looked very promising…oh well! Guess I'll have to chop down four heads instead of one!" Deimos continued.

"Kh…oh really? Then you should think twice before saying things such as that! Haven't you realized that we are in two here!?" Ignis retorted.

"That's right! Don't get cocky right now! We'll make our road until we reach that lord of yours! GET PREPARED!" Seiya added. Without thinking twice, feeling to protect both the two defeated warriors and the civilians, the two Gold Saints threw themselves against Deimos, who looked at them with a grin.

"NO! DON'T THROW YOURSELVES AT HIM LIKE THAT!" Kaze shouted.

"YOU'LL GET KILLED!" Arashi added. But the two Saints didn't want to hear anything and just went with their attacks.

"SCARLET NEEDLE!"

"PEGASUS RYU SEI KEN!"

The combined attack of two Gold Saints would have been an assault that would have terrorized anyone, even a Marine General of Poseidon. But even by seeing this scenario, Deimons wasn't faltering.

"Oh my…" The Berserker started to raise his Cosmo and then put his hands in front of the two Saints and simply blocked their attacks by standing still with the arms.

"A-AH!" The two Gold Saints could see their attacks getting suddenly nullified by a golden circular barrier that was making them stand still and flicker.

"I-It can't be! Our attacks are being blocked like nothing! T-This barrier…" Seiya tried to give a better look at the spell that blocked them since it wasn't the first time he had to deal with a barrier that blocked him. "This…this is completely different from the ones generated by both Misty and Baian! It's just…a shield that manages to nullify the attack!" He exclaimed.

"NGH! C-COME ON! I ALMOST REACHED HIS THROAT!" Ignis shouted out of frustration.

"I thought you were going to think more practically! But it seems that I have to remind you of two things…one is that you are exhausted from the battle you had with my former companions and second…" Deimos said before making another contorted expression. "Do not think I am like the other enemies you have faced before…" He whispered. He then made the shield disappear and gave a heavy punch to both of the Saints, stunning them.

"BLARGH!" Both spitted blood out of their mouths and then they got surrounded by a strange whirlwind. "W-What is this!?" Ignis exclaimed.

"Dragon's Mount!" As soon as Deimos pronounced the name of the technique, the two Gold Saints got violently pushed away by the whirlwind that was surrounding their bodies.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Another loud crash made a building collapse. The two Saints tried to stand up while the civilians that were inside started to run away. "G-GAH! Dammit…we didn't even have the time to answer…what was that attack!?" Seiya wondered as he tried to stand up.

"Ohi Seiya! You need to be careful! That one isn't a regular Berserker! He's one of the Four Commanders!" Kaze warned them, making both Saints widen their eyes.

"F-Four Commanders!? What!?" Ignis shouted.

"S-So…they're like the three judges of hell at the service of Hades…gh…that means that he must be above all the others…and…he feels completely different from someone like Rhadamanthys…just who the hell is this guy!?" Seiya added.

"Tch tch tch…dear Kaze, you talk to them about me? I didn't think you would do something like that. But don't worry, I was about to tell them myself!" Deimos said after turning to Kaze. He then turned back on the Saints and slowly approached them.

"And as he said, I am one of the Four Commanders. Unlike the rest of the Berserkers, we have always been at the service of Ares since the age of myth, and every time our lord descends to Earth, we are always reborn and ready to fight another battle at his service. This isn't the first time I face the Saints of Athena, but I can say in this era, you have piqued my interest!" He then explained before making a devious grin. "It will be good to have a rematch with you guys…"

"W-What are we going to do, Seiya? He's among the big ones…" Ignis asked.

"If he's one of the Four Commanders then even more than before we cannot let our guard down…" Seiya answered the friend. "Even if we are exhausted, we still need to stand up…" He added. Without hesitation, he put himself into his classic fighting pose and was ready to fight again.

"Oh? Even after that attack, you're still willing to fight? I won't complain if that's what you want. But judging by your look it would be wiser if you just gave up. It would make your departure easier." Deimos asked.

"Really? In case you didn't know I've survived even to the sword of a god! As long as my heart beats, I'll still find a way to take both you and your master down!" Seiya proclaimed as a golden aura started to come out from him.

"Heh…guess even now you're still the same…I like this plan! Let's do this!" Even Ignis started to raise his Cosmo and the nail of his Scarlet Needle started to burst out with flames.

"Burn, my Cosmo! And reach the seventh sense!" Seiya exclaimed. "Let my flaming heart reach those who stand in my way!" Ignis added.

"Come then!" Deimos made a smile with closed eyes and widened his arms. The Saints didn't think twice and headed with their attacks.

"ATOMIC THUNDERBOLT!"

"SCORCHING NEEDLE!"

They used some of their strongest attacks and combined them in an attempt to surpass their enemy's level, but again, Deimos seemed to be ready to face this.

"Eheheheh…Dragon's Mount!" Deimos released two whirlwinds from his arms and used them to contrast their attacks. The clash continued for a while, but in the end, Deimos's blow was strong enough to neutralize the two Saints' attacks. But right at that moment, as soon as the energy started to disappear, the Berserker of the Golden Dragon saw both Seiya and Ignis throw themselves against him, ready to give him a punch right in the face.

"Oh my!" Before they could reach him, Deimos jumped back, making the two warriors of Athena hit the ground. "Gotta say, I'm impressed! Maybe you could have attacked me!" He added.

But Seiya smirked. "Oh really? Because that is what is going to happen!" He then opened his hand and pointed at Deimos. "Shadow Arrow!" A noise could be heard as if he had thrown an attack, but nothing happened. Or so everyone thought.

Once he landed back on the ground, Deimos found himself to be stuck. "Uh? What's happening? I can't move!" He tried to struggle and get free, but he stood still in his position.

"How do you like it!? Now that you are blocked by your own shadow, there's no way you'll get it easily!" Seiya exclaimed before moving aside for Ignis, who ran at high speed toward Deimos.

"Aaaaah…I see…" Deimos spoke.

"I hope you'll now feel ready to feel my blows! SCARLET NEEDLE!" The Gold Saint of Scorpio shot three needles from his nail that aimed at the Berserker, who was ready to answer, even if he was blocked.

"Dragon's Scales!" Deimos made once again the circular barrier that blocked the needles, neutralizing them.

"Dammit! That barrier again!?" Ignis exclaimed, utterly annoyed.

"A dragon is far more resistant than you could ever think. Their scales could be like the strongest diamond that could resist even the blades of the knights. Just like them, this barrier serves to make every attack like nothing. You're free to try several times to see if you'll be able to break it through…that is…If you survive that long!" Deimos explained.

"GRRRR! I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" Ignis couldn't stand it anymore and tried to attack him several times with a barrage of physical attacks, but even to this, Deimos seemed to avoid every one of them with swiftness and speed.

"I've heard that you Gold Saints were able to move at the speed of light! But this seems more like a normal run at the park!" Deimos said while continuing to dodge the attack by simply moving his head and his back.

"RRRGAAAH!" Ignis then tried to stab him in the throat, but Deimos lowered his head in time and sent him away with a powerful attack with the palm in his chest. "AGH!"

"Now it's my turn…" Deimos then proceeded to increase his cosmo and by powering his energy up, he was able to free himself from the Shadow Arrow and started to walk towards the Saints.

"A-Absurd…we didn't lay a finger on him and he was even able to free himself from the Shadow Arrow…how much will it take to take him down!?" Seiya said while he looked as Deimos was approaching him. In fact…right at that moment…he felt something he hadn't felt for a long time.

Doubt.

Even if he wanted to fight, even if he was determined to save the world once again…this enemy was showing otherwise. He wasn't supposed to feel that way, since he was able to take down even the gods, but this Berserker was making him falter.

"Hm? What is it, Saint?" Deimos asked before disappearing. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared in front of Seiya, who gasped.

"A-AH!"

"Is it perhaps bewilderment I'm sensing from you?" The Berserker kept asking questions, but the Gold Saint of Sagittarius didn't want to hear anything and jumped back.

"STAY BACK! OR YOU'LL REGRET IT!" Seiya shouted.

"Yes…that is quite the feeling. Is seeing both of you getting reduced to nothing making you lose confidence? There's no need to worry about that, Saint of Athena. It's only normal." Deimos continued nonetheless. "After all, we are all human beings, and we all have our limits. Sometimes…we need to realize when it's time to stop…and in your case…when it's time to give up. You may have gone through several challenges in your life…but in everyone's lives, you always meet someone who will be stronger than you. And you need to accept it."

Seiya was panting…even in other situations, he felt the same. When he fought the Gold Saints, when he was in front of Poseidon when he was about to lose hope against Thanatos, or when he got almost killed by Hades. In each one of those situations, he was discomforted and scared. But everything turned out to be ok. This was just like one of those times…so why did he feel so hesitant? Maybe because he wasn't able to lay a single blow on the opponent?

But…if that was so…he needed to wake up. Even back when he started his training as a Saint, Seiya always vowed to himself that he wasn't going to give up, all to finally have the life he had in the past and see his sister again. He was able to attain all of this, and when he got the Gold Cloth, both a new life and a new duty. Even Sion told him so.

"Soon, you'll find yourself in more situations like this. At first, you'll feel like nothing goes wrong, but suddenly new obstacles will appear in your life, and break the peace. But…you can still do a thing. You're used to fighting and being ready for battles, as a Saint of Athena. So you can still have the will to fight. By fighting, you can make peace return faster. Remember, you are a Saint, especially a gold one, you have to protect the noble values of peace and justice, values that you too believe in. So don't let despair go inside your heart, and fight with all your Cosmo to defeat Ares. If you believe in yourself, you'll become the brightest of the stars, and make the impossible."

Seiya opened his eyes and kept on his fighting pose.

"Even after saying so, you still want to fight?"

"Yes…I've never run away from any opponent…and yes, you are indeed strong, and maybe I won't be able to defeat you…but…this won't mean that I'll give up. I have a lot of people who care for me…and I don't intend to disappoint them! For both them and those poor people you have caught…I'LL KEEP ON FIGHTING!" Seiya shouted.

Deimos felt pleased by that sentence, as he started to laugh. "Ahahahahah! Yes! That's more like it! And here I thought you were having second thoughts about your choices in life! But that's OK! Killing a devoted warrior is far more satisfying!" He said as he got ready to attack as well.

"Are you deaf!? I said that it would take a lot to take me down! I don't intend to give up…I WON'T LET YOU MAKE FALL TO DESPAIR!" Seiya countered, ready to throw another attack. "TAKE THIS! PEGASUS SUI SEI KEEEEEN!"

"VERY WELL! I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE! GOLDEN BREATH!"

While Seiya shot a comet of light with his remaining forces, Deimos shot a breath of golden fire from his mouth. Even if the Gold Saint used a large amount of energy for this blow, in the end, it was Deimos's breath that swallowed the comet and attacked Seiya.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The Gold Saint crashed to the ground once again.

"SEIYA!" Ignis shouted while lying on the ground. He tried to stand up, but he felt weak to do so. "G-GH…dammit!"

"Mom! Is he going to lose!?" the child Kotaro asked his mother. "He seemed so convinced…"

The mother kept on holding him. "I…I don't know…please don't give up, mister!"

Seiya was trembling as he lay on the ground. He could feel a lot of burns all over his body and this time, it was harder for him to stand up. "G-GH! T-That attack right now…it was really like getting burned alive by a dragon… if it wasn't for the Gold Cloth I would have died…GH! But...even so…I can't…"

Deimos was standing above him and already put the hand in position to finish him off. "I appreciate your efforts, but like I said before, you used most of your energies to take down Kaze. Even if you wanted with all of your strength, fighting one of the four commanders in that state is equal to suicide." He spoke. The Gold Saint simply looked at him with spite. "You can leave satisfied, Saint. You fought well! Let me finally deliver the final rest…" Sure of having eliminated him, The warrior of the Golden Dragon raised his hand and tried to stab Seiya in the throat.

"SEIYA!" Ignis shouted.

"I-I DON'T WANT TO WATCH!" Arashi added while she and her brother witnessed the scene.

Seiya closed his eyes and prayed for the best…and right at that moment…

Deimos's arm suddenly froze, stopping his attack. "What? My arm…is frozen?" He wondered.

"A-Ah! Ice? Could it be?" Seiya asked, thinking of a possible answer. And in fact…his thought was right.

"AURORA THUNDER ATTACK!"

"Uh!?" In an instant, Deimos could see two spheres of ice going toward him. It was all too sudden that this time, the Berserker didn't get the chance to avoid it or block it and got inevitably hit. "GAH!"

Seiya was free, but still unable to move. The least he could do was to move the head and see who caused the attack. He was pleased to see a familiar face coming to his rescue.

Hyoga ran towards Seiya to check if he was okay. "It seems I came in time…are you all right, Seiya?" He asked.

"Eheheh…thanks to you! For a moment I thought it was the end…" Seiya answered back.

"G-Glad to see you, Hyoga! We needed a little help…" Ignis added.

"Don't worry guys. As always, I've got your back. Now…let's deal with him." The Gold Saint of Aquarius answered back before turning on Deimos, who was standing up.

The Berserker looked at himself and noticed that his Cloth got a little bit frozen. "Eheh…gotta admit, you got me there! It seems that rescue always comes when it's needed the most. I suppose you want to fight so that I don't come close to them, right?" He asked.

Hyoga immediately made a battle pose. "You can bet. After seeing what you guys are, I cannot stand to see you for one more second. And I'm sure that the others agree, right?"

Everyone was confused by that sentence, but at that moment, Deimos started to feel something else. "Two more cosmos?" As soon as he said it, he could see two attacks, a burst of flame and a shot of energy coming towards him. He didn't hesitate to jump away to avoid the attack, something that wasn't hard for him.

Seiya and Ignis looked back, recognizing the two attacks, and were surprised to see two more allies come up.

"It seems that even as a Gold Saint, I need to come to the rescue. Not that it bothers me, I've got used to that!" Ikki spoke while slowly walking towards the battlefield.

"In that case let me assist you! Rescuing someone is a thing I've got used to as well! Plus, ever since I jumped away from the blimp, I didn't get the chance to do anything else. This will do!" Miguel added, walking beside the Gold Saint of Leo.

"Ikki! Miguel!" Both Seiya and Ignis exclaimed.

"Ah! Did you see Mom? There were more of them!" Kotaro commented.

"Anf…look brother…there are a lot of them. And they intend to help us…" Arashi said to Kaze, who looked at the scene with tired eyes.

"Heh…guess we took the wrong side…man…we have been a duo of idiots…"

With that, three Gold Saints were standing in front of a commander at the service of Ares. A large-scale battle was about to start.

"To think that you were able to take down Seiya and Ignis even if they were tired. It seems that I'll have to go a bit harder with you." Ikki said to Deimos.

"We'll all do. Especially considering that you almost killed our friends, don't think we'll be gentle with you!" Hyoga added.

"Hmmmm…so now it's up to more enemies, and everyone wants me dead. It's the first time it has happened! Man…you make my work harder but to be honest…" Deimos commented before raising his Cosmo. "I don't complain at all…"

"Oh yeah? Then we'll change your mind in no time!" Miguel exclaimed as he started to charge toward the enemy.

"Anf…good luck…he's…extremely tough…" Seiya said as he looked at the battle starting.

---

"EHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Eizoku dived down against Priamos, aiming to break the Saint's arms.

"GRR!" The Gold Saint put his arms in front of himself as a defense, and thanks to his Cosmo, he was able to handle the blow. But Eizoku wasn't done there.

"TAOTIE ZI WHO – DI YU SHU – TU GU!" He used his technique to dig the claws of the Cloth right in Priamos's skin, even if the Saint was wearing a Gold Cloth.

"GAAAH!" Priamos felt utter pain in his arms and was forced to jump back while his arms were bleeding severely. His breath was heavy, his front was soaked in sweat and his limbs were starting to abandon him. Nonetheless, he was trying to maintain his mental health and strived forward to finish the battle.

"Anf…anf…anf…" Priamos did his best to maintain consciousness, but his enemy wasn't going to stop.

"Do you seriously want to keep up? At this point, I'll take some minutes to take you down once and for all. Even if you won't show me your true self, I still want to give you an honorable death. How about you stay still while I take down that head of yours?" Eizoku asked.

The Gold Saint of Gemini immediately prepared himself to attack again. "I thought that you would have understood at this point…I don't intend to give up not even for an instant…not when the others are fighting to stop Ares…" He stood still in his position.

"Man…you are starting to bore me…" Eizoku commented before immediately dashing towards him. "GUESS I'LL HAVE TO TAKE BACK MY ENTERTAINMENT!" As soon as he was in front of the Saint, he charged his fist with Cosmo energy, ready to impale him in the chest. But this time, the Saint wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

"SPACIAL REND!" Priamos generated a purple swipe made of energy that, considering the short distance between the two, caused heavy damage at Eizoku.

"GAAAAH!" The Berserker of the Wolverine got pushed back but was able to land on his feet. He then noticed that his right arm and leg were severely damaged, adding to the right shrug getting destroyed. "Even in that state, he was able to deliver an attack like that…eheheh…guess that you still have something on your back! AHAHAH! I knew that you still had some-" Eizoku couldn't finish his line as Priamos was already grabbing his face and slamming him to the ground. Then, by holding him tight, he made him violently rub on the floor before throwing him away.

"GAH!" Eizoku crashed against the wall of a building, and when he looked up, he could see that Priamos was already preparing for his next attack.

"SPACIAL REND!" The Gold Saint of Gemini shot another swipe of purple energy at the Berserker, who made a large grin and ran towards it, with a punch ready.

"TAOTIE ZI WHO – DI YU SHU – TU GU!" Eizoku made a spinning fist that destroyed the swipe, making him reach the Gold Saint, ready to destroy his skull with one last blow. But to his surprise, considering the state he was in, Priamos was able to answer.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" With one punch, the Saint was able to compete with Eizoku's, showing that there was still a sign of his tremendous strength. This could only please Eizoku, making him want to start another match between punches.

"AAARGH!" Priamos did his best to make his punch prevail over the enemy, but the Berserker, with his skills in martial arts and his determination to end the battle, wasn't going to make it easier. "Athena…my Cosmo! Don't let me go down! LET ME GET RIGHT TO THE END! FOR THE SAKE OF EVERYONE! GRAAAAAH!" And then, during the match, the Gold Saint threw a double punch the moment that the Eizoku put his two hands in front of himself.

The results were crushing, with Priamos successfully almost breaking the enemy's arms, causing even some heavy cracks on his Cloth.

"GHHH!" Due to the pain, Eizoku was forced to recoil and fell to his knees, apparently in no condition to fight. "Anf…anf…even in this state…you showed me how ferocious you could be…" He spoke. Priamos saw it as a way to admit defeat. But he was wrong.

Eizoku raised his head and looked at his opponent with a grin. "But you have forgotten one thing…" As soon as he ended saying that, the Saint could feel another thud around the area.

That was the moment…when Priamos realized it. He was right. He forgot something. "N-NO WAY…THE SEALS!"

Soon, Eizoku's Cosmo rose almost, almost reaching the top of a building, looking like a flame that surrounded his whole body, and his eyes started to glow yellow. "THAT'S RIGHT! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR STILL STANDING UP! MY FULL POWER!" Then, by standing still with his foot, he took one last fighting pose and unleashed the blow.

"JINJANG LANG ZI WHO – ZUIHOU YI JI – GONGJI HOULONG!"

In a blink of an eye launched a myriad of energy blasts that resembled the claws of a wolverine that aimed at Priamos.

The Gold Saint tried his best to counter them, but at his state, he couldn't do much, even if he had the strongest among the constellations at the service of Athena. "GRRRRRR….GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Soon, he found himself getting overwhelmed by this merciless outburst that didn't let him breathe. Just like the beast he was representing, Eizoku was making sure that the blow reached Priamos's heart to make sure of one thing.

That he was dead.

"SAY GOODBYE!" Eizoku released one last blow that fully blew Priamos heart, making him slam against the roof of a building and violently fall.

Eizoku shook his hand and looked at the knocked-out opponent with a grin. "Heh…who knows? I got able to defeat the strongest of the Gold Saints." He commented. "Still…" He came closer and sharpened his hand. "It seems that even after that, your lungs have still air to breathe. No worries. After all of this…you won't be able to prevent this!" He then went for the finishing blow…but right before his hand could reach his throat…

SPLAT!

"GH!" Eizoku felt something attacking his hand, making him jump back. He could see that it was bleeding, making him think of only one thing. "Who's here!?" He exclaimed as he looked around.

By doing so, he saw something he didn't expect to see: a red rose attached to the ground. "A…rose…? AH!" After seeing it, Eizoku could sense other cosmos that were approaching him, making him turn around, and by doing so, he could see her.

Valentina was slowly approaching her while petals of roses were floating around her. "Unbelievable…to think that you would have been able to reduce Priamos to this state…but don't think you'll be able to kill him that easily. We won't let you do that!" She exclaimed.

"Hm? What's this? More Gold Saints? Where are the other two? I've expected to see them. Are you telling me that Kaze and Arashi kept them busy?" He commented to himself. "Oh well…no matter…" He then stood to his usual fighting pose. "At this point, one or more enemies to take down won't matter to me. It will make this much quicker…"

"You should think about it again!" Another voice suddenly exclaimed, making the Berserker look around. And at that moment, Shun landed down beside Valentina, ready to assist her.

"Shun! You're all right!" Valentina said, happy to see her friend.

"Don't worry. I jumped in time before the blimp collapsed. I saw Priamos lying down and immediately arrived…" The Gold Saint of Virgo answered.

"In case I'm sure you made Athena a lot happier with this!" The other Gold Saint said with a smile.

"Athena?" Shun asked confused. But the answer came soon, as everyone in the area could feel a large Cosmo approaching them.

"T-This cosmo! Could it be…?" Eizoku asked. And he could see it, right a few meters away from him.

Surrounded by her Kamui, the goddess Athena came closer to her beloved Saint, ready to help them if needed. "I'm glad to see that more people are ok. But I can also see that a lot of damages were made." She said.

"Lady Saori! You're fine! I'm so glad!" Shun exclaimed.

"I'm glad to see you as well, Shun. But let's talk later. As you can see…we have a danger approaching us…" Saori told him before glaring at the Berserker…

"Ahahahaah! This was surely something I didn't see coming. Two more Gold Saints and the goddess Athena right in front of me! The source of all our problems!" He exclaimed before taking a deep breath. "Guess that this is my lucky day…Lord Ares will end up satisfied once I tell him the good news!"

"Really? In case you should look at yourself, Berserker. Do not think you can easily kill us when you're in that state! We still have a lot of energy to spare!" Valentina retorted.

"That's right! Priamos already used his energies to take you on, and we surely won't let his efforts get wasted." Shun added.

"If I were you, I would listen to them. I want to avoid as many conflicts as possible, but if you intend to continue this way, just know that we'll answer with the same power! I won't stand someone who brutally wounded one of my warriors…" Athena concluded.

"HA! Spare me your lectures! After getting this far. There's no way I'll stop right now! GET READY!" And with just those words, Eizoku dashed towards them, ready to throw himself into another battle. "WREAAAAAAH!"

But then…he felt something.

"UH!?" A strange feeling made him stop and him confused. "What…what is this?" He asked.

His opponents wondered what made him stop since he seemed so fearless just at that moment. But then they've heard it as well.

"Uh? What's…what's going on?" Valentina wondered. "Lady Saori…are you feeling it as well?" Shun asked his goddess.

"Yes…this…strange cosmo…It's both similar…and not at the same time…" Saori replied.

Eizoku's pupils were trembling. He knew where that Cosmo was coming from. But…how? "It…It can't be…" He slowly turned his head…and looked at the source of that energy.

The laid down Saint of Gemini. Somehow…the energy came up from him, even if he was heavily injured after the brutal rumble he had with the Berserker.

"This…doesn't make any sense. I'm sure I've crushed him down. Even if he's the strongest of the Gold Saints there couldn't be any way that he can rise again…" He thought. "What are you hiding…Priamos of Gemini?"

Even the two Gold Saints turned their heads on their comrade, confused. "Is…is that Priamos? Even if he's reduced in that state…he can still rise his Cosmo…is it perhaps the Seventh Sense?" Valentina asked.

"It may be…we Saints are typical to unleash our power at its maximum state when we're on the verge of death. I can tell it since it happened a lot of times to me…" Shun answered. "Still…I don't see Priamos doing so…he was able to block both Seiya and Chirin's attacks two days ago…he's not one to get forced to a last resource…" But there was something that bugged his head.

But…he knew the alternative. And it was something that did not please him. Something that he hoped wasn't going to happen again. But sensing that…there was no other possible answer.

And then…Priamos started to slowly stand up on his knees.

As soon as he did so, Eizoku immediately dashed in front of him intending to crush his face with one last punch.

"PRIAMOS!" Shun tried to warn the colleague. But there was no need for it.

The Gold Saint of Gemini immediately blocked the fist while he kept his head lowered.

"What!? Such reflexes are impossible with those conditions!" Eizoku exclaimed. "How-"

"Ohi…Berserker…" Priamos suddenly talked, making the Berserker stay silent.

"P-Priamos…?" Valentina asked. Saori had his eyes wide open, as she had the same thought of Shun. "So…I was right…he...has the same problem…" She said with a low tone.

"You… thought that would have been enough of me, didn't you? I'm afraid you have to think again. Because I think it's my turn now…" The other Gold Saint continued.

Eizoku could sense that his Cosmo was getting bigger and bigger. Even if It was something unnatural…it excited him. "I see! So I did it! Have you finally decided to show me what you can do? Yes! That's what I wanted! Come on, let's see if I can break your bones at your maximum level!" He exclaimed exalted.

Priamos's cosmos continued to rise as he completely stood up. "Oh don't worry…I'll give you exactly what you want…" And then…what Shun and Saori thought…happened.

The Saint's hair changed color…from grey to purple.

Priamos raised his head and now his eyes were colored a glowing crimson red and he had a large and devious grin on his face. "BUT THEN DON'T COMPLAIN IF YOU FEEL UTTER SORROW, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"COME ON THEN! SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT!" Eizoku immediately dashed towards Priamos, ready to attack him with a barrage of punches.

Priamos didn't seem to be frightened like before and while maintaining that grin, he blocked all the punches, reproducing the outstanding speed that the Berserker of the Wolverine was showing. He then opened his road between the attacks and was able to send Eizoku back with an elbow attack right on his belly.

"BLARGH!" Eizoku spitted blood before his enemy threw him away.

"GIVE ME MORE! I'M WAITING!" Priamos didn't waste any time and immediately started to run towards Eizoku, with the intent of giving him the same treatment.

When Eizoku stood up, he could see the Gold Saint in front of him. "W-What!?"

"EAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Priamos immediately started to overwhelm the Berserker with a rapid sequence of attacks that aimed at the vital points of Eizoku.

"GHHH!" The Berserker did his best to defend himself, but even with his speed and the power received after freeing himself of the seals, he wasn't able to hold the multitude of Priamos's attacks, that slowly started to destroy his Cloth. "GAAAAAAH!" At one point, Eizoku couldn't resist the attacks, and Priamos took the chance to grab his head and smash it into a house.

"HAHAHA!"

"W-What the hell happened!? Why did his hair change color? And…why is he acting in such a savage way!?" Valentina was completely lost as he saw the Gold Saint acting in that way, but Shun and Saori already had the answer for that.

"...The other side." Shun simply said, getting the Gold Saint of Pisces's attention.

"Uh?"

"It's like what happened with his predecessor Saga. He was a man whose soul was tormented by two opposite sides, and this caused him a mental breakdown and an identity crisis. Priamos is having the same problem now. The one we know is still in there, but at the moment, there's another part of him that is now taking over…" The Gold Saint of Virgo explained before turning on Athena. "And that means…that we may have the same risks of him! If he has a dark side, we should stop him!"

"No…" Athena simply said, confusing the two Saints. "It's the same problem Saga had…but I don't think it's of the same type. Saga had an evil side that desired to kill me…but Priamos didn't start to talk of ambitions…and I don't sense the same aura of darkness that Saga had. His double identity is of another type."

"Another type? Now that I think of it…" Valentina added before looking at the Saint. "Priamos seemed a composed person and always tried to think rationally…while this side of his seems to care only of fighting and striking down the enemy. It's almost as…his diversity is based on rationality…and insanity!"

"That would also explain why the Cloth didn't abandon him. A rational side…and an insane one…it surely doesn't seem the same case but…do you think we can trust him?" Shun asked.

"I don't' know…one thing is for sure…" Athena replied, remembering the moment she talked to him the previous night. "He may need help…"

"GAAAAAH!" Meanwhile, Eizoku got thrown away again while Priamos was already jumping toward him. The Berserker acted quickly and threw a fist to block him.

"Where did all that bravado go? You were surely more confident when you fought that other side of me!" Priamos asked as he started to attack Eizoku again.

Eizoku raised his Cosmo and started to answer back, blocking the fists. "And where is this cockiness of yours come from? Now that you've shown me your true colors don't think you can take me down that easily!" He exclaimed before jumping high. He then started to spin and delivered a dive kick. "TAOTIE ZI WHO – DI ER ZHAO – ZHIMING HENGSAO!"

As soon as he landed on Priamos, the Gold Saint used his hand to block the kick, and a big bang impact started between the two of them. "I-Incredible, you were able to stop this?" Eizoku asked.

"Surprised? A kick like this is NOTHING TO ME!" Priamos countered before throwing a fist at Eizoku's belly which made him spit blood.

"GAAAH!" Before Priamos could do anything else, he jumped away in time and started a new combo of moves. "TAOTIE ZI WHO – DI YU SHU – TU GU!"

This time, Priamos couldn't see it and got hit by all those blows and sent away against a building. When it collapsed a lot of people ran away while Priamos stood down.

"Priamos!" Shun exclaimed. "Those were people!? Where do they come from?" Valentina asked after noticing the civilians escaping.

Eizoku stood there, ready for any other unexpected move to come. "What is it now!? Did this surprise lasted only a few minutes?" He asked the Saint.

"…Ahahhahahahaahahah…AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" Priamos burst out in a burst of loud laughter that made the Berserker feel uncomfortable. "YES! This is the type of rumble that I want! The type of battle that makes me feel ALIVE!" He shouted as he stood up. "You're really funny, Berserker…but I think we both have come to an end…" He added with a grin.

Eizoku got this as a sign of challenge and made a devious smile as well. "The end? Don't make me laugh! A warrior uses all of himself for a fight! SO AS LONG AS I'M HERE YOU WON'T END ANYTHING!" He shouted before jumping towards him.

"THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! COME AT ME!" Priamos retorted before throwing himself against him as well.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The two clashed, and a powerful shockwave wiped away the remnants of the buildings around them, and the area around them started to catch fire.

"AH!" Valentina covered her eyes while she tried to see anything.

"Their power is on the same level at the moment!" Shun exclaimed. Saori stood still and looked in silence.

"JINJANG LANG ZI WHO – ZUIHOU YI JI – GONGJI HOULONG!" In one last attempt, Eizoku tried to overwhelm Priamos with a barrage of energy blasts mixed with his punches.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Even if he got hit, Priamos continued to attack. His body was resentful of all the pain he was feeling, but he simply didn't care. All he cared for was to just continue the fight. Now that he was free. Free of all limits and chains.

"No…please! Stop this! I can't let you take over! I won't let you wreak any type of havoc!" His other side tried to talk with him, unable to do anything, due to his weakness. But the part that was now dominating his body didn't want to listen.

"SHUT UP! YOU'VE BEEN ON THE SURFACE FOR TOO LONG! NOW IT'S MY TURN! WREAAAH!" Priamos shouted out as he kept on attacking.

Eizoku as well was feeling all the blasts he was receiving. The battlefield was destroyed, his Cloth were almost torn out and his limbs were abandoning him. But…even if he was going to die, he wanted to do one last thing.

He wanted to end the battle with the opponent he was looking for for so long. That was why he wasn't going to let himself go down.

"I CAN FEEL IT! THE EXCITEMENT I'VE BEEN LONGING FOR! DON'T LET GO, PRIAMOS! LET ME ENJOY THIS! ONCE I BREAK DOWN THAT NECK OF YOURS I'LL FINALLY-"

But…even if he wanted to continue…he didn't consider what Priamos said.

Everything comes to an end.

As such, Priamos found a break in his attacks and was able to deliver a powerful fist at his face that almost broke his cranium. "AGH! W-WHAT THE…"

Priamos on the other hand was delighted. Once again, he was able to show what he was made of and concentrated his energies in his hands, ready to deliver the finishing blow. "I've told you. NOW GET OUT OF MY SIDE!"

"PRIAMOS! WAIT!" Shun tried to stop him, but it was pointless. Priamos wants it to end it. And he got his way.

"GALAXIAN EXPLOSION!" The Gold Saint of Gemini delivered a myriad of planets and meteors that all went down on Eizoku.

The Berserker could see it…that outstanding attack that signed it. The end of his career as a warrior. It was then that he thought…that maybe he had made some mistakes in his life. Ever since he killed his father and journeyed throughout the world.

"Maybe…I should have given some limits to myself… Yeah…some battles weren't for me…like this one…who the hell are you? Priamos of Gemini?" This…was his last thought.

"GIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" In the blink of an eye, Eizoku got involved in a devastating explosion that destroyed the surrounding environment and forced the other two Gold Saints and the goddess to defend themselves.

The explosion was so huge that it could have been seen by others.

"Ah? That…explosion…?" Hyoga asked.

"Hmmm? Does that mean that Eizoku fell as well?" Deimos wondered.

After the impact all that was left were rubbles and smoke…and dust being lifted by the wind. Maybe it was just a coincidence or luck, but fortunately, the explosion caused by the powerful attack didn't cause any victims among the civilians. It seemed that not all buildings were inhabited. The only victim was the direct enemy.

Saori, Shun, and Valentina all opened their eyes and looked around, astonished to see the effects that the Galaxian Explosion caused. Nothing remained of the battlefield that was there when the clash between three Saints and three Berserkers started.

"Absurd…all of this…was caused by Priamos?" Valentina asked.

"Galaxian Explosion…known to be one of the most powerful attacks between the Gold Saints of the Sanctuary. Various times…I could see with my own eyes the devastating effects that it brought. It is said that it may have the power to destroy the entire universe." Shun commented.

Upon hearing that, Valentina made a skeptical face for a moment. "Eeeh…isn't that exaggerated? But still…this is absurd…and how did the Berserker end up then?" She then asked.

"With an attack like that and after seeing his injuries, there's no way we'll see him. He's dead." Saori replied for her.

With that, Valentina lowered her head. "I see…" She knew that it wasn't something to be upset about. He was an enemy of theirs and she also killed her. But seeing how Priamos acting…she felt like it was a ruthless end.

"What concerns me the most…is Priamos." The goddess then said while looking around, searching for the Gold Saint.

But then she and the others could hear heavy breathing coming close, and they could see him.

After the smoke disappeared, they could see Priamos. He was still tired from the injuries…but he was still standing. And his hair was still purple. "Anf…anf…anf…anf…" The Gold Saint of Gemini took some minutes to catch his breath and then looked at the other Saints.

There was a brief moment of silence. Shun and Valentina didn't know what to do. They didn't have the certainty of Priamos's stability or loyalty, considering that the other side was still dominant. They decided to just keep an eye on him and prepare for any eventuality.

Still…Shun tried to make a dialogue with him. "Calm down…calm down now, Priamos…there's…no need to continue." He said, hoping that the other Saint might listen.

Priamos didn't answer immediately. He took some seconds to look at him better and then made a small grin. "Why those faces? Did my power scare you so much that you are afraid of me?" He asked.

"Are…are you not willing to attack us?" Saori asked to be sure.

"Heh! Why should I attack you? I'm a warrior of yours, remember? I just make sure that all those who oppose us learn their places as he did!" Priamos replied. "Still I gotta say…he hurt well. It had been a while since I'd had a match like this."

Athena and the other two Saints were confused and looked at each other. They could see that he wasn't the same person they knew but somehow…he didn't seem to have evil intentions.

"You're…still on our side?" Shun asked.

"What kind of question is that?" The Gold Saint of Gemini said with a chuckle. "It's sure that I won't attack you! It's like you're talking to some kind of demon!"

"Well…" Shun thought after hearing that.

"Still…I think I haven't had enough of that. I can still feel my soul burning for another entertaining fight…" Priamos continued. He then raised his head. "HEY! IF THERE'S ANYONE NEARBY, COME RIGHT NOW!" He then shouted, as if he wanted to be listened to.

"W-What is he doing!?" Shun exclaimed.

"Has he gone mad!?" Valentina added.

"Priamos stop! You can't be serious!" Saori added, trying to make him a reason. But she was going to learn that this side of her Saint was quite stubborn.

"Don't ruin my fun! I'm doing a favor to everyone and clearing the road." Priamos said, insisting before shouting again. "COME ON! SHOW NOW! ANYONE OF THOSE BERSERKERS WANTS TO BE NEXT?"

And just as he finished saying that line…he could hear a large thud from behind him that left him with his eyes wide open.

Even the other two Saints and Saori looked up and widened their eyes in shock, as something they didn't expect appeared. "W-What the…?" Shun commented.

"Oh…dear…lord…" Saori added, looking at the huge figure that appeared behind the Gold Saint of Gemini. But it wasn't the appearance that made her feel distressed.

It was the Cosmo.

It was immensely different from those felt up until now. It didn't even feel…human. And neither the Gold Saints felt something like that.

"Who…is that?" Valentina asked. "His Cosmo…is…too big! I've never felt something of that level!"

"He's almost like…" Shun wasn't the first time he felt such power… other times happened a few years earlier. And this guy was no different from them. He almost had the certainty. As the Saint of Virgo, he reached the point of being considered a man close to the deities. And seeing that figure…he had no doubt.

Apart from Athena, another god had descended.

They were right in front of their enemy.

Priamos stood still with his eyes wide open, as the figure suddenly appeared behind him. For a moment, he felt stunned after sensing that gigantic Cosmo. But even with that warning, he made a little laugh. "Ahahaha…it seems that my request has been granted…" He spoke.

"So…it seems that you've finally decided to show up. If that's so…IT'S TIME TO END THIS!" Without hesitation, he immediately turned around and aimed to hit the enemy with a fist. But this time…he was the one who started being biased. And Shun knew it well. Direct attacks on gods were meaningless.

The enemy immediately blocked the punch with ease and stared at the Saint with red glowing eyes. Priamos was bewildered to see how easily he got blocked and could see his enemy right in the eyes.

A large man completely covered in a silver Kamui with large shrugs and some red parts mostly on the basin. The Cloth also had two large wings with scarlet red wings and a helmet of the same color that was identical to the helmet of the Pope of the Sanctuary.

"My my…we have quite the temper here. This body would say that it's almost like watching in a mirror." The entity spoke.

"W-What are you talking about!?" Priamos exclaimed before trying to get free of the grip. But the enemy wasn't going to let it happen.

He immediately lifted him and threw him away.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Priamos ended up getting stuck in a pile of rubble, with the other Gold Saints watching alarmed.

"PRIAMOS!" Shun shouted before glaring at the enemy, aware of his true nature, and stood ready. Athena immediately dashed in front of the others, willing to face the enemy first. She also understood who just arrived. It was the sole reason why they were there in New Babylonia first. The enemy that started the whole story of conflicts.

"I never thought you would have appeared so soon. But we finally meet again…Ares." The goddess spoke, glaring at the enemy.

Valentina already prepared the roses while Shun was ready to deliver a spiritual attack. "So, we have it…the big fish himself…" The Gold Saint of Pisces commented. "Stay careful…I can sense an outstanding power from him…"

The god of war didn't move from where he was standing and instead, he turned around towards his opponents. His face was still covered by the helmet, but he could still show his pleasure in seeing his hated enemy once again. "That was an interesting show your Saint put up, Athena. Eizoku was one of my best men, so I didn't think he could have lost." He spoke. "Not only him…but the rest of the Berserkers that got struck down by your golden dandies. Once again, you haven't learned your place."

"What did you expect? That I would have left you step forward and try to destroy the earth again!?" Athena exclaimed before rotating the scepter. "It seems that you forgot a lot of things!"

"Forgot you say?" Ares asked before lowering his head with a sinister grin. "Oh no. I remember everything even too well, from both one side and the other." He spoke.

Those last words confused the goddess. "What? What do you-" But it was at that moment…that she noticed something.

Ares' voice…seemed familiar. Even Shun could feel it. They could have sworn to have heard it in the past. And they felt their blood freeze as soon as they understood who he sounded like.

"W-Wait…this can't be…" Shun spoke with trembling eyes.

"Shun? What's wrong?" Valentina asked. She couldn't understand, but the Gold Saint of Virgo understood it even too much. He could imagine it.

That figure of the darkness with his hands over the sanctuary…the golden arrow that stabbed Saori in the heart…the tickling of a clock that counted twelve hours…

For Shun, it almost sounded like something that was knocking on the door of one of his longest memories. "N-No…"

Even Athena felt an itching feeling in her heart as soon as he recognized it. "N-No…it can't be you!"

By seeing their reactions, Ares burst out in a maniacal laugh. "AHAHAHAH! Glad to see that you remember…after all…the mortals always said it back in the times of myth! No one can escape FATE! AHAHAHAHAHAAH!" He exclaimed while raising his head...with his face finally being seen. And both Shun and Saori were terrified to see their thoughts becoming reality. Those red eyes…those grey hair…they could have belonged only to one person.

"I-It's you…"

"SAGA!"

The one wearing that Kamui and taking the identity of the god of war seemed just like the former Gold Saint of Gemini. Or to be more precise…his dark side…the one that took over his body and took control of the Sanctuary for over thirteen years. The first enemy that Seiya and his friends had to face seven years earlier.

Hearing that name made Valentina startle and sweat. "Saga!? You mean the previous Gold Saint of Gemini!?" She asked.

"Y-Yes…or at least his dark side. B-But it doesn't make any sense! Saga went back to the other world after defeating Loki and…his second personality was erased by Athena's scepter that night…" Shun replied.

"Y-You shouldn't be here…how did you get back and why are you holding the name of the god of war!?" Saori then asked.

"Eheheh…well, it's not really what it looks like." Ares then spoke out.

"What?" Saori asked.

"What are you seeing right now is indeed the body of Saga's dark side. But the one who's using it is me, Ares, the god of war himself!" The god replied before expanding his arms.

"Y-You're the real Ares!? What do you mean?" Valentina asked.

After hearing that question, the god looked up in the sky. "My original body got destroyed in a previous conflict with Athena before being sealed in another dimension. For centuries I've been stuck in there…until, a few years ago, while I was starting to get more and more people on my side to form a new group of Berserkers…I've met Saga's dark side, whose true name was Lemur. He was a floating spirit that would have been vaporized from one moment to another, but he was able to reach out to the interdimensional prison I was stuck in by pure coincidence. He told me of how his plan to destroy Athena and take over the world was foiled by the Saints of the Sanctuary, and how he took me as an example of his plans. His existence would have been erased in just a matter of minutes…but his hatred for you was still strong. That made me come up with an idea. By proposing to be absorbed by me, I promised him to get revenge on Athena on his side. He accepted with pleasure, and while he was indeed erased, I was able to merge with the remnant of his spirit. That union made me able to reconstruct his original body and make it my own. You could say that we became one thing." He explained.

"Your spirits fused…?" Valentina asked.

"That explains how you were able to get out from your prison…Lemur served as your vessel…" Saori added.

"That's right…" Ares continued. "After that…I started to gather what was left of my army and created New Babylonia, the fortress I would have used for this new conflict. And then…just a few days ago…I came back on this planet." He then assumed a pose. "You may have done a few damages between my soldiers, but my power is still inevitable. By coming here you've done me a big favor! Because all I need to do is to kill every single one of you, and then…your Sanctuary…and the whole world will fall into my hands! The gods on Olympus will finally see that I've never been wrong!" He then proclaimed.

At hearing him the two Gold Saints started to twitch their eyes. Not in fear, but in anger. Sure, they had the god of war himself in front of them, but they couldn't stand him proclaiming to commit atrocities against all humanity. He would have been strong, but the Saints always fought against the gods…therefore they knew what to do.

"Grr…I don't think so, Ares, this plan of yours will never happen!" Valentina exclaimed before increasing her Cosmo, which started to get visible.

"That's right! Remember who you're fighting against! I've already stopped that body you're in! I can do it again!" Shun exclaimed before increasing his Cosmo. And without hesitating, the two of them released their attacks.

"Tenma Kōfuku!"

"CRIMSON THORN!"

The bloody thorns and the huge blast coming from Shun merged and headed toward Shaka in a destructive blast. But the god of war didn't seem to be afraid of it and grinned.

"HM!" By raising his hand, he started to block the attack. He needed to put some force to repel it, but in the end, he was able to push both attacks away, making them clash against buildings.

"Dammit, just as I thought!" Shun exclaimed.

"The combined attack of two Gold Saints blocked like nothing…!" Valentina added.

"I'll admit, that blast seemed powerful, but you should know what's coming for you," Ares commented before releasing his dark red Cosmo. By sensing it, the two Gold Saints started to sweat. "You may have defeated some of my Berserkers, but it will take more than those cosmos to defeat the god of war itself! Have at you!"

"His Cosmo is huge…it may even be stronger than the gods I have faced so far…but even so, I cannot falter! I need to hold on!" Shun thought. At that moment, both he and Valentina could feel Saori lay a hand on their shoulders. "Lady Saori?"

"Don't worry. I don't intend to abandon you this time, my Saints. He may be strong, but remember that you have a goddess's blessing on your side. So don't be afraid!" With those words, the goddess Athena held her scepter tight and dashed against Ares, ready to attack him.

Ares didn't lose his grin and dashed as well, getting a divine sword. The two gods ended up clashing their weapons and releasing a large shockwave that made the two Gold Saints almost lose balance.

"Ngh!"

"HA!" As soon as she was close to him, Athena didn't waste any time and started to attack repeatedly Ares with her scepter, which turned into a golden spear, the same one she used to defeat Hades. But the god of war knew how to defend himself, as he swiftly moved both his head and his sword to dodge and counterattack. At first, the two deities seemed on the same level and clashed again.

"I see that you have improved yourself there, little sister. Last time you were mostly relying on your warriors. And if I'm correct, you let yourself get kidnapped by Poseidon and Hades!" Ares commented while pushing forward with his sword.

"It's true that I've led myself exposed to others for fear. I was afraid that my Saints would have been hurt, but I've realized my mistakes and I won't run away anymore! I'll face you head-on!" Saori exclaimed before pushing away Ares with the weapon. She then raised the scepter, which released a few golden beams that attacked Ares.

"Ah!" The god of war didn't expect that reaction and was forced to put his hands in front of himself as a defense. The beams attacked his arms, making them smoke. After that, Ares opened one of his hands and released several spheres of red energy that flew against Athena.

The goddess ran forward and pushed the spheres away with her scepter before jumping up and trying to make a dive attack against Ares, which blocked her with the sword.

"She became stronger…do you intend to become a nuisance again?" Ares thought. At that moment, he could roll his eyes and see that the two Gold Saints were on the sides, ready to attack him.

"Thank you, Athena! We know what to do now!" Shun exclaimed.

"Take this!" Valentina added.

Once again, the two Gold Saints tried to blast spiritual attacks against Ares, who got fully hit.

"Gh! HMM!" Since the situation was getting annoying, Ares released a powerful shockwave that pushed everyone away.

"GAAAH!"

After wiping them away, Ares looked at his body and noticed that two of his fingers had some burns. The first wound was caused by those attacks. He wasn't completely altered, but he was starting to get annoyed. "Tch. It seems that the results you've gathered up until now weren't made by chance. You're starting to become a nuisance yet again!" He spoke.

"Anf…anf…" Athena stood up from the debris and glared at him. "Did you expect a different result? It's not the first time I've stopped you, so don't think something will change!"

The two Gold Saints naturally felt the damage more, but they tried to stand up as best as they could. "I've seen some burns on his fingers. That means that even if he's powerful, he can be harmed!" Valentina commented.

"That's right. Just like it happened the other times…with enough strength we should be able to fully hit him and possibly defeat him. He's no different from the other gods." Shun added. "True…If I had the God Cloth again, things would be more comfortable…No! I can't have a thought like this! It's the Cosmo that decides who's stronger! I just need to hold on! I'll win this time as well!" He then thought.

"Perhaps I did underestimate you. Therefore, allow me to show you the true mistake of your choices. For real this time." Ares warned. Once again, his gigantic Cosmo could be sensed by his three opponents.

"He wants to get serious…but I may have something in mind…" Valentina said before starting to dash against him.

"Valentina, watch out!" Saori warned her. But the Gold Saint of Pisces didn't want to change her plans. As soon as she saw the god of war approaching him, she unleashed her main attack.

"Royal Demon Rose!" Valentina immediately released a fragrance made out of her roses aimed to dull the god, which seemed to not get the effects. And, in an instant, he slashed her body with the sword.

"GAH!" Valentina spat some blood from her mouth. Despite her Gold Cloth, she could feel her body getting cut.

"VALENTINA!" Both Athena and Shun yelled out worried.

"I admire your bravery but going forward against someone of my level won't bring you anywhere, woman," Ares told her before pointing at her throat with the sword. "How about I show you the price for your stupid- AGH!" He was going straight for the kill, but suddenly, he started to feel dizzy and his sight got blurred. "W-What the!?"

"Her roses!" Shun noticed out.

Even if she was lying on the ground, Valentina held a grin on her face. "Eheh…just as I thought. Even if you're a god, your body can suffer from the same things as us mortals. Therefore, it's only natural if you fall under the effect of these roses' poison!"

"Y-You!" Ares tried to protest, but at that moment, he could feel his body getting immobilized by a pink storm. "What is this!?"

"Nebula Stream! You'll stand still now, Ares!" Shun exclaimed while generating the storm with his Cosmo. "Now, Athena!"

"TAKE THIS!" As soon as she got the chance, Saori raised her scepter which started to shine a bright light that resembled a golden blade and then made the light fall directly on Ares, who got hit. The impact caused a small explosion of light, and once the smoke was gone, the god seemed to disappear.

"Did we get him?" Shun wondered. But just as he asked it, a tall figure appeared behind him, making him turn around in horror. "WHAT!?"

Ares didn't lose any time and attacked Shun with a blast infused with dark red energy that wiped him away. "GAAAAAAH!"

"SHUN!" Saori shouted out worried. But she couldn't have the time to help him so the other god turned around with red glowing eyes and dashed towards her, helped by the wings of his Kamui. Saori tried to defend herself with the scepter, but Ares ended up being fast enough to prevent her from defending herself. "GAH!" With a solid fist, the goddess was forced to recoil.

Valentina, who was still lying on the ground, witnessed with horror at the scene. "E-Even our coordinated attack wasn't enough to push him back!?" She spoke.

"Why the faces? Even if you put up strategies like that, you should remember that I'm the god of war. These are things I'm used to! And considering that you were becoming a nuisance, I've decided to wake myself up a bit." Ares replied.

In the meantime, Shun slowly stood up and glared at the enemy, even if the situation wasn't favorable. "This is bad…he's combining the ferocity of Saga with his brain and powers…the other gods I've faced in the past used to simply push back our attacks and then answer. Ares here is moving and trying to actively murder us…" He thought as he stood up in a battle pose.

"After the clear proof, you're still standing up? You Saints never learn." Ares commented as he raised his sword. "If you're willing to be the first one to die, then I'll accept your request gladly!"

"TAKE ANOTHER GUESS!" A voice suddenly shouted out, making everyone turn around.

"Uh!?"

At that moment, the rubbles that were a few meters away were wiped out, revealing Priamos that dashed at high speed towards Ares, trying to attack him with a punch infused with his Cosmo. While the god of Ares didn't expect that comeback, he was able to block the attack, which still released a strong shockwave.

"Priamos!" Saori exclaimed.

"NGHHH! YOU…SON OF A BITCH!" Priamos shouted as he tried to push through with the punch. The insane side of him was still active, so he still tried to solve the thing with violence.

"So, you're still alive even after that attack? Heh…not that I should expect less from a Gold Saint of Gemini. This body can confirm it, after all." Ares commented. "Even if I'm not him, It's almost like looking at a reflection. And to think that even you ended up on the same path as him…it seems that the curse of Gemini will endure forever, isn't that right!?"

"SHUT UP!" Priamos retorted back by pushing further with the punch, managing to force Ares to at least recoil. "Do you think that I'll be bonded from a curse just like you? DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!" He then pointed at himself with a thumb while making a large grin. "I'm not anything like the others before me! I'll carve a road of my own! And I'll start by annihilating you!"

"S-Stop it…you've already done enough! Don't say utter nonsense! You don't know whom you're messing with!" His rational side tried to take back control, but the other face had still some energy left to use.

"Didn't I tell you to stay back for once?" He said before starting to gather his Cosmo. "Now, sit back and watch as I get rid of this pompous deity!" He exclaimed.

"Well, at least you have the guts to try and change things. But it seems that you don't know what fate has reserved for you. Before realizing it…" Ares replied before starting to run against him. "SHOW ME HOW FAR YOU CAN GO, GHOST!"

"WATCH OUT! HE'S COMING!" Shun warned, sensing the danger from the god.

"I'LL GLADLY DO SO! GALAXIAN EXPLOSION!" Without hesitating, Priamos released an explosion of meteors that he unleashed against the god, generating another large explosion. Once the smoke got out, Priamos could see with shock that Ares came out of the smoke with only a few burns. "What!?"

"Good shot, but NOT ENOUGH!" Ares exclaimed before throwing a punch of dark energy at the enemy, making him spit blood from his mouth.

"BLARGH!"

"IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE SEEN SUCH SCENE! I WANT TO FEEL BACK THE OLD TIMES!" Ares shouted as he was ready to stab Priamos with the sword, but the Gold Saint of Gemini raised his head with a furious stare and blocked the blade in time.

"GRRRRRRRRRRR!" With the desire to see his enemy pulverized, Priamos started to attack the god with ferocity, speed, and power, all traits that Ares could reply far well. What came out was a tremendous exchange of blows that made the earth crumble.

In the meantime, Valentina could finally stand up. "Incredible…Priamos is managing to be on the same level!" She commented.

"But even so, he's not doing anything to him! We need to give him support!" Shun replied, making the other Gold Saint nod. The two of them started to run toward Ares, attempting to join the attack. At that moment, Saori could notice something.

"Wait a minute…maybe…"

In the meantime, Priamos and Ares were continuing their violent rumble. "When I sent you back in that pile of rubbles, I thought that I could have kissed you goodbye already. But you're not bad for a human! I can see how Eizoku fell under your blows, too bad that against someone like me, it's a useless effort!" The god commented.

"You still didn't see anything! Whenever someone messes up with me, I make sure that they'll regret getting in my way! NO ONE WILL EVER TAME ME!" Priamos answered before unleashing a double punch infused with energy.

"NGH!" This time, Ares could feel a bitter pain in that attack which made him recoil a few inches. But even with that, the god could still smirk and charge with the sword. "HAAAAH!"

"GAH!" Due to the impact, Priamos was forced to recoil and could see how the god was already charging at him.

"DIE!" Ares was ready to finish the Gold Saint, but right at that moment, he could feel his senses getting dizzy again. "What the!?" When he looked around, he could see petals moving around him and some images of the Buddha in the background. This sight made him turn around and see that both Shun and Valentina were unleashing their attacks. "You again!?"

"What is the meaning of this!?" Priamos asked.

"Don't push yourself too much! Remember that you are not alone!" Shun told him.

"Let's take this chance now that he's paralyzed!" Valentina added.

While they interrupted him, Priamos didn't dislike that idea at all, because, in the end, it was still a chance for him to strike down the enemy. "Eheh…yes, I like that. It seems that this wasn't your day at all! GET READY TO FEEL THE WRATH OF THREE GOLD SAINTS!" He exclaimed.

"NOW! TENBU HORIN!"

"ROYAL DEMON ROSE!"

"SPACIAL REND!"

With the perfect chance at their hand, the three Gold Saints unleashed their attacks while burning their Cosmo. Another explosion occurred, with Ares getting worried after losing control over his five senses.

After the blow, a crater of smoke appeared.

"Ahahah…who's laughing now, god!?" Priamos exclaimed.

"We've released those attacks with a large power…that should have been enough, right?" Valentina asked.

"I hope so…it's hard to escape at my Tenbu Horin…" Shun replied.

"They've combined their strength to attack him with one large blast. This…may be the key! The union! I remember that they were able to do the same thing with Hades seven years ago…" Saori thought. But right at that moment, something that alarmed her showed up. "Ah!"

With a single movement of his hand, Ares wiped away the smoke and started to increase his Cosmo.

"WHAT!?" Priamos shouted.

"He's still standing!" Valentina added.

The three Gold Saints could see that there was a bleeding cut on Ares's face, but his body was still intact. "That was a good shot, I'll admit it. But to answer your question, Saint…" He said, referring to Priamos before appearing immediately in front of him.

"AH!"

"I think it's still my turn to laugh." He coldly said before grabbing him by the face and throwing him against the other Saints.

"GAAAAAAAAAAH!"

After that action, Ares started to charge energy from his hand. Once it was ready he started to shoot several bullets made of energy, all aimed at the three warriors.

"Oh no!" Shun had a defensive technique, but he didn't have the time to use it. Luckily for them, A wall made out of crystal appeared in time to defend them from the blows, and Saori jumped in.

"Athena!" Valentina exclaimed.

"I've made you suffer enough, now let me defend you!" Saori exclaimed before starting to run against Ares.

In reply, Ares dashed as well, and the two started a weapon clash between the scepter and the sword. "I couldn't expect less from you Athena! You were always the caring one, always trying to look after the humans, even if you could have always played with them like the rest of us!"

"You wouldn't understand anything Ares! You were always convinced of doing the right thing that you've become a ruthless demon! You never cared about those who ended up getting murdered by you or those whom you manipulated to become Berserker! You're just a miserable selfish one!" Athena answered back while attacking. Her scepter then suddenly changed form into a golden spear. "But it won't happen again. This time I'll make sure you won't return!" She stated before attacking the god with the spear.

"NGH!" Not expecting it, Ares got fully hit by the scepter and crashed against an empty house. Once he stood up, he started to increase his Cosmo, alarming both the goddess and his three Saints.

"He's preparing something! Shun exclaimed. Saori, on the other hand, was getting ready.

"Have it your way, Athena. If you are so serious about trying to take me down this time, I'll do the same. BY ERASING YOU FROM EXISTENCE!" Ares shouted while charging energy. And then…he released it.

"BLOODY BATTLEFIELD!" In an instant, the area was swallowed by a large explosion that seemed like a flood made of crimson blood, erasing everything nearby.

Seeing the danger of this, Shun tried to defend himself and his companion by getting the time to use his counter move. "KHAAAAAAAAAN!"

A barrier of light surrounded the three Saints and the goddess, but the intensity of Ares's blow was strong and the barrier did its best to resist. "GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

"HANG ON, SHUN!" To help him, Saori laid a hand on his back and gave him more Cosmo to resist. The contrast continued for a bit longer…until the explosion merged into a giant eruption.

As if the Galaxian Explosion that consumed Eizoku didn't already do enough damage, the attack of the god, destroyed the last part that was left of that zone of Neo Babylon, reducing it only to an empty plain made of cement.

"G-Gh…" Shun stood up forcing himself to use a bit of extra effort and turned around to see that the others were trying to stand up as well. They were tired, but they were ok. "Athena's Cosmo gave me the right energy to resist the attack…" He thought. The four of them then looked straight to see Ares walking away from the smoke with a grin.

"Impressive." He simply commented.

"T-That bastard! That last attack was too much!" Priamos commented.

"Such is the power of a god…for the first time…I can feel it on me…" Valentina added.

"He's completely different from the ones I've fought in the past…but worse…" Shun said. Saori simply glared at him while holding the scepter.

"Even after that you still dare to challenge me? Eheh…even if millennials pass by, you Saints won't stop being stubborn. But, even if I came to get rid of some annoyance…I can still call myself satisfied with what I've got." Ares said.

"What do you mean!?" Valentina asked.

As an answer, Ares grinned and showed a small globe of energy.

"What…what is that?" Shun asked.

"That's strange…I feel a familiar energy coming from it…" Saori noticed.

"That is because it's a fraction of your cosmos engulfed in this globe!" The god of war replied, shocking everyone.

"W-What!? B-But how-!?" Athena exclaimed.

"When I attacked each one of you, I used a special ability of mine that allows me to drain a bit of energy from my opponent and store it in tanks like this. This is one here…is the energy I need to complete my plan. So, I can say that I'm satisfied." Ares explained before turning around. "Besides, I've got the confirmation of it with this battle. Even if you were able to put a match with my Berserkers, you can't defeat me. You can try as you want, but it's wiser if you just let us take energy like this, sit back, and watch as your justice crumbles away. I can wait a little longer to see your demise."

Priamos widened his eyes and started to run towards him. "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!?" He tried to chase him down, but Ares quickly spread his wings and flew up until he disappeared. "GAH!"

"If you insist on fighting try to reach my palace! There, I will reserve you a first sight of my new world! That is if you manage to go that far! Ahahahahahahahahah!" As he disappeared, Ares's voice and laugh could be heard echoing in the area. The battle was over, and the Saints were confused and a bit afraid of their words.

But Priamos, on the other hand, was only upset. "GRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Furious, he increased his golden Cosmo and looked up. "COME BACK HERE, YOU COWARD! YOU SAY THAT YOU CAN'T DEFEAT US!? WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT! ONCE I'LL GET HERE, I'LL MAKE YOU REGRE- GAAAH!" Just as he was unleashing his frustration, he could feel something inside his mind that blocked him and forced him to lower his head. "GHH! Y-YOU BASTARD!"

"What's happening to him?" Valentina asked.

"The other side…the battle made him use a lot of energies, so maybe the rational side can take back control…" Shun replied.

"G-Gh…aaaah…" And just as the other Gold Saint said, Priamos's hair started to change color again, from purple back to grey and his eyes turned back to a yellow color. The man started to take out deep breaths…and then slowly raised his head.

"Priamos?" Saori asked.

When he turned around, the other Saints and their goddess could see that Priamos turned back to his original calm and rational persona. But he was sweating and had a tired expression on his face. "I'm…sorry, everyone…I couldn't control it…" He spoke.

After seeing that everything was over, the others came closer to him and looked at him with a comforting smile.

"Hey…it's not your fault. You couldn't know it would have happened." Valentina told him.

"So, you have two personalities, just like your predecessor…why didn't you tell us? We could have helped you." Shun then asked.

"I tried to hide it as far as I could. It's not…something I'm proud of having. That impulse…that other being that lives in my head…whenever he rises and takes the domain of this body…I ended up doing something horrendous, just like I did with my mentor. I tried throughout the years and during my training as a Saint to control it as far as I could but…whenever I'm out of energy…he takes control." Priamos replied.

Athena looked at him with sad eyes but tried to comfort him as well. "You don't have to beat yourself up for that. Even Saga couldn't control it without some help. We could see what that other side of you brought up, but…it seems that even in that condition, you were able to maintain a clear mind and keep on fighting the enemy. That side of yours isn't evil…it's just…out of control. And yes, it could be dangerous for both you and others."

At hearing those words, Priamos lowered his stare.

Saori felt bad at looking at him like that, so he tried to cheer him up. "If it torments you that much, I would gladly use my power to help you."

"Really?" The Gold Saint of Gemini asked.

Saori nodded. "Even with Saga, the light of my scepter could purify his dark side and erase it. I couldn't know that spirit would have reached Ares, but it helped him to finally be free. I can do the same for you. What do you say?" She asked.

Priamos thought carefully about what to answer. If he could…he would have been finally free of that curse that followed him for all those years and that even killed his teacher. Thanks to his goddess…he could have finally been himself.

But, in the end…for some reason…

"…Hearing that you are willing to help me makes me glad to be at your service, Lady Saori. But…with your permission, I would like to refuse that help." He stated.

"Uh?" Both Valentina and Shun asked.

"Why so?" Saori added.

"I know this is probably the best choice to help me out. But…I feel like this is something I need to clear out. It's not evil like you said, but it's still something that could harm me and those around me…and the responsibility for the damages would only be mine. Therefore…I would like to deal with it by myself. I'll…try to fight it and control it until I'll finally feel at ease." Priamos explained.

"I see…in that case…" Saori said before making a gentle smile. "Knowing you, it won't be an impossible task. I know that you have the right energy." She encouraged him.

"And in case you need help with self-control, remember that I'm here! Nothing beats the Gold Saint of Virgo with meditation right?" Shun added.

Valentina looked at the scene with a small smile before turning her head up in concern. Ares's last words puzzled her a bit, especially in the last part. "He said that…our energy is what he needs to conquer this world…what does he mean by that?" She wondered.

"The thought of it scares me as well. But…the only thing we can do now is to push forward and keep on fighting. Whatever he's plotting to do to the planet, we need to take him down before that." Athena replied.

"I know but…he proved to be extremely strong and active…" Shun pointed out.

"Indeed. But…watching you fight against him made me realize that…we still have the strength to face him. During this small match, we were able to wound him several times, even if they were small injuries. Maybe, if we combine our attacks, we may be able to defeat him even without the help of the God Cloths." Saori explained.

"You think that's possible?" Valentina asked.

"I agree with Lady Saori. There might be a chance for that. After all, the power of all twelve Gold Saints is equal to that of the sun. If we manage to unleash that power against Ares, we might have a chance to stop him. Besides…this isn't the first time the Sanctuary has defeated a god, am I right?" Priamos added.

"True! And yeah, if we were all gathered again, our chances of victory might increase. With the destruction of the blimp, we were forced to scatter." Shun replied.

"About that, I was able to reconcile with Seiya and Ignis just a few moments ago. We got attacked by three Berserkers, including Eizoku and I remained here while they moved out. Maybe they're still fighting." Priamos said.

"Then there's only one thing to do, right?" Valentina asked anyone.

"Yes. Let's reach them." Saori concluded. There was nothing to add. With that done, even if they had a bit of concern, the small group headed to get back to Seiya and the others, unaware that another battle was bursting out.

---

"HAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ikki tried to surround Deimos with several tongues of fire, but the commander of the army turned out to be faster than expected, managing to dodge all of them with incredible agility. This made the Gold Saint of Leo get angrier, as he tried to overwhelm him with several attacks at the speed of light. "LIGHTNING PLASMA!"

By moving his hands with perfect symmetry and speed, Deimos was able to defect all the attacks, coming out unscathed. "My my! We're the fast ones I see!" He commented. At that moment, he could see that he was starting to get surrounded by a vault of ice. "Hm?"

Behind Ikki, Hyoga was already trying to freeze him with the special technique he used to defeat Reiketsu. "DIAMOND DUST RAY!" Several beams of ice started to bounce in the vault, apparently crushing down the Berserker. Seeing the effect, the Gold Saint thought that he was able to get him, but he was horrified to see him appear right beside him. "W-What!?"

"I admire your attempts to freeze me, but trying to imprison a dragon in ice isn't the right solution, don't you think?" Deimos said before pushing Hyoga away with a powerful kick.

"GAAAAAAH!"

Deimos then turned around and noticed that Miguel was already jumping towards him with a fist infused with golden energy. "Then let's see how you like this!" Miguel exclaimed as he dived against him. Deimos jumped away, but he noticed that this triggered an explosion caused by Miguel, which was what the Gold Saint wanted. "GREATEST HORN!"

The impact was able to push back Deimos, but not his body nor his Cloth took any damage.

"A-Absurd!" Miguel exclaimed.

"You're starting to interest me! It's almost a shame that you can't reach my level! I would be more entertained with the challenge…oh well!" Deimos commented with a naïve tone before starting to charge himself with golden energy.

"What is he doing!?" Hyoga asked.

"Watch out!" Ikki added.

"As the strongest warriors at the service of Athena, you showed me what you are capable of. Let me give you back a demonstration of what I can do, as one of the strongest warriors of the god of war…" After saying this with a devious grin, Deimos started to dash around, surrounded by a golden energy that resembled that of a long golden dragon, wiping everyone away. "Swirling Dancing Dragon!"

"GAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Even if they tried to defend themselves, the three Gold Saints were inevitably wiped away and crashed against several buildings in the town. Seiya and Ignis were horrified as they looked at the battle.

"E-Even the combined strength of three Gold Saints didn't lay a finger on him! Just what the hell is that guy!?" Ignis commented.

"D-Damm it! If only I had more strength, I could do something!" Seiya added.

"As far as I would like to have more fun with you guys, I'm afraid I have to leave you. We are making the last preparations for our quest, and as a commander of the army, I must head back." Deimos said.

"What are you talking about!?" Ikki exclaimed.

"I thought you could have guessed by finding out who these captivated people are. Or maybe, Kaze and Arashi here might tell you. I guess that since they've failed, they can be victims as well." Deimos answered, looking at the two former Berserkers, who glared back. "Oh, well. Maybe we'll meet again later. After all…" the Berserker made another devious grin. "The end of the world you know is a show we must give to you Saints…Very well! See you soon! Don't miss it!" With those words, the Berserker flew away, heading back to the palace.

"D-Dammit…he got away…" Miguel said while getting off the wall he got stuck on.

"T-This is the first time I face an opponent like that…for the first time, I couldn't think of a way to take him down…" Ikki commented.

"The Four Commanders of Ares…to think that there are other three of them…" Hyoga added.

Seiya and Ignis simply looked at the scene with a bit of discomfort. The battle was finally over, but even if they were able to take down two enemies, it felt more like an utter defeat. Then… at that moment.

"SEIYA!"

"BROTHER!"

"GUYS!"

Several voices called out the Gold Saints and as soon as they turned around, they were happy to see that their goddess Athena, Shun, Valentina, and Priamos were approaching them.

"Lady Saori!" Seiya said happy, even if he was injured.

"Athena is ok!" Miguel added.

"Eheh…even Shun…I'm glad…" Ikki spoke.

"A-As far as it's good to see more friends, I would prefer if someone HELPED US!" Ignis shouted out, making everyone turn around with a skeptical face.

After some minutes of reconciliation, the almost complete group took a moment to rest, deciding to take care even of Kaze, Arashi, and the prisoners that were discovered inside the buildings of the city (including Kotaro and his mother). During the break, the Saints exchanged what they had witnessed since they jumped off the blimp, about the enemies they've faced so far and the terrible truth they've discovered, including the truth about Ares's return.

Naturally, Seiya, Hyoga, and Ikki were the most shocked ones.

"What!? Ares is using Saga's evil side as a vessel!?" Seiya exclaimed before feeling a bit of pain. "Gh!"

"Don't move, Seiya, I'm still healing your wounds." Saori made him sit on her lap while healing her wounds with her sacred power.

"I know…I'm having a hard time believing it as well, but that's the truth…" Shun replied.

At hearing that, Ikki scoffed and turned around. He felt the news particularly since, in a way, he was one of the many people manipulated by his actions. "Even dead, that spirit keeps tormenting us. Was he desperate enough to help a god escape!?"

"Calm down, Ikki. As far as I'm shocked as you guys, we need to keep our composure. Especially in a time like this…" Priamos told him.

Hyoga took the chance to talk to him. "Speaking of which…it seems that you have the same problem, right?" He asked.

Priamos was a bit ashamed to admit it, so he lowered his head. "Unfortunately…yes."

Hyoga looked at him for some seconds before looking away. "Don't act like this. As long as you don't do anything wrong, I won't judge you." He told him.

"Aaah…so that explosion from before was you then…" Kaze said, referring to Priamos. "I guess Eizoku is dead then…"

"Brother…" Arashi spoke.

Valentina looked at him after hearing him. "You were…friends with him?" She asked.

"Not at all. We were just comrades. I've never liked the way he treated us, always like we were some sort of dog crap. He thought we were his minions or something like that. What matters is that my sister is safe. I can ignore the rest." Kaze replied. By hearing it, Arashi blushed a bit and looked elsewhere.

"That's cute…from a Berserker…" Valentina thought.

"He reminds me of someone," Shun said with a smug smile, referring to Ikki, who turned around again.

"Shut up."

"Speaking of which…you don't seem that convinced in your god's ideal. If that's the case, we would ask you if you know something more about his intentions." Priamos then said. With that, he gathered the attention of everyone, who were eager to listen.

"Tch…it seems that you always take the chance, eh? Let's start with the fact that we don't know anything. Even if we were among his main warriors, he didn't want to be specific with us. What we know is that he's planning to submit the whole world at his feet. And to do so, he developed a plan that involved draining energy from other people…you could say he takes the energy away from them and stores it in small portions of Cosmo." The Berserker started to explain.

"Much like he did to us earlier…" Valentina remembered.

"And to do so…he started to gather his army and forced him to kidnap people from all over the world. They are his lab rats, the reason why they were locked inside these houses…was so that their vital energy could be drained from them. Ares uses his Cosmo to activate the life-draining system from the houses, takes the energy from them, and uses it for his reasons." Arashi added.

After hearing that, the Saints had horrified expressions on their faces. To confirm so, Ignis turned on Kotaro and his mother. "I-Is it true?" He asked.

"Yes…we've been here for a couple of days, and sometimes, during the day, the houses would have started to shine and we could feel our bodies getting weaker. It was…painful." Kotaro's mother replied, trembling.

"Mom…" The kid spoke.

"This is as far as we know. Not every building is full of people like this one. But he made sure to take enough to get enough energy. But what he's planning to do with that is unknown." Kaze continued.

"That's…terrible," Saori commented. "He would even end up on using innocent people for his purposes…"

Out of rage, Seiya slammed a fist on a wall. "That bastard! Not only does he dare to attack Miho and the people in Tokyo and take the body of a past enemy, but he also tortures harmless civilians! I won't accept it!" He exclaimed.

"I'm sure we all think of the same, Seiya," Hyoga told him.

"Yes…that's what we're going to do. We decided to attack first for a reason." Saori told him before turning to the civilians and the two defeated Berserkers. "We'll take you all out of this situation. Thanks to my power, I can send you back to your houses. Your nightmare is over."

"R-Really? Thank you miss!" Kotaro thanked. His mother on the other hand bowed down.

"I-I don't know how to thank you."

"There's no need to," Saori replied with a caring smile.

Kaze and Arashi were surprised. "You would do so even to us?" He asked.

"Didn't we tell you? We could see that you were desperate. But…don't expect that you'll remain unobserved for your crimes. You still helped Ares in his plan. We'll find a way to deal with you…but after we're done here." Ignis told him.

"Tch…you Saints are stubborn. But…I guess I should still thank you…" Kaze concluded. "All I can say is…be careful. After the damages you have caused here, Ares will probably enforce his army…and the Berserkers won't stop at anything to destroy you all. And you could see it now but…watch out for the Four Commanders…they're terrible…and ruthless."

"We'll keep it in mind. Thank you for the information. And live your life better from this point on." Shun told him.

With that said, Saori used her scepter to generate a portal under all the civilians. In a matter of seconds, that portal would have made them disappear from that city and they would have returned to their houses.

Kaze sighed. "I guess we're back on the streets, eh?"

Arashi laid a hand on his. "Hey…as long as I have you…it will be all right." She spoke. Kaze was surprised to hear her talk like that…but it was enough to make him smile.

"Hey, Mister Gold! You'll beat up those bad guys, right?" Kotaro asked Seiya, who was surprised to be asked. But hearing that still made him smirk.

"Sure do! This is what I'm here for!" He replied.

That answer was enough to make Kotaro feel at ease. And just like that, he, his mom, and the two defeated Berserkers were engulfed in the light…and disappeared. Back to their houses. Leaving only the Gold Saints and their goddess here.

"So…I guess that we also need to check out the rest of the buildings, eh?" Miguel asked.

"Yes, that's probably the case. And I think it's wise to stick up together from this moment on. We still need to defeat thirteen Berserkers. And we could see what they're capable of." Priamos replied.

"It would also be better if we get everyone back together. Erwin and the others are still scattered…" Valentina added. That last sentence of hers made Seiya, Hyoga, Shun and Ikki feel a bit worried.

"Do you think Shiryu will be ok?" Shun asked.

"You know him, Shun. He will manage it." Ikki replied.

"Still, that doesn't prevent us from finding for him, right?" Seiya asked.

"Yes. For now, let's focus on proceeding. We have a lot to think about this time." Hyoga answered.

"Well, at least you have more buddies you can rely on, correct?" Valentina told them.

"You said it! Also, I need to find a way to apologize for what I did to the blimp, I mean…I'm the one who defeated Dynamo after all…" Miguel said.

"Hey, it was them who attacked first!" Ignis told him.

"Well…I think there's nothing more to add. Shall we go?" Saori asked.

"YES!" Everyone answered at the same time.

Ever since they reached New Babylonia, they had seen a lot of bizarre and complicated things, and it seemed that their enemy had the upper hand at the moment. But even with all the news that discomforted them, the Saints still felt the need to move on. Now that they knew how dangerous their enemy would have been, they knew that they had to move on. This was their duty as their Saints. Ares proved to be a terrible deity…and they needed to defeat him.

But…they didn't know…that someone else was watching them.

While going on an uphill road, Seiya heard something that made him turn around.

"Looks like this is going to be quite a busy night…"

"Uh!?" When he turned around he could see what seemed to be a young girl that wore a strange Cloth with long lilac hair. The girl seemed to have a small pleased grin on her face.

"Oh, don't mind me! I'm just a bystander! All I can say is…good luck with that Ares guy! It seems that you'll need it. I happen to know him…a bit." With those words, the girl seemed to walk away in an alley while keeping his grin on Seiya. In an instant, she got away completely.

"Ah! Hey, wait!" Seiya tried to chase her, but when she reached the alley…this one was empty. The Gold Saint looked around confused. All that could be heard was just the wind.

"W-Where did she go? And who was that girl?"