Notes: This fic is part of a series, so some details might not make a lot of sense. It's not necessary to read the main fic, but I think it makes it more enjoyable, especially bc there are a couple throwaway lines that make reference to the main fic. The most important thing to know is that Shun has the ability to see ghosts, and constantly talks to Aiolos throughout the whole Sanctuary Saga. This chapter happens right at the end of chapter 3 of "walk over my grave".
regret
Aiolos watched as Saga waited for Athena. There wasn't much he could realistically do at this point, Shun was unconscious and on the brink of death because of Aphrodite's attack, after all.
Athena came, and she looked so young, every expression written plainly on her face as her eyes focused on Seiya with barely concealed despair.
Aiolos couldn't hear much of Saga's last words before he ran a fist through his own stomach. A dark spirit flew straight into the air, probably the evil within him, and then Saga's soul came out.
"Aiolos…!" Even nearing his thirties, Saga had managed to look like a little kid with his tear-filled eyes. "How are you here…?"
"I'm honor-bound to Athena, and she brought me here." He looked down at her figure, her confusion and asking the other saints for help. This time, not a single golden saint dared lift a finger to oppose her. It was finally as it should be.
"All this time, I wanted a chance to talk to you again…"
"Then do."
"I'm so sorry!"
Aiolos licked his lips even though at this point it served no practical purpose. "I think I forgave you halfway through this battle, just like I forgave Sh—" he cursed internally, he still couldn't say Shura's name even after his friend had died, "like I forgave Capricorn." He then looked away from Athena and looked back at Saga. "But you can't move on just yet."
Saga nodded. "Do I have to atone for my sins? Promise to watch over your brother?"
Aiolos shook his head. "A holy war like the one our master fought is approaching. We must be prepared. I will look over Andromeda, as I'm sure he's the god of the Underworld, and you must finish what you started 13 years ago."
He watched his best friend's face twist in grief as understanding dawned, and he was suddenly reminded of Shun's words, about gods playing with people's lives like mere toys and calling it fate.
He still didn't know what else to call it.