Chapter Nine – Love is Complicated
Miyabi could tell something was bothering Kanon.
Today during their morning run, she noticed the man appeared to be preoccupied for he wasn't really responding properly to the things she was saying. After her near-death experience, Camus and Miyabi learnt from Hypnos that the only way to rescue Hades and prevent this war was through Persephone.
Persephone is the goddess of spring, the daughter of Zeus and also the wife of Hades, ruling the underworld together with Hades. Unlike Athena, Hades, Poseidon and Zeus, Persephone is not one of the gods of Olympus and therefore Saori felt it better to visit her and persuade her as sister.
Because of that, the saints are on standby awaiting their goddess to return from her visit to Persephone. Hoping simply with a discussion over tea, the upcoming war would be stopped. Though Miyabi has not yet recovered hundred percent physically, she invited Kanon to return to their morning trainings together.
It was then Miyabi noticed Kanon wasn't really himself. Usually, he would be waiting outside her temple with a warm confident smile. Today, he did not even notice her when she approached him. Not only that, but Kanon had also been avoiding eye contact with her. Miyabi could not help but wonder, was it because of the trouble she caused during her visit to the Underworld, she had finally been branded the troublemaker of the Gold Saint rank. When the thought hit her, Miyabi felt her heart sank for she always knew she was the junior one of the ranks. Despite this, she had endeavoured to work harder than anyone to ensure she could catch up.
Lucky for Miyabi, that was definitely not the reason why Kanon appeared preoccupied. To be honest, she would never guess what was going through Kanon's mind. Kanon had been spending the last few days questioning his own actions. He was smug and confident, and he took pride in the fact that unlike the majority of the Gold Saints, he definitely knew how to handle women. His god-gifted handsome appearance aside, he knew how to please a woman and never once had trouble getting the woman he wanted.
Such a confident womaniser all came to naught when he was with Miyabi. He couldn't put on any of his moves with her. Not really because she did not respond to his advances, more the fact he couldn't act on any of them when he was around her. He didn't use to care about the consequences, but with Miyabi, he constantly questioned himself. What would the aftermaths be? Would it wreck what he already had with her? Maybe she sees him only as a friend and senior, but what if he did something to even lose that respect?
The whole time while he was being wishy washy, acting like a teenage boy meeting the opposite sex for the first time, Shaka already made his move. Just the character he was, Shaka could care less about what people think of him. He wanted to kiss Miyabi and he went for it.
That started a chain reaction inside Kanon. What the hell was he doing? While he was holding back, restricted with all the consequences that might happen if he acted, all the others are already jumping in. Kanon was not dumb, and he knew Shaka aside, there were also a few others that were attracted to Miyabi. The worst part of it all was, Miyabi had not the faintest idea what was going through her fellow Gold Saint's minds.
She was naive and careless with them. She did not set a boundary considering she was the only female among them. Her lack of awareness was to be honest, what bothered him. Damn, that's right, he's jealous like a teenage boy!
"Kanon? Are you okay? You are frowning."
While Kanon allowed his mind to run wild with the thoughts, his heart skipped a beat when the girl that was occupying his mind appeared above him. Leaning over in concern, her beautiful attractive face just above him, without any tainted thoughts, her innocent eyes questioning Kanon in concern.
"This is exactly why I am frowning!" Reaching forth his arm, Kanon pulled the girl close as he rolled her over and his body came on top of her instead. Pinning her arms onto the grass Kanon said. "Your lack of awareness is alarming!"
Not expecting to be pinned down by Kanon of course, the girl looked up at her senior in surprise. However, instead of blushing or acting all girly, Miyabi nodded in understanding. "You're right. I should be more aware and not easily allow an opponent to subdue me." Smiling in gratefulness, the girl was glad her senior taught her a good lesson. "Thank you, Kanon. I think this is just what Shaka was saying, I need to be more alert."
Never in the world to expect that response from Miyabi, Kanon felt like a balloon that lost all the air as he let go of Miyabi and rolled back onto the grass, placing his hand over his eyes, Kanon started laughing. Sitting up completely confused with Kanon's reaction, Miyabi called in concern. "Why are you laughing Kanon? Did I say something stupid?"
Yes, why is he laughing? Kanon knew it was because he finally figured out what the problem was. He had forgotten, Miyabi never saw any of them as male. Or rather, she had never considered herself a female. But who could blame her? It was ordained that when a female fighter chooses to become a saint, they were to forfeit their status as a woman and therefore they all wore masks. This was so they could fight alongside the fellow saints just as a knight for Athena, gender not considered.
It wasn't because he suddenly was terrible with handling women. It was because the object of his affection never even thought of seeing him as a man. Moving his hand away from his eyes, Kanon smiled at Miyabi again. Moving his finger to signal her to lean closer, Kanon knew the only way for him to even have a chance was to remind her, he is not just a fellow Gold Saint, but a man that had fallen for her.
While Miyabi leaned in as told, Kanon reached forth his hand as he gently caressed her soft cheek. "Miyabi, you have no idea how much I wanted to kiss you right now."
"What…. what?"
Finally getting that shy female reaction from Miyabi, Kanon continued to smile. "Don't worry but I won't. At least not yet. But I wanted you to know that I, Gemini Kanon is in love with you." That arrogant smile deepened when Kanon encountered the embarrassed and bashful reaction from Miyabi after he confessed his feelings for her. "But remember, when the day comes where you are ready to return my love, then I will not stop with just a kiss."
Finding her tongue tied from Kanon's abrupt, passionate, somewhat possessive confession, Miyabi found her heartbeat racing fast like crazy. Especially when Kanon's stunning eyes looked straight at her without deterring, Miyabi discovered for the first time, this man is indeed sexy and charming…
"Gold Saints, gather at the Grand Hall immediately."
Like giving Miyabi a way out, Shion's voice came through all their cosmos. Knowing it wasn't common for Shion to summon them all like this, both Kanon and Miyabi knew this was serious business as they both got back onto their feet.
Returning to their status as Gold Saints, Miyabi and Kanon returned immediately to Sanctuary and arrived at the Grand Hall where the rest had also gathered upon the Pope's call.
"Two things." Shion said once all have arrived. "First, the Spectres will be invading the Sanctuary led by one of the Three Judges, Wyvern Rhadamanthys."
"Are they attacking us for real?" Aldebaran frowned. "I thought Pandora was against restarting the war without Hades' consent?"
"She is," Shion replied. "However, the idea of rescuing Hades through talking to Persephone was supposed to be classified. The twin gods didn't know, or rather Thanatos was not aware Pandora had approached us for help. Hypnos had chosen to remain neutral, though he assisted by pointing us to Persephone. That is why the Spectres still had to act on his orders to avoid arousing suspicion."
"Well, I am sure Rhadamanthys was more than happy to make the invasion real." Kanon knew unlike the other two judges, Rhadamanthys had a personal vendetta against him.
"Real or not, they will be coming at us with full force or else Thanatos will see right through the act." Shion said. Turning to Aphrodite, the Pope commanded. "Aphrodite, plant your demon rose throughout the entrance to the Sanctuary. We want to delay the face-to-face battle for as long as we can."
"Yes, Pope."
"Though I understand some of you are still recovering from your injuries, but all the Gold Saints will be guarding their temples as if this is the holy war once again."
"Yes, Pope"
"This then brings me to the second item," Turning to Miyabi. Shion said. "Athena has requested for you to meet her at Persephone's temple. Apparently, the goddess of spring refuses to talk without Miyabi present."
Not expecting that, Miyabi asked quickly. "But the Libra temple…"
"Don't worry, Miyabi, I will be guarding the Libra temple." Dohko volunteered.
"If Roushi guards the Libra temple on Miyabi's behalf, does that mean she will be going to Persephone's temple without her Gold Cloth?" Mu asked. "Though it was supposed to be just a talk with Persephone, but I don't think it's normal for the goddess of spring to request an audience with a saint of Athena."
"I understand your concern, it's true sending Miyabi there without her Gold Cloth is worrying, that is why," Turning to Saga, Shion said. "Saga, you will represent me as the Pope and go with Miyabi. Though you too will be attending the meeting without your Gold Cloth, but the Pope's robe has Athena's blessing so you should be fine."
Understanding it was Shion's way of asking him to protect both Miyabi and Athena, Saga bowed and accepted his mission.
"Saga?" Miyabi couldn't help but ask when she noticed the person next to her seemed to be in deep thoughts ever since they set off for Persephone's temple.
"Ah, sorry something has been bothering me." Saga smiled gently in response. "Persephone, I believe is Hades' wife?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Because she was never one of the main gods of Olympus so the idea of holy war was far from her reach." Saga continued to explain. "From what I have learnt during my training to become the next Pope, the numerous loops of holy war between Hades and Athena never once mentioned the involvement of Persephone. She was although the Queen of the Underworld by name, she never really had real authority to interfere with what Hades wanted."
As the man who was good at strategizing and planning, Saga knew something was not right about this time's holy war. It was not Hades' will to invade, yet Persephone had gone against his will and insisted on an invasion. As the goddess of spring, she was not known for wanting war and violence. What caused her to act this way? Most of all, why would she insist on having Miyabi here before she would agree to talk with Athena?
Moving his eyes onto the girl beside him, Saga discovered, he might have figured out a way to stop this war altogether.
"Miyabi,"
"Yes?"
"When we see Persephone later, follow my lead and let me do the talking. No matter what I say, just agree with me."
Though Miyabi knew not what Saga had in mind, she knew Saga is very capable or else he wouldn't be the next Pope. Trusting the man beside her, Miyabi nodded in understanding. As the two got closer to the temple, they found themselves in the midst of a stunning garden.
"Wow, this is beautiful." Miyabi couldn't help but remark.
"Persephone is the goddess of harvest and vegetation, so I wouldn't be surprised if her temple would be surrounded by beautiful gardens. Not to mention, she has her 2 Gardeners looking after them." Saga smiled when he too agrees the garden they see before them was impressive.
"Gardeners?"
"Yeah, though not one of the main gods, she still has 2 guards that protect her, they are known as 'Gardener'." Saga continued to explain, proving he was a knowledgeable Pope. "Though I am not sure how strong they are, but that might be the reason Shion is worried about sending you here alone without your Gold Cloth."
"Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that." While Miyabi hoped it would just be a peaceful discussion, the landscape around them suddenly started moving and in a nick of time Saga and Miyabi were separated from each other, and the garden they were in became a maze.
"Saga!" Calling out quickly in alert, Miyabi felt her heart beating fast when she did not receive a response from him. Not to mention, as if he disappeared from the realm, Miyabi couldn't even sense his cosmos.
"Instead of worrying about others, shouldn't you be more concerned about yourself?"
Appearing before Miyabi was a man, and from the armour he was wearing, Miyabi knew this must be one of Persephone's Gardeners. To her surprise, before she could say anything, the person sent an attack at her. Moving away skilfully, Miyabi found before she was able to reposition herself, the opponent continued to send attacks one after another at her.
Despite still recovering physically, and being disadvantaged by not wearing her Libra cloth, she is after all a Gold Saint so leaping away, Miyabi skilfully avoided all the attacks coming at her. "Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot," Miyabi said while she flipped backwards to avoid a sharp attack sent at her. "I am here on Persephone's request."
"Indeed," A little annoyed his attacks couldn't hit the girl who looked fragile and soft. The Gardener said. "Her orders were to teach you a lesson when you arrive."
"A lesson?" Finally standing still when the person stopped sending attacks at her, Miyabi asked.
"My name is Phylios, I am one of the Gardeners of our goddess Persephone. I have orders to teach the Libra Gold Saint a lesson when she arrives. To let her know her place as a human, she must not reach for what she didn't deserve, and covet what's not hers."
Completely clueless of what Phylios was accusing her of, Miyabi didn't even know how to respond to that.
"Humph, you came without your Gold Cloth? Do you have a death wish?" Phylios' eyes narrowed in displease when he noticed the person before him wasn't even in the proper attire to fight him.
"That is exactly my point. I wasn't here to fight." Miyabi shrugged her shoulders. "Athena has asked me to come because Persephone has requested for my appearance before her. As you are already aware, Athena came on peaceful terms."
"Not my concern," Shaking his head, Phylios said. "My order was to teach you a lesson, and that is what I will do. Though it does feel a bit like bullying when you are not even wearing your Gold Cloth."
Reaching out his arm, the Gardener called. "Endless Roots!"
With that, thousands of roots shot up from the ground Miyabi was standing on. Immediately leaping up to avoid them, the roots were exactly like the name of the skill, they were endless and came one after another. Unable to stay in the air forever, Miyabi with a swing of her arms sent thousands of sharp wind attacks at the roots. Unfortunately, the moment she cleared them, they shot back out from the ground again coming at her.
Knowing this will go on forever if she doesn't stop the source, Miyabi had no choice but increased her cosmos and with a call released one of her biggest skills. "Rouzan Hyakuryu no Mai!"
With that, her attack came like a blast at the Gardener. Realising the sharp winds came at him like the dance of a hundred dragons, Phylios quickly called forth his roots to protect him, but they were stripped away in the whirlwind and with a cry the Gardener flew off with the blast.
To his surprise, instead of crashing on the ground hard, someone came behind him and supported him and gently put him on the ground. The Gardener's eyes widened in shock to find it was the Libra Gold Saint who rescued him from being injured.
"What is the meaning of this?" Phylios frowned not understanding what trick Miyabi was playing.
"Like I mentioned, I am not here to fight. Athena would not have appreciated if I injured any of Persephone's protectors." Moving away from Phylios, Miyabi pointed to what appears to be the exit of this maze. "So, I guess I should head this way to see Persephone?"
"You are naïve, Libra Gold Saint." Phylios said as he smirked and raised his hand. "You think I will forgive myself for failing the one task I was given?"
While Phylios spoke, Miyabi noticed the air around them started changing. As a trained warrior, Miyabi's sense of smell was stronger than normal people, and immediately noticed the foul scent in the air. Quickly covering her mouth and nose, Miyabi had unfortunately started coughing realising the Gardener had created a rain of poisonous pollen.
In an attempt to control the air around her to blow away the poisons, Miyabi found the pollens still managed to get through. To her terror, she discovered her body becoming numb and soon unable to hold herself up as she fell onto her knees.
"I mustn't breathe in the poison!" Miyabi kept telling herself but the more her body became affected by the poison, the weaker the wind barrier she created around her became. When she realised more and more poisons seeped through, Miyabi was horrified to find she had lost control of her body as she fell.
It was then, a shadow suddenly came around her and she felt a person pulled her over. To her surprise a shelter came over her and protected them both like a dome. When the sound of splattering rain of poison finally stopped, the shelter that covered her opened up.
Squinting her eyes while they become accustomed to light again. Miyabi couldn't believe who came into sight. It was the man with silverish strands and honey-coloured eyes, his fair face a contrast to the dark surplice he was wearing. Realising the dome she was under were actually the wings of the Griffin surplice.
Trying to get up to thank Minos, forgetting her body was still numb from the poison, Miyabi fell into the Griffin Judge's arms instead.
"Thank you for such a warm welcome, Miyabi." Minos's face was never seen happier when he felt the soft body in his arms. Tightening his embrace, he held Miyabi even closer hoping this warmth in his bosom will be there forever.
"Sorry to interrupt," A person cleared his throat and gave a sigh. "I don't think this is the time and place for public display of affection."
Wanting to push herself out of Minos' hold, Miyabi regrettably found it would take a while before the effect of the poison fade. Looking up at the voice that spoke to them, Miyabi saw that it was Lune, Minos' subordinate that she met at the First Prison.
"Fine," Letting out an exaggerated sigh. Minos finally let go of Miyabi as he turned around to face the man who dared to attack his love. Unlike how he was before Miyabi, a most merciless look took over Minos' face.
"Minos?" Phylios frowned when he saw the two people that appeared before him. "Why are the spectres here? Aren't you supposed to be invading the earth realm right now? Why would you be helping a saint of Athena?"
"Let's see," calmly raising his hands, Minos smirked when he watched Phylios lifted into the air under his control. "Before you forget, spectres are loyal to Hades only. And you have just attempted to hurt a friend of our Lord, so I guess you gave me no choice."
"What…what are you trying to do?" Phylios moaned when he could feel his entire body under Minos' control. "If you are loyal to Hades, you must ally with Lady Persephone!"
"Well, to be honest the real reason why you have to die today is because," A most cruel expression on the Griffin Spectre's face, Minos reached out his palm. "You tried to hurt the woman I love."
Before he closed his palm to crush Phylios' bones to end the Gardener's misery, Miyabi stopped Minos. "Wait, Minos don't kill him!"
"Are you sure? He wasn't as merciful to you even after you already spared him."
"I am here to prove to Persephone we want peace. If we killed off her protector, anything we say will be in vain." Miyabi insisted.
"She has a point, Lord Minos." Lune nodded.
"Very well," with a lift of Minos' finger, Phylios' hand closed into a fist and without his own consent it came whacking hard at his face and knocked himself out.
After Minos finally took care of the Gardener, Miyabi asked. "What brought you guys here?"
"We are here to rescue our Lord Hades of course," Minos smiled. That kindness was obviously only reserved for Miyabi. "It isn't exactly fair to leave the task to the saints of Athena."
"Lady Pandora received news that Persephone might be the key to rescue Lord Hades, so we have come to negotiate with her as well." Lune explained knowing his boss wasn't doing a very good job.
"I see, I guess we are heading the same direction then." Miyabi nodded while she tries to walk normally feeling pins and needles throughout her legs as her senses gradually return to her.
"Here, allow me." Saying so, Minos simply lifted the girl up in his arms.
"Wait, Minos, really, it's fine! I can walk!"
"No deal." Minos ignored Miyabi's complaint and started walking off holding her soft body close to him. Of course, he isn't going to let her go, he has waited ages for this time to be with her. Being disadvantaged because of his status as a spectre, Minos was craving for any interaction he was allowed to have with Miyabi.
Suddenly beside them, a dimensional portal opened up and to their surprise, Saga walked right through it. "Miyabi, I finally found you…" Pausing, Saga did not know how to best perceive what he saw before him.
"Minos," A most serious look on his face, Saga asked. "What are you doing?"
"I am taking her to Persephone." As a reflex, Minos moved away from Saga, holding Miyabi even tighter.
"Miyabi, are you being held against your will?" Ignoring Minos, Saga asked the girl who was sending SOS signals at him.
"Yes!"
"Minos," To Saga's surprise, before he was able to say anything, Minos already started running off with Miyabi in his arms.
"Good luck," Lune said to Saga. "Last time it took Kanon, Shaka and Aiacos to stop him."
"Lady Persephone and Athena, the Libra Gold Saint and the Acting Pope have arrived."
Announcing the arrival of the guests was the other Gardener of Persephone. Pausing, the Gardener added. "There were other uninvited guests too."
"Uninvited guests?"
"Yes milady, there are two spectres here too."
Spectres? Persephone frowned. "Aren't they supposed to be…" Stopping remembering Athena was still with her, the goddess of spring smiled. "Athena, are you sure you want to be wasting time here with me? I heard that the Sanctuary is under attack."
Saori calmly responded with a smile too. "Was it really Hades' idea to attack us?"
"Of course, the spectres only act based on Hades' orders, right?"
"But I heard rumours that Hades has gone missing for a while." Not backing down, Saori insisted. "I thought as his wife you would know what might have happened to him?"
"Humph," to Saori's surprise, Persephone pouted as she muttered. "Maybe it would be better to ask Hades' new favourite girl Miyabi, I think she would know better than any of us where Hades went." Turning to the Gardener, Persephone said. "Bring them in."
Entering the room, Miyabi and Saga greeted Saori straight away and it was then Miyabi noticed an intense and unfriendly pair of eyes on her. Turning to the source of the glare, Miyabi saw a beautiful goddess sitting next to Athena, her hair of wheat blonde, eyes green like the pasture.
"Athena and Persephone, I have brought Miyabi here as requested." Saga as the Pope greeted the two deities.
"Now Miyabi has arrived as asked, Persephone, let's be honest with each other." Athena said to her fellow sister. "I have a feeling the reason you pushed for the war was all because of a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" Persephone frowned. "Should I not be upset with the fact my husband has taken interest in a human girl, and not just any human girl, but a saint of yours." Her eyes looking down at the human before her, Persephone continued. "I have known my husband to be an ambitious god of the underworld. It has been his will since the age of time to bring his people to the earth realm, and you know better than anyone, Athena, how many times he has tried."
"Yes, I agree." Saori nodded for too many times she had to face the King of the Underworld in battles throughout the ages.
"Do you not find it odd, that all of a sudden, he has decided to drop all that. Simply because of his love for this girl, he no longer willed to take over the earth realm." Pointing her finger at Miyabi, finally revealing the reason behind her interfering with Hades' war with Athena, the goddess of spring was after all just a jealous wife.
Realising Persephone was referring to her the entire time, Miyabi didn't know how to even justify for there were just too many incorrect details for her to even start.
"If I may," Saga spoke up and interrupted the angry goddess. "Where did you learn of this?"
"Thanatos said Hades had gone and done the unthinkable and wanted to bring his human girlfriend to the underworld," Reminded of the same experience she had, Persephone could sense that anger arousing once again within. Yes, she was taken to the underworld against her will to be Hades' wife. Yet she had learnt to love him, but the fact he has taken interest in another girl, and not just any girl, but a lowly human was too much to bear.
"Unfortunately, Persephone, I am afraid you have been misinformed." Saga calmly replied knowing what he originally suspected was correct. Reaching out his arm, he pulled Miyabi to himself and gently fondled her hair with love. "Miyabi couldn't possibly be Hades' object of affection, for she is my wife to be, we are to wed soon."
"What?" Coming from behind them Minos called in shock.
"Shh…Lord Minos." Lune whispered to his boss. "It's all a ploy."
"Oh my," Saori gasped with the news. "Congratulations!"
Not expecting that, the goddess of spring studied the human couple before her. "Is that true?"
Sensing her head spinning, Miyabi felt the conversation regarding her carried on without her. However, she remembered Saga telling her to trust him and follow his lead. So, calming her heart, Miyabi nodded. "Yes, it's true! Saga and I will wed soon so there is definitely nothing between me and Hades."
Narrowing her eyes at the "engaged" couple before her, Persephone shook her head. "I don't believe you. Saga is the next Pope, so how can you take a wife?"
"Oh, I don't mind." Saori smiled and jumped in. "Who said my Pope can't take a wife? In fact, I am thrilled to know my Pope is to marry my saint, there is nothing merrier."
Watching how the couple continued to keep their artificial smile, Persephone's perfect eyebrows lifted. "Fine, prove it."
"Prove, prove it?" Miyabi could feel her voice heightened with the request.
"Yes, if you two are really in love, prove it." Persephone insisted.
"Haha, as much as I would like to show the world how much I love my fiancée, I couldn't possible act it out here especially before our goddess…" Continuing with his stunning smile, Saga said.
"Oh, I don't mind." Resting her chin against her hand, Saori said, determined to see how Saga is going to pull this off.
Moving both their eyes onto their goddess, Miyabi and Saga could tell she was enjoying this. Especially Saga, for some reason he felt this was Saori's revenge against his prior rebellion.
"Go on," Persephone insisted, awaiting to blow their cover.
"With all due respect," To everyone's surprise, the Griffin Spectre came forward and interrupted. "Lady Persephone, as a servant working close to our lord Hades, I can bear witness to the fact that there is definitely nothing between Lord Hades and the Libra Gold Saint."
"How so?" Persephone asked, finally remembering the existence of the two spectres.
"Lord Hades has only met Miyabi twice, once was their first time on earth. I was there and could testify nothing happened then. The second time was when she was invited to the underworld for afternoon tea. It was attended by me and the two other judges, so we could all give evidence that nothing happened between the two." Unlike how he was before Miyabi, Minos spoke with the authority and weight of one of the three judges of the underworld. Noticing how Persephone's face softened with his explanation, Minos continued. "Our Lord Hades only ever loves one person, and that is his wife, the goddess of spring. Miyabi was simply an honoured guest because she helped him out when he was on earth. As the King of the underworld, Lord Hades couldn't possibly receive a good deed without returning the favour, wouldn't you say so?"
Feeling her heart softened upon Minos' words, Persephone discovered there was truth to that. As powerful as Hades was, despite she used her power to subdue him, there was no way he could be so easily imprisoned. Maybe he simply accepted it because he knew she was upset, and he was just allowing her to throw her tantrum.
Standing up from where she was, Persephone turned to her Gardener. "Can you see these guests out for I need to go to Elysium."
Knowing it meant Persephone has agreed to release Hades, Saori and her two saints, as well as the two spectres knew their mission was a success. As they followed the Gardener to leave the temple, Saga whispered to Minos' cosmos. "I can't believe I am saying this, but thanks."
"I have no choice," His honey brown eyes on the Gemini Gold Saint, Minos replied. "For if you kissed her, I would have to kill you."
"Ho…" Saga's eyebrow lifted with the taunt. "Despite you have just helped us, but there was still no way in hell I will allow you to be with her."
Accepting Saga's challenge, Minos smirked. "Not that I need your permission, but I'd like to see you try."
Not knowing the talk happening between the two, Miyabi came before Minos. "Thank you, Minos, for soothing the situation. I am glad that saints and spectres can work together for once." Looking up at the spectre's jaw, Miyabi whispered. "Sorry about punching you before…"
Well, since it took 3 of the strongest fighters to stop Minos last time, this time on his own Saga could only chase after Minos until he watched Miyabi finally recovered from the effect of the poison and punched Minos to free herself.
Lifting his fingers, Miyabi regrettably found herself being pulled over to Minos again. Like he said, once his Comic Marionette was cast on his prey, there was no getting away. "It's fine, Miyabi. You are free to punch me whenever you like, it's a sign of love."
"Oh my god, let gooooooo!"
Sighing at the behaviour of his boss, Lune could only shake his head.
Returning to the Sanctuary, the Gold Saints gathered at the Grand Hall once more and welcomed the return of their goddess for they know she was able to persuade Persephone into freeing Hades to stop this war. Just a while ago, Rhadamanthys retreated with his army, a sign he too was notified of the success.
"Athena, it was most blessed that we can prevent this war without any sacrifices." Shion said to hie goddess.
"Well, I wouldn't claim the credit, for it was Saga that discovered what the underlying cause was to this whole situation." Saori smiled.
"The underlying cause?"
Before Saori respond, the seal around the Sanctuary suddenly broke when to the saints' horror, Hades appeared before them, together with him was the goddess of spring, Persephone.
"Hades!" In alarm, all the saints called when Saori calmly raised her hand to stop them.
"It's fine, I believe Hades came simply to talk?" Saori asked, her eyes on the tall King of the underworld whom she had fought numerous times.
"You're right, Athena. I came to relay my thanks for the efforts your saints put in to resolve this misunderstanding." Hades said, his eyes landed on Miyabi. "I also apologise for putting you through such traumatic experience. I hope you have recovered?"
"Yes, I have." Miyabi nodded. "If it weren't for your protection, I believe Thanatos was successful in ending my life."
Watching in disbelief, other than Shaka and Kanon who had already seen this before, everyone present in the room could not believe the young Gold Saint was conversing with Hades normally like friends. There was no hierarchy between them, deity or human.
"Yes, I have put Thanatos back in his place and sealed him off for another two centuries so he can cool his head." Hades explained while his gestured to his wife.
Stepping forward, Persephone smiled. "Libra Gold Saint, I apologise for acting too haste. I now believe it was all a misunderstanding and Hades has explained to me the kindness you bestowed on him while he visited earth. So as the Queen of the Underworld, I also welcome you to come visit any time and of course," Pausing the goddess glanced over to Saga. "When you and Saga wed, please let us know, we will send you a most generous wedding gift."
To the goddess surprise, there was suddenly an arousal of the golden cosmos in the room. A little surprised, Persephone looked over and noticed the weird looks on the gold saints.
"Thank you, Persephone," Saori quickly cut in and invited. "Please join me at the Athena chamber and we can catch up over another cup of tea." Before she leaves the hall with Hades and Persephone, Saori teasingly winked at Saga. "Once again, congratulations Saga and Miyabi on your engagement, you have my blessing."
Knowing his goddess just threw him under the bus, Saga rubbed his temples when he could sense the burning cosmos of his fellow Gold Saints. Well, whatever managed to stop the war, it was worth it.