SSO THE END Cast V.
Dragon Ryuho: The Dragon Bronze Saint, and the son of the former Dragon Saint Shiryu. He has a calm and gentle personality; his compassionate nature makes him brave danger and fight for his friends. He fights with the Rozan Techniques that summons the might of Chinese Dragons in his punches and rushes.
Asklepios: Also called Asclepius. A God of Medicine, he is the son of the sun god Apollo and a human lover, and well-known for his healing abilities and as a patron for those in medical practice. A joking, humble temperament much to a human's, he also shows disdain towards gods, particularly Zeus's clan.
Closed eyes. Open Eyes. The Light is there II.
(目を開いた. 目を開いた. 光は—常にそこにある II.)
"Indeed, Pallas. She is now serving as a substitute for Athena. "
By Agatha's words, Subaru couldn't help but make a face that said "colored me shocked", especially after he insulted the goddess back at Demeter's temple. Then, the morose expression returned as he lowered his eyes; didn't it all make sense since Pallas was Athena's twin and Athena was dead? Or rather, there was still hope, and Subaru wanted to cling to that hope as his hot-blooded brothers and sister had. Gods like Athena couldn't die after all, but their existence in the natural world was removed until they return. Subaru-Saturn determined that Athena was trapped in Limbo while Hades and the Underworld were undergoing resurrection. There was doubt that her spirit would be released.
Agatha took a seat near Subaru, resting her hands on her lap. "Here is a run-down," she said. "We must look for Asklepios, who now holds the Ophiuchus Cloth and has the power of resurrection. We also may have to seek Persephone, Demeter's daughter, who serve in leadership in Hades's place. I had the broken Bronze Cloths sent to Jamir, but your Cloth is in Sanctuary."
"I must get it."
"Are you able to move? How is your strength?"
Subaru squeezed a fist in front of his face. It trembled with either fury or determination. "I can move!"
"Continuing, some Gold Saints are in the Underworld now as Persephone wants us to battle down there. Virgo Fudoh is trying to locate Asklepios and Athena, while trying to delay the resurrection, but…"
"But?"
"If you mention the Ocean…Fudou's plan may fail."
"What is his plan anyway?"
"By projecting his Cosmos, he tries to be a Kagemusha, a stand-in leadership, as the forces of the Underworld are weakened. However, he told me, and Argo told me, that the Underworld has changed and there is a frightening power. I wondered if Asklepios and Persephone should be confronted as we are, according to their so-called conditions, the only reason they are preventing Earth's destruction. They acknowledged that centuries has not passed for Hades to engage in another Holy War. However, they want revenge on the Saints. We were told that if we didn't go to the Underworld, Hades will use Athena's Cosmos to destroy the world."
"What a bunch of bullshit." Subaru spat, a scowl folding his face. That was the Subaru that the comatose Bronzes were familiar with: Brash and willing to take on any challenge. "I'll deck them in their arrogant mouths!"
"Maybe we don't need to worry about that because Pallas and the Pope wishes that we save Athena, one way or another. Athena knew too well of Hades's disposition and took measures to deter him from invading again."
"An all-out brawl is it? So fight Asklepios and Persephone, yeah?" As a portion of glee entered Subaru's voice, Agatha withheld an answer and decided to change the subject.
"Pegasus moved earlier." Both Agatha and Subaru looked over to the unmoving Kouga flat in his hospital bed, eyes closed. Agatha continued, "Their stars are flickering. You awakened first; I can't help but think that they don't wish to give up."
Subaru couldn't help but smile. He would definitely believe it.
"If they want us to battle below," Agatha resumed lecturing, "then at least three Gods may be targets. From archives, and as you know Subaru, it is not impossible to win against them. But Cosmos alone will not be enough. You say Omega may be threatened, but you also have confidence that it's still the best chance that we have. With the Cloths being repaired by Jamir's techniques and the blood of Pallas, we must find a way. Even if it's against the Ocean."
"I'm getting out of here." Subaru asked while whirling his legs over the edge of the hospital bed. It's like he was barely harmed; unlike Fudoh and Shir, he was an actual God, even if weakened somewhat. He would admit that the impact of a human's attack was strong.
"When Fudoh said the 'Underworld is different', what did he mean?"
Agatha delayed an answer, her fingers curling in her lap. Subaru would not leave without hearing the words from a star seer. He planned to get his Cloth back and to jump right into the action, but with the power of a God being minuscule within Subaru, Agatha wondered over his chances. The Cloth was restored by Saturn's power but what effect would that have?
"He said that it's darker than before. The landscape has changed; it looks inorganic and feels dreadful, like it wants to consume all things living into the abyss."
"Agatha….do you think Hades should return?"
"I think it is inevitable. He is an important god of the pantheon and his previous defeat has done nothing but cause outrage, and grief for Athena. But she was aware of that, and with every emergence, she has faced him. In the current age, she must've feared retaliation. Not on just her, but the whole Earth. If we go by precedence, Hades cannot engage in another Holy War as he does not appear on Earth within a vessel. He is not allowed to attempt conquering Earth. "
"Will Kouga and the others awaken?"
"I cannot determine when they will awake. We can only wait…and pray."
After the conversation with Agatha, Subaru was transported to the entrance of the Sagittarius Temple; the travel was simplified when Agatha was able to sense Seiya's familiar Cosmos. It was not unusual to see Seiya surprised as his former enemy had suddenly manifested before him. Seiya managed to calm himself upon seeing Agatha, while also remembering that Subaru was apparently on his side. He had transported the Bronze Saints to the hospital after all. Agatha explained that Subaru was the first to awaken; they both came to the consensus that because Subaru was Saturn, he may have a chance to safely battle in Hell, but safety measures should still be placed.
Seiya said the following, "The Equuleus Cloth is in the forest outside of Sanctuary, before the village edging it. Since you left Earth, the Cloth lay dormant, bathing in the sun's rays and the forest's dew." He went to further say that everyone takes that forest path to Sanctuary, Saint or otherwise, the strong, the injured, the near dead, who want to reach their destination, but what did that mean?
"Subaru, take this with you when you retrieve your Cloth." Agatha placed a small satchel inside Subaru's hand. By the feel, he could tell that it was something grainy, and it tickled his curiosity to open it up. Subaru took his leave down the stairs of the Twelve Temples, past the coliseum, until he reached the forest entrance after the village. For some reason, the Sextans's words stayed in his mind: "I can't read the future. Because destiny isn't always set in stone." He couldn't help but think that was why he had lost to mortals.
"You have proven something, Subaru: Gods can change their hearts and minds too. It may be the same for Hades and Persephone. If possible, try to persuade Persephone. Maybe she'll be flattered if you manage to survive and reach her."
It might as well be a Holy War. The urgency made Subaru rush to the forest to find his Cloth; he was eager to fight and to see what result the Bronze Saints will bring when they put their hearts and minds into it.
Subaru managed to find it a distance from the main path, sitting quietly underneath the sun rays peaking through a gap in the canopy. It was covered in vines, but nothing could conceal the shining ivory of the Pandora Box. It seemed fitting as it sat in wait to be touched again. Slowing moving towards it, then stopping, something buried into Subaru's back. It was an approach that he wasn't sure of; perhaps a silent predator stalking his prey from the shadows of a jungle.
Something orange reflecting flame after a lightning strike, then it disappeared. Subaru looked elsewhere in his confusion. His reaction was the right opening, and Subaru suddenly bucked back. His upper body pulled tight, and he stumbled away from the Box when a jab touched his face.
"So you're alive. I heard you are a God that lost to Athena's Saints. Did you lose so much that you decided to renounce yourself as a God?"
The voice that reached out broke Subaru out of his brief disorderly vision. He looked ahead, and saw a familiar face. Around the person's body was definitely a Cloth. Gray and white hair, the eyes of a blazing passion lodged within exalted dignity. Subaru quickly gave into his impulses.
"I know you! This time I'm gonna kick your ass!"
"As a human? Are you mocking me?"
"You got some nerve attacking me again!" Even after saying that, Subaru then realized that the guy before him—even after realizing that Subaru was formerly Saturn—was not a least bit shaken. He encountered Subaru with every intent to fight with confidence.
That young man was known as Viento, a former Saint that apparently served Hades and Persephone.
"Tch. Don't underestimate humans," he said. "I'm going to show you what we're really capable of, you poser."
"I am no poser! I took this form because I do understand your strength."
"Are you saying that you can voucher for humanity's use by becoming a human? However…" The traitor disappeared again, or that is what it looked like from Subaru's point of view. His instincts raised his arm, which collected a full impact from an angled vertical kick to the head. It struck, and it sounded like an heavy object slamming a wall, the blow ruffling Subaru's hair. It astonished him, and his body was tensed quickly as he focused on just holding back the kick. He couldn't help by gawk at Viento with his wide red eyes.
"The power of humans," Viento said, "is not something that can be mimicked!"
Shit, what is this power?!
