The sun's radiance rose from the cloud tops, illuminating the vast world. The first place to bask in the sun's radiance, where the Mythological Era began.
It was the birthplace of Athena's Saints, who have always upheld world peace and justice, and the place governed by the Pope, who oversees the eighty-eight constellations of Saints.
At its center were the Twelve Houses, guarded by the Gold Saints. Deep within, past the Pope's Palace, lay Athena's dwelling. Athena, who had descended to Earth, watched over the Sanctuary.
Pushing open the grand gate of the Temple, the first thing that came into view were two rows of warriors, reflecting the sun's radiance.
Whether old or young, each of them was impeccable, like bright pearls and beautiful jade, exuding an air of assured victory in their every move. On the way, Dohko's words once again surfaced in Seiya's mind: "Gold Saints are the most elite warriors tasked with guarding Athena and the Twelve Houses. They represent the pinnacle of power and authority among Saints, embodying the highest glory and ultimate prestige of the Saints."
As Seiya gazed at the Gold Saints before him, they, in turn, gazed at this legendary warrior who had repelled Hades.
The Gold Saints occasionally exchanged glances, their eyes holding praise, scrutiny, and appreciation, but entirely free of malice. This Holy War, though arduous, had one outstanding advantage: all Saints and the Goddess were united in purpose, striving for humanity on Earth and for peace.
At the very top of the Temple was an aged man in papal robes. Simply judging by his appearance, he looked about sixty or seventy years old, with a pair of slightly melancholic forest-green eyes. Long white hair, matching his aged face, hung down from the gaps in his helmet. The Cancer Gold Saint, Pope Sage, offered a faint smile to Seiya.
Beside Pope Sage sat a girl of about fourteen or fifteen, clad in a white robe, holding a Golden Scepter. She had the purple hair and aquatic green eyes that had appeared countless times in his dreams—the true object of Seiya's deepest aspirations. As he gazed at her, the girl, in turn, also saw Seiya. The fingertips of her left hand, gripping the scepter, whitened slightly, but a smile she couldn't completely suppress played on the corners of her mouth.
"Dohko of Libra, the Gold Saint, and Shion of Aries, the Gold Saint, have returned from their reconnaissance mission." The Gold Saints standing beside Seiya knelt on one knee: "The situation is confirmed. Hades has been resurrected. He has set up a barrier near the Forest Cathedral, transforming the city there into a purgatory. It is now a City of the Underworld, where Specters and lesser deities circle."
Upon hearing this news, Athena—or rather, Sasha—'s smile vanished completely.
"In that case, then..."
"Hades' human host is named Alone. He killed all his friends and everyone in the city. The Pegasus Saint appeared and repelled him, then returned with us to report back to the Goddess."
Seiya looked at Sasha with some concern, but contrary to his expectation, the girl's face showed no significant emotional fluctuations. Had she already anticipated this, or was her inner strength far greater than he had imagined? Perhaps both were true.
Accompanied by the tolling of a bell, all the Saints' gazes turned towards the grand gate of the Temple once more.
At this moment, another team of Silver Saints appeared from the direction of the doorway: "The Silver Saint reconnaissance team has completed its mission and returned."
However, in contrast to the joy on everyone's faces last time, this time they wore grave expressions, for only three Silver Saints remained in the team—a truly devastating situation.
"It's good that you returned safely, Silver Saints." Athena was the first to express her approval.
The Silver Saints knelt on one knee: "The assembly of Specters in Italy is confirmed. The entire country is already permeated with miasma from the Underworld. The residents are restless, and it won't be long before it falls and becomes Hades' Sanctuary."
"Sanctuary? You must have misspoken. It should be that domain, shouldn't it?" said Pope Sage.
The birthplace of the Saints, favored by Athena, the place governed by the Pope who oversees the eighty-eight constellations of Saints—that truly is the Sanctuary. That part of the human world, corroded by Hades' power, can only be called that defiled domain.
However, a strange, eerie smile appeared at the corners of the three Silver Saints' mouths.
"Of course it's the Sanctuary! The darkness of Lord Hades is destined to envelop the entire world. It will begin with you pathetic Athena's warriors!" Accompanying their declaration, the Cosmo of these Silver Saints surged forth. They roared, rushing towards the uppermost figure before them: "Die, Athena!"
"—Underworld Arrow!"
"—Spinning Shuriken!"
"—Swinging Heavy Hammer!"
"Are you insane? Attack!" The Gold Saints were enraged. Shion and Dohko, the closest to them, with a wave of their hands, used Stardust Revolution to annihilate the three combat techniques before them. However, the power that they originally expected would also suppress these defiant Silver Saints merely nullified itself.
"How is this possible? Your Cosmo...!"
Dohko closed his mouth, his initial doubt vanishing completely. This was because a power far exceeding what they should possess erupted from the three Silver Saints. Simultaneously, their Cloths were rapidly stained black; the transformation from Saint to Specter was instantaneous.
This also meant that Athena's warriors had already become Hades' playthings.
"Indeed, we are no longer Athena's warriors, nor are we living beings. Upon our bodies is the divine power bestowed by Lord Hades, like an Underworld Gem. Killed by Specters, we are now resurrected by Lord Hades' power!"
"What? Saints of Athena, who embody supreme glory, have actually defected to Hades' embrace?!" Pope Sage frowned.
But the traitorous Silver Saints showed an eerie smile: "Because Lord Hades said he would grant us salvation—salvation from the torment of the fear of death! Let us exchange it for Athena's head!"
The Silver Saints leaped up once more. Pope Sage, beyond his anguish, again issued forth unbearable rage. He intended to directly destroy these three Saints who had betrayed the Goddess's glory. The moment he raised his hand, he lowered it again.
"No!" Sasha spoke out.
The three Silver Saints spat out a mouthful of blood as golden sword blades pierced their chests from behind. It was the Pegasus Saint, who had just returned as a hero, who had intervened.
However, both the Pope and the other Gold Saints quickly noticed that these fallen Saints, whose chests had been pierced, all wore sincere smiles. The radiance, like that of an Underworld Gem, belonging to them was disintegrating from their bodies.
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Unfortunately, two of our stories were removed... so I created a new account to post them: MikuDayo.
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I'm counting on your support <3 the director was very sad and scared by what happened...
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