Milo smiled when hearing his Goddess’ words. Despite he had been a Gold Saint almost his entire life, he had never expected to live to see this day. The day in which his Goddess –not the Kyoko, nor another Saint- would address them all. Would tell them her hopes, her wishes, her plans for Sanctuary. The day in which all the reasons Saints fought for would turn into a reality. A reality made of flesh and blood in the shape of Saori Kido. Athena.

‘’ Taken aback? ‘’ whispered a cold voice in his ear, making him grin.

‘’ Always reading into my mind, huh? ‘’

‘’ No, just your face ‘’ answered Camus, allowing a rare smile to appear on his lips.

Milo frowned, pretending to be offended, but couldn’t hold the farce for long and was soon chuckling inwardly. What if he was taken aback? This was Athena talking to them, not an ordinary being.

This was their Goddess.

And even though Camus was still able to keep that pokerface of his, Milo could bet his friend was feeling very much like himself. And so was all of Sanctuary.

The day had started as always in Athena’s sacred land, everyone up and ready at the first sign of dawn, and some even before that. A quick shower to wash up the drowsiness and then to comply with the obligations required to every inhabitant of Sanctuary. Whether Gold Saint or commoner, there was always something to do for everyone in the grounds, and more now that most of the temples and houses had been ruined because of the battles. Yes, all in all an ordinary day. Until Dohko appeared in the Libra Temple, that is.

The young-turned old-turned young Saint returned to his place as guardian of the Seventh House after hundreds of years of watching over Hades’ prison, closing another chapter to the Holy War. Hades’ defeat had ended that part of his life, and now he returned. And by doing so, he was accepting Athena’s rules. He was once again one of her twelve golden ones.

This had been weird enough, but not unexpected. Dohko was the Libra Saint and he belonged to the Seventh House. Sooner or later he would have had to return. There were rules to abide to in Sanctuary, and the higher the rank, the more they were.

But what turned an ordinary day of training, watching, guarding and wondering, into a day full of hope and expectation had been the letter the Libra Saint had brought with him, and more than that, the orders that in it were stated.

Athena was coming, and she wanted to talk to her Saints. She was back, alive, powerful, Victory shinning on her right hand, Justice on her left. She was theirs, and they were hers. And she wanted to tell them that.

So, after hours of preparations, arguments and doubts, she arrived to her Home. She was in Sanctuary. Her Sacred Ground.

And with her came hope and happiness. Beautiful threads of light that shone Through and Across everyone and everything in her Land.

Milo knew this, he could see it in every face, from the trainees standing at the far end of the Coliseum, to his fellow Gold Saints, sitting at the front. He could sense it, in every shinning Cosmo, from the loyal Bronze Saints to the proud Silver Saints. The feeling of being whole, complete, represented by an endless sea of shimmering colours, of mighty souls.

A hundred voices spoke as one, promising their lives, fists, powers, cosmos and souls to Athena. A hundred voices willing to die for their Goddess. Willing to die for Justice.

And even though he knew things weren’t that easy, that Justice wasn’t always a clear path to follow and Death was the lesser threat they were facing; Milo found himself joining those thousand voices. Joining that promise. With his whole heart.

So this was the reason he had been fighting for. For this petite mauve-haired woman. For her dream. He had been fighting for a Goddess’ dream of Justice. Or at least, he wanted to believe he had. He wanted to believe that over all those years of bloodshed, it had been Justice the one guiding his hand.

But it wasn’t so, and Seiya knew it. He had never thought of Justice or Mankind or Evil when fighting. He had never fought for a higher cause. He had fought because she had been in danger, because someone had tried to take her away, to harm her, and he couldn’t allow that. He couldn’t bear her suffering. That she was in pain, dying, her rosy cheeks turning paler and paler as time went by. That killed him. So he had fought and killed, just for her pain to stop, just for her to smile again.

He had fought for Saori... for Athena... not for her dream. He had fought for her, and now that she was finally where she belonged, standing at the top of the Coliseum, a soft breeze dancing with her mauve hair and silk tunic, he knew that he had won. But what a bittersweet victory it was! To serve her just to lose her. His Goddess... his Princess... the One That Would Never Be His. He knew it, just by looking at her from afar. He knew that he would always fight for her, that he would always be glad to die for her, and she would thank him –her beautiful eyes shinning under the sun’s benevolent wing would thank him -, but that would be all. To feel he belonged to her, knowing she belonged to no one. Knowing that the abyss he had thought had disappeared when she woke up from her slumber, when she had rested her head on his shoulder while watching the Moon shinning above them; was now deeper than ever. Gods and Mortals didn’t mingle, and that was what she was. A Goddess... a princess, as he used to call her... loving him, caring for him, watching over him, but never giving herself to him.

Less now that she had hundreds of lives under her care. Less now that she stood at the top of the Coliseum, the wind embracing her as she spoke, her clear voice ringing without doubts, without fears. With absolute trust in the men and women that had pledged their lives to her.

Trust that he would never break. He would fight for her, die for her. For his Goddess. For Saori.... for Athena... the same way he had always done. Because now that he understood, now that he knew that she meant a lot more than a woman, more than a dream, he could fight for her dream. He could fight for Justice.

‘’ Seiya... she’s calling you ‘’

Startled brown-red eyes rose to meet gentle green ones, as the usual candid look of the Saint –The Celebrated One, the One that Shines, The Saint of Hope- returned from his beforehand sombre complexion.

‘’ If I didn’t know you, I’d have bet that you were deep in thought ‘’ teased Shun with a tender smile on his lips, tears of happiness due to Athena’s speech still covering his emerald eyes.

‘’ Good thing you know better than that, softy ‘’ Shun chuckled when Seiya ruffled his green mane, unsuccessfully trying to defend himself.

‘’ Well, I guess it’s show time, see you at the top ‘’ Seiya let out, standing up and looking at the white silhouette whose Cosmo was calling out to him. Looking at Saori’s dark eyes and smiling lips. Yes, the show had begun.

The Coliseum went silent, hundreds of eyes fixed on the lonely figure walking from the Bronze Saints’ ranks. ‘’ It’s him’’, some said, ‘’ I thought he would be taller ‘’ said others, ‘’ I heard he could be the next Sagittarius Saint ‘’, replied one or two, to be soon shut up by a ‘’ He’s far more powerful than a Gold Saint, fool, he touched the Godly Sense ‘’

Seiya could feel the uneasiness in his stomach when hearing all those things. He had always been the last one, having to strife and fight to get to the top. ‘Special’ was a word that he didn’t think much of. And even less ‘admired’. Yet he was now, he knew it. And despite all his fears at the change, he liked the idea. He found it, in a way... funny.

‘’ Athena-sama ‘’

Saori shook her head slightly, arching one of her delicate eyebrows at the mocking smile of her saint.

‘’ Pegasus Seiya... ‘’ she began, though he knew she had called him differently. He was certain she had whispered ‘Seiya-chan’ to his Cosmo, ‘’ You fought bravely so many times... you suffered and hurt so much, because of Sanctuary’s dream... ‘’

‘’ And you won, Pegasus, you overcame all the adversities, just like a meteor. Just like your constellation, you flew over all the dangers and succeeded. You are indeed Sanctuary’s Saint of Hope ‘’

‘’ You shone brightly, just like a star, Seiya... Pegasus ‘’ she corrected, a strange glint in her dark eyes that made the young man heart beat faster, ‘’ That’s why I want to give you this, Athena’s mark...for your honour, for your honesty, for your loyalty... but more than anything...‘’

‘’ For your ability to give us hope back ‘’

‘’ Thank you, Athena-sama ‘’ he whispered, kneeling at her while she placed a plain chain with a gold pendant in the shape of an owl around his neck.

So she thought he was a hero. Kanon grinned and shook his head, closing his hand around the golden owl. One by one she had called them all, her most faithful Saints, the ones she thought deserved her mark. The Five Bright ones came first, of course, each of them accepting the honour in their own particular way. Pegasus had smiled mockingly, containing himself from teasing his Goddess, Dragon had acted ceremoniously, bowing respectfully at her; Cygnus had been distant, the dark shadows under his eyes proving that he had changed, that the Ice Saint that Felt probably wasn’t feeling anymore. Then Andromeda had blushed bright red, causing some smiles and rather improper comments from the crowd, but these were soon silenced by one of Phoenix’ deadly stares. Strangely enough, he complied to kneel in front of Athena. For two seconds.

After the bright ones, she had called, to the surprise of everyone in Sanctuary, the ‘other’ ones. The bronze saints whose powers matched their cloths’ level. The five of them had made their way to the top of the Coliseum with a tentative step, looking around them like scared puppies. When accepting Athena’s mark, they had looked embarrassed instead of proud. They had looked down.

Something completely different happened when she summoned the two Silver Saints, Aquila and Ophiuchus. The first one had kneeled humbly, though her pride could be seen in her self-confident movements. The Snake Holder, on the other hand, approached Athena boldly, not wearing her mask. The Goddess didn’t seem to mind though, as she merely grinned at the small defiance, placing the chain around the girl’s neck.

And then, finally, she had called them. The Gold Ones. Twelve Saints that made everyone in the Arena catch their breath when seeing them. Mu, Aldebaran, Saga, Deathmask, Aiolia, Shaka, Dohko, Milo, Shura, Camus, Aphrodite... and Kanon. It was strange how things worked out, how he, who had fought always for himself, had been brought back to life by Athena, and Aioros, the one who had died for her, hadn’t. There were two saints for Gemini, but Sagittarius remained empty and unguarded.

The same way Athena’s temple was. Unguarded, now that it lacked a Kyoko. Now that there was no one left with the personality needed to guard it. The Kyoko had to be a merciless angel, just like Shion and Saga had been... now that Saga was broken, there was no one left, that was just how things were.

Unless Athena had made her choice... and by the look in her eyes, it seemed she had.

‘’ My Saints... my people... ‘’ Kanon looked at the girl, wondering whom would she choose. Goddess or not, she knew little of the people that lived to protect her, she knew little about them. For what he had learned, she heavily depended on the two faithful ones. Dohko and Mu. Probably one of those two would be the new Kyoko... which left another temple unguarded. Kanon smirked. These were positive times for anyone willing to attack Sanctuary. Unguarded houses, lack of Saints, a doubtful Goddess... It reminded him of how things had been when the Bronze Saints had broken into the Twelve Houses. The situation was so similar to back then, and they had succeeded. Why wouldn’t an enemy... a real one... succeed also?

‘’ Sanctuary ‘’

Oh, that word, that word that said it all. The object of desire of almost every God and Goddess that had reincarnated in this era.

‘’ We have powerful Saints... ‘’

Cheering was heard over the Coliseum, the names of the Five Bronze Saints being repeated everywhere, making some of the Gold Saints shake their heads in disapproval. Trainees were always too disrespectful in their first months. Luckily, they learnt fast.

‘’ We have promising trainees... ‘’ she said with a smile that made every man in the Arena sigh, as Seiya was the one to cheer this time.

‘’ We have a world to protect ‘’

A world. A Goddess. Yes, thought Kanon, they had that. A reason. A justification to draw blood.

‘’ And we have a Kyoko ‘’

Ah, there, the post. Which house would remain empty, which house would lose its guardian, which house would be an easy target for the next Holy War. Where the Gold Saints should concentrate their Cosmos.

‘’ And a High Councillor ‘’

A... a what? Kanon chuckled, unable to keep a straight face. So this was it, this was the reason Athena had chosen a Kyoko. Because she had found the way to weaken the head of Sanctuary. It seemed this little girl did have guts after all.

‘’ Libra Dohko, Aquila Marin, could you stand forward, please? ‘’

This time the surprise was even larger. A female saint in one of the higher posts? This hadn’t happen since... well, since ever. It seemed Athena had taken her task of bringing Sanctuary to a new era pretty seriously.

‘’ Dohko... would you renounce your Cloth and accept the charge of Kyoko? ‘’

The old-turned-young Saint looked at the Goddess then kneeled and nodded. So Dohko would be the one to wear the mask now. Kanon couldn’t but wonder how a worn out Saint would fit the part of the Kyoko, but time would tell. And the same would happen with the girl.

‘’ Sanctuary, here be your new Kyoko ‘’ announced Athena, unleashing her Cosmo, a warm golden light surrounding them all, making everyone’s Cosmo react to hers. Soon, the Libra mark that had for so long accompanied Dohko’s Cosmo vanished, to be replaced by the one of the Goddess. The Libra Saint was gone now. There stood the Kyoko.

‘’ But he won’t be alone. The High Councillor will share the power. Her task will be to keep me in touch with your problems, your wishes and your lives. She will be the link between my Saints, and myself; as much as the Kyoko is the link between my wishes and Sanctuary. Marin, would you renounce your Cloth and accept the Charge of High Councillor? ‘’

The red-haired girl looked at the Goddess from her blank mask, her body language saying nothing.

‘’ Come on, Marin! ‘’ cheered Seiya, as Aiolia smiled reassuringly, pride shinning in his eyes. It seemed this woman could be the right one for the job after all, wondered Kanon. She was loved and respected by the Saints, and known by the trainees. Athena had not over looked any of her decisions.

‘’ Yes ‘’ was the answer that echoed under her metal mask, followed suit by cheers from the trainees, Ophiuchus and Seiya.

‘’ Sanctuary, here be your High Councillor ‘’ Athena said, her Cosmo flaring once again, ripping the Aquila mark from the Silver Saint Cosmo and adding her own.

The Goddess smiled, looked at her saints, at her newly appointed Kyoko and Councillor. She was doing a good job, Kanon had to admit that. The Twelve houses had weakened because of her choice, but having Libra as its weak link wasn’t that dangerous. The other houses were highly guarded, and he and his brother could always check them if needed. They had been able to guard them all when Libra and Sagittarius were missing, so many years ago, why wouldn’t they be able to guard them now, when he was also here? When eleven where the saints guarding the houses, keeping evil away from Athena’s Temple.

‘’ You shall treat them as you treat me, and they shall be honoured and respected the same way you respect me. Any kind of action against them, will be consider an action against Athena, and will be punished ‘’ she went on, rising her hand to stop the voices, ‘’ Sanctuary is whole now, my Saints, let it be Peace! ‘’

And then it happened. She appeared. And Peace was broken.

Ikki turned around the moment he felt that immense Cosmo flaring behind them. He had expected something like this would happen, one of the treacherous Gold Saints going mad and deciding to attack Athena, one of the rebels that still remain in Sanctuary ready to play martyr and die taking Saori with him. He had expected Peace never to come.

But this Cosmo wasn’t of a Saint, it didn’t have Athena’s mark on it, nor a Cloth. This Cosmo was larger than a Saint one... than a mortal one... This Cosmo shone with a light he had touched once. It was a Godlike Cosmo, mighty and powerful, defying everyone and everything in the Arena.

It was the Cosmo of a God.

‘’ Niisan... ‘’ said Shun under his breath, as the Andromeda Cloth covered him immediately, its chains dancing around his lean figure.

Yes, Saori had been right. The Holy War wasn’t over. What they had lived had been merely the beginning.

‘’ It doesn’t feel like an enemy... ‘’ No, it didn’t. Shiryu was right about that, despite all the pride and power emanating from the strange Cosmo, it didn’t seem to want to attack. It was just showing its strength.

‘’ It’s not. It’s a Goddess ‘’ The three Bronze Saints turned to meet Hyoga’s ice blue eyes, a bit... surprised... by the way his cold voice had never faltered when stating that, as if there were no doubts about it.

Ikki frowned slightly, then focussed his attention back to the icy Cosmo of the newcomer. He knew Hyoga had been hiding something from them, something that was troubling him greatly judging by the way he had been behaving lately. And now this strange Cosmo was proving him right, for he could sense the mark of the ice saints in its godly coldness.

As if to please him, the strange Cosmo flared again, a thick layer of ice starting to cover the Coliseum at its command. Yes, they were connected, he could see it both in Hyoga’s eyes and in the core of the defying aura.

‘’ Who’s there? ‘’ demanded Athena, walking forward despite of Seiya and the Gold Saints’ warnings, ‘’ Who dares to enter Sanctuary without my consent? ‘’

‘’ I don’t need your consent, Saori Kido... Athena... for I have already announced myself... and because all the gates are open for she who keeps the Balance of the Realms ‘’

Both Saints and trainees gathered around Saori when hearing the coldness of that voice, its distant and dangerous edge, everyone preparing for a confrontation.

Well, almost everyone. Ikki had of course decided to wait and see, while Hyoga, despite Shun and Shiryu had already moved next to Seiya and Saori, had stayed on his seat, his ice blue eyes fixed on the blinding Cosmo at the other side of the Coliseum. And then, there were Milo and Camus. Strangely enough, both Gold Saints had kneeled when the Cosmo first flared, a wolfish grin on the Scorpio Saint’s lips.

Whoever had come, they seemed to be greeting her.

‘’ Or have you already forgotten the face smiling at you? ‘’

‘’ Shimatta... ‘’ whispered Hyoga, running his fingers through his blond mane. Ikki looked at him for a second, arching one of his eyebrows in curiosity. So he did know the stranger... and so did Saori.

Her faced beamed after those words, as she made the saints surrounding her drop their stances. ‘’ Yamero minna ‘’ she ordered calmly, as everyone slowly obeyed, returning to their seats.

‘’ Show yourself ‘’ Once again the same commanding tone. Athena had been right when choosing Saori as her vessel. Quite a bossy spirit she had.

The strange Cosmo flared for a last time, a gust of icy wind blowing suddenly throughout Sanctuary, and then it stopped, a girl standing where the shimmering aura had once been, a huge black wolf sitting by her side.

Ikki grinned. It seemed a huntress had just made her way into Sanctuary.

Hyoga placed his hand over his eyes, wishing she would go away. Wishing she would banish into thin air the moment he opened them. Wishing she would disappear, forever.

But when he looked at the top of the Coliseum, she was still there.

The same sea of black hair, the same sarcastic smile, the same dauntless eyes. The same teasing girl he had met so long ago, now turned into a woman.

The Queen of the Hunt

.

Saori was speaking to her, a smile on her face. Everyone else was just expecting for her judgement, for her to tell them to destroy the girl... or let her be.

The black-haired goddess grinned, turning around to call for her wolf. The huge beast ran towards the two women and began pacing around Saori, demanding her attention. She giggled, scratching the back of the beast’s ears.

‘’ Neesan... ‘’

She nodded, embracing the smaller goddess. Sanctuary kept its breath, waiting...

‘’ My Saints ‘’ began Saori, walking to the edge of the Coliseum while her sister began telling off Camus and Milo for kneeling before her, Camus shrugging while Milo simply hugged her.

‘’ Artemis is here under my request. Peace has not been altered, it has just been strengthen. Let us rejoice now, let it be Peace ‘’

Trainees and Saints alike started murmuring while leaving the Coliseum. Hyoga just watched them, turning his attention back to the black-haired woman who was now talking to his Goddess. She had changed so much... and yet so little. He shook his head, smirking. Peace, had said Saori. As far as he knew, the only thing Artemis could do for Peace was break it.

She turned around, a tress of black hair falling over her brow by the movement. He wanted to look away, to ignore her. To hit her for all she had done and not done.

Yet he didn’t.

She said something to Saori and walked away from her. Towards him. The same sarcastic smile he remembered from his childhood was on her pale lips. The same teasing demeanour she had back then.

He wanted to scream. Yes, he wished that. To scream and tell her she had failed, she had broken her promise, that she was a lie.

Yet he didn’t.

Her eyes half-closed when she smiled, aquamarine fire going ablaze. He hated those eyes. He hated her.

So he left.

He turned around, even when knowing she had been walking towards him. Even when knowing she had stopped when he turned around. Yet he left. The past was gone now, it didn’t matter anymore. He didn’t need it.

And he didn’t need her.

...............................................................................................................................................

So this was how he wanted to play. He wanted to play hurt. He wanted to make her feel guilty. It seemed he had forgotten she could feel no guilt. Not anymore. Not after all that had happened. If she were to feel guilt, she would have probably killed herself a long time ago.

She half-smiled. His hate towards her was almost tangible, the same way it had felt when he had won his cloth. Was her hate as palpable as his? Was it something that everyone could see, feel, notice?

She shrugged, not really caring. Not caring about what others thought had kept her alive so far, and she wasn’t really planning to change.

‘’ Touchy ‘’ she muttered, grinning. If he wanted her as his enemy, why letting him down? At least that way she would prove him that she kept her promises... when she could.

‘’ So, is my temple ready? ‘’ she asked, turning to face Saori and the remaining Saints, who looked at each other with a puzzled expression. Until Marin advanced.

‘’ It is ‘’

‘’ Efharisto, Saint of Athena ‘’

‘’ Marin... High Councillor of Sanctuary ‘’ ventured the redhead, the Goddess smiling when noticing that despite the woman sounded uncomfortable with the title, no sign of her being pleased or displeased was betrayed by her body language. As all of Athena’s female saints, this one was able to keep her feelings to herself. Was able to be a liar, probably as good as she was.

‘’ Marin, then. I’m Artemis ‘’ She introduced herself as if her name didn’t really matter, as if it meant nothing. When in fact, it meant so much. It meant that no one would trust her in Sanctuary, no one would see her through untroubled eyes. She was going to be the threat-about-to-happen, the one whose movements were going to be watched and monitored by Athena's overprotective saints. She sighed. It had been less than a day since she left her solitude, and she was already missing it.

‘’ Neesan... ‘’ whispered Saori, advancing between her Saints, who followed her with their gaze as if by addressing her younger sister she was going to turn to dust. Artemis arched on of her eyebrows, puzzled. Why everyone in Sanctuary treated Athena as if she were a weakling was something she would never understand. This was the Goddess of War and Wisdom, not a petty saint. She had an aura that no matter how slightly it burnt, was able to be felt in every corner of the planet. She had an aura that matched hers. The aura of a God. Of one of the Twelve.

‘’ Athena ‘’ Sisters. Half-sisters, with not a really good relationship between them. One bounded to the old beliefs, the ancient values, the other symbolising a new era, an era of wisdom and justice. For Artemis, wisdom and justice had always been pretty words, nothing else. There were rules set in the beginning of time, and those rules had to be followed. If someone broke those rules, they had to be punished. No matter how righteous their reasons, how noble their spirits, that punishment could not be changed nor avoided. In those rules she believed in, she had to believe in. The rest... the laws men had made, the laws Athena and Apollo had imposed... even the laws her father, All-Mighty Zeus, had created... were nothing but poetry. Words for the fools.

‘’ Walk with me ‘’

The black-haired Goddess gazed into her sister’s eyes, then nodded. She was in Sanctuary, after all, her sister’s land. She couldn’t do as she pleased. Only in Ortygia she was free... and Ortygia was hers no more.

SE FINNI