The Fall of a Goddess

" I have spread my dreams under your feet; tread softly because you tread on my dreams "

W.B. Yeats, He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven

Chapter 3: Remains from the past

I

Saori sighed, looking at the pile of papers on her desk. She had asked Dohko to bring her whatever documents there could be from the previous incarnations of Athena. Of course, she had never expected all of them were to keep a diary. So now, she had several volumes of parches, books and scrolls to look through. Sometimes she didn’t understand why she asked for things when she already knew she wouldn’t like the result.

Tentatively, she stretched the first scroll, just to be greeted by a thick pile of dust, where under it she could make out ancient Greek characters. Great. Now she was going to have to translate the damn thing.

‘’ Later ‘’ she let out, standing up and glaring at the parchment with hate. She had too many things to think about right now as to lose her time struggling to decipher an old piece of cloth.

Like Artemis’ presence in Sanctuary.

A faint shudder ran trough her spine when remembering their conversation at the beach. She had expected to find in Artemis the solace she had thought to find when first meeting Phoebos. Someone who would understand her, and would help her to understand. Someone like her.

But Artemis wasn’t. She had set that straight the moment the two of them were alone.

...I’ve come to see you because Ortygia is no longer mine... I thought that you deserved to know that ...

... Why? Who took the island..?...

... No one... I left it on my own free will... and the one who took my place... just filled a vacant role... Let her have Ortygia and my Chosen Ones, and take care of peace... now, tell me, how is that Pegasus of yours?...

She didn’t care about their link, about their blood. She didn’t care about the past, about the memory of her cosmo guiding hers so she could reach Seiya. So she could reach them all. She had come to warn her that peace was as frail as it had always been. She had come to tell her that all the reasons she had struggled for could be taken away from her anytime.

No. Artemis hadn’t come for that. That was what she wanted to believe. That was what she was forcing herself to believe. How many times had she fallen under the traps of other gods? How many times had her naivety brought pain both to her and those she loved?

She couldn’t trust a stranger blindly. Not even when nothing spoke against her. Not even when her cosmo showed no threat, when her actions had never threaten her, nor her Saints.

Yet... yet she wanted to trust her. She wanted to believe in her. Her pale eyes had told her to believe in her. Her cosmo had.

Artemis had come to be with her, to know her as her sister, because no matter how cold she could look like, her cosmo was full of warmth. Her cosmo was afraid and full of shame for what she had done.

For allowing those she loved to force her out of her land. For so many mistakes, that Saori could barely grip.

‘’ Goddess... ‘’

‘’ Marin... what brings you here? ‘’ she asked, turning to meet the blank look of the white mask.

‘’ I’ve come to inform you that Artemis is still talking to Eris ‘’

Saori smiled, nodding. That had been other thing. When they were to reach the temples, Artemis had told her that she wanted to speak with the Goddess of Discord. Saori, of course, didn’t stop her. Eris was no prisoner at Sanctuary... she was just being monitored to see if it was true that she meant no harm anymore. And this was probably the best test to see if her words –their words- were honest. To see if Eris was still a threat, and Artemis a menace.

‘’ There’s something else, Goddess... ‘’

‘’ ... What is it? ‘’

‘’ Pisces Aphrodite has requested to see you ‘’

The mauve-haired goddess frowned, then nodded, walking to the throne room. The Kyoko no longer had sole access to that room, and she had ordered a smaller throne to be placed next to the gold one for the Kyoko, taking the main one for herself. That way no Kyoko would ever think himself above his Goddess. His task was to speak her words. Hers, no one else’s. Not even his.

II

Pisces Aphrodite kept his eyes fixed on the floor, his head lowered, his helmet under his arm. He was absolutely subdued to his Goddess. Repented? Perhaps.

Ever since he had been given the gift to breathe once again, the gift of a second chance in life, he hadn’t stop thinking about this moment. About his past actions, and what he wanted to do with the life that now stretched before him.

And the conclusion he had arrived to was that this life wasn’t his. But of the woman that had returned it to him. It was his Goddess’. Athena.

‘’ You wanted to see me ‘’ she said, her dark eyes fixed on him, reading every movement he made, waiting for him to attack her, to snap at her. To rebel, and try to kill her.

But Aphrodite simply nodded. He had no grudge against her. He was his life now, the reason he was alive. A reason to fight for.

... I don’t like fighting... but I can’t get away from it either... I can’t live at peace with myself knowing others are suffering, not when I could do something to stop their pain... Even if that something means dying...

Andromeda’s words echoed in his head. To fight... for others. Not for himself, not to be the best. But to stop others from feeling in pain. Even if that brought him pain.

‘’ I wanted to return this to you ‘’ he finally said, outstretching his hand towards her, the chain she had given him earlier resting in his palm.

Athena frowned, yet did not move. ‘’ That is a present. A symbol of my gratitude for your actions against Hades ‘’

‘’ But what about my actions against you, Goddess? I was against you so many times, I tried –wished- to kill you so many times... I don’t deserve this token. I killed many that did deserve it, it’s unfair that I- ‘’

‘’ Are you calling me unfair? Do you really think that I am not able to judge my Saints? I am the Goddess of Wisdom, your Goddess. It would do you good to remember that ‘’ she let out, her godly cosmo shimmering. But despite he could notice the anger in her voice, her cosmo wasn’t threatening him. It was embracing him. She was his Goddess. A Goddess of Mercy.

‘’ I do remember. That’s why I wanted to see you... ‘’ Aphrodite fixed his gaze on the Goddess’, his light blue eyes meeting stern, yet gentle, black ones ‘’ To show you that I will do my best to live up to the expectations you have placed on me. That I will work hard to show everyone that you weren’t mistaken. That I am still a Saint of Athena ‘’ Saying that, he placed his helmet on the floor, and brushed his long aquamarine hair over his shoulder.

Aphrodite smiled at the Goddess who looked at him in wonder, then closed his hand around his hair, as if to tie it. But then he moved his hand across it. And didn’t even look the fallings strands.

‘’ I came to give you a symbol of my repentance. A symbol of my loyalty ‘’ he said, lowering his head and offering her the mane of silky hair. His pride.

‘’ The Gods blessed you with beauty, Aphrodite, but your soul... your soul was so ugly to my eyes... But now... now your soul is finally matching the present the Gods gave you... ‘’ she said softly, standing up and walking to the kneeling Saint. ‘’ Look at me, Pisces Aphrodite ‘’ she ordered, taking the light blue strands in her hands, ‘’ Your past is forgiven. Your past is no more ‘’

The strands started to burn in her hands, turning into dust, and then simply... vanishing. ‘’ You are purified of your sins, my Saint, now you can wear that owl around your neck with pride in your eyes. Let it be a reminder of today. The day when you gave me your pride, and I gave it back to you ‘’

‘’ A reminder of my sins... ‘’ he whispered, closing his hand around the golden owl.

‘’ No. A reminder of all the good you can now make. A reminder of the day when you chose justice over beauty, and by doing so, you became even more beautiful ‘’ Athena said, smiling at her kneeling Saint, running her fingers through his now shoulder-length uneven hair.

‘’ Thank you, Goddess ‘’

She nodded, walking back to her throne, her silk dress shifting when she sat down.

‘’ Is there anything else you want to tell me, Pisces Aphrodite? ‘’

He looked at her, then shook his head. All he had to say had already been told. All his soul was craving to show had already been unveiled. He was now a Saint of Athena. In fact... in fact, he had never stopped being one.

III

‘’ Tell us all ‘’

Eris grinned when asking that to the black-haired girl, knowing she wouldn’t answer. Artemis wasn’t that different to Athena when it came to gossiping. They simply gave a damn.

‘’ So you can use it against me, Discord? No, I guess that’s not going to happen ‘’ she replied, looking through the window, to the saint guarding the small temple Ares’ sister now lived in. ‘’ You know, I had heard about you speaking like that... it’s funny, you know, now you’ll have someone to listen to your lies ‘’

‘’ We don’t lie, we just say the truths no one wants to hear ‘’ she replied, ignoring Artemis’ teasing. It wasn’t her fault that Ellie’s soul had become so strong. It wasn’t her fault that Eris’ soul had weakened so much. It was just how things had ended up being. They shared a body. They shared their strengths. They fought their weaknesses together.

‘’ Like you sleeping with a Saint? He looks shattered ‘’

‘’ We like broken ones. And stop reading his aura ‘’ she replied, frowning. Another of her bastard sister’s hobbies. Caring more about auras than looks. Maiden Goddesses simply didn’t know how to have fun.

‘’ He hates the other ones... and yet he was able to tame you... Maybe he does have something... ‘’

‘’ Yamero ‘’ Eris got up and closed the window, staring right into Artemis’ emotionless eyes.

‘’ Oops, don’t tell me I made Ellie go mad? ‘’

Eris smirked, running her fingers through her blond-blue hair in a seductive way. ‘’ Not really. You just made us wonder... why are you here? Just to say hi to your Olympic half-sister or to tease the mortal woman whose past you envy? ‘’

Now she had pressed the right button. Artemis’ eyes flared; the darkness that lived behind that apparent calmness burning into life, as she moved towards the two-minded goddess, standing inches from her petite figure.

‘’ You met one of my Guardians and she forgave you. Don’t make me change her judgement on you ‘’

Eris grinned, tracing the line of her half-sister’s cold face with her index. She had always known how to bring the worst out of people.

‘’ She judged us, but not under your orders, little one. You are gone now, you mean nothing. You are nothing. They don’t want you. We don’t want you. Athena doesn’t want you ‘’ Eris took Artemis’ left hand in hers, following the path of the white scar that crossed her palm with her fingers, ‘’ Even he whom you care about so much, does not want you... everyone wants you dead ‘’

‘’ Shut up! Just shut up! You know nothing! I don’t care about anyone! I give a damn about all of them, all of you! I give a damn about Ortygia! I’m fine on my own, I can... I can... I can crush you because you are nothing but a Goddess who lost herself for a weak mortal, a goddess who does not deserve to be called that, just like this pathetic one... a loser ‘’

Artemis placed her hand against the wall, panting, her free hand travelling to her throat, anger and self-hatred shinning in her usually dauntless eyes. Eris just stared at her, surprised when hearing those words... words said in another’s tone of voice. A voice she knew well.

‘’ Why didn’t you tell us she was the one who took Ortygia from you? ‘’ she whispered, walking to her side, stroking her pale cheek. She knew so much about this girl, not just because of her Eris' side. Ellie was the one who knew more. And Ellie was the one who hugged her, wanting to stop her pain.

‘’ Does that change anything? ‘’

‘’ Everything. She was able to speak through you... how...? ‘’

Artemis smiled, moving away from the smaller girl. ‘’ We can work... spells at Ortygia... my Guardians can... they... they have tried a few on me ever since I left, but I can stop them in time... ‘’

‘’ You just couldn’t ‘’

‘’ Because you pushed me too far as to give a damn about myself ‘’ she whispered, smiling weakly, ‘’ It’s getting dark, and your saint wants to come inside. I’ll come and see you again, Discord ‘’

‘’ Eris... or Ellie if you want to ‘’ she snickered, walking her to the entrance, ‘’ Discord is just our nature ‘’

‘’ I know ‘’ Artemis said, looking up to the starry sky. Looking at her symbol, the Moon. ‘’ Discord ‘’

Eris chuckled, seeing her walking away. But she knew that she didn’t know. Not at all. Athena knew her nature. So did Hera. And so did the Goddess that had taken Ortygia from the Queen of the Hunt. The Goddess that for a few seconds, had spoken through Artemis’ pale blue lips. Aphrodite, Goddess of Love. Venus.

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Merry and tragical! tedious and brief!

That is, hot ice and wondrous strange snow.

(A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-6) Act 5, sc. I, l. 58)

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VI

‘’ So, what do you make of it? ‘’

‘’ Of what? ‘’ replied Shiryu, leaning against one of Libra temple’s pillars. No cosmo was linked to this huge marble House anymore, no shimmering aura that he could recognise. Simply... nothing. Nothing except that air of holiness each house had, a feeling that only something consecrated to Athena could have. Yet he had to admit he missed it. The feeling of his master’s aura when entering his house. He missed the feeling he had had the first time he crossed its threshold. The first time Libra’s cloth closed around him. It had been as if his master had placed his hand on his shoulder and told him ‘I know you can do it’.

And he could.

Yet that feeling was gone now. And so was everything that related Dohko to the house of Libra. A new saint would take his place, and would make it his or her own. And Libra would stop meaning what it now meant for him. A place where he could find his soul, a place almost as safe as Rhozan.

‘’ You know what I am talking about... ‘’

Shiryu smiled. Yes, he knew. He knew he shouldn’t have asked Seiya to come with him to the temple, knowing his friend had a tendency for asking the obvious. Yet he couldn’t picture himself climbing all the way to the seventh house without him. These stairs, these temples... it had been something they had done together, all five Bronze Boys... and climbing them alone didn’t feel right. Didn’t feel possible.

‘’ No one is threatening Sanctuary, so let it rest ‘’

‘’ That woman... didn’t you see how she looks like? She’s a she-wolf, Shiryu! Her eyes are so distant, and her skin... damn, looking at her was like looking at a corpse, at a freaking vampire! I don’t like her, and I can’t help it... her cosmo has no warmth at all, it’s full of pride and coldness, that’s not the cosmo of a Goddess- ‘’

‘’ That’s not the cosmo of Saori, I suppose you are trying to say. And of course it’s not, as much as your cosmo is not mine... luckily, as I really don’t picture myself behaving so recklessly... ‘’ he interrupted, not really wanting to speak about a Goddess he did not know, nor care.

‘’ Was that an attempt at a joke, Dragon? ‘’ Seiya smirked, patting his friend’s shoulder.

Shiryu simply smiled, shaking his head slightly. Seiya would never understand there were things with which one just didn’t joke about. And cosmo, as he had learnt, was one of them.

‘’ Clouds are starting to cover the sky, the storm will catch us without shelter if we don’t return to the barracks... ‘’

‘’ Shiryu, there are like twelve temples that would welcome us until the storm passes by... ‘’ replied Seiya, frowning. He had always been lousy at subtlety. Shiryu knew about the temples, knew that returning to the barracks was a really bad excuse. But he had had enough of the twelve houses for a night. He had had enough saying goodbye to Libra. To the house his master no longer defended. Because he was now the Kyoko...

‘’ You still won’t tell me what bothers you, ne? I’m Seiya here, your friend! ‘’

‘’ I know ‘’ Seiya rolled his eyes, sitting on the floor, legs crossed.

‘’ I’m not moving until you speak, so unless you want to end up soaked to the bone, start talking ‘’

‘’ Seiya, this is not time for childish games, a storm is coming... ‘’

‘’ I’m-not-moving ‘’

Shiryu sighed, setting his gaze on the menacing clouds. ‘’ A storm is coming... I just wonder if the sky is the same at Rhozan, if it also looks as if about to crush us all... These temples... they can withstand it... they can resist it... but what about a plain hut? It would be so easy for the wind to blow it away... so easy for the storm to shatter it... ‘’

He closed his eyes, turning towards the stairs, ‘’ Shunrei would be so unprotected... she should be under these safe ceilings, under the care of Dohko... she is his adoptive daughter, for Athena’s sake! He shouldn’t have left her... He shouldn’t have left her just to be honoured and turned into Kyoko... he shouldn’t have left her because of his pride... ‘’

‘’ Shiryu... it wasn’t his pride the one that made him return... they were Athena’s orders... She is his first responsibility, just as ours. And he already told you she insisted on staying, what did you want him to do? Force her? ‘’

‘’ If she is taking a wrong decision... ‘’

‘’ She loves Rhozan, she grew up with its mountains, she cares too much about that place as to leave it... and if you think she is mistaken, then why don’t you go and tell her? ‘’

‘’ Seiya, you know what will happen then, she’ll think I’m after something else... ‘’

Pegasus grinned, standing up and walking to his friend’s side.

‘’ And aren’t you? ‘’ he said, taking a few steps down the stairs, ‘’ Let’s go, I doubt it will hold for long, and I don’t want you to catch a cold because of me ‘’

Shiryu stared at the brown-haired youth, his calmed eyes showing his surprise at hearing his words. But then, he smiled, following him.

The Storm was about to come after all.

V

‘’ I still can’t get it... ‘’ let out Kiki, frowning. Artemis had been trying to explain him what the Balance of the Realms was for the past half an hour, yet he still couldn’t grasp the meaning of it.

‘’ You are certainly slow... ‘’ she smirked, lowering her eyelashes, her aquamarine eyes turning incredibly dark for a second ‘’ Or maybe I’m not a good enough teacher ‘’

Kiki looked at her, confused. Then, he started laughing, so hard that soon everyone at the barracks were staring at them.

‘’ Well, at least you are fast enough to understand I was joking. Which means the one that was failing was I ‘’ Artemis winked, leaning closer while ignoring the curious looks.

Curious looks... He would have been looking also if she hadn’t had started talking to him, after all, a Goddess rarely entered the barracks, even if it was just to find shelter until the storm ended. And when she simply sat on one of the many wooden chairs that were at the main room, stretching her long legs over the table and whistling a strange tune, he was sure she wasn’t quite ok in the head. For Gods’ standards, that is... And he, poor Kiki, being the trainee with more experience on dealing with ‘external affairs’, was the one his fellow students forced to go and talk to her.

But now, he didn’t feel as if that had been such a bad bargain. The Goddess had ended up behaving more like a mortal than like a powerful Olympian, and was soon answering all of his questions, seemingly please at his curiosity. That was how they had ended up talking about the Balance of the Realms... he was pretty sure Mu had told him something about it when the Holy War broke out, but there hadn’t been much time for explanations back then. And it seemed the Queen of the Hunt was more than willing to provide the details.

‘’ When the Golden Age was over and most of the Immortals decided to stay away from Humanity and keep to their own Pantheons, others, the ones who still loved Mankind, decided to abandon their immortal bodies and care for earth in a... more subtle way... So, the world was divided between these forces ‘’ Artemis moved her hands over the table, shimmering pendants appearing on it.

‘’ Earth would be protected by Athena and Hilda... ‘’ she went on, moving a golden owl and a winged helmet to the middle of the table... ‘’ The Sea, as always, would remain under the care of Poseidon... ‘’ The light blue trident moved next to other two figures, ‘’ The underworld, to Hades... ‘’ A black helmet placed itself below the rest of the pendants, ‘’ And Nifleheim... to Hel... ‘’

Artemis stretched, as Kiki stared at the scheme she had made. ‘’ Then, of course, Olympus and Heaven belong to Zeus, the Sun to Apollo, the Lands beyond the Sea to the Titans, the Celt Gods have stayed in Avalon over the last couple of centuries, and the oriental Gods also keep to themselves and their own lands. The same goes for the Egyptian Pantheon... ‘’

‘’ When everything stays like that, the Balance of the Realms is kept, but... ‘’ Artemis placed her hand over the table, bringing forth several new pendants. The symbol of Gemini, a golden apple and a small harp moved around the owl and the winged helmet, ‘’ ...When someone tries to take over another’s territory... well, the Balance is broken... now you understand? ‘’

Kiki looked at the now disturbed scheme, then nodded, smiling brightly when everything moved back to their original place.

‘’ So, Kiki, I see she’s already showing you her magic ‘’

The young trainee turned to meet Scorpio’s bright blue eyes, as Artemis simply laughed, standing up.

‘’ It’s been four years since you last saw me and you are already revealing my secrets? ‘’

‘’ You have plenty under your sleeve as to get peeved by losing one or two ‘’ he teased, his gaze travelling over the goddess’ body, ‘’ So, are you waiting for someone? These barracks are way too cold, not like my temple... It was rebuilt, you know? It looks beautiful now, even more than before... maybe you would like to see it?

Kiki looked at the table nervously, wondering how Milo could be so stupid as to forget this was a Goddess who didn’t take kindly into that kind of advances. But to his surprise, Artemis just grinned, looking over the room. After frowning when seeing one of the doors, she stood up and walked to Milo’s side, her eyes betraying no feeling. And then she grinned ‘’ The same determined sensei... tell me, aren’t you tired of this little game of yours? ‘’

‘’ Not really ‘’ he chuckled, checking her up and down, ‘’ Not when you’ve grown so nicely... ‘’

‘’ I really can’t believe women fall for you with that line ‘’ the black-haired goddess teased, poking his shoulder, ‘’ But you are right... this place is cold, and seeing your temple after all these years would be nice ‘’

‘’ Then this way, my lady... ‘’ Milo bowed theatrically, as Artemis started walking towards the door, not before waving goodbye to the young trainee.

‘’ Goddess, wait! ‘’

She stopped, looking over her shoulder at Kiki. ‘’ Artemis, Kiki, Artemis, don’t ‘goddess’ me, ok? So, what do you want? ‘’

‘’ Artemis...you... you still haven’t told me... ‘’ Kiki stopped, looking back at the scheme on the table. She followed his gaze, then nodded, smiling. ‘’ The Fates determined that I was to keep the Balance from Ortygia, my Island... ‘’ she began, placing a silver moon next to the other pendants. ‘’ Yes, I know, Kiki... I haven’t been doing such a great job, have I? ‘’

The young trainee stared at the pendants while Artemis and Milo left. His eyes travelled from Athena’s lonely owl to the marks of Eris, Phoebos and Saga... Artemis was right. She hadn’t. If he had understood correctly, it was her task to avoid confrontations between the Realms... and no confrontation had been avoided. She had failed.

VI

‘’ She’s gone... ‘’

Shun frowned when seeing Hyoga nodding, still leaning against the wall, eyes closed, arms crossed over his chest. He had come to understand what that attitude meant, and for what he had been able to deduce, Hyoga only behaved like that when he was analysing a situation, or when he already knew the result of that situation and was merely waiting. Shun really hoped it was the first one.

‘’ I don’t know how Saori puts up with her... she seems so... evil... ‘’

‘’ Evil? ‘’ asked Hyoga, arching his brow.

‘’ Well, not evil... she’s just too... ‘’

‘’ Wild ‘’

‘’ Savage, I would say. Ravenous and cold-blooded. Not Goddess-like at all ‘’

Hyoga opened his eyes, looking at his friend ‘’ It’s the first time I hear you talking against someone you don’t know, tovarish... you really must dislike her ‘’

Shun shrugged, running his fingers through his green mane. Dislike her? Maybe... well, probably. She was just so... certain of herself.

‘’ It’s just that I can’t imagine her as a wise, merciful Goddess... ‘’

The blond Russian smirked, staring at the now empty chair. ‘’ Who said she was? ‘’

‘’ Hyoga... do you know her? ‘’ asked Shun, meeting his friend’s cold gaze, ‘’ When you speak about her... it almost seems as if you did ‘’

He shrugged, moving away from the wall and walking into the main room ‘’ I do, we... she trained with me... She’s not here to harm Saori, so stop worrying... ‘’

‘’ She trained with you? And how do you know she won’t harm her? ‘’ went on Shun, following him to one of the tables.

Hyoga smirked, stretching on the chair and placing his legs on the table, a grim smile on his lips. ‘’ Because ‘’

The younger saint stared at his friend with a look of disbelief in his emerald eyes. ‘’ Because? Quite an answer you gave me there... ‘’

Hyoga chuckled, patting his hand, ‘’ Poor Shun... I’m sorry if I let you down, but that’s all there is to it ‘’

‘’ That’s unfair ‘’ he pouted, drawing circles with his finger on the wooden table. And in a way, it was. As one of Athena’s Saints, he had the right to know what kind of woman was this Artemis and what she was capable of. And also, as Hyoga’s best friend, he thought he had the right to know more about this thing about he training with a goddess. But it seemed Hyoga was just ignoring these rights and was merely amused by all the commotion the girl’s presence was causing on everyone.

‘’ This must be a joke... Shun-kun, complaining? ‘’

The two men turned to meet the owner of such a melodic voice, Shun standing up immediately when seeing her, his apprehension about the black-haired goddess disappearing immediately.

‘’ June! I thought you weren’t going to make it! ‘’ he let out, embracing his childhood friend tightly.

‘’ Can’t breathe, can’t breathe... ‘’

‘’ Gomen ‘’ June giggled as Shun let her go, poking his shoulder in a sisterly way.

‘’ You’ve grown quite strong, Shun-kun, all those muscles... ‘’ Shun blushed when hearing her talking like that, making her laugh once again. ‘’ But you are still the sweet little boy I used to joke with! I’m glad ‘’

‘’ So am I ‘’ he said with one of his bright smiles on his lips. In fact, he had been looking forward to seeing his friend again, but Fate had always decided against it. First, with the Holy War, and then, when there were no more threats to fight for, he had learnt that June had been ordered to lead a small group of saints to Andromeda Island that were to heal the wounds the Scorpio Saint had made to the land. But now all saints had been summoned back to Sanctuary, and that included the team at his training grounds.

‘’ I tried to make it in time for the speech, but some of the trainees I took with me were injured during the last AS, and we couldn’t move that fast... ‘’

‘’ AS? ‘’ asked Hyoga, greeting June with a slight bow of his head.

‘’ Oh, sorry, I meant acid storm... the island has been suffering constant acid rains and regular earthquakes ever since the attack. There are some elementals in our team, and they have been trying to lower the rate of the storms, but last one was too much for them, and two were injured ‘’

‘’ I hope they get well soon ‘’

‘’ So do I, Albinach and Solovei are two of the most powerful trainees in our team, and I don’t doubt they’ll find their constellation soon enough. Besides, without them I don’t know how we’ll manage to bring Andromeda Island back to life... I should have stopped them when the storm began, I knew it was going to be a strong one, I knew they wouldn’t be able to stop it... ‘’

‘’ June... ‘’ Shun placed his arm over his friend’s shoulders, pulling her close. Despite she usually tried to look strong, she offered no resistance, resting her masked face against his chest.

‘’ It’s getting late ‘’ whispered Hyoga, standing up, ‘’ I’ll better leave you two alone and go to sleep ‘’

Shun nodded, smiling gratefully at him, before leading June to one of the chairs, kneeling by her side, his hands resting on her knees.

His friend... she had always seemed so strong to him, able to take on everything and everyone without even flinching... even when she had fought him, he had been enthralled by the way she moved, the way her cosmo matched perfectly with her cloth. Even when she failed, she still looked strong. She could be defeated, but never broken. Until now.

He could see it in the way she trembled, in the way tears rolled down the edge of her mask. He could feel it in her aura.

‘’ June... tell me what happened... all of it... please ‘’

The blank stare of her mask met him, and she nodded slowly, closing her arms around her, hugging herself.

‘’ After the Holy War at Sanctuary, Saori ordered three of us bronze saints to take on the rebuilding of Andromeda Island. We were allowed to take twelve trainees with us. We picked some healers, a couple of warriors skilled at defence, and then the rest of them were elementals. It was a good team, even though some of the trainees were weak, and the Reticulum and Pictor Saints had just attained their clothes. A really good team... ‘’

She chuckled, brushing her blonde strands away from her face.

‘’ But we never expected the island to be so broken. Athena, even some of the trainees fainted when we arrived, the cries of the earth beating their cosmos. But we managed... slowly but surely, we managed... and our trainees grew... Albinach... I mean, you have to see her... she used to go to the northern cliffs and stand there, linking her cosmo to the one of the storm, forcing it to change its course. Slovei would go with her to protect her. He’s not an elemental, his cosmo is too violent, but his strength resided on that. On his violence. He is able to shatter the earth with his voice... ‘’

‘’ Anyway, we did well the first couple of years... but yesterday... yesterday the Island showed us her wounds were deeper than what we thought... An AS came... too big for Albinach to control, too big for the other kids to control... Pictor called the alarm, and started leading the kids to the shelter we had built, while Reticulum built a defensive net around it, to avoid the rain from making its way inside and the wind to destroy the walls...’’

She stopped, lifting her gaze at the ceiling.

‘’ But some kids didn’t listen to the alarm call and kept trying to control the storm with their weak cosmos... I went to look for them, but when I got there, only Albinach and Slovei were still on their own feet. The rest were hiding beneath an earth wall Slovei had created, while Albinach kept struggling with the storm... struggling in vain... And instead of forcing them to stop, I took advantage of their efforts to lead the other kids to the shelter... When I came back for Albinach and Slovei, it was already too late, they were laying unconscious on the sand, burns staining their skin... Our healers couldn’t do much for them, so we brought them here... Mu is taking a look at them right now... but I know he won’t be able to do much for them... They are kids, Shun... Albinach is just 13, and Slovei 15... if they die... ‘’

Shun looked over his shoulder to see if they were alone. Then, he reached for her mask, taking it away from her slowly. This time she did tried to stop him, but he just caught her wrist with his free hand. Her dim brown eyes met his, a veil of tears covering their warmth.

‘’ They won’t. You did what was best... you chose saving most of them, instead of letting them all suffer... You made the choice of a true leader, June ‘’ he said seriously, stroking her cheek lightly.

She bit her lower lip, trying to hold back the tears, but when he brought her close, she couldn’t, breaking on his shoulder. But when he rested his hand on her back, she flinched.

‘’ June... ? ‘’

She smiled grimly, shaking her head ‘’ I was too long under the rain myself... not as much as them though... ‘’

Shun looked over her shoulder at her back, lifting her shirt slightly. He didn’t need to wait much to see the dark brown burns stretching on her skin... and from the small marks on the back of her neck, they were all over her back.

‘’ You must tell Mu about this... ‘’

‘’ He knows. They are nothing but burns, the healers at the Island took care of them... they could save me, you see? Not my kids, but they could save me... ‘’

‘’ They’ll be ok, you’ll see ‘’ he whispered in her ear, holding back his own tears, not wanting to look at her back, not wanting to know how much pain she had had to go through, ‘’ you’ll see ’’

And he really hoped they would... for his friend’s sake...

VII

Hyoga locked the door of his room, stretching on the hard bed afterwards. From June’s broken voice, he could tell the kids had little chance of surviving... Acid rain... so deep a Saint’s power could go... as to make earth react in such a way...

And they had sent kids to fight against that... against nature... just as they had been sent not so long ago to battle against beings able to shatter stars and gods able to destroy mankind...

No... they had never been kids... their childhood had ended the day the men dressed in black suits took them to the Kido Mansion... and so had the childhood of those trainees been limited, ending the day they decided to try for sainthood... If they died, they would die like men and women... kids had no place in Sanctuary...

Die... yes, they would... If June had lost her hopes, it meant that there were no hopes to be held at all. There were no reasons to wait for the best.

Unless... unless someone who had the ability to heal and kill alike was to help them... unless he found the strength to talk to her... to tell her...

Muttering a low curse, he closed her eyes and lifted his cosmo, searching for the mark he knew so well...

It didn’t take him long to find it, her coldness calling out to him from Scorpio Temple. And when he reached her coldness, she opened her cosmo to him... and all his past unveil to his mind...

... Artemis...

He could feel her curiosity, her doubts, her thoughts... he could even feel her desire to break their link apart... but she answered. Her damn sarcastic voice answered.

... Isn’t too late to say hello, Cygnus?...

He growled, ignoring her.

... There are two kids at the Aries temple... they are about to die... even though I hate to say this, if someone can help them, that’s you....

....

....

....

... Artemis?...

... I’ll do it ...

... Thanks...

He broke the link before she could answer, placing his hands behind his head and staring at the ceiling. He could hear the cries of the storm outside, the sound of raindrops beating the wooden ceiling of the barracks. And he could feel her cosmo, burning inside Aries Temple. Freezing everything with its cold fire... Her nature...

He turned, hiding his face against the pillow, wishing her cosmo would break upon her, would crush her and leave nothing. Nothing at all...

Not even his memories... But that was something that would never go. Not now, not when he had touched her cosmo, when he had heard her voice.

His memories were alive, his past was. And even though he didn’t want to, his mind paid no attention and went back to the past... to Siberia...

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

‘’ First... to concentrate... then to focus one’s cosmo on the objective.... and release it! Diamond Dust! ‘’

His fist collided against the glacier, cracks spreading over the icy surface. But it hadn’t been enough. His cosmo hadn’t burned, he hadn’t been able to release it. He hadn’t been able to perform the Diamond Dust. All he had done was use his strength, and his strength was useless. Camus had made that clear. Strength was something he should never rely on. Cosmo was. Cosmo was eternal and infinite... and Hyoga didn’t have it.

Short of breath, he left himself fall on his knees to recover, his hands grasping the snow, its coldness soothing the pain of his hand.

But then, he heard someone’s giggles. Curious, he looked over his shoulder, pushing blond strands away from his face.

Sitting on a pile of snow, a girl was bent over, shoulders shaking, laughing so hard that she had soon to clutch her stomach.

'' I don't see what's so funny '', he told her, trying to sound indifferent despite he was rather angered of her laughing at him like that.

'' I'm sorry '', she let out, sitting straight, her gaze raising to meet his. It was the first time he saw eyes like those, so deep and distant. They were even paler than his, almost pupiless, touched by the slightest flickers of aquamarine. They were the colour of ice.

'' I didn't mean to mock you, it's just that you looked so focussed... ''

Her voice was as strange as her eyes. Her Russian was perfect, but it had an accent he couldn’t quite make out. But the tone was the strangest thing. It was like the rumour of the sea in the distance... like the sky prior the storm... It was like a waterfall.

'' I'm suppose to focus, that's what my master said ''

'' And you always do as you are told, Hyoga? ''

'' What are you trying to say?!... Hey, wait, how do you know my name?! ''

'' If you stopped asking yourself so many questions, you would realise things are much easier than they seem ''

She stood up, brushing the snow away with her small hands, and then walked towards him. The wind embraced her body, making her long black hair dance around her. Nevertheless, she didn’t seem to care. She just kept on walking, as if no coldness, no deadly breeze could affect her. Hyoga was certain he had never seen her in town, and Isaac would have told him about her if he had known a girl so... strange. She was indeed too unreal as to forget her.

‘' You are strong '', she said, caressing the surface of the ice, her fingers following the path of the cracks his fist had left.

'' You should be more than able of mastering the Diamond Dust by now, and not to speak of breaking glaciers... But so much determination focussed on following the steps is slowing you down. You must follow your instinct more often, if not, you'll never be a Saint ''

Without warning, Hyoga felt a cold wind starting to surround them, making him shiver. A white aura had started to flow over the girl, dancing around her like flames made of shimmering diamonds. Cosmo. She could burn her cosmo... and unlike Hyoga’s first attempts, hers was much brighter and powerful. It even seemed to be able to surpass that of his master...

Gently, she rested her hand on the same spot his fist had left its print, allowing her cosmo to flow through the fissures, through the tiny cracks he had made. And then, the glacier started to tremble, the cracks deepening until a roaring sound was heard, the huge giant of ice starting to break.

'' See? '' she said with a smile on her pale lips, turning to see him, her cosmo protecting them both from the falling fragments.

'' I know you... at least your cosmo '' he found himself whispering, certain to have felt her before... so long ago... '' You are a Goddess, aren't you? ''

She nodded, her eyes fixed on his, '' And you'll be a Saint, one of the greatest the immortals have seen. Now try again, and for once, follow your instinct, Hyoga, I have waited too much time already to see you grow ''

...

'' Diamond dust!! ''

The ice wall relinquished at his blow, the rumbling of the falling fragments echoing in the immensity of the place.

Isaac cheered at Hyoga’s success from a nearby rock. They had both mastered the Diamond Dust perfectly, but the habit of congratulating each other every time they performed it had remained. Of course, as long as Camus wasn’t around to tell them where they had failed, or for how many millimetres they had missed the centre of their objective.

'' Well done, Hyoga! '' Isaac said, making some room so Hyoga could sit next to him.

'' I can't see what's in it to applaud '' grumbled Artemis, sitting near them with her arms crossed over her chest. Her visits to Siberia had become more frequent and even though she spent most of her time training with Camus, both her and the two future saints had managed to build a strong friendship between them

'' You've both mastered that technique a year ago ''

'' Oh, you mighty one, please forgive us for not being like you '' Hyoga teased, leaning back to stare at the sky.

'' Fortunately '' she let out, her arrogant look softening for an instant.

He glanced at her, unable to understand her. Unlike Isaac, he could never agree with her, he could only argue, so much that sometimes they even fought over their ideas. But lately... lately she had been behaving in a weird way... as if she was trying to distance herself from them... from him. By saying things like that. By pushing them away.

'' Well, I believe I'm going to take a walk to town, Mrs. Dosky wants me to help her with her boy '' she said, standing up and looking at the distant town.

Hyoga thought of telling her that she could wait, but decided not to. Mrs Dosky depended heavily on his friend’s presence. After all, the woman had had a baby a few weeks ago, and Artemis had assisted her during labour. From what they had heard in town, it was a complicated birth, and everyone had given up their hopes about delivering the baby alive, the doctor doing his best to save the mother’s life. But then Artemis ordered to be left alone with the woman. And Camus made sure she was obeyed.

After some minutes, the healthy cries of a baby boy were heard, accompanied by the sobs of happiness of his mother. Mrs. Dosky would never know that her child was supposed to die at birth. Mrs. Dosky would never know to what extent Artemis’ presence had helped her.

She would never know that the very Goddess of Birth had been by her side.

‘’ I’ll go with you... ‘’ Isaac started saying, but Artemis shook her head.

‘’ I don’t need a chaperon ‘’

Isaac then looked at Hyoga, his gaze screaming at him to do something, to stop her from going on with that game of hers of pushing them away. But that wasn’t Hyoga’s style, and Artemis knew it. So she left.

When she returned, she talked to Hyoga alone, as they watched the Aurora Boreal. That was their secret, something they shared and were Isaac wasn’t included, mostly because he preferred to sleep early so he could start training at dawn instead of just laying on the snow watching the patterns of the northern lights all night long.

That night, she told him she was leaving, that her training with Camus was over and she wasn’t going to return. Ever. Hyoga didn’t stop her. He couldn’t find the courage to tell her to stay.

...

'' ... Hyoga... ''

That voice... he rose his gaze towards the door, already knowing who he was going to see. Artemis was standing at the entrance of the small cottage, her figure stressed by the light coming from outside.

Hyoga hadn’t left the place for a week, ever since Isaac sacrificed himself to save him. Camus hadn’t said a word, he had just left to one of the glaciers, spending day and night meditating. Camus probably hated him. After all, he had killed his pupil. Isaac’s blood was on his hands.

And now she had come. He couldn’t even look at her in the eyes. Isaac had been so important to them all... He had been her friend. Her soul twin, as she used to call him, because they thought the same way. And now, he had taken that brother away from her.

The door creaked as she closed it behind her, leaving them in the dark. He could hear her footsteps, slow but firm, as she made her way towards him. Then she stopped.

'' Won't you look at me? '' She knew him too well, knew where to start with. He had expected she would kill him fast, but no, that wasn’t her mark, she was far more subtle than that. She wouldn’t want him to go so easily. She would want to make him suffer first, make him regret it.

'' ... I can't... '' he finally muttered, feeling a lump forming in his throat.

She walked a few more steps, then kneeled beside him. He could smell her perfume, sense the warmth of her body breaking the coldness of the small cottage. The coldness he was feeling in the inside.

And then, her fingers brushed softly over his cheek. He looked up at her, surprised. Her eyes were all he could see, though, bright by the tears she was refusing to shed.

'' See. You could ''

That was too much for him to take. He didn’t care about anything anymore, only about releasing the pain he had inside, to free himself from it. Unable to hold it inside for any longer, he started crying, babbling like a child about what had happened. Telling her all... waiting for her judgement.

'' Shh ... I know it all ''

Her words hurt him even more, making him clutch the rug were he was sitting, searching for a safe place between his own arms.

‘’ Hyoga... ‘’ she whispered, pain breaking her usually cold voice. Faintly at first, he heard her move. The sudden realisation of her leaving him, leaving him alone to fight his ghosts, his past, made him shudder in fear. But then, her arms embraced him, pulling him nearer. She had just moved closer, to be able to hold him. He couldn’t resist. He fell between her arms like a lost child, resting his head on her bosom and giving way to his pain, his body trembling with every sob.

'' I'm so sorry, I should have come earlier... '', she whispered in his ear, rocking his body against hers, trying to soothe him.

Although he couldn’t see her, he knew she was also crying. He couldn’t understand why she had come if it wasn’t to kill him, why she was behaving like that, but he was grateful she had. She was the only person that could understand how he felt, what it had been for him to see Isaac’s body being carried away by the waters, being pulled away from his grip.

She was the only one that could offer him redemption, the only one that could help him to make peace with his heart.

...

'' Don't you dare, you crazy Russian! ''

But her warning came too late, the snowball hitting her on the shoulder. Laughing, she brushed the snow out of her hair, smiling mischievously before running after him to get her revenge.

She caught up with him easily. It wasn’t a simple task to out beat the Queen of the Hunt on a race, even more when she had already chosen her prey.

Yet, being chased by a beautiful young girl wasn't something that happened every day.

Hyoga stopped the moment she was about to lounge at him, taking advantage of her surprise to take her by the waist and make her lose her balance.

Artemis fell on the ground with a loud thump, her fiery eyes gazing into his hatefully.

'' That's what you get for messing with me, you stubborn Greek! '' he told her, laughing from a secure distance.

'' Ha! Do you really think you can take me down so easily? ''

'' Da! ''

He offered her his hand to stand up, but she refused it. It wasn’t a surprise, though, she had never accepted his help. And he admired that about her. He admired the way she could be... herself, how strong and fiery she could be...

It was then when he realised that he had been staring at her. She had changed a lot over the last couple of years, and he hadn’t really realise till now. The girl he had seen laughing at him was slowly disappearing, the features of a woman taking her place.

'' Hyoga... '' she growled, blushing.

He looked at her, giving her a crooked smile. He needn’t tell her to forgive him for watching her. She knew he would do it again.

'' You are going to try for the Cygnus Cloth tomorrow, aren't you? ''

He nodded. The Cygnus cloth... that was a subject he had been trying to avoid all morning. He knew she had come because of that, yet he also knew that getting the Cloth would mean the end of his training and his return to Japan. And he had no idea how she was going to take that.

At least for the moment she seemed unaffected. But then again, she always did. She always looked as if nothing could reach her.

'' You'll get it, you'll be the Cygnus Saint. Athena will be lucky to have you ''

He looked at her, then shook his head slightly '' She'll have to share me, you know? ''

Artemis lowered her eyes, her eyelashes darkening their clear colour. He loved it when she did that, when the darkness he knew lived in her made its way to the surface. But right now that movement hurt him as hell. She didn’t believe him.

'' That’s nonsense, Hyoga '' she muttered, turning her back on him, her voice revealing her anger.

He cursed lowly, wondering why on earth was she so stubborn. He was the only friend he had left, the only person besides his master that he cared about. Couldn’t she see that he wasn’t able to let her go?

'' Come on, nothing will change, you can come to see me to Japan... ''

He realised he said the wrong words the moment she turned to see him, her cold eyes meeting his, as her cosmo grew around them in a way she had never allowed before.

She was showing him the cosmo of a God. And it was terrible.

‘’ Do you honestly think I care? ‘’ she snapped aggressively, ‘’ Why should I? You are nothing but a self-centred, egotistical Saint of Athena!! ‘’

'' Artemis, calm down... '' he tried, despite her words had made him wish to be able to shut her up. Yet he knew challenging her wasn’t just useless, but also dangerous. She had no control, never had... So he tried to reach her mind, walking towards her slowly and praying for her to listen to her senses instead of that freaking instinct of hers.

She gave a damn. She lunged towards him, her fists covered by a thin layer of ice. Yet he didn’t dodge. He just waited for the blow to come.

But the blow never came. She had stopped inched before hitting him, her cosmo collapsing around her before disappearing.

Finally, she let herself drop to her knees, her eyes fixed on the snow.

'' I've always been with you, Hyoga, and I'll always be '' she whispered plainly as she tried to catch her breath. She was staring at the snow, her features as cold as ever. But her eyes... There was self-hatred in her eyes.

‘’ I promise you the same ‘’ he said, knowing that if he got the Cloth he would never see her again. Knowing the only thing she would allow him to feel was going to be her Cosmo. Well, if she wanted to disappear from his life, he wasn’t going to let her.

She looked up at him in bewilderment, no traces of anger in her face... just curiosity.

'' You don't know what you are talking about... ''

But he did. Outstretching his right hand towards her, he moved the left one over it, opening a long red wound on it.

'' By my blood, Artemis. You always said that a vow has to be made with blood, didn't you? Well, this is my vow to you, I promise that I'll never leave you, no matter what happens tomorrow or ever. Will you accept it? ''

For the first time, he saw sorrow in her eyes. Slowly, she stood up, taking his bleeding hand in hers. '' I have no word about it, it’s already done ''

Then, she released him, looking thoughtfully at the blood staining her hands. Then, by just closing her eyes, she opened a wound on her left hand and held it towards him.

'' You have the vow of a Goddess. What it stands for you already know ''

She always had to do that, to match every action others made. But now she had surprised him. She took his hand gently in hers, watching how their mixed blood fell on the snow, dying it red. Then, she ripped a part of her shirt and used it as a bandage, closing it tightly around his wound.

‘’ There ‘’ she said, her mischievous smile returning to her lips.

He nodded, closing his hand around hers, still unable to let her go. He just couldn’t.

'' Why did you have to do it, Hyoga? '' she asked after some minutes

'' What? ''

'' Do I always have to explain things to you, you Russian mule? '', she said teasingly. Hyoga grinned, she just couldn’t avoid pestering him. '' Why did you make that vow? ''

He held her hand against his chest, looking into her pupiless eyes. And then he understood.

'' I just followed my instinct ''

And he kissed her.

He didn’t know why he did it. He just felt he had to do so... no, not ‘he had to’, but he wanted to. He wanted to feel her close, he wanted to know she was there... he wanted her.

Yet he wasn’t surprised when she withdrew, her eyes showing her confusion. He had never expected her to do anything else. She wasn’t his to take. She did not want him. She was his friend.

‘’ I... I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have k- ‘’

Artemis didn’t allow him to go on, stretching her hand tentatively to stroke his cheek He didn’t stop her, he just looked at her, surprised, allowing her to follow the outline of his jaw with her fingers.

He only reacted when her lips touched his, opening them slightly to deepen the kiss. He placed his arms around her, resting them on the small of her back, as their kisses became more passionate, her hands locking behind his neck.

He bit her lower lip teasingly, caressing her cheek with his left hand while keeping his right arm around her waist. She giggled, running her fingers through his blond mane, a rare smile lighting her face.

Hyoga withdrew slowly, returning the accomplice smile while gazing into her eyes.

‘’ That was nice ‘’ he whispered, lacing his fingers with hers.

Artemis nodded, allowing him to lift her chin and kiss her again, in a softer, yet more confident way.

He felt her sighing in his mouth, her hands running over his back, urging him to continue, telling him that she felt the same...

‘’ No! ‘’

Artemis moved away, almost falling. She was short of breath, and her hair fell wildly over her face and shoulders. Her full lips, still warm because of his kisses, were trembling, as her eyes glimmered with a mixture of fear and confusion.

Hyoga felt cold where her hands had been before and his lips sore slightly, still holding her taste. But all he could think right now was what he had done wrong.... what had he done to make her react like that... She had been the one to kiss him, she had kissed him back... but still he felt as if he were a thief... as if he had taken something that wasn’t meant to be taken....

'' I'm sorry... '' he blurted out, walking towards her, but her eyes told him not to. The darkness behind her eyes was burning now, warning him not to move.

'' I must go. Camus wanted to tell me something... ''

'' Artemis, we must talk about it, about what's happening between the two of us. Running away it’s not the answer! ''

'' I'm not running away! '' she cried, staring at him defiantly '' I made him wait for too long already. I'll return ''

She must have noticed the disbelief in his eyes, because she straighten up, her fiery eyes burning like her cosmo had done minutes ago.

'' By the Gods, Hyoga! Don't you trust me?! ''

Her features showed her pain when he didn't answer. Of course he trusted her, but he was also hurt by her rejection. And he wanted her to know that.

He wanted to hurt her.

So when she turned her back on him and started walking towards the cottage, he didn’t stop her. He let her go, the same way he had done years ago. Without even telling her a word.

She didn't show up again that day. The next day Hyoga tried for the Cygnus Cloth. He had hoped she would be there, that her anger or whatever had made her react like that would have mellowed. But she didn’t. He felt her cosmo surrounding him when he got the Cloth, but she wasn’t there. Only the shadow of her cosmo. She had broken her promise. She had left him. And he decided it was for the best. He decided not to trust anymore. He decided to be the saint he was supposed to be. He decided to hate her.

Even if that meant not seeing her again.

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

Until now.

He opened his eyes and noticed he was feeling cold despite the heat of the night. Shadows danced over the walls of his room, projected by the inconstant Moon. The Hateful Moon. He could remember the myths about her, the stories of death and victories. No stories of love surrounded the Queen of the Hunt, the Maiden Goddess of the Silver Bow, only of despair and madness. Of vengeance and coldness. She was the Goddess of Life and Death, tender and ferocious, soft and harsh. A two faced woman he had learnt to hate.

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‘’Odi et amo: quare id faciam, fortasse requiris. Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior’’

-Catullus

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VIII

‘’ My Queen, the Deceiver returned to Greece ‘’ said Egeria, kneeling before the golden throne.

‘’ I know that, stupid, anyone with a basic training on cosmo does, the bastard is even more stupid than you are, daring to defy us... to make us look like fools by burning her aura so much ‘’

The blonde hyperborean nodded, feeling her heart in pain. Why did Artemis have to do that? Did she hate them so much? Not only had she forgotten her task, but had decided to break peace herself?

‘’ Well, she only leaves me one choice, something I didn’t want to do. You know how lenient I was with her, that I let her live when I should have killed her for her sins, you know that, don’t you, my girl? ‘’

‘’ Of course I do, my Queen, your mercy and commitment to keeping the Balance of the Realms is known all over Ortygia ‘’

‘’ That’s good... very good ‘’

Egeria moved beside her and kissed the jewelled hand of the Golden Goddess. The scent of roses and flowers filled her nostrils, making her want to sneeze. Luckily, she was able to contain herself. Aphrodite hated sneezes.

'' But now, my patience is over. She has committed too many crimes, she has turned into the menace she was supposed to guard us of. We'll have to stop her, little one, to end this once and for all ''

End this? She meant... kill her? No, they couldn’t do that, she hadn’t done a thing worthy of that punishment... Yes, she had forgotten her task, she had went to Sanctuary instead of staying with them, she had even given her soul and body to a to-be-Saint, going to him when she should have been with her Chosen Ones... when she should have remained in Ortygia... For him she always stood on Athena’s side, forgetting about Odin, Poseidon and Hades... Didn’t she?

'' A penny for your thoughts '' purred Aphrodite, caressing the golden locks of the Guardian.

She lifted her face to look at her. Her beauty still took her aback. She was so ravishing and breath-taking that keeping her gaze on her was almost too much.

Unable to contain such a sight, she averted her gaze, fixing her eyes on the marbled floor of the Outer Temple.

'' So? '' she insisted.

'' It's just that... well, perhaps we should wait a little longer, my Queen... ''

Pain ran through Egeria’s body as Aphrodite pulled her by the hair, forcing her to meet her sky-blue eyes.

'' Wait? Don't you remember what happened when that bitch told you to wait and see? She left you, that's what she did! First to Sanctuary, where only the Fates know what she did, and then to Siberia, to open her legs to a to-be-Saint! And it seems she liked it, because even when you asked her... No, when you pleaded her to stop doing it, the harlot dared to say that nothing had happened, that she had gone to Sanctuary to train, and that the Russian was one of her chosen ones, that he was one of you ''

'' But... '' the blonde girl muttered, crying both of pain and sorrow.

'' My child, you are so naive... so innocent... '' she said, her voice sweet and tender, as her hands released their hold on her hair and began to stroke it softly.

'' I didn't want to tell you this... I knew how much it was going to hurt you... but it seems it's the only way to open your eyes... ''

Egeria looked at her, unable to imagine what it could be. Leaning over me, the Goddess locked her hand on my shoulders and whispered lowly in my ear

'' You know, the girl you still think of as your goddess, the 'used to be' Maiden of the Silver Bow, the very Artemis whom you love so much, is now not only with Athena and her Saints, but with Phoenix... ''

The Guardian closed her eyes in disbelief. That wasn't possible, just couldn't be...

'' She's always been around him, increasing his power the same way she does to all of those Bronze Boys... it seems she cares more for him than for you, her own Guardians... ''

'' You are wrong '' Egeria said, meeting Aphrodite’s puzzled look. She could forgive Artemis for leaving them, she could forgive her for lying around with a Saint, she could even forgive her for preferring Sanctuary to them... But she would never forgive her for supporting that murderer, for helping him... for choosing him over her. The mere thought made her sick.

'' Aphrodite, we are not her Guardians, we are yours ''

The lovely face of the Goddess smiled at those words, stretching her hand for her to kiss it once again.

'' Call Iphigeneia. Perhaps I've been too rash... we'd better give the Deceiver a last chance. A little message to make her reconsider her actions '' she purred, stretching sensuously on the throne.

'' Your mercy will always be remembered and praised, my Queen '' Egeria said, standing to follow her orders. She would have been even more than pleased if Aphrodite had chosen her instead of Iphigeneia, but perhaps she was right in sending the wisest hyperborean of them all, Artemis’... Aphrodite’s Guardians. Egeria didn’t believe she would have been able to let the traitor live if she saw her.

SE FINNI