‘’ So... ‘’

‘’ So what do you want to know? ‘’

Ikki smirked, opening the bottle of wine while she sat on the hall’s floor, opposite him. She had made him wait outside for a while, until she had changed her bloodstained cloths for something more comfortable. Ikki had expected her to open the gate dressed in a long black dress, with a staff in her hand and jewels on her hair. Just like a Goddess.

She had not.

She was wearing dark jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt, which, by the way it stretched over her bountiful chest, was obviously not hers. It was then when he realised. She owed nothing. Not in Sanctuary. Even the temple where they were staying, consecrated to her as it may be, was still not really hers. She did not belong.

Not to Athens; not to Athena’s land.

She never would.

And she did not care. He could tell, by the way her icy eyes looked at him, by her self-confident movements and daring words that she probably cared as much for Sanctuary as Sanctuary cared for her.

Not at all.

And he couldn’t but find this intriguing. But find her intriguing. The enticing attitude, the dangerous looks. The misplacement. Everything about her spoke of mystery.

Just like Pandora.

He handed her the bottle, wondering what the hell he was doing there. Wondering how he could stay. No matter how physically different the two women were, he still found it hard to watch Artemis move. To watch that wild black mane of hers dancing around her. Even when the Goddess was bigger than the lean and elegant priestess, even when her eyes were cold and distant and hadn’t that melancholic dimness that Pandora’s onyx eyes used to show, he could still feel the same mystifying aura surrounding her also.

The same defiant and ruthless soul. Ungovernable. Unruly.

The soul Pandora must had had before Hades corrupted her.

‘’ Then there’s nothing you want to know? And I thought you were the curious kind ‘’ pressed Artemis, tired of waiting.

The same lack of fear.

He took the bottle from her, taking a large gulp before returning his attention to her. To the wild card in Sanctuary’s organised little world. A statue carved on ice that hid a possible ally... or a possible enemy.

A puzzle. A challenge.

A threat.

Ikki smiled. He was already starting to like the girl.

‘’ It’s not what I want to know, it’s what you want to tell me ‘’, he finally replied, taking another gulp of the sweet wine.

Artemis arched one of her eyebrows quizzically, while resting her chin on her hand. Despite Ikki’s wondering mind, she only had one reason to follow his little game. She wanted to know what kind of man hid behind the burning Phoenix. She wanted to know if all the rumours she had heard were true.

She wanted to know if he could burn her.

‘’ And that would be...? ‘’

‘’ What do you think about starting with that nasty scar on your hand? ‘’

She grinned, kneeling in front of him and stretching her arm lazily towards him, following the path of the scar on his forehead with her index. ‘’ You will tell me the story behind yours if I do? ‘’

‘’ Not really ‘’

‘’ And I was starting to think you were the kind of guy who got his kick by showing the world that his body is the reflection of a battlefield... ‘’

Ikki chuckled inwardly, almost spilling the wine. A teaser. Another thing he hadn’t expected.

Another thing that should stop him from comparing her with Pandora.

‘’ I’m just curious ‘’

‘’ Curiosity killed the cat, Phoenix ‘’, she warned, reluctantly showing him the half-healed scar that marred her left hand.

‘’ I made a promise some years ago, this is what is left of it ‘’

She grinned when noticing the puzzled look in Ikki’s eyes.

‘’ I forgot you are rather... lenient... at Sanctuary ‘’ she began, lowering her eyelashes. Ikki watched in owe how the icy colour of her eyes turned into a deep aquamarine because of the shadows. Darkness lived inside those eyes. Something... lived inside of them.

‘’ I... well, we, at Ortygia, believe that promises or vows can only be made with blood, as a way to prove our commitment through sacrifice ‘’

Ikki nodded, playing with his glass.

‘’ Nice customs you have ‘’

‘’ Not too different from bathing a Cloth in two thirds of blood to heal it ‘’

‘’ Touché ‘’ he smirked, surrendering the bottle to her.

‘’ We are different, Ortygians and Athenians. You gave up the old beliefs and turned to self-made law. We still treasure them... ‘’ she stopped, as if considering what she had said ‘’ I treasure them ‘’

‘’ Well...I won’t try to convince you otherwise... you keep slashing your hands, I will stick to tying a cord around my finger ‘’ he said teasingly.

‘’ I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that... ‘’ Ikki chuckled, as a half-smile curved Artemis’ lips, ‘’ But... do you really believe there is any other way to make a promise? To make the one you made that promise to trust you? Feel you? ‘’

‘’ That’s interesting... feel you? ‘’

‘’ Don’t mock me, Phoenix... ‘’ Artemis answered coldly, her inexpressive gaze meeting his daring eyes.

‘’ Ikki ‘’

‘’ Whatever ‘’ she replied, standing up and reaching for a new bottle of wine. ‘’ Tell me, did someone ever did something for you that was so important that you could feel that person, even though he or she wasn’t at the same place you were? ‘’

‘’ No one ever did something important for me ‘’ he interrupted her, muttering the words with a sarcastic undertone.

‘’ Oh, my, I bumped into a cynic! ‘’ she let out, rolling her eyes ‘’ Ikki... lie to yourself and your friends if you want to, but not to me, I’m not that naive... Someone did something important for you... and you did something important for others. After all, what is protecting someone but a promise... a pledge? ‘’ she said, suddenly serious, while pointing at his scar as to prove what she was saying. ‘’ And tell me, proud Phoenix, wasn’t blood involved in those actions? Didn’t you lose some for those you care... and those you care lose some for you? ‘’

He didn’t answer, stopping her before opening a new bottle.

‘’ You’ll end up drunk ‘’

Artemis smirked, stretching on the marbled floor. ‘’ You did. They did. That scar marks you, Ikki... as much as this one marks me. It tells others that you are willing to die in order to accomplish what you promised. In order to protect those you care about. Now tell me if that isn’t sacrifice ‘’

‘’ That’s bullshit ‘’ Ikki let out, standing up and heading to the door.

‘’ Ikki... ‘’

She smiled deviously when he turned, placing her hair over her right arm slowly, revealing the left side of her neck. He frowned, unable to hide the surprise from his azure eyes. I should leave now, he thought, turn my back and close the gate behind me. Before it is too late.

But he walked back to where she was, crouching by her side as his hand tentatively travelled over the marks that scarred her neck. This wasn’t caused by a slash as the one of her hand... the scars were irregular, fainter... their nature was more violent...

‘’ Is this bullshit? ‘’

Ikki met her gaze, knowing that she had taken his right to ridicule her away. He smirked, pleased. She had led him right where she wanted. She had shown him that no matter her nature, she was his equal. A predator, a being that could not be pitied. That would not allow it.

‘’ You certainly make lots of promises, don’t you? ‘’

Artemis arched one of her eyebrows, but then she started laughing, accepting his unspoken truce. ‘’ Something like that ‘’

‘’ Was it a promise what made you let Hyoga win? ‘’ Ikki kept his eyes on hers when asking that, searching for any sign, any answer. Searching in vain.

‘’ Don’t try to read me, Ikki, you won’t be able to. Playing with the past is a game I can also play, and you don’t want me doing that ‘’

‘’ Is that a threat? ‘’

She grinned, playing with a strand of black hair. ‘’ What do you think? I’m not the only one who is marred... you also carry the weight of your past on your shoulders, Phoenix... or is it your heart the one to stand the heavier cross?‘’

‘’ Talking bullshit again, Artemis? ‘’, he said nonchalantly while standing up, tired of playing cat and mice. She was getting close, too close... and he did not want that. Not from a Goddess well too able to stab him in the back.

‘’ Bored again, Phoenix? ‘’ She sighed, cupping her face in her hands while resting her elbows on her bent knees. ‘’ Listen... can we consider this a draw game? I answered your questions, and I learnt that all I had heard about you was true. Our curiosity has been fulfilled... so we are even... So why don’t we forget about most of the things we said before you add me to your death list? ‘’

‘’ Even? ‘’ he asked, looking at her over his shoulder while stopping under the gate ‘’ I know why you let him win, Artemis, I guess I deserve an extra point ‘’

She chuckled, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms over her chest. ‘’ tsk,tsk,tsk... you are hopeless, Phoenix ‘’

‘’ It’s Ikki ‘’ he said, not turning as he walked towards the barracks, a crooked smile gracing his lips.

Saori stood at the top of the twelve houses, standing before the enormous statue of Athena. Her statue. Last time she came here, the moon had been shinning over it, a silent witness of the dreadful things that happened before the statue’s eyes. She frowned, staring more carefully. How many wars had this statue seen? How much blood stained its steps? Too much... too many sins to atone for...

Too many questions.

She had tried, with all her might, to look for answers in the scrolls and diaries of the previous reincarnations of Athena, but every word they had written lead to new questions, new doubts.

‘’ If only you could talk... ‘’ she whispered, caressing the cold surface of the statue, ‘’ But you can’t. I am alone... aren’t I? This is my task ‘’

Yes, it was. Even though two other Goddesses were now in Sanctuary, she knew she had nothing to do with them. Eris was her enemy... her prisoner, even though she had made everything in her power for things not to look like that. For things not to be that. Yet she knew that if Eris were to ask her if she could leave, she would never agree. She couldn’t, no matter how sorry she felt for doing that to Ellie. How sorry Saori felt. But Athena could not allow herself to be sorry.

And then, there was Artemis. She had been so delusional when thinking she would find her answers in her. The only time they had been able to talk, the few hours they had shared after her arrival, had been proof enough that they weren’t the same. That the huntress’ ways were not the ones of Athena. That her presence in Sanctuary was unimportant to her. She had told her all she needed to know, and now Athena needed her no more. And Saori wasn’t sure if she did. She wasn’t sure about so many things... Except one. But that was slowly but surely slipping away from her hands.

‘’ Dohko ‘’ The kneeling man lifted his head when hearing her, waiting her commands. As Kyoko, that was his task now. To advice her... to protect her... to be her voice. Her shadow. The most prized position in Sanctuary.

‘’ My Lady ‘’

Saori turned from the statue, walking to the edge of the steps. She could see all Sanctuary from where she stood, her land laying at her feet. The twelve houses, the barracks, the coliseum, the grounds, and far off, on the outskirts of her holy ground, the small temple dedicated to the peacekeeper. The only sign that told off that this archaic paradise was not alone. Other beings like her existed; ruled and commanded. Like her, but not as her. Just like the saints in her command were different from one another. Just like people was differed.

Unique. Different. Pulled apart.

Alone.

‘’ Tell me... ‘’ she began, looking over her shoulder at the former Libra Saint. ‘’ You don’t have to wear your mask with me, I don’t mind ‘’ He nodded, removing the pale gold mask that was now his face before the world. The mask that separated Dohko, the man who loved to fish at Rhozan, from the Kyoko, Athena’s Voice.

She smiled when seeing his friendly face. When he wore the mask... it felt strange. Almost as if she couldn’t recognise him. As if she couldn’t find the small, wrinkled man that used to advise her Dragon under the tall and muscular figure of her Kyoko. But when the mask was gone, so was her apprehension. Those wise yet teasing eyes would never change, no matter how old or young Dohko’s body was.

‘’ Better ‘’ she whispered, her eyes drifting from him to the female grounds, the small cottages and wooden barracks lit by midday’s sun. ‘’ Do you... ‘’

Saori bit her lower lip, tousling a strand of her mauve hair. The world was different from atop the stairs. She could see everything... everyone, almost as if she were walking between them. Dohko had told her before that all was due to the resonance between the statue and her Cosmo, that both worked together, so she could take care of her people from above. He told her that he could do the same at Star Hill. That there were places whose magic was not lost yet, no matter how many years might have passed.

So if she tried, she could see anyone. She could see Marin sitting at one of the steps of the coliseum, looking at the trainees, Aiolia pointing her the gifted ones, even when she was more than able to recognise them herself. She could see Shura and Shiryu at Capricorn’s temple, the Gold Saint talking amiably with the younger man about his training days and how had he managed to master Excalibur. She could see June at Aries’ temple, introducing Shun to Solovei and Albinach, the young trainees stumbling over words when facing one of the legendary Bronze Boys.

And she could see them. Training together under the scorching sun. Shimmering cosmos clashing against one another, but never... never harming each other. The Snake-Holder and the Winged Horse, engaged in a dance of fists and electricity that they knew by heart. Ophiuchus and Pegasus.

‘’ Do you know if I...if I am allowed to feel? ‘’

Dohko looked at her, puzzled. But then he smiled warmly, seeing the truth behind the young woman’s words. A truth he had known for a long time.

A truth he couldn’t voice. He did not have the right to do so.

Saori shook her head slightly, turning on her heels to face him once again. ‘’ I guess I shouldn’t be asking you that question... but myself, ne? ‘’

His smile broadened. ‘’ Your words are wise, my Lady ‘’

She blinked, then began to laugh. ‘’ And your tongue is sweet, Dohko ‘’ He flushed, making her laugh even harder. ‘’ Is there any danger that... ‘’

‘’ Cosmo never dies... it lives forever. Even if one changes. Look at Saga, my Lady ‘’

Saori nodded, satisfied with his answer. Her Gemini Saint was a strong man, with a strong cosmo... both as an ally... and as an enemy. Even when going against his own will, his cosmo hadn’t changed, it had remained... untouched. And why would hers falter, if following her free will?

All she had to do was be strong enough to voice it. Because even though Athena’s cosmo ran through her veins, it was Saori’s heart the one that beat in her chest.

Artemis stared at the ceiling, resting on the bed, the soft-mattress sinking under her weight. The only sound in the room was that of her calm breathing, the only movement the one of her heaving chest. Even though the temple was cool and the marble rarely heated, the day’s warmth was starting to bother her. She yawned, stretching her left arm above her head and resting the palm of her hand on her forehead.

The heat was starting to make her feel drowsy, and all the wine she had had didn’t help.

‘’ Damn Phoenix ‘’ she growled, not really meaning it. Their little talk had helped her to forget the morning’s events. Or at least to ignore them for a while.

She lifted her shirt, eyeing the dark bruise on her stomach with anger. She placed her right hand over it, a low groan escaping her lips when she pressed too hard.

‘’ Damn Cygnus ‘’

Reluctantly, she stood up, cursing when the world started to melt around her. She would have to remember not to drink so early in the morning again, and even less with that damn weather.

Still groggy, she managed to get to the bathroom, and after a short struggle, she managed to open the sink.

‘’ Nice ‘’ she whispered, ducking her head under the cold water, her body feeling renewed at the cool feeling of her wet hair against her skin.

She chuckled inwardly, remembering the times when she would have given anything for a day like this, warm yet humid, the breeze bringing the salty scent of the sea with it. She had wanted to show Isaac a day like that...

But Isaac was gone now. He had left them, and she hadn’t even been there for him. Not when the accident happened... not when Hyoga... when Hyoga killed him. She had not been able to tell him that he was the best friend she had had. She had failed him, just as she had failed everyone.

‘’ Admit it, Huntress, you are fraud ‘’ she muttered, moving her head away from the sink, her ebony hair falling heavily on her back.

Or she just made too many mistakes... Hyoga being first in the list. She frowned, angered at her own thoughts. She was the one mistaken, not him.

She should never have chosen him.

He was different from the beginning... Athena’s mark was on him since the beginning. Yet she couldn’t but watch over him since his mother’s death.

She couldn’t but make a mistake that would ruin her life... and his.

Yet she couldn’t blame him. It was all her fault.

She could have chosen any other man to train her instead of Camus...

She could have stayed away when she noticed how he affected her...

She could have let guilt eat him alive when Isaac sacrificed himself for him...

She could have killed him when he kissed her...

Yet she had done nothing. Nothing but push him to his limits, drive him to the edge. Nothing but deliberately do everything in her power to make him feel as she felt. Dead.

‘’ Damn ‘’ she let out, slamming the bathroom’s door behind her, leaning against it and sliding to the floor. ‘’ I can’t think about this again... I can’t... it’s over, gone... ‘’ She looked at the scar on her hand, wishing to make it disappear, wishing to be strong enough to cut her own hand so she would not see it anymore, ‘’ You are over! It was your fault, all of it!!! ‘’

‘’ I wish I could break you... ‘’

‘’ I wish I could kill you... ‘’

‘’ I wish I could blame you... ‘’

‘’ So I will hurt you, until you are like me... a shadow... an empty vessel... ‘’

‘’ ... a lie... ‘’

The wind was cooler at the seaside. Everything was different there at noon. Most saints were at the barracks, and those who weren’t were trying to sleep through the heat. No one came to the seashore at that time. No one but someone who just wanted to forget. To pretend he had not sparred that morning. To pretend a black-haired woman didn’t exist. To bury her memory.

Hyoga groaned when hearing those words echoing again in his head. He knew she had not meant to say them out loud. He knew she had not meant them... Because she did not have the right to do so. The right to say he had killed her.

He leaned against the cliff’s side, cursing lowly. He had gone to the shore to forget that and all he could do was go over and over those words, unable to erase them from his minds. No reproaches were hidden in them, no sarcasm, no hate. They were empty. As empty as her icy eyes.

Once he had been certain that they would always reflect him. That even when he wasn’t looking at them, they were still able to capture his reflection. The reflection of his self.

‘’ Of what you took away from me... ‘’ he muttered, throwing a stone into the sea, watching it disappear into the white-crowned waves.

If only forgetting her would be that easy....

But her teases would always be there... her voice would always be there. Pushing him to the edge. Using her Cosmo to burn his. No matter how far she was from him, she would always find the way to clench his soul.

And he wasn’t sure if he wanted that to change.

He wasn’t sure about anything at all. Not anymore.

Hyoga looked at his hand. The faintest white line was the only thing that revealed the place where he had once slashed it. The faintest scar was the memory of what he had promised. Hers had never healed. It had marred her hand forever.

Had he forced himself to forget her so much that his body had reacted likewise? Had he buried her memory so deep in his mind, that the only remnant of her touch were the bruises on his face, the only reminder of her body being the one of her stomach feeling soft under his fist? Even the scar on his hand had fainted... the one thing that tied him to her... did that mean that he had let her go, while she had never done so?

‘’ Shimatta... ‘’ he murmured under the clamouring of the breaking waves, ‘’ What do you want from me...? ‘’

‘’ Hyoga ‘’

He turned, meeting the older saint’s dark blue eyes. He approached, stopping some steps from him. Some minutes went by, yet he remained silent. Waiting.

‘’ Is Milo still... ‘’ Hyoga finally ventured, shifting his gaze from his sensei to the sea.

‘’ He is disappointed. He is not angry with you if that’s what bothers you ‘’

Hyoga nodded slightly. He could still remember the stone-like expression on the Scorpio saint’s face when Artemis ran away from the grounds, the way he got up and left without muttering a word. The way his cosmo seemed to crackle, to warn everyone to stay away.

Specially Camus.

It was the first time Hyoga had seen Milo behaving like that. And if he had asked Camus, he would have learnt it had also been a first time for him.

But he did not ask. He didn’t even speak his doubts. He didn’t ask Camus what had happened to her, what had he told her to make her leave Siberia.

He just stared at the horizon, at the place where the sea and the sky lost their shape and turned to one, allowing the minutes to go by, allowing his chance to disappear.

The blue-haired man finally turned his back to him, walking to the temples as calmly as he had arrived. But before he could leave the shore, his trainee’s voice stopped him.

‘’ Why did you come, Camus? ‘’

If Hyoga had been nearer him, he would have noticed the faint smile on his master’s usually detached face. Yet, he was too far away.

‘’ The day is too hot for my taste. This is the only place where the wind blows ‘’

He didn’t press it, accepting the answer without questions. Knowing deep down in his heart that it was a partial truth.

Knowing Camus had been waiting for him to voice everything he hadn’t. Knowing that this time he might had answered.

But he had always been a good student. He had learnt that feelings were something he shouldn’t consider. He shouldn’t wish for.

He had learnt that feelings were something he could not expect in Camus. Nor Artemis.

‘’ I wish I could hate you... ‘’

‘’ Aren’t you tired? ‘’

Pallas looked over her shoulder at the frowning young man, then smiled. ‘’ Not really ‘’

He nodded, as if taking in her words, yet stayed there, his yellowish eyes fixed on her callused hands.

Wolf eyes, the rest of the maids had said when first seen him, harsh eyes

For her they were just... distant.

‘’ God, if you want to wash the dishes so badly, then be my guest ‘’ The man’s severe features soften slightly as she moved to one side, allowing him to finish her chores. It had been like this since he arrived, the same day the Lady left. One of the cooks had fallen ill out of a sudden, and the agency sent him.

Virbio.

The man with the wolf-like eyes.

‘’ What...? ‘’

‘’ You wash, I dry ‘’ He blinked, then shook his head disapprovingly, yet let her do as she pleased. He always did. Do what others wanted him to do. Even when most took advantage of this to make him do their job. Yet he never complained. He would silently comply with everyone’s wishes.

‘’ Don’t you... don’t you ever get tired? ‘’ she whispered shyly, ‘’ They are just... using you ‘’

‘’ I am used to working hard ‘’

She looked at him, a bit annoyed by the way he had avoided her question. A bit annoyed by the way he allowed everyone to trample over him without saying a word about it.

‘’ I could talk to them- ‘’

‘’ I don’t need a woman’s help ‘’ he let out, frowning. She took some steps back, taken aback by the harshness of his voice. She had never seen him like that, not once in the week they had been working together. For everyone he was the quiet, reserved, new cook, the fool that did everything they wanted. The fool that did not raise his voice, that did not criticised Tatsumi behind his back, that did not join them in their evening card games. The one that did not complain. Ever.

‘’ I’m sorry, I did not mean to scare you ‘’ he muttered, returning to his work, ‘’ I am not used to... ‘’

‘’ You are strange, Virbio, you are not used to having others worrying over you? ‘’

‘’ ... Something like that ‘’

Pallas smiled broadly; yet didn’t push the conversation further. She, like the yellow-eyed man, valued her privacy greatly, and understood the need of keeping things to oneself. Not hiding... just not telling. Though she couldn’t but wonder which reasons pushed Virbio to hide behind that severe mask. Hers had always been cleared to everyone in the house. The maids had made sure of that, talking about her, about her past, when they thought she wasn’t listening. They had built a cross for her, their murmuring voices making it feel heavier and heavier on her shoulders. Making everyone know, , just as if it had been carved on her forehead.

I made a mistake. I was a fool, and let a man take me through the wrong path. I tried to escape my life, and failed. Yet learnt the lesson. Learnt that there’s no escape.

Those words would follow her everywhere. Those words would warn everyone of what she was. Of what she had done. It would make them stay away.

Yet he hadn’t seem to notice. Or to care. The new one treated her just like he treated the rest. Politely, distant. Unattached.

He didn’t care about anyone in the house, that was why he didn’t care about what they did.

About what she had done.

‘’ Boy ‘’ Pallas almost dropped the dish she was drying when she heard that voice, the voice everyone in the house hated. Boy, it had said. It couldn’t even treat them with respect. Not them, mere servants in the house. Mere slaves.

Virbio frowned at her reaction, taking the dish from her hands and placing it on the table. He didn’t understand, did he? He didn’t fear him. He would learn to fear him, though. Everyone did.

‘’ Sir ‘’

Tatsumi glared at the pair disapprovingly, entering the room with all his all-mighty presence. Pallas hid behind Virbio’s broad back, wishing she could disappear, wishing she hadn’t been promoted to the first floor, where Tatsumi ruled without mercy, without pity.

Without Justice.

But then her fear disappeared. Just like that. All she could feel was a feeling of warmth creeping from her toes to her head, embracing her. She looked up, fixing her gaze on Virbio’s untroubled face.

He did not look afraid. He did not look taken aback. He just stood there, calmed and silent, as always. His eyes didn’t move from Tatsumi’s, but there was no defiance in them, no anger. Only a look of humble obedience.

‘’ The Lady won’t be returning today, so make sure to keep dinner simple ‘’ the huge man said, ignoring Pallas. She wondered how many times would he say that phrase, the lady won’t be returning today. He had repeated them since she had left, making them work hard all day long in case she might return, and then telling them all had been useless during the evening. She wanted to kill him when he did things like that.

‘’ Yes, Sir ‘’ the younger man answered, bowing his head respectfully, almost as if he had been glad of receiving more orders, more chores.

Tatsumi nodded, turning his massive back on them to return to his own tasks. But a dry cough forced him to lean on the doorframe. He had been having it for a couple of days now, and it seemed to be getting worst day after day.

‘’ Are you well, Sir? ‘’

No, he wasn’t. He would have to go to the doctor, even when that meant allowing the house to turn into chaos for a couple of hours. Maybe if he asked the doctor to come to the mansion...

‘’ Yes ‘’ he managed to answer, the cough getting harsher, making his throat ache. Breathing heavily, he took his hand to his chest, hating the feeling of being torn and ripped in the inside.

‘’ Do you want me to call the doctor, Sir? ‘’

He shook his head at the girl, refusing her help. ‘’ It’s just a summer cold, don’t worry ‘’

‘’ Here ‘’

Tatsumi looked at the boy and nodded, accepting the glass of water he was offering him. ‘’ Thank you ‘’

And Virbio smiled. For the first time since he had been working there, a broad, friendly smile curved his full lips.

An honest smile.

Tatsumi, renewed by the cool water, began to walk. But the cough went on. And his legs were unable to sustain him any more.

‘’ Sir! ‘’ cried Pallas, running to his side, her fears vanishing at the sight of the man in need.

‘’ Don’t ‘’

‘’ Call the doctor ‘’ She stood there for some seconds, trying to understand why his words troubled her, why she had the strong feeling about her having to stay. But in the end he was right. Tatsumi needed a doctor.

Finally, she nodded and ran towards the main hall.

And she left them.

‘’ I don’t... ‘’

‘’ No, you don’t ‘’ whispered the yellow-eyed man, crouching next to the massive figure of Tatsumi, taking his huge hand in his. ‘’ You don’t need a doctor, Sir. Not for what is happening to you right now ‘’

‘’ It is only... a cold... ‘’ Virbio smiled, placing his free hand on his forehead. He was feverish already.

‘’ Not really... ‘’ he began, unbuttoning Tatsumi’s shirt to check his breathing. Ragged and slow. Too slow. ‘’ It’s the belladonna I’ve been putting in your food. It’s making effect ‘’

The man’s dark eyes went wide when hearing those words, understanding hitting him like a rock.

‘’ You... bas... bastard ‘’

Virbio frowned, his yellow eyes darkening. For an instant, Tatsumi was certain he had angered him. And felt glad. Felt glad to unsettle the man that had betrayed him. A man he had allowed into the mansion ‘’ You won’t be able to speak soon enough, so choose your last words wisely ‘’

Tatsumi’s eyes went dim in disbelief, yet his body betrayed him. And when he tried to speak again and couldn’t, he realised it was too late.

‘’ M....m...y.... L....a... ‘’

‘’ Your Lady? ‘’ asked Virbio, puzzled, ‘’ Oh, Athena, I see! Don’t worry, this warning is not for her, we have no interest in the Girder-on-of-Arms... Why are you crying? Does this trouble you? ‘’ he leaned forward, his lips whispering in his ear, ‘’ The fact that you are not dying for her troubles you? You have the soul of a warrior, even if you lack the courage... so I will tell you this: Your death will save her from harm. Now sleep, old man. And rest. She will come to your side soon enough and bid you farewell ‘’

‘’ Sir, the doctor... oh, my god... is he... ? ‘’

Virbio stood up, his yellow-eyes fixing on the girl’s as she re-entered the kitchen. ‘’ Not yet ‘’

Pallas knelt by Tatsumi, surprised by the expression of his face. Tears were falling down his usually merciless eyes, but he didn’t seem sad. He seemed angered.

‘’ Virbio... ‘’ she whispered, turning for help. But he was already walking to the main door. ‘’ What are you... ? ‘’

‘’ Stay by his side, Pallas, and don’t move until the Girder-on-of-Arms comes. He is still conscious, even if he can’t speak Let a woman be the last thing he sees, even if she is not the one he treasures ‘’

‘’ You... you did this?! How could you, Virbio?! How? ‘’

‘’ Virbio ceased to exist a long time ago, Pallas ‘’ he muttered, his eyes darkening, ‘’ Do as I told you. It will be easier that way ‘’

And he turned and left, ignoring the girl’s cries and the man’s ragged breathing, interrupted only by the driest cough he had heard.

It was an unfair way of hunting, it was something he wasn’t proud of doing. Yet his mistress had ordered it so. And he would never betray his mistress again.

She waited. She always did. Waited for the flaws, for the virtues. Waited to know her prey. It was easier that way, swifter. It saved the helpless from unnecessary pain. She didn’t like bringing pain.

Yet sometimes she had to. Bring pain to others. It was a way of making them realise their mistakes. Of teaching them the right path.

The path of her Goddess.

She had to admit that she felt strange... to be chosen to deliver the punishment to the Traitor. To be given the honour of teaching her the truth of their ways... and the wrongs of hers.

To teach her the truth.

So she waited.

Her prey would come soon, the little helpless being that would serve her purposes. Hadn’t the Traitor taught them that sacrifices had to be done in order to accomplish ones dreams? Then it was fair to punish her through sacrifice. She would understand that.

She would learn. And she would be happier. Everyone was happier once they learnt. It made them better persons.

And she loved helping others to become better persons.

‘’ Where are you, my child? Help me to show her the truth... to show her that she has done us wrong... ‘’

The girl stirred in dreams, troubled. It wasn’t the dream that bothered her... her dreams never did... it was the voice. The troubled tone in that voice... Someone was calling her. Someone needed her.

‘’ Who... who is there? ‘’ she whispered, trying to get used to the dimness of the night.

The sweetest laughter she had ever heard answered her, embracing her like a warm wind. Yet there was sadness in that laughter. There was pain.

She stood up, covering her milky shoulders with her shawl. The voice was there still, fainter though. The laughter was disappearing, the sadness growing in it.

‘’ Wait ‘’ The voice stopped. Gone? She walked out of the cottage, trying to find it one again. A voice talking right to her heart.

Only Shiryu had been able to that. His emerald cosmo. Able to reach her mind.

She entered the forest, not fearing the darkness that shrouded it. Those trees had grown with her, knew her. There was nothing to fear in the trees, in the mountains. She was theirs.

She found the source of the voice at the waterfall. The figure was cloaked in green and brown, its shape being difficult to tell from the rocks that lay behind it. It was small, though, its height being equal to hers, though its frame was smaller.

A woman.

A girl.

‘’ Who are you...? ‘’ she whispered, puzzled.

‘’ Tell me, Shunrei of Rhozan... ‘’ That voice... it was sweet and gentle... slightly high-pitched, but in that way that only children voices are.

Innocent.

‘’ What do you see when you look at the waterfall? ‘’

‘’ I thought you needed my help... ‘’

‘’ I do. But first I must know if you are the person I’ve been looking for. So, Shunrei, what do you see when you look at the waterfall? ‘’

The Chinese girl smiled, her eyes fixing on the waterfall she knew so well. It seemed almost black right now, the stars shimmering in it, as if behind it a new sky hid.

‘’ I see a Dragon ‘’

The figure laughed softly, pulling down the hood that covered its head. A girl with short golden hair was smiling at her, huge hazel eyes staring right into hers, without fears, without doubts.

Without sins.

Pure.

‘’ A Dragon... a wise answer... the answer the kind of person we need would say ‘’

‘’ We? ‘’

She smiled again, then with one fluid movement, she bowed theatrically at her, her brownish cloak dancing around her at the movement. Shunrei’s heart missed a beat. She had caught glimpses of green metal under the cloak. A cloth.

‘’ Guardian Monoceros Iphigeneia, at your service, Shunrei of Rhozan ‘’ she said, fluttering her eyelashes sweetly, ‘’ With a message from my mistress, Melaenis ‘’

‘’ Aphrodite...? ‘’

‘’ You’ve been educated into the ways of the Gods? ‘’ asked the girl merrily, walking to her side and touching Shunrei’s nose with the tip of her index, ‘’ I knew you were special ‘’

‘’ What... do you mean?

‘’ I will take you to your Dragon, Shunrei, we need a messenger. A poet. The Traitor loves them. And you are perfect, just as I knew you were going to be! ‘’

‘’ I can’t leave, I have a task here... ‘’

‘’ You will leave. Because your task is not here. Your task is at Greece ‘’ said the Iphigeneia more sternly, getting rid of her cloak to reveal the green tunic that protected her body.

‘’ I know it. Because you are the message, Shunrei, you are the note. And our words won’t be understood without you... ‘’

Shunrei thought about escaping, but found herself admiring the girl’s cosmo in awe. It was beautiful. And pure. It almost reminded her of...

Of Athena.

‘’ I like you, Shunrei of Rhozan, your soul is full of feelings. Full of love... ‘’ Iphigeneia whispered this while stroking Shunrei’s braid, leaning closer to kiss her lips gently ‘’ You are perfect... the perfect sacrifice ‘’

SE FINNI