Discord

Discord

‘’ All has been foretold, all things have all been told, all is said and done, all... ‘’

-Power Symphony, Battles in the Twilight

‘’ Huh? ‘’ said the blonde, kneeling to take a closer look at the shattered china swan. She took one of the pieces in her hand, frowned, took a deep breath and then...

‘’ Makoto!!! ‘’

Ellie’s voice echoed in every room of the orphanage, making most of the children start and a very particular scruffy looking boy run for his life.

‘’ I didn’t say a thing when you broke the bear statue, it wasn’t that pretty anyway... ‘’ she started chanting while climbing the stairs that lead to the playroom, ‘’ When the one of the hydra disappeared, I kept my thoughts of its fate to myself... Even when you broke the wolf one, I just warned you to stop playing with Miho’s china... ‘’

She opened the playroom’s door and search with her gaze for her objective.

‘’ But this time you went too far... ‘’ she added, placing her hands on her hips and frowning at the figure hidden behind a pile of stuffed teddy bears and worn out dolls, ‘’ I’m sorry to tell you this, Mako-kun, but this time I won’t be there to cover you, I’ll have to tell Miho you were the one that broke it, she won’t fall for the gust of wind excuse once again ‘’

‘’ And if you tell her it was one of the younger kids... ‘’ muttered a voice from behind the toys.

Ellie sighed dramatically and shook her head. ‘’ No, Mako-kun, it’s time you learn to take responsibility over your actions, you are not a baby anymore ‘’

Makoto came out of his hiding place, looking both sorrowed and scared. ‘’ I didn’t mean to break it, you know? I just wanted to take a closer look at it and it just slipped... ‘’

‘’ I know ‘’ she said, patting the boy’s back, ‘’ But Miho doesn’t ‘’

This time it was the boy’s turn to sigh. ‘’ Ok, I’ll tell her, if I don’t make it alive, tell the rest of the guys they can keep my things ‘’

‘’ That’s the spirit! ‘’ Ellie smiled radiantly at him, making him blush. Her boys were so grown up now, they were almost as old as Miho and her had been when they had started working at the orphanage. In a couple of years she would have to find them jobs, and then they would start their own lives, and even their own families...

She giggled at her vivid imagination. She really needed to find something to do instead of planning her boys’ future.

‘’ Ellie-chan? ‘’

‘’ Yes, Makoto? ‘’

‘’ Would you walk me to her? ‘’

Ellie smiled broadly once again, taking him by the hand and leading the way. ‘’ Of course, dead man walking ‘’ she teased. They were growing fast, but she still had some years to look after them. They were still her boys.

‘’ Makoto, I can’t believe you did this! ‘’

Ellie listened to Miho’s lecture from afar, not wanting to be in Makoto’s shoes. Her friend could be really caring and the best cook she had ever met, but when angered, the farther you were from her, the safer you where.

‘’ Well, he’ll survive it... at least I hope he will... ‘’ she whispered to herself, walking back inside. It was when doing this that she bumped into what felt like a wall, falling gracefully on her behind.

‘’ Ittai!!... ‘’

‘’ Gomen... Daijyobun ka? ‘’, said a voice, as a pair of strong arms helped her up.

‘’ Daijyobun... yo... ‘’ Ellie blushed when seeing the young man standing before her. His sandy yellow hair and dark green eyes were somehow familiar, but she couldn’t quite make out where she had seen them before...

‘’ Ara! Ohaiyou gozaimasu, Jabu-san!! ‘’ she beamed, suddenly remembering where she had seen the man before. He had been one of the orphans she had grown up with, and also one of those that, like her dear Hyoga, had been taken away from the place they knew as home to be turned into saints.

‘’ Sashiburidesu, Ellie-san ‘’ he answered plainly, bowing slightly at her, ‘’ I had feared no one would remember my name around here... ‘’

‘’ How can you say something as terrible as that? Seiya-tachi are a very important part of the orphanage’s heart ‘’

‘’ Seiya-tachi... ‘’

Ellie noticed the bitterness in his words and wondered if she had said something wrong. From what she could remember, Jabu had been a cheerful kid, incredibly generous and friendly. Yes, he had always kept his problems to his own, but that wasn’t something uncommon in children raised at an orphanage. Then again, he wasn’t the same boy who had played with her in the sandbox anymore. He was a saint now, and sainthood usually had its toll on people’s souls.

‘’ So... ‘’

‘’ I was wondering... ‘’

‘’ Please, you go first ‘’ said Jabu, allowing a faint smile to appear on his lips.

Ellie giggled, blushing slightly once again. ‘’ I was just wondering if you had any news on Saori’s well being... ‘’

‘’ The Lady... ‘’ he stopped, biting his lips, ‘’ Nothing has change... ‘’

‘’ Oh, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have... ‘’

‘’ It’s ok ‘’ He ran his fingers through his hair, moving his eyes from her and gazing towards the sky, ‘’ She’ll be all right ‘’

Ellie nodded, both surprised and pleased by the determination in his voice. But the voices of the children made her turn her attention from the Saint, making her realise that lunchtime was near.

‘’ Ah shitsureshimasu, I have to feed the kids, they can get pretty dangerous if they don’t have their tummies full ‘’

‘’ I remember ‘’ he said, granting her another of his faint smiles, ‘’ Don’t worry about me, I just wanted to.... ‘’

‘’ To remember ‘’ she completed his sentence, echoing his words, ‘’ I know. Don’t worry about us, you can come whenever you want to. This is also your home ‘’

III

Jabu looked through the glass panel, feeling torn in the inside when seeing his Lady with so many tubes and machines keeping her alive. He could make out Seiya’s figure by her side, and a sleeping Tatsumi sitting by the window. The rest of the room remained in darkness, or at least that was what he wanted to believe. Light had died for him the moment she lost her consciousness and was taken from them.

‘’ Saori... my love ‘’ he whispered, leaning his face against the panel, ‘’ Where are you? Why don’t you want to grant us the joy of seeing your eyes? Why don’t you allow me the bliss of hearing your voice? ‘’

‘ Why have you left us... ‘ he finished in his mind, tears forming in his eyes. The pain was too much for him to stand it, he just couldn’t stay there, watching, waiting, all in vain. He couldn’t see her dying before his eyes. Not again.

... This is also your home...

The girl’s words came back to him. Ellie, the baby girl with long braids he used to chase around when little. Cygnus’ girlfriend, until he changed her for that Asgardian Princess. The Goddess Eris, the Goddess of Discord, until the fucking Saint of Hope saved her. But be it Goddess, Woman or Child, she was right, after all, he had always felt at peace with himself at the orphanage, at least when there was no one there to remind him how Seiya was cherished and praised. How Seiya was a better man than he would ever be.

Even now that Saori was slowly disappearing from their lives, Seiya, the Hero, the one that had died for her, was the one who got to be by her side, the one that could whisper sweet words in her ears; while he, Jabu the Fool could only watch and wait. And die. Maybe there was where Seiya and he were the same. They would both die for her.

‘’ Jabu? ‘’ said Shun’s melodic voice, while placing a hand on his shoulder, ‘’ Are you... ‘’

Ok? That was what he wanted to ask him? If he was ok? How could he, when all he cared for was dying, when the one thing that was right in his life was being taken away from him without even giving him the chance to do something about it?? Ok? No, he wasn’t ok, he would never be, not without his Lady, not without Saori to light his way.

He pushed the smaller Saint aside and ran towards the door, not caring for anyone, for anything. Not being able to erase Saori’s limp body from his mind.

‘’ Miho-mama, who’s the strange man in the garden? ‘’

The blue-haired woman smiled at the girl and lifted her in her arms. Every time there was a storm, she had to deal with the younger kids’ fears and ghosts, ghosts she had learned to shoo away.

‘’ Let’s see, Yuki ‘’ Miho opened the curtain, trying to make out the garden through the heavy rain, ‘’ Look, there’s no strange man in the... Oh, my God, Ellie, you’d better come and see this ‘’

Her friend lifted her head from her book, taking off her glasses. ‘’ It better be important, Miho, Aragorn was about to claim his right to the throne ‘’

‘’ It is, believe me ‘’

Ellie walked towards her friend, stroking the girl’s cheek before looking where Miho was pointing.

‘’ Oh, no ‘’ the blonde took a hand to her face, suppressing a yelp. ‘’ Miho, could you... ‘’

‘’ Don’t worry about it ‘’

Ellie nodded, walked into the service room and grabbed a towel, and then went towards the door, half-closing her eyes when being greeted by the terrible storm.

‘’ Be careful! ‘’ Miho’s voce echoed at her back, but her answer was silenced by a deafening thunder. God, she really hated storms.

‘’ Jabu-san? ‘’ The man before her didn’t move, just stood there, sitting on the mud, his soaked clothes clinging to his body like a second skin.

‘’ Jabu-san?! ‘’ she repeated, louder this time, ‘’ Are you ok? ‘’

Ok, not ok, dying, living, Saori, Ellie, Seiya the Hero, Jabu the Loser, nothing mattered to him anymore, nothing made sense anymore. Nothing was worth caring about without his Light.

‘’ What do you think, Ellie-san? ‘’ He could see himself in the girl’s scared eyes, a man with no dreams, no hopes. A dying man. A soulless man.

‘’ Come inside, please, you are all wet ‘’ He didn’t answer, playing deaf to Ellie’s words, ‘’ Damn Saints ‘’ she whispered, grabbing him by the arm and trying to make him stand.

Jabu moved his arm away from her, unwittingly pushing her to the muddy ground.

‘’ Shimatta! ‘’

‘’ I’m... I’m sorry... ‘’ He hadn’t meant to hurt her, he just wanted her to leave him alone, to let him die in the only place where he could still recognise himself.

‘’ I... I know that, Jabu-san ‘’ she said, getting up. A thunder exploded in the sky, making her shiver, but still, she wouldn’t back up, ‘’ Now stop this madness and come with me to the orphanage... ‘’

‘’ Get inside, you’ll get sick... let me die with her ‘’

‘’ Ok ‘’ Ellie sat by him, crossing her arms over her chest. ‘’ I do hope the kids aren’t looking through the window, but what the hell, if you are so determined to throw your life away just because you lost your hopes the least I can do is wait by your side ‘’

‘’ Don’t be foolish, woman... ‘’

‘’ The only fool I see is sitting by me. Do you think Saori wants this? To see her Saints losing their trust in her, sitting under the rain, wishing for a pious thunder to take their lives away? Do you think she wants you to die?! ‘’

Jabu looked into Ellie’s amber eyes, not knowing what to say, what to do. Her words had made a perfect portrait of his feelings, shattering the little truth he had left. He had nothing now. He had lost it all.

‘’ Now, will you let me take you inside? ‘’

Jabu nodded, allowing her to place one of his arms over her delicate shoulders and lead him towards the house. In a way, he wanted to laugh at the situation, at the idea of small-framed Ellie supporting huge Jabu the Loser, but he couldn’t laugh. He just couldn’t.

Warm tears fell on Ellie’s neck, but she didn’t say a word, just kept on guiding him. Tears from a Saint were a rare thing. Tears from Jabu, the Unicorn Saint, were unique.

‘’ Jabu-san! ‘’ cried Makoto, running towards the young man, ‘’ How are you? ‘’

‘’ I just am, Mako-kun ‘’ he shrugged, poking the boy on the shoulder, ‘’ And what about you? I heard two girls talking about you at the door. I believe one of them was a certain Eliza... ‘’

‘’ El? You mean it? She was talking about me? ‘’

Jabu smirked, placing his hands in his pockets. ‘’ Ora, ora, don’t get all nervous about it, just keep being yourself... and don’t forget the flowers ‘’

Makoto nodded, bowing to the sandy-haired man and running towards his friends.

‘’ Seems I’m not the only one who decided to visit this place today ‘’

‘’ Jabu is helping us with the backyard, Miho wants to grow a garden there, you know ‘’

‘’ Hello Ellie ‘’ said Jabu, turning around to meet them, ‘’ Hyoga ‘’

The blond man bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement, turning his attention back to Ellie.

‘’ Then I guess I’ll see you around ‘’

‘’ Of course, and do send my greeting to Se... Shun-tachi ‘’

‘’ I will, dewa Ellie-chan, Jabu ‘’

The sandy-haired man nodded, watching the figure of the Cygnus Saint disappearing into the distance.

‘’ Jabu.... Jabu? Are you ok? ‘’

‘’ Oh, Ellie! Yes... I mean, yeah, I’m fine ‘’ He really had to learn a way not to show his hatred towards his five ‘gifted’ brothers, ‘’ Does blondie still needs his ex–girlfriend advise? ‘’

Ellie looked at him, arching one of her eyebrows. ‘’ He’s my friend and came to visit me. Not like someone I know, who only comes when invited ‘’

‘’ That’s called manners, Ellie-san ‘’ he said, smiling broadly at her.

‘’ Yeaaaah, right ‘’ she teased, picking a toddling Yuki in her arms ‘’ Anyway, I hope your busy agenda won’t stop you from taking a cup of tea with Miho and me after you are done with the garden ‘’

Jabu winked at her, making her giggle. ‘’ But of course, Ellie-san! ‘’

‘’ Good, I’ll be waiting for you ‘’

He nodded, bowing at her before walking to the backyard.

VII

‘’ Ellie, I do hope you realise you’ll get nowhere with him ‘’

‘’ Miho! ‘’

The blonde frowned when hearing her friend’s words, changing Yuki into her other arm.

‘’ What? I thought you had learnt your lesson after breaking up with Hyoga. Saints are definitely not good matches ‘’

‘’ You are just saying that because Seiya hasn’t phoned you yet. Besides, Hyoga and I broke up in mutual agreement, we were behaving too much like friends and little as a couple ‘’ Yuki struggled in Ellie’s arm until she let her down. ‘’ Anyway, I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, I’m not interested in Jabu that way, he’s just a troubled man who needs someone to listen to him ‘’

‘’ And why that someone must be always you? Listen Ellie, I’m telling you this for your own sake, you’ve been through a lot of things, and getting attached to a Saint who is just coming to terms with his life isn’t going to help you at all ‘’

‘’ Please, Miho, don’t start with that lecture of yours! We-are-just-friends ‘’

‘’ That’s what he thinks, but not what you feel, and don’t tell me that’s crap, because you fell for him the moment you saw him, I noticed ‘’

‘’ That’s a lie! He wants a friend and I’m giving him that ‘’

‘’ You forgot to say that the boy is too in love with that Kido heiress as to grant you a second look, my friend ‘’

‘’ I don’t want him to give me a second look! We are just friends... Yuki, stop pulling at my shirt ‘’

The baby girl smiled broadly, pointing at the window.

‘’ Unicorn! ‘’

‘’ Yeah, Jabu’s there, Yu.... Oh, God ‘’

‘’ Well, Saint or not Saint, he is really nicely built... ‘’

Ellie nodded, staring at the working Saint. He had taken his shirt off because of the heat, leaving his torso exposed to the girls’ scrutiny. And they couldn’t say they complained.

‘’ You are such a pervert, Miho, you knew this would happen! ‘’

The blue-haired girl just shrugged, arguing that it wasn’t her fault that the backyard was visible from the kitchen’s window.

‘’ Ok, ok... though he is kinda good looking ‘’

‘’ Ellie! Just kinda? ‘’

The two friends started laughing, while Yuki just stared at them, not knowing what was so funny. Probably nothing but senseless grown-ups stuff.

VIII

A thunder shattered the sky, making Ellie start.

‘’ Just like that day... ‘’ she whispered, remembering that afternoon when Jabu had appeared at their garden. It had been what? Two months since then? A little more?

And since then, since the young man had opened her heart and soul to her, confessing his every secret to her, she had felt she was losing a battle she was never meant to win. She felt she could somehow get lost in his words, in his shattered dreams and hopes.

But he hadn’t noticed. Not even during the last few weeks, when she had had to cut their conversations every now and then with some stupid excuse so she could get away from him for some minutes and locked herself somewhere where he couldn’t hear her. Where he couldn’t hear her crying for the pain his words brought her. Where she could gain control over her and be able to face him like a friend once again.

Miho was right, she had got too attached to him, needed him in a way no friendship could satisfy. And not having him that way has hurting her. Knowing he would never feel the same for her was torturing her.

But not anymore, Miho and Hyoga had made her realise that. Yes, how pathetic that could be, asking her ex advise about what to do with Jabu.

At least he hadn’t laugh. In fact, he had comforted her with his cold way of seeing the world. And he had been sincere, just as Miho had been, repeating a truth she was now getting used to. There was nothing she could do, because Jabu didn’t love her. He loved Saori. He would die for her. He had died, that day under the storm, for her.

He would never die under the storm for Ellie, The One He Did Not Love.

So she had phoned him and told him they needed to talk. It was time to stop the charade. To tell him she couldn’t give him her friendship. To tell him she wanted more, and to hear he couldn’t give her that. To lose him, in a way that would probably destroy her.

Too bad the weather didn’t seem to agree with her, with her wishes of being altruistic for once in her life. A terrible storm, so frightening and powerful as that One had been, was unleashing its fury all over the city. Which meant Jabu wouldn’t come. He would call her, tell her he was sorry, but the storm was too bad, blah, blah, blah...

The storm hadn’t stopped him that day, nor she had been afraid of its fury by his side. But he hadn’t cared about her that day, he hadn’t face the storm for her that day. He had done so for his love, for Saori. For a Goddess turned Woman who had died for the Hero and now just slept.

‘’ Shimetta... ‘’

‘’ Ellie-mama... ok? ‘’

The blonde turned her attention to the squeaky voice behind her, brushing her tears away with the back of her hand.

‘’ Yeah, Yuki, I’m ok ‘’

‘’ Jabu make Ellie smile, ne? ‘’

‘’ No, not today, it’s raining, little one ‘’

Yuki looked at Ellie with confused eyes, pointing, as she always did, to her favourite thing in the world. The window. The door to a world that sometime she would roam. A world meant to bring pain, tears, hate and death. A world she could hardly wait to live in.

‘’ Jabu make Ellie smile today, ne? ‘’

The blonde frowned, picking the little girl in her arms and walking towards the window. A figure was standing in the garden. Jabu. Jabu had faced the storm for her?

‘’ Miho! ‘’ she cried, running to the door. Her friend came to her in seconds, bringing her an umbrella and taking Yuki away from her.

‘’ So you won’t get all soaked this time ‘’

‘’ Domo arigato gozaimasu, Miho-chan! ‘’

And with those words Ellie opened the door and faced the storm.

‘’ Jabu-san!! ‘’ cried the girl, running towards the lonely figure standing in the middle of the garden, ‘’ You came, I’m so glad!!! ‘’

‘’ You shouldn’t be ‘’

Ellie stopped the moment she heard that voice. That voice... it wasn’t Jabu’s. Then who...?. Doubting, she took a few extra steps towards the figure, fighting to see its shape despite the rain.

‘’ You are not Jabu ‘’ she muttered to the cloaked being, her fear to storms closing its claws around her heart.

‘’ I am not ‘’ the figure answered, still unmoving.

‘’ The premises are closed, no one can enter... ‘’ she babbled, feeling the cold grip of fear for a reason she couldn’t quite make out.

‘’ No one wants to enter, or at least I don’t want to... I just found what I came looking for...’’

‘’ What?! ‘’

A yellow light started flowing around the figure, reflecting in the rain like a thousand rainbows. Despite all her fear, Ellie could remember what that light meant. She had possessed a similar one not too long ago. It was Cosmo. Deadly Cosmo, the Giver of Nightmares. The Giver of Death.

‘’ Eris, Goddess of Discord, your actions have brought Ortygia’s judgement upon you... ‘’

Ortygia? Eris?! Eris was... dead, Seiya had killed her! Eris had nothing to do with her, nothing at all. Eris had been a nightmare, a bad dream that took her away, something that had stained her and left a mark on her she couldn’t forget. Eris was a demon, and she was not. She was Ellie, a Mortal who had faced the Storm for a Man who did Not Care. For a Man that had Die for Another.

‘’ I’m not Eris!! ‘’ she cried, walking away from the figure, ‘’ I am not!!! Eris... Eris is dead... Eris is forgotten ‘’ Eris had faced her personal Storm and failed.

The yellow light burned higher, turning the cloak into ashes. Ellie gasped at the sight of the burning cloth, but the looks of its owner impressed her even more. This was her murderer. This was how Death looked like.

The woman was muscular, with ebony skin and short silvery hair. Her body was protected by white metal pieces, carved with strange symbols that she somehow recognised as Greek characters, and a white tiara engraved with silver wings circled her head.

Everything about her seemed to speak of power and strength, of beauty and knowledge. Of a person who trusted her skills fully and had no doubts whatsoever. Of Death.

‘’ I, Arion Pentesilea, have come to fulfil my mistress’ orders and take Eris’ life for the crime of attempting against the Balance of the Realms ‘’

‘’ Shimetta, aren’t you listening??! Eris is dead, a Saint killed her! ‘’ Ellie was now screaming, trying to make herself hear over the clamouring of the storm. ‘’ Eris was punished for her sins already, I’m not her!! I am nothing but a Mortal, you hear??! NOTHING BUT A FREAKING MORTAL!!! ‘’

The smaller girl fell on her knees, sobbing forcefully. Why was this happening to her once again? Seiya had destroyed her nightmares, there was no reason for her to be judged. Eris had been the sinner, she had only been her vessel, nothing but a thing for the Goddess to accomplish her wishes. She had been nothing but a freaking Mortal turned into a God. She had been a puppet. A toy.

‘’ Do you really believe that? ‘’ asked the silver-haired woman in a detached tone of voice ‘’ That a Saint can face an immortal and kill her? Kill the daughter of Hera and Zeus? The sister of Ares? To kill something is to destroy its body, Goddess of Discord, and your body is right here. As long as it remains, you will always have a way to come back. And that is what we must not allow. We must not allow Discord to break the Balance of the Realms once again. We have to protect Peace, and to do so, we have to be Swords of Justice ‘’

Ellie looked up at the warrior, wishing seeing her like that would somehow make her understand the truth. But the Warrior’s Eyes were Silver and Dead. They saw nothing. They were nothing. This Warrior had never needed to See. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t understand, because she couldn’t See Her! Because she couldn’t see the Mortal pleading for her life...

‘’ Eris is gone, I promise, if you could only see... ‘’

‘’ I don’t need to see when I feel you, Goddess of Discord. I feel your Cosmo. I feel your Mark ‘’

The blonde gasped, trying to find an answer to that. Cosmo? That was impossible, the Saints would have noticed it. Athena would have noticed it! Then why... why was that woman saying that? Why did she believe her?

‘’ Stop crying, Goddess ‘’ went on the silver-haired woman, ‘’ Death will be swift, I promise. Now stand up and accept your fate with Honour ‘’

‘’ I’m not her... please, please don’ t kill me, I’m just a girl, I... please... allow me to live ‘’

Pentesilea couldn’t understand why the Goddess lowered herself that much as to plea for her life. She had never expected something like that to happen, not from Eris. Yes, it was true her Cosmo was almost impossible to sense, but it was there, it was useless to deny it when the bluish threads were opening to her own, reaching to them. She had expected a Fight. She was now facing a Coward.

‘’ It’s not in me to grant you mercy, I’m just a sword for my mistress ’’

The Goddess stopped sobbing, accepting her words, ‘’ Try to make it as painless as you can... I have no way of escaping, and I don’t want to endanger the kids, just be quick ‘’

The warrior nodded, concentrating her Cosmo on her hands. ‘’ Don’t worry, there will be no pain, nothing but oblivion ‘’

‘’ Ignes Fatui!! ‘’ she cried, allowing her Cosmo to gather in half-moon blades that moved towards the helpless body of the Goddess, who just kept still, waiting for the unavoidable.

Waiting for something that never came.

‘’ Who’s there? ‘’ cried Pentesilea, searching for that gust of Cosmo that was defying her. A Cosmo that was challenging her to a fight over the Goddess’ life. A Cosmo that dared to delay her sentence.

‘’ You are not one of her Ghost Five, you are not consecrated to her, and still want to protect here? Why do you want to risk your life for a Goddess you are not pledge to protect? ‘’

‘’ Because she died for me, during a storm very much like this one ‘’ said the young man, walking decided under the rain.

‘’ You came ‘’ she whispered, desperately clinging to him, ‘’ You faced the storm for me ‘’

‘’ The same way you did, Ellie-san, now get inside and call the Foundation ‘’

Ellie looked up at him, at his determined eyes, fixed on the Warrior. At his soaked hair and clenched fists. At the Loser turned Hero. At the one she would probably never see again. She wanted to tell him to be careful, to live. No matter what, he had to find a way not to Die for her. She wanted him to Live. She wanted to tell him she wanted him to Live. But she didn’t, she just nodded, losing herself in his eyes for a last time and heading back to the orphanage. Looking for help. For a miracle. For someone to save her. To save them.

‘’ Now that you have given her some more seconds to live, will you introduce yourself or do you want to die anonymously? ‘’ asked the woman, standing proudly under the rain.

‘’ I’m Unicorn Jabu, Saint of Athena, and friend of this woman ‘’

‘’ And her saviour ‘’ added the woman mockingly, ‘’ How amusing ‘’

‘’ Stop talking and fight ‘’ he snapped, calling his Cloth, which closed around his body with a shimmer of light.

‘’ I already did ‘’

The blades stroke home before Jabu could do something about them, piercing his back. Shattered pieces of his Cloth fell around him, followed by a stream of blood.

‘ This... is impossible ‘, he thought, panting heavily, ‘ I should have seen it coming, I should have... ‘

He fell on one knee, unable to stand upright any longer.

‘ So this is it, a glorious ending for Jabu the Loser. To be killed with one blow by a stranger. To die for no one, just because I’m not strong enough to protect those I care for... ‘

‘’ Anyone who dares to defy a Guardian should be called a Fool and be given a dishonourable Death. But your reasons are Just, and so is your Heart, so I will remember you as a Fair Foe... as a Fallen Hero, with a Soul worthy of Elysium. May your Goddess speed your way ‘’

‘’ ... Pentesilea... ‘’ whispered the dying man, stopping the Guardian, ‘’ I may be defeated, but I will not die until help arrives. I won’t leave this orphanage without someone left to guard it. You call me brave? I am not. I am doing this just because I owe it to her. But Seiya-tachi are brave and powerful. They will stop you. They will protect her. They will show you what a Fallen Hero can do ‘’

‘’ But she hasn’t call them, has she? She is facing the Storm for you, Unicorn Saint ‘’

‘’ What do you mean by that?? ‘’

XII

‘’ She means I have come for you, Unicorn, I couldn’t let you face the Storm alone ‘’

Jabu looked over his shoulder to the vision behind him. There stood Ellie... or what was left of her. Bluish threads of hair were now mixed with her golden ones, while her eyes also seemed darker. A trident, similar to Poseidon’s, was in her hand, though the weapon wasn’t the thing that caught his attention. It was the Cosmo shinning around her. The powerful dark blue aura that seemed to be able to cover everything and beyond. A godly Cosmo. Eris.

‘’ You should have called them... ‘’ he whispered, doubting he could muster the strength needed to attack the silver-haired warrior and grant the Goddess a chance to escape.

‘’ Maybe. But We told you that if you wanted to throw your life away, We were going to wait by your side, didn’t We? ‘’

Eris the Goddess turned Mortal and Ellie the Mortal turned Goddess walked to Jabu’s side, kneeling by him and holding his body between her arms. Then she turned her attention to the warrior. The Guardian. The Ortygian Assassin sent to end her life.

‘’ Arion Pentesilea, I do not know what your mistress wants from me, but tell the Queen of the Hunt that I won’t deal with her dogs. If she wants my life, she’ll have to come and take it herself ‘’

Pentesilea smirked at those words. So the Goddess had decided to stop hiding and show herself. And was also defying her mistress. Things always had a way of working out for everyone.

‘’ Goddess of Discord, Ortygia is no longer the home of the Queen of the Hunt, nor is hers the role of peacekeeper. A more powerful Goddess has taken her place, a Goddess you know well. But still, I will accept your request. I will tell my new mistress about your wish, and if she considers it rightful, she’ll come and kill you herself. If she doesn’t, well, I guess if she doesn’t we’ll meet again, and this time no Fallen Hero will be able to stop the unstoppable ‘’

‘’ Then let it be so ‘’

‘’ Let it be so ‘’ repeated the Guardian, disappearing in a flash of yellow light.

XIII

Jabu opened his eyes slowly, feeling as if he had just been beaten to pulp.

‘’ Well, in a way you were ‘’ said a voice, catching his attention.

A soaking wet Ellie welcomed him, tears falling from her now dark amber eyes.

‘’ You are ok ‘’ he whispered, as his mind slowly remembered all the previous events.

‘’ We are ok... and all thanks to you ‘’

Jabu arched his eyebrow when hearing her say that, but she placed a finger on his lips to stop him from speaking.

‘’ Yes, we are whole again. Eris is back, but Ellie hasn’t disappeared under her power. Seiya-tachi were able to weaken the Goddess side of us, while you, Unicorn Jabu, were able to strengthen the Mortal one. Now we can exist together and share this body. We can finally be one ‘’

Jabu didn’t know whether to feel please or not by such an answer, so he just closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of resting his head on her lap.

‘’ That’s ok, you should rest ‘’ continued the blonde, placing her hand on his forehead and brushing the wet strands of sandy hair away from his face, ‘’ We faced the Storm and now it’s over, now we’ll pay our debt to you, now we’ll heal you ‘’

Dark blue Cosmo started to flow from the girl’s hand, closing his wounds.

‘’ It suits you ‘’ he muttered, taking a strand of blue hair in his hand, ‘’ ... Ellie-san, thank you... ‘’

‘’ You don’t need to thank us... ‘’ she sighed, as if that had been obvious, ‘’ We did it because we were willing to Face the Storm for You. We did it because we Love you ‘’

Her lips brushed his gently, while she moved one of her hands to his chest and continued healing him. He just stood still, allowing her to kiss him again, and then once more, and another, until he found himself searching for her lips as much as she was searching for his. Until he found himself kissing the Goddess of Discord. Kissing his friend.

XIV

Ellie yawned, feeling still sleepy. Twisting around, she smiled at the sight of the sleeping man beside her, closing her arms around his waist and kissing him lightly on the shoulder.

‘’ We are glad you stayed this time ‘’ she whispered in his ear, already considering all those mornings waking up in an empty bed as bad memories.

Jabu the Hero smiled in dreams, babbling something unintelligible.

Ellie kissed his cheek one last time and got up, picking her shirt from the floor and putting it on.

‘ We should make him a special breakfast... ‘’ she considered. After Eris had re-awaken, both the Goddess and the Mortal found it impossible to unite themselves or to negate their counterpart, so ‘she’ had got used to talking in plural, specially when referring to herself. The temporary Kyoko and the rest of Athena’s saints hadn’t like that very much, the scars of the past still opened. But Jabu hadn’t mind. He had simply laughed and accepted Dohko’s order of looking over her (nice wording to say to check if Eris decided to attempt against Athena and her Saints once again) with genuine interest.

Although leaving the Star Orphanage and her old life behind had been hard, she found that her new life as a ‘guest’ in Sanctuary, a prisoner free to roam wherever she wanted to as long as she had the Unicorn with her, wasn’t that bad. It was a life where the Goddess and the Mortal could live together. It was a life where the shadows of Guardians and Storms couldn’t touch her. Even less when the Unicorn was there to help her. To save her.

The Unicorn. Jabu. He had accepted her feelings, slowly changing from friend to guard to lover. She knew, though, that he didn’t really love her, not the way she loved him, but that was something she could live with. She had his friendship, his care for her, and their nights together, while Saori would always have his love.

And maybe, with time, he would learn to feel something similar to that for her. After all, they had Faced the Storm Together. And he had Stayed.

SE FINNI

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Saint Seiya is copyright of Masami Kurumada/SHUEISHA, Toei Animation CO., LTD, Shonen Jump. The rest of the characters and plot line are mine (Derrewyn Aensland/Varda/Paula Andrade -so many names for just one person ^-^) If you have any comments, suggestions, corrections, critics, etc,etc,etc, don't doubt to drop me a line at derrewyn@hotmail.com or at derrewyn@bolt.com. Please, if you are linking this page to yours, or taking the story to post it on your own site, do tell me about it, so I can add you to my 'links' page and also know where my things are (no, no, I am NOT an order freak, quite the opposite to be honest ^-^!)BTW, in case some of you didn't notice, I don't follow StS story line perfectly (always the rebellious one ^-^). Oh, and before I forget, if you find any horrid gramatical mistake, please, be kind enough to let me know where it is, writing in a language that is not my own is sometimes a pain in the... neck ^-^

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