Chapter Four

SHIRYU

Harmonia lunged at me, her sword slicing straight at my neck.  I countered with a 
strong swish of my own weapon.  Our blades clashed, and small sparks flew.  Harmonia 
leaped back lithely.  I went after her with a series of strokes.  She evaded each one with 
no difficulty at all without even pausing for breath. 

When I was close enough, she slashed her sword upward, seemingly aiming for 
my nose.  I stepped aside only to discover that it was just the direction she had wanted me 
to take.  The tip of her sword traced a bright red line along my arm.  I stumbled.  
Harmonia didn't give me a chance to recover; she brought down her sword on mine hard, 
apparently meaning to knock it off my grasp.  I managed to snatch my sword out of the 
way, but as a consequence I almost fell to the floor.  Harmonia's sword descended on me 
without let.  I rolled away, her blade missing my wrist by a fraction of an inch.

Time froze as we stood facing each other.  Her countenance was unfathomable 
and her breathing regular.  I could feel my own blood drumming in my ears.  My flesh 
stung where Harmonia had gashed it.

"You're not bad, for a Saint," she said in a dry tone.

I held my sword at the ready.  "I thought we were going to fight, not exchange 
insults."

"I am not insulting you," she frowned, "Shiryu, isn't it?  I chose you because I 
had a hunch the others would fare worse than you do right now.  You haven't 
disappointed me so far.  Come now, is that all you can come up with?"  Indeed she didn't 
sound insulting, merely curious.  She had hoped for a worthier adversary and I didn't rise 
to the expectation.  

Brandishing my sword, I replied, "You seem to have told every other Cimmerian 
that we Saints of Athena are nothing when our Cloth and Cosmos are not with us, and 
you are striving to prove yourself right."

She smiled.  "So you want to show everyone I'm wrong?  You're very welcome.  
Watch out!"

She sprang at me, the sword cutting a curve through the space between us.  My 
own sword was raised to parry it directly.  Her blade spiraled to avoid mine, heading for 
my shoulder.  I withdrew hastily but her sword left a tear in my sleeve.

"You're playing with me," I said coldly.

"Huh?"

"You could've defeated me any given time but you keep up this game.  What I 
want to know is why."

Harmonia's eyes glittered.  "I'm preventing you from reaching Athena too soon.  
That blockhead Jason wants her to release us, meaning severing our bond to Cimmeria so 
that we could return to our previous life."  She tapped the sword on the floor, stressing 
her annoyance at so foolish an action.  "Well, I don't want to return to my previous life!  
Okay, so this land isn't exactly heaven, but we are free here.  We could turn over a new 
leaf, which is what most of us need.  After all, what was there for us before we came 
here?  Suffering and all sorts of misery.  I'm telling you I'll do anything to stop Athena 
from `releasing' us."  She put a sarcastic emphasis on `releasing'.

I listened.  "Wouldn't you do better to say so to Athena, rather than wasting your 
time having a match with me?"

"You really think she'd pay attention?  Besides, it's bad to show to outsiders that 
we are divided in the matter of opinion.  If I came bawling to Athena to leave things well 
alone, Jason would convince her I was just an impetuous kid, and Athena needn't bother 
to hear me out, blah, blah.  Then I thought, what the heck, I'll have fun at the expense of 
her Saints.  I can't stop her so I'll pester her Saints instead."

Her obstinacy and childishness amused me, but I was prudent enough not to show 
it.  "So what are you going to do, fight with me until Athena comes downstairs?"

"Tell you what.  I still believe that Saints can't do a thing if their Cosmos and 
Cloths aren't available.  Would you care to demonstrate otherwise?"

I was anxious for Athena's - and the others' - safety, but nonetheless I nodded.  
"My pleasure."


SEIYA

I was certain Athena was on the third floor, so I raced to the stairs with Ikki close 
behind me.  We were about to climb it when somebody materialized wraithlike at the top 
step.  I halted and looked up at the person.

"Athena's Saints?" said a melodious male voice.  My mind instantly conjured up 
someone like Misty, or Aphrodite.  On closer examination the impression faded.  The 
man didn't appear the least bit like those two narcissists.  He was about Ikki's height, 
with closely cropped hair the color of pale silver.  His long cobalt gown, belted over with 
a white girdle, ended at his shins, revealing white trousers and white boots.  In his right 
hand he was holding a flat rectangular object.

"Jason?" Ikki spoke before I could.

The man shook his head.  "I'm his brother.  My name is Aristaios.  I presume you 
are looking for Athena.  She is on the third floor."

Without waiting for him to finish I dashed past him, but the object in his hand 
snapped up, intercepting me.  It was some sort of a writing slab, the one that the ancients 
in history books used to carry around.  I moved to dodge the plate, but Aristaios was 
much faster.  He and his writing slab obstructed my path, and I couldn't break through.  

"Get out of my way!" I barked, vexed.  "Athena is in danger and you want to test 
us!"

"I'm not testing you.  I just don't want you to disturb her."

I stared.  "Disturb her in doing what?"

"In giving life back to this land."

Ikki, who had come to stand next to me, sized Aristaios up and down.  I 
recognized the glint in those dark blue eyes: Ikki wanted to bring down the enemy 
quickly, and, if possible, humiliatingly.  Well, Ikki, I thought a little smugly, you can't do 
that right now.  Then I kicked myself mentally: this was not a moment to indulge old 
grudges.  

"What do you mean, giving life back to this land?" Ikki was saying.

"Didn't you notice?  Maybe not.  We've been having the nastiest weather for the 
past several days.  The land is crumbling.  Athena is our last resort.  If she can't save it, I 
don't know who else can.  That is why Jason asked her to come.  We don't mean to do 
her harm."

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" I demanded.  I didn't want to fall into 
a trap just because of some persuasive talker.

"You don't.  But I still can't let you reach her at present.  Athena will need to use 
all her concentration and power, which, I understand, was spent considerably in Elysion."  
Aristaios' slanted gray eyes rested on me.  "Spent on you, wasn't it?  You must be 
someone very dear to her, for Athena to have done that."

I could feel color draining from my face.  "What?"

"Cheiron, my mentor, told me." He was the second person to mention that name.  
Whoever Cheiron was he sounded like an important, all-knowing personage in Cimmeria. 
Aristaios went on, "Hades struck you dead, and you were already half immortal by then.  
Do you fully realize how much it would take to bring you back?  Athena risked her own 
life for you.  You must be quite a case, Pegasus.  I could see that you were willing to die 
for Athena, and she was willing to do virtually anything to not give you up.  I appreciate 
that; I know how strong loyalty can be.  Please understand ours to this land, and that 
Athena must save it no matter what."

He was tricking me into listening to his speech while I should be searching for 
Athena!  My blood rushed back, warming my cheeks.  "Stand aside," I said curtly.

"Athena is fine.  I guarantee it."

"I don't trust you."  

Ikki stepped to the fore.  "Seiya, leave him to me.  You go and find Athena."

In spite of our occasional arguments, I had absolute faith in Ikki's ability when it 
came to confronting enemies.  He might have lost his Cosmos as Phoenix but even 
without Cosmos Ikki was stubborn and never a quitter.  I nodded.  "Be careful, Ikki."

Aristaios didn't try to stop me when I leaped to the top of the stairs, landing on 
the third floor.  I heard faintly Ikki saying, "I'm the one you have to deal with."  

Like the second floor, the third diverged into two corridors.  That reminded me, 
how were Hyoga and Shun doing?  Was Athena really here, or was she not even in this 
castle?

A tall man with red-blond hair emerged from one of corridors and sauntered 
toward me.  I skidded to a stop.  He ignored me until we were only a few steps apart.  
Then he nodded an acknowledgment.  "How do you do, Pegasus.  I'm Jason."


MARPESSA

He was so young, his face so fresh looking, and the way he let his green hair grow 
around his shoulders almost brought tears to my eyes.  In that other life, Steve had said he 
wanted to grow his hair when he grew up.  I remembered that as vividly as I remembered 
everything else about my son.

Earlier the young Saint had noticed my feet, and I had thought he would assume a 
superior air, thinking that a woman with no legs wouldn't be able to do much other than 
tending a garden.  Instead he had blushed and I had hurriedly covered his embarrassment 
by resuming the conversation.  He seemed to be a nice child, and my previous suspicion 
of Athena's Saints, who according to Harmonia had come here to bully us, was partly 
melting away.  From Harmonia's depiction of the Saints I'd imagined them as a pack of 
arrogant men who despised Cimmerians only because we had no Cosmos to ignite.  This 
boy totally deflated that mental picture.

"We're not here to destroy your land or anything, Ma'am," he was saying, half 
apologetically.  "Athena is here and we fear for her safety, so we want to make sure she's 
all right.  That is all."

He had manners, too.  Steve would have been this boy's age had he lived.I drew 
a breath, erasing the memory and the inevitable pain it evoked.  "I see," I said.  "Well, 
Cimmeria is our land, and you Saints are uninvited guests.  We don't tolerate uninvited 
guests here, but as you don't mean any harm, we won't harm you in return."

"Thank you," he said with a small smile, and my heart faltered at the sight of it.  

"However, young man, we have the right as offended hosts to chastise you as we 
see fit."  I owed it to this land not to make it too easy for him to leave.  This land had 
helped cure the injuries of my soul when I first arrived here, and I couldn't allow 
intruders to walk in and out as they pleased.

The boy nodded pensively.  "Yes.  May I ask about my friend?  We both came to 
the second floor and he took the other corridor.  There wouldn't be any disaster waiting 
for him, would there?"

He also cared about his friend.  My own smile trembled on my lips.  Somewhere 
at the back of my mind a voice reminded me not to be charmed by the boy's attitude, 
which might only be a ruse to lull my suspicions.  I told that voice to hush; anyone could 
see this boy was genuinely kind.  "The second floor of the Center is my domain.  Your 
friend will meet something he holds dearest in his heart.  He may resist it in order to save 
your goddess, or he may not.  It all depends on him.  Now don't think about him too 
much.  The question is, can you make it back to the door?"

"I'll try my best."

"What's your name, young man?"

The boy blinked, caught off guard, I presumed.  "Shun, Ma'am."

"Shun.  All right, Shun, let's see what Saints sans Cosmos can do."

His eyes - beautiful emeralds - strayed to the flowers growing about me.  Then he 
whirled around and leaped across the stream behind him at one go.

A long shawl-like garment was slung around my arms: my weapon.  Its ends 
snaked up, flew through the air, heading for Shun.  He saw it coming too late, and didn't 
have time to duck.  One end of my shawl wrapped around his ankle.  He fell splashing 
into the stream, and I pulled, dragging him out of the water.  Once he was in dry land my 
shawl's ends disengaged itself from his ankle and lay demurely back on my lap.

Shun climbed to his feet, pushing damp hair from his face.  He seemed a little 
shaken by my attack.  

"It's like your chains," I explained, the little boy lost air he was showing touching 
me.  He looked more like Steve, wearing that expression.  "It may be only fabric but the 
strength is equivalent to steel or iron.  But unlike the Andromeda chain which, I heard, 
can track the enemy wherever he goes, my shawl can't do that.  So you'll just have to 
avoid it."

"For an enemy, you give a lot of information on how I could win," Shun replied.

"I have nothing against you, child.  Consider this as an exercise."  My shawl shot 
out again.

This time Shun caught both ends with his hands.  I was startled and gave my 
shawl a tug, but Shun wouldn't budge.  What was he going to do, pull at me until I fell 
off my wheelchair?  But no, this boy wouldn't do such a thing.  For a moment neither of 
us made a move.  

"I could cut off your wrists, Shun, if you didn't let go," I said levelly.

"Ma'am, I don't have my chains with me.  If I did, this would be a balanced 
contest between us.  As it is..."

It was my turn to blink.  "My God, Shun, you are right!" I said, smiling.  The boy 
was right, I was attacking an unarmed opponent.  We should have fought with our bare 
hands.  My shawl loosened and gyrated off his wrists.  "Tell me, what's a boy like you 
doing defending Athena?  It must be bloody work.  You should be having a peaceful, 
normal life like any other boy your age."

"It's my destiny."

"I hear people make their own destiny."

"Yes, and this is mine."

Strong-willed too, despite his delicate appearance.  I nodded.  "You can leave 
now, Shun.  But remember, if you or any of your fellow Saints try to damage Cimmeria I 
won't be so lenient."

He executed a small bow, the Japanese way of showing gratitude, I supposed.  
"Thank you very much."  He crossed the stream and went out the door.

I leaned against my chair.  Images of Steve swam up from my recollections.  
Steve...He was my only child, the only thing I had left from his father, who had run out 
on me once he knew I was carrying a baby.  I was still a sophomore then.  Steve was the 
only person who didn't scoff at my inexplicable dreams about a land where I felt a touch 
of familiarity.  My sister, who had lived with us at that time, declared I was eating too 
much and the dreams were the result.

One day, Steve was browsing through comic books in a local supermarket.  He 
had been there often so the owner knew him.  Then two robbers rushed in.  Afterwards 
the police told me they had been very drunk at that time.  They shot the owner when he 
put up a fight, and when Steve tried to crawl through the back door they shot him too.  He 
was only six.

The news of his death made me drive to the hospital like one possessed.  I didn't 
see the truck crossing the red light, and the next thing I knew I was in the same hospital 
as Steve, my feet from the knees down missing.  I could never forget how I had hee-
hawed hysterically for an entire night at the sheer melodrama of it all.

Following my dreams was my last link to sanity.  Cheiron accepted me, 
amputated legs, near breakdown and all.  He taught me the power of mind control and 
telekinesis, something my sister would have sneered at.  I had never ceased to be grateful 
for the serenity he had helped me recover.  Steve had become a treasured memory after 
the anguish had diminished.  Cimmeria was my haven, and I knew it was the same for 
everybody here.  Therefore I didn't believe Jason planned for Athena to free us from it.

Well, whatever his plan was, it must be for the good of us all.  I thought of the 
Saints, particularly Shun, and wondered if I would ever see him again.


HYOGA

My legs folded beneath me and I sat down on the plain of ice.  It was peaceful 
here, Momma was near and nothing bad could happen to me.Then I sensed something 
pressing against my upper thigh.  Frowning, I slipped my hand inside my pocket.  It came 
out with a pair of glasses. 

I had forgotten about the glasses at all, and seeing it again shook the cobwebs 
from my brain.  Kutsu!  I was a Saint, I should be fighting for Athena and not loitering 
here wanting to relive a past long gone!  The glasses was my scar.  It showed that I had 
been willing to undergo anything for Athena's sake, including degradation of eyesight.  
Momma would be disappointed in me if I walked out on this battle - on any battle.  I 
stood up, re-pocketed the glasses and swung around.  The door was still there, a piece of 
wood erect amidst the ice plain.  With a steady hand I reached for the handle and stepped 
past the threshold.

The corridor was still there.  I ran back to the way I had come.  Shun was just 
appearing from the other corridor.  He seemed a little drenched but otherwise fine.

"Hyoga!" he exclaimed when he saw me, his face wreathed in smiles.  "I'm so 
glad you're okay!"

I smiled back, feeling glorious and at ease.  "Ditto, Shun.  You didn't find Athena, 
did you?"  He shook his head.  "Then she must be on the third floor.  Let's go!"


ARISTAIOS

The blue-haired young man was scrutinizing me deliberately, then his eyes 
slipped to my writing slab.  "Are you going to fight me with that?" he said bluntly.

"Yes.  Are you accusing me of being unfair because you are unarmed?"

"That's about it."

I was rather taken aback by his frankness.  "Well, at present I don't have a 
weapon that I can lend you."

"You can put that thing away then and let's see if you're any good without it."

I smiled.  "You took the words out of my mouth.  I was going to say Saints 
couldn't do much here, stripped bare of their Cloths and Cosmos."  This one would be as 
dangerous with or without Cosmos, I supposed.  He was observing me in a rather 
aggressive manner and I had no doubt I was up against a very obstinate man, one who 
would do anything not to be beaten or humiliated.  His friend, the brown-haired one who 
had just gone to the third floor, seemed to share the trait.  "I have a suggestion.  Let's see 
you withstand three moves from me and my writing slab without backing down even one 
step.  If you can, you are free to pass and join your friend."

He nodded.  "Fine.  And if I lose?"

"Like I said, you can't continue.  Athena cannot be disturbed for any reason."

"I still don't think she is safe."

"That's your concern, not mine.  First move!"

My writing slab cut through the air, whirling face-up at him.  He was forced to 
duck.  My slab wavered off course straight at his head.  He raised both arms to ward it 
off, and it crashed against his the back of his wrists.  He didn't lose his balance, though.  I 
extended my hand.  The slab returned to my palm and I caught it with a flourish.

The man cursed under his breath.  The spot where he was hit was already turning 
purplish.  My writing slab was made of elephant bones and when it bruised, it bruised.  

"You're Saint Phoenix, aren't you?" I said.  "You're not giving up, I hope."

"Not a chance," he said rudely.  "Now show me your second move."

Once again my writing slab vaulted at him.  He dodged quickly, but my slab was 
relentless; it veered to the right and was ready to give him another bruise, this time on the 
shoulder.  Phoenix grabbed it with both hands but it slithered off them as would a bar of 
soap.  He blinked in surprise.  The slab catapulted back to me and came to rest in my own 
grip.

"My slab doesn't like strangers," I told Phoenix.  "Third move!"

Phoenix lowered his head a little, not a trace of fear or confusion on his attitude.  I 
had to admire someone like that.  Jason was pretty much like him, except that my brother 
wasn't as belligerent.

This time my slab flipped forward at Phoenix.  He countered it with his elbow and 
the impact almost made him stumble.  With one hand he grabbed the banister and 
prevented himself from falling.  My slab whooshed back at him in a semicircle.  He 
dropped to one knee.  Good thing for him, otherwise my slab would have left an 
impressive lump on his forehead.  Abruptly my slab swirled down to his hand which was 
holding the banister.  His reflex was good; he released his grip while the other hand 
seized the baluster.  Adaptable man. 

"You Saints just never give up, do you?" I said.  My slab made a half turn before 
landing on my palm.

"We've been through a lot more than facing runaway UFOs," he replied coolly.

I started, then realized he was referring to my slab.  "All right, go on to the third 
floor.  Jason was there..."

"He still is," said a deep voice from behind me.

I swung around.  The man in front of me wore Jason's face and clothes but it was 
not Jason.  A chill seeped into me as the man smiled.  It was like watching an actor 
playing my brother's part and had completely misinterpreted his role.

"Who are you?" I said quietly.

At that moment there was the sound of running feet from the second floor.  I 
turned in time to see two more young men, one blond and one green-haired.  The green-
haired one cried, "Niisan!" at the sight of Phoenix.

I was about to turn back to the man with Jason's appearance when a soundless 
blast hit me from his direction, and I was hurled down the stairs along with Phoenix.


SEIYA

Great, another one of these Cimmerians!  I was convinced he was going to do the 
same as the one Ikki was facing now, namely slowing me down with a fine speech.  So I 
brushed past him.  "I'm busy, can't talk right now!"

He was fast - boy, were they - and blocked my path in only two leaps.  "Pegasus, 
wait!  If you see Athena now you'll intrude on her concentration.  When she finishes I'll 
let her out.  But before that - "

"Let her out?" I bellowed.  "So you've got her locked up, haven't you?  I knew 
you people don't mean well!"
A roar of thunder, close and deafening, cut off my words.  It was succeeded by 
moaning wind that got louder by the second.  My anxiety increasing, I held out my hand 
to push Jason aside when a black shadow fell across the floor between us.  
I stopped.  Jason flattened himself against the wall, his eyes widening.  I faintly 
heard the word, "Busiris!" escape him.

The shadow hovered above the floor, as if undecided of what to do next.  Not 
wanting to miss this opportunity, I hurried to the end of the corridor, shouting, "Athena! 
Athena!"  She had to be here somewhere!  "Athena, where are you?"  Then I spotted the 
door at the corridor's end.  That must be it!

My heart soared as I heard knocking and her muffled voice, "Seiya!  I'm here!"

"Saori-san?" Relief swept all over me as I rushed for the door.

"Yes, I'm here!  Can you open the door, hurry!"

In my eagerness my feet nearly got tangled with each other.  Finally reaching the 
door, I grabbed the handle.  "Wait, let me..."

Something barbed and paralyzing clasped the back of my head.  Consciousness 
fell away from me and I plunged into inky blackness.


HARMONIA

I jerked upright as thunder boomed, followed by high-pitched wind and what 
sounded like a mighty sleet.  The ground beneath my feet shuddered.  Fury erupted inside 
me and I whirled on Shiryu.

"Your goddess is despicable!" I yelled at him.  "She's destroying the land - she 
wants to bury us all alive here!  Well, she's going to join us!"  Shiryu halted in his tracks, 
his eyes bewildered.  I didn't wait for him to sort out my words; I was too incensed.  "I'm 
going upstairs to kill her and let's see you stop me!"  I jumped back and dashed up the 
stairs.

Hearing me say I was going to finish off his precious Athena must have 
penetrated, because he was running after me the next  moment.  My feet flew past three 
steps at a time, my heartbeat hammering against my ribcage.  Athena wanted to sink this 
land along with its folks, didn't she?  It wouldn't be so easy!  I might not be a goddess or 
a Saint but my sword was very sharp and very swift.  Hot blood surged up as I thought 
what a bunch of idiots we all had been to trust her.

I was reaching the stairs leading to the third floor, Shiryu close behind, when I 
saw something so unbelievable that I came to a standstill.  Littering the floor were 
Aristaios and three of the Saints, Ikki, Shun and Hyoga - at least I supposed those were 
their names, I wasn't good at remembering names.  All of them appeared to have been 
knocked out.  I went to kneel beside Aristaios.  He might be really weird at times, but he 
was the only Cimmerian in sight.  Shiryu went to his fellow Saints.

"Aristaios!" I shook him, upset by this unexpected turn of events.  Who could 
have done this?  Athena wouldn't attack her own Saints...would she?  "Aristaios, wake
up!  What's happening?"

He groaned and stirred.  One eye cracked open.  "Jason...Busiris," he managed 
feebly.

"Busiris?" I felt as though a bucket of ice water was dumped at my head.

"Harmonia.  Long time no see."

Gasping, I looked up.  A figure stood at the head of the stairs, hands folded, a 
self-confident smile curving his mouth.  He was Jason in every way except his eyes.  
They weren't even remotely like Jason's.  The name Busiris hit me like a clap of thunder.  
I shot to my feet, raising my sword.

"Aren't you dead, Busiris?" I said.

The man's smile broke into a laugh.  "You really think that old fool Cheiron could 
kill me?  Or you, or Jason?  Think again, kid.  Only Athena can kill me, and now she's in 
no position to do so."

"What's going on, Harmonia?" Shiryu's composed voice interrupted.

Much as I abhorred the Saints, I was grateful to him for his calmness, which 
helped me to regain some myself.  "Busiris' soul has merged into Jason's body.  His 
physique may be dead but I can see that his spirit, soul, or whatever it is, still stays."

"Who is Busiris?"

"He was Cheiron's pupil, like the rest of us."  Talking helped me think more 
lucidly.  "One day he went away and returned with the ability to summon Cosmos.  He 
persuaded us to leave Cimmeria and be Saints.  We said no.  He insisted and called us 
jerks for staying in a land that was bound to die anyway.  Finally Cheiron banished him, I 
don't know where.  And now here he is again, taking possession of Jason's body.  And 
stronger than ever, I'm afraid."

"That's right," Busiris chimed in - I couldn't bear to call someone with eyes like 
those Jason.  "And I see you haven't changed your minds yet.  Do you want to perish 
with this land?"

"I'll thank you for keeping your opinions to yourself, traitor," I flashed back, 
gripping my sword more tightly.  "How do you attain so much power?"

"Athena gave all her power to the Center," he said complacently, "which I took."

I heard Shiryu suck in his breath.  "Where is Athena now?"

Busiris grinned wolfishly and I took a step forward.  "Busiris, if you think you 
can do as you please here you'd better think again."

He lifted his hand, palm up, and a wave of energy swished out at me.  It was like 
running into a car in high gear.  I was thrown off my feet, my sword falling with a clang 
onto the floor.  The small of my back collided with the railing post on the stairs and I 
cried out before slumping down.  For a moment I felt dizzy with stupefaction, pain and 
lack of air.

Shiryu was already climbing the stairs.  "Where is Athena now?" he repeated, no 
panic or hesitation in his tone.  I envied him.

"She's fine, Dragon.  As is your friend Pegasus."

I saw Shiryu pale a bit.  "What have you done to them?"

"They aren't dead, if that's what you're afraid of."

Aristaios was struggling to sit up, and the Saints were doing likewise.  I shook my 
head to clear it.  If Cheiron were only here, he would know what to do.  I had heard of 
souls possessing another person's bodies but had no firsthand experience.  Somehow I 
had to get Busiris out without hurting Jason.

Hyoga was putting one foot on the first step.  "If Athena is up there, we're going 
to get her out."

His words made me realize Athena was the only one who could extricate us from 
this mess.  With her immense power she would be able to dispossess Jason of Busiris' 
soul.  Then I remembered Busiris saying Athena had given all her power to the Center, 
and Busiris had absorbed all that power.  So maybe Athena wouldn't be much use either.

But I couldn't just stand here and watch!  This was my land, and I should be 
fighting for it, with Aristaios if he could get back on his feet.  I picked up my sword.  

"Saints!" I said.  "You go get Athena while I distract Busiris!"

Shun frowned slightly.  "That could be dangerous!  You've seen yourself that he's 
very strong."  I thought he was refraining from mentioning that I had no Cosmos and was 
no match for Busiris.  Well, I'd show them that even without Cosmos people could 
perform some tricks.

Ikki simply nodded.  Curse that guy, didn't he even have the decency to at least 
pretend to be concerned?  Then again, he was only being practical, and I couldn't blame 
him.  "We'll try to make it past him."  He and Hyoga raced up the stairs, Shiryu, Shun 
and myself not far behind.

When Busiris swept his hand up to release his Cosmos or whatever it was he had, 
I increased my speed and hacked at him in earnest.  Surprised, he stepped back, and the 
Saints, taking this chance, shot to the corridor on his left.  I heard one of them exclaim, 
"Seiya!" before Busiris' energy slammed into me.  

The power was roughly ten times his attack a few minutes earlier.  I tottered 
crazily to the edge of the stairs, my sense of balance scattered to the four winds.  Solid 
ground vanished and I flew down the stairs, rolling and rolling.  The next thing I knew I 
was lying on the floor, hurting all over, my head throbbing in a dozen places.  My 
shoulder ached so hard that I thought I might have dislocated it.

A figure rose above me.  "Relax, and you're going to be all right," Aristaios said.  
I could only grunt painfully: the agony in my shoulder was all I could think of.  He lifted 
his eyes to Busiris. 

Busiris leered at him.  "Want to have a go with your writing slab, Aristaios?"

Suddenly the four Saints leaped at him and began bombarding him with kicks and 
pummels.  Busiris retreated to the stairs, and they pursued him relentlessly.

"Careful!" Aristaios shouted.  "You might hurt Jason!"  But the Saints ignored 
him and went on with their assaults.  I saw that Busiris was going to topple downstairs 
any minute now - on purpose, I could tell.

I tried to shift a little and my shoulder screeched in protest.  Oh no, I thought 
desperately, these Saints would end up killing Jason.  They didn't care about him, all they 
wanted was to save Athena and if Jason was the sacrifice so be it.  I had to help him.  I 
never was fond of him, but he was of my own people and I didn't like the Saints much 
anyway.  "Aristaios," I wheezed.  "Get up there...Don't let those Saints hurt Jason!"

"I will," he replied, and began to descend.  That was when Busiris lost his footing 
and did what I had done: fall down the stairs, banging his head a couple of times in the 
process.  He landed with a thump next to me.

My shoulder was momentarily forgotten.  "You rotten Saints!" I screamed.  "If 
you hurt Jason...I swear..."  My breath was rapidly draining out of me.

Shiryu seemed about to say something when Busiris slowly sat up.  He grinned at 
me, then at the Saints.  "Don't worry about Jason," he said cheerfully.  "If he dies or gets 
fatally wounded, I'll look for another body.  It's that simple."


CHEIRON

Busiris escaped!  Those were the only words echoing through my mind as I 
hastened as fast as I could to the Center.  After all these years I thought his soul would 
stay dormant, never to bother us again.  It turned out to be a major mistake imprisoning 
him in the Center.  I should have estimated he was cunning enough to keep a low profile 
until he could avenge himself.

We had all marveled when Busiris left Cimmeria and returned alive.  No one had 
ever been able to stay out of the land for too long after he had lived in it for some time.  
Then Busiris started to extol the Saints, the warriors defending Athena.  He said to all and 
sundry that being Saints were a whole lot better than being cooped up in Cimmeria.  
Compared to Sainthood, living as a Cimmerian was stale and insipid.

At first I took no notice of his prattle.  But he didn't stop; he talked day and night 
to anyone willing to listen.  Eventually some people insisted that we should try our luck 
and leave Cimmeria for a while, to see if being a Saint was truly a better course of life.  I 
tried to tell them one could only be lucky once.  If there were an exodus from Cimmeria 
to the other sphere, most of the people would die.

Busiris, delighted with the fire he had sparked into a flame, fanned it harder.  
Harmonia, hot-tempered as she was, went to him and challenged him to a duel.  Whoever 
lost must never bother the other again.  She was defeated, being much younger and less 
experienced than he was, but Jason challenged Busiris soon afterwards.  This time it was 
Busiris who came out second - to put it mildly.  I transferred his soul to the Center and it 
had stayed there.  Until now.

About a month elapsed before I could cajole everyone into believing that all 
Busiris had ever said was nonsense.  Even then, some still considered leaving.  This upset 
Jason - he loved Cimmeria and was devoted to it, and didn't understand why others 
couldn't feel the same.  Harmonia was angry and declared anyone slinking out of 
Cimmeria without permission would have to deal with her personally.

And now Busiris was on the loose.  He had Athena's power and that meant he 
was doubly dangerous.  An old man like me might not be able to do much, but I could 
offer what little help I could.  I hoped.

Heavy rain poured down from the sky, soaking me and chilling me to the marrow 
of my bones.  Busiris was being vindicated: the land was now torn at the seams, and soon 
it would be no more.


Continued to Chapter Five