Saint Seiya, but Athena who disobeys?

As night fell, Sasha was awakened by a nightmare. She went to the terrace again and looked at the swallowed, lightless moon.

"Pegasus, Aaron!"

In the quiet of the night, she called out the names of the two most important people to her.

In the darkness, on the road, two different men raised their heads as if they were sensing something.

As the setting sun casts its rays upon the earth, the Holy Land faces its most severe moment in centuries.

Finally, they arrived at the Sanctuary. Pegasus looked at the magnificent white temple before him. The young men who followed the path of the Saints looked curiously at the heroes returning from afar. The Bronze and Silver Saints stood in two rows, while the Gold Saints had been waiting for a long time inside the hall.

Pegasus composed himself, finally about to see Athena again.

Why the word "again"? Don't let your sarcastic nature get the better of you at this moment. A goddess with a heart surpassing even Saori Kido's, a Sanctuary united in purpose—stop overthinking! Under the expectant gazes of Dohko and Shion, he pushes open the temple doors.

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PS1: Regarding the time-transcending fist of Zeus, the god-king of the previous world, which he couldn't dodge, Heimhal, the host, specifically emphasized that Seiya's defense and health were simply higher, allowing him to win with an overwhelming advantage.

PS2: As for Seiya and Pegasus in each world, I forgot to explain. It's not about devouring or possessing; it can be considered the unique characteristic of the Great Luo in the Xianxia system, or the multiverse self in the same transmigration genre, or Shinji's consciousness stream in EVA. It can be considered a hidden characteristic that the protagonist has as a transmigrator.

PS3: There are really few pictures of Sasha, and even fewer of Saori Kido. It's all Saint Seiya pictures.

Chapter 113: The Beginning of the Holy War

The sun's radiance rises from the clouds, illuminating the vast world. The place that first basks in the sun's light is the birthplace of the Saints of Athena, who have always upheld world peace and justice, and is also the place ruled by the Pope who governs the eighty-eight constellation Saints.

Located in the center are the Twelve Palaces of Gold, which are guarded by the Gold Saints. Deep within them, passing through the Papal Palace, one reaches the place where Athena resides. Athena, who descended to earth, watches over the Sanctuary.

Pushing open the temple doors, the first thing that catches the eye is two rows of warriors reflecting the sunlight.

Regardless of age or youth, each of them was as flawless as a pearl, exuding confidence in every gesture. On the way, Dohko's words resurfaced in Seiya's mind: "The Gold Saints are the most elite warriors who protect Athena and the Twelve Zodiac Palaces. They are the pinnacle of power and strength among the Saints, representing the highest glory and final dignity of the Saints."

As Seiya gazed at the Gold Saints before him, they too were gazing at the legendary warrior who had defeated Hades, the god of the underworld.

The Gold Saints occasionally exchanged glances, their eyes conveying admiration, scrutiny, and appreciation, but without any malice. This Holy War, though arduous, had one significant advantage: all the Saints and Athena were united in purpose, striving for humanity and peace on Earth.

At the very top of the temple stood an elderly man in a papal robe, appearing to be around sixty or seventy years old by his very features. He had slightly melancholic, dark green eyes, and long, white hair that matched his appearance cascaded down from the gaps in his helmet. This was Sage, the Gold Saint of Cancer, who smiled slightly at Seiya.

Beside Pope Sage sat a girl of about fourteen or fifteen years old, dressed in a white robe, holding a golden scepter, with purple hair and aquamarine eyes that had appeared countless times in his dreams. She was the one who truly haunted Pegasus's dreams, and as he gazed at her, the girl also saw Pegasus. The fingertips of her left hand, which held the scepter, turned slightly white, but an uncontrollable smile played on her lips.

"The Gold Saints Libra Dohko and Aries Shion have returned after completing their reconnaissance mission." The Gold Saints standing on either side of Seiya knelt on one knee. "The situation is true. Hades has been resurrected. He has set up a barrier near the Forest Cathedral and turned the city there into a purgatory. It is now the city of the underworld where Specters and evil gods roam."

Upon hearing this news, Athena, or rather Sasha, vanished from her smile.

"Then, that..."

"Hades' human form is named Aaron. He killed all his friends and everyone in the city. The Pegasus Saints who appeared defeated him and came with us to report back to Athena."

Seiya looked at Sasha with some concern, but as he expected, the girl in front of him did not show much emotion. Was it because he had expected it, or was her heart much stronger than he imagined? Perhaps it was both.

As the bells rang, all the Saints turned their gazes toward the temple gates once more.

At that moment, another team of Silver Saints appeared in the direction of the door. "The Silver Saint reconnaissance team has returned after completing its mission."

However, compared to the joy on everyone's faces last time, this time their expressions were heavy, because the team now only had three Silver Saints left, which was a rather tragic situation.

"It's good that you've returned safely, Silver Saints." Athena was the first to express her approval.

The Silver Saints knelt on one knee. "It is true that the Specters are gathering in Italy. The country is already filled with evil energy from the underworld, and the residents are terrified. I'm afraid it won't be long before it falls into Hades's sanctuary."

"Sanctuary? You're mistaken, it should be Evil Domain," Pope Sage said.

The Sanctuary is the birthplace of the Saints favored by Athena, the place ruled by the Pope who governs the eighty-eight constellation Saints. The mortal realm, corrupted by the power of Hades, can only be called the Realm of Evil.

However, a strange smile appeared on the lips of these three Silver Saints.

"Of course, it's the Sanctuary! Hades' darkness will surely engulf the entire world. It will begin with you foolish Athena warriors!" Along with the declaration, the Silver Saints' cosmos surged, roaring as they charged towards the figure at the top, "Die, Athena!"

—The Arrow of the Underworld!

— Boomerang!

—The swinging hammer!

"Are you all insane?!" The Gold Saints were furious. Shion and Dohko, who were closest, waved their hands and used Stardust Spin to completely obliterate the three fighting techniques in front of them. However, the power that they had originally intended to use to suppress these Silver Saints who had dared to defy them was simply canceled out.

"How is this possible? Your inner universe...?!"

Tong Hu shut his mouth, his previous doubts vanishing. This was because the three Silver Saints unleashed power far exceeding what they should possess, and simultaneously, their Saint Cloths were rapidly stained black; the transformation from Saint to Specter was instantaneous.

This also means that Athena's warriors have become Hades' playthings.

"Yes, we are no longer Athena's warriors, nor are we alive. We possess divine power bestowed upon us by Lord Hades, a power akin to the jewels of the underworld. We, who were killed by the Specters, are now resurrected with the power of Lord Hades!"

"What?! A Saint of Athena, who enjoys the highest glory, has actually turned to Hades?!" Pope Sage frowned.

The Silver Saints of Hades revealed a strange smile, saying, "Because Lord Hades said he would redeem us, giving us the salvation of no longer suffering the torment of the fear of death! Let's exchange it for Athena's head!"

The Silver Saints leaped up once more, and Pope Sage, amidst his pain, once again revealed an unbearable rage. He intended to destroy these three Saints who had betrayed the glory of Athena, but the moment he raised his hand, he lowered it again.

"No!" Sasha cried out.

"Ugh..." The three Silver Saints coughed up blood as a golden blade pierced their chests from behind. It was the Pegasus Saint who had just returned as a hero who had made the move.

But both the Pope and the other Gold Saints soon noticed that these evil Saints, their chests pierced, were all wearing genuine smiles. The radiance of those Hades jewels was crumbling from their bodies.

Chapter 114: Pegasus and Sasha

"This is...?" Pope Sage and the other Gold Saints looked at the Pegasus Saint with a questioning gaze as he pierced the chest of the rebellious evil Saint with a golden sword.

Suppressing these rebellious Silver Saints, even with the amplification of their Specter power, was something any Gold Saint present could have done. But what truly surprised them was that these Saints, whom they had initially thought were rebels, once again wore their familiar smiles.

The power belonging to Hades is being dismantled, or rather, shattered, which is also revealing the true nature of these rebellious Saints.

"Athena, Athena..." The Silver Saints raised their hands as they lay dying, but they felt their hands being grasped.

When they regained consciousness, they found the goddess already standing before them. "I...I'm sorry, I..."

“I understand. I can feel the inner universe that you are still being manipulated after you die. It must be very painful.” Sasha shed tears.

The pain of being controlled by Hades, the god of the underworld, even after death; the prayer from the depths of her soul; the call of her will hidden within her body—only Sasha, as the reincarnation of Athena, could feel it.

They were still her Saints, yet they had to suffer such humiliation after death; she could fully understand their pain.

"Athena, we truly want to stand by your side and defend this glory..."

After saying this, their bodies, including their holy armor, turned into dust and vanished.

"This is their deliberate dismantling of their own inner universe, tantamount to suicide," Pope Sage said through gritted teeth. "What a born evil Hades, displaying such abhorrent and intolerable behavior so soon after his resurrection!"

"Your subordinate, Cancer Gold Saint Manigoldo requests to fight! I want to wash away the shame that Hades has inflicted upon us!" Manigoldo, who had long wanted to avenge himself against Hades's Grim Reaper, took the opportunity to volunteer.

"To tarnish the glory of the goddess is to have my face etched with those words. Pisces Gold Saint Albafica requests to fight!" Albafica, the most beautiful of the Saints present, was the second to respond.

"Instead of passively defending, why not take the initiative to attack? Aquarius Gold Saint Degel will surely wash away your shame!" The handsome Degel looked up at the goddess.

"Me too." Hasgard, the Taurus Gold Saint, who was one of the first three veteran warriors to obtain the Gold Cloth, stepped forward with his fists clasped.

Sasha looked at the Saint Seiya warriors in front of her. They were all highly motivated, but the only difference was that some were more inclined to take the initiative to attack, some waited for the enemy to enter the encirclement, and others were fixed in a defensive position.

“I understand.” Sasha raised her arm, her imposing demeanor silencing the Gold Saints. “It is foreseeable that Hades’ army has already begun its operations. From now on, heed the Pope’s advice, strengthen the Sanctuary’s defenses, and prepare to meet the attack.”

"We obey the divine decree." The Pope and the Gold Saints accepted the order.

"Also, Dohko and Shion."

"Yes." The two young Gold Saints knelt on one knee.

"Thank you for your hard work," Sasha said with a smile.

Looking at the goddess's smile, all the resentment and humiliation vanished in that moment.

"Have the other Silver and Bronze Saints prepare for the upcoming Holy War. Remember to take care of their emotions and efforts. This task is entrusted to you, Sage."

"As you command." Pope Sage nodded.

All the Saints left the temple in order, with Dohko and Shion leaving last. Looking at the tightly closed temple doors, they were filled with mixed emotions.

The goddess was too strong, or rather, Sasha herself was too strong.

They were only angry because the glory of the Saints and the goddess had been tarnished. They could sense the pain of the manipulated Silver Saints and knew she couldn't help but be sad. But inside the temple, they could only feel Sasha's strength.

But in the end, she was still just a child, or rather, every holy war and every reincarnation was far too cruel to this little girl.

She didn't even have anyone to share her pain with—well, not that she didn't have anyone now.

Oh, right, Shion and Dohko suddenly remembered something.

Where was the Pegasus Saint who had come with them? Where was Pegasus? When they looked around, they found that he had completely disappeared.

The goddess's palace. Pegasus didn't know if he should come here, but a message from Athena compelled him to.

Behind the curtain stood a goddess in a white robe. Sasha was also gazing at him. Pegasus hesitated for a moment, unsure whether he should kneel down or, as he remembered, go and stroke her head.

Just as he was pondering, a purple figure landed in his arms, and the familiar fragrance of Jiuli Fragrance enveloped his entire body.

"Pegasus! Brother Aaron, why is Aaron Hades, the god of the underworld? Why would someone as kind as him be like this! Why have we become like this!"

In this long-awaited embrace, Sasha was finally able to express the loneliness and pain she had endured over the years.

Pegasus felt the girl's slight twitching, and after a deep sigh, he gently stroked Sasha's head.

At this moment, she was not a goddess, but a girl, her own 'sister' Sasha.

After a long period of murmuring and emotional outpouring, Sasha gradually calmed down. "I'm sorry, I apologize, I... Even though it's a reunion between us, I was still too immature... Um, wait, what's wrong with your chest?!"

After calming down, Sasha realized something was wrong. The chest of Pegasus, which she had just been resting her head on, still carried the scent of her brother Aaron. Thinking of the Silver Saints who had been manipulated, Sasha's face turned pale, and a rare fear appeared on her face. Ignoring Pegasus's attempts to stop her, she forcefully tore at his chest.

Unable to dissuade her, Tianma could only let out a tearing sound in the air.

There was nothing romantic about it; all Sasha could see was heartache.

On his chest, there was a recently healed wound, its edges still radiating wisps of extremely pure and powerful Hades' aura. Compared to this, the Hades' aura that controlled the Specters was like the difference between foam and steel.

"It's alright, don't worry, it's not a serious injury." Pegasus smiled and rubbed her head. "Look at me now, I'm full of energy, I could fight several more rounds of evil gods without any problem!"

Sasha felt both puzzled and relieved, because she realized that Pegasus was not lying. The death of Hades that pierced his chest had not killed him, and it was no longer even a fatal wound. It would probably heal completely in the next few days.

"During my absence, I also made some special progress in my spiritual practice. I know your concerns, and I assure you—"

Suddenly, Pegasus knelt on one knee. Under Sasha's somewhat nervous gaze, he took her right hand and kissed her index finger.

"I will never let you shed tears again. I will stop you from having any worries or fears!"

The incarnation of the strong wind kept sending messages. Pegasus could sense that people in the Underworld were frantically talking about him, about him, the god-slaying Pegasus who had harmed Hades, the god of the underworld. But they didn't know that the very act of talking about him could bring them harm.

Pegasus didn't know exactly how much damage his punch had inflicted on Aaron, but in any case, Aaron certainly wouldn't recover faster than him. By the time he recovered, the battle would begin again.

"Wait for me, Aaron. This time, I will have the upper hand."

Chapter 115: Pegasus and Aaron's Reunion

"Have you assembled, Demon Stars?"

On the ruins of the old city, in the dark church that spirals upwards, the demons kneel on one knee.

Just as Athena has eighty-eight Saints under her command, corresponding to the constellations in the sky, Hades, the god of the underworld, also has one hundred and eight demon stars under his command.

"Now, Lord Hades has been fully resurrected." With Pandora's resounding announcement, the Specters who had traveled from all over the world gathered before the new Hades, defending the glory of the King of the Underworld.

The only man sitting upright on the throne was Aaron, who smiled and gazed at the Specters who belonged to Hades.

"My warriors, Specters, can you turn this world black for me? End the lives of the Saints—no, Athena—and let this world be immersed in peaceful darkness." Although it was a question, Aaron's tone left no room for argument. And the Specters were equally willing to carry out this task for Hades.

"Then let's first knock on the gates of Athena's Sanctuary." Pandora raised her hand. This commander of Hades' army, whose status was like that of the woman of the Pope of the Sanctuary, then gave instructions and arrangements.

Just as Pope Sage of the Sanctuary had predicted, Pandora chose to attack. Led by the Heavenly Noble Star, one of the three giants, they breached the gates of the Sanctuary in one fell swoop and brought the head of Athena to Hatha Pandora.

With everyone's tasks assigned, the cathedral returned to silence.

Still seated on his throne, Aaron placed the unfinished painting before him once more. The painting depicted the Pegasus warrior, who shone even in the darkness. Aaron used blood as paint, easily leaving color on any artwork, but this was the only painting—the eyes of this Saint Seiya—that he could not yet imbue with color.

But it doesn't matter, Aaron smiled as he carefully considered the painting. The moment it was finished, he would give his dearest friend an unprecedented surprise.

Just as Seiya has used the power of the strong winds as a trump card to turn the tide, Aaron similarly sees this painting as his ace up his sleeve to deliver a fatal blow to Pegasus at a crucial moment. Both share the same goal: to give each other an absolute surprise!