“Sagittarius Saint Kuro greets Lady Athena Sapphire and the other Gold Saints!” Kuro greeted everyone on the Pope’s chamber, while cupping his fists.

“A fine lad indeed!” muttered Libra Genbu.

“Such noble temperament, you are indeed worthy of being one of us” said Pisces Amor.

Sapphire Athena was seated on the Pope’s throne while the other Gold Saints were neatly lined up on both sides. The Pope of Sanctuary was busy organizing the forces of the church and hence he was not present. Libra Genbu then began to tell Kuro about certain truths that he needed to know.

“Kuro, young one, I do not know whether we are making the right decision in what we are about to tell you.”

“We are but chess pieces in this world, and we are being machinated by fate.”

“Whatever your decision may be after this, we will respect it.”

“Just keep in mind that you must follow through with whatever you decide to do.”

“For whatever questions you may have right now, you can only find out the answer once you claim victory.”

Genbu looked at Athena Sapphire whose face was hidden by her veil solemnly. Athena Sapphire light nodded in response, hence Genbu proceeded with the matter.

“When Soma awakened as the Dark Lord for the first time, he fought with chaos.”

“With the help of Genya, he was victorious.”

“However, the remnant followers of Dracula at that time were able to plot against him time and again.”

“He was led to fight and was forced to awaken for the 2nd time.”

“In his second awakening, he failed to defeat chaos.”

“But we did not know that he failed.”

“He was able to defeat the other two candidates with affinity of possessing the soul of Dracula.”

“Little did we know that he was slowly being controlled by chaos.”

“On the day of strengthening the seal on Dracula’s castle in the Eclipse, he was together with Mina, in Hakuba shrine.”

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“Since Mina is the successor of the Shrine, her blood is used in strengthening the seal.”

“During the ceremony, when they were at the crucial part, everyone’s defenses were at the minimum.”

“Nobody expected that Soma would actually pierce a combat knife towards Mina’s heart.”

Kuro’s face was full of anger. He tightly clenched his right fists as a combat knife appeared. It’s the same combat knife that Soma used to stab him in the heart. Never would he have expected that it was the same knife that was used to kill his beloved Mina.

“What you hold in your hand is the very same knife that Soma used to stab Mina.”

“Mina almost died.”

“Luckily, the Pope was able to arrive on time with Athena’s staff and Athena’s God Cloth.”

“He used it in order to save Mina’s life.”

“The price that we had to pay was Mina’s memories were lost.”

“Since she is of pure heart, the same as Aria, Athena Saori’s will that was infused in the Athena’s Staff and Athena’s God Cloth were naturally compatible with her.”

Kuro was confused. He then looked at Athena Sapphire. Suddenly, he was able to realize something. His expression looked graved.

“Stop! Please stop!”

“There is no more need to continue with your story.”

“I understand.”

“I now know what I should do.”

Kuro then looked gently at Sapphire, who was seated at the throne of the Pope. He whispered something as he turned around and walked out in large strides.

Unknowingly, tears flowed out of Sapphire’s eyes as she closed them. After a few breaths she reopened them, and the sad and hurt expression that was hidden under her veil were no more.

Kuro walked out of the Pope’s chamber and decided to head to the Flower Garden of Pisces Amor that was previously destroyed by Myst-Vearn. Upon arriving, he can see that numerous flowers were starting to bloom and there were no traces of the previous explosion. This is attributed to the Pisces Gold Saint’s ability to grow flowers at light speed.

Unknowingly, he picked up a flower. He was aware that these flowers were filled with the poison of the Pisces Saint, but he also knew the proper way of plucking them without getting into contact with the poison.

“Mina loved these flowers.”

“I miss you Mina.”

“Ever since you told me about the feelings you had for Soma, I had to give way.”

“I was a nobody back then. I had no power.”

“I had no cosmos. I cannot even cast the simplest of spells.”

“You should have chosen me back then.”

“Even though I am young, we could have lived our lives simply, without getting involved in any of this.”

Kuro took a sniff of the flower, despite knowing that it has hallucinatory properties. Within a couple of breaths time, he lost consciousness. After the time it takes to finish tea, Genya, Avan and Sapphire appeared beside him, as he was lying down in the bed of Amor’s flowers.

“He has made his choice” muttered Genya.

“It appears that he will rise above all of us” indicated Avan.

“The burden that he will carry will involve not only this World, but also the World of the Gods as well” Sapphire softly said.

“Athena, I think he ha-”

“Stop, Avan!” Genya urgently said as he stopped Avan from speaking.

“Let him discover it himself. I hope that he will be able to save what he can save.”

“All we can do as their seniors is to guide them into the right path.”

“We will fight beside him and the children of destiny.”

“To the Four Yin Yang possessors, Kuro will play the most crucial role.”

“For now, let us prepare for war.”

“It is our destiny to fight with Vearn and the forces of the Dark Lord.”

“Avan, please carry him towards the Aries temple so that he can rest.”