Athena's Saints
Eirini
ONE
The Beginning of a New Era
II. Synedria
“Wake up Sleeping Beauty. It’s time to give your respects to the Pope”.
“Master, five more minutes, please.”
“You know it’s not possible, so get up, take a shower and get ready. You have ten minutes.”
“Master, please.”
“Alright then, you have only five.”
“Oh, no” the boy thought, so he got up lazily. He didn’t want to do a thing, but he had to if he wanted to be a Saint of Athena, and getting up early was part of being one.
His master had already left when he was finally ready. He ran upstairs, fixing his outfit and hair. When he arrived at the place, everybody was already there and he noticed some new faces.
The masters looked outstanding wearing their armors. Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces were there. All the apprentices were at the right, in front of their Masters, Libra wasn’t there, and Aries for the first time in two hundred years, had a new apprentice. The Pope, Shion, was at the top of the room by Athena’s throne, from where he ruled. By his side, his brother Arless, the one always willing to help him.
All fair, all-powerful and the youngest ones, with a promising future before them. All of them burning with a common desire in their hearts, to serve and protect Athena above all things.
Despite all that, he was late, and could feel the look his master gave him when he entered the room, as well as he could see Arless smirking for the same reason. Behind his mask, Shion studied him and smiled, sighing in relief, although nobody knew. These young boys and kids were a new hope. They were the lucky ones among human kind, because the Gods chose them; they were serving humanity and they were seeing Athena after two hundred and thirty years.
He turned to the masters and all bowed before him, acknowledging his power and wisdom; reassuring their vow of loyalty and acceptance. He smiled broadly at sensing their mighty energies and souls.
All worthy.
Then, he turned to the apprentices and crossed his arms on his chest. He observed each of them carefully. Saga, Aioros and Shura, the oldest, the wisest. Three almost teenagers who had proven themselves to be worthy of their Masters. Who made them proud, and he, Shion, felt prouder himself. He knew they were the people he could count upon when the time came. Then, he looked at Giacomo and Fredrick, a little younger than the firsts; yet, they had shown the energy that had been growing inside of them. A very powerful and terrible one. Finally, the young ones. Mu, Roberto, Aioria, Albert, Maur and Michel. Libra didn’t need a new apprentice.
All of them, Masters to be.
He couldn’t help it and sighed again. Every two hundred and fifty years, Athena was born and a new war among the Gods took place. Jealousy and envy. Human features in the hands of the Gods. A dangerous combination everybody should fear. But there was still some hope left. And it was standing before him. The light Terra needed for not falling in darkness.
“Eleven Masters, eleven apprentices” he said to himself. “Welcome all to Sanctuary. You have been summoned, because it is time for you to take an apprentice and pass your knowledge to him, and with that act, grant Sanctuary’s and Athena’s protection and permanence.”
His voice echoed in the room, filling their hearts with excitement and strength; making them believe that although the time of peace was coming to an end, everything would be alright.
The smell of incense filled their bodies, while the young apprentices looked all over the place, marveled before their Masters without fully understanding why there were there. Ignoring that from that moment on, their lives were not longer theirs, but Athena’s.
Maur felt marveled at the sight. His Master, Selek of Scorpio didn’t tell him he was going to feel that way at the meeting. He didn’t even tell him, what it was going to be like being in Sanctuary. He just said it was time to pay his respects to the Pope, but to him, it was more than that. He knew where he was, he knew about Athena, above all things, he was a son of Greece and as his father told him once, he had to honor his traditions.
He listened to the Pope’s words, and though he was still a child, his heart was overjoyed. He was looking at the others akin to him and found them lost in the same admiration. Then the Masters, giving them that comprehensive look, made him feel well. It was a shame his parents hadn’t survived the fire and could see him becoming a Saint. He was the only survivor of the tragedy. A spot of pain stained his heart, and looked to the floor, menacing tears stopped by his eyelashes, and a hand on his shoulder.
“You better calm down, Maur. You’re not here to grieve nor you are to suffer because of memories. Overcome yourself, would you?”
The child looked at his Master. Maur’s mother didn’t want him to become a Saint, his father died for it; but at the end, they trusted the Saint.
But—who wouldn’t?
He had a charming presence, which gained the love and respect of all his comrades.
Selek was a tall very handsome man; his waist-long brownish hair fell over his shoulders and back as a waterfall, wild and free. His hazel eyes shining with that sparkle only a scorpion has. Living, caring. The Scorpion Armor proudly covered his well-built body, enviable by many, which embraced him tenderly.
There was something about him that made him alluring to people. Everybody loved him, and the feeling of security people had, when they were around him, was something Maur was grateful for.
“Yes Master. I’m sorry.”
Selek knelt before him, feeling more and more estranged when he called him ‘Master’, knowing he could call him — different.
“Don’t be sorry for feeling. Never. Feelings keep you human. Don’t regret your emotions. They make you feel alive; don’t they?”
“Yes Master.” Selek finally smiled openly and Maur smiled back. He felt safe by his side.
The Scorpio Saint felt happy with that smile. He‘d die for it, and wasn’t going to let him lose it. Never. No matter what he had to do. He’d made a promise.
Soon, the children were dismissed, as well as the older trainees. Only the Masters remained. Maur was finally allowed to go and get to know Sanctuary. He was more than happy, and was more and more curious about the other children. The big one with Taurus, the one with closed eyes, the one without eyebrows, the one with the huge smile, the one with the—icy look. He stopped abruptly. That look caught him off guard. There was something about those eyes that attracted him very much.
He finally came closer to the other child, staying behind, while the others left accompanied by the oldest ones.
“My name is Maur, I’m the future Scorpio Saint.”
He didn’t receive any answer and his hand was left in the air, but he didn’t give up. He took the other’s and shook it with strength, as his father taught him to do. Michel wanted to withdraw; he didn’t trust anyone but Nivoe.
Everybody was false, untrusting, deceiving.
Liars.
Even that strange, annoying child in front of him.
Who was he to talk to him with such familiarity? He was never mean to people, but he had been taught to keep distance and remember who he was.
A little Lord.
A lie.
He knew it when he looked towards the Masters and his eyes met Nivoe’s.
You won’t have this wealth you have now, you know?
Reality hit him again. He wasn’t a Lord anymore. He had given everything up, just to follow him. No regrets. Nivoe smiled slightly reassuring Michel that he didn’t have to fear, that he was safe.
Michel nodded and accepted the other’s greeting, still reticent, but he agreed nonetheless.
Soon, Maur was walking him out the room, and both children joined the rest.
Saga, Shura and Aioros, were waiting for them to show them Sanctuary.
Shion breathed deeply when the apprentices left, while his brother brought him some fresh water, which he drank before the Masters were ready for him. He had just analysed each and every one of them. He saw innocence, desire, willingness, but most of all, he saw power. Once again the stars were not mistaken. They had told him about them, and knew it was only the beginning.
Only when Terra was in most need, such power was summoned and reunited.
Nivoe was looking at Michel when Maur approached him, and he could see the cold in his young eyes and his heart sore. There was more about the cold than just the cold itself. There was something about the Masters of the Ice, and that was their hearts. He couldn’t allow Michel to lose his. So, when Michel looked for him and asked silently for his approval, he couldn’t deny it. So he smiled faintly and the boy nodded accepting. He needed to learn more than just controlling the ice, and Nivoe was more than willing to teach him.
He had loved the little French boy since the very day he saw him at the Funeral Home.
“By Athena, Is that a smile I see?” someone yelled behind him. Making him and the others turn and see who it was.
“Don’t start Selek, I’m not in the mood for your jokes today.”
Shion also turned to see what was happening, while he placed the mask back on his face and couldn’t help it but laugh to himself.
Selek had his left hand over his chest, pretending to be offended. “You break my heart old friend.”
“Old?” He answered smirking. But the argument was soon over, when the Cancer Amazon started to laugh out loud, now that the apprentices weren’t there and the rest just followed.
Even Nivoe laughed openly.
It was always the same with Selek. Jokes, fun, friendship, and that feeling everybody had that he was always going to be there. Always supportive and understanding.
Shion stared at Selek and saw the spirit of Sanctuary within him. The best heart and soul, the most perfect assassin. He was the only one fit for that task. The only one able to endure it and not lose his mind in the attempt.
“Gentlemen, it’s time. Follow me” Arless’ voice sounded deep and firm, so the laughter stopped at once. All of them nodded, trying to regain their manners and did as Arless said.
The children felt more than marvelled after the tour along Sanctuary. Saga, Shura although serious, answered very kindly every question the children made.
Aioros carried his little brother on his shoulders once or twice during the visit. The others envied him. But deep inside, Aioros felt a little sad about his little lion, yet there wasn’t much he could do. Their parents were already dead and he had chosen his path. Although sometimes, he felt he had also chosen his brother’s.
Giacomo and Fredrick walked by their side. There was something about these two that caught Saga’s attention since the very beginning. A tiny spot of dark, which he thought, was tiredness but couldn’t really figure out. Giaco was very strong and handsome, but nothing like Fred.
Among them all, Fred was a real beauty.
Yet, there was something more sparkling in their eye, power. He liked it. Sort of, actually.
At least, something inside of him, did.
Soon, they had entered the Saint’s Chamber as they called it. It was in this chamber where the armours were kept until they found a new owner or when the Saint was allowed to leave Sanctuary.
It was a big, spacious place. All the armours’ boxes, where on golden shelves, surrounding them. Resonating with their cosmos and energy. And in the centre, a round table; in remembrance of the equality among them. No superiors. No inferiors. Shion always sat with them. As an equal. As their leader.
“My Saints, my kindred” he thought. Then, He cleared his throat and the Saints looked at him with attention. They loved him as a father and he knew it.
“The time for Athena’s birth is near now, and the horizon is getting darker as time passes by—” He stopped and took hi seat in one of the empty spaces, and looked at them motionless, unable to utter one more word. He breathed deep.
Suddenly, a thirteenth presence was felt in the room. It was the unmistakable aura of the Libra Saint, who was welcomed by them all.
Shion looked at Arless who understood the signal and nodded. He left the room, closing the door behind him. Soon the smell of incense reached again, and as strange as this custom of Shion’s was, it made them feel right. Shion found what he needed and kept talking.
He put his hand over his mask and removed it, despite the Saint’s disbelief, revealing his face to them for the first time.
All the Saints suppressed a cry of emotion and fear for his Master’s actions. It was more than overwhelming—it was terrifying. The Pope looked at Cancer and Virgo, the two amazons in the Golden Order and told them to remove their masks as well.
Both women obeyed.
The three masks were on the table and all the Saints felt relieved in a sort of way, though fear was stealing their hearts. Such a thing had never happened before, and it never would again.
“This era of peace is ending my dearest Saints. The stars say it, the scrolls say it, and there’s no doubt about it.” He breathed deeply again. “And with the end of the era, my time is coming to its end as well.”
As he had feared and foreseen, he saw pain and sorrow in the Saints eyes.
“For the first time in more than two hundred years, my face has been seen. For the first time in many a millennium, not one, but two Amazons’ faces had been seen by a male. It’s time to speak up; and you’re the chosen ones to listen.”
Ariadne, 2004