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"A story is a prism. There is more than one side to it."
Chapter 2: Pontifex Regenus, Anacletus
The man at the entrance was smallish, of average height, reaching up to my chest. His black mane had silver streaks in it, indicating age. His goatee wasn’t as black as it used to be. Black tar eyes peeked out from beneath eyebrows that made me think of cockroaches. He wore a white robe much after the style of a Franciscan monk, but it was decorated with a red stole worn about his shoulder.
The man introduced himself as Pontifex Regenus Anacletus, and that he had been expecting us. I disliked him on sight. As he lead us towards his dwelling, Anacletus told me some of the details concerning my future as Athena’s Exalted Representative on Earth. He was but a humble Papal Regent, Anacletus claimed, with not a subject to rule but the guards who were left behind in the Sanctuary.
All of that would change, however, once I, Shion of Aries, assumed Papal power in Sanctuary. From that point on, Anacletus would be my left-hand man and aide along with another man with the same job; no Captain of the Guard was mentioned. We entered his house.
~End 1st PoV~
Two guards poured spiced wine for them as Anacletus made himself comfortable. “If I may inquire, Lord Shion—" The Aries Saint propped his elbows on the table, staring at the Regent with a seemingly bored gaze. “What exactly do you wish to inquire, Pontifex Anacletus?” He asked brusquely. “Are you the only survivors, or are there more?”
Anacletus asked. “An innocent question, sir.” The Regent’s honey-dripping tongue was irking Shion; however, he smiled winsomely. “We should count the Cloths, then. You will know if there are survivors if there aren’t eighty-eight Cloths.” Anacletus flushed and yelled for the guards to start counting.
An hour and twenty minutes later, eighty-seven Cloths were reported. “What is missing, then?” “A gold Cloth, M’Lord.” His eyes widened. “Which Gold Cloth?” He asked dangerously. Shion decided to intercede for the soldier. “Only the Seventh Gold Cloth. Libra Dohko has been granted a special boon from Athena to watch for the resurrection of Hades, which is why he is not present, Anacletus.” “I see.” The Regent resumed his smiling guise again.
“You may want to rest; I’m sure you’ve had a tiring journey, Goddess. Why don’t you stay at my house for the night? I can let you use my bedroom and—“ Aramis jerked her arm from his grip, smiling sweetly. “The offer is welcomed, but I’m afraid I will have to decline. Maybe I can sleep in one of the shacks.” “Goddess Athena, sleeping in a—“
“She can have my bed at Aries Temple; they will suit her far more than those ridiculous hovels,” He glanced at Aramis. “Isn’t that right, Lady?” “Eh? I will take you up on that, Aries Shion. But where will you sleep?” “On the floor, of course.” To Anacletus, he added. “Is that suitable enough?” “Y-yes, as long as the Goddess is comfortable.” He glanced at his watch.
“I must pray now. Good night.” As he ambled off towards his house, Aramis turned to Shion. “Why did you do that?” Shrug. “I do not think I will sleep well if you are in his house. Call me overprotective; but I don’t trust him very much.” “Shion, do try to be agreeable; you can be such a difficult person sometimes.” Pause. “At times I wonder if you enjoy being difficult.”
He grumbled something very much like, “I’m not difficult.” The Goddess rolled her eyes. Shion was an Aries, after all.
~1st PoV~
I suppose I did sound irritable and moody. I was tired. I barely slept before we left the battlefield and after that. As much as I hated to admit, Anacletus was right: we needed rest, for there was work to be done, at least for me.
I was to mend the Cloths. Before the soldiers were called to count the Cloths, I asked them to report if any were dead; some parts were shattered or the Cloths were just cracked. The repairs were simple enough; true, I had to guide them to it, but that was not the point. It was fortunate, if several had died, my body wouldn’t have supplied enough blood for them. And there was still that matter about the Kamui… ‘The Kamui…’
Suddenly my gaze fell on the direction towards Athena’s Altar, and I found myself thinking about the Goddess statue at the Parthenon… ‘The Goddess statue at the Parthenon…’ I blinked. Of course, that was the solution.
~End 1st PoV~
“Aramis, I’ll be gone for a bit. Would you mind waiting for me whilst I return?” “Uh, sure. Sure, I’ll wait.”
Her voice was somewhat hesitant. As he vanished in a flash of gold, Aramis let out a sigh and sat on the nearest rock to wait. Meanwhile, Shion had teleported in front of a smith and glassblower’s shop in the District of Artisans in Athens. He entered it. Inside, there were incredible pieces of metal and glass, but the Aries Saint was not interested in purchasing them. Instead, he ignored them and went straight through the door behind the counter.
The door opened to a flight of stairs. Descending them, Shion was greeted by the sounds of a forge and the rushing sea breeze. “Matthias! A word with you!” A voice cursed him in several languages. “What do you want, pest? Go away!” A man some years older than the Aries Saint appeared at the foot of the stairs.
His long, brown hair with gray highlights was in several rat-tails, and his gray eyes glimmered with a fierce fire in them. A tall man, he wore a plaid-patterned skirt instead of pants beneath his leather apron. And now, the smith was brandishing a cherry-red poker at him, despite that Shion was well out of range unless he threw the poker…
“C’mon now; who are ye that dares step into me forge?” The Aries Saint laughed out loud, the first time since the end of the Holy War. “Matthias, Matthias! Surely, you have not forgotten me. I sneaked into the forge sometimes, remember? You were only a journeyman back then…” He trailed off so Matthias could get the hint. He did, and lowered his poker.
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? You’re a man now! Isn’t that wonderful?” Pause. “What can I do ye for?” The Hephaestian Smith inquired as he leaned on his poker. “A statuette. The very image of Athena Statue at the Parthenon.” The Scottish Highlander squinted at him, as though searching for something. Finally, he nodded.
“I suppose ye will be wanting something light?” Nod. “I’ll get to work on it. I was hoping for something more challenging, but this is as good an exercise as any.” A few minutes later, Matthias reappeared with a gleaming, bronze miniature of Athena, just as Shion wanted it. Knowing Matthias would reject all payment, he gave his thanks and teleported back to Sanctuary.
When the flash of gold hit her eyes, Aramis yelped and nearly fell over from her rock. “You’re back.” She said, her eyes with a questioning look at glimpsing the miniature. “Yes, I am. If you will excuse me…” He turned his back to her and went to work. “Aramis?” The Aries Saint spoke after a few seconds. “Yes?” “I will require your blood for this. May I?”
Without a word, she thrust out her right arm, not even flinching or looking away as he nicked it with a knife. The blood fell on the statuette and the Kamui. At the same time Shion bandaged her wrist, he cut himself, splattering the blood on both objects. At first, nothing happened.
Then Aramis noticed her Kamui was fading into the statuette, and the statuette was increasing in size. When it stopped, she blinked: it was now the size of the Athena Statue at the Parthenon. The material had also switched to stone. “How—what—“ “It doesn’t matter. Only you and I will be the only souls to know the secret of the Statue. The only way to reveal it is by splattering your own blood on it.” Pause. “You must not tell a soul.”
“I understand.” Aramis replied, solemnity in her voice. After two minutes, Shion yawned. “We should be turning in now, I think.” He teleported them to Aries Temple. As she got into his bed, Aramis glanced at the stars. They were bright tonight, showing promise for a new day. Her sleep was dreamless this time.
 Death Papillon · Wed Jun 28, 2006 @ 06:48pm · 0 Comments |
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