"Have you gathered, Specters?"
Above the ruins of the old city, within the dark cathedral spiraling upwards, the Specters knelt on one knee.
Just as Athena commands eighty-eight Saints corresponding to the celestial constellations, Hades likewise commands one hundred and eight Specters.
"Lord Hades has now been fully resurrected!" With Pandora's resonant declaration, the Specters, who had rushed here from all corners of the world, gathered around the new Hades, defending the glory of the Underworld King.
The sole man seated on the throne, Alone, smiled as he gazed at the Specters before him, who belonged to Hades.
"My warriors, Specters, can you dye this world black for me? End the lives of the Saints—no, end Athena's life, and let this world sink into peaceful darkness." Although phrased as a question, Alone's tone was unquestionable. The Specters, too, were more than willing to fulfill this task for Hades.
"Then, first, let's knock on the gates of Athena's Sanctuary." Pandora raised her hand. This commander of Hades' Army, whose status was akin to the Pope of the Sanctuary, began assigning directions.
Just as Pope Sage of the Sanctuary had guessed, Pandora's choice was to attack. Led by the Sky Noble Star, one of the Three Judges, they were to break through the Sanctuary gates in a single strike and bring Athena's head before Pandora.
As each person's task was assigned, silence once again fell over the grand cathedral.
Alone, still seated on the throne, placed the unfinished painting back before him. The canvas depicted the Pegasus warrior, who, even amidst darkness, radiated light. Alone could easily use blood as pigment to color any painting, but this one—the eyes of this Saint—he temporarily couldn't give color to.
But it didn't matter. Alone smiled, carefully pondering. The moment the painting was complete, he would grant his dear friend an unprecedented surprise.
Just as Seiya had made his Incarnation of Strong Wind Authority the trump card to turn the tide, Alone likewise considered this painting his ultimate ace to deliver a fatal blow to Tenma at a critical moment. Both held the same objective: to give the other an absolute surprise!
At this moment, Alone's paintbrush paused. He turned his face, looking at the winged Specter emerging from the nearby shadows—his most trusted Specter.
"I haven't seen you since a while ago, Kagaho." Alone looked at the Specter before him.
After that battle, this somewhat ostentatious Sky Violence Star Specter seemed to shed his restlessness. He knelt on one knee before Alone. "As you know, I am not suited for such occasions."
"That's just like you," Alone chuckled. "Do you have something important to discuss, Kagaho?"
"Yes, there is one thing I must confirm. Would you please lift your bangs?"
Under the unblinking gaze of Kagaho of Bennu, the Sky Violence Star, Alone could only give a helpless wry smile before gently lifting his bangs.
There, a lightning-like scar. It stung Kagaho's eyes, breeding a furious humiliation and anger in his heart, more intense than being forced to kneel. "Unforgivable! Unforgivable! Pegasus Saint, Tenma!"
Many Specters had witnessed that final blow that sent Alone flying, delivering severe damage. As long as that wound remained on Alone's face, it would be an indelible disgrace for all Specters.
For some Specters who knew the truth, Pegasus Saint Tenma was even the prime target, surpassing Athena herself.
"Kagaho?" At Hades' call from behind, Kagaho of the Sky Violence Star felt intense guilt and shame swirling in his heart. He watched as streaks of purple light streaked across the sky towards Athena's Sanctuary. "Please rest for a moment. I will absolutely return this humiliation to Tenma twofold!"
With that, he transformed into an even more ferocious purple light and shot towards the sky.
Alone's lips curved upwards, lost in thought. This Hades' capital, fortified by Specter guards, once again became a silent, shadowy city, until the strains of a harp sounded from behind him.
"You did that on purpose, Lord Hades, didn't you?" Alone didn't turn around. In a corner of the cathedral, Pandora, in a black dress, gently stroked a harp.
"Why do you say that?" Alone tilted his head back.
"It's just Tenma; you should be able to erase that scar, shouldn't you? You deliberately kept that wound to provoke those arrogant Specters." Pandora's lips curved upwards, as if she had seen through Alone's intentions.
Alone remained silent. Pandora left, content. It was only when he was alone again that Alone reached up to touch the scar on his forehead.
But Pandora was wrong about one thing: he couldn't erase it, at least not yet.
Completely unknown, targeted rules were restraining his Hades' power. The strength Seiya had left within him forced a pain like an axe splitting his skull every sunrise. Alone looked up, gazing towards the Sanctuary.
"…Tenma."
He didn't know what emotions truly lingered in his heart for this former dear friend. At this moment, it was as if his call had materialized; Tenma's figure seemed to truly take shape within the mirror before his eyes.
Such was the power of his thoughts. Alone reached out, wanting to touch the mirror's surface.
Tenma? No! Alone's eyes narrowed. This *was* Tenma!
"Were you thinking of me, Alone?" A mocking voice sounded from behind.
The Cosmo belonging to Hades spread outwards from Alone, burning in an unprecedented manner. Yet, Seiya's fist, having gained the initiative, was surrounded by a black radiance matching Alone's.
"—Boar's Charge Punch!"
It was Seiya's only combat technique embodying the concept of destruction, and also the one with the most unpleasant name. Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn't employ this power of the destructive wild boar, but against the unfathomable Alone, Seiya had to do it.
The purple barrier instantly shattered. Alone's Cosmo, like a flood, was easily dispelled by that punch. Alone instinctively tried to raise his arm to block, but his entire arm twisted and deformed until he voluntarily spun backward, propelled by the force.
Alone vomited blood, his face contorted in pain, his entire right arm folded downwards in an irregular, twisted state. The sight of the sky rapidly streaking past his eyes was incredibly familiar.
It was incredibly familiar. For Seiya, the scene before him was also incredibly familiar. This time, Seiya transformed into a platinum-gold radiance, directly pursuing the black light. Alone was still pushing Hades' power, attempting to restore his twisted limb, but in the next instant, he saw a gold-glowing foot coming straight for his face.
—Pegasus Rolling Light-Speed Kick!
—The Innocent Shall Not Return!
______
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