Eyes

Aioria’s heart was a mix of contradictory feelings; however, on his way back to Sanctuary, he’d made a decision; he’d talk to his Goddess and would ask her about Shaina. He couldn’t go on without hearing a word from her; he had to know but—many other thoughts were running through his head, what if she’d been cast out of Sanctuary, just as her sister had been so many years ago?—he sighed again; breathing deep so he could find what he needed to speak to his Goddess.
With that thought in his head, he went to her Temple.
“I was waiting for you.” Athena had said as soon as she’d felt his cosmo shining. “I’m all ears, Aioria.”
She asked him to approach and sit next to her; the Saint did as she’d said and after some minutes without actually saying a word, he decided to speak, “I never meant to hurt anybody,” he began, opening his heart to his Goddess, telling her about himself, about his life in Sanctuary before she’d arrived there. He told her about Marin and himself, when both of them began their training. He also spoke about his feelings, about how he’d respected her for years, waiting for a sign from her; something that could tell him she’d shared his feelings.
Lion told her about Seiya too, and at the mention of the name, the Goddess smiled, recreating in her mind the moments in which her beloved Seiya had trained under Eagle’s guidance, until he’d become the Pegasus Saint.
“I always knew Marin and Shaina didn’t get along well,” he said almost in a whisper. Just the mention of the Silver Saint made him sigh deeply, “the only ‘intimate’ moments I could actually share with Marin, where the ones when Shaina had heartlessly hit her and I had to interfere. At that time, Shaina couldn’t accept Marin was helping Seiya—and although I think I’ve never thanked Shaina for that—”
“Things are different now, aren’t they, Aioria?”
He nodded.
“I started following every step Shaina was taking. I didn’t want her to hurt Marin anymore, that was until the day I took the Pope’s order of killing your Bronze Saints—I hurt her when I tried to hit Seiya with my bolt, right in the Hospital’s garden, that same day I tried to hurt you and my brother’s soul scolded me, remember?”
The Goddess nodded this time. “Aioria, what happened that day with me is not important anymore, you had all the reasons to doubt, and now it’s all forgotten.” Athena could notice Aioria’s voice breaking at each passing moment, as well as that she could see his hands trembling a little.
“I’ve never forgotten anything that happened that day or what I felt—that especially. When I brought her to Sanctuary, everything was different—I know we cannot see them as women, but—I had already done it when I fell for Marin—but that day Shaina looked so helpless—so wounded—and I felt sorry for her, and—”
“What changed what you thought of her, Aioria?”
He kept talking, telling his Goddess about him taking Shaina to her cottage and Cassius willing to take care of her, he told Athena he’d wondered why had Cassius fallen in love with Shaina. He told her also that he’d never cared about a person that much, and that he’d paid no attention to that until the Twelve Temples Battle; when Cassius died by his hand, trying to help Seiya so Shaina wouldn’t suffer, and then when Shaina herself had tried to help Pegasus and he’d had to stop her himself, taking her back to her cottage and then burying Cassius.
“For a moment, I wanted that passion to burn for me, My Lady,” he turned and looked at her into her eyes, “I wanted someone to love me the way she loved Seiya—and I began to—”
“Love her, right?”
He nodded and sighed. “I couldn’t believe it at first. I loved Marin, you know? But then, all the waiting—and little by little, Shaina was all I could think about, I’d had her so close to me—then I started to remember her eyes, her voice, her smell—” he sighed again, “yes, My Lady, with time I fell for her.”
“but—?” she asked, leaving the sentence unfinished.
“She doesn’t love me back, and I’ve seen her face, I’ve dishonoured her; she’ll never forgive me for that.”
The Goddess looked at him tenderly, she knew it herself how difficult it was to tell the other about your own feelings; she’d experienced it before she had actually talk to Seiya about it—now, the problem was that she knew Shaina did love Aioria, yet, she wasn’t the one to tell him.
“I’m in love with her, Athena. I love her as I’ve never loved anyone before—”
“Aioria, what if Shaina loved you?” she interrupted him. He remained silent, thinking for a minute, while he felt a hint of hope shining in his heart. “What would you be willing to do for that love, Leo Saint?”
“Everything.” He answered and Athena smiled for herself, knowing he was telling her the truth, noticing there weren’t any doubts in his voice or his answer.
After many an hour of being speaking, the Leo Saint returned to his Temple. He was feeling a little better because he’d finally told someone about his feelings; however, it hadn’t helped him much.
‘Only time will show you the truth’ his Goddess had said, and as he’d promised, he’d wait.
A half smile faintly showing on his face.

* * *

She walked to the nearest Inn she’d found to spent the night.
‘Francesca—’
Shaina registered in the first one she’d found, and when arrived in her room, she left her things on the bed and went to the closet, taking a blanket with her and entered the balcony, there, Shaina found a rocking chair where she sat, putting the blanket on her lap, covering her legs from the cold night; while she lifted them, her knees touching her chest.
‘Your parents—they’d loved you very much, the two of you, but—they had to—”
‘They gave us away.’
“Child—try to understand—the situation wasn’t easy—’
‘So?’
She got her hair loose ad passed her hands through it , shaking it a little. She hugged her own legs, letting her head rest on her knees, closing her eyes, thinking.
‘They were passing through a tough moment, and they had to make a radical decision—’
‘What do you mean?’
‘They couldn’t support you, you could have died and they thought you’d have a fine life with those people, but then after they hadn’t heard a word from you, they thought you’d actually died—’
‘What did they do with us exactly?’
‘Those women came here, they had no faces, and your parents—they gave them some money—they—’
‘They sold us? Is that what you’re saying?!’
‘They did what they thought was best!’
‘We would have wanted to stay!’
‘It wasn’t for you to decide!’
‘It is now!’
Those words were coming into her head, making her cry. She cried for the family she’d once had but no longer existed. For the parents that had abandoned her and her sister; for the sister she’d lost thanks to the manoeuvres made by the evil Pope and of course the intervention of the Bronzies.
‘Your mother—she lives still.’
‘She does?’
‘Would you like to see her?’
‘Father—would you hear my confession?’
‘Of course child, I understand the pain and the sorrow you’re going through now, tell me’
Shaina felt so angry at that moment, had she known things were to be like that, she never even have dared to go to the Island. Her cosmos had been bright in the middle of the dark church; nobody able to see it, or feel it. She remembered seeing pity in the Priest’s eyes. Blue eyes that had stared at her as if she should be understood—or forgiven—when she shouldn’t be either.
At all.
‘Forgive me Father, for I have sinned—’
‘Yes, child?’
‘Forgive me for I have sinned against my Goddess—’
‘Child, what are you saying? Goddess? There’s no other God than the Lord Almighty—’
‘I have sinned against my Goddess Athena; I have dishonoured her by coming here to look for a past that is no longer mine—’
Those very blue eyes had looked at her as if she were some kind of lunatic; in disbelief. Green eyes had looked back at him with pride and honour. Her heart had been exalted by the anger and the disappointment she was feeling at the moment.
Her cosmos was shining brighter, waves of her electrical ken flowing all over her body, invisible to the rest, but too well known to her, her soul, her essence was there, reminding her of her true self.
‘—forgive me father for I’ve forgotten who I was in order to pursue a lie that I am not. For I am not Francesca, I am Athena’s Korê and certainly not the child you see in this photograph.’
The woman had stood up and had torn the chain off her neck, which she touched and remembered when she had done it, when she’d given it to the Priest, her silver caduceus resting cold in his hand.
‘I am Shaina, Silver Saint of Ophiucus and this is definitely, not my place.’
She had spoken with such passion that the Priest couldn’t even utter a sound. Shaina sighed when she touched her bare neck once again, closing her eyes tighter, feeling the non-existent chain.
‘This is Aesculapius’ symbol, the Serpent Holder, give it to the mother that had begot me and tell her that Francesca died the same day she’d given her away so she could become Ophiucus.’
After that, Shaina had walked out of the church; feeling the air hitting hard against her face, and she’d looked around, not knowing what to think, but only that that was her birth place, that her ‘mother’ was still alive, and that her entire life had changed when she had been taken away. She had looked into the sky, just as it was still, now that she was sitting in the balcony; the full moon was as bright as it had been some hours before when she had been walking to the Inn.
“I’m Ophiucus Shaina.” Her mind said once again. The woman sighed more deeply and stood up. She left the blanket on the chair and went back into the room, the memories fading away at every step she was taking.
“I am Ophiucus. I am Shaina.” She said, before entering the bathroom.

* * *

For the first time that day, Marin took her mask off. She wanted to find the answers she needed because she had already denied herself the right to blame others. The right to blame Shaina.
Aioria had seen Shaina’s face, at least, that was what she’d said before leaving; however, Marin knew a person can’t love another one just because you’ve seen her face, what else had they shared that Aioria had fallen for Ophiucus?
She needed the answers she knew she’d never find. For example, what had happened the day Aioria had come to Sanctuary carrying an unconscious Shaina in his arms? they’d never told anyone about it. The only thing known was that Cassius was taking care of Shaina; that was all.
So, that night she gave up all reasoning and closed her heart. She wouldn’t suffer anymore. She didn’t need to—
“Marin.”
The woman was sitting before her cottage and froze when she heard the voice. It was so strong and sweet—and had called her by her name, not her protector—
“Marin—” the voice said again, “it’s time for us to speak, isn’t it?”
The woman left her mask on the floor, standing to face the other and kneel before her.
“Yes, My lady.”
Athena walked towards the other woman and sat near the place where Marin had been sitting before she’d arrived; she asked Marin to sit by her side, “It’s time to let go and forget, Marin.” She said at once, both knowing what she meant to say, yet the woman said nothing. She felt more than exposed before the Goddess after her words.
“Athena—” she wanted to say something, but the words didn’t come out. The Goddess looked at her, understanding the woman’s feelings, but she needed to reason with her somehow. Believing that at some point, it was going to be too much for Marin to bear.
“Marin—”
“Allow me, please” Marin interrupted her, “I’ve loved Aioria for so long, it’s not that easy to let go and forget.”
“If so, why didn’t you say anything before?”
“I—I was afraid I guess, I never thought he would love me back, and the only time when he kissed me, I couldn’t show him my face, after that everything changed, and the battles began, and I thought my duty to be first—”
“But he did, Marin.”
“It seems so, and at the moment I believed it too, but now—” Marin breathed deeply, “He loves Shaina, you know? And I still don’t understand how that happened.”
“It just happened; there’s nothing you can actually understand about it.”
“I know.” Her voice broke and Athena could notice it, yet not a tear was shed. “I hoped—”
“He didn’t plan it.”
“It just happened, you’ve just said that and now I have to put up with it, right?”
The two women remained in silence for a while. Neither even tried to say anything. And Marin had to recognise she’d lost a battle no one was fighting. Aioria had seen Shaina’s face and that very fact had driven herself far from him while it had driven the two of them closer. Even if being an accident.
“Does she love him?” Marin finally asked. Athena nodded, smiling faintly. Acknowledging to herself that her own fears had faded away the night in which Shaina had mentioned the Leo Saint’s name.
“Had you been in my place, what would have you done?”
“What do you mean, Marin?”
“If Seiya had loved Shaina, what would you have done?”
The Goddess didn’t answer.

* * *
The water was running down her body; it was warm, she’d wanted it like that. She was enjoying the last moments of a well-deserved rest. The vacation she would have never dared to take before. The conversation with the Priest and the sensation she’d felt, were now gone. Sanctuary being all she could think about and at the soft caress of the water, she called his name.
“Aioria”
There was no fear when she said it. In fact, she’d enjoyed pronouncing every letter of that unspeakable name. Even knowing they weren’t meant to be together, she’d always love him. He’d never seen her as someone inferior as others had. She knew he was always taking care of Marin, especially in the time when Seiya had just won his armour and Marin was protecting him from her; every time they had an argument or a fight, Aioria had been there for Marin. Even Seiya had underestimated her because she was a woman. ‘I can’t fight against a woman’ were his words. Yet, Aioria had thought of her as a warrior. He’d treated her as such, actually. Just a silly thing like that one, was a good reason for loving him.
She smiled when she wrapped a towel around her wet body and then dried her hair with another one.
“This wasn’t what I came for, Geist. Our past is dead and buried dear Monica. Everything is forgotten, my beloved sister.”
She stood up and closed the balcony door and the curtains. She didn’t want to look at the cold Mediterranean moon, but at a warm Greek sun she’d seen in green eyes which had looked at her with tenderness and respect. Even if he never knew about her feelings for him.
“I love you, Aioria.”
She said the words while she held her mask in her hand. Some moments later, she went to bed remembering her last words to the Priest.
‘I belong to Sanctuary. I belong with ‘him’ ’

* * *

The Saint woke up in the middle of the night. He was sweating and his breathing was out of control, so he got up and went right to the kitchen, to get some water to cool himself a little. He’d just had the strangest dream ever. Shaina was back, and she was in his temple, waiting for him.
‘I love you, Aioria’ he’d heard her saying in the dream, and she was smiling but—when he’d tried to grab her hand, she’d vanished and her mask was all that was left of her.
He cursed the dream and the result of it. He couldn’t have her but he couldn’t live without her either.
“Where are you, woman?” he said, sure that nothing was going to change, and he wouldn’t know about her whereabouts.
“She’s in Italy—”
Aioria didn’t move and stood still for a moment before turning to see her. He was scared, he hadn’t expect such a thing to happen; not ready for understanding why she was there, why she was telling him about Shaina.
“—or at least that was what she said, that she was going home.” Marin ended.
Aioria couldn’t say anything. Not a word came out of his lips. He was there, a glass of water in his hand, half-naked and motionless, staring at the beautiful woman standing in front of him. He’d wanted to say so many things to her, to explain himself to her, but he couldn’t find the words to do so. “Why?” was all he could utter.
“Because I love you, Aioria.” She answered controlling her cosmos; her mask hiding her emotions.
“Oh Marin—forgive me, please.” He tried to approach her but he withdrew when she moved backwards. He understood she didn’t want him around so he just stood there.
“There’s nothing to forgive, Aioria; I let my time with you pass, I thought you’d always be there waiting for me—I never thought you would fall in love with someone else—”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be”
This time, it was her who walked close to him, taking his hand and holding it for a few seconds. “You don’t choose you love and—we’ll always be friends, right?”
The Lion Saint could do nothing else but nod. She closed his hand with hers and let it go walking out of the temple; he opened his hand to see a piece of paper on it.
‘Catania, Sicily’
He left the glass on the table, and after getting dressed and leaving Leo in the Goddess’ Temple; he left Sanctuary.

* * *

Marin knew exactly why she’d gone to his Temple; was she that silly as to think that it was ok that he’d be happy with another woman even if she weren’t? She was walking outside the boundaries of the Twelve Temples, looking for the place she used to go to when she needed to be alone. However, that night, despite the hour, she wasn’t alone in the place whatsoever; for someone else was there.
“I’m sorry.” The man said, “I didn’t think this place would be so crowded tonight.” She laughed. He simply smiled back at the cold motionless mask. She wasn’t used to that; seeing people near that spot. It was pretty far from Sanctuary. Marin could also notice that despite the air of sadness he’d had for the past year, he—looked as handsome as usual. His bluish wavy hair was floating in the air, moved freely by the wind. His turquoise eyes shining in the moonlight. Everybody used to talk about him and his kindness, compared only to the Taurus Saint’s; although they all knew also how lethal he could be.
She’d known him ever since they were children and she’d just entered Sanctuary. He loved to play tricks on the Korês to be. Also, because he was Aioria’s friend and anytime the first didn’t show up to say to her was because the two of them had been together.
“I think I’m leaving,” he said, “if you’re here, then I’m sure you want to be alone.”
The woman nodded, not ready for speaking with him. She was used to Aioria, whom despite of being a Golden Saint had never treated her differently, but she couldn’t tell much about the others, who had always been aloof to so many things in Sanctuary.
“Thank you.” She finally managed to say and at the sound of her voice, Milo of Scorpio had to admit that Aioria had been right for years. Her voice was as soft as a beautiful song. He nodded as well and left the place.
Marin saw him walking away, heading to the Temples. He’d also lost a lot in the battles that had taken place; friends, beliefs, hopes; and she understood why he was there.
What she didn’t notice was that a pair of turquoise eyes, stared at her at moments before disappearing in the dark.

* * *

Aioria arrived on the Island long before the sun had raised in the morning sky. It was a beautiful place and he could tell it had rained during the night that was ending now. The leaves of the trees and the plants around still had little drops on them; yet, it was getting warmer as dawn drew closer. The Mediterranean sun was about to make its majestic appearance and the place seemed ready for him. He hid his cosmos, although he knew only she could have felt it. He looked around and wondered what he was doing there. What might she be doing there? The Saint felt like a teenager who had run away from home, boldly determined to follow his instincts.
He looked around and found himself in an unknown place, not knowing where to go.
Time passed by and the small village started to recover its life; the church bells were now announcing the mass first time in the morning; the smell of fresh bread was spread all over from the bakery; fresh coffee was made in the houses, wives helping their husbands to get ready for going to work; children asking their moms for five more minutes of sleep before they actually had to get up to go to school.
Leo was walking around, looking among the half-awakened faces for the one that was familiar to him. He had no idea where to start looking for her, so he kept wandering around the place until he ended up sitting in the main square, right where she’d been sitting the day before. He stayed there for a while, without counting the hours or he would start to hallucinate. His soul hadn’t found any rest since Marin had been in his Temple the first time, but what she’d done last night was—something he couldn’t explain yet. However, if she hadn’t spoken, he wouldn’t be there.
The village was now full of life again, and he could see a feminine shape walking towards the square. He could recognize it by her always feminine movements, he could notice she wasn’t the person he’d seen in Sanctuary some weeks ago. Everything was different about her. Her expression, her clothing, and he felt afraid about what he would find.
“Shaina” he muttered walking towards her.
“Aioria? What are you doing here?” she asked him when he was next to her, she saw him with a half smile on his face, afraid of having asked.
“I came here for you.”
“You shouldn’t have.” Was all she said.