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The journey to Jamir was fraught with challenges, both natural obstacles and those created by the Saints—illusions.
Before reaching Jamir, Mika and Shiryu encountered a terrifying illusion: an army of skeletons clad in Cloths, rising from the earth to attack them.
Mika decided to intervene. He raised his hand, and a beam of light shot out, shattering the illusion like a burst bubble.
The true nature of the obstacle was revealed: a narrow stone bridge, barely wide enough for a single person to cross, with sharp spikes and scattered bones below.
"Incredible… No wonder Master emphasized the importance of caution during my training. One misstep, and we'd end up like those skeletons," Shiryu murmured, looking at the bones impaled on the spikes below.
He then turned to Mika, gratitude filling his eyes. "Thank you, Mika."
"It's nothing. As your companion, I can't leave you to handle all the challenges alone," Mika replied with a smile, then continued onward. "Let's go. Jamir is just ahead."
Shiryu looked up and saw a solitary tower in the distance. "Is that…it?" Even he, usually so stoic, couldn't contain his excitement at finally reaching their destination. He quickly caught up to Mika.
The tower was unusual; its first level was a solid, seamless structure, with no visible entrance.
"I am Shiryu, here to see Master Mu about repairing these Cloths," he called out, his voice echoing through the mountains.
There was no response.
Suddenly, a barrage of boulders rained down from above, burying the spot where he had been standing moments before.
"Hahaha! Another useless fool who somehow managed to reach this place through sheer luck. How…troublesome," a young boy's voice echoed from the tower's roof. He was watching Shiryu, buried under the rocks, with amusement.
Mika, having suppressed his presence upon their arrival, remained undetected.
Just then, the rocks exploded outwards, and Shiryu emerged, launching a counterattack against the boy.
Mika smiled; the scene was amusing. But his attention was drawn elsewhere—towards a figure approaching him.
The man moved with deceptive slowness, his gait casual, almost leisurely, yet his speed was incredible.
Mika recognized it: the signature movement of a Gold Saint, moving at the speed of light. And the reason he could perceive such speed was because he, too—had now mastered it.
He had reached the [Seventh Sense]. During their journey to Jamir, he had finally integrated the last of his Demonic and Light energies into his [Cosmo], pushing it to its limits—triggering his Ascension.
In a single instant, he had crossed the threshold from the [Sixth Sense] to the [Seventh Sense], his perception of the world shifting—his [Cosmo] undergoing a qualitative transformation, its power increasing a millionfold. He could now move at the speed of Light.
And just as he sensed the approaching figure, the figure, too—sensed him.
It was Mu - the Gold Saint of Aries.
He had returned after sensing someone had bypassed his illusion. To assess the newcomers, he had suppressed his presence, entering a state of perfect stillness, akin to Mika's [Circle (Enhanced Zetsu)].
They met in the ethereal realm between worlds, their gazes locking, instantly recognizing each other's level: [Seventh Sense].
This made Mu wary. A [Seventh Sense] warrior was a force to be reckoned with, a testament to their immense power and dedication. Such individuals were rare. He shifted his focus from Shiryu to Mika.
Just then, the commotion between Shiryu and the boy subsided. The boy, Kiki—had been captured after Shiryu destroyed the tower to reach him. As Shiryu inquired about Mu's whereabouts, Kiki simply replied, "Isn't he right there?"
Hearing Kiki's words, and sensing Shiryu's confusion, Mu knew it was time to reveal himself. He materialized before them, his hand waving casually as the destroyed tower was instantly restored.
"Master Mu, I've come to ask for your assistance in repairing these Cloths," Shiryu said, placing two suitcases on the ground and opening them, revealing the damaged Dragon and Pegasus Cloths.
Mu's gaze lingered on the Cloths for only a moment before returning to the empty space beside them.
"Since you're here, why not reveal yourself?"
"Huh?" Shiryu and Kiki looked around, puzzled. Was there someone else here? Shiryu turned and realized Mika was gone.
"Greetings, Mu of Aries. I am Mika," a voice echoed from the void. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Mika emerged, a smile playing on his lips.
——
Mika hadn't expected Mu to also possess the ability to mask his presence, a technique similar to [Circle]—His own concealment had been compromised.
However, he wasn't concerned. After all, he was now a [Seventh Sense] Saint, a level comparable to a Gold Saint.
Therefore, when Mu addressed him, he revealed himself.
"Mika? And you are…?" Mu asked, sensing the immense [Cosmo] emanating from Mika, comparable to his own. He regarded Mika with a cautious respect.
A [Seventh Sense] warrior was a force to be reckoned with. And there were other armies of gods in this world besides Athena's Saints: Poseidon's Mariners and Hades's Specters. They had all been enemies of the Saints in the past.
Until he knew Mika's allegiance, he wouldn't lower his guard.
Mika, understanding his apprehension, smiled. "I was once a Saint-in-training in Sanctuary, though I left before acquiring a Cloth. I'm currently serving as an attendant to Miss Saori Kido of the Graad Foundation in Japan. I accompanied Shiryu on his journey to have these Cloths repaired and to…meet the legendary Gold Saint of Aries."
"Miss Saori Kido, you say?" Mu's initial relief at learning Mika wasn't affiliated with Hades or Poseidon was quickly replaced by suspicion.
He knew of Saori Kido. He had left Sanctuary and returned to Jamir precisely because he had sensed a disturbance, a change in its energy.
After all, the previous Pope, Shion—had been his master. As his student, he was attuned to the subtle shifts within Sanctuary.
While he hadn't been strong enough to uncover the truth at the time, and with Sanctuary now firmly under Saga's control, open defiance was impossible—he had quietly withdrawn to Jamir, continuing his investigation in secret.
His suspicions stemmed from the incident thirteen years ago, when Aiolos, the Gold Saint of Sagittarius, had seemingly attempted to assassinate Athena and then fled.
Almost all the Gold Saints had sensed something amiss about that incident.
Aiolos—a noble and righteous Saint—handpicked by the Pope himself and considered Shion's successor, would never betray Athena. Yet, because it was the Pope who had declared him a traitor, they had been forced to accept it.
However, with the recent disturbances in Sanctuary—Mu now suspected a connection. He had searched for Aiolos, but to no avail.
Then, the Graad Foundation's Galaxian Wars had caught his attention. The tournament, with a Gold Cloth as its grand prize, had quickly spread throughout Sanctuary, reaching the ears of the Gold Saints.
Mu had visited Japan in secret and observed Saori Kido.
However, at the time, she hadn't yet encountered Gabriel and awakened as Athena. But even then—Mu had his suspicions.
Now, seeing someone from Saori's entourage, his suspicion grew. He doubted Mika's only purpose was to accompany Shiryu.
Regardless of Mika's true intentions, this wasn't the place for such a conversation. He nodded at Mika, then turned to Shiryu, whom he recognized as Dohko's student, and, in a way—his junior brother.
After all, the first generation of Gold Saints had all been trained under Shion and Dohko, though Shion, as Pope, had spent more time with them.
However, familial connections aside, those who sought his services still had to pass his test. Cloths, after all, weren't meant for personal gain.
Normally, Saints brought their damaged Cloths to Jamir on official Sanctuary business. After all, the damage was usually sustained during missions for Sanctuary, which had a responsibility to repair them. However, those who came seeking personal repairs, like Shiryu, had to be vetted, their character judged.
He wouldn't repair a Cloth damaged through selfish pursuits.
He looked at the Dragon and Pegasus Cloths, then shook his head. "These Cloths—they're beyond repair."
"What?" Shiryu asked, his eyes wide with surprise. "Why?"
"They're dead. Even Cloths possess a life force, a [Cosmo]. And once that [Cosmo] is extinguished, even I can't revive them."
"Dead…?" Shiryu's face paled, but he quickly regained his composure. "But…we're currently battling dangerous enemies, the Black Saints."
"I can't help you," Mu said, turning towards his tower.
Mika smiled inwardly. To a Gold Saint, the Black Saints were hardly a threat. Even a Silver Saint could easily defeat them.
Shiryu, unaware of Mika's thoughts, rushed forward—blocking Mu's path. "Please, Master Mu! There's no one else in the world who can repair Cloths. Please, find a way." He knelt before Mu, pleading.
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