Saint Seiya: The Legend of Seiya

10 - The Silhouette in the Mist

The Death Valley is a high and very narrow region between two mountains with difficult access. But once inside the Valley, it was very clear why the local people called it that; the entrance was marked by a cave that resembled the head of an open-mouthed lion. A haze and a rotting smell of sulfur gave the place a nauseating feeling. There was no tree, plant or any kind of vegetation or animal. It was a really dead place.

Seiya and Shun awaited Shiryu's arrival in this horrible place; apprehensively, Seiya noticed in the sky a strange helicopter flying over the high cliffs.

"Calm down, Seiya." Shun said when he saw his friend walking from one side to the other. "I'm sure Shiryu will return with the Cloths."
"I don't care about the Cloth, I'm worried about her. I've had a feeling for days that she might not be all right."

And both Shun and Seiya heard footsteps coming in the distance; the certainty that someone was coming but, shrouded in mist, only the person's silhouette could be seen. The long hair and an Urn in the back filled Seiya's chest with hope.

"Shiryu!" the friend guessed.

But whoever crossed the mist was not who they expected. It was the one least expected as it was actually Saori Kido. Her purple hair down, a battle suit, what appeared to be a protective Armor and the Urn of Gold Cloth on her back.

"Miss Saori?" Shun asked.
"Just Saori, Shun." she replied with a certain sweetness.
"What are you doing here?" Seiya asked.
"Shun, I understand your reasons for being here, but Phoenix challenged me to come and retrieve the Gold Armor. I couldn't ask anyone to come in my place."
"But, miss..."
"Saori..." she corrected.
"Saori, you knew we would come, there is no need for you to be in any danger." Shun said.
"I won't let anyone fight in my place, Shun." she replied forcefully.

Saori left the golden urn she was carrying on the ground and Seiya saw the Pegasus pendant reappear around her neck. She also had something that was tied on top of the Golden Urn, a kind of box much smaller than the Urn; she took it off and gave it to Seiya.

"Seiya, if Shiryu doesn't get here in time, I asked the Foundation to create this Armor so that you don't have to fight unprotected."
"I don't need your protection, I'm sure Shiryu will come back."
"Me too, Seiya. But maybe it might be too late when she gets back and I wouldn't want you to get hurt going into the Valley without protection."

Seiya was surprised that Saori took all that trouble and concern for him; he looked at her, and she looked very different from the princess he was used to seeing from afar in the Tournament cabin. Or even that spoiled bitch child who exploited the little ones when they came to live together at the Foundation before going to their training.

What Seiya saw in front of her was a serious girl, wearing an unknown type of Armor, with eyes sure of her mission and concerned for his well-being. It never crossed his mind to wear that fake Armor, but he found himself wondering if that girl was all that bad he thought of her.

"Look, Seiya" Shun said.

They both felt a weak cosmos clearly come to them.

"Now it's her!" exclaimed Seiya happily.

But he was wrong again. When the fog cleared, there was only a Bronze Urn.

"The Pegasus... Cloth." Shun startled.

The Urn immediately recognized Seiya, as it opened with great splendor, dispelled the evil omen of Death Valley with its winged figure that revealed itself in the wonderful Pegasus. Sparkling, it vibrated with Seiya's heart and shattered in midair to dress his body in a spectacular fashion. Saori was delighted with Pegasus revelation.