[ Oniros was pushed out of the dream world. Under the blue sky, his body became more distinct, and the expression on his face became more playful.
"Do you think you have a better chance of winning by coming out of the dream?"
Just as the Dream God was mocking El Cid and Tenma for being clever, three Silver Saints rushed out of the forest: "Lord El Cid!"
El Cid quickly told them to retreat. Such opponents were not someone they could deal with; they would only lose their lives in vain.
But as El Cid's subordinates, the glory of being Saints made them want to fight alongside El Cid.
The three leaped into the air, igniting their Cosmos, drawing constellations in the sky. Ignoring El Cid's obstruction, they launched a combination attack at the Dream God.
"Housing Argo—!"
The law of "no damage with smoke" was fully demonstrated by them. The Dream God, completely unharmed, raised his arm and mocked disdainfully.
"Hmph, what a cute move... but to make me feel a momentary chill, you can die without regrets."
In a breath, the Dream God pointed his finger down.
"Guardian's Oracle—!"
"NO! RUN!"
A huge explosion instantly slammed into the three of them. The Clothes were torn to shreds in an instant, and the forest was directly leveled.
El Cid could only watch as his three subordinates were killed before his eyes. Embracing his fallen comrades, El Cid's anger was beyond measure.
"I couldn't protect you. I'm sorry... It's my fault."
"YOU BASTARD!!" Tenma angrily wanted to rush forward, but was bound by the Dream God with a backhand, just as he was about to die here.
A golden light flashed, and El Cid rescued the bound Pegasus.
"Don't get agitated, you'll die." ]
[ .....]
〜Projection of All Worlds〜
"War is so cruel. A god instantly kills ordinary Saints... These three didn't seem weak, what a pity."
"This combination technique is actually quite strong. To make a god feel a hint of coldness shows it's not weak. They just chose the wrong opponent. There's nothing they can do; the actual gap is too big."
Everyone shook their heads and sighed, looking at these three Silver Saints who had delivered themselves to their deaths. If they had listened to El Cid and retreated, they wouldn't have lost their lives here.
Also, El Cid, you said one thing wrong. It's not that you didn't protect them well, but that you protected them too well in normal times, so they didn't understand the gap in strength during a real battle and seemed a bit overconfident.
.....
〜Delicious in Dungeon World〜
Laios nodded quite affirmingly.
"The most furious El Cid didn't lose his sanity and still maintained his rationality. This is a wise choice."
Facing a powerful enemy, if he were to be overcome by anger like Tenma, that would truly be the end.
However, what interested Laios the most was the Dream God's current beast form. Although there were four souls, he was really curious how many hearts this body actually had.
"Here we go again..."
Seeing Laios's expression gradually becoming more excited and perverted, Senshi and Marcille subtly took a few steps back.
.....
[ El Cid's clenched fists trembled continuously as he tried to suppress the rage in his heart.
"Turn your heart into a blade, Pegasus. Don't lose your way, the path of righteousness!"
"That path is built from countless lives."
The next moment, El Cid's Excalibur burned fiercely again, and golden light reappeared in his hand. He raised his hand and cut off the Dream God's arm.
Pegasus followed closely, interrupting the Dream God's attempt to counterattack. It was during this opening! El Cid completely locked onto the location of the four gods' souls.
So, these two golden lights flashed, clean and decisive slashes, cutting the Dream God into four pieces along the four gods' souls. The severed limbs heavily crashed onto the ground.
Having done all this, El Cid could no longer support his body and knelt on the ground, but a smile appeared on his face.
"Well done!"
They thought it would end here, but they underestimated the gods' recovery ability.
The severed body began to reassemble in the air under El Cid's shocked gaze.
Oniros also looked at El Cid in surprise.
"To cut off the souls of us four gods in that instant."
His gaze slowly turned to El Cid, who seemed unable to move.
"But you're maintaining your body, which has lost too much blood, with your Cosmos. You must have little power left, like a rusty, dull weapon."
No matter how outstanding El Cid's will was, he had reached his limit at this moment and could no longer drive his body to attack. ]
[ .....]
〜Projection of All Worlds〜
"He hit all four souls, so why is the Dream God still alive? Does he have to hit all four simultaneously?! That's too unfair."
"El Cid has lost too much blood and can't hold on anymore. Rather, he couldn't hold on long ago. Even a cow would have bled dry by now."
Watching the Dream God, Oniros, gradually recover his body truly made people despair. The sword that hit the four souls didn't work. The conditions to defeat the Dream God were too harsh.
.....
〜Saint Seiya Shioriverse, The Lost Canvas timeline〜
"It's too much, El Cid, you've... reached your limit."
Sisyphus felt a pang of sympathy; he had simply lost too much blood.
El Cid, who hadn't experienced it and didn't know his own state at that time, still said with absolute certainty:
"I will fight until the very last moment."
Lady Athena was still alone in the dream world. If he didn't fight until the last moment, his righteousness would be nothing. Even if he couldn't kill the Dream God, he would drag him down here.
The Pope was also constantly pondering the future Holy War:
"How to deal with the Four Dream Gods..."
Their combined performance was not as brilliant as their individual ones, not even as astonishing as Phantasos's, but their recovery ability was indeed formidable. Even a Gold Saint might not be their match.
And the condition of destroying four souls at the same time was too strict. It seemed that only he and Manigoldo, who possessed the means to deal with souls, might have a chance to defeat him.
.....
[ At this time, Yato and Yuzuriha also arrived here, delaying the Dream God's body recovery with Tenma.
Meanwhile, Athena entered the Dream Gate and saw a raging sea of fire. Sisyphus was still troubled by the events of five years ago.
In his view, if he hadn't taken the young Athena away, then, perhaps Alone's body wouldn't have been taken by Hades... and the Holy War might not have happened.
Thinking of this, Sisyphus concluded that he was the fuse of the Holy War. In an instant, the Sagittarius Gold Cloth automatically detached and aimed its arrow at him.
The self-reproach and guilt deep within him made him unable to distinguish between reality and dream.
Blood tears flowed from Sisyphus's eyes, and the Sagittarius Gold Cloth gradually turned black. Black armor had covered his entire body.
Sisyphus had completely lost himself: "Lady Athena... DON'T MIND ME!!"
The attack launched by Sisyphus, with its immense power, turned the ground into lava. Fortunately, Athena blocked it and was not harmed.
But the next second, Sisyphus pulled out an arrow and aimed it at Athena.
"You, who are so steady and full of justice, have fallen into such a dark space."
Athena raised her staff without any fear: "In that case, as the Goddess of War, I should also make the resolve I ought to."
"...Come, Sisyphus, shoot your arrow at me!"
Sisyphus breathed rapidly, and his hand loosened. The golden arrow pierced Athena's chest, but Athena felt no anger, only sadness.
Sisyphus saw that he had hurt Athena, and his emotions became even more out of control, but after being gently embraced by Athena, he calmed down.
Her gentle voice reminded him of the truth from five years ago! And the promise he made to the young Pegasus. Sisyphus's eyes finally regained clarity.
The black Surplice began to fall off, and the Sagittarius Gold Saint's Cloth emitted a brilliant light. Sisyphus knelt on the ground again and swore to Athena:
"Until the day my life ends, no... even if my life has ended, I will definitely protect Lady Athena!" ]
[ .....]
〜Projection of All Worlds〜
"Why is Sisyphus so stubborn? The person involved doesn't care, but he won't let himself off, putting everything on himself."
"Excessive benevolent responsibility leads to overthinking, self-CPUing."
To feel pain like humans, and not just be arrogant, perhaps this is what differentiates Athena from other gods, and why the Saints are willing to give their lives for her.
Everyone looked at Athena with surprise. What gentleness, and what extraordinary courage and resolve. Truly worthy of being a goddess.
.....
〜Saint Seiya Shioriverse, The Lost Canvas timeline〜
"Was that Chiron's Sierra..."
Young Regulus looked at Sisyphus with surprise. He even used that move, how ruthless! He didn't expect his uncle to have moments of confusion.
Usually, Sisyphus was responsible for ideological work in the Sanctuary, but it turned out that he was the one with the most internal problems.
Sisyphus saw things clearly after this scene... but he was incredibly furious at his own actions:
"I promised Pegasus, and now I've hurt Lady Athena!"
Just as Sasha was at a loss, the Pope slowly walked up to Sisyphus, raised his hand, and punched him, sending him flying. He sternly rebuked:
"Sisyphus, you, who were entrusted with such high hopes, have disappointed me greatly."
"How could the Holy War be triggered by just one person? Don't overestimate yourself."
Chiron's Sierra, Light Arrows—such powerful techniques were all unleashed against Lady Athena, making this two-hundred-year-old veteran Pope furious.
He was truly afraid that Sisyphus would continue to dwell on his thoughts, and he had to knock him out of it today.
All the Gold Saints present were startled, and even the unrestrained Scorpio Kardia straightened up slightly.
Looking at Sisyphus lying in the ruins, the Pope's anger also subsided a little:
"Don't forget what you said, Sisyphus. Protect Lady Athena until your life ends."
Young people just overthink things, burying problems in their hearts and dwelling on them alone, never coming to talk to him, the old Pope.
.....