Sanctuary's morning bells had just tolled when Setsuna and Dohko received a summons from Sage Pope.
The two ascended the white stone steps of the Twelve Houses. Sunlight pierced the clouds, casting mottled light and shadow on the ancient stairs.
The doors of Sage Pope's Chamber slowly opened. Sage Pope sat upon the high throne, his golden mask gleaming with authority in the morning light.
"After observing you for these past two months," Sage Pope's voice was deep and resonant like an ancient bell, "Among the many Candidate Saints, your talents are the most outstanding."
Dohko's eyes gleamed with excitement, 'Could I finally become a Saint?'
Setsuna's expression remained composed. He already had his own plans.
"Currently, there are three vacant Gold Cloths: Libra, Leo, and Aries," Sage said gravely. "Unfortunately, the Leo and Aries Cloths have been lost."
"Therefore," Sage Pope's gaze shifted between the two, "The only real choice is the Libra Cloth."
Dohko immediately stepped forward. "Your Holiness, Setsuna-nii's strength far surpasses mine. The Libra Cloth should—"
"I am not accustomed to using weapons," Setsuna interrupted calmly. "Libra does not suit me."
Setsuna looked directly into Sage Pope's eyes. "I heard Your Holiness was the previous Cancer Gold Saint. I wish to learn the Cancer Saint's abilities from you."
Sage Pope fell silent for a moment. "My disciple, Manigoldo, has already become the new Cancer Saint. And he is very young."
The implication was clear… Setsuna likely wouldn't get a chance to succeed him.
"That's fine," Setsuna smiled faintly. "I only seek to learn the true essence of the Sekishiki. Whether I can become a Gold Saint is not important."
He turned to Dohko. "If you still consider me your big brother, then don't refuse anymore."
Dohko's eyes reddened slightly, clearly believing Setsuna was intentionally yielding to him.
Pope Sage nodded slightly. "For Saints, training Cosmos is fundamental. The Cloth is merely an aid."
"Like my brother, Hakurei. Although he is only an Altar Silver Saint, his strength surpasses that of many Gold Saints."
Setsuna nodded slightly. That Altar Saint was indeed formidable. In the future, as a Silver Saint, he would directly face Hypnos and even seal Hypnos's soul using Athena's Sanctuary.
"Since you have such determination, I accept you as my disciple. But I must warn you…" Sage Pope descended the steps, his tone stern.
"Sekishiki is the power to manipulate souls. It is easy to be tempted by the Underworld and fall into depravity. Only Saints with sufficiently strong hearts can truly master this power."
Setsuna nodded solemnly. The future Cancer Saint, Deathmask, was the prime example… his heart corrupted by this power, becoming the first Gold Saint abandoned by his Cloth.
Seeing Setsuna did not underestimate it, Pope Sage nodded slightly. "Therefore, I have decided to assign you two trials. First, clean Sanctuary's Elysion. Second, descend the mountain to eliminate the dark creatures plaguing the earth."
His staff tapped lightly on the ground. "Only by transcending the boundaries of life and death, seeing past the fences of good and evil, can you truly comprehend the mysteries of Sekishiki and avoid being tempted into depravity by the Underworld."
Setsuna bowed his head. "Yes, disciple understands and will remember."
Beside him, Dohko clenched his fists. "I will also strive to be worthy of a Gold Cloth!"
…
Six months later.
Sanctuary's Elysion was silent in the deep night, only moonlight spilling onto ancient tombstones.
Setsuna held a broom, slowly clearing away fallen leaves and dust. The only sound was the rustling of wind through the cemetery.
Suddenly, a series of light footsteps broke the silence.
"Life is truly a fragile thing, isn't it?" A tall, slender young man with messy blue hair stood not far away, a playful smile on his lips.
He crouched, his fingertips lightly tracing an unmarked tombstone. "People you see often… if you're not careful, you'll never see them again. Just like dust."
Setsuna didn't look up, continuing to sweep the leaves. "In a distant Eastern land, a philosopher once said life is lighter than a goose feather."
"Oh?" The blue-haired youth raised an eyebrow. "You're saying life is insignificant?"
"Quite the opposite." Setsuna stopped his movements. "The meaning of that phrase is to protect life as if it were lighter than a goose feather. Isn't that the very purpose of Saints? To protect those lives that are brief as dust yet brilliant."
The blue-haired youth was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! No wonder the old man said he found me an interesting junior brother. Let me introduce myself. I am Manigoldo, the Cancer Gold Saint."
He stood up, gazing at the starry sky. "Life is never dust. Life is the universe. It must never be wasted. No matter who, everyone lives for themselves. Whether strong or weak, the meaning of our struggle to live is to make our lives shine brilliantly once!"
Setsuna nodded. "I know. Master had me clean Elysion to make me understand the weight of souls, to never recklessly play with souls just because I can manipulate them."
Manigoldo scratched his hair, his tone suddenly lightening. "Sorry. On my last mission, I encountered a fallen Sekishiki practitioner. I got a bit sentimental."
…
The next morning, Manigoldo stood within Sage Pope's Chamber, uncharacteristically shedding his usual casual demeanor.
"Your Holiness." He bowed his head slightly. "I have discovered traces of that group of Black Saints who escaped from the Death Queen Island. Their leader is none other than the Black Altar Saint, Avido."
Sage Pope sat upon the high throne, his gaze beneath the golden mask deep. "Avido… So he finally succumbed to the temptation of souls?"
Manigoldo said gravely, "I am ready to send them all to the Underworld!"
Sage pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Take Pisces Albafica with you."
Just then, Setsuna, standing nearby, spoke up. "Master, please allow me to go as well."
Sage Pope's gaze turned to him. "You?"
"I heard there is a Bronze Cloth on Death Queen Island," Setsuna's tone was firm. "I wish to obtain it."
Sage was silent for a moment. "The Phoenix Cloth?"
Setsuna nodded. The Phoenix Cloth was also one of the rare Cloths that could bestow soul-attacking abilities.
Sage Pope's voice lowered. "That Cloth, since the Age of Myths, has never been truly acknowledged by anyone. It contains the divine blood of Hades within it."
"Those whose hearts are not strong enough will be tempted into depravity by the darkness within the Cloth." Sage Pope stared at Setsuna. "Even so, you still wish to attempt it?"
"Yes!" Setsuna nodded without hesitation. "This disciple is confident in resisting the temptation."
Sage remained silent for a long while, finally nodding. "Very well. You shall go as well. Retrieve the Phoenix Cloth stolen by the Black Saints."