Japan, District General of Ermengardis, May 28, 2004, 12:00 A.M. (May 28, 5:00 A.M. GMT +7: 00)

Bishamonten Pavilion, computer room 

The eyes of Angelo were riveted onto the screen, while he was carefully checking his e-mails. As expected, he had received a few from the Inspector Tognazzi and other members of his family. Having few times between training and studying, he had shortened his shower, wearing a jeans and a shirt in haste. He felt with distaste his shirt sticking at his wet skin.

 'No, frankly, they could install Internet in the rooms!' he mumbled to himself, 'Ah! I'd like to smoke a cig' right now!'

He heard a muffle footstep in the corridor, but did not even turn his face around to check who was standing in front of the door. However, he cringed when he heard a kind of rattling noise, followed by the turn of the latch. Angelo slipped a glance to the door, expecting to see one of his fellow ex-Goldies, or some other person of the headquarter, coming in. Instead of that, the door half-opened on a little girl, who gazed at him with sad eyes. Her skin looked incredibly white, especially her face, framed with long black hair. A shiver of anguish traversed the spinal column of Angelo, the very same impression that he had when he had experienced at the time of their first encounter, in the garden, three months before.

“You again! What are you doing here? Who are you?” asked Angelo, standing up.

The little girl moved back and shut the door behind her, running to escape. Angelo dashed out in the corridor, but she was not on sight anymore, and only the noises of her run could be heard, in the direction of the main building.

Bishamonten Pavilion, office of James

Shina and Ambre had hardly arrived at the district general when James convened them for a short meeting. It was with curiosity that they came in the office of the Great Master, who welcomed them with a smile. Ambre was going to take a seat, beside Shina, when, searching frenetically the pocket of her pants, she realized that her portable phone was missing.

“James, sorry, but I think that I've let my phone on my luggage… I just have to pick it up and come back…”

“Is that urgent?”

“Well, yes… I'm waiting a quite important call…”

“Fair enough… Go, but please, don't be too long…“

“I'll fly!”

The young woman sprang out the office, and although it was forbidden, ran away like a schoolchild at the come out. At the crossing with another corridor, her haste just sent her against a tall silhouette and she almost finished on the floor under the violence of the collision. Fortunately, the man caught her by the waist, and managed to reestablish her balance.

“Excuse me!” the both of them exclaimed.

Angelo bit his lips, wondering if he had not hurt her too badly. Not that he really cared, but he was not willing to get in troubles for anything at the headquarters. He could not help blinking with surprise when the woman stretched in his arms, and lifting her face, stared at him with emerald eyes.

“Angelo… Hello!”

The eyes of Angelo grew even rounder when he heard his name.

“Ambre! You came back?”

“No, not at all… You see, I'm an optical illusion… I'm still in France, and you’re holding a ghost in your arms” retorted the young woman with a teasing voice. However, Angelo did not caught the joke at all.

“When have you returned?” he continued to ask, slightly excited.

“Barely one hour ago, with Shina… We've just got off the helicopter from Narita Airport…”

“I see… And why are you running like that? We'll have to install traffic lights in these corridors! “

“To get my portable phone… I've got a meeting with James about to start in few minutes… And you? You were also in hurry…”

“I was running after a little girl…”

“You're chasing little girls now? I knew you weren’t a sane guy!” chuckled Ambre.

“Hey, hold on! I've never meant that!” exclaimed Angelo, upset by the hint.

“Well, if you say that… Uh, by the way… Angelo…”

“What?”

“Can you let off me…?” slipped Ambre with a mischievous expression.

“Ah! yes!” Angelo apologized with embarrassment, releasing the pressure on the waist and lower back of Ambre.

She smiled, watching the growing uneasiness of the Italian. However…

“That was nice to see you again Angelo, but I have to hurry now, otherwise James gonna be upset… I'll catch up with you later!”

Saying that, she caught up with her sprint, leaving Angelo curiously thoughtful and quiet, looking at her moving away. He eventually came back to his first goal with a start.

“Dammit! The little girl! Where has she gone?”

Bishamonten Pavilion, Hokuto Living room

  Shura was nonchalantly leaning against the parapet of the balcony, waiting for Angelo and Camus to come back for lunch. Expecting them to be a little long, he decided to smoke one or two cigarettes, a fair reward after the physical effort of the morning. He drew a packet from the pocket of his trousers, and soon sighed with satisfaction when he felt tobacco running on his nose and lungs. Yes, of course, there were also some remorse somewhere in his minds, but he didn’t care checking what they were saying…. He rested against the wall more comfortably, contemplating the Japanese garden that spread out from beneath the balcony. Smiling as the breeze caressed his skin, he turned his head in the direction of the nearest balcony, and startled, smoke running down the wrong way. A pale little girl was staring at him with her large black eyes. Her long hair hardly quivered in the soft wind of May. Shura gaped at her, so that the cigarette eventually fell at his feet. A cold sweat and a shiver of anxiety traversed him: he hadn't felt such un-at-easiness for… a few hours actually, and to be precise, since this morning when he had walked in the Great Living Room and had seen the Japanese doll. The one set on the chimney.

Back to the reality, he saw that the little girl was still observing him, her bright eyes shining in her small and sad white face. Gathering some courage, Shura stepped forward and beckoned her to come closer.

“Shura!”

Shura started again at the call of his name, and turned around to check who it could be. Aphro stuck his head out of the half-opened window and frowned at him.

“Hey, Mister Daytime Dreamer! I've called you three times already… You could answer sometimes!”

“What? What's happening?”

“Lunch time, that's what happening! And Camus brought some guests, so don't keep them waiting!”

“Okay, I'm coming! I'm coming!” 

Shura turned around to check the balcony, but the little girl was not here anymore.

Or had he just dreamed?

Greece, Temple of Elision, May 28, 2004, 7:10 A.M. (May 28, 5:10 A.M. GMT +2: 00)

Temple of Elision

Bàlint pushed the door and walked in the apartments of Persephone without prior notice; no official request, less to speak of official permission. The goddess was sitting in front of a richly decorated mirror, her back to him, brushing delicately her long hair. He smiled, both at the sight of his beautiful lover, but also to the memory of his fresh victory. His confrontation with Apollo ended on the most delighting result for him, by taking the top on his illustrious interlocutor. That was just enough to put him in the best good mood, such one he had never tasted again for centuries… As a mater of fact, it gave him the idea of a prank he had not done for so many decades… Smirking devilishly, he took off his gloves silently…

Persephone drew on a wick that resisted, with all possible delicacy, not to break the fine chestnut silky hair. Suddenly, she felt like her heart stopped on her chest; cold lips were trailing carelessly along her throat, ending on her jaw where they traced erotically the line. An equally cold hand was caressing her right hip, another was exploring indecently her belly. However, in front of her, the only picture Persephone could get was the afraid features of her face.

Bàlint felt with displeasure the body of his Goddess stiffening under his fingers. He threw a glance to the mirror and saw her face expressing utter terror. Anger took the better of him, stronger than the irritation felt when Apollo had appeared in front of him, some hours ago.

His faced changed in the blink of an eye.

“No! Go away” howled Persephone.

Standing on his feet to escape, she shivered with fear when he transformed and fell back on her seat, hiding in her hands her face, as to escape from the monstrous appearance of Bàlint.

The cries of Persephone brought Bàlint back to reality, even quicker than a blade torn on his chest would have managed to do. His face came back to his usual serenity, leaving all characteristics of the vampire mask when he is ready to take the life of his victim. Far from feeling remorse - things that he was after all unable - he looked at Persephone with a mischievous amusement

“No need to shriek like this, My Lady… This was just a joke… “he said casually.

In front of him, Persephone was still trembling, in spite of her efforts to regain control of herself; her eyes, wide open, were expressing a curious mix of terror and anger. Bàlint noticed it, and leaned to deposit an affectionate kiss on her face, convinced that it would chase away her discomfort.

Persephone looked at this beautiful white marble face, those statue-like grey eyes; the sight had always ravished her, putting down her natural defiance toward night creatures. Until now… She was expecting this beauty turn to monstrosity anytime, and finally she couldn't take it anymore; she drew aside her face before the lips of Bàlint could brush hers.

“Go away… I said!”

The eyes of Bàlint gleamed with hatred, but the light died out almost as soon as it had been born. He drew back, observing his lover with superiority.

“I'll come back once you had calmed down, love…”

He turned his heels around without a glance back to the trembling Persephone, affecting complete indifference. But deep inside him, he felt that something had broken between the two of them, and that his plans could be potentially in danger. He should claim very quickly the command of her army, and of the squadron sent in Lyon, at the search of the tomb of Luitgard.

Persephone stood speechless, watching him leaving her quarters with his usual grace and arrogance. Her love… Her terror… Her enemy… She didn't even know who he really was toward her. But had she ever known it? She dropped to ground the brush she still held in her hand, while tears silently flooded her eyes, trailing along her cheeks, then her throat.

Japan, District General of Ermengardis, May 28, 2004, 2:30 P.M. (May 28, 5:30 A.M. GMT +9: 00)

Bishamonten Pavilion, Hokuto living room

Hyoga slipped an embarrassed glance in the direction of Angelo. He had definitely some hard time to admit that the “Killer Number One” of the Sanctuary could sit quietly beside his former Master, and discuss merrily with Milo as if they were the best friends of the world. He deferred his attention to Aphro and Shura, and got the same feeling. That was just too strange to have lunch with the men his companions and he had faced and battled to death seventeen years before.

“Some dessert for the little one? Chocolate cake… Ice-cream…?” inquired Milo.

“Sorry… What?“ asked Hyoga, a little lost in his thoughts.

“A dessert for your son?”

“Oh, yes… Camu, do you want a dessert?”

The kid turned his blue eyes towards Milo, then his mouth outlined a broad smile.

“Would like a chocolate cake!”

“Okay, I take your order! And what does the Big Camus want?” teased Milo.

Camus looked up at Milo, and imitating the voice of the child:

“Would like a chocolate cake!”

Milo chuckled at this rare display of humor from his friend.

“Two votes for the chocolate cakes! Who wants to be added to the fan list of chocolate?”

Angelo, Aphro and Shura raised their hands.

“Well, an ice-cream would be fine for me… “Added Hyoga.

“I would have been surprised if you had chosen something else than ice! Okay guys, wait for me! I gonna check if there is something to pick up in the kitchen…”

Milo stood up and walked away, whistling.

“He's really in a good mood!” noticed Hyoga.

“Who? Milo? Always!” Camus agreed.

There was a short silence, during which everyone's gaze went on the space, except the little Camu, too occupied folding his towel in the shape of an animal.

“Oh, I was to forget to tell you! I met Ambre a few moments ago!” Angelo dropped. “Looks like she and Shina have come back from Paris!”

Hyoga had the feeling Camus' skin turned red when he heard the first name.

“No… Really?” asked Camus, so low that one could have believed he was speaking to himself.

“Yes, of course it's true! The future Lady Camus is back! I guess you're going to take the opportunity of tomorrow's party to have an intimate conversation with her… “whispered Angelo, crooking a strange half smile.

“I' was planning to discuss with her from tonight, actually…” retorted Camus, blushing even more slightly.

New blank in the conversation… It was obvious that Milo, the entertainer, was missing greatly…

“Guys… Don't you have sometimes the feeling there is something strange around?” inquired suddenly Shura.

“Like what?”

“A kind of ghost roaming in the corridors of the Headquarter?”

“Except the ghost attached to each one of us, I don't see what you're talking about. By the way, Lorrenzo is fine… And you Aphro, have you gotten some news from Garn lately? You still speak about fashion?” mocked Angelo.

Shura and Aphro looked dully at him.

“No! I'm speaking about a little girl” mumbled Shura.

Angelo squirmed on his seat, looking suddenly extremely serious.

“So… You too have seen her?”

Somewhere in the corridors of the second floor...

Milo walked slowly and carefully, holding flat on his hand a plate full of desserts. He threw a greedy glance at the chocolate cakes he had managed to obtain in the kitchen, sure of the good impression that he would make back at the table. Arrived at the elevator, he pushed the “call” button, and waited that the cabin comes from the fourth floor to the second. It just gave him time to admire his reflection on the next mirror.

“Not bad the “waiter”! “He declared, sending himself a wink.

Resigned to abandon this “delightful sight”, he threw a glance in the direction of a drawer, which was decorating the opposite wall of the windows not far way from the elevator's door. He startled, feeling a shiver of fear going down along his spine; a Japanese doll was set on its top, and was looking at him with porcelain eyes. The most troubling lied on its perfect resemblance with the Japanese doll of the main lounge…

The elevator emitted a discreet ring when arriving at the floor; Milo got distracted by the noise a few seconds, and turned his head to the door, before looking again at the drawer; the doll was no longer in sight.

He did not know exactly why, but he felt like jumping in the cabin...

“What's that? A joke or what?”

Hokuto Living Room…

“Hey! Looks like I've found our top models!”

Camus startled when he heard the so familiar voice, and so-expected husky tone, especially since Angelo had announced her return. He turned around, blushing slightly.

“Ambre!”

Camus jumped to his feet and walked to the two approaching women. He greeted Shina politely, then set a hand on Ambre's shoulder, and kissed her cheeks. He hadn't realized that, behind him, his friends were watching the scene in a quasi-monastic silence. Even Hyoga wrinkled his eyebrows, being not really accustomed to see his master showing signs of affection.

“I like the French way of saying hello! “ Angelo sighed.

“Yes! Me too ! I think we should impose it in the ranks of Ermengardis!” Aphro added.

Anxious glances turned to him.

“I mean… between men and women only, of course…” he corrected.

Shina reached the table, and addressed a general bow of the head to all presents. Shura presented her a chair he had taken from a corner, seeing she was heading on his direction.

“Thank you! Shura” Shina thanked with a warm smile.

“Shina, you don't greet us the French way?” inquired Angelo, glancing at here with a tempting expression.

The woman looked at him coldly and replied a dry: “No!”

Angelo did not insist, and deferred his attention on Camus and Ambre. The two were still caught in their conversation, but would soon seat at the table. Like Shura previously, he caught an extra-chair, and set it between his own chair and the seat of his French comrade. As expected, Ambre sat there, just between Camus and him. Discovering Hyoga was also there, she made him a sign, then smiled at the little Camu.

“You know each other?” asked Camus.

“Yes! Hyoga pay frequent visit to the Headquarter of Ermengardis…”

Hyoga nodded in approval to his slightly surprised former master:

“Yes, it is true…”

“By the way, why are you all looking that serious? You're mourning somebody, or what?” asked Ambre.

“It's about the little girl!” Angelo explained.

Ambre let away a laughter; “It's exactly what I've said few hours ago! Angelo is after little girls!”

“Hey! I already told you it's not the case!” mumbled the Italian, vexed.

“No, he's telling the true! I did also!” announced Shura.

“My god! You too chase little girls? I would have never imagined you could be like that!”

“Well, appearances are deceptive! “ retorted the Spaniard on the tone of mockery.

He made a wink to Shina, who crooked a smile, while Ambre put all her heart in laughing.

“Well, enough with the jokes... Angelo, Mu and I have seen several times a small girl walking in the passageways or in the park... We don't know from where she comes, or what she's doing there.... She appears, disappears and reappears as by enchantment.... Like a ghost.... “

In the corridors…

Back to the Hokuto Living Room...

Shina and Amber looked at themselves and burst in laughter.

“A metro sexual!? Where did you dig that word? Do you even know what it does mean?” asked Ambre between two giggles.

“Of course! I found it on the Net!” stated Shura, throwing a new glance on the direction of Shina. The woman sent him back a smile at the great enjoyment of the Spaniard.

“Who is a “sexual something”?”

Angelo reappeared, another blue shirt opened on his gold chain and his torso. He was smiling charmingly, gently leaning against the window of the door, like a perfect representation of a male model for playboy, except that he was dressed.

“A Metro-Sexual!” corrected Aphro.

“In short, you!” exclaimed Milo.

Wondering what private joke it was about, Angelo became incensed:

“Nobody's more hetero-sexual than me!” he spat.

Some sniggers, chuckles and even laughs escaped from the assembly, leaving Angelo to think that his little comrades were openly taking the Mickey out of him (except maybe the little Camu, who was not interested in the conversation, which he wouldn't be able to understand anyway). Angelo was really to vent his irritation loudly when he felt a presence behind him. Thinking it was maybe the ghostly little girl, he turned around, and felt himself staring at a majordomo, who bowed politely.

“Excuse me, Sir, this is for Mister Aphrodite”

“Me?” echoed Aphro, putting back is coffee cup on the table.

“Yes, sir. Your car has just been delivered. It is parked on the main garage”

Aphro turned pale, and stood up slowly under the questioning glance of his companions.

“Excuse me, people… I come back in few minutes…”

First walking slowly, he finally ran to the garage, excitation giving him wings. Arrived at destination, he spotted immediately the sports car of Garn, parked between the Esparto 156 of Lorenzo Mastroianni (belonging now to Angelo) and the cabriolet of Gabriel de Riveau, now possession of Camus. The Order of Ermengardis had rapatriated all the belongings of the thirteen men the former Gold Saints were now occupying the bodies and were using the identity. Thus, all pieces of furniture, cars were stored on the various pavilions or hangars of the Headquarter, their new permanent residence. Indeed, the garage was congested with so many cars that Aphro had the feeling of visiting the hall of a motor show. Along with Camus and Angelo's cars, were here the bulky Harrier of Aison Kheiron (thus of Aiolia), the Spider of Keleus Dioskuroi (Milo had declared that he loved the name of the model), the 4-wheel drive of Joao Del Toro (customized with enormous wheels, and occupying two parking slots. Aldebaran would always apologize for this inconvenience). The garage counted also a mini, the one of Pema Thorkmai (a pity Mu didn't like the black and white dam painted on the roof). Not to speak of the Z4 of Sonam Kalsang, the Fairlady Z of Calden Murray (for whatever reasons, Shaka had already photographed it from all possible various angles), and the Golf GTI of Armando Delavega (Shura had just made the comment that “Armando could have bought Spanish!”).

Aphro approached the 911, and felt a tingling traversed his spine; he looked at the pane of the driver's seat, which had been repaired. The seat, also, had been changed, and there were no more trace of the aggression Garn Olgers had been the victim. Unable to stand it anymore, Aphro moved away from the vehicle, and felt the strange anguish decrease as the distance between him and the car widened. Angelo had confided him he hadn't been able to go close to his car, certainly because Lorrenzo had been attacked and killed just nearby it. Perhaps, he was the victim of the same phenomenon.

Aphro casted a last glance to “his” car; obviously, like all his others comrades, it would take some time before he becomes able to assume the ownership of his vehicle. Or better to say, the car of the man he was usurping the identity.

Aphro left the contemplation his mind was stuck in when, coming back to the terrace, he heard laughers; Angelo was the target of the general jokes, and as usual was, taking them very bad.

‘What’s wrong with my gold chain? You’ve never seen one before!” he exclaimed.

“Well…” slipped Camus.

“Well… What?”

“You’re the perfect caricature of a wop with this gold chain” replied frankly Ambre, “You know, the kind you see on Serie-B movies…”

Angelo glared at her.

“Oh, yes? And I tell you: fortunately that this chain is made of gold, because after the orange shower you gave me, it would rust if it was steel!”

Ambre threw up her arms in the air, and sighed heavily, looking exasperated but also at the edge of a new wave of laughter. Sniggers buzzed around her.

“I already apologized… You don’t want me to knell in front of you, do you?”

“I haven’t hear your excuse yet!” spat Angelo, “so, why not?!”

“Hey, you really have a bad temper, worst than me! I’m not surprised you’re cancer; selfish, grumpy, always right…

Angelo banged his fist on the table and growled:

“Hey! Hey! You spiteful gossip! I won’t let you insult cancers any longer! What sign are you to allow you that! Scorpio? I wouldn’t be surprised!”

“Uh, Angelo, you don’t draw Scorpios into the conversation! Thank you!” Milo protested.

Angelo shot him a furious glare.

“No, I know… You’re a Gemini… Like Canon!” he added disgustingly.

“I let you guess… I was born on July 14^th,” replied Ambre, more and more sarcastic.

Around both players, the face were more and more smiling, as the comic of Ambre and Angelo’s verbal tournament reached new heights.

“Well… July… The 14^th… Hey! Wait! YOU’RE CANCER!!!” Angelo exclaimed, “Like me!?”

This last realization, and the shocked air of Angelo, were enough to provoke the complete hilarity of Camus, Milo, Shura, Shina, Hyoga and Ambre.

“Yes! So, you see, I speak with full knowledge of the facts!” the red-haired woman giggled.

“Humph! What do you know about male Cancers!” mumbled Angelo, standing up, “I refuse to stay here any longer…! And it’s well known that two Cancers in the same place, it’s like two crabs in a basket; they always fight each other!”

It is when his comrades were about two die with laughers that he realized he had not chosen the best image to illustrate his words. Totally and definitely vexed, he turned around without a word and walked to the exit.

Angelo kept walking to the door exiting in the garden, when he heard Milo whistling:

“He’s in top form, our Little Angel, today!” 

He tightened his fists, dreaming during few seconds he could turn around and slap Milo, or more, according to his inspiration. However, since his arrival at the headquarter, he had promised himself he would quit his violent past behavior, and stay calm in any circumstances. Furthermore, he had been enough the target of jokes at this lunch!

He realized than Aphro was standing close to the door, and had listened to the whole conversation… The former Pisces knight had a hand set before his mouth, hiding more or less he was also laughing.

“What?” Angelo snapped.

“Nothing!!!” Aphro hiccoughed, trying his best to hide his hilarity.

He opened the door, and let Angelo pass. The Italian left, definitely vexed, without glaring back.

Aphro closed the door, and burst out laughing. He knew exactly what was happening to Angelo, and why he was behaving like that; he had already seen in this frantic state, and the memory was just hilarious! He just kept laughing until he reached the table.

“He gave the best of him, hue, the little angel!” Milo scoffed.

“Yeah, astonishing!” agreed Aphro.

“Sure, what a Character!” Shura agreed.

A new laughter shook all the assembly nervously.

“By the way, what all those people are assembling in the park?” asked Camus.

“It’s the materials for the festival, the day after tomorrow”, answered Shina.

“And, what is it about, exactly?” asked Shura

“The celebration of the creation of Ermengardis… James has set it up about a hundred years ago. At the beginning, it was only the dignitaries of the Great Council who could attend… But since the Council doesn’t exist anymore, it has been extended to all members of the Order. Moreover, since the Headquarter settled down here, it has become a kind of local festival… “

“It’s even more… It’s the only night you can see a drunken James dancing until the morning with an also drunken Eleny…” added Ambre with a mischievous smile.

Shura looked deeply interested.

“Maybe I’m going to join this festival… Looks like a bit of entertainment!”

“You should… I’m sure it gonna be an unforgettable night!” Shina nodded.

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