Chapter 70: The Evil Saga Ascends to Godhood

"We won, we won!" Seiya shouted, and all the Saints in Sanctuary erupted in celebration. Even Miss Saori's face was alight with joy as she turned to Abel and said, "Brother, Sanctuary has won."

The expression of Abel, the Sun God, darkened instantly, and the sky above Sanctuary grew ominous, a shadow once again casting itself over all the Saints.

Saori's face became grave; she stepped back a few paces and spoke with solemnity, "Brother, are you planning to break your promise?"

At that moment, a strange voice suddenly echoed.

"Lord Abel would never go back on his word. The next battle will be fought by me on his behalf!"

Everyone was bewildered. As they searched for the source of the voice, they found a stranger among them, a Saint shrouded entirely in a cloak.

"Who are you?" Seiya called out, a sense of familiarity in his tone.

The man threw off his cloak, revealing the golden armor of Gemini, his iconic long hair, and a wicked face.

"Gemini Gold Saint Saga!"

Almost every Saint stared in disbelief.

Abel, the Sun God, found this amusing; his expression softened somewhat as he spoke, "You fight for me—what is your true purpose?"

Saga gave a sinister smile. "I've heard that Lord Abel possesses the origin of the world, or divinity, making you nearly omniscient and omnipotent. With such power, you can ignore the laws of the Underworld and resurrect fallen Gold Saints."

"Therefore, I ask that you bestow upon me the divinity of the God of War, so I may serve you better!"

"Saga wants to become a god!"

All the Saints thought Saga had lost his mind, even Shaka, the one closest to godhood, found his words outrageous.

The fundamental difference between mortals and gods lies not only in awakening the Ninth Sense, but most importantly in divinity. For example, the evil goddess Eris may be limited in power, but with divinity, she is a god, even at a low level. Shaka, though called the one closest to godhood, remains mortal without divinity.

This is an insurmountable barrier.

Even if Abel could do it, Saori herself could never grant such divinity.

Yet Abel merely smiled and said, "Your madness reminds me of Ares. Reviving him in this era could be interesting."

He casually tossed a ball of divinity, radiant with seven colors and impossible for mortals to gaze upon, toward Saga. Saga's eyes burned with madness as he cradled it in his hands, as if admiring a breathtaking piece of art.

Feng Zhe called out, "Saga, if you accept this divinity, you will no longer be Athena's Saint!"

"Yes, there's still time to turn back!" Mu of Aries shouted, making a final effort.

Saga laughed wildly, "Rather than be toyed with by gods, I'd rather take a chance!" He placed the divinity into his chest, and instantly, seven-colored brilliance exploded within him. His cosmos completely transformed.

In that moment, Saga seemed changed. Though still mad, there was an indescribable difference in his madness.

Bang!

The Gemini Gold Cloth broke apart from Saga's body, reverting to its armor form and flying back to the Gemini Temple.

The Gemini Cloth had abandoned Saga.

Abel smiled, "Let me give you another gift."

With a gesture, three Corona Warrior armors appeared before Saga, merged into fragments, then coalesced into a new armor.

"Now, I gift you the God of War Cloth!"

This armor was rugged and resplendent, far surpassing any Gold Cloth. Anyone who wore it would be awed by its power.

Saga donned the God of War Cloth, feeling an incomparable strength surge through him.

This armor not only elevated Saga's cosmos to new heights but could also crush any enemy.

Saga then looked at the Gold Saints and taunted, "Which of you will come forward to die?"

Mu of Aries, Aiolia of Leo, and Shaka of Virgo exchanged anxious glances; even Feng Zhe felt troubled.

"Saga! Let me be your opponent in this battle!"

An elderly voice rang out as someone slowly stepped forward.

Shiryu's pupils contracted. He cried out, "Master!"

It was Dohko, the guardian of Five Elder Peaks and the Libra Gold Saint.

Saga looked at Dohko with disdain. "A relic from Shion's era—you're probably too old to throw a punch."

Dohko pointed his staff at Saga, his eyes resolute. "Let me cleanse the Sanctuary for my old friend Shion!"

"Hmph!" Saga's face twisted with rage. He roared, "Galaxian Explosion!"

Mount Lu Hundred Dragons!

On one side, countless stars fell; on the other, innumerable dragons soared. The two forces clashed, and Dohko was sent flying.

He fell in an arc to the ground, struggling to rise.

"Master!"

"Senior Dohko!"

Shiryu and Aiolia rushed forward, but Dohko stopped them.

He struggled to his feet, igniting his cosmos once again.

This cosmos seemed to come from its deepest layer, and Feng Zhe watched this rare battle intently.

All the Saints looked toward Dohko.

His cosmos grew exponentially, like a Bronze Saint's suddenly rising to Silver, then Gold, then advancing through initial, intermediate, high stages...

His body began to crack, releasing dazzling white light.

Abel laughed softly, glancing at Saori. "The technique of the gods' false death—you actually granted it to a mortal."

Saori knew that it was not she who had bestowed that technique, but the previous incarnation of Athena.

It made no difference now; whether bestowed by her or her predecessor, the effect was the same.

Saori said, "Senior Dohko's strength is beyond your imagination."

No sooner had she spoken than the small, elderly man began to grow taller. Soon, an eighteen-year-old youth stood before them.

A beam of light descended—the Libra Gold Cloth.

At Dohko's command, the Libra Cloth clad him.

Dohko then explained the gods' false death technique, leaving Seiya and the other five heroes utterly astonished.

Saga sensed the intense threat from Dohko and muttered, "You have awakened the Eighth Sense!"

Both were supreme masters who had awakened the Eighth Sense—Dohko of Libra, seasoned by countless years and holy wars, and the evil Saga, now granted divinity and the Eighth Sense.

The battle between them began in earnest.