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Roads of Companionship

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The sky span above in a clear blue. Not a single cloud was visible.
El Cid focused, then lashed out with is right arm. Excalibur slashed through the water, sending droplets flying everywhere. They sparkled in the sunlight. Those who hit him mingled with the sweat that covered his body. Greek autumn days could be hot.
The boy straightened his stance and whiped his forehead with his arm. He was not content. Even though he had just been made a Gold Saint, the Capricorn Saint who carried Athena’s holy sword Excalibur, he was convinced his sword could not yet be called Excalibur. To him, it was not yet sharp enough. So he trained here, his favourite spot to practise his excalibur. It was a broad stream that came out of the mountains and flowed through Sanctuary. The big boulders in the water were perfect to stand upon, making this his ideal place to train. Another huge plus point? It was just next to his home, the Capricorn temple. No wasting time by first getting to the location; he just needed to descend some stairs and he arrived.
He gave it another try and watched the water splashing again, when a voice ripped him out of his concentration.
„Master El Cid!“
With an annoyed huff he turned and saw a soldier standing at the edge of the water.
„What is it?“
„I… I’m sorry“, the man stammered, clearly intimidated by the ice cold glance from those black eyes. „Everyone knows you hate it to be interrupted during your practise. But the Pope sends for you.“
That came as a mild surprise to El Cid. Sage sent for him? What was going on?
„Alright“, he said. „Go and tell him I will come as soon as I have cleaned myself.“
„Y-yes, sir.“
The soldier bowed and vanished up the stairs.
El Cid took a last glance around the area, then jumped off the boulder to the riverside and too headed up the stairs.
Twenty minutes later he stepped up the last stairs in front of the Great Temple, Athena’s temple, where also the Pope resided and reigned as long as the goddess was not present. He had cleaned himself with fresh, cool water and donned his Capricorn Cloth. It was an etiquette that every Saint had to appear in front of the Pope or Athena in armor.
When he entered the throne room, he immediately noticed the two persons present. One sat on the throne, an imposing figure with a winged helmet and dressed in the Pope’s robes. Sage, former Gold Saint of Cancer. The other figure knelt before the throne, his back to El Cid. Nonetheless the Capricornian recognised him immediately. Only one Saint had an armor with wings. Sisyphus, the Gold Saint of Sagittarius.
El Cid had not met Sisyphus too often, but his few encounters with the archer and the things he heard about him had awoken a seed of respect and admiration for the older boy. Even more curious, he stepped next to his fellow Gold Saint and knelt.
„Holiness, I, El  Cid of Capricorn, have arrived. Of what help can I be for you? “
„Welcome, El Cid“, the Pope replied. „Now that you have come, I may explain to the two of you why you are here.“ He paused. „Athena has still not come to Earth, but we know already that there will be a war. In fact, the shadows are stirring. Rare appearances of Specters have been reported. They were of course weak ones and only scouting things out. But still… it has shown us that we need to get as many information as possible about our enemies. Not only are there the Specters, Hades’ loyal warriors. There are other gods amongst his minions. Take Thanatos and Hypnos, for example, and their underlings. The most terrible of those surely are the four dream gods. But mostly it was the twin gods who caused the most grief during the last Holy War.“ Another pause. „I came to realise that it was because we had no information about them. That’s why me and my brother were left unprepared when they striked. Only thanks to the sacrifice of the previous Athena were they forced to leave this world. But they are sleeping and will surely return. And we cannot allow to let history repeat it self. Sisyphus of Sagittarius! El Cid of Capricorn! The two of you will form a team with a specific and important task. I command you to travel the world and gather all the information you can. Even seemingly unimportant hints can prove vital. You shall not be journeying the entire time, but your first mission will start soon. Begin with Greece. Here are plenty of old relics, and you surely are bound to find something. After that, return, an das soon as we receive a hint, you will be sent out again. Do you understand what you have to do?“
„Yes“, the two Gold Saints replied in unison. El Cid added: „It will be my honor to fight alongside Sisyphus.“
The Sagittarius smiled at him. „It will be my honor as well to have you as my companion, El Cid of Capricorn.“
„It is settled then“, Sage concluded. „Tomorrow at dawn you shall leave Sanctuary and roam all the ancient sites of Greece.“
„Understood.“
The two Saints stood, bowed, and left the throne room.
Outside, Sisyphus turned to El Cid. „So, we will be on the road together from tomorrow on.“
„Yes…“
Sisyphus studied him for a second. „You are not a very talkative one, are you“, he commented.
„No.“
The brown-haired boy chuckled. „Oh well, I suppose I have to deal with the fact that the most talking I will be doing is with myself.“
El Cid felt a sudden urge to grin at that joke, but he surpressed it. He refused to show any weakness, especially not in front of someone he respected. To him, feelings were a weakness that could dull any sword’s edge. And he was still working on Excalibur. There was no room for weakness.
Still… why made Sisyphus‘ presence make him want to smile too? There was an air of lightness and joy to the Sagittarian that was just infectuous.
They left the Great Temple and descended down the twelve temples. At Capricorn, Sisyphus asked: „What are you doing the rest of the day? You could come visit me at my temple, and we could have a nice chat.“
The Capricornian shook his head. „I apologise, Sisyphus, but I have to train.“
„Training?!“ Sisyphus seemed genuinely shocked. „At this time, when we are leaving tomorrow morning?!“
El Cid nodded.
„But why?“
„Excalibur.“ Seeing the confused look on the other’s face, he continued. „The blade I carry right now is not yet sharp enough to be called Athena’s holy sword.“
„But you have become the Capricorn Saint“, Sisyphus replied. „That requires a lot of training and skills. You can’t tell me your sword isn’t sharp. “
„That’s not what I meant“, the Capricornian said. „What I said was that ,the bade I carry right now is not yet sharp enough to be called Athena’s holy sword‘. That means my blade may be sharp, but not yet the sharpest in the world, which is Excalibur.“
„I see…“ The Sagittarius pondered that piece of information for a moment. Then he stated: „It is your dream to achieve the true Excalibur, isn’t it?“
A sudden fire flared in El Cid’s usually calm, cold eyes. „Yes. My way is the way of the sword. It is my duty and my task to become Athena’s sword. For that, I  need to give my best.“
Sisyphus‘ blue eyes studied him thoughtfully.
„So this is how it is“, he finally muttered. „A noble goal, El Cid. I hope that you can achieve your dream. Keep working on it. See you tomorrow.“
With that, he turned and left, heading for the stairs down to his own temple. El Cid stared after him, not knowing how to react.
For the first time in years, he felt warm inside.

When the next morning he headed for the meeting point, he could not help but wonder what  this journey might bring to light about the Sagittarius Saint. It was a long time ago since El Cid last had had someone close to his heart. But the Archer somehow made him want be his friend.
,Besides‘, he mused, ,he’s strong. He can look after himself. I’m sure he won’t die so easily.‘
To his surprise, he saw a figure already standing at the meeting point. It was Sisyphus. El Cid had thought he was early, but apparently the Sagittarius Saint was even earlier.
,He seems to be responsible.‘
„Good morning!“, he called out to the brown-haired man.
„Good mornign, El Cid. How are you today ?“
„Fine.“
The other Saint chuckled. „Still not the talkative one, are we? Let’s see if I manage to change that.“ His face grew serious. „Joke aside. Are you ready?“
„Of course.“
„Then let’s go.“
As they descended down the stairs of Sanctuary, Sisyphus explained how they would pull off their search. El Cid had to admit that everything was well planned and well thought out.
,He’ll make a great leader‘, he realised. It made him tense more. He needed to give his best around persons like the Archer. It was every Saint’s duty.
After an hour they were at the northern feet of the mountains around Athens. Now they headed northwards. The entire time they were silent. At the beginning, Sisyphus had tried to start a conversation, but quickly realised his companion was not up to that. Ever since then, they travelled in silence.
Such it was the entire day. The only words spoken were during lunch and diner. They slept in a small cave they had found. The next morning, after breakfast, they continued on in silence.
Suddenly, when they were crossing some hills, El Cid sniffed. That scent… Sisyphus noticed immediately.
„What is it?“
„I smell… something dangerous, something evil.“
„Yeah… I can sense it too. Come, we need to check this out.“
They left the road and walked around the hill. And indeed, concealed behind some bushes they found the entrance to a tunnel.
Carefully, they crepped inside. The tunnel led some meters underground before ending in a big cave. The two Saints scanned their surroundings.
„Nothing suspicious“, Sisyphus stated. „There’s noone here.“
„No…“
The Sagittarius started to walk around. Suddenly, he let out a cry of surprise. Immediately, El Cid was at his side.
„What is it?“
„Look. Old scriptures.“
Indeed. They stood in front of an old, wooden box, so grey from age it could appear like a stone from the distance. Sisyphus had moved aside the lid and the view revealed indeed scrolls and books stored inside.
„They… look important“, El Cid said, unable to conceal a certain awe about their discovery.
„It better be, because they’re the last things you will see.“
The two Gold Saints whirled around, staring into the gloom.
„Who… who’s there?!“, Sisyphus yelled. There was nobody to be seen.
„Your doom“, the voice replied. It was a strange voice in El Cid’s opinion. Not entirely the voice of a human…
Suddenly, something came flying out of the shadowns and hit Sisyphus.
„Wha…?!“
The white stuff quickly wrapped itself around the Sagittarius Saint. El Cid realised it was silk, like the silk used by spiders to wrap up their prey.
„Dammit!“, he exclaimed. „Who are you?! What do you want from us?!“
„Have Athena’s Saints grown dumb? I thought I had made myself clear. I am your doom, pesty Gold Saint.“
Something moved in the shadows. El Cid caughed a glimpse of something unshapely. Before he could react, however, the white silk hit him too.
„Argh! Curse you!“
He tried to free himself, but the silk was just too sticky.
„A very persistent one“, the voice commented. „Well then, I shall spare you of the fate of your companion. For you, I have something special in mind. You shall experience the entire horror fully and see everything with your own eyes.“
The creature moved its head and the silk started forming something like a web. El Cid’s legs and arms were completely caught up in it.
„Just… just who are you?“, he growled.
„Patience, my dear Saint, patience. You shall find out the moment I achieve my true form.“
„Your… true form?“
There came no answer.
„Hey! Where are you?! Come back!“
Still silence. El Cid cursed. He struggled on, but the web prevailed. What worried him more was the fact that somehow this web sucked his Cosmos out.
,At this rate, I soon won’t be able to use my Cosmos! I need to get free NOW! And I need to get Sisyphus out of that cocoon! Who knows how much Cosmos he has already lost. He might die!‘
He concentrated and let his Cosmos flow steadily into his right arm. After a few minutes, he felt that there was enough. In a slashing motion, he brought forth his right arm. Excalibur effortlessly sliced through the silk. In a matter of seconds, he was free and wearing his Gold Cloth.
„You have done well“, the voice came again. This time it seemed different – smoother. „Alas, it is too late. I have reached my ultimate form.“
A shape came out of the shadows. El Cid gasped. A tall, slender man donning a dark gleaming armor walked towards him. Out of his back sprouted two enormous butterfly wings. Never before had the Specter actually met this kind of warrior, yet he knew instantly who the stranger was.
„You… you’re… a Specter! A warrior of Hades’ army!“
„Indeed“, the Specter replied and stopped mere two meters away from El Cid. „And I have been ordered by the twin gods themselves to guard this place.“
„The… the twin gods?“
The Capricorn knew what the Specter was talking about. Ever since the mythological era, there had been two twin brother gods fighting at the side of Hades. Thanatos, god of death, and Hypnos, god of sleep.
„Yes. But how rude of me. I haven’t introduced myself. I am Papillon Myu, of the Celestial Charm Star. Pleased to make your accuaintance. “
„I am El Cid of Capricorn, Gold Saint of Athena“, El Cid replied reluctantly. But it was his way of conduct to repay courtesy with courtesy, even towards an enemy. If the enemy introduced himself, a warrior should always introduce himself too.
„The Capricorn Saint you are?“ There was a soft undertone of surprise in Myu’s voice. „Then I am especially pleased to meet you. I have heard that you are one of the hardest training Saints in all of Sanctuary.“
„Tch.“
„Now, now. I complimented you, didn’t I? Why so unfriendly then? But I guess, I’d be unfriendly towards my killer too.“
A invisible force hit El Cid and slammed him against the wall, holding him there.
„What the…!“
Myu chuckled. „You think you Saints are the only ones to have special powers? No, my dear. Just like the Aries Saints, I carry the ability of psychokinesis. You stand no chance against me.“
Slowly, the Papillon spectre walked towards El Cid. It was the pace of someone sure of his prey.
„How unfortunate our encounter was this short. But it can’t be helped. I was told to guard this place, so I kill every trespasser. “
The Capricorn struggled wildly, but he realised that this time he wouldn’t be able to get free. This time, it was psychic power rendering him motionless.
Myu chuckled. „There’s no point in struggling. This ain’t my net.“
„I know“, El Cid growled.
„Tch. Getting cocky, are we?“
The Capricorn Saint didn’t reply. Instead he tried to focus all of his power to try again and break free. He HAD to do it. His friend was in mortal danger, and if something didn’t happen quickly…
Myu now came to a  halt right in front of him. Calmly observed him, as if he was a fly in a spider’s ned, unable to flee anymore.
„Well then.“ The Specter sighed. „I suppose we have to end this now. I would have played a bit longer, but my masters told me to preserve my strenght.“ Little butterlies, glittering like rainbows appeared around him. „These little fellows are my beloved Fairies. They will accompany you to the underworld. Say hasta la vista to this world, Capricorn.“
The butterflies slowly moved towards El Cid. His struggle became even wilder. Myu started laughing.
„Give it up!“, the Papillon Specter yelled triumphantly. „There is nothing you can do now! This is your end…!“
„CHIRON’S LIGHT IMPULSE!“
A blast of light and wind hit the Specter and  his butterflies. Myu was catapulted away for a few feet. The control of the telekinesis interrupted, El Cid fell to the ground. Laying on the ground, his glance shot immediately towards the cocoon.
It was open.
Sisyphus stood there, panting, his arm still outstreched. At the other side oft he cave, Myu struggled to his feet.
„H… how… impossible! How did you break free?! Nobody managed that before! “
The Sagittarius Saint grinned. „Well“, he said, „your cocoon didn’t absorb my Cosmos as quickly as it should, if it should defeat me. I simply took my time and focused my entire energy. The resulting attack was strong enough to break free, as you can see. “
„Tch! You dare defy me, the magnificent Papillon Myu, Celestial Charming Star?! Take this!“
Again a wave of psychic energy rushed through the cave and pinned the two Gold Saints to the ground.
„Ha!“, the Specter exclaimed. „How do you like that?!“ Again the butterflies appeared around Myu.
„S… Sisyphus!“, El Cid panted. The pressure was almost unbearable now. „Watch out! Don’t let these butterflies touch you, they’ll take your soul to the underworld!“
„I see…“, the Sagittarius growled.
„Your friend’s right“, Myu commented. „And I think I shall show him how it works by starting with you.“
The butterflies moved towards Sisyphus.
„No…“, El Cid growled. „Sisy… phus…“
And something astonishing happened right before his eyes.
Sisyphus, Sagittarius Gold Saint of Athena, slowly, but steadily, struggled to his feet. El Cid’s eyes grew wide as he saw this. Despite the telekinesis holding both of them to the ground, the other Gold Saint was able to stand to his feet.
Myu backed down a step, and the butteflies stopped in midair. „No!“, he cried. „That cannot be! IMPOSSIBLE!“
Sisyphus grinned. „Sorry. But the word ,impossible‘ isn’t exactly existing in a Gold Saint’s dictionary.“
He streched out his hand. The Sagittarius Cloth box, in a corner of the cave where he had placed it, glowed and opened. A light flew into his hand and materialised into the golden bow. Another light followed, and in his other hand appeared the arrow.
„N… no!“ The Papillon Specter backed down a few more steps. „Go, my Fairies! Finish him off!“
The butterflies started moving again. They didn’t get far. With a speed seemingly impssible when weighed down my psychokinesis, Sisyphus knocked the arrow, filled it with the last of his Cosmos and shot.
The scream escaping Myu’s mouth as the arrow pierced him, was deafening. Then the Specter disappeared in a flash, and with him the Fairies. Immediately the psychic power in the cave vanished. El Cid scrambled to his feet and hurried over to Sisyphus.
„Are you alright?“, he asked, allowing himself a bit of concern.
„Yes.“ Sisyphus grinned at him. The bow in his hand vanished back into the Cloth Box. „I’m perfectly fine.“ He flinched. „Okay, a bit exhausted maybe.“
„That… how you defeated the Specter…“ El Cid struggled for words. „It was… amazing.“
„Thank you.“ The Sagittarius Saint gave him a warm, radiant smile. „Let’s collect the scriptures and get outta here. Then I will feel way better. And we will have to quickly report the awakening of the Specters to Sanctuary.“
So they did. Back on the road, Sisyphus seemed to have recuperated a bit of his strenght, because he didn’t slow down his pace.
After a few minutes, El Cid spoke up. Something had been bothering him, and he had searched for the right words to say to his comrade.
„I… I’m sorry.“
„Huh?“ The other Saint stopped and turned to him in surprise. „What for?“
„I… I let you down.“ El Cid kept is gaze at the floor. „I should have rescued your much earlier, but I wasn’t strong enough.“
An incredulous laugh escaped Sisyphus‘ lips. „But my dear El Cid!“, he exclaimed. „Did you really think you had to fight on your own?!“
Now it was the Capricorn’s turn to look up in surprise. „Wha… what do you mean?“
Sisyphus laughed and clapped him on his shoulder. „You’re not alone, my friend. You are never alone, in none of your battles. What do you think companions, what comrades are for?“
„Com…panions…“ El Cid repeated that word with wide eyes.
„Yes! Companions, friends. They are here to be trusted, El Cid. To share one’s burden. Together one can achieve many things one person alone wouldn’t be sufficient.“
The Capricorn Saint pondered those words, while Sisyphus observed him carefully.
„El Cid…“, the Archer said after a few moments of silence. „Do you even have any friends?“
A sting of pain rushed through the Capricornian as he heard that question, and his face grew grim.
„No“, he stated.
The other Saint studied his face for a second, and El Cid thought he’d see understanding flashing across Sisyphus‘ face.
„Well… do you want me to be your friend?“
That offer took El Cid totally off guard and for a moment he didn’t know how to reply. After a few moments of pondering, however, he came tot he conclusion that he was receiving a great honor. He nodded.
„I‘ be glad to.“
„Well then.“ Sisyphus reached out and they shook hands. „Friends, El Cid.“
„Friends, Sisyphus.“
They stopped the hand-shaking and turned to continue on. However, as El Cid walked behind Sisyphus, there was that warm feeling again.
,Friends‘, he thought, as he followed Sisyphus on the first of the many journeys they would do together.
As companions.
Yay! A SisyCid fanfic! In English!
Guh... sorry... n.n" But it is sooo frustrating that most fiction about the two of them is in... SPANISH. I do understand it, but no too well, so it is kinda exhausting to read. But here is my go on their first journey together. When they were still boys/teens, mind you. n.n For, apparently, El Cid accompanied the archer on his journeys... or at least on some of them. Duh, I hope I did the battle okay... I was pondering which enemy could be the right one for this fic... Something that would bring up the matter of companionship. And somehow Myu was the right one.
Whaddya say? n.n
© 2013 - 2024 Aioros-sama
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topazlady's avatar
Finally! A Sisyphus/ El Cid fanfiction in a language I can read. Google translate sucks at translating any other language other than spanish