*-----[ Supernova ]-----*

Chapter XV

The eruptions of golden sparks, enormous green bolts and dangerous high tides were something that couldn't be ignored.

Seiya and Usagi had broken into a sprint the moment the upheaval of power grew ten times in strength. Thoughts of the Diviners filled their heads to the brink and they knew automatically that the only disturbance caused was by them.

The pair arrived just in time to view the ash battlefield from a high rocky hill. Jupiter had screamed and thrust a heavy metal sword at one of the black-plated warriors. One arm was bloodied terribly, her red blood mixed with the black blood of the Diviner's. The black substance dripped off the blade of the sword and moved down the handle, which she gripped tightly to swing once more. Venus was on the ground, recklessly shooting a crescent beam as her enemy pulled at the chain in her hands. Mercury had faintly dodged a headlong swipe of a silver ax.

Without delay, Seiya and Usagi ran down the rocky hill and forced themselves into the struggle.

The chain in Venus' hands was coming loose and her frightened blue eyes raised high to see a Diviner ready to cleave her in to two pieces. For a second, she shut her eyes tightly, ready for death. But it never came. All she heard was another yell and a blast of power. A white column of light pushed Venus' enemy to the side.

Slowly, Minako opened her eyes and almost cheered out loud. Usagi had her scepter out and was bounding towards Minako's side.

" USAGI !" The amount of relief and joy was immeasurable as Minako reached for her friend. The tears of joy were abruptly ignored when the situation of battle tuned in.

" Minako, are you alright ?!" Usagi said with concern marring her face. Her hand grasped Venus' shoulder when she saw the dirty marks of battle.

Venus heaved, trying to catch her breath." I'm doing okay over here." She tried giving her superior a worn smile.

Soon, Jupiter and Mercury, who leapt over to regroup, joined them. The opposing Diviners had done the same thing, gathering themselves away from the Senshi briefly.

Jupiter kept feral eyes at the enemy but at the same time rejoiced when she saw Seiya and Usagi." Boy, are you guys a sight for sore eyes." She grinned as a drop of blood rolled down her forehead." But you're late ! We decided to start without you !"

" Yeah, well, we were 'detained' along the way." Usagi replied.

" But it was better late than never." Seiya added. Then he noticed that there were only three Senshi fighting the Diviners. Mercury took the opportunity to answer Seiya's unspoken question.

" While we're tying up loose ends over here, Taiki, Yaten and Rei are over at the portal for the incantation." Ami told Seiya pointedly.

" You let them go ?" He asked, glancing at the far red glow.

" Hey, it was either that or we all get slaughtered at the same time and NOT close the damn thing !" Minako said, pulling her chain in a defensive stance as she got ready for another round of combat.

" It looks like round two." Muttered Jupiter darkly as green electricity surged in the palms of her hands and illuminated her war-face. The Diviners had already pulled another set of weapons from inside their bodies and were geared to attack again.

" Go Seiya."

" What ?" Stunned, Seiya looked at Usagi. There was an expression of pure will on her face as she gazed at him with confident eyes." But--"

" Taiki and Yaten are waiting." She said, raising her scepter." I'm going to help out over here. There's no need to worry."

Seiya gave Usagi a trapped look, unable to move from his position. Before he could say something, Jupiter chimed in." You'd better get over there. I'm sure Yaten will have your head. They know you're late already."

He viewed the rest of them and it was a no-win situation. Four girls against one guy, the odds were against him this time. Sighing, Seiya glanced at the red glow again." Alright. If you want THAT badly to get rid of me." He grumbled." But take care of yourselves. It won't do to bring home ANYBODY'S dead body okay ?"

" Sure thing chief." Minako mock-saluted." Get out of here."

Seiya nodded and was about turned around to leave when he believed that he forgot something. He ran back to a startled Usagi and grabbed her, giving her a full kiss and told her what fear and anxiety he was feeling at the moment. In that kiss he told her he was scared. He pulled back and stared into the blue of her eyes.

" Just in case I don't come back." He said with a tender expression. Without another word, Seiya sprinted off in the direction of the portal.

Usagi had to blink herself multiple times out of the daze Seiya's kiss put her in. For a split second, she marveled at how, even in the most dangerous of times, he could still send her spinning into a dizzying oblivion with just his kisses.

Mercury's shout that shot out her water element brought Usagi back down to Eidoran. Following the others lead, Usagi let loose with another blast from her scepter.

Meanwhile, Seiya had jogged the remaining way towards the portal. Even though the apprehension he was feeling was building up, he had a certain anxiety to see Yaten and Taiki. Being separated from them was something he wished to do without.

In his mind's eye, he could already see a year's worth of suffering and turmoil ending. After the portal would be closed, they would all be able to head back to earth and put the past behind them. Everything would be fine.

Just as he drew closer, the crimson light grew brighter and it was at that time Seiya inhaled a surprised breath when he looked upon the portal. The difference in sight was astonishing, with the portal's red, obelisk-like structure. Seiya's eyes reached towards the black sky, taking in the high towering gateway of the Diviners.

Soon, his astonishment turned into a bone gripping fear when he saw the scene being played in front of the portal. Within the dreadful mixture of Taiki and Yaten's screams, were shrieks of savage voices swirling through the air, also coming out from his comrades' mouths. And Sailor Mars stood in front of the portal with red gnarled fingers encircling her, holding Taiki and Yaten in an iron-hard grip.

Seiya watched with his feet rooted firmly to the ground as Taiki's body shuddered helplessly in the grasp and Yaten dangle between the fingers. The picture was too gut-wrenching to comprehend as a black shadow slowly wormed its way out of each of their mouths. A shadowed head burst from Yaten's open mouth and shrieked loudly while still trying to heave itself out. Taiki was no better in keeping his shadow in.

Such torture bound Seiya's companions in a state, they didn't realize that Seiya himself was frozen and observing.

With a last scream that was loud enough to shatter eardrums, the shadows finally freed themselves from the clutches of the flesh. They grinned sickly in triumph, stretching about through the air and enjoying their newfound freedom. Fury, Bloodshed, the Keys of the Nova danced high and mighty with the red fingers of the portal.

Immediately, Yaten and Taiki's bodies were dropped to the ground. Clothes torn, and minds spinning with continuing agony, their eyes were wide and frantic, gasping for air. They withered and twitched about on the rocky surface, being mocked and laughed at from the Keys that hovered above them.

The being that occupied Rei's body then turned black, soulless eyes towards Seiya. There was an instant recognition that flashed in those hollow depths as an insane grin plastered itself on her face. The corrupted smile of victory spread as her hands raised themselves, calling the attention of the shadows of Fury and Bloodshed.

Slowly, the two shadows reared their ugly heads to Seiya. Their grins soon matched the one Sailor Mars wore as they distinguished the final piece of their existence. It was the Nova itself, only trapped within its last prison of flesh in Kou Seiya.

The being in Rei stared hungrily at Seiya, desiring so badly the destructible force inside him. Seiya wasn't given anymore moments to speculate when the two black shadows darted fiercely towards him.

It was then, Rei's body was discarded. The creature that occupied Sailor Mars left its confines abruptly and revealed its true form. The body of Rei was dropped carelessly to the ground beside the immobile forms of Taiki and Yaten. She gave a soft moan of affliction and her eyes were unable to keep open.

" No……" Taiki croaked, but barely conscious as he watched three demons race to get to Seiya. He tried desperately to move but his wounded body wouldn't respond to his calls. Beside him he heard Yaten curse in horror.

Seiya was taken hold of by the two Keys of Fury and Bloodshed. The black aura came back when the red being that was once inside Rei, seized him tightly. He sputtered, attempting to wriggle out of the grip but it only made things worse.

" We take back what is ours." The red being spoke, boring its threatening gaze into Seiya's face." And it's you……"

Suddenly, the pain in Seiya was so intense and so consuming, he didn't know what was happening anymore. He felt like his mind was going to explode when every single cell and fiber of his body screamed loudly in merciless torment. His eyes glazed over from the black aura that surrounded him. Seiya's mouth was forced open and he felt two shadows wrench their way inside his throat.

The whirling darkness in Seiya's chest grew stronger as one shadow hit and became one with it. He could already feel the Nova within start to unfold. [ Release me…… ]

[ I won't… ] Seiya's mind fought. [ I can't.]

[ But you are CHOICELESS. ] The red being spoke to him again. [ Why deny your true nature ? ]

The second shadow forged itself within him, finally completing the structure of the Nova. Both Keys shifted in place, bringing about the entire black aura. In an instant, the black web spun around Seiya as the red being also begun to merge itself with him.

Through the process, Seiya's mind was taken over. The mind that was solely the thoughts of Kou Seiya was no more. The only thing now that remained was the Nova itself. It possessed his body and all its senses, creating it to match its evil purpose.

* * * *

Back at the front of combat, Usagi thrust a kick squarely to the armored chest of a single Diviner. The battle was once again turned into short-range fighting when the Diviners had pushed themselves beyond the border that was standard magic use.

Using her chain as a whip, Minako managed to ensnare a crossbow from one of their fallen enemies. She tossed it to Ami who seemed drained of using so much power. Mercury received it graciously and put it to good use, shooting anything that wasn't human with great precision.

Makoto's ankle was killing her and yet she forced herself on. With every swing she took, she felt she was becoming more of a match for the black-plated warriors. With Usagi's help, the job was done easier with the power of the scepter.

Flying streams of power surged high through the air but there was no winning side to the battle. Each side had a great amount of force and with Sailor Moon's help, the odds were almost even.

When an inflamed, red glare burst in the distance, a wave of black aura consumed the air overhead.

" What's going on ?!" Minako yelled. The ground began to tremor.

Strangely, due to the sudden blast of black aura, the Diviners seemed to renew their strength. They became stronger and faster, catching the Senshi totally off guard. Makoto had no time to look but felt the sword get knocked out of her hands. She gasped, backing up to give herself enough room for a counter attack.

Time grew thin and the Diviners were finally getting a full chance to move in. The blare of power from the Senshi was thwarted from the renewal of energy. Their enemies began to close in at a rapid rate.

For a while even Ami thought only four Senshi would be able to finish off the Diviners but she was proved wrong after that sudden increase of black aura.

" What are they doing ?!" Makoto shouted incredulously, remembering the group at the portal." They were supposed to CLOSE the gateway, NOT put the Diviners in high power mode !"

Quickly, as the Senshi were doing nothing but backing up, Ami took this as an opportunity to pull out her computer again. The blue visor that appeared over her eyes was about to break with the insane blinking of the yellow grid. Ami whirled around to face the direction the portal was in. Her computer couldn't even identify the objects in the distance.

" There's no use in trying hold them off anymore !" Usagi said." We have to get to the portal !"

The others agreed and soon, the four Senshi turned around and started to head for the gateway. All was nothing but a blur, as the Diviners wasted no time in pursuing them. The sounds of heavy metal rang in the Senshi's ears, causing their pace to move faster.

They ran the last stretch of land that was between them and the group that had the task of closing the portal. Ami thought the counter-incantation was taking longer than it should have been and that Rei probably needed help. With the combined power of Usagi's scepter, the job of closing it would be faster. They would ALL have a better chance of escaping as soon as the task was finished.

Minako was the first to reach the edge. But unlike the first time, when one's eyes are drawn to the red obelisk, Minako's attention latched onto a figure made of black flames. She stopped in her tracks as soon as Jupiter, Mercury and Moon caught up with her.

They saw the tattered bodies of Taiki and Yaten, sprawled out on the ground. Rei's body was lying not far from the portal with her eyes closed in a troubled state. But Seiya was nowhere to be found.

" Oh my God……" Venus gave a strained whisper in disbelief.

As frenetically as she could, Usagi's panicking eyes search for Seiya. She didn't find him.

" REI !" Jupiter screamed when she saw Mars' motionless form.

Makoto's outburst caused an instant reaction from the black figure. It turned around with its black flames flaring dangerously. Makoto gasped, feeling its gaze pierce through her.

Ami almost fainted from what her computer was trying tell her. Her mouth went dry when she tried telling her companions what that was." It's……" Ami stuttered badly." The……the Nova is complete." By then her voice was reduced to nothing more than a hollowed hush.

" No……" Usagi said, making an effort to shake her head." That can't be. Taiki, Yaten and Rei were supposed to close the portal ! Nothing more !" She still searched the grounds for Seiya.

The being of black flames grinned back at them and levitated into the air, so it was at eye level.

A cold but sudden insight finally dawned on Usagi as she stared up at the being in front of them." That's Seiya……" she mouthed in grief." Seiya's……Seiya, NO !"

The black flame seemed to laugh at them all, raising its arms while the black aura around it grew round and surrounding.

Without thinking, Jupiter fired a wave of green bolts. The element of thunder struck the black orb in the air but bounced off when it grew. The flames were like an impenetrable barrier, encasing fully its core that was the evil seed.

Usagi's eyes slowly began to fill with tears. She couldn't bear to see Seiya in this state. In her heart she knew he fought hard to not let the darkness consume him. But it did and it took over his entire being. Here was the complete Nova, still managing to gain power and preparing for the final blow. Its destructive forces hadn't been used in the longest of times and naturally, it was filled with the desire to obliterate again.

Just then, the Nova had stopped the Diviners' advancing, causing them to be motionless to block the way of anyone that tried to escape. Like a dead audience, the Diviners obeyed.

" You won't take him !" Usagi heard herself scream as she turned defiantly to the Nova. She pulled out the silver crystal, willing it to glow." Moon……healing……COSMIC……ACTIVATION !" It was the strongest surge of healing power that Eternal Sailor Moon could muster. A blinding white light followed her words and even the Senshi had to shield their eyes.

A searing noise was heard, as the tremors in the ground grew ten times stronger. The effect of black flame and white light danced together in dangerous combat. Usagi reappeared, not in her sailor fuku, but in a familiar white dress.

An angel met a devil, in the battle of power. A white-hot beam shot out from Usagi's hands, plunging towards the black orb in front of her. The moment her beam hit the Nova barrier, it bounced off and broke into dozens of smaller white beams.

" Look out !!!" Ami shouted loudly as the beams scattered throughout the terrain, raining down on them. The Senshi dove out of the way as the white bolts struck the rock ground.

[ Seiya…… ] Usagi voiced through her thoughts. Crystalline tears poured down the sides of her face while her mouth did not move for her words. [ Seiya, can you hear me ? ]

No response.

[ Seiya.]

Usagi continued to call, searching for the part of the being that was still Seiya. Instead of the response she wanted, the Nova let lose with a tidal wave of black flame. Like the ocean, it rose above her and came down with a crash.

A shield of light engulfed Usagi's figure but it cracked slightly under the huge weight of the black flame. She gritted her teeth, trying to hold it together but at the same time trying anxiously to get to Seiya.

The next attack wasn't pointed in Usagi's direction, but to the Senshi. Even without turning around, the Nova didn't need to see its targets. Shots of black flame pierced Minako in the arm and she felt the powerful scorch. It singed Jupiter's shoulder and blackened the white of her sailor fuku. Ami tried countering the blows with an aqua rhapsody of her own. Instead, the flame totally obliterated Mercury's defense.

Seiya's eyes glowed a menacing crimson; the same color that matched the angry red of the portal. His eyes narrowed and sparkled with sick mirth as the Nova grinned wildly at Usagi. The Nova lunged forward with outstretched hands and took hold of Usagi's neck.

Sailor Moon's eyes widened when she saw no trace of Seiya within the being in front of her. This being was a devil with a mind of its own. The scorch of the black flame penetrated her protective white shield. Sparks began to fly as both powers clashed.

On the ground, Yaten shifted his legs painfully. He winced up at the battle that was taking place in the sky. [ Seiya…… ] Yaten's bleary gaze moved over the rest of his surroundings. He saw that Taiki was also unfit to move. Taiki was sprawled on his side, lying stationary on the crumbling rock. Yaten also felt that tremors that moved dangerously under their bodies.

He moaned in pain……when his eyes caught something.

The portal stood tall to the sky like an obelisk but from where Yaten was lying, he was able see something beside the portal, sticking up from the ground. Even in his wounded state, curiosity got the best of him.

Yaten slowly maneuvered his body around, hearing his protesting bones howl at him. Ignoring it to the best of his ability, he began to drag himself a few short paces towards the portal's side.

As he drew nearer, the object that he spotted took a more recognizable form. It looked like a shot but battered, metal rod that stuck up from the ground. When Yaten dragged himself closer, the metal rod was thick and seemed to have faded but intricate designs on it. On top of the rod, there perched a broken metal arc with the same smooth designs.

Abruptly, Setsuna's words filled the painful hole of Yaten's mind.

[ " The Leader of the Stellar wasn't aware of the black power that gathered above the battlefield and decided to strike the leader of the sentinel union with the Stellar's prime source of energy. But it was pulled out of the Stellar's hands and it was thrust towards the center of the battlefield where a huge collision erupted after it was swallowed by the black void……" ]

[ The Nebula Staff. ] The sudden comprehension hit Yaten like a huge pile of steel bars. Right there, in front of him were the remains of the Nebula Staff. Yaten gaped at it in awe to see that part of it was still intact and that it was somewhat why the portal endured.

Another explosive blow came from the battle above Yaten. The Nova had gained the upper hand, crushing another white beam from Sailor Moon. One action came to his mind: destroy the Staff.

He pulled himself directly in front of it. Rubbing his hands briefly together, he thought it was nothing more than brittle and old but got the shock of his life when he put his hands on it. The remains of the Staff grew a threatening red and singed his hands. Yaten let out a howl of pain.

Looking hurriedly for another way, he found Rei close to him.

" Rei !" he shouted, trying to nudge her with his foot. She didn't even flinch.

At the sound of Yaten's serious voice, Taiki blinked and forced his unwilling form to move. For awhile, he could only turn his head in the direction that Yaten was. Although Taiki knew fully about the raging battle overhead, he was drawn towards the noise the silver-haired youth was making.

" Dammit." Yaten gritted. He shifted himself to the side and began shaking her vigorously." Rei !"

For a split moment, Yaten almost jumped up in fright when he felt a hand clutch his right leg. He turned startled eyes to Taiki, who had succeeded in pulling himself towards his position. Yaten relaxed in relief, seeing that Taiki was all right after their deathly ordeal.

Taiki's gaze questioned Yaten's motives when he started shaking Rei again." REI, come on !!!"

" Yaten what…"

" It's the Nebula Staff !" his comrade said hurriedly." It's the reason why the portal has so much endurance. Remember, it was the prime source of power for the Stellar ? After it was swallowed up, its energy must've been converted to a power source for the Nova."

" It must be destroyed then." Taiki caught on.

" Yeah and to do that, we need that incantation !" At that Yaten began to holler over Rei's head again and continued to try to shake her awake." Dammit, Rei !"

Rei's eyes were shut but she could hear faint voices in the darkness. Her memory was a foggy mess. The only thing she could remember was a chilling fear and a dark shadow hovering above her. She then felt she lost an inner battle, becoming lost in the chains of the darkness. Then suddenly, out of the blackness came a hysterical voice.

Mars moaned softly, feeling the world beneath her shake rapidly. It wasn't until a time later when she realized that the shaking coincided with the voice……and the swearing.

" Ya…Yaten ?" she croaked. Rei tried opening her eyes but a full ear-shock of a blast rattled her brain, forcing her eyes open all the way. The black flame erupted and sent another of Usagi's well placed white beams into nothingness while the sound was overwhelmingly earsplitting. For Rei, it was too much to take in all at once as she briefly wondered, [ Just how long was I out ?!!!]

" What the hell is going on ?!" She screeched, grabbing a sudden hold of Yaten's arm.

Yaten grunted in displeasure, thinking that his arm was mangled enough, tried to push her off.

" Just the fact that the Nova is complete and we have a high chance of perishing here on the spot !"

Rei viewed the battle spectacle above her. The Senshi were alive and Usagi had taken the task of doing combat with the Nova itself." Where's Seiya ?" she demanded.

" You're looking at him." Taiki focused Rei's gaze to the sinister black flames.

Rei gasped in absolute disbelief then remembered again the red shadow that smiled at her before her world became black. She put the missing pieces together and came up with a grim conclusion." ……I did it……didn't I ?" Rei looked up at the physical and mental torture Usagi was going through." I…I let it USE me……"

Yaten suppressed the urge to yell." Look, this isn't a time to wallow in guilt and drown in the pity-pool !" He said sternly." We still need that incantation ! The Nova isn't fully regenerated yet so we can still cut off its source from the portal !" Just then, he quickly explained to Rei what the new plan of action was. Yaten didn't guarantee them that it would work, but it was surely a good thing to try.

Rei nodded her head and heaved herself into a sitting position. Inhaling slightly, she put her hands together and tried to concentrate, despite the excruciating noise. A wave of calm broke over her as she plunged herself into another world of darkness, a world of focus.

Although it wasn't good to rush Mars' concentration, Yaten was on the edge, wishing repeatedly that she'd go faster. The Nova had the upper hand and was using it wisely to advance attacks on Usagi. Yaten knew how much it hurt her to see Seiya in such a state. But then again, THAT wasn't Seiya.

Both Taiki and Yaten watched as Rei's eyes finally flew open. Instead of the black, hollowed eyes the demon gave her, she now harbored a certain yellow glow. Her hands lifted and created strange but smooth movements with her fingertips. Gently, her wrists circled as her mouth opened to speak words.

A few steps away from the portal, stood Venus, Mercury and Jupiter. They had momentarily stopped trying to injure the Nova since the only result they received was getting backfired by their own power.

" It's no use……" Venus muttered helplessly, putting down her chain. Another blast occurred and caused her to leap out of the way. Minako then caught Ami turning around and heading abruptly behind them. At first, she thought that Mercury was running to escape another set of excess black fire but when she saw nothing come down, she looked at Ami suspiciously.

Apparently, Ami ran towards the small group that was gathered at the foot of the portal. Minako's gaze immediately latched onto the glowing aura that surrounded a now conscious Rei. It had also captured Jupiter's attention as well.

" We're half-way there." Taiki spoke to Ami when she approached. His ears were still full of the incantation Rei was casting. But he suddenly shook Yaten's shoulder in his instant second of panic." Yaten ! Look !"

At his companion's revelation, Yaten's face paled. It was true enough that Venus and Jupiter were heading towards them, following Mercury's lead. Unfortunately, the remaining Senshi weren't the only ones to notice that Rei was performing the counter-incantation.

The once motionless Diviners that stood by, observing the battle between the Nova and Usagi, were awakened again and had seen the efforts made by Taiki, Yaten and Rei. With regenerated strength, the Diviners lifted their weapons high and started to approach the group at the portal.

" Come on Rei, let's go !" Yaten rushed." Some time this century would REALLY BE NICE !"

Rei was in an impermeable trance that couldn't be broken. She paid no heed to Yaten and the rest of the group's frantic anxiety. She only spoke the words, feeling the strength of the incantation flow through every fiber in her body. The gleaming barrier that surrounded her figure grew brighter with every sentence she finished.

The Diviners' cold hard gaze wasn't looking anywhere else. It was fixed solely on the group that was attempting to destroy the Nebula Staff and cut off the portal.

" Calm down, she can't be rushed !" Ami proclaimed.

" In case you haven't noticed Mercury, we got an onslaught of pissed off Diviners coming our way !" Jupiter brought the garrison of enemies to Ami's attention. At this, Ami seemed to change her tune.

" Would this be considered round three ?!" Minako shouted over the roar of the blasts as she forced her battered frame into another preparation for a fight.

Makoto replied in the same tone of voice," Looks like it, since it's a best two out of three ! We won a round, they won a round. It's finally time to decided who gets executed !"

" I'm right behind you." Venus said, once again throwing out her chain.

Again, they went back to the unequal match-up. Minako and Makoto rushed forward, aiming to buy more time for the incantation. Ami had left Rei to finish the chant, while lending a third hand to help.

Both Taiki and Yaten knew they were nearing the very end of the incantation. Rei's blank strands of hair were lifting, covered in the yellow aura of the trance. She glowed with focus and their hopeful eyes observed the dancing beams gathering at her fingertips. The crimson of the portal began to waver slightly and the silver of Nebula Staff started to crack.

" Hurry up……" Yaten repeated under his breath as he kept looking nervously from Rei to the other three Senshi in battle.

A silver dart hurtled through the air and landed fiercely right next to Taiki's leg." You might want to keep the fighting OVER there !" Taiki pointed out.

" You think we're not trying ?!" Makoto replied, hailing thunder from the sky.

Yaten's hand grasped the sharp silver object and yanked it out of the ground. Aiming expertly, he let the dart fly and its target was struck, hitting a Diviner straight through its armor.

The end of the incantation was surely at hand as each Diviner fought even harder to overcome the Senshi's protection. The Nebula Staff in the ground had been connected to Rei by the glowing beams of the trance. The cracks in the worn metal rod grew large as the wavering of the crimson portal increased.

Up in the air, where the primary battle was, Usagi was plummeted from the sky and into the ground. She briefly collected herself on the rocky surface and stared up in horror at what Seiya had become. Her efforts of trying to reach him were as good as nothing.

But she couldn't blame him. She would never do that.

The black flames mocked her from above. The barrier around it swirled intensely, showing her all the destructive power that it was going to use against her. It showed her she couldn't win, even if she gave her life trying.

The increase in the flames' severity was so vast, it seemed to glow red as well. Like hellfire, it stretched across the sky with great magnitude, like it was preparing to launch itself towards Usagi.

Usagi's prediction had been right. One look in those hellish red eyes told her she was about to die. The Nova shot through the air, diving towards Usagi with immeasurable, agile velocity. Its arms were outstretched, summoning all the strength it had to fully destroy the woman in white. In mere seconds, Usagi could only look up, waiting helplessly for the final strike.

But just before the form of the Nova was able to fully complete its headlong dive, its black flames stopped abruptly two inches in front of Usagi's face.

Usagi was breathing so hard, she couldn't hear anything else. Time seemed to stop as the flickering of the black fire stood directly face to face with her frightened eyes. The red irises of the Nova bore deeply into her soul as she looked upon a living demon.

She wanted to cry. Even in this diabolical form, she still wanted to take him in her arms. Seiya's body had turned evil beyond hell itself and still she wanted him.

Words of tenderness were spoke mentally through Usagi's head as she reached for Seiya's inner being again. She pleaded with him and told him she loved him.

Slowly, she lifted an immaculate glowing hand and moved forward to touch the black flames, surrounding his face.

All of the sudden, the Nova jerked its body and started to reel as if it was in pain. It gave a savage shriek and pulled away from Usagi's touch like a creature burned by the light. The Nova screamed in torment but gradually, the inhuman shriek started to subside. Usagi then listened intently and heard another voice screaming inside the Nova. Seiya's screams.

Back at the portal, Yaten and Taiki looked at Rei in absolute triumph when the remains of the Nebula Staff shattered with a roar. The pieces disintegrated within the yellow luminescence of Rei's incantation and the red obelisk-like portal wavered weakly. The strength turned into a shortage and soon Rei was back to normal.

Yet, all eyes turned towards the pristine figure and the being of black fire in the distance.

" Seiya !" Usagi shouted and rushed over to the cringing dark flames. Her glowing hands placed themselves carefully at his face.

Seiya heaved, gasping for air at the choking sensation. It took him awhile to figure out what was happening. He fought hard for control after the Nova had completely shut him out from his own body. With his will power intact, Seiya managed to break free when the Nova's strength was cut down.

He noticed the glowing figure beside him and the crystalline tears that poured down the sides of her face. Seiya tried to speak but his voice sounded like a distant echo." Usagi……"

Usagi didn't care whether he would burn her or not, even if black fire was flickering off Seiya's body, she threw herself in what looked like his arms. She couldn't find words to say as only her sobs were the mode of communication.

Seiya knew what had happened. For him, it was like his soul was forced onto the sidelines and he was made to watch as the Nova toyed with his body, using it as a weapon to murder Usagi. Off in the distance, he had sensed the Senshi and Taiki and Yaten's efforts to perform the incantation. Although, the Nova was now silent inside him, Seiya still harbored the destructive power and the outward exterior.

He grasped Usagi tightly, seeing the absolute contrast between his dark fire and her white glow. Seiya pulled her back, longing to see her. He blinked red eyes and tried speaking again.

" There isn't much time." He said to her with his hollowed voice and got a confused stare from Usagi. Seiya motioned over to the battling Senshi." We need to destroy the Diviners……destroy this place and everything in it."

" Seiya, wait--"

" Listen to me Usagi." His red eyes stared into hers intently." It needs to be done. Take the Senshi, Taiki and Yaten and get out of here. I'll take care of the rest."

" What are you going to do ?" Usagi had an incredulous look on her face, dreading what he was going to say next." No……you CAN'T."

She seemed to read his mind but the determination that filled Seiya was far too overwhelming." Don't argue with me." He told her sternly." If you want everybody to live, it would be healthy if you leave RIGHT NOW."

" But--"

" DON'T say anything more." Seiya almost shouted, but pleaded at the same time." Please…"

Usagi fought back a new wave of tears as a fierce lump gathered in her throat. She forced herself to be strong as she called the Senshi.

At the sound of Usagi's voice, the group knew that the high tide of evil was brought down.

Mercury was about to get hacked by a sword when a blast of black flame hit the Diviner squarely in the back. To her surprise, the Nova had prevented her from seeing death at an early age. Makoto's mouth gaped open at this and had to be told by Minako that Seiya's consciousness was back.

Hurriedly, the Senshi latched their arms around Yaten and Taiki and helped them to stand. While Makoto and Minako helped the boys limp towards Seiya and Usagi, Rei and Ami were anxious to fight off the barrage of Diviners. Rei was even more excited since she was practically dying for a piece of the action. She'd been knocked out too long.

" Seiya." Taiki spoke when they finally confronted each other. The brunette young man's expression twitched when he observed that new Seiya hardly looked like the Seiya who had blue eyes, a fair complexion and dark hair.

" We leave you alone for a short amount of time and look what happened to you." Yaten let a half-joke slip. He could faintly see a sad smile behind the flames of Seiya's face.

" I want you to leave." Seiya answered him." Get out of here while there's time. I'll hold off the Diviners."

" What about you ?" Minako asked suspiciously, supporting Yaten's weight.

Yaten's face scrunched up in distaste and horror." You crazy son of bitch……you can't do that !"

" I have to." Replied Seiya." While I have to the ability to blow this ball of dirt of oblivion, I'll take that chance."

" Ability ?" Makoto looked puzzled for a second.

" I'm the Nova." At this Seiya almost grinned." I can destroy anything."

The sound of Seiya saying that was disturbing to the rest of them but Taiki had to agree.

" Ami ! Rei !" He called loudly to the two Senshi that offered to fight." Bags are packed, we're getting out of here !"

" It's about time !" Rei shouted back. She shot a few more flame snipers and bounded back to the group with Ami.

" Get as far away from here as you can." Seiya said, the seriousness in his echoing tone was deathly." Teleport out. You don't want to be around when the planet debris scatters."

" Hold on……" Rei stopped him, suspicion marred her worried gaze." I hope you're not suggesting what I think it is."

Seiya only gazed back at her even though his flaming appearance was quite threatening.

Yaten covered the side of his face with his good hand. He couldn't believe Seiya was going to do it. They were all trapped again by Seiya's decision but it was harder to comprehend the feelings that Usagi was probably having.

" Fine." Yaten grumbled. He hated the fact that Seiya was deciding this." If you want to die then……but Seiya PLEASE reconsider."

The Diviners started to charge at them again.

" Leave now." Seiya said." Run, you still have time." But when he saw that none of them were moving, he grew angry." GO dammit !" he shouted, the black flames bursting around him in anger and fury.

They were choice-less.

" Usagi……we have to go." Said Rei. She took her friend's hand.

But Usagi just stared at Seiya with a look of shock. She couldn't believe that he expected to die.

" Seiya, please." Usagi started to plead." You can't do this ! You can't just--" Abruptly Usagi was hushed when she felt the familiar feeling of his lips upon hers. The kiss was desperate and needful, as if Seiya poured the very roots of his life into it. Again she could tell he was scared but at the same time felt his determination. It frightened her.

" Just in case I don't come back……" Seiya repeated the words softly against her lips.

Usagi cried, gripping him tightly. She was about to utter the three little words when Seiya put a finger against her mouth to stop her.

" I already know." He said, giving her a sad smile.

And with that, he turned around walked off the face the Diviners.

" Seiya !" Usagi suddenly screamed as he left her." Seiya, DON'T !" She was about to rush forward to run after him. She felt desperate to hold him back, to do anything to prevent him from perishing. Usagi started to run but felt strong arms circle around her waist, stopping her from taking more steps.

" No Usagi ! We have to leave, so let's go !!!" Taiki said loudly. He struggled against Usagi's pleas and protests as she tried to free herself from him. She was sputtering and sobbing at the same time, grabbing only fistfuls of air.

The Senshi stood by a second more, watching Seiya's blackened form approach the small army of Diviners. He didn't look back at them because he trusted them to escape to safety on their own. Taiki understood that Seiya's sacrifice must be honored and them perishing with the planet would betray it.

Makoto helped Taiki pull back a teary Usagi. In fact, Taiki had to lift her in order to drag her away. By then, the whole group's pace turned into a run as they decided to make a break for the edge of the battlefield before they teleported out.

The Diviners took their stand, deciding to surround Seiya fully. Each had their weapons drawn, ready to slaughter in the individual that stood in the center of their condemned circle. Seiya looked upon his enemies and hunters. They were soulless beings, plunderers and murderers. It was fate that brought them to their destruction and such irony played a part, as they were about to be annihilated by the power they tried to capture.

It was true that Seiya was back into control of his body and that the Nova inside of him was silent. But its power was not. Seiya was the Nova and the Nova was Seiya right at that very moment.

He lifted his arms, invoking the force of the sleeping destruction. Seiya called to the desolation that once consumed Eidoran. Eidoran was doomed to relive the Nova's power and this second time would be its last.

The tremors in the ground increased one hundred-fold. The force of the shaking was so great, the ground around Seiya's black flames fell apart and crumbled effortlessly. His black aura grew around him like a giant web at his command. Eidoran's landscape was breaking rapidly.

However, the Diviners retaliated. They threw their weapons and deadly silver darts, hoping to at least faze the power being used against them.

But the Nova kept growing, consuming everything in its path.

From far away now, the Senshi looked back at where they parted with Seiya. They stopped running and ended up at the edge of the battlefield. It shocked them at the huge amount of power that was being concentrated on one blow. It would be an explosion of enormous magnitude. That was why the Senshi joined hands and hurried to position themselves for teleportation.

Trying not to look sorrowful, Ami began," Mercury Power !"

One by one, each Senshi announced their respective titles to summon enough strength to get themselves beyond the destruction's reach. The recognizable spectrum of colors was beginning to glow from their calls. Brighter and brighter it increased until the group's circle looked like it held the rainbow captive.

Taiki and Yaten stood in the middle, seeing the colors fly around them like a boundary. They peered beyond it with distressed faces, fearing the worst. While Taiki understood and kept quiet about Seiya's commanding sacrifice, Yaten felt angry and hopeless, wishing ardently that Seiya was with them instead.

Usagi was clutching Yaten's arm so tightly, he thought it was harder than the Diviner's grip. Him and Taiki offered her strength by staying close to her. They knew her pain.

Just as the extended black flames covered a high radius and almost hit the circle of Senshi, they summoned enough energy to teleport. The white column surrounded them all completely and soon the group was being raised to the sky, towards the murky clouds of Eidoran and beyond.

The black fire of the Nova hit the spot where the Senshi took off, mere seconds after. Seiya never felt so much strength and power coursing through his body at the same time. There wasn't much going through his mind except for the desire to be with Usagi, Taiki, Yaten and the rest. It never strayed far from his mind even after his flames stretched completely around the planet of Eidoran.

Seiya reached the peak of his strength and used what the Nova offered him. It offered destruction, nothing more. He wanted that.

Calling again for the last time, Seiya closed the glinting red of his eyes. The time for gathering force was spent and the final blow was to be initiated. He raised his hands in front of him, eyeing each one of the levitated Diviners.

A low threatening whisper escaped Seiya's lips.

" Super…nova."

That was all it took for the sleeping eradication to answer his call. However, as a blinding light and searing noise exploded into the already obliterated landscape, the action was followed by Seiya's silent prayer. That he would be able to live.

From that second on, Seiya's consciousness was terminated. The Nova had taken over his body again, leading the devastating eruption from the ground to the gray heavens of Eidoran. The planet shook violently as the searing noise grew louder. The ground deteriorated and the very core of the planet rose up viciously. Eidoran couldn't hold anymore damage, crumbling hopelessly and alone in the galaxy that was once Kinmonku's.

Meanwhile, the white column of teleportation in space stopped abruptly. The Senshi, protected by the barrier of their planets' power, were able to float at a safe distance. In truth, Usagi demanded that they stop and with the combination of her silver crystal, they were able to.

Each of them watched as the black flames consumed Eidoran entirely and as the flame turned white-hot, the planet shook a few times and showed that it could hold no more. The Senshi had to shield their eyes the moment Eidoran finally shattered into innumerable shards and pieces of debris. They flew outwards and expanded, hitting stars and causing more explosions.

Usagi stood strong at the sight as no more sobs were coming from her lips. Instead, only tears.

It seemed like an eternity until the last flashes of white beams faded out from the destruction that occurred. The debris floated about as the space where Eidoran once occupied was empty without stars. In this corner of Kinmonku's galaxy, it was cold and dark.

Yaten's jaw was sealed shut, trying furiously to blink away the tears burning at the back of his eyes. Even Taiki had held his breath to stop from making a sound in attempt to be his strongest. The noise died down and nothing could be heard.

An awful feeling was caught in each of their stomachs. As the shock was leaving them, sadness and despair started to take its place.

[ I know you told me not to say it. ] Usagi's thoughts ran slowly through her head. [ But I love you Seiya……I love you……please forgive me…… ]

There was nothing more left and the Senshi turned to leave. It was hard enough for them to stay.

They were about to leave forever until Rei's eyes caught something floating among the debris of Eidoran.

" Stop." She said with a motion of her hand.

Minako regarded her peculiarly." There's nothing more here." Before she could say anything more, Rei pulled Usagi, pointing towards the very middle of the rocks and dirt that floated aimlessly through space.

Taiki and Yaten's once dead hearts began to beat rapidly again. Not from agony but from eagerness and desperate fervor. They searched furiously through the debris and stopped when they rested on something.

It was like a strange looking black cocoon that had a transparent middle. Enclosed inside was a single body.

The white column of transportation flared to life again as the group of Senshi floated anxiously closer.

Then suddenly, life was brought back into their dead souls.

Usagi had pulled out the brightly glowing silver crystal. She harnessed its protective energy and detached herself from the teleportation circle. A heavenly illumination surrounded her as she completed the trip to the center of the rocks, to the black cocoon.

Her eyes sparkled with such radiant joy and her hands almost trembled when holding her crystal.

The moment her hands touched the cocoon, it vanished from sight and Seiya's body was deposited in her open arms. He was consumed in the loving warmth of Usagi's silver light. It seemed to illuminate the entire darkness of space.

Usagi held him tightly and brought him close to her heart as immaculate tears of joy flooded down her cheeks. He was not awake but he was alive. So alive.

Seiya's sacrifice wasn't in vain, nor was it empty. It was full and complete now as the Senshi set out for the trip home to Earth.