[ Facing his biological younger brother, Aspros raised his right hand high, and the Gemini's ultimate technique, Galaxian Explosion, blasted towards Defteros!
But... that fist, powerful enough to shatter the stars, was caught by Defteros with a single hand: "Laughable, I once sent you to hell!"
"No matter how many times, as long as you revive as evil, I will kill you!"
Almost instantly, Defteros rushed to Aspros's side, a swift punch already poised, striking towards his brother's face!
Aspros sneered, slowly extending his right hand, making a familiar gesture: "Just a mere shadow..."
An almost imperceptible ray of light struck Defteros's forehead. It was the Genrō Maō Ken, capable of controlling an opponent's mind.
"Genrō Maō Ken! Recreated by me, Aspros, the Illusionary Demon Imperial Fist that dominates the opponent's brain!"
"Here, you will once again be at my, your elder brother's, mercy... There is no Virgo here, nor the Pope! You alone cannot break free from control!" ]
[ .....]
〜Projection of All Worlds〜
"Hiss—!!"
The people from other worlds couldn't help but draw in a sharp, cold breath—gasping in awe.
This power… if the Saints hadn't turned on each other, how could the Specters have ever hoped to defeat them?
Though Galaxian Explosion was halted by Defteros with just one hand, everyone present keenly felt the sheer terror coiled within that attack!
A fist capable of shattering the stars? That might not even be an exaggeration…The only reason Defteros could block it was that their strengths were nearly equal—or, more precisely. After all, their Cosmos shared the same origin… and because he knew this technique all too well.
It had to be said: the Gemini Saint who had just appeared was frighteningly powerful!
.....
〜Type-Moon World, ██████ Worldline, Chaldea〜
Doctor Roman's eyes were somewhat complex:
"The moves and appearances are identical, one bright and one dark... This is more like a battle between the good and evil within one person!"
Aspros, who once wanted his younger brother to stand in the light, fell into the Underworld, while Defteros, who grew up in the shadows, became the side of light!
For the two, already of the same origin, this battle was also a struggle for existence between individuals.
Da Vinci shook her head and sighed:
"How ironic, brothers who were once so close, meeting again as sworn enemies..."
It was as if destiny had played a joke on them; the two human brothers were powerless to resist, only to be toyed with.
〜A Certain Magical Index World, Academy City〜
Misaka Mikoto pouted and mumbled:
"'Genrō Maō Ken'... How is that a fist? It's clearly a ray of light."
Let alone a fist, he didn't even extend a finger.
It must be said that a technique that can control an opponent's brain with just a ray of light is indeed startling, but... isn't giving it such a name really just to confuse the opponent?!
As a top Esper, Misaki Shokuhou naturally knew the horror of a controlled brain:
"Virgo and the Pope are both gone. Who else can help Defteros break free from this technique?"
The horror of a controlled brain is that you don't even know you're being controlled, unbeknownst to anyone.
.....
[ Aspros looked at the controlled Defteros and issued his first command: "First, bring me Athena's head."
"Hehehe..." Aspros laughed, seemingly already anticipating victory.
However, the next second, he was astonished to find that he was surrounded by scorching lava, and the entire palace had become an ocean of lava.
Aspros then realized that his Genrō Maō Ken did not affect Defteros.
Defteros slowly raised his head, his eyes looking at his brother: "My outline will no longer collapse, A SELF THAT WILL NOT WAVER NO MATTER WHAT I FACE!!"
"A power that makes everything... makes even the self surrender."
"Mavros Eruption Crust—!!"
Defteros slammed his right hand onto the ground, and the lava enveloping him began to surge violently, rushing towards Aspros with an unstoppable momentum.
"Aspros, I AM ALREADY JUST MYSELF!!"
The incredibly scorching temperature warped space, but Aspros still looked grim, not paying it any mind: "Just a half-baked effort."
"Galaxian Explosion—"
Aspros leaped into the air, unleashing the Star-shattering technique once more.
Incredibly brilliant light instantly enveloped everything, and the power of the lava explosion was instantly neutralized by him.
This time, Defteros, who bore the full brunt of the attack, was also severely injured, crashing heavily onto the ground. The floor of the demon palace cracked inch by inch, and Defteros lay in a colossal crater. ]
[ .....]
〜Type-Moon World, Kaleid liner Prisma Illya Worldline〜
Seeing this, Miyu nodded:
"It seems the 'Genrō Maō Ken' isn't omnipotent after all. With a strong will, it can be resisted. Defteros has long since surpassed himself."
There was just one thing that made her somewhat disbelieving: in the clash of techniques, Defteros actually lost?!
Defteros had been cultivating on Kanon Island ever since he killed Aspros before, yet he was no match for the newly resurrected Aspros!
"Is it possible that Aspros was also training in the Underworld?!"
Defteros cultivated diligently on Kanon Island for several years, yet he still couldn't compare to the recently resurrected Aspros. Just how strong was Aspros before he died?
.....
[ Aspros quickly stepped forward, without a moment's hesitation, he stomped on the latter: "The gentle brother in your memory was nothing but a fantasy."
"I will exploit my own brother, kill the Pope, and even deceive the gods... No, I'll kill them to show you!"
These evil words made Defteros's anger continuously rise: "Don't use that face to say such evil things!"
The Cosmos burned wildly, and the Galaxian Explosion began to gather power in Defteros's hands. Aspros, seeing this, also took the same stance.
Two Galaxian Explosions of identical power formed in their respective hands, and the two brothers roared like beasts, charging towards each other.
"BOOM—!"
In an instant, two identical violent forces collided, like the creation of the universe. Destruction was constantly reborn, and the violent energy was chilling.
Two powerful forces are continuously intertwined, a violent storm tearing through the clouds in the sky, making the entire firmament gloomy.
After a long while, the battle of the Gemini constellation finally came to an end.
Crimson blood gushed from Defteros's mouth, clearly indicating severe physical injury, but there was no trace of fear or panic.
"With a long-lost sense of peace, felt since childhood. My blow truly pierced your heart."
Aspros didn't know what the latter was babbling about: "What are you saying..."
Suddenly, blood tears flowed from Aspros's eyes, his black hair gradually faded, and his gaze returned to its usual clarity.
But at this moment, Defteros had already vanished into thin air, leaving only the Gemini Cloth returned to his brother. ]
[ .....]
〜Saint Seiya Shioriverse, The Lost Canvas timeline〜
"That's wonderful..."
On Kanon Island, Defteros, known as the demon, couldn't help but shed tears as he watched Aspros's eyes gradually regain clarity.
My thoughts have finally reached the depths of your heart through my fists.
The brother he once yearned for, who lived in the sunlight, the true strongest Gemini Gold Saint, was finally about to return!
In the Sanctuary, upon hearing that Aspros was about to return to normal, Asmita, who was meditating, felt regret for Defteros's passing.
However, he also subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. If Aspros were an enemy, it was likely that none of the remaining Gold Saints would be his match.
〜Type-Moon World, ██████ Worldline〜
In the 7th singularity, Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia
"I understand..."
Merlin's eyes flickered with sudden clarity. The fated clash between the Gemini brothers had at last reached its conclusion.
Ishtar floated beside Merlin, looking at him with a puzzled expression:
"What do you understand?! Didn't Defteros just lose..."
Merlin let out a quiet sigh inwardly. He really did prefer conversing with people who grasped things without needing every detail spelled out.
"I said before that the 'Genrō Maō Ken' can only be undone through death…"
"Aspros cast the 'Genrō Maō Ken' upon himself before dying during his rebellion—binding his very soul to it even after resurrection. Defteros gave his own life to sever that curse and free his brother from its chains."
And in their final exchange of Galaxian Explosions, one emerged untouched, while the other bore grievous wounds. But… did Defteros truly lose?
He broke the 'Genrō Maō Ken' hold through his own will—and even caught Aspros's Galaxian Explosion with a single hand. The gap between the two brothers wasn't nearly as vast as it seemed.
After all… do you really think Defteros spent all those years on Kanon Island idling away his time?! The truth is, Aspros had sealed the 'Genrō Maō Ken' onto himself before death, and the spell could only be lifted if an enemy perished before him. So his younger brother chose—willingly—to die in his place.
Ishtar's eyes widened. She hadn't expected so much hidden meaning beneath the surface of that battle.
.....