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

Prologue

Planet of Kinmonku - 3 Years after Starlights' departure from Earth

The look of pride and defiance of blasphemy had embedded itself within his mind. Seiya had already drowned in a dark black pool of devastation. Fear, shock, failure and despair fell like rain from the sky and had drenched him completely.

His lungs were screaming at him to stop running and every fiber in his body proclaimed pain. But Seiya wouldn't stop, he couldn't. His heart pounded in his throat to reach his ears. He saw nothing but red pain through dirt-streaked tears.

It happened. The wave of disbelief, anger and grief was pouring out of him like a fountain. His mind was still even trying to grasp what happened a few seconds ago. It happened instantly but like a lock in time. The scene was too vivid and distinct to be a dream. Every action and drop of blood was too clear.

[ She's dead. ]

A black-plated hand had grabbed a fistful of fiery locks. The pain was evident as it marred her beautiful face. She struggled not to scream, she would never scream. She would not give them the satisfaction of her anguished cry.

[ She's dead. ]

Her hair had been the only support that hand had to lift her. The rest of her body was immobile, beaten and broken. The bloody gash that crawled from her upper thigh all the way to her side was enough to cut her breathing short along with her crushed ribs. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to be alive.

[ Kakyuu….…]

Even in her hour of affliction, Kakyuu remained ever defiant. Every cell in her body was shrieking in agony, the air in her lungs was starting to burn her. But she would not give them satisfaction. Not now, not ever.

[ Oh God…….no, no, no, NO, NO, NO !!!!!!!!!!!! ]

One eye was swollen shut as one bloody slash crossed her face, trickling down her good eye. Her Stars, her faithful Stars watched her dangle like a piece of worthless garbage between black-plated fingers. Cold eyes bore into her face. Those hands made Seiya watch, they forced him to watch her die. They took her eyes, they took her soul, leaving her body to disintegrate on the cold floor below.

The memory repeatedly replayed itself in Seiya's mind. Over and over again he watched her die. Her pain and her defiance swirled inside him to the bitter end.

Seiya could clearly hear the sound of tearing footsteps behind him. They reeked of death and sadism. And they were coming.

" Keep going Seiya !!!" Came the ripped voice from Taiki's throat.

The fear seemed to be circling between them like free air. Himself, Taiki and Yaten. A spark of silver lightning flashed dangerously behind them, causing their already stressed pace to quicken a bit more. To slow down was to die.

The blurred stone hall of Seiya's vision shook up and down in front of his eyes. The soulless screech behind them rang in his ears and rendered his spirit.

" This way !!!" Seiya yelled in a flurry of panic back to Taiki and Yaten. They had no time to argue about anything. Both followed Seiya's lead to a sharp left turn.

They were catching up, gaining speed even. They knew the target was losing the will to run. There was nothing the target could do now. They were trapped with no excape, no fuel to run and heading towards the end of the road.

The palace shook violently under their feet and the elegant walls started to crumble to the floor. The fiery bolts of lightning echoed brashly behind them as the three Star senshi dashed through the hall. They swerved rapidly to the left, hair flying behind.

Just then Seiya and Taiki heard a sharp scream. Automatically, they both whirled around swiftly.

Yaten had bitten his bottom lip enough for blood to seep through. The taste was bitter as a searing ache stabbed his ankle.

" YATEN !!!" Seiya screamed, fear evident in his eyes. Abruptly, he and Taiki turned their course and ran back to Yaten.

There was no time to be gentle. With gritted teeth, Taiki grabbed Yaten's arm. Seiya's slipped briefly towards them and took Yaten's other arm. Menacing sounds shook all three of them. Edging down the hall, they were coming. Seiya's glance darted towards their oppressors.

" GO ! LET'S GO !" he screamed as his grasp locked onto Yaten's forearm.

A silver spark of lightning flashed through the atmosphere once again. They moved faster as the stone archways deteriorated above them.

With an anguished grunt, Yaten's eyes clenched shut from his ankle. Seiya and Taiki were outwardly forcing him to run as they struggled to support his weight. It made them move slower than they did before.

" They're gaining !!!" Yaten coughed up the realization.

"Seiya, we'll take the stairs ahead to the Transport Chamber !" Taiki yelled towards his comrade. "We can make it, they're close but we can make it !!!"

Seiya gave him a frantic look of agreement as they dodged another bolt with a cry.

The stairs were just up ahead, through the doors.

Seiya dislodged himself briefly from a strained Yaten. He ran forward to the door just ahead to hold it open for them.

"COME ON !" his voice cracked from being dry and raw.

All of a sudden, a searing noise was heard around them. The palace wall was crushed like nothing as four more beings intercepted Taiki and Yaten's path toward Seiya at the door.

A look of shock and horror turned the senshi's faces to stone. They came out of nowhere, throwing a powerful bolt upwards to crush the stone archway above them.

Taiki and Yaten fell harshly to the ground. The sound of rumbling stone caused them to move away.

" TAIKI ! YATEN !" Seiya screamed, stretching out a desperate hand. He started to run forward.

The last Seiya saw of his companions were their wretched facial expressions before a heavy mass of stone fell between them. All Seiya reached was hard stone.

He despairingly pounded his fists on the barrier until his hands bled. Angry and hot tears of reckless fear marred his face as his raw throat howled. " YATEN ! TAIKI ! NO !!!"

He could do nothing, he was helpless in panic. Seiya's bleeding fingers trembled as they scratched the hard surface of stone. " DAMMIT !!!" he screamed.

Seiya heard Taiki gasp wildly in fear as the footsteps tore closer. Then he heard Taiki's muffled voice from the other side. " SEIYA ! GO !"

Seiya was bewildered by Taiki's response. " WHAT ?!!! TAIKI, NO ! I-I won't leave without either of you !"

" SEIYA, YOU FOOL GO NOW !!!" Taiki's shriek was desperate." If you don't leave now there's no chance !"

" No, I won't--"

Yaten cut Seiya off sharply. " Seiya, if you don't get the fuck out of here you are dead !!! NOW GO, DAMMIT ! Leave us, go !!!"

Seiya coughed out an uncontrollable sob as tears blurred his vision. He helplessly and angrily pounded a bloodied fist onto the stone once more.

The palace shook again as he heard screams from the other side with a bolt of lightning.

Backing away from the mass of rock that kept Seiya from his family, he stumbled blindly up the stairs.

Unbearable sounds swirled around him, signaling the return of more hunters. A huge blast of rock almost hit him in the side while he made his way up the staircase. They knew exactly where he was and they were plummeting through the stone wall to get to him.

Determination sprung from his agony as he forced his tired legs to make the rest of the trip up.

A few steps up from where Seiya almost got hit, his hunters had punctured a hole through the wall and were wedging their way through. The scratching of plated metal on rock rang in his ears as his damaged arm pulled him up the final stair.

They bashed their way through and leapt up the rest of the way.

Seiya was almost there. He could see the light of the beam that could transport him away from this.

A sharp sound was heard and a pain had entered his leg. Seiya gave a brief cry and stumbled upon the floor. He hit his chin on the stone and he struggled to look back. A small dagger of some kind vividly presented itself in front of his eyes, sticking out at him from the side of his thigh.

Seiya winced tightly as he gripped its handle and pulled. He screamed at the affliction it laid on him to pull the metal from his leg.

He couldn't find the strength to get up. The footsteps were right behind him and closing in. Seiya crawled rashly on his stomach and dragged himself across the floor.

Vainly, he heaved himself upon the control panel and with a panicked fist, he slammed the controls. He needed to get away and escape. Anywhere but here. There was nothing here. Millions were dead, his princess was murdered…. Taiki……Yaten……

He had to get away. Seiya dragged himself into the beam and vanished.