What's this?
You okay, miss?
Yeah, I'm fine—
You're one of those that Equuleus is hiding, right?
Hold it.
We finally found you.
Would you tell us where you've been hiding?
Pegasus?!
Where are you looking?
Jeez... Your back is wide open!
Come and get me!
What are Pegasus and his friends doing here?
You're not getting away!
Hey.
Eden!
Thank you.
Jeez...
Thanks to that Mira guy, I'm not as strong...
Oh, well!
Give it up.
You okay?
Celeris?
We can't fight Celeris's gang and Pegasus's group simultaneously.
Retreat.
Celeris!
Oh, Selene!
You okay?
Yeah!
Is he a Saint?
The Cursed Cloth!? The Equuleus Saint!
The Cursed Cloth.
The Equuleus Saint.
There are still humans who aren't frozen.
I have a report from the groups looking for them.
They chanced upon Pegasus, and he is approaching the castle.
Don't worry, I shall handle Pegasus.
Hold it!
Thebe?
Let me do it.
This time, I'll crush those weaklings.
Hey... They're my prey!
Thebe, I won't let you take them!
No, they're mine.
You two will both go.
Understood?
Do not allow them any closer.
Both of you, handle them.
Yes, sir.
I'm sorry...
I wanted to treat your wounds, Celeris.
Those kind feelings of yours are enough.
Those feelings will heal my injuries.
So, Selene, don't do anything dangerous, okay?
Promise me.
Okay!
Pegasus!
I can't believe it... I'm meeting Pegasus.
Um, who are you?
A-Ah...
I am Celeris.
The Little Horse, Equuleus Celeris.
Equuleus?
The Little Horse?
Equuleus shines beside Pegasus, and is reputedly its younger brother.
Nice to meet you, Brother.
But I guess you'd be...
my big brother!
Celeris!
Let's hurry!
Be right there.
Everyone, we can talk later.
Get in.
Um...
I'm sorry, but we're in a hurry.
Aren't you going to Pallas's castle?
Then that's even more reason.
You'll see when we arrive.
I'm Selene.
What are your names?
I'm Koga.
Haruto.
I'm Ryuho.
I'm Subaru!
You all have weird names.
What about you?
Eden.
I know that one!
I heard it in a story before!
He's been fighting all alone?
That's a good name!
Sorry, everyone.
Could you get out at the next tunnel?
This way.
Hey, will they be okay?
Yeah.
They'll use another entrance, just to be safe.
Sorry...
There used to be a cage, but it broke.
There are other stairs, but this is the fastest.
Subaru, you grab on to me.
I'm fine... I can get down myself.
Shut up.
That's an order!
Let's go.
Celeris!
Welcome back, Celeris!
Selene...
Granny!
People with strong Cosmo don't freeze.
I can't believe so many survivors are this close to the castle.
Yeah.
Most of the people who were in the city are frozen in time.
And all those who survived hid, and are living here.
You're fighting for these people, not Athena?
I'm sorry.
I heard Athena's order,
and as the Saint nearest Pallas's castle, I should be leading the way.
But...
It isn't that easy...
Your destiny?
Equuleus...
Is it the destiny that Cloth has laid on you?
That's just an old superstition...
Hey, Selene!
What?
Invite these people to your tea party.
Okay, got it!
What about you?
I'm going to go lock the upper doors.
See you soon.
Hey, what did you mean about the destiny of Equuleus?
I'd heard of it before.
The Equuleus Cloth is cursed, bringing death to its wearer...
So wearing the Cloth kills you?
The Equuleus Cloth brings great power,
but its wearer is destined to die in battle.
Knowing that, why would anyone wear it?
Because he wants power, even if it costs him his life.
Well, not that you'd understand.
You have a god's blood, and you say you don't even need it.
Here I am!
Huh?
Hmm?
Have you calmed down some?
Huh?
Stop picking fights with everyone.
What are you talking about?
Here.
For me?
At times like this, you just say "thanks," and accept it.
Th-Thanks...
You're welcome!
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Selene, I'll take a cup, too.
Got it.
Celeris...
Isn't it time you told us why you've brought us here?
Here.
Thank you.
You see... This underground city is connected to Pallas's castle.
To Pallas's castle?
I was born and raised here. That's how I know.
I don't know when this underground city was made,
but it's laid out like a maze,
extending all the way to Pallas's castle.
Okay! Let's head straight there!
I can't go.
When I was unable to stop the Pallasite attack, I failed to protect many people.
I decided then that I wouldn't let anyone here get hurt.
I'm disappointed...
I thought you wore that Cloth because you wanted to be strong.
But you're just a coward.
No!
Celeris is strong.
Look how hurt he got while he trying to protect everyone...
He's doing his best... fighting for us!
He's very brave!
Anyway, I'll go beat Pallas up for you.
Celeris!
I'm sorry...
The Pallasites followed us!
Meteor Summon: Demon's Hammer!
Saints and survivors,
we know you're hiding in here.
Come out!
It's all my fault...
Because I went outside...
Don't worry.
I'll go and take care of them.
Eden?
I promise.
Celeris, you stay here and protect everyone.
R-Right.
Let's go.
Subaru, you stay here.
That's right...
Your Steel Cloth is too damaged.
You'd only get in the way.
I'd be in the way?
Let me go!
Leave this to them!
Come on! Stop it! Let go of me, Celeris!
Don't throw away your life.
Come on!
The enemy?
This Cosmo...
Underground?
They're here?
Oh... you again?
Don't talk to me like that, weakling.
Get them!
We're going down.
Yeah!
I never imagined the humans would be
hiding down here, in the path that leads to the palace.
Fools.
If you can get from here to the palace,
you can get from the palace to here.
Finding my way through this maze is nothing for my ears.
The idiots don't have a clue.
Hati's underground, and I'm attacking from above.
The plan is perfect!
You've nowhere to run.
Hati...
I won't let you have your way!
What can you do with that beat-up Cloth?
Interesting...
You used your Cosmo as a shield against my daggers.
Don't be crazy...
His daggers are—
You're the crazy one!
Going for a head-to-head fight, in a Cloth that's nearly broken.
But I get it.
I can sense how you feel for that Cloth.
Shut up...
I don't want to hear that from someone in a cursed Cloth!
It isn't cursed.
This Cloth is trying to keep me alive.
The Equuleus Cloth appears in your hour of deepest need...
A kind Cloth, which lends its strength to the powerless.
They say a star shines brightest before it dims forever.
And the Equuleus Saint is the same way!
Interesting.
Then shine... And die here in vain!
Celeris!
You're mine!
Demon's Hammer!
Tonitrui Fera Caelos!
What is Hati doing?
Out of the way!
Lionet Burning Fire!
Divine Tornado!
Sorry we're late.
Yuna! Soma!
I don't care what happens to Hati...
I'll blow you all away.
Is Thebe planning to blow up the whole place while we're still in it?
I'm not getting caught up in that...
Retreat, everyone!
Retreat!
Run!
It'll hit us!
Celeris!
This could be a little bad...
Really?
I didn't want to use this.
It's so big, I can't control it!
It's my forbidden technique!
Is that what you meant by "strength"?
You once asked why I became strong.
Back then, I had nothing to protect.
Strength with no one to lose...
That is one kind of strength.
But...
When you have someone to protect,
that strength is unfathomable!
Blah, blah, blah, blah...
You talk too much!
Take this!
Gigantic Asteroid!
Roar, my Cosmo!
Orion's Extermination!
Am I a weakling?
Am I the weakling?!
Eden!
Someone to protect.
You were the one who made me see the strength it could inspire.
Eden!
Thank you.
To Be Continued