Into the Abyss

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FIC : Into the Abyss
Author : Sagakure
Fandom : Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac, Cavaleiros do Zodiaco, Caballeros del Zodiaco, Chevaliers du Zodiaque).
Pairing : Rhadamanthys x Kanon (also, Saga x Kanon; also everybody x Saga).
Rating : NC17 (For angst, mature content, and possibly bondage/bdsm. Don’t read if it’s not your cup of tea).
Warnings : Set post-Hades war.
Disclaimer : I do not own Saint Seiya. Saint Seiya is (C) of Masami Kurumada, Toei, Shueisha, Akita Shoten and quite probably some more people. No copyright infringement or disrespect intended here. This is a work of fanfiction, done completely for fun. No profit is taken out of it.
Thanks : To Dani, for being a wonderful beta!
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Rhadamanthys.

Dusk had almost completely faded into darkness, but the judge made it back home just before nightfall. Hopping out of the carriage in an agile movement, he rubbed his hands together and repressed a shudder of surprise as the cold winter air hit him, his breath forming little clouds of steam and the freshly fallen snow crunching under his feet as he walked.

Not needing to turn around to know that the servants were already taking the horses and the carriage to the stalls, Rhadamanthys strode up the steps of the mansion’s entrance with a large package underneath his arm.

Despite some remnants of the anger caused by Saga earlier that afternoon, the judge’s spirits were considerably higher now that he had passed by the shopping districts and found out that a special thing he had ordered custom-made two days before was finally ready.

But upon entering the house, his mood improved even further, one could say perhaps exponentially, as the old butler came to help him remove his coat and informed him that "the young gentleman" seemed to be getting better, for his fever had dropped and he was awake.

In a fraction of second, the judge’s expression changed from mild excitement to a predatory grin so utterly feral and hungry that it sent a cold shiver running down the spine of old Alphonse, despite years serving the specter and being used to his reactions.

It was time to get serious.

*** * ***

[Into The Abyss – Scene VIII] – "Collar and Shackles."


Night was falling fast, and the darkness creept over the whole sky, swallowing the last remains of the cold winter blue. If such a thing was possible, it brought even more despair to Kanon’s heart.

He heard steps coming up the staircase, and becoming louder in the corridor, partially muffled by the thick carpet but getting closer and closer to the room. It couldn’t be the old butler, the steps were too different. Too heavy, too strong and determined. Steps of a man of importance, and most likely one wearing a surplice, considering the noise.

Kanon’s heart beat faster, but he didn’t dare to get up. He didn’t have the will or the energy either. If he was lost, why even bother getting up from the bed? It was the same trail of thought that had decided him not to try to escape when he had the chance to, earlier. He would just lie down and wait for the end, whatever it was.

The door of the room opened suddenly, giving entry to Rhadamanthys carrying a large package underneath his arm.

Kanon sucked his breath in, but only his eyes followed the entry of the specter, his body remaining in the exact same position under the crumpled sheets.

The judge wasn’t very pleased with this.

"On your knees Kanon. That’s not a very polite manner for a slave to greet his master’s return, and I hear you are feeling much better, so you should not have any problems to do so little!"

"What...?!" – It wasn’t the order itself that puzzled Kanon, but certain keywords in it. The utter agony that his guilt and despair had caused him throughout the recent days of feverish delirium had taken its toll in Kanon, and his thought process wasn’t very functional at the moment. But he clearly heard the judge say the words "slave" and "master". Insane, unbelievable tendrils of a most paradoxal hope were starting to form deep in the back of his mind.

Unaware of all that had been going in the ex-marina’s mind in the past days, and unpleased by the lack of reaction he was getting, the judge strode to the bed, very decided to throw Kanon to the ground if he had to, in order to get him to obey, wounds or not.

His actions were halted by the look in the Greek’s face; it contrasted so much with what the judge was expecting that it took him completely by surprise. Crawling to the end of the bed closer to the specter and leaning towards him, Kanon seemed bewildered.

"Rha...Rhadamanthys...?! Do you mean that our deal still holds, and that I’m still your slave?" – The question was clear, but there was so much hope and amazement showing in the usually more reserved ex-marina that Rhadamanthys didn’t know what to expect of him. His first reaction was to think that Kanon might be still delirious because of the recent fever.

But whether this was the case or not, it didn’t stop the judge.

"Are you out of your mind?! You are mine. You gave yourself to me, don’t ever expect to be able to get out of it!! The deal we made was for a lifetime, not just a few days, and certainly not considering you haven’t even done anything for me yet."

He was going to pull the Greek out of bed to better make his point, but Kanon threw himself down to the ground on his own, and to Rhadamanthys utter astonishment, got on his knees and wrapped his arms around the judge’s waist.

Tears were running down the ex-marina’s face, and he tried to speak, having more and more trouble to voice his thoughts now that he was almost sobbing.

"...Thank you! Thank you so much!!" -- He buried his face against the specter’s waist area, against the space where the surplice had an opening around the crotch and the top of the thighs, and finally spoke, in a voice broken by the tears.

The judge didn’t know what to say, especially when Kanon continued.

"I...I’m so sorry...I’ll be good now...I’ll do anything you want...I’m so sorry...thank you, thank you so much..."

Rhadamanthys finally understood where that might be coming from. Pushing the gold saint back a little -- which caused Kanon to cling even harder to his waist, despite looking up wondering what the judge wanted -- he asked : "You thought I’d send you away because of what you did the first night, didn’t you?"

Kanon answered by nodding weakly, his gaze lost on some point past the surplice, before burying his somewhat flushed face back against the judge’s waist and sobbing in silence. Relief as well as all the pent up despair of the past days breaking loose made him nearly unable to speak now, just clinging to Rhadamanthys as if he was afraid to let go and find out it was just a dream – a possibility that horrified Kanon when it came to his mind.

"I’m not dreaming, am I? You are really here, and the deal really still holds....right?" – Kanon couldn’t help but ask, a sudden fear that it might be just another nightmare surging through him.

The judge chuckled, and ran a hand through the ex-marina’s ruffled hair, amused and even touched.

"It’s no dream. A nightmare perhaps, for I still have to punish you for your disobedience later, but certainly not a dream. Like I told you, you became mine when I accepted that deal. Nothing can change it, Kanon. Never forget it."

At the present moment, not even the mention of punishment or lifelong slavery could throw Kanon out of his blissful state. Saga would have a chance. He didn’t screw everything up after all. He still had a purpose in life then. And... he was allowed to hope once again. Despite the irony of the situation, his mind weakened by the horror of his nightmares and fear made him see all that relief as being caused by Rhadamanthys, and gratitude filling his every pore, he clung even more to the judge as if letting go meant all that relief, hope and joy, would disappear with him.

"I’ll do my very best to please you..." – The ex-marina looked up with tearful eyes, and their wetness accentuated even further how green they were.

His whole body trembling, something akin to a momentary adoration in his eyes, Kanon was almost making the judge lose his mind. But Rhadamanthys was getting better and better at hiding his urges, and he didn’t let it show on his face, despite the immense effort of self-control that it took him. Regretfully, the judge ordered the other man to stand up, before putting the package down on the bottom of the bed, and commanded his surplice to leave his body and reform by the fireplace.

"Sit, Kanon, we need to talk." – Sitting on the border of the large bed, crossing one leg over the other and leaning against the nearest canopy post, Rhadamanthys gestured for Kanon to take place back on the soft mattress.

"I did say the deal still holds, and it’s true. BUT...as I had warned you before, I only accepted it in the first place because it was on my terms. And you broke those terms the very first night. For this deal to work, you must obey my every command, no matter what it is. I won't tolerate any form of insubmission. For the deal to go on, you are to belong to me completely, like you said you would. I’m not going to help Saga if you don’t respect the terms of our agreement."

Kanon was trembling again, his eyes cast down, light reflections flickering ever so slightly in his irises. The judge could identify a great amount of fear, or what seemed to be self-loathing in the Greek’s face, so openly visible that it must be filling him entirely. Did he worry that much for Saga? Rhadamanthys was pleased to see that his words were having even more impact than he expected, especially when he saw a silent tear rolling down Kanon’s cheek.

The ex-marina didn’t dare to speak, sensing the judge wasn’t done yet.

"I’ll set rules to make it easier for me to enforce the terms of the agreement and make sure you obey me... In addition to following any of my commands, you are from now on forbidden to ever lie to me or hide anything from me." – Kanon’s eyes widened with the judge’s words and what they might imply. Rhadamanthys added: "But in exchange, you have my word that I won’t ever ask you any question that could have an even remote strategical interest for either of our sides. The gods you serve or served have nothing to do with this. I’m taking you in as a man, not as a saint of Athena. Whatever you were or still are out of here doesn’t matter. And by the way, as such I’ll be expecting you to follow exactly the Underworld’s traditions and rules regarding slaves and how they’re expected to behave."

Kanon shuddered, and held his gaze down, seeming deep in thought.

The judge added, softening his words:
"If you behave properly and obey me as I expect, I’ll gladly follow my part of the agreement. I’m no tyrant. If you please me, you’ll be rewarded like promised. I’ll do all I legally can to help your brother, if there’s anything that can be done to drop some of the charges or to orientate the judgment towards a less bad direction. If you are fine with those terms, then our deal holds, and all that is left to do are little formalities." – Rhadamanthys pulled open the outer wrapping of the large package he had brought in, revealing several boxes and a clear file, out of which he pulled some documents.

"Ownership papers. Without specifying on what basis our deal was made, or what I offered you in exchange, they make your situation here legal by granting you an official slave status in the Underworld. Like I said, slavery is rather common here. Now, this is your last chance to change your mind. You can either accept my terms, in which case all you have to do is sign these papers, or you can refuse, in which case our deal is broken forever and we are enemies once again." – Seeing the ex-marina’s previous reactions, the judge had no doubts he would accept, but he didn’t expect it to be so fast. A look of despair on his face, Kanon’s fingers were clutching the pen in Rhadamanthys’ hand before the judge even finished his sentence.
A messy signature, almost childish, soon appeared at the bottom of the contract.

"Kanon of Gemini."

The signature of a man who didn’t have to sign many papers in his life, and who was never given a family name, always going by his first name only or by the name of his zodiac sign once his brother elevated them both to that rank. Never free in childhood, never really free in his youth, and not free nowadays either. There wasn’t such a big change, after all, but Kanon shuddered when the pen scratched the paper.

It was done.

He had completely handed himself over to the other man, forsaking entirely all hopes of freedom for himself he could ever have. But he learned from his previous mistakes, and didn’t want to allow himself to grieve over his own loss. He didn’t matter anymore. His past foolish youthful dreams of freedom didn’t matter either. He sank his nails into the palm of his hand and focused on the idea of Saga being in a better situation now that he had at least a chance, thanks to that sacrifice. And Rhadamanthys wasn’t a monster either. He was just a man, and maybe he wouldn’t be that bad to him.

He was just selling his body, not his soul, after all.
It wasn’t going to be that bad.
He repeated it to himself over and over, trying to convince himself and concentrate on the positive aspects, afraid that if he did otherwise, he would feel like he was drowning once again.

Kanon handed the pen back with trembling fingers, and the judge signed next to him, now legally his owner.

Rhadamanthys smiled reassuringly, as he ran a finger underneath the saint’s chin, to raise his head and make eye contact again.
"Punishment for what you did the other night will come another time, when your wounds are better healed."

Kanon looked surprised -- He was expecting a swifter retribution for what he did -- and the judge started opening some of the boxes he took out of the big package, just to stop a second later, displeased by the silence.
He was going to complain, but it was still very early. He gave the saint a chance, hinting instead.

"Kanon? Didn’t you forget to say anything?"

The ex-marina jerked his back head up, realizing now what had stopped the judge.
"Thank you."
"Thank you what?" – The judge raised his eyebrow, trying to convey a level of displeasure that wasn’t so high that it would scare the ex-marina, seeing that Kanon already seemed very shaken by all the change and probably didn’t need any more to worry about that soon.

"Th...ma...master? Hm." –The Greek hesitated, feeling stupid but nervous and unsure on the term to use. "How...How should I address you?"

The judge leaned back against the bed post, thinking, while Kanon darted small glances at the boxes, trying to identify what they could contain, worry showing on his face.

"Uhm. I didn’t think of something I’d like you to call me in particular. Master does sound strange. You grew up with a teacher that you called master, didn’t you?"

"Yes..."

"It might not convey as much power if you're too used to the term... But you may still call me that, or ‘milord’ like the others do, or ‘lord’, ‘sir’... or even ‘Rhadamanthys’, depending on the situation, as long as you always do it with respect. I don’t care for a particular term as long as you show enough respect and keep your position in mind."

Kanon lowered his head in acceptance, and chose carefully.

"Yes, my lord."

Rhadamanthys shuddered. He loved how the sound rolled off the ex-marina’s tongue, slightly spiced up by the charming accent the Greek had when speaking English. Such a small and simple thing, and yet when Kanon said it, it made the judge’s member stiffen inside his pants.
He had to remind himself that there were still important matters to be discussed first, in order to manage to control his urge to order the gold saint back on his knees for a first blow-job. The mere thought of that luscious tongue rolling over the tip of his shaft, almost got the better of him, but he straightened himself and opened one of the boxes lying on the bed.

"Rule #1. Slaves are to wear a collar bearing the marks of property of their owner, namely their coat of arms so that it is clear who the slave belongs to."

Once the judge opened the lid and fumbled a bit with the copious amounts of silk paper that protected the contents of the box, he presented it to Kanon, uncovering a black leather collar, thick and richly made, with a second slightly thinner strap of the same material going along the main layer and buckling on the back. The whole thing was beautifully crafted, and ornate with silvery buckles and details that shone of a cold dark tinge, that reminded Kanon of the surplices, especially in the front area of the collar, that proudly displayed a wyvern surrounded by smaller heraldic symbols, on an elaborate silvery square.

"It was custom crafted out of a piece of my surplice, and made to fit your neck perfectly." – The judge’s words sent a shiver running up the ex-marina’s spine, a sensation that only worsened when Rhadamanthys continued his explanation. "It serves not only as a mark of property, but also to completely block you from using your cosmo. It works like a seal, much like the way your goddess uses wards instilled with her power to restrain the cosmo of her enemies. An equivalent technique has been developed since millennia ago in the underworld, for similar purposes. Its applications for slave caring were but a pleasant additional use that we discovered later. You must know that although you'll keep your physical abilities unrelated to the cosmo, you'll be completely stripped of all cosmo related power once I place this collar around your neck. But it's the only way for the deal to go."

Kanon gasped, and it occurred to him that perhaps he wasn’t the first saint to fall in slavery in the Underworld. Was he the first one to do so willingly?

In his youth, Saga and him had extensively read the history of their order, and he didn’t remember any mention of that. But it was frequent for history to keep track of the victories and be less detailed on the defeats. Hades was Athena’s worst enemy, and each Holy War between the two had usually costed the goddess most of her saints. Perhaps, not all of them had the luck of dying in battle. Perhaps some were taken prisoners, ones that history forgot, too reluctant to admit the shameful fate they were condemned to. Not to mention the dead ones, at the mercy of the specters after every war, bearing Hades’ revenge whenever Athena was victorious.

He blushed, ashamed of his situation. What would those saints think of a man like him, submitting himself to such humiliation out of his own will? But in his mind, the image of the past fallen saints quickly faded, replaced by that of Saga, helpless and powerless, lost in a dark and damp dungeon somewhere in the deepest places of that nightmare world. If by his actions, he could reduce Saga’s suffering, even by a slight bit, then Kanon didn’t regret any of it. As saints, their faith and loyalty belonged to Athena, but as men, Kanon could give his body to whomever he chose.

He lowered his head and parted his hair, presenting his neck to the judge without hesitation. Rhadamanthys smiled, pleased, leaning forward and brushing his lips to the pale skin in a light kiss that made Kanon shudder, before sliding the collar around it and clasping it behind the neck.

Was it the anxiety brought by the situation, or was it something else that caused him to feel like he couldn’t breathe?

Kanon discreetly felt the space between the collar and his neck, and noticed that he could easily slide a finger between them, perhaps even two, so it wasn’t a matter of it being too tight. He felt dizzy and had to put both hands on the bed for support, now breathing through his mouth, still unable to get enough air. Fear surged through his body all of a sudden.

It felt like drowning.

He stifled a whimper, not wanting to seem like he was complaining, but he wondered if the judge had done this on purpose. Finally unable to hold anymore, Kanon let himself slide down onto his side, and then rolled on his back, trembling, eyes wide and fixed on the canopy of the bed, his mouth agape trying to get as much air as he could. His skin soaked in tiny drops of perspiration, panic filled his mind and body fast, reminding him of the water rising in the cave.
A veil of darkness was creeping over his eyes the more he gasped for air without success.
He realized with horror that he was going to die, without having managed to achieve any of what he wanted to.

His sight was blurry when the judge leaned over him and captured his lips, holding him close in his arms and insufflating his breath into the ex-marina’s lungs. Greedily sucking the air in, Kanon clung to him like a drowning man, which in a certain way, he was.

The judge let his cosmo flow gently around them, in such a careful manner that it surprised Kanon, soothing his fears and calming him down little by little as he let the air pour in.

After a few minutes of that mouth to mouth breathing, Kanon’s trembling lips parted from the judge’s, and he realized he could breathe on his own. To his surprise, Rhadamanthys was stroking his hair gently, supporting his back, still holding him against him, the last remnants of a worried look still showing on in his face.
"Are you alright there? You came back from far away."
Kanon was shivering, his eyes wet. He felt more vulnerable than ever in his life, and nearly feverish. Breathing was still difficult, but he didn’t feel like suffocating anymore. He looked at the judge and hesitated wondering if he should ask or not.

Caressing Kanon’s hair and lowering him back on the bed, Rhadamanthys answered the unspoken question.
"The more the person’s cosmo is powerful, the worse it is at first. I knew about that, but I had no idea it would be that bad. Being blind to the cosmo can be very harsh, for someone who spent all their life feeling it flowing through their body, as used to that sensation as they are to breathing. On the long run, you should get used to the collar though. And by the way, that seal makes it impossible for anyone or anything to remove that collar, except for me. It obeys my cosmo alone."

Kanon was still short-breathed and had trouble thinking clearly with his foggy mind. The judge started pulling open other boxes, and the ex-marina shuddered when Rhadamanthys warned him that he was also to wear shackles on his wrists and ankles. He pulled them out of another box, and showed them to him. They were black like the collar, and seemed to have been made assorted to it, although of a simpler design and look. The material was most likely not the same either, but just like the collar, they were equipped with D-shaped rings and buckles to attach onto something else -- chains or such, the ex-marina guessed.

"Those are just normal shackles, they bear no seals, but they were also custom made to fit you. You may remove them to bathe or rest, but you must always wear them whenever you are in my presence. They exist so that I can more easily place you in any position I may wish..." – Rhadamanthys trailed a finger down Kanon’s abdomen, and the meaning of his words made the gold saint’s eyes widen in horror, before looking to the side in embarrassment, the flush on his face a darker shade of red.

Amused by the ex-marina’s shame and what might be going in his mind, the judge fastened the shackles, receiving no resistance from his slave, who remained on his back and let himself be handled as limply as if he were a doll. Despite the lack of reaction, the simple sight the judge was getting was already a delight in itself, especially when he lifted Kanon’s legs to clasp the shackles around his ankles.

The ex-marina was still naked, his body only sparsely covered by bandages, the skin tender and pink in the areas that had recently healed and were still delicate and more sensitive. Rhadamanthys was tempted to spread his captive’s legs to get a better view, or even run his fingers down the higher part of his inner thighs to feel if it was indeed as soft as it seemed to be, but he was afraid he might not be able to control himself if he did.

Not to mention that he still planned to play cold and in control of any of his urges, at least until his slave was psychologically completely his.

When he saw Kanon so open and vulnerable, a part of him wished he wouldn’t have to break him completely. But if that was necessary to ensure that the gold saint would remain his always, then he wouldn’t hesitate to do all he had to achieve the result he wanted. No matter what had to be done.

Now that he finally had what he most desired, he would never accept to lose it. And knowing how cunning the ex-marina could be, he had to be careful. He couldn’t allow himself to rely on his emotions or on the urges he got when he contemplated the naked body offered to him on his very own bed. He had to go slow, to remain in control at all times. Kanon could still get the advantage, if he were to realize how the specter’s mind worked and learned to manipulate him.

If he didn’t break him, the ex-marina would never truly be his.

Rhadamanthys had to keep it in mind at all times, or what could be the perfect slave would possibly turn once again into an enemy. He reminded himself of the decision he firmly took the first night, when he ordered Kanon to strip for him. The ex-marina had proved the judge’s fears true by disobeying him the very first night, despite how firm he was being. And if Kanon was like that even when he was so weakened and miserable, how would things be when his wounds healed and he felt his forces renewed?
The judge had to make sure that he was completely his.
Only when his slave would be completely broken and truly feel in his very core that he belonged to Rhadamanthys, would he be perfect. Only then, the judge would be able to rest assured that nothing and nobody could ever take Kanon away from him.

Breaking a man like Kanon wouldn’t be an easy or clean job, and it would take a careful blend of a psychological approach and a physical one, but the judge felt up to the challenge. Kanon was, after all at his complete mercy, wasn’t he?

Feisty and unrivaled or not, the ex-marina would break under his touch, the judge could promise so much.


"I’ll tell you little by little all the rules and traditions that slaves are to respect so that you won’t be overwhelmed by the whole thing at once. This way it will be easier for you to assimilate it all and remember it well. But I do expect you to learn them as we go and to keep them constantly in mind. Don’t expect me to be forgiving just because you are starting."

The ex-marina was still on his back, breathing with his mouth slightly open, looking exhausted, but his gaze darted to the specter’s face when he heard him raise his voice. Rhadamanthys could see in his eyes that Kanon had heard him well.

In his eyes as well as on the flush on his face, that worsened when the judge continued.

"Don’t forget that this was your idea and that the hypothetical amelioration of your brother’s situation is what is at stake. By our deal, you are my slave even if nothing can be done to help him legally. But for me to try all that is possible, you’ll have to please me."

Kanon’s breathing got more labored. After a small hesitation that showed on his face, perhaps wondering what to do, he parted his legs slightly in invitation, and looked intently at his owner, the blush on his face even harder, if such a thing was possible.

Rhadamanthys chuckled.

"Not that fast. Besides, you’ll have to work your way up to get me in the mood first."

That was a big lie. Rhadamanthys was grateful for Kanon’s position, that didn’t allow the ex-marina to see the bulge in his pants.
But it was the right answer to keep the situation in his hands.
Kanon looked lost, unsure of what to do. He probably expected the specter to be excited by his nudity and the position -- an assumption that was correct, but he didn’t know that -- and Rhadamanthys’ refusal threw him in the most absolute confusion and uncertainty.


From the very first day, Kanon had been surprised to find the judge so cold, when the ex-marina was certain to have identified desire in the way he touched him or looked at him during the war.
He thought he had the situation well figured out, but since their very first meeting after his arrival at the mansion, everything had been completely different from what he expected, and it was seriously worrying Kanon.
If the judge didn’t lust after him like he expected, then how was he going to manage to get to him?
And if that was the case, for what reasons did Rhadamanthys accept their deal in the first place?!
The judge seemed made of steel, inflexible and unimpressed by any of Kanon’s attempts. He was unfazed by him when he undressed the first day, unfazed when he begged and apologized, unfazed now when he opened his body to him.

Uncertainty filling his features, Kanon felt the despair that had been tearing at him for the past days creeping back over his mind, and clenched his fists, fighting against it weakly.
If he didn’t manage to understand what could be going on in the Rhadamanthys’ mind, he would have no other choice but play it all the way by the judge’s rules. He would be the one dancing in the puppeteer’s hand, and not the other way around.
It was a scenario that he wasn’t used to, and that utterly unsettled him. One in which there was no certainty of victory whatsoever, and where he would most likely be used and thrown away when he wasn’t necessary anymore.
After all, had he ever given to those he manipulated what he claimed he would give them? Exactly the same way he had promised glory, victory and conquests to Poseidon and his marinas. In the end, all they received was defeat and death. Would the same thing happen to him?
Could he trust Rhadamanthys’ word?
He searched for the judge’s eyes. They were cold, despite the fiery color of the man’s irises, and Kanon shuddered, feeling his own eyes burning with unshed tears.

What if all that was just a game? One where Saga and him were but toys?
Destiny’s toys, once again.
They had always been that, after all, haven’t they?
Even more so than all the other gold saints. They were the worst victims fate had made in Sanctuary.

But were they truly victims? Or was it the other way around? Didn’t they deserve this outcome after all? Kanon believed that was the case for himself, but he was less quick to judge Saga.
The harsh words he threw on his brother’s face when they fought in Gemini at the beginning of the war were but a façade. He wasn’t sure if those his twin threw back at him were meant or not, but it didn’t really matter anymore, for him. He had lost Saga’s trust many years ago, and despite the fact it still tore his heart apart to think of it, it was most likely not something he could retrieve now. He had learned to bury his own pain and feelings, and now he was more focused on his twin’s chances of escaping eternal agony in the Underworld then on anything else.

But unable to seduce Rhadamanthys, he didn’t have a single chance to influence in the least the upcoming judgment.
If the specter had lied to him, Saga would be lost. Even if he didn’t, it might still be the case anyway. After all, if the treason charges couldn’t be legally dropped, the deal didn’t oblige Rhadamanthys to do anything more to help Saga, and Kanon would still be his slave all the same.

Kanon’s only hope was that the judge stayed loyal to his word. But considering that he couldn’t even guess what was happening in the man’s mind, he had no way to know.

Covering his mouth with a weak hand, Kanon stifled a sob, closing his burning eyes.

The judge had been watching the turmoil that was showing on the ex-marina’s face, wondering what he might be thinking. He was pleased to see the confusion in Kanon’s eyes, a proof that his tactics were working, and that his slave was taken aback by the lack of interest he was showing for him. But when Kanon almost started sobbing, the judge wondered what could be going on in his head.

"Kanon. Don’t close yourself up like that. Tell me what you’re thinking."

The ex-marina went silent, swallowing the tiny sobbing noises he had nearly started making.

"Kanon! I gave you a clear order. Don’t forget that you are forbidden from hiding things from me. You have to answer any of my questions."

Horror flooded the Greek’s features, and he uncovered his face, revealing wide open eyes, filled with despair and fear.

Oh, that was going to be something, the judge thought to himself, slightly worried.

"Please...no...don’t make me tell..." – the ex-marina’s voice trembled.

"TELL ME NOW. I won’t tolerate insubordination!" – The gentle tones in the judge’s voice were now long forgotten, replaced by anger and harshness, partially because he realized how important it was to show Kanon how firm he could be from the very start, to set the bases for their relation right, but partially also because the ex-marina’s hesitation reminded the judge of his previous disobedience, something that really angered him.

"I...I..." – Kanon had his eyes fixed on some point in the canopy of the bed, but in truth, he was staring past it. Right into the eye of the storm, into the very center of the whirlpool of horror and fear that flooded all his senses and filled his mind with the idea that if he answered that question, all could be lost, but if he didn’t answer, it would be certainly the case.

And for some reason, Kanon was sure that if he lied, the judge would know. Somehow, he would know. It was irrational, but he couldn’t shake that thought from his mind. And perhaps he was right. After all, there was much more to the Underworld and the specters’ powers than meets the eye. Especially concerning the three judges.

And this is what decided Kanon to take a dangerous step, one against which all his instincts advised him. One filled only with unknown and darkness. He continued, with the trembling voice of a man condemned, and who knows himself unable to escape his demise.

"I was thinking...that I ...have no guarantees that you are not lying to me, and won’t just abandon Saga to whatever fate."

That was it.
He had said it, and now he clutched the bed-sheets with his tired fingers, burying the nails into his palms through the fabric until his knuckles turned white from the effort of not screaming.

The judge was silent. That horrified Kanon even more, and he didn’t even dare to look at Rhadamanthys’ face to try to guess what he might be feeling. He had failed enough times with his previous attempts. Maybe he had lost his ability to predict his enemies’ reactions.
Or maybe this would be destiny’s way to get back at him. Blind to the cosmo and unable to read the others’ emotions, he would fall straight into utter doom.

And bring Saga down with him.

A tear rolled down Kanon’s cheek, disappearing into the hair behind his ear lobe.

After a long silence, Rhadamanthys ordered in a neutral voice.

"Sit up."

Shaking, Kanon obeyed, using his hands to force his tired body up.

As soon as he reached a more or less stable sitting position, the blow came. His head jerked to the side, his cheek burning and turning into a shade pinker than the other side of his face, Kanon stared into the emptiness, unsure of what had just happened.
A loud slap had connected with his cheek.
Was that all...?
He touched his face, feeling the warmth spreading through his skin. Rhadamanthys lifted his hand again for a second, should the first slap not have been enough, but Kanon lowered his gaze as soon as he saw the look in the judge’s face, and incomprehension rather than defiance was all that showed on his features.

"Now...are you calmer?" – Unsure of how to answer the judge, Kanon just nodded softly, his head still low, and Rhadamanthys continued. "You don’t know me very well yet, and you already have other things waiting for you later when you’re in a better condition, so exceptionally, I won’t punish you further for your foolish thoughts. You did well to confess them. Should you have remained silent or lied, the punishment would be much worse than you can imagine." – Kanon shuddered, sure that the judge was far from bluffing.
"This is a completely exceptional thing, Kanon. Don’t expect to escape punishment for anything else from now on. But I was pleased by your sincere answer, and don’t feel the need to put you through anymore despair." – The ex-marina started to raise his head when the judge added: "At the present moment. Of course, should you ever disobey me, lie to me or disrespect me, I’ll happily give you much worse than just despair. Remember it."

Kanon was delicious to see that way, his eyes cast down, his face pink both from the remaining flush and partially from the slap, his hair ruffled and falling over his eyes as he sat there trembling, lips still partially open to breath due to not being used to the collar yet.

The judge was torn between feeling stupid for not punishing Kanon further, and feeling like he shouldn’t overdo it, least the ex-marina would be afraid to tell the truth in the future.
Especially considering how Kanon wasn’t usually well disposed to say the truth in the first place.

When gaining control over someone, one must never put the person in a situation where they have no way out. Mind games and power games work just like any other battle, and as Alexander the Great once said, one should never corner an enemy completely, for deprived of any way out they will fight a thousand times more fiercely than if they were left a way to escape. Allowing Kanon to be able to answer without as much fear was a necessity to ensure that he wouldn’t lie to the judge in the future.

So instead, Rhadamanthys worded his reply in a way that it turned the situation to his complete advantage, despite the lack of further punishment.

"Since it’s the first time I ask you a question like that, and since I was pleased by your truthful answer, I am rewarding you by not punishing you this time, despite what you thought of me."
Kanon looked up briefly, and seemed to have trouble assimilating the information, uncertainty still filling his features.

"Have you looked underneath your pillow these days?"

The question caught the Greek completely unaware, and for a second, he stared at the specter’s face, as if he was speaking a foreign language he couldn’t understand. He quickly looked away, worried, but Rhadamanthys gestured with his chin for him to check the pillow, and Kanon obeyed, sliding his hand beneath it. His fingers touched something that felt different from the silky sheets, something bundled up, made of fabric, but that felt rougher.
A wild hope forming in his eyes, Kanon pulled it out quickly, holding it as if it was the most precious of the treasures.

The arm-bands Saga had given him as a child.

"H....How?! I thought they had burned?!"

"I missed the fireplace. And after you passed out, I decided to keep them after all. Well, what was left of them. I thought it could be useful as a reward later, and this proves that I was right."

Kanon looked up, finally daring to keep his gaze on a judge’s face. Embarrassed and unsure of what to say, he couldn’t help a flush that took over his skin once again, to the delight of the specter.

"I...thank you...thank you so much, Rhadamanthys." – He whispered the last part quickly, suddenly worried the judge might not find the direct use of the name respectful enough, despite having given his permission earlier, but the specter didn’t object.

"Don’t forget that just like you are mine, everything here is. Those arm-bands are not yours anymore than anything else here will ever be. I can take them from you or destroy them any time if I so wish. But I’ll allow you to have them for now, as a reward for your sincerity. Keep pleasing me, and you’ll continue being rewarded. Displease me, and you’ll regret it. And, as a side-effect, those arm-bands might disappear too."

Kanon nodded carefully, knowing better than saying anything, but he clutched the bands to his chest as if it was the only thing that mattered in the world. They were the only thing he had from Saga, after all.

"I think you’d also like to know that I went to visit your brother in the First Prison today."

At the simple mention of Saga’s name, Kanon’s complete attention let go of the bands and turned immediately to the judge. It was as if he was a completely different man from the wounded one he was until a second ago. A gleam in his eyes, Kanon openly stared at the specter’s face, waiting for more information, dropping all of the despaired appearance he sported until that moment.
The judge was surprised at first, but quickly made the thought connection. Kanon was a gold saint, after all. When things get serious, they’re always ready, no matter how badly wounded they are, physically or psychologically. It wasn’t any different from the way Saga himself behaved.

The judge continued, "If you still have any doubts whether you can trust me or not, I believe they’ll be lifted now that you know that I interrupted a torture session and offered your brother to have his wounds taken care of, out of pure good-will and despite the fact our deal didn’t require me to do any of the such."

Kanon went livid at the mention of Saga being tortured by the specters. His mind racing to process the information the judge had just given him without allowing himself to sink back into the horror he experienced when he watched his brother and the rest of the gold saints being beaten at the prisoner camps, he used all his will to focus on the present moment.
There was nothing he could do to prevent whatever bad treatments their enemies might come up with before the judgment. He had come that far and offered the judge that deal exactly because he realized well that the most important of all was what would come after the tribunal. Either eternal agony, or a possibility of reincarnation after a much shorter length of suffering. If he let himself be disturbed by whatever might happen prior to the judgment, there was a risk that he would win a battle to lose a war.
What mattered was the long run. Saga was strong, stronger than he could ever be, Kanon repeated to himself. But despite the fact he had accepted this idea, and that he knew he had to ignore whatever might happen before the judgment, knowing what was happening to Saga still hurt just as much.
Which is precisely why hearing that Rhadamanthys had helped Saga was all the more amazing and wonderful at Kanon’s ears.

He stared at the judge, almost in disbelief, unable to understand what could have motivated his intervention during the torture session.

Rhadamanthys spoke again.
"It’s up to you to believe me or not, but I think that as a gold saint, even deprived of your cosmo you should be able to realize that I am telling the truth."

Kanon nodded softly, a smile spreading over his features, so wide and beautiful that it made something funny twist inside the judge’s heart. His eyes wet with tears, that smile so filled of gratitude taking over his face, Kanon looked at the judge in a way he never had before, and Rhadamanthys didn’t know what was the strange feeling spreading inside him when the ex-marina held onto his hand and whispered "Thank you so much..." before kissing his fingers, to the specter’s surprise.

For a moment, Rhadamanthys wasn’t sure if he could really bring himself to break something that had such beautiful eyes, and that looked at him that way.

But the judge’s determination was stronger than those strange feelings he didn’t quite understand, and he willed himself to pull his fingers out of between Kanon’s hands, stand from the bed and order his slave to follow him into the large adjacent bathroom.


Testing the temperature of the water the servants had prepared for his bath when he returned, the judge was reassured to see it was still hot. Turning then to Kanon, Rhadamanthys ordered him to remove the larger bandages he was wearing.

"Considering that you are still wounded, I won’t have you bathe me yet, but I do plan to have some entertainment during my bath."

Discarding his clothes, Rhadamanthys tossed them over a small table with some bottles and bath amenities, and stepped into the wide marble bathtub, large enough for two or three persons to fit, closer to a small square shaped spa pool than to a simple bathtub.

There were three steps in the inside of the bathtub, allowing the bathers to sit at the height they wanted. Savoring the pleasant feeling of the warm water against his skin, the judge sat on the middle step on the other end of the tub and motioned for Kanon to approach and take place on the side across from him.

"Sit down on the edge out of the water and spread your legs for me."

Hesitantly, Kanon obeyed, doing his best to avoid looking as filled with dread as he actually was. The contact of the marble against the bare skin of his buttocks felt strange, both cold and hot on same time.

He assumed the position he thought the judge wanted, but Rhadamanthys leaned closer and held him by the shoulder, guiding him to lean back a bit, before spreading the ex-marina’s legs wider than he originally had. Kanon clenched his teeth hard and balanced himself using his hands on the large edge of the pool, still feeling dizzy from the difficulty he has having to breathe with the collar.

"Perfect. Now we can start..." – There was a clear hint of something feral in the judge’s voice, all of a sudden.

Kanon shivered. Swallowing back the tears, he closed his eyes, and focused on the image of Saga’s face.




******
[To Be Continued]
[Next Scene: "Going Under."]
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Sagakure, February 18th, 2006 (But uploaded on July 21st, 2006.)