South Atlantic Pillar.
Saga's opponent was a handsome man with light purple hair—and an old acquaintance.
"I didn't expect it to be you, Sorrento," Saga said with a bitter smile.
"Yes, fate truly has a sense of irony. Former close friends now stand on opposing sides…" The "Sea Siren" Sorrento also sighed.
But the "close friend" he mentioned wasn't Saga—it was Orpheus of Lyra.
Both had been students at the music academy. Gifted and passionate about music, they had naturally become close friends.
Sorrento had once been invited by Orpheus to hold several concerts in Sanctuary. At the time, nearly all the Saints and many Sanctuary residents had seen his performances. Unfortunately, Sorrento was already older by then and lacked the qualities needed to become a Saint. He never stayed, or else he might have become a Saint or a candidate.
One day, he vanished, leaving behind only a strange letter:
"We shall meet again someday. I hope you'll be able to accept it."
Only now did Saga finally understand what that message had meant.
…
…
The Sorrento who reappeared had become one of Poseidon's Marine Generals—the "Sea Siren." He was now their enemy.
"You're a kind person, Sorrento. Why side with evil?" The current Saga had already rid himself of his inner darkness, once again the gentle, virtuous man he had been.
"I am the Sea Siren now, Saga. Even if you were once a friend, I won't stand by while you insult Lord Poseidon." Sorrento's voice held a warning.
"I see. I spoke carelessly," Saga admitted, recognizing Sorrento's unwavering resolve.
"Then let's fight, Saga. You are no longer my audience, and I… am no longer the man I once was."
"Very well—Demonic Emperor Illusion Fist!"
Saga raised a finger and a beam of light shot toward Sorrento.
Even now, Saga did not wish to kill him—he only intended to render him unable to fight.
But Sorrento showed no reaction to the attack. With his golden flute raised to his lips, he calmly began to play.
The melody was elegant, yet carried a strange undertone. The beam pierced straight through his forehead, but Sorrento's playing did not falter.
When the song ended, he lowered his flute and smiled.
"So that's it. A technique similar to Orpheus's—using different tunes to create different effects?" Saga instantly understood the trick.
"You flatter me. This one was called Gloom Before Dawn. Spiritual attacks are ineffective against me."
"Is that so?" Saga thought to himself.
"Then allow me to continue—Symphony at Death's End."
A new piece began to play. It was gentle, like sunlight filtering through a forest, full of life and warmth. A deer stood in the light, pure and innocent, its wide black eyes gazing curiously.
Yet beneath that beautiful scene, Saga sensed hidden malice.
"As expected of you, Saga—Gemini Gold Saint, the embodiment of inner light," Sorrento said. His lips no longer touched the flute, yet his fingers continued playing. It was no ordinary melody—it resonated with his cosmos. "Symphony at Death's End is my ultimate piece, born from all my past. Only those with pure hearts will feel peace from it. But for those with evil in their hearts, the pain will be unbearable. Their power will be suppressed to less than one percent, and eventually, they will be cleansed and vanish within the melody."
"Is that really true, Sorrento? These are your compositions. Aren't you the one who defines good and evil?" Saga asked, still smiling and listening.
"You noticed after all. But I would never do that. Music should remain pure. Altering its meaning for any agenda is a disgrace to the art."
"But this way, you'll never defeat me, Sorrento."
"Is that so? Then prepare for the climax—Symphony at Death's End's finale is coming."
Suddenly, the music grew wild. The forest turned restless, gentle creatures fled, and predators emerged from the shadows.
The hunt had begun.
"Final Movement of Death's End!"
"What—ahh!"
The abrupt shift gave no warning. A torrent of cosmos surged forth. Caught off guard, Saga clutched his head, writhing on the ground from the overwhelming pain.
"You underestimated me, Saga. You thought I was just playing music?"
"Ahhh! Stop! Make it stop!" Saga cried, unable to focus.
"The Sea Siren… also known as a sea witch or siren. Half-bird or half-fish, they lure sailors with their songs. Those entranced become their prey."
"Ahhh!"
Splat—
With that final note, Saga's screams ceased. Blood burst from his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. His arms fell limp as he collapsed.
"When you chose to listen to my music, your fate was sealed. Saga… if I had a choice, I wouldn't have killed you. But…"
Sorrento lamented his fallen friend. Yet mid-sentence, his expression twisted in horror. His pale face flushed red as he clutched his mouth—
But it was futile.
Blood poured from his eyes, nose, and ears. His hands could not stop it.
Just like Saga's seemingly tragic collapse—Sorrento now mirrored that exact agony.
"How… how can this be… what happened?" Sorrento was shocked. He'd struck Saga down without resistance—so why was he now the one on the brink of death?
"A marvelous performance, Sorrento."
"What!?"
Sorrento whipped around—there stood Saga, unharmed.
"Impossible… you…"
Sorrento staggered to his feet, coughing blood, and then froze. He realized the truth. "…Demonic Emperor Illusion Fist!"
"Correct."
"No! That's impossible! I nullified your illusion attack with Gloom Before Dawn! Unless… did you use another chance? But… I never looked away from you."
"There was no other chance. I didn't need one. It was exactly when you thought you had nullified it."
"Lies! It's meaningless to deceive me, Saga!"
"Sorrento, you're gentle and easygoing with others—but I know deep down, you are extremely proud."
"You—"
"You and Orpheus were close friends, but also rivals. In truth, you always envied his musical talent. Isn't that right?"
"…" Silence. Saga had exposed the truth hidden in Sorrento's heart.
"Your pride was your strength—but it also led to your downfall. Your confidence became arrogance, blinding you to the truth. Countering techniques can be effective, yes—but only if your cosmos can support them."
"You mean… your cosmos is stronger than mine?" Sorrento's face turned grim.
"Exactly."
With that, Saga unleashed his full cosmos. Golden light shimmered behind him, forming the faint image of the Gemini constellation.
"This cosmos… it's impossible… you…"
Sorrento was horrified. Saga's cosmos wasn't just stronger—it was on a completely different level.
The Eighth Sense!
A state beyond the limits of humanity—standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the gods themselves!
Saga had crossed the threshold into the Eighth Sense. And more than that—it wasn't temporary or unstable. His cosmos was steady and natural.
He had already stepped beyond humanity and joined the ranks of the divine.
"No matter how clever your techniques are, they're meaningless before a cosmos that completely overwhelms you," Saga said.
"The Eighth Sense… you've reached the Eighth Sense…" Sorrento's expression twisted in despair.
His pride had been shattered once more—first by Orpheus's musical talent, now by Saga's overwhelming power.
"Stand down, Sorrento. I don't wish to kill you," Saga urged.
"Hah… don't… look down on me, Saga!" Sorrento roared. "I am the Sea Siren! A warrior of Lord Poseidon! Even if I die—I will carry out Lord Poseidon's will! It is my mission! My honor! Don't insult me any further!"
"Is that so? I understand."
Saga nodded, accepting Sorrento's resolve. Slowly, he raised a hand to his face.
A flash of gold—and a golden mask appeared, covering his face.
"What is that!?" Sorrento gasped as Saga's cosmos rose even higher, radiating divine majesty.
"It's over, Sorrento—Gemini Arc Lightning."
"No!"
Saga moved. His cosmos formed a powerful magnetic field centered on the pillar. The faintest arc of electricity shattered a corner of the pillar.
"Stop!"
Sorrento lunged forward, burning his cosmos and playing furiously in a desperate attempt to protect the pillar.
But it was all in vain.
The moment he entered the magnetic field, his Scale Armor was crushed to dust—followed by the South Atlantic Pillar itself.
Falling to the ground, the Sea Siren Sorrento tried to rise, but his body no longer responded. He could only lift his head to meet Saga's eyes.
"I lost again. You must be… the strongest Saint now, aren't you?"
"I wouldn't say the strongest. There are still two people I've never beaten."
"Is that… so?"
With those words, Sorrento's head dropped, and he lost consciousness.
Saga had shown mercy—and…
He turned to see the other six pillars also crumble in the distance. He believed in Melin. Poseidon would surely be defeated.
After that, there would no longer be a Sea Siren Sorrento—only Sorrento the musician.
And Saga… had glimpsed a secret buried deep in Sorrento's heart.
Was he truly loyal to Poseidon?