Why the Unwilling Gemini Became the Key to Sanctuary’s Victory in The Lost Canvas?
Within the rich tapestry of Saint Seiya lore, the Gemini twins consistently emerge as some of the most complex and compelling characters. They are beings who defy simple categorization, often wrestling with colossal ambitions and profound personal demons. In the era of The Lost Canvas, this archetype is embodied by the brothers Aspros and Defteros. Initially, neither had any intention of fighting for Athena; one was consumed by vengeance, the other by a desire for solitude. Yet, paradoxically, their unforeseen involvement became the pivotal factor that steered the Sanctuary toward victory. How did two reluctant warriors become the linchpins of success?
The Indispensable Power Injection
As the Holy War raged on, the Sanctuary’s forces were decimated. The assault on Hades’ castle, Lune Camino (LC), had left most warriors petrified, leaving only a handful of elites like Tenma and Regulus. The situation was dire, with the star-themed (Makyo) elites still waiting ahead. It was at this critical juncture that the Gemini twins entered the fray.
Defteros, inheritor of the Gold Cloth, was spurred to action by the death of Sage Sage. His arrival provided three crucial advantages. First, he was one of only two individuals who knew the secret of Athena’s Cloth, instructing Dohko to deliver it—a move vital for the final battle. Second, with the other young Gold Saints still developing their power, Defteros was the only one capable of confronting and containing his corrupted brother, Aspros, buying the Sanctuary invaluable time. Third, Aspros himself eventually awakened, transcending notions of good and evil. While claiming to serve only himself, he eliminated the master manipulator behind the scenes, Kagaho, effectively removing a supreme threat second only to Hades himself.
The Only One Who Could Defeat the Time God
The question arises: could Tenma in his God Cloth have defeated the treacherous Time God, Kagami? Perhaps, but the newly empowered Tenma was untested against such esoteric abilities. With Regulus fallen and the others exhausted, only Aspros possessed the unique combination of power, knowledge, and circumstance to counter Kagami’s reality-bending techniques.
As a former Pope candidate, Aspros’ vast intellectual arsenal allowed him to neutralize Kagami’s time-stop ability. Furthermore, having died two years prior and been resurrected as an immortal Specter, he was immune to Kagami’s life-reversal attack. In a final, breathtaking act of human defiance, Aspros used Aries Aiolia’s prayer beads to tear open a divine channel—a feat typically possible only for gods or those in God Cloths—and sealed Kagami away forever, erasing a monumental threat from the chessboard.
Shaping the Key Players: Dohko and Tenma
The influence of Defteros extended beyond direct combat, critically shaping the two other central heroes. The mighty Libra Dohko, gravely wounded by Hades’ sword, was saved from death only because Defteros used his own god-touched blood to heal him. Beyond saving his life, Defteros, whom Dohko greatly admired, altered his memories before effortlessly opening a dimensional portal to LC, an awe-inspiring display of power that cemented his legend.
Similarly, the journey of Tenma, the Pegasus Saint, is inextricably linked to Defteros. Initially a novice requiring protection, Tenma was sent to Defteros on Cane Island for training. Under his harsh but supremely effective tutelage, Tenma was forced to grasp the essence of the Seventh Sense in a shockingly short time. This rapid growth transformed him from a liability into a core pillar of the Sanctuary’s forces, ready for the climactic battles aboard the Ship of Hope.
The story of Aspros and Defteros is a powerful testament to the Gemini spirit: independent, unpredictable, and fiercely powerful. They did not fight for glory or dogma, but their actions, driven by personal resolve and immense capability, inadvertently became the cornerstone upon which victory was built. Their narrative reminds us that sometimes, the most crucial turning points come from the most unexpected places.
