Garuda Aiacos

Celestial Valiance Star, Garuda Aiacos (天雄星ガルーダのアイアコス, Tenyūsei Garūda no Aiakosu) is one of the prominent characters throughout the arc. Along with Wyvern Rhadamanthys and Gryphon Minos, he is part of a collective known as The 3 Judges of Hell. Aiacos' power stems from the Celestial Valiance Star (天雄星).

"X" Marks The Spot
With his role as one of the big 3 Judges of Hell, Garuda Aiacos is easily one of the more powerful spectres in the Underworld.

Aiacos has two main techniques at his disposal. The "Garuda Flap" is a two part attack: Aiacos first expels a gust of wind through his arms, sending the opponent soaring miles into the air at top speed. The spectre then crosses an "X" on the ground with his feet and begins a 3 second countdown. At the end of it, the opponent is knocked back down to the ground, usually crashing onto the "X" as marked.

"Galactica Illusion" is the Garuda's stronger technique. At its most basic, it is a more powerful version of the "Garuda Flap", minus the countdown. Grand illusions of demonic eyes are seen flashing in the background as Aiacos unleashes a high speed air current at his opponent through crossed arms.

Mythical Garuda vs. Immortal Phoenix
Garuda Aiacos, without his Surplice's headpiece, in a panel from the manga, vol. 25. Drawing by the author Masami Kurumada.Along with Gryphon Minos, Garuda Aiacos appeared on the scene during the fight between Wyvern Rhadamanthys and Gemini Kanon. It seems Rhadamanthys was having difficulty dealing with the Gemini Gold Saint, and would've tasted defeat had the two Judges not intervene. Garuda immediately took an interest in the battle and hit Kanon with the "Galactic Illusion". Kanon survived, but soon fell victim to Gryphon Minos' "Cosmic Marionettion" technique.

Bronze Saint Phoenix Ikki soon arrived to save Kanon from Minos. Aiacos, still itching for a good fight, challenged the Phoenix Saint to a match-up. Aiacos demonstrated his superior speed and agility over the saint, and caused sufficient damage with the "Garuda Flap". Ikki was hurled into the air before brutally crashing into the ground. However, the Phoenix was still intact. Amused, Aiacos gave the Phoenix a second taste of the technique. This time, Ikki did not land as expected—instead, the bronze saint countered the move and swiftly smashed Aiacos' back as he recovered. Standing triumphantly over his opponent, Ikki stated that the same technique cannot be successfully used against a saint twice.

Of course, Aiacos was not out, and offered to show Ikki a stronger move—the "Galactica Illusion". Hundreds of illus ional eyes flashed open within a cosmic storm as an air current sent Ikki flying into the air and to his apparent demise. The Garuda began to gloat that he had finally finished off the Phoenix, but soon enough, Ikki was on his feet once more. At this point, Gemini Saint Kanon warned Aiacos that every time Ikki was resurrected, he would become more powerful than before. Aiacos, refusing to believe in such nonsense, attacked the bronze saint with swift straight punches—with none connecting.

Aiacos was in disbelief at Ikki's newfound speed, but before he could do anything else, the Phoenix hit him with his infamous "Phoenix Genma Ken". The spectre shrugged off the move and responded with another "Galactica Illusion" -- but to his horror, Ikki stood unharmed and reiterated his earlier statement—the same technique cannot be successfully used against a saint twice. He then reversed the attack, and Aiacos' entire body was completely hacked to pieces by his own move.

Aiacos snapped out of a trance when he realized it was an illusion—the effects of Ikki's demonic "Genma Ken". Minos and Rhadamanthys were dumbfounded as to what had happened, while Kanon stood amazed at having witnessed the "Genma Ken" again. Ikki then declared that the match was over; Aiacos was no longer a suitable opponent for him. Enraged at the idea that a Judge of Hell like himself would lose to a mere bronze saint, Aiacos charged towards Ikki with another attack. Ikki, now more concerned with the rumors of his brother having become the next avatar of Hades, decided to quickly end the fight. Using the powerful "Hou Yoku Ten Sho", the Phoenix obliterated the Garuda with a decisive end.

Surplice
Aiacos' Surplice represents the mythical Garuda, the bird-like lesser divinity found in Hindu and Buddhist folklore.