While Sky slept—

  He dreamed of home.

  He sat at the dinner table, his parents beside him. Warm food filled the plates, laughter echoed through the room, and candlelight flickered softly as they celebrated his birthday together.

  “Happy birthday,” his mother said with a gentle smile.

  Then—

  A blinding light burst forth.

  “—!”

  Sky squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them again, the warmth was gone.

  The room was dark.

  Empty.

  “Mom…? Dad…?” he called out.

  No answer.

  His voice echoed uselessly as he ran through the darkness, calling their names again and again.

  Then—

  Knock.

  He froze.

  Knock. Knock.

  A voice followed, clear and unmistakable.

  “Sky.”

  —

  Sky jolted upright.

  His heart pounded as he sucked in a sharp breath. Morning light streamed through the curtains, bathing the room in gold.

  “…A dream,” he whispered.

  But the knocking continued.

  “Sky. Sky. Wake up now.”

  It was real.

  He quickly sat up, rubbing his eyes.

  “C-Coming!” he called out.

  Outside the door, Zeto’s calm voice followed.

  “We have a lot to do today. Her Majesty will be meeting with you.”

  Sky hurried out of bed and approached the door.

  “Mr. Zeto, you can come in,” he said, his voice still groggy. “Sorry… I just woke up. Thank you for waking me.”

  He hesitated, then smiled faintly.

  Sky exhaled softly and sat up on the bed, rubbing the lingering sleep from his eyes.

  “I had a bad dream…” he said quietly. “But overall, I slept well. I’ll get ready in just a bit.”

  Zeto, standing near the window with his arms folded, turned toward him. His expression softened slightly.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied. “If you don’t mind… would you like to tell me about it?”

  Stolen story; please report.

  Sky hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He spoke of his dream in hushed words—fragments of memories, blurred faces, and an overwhelming sense of loss. Zeto listened in silence, neither interrupting nor pressing him, until Sky finally finished.

  Some time later, Sky emerged, already dressed and neatly prepared.

  “Mr. Zeto,” Sky asked, “is my outfit okay?"

  Then he paused, noticing Zeto more carefully.

  “Wow… you’re completely covered up,” Sky added, tilting his head. “Where are we going? And why are you wearing such a thick jacket?”

  Zeto adjusted the collar of his coat.

  “I suggest you do the same,” he said calmly. “We’re heading outside, and if you’re not properly dressed, you might freeze.”

  Sky blinked.

  “Huh?” His eyes widened in surprise. “You mean… there’s snow outside?”

  Zeto gave a small nod.

  Sky froze for a moment before rushing toward the window. He had meant to look outside the night before, but exhaustion had claimed him first.

  Now, as he pulled the curtains aside—

  White.

  The entire world beyond the glass was blanketed in snow, glittering under the pale morning light.

  “…Whoa…”

  His heart leapt.

  Back in his hometown, snow never fell. This was something he had only ever seen on screens and in books. Excitement surged through him as he hurried to grab a jacket and put it on.

  As they stepped outside, cold air brushed against Sky’s cheeks—but he barely noticed. His eyes sparkled as he took in the scenery, each breath fogging in the air.

  But as they walked through the castle halls, something felt… off.

  Servants hurried past them, knights stood in solemn silence, and everywhere Sky looked, people were busy preparing something. Some had red, swollen eyes. Others quietly wiped away tears.

  The joy in Sky’s chest wavered.

  Confused, he tugged lightly at Zeto’s sleeve.

  “Mr. Zeto… why are people crying? Everyone looks so sad. What’s going on?”

  Zeto stopped walking.

  For a moment, he said nothing. Then he exhaled slowly.

  “…We’re going outside today because Prince Liyelo—Her Majesty’s son—is being laid to rest.”

  Sky’s breath caught.

  “We’re attending to pay our respects,” Zeto continued, voice heavy. “And today… the Empress will also formally introduce you to the people.”

  “…What?”

  Sky’s face drained of color.

  “Empress Yanara’s son… died? When? How? I—I didn’t know she was mourning. Yesterday she even prepared a feast for my birthday…”

  His voice trembled.

  “I didn’t know she was grieving…”

  Zeto clenched his fist.

  “She intended to explain everything after the burial. But since you asked… you deserve to know.”

  He looked straight ahead as he spoke.

  “Yesterday, when you were summoned, we performed an ancient forbidden ritual. A summoning that requires a life in exchange for another. A life for a life.”

  Sky felt his chest tighten.

  “And the one who cast the spell loses all their magic forever. That was Elder Councilor Graniya. After the ritual, her hair turned from white to black—proof that her magic is gone.”

  Zeto’s voice lowered.

  “This wasn’t a decision made overnight. The Empress struggled with it for years—ever since she learned about the prophecy .”

  Then his voice cracked.

  “Prince Liyelo learned of it… and volunteered.”

  Sky’s steps faltered.

  “He suffered from an incurable illness. He knew he didn’t have long. So he chose to give his life—to save his mother, his sister, and the entire empire.”

  Zeto swallowed hard.

  “Today, we honor him as a hero.”

  Sky’s hands trembled.

  “He never told Princess Liyela,” Zeto continued quietly. “He loved her too much to burden her with the truth. They were close—he was always watching over her.”

  Tears finally fell from Zeto’s eyes.

  “Prince Liyelo was one of the finest people I’ve ever known. My closest friend… Since childhood.”

  He smiled faintly through his tears.

  “I believe he’s at peace now—reunited with the late Emperor.”

  Sky couldn’t speak.

  The weight in his chest grew heavier with every step.

  When they reached the open grounds, the snowy world stretched endlessly before him—but its beauty felt distant now. People had gathered from all around, their faces solemn as they waited.

  A carriage arrived.

  Prince Liyelo’s body was brought forth.

  Behind it walked Empress Yanara… and Princess Liyela.

  When Sky saw the princess crying, clutching her chest as if her heart might break, something twisted painfully inside him.

  The burial ritual began.

  After the prayers, Empress Yanara stepped forward.

  Her voice was calm—but carried immeasurable grief.

  “I mourn deeply for my son, Prince Liyelo,” she said. “But if this was the will of our great Lord, then I accept it.”

  She raised her head.

  “Through his sacrifice, I have seen the depth of his love—as a son, and as a brother. He wished to save not only his family… but our future.”

  Her voice trembled.

  “He was not merely a beloved child.”

  She looked at the crowd.

  “He was our hero.”

  Silence filled the air.

  “Please honor him as such,” she said softly. “And never forget the life he gave for all of us.”

  One by one, people paid their respects. Soft whispers spread—stories of kindness, laughter, and memories from Prince Liyelo’s youth.

  Zeto stepped forward and knelt before the tomb. He placed something down—something only the two of them shared—and prayed silently.

  When the ritual ended, the Empress spoke once more.

  “And now…”

  She turned.

  “I introduce to you the one for whom my son gave his life.”

  Her gaze settled on Sky.

  “The one who will change our future.”

  “Our hero from another world—

  Sky Seiya Yagami Amain.”

  Sky froze.

  The Empress gestured for him to step forward. Embarrassment flooded him as countless eyes turned his way. He bowed awkwardly—and then noticed Princess Liyela still crying.

  When their eyes met, she quickly looked away.

  The crowd whispered.

  “Isn’t he too young?”

  “He’s our hope…”

  “Can he really save us?”

  Sky heard everything.

  Pressure crushed down on him.

  Then—a gentle tap on his back.

  Zeto stood beside him.

  I’m here.

  Reassured, Sky bowed deeply.

  Applause slowly began—until it filled the air.

  “Save us!”

  “We believe in you!”

  “I want to live with my family!”

  Sky clenched his fists.

  I can do this.

  I have to.

  “Prince Liyelo… please lend me your strength.”

  Tears slipped from his eyes.

  Suddenly—

  BOOM.

  Fireworks burst across the sky.

  A tribute to the fallen prince… and a blessing for the newborn hero.

  Sky wiped his tears and glanced at Princess Liyela. She was looking at him again.

  His face burned red, and he quickly looked away.

  He bowed to the Empress.

  Then to Zeto.

  Afterward, Sky hesitated.

  “Um… Mr. Zeto… may I walk around a bit?”

  Zeto studied him, then nodded.

  “Of course.”

  With the Empress’s permission, they walked—holy knights following quietly.

  Sky touched the snow, laughter slowly returning. Then he noticed something strange—clouds drifting close enough to touch.

  “C-clouds…? Why are they so close?”

  Zeto smiled.

  “Because Banalaya rests atop the highest mountain in the land.”

  Sky gasped.

  “So… we’re really that high?”

  “Higher than you think.”

  Excitement surged through Sky.

  “Later,” Zeto said, “your training will begin. In another kingdom.”

  Sky’s heart pounded.

  Then—growl.

  Zeto chuckled.

  “Looks like it’s time.”

  Sky laughed shyly.

  “…Yeah. Thank you.”

  Together, they returned to the castle.