A Dream of What Was Lost
At first, there was only darkness.
Then—
He saw them.
His mother.
His sister.
They stood in the kitchen of their old home, his mother humming softly as she cooked, his little sister sitting at the table, kicking her legs.
A warm golden light filled the house, sunlight streaming through the windows.
Satoshi stood there, watching, feeling weightless.
His mother turned, her soft eyes meeting his.
"You're up early today," she said, smiling.
Satoshi opened his mouth—but no words came.
His sister grinned. "Mom, Satoshi's acting weird!"
Their voices were so familiar. So real.
His mother laughed. "That's just how your brother is."
Satoshi's chest tightened.
His mother turned back to the stove, stirring a pot of soup.
"Come sit," she said, glancing over her shoulder. "Breakfast is almost ready."
Satoshi's breath caught.
He wanted to.
He wanted to walk forward.
He wanted to stay here.
But deep down—
He knew he couldn't.
Because this world wasn't real.
His mother was dead.
His sister was gone.
And Satoshi…
Was alone.
The warmth around him flickered.
The house began to blur.
His mother's voice grew distant.
"Satoshi?"
His sister's smile faded.
The golden light dimmed.
Satoshi clenched his fists.
He didn't want to wake up.
Not yet.
But—
The world was already falling apart.
And as the dream crumbled into nothing, the last thing he saw—
Was his mother smiling at him one last time.
A Cold Awakening
Satoshi's eyes snapped open.
The warm golden light was gone.
He was back in the palace.
The air was too cold. Too empty.
He stared at the ceiling, his body frozen.
Then, slowly—he let out a breath.
"…Damn it."
He turned onto his side, curling slightly, his chest still aching.
For a moment, he just lay there, staring at the wall.
Then—he closed his eyes.
And tried to pretend he was still dreaming.
The Weight of Power
The morning sun bathed the kingdom of Ephemeral in golden light, its warmth spilling over the palace courtyards, cascading across marble pillars and intricate mosaics that told stories of gods and fallen empires.
But the air—the air was heavy.
Satoshi felt it the moment he stepped outside.
Not the warmth of the sun.
Not the gentle breeze that stirred through the kingdom.
No.
It was the tension of war.
And it was everywhere.
The Ones Who Prepare for Battle
He walked through the palace grounds until he found Amelia and Camila in the lower training courtyard.
Amelia's violet eyes burned, her body shrouded in shadows, moving with an unnatural grace. Spectral figures—illusions of enemies—shifted around her, each one cut down with a single flick of her fingers.
Camila, standing a short distance away, was motionless.
Until she wasn't.
A single step forward—
And time fractured.
Her Eyes of Time rotated, slowing the movement of everything around her, distorting reality itself.
Satoshi leaned against a stone pillar, grinning.
"Damn. You two woke up early."
Amelia glanced at him, not stopping her attack as another illusion crumbled into nothing.
"You slept in."
Satoshi shrugged. "First warm bed I've had in years."
Camila, not looking at him, simply spoke. "You're late."
"For what?"
"To prepare."
Satoshi stretched, his Eyes of Sloth flickering with lazy amusement. "For what exactly?"
Camila stopped moving, her golden gaze turning toward him.
"For the war."
A War Already Decided
Satoshi's grin faded slightly.
Camila continued, her tone cold, precise, absolute.
"The three kingdoms are making war plans as we speak."
Satoshi tilted his head. "So that's where Liam is?"
"Yes," Camila confirmed. "He's meeting with the rulers of the three kingdoms. In a few days, they plan to launch an attack on the Abyss Clan."
Satoshi's Eyes of Wrath burned faintly.
"So soon?"
Camila nodded. "This war has already started. We're just stepping into it late."
Amelia exhaled, her shadows shifting around her fingers.
"We're preparing now because once the attack starts—there won't be time for anything else."
Satoshi crossed his arms. "And what about Liam? What's his role in all this?"
Camila's gaze darkened slightly.
"He's their strongest warrior."
Satoshi smirked. "And he's only at stage two?"
Camila sighed. "You say that like it means nothing."
Satoshi grinned. "Come on. I fought him. He was holding a lot back."
Camila exhaled, stepping forward.
"You don't understand. Liam's second stage isn't just power."
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Then explain."
Camila nodded.
And then—she did.
The Depth of Liam's Strength
"Liam has reached the second stage of his power," Camila said, pacing slowly. "And with it, he has control over everything."
Satoshi frowned. "Everything?"
Camila's Eyes of Time gleamed.
"Let me explain."
She lifted a hand—
And the world slowed.
The air grew thick, time itself hesitating, as if reality itself feared what she was about to say.
"Liam possesses the Five Great Elements."
Satoshi listened as she spoke, her words heavy, like the weight of an ancient prophecy.
The Five Great Elements:
Earth, the foundation of all existence.Land, the domain of structure and stability.Fire, the force of destruction and rebirth.Flame, the superior form of fire, bending even energy itself.Water, fluid and eternal, stronger than fire.Wind, the unseen blade, sharp enough to cut time.Space, the absolute void that devours all things.
But that was only the beginning.
Camila's voice deepened.
"He also possesses Holy and Demonic Alignments."
Satoshi blinked. "That's a contradiction."
Camila smirked faintly. "Yes."
Satoshi exhaled. "And let me guess—since he holds both, he exists as something above both?"
Camila's gaze sharpened.
"He is Chaos."
Satoshi let out a low whistle.
"Damn. That's kinda cool."
But she wasn't done.
"He also wields Aspectual Magic—the ability to bend the laws of nature itself."
Satoshi grinned. "And?"
Camila exhaled.
"Blessed Body."
Satoshi froze.
Camila nodded. "His body is made of divine blessings. Trying to remove them is the same as killing him."
Satoshi's grin widened. "Oh, that's nasty."
Camila's voice grew even quieter.
"And then… there is God's Gazza."
The moment she spoke those words, the very air seemed to tremble.
Satoshi's Eyes of Sloth flickered. "That sounds ominous."
Camila's golden gaze darkened.
"It is."
God's Gazza: A power that allows Liam to invoke absolute suffering upon those who have sinned.
A gaze that binds their soul to their own transgressions, leaving them to suffer in a torment that cannot be undone.
It does not kill. It does not destroy. It simply makes one wish they had never existed.
Satoshi tilted his head. "That's… terrifying."
Camila nodded.
"Even the strongest beings fear his gaze."
But even that wasn't the last of Liam's power.
She continued.
"He also possesses Angelic Armor, Absolute Swordsmanship, and Blessing Creation."
Satoshi smirked. "So in short—he's a walking, talking, living divine weapon."
Camila sighed. "Yes."
Satoshi stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Damn. And he was only using a fraction of that in our fight?"
"Yes."
Satoshi laughed. "I really need a rematch."
Camila ignored him.
Then—her gaze sharpened.
"This is the kind of power the Abyss Clan will face."
Her golden eyes locked onto Satoshi.
"And now you understand why this war cannot be lost."
Satoshi exhaled slowly.
Then, his Eyes of Wrath flickered to life.
His usual grin remained—
But something dangerous burned behind it.
"Yeah," he murmured. "I get it now."
And the air itself trembled.
The Caged Princess and the Wandering King
The golden light of morning bathed the kingdom of Ephemeral, its streets buzzing with life, the sounds of merchants and travelers filling the air.
Satoshi stretched lazily, stepping out onto the palace's grand terrace, the view of the city stretching endlessly before him.
Yesterday had been a whirlwind of war councils, battles, and revelations.
Today—
He wanted to see what this world had to offer.
But before he could take a single step—
A voice called out behind him.
"Satoshi."
He turned.
Standing there, illuminated by the morning sun, was Athena.
Her golden hair shimmered, her celestial rings spinning gently behind her, radiating a power that could reshape reality itself. Yet, despite her overwhelming presence, her expression was soft, filled with something almost… hesitant.
Satoshi smirked. "Princess."
Athena tilted her head. "Where are you going?"
Satoshi stretched. "Looking around. Didn't get the chance to explore yesterday."
Athena hesitated for a moment.
Then—she took a step forward.
"Can I come with you?"
Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "You? The princess?"
Athena nodded, her golden eyes filled with something deeper.
"I have never seen the city before."
Satoshi blinked. "Wait. Never?"
She shook her head.
"I've always wanted to. But…" She hesitated, glancing away. "Liam never let me."
Satoshi frowned. "Why?"
Athena's voice was quiet.
"Because of the Abyss Clan."
She turned back to him, her gaze steady.
"They have tried to take me twenty-three times."
The air around them stilled.
Satoshi's Eyes of Sloth flickered.
Twenty-three times.
Not once.
Not twice.
Twenty-three.
"…Damn," he muttered.
Athena nodded. "So I was never allowed to go anywhere. No academy. No friends. Just… this palace. This room. This world that I could see but never touch."
She exhaled softly. "Until now."
A small smile formed on her lips.
"I want to go."
Satoshi studied her for a moment.
Then—he grinned.
"Well," he said, turning back toward the city.
"Let's go."
A World Seen for the First Time
The streets of Ephemeral were nothing short of a dream.
The towering buildings, carved from enchanted stone, stood grand and eternal, golden runes glowing softly along their walls. The streets pulsed with energy, the lifeblood of a civilization untouched by war.
Elves in flowing robes moved with quiet grace, dwarves barked at merchants in deep, booming voices, beastmen weaved through the crowds with effortless agility.
And Athena—
Athena was mesmerized.
She had read about it. Imagined it.
But seeing it—feeling it—
It was real.
Her golden eyes shimmered as they passed a market stall, the scent of spiced fruit filling the air. She watched children laughing, running past them, their smiles unburdened by fear.
She saw a bard performing in the street, his enchanted lute weaving illusions into the air.
She heard the sound of prayer from a distant temple, a place devoted not to war, but to life.
And slowly—
She began to understand what she had missed.
Satoshi grinned as she stared at everything with wide, almost childlike awe.
"You good?" he asked.
Athena nodded quickly.
"Yes."
Her voice was almost breathless.
"This is… this is more than I ever imagined."
Satoshi chuckled. "Yeah? What did you expect?"
She hesitated.
"…I don't know."
Then—her expression dimmed.
And she whispered—
"I hate my power."
Satoshi's grin faded.
He glanced at her. "Why?"
Athena's hands clenched slightly.
"Because of my power, I was never allowed to live."
Her voice was soft, but there was weight behind it.
"I was born with the ability to create anything. Any ability, any law, any rule—I could manifest it. And because of that…"
She exhaled, looking away.
"I never had friends."
Satoshi didn't speak. He just listened.
"I was always locked away. Always watched. Always guarded. My brother wouldn't let me go to the royal academy. He wouldn't let me meet people. He was always afraid—afraid that I would be taken, that I would be used."
Her voice broke slightly.
"So I stayed. In my room. Alone."
She forced a small, bitter smile.
"This is my first time walking among my people."
Satoshi's chest tightened.
Not out of pity.
But because he understood.
In a way, he understood better than anyone.
Slowly, he turned to her.
And then—he smiled.
"Well," he said, "it's not gonna be your last time."
Athena blinked.
Satoshi smirked. "Because we're gonna fix this. We're gonna save this world. And when we do, you'll be able to go anywhere you want."
Athena stared at him. "You say that so easily."
Satoshi shrugged. "Because it's true."
Silence.
Then—Satoshi grinned wider.
"Oh, and by the way."
Athena raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Satoshi winked.
"Since we met yesterday, you're already my friend."
Athena froze.
Satoshi's grin didn't waver.
"I mean, yeah. That's how it works. We talk, we hang out, I insult Liam behind his back, you laugh, and now we're friends. Simple."
Athena stared at him.
Then—her hands trembled.
And before she even realized it—
Tears fell.
They were small at first. Just a flicker of liquid gold running down her cheeks.
Then more.
More than she could stop.
More than she could hold back.
She quickly wiped at her face, trying to control herself, trying to keep her composure.
But she couldn't.
Because in that moment—
Satoshi wasn't just saying words.
He meant them.
And for the first time in her life—
She wasn't a princess.
She wasn't a weapon.
She wasn't a target.
She was just—
A girl, crying because someone had called her a friend.
Satoshi scratched the back of his head. "Uh, you okay?"
Athena nodded quickly, trying to wipe the tears away.
Then—she laughed.
It was soft. Quiet.
But it was real.
"…Thank you."
Satoshi smirked. "Hey, I do what I can."
And in that moment—
In the heart of a kingdom preparing for war—
Two people stood in the middle of a crowded city.
A wandering king.
A caged princess.
And for the first time—
Athena felt free.
A Caged Bird Cannot Fly Forever
By the time Satoshi and Athena returned to the palace, the air had changed.
The golden halls, once warm and filled with an air of divine grandeur, now felt tense.
Knights moved frantically, their armor clanking as they searched every corridor, voices raised in urgent commands. Palace guards lined the entrance, weapons at the ready.
And at the center of it all—
Liam stood waiting.
His golden eyes burned with fury.
The moment he saw Athena at Satoshi's side, his expression darkened further.
He stepped forward, his aura suffocating, divine energy coiling around him like an impending storm.
"Athena," he said, his voice low, controlled—dangerous.
Athena hesitated. "Brother—"
Liam's gaze snapped to Satoshi.
"What did you think you were doing?"
Satoshi blinked. "Taking a walk?"
Liam's divine energy flared violently. "Do you think this is a joke?!"
Satoshi sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Not really. But you're kinda making it one."
Liam's fist clenched. "Do you have any idea what would have happened if she had been kidnapped?"
Satoshi grinned.
"Oh, that's easy."
He took a step closer, his Eyes of Wrath gleaming.
"Nothing."
The air grew cold.
Liam's expression twisted. "Nothing?"
Satoshi's grin widened.
"Yeah. Because I wouldn't have let it happen."
The room was silent.
Liam's divine aura flickered, his golden gaze piercing.
Satoshi exhaled. "Listen, I get it. You want to keep her safe. You've spent your entire life making sure she wasn't taken. I get that."
Then, his grin faded.
"But you can't treat her like an animal in a cage."
Athena's breath caught.
Satoshi's voice was calm, but beneath it, something heavy burned.
"Just like us, she also needs to be free."
Liam's jaw tightened.
He wanted to argue.
Wanted to deny it.
But Athena stepped forward.
And whispered—"He's right."
Liam turned to her, his golden eyes softening—just barely.
Athena's gaze didn't waver. "I don't want to be locked away anymore."
Silence.
Then—Liam exhaled sharply, his divine energy fading.
He looked away.
"…Go inside."
Athena hesitated.
Then—she obeyed.
Satoshi watched her leave, before turning back to Liam.
Liam's golden gaze met his again.
"…Stay out of my way," Liam muttered.
Satoshi smirked. "Yeah, yeah."
And with that—he walked away.
The Eve of War
Satoshi found Camila and Amelia in the war room, pouring over ancient maps filled with sigils, territory markings, and abyssal rifts.
The moment he stepped in, Camila spoke.
"The attack is tomorrow."
Satoshi's smirk faded slightly.
"…That soon?"
Camila nodded. "The war council agreed. If we wait any longer, the Abyss Clan will fortify their position. We have to strike first."
Amelia sighed, crossing her arms. "Not that we weren't expecting this."
Satoshi ran a hand through his hair.
"Alright, then."
His Eyes of Sloth flickered.
"Let's make it count."
A Familiar Face Before Battle
The morning of the attack, the palace grounds were chaotic.
Armored soldiers, battle mages, and elite warriors gathered in formation, preparing for the march to war.
Satoshi adjusted his coat, stretching lazily, when—
A familiar voice called out.
"Well, well. Didn't think I'd see you here."
Satoshi turned.
Standing before him, dressed in enchanted battle robes, was Aurelia.
The elf from the Adventurer's Guild.
Her silver hair was tied back, her violet eyes gleaming with amusement. The air around her shimmered with arcane power, the very essence of an elite magi.
Satoshi smirked. "Hey, I remember you."