''Where am I? Is this another dream?''
Seiya asked himself as he noticed he wasn't where he was earlier. His surroundings looked reminiscent of a hallowed forest where not a soul lingered aside from himself.
'' You must use this opportunity now that it is in front of you.''
A voice spoke to the young boy. There was no one around for miles but this voice felt eerily familiar to him but he couldn't put a finger on it.
'' Who is talking to me? ''
He asked out loud but there was no response but he could feel his chest burn. There was something within him that felt like it was hurting heavily and this was nothing simple like heartache.
'' Urgh, what is this pain ? ''
He tried scratching at his chest but it did nothing to help him although he noticed that his chest was glowing a faint blue. What was this phenomenon ?
'' It is beginning to form. The vestigial representation of a power that'll soon be yours.''
The voice spoke one last time as the dream began to fade. Seiya could not speak any further as he felt his consciousness return to the waking world.
'' Helloooo?''
A female voice introduced itself to the waking male, his eyes staring at the ceiling of the home that belonged to another. He immediately sat upright on the bed.
It took him a minute to realize that they were inside a hollowed out tree, the home of the person who whisked him away from the road in front of the palace.
'' Who might you be? I saw you on the road in front of a crater so I figured you needed someplace to rest.''
The female walked to the young boy, her eyes focused on his and his on hers. He took her appearance in, she was a young female that looked to be around his own age.
She had shoulder-length pink hair with green highlights with bright green eyes and she had a certain friendly warmth about her that was hard to ignore.
'' I am Seiya.''
He didn't mention his last name, merely because the female cemented the fact that there was a crater. If the Palace was gone then surely he couldn't just go announcing he was a Prince as it may lead to him getting abducted or endangered due to his status.
'' I am Sakura. Pleasure to meet you ! ''
The female said as she looked at the boy, he could only weakly smile as he wanted to leave but his body was shaking. He still couldn't register what happened.
'' Where is your family? Are you here alone?''
Seiya was curious, she was a young lady and there was no one else around. It felt too quiet around here and the fact their voices were the only thing he could hear made him all the more inquisitive about it.
'' My parents left a year ago and my brother left three weeks ago. Not sure where they went but I'll see them eventually. ''
She spoke in almost a carefree tone about it which made the boy think about how similar he had been to the female but it seemed like she wasn't too shackled down on those thoughts as he was.
'' Is there a chance you have any food? I am starving. ''
The boy asked her and much to his surprise , she had a plate of food for him to eat right then and there. She had been prepared and watched as the white haired prince ate all that she had to offer to him.
'' So I want to know, where exactly are we?''
He needed to know where they were since he only ever been in the Palace and was not exactly the best at getting around since he was kept in one place for far too long.
'' Aokigahara, it's not too far away from the Crater. Do you need to go back or ? ''
She responded to Seiya and he immediately shook his head , there was no purpose in him going back to the crater. He knew he'd probably break down again and he didn't want that.
'' I need to become strong and find my Sister. ''
The male spoke as he got out of bed, placing aside the finished meal. He knew he couldn't stay here, he had to go.
'' Wait, if you plan on going then I'll come with you. You don't seem like you know your way around so you might just end up walking in circles. I can lead you to the nearest town if you'd like.''
She offered to be his guide, was this really okay ? He wanted to ask if it was an inconvenience to her but he knew there was a fat chance that he'd make it on his own because he didn't know a thing at all about the world outside the palace.
He needed her help and he couldn't act like he had options. He nodded to her, indicating his acceptance of her offer.
The two prepared to leave her house, Seiya was hopeful that he'd find signs at this settlement on what to do next. Sakura held the young prince's hand as she noticed he was tense.
'' Take it easy, I'm here with you. ''
He calmed down as he looked at her , she smiled at him which helped him calm down.
'' Let's go. ''
The two set off for the nearest settlement. He didn't realize it yet but she had more in common with him than merely their family circumstances.