''Ah, Seiya, it's good to see you've returned to the land of the living,'' the man greeted with a familiar tone. It was the same man who had aided him in the alley, confirming to him that it hadn't all been a dream. ''But before we proceed, allow me to properly introduce myself. Walk with me, and we can talk along the way,'' the man gestured for Seiya to follow him. Taking cautious steps, Seiya followed the man in the suit as they disembarked from the aircraft. He made sure to avoid the closing doors, as if he feared they might erase part of him, if he wasn't careful and accidentally found himself trapped between his doors. Although a part of him felt like he had left something behind in that alley, he kept his emotions hidden from the man. As they reached the towering iron gates, Seiya's heart raced with anticipation The man's estate, which turned out to be a majestic mansion, was bathed in the enchanting glow of the setting sun. The sprawling property seemed to possess the fame air of mystery and intrigue as the man himself. The ancient architecture of the mansion loomed before him, its grandeur accentuated by the play of light through the oak treet leaves, surrounding his vision from both directions. With every step, Seiya embraced the exhilaration of adventure and the allure of the unknown. The mansion's splendor beckoned him, promising hidden wonders and secrets waiting to be unraveled. Despite his confusion, he couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer magnificence of the house. Stepping across the threshold, guided by the man, Seiya was greeted by a gust of musty air, as if the burning itself had been holding its breath for centuries, eagerly anticipating his arrival.
If he thought the exterior was beautiful, he was completely unprepared for what awaited him inside. The mansion truly lived up to its regal facade. A gran staircase swept majestically upwards, framed by marble columns and adorned with intricate woodcarvings. Seiya found himself marveling at the meticulous attention to detail, his eyes darting from one artistic masterpiece to another. Lost in his own thoughts, he suddenly realized that the man had been speaking all this while. Seiya had been ignoring him this entire time, taken aback by the mansion's beautiful decor. Seiya's distraction did not go unnoticed by the man, who then remarked, catching Seiya's attention immediately. ''Impressive, isn't it?'' He paused for a moment, understanding Seiya's reaction. ''No need to be ashamed, my boy.'' he added. ''I'm not 'your boy,'' Just tell me what's going on, right now!'' Seiya retorted, breaking free from the allure of the house. He turned to face the man, locking eyes with his pale, grey gaze. ''Alright, Seiya. My name is Almon Kido. I used to be a successful businessman, as you can see. But there's one thing I learned in my time, money cannot provide, and that is the purpose.''
Seiya's voice was filled with confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation. The man, sensing his struggle, gently led him towards a lavishly decorated living area that matched the grandeur of the rest of the house. Seiya couldn't help but ask. ''Are you taking me to the place where I can find my 'purpose'?'' The man kept a cautious eye on Seiya as they both entered the room, with Seiya quitely following behind. With an air of intrigue, the man replied. ''You could say that.'' His intense gaze felt reminiscent of being back in school, being questioned by his homeroom teacher. Seiya's palms began to sweat, as he answered as honestly as he could. ''I'm not entirely sure what you're showing me. All I see is a collection of ancient artifacts and statues. I suppose there are stories behind them,'' Seiya pointed towards the statues of men and women. The man nodded and began to speck, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and longing. ''Ancient heroes were known for their monumental deeds, but also for their tragic ends. I've always been fascinated by the magnitude of their fates, and perhaps even envied it. I used to believe that the ancient lore held no secrets that I couldn't uncover. Unfortunately, that wasn't entirely true.''
''What does that even mean?'' Seiya questioned, his curiosity piqued. ''Let me ask you, Seiya, what do you truly know about Athena?'' Seiya was taken aback for a moment, but he managed to produce an answer. ''Well, she was known as the god of war.''
''And wisdom,'' the man added. ''Now, imagine if I told you that Athena has returned to this world in human form...and that you are destined to become one of her guardian knights. Would you think I was crazy?''
''Well, I might consider increasing your therapy sessions,'' Seiya chuckled, but his words fell flat as he realized the seriousness in the man's eyes. ''Things don't just happen randomly, Seiya. It was not me who brought you here today, but rather the Cosmo flowing through your veins at this very moment.''
''What on earth is Cosmo? You're just giving me more questions instead of answers,'' Seiya said, feeling a mix of irritation and frustration building inside him. ''Don't pretend you haven't felt it, Seiya. That power that surged through you during the cage match. The blue flame. Aren't you a little bit curious about how you managed to do that, or what caused such a power?''
''Deep down, in your heart, Seiya, you know the truth. You know that my words hold meaning. And I am not the only one who knows what you are. Your sister knew it too. Otherwise, she wouldn't have protected you that night. Her Cosmo I'm sure would have thanked her if she had chosen a different path, but instead, she sacrificed herself to save you.''
''What do you really know about my sister?'' Seiya growled, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He needed answers from Almon, not just about himself, but more importantly, about his sister's fate. ''Ten years ago, Vander Scar detected a powerful Cosmo at your location. However, the night, even though there were two individuals with Cosmo, your sister managed to conceal yours and make it appear as if there was only one - herself.''
''What happened to her?'' Seiya demanded, his eagerness for more, beginning to take over.
''I don't have all the details, Seiya. But your sister sacrificed herself to protect you. She had a deep understanding of what you would become, despite her fear. She allowed herself to be taken so that you could fulfill your destiny. A destiny to become a warrior to Athena. To train and become the legendary Pegasus Knight.''
''What happened to Pat?'' Seiya demanded, his voice growing louder as Almon seemed to waver from his line of questioning. ''The Pegasus Knight? Are you kidding me? You want to know what I think? I think you're just an old man with a fanciful imagination and too much idle time! How can you expect me to believe any of this? It's preposterous! I'm not a warrior, and there's no such thing as Athena or Cosmo! All I know is that my sister went missing ten years ago, and that's the only truth I'll believe.'' Seiya spat. ''Now how do I get out of here?'' Seiya's heart raced as he took quick but cautious steps out of the living area, following through the dimly lit hallway of the mansion. The air seemed heavier now, almost like it was laced with dust from his footsteps. The walls were adorned with beautiful portraits he hadn't noticed before, of long deceased figures, adding to the eerie yet captivating atmosphere of the place. As he reached the end of the long hallway, he seemed no closer to the exit. However Seiya did in fact notice a slightly ajar door leading to a dimly lit room. Curiosity managed to get the better of him, because without noticing, he found himself inside. Pushing the door open just enough for him to peek a small glimpse inside. What he discovered took his breath away. The room was filled with shelves upon shelves of dusty books. The illuminated moonlight fluttering through the tattered curtains cast long shadows across the room. Seiya's eyes widened with awe, realizing he stumbled upon a forgotten treasure trove of knowledge inside.
However just as he was about to step inside, a hauntingly beautiful melody filled the air. The sound was ethereal, as if it echoed through the ages. Seiya followed the sound, his heart pounding in his chest, until he reached the source of the enchanting sweet melody. There, in the far corner of the room, stood a girl unlike any he had ever seen. Her long, flowing chestnut hair cascaded down her back, catching the soft moonlight in its strands. Her pericing blue eyes held an otherworldly wisdom that captivated Seiya and left him spellbound. The girl turned to face him, her gaze curious and guarded. A secretive smile curved her lips, and Seiya couldn't help but feel the weight of her enigmatic presence. She took a step closer, her movements fluid and graceful, like a dancer in a dream. ''Who are you?'' Seiya asked, his voice barely whispering, afraid that any sudden sound might break the magic of the moment. ''My name is Sienna kido,'' she responded, her tone low and filled with mystery. ''I have heard so much about you from my father, Seiya.'' Confusion muddled Seiya's mind, but he couldn't deny a single familiarity in her words. Sienna continued though, her voice soft yet commanding. ''You possess a strength within you, Seiya. A power that has yet to be awakened. Time has come for you to embrace your destiny. Stay here and allow my father to help you, we can do this together.'' Seiya's eyes widened in astonishment. Sienna Kido? So she was the old man's daughter? How could this girl be related to him? And why was it her words resonated inside him so deeply?
In that moment, Sienna reached out her hand, offering it to him. Seiya hesitated for a brief second, uncertainty clouding his mind. What was he committing to if he took her hand? ''This is better than being alone, Seiya.'' Almon's voice, surprised him, but he didn't flinch, he'd become use to it at this point. Letting out a deep breath he didn't know he'd been holding onto, he felt the weight of her fingertips on his, a surge of energy passing between them. Sienna's eyes momentarily sparkled, as if a connection had been forged. Seiya felt a jolt as a newfound understanding and purpose blossomed within him. However he was not so sure he was ready to take on such a responsibility. A part of him was going to need some further proof...
''How can I trust you...''