Somewhere within the lands filled with snow and demon corpses, a lone Hero trudges his way beyond the path.
There was only one thing in his mind as he breathed heavily: the air he was exhaling turned into a foggy mist, exuding the bitter-sweet cold of winter.
Hero: Cough!... Cough!!...
He spat a bit of blood from his mouth as he held a broken sword.
The Hero didn't pay it any mind as he continued forward.
Moments later, realizing that his sword was already broken into pieces, leaving only the hilt.
He closed his right eye as he breathed heavily, his vision waning.
The soul ignited within himself has started to dim.
Hero: Cough!... Cough!... Huff... Huff...
Slowly, the light within his eyes started to disappear. He stood there, motionless, his head looking far into the clouded skies.
Hero: Huff... Huff... Where... Am I...?
His arms gave out, blood dripping across his fingers.
Unconsciously, the Hero let go of his sword hilt, imprinting itself into the field of snow riddled with the blood of demons he had killed.
Hero: Why... Am... I... Here...?
He questioned to himself. With the other vision from his left eye already starting to blur. As the last flame began to grow dimmer.
Though just as he was about to collapse. The Hero heard a familiar voice, reaching out to him from behind.
???: Hero... You've done well...
???: ... You may rest if that is your calling...
Having heard the familiar voice, a single drop of tears flowed out of the Hero's eyes.
Hero: Why... Why have you come...?
As soon as he questioned, someone answered as if he had been waiting for it throughout his life.
???: The heavens...
Hero: What... What about the heavens...?
The person behind him smiled.
???: They told me that my mission wasn't over yet...
Having heard his reply, the motionless Hero coughed up a bit of blood as he turned his head to look at that person.
Hero: Cough!... So... It is... You...
The Hero saw him as clear as day, the person whom he respected most.
???: What's your calling, Hero?...
Although the Hero knew full well that the person standing behind him, wearing cold armour just like his with long black hair tied to a single line, was just a figment of his collapsing mind.
As he looked at him, the Hero broke into tears.
Hero: I thought... Hic... I thought...
???: There's no time to think about what has already happened.
???: Your friends are waiting... If you lose now, then who will save "them"?
The Hero shifted his gaze to the sword's hilt, stained with his blood mixed with the demons.
Hero: But... I'm already...--
As soon as he heard his reply. The figment of the illusion of the Sword Saint spoke, walking closer towards him.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: Hey, are you going to give up...?
His voice left a calm silhouette, reminding the Hero of the empty plains where they both sang together after coming back from a perilous battle.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: You know... Back when I was still just an ordinary person... A part of a group of banded mercenaries who had the same cause as I did...
Ghost of the Sword Saint: There, I saw you...
He continued to walk forward, nearing the place where the Hero was.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: Despite the endless wars... I saw... The quality of a Hero within you.
Hearing the voice getting closer and closer. The Hero knelt on two of his knees, his expression filled with guilt.
Hero: I... I don't deserve to be a Hero...
The Sword Saint stopped, hearing the dejected voice of the Hero, though instead of anger. The Sword Saint felt joy.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: It's alright... Remember that feeling, everything that has come to pass will eventually pass. That's what makes us alive.
He continued to walk towards the Hero.
Finally, after standing right behind him. The Sword Saint knelt on two knees, reaching out his arms, embracing the Hero.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: Yuusha... That's what I thought the first time I saw you.
Hero: Yuusha...? Was that the reason why...?
The Sword Saint leaned his head closer to his shoulder.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: Your name... I thought you wouldn't like it... So I refrained from telling you...
Hero: Yuusha... What does it mean...?
The Sword Saint faintly smiled as he closed his eyes just to open them again to look at the clouded skies.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: Just as your role suggests... Hero.
The Hero's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the blood-stained snow below him.
Hero: ... Master...
Ghost of the Sword Saint: I'm here... Yuusha...
The Sword Saint embraces him tightly, his arms enveloping the Hero, giving him a sense of warmth.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: Yuusha... you may cry today... But remember... There will always be good things that will be the mark of your happiness... So... Don't forget to smile...
Slowly, the image of the Saint started to blur.
Ghost of the Sword Saint: I'll see you again... Yuusha... But, not right now...
Ghost of the Sword Saint: As your time hasn't yet to come.