Chapter 8:
The Revenant: Neo Nexus War
The soft light of morning bathed New Tokyo in gold.
After days confined to a hospital bed, Captain Sena Aranai was finally free — though not quite at peace.
Dressed in a simple tracksuit, she tied her long black-and-red hair into a ponytail and stepped out into the brisk morning air.
Her injuries had healed, but the memory of that night — the blood, the monsters, and him — still haunted her mind.
She began to jog through the park, the rhythmic sound of her shoes striking pavement blending with the hum of the city waking up.
Here, away from the battlefield, the world seemed… normal.
Humans and other races — elves, demi-humans, beastkin — walked side by side.
Merchants opened their stalls. Children laughed near the fountains. Even the air felt cleaner than she remembered.
Sena stopped by the riverside, wiping sweat from her brow as the sun rose above the horizon.
The orange glow danced across the water’s surface, reflecting the city skyline.
She smiled faintly.
“If only the world could always stay this peaceful…” she whispered, letting the warmth of the sunlight wash over her.
Then, a soft sound caught her ear — fwhip… thud!
Across the river, a young woman was practicing archery.
Her short pink hair shimmered under the sunlight, and her bright blue eyes gleamed with focus.
She drew her bow with calm precision, releasing another arrow that flew perfectly into the bullseye painted on a distant wooden target.
“Sreeeeg…”
The sound of impact was sharp and clean.
Even the breeze couldn’t sway her aim.
Sena couldn’t help but clap her hands. “That was amazing!”
The girl blinked in surprise, lowering her bow slightly.
“With skill like that,” Sena said with a smile, “you must be an adventurer, right?”
The pink-haired girl hesitated, then nodded politely.
“Thank you. You’re right. I’m a C-Class adventurer.”
“C-Class? With that aim, you should be at least B-Class,” Sena replied, genuinely impressed.
The girl chuckled softly. “Rank doesn’t matter to me. I just don’t want to stand out too much.”
Sena tilted her head. “Why not? You should be proud of your strength.”
The girl smiled faintly, lowering her bow.
“My grandmother used to say, ‘If you wish to stand tall like a tree, you must be ready to face the wind that will try to break you.’”
Sena blinked, then laughed quietly. “Your grandmother sounds very wise.”
“She was,” the girl said softly. “She taught me archery when I was little. Everything I know came from her.”
Sena watched her for a moment, admiration softening her usual military tone.
“You have real talent. Have you ever considered joining TAD — the Tactical Android Division?”
The girl looked surprised. “TAD? The military’s special force?”
“Yes,” Sena said. “Your skill would be far more useful there than wasting away in some random guild.”
The girl frowned, shaking her head politely.
“I’m sorry, but my brother forbids me from working with people like you.”
Sena raised a brow. “Forbids you? Sounds like he’s overprotective.”
“Maybe,” the girl sighed. “But he’s always been like that. He’s taught me magic, martial arts, and how to survive. He’s… all I have.”
Sena smiled faintly. “I see. Your brother must care for you deeply.”
“He does. But he can be—”
“He can be what?” Sena asked curiously.
The girl’s expression tensed. “It’s better if I don’t say.”
Before Sena could respond, the river suddenly rippled — violently.
SPLAAAASH!
A massive Crocodile-type Soul Beast erupted from the water, jaws wide open, its scales glistening black and its eyes glowing crimson.
The beast lunged straight toward them.
Sena reached for her pistol—
But before she could even aim, a thunderous DOOR! DOOR! DOOR! echoed across the river.
Three precise shots.
Three golden muzzle flashes.
The creature’s head exploded in a burst of blood and smoke before collapsing back into the river with a heavy splash.
Sena froze.
Those shots — too clean, too fast.
“No one shoots like that…” she muttered, scanning the area.
Her eyes widened.
Standing on the bridge above the river, silhouetted by the morning sun, was a man in a dark jacket and hood, his hands still holding a smoking pistol.
His messy black hair swayed slightly in the wind, and the faint glint of amber-gold eyes peeked from under his cap.
Sena immediately drew her weapon. “Drop the gun! Now!”
The girl beside her, however, sighed in mild exasperation.
“You’re late again, brother.”
Sena blinked. “Brother…? You mean—”
The man lowered his weapon slightly, glancing at his sister.
“You’re right. I took too long.”
The girl turned to Sena. “Yes. He’s my brother.”
Sena’s eyes narrowed, still keeping her pistol half-raised.
“If you’re both adventurers, show me your badges.”
The man reached into his coat and flipped a C-Class Guild Emblem toward her.
Sena caught it, inspecting it carefully. It was genuine.
“C-Class too, huh…” she murmured, holstering her pistol reluctantly. “You’re both impressive. TAD could use people like you.”
The man’s tone turned cold. “Not interested.”
Sena blinked. “Excuse me?”
He turned his back to her. “Keep your soldiers. We fight in our own way.”
The girl bowed politely. “Sorry. My brother doesn’t like the military much.”
Sena crossed her arms but smiled faintly. “I can tell. But someday, I’ll convince both of you.”
She began walking back toward the city, tapping her earpiece to report the river incident.
But when she turned for a final glance —
the siblings were gone.
Somewhere, far from the city, in the quiet shade of an abandoned warehouse, the two siblings reappeared — stepping out of a shimmering Rift Gate.
The girl crossed her arms, glaring. “Brother! Are you insane!? You just exposed yourself in front of her!”
The man removed his hood, revealing his sharp black hair and amber eyes — the same glow that haunted Sena’s memory.
He sighed. “Relax, Anya. She doesn’t know who I am yet. And as long as she doesn’t… everything stays quiet.”
Anya frowned, biting her lip.
“You always say that. But the more you show yourself, the more danger follows us.”
Kohaku — The Revenant — looked out the window toward the distant city skyline of New Tokyo, his expression calm but shadowed.
“If danger’s coming, I’ll face it. I’m done hiding.”
Anya looked at him with concern. “Brother…”
He turned to her, a faint, rare smile crossing his lips.
“Don’t worry. As long as you’re safe, that’s enough for me.”
Outside, the sun rose higher, bathing the city in light.
But for those who walked in the shadows — like Kohaku —
peace was only an illusion.
And somewhere in the heart of that illusion…
the Revenant watched, waiting for the storm to come again.
Please sign in to leave a comment.