Chapter 20: Journey to Paradise: Brave of the New Hero

The moment the light of Nexus seeped into Kamito’s body, the world shifted.

Warmth—not burning, not scorching, but gentle—wrapped around him like the embrace of countless people he had never met, yet somehow knew.

Souls that once wandered Kuronami…
Souls that once cried, once feared, once despaired…
Now flowed into him like a river returning home.

In that brilliance, Kamito heard a familiar whisper.

“You are no longer alone, Kamito-kun…”

His eyes opened.

A faint glow of white-gold traced his skin. His hair fluttered despite the windless air. The ground trembled beneath his feet as if the world itself acknowledged a new force awakening.

Amanai covered her mouth in disbelief.

“K-Kamito…? Kamito!”

Masahiro Yuki exhaled in relief, her shoulders falling slack.
Even Ark, whose voice trembled earlier in despair, let out a stunned laugh.

“Aibo… you did it… you really did it!”

Kamito rose to his feet slowly, staring at his glowing hands.

This warmth… this strength… this isn’t mine alone.

He remembered the words of Amanai’s mother.

‘With Nexus in your heart… you will never be alone again.’

Kamito closed his eyes, then whispered:

“Bond is… Nexus.”

He reached down, picking up Ark. The blade responded instantly, resonating with a deep, harmonious vibration.

“Ark. Are you ready?”

“Always, Aibo.”

A smile—calm and resolute—formed on Kamito’s lips. He stepped forward.

Facing Gouma Gyuryū.

Fangs sharper than iron. Wings steeped in abyssal haze. A creature born from centuries of corruption.

Sonobe Kirigaya could only stare, stunned beyond belief.

“T-That light… No way… He truly is the Reincarnation of Noa…”

Kamito lifted Ark.

A silver-blue glow swirled around the blade.

“Let me say this from the start.”
He pointed the sword at the monstrous behemoth in front of him.
“I’m pretty strong.”

And then—

The world ignited.

<Ark Nexus: Soulflare Rend>

One step.
One slash.

A sweeping arc of silver-blue light erupted, tearing through the ground like a burning comet. Gouma roared as its skin split open—not a mortal wound, but enough to shake the beast.

<Ark Nexus: Astral Pulse>

A single swing released a massive shockwave, expanding in concentric rings like ripples across a pond.
Monsters approaching from the shadows were evaporated instantly.

<Ark Nexus: Echo Fang>

Phantom fangs of white light tore through the air, biting into the monster’s limbs.

<Ark Nexus: Soulbind Sever>

A sharp, blinding cut severed the strands of dark mana tying Gouma to Sonobe’s control.
The air shook violently.

Even Sonobe gasped.

“H-He cut my control… impossible…”

Kamito didn’t hesitate. He raised Ark high.

And he began chanting—words not of destruction, but of resolve.

“The remnant light of the old world,
the souls who refused to surrender,
and the strength born from new hope…
unite under a single will.”

Souls—hundreds of them—appeared behind Kamito as glowing silhouettes.
Children, adults, elders.
Every one of them smiled.

“Guide the steps of a hero not chosen by fate,
but one who chooses his own path.”

Their glow intensified.

“Shine forth—
and become a power that surpasses all ages…”

Kamito raised Ark to the heavens.

“<Nexus Brave of New Hero>!”

Light descended like a falling star.

The blast was not an explosion—it was a cleansing.

A pillar of blinding white-gold crashed down, swallowing Gouma Gyuryū entirely.
Darkness screamed.
Corruption burned away.
The monster convulsed, wings folding inward before its body erupted into a surge of scattered fragments.

A shockwave rippled across the ruined city.

When the light faded…

Gouma Gyuryū was no more.

And the souls—once bound to the island—began to ascend.

Amanai ran forward, eyes wide.

“The souls… they’re all leaving…”

Mikoto and Airi arrived moments later with TUADF soldiers, all stopping in awe as the sky glittered with thousands of lights drifting upward.

Airi whispered, stunned.

“They’re… smiling.”

Even Sonobe, kneeling in defeat, lowered her head.

“This island… was once my home. At least now… they can rest.”

Amanai searched desperately among the rising lights.

“…Mother… where are you…?”

No answer.

No familiar glow.

Nothing.

Her shoulders trembled.

And then—

A warm hand rested on her shoulder.

Kamito.

But when he spoke… the voice was not only his.

It carried a softness, a warmth—a mother’s love.

“Amanai… my child.”

Amanai froze.

Her eyes widened in horror and hope.

“…N-No… that’s… impossible…”

The voice came again, gentle as falling snow.

“I am here… just for a moment. Listen well, dear Amanai.”

Amanai’s knees buckled as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

“Mother…? Mother… is that truly you…?”

Kamito stepped forward—guided by the soul within him.
A faint silhouette of a woman formed behind him in shimmering light.

A mother smiling at her daughter one last time.

“I’m sorry… that I couldn’t stay by your side longer.”

Amanai covered her mouth, crying harder.

“I-I didn’t know what to do… I was so scared… I… I just wanted you back…”

The mother’s voice wrapped around her like an embrace.

“Amanai… chase your future.”
“Chase the dream you’ve kept hidden in your heart.”
“Do not fear failure… do not fear walking forward… for I am always watching.”

Amanai shook her head desperately.

“I’m not strong… I don’t have a dream… I don’t—”

“You are stronger than you think, Amanai.”

Her mother’s glow flickered—dim, but warm.

“Your dream will come when you take your first step.”

Amanai reached out with trembling hands.

“Please… don’t go again… Mother… please…”

Light began to disperse.

The voice grew softer.

“Amanai… I love you.”
“From the day you were born… to this very moment… and forever.”

Amanai sobbed, falling forward.

“Live… not for the past, but for your future.”
“I believe in you.”

The last shimmer of light faded into the sky.

Kamito gasped—collapsing to one knee as the Nexus glow dimmed.

Amanai remained kneeling, staring at the empty air where her mother had been.

But slowly…

Through her tears…

A small, trembling smile appeared.

A smile of someone who finally understood where to walk.

Kamito exhaled weakly.

Amanai rushed toward him and embraced him tightly.

“Kamito… I don’t want to be alone anymore…”

Kamito returned the embrace gently.

“You’re not alone, Amanai. You have us. Always.”

Mikoto, Airi, and Masahiro Yuki approached—each smiling, exhausted but relieved.

“You did well, Kamito.”
“We’re all here with you.”
“Idiot… don’t scare us like that again.”

Even Sonobe stood quietly, hands raised in surrender.

“Kamito Ryuga… I will tell you everything. About our Order. About what we plan. Ask me what you wish.”

The battlefield fell silent.

The dead had been freed.
The darkness was defeated.
And a new hero had risen.

Journey to Paradise was far from over.

But for the first time…

There was hope.