The silence after the celestial army's departure was heavier than any battle. Nero knelt on the last fragment of his world, the void a cold, mocking expanse around him. The cost of victory was etched into the ashes of billions.
Then, a familiar, casual presence approached. "Buddy, are you okay?" Obsidian asked, his voice a calm anchor in the desolation.
Nero didn't look up, his voice hollow. "You did well," Obsidian continued, a note of genuine pride in his tone. "Truly, I'm surprised. For a First Gate user, taking down a Third is... unprecedented."
"But I lost everyone," Nero whispered, the words thick with grief.
"Every great battle has its cost," Obsidian said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But relax."
"Relax? How can I—"
"Relax," Obsidian repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I can restore everything in this solar system."
Nero's head snapped up, disbelief warring with desperate hope in his eyes. "Are you serious?"
"Of course," Obsidian stated, as if discussing the weather. "I can even restore the lives of those who died during this war."
The offer was so immense it was staggering. A flicker of that hope ignited. "Then... can you revive Ledger?"
Obsidian's expression softened into something knowing and slightly sad. "I think you know the answer to that, Nero. Didn't you already try? Those who are firmly under the Soul Reaper's gaze... that is a domain even we cannot interfere with."
He glanced meaningfully at the Devil Brothers, who watched with bated breath. "You also promised to revive their tribe, didn't you? Because you know their souls still linger on Earth, unclaimed. So, you understand the limits. Now, let's settle this."
Obsidian raised a hand. To Nero, it looked like the universe itself took a deep breath. Then, time began to flow backwards. The cosmic dust of planets and moons coalesced. Shattered continents knitted themselves together. Oceans refilled their basins. Within minutes, the solar system was whole again, pristine and untouched by war. Earth hung in the void, vibrant and alive.
Nero shivered. "It's so cold out here."
A moment later, they stood on solid ground. Nero's senses, stretched to their limit, reached out. He felt them—all of them. His mother, his friends, every citizen of Aryavarta—their life signals buzzing, strong and healthy. The weight on his soul lifted, leaving him lightheaded with relief.
"I am in your debt, Obsidian. A debt I can never repay."
"In friendship, there is no such word," Obsidian replied, then his playful demeanor vanished. His hands shot out, grabbing Nero by the shoulders and shaking him wildly. "IDIOT! This is my biggest, most serious warning to you: NEVER, EVER face a Gate user of a higher rank than you again! And charging recklessly at a Seventh Gate user?! Are you trying to get yourself erased from existence?!"
He expressed his profound worry by delivering a series of light, brotherly chops to Nero's head.
"Phew!" Obsidian finally sighed, dusting off his hands. "Now I'm satisfied. By the way, why isn't Eri responding?"
"She's sleeping," Nero explained, rubbing his head. "She gave all her energy to me during the fusion."
"Is that so? Well, tell her 'hi' from me. And you, Nero, must visit the Spiritual Council within seven days."
"Spiritual Council?" Nero asked, confused.
"Yes. The council members are... quite annoyed with you. A Gate user can't just roam freely without joining a faction. It's time you were formally recognized." With a final, easygoing wave, Obsidian vanished, his duty done.
Nero made his way to the capital of Aryavarta. The main square was packed. The population, Fernando's former underlings, the remaining generals, and all of Nero's friends stood together.
The head general and Fernando's former right-hand man stepped forward, their faces grim with resolve. Nero instinctively tensed, falling into a fighting stance.
"Don't try to snatch the freedom of Aryavarta's people again," Nero warned, his voice ringing out.
Instead of attacking, the entire assembly—generals, soldiers, and citizens alike—bowed deeply.
"We are eternally grateful!" the general proclaimed, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Nero, for freeing our nation!"
They explained Fernando's final treachery: a powerful curse placed on them all, binding their will and making rebellion impossible. With his death, the curse was broken, and their true loyalty could finally be shown.
The celebration that followed was immense. Nero was swarmed by friends—Miku, Yui, Daiki, Keisuke, Yoshito, Sayuri, ONI, Verlord, Baltimore, Ferina, Ayumi, Rei, the Frost Calamity, and many more. Even old friends from the Priest Academy had come: Kana, Saki, Kaito, Natsumi, Shinji, Yuri, Naoki, Hitomi, Masato, and Akari.
The reunion was filled with laughter and camaraderie. Shinji, Naoki, and Kaito clapped him on the back. "Man, you really got strong!"
Amidst the joy, Nero's senses picked up a lonely presence near a courtyard fountain. Saki sat by herself, looking sad.
"Did he really forget me...?" she whispered to the water.
"How could I ever forget my friends?" Nero's voice came from behind her.
Saki whirled around, her eyes wide. Seeing him, she launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. "Nero-san! Please, don't stop me... I don't want to lose you again."
Nero held her, offering quiet comfort until her tears subsided. They sat together by the fountain.
"I thought you forgot about me," Saki murmured.
"Idiot," Nero said gently. "I never could."
Saki took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Nero, just hear me out... Please, become my life partner. I like you so much."
From a nearby bush, Ayumi popped out, repeating the phrase almost verbatim. "Me too!"
Nero held up his hands, a nervous sweat forming on his brow. "Wait, wait! I'm already in a relationship! Please, try to understand—"
Saki leaned in and gave him a quick, firm kiss. "I don't mind being your second wife."
Ayumi followed suit. "And I'll be the third!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice shrieked across the courtyard. "STOP ITTTTT!"
Eri, finally awake and sensing the situation through their bond, stormed over, her cheeks puffed out like an angry kitten. "What are you all thinking?! That's not going to happen! He's only mine! You can't share!" she declared, possessively grabbing Nero's arm.
Ayumi and Saki blinked. "When did you get here? And how do you know Nero?"
Eri stuck her tongue out. "He's my first love! We've already shared many nights together! So whatever you're planning isn't going to happen!"
Saki and Ayumi shared a look, then began undoing the buttons on their shirts with determined expressions. "So what? We'll even the score sooner or later—"
Eri didn't let them finish. She yanked Nero's hand and sprinted away, dragging a flustered and deeply embarrassed Nero behind her, leaving the two would-be fiancés in the dust.
And so, the violent, unending battle finally reached its conclusion.
Result: Winner - Nero Almik.
Aryavarta, and countless lost souls, finally found the peace they deserved with the death of Fernando Martinez.
In a quiet moment, Nero and Sayuri visited Ledger's grave. They stood in respectful silence, paying their deep respects.
"Arigato ne, Ledger-san," Nero said softly, placing a hand on the cool stone. "Anata ni wa watashi no inochi yori mo ökina kari ga arimasu." (Thank you, Ledger. I owe you a debt greater than my life.) "Thanks, buddy. For everything."
Sayuri placed a single flower on the grave. "Shin'ainaru, anata wa itsumo watashi no kokoro no naka ni basho o motte imasu..." (Dear one, you will always have a place in my heart.)
Arc 1: The Fall of a Tyrant - Concluded.
Final Match Results:
Match 7: Kanori vs. ONI - Winner: ONI
Match 6: Zoke vs. Darky - Winner: Darky
Match 5: Saigo vs. Sayuri's Team - Winner: Sayuri, Daiki, Yui
Match 4: Arata vs. Keisuke & Yoshito - Winner: Keisuke & Yoshito (Arata, deceased)
Match 3: Kenta vs. Sayuri - Winner: Sayuri
Match 2: Ilena vs. Whity - Winner: Whity
Match 1: General Blaze vs. Eri - Inconclusive
Match 0: Fernando vs. Nero - Winner: Nero
Status:
Alive: Kanori, Saigo, Kenta, Ilena
Deceased: Arata
In Custody: Zoke (Delivered to Soul Reapers)
Missing/Unconfirmed: General Blaze
Bonus Scene - Hell:
Zoke awoke in a landscape of fire and brimstone. "Where the hell am I? That bastard Darky... I won't forget you!"
A Soul Reaper smiled down at him, a scythe in hand. "You are exactly in hell."
Zoke's screams joined the eternal chorus of the damned.
Nearby, Arata's own agonized screams echoed, paying the price for a lifetime of sins.
Writer's Note:
Don't worry! Arc 2 is going to be even more interesting! I know I skipped over some character development for Fernando's strategists, Baltimore's trials, and detailed power-ups for the MC and side characters. Some things, like the names of every Resurrection State, are simply better suited for a manga's visual presentation—it's hard to write out every single detail!
There are still a few questions left unanswered at the end of Arc 1. They will be addressed at the start of Arc 2.
Ja ne! (See you!)