Light.
Soft.
Endless.
Toya opened his eye.
The pain was gone.
No fire.
No blood.
No weight dragging his body down.
Only silence.
He stood in a vast white space that stretched beyond sight, as if the world itself had been erased.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
"…So this is death."
A voice answered.
"Not quite."
Toya turned.
Before him stood a woman bathed in gentle light.
Her presence was calm, yet overwhelming—like the sky itself had taken form.
A goddess.
Toya stared at her quietly.
"…You're the one who brought me here."
"Yes."
Her voice was soft, but clear.
"You have died."
Toya looked down at his body.
Whole again.
No wounds.
No missing arm.
No lost eye.
"…Figures."
Silence passed between them.
Then the goddess raised her hand.
"Before we speak further… you should see this."
The white space shifted.
Light fractured—
And formed into images.
Toya saw the world he left behind.
The burned castle.
Reduced to ash.
Then—
Villagers.
Gathered in the ruins.
Crying.
Not in fear.
But in relief.
Children ran freely through the streets.
No soldiers.
No banners of tyranny.
No fear in their eyes.
People spoke of the rebellion.
Of the ones who fought.
Of the ones who died.
"…They're free," Toya murmured.
The goddess nodded.
"You gave them that."
The image shifted again.
This time—
A darker world appeared.
Cities under a red sky.
Flames consuming entire lands.
Creatures that were not human tearing through armies.
People running.
Screaming.
Dying.
War.
Not between men.
But something worse.
Toya's expression hardened.
"…What is this?"
The goddess looked at the vision.
"My world."
The images continued.
Knights falling.
Kingdoms collapsing.
Entire lands swallowed by chaos.
"This is what awaits them," she said.
"And I cannot stop it alone."
The vision faded.
The white space returned.
Toya looked at her.
Silent for a moment.
Then—
"…So what?"
The goddess met his gaze.
"I want you to live again."
Toya didn't react immediately.
"…Another life."
"Yes."
"In my world."
She stepped closer.
"Fight once more."
"Protect those who cannot protect themselves."
Toya's expression darkened slightly.
"…Why me?"
"You have already shown me your answer."
The goddess's voice remained calm.
"You fought knowing you would die."
"You carried hatred… yet chose to protect others."
Toya looked away.
"…And if I refuse?"
"Then you will pass on."
"No pain. No burden."
"Just rest."
Silence.
Then Toya spoke again.
"…Why don't you do it yourself?"
The goddess paused.
For the first time—
She hesitated.
"I am not allowed to interfere directly."
Her voice softened.
"My existence is bound to balance."
"I can guide."
"I can choose."
"But I cannot fight as you do."
Toya stared at her.
"…So you need a blade."
"Yes."
Another silence followed.
Toya closed his eyes.
Images filled his mind.
The burning village.
His parents.
His friends.
Ren.
Aiko.
Daichi.
The battlefield.
The castle.
The end.
"…Another war," he muttered.
The goddess said nothing.
Toya opened his eye again.
"…If I go back…"
He looked at her.
"…Will it be the same?"
"No."
"You will be reborn."
"A new body. A new life."
"…But I'll still remember."
"Yes."
Toya let out a slow breath.
"…Then I'll carry it all again."
The goddess extended her hand.
"Will you accept?"
Toya looked at it.
For a long moment—
He didn't move.
Then—
He stepped forward.
"…Fine."
His voice was quiet.
But firm.
"But this time…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…I won't just fight."
"I'll end it."
The goddess smiled faintly.
"Then your new life begins now."
Light surrounded him.
Warmer this time.
Brighter.
Toya's body began to fade.
"…One more thing," he said.
The goddess tilted her head.
"…My name."
She looked at him gently.
"In your new life…"
"You will be known as—"
Alias.
The light consumed everything.
Far away.
In a quiet village.
A child opened his eyes for the first time.
And the blade…
Was reborn.