CHAPTER 219: A WISH FOR NANA

I teleported to Earth.

It felt like an eternity since I last stepped foot on this planet. The last time I was here, I had to save my sister—Nana—from the dark grasp of the Outer God, whose awakening had already begun, and whose eyes were fixated on taking her life.

Back then, Nana had nearly died. If not for Envi’s timely intervention, she would’ve been lost forever.

I can’t stand seeing her suffer like this—over and over again. She’s just trying to heal, to live a peaceful life, to support her family. But that damned Outer God... he toyed with her—tormented her mind, her health, her very soul.

Just the thought of it makes my blood boil.

Envi, sensing my rage, spoke gently.

"I gave that bastard a taste of what’s coming. He screamed. But next time, we end him—for good."

"You’re damn right, Envi," I replied, my voice trembling with resolve. "If he dares target my family again... I’ll face him again and again—and crush him every single time."

"I’ll always be by your side, Nao. Now come on... let’s check on Nana. I’m worried about her condition too," Envi said.

I nodded. The moment I arrived in Japan, I began tracking Nana’s location. My instincts told me something was off.

I headed straight for the apartment where Mom, Nana, and Naki lived.

As I arrived, I saw them—Mom and Naki—rushing out the front door. Their faces were pale, panicked. My heart dropped.

It was already past 10 PM. Visiting hours at most hospitals should’ve ended long ago.

"What’s going on?!" Envi exclaimed, alarmed.

No... No, no, no—Nana. My gut twisted.

They weren’t walking like usual. This time, they hailed a taxi.

Something urgent had happened.

Without hesitation, I gave chase. I activated [Blessing of Thunder] and [Kasoseki], launching myself through the city with blinding speed. Cars honked. People screamed as I passed.

"Master Nao, slow down! You’re going to hurt someone!" Runa’s voice rang in my head. Envi agreed.

I gritted my teeth and tried to calm myself—just enough not to cause an accident. But my thoughts were consumed by one thing only:

Nana. Please... be okay.

By the time I arrived, I was standing in front of a building I didn’t recognize. It wasn’t a regular hospital.

It was a mental health facility.

"Nana!!"

I rushed after Mom and Naki, activating [Shadow Steps] to silently follow them to her room.

Then I heard it.

Screams.Raw, broken screams tearing through the corridor.

I peeked into the room—and my heart shattered.

There she was. My sister.

Thrashing, crying, her eyes hollow—utterly lost. She clawed at the air, refusing to let anyone touch her.

Kai was there too, holding her down, trying to soothe her. But even he, still covered in hospital bandages, struggled to contain her fury.

Mom and Naki rushed to help, only for Nana to scratch and push them away.

The doctors, overwhelmed, had no choice.

They sedated her.

As the drugs took effect, Nana slowly calmed. Her breathing softened. But her eyes... they were still distant. Vacant.

The lead doctor approached us solemnly.

"Nana’s PTSD has reached critical levels," he said. "On top of that... she’s developed schizophrenia. She’s experiencing vivid hallucinations, unable to separate reality from illusion."

He took a deep breath.

"Her condition is deteriorating rapidly. If this continues... she will need long-term institutional care. Possibly for decades."

His words struck like a hammer.

Mom broke down, falling to her knees.

"Please... Doctor, do whatever it takes to heal her! I’ll pay anything—just bring my daughter back!"

Naki followed, bowing deeply.

"Please... save my sister. She doesn’t deserve this. I’ll give everything—anything—for her recovery!"

Kai lowered his head, voice trembling.

"I’ll help pay her medical bills... Please. She means everything to me."

Their pain filled the room, echoing through the sterile halls.

But the doctor only shook his head, guilt written all over his face."I’m sorry. We’ll continue treatment... but her chances of full recovery are slim. We’ll do what we can, but it may never be enough."

Mom swayed—on the verge of collapse.

"!!!"

I burst into the room just in time, catching her in my arms before she hit the floor.

Everyone froze.

Kai’s eyes widened.

"You...!"

Naki gasped, grabbing my arm.

"Uncle Natsuki?! H-how are you here?!"

Mom slowly opened her eyes, still dazed.

"You... Are you really... Natsuki?"

It was the first time she had seen me in this form—my disguise as Takahiro Natsuki, her brother-in-law.

I gripped her hand tightly, the emotions crashing down on me.

God, how I missed her. How I wanted to say the words, "I’m Nao—your son. I’m alive."

But I couldn’t. Envi’s warning rang in my head: Reveal your true identity, and you’ll be banished from Earth forever.

I clenched my jaw, choking down my tears.

Then I spoke, gently.

"Yes... I’m Natsuki. Your brother-in-law. It’s good to finally meet you, Ayase."

She covered her mouth in disbelief.

"Nana and Naki were right... You really do look like Nao. I... I can’t believe this..."

"Genes don’t lie," I smiled faintly. "No need to prove that I’m family."

"Thank you," she whispered. "For paying my hospital bills. I don’t know how to repay you..."

She turned to look at Nana again, lying motionless, tied to the bed.

"She’s... she’s so sick..."

Kai stepped forward.

"Uncle... I’m sorry. I failed you. I couldn’t protect her..."

I placed a hand on his shoulder."You did your best, Kai. Your injuries say enough. You fought for her. That’s more than enough."

He nodded, eyes glistening.

I walked to Nana’s bedside.

"Natsuki-san... wait. She’s unstable. She might attack you..." Mom warned.

But I shook my head.

"I just want to say hello... and pray for her recovery."

She hesitated—then nodded.

I stood before Nana.

Her gaze was empty. Her soul... flickering. Gone.

My chest ached at the sight.

Then—something.

A chill crawled down my spine.

"Nao," Envi whispered. "Use [Eclipse Foresight]. There’s something... wrong."

I activated it.

My eyes widened.

Dark tendrils—malicious, invisible—wrapped tightly around Nana’s head.

A vile aura surrounded her.

And at its center...

An echo of the Outer God’s curse.

In my heart, I whispered to Envi,

"This... this feels like the power of the Outer God! That bastard is still tormenting Nana!"

Envi nodded grimly.

"You’re right, Nao. This isn’t a medical illness—this is the work of the Outer God. He must’ve embedded his power inside her... trying to shatter her mind from within."

I clenched my fist tightly, veins pulsing with fury.

There was no other choice.

"Envi... I’m going to use that."

He understood instantly and began preparing the ritual.

I stepped toward Nana and wrapped my arms around her carefully, gently—hoping some part of her would recognize me.

She didn’t.

She exploded.

She lashed out like a wild beast—clawing, scratching, punching with such rage that her nails tore my skin. She even sank her teeth into my shoulder, drawing blood.

The doctors, nurses, my mother, Naki, even Senior Kai were frozen in panic. They rushed to pull me away, but I stopped them.

"I’m fine... Let me talk to her."

Reluctantly, they stepped back.

I leaned in and whispered softly,

"Nana... it’s me, your uncle—Takahiro Natsuki. I know you’re still in there... somewhere deep inside. You’re hurting, crying for help..."

She thrashed harder, her screams louder, more animal than human—but I held her tightly, unwavering.

"Fight it, Nana! Fight the fear! You’re not alone! Your mother, Naki, Kai, and I—we’re all here! We won’t abandon you. Not now, not ever."

"You will heal... because you’re strong. You always have been."

I looked at Envi and gave the signal. At the same time, we activated [Power of Incarnation].

The hope in my soul—the desperate need to save her—became the fuel that ignited the ritual.

In a flash of light—

—I was pulled into the deepest recesses of Nana’s subconscious.

It was a nightmare.A pitch-black room. Cold. Claustrophobic.

There she was—curled in a ball, sobbing, surrounded by grotesque, shadowy figures whispering madness into her ears.

So this was it...This was the hell she’d been trapped in.

Without hesitation, I charged forward and obliterated the shadows one by one, each punch a release of my fury and pain.

Then, I reached out to her.

"I’m here to save you, Nana."

She slowly lifted her tear-streaked face, her voice cracked and fragile:

"Is that you... Nao...?"

My heart stopped.She recognized me.I hadn’t realized it, but here... in this mental plane... I appeared in my true form.

There was no hiding it now.

I nodded.

"Yes, Nana... it’s me. Nao. Your brother."

She gasped—and threw her arms around me, hugging me so tightly it felt like she was trying to bring me back to life.

Sobbing into my chest, she cried,

"I missed you so much, Nao... After you disappeared, everything got worse. I tried... I really tried to take care of everyone... but..."

"I know," I whispered. "You’re an incredible sister."

"I kept pushing forward... but the trauma kept coming back. I thought about giving up... but I couldn’t. Mom and Naki... they still need me."

"That’s why you can’t stop now. You’re not alone. You’ll get through this—you’ll live a normal life, and you’ll find happiness. I promise."

She looked at me, eyes trembling.

"But look at this place... this darkness. It’s endless. I can’t escape. It wants to trap me here... forever."

Her body shivered.

"Close your eyes, Nana. Just for a moment. Picture yourself escaping this place... running into Mom’s arms, hugging Naki, smiling with Kai. Picture the warmth of home."

She closed her eyes, trembling lips mouthing a prayer.

"Please, God... let me heal. Let me see the people I love again..."

Moved by her sincere wish, I summoned all the strength in my soul and activated [Goddess Wish]—a sacred power that grants one pure, selfless desire to save someone precious.

I knelt and began to pray to the Goddess of Benevolence.

"Divine Goddess... I beg you. Heal Nana. Free her from the madness the Outer God has placed inside her. Let her be whole again. Let her live, love, and find peace."

Suddenly—

A voice echoed through the void.

[Goddess Wish Activated! Your prayer shall be granted.]

[A miracle is happening!]

The shadows screamed in agony as blinding white light burst into the room, incinerating every trace of corruption, every tendril of darkness, every chain the Outer God had placed upon her soul.

Nana’s eyes widened, tears falling again—but this time, they were tears of relief.

The pitch-black realm became a sanctuary of white light—gentle and warm.

Photos floated through the air—snapshots of her happiest moments: birthdays, warm meals, family laughter.

Her precious memories.

Her reason to live.

"Nao... this is... a miracle..." she whispered.

She reached for me, wanting to embrace me again—but my form was already fading. My mission here... was complete.

"Nana... I love you. I’ll always be watching over you—Mom, Naki, and you."

My body began to rise, glowing, transparent.

"Nao... I miss you so much. Mom and Naki do too. Thank you for saving me. I’ll protect them now. I swear it."

I smiled.

"I love you too, Nana. Until we meet again."

She waved.

"Goodbye, Nao..."

"Goodbye, Nana."

And then I disappeared.

I returned to the real world.

I was still holding her.

But now... she was calm.

No more struggling. No more rage. Her eyes welled with tears—but they were clear. Her mind was returning.

She whispered,

"Uncle... Mom... Naki... Kai..."

Gasps filled the room. Everyone stared in shock.

Even the doctors and nurses were speechless.

"This is... impossible. A patient with her condition can’t recover like this... not this fast..."

But my mother, Naki, and Kai rushed forward and embraced her.

She blinked in surprise, overwhelmed,

"I-It’s tight... Mom... Naki... Kai... Uncle... but... I like this. I love hugging you all again..."

I didn’t say a word.

I just let the warmth of the moment speak for itself.

And in that moment... all of us were finally home.

....

...