Arata: The Legend, Volume 19

In a mythical world where humans and gods coexist, a ceremony marking the new governing princess is about to occur for the first time in 60 years. Only a girl from the Hime Clan may take this position, but the lack of females born to this family means that a boy called Arata must pose for the role. Meanwhile in modern-day Japan, a boy named Arata Hinohara is starting his new life in high school. He wants to put memories of his difficult past behind him, but things aren't going to be simple when he discovers a mysterious connection to the first Arata...

Isora, one of Arata Hinohara's deadliest enemies, has stolen his ability to speak and now confronts him with life-or-death choices that challenge his devotion to his friends as well as their devotion to him. If any one of them fails to make the right choice, it could be all over! Even Kadowaki, once Arata's friend from school and now out to avenge himself on Arata for imagined hurts, finds himself facing Isora's test. Will he be able to look past his misguided hatred in order to deal with a real threat, or will he cling to it and doom them all?