The end of a long journey draws near, or perhaps this is merely the beginning of something far greater. For now, let us savor the peace before the storm.
A few hours have passed since Quetzalcoatl finished constructing the shelter. Moving toward the entrance of this gruesome domain, we find a stone house crafted by Quetzalcoatl. Inside, reclining upon a couch, DANTE and ELENA rest locked in an embrace, while REX slumbers peacefully at their feet. Quetzalcoatl sits beside a table, resting her chin on her hand, while MALEKIN stands frozen in awe before a television—a device he had naturally never laid eyes on in his entire life. The only one missing from the group was ISAMU.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey, Quetzalcoatl... the shelter you built this time is way more modern. What brought this on?
QUETZALCOATL: (Embarrassed) Ah, well... I absorbed the memories of a rather toxic fellow, and I saw so many fascinating things from your human world. I thought it would be nice to replicate a few comforts before our ultimate battle, Hehe.
DANTE lifts his head, surveying his surroundings. The interior closely resembled a modern living room from the human world, complete with sofas, a television set, a kitchen area, a refrigerator, and curtained windows. The sight left DANTE thoroughly amazed, yet slightly amused by the absurdity of it all.
MALEKIN: This box... I saw it within that filthy mortal's memories. It is called a "television," yet I see no images appearing like in those recollections.
DANTE HERALDI: (Amused) Well, you see... that thing operates on something called electricity. If you hold a human's memories, you should have a vague idea of how it works.
ELENA: Hahaha, that's right! There is no electricity here, and even if there were, it would be useless without satellites or cables to stream anything, hahaha!
QUETZALCOATL: Cursed hell, you're right, hehe! Well, I did what I could, don't blame me, hahaha!
Everyone chuckles as REX stirs from his nap, letting out a wide yawn.
REX: (Yawns)... You guys are making way too much noise... Hmm, where's Isamu?
MALEKIN: He stepped outside a couple of minutes ago. Said he had something to attend to.
DANTE HERALDI: We will rest and recover our strength here for three days before launching a direct assault on Mictlantekuti. I expect everyone to prepare themselves for that moment. Rex, go find Isamu and deliver the message—tell him not to wander off too far.
REX: Sure thing, Dante! Leave it to me, I'll go fetch him.
Shifting outside, we find ISAMU marching purposefully toward a specific location. After a few minutes, he reaches the entrance of the subterranean cavern from which the party had just emerged. ISAMU prepares to step back into the dark passage, but before he can cross the threshold, REX leaps down gracefully from the canopy of a tall tree like a cat, cutting off his path.
REX: (Wagging his tail) Hey, Isamu! Where are you heading? You're walking in the completely wrong direction.
ISAMU: Hmm... (Sighs) Well, Rex... I know that what lies ahead will bring immense trial upon us, and in the rush of things, there was something we forgot to retrieve. I wanted to do something for Dante, so I am heading back to fetch it.
REX: ... You seriously want to go back in there? That place is terrifying. What could possibly be so valuable that you'd risk your life going back?
ISAMU: A heart.
REX: (Stunned) That's right! That demon... his body didn't disintegrate like the others, did it?!
ISAMU: Exactly. I am returning to harvest his heart and present it to Dante.
REX: That is incredible... Anyone else would have kept a prize like that for themselves.
ISAMU: Dante saved countlessly many lives back in that village, and I owe him a debt I can never repay... I hail from a land where loyalty is absolute, and he has earned my uttermost respect. He helped us immensely, and this is the absolute least I can do for him. I know his journey does not end here, and I pray that what I bring him will aid him in achieving his ultimate purpose.
REX: Yeah, that's right! Dante helped me out so much too. Sure, we had our differences at first, but now I consider him a true friend... Right, it's settled! We have three days to fetch that heart—let's go get it! (Wagging his tail excitedly).
ISAMU: Are you certain about this? You told me yourself that this place frightens you.
REX: No problem! As long as I'm with you, I know we can pull it off.
ISAMU: (Sighs) Hehe, fine then. Let's move.
Our friends head straight into the cavern, advancing rapidly through the winding passages of the labyrinth. Yet after walking for what feels like hours, they fail to find a way out, trapped in an endless loop around the same corridors.
Meanwhile, in another section of the labyrinth, our friends MAYANTÚ and TITI are sprinting for their lives as a humanoid entity pursues them, hurling bizarre projectiles as if throwing massive boulders. We can only make out its shadowy silhouette, as the deep darkness renders everything indistinguishable. As they dodge for survival, they exchange tense words.
MAYANTÚ: (Evasive midair) This is bad! I never expected to run into that thing down here... If it catches us, we're dead!
TITI: (Leaping through the dark) Stop talking and run faster!
MAYANTÚ: (Dodging again) I know, but even when I deploy my mist to vanish, it doesn't work! That thing pinpoints us effortlessly—aaaggh!
TITI: (Dodging) Hmm... follow me! I found something that might help us!
MAYANTÚ: Lead the way, I'm right behind you!
TITI swiftly evades another barrage of attacks from the monster, opening his jaws to unleash a blinding, high-speed beam of light. The flash briefly reveals the monster's features—a pair of massive bat-like wings that it folds over itself to block the blast. Seizing the opening created by the distraction, TITI bolts toward a specific point. Within seconds, TITI and MAYANTÚ burst into a corridor, running straight into ISAMU and REX—leaving the latter pair thoroughly stunned.
REX: (Surprised) Look! It's you guys! Why are you still in this place?!
ISAMU: ...This is extremely suspicious.
TITI: No time to explain! Hold your ground!
In an instant, a suffocating, overwhelming aura washes over the corridor, putting everyone's nerves on edge. ISAMU draws his katana, dropping into a sharp defensive stance, while REX takes up a combat guard alongside the others. The creature steps into view, its eyes burning with pure fury—yet just as everyone braces for a deadly clash, a look of utter shock flashes across the monster's eyes upon laying sight on REX and ISAMU. Without wasting a single second, the creature simply turns its back and vanishes into the darkness.
MAYANTÚ: (Drenched in sweat) Who would have thought...? Titi, we survived.
TITI: (Panting) Yeah... that was way too close.
REX: (Sweating) What in the world was that?! That thing didn't just make me feel scared... it made me feel genuine, existential danger!
ISAMU: (Tense) That entity radiated an exceptionally perilous aura... You two had better give us some context.
TITI: You see, while we were sealing the interdimensional rifts splitting open across this domain, that creature appeared and attacked us without provocation. We don't know who it was, though I have a grim suspicion... Oh, right. Even though it seems your presence saved us, and without meaning to sound impolite, I must ask: what are you two doing back here? Didn't you leave with DANTE?
MAYANTÚ: Indeed, this domain is treacherous—you've seen it firsthand.
ISAMU: There is something we left behind in the upper chamber; we will retrieve it quickly and take our leave.
REX: Yeah, it's something for Dante, so he can grow stronger and win the battle ahead!
MAYANTÚ: Hmm... if it's for his sake, then I suppose it is necessary. Titi, let's help them navigate out of here; after all, they just saved our lives.
TITI: (Sighs) Very well... I trust your judgment, old toad. Let's go.
Our friends begin their trek back, but something is terribly wrong: the layout of the labyrinth has completely shifted.
TITI: This can't be... I believe that entity altered the geometry of this place. It will take us some time to find the exit, but don't worry, I will guide you through.
ISAMU: Does that creature command such immense power...? We had best tread carefully from here on. Rex, stay sharp and use your sense of smell to track our surroundings.
REX: Leave it to me!
While our friends search for a way out, our gaze shifts to another location—a familiar place: the ruins of the City of Blood, where the body of "SUPAY of Pride" lay. There, we see that he survived the ordeal, resting upon a jagged rock to recover his strength as he mutters aloud to himself.
SUPAY OF PRIDE: (Clutched his neck) Curse it... Everything hurts... (Sighs) To think I reverted back to my base form... It's painfully clear my strength plummeted after all my personalities fell... I will never allow Envy to break free again; that wretched thing almost put an end to me. What will the Lord of the Abyzz say if he sees me like this? I don't even want to imagine it.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: Heh, he wouldn't say a thing, that pathetic loser sealed away by Father... I highly doubt he'll ever reach this place anyway.
Jolting to his feet, SUPAY whirled around to face the intruder—a towering, imposing entity wielding four wings, a terrifying fusion of angelic feathers and vampire skin. This being was BELL.
SUPAY OF PRIDE: Who the hell are you?! And how dare you blaspheme against the Lord of the Abyzz?!
BELL: Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Bell. That alone should be more than enough for a creature of your status—after all, you are going to die right here.
SUPAY OF PRIDE: Who do you think you're speaking to, you ignorant creature?! I am a god! The god of the dead and—
In the blink of an eye, BELL vanished, reappearing directly behind SUPAY's back. A chilling sight unfolded: SUPAY's body remained standing upright, entirely headless. His severed head now rested firmly in BELL's grasp. As the severed head froze in a expression of absolute terror and despair, BELL offered a few parting words:
BELL: Poor creature... hehehe... To think you crossed dimensions only to meet such an embarrassing end. Don't worry, your life will fade in a matter of seconds; my power completely negates your regeneration. (Eyes gleaming with macabre delight) But before you go... before your pathetic existence reaches its absolute end, when you reunite with your master, tell him one thing: I am coming for him... hehe... hahaha... WAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
In an instant, BELL's jaw unhinged, deforming his face into a nightmare as he swallowed SUPAY's head whole in a single bite. Leaving the headless corpse behind, BELL took to the skies as pitch-black flames erupted across the City of Blood, incinerating every remaining monster in seconds. From high above, BELL watched as the blood-soaked metropolis dissolved into a horror of screams and burning ash.
BELL: (In his mind) Good. That is done. That power is far too tempting for certain individuals, which is why I purged the entire sector. I pray that dog delivers the heart to its master... I will be needing it.
A twisted smirk spread across BELL's face.
A full day passed before our companions finally emerged from the labyrinth, ascending the stone steps. Reaching the threshold of the cavern, they paused to catch their breath and survey their surroundings.
REX: This place hasn't changed... It feels like nothing we did mattered.
ISAMU: It's strange... I can't sense a single presence anywhere in this vicinity. Let's retrieve what we came for and get out; this silence is giving me chills.
TITI: Strange indeed... It is far too quiet.
MAYANTÚ: There are no living signatures left in this realm; every single monster has vanished. What on earth happened here?
TITI: (In his mind) It must have been him... Well, it's best I take my leave now. (Aloud) It was a pleasure meeting you all. Give my regards to the others. Mayantú, until we meet again. Farewell.
Without a sound, TITI leaped into the air, vanishing instantly as if swallowed whole by a black hole. Surprised by his sudden departure, the party could only offer quiet farewells.
ISAMU: Huh... What a bizarre way to leave. Well, Mayantú... you're leaving as well, aren't you?
MAYANTÚ: Indeed, my friends. My journey ends here. Take care of yourselves, finish your task quickly, and return to Dante. This domain is no longer the same—something fundamental has shifted. Farewell, and stay safe.
MAYANTÚ stepped forward, gradually dissolving into the ambient air until he vanished completely. Now, ISAMU and REX stood alone in the desolate ruins.
REX: Alright, let's move fast and get out of here. I catch the scent of the body. Follow me!
ISAMU nodded, following closely behind. Marching through the empty streets, a cold nervousness settled over them—the city was utterly dead. There were no wails, no distant growls, only suffocating silence. After advancing a few hundred meters, they finally arrived at the location of SUPAY's fallen body, only to freeze in utter disbelief: the corpse lying before them looked nothing like the monster they had fought.
REX: What is this? This corpse doesn't look anything like that monster we fought.
ISAMU: It is odd... It seems that after losing, he reverted to a form he possessed prior. Regardless, I can feel his strange power—there is no doubt this is the very same Supay.
REX: Yeah, you're right, his scent gives him away. Well, back to business—do you want to do this, or should I?
ISAMU: Relax, I'll take care of it.
ISAMU draws his katana, and in the blink of an eye, he dices the SUPAY's corpse into a thousand pieces, leaving the heart completely intact while splattering a torrent of blood across the area, coating REX's face. ISAMU, however, used his blade's momentum to deflect the blood away from himself, leaving a thoroughly annoyed REX glaring at him.
REX: (Annoyed) Hey, Isamu... don't you think it would've been better to just slice open his chest and scoop out the heart?! Look at what you did to me!
ISAMU: (Embarrassed) My apologies... Here, I have some water right here.
Reaching into his robes, ISAMU produces a hollowed gourd and washes REX's face, cleansing him of the blood. ISAMU then retrieves the heart, places it inside a small cloth pouch, and the two turn to take their leave.
A few minutes pass as they reach the stone staircase and begin their descent. Soaring high above, watching every movement, BELL lands at the threshold of the city the moment he sees them depart. Gazing intently across the gruesome landscape, he sinks into thought.
BELL: (In his mind) Heh... this place is hideous, but everything will be ready very soon.
As BELL loses himself in thought for a brief moment, a macabre whistle echoes across the ruins. Two familiar figures manifest out of the gloom: "El Silbón" and "La Sayona." Glares of pure hatred locked on BELL, they step forward, a menacing aura radiating off them as they approach the demon.
BELL: How amusing... These brainless creatures truly believe they stand a chance against me, hahaha! Always together, acting just like husband and wife... Whatever. I don't even know why I bother talking to specters that lack higher consciousness. Just die already.
Finishing his sentence, the two specters spring forward at blistering speed, leaping to tear BELL apart. In a fraction of a second, BELL vanishes, leaving the specters bewildered as they scan their surroundings. Reappearing directly in front of them, BELL drives a brutal punch into each of them, slamming them face-first into the dirt. BELL's eyes flash crimson, a mask of pure fury twisting his features.
BELL: Die.
With a snap of his fingers, pitch-black flames erupt from the earth, consuming the screeching specters whole. Horrifying shrieks echo through the ruins while BELL laughs maniacally at the destruction he wrought.
Shifting back to our friends ISAMU and REX, they have re-entered the labyrinth and are making their way through the dark corridors.
REX: Isamu... do you think we'll actually manage to navigate our way out of here?
ISAMU: You know, traversing this place is going to be far tougher now—yet, in a way, I am glad. Especially after that total disappointment up top.
REX: Well, yeah... I thought we'd end up fighting way more over there. Anyway... oh, look! It's a glowing cat pawprint on the stone floor!
ISAMU: It appears Titi is guiding us... Let's follow the prints.
Our companions press onward through the labyrinth, clashing with several rogue beasts along the way and emerging victorious each time. After tracking their progress through the maze, they calculate that roughly two days have passed when they finally spot the cavern threshold leading outside.
REX: (Walking) Man, what a relief to be out of that maze! Just this final cave section and we're home free!
ISAMU: (Walking) Indeed. The journey was quite stimulating—we accomplished plenty. I even managed to refine my sword techniques against those creatures, hehe.
REX: (Walking) Haha, yeah! I leveled up a few skills myself! Finally... the exit!
Stepping out into the sunlight, our companions freeze dead in their tracks as a loud explosion detonates in the direction of the shelter Quetzalcoatl had built.
Sprinting toward the clearing, they discover a army of armored skeletons mounting a full-scale assault. Their allies are locked in fierce combat, but two faces are conspicuously absent from the battlefield: DANTE and ELENA are nowhere to be found.
An entire armada is already attacking—what has become of our companions? Where are DANTE and ELENA? Everything shall be revealed very soon!