After pulling yourself out of the emotions stirred by Death's words—so real they still seem to haunt you—you return to your reading.
A cart was moving through the peaceful lands of Gaul, driven by Death himself, gripping tightly the reins of four sturdy horses, exhausted after two weeks on the road. Their journey had crossed the borders of the land to finally reach a small village that had vanished barely a month ago… and yet had already been erased from all memory: Osi.
The place was nothing more than a mass of ashes and ruins. Death brought the horses to a halt and stepped down from the cart. But as soon as his boots touched the ground, he slowly lifted his head toward you, his eyes locking onto yours.
You suddenly realize something: during your first reading of Chapter 1, the journey between Osi and Charognard had seemed short… far too short. Without giving you time to think any further, Death spoke.
Does it surprise you that this journey took longer than you expected? It wasn't a narrative mistake… it was my decision. Because I can bend time as I please.
At that moment, Darfredon stepped down from the cart as well. But you, reader, understand that while Death was speaking, he had frozen the world around him—just for you. A minimal demonstration… a trivial glimpse of his true power.
Then, time resumed its course.
The two men slowly advanced through the debris, leaving behind the panting beasts, worn down by the length of the journey.
In this abandoned town, the air vibrated with a strange mixture: deep despair, but also an unbreakable pride that seemed embedded in the very soil. This disturbing duality unsettled their senses and disturbed their minds.
While Death, impassive, observed from the shadows, Darfredon—deprived of sleep—felt his mind begin to waver. Sudden flashes of memory pierced him—scattered, violent fragments, like sparks torn from Sextus's soul. The image forced itself upon him: Barnabé, his younger brother, running through the alleys, fleeing toward the rear of the village. The scene was not a simple memory, but a reopened wound—raw and burning—one he had never chosen to confront.
Seeing his companion absorbed by these visions, Death questioned him in a calm voice.
Are you beginning to glimpse small fragments of memory? Can you recognize where my guests were hiding?
I think so… Darfredon replied, his eyes lost in the distance. Confused memories are surfacing… my host's brother is guiding me along a path. And in my dream, people were fleeing through that very passage… right there.
He pointed toward a narrow dirt trail leading to the edge of the woods. Without waiting, he stepped onto it, closely followed by Death.
But understand me clearly, Death… I'm not doing all this for you. I'm doing it for myself, Darfredon said in a harsh tone.
I know, Death replied calmly. But if you want some of the answers you're looking for, you'll have to lead me to where my guests are hiding.
Your future slaves, you mean.
I don't like that term… it's too radical.
Radical or not, the outcome is the same, Darfredon shot back bitterly. You change the words, not the reality. As for the path… I'm not certain where it leads, only where it calls me. But my host's brother's voice is still guiding me. Come here, Sextus… I've found something you're going to like. Every time I relive this memory, I see a rocky place, almost bare, with very few trees around.
Death slowly nodded.
Let yourself be guided by your intuition. Who knows—perhaps you'll find something my men couldn't. But even so, I won't hold it against you if you fail… after all, they themselves were unable to find them.
Your incompetents, you mean, Darfredon scoffed. They doubt me, but I have a small idea. Look over there… that mountain. I'm convinced they're hiding near a cave concealed within those rocks.
Death let out a light sigh, never losing his smile.
That cave has already been inspected by Hades, the three Erinyes sisters, and even Cerberus himself tracked the scent there.
Like I told you earlier, your men are incompetent. They underestimate the intelligence of Sextus and his brother.
Perhaps… Death admitted, tilting his head. But you're right about one thing: you have an advantage over them. Sextus's soul gives you a considerable edge—one even my best warriors failed to obtain.
Maybe, Darfredon replied coldly. But even without Sextus's soul, I would still be more cunning than all your warriors combined.
Death burst into laughter—a dark laugh that echoed through the ruins. Already, he was mentally flipping through the future writings of The Black Order V2 and Unit Dämon V1 and V2—manuscripts still being written, still being corrected, yet whose endings he already knew.
I can't wait to see you in action when you form your own team.
You know me, Darfredon said with a smug grin. I only choose the best.
I'm looking forward to seeing that, Death replied, still amused.
The two men stopped talking and began making their way toward the mountain's summit. When Darfredon finally caught sight of the cave entrance hidden among the trees, another vision struck him—a flash of Sextus's memory. He saw the dark opening once illuminated by a large torch held by Barnabé. The brothers had ventured into the darkness, discovering a narrow passage covered in protective hieroglyphs.
Darfredon immediately recognized their meaning. The cave concealed far more than a simple hiding place… a secret he chose to keep to himself.
They then climbed a steep slope. Upon reaching the top, Darfredon proudly called out to Death.
Admit it. Compared to your men, I'm the best.
Yeah, yeah… sure, Death replied wearily. But if I were you, I wouldn't boast too much. In life, there's always someone stronger than you.
Annoyed by his companion's bragging, Death quickened his pace. Slowly, the two men approached the cave entrance, its half-hidden opening brushed by a few rays of sunlight. As they moved forward, torches fixed directly into the rock cast a flickering light along the passage.
Darfredon immediately noticed hieroglyphs carved near the torches, carefully concealed in the stone. Their ancient shapes seemed to whisper a forgotten warning. Even Death recognized them, and he understood why none of his warriors had found anything in this cave: these protective symbols weakened any creature or force that dared enter this place, rendering them almost Deathal.
No sooner had they crossed the first threshold of the crypt than growls erupted—like enraged cats. The sounds quickly deepened into more powerful rumbles, making the cavern walls tremble.
Without slowing, Darfredon and Death pushed deeper into the darkness. The rumbles soon turned into savage roars. A white tiger with obsidian-black stripes suddenly leapt before them, fangs bared, eyes blazing with fury.
Darfredon stopped short, a grin on his lips, savoring the unexpected.
Death halted as well when a second tiger lunged toward him. He narrowly dodged the attack, just as Darfredon evaded the first beast's strike.
Finally, some action! Darfredon exclaimed with a mocking laugh. I was starting to get bored… Come on, little kitties!
His laughter echoed through the cave, provocative. He did not yet realize that he had just challenged the legendary Kattlys, unique creatures whose very existence had faded into myth.
Death, however, knew them well. Neither cats nor tigers, these beasts possessed terrifying agility and devastating striking power. A shiver ran through the old man—he secretly dreamed of one day subjugating the soul of one of them, corrupting it into a creature bound to the service of the Purgatory. But here, under the influence of the protective symbols, he could not afford to reveal his true strength.
The two Kattlys, offended by having missed their initial strikes, repositioned themselves to attack again. One leapt toward Darfredon, while the other charged straight at Death.
Swiftly, Darfredon grabbed the forelegs of the beast and slammed it to the ground, struggling to hold it down. Death, on the other hand, remained focused, his eyes narrowed beneath his old man's guise. He calmly dodged each swipe, absorbing the beast's flurry of attacks without ever truly counterattacking.
The fierce duel came to an abrupt halt when two female figures emerged from the depths of the cavern.
They had not come from the entrance, but from a hidden passage farther within the shadows.
Similar in appearance, two Asian goddesses stepped forward from that secret space, bathed in the flickering light of the torches.
One of them raised her hand and addressed the animals in a gentle voice.
Dune. Heel.
Obediently, the two Kattlys ceased fighting and returned docilely to their mistress.
Surprised, Darfredon released the creature, which briefly bared its claws in a wild reflex.
But once freed, it retracted them and moved aside, returning to its mistress's side. She gently stroked the fur on its head as soon as it reached her.
Tell me, Death… what brings you here? Kannon asked, her gaze cold.
That's quite a way to welcome the King of the Realm of Heroes, Death replied with irony.
I am usually polite. But beings like you, Death—who kill and torture simply to become more powerful and respected—disgust me.
Death gave a sinister smile.
Hmm… I see my presence bothers you. In any case, to answer your question: I am here because I am looking for certain inhabitants of the village of Osi. According to my sources, they are hiding in this cave.
Hearing his arrogance, Guan Yin clenched her fists and replied calmly.
Yes, there are people here. But my sister and I are here to protect them from you.
So there is no question of guiding you to them, Kannon added firmly.
Death's smile vanished at once. His voice grew hard, commanding.
Hand over my guests! I conquered this village, so it is no longer up to you to decide for them, but to me. And besides… they surely want to see the rest of their families and friends again.
The answer is still no! Guan Yin spat, her voice trembling with anger. Leave this place, soul thief! Or else… we will use force.
Ha! Ha! Ha! That works out perfectly—I love challenges. Believe me, your tigers don't scare me, Darfredon sneered, preparing to fight again.
At this shift in attitude, the two Kattlys snarled angrily, baring their fangs.
With a spiteful smile, Kannon replied.
Hee! Hee! Hee! You seem very confident. Tell me—have you ever faced a goddess? And as for the tigers… I see two Kattlys. To you, they are merely cats transformed into tigers, but to us, they are among the most powerful creatures of Atlantis.
Goddess or not, creature or not—it doesn't matter… you don't scare me, Darfredon snapped, offended and ready to strike.
But Death stopped him cold with a raised hand, preventing any sudden movement. In a sharp tone, he added.
No, Darfredon. Leave these goddesses alone. As for you, my ladies, don't rejoice too quickly. For this time, I will turn a blind eye to your insolence. But the next time you dare provoke me, I will be far less merciful: I will exterminate you both without hesitation, even if your two Kattlys stand in my way.
Their gazes froze when Death spoke Darfredon's name. Caught off guard, the two goddesses had not expected it. Slightly shaken, Guan Yin stammered.
No… that's impossible! What have you done, Death?
You mean Fredon? I haven't done anything to him. Gadreel is the one responsible for all this. Thanks to him, we each have our champions. And believe me… one day, I fully intend to make them face each other in a duel, once and for all, Death replied, a cruel smile on his lips.
Disgusted by his words, Kannon shot back.
Get out of my sight! Death, your eyes don't lie. I can see all the evil you've spread around you. Honestly, Darfredon, it saddens me—for you… and for what happened to you.
I don't need your pity. Even if you think I was better before, I believe the exact opposite. God made a fool of us. Gadreel's tortures made me understand that my father had abandoned me. So I turned to the demons… and their knowledge made me stronger.
Tears welled in the goddesses' eyes as they heard these words. Guan Yin whispered.
I know your reputation… but one thing is certain: you are no longer the angel of Paradise you once were. Because that angel would never have joined either the demons… or Death.
Wounded by those words, Darfredon raised his arm, ready to strike. But Death stopped him instantly, stepping between him and the goddess to keep them apart. In an icy hiss, Darfredon said.
Remember this well: I am not Fredon—I am DARFREDON. I have nothing to do with that weak being.
Kannon opened her mouth.
You are right about one thing. You are not Fredon, since—
But she was interrupted by Death, who knew far more than Darfredon about the truth: Fredon's soul had not completely vanished. That truth, he did not want Darfredon to discover… not yet.
Forgive the interruption, Kannon, but we have already wasted enough time here.
Kannon and Guan Yin fell silent. Stroking the head of her Kattly, Kannon watched Death slowly walk toward the cave's exit. She knew he was hiding something from Darfredon… something connected to Fredon, whose presence still lingered in the shadows.
After a few steps, Death turned back to address Darfredon, who remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the two Kattlys and their mistresses.
What are you waiting for? Come.
All right, Death! I'm coming, Darfredon replied, still staring at his rivals with a burning disappointment at not being able to fight them.
Finally, turning his back on the two goddesses, he followed Death. But just before the two men took their first step outside, Guan Yin called out in an icy voice.
Darfredon! The next time our paths cross, I will send my Kattlys to eliminate you.
I'll take real pleasure in annihilating them. Then I hope our paths cross again very soon!
Mwah! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Darfredon burst out, slightly turning his head, his lips twisted into a cruel smile.
The two men left the cavern. Dissatisfied with the exchange with the goddesses, Death remained silent throughout the return journey. As for Darfredon, despite his frustration at not having fought and slaughtered the Kattlys before their mistresses, he felt satisfied with the interrupted confrontation. He was already delighting in the idea of imagining Guan Yin's distress, her face marked by sorrow after the humiliation of her two Kattlys.
A grin stretched across his lips. In his mind, he replayed the battle in the cave over and over again, already devising other methods, other scenarios to defeat his opponent more easily, more quickly… next time.