Evil draws near, and our friends are receiving a grand welcome from Mictlantekuti himself. Now the question remains: where are DANTE and ELENA? It is time to find out.
Continuing our tale, ISAMU and REX snap instantly out of their shock, springing into action to assist MALEKIN and QUETZALCÓATL.
In a blur of motion, ISAMU dashes toward MALEKIN, who finds himself surrounded by skeletal warriors. Drawing his katana, ISAMU severs every skeleton encircling MALEKIN in a single heartbeat, taking up a position right by his side.
REX sprints toward QUETZALCÓATL, unleashing a roaring torrent of flame from his jaws that incinerates a cluster of incoming skeletons. Forming a defensive ring, the four stand back-to-back, scanning the perimeter to guard against all angles. MALEKIN raises a shimmering crimson barrier to stabilize the situation as the skeletons—at first appearing few in number—begin swarming by the dozens, throwing themselves against MALEKIN's barrier in a desperate attempt to shatter it. Seizing a momentary respite behind the field, they converse in low, urgent tones.
ISAMU: What in the world happened?! Where is Dante?! And what are these creatures?!
MALEKIN: I have no idea, but they are clearly armored skeletons! As for Dante... a massive beast abducted Elena while she was outside, and Dante took off after them!
ISAMU: What?! And now...? I've got it! Rex, run—use your scent to track Dante down and provide backup! These things won't stop coming. We will hold the line here!
REX: Got it! Leave it to me!
MALEKIN: Whatever you plan to do, do it fast! My barrier won't hold much longer!
QUETZALCÓATL: Don't worry, I'll carve a path for you!
QUETZALCÓATL brings her hands together, concentrating her divine essence before slamming her palms onto the ground to summon two colossal serpents that devour the surrounding skeletons whole. Wasting no time, REX shifts into his hybrid form and charges forward, locking onto DANTE's scent while their companions leap to gain distance and hold off the horde.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forest, DANTE sprints with reckless desperation, pursuing a monstrous entity that cradles ELENA in its grasp. ELENA screams DANTE's name as she is whisked away, while DANTE desperately shouts her name in return.
DANTE HERALDI: (In his mind) Curse it... I wanted to conserve my energy to face the sovereign of this realm, but it seems that won't be an option. That thing's movement speed rivals my base pace. I have no choice!
Left with no alternative, DANTE channels more power to bring the beast to a halt. Without hesitation, he activates "Wolf Speed." With his velocity drastically amplified, he surges ahead in a flash, launching a high kick flush into the monster's face—catching it entirely off guard and forcing it to release ELENA. Before she hits the ground, DANTE swoops in, catching her delicately in his arms and setting her down safely.
DANTE HERALDI: Elena... are you alright?
ELENA: Yes, of course, don't worry! Just a little shaken up, hehehe.
DANTE HERALDI: That creature is going to pay for this...
UNKNOWN VOICE: To think you could actually catch up to me... Now I understand why Lord Mictlantekuti wants you dead.
Emerging from the shadows, the creature reveals itself as a taller, broader skeletal figure clad in opulent attire reminiscent of an Aztec sovereign, crowned with a wreath of leaves. He introduces himself as a Cihuacóatl (general) named ATZI.
ATZI: Mortals... you who have trespassed upon the sacred territory of my king deserve nothing short of death. Prepare for your burial.
In the blink of an eye, General ATZI vanishes like a fleeting mirage, reappearing directly behind DANTE wielding a massive battleaxe. Sensing the imminent danger, DANTE shoves ELENA out of harm's way while drawing his katana to parry ATZI's overhead blow. A blistering, high-speed exchange ensues, each lethal strike met with a precise block from both sides.
Leaping back from a heavy clash of steel, both combatants create distance between each other.
ATZI: Mortal... the extent of your growth is astonishing. You truly pose a threat. I shall cease playing around and take this seriously.
DANTE HERALDI: To think you were holding back... I could say the exact same thing, hehehe. Fine, let's begin for real.
Just as DANTE prepares to engage in earnest, the rustling bushes behind him burst open as a transformed REX launches a surprise attack straight at ATZI. Caught off guard, the general swings a heavy arc toward REX—only for REX to revert back to his base form in mid-air. Smirking in his base form, REX unleashes an immense torrent of fire directly into ATZI, who stares in shock as the blast engulfs him. Blasted backward, ATZI plows through multiple trees, crashing into the dirt and tumbling across the ground until slamming violently against a massive boulder—far away from DANTE and ELENA, who stare in awe at REX's raw power.
DANTE HERALDI: (Surprised) That's incredible, Rex! Since when do you have that power?!
ELENA: (Astonished) Yeah... it's amazing!
REX: Well, it's called "Flame Burst." I unlocked it fighting those demonic entities, but I refined it recently training with ISAMU! (Wagging his tail).
DANTE HERALDI: That is seriously awesome. Good boy! (Smiles).
REX: Hehehe, I try my best to be a good dog! (Wagging his tail).
ELENA: Dante!
DANTE HERALDI: Yeah, I know... that thing isn't dead yet. Here he comes. You know what? I'm ending this right now.
REX: He's all yours, buddy.
General ATZI rises to his feet, and despite lacking a flesh face, his sheer rage is unmistakable. He surges frantically toward the group. DANTE, thoroughly annoyed, activates Domination, manifesting his half-mask before appearing instantaneously in front of ATZI, forcing the general to a screeching halt. DANTE drives a heavy blow into his torso, shattering his ribs and catching the general completely off guard. In a flash of steel, DANTE slices off both of General ATZI's arms and legs. Before the maimed body can hit the dirt, DANTE raises his katana, coats it in Shadow Cloak, and unleashes a colossal Shadow Slash that disintegrates General ATZI completely, leaving no trace behind.
DANTE turns back as his mask dissolves, offering a confident smile to ELENA and REX.
REX: Man... to think I ran all the way here to back you up! Turns out you didn't even need me!
ELENA: You are incredible, my love! (Leaps up and kisses him).
DANTE HERALDI: (Flustered) Wait, Elena... Rex is right here!
REX: Don't mind me, I'm a big boy now! Oh, that's right—we need to head back fast! The battle is still going on at the shelter!
DANTE HERALDI: You're right... but strange, I don't sense any more hostile presences back at the house. Either way, let's move!
Sprinting back to the clearing, they find QUETZALCÓATL, MALEKIN, and ISAMU sitting down, catching their breath.
DANTE HERALDI: What happened here?! Where are the enemies?
MALEKIN: Out of nowhere, they simply dissolved into thin air.
QUETZALCÓATL: Likely because the one summoning them was slain.
DANTE HERALDI: Looks like we got the win.
REX: No need to overthink it! In the end, we won this clash!
ELENA: Yes, we won! What a relief... It seems you have much better control over that power now, right Dante?
DANTE HERALDI: Yeah, it was difficult at first, but I have a firmer grip on it now. Still, we can't let our guard down. We are deep in enemy territory.
MALEKIN: Dante is right. It is time to press onward.
Nodding in agreement, everyone retreats to the battered shelter, which had taken heavy damage during the siege. After taking a brief rest, they set off on foot a few hours later.
After marching for quite some time, they notice that the distant pyramid doesn't seem to grow any larger, no matter how far they walk. Pausing mid-stride, they begin to analyze the phenomenon.
ELENA: This is weird... It doesn't feel like an illusion spell, but we aren't making any real progress no matter how far we walk.
DANTE HERALDI: True... We've covered over five kilometers already, yet we aren't getting any closer.
QUETZALCÓATL: I suspect that pyramid in the horizon is playing tricks on us. Its true scale might not be what we assume.
Out of nowhere, a voice chimes in: "Well, you aren't wrong about that!"
Snapping onto high alert, everyone draws their weapons in the direction of the voice, only to discover MORS lounging inside a modest merchant's tent, gesturing for them to step closer.
MORS: Hello there, folks! Long time no see! I notice you've gathered quite the entourage since our last meeting.
QUETZALCÓATL: Hmm... what a peculiar creature. Who might you be?
ISAMU: I told you about him, Quetzalcoatl. This is the merchant who aided us in constructing our town.
QUETZALCÓATL: Ah, I recall now. And... what brings you all the way out here?
MORS: Well, divine lady, I have unfinished business with this young man named Dante.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey, Mors. How's it going? What do you have for me this time?
MORS: Hello, Dante! Honestly, not much... or perhaps nothing at all, hahaha!
REX: That's not funny, Mr. Mors!
MORS: Hold on, don't get worked up! Truth is, I don't have new goods, but I can refine your blade into its absolute peak form. Kusanagi will become a true divine weapon. I finally secured the materials required to max out its potential! (Speaking with pride).
DANTE HERALDI: (Surprised) Is that true?! That's amazing!
QUETZALCÓATL: Divine weapons?! Who on earth are you supposed to be?
MALEKIN: Well, you see... he is Death himself.
QUETZALCÓATL: No way... To think he looks so frail.
DANTE HERALDI: Don't underestimate him. He is immensely powerful.
MORS: So... do you want me to forge it or not?
DANTE HERALDI: Sorry! Yes, of course! Here you go.
DANTE hands his katana Kusanagi over to MORS to begin the upgrade. MORS informs them that the refining process will take half a day and requires them to wait. Left with no choice, DANTE and the group decide to use the waiting time for spar sessions. After hours of intense training, MORS returns to hand over the refined blade.
The weapon has transformed entirely: the steel now shifts dynamically between shades of black and white, with the white section bearing the silhouette of living flames along the edge—giving the unmistakable impression that this blade no longer belongs to the mortal realm, nor to any ordinary world.
DANTE HERALDI: It's incredible... this sword radiates a colossal divine energy.
MORS: That weapon is now capable of slaying a god... standard gods, of course. Against higher entities, it will merely wound them.
DANTE HERALDI: Hmm... I think it's about time you explained what you mean by that, don't you think, Mors?
MORS: Hmm... Very well. I suppose I can share a bit with you. After all, I promised I would, and I see you have grown remarkably powerful.
Everyone leans in, hanging on MORS's every word.
MORS: You see, as I believe you already know, most of the gods you are familiar with were forged by human belief through the power of Free Will. And then... there are those who belong to the Primordial Pantheon. They were birthed out of the absolute void. Among them resides the single most powerful entity in the entire multiverse. You know Him as God; we know Him as Auctor Rerum, or "The Creator of All Things." I doubt you will ever cross paths with Him, but this is the ultimate truth of this cosmos.
This revelation leaves everyone stunned, grappling with existential doubt—with QUETZALCÓATL appearing the most visibly shaken.
DANTE HERALDI: Wait a second... then where do the angels fit into all of this?
MORS: Hmm... You could classify them as lesser deities, but in truth, they are simply soldiers under the command of the Creator. There are various factions, with the Cherubim being the most formidable—though they never venture beyond the Primordial Pantheon... or as you might call it, Heaven.
DANTE HERALDI: It can't be... Does Heaven truly exist?
MORS: Indeed. Now, it is time for my departure. One final piece of advice: that pyramid is monumentally colossal, which is why it appears as though you never make progress. The true distance exceeds one hundred kilometers. Take care of yourselves, youngsters.
DANTE HERALDI: Wait! There's one more thing I need to ask—
Before DANTE could finish his sentence, MORS had vanished into thin air.
DANTE HERALDI: (In his mind) Curse it... To think that bastard would just drop lore on us that shatters our understanding of reality and then vanish. Not that it changes our immediate goal... though it certainly opened my eyes to the true scope of this world... So God actually exists, huh...? Wait... He didn't even charge me for the upgrade!
Bit by bit, the puzzle pieces of existence fall into place, though perhaps some truths were better left unknown. The reality of the cosmos is far more complex than any mortal comprehends, but DANTE will soon unravel it all.
The final battle looms directly ahead. What will DANTE do with this cosmic revelation? Will it alter his resolve, or will he push it aside? And will MORS return one day to claim his payment? Everything shall be revealed very soon!