A fallen god stands at the center of the chamber where our companions assemble, while wicked eyes relish the spectacle.
At the summit of the pyramid resides the most ruthless deity of death ever spoken of in legend—or so the tales claim. Seated upon his dark throne, he observes the progress of our friends through a mystical mirror, when suddenly one of his Jaguar Generals approaches and prostrates before him.
JAGUAR GENERAL: My Lord, Lady Yollotzin has fallen in battle.
The general is met with a sharp blow from MICTLANTEKUTI, who addresses him in thunderous fury.
MICTLANTEKUTI: (Enraged) Are you a fool?! I already know! I am watching the battle unfold through the Mirror of the First Sun—of course I know she perished! (A sadistic smirk spreads across his face) In fact, I heard her wretched pleas for help... but it was high time she died anyway.
Pushing himself off the floor, the Jaguar General bows once more.
JAGUAR GENERAL: Forgive my ignorance, My Lord. Yet I believed you harbored fondness for the lady... You even abducted her from her eternal slumber, though she was destined for the heavens. I assumed you held her in high regard given the trouble you went through to claim her.
Upon hearing those words, MICTLANTEKUTI rises from his throne, glaring down at the general.
MICTLANTEKUTI: (Displeased frown) General... are you daring to criticize me?
JAGUAR GENERAL: I would never presume such a thing, My Lord! It was mere curiosity... Forgive me if I have caused offense.
MICTLANTEKUTI: (Sighs) Very well... I shall overlook it simply because it is you. I only snatched that creature because her magic interested me, and because she was the final descendant of that forgotten realm's rain god. That dimension was on the brink of annihilation anyway, so I merely plucked a few valuable relics from that reality. That is all. I hold affection for almost nothing... Feel honored that you are one of the few things I actually care about, General.
JAGUAR GENERAL: (Smiles) I am unworthy of such magnificent praise, My Lord. Now, My Lord... the next trial awaiting those trespassers is that god, correct?
MICTLANTEKUTI: Indeed. That damned deity nearly took my life when he pursued me... To think that version of him would stalk me all the way here.
The Jaguar General raises his head in surprise.
JAGUAR GENERAL: My Lord... what do you mean by "this version"?
MICTLANTEKUTI: Well, it is hardly wise to divulge such knowledge, but... you have earned my trust. You see, there exist countless iterations of us—both of you and of myself. However, there are only seven main underworlds in existence, each ruled by the strongest versions of ourselves. In my case, I reign supreme over the First, and the fortress standing behind us—also known as "The Observatory"—houses the gateway to traverse those underworlds and other dimensions. During one of my voyages, by sheer twist of fate, I crossed paths with a version of the god Inti who had witnessed his entire pantheon slaughtered by a dark Nordic deity. When I paid him no mind, he pursued me back to this realm. Yet because his power is severely suppressed within this domain, I managed to subdue him. Granted, that fellow is slightly stronger than I am, but thanks to those divine binding chains, he remains firmly under my control, forced to guard that floor.
JAGUAR GENERAL: (Standing up) You are truly magnificent, My Lord! But... do you not fear he might rebel?
MICTLANTEKUTI: I struck a bargain with him: if he slays every intruder for thirty billion years, I will transport him to an alternate version of his world where only he is missing, allowing him to settle there. What he fails to realize is that I will never grant him freedom! Hahahahaha!
JAGUAR GENERAL: You are a genius, My Lord! I shall serve you for all eternity!
As MICTLANTEKUTI listens to his general's praise, a smirk of self-satisfaction crosses his face as he settles back into his throne, locking his eyes on the mirror once more.
Returning to the battlefield, our companions fix their gaze upon the divine entity before them—a remarkably muscular deity clad only in a ceremonial loincloth, adorned with an Inca solar medallion around his neck. Inspecting them with intrigue, he steps down from his stone dais. As he advances, the group urgently debates their strategy.
REX: What the hell? He's just walking straight toward us! What's the plan, guys?
DANTE HERALDI: I will handle him alone. Fall back.
QUETZALCÓATL: Do not be foolish, Dante! This being is exceptionally powerful—I can feel it!
ISAMU: Hmm... Do you truly believe we can slay him?
MALEKIN: This guy reeks of absolute danger... I think we'll have to attack together as one.
ELENA: Dante, my love... place your trust in us too. You are not fighting alone.
DANTE HERALDI: (Flustered) It's just... I'm terrified of losing any of you.
Everyone looks at DANTE with warm, affectionate smiles.
MALEKIN: To think a demon like me would have someone like you...
ELENA: I never imagined I'd meet someone like you either. I love you so much, and I promise I won't die!
QUETZALCÓATL: Worry not, Dante—I will protect everyone as well.
REX: Curse it, here he comes!
Without warning, INTI charges toward them. The group scatters into defensive postures: REX shifts into his hybrid form while MALEKIN sheds his handkerchief. Acceleration blazing, INTI radiates a wave of intense solar heat. MALEKIN and DANTE instantly cloak themselves in "Dark Mantle" to intercept the sun god, leaving the rest to hold the backline. Each grabs one of INTI's arms while DANTE calls out for ELENA's support.
Without hesitation, ELENA casts a spell that shields their group from the overwhelming heat, allowing them to close the distance to the god INTI. As they approach, the chains that had been restraining the god vanish—catching DANTE off guard. The god delivers a headbutt to DANTE's face, knocking him to the ground. INTI then swiftly kicks MALEKIN, sending him to the floor as well. Stepping back, the god unleashes a powerful blast of fire from his hands, sending REX and QUETZALCOATL flying backward.
Seizing the moment, ISAMU rushes forward to attack the god, but INTI blocks the strikes with his bracers. A look of dissatisfaction crosses the god's face before he lands a punch to ISAMU's stomach, forcing him to his knees. He follows up with a kick that sends ISAMU flying—only for him to be caught by DANTE, who is just getting back to his feet. The impact sends DANTE and ISAMU crashing to the ground, but they quickly get back up. The god INTI looks at them, disappointed, and begins to speak.
INTI: (sighs) I thought you'd be strong, but it turns out you're just a bunch of novices. What on earth made you think you could defeat the dead god with that level of strength?
In the backline, ELENA weaves restorative magic to mend her companions' wounds.
INTI: It seems she is the real problem here... But let me make one thing clear: you stand no chance against me. You would be wise to turn around and leave before you waste any more of my time.
QUETZALCÓATL: Absolutely not, you arrogant fool! Our prize is within reach—do you truly believe we would surrender now? You couldn't be more mistaken!
INTI: Get… out… while I'm still being kind. You have no idea what I'm capable of.
DANTE HERALDI: This is bizarre... He possesses the strength to execute us instantly, yet he hesitates. What is he planning?
REX: Maybe he's just playing with his food, just like that ice witch on the floor below.
ISAMU: Dante is correct; something doesn't add up. It doesn't feel as though he actually harbors the intent to kill us.
MALEKIN: Hey, God Inti... Why not simply step aside and let us pass? You clearly don't want this fight, or perhaps—
In a flash, a beam of concentrated solar energy erupts from INTI's fingertip, piercing clean through MALEKIN's chest and dropping him instantly. DANTE screams MALEKIN's name in horror.
INTI: What foolishness are you spouting, demon? I am merely attempting to conserve energy, as slaughtering you is a chore. To begin with, your reactions are sluggish—you must recognize your vulnerabilities and adapt to your adversary, idiot.
ELENA quickly heals him, but in an instant, the god INTI vanishes from his enemies' sight and reappears behind ELENA. Terrified, she attempts to teleport away, but INTI grabs her by the hand, lifts her into the air, and slams her brutally against the ground, leaving her on the verge of death. This enrages DANTE, who activates all his powers, draws his swords, and lunges at INTI. INTI leaves ELENA on the ground and steps back, blocking DANTE's attacks with his bracers. DANTE shouts, "QUETZALCOATL, heal her!" As INTI dodges, he speaks:
DANTE HERALDI: QUETZALCÓATL, HEAL HER NOW!
Parrying DANTE's frantic strikes, INTI speaks calmly mid-combat.
INTI: That woman is weak... Why did you bring her into a war zone, mortal?
DANTE HERALDI: (Enraged) That is none of your business!
INTI: You lack discipline. You allow raw anger to govern your movements, ruining your technique. That dark power of yours is consuming your mind and you don't even realize it. It disgusts me to cross blades with someone who wields immense power so mindlessly.
DANTE HERALDI: (Stunned) What on earth are you talking about?!
INTI: You fail to see it—you possess vast potential, yet your emotions betray you at every turn. You have already unlocked Wrath... What is your goal? To embody all seven deadly sins, you miserable fool?
Shocked by the sun god's words, DANTE leaps back to create space. Seeing that QUETZALCÓATL has stabilized ELENA, he lets his aura subside, staring at INTI in deep intrigue.
DANTE HERALDI: What in the world are you?!
INTI: Your enemy.
Instantly, INTI launches himself forward, driving a devastating punch into DANTE's abdomen that sends him soaring through the air.
INTI: Never rely too heavily on others—focus purely on the fight!
Blading across the room at blinding speed, he materializes right in front of ELENA and QUETZALCÓATL. Delivering a heavy kick to QUETZALCÓATL, he sends the goddess crashing into the ceiling.
INTI: You are a deity! Do not demean yourself simply because you aren't who you once were, trash!
ELENA scrambles to her feet, conjuring a volley of ice lances and launching them directly at INTI. Effortlessly weaving through the barrage, any stray lances that graze his skin melt into mist upon contact. Terrified, ELENA begins to teleport frantically across the hall, but INTI anticipates her every spatial shift, reappearing behind her instantaneously at every destination.
Catching ELENA by the throat, the sun god strikes her weapon, sending her staff clattering to the stone floor. Leaning close to her ear, he whispers sternly.
INTI: Do not depend on magical conduits. Believe in your own innate power... or better yet, perish, loser.
He hurls ELENA toward REX, who catches her gently and lowers her to the ground. QUETZALCÓATL rushes to ELENA's side to weave emergency healing magic.
Unleashing his full speed, ISAMU steps forward to cut the god down, but INTI deflects every strike with his armguards, lecturing mid-combat.
INTI: You! Stop fearing your full potential! If you continue to conceal your true power, everyone here will die!
Stunned by the critique, ISAMU composedly steps back, taking distance. Sheathing his katana, he locks his gaze on INTI, who advances slowly toward him. In the next heartbeat, INTI loses sight of ISAMU entirely. Surprised by the sudden displacement, the sun god senses a presence behind his back as low words echo through the hall: "Secret Technique: Ancient Thousand Cuts."
The surrounding air warps violently as INTI is struck by an infinite barrage of slashes that draw blood across his torso. Forced to leap backward to recover, a subtle smirk of satisfaction crosses his face. Regaining their composure, the rest of the group line up alongside ISAMU, confronting the god as one.
DANTE HERALDI: This guy clearly isn't fighting with the intent to slaughter us... But for a while now, I've had this bizarre feeling... like I'm sparring with someone familiar.
QUETZALCÓATL: I feel it too... It's remarkably familiar.
REX: I have no idea what you guys are talking about...
ELENA: He is terrifyingly strong, yet... yes, something isn't right.
MALEKIN: Yeah... this whole situation feels uncomfortable. It reminds me of...
ISAMU: My master.
A collective realization sweeps across the group. The entity before them isn't merely fighting—he is actively instructing them on the battlefield, disguising his mentorship behind hostile provocations.
DANTE HERALDI: Unbelievable... You know what? It's time to bring this to a close. We don't have much time before he gets bored and decides to actually execute us.
QUETZALCÓATL: You're right. We can't predict his whims; we must secure victory now!
Nodding in unison, the group surges forward against INTI, who awaits their approach with a satisfied grin.
Opening the assault, ELENA summons a colossal meteor that crashes down directly upon INTI. Shattering the cosmic rock in a single blast, INTI emerges—only to be intercepted by REX, who drives a heavy hybrid-form fist flush into his stomach. The sun god barely flinches as REX's hand begins to scorch upon contact with his skin; yet, gritting through the searing pain, REX follows up with a heavy cross with his opposite hand, sending the god spinning mid-air.
Intercepting his descent, MALEKIN catches him upside down—his green barrier shielding him from the solar heat. Planting both feet squarely against the god's forehead, MALEKIN spins violently and slams INTI headfirst into the bedrock.
Thinking the assault succeeded, MALEKIN lowers his guard—only for the ground beneath him to ignite into a molten lake. Retreating instantly, MALEKIN watches as a torrent of solar fire surges from the floor, revealing a bloodied INTI engulfed in roaring flames.
The sun god unleashes a continuous barrage of miniaturized suns—concentrated spheres of fiery energy that obliterate everything they touch into ash. The party scrambles across the hall to dodge the devastating volleys.
DANTE charges straight through the chaos toward INTI. Melting the stone floor beneath his feet, INTI fuses the liquid rock with his magma flames, forging a brilliant fiery broadsword to match DANTE's blades. As the party attempts to rush to DANTE's side, a colossal wall of roaring flames erupts, trapping DANTE and INTI together inside a blistering arena of pure fire.
The heat inside the arena was apocalyptic—so intense that DANTE activated every power at his disposal, including the flames of Wrath. Seeing this, INTI smiled, deeply relieved, and began to speak.
INTI: Young man... I have waited for someone like you. I am overjoyed to see someone who actually possesses a genuine chance to slay that vile scum. Inside this barrier of flame, that creature cannot observe us.
DANTE HERALDI: What on earth do you mean?! Aren't you his guardian?!
INTI: I am a prisoner, fool. These binding chains aren't for decoration... That scrawny tyrant managed to capture me. He offered me a promise I couldn't refuse, but as time passed, I realized it was all a lie. I am a god and my hearing is sharp—he believes I cannot listen, but his own arrogance will be his undoing. Your companions lack refined combat polish... That is why I trained them during our clash, giving them guidance so they might grow stronger.
DANTE HERALDI: But why not join forces with us to kill him?!
INTI: These chains, young man... Though invisible to you now, they still bind my very destiny to his will. This will be my final strike—defeat me! Prove that my faith in you is not misplaced, and slay that monster. Something catastrophic is brewing across the realms, and he plays a central role in it. I leave it in your hands, young man.
Stunned by the revelation, DANTE channeled every ounce of his remaining strength into his blades while INTI gathered his solar energy for one last clash. An overwhelming, suffocating pressure filled the air between the two mighty combatants, causing the ancient temple to shudder under the strain. Outside, his companions waited in anxious suspense, while atop the pyramid, MICTLANTEKUTI watched intently at a mirror that displayed nothing but a swirling sphere of roaring flames.
With a final roar, the two combatants surged toward each other. Their blades collided in a violent explosion of divine light; the shockwave was so immense that DANTE felt his bones fracture under the force, yet he gritted his teeth and held his ground. Repelled by the impact, DANTE wasted no time—channeling Flash Step, he instantly closed the distance to deliver a decisive downward strike.
INTI watched him approach, but instead of parrying, he simply cast his fiery sword aside, spreading his arms wide with a serene smile. In his mind, a single thought echoed: "At last... I am free."
DANTE swung his blade with full power, his face overcome with sudden grief. The divine steel cleaved through INTI from his right shoulder down to his left hip, severing the sun god in two. INTI collapsed onto the stone floor, a smile lingering on his lips as his life faded away.
The wall of fire dissolved into mist, exposing DANTE standing over INTI's lifeless body, tears streaming down his face. The party stared in total confusion, whispering among themselves: "What happened in there?" DANTE sank to his knees on the stone floor, overwhelmed by emotion.
Meanwhile, atop the pyramid, MICTLANTEKUTI rose from his throne in a fit of rage at INTI's defeat.
MICTLANTEKUTI: (Furious) Useless piece of trash... Fine, I will handle them myself!
Back in the hall, our companions gathered around DANTE, uncertain of what had transpired inside the fiery domain.
REX: (Tail tucked low) Buddy... are you alright? Why are you crying?
ELENA: (Looking down anxiously) Dante... what happened in there?
QUETZALCÓATL: Child, are you alright?
ISAMU: ...
MALEKIN: ...
DANTE HERALDI: (Tears in his eyes) That man was trying to help us all along... He was just another victim of that monster.
A heavy silence fell over the group as the truth sank in. Another noble soul had been sacrificed by the God of the Dead, leaving DANTE burdened with sorrow—another being of light departing the world so that others might survive.
Will this tragedy serve as yet another catalyst to awaken DANTE's true potential? Who reigns supreme over the remaining underworlds? And will further sacrifices be demanded on this bloody ascension? Everything shall be revealed very soon!