April 30, 2040: After a devastating pandemic, a third world war between five countries, and a global food shortage, the world's population decreased by 53%. This may have pleased some powerful people on the planet, but it's hard to believe this was the solution; with the population down, food was no longer scarce. The world's population was experiencing a second chance. Following this, we entered an era of peace where most countries united to prevent another potential war, but, as always, the countries most affected were those rife with corruption.
In a Latin American country, at 9 pm, a gathering of 10 people is taking place in a house.
At the table with 10 seats, the person in the center stands up and begins to speak.
PERSON: Good evening, everyone. My name is Dante Heraldi, and I'm organizing this meeting. I know you're all important members of the party, and this is our first meeting. I promise I'll be brief. Today, we're going to talk about our political party and its upcoming elections. As you know, I'm fed up with all the corruption in this beautiful country, and I'd like to hear your opinions on our proposals. I'm going to free this country from the chains of corruption.
PERSON 2: Good evening, my name is OLIVER GÓMEZ, and the proposals you're putting forward in your campaign are very problematic, don't you think, Mr. DANTE? Demanding an investigation into all members of Congress and stripping them of their parliamentary immunity, or failing that, closing Congress—won't that cause us problems with the other parties? Besides wanting to fight crime by leaps and bounds, catching and locking them up in a new prison you want to create with a new special police agency, in my opinion, it's a very harsh way to start this campaign.
DANTE HERALDI: I understand your point, but remember, it's been over 30 years without a good president for this country; don't you think this would be best for our people? (Raises his voice) There are countries that have rid themselves of bad behavior with a firm hand, and I believe our time has come; if not now, when will it be, comrades?
PERSON 3: Hello, my name is Alex Troyen, and I think what Mr. Dante says makes a lot of sense. It's time we did something right for this country; I know we'll come in strong, but I also know the people will support us on this issue.
PERSON 4: Good evening, my name is Marc Mella and yes, the idea seems attractive, but wanting to close Congress is not a vile act that goes against the principle of democracy in our country; we are nobody to do that.
PERSON 5: (irony) Says someone who's a businessman and has good friends in Congress. (Marc is annoyed by the comment.) Excuse me, my name is ÍKER MAYTO and I know I'm not from this country, but Mr. DANTE's proposals aren't as bad as they sound. In some countries, like Germany, to free themselves from Nazi influence, they exerted strong pressure by removing all symbols of it and imprisoning those who continued down that path. So, attacking this evil at its root doesn't just mean investigating members of Congress, the police, judges, and prosecutors; we all have to investigate and expose everything.
MARC MELLA: Umm, umm, I'm offended, Mr. ÍKER, it has nothing to do with business.
ÍKER MAYTO: It's nothing personal, Mr. MARC, it's just a little suspicious.
PERSON 6: Well, gentlemen, let's keep our composure. My name is ANGEL NÚÑEZ. This isn't the most appropriate way to conduct a meeting, please calm down.
PERSON 7: Yes, both of you calm down, please. My name is ERICK MAZON, and if you keep what you say under control, please, we're not here to fight, we're here to discuss some very urgent matters.
PERSON 8: Well, my name is DANIEL GUILLÉN and I agree with Mr. MARC, we cannot let ourselves be carried away by our emotions and send everything flying as if they were insects; the rules are there to be respected.
PERSON 9: Hello, my name is Dylan Peitry. I'm not from this country either, but thanks to Mr. Marc, I'm here. He's accomplished many things in this beautiful country, and I'm grateful not only for that, but also because his point of view is very valid. We can't let ourselves be swayed by all this hate; we have to think rationally. Remember, criminals have rights too, don't you think?
PERSON 10: Hello, my name is NILL ZOTOMAYOR, and it seems those who are against this have something to lose. Otherwise, why would they oppose the idea? What DANTE is proposing is very reasonable. Won't it directly affect their businesses? Or will it? And if we investigate, something should come to light, shouldn't it, gentlemen? (Marc, Daniel, and Dylan glare at him angrily)
MARC MELLA: It's unacceptable to make those claims. What's wrong with you, Mr. NILL? We could sue you for defamation.
DANIEL GUILLÉN: Are you crazy? What's wrong with you?
DYLAN PEITRY: Careful, sir, don't make claims you can't back up.
NILL ZOTOMAYOR: Sorry, relax, I'm just saying what we're all thinking, I'm not keeping it to myself and I'm not making any claims, I have no proof (he says quietly) but I have no doubts either.
DANIEL GUILLÉN: What did you say, Mr. NILL? We couldn't hear the last part.
NILL ZOTOMAYOR: (nervous laugh) Oh, nothing. Don't you think we should change the subject?
ÍKER MAYTO: I agree.
ERICK MAZON: Yes, I think we should move on.
ÁNGEL NÚÑEZ: We have to continue; the night isn't endless.
OLIVER GOMEZ: Yes, let's change the subject.
ALEX TROYEN: (nods) Yes, let's change the subject.
DANTE HERALDO: Well, leaving all that aside, let's now focus on education and external debt, how will we solve this problem?
This meeting lasts until the early hours of the morning; after discussing several points to launch better proposals, the meeting ends after a few more minutes.
At 3 a.m., the meeting has ended; everyone begins to say their goodbyes, hypocritical smiles are exchanged everywhere, some leave together. Meanwhile, Mr. Marc and Mr. Daniel head to the exit together and get into a limousine; Dante, Alex, and Nill get into their car together, and the others leave separately into the darkness of the night. Inside the limousine, a very interesting conversation is taking place.
MARC MELLA: Daniel, do we have DANTE's data? All his information?
DANIEL GUILLÉN: A former commander in the armed forces, Alex was with him in his squad. He has a good military career, seems very strong; he single-handedly took down an assault platoon when he was a soldier. Besides, he has a very decent family business inherited from his father, a car dealership for a well-known brand. Well, what do you suggest we do? The guy is dangerous, but his ideals are even more dangerous.
MARC MELLA: Easy, we have to make him disappear. Call the usual guy, Dante is a danger to our business. (The car stops at a house, DANIEL gets out and MARC says through the window) Don't forget to call DYLAN, he knows how to handle this and gather what's needed. This has to be wrapped up by today or tomorrow at the latest.
DANIEL GUILLÉN: Sure, we'll talk later.
Meanwhile, DANTE, ALEX, and NILL head to ALEX's house in his car to have a few drinks to relax after the day, and in DANTE's car, they proceed to have a conversation.
DANTE HERALDO: Well, guys, how was I? Don't you think Marc's behavior is very suspicious? I don't know what to do with him anymore. Do you think we should expel him from the Democratic Party?
ALEX TROYEN: Umm... I think you should do it. That guy doesn't give me a good impression. Remember, they have exploitative companies, and they only look out for their own profit. What do you think, NILL?
NILL ZOTOMAYOR: Yes, well, it's true, those scumbags are just putting on an act to get close to you, Dante. Be careful with those idiots; something tells me we should kick them out. The others will understand if we explain things properly. Tomorrow I'll start gathering evidence so we can proceed with this expulsion. Does that sound good?
DANTE HERALDO: I'm counting on you. I already see you as a good friend, hehe.
NILL ZOTOMAYOR: Thanks, I'm honored, hahaha.
ALEX TROYEN: Well guys, we're here. Let's go.
The guys get out of the car and head to Alex's house, a small mansion. They put on some music, have a few drinks, chat about life, love, business, and stories from the past, having a good time, and then it's 4 a.m., suddenly…
DANTE HERALDI: Of course… and he told me I couldn't do it, but as you know how strong I am, hehehe, I managed it. I broke the brick with one punch; that idiot was like, "WHAT?" and that's how I earned a thousand dollars with one punch.
ALEX TROYEN: Yeah NILL, that really happened. I was in the same squad as him and I saw it. A brick taken out with one punch. It was incredible. You trained hard, didn't you, big guy?
NILL ZOTOMAYOR: Do you seriously think I'll believe you? Well, yes, he has muscles, but that's it, haha, well, if you say so.
DANTE HERALDO: You see, it's actually a technique where you concentrate (a noise is heard from the other room). Wait, didn't you say your family had gone out?
ALEX TROYEN: Yes, what's more, there shouldn't be anyone here, just us, and I don't have any pets.
Suddenly, a window shatters and a grenade lands between the three men, and DANTE, horror in his eyes, screams.
DANTE HERALDO: GRENADE, RUN, RUN, RUN.
The boys barely managed to dodge, but NILL got the worst of it: his left leg was gone.
ALEX TROYEN: NILL, WHAT HAPPENED? HOW ARE YOU? (He looks at him with horrified eyes.) NILL, no, DANTE, NILL IS BADLY HURT. WHAT DO WE DO, DANTE? (Alex looks at DANTE, also wounded with a small knife stuck in his right side, and approaches him.) DANTE replies: "Are you okay?"
DANTE HERALDI: Yes, my friend, cof, cof, this is nothing. What happened to NILL?
ALEX TROYEN: He's in bad shape, he's missing a leg, he's bleeding out, damn it.
DANTE HERALDI: friend, I don't know what's going on, but I think this is the end for me. Escape, please, and go tell the police.
Meanwhile, hooded figures are entering the house where the friends are.
ALEX TROYEN: Hey, idiot, do you think someone like me can do anything? You're always the squad captain, don't you remember? (ALEX picks up DANTE and runs off.) I have a place to hide you; nobody knows about it, a panic room, as they say, but if I don't distract them, they'll find us fast.
They run to a small room, where Alex touches a small painting and a door opens, throwing Dante inside.
Dante falls to the floor, about to faint, as the door closes. With his last bit of strength, Dante speaks.
DANTE HERALDI: ALEX, NO, YOU PROMISED, YOU SAID YOU'D HELP ME WITH THIS, I CAN'T DO IT ALONE, ALEX!
With the door almost closed, ALEX looks at DANTE and speaks.
ALEX TROYEN: DANTE, this is goodbye; please, liberate this country for me.
The door closes completely. Alex looks at the hiding place, smiles, and shouts, "This way, bastards!"
Half an hour has passed; the screams and gunshots have stopped, and Dante manages to recover. He gets up clumsily and opens the door.
He walks slowly through the house, finding unknown people dead. He passes through the first room, finding NILL dead with gunshot wounds to the head. He continues walking and goes up to the second floor, finding about 3 unknown people dead in a room, and in the corner of the room, his friend sitting, holding a pistol with his head down, covered in blood and with noticeable bullet wounds; he was dead.
DANTE HERALDI: (crying, he approaches the body) No, NO, NO, NO, why? No, you bastards, I WON'T FORGIVE YOU.
DANTE heads to the bathroom, hastily treats his wound, and starts going through the criminals' belongings, finding a business card with a number he knows all too well.
DANTE HERALDI: DYLAN, you fucking bastard, I knew you were with them.
Police sirens wail, and DANTE hesitates, torn between letting it go and pursuing legal action or giving in to his savage side. But in his mind, something was already brewing.
DANTE HERALDI: (in his mind) These bastards, what do I do? What do I do? (mysterious voice) Do it, man, just go with it. After all, your friends were killed. (DANTE is surprised.) Calm down, DANTE. It's better if I escape and think things through, since there's no evidence against those bastards and I know who did it. If I leave all this to the police, these bastards have the power to escape. Wait, if they were after me, what about my family?
Dante ran out; a bad feeling seemed to have taken hold of him. Dante's house was a few blocks from Alex's, and Dante ran as fast as he could. The adrenaline in his system neutralized his pain, but he wasn't prepared for what he would see when he arrived.
Dante arrived home to find the door destroyed. He cautiously entered, walked through the hallway to the living room, and saw a huge bloodstain; a trail of blood led him to the kitchen. Entering, he couldn't believe what he saw: his wife's remains scattered throughout the kitchen. Her torso lay on the table with her head on top, and her arms and legs were strewn across the kitchen floor—a nightmarish sight.
DANTE HERALDI: (almost vomiting) NO, WHAT IS THIS? How did this happen? It can't be, my dear TIFANY. Where are my children?
DANTE runs to his daughter's room and finds her on her bed, stabbed countless times, with a cut on her neck and signs of having been raped.
DANTE HERALDI: (crying in pain) Why is this happening to me? CHARLOTTE, why you? What should I do? Damned bastards (a voice in his head): Kill them all... I know you want to... you've held back... for too long... end this. Yes… I think you're right (a smile appears on his face). Wait, where is my son?
Dante runs out the door and searches the entire house. Finally, in the garage, he finds him in a corner—his son, with clear signs that he had fought for his life, his body covered in severe wounds. He fought until his last breath. Dante stands there, staring at his son, and something catches his eye. On the right side, next to his son's hand, a name was written in blood: Dylan.
DANTE HERALDI: (His eyes filled with fury) You damned bastard, I knew it. Very well, I can't leave this to the police anymore; those bastards have power and they'll get away with it, I know that for sure. Tonight it all ends. (Looking at his son's body) Now rest in peace, MATEO; you did a great job. I will avenge the death of our family and friends.
DANTE runs out of the house; the police arrive and surround the house, everyone thinking that DANTE is the one responsible for everything… Hours pass, reaching 10 pm that night. Somewhere in the city, in a 20-story building on the 10th floor, the true culprits of this atrocity are talking.
MARC MELLA: Hahahaha, we did it, the bastard's missing and everyone thinks he's the culprit.
DANIEL GUILLÉN: Yeah, but don't you think the killer went too far with what he did at Dante's house? I think it was way too much and disgusting.
A voice comes on from a radio.
DYLAN PEITRY: They deserved that and more. Do you think our businesses would have continued to profit if that bastard had come to power? He already had a 60% public approval rating; we had to stop him, but yeah, that bastard I hired is a real criminal. He also called me right after he'd finished everything. It's a shame the other soldiers did get killed at Alex's house; we didn't know he was so good, but the good thing is there's no evidence, nothing to implicate us. It's lucky they took out the other two too, hahaha.
Suddenly, a loud explosion crackles over the radio.
MARC MELLA: DYLAN!... What happened? Answer me!
DYLAN PEITRY: Oh, an explosion downstairs, God, I think it's DANTE, or maybe not… Help, guys…
The others listen in bewilderment to the radio; all they hear are savage bangs and sounds like someone is choking, then a somber silence and a macabre voice comes from the radio saying: "Your friend's throat is gone and he's already told me what I wanted to know; I'm coming for you." The radio cuts out.
MARC MELLA: DANIEL, let's get out of here; Dylan's position wasn't far from here, was it?
DANIEL GUILLÉN: No, actually, he was on the second floor of this building (the man starts to panic).
MARC MELLA: Damn it, how did we get into this mess? It was perfect. What happened? How did you know? Well, should we leave through the emergency exits or take the elevator?
Suddenly, all the lights in the building went out, leaving only the emergency lights on, making it difficult to see and escape. The two men were terrified, trying to make their way through the corridors, reaching the 5th floor, their hearts pounding, reflecting on their mistakes.
MARC MELLA: Today, I don't think we'll make it out of this, Daniel, but if we can get a chance, I've got a magnum in my jacket, so if we can distract him for a while, one bullet will take him out. What do you say?
DANIEL GUILLÉN: (A relieved smile spreads across his face) Why did you wait until we were down five floors to tell me? I've been shitting my pants. Well, at least we have hope, but I'll have to distract him because I'm terrible with those things.
MARC MELLA: To be honest, neither am I, but if I get a shot at point-blank range, he won't stand a chance.
As they reach the fourth floor, DYLAN's body suddenly falls from the ceiling at their feet, and MARC fires two shots.
MARC MELLA: Take cover, DANIEL, he's close.
DANIEL GUILLÉN: What the hell, look at the body, he's missing his windpipe; it looks like an animal ripped it out with its teeth. Is that what that idiot DANTE meant?
MARC MELLA: Besides, several parts are practically ripped off. I knew he was really strong, but this, damn it, this is beyond us, but nothing a good weapon can't fix. (MARC shouts) I KNOW YOU'RE HERE, DANTE, DON'T HIDE, YOU DAMN BASTARD, SHOW YOURSELF.
DANIEL MELLA: Hey, hey, calm down, I don't want to end up like that guy (pointing at DYLAN).
A voice from an unknown source speaks, but we all know it's DANTE.
DANTE HERALDI: You took everything from me, you disgusting old men; your death will not be quick, you will end up worse than the one on the ground.
And then the emergency lights started to malfunction, to flicker, and a shadow could be seen in the distance, standing in front of the two of them. Every time the lights went out and came back on, he was gone, and Marc fired reflexively, but never hit him. In one of those intervals between the changing lights, Dante quickly positioned himself between them, grabbing Marc's hand, and with a knee and elbow strike, broke Marc's arm and kicked him to the side of the room. The gun went flying; Daniel then threw him about 5 meters into the air, leaving him nearly knocked out on the ground. Dante approached Marc and said:
DANTE HERALDO: You're going to see your friend die; I'll come for you afterward. I know you're the mastermind behind this.
Immediately afterward, Dante stomps on each of Marc's legs, breaking them, and slowly walks toward Daniel, leaving Marc weeping in pain. Approaching Daniel, Marc sees his friend being brutally beaten by Dante, who, with monstrous strength, sees his companion's body sink with each blow. Daniel screams for him to stop, but Dante, in a trance of rage, continues to strike, until he stands and begins to stomp on Daniel's face with all his might until only a body remains, its head crushed like a lump of bread. Then, he slowly walks toward Marc, his face contorted with anger, but suddenly a powerful kick sends Dante sprawling to the side, and Marc speaks.
MARC MELLA: (Tears of pain) Damn it, you took your sweet time... MIJAIL; that's why I called you earlier.
UNKNOWN PERSON: I'm a busy assassin, damn it, you think it's easy to get here so fast? From where I was, you should be grateful I'm here to save your fat ass, hehe, so this is the whiny bastard who couldn't handle the death of his family.
DANTE HERALDO: Who the hell are you?
UNKNOWN PERSON: MIJAIL PETROV a fucking mercenary and the murderer of your entire family, hahahahaha.
Uncontrolled rage erupts in DANTE's eyes, and he charges at the killer. Trying to tackle him, the killer dodges, kicking DANTE. Surprised, DANTE gets to his feet and analyzes the situation in his mind.
DANTE HERALDI: (in his mind) This bastard is well-trained; I'll have to fight him seriously.
DANTE, using his best fighting techniques, engaged in a fierce battle: low blows, flying kicks. It seemed the rivals were evenly matched, but the difference in experience gradually became apparent. DANTE began to gain the upper hand, and the assassin, lost in thought, retreated from Dante's blows.
MIJAIL PETROV: (in his mind) This bastard is really good; I'll have to use weapons, otherwise I'm going to die, heh.
MIJAIL, backing away, pulls a war knife from behind his waist and slashes forward, forcing DANTE back. DANTE assesses the situation and charges forward, dodging the knife. He then kicks MIJAIL'S ankle, knocking him to the ground. DANTE quickly grabs MIJAIL'S hand, locking it in a chokehold, breaking his grip and forcing him to drop the knife. The two characters quickly stand: MIJAIL in pain from the key, staggers, but Dante gives him no respite. He immediately grabs the knife and plunges it into MIJAIL chest, twisting it as he says something to MIJAIL.
DANTE HERALDI: You damned bastard, this is over. I hope you rot in hell and suffer as much as you are now; too bad I can't make you suffer more.
MIJAIL PETROV: (spitting blood and dying) Hehehe, you damned bastard, you're good, but you gain nothing by killing us; you'll rot in prison and most likely we'll meet in hell and there I'll greet your family, hahahahaha. (Spits blood)
DANTE, enraged, pulls the knife from his chest and, with monstrous strength, cuts off MIJAIL's head with a single stroke while MARC watches in astonishment. Then, DANTE slowly approaches MARC, placing the knife against his neck; he speaks to him.
DANTE HERALDI: You miserable bastard, because of your damned ambition you've lost everything, and now you have me here, standing before you, to end your miserable life. I know I'll see you soon in hell, and I'll personally make sure to torture you for all eternity.
MARC MELLA: (crying) No, please, I beg you, it was all someone else's idea. I didn't want to do anything. Please, no.
DANTE HERALDI: This ends here, you bastard, hehehe, hahahahaHAHAHAHAHA.
Dante proceeds to plunge the knife into Marc's neck and slowly slit his throat. As Marc writhes and screams in agony, Dante completely decapitates him. Dante begins to weep and think.
We move to the exterior of the building where countless police officers are surrounding the entrance. They secure the area by parking cars in front of the building and pointing all their weapons forward as the police chief speaks.
POLICE CHIEF: Alright, boys, the time has come; here's the one responsible for everything. Be alert.
A figure slowly emerges from the building.
POLIC CHIEF: Very well, boys, aim (through a megaphone). Sir, I ask that you lower your weapons and surrender. Don't force us to use force...
The chief notices a head in the man's left hand; not just any head, it was Marc's. Dante, mentally unstable, speaks.
DANTE HERALDI: Hehe, you want to defend this bastard (bringing his head closer to his face). THEN COME FOR ME.
Dante throws the head away and charges at the police officers.
POLIC CHIEF: Fire! Open fire, boys, don't let him advance.
DANTE, with superhuman agility, kills a couple of policemen with the knife, while being hit by several projectiles and thus spends a few minutes, after which our protagonist falls and, as the light in his eyes goes out, remembering the beautiful moments he spent with his family, he dies in tears.
DANTE HERALDI: (in his mind) Now I can finally rest. My only regret is not leading my country to the top, but what I'm glad about is that I've finally gotten rid of the corrupt, heh... heh...
And our DANTE dies, but this is only the beginning; we're heading back to the place where this story began.
HELL
DANTE wakes up from the terrible beating he suffered at the hands of the demon, but this time something has changed within him.
DANTE HERALDI: Umm... Where am I? Oh, right, this place. What a horrible dream. My wounds haven't healed yet; that means it's not another perfect day. That damned demon hasn't come yet, and I'm exhausted, but I think I'll be able to escape.
With all his strength, Dante pulls his hands, which are nailed to the rock, freeing them but leaving gaps in his palms. He tries desperately to break free from his chains, dislocating his hip and breaking a couple of ribs in the process. Dante lies on the ground in pain and from his injuries, but he knows that, in time, his wounds will heal. The appointed time arrives, and Dante heals automatically. He gets up and thinks.
DANTE HERALDI: (in his mind) Well, I'm cured now; this means it's midnight. From today on, I'll have to keep track of time here. That demon is about to arrive; I'll have to prepare everything very well. Let's get to work, today will be the day I free myself from that beast.
Dante walks toward one of the stakes. He taps it with stones from the ground to loosen it, careful not to hurt himself so he won't be at a disadvantage in the next fight. He manages to pull the stake out. Then, he uses his own blood from the ground to stain his hands and simulate his previous wounds. He wraps himself in the chain and pretends to be pinned to the rock again: he places the stake in the hole and rests the back of his hand on it. In the distance, the demon appears. Dante lowers his head and stares at the ground as the enemy slowly approaches.
DEMON: Hey, you damned human, you're still alive, aren't you? Hahaha, as if you were going to die. Here, hey! I'm talking to you, you bastard, are you out of strength? It's a new day; you must be better.
The DEMON approaches DANTE, grabs his head, pulls his hair up, and looks him in the face. DANTE's eyes are closed.
DEMON: Damned human, the time for your torture has come. Open your damned eyes, you filthy animal.
Dante suddenly opens his eyes, grabs the stake, and with incredible speed, manages to drive it into the demon's neck and pull it out; he tries to drive it in again, but the demon immediately recoils. Dante gets up, throws off his chains, and grips the stake like a sword to defend himself, shouting at the demon.
DANTE HERALDI: THIS ENDS HERE, DEMON. I WILL BE FREE OF YOU TODAY, YOU DAMNED BASTARD.
The DEMON is shocked, clutching his wound to try and stop the bleeding. He can't believe he was hurt and, with a hateful expression, stares intently at the human standing before him.
DEMON: You damned thing, how did you escape your bonds? A normal person would have lost their mind long ago.
DANTE HERALDI: How long do you think it's been? DEMON, how long have you been having fun with me?
DEMON: (whispering) Damn time, isn't it? I think it's been about two millennia. Unhappy me, I'd forgotten all this; how could I have been so stupid.
DANTE HERALDI: What do you mean, you damned bastard? Explain yourself, I heard you.
DEMON: First of all, let me introduce myself: I am an intermediate demon, my name is MAMMON. Well, since you've managed to hurt me for the first time, I'll tell you. Listen carefully; it will be educational for you. You are not special; you are practically our food. All species of the multiverse are sent here: humans, animals, and other beings.
DANTE HERALDI: Wait, you said animals and other beings. I didn't know there were more species beyond this planet. How is that possible?
MAMMON: Don't interrupt me, you disgusting human. Yes, animals and other species... your own kind, know this, but they hide it from their population, supposedly to protect them; nothing could be further from the truth. Well, they come here too. What did you think, that you were special? When you die, you pass to this world or the next, depending on how your life was, and here each demon is assigned to a species to torture and feed us. I take care of some humans and the odd dog. The truth is, this is how it works: you are tortured for a certain amount of time, since your negative emotions are what feed us; then, after a while, we have the obligation to devour you (a smile occurs), body and soul, to strengthen ourselves, and that's where it all ends up for you, hahaha. THERE IS NO REINCARNATION, NO SECOND CHANCE, YOU IDIOTIC HUMANS. (Dante looks at him with fear and sadness) You humans think you're special, you think everything revolves around you, but no, you're arrogant, narcissistic, you discriminate against your own race because of their skin color, pfft, you enslave them, haha, you're nothing more than a grain of sand in this multiverse, hahaha, there's only one life and you don't enjoy it, hahaha, you waste it killing each other, raping each other, stealing from each other, you waste the only thing you have and it's very valuable... "your time". there is no other chance; instead of being happy and pursuing your own goals, you waste the little time you have, hahaha. Sorry, I got carried away. Well, to ensure your survival, as you probably know, you're healed periodically, and that's a rule here. We have to kill them after a certain amount of time, because they get so used to the pain that they become... well, like you. It's not the first time this has happened. So, abandon all hope of escape, mortal; your time to die has come.
Dante reflects for a moment, lowers his head, and then raises it abruptly.
DANTE HERALDI: You think I have no hope; on the contrary, you've given me more hope. To think that there are people out there wandering without being tortured... This ends today, demon, prepare yourself (he grips the stake tightly).
The DEMON withdrew his hand from the wound on his neck; the bleeding had stopped, he had bought himself time to heal his wound with magic. He opened the satchel he carried and drew a curved sword, preparing to fight. DANTE kept him at bay, circling the DEMON to analyze him and prepare to fight. Then the DEMON broke the silence, lunging at DANTE with a sword strike. DANTE barely dodged it and slashed sideways at the monster with his weapon, managing to wound him slightly. The DEMON became enraged, throwing several more sword strikes at DANTE, but he dodged them all. One strike was aimed at his leg, but he managed a great leap that even surprised him, landing several feet away from the DEMON. He was fine, unharmed, and looked at the DEMON.
MAMMON: (in his mind) Damn it, it seems his body is getting used to this place; there are no limiters here after all, but he doesn't seem to have noticed. I have to finish this once and for all.
The DEMON pulls another curved sword from his satchel and exclaims.
MAMMON: Well, you disgusting human, it seems you know how to defend yourself, but with that thing in your hands, you won't get anywhere. I'm going to fight seriously from now on, here I come.
The DEMON assumes a fighting stance, crossing his swords and bending his knees; he prepares to go after him. Then, in an instant, he reaches DANTE, who is surprised. The DEMON throws a sword slash like a pair of scissors; DANTE barely manages to dodge it. The DEMON immediately kicks him into the air, managing to wound DANTE, who spits up a little blood. Seeing that DANTE is heading high, the DEMON leaps high, reaching him in an instant, slashing downwards to knock him to the ground, but DANTE manages to block the blow. Just before falling, he manages to cut the strap of the satchel, causing it to fall with him to the ground. He hits the ground hard and realizes the satchel has landed beside him. He sees the demon descend, swinging his sword at him. With all his might, Dante leaps back, the satchel in hand, and the demon slashes the ground, shattering it and raising a large cloud of dust. Dante is surprised at how far he managed to get from the demon and looks at the satchel.
DANTE HERALDI: How does this thing work? How can it pull out infinite things? I've seen it do it for a long time. Wait, his name is Mammon, right? From what I've read, he's the demon of greed, so do you have to think greedily to get anything out of this satchel? Let's see, I think I've read about some powerful swords in the world; which one was legendary? Let me remember.
Mammon looks around, searching for the spot where the human went.
With a powerful sword strike, he creates a gust of wind that clears the dust; in the distance, he sees the human playing with his satchel, having just realized it was missing.
MAMMON: Damn it, when do I take it off? No, he shouldn't be playing with that.
Mammon lunges with all his might, trying to reach Dante, but Dante is reaching into his satchel. The demon leaps toward him, striking the ground, but only raising dust. Dante, having dodged, now stands at a moderate distance, pulls his hand from the satchel, and says:
DANTE HERALDI: Ah, yes, I remember the sword (withdrawing his hand from the satchel) Kusanagi.
Dante draws a completely black sword resembling a Japanese katana and throws down the satchel, assuming a fighting stance, gripping the sword with both hands, pointing it at the demon.
MAMMON: No! You filthy bastard! You have no right to use my satchel! My master gave it to me! HAAA!
Mammon charges at Dante with all his might, and Dante raises his sword high, preparing to strike. It's clear that Dante concentrates all his strength in his hands, thinking of his family. When the demon is just inches away, Dante unleashes a powerful sword strike. The demon tries to block, but it's so potent that it severs his swords and cuts through his body from his left shoulder to his right waist, cleaving the demon in two. Dante's arms are also destroyed in the process.
MAMMON: Hehe, you damned human (spitting blood), how could a damned human beat me? Haha, but that was fun.
DANTE HERALDI: You think it was fun, you bastard? You might be able to revive later; you're a damned DEMON, but I'm TRYING TO SURVIVE HERE, YOU BASTARD (with tears in his eyes).
MAMMON: Hey, you stupid human, didn't I tell you? There's no second chance, and that applies to a demon like me too. (Spits blood.) We're only long-lived, not eternal; our time runs differently than yours, maybe not even a single day has passed in your world. (He struggles to breathe and spits blood.)
DANTE HERALDI: What did you say? (He starts to stagger from blood loss.)
MAMMON: What you heard, I don't have any more time left (spits blood). I wish you the worst luck in the world, you damned human; it was fun while it lasted...
The DEMON is dead; DANTE is stunned by what the DEMON said, and he kneels on the ground trying not to faint. The pain was minimal because he could barely feel it anymore; the blood loss and exhaustion had him in bad shape.
DANTE HERALDI: Damned demon, your last words were interesting; perhaps there's a chance to return and get out of here, hehe.
DANTE falls to the ground, closing his eyes, but as they close, he manages to glimpse a four-legged shadow approaching him. Who could this mysterious creature be? DANTE wonders as he loses consciousness.