Dante, suspended in the air by chains, observed with a satisfied smile. "This is your punishment, you whore," he declared, his voice full of determination. "This is just the beginning. I will return."
The enormous gate began to appear, pulling Dante toward it. As he passed through it, the chains started to dissolve in the air, and he was hurled through a tunnel of energy, accelerating at a surreal speed through space and time.
"You shouldn't mess with that..." a voice echoed around him.
"I'll say it again, his plan is impossible. He's wasting time and energy on it, and nothing will come of it," Dante retorted quickly, feeling his body pass through the portal before being spit out of the demonic world and thrown back into Elysium.
The first thing he did was spread his wings, stabilizing himself in the sky while looking at the demonic gate. The landscape of Elysium was a stark contrast to the infernal underworld. The sky was clear and serene, clouds drifting gently around majestic mountains and lush forests.
"At least I managed to stop that damned invasion," Dante said, looking at the gate.
Dante took a deep breath, feeling the pure air fill his lungs, a sensation almost forgotten after his time in hell. He looked at the horizon, where the demonic gate still pulsed with sinister energy.
Suddenly, a figure appeared on the horizon, flying towards him at high speed. It was a woman, a woman Dante knew as well as the back of his hand. "Dante, you're finally back!" the woman said, her voice full of relief and concern.
"Morgana," Dante replied, holding her tightly and embracing her. "How long have I been gone?" Dante asked, knowing that the Demonic World not only had many problems with gravity but also passed time faster compared to Elysium.
"A few hours... You... you've changed..." she said, noticing how Dante had changed, and Dante could only smile at her. He couldn't deny it; after all, he was now a much more complete version of Dante, a superior version.
As he smiled at Morgana, he felt a familiar presence. The demonic gargoyle, which had once seemed like an inert statue, began to move again, its stone wings flapping heavily as it approached.
"Progenitor," the gargoyle's guttural voice reverberated through the air. "The contract has been fulfilled. You got what you wanted." Dante looked at the creature, narrowing his eyes. "So, does this mean the portal will be closed?"
The gargoyle nodded slowly. "Yes. The demonic gate will be sealed, and the demonic world will be isolated again." With these words, the gargoyle lifted its enormous wings, beginning to chant words in an ancient and forgotten language. The portal began to glow intensely, its edges flickering with a red light as demonic energy flowed into it.
Dante stepped back a bit, watching the process. The runes around the portal began to shine brightly, and an invisible force started to pull the doors slowly, closing them with a resounding boom that echoed across the horizon.
"The contract has been fulfilled. The gate has been sealed," the gargoyle declared, its voice still resonating in the air.
The demonic portal was now completely closed, beginning to disappear into the rarefied air, creating an impenetrable barrier between the two worlds. Dante took a deep breath, feeling a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.
Morgana stood beside him, her expression one of relief. "It's over... The demonic world is isolated again," Morgana said, grabbing his arm and intertwining her fingers with his.
Dante looked up at the clear sky of Elysium, a feeling of peace finally beginning to settle in his heart. "It's finally over..." he murmured, but there was something he needed to do. There was a woman who needed his attention now, something he felt he had failed to give lately.
"How are they?" Dante asked, holding Morgana by the waist, pulling her closer. Without waiting for an answer, he kissed her deeply, their lips meeting in an explosion of pent-up emotions.
Morgana returned the kiss, her hands caressing Dante's face as she surrendered to the moment. When they finally parted, she looked into his eyes, a gentle smile forming on her lips. "They are fine, Dante. They missed you, just as I did."
Dante caressed Morgana's face, his gaze filled with remorse and love. "I'm sorry for being so distant. I promise that will change. You all are the reason I keep fighting."
Morgana nodded, holding his hand. "I know, Dante. We're in this together. We always have been."
Dante finally pulled away a bit, keeping Morgana close. "Let's go home," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "We have a lot to rebuild and many lives to protect."
At this moment, everything could have stopped, and it would have been just Dante in this world... However, many things continued to happen in every corner, on both planets. Everyone was starting to rebuild their cities, their homes, and their lives, despite appearances... thousands of people had died because of this demonic attack.
Even where Dante was, people had died; it was not just a simple invasion... the entire world was in crisis at this moment.
The Empire of Lyrianna... had been decimated. The castle of Lyrianna no longer existed. In fact, she could no longer be called Empress; all her people were against her at that moment. After all... she was attacked, captured, and left everything unprotected...
at least, that was what they thought...
"The Murim Alliance was exterminated, as ordered, young lady. Using the demonic invasion was a brilliant move," said a man in a Chinese kimono, holding a fan. He was in a small space with a masked person sitting in a lotus pose, seemingly an experienced cultivator. "It's time..." the female voice behind the mask spoke, as a small book in an unknown language floated in front of her.
"The Celestial Demon Tomb is to the north, in the Frozen Mountains of Kalahari," she said as she began to rise. Her kimono flowed with her height, transforming into a wide, flowing garment that trailed on the ground, adorned with flowers and carp in intricately mythical engravings. Her long black hair seemed to extend to the floor.
"Young Lady... please, be careful," said her humble servant, bowing deeply. "I will claim my mother's legacy," she responded. When the man lifted his head... the woman had disappeared.
It wasn't just the Demonic Cult that had been reactivated. Now, with the confirmation that demons were seeking to return to the world, everyone was genuinely excited about it and the god they believed they served. If they knew that the Demon Goddess herself was by Dante Scarlet's side... The goals of the Demonic Cult were obscure, and no one knew about them.
Even the witches, considered professional gossips, had no idea about their objectives...
However, it wasn't just the Demon Cults that were truly mobilizing... The world was gradually closing in on itself. Not only had human kings given up on going to the Empire of Lyrianna, but in Nightsphere...
The Infinite Cycle of Battles continued to rage intensely. After a king abandoned his people and left them to die during the invasion, the course of the Werewolf War began to change — and in a brutal way.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the environment, accompanied by an imposing figure walking with extreme anger. Her serious and fierce gaze was clear evidence of the turmoil in her heart. The one she fought against had decided to sacrifice his own people rather than help with the invasion. "Damn mutt," she murmured, gnawing on her nails in frustration.
Her lupine ears, pointed and covered with soft fur, twitched, reacting to her emotions as she thought about what needed to be done. Her long white hair was disheveled, stained with blood, and her smooth, flawless skin was marked by wounds, the result of fighting hordes and more hordes of demons.
Her blue-green eyes fixed on the spot where the tree stood, still marked by a claw in the sky as if it had torn through space. "Damn it, how am I going to get that out of the sky... I overdid it again," she murmured, knowing she had reserved her power to kill that damned king but ended up having to use part of it to clear her kingdom.
"Majesty..." A werewolf appeared and immediately knelt.
"Speak, Dominic," she said, sitting on her throne. At this moment, she was in her own palace, trying to maintain an appearance of control.
"The damage to the kingdom is extensive, but the survivors are working to repair what they can," reported Dominic, keeping his head low in respect.
"And the enemy?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with restrained fury.
"Most have been eradicated, but there are pockets of resistance that continue to fight," Dominic replied.
She nodded slowly, her mind quickly working to formulate a plan. "Gather all our war leaders. We need to reinforce our defenses and prepare a counter-offensive. We cannot allow these creatures to threaten our people again. And... use lethal force against anyone from the King's faction.
It's total war now."
"Yes, Majesty," said Dominic, rising and leaving to carry out her orders.
She was alone for a moment, staring at the mark in the sky. "I swear I will destroy anyone who threatens my kingdom," she murmured to herself, feeling the rage boil within her.
"You've changed quite a bit." She suddenly heard, turning sharply to her throne, seeing a damn woman she never wanted to see again for the rest of her life... "Damn bloodsucker," she growled, seeing Valentina sitting on her throne, drinking her wine.
"Long time no see, little wolf," said Valentina, waving her hand dismissively.