The rain fell hard that night, cold and relentless, drenching the burning sheds that littered the village of Bergamo. Flames crackled against the night, an eerie symphony echoing through the chaos.
Dante stood in the middle of it all—soaked, wounded, and breathing heavily. Smoke coiled around him like chains as Chrollo hovered above, his presence overwhelming.
"This is your final warning, Dante," Chrollo's voice rang like a thunderclap. "Come with me... or I will erase this entire village. Everything and everyone you love—gone."
Dante clenched his fists, heart pounding, his mind flashing back to his mother's final breath.
I couldn't save you, Mother... but I won't let him take this place too.
He took a step forward, blood trailing from his lip. "It ends tonight."
Chrollo's eyes narrowed. "Fool."
In a heartbeat, the demon unleashed a volley of glowing orbs—raw demonic energy that hissed through the air. Dante barely dodged the first, stumbling to the side. The blasts struck nearby trees and homes, igniting them on contact.
Too fast... If even one of those hits me, I'm done. But if I keep dodging, the village will burn... I need to stop them somehow. Destroy them on impact... but how?!
"You're wasting your potential," Chrollo spat. "You could've had purpose—power. But instead, you choose death."
"I'd rather die than be your pawn."
"Then so be it."
In a flash, Chrollo appeared before him, slamming a fist into Dante's gut. The boy choked on his breath, crashing into the muddy ground. Another blow sent him skidding across the wet soil.
"Weak," Chrollo sneered, hovering above him. "This is the fate you chose."
Dante could barely move. Rain mixed with blood on his face as Chrollo raised his hand, energy forming once more.
"This blast will wipe out the entire village. Come with me... or die with them."
No... not like this... not again...
Suddenly, a voice cut through the storm.
"Hey, you. Let him go. I'm your opponent now."
Chrollo turned, mildly amused. A tall man and a boy stood just beyond the smoke—Yami and Dai.
Chrollo raised a brow. "Hah... is this supposed to be a joke?"
Five minutes earlier...
Yami crouched beside Dai on a nearby hill. "Listen closely. We need to suppress our energy. If he senses us, we're done."
Dai nodded. "Understood."
Yami formed several clones of them both. "When the time is right, we confuse him. You know what to do."
Dai closed his eyes, drawing his sword. His senses sharpened. "I've found it. His weak spot—it's the heart."
"Be careful," Yami warned. "With a demon of this level, it won't be easy."
"I'm ready."
Now...
"Neither of you carry even a sliver of energy," Chrollo said, narrowing his eyes. "What trick is this?"
"You're about to find out," Yami said calmly. "Dai—go!"
In a blur, both shot forward. Yami took the front, intercepting the blast with his blade. Sparks flew as energy met steel.
"Now, Dai!"
Dai leapt from behind, his blade glowing red.
"What is this?!" Chrollo barked, stunned.
Dai's sword blazed with fire—wild, ancient, and untamed. The flames danced with purpose.
Yami's eyes widened. That aura... that flame... could it be—
"Say your goodbyes, demon," Dai growled. "Maybe even the gods will forgive you."
With a cry, he plunged the sword into Chrollo's chest. Fire erupted, consuming the demon's insides.
Chrollo's scream shattered the night. Buildings trembled. Glass windows exploded. The earth shook beneath them.
Yami rushed to Dante, lifting him from the ground. "Can you stand?"
Dante coughed. "What... was that scream?"
"I don't know," Yami said, still watching the flames. "But it seems... you missed his heart."
"What?!"
The screaming stopped.
Chrollo floated above, a burning hole through his chest—already regenerating.
"How dare you... humiliate me like this..." he hissed, his voice guttural and monstrous. "You'll all pay for this."
Darkness gathered around him, heavier than before.
"You all die here."
To be continued…