Dante's footsteps echoed through the vast emptiness of the Netherworld, each sound reverberating through the cold, oppressive silence. The air was thick and heavy with a darkness that seemed to have a life of its own, pressing against his chest as if to smother him. He could feel the weight of the place on his shoulders, a weight that no mortal should ever have to bear. Yet, despite every fiber of his being screaming for him to turn back, he pushed forward.
Cecilia's life, her soul, was in the balance, and Dante would do anything to reclaim her from the clutches of the Netherworld. He had to. The sheer intensity of his desire to save her was a burning force inside him-so much that it seemed to give him strength, even in the face of impossible odds.
He had faced monsters before, enemies with claws and teeth, with bloodlust in their eyes. But this was different. This was the Netherworld. This was a place where time itself twisted and turned, where nightmares were born, and where even the bravest of souls could lose themselves. And yet, Dante had no choice. He would fight for Cecilia, even if it meant fighting himself.
The ground beneath his feet was rough, cracked like the surface of a long-dead world. The light was dim, the very air tinged with an eerie red hue, as if the sun had never risen here. In the distance, Dante could hear whispers-soft at first, but growing louder with each step he took. They seemed to come from all directions, voices that carried with them pain, sorrow, and regret. Souls lost in the dark, unable to move on.
Dante clenched his jaw, his fist tightening around the hilt of his sword. He could not let these voices distract him. He had heard whispers before, in his dreams, in the recesses of his mind. But this was different. The Netherworld was a place where even the bravest souls were stripped of their resolve.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath him. The whispers faded into a deep, resonating growl, one that made the very air vibrate with malevolent energy. He froze, every muscle in his body coiled in readiness.
Then, a massive shadow appeared, blocking his path. Dante's breath caught in his throat as the shape materialized, a gargantuan creature that towered above him, its molten eyes glowing with an otherworldly fire. Its body was made of twisted stone, as though it had been hewn from the very bones of the earth. Massive, jagged claws scraped against the ground as it advanced, each step making the air tremble with power.
"Dante," the creature's voice rumbled, deep and guttural, like the sound of rocks grinding against one another. "You dare enter this realm, uninvited, seeking to claim what is not yours? You will regret this."
Dante met its gaze without hesitation. The creature's words were designed to intimidate, to sow fear and doubt, but Dante had no time for fear. Cecilia was here, somewhere in this realm, and he would not let anything-no creature, no force-stop him.
"I'm not leaving without her," Dante said, his voice steady, though his heart hammered in his chest.
The creature's laughter echoed through the Netherworld, mocking him, as it loomed over him. "You are nothing but a mortal," it said, its voice dripping with disdain. "You cannot defy the laws of the Netherworld. You cannot take what belongs to us."
Dante's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his sword. "I'll take what is mine," he said, his words cold and unwavering. "No matter the cost."
With a roar, the creature lunged at him, claws bared. Dante barely had time to react. The creature's massive claws swiped through the air, tearing apart the ground where Dante had just been standing. The sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the air, rattling Dante's senses. But he was quick, moving to the side just in time. His sword gleamed as he swung it in retaliation, aiming for the creature's exposed flank.
![✔ Scent • [JJK] by KSBBAA18](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/186647209-80-k754883.jpg)
But his blade barely scratched the surface of its stone-like skin. The creature didn't even flinch. It only growled in irritation, swinging its claws toward Dante again.
The battle was like nothing he had ever faced. Dante's sword was sharp, his reflexes honed from years of battle, but the creature was relentless. Every time he struck, the monster seemed to shrug it off, its skin impervious to his attacks. The ground trembled beneath them as the creature fought back, its massive form lashing out with unrelenting fury.
Dante gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his brow. His body ached with each blow he landed and each blow that was returned to him. He could feel the weight of his exhaustion dragging him down, but he couldn't afford to stop. Not when Cecilia's soul was at stake.
With a roar, the creature reared back, preparing to deliver a crushing blow. Dante's heart raced, and in that moment, everything seemed to slow down. His mind raced through every option, every escape, but there was only one way. He had to fight through it. He had to defeat the creature, or he would never reach Cecilia.
Just as the creature lunged, Dante twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding its claws, and with a swift motion, he drove his sword into the creature's chest. This time, it didn't shrug off the attack. There was a moment of silence, then the creature let out a deafening screech, its form faltering.
But before Dante could deliver the final blow, a voice pierced through the chaos.
"Stop."
The word reverberated through the air, echoing in the silence that followed. The creature paused mid-attack, its molten eyes narrowing. Dante, still poised with his sword, looked around, searching for the source of the voice.
From the shadows, a figure emerged-an ethereal woman draped in flowing robes of dark fabric. Her presence was commanding, her eyes gleaming with an inner strength that made even the creature hesitate. The woman's face was obscured by a veil, but her voice carried a weight of authority that no one, not even the creature, could ignore.
"Dante," she said, her voice sharp and clear, "you do not need to fight this creature. It is merely a test."
"A test?" Dante repeated, confusion and frustration gnawing at him. "I've fought it, I've defeated it. Why won't it die?"
The woman stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the creature. "The creature is not your enemy," she explained, her voice calm, though there was an underlying sadness in her words. "It is a manifestation of your own doubts, your own fears. It is a reflection of the darkness within you, the part of you that fears you are not enough, that fears you will fail."
Dante's eyes widened, his heart pounding in his chest. "My own fears?" he repeated, his voice thick with disbelief. "I've faced monsters, I've fought wars. I'm no coward."
"You have fought external enemies, yes," the woman said, her gaze softening. "But the greatest enemy you will ever face is the one inside you. The Netherworld brings all that is hidden to the surface. You will fight not only the creatures of this place, but also the shadows of your own soul."
Dante's mind reeled. This was not what he had expected. He had thought he would face monsters, death, perhaps even battle his way through every trial the Netherworld had to offer. But now, it seemed, the true challenge lay within himself.
"I don't understand," Dante said, his voice strained. "How am I supposed to fight my own fears? How do I defeat them?"
The woman's expression grew more somber. "You do not defeat them, Dante," she said gently. "You must confront them. You must accept them. Only then can you move forward, and only then can you save Cecilia."
