Chereads / Strength of Heart / Chapter 45 - Middle Of The Night!

Chapter 45 - Middle Of The Night!

Ziku and Dante both stand tall, both just looking at each other, both thinking differently.

Ziku "Can I really trust him?"

Dante "If only you and Kamau could see how similar you two are."

Dante "You ready?"

Ziku "Kind of."

Ziku goes to the gate and when he gets close, a bunch of lasers get pointed to his head along with knives being pulled against his neck.

Ziku "It's just me."

Uhana "Why are you here?"

Ziku "You know just taking a stroll."

Uhana "Head back, you shouldn't be here. No one is allowed to leave at this time."

Ziku "I know, I just…wait, what's that's on the ground?"

Uhana looks at her feet, but doesn't see anything. When she looks back up she notices that Ziku has a mask on.

Uhana "Where did you-?"

Before she can finish her sentence smoke appears all around them making everyone in the vicinity fall to the ground unconscious. Uhana falls to one knee with an eye closed as she's breathing in and out heavily.

Uhana "Why?!"

Ziku just closes his eyes and turns his head not able to say anything.

Uhana finally falls unconscious and when she does Ziku instantly finds Dante and dashes towards him.

Ziku "You promised me that it wasn't toxic and it wouldn't hurt them."

Dante "They will only be sleep."

Ziku "For your sake you better be telling the truth."

Dante "Was that a threat?" He says to himself.

They step outside the villages walls and when they do Ziku immediately feels weird about it.

Dante "You can turn back now if you want."

Ziku "No, this is important and someone needs to take care of this."

Dante "Alright then, ready to go?"

Ziku "Yeah."

Dante "Keep up."

Ziku smiles.

Dante "So who are you?"

Ziku "Huh? My name is Ziku."

Dante "I know, I mean like as a person who are you?"

Ziku "I don't know, I never really thought about myself in any way."

Dante "What? I'm sure you thought of the type of person you want to be?"

Ziku "Oh, well yeah. Not lately, but I have."

Dante "What did you think?"

Ziku "I used to think that I can make this world better. I thought to myself all the time trying to convince myself that I can create peace."

Dante "You want to create peace?"

Ziku "I did."

Dante"Did? So not anymore?"

Ziku "How is someone like me going to create peace? I don't even know where to start, I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. I try so hard to get stronger, but then I think to myself; why am I getting stronger? I'm forcing myself to get stronger to protect those close to me, protect them from death."

Dante "It seems you know what you want to protect?"

Ziku "I've always known. Wanting to protect them is completely different from actually protecting them. As of now I've been failing."

Dante "You and me both."

Ziku "Who are you?"

Dante "Huh? Oh, I'm a man of little words. A man with many plans and motives."

Ziku "I still don't know him too well. Am I in danger going with him? He says to himself.

Dante "What are you thinking about?"

Ziku comes to a stop as he senses something strange.

Ziku "What is this?"

Dante "What is what?"

Ziku starts to back up, but as he's slowly backing up he feels malice behind him as he barely dodged an attack that was sure to pierce his heart.

Ziku "You!"

Totsuki "Damn you're fast."

Dante "Sorry Ziku, but it looks like this is where you fall."

Ziku "I thought…but we…you told me…but why?"

Dante "Can't believe it huh? Yeah honestly I didn't think you would listen. I mean I didn't lie, but I killed Aizu."

Ziku "I was willing to let that go in order to."

Dante "Yeah yeah, well good luck."

Totsuki "I'm really going out of my way for this."

Ziku "You don't have to."

Totsuki "I want to."

Ziku "Why did I listen? What is wrong with me?!"

Totsuki "First you then Mayonaka!"

Ziku reaches for his sword, but again he forgot it.

Ziku "I really have to finish my training with Kanju."

Totsuki "You talk as if you're surviving this!"

Dante "I'm sorry Kamau. I'm sorry that I betrayed him. My mission is to find the truth of your death everything else doesn't matter."

Dante heads over to Totsuki's hideout, when he arrives he overhears a conversation about Kamau and himself.

Obnimi "She gave him too much power!"

Mettanica "You think I don't know that?! While her power is steadily growing ours is getting weaker!"

Obnimi "Only Totsuki is stronger than you, and now Cyro's power overshadows his!"

Mettanica "This is all Totsuki's fault! He killed Kamau and Desir!"

Obnimi "Kamau was becoming too self aware and needed to be stopped. It was only a matter of time before he tried killing us."

Mettanica "Yes I know, but Totsuki was filling his head with lies and forced him against us. At this rate it won't be too long before Dante does the same."

Obnimi "Dante is loyal, as long as he doesn't find out."

Mettanica "On the other hand we still need more power. What do you think? Is it time for new recruits?"

Obnimi "Never a bad time for that."

Mettanica and Obnimi warp away from the hideout, once they leave Dante is seen just standing hiding behind the wall as his eyes are darkened by the room and aura filling the room with anger and malice.

Ziku is running from Totsuki holding his shoulder with blood dripping down his arm.

Totsuki "Your speed is really annoying! Don't keep running from me! If I can't catch you I'll just lay waste to this entire area! You don't want that!"

Ziku stops in his tracks and turns around to face Totsuki.

Ziku "I wasn't just running away."

Totsuki gets confused, but then when he gets semi close to Ziku, the area starts to flash and lightning is everywhere. It looks like a spider web of lightning as it strikes Totsuki electrocuting his body causing him to let out his echoed dark scream.

Ziku "For my first time trying that, it worked pretty well."

Totsuki "Don't think you did any real significant damage brat! You're still going to die!"

As Totsuki gets back on one knee Ziku fuses electricity to his hands and just starts punching Totsuki, not letting up. Punch after punch, blow after blow Ziku is continuously connecting. Ziku thinks that infusing his hands with electricity and hitting all of Totsuki's body that he will be able to stagger him keeping him from moving. Totsuki's body starts shaking and Ziku thinks he can't move, when he tries to back up Totsuki grabs Ziku by the neck and starts choking him.

Totsuki "You are strong, I commend your strength. If I was a regular human I would surely have been immobilized. I'm just tired, tired of no one being able to kill you. You've heard the saying right? If you want something done right, then do it yourself? These are you final seconds Nakamura!"

Ziku struggles trying to break Totsuki's grip, but nothing works. The more he struggles the stronger the grip around his throat becomes. He starts to suffer as he starts to scream in pain as Totsuki is pulling on his trachea keeping him from breathing and since he's screaming it's making it worse. Totsuki smiles at the sight of Ziku's agony, but before he can completely kill him, his arms and legs get cut off and his torso goes flying as he hits a tree and falls.

Totsuki "Tch! What the hell are you doing?!"

Dante "You killed Kamau didn't you?"

Totsuki's face becomes shocked as he is confused as to how Dante found out. Before Totsuki can say anything, Dante appears in front of him and cuts of his tongue.

Dante "Heal yourself and tell me."

Totsuki heals himself and then stands to his feet. Him and Dante stare at each other, Dante looks over at Ziku who is lying on the ground trying to catch his breath and rubbing his throat. Dante gets angry and starts to stare back at Totsuki.

Dante "Why? Why did you kill him?!"

Totsuki "Kamau was planning on betraying me."

Dante "And you killed him?!"

Totsuki "It needed to be done! He started to not like who he was made to be."

Dante "You took the only person I cared about in this world away from me! Then lied to me for years about it!"

Totsuki "Kamau being killed made you stronger than he was."

Dante "The way he died is the same way I'm killing you, with this sword pierced through your heart!"

As Dante dashes towards Totsuki, he gets frozen in his tracks unable to move.

Dante "The hell?!"

Totsuki "How do you think it was so easy to kill him? As long as you have that seal, your body is mine."

Dante "Tch! This won't stop me! I'm killing you no matter what!"

Totsuki "Good luc-"

Totsuki is abruptly stopped when he sees Dante struggling to move his arm.

Totsuki "What?! He shouldn't even be able to move that much!"

Dante lifts his up his arm with his sword and cuts his entire right arm off. When his arm gets cut off, the seal disappears and he is able to control his own body.

Totsuki "What?! But how?!"

Dante "Nothing is stopping me from killing you today!"

Dante dashes towards Totsuki again, this time swinging his sword at his neck, but Totsuki puts his arm there blocking it. His arm gets cut off and goes in the air. Dante catches his arm and looks Totsuki in his eyes as he kicks him. When Dante stops his attack he just looks at the ground as he starts to realize no matter what he does he can't kill Totsuki this way.

Totsuki "You must have realized that it is pointless. You can't kill me Dante, you know that. The more you try the more stamina and blood you lose. You will die, not even doing any significant damage to me."

Dante "Significant no, I can't hurt you Totsuki. But permanent damage I'll leave to him."

Totsuki "Huh?!"

Totsuki looks behind him and sees Ziku with his eyes glowing.

Totsuki "He's able to move again?!"

Ziku with lightning on his hands again starts to combo his attacks on Totsuki. It is just like before, but this time Ziku has malicious intent to kill. Ziku's attacks are too fast, that they prevent Totsuki from healing in time.

Ziku "I never wanted to kill, but you die right here and now!"

As Totsuki continues to get pierced and cut up, he eventually opens a warp gate and leaves. The warp gate came so fast that Ziku has no choice, but to let him go or he would have been sucked in with it.

Ziku "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"

Dante "Ziku!"

Ziku "This is your fault! You betrayed me! You almost got me killed! Give one reason I shouldn't kill you right now!"

Dante "Because I apologize and that isn't you."

When Ziku hears that, his eyes stop glowing and he falls to his knees. While banging his head on the ground. Dante "Ziku?"

Ziku "I'm sorry, I almost allowed it to take over."

Dante "It?"

Ziku "I don't understand why I got so angry. It's not like that was the first time someone was trying to kill me I don't get it. It's like all of a sudden my body and mind simultaneously had an increase in malice and all I wanted was to see him dead."

Dante "Leave his death to me, go home."

Ziku "You're the reason I'm here in the first place. You brought me here and you gave me a motive."

Dante "And what's that."

Ziku "To kill Totsuki."

Totsuki "Dante! Dante! Dante!"

Totsuki starts to scream as he destroys his surroundings in a flurry of rage.

Totsuki "All of these subordinates! All of them! Useless! Worthless! I'm done! No more humans! No more failure!"

Mettanica "What did you want?"

Totsuki looks at Obnimi and dashes towards him grabbing him by the throat.

Mettanica "Totsuki what are you doing?!"

Totsuki "Getting rid of the trash."

Mettanica "Don't kill him! Obnimi is my creation! You have no right!"

Totsuki throws him to the ground and Mettanica rushes to his aid.

Totsuki "You've gone soft."

Mettanica "Don't talk to me like that! Don't forget I made you what you are! You are not to touch him or any of my subordinates! You got that?!"

Totsuki "And what about you?"

Mettanica"What?!"

Totsuki appears in front of Mettanica punching her in the stomach and then grabbing her by the throat.

Mettanica "Totsuki! W-what are you doing?"

Totsuki "Yes, you made me what I am. But I am tired of taking orders from you. I have grown stronger than you, so now either you answer to me or I snap your neck and kill every one of your subordinates. Pick!"

Totsuki throws her to the ground and when she grabs her neck to try and relieve some pain Totsuki gets down to her level and stares into her eyes.

Totsuki "So which is it?"

Mettanica "Ok, you have my loyalty."

Totsuki "Good, glad to hear you're not an idiot."

Mettanica "You-"

Totsuki "What? Say it. Tell me how you feel."

Mettanica looks away and Totsuki stands to his feet and walks away.

Totsuki "I'll give your subordinates one more chance. If they fail, you die with them."

Mettanica "You can't just kill us all, you need us!"

Totsuki "I need no one! Keep your foolish weaknesses to yourself!"

Mettanica "Weakness?! Did you not just lose a fight?!"

Totsuki "You dare speak to me that way? After I just finished showing you how much more powerful I am than you?"

Mettanica "You anger knows no bounds. It is that same anger that will be your downfall."

Totsuki "Are you saying you're going to be the one to put a stop to me?"

Mettanica stays quiet, as Totsuki just smiles and walks away.

Totsuki "Good girl, know your place."

Obnimi "Are you ok?"

Mettanica "I'm fine, Totsuki's grown too strong. There's nothing more I can do. With Sela's power growing and Totsuki doing his own thing, I'm afraid we are at the bottom.

Obnimi "The bottom?"

Mettanica "We are to either side with Totsuki or continue serving Sela."

Obnimi "Are we not all working for Sela?"

Mettanica "That's what I used to think. At the rate things are going I'm not so sure anymore."

Ziku "Don't talk to me. I don't care for anything else you have to say."

Dante "You can't kill him, well alone that is."

Ziku "I can and I will."

Dante "Ziku, first you have to calm down."

Ziku "Why?! And if I don't?!"

Dante "You don't understand, I think I know what's causing all of this malice."

Ziku "What more reasons do I have in trusting you?! You tried to get me killed! I see no reason to let you walk away alive."

Dante "What?! Oh no, Ziku you have to calm down!"

Ziku's eyes begin to glow as he dashes towards Dante and tries to land a punch. Dante begins to struggle to keep Ziku at bay, but then tries to reason with him.

Dante "You have to stop! I know you're angry, but you have to calm down and just listen to me!"

Ziku "I'm done listening!"

Dante "Ziku this is what they want! You have to fight it! If you succumb to this anger and malice your entire village is at risk of being destroyed!"

Ziku "My…entire…village?"

Dante "Yes, everyone you know and love. All of them destroyed along with your home."

Ziku "Destroyed? By what?"

Dante "You."

Ziku "What? I don't get it, how am I? What? No! You're lying!"

Dante "I've lied before, but everything I've told you has been the truth."

Ziku "But you brought me here to die."

Dante "Yes, a mistake that almost cost the world. They want you dead Ziku, I was a puppet and an idiot. Blinded by my desires of learning how I can bring someone back. Only to find out they are dead because of Totsuki! He assured me that there is power obtainable in which I can bring the dead back, but I now see he was feeding me lies in order to keep me on a leash. No more!"

Ziku "So, everything you told me until now."

Dante "Has been the truth, you see the sky?"

Ziku "Yeah, why does it seem off?"

Dante "Cyro is strong, he is the one that put his technique on the world. The technique is called "Total Corruption". While you may not be able to see much, it doesn't make it any less potent. The technique corrupts the hearts and minds of humans making the more violent. The more anger someone has or strong emotions in general, the more malice that fills their heart until they end up fighting eventually wanting to kill."

Ziku "That's why I have been feeling this way."

Dante "At the moment there's nothing we can do about it."

Ziku "We have to turn the tables."

Dante "What do you mean?"

Ziku "They came to our home and tried to kill us. They failed, so now they try to plague us with their power. What if we enter their home and do the same?"

Dante "What?! Are you stupid?! It's suicide!"

Ziku "Maybe, but it's either this or let everyone eventually kill each other."

Dante "We could wait, we could see if there's time to-"

Ziku "We don't have time, his power is strong. You saw what it was doing to me. We can't allow this to go on any further!"

Dante "Even if we do go, we don't have enough strength."

Ziku "We have plenty."

Dante "Just you and me?! That isn't sufficient enough Ziku! Your power is great, but don't be an arrogant fool! If we go and die, we are just speeding up their victory!"

Ziku "I understand."

Dante "Do you?! Cause it seems like you still believe we can win!"

Ziku "Of course I believe we can win, why wouldn't I?"

Dante "Tch! Just like Kamau."

Ziku "What?"

Dante "Wait, you want us to go? Me and you?"

Ziku "Yeah, why not?"

Dante "After what I just did to you?"

Ziku "I trust you. Forgive and forget."

Dante "Hmph, well we better come up with some type of plan."

Ziku "You know the most, so I'll follow your lead."

Dante "I've actually been to the demon realm before, me and Kamau. What that place does to you, it's horrible if you get trapped. If we escape we escape together."

Ziku "Agreed."

Dante "Before we talk about getting in, there's no one else you can think of to help?"

Ziku "I know plenty of people, but I don't want them risking their lives."

Dante "And yet you risk your own? Help me understand."

Ziku "I can deal with the fact of me dying for something like this. I wouldn't be able to accept the fact that I brought harm or death to those I consider close to me."

Dante "I still don't understand, so you're ok with dying if it means you tried? But you are not ok with others dying for the same reason?"

Ziku "It's dumb I know, or maybe I am just not explaining it right. Whatever the case I just rather not involve anyone else."

Dante "I think I understand just a bit. I heard you don't like to fight, but you will if you must. You'd rather the risk be taken by you than anyone else. There's a burden on your shoulders, you feel the need to protect. Even if that means going at it alone. Am I right?"

Ziku "Yes."

Dante "Let me be the one to tell you, these things can't be won by one person. Yes, you can be the strongest, but none of that matters if you are not guided by others. That feeling to protect you have, a lot of people have it. Sometimes it's best to receive help and fail, than be alone and fail. At least if you have help and fail, you know you all tried and you can be content with that."

Ziku "And then failing alone has no impact. It actually makes matters worse because then people can't live with themselves for allowing it."

Dante "Exactly."

Ziku "Never thought of that, I guess…What is that?!"

Dante "Hide! Now!"

Mettanica "Dante! Why are you antagonizing Totsuki?"

Dante "From this point on I'm doing my own thing, you don't control me anymore."

Mettanica "You found out about Kamau didn't you?"

Dante "And what if I did?! You killed him and told me his death was from a battle! You knew how important he was to me!"

Mettanica "You're right, which is why I don't blame you. I just came to see if it's true. You do as you please, I won't stop you."

Dante "Why is that?"

Mettanica "Totsuki has gotten out of hand, never in eons would I have thought one of my offspring would gain more power than me and threaten my life."

Dante "You didn't just come here to tell me that, what is the real reason you are here?"

Mettanica "Who is that with you?"

Ziku "She noticed me?!"

Mettanica "Whoever you are come out!"

Ziku just stands up and immediately him and Mettanica lock eyes.

Mettanica "You converse with the Nakamura you are supposed to kill?"

Dante "I told you, I'm done. I answer to myself and myself alone."

Mettanica "I see, what is it that you plan?"

Dante "The demon realm, we plan on getting our get back."

Mettanica "Your get back?"

Ziku "why would he tell her that?"

Dante "Yeah, look at the sky. Only way to stop it, is to stop them."

Mettanica "You think you can stop them? Mortals against demons?!"

Dante "We will."

Mettanica "Hmph, I will help you."

Dante "What?!"

Mettanica "How else do you expect to arrive at the demon realm?"

Dante "But why?"

Mettanica "You won't survive without me. The demon realm should perish. Sela and Totsuki must be killed."

Dante "But you wanted to become queen, with no demon realm that can't happen!"

Mettanica "I do not wish to become queen anymore. All of my offspring have turned against me, all but one. Obnimi has shown distataste towards me, but yet he's the most loyal."

Dante "So then, now what do you want? What do you hope to gain?"

Mettanica "Deliverance?"

Dante is shocked, he doesn't know what to say or even do. Mettanica has been pure evil ever since he's known her. Now all of a sudden she has changed.

Dante "What caused this change?"

Mettanica "A lot of things, at some point I wanted to be queen. At others I found myself wanting all mortals to die. As of late my heart has been expelling the wickedness and evil from it. I don't know why, and I don't understand how, but now all I seek is purification."

Dante "I don't believe it."

Ziku "She's telling the truth."

Dante "What?!"

Ziku "I don't know demons, but I don't think they would ever speak like that. I don't know what caused this sudden change but hey everyone needs to start somewhere."

When Ziku smiles there ends up being this glow that only Mettanica sees.

Mettanica "Your smile, it brings light to my once darkened soul."

Ziku "If you truly meant every word. I will trust you. You help us fufill our goal and you will keep my trust."

Mettanica "I will do what I can."

Dante "You can't be serious? Trusting her that easily!"

Ziku "You literally almost got me killed no longer than 15 minutes ago."

Dante "Touché"

Ziku "It's only natural I trust her and try to help."

Dante "Hmph, you will need to do a lot more to earn my trust. I've been a victim to your lies, no more."

Mettanica "Do as you please, I won't blame you."

Dante "Do what I please? Fine."

Dante pulls out his sword and charges towards Mettanica before he can pierce through her he stops.

Mettanica "Why have you stopped?"

Dante "I know this sword can't kill you. It was enough for me that you didn't try to move and accepted it. Though I may not trust you completely, you have earned some sort of respect and decency from me."

Mettanica "I see, allow me to gather Obnimi. With his abilities and strength he would be of the utmost value to us."

Mettanica lifts her hand and when she rotates her hand Obnimi appears from a purplish haze.

Obnimi "What is this?"

Mettanica we helping the mortals in their quest to invade the demon realm."

Obnimi "Why? That was our home!"

Mettanica "They pushed us away, they have grown far to obsessed with destroying all the realms. I don't want to be apart of it anymore. If you are with me, you are with them."

Obnimi closes his eyes for a second and takes a deep breath.

Obnimi "Guess I'm with you."

Dante "Well I guess we got our team, now we just need a plan."

Obnimi "It's best if me and Mettanica take point, us being there wouldn't raise suspicions."

Dante "Then what."

Obnimi "What is it exactly that you two want to accomplish there?"

Ziku "Whatever they did, and whatever it's doing to us; I want it to end."

Obnimi "For that, Cyro needs to be killed."

Ziku "No, no one needs to die."

Obnimi "You idiot! You think you can just walk into the realm and ask them nicely to stop what they're doing?! That's not how this is gonna work! Why are we even doing this?! You don't have what it takes to survive! You both are just throwing your lives away, this isn't just some normal place! Can't believe this!"

Mettanica "Where are you going?"

Obnimi "If he isn't willing to kill then we may all be jeopardy of dying! I am not going to die because he's too much of a wimp to kill."

Ziku "It's not that I'm a wimp."

Obnimi "Oh, my bad, a bitch!"

Ziku just stares without saying anything.

Dante "Obnimi, just calm down. He understands the risks. Calling him out isn't going to change his decision or how he feels."

Ziku "No he's right."

Dante "Ziku?"

Ziku "Ok, you want me to kill? I'll kill. If that means we fufill this mission."

Obnimi "You're serious?"

Ziku just stands there staring with a serious look on his face.

Obnimi "Well I'll be damned, alright Ziku. Count me back in. Know this, the second you hesitate in killing you will die."

Ziku "I understand."

Dante "Hmph, back to the plan."

Obnimi "Mettanica and I will be front lines, you and Ziku will take out all the stragglers keeping yourselves hidden until we get to Sela's palace. We get there Mettanica and I will create a diversion. From the diversion you two will find an opening and use it to take out Cyro."

Dante "Damn, a fine plan. Gotta hand it to ya."

Obnimi "You flatter me."

Dante "Your sarcasm, I love it."

Mettanica "I think the both of you can stop flirting now."

Dante "No."

Ziku "Hahahahaha."

Mettanica "It won't be easy."

Dante "Yeah, I know. Cyro is strong, but he was never stronger than me."

Mettanica "Well he is now! Cyro ranks number 1 now in terms of power!"

Dante "What?! How?! How can someone go from being the weakest to suddenly more powerful than all of us combined?!"

Mettanica "It was Sela, she gave him the power."

Dante "Sela doesn't give anyone power, why was this time different and why Cyro?"

Mettanica "She fell in love with his words."

Dante "I see, how disgusting."

Mettanica "Your personality sure has changed over the years."

Obnimi "That changes things. Because that means as it stands, none of us can defeat him."

Ziku "What if we don't have to defeat him?"

Obnimi "How would that work? You said you wanted whatever he's doing to earth to stop didn't you?"

Ziku "Yeah, you're right never mind it was stupid."

Obnimi "Hmph, still trying to find better alternatives than killing. Trust me there are none."

Mettanica "Before we can enter Aeisirhelm we must first dissect just about everything so we can paint the full picture of what's to come."

Obnimi "Don't scare em out of this."

Mettanica "Aeisirhelm is the realm in which the demons govern. Once we get in, there's no going back. You are stuck there until you can find a key, a key being a high tier demon's heart. Since I am teleporting us we don't need to go through the various cults, barriers, and depths. Leaving is all the same, I can teleport out as I please, but since you are mortal."

Ziku "I understand."

Mettanica "You must also understand that I am not trying to scare you or detour you away from your goals, only just giving mere warnings and insights."

Dante "Nothing will change his mind."

Obnimi "So then, are we changing the plan?"

Ziku "No, its already 2am. If we're doing this let's do it now."

Obnimi "Hmph, I just hope you took what I said to heart."

Ziku "I did, you'll see."

Mettanica "You all ready."

Dante "Yeah."

Ziku "Yeah."

Mettanica teleports everyone to the demon realm, and as soon as they arrive Ziku falls to floor and starts sweating.

Mettanica "I'm sorry, I'm very sorry I didn't mention how much more dense the gravity is here. Along with its excruciating heat!"

Ziku "How dense and how hot we talking?"

Mettanica "The gravity is at least 500kg more dense than what you are used to. You weather has only reached a peak 35 degrees C. While here it's at 95 degrees C."

Dante "In other words, it's hot as hell and heavy enough to crush you if you aren't strong enough."

Ziku stands to his feet and wipes his face.

Ziku "I can handle it."

Obnimi "Good, would have been for not if you couldn't."

Ziku "What's next?"

Before anyone can say anything, all of them get ambushed by a bunch of demon spawns and Cerberus. They all fight them off and kill them all, blood splattering everywhere and body parts flying around.

Obnimi "Good, but that's not the end of it. Don't let your guard down for anything."

Dante "I thought spawns don't attack if we're with you?"

Mettanica "No, they didn't ever attack you because of your seal. Ziku doesn't have it, so their main priority is ripping him apart."

Ziku "So they can sense my presence?"

Obnimi "Yeah, you're not supposed to be here. They won't stop attacking so we should get going."

Ziku "Wait, but doesn't that mean others can sense my presence?"

Mettanica "No, us demons can't sense humans. We can only sense deities and other demons."

Obnimi "Yeah, so you're a trump card we have since no one would be able to sense you coming."

Ziku "But spawns can sense humans?"

Obnimi "Spawns are made to attack and kill everything without a seal, you not having one makes you a big target for them."

Ziku "I'm still confused."

Obnimi "Tch! About what?!"

Ziku "Before we came here, she sensed my presence and knew I was with Dante."

Obnimi "What?!"

Mettanica "That raises the question, are you not human?"

Ziku "I am."

Mettanica "What I sensed was a dark presence. Nothing but anger and hatred. You being the vessel of those emotions really made my brain rattle. I couldn't understand how you could be harboring such feelings."

Ziku "I don't have those feelings, and I don't understand how anyone could say I do."

Dante "Or maybe you do. It's possible what she felt could be dormant demonic power you have. Better to catch it now then later."

Ziku" I'm a demon?!"

Obnimi "You idiot!"

Dante "No, I'm saying there could just be some dark chi within you. Maybe it was Cyro that did it, who really knows. What we know for sure is that it's there."

Ziku "What?! How do I get it out?!"

Obnimi "All the more reason to kill Cyro."

It isn't too long until more demon spawns appear and start chasing them.

Obnimi "You guys go, I'll catch up. We won't get anywhere fighting these things off, so just go."

Mettanica "Be careful."

As they run from the spawns and Obnimi stays to take care of them, Dante and Mettanica see Ziku's face as he keeps looking back and forth between Dante and Mettanica.

Dante "The hell?"

Ziku "What?"

Dante "Why are you doing that?"

Ziku "Doing what?"

Mettanica "Are we too slow?"

Ziku "Kind of."

Dante "We have to move slow, if we start moving faster then we will end up getting swarmed by the spawns. We can't sit still and we can't move too fast."

Ziku "I think I get it."

All of them tense up at the feeling of a dark and strong presence closing in fast. Before they know it, it crashes down in front of them. Huge gusts of winds blowing with all of them struggling to maintain their footing and keep both eyes open.

Dante "Who is that?!"

Mettanica "Oh no, they found us!"

The dust settles, a woman appears smiling.

Mettanica "Vestara!"

Vestara "Mettanica."

Dante "V-Vestara?!"

Ziku "Her presence, its pure evil. And she's so strong, just by her standing there I can tell that shes stronger than Asuna!"

Vestara "Oh? Who's the cutie behind you? I've never seen him before. Is he not a demon?"

Mettanica and Dante both get nervous because they don't know what to say. They know that she would be able to tell if they're lying. And if they tell her the truth she is surely going to attack. Mettanica opens her mouth to say something but before she can get it out Vestara is behind Ziku caressing his face.

Vestara "Your skin is soft, so unlike a demon."

Vestara sniffs Ziku and then kisses his neck, Ziku twitches at the feeling and just allows it trying not to raise suspicion. Vestara continues to harass Ziku, provoking him. Caressing his entire body before standing in front of him and looking into his eyes.

Vestara "You're human."

When she smiles, Mettanica attacks her trying to get her away from Ziku. Vestara turns slowly to Mettanica smiling as she caught her fist.

Dante "Ziku run!"

Before they can move Vestara freezes Ziku's body.

Ziku "I can't move! My body!"

Vestara "I knew you were human as soon as I saw you. I know why you're here, but just know I'm not stopping you."

Mettanica "What?! You're lying?! Why else would you be here?!"

Vestara "Just wanted to say hi."

Mettanica "But you and Sela..."

Vestara "Me and Sela nothing. Ziku is it? Don't worry you can move now. I just gave you a little taste of my ability. Let me know if you want more."

Vestara winks at Ziku, Ziku's face turns red as he doesn't know what to do or say. Vestara caresses his face again, then whispers in his ear. Ziku's face gets even more red, and his body twitches again. Vestara smiles as she disappears.

Dante "What did she say?"

Ziku turns his face slowly towards Dante and just gives him the most blankest stare.

Ziku "I need my mom."

Mettanica "Whatever the matter, we must go."

Obnimi catches up to them and wonders why they haven't got that far. When they tell him what happened, he just smiles.

Ziku "Why are you smiling?"

Obnimi "Vestara has taken a liking to you."

Ziku "But I'm only 13!"

Obnimi "That won't stop her, she's a demon."

Mettanica "Forget it, let us go!"

Uhana wakes up and jerks herself up to her feet.

Uhana "Ziku!"

When she looks around, she notices that everyone else is still asleep. She immediately heads to Asuna to tell give him the report. It's 3am and she rushes over. When she gets there, Asuna is already awake and just standing looking out of the window.

Asuna "Uhana?"

Uhana "It's Ziku, he's betrayed us!"

Asuna "What?! How so?!"

Uhana "I seen him with the enemy a couple hours ago. They put us all to sleep and escaped. I don't know what their plan was outside the village, but I do know that he was with the enemy!"

Asuna "I don't understand, why would Ziku do this?"

Uhana "Should we inform his mom?"

Asuna "We should. But we are not."

Uhana "What?! Why?!"

Asuna "I trust him, whatever reason he has for doing this I'm sure it's not a bad one. You should trust him too."

Uhana "But?!"

Asuna "It's fine, you can head back to your post and wake up the others. I should get some sleep, the world summit is tomorrow."

Uhana "That's right, sorry."

Asuna "No it's fine, you did the right thing. Just give it time, I'm sure everything he's doing is for a good cause."

Uhana "Yeah."

Uhana leaves, and Asuna's face changes.

Asuna "Ziku, whatever reason you have for doing whatever it is you're doing; I hope it's a good one. Do not make me a liar."

Ziku sneezes.

Dante "Keep your boogers to yourself."

Ziku "Sorry, just came out."

Mettanica "We here, stop!"

All of them look over to see Sela and Cyro sitting on thrones, Cerberus on each of their sides and a bunch of demon spawns surrounding the entire area.

Mettanica "Oh no!"

Dante and Obnimi immediately get frightened because all of the demon spawns react to Ziku's presence. They attack and give away their position. Seria, Karu and Raven all appear and capture them. All of them are being held except Ziku.

Cyro "Ah, it's you again. You're quite tenacious, but also stupid. You come to our realm?! For what?!"

Ziku "You know why I'm here."

Cyro "Oh?"

Cyro stands to his feet and looks down on Ziku.

Cyro "Kneel."

Ziku "What?!"

Cyro "Kneel down, for I am a being that has risen above what your feeble mind can comprehend!"

Ziku "No."

Cyro "You want me to reverse what I did right? Then kneel!"

Ziku "If I do, you promise you will reverse it?"

Cyro "I will."

Obnimi "Ziku don't."

Dante "Ziku, surely you don't believe that?"

Mettanica "He's evil, he will never honor a promise!"

Ziku kneels down and looks towards the ground.

Cyro "Excellent! Excellent! I am mighty! Soon to become more powerful than the gods!"

Ziku "Reverse it."

Cyro smiles and then starts to laugh.

Ziku "Reverse it!"

Cyro just continues to laugh louder and more hysterically.

Ziku "Tch!"

Cyro "How about I destroy your pathetic little world?!"

As Cyro continues to laugh and he raises his arms Ziku is clinching every fiber in his body in anger.

Ziku "You lied to me!"

Cyro "Did you really think a superior being like me would oblige to an inferior creatures wishes?! I always told you, I am mighty!"

As Cyro begins to laugh again, Ziku's body begins to shake as a lightning aura surrounds his body.

Dante "No Ziku!"

Cyro's laughing becomes to an abrupt halt. Everyone's face changes from terror, to utter shock.

Cyro "The hell are you doing?!"

Sela "I agreed with you, up until you called yourself mighty and claimed you take orders from no one. Did you forget, I'm queen."

Cyro "You-you bitch! I'm going to kill you!"

Sela "If you can."

Sela doesn't say anything else, she just rips out Cyro's heart and throws his body to the side.

Cyro "I- I will k-kill you! I-I will be m-mighty!"

Sela just watches as his chi fades, and his heart slowly stops pumping. Dante and Obnimi break free and go to Ziku. Sela just watches them as they all stare at her. Karu goes over to Cyro, and while everyone is distracted, they grab his body and take it away.

Sela "I haven't killed since he's been at throne with me. I love it! You all are next!"

Seria and Raven stand at Sela's side. Before anything, in the span of half a second, Ziku attacks Raven and pierces her heart ripping it out.

Seria "Raven!"

Sela "Such speed!"

Mettanica "What?! When did he?!"

Obnimi "Hmph, guess he had it in him."

Ziku "The key! I got it let's go!"

Mettanica "Right!"

They end up escaping from the demon realm as Sela just stands there annoyed.

Seria "Raven! Raven no!"

Sela "The humans are proving to be more capable than I have thought."

Seria "But raven!"

Sela "Forget her! She was weak!"

Ziku, Dante,Obnimi, and Mettanica return. When they settle, Ziku is staring at his hand.

Dante "You see it don't you."

Ziku "What is it?!"

Dante "A demon slayer mark."

Ziku "A demon slayer mark?!"

Obnimi "Humans that kill high tier demons earn that mark. The mark is a testament of their strength. It stays with your forever."

Ziku "Forever?!"

Obnimi "Yes, so far Ziku. You are the first human to have accomplished such a feat."

Ziku falls to his knees.

Dante "What's wrong?"

Ziku "I killed, this mark is with me forever. It is reminder that is stuck with me for the rest of my life."

Obnimi "You did what was needed."

Ziku looks up into the sky and sees that it is clear again.

Ziku "It's done."

Dante "Not yet, what we did is only delay the inevitable."

Obnimi "Sela knows that she ruined her chances of coming early, this just means when the time does come she is going to be more ruthless and angry."

Ziku "Does this mean you guys are on our side now?"

Obnimi "Hmph, I'm not on your side. I'm with Mettanica. Nothing more nothing less."

Mettanica "I wish to help you in any way I can from here on out. Although I know I will not be accepted by others."

Ziku "I accept you, as long as you go through with your word I will always."

Mettanica "Ziku."

Ziku smiles and then looks at the sky again.

Ziku "Well, for now at least. We can rest."

Asuna "I see, well done Ziku."