As the 12 knights entered the Dungeon, they had a sensation that they have never felt before and this was fear. As the pressure and Ominous feeling eminating from the dungeon was something they have never felt before. As the group kept on advancing, they saw many skulls and skeletons of dead soldiers which increased their already pent up fear. As they went deeper the saw three paths with each path having the same pattern. the group divide themselves into four man teams with each team taking a path of their choice. Shinsui decides to join Dante's team. After some time all the teams had been formed and they all entered their various paths.
Dante: what is this mist? it was never seen outside the path.
But as Dante was talking he realised that no one was there and that he was all alone in the mist. He wasn't the only one experiencing this as all the other knights also faced this challenge. This was the path of despair a path were one must endure endless pain and suffering with death being the only way to end this. As Dante kept on moving a sudden black flower figures approaching him. These things are all the collective conscience of the despair of man taking the form of these flower like figures. They were called Wraiths meaning the despair of man. As these things rushed over Dante he begun to feel intense pain within his body as these wraiths make you question your very existence itself and bring out a different reality of the same event that happened during your lifetime. these realities are so painful and gruesome to the extent that is nearly impossible to overcome leaving its victim mad or dead. nothing can be Hidden from a wraith as they see everything that happened in your life whether it was a previous life or a current one making them to draw it all out.the wraiths cannot be killed and neither can they be destroyed since they have no physical form and are a definition of man's despair therefore as long as humanity exists, a wraith will never die.
wraith: it was you. you killed your family admit it. if only you hadn't left the house that night they would still be alive. it was you. Monster! Monster!
Dante was so overcome with guilt and pain as the wraith kept on revealing the memory of what happened. Dante kept on repeating the same words No! no it wasn't me.
Wraith: It was your fault that your sister is now a cripple if only u hadn't left her on the roof that night. is all you monster! monster! Murderer yes Murderer.
Dante kept on repeating the same thing No please stop over and over again since he was in such pain.
Wraith: it was also your fault that most of the pantheons was destroyed. if only you hadn't fought against your brother your father, mother and all the other gods, humans and dragons would still be alive. you are a Murderer Indra.
At that moment lots of memories begun to flood in Dante's mind a life that he had previously lived and being killed by his own brother. although Dante remembered only 20 percent of his memories, he couldn't muster enough power to overcome the Wraiths influence as he himself had almost given up. as Dante was trapped in an eternal void of darkness questioning himself and his existence
Dante: the wraith was right I killed my parents, I crippled my sister and brought an end to all the other pantheons. if only I hadn't fought against my brother back then things wouldn't have ended like this.
You are right a sudden voice begun to speak to Dante. who are you he asked. I'm you he said.
Dante saw himself but it was a different version of himself. It must have been your fault that all these things happened but will you keep on dwelling on the past, it said. I'm a murderer can't you see that said Dante. Everyone is a murderer but is not what you did in the past that defines you but is what you are now. instead of despairing here for all of eternity, why not move forward and try to change whatever happened in the past after all you are Indra aren't you, said the other version of Dante. Dante was very shocked to hear what his other self said but also he was satisfied. Dante grabs the hand if his other self and stands up again. You are right, I will not fall here. suddenly a rift opened in the void of despair causing Dante to escape and come back to the mortal realm. when he arrived the wraiths had disappeared indicating that he had passed the first test.
Dante: I had already regained a little of my memory after the village incident but I just couldn't bring myself to accept what happened back then so I tried to hide my identity but now am going to embrace that past and keep on moving forward until all my enemies are destroyed.
Dante has now found his resolve and regained a fraction of his power and memories. he is successfully able to pass through the mist and reach the end of the path but what he saw shocked him the most. Out of 12 people who came to the dungeon only 7 were able to successfully pass the first trial and even amongst the 7 some were still being tormented with what they saw. Dante saw how the memories of the wraith had taken a huge effect on Sasuke, Shinsui and Laila. he then reassures them that whatever they saw or heard is not real and they should get over it and move forward.
Sasuke: thanks Dante but not everybody can still muster enough resolve like how you are doing.
Dante: why what did you see?
Sasuke: Is all my fault if only I hadn't been born my mother will still be alive and my family wouldn't be suffering.
Shinsui: hey what happened wasn't your fault okay. it was destined to happen plus do u know how your mom loved you even before you were born so ease up.
Dante: yeah and you are not the only person who has lost people who were important to them. I lost my mom, dad and now my sister is even a cripple but am not letting that bring me down but rather I used it to be a convicntion that I would never lose someone important to me again. That's why I want to become stronger so that I would never loose someone important to me ever again.
Everyone is happy to hear what Dante said and it helps them to gather their resolve. Sasuke thanks Dante for helping him to overcome his guilt and gather the strength to fight again. Laila approaches Dante and hugs him as a form of appreciation for what he has done. All the remaining people gather their resolve and begin to move on to the next phase.
What will happen to the group? will they be able to pass all the dungeon test and survive or will they all die?
To Be Continued