A dimensional gate shimmered into existence mid-air, casting a radiant glow that rippled outward in waves of ethereal light. In an instant, two figures emerged from its depths, stepping onto dew-soaked earth beneath the soft dawn light. One wore gleaming golden armor adorned with the emblem of a mighty eagle upon his chest. His weapon, an enigmatic fusion of ancient and advanced technology, radiated an undeniable aura of power.
Beside him stood a taller, more muscular figure clad in armor reminiscent of a knight, yet distinctly futuristic—its gleaming silver plates interwoven with intricate designs and wielding a weapon forged with advanced, yet archaic, craftsmanship. Each step he took seemed to reverberate through the ground, suggesting that this was no mere mortal.
The pair stood resolute, scanning their surroundings with keen, unwavering gazes. Before them lay the expanse of the Kainaldia Empire, a realm easily recognizable. Tall towers pierced the distant sky, surrounded by lush, silent valleys. The cold air brushed against their faces, carrying the unmistakable scent of their homeland, grounding them as they prepared to tread into this strange new world.
"At last, we are home..." murmured the figure in golden armor, his voice a mixture of relief and nostalgia.
"Kainaldia Empire... it has been far too long since I last laid eyes on this place," replied the knightly figure beside him, his tone filled with a quiet reverence.
"Then let's make for the palace and report everything to Shiroi," said the knight in golden armor, already turning his gaze toward the distant towers with a sense of purpose.
The roar of military engines thundered through the air as the soldiers arrived at the scene. Massive tires ground against the earth, kicking up a trail of dust in their wake. Swiftly, troops clad in black uniforms disembarked from the vehicles, moving with disciplined precision into a battle-ready formation. Each soldier raised a sleek assault rifle—its barrel gleaming in the sunlight—aiming directly at the two figures who had just emerged from the dimensional gate.
The atmosphere thickened instantly, a nearly palpable tension settling over the area. Every soldier's gaze was fixed, fingers resting on the triggers, poised to fire at a moment's notice. Among them, a man stepped forward, unmistakably the commander. A stark scar crossed his face in a striking, jagged pattern. With a gaze cold and wary, he leveled his twin, glossy black handguns at the strangers who had appeared before him.
"Who are you, and what is your purpose here?" the commander's voice echoed, filled with menace. His sharp gaze pierced through the two strangers, analyzing their every subtle movement.
Yet the two figures showed no hint of fear. The man in golden armor regarded the surrounding soldiers with a serene calm, while his larger companion only offered a faint smile, as if this confrontation were nothing more than a trivial disturbance. Their eyes met briefly, sharing an unspoken understanding of what was to come.
"You don't recognize us, do you?" the man in golden armor spoke, his tone unruffled.
"If I know you, then state your identification codes," the commander replied, his voice unyielding.
"Delta Nano Terra 011," the man in gold responded, removing his helmet to reveal a man with short, white hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Victory Gamma Lima 013," the silver-armored knight answered, following suit. He removed his helmet to reveal a face nearly identical to his companion's, though his hair held a silvery-gray hue, and his eyes shone the same deep blue.
The commander's eyes remained fixed on the two figures before him, yet a strange tremor rippled through his thoughts. The identification codes they'd spoken struck a chord deep within his memory. His hardened expression softened, the scar on his face standing out as he recognized the true identity of the men standing before him.
Without hesitation, he signaled a secret code—a subtle hand gesture known only to his troops. One small movement, but it was enough to command the entire unit to lower their weapons. The black-uniformed soldiers exchanged glances, yet they obeyed without delay. The tension-soaked barrels of their assault rifles, once raised in readiness, now gradually lowered to the ground. The thick strain in the air eased, though a lingering respect and caution hung in the silence between them.
"So, you've finally returned… Dante… Vergil?" the commander, Axel, asked, his voice carrying a note of disbelief mixed with quiet respect.
"Axel, your welcoming party was far from amusing," Vergil replied, a hint of irritation lacing his words.
"Lower your weapons, Prince Dante and Prince Vergil have returned," Axel commanded firmly.
At the mention of Vergil and Dante's names, the once-tense soldiers visibly relaxed. They now understood exactly who stood before them not mere wanderers from another realm, but two of the Five Immortal Princes of Kainaldia, legendary members of the royal family who had ventured across worlds, returning with advanced technology that had transformed the empire.
The soldiers, who had once pointed their weapons, now bowed respectfully, realizing they stood before figures revered not only for their power but also for their devotion to the Kainaldia Empire. The technology the princes brought from other dimensions had sparked an era of unprecedented advancement in the kingdom. Though life in Kainaldia remained framed by the medieval—filled with stone fortresses, swords, and bows,the empire had integrated their innovations into its core. Outside the empire's forces, the rest of Kainaldia knew nothing of firearms or gunpowder, living within the bounds of a traditional order where such advancements were often mistaken for mysterious magic, beyond the comprehension of common folk.
Axel, the scarred commander, wasted no time. He understood that the sudden reappearance of the two immortal princes required swift protection from the public eye. Though the people of the Kainaldia Empire revered the Immortal Princes, they were not prepared to witness their legendary figures return without warning.
"Prepare transport at once," Axel ordered his men. "We'll take them through the hidden route to the palace."
The soldiers moved swiftly, and within minutes, a specialized vehicle with advanced camouflage technology arrived. Though Kainaldia's world remained steeped in a medieval aura, the Immortal Princes had ensured that the empire possessed technology sophisticated enough to guard its secrets and safeguard its key assets from outside worlds.
Vergil and Dante calmly boarded the transport, joined by Axel, who stood respectfully beside them, ensuring their journey remained undisturbed. The vehicle began to move, leaving the open field and winding its way through a hidden path that led into dense forests and concealed valleys. This route, long prepared for missions requiring complete secrecy, was known only to a select few.
As they settled into the all-terrain transport, which handled the rough terrain with ease, Axel broke the silence. "So, how was your adventure?" he asked, his tone half-inquisitive, half-admiring.
"Quite enjoyable, actually. We even brought back a few souvenirs from that dimension," Dante replied, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"Your armor alone shows something new," Axel noted, scanning their advanced gear. "And those augmentations… they may look rough, but they're perfectly functional, aren't they?"
"That's right," Vergil replied with a nod. "They may lack refinement, but the engineering behind them is impressive."
"Well then, you'd better—wait, what's that?" Axel paused mid-sentence.
"What's going on?" Dante asked, curious.
"Emperor Shiroi already knows you've returned. He's requested your immediate presence at the palace. Says there's an urgent matter for you both to address," Axel explained, his brow furrowing.
"It's rare for Shiroi to need our help," Dante remarked, his curiosity piqued.
"Just arrived home, and we're already on duty again… no rest for the wicked," Vergil added with a sigh.
Axel nodded. "Alright, then, to the palace at once."
The journey to Kainaldia's palace through the hidden passage was swift and undisturbed. The vehicle wove through dense forests and secret corridors known only to a select few, finally arriving before a massive cavern entrance beneath the Kainaldia Imperial Palace. This entrance, cleverly concealed behind an automated stone wall activated by a specific code, opened into a pathway that led to the innermost chambers of the palace.
Dante and Vergil stepped out of the vehicle, walking along the silent, dimly lit cavern corridor. The walls held the secrets of the kingdom, embedded with advanced technology crafted by royal researchers to serve and protect Kainaldia. After a lengthy walk, they reached a grand door engraved with ancient Kainaldian symbols, marking the entrance to their personal quarters.
Once inside, Dante and Vergil immediately prepared themselves by activating their specialized technique—Cellular Molecular Augmentation Arrangement. This technique, known only to the Immortal Princes, allowed their previously larger, more muscular forms from their travels to return to a normal size without sacrificing strength or integrated augmentations. By manipulating their bodies at a molecular level, the technique maintained immense power hidden within each cell, allowing them to compress their augmented strength into a refined and inconspicuous form.
After their bodies returned to their normal conditions, Dante and Vergil wasted no time. Dante donned his signature silver knight armor, adorned with intricate engravings and hidden technology that made it more than just physical protection. The armor gleamed elegantly, signaling that Dante was not only a fierce warrior but also a shrewd and formidable leader.
On the other hand, Vergil slipped into his assassin armor, renowned for its agility and excellence in shadow combat. The black suit was nearly invisible in the dark, equipped with advanced augmentations that allowed Vergil to move at lightning speed without detection. This armor was a point of pride for him, symbolizing his skills as one of the deadliest Immortal Princes.
With their preparations complete, the duo stepped out of their quarters and headed toward the secret meeting room, where someone they knew well was already waiting—Shiroi, one of the kingdom's most important advisors and an old friend. A master strategist and diplomat, Shiroi had always been part of the innermost circle of Kainaldia's power.
As they entered the meeting room, Shiroi awaited them with a calm yet serious expression. His sharp eyes immediately assessed Dante and Vergil, understanding that their presence indicated something significant was afoot.