The great, genuine smile on Dante's face was like a predator's.
The opportunity was perfect. More than perfect.
It was a gift from the labyrinth itself.
Edgar, his loyal, wounded lamb, was looking at him with pure, complete admiration that was almost sickening.
He saw a victorious leader.
Dante saw a ripe fruit. Ready for the harvest.
'Finally. After all this waiting. After all this careful cultivation. The moment has come.'
"Dante," Edgar breathed. His voice full of awe as he took a step closer. "You... you finished already? You were incredible."
'Yes. Keep coming closer. Just a few more steps.'
"It was a difficult fight," Dante lied. His voice a carefully crafted tone of weary humbleness.
He took a step toward Edgar. Closing the small distance between them.
The other cages still shimmered. Holding silent battles of his other teammates.
The cages were now completely invisible.
They were alone.
'Perfect. No witnesses. Just me and my prize.'
"My copy knew every move I would make," he continued. "I only won because of an unexpected advantage."
"The ring," Edgar said. His eyes flicking down to Dante's hand. "Of course. Your strategy is always flawless."
'Flawless. Yes. And you're about to see just how flawless it really is.'
"Strategy requires sacrifice, Edgar," Dante said softly. Placing a hand on his shoulder.
Edgar beamed under the contact. A loyal dog receiving praise from his master.
"You fought well. You conquered your own darkness. You stood when others would have fallen and see you are the second one here."
"I only won because I thought of you," Edgar confessed. His face honest and open. "The whispers... they tried to make me doubt you. They showed me visions of you betraying us."
Dante's heart skipped. Just for a second.
'The labyrinth showed him? Showed him the truth?'
"But I knew you would never betray us," Edgar continued. His voice thick with emotion. "My faith in you gave me the strength to fight back. You saved me, Dante. Even when you weren't there."
Dante's smile tightened.
'The irony is so thick I could choke on it. Your faith in me will be the death of you. Literally.'
"I am glad to hear that, Edgar," he said. His voice warm. Genuine-sounding. "Your faith is... important to me."
'Your faith is useful. Your mana core is more useful.'
He looked past Edgar. Toward the cages where the others were still fighting.
They cannot see what was going on inside but the sparks told the fight was still going.
"They are still struggling," he said. "Go. Stand by the edge of Talia's cage. The one to the left if I remember correctly."
"Let me know the moment she is free. Her scouting skills will be essential to navigating our way out of here."
"Of course, Dante," Edgar said. Without a single bit of hesitation.
He turned his back to Dante. His gaze fixed on the distant, flashing cages.
He was completely open. Completely trusting.
He was presenting his life to Dante on a silver platter.
'Thank you for making this so easy.'
Dante's hand moved to his side. Drawing upon the shattered crystal fragments scattered around him.
Not enough to be obvious. Just enough to form a thin razor-sharp blade.
His heart was a calm drumbeat. There was no hate in his actions. No anger. No guilt.
'This is not murder. It is evolution. It is necessity. It is harvest.'
'You were always meant to be mine, Edgar. From the moment I let you live. From the moment I gave you all that mana and not to forget that vambrace. You were an investment. And now it's time to collect.'
The blade solidified in his palm. Cold. Perfect. Lethal.
"Edgar," Dante said in a soft whisper.
Edgar started to turn. "Yes, Dan—"
He never finished the name.
Shnk.
The blade slid between his ribs with perfect precision.
It pierced his heart. Ending his life before his brain could even register the betrayal.
His eyes went wide for a fraction of a second. A look of confused shock on his face.
He opened his mouth. But only a soft wet sigh escaped.
Hhhhh...
'That's it. Go quietly. Like the good soldier you are.'
Dante held him for a moment as the life drained from him. Supporting his weight so he wouldn't fall and make a sound.
He could feel Edgar's heartbeat against his chest. Fast. Then slower. Then... nothing.
His body went limp in Dante's arms.
'Goodbye, Edgar. You served your purpose well.'
Gently, almost tenderly, he laid him on the crystal floor. Arranging his body near the shattered remains of his own crystal copy.
He pressed the Guardian's Vambrace Edgar wore against the sharp edge of a crystal shard. Creating a deep, believable gash in the leather.
He used another shard to deepen the wound in Edgar's forehead. Making it look fresh. Fatal.
Blood dripped onto the crystal floor.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The scene was perfect. A brave warrior who had defeated his enemy. Only to die from his wounds moments later.
'Art. This is art.'
Then, he knelt beside the body. Placed his hand on Edgar's chest. Right over his heart.
He closed his eyes and pulled.
Edgar's energy. His mana core. Fattened and cared for by Dante's design over all these weeks.
It was a brilliant like a shining thing.
Full of loyalty. Trust. Simple, heroic light.
It offered no resistance. It flowed into him.
The rush of power was immense.
It was not the chaotic fury of the orc. Not the prideful rage of Derek.
It was pure. Clean. Powerful energy that settled into his soul like a missing piece of a puzzle.
'Yes. YES. This is what I've been waiting for.'
He felt his mana pool expand. Felt the ceiling of his power crack.
The limit of five summons... it felt fragile now. Ready to be broken.
But he did not summon Edgar yet. He had other plans for his first appearance.
'Even after death, you'll serve me one more time. The greatest performance of your life.'
Chime.
With a final, soft sound, Erica's cage dissolved.
She stumbled out. Her clothes singed. Her face streaked with soot and tears.
She had won.
She looked around. Her eyes searching wildly for Dante.
"Dante!" she cried. Relief flooding her face when she saw him.
She started to run toward him. But then she saw the body on the floor.
She stopped dead. Her hand flying to her mouth.
"Edgar?"
At that moment, the other cages dissolved.
Talia and Jin were free. They saw the scene.
A horrified, heavy silence fell over the room.