We continue with the latest events: DANTE was saved by a mysterious demon of suspicious appearance. What awaits them?
MALEKIN: Hahajajaja, hello, hello, umm, friend, quick, we must take the dog to the city that is near these parts. (Starts walking.)
DANTE HERALDI: Well, yes, sure, but where are we headed? (Follows him with REX in his arms).
MALEKIN: Don't worry, human, I am a guardian of those who survive in this world and we have a city to take care of you. Follow me.
DANTE, all worried, decides to trust him for the moment, since he had nothing to do against him; he needed to take care of REX. Somewhat intrigued by the demon's form, DANTE asks him something.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey, I know it's sudden, but why do you wear handkerchief on your mouth?
MALEKIN: Oh (uncomfortable) see this, well, I don't know how to tell you, but it will be better if you see it for yourself. (Lowers the handkerchief.)
As he lowers the handkerchief, he reveals his face, which bears a malevolent smile, the smile of a hellish demon. It seems his lips had been torn from his face, which had left him with a perpetual smile. Quickly, embarrassed, he raises the handkerchief to hide his face again.
DANTE HERALDI: Now I understand everything, thank you for being considerate.
MALEKIN: Well, yes, the truth is, the first human who saw me wasn't scared, but suggested I wear a handkerchief over my face to make friends, and I follow his advice.
DANTE HERALDI: He must have been a good person to treat you well with that face of yours, hehe.
MALEKIN: Don't worry, I understand that your race is afraid of me because of my appearance, but it's normal. Well, we are arriving, we pass this intersection and we will be there.
Our friends arrive at an intersection where there were some signs that separated the path and they stop for a while.
DANTE HERALDI: How strange, all of this is an endless desert and right on this path there is a division; on the other side I only see a cave. What is that place?
MALEKIN: You see, that place is the most dangerous path that exists; it leads you to see the original king of this world and the observatory, his home.
DANTE HERALDI: What, seriously? I'm looking for that place to be able to move position and get out of here.
MALEKIN: Human, I wouldn't advise you to do that; even I couldn't get there in one piece. There are monstrous things, and there are a number of creatures that roam that place and are considered gods.
DANTE HERALDI: It can't be, not even you with your power could reach that place safely (he gets worried).
MALEKIN: Don't worry, you could, but you need to become stronger than me to get there. For now, we must go to the town I have with my brothers. Get on my back; it's time to go fast, it's getting dark and in this place roam creatures that are very bothersome. Let's go.
DANTE gets on MALEKIN's back, holding REX tightly, and he moves at an impressive speed, covering a great distance in a few minutes. Throughout the journey, screams and laments of the condemned souls in this place are heard. Reaching a certain point of the trip, an immense forest that has no end can be seen, but this was strange, as it was vegetation as if they were in the real world, and before entering the forest, they stop.
DANTE HERALDI: Wow, what is all this? Why is there an immense forest in this place? And why did we stop before entering the forest?
MALEKIN: Well, this place belongs to certain gods who are extremely fond of nature, which is why they have this forest. But there are also people being tortured there for all eternity for their evil deeds, just like in these parts. Every so often, people appear to be tortured; there are thousands of them, which is why my brothers and I can't keep up with rescuing them all, but we managed to achieve something great over time. (MALEKIN takes a few steps forward and extends his hand.) Welcome to my city; I present to you... (MALEKIN concentrates his power and reveals a protective shield, and a rather large city becomes visible) Tenochtitlan, the city of the heavens in hell, hahahahaha.
DANTE is surprised because in front of him appeared a large city with humans and demons living together.
DANTE HERALDI: Incredible... to think this exists, a city of humans and demons, but how?
MALEKIN: This is thanks to me. I am the king of this place; thanks to me, this place survives. I managed to rescue many of those who are here.
Suddenly another demon appears.
MALEKIN: Brother, how nice. Look, let me introduce you... Oh, that's right, you didn't give me your name, hehe.
DANTE HERALDI: A thousand apologies, my name is DANTE HERALDI. A pleasure.
MALEKIN: Well, this is one of my brothers; he calls himself ACHAM.
In front of DANTE appeared a demon with a robe and he looked like a minotaur. DANTE checks him and he is level 800. DANTE is surprised by the immense power that is in this place, nothing to do with the old island they left.
ACHAM: Welcome, Mr. DANTE, it is a pleasure to have you in this humble place; I hope it is to your liking.
DANTE HERALDI: Don't worry, there is no need to be so formal; rather, you could help my friend REX, who is still fainted. It seems his healing powers are not very effective at this moment.
ACHAM: From what I see, we just have to wait for the next day to arrive for him to fully recover; he is only fainted. Let me put him in a safe place; I will give him a house so he can stay in this place.
DANTE HERALDI: OH, thank you, really? I was worried about REX, but I see he will be fine.
MALEKIN: What are you saying, Acham? The dog is nearly dead, he's in a coma right now. The river almost drained all his power, and you're saying he's fine?
DANTE HERALDI: (worried and panicked) What?
ACHAM: (annoyed) Damn you, MALEKIN! You know very well that we're all healed the next day from any wounds we have. I only said that so as not to worry the boy, and you come out with that nonsense.
MALEKIN: (embarrassed) Uh... well, sorry, I forgot about that option.
ACHAM: You embarrass me, MALEKIN.
DANTE HERALDI: (embarrassed) So, REX, is this okay or not?
ACHAM: (sighs) Don't worry, DANTE, he'll be fine. If he's alive at midnight, he'll be healed. Remember, this place doesn't let us die just like that.
DANTE HERALDI: You're right, ACHAM. Thanks. Ha, I never thought I'd thank a demon. (in his mind) That's right, I already did it with BELFEGOR, hehehe.
MALEKIN: Well, ACHAM, take him to his new house for now.
ACHAM: Of course, follow me around here; I'll show you.
MALEKIN: Look, ACHAM, I have things to do at the palace; that trio is looking for me. I'll go ahead, so you take them. Give them the house to the east, the one with the black gates. I'll go and announce their arrival, and then I'll go to the palace. Tomorrow, have them come to the palace so we can talk more calmly.
ACHAM: Are you sure about that place? (MALEKIN nods.) Well, very well, brother.
MALEKIN leaps high as if he's flying; DANTE and ACHAM walk together through the city, with REX on DANTE's shoulder. He is truly amazed by this place; it seems to have medieval technology, but it was peaceful.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey, ACHAM, how was this place built?
ACHAM: Um, you see, it's all thanks to my brother Malekin. He built this place with his own hands after spending time with another human who saved him. That's all I know. This place is millennia old, and since then, he's been saving as many humans as possible and arranging deals with low-level demons for trade in other places to sustain it. Of course, the island's king knows nothing about this place and thinks all those deals are with other demon cities.
DANTE HERALDI: But Malekin isn't afraid of being betrayed by the other demons.
ACHAM: As you've probably noticed (serious expression), he's a demon who's almost as powerful as the island's king, so messing with him, hahaha, I'd like to see anyone dare.
DANTE HERALDI: (swallows hard) You're right, he is very powerful. How many humans are there in total in this place?
ACHAM: Hmm, let me see, there are no more than 100. This place is large, but it doesn't have many humans; demons, perhaps the same number. This place is peaceful, so sometimes demons prefer to stay here and work.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey, they also trade with REIT here, right?
ACHAM: Of course, that currency is multiversal; it exists in all the hells.
DANTE HERALDI: So it's true that there are multiple hells.
ACHAM: Of course, I've lived for over 15,000 years and that has always held true; however, this place is one of the weaker hells. I've heard that there are more dangerous and deadly hells, but the most bloodthirsty infernal god of all the hells resides here, so it shouldn't be underestimated.
DANTE HERALDI: You mean the one in the observatory, right?
ACHAM: That's the terrible "Mictlantekuti."
DANTE HERALDI: Him? My God, that thing really exists.
ACHAM: Do you know the god of this place?
DANTE HERALDI: Not exactly, I've heard things about him (in his mind), but then, everything I know is true. Perhaps the other hells have something to do with other mythologies; how interesting.
Turning a corner, they arrive at their destination: a huge, old-style house; it was a mansion.
ACHAM: Well, here it is; this place belongs to you from now on. Good luck, I'll be going now. Oh, right, you saw the enormous castle in the center of the city, didn't you?
DANTE HERALDI: How could I miss it? It's immense.
ACHAM: That place is the cradle of our city, it's the royal palace; that's where I live, Malekin, and others. Tomorrow, when the dog is well, please come there, we need to talk.
DANTE HERALDI: Very well, Mr. ACHAM, I'll be there with pleasure (somewhat embarrassed). Sir, are you sure I can keep this place? It's immense.
ACHAM: Of course, after all, you're not a normal human. You have too much power to be like the others, which is why you're getting special treatment. But we'll see about the rest tomorrow; for now, enjoy. (He throws them the keys to the place.)
DANTE HERALDI: Well, thanks, I guess.
ACHAM walks away.
ACHAM: (in his mind) Besides, you have his blessing (he imagines BELL). It'll be a little complicated with him here, umm, oh, right, I forgot to tell him he has a maid. Well, he can figure that out for himself, hehe.
Dante quickly proceeds to open the gates at the mansion's entrance, then kicks open the doors of the darkened mansion. Without wasting any time, he looks for a room to put his friend Rex in. Once he puts Rex in his room, he explores the place, finding the living room and the kitchen. As he walks, he notices that the lights are on in one of the rooms. carefully, he opens the door and finds a very beautiful and well-proportioned human girl coming out of the shower, she was just putting on her towel. They both freeze and stare at each other for a few seconds, then blush as they take it all in.
Dante simply leaves the room and closes the door, saying, "I'm so sorry," and a scream is heard from the bathroom. Dante runs out and goes to the living room and sits down, thinking about how large the girl's breasts were. Suddenly, the lights throughout the mansion turn on, and the girl appears in front of Dante dressed as a maid, looking a little annoyed. She looks at him and speaks to him.
GIRL: Excuse me, are you Mr. Dante? Mr. Malekin told me a new master was coming, so I was taking a bath; I didn't think they'd arrive so soon. Let me introduce myself: my name is Elena. Nice to meet you. (A nervous and embarrassed smile.)
DANTE HERALDI: Well, if my name is Dante Heraldi, Mr. Acham didn't mention a maid. My apologies, sorry for not knocking. I didn't think there were bathrooms here, since we don't need them… well, as long as we don't eat, hehehe. (Nervous and embarrassed.)
ELENA: There's no need to embarrass ourselves. Let's start again, shall we? You seem like a nice fellow. I've worked here for over a thousand years, but your last name sounds familiar. You weren't a politician, were you?
DANTE HERALDI: Oh yes, how did you know, umm, when did you die, Elena?
ELENA: Um, I died on April 30, 2040; my memories of that time are almost nonexistent, but I vaguely recall it because there was some big news about you, which is why your last name sounded familiar. Your political party was involved in some serious trouble; unfortunately, I don't know what else happened (she becomes sad). Well, I was mugged and died.
DANTE HERALDI: (Embarrassed), excuse me, the insecurity in our country back then was shameful, but it was worse than what you heard.
DANTE tells her his whole story and what happened after April 30; they talk for a while. He also tells her everything that happened when he woke up in this place, and they spend a pleasant time together. It gets quite late, and they say goodbye.
DANTE HERALDI: Well, don't feel bad, those lives are over now; we should enjoy this place for the time being, don't you think? Besides, I took those bastards with me, hehe.
ELENA: Well, you're right. Let me serve you as your servant in this house; after all, that's my job here.
DANTE HERALDI: Thank you for your help, ELENA. I have high hopes for you and I won't let you down, unlike in the other life, when we didn't make it as politicians. Well, I'm going to bed. If possible, wake me up early. I have to go to the palace tomorrow.
ELENA: To the palace, umm, fine, but be careful, there are people there you won't like. You'll see for yourself tomorrow, Master Dante.
DANTE HERALDI: Why do you say that?
ELENA: You see, of those who died, I think there's someone from your party in that place, I don't remember exactly, you'll see for yourself tomorrow.
DANTE HERALDI: Good, Elena, thank you for the warning.
Dante proceeds to go up to the second floor to a room and lies down thinking about what Elena told him. No longer giving it much thought, he falls asleep. The next morning, Dante feels wetness on his face and, when he opens his eyes, it's Rex, who appeared on his bed jumping and licking him.
DANTE HERALDI: Hey! Wait, Rex, I'm glad you're okay, but take it easy.
REX: Where the hell are we, Dante? And why do I smell another human in this place?
DANTE HERALDI: So you found me with your nose. Well, let me explain everything.
DANTE tells REX everything that happened, and after a while, ELENA enters DANTE's room, knocking before entering.
ELENA: Excuse me, I heard a noise and came up to see what was going on; I hope I'm not disturbing you.
REX: So she's our new roommate. Isn't she pretty, DANTE? (Wagging his tail) You didn't do anything bad while I was sleeping, did you? (He looks at DANTE with a mischievous smile.)
DANTE and ELENA blush, remembering what happened in the bathroom.
DANTE HERALDI: (Blushing) What do you think you're talking about, you crazy dog? Nothing happened, we were just talking.
REX: (Smiling and wagging his tail) Hmm, and why are you red? Hehehehe.
DANTE HERALDI: I don't have anything to explain to a dog who thinks he's human.
REX: Hahaha, well, if you say so.
ELENA: Hehehe, it seems you two get along very well.
DANTE and REX look at each other and laugh together; after a while, DANTE and REX say goodbye to ELENA and head towards the palace.
REX: It's incredible that I didn't die in that river, isn't it, DANTE? And to think that a huge iguana lived in that place… I felt my power slowly fading away.
DANTE HERALDI: Yes, if it weren't for MALEKIN, you and I wouldn't exist right now.
REX: I'll thank him properly, but look, this place is also like the other town; it has everything, but with humans, a better view, in my opinion, hehe.
After a long walk, they arrive at the palace, where they are greeted by ACHAM at the entrance.
ACHAM: Welcome, come in. MALEKIN is waiting for you, let him escort you. (They start walking)
DANTE HERALDI: What a beautiful palace. Look, ACHAM, this is REX. He's doing better now.
ACHAM: Hello, REX, it's a pleasure.
REX: Thank you for treating us so well. (Wagging his tail)
DANTE HERALDI: Behave yourself, dog. We shouldn't cause any trouble here, remember that… (DANTE looks away and notices three men he knows very well, then hides) (Nervous) Hey, ACHAN, who are those men?
ACHAM: Um, who? I saved them a couple of months ago, and since they were politicians in their past lives, we have them here as consultants. (He continues walking)
DANTE HERALDI: (He stops) So they're here as consultants. What a bunch of jerks.
REX: (stops with Dante) Hey, Dante, you're scaring me. Do you know those humans?
DANTE HERALDI: (whispering) Do I know them? I don't know if I told you, Rex, but they—those bastards—are the ones who killed me: Marc, Daniel, and Dylan.
Rex is shocked. Unexpectedly, Dante's past continues to haunt him in this world as well. What will happen next after this encounter? Will these corrupt individuals continue their schemes? We'll find out very soon.