The Snow drifts through the air — slow, soundless, endless.
Each flake lands like a whisper on Dante's sleeve. His body trembled, his breath fogs the air his teeth chattering." He looked to Raen who's still as smug as ever.
She glances at him, that smug look never leaving her face.
"You're shivering," she says, voice dripping with mock sympathy.
"Don't want to catch a cold, do ya?"
"You know, instead of stating the obvious, it'd be nice if you actually did something—
rather than making things worse by being such a b*tch about it he spat out through gritted teeths."
She chuckles, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"What's wrong, pretty boy? Can't handle a little joke?
Don't tell me you're one of those fragile-ego losers."
His annoyance boils over as he glares at her, eyes burning with anger.
"Shut up! That's what jerks like you always say—'it's just a joke,' 'nothing personal.'
You know exactly what you're doing, asshole!"
Her smirk widens at his overreaction, a soft giggle slipping past her lips.
"Oh, don't be so mad—it's the truth. You're weak, a pathetic little worm.
You shouldn't even dare talk back to me, little boy."
"Just shut up already! You're so annoying—ugh! Nothing good ever comes out of that useless mouth. God, I feel like—"
her eyes sparkle with a mischievous glint as she leans closer almost challenging him
What was that? What were you going to say, huh? Why did you stop?
Finish the sentence—unless you're too speechless to speak. How pathetic."
She smirks, voice dripping with mockery.
"You're nothing but a dork who can't even use jutsu."
That was all it took to make Dante snap without a second thought He lunges at her, tackling her to the ground as snow whips across the scene.
She's slammed to the ground, a flicker of fear flashing in her eyes.
She hadn't expected him to lash out like this—at least, not this aggressively.
She grunts, struggling against his tight grip.
"He—hey! Get... off me, you bastard!"
Dante's eyes burn with rage as he keeps Raen pinned under his grip.
"Oh, so now you're helpless? After everything you said?" he snarls, his voice trembling with anger.
"Look at you—afraid and defenseless. All bark, no bite... just a little helpless puppy, aren't you?"
She bristles at his words, jaw tightening. Deep down, she knows he's right—but her pride won't let her admit it. She's far too stubborn for that.
I said get off me, you animal!" she spat, struggling beneath him.
"You have no decency—no sense of a gentleman! Is this how you treat women, huh?"
Her voice rose, trembling between anger and disbelief.
"Who raised you? It's obvious they didn't even try! You're just a rude, arrogant son of a b*tch—now get off me!"
The corner of his mouth twitches into a faint smirk, as if he's enjoying watching her struggle.
For a moment, she looks less like the arrogant, sharp-tongued girl from earlier—and more like a frightened, innocent pup.
She catches the faint smirk that flickers across his lips, and her cheeks flush with heat.
Is he actually enjoying having control over me? she thinks, gritting her teeth. Ugh… what a creep.
His smirk widens when he notices the faint blush coloring her cheeks.
A mischievous thought slips into his mind.
Let's see how she reacts to this, he thinks, leaning closer until his breath brushes softly against her face.
Her chest heaves, each breath coming out short and shaky.
Her eyes widen in surprise as she struggles to wiggle free from his grip.
Her face burns red—hot like a tomato—and she's so flustered she can't even form the words to speak.
He leans even closer, closing the space between them.
Raen can barely control herself—her face is burning, her hands trembling as she stares up at him.
His lips hover just inches away from hers. Her heart skips.
Is he really… going to kiss me?
Her eyes flutter shut, her breath catching in her throat. Deep down, part of her doesn't mind it—she's always liked guys who take charge.
But instead of a kiss…
Dante reaches past her and calmly picks up his phone from the snow beside her.
Dante picks up his phone and rises to his feet, dusting off the snow with a smirk.
"You really thought I was gonna kiss your crooked lips? No way in hell."
He chuckles, slipping his phone into his pocket.
"You should've seen the look on your face
Her face burns red-hot with embarrassment and shame as it hits her—he just played her, the exact same way she toyed with him earlier.
"Ughhh! You jerk! Why didn't you just—ugh, forget it, you rat-faced bastard!" she snaps, turning her head away in anger.
He snorts, completely unfazed by her outburst, and casually strides toward the entrance of the Glass Tower.
Glancing back at her with a smirk, he says,
"Aww, poor thing. You were just an innocent puppy who desperately wanted a kiss, huh?
You know what—suck it up, cry if you have to, and let's get inside already. It's freezing out here."
She huffs and crosses her arms, cheeks still warm from earlier embarrassment.
"Stupid bastard—always acting tough, like a know-it-all. Just wait, pretty boy. Next time I get the chance, I'll make you suffer," she murmurs.
Dante pauses mid-step, glancing over his shoulder with a raised brow.
"What was that?" he asks, his tone casual but edged with amusement.
Raen freezes, eyes wide. There's no way he heard that… right?
She waves her hands quickly. "Uh—nothing! I said nothing!"
He narrows his eyes slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips before turning away again.
He shakes his head with a dismissive sigh, slipping his hands into his coat pockets as he continues toward the towering structure ahead.
The cold wind whips against his back, carrying faint echoes of crunching snow behind him.
"Hey! Wait up!" Raen stumbles after him, nearly tripping over her own boots as she struggles to keep pace.
He doesn't even look back—just raises a hand lazily.
"Try walking faster for once," he calls over his shoulder.
Her brow twitches in annoyance. "Ugh, I swear, one of these days—!"
As Dante and Raen step inside, the air shifts.
The towering structure hums faintly, and the massive red crystal crowning its peak begins to glow—pulsing like a heartbeat.
Wide shot:
Outside, the world below lies silent. Streets cracked. Buildings hollowed and broken. The once-bustling city now a graveyard of glass and dust.
Cut to: A distant throne—massive and jagged—rising from the center of the ruins.
The air is thick with fog, shadows swirling around it like living smoke.
From within the darkness, a low growl rumbles—deep and primal.
The red crystal embedded in the figure's forehead flickers to life, glowing in sync with the one atop the tower.
Then, four predatory eyes flare open.
Their crimson light cuts through the haze like blades.
End panel:
The connection between the tower and the being is clear.
Something ancient has going on behind the scenes.