The glory of victory was overshadowed by the loss of a friend. DANTE finds himself devastated by the passing of someone so dear to him—a loss that will forever shape his path ahead.
A few minutes prior to the end, we see our friend BRAYAN wandering slightly beyond the perimeter of the pyramid. Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoes through the air: it was the massive slice DANTE unleashed upon "SUPAY of Envy," which had seemingly sealed his victory.
BRAYAN SPECTRUM: Curse it... What was that noise?! A massive explosion came from the pyramid... What do I do? He is my captain... I have to help him! (Glares into the empty space beneath his feet) What do we do? Give me an idea... I know, maybe I shouldn't have run away, but what else can I do? I'm not strong... Yes, you're right. Even if I'm not strong, I should have been there for him. After all, he always protected and helped us... Fine, I'm going.
Our friend sprints toward the pyramid, encountering several monsters along his path. Out of nowhere, a submachine gun materializes right before him, and he grabs it tightly. His gaze hardens; he slides across the ground to evade an incoming beast, spinning around instantly to fire a burst that takes the creature down. He resumes his frantic dash toward the structure.
BRAYAN SPECTRUM: Awesome... You gave me this, didn't you? I didn't expect you to help me at this point, but thank you... I recovered a bit of my courage with this thing in my hands. After all, I don't know how to do anything other than kill... Yeah, I know, but if I can help the captain with this, I'll be more than grateful... Anyway, let's keep going.
As our friend continues forward, he runs into more bizarre creatures—llamas and alpacas bearing human faces, alongside a few Pishtacos—yet he valiantly dispatches them, dodging their attacks with remarkable agility. Something in him had shifted; perhaps he wasn't speaking to empty air after all, or perhaps the overwhelming urge to save his friend called him to action.
He makes rapid progress toward the pyramid, reaching one of its outer corners after taking a alternate route that bypassed the main gate. Suddenly, another deafening blast shakes the earth. Looking up at the sky, he sees a giant winged serpent flying out: it was "SUPAY of Pride." Sprinting ahead, he glances back at the airborne serpent just in time to see a colossal beam of fire erupt from within the pyramid, completely vaporizing the monster's head.
Stunned by the spectacle, BRAYAN simply turns and keeps running, noticing an entrance just up ahead. Upon reaching the threshold, he catches sight of his captain, DANTE, standing near the edge of a massive abyss alongside descending stairs. Seeing that the area appeared secure, he tosses his weapon aside to go speak with his friend, only to notice a monstrous entity emerging from the chasm, aiming to strike DANTE. Without a second thought, he lunges into the line of fire, resulting in that final scene where he lays down his life to protect his captain.
BRAYAN, happy that he protected his friend, dies with a smile on his face. As life slipped away, his only regret was leaving his captain alone, listening to Dante's desperate screams for him before his senses faded into nothingness. Thus died BRAYAN, a true warrior and friend to DANTE.
Continuing this mournful lament, DANTE cradles his dead friend in his arms, staring blankly. QUETZALCOATL approaches, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
QUETZALCÓATL: Dante... we must press on. I know this is heartbreaking, but we have a path to follow; do not let his sacrifice be in vain.
REX: ... (Sorrowful) Dante...
MALEKIN: (Melancholic) He was a great warrior, Dante... Look at him, he died at peace.
ELENA: (Hugging him tightly, eyes tearing up) I will be here for you... Please, don't suffer alone.
DANTE HERALDI: (Weeping) He and the others... they were good people. Maybe we committed sins in our past lives, but we were only following orders...! Forgive me, I'm just making excuses... I don't want it to end like this for him, or for me... (Sobbing louder) WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH IF WE DESERVE THIS END?!
ELENA: (Crying) Dante...
MAYANTU: Do not rush to judgment, young Dante. This is a painful loss, but a necessary one. He saved your life so you could fulfill your purpose. Do not waste his noble gesture in tears; stand up and push forward, for you have a duty to fulfill for the sake of the others.
DANTE HERALDI: Duty?! I am sick and tired of duty! I fulfilled my duty when I was alive, and look where it brought me! I thought I had only lost my family, but I lost my comrades too... I didn't realize it until I looked at BRAYAN! I feel wretched about everything!
Everyone looks down in silence, unable to find the words to soothe his grief. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a soft yet stern voice echoes throughout the chamber.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: Dante... why do you allow your friend's sacrifice to be in vain? Stand up.
Everyone gasps at the voice, as a faint light begins to glow around Brayan's feet. Quickly, DANTE pushes himself up, leaving his friend on the ground and stepping back; the others follow suit, giving the light some distance. From the shimmer emerges a white-furred cat, though its coat ripples constantly like living flame. Most striking of all is a deep red gem embedded in its forehead and pitch-black eyes that, upon closer inspection, hold entire swirling constellations within them. The cat steps forward to introduce itself.
CAT: Greetings. My name is Titi, one of the divine felines, and I was accompanying your friend.
Everyone stands paralyzed in shock—not only seeing such a majestic creature speak, but realizing in an instant that Brayan had never been crazy after all.
DANTE HERALDI: My God... I owe Brayan an apology... You truly were following him all along.
TITI: Of course. Your friend was a remarkably kind soul, which is why I accompanied him from the moment he arrived—especially since another entity had eyes on him. One of my kin, the Antahualla cat, is a creature that feeds on human torment; that is why I sought to aid your friend and listen to his burdens. Regrettably, I am forbidden from directly interfering in mortal affairs, though offering counsel is permitted. Your friend cared deeply for you; on many nights, he spoke of you at length, saying he would be overjoyed to help you at least once in his lifetime. It seems that, in the end, he achieved his wish.
DANTE HERALDI: Brayan... (tears stream down his face)
TITI: Do not fret. I witnessed everything he did, and I will not abandon him. He performed the most selfless act a soul can commit: sacrificing his life for another. For that reason, I cleansed his soul and dispatched him to another dimension, where he may be reborn and live in peace. Rest assured... his soul was not lost.
Upon hearing those words, DANTE falls to his knees before the cat. Weeping, he presses his forehead against the stone floor in a profound bow of reverence.
DANTE HERALDI: (Sobbing) Thank you... Thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving him...
TITI: Think nothing of it, mortal. As for you, many daunting trials lie ahead... I see you too have a destiny to fulfill, so I shall guide you all to the exit. Follow me.
DANTE HERALDI: (Standing up) Wait... Brayan's body is gone!
TITI: Naturally. That physical vessel was merely spiritual; as I told you, I retrieved his soul and sent him to another dimension.
DANTE offers his gratitude once more, and the group sets off, descending the staircase they had uncovered. As they march through the descent, MAYANTÚ steps up alongside TITI to converse in low tones.
MAYANTÚ: As magnificent as ever, old friend.
TITI: Old toad... so you came along as well. I take it you saw something special in that boy.
MAYANTÚ: (Whispering) The boy has a brutal road ahead, and I won't be around forever to guide him. I'm doing what I can to temper his spirit and resolve.
TITI: (Whispering) Yes, I sense the evil entity pursuing him... but to what end? Its power prevents me from seeing any further.
MAYANTÚ: (Whispering) Nor can I. Do you think we ought to warn him?
TITI: (Whispering) It would only burden his mind. It is better that he continues walking his path on his own.
MAYANTÚ: (Whispering) You're right...
DANTE HERALDI: What are you two whispering about over there? Do you know each other?
Both turn in surprise, startled by Dante's sudden arrival beside them.
MAYANTÚ: Oh, nothing in particular, kid. Your stealth is becoming quite impressive.
TITI: Indeed. I am a cat, yet I didn't hear a single step, hehehe.
DANTE HERALDI: Hmm... you two are acting strange. Anyway, how much farther until we reach the end?
TITI: We are almost there. Look.
After descending the long staircase, a beam of light opens up before them, revealing an archway. Stepping through, they find themselves in an expansive labyrinth of corridors illuminated by flaming torches. TITI addresses the party.
TITI: Very well, everyone. We are nearly there. Follow closely and do not wander off—this place is treacherous, a massive labyrinth inhabited by all manner of beasts. I know the way through.
Everyone nods in agreement, falling into a single-file line behind the divine cat. As they trek through the winding corridors, echoes of mournful wails and low, guttural growls resonate off the walls. While most of the group remains composed, REX and ELENA grow visibly tense from the unsettling noises.
REX, bringing up the rear of the line, glances anxiously in every direction. Suddenly, a shadowed figure moves behind him. Spinning around, he finds himself face-to-face with a hooded figure bearing a hollow skeletal mask. Panicking, REX lets out a loud shriek, firing off frantic bursts of fireballs to incinerate the intruder. Hearing the commotion, the entire party snaps around onto high alert.
DANTE HERALDI: What happened, Rex? Are you alright?
REX: (Terrified) Yeah... it's just that some guy in a hood with a skull face jumped out and scared the daylights out of me.
TITI: Those are the "Damned"—souls who perished consumed by unsettled debts and lingering grudges, forever wandering these dark halls. (In his mind) I could have sworn I sealed the gateway to the mortal realm... why do these entities keep manifesting? I'll need to scour these depths once more as soon as I guide them out.
After marching through the sprawling corridors for a time, our companions catch sight of a beam of light gleaming at the end of the tunnel.
ISAMU: This whole setup feels eerily familiar...
TITI: Probably reminds you of the bright light everyone sees when they pass on, hehe.
Stepping beyond the threshold of the tunnel, they emerge into a vast cavern. Just up ahead lies the exit to this subterranean domain—and with it, the moment of farewell.
DANTE HERALDI: Mayantú... will you be coming with us?
MAYANTÚ: Forgive me, Dante... if I cross that threshold, my life will forfeit. This realm is my domain, and I can venture no further.
DANTE HERALDI: That is a true shame...
REX: Yeah, your mastery would have been an incredible asset.
MAYANTÚ: Do not worry. Your companion Malekin now wields my mist powers to cloak your presences whenever needed.
TITI: Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Dante. I pray you make the right choices on the path ahead. Farewell.
DANTE HERALDI: I cannot express how grateful I am for everything, Titi. I wish there were a way I could repay your kindness...
TITI: Think nothing of it. As long as you honor your word and walk the path of wisdom, I consider myself more than rewarded, hehe.
Exchanging heartfelt goodbyes, the group begins stepping toward the daylight. Just as everyone is about to cross the threshold, MAYANTÚ rushes forward, grasping DANTE's wrist and pulling him close to whisper in a solemn, sorrowful tone: "Be careful with Elena." Without another word, he turns and slips back into the passage to rejoin Titi.
Left thoroughly bewildered by Mayantú's cryptic warning, DANTE hears his allies calling out to him and steps forward, those heavy words echoing relentlessly in his mind.
Meanwhile, back inside the subterranean passage:
TITI: You foolish old toad... what possessed you to speak of the future to Dante?!
MAYANTÚ: I merely offered him a single phrase... How he chooses to decipher it rests entirely on his shoulders. I only pray he remains safe.
TITI: (Sighs) Well... what is done is done. Now, give me a hand sealing these new interdimensional rifts splitting open across the domain. I truly hope Dante manages to vanquish that entity... only then can this calamity be undone.
Upon stepping out into the open air, our companions freeze in awe: stretched out before them is an endless, uncharted forest, and towering in the far distance stands a colossal pyramid.
DANTE HERALDI: I believe that is our ultimate destination...
QUETZALCÓATL: Indeed... that is the domain of Mictlantekuti. We shall reach its gates very soon, but for now, let us rest and recover our strength.
Everyone nods in agreement, and QUETZALCÓATL begins weaving a structure to shelter the party. Meanwhile, our gaze shifts to the apex of the distant pyramid, where seated upon a throne forged from the bones of mortals and ancient beasts sits MICTLANTEKUTI. Smirking darkly into the horizon, a single phrase escapes his lips: "They have finally arrived."
What fate awaits our heroes? Will MICTLANTEKUTI annihilate them where they stand, or will they tear down his dark reign? Everything shall be revealed very soon...