Still within the dream world, Darfredon watched, alongside his sister Penemue, his former self leave the cave in the company of Lucifer, Beelzebuth, Lilith, and Gadreel.
The Darfredon of the present felt a certain satisfaction as he relived the scene. To him, it was like a confirmation of his destiny—a seal carved deep into the marble of his being.
Penemue, however, could not hide her astonishment. Her eyes remained fixed on the fading echo of the memory, and her voice trembled with disbelief.
- Well… I admit it was an impressive memory. But… I still can't believe what I just witnessed.
- I won't argue with you, Darfredon replied with a dark smile. But before I forget… you should know that Death is already aware of our conversation.
Penemue flinched slightly.
- Surprising… You're the first one I've contacted since the great war between Paradise and Hell. I knew he would eventually find out… but I didn't expect it to happen so quickly.
- Neither did I, Darfredon admitted. But let's move on. I need your help. I want to obtain the same power you possess—your third eye.
She studied him in silence, as if probing his true intentions, then answered in a grave voice.
- Why, my brother? Despite the loss of your powers, I can still feel great strength within you.
- I intend to challenge Hades soon, Darfredon replied firmly. And with the third eye, I could fight him even while he wears his Helm of Invisibility.
A faint smile touched Penemue's lips.
- I understand. In that case… I will teach you what I know. But remember one thing: nothing guarantees that a mere mortal can master such a power. The third eye demands far more than sheer will…
- I expected that answer, he said without hesitation. But I still want to try.
Penemue nodded, resigned.
- Very well. To master this technique, you must first unite with the fifth element—Aether. And to achieve that, you must fuse the four primary elements. Do you truly believe yourself capable of such a challenge?
A spark of determination crossed Darfredon's gaze.
- You know me, my sister… I have never backed away from my goals.
- Very well, Penemue murmured. We shall see whether your words are worth more than your pride.
She stepped back a few paces, raising one hand toward the sky. Behind the violet veil that concealed her scarred face, her features remained unseen, yet the strain of her effort was evident in every movement. A few strands of her long chestnut hair slipped free from the fabric, heightening the dramatic aura of the moment. Silence settled heavily.
Then, behind the veil, her eyes ignited—first a white glow burst forth, piercing through the fabric, before shifting into a deep blue, a distant echo of the color they once held. With a resonant voice, she proclaimed:
- Allow me to probe your essence… to see which elements you already command.
Her veiled pupils seemed to shine even brighter, as though she were plunging into the very core of his soul. Then she continued, her tone firm and assured:
- I see that you have already made considerable progress… Fire and air are yours. That is an excellent beginning. But you still lack water and earth. We will correct that during your training.
Her words rang like a promise.
Slowly, the dream began to unravel. Shadows and light intertwined into an unreal blur. Darfredon felt his body being pulled away from this oneiric realm—leaving the world of dreams behind, carrying with him the certainty that his true apprenticeship had only just begun.
***
He woke up, still unsettled by his latest dream. His mind struggled to let go of the images from the past when a creaking sound echoed through the room—the door to his chamber slowly opened, revealing an unfamiliar face.
A mocking smile spread across the intruder's lips.
- Well then… so this is Darfredon, the great champion of the Underworld.
Darfredon sat up, his cold gaze locked onto the man.
- And who do I have the honor of addressing?
- The name's Coyote, he replied lightly. The greatest spy of the Purgatory… and your new guard.
Darfredon's expression hardened.
- I don't need some little watchdog to keep an eye on me—least of all to give me orders.
At those words, Coyote let out a short, dry laugh.
- Trust me, it doesn't please me any more than it does you. Guarding a vulnerable being… what a waste of time. Still, he added with a smirk, I must admit I took a certain pleasure last night in watching you get rescued by the three Erinyes sisters.
The words struck Darfredon like a slap. Rage surged through him. In a sudden motion, he grabbed Coyote with both hands and slammed him against the stone wall. His voice thundered through the room.
- I AM NOT A WEAK BEING! I COULD HAVE HANDLED IT MYSELF, WITHOUT THE ERINYES' HELP!
Coyote didn't flinch. On the contrary, his smile widened, and he replied in an oddly calm tone.
- I like that energy… your hatred gives me pleasure.
- THEN YOU'LL GET YOUR FILL OF IT, MISERABLE GUARD!
Darfredon drove his fist into Coyote's stomach. But instead of crying out in pain, Coyote burst into laughter.
- Hahaha… easy there, furious one. You seem to forget… here, you can't confront me.
- I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT DEATH'S RULES!
- Then you're one of the very few, Coyote replied as he straightened his collar, aside from Opiter and Agrippa—who also don't care about the rules. Now let me go. Death wishes to train you for the upcoming Grand Games.
- WHAT DOES MY TRAINING HAVE TO DO WITH YOU?
- Nothing, Coyote replied casually. I'm just following orders. And according to my sources… the Kattlys might be joining the Games.
Those words froze Darfredon in place. His fist slowly loosened. He abruptly released his "guardian" and regained an icy calm.
- Then what are we waiting for? Let's begin the training.
Coyote gave a satisfied smile.
- That's more like it.
Without another word, he led Darfredon to the throne hall of the Purgatory. There, two imposing figures awaited them: Death and Hades, seated side by side on their thrones. Hades held his beloved on his lap, while Cerberus, massive and silent, lay at his feet.
Upon reaching them, Coyote knelt in respect. Darfredon, however, remained standing—impassive, openly defying the two rulers with his gaze.
Hades raised an eyebrow, his sharp tone slicing through the air.
- Why don't you kneel?
- Why would I? I have no respect for either of you. Besides, I'm not here for pleasure… I'm here to ask for your help training.
- And why should we help train you, if you can't even show us respect?
Before Darfredon could answer, Death intervened, his voice cold and absolute.
- Enough, Hades. If you refuse to train him, then I will do it myself. After all… I invited him here for a simple warm-up.
Hades clenched his fists, irritated.
- And why would you want to teach him how to fight? He disrespects us at every turn!
Death curved his lips into a dark smile.
- What, Hades? Are you afraid Darfredon might surpass you? I'm not afraid he'll surpass me… because I'm not afraid to die.
With those words, Death rose from his throne. His body slowly transformed, taking the appearance of Barnabé—the human brother of Sextus, whose memory still haunted Darfredon.
Descending the steps with deliberate slowness, he assumed a combat stance. Darfredon, stunned, growled:
- What the hell is this?
Death stepped forward, his human features twisted by a mocking smile.
- What? Don't you recognize your little brother anymore, Sextus?
- My name is not Sextus… it's Darfredon!
Enraged, Darfredon lunged at him. But Death effortlessly dodged every strike and, with a single hand, shoved him away, sending him rolling across the floor.
Death stood over him for a moment, his icy gaze locked onto Darfredon's, before speaking again.
- Well then, Darfredon… you fight like a mere human. Or perhaps it's Sextus's soul that still prevents you from hurting me… me, Barnabé.
- I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET, DEATH!
Darfredon shouted, furious at being humiliated so easily, springing back to his feet to launch another assault. But Death subdued him once again without effort, hurling him to the ground a second time.
- Is that all you can do? Death taunted. So you're not that powerful after all. Perhaps with a weapon, you might offer a more interesting fight. Persephone, give it to him. I'm starting to get bored.
- With pleasure… Persephone replied, a cruel smile curling her lips, delighted to see her king teaching Darfredon a lesson. She rose gracefully from Hades' lap, seized her sword with a slow, almost sensual motion, and twirled it between her fingers.
- Let's see if this blade helps you save a shred of your pride… or if it merely hastens your fall.
With those words, she hurled the weapon toward Darfredon, her gaze blazing with malice.
Darfredon caught the blade midair and, in a surge of fury, launched another attack. But Death blocked the strike effortlessly and shoved him away once more. Darfredon's body slammed into the ground with a heavy thud. The weapon lay within reach of his hand… yet he pushed it aside for a moment, out of pride. He wanted to prove he could win without help.
Death, intrigued, merely observed him with a thin smile. He knew that sooner or later, his opponent would yield… because all of this was already written within the lines of this story.
Crushed by humiliation and rage, Darfredon finally seized the sword. With a furious roar, he rushed at Death and drove the blade straight into his back.
Death did not flinch.
Slowly, with chilling calm, he turned around, a wide smile stretching across his lips. With his own hand, he tore the blade from his back and let it fall to the floor with a metallic clang. His gaze—cold as death itself—locked onto Darfredon's as he leaned close to his ear. His voice, low and hissing with irony, echoed like a sentence being passed.
- How fortunate for you… this weapon can do nothing against an angel like us. Even a celestial blade would not be enough to strike me down.
He paused for a moment, his words hanging like an unseen threat, then continued in a deeper tone, heavy with unshakable certainty.
- And I'll add this… I know what you're planning. You intend to challenge Hades after your fight against your two former guards. But I will shatter your illusions… you will not be ready.
- STOP READING MY MIND!
Darfredon roared, completely losing control.
Death, amused, curved his lips into an even crueler smile and replied calmly:
- I don't need to read your thoughts… because I have already seen your fate in the writings of our God.
- God never existed!
Darfredon spat the words as he snatched the weapon from the ground. He lunged at Death once more, striking again and again, trying to drive the blade into his body. But Death deflected the attack effortlessly and, with a single backhanded motion, hurled him away.
Refusing to yield, Darfredon pressed on, finally managing to sink the blade into his opponent's flesh.
Death glanced down at the weapon, then lifted his gaze to Darfredon, his icy eyes locked onto his.
- You all believe that God never existed… But the truth is, He does exist. Just not within this fictional reality.
- You know as well as I do that He never existed! After all, you were the very first ruler of Paradise, long before Lucifer!
Darfredon snarled as he twisted the blade inside Death's body. Death did not flinch; only a brief tightening of his features betrayed the pain before he dismissed it with icy contempt.
- And unlike Lucifer… I assure you that He exists. And that He is still among us.
Death hissed before violently throwing Darfredon aside. The blade tore free in a spray of black ichor. Death seized it at once and, without hesitation, launched his counterattack. The tip sliced through the air; Darfredon barely managed to block before being slammed to the ground. Death pinned him beneath his weight, the freezing blade hovering dangerously close to his temple.
- I think we've had enough for today.
Death declared coldly before releasing the blade, which clattered to the floor. His body reshaped itself instantly, returning to the appearance of Crassus. With a sharp motion, he swept aside his red cloak and turned his gaze toward Hades and Persephone, seated together upon their throne. His eyes gleamed as his voice snapped, sharp and commanding.
- And you, Hades… I understand that you have little affection for Darfredon. But he remains my champion. And if you wish to keep your throne on the day he challenges you… you would be wise to help train him.
As Death reprimanded Hades, Darfredon, consumed by fury, seized the sword and charged once more. But Death teleported behind him, his icy voice whispering close to his ear.
- You want more power? Very well… I'll give it to you.
In an instant, his appearance transformed. Standing before Darfredon was no longer Crassus, but Cronos himself: an aged figure with weathered skin, shoulder-length hair streaked with white, a massive beard, and a red toga draped over his frame.
Darfredon staggered back in fear. This being, once the absolute king of the Underworld, was said to be invincible. Too late—Death caught the sword with his bare hand. The metal burned and began to melt, flowing between his fingers like wax. Darfredon dropped the weapon at once, his palms scorched by the heat.
Death slowly raised his eyes, a terrifying smile curling across his lips.
- So? Do you like the appearance of your former king?
- How… how can you take his form?
- Simple. After his defeat at the hands of his three sons, I stole his soul. And now, all of his power belongs to me.
Darfredon's gaze flared with a mix of rage and respect.
- Very well, Death. You are far more powerful than I imagined. But remember this: one day, I will destroy you. For you are the only one who has ever surpassed me.
Death burst into a dark laugh and leaned closer, his face inches from Darfredon's.
- You will never surpass me. But yes… one day, you will take my life. Only that day has not yet come. Until then, return to your dreams… explore your old memories, and those of your human vessel. For that is where your true power lies.
He reverted to Crassus and slowly returned to his throne, his steps heavy with authority. Seated once more in the shadows, he closed his eyes, signaling the end of the audience.
Trembling with restrained fury, Darfredon left the chamber alongside Coyote.
Hades, who remained behind, clenched his fist before turning to Death.
- You're wasting your time with him. He will never respect you.
- Perhaps, Death replied calmly. But if you continue to underestimate him… he will destroy you.
Hades sneered, a cold glint in his eyes.
- No, Death. You are the one who made a mistake. You gave him one of the very few weapons capable of defeating you. And you should have entrusted it to me.
Persephone placed a hand on her husband's shoulder and rose. Together, they left the throne room, Cerberus following close behind.
Silence fell once more, broken only by Death's steady breathing as he remained motionless upon his throne.