The success of life hinges on something fundamental: never giving up, pressing forward regardless of what you lack. Never settle for what you already possess; keep striving and never grow negligent with your life, for Sloth is always lurking right behind you.
Returning to our story, we rewind the clock once more to uncover what transpired with ISAMU and MALEKIN as they battle Sloth. First, we shall examine Malekin's situation prior to Isamu's arrival.
A few minutes before the fall of Wrath and Gluttony.
Inside the chamber stand MALEKIN and "SUPAY of Sloth"—a creature bearing three heads: the left head appears to be perpetually asleep, the right head incessantly whistles, while the center head seems completely spacey and lost in thought.
MALEKIN: (Sweating nervously) Hey... are you alright?
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Umm, oh right... I have to kill you (yawns).
In the blink of an eye, "SUPAY of Sloth" begins floating in midair as a violent violet aura bursts around him. Countless stones hover off the ground and fly straight toward MALEKIN, who nimbly dodges the projectiles and charges toward the demon, shielding himself behind magical barriers whenever evasion proves impossible.
Noticing his approach, "SUPAY of Sloth" intensifies the local gravity, heavily slowing MALEKIN down. A massive boulder rockets toward MALEKIN, and as he moves to raise a barrier, "SUPAY of Sloth" sneers—the stone smashing directly into MALEKIN's body. He pushes himself up instantly and leaps backward to put maximum distance between himself and "SUPAY of Sloth."
MALEKIN: (In his mind) Damn it! Why did my barrier take so long to manifest? It's as if this guy is manipulating time itself!
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Hehehe, giving up already, demon? Just let me kill you quickly... this is boring, I want to sleep.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Right head] Hey! Stop playing around and finish off this blockhead! Otherwise, Pride is going to get pissed off. I don't want to fight either, I just want to keep whistling (whistles).
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Alright, alright, I get it... Now, where were we?
The entire room begins to quake, forcing MALEKIN down onto his knees.
MALEKIN: (In his mind) Cursed hell... gravity just surged again! This bastard controls both gravity and time—what a absolute pain in the ass!
"SUPAY of Sloth" drifts slowly through the air toward the kneeling MALEKIN. Hovering right before him, the demon mocks his plight.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Hey, idiot... hehehe, did you really think I couldn't beat you quickly? You're just a simple demon. Now, die.
MALEKIN appears completely cornered. "SUPAY of Sloth" shapes floating stones into a sharp spear to impale him, but it is all a calculated ploy. Beneath MALEKIN's cloth mask, a grin wider than usual takes shape. In an instant, a dark aura envelops MALEKIN's frame, and his arm thrusts straight through the body of "SUPAY of Sloth"—causing the right head to cut its whistling short and scream in agony.
MALEKIN: Ha! You're the real fool! Did you think I was just some weak-ass demon?! (Tears off his face cloth) Let me teach you something: I am not just a demon... I am THE demon! THE DEMON OF BARRIERS, MALEKIN!
Grasping the right side of his torso where MALEKIN impaled him, "SUPAY of Sloth" writhes in pain.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Damn it, stop screaming! You'll wake up Left... he's even more annoying than you are!
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Right head] Bloody hell! That idiot dealt us major damage... It's time I take an active role in this fight too.
In seconds, the wounds across "SUPAY of Sloth's" body begin to regenerate. MALEKIN unleashes bolts of lightning to halt the healing process, yet his powers are caught in the temporal distortion—slowing his attacks to a crawl.
MALEKIN: Damn it, my attacks are slowing down too... Ugh! Suddenly I'm feeling overwhelmed by sleepiness...
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Right head] Hahaha! My aura weakens your resolve, doesn't it, demon? Now, perish!
From the right hand of the "SUPAY of Laziness," a small sphere of absolute black manifests and is hurled directly at MALEKIN. The demon warrior instantly activates his green barrier across his entire body to negate the localized gravity field, narrowly evading the projectile. The moment he dodges, the black sphere expands violently into a miniature black hole, devouring everything within its radius for a split second before vanishing into thin air. Seeing that "SUPAY of Sloth" was freely firing micro-singularities leaves MALEKIN completely stunned.
MALEKIN: (In his mind) Cursed hell! As if his absurd base abilities weren't enough, now he's throwing things that swallow space in an instant?! That should be illegal! For now, I'll maintain my purple barrier, even if it drains a massive amount of energy. I have to wrap this up quickly... but that sleeping head concerns me. What is it hiding?
An endless barrage of black spheres rains down upon MALEKIN. Wearing his purple barrier—the absolute pinnacle of his defenses—he scrambles to dodge each one, as the gravitational pull from the singularities proves too intense to tank head-on. Weaving through the onslaught, MALEKIN gradually closes the gap on "SUPAY of Sloth," whose right head appears to have taken full operational control of the body, driving a much more aggressive assault.
MALEKIN's vision begins to blur. The closer he gets to "SUPAY of Sloth," the more a crushing, unnatural drowsiness weighs on his eyelids and drains his physical stamina. As he dodges, the center head turns to converse lazily with the right head.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Hey... are you done yet? I want to sleep.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Right head] (Sighs) Damn it... just throw something heavy at him so we can wrap this up!
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Fine, fine, but let's kill him fast. I'm so tired...
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Right head] You and Left are practically identical...
Now, alongside the black holes, medium-sized meteorites rain down on MALEKIN, who is thoroughly exhausted, just meters away from "SUPAY of Sloth," several meteorites crush down on MALEKIN, slamming him violently into the floor. It appears to be the end for MALEKIN. "SUPAY of Sloth" floats closer to deal the finishing blow, but pauses in surprise upon noticing a small pool of blood beneath MALEKIN's body—and the purple barrier still shimmering around his frame.
Instinctively, "SUPAY of Sloth" attempts to retreat, but in a flash, MALEKIN thrusts upward with his claws, severing the demon's right hand. Bearing a self-inflicted wound on his leg, MALEKIN had laid a deliberate trap.
SUPAY OF LAZINESS: [Head upright] You damned bastard... You slashed your own leg so the pain would wake you up, didn't you?
MALEKIN: It seems you're not as lazy as they make you out to be... you analyze things quickly.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Ow, ow, ow! That hurts! Left is going to wake up if we keep taking damage like this!
MALEKIN: So whoever controls the body doesn't register the pain of incoming wounds...
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Right head] That is none of your business!
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Center head] Hey, Right... Left is going to get angry, it hurts too much! Wait... no way. Wrath... Wrath was just defeated!
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Right head] Umm, you're right (panicking)... and Gluttony too?! Oh no, this is bad...
A suffocating, pitch-black aura surges around "SUPAY of Sloth," detonating in a massive explosion of energy that blasts MALEKIN backward onto the ground. Slowly, the eyes of the left head snap wide open. The severed right hand flies back to the torso, reattaching seamlessly as all three heads lock their glares onto MALEKIN. Right at that moment, the side wall shatters, and ISAMU arrives on the scene.
We now return to the present confrontation: "SUPAY of Sloth" at full, awakened power against the combined forces of ISAMU and MALEKIN.
ISAMU helps MALEKIN to his feet.
MALEKIN: Your face is almost completely healed... I'm glad to see it.
ISAMU: Now isn't the time. What is this monster? He is gathering an absurd amount of energy!
The energy condenses around "SUPAY of Sloth" before erupting in a catastrophic shockwave. MALEKIN raises his purple barrier to absorb the impact, but the barrier cracks down the middle under the pressure, leaving MALEKIN completely stunned.
MALEKIN: (While maintaining the barrier) That monster keeps growing stronger; my barrier can barely withstand the impact!
ISAMU: This creature possesses immense strength... Who is he?
MALEKIN: Sloth, or so he told me, but his current power has nothing to do with sloth anymore!
ISAMU: Sometimes even sloth changes when driven by motivation. It reminds me of my younger self, eheh... I was terribly lazy until the harsh necessities of that era forced me to train and grow stronger. Look, it's ending!
The massive detonation subsides, revealing "SUPAY of Sloth" standing in a far more imposing form: all three heads are wide awake, and the color of his skin constantly shifts between shades of crimson, pure white, and fiery orange.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Left head] Sloth has awakened... Now, perish!
In an instant, an array of purple portals manifests behind "SUPAY of Sloth," hurling a barrage of meteorites toward our heroes. As they dodge the barrage, ISAMU gathers his strength and slices through the remaining meteorites, advancing rapidly toward "SUPAY of Sloth." Seeing ISAMU close in, the demon unleashes an overwhelming gravitational pulse, slamming the samurai into the floor and pinning him under crushing weight.
ISAMU: Cursed hell... it feels as though a mountain was dumped right on top of me!
A lightning bolt strikes "SUPAY of Sloth's" hand, disrupting his concentration and breaking the gravity spell. Freed from the pressure, ISAMU instantly seizes the opportunity to push forward, sheathing his blade mid-stride. "SUPAY of Sloth" notices the stance and begins firing mini black holes, but ISAMU evades them with incredible precision.
MALEKIN provides cover fire with bolts of lightning to draw the demon's focus. When ISAMU reaches just a meter away, "SUPAY of Sloth" sneers and releases a colossal energy beam from all three mouths simultaneously. It appears as though ISAMU was instantly vaporized, but as the beam fades, ISAMU stands unharmed—shielded behind MALEKIN's purple barrier, which cracks severely down the middle before disintegrating into dust.
MALEKIN: (In his mind) Ha! Raised it just in the nick of time!
In a flash, ISAMU vanishes. Surprised, "SUPAY of Sloth" scans his surroundings, only to sense ISAMU's presence roughly ten meters directly behind him, standing with his katana already drawn. As the demon turns to strike—
ISAMU sheathes his blade. A deep, diagonal gash ruptures from the demon's left shoulder down to his right abdomen, spurting a wave of blood as ISAMU solemnly utters: "Celestial Cut." "SUPAY of Sloth" collapses face-first into the pool of blood. MALEKIN approaches ISAMU to offer his congratulations.
MALEKIN: I thought this would be much harder, but thankfully, our coordination pulled us through. I'm practically running on empty now...
ISAMU: (Grimly) That felt far too easy... Something is wrong.
Suddenly, ISAMU notices that the demon's corpse isn't disintegrating into energy. Spinning around to adopt a defensive stance, a stone spear erupts from the earth, impaling him through the side of his abdomen. "SUPAY of Sloth" rises from the floor, laughing maniacally with all three heads speaking in unison.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Triple voice] You fools thought you beat me?! Hahaha! Die, you wretched bastards!
A forest of massive stone stalagmites spikes upward from the ground toward our heroes. Heavily wounded, ISAMU is unable to dodge in time, but MALEKIN reacts instantly—shoving ISAMU far out of harm's way. ISAMU tumbles roughly onto the floor, and as he looks back, he freezes in horror: MALEKIN is impaled by multiple stalagmites, his defensive barriers shattered around him.
The sight of MALEKIN's broken barriers leaves ISAMU paralyzed. Flashbacks flood his mind: the lifeless faces of his fallen comrades, their agonizing screams on the battlefields of his past life, and the horrors he endured escaping Mictlantekuti. He clutches his head in agony under the weight of his memories. Meanwhile, "SUPAY of Sloth" cackles with overlapping voices, mocking MALEKIN for being a traitorous demon who allied with humans.
Midst the turmoil in his heart, ISAMU realizes that his own abdominal wound had been completely healed by MALEKIN's magic at the very moment he shoved him away. A surge of rage consumes ISAMU, just as an unknown voice echoes deep within his mind...
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: It seems the time has come to collect our debt.
ISAMU: (In his mind) That voice... Is it you? The demon who bestowed this eye upon me?
MYSTERIOUS VOICE: So, you remember me after all. You will be needing my strength to defeat that thing. My name is Efeixto, an "Ancient" Demon. For now, I shall lend you a portion of my power... Slaughter him, and we shall meet again very soon.
ISAMU feels a surge of overwhelming strength coarse through his veins as a pitch-black aura erupts around his body. "SUPAY of Sloth" watches in astonishment as, in a fraction of a second, the stone stalagmites pinning MALEKIN are sliced to pieces. ISAMU frees his ally, carrying him to safety and mending his injuries with dark magic, while mentally marveling at the terrifying magnitude of this newfound power. Stepping forward, ISAMU positions himself directly before "SUPAY of Sloth," who suddenly surges with another violent burst of energy.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Triple voice] Ohooo... Lust and Greed have fallen as well! Hahaha! More power for me, wahahahahahaha!
"SUPAY of Sloth" pulls a massive spear from a portal and readies for battle, lunging furiously toward ISAMU, who tracks his movement with absolute composure. "SUPAY of Sloth" thrusts his spear to impale ISAMU, but in a blur of speed, the samurai vanishes—reappearing instantly on his right. "SUPAY of Sloth" turns to strike, but ISAMU is gone again, materializing right behind his back. The demon spins around once more, only for ISAMU to vanish and reappear on his left, before repeating the sequence to stand directly in front of him. ISAMU moved with such blinding velocity that even his own shadows struggled to keep pace.
SUPAY OF SLOTH: [Triple voice] You slippery bastard! Why the hell won't you stand still?! Can't you see I'm trying to kill you?!
Indifferent, ISAMU turns his back on the demon and begins walking casually toward MALEKIN, speaking solemn words:
ISAMU: Supay of Sloth... You are already dead. You were a formidable opponent, but before an Ancient Demon, even gods are merely mortal... "Thousand Ancient Cuts."
As those final words left his lips, the air vibrated, and time itself seemed to freeze before strikes materialized from every conceivable direction. "SUPAY of Sloth" was engulfed in an endless storm of slashes—his flesh carved into thousands of pieces, shredded rapidly and relentlessly. There was no scream, only a rainfall of blood and shadows as the cuts rained down mercilessly upon a body disintegrating into dust. As the spark of his life faded into nothingness, a single word echoed within the demon's mind: monster... referring to ISAMU.
With that, "SUPAY of Sloth" was finally destroyed. ISAMU sits down beside MALEKIN, who is slowly regaining consciousness, completely out of danger thanks to ISAMU's timely healing magic.
MALEKIN: Isamu... thank you for saving my life.
ISAMU: Think nothing of it. You had already worn him out for me anyway, hehehe.
The two exchange relieved chuckles. Suddenly, one of the chamber walls slides open, and the allies push themselves up, supporting each other as they walk through. Stepping into the next arena, they witness a towering, empowered "SUPAY of Envy" driving his hand straight through the torso of "SUPAY of Pride," while DANTE and MAYANTÚ look on in shock. On the opposite side of the room, another breach reveals ELENA, QUETZALCOATL, and REX observing the same horrific scene.
The battles rage on, and a monumental twist has shaken the battlefield. What lies ahead? Why is the Supay of Envy attacking his own ally? Who truly is "Efeixto"? The Ancient Demons are steadily stepping into the light... Everything shall be revealed in due time. To be continued...