Chaos erupted as the monsters began to split apart. Not only that, their forms started to change in a disturbing way.
As they grew, the creatures elongated, their thin, twisted bodies taking on an almost spectral appearance. Their mouths, increasingly wide, filled with sharp fangs like daggers, ready to tear apart anything that came close; sharp protrusions grew from their forearms, giving them a threatening look.
The black aura surrounding them became denser and more ominous, intensifying their sinister presence. The density of that darkness was such that the plasma shots from the ship began to bounce off ineffectively, as if an invisible shield protected the monsters.
Those engaged in battle, incredulous, began to realize that the situation was much more serious than they had initially imagined. What had been dozens were now hundreds, slowly overtaking the ground with their division.
Amidst this, the strange white-haired man took advantage of the creatures' metamorphosis. With a strong surge of his powers, he elevated into the air, taking a strategic position near those who remained out of reach of the creatures.
—It seems we're in serious trouble —he commented with a joking tone, as if the gravity of the moment were merely a game.
Rías and Dr. Richards turned to him, confused. They didn't understand what he had said, so in an instant, the red-haired girl cast her spell toward his chest to communicate with him. The stranger, aware of her action, paid it no mind; he did not consider it dangerous. He continued speaking, as if the chaos around them were just a backdrop.
—I would like to ask several questions, but seeing how those things, whatever they are, are getting stronger, I think it's not the time! —he said with a relaxed, almost ironic tone.
The two looked at him, their expressions clearly saying, "Oh, really? We hadn't noticed." He returned their gaze with a confident smile, as if his nonchalance were a shield against the terror surrounding them.
—My name is Dante, nice to meet you! —he introduced himself casually—. Do you have any plan? Because cutting them with my sword isn't working as it should. And I don't think that will last much longer.
As he spoke, he nodded toward the ground, where the creatures with black auras writhed, dividing again into even more grotesque forms, doubling their numbers once more. Reed, with his mind focused on strategy, replied directly:
—Our plan is to buy enough time for them to recover! —he lifted his gaze toward the two fallen men—. I'm sure they will improve our chances of getting out of here alive.
Dante followed his gaze, observing the girl he had saved moments ago. She glowed with a golden halo as she tried to use her power to heal the men before her.
—Buying time, huh? Do you have any trump card? —Dante looked around, noticing the desperation on Rías and Reed's faces—. What exactly happened to you?
—The gravity hit us without warning —Reed replied, reloading his weapon—. They almost died from it.
Dante nodded, understanding the situation. He imagined that, like him, they had appeared suddenly and had almost been crushed. If they were the strongest, it meant they were pinning their hopes on their awakening. He decided to collaborate.
—I understand. If that's your plan, I'll help you. I'll take care of the big ones; you distract the small ones —he said, fixing his gaze on the four giant creatures approaching.
The two looked at him, surprised.
—Are you going to fight all four? —asked the red-haired girl, fluttering her demonic wings—. They seem stronger than before.
Rías could sense immense demonic power within Dante, and intrigue filled her: she wondered how strong he really was.
"¡Grrooahhhh!"
The monsters began to roar again, having completed their evolution. The four large ones launched into attack with astonishing speed.
Dante looked at the demon girl and smiled confidently, raising his sword to his shoulder.
—No problem… I have them in my sights —he said as he dropped down — Jackpot!
As his words floated in the air, Dante felt power flowing through him. Without hesitation, he transformed: four horns sprouted from his head, his body was covered in robust armor, with dark spikes that glimmered with a reddish-orange glow, and four demonic wings emerged from his back, expanding majestically. His presence became imposing, as if the very demon were present before them.
Along with his transformation, a cutting wind, almost like sparkling whirlwinds, surged around Dante, pushing the beasts back as if hell itself were repelling them.
—With this form, I can keep those monsters busy! —Dante declared, launching himself toward the group of larger beasts with unwavering determination.
Rías held her breath at the sight of his demonic transformation. Although she had encountered powerful demons, nothing prepared her for the radiant darkness he now exuded. She couldn't help but wonder: what kind of demon was he?
Reed, on the other hand, closed his eyes at that scene and turned to Rías, who was still impressed.
—Don't get distracted! —he spoke firmly—. We are still in a bad position.
He told Reed, aiming his weapon at the monsters swirling beneath them. Rías snapped out of her daze upon hearing him and took defensive action.
Dante quickly ascended, dodging an attack from one of the creatures that launched a sharp claw at him. With a nimble turn, he positioned himself behind the beast and, with a fluid movement, unleashed a diagonal cut with his sword. The blade shone, leaving trails of orange energy that sliced through the air.
The creature screamed in pain, but before it could react, Dante lunged at another, using his wings to gain speed.
The creatures swung their gigantic claws at the radiant demon, leaving little room for error. Dante's eyes shone with determination as he repelled their attacks with precise movements.
Despite being massive and ferocious, the monsters could not match his speed or skill. With every flap of his four wings, Dante dodged their charges and counterattacked with lethal precision, slicing through their thick hides as if they were paper.
Each cut resonated in the air, and the energy emanating from his sword illuminated the battlefield, creating a spectacle of lights and shadows. The creatures, though furious, began to lose coordination, disoriented by Dante's rapid movements.
—It's time to end this! —Dante shouted, launching himself toward the center of the group of monsters.
With a battle cry, he concentrated his energy and executed a devastating move, generating a shockwave that shook the ground beneath his feet. The creatures, unable to withstand it, were swept away by the force of his attack.
On the other hand, the red-haired girl and Dr. Richards opted to contain the creatures that were piling up beneath.
—Flame Prison! —Rías shouted, conjuring a magic circle.
Pillars of demonic fire erupted from the ground, enclosing the beasts trying to reach them. Sinister roars filled the air.
—Take this! —she shouted again, crossing her arms in an X shape.
With a fluid motion, she launched crimson energy spears toward the eyes of a creature, trying to incapacitate it once more. However, her attacks seemed futile. Rías clicked her tongue, frustrated.
Meanwhile, Reed was beside the ship, shooting and giving orders to the AI.
—Computer, concentrate fire in the center of the flames! —he ordered while dodging the monsters leaping through the center of the fire prison.
—"Sir, there is 20% energy left in the cannons" —the AI informed.
—That doesn't matter! Just concentrate fire there! —he raised his voice, reaffirming his command.
The ship flew over the fire prison, concentrating its attack in the center. Reed and the red-haired girl fought with all their might to keep the monsters at bay. Dante, for his part, skillfully pushed back the large ones, but their hard bodies and dense auras made them formidable.
—They are no match for me! —he shouted, raising his sword—. Take this!
A whirlwind of dark energy accumulated on the blade before he launched a cross slash that cut through the air like a reddish lightning bolt. The cut impacted against the torso of one of the creatures, making it retreat with a howl of pain. He had managed to penetrate its body.
—What do you think of that! —he exclaimed, smug about his feat.
Dante charged at the others at high speed, pushing them back with the aura of his sword.
With each passing second, the tumultuous environment filled with tension. The sounds of rumbles and explosions flooded the atmosphere. The monsters retreated with each charge.
However, Rías, though skilled, was at her limit. Her "Flame Prison" burned with fury, but the smaller beasts kept advancing.
—Damn! What do we have to do to bring them down? —the red-haired girl growled, launching another spell that barely scratched the creatures' skin.
Reed, his face tense from the effort, continued shooting as the ship's AI coldly reported:
—"Cannon energy at 15%. Recommendation: tactical retreat."
—That's not an option! —Reed roared—. Dante is holding back the big ones, but if these things get through, everything will go to hell!
Rías heard Dr. Richards' statements. Her energy was dwindling with each passing second, and she began to lose hope, thinking all her effort was in vain.
At that moment, something in the atmosphere changed.
One of the larger beasts, the one Dante had injured, began to convulse. Its body twisted, and thick black liquid oozed from its wounds. Suddenly, its skin tore apart, revealing a second form: thinner, more agile, with claws extended like blades.
—Shit… it evolved! —Dante cursed, adjusting his grip on the sword.
A chilling roar resonated in the air, filling everyone with terror.
Rías, seeing this, felt a chill. As she contemplated the metamorphosis, a shadow lunged at her with a deafening roar.
With no time to react, she was struck with devastating force and fell to the ground, dazed.
—Ahhh! —Rías screamed, terror resonating in her voice.
—Rías! —Reed shouted, seeing his companion fall.
The situation became critical. Rías lay on the ground, vulnerable and gasping for breath.
Dante turned toward her with the intention of saving her. But the monster that had evolved before them struck him with its claws, sending him crashing to the ground and making him lose his demonic form.
---
At the Height of the Battle
Elizabeth was up high, giving it her all. Her heterochromatic eyes, the right one golden like the dawn; the left, icy blue like a frozen sea, reflected a storm of emotions: fury, frustration, and something much darker.
The certainty of her failure.
—Why...? —she murmured, her voice breaking—. Why isn't it enough?
Minutes passed, and no matter how much she used her power, nothing would happen.
Her hands, once firm and determined, now faltered, trembling under the pressure of the moment. This power was special; it had the ability to heal almost any wound, and since she discovered it, she knew it was unique. But not this time. Not when it mattered most.
—"Don't die! Please, don't leave! Mr. Meliodas…!!!"
The memory hit her with the force of a hammer: the person she cherished and loved, cold and motionless in her arms, his blood staining her hands, his name shouted over and over until only silence remained.
No matter how hard she tried, there was no way to change fate. And if the fate of the two people before her was the same as his, she could do nothing.
She began to convince herself that there was no salvation for them, that her power was useless. The hopes and expectations others had placed in her felt wrong, as if they should never have trusted her ability.
The cutting wind and the roars of the beasts filled the air, intensifying the despair that enveloped everyone. There, up high, Elizabeth shone, in a sacred light that seemed futile, extending her hands in a gesture that only accentuated her helplessness.
With each passing second, her will faded, taking with it the faith she once had in herself.
—Rías! —a voice full of concern shouted.
Mr. Richards' call pierced through her frustration like lightning. She opened her eyes, surprised, and understood the gravity of the situation.
Looking down, horror enveloped her: Rías Gremori, the demon girl she had befriended, lay on the rocky ground, surrounded by sinister creatures, about to be brutally killed.
—No… please… —Elizabeth murmured, a whisper laden with pleading, almost like a hopeful wish lost in the wind.
Time distorted. Every detail etched itself in her mind with cruel clarity: the drooling jaws of the beasts, the shadow of their claws, the look of terror in Rías' eyes.
"This can't be happening. Not again. Please, someone… save her!" she begged in her thoughts as she watched the scene helplessly.
Then, a warm hand rested on her shoulder.
—You did well. Thank you for giving your best. Hehe
The voice was serene but carried a strength that sent shivers down her spine. Before she could react, the air erupted in a blue glow.
Goku rose like a beacon in the darkness, his electrifying blue hair, his energy waving like a divine flame. In the blink of an eye, he interposed himself between Rías and death, his fist impacting with the force of a meteor.
Elizabeth held her breath. For a moment, everything was silent.
—You did well, Miss Elizabeth; you can rest easy now.
Another voice reached her ears, grave yet exuding calm, like a beacon of hope for her waning confidence. She felt a great relief in her heart.
---
The blow had caught Rías off guard; she lay on the rocky ground, injured and motionless, feeling her ribs burning with pain. Around her, a tide of black auras expanded, enveloping her in oppressive darkness. The shrill sound of sinister roars and moans resonated in the air, eager to tear everything in their path.
The girl, dazed from the blow, could only watch as the monsters surrounded her, trying to reach her. She detailed the threatening gleam of their fangs, promising to shred her, and the edge of their claws, threatening to tear her flesh. Their horrifying eyes reflected an insatiable desire to kill her, a thirst for blood that foretold a painful and merciless death.
Rías tried to move, but her body was a dead weight, unable to respond. With her heart about to burst, she could only contemplate how the first claw rose, glistening under a nonexistent light, preparing to pierce her chest. Terror invaded her, and in that instant, time seemed to stop.
"Why did this have to happen?" she thought, succumbing to fear.
The creature's claw seemed to move in slow motion; each moment felt like an eternity.
Richards, watching the scene, stretched out his arms desperately, trying to reach her before the worst happened. Dante was a few meters away, trying to recover from the blow he received from the monstrous creature, surrounded just like Rías by the larger ones trying to crush him.
In the midst of the desperation, a blue flash reflected in the eyes of the terrified girl, and a warm aura filled her entire being.
The face of the creature attempting to kill her deformed abruptly when a fist covered in a flaming aura impacted it, sending it crashing away with a controlled shockwave. Rías opened her eyes in complete astonishment, seeing a man appear before her defending her.
He crossed his arms in a swift motion, and in the next instant, he extended them, creating a larger wave that pushed back the surrounding creatures.
—Don't worry, Rías! I will protect you! —he exclaimed with determination, radiating confidence.
There, before the important Rías Gremori stood Son Goku. He radiated an imposing blue glow caused by his divine aura, his once black and messy hair now blue and spiky, defying gravity and contrasting with the blue and black outfit he wore. His stature gave him an imposing presence that challenged everything around him with a confident and defiant smile.
Reed stopped, watching in awe and great relief as the blue-haired man, now awake, was able to protect the girl in time. The creatures roared upon seeing Goku; it was as if that roar were directed at someone they had been searching for with suspicion. Goku was not intimidated for a second and got into a guard stance, demonstrating his skill and experience, ready to attack. But something made him hesitate.
—G-Goku? —the red-haired girl spoke. Her weak and incredulous voice reached his ears.
At the weak call of the red-haired girl, he was able to see her well. She was seriously injured and very weak.
Goku set the monsters aside, deciding to prioritize her safety. In a swift motion, he carefully took her in his arms, just like a prince carrying a princess.
The monsters lunged at them, but they were stopped when an intense heat struck them in the form of a red beam of light. Superman descended majestically and imposing from the sky, using his heat vision to subdue the creatures that were piling up near Goku and the injured Rías.
—Quick, Goku, get her to safety! —he spoke forcefully.
—Yes! —Goku nodded and took flight, feeling Rías' weight in his arms.
Superman pushed all the monsters back. The larger creatures also retreated, giving Dante room to maneuver.
—Wow, that's quite an entrance! —murmured Dante, amazed, as he watched Superman in action.
Now recovered, Dante soared into the sky, floating with his powers. A dark aura began to emanate from him as he prepared his attack. Reed, for his part, remained to the side, observing the scene with his mind racing, searching for a strategy to escape this chaos. It was then that Goku appeared beside him, levitating with Rías in his arms. She was unconscious, but her breathing was stable.
—Things seem to have gone wrong! —exclaimed Goku, his divine energy enveloping the girl, giving her the strength she needed to recover. His mind wandered in frustration—. Why can't everything be simpler?
—How is she? —he asked with interest.
—She's badly injured, but she'll be fine.
Reed looked at him, understanding the concern in his voice. Goku tried to take Rías to Elizabeth, but she had warned him that the power of the other could cause her considerable harm due to her sacred energy.
—we have to get out of here! —Goku indicated.
—That's pretty obvious, don't you think? —Reed responded ironically, his gaze fixed on the creatures that were retreating thanks to Superman and Dante in his demonic form—. These creatures are a real problem. They adapt to their environment with alarming speed.
Goku, intrigued, observed Dante. He felt a familiar aura, similar to Rías', but more intense.
—Who is he? —he asked with interest, his eyes shining with curiosity.
—He's an ally —Reed replied directly—. He arrived just when we were in trouble. His name is Dante.
—Did he come from outside? —Goku inquired, his curiosity growing.
The gravity outside the dome was so crushing that neither Goku nor Superman could endure it for long. Reed's eyes widened as if a revelation had struck him. In the midst of desperation, he had overlooked their greatest opportunity. Dante had traversed that tumultuous path without being crushed by the relentless gravity. There lay the answer to escape their predicament.
Dr. Richards turned his gaze toward Goku.
—Goku, how far can your energy field extend? —he asked, his mind racing to devise a plan of action.
Goku pondered the question, recalling his previous battles.
—I'm not sure, but I think I could create one a few kilometers wide, maybe. But I'd have to use a lot of my energy if it's to break through the gravity outside —he replied, his tone filled with uncertainty.
—Good. Computer, prepare the ship to leave the atmosphere —Reed ordered the AI, his voice firm and resolute.
As the ship prepared, Reed looked up, quickly calculating their movements. He knew that their new ally would be crucial for achieving a safe escape from the planet.
—Dante —he called, drawing his attention—. Would you join us in this? We need your strength to create an exit.
Dante, still with his demonic aura shining brightly, looked confused at his words. But whatever he could do, he would do to get out of this place.
—I don't know what you're planning! But count me in. I won't let this place crush us! —he responded with determination, his voice resonating with power.
—Then let's do it! —exclaimed Reed, his energy beginning to flow around him.
With a plan in motion and allies by their side, they were ready to break through the gravity holding them back. However, something watched them from a distance, analyzing everything that was happening.
To be continued.