Cost of Strength

The organizers are all struck silent as the alarm just sounded. Looking to each other and the time all of them are at a loss as a voice speaks up. "Did we do it in forty Dante?" everyone is looking now as the action had been frantic and the drones were locked on a fight nearly constantly "Plus I am lost someone find me!"

Dante looks to his watch smiling as Sava shows up and he rubs her shoulder. "Go fetch Cory, he is that way dear and we are off to hunt once you are done." she bolts as he taps his watch "No we didn't manage to do it in forty minutes." as several voices call out in anger he smiles "We did it in thirty-six."

As they are walking out she shows up smiling chewing on a robot limb and he holds up a hand to rub her as she vanishes. The one at the exit is holding as stiff a smile as one can possibly have as they come out. "Congratulations on successfully completing your task."

Dante looks to him and flashes a smile as his fangs are on full display. "I don't suggest you try to be bitches that I actually fought this time otherwise I will take it, personal." he can be seen shaking as Dante nods his head "You even told my team to reduce our numbers before we were announced and tried this." he looks to a drone "You wanted us to fail. Now try to catch up."

Cliff speaks up as he looks over. "Considering Academy 2 has a hundred and two members you think they could come close?" as Dante says numbers don't equal skill he nods "Well yeah, we have just nineteen of us and while you had your big sister out and Ta ran with Onya." he laughs "We did it with twenty-one if you want to be technical. I doubt they could do it faster with over a hundred."

Dante looks and shakes his head. "I trust you all and know even solo what you can do. Bigger groups will move fluidly if they are led well but I doubt most train like we do."

Carter comes up as the man has been frozen in place and pats his shoulder. "As those beasts are parts of Dante's skills. Any attempt to disqualify or say it doesn't count means none can use any gear." as the man looks to him "This was passed down by the Head Patroller as the actions being shown were targeted assault without grounds."

Dante looks over and blinks before he smiles. "I have never met them but they seem like a good person." Carter feels like arguing that point heavily but can't right now "We are off since we still have things to do today."

Cory is looking around as now six have offered him maps to the nearest gate with smiles as he shakes his head. "Come on we were not given maps of that place and I had to chase a stupid rabbit down." now people are talking about various fights and chases "Oh yeah, once we are done with this we are free right Dante?" Dante says after the hunts they are free and he grins.

Ally looks to her watch and sees the number of requested meetings as she sighs looking over as Edna looks to her. "It seems like this event will be draining for us as well." she starts to sort and organize all the messages as she responds to a few "I will make him reward me for this."

Dante is now looking around as his team has five other teams around them after they did the hunts without issue. "You know why we are here don't you?" Cory gets up holding his shoulder "Move again and we will make it hurt this time."

Dante nods slowly as he sighs before he shakes his head. "Who holds your leashes?" they glare at this damned kid and he waves a hand "Don't you want who put you into this position to suffer as well?"

One of the teams suddenly gets a bad feeling as she orders her team to start falling back. As the other four teams notice she shakes her head. "I don't care. Something isn't right here." they laugh waving her off as they close up the gap her exit made and she runs as her team follows "We must escape!"

Ten minutes later she is looking up as Dante looks down to her with a soft smile as he takes a knee. "You thought you damned humans were going to escape?" she shivers to the look in his eyes as he smiles and softly rubs her cheek with blood on his hands "They died so fast so maybe you can tell me who sent you?"

Everyone looks over to Dante after they got back and he nods. "It was Dunlap once more. I know how we all feel about them but we did enough damage already. Any more than this and we will have to explain what happened to those other teams."

Jasmine looks to him as she shakes some. "What those snakes did was just." she shakes her head and looks to Dante "My life and heart are yours Dante but it was still terrifying."

Tabitha looks over and smiles a little. "I always wondered why Dante never got stressed when he was constantly getting ganged up on. I now understand it is because you have such a loving family. I might not be able to speak with them but the way they all reacted when you were hurt, they love you."

Dante shakes his head with a smile. "I have been beaten down and stomped by others so long I just don't care anymore. Unlike before when I was alone I now have those who will stand with me as I stand with them." he smiles to all of them "Even with them attacking us. We stood proud and didn't surrender."

Janet smiles as she nods her head and looks to him. "The true story of the God of Beasts is one of suffering, pain, loss, agony, and betrayal." she thinks for a few moments and looks to him "I think that is why you can take those like me who are broken and left behind and raise us up above the rest."

Cory laughs some and shakes his head. "Honestly if Dante wasn't who he is we wouldn't be who we are now." as they all smile Dante nods acknowledging without words everyone's feelings "However I am curious of one thing." as he looks to him "Why did you strip them of everything?"

Onya giggles and looks over as he looks to her. "So his siblings wouldn't have to digest it."

Dante waves as the two show up. He is already cooking and as he walks over to hug both flare up since all he has on is an apron. "So I was thinking of a little fun tonight. You name dishes for me to cook and hopefully I know how."

Ally is fanning herself some as Edna can't help and looks to him. "Dante why don't you have any clothes on?" he looks over and smiles a little sighing saying he lost a bet "You are such an ass at times Dante."

Ally shakes her head before gasping as his arms are around her. "But Dante it is um, we have a lot of people requesting meetings with us after today." Edna feels like crying about how she went from freaked out to calm just being in his arms. She does again find herself wondering what being so pure is like for her. "I have it sorted and a full forty percent want to speak with you but are asking us to set it up."

He smiles as she looks up then stops talking before she nods and closes her eyes resting against his body. "You look fully drained Ally now just rest up and don't worry. Work is for later. This is our time for some rest and relaxation."

Edna goes to talk as he mouths wait as she looks and her eyes widen seeing that Ally was presently asleep. The two stay like that for over half an hour before she starts to stir and wakes as she looks around. "I am sorry, I feel bad for working you so hard Ally."

She looks seeing Edna and shakes her head with a shy smile. "I can't help but get relaxed in his arms and sometimes I drift off." Edna looks and he tells her about it as she smiles softly "However I am sorry if I stressed you and thank you Dante."

He guides them over to two big comfortable chairs like a living room would have as he smiles and motions towards the table. "I have a few small things ready and we have made our eating areas more comfortable." both are laughing as they sit down but being in a chair designed for pure comfort while getting good hot food means both can't argue and at the end he smiles "What shall I prepare for you ladies next?"

Edna is near to tears as she eats it as this reminds her of all those good years as a little girl before her mother changed. She had asked and she nearly jumped on him as he said he knew that recipe. It isn't a high-class choice however her heart feels better than all of those meals have ever made her feel.

Ally had asked for a dish he knew with a mix of feelings. It wasn't a desert like he figured but a simple plate of food. It was also the favored and final meal he made for who once was his world. She looks to be in heaven as he is over there doing something in the kitchen area. Neither can see the tears raining down as he fights to sooth the pains in his heart and mind.

Dante rests that evening with Cora. Once she is happy and relaxed he taps his watch closing his eyes as he sends a message. "Hey Dalila I know it is late and sorry. The contest and such take up time. I wanted to ask if you want to share a meal and if mom wants to join us?"