Battle Plan

Intro

Angis: "Father, are you ready to depart?"

God: "Yes. The holy springs are a good source to replenish aura."

Angis: "Good. Make sure to remember that it's very dangerous where you're going, especially in your current state. So be careful."

God: "You've never left my side, Angis, not once. Your loyalty and dedication is unparalleled to any of the other angels. It's a shame I won't be able to witness you take my place when the time comes."

Angis: "Do not say such things. You're our father, you'll make it through this. You have to."

God: "I'm grateful that you still have hopes for me, but this is my fate. I won't be here for much longer so it is on you to become the new god and choose a new Angis."

Angis: "Father, if you really are sure that you are going to die then, I have a question to ask you?"

God: "Hmm? What is it?"

Angis: "Well, it's about the construct you ordered me build all those years ago. It's unusual, why? What's it for?"

***

Angel 1: "I wonder where father has gone."

Angel 2: "Me to. I haven't seen him for hours. I'm getting worried. This is so unlike him."

Angel 1: "You don't think that he..."

Angis: "Hey! What are you two doing? Everyone was ordered to assemble in the Main Hall. What are your names?"

Angel 1: "My name is Aaron, Mr. ASS."

Angel 2: "My name is Eris, Mr. ASS."

Angis: "I beg you're pardon?"

Aaron: "It means Archangel Senior Sir, for short Mr. ASS."

Eris: "Yes, All the angles have been calling you Mr. ASS, since saying the whole phrase is a bit of a tongue twister."

Angis: "Well tell them to stop, just call me Angis? Now, hurry and get to the Main Hall already!"

The angels giggle as they trot away.

Angis: "Geez, this job is stressful. Mr. ASS, really? Of all the names I've been called over the years. Sigh, why do the younger angels act like such children?"

***

Mur mur mur mur mur

Angis: "Ahem, may I have your attention please! Ok, now I know many of you are very confused on why literally everyone was assembled to the Main Hall. Under orders of our father, I was told to bring all of you here. I don't know the specifics, but father and I..."

Chatter: "Where's God?" "Why isn't he here?" "Please tell us, did something happen to him?" " Why were we all of a suddenly summoned?" "Why did we get called?"

Chairman: Bangs his gavel to silence everyone. "Order! Order! All questions will be answered in due time. Go ahead Angis, the floor is yours."

Angis: "Thank you head chairman. Now, I'm sure you all are worried about father, but rest assured he is ok. He had informed me just before his departure that he would return soon after. It's a little strange I admit, but all questions will be answered upon his return. It shouldn't be too much longer now."

Aaron: "But what about..."

The doors to the main hall creak open. To entities enter the room, with one carrying a fowl presence.

Chatter: "What is that thing?!", "It reeks of evil!", "How in god's name did it get in here?!", "Those things sticking out of its head, what are they?!", "I don't know, but I don't like the way those red eyes looked at me!", "That tail is extremely skinny and abnormally long! ", "Are those hooved feet?!", "That stench, I think I'm gonna be sick!", "But what is God doing standing next that thing?!", "No, it can't be, can it?", "It is!"

Angis, Aaron, and Eris say in unison: "There's no doubt, that's definitely Lucifer!"

*4 hours before meeting

God: "Ok Angis, I'm off. Wish me luck."

Angis: "I give you my blessing, father."

God begins to make hand signs and chant an incantation. A golden door in front of him begins to open.

God: "This shouldn't take more than a few hours, so if I'm not back within that time, then you'll have a difficult decision to make."

Angis: "What if you return after a few hours?"

God: "Then lets hope that I'll still be in my right mind."

Angis: "Hey father, about my question. Why did you have me build the Ark?"

God: "I'd prefer to answer that question in front of all my angels.

Angis: "Sigh, fair enough. But can you at least tell me how why you're going down there of all places?"

God: "Well, after I had forsaken my children I believe some evil entity had begun to corrupt their hearts, causing me to decay much sooner than expected. There's only one being that I can think of with power of that caliber, and he's pretty down in the dumps, pardon the pun."

Angis: "I think I understand. I'll make the proper arrangement while out are gone. Get going before the door closes.

God: "Alright. I'm counting on you, Angis."

Angis: "One moment father, I almost forgot."

God: "Yes?"

Angis: "With recent events, you technically aren't known as God anymore, at least by definition. So, I was thinking, maybe for the time being you should be called something else."

God: "Hmm, I suppose you're correct. It wouldn't be right for me to hold onto this title as I am now. Do you have a name in mind?"

Angis: "Well, sense our goal is to regain the faith of our children and restore you back to a previous self, I was thinking the name Beol would be appropriate."

God: "Beol?"

Angis: "Yes. It's name is quite unique, for its meaning is in its kanji. "Be", meaning "become", and "Ol", meaning "all" or "all over." But I like to use the synonym "again". Creating the name "Beol", meaning "Become Again."

God: "Beol, I like. Thank you Angis. From this day forward, I shall be known as, Beol.

*30 minute pass

Thump, thump, thump

Beol: "It's so hot down here, much hotter than last time I was here. Is the path even the same? So much has change. Geez, I feel like I'm going to pass out from the heat. They say fire is the essence of life, but how much life could there be 3,000 miles into the Earth's surface? Living here is a fate worse than death, but I suppose that's why he hates me so much. Tsk, where is that accursed door, Guh!"

Beol trips and falls over what felt to be quite large and heavy.

Beol: "Grrr! What did I trip on? What the heck is this doing here?"

Beol picks up the skull of a demon. A low ranking one at that. He looks up and sees more corpses of low ranking demons ahead.

Beol: "These shouldn't be this far down. These are low rank demons. They're only supposed to be on the 5th floor or above, but this one's down here on the 10th floor. I have a bad feeling about this. I should hurry."

*1 hour 30 minutes later

Beol makes it down to the last floor. He is gasping for breath and struggles to collect himself.

Beol: "I, gasp, finally made, gasp. The 18th floor, gasp, but the door's lock, gasp, it's been changed, gaps. I wanted to save my energy, gasp, but it seems I have no choice. (Inhales deeply). *Lumanis Boldress!"

Boom! The spell hurls towards the door's, crashing into them, and breaking the lock.

Beol: "Hmm, it's too dark. *Lucas. Alright, time to go."

***

Beol: "I should be close to his chambers now. Just around this corner. Heh, glad you haven't changed, blood gates.

Beol approaches the blood gates. The aura they dispel is as sickening as the evil souls they devour. He reaches his hands out to open them and it burned on contact. He pulls his hands back in pain. He uses his cane to push the gates open. A gust of burning air is released, knocking Beol to his knees.

Beol: "GAhhh, hot! Eh, what in the abyss happened here? It's like a bloodbath."

Beol walks into the demon lords chambers, only to find blood was splattered everywhere. Bodies and guts were hung and stuck to the walls floor. Heads were shoved on pikes and bodies were brutally mangled. Beol almost hurls at the gruesome sight, but holds back.

Beol: "All of these demon corpses, and high rankers at that. *Geisers, *nightwalkers, *tumors,*demotauruse, and *dremers. It was like a full war broke out in here. This isn't good, not good at all. I need to leave."

Beol turns to make his way out of the room. BOOM!!! A creature strikes towards Beol, but he manages to dodge and it just barely grazes his neck.

Beol: "Gaah!" *Pant, *pant, that was too close. That thing almost killed me. A second slower and I would've been one of the corpses here. "Hey! I don't suppose you can tell me what happened?"

Demon: "Grrr, die vermin!"

The creature quickly rushes Beol with his jagged sword at the ready. It swings its sword in a flurry of attacks in an attempt to severe Beol's head from his body. Beol blocks his attacks until they come to a stand still.

Beol: "Hmm, that sword looks familiar. Where'd you get it?"

Demon: "I'll kill you! You won't leave here with your life!"

The demon pushes Beol back. Beol tries to keep his ground, but drops to one knee due to exhaustion.

Beol: "Gah, I asked where you got that sword, but if you won't tell me then there's no point in wasting my time here."

Beol parries the demon and grabs it by the collar and hurls him towards a wall. The demon crashes into the wall getting one of its arms stuck. Beol rushes the blood gates to make an escape.

Demon: "You're not going anywhere."

The demon extends his arm and clenches his fist. The blood gates slam shut before Beol can escape.

Beol: "Grumble, I'm way too old for this crap." This is odd. This demon shouldn't have control over this chamber? We're strictly in Lucifer's domain, and that sword, it looks like Lucifer's. But more importantly, how is this demon alive, when all the others are dead? "Hey demon, tell me, are you…?"

The demon's eyes widen and its face becomes bright red. It bolts towards Beol swinging its sword in a fury, hammering its attacks with more force than the last, and with speeds almost too fast to react towards. Beol attempts to evade, but to no avail and is overwhelmed by the demons speed and strength.

Beol: "Geez, let me finish my question would ya?"

Demon: "I don't care for your questions, you're too close to the truth. You need to die!"

Beol: "What are you talking about?"

Demon: "*Revenant!"

The demon cast a spell and the corpses started rising one by one. Beol's face turns pale as the demon begins to laughing in Beol's face.

Beol: "You're not giving me much of a choice here."

The unknown demon leaps back to the rear of his reanimated servants. He raises his sword, signaling them to attack. The corpses charge towards Beol. The ground rumbles like thunder louder and louder as they rush Beol.

-BUDUMP! BUDUMP! BUDUMP!

Beol: "Geez, guess I have no choice. I'll really didn't want to use any spells."

Beol raises his cane and begins chanting an incantation.

Beol: "Hear thee, oh great fathers before and grant thou wish and bless thee with your strength."

-BUDUMP! BUDUMP! BUDUMP!

Beol: "For I am the heir of your divine works. The vessel of your power."

-BUDUMP! BUDUMP! BUDUMP!

Beol: "I plea, grant me your power."

The raised demons lunge at Beol. Their claws and fangs reach out to shred him to pieces.

Beol: "*LUHUNABARETOS!"

Beol completes his incantation just in time. The spell activates and the corpses get beaten to smolders. Holes were punched through their bodies and the force of the spell was so great that it scorched the corpses. But, the spell took way too much aura. Beol collapses on his cane from overexertion.

Beol: "Cough, cough, that took too, gasp, much energy. I need to finish this qui… TOOF!"

Beol gets struck with a crushing kick by the demon and is launched into a wall. The demons eyes begin to illuminate a red light and its evil aura begins to thicken and fill the room. The air began to fall and it became hard for Beol to move or breath, or maybe just due to exhaustion and the bone breaking kick he sustained he could just barely muster the strength to breath, let alone stand.

Demon: "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! YOU! WILL! DIE! HUUAAAAH!"

The demon hurls itself at Beol in a pit of rage, with its fist clenching its sword. The sword burns red like fire, representing the rage in the demon's heart. It leaps through the air pointing its sword at Beol.

Beol: Cough *blood, huh! Gasp, I, cough, only have one shot.

Demon: "DIE!"

The demon thrusts its sword at Beol.

Beol: "*Luropos."

Beol's cane emits a bright light and breaks apart it multiple ropes of light. The ropes ensnare the demon and bind him to the floor, stopping his sword just before it could piece Beol's throat. His sword falls to the floor and the red flames dissipate.

Demon: "Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh! Die! Die! Die!"

Beol struggles to rise to his feet and approach the strange demon.

Beol: "You almost killed me, but you got careless. You shouldn't always be so quick to act, but you've always had a shot temper."

Beol removes the hood of his assailant.

Beol: "Right, Lucifer?"

Lucifer: "Don't touch me! Go kill yourself God! You're not welcome here, you worthless old bag."

Beol smacks Lucifer over the head as if he was hitting a child.

Beol: "Don't disrespect your elders. You'd do well to remember the reason I put you here. And I'm known as Beol now."

Lucifer: "Pfff. Beol, what kind of name is that? Let me guess, it means "be old."

💢Beol: "You know, you sure do talk a lot for a half pint runt. Tell me, what happened here? And while you're at it, what happened to you? Did your servants bite off the top half of your body and you kill them or did you fall on your sword and they simply died laughing at your pitiful sight?"

💢Lucifer: "I am not that weak, unlike your frail old body. As for them, fighting to the death to see who is worthy of becoming a successor is an honored and sacred demon tradition. They died a demon's death, which is more than I can say for your unfaithful and corrupted followers."

💢Beol: "Well at least this frail old body wasn't reduced to a mere rugrat. Look at you, so small and helpwis. I could just pick you up and take you home, little Lucy." Wait, did he say corrupted?

💢Lucifer: "Don't call me that! And my name isn't Lucifer anymore."

Beal kneels down in front of Lucifer. His face is full of rage. Lucifer feels a cold chill emitting from Beol.

Beol: "How did you know about my followers? Tell me, what did you do?"

Lucifer: "What makes you think I know anything about that? I couldn't care less about those pathetic humans."

Beol: "Answer my question!" -Tightens the ropes-

Lucifer: "Nnnnnn! Easy, I didn't do anything to your stupid followers! Besides, I couldn't hurt them even if I wanted to."

Beol: "And why is that?"

Lucifer: "Well, that's a long story I'd rather not talk about right now."

Beol: "Fine, then make it quick." -Loosens ropes-

Lucifer: "Didn't I just say I don't want to talk about it, geez. Look at me. I'm the size of a child and my power's been greatly diminished. Not to mention my demons are dead. It should be obvious I've been overthrown.

*1 hour 40 min

Beol: "How did you, a demon king, get overthrown?

Lucifer: "Well, I'd love to tell you, but I'm still a little tied up."

Beol: "Hmm, fine. Dispel."

The ropes around Lucifer disappear.

Beol: "Now, would you mind explaining?"

Lucifer: "Ok. Well, my sheath stole my black heart."

Beol: "Black heart, you mean your void soul? And what is a sheath?"

Lucifer: "Sheath is a subordinate. His name is Baren, and yes I mean my void soul. He'd been working on converting the humans since 200 years after you abandoned them, and then my overthrow."

Beol: "So, this Baren guy is the one responsible for corrupting my children and your pitiful condition?"

Lucifer: "Well, not just his. I'm partly to blame for his actions and my current state

Beol: "How so?"

Lucifer: "Baren is a special demon. He has the ability to completely corrupt the souls of others. He used those powers of his to sway the hearts of your followers to increase our strength. The souls he brought us gave us such a feast that I applaud his actions. But, while he worked on tapering our eyes with the bountiful harvests, he also schemed behind my back and turned my men against me. At first I didn't notice, but I soon started to notice my demons were acting a bit strange. I first brushed it off, but then I noticed he had been sending lurkers into my chambers to steal information on my void soul. After that, I became gravely suspicious. At the time, I didn't even know he was the one behind it, and by the time I figured it out I was too late."

Beol: "Hmm, the void soul. That was a real pain to deal with during the holy war. It constantly generates negative energy for the demon who wields it. And its rapid regeneration abilities can even heal the most fatal of wounds."

Lucifer: "With the knowledge he gained he learned how to wield the void soul, and more impressively how to extract it from my body."

Beol: "Don't praise him. The guy betrayed you."

Beol: "What can I say? He's a cleaver demon, even by my standards. He may have betrayed me, but I give credit where it's do. Anyway, after his understanding of the void soul was sufficient he prepared an ambush in my chambers. I still have yet to figure out how he even got in."

Beol: "The blood gates can only open with permission of their master, or by magic equal or greater to their master. It is strange how he got in, and even more so how he was able to grant a lowly lurker entry. Then again, if he managed to find a way in, I wouldn't imagine he would have trouble getting someone else inside to."

Lucifer: "One day I returned to my chambers and noticed my sword was gone. In that moment I was struck with some kind of weapon without warning. I turned to identify my assailant, and it was none other than Baren holding my sword. And you know, that sword has an extremely powerful curse on it. Anyone who isn't the demon lord gets burned to ash if they touch it, no matter who it is. I still have to figure out how he was wield it, and how he used it to pull out my void soul."

Beol: "Your sword is called Lupharaoh. The nightmare flame sword that devours all. It gains its power by devouring the hearts of the weak and burn their souls. With its powers of corruption, it's your greatest demonic treasure. And with that being said, it's only known to be wielded by demon lords because they're the only ones who can control the sword. I guess Baren found a way to bypass that little rule."

Lucifer: "Now Baren has control of my void soul and has become the new demon king with any number of demonic powers. He's a cunning fighter and should not be underestimated. I wouldn't dare face him in my current condition. I'd have no chance at beating him."

Beol: "If he needed your sword to steal your void soul then why did he let you keep it? You could use it to steal the void soul back."

Lucifer: "No idea. Maybe he figured I couldn't defeat him even if I got my void soul back or that I could never get my soul back in the first place. Grrr, this is so humiliating!"

Beol: "Well, this is quite the situation we're in. Let's head up to Nirvana. My helpers are strategizing on how to deal with our current predicament. We should hurry back before my counsel begins to worry and start harassing Angis. Is there anything else you can tell me about Baren?"

Lucifer: (Stands). "Not right now. We need to leave first."

Beol: "Why?"

Lucifer: "Lurkers, there in the walls."

Beol: "How many?"

Lucifer: "Not sure, a lot. They're probably here on reconnaissance for Baren. They're not too strong, but groups of them can be quite difficult to beat. They would've been easy prey for me, but thanks to a certain someone my aura is exhausted."

Beol: "You attacked me first, so you're the one to blame here. Anyways, it's obvious we can't fight them, you got a plan on how to get out of this?"

Lucifer: "Yes, run."

Objects flew through the air as Beol and Lucifer struggled to escape Abyss. With very little aura left, they were unable to cast sufficient spells and had to rely on nothing but their physical abilities. As they made their way up the floors of Abyss more and more powerful demons appeared, to what it seemed to be no end. The demons ripped through the walls and tore through the ceiling causing piles of rubble to rain down upon everything, all while trying to subdue Beol and Lucifer. Beol and Lucifer struggled fighting back, slaying demons becoming badly wounded in the process. Boulders, magic, curses, the demons hurled anything they could hurled, wasting no attempt to catch their prey. The stronger demons even went so far to hurl the other demons at Beol and Lucifer, splattering their corpses on the walls and floor.

Beol: "Come on… -Gasp- …just… -Gasp- a little bit… …further, Lucifer?"

Lucifer: " I told you... -Gasp- …That's not... -Gasp- …my name. I'm... -Gasp- …Dante now."

Beol: "Dante... -Gasp- …that means... -Gasp- …inferno. That's very... -Gasp- …cliché."

Dante: "How?"

Beol: "Dante... -Gasp- Gaps- …is the name... -Gasp- Gasp- …of the man who... -Gasp- … journeyed through Abyss in search... -Gasp- … of his wife."

Dante: "Yeah,... -Gasp- … and he killed a bunch of my men to... -Gasp-. So... -Gasp- … what?"

Beol stares at Dante.

Dante: "What?"

Beol: "We'll talk... -Gasp- … about that later... -Gasp- … once we're out... -Gasp- … of here."

Dante: "That is if we... -Gasp- … make it out."

Beol: "Nonsense. We can't... -Gasp- … die here. To much is at stake, -Gasp-."

Dante: "Do you think I have... -Gasp- … enough aura to do that... -Gasp- … in my condition?"

Beol: "It's either that... -Gasp- … or dying, Take... -Gasp- … your pick?"

Dante: "Fine, but you should know... -Gasp- … I'm not as fast... -Gasp- … as before." Now come, wings!

*4 hours pass

Beol and Dante came bolting out of Abyss with fire and brimstone in their wake. They were gravely injured. Beol's left arm and leg was broken and Dante's right wing was shattered and falling apart. They were exhausted and desperately needed to rest, but with the demons in hot pursuit they had no time to lacks. Beol and Dante managed to lose the demons for a time but the demons were persistent and tracked them down to their general location. With fatigue and exhaustion setting in, Beol and Dante were forced to hide until the demons searched elsewhere before they could continue. Dante's wings were small and weak, so they couldn't go too long without rest again. Dante's injured wing was causing his excruciating pain. He tried to heal it, but without his void soul or being in Abyss he couldn't recover it completely. Beol shared some of his aura with Dante to help heal him, while healing his own injuries. Once Dante's wing was partially recovered and Beol had healed his wounds they continued on their long journey back to Nirvana. Once they made it to Nirvana, they rushed to the Main Hall, where everyone else awaited their arrival.

Angis: "Halt!"

The angels drew their weapons ready to attack.

Dante: "What a nice welcoming party. Reminds me of the first time I came here to kill you?"

Dante looks up at Beol and presents him with a devilish grin.

Angis: "What are you doing here demon and what have you done to our father?"

Beol: "At ease Angis. He's here to help."

Angis: "Lucifer?! You can't be serious, father. I don't know what spell he put on you, but I won't fall for it."

Beol: "Angis, don't…"

Dante puts his hand up to Beol, signaling him to stop speaking.

Dante: "You, Angis was it? How do you know that I'm indeed Lucifer?"

Angis: "To be completely honest, I don't. But, you're the only demon I can imagine that would such a terrifying aura."

Dante: "Hmm, I'm glad my reputation proceeds me. But, you're wrong about me being the demon Lucifer."

Angis: "How's that? You just said you are Lucifer."

Dante: "No, I said my reputation is of Lucifer. The demon that stands before you now is known as Dante, the demon child and the former demon lord of Abyss."

Angis: "Child, former demon lord, what are you talking about?"

Beol: "Angis, please. You can obviously see Dante's a child."

Angis: "Looks may be deceiving. For all I know this could be an illusion."

Beol: "Angis, if Dante was so strong to invade Nirvana and deceive you all with a mere illusion, wouldn't you think he would also be strong enough to kill you."

Angis: "Well maybe, but…"

Aaron: "Geez Angis give it a rest. You're way too stiff."

Aaron approaches Dante.

Angis: "Aaron get back here, don't be an idiot. That demon is dangerous."

Aaron: "Oh please, if Lucifer wanted us dead we wouldn't be standing here having this debate. He would've killed us before stepping through the door."

Dante: "Glad to see there's someone here knows me so well."

Aaron: "Names Aaron, nice to meet you."

Aaron extends his hand to Dante.

Dante: "Heh, you're bold, I like you."

Dante smiles and shakes Aaron's hand with gratitude.

Angis: "Even still, we shouldn't be careless. But if what you say is true then I have a question. Father, why did you bring Lucifer…"

Dante: "Dante."

Angis: "...Dante, here to Nirvana, and what happened to him?"

Beol: "Do you want to tell them, Dante?"

Dante: "Might as well. Listen up everyone, cause I'm only gonna say this once. My name is Dante, formally known as the demon king Lucifer. The reason for that is because I've been overthrown by a demon named Baren. Because of this I've taken this pitiful form you seen before you. And that's not all, I believe Baren is trying to destroy creation. So, I've agreed to help you all prevent this tragic event form occurring. I don't wish for anything from you in return for my services. I just want my throne back, and am willing to help you in order to get it."

Beol: "Our situation is more severe than I originally thought, and our enemy is dangerous. If we don't find a solution quickly, I fear all hope is lost."

Angis: "Huuuuh, this is just crazy. So, Dante, you'll be helping us with our current situation?"

Dante: "Yes, I'm the only one here that knows about Baren. It would be foolish not to assist you when I know how dangerous he is."

Angis: "Is that so?"

Dante: "Yes. Also, my demons are responsible for Beol's condition and my pitiful form. Helping you defeat him not only gives me a chance at revenge, but I'll help you regain your followers to. So, what do you say? You only have something to gain from my assistance."

Angis: "Well I can't ignore our situation, and you do have more insight than all of us combined. Very well, I'll do my best to work with you."

Angis approaches Dante and reaches out his hand gesturing a shake.

Dante: "I'll do my best to cooperate as well, but know that I still have my own way of doing things."

Angis: "As long as they don't interfere with our mission, I'm sure it won't be a problem."

Dante smirks and shakes Angis's hand. Aaron slaps Angis on the back, a little too hard.

Aaron: "Now that's the type of teamwork I'm looking for. Let's do this. Group meeting everyone, Woohoo! Let's GO!"

Aaron charges off back to his seat in excitement.

Angis: "Huuh, this day just keeps getting better and better. Sheathe your weapons everyone, we're working with the demon."

Eris: "You sure? Can we really trust him?"

Angis: "Probably not, but if father's willing to do something this crazy then we're already neck deep in something big. Worse case scenario is that we all die, so there's not really much else we have to lose. Let's hurry up and exchange information on our situation so we can come up with a solution before we lose too much time."

Everyone moved back to there seats and awaited Angis's instructions. Dante pulled Beol out of the main hall to talk to him a bit longer.

Beol: "What is it?

Dante: "In this weakened state, I'm no longer the demon lord, which means I can't be the king of demons, Lucifer. I'm just Dante, the child infernal. I used to be a ruthless leader with no mercy or remorse, respected by all demons, but without my void soul and its intense negative energy, my aura is becoming enmeshed and I'm starting to gain what you call emotions. I can deal with these with these emotions for the time being, but with this childlike body I'm incredibly weaker and uneasy. So I ask for your insight, do you really think we'll be able to work together and defeat Baren, with our dark past not far behind us? With his army, your human followers, and my void soul, Baren has so much more power than us that even I feel fear. And with your condition, you have no chance of defeating him on your own, and with that stupid decree you made you have even less of one."

Beol puts his hand on Dante's shoulder.

Beol: "You ask a lot of questions, but to be honest with you, I don't know if we can defeat him. Hm, with all the damage he's done since thus far, we don't have much hope at all. But, even if we don't have much of a chance of winning, that chance is still there. The way I see it, we have only two options. We can sit around with fake smiles, living the rest of our short lives knowing that we live in fear of the day that is soon to come, the day we all die. Or we can prepare, struggle, and fight knowing our chances of victory is as thick as hair and as strong as paper, but still there. Personally, it wouldn't make a difference to me whether our chances of victory are guarantied or insignificant. The fact is, we have a chance and that's all I need to know to fight for my children. I've failed them once as a father, so I'll give my life again and again if it means that I can keep my children safe."