The beginnig of the end (G)

The Beginning of the End

Sebastião arrived in Catolândia around seven in the morning, as he had to sleep after his arrival due to exhaustion.

Afonso reunited with his longtime friend, who had been in the United States to start his multinational company.

"Finally, Sebastião."

"Afonso, it's been so long."

"Yeah, but let's talk about what really matters…"

"What happened while I was away?"

"I got married!"

"Really? To whom? You didn't even invite me…"

"Look, I did invite you; the letter must not have arrived in time. Anyway, I married that woman we met a long time ago."

"Hmm, that makes sense. I got married too."

"Oh. Was it with Claudiane?"

"No, it was with a woman from over there. You don't know her."

A loud sound of police sirens drowns out their voices.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" Afonso asks desperately.

"LET'S GO SEE!" Sebastião replies.

On the small stretch of asphalt that covered part of the street, they saw a group of police officers surrounding a body that had apparently exploded along with a laboratory.

Two police officers arrived late, but their vehicle was different, resembling one used by high-ranking officials. From it, Genivaldo and his partner José stepped out.

"I can't believe my eyes, Sebastião?" said Genivaldo.

"Neither can I. It's really been a long time since I left. Who are you?"

"You don't remember us, buddy?" said José.

"That way of talking… José? Is that you, man? It's been so long! Well, if this is José, then you must be Genivaldo, right?"

"Exactly."

Genivaldo turned over the body, trying to analyze what might have happened, while José calmed the onlookers.

Afonso and Sebastião left the scene due to the stench of rotting flesh coming from the body.

"Did you get a look at the head, Afonso?"

"No, but I had a slight anxiety attack. Could it be because of that thing? But why are you asking?"

"That face… It looked so familiar… I don't know why, but I feel like I know him, even though he was decapitated. Anyway, let's talk about that thing."

"Let's. I think we should discuss it somewhere private."

"No problem."

Afonso decided it would be better not to discuss it at home, as he wasn't sure if Manuela was there. Even though he told her everything, he didn't want her to know specifically about the strange purple thing.

They went to an open field, far from the city. Not many people lived nearby, so they were safe there.

"How did you find this, Afonso?"

"It was around here. I saw that thing falling, and I got scared, but my instinct told me to go see it. So I did. But the worst part was the vision."

"Vision? What vision?"

"When I slept, I had a vision. I saw a dark tunnel and images flashing by, memories of other people in violent and bloody battles. At the end of this journey, right at the end of the tunnel, I saw a bald man who said his name was Dante. But the most striking thing was the flower."

"That flower we saw that day?"

"The very same."

A massive tremor began, strong winds sweeping through the vegetation. It was powerful enough to uproot a deeply embedded tree, which was hurled toward Afonso and Sebastião.

Sebastião ducked, but Afonso couldn't move in time. However, a red-pink aura covered his body, especially his arms, which he used to try to shield himself from the tree.

"WHAT WAS THAT?"

"I don't know. Where are you going?"

"To get my motorcycle. There's something I left at the hotel that I need to retrieve."

Afonso then decided to check what was happening. He climbed a small hill and saw a massive buried skull. Emerging from its right eye socket was an enormous creature huge muscles, a cape covering only half of its right arm, a golden and purple belt, and black pants.

The creature seemed to know exactly where Afonso was, staring at him with a terrifying intensity. Fear gripped his body, but he still knew he had to face it. His instincts told him so.

"What are you?"

"What am I? Insolent creature, you, a weak, pathetic human, think you have the right to speak to me?"

"I may be just a human, but I have enough courage to stand up to you."

"HAHAHAHA"

Then the battle begins. Thanatos and Afonso fight relentlessly, their blood staining the ground. Punches, kicks, cuts the clash is fierce. During the fight, sword strikes are inflicted upon Thanatos... But where did these cuts come from?

Afonso wielded a power that materialized the blades of an ancient sword, carried by an almost spectral armor. The force of this power makes Thanatos feel fear like never before. He had never experienced such a sensation until then, he had been the strongest on that battlefield.

It was at that moment that he realized who Afonso truly was. The one Dante had spoken of in one of his battles.

Long ago, there was a battle fought by the first hero, one of the Sacred Knights, an ancient lineage dedicated to fighting evil. His name was Dante, and he was blessed with powers beyond human comprehension, known as the Lotus Flower. One day, it was revealed to Dante that he would not be the last Sacred Knight. He would have to pass the mantle on to two individuals from the modern era who would adapt to these powers. Thus, he divided them so that these men could one day defeat Thanatos.

Afonso made his biggest leap yet one he had never managed before, just like the creature. The creature drew a small scythe from its cloak, but Afonso, enraged by being disrespected, struck with such force that he knocked the creature to the ground.

Now, with Thanatos on the verge of collapse, Afonso continues delivering lethal strikes until...

"It's not possible… Then, he is the…"

"I'M PATHETIC, HUH!? WHO'S ON THE GROUND NOW, HUH!? TELL ME AGAIN, WHO ARE YO—"

Before Afonso could finish his sentence, a wave of agony and a purple aura took over their body.

"Me? I am Thanatos, the god of death. I have reincarnated to come here solely to kill the last chosen one. The Lotus Flower does not bring luck—it represents the misfortune of having found it, you wretched fool. Now, I have come to kill y—"

A SUDDEN INFERNO ENGULFS THANATOS AND EVERYTHING AROUND HIM. The sun's glare made it impossible for Afonso to see who or what was there until the figure descended. Clad in a massive metal suit that allowed its user to fly.

"Muffled voice: 'Afonso, it's me.'"

Helmet removed, voice normal: "Sebastião. This is what I left at the hotel."

"Wow, so this is what you worked on abroad?"

"Hmm, no, this is more of a hobby."

Then, Afonso and Sebastião fight against him. Sebastião unleashes bursts of fire while Afonso throws punches, but most importantly, both deliver cuts, even if they are imperceptible to them. However, Thanatos feels and sees everything.

Even after growing stronger and making Afonso experience agony, since his power is fueled by fear, rage, and suffering, Thanatos decides to retreat. He realizes that he must become even stronger if he wishes to fight them on equal terms.

Thanatos regained consciousness, stood up with a wicked grin, and uttered a single sentence.

"So… it has begun…"