Rain lashed down over the village of Bergamo, steam hissing into the night as fires raged across its huts and trees. The battlefield was alive with chaos—and at its heart, two warriors danced in the eye of the storm.
Yami and Chrollo clashed with blinding speed, swords flashing like lightning. Chrollo's twisted blade, forged from his own cursed blood, clanged against Yami's refined steel. Neither gained ground; their skills matched, the power behind each blow threatening to tear the earth apart.
That blood sword... Yami thought, narrowing his eyes. I have to avoid it at all costs.
"Heh, impressive," Chrollo grinned, his sharp teeth glinting. "You might actually make me enjoy this. Dodge this—Demon Blood Barrage!"
Fifty red strikes screamed toward Yami, fast as light. Yami's breath slowed. He entered a heightened state—Instinct Mode. His body flowed like water, slipping through the lethal onslaught with impossible grace.
His precision... it's not human, Chrollo thought, eyes narrowing.
With a flourish, Yami raised his sword. "Eat this—Oden Slash."
A twenty-meter arc of energy burst from his blade, tearing forward. Chrollo caught the attack with one hand, but the momentary distraction was all Yami needed. He vanished—reappearing behind Chrollo.
"Got you."
Another Oden Slash—faster, stronger—cut through Chrollo's body.
Chrollo's torso split in half. For a second, silence fell.
Then his body began to regenerate.
"Quite the surprise, Yami," Chrollo hissed. "You almost had me."
"You're strong," Yami said, tightening his grip, "but you're weak where it counts."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, INSECT?!"
As if on cue, two figures blurred onto the field. One shouting.
"Stoooop! He's mine! DAD—I will kill you!!"
Dante, face twisted with fury, charged toward Chrollo. Dai followed behind, breathless.
"Dante, no!" Dai yelled. "Sensei said—!"
"ENOUGH! YOU FILTHY MAGGOTS!" Chrollo roared, charging an attack in his palm. "I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"
The sky turned crimson with power.
"This is the power Oblivion gave me! I WILL DESTROY THIS COUNTRY IF I MUST!"
Yami closed his eyes. His mind emptied. Instinct took over.
Now.
He struck. One fluid motion—his blade piercing straight into Chrollo's heart.
The demon gasped. Blood splattered from his mouth.
"I... let my ego... get the best of me..."
"Power alone was never enough," Yami said coldly. "This is your fate, Chrollo."
The demon crumpled.
Oblivion... I failed you, Chrollo thought as he faded. Dante... you called me Dad... Maybe you'll fulfill what I couldn't.
Chrollo vanished into nothing.
"Sensei, that was... incredible!" Dai shouted.
Dante dropped to his knees, stunned.
Yami floated down, placing a steady hand on Dante's shoulder.
"Come with me, Dante. I know what you are. I know what you can become. There's a storm coming—and I'll help you control this power. Not just for you... but for the world."
Dante looked up, a smile cracking across his tired face. "Heh. I owe you my life, old man. I'll join you. I want to protect the people I care about. But I need strength—I don't want to rely on others to fight my battles anymore."
Dai grinned. "Finally! Someone else to spar with! Let's promise—no matter what, we'll be there for each other. Brotherhood, yeah?"
Dante chuckled. "Sure. But you're still an annoying piece of shit."
"HEY! Take that back!"
"Nope. Come here, asshole!"
Yami laughed softly. Just like me and Rin back in the day.
"You two... the real fight starts now. Let's get stronger."
"YES, SENSEI!"