"Well...you weren't wrong about the fires...cause there are none." Theo said as they stood before a large maze-like structure.
"I can barely see anything further in, it's pitch black." Ajna said as the group looked at the inscription.
The fortune tellers should have known that they could not see with the eyes of God. They walked with their heads backwards, their eyes awash in tears.
Complete the maze without your eyesight.
"This challenge is a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it?" SE asked. "How are we going to keep track of which way is which if we can't see?"
"Hark!" Lanshi barked at the group.
"Hold on. He might be onto something." Cheetah said. "There are sayings that when one sense is lost, all other senses are heightened. Hearing, touch, taste, and in our cases...smell."
"So we will need to rely on our other senses to find the way out of this maze. Is that what you're saying?" David asked.
"Yes, that's it!" Nesma said.
"So we'll just follow anyone who has heightened senses. Seems easy enough." Subaru said.
"Not quite… I also smell demons that may try to impede us." Cheetah said. "Stay sharp, and don't let down your guard."
Nodding their heads in confirmation, the group ventured into the maze, being guided by those with superior senses. Soon, their ears started picking up the sound of raspy voices, one sounding panicked.
"I tell no lies, the two madmen are killing all demons they find. What if they come up here?"
"They will do no such thing. The only way out of Inferno is down. It would be foolish to go up. Rest, you are safe."
"They are mad, I tell you. It was as if Dante the Crusader himself had returned. All who challenged them died."
"Even if you speak the truth, they will not survive the Malacoda. It is nothing to fear. Now quiet, souls approach us."
"Malacoda, huh? Guy's the leader of twelve other demons calling themselves the Malebranche." Griffon said. "Makes sense for him to be here since they guard Bolgia Five of Malebolge here. But that thing about two madmen down here slaughtering demons makes me curious."
"Not really...there's only one person down here who might be considered a madman...you're here in this hell aren't you...Dante?" David said with a smile.
"If he's here, that means his brother isn't too far behind." Simon added.
"Most likely. But there is only one way to make sure either theory is true." Cheetah said.
"Yeah. By getting out of this maze ASAP." David said.
"Agreed. Let us continue by dealing with these obstacles." Sir Sayian said as two demons landed in front of the group, their burning eyes the only sign of their presence.
"So, it is true. There are living souls wandering the Circle." one of the demons hissed. "You've done well, making it this far. Yet, your journey ends here."
"Not yet it doesn't." Mark said. "Goku, Krillin, Solar Flare with me!"
"Got it!" Krillin said as the three used the technique, bathing the area in light, the demons roaring and flinching back, blinded. "Quick, while they're distracted!"
"Understood. Here we go, Zamazenta!" Zacian said.
"You got it. Time to put this new armor to the test!" Zamazenta said.
The sword and shield warrior Pokemon charged the demons while they tried to regain their composure after the light.
They managed to break through as they led the others through to the end of the maze.
"Yes! We managed to make it through." Kazuma said.
"No time to waste, we gotta get down to the next level!" ZS said.
"Don't be so panicky. This is Dante we're talking about. He'll hold out until we get there." David said.
The group marched down the stairs until they reached the next door.
Great, winged demons tended to the grafters who stole and embezzled in life. They are thrown into the deep and vile pits.
Defeat Malacoda
"Alright, who wants to lead us in?" Emo asked. "David, you want the honors?"
"As if you even needed to ask." David said.
David pushed the door open, revealing a room lined with pits full of boiling tar. That, however, was not what got the group's attention; no, it was the circle of demons surrounding, and being cut down, by a familiar pair of brothers.
"Yo, Dante! Long time no see!" David said.
"Told you you didn't have to worry, ZS." Mayumi said.
"Yeah, even when surrounded by demons, they're an unstoppable pair, when they're not trying to kill each other." Simon added.
"Consider my stance corrected!" ZS said. "Well, who's up for jumping into the fray and joining up with 'em?"
"With my Nichirin Blade, Blizzard Edge, I'm ready to cause some serious damage!" David said as he drew his blade and arched it on his shoulder. "Word of advice, demons… Start running now." He said as he stepped forward, Sectonia and Cheetah catching up to him.
"I'd take his advice, it won't help but it might make you feel better." Simon said, pulling out Ember and Riptide.
(Cue- Dante Battle Theme- Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne)
"Let's dance the jitterbug, baby!" David said as he dashed at the horde.
"CANILU!" Simon called, Hydra appearing and coiling herself around a group as they soon imploded.
"Watch this!" David said as he drew Ebony and Ivory and kick flipped into the air before firing a hail of bullets at the horde before firing a blast of ice from Blizzard Edge.
"Get down!" Simon called, unleashing an onslaught of punches before finishing with a powerful wicked weave heel stomp.
"Ready for this?" Sectonia asked with a wink as she spun Lightning Stinger and Mercurius around her sides, creating a tornado around her before striking the demons caught in it with a large thunderbolt.
"I might not have anything fancy to show, but…" Cheetah said, bringing her claws out. "It's not like it matters." She said as she rushed at another horde of demons, slicing them apart in any way she could.
"Okay...I've entertained this long enough." a voice echoed as a figure appeared. They were a hulking figure with bat-like wings and long black horns, holding two swords, each adorned with a red jewel in the blade. "Demon Hunters, your trail of destruction has spread far in Inferno. The Carnal Tower toppled. The Wheel of Fortune destroyed. The City of Dis in ruins. And tens of thousands of demons lay dead at your hands. What say you, butchers of my kin? What say you after all this?!"
"Well, if there weren't so many demons born of malice, we wouldn't have had to slaughter them all, now would we?" David asked.
With an annoyed grunt, the Malacoda (for that was who it undoubtedly was) raised his swords. "Then let us see if you can kill me, Ice Devil. Come and join the damned of Inferno!"
"Go easy on the opening salvo, Ishihara. We can't let you have all the fun." Cheetah said.
"I'll give him ten minutes to decide. Which would you rather end up in? A coffin or a dumpster?" David asked.
"I prefer to leave nothing behind." Malacoda replied. "Same for those I kill."
"Heh… Your choice." David said as he unleashed his Arctic Chains from Blizzard Edge before landing a few shots in his neck and firing icicles at him.
The Malebranche, for its part, powered through the shots, managing to shatter the chains and icicles with his blades. "You may slaughter the demons above… but the Evil Claws will not fall so easily!" the demon declared as he dashed in front of David, blades up to slash the young man in two, an attack blocked by Blizzard Edge.
"If I had a paycheck every time I heard that… You know what, I'm not going to bother finishing that sentence." David said as he started making hand signs with his free hand before firing a blast of ice right at his head.
As the ice approached the demon's head, Malacoda was forced to let up some pressure to block the attack of ice, leaving its left side unguarded. Seizing the opportunity, Sectonia rushed up at it.
"Lightning Needles!" Sectonia said as she fired electric needles from Lightning Stinger.
The needles struck Malacoda's abdomen, causing the demon to grit its teeth in pain. Now faced with two opponents, the Evil Claw made the choice to throw its swordplay to the wind… along with its swords, flinging both at Sectonia with all of its might before bailing its right hand to try and land a powerful blow on David's head.
"Big mistake throwing away your weapons. Cheetah, now!" David called.
"Hahaha! You fool! A mere animal cannot hope to slice through…" Malacoda said before wincing as Cheetah plunged her claw through its chest as she held its heart. "That...that's..."
"Mere animal? Hardly." Cheetah said. "One blessed by a hunt goddess? No contest."
The Malacoda shuddered as Cheetah tightened her grip, crushing the demon's heart. "So, this is how it ends… but I will not suffer humiliation and leave a corpse behind."
The demon dragged itself to the edge of the nearest pit with what strength he had left, before he turned to face the group, his dimming eyes still holding defiance.
"May your souls… find no peace…" the Malacoda breathed out as he stepped back and fell into the pit of tar, disappearing under the black liquid.
(End Song)
"Well, I'm not exactly sure how to feel about all that…" SE said. "Otherwise, a job well done, you three."
"Heh. We worked pretty well together, didn't we?" David asked.
"Nicely done." Dante said. "Course...I probably could have done better."
"Why are you even here anyway?" Hope asked.
"In short...this place is going to give birth to a new demon lord." Vergil said.
"Well, this just got a lot more interesting." Cheetah said. "I think it's time we kick this exploration up a few notches."
"Yep. Especially with these two with us. We're gonna be in for a wild ride." David said.
Deep within the circle, a figure sat in a makeshift throne. "I can sense it coming...my chance to attain power." it spoke as its eyes opened wide.