"Alright you hold still, and I'll have you all tied up here in a minute," the women spoke pleasantly as she wrapped the Devilboy up in her webs.
"Cool! It's like a hammock!" he cheered letting her string him up to rest.
The group hadn't traveled much further until they had come across the secluded spot the spider devil had been talking about. Through a thick maze of stalactites and stalagmites, it was a chore to weave through but once they had, they came to a large cavity in the ceiling where they could rest hidden away.
The inside of the chamber was dreary but calm and that's more than the Devilman could ask for. He hung upside down from one of the many thin stone bridges connecting either side of the hollow's internal structure. He kept his wings tucked around him as he listened to his companions chatter playfully. It was a nice feeling; he wasn't used to such a welcoming environment, but he definitely wouldn't object to more of it.
The sound of the Devilwomen scuttling came closer until she was hanging there next to him.
"Well, what's done is done. He's as snug as a bug, put him out right away!" she boasted. Without a second though she began to quickly construct a new web for herself to lay on. The Devilman looked down to see the younger of the two sleeping soundly in his web wrappings, it brought a smile to his face.
"Good, he'll need the rest, and so will you," he turned his gaze to her. "How are you feeling?"
"Oh, I'm still a little sore but I'll be fine in no time," she reassured. "I'm just glad to know we're gonna be busting out of this place."
"I am too, I'll make sure we make it out. It just doesn't seem real, all this time I've spent down here, the thought of it actually being over, is just…" he sighed. "I don't even remember my own name."
She paused in her weaving and turned her attention towards him, "Yeah me neither. The funny thing is, I do remember disliking the name I had, but you know, I at least wish I knew it."
"Yeah…" he trailed off, watching her put the final touches on her bedding before settling onto it. She caught on to his interest and couldn't help but think about how naturally he had made himself comfortable upside down.
"So much for being human huh?" she spoke playfully but there was sadness there. He rose mildly and tilted his head in thought.
"Do you think we could still be human; I don't think I've felt human in a long time," she spoke more seriously this time.
There was a distance in his gaze now, "I mean, I feel like me. I try to do what's right, maybe I don't always, but I think I'm still human. At least I hope I am."
The Devilwoman nodded with musing eyes as she fiddled with a strand of her web. She seemed to have something on her mind, she took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Do you ever wonder if demons are just people? People that got so scared, hurt, mad or heartbroken that they forgot why they were upset and became nothing more than their own hate and fear?" her stare didn't deviate from her web strand.
Devilman looked up at her with a pained look. He was shocked she'd suggest such a thing but at the same time, as much as it troubled him, he couldn't deny the same thought hadn't crossed his mind before. There was a silent uneasy sense of understanding between them.
He finally had to look away, "I don't want to think of that, I've killed too many of them."
"Oh no," her body sprung up some. "The demons you killed when you were alive were trying to hurt others right?"
"Yeah," he affirmed.
"Then you should have stopped them. Just because you hurt doesn't mean you should hurt others, you did the right thing," she reasoned.
Devilman breathed disheartened, "I know, but it just makes everything harder."
Her head sagged slightly, "I know, I'm sorry I shouldn't have brought it up."
"No, you're okay, it's not like I haven't ever considered these things. All I want anymore is to just move forward and do better. I feel like I've amounted to nothing but a failure," his voice was solemn.
"That's not true, even dead you're still fighting to help people. For all it's worth, I'm thankful I ran into you," her tone was earnest.
Devilman locked his stare with hers. For that brief moment her simple gesture of gratitude was enough to melt away his thoughts of vulturous doubt. It brought a warmness to his spirit he was unfamiliar with but appreciated. He eased his body and softened his sharp features.
"Thank you, I'll do everything I can to not let you down."
She perked up again, acknowledging his lighter mood.
"You better," she teased.
"Yeah, and you better get some rest, we have a big task ahead of us, I'm going to sleep," he smirked to her and tucked his head into his wings. She scoffed in good humor one last time before resting her head and falling into a much-needed slumber.
By the time they had all awoken the Devilwomen was back to her full strength and they were off without a hitch. Devilman guided the group down the descent of Hell. With each circle the terrain and enemies got more difficult, but they had made impressive progress regardless. They knew they were getting close to their destination when the temperature dropped, and the stalagmites and stalactites had become icicles.
"Ah, it's freezing down here, I can hardly move," the women gripped.
"Do you want me to carry you?" Devilman offered. He had already let the boy cling to his back, taking her on wouldn't be too much more trouble.
"No, I should be okay for a little longer, we have to be getting close."
The women's prediction was proven correct only moments later when they had reached an overlooking cliff side. What they took in was breathtaking; It was a massive frozen lake and at its center was the mighty body of Zennon, the so-called demon king trapped in ice. He seemed to be at rest, however his demon followers at his feet were far from peaceful. The force of their collisions echoed and clatter all throughout the area, they seemed to be pouring in from all angles, battling one another furiously.
"What's going on?" the Devilboy asked, peaking over the Devilman's shoulder. The women peered up at him too, hoping he might have more of a clue.
"Uhh, well it looks like they're fighting each other. They're probably determining who's strong enough to go back to Earth. Once they've proven themselves, they get sent over and the rest have to keep fighting for their chance. At least that's my guess from the look of it."
"Are we going to be strong enough?" the child questioned with a quiver in his voice. The hero demon wondered, taking a good long look at the number of opponents he would have to tear through. The demonic warrior in him looked on with glee, while the human half worried for his friends.
"Of course, we will," the spider devil jumped in with certainty. "We have Devilman after all, and he has us," she grinned up at him. Once the initial surprise wore off, he looked back to her with high spirits sending her a determined nod.
"And if he isn't, we'll just string him up and leave him," she joked. She got a rise out of the boy and Devilman just rolled his eyes at her with a pleasantness.
He took a deep breath, "Okay guys, stick with me and I'll get us through to the front, you both ready?"
They each exchanged gestures of approval and before Devilman knew it his wings were spread, and he was off the ground. He felt the thump of his heartbeat all over his body, it was like being in slow motion, yet he was diving faster than he thought possible. He narrowed his gaze to his first unfortunate target letting his fangs bare and his claws slice through the air. A sudden crack and a spew of blood the first one was dead just like that. The next of his foes came and went even faster. It had become a flow. A rush to arms. It was his second nature. And boy did he love to fuel it.
They were making some decent ground, he cut through the horde of enemies like a knife through butter. The Devilwomen stayed right on his heels and the boy was still securely clinging to his back. They helped keep the weaklings off him as they went, it was the least they could do to protect him in return.
A victorious feeling enveloped the Devilman as the beginning of the crowd started to become visible. The only concern on his mind was the size of those on the front lines. The demons there were some of the strongest and most ruthless. He was sure in his own abilities to conquer them, but he worried for his friends. He could only hope that he could beat these mightier demons as well as keep his group unharmed.
He roared; his teeth soaked with the blood of countless demons. As he came closer to his larger opponents, he bulked himself up and began to strike his claws down harder into the icy floor. They barely had turned their heads around when their legs were bowled out from under them by the devilman hero. With them still scrambling on the ground Devilman flew upward just to strike back down on one with his fangs. He held there feeling his jaws slowly clutch the life out of the helpless demon with a pleasing crunch.
The other devils had made it back up and were craving a violent revenge. They snapped and swiped at him, but he had been able to avoid the worst of their attacks so far. A particularly sturdy beast clasped claws with Devilman, it was a battle of brawn as each pushed against the other.
The Devilwomen had to hold her own as she fought to get back to the rest of her group. The other demons weren't making it easy for her, and she could see her friend had gotten himself into a tough spot. Devilman was worried, he knew the women had gotten separated and the boy was put into a dangerous situation with him. He had to get back with her, he had to protect them both.
The hero was soon gaining the upper ground, but the other devils would not wait for his victory. They circled the two before one finally came up next to Devilman and slashed down his side. He winced and lost a bit of the control he had just gained. After the initial pounce, the rest just surged after. He was punched, kicked, and stabbed from all angles, and he could feel the boy on his back flailing his tentacles to try and fight back. However, he slowly gave in and Devilman could feel his grip tighten instead in pain.
The Devilman was enraged. How dare they harm the poor child; this fight was between him and them alone. At last, he released his full anger giving him a shot of pure adrenaline, enough to turn his foes fists to mutilated balls of bloodied flesh in his hands. The pathetic demon's fretful screams lent him no leniency as Devilman forced him to the ground, breaking both his arms off. It cowered beneath the victor and in return he flung its body into the ravenous mob knocking out a number of other demons.
Devilman hurried back to the women, he could tell she was losing energy and fast. He jumped in making short work of her aggressors, ripping their bodies apart like paper. Her eyes were grateful, but concern soon took over as many more demons began to pool around them. He became aware of it as well, he flipped around to see them all still coming. It seemed just about every demon in the Cocytus, whether great or small had made Devilman their target.
He put his arm in front of the women, as his wings spread, and his tail whipped hostility. The young boy trembled against his back and he could sense the fear radiating from the female devilman as well. It infuriated him. How dare these worthless monsters torment the people he cared about; even dead they are granted no relief.
He flashed his fangs and seethed odiously. There was a might boiling up inside him, one that turned and warped his mind. He saw nothing but the disgusting and horrid army of demons before him. There was nothing more he felt than hate.
The power inside him began to show outwardly as his body released a crimson steam. The boy had to undo his hold feeling the scorching mist burn him. The woman immediately hooked her leg around the child and placed him on her back instead. She didn't want to alarm the Devilboy anymore than he was, but there was a newfound apprehension growing in her chest watching her friend.
A halo of flame crowned his new, much more threatening demeanor. The fire casted unholy shadows against his red ominous cloud as well as his menacing facial expression. The redness of the fog veiled and distorted him, if the woman didn't know any better, she would mistake him for another demon, a much deadlier demon.
Suddenly the mass of devils themselves stopped in their tracks only to look on nervously. A dark and bounteous laugh resonated across the battlefield as the owner stared down at the now recoiling devils.
"You damned pathetic demons; all this time I've been down here you've shown no mercy to those weaker than you! If that's what it takes to be strong here, then so be it!"
The Devilwomen ducked and covered the child as the entire frozen fortress went up in an orange malevolent flame.
Agonized screams came flooding in, as deformed bodies of devils fought to escape the all-consuming fire to no success. Some larger demons took what strength they had left and aimed it at the assaulting Devilman, but he simply cut through their melting figures without effort. There was nothing any of them could do but slowly cook to death listening to the relishing howls of their new reigning champion.
It was like being in a cloud of ecstasy when the steam from the ice came up and their pained cries climaxed, Devilman couldn't keep the pleasure off his face. In this moment they couldn't touch him, no one could, not him, or those he cared about. He determined the demon's fates; he chose their punishment. It was an immaculate feeling, an ascending feeling, he wasn't just some mortal, not even just some devilman, he was practically a god.
He turned with a wicked grin to see his group, to see their proud faces and hear their rapturous cheers, but all he saw was the look of horror. Whatever delight he was taking in instantly escaped him there. His expression fell and so did his gauze of vigor. He started to appear as himself again, he began to feel like himself again, he couldn't explain what had come over him, but he now regretted it. He never wanted to see his loved ones look onto him with that kind of fear ever again. He lowered his head to them in disgrace.
"I-I'm sorry," he whispered.
The woman and child seemed a bit hesitant but came around timidly.
"It's okay, you're okay now, you saved us," she gave him a small smile. The boy got up and took a look at the destruction Devilman had laid in his wake. He heated up much of the Cocytus, with an impressive amount of ice melted and the corpses of demons floating in its waters. Luckily Zennon was still unconscious and imprisoned in his case of ice. However, Devilman had still evaporated a good portion of it, Zennon would likely awaken much sooner now. Much like the other devils, they all would regain their power again and return to the fight.
Devilman shook his head, "So what happens now?" It seemed just after he asked is when he heard an acute gasp come from both his companions. He hurdled around to face them with a perplexed furrow of his brow.
"What is…" he trailed off noticing his fingers turning to dust. Panic set in as he searched around the area for an explanation.
"It's happening, you were chosen! You're going home…" the women softly confirmed. Devilman looked to her in understanding but his surprise was still present.
"B-but what about you guys? I can't go, you're supposed to come with me," he approached them and tried to carry them with him, but he no longer could make contact. He phased right through them like a ghost. Devilman's breathing began to become shorter and more erratic, as more and more of his body was disappearing before his eyes.
"No, no I said I'd protect you both, I can't leave you!" he spoke alarmed.
"Hey! Hey, look at me!" the women caught his focus. "It's okay, you need to go back. You can still save us, all of us," she nodded her head to him gently as the boy stared up to him hopefully. With wide and downright terrified eyes, he matched her gesture.
"I won't leave you guys down here," he said, feeling his consciousness begin to fade from this reality. Time was almost up, and his heart raced. "I'll come back for you both, I promise!" he swore to them and the last thing he registered was their faint yet encouraging faces as everything went black.