Renny arrived at the Pit as usual—his fourth time descending into its depths. By now, navigation came as easily as walking the city streets; every turn, every shadow was familiar. In no time, he was already moving through the Timber Forest, where Druvash's base lay hidden. A small bag of food hung from his hand. To anyone watching, it might've looked like he was headed for a picnic, not a confrontation.

He walked closer, Druvash ignoring him as always. Considering their first and only encounter, one would think Druvash would attack on sight just to settle old scores, but it seemed the beast had moved on. Renny had expected as much.

He steadied a small table, one of Druvash's own makings, set the food out neatly and gestured toward it. "Thought we could start over," he said, arranging the dishes. "An icebreaker. Food tends to help."

Druvash didn't reply, still sawing through a block of timber, the rhythmic rasp of the blade filling the air. It wasn't until Renny casually mentioned that Mother Maeril had prepared the meal that the beast finally paused. The saw stilled mid-cut, and his eyes locked onto Renny's with sudden focus.

"Come on," Renny said, nudging a plate toward him. "It's delicious."

After a brief silence and some heavy reasoning of his own, Druvash relented and joined him at the table. He tasted the food, liked it, and soon ate more. Renny joined in, both beast and demon quietly reconnecting over the one universal truth: a good meal can make even enemies sit down.

Renny leaned back slightly, watching Druvash tear through another piece of meat before speaking. "So, you do know Maeril?" he said evenly. "You didn't seem the type to care about names, yet the moment I mentioned hers, you sat down beside me."

Druvash said nothing at first, still eating in silence. Renny smirked faintly. Typical. Not one for talk.

After a while, Druvash finally lifted his gaze. "Aye," he rumbled, voice deep and ancient. "I know her. Once, long ago, we were bound by the same chains of flesh."

Renny's eyes narrowed slightly. "Bound… how?"

Druvash tore another bite before answering, as though the memory itself required strength. "We were not always beasts," he said. "Once, we were men, cast down and broken, tormented in the flames for ages uncounted. Together we endured… until the hands of Hell saw fit to divide us."

Renny leaned forward, interest sharpening. So, they were both human once… that explains her quick bond with Baro.

He asked, "And since then? You've not seen her?"

Druvash's jaw worked slowly before he answered. "Nay. For beasts are chained unto their charge. Each to his torment, each to his keeping. Such is the covenant of our making, never to stray from the task set before us."

That struck something in Renny. For a moment, he just watched the beast chew in silence, heavy, resigned, bound to a duty he hadn't chosen. A flicker of pity crossed Renny's eyes, one he quickly buried behind his calm expression.

To think… one could be caught up in the spectacle of the cities, the glow, the food, the suits, the laughter echoing through gilded streets and still forget what Hell truly was. Beneath all that glamour, beneath every layer of order and power, there was only torment, constant and inescapable.

Not just for the damned souls. But for everyone. Demon. Beast. Pitter. Every being here suffered in their own hidden way, chained to something they could never truly escape.

They had almost finished eating when Renny decided it was the right moment. He leaned back slightly, his tone casual but eyes sharp. "So… about the soul key."

For the first time, Druvash chuckled. A deep, guttural sound that rolled from his chest. It caught Renny off guard, his muscles tensed instinctively, expecting an attack, but the beast merely wiped his massive hands clean with a piece of cloth, amusement glinting faintly in his eyes.

"I have been waiting for when thou would bring that up," Druvash said, voice thick and ancient. "Since thy arrival, thine eyes have not once left the necklace."

Renny gave a short, nervous laugh, shaking his head. "Can you blame me? It's a valuable thing. Holds… a lot of importance in my path right now."

Druvash nodded slowly, the movement heavy, almost mournful. "It is unfortunate for thee then," he said, his deep voice echoing through the quiet timber. "Take heed, little Demon. It would be wise if thou sought another path. This one… leads only to thy demise."

He leaned forward slightly, his molten eyes glinting beneath the dim canopy. "Thou must know what befalls demons when they die, yes?"

Renny's expression didn't waver. "I do."

"Then thou knowest," Druvash continued, "that though hard to slay, thy mark may be erased, thy soul stripped bare and cast to the torture zones to wail as the humans do. A pitiful fate… for one who was once a demon."

Renny's tone was calm, confident. "I know that much already," he said. "But I'm not going to die. Not today. I came here to succeed."

Druvash's massive frame stilled, then tilted slightly, a grim smile tugging at his lips. "Is that so?"

Renny nodded once. "It is."

"Then…" Druvash's fingers flexed, the air around him thickening with heat and malice. "For the meal thou hast shared with me, I shall grant thee a mercy rare among my kind, a painless sendoff to the torture zones."

Renny brushed a few food crumbs from his mouth and straightened his suit. "Well," he said, stepping into the clearing as his stance shifted, fluid and deliberate, "I welcome you to try."

Both figures faced each other, demon and beast, the forest stilling in reverence.

Druvash tilted his head slightly, that faint, rumbling tone carrying mock curiosity. "Thou hast no weapon this time?"

Renny smirked. "Not until you draw yours."

The beast gave a low chuckle, the sound echoing through the clearing like grinding stone. "Very well then," he rumbled. His molten eyes flared. "May thy soul rest in agony."

In the blink of an eye, Druvash vanished from where he stood, reappearing a breath later, right before Renny.

The air cracked. Then came the swing.

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