Dante glanced at the angry Lilith, who was in a rage, and he instantly squashed it when pulling her into a warm hug. The Death Witch stiffened but soon melted into his embrace as he promised. ''We will kill the Duke who took your family and repay it tenfold to the vile humans of Dawnfen.''

Her voice trembled, a faint whisper barely escaping, she pressed herself closer, nuzzling into the crook of his neck. ''Thank you,'' she breathed, her words aching with years of loneliness. ''I, I haven't felt like this in decades, not since the world turned cold and took everything soft with it."

Dante's breath hitched, his heart seizing in his chest as her words sank deep, stirring something raw. ''I've only ever felt this from Luna,'' he murmured in disbelief. ''How, how are you so warm?''

His words lingered, the suffering of a young man who'd long forgotten the pulse of life within him, each one raw, bleeding with despair. Suddenly, Luna's voice pierced through the silence from behind. ''She's one of the pack, a woman who will aid me in pulling you back from the darkness you're sinking into.''

''What?'' he snarled, his voice cracking like shattered glass, red eyes blazing. ''I'm not falling! How could I fall any deeper than this?'' His chest heaved, the air between them electric with pain. ''I've already lost everything.''

Dante's memories surged, a torrent of grief and betrayal that tore at his soul. ''I failed them all!'' he roared, his voice breaking. ''The heroes turned their backs on me! Ashley stabbed me in the heart! Bella and Mary they're gone, ripped away from me! I'm not human anymore, Luna. My heart's nothing but ash, blackened by a world that's shown me its true colors. I won't bow to it. I refuse.''

''You're breaking!'' Luna's reply cracked like a whip, raw with desperation and love that refused to let go. ''You're drowning in darkness, and I'm forced to watch the man I love twist into a monster who thrives on slaughter. Where's the one who smiled at the stars? The one who dreamed of adventure, who carried light in his eyes?''

She trembled, each one a plea, heavy with the fear of losing him forever. Dante's eyes darkened, shadows creeping across his face like ink, as Luna's words clawed into him. He staggered back, his breath ragged, the truth slamming into his chest like a dagger he couldn't pull out.

''You're right,'' he whispered, fracturing with a grief that twisted into something feral. ''I am becoming a monster. I feel it, claws sharpening inside me, hunger gnawing at what's left of my soul.''

Luna grabbed his hands as Lilith backed off as she asked. ''Who am I to you?''

''My treasure,'' Dante replied honestly. ''The only person in my life.''

''I haven't left you!'' she exclaimed, blue eyes glowing. ''I've returned to make sure you stay the man you've become but we can't lose you to the shadows, even Marzanna is concerned. She warned me off this, it's why I became a Shifter.''

Dante glanced at her, wide eyes as he muttered. ''You're right, I can't let this new power consume me and not all humans are bad, just like Lilith who was once one.''

The Death Witches face beamed. ''Yes but I became a form of living undead that allows me to live for centuries, so I won't be living you for a long time,'' she teased.

Following that, Lilith began leading them toward the nearest town causing Luna to happily step beside him. Dante looked at the wolfwoman who's face couldn't keep the smile off it. ''Do you really see me as your treasure?'' she questioned.

''Yes,'' he nodded. ''You're the only reason I'm still here and not with the Dark Gods, plotting world domination or something else.''

The two of them laughed before descending down a path Lilith vanished on, it led to her home where she packed up some things. When they caught up, the blonde was already done as she explained. ''Took some important things, the rest is easily replaceable.''

''Good, let's get going,'' Dante replied, a relieved smile crossing his lips. ''I want to bath and sleep in a comfortable bed.''

When the duo heard this they eagerly agreed and Lilith led them down the path. After a couple hours of walking they reached a road. The Death Witch turned around. ''This leads to Rockhearth Village. We can rest there for a few days, it's peaceful.''

The trio continued along the road toward the village, the landscape was rolling green hills and wildflower-dotted meadows. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and distant smoke, while the sun cast a warm glow over the scene. The path was well-used, flanked by trees whose branches formed a a halfhearted cover overhead.

As the group walked, they passed a merchant caravan, its wagons creaking under the weight of fabrics and trinkets. The sellers waved cheerfully, their voices mingling with the clinking of coin pouches. One called out, offering Lilith a polished silver amulet, but she declined with a shake of her head.

Further along, they encountered a group of travelers, a family with two young children skipping ahead, chasing a small dog. The parents, carrying packs full with supplies, nodded in greeting, their faces weathered but kind. The children giggled, pointing at the trio'' unusual attire, particularly the Death Witches dark, flowing robes.

''It's lively today,'' Lilith remarked, her voice calm but carrying a hint of amusement. ''Rockhearth must be preparing for the harvest festival.''

Dante moved them on, trying to get away from the humans that filled the road, he didn't like being around the people, he chose not to kill them but wouldn't interact with the travellers, making Luna giggle. ''Looks like our talk did work, I'm glad, master,'' she said.

''Thank you for that,'' he suddenly thanked her. ''I was spiraling and you brought me back, I'm grateful you have this form now.''

The older woman beamed at his words, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. ''You're welcome, Dante. It's one of the reasons I'm here and I'll continue helping whenever I can.''

Following that, the trio fell into a peaceful silence as Dante spotted the Rochhearth Village in the distance, it's walls stood tall and the soldiers patrolled the ramparts. Traders and other people made their way there on the now stone covered road, when he saw this it reminded him of the Roman ones back on Earth.

It only took then ten minutes to reach the gates, only to be stopped by a weather woman, who looked like she'd been working too much. She raised her dark eyes, asking. ''What's your business with Rockhearth?''

''Rest and pick up supplies,'' Lilith suddenly answered. ''We were heading for the capital for the Adventurers compeition that is happening.''

When the older human woman heard this, her face changed into one of excitement. ''Brilliant! Come on in, the village has some of the best bathes in miles. I'm sure the people will love challengers, they've always brought luck to Rockhearth.''

Dante was shocked byt shrugged and followed the guard inside as they were welcomed into the village. Moments later, Lilith was handed a map by the woman. ''Here we go, use this to get around and it's best you stay in at night, the last week we've had reports of Mountain Men trying to break in.''

This caught his attention as the blonde questioned. ''Where are they attacking from? Maybe we can help out if the fiends get through?''

The guard's expression brightened, relief flickering across her face. ''That'd be a blessing. We're short on hands, and if those brutes get past the walls, we'll need all the help we can get.''

She pointed toward the map in Lilith's hands. ''Theyve been spotted near the northern ridge, where the forest meets the cliffs. No one's sure what's stirring them up, but they're bolder than usual.''

The Death Witch unfolded the map, her red eyes scanning the inked lines. ''We'll keep that in mind,'' she said.

She glanced at Dante and Luna, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. ''Rest first, though. We'll need our strength if trouble comes knocking.''

Following that, the trio made their way toward the village square, passing more merchants hawking their wares, pots of honey, bundles of flowers, and carved wooden charms. A group of travelers, their cloaks dusty from the road, bartered for supplies nearby, their voices rising and falling in animated haggling.

Children darted through the crowd, their laughter a stark contrast to the guard's warning, which lingered like a shadow in Dante's mind. As they approached a cozy inn with ivy climbing its stone walls, the sign above the door creaking in the breeze, Dante leaned toward Lilith. ''Mountain Men, huh? Sounds like more than just bandits. You think they're after something specific?''

Lilith's gaze flickered toward the northern horizon, where the jagged silhouette of the cliffs loomed against the deepening sky. ''Oh they're monsters that you'll like,'' she murmured, her tone cryptic. ''Something's driving them here. Either way, we'll find out soon enough.''

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