Lilith continued spying on the humans as they searched the fortress for survivors, but once they were deep enough, she activated the runes she had etched across the vault. Explosions tore through everything; the S-Ranks were sent flying thanks to the force. Once this was done, she flew to the other side of the fortress where the Healers were located.

They rushed toward the devastation, only for more to erupt. Taking out even more enemy soldiers. Afterward, the blonde returned to the Domain to report back on what was happening as they rested.

***

Dante opened his eyes when he saw Lilith flying through a portal and transforming into her human form, revealing. ''Death! The humans fell into my trap, the runes went off just as planned, causing even more chaos.''

''Good, because I just felt it,'' he replied, sitting up, shaking his head. ''We need to lay low until the S-Ranks move on; a few of them can probably use light magic, and I don't want to deal with that anymore.''

Lilith giggled at this just as Luna's cheerful voice echoed from behind. ''They do, it's their Healers that mostly use it, but that light bitch does grant heroes use of it to hurt beings like us.''

Dante glanced at the brown-skinned beauty who was making herself hot chocolate, making him laugh. ''You love that stuff, don't you?''

''Yes! The creamy sweet taste is something else,'' she replied, a big smile crossing her face.

He couldn't help but laugh at her response and stood up, stretching his body, causing a string of pops to echo out. Dante shook his head, approaching the window as he watched a horde of Zombies wander passed. The sight made him laugh as he couldn't get used to being around the undead.

'I spent so much time hunting monsters like this, now to control them is strange,' he mused, looking at the red glow that washed over his skin once a hand touched his back.

''I'm glad I was hear to help you, Dante,'' Lilith's sweet voice sounded right next to his ear.

This sent a shiver down his spine as she continued. ''I hate it when you get hurt. Soon realized if I'm here, I can always heal you from most stuff.''

Dante turned around and suddenly hugged the blonde, surprising her, but she returned the gesture. ''Thank you for healing me, I'm glad we came to find you.''

When Lilith heard this, her red eyes widened, and soon realized she was sent here to keep him from falling any further. Without hesitation, she cupped his cheeks and pressed a passionate kiss against his lips. He was shocked but returned the kiss as he held her slim waist.

The Death Witch pressed herself against him. It got even more intense, but Luna ruined the moment by exclaiming. ''I've done it! I made the perfect stuff!''

As they broke apart, Dante's gaze drifted toward the wolf woman approaching them. In her hands, she carried two mugs, each brimming with steaming hot chocolate, the sweet aroma curling into the air like a warm embrace. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she extended the drinks, one to him and the other to Lilith.

''Here you are,'' she said, her tone carrying a subtle challenge. ''Take a sip and let me know what you think of my special blend.''

Dante accepted his mug, the warmth seeping into his palms. Lilith cradled hers with a curious tilt of her head. He brought the mug to his lips, the steam rising, and took a cautious sip. The instant the liquid touched his tongue, a rush of sweetness flooded his senses, cascading down his throat in a wave of unexpected warmth.

His eyes widened, a flicker of astonishment crossing his features as the depth of the flavor unfolded. He couldn't believe she made this, and downed the rest before giving the shocked wolf it back, asking. ''Can I have another cup?''

''Do you like it?'' she asked, a hopeful expression crossing her face.

Dante nodded when he saw the sparkle in her blue eyes. ''Yes, it's delicious. You'd better be prepared to make loads of this during are getaway in the Domain.''

Luna's giggle danced through the air, her wide smile revealing the glint of sharp canines that caught the dim light. Her eyes sparkled with delight, clearly pleased by the reactions she'd elicited. Moments later, her head snapped toward the Death Witch, like a predator sizing up a friend rather than prey.

The blonde froze under the weight of that stare, her posture stiffening for a heartbeat before she hastily brought the mug to her lips, as if to deflect the attention. The rich hot chocolate touched Lilith's tongue, and her guarded expression shattered. Her eyes widened, a flicker of genuine surprise breaking.

''This is better than the stall's,'' she admitted, smiling. ''Much sweeter, creamier, almost alive with flavor.''

When Luna heard this, she got excited and rushed off toward the kitchen, exclaiming. ''I'm going to make up a big tub of it so we can have it whenever we want.''

Dante's gaze lingered on the wolf as she moved, her energy filling the room. She bustled about as she turned her attention to a large cupboard tucked against the far wall. Lilith, ever curious, trailed close behind, her dark eyes tracking the older woman's every motion with a mix of intrigue and wariness.

Luna's hands pulled a massive container from the cupboard, its surface gleaming in the firelight. With a flourish, she began tossing in ingredients, cocoa powder, a generous pour of cream, a pinch of spices, her voice weaving through the air as she explained the process to Lilith.

Dante watched the scene unfold as it mingled with the soft clinking of the container and the crackle of the fire. The rich aroma of chocolate and spices thickened in the air, wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. But as he sank deeper into the plush cushions of the sofa, a bone-deep exhaustion began to creep over him.

The injury Lilith healed was still affecting him; it was a dull, throbbing ache that refused to relent, gnawed at his strength, sapping his resolve. His eyelids grew heavy, fluttering once, twice, before surrendering entirely. He curled into himself the warmth of the room, pulling him into a dreamless sleep as the world around him faded.

Hours later, Dante was awoken when thunder boomed overhead, shaking the treehouse. His eyes opened just as Luna appeared nearby. ''Master,'' she said.

Crouching beside the sofa, she held the mug close, its warmth radiating toward him like an offering. ''Time to wake. I've got something to bring you back to the land of the living.''

Her blue eyes softened with quiet concern as they traced his face, the faint lines of pain etched around his mouth. Another thunderclap erupted, loud enough to shake the walls. The scent of the hot chocolate hit him first. It pulled him gently from the fog of sleep. He blinked up at her, her silhouette haloed by the flickering glow of the fire.

''More of that magic brew?'' he rasped, his voice thick with sleep but curling with the faintest trace of a smile.

Luna's chuckle was warm, like the drink she pressed into his hands. ''Drink,'' she urged, her gaze steady and unwavering. ''It'll do you good. The storm's only getting started, and you'll need your strength for the journey north.''

As Dante lifted the mug and took a slow sip, the decadent sweetness and subtle spice bloomed across his tongue, a cascade of warmth that pushed back the chill of the storm and the weight of his exhaustion. Once the older woman saw him drinking, she rushed off to do something outside.

Dante huddled inside the treehouse, wrapping a blanket tightly around himself to fend off the biting cold that seeped through the wooden walls. Shivering, he pondered the Domain's relentless chill but shrugged it off. He reached for a bottle of ale, took a swig, and relished the burn that warmed his throat.

His breath fogging in the dim light of the treehouse as he shuffled to the small, frost-rimmed window, peering out as the weather took a turn for the worse. Outside, the wind howled, whipping snow into frenzied swirls that battered the gnarled trees of the Domain. Jagged flashes of lightning split the darkening sky, illuminating the chaos below.

He took another swig of ale, the burn grounding him as the storm's fury grew, rattling the wooden walls. Dante's eyes narrowed, tracking the blizzard, wondering how much worse it could get. Moments later, he slumped in the seat and let out a sigh as the warmth made his body feel better.

Just then, Luna stepped inside the treehouse, covered in snow as she shivered. ''Damn, weather is getting worse. I'm glad we stayed in here. Being out on the road or in a camp would've been bad.''

''What's Lilith doing out there?'' he curiously asked.

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