A violent encounter from the past reveals itself on the battlefield: the ruthless murderer known as MIJAIL stands face-to-face with DANTE. What will be the outcome of this clash?
DANTE glares with pure hatred at MIJAIL as their weapons clash. He is the man who ripped everything away from him, the reason he is suffering in this hell. Quickly, MIJAIL shoves DANTE back to create distance. DANTE lands beside ISAMU.
ISAMU: What happened, Dante? You seem shaken. Who is that guy?
DANTE HERALDI: He... HE is the bastard who murdered my entire family! He's the reason I'm here!
ISAMU is shocked by this revelation, glaring furiously at MIJAIL. The murderer licks his lips, taunting them.
MIJAIL PETROV: HAHAHA! Hey, I told you we'd see each other in hell, but I couldn't find your family anywhere! Hm... maybe they actually were good people after all!
Seething with rage, DANTE prepares to strike, but ISAMU stops him, warning him not to let his emotions take control because it's too dangerous. DANTE takes a few seconds to compose himself and calms down, keeping his eyes locked on the wretched murderer. Suddenly, countless jaguar warriors swarm toward them, while MIJAIL watches on with an arrogant smirk.
While all this unfolds, shift scene to the gate held by REX and ELENA, where General Painalli stands waiting.
GENERAL PAINALLI: Filthy inferior beings, withdraw peacefully or there will be a massacre.
REX: Elena, did you hear a kitty talking? Because I think I did. (glares at the general)
ELENA: REX, don't provoke them! Look, he got mad at your comment...
General Painalli flies into a rage. In a split second, he dashes forward at blinding speed, kicking REX and smashing him into the wall. Elena quickly covers herself with a white barrier, rushes over to REX, and orders their troops to attack. PAINALLI does the same with his army, stepping back for the moment.
From the rubble, REX emerges, shakes off the dust, and begins to growl at PAINALLI. REX expands his size using his power and charges toward the general, plowing through everyone in his path. Just as he reaches the general and opens his jaws to bite him, PAINALLI vanishes into thin air, attempting to counter with a kick to REX's flank. However, ELENA deploys her barrier to protect her friend; though the force shatters her defense, it successfully dampens the blow, forcing the general back.
GENERAL PAINALLI: (in his mind) That girl is going to be a problem. I should take her out first.
The general dashes straight toward ELENA. REX notices immediately and sprints after him, but he is no match for the general's sheer speed—within seconds, PAINALLI is right in front of ELENA with his claws raised to strike.
From a short distance away, REX hurls a fireball and shouts, "Dodge it, ELENA!"
The general spins around and vanishes instantly. ELENA activates a spell that teleports her backward, allowing REX to position himself right in front of her.
REX: That was awesome! When did you learn how to teleport?!
ELENA: For some reason, a blue window popped up in front of me three days ago. At first, I had no idea what it was, until another message appeared inside the little blue window telling me it was a gift from FAUSTO! Now I have several abilities that seem to come from him, but I have to level them up. There are so many that I can't remember them all, but I set aside the most important ones for battle! I figured they'd come in handy, hehe!
REX is thoroughly impressed. Realizing he doesn't need to babysit ELENA as much, he can now focus entirely on their enemy.
REX: ELENA, you can cover yourself, right?!
ELENA: Don't worry about me, REX! Fight freely—I'll support you from a distance! I promise I won't be a burden to you or DANTE!
The general carefully gauges their movements, realizing he can't afford to attack recklessly. Meanwhile, his soldiers clash with the demi-humans and other human fighters in a chaotic melee.
Now, shift scene to the WEST gate, where Quetzalcoatl stands against General Chikauak. For the moment, neither side has initiated an attack. Quetzalcoatl's soldiers remain on standby, awaiting their leader's command. Likewise, the enemy troops hold their positions until their general gives the word.
Suddenly, both the goddess and the general surge forward at incredible speed, clashing violently and locking hands in a contest of raw strength. As they push against each other, both scream simultaneously: "ATTACK!"
Their respective armies charge forward, encircling the two combatants while keeping a safe distance from the overwhelming pressure generated by their fight.
GENERAL CHIKAUAK: Cursed goddess! Do you truly believe you can defeat your own brother?!
QUETZALCOATL: That monster is NO brother of mine after everything he did to me! What do YOU know about my pain?!
With a sudden burst of power, Quetzalcoatl strikes with such force that the general is sent flying several meters back. She pauses, growing quiet as memories of her past and her past mistakes flood her mind.
Flashback: The Sacred Realm of TOMOANCHAN
A realm of lush, vibrant vegetation and crystal-clear waters—this was where everything originated within this dimension. Four deities stand assembled before a great altar, gazing up toward the heavens. From the altar, the majestic voices of the supreme deities, OMETECUHTLI and OMECIHUATL, reverberate through the air.
OMETECUHTLI: My children... Today, I entrust you with a task of supreme importance. Your mother and I have decreed that you shall oversee the creation of mortals so that they may worship us. Life must flourish in all its splendor, from the highest heavens to the lowest depths. I place this sacred duty in your hands, my children.
All four siblings kneel in unison, replying as one: "Yes, Father."
OMECIHUATL: You are all blessed with our divine power. QUETZALCOATL, my firstborn, associated with the color white: we grant you the will to shape-shift into anything you desire; in time, you shall uncover the full scope of your abilities. We also bestow upon you domain over life, light, fertility, learning, and the knowledge of civilization. To the second child, HUITZILOPOCHTLI, associated with the color blue: as with the ages yet to come, what lies ahead remains uncertain; you shall be tasked with overseeing all wars and the offerings made to the gods.
OMETECUHTLI: To the third child, TEZCATLIPOCA, associated with the color black: you shall govern animal life. As a formidable being, you shall embody the spirit of the jaguar and command them. You shall also possess the power of darkness, watching over the night to punish traitors with violent tornadoes should they dare betray us. To the youngest child, XIPETOTEC, associated with the color red: you shall nurture the lands so that future humanity may thrive. You shall hold power over life and death, guiding agriculture, with the authority to heal or afflict disease at your discretion, as well as the gift of invention. his first task will be to kill CIPACTLI so that the earthly world can finally take shape. We have spoken.
The four deities rise and declare in unison: "Yes, Mother and Father! We shall not disappoint you!"
As the voices fade into silence, the four siblings begin discussing their plan of action.
QUETZALCOATL: Well then... how about HUITZILOPOCHTLI and TEZCATLIPOCA go? Since they are the strongest among us.
XIPETOTEC: I think that's a good idea.
HUITZILOPOCHTLI: By what right do you give orders, Quetzalcoatl?! Don't go thinking you're better than the rest of us just because Father blessed you with more power! Why don't YOU go instead?
TEZCATLIPOCA: I have no problem going.
QUETZALCOATL: Alright, let's not fight among ourselves. Tezcatlipoca and I will handle it, okay?
HUITZILOPOCHTLI: Fine by me. I have preparations to make for the future realm anyway.
XIPETOTEC: I'll go examine my powers—they are essential for development. You two handle the beast.
The two deities exchange glances. QUETZALCOATL lets out a soft sigh while her brother stares at her with a stern, cold expression.
With their decision made, they descend from TOMOANCHAN down to Earth, which at the time lay almost entirely submerged beneath endless waters due to the colossal monster. Standing atop a lonely peak overlooking the vast ocean, they begin planning how to strike.
QUETZALCOATL: What can we do to draw it out, brother?
TEZCATLIPOCA: I have no idea, but that monster loves to devour everything. I imagine one of us will have to act as bait.
QUETZALCOATL looks at her brother with a expression of terror at the mention of that idea.
TEZCATLIPOCA: (sighs) Fine... I'll do it.
TEZCATLIPOCA swells in size and dips his foot into the water. As they are speaking, an agonizing pain shoots through his foot. In a split second, as he yanks his leg out of the water, his foot is gone—ripped off entirely—causing him immense pain and forcing him back to his normal size. From the depths of the ocean, a colossal sea beast arises, bearing the combined features of a fish and a crocodile. QUETZALCOATL swiftly scoops up her brother, retreating to higher ground. TEZCATLIPOCA presses his severed limb into the earth, concentrating his power to forge himself a new leg out of solid stone. Once stabilized, the two deities draw their weapons—Aztec swords—and join battle against the gargantuan beast. Hours pass. Throughout the brutal struggle, TEZCATLIPOCA is forced to save his sibling multiple times, taking heavy blows in her place. The creature proves exceedingly difficult to subdue, blasting high-pressure torrents of water that inflict severe damage on the confronting gods. Finally, after a relentless onslaught of cuts and heavy strikes, they deliver a decisive blow that brings the monster crashing down. Yet, the beast is not dead—merely plunged into a deep coma.
TEZCATLIPOCA: (bloodied) Damn, I lost a lot of blood. Listen, brother, you have to get stronger; you caused me a lot of trouble. Look, you hardly have any wounds.
QUETZALCOATL: (ashamed) I'm sorry, brother. I'll be of more help next time.
TEZCATLIPOCA: I thought that because you were the firstborn, you would be stronger... but I see you're somewhat of a coward.
A flash of resentment crosses QUETZALCOATL's face at her brother's harsh words; nevertheless, she says nothing.
Shortly after, they are summoned back to TOMOANCHAN, where their siblings receive them.
XIPETOTEC: (surprised) I thought QUETZALCOATL would be the most injured, but I see that's not the case. Let me treat your wounds, brother.
TEZCATLIPOCA: It was a difficult battle.
HUITZILOPOCHTLI: ...It appears QUETZALCOATL is the strongest among us after all. She sustained hardly a scratch, whereas look at the state you're in.
TEZCATLIPOCA: No! That's not how it happened! Right, sibling?
We see how QUETZALCOATL says nothing and simply leaves, leaving his wounded brother speechless. After XIPETOTEC heals Tezcatlipoca's wounds, everyone withdraws; only HUITZILOPOCHTLI looks at his brother Tezcatlipoca and says, "I knew it," before leaving, leaving Tezcatlipoca confused by his brother's actions and making him look like a liar to the others.
Sometime later, their divine parents summon the four deities, informing them that the task of slaying CIPACTLI remains incomplete due to the beast's immense power. Consequently, the supreme gods decide to harness their own authority to subjugate the monster, using its body to shape the continents. They command HUITZILOPOCHTLI to perform blood sacrifices to keep the beast asleep so that future humanity may flourish.
As time passes, the new world takes shape, and the gods celebrate the expandability of their pantheon to populate the earth. The supreme creators craft the continents from the beast's corpse, but the creature stirs restlessly. HUITZILOPOCHTLI is dispatched first to initiate sacrifices using the realm's primitive inhabitants: crude giants whose blood keeps CIPACTLI docile.
Following this, since the mortal plane lay shrouded in eternal night, a decision had to be made as to who would become the new Sun to illuminate the world. By this time, a vast number of lesser deities sent by the Creator Parents inhabited the realm. However, the selection of the Sun would not be decided peacefully, owing to the bitter grudge that had taken root between TEZCATLIPOCA and QUETZALCOATL.
TEZCATLIPOCA: I shall be the Sun that illuminates those beasts!
Glares of menacing intensity swept across all the deities assembled there as TEZCATLIPOCA declared himself the Sun. A commotion erupted throughout the hall, with murmurs and chatter rising from every corner.
TEZCATLIPOCA: Does anyone have something to say?!
HUEHUETEOTL: But... brother, do you truly believe you can handle it in your current state?
Two colossal jaguars materialize from TEZCATLIPOCA's shadow as a menacing aura permeates the entire hall.
TEZCATLIPOCA: Do you think I lack the power now?!
Everyone present falls dead silent, cowering before TEZCATLIPOCA's overwhelming divine pressure.
TEZCATLIPOCA: You have nothing to say either, do you... QUETZALCOATL?
QUETZALCOATL merely shakes her head and turns away. Several of her siblings follow after her, pleading with her to stop TEZCATLIPOCA, but she refuses and simply departs.
Sometime later, a throne of the Sun is forged in the heights of TOMOANCHAN, and the new Sun is brought into existence. However, TEZCATLIPOCA's authority begins to wane due to the lingering injuries sustained in his battle with the beast. His domain inherently belongs to darkness and night; consequently, his Sun only fulfills half its divine purpose, leaving the mortal realm shrouded in a dim twilight.
This partial illumination displeases the other deities. Observing this from afar, QUETZALCOATL realizes her brother lacks sufficient power for the mantle and decides to descend into the mortal realm, training in isolation to surpass him.
Years pass. TEZCATLIPOCA basks in his status as the Sun god, relishing the worship of the creatures below despite the meager light he provides. His pride expands immensely.
On a day like any other, as TEZCATLIPOCA sits upon the throne of the Sun, he hears footsteps entering the chamber. Before he can react, a massive war club smashes across his face, sending him soaring through the air, blasting him out of the celestial palace where the throne stood, plunging him down toward the mortal realm below.
As he plummets, he catches a glimpse of his sibling QUETZALCOATL occupying the throne. Utterly stunned by this sudden betrayal, he can only scream her name as he falls helplessly to the earth, crippled by the devastating strike.
Crashing onto the mortal plane, severely wounded, TEZCATLIPOCA drags himself to his feet. Suddenly, a radiant, brilliant light illuminates the entire world. TEZCATLIPOCA gazes around in awe: his sibling, as she was, proved far more capable than he ever was.
Overwhelmed by frustration and tears, he slams his fist into the dirt in sheer powerlessness. When he attempts to contact his siblings to expose QUETZALCOATL's betrayal, none pay him any heed—no one cared what became of him anymore.
Seething with rage, he stands up with a look of utter bewilderment. From his shadows, the two jaguars emerge, urging their master not to give up. Their words snap TEZCATLIPOCA out of his despair. Wiping away his tears, he swears an oath: if he cannot rule, no one will.
Stepping into the darkness, he vanishes beneath the shadows of a vast forest ahead.... CONTINUARA.