After a long journey, Nahid and Dante approached the entrance to the city's sewers. Nahid's face was serious, his eyes focused. Dante, as always, carried himself more casually. Just as they were about to reach the entrance, someone appeared before them.
It was Kagehana.
Stepping slowly out of the shadows, his hands gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. His expression was complex—both determined and marked by inner conflict. Kagehana fixed his gaze on Nahid.
For him, this was a moment of reckoning. In their last battle, Nahid had shown him mercy and spared his life. But now, Kagehana was facing the order given by the vizier: kill Nahid. The darkness within him clashed with a sense of debt and honor.
Nahid stopped in front of him and looked carefully. "Why are you standing in my way, Kagehana?" he asked in a calm but cautious tone.
Kagehana took a deep breath. He had finally resolved his inner struggle. "I came to help you," he said firmly.
Nahid's eyes widened in surprise. This was not the answer he expected. "Help me how?" he asked.
Kagehana lowered his head slightly as he continued. "The vizier sent me to kill you. But I won't do it," he said.
Dante broke the tension with a joke: "So instead of killing, you decided to make friends. Interesting career change!"
Kagehana turned to Dante and replied coldly, "This war isn't for someone like you. You'd be killed here."
Dante smiled as if unaffected. "Me? Killed? At least I'd be proud to be ahead of Nahid in line."
Nahid signaled Dante to be quiet with his eyes. This was too serious for jokes. Then he turned back to Kagehana, weighing whether to trust him. "Alright," he said finally. "How will you help us?"
Kagehana took a deep breath and explained his plan: "I will help you kill the vizier and bring Nihad back to his senses. But it won't be easy. The city is under strict control and protected by a magical barrier."
Nahid thought for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. But remember—if you betray us once, you won't get a second chance."
Kagehana bowed his head. "I promise. This time, I'll do what's right."
The three of them began moving through the sewers toward the city. As Nahid organized his thoughts, Dante once again tried to lighten the mood: "Walking through sewers doesn't really suit heroic stories, but this adventure definitely has a memorable smell."
Kagehana didn't respond this time. He simply looked ahead and continued walking behind Nahid. A great battle awaited them—one that would push everyone to their limits.
Meanwhile, Nicat and his demon made a sudden entrance into Nahid's temple through a dark portal. The silence of the temple was instantly shattered by chaos and panic. Nahid's allies were horrified to see Nicat standing before them. It was impossible—they believed him to be dead.
Before anyone could react, Nicat and the demon began their slaughter. Cold and merciless, Nicat killed healers, students, and Nahid's loyal companions one by one. His movements were swift and lethal, leaving no chance for escape. The demon aided him, destroying everything with terrifying power.
Soon, only a few people remained.
Nicat noticed someone trembling in a corner, trying to hide. He grabbed the man and threw him to the ground, his eyes burning with fury. "Tell me where the magical book is!" Nicat shouted. "I'll spare your life."
The man, shaking with fear, pointed toward the hidden room. Nicat considered his words for a moment—then killed him anyway. Silence fell over the temple, now drenched in blood.
"Bring me the book," Nicat ordered.
The demon retrieved it. Nicat flipped through its pages quickly, then handed it back. "You'll keep this," he said. "Now it's time for the palace. I'll go alone."
The demon bowed. Nicat left the temple behind in ruins and returned to hell, already setting his next plan into motion.
Meanwhile, Nahid, Dante, and Kagehana had entered the city through the sewers. When they reached the palace gates, guards blocked their path.
"You cannot pass! Entry to the palace is forbidden!" one of them shouted.
Dante smirked. "Alright, alright. We weren't planning to enter like guests anyway. Should we set up a tent at the gate instead?"
This only angered the guards. One of them stormed toward Dante. "Who do you think you are?!" he yelled.
At that moment, Kagehana stepped forward silently and drew his lightning-infused sword. Blue electricity crackled through the air.
"Step back," he said coldly.
The guards hesitated, then retreated under the pressure of his presence. "…Fine. Go," their leader muttered.
The trio moved quickly into the palace. Inside, they encountered the vizier. Upon seeing Kagehana, the vizier erupted in fury.
"You!" he shouted. "You'll pay for betraying me!"
Kagehana turned to Nahid and Dante. "Go on. Head to the throne room. I'll catch up."
Nahid nodded and continued forward with Dante.
As they walked, Dante muttered, "So Kagehana's playing hero now, huh? Nice division of labor. We get to deal with the king."
Nahid raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing.
Suddenly, a portal opened in front of them. Nahid instinctively pulled Dante back. From the portal stepped someone he thought he would never see again.
Nicat.
"I thought I killed you…" Nahid murmured.
"You thought you did," Nicat replied calmly. "But I'm still here."
"What are you doing here?" Nahid asked.
Nicat smirked. "I came for something… and you won't have much time to find out what."
Nahid slowly reached for his Flame God Sword—but Dante stepped forward and stopped him.
"Hey, not now. Go to the throne room. Reach your brother. Leave this to me."
"This is my fight," Nahid said firmly.
Dante shrugged with a grin. "Yeah, I know. But sometimes small guys do big things. Now go."
Seeing Dante's determination, Nahid reluctantly agreed. "This isn't over," he said to Nicat before running toward the throne room.
Nicat watched him leave, then turned to Dante. "A brave choice… but a foolish one. You'll die here."
Dante laughed. "Foolish? Maybe. But better than a boring death. And someone had to stop your nonsense."
Nicat's expression darkened. "Your words won't save you."
Dark energy filled the air.
Dante raised his hand, activating a protective barrier with his magic. "Alright, big guy. Show me what you've got. But first—you'll have to get through this."
Nicat lifted his weapon with a cold smile. "Then I'll make you regret it."
And the battle began.