"Ful...fin Kendov Orin ronaaz ahst laat?" (So...the warrior finally awakens at last?) a large dark figure announced in a chuckling tone. "Ivy..." the figure turned to the woman who knelt after hearing her name "Ronit Gaia ahrk Siegfried ahst ont, fin Kendov fen kos aan deyto rul rok dukaan un pindaar enook " ("Retrieve Gaia and Siegfried at once, the warrior will only be a problem if he discovers our plans early") it ordered, and watched as Ivy stood and bowed.
"Ol hi hind dii thur" (as you wish my lord") she replied and quickly faded as she walked into the darkness.
* * * * * *
Gaia quickly stood up and stared at Dante's broken cuffs on his wrists, and soon realized the mark on his upper chest under the stains of blood. "Who…who are you?" she asked glancing at her sword next to the boy.
"My name's Dante Sumner" he replied in a cold tone lifting the massive blade without any effort "Not really my style, but it will have to do" he said pointing it at Gaia, who was clenching her teeth in anger and was ready charge him.
"There's no point in fighting Gaia..." a man’s voice echoed around the room and soon a tall man in a black cloak appeared behind the woman "unless you want to throw your life away". He chuckled under his breath.
"I thought I told you and Ivy not interfere, Siegfried" Gaia snapped at the man.
"Well it just so happens that the master ordered our return immediately...besides there's no point in fighting a battle you'll lose" he snarked "I'm sure you're aware of the mark he holds on his chest” Gaia stared at Dante for a few seconds before growling under her breath with anger.
"Fine!" she pouted walking past the man
"That a girl" he laughed opening a shadow portal with a snap of his fingers and looked back at Dante "please forgive for the intrusion...but I’m sure by far this will be the last time we see each other" he said before disappearing with the portal behind him.
Dante let out a low sigh of relief "so do that mean I get to keep this then?" he asked no one in particular raising the blade for inspection and stabbing it on the floor. Briefly Dante turned toward Shining who was still in his stance of combat "Oh come on..." Dante sighed in grief "I just stopped your wife from becoming a widow the least you could do is thank me or at least put your butter knife away."
Before Shining could reply Celestias weaken voice put the man at ease "It's alright..." she spoke trying to stand ignoring the cuts on her body that caused her pain.”I...I trust him" she assured Shining making him dismantle the dome "I'm...glad you're alright" she said nearly collapsing from exhaustion but was quickly caught by Dante's arms.
"You should really worry about yourself" he chuckled "come on, I'll take you to the infirmary" he said placing his arm beneath her legs and picked her up, like a princess would be lifted in a fairy tale, causing Celestia to blush. "crap....their touching me...!" Dante thought to himself as his face began to become red and he forced his eyes not to look at her woman hood and ordered his legs to walk out the open doors leaving behind a confused crowed.
As Dante’s chains echoed around the bloody hallways he noticed Celestia’s expression of sadness on her face as they walked in silence. "They fought bravely.." he commented trying to lighten up the mood "...I don't know many men who would stick around and fight a battle where they were outnumbered..." he began to walk fast hoping she wouldn't break down in his arms "...where I come from...it's every man for himself...not really caring about others just yourself..." he looked back at Celestia, who was staring at him with sadden eyes, "Um…well...what I mean is-"
"Thank you..." she whispered placing her head on his bare chest. As they walked into one of the rooms Dante gently laid Celestia on the bed and began looking around until he found a drawer full of bandages.
"Let me see your hand..." he said unwrapping a bandage roll. Taking Celestia's right hand, he began to place the bandage around her wrist and up to her elbow where most of the cuts were deeper and began doing the same to the left.
"You really don't have to..."
"You healed me remember...Even though I can't do that magic stuff the least I could do is patch you up until your wounds heal" he interrupted, finishing her left arm. "How does that feel?"
Celestia carefully began to move her arm she realized that most of the pain was relieved "much better thank you" she answered with a smile. "Are you a doctor where you come from?" she asked.
Dante looked at her with a smile "me a doctor?" he chuckled "Na...I just learned by experience, it was learning or dying,"
"Twilight explained to me about the denominational portal" she explained "she told me everything right after a maid interrupted a meeting with the magic counsel telling us that you were defending her from my nephews guards..." with a nervous chuckle Dante expected her to assign some sort of punishment but instead her noticed the grin on her face. "...I have to say I'm quite impressed actually, not only did you take out ten well trained guards signal handedly, but you managed to survive taking on my sister with her celestial weapon equipped...there aren't many men that have fought with her and lived to tell the tale..." soon her smile slowly faded. “Then again...there aren't many men that poses the power that you hold..."
Dante looked back at her in confusion "What do you mean?" he asked "does it have to do with this mark?” Before Celestia could answer a soft knock can from the wooden door and in walked Luna followed by Twilight wearing his black jacket, Spike, and six other girls that he didn't recognize.
"Tia!" Luna cried rushing to her sister's side "Are you alright?" she hugged Celestia with all her might.
"Yes Luna I'm alright, if it wasn't for Dante defeating Gaia, I wouldn't be here right now" she replied brushing Luna's navy blue hair.
"How about you are you okay?" Twilight asked causing Dante to turn her direction.
Dante let out a slight chuckle as he noticed her wearing his jacket "I've been through worse...thanks for keeping my jacket safe" he laughed causing Twilight to turn bright red.
"I...I'm sorry I just-"
"No, it’s okay it is a bit cold here, wouldn't want you getting a cold or something." He cut her off with a smile. Before Twilight could answer soft "ahem " came from the blond girl with a brown cowboy hat behind Twilight.
"Oh right, sorry..." Twilight apologize "Dante these are my friends"
"Howdy partner name's AppleJack" the bond girl said tipping her at in greeting.
"My name's Rainbow dash!" A short slender girl with blue wings and short Rainbow colored hair tide up making a small pony tail "The fastest flier in all of Equestria" she announced showing off her wings
"HI!" shouted one girl with a hyperactive tone "My name is Pinkie Pie!" she jumped up and down with joy causing her hot pink hair to do the same, quickly she pulled the girl next to her, "And this is Fluttershy" she said forcing the girl to stand in front of Dante and began to mumble under her breath.
"...Um....h....h...hello..." she squeaked quickly hiding behind Pinkie.
"This is Rarity" called out Spike presenting a girl with long beautiful dark blue hair that matched her eyes.
"A pleasure to meet you" she said in a polite tone.
"And this is Starlight Glimmer" said Twilight introducing a girl with long dark violet hair with a light blue highlight. "She's my apprentice"
"Nice to meet you" greeted Starlight shacking Dante's hand politely.
"Same here" said Dante with a smile. It wasn't long after that Celestia stood up from the infirmary bed.
"Well now that we are all gathered here." she spoke in a serious tone "There are a few things...Dante needs to know, and I’m sure the rest of you are curious as well." everyone nodded in silence. "The mark must be one of the eight Deities, warriors that once protected Equestria. These warriors fought alongside our parents many centuries age for you see they were Deities as well" she explained "Our father was the king of the night and our mother was the Queen of the sun. It was not until the union war where all nations became one in order to defeat Shinra, a demonic beast that's only desire is to kill and enslave, once our parents defeated the beast, they mysteriously disappeared without a trace." her voice struggled to stay firm "long story short, the mark can represent one of the eight, it's only a matter of time before we find out what mark you inherited."
"That will not be necessary, your highness..." called out an elder man in a red robe holding an old ruined book in his hands.” Please, your highness, there's something I must speak to you and your sister alone..."