In a vast Dessert, Dante was standing once again. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, the cold air of the dessert sent shivers down Dante's spine. He was back.
He looked at the skyscraper, where last time the figure stood. He was determined to meet him. The only thought in his head was to reach the top of the skyscraper.
Like a bullet he shot out, only leaving a trace of green lightning behind him. He crashed through the window of the building and ran to the stairs and headed up.
A cruel sand storm flooded the city. As Dante was a quarter of the way, the sand storm broke through the walls of the building.
Dante was hanging onto his dear life as the storm relentlessly pick him up.
Dante: No! You won't throw me ouuuuut...
The storm picked up Dante and fling him far away from the skyscraper, throwing him out from his inner world once again.
...
Lilith: wake up, Wake Up, WAKE UP!
Before Dante could open his eyes completely, Lilith pile drived into his left eye with her foot.
Dante: Aaaahh! What is your DAMAGE!?
Dante grabbed Lilith and threw her away.
Rubbing his left eye, Dante sat up on his bed.
Still annoyed by the fact that Zangetsu, forced him out once again.
Lilith: Seriously. You must learn, how to treat a lady. You miss treating both me and her.
Dante: First. You are the one, who jumped on my eye.
Second. Both? What do you mean by that?
Lilith was confused for a second there.
Lilith: What!? You don't even know? How do you not know! That's... Wow. No wonder She doesn't want to talk to you.
Dante started to get annoyed but he was genuinely curious.
Dante: And, What exactly I don't know?
Care to explain?
Lilith just put on a mocking smile and giggled.
Lilith: hehehe...and why would I tell that. It would be more fun, if you figured it out your self.
A bulge appeared on Dante's forehead as he reached for his Asauchi. But before he grabbed it, a realization struck him like lightning. He grabbed the blade and lifted to his head.
Dante:( Can it be? I miss gendered it? No, her. And not just that, I was dumb. Even as an Asauchi, this is Zangetsu. Not a tool. I am a fool.)
Dante sat down in a cross legged position with his sword on his lap and started to meditate. He could feel his spiritual energy flow, in his body and the sword. But in the sword was faintly present.
Than it clicked for him. He was not cultivating his Zanpaktou. For any Zanpaktou to emerge, they need to imprint on an Asauchi.
Which started to happen but since Dante was not putting in any time to help in the process, Zangetsu naturally won't answer to him.
Dante: Thank you Lilith. This was insightful. You are not as dumb as you look.
Dante added the last part mockingly.
Lilith: Yes, praise me. When it comes to spirits, I am the ... WHAT DID YOU SAY!
Lilith flew at Dante and started to pelt him with punches. Of course, Dante didn't felt any of that or try to retaliate. He was greatful for Lilith to point out a crucial mistake he made.
But before Dante could start his cultivation, Lilith continued.
Lilith: Oh, by the way. Germalid told me to tell you, that he wants to speak with you.
Dante: The old man? Sure. Where is he?
Lilith: The front of the caravan.
With that Dante, exited the cart and headed to the front. As Dante reached the the front of the caravan, he saw Germalid sitting there having a casual conversation with Vox.
Dante: Morning guys.
Germalid / Vox: Morning.
Dante just sat down between the two and asked.
Dante: So, Lilith told me that you wanted to speak with me.
Germalid: Yes, indeed. We will reache Greenwald about at sunset. We were curious to know, what do you planning once we are there.
Dante thought for while and answered unsurely.
Dante: I don't really know.
Vox chimed in at that.
Vox: How about coming with us. You have nowhere to go really and if you looking for opportunities, we might can help with that.
Germalid continued after Vox finished.
Germalid: Once we are done in Greenwald, we headed to Insornia. You want opportunities? Come with us to the Capital.
Once there I am sure you will finde you're way.
Dante was debating for a second but they were right. He didn't really had any plan. Sticking with them might just be the best move.
Dante: I guess than we headed to the Capital then. You guys will need protection after all.
The trio laughed a good one at that. But it was settled. After they are done in Greenwald with there official business. They would head out to the Capital.
After there little talk, Dante spent the rest of the day going through his training routine but instead of refining his mana, he cultivated his Asauchi to become a proper Zanpaktou.
At sunset the caravan finally arrived at there Destination. The caravan rolled into town with out any issues and reached the Adventurer's guild.
The guild master was devastated when he heard, what happened with the crew that he sent out with Germalid and Vox but what happened, happened.
The duo delivered the resources, what remained and the relic. After receiving the rewards for the mission, they headed to the closest tarven.
As they were eating, Germalid spoke up.
Germalid: Tomorrow, we are going to grab some resources for the road and also You need some some gear Dante.
Dante looked through his clothes and couldn't agree more. Germalid decided to personally look after this issue. Dante described what kind of gear he would favor.
Mostly something light, since his fighting style mainly depends on speed.
After dinner they rested at the guild's guest room. The night passed soundly.
In the morning the trio headed out to do there own things. Germalid was busy making Dante's new gear. Vox was busy with supplies and with there means of transportation. Dante was training hard, mostly focusing on his Asauchi's cultivation.
At noon the trio met for lunch and in the afternoon, Dante finally received his new gear.
It was simple but very practical. His new gear was a black leather, long sleeved jacket and pants along with a chain shirt like T-shirt. The jacket and pants were imbued with protection runes for extra defense. He wore under his jacket, his chest belt with his throwing knifes.
Dante himself spent the rest of the afternoon to improve the rest of his gear.
He upgraded his waist belt, no more throwing daggers but utilities and weapons. On his waist belt was now a holster for his revolver on the right side. Three additional stocks, two on the left side one for his Asauchi and one for his Grimoar, one in the back for his curved dagger.
Along the belt's line were pouches for ammo and other stuff.
He also further improved his revolver. Making it easier to relode, increased the spinning chamber's ammo capacity and most importantly. He modified it into a double barreled version. Increasing it's power and scatter shot skill potential.
Along the fine lines, he also made some smoke powder bombs and black powder bombs. It was cheaper to make, than buy them. Since he "borrowed" some additional materials from the guild.
At the evening, Dante decided to visit some shops. Of course, Vox was with him along the way so that Dante doesn't cause a commotion since he is still a kid and they don't need to much attention.
Dante got him self some money from the bandits and the slavers along his journey and it was time for some long term investments and some temporary ones.
He bought some small HP and MP vials and most importantly. He got him self, with a little bit of bartering help from Vox a small space ring. It still cost a fortune and Dante almost ran out of money but it was worth it.
The ring is capable to contain some items in a magically confined space. Which Dante can excess, any time. He loaded the ring with some extra ores and some essential supplies in case of any kind of situation.
As Dante and Vox along with Lilith were walking, the street was illuminated in a warm light, provided by the crystal lanterns all around. They were enjoying them self's in the night, after all, this was there last night in Greenwald before they continued their long journey.
After some time everyone returned to their respective quarters for a goodnight rest. But for Dante things just would get started.
The moment he closed his eyes and turned to sleep. His consciousness slipped into his inner world once again.
Opening his eyes, he saw the abandoned city swallowed in the sand again.
He got up and set his sight on the large skyscraper once again.
Dante: Here we are once again. This time, it will be different.
Dante started to slowly walk through the city.
The sand storm that usually would strike at this time around, never came.
As he walked, he took in every sight. Every corner, every street, every building were part of his past life. This city was compilation of every place that he once lived or visited. At every corner, at every building he was reminded of his past mistakes. At some places, he even saw ghost figures playing out some scenes from his past life, that indicated some important moments. As Dante saw those scenes, he called out.
Dante: What do you want? Why are you making me rewatch these moments?
Alas, no answer came. The city was quite, only Dante's footsteps can be heard echoing sometimes, since the sand swallowed up
everything.
After wandering around the city, rewatching some of his life altering moments, he reached the epicenter. The giant skyscraper in the heart of the city. As Dante examined the building, he saw his biggest dream which never came true.
Dante: The Tower of Artergo. The most prestigious and richest pharmaceutical company back on earth. Even as a cleaner, you would live like a king from the pay you get there.
Dante had a chance once. Through one of his contacts, he almost got in but got refused because of his poor background. A dream that once was so close to grasp, slipped away with a stupid decision he made in the past, which landed him in prison for 2 months. Forever marked, the company refused his resume.
Dante: Now, I get to the top.
Dante walked into the building and headed to the elevator. He pressed the button and the door opened. He got in and elevator took him to the top. As the door opened, he saw a staircase leading up to a door.
He got out and started to walk up the stairs.
Every step that he took, increasingly became heavier and heavier. His past mistakes and regrets were weighing down on his back but he managed to reach the door.
He gone through the door. He reached the top. As he walked out into the open, his eyes got fixated on the very person's back that he searched for. She was standing at the edge of the building, watching over the very city below.
She was wearing a white long cloak-like garment with black fur at the ends of her cloak, in the middle of the garment was black Quincy symbol, the symbol for destruction, around the symbol was a pattern of a dragon which circled around eating his own tail.
She was tall and curvy with long white hair and she had the distinctive black horned mask piece on her left side of the head.
Silence was stretching between the two.
After some time, Dante was the first to speak.
Dante: You made me go through a hell of a trip, down on memory lane. Mind telling me why? Zangetsu.
Zangetsu turned her gaze from the city towards Dante. A pair of blue and white eyes focused on the very person before her.
Zangetsu: So, you have reached the top. It was...a necessity for you to relieve, some of your greatest failures and mistakes in life. To move past them. You were living by your past rules and those were holding you back greatly. Haven't you noticed the heavy feeling pressing down on your back?
Dante was taken back. She was right. He always tried to do everything by himself, ever since his second chance. He was always alone but now, not anymore.
Zangetsu: Standing here now means, that you somewhat moved on and ready to take the next steps.
Question is, are you willing to take them?
A heavy aura descended upon the building. It was so concentrated and powerful that it was visible to the naked eye. Dante has fallen to his knees, barely holding him self up. His soul body was alright but his spirit was about to be crushed.
Zangetsu: What's the matter? To difficult for you? If you can't take a step to change, than leave. This place will be nothing more than your greatest regret and I will be your reminder, Why you failed.
The pressure increased , forcing down Dante on all fours than down to the floor. As he was being pressured, his eyes darted around for any kind of clues, how to get out of this but alas nothing.
He was helpless, his eyes met her's. Then he broke, before his consciousness faded he raised his hand towards Zangetsu and desperately called out.
Dante: Please, help!
His consciousness faded and the pressure disappeared, his hand fallen but before it could hit the ground Zangetsu caught it.
She pulled Dante's unconscious body into her embrace with the utmost care as she caressed his head.
Zangetsu: Good. It's okay for to ask help. You are not alone anymore. I'm here.
Zangetsu looked over the city and in years for the first time, the clouds that were casting there shade over the city, now started to disappear. The change was evident. Dante's mistakes were hunting him since his past life.
He never were truly free from them, not even now. But with this first step, everything bound to change.
Zangetsu: I know, you can here, me so listen carefully and remember what I am about to say. Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate. And when you ready. Call out my Name.
To be continued...