Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Rise and Fall of Men ❯ Part One ( Chapter 2 )

Part One

 

Dante awoke and sat up, rubbing his eyes. He ran that dream over and over in his head…. What did it mean? His lord was already dead, the meant the dream could be a prediction. He dressed, grabbed his wooden branch and left his tent. He was greeted by at least fifty people, all screaming his name. A path opened in them, leading him inevitably to the arena. Just as in his dream he followed them to a circle that was drawn in the dirt; on the other side of it stood Damien, smiling.

The fight went as predicted, it was all so exact. Dante fought as his instinct made him. Every step was the exact step he made in the dream. Dante dreaded that demonic voice coming back. He dreaded losing, but he did. His branch was thrown from his hands because of that “V” as in his dream. Dante stepped back as the crowd cheered “Damien” Dante turned to leave, but had to glace back. He saw Damien in the back armor. “Dear Dante…” The voice wasn't demonic. Dante blinked and Damien was in his grey tunic, branch in hand. He no longer had the wings. Damien walked over to Dante and said “a war can not be decided by martial might, but by strategy. And you, my friend are one of the best! I want you to be my personal advisor.” Dante bowed to him and replied “Thank you, M'Lord… It will be a pleasure to work with you. If you do not mind I shall retire.” Damien nodded to him and returned to his people, many spurting out things they see wrong with the way things have been run. Dante returned his tent.

A slave awaited Dante in his tent. She frowned and said “I'm sorry… I heard what happened… Please, M'Lord let me help you.” Dante smiled at her and said “Anya, your presence helps me more then you know.” She heard her name called from across the camp. Anya Sprang up and gave Dante a light kiss before running out. Dante laid down and closed his eyes.

 

Dante was in a meeting. He and Damien were sitting across from an emissary of the emperor. The emissary said “Please, Mr. Inferno, if your troops withdraw now we will grant your men estates three times what they have now and we shall grant you an estate inside of the capitol kingdom and the title of lord. Think about it, Mr. Inferno. Your army can not hope to win.” Dante was about to speak when the demonic voice returned “Wars are not won with force, pawn of the empire. I have won many wars without so much as touching my enemy.” The emissary argued “If you fight we will kill every last one of your men!” The voice just laughed and replied “To win a war you do not have to kill. All you have to do is completely destroy your enemy. Not their men, but their spirits: Then you have won. Men can be recruited and armies, resurrected, but the sprit, once broken, can not be mended. Fear can not be eliminated.” The emissary seamed to growl. He stood up so fast the chair he was sitting on was flung to the floor. He just declared “You will all suffer and die!” then left. Dante looked at Damien: He saw him clad in black armor, wings coming from his back. The smile he gave Dante revealed a set of long fangs.