Dante observed the werewolves around him, laughing and having a good time.
He knew that, little by little, he was winning not only their trust but also their respect.
Siren, on the other hand, did not seem to share the same excitement. Her eyes shone with a mix of irritation and concern.
Damn it... he's capturing them little by little, she thought, watching how her former subordinates easily ceded to a Demon King who had appeared literally out of nowhere.
"You have a peculiar way of forming alliances, Dante," she commented, slightly irritated, crossing her arms and leaning against one of the stone walls of the cave. The echo of her words seemed to resonate in the darkness around them, blending with the distant sound of water dripping from the stalactites.
"Alliances? Who said I'm forming alliances?" Dante replied, the mischief in his smile unmistakable. "I'm just... getting to know my future subordinates better."
Siren rolled her eyes. "Subordinates? Do you really think you can control them so easily? Werewolves don't bow to just anyone, even if they have strength."
"Ah, Siren... It's not just about strength," Dante began walking in circles around her, his red eyes gleaming in the dim light of the cave. "It's about presence, leadership... charisma." He chuckled softly, as if the very idea of resistance amused him. "They're already starting to see me as something more."
Siren stared at him, not breaking eye contact, but the discomfort was evident. "Don't underestimate the enemy. He won't let this slide, and your wolves are no joke."
Dante smiled, leaning dangerously close to her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm not underestimating anyone. I'm just anticipating the game. And if Alexander Sucellus is as powerful as you say... I hope he truly shows me, because all I've seen is a Weak King... controlled by an unknown Woman...
like a true little puppy."
"Then," Dante started, but he paused for a moment, raising his penetrating gaze and smirking. He knew Siren wasn't the type to be easily impressed, and maybe that was what made her all the more intriguing to him. There was a constant tension between them since they first met, one that Dante had always known how to manipulate or hide, but with her... it was different.
"Are you worried about me, Siren?" he asked, his voice low and teasing as he took another step closer to her.
He finally wanted to set his second plan into motion in this invasion.
She raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain her usual impenetrable demeanor. "Worried? Why would I worry about you? I think you're overestimating something, or creating something in your head."
He laughed, a soft chuckle filled with unshakable confidence. "I never overestimate anything, especially when it comes to you." He moved even closer, the distance between them now reduced to mere centimeters. His red eyes gleamed in the dimness of the cave, reflecting the flickering lights around them. "You know that your facade of indifference only makes me want to try harder, right?"
Siren didn't back down, but her lips pressed into a thin line. "Don't be mistaken, Dante. I'm not like your other... conquests."
He tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words, but the smile never left his lips. "Oh, I know. That's what makes it all so... exciting." His hand moved to gently caress a loose strand of Siren's hair, sliding his fingers with calculated slowness. "You like to pretend that you're above all this, but I see it in your eyes."
Siren grabbed his wrist before he could go any further, her eyes flashing with a mix of irritation and something else she tried to hide. "You're playing with fire, Dante."
She launched herself to the side, dodging an attack and then aiming a quick, controlled strike at a werewolf's stomach. The impact made him stagger, but he didn't fall. Instead, he glared at her with rage, growling. Seizing the moment, she jumped and delivered a kick to his face.
The werewolf fell backward, and she landed in a fighting stance, her heart racing and adrenaline coursing through her veins.
"That's it, girl!" Dante shouted, clearly impressed. His confidence encouraged her even more.
More werewolves advanced, but now, with Dante by her side, she felt less alone. They fought together, as if they were part of a whole, anticipating each other's movements with near-perfect synchronicity. While Dante dodged, she attacked; when she evaded, Dante struck their enemies with pinpoint accuracy.
The battle unfolded like an intense dance, and Siren began to feel more and more in control. With each werewolf that fell, she felt the strength within her grow. No, this wasn't just a fight; it was an affirmation of who she was.
"Dante, to your left!" she shouted, pointing at a werewolf sneaking up on him. He smiled and immediately turned, a quick, precise punch sending the werewolf flying.
"It's like we're in a choreography!" Dante joked, spinning nimbly to avoid another attack. "Only this dance is way more fun!"
The werewolves, now at a disadvantage, began to scatter, realizing they had no chance against the two of them together. However, Siren was determined not to let them escape.
With a decisive movement, she lunged forward, targeting a werewolf trying to flee. With a well-placed kick, she knocked him down before he could get away.
"We're just getting started!" Dante yelled, stepping forward. He was in top form, his energy vibrant and contagious.
The leader of the werewolves, now clearly frustrated, tried to rally his subordinates for a final attack. "Fall back! Don't let them defeat us!" he growled, but his voice was filled with fear.
"Darling, you're in trouble," Dante replied, his expression playful. He moved forward, looking more like a predator than a fighter. "Let's finish this."
Dante leaped at the leader, his claws flying with precision. The werewolf braced himself to defend, but Dante was faster. He dodged a strike and, with a fluid motion, disarmed the werewolf before delivering a punch to his gut.
The werewolf doubled over, pain spreading through his body. Dante didn't stop; he was in a frenzy, his energy vibrant as he moved among the werewolves like a shadow, each attack a controlled dance. He wasn't killing; he was incapacitating with precise blows that made the opponents stumble but were never fatal.
"This is what I call a fun battle!" he exclaimed, a glint in his eyes. "Did you really think you could beat me? What a joke!"
The werewolves began to retreat, realizing they were losing the fight. They exchanged glances, hesitating, as Siren and Dante continued to advance, the number of foes rapidly diminishing.
One desperate werewolf decided to attempt a surprise attack. He leaped behind Dante, claws bared. Siren quickly turned, ready to act, but Dante seemed to have already sensed the enemy's presence. With an agile movement, he spun around and delivered an open-handed strike, hitting the werewolf in the chest.
"Sorry, buddy, but you can't surprise me like that," he said with an arrogant smile as the werewolf fell to his knees, powerless to continue the fight.
Siren felt a wave of emotion as she watched Dante in action.
"She doesn't even realize, fufufu. I've exceeded my expectations... I've matched her entire strength with the demonic runes... this entire place is on equal footing, and she doesn't even notice," he thought as he looked at the Omega in his hand. "Fufufu."