By the ti the sun hung low and the sky was painted with soft streaks of orange and gold, the island had quieted.
By this ti, the babies were already worn out, rubbing their sleepy eyes.
Dante had guided them to two more spots: another adow where the wind carried the sweet scent of blossoms, and a cliffside where the sea stretched endlessly before them, shimring like a jewel. Each place had its beauty, and each one left Alina quietly amazed. The babies had played and run until their cheeks were flushed, their energy burning bright like wildfire, and now they were drooping one by one, so clinging to her hands, so leaning against each other, their little feet dragging.
Alina herself felt her legs ache from walking, but her heart was light. She found herself glancing at Dante, who walked at the front with the sa steady stride, not a trace of fatigue on his face. She realized then that he was not the monster she once imagined demons to be. In her mind, demons had always been hideous and rciless, creatures born only to destroy. Yet here was Dante, firm and intimidating, yes, but also deeply knowledgeable, calm, and protective. He had taught babies about their powers, guided their steps, and not once did he show favoritism. Even Lucien, his own son, was treated no differently than the others.
As they made their way back toward the shore, Alina caught herself watching him with new eyes, wondering how much of her human world’s stories about demons had been wrong.
Suddenly, Dante’s crimson eyes flared, his pupils dilating as his aura surged outward with a violent wave. Before Alina or the babies could understand what was happening, he raised a single hand and summoned a blinding surge of light energy. The ground trembled beneath his power, the air itself vibrating as a swirling portal burst open before them, large enough to pull them all inside.
But before he could cast them to safety, a streak of black energy cut across the air like a blade, slamming into the portal and shattering it into nothingness. The glowing arch collapsed instantly, vanishing in a hiss of sparks.
Alina froze, her legs trembling, yet instinct took over as she rushed to gather the children behind her. Her heart thundered painfully in her chest, but she forced her voice to stay steady for them. "Don’t worry... don’t worry. Teacher is here. Stay close to ."
The babies’ wide eyes filled with terror. Even Boo, usually fearless, hid behind her shoulder, his tiny ghostly hands clutching her hair.
From the sky above, a figure descended slowly, his presence dripping with malice. He was strikingly handso at first glance, but his dark eyes glead with sothing vile and ancient, his aura sharp enough to cut through the very air. His tall fra floated just above the ground, black flas curling at his feet like smoke.
"Flix," Dante growled, his voice low and dangerous, vibrating with fury. The ground cracked beneath him as his energy surged. "You dare."
Flix’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his voice smooth and venomous. "Dante. Did you really think I wouldn’t return? Did you think you could hide them from ?" His gaze slid toward Alina and the cluster of babies behind her, his smile widening with cruel satisfaction.
In the blink of an eye, Dante’s hand shot forward, releasing a devastating beam of energy toward Flix. The blast lit the sky in a violent arc, but Flix only laughed, eting it with his own stream of black power. The collision exploded in a roar, shaking the trees and sending waves of heat rushing over the children.
"Stay behind !" Alina cried, shielding them as best as she could, though her legs shook violently beneath her.
Dante snapped his other hand outward, casting a do of protective energy around Alina and the babies. The bubble-like barrier wrapped them in its glow, shielding them from the destructive clash above.
And then, without hesitation, Dante rose into the sky, his shirt snapping in the force of his own aura. His eyes burned like fire, his voice a command that sent shivers down the children’s spines. "Flix!"
The two demons collided mid-air, their powers clashing in a violent storm that turned the once-clear sky into a battlefield of shadow and light. Even the vehicle was half-destroyed by the force.
Down below, Dante’s shadow demons erged instantly, circling Alina and the children, guiding them away from the wreck of the half-destroyed carriage. But as they tried to open a new escape portal, sparks fizzled. The black corruption had already spread through the air, poisoning every attempt.
"Hahahaha!" Flix’s laughter echoed above, cruel and triumphant. "You think your tricks can save them this ti? I ca prepared, Dante!" With a snap of his fingers, dark shapes began spilling from the treeline, an army of demons, their red eyes glowing hungrily as they rushed toward Dante’s shadows.
The babies scread, hiding behind Alina.
Dante turned his head for only a mont, crimson eyes locking on them. His lips moved silently, and though no sound ca through the barrier, Alina understood. Hide them. In the forest.
She nodded firmly, even as her knees wobbled beneath her. "Co on, sweethearts. Quickly. We’re going into the forest."
Sable’s shadows curled tighter around him as he clutched her hand. One by one, she herded them into the trees, glancing back only once to see Dante engulfed in a storm of fire and shadow, holding back Flix with the ferocity of a king.
Lucien’s small voice broke through the tense silence of the forest, his trembling gaze fixed back toward the battlefield where flashes of light and darkness still tore through the sky.
"Dad..." he whispered, his crimson eyes filling with tears.
Alina crouched quickly, cupping his cheeks with both hands and forcing a smile she didn’t quite feel. "Lucien, your dad is powerful," she said firmly, her voice steady though her heart was pounding. "He will handle him. But right now, we need to hide first so your dad doesn’t have to worry about us, alright?"
Lucien blinked, his throat tightening, but he gave the smallest nod. His trust in her words made her chest ache.
"Teacher, I’m tired..." Drake’s chubby voice ca next, his wings drooping as he dragged his feet along the uneven path. His cheeks were flushed from exertion, and his little hand tugged weakly at her sleeve.
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