Chapter 11.5

Fallen Angel

“I think my age is finally starting to catch up to me,” Dante said while letting out a long and weary sigh. The moment he sat down, all of his strength vanished, and his eyelids became heavy.

“Don’t you think it’s about time you put down your sword and retire, old man?” Bella knelt next Dante and examined his wound. Blood continued to drip from the gash on his lower abdomen. A normal man might’ve gone into shock if they saw such an awful wound inflicted upon them. But Dante, he merely closed his eyes and thought about Bella’s question.

It’s not like he hasn’t thought about retirement before. He even created a plan if he ever decided to do it. He would move out of the city and settle down in a small village where everyone knows everyone. He’ll create a little garden, perhaps even teach the youngsters how to wield a sword. Then he’ll peacefully watch as the village develops and the children grow older until it was time for him to pass on.

“It doesn’t suit me.” Dante chuckle. He grabs his sword and lifts it towards the black sky. It shines brightly despite their being no light to reflect off it. Most warriors claimed that their weapon is an extension of themselves. But for Dante, it literally was a part of him. Both Minos and his sword were born from his conviction. As long as he follows his belief, he’ll always be able to wield this sword. Regardless how old and weak he gets. “I think I’ll be holding onto this sword until the very end.”

“Well, if you don’t take care of yourself, your end will be coming quite soon.” Bella press a rag douse with alcohol on his wound

“Ouch, can’t you be gentler?”

“Think of this as punishment for letting cat ears injured you and not getting your injury treated immediately.” She put a bit more pressure on the wound. Dante tightly gritted his teeth. The bleeding stopped, which eased Bella’s mind. She reaches for her pouch to grab more medical equipment, but a hand sprung out from the darkness and grabbed her arm.

“What?!” Bella tried to free her arm, but her assailant's hand didn’t budge. Left with no choice, she turns around to face her attacker, but she froze once she saw who it was. “Minos?!” She shouted in shock.

Minos loomed over Bella. She expanded her wings, which made her looked far bigger than she actually was. Bella watched as Minos slowly reaches for her sword. Any sudden movement would result in her cut into pieces.

“Stop.” With just one word, Minos froze. She dropped Bella’s arm and backed away from her. “Sorry about that. I haven’t summoned Minos in a long time, I still don’t have proper control of her.

“It’s fine.” Bella looks down at the bruise Minos left on her arm. She clicks her tongue annoyed. She was more upset at herself than at Dante. She trained her senses her so could even detect predators that excel in hiding in the dark. And yet Minos easily manage to get behind her.

“Well, that spirit does belong to the man that fought the Demon King, so I shouldn’t be too hard on myself.” Bella mumble to herself. She glances over at Minos, who was now staring at the stars. “You know, Minos looks much different from the last time I saw her.”

“Is that so?” Dante’s directed his gaze at the ground. He had no idea what emotion was on his face, but he didn’t what to show it to Bella.

“Then again, I was a kid when I last saw her, so maybe I remember her wrong.” Dante rarely shows his spirit to anyone. But that wasn’t anything unusual. Most gifted hide their ability from the public, especially spirit users whose power tends to take the shape of their soul.

“Dante…” Bella reaches for Dante’s hand but quickly stopped herself. Even though she was a child when she last saw Minos, she’ll never forget that moment. It’s something that’ll stick with you for a lifetime. Her wings were white and pure as snow, and her golden halo shine as bright as a star. Back then, Minos was truly the personification of justice and purity, a being that gave birth to hope even in the darkest of times. Now, she looked like a fallen angel that was cast out of heaven and left to rot on earth. It truly pained Bella to see the figure she used to look up to when she was a kid like this. And from the looks of it, it hurt Dante too. As not once during the time he was demonstrating his ability to Catherine he looked at his spirit.

Bella desperately wanted to ask Dante what caused his spirit to change so much, but she knew he probably becomes more distance from her if she asked such a personal question. “I guess even heroes have a secret to hide, huh?” Bella tries to clear the tense atmosphere that was building between them.

“Secrets, huh?” Dante softly mumble. “Yes, everyone has a secret or two. Its almost like it’s a sin to show our true selves to others.” Dante chuckles as he twirls a black feather that fell off Minos’ wings. “People say that there’s nothing more terrifying than the unknown, but I think what people fear the most is themselves and what others will think of them when the secrets they so desperately try to hide is revealed.” Dante lifts his head and finally looked Bella in the eyes. Sadness and fatigue was written all over his face.

“History has shown us time and time again that regardless how far we run or how deep we buried our secrets. Eventually, everything will be unraveled, and I’m no exception. One day Bella, without me ever having to say a word, you’ll find out I’m not the hero you think I am...” With a rueful smile, he drops the black feather and let it soar through the night sky.

“….” Minos continue to stare at the stars. Tears stream down her face as she opens her mouth to speak. Even though she couldn’t talk, she wordlessly finishes what Dante was going to say.

...I’m a monster.