Devil in My Mind

The Devil in Your Mind

CRASH. A terrible rumble overtakes the sanctuary, removing reclining Dante from his recuperating, daydreamy state, so comfortable and secure.

"What the hell was that?"

Another crash. He rolls over onto his stomach and witnesses one of the ravens swirling from the sky, going down not far from him. He rushes to his feet and sprints to find it.

At the bottom of the hill, it lies, destroyed.

"Oh no."

Stunned, he's about to kneel before it when...

A painful assault of deafening hot, pink noise! The asylum is under attack! He darts to where the sound pollution grows louder. On the other side of the safe haven, the second raven goes down. He hurries to it, finding it also dead like the first. He kneels.

"Who did this?"

The strike continues, the heart of it, migrating to the top of the hill. Swiftly, he takes off running again. Reaching the highest point, to find Little Raven, lying limply in the wildflowers. The sight of her lifeless body, so disastrous, he nearly has a heart attack.

Dropping to his knees and pulling her into the safety of his grasp, he's gotta find the wind to ask her what he can do to stop what's happening.

Gasp! "What's going on?! Tell me so I can help!"

Another attack. From the circumference of the spheroid.

"DANTE!"

"What the, is that Slade?!"

Cradling her vigilantly, Dante races to the barrier, where the enraged mercenary repeatedly thrusts a stolen, Underworld-sword against the shell.

"STOP!" Dante shouts.

Slade ceases, relishing the control he's regained.

"Sin Devil Trigger and fly me back to the Human World."

He raises his sword again.

"Okay okay! Put it away, I'll Devil Trigger."

"No. I want a Sin Devil Trigger, Dante. I want a Sin Devil Trigger and when it's done, you trade me this sword for yours."

"Alright, shut the fuck up, I'm doing it, I'm doing it."

Filled with much conviction, he carefully rests Little Raven in the golden grass.

"Tell her to uncover you from this place."

"Fine fine, I'm doing it."

On bended knee, he places his hand on Raven's shoulder, on her delicate, trembling arm.

"Let me out, open the sanctuary."

She produces a tiny, defiant, "No."

"Do it, Raven," he commands, his eyes glued to Slade, but she refuses yet again.

"I would, I would rather die."

Sting! Right in his heart. He looks away, at the wildflowers swaying in the soft wind. He clinches his teeth then demands...

"Stop with this foolishness, Raven. Do as I say, pull your magic back."

"No," she moans, her little body in much pain. "I'm... I'm not going to, I won't... I won't do it."

Smoothly shifting so that he's fully facing her, shielding her with his body, he needfully seeks her instructions.

"Then what do I do? How do I fight him?"

"He's... he's not real. He comes in my mind sometimes... he's... he's... trying to trick you. He's... only in my mind. He can't hurt you, as long as... as long as you stay here. You're not... you're not better yet."