Freedom's daughter

Years ago...

A village near Neverland city...

A small house with a lovely family...

"Mom! Dad! Look what I drew!"

"Dante, did you make another draw? Let us see." 

"Here, here!"

The drawing presents a woman with two white wings; the quality is what you would expect from a young kid.

"Oh! An angel. You really like them, don't you?"

"Yes! They are super kind! They fight those horrible demons and protect us!"

The mom chuckles.

"That's true. Now go to bed, tomorrow morning we have to attend the mass."

"Mmm... Fineee."

-

"...And remember that around the village have been spotted demons, make sure to stay safe at home and to inform the exorcists in case you see one. Now go, you are dismissed."

"Let's go, Dante."

The mother takes her daughter's hand and leads her out of the church.

"Dante, is it a problem if I leave you at home alone for one hour? I have to inform your father about the demons. I need to go to the forest where he works and warn him."

"Is Dad in danger?"

"Your Dad is strong enough to take care of himself, but it's still better if he knows about it."

"Ok... Mom, but... Why do demons eat people?"

"Because they are sinners. Remember what the holy books say? Because of Lucifer, who seeks revenge against God, demons are born to destroy God's greatest creation, humans."

"Why did Lucifer start the war against God, though? God is all-loving. How can you hate someone like him?"

"Lucifer was jealous of God's powers and wanted to ruin him and the other angels."

"But... If God created Lucifer, why did he make him like that? Couldn't he create him to be all-loving as well?"

"God values free will; he would never force anyone to be like he says."

"I think I understand... Thanks, Mom."

-

"Why is Mom taking so long? Maybe she forgot the path to come back? I'm hungry..."

Dante jumps from her bed, walks to the door, and goes out to the village, taking with her a small cross. In her heart, she knows it, no matter what, as long as she has it, nothing wrong will happen to her.

Already knowing where to go, she crossed the village, facing the immense dark forest.

The darkness of the night isn't helping, and her heartbeat accelerates, even so slightly. Yet, she keeps walking, she knows the way, she has crossed it with her mother several times in the past. And with the cross in her pocket, no demon would be able to harm her.

She finally reaches her destination, a small woodcutter's house. It's where her father works; her mom must be here as well.

Knock... Knock...

"Mom! Dad! It's me, Dante! Can I come in, please?"

Knock... Knock...

At the same moment, rain starts to fall.

It doesn't matter how many times the child insists; no one replies.

"I'm coming in then..."

And so the child pushed the door, revealing a horrific show.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

That sound came from a gray-skinned, human-like creature with white hair; from its mouth specifically. Two black horns rise on its head, razor-sharp teeth, and stabbing claws.

"Mom... Dad..."

Below that creature, there were two corpses; at this point, there would be no way to recognize them, yet the child knows, she knows those are her parents.

Dante is paralyzed in fear, and a powerful cry escapes her mouth; she wasn't able to contain her emotions.

The creature's ears twitch and instinctively turn around. Their eyes meet, one expressing nothing, like when you look at food. The others weren't sad; they expressed anger, hate, and desire for revenge.

Grrrrrr....

The creature went on four limps, ready to jump.

Before it could do it, Dante managed to close the door and run away.

Bam!

The door flies away, and the creature sharpens its senses, looking for its next prey.

Dante watches behind a tree. There's no way she's gonna win in a race. The best she can accomplish is staying hidden, hoping for it to go away.

Thump... Thump... Thump...

Dante is trying her best not to make any sound, but there's little she can do to stop her heartbeat, and the creature's ears move in rhythm with it, not getting distracted by the sound of the rain for even a moment.

This is what a demon is capable of. The ultimate predator.

Thump...

The ears twitch one last time.

It accelerates instantly, faster than any human could ever hope to react, reappearing in front of the child, who closes her eyes, ready for her death.

There's just one hope left in her heart; she holds her cross as tightly as she can, almost to the point of breaking it.

The demon dashes forward—

Boom!

The next instant, when the claws were close to the prey's throat, a lightning bolt from the sky kills the demon.

The small child opens her eyes, questioning why she is alive. She looks at the corpse and, after, at the sky.

She doesn't care if the rain is wetting her, nor does she care about the cold.

They say the odds of getting struck by lightning are less than one in a million.

What she experienced tonight was beyond any mortal understanding; a miracle.

She stands to her feet and takes a look at her cross, which saved her life just a moment before.

-

Dante finally returns to the village, and she knows what she needs to do in her life.

She saw the two faces of the world in a matter of minutes. 

Lucifer, whose descendants killed the people she loved the most, and God, who saved her life with a miracle.

There was no doubt in her mind.

Knock... Knock...

The door of the church opens.

"What is a kid doing at this time of the night? Do you need help?" Asked a priest.

"I want to become an exorcist..."

A small tear dwells in her eye.

"What's your name?"

"Dante... And I'll kill every single demon in this world. I swear to God."