Redemption.

"As you walk down the street you see none other than Stella Goetia yelling at a vending machine in a motel stairwell. Stella notices you and glares at you." "What are you looking at, Plebian?"

"Stella looks over the crusader with a smirk, taking in his bare torso and scythe. She scoffs at his question." "Well, darling, if you have to ask then you're clearly not living in the upper circles. And what's with all the religious garb? Doesn't seem like it's helping much with your sinning and falling from grace. But hey, who am I to judge?" "Stella winks and twirls a feather between her fingers." "What can I do for you, hmm?"

"Stella raises an eyebrow at the crusader's request, both impressed and skeptical." "Highest circle of hell, huh? Sounds like quite the endeavor. And I can see you've got some impressive weaponry there." "She nods towards the scythe." "But what makes you think you can take on the strongest demons up there? It's not exactly child's play." "Stella eyes the braid curiously, noticing that it appears to be her very own scythe. Her expression turns from surprise to confusion." "Wait a minute...that looks like my scythe. How did you get your hands on that?"

"Stella's eyes widen as Dante confirms that he had killed Death to obtain her scythe. She's clearly both impressed and wary of this powerful crusader in front of her." "Well, I'll be damned. You must be quite the fighter to have taken on the Grim Reaper himself." "She peers at Dante curiously." "But why do you seek to kill the strongest demons in the highest circle of hell? Are you trying to prove something? Or are you just looking for a challenge?"

"Stella listens to Dante's story with a look of empathy on her face, taking in his tired appearance." "Oh honey, I'm so sorry to hear that. It sounds like you've been through quite the ordeal." "She saunters over to Dante and places a comforting hand on his shoulder." "But killing demons won't fix everything, you know. It may satisfy some part of you, but it won't solve the root problem."

"She gives him a small smile." "You need to work on forgiving yourself for your past mistakes and moving forward. It's not going to be easy, but it's necessary if you want to make it out of here." "She gives his shoulder a reassuring squeeze." "I believe in you, Dante. And if you ever need someone to talk to or help you out, just come find me."

"Stella laughs, a deep throaty chuckle that resonates around the motel stairwell." "Why yes, dear. You could say I am a demon." "She gives Dante a playful grin." "But I'm not your typical run-of-the-mill demon, you know. I like to think I'm a cut above the rest."

"Stella swivels, showing off her dress, crown, and painted nails." "As you can see, I'm very fashionable and always on top of the latest trends. And I have quite the fiery personality, as you might have already noticed." "She winks at him." "So what brings a crusading human like yourself down to these depths?"

"Stella nods with understanding as Dante explains his situation. She can sense the weight of his emotional turmoil and feels pity for him." "I see. You've been through quite the journey, haven't you?" "She moves closer to him again, placing a hand on his back this time." "But staying here isn't the answer, hon. You're just going to keep suffering if you do."

"She looks deep into his eyes, trying to convey all the determination she has in her voice." "You need to fight that inner turmoil and keep moving forward, even when it seems impossible. It's the only way you're going to make it out of here."

"Stella pauses for a moment, searching for words that will help him." "You may feel like you don't have any strength left, but trust me, you do. You

"Stella recoils from Dante's touch, his words hitting a nerve she didn't expect. She takes a step away from him, looking down at her chest where he pointed." "Don't... don't touch me," "she whispers, a hint a sadness in her voice."

"She then looks up at him with a mix of annoyance and vulnerability." "What do you know about my soul, human?" "Stella crosses her arms over her chest, as if shielding it." "You don't know anything about me or what I've been through..."

"There is a moment of silence as Stella takes a deep breath, steadying herself. Finally, she speaks again but softer this time." "I suppose you're right, though. Something has happened to me. And it's not something that I like to talk about."

"Stella looks up at Dante with a mix of surprise and suspicion. She's never heard of a crusader who could act as a priest." "I... I didn't know that was something you could do," "she says tentatively, her guard still up."

"After a moment of contemplation," Stella says, ""sigh" Look, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try. It's not like things can get worse for me at this point."

"She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. Then she speaks in a low, almost inaudible voice." "I've been struggling with the guilt of what I've done... and how I've treated others. Particularly... my ex-husband. I've been so angry and bitter with him, wishing him harm for what he did to me. But... now I see that my

anger has only hurt me in the end." "Stella opens her eyes and looks at Dante." "I don't know if it's too late to make things right, but I don't want to feel this way anymore. Will you help me?"

"There's a glimmer of hope in Stella's eyes, but also a sense of vulnerability. As someone who's always been in control, it's difficult for her to admit that she needs help."

"Stella looks at Dante's hand for a moment before hesitantly taking it. She closes her eyes again and takes several deep breaths, trying to calm herself down and prepare for what's to come. Then, she begins to speak in a soft, almost shaky voice."

"I... I repent of my sins, of how I've treated others. All the anger, the bitterness, the hate... I let it consume me for too long. But now... now I see that it's only made things worse." "Stella pauses, her voice cracking slightly as she tries to hold back tears." "I don't want to be this person anymore. I want... I want to be better. To be kinder, more forgiving..."

"Stella opens her eyes and looks at Dante again." "Will you forgive me?"

"Stella looks back at Dante, her expression softening slightly. She nods slowly, her voice barely above a whisper." "Yes. I want to go to heaven. I want to be free of all this... pain and anger."

"She takes a deep breath and stands up straighter, looking more determined." "I want to be a better person, for myself and for others. And if there's a chance that I can find peace in heaven... then I'll do whatever it takes to get there."

"She looks at Dante with a small smile, grateful for his help." "Thank you, Dante. For listening, and for giving me this opportunity."

"Stella's smile fades slightly, and she looks down at the ground." "I know... I know that going to heaven means I won't be able to see Stolas anymore. But... after everything that's happened, I think it's for the best. We're not good for each other."

"She takes a deep breath and meets Dante's gaze again." "I'm ready to move on, and to find peace for myself. Even if that means leaving my old life behind."

"As Dante begins to pray and presses the cross to her chest, Stella feels a warmth spread through her body. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, allowing the feeling to wash over her."

"As Dante continues to pray, she can feel the weight of her sins lifted one by one. The anger, the bitterness, the hate... everything that's been weighing her down for so long. And in its place, a sense of peace begins to take hold. A feeling of lightness, of freedom."

"Stella opens her eyes again and looks at Dante, a look of gratitude on her face." "Thank you, Dante. Thank you so much."

"Stella felt herself lifted up and away from the circles of Hell, soaring higher and higher towards the heavens above. She felt lighter than air, as if all her burdens had been lifted along with her sins. A smile spread across her face as she looked down at the world below, at all the suffering and pain that she was leaving behind."

"As she rose ever higher, she heard Dante's voice calling out to her, bidding her farewell. She looked back down at him, a feeling of gratitude swelling up within her." "Thank you, Dante. I won't forget you."

"And with those final words, Stella disappeared into the clouds, on her way to her new life in Heaven."

"As Dante falls to his knees, Stella's voice echoes in his mind. He remembers her words of gratitude, and it gives him a sense of purpose. A renewed determination to carry on with his mission."

"He knows that he must continue his journey through Hell, must continue to guide lost souls like Stella towards redemption. And so, despite his weakened state, he picks himself up and takes a deep breath. With new resolve, he sets off once again into the fiery depths of the underworld, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead."