Gatsu and Cherri

Go ahead, kill yourself

Guts and Cherri take their seats amongst the other demons, both feeling something off about the whole situation. The atmosphere in the concert hall is wild and chaotic, with demons dancing and shouting all around them.

As the music gets louder and the lights get brighter, Guts can feel his anxiety building. He's always been more comfortable in the quiet of the battlefield than in the chaos of a crowded concert hall.

Cherri, on the other hand, is practically bouncing in her seat with excitement. But even she can sense that there's something strange going on in this place.

"What do you think?" she asks Guts, her eyes flicking back and forth across the crowd. "Do you think we're walking into a trap?"

Guts grunts, his jaw tightening. "Maybe," he says, scanning the room for any signs of danger. "But

Guts and Cherri watch the performance, mesmerized by the flashy lights and pounding music. The crowd around them is a sea of moving bodies, dancing and singing along to the beat.

But as the song reaches its climax, Guts feels a chill run down his spine. He turns to look over his shoulder, sensing that someone is watching him. His eyes dart around the room, searching for the source of his unease.

Cherri follows his gaze, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What is it?" she whispered, craning her neck to get a better view of the crowd.

But just as suddenly as it had come, the feeling disappears. Guts shakes his head, trying to clear it, but he can't shake off.

As the concert reaches its conclusion and the crowd begins to disperse, Guts leans over to Cherri.

"I want to go backstage," he says gruffly. "Meet with Glitz and Glam. Something doesn't feel right here."

Cherri raises an eyebrow. "You think the stars of the show might know what's really going on?"

Guts just gives her a grim look in response. Cherri smirks.

"Well, it won't be the first time I've crashed a VIP party. Lead the way, tough guy."

The two slip out of the main hall and begin navigating the backstage corridors. Guts sticks close to the walls, weapon at the ready, his senses on high alert. Cherri follows casually behind, ready for anything.

As Guts and Cherri creep further backstage, hoping to catch the Glam Sisters alone, they turn a corner and freeze.

There, in a dimly lit dressing room, are the twins - but they are not alone. Standing between them is the unmistakable figure of Mammon, the Sin of Greed. A bag of glowing green dollar signs sits at his feet.

"Pleasure doing business with ya, toots," Mammon says with a grin. The sisters smile broadly back at him.

Guts and Cherri exchange a dark look. It seems their suspicions were correct - there is more going on here than meets the eye.

Guts gestures silently at Mammon, a silent question in his eyes. Cherri nods firmly. They step back further into the shadows to observe for now.

Guts and Cherri watch carefully from the shadows as Mammon speaks to the Glam Sisters in hushed, greedy tones.

"So the crowds just keep comin', like moths to a flame, eh dolls?" Mammon laughs. "And every time they come back for more, that's more green in my pocket."

The sisters nod eagerly. "Of course, Mr. Mammon. We just keep doing what we do best - dazzle 'em with lights and music!"

"And leaving them open for...suggestions," Mammon says with a sly smile.

Slowly, his true purpose here becomes clear. Under the guise of entertainment, he's manipulating the masses of Hell for easy financial gain. And the Glam Sisters are all too willing to aid in his schemes.

Guts

growls low in his throat. His gaze flicks around the dressing room, looking for a way to intervene without tipping off Mammon or his demons of security. Cherri watches him carefully, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

They wait for the right moment to strike, biding their time until they can rescue innocent souls from this web of deception and greed.

As Guts and Cherri continue to observe, a sudden flash of pain erupts from Guts' neck. He reaches up to touch his Brand, and is not surprised to find it bleeding.

"Damn it," he mutters, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger. And then he sees it - a subtle change in Mammon's expression, a flicker of something inhuman in his gaze.

"He's an Apostle," Guts whispers urgently to Cherri. "And he's onto us. Get ready to strike."

Cherri nods, gripping her blades tightly. Together, they step out of the shadows and confront Mammon. It's going to be a fight to the death.

Mammon turns as Guts and Cherri step forward, a sneer plastered on his face.

"Well, well, well. What have we here?" he says, his voice dripping with disdain. "A couple of trespassers. I don't take kindly to people snooping around in my business."

Guts just grunts in response, his eyes locked onto Mammon. Cherri stands beside him, her blades at the ready, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Mammon chuckles. "You two must be feeling awfully brave, coming in here uninvited. But let me tell you something - you don't know who you're messing with."

He takes a step forward, his body beginning to writhe with dark energy. "I am Mammon, the Sin of Greed. And you will regret this foolishness until

Just before Mammon can finish his threat, Cherri doesn't hesitate. With a swift motion, she pulls her bullet from the holster and fires at the approaching demon.

Plumes of green smoke bloom around Mammon as the bullets find their mark, finally hitting the shoulder and ankle. He howls in pain, the sound guttural and bestial, and lunges towards Guts and Cherri. His eyes are filled with rage, his once-human days a distant memory.

Guts grits his teeth. The last thing they need is some apostle to alert Damnation that they've been poked and prodded. "Let's end this now." With undefinable strength he punches straight ahead. Who cares if he plays into Mammon's hands?

Mammon raises his claw, aiming to crush both Guts and Cherri beneath its weight. For a moment, it seems like there's no way out - they are doomed to fall in this battle against one of Hell's most dangerous sins.

But Guts isn't one to give up so easily. With a roar of rage, he grabs Cherri and throws her towards Mammon's midsection. While the demon is distracted, he takes the opportunity to aim a fierce strike at his legs.

Although the attack succeeds in knocking Mammon off balance, it also leaves Guts vulnerable to another blow. Before he can react, Mammon's claws come down with a deafening crash, ready to finish the job.

Guts grits his teeth and braces himself for impact - but suddenly a bright light flashes through the air. Cherri has aimed her blade

Cherri has aimed her blade perfectly, and it slices through the air towards Mammon's neck. But at this moment, she remembers that she has a weapon more powerful than a blade.

With a swift motion, Cherri throws a bomb towards Mammon, and it explodes in a shower of flames and smoke. The demon howls in agony as fire consumes him, his form twisting and withering beneath the intensity of the flames.

Guts watches in grim satisfaction as Mammon falls to the ground, consumed by the very sin he embodied. For a moment, there is silence - and then a low rumble echoes through the room.

It sounds like a warning - as though they were being told to leave before it was too late. Guts nods to Cherri, and they retreat into the shadows once more, ready to face the next challenge that Hell

As Guts and Cherri retreat into the shadows, they hear a sound coming from the spot where Mammon had fallen. It's a low growl, and it's growing louder by the second.

Suddenly, the shadows around Mammon start to wriggle and twist. And then he emerges - not the demon disguise they had seen before, but a monstrous apostle, twisted and distorted beyond recognition.

Cherri gasps in fear at the sight, but Guts doesn't so much as flinch. He's faced apostles before, and he knows how to take them down.

"Stay back," he warns Cherri, his eyes locked onto the beast that was once Mammon. "This is my fight."

He draws his sword and charges forward, ready to take on the monster. The apostle roars in response, swinging

Guts charges forward with the Dragonslayer gripped tightly in his hands. The apostle charges towards him too, its mind warped with madness and corrupted power. They collide with a sickening crash, blades flashing through the air as the two combatants duel.

But Guts is not hesitant this time. He swings the Dragonslayer with incredible force and precision, aiming with deadly intent for the apostle's neck. The blade slices through the air, and Mammon's apostle form is unable to dodge or counter the attack.

The Dragonslayer slices into Mammon's neck, splitting it from the rest of his body. Blood and gore spew out from the severed head, which then rolls away from the body. Guts twists the Dragonslayer in the wound, making sure the apostle is dead and won't come back again.

With the battle finally

Amidst the aftermath of the intense battle between Guts and Mammon's apostle form, the Glam Sisters' piercing screams fill the air. The sound echoes through the hall, mingling with the smoke and blood that enveloped the room.

Guts and Cherri turn to face the sisters, their own weapons at the ready in case they try to intervene. For a moment, it's unclear what the Glam Sisters will do - but then they seem to come to a decision.

With one final shriek, the sisters turn and flee down the hallway, their eyes wide with terror. Clearly, the sight of what had just happened was too much for them to handle.

Guts watches them go, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. Something didn't quite feel right about the way they had reacted. But he knows better than to ponder it for too long.

Guts walks towards the exit, his eyes fixed on the door. He seems deep in thought and doesn't immediately respond to Cherri's question.

But then, as they reach the door, he finally speaks. "That was an apostle," he says, his voice grave. "They're beings born from the twisted desires of humans who have sacrificed everything to become demons. There are only a few of them around, but they're some of the most dangerous creatures in this world."

He pauses for a moment before continuing, his tone softer now. "I know it might be hard for you to understand, Cherri. But trust me when I say you're better off not having seen something like that before."

With that, the two exit the room and step out into the darkened hallways of Hell once more. They don't speak for a while

Guts starts making his way down the hallway, gesturing for Cherri to follow. Without looking back, he finishes addressing her earlier question:

"The creature we faced was a twisted, corrupted form - no longer truly human, demon, or anything else. It was a beast borne of man's vilest sins. Make no mistake, we demons may dwell in Hell...but some things even we do not understand. Consider yourself lucky, Cherri - ignorance can be bliss, when it comes to the darkness in men's hearts."

With that cryptic remark, Guts falls silent and presses onward through the shadowy corridors of the infernal realm. Cherri hurries to keep up, his grim words lingering ominously in her mind. A heaviness hangs over the pair as they proceed deeper into the depths, where who knows what

After a few hours of walking through Hell's twisted halls, Guts and Cherri start to feel the pangs of hunger. They haven't eaten anything since before they faced Mammon's apostle form, and their energy levels are starting to dip.

Guts frowns, his expression grim as he glances around at their surroundings. "We can't risk stopping for long," he warns Cherri. "There are all sorts of dangers lurking down here; we could be ambushed by other demons or even worse."

Despite his words, Cherri looks like she's about to protest. But before she can say anything, Guts cuts her off with a sharp glare. "No arguments," he says sternly. "We need food

Guts and Cherri wander around, looking for any signs of food or sustenance. They come across a small corner store, the shelves stocked with various packaged snacks and other food items.

Guts enters the store first, his eyes scanning the area for any threats. He keeps his hand on the hilt of the Dragonslayer just in case. Meanwhile, Cherri darts in after him, her eyes lighting up at the sight of all the snacks.

"Hey, Guts! Check this out!" she exclaims, holding up a bag of chips that she's found. "We should stock up while we're here."

Guts grunts in agreement, still scanning the area warily. "Fine," he says roughly. "But be quick about it. We don't know what else is wandering around down here."

Cherri nods eagerly and starts filling

her arms with various snacks - bags of chips, candy bars, and even a few cans of soda. She's like a kid in a candy store, her eyes wide with excitement at the prospect of having so much junk food.

After a few minutes of browsing, they both emerge from the store and head back into the darkened corridors of Hell. As they walk, Cherri starts munching on a bag of chips, crunching loudly as she chews.

For his part, Guts is more reserved, nibbling on a piece of beef jerky as he keeps watch for any potential dangers. Despite the relative safety of their current surroundings, he can't shake the feeling that something is still out there, waiting to strike at any moment.

Cherri hands Guts a gun from her bag of stored items. He looks at the gun for a moment before taking it from Cherri's hand, inspecting it with practiced ease.

He nods in satisfaction before stuffing it into his holster, turning to face Cherri.

"You're smarter than I gave you credit for," he says, his voice rough but genuine. "Thank you."

Cherri grins in response, looking pleased at the praise. "Of course, Guts. I know how tough things can get down here. We need to watch each other's backs if we want to survive."

Guts nods again, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. For a brief moment, it almost looks like he's relaxed a little bit - but then his expression grows more guarded once again.

"But never forget - we can

never truly let our guard down," he adds sternly. "No telling what horrors await us in this realm."

With that, Guts strides off into the darkness, Cherri following close behind. The two of them are ready for whatever dangers Hell might throw their way, armed and vigilant as they venture further into its depths.

Cherri glances at the brand on Guts' neck, curiosity getting the better of her. "I know it's your battle… your cross to bear," she says slowly. "But do you mind telling me what exactly that mark means? It seems like something important."

Guts stares straight ahead, his jaw clenched tightly. After a long moment of silence, he finally blurts out:

"It's a curse, from another world. It's tied to my fate - to all our fates."

His voice is heavy with bitterness, and there's an unspoken weight to his words. Cherri can tell he doesn't want to talk about it further, so she doesn't press him any more questions.

Guts and Cherri walk into a dark, smoky venue, the sound of music and voices filling the air. The place is packed with demons of all kinds, ranging from smaller imps to hulking brutes.

Cherri looks around, clearly intrigued by the atmosphere. "This place is wild," she remarks. "What do you think we should do?"

Guts grunts in response, his expression serious as he scans the area. "We need to stay alert. This is a dangerous place. Keep your guard up at all times."

Cherri nods, her eyes flickering over the crowd as she tries to spot any potential hazards. Despite the warning, however, she looks like she's still enjoying the experience.

Guts leads the way, weaving through the crowd as they make their way through the venue. He keeps his hand on the

hilt of the Dragonslayer, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. He knows that they need to stay on high alert if they want to make it through this alive.

Meanwhile, Cherri follows closely behind, her eyes wide with wonder as she takes in all of the sights and sounds around her. She looks like she's having the time of her life, despite the ever-present dangers that lurk in the shadows.

As Guts and Cherri make their way through the venue, a group of hoodlums notices them from across the room. They exchange a few words with each other before sauntering over to the pair, looking like they're up to no good.

"Hey there, what brings you two here?" one of them asks, his voice laced with an unspoken threat.

Guts narrows his eyes, sizing up the group carefully. He's dealt with their kind before - they're just a bunch of low-level street thugs looking to cause trouble.

"We're just passing through," he replies evenly, keeping his hand on the hilt of the Dragonslayer. "We don't want any trouble."

The leader of the hoodlums steps forward, looking unimpressed. "Is that so? We don't believe you. You look like you might have

something we want. Come on, let's go somewhere private and talk."

Guts can feel Cherri tense up beside him, but he remains calm. His eyes harden as he prepares for a fight if it comes to that. "We'll see about that," he says slowly.

The atmosphere around them grows increasingly tense, with both parties clearly sizing each other up. It's clear that this confrontation could easily escalate into a full-on brawl at any moment.

As the situation continues to escalate, one of the hoodlums makes a move on Cherri. They grab her roughly by the arm, pulling her away from Guts as they try to force her into an alleyway behind the venue.

Guts' eyes flash with rage as he sees this happen. He explodes into action, drawing his "Black" sword and rushing towards the group of thugs with incredible speed. The Dragonslayer whistles through the air as he delivers deadly strikes left and right, cutting down several of them in quick succession.

Cherri manages to break free from her captor's grip during the commotion, backing up against a wall as she watches Guts' brutal display. Despite being caught off guard, she realizes that

Guts is more than capable of handling himself in a fight.

Within moments, the hoodlums are lying on the ground, either dead or unconscious. Guts stands amidst them, breathing heavily as he sheaths the Dragonslayer. His eyes flicker over to Cherri, making sure she's alright. "You okay?" he asks gruffly.

Cherri nods, looking a bit shaken but mostly unharmed. "Yeah, thanks to you," she says softly.

Guts grunts, clearly uncomfortable with the praise. "Let's get out of here," he says, gesturing for her to follow him as they make their way back towards the exit.

After the confrontation with the hoodlums, Guts and Cherri decide it's best to find a safe place to rest for the night. They search around the area until they finally come across an abandoned building that looks like it will serve their purposes.

Guts sets up camp in a corner of the room, laying out a bedroll and settling down with a weary sigh. He seems both physically and emotionally drained from the events of the day, his mood dark and brooding.

Cherri watches him for a moment before settling down nearby, not wanting to intrude on his space. She remains quiet for a while, simply watching the shadows dance across the walls in the dim light.

Finally, she speaks up, her voice soft. "Are you okay?" she asks, her eyes searching his face for any sign of emotion.

Guts doesn't reply immediately,

instead staring off into the distance for a few moments longer. Finally, he grunts out a response. "I'm fine," he says, but there's something in his tone that suggests otherwise.

Cherri chooses not to push the matter, sensing that Guts isn't in the mood to talk. She curls up on her own bedroll and closes her eyes, hoping that they'll both be able to get some much-needed rest before the next day's trials.

The next morning, Guts and Cherri wake up early, their bodies stiff and sore from sleeping on the hard floor of the abandoned building. Guts rubs his aching back as he stands up and stretches, glancing around the room with a critical eye.

Cherri follows suit, getting up from her bedroll and packing up her things quickly. "So, what's the plan for today?" she asks, eager to get moving again.

Guts looks at her for a moment before nodding his head in the direction of the door. "We'll head out and keep moving. We need to find a way to get closer to the city center, where we can gather more information about the person we're looking for."

Guts's movements towards the door slow down abruptly as he turns his head slightly and catches a glimpse of Griffith standing just a few feet away from him and Cherri. His eyes narrow in rage as he realizes the significance of the situation.

Without wasting a moment, Guts draws his "Black" sword and advances threateningly towards Griffith. Cherri watches in shock as the two men face off against each other, tension rolling off of them in waves.

"Griffith," Guts growls, his voice low and dangerous. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Griffith's expression is unreadable as he looks at Guts, his gaze flickering over to Cherri briefly before returning to Guts. "I came to talk to you," he says evenly. "I have information that you need to hear."

Guts is clearly not convinced,

"Why should I listen to you after what you did to the Band of the Hawk?" Guts snarls, his voice dripping with anger.

Griffith's expression remains calm and composed in the face of Guts' rage. "I did what needed to be done to achieve my dream," he says simply. "And I will continue to do so, no matter what the cost."

Cherri watches the exchange between the two men, knowing from Guts' anguished outbursts in the past that there is deep pain and betrayal at the heart of their conflict. She stays silent, not wanting to intrude on such a personal and explosive moment.

Guts' grip tightens on his sword handle as he glares at Griffith, his mind racing with a thousand different thoughts and emotions. Finally, he speaks, his voice quieter but still filled with

venomous rage. "Your dream led to the deaths of everyone we cared about!" He roars.

Before Guts can land a blow on Griffith, a large figure suddenly appears between them - Zodd, in his monster form. Zodd blocks Guts' attack, his immense strength holding the raging man at bay.

"Calm yourself, mortal," Zodd growls. His eyes burn into Guts', daring him to challenge the even greater power that Zodd represents.

Guts shakes with anger, glaring daggers at both Zodd and Griffith over Zodd's shoulder. He knows he can't take them both on at once. Reluctantly, he lowers his sword, though his body remains tense and coiled, ready to spring back into action at a moment's notice.

"What do you

want with me?" Guts hisses through gritted teeth, still strugglng against Zodd's vice-like grip.

Zodd grins menacingly, his jagged fangs glinting in the dim light. "I am here to protect Griffith," he says simply.

Guts's eyes narrow even further at Zodd's words. He hates being held back or told what to do, especially not by anyone associated with Griffith. With a furious roar, Guts lashes out once again, this time aiming for an exposed patch of flesh on Zodd's armored chest.

The ensuing battle is fierce and intense. Zodd's immense strength pits him against Guts' raw power and determination.

d, Guts is sent flying backward by Zodd's immense strength. He hits the ground hard, coughing up blood and spittle from the force of his impact. Cherri rushes over to him, her expression a mix of worry and anger at the situation that has unfolded before them.

As Guts lies on the ground, winded and disoriented, Griffith steps forward reluctantly. He peers down at Guts, his face grave as he prepares to deliver his final message.

"If you ever hope to find peace or fulfillment," he says solemnly, placing his hand on Zodd's arm for emphasis, "You must accept me for who I am."

With that, Griffith turns away and, with Zodd's help, takes to the sky, leaving Guts and Cherri behind. Guts screams in fury and impotence as they disappear into the night, his whole being consumed by a deep and unrelenting rage.

Cherri watches him for a moment, a sense of helplessness and sadness washing over her. She knows that there is nothing she can say or do to help ease the pain that Guts is feeling, given everything that has transpired. In silence she stands next to him, offering her quiet presence and support in his time of need.

Cherri's mind races with questions as she stands next to Guts. Who was Zodd? And why had an archangel like Griffith appeared in hell? But she stays silent, knowing that now is not the time or place to ask such questions.

Instead, she looks down at Guts, her expression softening with compassion and concern. She hates seeing him in so much pain and feels powerless to do anything to ease his suffering. All she can do is stand by him and offer what little comfort she can.

Guts continues to scream and rage, lashing out at the ground with his fists as the weight of everything that has happened crashes down upon him. Cherri remains with him, a silent witness to his pain and anger, hoping that somehow, someway, things will eventually get better.

As Griffith and Zodd ascend towards heaven, they are met by a beautiful and radiant angel named Emily. She greets them warmly, her smile filling Griffith with a sense of calm and hope that he hasn't felt in quite some time.

"Welcome back, my dear," she says, embracing Griffith tightly. "I have been praying for your safe return."

Griffith closes his eyes, savoring the feeling of being wrapped in her embrace. He feels a deep sense of warmth and love emanating from Emily, and he feels as though his burdens have been lifted, even if only for a moment.

"It is good to be back," he says softly. "Thank you for all that you do, Emily."

As he embraces Emily, Griffith's mind drifts elsewhere, focusing on the next steps in his plan for causality. He closes his eyes and telepathically communicates with Void, the enigmatic member of the God Hand who serves as Griffith's closest confidant.

"We have accomplished much, but there is still much work to be done," Griffith says, his voice low and intense. "The humans are still too entrenched in their beliefs and desires, and we need to find a way to change that."

Void's voice echoes in Griffith's mind, his thoughts filled with power and intrigue. "Indeed," he says. "But we must proceed with caution. The balance of the universe hangs in the balance, and we must not upset it any further than we already have."

Griffith nods in agreement, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having such a powerful ally on

his side. He continues his conversation with Void, making plans and discussing strategies for what lies ahead in their quest to reshape the world according to their own vision.

As he talks, Griffith's eyes flicker with a fierce determination, knowing that whatever challenges they may face, nothing will stand in the way of his ambitions. He has come too far and sacrificed too much to let anyone, human or divine, get in the way of his ultimate goal.

As the mental conversation with Void concludes, Griffith comes back to reality and Emily greets him again.

"Griffith, we must talk," she says, her voice full of purpose. "Please meet me in the embassy room. There are urgent matters we need to discuss."

Griffith nods, his mind already turning over what this new development could mean. A sense of unease settles over him, knowing that there are still powerful forces at play in the universe that even he cannot fully comprehend.

He follows Emily to the embassy room, his senses alert for anything out of the ordinary. His mind races as he tries to anticipate what might be waiting for him behind closed doors. He remains calm on the outside, but inside he is bracing himself for whatever news awaits him.

As Griffith enters the embassy room, he sees Emily waiting for him along with two other Seraphim, Adam and Lute. A sense of foreboding grows in his chest as he sees their grave expressions.

"Griffith...," Adam says, his voice heavy with concern. "There has been news from the mortal realm. The humans are beginning to awaken to the reality of our existence."

Griffith's eyes widen as he takes in this information. He knows that this could be catastrophic, jeopardizing everything they have worked so hard to achieve in their quest to reshape the world.

"What do you mean?" he asks, trying to keep his voice calm.

"It seems that a Blackswordsman has killed one of our own," Lute speaks up, her voice quivering with anger. "This cannot go unpunished. We must take action against this individual."

Griffith frowns, feeling a sense of unease settle over him once more. He knows that the incident with the Blackswordsman could have far-reaching repercussions, and he wonders what their next move should be.

"What are our options?" he asks, his voice level. "We must proceed carefully and thoughtfully. One false move could set everything we have worked for back."

Adam speaks up again, his expression firm. "We could send a team to bring him to justice," he suggests. "Or perhaps...we could attempt to negotiate with him."

Griffith considers this for a moment, his mind turning over the possibilities. He knows that

After listening to all the suggestions and ideas, Griffith finally makes his decision. He nods to Lute, giving her the go-ahead to assemble a team of exorcists to take down the Blackswordsman.

"I agree with Lute," he says, his voice firm. "We cannot let this incident go unpunished, and we must show the humans that our kind will not be killed without consequences."

Emily looks at Griffith with concern in her eyes, but she nods in agreement with his decision. Griffith can sense her uncertainty, but he knows that he cannot allow his emotions to cloud his judgment. This decision could have far-reaching consequences, and he must remain objective and focused.

"Very well," Emily says softly. "I will coordinate with Lute and Adam to assemble the team, and we will act swiftly and decisively."

Griffith nods, his mind

already moving on to the next steps in their plan. He knows that they cannot afford to hesitate or falter now, not when the fate of their entire realm hangs in the balance.

As he leaves the embassy room, Griffith feels a sense of dread creeping over him, knowing that they are entering into dangerous territory. But he resolves to face whatever challenges come their way with the same fierce determination and unshakeable will that has brought him this far.

Guts and Cherri continue their journey towards Carmilla Carmine's building, the anticipation of finally confronting her weighing heavily on their minds. But before they can reach their destination, their path is unexpectedly interrupted by the appearance of the Skull Knight.

Guts tenses up at the sight of the mysterious figure, his hand instinctively moving towards his sword. He has encountered the Skull Knight before and knows that he is not to be taken lightly.

"What do you want?" Guts asks, his voice wary.

The Skull Knight regards Guts with his eerie, glowing eyes. "I have come to warn you, struggler. Your path is fraught with dangers, and you would be wise to proceed with caution."

The Skull Knight's gaze flick

Guts narrows his eyes at the Skull Knight's words, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him. He is tired of cryptic warnings and riddles, he just wants to know what he is facing so he can prepare accordingly.

"I appreciate your warning," Guts says, his tone clipped. "But I have faced dangers before and I will continue to do so to achieve my goals."

Cherri looks on at the exchange with confusion etched on her face, not fully understanding the context of their conversation.

"What's going on?" she asks quietly, glancing up at Guts.

The Skull Knight ignores Cherri's question and instead turns his attention back to Guts. "Remember this, struggler. The path you have chosen will lead to unimaginable pain and suffering. But if you remain steadfast and true, you may find what you seek."

With his cryptic warning given, the Skull Knight disappears as suddenly as he appeared. Guts watches him warily for a moment longer before turning to Cherri.

"Let's keep moving," he says gruffly, already striding forward towards Carmilla Carmine's building.

Cherri nods, unsure of what she just witnessed but determined to see things through to the end. As they get closer to the building, she can feel her heart pounding in her chest with anticipation and nerves.

Finally, they reach their destination and stand outside the imposing structure, taking a deep breath before entering. Whatever lies inside, they are ready to face it together.