The arena roared.
Jinx stood alone at the center, surrounded by towering demons, their eyes glowing with anticipation.
Above them, Dante watched in silence.
Unmoving.
Unreadable.
"You will face three trials," the announcer's voice boomed. "Survive… and you may remain."
Flames ignited.
The first trial began.
A massive hellhound burst into the arena.
Three stories tall. Eyes burning with rage.
Jinx didn't summon her fire.
Not yet.
Instead, she stepped forward.
"Let's dance, mutt."
The beast lunged.
She moved faster.
Dodging. Striking. Adapting.
Her fist slammed into its eye stunning it just long enough.
Then...
Fire.
Controlled.
Focused.
She drove it straight through the creature.
The beast collapsed.
The crowd roared.
The second trial was quieter.
More dangerous.
Jinx stood face-to-face with herself.
Perfect.
Cold.
Unbreakable.
"He'll never love a broken version of you," the clone said softly.
Jinx didn't flinch.
"Good thing," she replied, stepping closer, "I don't need perfection to burn."
Instead of attacking
She hugged her.
Light exploded between them.
The clone faded.
The final trial felt… wrong.
A human girl was dragged into the arena.
Terrified. Helpless.
"Kill her," the demon ordered.
Jinx froze.
"She's innocent."
Silence spread through the crowd.
Then
Dante stepped forward.
"Then exile me too."
Gasps rippled across the arena.
The elders watched closely.
Measuring.
Judging.
Finally
"So be it," one said. "The Phoenix stays… and so does her cursed lover."
The arena erupted.
But Jinx didn't hear it.
She only looked at Dante.
And he looked back.
Like the choice had already been made.