In The Abyss As A Toon Character

A grandfather clock, a longcase, a tallcase-- call it whatever you want, but one thing remains true: it is an antique of time itself, an impractical tool that uses pendulums and weights to keep time, with their loud yet rhythmic.

*tick*

*tock*

Compared side by side with any of its brothers, like the simple wristwatch, you could say it's practically archaic. Yet even the humble wristwatch was becoming obsolete, being replaced by the glow of smartphone screens. Soon, even smartphones would become relics, cast aside for whatever the future held.

Then, knowing all of this, why... why... are some people so adamant about using such relics of old?

Dante looked at his distorted reflection, it was a disgusting amalgamation, conflicting in shapes-- an existence that didn't know what it was doing. Its shape never settled, swirling in despair and confusion like a broken color palette; just looking at it made you question where did it begin and where it would ultimately end.

Perhaps Daniel was right.

He didn't have to keep questioning where he was going. Overthinking the future only bred anxiety, while drowning in the past only created despair. If he let go of the weight of expectations and regrets, then the only thing left to do was to focus on the present.

"I'll just behave as I always did. Even if the idea is old, it still works." Memories from the past had struck him for a moment, giving the outline for what he should be. They weren't clear, but they were enough, "Now it's not the best time to question."

"just..."

A thought struck him, and before he could even process why, his hand instinctively moved. He materialized something simple.

A cupcake.

"let's follow the river like I always do."

It wasn't just any cupcake.

This one was different. An experimental creation pulsing with unstable energy that threatened to devour everything in its surroundings. It glowed softly in his grasp, radiating condensed emotions into a single point.

A ticking bomb, you could say.

"I will follow this river not caring where it leads me."

*Munch*

"Even if I perfectly know it will end in a cliff."

*Munch*

The moment it passed down his throat, sparks burst from his head, shining and bright, like tiny, dying stars scattering into the void. And yet, beneath all the static, something new, an original construct, took shape.

An idea.

Its life might be faint, but an idea was born-- His fingers twitched with excitement bubbling beneath his skin as he murmured, "But even if I follow the river…"

The taste lingered on his tongue; it was bitter and sweet, euphoric and revolting, and an overdose of everything he was, everything he had ever been and would be. He had created this using his reality-bending powers, pouring everything he had left into it. Now, all that was left was to wait to see if this insanity bore fruit.

Would it actually yield something meaningful?

Or was this another meaningless attempt at cheating fate?

Dante exhaled, rolling his shoulders, feeling… more alive with each passing second. His voice, once tinged with a robotic and hollow tone, regained its usual rhythm, "I can choose how to drown and fall."

Daniel's ghost jerked forward in shock at the words with visible unease, "What?!" it appeared as if this wasn't the outcome he wanted, but nevertheless, Dante didn't care.

With a grin, he continued, "How I react to destiny…!"

A weak but triumphant *YIPPIE!* burst into the air, followed by an explosion of colorful confetti raining down from nowhere.

Dante, still beaming, blinked at the confetti in mild confusion. "Right... so that's happening now." He lifted a finger and casually twirled it, making a small tornado of glitter swirl before letting it settle, "Hey, don't judge, my soul is literally patched together with tape, glue, and the power of imagination. Sudden Pinkie Pie bursts are the least of my concerns."

Daniel: "..."

"But oh well, I can't control everything. If something bad is going to happen, it will definitely happen. Maybe I can delay it, but somehow, the universe itself will make sure I suffer."

Then, he did something unexpected.

He laughed.

It wasn't forced.

It wasn't sarcastic.

It wasn't bitter.

It was genuine.

"You know… maybe everything is already set in stone, from start to end."

The ball he had been playing with bounced one last time before rolling to a stop.

"So maybe... it doesn't matter what I do."

"But…"

He tilted his head slightly, shimmering with something dangerous, something that rebelled, "even if my ending is to die, at least I can enjoy my struggle."

For a fleeting moment, a green fire flickered in his irises, devouring the dull remnants of despair with its hungry flames, "Because... there is no greater defiance against the heavens than enjoying the punishment."

A slow smirk stretched across his face, one filled with mischief and exhilaration. "So, I'll do what this body knows best--" His lips curled wider, stretching into a familiar, manic grin.

"Smile."

"Continue."

"And do whatever the hell I want."

"Because someone out there is watching me" His system opened and the word Aqarath deeply resonated in him. "So I'm not going down without knowing that I did everything possible."

Hundreds of hate hands materialized into reality, raising their middle finger towards the sky at the same time, "and knowing that I dammed his existence each second I lived."

Daniel tilted his head, crossing his arms as he observed Dante with mild curiosity, "Oh…"

Dante narrowed his eyes, thinking of the reason for such a face, "What? You seem disappointed with my short-term realization, care to explain?

"Nothing, it's just that this is better than I initially expected." He stretched his arms, letting out an exaggerated sigh, "I mean, I even bothered to bring everyone else to help you."

"Wait, everyone else?"