"O-Okay..?"
He was so confused but he listened.
He sighs and smiles a little
"I love you..."
He kisses Xen's forehead and then-an amplified voice rings out from above, startling him
???: "DEMON #225, VACATE THE ARENA IMMEDIATELY."
"Hf-"
He pulls away from Xen
"I'm sorry...please-be careful. You can do this...I-I know you can."
The smaller gate at the end of the arena opens, and Dmitri walks out, looking over his shoulder and giving him a small, encouraging smile before the gate shuts behind him
???: "BEYOND THAT WALL IS AN ANCIENT AND UNHOLY BEAST, ONE WHO HAS LIVED AND DIED A THOUSAND TIMES OVER AND WILL LIVE AND DIE A THOUSAND TIMES MORE. YOUR TASK, AS HAS BEEN THE TASK OF ALL FALLEN ONES BEFORE YOU, IS TO SLAY IT. SUCCEED, AND YOU WILL BE A DEMON, WELCOMED INTO HELL WITH OPEN ARMS. FAIL, AND YOU WILL JOIN THE OTHER POOR SOULS WHO HAVE DIED IN THIS ARENA. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"