OVA
Description
Dante returns from the Third Crusade, his violent nature and emotional detachment forged in a traumatic childhood. His greedy, licentious father, Alighiero, subjected him to physical abuse and stole from the poor. Dante's mother, Bella, committed suicide to escape this torment, though Alighiero falsely declared she died of fever.
Before departing for the war, Dante pledged himself to Beatrice. The night before he left, they consummated their betrothal; he swore on her crucifix to remain faithful and forsake all fleshly pleasures. She gave him her cross as a parting token. During the Crusades, a fraudulent bishop offered preemptive absolution for battlefield sins. Under this false justification, Dante participated in atrocities, including slaughtering surrendered prisoners. When King Richard demanded accountability, Beatrice's brother Francesco took the blame and was hanged, enabling Dante's escape.
Dante further betrayed his vow by sleeping with a female prisoner in exchange for her husband's freedom. Though he freed the husband, his infidelity damned Beatrice. Returning home, he found Alighiero and the servants murdered and Beatrice mortally wounded. As she died, Lucifer claimed her soul for Hell. In penance, Dante sewed a crimson cross-shaped tapestry onto his chest, depicting his sins as a mark of guilt.
Guided by the poet Virgil, Dante descended into Hell to rescue Beatrice. In Limbo, he learned Beatrice had miscarried their child during his absence. He confronted and killed the judge Minos. Throughout the descent, manifestations of his sins challenged him: In Lust, acknowledging his affair with the prisoner caused Beatrice to falter. In Gluttony, he absolved Ciacco, a damned soul from his village. In Greed, he battled his avaricious father, Alighiero, who had bargained with Lucifer to kill Dante for gold and respite from torture. Dante kicked Alighiero into a vat of boiling gold.
Within the circle of Violence, Dante discovered his mother transformed into a tormented tree in the Forest of Suicides. Absolving her soul revealed the truth of her death. He also fought and killed Francesco, his former comrade and brother-in-law, who resented Dante for letting him take the blame for the prisoner massacre. This forced Dante to confront his own brutality and self-deception about his wartime actions.
Reaching Fraud, Dante grasped the full consequences of his sins: The prisoner's husband, seeking vengeance for the affair and betrayal, had murdered his family and Beatrice. Dante's earlier fraud—letting Francesco be punished for his crime—was laid bare. Overwhelmed by realization, he hesitated, allowing Beatrice to succumb to despair, wed Lucifer, and transform into a demon. Dante regained her trust by returning her cross and begging forgiveness. Restored to her angelic form, she urged him onward as Virgil departed.
In Treachery, Dante confronted Lucifer. Recognizing his unworthiness and the futility of force, he offered sincere prayer and repentance, sacrificing his soul to re-imprison Lucifer. A divine light responded, freezing Lucifer. Dante then descended towards Purgatory, tearing off his chest tapestry which transformed into a serpent. His final state is neither completely living nor dead, suggesting an ongoing journey toward redemption and reunion with Beatrice.
Before departing for the war, Dante pledged himself to Beatrice. The night before he left, they consummated their betrothal; he swore on her crucifix to remain faithful and forsake all fleshly pleasures. She gave him her cross as a parting token. During the Crusades, a fraudulent bishop offered preemptive absolution for battlefield sins. Under this false justification, Dante participated in atrocities, including slaughtering surrendered prisoners. When King Richard demanded accountability, Beatrice's brother Francesco took the blame and was hanged, enabling Dante's escape.
Dante further betrayed his vow by sleeping with a female prisoner in exchange for her husband's freedom. Though he freed the husband, his infidelity damned Beatrice. Returning home, he found Alighiero and the servants murdered and Beatrice mortally wounded. As she died, Lucifer claimed her soul for Hell. In penance, Dante sewed a crimson cross-shaped tapestry onto his chest, depicting his sins as a mark of guilt.
Guided by the poet Virgil, Dante descended into Hell to rescue Beatrice. In Limbo, he learned Beatrice had miscarried their child during his absence. He confronted and killed the judge Minos. Throughout the descent, manifestations of his sins challenged him: In Lust, acknowledging his affair with the prisoner caused Beatrice to falter. In Gluttony, he absolved Ciacco, a damned soul from his village. In Greed, he battled his avaricious father, Alighiero, who had bargained with Lucifer to kill Dante for gold and respite from torture. Dante kicked Alighiero into a vat of boiling gold.
Within the circle of Violence, Dante discovered his mother transformed into a tormented tree in the Forest of Suicides. Absolving her soul revealed the truth of her death. He also fought and killed Francesco, his former comrade and brother-in-law, who resented Dante for letting him take the blame for the prisoner massacre. This forced Dante to confront his own brutality and self-deception about his wartime actions.
Reaching Fraud, Dante grasped the full consequences of his sins: The prisoner's husband, seeking vengeance for the affair and betrayal, had murdered his family and Beatrice. Dante's earlier fraud—letting Francesco be punished for his crime—was laid bare. Overwhelmed by realization, he hesitated, allowing Beatrice to succumb to despair, wed Lucifer, and transform into a demon. Dante regained her trust by returning her cross and begging forgiveness. Restored to her angelic form, she urged him onward as Virgil departed.
In Treachery, Dante confronted Lucifer. Recognizing his unworthiness and the futility of force, he offered sincere prayer and repentance, sacrificing his soul to re-imprison Lucifer. A divine light responded, freezing Lucifer. Dante then descended towards Purgatory, tearing off his chest tapestry which transformed into a serpent. His final state is neither completely living nor dead, suggesting an ongoing journey toward redemption and reunion with Beatrice.