I am the Angel of Death.
Angelus Mortis.
That is what they call me, anyways.
Who?
The demons I hunt.
The ones responsible for destroying my life. My home, my family, my lineage...
They took everything from me.
They defiled my innocence, took my sanity, beat me down and broke me.
I was lost.
Broken.
Defeated.
I will end them.
I will make sure they never hurt another again.
If I have to travel to the ends of the earth, to Heaven, Hell, and back again, I will.
The night air was cold, a light breeze ruffling trash throughout the mostly empty city street. Icy rain drizzled down from the cloudy sky, the only light being that of the ghastly orange street lamps illuminating the silhouette of a lone figure as it strode purposefully along the road.
The sound of cats fighting in a nearby alley caused the figure to pause, only for a moment.
It was enough.
From above a shadow descended onto the figure, a glint of steel catching briefly in the orange glow.
For a brief second, it seemed as though the blow would hit it's mark, quick and decisive...
But it failed as the cloaked figure dodged with inhuman speed, the shadow from above landing onto the concrete, steel weapons ringing out agaist the asphalt.
"Too slow." The calm and cold voice of the target said from the darkness, it was not one she recognized. "Do you have a death wish?" He asked.
"Shut up demon!" The shadow hissed in a feminine voice as she righted herself, taking a defensive stance as she readied herself for his attack.
"You are a Hunter as well?" The voice asked. "I was not informed of this."
"Do not think you can play your mind games with me, hellspawn." She spat, slowly turning around to see if she could catch a glimpse of her foe. Her weapons, a pair of Japanese Sai, were gripped in her hands at her hips.
"I am afraid you have me mistaken for someone else." The voice stated.
"Regardless, you're still a demon." She replied. "And that means you have to die."
Silence pervaded the air for several seconds.
"You are lucky." The voice said. "You will live, for now."
"Pfft, don't do me any favors." She spat, twirling her weapons once in her hands.
"The favor is not for you. Though I will direct you towards someone who can help you with your goal."
"And why should I listen to a demon?"
"What have you to lose?" He asked. "Seek a man named Dante. He can help you in your quest."
That name rang familiar to her. She'd run into the Hunter a time or two before when they happened to be after the same target. He was a demon himself, she had found out, but hinted his own kind, so he was on her safe list.
"How do you know Dante?" She asked.
"Tell him Vergil sent you." The voice replied. "Farewell." It added before a slight whooshing was heard and she somehow knew her opponent was gone.
Hmm...
Who was this Vergil, and what connection did he have to Dante?
It appeared she owed her devil hunting 'friend' a visit.
The cloaked figure that revealed itself as Vergil watched the woman from stop a nearby rooftop. She thought for several moments before disappearing from the view of the street lamps. Almost immediately after, he heard the sound of beating wings and watched in mild astonishment as the woman took off through the air, feathers protruding from her shoulders as she took off towards her destination.
An angel? He thought they were a myth. Demons existed, sure. He had never heard of angels being little more than a legend. Perhaps that was why almost had the jump on him. And why her aura seemed so strange.
...
No matter. Perhaps he would not see her again. She could be his brothers problem. He has his own goals to achieve.
By the time she had arrived at the seedy part of time, the rain had stopped, and she dropped to the asphalt with a light this of her boots against the concrete.
Her wings folded themselves against her back before disappearing from view altogether.
She stated for a moment at the garish red neon sign that announced she had arrived.
It was late, and yet, lights were on in the building.
Good.
Not that she minded waking anyone up anyways, but this way was easier.
She walked up the concrete steps and kicked the door open, bell tinkling to announce someone had entered the business.
"Knock knock!" She called as she waltzed on in as if she owned the place.
The proprietor was startled slightly at the sudden entrance as he lowered his boots from the top of the antique looking wooden desk.
"Oh, it's you." He said, relaxing and placing his pistols onto the desk. He'd reached for them in case whomever decided to enter was hostile. "You almost got riddled full of holes babe." He added as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk, fingers entwined as he looked directly at her.
The pair started at each other for several seconds almost as if sizing each other up. The woman, now illuminated fully for the first time, had caught his full attention.
She stood peehaos a head shorter than he did, with deep ebony hair that was pulled back and rested against her lower back. Her skin was creamy pale and smooth, save for one small scar on her right cheekbone.
Her vibrant green eyes seemed unimpressed as they rested upon him.
Her clothing did little to hide the curves she sported, what with the nearly skin tight, black, long sleeve shirt and black pants she wore over a pair of black combat boots. Even the cloak she wore fastened her neck only drew his attention towards her general chest area.
He could just barely see the glint of steel that rested in their respective safe places on her belt.
To her, he was nothing special.
Tall, yippee.
White hair, strange but nothing impressive.
Light blue eyes, yay...
She already knew he was tall and built, but he looked different than the last time she'd seen him, aside from the requisite red coat and black clothes.
"You look like shit." She told him. "Razor not working anymore?" She asked, indicating the shadow of fuzz on his face.
"Been busy, as I'm sure you're aware." He stated with an amused snort. "What can I do for ya?"
"You can tell me who in the hell Vergil is." She stated, crossing her arms over her ample chest.
His electric blue eyes widened somewhat and she knew she had his full attention.
"You ran into Vergil and you're alive?" He questioned, knowing full well she'd probably attacked him. And he knew how Vergil could be, slicing through people with no questions asked if they annoyed him or for in his way.
"Is it that much of a surprise?" She asked, seeming quite confident in her fighting abilities.
"The fact that you're standing here unharmed tells me he didn't even entertain the thought." Dante remarked. "That's a relief."
"I told him not to do me any favors, and the coward stated the favor wasn't for me."
"My brother is many things, but he ain't a coward." He informed her. "I'm just glad he's taking my advice."
"Your brother?" She asked. "You never mentioned him before."
"It's not like the two of us talk much aside from shit when we meet." He reminded her with a chuckle. "Where'd you run into him at?"
"The abandoned business district. I thought he was my target."
"Probably took care of it too, that's why he was there."
"He works with you?"
"Occasionally. With the number of demons increasing, I've been needing the extra muscle. He's damn good at it too."
"Hmph... So it's a safe bet he'll be back?" If he took care of her target, she needed the details.
"I dunno, probably." Dante replied. "He hasn't called in, then again, he never does."
"Hmph. What kind of business so you run that you can't even keep track of another Hunter?" She asked.
"So far a damn profitable one." He stated. "Speaking of, my offer still stands..."
"I already feel like tonight was a failure because I wlt one get away, you want me to work with demons too?" She asked.
"Come on, we have the same goal. Plus, you going it alone is gonna get you hurt or killed."
"I'll take my chances." She said, turning on her heel to leave. "I'll be at the Bullseye, call me when he returns." She said over her shoulder as she walked out.
Dante sighed and shook his head, going back to relaxing in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk again and placing what looked like a cowboy hat with a red scarf around it over his eyes to try and get some sleep.
"She'll come around..." He murmured to himself as the door closed, little bell tinkling once more.