[DANTE]
Fortuna, as Dante found out, is absolutely overflowing with demons. Arguably even worse than Red Grave City, and that's saying something considering demon, devils, and what-have-yous naturally flock to Dante because of his blood. So for demons to practically make this island a nest… well.
Either someone, or multiple someones, are being naughty. Very, very naughty.
"People don't just want to leave things alone, do they?" Dante asks the beautiful Fortuna morning, traversing the rooftops in the high-class sector of the city and quickly crossing into the abandoned area. The wind changes course, and the scent of demons practically assault his nostrils. He makes a face, silently leaping down to a lower building.
Following the scent, it leads him to the side overlooking the street. What he sees makes him drop his jaw.
A young man, probably no older than 20, maybe way lower than that, is going up against a crowd of Scarecrows without a weapon. The kid's blue and red coat (and isn't the union of those colours familiar?) flutters around him as the kid punched and kicked, killing demons left and right with an ease that's impossible for a human.
But judging from that painfully familiar snow white hair… There's more to this kid than being a prodigious demon killer-
Oh would you look at that? Kid got some serious balls! Using a Scarecrow's very own blade as a makeshift sword to make things quicker, killing the pesky little demons at a rapid clip. The kid's talented, Dante could admit. A little on the wild side with his attacks, but there's an odd grace to it, an animalistic quality to it that is no less mesmerizing to look at. Look at him go, too! Running horizontally on the wall like that.
… Honestly, the way this kid reminds Dante of himself (so many ago, relatively innocent and naïve-) is unsettling.
Who is this kid, and why do they share so much resemblance?
Dante remembers bits and pieces of his own childhood, faint memories of his Mom and his dearest big brother. Dante remembers Mom tell them stories about their deadbeat dad, stories he told her before they had Dante and his brother.
Much like Dante and Vergil… Sparda had a twin. Sparda had a twin, as Devils with powerful blood tends to breed pairs to ensure bigger chance of survival for their line, enhances the chance of successful reproduction for their spawns' generation, too. Sparda had a twin, but unlike Sparda, that one didn't survive. Killed in combat, way before Sparda rebelled against Mundus.
So this is why Dante never looked for more of his kin, more hybrids who are related to him by blood, because he knows his uncle, Serxes (or something like that, he probably got the name wrong), has been dead a long time ago.
This kid's existence in making Dante question many things. He's sure as hell this kid isn't his; he would've been able to smell himself on the precocious little brat, and while Dante is indeed irresponsible, it's not to the point where he'd just, you know, abandon the kid.
Dante's not his Dad, the almighty Sparda. Dante's not like Vergil who wants to be Dad.
Dante is roused from his pensive thoughts when he hears the kid swear out – ooh, what a mouth this one got – and Dante straightens, watching the kid bolt from the street, with a speed that is clearly inhuman. Dante also notes the direction the kid is gunning for, and he has to be intrigued.
Why, oh why… would the kid head in the direction of where energies of corrupted humans are coming from…?
Fortuna is such a weird place, honestly.
Dante hangs back for a little longer, just in case the kid gets a whiff of him; can't be too careful in jobs with a hell (oh hey a pun!) lot of variables and unknowns. There's a reason Dante's been a hunter for years, and the top dog at that job. He knows what he's doing.
Well, mostly. He usually wings it and just turn things around when they go upside down, sideways, and all around crazy.
When Dante had deemed it enough, he springs into action, leaping and running across rooftops with enviable ease. He quickly makes his way to the large, domed building, and his senses – physical and demonic – are practically howling at him the nearer he is. He fights the urge to sneeze like a shotgun; the scent of corrupted humans is irritating.
Lady was right to bring her concerns to him; this… 'Order of the Sword' (and wasn't that pretentious?) seems to be more than a simple religious military in charge of this middle-of-nowhere island. Not only do they, uh, worship Dad – honestly, people are so weird, why would they do that …? – but they also have been abnormally active lately.
From what Lady reported, this Order had interfered with a ton of outside jobs, jobs taken by other hunters and stealing the most valuable prize of Devil hunts.
Devil Arms.
It's not like humans could effectively use Devil Arms – Devil Arms tend to try and eat human wielders, after all – but those work as trophies wonderfully. Why do you think Dante has his prized collection mounted up the walls? They're both decorative and functional, after all.
Ah, but he digresses.
The Order of the Sword, basically, are raising a lot of red flags for their recent aberrant behaviour. First, they've been much more active in spreading the faith of Sparda's Covenant (Dante has to wonder if that was actually a thing). Second, their sudden mad rush for Devil Arms (but what for?) is very much a cause for concern. And last but not the least is Dante's most recent discovery.
The presence of corrupted humans.
And the real kicker with that one is they're not locked away! Dante has seen a few, when he was over at the market district earlier. Some are mingling with the civilians, some are doing routine patrols, some are even playing hooky, passed out behind some stalls and snoozing instead of doing their jobs. It's concerning because they're not violent, mindless shells of people that would just kill and kill and kill.
Whoever made this corruption possible is… Well. A thought to be tackled again later.
Right now, Dante has reached the building- oh. Someone's singing. Kudos' to their voice, it's really sensational. Not to mention those high notes! Mom could sing, but guess who didn't get that talent? Dante and Vergil. Couldn't even hold a note to save their lives.
Dante settles down on the roof, away from prying eyes, and he absently picks out the corrupted humans from the crowd inside the building. Two, three, four, five… if those people standing in formation around the central are guards, then all of them are corrupted. One of them stronger than the others, standing closer to the stage.
The one with the strongest corruption, however…
Ah, that one is climbing up the stage now, practically oozing demonic energy. It wouldn't take a lot to force this guy to become a full out artificial demon, really. Tsk, tsk, tsk. What is the little Order of the Naughty Ones doing, Dante wonders.
Obviously nothing good. But to what extent…?
Better find out right? And what better way than cause panic and make tongues looser than-
Dante drops down the skylight, shattering it, and would you look at that, he's right on top of the podium looking thing! Convenient, and a cool entrance. Let's see if these corrupted humans don't panic.
He drops down, landing with a solid thud in front of the naughtiest one of all. The old man's eyes widen at the sight of him, recognition – and is that the slightest bit of glee in his eyes? – filling his expression. Tsk, tsk, that wouldn't do.
He normally doesn't do this, but… The Order of Naughty Ones could prove extremely dangerous if left unchecked. Better nip the problem in the bud before they cause world-wide chaos.
Dante pulls out Ivory from its holster, aims it at the old man between the eyes, and pulls the trigger before he could second guess himself. He shouldn't hesitate here, shouldn't look at things with rose-coloured glasses. Who knows what will happen if he's too soft. Too kind.
Ivory's resounding bang is too loud in the silence of the establishment, and the blood that splashes across his face is a little too warm. A little too musky-smelling to be from a human. He can already taste it; the dark, bitter flavour of demonic taint in the blood.
He rises on his feet and oh, eugh, they have a statue of Dad. Fancy and all that; made of marble, wow these guys don't play around with their 'worship'… Dante rolls his eyes minutely, before looking down and surveying the body to make sure it's actually dead. When it doesn't get back up, doesn't reform into an unholy creature, Dante turns around to the chaos he caused.
Once upon a time, young Dante, Son of Sparda, would feel bitterness and confusion when he sees people running away from him in fear.
That Dante is long gone now, gone like the brother he lost in that damned tower.
It didn't take long for Dante to be surrounded by the other corrupted humans, their twisted visages hidden beneath heavy cowls and steel helms. They draw their sword on him, readying themselves for an attack. There's purpose to their movement, clearly trained operatives with the easy way the move with those fancy swords of theirs, the easy way they move to cover each other.
Not that it would help.
Dante leaps into action, kicking one in the chest – oof, the ribcage caved in – and blasting that one away. He turns, drawing his every trusty Rebellion from his back.
Swords from all sides come for his head, and he ducks, pushing up Rebellion's blade to catch them in a parry. He twists, deflecting the swords with ease. A simple thing to do, considering his nonhuman strength can't be matched by them, corrupted human or not.
He dodges and parries attacks, kicking away at some and stabbing the others in the gut or chest. He made sure to keep all his hits as kill shots. These guys are no longer humans, therefore Dante has to regretfully include them under the 'threat' section of his enemy listings. Ugh, sucks when the job goes batshit insane.
And it's not even noon yet!
When the no one else attacks, Dante braces Rebellion on his shoulders-
Ah. The kid. There he is, in all his punk-ish glory, right arm wrapped in a sling – is that thing glowing? – and he looks like he's seen a ghost, seen something so honestly terrifying he can't move. The girl behind him – a pretty little thing, maybe his girlfriend? – is in the same situation.
Come on kid, get out, keep your girl away from this mess! Sheesh. No romance points for this one, absolutely zero-
Oh, there they go! So the lil' punk does have a brain beneath that white fluff of his. Dante watches the kid run away, pulling his little girlfriend along as they join the fleeing mob.
Dante turns when he hears something behind him, and it's a few more regular guards, along with the stronger one. Stronger one got some rad looking beard on, along with that pinched look in his eye that sends 'Uptight Dude' signals to Dante. Yikes, a troublesome one, this guy.
Dante starts forward, intent on having to kill the man, but one of the small fry comes at him, sword raised and screaming something about 'for His Holiness'. Dante can't help but scowl, and he stabs the guys in the gut, tossing him aside-
"Kyah!" A thud, and the sound of two bodies hitting the floor.
That can't be right.
Dante turns, looking over his shoulder. To his shock – not that he lets it show on his face – Little Miss Cute is there, the shoulder of her dress stained red. Probably where the guy's corpse hit her before sending the both of them to the floor.
She's petrified of him, that much Dante could see. It's clear in her eyes, the way she's shaking like a leaf, the way the scent of fear is cloaking her like a thick fog. Dante peers down at her. Why, oh why, does she charge towards the carnage, like a fool?
A roar of fury comes from the side, and Dante turns his head-
Oh, hello boots.
Dante is sent flying back from the force of the kid's kick – demonic heritage, alright – so far back that Dante reaches his dad's statue. Dante could only gape for a moment before schooling his expression, the sound of gunshot forcing him to twist around to deflect the bullet, correction; bullets, with the flat of Rebellion's blade.
He didn't take into account the sheer power behind those shots, the first bullet causing a small explosion that really sent him to Sparda's statue this time. Dante lands, feet braced against the base of the statue's horns, and he looks up in alarm when the kid is up in the air, face twisted in a fearsome scowl.
Dante brings up Rebellion, only for the kid to kick it down and into the statues forehead. The kid would've done more, Dante's sure of it, but he had rolled to the side, dodging, and he whips out Ebony and Ivory, aiming it at the kid.
Kid is aiming a gun at him too, a beauty of a revolver; silver-finish barrel, with tasteful carvings Dante couldn't quite see clearly from this angle. It's quite a whopper, judging from the size. The real kicker, though, are the twin-muzzles. So considering the single sound of gunfire, but the two bullets fired, that sweetheart of his goes for two at the same time, huh.
"Kyrie!" The kid yells, his words probably aimed at the girl down below. Dante spares them a quick glance, and to his slight relief, the girl is being herded away, away from the danger zone by the man with the beard and a worrying amount of latent demonic powers. "Take your brother and go! Get outta here!"
"I will return with help!" Beard man replies, and oh, shit. That guy is the girl's – Kyrie, was it? – brother? It went from 'hoo boy' to 'hoo boy' real quick. Dante has to wonder if the little girl knows what the kid and her brother are. "You stall him until then!"
Mm, doubtful, but Dante figures he can give the kid a shot.
He needs to know, if the kid's white hair and blue eyes mean anything aside from his physical features. He needs to know, if this kid knows what his colours mean. Dante needs to know.
Needs to know who this kid really is.
"I won't hold my breath…" The kid mutters, tossing his head and sending the headphones sitting around his neck flying off somewhere. Kid fixes Dante with a rather piercing glare, and fires of his gun.
Dante jumps up, coat flaring, and he isn't given time to breathe and regroup when suddenly the kid is on him; legs, deceptively thin, wrap around his torso, squeezing and putting out some serious power. Dante mentally grimaces at the discomfort and reaches out with Ebony, aiming for the kid's head.
In response, wonder boy releases one leg and wraps it around Dante's arm – that's some freaky levels of flexibility right there – yanking it away and throwing Dante's aim off course.
Dante tries with Ivory this time, and the kid goes and bites on the damn barrel, fighting like a feral dog. All he's missing are the red eyes and saliva dripping past lips pulled back from bared teeth.
With a snarl of effort, the kid twists, letting gravity and momentum aid him in kicking Dante in the chest, sending him right back to the statue's forehead, and thus, Rebellion. The hunter makes to move for his sword, but the other one is relentless, stomping down with both feet on Rebellion's handle, practically tearing it out of the marble and sending the tip almost slicing Dante across the face, if he hadn't moved back in time. Not that it would really hurt him; Rebellion, despite its name, it is very much loyal to him.
Dante leaps up to catch Rebellion, and he brings it down on the kid's head with an overhead swing. He blocks it with his gun, of all things, but to Dante's surprise, the gun doesn't even get a gash from the hit. Kid rolls down the space between the stone sword and the statue's body, and he stretches one leg out, skidding to a stop. Dante had just landed on the statue, but he's forced to relocate to the sword's pommel, when the kid shot at him from where he's stuck between the statue and the sword.
The sword trembles, and suddenly its tipping forward, the statue's hands breaking as the kid shoves at the sword with his legs.
Really, now. Who is this kid? With the same white hair and same blue eyes as him?
Who is he?
Kid is charging up the sword angrily, snarling like a furious pup, and he brings his revolver up, aiming for Dante's head, and the red clad hunter bats him away, pushing him to the side as Dante himself leaps away.
Dante lands lightly on his feet, and he looks around, whistling under his breath at the sheer damage their short scuffle had brought. If he reads the kid's intention right, he's going to fight Dante – kill him, probably – and that'll most likely end up with this place beyond salvation.
Good thing Dante wouldn't be the one paying for repairs this time.
"You got a jacked up notion of fair play pal," Kid growls, and Dante turns to him, amused. Fair play? When it comes to demons, that's not a thing you should ever consider. He keeps quiet though, content to let the kid run his mouth. "And it's beginning to piss me off."
Dante just gives the other a ghost of a smile, and he holds one hand out. Makes a 'come at me' gesture.
It causes the reaction Dante wanted, and the young man charges for him, bending low and sweeping up one of those fancy swords their organization uses with a furious bark. He does a thing that Dante didn't quite catch, but suddenly the sword's blade has flames licking at the surface, like, an actual sword of fire.
Dante can't deny that was cool.
He parries the strike aimed for his head, and he counters with his own attack, a sweeping side attack that's going to bisect the kid if he doesn't dodge. Dodge the kid did, leaping up to perform a corkscrew. His coat flutters over Rebellion's edge, and it almost distracted him from seeing the kid let go of his borrowed sword to instead draw his gun.
Dante ducks back quickly, just in time to dodge the twinned bullets, and he brings up a foot, lashing out with a kick. The kid takes it to the chest, and with a breathless gasp he's sent flying back, managing to grab his sword despite it. He skids to a stop, the sword digging deep into the floor to steady him. He spits to the side – blood, definitely – and he sneers at it, before fixing Dante a glare.
"You come into our city, kill His Holiness, and screw shit up." The kid snarls, furious. As if responding to his emotions, blue light pulses from within the confines of his sling, almost imperceptible had Dante not have better vision. "Just who the hell are you?!"
Dante decides not to answer, tilting his head to the side, thoughtful. Is the kid really upset by the death of what seems to be the head honcho…? Then does that mean this kid is in the know, is working with them? Collaborating with the rest to produce these corrupted humans?
… Is this kid the source of the corrupted humans? Trish never said anything, and she's so gonna hear it from him later. Just she wait.
Dante's officially torn. On one hand, he's dying to know this kid who resembles him and his brother and dad so much. Dying to know who he is and just how they're connected. On the other hand… if this kid is working with these troublemakers… he needs to put the kid down. Permanently.
But first, he needs to know how this kid is involved.
So he takes out his beloved guns once more, spinning them on his fingers before letting loose a rapid barrage of bullets. Kid, to his credit, dodges with that animalistic grace of his, rolling in a tight ball and disappearing beneath some pews. Dante isn't surprised when said pews come flying straight for him, and slices the one directly in front of him-
Should he be surprised to see the kid behind that one?
Dante tilts his head to the side, the bullets missing by a mere centimetre as the kid draws his gun on him. They tangle, a gunfight at close quarters, and the kid has speed and has fancy flips and tricks on his side to give Dante a surprise, keep the older man on his toes. Dante's only saving grace is his experience, and superior skills.
If he isn't careful this kid could probably take a bite out of him, sheesh. He needs to finish this now, because as much as this kid is practically pulling on his instincts, his intuition… he's not the mission.
The investigation of the Order is.
So Dante phases to a spot behind the kid, his blind spot, and regretfully brings Rebellion down. It won't kill him, no, but it will seriously injure him. Give him a boo-boo that would incapacitate him for days, even with accelerated healing. Sorry kid.
The kid unexpectedly brings his arm up, the one in the sling, and before Dante could pull back, retreat, Rebellion is already colliding with the sling-
Bright blue light practically blinds Dante, and he phases away, Rebellion braced in front of him and another curled protectively in front of his face, a feeble attempt at defence while he blinks the spots in his vision. Shit, what in the world was that?! Dante shakes his head, clears the last of the light, and looks.
Oh. Oh wow that's unexpected.
The kid's right arm, from the elbow down is decidedly not human. Blood red and deep blue armoured plates interlock seamlessly, kind of but not really like a snake's. There's a portion where there's a lack of protective shell, and it's curious because the flesh, grooved like some kind of big-ass fingerprint, glows. The fingers are tipped with claws, and those look like real bad boys, able to rend, tear and kill.
Kid gives him a dark smirk, bring up his right hand and flexing it, as if he hasn't used it in quite a long time. "You just had to force me to use this thing, huh?" He mutters, as if to himself. He then reaches out, as if miming that he's grabbing something. To Dante's shock, a phantom limb- five, probably six times the original size, materializes. It grabs the stone sword by the handle, hefting it up and turning it towards Dante. Hoo boy. "Well… your funeral!"
The kid tosses the sword with an almighty roar, and Dante has to leap to the side to avoid being hit.
What was that?! A mutation? But that phantom limb is beyond the capabilities of a demonic mutation, it's practically a unique skill exclusive only to those who are natural born demons, or more specifically Devils-
Dante hisses out when the kid slices across his back, drawing blood, but before Dante could retaliate or draw back, that demonic right arm is head for his face, grabbing his head and ow.
Kid slam dunks him on the floor like he's being paid to do it. What a violent child.
Straddling Dante, the kid punches him in the face with his right arm, over and over and over again, and Dante could feel something. Something deep within his chest, in his blood. He knows this kid, he should. But he doesn't. Dante feels his body change in response to the matching energy wavelength, blood calling to blood, but he forces it down, doesn't let himself go because who knows what'll happen? Besides, the moment he Devil Triggers in this place it'll come crashing down.
Kid apparently has enough of using him like a punching bag, and grabbing the lapels of his red duster, the kid whirls, spinning Dante around once before throwing him right at Sparda's statue. Kid threw him so hard he loses his breath, the back of his head cracking against the marble surface-
Thunk.
Rebellion stabs deep into him, tearing through bone and flesh and tissue, and Dante gasps out in surprise. He could feel Rebellion's presence in the back of his mind, murmuring apologies in that wordless way it could, and it sips at Dante's blood, returning it to his body afterwards to keep him safe. Dante can't help but sag momentarily where he's pinned to the statue.
Did that really just happen?
He… He really underestimated the kid, huh?
Dante sees the kid roll his shoulders, smirking smugly at his handiwork, like some cat that ate the canary. Sorry, but he needs to burst that bubble before it gets problematic.
"That's some… neat fighting you got there… Kid." Dante pipes up, and he's treated to the absolute spectacle that is the kid turning to him with the most stupefied expression ever. Heh. "Impressed enough to give it an 'A'. For 'awesome', of course."
Dante plants both hands behind him, pushing against the marble – ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, OW – until Rebellion is free. He drops to the floor with a huff. The kid backs up, puts some distance between them. Smart move.
The kid gives him a narrow eyed look. "… You aren't human, are you?" He asks, uncertainty colouring his voice.
What was his first clue? Dante walking and talking while he got a sword sticking out of his chest?
"Let's just settle with saying we have something in common." Dante replies, purposefully being vague because… he isn't entirely sure what their relation is. They have a connection, which is as much as Dante can confirm by going off on the reactions of his Devil side. But in terms of specifics… he can't really say. At least, not yet. Dante settles with taking the attention off of him, by gesturing to the fallen corrupted humans. Some had their cowls and helmets take off, revealing a face that is very much not human. "… Those guys too, but a much cruder version."
The absolute horror and confusion that spread on the kid's face made Dante narrow his eyes. That's… a concerning reaction. That's genuine, meaning this kid doesn't know what the hell is happening. Doesn't know the guards – or whatever they call themselves – are corrupted humans.
Does that mean… a far more sinister plan in the works…? Don't take it wrong, this whole thing is already giving off 'madman schemes' from the get go, but this just makes it worse.
Why does his jobs always go sideways? And speaking of jobs, he has things to do. Like. You know. Actually investigate and snoop around places where he shouldn't be snooping. The whole shebang.
So Dante leaps up, perching on the lip of the skylight as he addresses the kid one last time. "Though you're probably a special snowflake, a cut above the rest." He calls down helpfully, relishing the infuriated look the kid is giving him from down below.
"The hell you going on about?!" The kid demands, and it absently reminds Dante of Patty's angry Pomeranian. The pom and this kid even has the same white fluff!
Dante gives the kid a shit eating grin, and the older hunter could practically see fumes pouring from his ears. "If you poke around places, do a bit of sneaking, I think you'll find your answers." No one can blame Dante if he's baiting the kid. It's for his own good, after all! "I'd tell you more but… got a job to do!"
"Hey!" The kid pulls his revolver back out and Dante swerves out of the way just in time. Really, that gun of his can pack a punch. Probably stronger than Ivory, Dante's willing to bet. If the kid could just slow down with the trigger-pulling…
Dante leans back over the broken skylight, giving him the cheekiest salute he could muster. "Adios, kid!" And Dante takes his leave, taking to the rooftops once more.
It's apparent that while he was busy inside with the kid something has happened to the city proper. He scowls as demons are practically flooding the streets, civilians and those guards in white creating more chaos with their fearful screaming and stampeding. Usually Dante would go down and give a helping hand but… those guards could probably handle these guys. They're First Circle demons, so nothing too strong with these… scarecrow looking things.
Dante resumes his travel, heading for the next destination Trish had reported to have suspicious activity-
"In the name of the Knight, of the Dark Blade, of the Glorious Rebellion..." Hm? Oho? What do we have here? Dante pauses, discretely leaning over the edge of the building and yikes. This part of the city is absolutely flooded with demons, their laughter grating in Dante's ears.
In the middle of the horde, stands a girl, no, a young woman. Maybe a little older than the kid by a couple years, maybe more. This young woman is dressed in white, reminiscent of the other guards from the Order… Wait a moment. Didn't Trish say she's assigned to a squad with the only other female operative of the Order?
Is this young woman the one Trish calls 'little dancer'? Impressive… not to mention her own considerable corruption. Not to the same extent as beard guy, but almost…
"Saviour Almighty, grant me strength to hold up the blade that is promised to defend humanity. Grant me the courage to face my fears, and the demons of the depths. Grant me the soul that endures hardships, endures suffering. Guide me, protect me, and empower me. Allow to me to join You in this Holy War… amen."
Huh. Holy War, huh. Nothing holy about any wars.
Dante pulls back, retreats from the incoming massacre. Shame, that this kid, the one Trish says got potential, is one of them. One of the corrupted humans. If those scarecrow-like demons finish her off, then… not Dante's problem.
So he turns his back, and leaves.
He has more important things to do.