Disclaimer: The following is the work of a fanfiction. Devil May Cry and Kuroinu: Kedakaki Seijo wa Hakudaku ni Somaru are owned by their respective creators and are used for the sake of imagination through storytelling. I do not own either one.
Enjoy.
Olga was floored with the red clad warrior's readily turning against his allies.
"You… You're really freeing us, despite these mercenaries serving as your comrades?" Olga inquired, the shocked expression presented.
Dante shrugged his shoulders as he approached the two again, Rebellion still held over to his shoulder. "Considering the fact that those guys are plannin' something fishy, there's not much of a choice here. I got a job to do and that's bringing you back to Celestine." He looked over to Chloe, her face still apprehensive towards him. "She can come along, too."
"You think we actually come along with a tacky coat wearing degenerate like you?" Chloe venomously said. "And bringing us to the Goddess Reborn? Are you out of your mind!?"
Dante frowned, looking over at his red leather duster. "Heya, I paid good money for this coat. Like I said, it's either here or outta here."
Before the blonde elf said her objections, Olga spoke up. "We'll come along with you, stranger."
"Lady Olga!"
"Hush, Chloe." Olga silenced her servant, eyes still kept on Dante. "I can entrust that you'll guarantee our safety? Even by arriving to Ken?"
Dante gave her a two finger salute along with a smile. "You can count on it, babe."
The silver haired warrior let out a hum, thinking. His fingers stroking his chin as he sighed. "Well, I'm not really sure how we can go incognito mode with the many mercs in this place."
Chloe only deadpanned at the devil hunter. "You didn't plan out for this? Are you some sort of moron?"
"Hey, it was more in the moment type of thing than anything else!" Dante defended.
Olga walked over to the far wall of the dungeons, her fingers pushing onto a barely visible brick. Slowly, a hole formed in the wall, serving as their alternative way out of the dungeons. She then gestured for Dante and Chloe to follow her in.
The three made their way through the dark passageway, small torches along the wall served as their guide.
"Huh, didn't know you got secret entrances here." Dante commented.
"I've made secret routes to serve as alternative shortcuts to different rooms around the Fortress." Olga explained as she was at the front leading. "This one in particular leads to the armory."
"A gal who's always prepared." Dante smirked. "Smart and sexy, I see."
Chloe did her best to restrain herself from attacking the man's back as she was behind him, her teeth grinding against eachother.
The three reached the armory, the room filled with sets of metal coverings of different materials and a vast selection of melee weapons to choose from. Dante simply looked around the room while Chloe grabbed a pair of twin daggers along with a crossbow with bolts. Olga took an aged wooden staff to serve as her replacement. The two of them had on protective cloaks once taking them.
Olga looked to the silver haired devil hunter. "You're not taking anything?"
Dante shook his head. "Nah. I'm much more cozy with what I got."
"I see." Olga looked over at his strange double edged broadsword as well as the twin pair of pistols he carried. Such weapons that seem out of place for this world but the time to ponder was very limited.
Chloe then strapped a band full of small knives around her hip, cloaked and backpack strapped to her person. She approached Olga and Dante. "Where else may we go, my queen?"
Olga pointed to the door. "Perhaps opening the door will be the safer option from here on out."
"Don't got any other secret passages, huh?" Dante said, walking toward the door and soon kicking it open. The door swung open from impact, hitting something on the way that resulted in a masculine voice groaning in pain.
Dante quickly exited, seeing one Black Dog down wondering what had happened and another one standing and owlishly looking at the hunter, dumbfounded. "Dante? What were you doing in there? We couldn't even open the da-..."
Whatever sentence he was going to finish ended with Dante slugging the man across the jaw, instantly knocking him out. Before the downed Black Dog was able to gain his wits, Dante was quick in shoving his boot forward on his head, leaving the mercenary dazed when feeling his face impacting the cold floor.
Olga walked out with Chloe, looking at the two unconscious brigands on the ground. "You work fast, stranger." Olga noticed the protruding blood coming from either mouth or nostrils escaping from knocked out mercenaries. "And quite brutal."
"Best not to get too sloppy." Dante simply replied, spotting two other Black Dogs that caught sight of the three.
So much for being sneaky.
"Vault!"
The leader of the Black Dogs looked up from his throne, seeing Hicks and two others quickly approaching them. He raised a brow at what they want, although he had a sneaking suspicion.
"What is it, Hicks?" Vault asked, seeing the disarray on his fellow Dog's face.
"It's Dante! Some of the guys spotted him with those dark elf bitches trying to escape! They're already runnin' towards the back of the fort!"
Vault felt his right eye twitch, a slow anger bubbling inside of him as he grimaced. He rose from the throne, grabbing hold of his greatsword he set aside. Slow, threatening steps was what he made as he descended down.
"Let's get a fuckin' move on, then."
The voice of his was low, filled with calming wrath.
"Well great idea, human!" Chloe yelled as the three ran down the halls, her glare focused on the red clad warrior. "Was this part of your courageous plan of us running like cowards!?"
"Better than nothing, don'tcha think?" He asked, his booted feet still catching speed.
Dante, Olga and Chloe rushed down the lower level, making their escape to the exit of the back entrance. They luckily found the large palace doors up ahead, large statues of gargoyles standing on either side of them. The ticket of their way out of the Dark Fortress was nearly in their midst.
Dante halted along with the dark elves, however. Standing guard were five Black Dogs, spotting the escapees and brandished their weapons. The silver haired man clicked his tongue in annoyance at the approaching men. "Well, can't get any worse than this, can it?"
The noise of many mercenaries were heard from behind the three, their attention diverted to the twenty Black Dogs now on the other side. The center of them was an irate Vault, dragging his large weapon on the ground and leaving small sparks.
"Me and my big mouth…" Dante muttered, cursing his rotten luck.
The devil hunter along with the two dark elves were now surrounded from either side, a small troop of Black Dogs guarding the exit and a mob of mad mercenaries glaring at them. Truly, this was quite the predicament.
Dante stood in front of Olga and Chloe, the latter tightly holding onto her twin daggers.
The silver haired warrior cleared his throat, giving the twenty men a cheery smile. "So, gentlemen… Uh, the prisoners said they needed some fresh air outside. Yep, that's it…" He lamely came up with an excuse, already knowing what was to come.
Vault shook his head. "Honestly, I thought better of you, boy." He sighed, his dark eyes narrowed. "And now you're here tryin' to bag away the prizes me and my boys worked so hard for."
Dante kept on his smile as he casually shrugged. "Yeah, well, I made a promise to dear ol' Celestine. Gotta get that fast cash if you get what I mean."
"Celestine Lucross." Vault sneered as he spat on the floor. "That holy bitch is gonna get what she deserves soon."
Dante's smile faded, his face neutral. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ya never really got it, huh kid? Don't you want to rise any higher with what we got here?"
The silver haired hunter quirked an eyebrow, only keeping silent and listening.
"Think 'bout it! We Black Dogs served in this damned country for many years and not once were we given the proper thanks and respect we fuckin' deserve!" Vault continued on, his voice heated and loud.
"And this should be my problem, because…?" Dante curiously asked.
"We're all sellswords, here. Those Princess Knights are in their cozy castles and indulgin' on their riches while we fight in order to fill our empty bellies. It's 'cuz of them we were in this damned war in the first place!"
Dante continued to listen to Vault's monologue, piecing the true character of the head boss.
"With us in the Black Fortress and the many men in Eostia, we can take over the nation!" Vault held out his hand, clenching it into a fist. "A country where men are kings and women serve us whenever and wherever! They'll cook, clean and most importantly, fuck when we want them to!"
The leader then pointed his finger at Olga and Chloe, their expressions utterly repulsed by the man directing to them. "And startin' with them will be the beginning of a Sex Empire." Vault returned his gaze on Dante. "Now, what say you, kid?"
A silence fell in the large hallway, Dante's eyes shaded by his silver bangs. A hand went over his chin as it looked like he thought about it. Soon, he started to chuckle before it transformed into laughter.
Olga's eyes widened at the laughing Dante, despair filling her heart while Chloe hatefully stared at him. "I knew we shouldn't trust that damned human…" The blonde elf muttered under her breath.
Vault grinned deviously as he nodded his head. "Knew that you would make the right choice!" He soon let out his own boisterous laugh, the two's loud guffaws echoed throughout the Fortress.
Was this truly how things will turn out?
Dante started to recover, wiping a tear from his eye. "Ah, oh…. Man, that's a good joke. Didn't know you got a hell of a sense of humor, Vault."
Vault stopped his laughing, eyes now resting on Dante. His confused face contorted to agitation as he spoke. "What did you just say…?"
"A Sex Empire, man? Dude, that stuff happens in like really bad exploitation flicks. Can't really say it'll be a good idea."
Olga stared in awe from Dante's doubt on the head mercenary's plan, a sort of appreciation she felt to the silver haired warrior. Chloe was shocked, initially thinking he was going to turn his back on them when caught and dazzled with the offer Vault was giving him.
"You're fuckin' serious?" Vault venomously questioned as he pointed his greatsword at the devil hunter. "Ya really wantin' to get on my bad side now by goin' off with those fuckin' elf bitches!?"
Dante just frowned at the angered Vault, his hands on his hips. "Come on, man. You really think this is gonna solve your problems by dominating a country? What, you don't got any hobbies?"
The devil hunter's face was filled with disgust, glowering at all his former comrades. "Here, I thought you guys were cool, but you gone and made me dislike you all. Great job."
Dante found Vault's idea of dominating a country through pure rape was the most idiotic scheme he ever heard. A vile, cruel scheme that didn't vibe well with devil hunter. Especially, since the most important woman he had ever known would undoubtedly fight against such an inhumane conception of paradise.
Vault was nearly seething with wrath before giving out a slow sigh. His greatsword down as he brought a hand up, snapping his fingers. "Get the elves and kill this fucker."
"Get off me!" Dante turned to see Chloe already apprehended by two Black Dogs, both taking a hold of her wrists. Olga wasn't so lucky as the other three rushed her, grabbing at her limbs whilst the last kept her magical tool away.
"Hey, lay your hands-!"
SNIKT!
Dante felt something hit his chest, a knife embedded on it as he regarded Hicks pushing the blade deeper into his heart. The green vested man glared at the devil hunter as he began twisting slowly, blood pouring from the wound. "This is what you get, you damn traitor!"
The red clad hunter was rushed by a flurry of swords stabbed into every part of his body. Four other men came to jam their weapons into the legs, arms and other parts of his upper body, essentially impaling him. Blood dripped from the mortal wounds that Dante received, his body still from the swords skewered into him.
Olga and Chloe watched in horror, seeing their savior possibly dead from the fatal blows he took.
Vault scoffed at the sight, turning around to return to his throne. Such a waste of a good sword arm. At least he had others to help him on his conquest.
"AUGH!"
Vault's eyes caught sight of a thrown Hicks in front of him, the thief was over his head and landed pathetically on the returning ground. His eyes were wide in confusion, quickly turning to see what just happened.
The five men quickly pulled away from the body of Dante, who was still standing with the swords embedded in his form. There was an irritated expression on the devil hunter, no sort of pain present on his face despite the blades within his body. He rolled his shoulders, popping his neck from side to side before starting to pull out each lethal tool one by one.
The sound of swords ripping away from flesh was heard, each one descending with a clang.
Olga watched with surprise, seeing the devil hunter was well on his feet, acting as if he was never fatally injured. What really shocked her was that the cuts on Dante's body were completely gone, save for the slight tears on his pants and coat.
What was this stranger she had met today?
Chloe kept still alongside her stupefied captors, her amber eyes staring in shock and awe at Dante removing the knife from his chest. Impossible, it went straight for a vital organ! How was he still standing and fully healed!?
Every Black Dog looked unnerved by what they've just witnessed. The former recruit looking at the rips into his clothing, giving out an irritated sigh as if he wasn't just murdered on the spot. The four around Dante started to step back, one stumbling and tripping, falling onto his rear. One thing was common for them was their sheer terrified expression.
Dante spun the bottom of the knife he pulled out, watching with a hum. "Really, you guys are breaking my heart here." He began, the laidback tone of his was nonexistent at this point. "We all shared laughs, drinks, fights… But I think what I'm gonna do now is probably cripple you for life." The devil hunter took hold of the knife as he shot a dirty look towards an upset Vault.
"You…" Vault slowly muttered, gritting his teeth in frustration. "What kinda freak of nature are you!? Why aren't ya just a bleeding corpse on the floor!?"
Dante gave him a cocky smirk. "A one of a kind freak." Without looking, he then threw the knife from the back, straight towards one of the Black Dogs holding Chloe.
The knife hit its precise mark on the mercenary's shoulder, causing him to howl in pain as he flinched hard, falling on his back from the blade digging into him. Chloe, finding her chance, quickly getting out her smaller blades before stabbing into the throat of her second captor, his pathetic gurgles silenced by the knife cutting deeper.
Olga herself decided not to be helpless, her voice quiet and muttering a strange dialect. Two of the men holding her scream, their hands quickly releasing the elf while looking at the harsh burns on their palms and now spreading across their bodies. The one holding her staff was utterly shocked and his life ended with Chloe coming from behind to slit his throat with her dagger. Olga was quick to retrieve her wooden staff from the fallen mercenary.
Dante, meanwhile, was getting his own type of fun by brawling with the incoming Dogs. He was currently dealing with the ones nearby him, someone swinging an arm at him to which he promptly blocked with a single hand. He gave the poor bastard a grin as he gripped onto the mercenary's forearm and delivering a solid headbutt, solidly knocking him out.
Dante suddenly grabbed another by the collar of his shirt, his body spinning around along with the poor man. He was using the mercenary to swing around, having him hit into nearing opponents, aiming to use the Black Dog's feet for multiple headshots. The swinging man was getting dizzy and his use reached the climax as Dante threw him at a group of three charging Black Dogs, all of them falling over in a daze.
Most of the Black Dogs ran away from the abnormal strength the devil hunter carried, the minority having to be either decked by an incoming hook to the jaw, a straight uppercut that sent them flying or a devastating roundhouse kick to their ribs, intent on breaking bone.
Vault gritted his teeth in aggravation, seeing his men fall one by one by this white haired bastard in red was second hand embarrassment. Letting out a roar of fury, the large man came barreling into the fray, his greatsword already at a lunging stab at Dante.
Anticipating this, Dante unsheathed Rebellion, using the blade to shield himself from the incoming thrust of the long blade. The devil hunter gave a grin at the maddened Vault who attempted to break through his impenetrable defense. He took the chance to taunt him, giving a small yawn. "Man… I'm already bored."
Vault snarled, pulling his sword away and immediately swung with all his might, heavy yet swift swings in an attempt to overpower Dante who casually used one hand on his weapon to deflect the incoming attacks. "I'll kill you! I'll make you dead!"
Olga and Chloe meanwhile pushed through the palace doors with what strength they could muster, able to get a decently sized crack to their freedom. Chloe ushered the Dark Elf Queen to go through first, her eyes looking back at Dante occupying Vault. She felt reluctant to call out to him, seeing he could even wipe out the whole mercenary army with ease with… whatever sort of strange durability he had.
Yet, inside she knew it was wrong to leave the man who already help them get this far.
"Hey, human! It's time to get out!" She yelled out, quickly sliding through the opening.
Dante glanced back at the retreating blonde elf and spotted the incoming cavalry of Black Dogs running from the end of the halls. He halted Vault's incoming swing with Rebellion, the Black Dog leader struggling from the unmoving blade. "Consider this your lucky day. I'm just gonna leave you with some aching ribs."
Without hesitation, Dante swiveled the opposing greatsword with his blade, maneuvering it to have Vault's chest open for him to promptly send a devastating kick. Vault felt the wind knocked out of him, his heavy body sliding several feet back and bumping into some rushing mercs.
Thinking fast, Dante looked over to a barely waking Black Dog lying nearby, the sellsword's body began to rise with his arms. Dante approached him, immediately jumping onto the man's back and used the sole of his boot to smash his head back to the floor. "Ready for a ride?" Quickly, Dante used his foot to turn himself around along with the unconscious body before pushing them away from the incoming wave. The devil hunter essentially used the unconscious Dog as a board, Ebony and Ivory out to replace Rebellion to shoot at the ground to impede the other Black Dogs' aid.
Now only a feet away, Dante jumped off from his knocked out ride and switched his guns back to his sharp tool. With a few swift cuts of Rebellion, Dante sliced through the stands of the gigantic gargoyles, they soon fell to the palace floor with a massive thud, separating the devil hunter from the enemies for the time being.
He peeked his head out, giving the angered mob a cheery smile. "Well, it's been fun but I gotta run! Been a bash!" He promptly duck his head down once an arrow was launched at him.
Vault was seething with great rage, smashing his greatsword down as he witnessed Dante making his escape, his men trying to either climb or push away the massive fallen statues blocking the back entrance but to no avail.
Truly, this was the greatest failure.
Dante saddled himself onto a nearby horse, already seeing the pair of dark elves on their own stallion, riding off just a few feet away. Whipping the reins on his respective steed, the equine galloped at full speed and managed to catch up with Olga and Chloe's horse in a short amount of seconds.
Off they went in the night, the Dark Fortress appearing smaller and smaller as the trio distanced themselves away from the fort.
Olga looked back at her former home, her stoic nature present yet internally, devastated from the turn of events. She switched over to gazing ahead, her arms holding onto Chloe as she was main rider.
A hefty amount of time passed before they stopped by a forest, a good miles away from the invaded castle. The group tied their horses to a large tree, allowing their steeds the well deserved rest.
Dante was beginning to start a campfire, the gathered sticks were on the ground whilst he used rocks to attempt on making sparks. Chloe was currently looking over in her backpack, luckily finding waterskins and two blankets, one of them wrapped Olga's body to keep her warm.
Dante sighed, annoyed that he wasn't making progress. He threw away the stones before getting out a pistol, pointing it at the pile of wood. Red energy glowed around his hand, transferred to the gun and charging. He pulled the trigger, the fiery bullet was sent and caused the wood to be set ablaze. Smiling at his handiwork, Dante blew away the smoke from the gun's muzzle, sheathing it back to the holster.
Olga, bearing witness, casted curious hazel eyes on the silver haired man. "You… You're not human, are you?"
"Who knows? I'm not even sure myself." Dante responded, placing his arms behind his head as he sat back against a tree trunk to relax.
Chloe was the next to look over to him as she set aside the backpack. "We… We saw you get impaled by many swords, even a knife was stabbed into your chest." The blonde elf said, still bewildered from the recent memory.
Dante only shrugged. "Just a fast healer. Can't get beat up too many times since I gotta always look my best." His eyes stared down at the rips on his bottoms, sighing. "Have to get these sewn up, once we get back."
"Your name, Dante was it? Did… Vault mean everything he said? Intent on conquering Eostia by starting with Chloe and myself turned to slaves?" Olga questioned.
"Sounds like it to me." Dante said as he sighed. "And what a bummer to hear, too."
Chloe glared at the man, her amber eyes furious. "You are at fault, here. You brought those disgusting Dogs to the fort and exhausted Lady Olga of her power."
"I got hired to end a war." Dante retorted, leveling a blank stare at the blonde elf. "I say the job's been done but now another one is coming. For tomorrow, we're gonna head back to Ken and you'll be under the high elf chick's care."
"Still…" Olga quietly said. "I probably will be shown no mercy when we head to the south."
"Well, don't worry about that." Dante assured, Olga perking her head to him. "I promised you gals that you'll be safe and that's something I'm willing to keep."
The Dark Elf Queen was amazed by the devil hunter's generosity, a small smile gracing her lips. "You're quite the admirable man, aren't you?"
"Don't get too used to it." Dante waved a dismissive hand. "I'm just multitasking is all."
Chloe leveled a scowl at the silver haired hunter while Olga softly giggled. Thank goodness for the fire to keep them warm for the night.
Dante gave out a yawn. "Guess it's time to sleep. I'll keep watch."
Kin gave a sigh, knowing full well that convincing the red clad warrior was a total bust. He could still hear Vault's angry tirade about the devil hunter as he was returning to his throne.
Whatever, let him vent out his frustrations. The bespectacled mage was busy with other important business.
Kin was inside the small library, his eyes looking over to the rows of books stacked into racks, many ranging their themes to simple magic to occult orientated spells. He was amazed by the Dark Queen's vast collection she kept within such a single room.
Nothing of interest came to his sight, until he saw a pure black book wedged between the other tomes, standing out sorely as it looked cleansed compared to the wear and reared literature.
Kin pulled the book out, his eyes filled with curiosity as he saw no words serving as a title on the front.
'What is this?' He thought, opening the book up and seeing the many pages blank, furthering his confusion.
While flipping through to search of any text, Kin flinched feeling the edge of paper cut against his thumb. A drop of coppery liquid fell onto the page, staining the pristine white surface. Damn papercuts.
Kin's eyes widened when the blood of his broken off into bits, forming words in the center. "What in blazes…?"
A full sentence appeared before the prodigal spellcaster.
You wish to grow stronger? Expand your abilities like never before, human?
Kin scrunched his brow at this, wondering what type of book did he get his hands on. Seeing how it was directly speaking to him, he cleared his throat before speaking. "My name is Kin. Who am I communicating with?" A straightforward question for this bizarre situation.
The sentence changed within the blink of an eye, Kin contently reading the response.
Call me a friend. But if we were to get to know one another, refer to me as Mundus.
Chloe's thrown knife lodged into the last goblin's threat, rendering it dead.
The pack of attacking goblins dwindled down, the amount was at least ten yet they were no more of deceased greenskins by the time Dante and Chloe dealt with them.
Dante sheathed Rebellion onto his back, looking at his blood stained pants and boots from the fight. He couldn't help but frown at his clothes were starting to get grisly dirtied. "Yep, I'm definitely needing to refine this."
It has been a good five days of the journey towards Ken. Wasn't much easy traversing through the badlands and dark forest, an ambush of monsters at every corner of the unforgiving heinous weather brought onto the unlikely trio. Still, they trudged on despite the odds in the favor, Olga catching a slight fever during the travel.
The dark elf sorceress was wrapped in her blanket, shivering whilst coughing from her sickness. She was with the horses, seated onto a large rock as she awaited the return of her vassal and the devil hunter. Chloe, seeing her liege suffering immediately went over and took out the medicinal water she was able to make from the herbs she gathered during the journey.
Sitting next to Olga, Chloe helped her with drinking from the waterskin, carefully tilting it. "Drink slowly, lady Olga."
Olga drank, taking in as much as she can before the waterskin was empty. She let out a sigh. "To think that I would succumb to a sickness at an undesirable time."
Dante searched over the goblins, taking in anything of value on their corpses. They strangely wore leather armor along with rusted steeled weapons, Dante narrowing his eyes at this as he took a small pouch of gold off one of them. "These guys aren't the average little buggers."
Olga looked over the approaching Dante, her brow scrunched. "These goblins were mere foot soldiers under my command. There's no way of controlling their rash behavior without magic… unless…"
"A guy named Kin was with the Black Dogs." Dante reasoned as he scratched the back of his head. "Pretty good with magic, especially when getting through the castle's barrier."
Olga sighed, attempting to stand up only for vertigo to set in. Chloe was quick to hold her, not wanting her queen to stumble.
Dante was first to saddle up up onto a horse. "We're burning daylight here, ladies. Let's go."
Another three days passed for the trio, having to make multiple stops for Olga's sickness along with their horses killed during the multiple attacks of beasts. They settled on going on foot for the majority of the eight day. They were lucky enough to encounter a traveling merchant on carriage, coincidentally the seller was heading to Ken to expand his business at the Capitol. Dante was quick to stop him, even offering the little coinage he had to catch a ride along with his companions to which the merchant gladly took. Now the group was on a ride in a caravan to the city, their destination nearing.
Dante sat across from Olga and Chloe, both were cloaked to hide away their identities. Olga was still coughing yet with the medicine given to her, the sickness only went away by a margin. Chloe rubbed her back in order to keep away whatever was going to shoot from the queen's insides.
"There had been reports of villages being ravaged by bands of orcs as of lately, stranger." Dante heard the merchant say, the seller was coachman for their ride. "Maplewood Village west from here is deemed no more from the attack. I'm surprised you folks didn't get into those horrible messes."
"We managed what we can." Dante replied as he sat back to finally relax some. He closed his eyes, trying to take a nap to recuperate.
"Already, Vault has made his move." Chloe quietly said, her face showing indignation. "Bastard is already nearing Ken even."
Dante opened one eye, the blue iris looking to Olga. He was hushed in his voice, not wanting to alarm their driver, even leaning in close. "How's it you got a massive army of the ugliest on your side, Queenie? You must've been really strong to get those dudes in your control."
Olga's expression was resigned, a small sigh came from her. "It was due to them already set amok on this world, their numbers vast and I thought of using them for my selfish goals. The orcs, however, are somewhat resistant to my magic so I gave them free reign of ravaging any humans they come in contact with." Olga gazed at Dante with a bitter look. "It was the humans or my people."
Dante hummed as he clasped his hands together, listening. "Well, looked like that worked out, huh?"
"Do you ever learn to shut up, you annoying lout?" Chloe was quick to spite the silver haired man who shrugged.
"I'm just saying there wouldn't be a mess if Olga just played nice." Olga stared down, feeling some shame wash over from Dante's words.
"Buuuuut, I think you'll be able to help out for this fine crap we're now stepping onto." Dante offhandedly said as he went back to rest on his side.
Olga's stoic eyes looked over at the relaxed devil hunter, wondering the meaning behind his words.
The three left the merchant once reaching into Ken, Dante giving his thanks and the merchant wishing them a good day. Making their way through the streets, they noticed many armored soldiers marching off in troops and out of the city. Perhaps they were sent off to guard or rescue other villages that may be in peril.
They finally made it to the Fortress of Ken after many days.
Olga looked over the fortress. "Quite the Goddess Reborn over the hundreds of years." She commented as the trio walked towards the entrance.
Two guards stood by the entrance, spears raised towards the strangers. "You there! Halt!" One of them called. "What business do you have on entering restricted grounds?"
"Well, dear Celestine told me to come back from a job and I brought back what I needed to get." Dante casually responded, never stopping his walk towards the entrance.
"Stop! Go no-..." The guard was helpless when Dante pulled out Ebony and Ivory, pointing the dual firearms at them. The two guards were gaping in shock as they were now threatened.
"Listen, I had a rough time getting here. The guys I thought cool turned out to be total asses, my clothes are ripped and dirty, the gal with me has a slight cold and I'm very much craving for some damn pizza around here." Dante's eyes narrowed at the two guards, his fingers on both gun triggers. "You gonna play nice and let me in or are we switching to hard mode?"
Both the guards gulped in fear before resigning their spears, they silently moved out of the way for the gun wielding devil hunter. Dante placed his pistols onto their holsters before giving the two a cheery smile, going pass them along with Olga and Chloe following behind.
Olga raised a brow before emitting a chuckle. "You have quite the way with words, Sir Dante."
Dante rolled his eyes. "You're making me blush here. And enough with the 'Sir' stuff. My name is just good enough for me."
Celestine looked over to the doors, hearing quite the commotion outside of the council hall. Everyone present looked to the multiple muffled voices arguing back and forth. Notably, Alicia and Prim couldn't believe the familiar voice heard, the latter of the two beaming brightly.
"You! Stop what you're doing, goddamn it! You cannot simply barge in here without proof of admission!
"Goddess's sake, why can't you men pull him back!?"
"Easy, fellas. Don't wanna make me already pissed as I am after a long ass day."
An armored guard went flying onto the twin doors, swinging the open as he slid on the white floor. The indentation of knuckles were present on his silver plated helmet, his voice giving out a pained groan.
The familiar Dante walked into the council hall, four guards locking on their grips on his limbs whilst two held on to the ends of his red coat. Olga and Chloe followed behind, their eyes simply watching the royal security futiley stopping the silver haired man.
At Dante's last step, he heard a tear from behind him, the two holding on to his coat fell back as they unintentionally ripped the leather fabric. Gritting his teeth in anger, Dante immediately shrugged off the guards holding him, pushing all back before incurring his wrath onto the ones holding his red remnants. No one messes with his stylish attire!
"Erm..." Celestine spoke, breaking in before a fight could happen. "Guards, it is alright for this man to make his presence here. You may return to your respective posts."
All the guards heeded the command, slowly retreating away from the powerhouse of the crimson warrior, two others helping their slugged comrade up to lead him out of the council hall. Dante scoffed at the leaving security and turned his focus to Celestine.
Celesfine gestured her hand to the devil hunter. "My Shields, this is Sir Dante. A man I hired to bring back the Dark Queen here. As he is now with us, his mission is deemed successful."
Dante took a deep breath to school himself. He gave the many women present his attention, raising his arms out as if he brought gifts. "Hello, all you lovely gals! I come from a perilous journey to return back with whom I was tasked to bring!" He then gestured his hands to Olga and Chloe, jazzing his hands up for dramatic flare along with his tone. "Olga Discordia and her faithful servant, Chloe from the treacherous Black Dogs' clutches!"
"Idiot…" Chloe muttered, letting out an annoyed sigh.
Alicia let out a sigh of her own from the antics of the silver haired warrior. "Still, his usual self…" She said quietly, while Prim was nonetheless delighted to see Dante again.
Celestine exchanged a look to Olga, the two elves staring at eachother with neutral emotion. Some time passed before Celestine cleared her throat, regailing her attention to Dante. "We have much to discuss. And… did you say you rescued the Dark Queen and her servant from the Black Dogs…?"
Dante stood by the front of the conference table, making a headcount and observation of the old and new faces.
There was of course, Alicia and Prim sitting by eachother as they were always close then Celestine alongside the steadfast Claudia.
The first woman he looked over was a red haired woman who looked to be a mercenary. She wore the colors of red and navy for her top and bottom respectively, a white furred cowl along her collar. A headband she wore over her unkempt crimson hair and a choker around her neck.
This was Maia, Queen of the Mercenaries and her amber eyes contained some distress upon hearing the Black Dogs' name.
Another woman cast a curious gaze at the devil hunter. She had short black hair, her face soft yet hazel eyes that were aloof. She had on the traditional shrine maiden attire, garbed in silken pink robes and a royal headpiece to signify her status.
Kaede was the head priestess of the Far East.
Dante couldn't help but owlishly ogled at the next woman… or small statured girl in his case. She was child like, wearing a two piece armor made from animal hide with a green cape cloaking over her. A matching emerald hat that sat upon her curly ginger hair, her bright amethyst eyes glazed over the large sword mounted on Dante's back.
The last of the Shields was Luu-Luu, leader of the halflings and genius weapons smith.
"Fellow Shields." Celestine said, her face serious as she gestured to the silver haired man. "This is Sir Dante, a warrior I personally hired to retrieve Olga Discordia and brought to me. His mission is deemed successful, yet he has something to share, correct?"
Dante, seeing the undivided attention focused on him, placed his hands on his hips as he spoke. "Well, dear Celestine here wanted me to accompany the Black Dogs and travel up north to crash into Olga's home. Fighting happened, we won and well… Yeah, I got her here."
Dante scrunched his brow as the relaxed tone of his became serious. "Vault wanted to chill out in the Black Fortress, him and his buds off celebrating while disregarding that we had an important job to do. I took Olga and Chloe, making a prison break and Vault stopped us…"
"Dante, why were you trying to escape the palace?" Alicia asked, curious on why Dante would take such a drastic measure.
Dante sighed as he didn't want to answer that question, but felt no choice. "... Vault decided he and his guys will take over the Dark Fortress and go conquer Eostia. He wants to make it into his own glorified 'Sex Empire'. Ain't that a kick in the balls."
The Princess Knights looked unnerved by the report the devil hunter was giving. Maia slammed her fist onto the table, standing up from her seat.
"This can't be real…" She muttered, her face contorted to pure frustration. "There's no way Vault can turn his back onto everything. He fought for this country many times and the fact… he…" Maia could barely form a sentence as she bit into her lip.
"Yeah, well…" Dante began, scratching at his cheek. "The big man said it himself. He even wanted to start off with Olga and Chloe."
"I don't give a damn about them." Maia vehemently said as she glared at the red clad demon slayer. "You're talking about a war hero, bastard."
"Well, what war hero wants to literally bed the whole country?" Dante snidely remarked.
"Dante speaks of truth." Olga said, her voice cool despite the glares from the Shields. "That vile man wished to use me and my vassal as their entertainment. Thanks to the man in front of you, today, we escaped such a twisted fate."
Kaguya was next to speak up. "Surely with Sir Dante with us and Vault is in the north, his claims do hold credence, does it not?"
"May you tell us the reasoning for Vault's betrayal?" Claudia inquired from her seat.
"He blames you all for what happened here. The war, the bloodshed…" Dante's answer was to the point as he gave a sigh. "Guy needs to find a new job if it's starting to stress him out. Hell, he even tried to kill me!"
Luu-Luu'a childish voice chimed in. "How did you manage to escape when you had the Black Dogs following your tail?"
"Well, first he had his guys make me into a pincushion by stabbing me with a bunch of pesky blades, I beat their asses and blocked off the exit of the castle before me and the gals made getaway." Dante stated, unaware of the puzzled stares from the Princess Knights.
A silence fell in the room, much longer than Dante anticipated. "Uh… what?"
"Sir Dante…" Celestine said. "Did… Did you say you were heavily injured in battle with the Black Dogs?"
Dante pointed out the tears and cuts on his dirtied clothing. "They messed up my style, even."
"You're not just sizing yourself up, are you?" Alicia deadpanned, knowing the man to be a master of combat but surviving from the brink of death? Unbelievable.
Before Dante could answer he then felt something hit the back of his head. Everyone in the room stood from their seats, startled at what just occurred.
A knife struck the back of Dante's skull, blood already spurting from the wound as the devil hunter took an involuntary step forward.
Olga blinked at this before turning her eyes to Chloe, the perpetrator's arm outstretched as she was the one to throw the blade. "Chloe!" She firmly scolded.
"Dante!" Prim screamed, tears threatening to escape her eyes.
Claudia gritted her teeth. "Is this your doing, Dark Elf Queen!?"
Before anything escalated, a groan was heard from Dante. He stood up, perfectly fine as many shocked eyes rested on him. "What… the hell was that for!?" He grunted out, pulling the blade off his head with ease. He turned his heated glare at Chloe who stared back at him apathetically. "I saved you and this is your thanks by stabbing me in the head!?"
Chloe shrugged her shoulders, a smirk gracing her lips as she took her knife back. "They needed proof so I gave it to them."
The Seven Shields saw there was no indication of the wound on the silver haired man's head when his back was turned. His healing already rapidly closed it after he pulled out the blade.
"Fucking hell…" Maia muttered.
"Is he some sort of immortal..?" Claudia quietly said, sweat trailing down her face.
Celestine spoke up after swallowing a lump in her throat. "Sir Dante… What exactly are you?"
Dante turned his focus back onto the flabbergasted women. "Just your average devil hunter is all."
"Dante…" Alicia and Prim were the ones most shocked, the silver haired man that rescued them not too long ago had survived from a fatal wound in front of them.
An uneasy silence passed, the Shields trying to recover what unbelievably displayed in front of them. Celestine cleared her throat, turning her head to her fellow Shields. "Putting aside…. What we just witnessed, it is clear that Vault has shown his true nature." Her face serious and straight to the point. "We must muster what we can for this incoming new war upon us."
"Shall I send the knights over to the Dark Fortress, your Holiness?" Claudia inquired, seeing the danger within the near future.
"I'm up for a fight!" Luu-Luu cheerfully said with a grin. "My halfling troops are ready at any time!"
"Don't think so, ladies." Dante interrupted whatever action they might take, waving a dismissal hand. "If you were to get up there, you're not gonna survive. Olga barely managed to get by when we were in the Badlands 'cuz she got sick."
Dante placed a finger up, continuing on. "Plus with using the sources from the castle and with monsters at his side, there's no way you're gonna win. He is a seasoned badass, after all."
There was another thing he remembered from his confrontation with the Black Dogs' leader. "He's got an army, plus he said he has friends outside of the mercenaries… meaning…"
Alicia sighed as she settled in an idea. "There are traitors within our midst, then."
"Sir Dante is right." Celestine said. "Another assault on the Fortress is an unlikely decision. We must prepare for the days ahead. Which brings us to the next decision…"
Everyone's attention was on a poised Olga, silent and stoic besides the devil hunter and her vassal. Celestine had a frown on her face, not wishing to go along the following words uttered.
"What must be done with Olga Discordia."
The ideas for Olga's punishment were quite the gruesome executions. Claudia suggested to imprison the Dark Queen for her crimes and ending her life with the guillotine in front of a vast crowd. Kaguya wished to use Olga's decomposed body and sap whatever magic she possessed to further strengthen the spells that would protect the lands. Luu-Luu wanted to make a live show of Olga being eaten and mauled by the most carnivorous of animals, all the more disturbing with the cheerful tone she had.
Maia said nothing, her mind still distracted about her former band of mercenaries. Alicia and Prim stood quiet, both watching as Dante casually had Rebellion in his hands.
"Or how about this?" Dante then suggested while spinning his sword nonchalantly, the end of the double edged weapon spun against the white tiled floor. "We have her gain forgiveness by helping us out."
This caused an uproar within the conference room, the five of the Princess Knights leveling a glare at the red clad warrior. Olga and Celestine looked to Dante with surprise yet a smile was evident on their faces. Chloe was shocked by the decision made from the devil hunter.
"I did give 'em the promise that they'd be safe. Sorry all."
"You…" Alicia's form trembled before she shouted. "You're seriously defending this witch for all that she's done!? The lives she'd taken and ruined!? It's because of her that we were in this war to begin with!"
"Alicia…" Prim quietly said as she attempted to console her enraged cousin.
"Surely, Sir Dante. You know of the heinous crimes she committed against humanity?" Kaguya calmly inquired.
"With the impending war that's gonna happen, we're gonna need all the help we can get." Dante answered. "Vault already has control of the Fortress and the Badlands so with Olga knowing the dangerous stuff happening on those places, we have to get any info." He then gestured to the dark elves behind him. "And they can pay for their crimes by giving us what we need to win this."
The reasoning the devil hunter had calmed the atmosphere a bit, save for the fuming Alicia. They knew it only made sense to have Olga still alive since she had such knowledge viable to them.
Alicia gritted her teeth as she vehemently spoke. "You're siding with a complete monster… Don't you realize that?"
Dante spared a glance at Alicia. "Well, I'm related to one and we had our differences after a long time."
Alicia blinked at this, wondering the meaning behind his words.
Celestine cleared her throat once again after the tension died down. "I stand by this decision." Her emerald hues focused to the Dark Queen. "What say you, Olga?"
Olga regarded to Celestine and to everyone else. After a while, she made her act. "What choice do I have in the matter? It's either death awaiting me or fight against the ones invading my home." A devious smirk was shown. "I will do all that I can to place those filth in their place."
Celestine nodded and turned her attention to her fellow Shields. "Everyone else?"
Claudia placed a hand over her chest. "I stand by with whatever is right with you, milady."
"Your support holds much to my land." Kaguya said with a nod.
"The enemy of my enemy is a friend of mine!" Luu-Luu gladly agreed.
After a bit of hesitation, Maia spoke. "I don't like this… but, I'm willing to fight."
Alicia looked conflicted with what transpired before giving a silent nod.
Celestine smiled at the decision being final. "Then, one more thing must be settled." She turned to the silver haired warrior near her. "Sir Dante, with your mission successful and your dedication to help us in our dire time of need, I feel I must reward you. May you kneel?"
Quirking a brow at this, but obeyed as he went down to one knee after sheathing Rebellion.
"Dear Dante." Celestine began. "My country faces a man who wish to enslave my people. May you, once again, aid us in this impending war nearing the future and within your power, bring peace to Eostia?"
"Kinda the big job you're placing onto me." Jokes aside, Dante nodded. "I'll do the very best."
"Then, by the power vested in me as ruler of this country, I, Celestine Lucross grant you the title of Knight, Sir Dante. You may rise."
Dante stood at his full height, amazed that he had gained a new title for himself now. He couldn't help but flash a toothy grin along with a soft chuckle.
"This day just keeps getting better and better."
The village of Rosethorn was in flames and disarray, houses and stores ransacked by the opposing forces of the Black Dogs alongside the armored orcs. Men met their fate by death whilst women and children were loaded onto cages. Some women met their unlikely fate of being violated by the depraved enemies who mocked their misery.
All seem lost for this village following suit from their doomed predecessors.
A sudden scream rang out, the Black Dogs and troop of orcs that were loading their captives into cages looked to the commotion.
One of the mercenaries fell back on the dirt, a large gash made on his body that bled a puddle of copper. He was already deceased the moment he collapsed, his eyes cease of any life.
Stooping over him was a strange man, garbed in a dark cloak covering his person. His shadowed face hidden from the hood, gazed at the enemies up ahead. Underneath his cloak was a traditional katana, gripped in his hand.
The leader of the troops gritted his teeth, leveling a glare at the man killing his own. The then signaled the orcs to do away with the man, along with a few of his mercenaries for support.
The orcs and men let out a howl for battle, closing the distance between them and the cloaked stranger.
The man scoffed, his disgusted blue eyes settled on the incoming offensive forces.
He uttered a single word for them to hear, his cloak flying up off of him as he unsheathed his blade.
"Scum."
The war is now upon Eostia and on the sidelines a familiar face has shown aiding them.
There had been many questions whether Devil Arms will make their appearance in the story to which I am going to say they are, however I will not give our two protagonists the easy route of just getting them out of the blue. Careful planning must be made and I intend to carry that out as best I can.
This was a hefty chapter to finish up but it was worth it. Hope you guys enjoyed this too.
Edit: I have made some readjustments to the story since someone pointed out that this was too similar to The Night Unfurls. I vastly apologize for this and aim to be better and original. Thank you to all who follow and favorited this story.