Dante and Nero were currently staying at an inn. Dante had celebrated his success with beer, lots of beer. In fact, he drank so much beer that he proposed marriage, not to a mop, but the adoring fan. The adoring fan was in shock. Nero stepped in before he could say anything but Nero swore he was about to say yes. When Dante woke up the next morning Nero told him everything. Dante was so horrified he announced he would never get that drunk again. Nero just laughed almost as hard as he had when it happened. The adoring fan stared at Dante but said nothing (yes, the adoring fan was actually quiet *gasps of shock*). "So, now what's the plan?" Nero asked.
"I don't know. I guess we should learn more about the land before we make our next decision," Dante said with a shrug.
"I agree, maybe we could get a job," Nero suggested.
"Why? We got all the money we could ever need!" Dante exclaimed.
"But at the rate you spend it'll be gone in a week, at most," Nero pointed out.
"Well, you've got a point there..."
"I know! With your skills you would be a wonderful member of the fighter's guild, O great champion!" the adoring fan piped up.
"What's that?" Nero asked.
"It's a guild for mercenaries. Their members are well paid, are provided with a place to live if they don't have a house, and they only do jobs that are within the law," the adoring fan explained.
"Sounds perfect!" Nero and Dante shouted at the same time.
"Where can we join?" Dante asked.
"Either in Anvil or Cheydinhal," the adoring fan said.
"I vote Anvil," Nero said.
"I vote Cheydinhal," Dante said.
"Why? What's wrong with Anvil?" Nero asked.
"I don't know, I just feel like going to the Cheydinhal."
"You just wanna argue!"
"Since he is the grand champion, and you are not, his decision is the right one!" the adoring fan said while shooting contemptuous glances at Nero.
"Why you-!" Nero began. Dante laughed.
"I'm beginning to like this guy," he said. Then he froze. "I mean-not in that way!" he blurted. Nero laughed at his discomfort. They bought a map and then headed for Cheydinhal.
"Aren't you going to buy a horse?" the adoring fan asked.
"Nah, I don't have any horse riding skills anyway," Dante replied.
"Really? I thought you were good at everything," the adoring fan said with a shocked expression.
"Close, but not quite," Dante replied with a smirk.
"That's not true! I'm better than you at some things!" Nero exclaimed.
"Like what?" Dante asked.
"How about girls? At least I had a girlfriend once. You've always chased them off," Nero said with a grin.
"Not true, there was this one girl... Her name was Selena. She was obsessed with me," Dante said.
"Then how come I never met her?" Nero asked.
"I shot her," Dante replied. Both Nero and the adoring fan stared at him in shock. Dante just grinned.
I don't think I'll ask... Nero thought.
"She must not have been worthy of you," the adoring fan stated. So then the three of them headed for Cheydinhal. Dante bragged to the adoring fan about how awesome he was. The adoring fan prattled on and on about how amazing he was. And Nero tried to keep himself from killing both of them. After several unfortunate bandit attacks (that is, unfortunate for the bandits), they reached their destination. It was late at night and they were all tired. Dante and the fan went to the Cheydinhal Bridge Inn while Nero, who shouted he might strangle that pompous fool and his annoying fan in their sleep, went to Newlands Lodge. Dante was sleeping peacefully when he sensed a presence.
"Who's there?" he muttered drowsily.
"You sleep rather soundly for a murderer, that is good. You'll need a clear conscience for what I'm about to propose," a black-robed man said.
"Huh? I've killed plenty of demons but no humans, well, there was Selena but she was a fangirl, separate species in my book," Dante said.
"You took the life of the previous grand champion. You did so for fame and money, you had no value for his life," the man in black said.
"How many times do I have to say this, he begged me to! I was showing him mercy!" Dante exclaimed.
"Oh really? What would you have done if he hadn't asked you to kill him?" The man in black asked.
"Well, I-I don't know..." Dante stammered.
"My name is Lucien Lachance. I'm here to invite you to join our rather unique family. We are called the Dark Brotherhood. We are a guild of paid assassins and homicidal cutthroats. We can provide the same things as the Fighters Guild only with a few bonuses. It doesn't matter what species you are, or rather you're living or a vampire, we will accept you with open arms. We will accept any job, good or evil, as long as it requires taking a life. We worship the dread father Sithis," Lucien explained.
"That's nice, but I kill demons, not humans," Dante said.
"Demons? Do you mean Daedra?" Lucien asked.
"No, demons, a.k.a. devils," Dante said.
"Well, I should warn you, the Fighters Guild might not be so accepting of you and your friend if they were to find out about what you are," Lucien said.
"Huh? How did you know?" Dante asked.
"I know a lot of things, including your Daedric, or demonic, ancestry," Lucien said. Dante glared at him.
"I won't join you, now leave if you value your life," Dante growled.
"Could you bring yourself to do it? To kill a fellow human?" Lucien jeered.
"That's it!" Dante yelled. He leaped forward as he grabbed the Rebellion off a nearby table. He sliced at Lucien who only barely pulled his silver short sword out in time. Lucien cast a chameleon spell. Dante blinked and looked around trying to spot him. Lucien appeared in front of him and rammed his sword through him. Dante just grabbed the sword and Lucien's hand and pulled it out. Lucien let go of the sword and leaped back.
"I saw your fight in the arena. I knew this wouldn't be enough to kill you. That's why I poisoned the blade. You should die any second now," Lucien said with an evil grin. Dante frowned as his stomach started aching.
"It does hurt, but I wouldn't exactly call it lethal," Dante stated. Lucien stared in shock. Dante zipped across the room and rammed the Rebellion through him. He clamped his hand over Lucien's mouth and then pulled it out. Lucien's eyes watered in pain but he couldn't make a noise. "I didn't hit anywhere vital. I'll turn you into the guards. They can interrogate you all they want," Dante said with a smirk. He pulled a shirt out of the nearest drawer and made a rope out of it to tie Lucien's arms behind his back. Then he dragged him downstairs.
The Next Morning
The guards had believed the whole story, and they were extremely grateful to Dante. Dante had told Nero and the fan about it that morning and had, once again, received praise from the fan. "Great job, now an angry assassin's guild will be after us," Nero grumbled.
"We can take them on," Dante said confidently.
"Yes, you can beat anyone!" the fan said.
Somebody make him shut up... Nero thought irritably.
"Let's go sign up for the Fights Guild! I asked directions from the guards," Dante said cheerfully.
"Fine, whatever," Nero said. Then they set off through town.
