Chapter 3: Dante's Office Job Part 1
Floyd resting himself on a couch at the porch. His heart beating fast. He can't believe he lost her daughter again. How could it become like this, he didn't know. "Jocelyn... where are you now? i'm so sorry that i can't keep that thing away from you... Now we are all screwed." He sobbed, both palms covered his face, slouched down.
"How things go Floyd? Did you found her yet" his wife asked as she sat besides him. She pat his shoulder.
Floyd raise his head, staring at his wife. Bitterness shown on his face. What should he say to her? Things only get worse as there is no trace of Jocelyn's whereabouts. She's waiting for his reply. He knows, he had no choice left. "...There has been no progress yet.." he said it with hesitation. "I've tried ... so badly you see... but i still have no idea where she is.."
"No way.. Floyd, you can't fail... Did you realize how helpless she is out there in that woods!?" she said with cracked voice.
Floyd can't stare her right on the eye. His lip shut tight. Dead silence all over him.
"I can't.. i can't lose her... I won't let that thing took her away" She stand up and start rushing towards the door.
"Rena! Wait!" Floyd catch her hand preventing her to go any further "Where do you think you're going?!"
"If you can't find Jocelyn then i will find her myself!" She shakes her hand hard attempting to break loose from Floyd's grasp.
"Are you crazy? its dangerous out there !"
"I don't care... what i care about is my daughter safety! I can't live without her" she jerked at him preparing to go outside but he quickly grab her.
"No! Listen... I've got it covered, okay!" he tried to reassure his wife.
"What!?... How!" she shout angrily
"I've hired someone who has the gist over this matter. He is a mercenary who will get this job done."
"Mercenary? That's ridiculous! What we need now is a priest? Why would you think to hire a mercenary could solve this?! They are not dealing well with supernatural things!"
"That's because... even the village elders never got any clue of this matter. And our priest is still handling another matter out of town." he stated
"Then what it has to do with that hired guy of yours?"
"Trust me he is not just your average mercenary. He claimed to be dealt with this before."
Hearing that, Rena looks at Floyd intensely "How so?" sceptic all over her face
"I dont know.. but he come to an agreement to settle it himself. He's on his way coming here."
"And you believe him just like that?"
"What choice do i have? We need any help as soon as possible and he's the one who answered our call. You should be grateful atleast someone is care." Floyd retorted.
"Regardless you should ask priestest instea-" the sound of doorbell rings cut off Rena's nagging.
"Ahh! That should be him!" Floyd rushed to reach the doorknob then opening it.
A figure dressed in red clad is standing in front of him. Both of his arms covered by black gloves. His white hair blowing in the wind. There is a blade hung behind his back with a strange design that Floyd never seen before.
"You're the one who made a call?" Dante ask with a grinn.
"Yeah its me!" Floyd answered enthusiasticly. "I've been waiting for your arrival"
"So this is the guy you keep talking about, Floyd?" Rena butt in."
"Yeah, this is him." Floyd replied
"So did you know when your last time found uhh.. Joyce whereabout?" Dante asked
"Its Jocelyn. Last time i found her, its in the Greywoods.."
"Greywoods? sounds like a real trouble. What kind of mess she has been into ?"
"I think she's beeing possesed, by what thing i have no idea at all. Can you guess it?"
"Well there is.. many type of them. That thing that you try to reason with, if it happen to posses your daughter away. It can be a damned spirit."
"That's what i think" Rena says abruptly.
"So its a evil ghost that's what you mean right?"
"Almost right, but unfortunately the ghost still retain a soul when their alive. That spirit did not posses soul at all. It is more badder, coz its very nature is purely to bring misery around its path. Its what you called a demon. Your daughter is really in big trouble, you see." Dante pointed out boldly.
Floyd flinched, his expression turned grim. Taken aback by Dante's statement. And Rena felt her spine is shivering.
"Ohh my God... we must find Jocelyn immediately before its too late! you can handle this right!?" Floyd panicked
"That's why i'm here, but before i could even start my investigation could you show me anything regarding of her portrait?"
"Yes! I can show you her photo! I will give it to you, please wait for a moment." says Floyd while he get to the upstairs. Reaching Jocelyn's room.
Rena looked at Dante distrustfully, hands crossed on her chest, she is doubting that this person can handle their problem at all. But most of it..
"You're still a teenager?" she narrowed her eyes toward him.
"Apparently i am" Dante shrugged.
"Did you really have any idea of this. Your recent explanations were good. But still to think my husband relied to such a brat like you is beyond my comprehension. Is that only money that you're up to?" she said in sharp tone.
Dante gazed at her eyes "If you put it that way, yes it is"
"Do you even know what are you doing?"
"Yup, I aware enough of what am doing here ma'am. Wether i'm not looks convincing enough to you, its your problem. Just so you know that i was accustomed for doing dirty works, which i do best."
"Is that it, so.. how many times did you enroll this kind of occupation of yours hmm?"
"There were so many that i lose count how many times i repeat it again. They pay, i do. The same goes for your errand too."
Rena find herself slightly astonished by his statement. "Its kind of weird that a youngster such as yourself doing this kind of stuff."
Dante lift one of his brows "Why the hell should i feel weird, nobody ever feel any objection for me doing this, even they think its benefical." he grinned
"That's not it, what i mean.. didn't you already have a parents who will take care for you? To think that you still need additional income for living i can say they're not raise you well."
The smiling on his face lost as a sudden pang hit Dante, which he dissolve it quickly when hearing that blunt words. "Parents.. ehh.. I was living alone.. Ma'am. Never had that since i was 8."'Damn it, what was that for?' he cursed mentally. Thanks to her he just reminded of his long dead mother now. Damn it.
Aware that she just stepped on the thin ice and the athmosphere around turning tense Rena rectify her words. "Ohh i'm so sorry i never thought-"
"Nah, it's okay! i'm already get on with that long time a go." Dante cut her off quickly.
Speechless for a moment, she found her maternal instinct rose up. Knowing a child grew up without their parents is really bugs her up. "It must be hard for you to went throught that experience."
"Heh, you should worry your own daughter." Dante shrugged.
"You are right" Rena smiled dryly.
The sound of the pounding feet is audible from the stairs soon revealing to be Floyd "Here! I got her photo, take this with you for the clue. Hope it might help." He hand it over to Dante.
"Do you need anything else?" Floyd asked again.
"Nah, its enough. This will do" Dante put the photo to his jacket pocket then make his way out leaving the house.
"Hey wait! Let me go with you!" Floyd trying to follow him outside.
Dante just tilted his head at him "No, just stay here. You better keep your wife safe Mr. Floyd" he said with a grin
"But i wanna help" Floyd insisted
"Rest assured Floyd, i'm so hardcore at what i do."
"Fine then, good luck Dante.."
Dante kept walking away only for Rena to calls him. Halted him for a brief seconds.
"Hey Dante! ... just.. be careful out there okay? You better bring my daughter in one piece!" says Rena worryingly
Dante smirked "I will.. just don't forget that i demand a good payment from you later!"
"Of course i will!" she replied.
Dante waved his hand at the two without looking back, as he began the mission to retrieve his client's daughter.
Floyd just left stupefied at his wife sudden changed attitude toward the mercenary. "What was that? I thought you dislike him, Rena."
Rena just staring at the ground with deep thought, both hands cupped on her shoulder to resist the coldness of the night breeze. "He was... just too young for that kind of life, don't you think?" she said dryly
Floyd kept silence for a moment, looking back at the leaving figure.
"It was his choice." He pat his wife shoulder before he embrace her in his arms. Praying that everything is gonna be alright.
The Greywoods, a forest that sprawled on south east of Capulet town. Origin of its name is because the color of the woods always turned grey at nigh time, giving this hollow vibe for the eyes can see. The cause of this phenomenon is still not clear. Some guessed that its caused by the gleam of the light from the moon getting refractioned by the woods, other says its caused by supernatural occurence. Almost all of the netizens keep avoiding themselves from crossing it as much as they can on every occasion, except for a very special case which is rare indeed. It is said that whoever the poor being ever step in the said forest will had unlucky fate following after. The rumours that involved about the Greywoods always led to unfortunate events such as lost people, unexplainable strange phenomenon, even the supernatural activity revolved of emersion of ghost entity. If anything of those case only make the Greywoods reputation getting more spooky... is on Dante's must visit list.
"Ohh boy, Greywoods sounds like one hell of a party! And its free from any ticket!" Dante quiping. Entering the forest entrance just ahead.
He reach his coat pocked and took out Jocelyn's photo, observing it. "Brunnette, white skin and a pair of brown eyes huh. Alright.. now where did you go girl.."
He checking his surrounding in the woods. No kidding, its grey... dark with plain grey everywhere. Anyone would freak themselves out knowing that they are lost. But not with Dante's sight. Somewhat his eyes can adjusted even in the darkness, he sharpen all his sense on alert mode. Ready to hunt. Checking all environtment, sounds and any movements with such rigor as his icy blue orbs scanning them all. Glowing yellow orbs are staring to him in every direction, must be the locals owl. Their cuckoos are the only background sound in the woods. With both hands already armed with Ebony and Ivory besides his head, his ring fingers tight on the gun's trigger. Now its up to his instinct to handle the rest. He felt the wind breeze moving more stronger against him. But he persist, managing to keep up. He is going deeper beyond the woods. Later, he arrived at three-way junction.
"Ohh great another trials for me. How could this junction randomly show up? Hmm.. suspicious." Dante grunted. He inspect it more closer. He finds out that each way have their own particularity. On his right the pathway kinda have a zig-zag patterns, on the front is a dark alleyway wich have bumpy road, another is just a straight lane while covered by grey branches all over it by his left. "Well this is confusing, where would it take me if i choose one, should i try them all one by one?" Dante scratching his head. He tried to find a clue for this matter while walking back and forth. Until something on the ground catch his attention.
Its something at the left road that bring Dante's interest. Aware of seemingly red liquid among the grey ground. "Blood trails.." He crouched at the ground touching it. "Its still fresh..." He narrowed his eyes as he stand up gazing at his front. "Looks like i'm getting close." He says as he follows the blood trail quickly. Passing through thick branches and leafs, he never lost it. When he reach the end road he just left stunned.. He just visit the three-way junction again.
"Holy shit, no wonder people get lost here! This damn woods playing tricks on me!" he cursed. He take caution of the blood trails though. Now it is at the right road, the zig-zag one. "Seems like i'm gonna play your way huh." He continue to follow the blood trails. Well this time he briefly expecting to get his prize. Unfortunately, he end up being spawned at the three-way junction again. But Dante pay no attention to it as he keeps up with the blood trails. His advanced sight never deceive him.
Soon a muffled sound is audible beyond the woods, Dante stopped his track. His ears perceived it as someone's cry. "Crying sounds.. it must be her." Dante continued and speed up his steps toward the sound's source. Looks like the trails are eventualy consistent as it leads him to the crying sounds getting more clear. He could feel the air around him becomes more thin as he getting closer. Somewhat the black energy in this region gets more disturbing, signifying the presence of something evil.. then he found it, just laying five meters right infront of him.
Leaning against a big tree, a pale white skin, seemingly tattered pijama with blood taints over it. The hair falls down covering her face. Hands groped at her neck. She is squirming against the ground in agony. Dante approach the crying figure slowly.
"Jocelyn? is that you!?" Dante shouts at her.
She gives no response instead she let out a high pitched screaming. Making Dante covers his ears.
"Easy girl, hey.. your parents sent me to get you home Joce, don't worry!" Dante bent down and touch her shoulder. Then a pair of white pupil stares him back. He confused for a second only for her to screams out at his face, a telekinesis force sends Dante flying away at considerable distance. He ends up crashing a random tree before he land on the ground with a loud thud while Rebellion stuck to the ground.
"Umphh! Not a tender-hearted type i see." Dante get on his feet quickly "At least gimme some proper treatment for founding you!" snapping at seamingly possesed girl. "So you are the troublemaker ghost who like trolling at Mr Floyd residence huh?"
"Beg0ne!" she's return with hellish voice. An intangible spirit emerge from the girl's body, floating. Bloodied face with no eyes, long hair with a wide jaw curved down in inappropriate way. Covered with dirty black cloak. Arms are long and thin paired with long sharp black claws.
"No way, i barely just here. You are being rude you know. Besides.." Dante takes out Ebony & Ivory from the holsters, pointing them at her. "She's my prize i'm gonna claim her whether you like it or not." he smirked.
"RaAaAaAgh!" She rush at Dante in fast motion, claws extended at front.
"Heh!" Dante rolling to the side just in time before it could pierce him through. Makes the claws stuck to the solid wood. 'So this thing can materialize its body.' He mentaly noted. He returns the attack by firing a barrage of bullets from Ebony & Ivory. Hitting the ghost from the back.
Roaring, the ghost tear the wood apart easily. She does another attack by quickly slashing at him, which Dante dodge them rather easy. He counter the next attack enabling him to headshot her pointblank. She's not slowing down though she managed to thwack him aside. Dante flipped himself on the air and firing his guns rapidly at her midsections. Just barely make her angrier. Her claws became more longer than before.
"AaaAaaRh!" with a quick motion she fly at Dante with the upward slash attack. He quickly dash backward completely miss it and retaliate by shooting at her face. She covered her face and blocked some of his bullet by her claws while she chase Dante down, giving yet another swipe from her claws. Smirking, Dante makes a coming gesture with his right palm while evading her attacks. Suddenly Rebellion reacted, the blade is vibrating before it breaks away from the ground. Whirling in the air, the blade answer its master call. Gliding toward Dante fast.
Dante catch the incoming sword stylishly then block the ghost assaults, sharp claws and the sword are clashing. "Let's get to the maint event shall we!" Dante pushed the struggling ghost makes it staggered back. Then spun Rebellion slicing her torso. The ghost shriek in agony as Dante hacked through her at breakneck speed.
The ghost parried the sword soon gives her the momentum to grab Dante's neck strangling him, he trying to break free by holding the arm grabbing him with no avail. The ghost extended her free arm ready to mince him off. She failed by the way, as Dante takes out one of his guns really quickly and slam the barrel beneath her chin "BANG! BANG! BANG!... " the sounds of bullets pierce through her repeatedly like a cutting knife through butter. She let out a agonizing roar, loosening her grip on Dante.
Dante hoofing one of his foot at the ghost's chest then back fliping away while slashing the arm.
"HWUUUARGH!" she retreating herself by flying through the sky. Increasing the distance between her adversary. Later, she casting a dark spell. A loud distorted sound is present among the ghost, creating a spinning orb like vortex of pitch black void. Then it dissolve turning into a huge black portal with pentagrams symbol appearing above her as she continue her casting. Soon a pack of what it seems strange looking demons are spawned from it. Diving down to the ground. Their appearance were variant, some of them have tall slim black colored bodies while having that of ghastly doll face, others having fat gibbous body with its face resembled a creepy baby face with pointed sharp teeth. All had clawed hands. The rest of them are unexplainable because their features are unnerving.
"Summoning your familiar eh? ...you guys" Dante face palmed "..are so ugly... my brains hurt by just looking at you. I tell you what, next time try to summon more decent looking familiars rather than this lame weirdos. Terribly uninspiring its so fail that i cannot feel an epic vibe at all."
The alpha ghost does not response to his nagging though, instead she pointed her long clawed finger toward Dante, signaling her familiars to attack. The horde charged at Dante with dreadful howl. Inhuman expression plastered over their face while madly laughing.
Dante let out his own twisted smirk and does welcoming gesture "Come and get me!". The nearest demon jumps at him but found itself slashed in half before it can even touch him. Followed by guns all blazing Dante rush at the incoming horde. Whoever trying to get close always end up being the easy target of raining bullets or heads getting popped off. Limbs matter splattering on the ground each time Dante fire off his guns. Despite this they seems not affected by his display of feats as they keep coming at him. Their movement pattern just becomes more erratic than ever forcing Dante to switch on Rebellion. A fat demon with a baby face trying to pounce him down by slamming its body while laughing creating cracks on the ground but miss its target. Soon Dante reappeared above it. "Pounce this!" he bring down Rebellion in high speed bisecting the hideous thing easely. He gaze at the remaining demons circling him. Standing still Dante rest his both hands on Rebellion's hilt, waiting.
Then they attack him at once repeatedly. Smashing, slashing, biting clawings and whatever that they can throws in every ankles. Only to witness something beyond logic a human can apprehend. The guy doing the impossible. In the middle of it, Dante kept countering all of the attacks like a madman while also dodging them in the mids of the raging swarm. More bloods and spilled guts littered the ground quickly. He kept hacking, slashing, countering, side stepping and guns all blazing while maintains devilish grinn on his face signifying his joy in this onslaught. If his trench coat is not colored red it would be full of blood taint right now. He can felt the surge of adrenalin overflowing in his body. Demanding more release in expense of slaying the foes. Is a familiar sensation that he felt. Killing them all... it felt so good.
Another demon gets decapitated again by an overhead slash from Rebellion.
Kill it..
Dante spun around evading a vertical slash from a demon then stab it through the gut before he cuts it upward to the head, tearing it apart.
Kills it more..
An incoming attack comes behind him from a charging fat-ass demon trying to plow him. Dante flip up himself above it to gives a rain of bullet through its wide head. Blasting the brains matter causing its big body keeling over in front. Now there are only several of them left. 2 fat demons, 5 tall demons and lastly the most strange looking one with tentacles protruding on its back.
Keep killing more..
Dante grinned more widely, he charge at the remaining demons in a quick display. The two fat were the first, they trying to fight back. One of them raise one of its huge fist to pummel him but never lay a single hit. He slip past through the assault with such agility and cut off both of its arm then behead it. The other one followed but it soon getting chopped to tiny pieces before it could even react.
Slaughter them.. SLAUGHTER THEM ALL
Sudden burst of euphoria flowing Dante's mind from inside out, he can't help it but to just letting it loose. The fact of having dominance over them by sheer power feels marvelous, and he likes to explore more of his own abilities to the limit. He need to continue his frenzy at the killzone.
Gangs up on him simultanously, the remaining tall demons trying to restrict Dante's movement. The first one using frontal assault by scratching at him, Dante duck himself down then did a sweep kick tackling it. Its companion following suit by doing death from above move, still handling his previous attacker Dante maneuver himself out of the reach, tricked it to hit its comrade instead, then blast its head off via his gun. He rolls out of the way when the incoming overhead slash come to him. Dashing forward quickly, he requite by thrusting Rebellion to its belly first then spinning back kick it sends it flying toward the rest demons.
Now only one last familiar left standing revealed to be a strange looking demon with tentacles. Looks like it is the alpha of the pack. Its size is slightly more larger nearly match the fat ass demon of its herd. Grey scaly hide skin. Long arms. Its head is more demonic with downward horns. Its eyes are pair of glowing red orbs. At his back are a bunch of black tentacles with a sharp edge. Walking slowly toward Dante and stopped to face him.
"Your struggle ends now, hunter!" he said in cold tone.
"Ohh you can talk? That's relieving to know. How about for round two." Dante pointing Rebellion at the demon, taunting him.
The alpha demon stretching one of his arm, suddenly a small crack formed on the ground beneath his palm. Then a black bastard sword protruding from it coming to his side. Raising it upward he scrub the sword from the cross guard to the edge by his fingers, engulfing it with black aura. Then he swing it to his side creating a shockwave on the process. "Sure.."