Mission 1

[strawberryredgrave]

Sender: Dante Sparda
To: Everyone
Subject: Introductions

Can't say I mind this new locale very much. Would mind it a lot less if I didn't get separated from my brother, but if this place really is some extra elaborate dream thing, then he'll be fine.

So while I wonder if my nephew smacked me hard enough to send me here, I should make myself known. The name's Dante, the founder of Devil May Cry. We're guns (and swords) for hire who specialize in the supernatural and lemme tell you, we've seen a lot of weird stuff. Ancient portals to Hell reopening, cults using demonic power to pose as gods, blood sucking demon trees, we've handled them all. I ain't suggesting this is all demonic powers at play here, but it wouldn't surprise me.

"But Dante, you handsome devil" you're probably saying, "there's probably a few demons here already that are pretty cool. You're gonna offend them with this." And maybe I would, if I left it there. I've taken enough cases to know that not only are there good demons just getting by, but also bad people - human, demon or otherwise - manipulating who and whatever they can to get their way. Those are the people we kill. Like a Lady friend of mine once said: even a devil may cry when they lose a loved one.

I was just about ready to go into sort of retirement, but given the circumstances, I got at least one more job to do. Wanna collaborate? Chances are it won't be my weirdest.

Comments

[strawberryredgrave]

Knowing what to look for so you can avoid the same traps. Smart.

It's why Devil May Cry carries out its own investigations. Learn the truth for ourselves and decide what to do with it. One such trick we faced was a client feeding us the wrong information about a target. Wanted me to kill a kid who was turned into a demon. Long story.

Suffice to say, we reserve the right to terminate a contract if we disagree with it.

[whose_son_am_i]

It's your business, you can make the rules of the contract. Including clauses and rules for breaking of said-contract. Most do not bother to read clearly nor completely.

[strawberryredgrave]

Especially when it's across dozens of pages in tiny font. Truth be told, we'd probably make more money if we had a no questions asked, see it through to the end policy. As is, we make a decent living without giving up our beliefs.

It's the kind of freedom anyone would want.

[whose_son_am_i]

I can respect that kind of freedom and appreciate it. I am also glad you understand how complex and nuanced something can be while it seems 'simple'.

[strawberryredgrave]

The devil's in the details, as they say.

You seem familiar with the subject. What kind of contracts do you write? I'm gonna guess lawyer.

[whose_son_am_i]

Not a lawyer, just someone familiar with how to twist and play with words. Do they have what's known as "Norse" mythology in your world?

[strawberryredgrave]

They do. Doesn't come up that much in my line of work; see a lot more Greek or Christian mythology.

But Norse? The valkyries, giant snakes, Ragnarok...why's it put so much focus on the end of the world, anyway?

[whose_son_am_i]

Personally I could not necessarily see the appeal. All things end and change though, I suppose. Are you familiar with any of the Norse Gods?

[strawberryredgrave]

Some people like skipping to the end of the book, I guess.

I know the basics. Your Thors, Lokis, Odins, a Freya somewhere. Should've guessed I'd meet Loki first; takes a sharp understanding of the rules to know how to bend 'em.

[whose_son_am_i]

The basic gist of the myths are correct, but it's amazing to me what has been embellished or made up outright. Likely with the copious help of alcohol. You are correct though. Best to understand that which you want to twist and break and shape differently.