Capítulo 30: A Devil’s Escort
It was midday in Devil May Cry HQ, and Dante lounged in his typical relaxed pose, feet propped up on the desk, a slice of pizza balanced precariously on his knee. He was mid-story, animatedly recounting his last hunt to Hadrian, who leaned back in his chair with a bemused grin, occasionally tossing in sarcastic remarks.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Morrison stepped in, his expression a mix of annoyance and urgency. Trailing behind him was a young girl with big, curious eyes, peering out from behind his frame.
"Dante," Morrison began, his hands on his hips. "I have a job that requires your… let's say, 'special talents.'"
Dante barely looked up, arching an eyebrow. "Uh-uh. You know I don't do kid-sitting. What is this, bring-your-child-to-work day?"
Hadrian smirked, leaning forward in his chair. "C'mon, Dante. Little out of your league?"
Before Dante could retort, Morrison sighed and gestured to the girl. "This is Patty Lowell, the new heir to the Lowell family fortune. She's been receiving threats."
Patty lifted her chin defiantly, her grip on her small purse tightening. "I didn't ask for a bodyguard. But apparently, there are some demons who think they can take what's mine."
Dante's smirk faltered slightly. "A kid… with money?" He rubbed his chin, reconsidering. "Maybe not completely out of my league."
Morrison continued, "Her inheritance has stirred some unwanted attention. Demons, to be precise. She's got a target on her back. Think you can do one job without causing a total mess?"
Dante's half-smile returned, mischief gleaming in his eyes. "No promises. Messes and I are old friends."
Just then, Morrison flipped a coin, betting that if it landed heads-up, Dante would clear his bar tab for the month if he took the job. Dante lost with an exaggerated groan, tossing his hands up in mock defeat.
"Alright, alright," he conceded, grabbing his gear. "Let's get this kid to her castle."
Hadrian chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eye. "Just try to be professional for once, yeah?"
The trio sped down the winding road in Dante's red convertible. Patty sat in the backseat, fidgeting nervously, her eyes darting around, absorbing the unfamiliar sights. Hadrian, riding shotgun, glanced back at her, intrigued by the child who suddenly found herself in a world of demons and devil hunters.
"So, what's your deal, anyway?" Patty asked, her voice wavering between curiosity and caution.
"Me?" Hadrian replied with a grin, adjusting his wand holster. "I'm the… extra special backup. But you can call me Harry."
"Harry, huh?" Patty frowned, tilting her head. "What's with the stick and sword?"
"Just a couple of tricks up my sleeve," he winked, motioning to the small phoenix chick that peeked out from his shoulder. "And this is Hedwig," he said, pointing. "My companion."
"Companion?" she echoed, eyes widening.
Oryou, coiled like a decorative tattoo on Hadrian's arm, lifted her head proudly. "I'm the one who bites first and asks questions later," she drawled, earning an amused look from Patty.
"Talking pets?" Patty whispered, astonished.
"Companions," Hadrian corrected, shooting Oryou a knowing look. "Don't let their looks fool you."
Suddenly, as they passed through a dark tunnel, Dante's focus sharpened. He glanced at his side mirror, where he caught a glimpse of glowing red eyes creeping up beside the car. Without a second thought, he reached back, pulling Patty's hat down over her eyes.
"Hey!" she protested, startled.
"Just covering your eyes," Dante muttered, drawing Ebony & Ivory in one smooth motion. He fired at the demon, the creature letting out an unearthly shriek before disintegrating into ash.
Patty lifted her hat, peeking out with wide eyes. "Was that—?"
"Yep," Hadrian said, sheathing his wand. "Just another regular day at work for us."
In a shadowy, high-ceilinged study far from the chaos, two men in impeccably tailored suits plotted their next move. The brothers leaned close, their faces illuminated only by the flickering firelight.
"She'll be here tomorrow at six," the elder sneered, swirling a glass of dark whiskey. "If she even exists."
The other brother's face twisted in anger. "If she's real, we'll handle her easily. A demon doesn't leave behind many remains." They shared a sinister laugh, toasting to what they believed would be their final stroke of luck.
Later, as they boarded a train, Hadrian noticed Patty holding a locket close to her chest, staring intently at a photograph inside. Dante, casually leaning against the window, caught the look on her face.
"Cute boyfriend?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.
Patty shot him an incredulous look. "It's my mother," she snapped back, lifting her chin defiantly. "Not that it's any of your business."
Dante's expression softened slightly, but he quickly masked it with his usual swagger. "Sure, kid," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Just then, a stranger slipped into the seat beside Patty. The man's smile was unsettling, and his gaze lingered a moment too long.
Dante's instincts flared, and he leaned forward, fixing the man with a steely glare. "There are plenty of other seats," he said pointedly, his tone low.
The stranger didn't budge, and Hadrian could feel the tension in the air. The moment the train plunged into darkness, the man revealed his true form—a grotesque demon. Before it could lunge for Patty, Hadrian quickly cast Judgment Rift, a dimensional slash that destabilized the demon.
Dante, ever quick on the draw, executed Stinger, driving Rebellion deep into the demon's chest. The creature howled, disintegrating into nothingness as the train emerged back into the light.
Patty gasped, eyes wide. "So this is what you do?"
"Just another day at the office," Hadrian replied, offering her a reassuring smile.
Later that evening, the trio arrived at a small hotel. Patty, intrigued by a poster featuring a woman who resembled her mother, wandered off. Ignoring Dante's cautious warnings, she slipped out, her heart racing with hope.
At the opera house, she spotted the woman again, but as she rushed toward her, the figure vanished. Feeling a pang of disappointment, she turned, only to be ambushed by demons posing as ushers. Panic surged through her as they closed in.
Dante and Hadrian burst into the opera house, weapons drawn, adrenaline pumping. "Think you can handle the waltz?" Dante taunted as he tossed Rebellion in a Round Trip, the sword spinning through the air and slicing through multiple demons in a beautiful arc.
"Nice moves, Dante!" Hadrian called, conjuring Loretta's Mastery. A storm of magical projectiles rained down, targeting the remaining demons, breaking their defenses. He followed up with Judgment Rift, a quick slash that destabilized the last demon, allowing Dante to deliver the finishing blow with Million Stab, plunging his sword deep until it evaporated into shadows.
"Not bad," Dante admitted, catching his breath. "But we're not done yet."
The final confrontation awaited them at the grand Lowell Estate. As they arrived, a sense of unease settled over the trio. One of the brothers stepped forward, and his face twisted into a monstrous form, revealing his true nature as a demon.
"A pity you came all this way for nothing," he sneered, his grotesque body shifting and expanding into a monstrous beast. The other brothers screamed in terror, only to be killed in the ensuing chaos.
Dante cracked his knuckles, gripping Rebellion with renewed vigor. "Ready to make this quick?"
Hadrian held Bradamante steady, dark energy crackling along its edge. "Try to keep up, old man."
With a rush, they engaged the demon. Dante used Million Stab to batter it back, while Hadrian combined Obsidian Ward to absorb incoming attacks, following up with Voidstep to teleport beside the demon, striking with Surge of the Abyss.
Seeing an opening, Dante unleashed Drive, sending a shockwave from Rebellion that cleaved through the demon's defenses. The creature roared, weakened but still thrashing.
"Time to end this," Hadrian said, activating Golden Vow to boost their strength, then swinging Bradamante with Bloodflame Blade ignited, the katana flaring with dark flames as they struck together, finally vanquishing the beast.
As the demon fell, Patty stood nearby, awe-struck but grateful. "Thank you!"
Back at Devil May Cry HQ, Patty tells Morrison she plans to use her inheritance for good, particularly for the orphanage where she grew up. Dante steps out of the shower, eyeing her decorations in horror.
"Uh, kid? I didn't agree to frilly curtains and flower pots."
Patty simply grins, dipping her spoon into Dante's long-awaited strawberry sundae. "Too late. It's my treat."
Dante's face falls, but a hint of a smile tugs at his mouth. He gives Harry a mock glare, "This one's your fault, kid."
The two share a grin, knowing they've both gained something from this unexpected job.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder