The door to Devil May Cry swung open, its hinges creaking as Hadrian stepped inside, feeling the weight of his first solo mission pressing down on him. His leather jacket was splattered with blood, demon ichor, and dirt, evidence of the brutal mission he'd just completed. His dual enchanted longswords, still dripping with the black blood of the Behemoth, rested on his back. Exhaustion gnawed at him, but adrenaline kept him moving, his mind racing through the day's events—the cultists, the mad wizard, and the final, vicious battle with the demon.
The office was as familiar and chaotic as ever, rock music playing softly in the background. Sirius lounged on the couch, a thick tome on ancient wards resting in his lap, while Dante, ever the picture of confidence, leaned back in his chair, feet propped on the desk, flipping through a magazine.
Dante glanced up, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Took your sweet time, kid," he quipped, not bothering to look away from the magazine. "What happened? Get distracted by a pretty girl on the way back?"
Hadrian rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. He dropped onto the nearest chair, running a hand through his messy black hair. "Yeah, if you count a Behemoth trying to make me it's dinner," he muttered, tossing his longswords onto the workbench beside him.
Dante chuckled, finally setting the magazine down and sitting up. "Well, you made it back in one piece, so that's a win."
Sirius looked up from his book, concern flickering in his eyes as he took in Hadrian's disheveled appearance. "Rough mission?"
Hadrian nodded, resting his elbows on his knees. "More than expected. Ran into a group of cultists—a human, and a wizard trying to open a Hell Gate. They summoned a Behemoth." He paused, the memory of the battle flashing in his mind. "I had to kill the cultists, Sirius. Humans. And then the Behemoth… it was intense."
Sirius's expression softened, but there was pride in his voice. "You did what you had to. The job isn't easy, but you stopped them. That's what matters."
"It's not all bad," Dante added, standing up and stretching his arms. "Every job teaches you something. And speaking of lessons..." He walked over to the large safe in the corner of the room, his tone shifting as he continued, "You've survived your first solo mission. I think that calls for a little reward."
Hadrian raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Reward?"
Dante smirked, pulling out a key and unlocking the safe. "Come with me."
They made their way to the back of the office, to a door Hadrian had never seen opened before. When Dante swung the door open, revealing the vault of Devil May Cry, Hadrian's eyes widened. The room was filled with weapons of every kind—swords, guns, axes, enchanted gauntlets, all resting in neat displays. Some radiated dark, ominous energy, while others gleamed with ancient magic.
"Take your pick," Dante said with a grin. "Whatever speaks to you."
Hadrian stepped inside, his eyes trailing over the rows of weapons. He paused by a large scythe, its blade crackling with dark energy, before moving to an obsidian hammer that looked like it could crush mountains with ease. A pair of enchanted gauntlets glowed faintly on a stand nearby, pulsing with ethereal light. As he examined a well-worn katana, Dante leaned against the doorframe.
"That one belonged to a demon samurai I fought a while back," Dante said, gesturing to the katana. "Strong, sharp, and carries an enchantment to cut through almost anything."
Hadrian nodded, impressed, but something else caught his eye—a faint glimmer in the corner of the room. His gaze shifted toward two swords, sleek and balanced, displayed in a glass case. One was black, the other white, their forms elegant yet deadly. The hilts were adorned with intricate carvings, and the blades seemed to hum with quiet, powerful energy.
"These…" Hadrian whispered, stepping closer.
Dante's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, Kanshou and Bakuya. Now those are a pair of blades with a story." He moved beside Hadrian, gazing at the twin swords. "I got these from a red bowman I met on a mission a long time ago. He didn't talk much, but man, could he fight. After I helped him out of a tight spot, he gave me these as a token of gratitude." Dante grinned. "Said they were special, bound to each other—no matter how far apart they are, they always return to one another. They're two sides of the same coin, forged from the same soul."
Hadrian placed his hands on the glass, feeling the pull of the swords. They called to him, resonated with something deep within him. It was as though they were waiting for him.
"They're built for someone like you," Dante continued. "A balanced fighter. Kanshou absorbs negative energy, while Bakuya enhances your strength. They're tough, fast, and they'll never let you down."
Without hesitation, Hadrian nodded. "I'll take them."
Dante opened the glass case and handed the swords to Hadrian, who gripped the hilts. The weight was perfect, the balance impeccable. As he twirled the blades in his hands, he could feel the power thrumming through them, a connection forming between him and the weapons.
"Good choice," Dante said, clapping Hadrian on the back. "Take care of them, and they'll take care of you."
Hadrian nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The swords felt right like they were meant for him. "Thanks, Dante."
Dante shrugged, his usual cocky grin returning. "Don't mention it, kid. Now, how about we celebrate with a sundae? I think we've earned it."
As they left the vault, Hadrian couldn't help but glance back at the rows of weapons. Kanshou and Bakuya felt like more than just swords—they felt like a new beginning. With these blades, he knew he was ready for whatever came next.
Back in the main room, the crew gathered around a table, ice cream sundaes and banter flying between them. Sirius raised an eyebrow at Hadrian's new swords. "So, you got your reward, huh?"
Hadrian nodded, twirling one of the blades. "Yeah, these… they feel right."
Hedwig, still perched near the window, eyed the swords critically. "As long as they don't break like some of your other toys."
Dante laughed. "Don't worry, birdbrain. These swords are tough. They'll last longer than you will."
Hedwig ruffled her feathers indignantly. "We'll see about that."
As the crew continued their banter, Hadrian sat back, gazing at the twin swords resting on the table before him. Kanshou and Bakuya weren't just weapons—they were a step forward in his journey. A reminder that he was no longer the boy who had stumbled into the world of demons. He was a devil hunter now, with a future as sharp and dangerous as the blades in his hands.
And he was ready for whatever came next.