The grand museum stood tall and silent against the night sky, an imposing structure filled with relics and artifacts from distant lands. Within, shadows moved as Hadrian, Dante, and Sirius made their way through the dimly lit exhibits, drawn by rumors of strange demonic energy surrounding an ancient relic known as the Arcana Medaglia.
Hadrian leaned closer to inspect the display case, eyes narrowing on the circular coin that seemed to pulse with an unnatural glow. "This thing better be worth the trouble. You know how many exhibits we had to sneak past just to get here?"
"Relax, kid," Dante chuckled, adjusting Rebellion strapped on his back. "Anything that gives off energy like that is bound to attract some nasty company. Makes it worth the trip, don't you think?"
Hadrian rolled his eyes, but a small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. As usual, Dante was here more for the fight than the artifact. Sirius moved silently behind them, his gaze sharp and vigilant. He sensed something lurking in the air, something other than just dust and ancient history.
A sudden shrill cry echoed through the hall, sending a chill down their spines. "Incoming," Dante muttered, pulling Rebellion free in one smooth motion.
Out of the shadows swooped a swarm of Puia demons—harpy-like creatures with sharp talons and dark, leathery wings that seemed to meld into the darkness. They circled above, screeching as they sized up their prey.
"Guess they don't appreciate visitors," Hadrian muttered, pulling out Kanshou and Bakuya. His enchanted twin blades gleamed in the dim light, ready to taste demon blood.
Before the Puia could descend, another figure joined the fray. She moved with the grace of a dancer, wielding twin curved blades that sliced through the air with deadly precision. Hadrian watched, momentarily stunned, as she cut down the demons with an efficiency that rivaled even Dante's.
"Need some backup?" Dante called, grinning as he hacked through a Puia diving toward him.
The woman gave him a quick, fierce glance. "Only if you can keep up," she replied, her voice smooth and confident.
The fight was a blur of movement and blood. Hadrian moved in sync with Sirius, who had transformed his hand into a massive, silver-clawed weapon. The Grim Animagus claw tore through demon flesh with brutal efficiency. Sirius then summoned binding chains from his wand, wrapping them around several Puia and snapping their wings, causing them to crash to the ground where Hadrian promptly finished them with a single, merciless swing.
Hedwig, in her tattoo form on Hadrian's arm, sent a comforting hum through their bond, while Oryou hissed from his other arm, the tattoo pulsing with anticipation.
Finally, when the last Puia fell to the ground, bleeding and broken, Hadrian lowered his blades, breathing hard. The woman sheathed her weapons, her intense gaze settling on them.
"I didn't expect to find company here," she said, her tone guarded but respectful.
Dante grinned. "We're not exactly your typical tourists. Name's Dante. This here is Hadrian, his grandson." He paused, letting the connection sink in, and then pointed to Sirius. "And the quiet one over there is Sirius."
The woman inclined her head slightly, the mention of Sparda drawing a look of both respect and caution. "I'm Lucia. Thank you for the assistance."
"Pleasure's all ours," Hadrian replied, unable to hide his curiosity. "Mind telling us what we just risked our necks for?"
Lucia looked down at the Medaglia, her expression troubled. "This artifact is one of four Arcanas. Together, they can summon an ancient demon named Argosax. My people believe he's the darkest evil to ever exist. If he's revived, it would mean disaster."
Dante folded his arms, intrigued. "Sounds like you could use some extra hands."
Lucia hesitated, then nodded. "If you're willing to help, come with me. There's someone you should meet."
Later, in Vie de Marli
They followed Lucia to a hidden sanctuary nestled deep within the forests of Vie de Marli. As they entered, Hadrian could feel an ancient energy lingering in the air. They were met by an elderly woman who carried herself with quiet authority. Her wise, weathered eyes assessed each of them in turn, lingering on Dante and Hadrian.
"So, the bloodline of Sparda returns to this land," she said, a warm but knowing smile spreading across her face. "I am Matier. I once fought alongside your grandfather, to seal Argosax."
Hadrian felt a surge of pride, and a deeper sense of connection to this place. Dante gave her a respectful nod. "You'll have to tell me those stories sometime."
Matier gestured for them to sit. "We don't have much time. Arius, the head of Uroboros Corporation, seeks to use the four Arcanas to summon Argosax and gain his power. We must gather the Arcanas before he does."
Hadrian clenched his fists, eager for the challenge. "Let's get started then. Where do we find the rest of these relics?"
Matier looked to Lucia, her expression somber. "The Arcana Medaglia you found is one. The other three—Spada, Calice, and Bastone—are hidden across Vie de Marli."
Dante flipped his coin, smirking when it landed on heads. "Looks like we're in."
Hadrian grinned, feeling the thrill of the mission. This wasn't just another hunt; this was a battle against a demon of legend, a chance to prove himself as both a Peverell and Sparda's grandson.
"Then let's go relic-hunting," he said, the eagerness clear in his voice.
With their goal set, the group prepared to face whatever horrors awaited them, knowing that each Arcana brought them closer to facing a demonic force that only Sparda himself had once dared to challenge.