The entire church is in a wreck. What was once architecture dating back hundreds of years now litter the ground in broken slabs of marble and stone - even the grand statue of Sparda himself is defaced. His hands and sword toppled over, his face a ruin. Credo paces, looking over the destruction, even more displeased than usual. Downright incensed.
Meanwhile, Kyrie drags a large case marked with the Order's insignia over to you - pausing when you take the handle for her. It's so heavy for her that there's awe and gratitude in your voice when you ask, "You brought this here for me?"
"Credo requested. She yearns for your touch."
"Thanks." Effortlessly, you take the case, flipping it right side up and laying it out on the ground. "This blade's the best battle companion a swordsman could wish for!"
As you assemble Red Queen, Kyrie wanders over to find the gift you got her - the box, trampled in the chaos, but... the necklace is still intact. Gold, four angelic wings overlaid over a red stone. Overjoyed, she puts it on right away.
The last piece clicks into place - your blade is ready. "Fortuna Castle, huh?"
Dour, Credo replies to you. "That's what the witnesses said."
With a smirk, you rev Red Queen, ready for action. "Guy just came from Hell, he's gotta hit up a couple tourist sites!" Credo, however, has his usual iron rod jammed up his ass.
"You jest so lightly in a time of crisis?!" A pause, to compose himself again. "You must capture him."
"Trust me. I'll get it done."
Kyrie interjects, "Please be careful. You still haven't recovered."
"There's no time, and duty calls." Then the necklace she's wearing catches your eye. Your expression softens, just as your heart leaps into your throat. Kyrie herself looks both happy and embarrassed to have caught your attention. In a gentler tone, you-- avoid the subject of the necklace, instead murmuring, "Can't pass on an emergency."
Credo is oblivious to the atmosphere. His voice interrupts, all business, "I must return to Headquarters and report." As he walks away, you hope to go back to sharing that soft moment with Kyrie once more, but-- suddenly, the ground shakes, violently. All three of you rush outside.
The plaza is empty. Then, a scream: "Someone help me!"
A man staggers into view, injured. Before he gets two steps, a demon leaps for him and strikes him down - he's still alive and in agony as its bladed arms drag him away, but in an instant, his body's thrown to the ground, lifeless. Then the crowds come. Throngs of panicked people, running in every direction. No match whatsoever for the demons that drop in from the upper levels and slash them to pieces. It's a bloodbath.
Was this the work of the Assassin in red? You look around at the carnage and ask, "Is this him...?" But for once, Credo sounds uncertain.
"I... I'm not sure."
Kyrie flinches at every cry of pain, every life lost. You catch her whimpers of fear, and step up. "Credo. Take care of Kyrie. I got this."
You leap into the fray, cutting them a path to lead the townspeople to safety. Credo, still managing to be a nag: "We must evacuate the residents back to Headquarters! Report back as soon as you can, and be careful!"
In true teenaged exasperation, you snap back, "I got it already!" between slaying demons.
"Kyrie, run! Go with the others!" Despite the words of her brother, her eye catches a small child crying over the body of a loved one - and without thinking, she throws himself at him, instinctively trying to shield him from the fast approaching demons. She hugs him tight to her chest and braces herself--
But in an instant, you're there - sweeping them away with a furious slash of your blade. "Go! Get outta here!"
"Nero!" Tearfully, she ushers the child with her as she escapes. Once everyone is fully out of view... you finally roll up your sleeves.
With a smirk, you size up the demon horde. "Not so fast..."
Crisis
The entire church is in a wreck. What was once architecture dating back hundreds of years now litter the ground in broken slabs of marble and stone - even the grand statue of Sparda himself is defaced. His hands and sword toppled over, his face a ruin. Credo paces, looking over the destruction, even more displeased than usual. Downright incensed.
Meanwhile, Kyrie drags a large case marked with the Order's insignia over to you - pausing when you take the handle for her. It's so heavy for her that there's awe and gratitude in your voice when you ask, "You brought this here for me?"
"Credo requested. She yearns for your touch."
"Thanks." Effortlessly, you take the case, flipping it right side up and laying it out on the ground. "This blade's the best battle companion a swordsman could wish for!"
As you assemble Red Queen, Kyrie wanders over to find the gift you got her - the box, trampled in the chaos, but... the necklace is still intact. Gold, four angelic wings overlaid over a red stone. Overjoyed, she puts it on right away.
The last piece clicks into place - your blade is ready. "Fortuna Castle, huh?"
Dour, Credo replies to you. "That's what the witnesses said."
With a smirk, you rev Red Queen, ready for action. "Guy just came from Hell, he's gotta hit up a couple tourist sites!" Credo, however, has his usual iron rod jammed up his ass.
"You jest so lightly in a time of crisis?!" A pause, to compose himself again. "You must capture him."
"Trust me. I'll get it done."
Kyrie interjects, "Please be careful. You still haven't recovered."
"There's no time, and duty calls." Then the necklace she's wearing catches your eye. Your expression softens, just as your heart leaps into your throat. Kyrie herself looks both happy and embarrassed to have caught your attention. In a gentler tone, you-- avoid the subject of the necklace, instead murmuring, "Can't pass on an emergency."
Credo is oblivious to the atmosphere. His voice interrupts, all business, "I must return to Headquarters and report." As he walks away, you hope to go back to sharing that soft moment with Kyrie once more, but-- suddenly, the ground shakes, violently. All three of you rush outside.
The plaza is empty. Then, a scream: "Someone help me!"
A man staggers into view, injured. Before he gets two steps, a demon leaps for him and strikes him down - he's still alive and in agony as its bladed arms drag him away, but in an instant, his body's thrown to the ground, lifeless. Then the crowds come. Throngs of panicked people, running in every direction. No match whatsoever for the demons that drop in from the upper levels and slash them to pieces. It's a bloodbath.
Was this the work of the Assassin in red? You look around at the carnage and ask, "Is this him...?" But for once, Credo sounds uncertain.
"I... I'm not sure."
Kyrie flinches at every cry of pain, every life lost. You catch her whimpers of fear, and step up. "Credo. Take care of Kyrie. I got this."
You leap into the fray, cutting them a path to lead the townspeople to safety. Credo, still managing to be a nag: "We must evacuate the residents back to Headquarters! Report back as soon as you can, and be careful!"
In true teenaged exasperation, you snap back, "I got it already!" between slaying demons.
"Kyrie, run! Go with the others!" Despite the words of her brother, her eye catches a small child crying over the body of a loved one - and without thinking, she throws himself at him, instinctively trying to shield him from the fast approaching demons. She hugs him tight to her chest and braces herself--
But in an instant, you're there - sweeping them away with a furious slash of your blade. "Go! Get outta here!"
"Nero!" Tearfully, she ushers the child with her as she escapes. Once everyone is fully out of view... you finally roll up your sleeves.
With a smirk, you size up the demon horde. "Not so fast..."
And then, you go fucking ham.