The workshop was quiet except for the sound of tools as you and Nell worked side by side on a pair of handguns.
Nell carefully adjusted a component while you worked on the finishing details of Ebony & Ivory.
"Almost there," Nell murmured.
You nodded, reaching for another tool.
Then the door opened.
A tall stranger stepped inside.
Nell immediately went quiet.
You looked up.
The man's presence alone seemed to change the atmosphere of the room. He said nothing as he slowly looked around the workshop.
Gilver.
You glanced at Nell.
She gave you a subtle look that clearly said, Don't ask.
Gilver eventually walked toward a nearby rack and picked up a shotgun.
Nell finally broke the silence.
"Taking that one?"
He simply nodded.
You watched him for a moment before returning to your work.
After a few uncomfortable seconds, Gilver turned toward the door.
Just before leaving, he briefly looked at the unfinished Ebony & Ivory.
Then he disappeared outside.
You waited until the door closed.
"...Well, that was awkward."
Nell exhaled and returned to her work.
"You're telling me."
She handed you a component.
"Come on. We've got guns to finish."

For: @MyrainydaysBlueberry

Character: Credo
Weapon: Red Queen
Demon: Angelo Credo
Place: Fortuna

For: @devilandi

You had come to Credo because something felt wrong.
Rumors of betrayal within Fortuna's council had been spreading, and you trusted your mentor enough to bring the truth directly to him.
Credo listened quietly as you explained everything.
"There's something happening inside the council," you said. "Someone is betraying us."
Credo's expression remained unreadable.
"I see."
You watched him carefully.
"Do you know who it is?"
Credo didn't answer.
Instead, something dark began to spread across his body.
You took a step back.
"Credo...?"
His human form twisted away, revealing the armored demon beneath.
Angelo Credo.
Your breath caught.
"No..."
The mentor you had trusted stood before you as an enemy.
You instinctively reached for Red Queen, the weapon you had trained with for so long under his guidance.
Credo raised his weapon.
"You should not have come here."
"You knew all along..."
His voice remained calm.
"I did what I believed was necessary."
You tightened your grip around Red Queen.
"Then I guess I'll have to stop you."
Credo charged.
You met him head-on, Red Queen clashing against his armor. Every movement he made was painfully familiar—you recognized the techniques because he was the one who had taught them to you.
For every strike, you answered with one of your own.
"You taught me how to fight," you said, revving Red Queen.
Credo raised his weapon.
"Then show me what you have learned."
You charged again, forcing yourself to fight the mentor you never imagined you'd have to face.

For: @devilandi

Character: Nero
Weapon: Hanguns
Demon: Echidna
Place: Fortuna Forest

For: @butchyplays

After the chaos Dante had caused in Fortuna, you and he eventually split up in the forest.
Before leaving, Dante gave you a mischievous grin.
"Keep Nero busy for me, will ya? Just stall him for a while."
You sighed. "And what exactly am I supposed to tell him?"
"Make something up. You're good at that."
Before you could argue, Dante disappeared into the trees.
A few minutes later, Nero found you.
He immediately looked suspicious.
"Where's Dante?"
You smiled innocently.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Nero narrowed his eyes.
"You're helping him, aren't you?"
"Maybe."
What started as a simple attempt to stall him quickly turned into a game of dodging, taunting, and keeping Nero occupied.
But after a while, his patience began to wear thin.
"Okay. Enough."
You noticed the change in his expression.
Nero tightened his grip and stepped forward.
"I've been playing around with you long enough."
You prepared yourself.
Then—
ROAR!
The ground shook.
A massive figure crashed through the trees.
Echidna.
Nero immediately turned toward the demon.
You lowered your weapon slightly.
"...Well. That's convenient."
You glanced at Nero.
"Temporary truce?"
Nero nodded.
"Deal."
Echidna lunged.
You and Nero attacked together, your movements quickly falling into rhythm. Nero drew her attention while you struck from the side, and whenever Echidna turned toward you, Nero was there to intercept.
"Keep her busy!" Nero shouted.
"Already doing it!"
You both pressed the attack until Echidna finally staggered.
Nero delivered the finishing blow, sending the demon crashing to the ground.
Silence returned.
Nero looked at you.
"So... back to our little problem?"
You smiled.
"Can we pretend that didn't happen?"
He sighed.
"Not a chance."
Somewhere far away, Dante was probably still laughing.

For: @butchyplays

Character: Dante
Weapon: Cavaliere
Demon: Cavaliere Angelo
Place: Ruins of Red Grave

For: @DimensionQH

The ruins of Red Grave had already given you and Dante more than enough trouble.
As you made your way through the wreckage, a powerful presence suddenly emerged from the dust.
Cavaliere Angelo.
The armored demon charged, his massive weapon crashing against the ruined streets.
Dante grinned.
"Looks like we've got company."
You readied yourself.
"Let's get this over with."
Cavaliere Angelo attacked with overwhelming speed, forcing you and Dante to fight in perfect coordination. You kept him occupied from one side while Dante struck from the other, gradually wearing down his defenses.
At last, the demon staggered.
Dante delivered the final blow.
Cavaliere Angelo collapsed.
But then something strange happened.
His demonic armor twisted and reshaped itself, transforming into a massive motorcycle-like weapon.
You stared.
"...Did he just turn into a bike?"
Dante walked over, inspecting it.
"Looks like it."
He grabbed the handlebars and started the engine.
The roar echoed through the ruins.
Dante glanced back at you with a grin.
"Want a ride?"
You stared at him.
"You're seriously thinking about riding that thing?"
"After all that work? Absolutely."
He revved the engine.
"Come on. It'll be fun."
You sighed and climbed on behind him.
Dante laughed.
"Hold on!"
The Cavaliere roared to life, tearing through the ruins of Red Grave as Dante took his newest weapon for a spin.

For: @DimensionQH

Character: Nero
Weapon: Nevan
Demon: Artemis
Place: Red Grave

For: @Mister_shoes_daily_bullshits

Red Grave was barely recognizable anymore.
You and Nero fought your way through the ruined streets, clearing a path toward the enormous Qliphoth Tree looming over the city.
You glanced at the strange weapon in your hands.
"Still can't believe Dante gave me Nevan."
Nero looked over.
"You've been complaining about that for ten minutes."
"Because it's ridiculous. Out of everything he could've given me, he gives me a giant electric guitar."
Nero smirked.
"You could've gotten nothing."
"Would've preferred that."
You swung Nevan experimentally.
"And I can't even use it properly. It's way too weird."
Before Nero could answer, a powerful energy suddenly filled the street.
A flash of violet light streaked past you.
You both stopped.
Artemis hovered above the ruins, her presence immediately putting you on guard.
Nero raised his weapon.
"Well, guess you're about to find out what Nevan can do."
The fight began.
Artemis attacked from above, filling the battlefield with energy blasts while you and Nero moved between the ruined buildings. You swung Nevan, discovering that its strange attacks were actually perfect for controlling the space around you.
"Okay..."
You struck again, catching Artemis off guard.
"...That's actually pretty useful."
Nero laughed.
"Thought you hated it."
"I said pretty useful!"
The two of you continued attacking together, using Nevan's unusual abilities to keep Artemis under pressure.
Finally, Artemis was defeated.
You lowered Nevan and stared at it for a moment.
Nero walked past you.
"So?"
You sighed.
"I still think Dante has terrible taste."
Nero grinned.
"But?"
You looked down at Nevan again.
"...Maybe he knew what he was doing."
Nero laughed.
"That's probably the nicest thing you've ever said about him."
"Ugh...don't even think about telling him."

For: @Mister_shoes_daily_bullshits

Character: Beryl
Weapon: Artemis
Demon: Finis Demon
Place: Residential Area

For: @Everyday_Life_of_Mademoiselle

The residential area was far too quiet.
You and Beryl had been searching the streets after reports of strange demonic activity. Most of the houses were empty, but something about the silence felt wrong.
Beryl suddenly stopped.
"Don't move."
A shadow shifted between the buildings.
Several Finis Demons emerged from the darkness, surrounding you both.
Beryl reached for her weapon.
You raised Artemis.
"Guess we found what we're looking for."
The demons rushed you.
You fired Artemis, its energy shots tearing through the first wave while Beryl moved alongside you, striking anything that managed to get close.
One Finis Demon leapt from a rooftop.
You spun around and fired.
"Gotcha."
Beryl laughed.
"Not bad!"
More demons poured into the street.
Beryl glanced at you.
"Think that thing can handle a few more?"
You grinned.
"Only one way to find out."
You and Beryl pushed forward together, clearing the residential streets until the last Finis Demon finally disappeared.
Beryl lowered her weapon and looked around.
"Well, that was more excitement than I expected tonight."
You rested Artemis against your shoulder.
"And here I thought this was going to be boring."
Beryl chuckled.
"Don't say that. That's how you invite more trouble."
You both looked down the empty street.
"...Let's head back before she jinxes us."
Beryl smiled.
"Good idea."

For: @Everyday_Life_of_Mademoiselle

Character: Lady
Weapon: Double Kalina Ann
Demon: Empusa
Place: Devil May Cry Shop

For: @iamfrom80s

Lady had barely walked into the Devil May Cry shop before Dante knew why she was there.
“You owe me.”
Dante leaned back in his chair. “Hello to you too.”
“I came for my money.”
You were sitting nearby, watching the exchange with amusement. Then your eyes landed on the Double Kalina Ann Lady had brought with her.
A defeated Empusa was pinned to the wall, their body being used as target for darts.
You looked at Lady.
“Want to make things interesting?”
Lady raised an eyebrow. “I'm listening.”
You pointed toward the wall.
“Dart challenge. If I win, I get Double Kalina Ann for my next solo mission.”
Lady glanced at the mounted Empusa, then back at you.
“You're challenging me?”
“Yep.”
Dante grinned from behind the counter. “Oh, this I have to see.”
Lady picked up a dart.
“Fine. But don't complain when you lose.”
You threw first.
Thunk.
The dart struck the Empusa squarely.
Lady stepped up.
Thunk.
Her dart landed almost exactly beside yours.
You stared at it.
“Okay. That was good.”
“I know.”
The next few rounds became a serious competition. You kept landing your darts closer and closer to the center, while Lady refused to let you pull ahead.
Finally, it came down to one last throw.
You took aim.
Thunk.
Dead center.
Lady looked at the target.
Then she sighed.
“Fine. You win.”
She grabbed Double Kalina Ann and handed it over.
“You can use it on your next mission.”
You smiled. “Thanks.”
Lady pointed at you.
“Take care of it.”
Dante suddenly cleared his throat.
“So… about that money you wanted…”
Lady slowly turned toward him.
“Right.”
Dante's smile vanished.
“You still owe me.”
You happily walked off with Double Kalina Ann while they kept arguing about money and stuff.

For: @iamfrom80s

Character: Dante
Weapon: Nelo Angelo's Greatsword
Demon: Mundus
Place: Mullet Island

For: @najoyusipar_PK

Mullet Island was already shaking beneath the force of Mundus's presence.
You stood beside Dante, gripping the greatsword you had claimed after defeating Nelo Angelo.
Dante glanced at the blade.
“Never thought I'd see that thing fighting on our side.”
You tightened your grip. “We earned it.”
Dante grinned.
“Then let's make sure it was worth taking.”
Mundus descended upon the battlefield, his overwhelming power sending another shockwave across the island.
You and Dante moved together.
Dante drew Mundus's attention while you pressed forward, the greatsword cutting through the attacks that came your way. Whenever Mundus tried to separate you, Dante closed the distance again, keeping the two of you together.
“Still standing?” Dante called.
“Barely.”
“Good enough.”
The battle raged across the ruined island.
Mundus unleashed another massive attack.
You and Dante split apart at the last second, then turned back toward him from opposite sides.
Dante smirked.
“Ready?”
You raised the greatsword.
“Let's finish this.”
The two of you charged together, striking at the same time.
Mundus roared as the combined assault finally forced him back.
For the first time, Dante's grin faded into something more determined.
“Keep pushing!”
You nodded and stayed beside him.
Whatever happened next, neither of you intended to face Mundus alone.

For: @najoyusipar_PK

Character: Trish
Weapon: Alastor
Demon: Death Scissors
Place: Red Grave

For: @LeavingForYou

The ruined streets of Red Grave were quiet until the sharp sound of giant scissors scraping against stone echoed between the buildings.
You immediately drew Alastor.
Trish lifted Sparda onto her shoulder.
“Death Scissors,” she said.
A pair of the demons emerged from the rubble, drifting toward you with their enormous blades snapping open and shut.
You glanced at Trish.
“Two?”
She smiled. “I'll take the one on the left.”
You nodded. “Got it.”
The Death Scissors rushed forward.
You met yours head-on with Alastor, while Trish engaged the other with Sparda. The ruined street filled with the clash of blades as both demons darted around the wreckage.
One suddenly vanished.
You looked around.
“Trish?”
“Above you!”
You rolled aside as the Death Scissors dropped down.
Trish immediately charged in with Sparda, forcing it back.
“Nice save.”
“You're welcome.”
Your own opponent came rushing from behind.
You spun around, raising Alastor just in time.
“Looks like yours wants a turn too.”
Trish laughed.
“Then let's give them one.”
You fought back-to-back, Alastor and Sparda moving in sync as the Death Scissors attacked from opposite sides.
A final coordinated strike sent both demons crashing down.
The ruined street fell silent again.
You rested Alastor against your shoulder.
Trish lowered Sparda.
“Not bad.”
You grinned. “We make a pretty good team.”
Trish nodded.
“Yeah. Let's keep it that way.”

For: @LeavingForYou