The 20 Missions

La Porte de L'enfer

"Nero!" you shouted his name as you busted the door open with your foot. W-Where's the guy in red?

"Adios, kid!" said some guy's voice from the-- 

"Hey!" you yelled, but the assassin was gone the next second. You walked further into the room and bumped your shoulder to Nero's back and he turned to face you as he lowered his gun. Credo had returned with more men and Kyrie was still with them. All too late.

You cleared your throat and nudged Nero on his right arm, reminding him that his Devil Bringer was exposed. It was a good thing that the guards were just inspecting what mess was left behind. He quickly rolled his sleeve down as Kyrie approached you both with a concerned look in her eyes.

"Are you guy's okay?" she asked softly as she gently gripped your shoulder.

"I'm fine," Nero said and you nodded. You shifted your weight between your legs as you felt the black case on your back press down on your clavicle. Nero snapped out of his reverie when he heard the contents inside the casing shuffle a bit. 

"Sorry," he mumbled as he helped you take the leather sling off your shoulder, "Made you carry her a little longer, but at least you managed to bring her here, so thanks for that. This blade's the best battle companion a swordsman could wish for." Nero laid the casing to the ground and opened it, assembling the blade.

"It's fine," you say, shrugging off the slight fatigue on your left shoulder. Kyrie giggled softly to herself at how she always enjoys the sight of just you and Nero, wondering when you'll ever tell him how you really feel after years of knowing each other.

"Fortuna Castle, huh?" Nero asked as he lifted the fully assembled Red Queen and held it in front of you.

"That's what the witnesses said," Credo said as he brushed passed you, his hands behind his back.

"Guy just came from Hell, he's gotta hit up a couple tourist sites," Nero said and with his grasp on the second grip, away from the pommel, he twisted it slightly, the familiar sound of his blade revving. Credo turned to him, his voice irritated, "You jest so lightly in a time of crisis?"

"Thought you're used to this sort of thing," you said furrowing your brows with a playful smirk. It always seemed like a chore when you had to keep reminding him. Before he could shoot you an annoyed glare, you scoffed, turning away as Nero held the Red Queen and rested her on his shoulder. Credo approached you both, avoiding eye contact.

"You must capture him," he said quietly and walked off.

"Trust me," Nero paused a moment, glancing to you behind him and he smiled, "We'll get it done."

Your heart leaped.

"Please be careful," Kyrie said in her hushed voice as she walked up to you both, eyeing Nero's right arm and your left wrist, still in its brace, "You both still haven't recovered."

"There's no time and duty calls,"Nero said as you were silently fighting the constant urge of yelling in triumph because you're finally going on a mission with Nero. You gave the worried Kyrie a reassuring grin. "We'll be fine, Kyrie. Don't you worry."

"Look, we can't pass on an emergency, alright?" you asked as you held the worried Kyrie's shoulders and she nodded slowly. Nero stood some ways behind you, absent-mindedly taking in your better look with the necklace that seemed to compliment your whole appearance. 

Credo was going to return to the Headquarters to report and you all felt the opera house rumbling so suddenly. You all hurry outside, wondering if that was an earthquake.

"Someone help me!" a voice shouted as you climbed down the steps of the church. You felt Kyrie touch your arm as she stopped right behind you.

The man, whom you thought was the one crying for help was limping then fell at the same time a scarecrow jumped down behind him out of nowhere. The man was being dragged away out of sight after he was impaled by its blade. He was flung over the fountain and landed right in front of you.